Please Pray

Hey Friends,

My grandfather is having surgery on Tuesday morning for a tumor that they found in his bladder this week. He had quadruple bypass surgery 6 years ago and almost died, and since then we've been told his heart is too weak to survive any further surgeries. The urologist said there's no option here....the tumor must come out (whatever that means????). Anyway, they've warned us in very blunt terms of the seriousness of this surgery on Tuesday. He's 84 and has had a good life, but I'm still not ready to lose him. It's going to be hard to be at work Tuesday, but since I don't really have the time to take off I feel I must be. If something happens to him I'll need my days then.

Please pray that he'll come through surgery okay....or better yet, that God's will be done. If it's his time, pray my family will be able to accept that answer, too.

Thanks,
Stefanie

RTI

I was tired of looking at that last post, so I decided I just had to update even if I felt I really had nothing earth-shattering to say. Today, work was rough. The new RTI regulations are going to be the death of me. I had quite a breakdown today with the stress of it all. I think I need to get out of my classroom more. In 11 years of teaching, I've always guarded my lunchtime as precious and have taken that time to visit and bond with my colleagues. I've even preached to others about the virtues of "getting out of the classroom" even if just for a little bit. For some strange reason this year I've begun eating in my room and working through lunch. (Actually, I know the reason......)

Bad decision...not only am I more stressed, but I'm also more lonely. I don't feel as connected to my colleagues. I'm missing the comaraderie and support that comes from being with friends. I'm alone half the time when at home, so choosing to be so at work, too, is not very smart. My most recent goal for the new year is to get out of my shell and get back into life. Things will undoubtedly get better!

PaPaw

Today is my PaPaw's birthday, and also the 16th anniversary of his death. I looked hard for a picture of him to post, and was saddened to find I had none. That's one of the many ugly things about divorce...you sometimes lose some of your memories in pictures when that happens. I plan to do something about that!

Anyway, it's so hard to believe it's been 16 years. There are so many things I remember about him. He was a massive man...tall, big, and gruff, even though he mellowed greatly in his latter years. I can still see him in his Texaco shirt (he owned a Texaco station in Mt. Pleasant for years) sitting in his recliner and counting his wad of bills. I remember being so awed by that stack of money. I don't know if he didn't go to the bank everyday or what, but he always had a stack in that money clip! He was a survivor of the Great Depression, though, and didn't let go of it too easily.

I can remember going with him to the farm to feed the cows, feed the catfish in his stocked ponds, and work in his garden. I spent the night with them every Friday night and stayed all day on Saturday, and he was always busy working around the place or at the station. He didn't tolerate any nonsense though, and when he spoke you jumped! :)

So many memories.....seems like just yesterday. Rest in Peace, PaPaw! I love you!

My Christmas Lesson

I learned a valuable lesson this Christmas thanks to the above pictured gift. Someone (who's really NOT a very good friend I might add) must have prayed that I'd find patience. Connor had begged for a "Lego Star Wars AT-TE Walker." He got it. That was my first mistake. 16 hours, 799 tiny pieces, several outbursts, a few inappropriate words, a horrible backache, and some tears later, we had the darn thing put together. The funniest part of all is that I PAID for that misery! Never again...even Connor was not enjoying it at all by about the third hour. I was determined we'd finish what we started, so we did. He knows I'll put some serious hurt on him or any of his friends who decide to take it apart! It reminded me of some comedy movie...but it just wasn't funny.

Other than that episode, we had a nice quiet Christmas at home...just me and the kids. We attended Christmas Eve services at Northwood and had lots of quality time together. No other family was with us, so it was quiet.

I hope all of you had a very Merry Christmas and that you have an equally Happy New Year!

Stefanie

Ready or Not! Christmas is Coming...

This post is especially for LS who met me in the hall at school yesterday and said, rather accusingly, "YOU don't update your blog!" Well, LS, here you go! Con man and I finally got our tree up and house decorated and yes, you are right, there are NO presents under that tree! Connor reminds me of that regularly!

To tell the truth, sometimes I don't feel like I have much to say so I don't update. The holidays haven't held the same magic for me since my divorce, and I'm afraid it's showing. Someone at school the other day said it was "all over my face." I'm praying for a better outlook, so those of you out there who actually read this (LS) please pray for me as well. My kids need for me to find some holiday cheer.

I know what Christmas is all about...and yes, we do have a lot to celebrate. The birth of Jesus, next to his crucifixion and resurrection, is the greatest gift I'll ever receive. I haven't been too mindful of that the past few years, but deep down I know it. He loves me just as I am, and he'll never leave me!

Merry Christmas to all of my blog readers! Thanks for your wonderful gift of friendship.

Stefanie

How 'Bout Them Cowboys!!!!

GO COWBOYS!!!!!







Connor and I went to the Cowboy's game today with my brother and his family. (Yes, that is my brother in the background of the picture of us...I didn't have a date! I'm sure you can see the resemblance.) The other kids in the pictures are my niece and nephew Hunter and Hannah. It was a lot of fun as always, but perhaps a little tiring after helping my parents move all weekend. I'm so exhausted I don't know how I'll work tomorrow, but I'm sure I'll figure it out. We love our Cowboys! :)

Wreck!

I had a wreck today. I was rushing from tutoring to get back to school for PTA and went to pick up Connor. I rear ended a car on Grapevine Highway. I looked to the side and looked back in front of me only to see a car in my windshield. Right there. I just couldn't get stopped. She said the car in front of her stopped suddenly and she barely got stopped herself.

Tonight my back, neck, head and shoulders hurt, and also my knee. I think it went into the dash. I missed PTA and feel so guilty about it. I would have loved to see my kids perform.

I have such good friends. Jana came by to check on me, and Darla and Vanessa both called. I'm lucky to have friends who care. My dad is coming at 6:30 in the morning to help me deal with it all. He's afraid that as old as my car is, they may try and total it due to the fact that so much has to be replaced. I really don't need this right now!

My string of bad luck continues....my roof leaked last night. My brand NEW roof. I called the roofer, of course he says it's not their fault. Whatever...it didn't leak before he replaced my roof!

I'm thanking God tonight that things weren't worse than they were today. I can live with a little soreness...at least I'm still here!