Benches

I nearly feel guilty that it's been so easy. Eight kids wanted to go to the football game with me, they allowed me to sit with an AP friend of mine and some teachers, no behavior problems arose, we all went home and to bed later without incident nor argument.

Sabrina was cheering, Tabby was copying her every move from the other side of the fence, and my other kids were with their friends. A sweltering night that beats the tar out of those evenings later in the season in which I just can't get warm.

Up at 5:30 since Sabrina had to be at the high school at 5:45 a.m. for a competition cheer leading event in SW Georgia, the kids and I ran to a few yard sales. I spent 50 cents for a classical piano CD, sometimes I just feel like listening to some quiet music.

I'm very serious about working on my own self, about bringing peace and quiet back into my life, avoiding as much stress and drama as is possible.

I've thought a lot about being advised against isolating myself, but I'm very reclusive anyway, never lonely, always with more than enough to do, so seclusion isn't isolation to me, it's invigorating.

Mainly at yard sales, we've been hunting the home school curriculum materials for Ray, but I paid a buck for some Country Living magazines that I like, back issues to thumb through and drool over.

Two soccer practices this afternoon, I'm running Lily to town as she's 14 today and she wants clothes. We'll find some pig-out place as a treat, maybe Ike and Jane? Whatever Lily chooses will be our destination, and she's a vegetarian by choice with excellent taste buds so I'll be happy wherever she wants to go.

I've got to get Grandma over to her Church before dawn tomorrow so she can go with her friends on a missions trip over in Louisiana. Like it won't be 95 degrees here? Probably 105 there. Fortunately, like me, she usually isn't much bothered by the heat. But hey, she is 81 years old.

She asked me to go with her yesterday to see the movie, The Help. Neither of us care much about movies, but this one was so compelling. I get irritated at movies that constantly start different scenes with folks staring thoughtfully off into space, as if they feel they must demonstrate the thought process to us. Who sits and stares? There's too much to do for that kind of indulgence. I loved this movie, but it felt decadent to be indoors while the sun blazed outside and the kids were in school.

Nearly seven years ago I sat on this bench at the UGA Botanical Gardens, praying that the paperwork on my last four kids would soon clear ICPC, and allow them to come to our house. Tabby, the baby of that particular group, has no clue as to the importance of this bench.