random things I remember from this past week...

I am settling down after hosting my "I.P. Freely" Party.     Thanks to my family and friends who came to celebrate the normal function of my bladder.    We enjoyed alot of food and alot of laughter.

Somehow, this is the second party we have hosted in which my youngest son managed to binge on fruit and junk food, run around like a maniac, have a blast with his friends.... and then vomit.     I didn't keep tabs on what he consumed... but apparently there were alot of strawberries involved.     
He was quick to announce that he would not eat as much at his birthday party next week. 
That's good to know.

This week has been a mess.

The preschoolers showed up to school this week, where I work.   And this first week has been challenging.  That's all I should say.
But, I have seen improvement each day.... and I think I might actually go back to work on Monday morning.

On top of being flustered at work, I had a screaming fit with my boys on Tuesday night.  It was horrible.  I was horrible.     
Thankfully that incident is behind us... and I am thankful for the gift of forgiveness.     

I have noticed that Lucas has been really missing Thayer lately.   He cried for Thayer on tuesday night after my fit.   And he cried again for Thayer, last night saying, "if Daddy were here, he could enjoy my 9th birthday party."  
We cried together.
I can totally see how milestones are going to be difficult for the boys.

I spent most of my evenings this past week getting my house presentable for guests.  I tend to think that I plan parties... just so I have a reason to straighten up my environment.   I'm hoping to keep things in order because the next two months is full of back-to-back activities and parties.     Anyone interested in the 'adult only' trip to the corn maze?!  I can't wait!

right now, I am exhausted.
I am so thankful that the weekend is here!

what I'd be good at...

(Trying to keep my mind off of the pee.   Things are improving... but I'm not 100% yet.)

So...
I've stated many times that I would gladly be a greeter at Walmart when I return to full time work.     Many of you think I'm kidding.  (which I kinda am...)
But you know what? 
I'd be really good at it.
Granted I'm not old, or disabled.... but I know that I could rock that job, if they'd let me.
And I'm pretty sure that people would drive across town to be greeted by me.  :-)

I am a frequent shopper of Walmart.  And I'm serious when I say that I've been greeted 'properly' only a handful of times in the past year. 
Those current greeters look miserable!  Is it really that hard to drum up a smile and say hello to the people who come in the door??     Are the responsibilities too exhausting or demanding?   Do greeters run out of smiles at a certain point in their career? 

So for my own enjoyment...
I greet those greeters EVERY time I enter, with a big smile and a "Hi! how are you today?!"   And when I leave, "Thank you!  have a super afternoon!"  :o)

I'm secretly proud of myself for doing their job... better than they do.

I know.
random.

the choices we make

I probably should have stopped and spoken to her.

I saw her on the corner yesterday.   She was young.  She was holding a sign that explained her situation.
 homeless, broke, just left her husband.
There was more... I remember it was kind and tactful.   But I couldn't get past the part about being homeless and husband-less.

My first thought was 'wow... I've never seen a chick with a sign like that.... I wonder if she is legit'.
I wondered if she was just hoping to get some cash for drugs or alcohol.  
Then I felt shameful for judging so quickly.
I didn't know her situation.    What if her sign was truthful?   What if she really needed help?

I thought about what events would actually put a person in the position of writing for help on a piece of cardboard ,and standing on a street corner.      What was she feeling as she stood there... knowing that people like me would drive by... judging her?   I can imagine that it was humiliating.

I had, for a brief second, the thought of stopping to hear her story.   But my selfishness overruled and I drove by. 
Not my finest moment, for sure.

Then I wondered if I could ever be in the same predicament.
What if I were unable to pay the bills after thayer died?  What if I lost my home?  What if I didn't have family in town?   
I have been beyond blessed through all of my circumstances.... but what if things had turned out differently?  Could that be me on the street corner?

Even today, the thought of her bothers me.
I keep wondering what set of choices she made to end up on a street corner.

Thayer always used to preach about how situations come about because of the choices that are made.    His father is in prison...not necessarily because he committed the crime...but because he made a series of poor choices that ultimately put him in a crappy situation.

I like to tell my kids that they need to make good choices.  And I've explained to them about being 'guilty by association'.   Who you choose to hang out with... matters.     The actions that you take... matter.  The choices you make... matter.

So... back to the girl.   I'm doubting that she ended up on that corner in a jiffy.    I would think it was a snowball of choices that dropped her off at that spot.

But doesn't she deserve another chance?  or would she blow it again?
The judgemental me thinks that she should have planned ahead and gotten a job or something before she left her husband. 
(but what if he was abusive and she had to leave quickly?)  
Aren't there battered women's shelters to run to?
Could she have been applying for jobs instead of begging on the corner?  
(Or are homeless people unable to apply for jobs because they don't have an address?) hmmm... good question.
What about the homeless shelter?  What about the soup kitchen?  Aren't there resources for people who are down and out?

yeah.   Me?   What could I have done?

I probably should have stopped and spoken to her.