RenovationGirl

Lakeshore Christmas by Susan Wiggs

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by MotherTalk on behalf of Lakeshore Christmas and received a copy of the book to facilitate my candid review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.” 

What is it about small town America that draws us towards it?  Is it the simple life that we really all desire, or is it the honest people we imagine living there, or the great sense of fellowship?  I find myself drawn to stories set in these small towns, being pulled into a life I think I would enjoy immensely. 

Lakeshore Christmas, part of The Lakeshore Chronicles by Susan Wiggs, delivers that small town feeling at a time of year that reminds us what friends, faith, and simplicity really mean in our lives.  The characters are typical, but that's what makes them so endearing to us...the reserved librarian with a past, the Hollywood star/rocker with a heart of gold, the struggling teenage mom, the bad teenagers who find the right path. And of course, the conflict...

At the heart of the story is the town Christmas pageant, the one thing that can save the characters and the heart of the town.  In the end, miracles will happen and it makes the reader believe again in the goodness of others. 

Lakeshore Christmas makes you want to get those decorations out and start baking cookies.  Grab a cup of tea and your coziest blanket and enjoy a heartwarming and fulfilling novel! Thanks for MotherTalk for hooking me up with yet another delightful read!

Say Something Funny, My Laughter's Running Out

Builder Boy loves when we laugh at something he does or says.  He is a funny kid and this often happens.  But, like I'm sure many kids, he doesn't know when it's just not funny anymore.  He'll say or do whatever makes us laugh over and over and over again.  He used to get very angry when we weren't laughing anymore, too.  He's starting to understand that what was funny at first, after 100 or so times, it's just not that funny to others. 

He has never been a child to whom laughing came easily.  He did the whole belly laugh when he was a baby, but as he grew up, it took a lot to make him really laugh.  So, when he gets started, he likes to keep going. The other night in the car, the three of us we were goofing around and laughing about something and, as laughter does, our knee-slapping laughter turned to chuckles to giggles to merely smiles on our faces.  It got peacefully and companionably quiet in the car when we heard Builder Boy from the back say, "Say something funny, my laugher's running out."  That started the laughter all over again.

But later, after we had put him to bed, his simple and uncomplicated comment hit me.  For over a year now, my laugher's has run out.  It's been tough and a constant barrage of complications.  My heart has ached and my shoulder have been weighed heavy with burden.  And I have, in my own way, begged out of desperation for someone to "say something funny" to help bring that laughter back. But I've learned in the past year that no one but yourself can bring that laughter back.  And while I'm still not laughing, I'm finding a chuckle now and then.  I feel as if the clouds have parted a bit and the sun is sneaking through here and there.  And while life is still throwing complications our way (my father-in-law is currently in the hospital with some crazy infection), I feel as if I  might be moving forward now. It's a good feeling and one that I have needed for quite some time. 

So, if you have something funny to say, I know for a fact that someone somewhere has their laughter running out...

One Month To Go!

In one month's time, lots of things will be happening for us.  We will have just celebrated Thanksgiving with our families and will be in full holiday preparation mode.  We look forward to this particular holiday since my husband's entire family usually makes it into town-and this is no small feat.  It is a day of eating and talking and laughing and eating some more and talking some more and laughing some more.  It's always a party with my in-laws, even when it's not a party and I like this stress-free day of family.

Around this time, too, will be a change in our lives.  Assuming all goes well, my final monthly blood work check will be over and we will be done with the "not trying" phase of our infertility.  Not sure where that leaves us.  In talking about recently, both Remodel Man and I admitted that while another baby would be wonderful, we would be okay with moving on.  Don't get me wrong, I ache when I see those bright-eyed babies smiling at me at they suck their fingers, but Builder Boy is five now.  He's largely independent. He's easier in some ways than ever and we are able to do more with him.  I think we are both in the "if it happens it happens" camp.  I'm still sad that we are a family of three, but more for Builder Boy than anyone.  So, when the times come and we're given the go ahead to try again, I think we'll just not hinder anything from happening, but we also won't actively "try."

In a month's time, I may also be experiencing a change in career.  I am toying with the decision now, but I'm not convinced which way is the best way for me and for my family.

The most exciting part of the end of November is that we're going to the happiest place on earth-Disney World.  I could not be more excited, especially because we are staying in a pirate room at the Caribbean Resort.  Builder Boy is a big fan of pirates so he will love this.  I'm excited to experience the magic of this trip with Builder Boy and Remodel Man. 

So, this month is a big one for us.  How about for you?

I'm Still Here

Hi.  It's me, Renovation Girl.  Yes, I am still here.  Yes, I am okay. 

I am sad.

I am tired.

I am drowning in my own life...

but I am here. 

I'll be writing more in a bit.  Hang tight and keep checking back.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Yep, today's my birthday.  37.  Um, I mean 29...again...Actually, age doesn't bother me.  I hate people who complain about how old they are.  I watched my grandmother live to be 92 years old and never once complained about growing old.  Why?  Because she lost her husband after just 12 years of marriage, with four children ranging in age from 13 to 2.  He was the love of her life and they spent the majority of their short married life together dealing with colon cancer.  She never would complain about living...her husband never had that chance.  And she had to live without him, struggling alone.

My mother is very similar.  Having lost her father at age 7, after seeing her mother suffer alone, after living in near poverty, she doesn't ever complain about growing old.  My mother has many ailments, many pains, but she is delighted that she has lived to spend over 40 years with her husband, to see her children and grandchild grow. She doesn't complain every year on her birthday. 

I am friends with many people who struggle with birthdays.  Other friends always complain about their age, or how tough it is to be their age.  Their age is always the worst age to be.  It's maddening...because what's the alternative?  You can't change growing and aging, but you can change how you handle it. 

Gracefully.  That's how I want to age.  To joke about the popping hip (no idea what that's all about!), to faithfully take my blood pressure medication, to cover the grey hair.  That's what I'll do.  And I'll try really hard to bite my tongue as others complain.

Yep, I'm 37 today and happy to be alive! 

Some Kind Suggestions for the Upcoming Shopping Season

It didn't take long for me to remember why I left retail so many years ago.  It was probably my second day at my retail job when an irate customer, who was completely unreasonable, went nutso on one of our managers.  In that split-second, I thought to myself, "What did I do?????" I am usually very chipper at work, smiling, laughing, even with the rude, mean, or generally inconsiderate individuals who shop there.  There are, however, some things that incite me.  So, I thought I'd offer some suggestions to you as you begin your holiday shopping season.  Remember as you wait in your long holiday lines, that your time there is temporary...the cashier/sales associate/customer service rep is there all day dealing with the public.  A smile is infectious.

Some kind suggestions for you:

#1-GET OFF YOUR DAMN CELL PHONE!  Nobody, and I mean nobody, is that important that you can't at least put down the phone to say a friendly hello  and how do ya do while your are being rung out.  Don't hold the line up by chit-chatting with your best friend and not paying attention to the fact that you need to pay for your purchase!  Cell phones in public are incredibly rude, especially when you are supposed to be having a social interaction. 

#2-GET A DAMN DEBIT CARD!  Seriously, checks???  Who writes checks??  A debit card works the same way, people, and it takes 1/4 of the time.  Don't be that guy!  And if you must (and you really mustn't...) at least fill in the information while you are being rung up or while you are waiting in line.  Trust me, if you are writing a check, people will be rolling their eyes behind you. 

#3-DO NOT ASSUME THE SALES ASSOCIATE IS A MIND READER.  I would love to have this amazing insight, but when you slam your Wal.mart bag of returns down on my counters (and I do not work at Wa.lmart), please tell me what you are here for and remove your own items from the bag.  I handle a million different situations a day...fill me in...help me out.

#4-DON'T ASSUME THAT YOUR SALES ASSOCIATE IS A MORON.  I love this one.  Seriously, people talk to me like I barely made it out of the second grade.  I can't tell you how many times I have found a way to throw into a brief encounter with a customer that I have not one but TWO Master's degree.  The usual reaction?  Shock, then embarrassment.  People, do I have to say it?  In this economy, many people are working many jobs, some of which are not related to their level of education.  But even so, I work with some highly intelligent people who did not go to college.  Put your snobbishness away and be a kind human.  Stupid people are in every profession...

#5-IT'S THE HOLIDAYS, EXPECT TO WAIT IN LINE.  This cracks me up.  It's December and people complain that they have to wait in a line.  All registers are open and cranking people out, yet people still get angry when they have to wait.  If you don't want to wait in lines, shop now and get done before Thanksgiving.  Otherwise, grab a magazine to peruse while you wait and quit tapping your fingers.   

#6-I DON'T MAKE THE POLICY, I JUST ENFORCE THEM.  Really...I am paid hourly.  Read the return policy.  I can't do anything about it.  You don't like the policy?  Fine.  Don't shop there to begin with.  And remember, these policies aren't there to piss you off...they are their because one too many people abused the system.

So those, my friends, are my suggestions to you.  I will try to smile and be friendly, but if you put on a sour puss and talk on your cell phone while writing a check after complaining about how you had to wait two whole minutes after not being able to return the boots your wore for five years, well, then, all bets are off.

Happy Shopping...

Succumbing to the Season

I normally like fall.  The changing of the season.  The slight chills in the air.  The brilliant shades emerging on the leaves.  A pot of soup on the stove and a over-sized sweatshirt hugging a slightly chilled body.  I live in a place that has the four seasons because I like this change, the feeling that you can start over again and again and again.  But this year?  Yeah, not so much.

I'm not sure if it is because we had a lousy summer.  The weather hardly was summer-like.  Days at the pool were few and far between.  I worked so much and was so stressed that I was never able to relax and enjoy.  There are even more projects unfinished that were to be done already. 

I have been resisting fall for weeks.  While others were happily buying mums and cornstalks, making batches of pumpkin cookies and apple pies, and planning a trip to the pumpkin patch, I was leaving the windows open, grilling seafood and wearing flip-flops.  I'm rebelling against the changing of the seasons!

Slowly, though, I have had to succumb.  Pulling out some fall jammies for Builder Boy.  Washing cozy blankets under which we will spend the next, gulp, six or seven months.  Wearing jeans (but with flip flops!!).  On Sunday, I made my first pot of soup.  I bought the ingredients for the pumpkin drop cookies with icing that Builder Boy loves.  I've stopped shaving my legs every day. I brought down some long sleeve shirts and have started pricing fall mums. 

Today, though, was the final event that lets me know that fall is here and here to stay.  I wore shoes.  Real closed-toe, closed back shoes, and worse yet, with stockings.    My feet are currently begging for flip-flops. The skies are a miserable shade of blah and the air is chilled.  It's time to give in and enjoy this time of year.

This weekend, we will make our second pot of soup, this time with a bit more love, and go apple picking.  We'll pull out the fall decorations and eat pumpkin cookies.  It wasn't an easy transition this year, but here we are.  Welcome to fall!

When It's Time

It's funny that BBM posted this today.  At work last night, something came up that led me to thinking about this exact thing-closing the door on a dream.  It's actually been on my mind a lot recently as I attempt (yet again...) to continue organizing and purging our home.  I had set a date for myself-the day after my 40th birthday.  That was the day I would get rid of all things baby in our home.  It just seemed like a fitting date. 

But last night at work, a young woman who had been pregnant a few months ago, came in not so pregnant anymore.  My heart sank since she had been having extremely high blood pressure and the last I saw her, she looked horrible.  I asked no questions since I wasn't sure what had happened or how she was emotionally.  After she left, I asked another work friend what had happened.  Turns out, they delivered the baby when she was 5-6 months along (this person wasn't sure-clearly not an infertile.  An infertile would have been able to tell you the exact day of the pregnancy that baby had come out).  The baby weighed 2.2 lbs and although extremely premature, was okay.  Yesterday, he weighed 4.4 lbs, doubling his weight and there was already talk of him coming home in a month or so. 

This young woman is a mere 21 years old, not married, and involved with a man who is no good.  She has nothing, including a job right now, as her time consists of driving the hour to the hospital to see her baby, being with the baby, then driving the hour home.  From what I know, there is no family here, and very little support amongst her friends.  She has nothing for this baby-there was no time for a shower with such prematurity. 

And it occurred to me-is this a sign?  Is this God's way of telling me to let go?  Here is this girl in need, with a baby boy, and I have an entire third floor of boy clothes, blankets, toys, books, accessories.  It takes up space and let's face it, the chances of me expanding my family arepretty low.  I did some thinking last night...I think there are some things at this point that I can let go of...things that don't hold much sentimental value.  A bouncy seat that Builder Boy hated and therefore was only used by the cat (I kid you not, it played bird noises and Deconstructor Cat #1 loved this thing!).  Some baby classical music Cd's.  Some baby shoes and clothes that may work for a little guy his size. 

There are more things I think I can part with.  I haven't gone up there to look.  I might just go up there and back out of most things, but I know there are some things I won't use even if there is a miracle addition to our family. And so I will do it.  At least part of it.  And the rest can wait three more years to that monumental birthday. 

It's not easy.  Not after the past year of my life.  But perhaps in letting go some of the material things, the emotional part may ease up.  Or not. 

The Sweetheart Beneath It All

Builder Boy is an excessively crabby child.  He tends more towards crabby than happy.  It's frustrating as a parent because you want your child in these early years to experience joy, and often we feel he doesn't.  We're not sure what to do about it, but we have these moments with him where he displays a sweetness and empathetic nature that stuns us.

Yesterday, on the way to school, he was talking about his friends.  His best friend is now in another school and this has been difficult for Builder Boy.  I asked if he was making new friends in his new class.  He said that yes, he was making friends, but that his old friend was still his best friend. 

He pondered this for a few moments, then said, "Actually, Mama, he is my oldest best friend, but New Friend is my best friend in the whole world.  And you know that when kids ask me if I am their best friend, I say, 'Yes' because I don't want anyone to feel bad. " How sweet is that?  (Okay, yes, it's not honest, but what an endearing thing to do!)

I asked, "So, does this happen a lot? Kids asking you to be best friends?" 

His reply, "Nope!"  So glad he's thought this through for when it does happen!

GET OUT OF MY CITY!!!

And so it begins...on the eve of the G-20, the so called "peaceful" protesting has begun.  While things are under control, there are already incidents of rocks through businesses, knocking down of fences, unauthorized marches, and media craziness.

GET OUT OF MY CITY, PROTESTERS!

We'd welcome you with open arms, except your aim is to destroy our city.  A city that can't afford this summit.  A city that had to re-make itself after the mills shut down.  A city that struggles under a declining population because people are dying off.  A beautiful, lovely city filled with hard-working people, amazing landscapes, theaters, museums, universities, and history. 

If you are here and protesting peacefully, THANK YOU, and we hear your protests and appreciate your passion for bringing awareness to your cause. 

Otherwise?  Get out!