My future mother in law just left to head back to New Orleans, and honey just left to go to work after being off since Friday. He's off tomorrow and works New Year's Eve. He should be home before midnight, though. Cop's schedules suck, sometimes, but that's how it goes.
It was nice having M.J. in town, we don't get to see her often. She made this incredible cheese cake for our Monday Night Football Party, which was a nice bonus on top of Drew Brees record breaking year. The fact that he broke Marino's record with a touchdown pass, in New Orleans and we beat the Falcons was awesome. We are hoping for another trip to the Super Bowl for our team this year!
Christmas itself was nice. This year was different in as much as we didn't have to spend Christmas Eve at the hospital with mom, like last year. Although it's been a rough year for the family, and especially my mother with her knee, we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
It's miraculous, really, considering that at one point we were being told to expect the worst. It's also a lesson in how to never take things for granted. A seemingly simple surgery can cascade into complications galore and change one's life in ways unintended. This isn't to say that the experience was all bad. One learns things about oneself when faced with challenges. Whether we grow from them or not is up to each individual.
My Aunt Merle passed away in November. I am still so sad over that. My mother lost her only remaining sibling with her passing, and she was extremely close to Aunt Merle. If there is a blessing amongst this, it is that mom was well enough, or had the strength, to spend the last two weeks of Aunt Merle's life with her. She was at her side, along with my cousins, when she passed. I got to say a good-bye to her, as well, although I didn't know it was a good-bye at the time.
About a month before she died, when my dog accidentally called her on my cell phone, we had a nice chat. She told me that she was sorry to have to die before I graduated from school, but that she would proudly be watching me from Heaven. She went down hill so fast after that, we thought that she had at least a year. As much as we hate the fact that she is gone, the other blessing in this is that she did go so soon. The cancer had gotten into her bones, already weakened by Rheumatoid Arthritis, and that is a horribly painful cancer to have. At least she didn't have to suffer for a year, drugged up and in bed. She would have hated that.
Another blessing was the fact that I got to see some of my cousins again, and it had been far too long. We all live so far away from each other, our lives being lived, we never really lost touch, but we didn't see one another as often as we used to. In the way of love and family, though, it was like the years fell away. So when I found myself reminiscing about childhood Christmases at Aunt Merle's this season, it was bitter sweet, but also comforting. Especially when I hold, and smell the small rosary that my cousins (Aunt Merle's daughters) Carol and Mary had made. It is a beautiful piece and it's filled with the crushed flowers from Aunt Merle's funeral arrangements. They had one made for my mother, me and my two sisters. I carry it everywhere with me. I can wear it as a bracelet, but I am not ready for that yet.
I will wear it on my wedding day. I will wear it when I graduate from nursing school.
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Ghost Rider and Fifth Wheels.
Restless today, and easily angered over trivial crap.
Also angered over not so trivial crap, as in mom informed me today that she hasn't been doing her PT and upper body exercises like she is supposed to be doing, and as a result is weaker now. Understand, she is bed bound, and so every bit of exercise counts!
I'm just ticked off. Why am I doing this every day, if mom isn't going to do her part? All this is going to do is affect how long she is in PT after the replacement on Monday...the weaker she is, the longer it will take for her to get up on her feet and for me to get my life back.
It is what it is, but I'm tired of it being this way. I miss my mornings with Mike, having breakfast with him and hanging out before he goes to work. After the kids go off to school, we generally have the house to ourselves and we just hang, or do chores or run errands. I miss that. I miss it a lot.
I am reading Neil Peart's "Ghost Rider", which I bought yesterday at the Kindle store. I am 3/4 of the way through it, even stopping to make notes (Kindle is cool like that, you can make notes and highlight portions etc. Awesome) on passages that have meaning to me. There have been times where I've shed tears for him and the pain, the unimaginable pain, that he suffered.
Even though my suffering and grief over certain parts of my past, like the break up of my and Adele's father's relationship, watching my grandfather suffer and then being the one he asked permission from to die, having to tell and hear my mother about the death of him, watching my ex-mother-in-law die and having to tell my then husband that his mother wasn't going to live past the weekend, and a myriad of other things; I understood and understand his pain. His need to get away and to just keep moving.
There are times when I wanted to chuck it all and just go away for a while. To just get into the car and drive, to put miles behind me and to think. There is one passage, in particular, that spoke to me. Or, I should say, had me nodding in total understanding..." For some reason, as part of that grief work it also seemed necessary for me to replay every single incident of my own life....Every embarrassment, act of foolishness, wrong-headedness, error, idiocy etc. going back to childhood and all the way forward to now. I physically flinch, say "ow" out loud, or "fuck" as the case may be, and can hardly bear it. "
I sill do that, although to a smaller extent, than I did in the darkest days of my breakdown. I caught myself doing this over the weekend, as I sat on Jason's sofa, head thrown back and listening to Moving Pictures, the remastered, awesome assed, super duper digital version.
He had been kind enough to squire me about in search of a summer weight riding jacket, and now, as I lolled about on a hot afternoon, he was helping Cherie unload the car of groceries. I heard both the music and their interaction, sensing the comfortable flow that they have together and I suddenly felt like a fifth wheel. Red Barchetta had me, for some reason, thinking about a stupid incident in Middle School that involved me getting a hickey from John Quigley and being stupid enough to try to hide it under make up.
I hadn't thought about that in DECADES, yet the humiliation that I felt over the ensuing rumors that spread around our Peyton Place of a school, still burned after all of this time. Foolish? Yes, in the big picture, but still hurtful none the less to that insecure, awkward geek that still lives under my skin.
These memories distracted me from the music, and shattered the peace I was feeling in that lovely living room, with it's high ceiling and cool, villa-like vibe. So, I got up and said good-bye, still feeling like a fifth wheel and wanting to flee as fast as I could. They are both so busy (he's a cop, she's a nurse) so I know how valuable "alone time" is and I felt like I was cutting in on that.
I had fun at Laser Tag with Kevin, Tedd, Mike and the gang, but I was more reserved than I normally am, or at least I felt that way at times. The later it got the quieter I got, yet still couldn't sleep once I got back to my hotel. I slept, eventually, but I can't shake this angry lassitude that followed me back from New Orleans. I know that I've reached my tipping point, yet I cannot bring myself to tip over...duty and honor compel me to suck it up and carry on, but it's so fucking exhausting!
I am sitting on the patio as I write this, looking at the lawn and it needs to be cut. So does the front, actually. I guess Mike will do it tomorrow, or the next day. He works so hard, so I don't want to complain about it. I also don't want a bitchy tome from the homeowners association. I'd cut it myself, but it's too damn hot, even at this late hour (it's 8:15pm here and the sun is just setting) also, I can't be arsed enough to do it. If only the mower were self propelled, then I could make Katie do it. A cut lawn isn't worth having to listen to her bitch and moan about it, though.
To hell with it. I have naan and hummus in the fridge, I have a nice pinot grigio chilling as well...dinner calls.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Reflections, Ruminations and Rush
I have travelled back to New Orleans, for a much needed break from real life, to see Rush in concert and to spend time with old friends. I have to admit, that as much as I miss Mike, the kids and my pets, it's nice to have quiet time and to not be awakened by the wet tongue of my dog on my face.
I've had a great sushi lunch with my best friend, Mary, and for dessert we engaged in a little retail therapy and drove around all of our old haunts. I still remember, with crystal clear clarity, the first time I went to her house so that we could get to know each other better. She was waiting outside, under a tree for me, so that mom could find the place. We had salad, giggled over how "fine" Harrison Ford was (and still is. Some men just age well, although I don't see what he see's in Calista, who reminds me of a bobble head doll.) and just had a ball. We became instant BFF's and we have been through many, many life changing events together. I honestly don't know what I would do with out Mary, she's seen me through so much.
During the ride we talked about wishing to go back, so we could do some things over, or not at all. For example, I'd have joined Color Guard sooner so that I could have made the trip to Ireland with the band, I would have rethought some crushes I had and I would have pursued my dream of singing in a band. I would spend more time with friends that we have now lost, like Jeff Sibley, and I would be more discerning about others.
I also would have invested in Apple and Microsoft.
All of that conversation yesterday stayed with me as I dropped her off at home and headed back to the hotel to change for the concert, and for the rest of the night and into this morning, I've found myself a bit more reflective than I normally am about my youth. There are huge swaths of those years that I'd rather forget, and some that I'd like to go back and see again; I always remember them with a smile and a few tears of nostalgia. Times were so simpler then.
Dinner was a lively affair, the ride to the arena with a bunch of us all packed into Jason's car (Daniel riding in the seatless back) reminded me of nighttime rides through City Park, jumping the bridges in Mary's car our cigarettes hitting and scorching the headliner, laughing so hard that we cried as we fell all over one another so tightly we were packed in.
Spending time with Jason and Kevin has been great, it always is. Tonight I am hoping to spend time with Tedd and Mike as well, that would be almost all of the old middle school gang together again. Middle School was, for me, the best period of my young years, even though at the start of that important time in between elementary and high school, didn't start off the way I remember wanting it to.
I was always an insecure kid for some reason. I have always felt awkward in my own skin. I still do sometimes. I remember being so excited about starting middle school. I talked mom into buying me clogs (which all of the popular girls wore) and designer jeans, just 1 pair and I got my first curing iron so that I could feather my hair. I remember walking into homeroom feeling unusually confident, only to end up feeling deflated when I saw that the cliques had carried over from elementary; cliques I'd never been a part of since I had only attended public school for 5th and 6th grades and so hadn't known any of those girls since kindergarden.
Then I met Jason, Kevin, Jennifer, Juan, Mike, Tedd and the rest of the gang; all a bit geeky like me, all with so many things in common with me. We were, in my humble opinion, the most creative and imaginative kids on campus. We still are, especially Kevin, Jason, Mike and Tedd. These men just bowl me over, the talent that the four of them possess.
One of my biggest regrets is that I lost touch with them after middle school. I was the only one in the group that ended up at a different high school, and that was because of where I lived. One street over and I'd have been with them; but after the first year or so of high school, we drifted apart. I remember being hurt over that, and I regret that back then I was too busy trying to be someone I wasn't, I didn't keep up with them.
Life rushed on.
Always searching to fill something that was missing, not knowing what that missing thing was, I strayed away from my dreams or I eschewed them all together, thinking that they were foolish or unattainable. Maybe they were, but I wouldn't know that now, I'm too busy trying to discover myself after all of these years. Depression is so insidious, I really didn't start growing up until my breakdown in 2003, and I am still growing up in a lot of ways.
Which brings me back to this weekend. It's not so much an ennui that I am feeling, or a nostalgia or even sadness. I don't think it's regret, either. It's a combination of all of these. As I write this I am crying, not over how things are now but over how things were. It's not just my 44 year-old self crying either; it's me all of those years ago as well. It's, as my counselor put it, my young self growing up and it's my present self forgiving her for not knowing any better; how could she know any better?
This weekend has surprised me, I wasn't expecting to have these feelings. I'm glad that I am, for years ago, in a different life, I would have repressed them and gone home bitter. I have to keep reminding myself, that I have Major Depressive Disorder and these things happen.
It's a mixed bag. My life up until now, has made me what I am today. Change one little thing and who knows how life would have turned out for me up until this point. I don't regret my children and if I could go back and change anything, then I wouldn't have them. I wouldn't have Mike in my life and I'm not sure that I'd be happy and well. My path was set at birth, and I don't know where it will lead, but I do know that it isn't too late to go back to school and finish my degree. I know that it isn't too late to try the things I wanted to do when I was younger, but was too afraid to do...like having a motorcycle or flying a private plane (I AM going to get my pilot's license!) or even writing, which I (foolishly) abandoned thinking that original ideas no longer existed and I sucked at it anyway. One of these days I will write about that three year period where my depression left me in darkness and my hard fought battle toward the light of normalcy (what ever normal is).
We all have regrets, things we would have done differently, but those choices, those steps off onto a branch on the road shape us into who we are. The magical thing about life is that you can change and that it's never too late to go for it, so to speak. Besides, if I could go back and change things, who's to say I'd be any happier? Perhaps I'd still be in the darkness, and I much prefer the light; even if I get all angsty at times and act like a teenager. I think it makes me a better parent to my daughters,who are in the midst of the horrible teen years. I can, at least, empathize with them and encourage them to pursue their dreams and to not hold themselves back out of fear.
No, this weekend has been good, though the regret over those lost years of growing up with my dearest friends is piercingly sad right now. The sadness will fade, the mourning will run it's course and I will have grown up a little more.
Life is good.
I've had a great sushi lunch with my best friend, Mary, and for dessert we engaged in a little retail therapy and drove around all of our old haunts. I still remember, with crystal clear clarity, the first time I went to her house so that we could get to know each other better. She was waiting outside, under a tree for me, so that mom could find the place. We had salad, giggled over how "fine" Harrison Ford was (and still is. Some men just age well, although I don't see what he see's in Calista, who reminds me of a bobble head doll.) and just had a ball. We became instant BFF's and we have been through many, many life changing events together. I honestly don't know what I would do with out Mary, she's seen me through so much.
During the ride we talked about wishing to go back, so we could do some things over, or not at all. For example, I'd have joined Color Guard sooner so that I could have made the trip to Ireland with the band, I would have rethought some crushes I had and I would have pursued my dream of singing in a band. I would spend more time with friends that we have now lost, like Jeff Sibley, and I would be more discerning about others.
I also would have invested in Apple and Microsoft.
All of that conversation yesterday stayed with me as I dropped her off at home and headed back to the hotel to change for the concert, and for the rest of the night and into this morning, I've found myself a bit more reflective than I normally am about my youth. There are huge swaths of those years that I'd rather forget, and some that I'd like to go back and see again; I always remember them with a smile and a few tears of nostalgia. Times were so simpler then.
Dinner was a lively affair, the ride to the arena with a bunch of us all packed into Jason's car (Daniel riding in the seatless back) reminded me of nighttime rides through City Park, jumping the bridges in Mary's car our cigarettes hitting and scorching the headliner, laughing so hard that we cried as we fell all over one another so tightly we were packed in.
Spending time with Jason and Kevin has been great, it always is. Tonight I am hoping to spend time with Tedd and Mike as well, that would be almost all of the old middle school gang together again. Middle School was, for me, the best period of my young years, even though at the start of that important time in between elementary and high school, didn't start off the way I remember wanting it to.
I was always an insecure kid for some reason. I have always felt awkward in my own skin. I still do sometimes. I remember being so excited about starting middle school. I talked mom into buying me clogs (which all of the popular girls wore) and designer jeans, just 1 pair and I got my first curing iron so that I could feather my hair. I remember walking into homeroom feeling unusually confident, only to end up feeling deflated when I saw that the cliques had carried over from elementary; cliques I'd never been a part of since I had only attended public school for 5th and 6th grades and so hadn't known any of those girls since kindergarden.
Then I met Jason, Kevin, Jennifer, Juan, Mike, Tedd and the rest of the gang; all a bit geeky like me, all with so many things in common with me. We were, in my humble opinion, the most creative and imaginative kids on campus. We still are, especially Kevin, Jason, Mike and Tedd. These men just bowl me over, the talent that the four of them possess.
One of my biggest regrets is that I lost touch with them after middle school. I was the only one in the group that ended up at a different high school, and that was because of where I lived. One street over and I'd have been with them; but after the first year or so of high school, we drifted apart. I remember being hurt over that, and I regret that back then I was too busy trying to be someone I wasn't, I didn't keep up with them.
Life rushed on.
Always searching to fill something that was missing, not knowing what that missing thing was, I strayed away from my dreams or I eschewed them all together, thinking that they were foolish or unattainable. Maybe they were, but I wouldn't know that now, I'm too busy trying to discover myself after all of these years. Depression is so insidious, I really didn't start growing up until my breakdown in 2003, and I am still growing up in a lot of ways.
Which brings me back to this weekend. It's not so much an ennui that I am feeling, or a nostalgia or even sadness. I don't think it's regret, either. It's a combination of all of these. As I write this I am crying, not over how things are now but over how things were. It's not just my 44 year-old self crying either; it's me all of those years ago as well. It's, as my counselor put it, my young self growing up and it's my present self forgiving her for not knowing any better; how could she know any better?
This weekend has surprised me, I wasn't expecting to have these feelings. I'm glad that I am, for years ago, in a different life, I would have repressed them and gone home bitter. I have to keep reminding myself, that I have Major Depressive Disorder and these things happen.
It's a mixed bag. My life up until now, has made me what I am today. Change one little thing and who knows how life would have turned out for me up until this point. I don't regret my children and if I could go back and change anything, then I wouldn't have them. I wouldn't have Mike in my life and I'm not sure that I'd be happy and well. My path was set at birth, and I don't know where it will lead, but I do know that it isn't too late to go back to school and finish my degree. I know that it isn't too late to try the things I wanted to do when I was younger, but was too afraid to do...like having a motorcycle or flying a private plane (I AM going to get my pilot's license!) or even writing, which I (foolishly) abandoned thinking that original ideas no longer existed and I sucked at it anyway. One of these days I will write about that three year period where my depression left me in darkness and my hard fought battle toward the light of normalcy (what ever normal is).
We all have regrets, things we would have done differently, but those choices, those steps off onto a branch on the road shape us into who we are. The magical thing about life is that you can change and that it's never too late to go for it, so to speak. Besides, if I could go back and change things, who's to say I'd be any happier? Perhaps I'd still be in the darkness, and I much prefer the light; even if I get all angsty at times and act like a teenager. I think it makes me a better parent to my daughters,who are in the midst of the horrible teen years. I can, at least, empathize with them and encourage them to pursue their dreams and to not hold themselves back out of fear.
No, this weekend has been good, though the regret over those lost years of growing up with my dearest friends is piercingly sad right now. The sadness will fade, the mourning will run it's course and I will have grown up a little more.
Life is good.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Update on Mom and Other Items
My last entry was on 2/23, one day before my eldest daughter turned 16, and the news was dire.
Well, miracles do indeed happen, my mother pulled through. She has a long, long road ahead of her as she has to recover from the punemonia and also rehab her knee, but I am not complaining.
My eldest, Katie, just left this morning for a week long trip to The Big Apple. She is touring with her school choir, and they will see all of Manhattan as well as attend two Broadway shows and give a concert in front of the Statue of Liberty. I had to drop her off at school for 3:30 this morning, and she was all hyped up...thank God for Community Coffee! She just called to tell me that they landed safely. I know that she will have a great time, my baby is growng up!
I am horrified by the earthquake and the tsunami in Japan...Ive been following the news and watch in awe at the footage of the waters rushing on shore. The fact that entire villages have been wiped from the face of the earth is hard to wrap my mind around. Now the news that a nuclear reactor may melt down is on my mind; I hope that they can get the situation under control and that the fall out isn't too bad.
All in all, I'm for nuclear power, but I'm sure the greenies out there are already chanting No Nukes, etc. Please people! Events like this are very rare and really, the Japan situation is really a perfect storm and from what I've seen they are doing everything in their power to control this.
Wisconsin made me cheer. While I understand private unions, I never really cottoned to public unions, especially if they have collective barganing powers. As for the protestors, well they acted like animals in the storming of the capital building. It was interesting the number of purple SEIU shirts I counted...they're nothing but thugs.
Gas has hit $3.43 a gallon for regular unleaded here in my neck of the woods. I'd like to thank President Obama for the moratorium, and would also like to extend kuddos to the enviro-wackos for preventing the use of the resources we possess in our country.
Way to go, wackos! I can't tell you all how much I appreciate that we continue to be dependant on people whose asses we have to kiss in order for us to get fuel for our cars, busses and trains. I can't thank you enough for the rise in the cost of the food I buy to feed my family, or that my husband has to take on extra overtime so that I can be home for my kids and take care of my mom. He's just a cop and his job isn't that bloody dangerous or anything, so double shifts on the streets of Houston are just a cake walk for him! Not to mention the fact that I really don't need to actually see my husband, or spend time with him or anything.
Also, big thanks for potentially affecting our annual Memorial Day Crawfish Boil! We really don't need to see family and friends, who drive in from New Orleans and Baton Rouge for the shindig, whom we don't see often or anything like that. It's just family and friends and all, I mean really.
So thanks, Mr. President! Thanks enviro-wackos!
Well, miracles do indeed happen, my mother pulled through. She has a long, long road ahead of her as she has to recover from the punemonia and also rehab her knee, but I am not complaining.
My eldest, Katie, just left this morning for a week long trip to The Big Apple. She is touring with her school choir, and they will see all of Manhattan as well as attend two Broadway shows and give a concert in front of the Statue of Liberty. I had to drop her off at school for 3:30 this morning, and she was all hyped up...thank God for Community Coffee! She just called to tell me that they landed safely. I know that she will have a great time, my baby is growng up!
I am horrified by the earthquake and the tsunami in Japan...Ive been following the news and watch in awe at the footage of the waters rushing on shore. The fact that entire villages have been wiped from the face of the earth is hard to wrap my mind around. Now the news that a nuclear reactor may melt down is on my mind; I hope that they can get the situation under control and that the fall out isn't too bad.
All in all, I'm for nuclear power, but I'm sure the greenies out there are already chanting No Nukes, etc. Please people! Events like this are very rare and really, the Japan situation is really a perfect storm and from what I've seen they are doing everything in their power to control this.
Wisconsin made me cheer. While I understand private unions, I never really cottoned to public unions, especially if they have collective barganing powers. As for the protestors, well they acted like animals in the storming of the capital building. It was interesting the number of purple SEIU shirts I counted...they're nothing but thugs.
Gas has hit $3.43 a gallon for regular unleaded here in my neck of the woods. I'd like to thank President Obama for the moratorium, and would also like to extend kuddos to the enviro-wackos for preventing the use of the resources we possess in our country.
Way to go, wackos! I can't tell you all how much I appreciate that we continue to be dependant on people whose asses we have to kiss in order for us to get fuel for our cars, busses and trains. I can't thank you enough for the rise in the cost of the food I buy to feed my family, or that my husband has to take on extra overtime so that I can be home for my kids and take care of my mom. He's just a cop and his job isn't that bloody dangerous or anything, so double shifts on the streets of Houston are just a cake walk for him! Not to mention the fact that I really don't need to actually see my husband, or spend time with him or anything.
Also, big thanks for potentially affecting our annual Memorial Day Crawfish Boil! We really don't need to see family and friends, who drive in from New Orleans and Baton Rouge for the shindig, whom we don't see often or anything like that. It's just family and friends and all, I mean really.
So thanks, Mr. President! Thanks enviro-wackos!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
When Did This Happen???
It's 5 A.M. A time of day when all good folks should be asleep...not working on their 11 year-old daughter's science experiment that she had all weekend to do but chose to wait until 5 P.M. yesterday to start, do and complete. No, she didn't even plan the layout of the three sided foam board on which she presents her experiment.
When did my A/B honor roll student morph into an academically lazy, hormone laden, I have to fight her to get anything school related or chore related done, pre-teen? I didn't see it coming!!! It's as if aliens have kidnapped the pleasant, well mannered child I've raised and substituted her with a whinny android twin...the anthesis of the child that lived in my house for the last 10 years.
All of a sudden she is obsessed with Pokemon and a boy named Javier, who is a nice boy, but she is 11 and so is he, and didn't I hate boys at 11? All of a sudden, she does her chores in a half-assed manner, whines over everything and fights with her oldest sister. Then sometimes, she is the same cuddly, well tempered child I've known since before she was born. Am I living with Sybil?
The thing that really kills me is this; She is so frighteningly intelligent. This girl, who at the age of 9, unwittingly explained Einstein's Theory of Relativity to me from the back seat of the car one day, out of the clear blue, is scary smart. She is capable of so much more than she is giving right now, and it's frustrating. Especially at 5 A.M. whilst gulping coffee and inhailing Sharpie fumes. Sharpie fumes make me sneeze and I am not civil until I've had at least 2 cups of Community New Orleans Blend.
Currently, she is at the dining room table, coloring in the lettering that I've worked so hard to make look like her penmanship. Penmanship that has gone from the neat Catholic school printing, to that of resembling a doctor's illegable scrawl. She is also crying in frustration and I'm still working on cup one of the aforementioned Community coffee, and trying to keep my cool. I love my life,I love my life, I love my life....
When did my A/B honor roll student morph into an academically lazy, hormone laden, I have to fight her to get anything school related or chore related done, pre-teen? I didn't see it coming!!! It's as if aliens have kidnapped the pleasant, well mannered child I've raised and substituted her with a whinny android twin...the anthesis of the child that lived in my house for the last 10 years.
All of a sudden she is obsessed with Pokemon and a boy named Javier, who is a nice boy, but she is 11 and so is he, and didn't I hate boys at 11? All of a sudden, she does her chores in a half-assed manner, whines over everything and fights with her oldest sister. Then sometimes, she is the same cuddly, well tempered child I've known since before she was born. Am I living with Sybil?
The thing that really kills me is this; She is so frighteningly intelligent. This girl, who at the age of 9, unwittingly explained Einstein's Theory of Relativity to me from the back seat of the car one day, out of the clear blue, is scary smart. She is capable of so much more than she is giving right now, and it's frustrating. Especially at 5 A.M. whilst gulping coffee and inhailing Sharpie fumes. Sharpie fumes make me sneeze and I am not civil until I've had at least 2 cups of Community New Orleans Blend.
Currently, she is at the dining room table, coloring in the lettering that I've worked so hard to make look like her penmanship. Penmanship that has gone from the neat Catholic school printing, to that of resembling a doctor's illegable scrawl. She is also crying in frustration and I'm still working on cup one of the aforementioned Community coffee, and trying to keep my cool. I love my life,I love my life, I love my life....
Friday, February 4, 2011
GAH!!!! I Can't Stand It Anymore!
I feel like I'm a terrible homemaker! Everytime I clean, things just get messed up again...I must also confess to some days just being lazy...anyway, since mom's surgery and subsequesent falls, my life has gotten busier.
I will be going to her house on a daily basis, to help her out, until she is able to be on her own. I also want to go back to school this year, to study nursing. I need to make some changes in the routine here...I can't function properly if I know that the house is messy...I hate coming home to a messy house.
Also, as I don't have a job "job", Mike is carrying the entire financial burden of running the house...therefore it's even more important to me to make sure that his home is clean and comfortable.
I suck at this, but I know that I can improve on it..it's simply a matter of organization and discipline.
So I researched and found a site called FlyLady...and joined it. I am now getting ready to go and shine my sink. I am determined to follow their baby steps as well...It's not that I don't KNOW how to clean a house; mother taught us how to do that, it's just that it can get overwhelming. 4 people in a house, and 3 pets...yikes!
But I am determined! So I will be a good girl and exercise patience and follow the advice of the FlyLady!
I will be going to her house on a daily basis, to help her out, until she is able to be on her own. I also want to go back to school this year, to study nursing. I need to make some changes in the routine here...I can't function properly if I know that the house is messy...I hate coming home to a messy house.
Also, as I don't have a job "job", Mike is carrying the entire financial burden of running the house...therefore it's even more important to me to make sure that his home is clean and comfortable.
I suck at this, but I know that I can improve on it..it's simply a matter of organization and discipline.
So I researched and found a site called FlyLady...and joined it. I am now getting ready to go and shine my sink. I am determined to follow their baby steps as well...It's not that I don't KNOW how to clean a house; mother taught us how to do that, it's just that it can get overwhelming. 4 people in a house, and 3 pets...yikes!
But I am determined! So I will be a good girl and exercise patience and follow the advice of the FlyLady!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Happy New Year?
First entry of 2011. I had intended to make an entry before today, but I've been busy dealing woth life, the universe and everything.
On the home front, hubby and I are adopting a cute little puppy. He's a German Shepard mix and his name is Elmer, Elmer Fudd to be precise. He has a brother named Pepe LePew, and we were tempted to adopt both of them, but decided that two 50 pound dogs would be a bit much, especially when we already have 2 cats. Well, at least hubby won't be the only male in the house anymore.
Isn't he cute? We chose to get him from an abandoned animal shelter and he is currently being fostered. Adopting a pet from these guys, is like adopting a baby; they are even doing a home inspection. I'm pretty cool with this, actually. Anyway, I've bought him his bowls, a snuggle toy or two, some chew toys and his collar and leash. The collar is a Harley Davidson collar, naturally. When he gets bigger, I want to get him a leather studed collar.
It will be interesting to see how the kittehs react to Elmer, and I'm sure will make for interesting blog posts in the near future.
Mom had her kneew replaced on 12/20, and this past Monday she fell and the entire incision burst open. Monday night was spent in the ER while mom had emergency surgery. It was touch and go for a while, becuse we had to wait to see if the Fibula was broken; she'd have lost the leg if it were. Happily it wasn't and her surgeon was able to fix the prosthesis.
She lost a lot of blood from the fall. She had been home alone and doing quite well, when the foot to her walker got caught on the door frame to her bathroom. She even fell onto her good knee (which was likely what kept her from breaking the leg). Since the medic alert necklace didn't work, mom had to drag herself across the bathroom and into the bedroom to get to the phone. I'm so amazed at her presence of mind to do that! So she goes through all of this, blood gushing everywhere, gets to the cell phone and guess what? She can't get through to 911! We have no clue why the phone is restricted from dialing 911, but I'm going to find out why!
Thank GOD for mother's amazing neighbor, Mary! Mom called dad, who told her to call Mary. Mom called Mary and Mary rushed over, let herself in with her key and walked into a horrible sight. But she called 911 and started to try to stop the bleeding and held mom's hand till EMS arrived. She even drove mom's purse to the hospital and was willing to wait till one of us kids or dad got there. Then she said she'd clean up the blood and tissue, which she didn't have to do, as my brother in law (who pukes at the sight of blood) did...the BIL is amazing! I know that wasn't easy on him and he's getting a HUGE hug when I see him again!
God Bless the wonderful EMS crew that responded to the call. They know mother pretty well as she's called them over the last few years, and they have always taken such great care of her. They know just what to say to her, just when how to calm her and put her at ease.
So Monday night was emergency surgery and mom spent Monday night and all of Tuesday and part of Wednesday in the ICU due to complications. I was and am still worried about her, although as of yesterday she was alert and eating like a teenager. She has had 6 units of blood since Monday. Wow.
Wow.
I think that what has hit me the most is that my parents are aging. I know that they're in their 60's, which really isn't old, but I still think of them as they were when I was younger. They are so active, mom was especially before her knees turned to crap...and she will be again when she's better, but the events of December and this past week, have really opened my eyes.to the fact that my parents are aging. Daddy is planning on retiring later this year. Mike and I have decided, and daddy agrees that the door to the water closet needs to be widened so that mom doesn't have to maneuver the walker in a manner that can cause another accident. There are other things as well.
The thought that my sisters and I will have ageing parents to care for is daunting and scary. I don't think of them as old...I've never considered their mortality before now. I know that one day I will lose my parents and the prospect of this scares me, I don't think of it often either, as it upsets me. But, at the risk of sounding blase', I know that this is part of life and I will deal with it when it happens.
All life is a learning experience. Lessons are given on a daily basis, some easy others hard. You are sometimes taught about loss at an early age, sometimes not. Yet, I believe that you ae never handed more than you can handle, even if you aren't (or think you aren't) ready to deal with something. So in this vein of thought, and now that I've had my required crying jag, I've put on "my big girl panties" (to quote my friend Jason) I'm slowly learning to deal with this. I will take it as it comes. I will be thankful that my husband is so supportive, that even though a second income is needed, he loves and respects my parents and knows that they need me to take care of mom for a while. I'm so very, very thankful that I don't have a job outside of the home at present.
I am also struck by this thought, as I end this entry; in the olden days, children took care of their parents as they aged. Extended families are really a thing of the past as lives have gotten busier. The growth of the nursing home industry shows this. I am, in a way, honored that I can take care of my parents when the time comes. They took such wonderful care of me, raised me well, loved me and didn't kill me over the stupid crap I did as a teenager. I think it fitting that I return the love and care, the respect. Hopefully, when my tiurn comes, my kids will return the blessing.
On the home front, hubby and I are adopting a cute little puppy. He's a German Shepard mix and his name is Elmer, Elmer Fudd to be precise. He has a brother named Pepe LePew, and we were tempted to adopt both of them, but decided that two 50 pound dogs would be a bit much, especially when we already have 2 cats. Well, at least hubby won't be the only male in the house anymore.
 |
| Elmer Fudd |
It will be interesting to see how the kittehs react to Elmer, and I'm sure will make for interesting blog posts in the near future.
Mom had her kneew replaced on 12/20, and this past Monday she fell and the entire incision burst open. Monday night was spent in the ER while mom had emergency surgery. It was touch and go for a while, becuse we had to wait to see if the Fibula was broken; she'd have lost the leg if it were. Happily it wasn't and her surgeon was able to fix the prosthesis.
She lost a lot of blood from the fall. She had been home alone and doing quite well, when the foot to her walker got caught on the door frame to her bathroom. She even fell onto her good knee (which was likely what kept her from breaking the leg). Since the medic alert necklace didn't work, mom had to drag herself across the bathroom and into the bedroom to get to the phone. I'm so amazed at her presence of mind to do that! So she goes through all of this, blood gushing everywhere, gets to the cell phone and guess what? She can't get through to 911! We have no clue why the phone is restricted from dialing 911, but I'm going to find out why!
Thank GOD for mother's amazing neighbor, Mary! Mom called dad, who told her to call Mary. Mom called Mary and Mary rushed over, let herself in with her key and walked into a horrible sight. But she called 911 and started to try to stop the bleeding and held mom's hand till EMS arrived. She even drove mom's purse to the hospital and was willing to wait till one of us kids or dad got there. Then she said she'd clean up the blood and tissue, which she didn't have to do, as my brother in law (who pukes at the sight of blood) did...the BIL is amazing! I know that wasn't easy on him and he's getting a HUGE hug when I see him again!
God Bless the wonderful EMS crew that responded to the call. They know mother pretty well as she's called them over the last few years, and they have always taken such great care of her. They know just what to say to her, just when how to calm her and put her at ease.
So Monday night was emergency surgery and mom spent Monday night and all of Tuesday and part of Wednesday in the ICU due to complications. I was and am still worried about her, although as of yesterday she was alert and eating like a teenager. She has had 6 units of blood since Monday. Wow.
Wow.
I think that what has hit me the most is that my parents are aging. I know that they're in their 60's, which really isn't old, but I still think of them as they were when I was younger. They are so active, mom was especially before her knees turned to crap...and she will be again when she's better, but the events of December and this past week, have really opened my eyes.to the fact that my parents are aging. Daddy is planning on retiring later this year. Mike and I have decided, and daddy agrees that the door to the water closet needs to be widened so that mom doesn't have to maneuver the walker in a manner that can cause another accident. There are other things as well.
The thought that my sisters and I will have ageing parents to care for is daunting and scary. I don't think of them as old...I've never considered their mortality before now. I know that one day I will lose my parents and the prospect of this scares me, I don't think of it often either, as it upsets me. But, at the risk of sounding blase', I know that this is part of life and I will deal with it when it happens.
All life is a learning experience. Lessons are given on a daily basis, some easy others hard. You are sometimes taught about loss at an early age, sometimes not. Yet, I believe that you ae never handed more than you can handle, even if you aren't (or think you aren't) ready to deal with something. So in this vein of thought, and now that I've had my required crying jag, I've put on "my big girl panties" (to quote my friend Jason) I'm slowly learning to deal with this. I will take it as it comes. I will be thankful that my husband is so supportive, that even though a second income is needed, he loves and respects my parents and knows that they need me to take care of mom for a while. I'm so very, very thankful that I don't have a job outside of the home at present.
I am also struck by this thought, as I end this entry; in the olden days, children took care of their parents as they aged. Extended families are really a thing of the past as lives have gotten busier. The growth of the nursing home industry shows this. I am, in a way, honored that I can take care of my parents when the time comes. They took such wonderful care of me, raised me well, loved me and didn't kill me over the stupid crap I did as a teenager. I think it fitting that I return the love and care, the respect. Hopefully, when my tiurn comes, my kids will return the blessing.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Knees and Early Morning Heart Palpitations...
If you were raised properly, then you were taught that one doesn't make phone calls before the hour of 9am or after 10pm. Early morning or late night calls, I was told are either, 1. rude or 2. harbingers of death or illness, so you can imagine how my heart started beating faster when my phone rang at 7:30 this morning.
My mother had her knee replaced on the 20th, and things went downhill after the surgery, she had a bad reaction to the morphine and spent 3 days following the surgery very ill. She didn't know what she was saying half the time, and why she was in the hospital, unless one of her wonderful nurses talked her into awareness. It was very scary for me to see my mother like this.
There was talk amongst her doctors, about putting her into the rehab center at the hospital, so that she could be monitored and get a really great kickstart on her physical therapy. I was all for this, anything to help mom, but on Christmas day she went home, and we decided to put our traditional Christmas celebration off until this week.
Monday evening, daddy called me and told me that mom was back in the hospital, that her knee was infected and they didn't know what it was. Oh. Joy. Mother does so love hospitals. That and I had flashbacks of knee replacements past, and their complications.
Dad called me yesterday with an update, the fact that she was responding well to the antibiotics and pain meds, made me feel better and the only reason I didn't go see her yesterday was the fact that I was feverish and muddleheaded. I figured that it wouldn't be a good thing to pass along anymore germs to mother, the knee hurts her enough and I didn't want to add to it with a head cold.
So this morning, I am up and in the back yard having a cigarette (Yes, with a head cold. I know. I know.) and the phone rings...not my cell, but the house phone. No one but family has the house phone number and it was 7:30am! I dashed into the house, heart pounding and answer.
On the other end were the dulcet, cheerful, well rested tones of my mother!
"Hi honey, what are you doing?" she asked.
"Mom! I almost had a heart attack! It's 7:30!" I panted in reply.
"Oh, I'm sorry!"
"No,mom. It's okay, I'm so happy to hear your voice! You sound so wonderful!"
And she did sound wonderful. Apparently they've found a good combination of pain meds for her (she has reactions to certain things) and she slept "like a baby". The infection appears to be clearing up as well. They are going to keep her in the hospital for another day at least, but it's looking good. My heart is also beating normally again.
My mother had her knee replaced on the 20th, and things went downhill after the surgery, she had a bad reaction to the morphine and spent 3 days following the surgery very ill. She didn't know what she was saying half the time, and why she was in the hospital, unless one of her wonderful nurses talked her into awareness. It was very scary for me to see my mother like this.
There was talk amongst her doctors, about putting her into the rehab center at the hospital, so that she could be monitored and get a really great kickstart on her physical therapy. I was all for this, anything to help mom, but on Christmas day she went home, and we decided to put our traditional Christmas celebration off until this week.
Monday evening, daddy called me and told me that mom was back in the hospital, that her knee was infected and they didn't know what it was. Oh. Joy. Mother does so love hospitals. That and I had flashbacks of knee replacements past, and their complications.
Dad called me yesterday with an update, the fact that she was responding well to the antibiotics and pain meds, made me feel better and the only reason I didn't go see her yesterday was the fact that I was feverish and muddleheaded. I figured that it wouldn't be a good thing to pass along anymore germs to mother, the knee hurts her enough and I didn't want to add to it with a head cold.
So this morning, I am up and in the back yard having a cigarette (Yes, with a head cold. I know. I know.) and the phone rings...not my cell, but the house phone. No one but family has the house phone number and it was 7:30am! I dashed into the house, heart pounding and answer.
On the other end were the dulcet, cheerful, well rested tones of my mother!
"Hi honey, what are you doing?" she asked.
"Mom! I almost had a heart attack! It's 7:30!" I panted in reply.
"Oh, I'm sorry!"
"No,mom. It's okay, I'm so happy to hear your voice! You sound so wonderful!"
And she did sound wonderful. Apparently they've found a good combination of pain meds for her (she has reactions to certain things) and she slept "like a baby". The infection appears to be clearing up as well. They are going to keep her in the hospital for another day at least, but it's looking good. My heart is also beating normally again.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Know it All Children and My Mate's Driving Habits
Since when did my children become the experts on everything? It seems that they have answers to all of life's problems and don't hesitate to share them, voluntarily that is, with me and occasionally my husband.
Mind you, this sharing of knowledge is unasked for by me, and Mike. It also comes in the form of lectures about our vices; I drink too much coffee and am addicted to drugs, apparently, since I smoke cigarettes. I'm also "old" and can't sing.
My favorite unasked for advice comes from my eldest daughter, Katie, when we are in the car. I'm driving, and my 15 year-old, who has never driven and most likely will get lost going around the corner, insists on giving me driving directions. When I started refering to has as Kate-Kate, after the Tom-Tom GPS system, I did so in the hopes that my sarcasm would relay to her that her unsolicited advice was obnoxious and annoying as all hell. I figured that since she knew everything, she'd pick up on it and adjust her behavior.
Not so, sadly, as she merely giggled and continued to relay her instructions from the back seat.
Mike says that he wonders where she gets her backseat driver gene from, this a not so cleverly veiled reference to the fact that I backseat drive when Mike is driving. I give him a sideways look, a middle finger salute and a "fuck you Thiac", which makes him laugh. I HAVE to backseat drive with Mike because he drives like a cop, ie: maniacally. He also rides his brake in heavy traffic and downloads his Mark Levin, and Rush Limbaugh to his phone when he drives. He's also been known to mapquest things on his phone enroute, as opposed to doing it at home BEFORE setting out to where it is we are going.
I still have nightmares about our first "date date", when we met up with Al, Claude and Christina at the Abita Brew Pub, and him driving on the twisty roads that led us to Abita, and Mike driving and mucking about with his cell phone at the same time. I was convinced that I was going to die, and yet didn't say a word to him because I wanted the relationship to progress. I do believe that my body language was screaming "PLEASE SLOW THE HELL DOWN AND PUT BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL ON THIS DARK TWISTY ROAD BEFORE YOU ORPHAN MY CHILDREN!!" but Mike was too busy driving and texting to notice. Either that or he was being purposly obtuse. By the time we got to the pub, I threw myself out of the cab of the pick-up like I was fleeing from a serial killer and lit a cigarette. Then I went in and ordered a martini, which I drank in record time, then proceeded to order the biggest ale I could get my hands on.
I kept my eyes closed on the trip home, which involved crossing the 24 mile long Causeway over Lake Pontchartrain, which is pitch black at night and cold in December. There are baracuda in Lake Ponchartrain and fish and ever since Jaws, I've had this aversion to open waters. I didn't want to see us plunge into the dark depths, in case Mike's phone activites led to us plunging.
Since I obviously survived the trip (this isn't a zombie blog) and Mike and I are together 4evah, it all worked out. He still drives like a lunatic, and I still backseat drive, which annoys the living hell out of Mike. We've even snapped at each other on occasion, and so on long trips I try to sleep, or at least recline my seat back and pray. On the short trips, I bite my tongue, sometimes successfully, sometimes not.
As for my know it all children, I sometimes can't get a word in edgewise, because before I finish a sentence I get the "I Know, I know" reply, which makes me see red. Since the state frowns upon the use of Tazers on one's offspring, I am limited to growling at the children and occasonally resorting to the standard line that all "old" people like me use; "It must be nice to know everything. Why don't you go get a job and support me, since you already know it all, and I will go back to school."
Oh God, I am my parents!
Mind you, this sharing of knowledge is unasked for by me, and Mike. It also comes in the form of lectures about our vices; I drink too much coffee and am addicted to drugs, apparently, since I smoke cigarettes. I'm also "old" and can't sing.
My favorite unasked for advice comes from my eldest daughter, Katie, when we are in the car. I'm driving, and my 15 year-old, who has never driven and most likely will get lost going around the corner, insists on giving me driving directions. When I started refering to has as Kate-Kate, after the Tom-Tom GPS system, I did so in the hopes that my sarcasm would relay to her that her unsolicited advice was obnoxious and annoying as all hell. I figured that since she knew everything, she'd pick up on it and adjust her behavior.
Not so, sadly, as she merely giggled and continued to relay her instructions from the back seat.
Mike says that he wonders where she gets her backseat driver gene from, this a not so cleverly veiled reference to the fact that I backseat drive when Mike is driving. I give him a sideways look, a middle finger salute and a "fuck you Thiac", which makes him laugh. I HAVE to backseat drive with Mike because he drives like a cop, ie: maniacally. He also rides his brake in heavy traffic and downloads his Mark Levin, and Rush Limbaugh to his phone when he drives. He's also been known to mapquest things on his phone enroute, as opposed to doing it at home BEFORE setting out to where it is we are going.
I still have nightmares about our first "date date", when we met up with Al, Claude and Christina at the Abita Brew Pub, and him driving on the twisty roads that led us to Abita, and Mike driving and mucking about with his cell phone at the same time. I was convinced that I was going to die, and yet didn't say a word to him because I wanted the relationship to progress. I do believe that my body language was screaming "PLEASE SLOW THE HELL DOWN AND PUT BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL ON THIS DARK TWISTY ROAD BEFORE YOU ORPHAN MY CHILDREN!!" but Mike was too busy driving and texting to notice. Either that or he was being purposly obtuse. By the time we got to the pub, I threw myself out of the cab of the pick-up like I was fleeing from a serial killer and lit a cigarette. Then I went in and ordered a martini, which I drank in record time, then proceeded to order the biggest ale I could get my hands on.
I kept my eyes closed on the trip home, which involved crossing the 24 mile long Causeway over Lake Pontchartrain, which is pitch black at night and cold in December. There are baracuda in Lake Ponchartrain and fish and ever since Jaws, I've had this aversion to open waters. I didn't want to see us plunge into the dark depths, in case Mike's phone activites led to us plunging.
Since I obviously survived the trip (this isn't a zombie blog) and Mike and I are together 4evah, it all worked out. He still drives like a lunatic, and I still backseat drive, which annoys the living hell out of Mike. We've even snapped at each other on occasion, and so on long trips I try to sleep, or at least recline my seat back and pray. On the short trips, I bite my tongue, sometimes successfully, sometimes not.
As for my know it all children, I sometimes can't get a word in edgewise, because before I finish a sentence I get the "I Know, I know" reply, which makes me see red. Since the state frowns upon the use of Tazers on one's offspring, I am limited to growling at the children and occasonally resorting to the standard line that all "old" people like me use; "It must be nice to know everything. Why don't you go get a job and support me, since you already know it all, and I will go back to school."
Oh God, I am my parents!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Oh Jebus, It's Cold!
I was born in New Orleans, raised in New Orleans and now live in Houston. I love the south, love the culture, the history, the people, the food and the weather.
I'm not loving it so much today, as it's 30ish degrees outside. Sunny, but too damn cold for this steel magnolia!
I can't imagine living where it gets down to -14 degrees during the day and colder at night! How do humans function in that? I know that they have coats, heaters and snow tires, but how can one function when one's toes are numb and one's ears are so cold that they feel hard enough to be used as an anvil, and that's with a hat covering them!
As I sit here, in my toasty den, sipping a hot cup of coffee, I'm watching the weather on FNC. Janice Dean is talking about the record snow, and showing scenes featuring snow blowers, ice encrusted cars and the roof of the Metrodome collapsing under the weight of the snow (this collapse makes me wonder why the builders would put a cloth roof on a building...don't they realize that they live in snow prone parts of the nation and that snow is heavy!)
Naturally, my children, who have never had to drive in snow (I did once or twice when we had freak snow in New Orleans and Houston) are wishing for snow here this season. They are jealous of the fact that the kids up north don't have school. I cheerfully explained to them that unless there were blizzards, the kids went to school in the snow, every day. They aren't so jealous anymore.
The kids are appreciative of the fact that I'm an at home mom now, as they both got driven to school today. Normally I make them take the bus, no matter the weather, as I believe that standing in the cold and rain, or heat and humidity are charater building, but even I have some mercy for my obnoxious teenager and my tough 11 year old tomboy! If I were still working, they'd have to take the bus today, and it's too darn cold; they each are also coming down with colds and our health insurance hasn't kicked in yet. Adele, the youngest has a thermos of chicken noodle soup in her lunch box. I just can't see the kids eating cold sandwiches on a day like this.
I'm all for a nice chilly day during the winter season, especially at Christmas time, but by chilly I don't mean 32 degrees. I mean 65 degrees...just cold enough to wear a sweater and my fur coat; or a shortsleeved mock tutrleneck and my fur coat. I really don't want a white Christmas, slim as those chances are, this year...or any damn year for that matter. I want my Christmas to be sunny and a nice balmy 65 or so degrees. Because this is the south, for crying out loud, and this magnolia is freezing!
I'm not loving it so much today, as it's 30ish degrees outside. Sunny, but too damn cold for this steel magnolia!
I can't imagine living where it gets down to -14 degrees during the day and colder at night! How do humans function in that? I know that they have coats, heaters and snow tires, but how can one function when one's toes are numb and one's ears are so cold that they feel hard enough to be used as an anvil, and that's with a hat covering them!
As I sit here, in my toasty den, sipping a hot cup of coffee, I'm watching the weather on FNC. Janice Dean is talking about the record snow, and showing scenes featuring snow blowers, ice encrusted cars and the roof of the Metrodome collapsing under the weight of the snow (this collapse makes me wonder why the builders would put a cloth roof on a building...don't they realize that they live in snow prone parts of the nation and that snow is heavy!)
Naturally, my children, who have never had to drive in snow (I did once or twice when we had freak snow in New Orleans and Houston) are wishing for snow here this season. They are jealous of the fact that the kids up north don't have school. I cheerfully explained to them that unless there were blizzards, the kids went to school in the snow, every day. They aren't so jealous anymore.
The kids are appreciative of the fact that I'm an at home mom now, as they both got driven to school today. Normally I make them take the bus, no matter the weather, as I believe that standing in the cold and rain, or heat and humidity are charater building, but even I have some mercy for my obnoxious teenager and my tough 11 year old tomboy! If I were still working, they'd have to take the bus today, and it's too darn cold; they each are also coming down with colds and our health insurance hasn't kicked in yet. Adele, the youngest has a thermos of chicken noodle soup in her lunch box. I just can't see the kids eating cold sandwiches on a day like this.
I'm all for a nice chilly day during the winter season, especially at Christmas time, but by chilly I don't mean 32 degrees. I mean 65 degrees...just cold enough to wear a sweater and my fur coat; or a shortsleeved mock tutrleneck and my fur coat. I really don't want a white Christmas, slim as those chances are, this year...or any damn year for that matter. I want my Christmas to be sunny and a nice balmy 65 or so degrees. Because this is the south, for crying out loud, and this magnolia is freezing!
Saturday, December 11, 2010
My Daughter Wants to go to Juliard...
On that note, and after I finished hyperventelating, I bring you some of the performance from the Christmas Concert at Morton Ranch High School. Katie has been in choir since elementary school,, and she is working on lettering in Choir.
She's a mezo-soprano, and has talent, I do have to get her into some more formalized voice lessons, over and above what she gets at school. This will be done after the holidays. She can read music, a very good voice and marvelous control. She just needs some more training.
As for Juliard, well...GULP! Katie in NYC and the tuition! I don't know which is more frightening. She does have a couple of schools picked out as a back-up plan, but she is set on the performing arts, so more power to her!
So without further ado, here is The Morton Ranch Choir...
Mixed Ensemble
Full choir. After the performance, the local middle school choir and choir alum are asked to join for an encore.
It was a lovely performance, and it kicked off the last two weeks of the season quite nicely!
Merry Christmas!
She's a mezo-soprano, and has talent, I do have to get her into some more formalized voice lessons, over and above what she gets at school. This will be done after the holidays. She can read music, a very good voice and marvelous control. She just needs some more training.
As for Juliard, well...GULP! Katie in NYC and the tuition! I don't know which is more frightening. She does have a couple of schools picked out as a back-up plan, but she is set on the performing arts, so more power to her!
So without further ado, here is The Morton Ranch Choir...
Mixed Ensemble
Full choir. After the performance, the local middle school choir and choir alum are asked to join for an encore.
It was a lovely performance, and it kicked off the last two weeks of the season quite nicely!
Merry Christmas!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Math Struggles and Monday Night Football
I have such an awesome man! Monday Night Football is on and he's at the kitchen table helping my youngest daughter with her math homework. She is so tired and frustrated, and I totally empathize with her as I struggled with math for my entire school career. As did Mike, but he's better at it than I am, as I can't even remember how to simplify fractions, and he can, which is why he's helping her. He's much more patient with her than I am when it comes to math homework. I just seem to revert back to that age and I freeze. It's is rather ironic that I ended up working in a field that deals with math, such as interest rates, fractional shares and the like. Thank God for computers and calculators.
Also, my cat is too fat to jump up onto the sofa. I suppose that she really needs to be put on a diet.
Don Meredith died yesterday...I remember watching him and Howard Cossel on Monday Night Football, and those awful gold jackets. I don't think it's possible to forget Cossel's voice, and how he and Meredith clowned around together. Now both of them are gone and Frank Gifford remains.
I just can't seem to find the energy to comment on things political these days. I do pay attention and I have my thoughts on it all, but it's like this ennui has set in. I don't think that it's pessissimism on my part, I don't think that the country is doomed, yet, but I think that we are in for a very long haul. Thinking about it, and the scope of just how much of a shit storm we are in, is a bit overwelming. I think about what I can do to prepare so that my family can survive, and I thank God that we have little to no debt, but the largeness of it all is, like I said, overwhelming. I know that I shall have to think of it, but I choose to break it all into pieces and deal with each piece at a time. Hence the ennui. I'll snap out of it, I'm sure.
Otherwise, on the homefront, I got Mike to myself for most of the day today, I knew that the strange man in my bed looked familiar! Tomorrow, we are both back at work; me from 6:45 am to 1pm and he from 1 pm to 10 pm, so I will get to see him when he gets home from work. If I'm awake. I may be, because tomorrow I start baking for Christmas. Katie and Adele want to give their teachers cookies and fudge for Christmas, and Mike wants me to bake goodies for his station. This will include a pound of fudge. One thing is for sure, my diet has been abandoned, at least until the New Year.
Well, that's it for me tonight. Am off to bed, Need the beauty sleep.
Also, my cat is too fat to jump up onto the sofa. I suppose that she really needs to be put on a diet.
Don Meredith died yesterday...I remember watching him and Howard Cossel on Monday Night Football, and those awful gold jackets. I don't think it's possible to forget Cossel's voice, and how he and Meredith clowned around together. Now both of them are gone and Frank Gifford remains.
I just can't seem to find the energy to comment on things political these days. I do pay attention and I have my thoughts on it all, but it's like this ennui has set in. I don't think that it's pessissimism on my part, I don't think that the country is doomed, yet, but I think that we are in for a very long haul. Thinking about it, and the scope of just how much of a shit storm we are in, is a bit overwelming. I think about what I can do to prepare so that my family can survive, and I thank God that we have little to no debt, but the largeness of it all is, like I said, overwhelming. I know that I shall have to think of it, but I choose to break it all into pieces and deal with each piece at a time. Hence the ennui. I'll snap out of it, I'm sure.
Otherwise, on the homefront, I got Mike to myself for most of the day today, I knew that the strange man in my bed looked familiar! Tomorrow, we are both back at work; me from 6:45 am to 1pm and he from 1 pm to 10 pm, so I will get to see him when he gets home from work. If I'm awake. I may be, because tomorrow I start baking for Christmas. Katie and Adele want to give their teachers cookies and fudge for Christmas, and Mike wants me to bake goodies for his station. This will include a pound of fudge. One thing is for sure, my diet has been abandoned, at least until the New Year.
Well, that's it for me tonight. Am off to bed, Need the beauty sleep.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Fireplace Weather and Football
After the events of last week and this weekend, tonight was a chance to relax. The weather was perfect for a fire in the fireplace and for Monday Night Football. It's been a great game thus far, with Philly kicking Redskin ass; as I write this Philly is up 52-21. Michael Vick screwed up with the whole pit bull thing, but he served his time and still remains an awesome ball player. I just hope that he has genuinely changed his ways...I think he has.
After returning from New Orleans on Wednesday, and working on Thursday, Mike and I went to Galveston for an annual meeting of the colonels and I had a really nice time, in spite of the crap weather. The food was excellent and copious, the booze the same. The beach house we stayed in was beautiful. The only drag was having to leave at 6:30 Sunday morning so that I could work from 8 to 3...hung over.
Annnnd, the Eagles, just intercepted the ball from Washington, bringing the game to 59-21 with an quarter and a half to go in the game. Barring the second coming, I don't think that the Redskins will be able to overcome this team tonight.
Oh dear, Mike, my football fanatic, has just changed channels off of football and to Star Trek...apparently watching one team shame the other is boring to him. He may have a point.
Back to topic. No political round-up tonight...am too tired. Not that I haven't paid attention, it's just that everything I'd write has been written. However, I will share this hillarity. While I'm not a fan of SNL, they do, on occasion, come up with funny stuff:
Am also really pissed, though not surprised, that it's looking like KSM won't stand before the tribunal BEFORE the elections in 2012. Can we PLEASE start trying these animals and disposing of them?
How Do You Solve a Problem Like KSM?
And I said I wouldn't post a round-up.
Instead, here are some pics from this past weekend:
Here's a link to my honey's blog post on the weekend:
Council of Colonels...A Cop's Watch
That is all, except to say that the fire is really heavenly and I am so very relaxed. Happy Monday!
After returning from New Orleans on Wednesday, and working on Thursday, Mike and I went to Galveston for an annual meeting of the colonels and I had a really nice time, in spite of the crap weather. The food was excellent and copious, the booze the same. The beach house we stayed in was beautiful. The only drag was having to leave at 6:30 Sunday morning so that I could work from 8 to 3...hung over.
Annnnd, the Eagles, just intercepted the ball from Washington, bringing the game to 59-21 with an quarter and a half to go in the game. Barring the second coming, I don't think that the Redskins will be able to overcome this team tonight.
Oh dear, Mike, my football fanatic, has just changed channels off of football and to Star Trek...apparently watching one team shame the other is boring to him. He may have a point.
Back to topic. No political round-up tonight...am too tired. Not that I haven't paid attention, it's just that everything I'd write has been written. However, I will share this hillarity. While I'm not a fan of SNL, they do, on occasion, come up with funny stuff:
Am also really pissed, though not surprised, that it's looking like KSM won't stand before the tribunal BEFORE the elections in 2012. Can we PLEASE start trying these animals and disposing of them?
How Do You Solve a Problem Like KSM?
And I said I wouldn't post a round-up.
Instead, here are some pics from this past weekend:
Council of Colonels...A Cop's Watch
That is all, except to say that the fire is really heavenly and I am so very relaxed. Happy Monday!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Life, Death, Family and Faith...
Last Wednesday, my phone rang, and at the other end of the line was my mother.She told me that my beloved Aunt Barbara had gone into the hospital for the replacement of her Aortic Valve, and that she didn't survive the surgery.
Aunt Barbara was an awesome woman. She raised 4 children as a single mother after her and my Uncle Chuck divorced, she was deeply involved with the Catholic church, the Rosary Society, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and she was devoted to the Blessed Virgin, like no one I have ever, ever known. She took care of my Gramps (her father) and my Aunt Adele when they were sick and dying. She was one of the very few people I talked to when I was considering moving back to New Orleans in 2009, because I knew that she would be honest with me whilst not trying to influence me one way or the other. She was someone who I could talk to about anything and know that I wouldn't be judged by her, but that she would listen and advise with nothing but love,and the guidance of Jesus and the Holy Mother.
At family gatherings, you could always hear her giggles, rising above the noise of our large French-German family; she delighted in life and the living of it. In her youth, she was physically beautiful, so much so that, according to my daddy, she had men beating down the door. Judging from her pictures, I can see why...she was a knockout! The one thing I learned about her, was that, her hands were never idle, she was always looking for things to do, even in her youth. And she was so brilliant, so very, very intelligent; and I didn't need a scrap book or family stories to tell me that. I saw it all the time, those brains of hers.
She also had this melodious voice, which is why, if you watched WLAE(New Orleans local Catholic television station), you would hear her voice overs or announcements. It's also why (in addition to her being so beloved by me) I had her do the readings at my 1st marriage. It is a great sadness to me that she won't be able to do the flowers for my upcoming wedding to Mike, she would have loved him so had she had the chance to meet him. She would have been so happy that God has given me this man.
I miss her so very much.
To me, she was angelic. An Earth-bound angel, just waiting to get her wings. I just didn't expect it to be so soon.
When mom called me, I wept. I was stunned and devistated. She had gone in for a valve replacement, but her Aorta had calcified. I like to think of it as she had given her heart to the point that it just wore out. She died in the best way possible; without pain, heart full of joy, at peace. She went to sleep and poof! woke up in heaven. How beautiful that is to think of, dying peacefully in the manner that one lived?
Even in death, Aunt Barbara was working amongst us all. Even in my sadness, she was teaching me things; or rather, pointing out the obvious in her gentle way. You see, her death brought me back to New Orleans and to my family.
When I moved back to The Big Easy in July of 2009, I and my cousins and aunts all got together and celebrated my return. Then life got in the way and we all got too busy with family and work. I didn't see my cousins or my aunt as much as I intended to do. Her death brought us all back together, her passing stoked the burning embers of the love that I have for my cousins and aunts and uncles. I got to know them again, and found that they are all essentially the same as I remember from childhood when we played together.
It was a chance to look at photo albums, to remember Gramp's annual 4th of July Picnics at the house on Clearview and the incredible fruit salad he'd make. I've never been able to duplicate it. I can still see the violets that Gramps grew on the little nook counter in the kitchen, right next to the jar of peppermints, which he swore settled an upset tummy(they do). I can still taste my Granny's corn soup, a recipe I've also never been able to duplicate. I thought of Aunt Adele and her incredible fudge (it melted in your mouth!) Aunt Carol and her hugs and red lipstick, Aunt Teeda and Uncle Don who live so far away in Washington. Hanging out will Bonnie, John, Kenny and Reid at Christmas. I thought of Miss Elaine and her children and grandchildren, new family all when Gramps married her after my Granny died.
And from all of this living and growing up, I have my cousins-in-law; Lori and Michelle in particular; and never forgetting my Auntie Robin. I love these three women, more than I can find the words to express. I found myself feeling ashamed that I hadn't spent more time with them during my year in New Orleans, just as I felt guilty about not spending more time with Aunt Barbara...even though she'd tell me I was being silly.
Another thing that weighed on my mind and spirit was my faith and walk with Christ. You see Aunt Barbara was so faithful! I've never met anyone with such a genuine, childlike faith in God. Ever. She trusted in the Lord for everything, but also knew that faith without works is dead...she go totally got it! I want to be like her in that way. I desire that unconditional love, that faith and hope that she possessed. She went into the surgery without worry. Her odds were great, statistically, that she'd survive, but she didn't and she was at peace.
She had a real peace of soul. Think about those words for a moment "peace of soul". I want that for myself, any my biggest regret is that I never got around to asking her how to attain that; even though I really know the answer anyway, it still was a conversation I wanted to have with her.
It is said that God never shuts a door without opening another, and I believe this is true. It's amazing how much one's life can change in a few days time...He is truly a wonderous Father.
During the sad days of last week, I determined that I would no longer let life get in the way of spending time with the ones that I love most of all in this world. Mike, my children, my parent's, my friends and my cousins.
I will pray the rosary, I will read The Word, I will nourish my soul. I will walk into church and not expect to burst into flame. I will go with a humble heart, swallowing my pride. I don't expect perfection, I am merely human and flawed, but I will walk in faith. I seek and desire Aunt Barbara's peace of soul.
You see life is so delicate...one day you could fall asleep and never wake up again. What is the legacy that I want to leave behind?
Aunt Barbara was an awesome woman. She raised 4 children as a single mother after her and my Uncle Chuck divorced, she was deeply involved with the Catholic church, the Rosary Society, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and she was devoted to the Blessed Virgin, like no one I have ever, ever known. She took care of my Gramps (her father) and my Aunt Adele when they were sick and dying. She was one of the very few people I talked to when I was considering moving back to New Orleans in 2009, because I knew that she would be honest with me whilst not trying to influence me one way or the other. She was someone who I could talk to about anything and know that I wouldn't be judged by her, but that she would listen and advise with nothing but love,and the guidance of Jesus and the Holy Mother.
At family gatherings, you could always hear her giggles, rising above the noise of our large French-German family; she delighted in life and the living of it. In her youth, she was physically beautiful, so much so that, according to my daddy, she had men beating down the door. Judging from her pictures, I can see why...she was a knockout! The one thing I learned about her, was that, her hands were never idle, she was always looking for things to do, even in her youth. And she was so brilliant, so very, very intelligent; and I didn't need a scrap book or family stories to tell me that. I saw it all the time, those brains of hers.
She also had this melodious voice, which is why, if you watched WLAE(New Orleans local Catholic television station), you would hear her voice overs or announcements. It's also why (in addition to her being so beloved by me) I had her do the readings at my 1st marriage. It is a great sadness to me that she won't be able to do the flowers for my upcoming wedding to Mike, she would have loved him so had she had the chance to meet him. She would have been so happy that God has given me this man.
I miss her so very much.
To me, she was angelic. An Earth-bound angel, just waiting to get her wings. I just didn't expect it to be so soon.
When mom called me, I wept. I was stunned and devistated. She had gone in for a valve replacement, but her Aorta had calcified. I like to think of it as she had given her heart to the point that it just wore out. She died in the best way possible; without pain, heart full of joy, at peace. She went to sleep and poof! woke up in heaven. How beautiful that is to think of, dying peacefully in the manner that one lived?
Even in death, Aunt Barbara was working amongst us all. Even in my sadness, she was teaching me things; or rather, pointing out the obvious in her gentle way. You see, her death brought me back to New Orleans and to my family.
When I moved back to The Big Easy in July of 2009, I and my cousins and aunts all got together and celebrated my return. Then life got in the way and we all got too busy with family and work. I didn't see my cousins or my aunt as much as I intended to do. Her death brought us all back together, her passing stoked the burning embers of the love that I have for my cousins and aunts and uncles. I got to know them again, and found that they are all essentially the same as I remember from childhood when we played together.
It was a chance to look at photo albums, to remember Gramp's annual 4th of July Picnics at the house on Clearview and the incredible fruit salad he'd make. I've never been able to duplicate it. I can still see the violets that Gramps grew on the little nook counter in the kitchen, right next to the jar of peppermints, which he swore settled an upset tummy(they do). I can still taste my Granny's corn soup, a recipe I've also never been able to duplicate. I thought of Aunt Adele and her incredible fudge (it melted in your mouth!) Aunt Carol and her hugs and red lipstick, Aunt Teeda and Uncle Don who live so far away in Washington. Hanging out will Bonnie, John, Kenny and Reid at Christmas. I thought of Miss Elaine and her children and grandchildren, new family all when Gramps married her after my Granny died.
And from all of this living and growing up, I have my cousins-in-law; Lori and Michelle in particular; and never forgetting my Auntie Robin. I love these three women, more than I can find the words to express. I found myself feeling ashamed that I hadn't spent more time with them during my year in New Orleans, just as I felt guilty about not spending more time with Aunt Barbara...even though she'd tell me I was being silly.
Another thing that weighed on my mind and spirit was my faith and walk with Christ. You see Aunt Barbara was so faithful! I've never met anyone with such a genuine, childlike faith in God. Ever. She trusted in the Lord for everything, but also knew that faith without works is dead...she go totally got it! I want to be like her in that way. I desire that unconditional love, that faith and hope that she possessed. She went into the surgery without worry. Her odds were great, statistically, that she'd survive, but she didn't and she was at peace.
She had a real peace of soul. Think about those words for a moment "peace of soul". I want that for myself, any my biggest regret is that I never got around to asking her how to attain that; even though I really know the answer anyway, it still was a conversation I wanted to have with her.
It is said that God never shuts a door without opening another, and I believe this is true. It's amazing how much one's life can change in a few days time...He is truly a wonderous Father.
During the sad days of last week, I determined that I would no longer let life get in the way of spending time with the ones that I love most of all in this world. Mike, my children, my parent's, my friends and my cousins.
I will pray the rosary, I will read The Word, I will nourish my soul. I will walk into church and not expect to burst into flame. I will go with a humble heart, swallowing my pride. I don't expect perfection, I am merely human and flawed, but I will walk in faith. I seek and desire Aunt Barbara's peace of soul.
You see life is so delicate...one day you could fall asleep and never wake up again. What is the legacy that I want to leave behind?
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
COOTIES!!!!!!!!
Fuck, fuck, fucketey fuck....the 11 year old has head lice. Oh joy! I just looooove school days.
The last time I dealt with head lice was when my eldest, who is now 15, was 5 or 6. She got lice from her daycare center. Three days later, after three treatments with Nit, I had to resort to smothering the fuckers with half a jar of Blue Plate Mayonaise.
Her hair stank for days, inspite of numerous shampoo's, and it was a messy job. Not to mention the fact that Blue Plate Mayo, when bought in Texas, is very pricey.
Hopefully I won't have to resort to the Blue Plate treatment with this child; her hair isn't as thick as her sister's. Fingers crossed.
And Fuck ALL, if I'm not suddenly itchy!!!! I know it's psychosomatic, but HELL!
Where's the scotch?
At any rate, there go my plans for tomorrow; I am making my special meatloaf (thanks Rachel Ray) for my friend Claude and his wife. They just had a baby, and I finally get to meet Baby Claude this weekend, when I go to New Orleans. I'm bringing the meatloaf for dinner, since poor Christina and Claude are pretty much sleepless. She breast feeds, which means she's up every TWO BLOODY HOURS! This is why I didn't breast feed, but that's an entry for another day. Maybe.
Claude is the fella who introduced me to my fiance. Claude and I grew up together, practically. He was even a boy friend of sorts for a short time. Anyway, his best friend, and best man at his wedding, Mike (my fiancee), is a cop here in Houston. He, Claude and I went to the same high school together, we hung out with the same crowd, he dated a chick I was on color guard with; we probally passed each other in the halls a zillion times. Yet, we never met until this past September, when Claude gave Mike my number and we talked for hours. The rest is history, and for another blog post.
So, to get back to the point, Claude's lovely bride of 10 years gave birth to the cutest little boy, and Mike and I are going to see them this weekend. I remember how tired I was after giving birth and how thankful I was when friends and family brought home cooked meals. Life savers those were. Hence the meat loaf, and not your average meat loaf either.
Pictures and reciepe will post tomorrow.
I'll just get the daughter up early, knock out the fucking lice, then do the meatloaf...after I sterilize the kitchen, scrub myself down with a loofa in a hot bath, wash ALL of the linens in the house, and knock back some mommy juice to get rid of the psychosomatic lice that are crawling on everything.
The last time I dealt with head lice was when my eldest, who is now 15, was 5 or 6. She got lice from her daycare center. Three days later, after three treatments with Nit, I had to resort to smothering the fuckers with half a jar of Blue Plate Mayonaise.
Her hair stank for days, inspite of numerous shampoo's, and it was a messy job. Not to mention the fact that Blue Plate Mayo, when bought in Texas, is very pricey.
Hopefully I won't have to resort to the Blue Plate treatment with this child; her hair isn't as thick as her sister's. Fingers crossed.
And Fuck ALL, if I'm not suddenly itchy!!!! I know it's psychosomatic, but HELL!
Where's the scotch?
At any rate, there go my plans for tomorrow; I am making my special meatloaf (thanks Rachel Ray) for my friend Claude and his wife. They just had a baby, and I finally get to meet Baby Claude this weekend, when I go to New Orleans. I'm bringing the meatloaf for dinner, since poor Christina and Claude are pretty much sleepless. She breast feeds, which means she's up every TWO BLOODY HOURS! This is why I didn't breast feed, but that's an entry for another day. Maybe.
Claude is the fella who introduced me to my fiance. Claude and I grew up together, practically. He was even a boy friend of sorts for a short time. Anyway, his best friend, and best man at his wedding, Mike (my fiancee), is a cop here in Houston. He, Claude and I went to the same high school together, we hung out with the same crowd, he dated a chick I was on color guard with; we probally passed each other in the halls a zillion times. Yet, we never met until this past September, when Claude gave Mike my number and we talked for hours. The rest is history, and for another blog post.
So, to get back to the point, Claude's lovely bride of 10 years gave birth to the cutest little boy, and Mike and I are going to see them this weekend. I remember how tired I was after giving birth and how thankful I was when friends and family brought home cooked meals. Life savers those were. Hence the meat loaf, and not your average meat loaf either.
Pictures and reciepe will post tomorrow.
I'll just get the daughter up early, knock out the fucking lice, then do the meatloaf...after I sterilize the kitchen, scrub myself down with a loofa in a hot bath, wash ALL of the linens in the house, and knock back some mommy juice to get rid of the psychosomatic lice that are crawling on everything.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Family Day Trip
We took the kiddos to Natural Bridge Caverns today, and did some spelunking...hopefully the kids will sleep early tonight what with all of tha walking and clinbing we did today. I will say that the hubby and I will make a trip on the Harley, by ourselves, and hit this again; only this time we are going on the "undeveloped" part of the trip, which includes more climbing and NO lights save those on your helmet. I also want to hit the zip lines, which were closed today.
The caverns were beautiful, it's amazing what nature does with water and dirt....
All in all, this was a great trip! My 15 year old did the typical, arms folded, pouty, omg why are my parents dragging me on this booooring trip, thing; but in the end I think she had fun. Not that she will ever admit it. My 11 year old, got her first taste of "really" exploring and as she wants to be an "explorer" when she grows up I think that today made her realize that one doesn't just wiz into a cave, Indiana Jones style. She wasn't too keen on the darker spaces that make up the daylong undeveloped tour. She did like the idea of rapelling. She was also disappointed that there were no bats. I wasn't.
The caverns were beautiful, it's amazing what nature does with water and dirt....
All in all, this was a great trip! My 15 year old did the typical, arms folded, pouty, omg why are my parents dragging me on this booooring trip, thing; but in the end I think she had fun. Not that she will ever admit it. My 11 year old, got her first taste of "really" exploring and as she wants to be an "explorer" when she grows up I think that today made her realize that one doesn't just wiz into a cave, Indiana Jones style. She wasn't too keen on the darker spaces that make up the daylong undeveloped tour. She did like the idea of rapelling. She was also disappointed that there were no bats. I wasn't.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Homecoming!!!
I remember Homecoming weekend in high school, and this year I have a Freshman. Back in my day (the 80's, YEAH!) we wore school colors and voted for the court. Being from New Orleans, it was a bonus if the weather was "Fall" like, and today in Houston, it is!
Not much has changed, except where the homecoming mums were once reserved for the homecoming court, they are now "the" thing for all of the students. There is a half day of school today and a pep rally (naturally)...my daughter's first homecoming pep rally.
I still can't believe I have a child old enough to be a Freshman! Or, how expensive those damn mums are!
Not much has changed, except where the homecoming mums were once reserved for the homecoming court, they are now "the" thing for all of the students. There is a half day of school today and a pep rally (naturally)...my daughter's first homecoming pep rally.
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