Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Ritz Carlton Water

I am a teacher.  My hubby is a pastor.  We are rich in love.  We are rich in family.  We are rich in blessings.  We are rich in friends.  We are not rich in money....but apparently some poor soul thinks we are.

It started with me sitting in the waiting room of the therapist's office and checking our account to make sure there was money to pay the therapist.  Okay, let me rephrase that....I knew we had money in there, but I'm pretty OCD about checking our account every day, so now was a fabulous time to check the account.

And then I see that there are three debit transactions from Kroger.  Well, that's all fine and dandy and we do have a Kroger on every side of this town...but this Kroger was in Ohio.  And that's when it hit....like in slow motion....WE....DON'T....LIVE....IN....OHIO....ANYMORE....yeah, it felt about that slow.  I scroll through our transactions and see Ritz Carlton in Maryland.

And then I laughed.

And laughed some more.

Remember....I'm a teacher.  Hubby is a pastor.  We're not staying at the Ritz Carlton any day in our lives.  I mean, we can't even afford the water in their bathroom, much less to actually LIVE in one of the rooms for a night....or an hour.

So in this quiet waiting room, I call Hubby....
Me:  OUR BANK ACCOUNT HAS BEEN HACKED!!!!!!
Hubby:  What?
Me:  OUR ACCOUNT!  THEY'RE IN OHIO....OR MARYLAND....YOU'VE GOT TO CALL THE BANK!!!!
....I'm pretty confident the lady in the waiting room thinks that I'm the one that was waiting for the therapist.

Hubby calls the bank and they've already caught the suspicious transactions and have canceled Hubby's card.  I guess it IS pretty suspicious to have some transactions in Ohio and Maryland in the same day.  He says everything will be credited back to us and not to worry.  Of course, I'm pretty sure "worry" is my middle name, so worrying is what I'll be doing until the money is credited back.

Yes....I know that the Bible says not to worry and God will take care of the flowers and birds and He loves me more than them, but everybody sins and this is mine....SO I WORRY!  I have literally been looking at our account every hour trying to see if anything else has been spent from these people that obviously think we have enough money to cover their trip across the country.  BUT....here's where I married well....Hubby does not worry.  He's just not one to get all up in arms about things.  He thinks, he concentrates, he focuses, he makes sure that things make sense....on the other hand, I'm "DREAM BIG"...."GO BIG OR GO HOME"....."THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX"...."DANCE LIKE NO ONE IS WATCHING"...."WORRY UNTIL YOU MAKE YOURSELF SICK".....and that's why we work well together.  So as my worrying continues, I get this text from Hubby....

....yeah, this is how it works in our life by numbers!

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Rich....Or Not Rich...THAT is the Question

#1:  I mean, his parents are rich....VERY RICH!  They live in a huge mansion and and probably have like five stories. 
Me:  Hold up.  Are you friends with this guy because his parents have money or because he's actually your friend.
#1:  Oh he's my friend!  We talk all the time and he's a really good guy.  We have a lot in common and like the same stuff.  Can I PLEASE go?
Me:  Will his parents be there?
#1:  I think.
Me:  Oh nooooo.  You're not going to any party where you "think" the parents will be there.  
#1:  Maybe he's got an older sibling?
Me:  Nice try small fry.  The rule is no parents, no party.  The end.  
#1:  I'll text him.  
Me:  Fine.
#1:  YES!!!  His parents will be there!
Me:  Okay....I'll talk to Dad.  I will have to meet your friend's parents and if I get a bad vibe AT ALL...well, you're coming home with me.
#1:  Yes ma'am.  


This was the conversation this week....and the only thing I heard over and over was how much money this kid had.  I kept telling #1 that first of all, the money isn't his, it's his parents.  And second, one has to wonder if they have money or if they are in a lot of debt.  Either way, it's nothing to focus a friendship on.  We talked all week about how sometimes how "stuff" doesn't make you happy.  We talked about the dinky pool we have in the backyard....and then we talked about all the good times we've had in that pool.  We talked about the small car that I take the boys to school in, but how we dance and sing at the top of our lungs while the world watches.  It's family and friends that make us happy, not stuff.  Rich with money doesn't buy happiness.  Rich with friends and family and Jesus make us happy.

So all week I've heard about this party, but I've also heard about how rich they are.  It's been a conversation that I've had to constantly remind him of how money doesn't buy happiness.  It's gotten to be frustrating when we're talking about the party because I feel I'm asking the same questions over and over:
Is he your friend because he's rich?
Does stuff buy you happiness?
Would you go to his house if it wasn't big?  
Would you like him if his family didn't have money?  
And each time #1 says:
He's my friend because we have a lot in common.
Stuff doesn't buy happiness.
I'd go to his house if he lived in a shack.
I'd like him if he was poor.  
And then he'd add some question like, but it's okay to have nice things....right?  And I have to explain that YES, you can be rich and love Jesus.  And you can have nice things and love Jesus....but don't let that be your focus.  Can you see how it's been all week long talking to a teenager who is trying to corner you to prove you wrong?

So I drop #2 off at soccer practice and then run #1 to this party and then....
Me/#3/#1:  WOW!!!!!!  That house is beautiful!!!!!
#1:  Is that their house?
Me:  Yes.
#3:  That's a mansion!  I wanna live there!
#1:  Me too....I bet it's amazing inside!!!!
Me:  Don't forget...
#1:  HE'S MY FRIEND BECAUSE HE'S MY FRIEND.....but WOW he's rich!!!

Yes, I totally failed.  Why in the world did I say "WOW"??!??!  That totally ruined my week long conversations about what to look for in a friend.  UGH!!!!!

And then we picked up #2 from soccer practice....
#2:  How big was their house?
Me:  Oh, it was big. 
#3:  They could get like three of our houses and put it inside their house.  
#2:  I wonder if I have any rich friends.
Me:  NO.  NONE OF YOU HAVE ANY RICH FRIENDS.  YOU HAVE FRIENDS BECAUSE THEY ARE YOUR FRIENDS.  
#2:  I'm beginning to think Mommy is realizing we're not rich.
Me:  Why don't we go out for ice cream?  
....and that's how I ended the conversation....the ice cream trick...that will get anybody to get off a current conversation.   I'm a teacher and Hubby is a pastor....we're rich in so many ways....SOOOOO many ways....and that's what we have to keep on teaching in our life by numbers!

Saturday, May 14, 2016

Life of a Teacher....

It's that time of year when I am gearing down to end a school year that, at times, I never thought would end.  Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my job with all of my heart, soul and mind....but there are days that my heart, soul and mind would rather sleep in late, eat lunch when I am actually hungry, and wear pajamas all day.  And this year, has been no exception.  There are days that I have loved every second that I walk through the hallways of my three elementary schools....and there are days that I am forcing myself out of the car because it's already been one of those mornings and I just know it's not gonna get better.

But guess what....that's okay.  How many people love the job they go to every day?  Nobody.  I mean, some people don't like the people they live with every day, but they live with them.  You can tell me that you love your job every second of the day, but I know you're lying.  There's a person that gets on your nerve or an application that never works correctly or a squeaky chair that the person in the cubicle next to you will never fix.  Nobody is perfect....and there isn't a perfect career.  

But I found MY perfect career.....I teach children.  I do get to teach the best subject ever.....I mean, you can't get better than teaching music all day....singing....playing instruments....dancing...but I also teach children.  I get to be in their lives every week, hopefully being a positive role model.  Do they see me fail...ummmm....yes.  Do they see me say the wrong note on the board or play a wrong note on the piano?  Yes.  Do they see me dance and look ridiculous?  Everyday.  But I learn from them ever day.  I mean every....single....day.  

What I've learned this year.....
1.  My kiddos think I taught Beethoven because I love talking about him.  
2.  Greeting them at the door each day makes some of those kiddos act 10 times better....and I have no idea why.
3.  Elementary school boys like to dance much more than elementary school girls.
4.  Anytime I can act silly, the kiddos love to copy it.
5.  As they leave my room singing a song, it makes my heart happy because the lesson got to them...and gets them in trouble because they aren't following hallway procedures.  
6.  The louder the music, the better.
7.  Kiddos love when you say "I was going to give you a test, but now I'm not".
8.  I love when they hug me and say "music is my favorite class"....even if they said that to the P.E. teacher just thirty minutes ago. 
9.  Some of the most poorly behaved kiddos will do great in music class.
10.  It's a shock to people to see that musicians are organized.  
11.  No one complains when the music teacher wears tennis shoes every day cuz they know she's moving all the time.
12.  Dressing in a costume makes everybody wonder about what you're up to....and makes more people pop in your room.
13.  Other teachers are my friends....and that's a good thing.....and I've got to learn to accept that I can be friends with other adults....even though a ton wouldn't understand what I do.  
14.  The Christmas/Winter/Holiday concert makes my skin crawl with the thought of complaints.....but I do it for the kiddos!
15.  If I wear something other than black clothing, people comment on it all day....and even ask if I'm okay.
16.  I'll fight for my kiddos and their music education any day....the thought of taking music out of schools or making music feel second class makes my blood boil.  
17.  My kiddos continually ask if I can pull their tooth....ummm....no.
18.  When my kiddos see me out in public, telling them that I live in a house makes them question their existence.  
19.  When instruments are out in the music room, classroom behavior is amazing!
20.  The kiddos think nothing about their music teacher singing what is going to happen in class that day.  
21.  When you can do "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" as fast as the kiddos, you just earned some major brownie points.
22.  Hearing the Choir sing so beautifully makes my eyes water....and it will quickly make the kiddos know how much I love them.
23.  Being able to walk in class and the entire group of kiddos are singing a song together lets me know that I'm doing something right.  
24.  When you tell your class that you're not a "Latin Specialist" so we're just gonna do the best we can with this song, they know you're real.
25.  Meeting with kiddos before and after school to get competition music rehearsed is the most gratifying experience because they know you're dedicated to them.
26.  Cheering them on in a football, basketball or soccer game makes them smile....so does yelling at the ref.
27.  Laughing cuz we all messed up singing or dancing makes the world a better place.
28.  Having a student bring a half used pencil to you just because it has a music note on it and they thought of you should make your heart melt.
29.  Showing toe socks to your class makes most of the class giggle....and some roll their eyes.  
30.  Being told that they're gonna miss you so much because they are moving breaks my heart.  
31.  Having a child with special needs hug you or sit in your lap makes your heart turn to goo.
32.  Seeing that light bulb come on when learning the notes to the staff makes me want to do cartwheels!
33.  Seeing kiddos sign up for music classes for the junior high years let's me know that I had a little part in getting them in that direction.
34.  Kiddos have no problem asking for things....including your watch and your wedding ring.
35.  Sometimes you just have to overlook what has come out of their mouth because you know they learned that at home.
36.  They are kids.  They are kids now and they will be kids at the age of 18.  I have to remember that they need to be guided....and I hope I guide and never hinder or expect more from them than they can handle, but I push them when needed.  

No matter how many kiddos I teach in a week, I know that God has put me there for a reason.  I know that there is a life that I'm supposed to touch, a smile I'm supposed to show, a hug I'm supposed to give, or a kind word I'm supposed to say....and it won't only be for that kiddo, but it will also be for me.  As another school year comes to a close, I think about all those children I teach...those precious children that come from all walks of life....and I keep telling myself that through all the pain, joy, excitement, craziness, confusing times, sadness, and happiness that they are going through that hopefully I have made a positive difference in their lives....cuz I know they've made a difference in mine....and our life by numbers! 

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

HOPE

Today was a rough day for the #s.  #1 said that after having KPREP, he had homework tonight and how unfair that was after having to test today and for the next few school days.  #2 said that he was upset that he rained and he couldn't play outside and he got frustrated on his KPREP on the poem section.  #3 said that he sat beside someone today that just wouldn't stop talking.  The entire ride home was full of negative thoughts.  I kept saying"say something positive".  They each came up with something:
#1:  KPREP was easy today.
#2:  I got to play in the gym.
#3:  I went on a field trip....and finally told the friend to stop talking.  

We got home and they played basketball together....and then came in for a dinner from Mom.  Obviously it wasn't something spectacular like we've had from Hubby the last two days.  Then I listened to #3 say how much he hated dinner, me, the day, everything.  It was 45 minutes of me just wanted to crawl under the heated blanket and go to sleep.  After dinner, I went to the couch to just breathe and looked down and saw this....
an anchor with the word "HOPE" on it.  With the things going on in our life, that's what we need....HOPE.  I have a HOPE....a BELIEF....a FAITH in Jesus Christ that He will get us through the hard times.  He's my anchor....He's been my anchor through the toughest storms in my life and even though tonight consisted of my child that loves me screaming at me and telling me how much he hates dinner and everything else at that particular moment, I have the HOPE...the KNOWLEDGE....that this storm will pass and all will be right in our life by numbers!   





*Anybody interested in this bracelet will be happy to know that I received it from Amazon!  Here's the link if you're interested.....HOPE Bracelet

Monday, May 2, 2016

You Bleeding? Why? You're Stabbing Me.

Let's go back in time to last week......
Doctor:  What seems to be the problem?
Me:  My pinky finger and half of my ring finger keeps following asleep.  It's been doing it for a few months at the tips of my fingers, but I really thought I was just sleeping on it wrong.  Now it's doing it during the day.

Now remember....the doctor knows what I do.  The doctor is a friend of mine.  The doctor is the same one that got me not the right path to show me that I've got a floating IUD last year.  So he sends me to get an x-ray....and because of that, I left my #s with him for that time.  :-)

Doctor:  So your x-ray shows that you have two bone fragments in your elbow.  We will need to get those scoped out.  You also have a lot of arthritis that needs to be scraped out.  I'm concerned about your ulnar nerve....we might need to move it over.  We need to get you a nerve test....you won't like me because of this test, but it will tell us what we need.  

So do you see how life is ALWAYS interesting around here?  I mean, seriously....I JUST had surgery last year....and now we're looking at moving a random nerve around in my arm.  Does that really happen?  While they're in there, can they just move some fat around in my body?  I've got enough in my stomach that I could really make my lips look like Angelina Jolie's...and don't people want big butts?  I mean, I've got it MADE if we can just move things around.  And while things are randomly floating around in my body, why don't we find a piece of gold, a diamond or two...heck, I'll settle for a $20 bill.  Let's REALLY start looking around!

Over the weekend, I decided to google "nerve testing on ulnar nerve" and "EMG".  Let me tell you...when your doctor tells you not to google something, you probably shouldn't google it.   Now, if you're a doctor, don't tell people not to google it because that just tells us that it's bad enough that people have posted a video and you're gonna pee in your pants or cuss throughout this test.  When I told #1 that I was having this test....
#1:  You make sure you come right home after the test...I wanna see if you can charge my cell phone.
....as you can see, I don't get any sympathy from the #s.
Also...you shouldn't tell people that you're having this test done because everybody knows somebody that has had it done and the horror stories are worse than the videos that you watched.  Now....my doctor didn't mention google, but he did say "this is where you won't like me".....that's a key phrase....cuz during this test, I did not like my doctor.  So really, he was correct...I did not like him.

So I get to the nerve testing doctor today.  There is a slight language barrier....so I'm not only having to try to understand his dialect, I'm also trying to read his lips.....
Doc:  How long has this numbness been?
Me:  In my fingertips, since December.  In my pinky and 1/2 of my ring finger, since last week.
Doc:  Five months.  Not good.  You are too young.  You must work with hands?
Me:  Yes, I'm a music teacher.  I play piano and other instruments. 
...at this point, I am lying on a table that is extremely wobbly and squeaks every time I move.  I am wearing a medical gown and trying to look at my doctor as he talks to me.....
Doc:  I will hook you up to machine.  This should not hurt....be very uncomfortable.  
....yes, he said very uncomfortable.  Are you kidding me?  You are hooking me up to a machine and you're gonna shoot electricity through me and it's going to uncomfortable?  This is gonna HURT!!!  He proceeds to use this weird 2 prong looking object to make my arm jump....
Doc:  Ummmmmm.  
Doc:  Wow.
Doc:  Oh my goodness.
Doc:  Ohhhhhh....
Me:  Is that a good oh?
Doc:  I tell you when test is over.  
....listen dude....I can pretty much hear that something is wrong.  At this point, he is moving these sticky things all over my hand as he moves this electrical prong thingy all over my arm while still saying things like "wow" and "hummmmmmm"....
Doc:  Test is over.
Me:  Good.
Doc:  Now for part two.  This will not hurt.  I will now stick needle in your arm.  
....WHAT!??!?!?!  IT WILL NOT HURT!?!?!?!??!  OF COURSE THIS IS GOING TO HURT!!!!!
Doc:  Nee (STAB WITH NEEDLE) dle.
Me:  UGH! 
Doc:  See....not hurt.
Me:  Yeah.  
.....at this point, he proceeds to stab me with a needle up and down my arm.  I'm pretty sure you're supposed to say the full word (needle) to prepare the patient...not just say the syllable, stab and THEN finish the word.  Reminder....I do not like my doctor at this point....nor do I like the guy stabbing my arm.
Doc:  You bleeding.  Why?
Me:  You're stabbing me.  
Doc:  No one bleeds.  It will be fine.  
.....at this point, I probably would be better if I just passed out.  I'm miserable.  I'm by myself with a doctor stabbing me.  I'm cold.
Doc:  You need rest.
Me:  What?  
Doc:  You have damage to nerve and you need rest. 
Me:  Rest?
Doc:  No piano.  No music teacher.  You play a few bars of music and then you rest.  You have four bags of groceries, you bring them in one at a time and rest between bags.  It will take forever, but you need rest.
Me:  Rest will fix me?
Doc:  Yes.  Medicine?  No.  Just covers the pain.  You need a brace when you play music.  You rest.  
.....at this point, I am looking around the room thinking that there are hidden cameras and some prankster show is gonna come out and say "GOTCHA".
Doc:  You understand?  You need rest. 
Me:  Yes.
....did I understand?  Yes.  Am I still going to play the piano?  Yes.  Am I still going to be a music teacher?  Yes.  Let's just say that this momma is gonna be calling my doctor tomorrow and find out what's REALLY going on with my arm in our life by numbers.