I always take the month of July off to be home with my kids during the summer. So far, it’s been a bust! Well, it’s not been all bad. Parker, my youngest son, made All-Stars and we’ve won every tournament so far. This Sunday, we leave for the State tournament in Chattanooga! All good stuff—right? During the break, we’ve had some time to go swimming and do other fun summer activities. That’s when the bad stuff began.
Before we could put on our suites, lather our skin with sunscreen, and shout a hardy “Hee-Haw,” Parker came down with Chickenpox’s! It’s been the weirdest thing. It took the doctor forever to diagnosis him since he had the vaccination as a toddler. But the fact is…its Chickenpox’s. He’s got a light case, but they’ve made him pretty sick nonetheless.
To add to the summer fun, Pat, my husband, had out-patience surgery last Monday. He planned it so it wouldn’t interfere with work or Parker’s games. How does that saying go…. “Life is what happens to you while you’re planning for it.” That’s how it works for me anyway.
The very night of Pat’s surgery, his assistant ended up in the hospital with a stone he couldn’t pass. He had to have emergency laser surgery. Pat ended up doing both jobs this week—in pain, without sleep, and working until 8:00 every night. He even went in Sunday night and worked a few hours—and on the 4th, too! While I wish his assistant good health and a fast recovery…it’s been a bummer around here.
To easy my boredom from being cooped up with two sick boys the only two weeks I’ve had free this summer, I’ve become addicted to freezer-pops! I eat about 5 a day! My lips are cracked from sucking the juice out of the bottom of the plastic. So far, blue is my favorite!
Just when it couldn’t get crazier, this morning topped it off. I took Peyton, my daughter, to school to find out why we’ve yet to receive her report card. It turned out to be a $3.00 library fee. But that’s not the topper.
On the way to school and out of nowhere, a bird flew into the grill of my car! What kind of bird gets hit by a car?? Seriously, don’t they usually fly away? Perhaps the chemicals we use on our lawns these days are affecting the birds. I dunno but something made this bird a bit on the slow side. Peyton and I debated whether he was slow mentally or physically. (You know…either he just couldn’t flap his wings fast enough or he said to himself, “hum…a car is coming. I guess I better fly away…splat!) Poor thing! Now, I have to live with guilt!
When we got to the school, the bird was hanging half in and half out of the grill. I thought to myself…I hope it was a quick death. Then, I said to Peyton, “I wish I had a stick.” (Thinking I would flick the bird out of the grill!)
Peyton responded, “Like this one?” picking up a stick from the ground.
“Yeah.” I replied. Then, she poked the bird and it fell into the grill!!
“Oops!” she said with a sheepish giggle. Now I’ve got a dead bird IN my car!! I gave her the death glare. You know the one…it’s wired into a mother’s DNA.
This was no little bird. It was a full adult size bird! I panicked and called Pat at work demanding he get the bird out of my grill before the stench of death invaded my car!! My drama did nothing to faze him. He was too busy to leave work and rescue me so I had to bring the car to him!
(I want to make it clear that I love animals of all sorts and have nearly killed myself before trying to keep from running over them with the car. However, I’m not fond of dead animals. They give me the creeps!)
When I got to Pat’s office, he and three other men came out to see Big Bird trapped in the grill of my car. But there was no bird. Only two white feathers resting at the bottom of grill testified to my horrific morning! Best we can tell, the bird fell out while I drove to his office. Pat joked that I had snuck one of his pain pills and imagined the whole thing! Peyton vouched for me though. “No.” she said. “I got the death glare. And believe me. It was real. I have the scar to prove it!” What an imagination! I don’t know where she gets it!
Carol Davis says
Bless your heart! I am SO sorry. We have a phrase around our house that might come in handy…
“hockin’ jewel.” It’s a more updated version of “Aw, shucks!” The week that you have had… definitely calls for a big ol “hockin’ jewel!!”
Sharon Sloan - Joy In The Truth says
Oh, Micca! I have to say, the way you write all of this, your sense of handling this with humor is amazing. I am refreshed by your wonderful attitude.
Truly, I pray HE just shows you His faithfulness and provision over and over and over. May this July be a beautiful time of unexpected blessings and memories for you and your family!
I wish I lived closer….I’d bring by a meal or two! 🙂
Hugs,
Sharon
Digging for Pearls says
I will be praying for your family Micca! Thanks for the sweet comments on my blog. It means a lot to me!
Blessings,
Pearls
Jerralea says
Micca,
Join the club! I once hit a bird on the way to a Khoury League game. It was a yellow bird and it was stuck in my grill also. One of the fathers at the game saw it and has teased me ever since by calling me “tweety killer.”
I’m like you, I thought birds were supposed to fly out of the way?
elaine @ peace for the journey says
Now that got an out-loud laugh from me. I desperately needed one, and can I just say…
come on August!!!! I’m over it, really I am.
peace~elaine
Lelia Chealey says
OH what a ride! God’s just giving you more material for your talks! 🙂 You have such a great sense of humour!
Hope all is well soon and you can have fun again!
Rebecca Ingram Powell says
only you, girl, only you!
Charlene Kidd says
Micca,
I am so sorry for all the challenges you are facing. My bruises and road burn pale in comparison. I do hope your week turns around and ends better than it started.
Angela @ Refresh My Soul Blog says
Oh girl what a time. So sorry. Atleast it gives you more funny stories to share! 🙂
Lifting prayers.
Much love,
Angela