Friday, August 29, 2008

Surviving

Thankfully the boys returned safely today from their trip to Idaho for Will's dad's funeral, which was held Thursday. They took off brght and early Wednesday morning. Craig was the first one to go out and put things in the trunk - and he lost the key before he returned to the car for his next trip. So we were all searching the driveway and the garage and the house for this key. Fortunately I had a spare. That did not inspire much confidence in sending three boys off on a 500 mile trip. They had a good time bonding together and really enjoyed time with their McAnulty relatives. Will comes home on Sunday.

I haven't had time to miss him much, in fact he might be slightly annoyed about the long hours I'm working if he were home. We didn't have time to rearrange any office furniture today. How silly, to think on the day before school starts we would have time for something unrelated to student registration or schedules.

Today the fire alarm people were testing the new alarms they have been installing for the past week. The new alarm is a shrill yet vibrating, ear-splitting shriek, on a few seconds, off a second, repeat, and a piercing flashing light as well. I determined I would sit and work in spite of the din. By the time it was over, people had pretty much left the building, even though they knew it was just a test. In the afternoon, they warned us they would be testing it again, for 20 to 30 minutes. I knew I had already reached my limit, so I changed our voice mail message, put a "Closed til 2:15 for fire alarm testing" sign on the door, grabbed some paperwork and headed next door to West Albany High School, where we sat in the student lounge to work. We got a lot done over there, working without any interuptions. We were tempted to play hooky. But as always, we resisted tempation and headed back to let in the crowd of people who had gathered.

It is time to go to bed.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Funny Helen

One warm summer day a couple of years ago, Helen had been working hard. It was afternoon, she was tired and just felt like putting her feet up. I couldn't believe it when I turned around and saw her! After I laughed awhile, I got out the camera.
Tomorrow after the office closes, we will remove her belongings from her desk, take down the pictures of her family, the drawings and cards given to her by students and her grandchildren that are stuck all over the front of her desk, and put them in a box to give to her family. We will rearrange the office furniture, because no one wants to sit in the great lady's spot. We have had some discussions about how to rearrange, and I thought it would be fun to put a loveseat in the corner where a huge plant is overtaking the room. Wouldn't it be great to have a place to put your feet up and relax, or sit and visit in Helen's honor? I think our boss might be worried that we are serious about it....We'll keep her guessing as long as we can.
Helen enjoyed rearranging furniture, and I've heard the story of how she and the counselling secretary were rearranging the office one year while registration was going on. I can just imagine it. She was very spontaneous.
On the first day of school next Tuesday, our office will look different, but we want it to be a place where her memory and her passion for people are always honored. We are pondering ideas of how to make that happen.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Helen

How do you even begin to express how it feels to lose a friend/co-worker like Helen Kauffman – someone you have shared office space with for eight years, eight hours a day, five days a week, 11 months out of the year.

Someone who laughed and kept you laughing all throughout the day, whose rich laughter could be heard all the way down the hall.

Someone who found stress relief in the houseplant section at Fred Meyer. Sometimes just browsing was enough, but purchasing a new plant was always sure to lift her spirits. In fact, I'm not sure she could even stop by Fred Meyer without checking out the plant department. There was always room for one more plant on her desk.

Someone who unconditionally loved those who were especially unlovable, people who I often would have preferred to ignore so they would go away.

Someone who deeply felt the hurts of others and would greatly inconvenience herself to do anything she could to help.

Someone who loved and cared for her own children and grandchildren above all else – but had plenty of love left over to spoil my own children and any child in the vicinity.

Someone who called everyone “Honey” and “Sweetheart”, even her bosses!

Someone who thrived on having the staff crowd around her desk after school, asking her to order this and take care of that. Someone who loved to nurture them and made them feel like part of the family.

Someone who was crazy about babies and animals, and gushed extravagantly with no inhibitions over both.

Someone who could drive me crazy sometimes when there was pressing work to do in the office, but she was busy counseling a child or deep in conversation with a staff or family member....or repotting a plant in the middle of the office, getting dirt everywhere. Sometimes she would realize it and apologize for "slacking". On a good day, I might reply something like, "It's OK, Mary, you've got Martha here to take care of it!" We would laugh about it together. I really want to be more like Mary.

Someone who, like me, was often stubborn and opinionated, but always forgave and forgot when I messed up.

Someone who made going to work so interesting and fun, because you just never knew what kind of crazy thing she might do or say.

Someone who firmly believed that chubby people should accept themselves just the way they are. Someone who believed that I was perhaps getting too thin. (I told you she could be crazy, didn't I?! But see why I love her so much!)

Someone who will never come back and be my amazing partner, “the nice one”, “the one who looks like a grandma”.

Someone who stubbornly refused to let cancer steal her joy, who tenaciously clung to her belief that God could heal, who fought with everything she had to live her normal life of service to others in spite of the pain and fatigue that became her constant companions. Someone whose courage and persistance was an inspiration and source of amazement to those around her.

Someone who was supposed to work this year to welcome her grandson to 6th grade and then retire, with a huge crazy hilarious party at the end of the year, an occasion for which I had been filing away pictures and stories.

Someone who I miss terribly. Someone who leaves a huge hole in our school and in my life.

Someone who was an outstanding example of these words from Philippians 2. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. "

That was Helen Kauffman.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

What a Week

A week ago I was very concerned about my friend, our office manger Helen Kauffman, who was fiercely battling cancer since her diagnosis in June 2007. She had been growing weaker but continued to come to work at least a couple of hours a day. She was at work Monday but fell that night and reluctantly stayed home the next day due to the pain she was experiencing. Wednesday she said she would try to come in a couple of hours late, but we convinced her it was ok to stay home. She felt terrible about missing work during such a busy time, getting ready for registration. Thursday she felt even worse. Sunday night I got word from her family that they did not expect her to be able to return to work at all. She rapidly declined, and when I visited her Tuesday afternoon I hardly recognized her. But I was able to talk to her for just a minute before she went back to sleep. The reality that even the indomitable Helen Kauffman would not be able to bounce back from this really hit me then. She went to be with Jesus about 5:30 Wednesday evening. My principal, assistant principal and I were still at work so we got on the phone to notify staff and former staff.

The next day Will got a call that his dad is very ill and not expected to last very long. He had the trailer all loaded with food and supplies for a father/son camping weekend, so he was all ready to hook up and head to Idaho (without the boys). He is still there, spending his days at his father's bedside.

So it has been a very busy and emotional week, with many long hours spent at work. Students continue to register and preparations must be made for staff to return next week and students to return the week after, so there is much to be done as we grieve her loss. Helen loved and was loved by all who knew her. She touched many lives and leaves a huge hole at our school. God has blessed us with awesome staff who are helping out. An office manager who retired from another middle school is willing to sub in our office until someone is hired. Her help will lighten my load so much, and I am so thankful.

I will write a tribute to this great lady after I have time to get my thoughts in order.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Eric's Haircut

On the way to church this morning I sat in the back seat (so that Eric could have the leg room in the front), looking at Eric's long disheveled hair and trying not to make another negative comment about it. As I silently bit my tongue and resisted the temptation to finger comb it, Eric announced that he would like a haircut today. I made plans to do it immediately after church. He informed me that he and Nick were going out to a field to take some "rock star" photos first.

That might make a nice album cover.
But I like this one better. Nick did an excellent job on photography.
Eric told me he wanted it short in back and just long enough to be messy on top. I was startled to see it spiked when he came down from the shower. He assured me it wouldn't be a daily 'do. I would have cut it shorter if I would have known that was on the agenda! He even went and shaved the area between the goatee and sideburns so that he could spend one day being clean cut. Should have got a picture of that to treasure in case it never happens again.
What a funny kid!

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Pictures from Reunion

I'm overdue to share some pictures of the Oswald Reunion in July. Here's the main reason we have the reunion, the beloved aunts and uncles who remain with us. My mom's brother Ves and his wife Jan on are on the left, her sister Dorla and husband Tilman on the right. We deeply missed mom's sister Jeannine and her husband Lester, who both went to their heavenly reward this past year. And my Aunts Margie and Twila were unable to come, so we missed them too. But the family who came together had a wonderful time.
Apparently Scott and Becky were pretty excited to be at the front of the buffet line.
Saturday afternoon was warm, and after our softball game, many folks young and old took advantage of the tubes provided for floating the creek. Here's Melissa and Tamarick with Becky Boone in the background.
Some of us who didn't float hung around down there in the shade awaiting their return. Isn't Jenna cute sitting on her daddy's shoulders!
Simon was so proud to wear his new fishing vest, recently outgrown by his cousin Nick and sold to him at the auction.
Jenna and Lucy are independent young ladies - check out Jenna's flip flops! She actually walked around in them like that!
That's all for now.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Softball Tongue Wagging

Once again I choose to demonstrate my great humility and lack of pride. Tonight our softball team (last place) was scheduled to play the first place team (Grace Bible) in the playoffs. Only 6 of our players showed up. Sadly, Nick couldn't come because Taco Bell claimed him first. The other team had about 18 players, so we forfeited the game, and then some of their players joined us in a just-for-fun game. They were a good group and we did have a lot of fun. Will didn't bother to keep score, he engaged in photography instead. I was shocked and appalled to view pictures of three separate at-bats that all showed me with my tongue out. I will spare you and show only one of them.
However, notice the halo-like glow around my head. I had no idea I had such an aura.
Now, I have been aware all my life that I have an uncontrollable tongue. It comes out when I read, write, sew, play piano, type, work in the yard, etc., etc. I did not realize that it also came out when I was engaged in athletic activities. Even standing way out in right field, (where, as the weakest link, I always stand alert and ready) the photo showed the tongue out.
Looking at all the pictures Will took that revealed some rather peculiar stances, I think we might be able to make a book or video, "How not to play softball". I fear to think what he might post on his Facebook. But he does it in love. He thinks I'm cute.

Craig, on the other hand, is a fantastic ball player. He even smiles when he's running the bases. I might smile too if I hit triples.
I wonder if any Olympic athletes have ever had to fight to overcome such a difficult, unconscious habit? Because I don't think I have ever seen one of them wagging their tongue around while engaged in intense skillful physical activity.

My brother Tom recently sent me a link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0bI1dHmjjw to a video of his adorable little girl who at less than two years of age, sticks her tongue out and wiggles it all over the place while she is playing! Proof that it is genetic and therefore impossible to overcome. But very cute on her!

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Eric is 20

I failed to post on 08-08-08, Eric's 20th birthday. I tried to get a nice picture of him and Will. This is what I got.
Hard to believe it's been 20 years since that chubby 9 pound 13 ounce baby boy made his appearance. He has certainly made our life interesting. Although he still doesn't know what he wants to be when he grows up, we are sure that after a few more years of pumping gas and going to school, he will mature into a talented man who will accomplish great things. He and Will headed out to the coast today to do some geocaching and to fly a new two-man kite that Will has. To their disappointment, there was no wind at the beach today!

Monday, August 04, 2008

Metolius 2008

Our Metolius River camping trip was just the right mix of new adventures, walks along the familiar river, and lots of time to sit outside in the gorgeous weather in front of the river reading a good book!

I have walked the trail past this "bridge" for many years thinking it looked much too dangerous to cross. Will crossed it and refused to come back, so I had to join him. I happened to be wearing flipflops because it's not far from our camp, so that made the trip a little more thrilling. I'm somewhat of a coward when it comes to crossing logs over rivers. Will tells me it's good to stretch myself. Thank you, Will.We joined a friend's church group in Sisters on Sunday afternoon for a hike from 3 Creeks Lake up to Little Three Creeks Lake. Lots of wildflowers and scenery along the way. I think this was McKinley Butte but I'm not sure.
Of course, there were many fabulous Dutch Oven dinners cooked by Will. He made pizza in it for the first time. It looked somewhat like a pyramid when he was ready to bake it, so I helped out by smoothing the toppings a bit toward the edges. It turned out great.
A Western Tanager was relaxing in a tree one day as I was walking along the river.
Once again, we enjoyed the view of the springs from the Canyon Creek trail. The water is such a gorgeous color there. I said I'd love to see the springs from that side of the river and Will assured me he could get me there. (The trail goes high above it.)
So the next day we had an adventurous journey along the steep hill, carefully picking our way over huge rocks, sliding through loose dirt, climbing over fallen logs, and avoiding a badger nest. The springs were in sight just down yonder when Will stopped, surveyed the treacherous hillside ahead, and told me he would not allow me to goad him into going any farther. He was done. He advised me I would need to find a younger man to lead me to the springs. I was not willing to risk my life to continue any further, so we carefully made our way up the hill to the trail above.
Another day we took a hike to Choosh Falls (formerly known as Squaw Falls). There were two other falls along the trail, but the last one was the most spectacular.
A great place to relax!
What a beautiful state we inhabit.
Once again, our campsite received regular visits from Will's friend, Deputy Dave. As he was leaving one time, the people next to us asked if everything was ok or if there was anything they should know. Deputy Dave informed them that Will was recently out on parole, and they should be sure to give him a call if he did anything suspicious! It made me wonder how many people might be curious why the "police" are at our campsite but are too polite to ask!
We made a very useful discovery about the capacity of the black water storage capacity of our lovely, wonderful, comfortable new fifth wheel. It holds nine days worth. On the morning we were to return home, I found a paper taped to the top of the toilet seat that said, "No Princess!" So I sadly put on my flipflops and told Will I would go out and join the commoners.

Now the most fun part of summer is over and I go back to work tomorrow. Oh joy. But hopefully we'll get out a couple more weekends close to home.