Monthly Archives: June 2018

Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone -By Karla

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An Opportunity

 A couple of months ago, my sister Gail asked Donna and I if we wanted to help at an accounting conference she works  during summer months, when we are out of school. Gail has worked the conferences many years, and I knew she put in many hours each day. Honestly, I didn’t know much about what I would be asked to do, but I thought it sounded like a good opportunity to make a little extra money. Lindsey, my oldest daughter who is also a teacher, decided to go as well. With the four of us there, even with all the hard work, I knew we would have fun.

Work, Work, Work

Gail had never stretched the truth about the conference; there was much work to be done. In fact, in five and a half days, we worked 73.5 hours! Now, I am not afraid of hard work, but I do like my sleep. And I did not get enough of it! I think I may have walked the distance to New York and back during the days! God love those patient people! I must have said, “I’m not sure of the answer to that. Hold just a moment, and I will try to find out for you.” I smiled each and every time someone walked to the counter, but inside was thinking, Lord, please let me know that answer to this question.

May I Help the Next Person In Line?

The employer and attendees were wonderful. In the world of teaching, the help I give often yields slow results. Here I received much satisfaction with quickly solving questions. “How do I check-in?” “Where could I find…?” “Will there be a place to check my luggage on Wednesday after I check out of the hotel?” Ninety-five percent of the inquiries ended with a smile on their faces and much gratitude for our help.

Not In Kansas Anymore

Another duty I had was room monitoring. I laughed when I first heard this term because I knew it must have a different meaning than it does in the teaching world. As an education term, room monitoring is used for the adult who makes sure all kids stay in their own rooms on an overnight field trip! My job at the conference was to assist the instructors by contacting someone to help when they had a problem. In addition, I was to hold up my hands giving them a “ten minutes left” signal. Room monitoring required me to walk up to a stranger to initiate a conversation. This skill is a stretch for me; I have a difficult time with my confidence. But after the first few deep breaths and meeting a few instructors, I starting feeling more at ease.

Who Me?

On the third morning of the conference, a lady hobbled over to the counter in a panic. Her eyes were filled with tears. The lady was in much pain after having half pulled off her toenail and cutting her big toe profusely. Several people, including Gail, were helping her as I went on to my monitoring duties. About ten minutes later, Donna came down the hall and said she was about to throw me under the bus. She was asked to take the lady to the nearest urgent care.  Donna’s reply was, “I’m not your best choice. Let me get Karla.” (Donna has many stories as to her lightheadedness that occurs to blood and needles.)

Without thinking, I briskly walked to the front desk, got my keys, and with very brief instructions, headed to get my car.  Upon cranking, it hit me. I cannot navigate myself around in downtown Atlanta! Donna and I both should have gone.  For me to navigate and her to drive. Gracious, this reminds me of the time we tried to look for Doctor’s Hospital Focus, Karla, Focus!  Round and around I spun trying to find my way out of the parking garage. I was struggling with this simple task and I was about to pilot myself on the one-way, construction-filled streets.

Taking Chances

Guessing, I turned right and was thankful when I saw a reassuring sign that I was headed in the right direction to pick up the injured lady and her friend. Hobbling from the wheelchair into my car, we were off. The friend steered me with the right directions while the lady tried to keep some composure. As she was holding back her tears, I thought that I needed to say a prayer for her. Then I wondered if I should ask if I to pray with her.

I do not believe I had offered to pray with many strangers before, but it seemed to come out before I could think. She did not seem to know what to say and stumbled on a few words, but gave me permission. I smiled and shared that I promised to keep my eyes open while I prayed, trying to lighten the moment. I asked God to comfort her and give her a care team that would be knowledgeable and caring. When I finished her friend asked if she knew what the word Amen meant. I smiled as my backseat driver explained. The injured lady begin to calm down a little. I hoped that in my taking another chance, I had planted a seed to help someone desire to know more about Jesus.

The lady’s co-worker and I sat for four hours in the urgent care. While there, I was able to encourage her with situations with her children.

After I dropped both ladies off at their hotel, I realized I would then be left alone to find my way back. Honestly, I surprised myself!  I cannot say that I didn’t make a wrong turn (or did a short reverse on a four lane road), but I can say I did it!

Yep, I took several chances over the last week, worked in an venue very new to me, and made some new friends. In fact, I even took a chance on the pay; I am not totally sure how much I will make!

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Beauties Within -By Karla

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Miss Rebecca

When dance lessons were over, younger sister Julie and I sat outside waiting on Mom. Meanwhile Lynn and Gail, my older two sisters, would still have been in their classes. If my memory serves me correctly, this was a weekly routine for me during the ages of about six through ten. Miss Rebecca taught the younger dance students; but if you were older, you had Miss Melanie.

Miss Rebecca seemed to take pleasure in our young silliness as we wiggled our toes and scampered about on the wooden floor. Her skin shone with its beautiful tan. I longed to be her, though my quest for tanned skin has been a fruitless error over the years. When I played house my name was always Rebecca. Being so little, I only remember bits and pieces of these days.

I believe we tapped (also known as some shoe noise) to a song entitled “Sing, Sing a Song”. (Looking it up this morning, I realized it was originally written for “Sesame Street”, but the Carpenter’s made it famous.) Some flutes and a cheery chorus accompanied them. I remembered the line “don’t worry if it’s not good enough for anyone else to hear; just sing, sing a song”. I think she was trying to help us to enjoy the process of learning. These were such carefree and golden moments.

Miss Melanie

My view of Miss Melanie, was always on the sidelines because our little giggles were not encouraged in her studio. For she was bonding and crafting the artistry of the ballet in her young women. In my tiny eyes, Miss Melanie was a portrait of a ballerina come to life with all her elegance and dignity. The girls under her tutelage were transforming into graceful swans.

During the years that I peeked into her dance academy (also known as the old YMCA transformed into a make-shift conservatory), the young ladies were twirling into young adults by way of pirouettes and demi plie’s.  A few girls other than my sisters, were mastering the arabesque in their toe shoes.

Oh, how I longed for that moment. In her jazz classes, the lyrics, Do the Hussle came to life. I would stand in the hallway trying to pick up her instructions and be one of the older girls.  I think I had a better chance imitating a jazz dancer than a graceful older ballerina.

Kathryn and Stella Kate

Last week, I watched two of my great nieces who are four, in their own ballet recital. The theme of the recital was Beauty and the Beast. The older girls acted out the movie with the rehearsed dances shuffled throughout. Their instructor Roseanne took dance with Lynn and Gail. She had lovingly labored over the skills, organization, props, and stage presence vital in pulling off a show of such magnitude.

Personally speaking, I watched two giggling and timely-clumsy, four-year-old girls having the time of their lives. Shy and stubborn in their own ways, my little nieces pointed and twirled in their own little world. Their performances delighted the audience. I couldn’t help thinking, how like me all those years ago, these girls were learning to be confident and graceful.

True Beauty

At the all-important moment in the drama when Beauty and the Beast dance, a group of girls sauntered onto the stage. Beauty and the Beast were in the background while these cuties were twirling their rehearsed dance. I noticed two of the girls were older. I realized their dance was a little different. They likely had some special needs.

The recital’s themes, beauty is far below skin-level, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and everyone God created is beautiful, was magnified at that moment.

And my eyes were filled with tears from their beauty.

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Chivalry: Calling all Gentlemen–by Donna

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Sunday after church I headed to Kroger for a few groceries. As I pulled into a parking spot one of my favorite songs came out of the speakers. So I decided to just sit a spell and enjoy it before fighting the crowd. While humming along, suddenly I was jolted. I looked up and a man in a huge white truck had pulled in the space in front of me, hitting my car! He glanced at me, crawled out his door, and headed into the store. I sat speechless for a moment. Getting out, I walked to the front and saw our vehicles pressing together. I backed my car up, then got out again to see if there was damage.  All clear, but I was perturbed. How about, at least, an “I’m sorry.”  I wanted to pull his UGA tag off and write “Roll Tide!”

Old Fashioned Girl

Last week I was carrying a rocking chair from one end of the school to the other. A man (who does not work at our school) came around the corner and was heading in the same direction. As I toted the full-size rocker, he carried on a pleasant conversation. In my head I was thinking, Really, you aren’t going to offer to carry this chair for me?  He walked three long halls with me before saying, “Where are you taking that?” Finally! But to my dismay, he just kept talking, and I just kept carrying the chair.

Maybe I’m an old fashioned girl, but it seems to me that true gentlemen are becoming few and far between. Granted there are women who say, “I can carry this, I don’t need your help.” But ladies still exist who want the gesture, because it makes them feel respected.

Last summer I was leaving the Dollar General with my arms loaded. As I fought with the door, pushing it with my hip, and balancing the items that were about to fall, I looked up and saw a man standing on the sidewalk staring me down.  I thought to myself, If that were my daddy, and he saw a lady in this predicament he would rush over and hold the door.

Gentlemen

I was raised by a gentleman, who was raised by a gentleman, who was raised by a gentleman…. Maybe that is why I expect no less of my boys. When incidents like these happen to me, my boys get to hear me preach. A chivalrous man offers to help because he has manners, not because it is required, or he feels she is inferior. If you are a mother of a boy, I encourage you to teach them to be a true gentleman. Some ladies will appreciate their chivalry and your son will feel pride in helping them.

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Humor: Who Does This?–Written by the Fly on the wall

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Who Does This? –written by the fly on the wall

Over the years, I have been on the wall of houses, churches, dorms, restaurants, hotels, and stores. But, one of the most entertaining spots to watch these two is from the dashboard of a car. And it was no different three weeks ago:

While teaching kindergarten all week, Donna struggled with the spring crud, was on Prednisone, and had not slept well for days. Her daughter Emily’s play lasted much longer than expected. She didn’t get in bed until 1:00, and she woke at 4:30am!

Meanwhile in Dalton, Karla taught all week and kept three kids under the age of six at night, sleeping on the couch with a four-year-old at times.

Glenn Burns had predicted a torrential downpour for the Saturday Travis, Donna’s son, was to move home from college. Donna texted Karla to mention she would be driving to West Virginia and back in one day because Travis’ stuff would get soaked in the bed of his truck. Of course, she was up for the ride.

Early Morning

“Want to take my car, better gas mileage, and we can use the dual air so you won’t freeze and I won’t fry?”  Not a good idea, Ladies!

Arriving at Karla’s destination, Donna grabbed her meds, and as usual headed to the driver’s seat of Karla’s car, readjusted the seat, and the mirror as Karla began hauling out the three car seats.  Think about what you are doing!

Donna announced, “Don’t ask me how much sleep I got last night.”

Karla replied, “Don’t ask me either.”  Oh, this is gonna be bad. I’ve seen them with little sleep. The silliness will be kicking in extra early.

A Slow Start

Only twenty minutes into the trip, Karla’s stomach growled. With chicken minis and a large iced tea, they plopped into the seat and started down the road once more. The lid was not securely fastened and Karla turned it up to drink. “Ahhh! Half this large tea just poured in my lap and ran down between my legs!” Well, this will prove to be a sticky situation for fourteen hours.

Noticing the gas light was in the red, they stopped. As Donna pumped, Karla went to the outside bathroom. “When you go into that bathroom, take your phone, and take a picture of that sign on the door!” Karla laughed.

After Donna relieved herself, she came out smiling, “Really, who’s gonna get hit by a car when you step out of the bathroom!” Then Karla sprawled out against the car pretending to be the stick figure getting smashed on the metal sign. Seriously, Karla, do you realize people see you draped across the hood of the car!

“We are crazy; we should have taken your car!  Do you realize when we get to Dalton, we will have to switch all Travis’ stuff from my car to yours!” I tried to tell you to think about this; I hope it’s not still raining when you transfer it tonight.

Entertainment

Around Knoxville, the car radio went silent! This will not be good; they cannot survive without songs for karaoke.

“Oh my, gosh!  How are we going to travel a 14-hour trip without music!”

“Plug in my phone and pick something.” Karla started scrolling through Donna’s Pandora saved stations: Conway Twitty, Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang, Johnny Horton, Frank Sinatra, Anne Murray, Contemporary Christian, Blue Grass, Hall-n-Oats…“ Who has this variety?

“Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang it is.” And they immediately broke into chorus, “Oh, you pretty Chitty, Bang, Bang.” I’ve been listening to them sing this for years. I remember them forcing their college friends to watch the movie.

“Here comes the long tunnel through the mountain!  Let’s see if we can hold our breath the whole way. Ready, Set, Go!” They look like chipmunks storing food in their cheeks. And they will do it three more times. This will be the only quite time I get.

“Need a pit stop!”  As Karla entered the stall, she had to peel her jeggings off the back of her legs that had been glued from the sugary tea. That’s got to hurt, and that’s just gross!

West Virginia

Arriving in the school parking lot, they had to wait for Travis to finish with his room inspection. Karla asked, “Do you care if I take a quick nap. I can’t keep my eyes open.” This doesn’t ever happen when they are together.  She is really tired.

“Sure, I don’t need your continuous chatter; the radio’s working again.” Donna sneered in her sarcastic way. So, while Karla passed out for about 15 minutes, Donna amused herself by watching and listening to a male student attempting to stuff the rest of his dorm room overflow into his car. When it was obvious to him this endeavor would fail, he became the local auctioneer. “Ten dollars, just ten dollars for this chair! It won’t fit; need to sale!” He continued to beg his fellow dormsmen as they walked by. “Super comfortable. It’s a great chair!” I know Donna, she is wondering if she has a ten and where she can use that chair! Finally, a dude with a spare dollar or two was the new owner of a well-used chair.

Georgia Bound

With Travis’ truck and the car loaded, they were off leading the way. Upon leaving the school they accidentally went the wrong direction. That is the story of their lives! Travis, even knowing they were in the wrong, followed without question. They realized quickly and turned southbound heading for home.    

The radio continued to provide background music for their giggles for about 50 miles. Until a thudding sound, and it was out again. At some point soon, they will start looking up random people on the internet. Last time it was Michael Landon from Little House on the Prairie!

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

When another song from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang began playing, they both simultaneously chimed in, “You’re my little Chu-chi face; my coo-chi, coo-chi, woo-chi little chu-chi face…”  Who else knows all the words to this song? After the song was sung with the upmost dramatics, the singing turned into questions as they searched the internet for the characters from the movie. I knew that was coming.  With no need to investigate Dick Van Dyke, they turned to Jemima and Jeremy Potts finding that she lives in an eco-village in the UK while he resides in England working as the Head of Production for a prestigious acting school.

The music to the doll song from Chitty, Chitty came out of the speakers. Oh, no. Donna began stiffly moving her arms and singing “turning around like a music box that’s wound by a key,” and Karla began flailing her arms like a rag-time doll while singing, “Truly Scrumptious.”  For the next five minutes, they continued to act out the scene of Truly Scrumptious and Caractacus Potts the best a driver and rider could. Hands on the wheel please. And you ladies look absolutely ridiculous to the people passing by! Who does that?

“Do you know who played the toy maker?  Benny Hill,” Karla spouted out before even waiting for an answer!  “Did you know this year is the 50th anniversary of the movie!”  Now they are going to want to celebrate this milestone in the near future; movie night with popcorn and Goobers!

“Ooh!  Look up the evil child catcher!” And they found him to have been a very famous Austrian ballet dancer, whose agile movements actually came-in-handy during a near death experience as his child-jail-carriage spun out of control.  There were a few disturbing rumors about him as well.

Evening

As the day moved into evening, they continued their profound researching to discover that Conway Twitty has a son, Michael Twitty who performs concerts and sings his songs.  “And wouldn’t it be fun to take Aunt Anna to see him!” Then they commenced to find a concert for a cousin/aunt trip in the near future. And now they will start singing, “Hello Darlin’.” Yep, I told you.

Needing a bathroom as all 50-year-old ladies do, they took an exit for a potty break, gas fill-up, and food fill-up.  Travis chose McDonald’s, so they ordered oatmeal! Oatmeal from McDonalds’ at this hour?

As they gobbled oats, a man wearing a Cracker Barrel uniform came in, ordered and began to eat. With Cracker Barrel being their favorite restaurant, they looked at each other, whispering loudly. “What is he thinking! You work there, and you eat here! He is insane! Look the TV is playing the old Lawrence Welk show!”  They got up, went to stand, and watch the TV on the wall. People are staring. Poor Travis.

As they arrived back where Donna’s car was waiting, although exhausted, they had to swap all the stuff from one car to another in the rain. I told you so!

“I’ve watched these two for many years, and this is the normal for them. This was actually a mild trip. Perhaps, many people would think they were strange, and say “Who does that?”  My answer is, “two cousins, who enjoy life, and I am glad I was along for the ride!”

For your enjoyment,click on the link to hear Doll on a Music Box! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbX3ZSr43KA

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