Listen.... Do you hear the bird sing? Do you hear the wind blowing? Do you hear the leaves flutter?
Listen... Do you hear the child laughing? Do you hear his brother playing? Do you hear his sister giggle?
Listen... Do you hear the sun shining? Do you hear the clouds moving? Do you hear your heart quickening?
Listen... Do you hear spring? posted by Steph at 1:30 PM[edit]
4.26.2001
Alright, I've calmed down from yesterday's rant. Nothing's really changed except my own attitude.
You just can't get through to some people. I've known that for a long time, but my hope in the essential compassion in human nature has always buoyed me before. It's quickly becoming obvious, though, that there is only hope in certain people and others you just have to let go. What a waste, and what a loss. Both to them and to me.
I don't think it's egotistical of me to say that I can be a good friend. I do try to consider another person's feelings. But I have to say I like having my feelings considered sometimes too.
Ah, well. Life goes on.
In other news, I've been inspired to create some new jewelry pieces. Between wire-wrapped sea glass and gemstone bracelets and necklaces, I'm enjoying the creative process again. I'm still trying to figure out exactly which gemstone beads I need to make a good looking rainbow necklace..constantly experimenting with that. Garnet is too dark for red, and red carnelian is too orange. Ruby is too expensive. I may have to go with dyed fossil beads but we will see.
I may put up a page with some pictures of my work, if anyone is interested. Send me mail if you are. posted by Steph at 9:54 AM[edit]
4.25.2001
I have news for everyone out there who knows me and several who don't know me from Eve.
THIS IS NOT "DUMP ON STEPHANIE" DAY!!!
That being said, I think I need to explain something to a few people. A concept that I think they don't have a FRICKIN CLUE about.
Friendship is like a bank account. Nice things you do and say, time spent and things done together, are all like deposits into that account. Arguments, put downs, threats, absences and stupid things, like not caring to even BOTHER to ask how I am feeling, are withdrawals. And if you don't make deposits, over time, the positive balance is going to drain away just like a bank account with service charges. Eventually, the balance goes negative and the deposits have to be larger to cover the deficit. If you'd just kept making small deposits, you wouldn't have to go to such expense to keep the account going.
I have a lot of bounced emotional checks right now.
You always want to keep the balance positive. A little concern goes a long way. Will Rogers once said, "I can live a month off of a good compliment." I'm not saying you have to go out of your petty little path to do something special. Saying hi might be nice. Asking about how I am would carry me through a week. Offering to talk would be a gem. Offering to roleplay? I'd probably fall over from the shock.
Out of perhaps fifteen, twenty accounts, I think only three are in the black; that is to say, in a positive balance.
Am I asking so much? Am I asking you for things I don't do? NO! Has there ever been a day that I'm not online, a time that I haven't offered to listen, a moment when I wasn't there for you? My phone is always beside me, my heart always ready. WHY IS IT SUCH A HARD THING TO COMPREHEND?? Have you just been selfish for so long that you have forgotten what it is to be a friend? Have I let you walk on me for too long?
I'm a doormat. Lay me down and print WELCOME over my face. posted by Steph at 2:37 PM[edit]
4.19.2001
Eva ended up with strep throat. High fever, up and down all night.
We took her into the urgent care clinic, and they gave her an antibiotic (one of the cool new ones that doesn't have to be taken as often or as long) and 400mg ibuprofin, which is a lot stronger than what we've been giving her! She's adult size, now.
Eleven years old and she's 4'11", 107 lbs. She's only two inches away from my height. Takes great pleasure in showing me how she can wear my shoes and my clothes now.
My sweet darling is growing up. She'll be a teenager soon and I'm not sure I'm ready yet.
In other news, my parents' visit is going smashingly. We went to the CNN Center and Centennial Park, and rode the train to get there. My dad wasn't too keen on walking so much (he has gout in one knee) but otherwise they loved the trip. It was a perfect day for it too, except for Eva, who got a chill on the way back from the wind.
Tomorrow, we will go and do what we love best...shopping! It's the outlet mall day, and while all us hens are doing that, the men are going to go look at electronics and such. (I'm torn..I love electronics too! Think I'm my dad's girl?) It'll be a good day all around.
I miss everyone.... posted by Steph at 11:35 PM[edit]
4.18.2001
Parents due any minute. Eva's sick with a sore throat and fever. The boys are at school, almost ready to be picked up.
I think I might have hurt someone's feelings. Completely inintentionally. I don't know why or how. I'm not even sure I had anything to do with it, to be honest. All I know is that someone's hurting.
Hurting someone's feelings is always the last thing I want to do. And if I have hurt yours in some way, please let me know. I want to make things right. You know who you are. Just please don't leave me hanging. posted by Steph at 3:38 PM[edit]
4.11.2001
Spring break is over. School is back in, and the temperatures are higher than ever.
Eva is behind me, practicing her piano for her upcoming recital. I have to say, by the time the recital rolls around I will have this piece memorized as well as Eva. Interestingly, the title of the piece is Spring Fever. She does well on that piece but she becomes quite frustrated with Calypso Carnival.
I've decided I don't like Atlanta traffic. posted by Steph at 4:13 PM[edit]
4.09.2001
So Blogger had a little hiccup this morning. No big deal. I figured it would work itself out at some point.
Petals slowly opening, Lifting to the sun, Temperatures rising, Heatwave slowly spun, Boys are outside playing, Shirtless, barefoot fun, And I am finally smiling, Winter's night is done. posted by Steph at 12:25 PM[edit]
4.07.2001
My, what a happy day!
A good rehersal, lunch out with the girls, and the kids home with Daddy. A bit of shopping, the yardwork being done, and a clean house.
Relaxation. Spring Saturday is a good thing. posted by Steph at 2:19 PM[edit]
4.06.2001
AAAAARGGHHH!!!
I had a wonderful blog going and then the computer locks up!! Isn't that ALWAYS the way??
Damn technology. posted by Steph at 12:47 PM[edit]
4.05.2001
Alright. How am I supposed to get two pairs of shoes, two raincoats, and groceries, all on $50? It can't be done. I hope things even out soon or I'm going to go out of my mind. John and I haven't fought about money since we moved and yet I feel one brewing.
-long, drawn out sigh-
C'est la'mour? C'est la guer? posted by Steph at 9:14 PM[edit]
Alright. My counter has hit 150, and I haven't a clue as to how many of those are actually people coming to see me or just my own silly dealings when I'm trying to check my changes. It does seem more than just me.
If you do glance at my page, other than Jonathan, Grey, Nathan, Evan, would you please send me a little note? It would help this frustrated writer to not feel so unseen.
Somebody come and play, Somebody come and play today, Somebody come, and laugh the laughs, And sing the songs, it won't take long, Somebody come and play today.
Somebody come with me and see The treasures in the wind, Somebody come before it gets Too late to begin,
Somebody come and play, Somebody come and play my way, Somebody come, and be my friend, And watch the sun 'til it rains again, Somebody come and play today. --Sesame Street Kids, date unknown
Well, we found out the results of John's sleep study today.
Last week, John went to a sleep clinic to complete a night of being studied as he slept. He declared that he couldn't sleep a wink all night because of all the sensors and electrodes they put all over him. He had to sleep on his back, and he can't sleep on his back well.
He did sleep, according to the results. And he's been diagnosed for obstructive sleep apnea. In other words, he stops breathing when he's asleep because his tongue drifts back into his palate. He had 26 obstructive events. ONE would have qualified him as having the condition. And 26 events when he felt like he never slept at all.
He goes back for another study on the 17th to determine if a particular therapy will help. I hope it does. Maybe for the first time in John's life he will have a good night's sleep.
It makes me want to stay awake to be sure he's breathing. posted by Steph at 12:37 PM[edit]
4.03.2001
Well, it ended up storming nearly all day. I did get online a time or two despite the weather, though.
My good friend Jonathan is not feeling at all well. I'm worried about him. I'm hoping his cold is not transposing itself into full-blown bronchitis. He seems to have similar problems to what I had a couple of weeks ago. I have a sinking feeling that I gave him this cold. I sure hope not.
Quick update..it's storming here! So I can only stay long enough to change my weather icon...hopefully the storm won't last long! posted by Steph at 9:43 AM[edit]
4.02.2001
Alright. Now that Blogger is past its troubles and whatnot (Personally I think it was all a long, drawn out April Fool's joke) I guess I can start updating again.
Not a lot to tell as it's 1:45 am. Daylight Savings went off with only a slight hitch; the boys did not want to go to bed while it was still sunny out. Not that I blame them. Since tomorrow begins spring break we let them stay up a little longer.
Ah, spring break. Mommy doesn't have to get up at 0-dark-hundred to take Daddy to work and the kids get a week off to get themselves and the house nice and dirty. What fun! -grumbles a bit- Seriously, I'm looking forward to this week. It's nice to have your kids around you when they want to have fun. It's those days when they're all in a bad mood that you want to go knock their heads together. Think positive, now, think positive.
The weather is warming up and it's beginning to look a lot like springtime, what with our azaleas blooming and the yard needing mowing. It's been raining a lot, and though it's good for Georgia's drought it's NOT good for my house! I'm definately going to have to get some carpet cleaner before long. Georgia red clay is not easy to get out of a carpet.
Oops, I need to change my calender. It's still on March. I guess I was in denial of April Fools. Eva got me a good one earlier with one of the oldest April Fool jokes in the book, a spider in my hair. Normally spiders don't bother me but we've had a few here lately, and Eva got the satisfaction of seeing me jump quite nicely.
Ugh...sleep. Sleep good. posted by Steph at 1:54 AM[edit]
