We got this

Paul and I get to take care of our granddaughters for three days. Two years old and 5 months old. Starting this afternoon.  Two dogs too.  Andrea and Jack are getting some well deserved time off from their crazy busy lives.

Our plan is to divide and conquer.  It's old stategy.  We used it all the time when the kids were little.  We know we can do it with two tiny grandkids.  We are confident this is going to be a piece of cake.  No worries here.  Yay.  How hard could it be?

Help.

Family business

Yesterday I emailed my resume and letter to a potential employer.  I'm job hunting.  Already.  But that's another blog.

So in the cover letter, I conclude to this organization that serves the Fort Worth School District that I enjoy the school setting.  I explain that my two daughters are teachers, my mom was a teacher as were both of her parents, my grandparents.

This got me thinking.   

First.  I am the mother of TWO TEACHERS!  A kids' first authority outside the family.  The definition of power and influence.  I raised two of 'em.  OK, Paul was there, too.  But most people, me included, revere their child's teacher and now my daughters are on the receiving end of that reverence.  My daughters likely would not use the word reverence in describing their treatment by all parents.  But this is my blog.

I guess my perspective may be a little old school.  I had nothing but respect for my children's teachers, even those who were undeserving.  They still were teachers and I respect them for that, it's part of my DNA.  When I step into a school my persona changes.  I see a teacher, I smile at them.  I am polite and respectful, fearful even. I suspect that part of this personal transformation could also be the result of having been invited to the Principal's office in every school I attended.  Again, another blog.

Second.  My mom gets to realize the family legacy lives.  She has two granddaughters and a grandson teaching (the son of my late brother Frank).  Molders of future generations.  How cool is that?

We are not inclined to look at our mothers and grandmothers as shapers of careers.  Indeed.  That's what has happened in my family and I couldn't be more proud.  And a little fearful.

You want a what???

Funny thing happened while shopping for light bulbs at Lowes. 

For real, the importance of light bulb shopping is fully underestimated.  I was watching something on TV, one of those home channel do it yourself improvement shows.  I always sit up when I hear "cheap" or "costs almost nothing." 

In this paticular show, I perked up for advice about switching your light bulbs to 3-way bulbs where possible.  I don't really remember all the reasons why, but I made a mental note to put on my to-do list.

So Paul and I are at Lowes and I steer him toward the light bulb section.  Are you aware of the number of choices in light bulbs?  There's choices in size, brightness, brand, etc.  It's not that simple.  Anyhoo.  I try to explain to my darling that enhanced lighting in our home will transform our lives. 

He didn't get it.  He's still reaching for the cheapest bulb and I declare (for all within earshot to hear):

"No!  I want a 3-way!"

Yep.  I said that.  Paul is pretty smart so the double meaning of that declaration did not escape him.  It did escape me until I ask what he's smiling about.  It was funny and also a little humiliating.

My consolation is the lighting in my home really has improved - using 3-ways.

Googled and glowing

Yesterday someone googled me and I liked it.  I know that sounds dirty, excuse my horrible need to be funny.  But honestly, I was flattered by the action of being googled.

I let some work contacts know I was leaving my current position and one wrote back asking if I was going to "go back to writing."

"How did you know I liked to write????" 

She said she googled me!  She came up with my Red Room blog stuff I guess.  Shared with me that her daughter is an English major and loves to write.  I carried that google glow all the home that evening. 

Silly?  Sure.  But when's the last time someone googled you?????

What would Barb West do?

Tex had a seizure yesterday.  A big one.  She's seized before, but they were small ones.  Her seizures are caused by excessive excitement fueled by anxiety. 

I can relate.

I, too, suffer from combination excitement and anxiety.  It's not stress, even though it may have similarities to stress.  Like Tex, it's in my DNA, so there's not a lot I can do to change the onset, but I can alter my response - mind over excitement/anxiety. 

I don't always succeed in altering my response.  My colleague says I'm stubborn.  I think that's being kind.

Sometimes the "stubbornness" fits a situation, sometimes not.  Over the years I've learned tricks to filter my stubborn side.  I try to think of the people I admire, such as my mentor Barb West and wonder how they would handle themselves. That helps.  Also, think outside myself.  It's not about me.  That helps.  Deep breathing works, too. 

This week I fear is going to challenge my ability to overcome stubbornness.  I don't want to foam at the mouth as my precious Tex did yesterday.  I also want to stand for what is right.  I wonder what Barb West would do?

BFFs

Ignorance is bliss

I was talking to a young woman today.  I asked if she had heard the comment from Newt Gingrich that President Obama is the "food stamp president."

She had not heard about that.  She had never heard of Newt Gingrich.

She's lucky.