Broken Jaw?!?!?!?!?

Well, I did manage to swallow my parenting pride and call the orthodontist and confess that my 16 year old son was indeed riding a motorcycle, and wrecked...and is now a swollen mess.

I called but no answer. Then I called my dentist...no answer. I forgot that those who deal in teeth and jaws do not work on Fridays.

So I had to call my pediatrician and confess my poor parenting. The nurse said that this is the kind of thing they are referring to when they say "if you have an emergency please call...." and I needed to call. So I called.

I spoke with the ortho's wife and she gave me his cell. She was a lovely lady and not at all grumpy with me for interrupting her day. (nor did she chide me for being a bad parent)

The ortho is out of town, but can meet me at his other office about 45 min from my house, around 4:30 this afternoon. He said yes, it did need to be x-rayd today, not Monday, and with all that swelling, he quite possible has broken his jaw.

OH, MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS!!! I'm usually pretty good at coming up with the worst case senerio, I can really be a glass half empty, Eoyre kinda girl, and even I did not think about a BROKEN JAW!!!

I'll let you know...

He took one to the chin!

Well, I knew it was inevitable that at some point one of my guys was going to hurt themselves on their motorbikes. They’ve been riding them since they could walk almost, but no one has ever hurt themselves. Okay, my husband has broken some ribs, but the boys have not so much as bruised themselves.

They went riding yesterday and my oldest son came home looking like he’d been in a bar fight and took one to the jaw! He is terribly swollen on the right side of his face and has lots of scratches there. I’m not sure what happened, nether is he, something about the wheel of the bike hitting an unexpected rut in the ground and the tire turned a way he was not expecting, consequently so did the handlebars, and one of the handlebars hit him square in the jaw, under his helmet. It was at just the perfect angle to get him in the jaw, under his helmet, with great force. Poor guy. He is quite miserable. He can’t eat and he is in quite a bit of pain.

We are a bit worried about his back tooth. He thinks it’s loose. It is so swollen right now that it is hard to see, but he thinks he felt it move and it hurts when he drinks, which I think means some of the root is exposed. UGH!

I’m not sure if I should call his ortho or not. I don’t think there is anything they can do until the swelling goes down. I don’t really want to call. I know I’m going to get that disapproving look from them that by son was on a motorcycle.

Please pray with me that he does not loose his tooth and feels better soon!

Just in case you were wondering…he WAS NOT doing that!!! He is really a careful boy and this is his first major wreck ever.

BTW, does anyone know if there is anything you can do for a damaged tooth to help it decide to not come out?

Jason Bourne is my hero.

UGH! Let me tell you, yesterday was a DAY! Of course having raging PMS did not help. (I’m sorry, if you a guy and your reading this you might want to just stop now because none of it will make any sense to you)

There were all these people around me…all day…and they had, you know, needs, and voices, saying things that started with “Mommy can I…?” and “Honey, could you please…? and I thought my head was going to explode.

So I did what I had to do to survive the day, put the girls to bed early and let the boys watch more Myth Busters, because as you know it’s been playing on a continues loop in my house for a while now, and I went upstairs and SHUT THE DOOR!

My husband was working late last night on a very important shut-down, or turn-off or something, I think it was manufactured because he could see the writing on the wall and he is not a dumb guy. But back to me, I went upstairs and ate pizza and drank Coke Zero (even though I’d already had some and it was after the 4pm caffeine shut-off time) and then I ate Hagan Das ice cream. While I was doing this, I was watching all the Jason Bourne movies in preparation for the next one coming out in late July early August.

Usually, I like a good sappy chick flick, but when I have PMS nothing makes me feel better than seeing Jason Bourne beat people up and get the girl, of course they kill off the girl in the 2nd movie which SO does not happen in the books, but who reads anymore, I guess.

Okay, I seem to be rambling just a bit here. I think I need to go back upstairs and watch some more Beat ‘em up movies, then I’ll feel better. Is it exactly one month till the next Jason Bourne movie? Hummm, excellent timing.

Jericho

Today we’re going to continue the very important topic of TV. I’ve had some great news. When I heard it I squealed. Really, there was squealing.

Back in May, two of my favorite shows were canceled; Veronica Mars and Jericho. I was distraught. Whatever was I going to do with those two hours a week that I had been devoting to Veronica and the little town of Jericho Ks? (If you say, do more laundry like my husband did; well…just be glad I can’t hear you through the screen.)

So here is the news, prepare yourself…Jericho has been given another chance! YIPPEE, I am so glad to hear this. At the end of the first season, the town was in the midst of an all out battle for their survival with the neighboring town of New Burne. I could not believe they would just leave us hanging like that. Do they have no pity on us? Well apparently they do because they are giving it another shot. But, if more people don’t watch it this fall, it will be gone forever. If you've never seen it now is the time. Starting this summer, they'll rebroadcast the entire first season in preparation for the new shows in the fall

So, hear my plea people…WATCH JERICHO, Starting July 6th on Fridays at 9:00PM ET/PT, PLEASE PLEASE WATCH!


You’ll just have to overlook the fact that they have mountains off in the distance and anyone who knows her corn knows that there are no mountains in KS. There is barely a hill. So, while I love the show, and I am committed, let’s try for a bit more realism this time folks. Kansas is flat, with very few trees and absolutely NO mountains.



Wahoo, Toto, Jericho is not dead!

HOV, TV, DVR; Oh how I love acronyms!

*******PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT*******

If you plan on driving 40mph, please DO NOT get on the HOV lane. The HOV lane is intended for people who desire to speed, and are serious about reaching their destination in a timely manor. You must be willing to be at or exceeding the speed limit to enjoy the benefits of the HOV lane.

I hate to keep harping on this, but really people, 40? There was a car going so slow today it was holding up the CITY BUS!

Now back to your regularly scheduled post.

*******PUBLIC SERVICE ANOUNCEMENT*******

Today we’re going to talk about TV, Satellite TV to be more specific. My family has finally entered the modern age of Television. We have satellite TV WITH A DVR!!! This is quite possible the coolest thing since sliced bread. I get to watch TV whenever I jolly well please. I don’t have to wait until Veronica Mars comes on at 8pm on Tuesday to watch. (a very inconvenient time for me.) I can just tell my little TiVo friend and he saves it for me. Then I can watch it at midnight if I so desire. This idea is revolutionary for me. TV on MY time, YIPPEE!

And yes, for the other 3 people out there who watch Veronica Mars, I know it has been canceled. DOGONNIT! Why oh why? The 4 of us were really enjoying that modern day Nancy Drew. But alas, all good things must come to an end. Even if they really don’t end, they just kinda stop because they did not expect to be canceled, but you know, I have a good imagination so I can conger up my own happily-ever-after scenario for our little Veronica and Logan. And just in case you were wondering, yes this is the Homeschooling on the Hilltop blog, you did not inadvertently stumble upon the blog of a 15 year old girl.

As for how this TiVo thing has changed my children’s lives…well, let me tell you. Myth Busters, Dirty Jobs, Man vs. Wild and How It’s Made seem to be playing on a loop constantly in my home. Frighteningly, I also purchased Backyard Ballistics for my boys last year, so between Myth Busters (if you haven’t seen it, it is basically grown men who act like 12 year old boys and blow things up) and the book, I am actually afraid to let my boys go outside because of all this new found knowledge of explosives. If you hear of a forest fire caused by two teen boys trying to see if you really can light a match with just the Texas sun and a magnifying glass, you’ll know who they are talking about.

The good thing is that if any of my kids do find themselves lost in…say Alaska, they know how to stay alive by eating live Salmon (one of the few fish you can eat raw, apparently) and starting a fire with a shoe string and a toothpick (oh, wait that was MacGyver)

There is an upside, all four of my children sit quietly all day staring at the black box and I have peace. HEHEHE got ya, I’m just kidding, they are not quiet even when they are staring at the black box. The upside is that all four have seen the great benefit in getting a VERY GOOD education so they can get VERY GOOD jobs and not the dirty variety that they portray on Dirty Jobs. God bless the people who are making a living cleaning up this world. We’d be neck deep in muck without ya!

You may now go about your day, I’m going to go turn on the TV and watch something that is not really being aired right now because I have that power.

For My Dad

I don’t live near my dad, so I can’t just pop over on Father’s Day and make him lunch or bake him some cookies, instead I thought I’d give him the gift of words.

My dad was not around a lot when I was a kid. He worked a lot and then he drank a lot. I don’t remember much from those years but I’m told he was not a very nice drunk.

Fast forward to today. I still don’t see my dad enough but this time it is due to distance. My dad has not had a drop to drink in over 25 years. He does not talk about it much, but I know it’s been at least that long.

Can you imagine giving up something you love FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE??? I don’t mean to sound trite, but I can’t even give up chocolate for a month. My dad gave up alcohol, for the rest of his life, because it was the right thing to do. He’s like that. He does things because they are the right thing to do.

I don’t know much about my dad’s life before I was born. I guess that is how kids are sometimes. We find it hard to imagine the world was spinning before we were a part of it. I don’t know what kind of man my dad was before I was around. I don’t know what drove him to drinking in the first place or what kind of childhood he had; he’s never told me. He is not the kind of man who blames others for his mistakes. He takes responsibility for them.

I don’t know if I ever told my dad I’m proud of him. Really, we just live our lives and go on about our days and do what needs to be done. But what better day to say…

I’m proud of you Dad. I don’t know much about what kind of young man you were, but I know what kind of man you are now, and I’m proud of you.

Accosting People or Evangelizing?

I have been thinking about evangelism lately. I think mostly due to the death of Mrs. Ruth Bell Graham. There is a movement in the Christian community right now that I’m not sure I like. I have thought a lot about it actually, but could not really put together my thoughts until recently. I think maybe it is because I am pitting this new evangelism against Billy Graham’s style.

This new evangelism style is to hit people with their sin so they see a need for a savior. It is used mostly in street evangelism I think. I am not a huge fan of street evangelism in general. I think I’d rather chew off my own arm than walk up to a total stranger and tell them anything, much less that they are dirty, rotten, sinners. But that is just me.

I don’t necessarily have a beef with the theology, just the methods these people employ. The idea is to basically ask people questions about their sin. Can they keep the ten commandments, have the they lusted, have the coveted, do they think they’re a good person, then hit them with the condemnation verses after they’ve admitted they do indeed sin according to the rule of law in The Book.

Here is my thing. Wouldn’t this just make you defensive? When any of us are hit with our own sin or wrongdoing, or mistakes, isn’t it human nature to justify ourselves?

I am not saying this is a right response; just that it is the natural one. So if that is true, aren’t you just shooting yourself in the foot if you are hitting people with their sin then telling them to turn to God? Won’t it just make them more defensive, not less?

This is a word picture my husband came up with to describe this type of evangelism. It is like you are taking Gods amazing grace, putting it in a bag and tying it to the end of a big stick. Then you walk around hitting people with it.

“Can you keep the whole law?” WHAM!

“Have you ever lusted?” WHAM!

“Have you ever told a lie” WHACK!

“Well, me too, so here is the good part, you can accept Gods grace and go to heaven. I just happen to have it right here on the end of this big stick I have been whacking you with and it is yours for the taking!”

Not very appealing is it? I personally ascribe to the idea that you can attract more bees with honey than vinegar.

I’ll tell you right now, from experience, that when you have made a glaringly bad choice (or two or five), and you deserve punishment, and instead you get grace; from other Christians and from the Almighty God you have wronged, it is a powerful thing. Nothing will bring a person to their knees faster than NOT getting what they deserve, but getting wrapped in God’s grace instead. Believe me; I know this to be true.

Let me tell you a story to show you what I mean.

My husband works in downtown Fort Worth. It is a large city and it has lots of homeless. He is often asked for money. I’d say he is approached for money at least 3 or 4 times a month. He has a policy; he does not give out cash. If he feels led, he’ll buy them food or gas. The latest ploy is to come up to a guy pumping gas and tell them a sob story about how you just need a few dollars to put in your tank to get you home. My husband usually replies by telling that person to go ahead and fill their gas tanks and he’ll go in and pay the cashier. 9 times out of 10 the guy either drives off or only can fit a few dollars in his tank because it is not actually empty like he has said.

One time a guy approached my husband at a gas station and asked him for cash. He said he needed the money for food. My husband was in a hurry and said no. They guy kept asking and was commenting on my husbands shiny new truck (the company’s truck) and nice work clothes and surely he had some change to spare. My husband said a final no and started to get in his truck. This man started cussing him out! Truly! All manner of curse words came flying out of that man’s mouth. He rained curses down on my husband because he would not give him money. Needless to say my husband was a bit miffed!

As he drove off, incensed at the gall of that man, he felt the tug of the Holy Spirit to buy that man some food. He argued for a while, but finally relented. He went to a fast food place and bought the biggest triple hamburger deal on the menu, then drove back to the gas station. He was sure the man would be gone by now and was none to happy with God for asking him to do this.

Well the man was still there and my husband got out of his car and took him the bag of food and the drink. The man stood, dumbfounded, with his mouth hanging open, speechless.

When he finally found his voice, he asked my husband why he would bring him food after he yelled at him. My husband’s reply? “I am Christian and God tells me that I am to love my enemies, do good to those who hate me, bless those who curse me, and pray for those who mistreat me.” (Luke 6:28) He handed the man his food, smiled and said, “I’ll be praying for God to reveal himself to you” then he turned around and walked back to his truck.

My husband said the man could barley speak but managed a whispered “thank you”.

I’m telling you right now that what my husband did for that man was ever-so-much more effective in pointing him to the cross, than pointing out to him his rottenness.

I hope I haven’t offended anyone; these are just my evangelistic ramblings.

Mrs. Graham

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Proverbs 31:28 - 31



Mrs. Graham, you will be dearly missed. You have set the example. You have shown us what the Proverbs 31 woman looks like in a day where there are very few trying to live up to her example.

Right now you are hearing “Well done, good and faithful servant” and I add a hearty AMEN!

Tell me I didn't just say that!

I think the purpose of this blog has become broadcasting through the entire world wide web how big of an idiot I really am.

Here is another installment of Tricia Is A Dork…

They were having a bake and gift sale at Scottish Rite today, so while A was in class E and I went down to the sale. They have some great stuff because of all their retiree volunteers. I mean! The things these ladies can do with a crochet hook or knitting needles! I obviously still have a lot to learn. But back to the point, my public embarrassment.

The sale is set up with all these tables in the main lobby and it can be a little tight. Scottish Rite specializes in Orthopedic children’s issues, as well as the Dyslexia Lab, so there are many, many people and children in wheel chairs and various walkers/crutches.

Well E and I were passing one of the volunteers who happen to be an elderly lady in a wheelchair. It was the automatic kind. I knew Evelyn was looking at the tables and not where she was going and would run into this lovely lady if not warned. So I kindly, and in a quiet voice, said “Watch where you are going, Honey”.

This lovely lady then said to me in a sweet little voice. “Oh don’t you worry about me, I’ve been driving this thing around for years”.

What a nice little lady; I smiled at her and I think I said something to her about the plethora of baked goods or something equally mundane; then Evelyn and I walked on.

Truly, I did not realize until a good 5 minutes later that that sweet lady in the Wheelchair thought I was telling HER to watch where she was going!!!! I am so slow that it took a good 5 min for my brain to catch up. It was a surreal moment as the scene played itself over in my head and I realized what had happened. I wanted the ground to open up and suck me in! I frantically looked around to see if I could find that lady and apologize, but she was long gone. Just as well actually, because my apology, (AFTER 5 LONG MINUTES) would have probably been incoherent, and if possible, more insulting!

OH MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS!!!

People, they should not let me out of the house!

Pretty!

I found something while I was at Wal-Mart yesterday. I just have to share. First a little background…I have no drinking glasses. There I said it. Martha Stewart is doubling over in pain right now.

My boys have been doing the dishes for years, and the girls are learning now. While this is great because I haven’t done the dishes in years, it has been a little hard on the dishes. When they started we had lots of pretty matching glasses and some nice big chunky green clay plates. I know, typed out like that it sounds really ugly, but trust me they were nice, impractical, but nice.

Through the years the glasses kept breaking and the plates kept chipping. I replaced the glasses with cheap ones from Wal-Mart but those seemed to spontaneously shatter upon entrance to my house. And the plates kept on chipping. Rarely did they break altogether; they just chipped…a lot.

Finally, a year ago I bought new plates. I was so excited. I was also a little worried that I was so excited about the very Correlle that my mother had, that I swore as a teen I’d never, ever own. I do have to say here that her Correlle was ugly. Mine is cute. No matter what she says, it has nothing to do with the time. Hers were and always will be ugly, while mine are and always will be, cute. Just FYI!

Okay, back to the glasses. I finally gave up. We went to cups. I bought a huge assortment of plastic cups in all sorts of summery colors, like; royal blue, puke green and Pepto Bismol Pink. Appetizing, right? Well these cups did not break; they seemed to have grown legs and walked away. Seriously, we were down to about 3 cups. Only 3 of us could drink at a time without having to break out the plastic disposable cups. How sad is that?

Back to my find at Wal-Mart…



See those pretty, chunky glasses with the enticing green ring? THEY ARE NOT GLASS!!! They are acrylic or plastic, or something. But not glass. I am so very excited about these glasses (yes I’m calling them glasses even though they are not glass because they’re to pretty to be cups!)



See how nicely they match my timelessly beautiful Correlle?



So here is a shot at my kitchen table, all set and ready to go. Martha I am not, but it‘s not bad if I do say so myself!

Lest you think I am completely hopeless in the homemaking department. That dark spot you see on one of the chairs is not actually a stain, it is from Gunnar sitting there in his swim shorts, (no matter how many times I tell him...)