Still Kicking & A "Christi Thing"

No, we haven't fallen off of the face of the earth, we're still here - just busy and that is a FANTASTIC thing in my book. I remember, not so long ago, being busy with things like doctors' appointments, transfusions and chemo treatments. This self-selected busy is fabulous! Praise the Lord!

Shayne has been deep sea fishing off of the coast near Tampa with colleagues from work. Shay has been doing her usual routine of school, dance, horse, and 4H meetings. She had a slumber party and also a friend get together thrown in there too. I'm frantically trying to wrap up spring semester (it ends on Friday - where does time go?) while preparing for a few summer classes I agreed to teach to pick up some extra dough. It will help pay for all of Shayla's bad and expensive habits (wink). Seriously, my summer classes will be over before Shayla is even out of school in late May so I couldn't say no to the generous offer, plus I absoltuely LOVE teaching for BGSU!

Shayla conned us all into the act for her science project on "Energy Utilization". At 11:30 pm every night, Shayne has to go outside and record the number on our electric meter. I've been assigned 7:30 am and Shayla reads and records the number every day at 3:30 pm. Thankfully, this assignment is about over. (And it's a good thing too because we are not permitted to adjust the lights, she has placed masking tape over the switches and handed us flash lights. I'm dying to watch a little TV myself, but I can say I have enjoyed eating out every single night since we are not permitted to use the oven, microwave or dishwasher. Clothes are piling up, but it's "all in the name of science" says the little one. We will see if the mad scientist has discovered anything or not. (I'm thinking not, but Shayne told her his best science project ever was when he had a failed science experiment. "A failed experiment does not mean a failed project." Time will tell!)

I made a trip to Christi's grave one afternoon this week, again pledging to get her cemetery plaque ordered. I really, really must do that soon, very soon - like by the end of summer. That is my new goal!

We were able to visit with Aunt V from Arizona on Saturday afternoon and evening. That was a wonderful treat! She is a gem - a rare and precious find! I love and miss her and am so glad she could come and "hang" with us!

Dance pictures were on Saturday. It's made me sad ever since I've only been able to take one girl and not two. This year, however, I was smarter. When I saw a "sister shot" being captured, I just left the room. No need to sit and long and suffer! I'm lucky to have one gal and she is to be treasured. I just always really miss Christi at dance picture day.

A very crazy "Christi thing" happened immediately after dance pictures. As I pulled away, a call came into my car. A dance mom who left earlier said, "My friend went to the library book sale and bought some books. In one of them was a postcard to Christi from your mom and I think your dad. She wants to know if you want it." What? I could not believe it! About a month ago, we donated the rest of Christi's books to the library and I thought I went through every one. Yes, I want that postcard. I want to give it back to my mom. The girls always loved getting her little postcards in the mail. Sweet! (And really "odd" timing too as I was a bit sad driving away from dance pictures. I've convinced myself it was a sign from Heaven - where our little dancer is celebrating on the most glorious stage.)

Not long ago one of Shayla's friends had been grounded due to "sister issues". I jokingly said to Shay, "Well, at least you can't get in trouble for not getting along with your sibling." Without missing a beat she said, "And I don't have anyone to play with here either." Ouch, that hurt! I know she misses Christi and in her mind they would still be playing here together day after day. It's hard to believe Christi would be 12 and I wonder if she'd still want to hang out with her sister. I bet she would, but I'll never know.

I'm running out of battery power. I must go! While Shayla says, "I miss playing wii, but I think I could be Amish," this science project really can't end soon enough for me! Take care! And turn the light on for me! Hee hee!