Monday, October 02, 2006

Taking Time

I talked to Amanda online yesterday, which was very nice. We didn't talk at ALL about 'what happened' before, we just made conversation: her job, her new place, her wedding plans, honeymoon, Christmas gift list, etc. I tried to guide her as much as I could about the wedding, but her ideas and my ideas are far, far, far from each other. I believe that it's the memories created from a wedding that last a lifetime... that too much money spent is a waste of money that could be used towards building a future together. Her ideas (mind you just ideas, not 'plans') were nearly $20,000 JUST for the ring, dress and honeymoon. Yikes. But hey... whatever she wants to do.............. it's HER big day, not mine! I'll be happy no matter what. (Yes, you can remind me I said that in a couple of years when this wedding is supposed to take place) -- LOL

I did my good deed for the day already today. I got up this morning to go to work and in getting into my car noticed my neighbor had water coming out from under her garage door. Although the door was shut, but you could see the water pouring out from the bottom. I get out of my car to explore and could hear the water running in the garage. A quick memory check of what they had in their garage... was it empty so they could park 2 cars in it with maybe the washer/dryer in it - and maybe the washer was overflowing? No.... from what I recall their garage is wall to wall to ceiling storage. I ring the doorbell, knock on the door, but can't wake up my neighbor. I see the husband's truck is gone, but the wife, Gloria, is home and is probably still sleeping. I run to get Chris who also tries to wake her up. We try to open the garage door, no luck. Tried the side door, no luck. Finally Chris shut off the water main! **Yay Chris!** About this time she wakes up and comes to the door. Boy, talk about a horrible way to wake up in the morning.... She opens the garage and - just as we feared - her water main broke - the main pipe that brings water from the street into the house had come undone. It broke my heart that one of the items completely ruined was a piano that looked just like the one we had to get rid of a few years ago. Completely soaked. Lucky for her it was the water main was in a corner of her garage so only some things in her garage were ruined... it could have been much worse. She was extremely thankful that we took the time to come over, discover the problem, wake her up and help. Hey... that's what neighbors are for, right?

I'm a little worried about Julie, but probably shouldn't be. She hasn't called the house much lately... and usually that isn't good. But maybe she's just been busy. Mom went to visit Julie the other day and said her house looked great, the neighborhood seemed to be really cleaned up and they had all kinds of stores opening up by her house. (Julie lives in Riverview off 301 and Big Bend Road) I know she's missing her visit this week because she is working and I just hope that everything else with her is okay.

Speaking of not okay.... Kayla admitted last night that she thinks she is depressed. I'd have to agree. She's not all doom and gloom, but she is sleeping a lot and not dressing up as nice as she usually does. Thank goodness her psychiatric visit is two weeks from tomorrow, although I do kind of wish they could see her sooner. (The are supposed to call if they get a cancellation) Even Kayla said last night that she was happy she was soon going to see the psychiatrist. Wow.

So - what's going on with Kayla? Well, first I should tell you that - just like I put in the earlier blog - she does tend to have 'down' time when she's just not as outgoing as usual and/or she just takes it out on her sister. But this is a little worse than that. Her boyfriend, Pito, broke up with her. And... I knew it was coming. He was VERY good to her, treated her nice and all that - but he went to a different high school, she wasn't allowed on the computer to chat with him (I don't think she'll EVER be allowed back on the computer) and she's still on phone restriction because of her grades -- so she never got to talk to him and only saw him every once in a while. But, it's never easy when someone breaks up with you, I know that. Poor thing.

I'm still extremely concerned about all of their grades - and I'll tell ya, dealing with the school system is NOT always easy. I left messages for every single one of Jonathan's teachers early last week. Not one has called me back as of today. Kayla has one teacher showing she had two days absent from school... which is incorrect. They had her missing a day (Excused) in August, which she didn't miss anything in August. Then the one day (two missed classes) I DID take her out of school last week, they show her absence as UN-excused. So I call and figure it's got to be easy to fix, right? Heck no... first they don't believe me. Then I explained how I brought her IN to the office myself last week and signed her in. She had been to the doctors so it was excused. But do they believe me? No. Kayla has to get some printout and bring it to each and every teacher to be signed off before they'll mark it excused. The next time this happens, I will demand a copy of the computer printout they gave to Kayla when they marked her absence as excused in the office when I brought her in. I mean... aren't we supposed to be working together here?? Sheesh!!! Justin now has the four D's and I've emailed his guidance teacher to ask if we can pull him out of some of his advanced classes. Kayte.... well I assume she's still doing well. :o) I don't keep watchful eye on her after her progress report that had all A's and B's. Thank goodness!

Well folks, time to wrap it up for today. But first....

Ever since my brother in law Ron died unexpectedly 2 years ago and then Christal passing a few weeks ago, I am more aware of how, in the blink of an eye, someone we love can suddenly leave us. I sure wish I could turn back the hands of time and do so much more with Christal or tell Ron what a great guy I thought he was. While in some situations we have the opportunity to prepare for someones death, such as an elderly relative, more often than not, death comes when we least expect it. This usually leaves us with regrets. "If only he could have known how much I loved him," or "I feel bad because I kept putting off spending time with her."

Take the time to show those you care about that you love them. Do it today.

Many of us are far too guilty of allowing petty frictions get in the way of what is truly important, and before you know it, time has passed, calls are missed, and visits are canceled.

Today a wonderful day to let our loved ones know they are appreciated. It is also a perfect time to create a stronger bond with our heavenly Father. Just as you can set aside those small differences of opinion that may strain your family and friend relationships, we can also make the decision to release sin from our lives, and start doing more of those things which are good and pleasing to God.

Do you love God?
Then show Him!

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