Aug 1994:
Miss S was now one month old, and with the temps soaring into the 90s, baby K and I spent nearly every afternoon at the pool, once I was able to drive. Fortunately, stepdaughter J spent the weeks following her birth with us, and was able to play with K in the pool.
I'd called the nurse to see if it was okay to put my baby girl in the pool, and she told me I could try it. But when S's little feet hit the cool water, she drew up her legs with a squeal. So I set up her pack-n-play in a corner of the pool deck, under an umbrella, and checked on her often. She slept, while the rest of us frolicked in the pool, then we'd return to the A/C apartment and cook on the grill.
Aug 2004:
Kids went back to school, and things began to settle down. Every morning, baby W would 'ring' the wind chimes, and would play on his blanket in the family room. If I didn't mention it before, he once pulled his own hair. We thought Keisha had bothered him, but she had jumped up to see why he'd cried out. Whew! Since K had bit and S had pinched, I was hoping beyond hope that W would not turn out to be a hair puller. Thankfully, this episode 'cured' him of ever pulling anyone's hair!
K was now in the 7th grade, and S in the 4th. I was thrilled S had gotten the 'better' of the two teachers, since K had also had Mrs. K, and the transition was easy.
*************
Present Day:
I'm off to the Wine and Art Festival in Washington, In tonight! My books arrived on Wed, and I'm going to try Jean Joachim's suggestion and price them lower. Wish me luck!
Tomorrow's Karaoke Line Up:
Heaven-Warrent
Heaven Can Wait-Meatloaf
Heaven Is A Place On Earth-Belinda Carlisle
Black Velvet-Allanah Myles
Friday, August 29, 2014
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Fear Confirmed??
Over the weekend, I crashed a second HS Reunion, the same class I crashed back in 2009, in order to 'catch up' with old friends I hadn't seen since 1981.
Brief Recap: Back in 2009, people were happy to see me, and confidences spilled, due to excessive alcohol. I spun some of those ideas into Kenzie's Class Reunion, with the permission of two people who suggested a loose plot idea.
When it was released, I jokingly wondered if anyone would speak to me now, five years later.
At my own HS reunion, this proved NOT to be the case, and even had another character suggested, plus discovered my BFF from HS googles me often, and even has CR on his computer! Don't think he's read it yet, though....
Anyway, Friday night was good. People spoke to me, we danced, we talked shop (I helped one guy publish his own self-help book). Saturday, it was as if all topics had been exhausted the night before. I'd ask questions, they'd answer, then go off to spend more time with someone else. The few long-lasting conversations I did hold with people included my 'date', and those in which a group of us discussed something. I pretty much took pictures, offered an opinion or anecdote, then felt abandoned.
I WAS thrilled to see one of the guys I'd remembered from 3rd grade on, and happy to see he's made a success of his life, after so many of us were unkind to him. Since I was in the same 'social pecking order', I tolerated his presence in private, but avoided him in the halls and in class, since I was not happy with my junior high 'status', but had no desire to be in the 'popular' crowd.
9th grade had been a little more kinder to me, esp 2nd semester, and of course I cinched my 'floater' status in HS by being BFFs with a basketball player; being involved in Band and Home Ec; working in the library; and having friends who were unwed mom's and those who openly smoked pot.
My point to all this? Thirty-plus years later, it no longer matters who was unkind to whom; we learn more about those we didn't interact with, even though some 'cliques' stay together, at some point everyone has a conversation and discovers wrong misconceptions and assumptions.
I guess we have finally grown up...at least some of us, anyway!
Brief Recap: Back in 2009, people were happy to see me, and confidences spilled, due to excessive alcohol. I spun some of those ideas into Kenzie's Class Reunion, with the permission of two people who suggested a loose plot idea.
When it was released, I jokingly wondered if anyone would speak to me now, five years later.
At my own HS reunion, this proved NOT to be the case, and even had another character suggested, plus discovered my BFF from HS googles me often, and even has CR on his computer! Don't think he's read it yet, though....
Anyway, Friday night was good. People spoke to me, we danced, we talked shop (I helped one guy publish his own self-help book). Saturday, it was as if all topics had been exhausted the night before. I'd ask questions, they'd answer, then go off to spend more time with someone else. The few long-lasting conversations I did hold with people included my 'date', and those in which a group of us discussed something. I pretty much took pictures, offered an opinion or anecdote, then felt abandoned.
I WAS thrilled to see one of the guys I'd remembered from 3rd grade on, and happy to see he's made a success of his life, after so many of us were unkind to him. Since I was in the same 'social pecking order', I tolerated his presence in private, but avoided him in the halls and in class, since I was not happy with my junior high 'status', but had no desire to be in the 'popular' crowd.
9th grade had been a little more kinder to me, esp 2nd semester, and of course I cinched my 'floater' status in HS by being BFFs with a basketball player; being involved in Band and Home Ec; working in the library; and having friends who were unwed mom's and those who openly smoked pot.
My point to all this? Thirty-plus years later, it no longer matters who was unkind to whom; we learn more about those we didn't interact with, even though some 'cliques' stay together, at some point everyone has a conversation and discovers wrong misconceptions and assumptions.
I guess we have finally grown up...at least some of us, anyway!
Friday, August 15, 2014
Flashback Friday
Aug 1984:
This month was full of activity. I went on a double date with friend A, her hubby, and their friend AP. We went to the drive in to see Bachelor Party and Porky's 2.....but I fell asleep during BP! That didn't deter AP from asking me out again, and this time we went to see The Muppets Take Manhattan. The following week, we went tubing down the Wildcat Creek.
I had a good rapport with his younger brother, E, and invited him to go with us. But when we were suited up and ready to get in the truck, E was looking unhappy and still in his clothes. He said A had told him to stay behind. Red Flag #1. I had a feeling something was up.
When we arrived at the river, A showed me how to climb into my tube....and I promptly sailed downstream. He had to scramble to catch up with me, and about an hour into the trip, he got quiet. Red Flag #2.
He hemmed and hawed around, and I had a feeling I knew what was coming.
Sure enough, the words I'd been dreading: "Will you be my girlfriend?"
I took a deep breath and in the kindest tone I could muster, reminded him I was leaving for college the next week and was going to meet a lot of people. I didn't feel right to be tied down; didn't think it would be fair to him. He agreed, and we finished the trip. He took me home and said we'd keep in touch.
We never did, though, and I learned of his death last year.
The following weekend, I left for VU. I was the first one to check into our room, and chose the upper bunk on the left hand side. I'd brought a bit too much, so Mom and Dad took several things back home. A little while later, K arrived and took a bed on the opposite side. Toward late afternoon, EC checked in, but left her things on the same side as K, since her sister was moving into IU. We'd get to know each other the next day.
K introduced me to her friend GF, and we attended the Back To School dance, and even met two guys, who invited us back to their room. I think we played cards, then we returned to our room.
The next day, EC and EY arrived, and we soooooo hoped the cute guy with EY was her brother!!!! No such luck; he was her boyfriend. GF introduced us to another friend, and we toured campus, registered for classes, bought our books, and got to know one another.
EY had no qualms about sleeping underneath me, though she and EC soon discovered they were more alike, and attracted the same sort of guys. They soon began spending more time with the Sigma Pi guys, and decided to become Lil' Sis's.
Ever meet someone and just know you're going to be friends? Several weeks before, EY had called me, and we'd spoken for two hours. She said she barely spoke to EC for maybe twenty minutes. So even though I knew EY and I would soon be close friends, I didn't get mad when she began spending all her time with EC. Maybe they'd bring a guy around who'd like me? (Hey, it could happen!)
K and I got along, though she was more of a partier than I was. We did cause some hilarity in front of one of the coed dorms when GF's friend SL took us out to eat in his orange sports car with the leopard skin drape in the back window. SL got out, accompanied by four girls (EC had declined), and someone yelled, "It's Guido, the Killer Pimp!"
Classes began, and Life settled down.
Next Month: Early Dates and Wrong Choices
*************
Present Day:
The first week of home schooling has gone well. I'm concerned about W's reading, but I'm sure we'll get everything figured out soon.
Karaoke Songs for Tomorrow:
Heartbreaker (Dionne Warwick)
Heart and Soul (T'Pau)
Heaven (Bryan Adams)
ET (Katy Perry)
Gloria (L. Branigan) (Warm up)
My mom's been in and out of the hospital the past week, with back pain. She was supposed to be released yesterday, but her pain was so bad they kept her one more day. She's now on the strongest dose of the strongest medication they can give her. Her doctor's on vacation, and her next appt is the 19th. I don't know if she's looking at back surgery or staying on the pain management. So keep her in your prayers?
This month was full of activity. I went on a double date with friend A, her hubby, and their friend AP. We went to the drive in to see Bachelor Party and Porky's 2.....but I fell asleep during BP! That didn't deter AP from asking me out again, and this time we went to see The Muppets Take Manhattan. The following week, we went tubing down the Wildcat Creek.
I had a good rapport with his younger brother, E, and invited him to go with us. But when we were suited up and ready to get in the truck, E was looking unhappy and still in his clothes. He said A had told him to stay behind. Red Flag #1. I had a feeling something was up.
When we arrived at the river, A showed me how to climb into my tube....and I promptly sailed downstream. He had to scramble to catch up with me, and about an hour into the trip, he got quiet. Red Flag #2.
He hemmed and hawed around, and I had a feeling I knew what was coming.
Sure enough, the words I'd been dreading: "Will you be my girlfriend?"
I took a deep breath and in the kindest tone I could muster, reminded him I was leaving for college the next week and was going to meet a lot of people. I didn't feel right to be tied down; didn't think it would be fair to him. He agreed, and we finished the trip. He took me home and said we'd keep in touch.
We never did, though, and I learned of his death last year.
The following weekend, I left for VU. I was the first one to check into our room, and chose the upper bunk on the left hand side. I'd brought a bit too much, so Mom and Dad took several things back home. A little while later, K arrived and took a bed on the opposite side. Toward late afternoon, EC checked in, but left her things on the same side as K, since her sister was moving into IU. We'd get to know each other the next day.
K introduced me to her friend GF, and we attended the Back To School dance, and even met two guys, who invited us back to their room. I think we played cards, then we returned to our room.
The next day, EC and EY arrived, and we soooooo hoped the cute guy with EY was her brother!!!! No such luck; he was her boyfriend. GF introduced us to another friend, and we toured campus, registered for classes, bought our books, and got to know one another.
EY had no qualms about sleeping underneath me, though she and EC soon discovered they were more alike, and attracted the same sort of guys. They soon began spending more time with the Sigma Pi guys, and decided to become Lil' Sis's.
Ever meet someone and just know you're going to be friends? Several weeks before, EY had called me, and we'd spoken for two hours. She said she barely spoke to EC for maybe twenty minutes. So even though I knew EY and I would soon be close friends, I didn't get mad when she began spending all her time with EC. Maybe they'd bring a guy around who'd like me? (Hey, it could happen!)
K and I got along, though she was more of a partier than I was. We did cause some hilarity in front of one of the coed dorms when GF's friend SL took us out to eat in his orange sports car with the leopard skin drape in the back window. SL got out, accompanied by four girls (EC had declined), and someone yelled, "It's Guido, the Killer Pimp!"
Classes began, and Life settled down.
Next Month: Early Dates and Wrong Choices
*************
Present Day:
The first week of home schooling has gone well. I'm concerned about W's reading, but I'm sure we'll get everything figured out soon.
Karaoke Songs for Tomorrow:
Heartbreaker (Dionne Warwick)
Heart and Soul (T'Pau)
Heaven (Bryan Adams)
ET (Katy Perry)
Gloria (L. Branigan) (Warm up)
My mom's been in and out of the hospital the past week, with back pain. She was supposed to be released yesterday, but her pain was so bad they kept her one more day. She's now on the strongest dose of the strongest medication they can give her. Her doctor's on vacation, and her next appt is the 19th. I don't know if she's looking at back surgery or staying on the pain management. So keep her in your prayers?
Monday, August 11, 2014
Team Frankie, Baby!
If you're not a fan of Big Brother, skip this post. Or go see Kenzie's News:)
Last night's episode was one for the record books. Let me do a brief recap, then I'll get to the heart of it.
Last Thursday was double elimination week, and The Detonaters looked as if maybe they were heading for dissolution, but Caleb realized they were in danger of losing their numbers, and rallied Frankie, Christine, Cody, and Derrick to oust Jocasta instead of Zach. Then in a split-second decision, Caleb won HOH and put up Hayden and Donnie, which D won POV and saved himself. Caleb then put up H's 'girlfriend' Nicole, but the group sent Hayden, the surfer-dude/pedicab driver, packing.
Nicole and Christine won HOH last night, and nominated Zach, Donnie, Frankie, and Caleb. The plan was for Caleb to throw the competition, so Frankie would go home. Zach, Caleb, and Derrick all confirmed to Nicole that Frankie tried to throw everyone under the bus in order to 'look good' to all.
At the competition, Caleb confronted Frankie, and sat down, saying he was not going to cooperate in the challenge. In a valiant effort, Frankie managed to BEAT Donnie and Zach in the Battle of the Block, saving himself and Caleb. This game came down to the wire, with both teams trying to put their balls in the final cup. Frankie literally beat them by seconds, manipulating his long board connected to two chains, and effectively winning a two-person game all by himself.
WHEW!
In the news Saturday, I was not happy to see Frankie had finally 'confessed' to his teammates that Ariana Grande (I don't know who she is, but apparently she's a rising pop star??) is his sister. Why would you give that up NOW?
But after coming thisclose to eviction, Frankie is playing the only card he has left, in hopes this will save him. So now I understand why he told his secret.
Personally, I have loved Frankie and his pink hair from the moment he walked into the house. He plays a wonderful social game, and I hope this isn't the end of 'Zankie', the faux 'showmance' (if you can even call it that, lol!) between Frankie and Zach. F is openly gay, and Z says he's straight, but I love their cuddling scenes:)
I'd love to see Donnie go home next week, so the Detonators can implode on each other.
Stay tuned!
Last night's episode was one for the record books. Let me do a brief recap, then I'll get to the heart of it.
Last Thursday was double elimination week, and The Detonaters looked as if maybe they were heading for dissolution, but Caleb realized they were in danger of losing their numbers, and rallied Frankie, Christine, Cody, and Derrick to oust Jocasta instead of Zach. Then in a split-second decision, Caleb won HOH and put up Hayden and Donnie, which D won POV and saved himself. Caleb then put up H's 'girlfriend' Nicole, but the group sent Hayden, the surfer-dude/pedicab driver, packing.
Nicole and Christine won HOH last night, and nominated Zach, Donnie, Frankie, and Caleb. The plan was for Caleb to throw the competition, so Frankie would go home. Zach, Caleb, and Derrick all confirmed to Nicole that Frankie tried to throw everyone under the bus in order to 'look good' to all.
At the competition, Caleb confronted Frankie, and sat down, saying he was not going to cooperate in the challenge. In a valiant effort, Frankie managed to BEAT Donnie and Zach in the Battle of the Block, saving himself and Caleb. This game came down to the wire, with both teams trying to put their balls in the final cup. Frankie literally beat them by seconds, manipulating his long board connected to two chains, and effectively winning a two-person game all by himself.
WHEW!
In the news Saturday, I was not happy to see Frankie had finally 'confessed' to his teammates that Ariana Grande (I don't know who she is, but apparently she's a rising pop star??) is his sister. Why would you give that up NOW?
But after coming thisclose to eviction, Frankie is playing the only card he has left, in hopes this will save him. So now I understand why he told his secret.
Personally, I have loved Frankie and his pink hair from the moment he walked into the house. He plays a wonderful social game, and I hope this isn't the end of 'Zankie', the faux 'showmance' (if you can even call it that, lol!) between Frankie and Zach. F is openly gay, and Z says he's straight, but I love their cuddling scenes:)
I'd love to see Donnie go home next week, so the Detonators can implode on each other.
Stay tuned!
Friday, August 8, 2014
Flashback Friday
I know; I've been a bad blogger again. In my defense, I've been a little busy with kiddos leaving my care, my sister being in town, and getting my youngling set up on K-12.
Aug 1974:
I approached our registration with trepidition; I had wanted to be retained so I could have Mrs. H again, but I found myself thrilled when friend KB and I would have the same teacher, Mrs. M. The first week of school, however, I was NOT thrilled with the fact I had to only check out books from the 'little' library, and was restricted on the books I could read from the shelves in the classroom. Since I tested at the 3rd grade level, I was only allowed to read the books I'd read two years before.
I was also disappointed when I learned our class would be split up for certain subjects, and KB and I were separated.
I also remember making fun of my sister, who was attending preschool again. Since she wasn't old enough for Kindergarten yet, I laughed that she'd been 'held back'. We also added another verse to a popular saying:
Nursery School, Safety Pins!
Kindergarten Diapers
1st Grade Babies
2nd Grade Tots
3rd Grade Angels (I was happy to finally be an 'angel', ha ha!)
4th Grade Snots
5th Grade Peaches
6th Grade Plums
All the rest are dirty bums!
Meanwhile, friend KE and I were drifting apart. Even though we lived in the same neighborhood, she was forming her own friends in 2nd grade.
Next Month: Cliques Forming
*************
Present Day:
Today is Day #3 of K-12 pre-lessons, and so far, so good. The only issues I'm running into are trying to plan my day and finding time to edit. Yes, 2nd round edits have appeared (I did the first round last week) for Kenzie's Star Bond, and hope to have cover art soon.
Tomorrow's Karaoke Songs:
Heart of the Matter-Don Henley (sang this last week, but my camera batteries died)
Heart Won't Lie-Vince Gill/Reba McEntire
Heartbreaker-Dionne Warwick
Heaven-Bryan Adams (back up)
Black Velvet-Alannah Miles
Have a great weekend!
\
Aug 1974:
I approached our registration with trepidition; I had wanted to be retained so I could have Mrs. H again, but I found myself thrilled when friend KB and I would have the same teacher, Mrs. M. The first week of school, however, I was NOT thrilled with the fact I had to only check out books from the 'little' library, and was restricted on the books I could read from the shelves in the classroom. Since I tested at the 3rd grade level, I was only allowed to read the books I'd read two years before.
I was also disappointed when I learned our class would be split up for certain subjects, and KB and I were separated.
I also remember making fun of my sister, who was attending preschool again. Since she wasn't old enough for Kindergarten yet, I laughed that she'd been 'held back'. We also added another verse to a popular saying:
Nursery School, Safety Pins!
Kindergarten Diapers
1st Grade Babies
2nd Grade Tots
3rd Grade Angels (I was happy to finally be an 'angel', ha ha!)
4th Grade Snots
5th Grade Peaches
6th Grade Plums
All the rest are dirty bums!
Meanwhile, friend KE and I were drifting apart. Even though we lived in the same neighborhood, she was forming her own friends in 2nd grade.
Next Month: Cliques Forming
*************
Present Day:
Today is Day #3 of K-12 pre-lessons, and so far, so good. The only issues I'm running into are trying to plan my day and finding time to edit. Yes, 2nd round edits have appeared (I did the first round last week) for Kenzie's Star Bond, and hope to have cover art soon.
Tomorrow's Karaoke Songs:
Heart of the Matter-Don Henley (sang this last week, but my camera batteries died)
Heart Won't Lie-Vince Gill/Reba McEntire
Heartbreaker-Dionne Warwick
Heaven-Bryan Adams (back up)
Black Velvet-Alannah Miles
Have a great weekend!
\
Thursday, August 7, 2014
July Recap and August Reading Schedule
Well, I did it. I managed to survive the summer with 3 extra kids in the house!
House Hunting: Hubby likes the one I found in a 'questionable' neighborhood. Dad didn't like it, but when we looked at it, we saw potential. Now if I can get someone to show it to us and if the price can come down $30K. Or we win the lottery.
Books Read: 10
Print: 1
E-book: 9
My 7th book, Love Weighs In, arrived in print form, and I sent one copy off to Indianapolis, along with the submission form to be included in this year's Author Fair in Dec. Here's hoping they accept me!
August Reading Schedule:
Print:
Chasing the Dime-Michael Connally
E-book:
Devious-Mark Love Really enjoyed this!
Fetching Love-Tamara Hoffa Loved this! Had to make Stuffed Shells for dinner after reading it, since it made me hungry!!!
The Gentleman's Harlot-Natalie Dae
Slave-Sherri Hayes
Chocolate, Sex, and Other Surprises-Kellie Kamryn
Karaoke Songs:
Heart of Rock-n-Roll-Huey Lewis and the News Ugh.
Heart of the Matter-Don Henley Nailed it:)
Heart Won't Lie-Reba/Vince Gill Mel (Vince) and I nailed it:)
Heartbreaker-Dionne Warwick Did okay, but bleh
Heart and Soul-T'Pau Wasn't the version I was expecting
Heaven-Bryan Adams Nailed it:)
Heaven-Warrent Made it through the song, but bleh.
Heaven Can Wait-Meatloaf BLEH! Though people did get up and dance! *shudder*
Heaven is a Place On Earth-Belinda Carlisle
Hello-Lionel Richie
Help-Beatles
Here Comes The Rain Again-Eurythmics
High On You-Survivor
House Hunting: Hubby likes the one I found in a 'questionable' neighborhood. Dad didn't like it, but when we looked at it, we saw potential. Now if I can get someone to show it to us and if the price can come down $30K. Or we win the lottery.
Books Read: 10
Print: 1
E-book: 9
My 7th book, Love Weighs In, arrived in print form, and I sent one copy off to Indianapolis, along with the submission form to be included in this year's Author Fair in Dec. Here's hoping they accept me!
August Reading Schedule:
Print:
Chasing the Dime-Michael Connally
E-book:
Devious-Mark Love Really enjoyed this!
Fetching Love-Tamara Hoffa Loved this! Had to make Stuffed Shells for dinner after reading it, since it made me hungry!!!
The Gentleman's Harlot-Natalie Dae
Slave-Sherri Hayes
Chocolate, Sex, and Other Surprises-Kellie Kamryn
Karaoke Songs:
Heart of Rock-n-Roll-Huey Lewis and the News Ugh.
Heart of the Matter-Don Henley Nailed it:)
Heart Won't Lie-Reba/Vince Gill Mel (Vince) and I nailed it:)
Heartbreaker-Dionne Warwick Did okay, but bleh
Heart and Soul-T'Pau Wasn't the version I was expecting
Heaven-Bryan Adams Nailed it:)
Heaven-Warrent Made it through the song, but bleh.
Heaven Can Wait-Meatloaf BLEH! Though people did get up and dance! *shudder*
Heaven is a Place On Earth-Belinda Carlisle
Hello-Lionel Richie
Help-Beatles
Here Comes The Rain Again-Eurythmics
High On You-Survivor
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