The Law of the Garbage Truck

My sister sent this to me in an email today. I thought that it was great, so I wanted to share it with everyone. Enjoy!

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us.
My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean he was really friendly. So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!

This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck...' he explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you.

Don't take it personally... Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets. The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so... Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't. Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!Have a blessed, garbage-free day!

Tiny Titans vs. Astros

The Tiny Titans faced the Astros tonight. The Astros came in 2nd in the pre-season tournament, so we knew they would be a tough team. They have a killer pitcher. This kids pitches lights out! The first two innings, not a single one of our players got a piece of any of his pitches. Wow.

In the 3rd Inning, Connor was the first batter to get a piece of his pitch. It was a foul ball, but it got us moving in the right direction. The catcher dropped the ball on the third strike, so Connor was able to run to 1st. He made it and was our first runner to get any kind of hit and the first runner on base. The Astros changed pitchers. We were able to get some hits and some runners on base, but unfortunately we were not able to get a run into home before the inning was over.

At the top of the 4th inning, we had a new pitcher, as well. X three several strikes and held the Astros to 2 runs. Connor caught a pop fly to right field, ending the Astros time at bat. Although we did not leave the game victorious, we did play hard until the clock ran out.

She's a Sneezer!

Tonight at Young Life Committee, one the leaders used a term that I had never heard before. She referred to a student leader as a "sneezer". A sneezer? "Did she say, "Sneezer"? Pretty much everyone in the room was asking the same question, but then Cody clarified for us. A "sneezer" is a contagious person - according to the Young Life leaders.

So ... the next time you are with a group of young'uns, be sure to throw in the term "sneezer" and they will think you're real hip!

Tiny Titans vs. Aviators

The Tiny Titans faced the Aviators tonight. The Aviators won the preseason tournament, so we knew this would be a tough game.

We were up-to-bat first and scored 3 runs in the top of the first inning. The Aviators finished the inning strong - earning 5 runs. We were a bit more warmed-up in the second inning and scored 5 runs. The Aviators scored only 4 runs. At the top of the second inning, the score was Tiny Titans 8, Aviators 9.

"We can win this, guys!" The parents cheered and the boys kept making great plays. In the top of the third inning, the Tiny Titans scored 5 runs. With only 1 minute remaining, the Aviators were up-to-bat. We had to hold them. Our boys did a fantastic job and held the Aviators to 2 runs.

The Tiny Titans were once again victorious - winning the game 13 - 11. Four games into the Spring Season, and we are 2 and 2 (2 wins, 2 losses). Way to go Titans!

Who Are You? Are You Really My Daughter? ... Day 2

This morning, we overslept a bit, so we were rushing to get ready. As I was putting on my make-up, Megan came in and asked, "What time does the bus pick-up over here by our house?"

What? My daughter who slams the car door and throws a temper-tantrum each time I ask her to ride the bus is asking what time the bus picks up over here? Again, my mind is searching its memory banks and asking, "Who are you, and what have you done with my daughter?"

Luckily, I was awake enough and had enough presence of mind to say, "About 10 minutes from now. Why?" To which she replied, "Ok. I'm ready, so I am going to walk down to the bus stop and ride the bus today." Huh? Again, in my mind I am asking myself ... who are you, and what have you done with my daughter? but I manage to say, "Ok. Please be careful and call me when you get on the bus." And out the door she goes.

This afternoon, she called me after school. She knew that I was not going to be there on time because I had to work until 4:00. Instead of being annoyed and asking me over and over again how long it was going to take me to get there, she said, "Well, I am going to go over and talk to a friend, and then I'll meet you where you pick me up."

"Ok. I'll see you in a few minutes." And ... she didn't call back three or four times to ask me where I was. Amazing!

At dinner, Blake told Megan that he thought that she was abducted by aliens and that he liked the replacement. I told her that I liked the new Megan and wanted her to stay. The new Megan is positive, confident, pleasant to be around, helpful, and follows directions. We've still had quite a few "sassy" moments and a few rude comments, but overall, the "new" Megan is a keeper.

Keep it up Megan! We love the new you!

Who Are You? Are You Really My Daughter?

Those of you who know us know that our daughter, Megan, is a bit dramatic. We affectionately call her a "drama queen" on a regular basis because every response is filled with drama - lot's of drama! This afternoon she txt'ed me to let me know that she was having a good day. That was a good message - as most of her txt messages are about how horrible her day is, about how someone said something about her hair or her outfit, or something similar that has "ruined" her day. She is one of those who can have 20 wonderful things happen to her in a day, but she only remembers, talks about, and focuses on the 1 bad thing that happened. So, we work on looking at the positives in her day, being grateful for the good things, and focusing on a couple of positive things to overshadow the negative.

One place where she has been extremely dramatic is at the Orthodontist's office. The day they put braces in her top teeth, she told me several times that she hated me, she cried, and she refused to talk to the lady who was putting her braces on. It was NOT a pleasant visit for anyone. Well, today, she was happy when she went in, she brushed her teeth, went right back to her seat when they called her, and she was happy, relaxed, and pleasant the entire time she was there. She picked out pink and green bands for Easter, asked the lady some good questions, and just talked to her about general things. It was amazing! No drama. No whining. No crying! This is HUGE!

The Orthodontists visit alone was enough for me to comment to Blake that we had a terrific appointment and afternoon, but then ... she wanted to try two different food items at dinner. What? You want to try something new? Are you sure that you are Megan?

Blake and I both complimented her on her positive attitude, told her that we were proud of her for being so great at the Orthodontists office, and commended her for trying some new food tonight at dinner. Wow! What a big day for Megan! I hope that tomorrow brings more of the same!

Tiny Titans vs. Red Socks

Our Tiny Titans came to play today! The Red Sox were up to bat first. Our pitcher got two quick outs, but then the wheels feel off a bit, and we allowed them to score 4 runs before obtaining the 3rd and final out. Next, the Tiny Titan's were up-to-bat. We scored 4 runs and were on our way to a 5th and final run of the inning when the Umpire called our batter out because he said that he ran out of the baseline. Although we did not agree with the call, that was the call, so we were on to the 2nd inning tied 4-4.

The Red Sox scored 5 runs at the top of the 3rd inning, and our Tiny Titans came back to tie up the game 9-9. On to the 4th inning. Our pitcher and outfielders did an incredible job at the top of the 4th - holding the Red Sox to one run. It was time for the Tiny Titans to take the lead ... and take the lead they did. The 4th inning ended 11-10. With only 1 minute left in the game, the umpire told our players to take the field. Surprisingly, we were heading into another inning. Our pitcher earned two quick outs before their third batter made it on base. Our outfielders held him to third base until our pitcher threw his third out. And that was it! We won the game 11-10! Way to go Tiny Titans!!!!

My Little Man is Sick

Connor has been battling allergies, like the rest of us, for about a week now. The crazy winds and temperature fluctuations don't help them. So, he has been taking Claritin and hanging in there. Yesterday, he came down to my classroom no less than 4 times to see me. Each time he just wanted to see me, to talk to me. Unfortunately, I had to send him back to class rather quickly each time because I was in the middle of helping to produce a videoconference for the kindergarten students in our district. (I need to blog about that, too!)

Anyway ... Connor fell asleep in the car on the way home from picking up Megan. This is quite unusual. He walked into the house and immediately sat down on the striped couch - which is in the formal living room, just inside the front door. I did not realize it at the time, but he did not move from there for over an hour. I went to the kitchen to go through the mail and then into the laundry room to work on the laundry. When I came back out of the laundry room, I noticed that he was breathing rather heavily. He was sound asleep on the sofa. He looked rather comfortable, so I just let him sleep.

Since he was sleeping so soundly and Megan was entertaining herself, I decided to go for a walk. As I reached the base of the stairs, Connor began to wake up, so I went over to talk to him. As he sat up, I noticed his cheeks were bright red, as he tried to talk, I noticed his labored breathing, and as soon as I touched him, I knew that he had a high fever. 104 degrees in one ear. 102.9 in the other. I immediately grabbed a jacket, told Megan that I was taking Connor to the doctor, and loaded him up in the car.

We arrived at Acute Kids Care within minutes, completed the paperwork, and were on our way to seeing a doctor. After one quick look at Connor's throat, the nurse took a swab and ran the rapid Strep test. Within minutes, the doctor was in the room with the diagnosis. Severe Strep Throat. Antibiotics, Tylenol, Motrin, and no school for at least 24 hours.

Thursday .....
I am happy to report that the Antibiotics are doing a great job, that the mouthwash (lidocaine, malox, and benadryl) is coating his throat and making him feel better, and that his fever is gone. Although I hate it when my children are sick, I enjoy caring for them, snuggling them, and spending some one-on-one time with them when they really need to be cared for. I am happy that my little man is on the mend, but I will miss spending the day with him tomorrow, as we will all be back to work and school first thing in the morning.

Blogging ... Just Over a Year Now

I started blogging just over a year ago ... March 12, 2008, to be exact. I have to say that I really enjoy blogging and reading other people's blogs. I like to look back on past events, reminisce, remember. It feels good to see how much we have accomplished, what has changed, what has stayed the same, what is new, etc. I hope that those of you who read the blog have enjoyed hearing about our events and happenings. Most of you email me when you want to comment on the blog. Please feel free to comment below the blog postings. I enjoy re-reading the comments, as well.

Here's to another year of blogging!