Yup.
* * *
From:
Thomas Huckleberry
To:
Jordan and Becky
Subject:
Re: Uh-oh
* * *
So, can’t you help me out? Talk to Dulcie for me…sort of feel her out, see exactly how mad she is…get her to let off some steam so it’s safe for me to talk to her? Something?
* * *
From:
Jordan and Becky
To:
Thomas Huckleberry
Subject:
Re: Uh-oh
* * *
Nope. Sorry. Loyalty to my gender forces me to let you handle this one on your own, bro. Good luck.
Becky
* * *
From:
P. Lorimer
To:
“Green Eggs and Ham”
Subject:
He forgot?
* * *
Oh, that’s just pathetic. With the entire U.S. flooded with chintzy cupids, pink and red greeting cards, and obnoxious jewelry commercials, how in the world did he forget? What are you going to do, Dulcie?
Phyllis
* * *
From:
Zelia Muzuwa
To:
“Green Eggs and Ham”
Subject:
Re: He forgot?
* * *
Oh, it will only take once, I assure you. Tristan is like a trained elephant now when it comes to holidays and celebrations. Forgot one time…and never did it again.
You know why? I “heaped burning coals on his head.” :) He forgot our first anniversary, so the next weekend, I surprised him with the most romantic two days of his life. Everything I could think of that I knew he’d like, all the sweet little details that make a getaway memorable. And, at the end, I presented him with an anniversary clock, so he’d never forget again. He’s been as good as gold ever since.
Z
* * *
From:
Dulcie Huckleberry
To:
“Green Eggs and Ham”
Subject:
Re: He forgot?
* * *
That’s a great idea, Z. And thanks to Rosalyn’s topic on the loop, I have plenty of ideas on how to romance my poor, absentminded hubby. Hmm…you girls want to help me plan it out?
Dulcie
* * *
From:
The Millards
To:
“Green Eggs and Ham”
Subject:
Re: Romancing Tom
* * *
Good for you, Dulcie-girl! I’m so proud of you! Hey, I’m attaching a list of inexpensive romantic ideas I got at a church marriage conference. Hope that helps.
Jocelyn
* * *
From:
Zelia Muzuwa
To:
Dulcie Huckleberry
Subject:
Your address?
* * *
Hey, Dulcie,
I need your address. I want to overnight something to you. My parents gave me a gift certificate this Christmas for the Cheesecake Factory. I don’t really care for cheesecakes, and Tristan is lactose intolerant, which makes eating there virtually pointless, in my opinion! So I want you to have our certificate. There’s a Cheesecake Factory in Kansas City, so you should be able to use it if you want.
Love,
Z
* * *
From:
Dulcie Huckleberry
To:
“Green Eggs and Ham”
Subject:
You guys!
* * *
You are all so sweet! Z, how can I ever thank you for the gift certificate? We’ve never been able to afford to go to the Cheesecake Factory, but I just know we’ll love it. And the rest of you…all the great ideas, the help in planning, everything. Thank you!
Dulcie
* * *
From:
Brenna L.
To:
Dulcie Huckleberry
Subject:
Schedule
* * *
Okay, Dulcie, here you go. Attached is the schedule for the weekend. But I don’t think I put on there to take the girls to Marianne’s house, so make sure you remember to get them there by 9 a.m. on Friday, so you have plenty of time to get to KC. Have fun!
Brenna
* * *
From:
Thomas Huckleberry
To:
Dulcie Huckleberry
Subject:
Are you okay?
* * *
Dulcie,
I’ve been trying to call you all week. Are you screening your calls? Please, honey, I’m so sorry. Please talk to me. I’d come home this afternoon, but I don’t exactly want to, unless you say it’s okay. I know I screwed up big time. It’s almost 5 here, so I’ll be leaving soon. If I don’t hear from you by 7 or so, I guess I’ll just stick around here for the weekend.
You know what? I just glanced out my window and I thought for sure I saw your car. Looked just like it. See, I’m so distraught, I’m starting to hallucinate. Wait…that is you! You’re getting out of that car! What are you
* * *
From:
Dulcie Huckleberry
To:
“Green Eggs and Ham”
Subject:
Sunday Night Report
* * *
Well, I’m home. But, I’ll just say this:
You’re right, Z. He won’t EVER forget again. *big, impish grin*
Good night, my friends. Sweet dreams. I know mine will be….
Blissfully,
Dulcie
* * *
From:
VIM
To:
Rosalyn Ebberly
Subject:
My children
* * *
They’re driving me nuts, Ros! They are spoiled rotten, and it’s partly my fault. Carmen, the nanny, gives them whatever they want, and Frank and I do, too. We just feel so guilty because it seems there’s never enough time to spend with them, and the poor things have been through so much already. Then Mama and Daddy are constantly sending them “care packages” full of sweets and toys. At least y’all don’t have to deal with that problem! Lucky you. I know I need to toughen up, but it’s hard—I’m not their “real” mama, after all. If only I could get more organized, maybe there would be more time. I do it at work…why can’t I do it at home? But there ya go…
* * *
From:
Rosalyn Ebberly
To:
SAHM I Am
Subject:
[SAHM I AM] TOTW February 21: Producing Wise Children
* * *
Steadfast Shepherds,
Proverbs 13:1 says, “A wise son accepts his father’s discipline, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.”
This week, let’s talk about how to raise wise children—ones who appreciate the value of discipline and who listen to the counsel of their parents. As SAHMs, we have primary responsibility during most of the day for training our children. What struggles do you have in the area of discipline?
The most important thing to remember is that you cannot discipline your children until you have self-discipline. So think for a moment—are you controlling your own appetites and impulses? How’s the binge eating? What about sleeping in late each morning? Are you having your quiet time daily? Are you taking care of your appearance, or lazing around in leggings and your husband’s old flannel shirts all day? Did you exercise this week?
So please share how you are doing in the area of discipline—either for yourself or your little ones.
Respectfully,
Rosalyn Ebberly
SAHM I Am Loop Moderator
“She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.”
Proverbs 31:27 (NASB)
* * *
From:
Dulcie Huckleberry
To:
“Green Eggs and Ham”
Subject:
Re: [SAHM I AM] TOTW February 21: Producing Wise Children
* * *
Well, I’d never admit this to the whole loop, especially in front of Rosalyn, but a little self-discipline is going a long way for me. Since starting Jocelyn’s good-carb, good-fat thing last month, I’ve already lost fifteen pounds! I’m so happy! This is the first thing I’ve ever tried that has actually worked. I’m still not thrilled when I look in the mirror, but it doesn’t hurt my eyes quite so much. Look out, Wedding—you aren’t going to humiliate me after all! I don’t even feel like I’m on a diet. Actually, I sorta like it better than how I was eating…Even Tom noticed this past weekend. Of course, I totally cheated at the Cheesecake Factory, but it was worth it. Yummmmm…
So, I guess according to our esteemed and revered Loop Moderator, I’m just about ready to tackle disciplining my kiddos. Good thing, too, ’cause they are driving me CRAZY THIS MORNING!
Haley found a marker and scribbled all over the face on McKenzie’s favorite doll. McKenzie grabbed a wooden spoon from their kitchen set and proceeded to paddle Haley’s bottom.
Not to be outdone by her sisters, Aidan had to pull a few shenanigans, too. I went upstairs to find she had climbed the cabinet over the toilet and was sitting on top of the cabinet, about seven feet off the floor, with the toilet seat up, picking Cheerios off a yarn necklace and dropping them into the toilet. I choked back a scream, worried that I might scare her into falling. When she saw me, she waved enthusiastically and tossed down another Cheerio.
“I go pee-pee!” she cried, flinging little round O’s into the water. Several had by now become waterlogged, swelled right up like mushy-looking mini-bagels that disintegrated as new Cheerios rippled the water. Disgusting!
I put the lid down, which brought a wail of protest. So I quickly hopped up on the toilet seat and carefully removed my now-squalling little monkey from her perch. After sound spankings all around, the three of them are currently slouched in front of the TV like inanimate rag dolls, watching Sesame Street. I know I shouldn’t use the TV to babysit, but after the toilet cabinet scare, I needed a break!
Dulcie
* * *
From:
Zelia Muzuwa
To:
“Green Eggs and Ham”
Subject:
Re: Dulcie’s Morning
* * *
None of my kids was particularly fond of heights, but Seamus did entice Griffith once to crawl into the dryer. Had the door closed and was just about to turn the machine on when I caught him. He couldn’t sit down for two weeks after that little incident. He claimed Griffith wanted to know how clothes get dry, and all he was doing was demonstrating. That little rascal! You know, he’s growing up awfully fast. Sometimes I almost miss those days…
Boy, you gals make me lonely for my kids. At least Griffith is home during the afternoon to keep me company. And we’re working as fast as we can on the adoption. We found this great little Ethiopian restaurant, and we decided that every time we reach another adoption milestone, we’re going to go out and celebrate at the restaurant. We went there when our application was accepted by our agency, and we’re planning to go again in a few weeks when we complete the paperwork for our home-study.
Speaking of…did you know they want to know everything about us for the home-study? We got this “family survey” we have to fill out. It’s basically nine pages of long essay questions, and Tristan and I have to answer them separately. Of course, we’re comparing answers to make sure they match! But I just about died when I saw number seven: “Please describe your satisfaction with your sex life and explain why you feel that way.”
What’s up with that? Why on earth could it possibly be important for a social worker to know about my sex life? And then to have to explain why? You should have seen Tristan’s face when he read it. I’ve never seen his eyes get so big! :) And his answer was so cute: “I am well-satisfied with my sex life. I feel that way because it is so.”
My answer, you ask? Nope, not gonna tell you. (Actually, that’s because it wasn’t even as interesting as Tristan’s. I can joke about stuff like that okay, but to put it down in writing for a case worker to read? Ugh!)
Anyway, we’re just waiting for Tristan’s birth certificate to arrive from England and then we can turn in our paperwork. A couple weeks after that, we should have our first meeting with our home-study lady. I can’t decide if I’m more excited or nervous about that….
Z
* * *
From:
VIM
To:
Rosalyn Ebberly
Subject:
Housekeeper!
* * *
Ros,
Frank got me a housekeeper! I don’t know why we didn’t do it sooner—all our friends have one. But it has helped so much. She comes once a week, bless her heart, and I can count on every Monday coming home from work to find a house looking as clean as Houston air after a toad choaker. Don’t matter if I tump over a can of Coke or a whole carton of eggs, it all looks better than sliced bread after she leaves. I can’t imagine how she gets everything so shining in such a short time. It’s wonderful!
Sure enough, I doubt you have a problem keeping your house clean, being home all the time. Must be nice. But still…it’s too bad y’all can’t afford a housekeeper, just to make life easier for you. Remember how we both hated our chores growing up? I don’t think I’ll ever be able to go back to doing it myself ever again. So there ya go.
Ronnie
* * *
From:
Rosalyn Ebberly
To:
SAHM I Am
Subject:
[SAHM I AM] TOTW March 7: Tips for Efficient Household Organization and Management
* * *
Dear Domestic Darlings,
Spring is just around the corner, and it’s time to consider one of the most rewarding, satisfying activities of the year: spring cleaning! :) But in our enthusiasm for transforming our cozy winter burrow into a sparkling, fresh and well-organized spring garden, it is easy for some people to dive right in without the proper preparation or forethought. This will cause a chaotic mayhem that will create tension and stress in your family, instead of peaceful efficiency that gives a feeling of security and well-being to all who enter your pleasant abode.
Here is a quote from one of my favorite books on household organization: Domestic Bliss Begins with “DO” by Dustin Scrubb. Written, surprisingly, by a man, this little gem is packed with excellent advice for us SAHMs.
“The well-organized home is a pleasing fragrance to God. He is a God of order and proper design. Anything that is not orderly or properly designed, then, is of Satan. We must avoid at all costs allowing our home to become the tool of our spiritual enemy. He would love to use your cluttered closets, your dusty bookshelves, the dust bunnies under the bed, and your inability to find your shoes as an opportunity to sow dissention and disharmony in your family.
“But where to start reclaiming your home? First, you must confess the sin of d
isorderliness. Until you repent of your cluttered heart and disorganized soul, you will never be able to make a lasting difference in your house.
SAHM I Am Page 20
