The Joy of Volunteering

For those that know me (whether they know me slightly or know me well) are currently wondering if this post's title is sarcastic or sincere - as it would well be either.

I'm one of those souls that has the world "YES!" stamped on my forehead in invisible ink that only those requiring help in some method or another can see - usually from quite a distance (I think the ink flashes sometimes!).  If someone asks me to help, I simply can NOT help myself.  I say yes.

I have been a classroom parent, a visiting reader, a committee member (I've lost track of the number of committees), a board member, a treasurer, a fundraiser, an organizer, a chaperon, a team parent, a party planner - you name it, I've probably done it (or considered it before the Asst. Zookeeper put his foot down and told me NO MORE!)

Recently, just this past Saturday, my longest running affiliation with a volunteer organization came to an end.  I've been counting down to this day for MONTHS.  I felt the need to build a paper chain to count down the meetings remaining until "Freedom Day!"  After approximately 12 years, I was ready to be finished.

Saturday was INCREDIBLY STRESSFUL for me - I was handing over responsibilities.  Did I have everything prepped so that the new person was prepared to the best of my abilities?  Was there any more I could have done to make the transition any smoother?  Did I find the best replacement for my jobs?

During the banquet, I was recognized (much to my horror - I'd much rather fade into the wallpaper).  But all these young scouts knew who it was that organized the trips, and the camps, and the fundraisers, etc.  I wish I could have hugged them all - watching their hands shoot into the air because the knew the answer and wanted to be called on to give it was SO HEARTWARMING for me.

Those little hands straining with knowledge of who had loved them, was why that ink stamp exists on my forehead.  It was never for the parents (many of which I could have smacked at one time or another).  It was never for the recognition.  It was never for the "power" of being in charge.  It was for those scouts - they deserved the best program we were capable of providing.  And, I believe, I helped provide that program for the past many years.

At the banquet, I handed everything over - and I went home full of worries and doubts.  Not doubts in the people replacing me.  I'm easily replaceable.  All it takes is a warm body and some dedication.  It was more a worry for the future of the group.  I hope those taking over love the program and the scouts the way I have.

In addition to the scouts themselves, I have met some of the most AMAZING adults along the journey.  People who share my values and dedication to children.  Some friendships are built over the course of years as people slowly get to know one another.  Other friendships are built in the matter of a second, as one person recognizes a dedicated volunteer in the other - my best friend was found this way.

So, to the Cub Scouts - THANK YOU for the program you have given my Heathens over the past 12 years.  They have learned skills and abilities that are unique to the program and that will serve them well in life.  THANK YOU to the other volunteers for every time you offered to help me when I seemed overwhelmed - whether I accepted the offer of help or not, the OFFER matter much more than you can imagine.  THANK YOU to the scouts - you accepted that I was allowed to participate and have fun WITH you.  For every story you told me, every project you shared with me, every achievement you showed me - THANK YOU.

As for the boys currently in the Pack, you will always be "mine" - just like the scouts that have bridged out ahead of you.  I still find delight in hearing about college plans, good grades, adventures, etc.  I know you all by name and will be keeping an eye out for you in the years to come.

While I say it with a sniffle, I am ready to BE PREPARED for the next chapter in my volunteering life.  Although, I will never forget where it started.  Cub Scout Pack 217 - thank you.

8 At ONCE!

At the beginning of November, Kohl's was holding a great sale with a rebate on small appliances.  And I saw an electric griddle - something the Asst. Zookeeper has talked about for years, but we could never find one exactly like he wanted (his specifications were exact).  This griddle was everything that he wanted.  So I bought it with the intention of saving it for Christmas.

I gave it to him long before Thanksgiving and didn't give him anything at Christmas.

He was so happy to be able to make 8 grilled cheese sandwiches at once that he could hardly contain himself.  I was summoned to the kitchen to witness the "awesomeness" of 8 grilled cheeses happening at one time!

All I could think of was the Brave Little Tailor with Mickey Mouse when he's so excited about killing flies, but everyone things he's talking about giants:

King: Did you kill seven [giants] with one blow?

Mickey: Uh, yes, your honor, and how!

King: ...well, how?

Mickey: I was all alone, I heard them coming, I looked up, and I was surrounded!

King: Yes?

Mickey: They were here, there, everywhere! A whole bunch of them! They came at me from the right, the left, right, left, left, right!

King: Yes, yes, go on!

Mickey: They were coming closer! The fight was on! I swung and missed! I missed and swung! I swung again and again and again! They were right on top of me!

King: And then?

Mickey: And then, I let 'em have it!

—Mickey Mouse

Last weekend, he made French toast and I heard him talking to himself in the kitchen, "Look at THAT!"  And I knew that he was again using his griddle.

So if anyone hears my Asst. Zookeeper talking about "8 at once," please know that he was not out slaying giants.  He was making dinner - for which, I am ever grateful.

Simple Joys: Time & Conversation

The Asst. Zookeeper and I have never been ones to exchange gifts.  We watch other couples worry about the "perfect gift" for Christmas, birthdays - and now Valentine's Day is just around the corner.

It entertains me when people treat us as lepers because we don't have huge plans for the upcoming weekend.  "What do you MEAN you aren't doing ANYTHING special?"  Pair this shocked question with a horrified look on the face of the woman who was painting my nails.  Sometimes, I'm then pitied as though I don't know how horrible my life is - I'm told that there is STILL TIME to make plans and I can still go shopping.

Occasionally, I feel the urge to lie to these people (acquaintances, friends, and even family) just to avoid the entire conversation.  I look at it as being a lie of convenience.  I don't have to be treated as though I'm abnormal.  I don't feel the need to attempt and defend our decisions.  And, yet, I continue to tell people:

No - we do not have holiday/birthday plans.  No - we do not exchange gifts.

YES - we are happy.

And here is why we are happy.  Almost 20 years ago, when the Zoo didn't yet exist, we were NOT the Head and Asst. Zookeeper.  We were simply US - and we had no extra money.  Buying gifts and going out for fancy dinners wasn't an option at that point.  So we learned to spend TIME together.  And we learned to TALK to each other.

And now, 20 years later, it entertains me when the Asst. Zookeeper and I are in a different room from the Heathens and I overhear one of them ask where we are.  It cracks me up to hear one of them respond, "They're in the dining room.  But don't go in because they are TALKING." This is said with the same inflection of voice as though we are doing something else.  And the Asst. Zookeeper chuckles as well.

So, no, we have no plans for Valentine's Day.  And we have no plans for my birthday, which is just a few days later.  And I DO NOT feel slighted, or unloved, or un-valued.  This is simply how we work.

And, because the Asst. Zookeeper just walked in the door from work, I'm finished for this round.  Now, as we taught our Heathens when they were little:  Go find something to do for awhile.  We're talking.

The Difficult Part of the Season

The swimming season is starting to wind to an end - slowly.  The swimmers will tell you that it lasts FOREVER.  Most of the parents will agree.  For those that swim for their local YMCAs, the season starts at the end of August and can run through March or April - depending on the quality of your swimmer.

Swimmer parents will all agree - January and the beginning of February are the seasons of burnout.  Swimmers don't want to go to practice or another meet.  Parents don't want to drive to another pool.  Mothers weep at the idea of doing another load of towels.  And the poor child that announces during this season that he has lost his goggles or ripped his cap is likely never to be heard from again.  These children of the broken goggles don't "quit," they simply vanish.  No one asks questions.

Chlorine has become so ingrained in the smell of my Heathens that I no longer notice it, and I find it rather insulting when strangers comment on my Heathen smelling like a pool.  Considering what A LOT of teenage boys smell like, the public should be THANKFUL that mine smell of chlorine!

But we have reached the end of another era - Heathen #1 is finished with home swim meets.  After years of being at the pool at UPJ for start practice, he won't be going there to compete any longer.  Last week, the team held Senior Day - and the Asst. Zookeeper and I were lucky enough to escort our Heathen #1 around the pool deck.  They even took nice photos of us (I haven't seen them).  I just find it funny that this process takes place in the middle of the meet so that the kids are all soaking wet, and their hair is sticking up in all directions from pulling off their cap.  Definitely, nice photos were taken.

It was a great meet for the Heathen.  He managed to drop more time from his events.  Although we could never tell him that he did well - he becomes complacent.  He always needs another push to get him over the next hurdle in front of him.  Maybe someday, we'll tell him that he swam a strong race - just not until after districts are over!

Heathen #1 is in Lane 3 with the red swim cap in all three videos.  Enjoy!

2016 Brings HOPE

The first week of the New Year has come and gone - and there is still a Christmas tree in my living room, garlands on the stair banisters, and other miscellaneous holiday decorations gathering dust about the Zoo.  At our front door, you will still be greeted by a wooden plaque that states "We Still Believe" - and we do.

But the glitter of the season has past.  Visiting family has returned home.  Presents have been opened, shared, and become part of the Zoo.  Cookies have gone from "Don't eat those!" to "SOMEBODY EAT THESE!"

(I should clarify that statement:  I don't bake.  Bad things happen when I attempt to do so.  The Asst. Zookeeper and the Heathens do all the baking at the Zoo.)

The calendar has flipped to January and the Heathens are back at school (other than the middle one that is currently ill).

This is the time of year that I start to panic.  I'm a planner and a plotter, a list maker and a stacker of things that need done, taken care of, or dealt with in some manner.  And at the beginning of the year, it dawns on me that it will be gone in a flash and I think of all that must be accomplished in the next 365 days - and I panic, because I can't possibly accomplish half of it, much less all.

However, this Sunday's comics made me laugh.



ONE EXTRA DAY!  That's all I needed for this year to be successful.  Just one day!

This comic strip is now on the refrigerator where I can see it every day.  I guard my fridge space carefully as it is easy to lose things in clips and magnets - especially as I have Heathens that think EVERYTHING should be put there.

The Heathens have jokingly asked if I think one day is enough.  My answer is, "I hope so."

Happy New Year from the Zoo.

Photo Montage

Years ago, I gave up on posed, professional Christmas pictures of the Heathens.  While some families can make that work, our Zoo is not one of them.  Occasionally we have managed a good one.  However, they rarely capture what are truly my Heathens' personalities.

I changed to using snapshots of them several years ago.  Not only is it more fun, but I get laughs and "I LOVED your Christmas card photo" instead of "they looked so nice."

This year, I started to run out of time and realized I still had not sent out Christmas cards.  Which meant loading the Heathens into a car, driving to a local location that was "Heathenish" to me, unloading Heathens, and giving instructions.

My instructions were: Go stand on that rock and do something.

Here's what I got in response:

 Amazingly, no one ended up in the water or actually got pushed off the rock.  No one was hurt and there was neither tears nor blood - TOTAL SUCCESS!

Although it didn't make the card, this last one is my favorite.  Not only are they all together, but they are STILL (not a common occurrence!).

Merry Christmas from the Zoo.  We hope your holidays are everything you want them to be.

Rogue Sheep & Grumpy Angels

Christmas nativity plays are one of my FAVORITE parts of Christmas.  I've heard people groan about it being the "same story" every year (of COURSE it is - so is Fiddler On The Roof!).  But every group does it a little differently, and I love watching the children age up through the roles.

Many, many years ago, Heathen #1 was a sheep.  His first year in the nativity play, Heathen #2 was too small to participate and Heathen #3 didn't even exist!  And I remember being mortified when MY SHEEP was the one that wouldn't stand where he was supposed to stand.  He was quiet (a small blessing, I thought at the time), but he meandered around the sanctuary and inspected decorations.  When it was time to walk to the front with the other children, he flatly refused.  During the song he was to sing with the other children, his lips were clenched tightly closed.

Ready to cry in my pew as I juggled a very small Heathen #2, all I wanted to do was snatch up my older child and run from the building.  But as I glanced around for the glares I knew I was receiving, I was shocked to see people giggling and pointing and smiling.

No one in that sanctuary cared about Heathen #1's misbehavior - except the Asst. Zookeeper and me.

I remember the following year being a little better and Heathen #1 a bit more cooperative.  Then Heathen #2 was old enough to be a sheep and Heathen #1 graduated to shepherd - I spent most of that year threatening Heathen #1 what I was going to do if he hooked his brother around the neck with his shepherd's crook one more time.  Turned out, that shepherd's crook was the only reason Heathen #2 didn't wander about.  And the congregation smiled and pointed.

The year that the older two Heathens were BOTH shepherds was the year of the battle of the shepherds' crooks - no injuries to report!  We used plastic, hollow crooks which couldn't do much damage.  Despite the Star Wars light-saber type battle in the background of the nativity scene - the congregation was still smiling and pointing.  And telling me at the end of service about how much they loved the "spunk" in my Heathens.

Heathen #3 made his own debut as a sheep and a shepherd when he was old enough.  I had a bit better behavior from the Heathens at that point because I was running the play for several years and could provide "momma looks" when needed during practice.  But, there were the typical small Heathen antics from that child as well.

As the Heathens have aged through the roles of sheep, shepherd, the wise men, the angel Gabriel, and Joseph, and finally to narrator and stage crew, the Heathens have learned their roles - as well as the story in a way that many adults don't.

This year, the oldest two Heathens were originally on stage crew.  However, Heathen #1 was quickly placed on "rogue sheep & angel" duty - trying to keep three small children from escaping the back of the narthex in an attempt to get to the nursery that holds the toys.  By the end of the play, he was exhausted - and I was laughing!

Now as we walk into these nativity plays, we try to guess which of the children will be the rogue sheep or the grumpy angel that won't cooperate - and we look forward to seeing them.  This year, we had both!  And the Asst. Zookeeper and I were thrilled to see them - not only are they adorably cute, but they remind us of the years that it was our Heathens in those roles.

Joseph

The youngest Heathen played Joseph this year - and took his role quite seriously. He did a wonderful job.  All of the children did a wonderful job.

Speaking with the angel, Gabriel

But next Christmas, the Asst. Zookeeper and I will still be laying bets on which will be the rogue sheep or the next grumpy angel.  It isn't a true Christmas nativity play without them.

Grumpy Angel - 2015

She stood where she was supposed to stand.
Then she SAT DOWN and was swinging
her feet.  Definitely our favorite part of this
year's nativity play!