Walking outside this morning, I noticed a familiar dusting on almost everything.
Pollen.
The green rocking chairs have a yellow glow.
My footprints are clearly seen on the brown porch.
I watched a cloud of the powdery stuff being shook off the blanket on the swing.
Not to mention my eyes itch.
And water.
And slightly burn.
Spring has sprung.
I never had any kind of seasonal allergies until I moved south. Our middle child did. Horrible, horrible allergies guaranteed to make his life miserable every spring and fall not matter what kind of medication he was on. Here? Nothing. No allergies of any kind for him. It's funny how things like that are. I guess it just goes to show that good can come out of almost any situation.
And spring is pretty here.
Azaleas starting to bloom.
Tea olives smelling sweet.
Of course, spring was pretty where I was at, too. Spring is pretty everywhere. It's that whole coming-out-of-the-dead-of-winter thing. Life renewing itself. Spring break. Easter. Cool mornings and cooler nights. Yep, it's hard to have a bad attitude in the springtime.
Summer will be here soon enough.
Heat.
Humidity.
Irritability.
Better enjoy it while it's here, pollen and all.
Just keep the tissues and eye drops handy.
Happy Spring!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Watching The Man Work
I'm sitting across the table from my husband who is working on his day job stuff and wondering about his t-shirt: i love my wife. Was that a getting-dressed-in-the-dark choice or a deliberate decision? Seeing as how eighteen years ago today we were driving seven hundred miles to my hometown to get married, I'll choose to call it a deliberate decision. Of course, that was back when we actually had money and no kids.
And I drove a Mustang. Good times.
We love to tell the story of how we met. How two people from two different states met up in yet another state is interesting enough... add into that the fact that I went through basic training with his ex-girlfriend adds another twist. And the part where I was assigned to an Air Force base that was named what my eventual married name would be? Crazy.
Oh, and he was dating the girl I was replacing at my duty station. Guess I took over in more ways than one.
Yeah, I know. It sounds kind of twisted and maybe a bit devious on my part, but rest assured, all these things came to light after the fact. I will never forget the day I was just trying to make conversation with this southern guy that I hardly liked and dropped a name or two about my early training. His jaw hit the floor and we hit it off. Thirty-some days later I asked him to marry me.
Three times.
He finally said yes.
I'm persistent like that.
And now he sits across from me scratching his head in thought while punching numbers on a calculator. We've come quite a little ways from having all that money and no kids. The Mustang only lives in pictures now while a minivan takes up space on the driveway. When we finally do have a few extra dollars to spare, the kids manage to snatch it up for annoying things like braces or doctor visits. The only thing left from our military days are plaques hanging on the wall.
So far I'm liking the life we've managed to pull out of such a short courtship.
In just a few days, we'll officially celebrate that eighteenth year with dinner out.
But I kinda like nights just like this one best.
i love my husband.
And I drove a Mustang. Good times.
We love to tell the story of how we met. How two people from two different states met up in yet another state is interesting enough... add into that the fact that I went through basic training with his ex-girlfriend adds another twist. And the part where I was assigned to an Air Force base that was named what my eventual married name would be? Crazy.
Oh, and he was dating the girl I was replacing at my duty station. Guess I took over in more ways than one.
Yeah, I know. It sounds kind of twisted and maybe a bit devious on my part, but rest assured, all these things came to light after the fact. I will never forget the day I was just trying to make conversation with this southern guy that I hardly liked and dropped a name or two about my early training. His jaw hit the floor and we hit it off. Thirty-some days later I asked him to marry me.
Three times.
He finally said yes.
I'm persistent like that.
And now he sits across from me scratching his head in thought while punching numbers on a calculator. We've come quite a little ways from having all that money and no kids. The Mustang only lives in pictures now while a minivan takes up space on the driveway. When we finally do have a few extra dollars to spare, the kids manage to snatch it up for annoying things like braces or doctor visits. The only thing left from our military days are plaques hanging on the wall.
So far I'm liking the life we've managed to pull out of such a short courtship.
In just a few days, we'll officially celebrate that eighteenth year with dinner out.
But I kinda like nights just like this one best.
i love my husband.
Happy Birthday, Mom
It's my mom's birthday.
It's also St. Patrick's Day which means I've already got pinched.
By my daughter,
Who thought it was very funny.
These mother-daughter relationships are complicated things, I'm finding out.
One day she loves me,
The next day I'm not sure she likes me.
I say No alot, but then I usually give in.
It was no to make-up, which she now wears.
Then no to my clothes; she wears them now, too.
Her room is a mess. I can walk in on any given day and find clothes (yes, sometimes mine) strewn about the room. Eyeshadow cases litter her bed and her desk is a collection of markers and nail polish and glitter.
And for the most part, I love every minute of it.
I love watching her grow and listening to her talk (she'll love that line). The way she flips her hair and snarls her nose and shakes her head. It all makes me laugh when she's not looking. She gets mad and walks off in a huff and shuts her door so everyone can hear. She's alot like me. And then she sews and creates and takes care of her brothers and me and her dad. She is my mom. She bakes cookies and washes the cat and watches for tomatoes on the vine. She's my grandma all over again.
Yep, these mother-daughter relationships are something to behold. One day, if I'm very lucky, she will look at me the way I look at my mom. Always a mother, but now a best friend. A person I can't go a day without talking to in some form or fashion. I like knowing she's there.
So Happy Birthday, Mom.
Hope you didn't get pinched.
It's also St. Patrick's Day which means I've already got pinched.
By my daughter,
Who thought it was very funny.
These mother-daughter relationships are complicated things, I'm finding out.
One day she loves me,
The next day I'm not sure she likes me.
I say No alot, but then I usually give in.
It was no to make-up, which she now wears.
Then no to my clothes; she wears them now, too.
Her room is a mess. I can walk in on any given day and find clothes (yes, sometimes mine) strewn about the room. Eyeshadow cases litter her bed and her desk is a collection of markers and nail polish and glitter.
And for the most part, I love every minute of it.
I love watching her grow and listening to her talk (she'll love that line). The way she flips her hair and snarls her nose and shakes her head. It all makes me laugh when she's not looking. She gets mad and walks off in a huff and shuts her door so everyone can hear. She's alot like me. And then she sews and creates and takes care of her brothers and me and her dad. She is my mom. She bakes cookies and washes the cat and watches for tomatoes on the vine. She's my grandma all over again.
Yep, these mother-daughter relationships are something to behold. One day, if I'm very lucky, she will look at me the way I look at my mom. Always a mother, but now a best friend. A person I can't go a day without talking to in some form or fashion. I like knowing she's there.
So Happy Birthday, Mom.
Hope you didn't get pinched.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Three Days Quiet
Upon entering the house today after school, the middle sniffs and says, "Smells like a mixture of clorox and bar-be-que."
He's very perceptive.
The house has been cleaned and supper is in the crock pot.
Things don't get much better than that.
Except for the fact that something doesn't feel right. I'm not sure what that something is, but it is sure to reveal itself. It's about time for it. We've had exactly three days with zero drama.
It's the calm before the storm.
How's that for positive thinking?
I can recognize the cycle, though.
Now lest you chastise me for being all gloom and doom, a recap of my life might be helpful. Nine hundred miles away from my family who have had no serious health emergencies lately; a husband who despises his job; same husband with the self-invited family guests for Easter; my unemployment status nearing its two year mark; three kids ranging in ages from practically-a-teenager to practically-an-adult; and one very moody cat who has been lately obsessed with squirrels.
Yep. Three quiet days?
No teacher emails. No bills unpaid.
No van in the transmission shop.
I wonder how many of you are screaming, "Stop!" "Knock on wood!" "Speak life!" I know all those, and I know you're right. But can we all just stop kidding ourselves for a brief moment?
Stuff happens. The earth quakes. People get sick. Kids made dumb decisions. Mechanical things fail. The cat will yak. Pure and simple, day-to-day life living with other people. All that chaotic stuff makes me appreciate the quiet all the more. And there's the good part right there. Appreciation. Without all the mess that sometimes clutters my life, I might never appreciate the times when the clutter is non-existent.
But I'm telling you, something is going on.
With one particular kid.
A mom just knows this kind of stuff.
And if I'm wrong?
Then it's a win-win.
I'll take another three days of quiet.
He's very perceptive.
The house has been cleaned and supper is in the crock pot.
Things don't get much better than that.
Except for the fact that something doesn't feel right. I'm not sure what that something is, but it is sure to reveal itself. It's about time for it. We've had exactly three days with zero drama.
It's the calm before the storm.
How's that for positive thinking?
I can recognize the cycle, though.
Now lest you chastise me for being all gloom and doom, a recap of my life might be helpful. Nine hundred miles away from my family who have had no serious health emergencies lately; a husband who despises his job; same husband with the self-invited family guests for Easter; my unemployment status nearing its two year mark; three kids ranging in ages from practically-a-teenager to practically-an-adult; and one very moody cat who has been lately obsessed with squirrels.
Yep. Three quiet days?
No teacher emails. No bills unpaid.
No van in the transmission shop.
I wonder how many of you are screaming, "Stop!" "Knock on wood!" "Speak life!" I know all those, and I know you're right. But can we all just stop kidding ourselves for a brief moment?
Stuff happens. The earth quakes. People get sick. Kids made dumb decisions. Mechanical things fail. The cat will yak. Pure and simple, day-to-day life living with other people. All that chaotic stuff makes me appreciate the quiet all the more. And there's the good part right there. Appreciation. Without all the mess that sometimes clutters my life, I might never appreciate the times when the clutter is non-existent.
But I'm telling you, something is going on.
With one particular kid.
A mom just knows this kind of stuff.
And if I'm wrong?
Then it's a win-win.
I'll take another three days of quiet.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Tony's Journey: Volume Four
I'm sitting here thinking about my brother tonight. Today was his first day back to work since his surgery a few weeks ago. His updates via Facebook have gotten fewer and farther between. Like he says, though, there are only so many ways a person can say the same thing:
March 1, 2011
March 1, 2011
I have to be honest about one thing, if anyone is every thinking about this. YOU BETTER BE SURE YOU WANT TO LIVE THIS LIFE STYLE. I really love food, I was obsessed with food. and here lately it has really taking its toll on my mental head ...games. I know it is all in my head but man it is really hard to watch people eat what you love to eat. My side kick keeps telling me that I will be able to eat these foods again in about 6 weeks, but I just won't be able to stuff myself. Am I happy about losing the weight, YEP. Would I have been able to do this on my own with no surgery? NOPE. So yes I did the right thing I just have to make myself understand it will get better and I will feel better.
I hope to lose 30 pounds a month. I am hoping to be down to 320's by the end of the month. As always I will keep you all up to date. DON'T GET ME WRONG. I am happy I did this, it is just tough sometimes to understand that it is the real deal and there is no turning back.
So Tony, although I can't say I know what you're going through, I can say that I firmly believe you will finish what you started. I remember what you said your goal was... to get healthy and stay that way.
And I know you've got all the motivation you need.
I don't think we need any more pictures tonight.
This one says it all.
Love you, BROTHER.
Hang in there.
I hope to lose 30 pounds a month. I am hoping to be down to 320's by the end of the month. As always I will keep you all up to date. DON'T GET ME WRONG. I am happy I did this, it is just tough sometimes to understand that it is the real deal and there is no turning back.
So Tony, although I can't say I know what you're going through, I can say that I firmly believe you will finish what you started. I remember what you said your goal was... to get healthy and stay that way.
And I know you've got all the motivation you need.
I don't think we need any more pictures tonight.
This one says it all.
Love you, BROTHER.
Hang in there.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Carrots And A Poem
The Law of Parenting says that if you have something else you need to be working on, the kids will pick that very moment to want to hang out.
Particularly if they have friends over and the beautiful weather makes the screened-in porch the ideal place to be.
And if you have two papers to write (and the fact that those two papers could have been finished last week is irrelevant)... well, that just makes the temptation to smother the mother even more appealing.
Now I have a kid flicking carrots at me all while trying to flatter me. Seriously?
Particularly if they have friends over and the beautiful weather makes the screened-in porch the ideal place to be.
And if you have two papers to write (and the fact that those two papers could have been finished last week is irrelevant)... well, that just makes the temptation to smother the mother even more appealing.
Now I have a kid flicking carrots at me all while trying to flatter me. Seriously?
Mom, you're so great,
I wish I could be you.
So beautiful,
Oh, you know it's true.
I love my life.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Cat vs. Squirrel
Do squirrels grumble when they're happy or mad, or both? I've got a couple behind me barking non-stop at one another and driving the cat nuts.
Ahhhh... weekend entertainment.
And now the dumb cat is inside. He went barreling off the porch to tackle a squirrel only to pull off a few somersaults in the pine straw.
Guess I shouldn't call him dumb. He's only acting on that built-in instinct of a cat.
Kind of like the hormones of a teenager.
Or the slow moving line that I always pick at the grocery store.
Some things are just gonna happen no matter how much you try to control it or avoid it, if that makes any sense.
He's a mad kitty now.
Ahhhh... weekend entertainment.
And now the dumb cat is inside. He went barreling off the porch to tackle a squirrel only to pull off a few somersaults in the pine straw.
Guess I shouldn't call him dumb. He's only acting on that built-in instinct of a cat.
Kind of like the hormones of a teenager.
Or the slow moving line that I always pick at the grocery store.
Some things are just gonna happen no matter how much you try to control it or avoid it, if that makes any sense.
He's a mad kitty now.
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