Another Bites the Dust

Whenever we move, it seems that we make some kind of transition with the kids. When we moved from Virginia to Maryland our kids decided they were not only old enough to bath themselves, but also run the bath water as well.  At age 3, 5, 7 we said fine  - we'll try it out. And it worked. For all of us.  I remember thinking a year later when Drew deployed for a year, that the kids taking over all of the bathing chores, was very nice - just what was needed.

Here our transition is the dishware. While they were allowed to use our nice  (aka VERY BREAKABLE) plates from time to time, they really only got to eat on them for special occasions or some nice meal one of us cooked.  Towards the end of our tour in Guam, they (especially the older two) let us know they liked to be grown up and eat off the breakable plates....no more plastic!! Especially the plastic is cartoon characters on them.

What plastic I did not throw away was moved to the back lower cabinet...not to be used a lot.  They all have enjoyed using the "real" plates and bowls.

And for the most part I've enjoyed them using them...until one got broken....then two....then three...and today it makes four. (And lets not forget the matching top to the sugar bowl and the salt shaker!!!)

Lovely. Just lovely.

Since my pattern was discontinued six months after the wedding, it's hard to fine. And when I do find it, its on the pricey side. So, now I'm thinking of selling what I do have and buying a new set of something else.

Sell now while I still have most of it left.

Another Week

I never mean for a week to go by before I post, but here it is - another week.  It's been a good week, though.  Today Ben was cleared with his eyes. One doctor was concerned with a lazy eye, but he's fine. Not sure what the other doctor saw, but not only are his eyes both straight, he sees great as well.

Yesterday we didn't get great news - William will need some work on his teeth. Oh, yeah. It's gonna  cost  a lot of money. We are getting a second opinion on Thursday, but I really don't expect it to be too different. But I was irritating at the orthodontist in Guam....he should have caught the problems. But. We're here in the States and we'll make it work.

The big news was we have a piano!! A real piano, not a key-board (extra-long though it maybe) that the kids have been playing all theses years.  The piano is from my aunt. Drew went to go get it Thursday. The kids are enjoying it! Well, not Ben. He refuses to play on it until I have it tuned - which will be next week.

Today I meet a friend that I met in Guam for lunch. She lives about 45 minutes away. We had such a good time! I love talking with her - we actually got asked to leave the restaurant - apparently, there was a line waiting for a table and they didn't like the fact that we were just sitting there and talking.

Whatever.

So, we stood outside and talked for about another hour!  We're meeting next my time at house...no one will kick us out!

Another Great Book

I read what is probably one of the most enjoyable non-fiction books this past weekend.  It's from the Blind Side family, the Tuohy's of Memphis: In a Heartbeat.  While they do talk some of life with Michale Oher, the book is really their philosophy of giving.  I loved the Blind Side - I actually read the book twice and have seen the movie twice. I can see myself re-reading this book again.

Currently, I'm reading a book that I was on the library hold list for six weeks - The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. I first heard of this book early this summer as I was driving between my parents and in-law's houses. Yes, I admit that I do listen to NPR news at times.  They were actually, taking about the movie version. It sounded like a good story so I decided to track down the book.   I, also, was happy to learn this is the first in a series and there are two more books.  Not sure if they'll be two more movies, but I'll be on the look-out for them.

Annoying Your 13 year old....What fun!

In Guam we used a wire-less door bell at our back door. As we were unpacking here I set it aside...not sure what to do with it since we didn't need it here.  Then it dawned on me: I'll put it in William's room.

Since William's bedroom is upstairs he doesn't always hear me when I call - especially, if his door is closed.  The other day I came in from my morning walk and realized that William was not up for school yet.  I really didn't want to climb the stairs (and no, I really don't care if you call me lazy)  so I ranged the door bell. It took two rings for him to wake up. 

He told me later, "Please, come up and wake me - I hate the door bell!"

"Really? It's more annoying than your alarm?"

"YES!" 

Hmmm. Alrighty then.

He really shouldn't have told me that.  (hehehehehe)

I have to admit: I take perverse pleasure at his "WHAT?!"  after I  have "ranged" for him. Sort of makes up for all those eye-rolls that annoy me.

Nine Years Ago

In many ways it's hard to believe that nine years has passed since attacks on 9/11/01. In some ways it seems like yesterday, but in others is seems like a life-time ago. So much has changed.

Before the attacks most of us in the military - especially those I knew in the Air Force - were concerned with not being assigned a remote tour (a tour where the active duty member went for a year without the family).  Now just about every active duty member I know has done at least one deployment if not more. While deployment usually last six months now, with the extra training it can add one up to two or three months. We have become very apt at being happily married but still a single parent.

Yesterday I was discussing with a friend about me getting a job. Part of the problem is that the kids are at different schools with different time schedules. Whatever I do I have to be able to do by myself. I can't rely on Drew to get the kids to school because he may not be here to help - he may deploy at some point. I think my thinking was a little shocking to her. Her husband does travel with work some, but never for more that a few weeks at a time - and that only once or twice a year. To plan your life for the "what if" is foreign to her.

But that's the legacy the attacks have left many of us. While we live in the present and enjoy every moment we have together, we never take it for granted. Tomorrow will come. And it won't always be pleasant.

Snacks

Today I volunteered at Benjamin's school during lunch. I was one of five moms who manned the "snack" table.  "Snacks"..hmmm....more like cavity-inducing-sugar-overload is more like it. I was totally amazed at the junk!  I'm not sure what I excepted, but to have every possible candy and chip offered wasn't it

For fifty cents you could buy crackers & cheese (other than pretzels this was the healthiest option), gushers, rice kripy treat, or a ring pop (one little boy bought three ring pops: one for himself, one for his mom, and one for his dad...he was so proud and so sweet.)  But for a dollar you could by a small bag of chips, cookies, pretzels, slim jim, wacky taffy, three different kinds of skillets, starburst, three kinds of sour gummies, M&M's - plain or peanut, or animal cookies.

Now, most students spent only fifty cents or a dollar there were some that spent more - a few that spent five dollars and one that spent nine. All on junk!! Makes this momma wonder if these parents knew how much money their kids taken to school.

But one thing I do know: dentist across the city will be reaping the benefits.

Losing the Game, But Winning the Party

This weekend we took the kids to their first Ole Miss football game (William went when he was just baby, but we're not counting that).  It still amazes me that we have not taken them before.. .I grew up going to just about every game every year...but for us it's been just too far away for a weekend in Mississippi. But not anymore.

I think they enjoyed the game.....even if it was hot. Poor Ben was just melting.  At one point  he laid down on the concrete by my feet to try to stay in the shade. Of course, we all would have enjoyed the game if we had won the dumb thing!  But all I can is "typical".

If the very definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, but excepting  a different outcome, then that's Ole Miss football. While is should not be tradition, it is.  Part of me was not surprised at the lost. Frustrated, yes. Surprised? Not really.

But. A good time was still had by all.

Tailgating is art at Ole Miss. Perfected over time. Since I have been gone, things have progressed far beyond anything we had when Drew and I attended.  Now every one has tents (or rather rents thems  - the companies that rents and sets up the tents, tables, and chairs are making a BUNDLE!!). Most tables are covered in a tablecloths with center pieces and/or flowers. Several even had small satellites with Direct-TV and big screens TVs!! Amazing!  Then there's the food. Let's just say - yummy! And yes, I need to be walking extra to work it all off!

Then there was the dress. We actually had an unwritten dress code while we were there. Who knows when it started, but "back in the day" we all dressed like we were going to church. The ladies in a Sunday  best-dress with heels and panty-hose, the guys in blue blazers, white button-down shirts, red or blue tie with khaki pants.

It seems that the boys still dress the same, but the girls? Oh. My. They are no longer dressing like they are going to church. More like they are going out on a Friday night looking for a "hot" time. Or for some "work".  The skirts were shorter and the heels were higher. No pany-hoses in sight! But on several occasions, you could see what type  - and color - of underwear the co-ed was wearing.

Oh. My.

I'm convinced that several dresses were actually shirts....yes, they were that short.

I have to tell you about one guy - he was over the top!  Yes, he was in the right "uniform" for the boys  - white button down, red and blue stripe tie, khaki pants - but he also wore a baseball cap and his belt buckle was a HUGE Conderate flag that really belonged on Wranglers!  I just had to laugh.

One part of tailgating I  love is seeing friends and family. We tailgated with my aunt and two friends. One of my college roommates drove down from Memphis to visit. So nice to see her!! I don't think we had seen each other since graduation, even though we have been able to keep in touch now through facebook.  I also, was able to visit with one of my cousins and his wife.  I had not seen them since my grandmother's funeral in the early 90's.  Such fun catching up with people!

The kids were I think a little shocked at some parts of the game..like our cheer. Ole Miss fans yell the "Hotty Toddy" cheer. Let's just say it has several words that we don't use in our house.  The kids were a little shocked at such free use of words deemed "not Jesus loving".