Pearls and Dreams
Liz ... tagged me (gee thanks ;) ..)
5 things you don't know about me.
1. My favorite pet fish is illegal in Oklahoma. It's the piranha. (no, not kidding)
2. My kindergarten report card said that I had an interest in stories, poems and books.
3. I love spiders. We'd have a pet tarantula, if I thought it would survive Benjamin ... and Sugarfoot and Twitch. In that order.
4. I also love pet rats. We don't have them, because of the immunosuppressant meds I'm on and ...again, the cats.
5. If I wasn't afraid of contacts, I would get brown contacts to cover my blue eyes.
Now, I was also .. kind of, but not really tagged by Artemis ..who said she wasn't tagging me, but wanted to know what my answers were to the meme that FD started (Way to go FD!!! Good MEME!!!) not sure how this doesn't count as tagging ...but ... here we go ...
favorite musicals for 2007
So, I'm supposed to list my favorite musicals.
Some, are going to be known ..and others, not so known. I didn't know if I was supposed to do just stage musicals or stage and movie musicals, so I did both.
1. Oklahoma
2. Sound of Music
3. Music Man
4. Four Tickets To Christmas (Christmas Musical, Broadway style my church put on a few years back ... I was Cornelia Washborne ...if you would like to see a picture of me in full 1905 costume ...email me at PearlsOfAnEagle@aol.com)
5. Wizard of Oz
6. Christmas Post (another broadway style musical I was in with my church)
7. Caberet
8. Annie Get Your Gun
9. Unsinkable Molly Brown
10. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
11. A Chorus Line
Ok ... stopping now ...
I am going to tag a couple of people *grin*
Deneice ... Wanda ... Moof ... Cathy ... Neuronursechic
Dr. Suess
"And will you succeed? Yes indeed! Yes indeed! Ninety Eight and Three Quarters guarenteed!"
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
not gone or forgotten
Pearls and Dreams
Alas my blog friends ... I have not forgotten you ... nor forsaken you ...
My body has decided that 3 months of living on adrenaline is more than enough ... and it is on the verge of crash mode.
I am trying to keep my head above water with my book ...and trying to keep a lupus flare from happening. Too late on the MG front ... double vision is quite the joy to live with. (not)
I wish you all HAPPY NEW YEARS if I don't make it back before Sunday evening ...and rest assured, even if I'm not commenting on your blogs, I am thinking about you, and praying for you!
Alas my blog friends ... I have not forgotten you ... nor forsaken you ...
My body has decided that 3 months of living on adrenaline is more than enough ... and it is on the verge of crash mode.
I am trying to keep my head above water with my book ...and trying to keep a lupus flare from happening. Too late on the MG front ... double vision is quite the joy to live with. (not)
I wish you all HAPPY NEW YEARS if I don't make it back before Sunday evening ...and rest assured, even if I'm not commenting on your blogs, I am thinking about you, and praying for you!
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Christmas at the Eagler's
by Peggikaye Eagler
Adapted, with apologies, from Twas the Night Before Christmas
'Twas the night before Christmas Eve, when all through the house
Not a creature was sleeping, not even a mouse;
The stockings were slung at the chimney with dispair,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were jumping all over their beds,
While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads;
And I in my 'kerchief, and Dad in his cap,
Had just sat down, many presents to wrap,
When in the kids bedroom there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the floor to see what was the matter.
Through their door I had heard a loud crash!
Tore open the door, was it a head that was smashed?
The moon through the window, would it show?
What was the cause of the very loud blow?
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But two mischievous children a hold of each other's ear.
With a look that said, they better quiet down quick,
They knew in a moment, quiet better had stick!
More rapid than eagles my scoldings they came,
And I whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, children! Now, sons! Now, brothers stop vexing!
Or I will be forced to treat you to a parental flexing!
To the top of the bed! and next to the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So I promised their presents would follow them too
If quiet would not very soon begin to ensue!
And then, in a twinkling, I heard a the cry of a wolf,
The child was yelling it could be heard through the roof.
As I reached down and turned around,
The cat had jumped, it was in the lights bound.
She had stuff in her fur, from her head to her foot,
And her fur was all sticky with something like soot;
A bundle of toys she'd managed to find in the back,
And she looked like a thief who'd found the pack.
Her eyes -- how they twinkled! Her meow how merry!
Her paws had obviously been in the pie, cherry!
Her little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And her paws were red, instead of white as the snow;
The stump of a ribbon she held tight in her teeth,
And the tape encircled her head like a wreath;
She had tape on her face and a little round her belly,
That caused us to laugh like a bowl-full of jelly.
She was chubby and plump, like a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw her, in spite of myself;
I gave the cat a wink, and I twisted my head,
Told the kids "quiet, you'll have nothing to dread";
They spoke not a word, but went straight to their work,
Picking up the room, then one kid said "you are a jerk",
The other kid answered laying his fist aside of his nose,
And once again the volume of fighting rose;
Dad sprang to their door and he gave a whistle,
And promised them he would sit them down on a thistle.
I heard him exclaim, to bed, get out of my sight,
"it's time for a
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOODNIGHT!"
Adapted, with apologies, from Twas the Night Before Christmas
'Twas the night before Christmas Eve, when all through the house
Not a creature was sleeping, not even a mouse;
The stockings were slung at the chimney with dispair,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were jumping all over their beds,
While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads;
And I in my 'kerchief, and Dad in his cap,
Had just sat down, many presents to wrap,
When in the kids bedroom there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the floor to see what was the matter.
Through their door I had heard a loud crash!
Tore open the door, was it a head that was smashed?
The moon through the window, would it show?
What was the cause of the very loud blow?
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But two mischievous children a hold of each other's ear.
With a look that said, they better quiet down quick,
They knew in a moment, quiet better had stick!
More rapid than eagles my scoldings they came,
And I whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, children! Now, sons! Now, brothers stop vexing!
Or I will be forced to treat you to a parental flexing!
To the top of the bed! and next to the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So I promised their presents would follow them too
If quiet would not very soon begin to ensue!
And then, in a twinkling, I heard a the cry of a wolf,
The child was yelling it could be heard through the roof.
As I reached down and turned around,
The cat had jumped, it was in the lights bound.
She had stuff in her fur, from her head to her foot,
And her fur was all sticky with something like soot;
A bundle of toys she'd managed to find in the back,
And she looked like a thief who'd found the pack.
Her eyes -- how they twinkled! Her meow how merry!
Her paws had obviously been in the pie, cherry!
Her little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And her paws were red, instead of white as the snow;
The stump of a ribbon she held tight in her teeth,
And the tape encircled her head like a wreath;
She had tape on her face and a little round her belly,
That caused us to laugh like a bowl-full of jelly.
She was chubby and plump, like a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw her, in spite of myself;
I gave the cat a wink, and I twisted my head,
Told the kids "quiet, you'll have nothing to dread";
They spoke not a word, but went straight to their work,
Picking up the room, then one kid said "you are a jerk",
The other kid answered laying his fist aside of his nose,
And once again the volume of fighting rose;
Dad sprang to their door and he gave a whistle,
And promised them he would sit them down on a thistle.
I heard him exclaim, to bed, get out of my sight,
"it's time for a
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOODNIGHT!"
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Pearls and Dreams
A year ago today, my life changed dramatically. My husband decided that he needed to let God be in charge of his life and he needed to stop being so angry at God.
It's amazing the changes that have taken place in our house since then. How incredible things have been.
Someone asked my husband last night how things were and he said "if they were any better, I just don't know what I'd do. Things are insanely good!"
*grin*
They are.
Well ... today, it passed insane.
A knock at the door ... a thump on the porch.
I opened the door and a package on the door mat.
I picked it up ...it was addressed to me, but with my legal name.
This confused me. No one uses my full legal name! Even the social security administration uses my legal nickname. No one ...but the DMV. So ...what could the DMV be sending me???
Oh ..wait ...one other ... the publisher is using my legal name.
The publisher.
A package ...
Oh...
It's ...
It can't be ....
Holy SMOKES!!!
I'm an AUTHOR FOR REAL!!!!
It's amazing the changes that have taken place in our house since then. How incredible things have been.
Someone asked my husband last night how things were and he said "if they were any better, I just don't know what I'd do. Things are insanely good!"
*grin*
They are.
Well ... today, it passed insane.
A knock at the door ... a thump on the porch.
I opened the door and a package on the door mat.
I picked it up ...it was addressed to me, but with my legal name.
This confused me. No one uses my full legal name! Even the social security administration uses my legal nickname. No one ...but the DMV. So ...what could the DMV be sending me???
Oh ..wait ...one other ... the publisher is using my legal name.
The publisher.
A package ...
Oh...
It's ...
It can't be ....
Holy SMOKES!!!
I'm an AUTHOR FOR REAL!!!!
Monday, December 18, 2006
December 18
Pearls and Dreams
December 18 has always been an important day in my life. Always. Growing up ...it was a day of celebration. My mom, married my step dad when I was 13 months old on December 18, 1965. To our family, this was a huge day to celebrate.
To my husband and I, our anniversary ...is our anniversary. It's about the day we got married.
To my mom and step dad, their anniversary, was about the day we became a family. While they often would go out and have a dinner just the two of them, we were often out already for Christmas vacation and the whole day was a holiday.
We had a special breakfast and lunch. Many times, we'd go to Yosemite National Park and drive around and look at the snow covered valley. It was a time to celebrate the family that God had formed.
Then, in February 1979, depression took my step father's life. He mistakenly thought that we would be better off without him ...and took his own life.
December 18, became a very difficult day for a number of years. An ache so deep ... a reminder that our family was not the same.
Then ...15 years ago, ... I was pregnant and I was carrying a baby that was very large. So large, they were worried I'd need a C section if I carried to my due date on Christmas eve. I was supposed to go on the 16th ...but I was so weak from the undiagnosed Myasthenia Gravis that I fell into the toilet trying to get into the shower.
I called the doctor and told them. They thought I had chronic fatigue syndrome and said "well, come in tomorrow"
The next day, having rested the whole day, I was able to get up and go. They said the baby was even bigger than it had been the week before, and to go check into the hospital first thing in the morning. I went home and cried all afternoon.
I think the hormones of the pregnancy and the fear of being sick were just a bit more than I could deal with. I did not want him to be born on the 18th. That was a sacred day. No! I called back and said I needed it to be the next day. They said that that was not possible. I needed to show up on Wednesday. Period.
I was terrified, but showed up. I had no idea what my body would do. I was unable to dress without assistance ..and at times, was so weak I could not chew food. Breathing ... was sometimes a joke. What's a deep breath? Swallowing often led to choking ..especially in the middle of the night. How in the world was I going to deliver a baby?
I got to the hospital and the nurse had to help me get into a gown. She was annoyed because "Chronic fatigue doesn't make someone THIS weak, so I had to be 'putting on'" (well ... chronic fatigue might not make someone THAT weak, but Myasthenia Gravis does, and if they'd ran more than a thyroid test ...they might have known I had MG ..but that's another story)
Anyway ...they started the pitossin (sp?) and ... the contractions started. Thankfully ... the hormones worked in my favor. I felt stronger than I felt since an hour after my oldest was born (when the myasthenia gravis hit). I actually felt normal. Double vision cleared. Muscles felt normal! I felt fine! I felt STRONG! I was thrilled ... I felt like I'd been cured. I mistakenly thought that all this started with one delivery and was going to disappear with another. Life was good.
13 hours after they started the drip 8:11 pm ... a 9 lb 8 3/4 oz baby boy was born. Benjamin William Eagler. HUGE child with a BIG head. His cry was weak, his muscle tone weak ...and he could open one eye and that one was droopy. But, he was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.
The day, no longer mattered. This boy would complete the family.
I felt wonderful.
All was right with the world.
Suddenly it hit. This day …this baby … was a gift. It was a gift to replace the mourning of the pain of the day. It was almost like it was from my stepdad …to say he was sorry for the pain. A baby to complete the family and a way to celebrate this day that had been so painful. This day, would never again be a day to mourn. This day, was once again a celebration.
The nurse had me get up and go to the bathroom, as they usually do … and I got up and went … I could walk … I didn’t need assistance. I danced a jig on the way to the bathroom. I was tickled at the strength I had. I walked out of the bathroom and my vision went double. My sister said something … I don’t remember what the words were, but I remember the alarm in her voice …she saw the muscle tone drain from my face. She was yelling at a nurse to catch me even though I hadn’t started to fall. A split second later, my body went limp. No one could get to me soon enough. I landed in a heap on the floor.
Unable to assist the nurses in helping me to the bed, the nurses seemed annoyed. This time, I wasn’t sure if they were annoyed with me, or the doctors who diagnosed me with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. “Something serious is going on here, this isn’t CFS”
I wound up with nurses fighting doctors to keep me in the hospital for 2 days instead of sending me home just 14 hours after Benjamin was born. (a good thing too, because Benjamin had trouble just 17 hours after he was born … it’s now illegal to send someone home in the first 24 hours, but it wasn’t then, it was common)
It was a frightening period and exciting. I will never forget having to have the nurses help to lift my son to nurse and I wasn’t even strong enough to change him from breast to breast. My husband had to help me eat … feed me bites of the sandwich because I could not lift the food from the tray to my mouth.
The doctor’s discharged me, with the diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome still in place.
A baby who could barely suck, and when he did … the milk came out his nose … it would be 2 ½ months before I was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis and we learned that he’d been born with the neonatal form.
We called him Popeye …because his one eye would not open.
All in all …we know we have much to celebrate on this December 18. So much could have gone wrong … Benjamin was born with a very sick mamma …and he had craniosynostosis (not dx’d right away) He has brain malformations and learning disabilities …asthma and a few other problems. But he is one dynamic kiddo.
Because of him, we celebrate today and I am ever grateful that he is my child.
A Mother's Heart
Every mother had Dreams,
Of a Child perfect and whole.
Every mother has Hopes,
For perfection, body and soul.
They told me you're not perfect,
Sweet loving child of mine.
They told me that your learning,
Is taking too much time.
They tell me that your tests came back,
Showing problems and low scores.
They tell me that you have to struggle,
This hurts me to the core.
Every mother has dreams,
They tell me you don't fit.
Every mother has hopes,
They say perfection you won't hit.
But they don't see what I see,
The smile that lights your face.
But they don't hear what I hear,
Your laughter reveals God's grace.
They don't see what I see,
My child loving and whole.
I have hopes and dreams,
Because my child you are a gift from God
And you have a PERFECT SOUL.
© Peggikaye Eagler
Happy Birthday Benjamin
December 18 has always been an important day in my life. Always. Growing up ...it was a day of celebration. My mom, married my step dad when I was 13 months old on December 18, 1965. To our family, this was a huge day to celebrate.
To my husband and I, our anniversary ...is our anniversary. It's about the day we got married.
To my mom and step dad, their anniversary, was about the day we became a family. While they often would go out and have a dinner just the two of them, we were often out already for Christmas vacation and the whole day was a holiday.
We had a special breakfast and lunch. Many times, we'd go to Yosemite National Park and drive around and look at the snow covered valley. It was a time to celebrate the family that God had formed.
Then, in February 1979, depression took my step father's life. He mistakenly thought that we would be better off without him ...and took his own life.
December 18, became a very difficult day for a number of years. An ache so deep ... a reminder that our family was not the same.
Then ...15 years ago, ... I was pregnant and I was carrying a baby that was very large. So large, they were worried I'd need a C section if I carried to my due date on Christmas eve. I was supposed to go on the 16th ...but I was so weak from the undiagnosed Myasthenia Gravis that I fell into the toilet trying to get into the shower.
I called the doctor and told them. They thought I had chronic fatigue syndrome and said "well, come in tomorrow"
The next day, having rested the whole day, I was able to get up and go. They said the baby was even bigger than it had been the week before, and to go check into the hospital first thing in the morning. I went home and cried all afternoon.
I think the hormones of the pregnancy and the fear of being sick were just a bit more than I could deal with. I did not want him to be born on the 18th. That was a sacred day. No! I called back and said I needed it to be the next day. They said that that was not possible. I needed to show up on Wednesday. Period.
I was terrified, but showed up. I had no idea what my body would do. I was unable to dress without assistance ..and at times, was so weak I could not chew food. Breathing ... was sometimes a joke. What's a deep breath? Swallowing often led to choking ..especially in the middle of the night. How in the world was I going to deliver a baby?
I got to the hospital and the nurse had to help me get into a gown. She was annoyed because "Chronic fatigue doesn't make someone THIS weak, so I had to be 'putting on'" (well ... chronic fatigue might not make someone THAT weak, but Myasthenia Gravis does, and if they'd ran more than a thyroid test ...they might have known I had MG ..but that's another story)
Anyway ...they started the pitossin (sp?) and ... the contractions started. Thankfully ... the hormones worked in my favor. I felt stronger than I felt since an hour after my oldest was born (when the myasthenia gravis hit). I actually felt normal. Double vision cleared. Muscles felt normal! I felt fine! I felt STRONG! I was thrilled ... I felt like I'd been cured. I mistakenly thought that all this started with one delivery and was going to disappear with another. Life was good.
13 hours after they started the drip 8:11 pm ... a 9 lb 8 3/4 oz baby boy was born. Benjamin William Eagler. HUGE child with a BIG head. His cry was weak, his muscle tone weak ...and he could open one eye and that one was droopy. But, he was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.
The day, no longer mattered. This boy would complete the family.
I felt wonderful.
All was right with the world.
Suddenly it hit. This day …this baby … was a gift. It was a gift to replace the mourning of the pain of the day. It was almost like it was from my stepdad …to say he was sorry for the pain. A baby to complete the family and a way to celebrate this day that had been so painful. This day, would never again be a day to mourn. This day, was once again a celebration.
The nurse had me get up and go to the bathroom, as they usually do … and I got up and went … I could walk … I didn’t need assistance. I danced a jig on the way to the bathroom. I was tickled at the strength I had. I walked out of the bathroom and my vision went double. My sister said something … I don’t remember what the words were, but I remember the alarm in her voice …she saw the muscle tone drain from my face. She was yelling at a nurse to catch me even though I hadn’t started to fall. A split second later, my body went limp. No one could get to me soon enough. I landed in a heap on the floor.
Unable to assist the nurses in helping me to the bed, the nurses seemed annoyed. This time, I wasn’t sure if they were annoyed with me, or the doctors who diagnosed me with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. “Something serious is going on here, this isn’t CFS”
I wound up with nurses fighting doctors to keep me in the hospital for 2 days instead of sending me home just 14 hours after Benjamin was born. (a good thing too, because Benjamin had trouble just 17 hours after he was born … it’s now illegal to send someone home in the first 24 hours, but it wasn’t then, it was common)
It was a frightening period and exciting. I will never forget having to have the nurses help to lift my son to nurse and I wasn’t even strong enough to change him from breast to breast. My husband had to help me eat … feed me bites of the sandwich because I could not lift the food from the tray to my mouth.
The doctor’s discharged me, with the diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome still in place.
A baby who could barely suck, and when he did … the milk came out his nose … it would be 2 ½ months before I was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis and we learned that he’d been born with the neonatal form.
We called him Popeye …because his one eye would not open.
All in all …we know we have much to celebrate on this December 18. So much could have gone wrong … Benjamin was born with a very sick mamma …and he had craniosynostosis (not dx’d right away) He has brain malformations and learning disabilities …asthma and a few other problems. But he is one dynamic kiddo.
Because of him, we celebrate today and I am ever grateful that he is my child.
A Mother's Heart
Every mother had Dreams,
Of a Child perfect and whole.
Every mother has Hopes,
For perfection, body and soul.
They told me you're not perfect,
Sweet loving child of mine.
They told me that your learning,
Is taking too much time.
They tell me that your tests came back,
Showing problems and low scores.
They tell me that you have to struggle,
This hurts me to the core.
Every mother has dreams,
They tell me you don't fit.
Every mother has hopes,
They say perfection you won't hit.
But they don't see what I see,
The smile that lights your face.
But they don't hear what I hear,
Your laughter reveals God's grace.
They don't see what I see,
My child loving and whole.
I have hopes and dreams,
Because my child you are a gift from God
And you have a PERFECT SOUL.
© Peggikaye Eagler
Happy Birthday Benjamin
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Sunrise, Sunset
Today, I made 7 dozen cookies. Easy easy recipe ... cake mix (2 boxes, any flavor, I used chocolate and lemon)cool whip (half tub per box) and an egg (1 per box). Mix thoroughly ... roll into balls ...roll into sugar ..powdered or regular ...and bake for 10 minutes in a 350ยบ and you have the most delicious cookie. Two boxes makes 6 to 7 dozen depending on the size of the balls.
When I make the chocolate and lemon, I usually make about a dozen or so of them mixed together so they are half chocolate/half lemon. Those are really really good.
These make really good cookies with ANY cake mix ...spice, gingerbread, carrot, strawberry, white, sprinkles ..doesn't matter ...favorite cake ... great cookies.
I made them for a Cocoa and Cookies party at church. It was supposed to have been a fellowship at church. It ended up being a reception for our resigning associate pastor. It was beautiful and wonderful ...
There was a quilt that was made by one of the women in the church with blank squares, with a picture of our church in the middle. On the squares, we were all able to sign the squares. I went to sign for our family and my boys had already signed it. They'd both thanked her for everything she'd done for our family. Benjamin thanked her for being super super wonderful. Samuel thanked her for being a wonderful example of an adult. (ok, so how am I supposed to top that???)
I was filled with awe when I went to say thank you to her. Several years ago, I went to sit down in her office the first time, a very insecure person who thought that I had nothing to offer anyone. She told me that she saw me teaching, and that she saw a 'gideon in the winepress'. We talked several times and she would get so excited as I'd share with her what God was doing in my heart. I'd get so confused at how what little bit I was sharing with her, she was turning into this great big adventure.
I was just this mom, on government assistance, who was sick, and didn't have anything to say ..and never succeeded at anything ... who would listen and what would they listen to? What was she talking about?
She talked with me.
She prayed with me.
She laughed with me.
She encouraged me.
Before long. I started to believe that spark in her eye. Maybe? Maybe someone would listen to me. I talked to the person sitting next to me. I started to listen more to her, and to those around me. I started to believe a bit more in me.
Between her, and my pastor, and my pastor's wife ... I started to see ... I was more than my past failures. I was more than my circumstances. I started to share my writings with her. She really became excited.
I shared with her that I wanted to write a book and I thought maybe I could do it. She KNEW I could it. Her excitement was infectious.
I applied for Habitat ... and she prayed me through it.
I worked my way through it ... and she celebrated with me. She mourned with me when the complications came and she thought our church was not going to get to work on the house.
No one, was happier than she was, when it worked out that they would. Our house, was her baby.
The end of this month, she resigns. She will no longer be our associate pastor. There are things that she needs to be able to do that no longer fit with in the constrains of the boundries of the pastorship. She's a bird and she needs to fly free.
I will miss her being our associate pastor terribly. But this is a good thing. We need to rebuild. We need to reconstruct.
We have gone from sunrise to sunset ..but soon, it will be time for sunrise again!
When I make the chocolate and lemon, I usually make about a dozen or so of them mixed together so they are half chocolate/half lemon. Those are really really good.
These make really good cookies with ANY cake mix ...spice, gingerbread, carrot, strawberry, white, sprinkles ..doesn't matter ...favorite cake ... great cookies.
I made them for a Cocoa and Cookies party at church. It was supposed to have been a fellowship at church. It ended up being a reception for our resigning associate pastor. It was beautiful and wonderful ...
There was a quilt that was made by one of the women in the church with blank squares, with a picture of our church in the middle. On the squares, we were all able to sign the squares. I went to sign for our family and my boys had already signed it. They'd both thanked her for everything she'd done for our family. Benjamin thanked her for being super super wonderful. Samuel thanked her for being a wonderful example of an adult. (ok, so how am I supposed to top that???)
I was filled with awe when I went to say thank you to her. Several years ago, I went to sit down in her office the first time, a very insecure person who thought that I had nothing to offer anyone. She told me that she saw me teaching, and that she saw a 'gideon in the winepress'. We talked several times and she would get so excited as I'd share with her what God was doing in my heart. I'd get so confused at how what little bit I was sharing with her, she was turning into this great big adventure.
I was just this mom, on government assistance, who was sick, and didn't have anything to say ..and never succeeded at anything ... who would listen and what would they listen to? What was she talking about?
She talked with me.
She prayed with me.
She laughed with me.
She encouraged me.
Before long. I started to believe that spark in her eye. Maybe? Maybe someone would listen to me. I talked to the person sitting next to me. I started to listen more to her, and to those around me. I started to believe a bit more in me.
Between her, and my pastor, and my pastor's wife ... I started to see ... I was more than my past failures. I was more than my circumstances. I started to share my writings with her. She really became excited.
I shared with her that I wanted to write a book and I thought maybe I could do it. She KNEW I could it. Her excitement was infectious.
I applied for Habitat ... and she prayed me through it.
I worked my way through it ... and she celebrated with me. She mourned with me when the complications came and she thought our church was not going to get to work on the house.
No one, was happier than she was, when it worked out that they would. Our house, was her baby.
The end of this month, she resigns. She will no longer be our associate pastor. There are things that she needs to be able to do that no longer fit with in the constrains of the boundries of the pastorship. She's a bird and she needs to fly free.
I will miss her being our associate pastor terribly. But this is a good thing. We need to rebuild. We need to reconstruct.
We have gone from sunrise to sunset ..but soon, it will be time for sunrise again!
Friday, December 15, 2006
I SHALL NOT WASTE MY DAYS IN TRYING TO PROLONG THEM
Cathy, challenged several of us to a story challenge. Using the phrase
I SHALL NOT WASTE MY DAYS IN TRYING TO PROLONG THEM to end our story. This is my fiction story that I wrote as part of this story challenge.
Wolfbaby
Ipanema
Laundress
Dr. Schwab
At Your Cervix
Kim (Emergiblog)
The Wandering Author (?)
KT-RN
Frequency of Silence (JCR)
Truth is Freedom (Brian)
Patient Anonymous
Pearls and Dreams (PK)
Mimi Writes (Mimi)
Potpourri Of Writing (Mary Emma)
Charlie
Ladybug
Musings of a Distractable Mind (Dr. Rob)
Bankerchic
I SHALL NOT WASTE MY DAYS IN TRYING TO PROLONG THEM
She hung her head down as she walked into the Sunday School classroom. She was only 10 years old, but she looked as if she were 60 and the weight of the world was on her shoulders. No one knew who she was. Her dress was a little too big, and her shoes were worn out. Her hair was brushed, but needed cutting. Someone had put a ribbon in her hair, but obviously had no experience in doing little girls hair.
She took the empty chair at the table, obviously hoping that no one would notice her. The Sunday School teacher decided to just let her quietly enter the classroom, instead of making a big deal of the visitors who normally visit the class. She would find out her name, and something about her before introducing her to class.
As class began, the kids all were distracted by this little girl who seemed so out of place. Long skinny fingers fidgeted as she held her hands on the table. When she realized she was being watched, she quickly snapped her hands off the table and into her lap. The less attention the better. Maybe they'd stop watching her if they didn't see her fidgeting?
The lesson began. Today's lesson was out of Matthew Six. 25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? The teacher read the scripture, suddenly aware that this may not have been the best scripture to have read aloud on that particular Sunday Morning. Children's eyes struggled to not stare at the little girl in the rumpled dress.
The teacher, blushing, read on, 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. by now, she knew, that she was stuck, she had no other lesson to prepare and she was too far into the scripture to back out. All she could do was pray that she would not humiliate this little girl. So, she kept reading.
29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
She quietly looked at the class and the flower on her desk she'd brought for the lesson. Suddenly, the flower looked so pale, so lifeless in it's little vase. The lesson seemed so ... dismal. What could she say with this classroom full of brightly clothed children, with hair perfectly brushed and bright shiney shoes? With this one child brought into their midst who is obviously not the same?
She picked up the flower and put it back down. The little girl raised her hand. Shaking a little. The teacher said "yes dear?" Nervousness took over both of them. The teacher having no idea what was going to come out of this little girl. The little girl, knowing she wasn't quite in place, and would she be accepted?
She said, "My name is Elise. Last year, my Mom and Dad were both working at good jobs. I was always at after school daycare. At friends houses. With babysitters. I had all the things my friends had. We had a big house. Then, my mom got sick. She has cancer. She had to quit her job. We had to sell our big house and move to a small one, and we have to take hand me downs for clothes. People bring us stuff. My Mom, is going to be Ok. I don't have all the things my friends have anymore. My mom is getting better. The medicines are working and soon she'll be healthy again and my mom will be able to put my ribbons in my hair instead of my Dad. The amazing thing is, that we've learned to be a family. No more daycare. No more babysitters. I may not have everything my friends have, but I have a family. We go on picnics to see the flowers and have fun together. I can have friends to my house because my parents have time. We may not have stuff, but we have each other."
The class, was a bit uncomfortable, but the teacher was touched deeply. The flower was suddenly the bright, pretty example she'd thought it'd been when she brought it. Perspective is everything.
This little girl, Elise, who looked so misplaced, was perfectly placed. The Sunday School teacher walked out of that class that morning learning an important lesson ...to leave everything in God's hands ... to not worry about tomorrow ...for God will take care of it. To not worry about the next moment, because God has everything under control. To not worry. She vowed "I SHALL NOT WASTE MY DAYS IN TRYING TO PROLONG THEM"
I SHALL NOT WASTE MY DAYS IN TRYING TO PROLONG THEM to end our story. This is my fiction story that I wrote as part of this story challenge.
Wolfbaby
Ipanema
Laundress
Dr. Schwab
At Your Cervix
Kim (Emergiblog)
The Wandering Author (?)
KT-RN
Frequency of Silence (JCR)
Truth is Freedom (Brian)
Patient Anonymous
Pearls and Dreams (PK)
Mimi Writes (Mimi)
Potpourri Of Writing (Mary Emma)
Charlie
Ladybug
Musings of a Distractable Mind (Dr. Rob)
Bankerchic
I SHALL NOT WASTE MY DAYS IN TRYING TO PROLONG THEM
She hung her head down as she walked into the Sunday School classroom. She was only 10 years old, but she looked as if she were 60 and the weight of the world was on her shoulders. No one knew who she was. Her dress was a little too big, and her shoes were worn out. Her hair was brushed, but needed cutting. Someone had put a ribbon in her hair, but obviously had no experience in doing little girls hair.
She took the empty chair at the table, obviously hoping that no one would notice her. The Sunday School teacher decided to just let her quietly enter the classroom, instead of making a big deal of the visitors who normally visit the class. She would find out her name, and something about her before introducing her to class.
As class began, the kids all were distracted by this little girl who seemed so out of place. Long skinny fingers fidgeted as she held her hands on the table. When she realized she was being watched, she quickly snapped her hands off the table and into her lap. The less attention the better. Maybe they'd stop watching her if they didn't see her fidgeting?
The lesson began. Today's lesson was out of Matthew Six. 25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? The teacher read the scripture, suddenly aware that this may not have been the best scripture to have read aloud on that particular Sunday Morning. Children's eyes struggled to not stare at the little girl in the rumpled dress.
The teacher, blushing, read on, 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. by now, she knew, that she was stuck, she had no other lesson to prepare and she was too far into the scripture to back out. All she could do was pray that she would not humiliate this little girl. So, she kept reading.
29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
She quietly looked at the class and the flower on her desk she'd brought for the lesson. Suddenly, the flower looked so pale, so lifeless in it's little vase. The lesson seemed so ... dismal. What could she say with this classroom full of brightly clothed children, with hair perfectly brushed and bright shiney shoes? With this one child brought into their midst who is obviously not the same?
She picked up the flower and put it back down. The little girl raised her hand. Shaking a little. The teacher said "yes dear?" Nervousness took over both of them. The teacher having no idea what was going to come out of this little girl. The little girl, knowing she wasn't quite in place, and would she be accepted?
She said, "My name is Elise. Last year, my Mom and Dad were both working at good jobs. I was always at after school daycare. At friends houses. With babysitters. I had all the things my friends had. We had a big house. Then, my mom got sick. She has cancer. She had to quit her job. We had to sell our big house and move to a small one, and we have to take hand me downs for clothes. People bring us stuff. My Mom, is going to be Ok. I don't have all the things my friends have anymore. My mom is getting better. The medicines are working and soon she'll be healthy again and my mom will be able to put my ribbons in my hair instead of my Dad. The amazing thing is, that we've learned to be a family. No more daycare. No more babysitters. I may not have everything my friends have, but I have a family. We go on picnics to see the flowers and have fun together. I can have friends to my house because my parents have time. We may not have stuff, but we have each other."
The class, was a bit uncomfortable, but the teacher was touched deeply. The flower was suddenly the bright, pretty example she'd thought it'd been when she brought it. Perspective is everything.
This little girl, Elise, who looked so misplaced, was perfectly placed. The Sunday School teacher walked out of that class that morning learning an important lesson ...to leave everything in God's hands ... to not worry about tomorrow ...for God will take care of it. To not worry about the next moment, because God has everything under control. To not worry. She vowed "I SHALL NOT WASTE MY DAYS IN TRYING TO PROLONG THEM"
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Wow
Friday Fellowship is at Amazon.com How totally awesome is that?
SQUEEK!
Tulsa Beacon also ran a press release on my book today.
"BA Author Releases Book"
I had a hard time finding the press release. I wasn't looking for the word author. I'm not used to living in BA yet ... very strange. Happy happy happy strange. But, strange none the less.
For those in the Tulsa Area, Tulsa Beacon is a newspaper you can purchase for 50cents at Quik Trip, amoung other places, on Thursdays. The release is on page 5. Sweet!
I managed to dislocate my shoulder this week. The one I had surgery on in April. It's quite painful. I need to notify my orthopedist. I promised the doc I would do so on Tuesday and haven't done it yet. Last night, I was trying to hurry and rammed right into a door with my shoulder. YIPPERS. A friend that's a physical therapist took a look at it, and said it's still intact. Just a bit swollen, which could have been from Monday's fiasco. It was awfully hot. What is bad, is that my joints are sooo loosey goosey ... (hypermobile is the medical term) I frequently pop my shoulders in and out, and rarely have to have medical assistance getting them back in ... so this was a bad one. Only once did they have to do the whole shabang that you see on TV with shoulders.
If you haven't been to my new website www.freewebs.com/peggikaye ... please check it out and sign the guestbook ...if you haven't been since the first day, please go back. I've updated it and added a few things. :D
As far as my Christmas wish list ...we decided to do something different this year. Instead of us, as parents buying for the kids, and Don buying for me, me for Don. We're going to take our Christmas budget, divide by 4, draw names out of a hat and each buy for each other. No one knowing who has who (idealy). The wish lists have gone onto the refridgerator. So no one tells anyone anything.
SQUEEK!
Tulsa Beacon also ran a press release on my book today.
"BA Author Releases Book"
I had a hard time finding the press release. I wasn't looking for the word author. I'm not used to living in BA yet ... very strange. Happy happy happy strange. But, strange none the less.
For those in the Tulsa Area, Tulsa Beacon is a newspaper you can purchase for 50cents at Quik Trip, amoung other places, on Thursdays. The release is on page 5. Sweet!
I managed to dislocate my shoulder this week. The one I had surgery on in April. It's quite painful. I need to notify my orthopedist. I promised the doc I would do so on Tuesday and haven't done it yet. Last night, I was trying to hurry and rammed right into a door with my shoulder. YIPPERS. A friend that's a physical therapist took a look at it, and said it's still intact. Just a bit swollen, which could have been from Monday's fiasco. It was awfully hot. What is bad, is that my joints are sooo loosey goosey ... (hypermobile is the medical term) I frequently pop my shoulders in and out, and rarely have to have medical assistance getting them back in ... so this was a bad one. Only once did they have to do the whole shabang that you see on TV with shoulders.
If you haven't been to my new website www.freewebs.com/peggikaye ... please check it out and sign the guestbook ...if you haven't been since the first day, please go back. I've updated it and added a few things. :D
As far as my Christmas wish list ...we decided to do something different this year. Instead of us, as parents buying for the kids, and Don buying for me, me for Don. We're going to take our Christmas budget, divide by 4, draw names out of a hat and each buy for each other. No one knowing who has who (idealy). The wish lists have gone onto the refridgerator. So no one tells anyone anything.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Various things
Sorry for my absence, I've spent the weekend building my website. I think, I actually have a website. Thank you all for your comments! I think that I have spent over 25 hours on it this weekend! I do know why people get paid $$$ for building websites! I do NOT recommend building websites when the only chair you have, is a folding chair! JEEPERS CREEPERS!!! My back is killing me!
Last night, I got talked into, by my sons, going to the youth group Christmas party. Because of that, I now have a much more comfortable chair. The host family, had been meaning to offer us a chair they loved, but no longer fit their decor. It's perfect! At least, until we can get a computer chair.
The Christmas party was fun. Lots of teenagers running around acting goofy. A few adults, that I love, and don't get to really TALK to very often.
They had a couple of games ...one was a huge 4' stocking stuffed with 'stuff' and you had to guess what was inside the stocking. The person who guessed the most stuff won. Samuel was determined. Samuel, won. Some strange stuff in the stocking, like ONE worn out slipper (exactly in Samuel's size *grin*); a DVD of an old movie he'd been wanting to see, a coffee mug, some tape, a scratched CD, a frisbee (with Whinnie the Pooh and Tigger on it, perfect gift for his 5 year old cousin!); a 25 pc Clifford puzzle (guess who?) and a few other odd things. The thing he was most excited about ...the stocking. :D
We then rode on a trolley to a neighborhood where most of the houses decorate (professionally) for Christmas. It was quite beautiful. The trolley ride was really fun. Teenagers singing Christmas carols, laughing, enjoying each other's company and just being happy!
It was a really good party.
The day had started out stressful enough. I told you a few weeks ago that our Senior Pastor had resigned, well, yesterday, our associate pator handed in her resignation. Change, begets change. So, now our 250 member church now has no Pastor, no associate pastor, no worship pastor and no youth pastor. Leaving us with a children's pastor and a secretary. Could, get very interesting. Very interesting indeed.
Unfortuneately, the rumors are flying wild. That she was fired on Saturday ...not true, she called me Wednesday and told me that she handed in her resignation on Monday. That this was unexpected and unplaned ...not exactly true ..while, a week ago on Sunday she didn't really know she was going to do it ... she'd been talking about it for well over a year. WELL OVER A YEAR. When she met with the board of trustee's, she decided that the direction that they were going was different than she wanted to go, and that she would hinder the process, not help the process and they would hold her back spiritually. It was not a contentious move. It was an emotional move, because, as she put it, she is a girl and she loves this church. It was, a move that was, to help the church move forward, not keep anyone back.
As crazy as it sounds ... I think she's right. I think our pastor is right. I think ...when our pastor resigned saying that sometimes things need to be torn down and rebuilt ... that is where our church is. And maybe, just maybe our church needs to do just that very thing.
I am exicted when I think of the ministry opportunities that await my pastor and his wife in non professional ministry life! I can't wait to see how they are progressing in their personal life. Randy would do things, because he has a heart of gold to help one person ...and 200 people would get upset. Only 50 people would understand why he did what he did. He is a pastor to the individual, which is what made him such great pastor. But to be able to do those things without having to answer back to 250 people? It really, is a good thing.
As far as our associate pastor ... I think she learned a tremendous amount that she needed to learn, administrative, computer, etc. I, really believe, she has a women's ministry in her future. Something far bigger than the administrative support stuff she's been doing. She's been boxed in long enough. She's this georgeous passionate wild bird who's singing at the top of her lungs ...and it's time to let the caged bird fly!
As far as our church ... when I got to Southpark... church statistics for the nation were that 20% of the people did 80% of the work. But, it wasn't true for Southpark. Most people enthusiastically participated. Our leaderships love and passion for God was contagious and people got behind them.
Then life got in the way ... and those who were hard workers moved away ..got promoted in their jobs ... lost spouses, aged ... whatever ... life changed ... and over the last 10 years ... apathy has set in and a good less than 20% does 90% of the work. It all got shoved off onto ...that's the pastor's job. That's why we have a support pastor. That's the children's minister's job. That's the worship pastor's job. Isn't that why we pay a youth pastor?
So, without a pastoral staff, save one, who pastor's the children, who really, have no say in who does what ... we are going to be forced to run our church. To behave as servants of God. Not the served. And, we're going to have to work together. It will have to be about each other, not about me.
I think, this is, going to be a very very good thing. Scary ...absolutely. We have to A) trust God not ourselves and B) trust each other to step up, not ourselves or someone we've paid.
I do think, this will be very good. Then a new pastor can come in, and we will be ready to function as a church again.
Last night, I got talked into, by my sons, going to the youth group Christmas party. Because of that, I now have a much more comfortable chair. The host family, had been meaning to offer us a chair they loved, but no longer fit their decor. It's perfect! At least, until we can get a computer chair.
The Christmas party was fun. Lots of teenagers running around acting goofy. A few adults, that I love, and don't get to really TALK to very often.
They had a couple of games ...one was a huge 4' stocking stuffed with 'stuff' and you had to guess what was inside the stocking. The person who guessed the most stuff won. Samuel was determined. Samuel, won. Some strange stuff in the stocking, like ONE worn out slipper (exactly in Samuel's size *grin*); a DVD of an old movie he'd been wanting to see, a coffee mug, some tape, a scratched CD, a frisbee (with Whinnie the Pooh and Tigger on it, perfect gift for his 5 year old cousin!); a 25 pc Clifford puzzle (guess who?) and a few other odd things. The thing he was most excited about ...the stocking. :D
We then rode on a trolley to a neighborhood where most of the houses decorate (professionally) for Christmas. It was quite beautiful. The trolley ride was really fun. Teenagers singing Christmas carols, laughing, enjoying each other's company and just being happy!
It was a really good party.
The day had started out stressful enough. I told you a few weeks ago that our Senior Pastor had resigned, well, yesterday, our associate pator handed in her resignation. Change, begets change. So, now our 250 member church now has no Pastor, no associate pastor, no worship pastor and no youth pastor. Leaving us with a children's pastor and a secretary. Could, get very interesting. Very interesting indeed.
Unfortuneately, the rumors are flying wild. That she was fired on Saturday ...not true, she called me Wednesday and told me that she handed in her resignation on Monday. That this was unexpected and unplaned ...not exactly true ..while, a week ago on Sunday she didn't really know she was going to do it ... she'd been talking about it for well over a year. WELL OVER A YEAR. When she met with the board of trustee's, she decided that the direction that they were going was different than she wanted to go, and that she would hinder the process, not help the process and they would hold her back spiritually. It was not a contentious move. It was an emotional move, because, as she put it, she is a girl and she loves this church. It was, a move that was, to help the church move forward, not keep anyone back.
As crazy as it sounds ... I think she's right. I think our pastor is right. I think ...when our pastor resigned saying that sometimes things need to be torn down and rebuilt ... that is where our church is. And maybe, just maybe our church needs to do just that very thing.
I am exicted when I think of the ministry opportunities that await my pastor and his wife in non professional ministry life! I can't wait to see how they are progressing in their personal life. Randy would do things, because he has a heart of gold to help one person ...and 200 people would get upset. Only 50 people would understand why he did what he did. He is a pastor to the individual, which is what made him such great pastor. But to be able to do those things without having to answer back to 250 people? It really, is a good thing.
As far as our associate pastor ... I think she learned a tremendous amount that she needed to learn, administrative, computer, etc. I, really believe, she has a women's ministry in her future. Something far bigger than the administrative support stuff she's been doing. She's been boxed in long enough. She's this georgeous passionate wild bird who's singing at the top of her lungs ...and it's time to let the caged bird fly!
As far as our church ... when I got to Southpark... church statistics for the nation were that 20% of the people did 80% of the work. But, it wasn't true for Southpark. Most people enthusiastically participated. Our leaderships love and passion for God was contagious and people got behind them.
Then life got in the way ... and those who were hard workers moved away ..got promoted in their jobs ... lost spouses, aged ... whatever ... life changed ... and over the last 10 years ... apathy has set in and a good less than 20% does 90% of the work. It all got shoved off onto ...that's the pastor's job. That's why we have a support pastor. That's the children's minister's job. That's the worship pastor's job. Isn't that why we pay a youth pastor?
So, without a pastoral staff, save one, who pastor's the children, who really, have no say in who does what ... we are going to be forced to run our church. To behave as servants of God. Not the served. And, we're going to have to work together. It will have to be about each other, not about me.
I think, this is, going to be a very very good thing. Scary ...absolutely. We have to A) trust God not ourselves and B) trust each other to step up, not ourselves or someone we've paid.
I do think, this will be very good. Then a new pastor can come in, and we will be ready to function as a church again.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Merry Christmas
Ok folks ...it's getting closer and closer to Christmas ...so ...just what is it that you want for Christmas this year?
Seriously ... I'm looking for ideas here ... my husband has asked for a wish list.
My brain can't get past my book coming out.
I have my new house.
My marriage is great.
My kids are wonderful.
What more could I possibly want.
He's not satisfied.
He wants me to have actual gifts to unwrap on Christmas morning.
What are some of your 'ooooo makes me smile' things?
Seriously ... I'm looking for ideas here ... my husband has asked for a wish list.
My brain can't get past my book coming out.
I have my new house.
My marriage is great.
My kids are wonderful.
What more could I possibly want.
He's not satisfied.
He wants me to have actual gifts to unwrap on Christmas morning.
What are some of your 'ooooo makes me smile' things?
Friday, December 08, 2006
Please check it out!
Please go look at my new website.It's still being built, but I just started it tonight. For my new book, Friday Fellowship.
:D
Sign my guest book too if you would. Thanks all.
:D
Sign my guest book too if you would. Thanks all.
:D
I have a 17 year old son, junior in high school, who is extremely bright. Last year, he was functioning, well below his potential ...He brought home his Pre ACT and Pre SAT scores and went ...Oh my goodness .... I just might be a smart kid!
hmmm I think I've heard that before? His first practice test of the ACT had composite score as a 25. (you need a 17/18 to get into most colleges) you need a 25 to get into IVY league colleges.
He took this test, 5 weeks into his Sophomore year in high school, after having been homeschooled through the 8th grade. Mamma, was pretty proud.
More importantly, Samuel, realized that he was sliding by with his accepting being the smartest in the room. It was time to work. *whew* (Prayers answered!)
The school he went to, had the kids fill out interest forms. In addition to the Pre SAT and Pre ACT testing, they would give some career suggestions based on interests and scores.
The top career suggestion for Samuel ... Forensic Medical Examiner/Pathologist
His eyes lit up like a Christmas tree!
"I can do that?"
To him, anything like that, was out of his reach, because we are a financially strapped family.
"Samuel, you're a smart kid ...if you work, we're not paying for college, your brain will pay for college!"
"oh. I didn't realize that!"
He sat there quietly for a few minutes and then suddenly he was like a new kid. He got excited ... and he had a goal. Life was in front of him. Being the smartest in the class wasn't just enough, he needed to be his best.
He started to work to succeed.
This year, he's gotten a bit lackadaisical (SP?) and settling again ... and just in time ... another practice ACT score walks through the door ...
composite score of 29 this time ...with a science score of 32.
His Percentile ranking for the state ... Composite 96%ile ...for the nation ... 95%ile.
His Percentile ranking for science ... for the state ... 99%ile ... for the nation 98%ile.
He's realizing again, he needs to work, and he's got a gift he should not waste. His future is dependent on his ability to apply himself.
I'm a proud mamma. :D
hmmm I think I've heard that before? His first practice test of the ACT had composite score as a 25. (you need a 17/18 to get into most colleges) you need a 25 to get into IVY league colleges.
He took this test, 5 weeks into his Sophomore year in high school, after having been homeschooled through the 8th grade. Mamma, was pretty proud.
More importantly, Samuel, realized that he was sliding by with his accepting being the smartest in the room. It was time to work. *whew* (Prayers answered!)
The school he went to, had the kids fill out interest forms. In addition to the Pre SAT and Pre ACT testing, they would give some career suggestions based on interests and scores.
The top career suggestion for Samuel ... Forensic Medical Examiner/Pathologist
His eyes lit up like a Christmas tree!
"I can do that?"
To him, anything like that, was out of his reach, because we are a financially strapped family.
"Samuel, you're a smart kid ...if you work, we're not paying for college, your brain will pay for college!"
"oh. I didn't realize that!"
He sat there quietly for a few minutes and then suddenly he was like a new kid. He got excited ... and he had a goal. Life was in front of him. Being the smartest in the class wasn't just enough, he needed to be his best.
He started to work to succeed.
This year, he's gotten a bit lackadaisical (SP?) and settling again ... and just in time ... another practice ACT score walks through the door ...
composite score of 29 this time ...with a science score of 32.
His Percentile ranking for the state ... Composite 96%ile ...for the nation ... 95%ile.
His Percentile ranking for science ... for the state ... 99%ile ... for the nation 98%ile.
He's realizing again, he needs to work, and he's got a gift he should not waste. His future is dependent on his ability to apply himself.
I'm a proud mamma. :D
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Press Release by Publish America
www.publishamerica.com
For Immediate Release Contact: Shawn Street – Public Relations pr@publishamerica.com www.publishamerica.com
PublishAmerica Presents Friday Fellowship by Peggikaye Eagler Frederick, MD December 6, 2006 -- PublishAmerica is proud to present Friday Fellowship by Peggikaye Eagler of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Friday Fellowship is an expertly written book that will help the reader in their walk with Christ.
Intended to help those who want to start devotions, who want to be challenged in their Christian walk, and those who want to become closer to God, Eagler’s book will help the reader grow in faith while learning more about and how to better worship the Lord God Almighty.
Peggikaye Eagler is a wife and a mother of two teenage boys. She has weathered many storms in her life, including the loss of her stepfather to suicide when she was 14, surviving an eating disorder, chronic illness and sick children. In the battles, she learned the lessons from her childhood that depending on Christ as her sanctuary would not only help her to survive the trials,but to thrive.
PublishAmerica is the home of 20,000 talented authors. PublishAmerica is a traditional publishing company whose primary goal is to encourage and promote the works of new, previously undiscovered writers. Like more mainstream publishers, PublishAmerica pays its authors advances and royalties, makes its books available in both the United States and Europe through all bookstores, and never charges any fees for its services. PublishAmerica offers a distinctly personal, supportive alternative to vanity presses and less accessible publishers.
END
For Immediate Release Contact: Shawn Street – Public Relations pr@publishamerica.com www.publishamerica.com
PublishAmerica Presents Friday Fellowship by Peggikaye Eagler Frederick, MD December 6, 2006 -- PublishAmerica is proud to present Friday Fellowship by Peggikaye Eagler of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Friday Fellowship is an expertly written book that will help the reader in their walk with Christ.
Intended to help those who want to start devotions, who want to be challenged in their Christian walk, and those who want to become closer to God, Eagler’s book will help the reader grow in faith while learning more about and how to better worship the Lord God Almighty.
Peggikaye Eagler is a wife and a mother of two teenage boys. She has weathered many storms in her life, including the loss of her stepfather to suicide when she was 14, surviving an eating disorder, chronic illness and sick children. In the battles, she learned the lessons from her childhood that depending on Christ as her sanctuary would not only help her to survive the trials,but to thrive.
PublishAmerica is the home of 20,000 talented authors. PublishAmerica is a traditional publishing company whose primary goal is to encourage and promote the works of new, previously undiscovered writers. Like more mainstream publishers, PublishAmerica pays its authors advances and royalties, makes its books available in both the United States and Europe through all bookstores, and never charges any fees for its services. PublishAmerica offers a distinctly personal, supportive alternative to vanity presses and less accessible publishers.
END
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Book information!
Dear Peggikaye Eagler,
Congratulations on your book! It has been sent to print this week. The book is now available to order through the PublishAmerica online bookstore, and you should be receiving your complimentary author copies within the next 4-6 weeks. Your friends and family should receive their announcement letters shortly after your complimentary author copies are shipped.
The official release date for your book, Friday Fellowship, will be approximately two months from the date of printing (Monday, 12/4/2006), on Monday, 2/5/2007. This is the date by which other booksellers should have your book’s information in their ordering systems.
YIKES ... it's getting closer and closer and closer! How exciting!!!!
(if the link doesn't work ...does sometimes, doesn't others ... weirdness ....
go to publishamerica.com ... on line bookstore ... then on the search, you can look for either Friday Fellowship OR Peggikaye Eagler and find my book.
After February 5, 2007 ... my book will be available in bookstores, if they don't carry it, you can ask them to order it by the name, author name and or ISBN number ...which I do have ... but ..it's somewhere in a moving box right now *grin* and I will post as soon as it's found)
Congratulations on your book! It has been sent to print this week. The book is now available to order through the PublishAmerica online bookstore, and you should be receiving your complimentary author copies within the next 4-6 weeks. Your friends and family should receive their announcement letters shortly after your complimentary author copies are shipped.
The official release date for your book, Friday Fellowship, will be approximately two months from the date of printing (Monday, 12/4/2006), on Monday, 2/5/2007. This is the date by which other booksellers should have your book’s information in their ordering systems.
YIKES ... it's getting closer and closer and closer! How exciting!!!!
(if the link doesn't work ...does sometimes, doesn't others ... weirdness ....
go to publishamerica.com ... on line bookstore ... then on the search, you can look for either Friday Fellowship OR Peggikaye Eagler and find my book.
After February 5, 2007 ... my book will be available in bookstores, if they don't carry it, you can ask them to order it by the name, author name and or ISBN number ...which I do have ... but ..it's somewhere in a moving box right now *grin* and I will post as soon as it's found)
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
A Single Statement ... Out of Context
He said it to me, rather emphatically, pleading with me. It was imperitive that I hear him.
In context he meant one thing. He didn't know, and still does not know, that it would have far reaching impact into every corner of my existance.
In context, I was in physical therapy, it was 7 years ago. I'd been in physical therapy for about 2 months. My muscles were in a severely weekend, and there were days I could not brush my hair. The problem was, my back was in really bad condition ... and my posture was suffering ... and the muscles that were supporting my back were just slacking off.
They'd only been effected by the MG in a minor way, MG effects the arms and legs far more than the torso muscles.
What caused my slouch ... fatigue. Pure fatigue.
There was no real muscle weakness ... but the fatigue and lack of making myself sit properly ... was causing serious damage to my back and shoulders ...hips ..knees ... and well ... it just continues down the whole body.
So, my PT in one desperate passionate comment said to me "Change the way you live on this planet"
It struck me rather importantly. I knew him well enough by then to know that he was not telling me to do something I could not do. I knew that it was something I had to work on.
He only meant to sit straighter when I could. Stand straighter. Work against the fatigue and don't let the monster destroy me!
But ... the comment sunk into areas of my life where he didn't even imply it to mean ...
relationships ...
spiritual walk
health management
sit straighter ... go deeper ... push against the fatigue ...
when the battle gets hard ...push against the fatigue ...
When the marriage gets weary ... sit up straight and do the hard thing ...
When the parenting gets hard ... sit up harder stand up straighter ...do the right thing ...
Change the way you live on the planet
We've moved into a brand new house. Brand spankin' new. It's amazing how many times the phrase has ran through my mind ... especially in house cleaning.
Things I would have let the boys get away with in the trailer isn't about to happen here.
Something I would have waited to put away till the next time I get up, gets put away now.
Dishes are done when they are used ...not once a day.
The other trailer was old, and falling apart and it was hard to keep up with, partially because it was soooo falling apart it was why bother?
Part of moving was like physical therapy ... and forced the change ... and it enforces the ability to Change the way we live on this planet.
In context he meant one thing. He didn't know, and still does not know, that it would have far reaching impact into every corner of my existance.
In context, I was in physical therapy, it was 7 years ago. I'd been in physical therapy for about 2 months. My muscles were in a severely weekend, and there were days I could not brush my hair. The problem was, my back was in really bad condition ... and my posture was suffering ... and the muscles that were supporting my back were just slacking off.
They'd only been effected by the MG in a minor way, MG effects the arms and legs far more than the torso muscles.
What caused my slouch ... fatigue. Pure fatigue.
There was no real muscle weakness ... but the fatigue and lack of making myself sit properly ... was causing serious damage to my back and shoulders ...hips ..knees ... and well ... it just continues down the whole body.
So, my PT in one desperate passionate comment said to me "Change the way you live on this planet"
It struck me rather importantly. I knew him well enough by then to know that he was not telling me to do something I could not do. I knew that it was something I had to work on.
He only meant to sit straighter when I could. Stand straighter. Work against the fatigue and don't let the monster destroy me!
But ... the comment sunk into areas of my life where he didn't even imply it to mean ...
relationships ...
spiritual walk
health management
sit straighter ... go deeper ... push against the fatigue ...
when the battle gets hard ...push against the fatigue ...
When the marriage gets weary ... sit up straight and do the hard thing ...
When the parenting gets hard ... sit up harder stand up straighter ...do the right thing ...
Change the way you live on the planet
We've moved into a brand new house. Brand spankin' new. It's amazing how many times the phrase has ran through my mind ... especially in house cleaning.
Things I would have let the boys get away with in the trailer isn't about to happen here.
Something I would have waited to put away till the next time I get up, gets put away now.
Dishes are done when they are used ...not once a day.
The other trailer was old, and falling apart and it was hard to keep up with, partially because it was soooo falling apart it was why bother?
Part of moving was like physical therapy ... and forced the change ... and it enforces the ability to Change the way we live on this planet.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Christmas tag
I've been *gasp* tagged! Cathy ..thank you dear. 5 Christmas songs ....
Cathy thought it was easy ... I spend every week elbow deep in music files ... figuring out 5 songs ...is not easy!
1. Mary Did You Know?
2. White Christmas
3. 'Nuttin' for Christmas
4. O Little Town of Bethelem
5. Silent Night, Holy Night
Now I am supposed to tag people who haven't been tagged ... but I think most people have been tagged.
so ...if you're reading this and haven't been tagged (Alison ?) you're it!
Cathy thought it was easy ... I spend every week elbow deep in music files ... figuring out 5 songs ...is not easy!
1. Mary Did You Know?
2. White Christmas
3. 'Nuttin' for Christmas
4. O Little Town of Bethelem
5. Silent Night, Holy Night
Now I am supposed to tag people who haven't been tagged ... but I think most people have been tagged.
so ...if you're reading this and haven't been tagged (Alison ?) you're it!
Friday, December 01, 2006
:)
My book, Friday Fellowship, went to print today.
I am so excited I can't even see straight!
The cover is just beautiful! Not at all what I'd expected, or would have done myself ... far more elegant and lovely.
They also used the color picture on the back instead of the sepia tone ...
As soon as it's available ... I will definitely let you know. :D
In the meantime ...we're ankle deep in snow. My kids are going bonkers.
Samuel's Tourette's is unusually active today. I'm having a hard time remembering that he has an actual disorder and isn't just being annoying. It's hard ... when he walks around the house yelling "duck sauce" out of the blue for no good reason ... when he continued after having been disciplined (sent to his room) I realized that it wasn't just cabin fever but disorder ... whoops ....good mom ...punish a kid for TS ... good job!
He took his medicine ... I wonder what's causing it to act up.
Come to think of it, Benjamin's motor tics are unusually active today too .. hmmm
I don't feel good because of the weather changes ... stupid joints don't think too much of drastic weather changes like we've had. I wonder ... do Blizzards cause an increase of tics?
I haven't seen either one of them have an outbreak of TS like this in quite some time. Maybe it's the stress of the move and the cabin fever combined.
Calgon ...take me away!
I am so excited I can't even see straight!
The cover is just beautiful! Not at all what I'd expected, or would have done myself ... far more elegant and lovely.
They also used the color picture on the back instead of the sepia tone ...
As soon as it's available ... I will definitely let you know. :D
In the meantime ...we're ankle deep in snow. My kids are going bonkers.
Samuel's Tourette's is unusually active today. I'm having a hard time remembering that he has an actual disorder and isn't just being annoying. It's hard ... when he walks around the house yelling "duck sauce" out of the blue for no good reason ... when he continued after having been disciplined (sent to his room) I realized that it wasn't just cabin fever but disorder ... whoops ....good mom ...punish a kid for TS ... good job!
He took his medicine ... I wonder what's causing it to act up.
Come to think of it, Benjamin's motor tics are unusually active today too .. hmmm
I don't feel good because of the weather changes ... stupid joints don't think too much of drastic weather changes like we've had. I wonder ... do Blizzards cause an increase of tics?
I haven't seen either one of them have an outbreak of TS like this in quite some time. Maybe it's the stress of the move and the cabin fever combined.
Calgon ...take me away!
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