It's just my opinion. Welcome to it.

Anyone watch the special about the Jackson family? It makes me so sad and, at the same time, mad. Although I was a huge fan of his music, I have to say I was not a big fan of MJ the person. But after watching his father, Joe Jackson, use this time to promote himself on TV, I have to feel sorry for all of the Jackson family. What an obnoxious slime ball! He's pond scum! He's slimey hot dog water! I've heard the stories about him being abusive, but the man is nuts. How can someone use their children like that in the name of love? It's more like the name of money. What an example of the evil of the "love of money".

It seems to me that maybe those three little children were the one place that MJ tried to get it right. My heart breaks for them. They are innocent and so vulnerable. Seems like MJ did try to give them a childhood in the middle of such insanity. He obviously gave them lots of love and attention.

The documentary brought out that Kathryn Jackson is already raising five of her grandchildren. What's that about? She seems like a nice lady and I know she has all of the help that money can buy, but that it is huge undertaking for anyone, much less for a 79 year old woman. She needs to be grand mothering, not mothering. She may be the only stable Jackson, but where are their parents? Are they too busy with plastic surgeons to take responsibility for their own?

And while I'm at it, there is Debbie Rowe. Her lack of a maternal instinct is just foreign to me. I just don't get her story. I deal with trying to help my sons understand their birthparents and not feel rejected, but she is a whole other subject. Probably good that they don't have much of a relationship with her. How do you make sense of that one? Years of intense therapy ahead.

Once again, children have fallen victim to selfishness, narcissism and ignorance. It happens every day to the famous and the not so famous. I feel ashamed of all the times that I have taken for granted or not been thankful enough for my own children and also to have had imperfect parents that loved me dearly.

Of course, if you use Joe Jackson as the measure....I'm a fabulous parent!

Hug your kids.

Later.

Here I am.....there I go.

No, I didn't drop off the face of the earth...I just thought about it. I've tried to keep up with everyone whether just reading or reading and commenting.

We got back in late last night from our family reunion. We had such a great time. Many of our nieces and nephews are now young adults and they are entirely cool. I just love spending time with them. Most of the 22 of us were staying in this sprawling log cabin on 8 acres that my sis-in-law owns. One nephew brought an RV and there were a couple of hotel rooms. There was boating, jet skies, ping pong, softball, cut-throat board game competitions, fireworks, good food, way too much to drink, lots of laughs, lots of love and very little sleep. It doesn't get much better.

I came very close to not being able to go though. I developed a pretty severe sinus infection and effected my inner ear and equilibrium. I passed out Sunday morning but then was fine in the afternoon. Monday and Tuesday were totally different. I was reeling and vomiting. It was miserable. I couldn't lay down or move my head. My esophagus was ripped from stomach acids. (TMI? Hey, I've listened to all your PMS and poop stories!!) Anywho, Hub took me to the doctor on Tuesday. She gave me a shot and 3 scripts and sent me home. I couldn't drive on (or off for that matter) the medicine. Hub was determined that we would still leave on Wednesday. He did most of the packing (SHOCK!) and all of the driving and we headed out after lunch on Wednesday. Gradually, the dizziness subsided with just an occasional spell. A truly dizzy blonde. Hee-hee!

It was confirmed last Monday that we will be moving. The questions of when and exactly where, etc. have yet to be determined, but we know we are going. We will probably land somewhere close to Little Rock, AR just because of the major highways. "When" will be determined by us getting this house on the market and sold. Luckily, we are not under pressure to be there NOW. Our relo package is good for a year but we will be moving forward with it. I wish I could wiggle my nose and it would be over.

We stopped over for a night in Arkansas on the way to the family reunion and looked at a few houses. It is a beautiful area and the cool evenings were a welcomed relief from our 100+ days.

I'm sure this will be a good move for our family but it seems so very strange to think about it. First, I'm such a Texan. I mean REALLY a Texan and we are planning this to be our last move. We want to be prepared to stay in this house until our son graduates and we retire. No pressure. Also, we have been here for 9-1/2 years. When we moved here, I had two sons in our home and my baby was two. A lot has changed. It will probably be a good thing for our older son to come home to a different area, yet I feel so sad about doing the move without him. It feels like he won't have his place with us. He may not due to his own choosing or actions, but this house is still "home" to him. It's where he dreams of coming back to. Unfortunately, he still has one more year to go.

Life takes such strange turns. I know that God has the Plan and road map, but right now I just feel I've lost my way a bit.

Later.

One of those days......

Wish I could say that I had been totally productive this week; but that would be such a lie. Hub has been out of town and I have wasted WAY too much time looking at real estate online. Give me a subject like that and I get so OCD. We probably won't even know if we are moving until July.

We are on one of those rolls where everything seems to happen at once. After last week, I thought we were good for awhile. My younger son has been running fever the last two nights. A little sluggish, but okay during the day and then yucky with a temp of 101.5 at night. I've done the old Tylenol/Motrin routine, but it really hasn't responded too much so I decided to take him to the doc on Friday. (He is SO dramatic when he is sick. I can't take it all weekend.)

Let me back up though. Thursday evening, I decided to jump in the car and go pick us up some fast food for dinner. No battery - no go. (Always happens when Hub is out of town.) My car only has 35,000 miles on it and we had to change the battery out last May. Think we have a problem? I got out the electric battery charger and started reading directions, then called Hub. (I can be such a GIRL!) I have a very healthy respect (fear) of plugging this thing in wrong and exploding the car. He just tells me to put red on red and black on black. Of course my battery doesn't have red or black. My son tells me to put the positive to the negative and vice versa. Glad I didn't listen to him! Anyway, finally sucked it up, held my breath, and turned it on. I am woman hear me roar!!! I had power and we had fast food! Tried the car again before I went to bed last night....nothing.

I woke up this morning at 5:30 and got up since I had a lot going on. Had a cup of coffee, checked out the newspaper, e-mailed the car dealership to tell them I would be there, put a load of towels in (now I'm rolling) and then brushed out my dog as he had an 8:30 grooming appointment. While brushing him I noticed that he had been chewing one of his paws. He had chewed the fur off in a spot and it looked infected. Yuck! Took my shower and dressed, woke up the boy and then went outside to get my trusty battery charger and conquer this demon once again. Then I realized that I had pulled the car too far up into the garage and I could not open the hood due to the vice sticking out on the workbench. I decided that I would put the car in neutral and try to rock it back a bit. Like right! I put the car in neutral and tried to start it one more time...and it started. (God looks after the ignorant.) Got my purse, the boy, the dog and ran out the door before my car died again. On the way to the groomer, I called the pediatrician and made an appointment for 9:45. The car dealership had no loaner cars, so I ended up having to call a car rental for a car for the day. Zoomed to the doc where they did strep and flu testing, but found nothing. Bring him back Monday if he's not better. As we left there, the groomer called for us to pick up. She found another place on the dog and said it looks like he is having an alergic reaction to something. Went from there to the vet where they could not get him in until tomorrow at 9:00. Came home and got a call about the car that they had replaced the battery again and needed my permission to do a few more things. Of course they did!

Oh well. Hub made it home safely; I now have my own car and the world is better. Especially after we stopped off for Mexican food and a really good maragrita on the way home. Ole'.

Later.

Whew!!!

Just when you think you know what's going on, LIFE steps in. I have been a busy bee of a domestic goddess. Just a little excited to be off work and home. I know this will pass soon. Finally realized Tuesday evening that it wasn't just me that was hot, it was the house. Downstairs A/C was not working. Called A/C man in the morning to come out. I had already set up an appointment with a man to give me an estimate on tinting my windows facing the West. I was excited about this. I had decided that tint was going to be the answer to my dreams. The bid was even a little lower than I thought it would be. YEA! Then as he was leaving, enter the A/C man. To make a long story short, new unit to a tune of $5300. BIG BOO HOO! They came yesterday to put that big boy in. Took most of the day and I really was hot. Finally, got it in and then it was time to shower for the evening.

It was a crazy night. Severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, etc. All of the things that people hear about our part of the country. Generally, we just watch. We left for son's baseball pizza party just as it was getting started up(6:30). Probably not the smartest thing to have done. We ate pizza and watched the storm. When we started back about 8:15, we saw branches and several fences blown down. Our power went out about 8:45 and didn't come back on until the wee hours of the morning. We played cards by candlelight, read and then I went outside to the gazebo with a candle and watched the rain. My son came out for awhile and we talked about....mostly nothing. It was good.

I got up to see what time it was at 6AM, went back to bed, and immediately the power went off again. Stayed off until 11AM when it was met with hoops and hollers by my son. (City kids can't take that too very long.) Still haven't opened refrigerators to see what is going on in there. Hoping for the best.

At 9:00 this morning, the cute window tinting people came. I had called the owner and told him that due to the A/C, we couldn't do all of them at this time. I would still do the large one over the door that we (translates "I") deemed as necessary. It looks amazing.

THEN....around 11:30, Hub calls and wants me to shoot him a copy of his resume. His boss has suggested that he put a bid in for a couple of positions that are coming up. Knew this was a possibly but wasn't ready for it now. One would be back to Arkansas (the other business plan didn't work out)and the other would be to an area that we have always thought we would like to go back to. He is more of a long shot for the latter, but it would be a coo.

Anyway, can't wait to see what happens this afternoon!!!!

Later.

TIME

I haven't posted in so-o-o-o-o long. I have thought about it....I have thought about things I wanted to share....I've sat down and read your blogs.....but that is as far as I've gotten. I've been a bad blogger friend.

I have really been waiting for today. I thought it would never come. It was like waiting for Christmas Day when you're a kid. It is finally here. YEA! Today was my last day of school. A two and a half month break is so very welcomed right now. I have missed my house. Looking around, I think it missed me too. :) I have so many little things that I want to accomplish around here. A few big ones, too.

It seems that the older I get, the more important time is to me. Sometimes I'm very stingy with it. I've learned to say "no" and not even feel guilty. (At least not all of the time.) There are so many things that pull on our time. All of the "have-to" things. i.e. work, kid's sports activities, laundry, LIFE issues, etc. I'm really trying to remember how important just a little "me" time is. Sometimes also a little "we" time. The other night Hub was out of town. I had the dishwasher, the washing machine and dryer all doing their thing/s while I was on the computer checking work e-mail. My son was quietly building with Legos by himself at the kitchen table. I turned around and took a look at this scenario. I turned off the computer and told my son "Get out your Uno cards. Mommy's fixing to take you on." Just what both of us needed. Mindless fun time. In case you are wondering, he actually creamed me on 4 out of 6 hands of cards. Time....priceless.

So a quick summary of what has been going on for the last month:

Went to see son - he looked better.
Attended (chaperoned)8th grade banquet - 14 year olds in 4-inch heels and semi-formals with cleavage. Oh my!
Took a weekend trip to see family - fun.
Pulled a ligament in my knee - no fun.
Had a birthday - Yikes!
Re-injured knee and spent birthday afternoon/evening having MRI & x-rays - YUCK!
Decorated Hub's new office - turned out well.
Received calls for the first time from older son's birthmother - (After 21 years, that's a story within its self.)
Went to a Women's Professional Football game - surprisingly fun.
Talked to a blog friend on the telephone - will have to do this again!
Took son to see the movie "Up" in 3D - three thumbs up!

I will probably be expounding on some of this later, but right now is "Me" time. I'm going to bed and dream of summer.

Later.

I may like playing the princess!

We got back last night from our little getaway to San Antonio. My luggage however didn't return until late this afternoon after taking a little side trip to Baltimore. Thank you American Airlines.

We had a fabulous time. Hub could have done no more to make me feel really special. Our hotel was so cool and our room even better. This is a historical hotel and has been kept completely grand. The lobby looked like a grand ballroom with huge crystal chandeliers and large columns. Notice the chandelier compared to the baby grand piano on the left.










There were pictures around of celebrities and events that had been there, including Princess Grace and Prince Ranier of Monoco, Maria Shriver and Arnold S., Texas governors, and many others that I can't remember. The staff took wonderful care of us.

Our suite was almost as big as our first house. It had a foyer that opened into a formal dining room.

When I walked in, the first thing I saw of the table was a bottle of champagne and the most beautiful yellow roses. Hub had ordered chocolate covered strawberries, but they substituted a fruit and cheese plate.

Is he good, or what?

This suite absolutely reminded me of old Hollywood. There was a living room with two large camel back sofas, Queen Anne chairs, art work, mirrors....okay, so the plasma TV looked out of place.

The bedroom was huge and had a big four poster bed. The bed looked like a big marshmallow with all of the fluffy white bedding and pillows. It was so high off of the floor that I literally had to hike a leg up to get in. (Attractive picture, huh. It was up to my waist.) Hub took some running leaps and did belly flops. What a big kid! :) The bathroom showed that this hotel was built in the 40/50's. It was smallish with one sink but was decorated really a bit art deco with black marble floor and black and white tile. Add a big walk-in closet and that is about it.

I probably sound like a big goober that has never been anywhere and I know that this is more detail than anyone will care about. This hotel was just so different to me. I'm sure that there have been many, many weddings there. The 10th floor had a huge terrace that could make for amazing parties/receptions. It was even suppose to be haunted. Just a good ploy to get the tourists.

Room service breakfast in bed has always been my sinful pleasure. Nothing better and they brought us some fabulous ones. They even rolled it in on a cart instead of bringing a tray like most hotels. I made Hub look under the table cloth. In the movies, there was always someone hiding under cart. :)

We did just what we needed to do for a 26th anniversary. We talked, talked, talked and thoroughly enjoyed each other's company. We took the obligatory river cruise and took some pictures in the same places that we remembered taking pictures on our honeymoon. We spent a lazy day wandering around and relaxing at outdoor restaurants with a margarita...or two. (You didn't think I would tell you EVERYTHING, did you?)

Yes, I really did feel like a princess. Our suite was on the corner and this is the view out of one side. It's a lovely church steeple from across the street but I can imagine that it is a castle tower. Out the other side, there was a beautiful city park. There I couldn't help but notice homeless people while I was looking down from my castle. Brings you right down to reality. There by the grace of God.....


Happy Mother's Day, Y'all!

Where's my mask? I'm flying.

I'm really sick of listening to everything about this "piggie flu". I probably answered too many weird calls about it last Friday. I just sent them on to the nurse. (That was satisfying in a weird sort of way.)

I have a busy, yet fun week ahead. Thursday will be my 26th wedding anniversary. Man that sounds crazy long. I sound like a fossil! Anyway, Hub is leaving tomorrow morning on a business trip to the place we went on our honeymoon. (I'm sure it's a God-thing coincidence.) He will be done with meetings on Wednesday, so I am going to fly down and meet him. We will be back Friday afternoon. Short and sweet. It will be fun. My son is going to stay with my niece. She likes to play Mom. He has a late baseball game Tuesday night with pictures before. That means he and I will be a the ballfield from about 6:00 until 10:30. (Yuck) I'll have to pack us both up Monday night.

Packing is always so stressful to me. I do it to myself. I love going places - and I do pack really neatly - but I just stress over if we have everything we need or if something is left on. Usually I take way too much. I envy and am actually a bit amazed at people who throw a few things in a duffel and go out the door. I have to do better due to airline restrictions. Hub is planning on checking a bag since he will be there all week, so I'm going to send a few things with him. Can you imagine someone he works with coming to his room and seeing women's clothes hanging there? Hee-hee.

We've had a lot of rain here. Everything will be really green soon. I need to get out and get some more annuals going. Usually I have spent a lot of time outside by now. This "working thing" is really cramping my style! That and baseball. I guess they're only young once though.

Have a happy week!