I toyed with this topic - I love Wide Open Spaces by the Dixie Chicks. When it came out it so reminded me of me as a young willful kid - "I know how to do it better than you." Of course, that is so not true, yet in a way it is.
Today I got tickets to see that jazz great (and Boise/Capitol High native) Curtis Stigers. I'm going with friend Shawn since The Husband will be out of town - getting to join him for a couple of days in Reno later in the week, yay!
I posted a while back the boys and I got to sit by Curtis at Gernika and I ogled him (subtly) because he is a) gorgeous and b) talented.
Just so you have a frame of reference, really the first time I really saw much of Curtis, he looked like this:
The last time I saw Curtis, (I've seen him sing a couple of times in the interim) he looked like this:
It's interesting how this mirrors "Wide Open Spaces" - you start out this kid who knows it all, and you end up 25 years later this wiser, happier person who STILL, STILL, sings the same tune. In a way. And you can still look really good - even with gray hair.
Really looking forward to seeing him Monday.
Showing posts with label Mom is getting old. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mom is getting old. Show all posts
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Progress?
Here I am, actually blogging. Shocking, eh? I know! (Craig Ferguson voice.)
Blogosophere, don't feel neglected - it's bad enough that my lovely stepmother called me to see if I was alive. Yes, she agrees my father could call me. He doesn't. Unless it's my birthday. I don't take it personally anymore but when things get going enough that life is especially crazy, I don't think of calling him until 8:30 p.m. and then he's asleep. I reassured her I'm still alive and think about them lots. We'll probably try and run down over Thanksgiving weekend. Turkey Day itself will be quietly at home. TH has to have hernia surgery two days before so he will be moving gingerly I am sure.
(Hernia surgery? Seriously? Old people have hernias. Oh, he's 47 you say? Oh my heck.)
Big Bit is doing well at College of Idaho. He's taking midterms this week, has made a few friends and is ready for his fall break next week, in which he will take Reno on for several days. His Dad is doing well, the cancer seems to have been a scare and not a glaring reality, for which I am deeply thankful.
Little Bit is cruising through 6th grade fairly well, as has been the case each year there are less issues with the transition. I'm a little concerned about the transition to junior high. No, let me be honest. I'm terrified. He's so intelligent but emotionally a little immature - and holding him back academically would be a disaster. His counselor that he's been seeing for a while now suggested a charter school here in Boise that has a junior high. We're seriously considering it. It's not far from TH's work so that wouldn't be especially problematic but it has a lottery so who knows if he'd actually get in anyway. There's also a private school that might be an option. (ouch.)
Not getting the potential job seems to have been a blessing in disguise, but the current one is driving me starkers as they say in the UK. Still, it is better than unemployment, so I will strive to persevere.
The Packers beat the Vikings. You may not have heard. This of course was huge. I'm still grinning. Now if Nevada beats BSU my football experience for this year may hit it's zenith. Those Oregon Ducks are the team I'm rooting for otherwise. ;)
My birthday is Saturday and unfortunately I didn't win the Packers trip to see the Jets game and the new Broadway play Lombardi this weekend. Sigh. Nor can I go to the Rally for Sanity, as much fun as that would be. Little Bit wants to go to Boo at the Zoo Saturday so that should be fun. He's going to be Harry Potter. I promise to post pictures of that.
I promise to be a little more active here. Now that it's dark, I'm not tempted to spend all of my time outside.
Blogosophere, don't feel neglected - it's bad enough that my lovely stepmother called me to see if I was alive. Yes, she agrees my father could call me. He doesn't. Unless it's my birthday. I don't take it personally anymore but when things get going enough that life is especially crazy, I don't think of calling him until 8:30 p.m. and then he's asleep. I reassured her I'm still alive and think about them lots. We'll probably try and run down over Thanksgiving weekend. Turkey Day itself will be quietly at home. TH has to have hernia surgery two days before so he will be moving gingerly I am sure.
(Hernia surgery? Seriously? Old people have hernias. Oh, he's 47 you say? Oh my heck.)
Big Bit is doing well at College of Idaho. He's taking midterms this week, has made a few friends and is ready for his fall break next week, in which he will take Reno on for several days. His Dad is doing well, the cancer seems to have been a scare and not a glaring reality, for which I am deeply thankful.
Little Bit is cruising through 6th grade fairly well, as has been the case each year there are less issues with the transition. I'm a little concerned about the transition to junior high. No, let me be honest. I'm terrified. He's so intelligent but emotionally a little immature - and holding him back academically would be a disaster. His counselor that he's been seeing for a while now suggested a charter school here in Boise that has a junior high. We're seriously considering it. It's not far from TH's work so that wouldn't be especially problematic but it has a lottery so who knows if he'd actually get in anyway. There's also a private school that might be an option. (ouch.)
Not getting the potential job seems to have been a blessing in disguise, but the current one is driving me starkers as they say in the UK. Still, it is better than unemployment, so I will strive to persevere.
The Packers beat the Vikings. You may not have heard. This of course was huge. I'm still grinning. Now if Nevada beats BSU my football experience for this year may hit it's zenith. Those Oregon Ducks are the team I'm rooting for otherwise. ;)
My birthday is Saturday and unfortunately I didn't win the Packers trip to see the Jets game and the new Broadway play Lombardi this weekend. Sigh. Nor can I go to the Rally for Sanity, as much fun as that would be. Little Bit wants to go to Boo at the Zoo Saturday so that should be fun. He's going to be Harry Potter. I promise to post pictures of that.
I promise to be a little more active here. Now that it's dark, I'm not tempted to spend all of my time outside.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Right after 9/11, TH and I were fortunate enough to go to Sun Valley, thanks to Jenny the old boss and her free tix to see James Taylor. The world at that time seemed quite upset and wrong, as everyone knows. He made us feel so, so much calmer and optimistic. This video is earlier, but quite representative of the reaction he got in Idaho. His daughter, Sally, played with him. I remember him saying, "It's so important we keep on going, though right now it's so hard." Those words have resonated with me, over and over, to this day.
James, I need you to come play a concert in my backyard. Just sayin'. Please?
One of the best times in my life, that concert was, even in the face of such tragedy in our country. Always remember.
James, I need you to come play a concert in my backyard. Just sayin'. Please?
One of the best times in my life, that concert was, even in the face of such tragedy in our country. Always remember.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Talk Thursday: Endings...and Beginnings
Yep, I set the topic again, so I feel obligated to write. I have written on other's topics (maybe twice, to my shame) so I don't feel like I'm totally favoring myself. :)
Usually, endings are sad. The last few years I've had some that are happy, and some that are sad.
Happy Endings:
Leaving Utah
Child Support
Sad Endings:
My grandmother's passing
My doggie's passing
Beginnings are always more optimistic - there's so much room for opportunity to hope and dream about how things will turn out. The beginning we've experienced over the past few years are well documented on this blog.
When you get into your 40's, it's a little harder to find beginnings, frankly, at least for me. My kid's lives are really still beginning and that's fascinating, but it's their lives, not mine. I might start another new job in the next few years - but more and more, as friend Shawn says, the time I (and he) spent at the Mothership working for Jenny looks like an aberration in one's career, not a constant. Everything else has been a job. I've been with TH for almost 16 years and all signs point to it's going to last (thankfully!). I'm not moving ever again, I've decided, so that's out. Let's face it, I am truly the picture of your middle aged Mom.
But....
One thing that has happened is, in a way, a beginning for me. Big Bit has chosen a college. He is going to go to the College of Idaho, the fine institution I wrote about previously and which I attended for all of one semester. Because of the cost (private school = $$$) and because like me as a college freshman he doesn't feel like he would live well in a dorm, he's going to live with us. It's about a 25 mile drive one way, but trust me, the gas in his car (Honda Civic) in no way compares with the cost of living on campus, and he needs to stretch his dollars to last as long as possible.
Since he started school, we've had Big Bit with us a lot - during year round school, probably 4 months total or more of the year, summers during middle schools, weekends frequently etc. (Of course, prior to that I had him full or half time at least). He spent his freshman year in Utah with us, which was wonderful, but it ended badly (not because of anything he or I did, but a third force if you know who I mean) and he went back. He was worried for me and him if he stayed with me.
Now, he's an adult, or as Little Bit put it "He can do whatever he wants, can't he Mom?"
So, in an odd way, Big Bit's graduation, which is an ending, is a beginning for both him, and me. I don't look at him coming to school here as "I win" or anything like it. He picked a school he wants to go to, and we happen to live near it. It saves him money to live here, so he will have less student loan debt at the end.
But still, it's going to be fun to see college through his perspective. I hope he handles it all far, far better than I did. I think, in spite of his shyness that I fully share (and more) that he will be able to enjoy school and not do something stupid like get married (too soon).
Now to go see about selling a kidney to pay for school, as well as the new roof that we weren't supposed to need for 3 more years (augh). That is all.
Usually, endings are sad. The last few years I've had some that are happy, and some that are sad.
Happy Endings:
Leaving Utah
Child Support
Sad Endings:
My grandmother's passing
My doggie's passing
Beginnings are always more optimistic - there's so much room for opportunity to hope and dream about how things will turn out. The beginning we've experienced over the past few years are well documented on this blog.
When you get into your 40's, it's a little harder to find beginnings, frankly, at least for me. My kid's lives are really still beginning and that's fascinating, but it's their lives, not mine. I might start another new job in the next few years - but more and more, as friend Shawn says, the time I (and he) spent at the Mothership working for Jenny looks like an aberration in one's career, not a constant. Everything else has been a job. I've been with TH for almost 16 years and all signs point to it's going to last (thankfully!). I'm not moving ever again, I've decided, so that's out. Let's face it, I am truly the picture of your middle aged Mom.
But....
One thing that has happened is, in a way, a beginning for me. Big Bit has chosen a college. He is going to go to the College of Idaho, the fine institution I wrote about previously and which I attended for all of one semester. Because of the cost (private school = $$$) and because like me as a college freshman he doesn't feel like he would live well in a dorm, he's going to live with us. It's about a 25 mile drive one way, but trust me, the gas in his car (Honda Civic) in no way compares with the cost of living on campus, and he needs to stretch his dollars to last as long as possible.
Since he started school, we've had Big Bit with us a lot - during year round school, probably 4 months total or more of the year, summers during middle schools, weekends frequently etc. (Of course, prior to that I had him full or half time at least). He spent his freshman year in Utah with us, which was wonderful, but it ended badly (not because of anything he or I did, but a third force if you know who I mean) and he went back. He was worried for me and him if he stayed with me.
Now, he's an adult, or as Little Bit put it "He can do whatever he wants, can't he Mom?"
So, in an odd way, Big Bit's graduation, which is an ending, is a beginning for both him, and me. I don't look at him coming to school here as "I win" or anything like it. He picked a school he wants to go to, and we happen to live near it. It saves him money to live here, so he will have less student loan debt at the end.
But still, it's going to be fun to see college through his perspective. I hope he handles it all far, far better than I did. I think, in spite of his shyness that I fully share (and more) that he will be able to enjoy school and not do something stupid like get married (too soon).
Now to go see about selling a kidney to pay for school, as well as the new roof that we weren't supposed to need for 3 more years (augh). That is all.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Epic Fail, and other updates
I have been a total sloth in my posting. I haven't "Talk Thursday"d, I haven't randomly rambled, I haven't done anything.
But, I have news to report. Today, my firstborn got an acceptance letter from the College of Idaho, the fine establishment I attended for only a semester, then was stupid enough to leave. And a scholarship. A good one. Not a great one, but one that levels the playing field with his other two options. Which means he really has OPTIONS. (Oh, and a much better one than I got when I went there.) Yeah!
And, I must admit, listening to him talk, I was suddenly sixteen again, looking at a letter and reading the words "The College of Idaho is pleased to inform you you've been accepted for admission as a freshment for the fall of 1983 semester". Or something along those lines. And knowing, suddenly, that you have a future. And options.
Folks, it's a great feeling. For both of us.
Now to see what he ends up getting from everyone. I may end up disappointed from my own selfish perspective. But I think he got some idea of what you can accomplish in life if you take college seriously. More seriously than I did, for sure.
Isn't it great, parents, when you get that just blissfully happy feeling for your children?
But, I have news to report. Today, my firstborn got an acceptance letter from the College of Idaho, the fine establishment I attended for only a semester, then was stupid enough to leave. And a scholarship. A good one. Not a great one, but one that levels the playing field with his other two options. Which means he really has OPTIONS. (Oh, and a much better one than I got when I went there.) Yeah!
And, I must admit, listening to him talk, I was suddenly sixteen again, looking at a letter and reading the words "The College of Idaho is pleased to inform you you've been accepted for admission as a freshment for the fall of 1983 semester". Or something along those lines. And knowing, suddenly, that you have a future. And options.
Folks, it's a great feeling. For both of us.
Now to see what he ends up getting from everyone. I may end up disappointed from my own selfish perspective. But I think he got some idea of what you can accomplish in life if you take college seriously. More seriously than I did, for sure.
Isn't it great, parents, when you get that just blissfully happy feeling for your children?
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Talk Thursday - Spin
I haven't blogged much lately - I would say I don't know why, but I do know. For years I've been preaching to myself "simplify" because my world seems to be in a perpetual spin. There is something of an ebb and flow to this, but for the most part, I feel like I'm on a merry-go-round and can't get off.
First of all, of course, there's work. The job's not terribly difficult, most days, and I've made some emotional adjustments so I can handle it better, but I struggle between thinking I should work a regular 8-5 schedule (for the most part) and the flexible schedule I'm currently on. It sounds great - every other Monday off - but the extra time I'm at work in the other days seems to throw me off. If I could just get up in the morning, I could get to work earlier and I'm sure the days wouldn't seem so long.
Then, there's life! TH is in Portland this week for work - may I mention how much better things worked for me when I was the one that traveled for work? Little Bit has been pretty good, but he likes to trot out his rebelliousness at the moment it's least needed - when getting ready for school, church, etc.
I've taken up piano since Christmas - TH gave me a lovely keyboard. I've always wanted to play, and enjoying lessons with friend Allen, but it's another thing I have to do everyday.
I've also been doing the Wii Fit the last few weeks - at least 30 minutes 5 times a week. Yet again, another thing I have to do.
That doesn't include laundry, shopping and all that stuff that just has to be done.
I haven't blogged, haven't really read blogs, haven't e-mailed Psam back and she probably thinks she pissed me off (she didn't, she has really good insight like her Mom), I have just run on the treadmill.
For Lent, you have to give something up (well, you don't in my church, but being more thoughtful about your life and relationship to God is strongly encouraged). I'm giving up The Spin. What does that mean exactly? I have 40 days to figure it out. I'll keep you posted.
First of all, of course, there's work. The job's not terribly difficult, most days, and I've made some emotional adjustments so I can handle it better, but I struggle between thinking I should work a regular 8-5 schedule (for the most part) and the flexible schedule I'm currently on. It sounds great - every other Monday off - but the extra time I'm at work in the other days seems to throw me off. If I could just get up in the morning, I could get to work earlier and I'm sure the days wouldn't seem so long.
Then, there's life! TH is in Portland this week for work - may I mention how much better things worked for me when I was the one that traveled for work? Little Bit has been pretty good, but he likes to trot out his rebelliousness at the moment it's least needed - when getting ready for school, church, etc.
I've taken up piano since Christmas - TH gave me a lovely keyboard. I've always wanted to play, and enjoying lessons with friend Allen, but it's another thing I have to do everyday.
I've also been doing the Wii Fit the last few weeks - at least 30 minutes 5 times a week. Yet again, another thing I have to do.
That doesn't include laundry, shopping and all that stuff that just has to be done.
I haven't blogged, haven't really read blogs, haven't e-mailed Psam back and she probably thinks she pissed me off (she didn't, she has really good insight like her Mom), I have just run on the treadmill.
For Lent, you have to give something up (well, you don't in my church, but being more thoughtful about your life and relationship to God is strongly encouraged). I'm giving up The Spin. What does that mean exactly? I have 40 days to figure it out. I'll keep you posted.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Kicks
It's been a long couple of weeks, dear readers. TH is doing well with his face, he can smile and everything, but his "job" has proven to be somewhat rocky (not in the sense of having one, but in the clarity of what having one means) as has mine. Anyone who lives in the greater Boise area may have heard my illustrious employer is moving their divisional headquarters (um, where I work) to Denver.
No, I'm not moving to Denver. I like Denver, lots, but I came home to be home. No, I don't know that this means I have to move to Denver. Or would need to in order to keep my job.
But, I will say, any stupid guy from Australia who happens to be a CEO with a location in Boise who doesn't LIKE Boise, thus feeling the need to change things doesn't have his head on straight.
That's all I'm saying, other than I really don't think things are as drastic as the local media painted them and I knew coming in that the worst could happen, but I wanted to come home. I do not want to be Dooced. So if you want to ask where I work, ask via e-mail.
So, because I needed some stability today, I found this video. Paul Revere and the Raiders have been an essential part of my life. My parents went to see them at the Armory in Twin Falls when they were dating. I was lucky enough to dance at Mr. Revere's club he had in Reno when EHFH and I were married and see him play, but got to meet him later when he played in the casino town in which my Mother was the Postmaster.
I relate the following simply because I'm sure he wanted to kill me. I paraphrase, but only a little.
Paul Revere (PR): Hey, how are you?
Me: Fine, it's very nice to meet you.
PR: Are you from around here? (or it may have been, how does a whippersnapper like you know who I am?)
Me: Yes. I grew up in Twin Falls. My parents used to go dance to your music when they were dating!
PR: Wow. Thanks.
(Me: Didn't get I just made him feel 100 years old. I got it later, um a few hours later, and I wanted to kick myself, because he really is a nice guy).
I now present to you two of the hottest guys who made it out of the state of Idaho - Mark Lindsay and Paul Revere. And these other guys that I think are from Idaho but I can't be firmly sure on that.
And yes, this all reminds me of "That Thing You Do". I think Mark is the guy who they say "sorry girls, he's engaged!" He just has that look about him, doesn't he?
No, I'm not moving to Denver. I like Denver, lots, but I came home to be home. No, I don't know that this means I have to move to Denver. Or would need to in order to keep my job.
But, I will say, any stupid guy from Australia who happens to be a CEO with a location in Boise who doesn't LIKE Boise, thus feeling the need to change things doesn't have his head on straight.
That's all I'm saying, other than I really don't think things are as drastic as the local media painted them and I knew coming in that the worst could happen, but I wanted to come home. I do not want to be Dooced. So if you want to ask where I work, ask via e-mail.
So, because I needed some stability today, I found this video. Paul Revere and the Raiders have been an essential part of my life. My parents went to see them at the Armory in Twin Falls when they were dating. I was lucky enough to dance at Mr. Revere's club he had in Reno when EHFH and I were married and see him play, but got to meet him later when he played in the casino town in which my Mother was the Postmaster.
I relate the following simply because I'm sure he wanted to kill me. I paraphrase, but only a little.
Paul Revere (PR): Hey, how are you?
Me: Fine, it's very nice to meet you.
PR: Are you from around here? (or it may have been, how does a whippersnapper like you know who I am?)
Me: Yes. I grew up in Twin Falls. My parents used to go dance to your music when they were dating!
PR: Wow. Thanks.
(Me: Didn't get I just made him feel 100 years old. I got it later, um a few hours later, and I wanted to kick myself, because he really is a nice guy).
I now present to you two of the hottest guys who made it out of the state of Idaho - Mark Lindsay and Paul Revere. And these other guys that I think are from Idaho but I can't be firmly sure on that.
And yes, this all reminds me of "That Thing You Do". I think Mark is the guy who they say "sorry girls, he's engaged!" He just has that look about him, doesn't he?
Saturday, December 5, 2009
And Now This Message
I'll try and knock out the Talk Thursday I have drafted, but since it's been a while since I posted, in case you thought I was missing in action, I stole Cele's meme.
1. What is your occupation right now? Group Insurance Manager. Yes, it's as fascinating as it sounds, some days.
2. What color are your socks right now? White. I'm boring.
3. What are you listening to right now? Nothing, though I listened to Chris Brown on YouTube a few minutes ago. I KNOW. But "Crawl" is actually a good song, the first of his I've heard that I liked. Anxious to hear if Big Bit likes it too.
4. What was the last thing you ate? Nalley's Jalapeno Chili. It's sodium death in a bowl and I'm watching my blood pressure but it's spicy - and good - and I try to limit my exposure.
5. Can you drive a stick shift? I wish everything was a stick shift, unless I'm in San Francisco on Lombard. We had a Corvette (used) at one point that was an automatic. It was kind of anticlimactic if you know what I mean. I taught Big Bit to drive our stick shift over Thanksgiving. It was pretty funny and brought back memories of me at 14.
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My Mom.
7. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Cele thought I was too busy to do this - and since I haven't posted for two weeks she might be right - but I like her very much.
8. How old are you today? 43 years, 1 month and 7 days. But I feel 16 most days. Mentally, not physically.
9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? Green Bay Packer Football
10. What is your favorite drink? Ravenswood San Giacomo Chardonnay. To die for.
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? I did for the last 12 years, but quit this summer. Oddly, my hair has red highlights in it now (the color it was dyed) which seems to be permanent. It really has to be all grown out and my hair is used to be mousy brown.
12. Favorite food? It depends on the day. Kind of all over the place, but I'd say either Basque (as eaten at Epi's or Gernika) or Chinese (as eaten in London or sometimes at PF Chang's.)
13. What is the last movie you watched? I stayed up until 2:30 a.m. this morning because Four Weddings and a Funeral was on. Which is sad, because I own it. But nothing beats Hugh Grant cuteness 15 years ago.
14. Favorite day of the year? Somewhat tied between Halloween and Christmas, for a variety of reasons.
15. How do you vent anger? Drink. Just kidding. Sort of. Complain a lot, I guess.
16. What was your favorite toy as a child? My pony. Yes, it was a real pony.
17. What is your favorite season? Summer. I'm not as much of a lizard as I used to be but I still sure like it.
18. Cherries or Blueberries? Cherries when it's pie, blueberries when it's yogurt.
19. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back? Always. But, if your e-mail is overtly political, it probably isn't the same as mine, so don't bother because I wouldn't do that to you, and I don't respond to chain e-mails or forward them so just be forewarned.
20. Who is the most likely to respond? Probably no one. I think most of the people who would have already did it.
21. Who is least likely to respond? See above. Or Cousin Steve.
22. Living arrangements? With husband and small son in Leave It To Beaver house (seriously, it was built in 1956).
23. When was the last time you cried? Last night, long story.
24. What is on the floor of your closet? shoes and carpet
25. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending this to? Not tagging anyone. I don't mind if people tag me, but I don't often tag others.
26. What did you do last night? Stayed up until 2 a.m. watching movies. Urgh. I am tired today.
27. What are you most afraid of? Death. Christians aren't supposed to be, but I am and there you are.
28. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? TH's cheeseburgers with PepperJack cheese and roasted jalapenos on them are yummy indeed.
29. What is your favorite kind of dog? Beagle. Though I love our 11 year old Lab, since she is no longer a puppy.
30. What is your favorite day of the week? Saturday.
31. How many states have you lived in? 3 - Nevada (17 years total), Utah (3 of the longest years of my life), Idaho - (23 years total).
32. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds.
33. What is your favorite flower? Iris or maybe Lilacs
34. What are your favorite two movies of all time? Love, Actually and Four Weddings and a Funeral (although I really have four, Pride and Prejudice (with Colin Firth) and Sense and Sensibility (yes, there is a Hugh Grant theme to this list).
1. What is your occupation right now? Group Insurance Manager. Yes, it's as fascinating as it sounds, some days.
2. What color are your socks right now? White. I'm boring.
3. What are you listening to right now? Nothing, though I listened to Chris Brown on YouTube a few minutes ago. I KNOW. But "Crawl" is actually a good song, the first of his I've heard that I liked. Anxious to hear if Big Bit likes it too.
4. What was the last thing you ate? Nalley's Jalapeno Chili. It's sodium death in a bowl and I'm watching my blood pressure but it's spicy - and good - and I try to limit my exposure.
5. Can you drive a stick shift? I wish everything was a stick shift, unless I'm in San Francisco on Lombard. We had a Corvette (used) at one point that was an automatic. It was kind of anticlimactic if you know what I mean. I taught Big Bit to drive our stick shift over Thanksgiving. It was pretty funny and brought back memories of me at 14.
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My Mom.
7. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Cele thought I was too busy to do this - and since I haven't posted for two weeks she might be right - but I like her very much.
8. How old are you today? 43 years, 1 month and 7 days. But I feel 16 most days. Mentally, not physically.
9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? Green Bay Packer Football
10. What is your favorite drink? Ravenswood San Giacomo Chardonnay. To die for.
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? I did for the last 12 years, but quit this summer. Oddly, my hair has red highlights in it now (the color it was dyed) which seems to be permanent. It really has to be all grown out and my hair is used to be mousy brown.
12. Favorite food? It depends on the day. Kind of all over the place, but I'd say either Basque (as eaten at Epi's or Gernika) or Chinese (as eaten in London or sometimes at PF Chang's.)
13. What is the last movie you watched? I stayed up until 2:30 a.m. this morning because Four Weddings and a Funeral was on. Which is sad, because I own it. But nothing beats Hugh Grant cuteness 15 years ago.
14. Favorite day of the year? Somewhat tied between Halloween and Christmas, for a variety of reasons.
15. How do you vent anger? Drink. Just kidding. Sort of. Complain a lot, I guess.
16. What was your favorite toy as a child? My pony. Yes, it was a real pony.
17. What is your favorite season? Summer. I'm not as much of a lizard as I used to be but I still sure like it.
18. Cherries or Blueberries? Cherries when it's pie, blueberries when it's yogurt.
19. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back? Always. But, if your e-mail is overtly political, it probably isn't the same as mine, so don't bother because I wouldn't do that to you, and I don't respond to chain e-mails or forward them so just be forewarned.
20. Who is the most likely to respond? Probably no one. I think most of the people who would have already did it.
21. Who is least likely to respond? See above. Or Cousin Steve.
22. Living arrangements? With husband and small son in Leave It To Beaver house (seriously, it was built in 1956).
23. When was the last time you cried? Last night, long story.
24. What is on the floor of your closet? shoes and carpet
25. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending this to? Not tagging anyone. I don't mind if people tag me, but I don't often tag others.
26. What did you do last night? Stayed up until 2 a.m. watching movies. Urgh. I am tired today.
27. What are you most afraid of? Death. Christians aren't supposed to be, but I am and there you are.
28. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? TH's cheeseburgers with PepperJack cheese and roasted jalapenos on them are yummy indeed.
29. What is your favorite kind of dog? Beagle. Though I love our 11 year old Lab, since she is no longer a puppy.
30. What is your favorite day of the week? Saturday.
31. How many states have you lived in? 3 - Nevada (17 years total), Utah (3 of the longest years of my life), Idaho - (23 years total).
32. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds.
33. What is your favorite flower? Iris or maybe Lilacs
34. What are your favorite two movies of all time? Love, Actually and Four Weddings and a Funeral (although I really have four, Pride and Prejudice (with Colin Firth) and Sense and Sensibility (yes, there is a Hugh Grant theme to this list).
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
100 things
I'm 11 days late and a dollar short, but I'm giving it a try.
1) The first guy I kissed outside of family was Jeff Sirrine in 3rd grade.
2) I love the Green Bay Packers (duh). My father imprinted it on me and now he's trying to renige! No fair!
3) I hate the Denver Broncos (sorry, I'm sports themed right now it will change).
4) I wish I'd gone to the University of Idaho.
5) For some strange reason, I like my alma mater. I guess it's because I made it out with a sheepskin.
6) My left foot is longer than my right foot. Blame my grandmother, I do.
7) I was supposed to be a boy.
8) I met Waylon Jennings three times. And Jessie. And Shooter (who's Drea deMatteo's baby daddy).
9) I love beagles.
10) I love Siamese cats.
11) I secretly wonder if I'm related to Princess Diana. (there's a long shot on it.)
12) I'm really glad I had two kids. I hated being an only child (most of the time).
13) I loved David Cassidy at age 3. I wonder about myself.
14) I looked so much like a boy when I was 6 people mistook me for one.
15) I hated living in Utah.
16) I felt bad that I hated living in Utah based on the fact it was my idea and I talked my family into it.
17) I tried to run away and get married before I actually did to the EHFH. Elko doesn't have wedding chapels which was a sign I ignored.
18) I wanted to major in range management at Idaho but I was scared of the math.
19) I kill house plants inadvertently.
20) I got made fun of as a child by my older cousins because I knew big words. I was perversely proud of that for some reason. Perversely is a big word.
21) I skipped first grade.
22) I hate the Grateful Dead.
23) I am clumsy as hell.
24) I was a cheerleader my senior year (see above, it must not have been a popularity contest - nope, it wasn't. But at least I knew who had the damn ball in football games.)
25) I like to mow the lawn (I'm sure you're all bored by now, it's all downhill from here)!
26) Halloween is my favorite holiday. (Closely followed by Christmas).
27) Thanksgiving is my least favorite holiday (family tragedy years ago, will never go away).
28) I am secretly irritated my sons did not inherit my or my father's blue eyes.
29) I didn't get baptized until I was (I think) 21.
30) I wore size 0 jeans when I graduated from high school. If only now.
31) I wore a suit from Victoria's Secret at my second wedding. (It was tasteful).
32) I think people who have 18 kids have serious issues.
33) I'm more than a little scared by the health care bill but I trust my President. Not blindly, I just trust he's more like me than people think he is.
34) I am a fourth generation Idahoan and terribly proud of that fact.
35) I wish to this day I hadn't been so fair in my divorce and that Big Bit would have always lived with me. I did the "right thing". My fault totally.
36) I am very proud of the families I come from and the influence they have had on who I am.
37) I wish I trusted my own instincts more.
38) I love my house.
39) I am really horrible at keeping in touch with people and I feel guilty over it.
40) I am not a good housekeeper most of the time.
41) I saw Garth Brooks for free before anyone knew who he was.
42) I was listening to an AM radio station from LA when John Lennon was shot. I still remember the shock and amazement.
43) I remember man landing on the Moon (my grandmother and I shared this as a wonder. I was 2.5 years old when it happened but I do remember it.)
44) The first diamond I ever got was from a guy in the Army stationed in Killeen, TX (special resonance this week).
45) I love to read.
46) I am shy.
47) My nose is crooked. (broken, I believe, twice.)
48) I love Big Bit's pet rabbit far more than I wanted to or planned on.
49) I make a mean homemade (from scratch totally) pumpkin pie.
50) I am really going to miss my grandmother over the holidays. (duh.)
51) I wish my Dad would quit smoking. (duh part 2)
52) I remember my parents letting me out of my car seat ( I don't hold it against them, it was the 60's.)
53) I wish I was still in touch with the maid of honor from my 1st wedding. I'm not sure why we aren't to be honest.
54) Even on the days I want to strangle him I thank God for having TH come into my life. I m.ght have been okay without him - but I am not always sure about that.
55) I am thankful TH agreed to have Little Bit (even on the days I want to strangle Little Bit.)
56) I thought Little Bit was a girl and was (slightly) disappointed he wasn't, until he was born.
57) I hope my boys are close when they grow up, but I'm scared they won't be.
58) I love the show Mad Men on AMC.
59) Jane Austen novels are the best.
60) I tried marijuana twice but I didn't inhale. I believe Bill Clinton.
61) I cried today during the service for the Fort Hood casualties.
62) I can't sing karaoke.
63) I believe that God has a plan because there have been too many weird coincidences in my life.
64) I am okay if you don't believe #63. Honest.
65) Four Weddings and a Funeral is my favorite movie ever.
66) I think everyone's pretty much quit reading my blog because they disapprove. But, this is me, warts and all.
67) If I hit the lottery I might be Cele's next door neigbor, I love the Oregon Coast.
68) I've spoken to David Coverdale (lead singer of Whitesnake) on the phone more than once.
69) I was the boss of David's current wife (not Tawny Kitaen) when she first met him.
70) I love NASCAR, and Jeff Gordon in particular.
71) I have made at least three friends that I think I'll have for life. Hopefully more.
72) I wish Corey and Aaron at Cheeseheadtv.com would at least acknowledge my existence.
73) My grandmother thought that I was meant to be born in to my family.
74) I hate Lawrence Welk more than life itself.
75) I think Episode I-III of Star Wars (the later ones) suck!
76) I am a closet Trekkie.
77) I learned WAY more about the Mormon Church when I was in Utah than I wanted to.
78) I hate JarJar Binks (see #75).
79) I'm saying "I" too many times here, but I think that's a function of the exercise?
80) Sonoma Valley is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.
81) I love nice restaurants.
82) I have more of a problem being a woman in sole support of the family than I wish I had (I'm not right now, but was in the past for good reason).
83) I really want to be a stay at home Mom for the next 7 years.
84) I probably would go crazy being a stay at home Mom (see dichotomy with #83. Another big word, I'm on a roll!)
85) I had a crush on Michael Landon in Bonanza.
86) I killed Conway Twitty. Well, I went to see him the weekend before he died, and really didn't want to, so the joke (if there could be one, I'm sure he was a nice man) is that I killed him.
87) I'm cheap in ways I don't want to be and extravagant in ways I don't want to be.
88) I am eternally grateful my parents paid my way through college.
89) I like to proofread. (Just not on my blog.)
90) Las Vegas Rocks!
91) I won't lose more than $30 a night gambling.
92) I didn't see a Star Wars movie until I saw "The Empire Strikes Back" with my uncle and cousin. Then I liked it.
93) I hope Idaho beats Boise State Saturday. Sorry, I can't help it.
94) I went to see the Spice Girls willingly.
95) I still dance to "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go".
96) As big of a problem as I have with the Mormon Church, I have something of a really odd crush on Donny Osmond.
97) I like to ski.
98) I'm glad my aunt is hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year because I know it's a huge pain for her.
99) I can't believe a house build in the 1950's is as energy efficient as ours is.
100) I hope this didn't bore anyone who bothered to read it.
1) The first guy I kissed outside of family was Jeff Sirrine in 3rd grade.
2) I love the Green Bay Packers (duh). My father imprinted it on me and now he's trying to renige! No fair!
3) I hate the Denver Broncos (sorry, I'm sports themed right now it will change).
4) I wish I'd gone to the University of Idaho.
5) For some strange reason, I like my alma mater. I guess it's because I made it out with a sheepskin.
6) My left foot is longer than my right foot. Blame my grandmother, I do.
7) I was supposed to be a boy.
8) I met Waylon Jennings three times. And Jessie. And Shooter (who's Drea deMatteo's baby daddy).
9) I love beagles.
10) I love Siamese cats.
11) I secretly wonder if I'm related to Princess Diana. (there's a long shot on it.)
12) I'm really glad I had two kids. I hated being an only child (most of the time).
13) I loved David Cassidy at age 3. I wonder about myself.
14) I looked so much like a boy when I was 6 people mistook me for one.
15) I hated living in Utah.
16) I felt bad that I hated living in Utah based on the fact it was my idea and I talked my family into it.
17) I tried to run away and get married before I actually did to the EHFH. Elko doesn't have wedding chapels which was a sign I ignored.
18) I wanted to major in range management at Idaho but I was scared of the math.
19) I kill house plants inadvertently.
20) I got made fun of as a child by my older cousins because I knew big words. I was perversely proud of that for some reason. Perversely is a big word.
21) I skipped first grade.
22) I hate the Grateful Dead.
23) I am clumsy as hell.
24) I was a cheerleader my senior year (see above, it must not have been a popularity contest - nope, it wasn't. But at least I knew who had the damn ball in football games.)
25) I like to mow the lawn (I'm sure you're all bored by now, it's all downhill from here)!
26) Halloween is my favorite holiday. (Closely followed by Christmas).
27) Thanksgiving is my least favorite holiday (family tragedy years ago, will never go away).
28) I am secretly irritated my sons did not inherit my or my father's blue eyes.
29) I didn't get baptized until I was (I think) 21.
30) I wore size 0 jeans when I graduated from high school. If only now.
31) I wore a suit from Victoria's Secret at my second wedding. (It was tasteful).
32) I think people who have 18 kids have serious issues.
33) I'm more than a little scared by the health care bill but I trust my President. Not blindly, I just trust he's more like me than people think he is.
34) I am a fourth generation Idahoan and terribly proud of that fact.
35) I wish to this day I hadn't been so fair in my divorce and that Big Bit would have always lived with me. I did the "right thing". My fault totally.
36) I am very proud of the families I come from and the influence they have had on who I am.
37) I wish I trusted my own instincts more.
38) I love my house.
39) I am really horrible at keeping in touch with people and I feel guilty over it.
40) I am not a good housekeeper most of the time.
41) I saw Garth Brooks for free before anyone knew who he was.
42) I was listening to an AM radio station from LA when John Lennon was shot. I still remember the shock and amazement.
43) I remember man landing on the Moon (my grandmother and I shared this as a wonder. I was 2.5 years old when it happened but I do remember it.)
44) The first diamond I ever got was from a guy in the Army stationed in Killeen, TX (special resonance this week).
45) I love to read.
46) I am shy.
47) My nose is crooked. (broken, I believe, twice.)
48) I love Big Bit's pet rabbit far more than I wanted to or planned on.
49) I make a mean homemade (from scratch totally) pumpkin pie.
50) I am really going to miss my grandmother over the holidays. (duh.)
51) I wish my Dad would quit smoking. (duh part 2)
52) I remember my parents letting me out of my car seat ( I don't hold it against them, it was the 60's.)
53) I wish I was still in touch with the maid of honor from my 1st wedding. I'm not sure why we aren't to be honest.
54) Even on the days I want to strangle him I thank God for having TH come into my life. I m.ght have been okay without him - but I am not always sure about that.
55) I am thankful TH agreed to have Little Bit (even on the days I want to strangle Little Bit.)
56) I thought Little Bit was a girl and was (slightly) disappointed he wasn't, until he was born.
57) I hope my boys are close when they grow up, but I'm scared they won't be.
58) I love the show Mad Men on AMC.
59) Jane Austen novels are the best.
60) I tried marijuana twice but I didn't inhale. I believe Bill Clinton.
61) I cried today during the service for the Fort Hood casualties.
62) I can't sing karaoke.
63) I believe that God has a plan because there have been too many weird coincidences in my life.
64) I am okay if you don't believe #63. Honest.
65) Four Weddings and a Funeral is my favorite movie ever.
66) I think everyone's pretty much quit reading my blog because they disapprove. But, this is me, warts and all.
67) If I hit the lottery I might be Cele's next door neigbor, I love the Oregon Coast.
68) I've spoken to David Coverdale (lead singer of Whitesnake) on the phone more than once.
69) I was the boss of David's current wife (not Tawny Kitaen) when she first met him.
70) I love NASCAR, and Jeff Gordon in particular.
71) I have made at least three friends that I think I'll have for life. Hopefully more.
72) I wish Corey and Aaron at Cheeseheadtv.com would at least acknowledge my existence.
73) My grandmother thought that I was meant to be born in to my family.
74) I hate Lawrence Welk more than life itself.
75) I think Episode I-III of Star Wars (the later ones) suck!
76) I am a closet Trekkie.
77) I learned WAY more about the Mormon Church when I was in Utah than I wanted to.
78) I hate JarJar Binks (see #75).
79) I'm saying "I" too many times here, but I think that's a function of the exercise?
80) Sonoma Valley is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.
81) I love nice restaurants.
82) I have more of a problem being a woman in sole support of the family than I wish I had (I'm not right now, but was in the past for good reason).
83) I really want to be a stay at home Mom for the next 7 years.
84) I probably would go crazy being a stay at home Mom (see dichotomy with #83. Another big word, I'm on a roll!)
85) I had a crush on Michael Landon in Bonanza.
86) I killed Conway Twitty. Well, I went to see him the weekend before he died, and really didn't want to, so the joke (if there could be one, I'm sure he was a nice man) is that I killed him.
87) I'm cheap in ways I don't want to be and extravagant in ways I don't want to be.
88) I am eternally grateful my parents paid my way through college.
89) I like to proofread. (Just not on my blog.)
90) Las Vegas Rocks!
91) I won't lose more than $30 a night gambling.
92) I didn't see a Star Wars movie until I saw "The Empire Strikes Back" with my uncle and cousin. Then I liked it.
93) I hope Idaho beats Boise State Saturday. Sorry, I can't help it.
94) I went to see the Spice Girls willingly.
95) I still dance to "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go".
96) As big of a problem as I have with the Mormon Church, I have something of a really odd crush on Donny Osmond.
97) I like to ski.
98) I'm glad my aunt is hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year because I know it's a huge pain for her.
99) I can't believe a house build in the 1950's is as energy efficient as ours is.
100) I hope this didn't bore anyone who bothered to read it.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
One Year
One year ago, I was working my very last day in Utah.
One year ago, I was nervously walking into my new workplace, knowing only that I was very glad to be home whatever came. What a difference a year has made...and yet in some ways it hasn't. I can't speak for TH, but I know I've never looked back and said "why did we move back?" Yet, it took several months before I really felt like this was real and we were back. Now Utah seems like a pretty distant memory. I e-mailed last week with a co-worker from that job who got promoted when Sybil left - she had been named as the replacement shortly before I interviewed in Boise. The last year, for her, has been pretty hellish from the sounds of things. While I definitely felt for her, it made me so glad not to be in the middle of all that strife and bickering and defying the Mothership's not so good intentions towards employees.
I learned a lot in Utah. Some not so good, some good. I love Deron Williams and the Utah Jazz. I hate Utah drivers. I will not go into the whole "majority rules" thing except to say one thing I think Barack Obama did wrong is getting Jon Huntsman out of Utah, since he seemed committed to everyone living their own lives.
Being in Idaho has been a good thing for Little Bit. His teacher this year seems simply awesome. He's doing his homework without (hardly) any battling. It's been good for us because as we decompress from the high pressure atmosphere we get to look around more and say - "Wow, we're old!" Just kidding, but we do get to look around, at least.
Big Bit has turned into such a grown up. Which is really depressing, yet uplifting. His criticisms of the EHFH are spot on, and I suspect his criticisms of me are also, though he is kind enough to keep those to himself. But the one thing I've found, and I'm old enough to know this (one tends to forget things one doesn't want to remember) - what your problems are, they are. Some of them might be exacerbated by where you live, or where you work, or the friends that you have, but ultimately, they are YOUR responsibility. And I take that to heart, as I approach yet another (gads!) birthday. I've got lots to work on, but I've got lots of opportunity in this beautiful place to do so.
Oh yeah, and Purple Judas still sucks.
And I have seven months of child support left.
Just sayin'.
One year ago, I was nervously walking into my new workplace, knowing only that I was very glad to be home whatever came. What a difference a year has made...and yet in some ways it hasn't. I can't speak for TH, but I know I've never looked back and said "why did we move back?" Yet, it took several months before I really felt like this was real and we were back. Now Utah seems like a pretty distant memory. I e-mailed last week with a co-worker from that job who got promoted when Sybil left - she had been named as the replacement shortly before I interviewed in Boise. The last year, for her, has been pretty hellish from the sounds of things. While I definitely felt for her, it made me so glad not to be in the middle of all that strife and bickering and defying the Mothership's not so good intentions towards employees.
I learned a lot in Utah. Some not so good, some good. I love Deron Williams and the Utah Jazz. I hate Utah drivers. I will not go into the whole "majority rules" thing except to say one thing I think Barack Obama did wrong is getting Jon Huntsman out of Utah, since he seemed committed to everyone living their own lives.
Being in Idaho has been a good thing for Little Bit. His teacher this year seems simply awesome. He's doing his homework without (hardly) any battling. It's been good for us because as we decompress from the high pressure atmosphere we get to look around more and say - "Wow, we're old!" Just kidding, but we do get to look around, at least.
Big Bit has turned into such a grown up. Which is really depressing, yet uplifting. His criticisms of the EHFH are spot on, and I suspect his criticisms of me are also, though he is kind enough to keep those to himself. But the one thing I've found, and I'm old enough to know this (one tends to forget things one doesn't want to remember) - what your problems are, they are. Some of them might be exacerbated by where you live, or where you work, or the friends that you have, but ultimately, they are YOUR responsibility. And I take that to heart, as I approach yet another (gads!) birthday. I've got lots to work on, but I've got lots of opportunity in this beautiful place to do so.
Oh yeah, and Purple Judas still sucks.
And I have seven months of child support left.
Just sayin'.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
The Men In My Family
So, I was watching TV (i.e. flipping channels) just now and saw Mac Davis singing a 70's song. It made me think of THIS song, which I affectionately dedicate to my father and my uncle Truman - the people who originally introduced me to this tune. (They were damn funny singing it around the campfire, too).
Love you guys.
Love you guys.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Lots To Do - No Time To Do It
I'm hyperventilating already about what has to get done in the next 36 hours. Some of it me, some of it The Husband:
1) Work (at work). Lots to do. If I don't get this place organized I'm going to commit hari-kari. Or however you spell it.
2) Little Bit's concert - 4th grade is playing their recorders this afternoon, so must leave #1 to attend this.
3) Mow lawn and pull weeds. After what feels like two straight weeks of rain (and I think it damn near has been), both are out of control. Thankfully we don't have a lot of grass but we do have a lot of landscape that apparently didn't have weedblock.
4) Finish boys' bathroom. Starting to do his part at 4 p.m. LAST SUNDAY has not helped The Husband be on top of things. I can't really finish painting until he's out of there. This should be interesting because...
5) Get ready for housewarming party starting at 5 p.m. Saturday. Several tasks associated with this - give the house a good thorough vacuuming, dusting, cleaning, pick up rental chairs, snacks and drinks at Costco (thank God for Costco), finish PAINTING THE BATHROOM (argh!), put the door on the laundry room, unpacking the last few boxes that are littering the house, and I'm sure other things I've forgotten.
6) Oh, yeah, figure out something for my Mom for Mother's Day.
I feel tired now. I need a nap. And it's only 8:30 a.m.
On a good note, friends Ben and Yvette are coming from Utah to the party. They've never been to Boise, so I hope they're as impressed with it as we are. Either way, it will be good to see them.
My hard drive is crashed, so I have to reinstall my photo software on another computer to be able to download photos. But I plan on doing that too!
Have a good weekend!
1) Work (at work). Lots to do. If I don't get this place organized I'm going to commit hari-kari. Or however you spell it.
2) Little Bit's concert - 4th grade is playing their recorders this afternoon, so must leave #1 to attend this.
3) Mow lawn and pull weeds. After what feels like two straight weeks of rain (and I think it damn near has been), both are out of control. Thankfully we don't have a lot of grass but we do have a lot of landscape that apparently didn't have weedblock.
4) Finish boys' bathroom. Starting to do his part at 4 p.m. LAST SUNDAY has not helped The Husband be on top of things. I can't really finish painting until he's out of there. This should be interesting because...
5) Get ready for housewarming party starting at 5 p.m. Saturday. Several tasks associated with this - give the house a good thorough vacuuming, dusting, cleaning, pick up rental chairs, snacks and drinks at Costco (thank God for Costco), finish PAINTING THE BATHROOM (argh!), put the door on the laundry room, unpacking the last few boxes that are littering the house, and I'm sure other things I've forgotten.
6) Oh, yeah, figure out something for my Mom for Mother's Day.
I feel tired now. I need a nap. And it's only 8:30 a.m.
On a good note, friends Ben and Yvette are coming from Utah to the party. They've never been to Boise, so I hope they're as impressed with it as we are. Either way, it will be good to see them.
My hard drive is crashed, so I have to reinstall my photo software on another computer to be able to download photos. But I plan on doing that too!
Have a good weekend!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
And Now For a More Serious Message
I'm feeling kind of melancholy. I think it was brought on by going to this college for a campus visit with Big Bit yesterday. He seemed to like it, and the fact we were there on a campus visit was probably enough to inspire melancholy.
I went to this fine institution my first semester of college, but I was socially inept at 16 (I know, I know, I was 16, what did I expect?) and when the first set of friends I made didn't work out, I didn't know how to go make new ones. They were a close knit bunch, it's a very small college and I hadn't met enough people in classes to make new friends easily, plus I lived off campus so I didn't know as many people as I might have otherwise. I left at semester and headed back to my hometown and to the junior college there, where I ended up meeting the EHFH and...there you go.
So it was weird to be strolling around that campus yesterday for the first time in, oh, about 25 years (have I mentioned lately that I'm old?) and remembering how excited I was to be there and how stupid I was to leave. How the last time I remember walking into that cafeteria was to tell a guy I'd gone to junior high with that his good friend (my cousin, who Big Bit is named for) had died the previous night. Some of the buildings looked much different. Unfortunately that one didn't look different enough. I could still see him sitting there and the look on his face when I told him the news as I surveyed that room.
Life goes how it goes, and as Frank Sinatra says "I did it My Way" so I don't have a lot to complain about - I was a smart kid who made some dumb choices along the way, no one made them for me. Sometimes I forget to give myself credit for overcoming those bad decisions to live in a house I like, in a town I love, with a husband and two sons who love me, even if I could be or have been a better wife and mother along the way.
Okay, enough heavy thoughts. I don't get like this often, thankfully. For you, dear readers, as well as myself.
I went to this fine institution my first semester of college, but I was socially inept at 16 (I know, I know, I was 16, what did I expect?) and when the first set of friends I made didn't work out, I didn't know how to go make new ones. They were a close knit bunch, it's a very small college and I hadn't met enough people in classes to make new friends easily, plus I lived off campus so I didn't know as many people as I might have otherwise. I left at semester and headed back to my hometown and to the junior college there, where I ended up meeting the EHFH and...there you go.
So it was weird to be strolling around that campus yesterday for the first time in, oh, about 25 years (have I mentioned lately that I'm old?) and remembering how excited I was to be there and how stupid I was to leave. How the last time I remember walking into that cafeteria was to tell a guy I'd gone to junior high with that his good friend (my cousin, who Big Bit is named for) had died the previous night. Some of the buildings looked much different. Unfortunately that one didn't look different enough. I could still see him sitting there and the look on his face when I told him the news as I surveyed that room.
Life goes how it goes, and as Frank Sinatra says "I did it My Way" so I don't have a lot to complain about - I was a smart kid who made some dumb choices along the way, no one made them for me. Sometimes I forget to give myself credit for overcoming those bad decisions to live in a house I like, in a town I love, with a husband and two sons who love me, even if I could be or have been a better wife and mother along the way.
Okay, enough heavy thoughts. I don't get like this often, thankfully. For you, dear readers, as well as myself.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
I Think The Affair's Really Over This Time
Well, if you follow football, you've heard the news already (ad nauseum if you watch ESPN) and if you don't, you may not care other than the effect it had on me, your (at least online) friend, but my man retired again today.I do not share the cynical thoughts of many Packer fans, who relegated him from demi-God to Satan's little helper in the course of a few months and are already promoting conspiracy theories picturing him as still trying to go play for Minnesota or (gasp!) Chicago. I think he thought he could prove Ted Thompson wrong, and in many ways, he did. Until he got hurt, he was playing at a high level and his team beat both a team that went to the Super Bowl (Arizona) and the only undefeated team (Tennessee).
So not too damn bad, my man.
Those of us who simply thought you were a hell of a football player, fun to watch play (and just look at) and a devoted father and husband weren't surprised you wanted to play. Yes, we were disappointed that you wanted to play somewhere else, but in a way we understood, and it was still a joy to see you jump around like a kid when you threw a TD pass. We know that someday you'll reclaim your Packer legacy and you still have plenty of support.
Though I'd still like to pair up Little Bit and Breleigh, your daughter has competition now - Malia Obama. So you better make sure she turns out right.
I'll miss you Brett. A lot. When you started playing pro ball I didn't have kids (but you already did). You weren't married (but I already was). I got divorced, you got married, we both had more kids. Oh yeah, I got married again before that. I felt bad when your Dad died and when your saintly wife got cancer. And I'd like to think the support of Packer fans did help all of you through those things. It seems to be so.
We grew up a lot together and both of us had a mighty good time. But I think this time it's really for the best.
Good luck.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Friday, October 24, 2008
I Went To Junior High With Lori Otter
Not that we were close, or if you asked her she'd know who I was lo these many years later, but I've never been particularly proud of the association until now.
The reason I'm proud is not that she gave money to a Dem, though that's a small part given she is the First Lady of a VERY red state, but I also think it's great that she and her husband obviously have a relationship capable of allowing independent thought. I actually agree with Gov. Otter on a few things. Not many, but a few. Now I can include being proud I "knew" Lori, an independent Idaho woman.
http://www.idahostatesman.com/newsupdates/story/548482.html#none
The reason I'm proud is not that she gave money to a Dem, though that's a small part given she is the First Lady of a VERY red state, but I also think it's great that she and her husband obviously have a relationship capable of allowing independent thought. I actually agree with Gov. Otter on a few things. Not many, but a few. Now I can include being proud I "knew" Lori, an independent Idaho woman.
http://www.idahostatesman.com/newsupdates/story/548482.html#none
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Who's Got the #28 Album In The Nation?
That guy whose body (not butt) I touched this spring.
Just sayin'. 59 is the new 40.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Look Out World
Big Bit has a driver's license. Sigh...man, I feel old. It seems like yesterday it was him (age two at left) and I in my first place "by myself", dependent on no one. Well, I wasn't by myself, I was heading up the team that in many ways we still are, even if we don't see each other every day. Somehow, when I see him at almost 6 foot tall, handsome and smart in every way...he really still looks like this in my mind's eye. So I can't believe someone would give him rights to drive a car. By himself. Surely his feet don't reach the pedals.
I'm proud of you buddy. Even if you do make me feel old.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
