Who knew that there was such a little Peyton Place going on in the blogs? It really can take the wind out of your sails. I would say that I haven't been personally affected by all the back and forth, but really I have. I'm curious enough to link back to see what all of the hoopla is about. I have never read most of the parties involved, but I hate to see what I feel is a great outlet, past-time, therapy session, etc. also cause so much pain. It is like a cancer that feeds on the bad feelings and just gets out of hand.
When you blog you are connecting with a stranger on a (somewhat) intellectual level. You're sharing thoughts, wishes, regrets, hurts, smiles, knowledge etc. You're not getting the person; you are just getting a peek inside their head of what they choose to let you see. I am so all about truth and honesty. That is not my point. I guess my point is that this is what happens sometimes and it is a chance that we are all choosing to take when we sign on. Sometimes you just bet on the wrong horse.
I know that I must sound like a cold-hearted soul. For the record, I'm anything but. I do consider you my friends and look forward to checking out and reading what you're grooving on, about your children and their struggles and successes, about all the different takes on life. About everyone's "foolishness and nonsense". Let's me know that maybe I am sane. (sort of) Anyway....those are my thoughts.
Now if anyone still cares.....Hub starts the new job on Friday. YEA!!!! He still is getting calls and will keep his options opens, but for now he has something going on beside painting everything in our home that will be sit still long enough. I must say it has been good getting some extra projects completed. He will probably be working some long and crazy hours for a while. Please remind me that at least now he has a job when I am complaining about him being gone.
Been a busy weekend. We had friends over for dinner tonight. We really hadn't felt like doing much entertaining in a while, so it felt good. I fixed a barbecued brisket which I must say came out pretty well. Don't you love it when that happens!
It is hot, hot, HOT here. Tomorrow we are going to take advantage of a half price offer at a water park. We told our 10 year old he could take a friend. That way Mom & Dad can float down the lazy river, etc and watch them come down the big slides and not have to go down every one of them ourselves. Sounds like a plan to me anyway.
We made the long trip to visit our son in prison on Saturday. (I will NEVER get use to saying those words.) He looked better than before. The food at this place is better and seemingly a little more generous so that makes a big difference. Sometimes I think he worries as much about us as we do about him. This is such a nightmare. I just wish we would wake up, yet I know that he has made decisions that he will pay for his whole life. He said Saturday that there are countries that he will never be able to visit now because they will not let him in. I had never thought about that before. It is going to be hard for him to get jobs. Most major companies will not hire him now that he has "a record". He will always have to work a little harder to prove himself worthy. As his mother, it makes me so sad. Not exactly the dreams I had for him as I rocked my sweet little boy. But I still think he will be a good man.
Later.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Bad Examples
Well, last night's blog just goes to show you what a good margarita can do for you. Obviously, it makes me totally stupid and painfully boring.
Last night we took a little much needed family time and took our 10 year old out to teach him a bad lesson. We didn't intentionally go out to teach him this but none the less, that is what we did. We wanted to go to a movie and considering the finances these days, chose to go to the "between 4-6 pm cheap time" showing. Friday was a really busy day (the game room FINALLY was painted red) and Hub and I were churning out chores to the last minute. We were late to the movie, missed the previews and probably 5-10 minutes of the movie. We went to see "Hancock" with Wil Smith which by the way gets a thumbs up from our family. We were leaving and Hub says "It seems like we weren't even in there very long." We weren't, Goober, we were late. Anyway, I blame it totally on him, but he says "Let's go see another movie." Not that he meant going out and buying another ticket. You know what he meant and hence the bad lesson for Jr. I was really rather taken back by his proposition and the mother sensor was weighing hard on me. We are walking down the hall and Batman of course is sold out. We would surely get caught in there. At the end there was a movie just starting. "Space Chimps"! I guess we had it coming that the movie that we could slip into and not get caught was the lame one. Anyway, I guess everyone sneaks into movies at one time or another and I guess he might as well do it with his parents. If we get caught, who are they going to call? Our parents? Good luck with that one!
Now for the good news and the bad news. Hub was told on Friday that one of the companies will be making him an offer on Monday. Yea!!! It is not one of the ones that he was really hoping for, yet is is a good major company and he really likes the guy that would be his boss. It could lead up to bigger and better, but for right now he will be working his butt off and he was already told that they cannot come up to the financials that we are used to. We don't know what the offer will be, but it sounds like Mommy needs a job. He still has some other things that are still working and he is going to see if they go anywhere, but right now at least he will be working. Just when I get use to having him around..... :)
Later.
P.S. No one even commented about how cute my furbabies are!!! :(
Last night we took a little much needed family time and took our 10 year old out to teach him a bad lesson. We didn't intentionally go out to teach him this but none the less, that is what we did. We wanted to go to a movie and considering the finances these days, chose to go to the "between 4-6 pm cheap time" showing. Friday was a really busy day (the game room FINALLY was painted red) and Hub and I were churning out chores to the last minute. We were late to the movie, missed the previews and probably 5-10 minutes of the movie. We went to see "Hancock" with Wil Smith which by the way gets a thumbs up from our family. We were leaving and Hub says "It seems like we weren't even in there very long." We weren't, Goober, we were late. Anyway, I blame it totally on him, but he says "Let's go see another movie." Not that he meant going out and buying another ticket. You know what he meant and hence the bad lesson for Jr. I was really rather taken back by his proposition and the mother sensor was weighing hard on me. We are walking down the hall and Batman of course is sold out. We would surely get caught in there. At the end there was a movie just starting. "Space Chimps"! I guess we had it coming that the movie that we could slip into and not get caught was the lame one. Anyway, I guess everyone sneaks into movies at one time or another and I guess he might as well do it with his parents. If we get caught, who are they going to call? Our parents? Good luck with that one!
Now for the good news and the bad news. Hub was told on Friday that one of the companies will be making him an offer on Monday. Yea!!! It is not one of the ones that he was really hoping for, yet is is a good major company and he really likes the guy that would be his boss. It could lead up to bigger and better, but for right now he will be working his butt off and he was already told that they cannot come up to the financials that we are used to. We don't know what the offer will be, but it sounds like Mommy needs a job. He still has some other things that are still working and he is going to see if they go anywhere, but right now at least he will be working. Just when I get use to having him around..... :)
Later.
P.S. No one even commented about how cute my furbabies are!!! :(
Friday, July 18, 2008
PETS - GOTTA LOVE 'EM
Well Here I go sharing a little more of my life now. These are two of the many bosses that I have around my house. Sometimes they are the easiest to please and live with; sometimes not. Our cat, Sassy, always makes me think she knows something I don't. She has had a really good life at our house for the last 13 years. Still doesn't come to anyone when you call her and then only if she wants to. She can and will make a dog several times her size stop dead in their tracks. She does like to sit in the lap of whoever is in a particular chair in my house and then she makes herself quite comfortable. Her wishes are made known very clearly with a whine, hiss or a flick of a tail. She wasn't named Sassy for nothing. Sleeping probably 20 hours a day is her job and she takes it seriously. Yep, I think I could be a cat.
Then there is Brighton. Brighton was suppose to be my dog. I'm the one who decided I wanted a shih tzu, looked for breeders, picked him out, wrote the check, and then my husband has taken him over. He even calls him something else. (I think that is just plain rude!!!!) I have always said that if there is such a thing as reincarnation, that I want to come back as my husband's dog. He does make sure that Brighton has a sweet life. This dog gets more love and attention than anyone. He talks baby-talk to him. Can you imagine? Anyway, all this dog does for the good of the nation is bring in the newspaper. Other than that and looking cute, his only other claim to fame is licking. Which he can be a pest with.
Which brings me on to my point -- I did have one -- why do we put so much time, love and attention into pets that could be directed at two-legged members of our family? I'm there with the best of them. I've always had pets and always will. But somehow this came to my mind today. Much of my day was spent doing something as a direct result of animals that we choose to love. I spent much of my morning coaxing a bird down to my shoulder from a high ledge where he had flown to escape my son and his friend. Then of course I feel the need to settle it by talking and whistling, giving it a little shower etc. Then Brighton had an accident on the stairs because we were too busy to notice that he needed to go outside until his eyes turned yellow. So when spray and paper towels didn't do the job, out came the steam cleaner and once you get it ready to do a step you might as well do the whole staircase, and then you might as well do the den, etc, etc. At least my carpets downstairs are clean. These were just a couple of unplanned time-consumers not counting the daily brushings, eye drops,feedings, pooper scooping the yard, letting the dogs out, letting the dogs out, letting the dogs out. It just seems with all that goes on in life that pets sometimes get more than their fair share. Why do we feel such a strong need to take care of these furbabies and a longing for their love?
Anyway, that is just one more pointless thing to ponder from my feeble brain. For a smile though, watch this clip we found on "you-tube" today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-hT018rpBs&feature=related<
Nuff said.
Later
Monday, July 14, 2008
Grownup stuff.....
I'm still here!!!! Just sweating with the oldies! Oops, that oldie would be me. I really enjoy Texas. I was born here. I couldn't wait to get back every time we moved out of state. It's my home. But dang it is hot in the summer! It saps just about everything I have right out. We really need a pool!
Today I played the part of a grown-up. I had jury duty. I actually went Friday to the "cattle call" and then was asked to come back to serve in a court this morning. Luckily, one out of the 45 jurors was late and that gave our case time to reach an agreement in the courtroom without us. The judge told us that the first trial we were suppose to hear settled late Friday. According to the judge, it was a really complicated case with way to many attorneys. He said that we would have been hearing evidence for a week. So glad they worked that one out. I probably would have been released anyway because of my son's situation. I'm sure I'm a little prejudice these days. I haven't had to go appear forever since I always had a young child at home. Now that my youngest is 10, there goes my excuse. I really think it is a pretty interesting process and like my husband said, "the best people-watching you are going to find". I always find that interesting.
Hub has painted just about everything around here that will stand still long enough. I've even taught him some faux techniques. Still no red gameroom though. I think he is really a little panicked that he will run out of projects and have absolutely nothing to do. (Like that will happen!) I really, really want to change the color in the formal dining room, but I can't convince him into do-overs. We painted it green a few years ago. At the last minute, he talked me into going one color lighter on the color chart. I have never been happy with it. Like I said, no do-overs. So when we had professional painters over here painting the house, I had them paint the ceiling red. The red looks really good with the heavy white crown molding. I still don't like the green. I want to paint the walls a camel color. One of these days I will want it badly enough to take down the window treatments and empty our the china hutch, etc. and paint it myself.
Nothing yet on the job front. Didn't hear Friday or today from the job that he wanted the most. He does have an interview tomorrow (OK job) and some others that will be getting back with him later this week for second interviews. Please send up some really simple and straight to the point prayers. We need a job!
Later.
Today I played the part of a grown-up. I had jury duty. I actually went Friday to the "cattle call" and then was asked to come back to serve in a court this morning. Luckily, one out of the 45 jurors was late and that gave our case time to reach an agreement in the courtroom without us. The judge told us that the first trial we were suppose to hear settled late Friday. According to the judge, it was a really complicated case with way to many attorneys. He said that we would have been hearing evidence for a week. So glad they worked that one out. I probably would have been released anyway because of my son's situation. I'm sure I'm a little prejudice these days. I haven't had to go appear forever since I always had a young child at home. Now that my youngest is 10, there goes my excuse. I really think it is a pretty interesting process and like my husband said, "the best people-watching you are going to find". I always find that interesting.
Hub has painted just about everything around here that will stand still long enough. I've even taught him some faux techniques. Still no red gameroom though. I think he is really a little panicked that he will run out of projects and have absolutely nothing to do. (Like that will happen!) I really, really want to change the color in the formal dining room, but I can't convince him into do-overs. We painted it green a few years ago. At the last minute, he talked me into going one color lighter on the color chart. I have never been happy with it. Like I said, no do-overs. So when we had professional painters over here painting the house, I had them paint the ceiling red. The red looks really good with the heavy white crown molding. I still don't like the green. I want to paint the walls a camel color. One of these days I will want it badly enough to take down the window treatments and empty our the china hutch, etc. and paint it myself.
Nothing yet on the job front. Didn't hear Friday or today from the job that he wanted the most. He does have an interview tomorrow (OK job) and some others that will be getting back with him later this week for second interviews. Please send up some really simple and straight to the point prayers. We need a job!
Later.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Boys and stuff.....
I haven't been very inspired about writing lately. I don't know how you guys keep making the daily "stuff" you do really interesting to read about. You know how it is more interesting to help a friend bring in their groceries than it is to bring in your own?
Anyway, I just have the foreboding feeling that change is soon. Just enough to keep me uneasy. Hub seems to be close to a job. YEA!!! In fact, he ended up with 4 phone interviews today and each of the companies want to go forward with him. Where were they 3 months ago? One told him that he had 120 people apply for the position and he had narrowed it down to 7 including Hub. One company has already had him go to a lab and do drug testing. That job sounds almost too good to be true, but it would require quite a bit of travel. Actually after being together so much for the last few months, that may not be a bad thing. :0 I just feel the need to know what happens next.
I made a trip to the home improvement store today and bought red paint. (Hub rightfully gets nervous when I go there.) We need to re-do the gameroom before Hub does get a job and leaves me with all of these bookshelves to move by myself. (Yes Roxanne, I'm a wimp, but a smart one!) We are also going to use the same color, different texture, to redo an old bed from my in-laws for my son. It's a neat 4 poster twin that Hub was going to refinish for him. He got it stripped and found out that it was dark, dark wood and the rest of the furniture in there is medium. So we decided to paint it red and then do some antiquing on top of that with black. I bet my in-laws are sitting up in their graves at the thought of us painting and not staining. Just seems like the thing to do.
We made the trip to see our son in prison this weekend. It is an all day affair now that he has been moved. He was surprised, but it really left us sad. He was mouthing off like he had not learned a thing while he has been there. There is such a fine line between doing what you need to do to survive and not being changed and merging into your environment. This place had several different rules for visits and it seemed like the whole time we were there that we were told that we were doing something against the rules. They say that the rules are all the same, but they are not interpreted and enforced the same. Really confusing. We even had to leave and go buy me a t-shirt to put on. I had on capri pants with a nice sleeveless, high necked top. According to them, my top constituted a tank top because there were no sleeves. A tank top??? This was actually the top to a fairly dressy set. Anyway, now we know.
It seems like my 10 year old has discovered girls. Out of the blue (to us), he was sneaking around yesterday calling a girl from his class. One time they talked for 45 minutes which is forever for him. He didn't want to admit it at first. He said he was calling one of his friends and got her number by mistake. Right! He has been so cute. She invited him over today and he went swimming at her house. It was strange to me though because in the first grade, he crazy about her twin sister. (Yes, Chrissa.) Anyway, I have Hub under a death threat if he teases him. Boys are so funny and can be so awkward. I'm sure this is the first - or maybe second - of many crushes. Lord help us!
Later.
Anyway, I just have the foreboding feeling that change is soon. Just enough to keep me uneasy. Hub seems to be close to a job. YEA!!! In fact, he ended up with 4 phone interviews today and each of the companies want to go forward with him. Where were they 3 months ago? One told him that he had 120 people apply for the position and he had narrowed it down to 7 including Hub. One company has already had him go to a lab and do drug testing. That job sounds almost too good to be true, but it would require quite a bit of travel. Actually after being together so much for the last few months, that may not be a bad thing. :0 I just feel the need to know what happens next.
I made a trip to the home improvement store today and bought red paint. (Hub rightfully gets nervous when I go there.) We need to re-do the gameroom before Hub does get a job and leaves me with all of these bookshelves to move by myself. (Yes Roxanne, I'm a wimp, but a smart one!) We are also going to use the same color, different texture, to redo an old bed from my in-laws for my son. It's a neat 4 poster twin that Hub was going to refinish for him. He got it stripped and found out that it was dark, dark wood and the rest of the furniture in there is medium. So we decided to paint it red and then do some antiquing on top of that with black. I bet my in-laws are sitting up in their graves at the thought of us painting and not staining. Just seems like the thing to do.
We made the trip to see our son in prison this weekend. It is an all day affair now that he has been moved. He was surprised, but it really left us sad. He was mouthing off like he had not learned a thing while he has been there. There is such a fine line between doing what you need to do to survive and not being changed and merging into your environment. This place had several different rules for visits and it seemed like the whole time we were there that we were told that we were doing something against the rules. They say that the rules are all the same, but they are not interpreted and enforced the same. Really confusing. We even had to leave and go buy me a t-shirt to put on. I had on capri pants with a nice sleeveless, high necked top. According to them, my top constituted a tank top because there were no sleeves. A tank top??? This was actually the top to a fairly dressy set. Anyway, now we know.
It seems like my 10 year old has discovered girls. Out of the blue (to us), he was sneaking around yesterday calling a girl from his class. One time they talked for 45 minutes which is forever for him. He didn't want to admit it at first. He said he was calling one of his friends and got her number by mistake. Right! He has been so cute. She invited him over today and he went swimming at her house. It was strange to me though because in the first grade, he crazy about her twin sister. (Yes, Chrissa.) Anyway, I have Hub under a death threat if he teases him. Boys are so funny and can be so awkward. I'm sure this is the first - or maybe second - of many crushes. Lord help us!
Later.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
BOZO IS GONE....
For two people with no jobs, we sure do seem to stay busy. We started the day with a 7AM orthodontist appointment. My son had a tooth that refused to come down so that they could attach it to his braces. This morning, the doc lasered a slit in his gum and pulled the tooth down some. Ouch! The bracket has tension and should bring it down the rest of the way. He was so brave. (Better than Mom and Dad.) Could not have been more cooperative. We had to do the Tylenol/Motrin thing, but he only had it this morning and asked for it again tonight.
Our calendar is really full this month with doctor, dental and eye appointments. There is something about our insurance running out soon that makes all of those dreaded little appointments a real priority. We have lucked into some appointment cancellations so that is good.
Hub has had some job activity today. YEA!!! He had a phone interview this morning and face interview this afternoon. He has another phone interview and face interview scheduled for next week. Another company left a message for him that they want to talk with him, too. None of these are second interview, but we can hope that they turn into that. The interview for Monday sounds like a fabulous company. After researching them on the internet, I told Hub that if he didn't go to work for them, that I want to. Pray really hard for next week.
I looked at the news on my homepage tonight and it said that Bozo the Clown died. He was 83. It just seems so sad. Does anyone out there know who I am talking about? None of you may even know who he was, but I kind of think he represented laughter and innocence. I wish that they had let that sweet man go in peace, under his own name, and never told anyone that he was a real, live man in a clown suit and red wig. Anyway....thanks for all the smiles Bozo.
Later.
Our calendar is really full this month with doctor, dental and eye appointments. There is something about our insurance running out soon that makes all of those dreaded little appointments a real priority. We have lucked into some appointment cancellations so that is good.
Hub has had some job activity today. YEA!!! He had a phone interview this morning and face interview this afternoon. He has another phone interview and face interview scheduled for next week. Another company left a message for him that they want to talk with him, too. None of these are second interview, but we can hope that they turn into that. The interview for Monday sounds like a fabulous company. After researching them on the internet, I told Hub that if he didn't go to work for them, that I want to. Pray really hard for next week.
I looked at the news on my homepage tonight and it said that Bozo the Clown died. He was 83. It just seems so sad. Does anyone out there know who I am talking about? None of you may even know who he was, but I kind of think he represented laughter and innocence. I wish that they had let that sweet man go in peace, under his own name, and never told anyone that he was a real, live man in a clown suit and red wig. Anyway....thanks for all the smiles Bozo.
Later.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Endings, beginning and neighbors....
The love story that I tried to tell you about in my last blog has come not to an end, but to a new place. Jane passed away on Friday. Britt posted about an hour later that she was dancing with the angels. He has still posted a couple of times. I guess it is his own blog where he finds a little solace. Guess we can understand. Anyway, there is a lot to learn from their beautiful story. Her funeral is tomorrow. Keep him and the twins in your prayers. I'm sure the boys are scared to death that they are going to lose their dad to cancer as well.
As expected, my son was moved this week to another prison. He is now 3-1/2 hours away versus 1-1/4. Visits will be less and have to be more planned out. We have already had a letter from him. Along with asking us to send more books and some cash for his account (big surprise), he did write a beautiful letter. I'm really proud how he takes accountability for all of this and never ceases to tell us he is sorry. His letters have a lot of maturity in them for the most part. I'm sure if things had been different, I would never had so many letters from him in my life nor would I have written him so many. I guess that is the tarnished silver lining.
Saturday morning, I went to a baby shower for my nephew and his wife. This will be their second little boy. It was a really nice shower. The hostess did an amazing job. My sister came in town for it, so I got to visit with her. It was all good. She got the funniest gift though. This lady had brought her three gift bags from a boutique and each gift had something cute, useful and handmade. The third one was a set of ......Are you sitting down?...... Wee-Wee Tee-Pees!!!! There were four little cones in a bag, each about 1-1/2 inches tall. The fabric was a rock 'n roll theme with guitars and sculls and they were lined with terry cloth. For those who have only raised girls, they are to cover the little boy "wee-wees" while you change a diaper. Definitely is a good thought although a little impractical. (Who hasn't been christened by their little boy?) It was quite a fun gift though. Someone is making some big bucks sewing about 3 inches of fabric.
Saturday night we went to a going away party for our next door neighbors. It was all a bit awkward since (1) they were throwing the party for themselves;(2) there's the part about no one really thinks they are really moving anyway; and and my personal favorite (3)the house isn't sold, nor does it even have a for sale sign up. He moved to Utah 8 months ago and the family still hasn't gone up there. He seems to have a job interview here every time he comes in for a visit. We all went to the party although we collectively decided it was a waste to bring a gift. My sister suggested that we buy them moving boxes. (She has a mean streak, that one.) Hee-hee.
Well, tomorrow starts another week of job searching. Hope this is the week that something amazing opens up. I need to get us all in for doc appointments and scripts filled as insurance will be gone in a month.
Have a great week everyone!
Later.
As expected, my son was moved this week to another prison. He is now 3-1/2 hours away versus 1-1/4. Visits will be less and have to be more planned out. We have already had a letter from him. Along with asking us to send more books and some cash for his account (big surprise), he did write a beautiful letter. I'm really proud how he takes accountability for all of this and never ceases to tell us he is sorry. His letters have a lot of maturity in them for the most part. I'm sure if things had been different, I would never had so many letters from him in my life nor would I have written him so many. I guess that is the tarnished silver lining.
Saturday morning, I went to a baby shower for my nephew and his wife. This will be their second little boy. It was a really nice shower. The hostess did an amazing job. My sister came in town for it, so I got to visit with her. It was all good. She got the funniest gift though. This lady had brought her three gift bags from a boutique and each gift had something cute, useful and handmade. The third one was a set of ......Are you sitting down?...... Wee-Wee Tee-Pees!!!! There were four little cones in a bag, each about 1-1/2 inches tall. The fabric was a rock 'n roll theme with guitars and sculls and they were lined with terry cloth. For those who have only raised girls, they are to cover the little boy "wee-wees" while you change a diaper. Definitely is a good thought although a little impractical. (Who hasn't been christened by their little boy?) It was quite a fun gift though. Someone is making some big bucks sewing about 3 inches of fabric.
Saturday night we went to a going away party for our next door neighbors. It was all a bit awkward since (1) they were throwing the party for themselves;(2) there's the part about no one really thinks they are really moving anyway; and and my personal favorite (3)the house isn't sold, nor does it even have a for sale sign up. He moved to Utah 8 months ago and the family still hasn't gone up there. He seems to have a job interview here every time he comes in for a visit. We all went to the party although we collectively decided it was a waste to bring a gift. My sister suggested that we buy them moving boxes. (She has a mean streak, that one.) Hee-hee.
Well, tomorrow starts another week of job searching. Hope this is the week that something amazing opens up. I need to get us all in for doc appointments and scripts filled as insurance will be gone in a month.
Have a great week everyone!
Later.
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