the kindness of a stranger

today I come home from work. On the dining room table are, bills, circulars, homework assignments, and a package addressed to me. My first thought is, "Oh shit did I get drunk and order something expensive off the internet?" Its a smaller sized package, so its not a TV or anything, but who the hell knows?!?!?
i don't recognize the address, and notice it is from Fort Wayne, In.
Now I think, oh shit its a former student sending me an anthrax laced package of cheetos.
I've been at many school safety conferences lately, what can I say?!?!?!?
I take a deep breath and open the box. Inside is another box with a "willow tree figurine", which i have been collecting for the past 3 years. People usually give them to me,when a figurine reminds them of me. i started to do this with friends after someone I taught gave me the "inspiration" figure. I now have about 10. They are really sweet not at all hokey and queer. i am not at all a tchockie collector by any means!!!!
i open it and a beautiful angel holding a heart is in my hands. The card says, "Bright star. Reflecting a light from within."
I am deeply touched. Who has sent this to me and why? A happy tear runs down my cheek. Its been a crazy week and a half since the whole stabbing thing.
I rummage through the packaging. An invoice from Rustic Fine Furnishings is in the box. Purchaser: Chris Radloff, TO: Kelly Livingston. Chris is a fellow blogger whom I have never met in person, his lovely austrian wife is Dagmar. A lovely couple, whom intrigue me and help me to believe that there is still good in this world. They sent me this little treasure to brighten my day and tell me I am a special person. They think that I am special because I helped that boy. I think they are special because they helped me.
Needless to say, last week i started going back to church. i NEED to believe in the good in this world, and Chris and Dagmar are good. thank you friends.

www.radloffs.net/blog.html

anniversary

well here we are, approaching the big 13!
No one thought we would make the 2 year mark let alone 13 years of marital bliss!!! (admit it Birdy you thought it would be doomed!)
I have had many plans for celebation on my mind.
Things that I want, and I figure I can say, "It's our anniversary, let's get that!" (However, we are raising 3 boys and i am planning private high school tuitions).
things like... A new bed, with a super duper matresses,
an 8 person hot tub on the deck,
a mini vacation to the caribbean.
So guess what we chose? You will be envious....
Hubby has to work, I am going to boys football games and maybe if we're lucky
Kentucky Fried after the game on Saturday.
Ahhhh- marriage....
I love you Steakbellie- happy Anniversary!

autumn

glass of wine, fire is on, mums have bloomed,
Halloween decorations are out , in no time I'll be shopping for Christmas.

life changing

So....... i dont usually have anything really great to blog about. Actually, as i type this i am tipssy. i needed a stiff drink to help me deal with what happened tonight. i am not writing this for a response or a pat on the back, but strictly a release.
i go to my 12 year olds football game, i am angry because they have given him less playing time because he has not performed well in practice. a lot less.
it is the final quarter of the game. the last 30 seconds. I notice a hefty black kid stumbling around the dugouts ( where the kids and coaches go to discuss what they have done right/wrong). he doesnt look well. his girlgriend trails behind crying, "he's been stabbed, he's been stabbed". People ignore, people part, no one seems to hear. i hear. "What?" I ask, "Look at him him, please help he has been stabbed."
At this point see his covered in blood. He looks at me and says" I am dying. I cant breath" I say. " Of course you can breath, you are in the middle of an open field, there is a lot of oxygen for you. stay strong keep it together. "
"I'm dying he says" " Oh stop--- you are not"
I place pressure on his gaping wound. I have now turned my jacket into a turniquet and am sticking my fingers in the hole that is ooozing to stop the bleeding. He is squeezing my hand. Pleases dont let me die.
i say " knock it offf, you are fine" I am shitting myself.
I turn to the side and see my 12 year old. with his helmet in hand and sweaty head, staring at me me scared to death. I toss him my cell phone ,
"baby, call daddy and tell him to pick you up, I love you".
Finally, after what seems like an eternity police and ambulance arrive. They rope off, a crime scene, and I give a statement. My friend is calling for me from the ambulance. I cant go, I have my family to take care of.
i wonder how he is.
I wonder how this has screwed up my kid. How has this screwed me up. i will call the hospital in the am.

what to do?!

Had the day off, no kids, no husband, a dirty house and lots of laundry. Didn't want to clean, but had no idea what to do other than that! I need a hobby. hmmm...

krystal

you're still our hero, my best friend. we love you, are you hungry?