365 Random Days of Team Zybko

Day # 284

December 30, 2012

Liquid Gold 

Thank you Bri Bri!

A sharpied mug, 2 great verses and black Starbucks coffee.

Doesn't get much better than that.

John 16:33

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.

In this world you will have trouble.

 But take heart! I have overcome the world."

James 1:2-4

Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops  perseverance. Perserverance must finish it's work so that you may be mature and complete, no lacking anything. 

365 Random Days of Team Zybko

Day # 283

December 29th, 2012

Leave A Trail of Cheer This Year

Last year Drexel was in charge of untangling the many, many strands of intertwined lights for the Christmas tree. We somehow over the years have acquired a Rubbermaid bin full of every color bulb imaginable.

It was a big chore. The then six year old loved this job and took it super seriously. He asked again this year to be the chosen one, getting them lit and ready was gonna make his day. Oh, sure buddy was my natural response but unfortunately we were unable to find that particular bin in the crowded storage unit. Drexel never does anything half way, I love his style seen in these pictures. Not only did he plug every single one of the 265 strands together, he also ran them through the entire house. It was BEAUTIFUL!

 I smiled big after he was done, enjoying the Christmas spirit room after room. A wonderful bright trail leading the way through the otherwise dark square footage. Even a year later I smile big from the inside out. We could all learn lesson from this.

To leave a trail of Christmas cheer all through the year is a wonderful gift.   

Over the past couple of years I have become a terrible Christmas gift giver. I haven't always been this way. My list of peeps was usually as long as any average American, from the mailman all the way down to every kids teacher. In my immediate family the siblings and spouses pick names, that's 2 gifts. How hard is that? Not at all, yet I still find myself dragging my feet every December. Sorry Andrea and Tommy your package is in the mail... well almost. Merry belated Christmas. Every since my trip to Haiti a few years I have battled some sort of newly developed hangup on mandatory gift giving. I don't want to sound ungrateful to those who do give. Honestly, I am very thankful when I receive a wonderful box of thoughtfulness bought with hard earned money but really I don't need a thing.

Materialistically speaking. 

  

 On the up side to thinking outside the box I have become a much better show some love through out the year gift giver. Spreading the holiday cheer to the other sometimes lonely 11 months.

It may not even cost a thing or a very minimal amount. A handwritten note, a friends favorite candy bar slipped in her purse, a warm hug to say hello, $5 coffee card or a simple text/call letting them know you are praying for them. These aren't extravagant by any means but to me are the greatest kinda gifts of all. Perhaps if I had a few more zero's in my checking it would be a different story. Who knows. For now though, it is what is is, that's my story and I am sticking to it!

Leave a trail of cheer this year.

Happy New Year!

365 Random Days of Team Zybko

Day # 282

Your Weird Picture of the Day is Ready!

December 28th, 2012

I'm not sure why but on my Face Book account I have a daily picture signed, sealed and delivered to me, some are a bit weird and/or inappropriate. I sign in and BAAM there it is. I didn't ask for this service. I surely don't need it, I have enough dern pictures I have yet to use. I have no clue how to get rid of this nonsense so I do what any middle aged computer ding dong would do. I fix it my own way and hope no one has seen it on their news feed yet. Manually deleting the random photograph from my wall every morning. Yes, I am sure I would like to "delete this post" that  I never actually posted in the first place. Thanks so much crazy Face Book people.

So, with that being said, I came across this picture from last year and I couldn't help but shake my head. What on earth? There are so many things wrong here I am not sure where to start. Just super thankful my face isn't showing so in 30 years Grandma Vicky can deny everything. What picture? I don't know what you are talking about. Why would I have worn out doughnut shirt? I have never even eaten a Krispy Kreme doughnut in my life.

Muhaahaaha.

So here is YOUR weird picture of the day you didn't ask for and may certainly delete from your mind at your leisure. Good luck with that.

(Attention Mom and others that may raise an eyebrow. This is not my dirty laundry for all the Internet world to see. This was a gag gift,  just a joke. It did feel soft and comfortable so I proudly wore it to Waffle House that morning.....I zipped up the jacket though, promise).

365 Random Days of Team Zybko

Day # 281

December 25th, 2012

Christmas Morning

Happy Birthday Jesus

365 Random Days of Team Zybko

Day # 280

December 27th, 2012

Mom, You Don't Even Have Job!

Delilah is the easiest kid we have right now. Hands down. I didn't say favorite, just the easiest and lowest maintenance. She has a fun loving, easy going nature about here, she always has. Baby Daddy says she was the toughest baby we had, crying "all the time" I don't recall any of that....pssshhh he is crazy, my baby was perfect. Alright, I am not one of those kinda moms, I admit she most certainly is far from perfect and can be a total pain like all of us. Being the youngest of six kids Delilah has spent her entire life being dragged around place after place, and that my friend is the perfect truth. Being only five she has a wonderful yet naive view of the world around her. I like this age. Of course it's impossible to guess her future SAT scores and how her life will play out but I will say she was given the correct hair color at birth. Dirty Blond. Conversations with her are always interesting, funny and sometimes too honestly insightful.

I am not a big fan of those books "If You Give a Mouse a....."

I don't know why, they just never appealed to me but then again "Good Night Moon" eventually grew on me. Anyway, I recall this series when I think about a day in the life of Delilah.

If you give her a bucket of cheap make-up...she will be happy and in La La land for weeks.

Actual conversation one day after she had applied roughly 3 pounds of make-up while I did school with the other two. It kept her busy through 2 subjects at least.

Mom, you do know what I wanna be when I grow up right?

Yes honey, a rocket scientist of course.

Mom, how can I do that....you know I don't even  like math.

A bear tamer?

Eeeeewwwww no way, those poops would be way smelly.

A mom?

No, mom....I want to dress nice everyday ya know.

Alright honey, I was just playing round. I know the real answer. 

A make-up artist at Ulta's right?

Yep, so I can make lots of money.

Why do you need lots of money sweety?

SO I can buy more make-up....geesh.

Don't you think you have enough make-up already?

Well I will need it for other stuff too.

Like what?

Containers to put the make-up in.

Do you think they make a lot of money there?

Yes, tons.

You don't need TONS of money to live a happy life Delilah.

 Just enough for every day.

Her little brain was thinking so hard the tacky colored blush was flying off her baby cheeks.

Thinking, thinking, thinking.

How does mom know anything about making money?

Mom, no offense, but what do you know about money?

You don't even have a job.

She wasn't being rude, just observant.

I couldn't resist laughing.

I also couldn't resist sitting her down to do more school work.

AND hiding her make-up til she finishes the twelfth grade.

   

365 Random Days of Team Zybko

Day # 279

December 26th, 2012 

Three Wise Women

 

 

Louise, Geraldine and Dorothy.

These woman are amazing. Never once have I heard them complain about the kooky or perhaps un-fair cards life has dealt them. No matter what, they smile, they help, never asking for anything special. Even on the most miserable, grey, dreary Saturday mornings at the PLM they are full of sunshine. Their cup of faith, hope and Jesus overflow. I suppose they would laugh if I called them The Three Wise Woman but honestly that's how I feel. With the combined years of walking with the Lord and living life they have wisdom stored up in their back pockets for those who interested. Whether they know it or not every interaction I have with them I am taught something new. Something that encourages me and strengthens my trust in God. They remind to believe even when it seems too cold, too dark or too impossible. He provides us with everything we need. Everyday. Regardless the  color of our skin, circumstances or side of town we live on.

Lord, thank you for these ladies.   

365 Random Days of Team Zybko

Day #278

December 25th, 2012

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

365 Random Days of Team Zybko

Day # 277

December 24th, 2012

Mother Mary's Personalized Coffee Cup 

Matthew 1:21-23

She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins. Now all of this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the profit:

See, the virgin will become pregnant

and give birth to a son,

and they will name Him Immanuel. (God is with us)

While reading my Bible this morning I am easily distracted by the shiny lights on the Christmas tree. My hands hold tightly one my favorite mugs as I slowly sip my coffee. Happy to have a few minutes in the Word and time to re-group for the busy day ahead. I smile as I look around the freshly put together room from the night before. Christmas has finally arrived around these parts. Our family decorations aren't exactly glitzy or pricey. I have never plunked enough money into this area of my life to warrant an award of any kind. Nope, I am quite certain my schedule will not be interrupted with a call from Better Home and Gardens for a photo shoot. That's alright, I like it just the way it is. Although I have to admit the hodge podge of cheap and homemade items resembles more of an abandoned yard sale than intentional decorating. I take another sip and one more scan of the side table before re-finding my page in Romans. A dollar store nativity scene is proudly displayed next to my 15 year old porcelain Starbucks store got me to thinkin'. If I lived back in the day, the best wise gift I could have brought Mary would have been a good ole cup of strong black coffee and a personalized cup.

#1 MOM

JESUS LOVES YOU! 

 

Luke 2:10,11

But the angel said to them,

"Don't be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you the good news of great joy that will be for all the people: today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David."    

Matthew 2:9-11

And there it was-the star they had seen in the east! It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed beyond measure. Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

 

   

365 Random Days of Team Zybko

Day # 276

December 22nd, 2012

Holiday Ham Day-PLM
 

With only a few days until Christmas there is still much to do. Rush here, go there, pick up this, bake goodies, avoid goodies, a few more stocking stuffers and so on. During my holiday errands yesterday I find myself standing in a crowded Honey Baked Ham store inadvertently store tapping my foot to
Have a Holly Jolly Christmas with roughly 20 others jolly ham loving Americans.

It's packed, the line is squiggled all way to the door. As I wait, I check out the menu and enjoy the delicious smells that have navigated their way up my nostrils, making a direct B line to my brain. This place is amazing, my thoughts float around like the aroma in the room, I wonder why I only come here once a year.
That will be $67 and 48 cents ma'am. 
I snap out of it as the older lady in front of me is rung up.

Holy cow pig batman for one ham? Now I remember why it's

been 365 days since my last visit. Oh but it is good. The crusty honey glazed situation that seems to melt in your mouth with every bite. Ok ok ok BUT I'm not here for my taste buds to have a party, I need to stay focused. Although I could use a sam-itch from all the last minute running we have been doing but I'm on mission. I'm not here to pick up one ham, I am here to pick up 18 hams.  

I don't panic about the cost or get nervous about signing a check that would surely bounce all over town when the banks re-open after Christmas. I am only here as the middle man. For the third year in a row Nucor Steel of Darlington will be picking up the check. Paid in full.  During the wait I did the math concerning the 18 certificates for a free ham, the certificates signed with a more important signature than mine. The ones signed with love. This generous gift for The Parking Lot Mission and for the people in need of a hot meal is amazing. The actually dollar amount has already gotten cold in my non math brain but the goodness and love is still fresh in my heart. Now this really does make me jolly.
Thank you Nucor! This meat will feed a ton of people, not to mention the ham bones worth more to some to create the perfect Christmas soup.   

The next day we wake up a bit earlier to prepare in order to get the ham pulled off the bone, sliced, heated up and ready to find it's home between a hot buttered biscuit. Thank you Diane, Dylan, Bryson and Hillary for setting your phone alarms to help out on a chilly non college Saturday. Baby Daddy decides at the last minute to keep two of the hams as is, folded nicely in the foil and snug in the Honey Baked Ham sturdy plastic bag.
 God will show us who to give them to when we get there.
HE was right and always knows. God that is. When we arrived it was quite obvious who they should go to. 

 

365 Random Days of Team Zybko

December 21st, 2012

Day #275

Elves in Da Hood

Growing up we didn't get our tree up until a few days before Christmas. This was normal, no biggie. None of this the crazy talk about Decking the Halls the day after Thanksgiving. Not really sure why back in the 80's we waited so long to get in the grove of the season, perhaps cheaper prices on the Charlie Brown tree selection or something to do with the Epiphany we Catholics like to celebrate on January 6th. As I type we still have no decorations jing, jing jingling around the house. Bah humbug. With the homestead up for sale I have to admit it really isn't even on my radar of to-do's. Hard enough to keep my head above water on the daily deal of keeping it "show ready". A trip to the storage unit the other day to find the ornaments and such was like a painful archaeological dig. The 20 by 20 smelly, cobwebbed room is packed with what I thought a year ago was "keep able stuff" we will need in the future. Besides the books and photo albums I could have cared less about seeing any of this stuff again. So glad we have spent so much money keeping it all hostage for a year.

Sorry Delilah, we have no money left in your college fund. Would you like to play with baby dolls from your childhood or look through your cute finger painting pictures mommy kept instead?

Having too much unnecessary junk in our lives was not the intention of this post. This cute little hooded elf on the shelf who kicks me in the butt every year to get my list done is! Diane lives in the Christmas spirit all year long, she loves getting and doing for others. The oldest of the family has enjoyed being chief Santa as long as I can remember, can't say I have wrapped a present in years. Well, I didn't really ask for a meeting with the head elf this morning but I got a good ole kick in the rear anyway. I was quietly sipping my strong coffee in my favorite room, minding my own biz-nass when the general plunked down beside me. I was briefed against my will.....3 more shopping days.....blah blah blah....you aren't in the spirit....blah blah blah....OK I get it. I grab a sharpie and an envelope from a friend who actual sent Christmas cards out already. The blank side of the used paper filled up quickly. A lit star appeared above my head.

Geez, I really haven't done a thing have I?

 Well I have written a list now....that's a start. 

Thanks Diane, there will be a little extra suppin' suppin' in your stockings this year....as long as you pick it while you are out today.

 Check the storage unit first though.

I am so not against re-gifting.              

365 Random Days of Team Zybko

Day # 274

The Journey Back to the South

December 19th, 2012

So it's been two and half weeks since my last post, man how time flies when you have no Internet. Frankly I haven't missed it more than the dreaded process of having it reconnected. Calling, waiting, admitting over the phone I am a computer ding dong when it doesn't work 3 hours later and of course waiting all day for a dude to come to install a modem. Nope, haven't missed it that much. I am certainly not on Minnesota time anymore, way back in that time zone blogging was simply part of the day. That ship has sailed my friend. I also believe the  five month long luxury to indulge in that hobby perhaps burnt me out just a tiny bit. I have had no desire to plunk my big ole bum in front of a key board and type my feelings away. (Everyone knows I'd rather eat them anyway) I have taken no more than 50 or so pictures, iPhone excluded of course since arriving back home. BUT today I am glad to finally shuffle through pictures from our road trip back to the east coast.

The installer guy showed up to the house today between the actual hours previously told to me AND a day early. Whoa ho ho, wait a minute, those Mayans may be right about the end of the world after all. When has this ever happened to anyone EVER?  Strange things happening. We also paid nothing and were told a refund would apply to our next bill. Hold on tight people only a few days left on earth. Good news is, I can at least get in some good solid posts before the calendar runs out on the 21st.

Unfortunately the details of the trip did not crazy glue to my brain, at all. Baby Daddy I'm sure is a bit annoyed at this point as I have asked him repeatedly about the fours days we were all held as prisoners in the....well....prison van. I've concluded that driving many hundreds of miles across multiple states is sorta like child birth. You are aware it will be a long process, won't be comfortable, perhaps even down right painful at some point, yet it cannot be avoided. Ya just gotta do it. BUT don't worry your brain will wash away all the not so pretty parts until you are dumb enough to do it again.

High light from day #1

Watching the kids frantically peel off  Northern Minnesota layers when we stopped for lunch.

 Doing the happy, happy, happy warm dance as we all screamed....it's 57 degrees! It's 57 degrees!

I can't believe it is SOOOOOO HOT!    

Illinois and Indiana are beautiful states for sure. For sure any more than an hour is too much cattle, corn and tractor country for me. Like a Twilight Zone episode from the 80's, mile markers on the interstate seemed to go backwards down the number line as we cruised along. Maybe because we are all anxious to get to my sisters house in Sandwich, Illinois. Yes, the name of the small town is Sandwich or Sam-itch as I like to call it. 

Hayley and Hannah please don't kill me for posting this. Yes, I know it was super early and you had not taken showers yet but to me, in ever picture you guys are rock star models.

Kathryn had a hot spaghetti dinner waiting for us on the most elegant table setting ever. Lovely, just lovely I tell you.They have the kinda house I could visit one hundred and one times and still manage to discover something new each time I snooped politely looked around.

We hated to leave. All three of the kids contemplated staying as we packed up and prepared to drive off, even though they weren't officially invited. I reminded them how far away SC was to this house and it may actually be months before Daddy and I came back to get them. They still weren't sure, they LOVE that crew that much. Kathryn handed me a goody bag of treats for the road as I mentioned a Nike outlet was in our future. That was all she wrote. See YA later alligator! Love you Aunt Kath!  

High Light Day #2

How big is one of those propellers to those cool energy windmills you ask? Way bigger than you think. Freakishly huge when driving beside a truck carrying one.

Thank you God for this heavenly Kentucky sunset

and the smell of new Nikes.

Day #3

After a "free" hot breakfast, some quick, van window artwork we were on the road again Willie!

To conclude our study of the 16th President of the United Sates, we were off in search of the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln.

Changing from my Goodwill, 2 sizes too big duck boots to a pair of get my booty back in shape pink spider woman Nikes a few hours into the days travels.  

I am a big dork, I admit that. I also am a big fan of historic markers and Nation Parks. These two statements may go hand in hand, more research to come.

"With malice toward none with charity for all"
That's right Abe....preach on brother man.
Wish we could have stayed longer, learning more, seeing more but we were on a mission to surprise some college students at Clemmy. 

The home school adventure in the middle of nowhere Kentucky spun our itinerary out of control. In my spare time I will write the peeps in this fine state they may want to think about building a few more MAJOR HIGH SPEED roads. We arrived way later than expected to the Tiger Town campus. Never the less Diane greeted us with dinner, blow up mattresses, fresh towels and a perky yet slightly sleepy smile. Dylan said he figured it out the surprise somewhere between 4:00 and 10:00 when I failed to return texts. I happen to be driving on the most difficult stretch of mountain roads ever. To relive it would not be smart. Let's just say it involved multiple close calls with 18 wheelers, a couple hundred Hail Marys and even more whispered indecencies from my co-pilot. 

Next time you see me, ask me about it. I will even show you how my hands remain permanently clenched as if holding on to the steering wheel.

Day #4

A breakage of a water main at the school caused official people who make official decisions to cancel school for the day. Wow, how cool is that. Just 8 hours earlier Delilah had clung to Diane and told her she wished her home school would be cancelled so she could hang out with us.

After hanging around a few hours is was time to hop in the van one last time before reaching Florence, Little David and of course his new best pal, his dog Bella.

Coming back home after five months was like slipping on a pair of old jeans. The super comfortable ones with just the right bend in all the right places. Your favorite jeans in all time history of denim. The ones that make your butt look good even on a bad day.

Felt just right.

 Ya can't ask for any more that that.