Reformed Grits

What must the neighbors think?

Some folks on our street were shooting off some fireworks tonight around 7:30 so Sugie and Poo went out to watch.  A while later, my phone rings and it's my neighbor who has one sweet little girl almost 4.

"I just thought you'd like to know that Sugie and Poo are at our house playing." 

Yeah.  Didn't know that. 

I'm thankful they are a sweet Christian family and acquaintances of ours, but I swanee those kids would go home with anyone. 

Not to mention they looked like the white-trash hillbilly kids that live by the crik.  Sugie's "I love Daddy" shirt was too small and showed tummy and didn't match the pants she had on with her church shoes.  I'm glad she put on a jacket.  Poo had on a short sleeved t-shirt and no jacket. 

I came over to get them and JD came with me as well as Bee, who was still wearing her PJ's from the night before.  Same PJ's she is now sleeping in again tonight. 

We are looking to conserve water here at the Grits house, as well as protect the environment from pollution from soaps and detergents.

Standing by the street as I sought to scold Sugie, who had fled back home and was hanging out of the open second story window in her room watching fireworks, I finally got to meet our caddy-corner neighbors.  Oh?  We have lived in our house 2 years this week.  And I've never met them.  Just trying to be salt and light, you know. 

Did I mention I was wearing an apron?   The newly-met neighbor asked if I had been cooking.  Er, well, I made bread this morning...   But we had ice cream for dinner. 

Nothing but the best for those white-trash Grits's.    

What is so bad, is that as I dragged my kids out of that nice, pristine home, I had to literally have them clean up behind themselves... because I could see where they had been.  Her house was spotless.  With a 4 year old.  After Christmas. 

I came back home with my dirty baby (who I think had poop) on my hip while wearing my dirty apron and with my head hung low from meeting my neighbors, to my poorly dressed-for-the-weather (or certainly any social event where one might encounter people) and wondered how we became the Clampetts.  I was so embarrassed but I can't seem to do better. 

For all that, though, the grandparents of the house my kids invaded told me how polite and sweet they had been.   And if your children are going to be breaking and entering the houses of others, you really do want them to be polite if they can't be well-dressed. 

   

The end of an era

An era is ending at the Grits' house.  On Wednesday, Sister, who is the only be-speckled child in our house, is getting contact lenses.   During the last month of 2nd grade when she was 7, she had 10 inches of hair lopped-off and she got glasses-- in one day.   (Yes, she donated the hair.)  She went back to school looking like a totally different child.  Cute, but different. 
Now her hair is long again and she will lose the specs, and I'm so glad.  She is so much like me at that age, and tends to hide behind them-- awkward and unsure.   Not many people get to really see her personality which, if I may say so, is hilarious.   She is a bit shy and not physically mature like many of her peers, but hiding behind those glasses is a girl who in the next year or so will emerge like a butterfly from a cocoon.  I'm sure of it.  I look at the giant happy smile in her pictures pre-glasses and I wonder what happened to it.  It's in the cocoon, I'm sure. 
I've mentioned before how she doesn't like clothes or shopping or any "girl stuff" but it's just a matter of time before she starts "caring."  Starting with the fact that she wants contacts.
I can't wait to see what the future holds and to see my little girl re-emerge from this time of change. 

Yeah, it comes before the fall...

Alright, so everyone who hated the fact that I was 2 1/2 lbs below my first prepregnancy weight 13 years ago when I was 21?  Yes, you have gotton your wish. 
Since August, I have gained 14 pounds.  How does one gain this much weight this fast?  I don't know.  When I went to the doctor in August I know what I weighed, and I know what I weigh now, which is obvious to me since my clothes don't fit. 
I'm so sad!  I worked so hard! 
But I have decided I'm getting a scale and going to LOSE it again, and this time for good.  I will watch what I weigh and what I eat and if I tip up, I will get back down.  I like being skinny too much to keep this yo yo thing up.   It can't be good for me! 

It's all over but the cleanin'

So Christmas is over at the Grits' house.  I have already started the jolly task of putting away the decorations.  Call me Scrooge, but when it's over... I'm over it.  Now it's just procrastinating if I don't do it quickly.  And getting dustier.  What is the deal with Christmas decorations that they "make" dust.  My house is NEVER dustier than when I am pulling them down.  Geesh. 
The kids had a great Christmas... I think everyone got what they wanted and then some.  We were blessed in a special way in that we were able to give our kids something they always wanted and that we never thought we'd be able to provide...  They got a foosball table!  It has been a lot of fun (and whining) and we are really enjoying it. 
I never want to see rich food again.  No, really.  Well, ok, maybe starting at Thanksgiving 08.  Just at our house we had sausages wrapped in bacon and covered in brown sugar, crab dip, spinach dip, hummus, cheeses and meats on Hawaiin bread rolls with all kinds of sauces; candy and cookies out the wazoo, drinks and special "treats" along with every kind of food you can imagine.  I was really excited that I actually had decent serving dishes for it all.  We love appetizers and instead of a big meal, we "appetize" ourselves into the next pant-size.
So here is our "Best of..." the season!

BEST NEW FOOD
My one new love from the holidays was something my sister sent over for my birthday... she made up the batter for Hot Buttered Rum.  I always thought this sounded disgusting but I am addicted.  It is SO delicious and I find myself with the need to drink before lunchtime.  I am resisting, you will be pleased.
BEST NEW GIFT
Ok, so I mentioned the foosball table, but the one we are REALLY all enjoying is the Wii!   I am sore from "bowling" with Mr. Grits last night and I'm sure I'm going to need a minor surgery to repair my bladder after laughing it out of my body.   That's some fun!  And a wee bit of exercise for a sloth like myself.
BEST KID QUOTE 
I'm not really sure how you spell Bee's gibberish as she looks at Christmas lights, but I wish I could can it!  I thought about driving around one more time in the car tonight to look at Christmas lights so I could video tape her, "OOOOWASSAT?!!  Ivearublkdosts!"  And looking over and smiling at us for confirmation.  Now THAT I wish I could bottle.
BEST VISUAL
We live atop a hill and had a stellar sunset on Christmas evening.  I took some pictures that I will share later. 
BEST NEWS
The BEST news has to be that my good friend Wendy told me on Christmas night that she is expecting after many years of prayers!  I am so happy for you!
BEST THING ABOUT CHRISTMAS
I hope you all had a wonderful time over the holiday with family and friends, but the best news is that Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus-- God with us.  He came to earth, lived as fully man and fully God, lived a sinless life, and died a criminal's death in our behalf.  But that's just the beginning... He rose again after 3 days in the tomb, defeating death.  So now we have hope.  If you missed someone over the holidays that has gone on in death, you can have hope that you will see them again if you trust in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation. 
And, that, my friends is reason to celebrate.   
 

A man like Joseph

I've been thinking of the Christmas story lately (SHOCK!  And at this time of year?)  and it occurred to me how hard it may have been to be Joseph.  Aside from the obvious fact that his fiancee was probably called ugly names and likely the scourge of her family for her "untimely" pregnancy, he had to stand strong against opposition we probably can't imagine.  Every decision he made had consequences that were sovereignly ordained, many of which are set as examples for those of us who came behind. 
For instance, thinking of Jesus lying in the hay.  Why was he there (in earthly terms... I'm not talking about the spiritual ideas of sovereignty and providence.)?  He was put in a feed trough on itchy, scratchy hay because he took Mary who was ready to pop to another city, far away.  Now think with me for a minute... if today you were ready to give birth and all of a sudden your beloved said, "HEY!  I have a great idea!  Let's go to, oh I don't know, Pigeon Forge and let's go on horseback and we'll just stay at the first hotel we come to.  On Christmas!"  I know it's not the same, but you would think he was crazy.  But Joseph didn't have the option of crazy.  He just had to be obedient.  I can hear Mary's mother now... "HE'S TAKING YOU WHERE?  There is NO way.  That man is an idiot!"  Can't you hear the aunts and sisters..."I can't believe she puts up with him.  He's such a jerk!  How thoughtless and selfish that he makes her go with him." 

But Joseph played the man, never looking back, and as a result fulfilled many prophecies about where and how Jesus would be born. 

I know it probably was really hard on Mary to be submissive to Joseph when he did things like take her and her baby to a foreign country on the spur of the moment in the middle of the night   but evidently she obeyed.   Evidently she knew to trust that "righteous man"   and she was blessed and her son was saved through her obedience to his seemingly impulsive actions. 

I'm sure people talked about him in a bad light.  I'm sure he received lots of pressure to do different things.  I bet many people gossipped about him and spoke hatefully about him.  But Joseph listened to the Lord alone and obeyed him despite opposition and public opinion, probably even the advice and word of his own family. 

So here's to hoping and praying that my boys grow up to be men like Joseph, and that my girls marry men like Joseph.  I don't know how I will respond when they play the man, but if they are righteous I just hope that I butt out and let them obey God and seek His will for their families.

Winston Churchill said...

"You must sleep sometime between lunch and dinner," Sir Winston advised, "and no halfway measures. Take off your clothes and get into bed. That's what I always do."

I knew I liked this man.  But then, it's cold, dark, and rainy today. 

What Sister Sue Has To Do

Sister and I took "Buddy" to the ENT yesterday.  First off, let me say that I have never been more impressed with a specialist's office.  Not only did we not even have to wait 20 minutes, but there was only a minimal amount of paperwork and every single person we encountered was engaging and interested.   They all talked directly to Sister and asked her questions.  Even once we got in the room, we were only there not 5 minutes before the doctor came in.  I pointed out how much I appreciated these things about his office.  We never felt rushed with him and he took lots of time to explain and answer my questions.   Honestly, Buddy has shrunk but the giant crypt is still there so I told him I almost felt a little silly because I knew there were people there with bigger problems than that-- and he totally put my fears at ease assuring me that she was my child, so it was important. 
Ok, so what she has to do...
He said she needs her tonsils out!  I have to admit I was a bit surprised, especially since I had begun to wonder if it was a big deal, but he said the older she got her tonsils would shed more and it would cause more and more problems.  He was taken aback with the giant hole and was sure this is the right thing!  It's not an emergency of course so he said we could schedule it when it was convenient for us... which will likely be over spring break. 
So there's the news.  Buddy has got to go. 

Laugh WITH me

Last night I was invited to go with some school friends to Sips N Strokes for the second time.   This is a place, that if you had any talent at all which I don't, is genius.  There are 2 locations now and I was told last night the owner is poised to open 10, yes TEN more in coming days.  The premise is, you bring your own "beverage" and paint.  Long tables are set up with easels and canvases, you get your brushes and paints, and you can sit with your friends, share a bottle of wine (or your jingle juice, or your cuervo, or your white russians, or your own personal bottle of whatever) and yuk it up as you attempt to paint the same picture. 
Each night there is a "theme" and an artist with a headset mic and a small stage tells and demonstrates what you are to do to achieve the night's painting, which you know ahead of time.  (Most people choose the night they want to attend based on the painting they want to make.)  Last night our ring-leader chose this "Retro Cross."
It's a lot of fun, and I showed up in Mr. Grits' old sweats that were covered in paint and a long sleeved t-shirt from the thrift store.  You don't get to do a girl's night out in that get-up very often but it was really great after a long day to get away with that.   
And all that said, I can NOT paint.  I'm looking around being so impressed with everyone and all they are doing and wanting to crawl under the table!  My painting looks like Sugie did it.  And I don't mean to insult her.  Ok, and just so you know I know you are going to comment and say, "Oh no, it's really quite good!"  But just so you know, you can laugh WITH me... 

And while you are at it, know that in the middle of the night I awoke with Sugie and Bee's stomach bug... I was in the bathroom "incapacitated" and lying on the cold tile floor for quite a bit screaming Mr. Grits' name at the top of my lungs... and he slept right through it..

Yes, laugh WITH me...
So without further ado...  "Retro Cross."

And this is what I did last time "Funky Tree."

Tuesday

Today is the last day of school
I woke up real early-- not cool.
I've got a long list
Of chores that exist
And things to be done by the yule. 

Busy day ahead, but I couldn't deny the small glimmer of creativity this morning.  Have a great day!

Christmas Tour

Boomama is having a Christmas Tour of Homes dealy-doo and I didn't participate last year because, honestly, I'm just not the decorator type and also my house is never clean enough to showcase the pithy decorations I do put up... you'd be too busy gape-jawing all the clutter and laun dry and crushed cereal and squalor we call home. 
So anyhow, I mentioned the stocking story and then I gave you the picture to go with it (you are very welcome) and I won't post those again, but I also mentioned my love for Nutcrackers!  So here are some pictures of them, not that I expect you to love them as much as I do, but nobody made you come here so indulge me, 'kay?

The most noteable guy here is the little one holding a baby...  Mom gave me that one the Christmas after the birth of Sugie in '03.

I love this guy!  He's about 5-6 inches tall and was given to me by a dear friend in '05 after going to Scotland the first time.  I LOVE HIM!

   
This little guy is kinda' Sco'ish too.   Love him too!

Now you absolutely have to promise NOT to laugh.  Promise?  Ok, this is our angel.  Yes, as it the pinnacle of our tree. 
Yeah, I know. 
She's ugly, and is made of tea-stained battenburg lace and has a giant brown tear on her face. 
BUT... when Mr. Grits and I were P O O R and married and in college a friend and I got this "bright idea" from a magazine about making our own angels from doilys... so this is the outcome.  She graced our first tree and has been there ever since.  Well, last year I put her on the kids tree upstairs (which is NOT photoworthy since there are only colored lights on it and not even any ornaments!) but they absolutely revolted and she is back in her place of dishonor.  Now it is a goofy family tradition. 

And isn't that what decorating our homes are all about anyhow? 

Merry Christmas Y'all!