Beginning a New Year

Hello ladies,

I see everyone has been as busy as I have....or you've just lost interest. Too bad the Memphis Moms couldn't get together over Christmas break. Hope Grant is feeling better, Cari. Hope you enjoyed N.O. Carole.

Hey Julie, hope you had a great Christmas. Mom came down so she could be with the kids the first week of break. She stayed until 12/27 which was nice. We did a little bit of shopping on Monday 12/26. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I'm off this week which is very nice.

I have some returns to do, but actually did pretty well buying this year. Carter only asked for one thing (a Wii game that I had Mom get him) so all he got from Santa was mostly clothes. I told him if he didn't tell Santa what he wanted, Santa brought what he thought he needed. The jeans worked out great, Cari. I ended up getting Levi's 514 which are a slim cut (not skinny jeans though.....I couldn't get myself to purchase those for him). They look pretty good on him, but you were right.....it does seem to make him look even skinnier. I think we need to get him in some type of muscle building camp over the summer to see if we can beef him up. Still waiting for that eating frenzy to take hold that I always hear about with teenage boys.

Unfortunately, Carter's dog, Scruffy passed away on Christmas. We do not know why. He was perfectly fine the night before. We spent the morning in the house opening presents and the boys took a chew bone out to him that Santa left in his stocking around 10. I noticed that he didn't run up to them like he normally does. Carter walked the bone out to him. He took it and walked down the driveway, laid down and started chewing so I didn't think too much about it. That afternoon we went next door for dessert and he didn't come along like he usually does. Again, thought it was odd, but he seemed to be enjoying laying in the sun on the sidewalk so I didn't think too much of it. When we came back he had moved to the front of the garage, but was dead. I guess he must have gotten into something early in the morning or late the night before. Needless to say, I felt pretty bad about it. I've never been that crazy about the dog. He certainly had his problems, but dying at only around 5 or so years old just doesn't seem right. We had a hard time burying him because Jim and I both expected him to jump up and be fine. I wish I had checked him during the day when I thought he was acting odd. Don't know that it would have helped but it would have made me feel better. I don't feel like a very responsible pet owner, that's for sure. It's really odd coming up the driveway and not seeing him running up to greet me. Pets just break your heart, don't they?

Carter had four teeth pulled yesterday as part of his orthodontic work plus an additional 2 baby teeth that were no big deal. He bounced back amazingly fast. He was fine by the afternoon and eating like nothing had happened. I know Jim was really dreading it. He had he same thing done and had a very bad experience when he was a teenager. Luckily, that wasn't the case for Carter.

Emerson had a great Christmas and we enjoyed a couple of weeks of pretty good behavior. Had a bad day today, but hopefully those will diminish. His behavior is so connected to sleep. We've started putting him to bed earlier and I think that really helps. It may be a 7:30 night tonight though.

Hoping you guys get a chance to post soon. I would love to catch up. Hmmmmm I don't seem to have gotten Christmas cards from any of you. Am I just old fashioned?

Brenda

Trying Again

Hey guys,

I tried to post the other day but lost my connection.  My Mac is giving me a lot of trouble lately.  Jim thought I needed a new hard drive but now it's working fine (for now anyway). Technology!!

Jim started his new job Wednesday.  So far so good.  There have been heated discussions in the Pruett house about me continuing to work.  Not sure his reasoning, but he is certainly passionate about it.  I start part time Jan 1st which will be helpful.  He has backed down about me quitting in the summer and I have given my boss and the COO my word that I won't (unless there is some unforeseen event).  My concession to him was I would quit May 2013 if this summer doesn't go well so I would be home next summer with Emerson.  Carter is obviously old enough to take care of himself at this point.  I know Emerson will love summer camp activities.  Hoping you guys can point me in the right direction for that type of thing.  Mom will come down as well and we will probably take the kids up there once too plus vacation ourselves so I don't think it will be that big of deal but I'll just have to wait and see.

Loved the picture of Corinne, Carole.  Carter ended up being a zombie and Emerson was Sponge Bob.  

Hoping to head to Mom's on Wednesday.  Jim technically only gets Thursday off so he is going to ask tomorrow or Tuesday about taking off Wed and Fri.  Keep your fingers crossed!

Brenda

Hello,

Julie, think your friend and his wife are possibly the strongest people I have heard of.

This is truely faith in the unknown.

I am keeping all of them in my prayers.

We are moving along...flag football is over for Kevin.

The buckle fx is healing.

Corinne is into basketball.

The team attended a jamboree sat. omg Corinne had on a

game face I have never seen before!!!

Cool weather is good for dog walking , which is now more important

since the bone density shows osteoporosis. ( side effect of aromasin...

the estrogen converting enzyme blockade med).

I can do this..easy.

The dog thinks it is great.

I am doing this for another reason alltogether....

Corinne was the wicked witch of the west. (she read the book Wicked.)

So I go up into the attic...I keep stuff forever...and behold

a bridesmaids dress for the year AFTER i was married.

huh, it fit her to a tee.... DOES THIS REALLY HAVE TO HAPPEN!!!!

was i really this small OR am i really this large?

still waiting to finish the porch.

still waiting for a full time job to open at G'town hosp.

Going to La/Miss for th'giv.

1st basketball game is today...XXXX your fingers for good luck.

update...they lost but put on a fairly good showing.

c

Welcome back Julie!

A girlfriend who is a Junior!!  Wow, must make Parrish feel pretty good :)  I can't even imagine Carter with a girlfriend let alone an "older woman"!!  I just got back from shopping with a friend and her almost 15 year old daughter who is best friends with the girl we carpool to school with.  We were talking about having this girl go to some of the Carter's school dances since the school she goes to is so small, they don't have any.  They were talking about having the other girl fix her up with a guy friend from school so she could go and I said why doesn't she just go with Carter?  (unless of course she didn't want to) and she said it would probably be better to go with Carter since at least she would already know him.  I'm sure it would be a group thing so its not like they were really on a "date" or anything. Then we mentioned how she would be older and she said it would help Carter with his "man card".  (Never heard of that before).  It was fun shopping with them.  I was trying to figure out what her tastes were by pulling out things and asking her if she liked them. Most of the time, she would say "ewww".  She did end up with two dresses, a shirt and two skirts.  I think that was a successful day!

We had all gotten rooms at a local Holiday Inn last night for a "staycation" night.  Jim had wanted to take the train to New Orleans yesterday morning, spend the night, and come back today.  Just thinking about that wore me out so we went with the one night in a local hotel thing instead.  It was fun.  They have a real nice pool and hot tub.  We walked to Hooters earlier in the evening (kids eat free until 6 pm) then hit the hot tub and just hung out.  Next time we will need to bring Carter's friend Mason with us.  I think Carter would have enjoyed it more.  He did hang out with the girl I went shopping with a bit.  She has a little brother that gets a long great with Emerson so they had a great time.  He ended up spending the night in our room so they even had a "sleep over".  

Took Emerson to his new school on Friday.  He was very clingy and had a melt down Friday night telling me he didn't want to go to school there.  Bought his uniforms yesterday and he seemed excited about it.  Jim will be dropping him off until he starts his job because I know he will just play me with the crying and clinging.  (I'm such a cold mom).  I know most of it is just an act but it still gets to me (maybe I'm not so cold after all).

 

Told my bosses I wanted to go part time in January.  They are brainstorming trying to figure out how this is all going to work. We've discussed working from home in the afternoons and I said I would consider it but now that I have I don't think that will work since I'd end up working until 6 or 6:30 to put in the time.  I really don't think the owners would go for it anyway. Oh well, we'll see.  They don't want me to quit so hopefully something will work out.

Julie,  I went to the link about your friend, Erin's husband.  My cousin's best friend just had the bead liver treatment as well. How odd.  I had never heard of it and now know of two people who have had it.  I do not think she has had the second 1/2 done yet.  The first one was successful and has bought her some more time.  His blog was right, it is not a cure but a chance for longer life expectancy.  

Brenda

OK, I'll Post

I have started a couple of posts and then had to run.  Things around here have been plugging along.  Nothing like trick or treating in the snow....

Parrish has a girlfriend who is a junior.  Lord help me.  I really wish I could go back in time to when he was 2 and just wander the zoo with him again.

Belle was a bunny for halloween.  Ya know how hard it is to find a size 12-14 bunny costume with a pink satin belly?  Right, I had to make it.  But at least she was warm in the snow as it was made of fur.

We are going to Atlanta for Thanksgiving.  My mom is taking Belle on a Disney cruise the Sun-Wed. before.  She is really excited (and a bit nervous). 

I went to Atlanta a month ago to help my friend Erin.  You can follow her husband Todd's story here http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/toddcantrell  Prayers are welcome.

xoxo
j

Calling all Bloggers

Hey guys,

Guess this has fizzled out???

Jim got a job and starts with Fed Ex in a couple of weeks.  He is doing software stuff again.  I'm going to tell my bosses I'd like to start part time in January.  Not sure how that is going to go over. I may be unemployed come January :)

Emerson got in at Carter's school.  Hoping to get some details from them tomorrow.  They were out of school for All Saints Day today.

Had a great review last week.  Timing on this isn't too great but we gotta do what we gotta do, right?

Brenda

I'm Posting!

Hey Carole,

I know how you feel about posting. Julie already told us she was boycotting until Cari ponied up so get clicking Cari!! We know you're out there!

So glad to hear the news about good health Carole. Yeah for you! I remember 8 years and a few days ago.

Don't worry about the guitar. We are not missing it. I have a book of Kevin's here. I should take it to work and next time we have lunch, I could bring it along. Actually, better just keep it in the car. If I took it to work I'd forget to bring it with me to lunch. I still need to tell my boss about the place we went to. I'm curious to see if he knows about it. I really liked it.

Finished my overtime work last week. Hopefully things will continue smoothly.

I now have a 6 year old. Hard to believe. He is so big. Still a handful but I really think he is getting better as he gets older. Keeps us on our toes but laughing also.

Til next time,

Brenda

On to another sport

Hello,Hello,

am I the only one posting here???

this seems like a large vacuum.

8 yrs ago plus a few days my life changed...

yesterday was a nudge down the path of good health!!

Dr schwartzberg gave good news, keep on the way we are going.

With a little more effort a healthier me can emerge.

Life is busy here.

Volleyball is over. A loss in dyersberg to some REALLY good

players ended the season. Hats off to a dedicated WSMS team.

Now we are into basketball. A new season with different teams.

Kevin is on the mend. He even tried to play his guitar.

(brenda thx and we need to return the loaner)

Work has been busy...thank goodness for g'town hosp!!

Today is the WSMS fundraiser. hope for good weather and fired up spirit.

let me go wake the the middleschoollers!!

tough job.

c

CHAMPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello,

after a wildly intense 1st game loss the Lady Spartans came together to win the

City Championship (large school division)!!!!

Corinne starts and plays most of the game. she has the most

interesting serve: she spins the ball, then brings her arm all the way around and serves it!!

craziness ensued!!

We are so proud of her and the team!!

Friday night there is another game!!

Whew...need to go on voice rest to be ready for the next one!!

Kevin made his 2nd trip to the orthopaedic this yr.

he fell on his RIGHT arm at flag football last friday and now has a buckle fx.

we spent 2 hrs in the ER for this on sat.

the CUTE orthopod we saw in april saw us again on tuesday for another x ray.

he wanted to cast him but with the rampant rash he has on that arm

I felt the splint was the better way to go.

dr Fletcher did tell him that IF he was horsing around and happen to fall on it

and reinjure the arm...k was looking at needing sedation to fix it!!!

i am working a lot and Keith is a subcontractor on a city job...ya hoo. $$$$

Now to find some affordable insurance!!

c

High School

Carole - We plan to send Carter to St. Benedict next year. Some of his friends are going to Christian Brothers but he's not really interested in all boys plus that is too long of a haul for us. I will be starting the paperwork this week.

I've only seen jumpers on the elementary girls. Most wear shorts during warm weather (elementary only). The middle and high school girls wear the plaid skirts and blouses. They are peter pan collars though. To be honest, the girls look pretty frumpy. They wear knee high socks and the shirts aren't tucked in. I think I would prefer the jumpers myself. They are solid blue. The boys look nice in khakis and ties.

If you have any days off, let's all do lunch.

Hope all is well, Julie.

Brenda

teenage life

just curious, brenda, where will you send carter next yr.

For a good while corinne was resistant to even discussing

private school.

Now she seems open to 'just looking'.

I'm sure we can find a way to send her to private

school....just cannot imagine her in those uniforms!!

(st Agnes...think those candy-striper style jumpers in pale

yellow, light blue, and pale pink!!! on teenagers!!!!

Last wed. she went to school in her volleyball jersey( they do it for team spirit),

black skirt and her boots!!

Keith's cousin posted a pic of her 8th grade daughter in a Peter-pan collar!!!

I think this is coming from the fact that a few people have changed schools to accommodate their parents'work arrangements.

I like the network of friends she has. they are more my speed than

the private school bunch that I know that seem $$ conscious.

Parents too.

Oh boy do I sound like a snob.

Corinne goes to 2 different youth groups on sunday nights, she picks the one

she wants to go to. anyway, our church youth group is planning a mission trip to

Chicago!! $$$$$600.00

Whoa, I do not think mission work should cost me so much!!

A Little More From Hurricane Irene

Just thought I'd share this with y'all
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/ns/nightly_news/#44394241

This is my dear friend Jodi on the deck of her ex-husband's house (it used to be hers and lots of her stuff was in it).

Then the chef who was at Verde for three years and his wife at their new restaurant.

Blog Secure

I set the blog up so only those I invite can read and only those I mark as authors can contribute (one in the same in this case). I'm not a computer expert, but that is the way it is supposed to be. I'm sure someone could hack it, but why would anyone want to or even find our blog? Anyway, I think it's safe so blog away!

Julie, I had no idea about the flooding in your area. I did know there are a lot of insurance claims on the east coast but didn't realize they went up that far north. It is odd how we get tuned out to everything except what is around ourselves. Of course that is because I never watch the news. I click on some news websites now and then, but not often enough I guess. I probably should stay more "in the know".

This sinus thing is still kicking my butt. I'm going on three weeks now and have an enough. Headed to Tampa on Thursday for my annual girls weekend. Guess I'll find out why you're not supposed to fly when you are having sinus problems. Hope my head doesn't explode or anything.

Carole, sorry to hear about Keith's job. It sounds like you guys are working everything out. I know you must be excited about the house renovations. Hopefully they won't take long and all goes smoothly. (Does that EVER happen)? I have given up on Jim finding anything (here anyway). The Fed Ex thing sounds like the biggest farce ever. His friends are trying to "pick" his resume from the online job application but they have to look for it just at the right time before it goes through certain HR software that kicks them out based on key words etc. Apparently all the stars and planets have to be perfectly aligned at one time every three months for this to work or something. It is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. So I will "just keep on keepin on" to quote our favorite Barney commercial.

Jim found Carter a gig accompanying a choir (homeschool high schoolers). They went last Friday and it sounds like a go. He is working on the first two songs to hopefully be somewhat ready this Friday. It will be good for him. We're trying to show him there is more to just taking piano lessons. His piano teacher was pretty excited for him. He said it is always hard to find accompanists and if it is something he keeps up he could make some money at it. I bet he would like that better than cutting grass in the summer like he's done the past two summers. They are practicing for a Christmas program so hopefully it will be enough time for him to become proficient. The guy running it used to work with Jim 15 years ago when we first moved here. Talk about a small world!!

Went to noon Mass at SFA today. I've never been to Mass before. There was more to it than I thought there would be. Too bad the priest was hard to understand. We've been church shopping lately. Doubt Jim and I will ever agree on anything though.

Brenda

And It's Supposed to Rain More...

So, I have considered boycotting this blog until Cari stops being a voyeur and actually posts something...

Come on girl, the others may talk to you, but I don't.  I'd love to know how your life is.  Brenda, is it true no one else can see this blog (please..).  So it's just like a Monday playgroup.  Don't be scared...

Anyhoo...you may have heard about the flooding in Vermont from hurricane Irene.  It is really bad.  Like roads just collapsed all around us.  We have a friend who lost their house into the river, another who lost their road out twice (and will again if it rains as predicted).  It's pretty gruesome but in true Vermont fashion, everyone pulls together and plugs along.  I think it has been OK because people up here are used to inconvenience.  It isn't in any way an "instant" culture up here.  There is no pizza delivery, no all night grocery store or pharmacy, no Target or Walmart in a close vicinity.  So, we are all used to driving and waiting.  Also, we have lots of practice in this from severe winter storms. 

I think I can be so peaceful about it because we only lost power for about two hours total.  And that was well after the storm when they were working on power lines in our area.  The first damage was done on Sunday, then we had flash flooding again on Thursday washing out roads that had just been repaired.  But Parrish made it to school (half days Wed-Fri) and seems to like high school OK.  Belle has a back to school picnic on Tuesday and her first day is on Wednesday.  She is quite apprehensive, but I think she'll have a good year.

they did it

The lady Spartans did it!!!
They won the Volleyball tourny this weekend.
There were some tense moments but they prevailed.

Corinne looks much improved from last year.
we need to get her a game face, poker face or whatever.
She carries her emotions front and center on her face.

Her serves are graceful and the knees are bent.


Kevin has been hit with the back to school cold,
runny nose and just don't feel good. boo hoo.

bye,c

lookin for a truck

I mean it...as in I want a monster truck...or so she says.

Yep...Corinne is begging for a monster truck and Kevin wants a BMW.

He points out every one we pass, it gets kinda funny listening to them.

Volleyball is in full swing, serve, spike. Corinne starts but is

fairly timid. We keep telling her to go after them hard and fast.

Well old news is new to some of you.

Due to the city of Memphis over spending, over paying folks and

under collecting fines and other poor services Keith was laid off

as of june 30th.

We were telling people on a need to know basis b/c we were

considering many options.

Corinne and Kevin knew from the start. they have been o.k

Keith has run the range of feelings. he was home with K and C

they latter part of the summer. Mr Mom is not where he wants to be.

He contacted people in the northwest....a little drastic from my

perspective.

One of the guys in the office was nice enough

to work out having him finish the work on his desk as a contract laborer.

As this guy would be responsible for Keith's AND his own work.

He spoke with several people in Memphis that will use him as an engineer

when they need one.

He has formed his own company and now has several possible jobs...out of town.

I am working more and considering full time (32 hrs) for the insurance.

As you know brenda...private insurance is costly.

Our dining room is the office.

We are having the screen porch renovated and will use it for a bedroom.

Kevin will finally get our room!!!

With everyone at school/work,

Keith has the house all day, can run carpool and help out with driving for sports.

AND HE HAS A CELL PHONE...no texting pls!! but at least we can find him.

We have not told out of town family, yet. my dad has had knee surgery and

my mom is still dealing with her mother in a nursing home.

Keith's dad is much better after 'targeted therapy' for recurrent

non hodgkins lymphoma. his sister in Calif. is going through a divorce and

the brother in slidell is also...both kinda messy.

so life goes on....

c

Hi !!

Hey Ladies,

I've actually been sick the last few days. Cari will attest to my lack of a voice last Thursday. I got it back but started feeling bad over the weekend and ended up going to the Dr on Monday for the sinus cocktail shot (I don't know that it helped) and a round of penicillin. I usually snap back pretty fast from these sinus infections but this one beat me. I stayed home from work on Tuesday. Geez!!

I can't imagine Parrish not wanting to drive. I thought every kid couldn't wait to get his license and independence. Carter said he has started thinking about it. He said it used to scare him but I guess he's ready now. Between the golf cart and 4 wheeler he'll probably be ok. I imagine Jim will have him on the tractor soon. It does concern me that he will be on 65 mph roads on the way to school when he does start driving. Don't know if I'll let him have Emerson or not. That's a lot of responsibility for a 16 year old.

We're moving forward with braces for Carter. I will call tomorrow for the first appointment. May wait until his fall break so he doesn't miss school though. I'm sure no one else has thought of that, right?

Looking forward to Carter's first soccer game this Saturday. He has to be at school at 8 am. Least we won't be wasting the day in bed!! Hope he enjoys it.

Congrats to Corinne. Keep us posted. I'd like to go to a game sometime.

Brenda

Still in Summer Mode

Belle doesn't start school until September 7th.  Parrish starts HIGH SCHOOL the week before (half days Thursday and Friday - and half days every Friday...all year).  Right now I am enjoying summer and the laziness that is going along with it.   I spend very little time with Parrish other than driving him places so unlike you Carole, I am looking forward to my child driving and getting a car although I may never see him again.  We have been trying for quite a while to get him behind the wheel (in an empty parking lot, etc.) because it is just important for kids in the middle of nowhere to know how to drive.  He won't do it.  I do often wish he was still on Mud Island at the Montessori school - I have missed that place so desperately through the years.

The apendix (or lack of) is all better.  I am glad it is gone - who knew?  I went into the hospital Sunday morning with this off and on pain in my side that felt like someone was stabbing me from the inside which had started Saturday evening.  Friday night I had gone out with a friend and felt fine.  Saturday I went to run errands and just felt sick and achy, like I was getting the flu.  I really thought the pain was an ovarian cyst.  Glad the doctor didn't listen to my expert medical opinion.  I was in surgery that afternoon. 

So, I am purging crap in my house.  I have almost doubled the space I had in Memphis and it is feeling crowded.  It doesn't help that the men I live with are hoarders.  Seriously, if something happens to me expect to see them on that show.  I took BAGS of stuff to the transfer station (dump, but really tidy) "free room" (which we call the Winhall Mall) and Thane was quite concerned that I had brought some of his things.  No, but I am sure I brought some things he would have saved...

I just read "The Red Thread".  Y'all would love it, it's a really sweet book about Chinese adoption.  I am getting my baby fill by helping out some friends with their little ones.  Today I watched a 16 month old named Kai.  What a cutie.  Word is getting around that I work for free and I fear that I may soon be overwhelmed!  But I am enjoying it and so is Belle.

week 2 of school, already!!

hello,

Since I last posted I now have a 14 going on 17 yr old

that increasingly wants to drive.????? Why is this?

Does she think she will get a car soon??

We had a spontaneous b.d. celebration on sat.

The Glee movie and pizza with a gaggle of girls.

Kevin dropped in for razzing purposes.

They are an opinionated bunch, seriously.

Kevin is breezing through this year too.

I might need to go ask to have him switched to a harder team,

although they will tell you they are evenly divided.

O.K., I thought girls were the people that complained more....

I think I am going to turn on a tape recorder...yes, we actually have one,

and have him listen to himself.

I have tried no reply, replying with a worse case senario,

asking HIM to leave the room, leaving the room

(he is like a dog...he follows along), and asking him to SHUT UP.

To which he replies...you don't love me or you her more than me.

Misery does not need company in this small house!!!

Is this typical of almost 12 yr olds.... not knowing what they want,

finally deciding what they want, then whining about it afterwards.

Congrats to Corinne for making the volleyball team...she may even get a starting position!!!

need to go finish my job,

Hazel, Alice or what ever maid you remember.

First Week (well, 1/2 week) of school

Hey all,

Carter started school on Wed (1/2 day). He said it is a lot easier than last year. I reminded him he knew kids this year and where stuff is which makes all the difference. They had an informal dance on Friday night which he went to. He didn't get asked to dance like he did the last time but the girl we carpool with asked him to dance with her and her friends so that was nice. He was excited to go which was great. He had his first soccer practice (last year where everyone makes the team) and seems to like it too. Jim started homeschooling Emerson on Wed too. Things seem to be going well I guess. Jim thinks I'm micro managing him if I ask about anything so I guess I'll just let this go. Wonder if he will have an "open house". Ha Ha!!

Julie, sorry you had to part with your appendix. Hope you recovered well. On of your posts says "here he is" which makes me think it might be a video of Parrish??? I don't see anything attached to the post so I'm either missing it or perhaps Mac isn't compatible to whatever you used???

Carole and Cari, we will have to do lunch soon. This week will be pretty crazy at work (at least Mon-Wed). Maybe we could get together Thursday or Friday. I'm very proud of myself. I told the COO that I was burning out and there was no way I could continue to do my job and our assistance's job (she left mid July and no one has time to train her replacement) without being approved for overtime. She approved it so I got about 8 hours two weeks ago. It seemed to make all the difference. I told my boss I was tired of being there all the time and not being paid for it. We are having a team meeting mid Sept to go over all of our accounts and see if we can switch some around, etc to make life easier. I am looking forward to seeing how my book of business has changed since Jan 2010 when I started. Info should come in handy come review time. :) He probably didn't realize he is probably opening up a big can of worms giving me access to that info ( I could get it myself anyway).

I'm watching Emerson and a friend of his swim. I was planning on getting in but there is such a cool breeze now, I doubt I will. Is fall here already?? Very doubtful, thank goodness.

Brenda

boots

There are times in a child's life when they ask for something and truely (sp)

want and love it.

That is Corinne and her boots.

she would wear them everyday.

I think back on those ruby red glitter shoes that she wanted

and I never bought for her and feel sad that

she did not get them.

The first day day at middle school was o.k. all around....for the children that is.

Kinks with carpooling will work out nicely...i hope.

I am a not happy with kevin's team of teachers, although i do not even know them ...with thwe exception of one.

That comes from knowing what excellent teachers

Corinne had in 6th grade.

Yeah for cooler weather coming.

c

...where did he go??

There are times that a medicated child NEEDS to stay on meds even if he looks like a refugee!!!

Kevin has a friend...I am just leaving it at that because neither Keith nor I understand what he sees in this child!!

Anyway through the school yrs they have had classes together.
one yr, the one that tipped the parent off that he MIGHT need meds is the yr that mid way she moved her son. I am almost sure the Jewish teacher said novenas for this to happen.
I am rambling here, ANYWAY, I agreed to have this child over.

a mom of a wonderful child asked me to watch her son the same day, I said yes.
Woe, woe. said unmedicated child about drove me crazy and set my mellow child on a
collision course with his mom and his nice friend.

Flight of ideas is just that. Think Cat in the hat on speed.
He goes from room to room touching, moving things, thoughts go from one idea to the next...no connection. One pestering behavior to another.
Anything i ask not to do is done as soon as I walk out of the room...i usually turn around to see him do it.

I have yet to talk to Kevin about this ...trying to find a nice way to do it.
I think Kevin knows the child has a problem...cannot control himself, but is unwilling to admit it b/c he likes the child.
there is a proverb in the bible essentially saying choose a fool for a friend and you become one.
(lie down with dogs and get fleas).
I am not sure this applies b/c he is not on his meds!!!

uggg, the last of it is that i like his parents!!


thanks for the sounding board.
c

I Did Not Want This Kind Of Vacation

I just arrived home after my wonderful 3 day vacation at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital.  Where I generously left them my appendix - which I am kinda bummed I didn't get to see. 

My throat is killing me - I guess from the tube during surgery?  Carole - any ideas for relief?

mellow child

Kevin made it safely back to us.
Camp Lake Stephens had him for 2 weeks.
He LOVED the camp experience and is much more
aware of his attitude...our family attitude.
He reminds us when we dis one another...'we don't talk like that at Camp Lake Stephens.'

He seems lost at times...he mentioned that sitting around at home just chilling was rather boring. I know he misses the guys...9 boys bonding for 2 weeks. the first week they
were with regular campers. the second week they hung out with the jr high kids.

I think part of this quietness is older kids tolerate juvenile behavior less, so you must
change you behavior to suit the situation.
He did come home with lots of quirky...boy...behavior farts and all!!

Did I mention they have devotional twice a day and vespers!! he likes reading the bible in the evening. nice


c

The Boychild

Parrish around town

Here he is...

We are in a stand-off cause he won't clean his room, no trip to Atlanta (which makes my life much easier).

All is well here - still over a month before school starts.  It is cooling down to reasonable temps.  My house is like a greenhouse (without air conditioning!) when it is hot.  I love summer here when it's like this.

Me, Again

Julie,

I forgot to mention how cool is sounds for Parrish with the skatecamp video and the fact that he gets paid for something he truly loves. That is so great. You're right, I had no idea about the complexity of the scooter. Point me to some U Tube videos of him if there are some. We'd love to take a look.

Brenda

Me, Finally

Julie,

I've been wanting to respond to your post but have been living at work again. I won't even go into it but it sucks! I think I'm done trying to "do it all".

Regarding Belle, I know you know you didn't do anything wrong or that you missed something but we always have to doubt ourselves as moms, don't we? As moms we always want the best for our kids and do want them to do anything they want to do and be anything thing want to be but it doesn't always work out. Jim and I always say if Carter does end up doing something spectacular in life, it will be our fault. He's certainly got the potential. I don't think I ever lived up to my potential, but you know what, who cares? I'm happy with my life. So glad to hear Belle is sweet and wonderful and silly and loving and kind. With you and Thane behind her, it will all work out no matter what lies ahead for her. I can't imagine your frustration navigating specialists and insurance and school needs. I do remember you saying how thankful you were for Dartmouth. It sounds like you are still pleased with what they do. We always learn a lot from the challenges in our lives, that is for sure.

Carole, I know how you feel about the summer flying by. We are headed to DC to visit Jim's family on Thursday and returning Monday 8/1. Carter starts to school the 9th or 10th (can't remember) and guess that is when Jim will start homeschooling Emerson. Should be interesting to say the least. St. Francis enrollment is down so now they only have 3 classes of kindergarten instead of 4. Even if Jim does find a job, now I'm afraid there won't be room for him there. I'm trying not to worry about things I can't control though.

Off to dinner. Brenda

flying time

Just when did it become o.k for time to fly this fast??
I mean...2 weeks left until school begins, seriously now.

kevin is (I hope ) enjoying himself at the methodist camp.
We talked about how much he like the camp befoe he left.
Mom, I want to be a counselor there.
Kevin, it is a Methodist camp, you might need to be of that faith.
O.K. then I will be one then, or i will just tell them i am one.
Kevin, i think there is something wrong with going to a faith based camp and LYING !!!
oh.

list of things to do:
-Find/buy Kevin a guitar and set up lessons.
-Find/buy cowboy boots for Corinne. She came home from camp wanting to join 4-H!!
-Get to La...my dad has had knee surgery. My mom said he and his walker got stuck
in the bathroom. He got weak and slid down the wall.
She had to call my brother to help get him up!!
The youngest of the 4 of us lives in town...if these 2 cannot keep
each other healthy....I will be looking at moving them here???
Not an option at 3541 mimosa.

I have been working more since K and C have camps.
There are some really old and beat up looking 52 yr olds.
Do I look that bad??


later,I am getting hungry...yes, it is 5A but I have been awake since 3:45....went to bed at 9p
c

And then I shall slap a very difficult doctor appointment on the top

Last night Belle and I spent the night over at momtown.  Parrish stays over at our other friend's the Gianotti's - Laura is a good friend of mine and their daughter Hannah is one of his best friends.  He would rather be there than with two moms and a 10, 9 and 7 year old.  There was another mom there whose kids were with her estranged significant other - a five month old and a year and a half old.  She was in a state having let those kids spend the night away for the first time.  She is also my massage therapist and a remarkably wise 30 year old - I was so glad to spend time with her.  And since some of momtown is with child (at least for now - she hasn't really made any final decisions) Mariel and I drank all the wine and talked, laughed and cried.

I had to get up early to get to Dartmouth (there is a reason it is Ivy League - that place is AMAZING) and take Belle to the Developmental Pediatrician.  Which I think I will title "The Place Where I Talk About What Is Wrong With my Daughter".  UGH.  One of Dante's circles of hell certainly had to be dealing with the specialists when having a special needs child.  It is really f'ing hard (I will cuss on my own blog and try to refrain here).

Basically, she needs to have a Neuropsych evaluation which I have known (that will make more specific diagnoses about particular learning disabilites), but it is hard to get insurance or the school district to pay for it.  As a part of that she needs to have another IQ test to see what we can expect her to learn.  Then we will know if she will go a more traditional educational route (with accomodations) or on a life skills route.  FUCK.   Sorry, I couldn't stop myself.  That is some tough shit to hear.  I can't believe that we tell our kids all the time that they can do whatever they want and that is more than likely just not true for my little girl.  Did I miss something?  Is there a special diet or educational intervention that will make all the difference?   What can I do better?  What have I done wrong?

On the positive side, Belle is still the wonderfully sweet little person she always was.  She is funny and kind, silly and loving, intuitive and hard working.  I can't believe how lucky I am to have such a child.  But my heart hurts for her and how the world may treat her.  Ladies, I am scared.  I don't need her to be a certain way for me, but I need her to be OK. 

Thank you Carole (I know, I know, 13 years and I can't remember the E at the end of your name) and Brenda for your words of wisdom.  Brenda, you are right, I am dealing with some depression.  I tried to cut down on the dosage of zoloft, but clearly right now that is not the best move.  Lesson learned.  Thank you for being honest with me about that - I appreciate it.  I also know I am not eating well (when you are just feeding two kids, it is easier just to slap down what they will eat and kinda stuff your face with whatever) and I need to get to the farmer's market and really make some good choices.  There are some basics of taking care of myself I am just not doing. 

This weekend Thane is taking Parrish to Buffalo, NY for a scooter competition.  Oh - you thought scooters stopped with the razor?  I am here to tell you that child has a piece of equipment that cost a fortune.  Fortunately, he has gotten most of it free from companies that want him to try out their products and sponsors.  I just wanted him to skateboard (and he is quite good at that) but this is really his passion.  But he has been asked to film at the skatecamp he attended the last four years - and he'll get paid.  So, that's pretty cool.  The guy who runs it is the kinda guy that Vermont seems to breed - a man-child who lives in Neverland.  Late 30's, never married, snowboard coach who just parties all the time.  But he is good with kids and has been a good mentor to Parrish.  I could write an entire post about the man-children up here.  It is a phenomenon that doesn't seem to cross genders.  Because women are better...

Thoughts for Julie-More than you need/asked for

I think you're right on the money with the thought that going back to something familiar has its comfort, but having a baby at 25 versus 40 will be a big difference. Emerson arrived when I was 43 and I'm just not able to do the things I did with Carter. Of course part of it has to do with the fact that Emerson isn't as easy going as Carter was and my patience isn't what it was 8 years earlier either. I don't regret our decision regarding Emerson. I can't imagine our lives without him and don't feel that I could ever tell anyone not to have children if that is what they really want to do. Just be aware of the major hurdles that await. We all seem to remember the good part, and forget the struggles. Not having your husband on board is a major obstacle as well as having him travel. Been, there, done that (the travel part that is). Not fun which is why I'm working full time now and Jim is at home. Our kids have reached an age when they don't need us like they did in the past, but as grown up as they like to act, they do need us even if it is just in the shadows.

I think the "what are you going to do with your life" thoughts have to do with the age you are approaching. The way I figure it, we've got another 40 years to figure that out. I'm not in a hurry. I remember having to fill out a form for a high school reunion and one of the questions was to list your most important accomplishment (this was a 5 year reunion, I believe). I wrote, "I haven't accomplished it yet". I guess I still feel that way.

The anti-social feelings make me think you may be a bit depressed as well which is totally understandable. Quitting the restaurant is a turning point in your life since you had so much time invested and it was obviously draining based on your posts. I hope you get passed this part. It's not a fun place to be.

I like Carole's thought that challenging yourself provides self esteem and morale. We all need positive reinforcement and unfortunately, it usually comes from outside the home.

Keep us posted, Julie. We know you'll get through this.

Brenda

Crossroads

Well,

I swore I would only work 2 days each week...(this is working out fairly well.)

I also swore we would do something fun on the other days.

I keep making suggestions but get..."I don't know" or maybe....or

can I just play Wii!!

Who am I to tell them what is fun? They really are nicer to each other

when they play it...or computer games.

We are on the down slide towards school starting (Aug 8th)

and I do not want the summer to end with we should have ....

Julie, I will tell you this:

learning something new or challenging yourself is good for your

self esteem and morale.

Look at the most successful people YOU know personally.

It is likely they reinvent themselves when they are in a rut or just plain bored.

It is slow process.

Think of me...when I was 38 and 8 months I had child #1.

At 40 and 9 months I had a premie on an apnea monitor for 9 months.

I am sure you can find something equally as challenging!!

c

Crossroads

And in this post I shall over-share

Let me tell you, it really does wear on a person to hear so many stories from people.  As a waitress I regularly was privy to having people tell me things as varied as work success to marital strife.  Getting trapped in some of the conversations was absolutely no fun at times and was part of what started to wear on me at the job.  That and having the just met you/story of my life conversation multiple times a night.  I can wrap up my life story neatly in about 1.2 minutes...how many kids I have, how I ended up in Vermont and yes, I am fine with the snow. 

But the thing is, my life story is more than that and it is constantly changing.  The people around me are constantly changing.  Not just the two I gave birth to, but people that are anchors in my life.  One dear friend who is going through a divorce is unexpectedly pregnant...by what I kinda thought was the transitional guy I introduced her to.  One friend is really in a low spot and not sure where she goes from here and I have another friend who is making some choices that may not be in her best interest.  And then there is me...

So, I am going to start this conversation like I did ten years ago when I started weeping in a postpartum haze at Carol's house.  Just dump it out.  And maybe some of y'all will have some experience because you know I am the baby of the group and this baby is looking over the ledge at forty and not sure where to go from here.

What do I want to do with the rest of my life?  Sometimes I think it would be so easy to have another baby and get back into the rhythm of that life of naps and nursing and story-time.  There are a couple of problems with this - 1.  Thane is not on board - I mean, Gennie just graduated from college and he really doesn't want to start all over again.  2. I repeat - I am almost 40 and not the 25 year old I was when I had Parrish.  3.  I like going skiing in the middle of the week and not having anything to do with any one's bathroom activities. But I don't think I will ever not miss the feel of a baby in my arms and at my breast.  I loved that period even if it was so physically draining.  There is a real draw to go back to what is familiar and cozy. 

However, I am thinking unless I want to leave my husband and start the dating process again this is not an option.  So, I knew that it was time to quit the restaurant gig, but I am not really sure what I want to do now.  I know I need to have some purposeful work that involves people.  I know that I love where I live now, but could move again if need be...I am just in the middle of figuring it all out.  My kids don't need me so much anymore and I don't want to latch onto their successess and life to find my own sense of value. 

My dear friend at the restaurant gave me a book I just finished reading "Dancing Naked at the Edge of Dawn" by Kris Radish.  Go get it if you are in this place with me.  I did so much underlining and dog-earing of that book it is ridiculous.  I have tried to say yes to life, but am not quite sure what I should be saying yes to right now.  So...this is my current plan (because for some reason right now I seem to need one) I am going to start studying for the LSAT in August and plan take it in October.  Do I want to be a lawyer?  I'm not totally sure.  How the hell would I get to law school (the closest being an hour and a half away) and raise my children while my husband is gone all week?  I don't know the answers to those questions, but I do know I can study for a test and give myself some options.

The other interesting thing is that I am feeling very anti-social.  I want to sit in my own personal coccoon of self-reflection and navel gazing.  Yesterday our good friends had a BBQ and I only stayed for about an hour.  I explained it to Thane like this "I picture myself in the center of a circle with a big windshield wiper blade wiping everyone away from me - sometimes someone can get in, but pretty soon they'll need to leave me be when the blade comes by again".   I know part of it is processing change.  I have to ruminate and grieve it - yes, even if it was just a waitress job.  There is a lot that goes on into working some place for so long and everyone know that a restaurant is a really disfuctional family.  I divorced my family.

I do know one thing I am going to do for sure.  Skinny dip at night at the local snowmaking pond.   There's the end of the over-share.

Busy Couple of Weeks

So, it's been busy around here.

Summer has finally begun.  The restaurant re-opened in mid-June at which point I realized I just hate being there.  I hate being away from my kids at night and since Thane travels all week and I am busiest there on the weekends, I never see him.  After a particularly bad night (filled with yoga nightmares from the Wanderlust festival at Stratton) I made the decision to quit.  The next day I brought in my letter of resignation to a boss who looked both shocked and sad that I wasn't willing to work there anymore.  But, when Xanax no longer dulls the pain of a job you hate, it's time to go.  So, tonight is my last night and then I will hang up my apron after almost five years at Verde.  I have been asked to do some design work for Thane's company and have a couple of houses I clean so hopefully it will all work out.  It has to as my mental health was suffering.

Parrish has been climbing a lot.  He is fortunate that one of his good friends has a father who is one of those crazy six-continent kind of climbers and he takes the boys climbing in the area.  We have actually been getting along really well in part because I am loosening up and trying to let things go.  I only have four more years with this child in my home - I want to enjoy him while he is here.  Of course, I enjoy his sense of humor and how clever he is, apparently those traits come along with being a slob and argumentative.  So be it.

Belle has had a good summer with her friends.  Our good friends have a pool (the inground variety which is a real rarity up here) so we spend a lot of time over there because it FINALLY warmed up.  We go to Dartmouth Hospital this week back to the developmental pediatrician for yet another evaluation.  Her three year review for her IEP is in November and I want to make sure we have all our ducks in a row.  Belle and I are also learning to golf at the Stratton golf school.  I can't believe I am doing it, but it really is fun.  And the clothes are cute!

Brenda, Parrish's school was not a "traditional" school, but more traditional than Montessori.  That really was the best environment for him and he has fought tooth and nail about school since we moved.  When I fix the printer I will scan his speech for Jim.   I hope high school goes OK - I can't believe we are already heading there!

I am trying to figure out when I am going to drive down to Atlanta.  I have my sporty new Subaru Outback (the state car of Vermont - I swear every other car here is a Subaru) and have been enjoying driving it.  It is nice to not have to worry about car problems for awhile.  The Honda was supposed to go for 200K miles, and died about a year and a half ago with only 166K.  Living on a snowy mountain is really hard on vehicles.  I swear I never thought so much about tires as I do now!

I miss hearing the monkeys at the zoo while I sat on my front porch on North Evergreen!  I want to come back to Memphis for a visit.

summer fun

Yesterday was like old times.

the last 3 (plus 1 sibling) of the original group were"playing" together.

Although it started as a high spirited game of Monopoly,

we took a break for lunch, swam then

headed off to the zoo.

Believe me Julie, you were there with us in spirit.

We could not get those monkeys to howl...I tried.

I got 'the look' from Corinne that I should stop.

We all agreed that the wolf exhibit is pretty darned

awful coupled with the fact that the new baby elk was downwind!!

The butterfly exhibit has been turned into a bird exhibit,

complete with sticks for purchase to feed them.

Emerson was the best , though.

I asked him if he could wink..he shows me he can.

So I told he to wink at the polar bear when he swims by....off he ran.

Oh I remember those days, they were so sweet!!

pip pip

c

New Name

I was asked to change the name of the blog today and now realize I never got a suggestion of what to change it to. I've put a new one on so just let me know if you want it called something else. Keep in mind, it might be a good idea to contribute before asking for changes :)

Howdy

Old photos are great, aren't they? Post away, girlfriend. I'm going to see if I can figure out how to do it. I have a picture of Emerson's first ocean experience I'd like to share. Obviously I figured it out. Here's our outside boy loving life!!

Julie, Jim said he wants to read Parrish's speech that he didn't get to read. I'm curious....do you consider his current education a traditional classroom setting? I know you didn't do that here and wasn't sure what you had found up there. Due to financial reasons, Jim will be homeschooling Emerson this fall unless he gets a job offer in the next 6 weeks. Of course if something comes up after the school year starts, I'm sure he'd take it and we'd find something else for Emerson. I think he would really benefit from the school Carter is going to but really can't justify $7,100 for kindergarten plus the fact we don't have that just lying around anyway. Does this school issue stuff just hang around for 12 years? I think the answer is yes. We should have moved to Huntsville 5 years ago when we had the opportunity. Jim just didn't want to go. Oh well, hind sight.

Memphis moms, will there be any Saturday you guys can come over to swim? It's been almost a year since you were here. Remember the good old days when we saw each other every week?

Have a great long weekend (even though it's only Monday).

Brenda

oldies

A friend from high school has found a box of old photos.

She has started posting them on facebook.

I got a good laugh when my own daughter could not

pick me out from a group of five 9th graders.

I sent her a msg on fb that i was enjoying the oldies.

She sent me a msg back tell me she was going to post

more but was unsure if it was safe to tread there.

My first response was why not...but then I got

to thinking....well, it was in the past and foolish behavior

happens to us all.

So, if you want I will try to copy a few and post them .

A new Corinne -ism

Corinne, you need to cook rice for dinner.

ok

you need to go to Highpoint and buy it first then use

this pot. you will only need 1 cup of rice to the pot of water.

( I boil, I don't steam it)

ok

I go to work......

I call home at 3:30

How is it going with the rice?

oh i forgot to cook it.

I call back at 4

How is it going?

Well, all the water is gone.

Corinne, which pot did you use?

The one u told me to use.

er did you not put enough water.

Didn't u say use all of the rice??

No, only a cup (Lucy!!!!!)

Oh well it looks done to me.

C-taste it and then let me know.

er mom it needs to cook more what do i do?

Get out the biggest pot we have, strain the rice and put it in the new pot FULL OF WATER!!

she is the best!! trooper. as long as she can get back to her books

she will do anything.

enjoy the weekend.

Cari enjoy Paris

c

Graduation

So, P graduated from 8th grade last week.  My mom came up (the last living grandparent my children have) and it was nice.  He was in a class of eight and each child gives a short speech...except Parrish.  Of course, his was deemed to controversal and negative.  Seriously, if it had one positive thing in it, I would have fought tooth and nail for him to read it, but as it was written it was a downer.  Basically, his missive about the ineffectivness of traditional classroom education.

But...this is gonna be a picture heavy post.  Sorry about the quality, these were taken with my phone.

How we all look now

and this is my favorite picture of them all...the boys playing pool...

(just keep in mind that my child had ties all over his boxers...it was the only way I could get one on his body)

Surprises of Love

As I write this, the house is quiet...minus the sound of the dishwasher.

Corinne is back home. My sweet girl is different.

Horse camp has sparked new interests in a city

girl, mainly belts, belt buckles and 4-H.

My guess is she was with older girls by the way she walks and talks.

I am also assuming she has heard some conversations dealing with sex and maturing.

When I asked about this she said .."Who told you about that?"

er mom's intuition??

More as I discover it.

Last weekend Kevin and I had a talk about vacations.

While he is dying to get to camp, he also wants a real

vacation...somewhere.

Never mind he went to st Louis with his dad, uncle and cousin.

And he went rafting with friends.

And PLEASE not to New Orleans again!!!

Well, son, just how long has it been since you have seen Nonie, Paw-Paw and Gramps??
And remember gramps has been ill for several months.

er , I dunno. Well let me tell you...since Christmas...6 months!!!

He has a fleeting sense guilt, then the "but mom"....

I gently remind him these people are our closest family we love them very much

and they are getting older.

As they age , they are less able to get around and LOVE calls and visits

from us.

(My mom has been caring for her mother..who finally has made it a retirement/nursing

home. Both are relieved but sad that she had to do this.)

But back to Kevin, I let him mull it over....and Keith too, who happens to be in the car.

As DIVINE intervention would have it....my mother has nothing to do the weekend of

the 18-19 and would love to drive up to see us.

Also as divine intervention would have it there is a child to be picked up at

camp and a horse show to boot!!

Child 2 has 2 baseball games the same weekend.

A chance for both to show them their skills. with their friends coming

over, the grandparents get to see our real life.

Everyone loves it.

BUT...the real reason my shameless children cannot wait for them to come is the fact

that their grandmother is an exceptional cook!!!

She makes the best steak /gravy and mashed potatoes...they finished off an extra large bowl

friday night, jambalaya on saturday and Father's day is roast mashed potatoes again!!!

Oh yeah , she brought them frozen lasagna she made!!

Real love can't get better than this.

As for me , i have been wrestling with the purchase of a new vacuum that has the same problem as the one I own. Only my dad can find the simple problem with the cord and fix it for me!!

all I owe him is my love!!

I see my dad looking more frail, this you cannot tell in the phone calls.

He needs knee surgery and the trip up here is not easy for him.

My mom sees her brother get to enjoy his grandchildren...they all live in the same small town.

She misses us even more.

Love has a way helping us see what needs to be done and do it ...soon!

c

hello,

I have been busy entertaining Kevin while Corinne is away at horse camp.

So far we have managed to get a physical...shots included... go out to eat several times,

swim and take a tour of the Gibson Guitar factory, and take a raft trip with

6 other boys and their parents on the Spring River in Arkansas.

This week he is at Camp Evergreen...near Rhodes College

How's that for a busy schedule and me working some!!

Yep, despite the unruly behavior she manage rein in her anger long enough to

get out of town.

She is one of 10 girls at horse camp. She is a leader in her group.

They are planning routines to perform with the horses...she hopes to

have some of the horses walk in a diamond shape with some trailing like the end

of a kite. sweet.

We go thurs at 6p for the horse show...we are encouraged to bring

contraband foodstuff. Corinne requested Ricki's cookies and those peanut

candies that are brown stripes.

Her turn will come in mid-July when Kevin heads off to sleep away camp....

a cabin with 7 smelly 11-12 yr old boys!!!

the counselors do make them take a bath...they just do not pay attention to

what they wear. Kevin's friend cody had the same shirt on each day when they

posted pictures!!

ta-ta

c

MIA

I sent Angie and Dana another email to see if they want to join our blog. They never accepted the invitation I sent out. Cari did but guess she is just being a voyeur at this point. :) Type, Cari, Type!! If I can blog about puke, I know you can think of something!!

The wedding was very sweet.  It was a beautiful, sunny day which meant as I was running my butt off I was also sweating in my dress - this was probably primarily caused by the fact that I wear ahem....supportive undergarments to keep my chubby belly in check.  Since this is a private blog, I will add some pictures...they'll never know.

Louisa (her nickname is Weezie and just about everyone calls her that) and Chris (the groom) have been together a long time and everyone who knew them was really excited to be at the party.  I just met her last fall when she followed our new chef (Thad) from the last restaurant they had worked at together.  She is really very sweet but mainly a really tough chick - which is why she can handle being behind the line at a restaurant.  Most people commented that they had never seen her in a dress.  I was really honored to be asked to help...I could regail you with stories of the crazy that accompanied such little preparation but lets just say their married and everyone had a great time, including me.

Parrish gets back from his 8th grade trip to Maine this afternoon.  Let,s see how long we can go without arguing.  I really will have to take a picture of his room sometime.  It's like ghetto bad - like the kind of room that you see on "Cops" and wonder "how do people live like that".  But, you've got to pick your battles.  I just read "The Witch of Portobello" and there was a quote about how Mary felt about the choices Jesus made.  It was perfect for where we are right now.  But I already returned the book to the library...so y'all will just have to read it.

I am glad that the illness was purely self-inflicted and was not a virus to ruin your vacation Brenda.  Although all the laundry...And I think the reason that everyone here is so laid back is that they are stoned half the time.  I'm not kidding.  It's as common as beer.

It's gonna be a long summer for y'all - your always welcome up here.  I had a fire in the fireplace last night.

Cari?  Dana?  Angie?  what ya up too?

Home Again

Hello all.

Made it home from Key Largo. I flew home Wednesday night. I think Jim and the boys will be home sometime today based on where they stayed last night. We had a good time. It didn't start out so great......got caught in a traffic jam in Birmingham, AL, lost about 2 hours. Got to the campground late. Finally got settled into bed and Emerson complained his stomach hurt. I had him switch with Jim so he was sleeping with me. He continued to complain and I realized he was going to be sick about a 1/2 second before he let it go. How can a little boy project so much puke?? Luckily, the campground had great laundry room facilities that were open 24 hours. Jim was was washing sleeping bags at midnight. Emerson was fine after that. We think he ate too much junk on the way down. I had a bunch of snacks in the car and we weren't really paying attention to what he was eating. Live and learn. We saw a lot of neat stuff. Emerson didn't go snorkeling. It was very windy and the water was pretty choppy. I went with Carter and Jim stayed on the boat. An older couple from Nashville was on and the wife decided she didn't want to go either so the divemaster volunteered to keep Emerson while Jim buddied with the husband. There was another couple on the boat from Memphis (Mud Island) and the captain was from a small town near Nashville. Really really weird. The boat captain was asking us about Jackson and I said we really hadn't spent much time there just passed through and he had a confused look on his face. Apparently Emerson told him we lived in Jackson. Not sure what that was all about!! Saw our old house in Ft. Lauderdale, ate at our favorite diner. I missed the big beach outing last Wed night in Ormond Beach, FL but Jim said he had to drag Emerson out of the water at dusk. So glad they had a good time. We enjoyed the water in Key Largo too. Found out Carter thinks of a vacation as more of just doing nothing, sleeping, in etc. It is a lot of work taking the camper down every morning and putting it up at night. That was his job with Jim. It was good for him though. Silly as it sounds, some of the best fun we had was squirt gun fights. I think we will have to continue those here at home. Yes, I still want to move back and hope to some day when I'm old and gray (well, I'm aleady gray, but not old, right)?

I am afraid reading Julie and Carole's posts makes me think it is a preview of what is to come in about 8-10 years with Emerson. Thanks for the heads up.

Julie, I'm interested to find out what your duties were at the wedding. Apparently people up there are more laid back then we are down here, agree? That is a great way to be. I do remember the birthday parties. Mine didn't compare, but I am a Yankee after all. It is fun making cakes and planning parties. Glad you realize that is something you enjoy doing. I've always wondered if that was part of your thoughts during your "competitive mothering" blog sometime back. BTW, that is now one of Jim's favorite terms. I wish we had people over more often. I'm such a control freak though, I would wear myself out getting the house ready, etc. I need some of that laid back attitude in Vermont. It seems like everyone gets so busy in their own lives, it's hard to take the time to "just hang out". Of course working full time really cuts into my time. It puts quite a damper on everything, actually. Hoping to reprioritize soon.

Off to work now. Just got a ride. I have the spare on my car and now it is flat. Geez!!

Brenda

Heat wave upon us

Julie, missing the heat?
c'mon down!!

I am dry/wet/dry/wet... I feel like Corky's ribs.
I am amazed that the swimming pool can go
from really cool to tepid bath water with a week.

Too bad the cool nights can't hang on 7-10 more days,
corinne will be at horse camp.
sleeping outdoors with the elements and critters.

We (Keith and I) experienced the 'parents are so annoying'
tirade wed. those 2 were acting up in target, he slaps her face,
she lies in wait. I get so mad I could be in an Omen movie.

i locked them out and they proceed to bang on the door/window/ HOUSE!!!
ring the bell so long I had to disconnect it and run the hose...some of which got under the laundry room door and into the house!

Finally after doing outdoor chores they are let in.
at a pow-wow later on they tell us they don't like it here and want to leave.
i tell them go, but beware of the seedier side of life...
(also with whose $$ will they accomplish this)

Kevin says no i 'm not going now...it is too easy just to walk out the door with you watching me!! heehee
Corinne wants to be back in school...she does not like alll the rules!!!!here at Tara/Southfork/Green Acres...whatever you want to call this place.
I remind her several times they are 11 and 13.
This is getting to them in a mean way...we act older...oh yeah ...what was that crap in target!!!!!!!!!!!

I swallow my pride despite the lump in my throat and tell them I do LOVE them no matter how they behave!! they are still insisting they want to make the rules and live "their own life".

I soap opera could not write this stuff.
You should have seen the help I had today!!!
Kevin even went back to play baseball.

Did I really give birth to these two or were they invaded by aliens...zapped in the brain and taken away leaving what ever you want to call them.

Entertaining,,,

Tomorow I am serving at a wedding.  It is the wedding of our sous chef and is at a farm about 45 minutes from here.  I got the call from another woman who works in our kitchen (our sous is also a woman) asking me if I would help out at the wedding.  Sure!  I asked if she wanted me to wear my blacks (what we wear at work), she said "I don't think so, you'll be more like a guest who helps".  OK, well, when do I need to be there or do you want me at the restaurant to help bring things (the kitchen from work is doing all the food), do you need me to do anything else, pick up anything?  "Um, I'm not sure...I'll call and let you know".

I got a call from the other girl this afternoon with some plans that seem to me to leave  very little time to get things together.  All week I was thinking "what the hell is going on?".  And I totally get their "just a fun party" kinda wedding planning but they are entertaining!  Then  I realized...the birthday parties we used to throw were far more planned than this couples wedding.

Who remembers the Hogwarts cake?  What about Cari's goodie bags?  A trip on the boat (WTF- he just wanted to go back to the Fire Museum - I should have just done that again, but I wanted to do something different).  I carried the tradition up here...Parrish only had 1 birthday party here, but it involved a 50 minute drive with over a dozen kids to the rock climbing gym, a meal at Friendly's and the boys spending the night.  Belle has had a bunch, painting pottery, an "artie" party complete with a Mona Lisa cut out for the kids to get their pictures taken in,  a garden party with terrariums and a sleigh ride.  This year we took 6 kids to Albany, NY (about an hour and a half away) for a trip to Build-a-Bear and Johnny Rockets. 

People up here don't go to this extent for birthday parties.  I still am all about the invitations, the cake, the party favors, etc.  And I finally realized after one.more comment about it from someone here, I realized...

I enjoy doing it.  I like it.  Yes, I stress a bit but I love throwing the party.  I could wrap it up in the pretty little bow of "I am celebrating my children's birth", but part of it is about me.  Yeah, there are parts of entertaining that are stressful, but I really enjoy it.  I love having people over, etc.  It is different here "playdates" and "dinner parties".  I like having people over last minute and figuring out what you're gonna feed everyone, we did it last night.  I like my friends feeling so at home in my kitchen they dig through my cabinets to find something.  So, thank you ladies.  By having those parties, I started to realize something about myself.

But, back to the wedding...I am so mystified with what I am doing tomorrow.  I'll let you know how it goes.

And thank you for the affirmation.  I knew I was right...but that child wears me out.  He is really lucky he can make me laugh or I may have killed him by now. 

We Would All Agree

I think it's safe to say we would all agree with your decision about the camping trip, not that you asked our opinion, but it's always nice to have positive feedback, right? One of our favorite commercials is for Staples, played in August/September is when the Dad is pushing the cart through the store putting in school supplies singing, "It's the most wonderful time of the year." Don't feel bad being glad school is still in. We all need a break especially when our kids are frustrating us.

My kids will be out of school on Friday. They aren't even making up snow days. I was surprised they were still in this long. Catholic school is a good fit for Carter. He seems to be doing well. The kids seem very compassionate and sincere. I have to share this one: Carter came home and said a girl who has always been nice to him from the start and has always answered his questions about activities, etc asked him if he would go to the movies with her if she asked him to. Oh my gosh. Is that starting already? I told him he should have told her it depended on the movie :) We'll see if it ever happens.

Hoping Emerson gets to go there in the fall. As I told Cari and Carole, if Jim gets a job he will (assuming there is still a space for him), if not, Jim is going to home school him. Not my first choice for sure, but it is only kindergarten. The job market is looking up so keep your fingers crossed.

Julie, hope you enjoyed your beach time. We are headed to Key Largo on Friday to take the boys snorkeling. It should be quite an adventure.....Will the van with 350,000 miles make it pulling a trailer that may possibly still leak when it rains? Can we live on hot dogs and peanut butter sandwiches for a week? Will the boy who is now terrified of canoeing actually get in the water to snorkel?

Can't wait!!

I would have blogged sooner...

But I have had my booty on a beach chair the past week.

Also, I just figured out the password for my computer.  I changed it when I was mad at P (and didn't want him to have access to the computer), used it and then forgot it a day later.  He didn't have access to the computer while I was gone, which I think was for the best.  I was racking my brain trying to remember it (using the thesaurus app on my phone) and today I got out the dictionary - I knew the word had a double letter and had something to do with how I felt about my son right then.  The word:

ruffian

I guess I live in a Dicken's novel sometimes when I chose to use words like that.  But I do have to get this boy under control.  The child who I never thought would stop nursing (I'm sure you all remember that) is going to be in high school next year.  I really wanted him to go to this kinda hippy alternative school that I thought would be a good fit for him  http://www.compass-school.org/ but he wasn't having it - even though he thought it would be better for him.  All his friends are already at the local school (local meaning 20 minutes away) http://www.burrburton.org/ and that is all.he.cares.about.  UGH.  We had a major argument because I wouldn't let him go camping with a bunch of his friends from the high school.  No parents.  UM,  do you think I am a MORON my child?  Why don't I just go ahead and buy you a twelve pack and load the bong?  Mom, you are SO overprotective and controlling. 

Yep...that's where we are right now.

Is it awful that I am grateful my kids don't get out of school until mid June? 

Well,
Finally this week is over. 2 field trips and 3 awards ceremonies, 2 field days and
a hard fought softball division championship are all behind us.
I suppose it was good that I did not have to go to work much!!
Did you know that probability research is a darn good resaon to go bowling?!!
At least that is how the middle school looks at it.

We are now the proud parents of a soon to be 6th grader and 8th grader
that was considered to be Best 7th grade Female Athlete of the Year.

For those moms in Memphis, we need to meet at the Levitt shell
at least once for a concert. Last friday night the brass band was a hit.
Also, did you know there are at least 2 places to buy boiled crawfish in memphis??

My sister is here and we are having a great time!! She does not have children
and K and C are making sure she sees every preteen/teenage emotion out there.
Her reaction to them is even funnier than their craziness.

So long for now, the biting dog is banging at the back door.


carole

Hi Again

Carole, Cari, and Julie have accepted the invitation. Still waiting to hear from Angie and Dana.

Let's get blogging!!

Hello, I am new to blogging so bear with me.

I am starting to keep a record of Corinne-isms.
she reminds me of mallory in 'Family Ties'

Anyway, I told her for dinner we would use some of the pork chops
keith cooked the other night.
C --what are you going to do with them.
M--use your stir fried rice/peas receipe...chop some and add it to the rice.
C--um mom, we had that rice for Easter ...do you think it is still good??
M--er er er .Corinne , we finished the one you cooked...i will make more.
C-- oh, O.K.
silly but totally corinne.
In fact, Kevin has even stopped himself and said 'oh my gosh...I sound like corinne!!

We are well, but I am needing a more fuel effecient car in the worst way!!

Welcome

Hey former Memphis playgroup Mommies. Hope this goes smoothly.

Jim and the boys came home early from the canoe trip. They ended up flipping the canoe and Emerson got pretty scared. Hope he'll go again some time. Carter said he was glad they were wearing life jackets because the water was pretty fast. Jim couldn't get the canoe flipped back over because Emerson wouldn't let go of him. Someone else canoe'd by and helped though. I didn't get done all I wanted to do, but what else is new. Met my new neighbors. They aren't retiree's. I'm sure they are younger than me. Just don't have any kids.

Brenda