Friends Are The Family We Choose For Ourselves...

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear Neeter
Happy Birthday to you


How old are you?...Ok, I'll stop right there. 'Cause I know exactly how old you are. You are one month (minus 2 days) older than moi!!! 29 will suffice for now, right?


My very best friend in the whole world (T is not included in this count--he and Jesus are exempt) Anita Lucille Chase Bowen is celebrating a birthday today. We have been great friends since 4th grade-And.that.was.a.very.long.time.ago.


When I was at the end of my sophomore year in high school, my family moved from our little country house into the big city, therefore causing me to transfer schools. But Anita was my one friend from the old school that I remained close to. I can recall spending the night with her on many occasions, including sleeping in the drafty area of her co-op(college-ahhh)...or did I sleep on the floor of her room? Ok, apparently I can't recall...but I really did it!!!


When I got married she was one of my bridesmaids, and when she walked the aisle, she loved me enough to have me be one of her bridesmaids even though I was about 7 months preggo with A. A couple of weekends ago we were watching a video of my wedding, and H commented on the fact that Anita looks exactly the same except for she had bigger hair in the video (it was '87 mind you). I'd say that she has aged rather well, don'tcha think?

We call each other our "Forever Friend", which obviously means we will either be friends forever, or it seems as if we have been friends forever...take your pick-you get the picture.
Anita is my friend that I can tell anything to...from fights that T and I have(rare-but true), to problems with my kids, to feminine issues, work issues, family issues, money issues...you name it--we share it. She is so willing to provide a shoulder to cry on when friends and family treat me poorly, I don't have enough money in the bank to "keep up with the Joneses", I'm having a bad hair day--you know what I mean...all with a godly heart and intent. Aren't you jealous?

But on the other hand...we have shared some incredibly fun memories. Bon Jovi? How about that, huh? We were there-and-it-was-awesome. We also have seen Garth Brooks together--which one do you think was in our earlier years? She was also my first friend to come to the hospital after all of my children were born--they call her Aunt...and she is. She has been a sister to me, a sister of the heart.

One time when I was having car trouble in a vehicle, she was ready and willing to push my van backwards out of a parking spot at the Mall, all while wearing her work clothes. I hope she is still able to push-cause I'm having car trouble...again. Did I mention that on top of knowing one another for so many years,we work together? When I was re-entering the workforce, she told me of a job at the Agency where she works...and I got the job!! Our offices share a wall...can't get much better than that!!!! We have now worked together for over 10 years, and I miss the times that she is not here b/c I love our daily catch-ups. After work one night, I vividly recall attending a home sales party at another friends' house...one that was a little wild for us mild souls...but the experiences that we went through are some of our greatest chuckles.

For our big four-oh ...we threw ourselves a grand party in a hotel suite here in town, and had someone that sells designer replica purses come and set up, as well as offer chair massages and polish changes for anyone interested. It was so much fun...and we deserved it!!! Yes we did.

We deserved it because we had been through ~
joy
heartache
first kisses
shoulder pads
Bon Jovi
big hair
blue eyeshadow/liner
leg warmers
Duran Duran
weddings
divorces
births
deaths
love
hate...ok, dislike
Bon Jovi (worth a repeat)
90210-only the original
graduations
growth in Christ

see...we have survived the spectrum...

Love you Neeter...no matter how old we are, no matter how cranky we may become, no matter if we share a wall in a nursing home...
we shall always be...
Forever Friends

Come On Get Happy... :)

Ahhh, back to Monday. Work just keeps popping up, doesn't it? Oh well, sometimes I actually miss it (the old job-o) when I am off...b/c it keeps me in a routine. I will not admit this in public by any means, not even under severe torture.

Friday night the youth had a fund-raiser at Sacred Grounds (local coffeehouse) to raise moola for the National Festival. It was a smashing success, with over 100 there. I am again swollen with pride over my son. Yes, I realize that I go on and on about him and his musical accomplishments, but really...I gotta'. He is just so stinking incredible!!!!

I also realized that he is too comfortable up in front of a crowd. He would get up to the mic and chat with the crowd. All the while I am vigorously shaking my head "No" as in "Shut up and step away from the mic". What is a well-intentioned Mom to do? I know that I had more stage-fright than he did, it was totally cool for him to converse with them...they loved it.

Various youth ministered in a number of ways from solos, instrumentals, duets, quartets, a rock band and our awesome worship team. The Lord has blessed all of these kids with wonderful gifts that were then used to bless and minister to others. Isn't that the whole plan? I know that some in the audience were appalled when there was some (not a lot) of "scream-o" in H's rock band. It may not have appealed to them, but for someone, somewhere, at some time...it was the perfect tool to touch a life. H wrote all of the songs that his group did, and I know that the words came from the recesses of his heart--a heart that loves the Lord and is serving Him in whatever way he can...there just happens to be a boy in the band that loves to do the growling singing as an accompanyment to regular song. A little bit out of the box never hurt anyone, did it?

It was asked what we could do with these kids next...and I suggested getting a bus, and painting it like the Partridge Family and hitting the road. I was kidding (half), but now that I really think about it...what a great idea!!! I wish there was a venue (or traveling kind) where our group could reach out and touch kids their age...and show the love of God...hmmmm....the thinking cap is on and in place-watch out!!!

"And don't it feel good..."

In my opinion, summer is the one season that evokes memories (good and bad) of a time past.
Certain sounds, smells, tastes or activities can evoke thoughts days gone by like it was…um, yesterday. For me, music plays such a large role in our life, but it also defines many of my memories. I was perusing through some playlists which got me to thinking about my favorite summer songs. Hang on, keep all hands inside the compartment…the ride is about to begin.

1) “Kokomo”-Beach Boys
-T and I went to Kokomo for our honeymoon-really did, just not the one the Boys sing about.

2) “Summertime”-New Kids on the Block
-Love me some NKOTB…young or old…this is my ringtone on my phone.

3) “Live Like You Were Dying”-Tim McGraw
-Just love this one…good creed for life. Like seeing Tim’s bare feet in video (is that creepy?)

4) “Summer of 69”-Bryan Adams
-Ahhh…high school. No, not in ’69, but ’85—geesh

5) “Walking on Sunshine”-Katrina and the Waves
-Meant to make one happy…and it works

6) “Good Vibrations”-Marky Mark
-Yeah, sure he can act…but he could um, sing too? Abs-olutely

7) “All Summer Long”-Kid Rock
-Hopefully will be the only song I ever like by this guy-shamed to admit

8) “Paradise City”-Guns and Roses
-Classic…video of the tots rockin’ it. Bad, bad parent

9) “No Rain”-Blind Melon
-Old friends…sad

10) “Summer Nights” –Rascal Flatts
-New fave…just is fun!!!

11) “Strawberry Wine”-Deanna Carter
-I remember my first love (he’s bald now)

12) “Summertime”-Kenny Chesney
-Perfect summer song. Love, love, love it!!!

13) “Soak Up the Sun”-Sheryl Crow
-Only song I truly like from her too. How life should be.

14) “We Built this City”-Jefferson Starship
-Freshman year of college. Rockin’ at PU football games

15) “Went Out Last Night”-Kenny Chesney
-Love this guy-he knows how to have a good time

16) “Love Bug”-Jonas Brothers
-Yes, I love these boys. More shame…want H to be one

17) “You Give Love a Bad Name”-Bon Jovi
-No shame in loving Jon…T is fully aware…and jealous

18) “Tearing Up My Heart”-N’Sync
-Apparently I have a soft spot for boy bands.

19) “I Love Rock n Roll”-Joan Jett
-You gotta love the classics

20) “MmmBop”-Hanson
-Mmmmm, ok…move on

21) “Gonna Make You Sweat”-C&C Music Factory
-Great workout music…if I worked out

22) “We Got the Beat”-Go-Go’s
-Girl bands rock!!! Always try to do drum part…and fail

23) “Living on a Prayer”-Bon Jovi
-Nuff said

24) “Baby One More Time”-Britney Spears
-Sorry, I like it though

25) “Boondocks”-Little Big Town
-Love ‘em…them folks can sing!

Wish someone would make an album of them all ‘cause my 8-track player is on the fritz. I’ll just go record them onto a tape when they play on the radio.
-I know some of you know exactly what I mean, don’t kid yourself.

You Can Pick Your Friends, But You Can't Pick Your Family

My extended holiday weekend is over and my schedule may now resume to its normally chaotic schedule. Anyone around here knows that the weather on the 4th left much to be desired. The next day was absolutely gorgeous...good thing 'cause it was a busy one.

Our church was hosting a 5th of July celebration that included food and music and capped off with a gorgeous fireworks display. Our fine arts kids (and parents) were to sell drinks during the event with all proceeds going towards their trip (National Fine Arts Festival). The afternoon was set aside to set up, put drinks on ice, and get a good practice in before the crowds arrived.

Looks fine on paper...

Practice began around 5 with sound check. Hunter would be singing a song that he wrote, and play guitar as he sang. He practiced the song (which I had not heard before--I was impressed, of course) and then they began practicing the stomp routine. Cut to the next moment when I see someone running toward H who is now off the stage and bent over at the waist in the grass. From where I was, I thought maybe he was overheated b/c I could clearly see that his face was beet red and it looked as if he were throwing up...(sorry for the visual)

I proudly kept my cool as I walked toward him and then I heard someone say...

"I think he's choking"...and then I ran.

By the time I reached him, he was still gagging, coughing and spitting. But he was breathing, which was a good sign...and his face was red and not blue. Apparently, my 13 y/o, in all his wonderful teen wisdom had swallowed his guitar pick. Really? Not once when my kids were Taylor Tots (say it fast- funny, huh?) did they swallow things. (2 1/2 HOURS BEFORE HE WAS TO PERFORM!!!)

I helplessly stood by while my baby was in obvious agony. He could breathe, but was hurting beyond his wildest dreams. My heart broke for him as he tried to cough it up or something...but alas...it was gone. After consulting a GI nurse (later H said all he could think of was Joe when we mentioned GI), I shakily called his dad to announce that we needed to head to the ER. Being married for so long, all I had to do was say "Hey" when Tim answered the phone and he instantly asked what was wrong. We roll like that...which is good, I guess.

So...here is the shortened version of the next few hours;

Arrive at ER--make nurses laugh when I announce our reason

Go to triage room--H still in obvious pain when swallowing

T arrives--all is well

Dr arrives--more laughter (subdued...she was a professional you know)

H continues to spit into a bag b/c it hurts to swallow

I leave room to potty (neverending) and H asks T if this might kill him (*sniff*)

T's heart breaks, but he told H he has dibs on his drums and guitar

H unceremoniously tells T to shut up--he feels better about the future now

H talks non-stop (except for when spitting) THE ENTIRE TIME

Informed via text that show is pushed back should triumphant return occur

H goes to x-ray

Pick is found down in tummy

Surgery ruled out (appropriate time for Hallelujuah chorus)

H asks if he can sing

Given medical equivalent of snot to numb his throat

Medicine causes numbing and talking like a male fashion designer (lisp)

Nurses and Dr wish H luck--expect autographs someday

Hunger returns to 13 y/o--life is back to normal

We arrive back at the church about 30 minutes before the youth are to go on. Know what? H starts off the show singing his song (I was so stinkin proud) then proceeds to do the stomp routine.

Somewhere in the deep recesses of his stomach lurks a plastic little pick just waiting to emerge.

H keeps checking to see if it has shown up...yep there it is, that taste of vomit in my mouth (strong gag reflex). But so far nothing...let's hope this is the final time the rubber gloves ever have to be donned.