Playing with Lightening

Some of you may know that last Summer I rearranged my bedroom furniture so I could watch thunderstorms through my bedroom windows while in bed. I just love being snug under the blankets with the sound of rain hiting the roof and the rumble of thunder in the distance and seeing streaks of lightening race across the sky. Well, the moment I rearranged... a drought . I've been waiting for months for a little bit of lightening so I could test out my new bedroom arrangement. I think two nights of ten minute storms have passed over my roof since the Summer. Of course, each time was during the day.

Finally, last night a whopper of a storm hit San Antonio. I was busy putting together a photo album. I knew the storms were coming and decided to "wait up" for them so I could watch the action. It was well past my bedtime but didn't want to sleep through a good storm. Suddenly as the first rumble of thunder announced the storm's arrival, I realized... "I've got to get in bed quick! This is what I've been waiting for!" I washed my face, threw on my pj's, turned out the lights, open the bedroom blinds and jumped under the covers. Heaven on Earth!

Oh, how sweet! I was finally watching the storm through the window while under my covers. Yet, I felt a little insecure having my blinds open. So I got out from under the covers and one by one turned down individual slots of the blind so only the top half was open. Back under the covers, it still felt "too" open. So I got back out from the covers and closed more slots so only the very top of the blinds were open. Back under the covers... now I'm watching the trees. I'm thinking to myself "never realized that tree was so tall. If it was blown over it could reach the house. It would probably hit the roof right above me." Ok, time to change my thoughts. So I decide to focus on the sky and the "streaks of lightening racing across the sky". No streaks. Only flashes. I began to wonder how many flashes I'd have to watch to validate the moment. I mean how long to you have to smell a rose before you can say you took time to enjoy life? Then I noticed that the thunder was going on and on or was it really thunder? Maybe, it is the sound of a train! Tornado! No, no.... just thunder. Eventually, I fell into a deep slumber.

Fast forward ONE hour. A crack of thunder shakes the house and wakes me up. Usually, I would just roll over and fall immediately back to sleep. It's all good sleeping stuff. Not last night though... I was being blinded by lightening through the open blinds. No matter which way I turned the flashes were unrelenting. So now I was awake. Well, you know what happens if you wake up... a trip to the bathroom. Then I was really awake. However, on the way back to bed.... I closed the blinds and slept soundly the rest of the night with my back to the window.

Walker Newsflash

I hope no one has given up on me. Remember back in August when I mentioned that I start to wear down in the Spring from school duties (church, work, sports, academics, etc...)? Let's just say I'm treading the water and the water is just over my chin. Visions of Meredith! It's all good though. I don't feel overwhelmed just busy and tired.

CW flew off to Mexico today. He called a little while ago and said the flight went well. The plane was small. We've been busy getting him ready the past two days. It is tradition to send gifts to the host family. We sent some James Avery jewelry (unique to Texas) and Bath/Body Works. The boy who stayed with us brough CW a t-shirt and chess set so we sent a shirt and cribbage set. We were at the airport at 11:30 but met with some of the other students for breakfast. It was a good idea since eating and sharing really calmed my nerves. When I asked CW if he was nervous, he would just put his face in his hand, smile, and giggle.

MW will be spending a few days with her Dad which is a BIG deal since she gets to go to work with him and big brother is not around. She is doing well at school too. She is blossoming into a writer and artist. This is significant since her reading had a slow start. Her first grade teacher told me in one of several conferences... "I don't think it is bad enough to hold her back". This meant the teacher had considered it. Dyslexia was a serious thought. She tutored over the Summer. Ms Jenny watched over her as well (our resource teacher). Anyhow, MW has been making "A's" in reading and wrote a story that was picked for judging in the "Junior Olympic Writers". We'll know how she placed in April. I've won a few art rewards. I also won first place in SA for UIL "Ready Writer" in seventh grade. So as I sit up straight, puff my chest, and put my nose in the air....let me just say... "she gets it from me". Well, wait a minute, maybe she gets it from God. Whatever.

BTW, still doing WW but have decided to cut down on carbs as well since CW and I have each lost only six pounds since January! The carb thing is for me. CW is staying the course. He has increased his exercise at school but not at home so I thought I'd be more consistent with the Gym. He likes to go. I'm hoping to get both kids in Fencing soon. They loved their trial class. The registration fee is steep and other things have taken priority. Note to certain grandparents: contributing to this fee would have been a great Christmas gift like suggested. They could be three months into lessons by now. Excuse me, I'm grateful. I appreciate gifts. Just don't ask for my suggestion then say the idea is "no good" and force me to think of some toy that would be the last thing the kids actually needed. I know what they need, like or want. I knew the toys, clothes, games and jewelry they really wanted were already bought. I know you want to shower your grandchildren. I just hate your money to go to "more of the same" when it can go to something of substance.

Okay, I'll try to post within the week since my "Mother" duties will be lighter this week but only if I get comments. Love to all.