Last year, Rick and I celebrated our monumental birthdays (35 and 40) with a weekend away and what was supposed to be our first and most awesomest weekend away without kids (need I even begin to discuss how impossible it is to get away when you have two kids?). That weekend was instead the start of the crappiest year the two of us have spent together. Hence 2010 was dubbed the Year of Crap. Needless to say, I have been eagerly awaiting this year’s Birthday Week.
Birthday week started off on a tough note. Rick’s grandma passed away. Her passing is sad but also welcomed as she hasn’t been herself these past few years since Alzheimer’s had taken over the person that most people remember. We spent a brief 48 hours with the family in Oklahoma saying goodbye to grandma. The events leading up to the service were filled with drama and some silliness most of which Rick had to get involved in. It almost got to the point where it seemed like people were forgetting exactly what had happened and that we need to be together to celebrate the life of someone that was special to everyone in the family.
I foolishly pride myself on not attending funerals, I have lost all 4 grandparents and I did not attend any of their ceremonies. Hindsight, I wish I would have been there not because I now like funerals but to be there for my parents. It was heartbreaking to see grandma’s remaining brother and sister cope with the service.
During Grandma Pauline’s service, the minister made the statement (and I paraphrase): If you think Pauline is up in heaven looking down at you and helping, forget about that because she isn’t. Pauline helped you all she could when she was here with you. Grandma is now in heaven, focusing on herself.
The minister’s message and the events surrounding grandma’s passing made me think about the year in crap in a new light. It made me think about how despite the year of crap, the thing that has really helped are the friends and family that have been there for us even when it was as simple as me wanting to talk about what was going on. I am not even sure if some of those friends completely realize how crappy things have been or that they were helping but they were. We aren’t 100% back on track but we are getting there and I just don’t know how possible it would have been if I had just sat around waiting for someone to take over. We once heard a show where the guest told the host that there is a 100% chance that you will die. Our time here is short and I think we often forget that. We waste too much time on silly, petty things and too much energy on things we can’t resolve. As we start 2011, I hope to focus less on those small things and hopefully spend more time with friends and family and just enjoy being here and being able to help others while I am here.
Birthday week isn’t filled with anything too wild. We do have reservations at Wink for Saturday. A friend from high school will be in town tomorrow so it will be fun to see her after several years and meet her daughter and husband. I imagine (and hoping) there will be some sort of decadent chocolate dessert and fingers crossed some gingerbread pancakes.
And so despite the delay, I am ready to start 2011 and what I am offically dubbing the Year of Optimism. I am starting by remaining optimistic that we will not lose power again for 3 hours in 20 degree weather. It is amazing how quickly it gets cold when there is no heat running.
1.26.2011
that time (again)
As we speak, Rick is off at a coaches meeting for Spring baseball. We had a bit of a set back with our select plans but I think it is working out well. We will play some league ball and mix in some non-sanctioned tournaments (I can explain it all later to those that really want to know). The good news is that we get to be the Voodoo in league ball and we have a good deal of sponsorships coming in so by mid-summer the Voodoo should officially take flight.
For now, check out the best logo (designed by some guy in Portland) and made in to a decal by Chattywalls. And yes, you should support Chattywalls because they are supporting us.
So get ready, more baseball talk to come.
For now, check out the best logo (designed by some guy in Portland) and made in to a decal by Chattywalls. And yes, you should support Chattywalls because they are supporting us.
So get ready, more baseball talk to come.
1.24.2011
wolf boy
I seem to be on a canine theme this week so I am going to keep it going with wolf boy.
When Zach started kindergarten, he started drawing lots of tigers. I have kept a collection (although I am still wondering exactly what I will do with them) that shows the tiger drawing progression. Most of these tigers were Tiger Jedis.
When Halloween rolled around, tigers suddenly changed to werewolfs or a wolf boy. Most drawings show wolf boy as a Jedi . And while it is enjoyable to see his constant free-time drawings of wolf boy it is even more enjoyable to see an everyday boy turned in to wolf boy.
And as an added bonus, he is in a 3-D letter writing phase.
When Zach started kindergarten, he started drawing lots of tigers. I have kept a collection (although I am still wondering exactly what I will do with them) that shows the tiger drawing progression. Most of these tigers were Tiger Jedis.
When Halloween rolled around, tigers suddenly changed to werewolfs or a wolf boy. Most drawings show wolf boy as a Jedi . And while it is enjoyable to see his constant free-time drawings of wolf boy it is even more enjoyable to see an everyday boy turned in to wolf boy.
And as an added bonus, he is in a 3-D letter writing phase.
dogs
Jet had a play date with his brother Ollie. They had a great time running through the field while the kids played baseball. Jet looked like the cleaner one of the bunch but I spent over 20 minutes with Jet in the tub trying to get mud out of his paws.He also had an interesting collecting of twigs and what-not in his beard and chest. Perhaps next play date is sans mud.
The picture is from my phone so not the best quality but look close and you can see the dirtiness.
The picture is from my phone so not the best quality but look close and you can see the dirtiness.
1.21.2011
puppies
This story gets a brief preface:
Our sweet little Jet has a brother named Ollie who lives with our friends the Largents. Because of this close tie there are endless questions about their differences and similarities. Of course while JT and I are out walking, he hits me with the following lines of questions.
JT: When is Ollie's birthday?
Me: Same as Jet's.
JT: So they are twins?
Me: No - they are brothers.
JT: But if they were born on the same day, they are twins.
Me: Well with dogs they have lots of babies at once. It is called a litter. The mom has lots of eggs.
Note: No I have no idea why I brought in the topic of the egg but I was at a loss for how else to explain a litter.
JT: So when does the shell crack off?
Me: The shell?
JT: Of the egg so the babies can come out.
Note: Yes at this point I am screaming internally, "Why me? Why am I having this conversation and not Rick? We are way too young for this conversation."
Me: Oh they aren't that kind of egg. They are like jello eggs, no shell.
JT: silence
Me: still in a little panic and worried about the silence; too much silence means he is thinking this whole conversation over.
JT: Wish we could have played baseball today.
Me: Yeah, me too. And then I did a little mental happy dance that I was out of the egg, baby conversation and on to something that I could actually talk about. Well until he hit me up with:
JT: Mom what does poem mean?
Me: Well, it a form of writing
JT: No, where does it come from? Like amphibians means two lives.
Me: Amphibians means two lives? Really?
JT: You know, the frog is a tadpole and then a frog. (Internally he was thinking - "my mom doesn't know much - she thinks babies are in jello eggs and she is clueless about the word amphibian. Gheesh!")
Our sweet little Jet has a brother named Ollie who lives with our friends the Largents. Because of this close tie there are endless questions about their differences and similarities. Of course while JT and I are out walking, he hits me with the following lines of questions.
JT: When is Ollie's birthday?
Me: Same as Jet's.
JT: So they are twins?
Me: No - they are brothers.
JT: But if they were born on the same day, they are twins.
Me: Well with dogs they have lots of babies at once. It is called a litter. The mom has lots of eggs.
Note: No I have no idea why I brought in the topic of the egg but I was at a loss for how else to explain a litter.
JT: So when does the shell crack off?
Me: The shell?
JT: Of the egg so the babies can come out.
Note: Yes at this point I am screaming internally, "Why me? Why am I having this conversation and not Rick? We are way too young for this conversation."
Me: Oh they aren't that kind of egg. They are like jello eggs, no shell.
JT: silence
Me: still in a little panic and worried about the silence; too much silence means he is thinking this whole conversation over.
JT: Wish we could have played baseball today.
Me: Yeah, me too. And then I did a little mental happy dance that I was out of the egg, baby conversation and on to something that I could actually talk about. Well until he hit me up with:
JT: Mom what does poem mean?
Me: Well, it a form of writing
JT: No, where does it come from? Like amphibians means two lives.
Me: Amphibians means two lives? Really?
JT: You know, the frog is a tadpole and then a frog. (Internally he was thinking - "my mom doesn't know much - she thinks babies are in jello eggs and she is clueless about the word amphibian. Gheesh!")
1.14.2011
taking a break for puke
Today was one of those days. I stayed up late to get some work done, which meant I was super slow to get up this morning. Rick was subbing today so by 7:30 the house was empty. I was in a daze for a good portion of the morning but finally pulled myself together to get some work done and that is where things went from a lazy, quiet Friday to a mess. By 11 am, I realized that I had been on the phone consistently for 2 hours, had yet to shower, and needed to take lunch to Rick. By 11:30, I was back on the phone until 1 at which point I finally showered and decided to take a break by attending the POPs rally at school. No, I really don't have any idea what POPs means but basically they bring all the kids together in the gym, parents show up, the acknowledge good grades, attendance, and then there is usually some special guest or event.
Back at the rally. I get there just a bit early and as luck would have it I get to be right next to Zach's class. I knew the moment I saw Zach enter the gym that something wasn't right. He almost walked right past me and didn't seem his usual cheery self at the sight of familiar faces and a captive audience. I watched as one of his little friends kept turning around and getting in Zach's face, talking to him, touching him, and I noticed that Zach just ignored him and his invitations to goof around. And then we all stood to sing the National Anthem. Now some of you have been blest, truly blest, with the opportunity to listen to Zach belt out the National Anthem. No one quite captures the essence of the line "with the dog's early light" in the way that Zach does. At first my attention was focused on the guest up front that was leading everyone in song but then I turned to Zach at which point I noticed he wasn't singing. And about the same time I pondered what his lack of singing could mean he opened his mouth and let out his lunch. Interesting point, the little friend who had been all over Zach when they first came in, had oddly moved away at the moment of the puke and thankfully everyone was spared. I think I may have let out an "oh shit!" as I and a few teachers jumped in to action. I honestly was paralyzed for a moment and could only think "I need Rick." Was I supposed to stay and help clean up the puke, where was I suppose to take Zach, did we just put an end to the rally, and do you get in trouble for puking during the anthem? I got Zach to the office, we found Rick and we made it home without incident.
The little guy isn't himself still. Luckily we were planning a family movie night with some Smokey and the Bandit so on this rainy, cold night we are all happy to just be lazy under some blankets.
Happy Weekend to everyone!
Back at the rally. I get there just a bit early and as luck would have it I get to be right next to Zach's class. I knew the moment I saw Zach enter the gym that something wasn't right. He almost walked right past me and didn't seem his usual cheery self at the sight of familiar faces and a captive audience. I watched as one of his little friends kept turning around and getting in Zach's face, talking to him, touching him, and I noticed that Zach just ignored him and his invitations to goof around. And then we all stood to sing the National Anthem. Now some of you have been blest, truly blest, with the opportunity to listen to Zach belt out the National Anthem. No one quite captures the essence of the line "with the dog's early light" in the way that Zach does. At first my attention was focused on the guest up front that was leading everyone in song but then I turned to Zach at which point I noticed he wasn't singing. And about the same time I pondered what his lack of singing could mean he opened his mouth and let out his lunch. Interesting point, the little friend who had been all over Zach when they first came in, had oddly moved away at the moment of the puke and thankfully everyone was spared. I think I may have let out an "oh shit!" as I and a few teachers jumped in to action. I honestly was paralyzed for a moment and could only think "I need Rick." Was I supposed to stay and help clean up the puke, where was I suppose to take Zach, did we just put an end to the rally, and do you get in trouble for puking during the anthem? I got Zach to the office, we found Rick and we made it home without incident.
The little guy isn't himself still. Luckily we were planning a family movie night with some Smokey and the Bandit so on this rainy, cold night we are all happy to just be lazy under some blankets.
Happy Weekend to everyone!
1.08.2011
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