20th High School Reunion

Well, as you all know last night was my 20th High School reunion. We didn't make it Friday because M ended up getting very busy at the restaurant and didn't get to leave when he thought. We would have only been there for half an hour if we had gone.

Anyways, last night we went. It was from 8-midnight. We arrived around 8:45 and were gone by 11:00. Out of a class of 245, maybe 100 people were there, including spouses. A lot of the people I never spoke to in High School. They were shall we say "hoods". Um, there were some people that I talked to in High School there. Mostly people that I had classes with all through out. There were a couple of girls there that I hung with in High School. It was nice seeing them and talking to them.

Overall, I don't know if I will go to anymore. Some of the people that were there, I see in Walmart on a regular basis and say Hi, so no big deal seeing them. It was a lot of worry and fretting on my part for no reason.

I'm just glad it's over!

A Trip Back

After all the thought about my reunion tonight, I've been thinking about all my old friends. The ones that ever meant the most lived right in the same neighborhood. As a matter of fact, four of us got together in January this year for the first time in 25 years. But that's another post.

This post is about the old neighborhood. B has friends that live in that neighborhood now and I had to drop him off there this afternoon. Because I always carry my camera in my purse, I decided to take a few pictures. Just a few, because I didn't want to look like a stalker or anything. Besides my kids were all yelling "Why are you taking pictures of that?" at the top of their lungs. So much for being unnoticed.

So this is what I got. This is the clubhouse where we all hung out. Many fun times were had here.



Sounds elite, huh? Trust me. It's not. Especially these days.



Now here is the building that A and I grew up in. I guess that I should mention that these are condominiums. Not apartments. My mom would get upset if anyone called them apartments. They are condominiums. Anyways, A lived in the one on the left, number 49. I lived at the opposite end of the building (with the porch light on) number 52. We ran back and forth between these condos so many times, we probably could have told you how many steps it took.



I wanted to take more pictures, but like I said, I was trying not to be noticed.

Some of the best years of my life were spent in this neighborhood. I was 10 when we moved here. I was totally against it. Now, I couldn't imagine it any other way. See, parents always do know what is best! Thanks Mom!

Catsitting

A friend of mine is on vacation this week with her family in Michigan. While she is gone I have agreed to take care of her cats for her. She has three cats compared to my four, so this really is no problem. I'm pretty used to scooping cat poop. The thing with cats is, I only have to go there every other day. Cats are pretty self sufficient. If they have food, water, and clean litter boxes they are pretty happy. Except if they have a loving family like this one, they get a little lonely.

Here is what I see every time I open the door.



All three cats are there to greet me. I always take the time to give each one a good rub down and some sweet talk. They follow me through the house as I do my chores for them. By the time I leave, they are all just lounging around like cats do.

I wonder if they are ever disappointed it's me?

Where Does The Time Go?

Everyone says it. The older you get the faster time flies. This is so true. Why does it go so fast? I ran into a girl that I used to work with yesterday. We talked for quite a long time. I introduced her to my kids. They wanted to know who she was. I told them I worked with her a long time ago. She was just a "baby" then. Maybe 16 or 17. Then it dawned on me. I was just a "baby". I was only 18 or 19. I had my whole life in front of me. I had no idea it would go so fast.

My kids are so big! My first baby is 15? How did that happen? My last baby is 8! That's even worse! Secretly I'm glad that we waited to send him to kindergarten, because that keeps him in elementary school one year longer then other kids his age. Does that make sense? When C2 moves on to the Middle School, B will be a senior! Ah! Don't think about that!

Speaking of seniors, my 20th High School reunion is this weekend. I sent in the paperwork, but still not too sure about going. On Friday nights the town I graduated in has what is called Party in the Parkway. They bring in different bands and have drinks. The reunion committee decided to meet there for a sort of warm up to Saturday night. Saturday the actual reunion is at the bowling alley. They will have bowling, food, and drinks. Very casual. Why am I not too sure about going? In High School, I was VERY shy. I was not outgoing at all. My best friend was though, and thru her was how I actually had a social life in High School. I really doubt if I had done as much as I did if it weren't for her. So, needless to say, I really never "connected" with too many people. Yeah, there are people I would like to see, but what if they are not there? Then what? Aaahhh! I'm so confused!

To top it all off, M told me yesterday that he has to work Friday night. That was the only part I was really interested in going to. I wanted to go to kind of "feel things out". I have a friend I could ask to go with me. I don't know. A, you put me in this predicament! All you had to do was come home for 2 days so I could follow you around! Just kidding! (no I'm not)

Again Internet, what should I do?




Hey A, it's not too late to get a ticket! Just kidding! (no I'm not)

A Sighting!!!

For about two weeks now the kids and I have been watching and waiting. A few nights ago we saw one, then two... What were we looking for? Lightning bugs of course.
I was the first to notice the short greenish yellow light in the yard. It is there for just a second, then you have to wait and see where it will show up next.



If you are patient and wait, you will get lucky and catch one.



Ahhh! One of my favorite parts of summer!

Rolling In The Cat Nip

This morning I put out some cat nip. It had been a while since they had had some, so I treated them to a good roll around the kitchen floor.

One of the boys absolutely LOVES the cat nip. He always has to go first and the other cats know this. The thing is though, that Saki kinda gets a mean high from the nip. He hisses and bites at the other cats if they try to get in on his time. He will even nip at me if I try to move him so some one else can have a roll.

Here is Saki rolling in the cat nip:



Here is his brother Mu Shu watching and waiting patiently for a turn. Mu Shu really doesn't get into it as much as the other cats. I guess he's seen how it effects his brother!



Here is Mabel waiting her turn. She patiently waits while Esther has a turn. Mabel is the most timid and quietest of all the cats. She just waits for everyone else to have their turn,



then she really goes at it. The best part for Mabel is that by the time she gets a turn, I have to put down fresh nip for her.



I guess she knows what she's doing after all!

Tired Pup!

This is what my 15 year old looks like when he comes home from a Boy Scout camping trip. He is filthy and exhausted! After showering as soon as we got home today, he plopped down on my bed and fell right to sleep. He slept like that for probably 3 hours! I guess he has a reason to be tired, they did canoe 18 miles yesterday and slept in a tent for 2 nights. (If they slept at all). I'm not complaining about him sleeping though because boy, was he a grouch!

Guess what was the first thing he said when he woke up?

"I'm hungry".

I don't thing he has stopped eating since!

Rainy Day Tent

This weekend B is camping with the Boy Scouts. Well, of course it's no fair that he gets to sleep in a tent! So M and I told C1 and C2 that we would put up the other tent and they could sleep in the backyard Saturday night. We got up Saturday and got things done around the house. Then I went to the grocery (with a list of items that they would need for their camp out). By the time I got home from the grocery, the sky was very dark and we had a severe thunderstorm watch. Needless to say, it down poured. For an hour and a half. Of course when it was over around 7:00pm, the sun came out. C2 could just not understand why we could not put the tent up then. Hello! The ground is soaked!

After a HUGE meltdown on his part, they settled for this:



A blanket tent in my living room.

This kept them busy the rest of the evening. They built it, they played in it, and they even slept in it.



The first question out of their mouths when they got up this morning? Can we put up the tent now?

Meet Sam!

Sam is my mom's new kitten. He turned seven weeks old yesterday and joined his new family. He really had a big day!



Welcome to the family Sam!

Mom! Come Here!

How many times a day can I hear that? Everyone always has something that they absolutely have to show me. B is always yelling for me to come look at the TV or something he found on the Internet. It really is of no interest to me, but I have to act interested. C1 is always practicing her flute or dancing and wants me to watch. Sometimes, yeah, but 182 times a day? Not really. C2 always has a Lego creation, or something he made in the sandbox, or just anything. (He is the only one that has caught on to me and called me on my disinterest!)

Today though, C2 takes the cake. He made me come outside to see the hole he had dug. With. a. stick. Wow. Was that neat. But I made him feel good as he described to me in no less than 624 words how he dug the hole with a stick. Let me just say, it was fascinating.

I complain now, but I know the time will come that I miss the "come here's" and the "watch me's" that fill up so much of my time. That's why I come when they call, because I'm glad they want to share their lives with me. So for now I will come and watch.

Well, B is calling. On "How It's Made" they are making Pringle's Potato Chips! Now that interests me!!!

Beautiful Sunset!

Last night on our way home from Walmart we saw this beautiful sunset! I stopped on the side of the road to take a few pictures. The whole time B and his friend were telling me what a dork I was! I don't care. Someday they will appreciate God's beautiful work.




I feel that a beautiful sunset is God's way of saying another wonderful day has gone by, but just wait until tomorrow! Why do I think this? Because when we turned the corner, we noticed this:



Two beautiful sights in one sky!!! God is amazing!

Hanging Out

At one point yesterday I had eight kids here at my house. This is where they all seem to come. I really don't mind though, I'd rather have them here. B and his friend have been here all week. D has spent the night three nights in a row now. But, D is the friend we like, so we encourage him to stay.

Well, what do eight kids do while here? A lot of this:



And a LOT of this:



Thank goodness Grocery Day is coming up!


The little ones are satisfied with snacks still. They don't need 10 meals to fill up!



One cupcake each keeps them happy!



After a snack, the younger ones all go back outside. The older ones? They still do this:



What am I doing while all these kids are here?



Working! Of course!

Scaredy Cat!

With all the storms that have been going through lately, we have discovered something. We have a "Scaredy Cat". One of our Siamese cats is afraid of thunder. When it starts thundering outside, he runs and hides under the recliner. That is where he stays until well after the storm is over. Sometimes all you can see is this,



it's his tail sticking out from benneath the chair. Poor Mu Shu!

Cat Canes?

One day when C2 and I were here alone, we were talking about things that would happen several years from now. We have 2 Siamese cats (the boys) that are almost 2 years old. I told C2 that someday they would be walking around here using their "cat canes". He said cats don't use canes so I asked him if he had ever seen an old cat. I knew that he hadn't because our oldest cat is 9. I said when they get too old, they have to use little cat canes. "Oh" he said and went about his business.



Fast forward to yesterday in the car. It's C1, C2, and I driving in the car. Out of the blue, C2 asked C1 if she had ever heard of a cat cane. I turned down the radio to listen. She asked him what he was talking about. He explained to her about me telling him about the cat cane. Had she ever heard of it? She told him no, but if I had told him about it, there must be one. He thought about it and said "yeah".



OK, I'm not sure which is worse. Me making up stories to my 8 year old or his 11 year old sister believing it too!

Play That Funky Music...

Last night I met some friends for a few drinks. We had a lot of fun. I joined the party late, but still had a good time. This was the first time we had got together like this, but we plan to do it again.

Anyway, the DJ started out playing some old AC/DC, Def Leppard, and other good songs that we knew. Then he switched to some newer songs. Songs that we were not too familiar with. So, my friend T made a list of songs that she thought he should play.



The list was:
Vogue - Madonna
Legs - ZZ Top
You Should Be Dancin' - The Bee Gee's
Tarzan Boy - ?

Needless to say, her songs never were played. Maybe next time T!

Changing Rooms, II

Well, the move is done. I did not realize how much CRAP that girl had in her room. We emptied out every drawer, box, the closet, and every other place she had stuff crammed. I don't know if even half of it went back in. But, the desk/hutch is in there and she loves it! It looks a lot better where it is now. This is how it should be!

Changing Rooms

Yesterday with the temps a little cooler, I started in on C1's room. We've been talking about moving it around and she's ready to store some of her younger toys. We got it all moved and cleaned except for this:



This is a desk and hutch that sits in our bedroom. (Yes, A and N, it's the same from my 11 year old room!) As you can see, it is not used to it's potential. So, today's task is to clear it, move it, and reload it with her things. Hopefully she will use it to do homework on. I'll post the finished project later. Wish us luck!

Another Dirty Tree

Remember the cottonwood tree? Well, in the opposite neighbor's yard is a catalpa tree. It hangs over our patio. In the spring it gets big blossoms that really are kind of pretty. In.the.tree.


Not in my yard,


or on my patio.


Aye, aye, aye. Can't we just get a tree with normal leaves and no mess?

A Day of Questions

Yesterday morning it was just C2 and I home alone. When B is not around C2 loves to go through his room. He came down and told me that he had taken 3 Hot Wheels from B's room and please will I not tell him. There were other things in there that he would like to have also. This is where the questions started.

C2: Why can't I have it?

Me: Well, you really are not old enough for it anyway.

C2: When will I be old enough?

Me: In a couple of years.

C2: When will B move out?

Me: Not for at least 4 or 5 years.

C2: When will C1 move out?

Me: Maybe 7 or 8 years. I don't really want to think about all that!

C2: When will I move out?

Me: Not for 11 or 12 years, why?

C2: Good! I'll be here longer than them and I can have all their stuff!

So, that's his plan. To out last his brother and sister living in this house so he can have all their stuff.

I wonder where he will put it?

Caught In The Pool Again!

Tonight again we were in the pool when a storm came up very quickly! C1, her friend, and I were all swimming when the sky got real dark and the wind picked up. I made the girls get out first so they could start picking up toys and other things in the yard. As I was climbing out and was on top of the ladder, I heard a loud craaaaack and looked up to see a tree just on the other side of the tracks fall. It fell right on the tracks! The neighbors called 911 and I suppose they notified the railroad company. The awesome thing was, before I could get over there to snap some pictures, four Good Samaritans were on the tracks chain sawing the tree! How awesome is that!

Cool Ending To A HOT Day!

Well, the party is over. All went well, I guess. I did manage to spend most of the time in the AC. While my mom was finishing up the decorations in the garage, I prepared all the food inside. I got the green bean casserole, shredded chicken, and buffalo chicken dip going in the crock pots. I cut the cheese (not like that!) and made up the relish tray. I got all the chips matched up with the bowls and opened all the condiments. Then I went to pick up the cake at the restaurant and home to shower. I was back at my grandma's house by 1:30 to set up all the food in the garage. Then, everyone started to arrive. After I ate and visited for awhile, I retreated to the house. I spent a good deal of time in there visiting with my aunt and uncle and a couple of cousins. We had our own party inside!

All in all, it was a nice day. Hot and humid, but nice. We came home about 8:00 after everything was cleaned up and the kids jumped right in the pool. It's late now, but I think I may end up there before the night is over.

Nothing like a cool splash before bed!

Busy & HOT!!!!

Today promises to be a busy, hectic, and very HOT day. The girl that my mom has custody of, K, graduated last weekend and today is her party. We are having it at my grandma's house. For the most part, the party will be outside, in the garage. Still, very hot! I will try to sneak inside as much as possible. When it's finally over I will rush home to the pool. Wish me luck Internet!

Summer Storms!

Yesterday was a hot humid day! It was in the mid nineties all day! I love the heat, but the humidity I can do without. We all spent our day in and out of the pool. The kids playing around outside and myself trying to get things done inside. We do not have AC, so cleaning and laundry only get done a little at a time when it is so hot.

Well, M came home from a very hot day at the restaurant and was ready to relax. We ordered pizza, the kids were in the pool, and we were relaxing on the patio. Then, my mom called to see if we had on the TV. There was a very bad series of storms heading our way and it was moving FAST! M turned on our TV and came back out to get the kids out of the pool and get it closed up. We picked up a full days worth of toys, towels, water bottles, and other things in about 5 minutes. This storm was full of funnel clouds. Many had been sighted, but only one that they knew of had touched down.

When the sky looked liked this was when we decided to go to my grandma's house. She has a crawlspace, we don't.



About 10 minutes after getting there, the sky cleared and looked beautiful!



Here's my mom, my grandma, and my kids after everyone calmed down. (Notice the swim suits?)

Teacher Let The Monkeys Out!

Well, school's out for the summer! I am so happy! I LOVE summer. I love the heat, the sun, and just the idea of having all those blank days on the calendar. When I flipped the calendar to June it was so nice to see all those blank squares. During the school year everyday it seems there is something to do. Neither C1 nor C2 wanted to play ball this year, so we are done with all activities.


Our biggest event that has happened this week is...C1 got her hair cut! She has let her hair grow for ever a year. She decided all by herself over a year ago that she wanted to donate it to Locks of Love. To donate you need 10 inches. She cut of 11 inches and still has a decent length. She looks so much older!


She went from this:




to this:



What a change and a wonderful gift at the same time! She's so awesome!

Cottonwood Joe

This is what our backyard looked like when we got up this morning.


It's in the rocks,



it's on the sidewalk,



it's in the grass,



it's even on the pool (thank goodness we are still trying to warm up the water).



It is all coming from here. Our neighbors cottonwood tree. What a mess. I tried to get the kids to pick it up, but even they wouldn't touch it. It is really soft, but hard to get. I'm sure pioneeer women collected it to weave or something. Not me.



It's even on the dog!

All For One!

This weekend was C1's dance recital. It was Friday and Saturday night. Boy! Was it good. Every year it just gets better! This year she was in three dances plus the finale. Remember when I went to watch her and was so impressed with how hard they worked? This is why. To give such an awesome show.




This is her first dance. It was a lyrical dance. Lyrical is kind of a combination between ballet and jazz. It is beautiful! This was her first year of lyrical. She says she is not taking it next year. I hope she changes her mind. I loved watching her in this dance.



Next she did her jazz dance. This was fast and very cute with the hats. She LOVES jazz.



Her last dance was tap. The costumes were very similar this year for jazz and tap. We only had 5 dances in between to get her changed too. That was a challenge. She has had the same tap teacher since she was 3. Miss Pam is the best!



This is the finale. Everyone wore a brightly colored "All For One" t-shirt and shorts. It looked really cool with everyone on stage. Sorry for the blurry picture. I zoomed in from the balcony. I need a better camera!