The Handyman Paradox

Well, John replaced the starter in his van and it is running again (for now, anyway). We had a discussion last night that went something like this:

John: Got the van running. I HATE having to work on cars when they break!
Me: But that's the only time you work on them.
John: I know. It's too bad I know how to fix cars.
Me: What would you do if you didn't know how to fix cars?
John: I'd be like everybody else and pay exhorbitant amounts of money for cars that work. You know, if I didn't know how to fix everything, we'd be paying someone else to do it.
Me: I know! Then all of our cars would work, I'd have a shower that works and a kitchen light that works... everything around here would work!
John: Yeah. Too bad I know how to fix everything.

He can fix everything himself, so he won't pay someone else to do it, but then it doesn't get done because he has to do it. So there you have it: The Handyman Paradox.

The Saga Continues...

John drove the Mazda to work today. I knew there would be problems from the squealing sound and the cloud of smoke that accompanied him as he left the driveway this morning. Not long after he left, he called me to let me know he was taking the back roads to work, since the right tire was in imminent danger of falling off.

At lunch time, he drove to a gas station and made a deal with the owner: the Mazda car title in exchange for a tow home for the broken-down van at work. I'm sure we got the better end of the deal, but the station owner was delighted, since he has a 13-year-old son who has begun some sort of racing on the weekends and was running through spare parts faster than his dad could keep them supplied. He needed the exact engine that was in the Mazda. Do you think God works out car deals?

So the Mazda is GONE! Hard to believe, since it's one of the few things that we've carted to every house we've lived in since our newlywed days. Poor Mazda... I didn't get a chance to give it a good-bye kick. Anyway, John is out in the driveway trying to get one of the vans to run again. The saga continues...

The Dinner of Despair

John called me late this afternoon and he was in a very bad mood- mad enough to "spit nails," he said. We have four vehicles and currently, two of them are broken. The third one gave out when he tried to come home this afternoon- just wouldn't start. He called me to give him a tow.

Towing is one of the things that I've had to learn as John's Wife. John buys old cars (not classic cars- old cars) because he is "thrifty", and they frequently break down. Hence, my new skill set. This caused many marital problems during the first few towings, since I did not do it "right". He eventually got smart and bought a pair of nice walkie-talkies and talks me through it. Towing- and "driving"- a dead car looks a lot easier than it really is, but I have to say, I've come along nicely as a Tow Driver. I've had lots of practice.

When I got to his work, he realized that traffic was much too busy with all the people heading home, so we went to dinner. I had some Cracker Barrel gift certificates that have been waiting for such a time as this. (John generally refuses to go to Cracker Barrel because he hates the lines, but the dinner crowd hadn't hit yet.) He called it our Dinner of Despair. Two vans are now completely out of service and the third car, the one that is almost 20 years old, still runs but should be banned from the road. (So that's the one he's taking to work tomorrow.) When we got back to his work, he realized that there's no hook on the front of his van with which to tow it. So we left it there. (At least I got out of the towing job for tonight.) I guess we'll get it home somehow.

If you are driving around the Bible Belt and see a old blue Mazda or any sort of van sitting on the side of the road, there's a good chance it's ours. Wave as you go by and think of me.

A Dood Day

When I walked out of my room this morning, I almost tripped over Nathanael, who was curled up on the floor under his Mr. Incredible bath towel. He was already dressed for church. "How are you this morning?" I inquired as I sat down beside him. "Dood" he replied sleepily, and he laid his head on my lap for a good-morning back scratch. The older kids began trickling into the kitchen, for once fully dressed with no squabbles or wardrobe complaints. They were all excited about the church picnic at the park this afternoon and were restless with anticipation.

The Spring Picnic is one of the best activities our church does, in their opinion. Lots of food, a great park, and afterwards, family softball, where everyone can play no matter how young or how poorly you throw, catch or hit (they would even let me play, had I the inclination!) We picnicked until we were stuffed. The kids were undaunted by a light rainshower, and a few of them somehow ended up in the lake (including Rebecca). The sun finally came out, however, and the game was on. When our family finally left, the softball die-hards were still going strong.

The kids played out side the rest of the afternoon and tonight, they're all in the family room watching "Superman" (the Christopher Reeve one... John is on a Superman kick lately.) I might get a load of laundry done... and I might not.

But it was indeed a Very Dood Day.

Shirts, Skirts and Skits

Tonight was the 4-H Fashion Revue and Variety Show. We have sewn our hearts out here, finishing Becca's shorts about 30 minutes before time to leave for the Fashion Revue. Becca made a blue chambray top with contrasting Bandana print collar and sleeve ruffle (and last-minute shorts). She did a great job... but I am so glad this is over!

After the Fashion Revue came the Variety Show. Our club did a Beverly Hillbillies skit which was pretty cute. John Mark was Jed Clampett and Becca was an un-named "citizen". But she got to wear her new fancy dress, so she was happy. The club will go on to compete at the Area event in two weeks.

Two weeks.... and school will be OVER!! (for all practical purposes, anyhow). After it was all over tonight, we went to Pizza Inn with the Whites and the Dunbars and had some fun fellowship. We ran into Rob & Reigh Ann and Sara & Mike at Pizza Inn. Mike?? Mike's back- yea!

(Did I mention how relieved I am that this is over?)

Above:
Miss Hathaway, Mr. Drysdale, Jed Clampett and Granny




Our lovely Fashionistas: Becca, Jaclyn, Erin, Rebekah, Jenaye and Emily

I Believe

Today is Easter Sunday. The celebration of Easter has been a journey for me. The church of my childhood did not officially recognize Easter as a religious holiday (since it is not specifically mentioned in the Bible, I suppose), so for years I thought Easter was little more than new dresses, bunnies, and a filled basket on Easter morning. Oh, of course Easter celebrated the Resurrection, but didn't we do that every Sunday?

I'm glad the church of my adulthood recognizes the beauty and necessity of special days and special celebrations. Easter is special. The Resurrection is the center point of our faith; without it, we're all wasting our time. And personally, the Resurrection has taken on a whole new meaning for me.

I think that the church of my childhood confused discipleship and salvation. We were led to believe, whether intentionally or not, that our salvation was hanging by a thread. The scriptures about "working out our faith" and "making our calling and election sure" were heavy burdens, seeming to promise that only the best of us (whoever that would be) had a prayer of making it past the pearly gates. Salvation was a tantalizing goal, but never a certainty. But those passages are not dealing with salvation- they are addressing discipleship: learning to be like Christ.

It has taken me the better part of my life to figure this out. Sinless perfection is not my goal; learning to love like Jesus is. And because God's grace is great enough to cover my selfishness, my pride, my laziness, and all the other things I struggle with, I can rest secure in my calling as a daughter of God. Jesus has it covered, and the Resurrection proves it. God did what He said He would do then, and because of that, I choose to believe He'll do what he says He will do in the future.

I choose to believe that grace covers even me.
I choose to believe that I don't have to be afraid of dying.
I choose to believe that when I die, something fabulous awaits, beyond my wildest imagination.
I choose to believe that even though I don't understand, God is in control.
I choose to believe that God, the perfect Father, loves my children more than I could ever begin to, and they are safe in His hands.
I choose to believe that God is who He says he is, and He will do what he says He will do.

I choose to believe.

Easter Week

This was a busy but fun week. We had the sewing workshop on Monday and still aren't done with Becca's blouse (and haven't begun the matching shorts). I forsee a cram session of sewing coming up soon. The Fashion Revue is this Thursday!

Tuesday night was Awana Parents night. Here's a photo of Becca with her Second Book Award and her Perfect Attendance award.


This is Ben's Sparky Class and their teacher, Mr. Charlie. Aren't they cute? You may wonder why all the other kids have more patches and stuff on their vests than Ben does. Unfortunately, Ben has a mother who doesn't do patches. This is probably one of those things that will haunt my kids for life.

On Friday, John took John Mark and his best buddies Kevin and Elliot camping to celebrate John Mark's birthday. We were sorry that Kevin D could not come too, but he had to go out of town because of a death in the family. It was perfect camping weather! They biked, fished, made s'mores and ate lots of junk food.

Today was the Easter Egg Hunt at church. I didn't get any pictures because John took my camera on the camping trip. Maybe someone will take pity on me and send me some. The kids dyed eggs this afternoon. You can tell John Mark just woke up from his post-camping nap.

Tomorrow, Easter Celebration!

Tagged

Tagged by Leslie:

Four jobs you've had in your life:

1. Clerk at H&R Block
2. Customer Service Rep at HomeCare
3. Telephone Survey Person
4. Salesperson at Butler Shoes, Pfalzgraff Pfactory Store and Things Remembered

Four movies you would watch over and over:

1. Steel Magnolias
2. Pride & Prejudice
3. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
4. Phantom of the Opera

Four TV shows you love to watch:

1. American Idol
2. 24
3. Stargate SG-1
4. Star Trek Voyager

Four places you have been on vacation:

1. San Francisco
2. New York City
3. Key West
4. Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Four websites you visit often:

1. ebay
2. Amazon
3. Worship Forum
4. bestbookbuys.com

Four of your favorite foods:

1. Boiled Shrimp
2. Chicken n' Dumplins
3. (Real) Banana Pudding
4. Greasy Beans (my Eastern KY family's specialty)

Four places you would rather be right now:

1. At a beach resort with John
2. In Florida with my Mom
3. In the "holler" with Aunt Stanley
4. At Disney with my kids

Tag, Summer, you're it!

Happy Birthday, John Mark!

I am the mother of a teenager now. John Mark turned 13 yesterday! We had a family party during lunch with croissant sandwiches, lemonade, chocolate cake, and John Mark's favorites, Cookies n' Cream ice cream and Doritoes. My plant-loving son was thrilled to receive two Hydrangea plants for his birthday, a pink one and a blue one. He learned about Hydrangeas during a 4-H project on soil pH a couple of years ago and has been crazy about them every since. (You can change the color of some Hydrangeas from pink to blue, or vice versa, by changing the acidity of the soil.) He has been caring for his Hydrangeas attentively and will give his father no peace until they are in the ground. He'll have a party with his best friends this weekend.

John Mark was the most gorgeous baby, with fat cheeks, a head full of brown hair and large brown eyes. When he was born, we lived in a tiny duplex on the low-rent side of Baton Rouge. Most things we had for him were second hand, except for the changing table, which was a baby shower gift, the playpen and swing, which were gifts from John's family and a beautiful cradle from my parents. I desperately wanted a "real" nursery, but we just didn't have the money. I sewed yellow lace curtains from a fabric store remnant, a bed skirt from an old yellow sheet, and my grandmother made a comforter for his baby bed (which had been John's!) I found a roll of cheap wallpaper border at the Discount Wallpaper store that had sailboats and rainbows, and John helped me paste it around his wall. We were ready.

Turns out that John Mark didn't care what his nursery looked like. I spent long, happy days taking care of my baby. Together, we shopped the thrift store that was just down the road, and we spent sunny afternoons singing songs, reading books and listening to Hallal (which was cutting edge in 1993). John Mark crawled after me from room to room as I went about my various projects, reminding me of the song, "I Just Want to Be Where You Are." One day when John Mark was about a year old, we were out past lunch and the two of us stopped at Shoney's to eat. After watching us for a while, an older man told me what a beautiful baby I had and what a wonderful mother I was. I glowed with the compliment. We were Kanga and Roo.

It wasn't too long before John Mark was joined by his younger sister, but those (almost) two short years of "Mommy and John Mark" are sweet memories. Happy Birthday, John Mark!

I Did It!

I accomplished one of my goals on my "100 Things About Me" list... I learned to make button holes! While Becca was working on her top at the 4-H sewing workshop this past week, I decided that I was going to work on a project too. On Friday, I announced my good news to John while we were in the car: "Guess what? Today I learned to make button holes!" He gave me a shocked look and said, "WHAT??" "I learned to make button holes," I repeated. "Oh," he said, relieved. He thought I had said something else :-).

Anyhow, those who don't sew may not understand the significance of this news, but for the wanna-be seamstress, the ability to make button holes opens up an entire new frontier of pattern possibilites. I feel so empowered! Here's a photo of the outfit I made: a pair of capris and a matching top. The top has a drawstring around the the waist that required my button holes. Are you impressed or what?
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On Friday, we went to eat dinner with Lynn and Tommy. We ate at a new Chinese place called Yu's. Yu's was good. Afterwards we drove aimlessly around downtown for a while and then played dominoes until late in the night. Apparently, the downtown crowd gets together regularly to play cards and such, but John and I remarked that this was the first time in the 10+ years we've lived here that another couple has invited us to just "hang out" with them (not counting "official" church or homeschool activities). I don't know if it's because of all of our kids, or maybe people just don't like us... maybe you just have to live here for 10+ years, I don't know. We've often had people over to our house or out to lunch, and there have been a couple of times we've been invited over to someone's home for Sunday lunch or rarely, a non-Sunday dinner, but never just "come over and spend time with us." That's probably the thing we've missed most about Baton Rouge, because we had that easy friendship with several people, the kind of thing where you call your friend and say, "What's in your fridge? Here's what I have..." and you get together for an impromptu dinner and a night of dominoes. We were close to it when the Benzes lived next door, but then they moved far, far away... Anyway, we had a fun time with Lynn and Tommy and we are glad for their friendship.
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John took some of the kids went exploring on Saturday, looking for backwoods campsites. They found some good-looking possibilities. He keeps trying to guilt me into this backwoods camping too... a "family" event. Yeah, right! I need running water and a bathhouse, thank you very much (and preferably a camper with heat and A/C!)
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We had CARE group tonight at the White's, which is always fun. The youth group had a bonfire at Ted and Christina's. It was fun seeing the Texas crowd at church this week too! We miss you.
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Up this week: John Mark's birthday, variety show rehearsal, the finale of the sewing workshop, AWANA parents night, Easter Egg Hunt, along with all the regular stuff.