The Summer She Turned Pretty

Before you judge me, this is the title of a book written by Jenny Han that my daughter read this summer.  Actually she read the whole series this summer.  I so love that she likes to read. Anyway this book was about the summer when life changed in a profound way for the girl in the book.  Well, my baby went back to school today after summer break and is an 8th grader this year.  Where did the time go? Where is my 1#13oz. preemie, 26 weeker?  Well, this is the summer she turned pretty. Do not get me wrong.  She has been pretty for years.  This summer "other" people noticed.  People from the oposite persuasion shall we say. Not only are the guys more attentive, but she is wearing an independance now that she did not have at the beginning of summer. She doesn't mind staying at home alone, doesn't mind riding the bus to and from the fair to meet friends.  I told her father when we were at the boat races this summer, this is the summer, the defining moment in her life that will change her forever.  Sounds a little dramatic, I know.  But it is here.  I already find myself missing her.  I know it will only get more frequent and I have to be ok with that.  For now she still likes to spend time with the crazy lady that is her mom.  I was in the kitchen the other morning and I looked over to say something to her and looked into the lovely eyes of a young woman.  I did not look down to the eyes of a girl but straight across into "my" blue eyes. I hadn't noticed until that moment that she was almost as tall as I am now.  Wow, in the blink of an eye your babies grow up.  I am so proud of her.  She is a good girl.  I hope she always will be.  She is a good friend, wonderful daughter and amazing young woman.  The summer of 2011 - The summer she turned pretty.

Day is done......

Today one of my besties from high school buried her father.  I have lost my mother and my father so I know the pain she feels.  In fact she and I are now orphans.  Sad... I don't get to see this friend often as she lives in another state. When we saw each other today, smiles were easy, and hugs helped the years apart fall away.  It's that way with a group of women I share my life with.  We were fearless and wild when we were girls.  Best friends and had the world at our feet.  I am blessed that most of us are only a key stroke away from each other.  I stayed in our home town as did one other that I am happy to have near by.  Life keeps us preoccupied but if she needs me she seeks me and vise versa.  Comforting. I alerted by e-mail those in Texas, Georgia, and other parts of my state. Messages came flooding in and I shared with our friend all the condolences sent her way. It was a sad day, but blessed in so many ways. Military honors were part of the tribute for this father.  Taps and the 9 gun salute was awesome and reminded me of when I buried my father 3 years ago and became an orphan. Some of the other girls still have a parent, some have none, but we still have each other.  Day is done....

Home again ~ Home again Jiggedy jig!

So, we took a few days off and traveled to Northern Idaho, where my family has owned "a piece of the rock" since I was a little girl.  We moved shortly after this purchase making the hour drive from home a 4 hour drive from home.  It was the plan to build a cabin on this property for the family to enjoy.  Fast forward 40 some years and the property is still there, as beautiful as ever and still very much like it has been for the past 40 some years. After Mom  died, Dad was going to sell this little piece of Heaven and I discouraged him, lets just say that. It holds part of my childhood that was a happy time with mom and dad and my sister. My mom dreamed of a cabin up on the rock that would overlook the river. Of course that never happend but it was a great dream. We stayed in our RV in the campground down the street, with showers, a swimming beach and a fire pit.  It was a relaxing four days, for the most part.  Seems as though nothing is perfect, go figure.  I also seem to be seeking perfection lately and find myself disappointed.... alot.  Something else for me to work on. Hmmmmmm. I found myself singing the Zack Brown Band song "Toes" Toes in the water a** in the sand.  I spent one day doing just that.  Wonderful...... Of course in an RV some one still has to cook, do dishes and all that stuff.  Some day I am going to take a vacation where "someone" doesn't have to do all those things. Just saying.........I did have one once, to Jamaica where I was waited on hand and foot.  Wonderful......Oh, thank you God, there is my toe song on the radio.  God is great! Count your blessings woman, not the things that aren't perfect.  Jeez I am a slow learner.  It is good that God is patient.  So back at work today, samo - samo.  Motor home unloaded, laundry done, home again home again jiggedy jig.

Life is Good!

Ok, I have visited a dark place the past week.  I am happy to say that my world is bright today.  I have a song in my heart and have been visiting my blessings this morning.  I have many that I normally do not take for granted.  I find that when you are in the "dark place" you tend to not see them. I know they are there but you just get caught up in all the dark that the bright dims.  I guess.  Listen to me being all "deep". I have had a wonderful life full of people I love and that love me.  I have a home, a husband (for 26 yrs) a great daughter, wonderful family and friends, a job that is there every day and a pay check.  We are fortunate to have many toys, pets we love and so many things I haven't mentioned. This past week I got a peek at what it may be like to suffer from depression. I can not imagine living day after day in the "dark" I have a  much more sympathetic soul for those who suffer with this. My "episode" was brief and my family understanding for the most part (teenagers insist that it is all about them and husbands feel put out as well) and patient while I sort things out.  Another blessing.  The kicker this morning for me was dropping said great daughter off at my amazing sisters house. Daughter is assisting sister in clearing out her room as she retired this summer from teaching.  A new life for my sister.  I hope it is  full and wonderful.  She deserves all that and more.  I sat there for just a minute as daughter and sister walked up the drive way arm in arm.  I am a lucky woman. God is great.  I am blessed.

You're invited to my pity party!!

So, last night I quit, took a powder, backed up off it, took a chill pill, whatever you want to call it.  The job that I love, wife, and mother got the better of me.  My first thought after fleeing my home under the pretense of returning movies was my sister and the beautiful blue she always keeps on hand for such occasions. And lets face it, she's my sister, by bestie, my confidant, she has to attend all pity parties, has to listen and at least pretend to care.  No, I know she always cares.  She's good like that.  Anyway, she was already at another party and unavailable.  Sooooo what to do?  A&W rootbeer freezes are almost as good as Blue so I dropped those movies off, swung through the drive thru and headed to the river.  The Tri-Cities has the best sunsets and so Kenny Chesney and I vegged with our Root beer freezes and watched the river roll by, and the sun set.  That Kenny sure can sing. Of course at the bottom of the cup I knew I had to go home again.  Plus there are some creepy people that walk around down by the river. Ted Bundy sprung to mind and the engine in the car roared to life.  It was quiet at home, the dishes were still waiting for me to wash, no surprise there.  I decided to play some mindless facebook games before bed.  My neice has a new baby. She is a great mother with 4 girls. She is implementing self soothing right now. I decided that was what I was doing with the rootbeer, Kenny and zuma.  I guess we learn something new all the time.  So, now today I am back on the job, still a bit "hung over" from the party last night but at least on the job. Just sayin....

Here I Am!

Ok, so this is my first attempt at blogging.  I am a novice, so be kind.  I love reading my neice Jaimie's blog and look forward to every new posting.  I fear, she may have a more exciting life then I but I'm going to give it a whirl. Today I am having a "take your daughter to work day".  Emily is actually the one that got me hooked up to blog.  Kids, just sayin.....
I created the blog, don't get me wrong, I just couldn't figure out how to post anything.  Thanks Em.
We are currently trying to get Bruce on board with a trip to the coast.  What I got was "whatever" so I am trying to work with that. Em and I love the ocean and the beach.  We just finished shark week though so we are a bit freaked out.  We will stay really shallow I guess. I look forward to the beach and all that goes with that.  The smell, the sounds, the sea food, yummmmmm and just the feeling of being renewed after having been.  I think Em shares my love, Bruce not so much.  We will hook him up with a fishing charter and veg while he is fishing.  We are taking, for the second year in a row, Emily's bff B-man.  He went to Forks with us last year and it was a great trip, for the most part.  We can't seem to have a happy driver consistantly.  Hmmmmm what to do?  So, that's where I am.  Hopefully there will be more to come, if I can remember the pass word and user name.  It's so much to remember!!
Asti spumanti!