PLEASE say a prayer....

I am sitting here in stunned silence. Please, please say a prayer for Gretchen and her family. Her young son, while waiting at the bus stop for his brother, was hit by a car and killed. I found out via Julie in her journal.

I will be praying for Gretchen and her family....for strength to get through this horrible situation, to know and feel God's protective arms around them, and for peace in their hearts and minds while trying to answer the question "why".

Gretchen, Ben, Caitlin and Justin....you are in our thoughts and prayers. We all love you and are praying for you and your angel Matthew. God bless you all.

 

*Here is a link to the obituary. There is an online guestbook if you would like to leave a message for the family.

And so it ends....

Do you hear that? You know what that sound is???? It's the sound of kids all around here, sleeping in on their first morning of summer vacation! So why, you ask, am I up at this ungodly hour? Because although my children know it's summer vacation, my lil' Lon-Lon does not. Now I know why we paid so much for her....she apparently came with a built in alarm clock. Every morning between (and I've kept track of this) 6:23 and 6:27, she pops her head up next to me, pawing and whining at me because it's time to go out. This morning was no exception. Seems no one told her she can sleep in now. And of course the girls are snoring away....so it's up to me to continue on with the morning routine. Take her out, bring her in, feed her, wait 15 minutes then take her out again.

Anyhoo....Betsy ended up staying home yesterday, on her last day of school. I didn't mind though, as on Tuesday, all incoming seniors were told they could leave at 10:00 if they were done with their finals. She was, which made yesterday a waste of time. She started her vacation out as she traditionally does....sleeping until 12, getting up, eating something, then laying down again until work. She was scheduled until close last night, but she picked up something heavy and pulled a muscle in her shoulder....and the pain travels down her arm to her fingers. She iced it and took medication....but was still in so much pain she couldn't brush her hair. Ahhh, what a lovely welcome to summer....

Hayley, however, did go to school and had an okay day. Unfortunately the girls are still ignoring her, and she said that at the end all three of them were hugging each other, saying they'd miss one another....and completely ignored her. I think I forgot to mention that the two girls who did not call her wrote apology notes. They had statements in them such as, "my e-mail was obnoxious", and "nasty e-mails don't solve problems, they create them." Gee, wonder who fed them those lines???? It's been a tough end of the year for Hay....and I'm just sick watching her spirit take such a hit. She told me that her former best friend is having abig party this weekend....and she wasn't invited. I know, I know....it's over, move on....but still, it makes me so angry....but for Hayley, I'm letting it go and focusing on the positives. I'm going to have to really work on building up middle school, and the new people she will meet. I know in my heart she will be fine....but I have to say I'm a little nervous that my baby is moving up!

Next week JB and Hay leave for their Indiana trip. I can't believe it's only 5 days away! They are looking forward to it, as is his mom. She has everything planned from the menu to activities to which jobs she needs done around the house since her son will be there for a few days! LOL....it should be fun for them. The annual car show that we always went to just happens to be that weekend (convenient, eh?), so they are planning a trip there. Hayley loves that kind of thing, so she will be excited. Actually, I used to love it too....and sitting here thinking about it makes me miss it as well....

Well, it's Friday which means....cleaning day! Woohoo! LOL....I've got to get things organized for the weekend, since Monday is a holiday. Oh, who am I kidding....I'll be cleaning on Monday too. We don't have any big plans....I think we are taking my sister and her husband to the beach on Sunday. That should be interesting being that my sister is white as a ghost and will be spending the day on a Florida beach under intense sunlight. Hmmm, perhaps I should go stock up on noxema and aloe vera today. I have a feeling we are going to be needing it. We haven't been to the beach yet this year, so I'm looking forward to it.

Well, it's after 7....time to get a move on around here. I'll bet I can get all of my cleaning done before either of them wake up. I'll bet I could vacuum around them and they wouldn't wake up....happy summer!

Random pics and thoughts....

Well, instead of coming in on Friday, my sister and her husband are coming tomorrow. Good thing for her I didn't have plans and can pick her sorry butt up!!!! LOL....she decided she would "surprise" my mom and come two days early. Wouldn't it have been a "surprise" if no one could have gotten her? LOL....save those peanut bags from the plane Jody....you are in for a long wait! So now they will be here for a week and 3 days....I hope I can stand it that long! (Hahahaha Jody....I dissed you! lol....no really, I am looking forward to seeing you....kinda....lol)....

Anyway....only two more days until school is officially over. Today Hayley had her 5th grade picnic and awards ceremony. She got a trophy, pin and certificate for being part of the safety patrol, and a citizenship award as well. She was thrilled! She said the picnic was a lot of fun too. It must have been because when she came home from school and took her shoe off, she dumped out a pile of sand! LOL....ahhhh, the joys of living in Florida....

Betsy is finished with finals, and did a great job on all of them. She had a final project to do in her English class; a report on drive in theaters. It was so good that the teacher asked if he could keep it and use it as an example of how the report should be done....for his classes next year! How cool is that? I was very proud of her. I took her bathing suit shopping today, but we didn't find anything that fit right. I suppose we will be going out again this week, to find just the right one. We had a nice time together, shopping and talking and laughing.

I actually went swimming for the first time this year, yesterday. My mom came over and got in....and I thought, what the heck....I got in with her and we spent a good hour and a half "bonding"....lol. It really was a nice time. We talked about all sorts of things....my dad mainly. She is finally able to talk about him at length, without much crying. Of course she tears up now and again, but mostly we laugh about the funny things he woulddo, and smile remembering how wonderful he was. The water was rather cold getting in....I chose to enter with the classic slow approach. Two steps down, then "One, two, HOLY *&$^#@!" lol....but after a few minutes it was fine. We had a 99 degree day, so now it's more like bathwater....which is fine by me! I can't wait to get to the ocean though. Maybe one day next week....

It already feels like vacation has started around here. The kids are out past 8, and everyone seems to be living in their bathing suits. I can also tell by my wash....I've done about 73 loads of towels in 3 days! For some reason, the people in this house think that they can only use a beach towel one time before throwing it into the wash (in the wrong color basket no less!). I'm going to have to give a "summer wash" and general refresher course to the occupants of this household....classes will include "Close the patio doors, we aren't air conditioning the neighborhood - 101" and "Concussions and You; why you should dry your feet before coming inside from the pool and walking on my highly waxed ceramic tile floor".

Alrighty....I'm off to tuck Hayley in, grab the phone from Betsy and sit myself on the porch with my laptop and earphones. Night all!

Weekend Update....

Oh man, summer is here with a vengence! It was 99 today....that's hot! The weekend has been a good one. We started Friday night with Hayley's 5th grade dance. She looked just adorable....Betsy dressed her with clothes from her closet! Yes, my junior and my 5th grader can share clothes! All the way down to the shoes. I think the outfit looked great, and apparently Betsy did too, as she wore it to church today....lol. While Hayley was at the dance, JB and I went to dinner with my friend K and her husband....their son is in 5th grade with Hayley. We had a great time at a local Mexican restaurant. Afterwards we went back to the school to pick them up, and of course K and I walked to the cafeteria where it was being held, and peeked in the windows. The theme was "Bon Voyage" and everything was tropical/nautical. The teachers were up on stage doing karaoke, which the children were just loving. We watched them sing and dance....it was adorable! I have to say I was a bit teary eyed, watching my "baby" at her last elementary school gathering. I can't believe my 12 year run as room mother is over! LOL....I will miss the parties, the kids, and most of all the innocence of youth!

Saturday JB and I spent 5 hours raking and mulching the back yard. It looks really nice too. We then got cleaned up and went to K's house for an impromptu cookout/day in the sun. It was a lot of fun. The kids were all excited and enjoyed the day. I ended up with more sun exposure than I realized....and spent the evening in bed with my good friends aloe vera and tylenol! Hayley ended up going with them on a church outing, and not getting home until 8. Today we went to church, then out to lunch. Mom came over and swam with Hay, and David came over and visited with Betsy. Later, Hay went once again to a church outing....I tell ya, that kid has quite the social life!

The girls finish school on Thursday. I can't believe the school year is over already! And Betsy reminded me this evening (I do not remember hearing this before!) that they are being dismissed at 11:30 every day this week. Sheesh! So much for my last week being alone!  Being that she graduates in December next year, she technically has only 4 months of school left. Wow. Where has the time gone? I still remember her first day of school....leaving elementary....middle school dances....freshman year....and now this. Life sure does fly by.

I'm starting to look into things for Hayley to do this summer. She's already registered for art camp, and I'm thinking of signing her up for diving lessons. I think she would make a great swimmer with her height, and those long legs. She seems interested....I think it would be really neat to get her involved in some sort of sport. She has never really been involved in anything other than basketball at church. Hopefully Betsy will be able to bump up her hours at work over the summer so she can pay off the damage to my car, and have some left over to enjoy herself with! She needs to be saving for college as well....that isn't far away!

My sister and her husband are coming in this week for a visit. They will get here Friday and stay for a week, at which time my mom will be going back home with them. I can't believe my mom is going to be gone almost an entire month! What am I going to do???? LOL....I have never been away from her for more than a week at a time! I'm such a baby. Seriously though, I think she will have a great time visiting with family, and going on a few overnight trips to see relatives she hasn't seen since my father passed away last year. I'm glad she is getting to go....she needs to get away for a while. John and Hayley will be going to Indiana as well for a few days. They are going to visit his mom, who is so excited that they are coming. She already has their favorite meals planned as well as several outings. Of course, that leaves Betsy and I to sit here in the hot Florida sun....all alone. She will be working though....which means I will need to find something to occupy my time with. Hmmmm, what to do, what to do....I think I'll head over to the Hobby Lobby and see if there are any crafts that look particularly appealing....

Well, it's late and I should get to bed....only four more days of structure in my house and then it's up for grabs. I had better enjoy myself now!!!!

Thank you's and things....

I just want to thank everyone who left such supportive comments and e-mails regarding Hayley and her problems at school. It's funny how none of us have ever met, yet when one of our children is hurt the "mama bear" in each of us comes out. We are more than a community of journalers....we are friends who care for one another, for each other's children and their well being....and I for one am so thankful for that. Hayley read through the comments and e-mails and felt so good. She said, "Mom, you know some really nice people. I wish we could all meet!" I do too sweetie....thank you all again, for everything! ((((HUGS))))

As you can see from above, I've included a picture of Betsy and her boyfriend. I felt bad leaving her out....so here she is in all her glory! I can't believe she will be a senior next year. Actually, they are already "official seniors", according to the school. The graduating class is gone, and they had an assembly outside, "welcoming" the new seniors. They had food and music and a general good time. I can't believe my daughter is in her final year of high school....she will graduate half year, which will be 19 years after I did. Holy smokes....19 years???? Where has my life gone? I don't feel that old!

Not much else going on in the JBCoupe household today. I FINALLY got some sewing done, as well as the ironing AND paid my bills. Yeah, I'm smmmmmmmmmokin. So, to reward myself, I do believe I shall hit the road and go to the mall. There are a few things I need to pick up....well, okay, I don't need them, but they will sure be fun to have!

Okay....my charge card and I are outta here....gonna spend some 'quality' time together. We need that....it's been a while!

It's almost over....

I haven't said anything about this....but wee one has been having some trouble with her friends at school. There are four of them who hang together....all on the safety patrol....and the "ring leader" has decided that she and the other two should be mean to her, and taunt her mercilessly. For the past month or so, they have ignored her, laughed at her, called her names and made fun of her for no reason. She has been friends with "t" since second grade, and I was rather surprised to hear she was part of the group....until wee one told me that she is scared of the ring leader because she had been the subject of her abuse before. The other girl "j" has been her best friend all year....they did the invention convention together. The third is a fairly new friend and the ring leader of the whole thing. A girl who is used to getting everything she wants and running the show.

Now, each of these girls has been in my home, and I've treated them like little princesses. I make sure that when "j" comes to spend the night, we have her favorite cheddar pretzels because she loves them....I even get her her very own bag so she can take the leftovers home! When "t" comes over, I know they will be outside catching lizards and frogs, and I never complain when they bring them inside and give them rides in wee one's Barbie plane. The ring leader has been over twice....relatively new to the scene, but I try to make sure she is comfortable and has whatever she needs. I say this because wee one is always so appreciative and loves it when her friends say they like to come over here.

It started with little things....not talking to her, ignoring her....and quickly escalated to not inviting her to sleep over, and making fun of her. When they had the end of the year carnival, they were all to meet at the water fountain and walk around together, enjoying being the 5th graders for the evening....and they ditched her. She called me an hour later for a ride. I asked her why and she said she had been wandering around by herself, and she was ready to come home. I hurried over and she told me the story....that she walked around with another little girl until she had to go, then just walked by herself, watching everyone else enjoy the rides and games. I was so angry....she had been looking so forward to this, and it was ruined....although being the kind of kid wee one is, she didn't really complain. Just looked a bit sad.

Fast forward to now....and the e-mails. She had been getting a few from the ring leader, nothing horrible....but mean nonetheless. Saying she was invited to a party and would see her there but "Oh wait, you weren't invited! I guess I'll have a better time then!" Wee one's response? "Have a great time! *smiley face*" I tell ya, that kid knows how to work it! LOL. I've been so proud of her....she hasn't responded in anger....but with a smile or a remark that fits the situation so perfectly. "j" has been trying to get a response out of her....she walked up to her and crossed her arms in front of her and said, "Do you know why I'm mad at you? Do you?" Wee one wouldn't answer, just kept doing her thing, and "j" walked closer. "Do you?" Wee one turned to her, crossed her arms and said, "Wow! Look at me, I can do that too!" Then walked away. She told me "Mom, you should have seen "j's" face! It was so red!" LOL....that's my girl!

So on Mother's day....around 7....she says, "Mom, come look at this e-mail." My heart sank as I read it. It was a collaborative effort from the three....a paragraph from each, describing how they don't like her. The ring leader calling her a "witch with a capital "B" to the most extreme," "j" calling her a "bottom feeder with no friends", and "t" didn't say anything, but it was from her account. I had had it....I got the phone and started calling. I called "t's" parents first and got her mother. She was so nice, and immediately apologized. I knew she would be....apparently the girls had been at her house that weekend. She said she would deal with the problem immediately. Half an hour later "t" called, crying and apologizing. She is also grounded, lost all of her computer privileges, etc.

Next was "j". I called her mom and again, she was nice....but told me that "I talked to J earlier when the girls were squabbling, and she assured me she had NOTHING to do with it...." Hmmmm, telling my daughter that if she didn't have her safety patrol belt on she'd rip her little head off is having nothing to do with it? Again, she said she would talk to her, and thanked me for calling. No apology from her.

I was really nervous to call the ring leaders parents. Typical rich, "my kid does nothing wrong" parents. Matching BMW's, homes both here and abroad....I call and no answer. Leave a message. She calls back. FIRST thing out of her mouth, "Well, she told me wee one sent her an e-mail saying she was a witch with a capital b...." I THINK NOT! She said she was looking for the e-mail her daughter sent....I told her it was sent from someone else's account....she says, "Oh, I know....she can get on her account." WHAT? You are proud of the fact your kid can hack other people's accounts? If I ever found out my child was doing that without permission....that would be the end of their computer access! So she goes on to tell me at this point it's "tit for tat" since the stories are different, and basically to go to hell.

After all the calls, wee one climbs up onto my bed and says to me, "Mom, I'm sorry." I asked her what for....and she said, "That you have to deal with this on Mother's Day." Now tell me that is a child that has brought any of this on herself! I hugged her and told her that is part of being a Mom....I will fight for her no matter what day it is. I can't tell you how proud I was at that moment. She has taken all of this in stride....telling me that she has other friends, she will be fine. But I know inside it's tearing her apart. She has cried about it....saying she feels alone....then catches herself and goes on, being strong. Well, as strong as an 11 year old can be. It amazes me how mean these kids can be. And I told her, "Remember this feeling if you ever feel the urge to make fun of someone." She said, "Mom, I would never want anyone to feel this way." And I know she means that.

Epilogue....things are still stressful for her. The two other girls did not apologize to her face, although the ring leader said she put a note in her locker. Wee one didn't see it yesterday and will be looking for it today. She is still the outcast....I see that when I pick her up and the other three sit apart from her. But she has moved on, talking to another friend whom she wants to have over this weekend. I am so glad school is almost over. "t" will be attending a Catholic school next year....the ring leader is going to the $19,000 a year private school....and "j" is in advanced classes at the school wee one is going to, so they will be separated. I am still in shock that girls so young, could be so mean! Shouldn't they be talking about moving on to middle school, music....even boys????

All I can do at this point is tell wee one every day how much I love her, and that things will be different next year. She will meet new people and have new experiences. I am so thankful she is the strong girl she is. She looks at life in such a positive way. Yes, she's sad, but she sees the glass as half full....she has other friends, and moves on. She said to me, "You know mom, I guess if they are acting this way, they really weren't my friends." What a kid.

 

Happy Mother's Day....

Happy Mother's Day!!!! I hope that everyone has had a wonderful time with their families today....

We started out the day at church, and it was a lovely sermon. Afterward, we took my mother to lunch at her favorite restaurant. It's a steak house where she always orders....a salad. Who orders a salad at a steak house? LOL....the running joke between her and wee one is, "You know, Longhorn's has the BEST salads!" Actually, they really do have wonderful salads....they get the fried chicken salad with cornbread croutons and spicy pecans. It's amazing how much you get....I however, had the grilled chicken with tomato basil salsa on rice. It was awesome....but wayyyy too much food. I ended up taking half of it home. Being that it was mother's day, wee one offered to bring it to the car and into the house for me....45 minutes later I found it stewing in a lovely bacterial juice on my countertop. So much for my dinner....

When we got home we all opened gifts. As you can see, mom and I did rather well! Mom got a gift card, candy and a red, iron cookbook stand. The idea behind that gift was two-fold. She can now cook without having to stop and look down for her recipes....and she will have to try it out, hopefully on something she brings over here! (Hey Mom....how about Martha's hummingbird cake? And don't forget the CREAM CHEESE FROSTING!!!! lol) My mother hates cream cheese frosting....and it's my favorite!

Right now everyone has scattered about the house. Betsy is in her room, no doubt talking to lover boy on the phone, wee one is begging someone to go swimming with her, mom is in my room watching tv and JB is in the living room watching tv. I have a feeling it's going to be a very lazy day. I'm thinking of changing and going outside to read. I've already cleaned up the porch (yes, it's mother's day folks....someone had to pick up all the gift bags, tissue paper and ribbons!), and arranged my outdoor gifts....they look beautiful.

Oh! I forgot....when I opened my candles from wee one, she said to me, "Oh mom, I was so worried you wouldn't like them!" I asked her what she meant, because I love Yankee candles. She said, "Well, I know how you are about using the right candle scents during different times of the year....are those the right season?" She was dead serious. LOL....I laughed and laughed. Seems my daughters do pay attention to what mom likes!

 I have to say, I am truly blessed. I have the most wonderful and loving daughters I could have ever asked for. Through the good times and the bad, they are the absolute joys of my life....and I thank God every day for them. I don't know what I did to deserve these blessings in my life, but I am so very thankful....