Something to Scream About

I want to swear, scream or even spit!
Don't jump to conclusions; I'm not mad or anything close. I just need a solid attention getter here. I'm clearly having trouble keeping up with my blog (especially due to a lack of Internet last month), so I guess I'll stop trying so hard to impress any rare readers with my wit, humor and skill in the field of writing.
To cut to the chase, I am going KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). Until I hear it from an agent, I may not have the above skills anyhow. But I know one thing...I can write entertaining stories/articles, usually.
Today, Saturday the 4th of February, I was awoken quite early. This is because my horrendous teenage daughters went to the Gila Valley Temple with a youth group at 5:30. (Not the p.m., people, the A.M.!) I may have to keep telling myself they are not so horrendous after all. But while the world sees their polite demeanor, radiant smiles, beauty and creativity, I have to stare at their hazardous bedroom for days on end. Seriously, I really mean hazardous and in a couple of ways.
There are apple cores, trash, dishes and yogurt cups on mild days and the floor is more like a gulf of dirty laundry and books. While one teen does not fight or argue, the other one does and with a vengeance like no other. The sweet teenager rarely turns in a bona fide math assignment and tells me I've ruined her life daily because she wants to dye her hair and have a FaceBook account (has to wait until she's 14).
But then again, their teachers rave about their manners, respect and genuine courtesy. They wake up almost every morning before the sun rises (& before me) and love worshipping in the church or temple. When the day or week is done, both of them have worked pretty hard. I was not so focused at 13 & 15, at least with the rising before dawn part. My daughters are really not so bad (and their room does look 80 % better today...)
As for me, I took to cleaning and tackling the mopping this morning until it was time to watch my fifth-grader's basketball game. His team, the Clippers, is undefeated and usually wins by 15 to 20 pts. Although he is not a typical athlete and hasn't made a shot yet, I love his perserverance and spirit. He's the shortest on the team, but hasn't let that become an obstacle thus far. Thankfully, the Clippers have a fairly short team of 5th and 6th graders with two of the four star players just a bit taller (& older) than he is. I want him to realize now that hard work and smart ball outweigh height and build. I keep saying (mainly to adults) that I cursed him with my short legs, but he doesn't act cursed at all. He sat out on injury (hairline fracture on the top of his foot) for more than three weeks and played a game on it without a tear (oops). All in all, he's picking things up pretty quick. While he's the star academically, I wouldn't be surprised if he runs circles around the less than witty athletes who rely on brute and size in a few years. Milk does a body good, right?
I ran about a half-mile today and walked the other half. It was the last day of "Booty Boot Camp", but due to the game, I couldn't go. So, I replaced the workout with a self-disciplined effort. That's gotta count for somethin'.
My husband & I then went to the temple in the evening to seal the day. It was amazing and a much needed event in a week, no month, no year of chaos. Even though we will celebrate and scream with friends for the big Super Bowl Sunday, it's nice to know that today was solid and productive. Happy days like today outweigh the sad or pathetic days and remind me how important it is to be a mother and an example to my four beautiful children.
Rather than swear or spit, I will choose my words and actions carefully.