it wasn't supposed to be this way but...: When Something bad happens...

it wasn't supposed to be this way but...: When Something bad happens...: I have a new obsession. Pinterest. It is bad. Every single time I click onto it, this quote stares at me. I swear that it is "really" s...

When Something bad happens...

I have a new obsession.  Pinterest.  It is bad. 

Every single time I click onto it, this quote stares at me.

I swear that it is "really" speaking to me.  Really.
Like I swear that our cat Ruthie is my mamaw or that the "Amazing Grace" shrimp boat was my mother-in-law.

I swear this quote keeps coming up like a "whack-a-mole". Over and Over again.

And I think of myself, my son and my friends who have lost children.  My friends are tough and gentle cookies.

And then I sit back and say, "I'm getting strong."

And then I lean forward and say, "I surely hope my button is too."

it wasn't supposed to be this way, but...: 2012 New Year's Resolutions

it wasn't supposed to be this way, but...: 2012 New Year's Resolutions: I love, love, love to make New Year's Resolutions. I make them every year. I write them down and tape them to my desk. I have had the s...

2012 New Year's Resolutions

I love, love, love to make New Year's Resolutions.


I make them every year.  I write them down and tape them to my desk.  I have had the same resolutions for twenty years, not kidding.

This year, in 2012, I decided to change.  


Here are my 2012 Virgin Resolutions
1.  Find Joy everyday
2.  Listen longer, more often
3.  Take the long way home
4.  Sing more


Last night, along with some great ladies, we hosted our First Town Hall Meeting.  The purpose of this meeting is to inform and educate parents about drug use in our community.


We had some political officials there, a fabulous forensic nurse and the "button".


You cannot even imagine how he was dreading this.  


We agreed that he should speak only from the heart.  And, he said, "I got this".  Hmmm, I hate when a kid says that to me.


As the people filed in, it did appear to be the beginning of a hen house.  The "button" looked like he could puke.


Finally some testosterone.


And then it was his turn.  He just said that he had lost alot and he would answer questions from a kid's point of view.  Wow.  Tons of questions came his way.  Wow is really all I can say.


And then came the biggie, "what can we do as parents?"


The answer, "listen, listen calmly.  Don't be a friend, be a parent but listen and don't over react."


"Listen".  


A very simple word and very easy to do, anyone can do it and the results can be significant.


"Listen".


I am a passionate person.  Sometimes my passion is misunderstood for yelling.  My enthusiasm takes over like a tsunami.


Last night, after the meeting, I went upstairs to the "button". 


He talked.  I listened.  I did grip the comforter a few times to keep my mouth from opening and from going bizerk.  I too felt like I was going to puke.  I listened.


I was proud of the parents who came.  I was proud of the questions asked and the comments made.  


I was proud that statements were made and that people listened.


I was proud of the "button".  


I am even more proud that I  had the courage to decide to change my resolutions.  I was proud that I made it to January 10, 2012 and still remembered them.


I was proud that I listened and took the information and others cared enough to listen.

Today, a day of firsts

So, today is a big day at our house.  A very big day indeed.

The "button" starts community college.

I start my first full official week at my new career/job.  Yes, that is correct, I am employed.

You will never guess what I do.

I write blogs and other things.

Crazy huh?

I guess you could say I have the "button" to thank for my new career.  I do.  He, and another woman on the porch, gave my the courage to write this blog.  And look what happened.

Amazing.

So today, here I sit in a TOTALLY new environment for me.  Surrounded by Bronco fans (yeah, three of them are from Colorado, gag me) they are very quiet, smart, computer geeks on a mission.  I am excited.  If you are going to re-invent yourself, go all the way and re-invent.

The "button" starts community college and his second job.

And of course, it is Monday, so I started my diet AGAIN today.

And unlike most people on Mondays, there are two really happy people in the world.  One who is writing this because on lousy situation led to a positive one and somewhere there is a "button" finding his way at school.

One life hands you lemons, make lemonade, or write a blog, whatever makes you happy.

it wasn't supposed to be this way, but...: You will never guess how big our New Year Baby was...

it wasn't supposed to be this way, but...: You will never guess how big our New Year Baby was...: After a lengthy conversation with God, a marathon conversation with my gut and an equally long conversation with my husband, we went a broug...

You will never guess how big our New Year Baby was

After a lengthy conversation with God, a marathon conversation with my gut and an equally long conversation with my husband, we went a brought the "button" home from summer camp.

If Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, eighty days in summer camp after forty-five days in rehab along with the initial thirty-five days in summer camp doesn't change a person, nothing will.

So, the Grisswalds traveled to Beaufort once again for the day.

Apparently, the "button" was asleep when we arrived.  The guard wakes him up and says "Button, pack your stuff."  He replies, "awww are you moving me again?"

"yep, home."

The "button" started to shake.

Nothing says Happy New Year like freedom.  Pork and sauerkraut won't even light a candle to freedom.

When they opened the door and he was standing there, you could see his smile from space.  Truly, his smile was that big.

He hung on me like a baby chimp hanging on a mother chimp during a thunderstorm.  I melted.

Truly, I am at peace with all of this, FINALLY.

I have done my best and have done all I can do.

When I was 90 weeks pregnant with one of the kids, I complained to my doctor about how I wanted "it" out.  He responded, "be careful what you wish for, inside you know where it is and when it comes out is when all the work begins."  Wow, there was some foreshadowing.

So, the "button" is home...has made a pad in the loft. 

What did he notice?  Smells.

He should work for Glade or Freebreeze.

What did I notice?  A young boy turning into a man. 

He is off to register for community college as I write.

A Principal once told me that when you see a mother duck in a pond, she always has ducks following her in a straight line.  Then there is the one.  The one who swims out of line, all over the place, not paying attention to his mother, looking at something else, then puts his head underneath the water and eventually gets to land. 

Doesn't matter how you get there, just matters that you get there.

And that the mother duck doesn't drown you before you get there.

I have peace in my heart as the new year begins.

Happy New Year!  I hope we all get to where we need to be going.