Just Tossing it Out There

We have had so much fun on this little impromptu road trip! My kids apparently love to travel as much as I do, which makes a mama proud. I remember when some of them were very little, and others not even thought of; that I read in a scrapbooking magazine about how the actress that played Blair in The Facts of Life got sponsored to take her kids around North America for a year while she home-schooled them in the RV. Make no mistake, I know I'm not a has-been child actress turned major Christian promoter who is still so easy on the eyes that getting that kind of funding would be easy. Nor do I think a lifetime of home-schooling is the best way for me and my kids to get all the education that they need. However...a year would work for us. A year, I could definitely do, especially with all the things they would learn on our travels. Many years' worth of road tripping from one end of the US to the other is how my husband and I plan to spend his retirement. I sure wish we could do it 'Blair Warner's' way much sooner than that.

So, why tell the internets? Because I would rather wish for it out loud for all the universe to read and know about than keep it to myself and guarantee that it will never happen. Not that I think it will just because I blogged about it, but at least I spoke out about what I really wanted for once instead of just dreaming about it in private. Now, we'll just have to wait and see...

Meet Me in St. Louis?

So, a few weeks ago, we were tossing around ideas for a couple of different trips. One to Seattle to see the OU game and visit my family there, and the other to go up to St. Louis for Labor Day weekend. When I  found a round trip ticket to Seattle for under $300 with taxes, fees, etc...I thought that decided things. But, I was kind of disappointed because I've only ever driven through St. Louis in the past, and I kind of wanted to see it. Dave decided on Thurs. night that we could swing both IF we could find a room for under $100. With a family of 6 on a holiday weekend, I didn't think it could be done and I had decided in the end that it was OK with me if it didn't. I could handle a weekend of staying home and doing nothing. But, I should never underestimate the determination of a man who must have really wanted to spend 8 hours on a Friday in the car with his noisy family. Because...we pulled into St. Louis last night at midnight and are getting ready to head out and see the sights today. We'll be back Monday.

(And yes, I'm buying an ice chest and hitting Trader Joe's when we leave Monday morning...We'll do detergent and perishables here and ship dry goods home from Seattle in  two weeks. Yes...I'm pathetic. And also soon to be awash in Trader Joe's groceries-woo hoo!)

"Your Attention Please..."

Danny Williams has left the building!

I didn't grow up with 3-D Danny, but goodness knows Mom and FavoriteUncleBob can't have a conversation about their childhood in Oklahoma City without that name coming up at least once. And Uncle Johnny (Aunt M's late husband) never missed an episode of Danny's Day, which means that when I was staying with them, I didn't either. I will remember Mary Hart for that show far more than I will all her days on ET. I don't doubt I discovered your KOMA morninf show while riding in Mom N's car, but I listened to it throughout college. And during my early days as an at-home mom with my oldest in pre-school, I knew that as long as I dropped her off before you 'left the building,' she had arrived at school on time.

Have a good retirement, Danny. God knows you've earned it! (You remember God right? He's that kid that came along just a few years after you did.) You've loved us here in OKC for the last 60+ years and now we're passing it on  right back to you. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Thursday Thirteen #51

It has been pointed out to me lately that this blog does not contain enough drama. Perhaps that's because this is a Mommy blog. Maybe Bear Gryllis has one that would be more exciting? And so, in a desperate attempt to keep my 5 readers, tonight's Thursday Thirteen will be a strictly tongue-in-cheek look at the 13 Most Dramatic Moments of this past week. Try to stay calm while you're reading them, OK?

1. On Monday morning, I was one of the first to arrive at work. Together with a co-worker, we put the key in the front door, turned the knob and...we were promptly hit by a blast of hot air that told us immediately there was something wrong with the AC. Indeed there was. It's been out since then. Today's inside office temp? 92 degrees. It's supposed to get fixed next Wednesday.
2. On Monday afternoon, after a day of  unending heat at work and annoying conflict in the car pool, I dropped those kids off and went to pick up my youngest at her school. Before I went inside, I opened the back of my car to pull out her super-huge car seat and LATCH it into place. But first...I dropped it on my big toe. I wanted to say #$%^&*, because when you drop a car seat of that size onto your big toe, such things are acceptable. BUT, in the presence of my three older children, I held my tongue.
3. On Monday evening, I posted something that garnered 18 Comments-about 18 more than I usually get for anything that I post. Yea me!
4. On Tuesday evening, I went to Ross and Kohl's. I found a pair of pants for less that $7 and I needed a smaller size than what I first tried on! And then...I went to the shoe section. While I saw many beloved pairs of white leather Keds in my size and on sale, I listened to my inner Lanie and bought my first pair of casual shoes in years that doesn't belong on the tennis court! (Black Mary Jane's a la Anne or Libby) Now if one of my more style conscious friends would tell me what to wear them with, I might actually put them to good use. I saw the Keds and I just said no. Amazing! (No really, it is.)
5. On Wednesday afternoon, a co-worker and I got to leave the steam bath work early for a grant writing class.It was held at OSU/OKC where they train police officers and fire fighters. There were lots of cute men in uniform all over the place. They called me "Ma'am." It made me smile. I was wearing my new $7 pants.
6. My husband picked up the kids after-school on Wednesday so I could finish my class! (That gets its own number!)
7. When I came home from my class and walked through the front door, all four of my children spontaneously melted down about what bad days they were having. They were also all in the midst of doing cleaning chores that their Dad had given them after he brought them home from school. Coincidence? I think not.
8. On Wednesday evening, I went to get a Food Handler's permit for PTA. At my age, I really thought that was a rite of passage I just might have permanently missed out on-but apparently, you're never too old for a Power Point followed by a Scantron quiz with a #2 pencil.
9. This morning, I got up early enough to toss dinner into the crockpot start laundry AND load the dishwasher before leaving the house!
10. And THEN, there was not one fender bender on I-35 North for the first time this week which means that I was also on time for work for the first time this week!
11. But wait! There's more! I left work early enough to come to the house first and...move the laundry from the washer to the dryer, start the dishwasher, AND check the crockpot and add more liquid. This means I came home with the kids to find dinner ready, clean dishes in the washer, and clean clothes in the dryer. You all may think "bo-ring!" But I'm thinking..."SCORE!"
12. When I got to the school this afternoon, I couldn't find the PTA mom to whom I needed to deliver a big stack of papers and, as I dropped off the car pool, guessed I would have to try and find her house. Not fun. But then, I backed out of the last kid's driveway and THERE SHE WAS driving right in front of me! I called her cell, we pulled over, and all was taken care of before 3 p.m.! Again "SCORE!"
13. But sadly, with those two triumphs, the powers-that-be evened the score by having me drop my barely-touched cherry Diet Coke from Sonic right into the driveway as I unloaded the car this afternoon. Alas...it just wasn't meant to be a perfect day. I think I had managed about two sips of it before I covered my drive in Sonic ice and diet cherry syrup goodness. Oh well...I'll get over it eventually.

And some of you think my life is dull...

For more Thursday Thirteens, click here!

I Should Just Put This On Twitter

I just got back from a Food Handler's class. Now I can begin that promising fast food career I always dreamed of...I'll bet I could even start at the same salary I'm currently earning if I got hired at the right place. (Is Taco Cabana more upscale than Mickey D's?) Of course, we don't know yet if I passed the test; but I WAS second in line to turn it in. (I was probably the first one finished, but true-to-Melessa-form, I stood around a bit until someone else walked up there so I could get in line behind them. Some things just don't change...)

On a more excited note, I took Part 2 of a Grant-Writing class earlier today and really felt like I knew what I was doing there too! I guess I like the non-profit world just a little too much to give it up for a position in McDonald's management. Even if I aced that test and could start as a shift leader. And yes, it has occured to me that for this I went to grad school.

Twitter Tuesdays

When my blog was re-designed, I noticed that my Twitter updates disappeared from the sidebar. I think I could restore them, or I could just resort to a weekly phone-it-in style blog post wherein I cut and paste my best tweets of the week here instead. I think I'll go with Plan B (Psst...they make more sense if you start at the bottom and scroll back up):

@frageelay Yes. I tried really hard to be cynical the whole time she spoke, but lost it when the girls came out with her. about 8 hours ago from web in reply to frageelay


@frageelay I'm glad I'm not the only one who can't remember. I thought I could until I started writing the post. Getting old... about 20 hours ago from web in reply to frageelay


@photobonnie I have one too! I beat the dog to the paper that morning. Much to his chagrin. about 22 hours ago from web in reply to photobonnie


DH has a cold and thinks it might be the death of him. Funny, I think so too. about 22 hours ago from web


Is Monday over yet? 03:15 PM August 25, 2008 from web


@frageelay Argh! Annoying! Natalie's friends aren't so bad about that, but Caroline's? Whole 'nother story. 09:11 PM August 24, 2008 from web in reply to frageelay


@theredneckdiva I knew you could relate. ;>) 06:12 PM August 24, 2008 from web in reply to theredneckdiva


What is up with my 10 year-old and every sentence out of her mouth being a challenge to my authori-tay?! The teen years are gonna stink... 05:37 PM August 24, 2008 from web


Stayed home with a sick kid today, but now I'm feeling kinda icky too. 11:58 AM August 24, 2008 from web  


@frageelay Nah! That's only if you start talking to your cats like they are people. Wait! Aw cr@p! It seems I have to go ingest cyanide now 08:04 AM August 22, 2008 from web in reply to frageelay  

@photobonnie I'll look for her. IF the dog doesn't get to the paper before me. He's done it every morning this week. And yet, I let him live 09:27 PM August 21, 2008 from web in reply to photobonnie



There's 15 minutes shaved off my life. Phew! Glad we paid w/cc and had a record of everything. BTW, people answering phones at SW rock! 09:15 PM August 21, 2008 from web


Logged on to southwest.com to email info to favorite Uncle Bob. It said I had NO UPCOMING TRIPS! It was a glitch, but it stopped my heart. 09:14 PM August 21, 2008 from web


@photobonnie So it's 14 hours from here to there? Good to know in case I ever want to road trip. Couldn't do that with the kiddos though. 09:12 PM August 21, 2008 from web in reply to photobonnie


I should really just accept the fact that I am not an instinctive cook and that I NEED step-by-step instructions. 06:02 PM August 21, 2008 from web


@fionaPB It's only hypocritcal if you get caught. 12:23 PM August 21, 2008 from web in reply to fionaPB


@frageelay I second Tee! Read it The ending was sad, but it was inspiring rather than depressing. The audio is on my iPod waiting 12:22 PM August 21, 2008 from web in reply to frageelay


@frageelay Also, Eddie Vedder did the soundtrack. Appropriate for the time period of the movie and also hauntingly beautiful 11:06 AM August 21, 2008 from web in reply to frageelay


@frageelay VERY good-though remember our tastes differ. I could kick myself because I stuck it in my luggage for FRED and forgot I had it 11:05 AM August 21, 2008 from web in reply to frageelay


@frageelay Saw the words "Alaska road trip" and had a mild panic attack! Expanation: I just watched Into the Wild yesterday. 10:10 AM August 21, 2008 from web in reply to frageelay


Cataloging random pieces of silver today including several spoons. Guess which 80's sitcom theme song is now stuck in my head? Argh! 10:09 AM August 21, 2008 from web


@PixieMegh Only a four year-old could get away with it! 06:41 PM August 20, 2008 from web in reply to PixieMegh


Elisa just asked her Daddy "Do you have a baby in your tummy?" When he said "No," she countered with "Then why are you fat?" ROTFL! 06:38 PM August 20, 2008 from web


Note to XM Radio: Beastie Boys "Brass Monkey" is NOT a "lost hit of the 80's" if even I have heard it before today. 05:39 PM August 20, 2008 from web


Just finished watching Into the Wild, don't know if it helped or hurt things-but I was definitely in the right mood for that one. 12:40 PM August 20, 2008 from web


So glad I ordered Prang watercolors and Cray-pas from amazon.com now that they won't get used. 10:31 PM August 19, 2008 from web


Sending Elisa to old pre-school for now. Worried about $ and mad that none of the supplies I already purchased are on her new supply list 10:30 PM August 19, 2008 from web  


Kill. Me. Now. 09:11 PM August 19, 2008 from web



@photobonnie Oh definitely bring the boots. And avoid McGee Dr. at all costs! 06:55 PM August 19, 2008 from web in reply to photobonnie


@photobonnie So far, it's not too bad. The problems seem to be worse in OKC. But the rain hasn't really stopped for 2 days now, so we'll see 06:43 PM August 19, 2008 from web in reply to photobonnie


@mariapa Apparently, I had a little too much faith in 'what goes around comes around' or I was a jerk w/o realizing it. 06:14 PM August 19, 2008 from web in reply to mariapa


@photobonnie Glad (and sorry) to know I'm not alone in my me v. public school struggle 04:33 PM August 19, 2008 from web in reply to photobonnie


Been ignoring something since yesterday. Finally had a little meltdown and spilled it all on my blog. I'll spare you the link. Just b warned 03:25 PM August 19, 2008 from web


Just bought the plane tickets-we are going to Seattle in three weeks! Woo hoo! 01:10 PM August 19, 2008 from web


Got my 69th hit! I win! (Thanks to the Freddie who made it possible.) 09:07 PM August 18, 2008 from web


I have 67 hits on my StatCounter tonight. I'm really hoping I get 2 more before midnight. 'Cause I'm really a 12 year-old boy on the inside. 08:52 PM August 18, 2008 from web


Another Back to School night has come and gone...I guess this whole school year thing is going to start whether I like it or not. 08:44 PM August 18, 2008 from web


I just love that post workout, post shower buzz. You would think it would motivate me to work out more often... 01:11 PM August 18, 2008 from twhirl

Or you could just follow me on Twitter too!

Music Monday: 12 Years Too Late

First of all, yes-today's earlier post has been removed. I must have smoked some crack that I'm not aware of on the drive home from work today to have over-shared in such a way this afternoon. (Thanks for your sweet comment, Ammie. I don't mind you seeing that post, but it probably wasn't the best idea for me to share it with the entire internet.) Second, I had a really cool idea for today's post in mind already and I'm excited to write it instead, since I like to write about music on Mondays.

Last night my friend Toni twittered about this site (Cassettes from my Ex) and lamented that she discovered it 7 years after tossing her ex's mix tapes. Sadly, I've got her beat by yet another five years. I tossed the one and only mix tape any s.o. ever made for me in 1996 when my friend Christy suggested I needed to get rid of it and move on. She and I were unpacking my things into my first, grown-up, single gal apartment as we had this conversation. (The best my substitute teacher salary could afford-yep, it was a scary place and I loved it!) Given the circumstances, I agreed with her and trashed the tape promptly (I think a hammer was involved, I could be wrong though). Unfortunately, it turns out that I should have saved it for two reasons: One, because almost everything on it would find its way into my iTunes playlist many years later. And two, because I possibly could have posted a pic and a playlist to the 'Cassettes from my Ex' website which I would have reallyenjoyed . But since I can't, I am going to do my best to list what I remember from my cassette playlist and encourage you all to do likewise in the 'Comments' section:

• "Everything I Do, I Do It For You" by Bryan Adams was definitely on there. (My DH still LOVES this song and was very sad I refused to use it as our 'first dance' song at the wedding. Silly, silly man.)
• "You Don't Love Me Anymore" by Weird Al (one of the first iTunes songs I ever purchased)
• "Don't Cry" by Asia (on the iPod, and oh-so-adorably appropriate for that mix)
• "Man Against the World" (don't remember who sang that one, don't have it on my iPod, can still find it stuck in my head sometimes)
• "World to Me" by Huey Lewis and the News (had this briefly when Napster was free, lost it when we deleted everything to be "legal," and I haven't been able to find it since which makes me sad-it's a great song)
• Probably some other Bryan Adams ballad
• Probably one or two Monty Python songs
• Probably something by Garth Brooks, likely "Unanswered Prayers"
• And it turns out that's all I can remember...I'm getting old.

What songs were on the mix tapes of your youth?

Week In Review

Reading-

The Book of Mormon-

This should be on my list every week and this isn't the first week this year that I've read it-but as part of my calling is to visit other wards and branches in the stake, it occurred to me that I don't want to sound like an idiot if I'm called on in one of their Sunday School classes. The same is true for my own branch on the rare occasion I get to attend there. This is the second week that I've not only read the Sunday School lesson, but also used those study aids in the old BOM Institute manual that's been gathering dust on the bookshelf since college. Of course, each Sunday I read almost guarantees that I will have a sick kid Sunday morning. I went and Dave stayed home through Natalie's stomach bug last week, so I dealt with Elisa's cold at home today. But at least I know that I read the lesson and was prepared.

Teaching of the Prophet Joseph Smith-

I will admit that I've been much more remiss in reading the Relief Society lessons because I've held callings in either Primary or Young Women for the past three years. But last Sunday actually found me in my local R.S. room and I could express no thoughts whatsoever because I hadn't read the lesson. Of course, having read this week's lesson, I found myself at home with a sick little one. But again, at least I was prepared. I will likely continue reading both of these throughout the rest of the year, but I may or may not mention it here again since it's on ongoing thing.

Watching-

Sex and the City re-runs-

I went to the HBO website to do a little inventory since TBS seems to broadcast these things in an all-over-the-place manner. I've seen all of Season 1 except for the last one. I've seen about half of Season 2, most of Seasons 3 & 4, and very little of Seasons 5&6. I think I'm just going to have to borrow someone's DVD's because while TBS has aired several epsiodes multiple times, there are others that I think may never show. Either way, I think Seasons 3 and 4 are my favorites though there are very few episodes that I don't like.

Degrassi-

I watched the last four episodes of this season and saw three of the four series originals graduate (sans J.T. who they killed off for no reason-in MHO-last season). They were good episodes, and I think I'm finally ready to be done watching the teeny bopper shows. (I LUV'D me some Dawson's Creek too back in the day.) Hey, everybody grows up someday-right?

In My Netflix Queue-

Into the Wild-

Umm...Wow?! It's hard to put into words how amazing this movie was to me. Sean Penn was seriously overlooked at last year's Oscars. The performances were all superb, and while many good movies leave me in tears at the end-this one made me cry throughout the rest of the day anytime I thought about it. I had no idea it was based on a true story, though I knew about Krakauer's book which I'm very much looking forward to reading now.

Extracurricular Activities-

1st Day of School-

I may not have been a happy camper, but I made sure the kids had a good back-to-school experience. They all seem to like their teachers though Tristan, yet again, has one of Natalie's former teachers. If I didn't like that teacher so much, I might have complained this year because I know he felt like there were comparison's last year (although his teacher last year AND this year aren't really the types to do that) and I hope he doesn't feel that way again. Poor Buddy. It's probably good that we will most likely go to our actual school district next year. Caroline also got Tristan's former teacher, but again, I would have picked her if I had the choice so I can't really complain about it. Also, Caroline doesn't have the same competitive streak that her two older siblings do, and won't be very affected by having the same teacher. All the 5th grade teachers were wonderful, so I'm pleased with who Natalie got, but would have been pleased regardless. Elisa's Pre-K teacher at the pre-school was briefly the three year-old teacher when Elisa first started there last year, so despite the whole debacle of last week-sending her back to the other school seemed full-circle to me. Her afternoon teacher (usually college students, which I LOVE) came from the exact same dynamic as Elisa (girl, boy, girl, girl) and again just reinforces my belief that things worked out the way they should. I'm still a little sad she won't have the Pre-K teacher at the elementary school, but I really feel like Tristan was the only kid who NEEDED to have has as a teacher and that Caroline being in her class was just an added bonus. Still, I'm glad that first week is over and that everything has calmed down a bit. I'm getting too old for the stress of being that upset-I fell asleep in my clothes and glasses at 8:30 p.m. last night, and I can't even blame it on being pregnant. (The only time in my life previously when such occurances were commonplace.)

Stake Leadership Meetings-

I think I covered this pretty well yesterday, but the 'refiner's fire' of Girls' Camp and the Nauvoo trip certainly seem to have cured me of any feelings of unworthiness or not being qualified enough to hold the calling that I do. Are there other women equally if not more qualified? Sure. But I really believe I'm where the Lord wants me right now. No question about it. Even if it meant sitting on the stand yesterday, which I don't think I'll ever learn to love completely,

Life on the Other Side of the Fence

So, today was Stake Leadership training. For those unfamiliar with that lingo, it's one of two Saturday's per year that all of the local church leaders who live in a metro area get together for training classes conducted by their Stake Leaders. That used to mean that Lauri, Deborah, and I would meet that morning at the Stake Center and listen to our Stake Young Women leaders as they inspired us with new ideas for our local YW program. Now, it means that all the ward and branch Young Women presidencies who live in and around Norman got to come listen to me (and the other presidency members) inspire them with our new ideas. That also meant that I needed to sound like I knew what I was talking about when I spoke. Nerve-wracking. And definitely a different view of things for me. Granted, I had the easiest part of the four of us (in my opinion) because I spoke first which meant I could run as short as I wanted. And as it turned out, I had to cut my remarks even shorter to give time for the longer training exercises that followed me. I wasn't sad about that at all. Still, I can't tell you how weird it is to say 'In this book, on this page, it says...' only to see all the lovely, competent women in front of me pull out that book and turn to that page because I said so It's usually me at the desk turning the pages too. Being on this side of things was certainly different. I certainly hope I didn't waste anyone's time this morning. And I am very glad that meeting is over with for the next 6 months.

After I got home, it was Dave's turn for meetings. He had two (though he was one of those lucky guys who just had to show up, take notes, and turn to the pages in the book that the guy at the front of the room was reading from) and was gone for pretty much the rest of the day. And then, I got to switch sides of the fence yet again.

I've noticed a bit of a spike in blog readers-sadly, I think it was related to last week's pity party (which I am now properly embarrassed by, but won't take down because of all the nice comments). A lot of those readers are in Norman, and I'm beginning to wonder if they weren't other moms from the kids' school. I say that because, at that school, I am now one of the 'older' moms. As such, I am used to having older kids than say the parents in my 1st grader's class. I feel like I am the one to give guidance and encouragement and to help out those young moms when I can. (Serving as PTA President for so many years probably reinforced this attitude quite a bit). Anyway, Caroline's little friend called today asking for a playdate-then, her mom got on the phone with me, asked me how my weekend was going, and basically offered to take Caroline and Elisa off my hands so I could grocery shop in peace this afternoon. I'm used to being that person who watches the kids and gives the breaks-I was pleasantly stunned by her kind offer. (Natalie and Tristan were at Gran D's already) I don't know if she stumbled across my blog last week and took pity on me or if she was just inspired, but either way it sure was nice to be the help-ee instead of the helper today. I'm still not sure about being a leader at church...but I have to admit I didn't feel completely incompetent at that either.

All in all, an interesting day.

Phone It In Friday

Saw this at Wilson World earlier this week and thought I would post in on an otherwise busy day...no big surprise to me what my results were.
Your result for The Perception Personality Image Test...

HBPC - The Visionary

Humanity, Background, Big Picture, and Color

You perceive the world with particular attention to humanity. You focus on the hidden treasures of life (the background) and how that fits into the larger picture. You are also particularly drawn towards the colors around you. Because of the value you place on humanity, you tend to seek out other people and get energized by being around others. You like to ponder ideas and imagine the many possibilities of your life without worrying about the details or specifics. You are in tune with all that is around you and understand your life as part of a larger whole. You are a down-to-earth person who enjoys going with the flow.

The Perception Personality Types:

Take The Perception Personality Image Test at HelloQuizzy

Thursday Thirteen #50: Or Why It's a Wonderful Life, After All (inspired by Maria's comment)

To keep this blog from being re-named "But I Whine Too Much" (or even "But I Re-gress?" Sorry, couldn't resist!), today's list will be a happy one. As I generally do after a day or two of feeling mad, I spent today counting good things. Let's see if I came up with thirteen of them...

1. I didn't hear my alarm go off, BUT still woke up within ten minutes of the actual wake-up time instinctively. (Not normal for me by a long stretch) So even though I technically overslept, we were not late and we were not panicked this morning. That was nice.
2. While I am still quite heart-broken that there will now never be a time that all four of my kids are in school together, Elisa was re-admitted to her pre-school and into their Pre-K program. She started today. What a relief! (Also, Aunt M is paying for it. Like the lady in Steel Magnolias, she has more money than God, so it doesn't bother me as much as it would if it were Mom. Am I properly ashamed that I can't pay for my own child care. Yes. But I'll still take the money. As she said 'Either I spend it now or the government gets it when I die. And it's not theirs yet!)
3. I was the first one at work today! (That hasn't happened since school let out last May.)
4. My co-workers brought me a Jamocha shake at lunch! They are a rare indulgence for me. I had half this afternoon and will enjoy the other half tomorrow morning when I arrive. I think I just might even be on time again!
5. I had a calm, enjoyable day at work. I found the original accession record for five of my "stray" artifacts, the IMLS Book Collection that I applied for last Spring and was told we had been awarded two weeks ago arrived via UPS and we got to start looking at them today. AND I got the 160 pictures that I took the day before yesterday all edited and re-sized so I can upload them to their written accession records in the File Maker Pro database. (Boring to most of you, I know-but very exciting to me because it's tedious work and I'm always much happier when it's DONE.) And I mentioned the Jamocha shake, right?
6. I emailed my buddy John and heard right back from him! (Chris will appreciate that one.) Granted it was one-sentence correspondence on both sides, but still-immediate response from John. (Good thing it's recorded on my blog for posterity.)
7. I finally got to watch Into the Wild (I know my sidebar says Waitress has been here forever, but it was actually Into the Wild). Very, very good-even if it did make me cry. (What doesn't make me cry?) It was worth the wait. Now I'm going to read the book (even though I usually do that in the opposite order.)
8. I also finished up the end of the last season of Degrassi that I have any interest in watching. (It will go forward from here, but with new cast members who don't interest me.) Emma, Manny, Toby, Liberty, Spinner, and Jimmy all graduated and it was all good.
9. I got to Twitter with some of my favorite FREDDIES this afternoon.
10. On the way home from work, my friend Wendy called me with a Stephenie Meyer emergency (she had just finished Eclipse) and I was able to drive right over to her house with Breaking Dawn. Why? Because SHE LIVES FIVE MINUTES FROM MY HOUSE! You know how when you are teenagers you plan on getting married and living close so your kids can play? We actually get to do that now!!
11. I got to drive the carpool for the first time today. For all my whining, I really do love all of those kids. We sat in the C's driveway for at least five minutes longer than necessary because they all had to tell me about their summers and their new classes and teachers. I forgot how much I missed them over the summer and it was good to have them all back in my car again. (Yes, I'm certifiable.)
12. I got to play at making real Italian food at dinner tonight. Admittedly, I didn't like the end result (too spicy), but Dave did. The kids ate mac and cheese. I also remembered that I have a bread maker and pulled it out and used it today. Yum! The kids had no memory of me ever using it before which means it had been WAY TOO LONG. Maybe I'll make the homemade Swiss bread this weekend. I don't think I've made that since Natalie was a baby. (Nothing is open on Sundays in Italy, if you want bread-you make bread. I'm so sad I've gotten out of the habit of doing it.)
13. I have 6 round-trip tickets to Seattle! I'm finally taking the kids to visit favorite Uncle Bob and to see as many of the places that their mom loved as a kid as I can cram into the long weekend we have there. We'll try not to stand out as Okies. ;>)

*BONUS* Tomorrow is Friday!

Did you notice how much I had to cram into each item to limit the list to 13? Life is good. It really is. For more Thursday Thirteens, click here.

How To Clear a Crowded Hallway

Post something similar to what I wrote yesterday and then take all of your kids to school this morning for their first day. Who knew I had so few friends after 5 years at the same school? (And thanks to the two who actually did say "Hello" and to the one who made some very appropriate remarks in Spanish.) Dave promised last night that he would "try to be there for me", then left for work two hours early. After 11 years, I expected this BUT with all the crying I did yesterday; I thought he just might come through for me. It's not his thing...but I was hoping just the same.

I think for right now though, I am fresh out of hope. I'm usually one of those "true believer" personalities. It's helped me to keep going in the face of a LOT of adversity. It's kept me married 11 years. It's kept me active in a church whose doctrine I embrace whole-heartedly, but whose societal "rules" confuse and frustrate me. And right now, I'm tired from all the believing, and trusting, and the hoping things will work out right. The whole school incident tipped the scales, but there has been a lot leading up to this. A lot of disappointment, a lot of loss, and a lot of things that some 15 years later STILL don't make sense to me. For many years, I've been like Natalie Wood's character in Miracle on 34th Street.  Sitting in the car saying "I believe, I believe..." as if willing herself to do so. Right now, I feel more like George Bailey on the bridge. No worries, I've got too much stubborn a will to live to make that comparison anything more than a metaphorical one; but I do know it's not Hollywood and that we won't be driving by my dream house in the next ten minutes nor is any angel about to tell me how sad people would be had I never been born. I live in the real world and it doesn't work like that. Right now, I'm not sure how it does work. All I know is that I'm tired of believing in things that never work out like I want them to and I've had about my fill of it for today. Hopefully, tomorrow will be better. And if it's not, I'll spare you all another angsty blog post about it. I promise.

Why?

I have absolutely adored the place that Elisa has attended pre-school for the last year. It has been an answer to many prayers, a convenience during after school PTA meetings and piano lessons, and it was my joy to call it "ours" after having so many negative experiences through the Tristan years. However, it has been my mother's pleasure to pay for it because my job would never cover its tuition. Because I remember Aunt M and Grandmother Mac writing the checks for my pre-school classes and ballet lessons, letting MeMe foot the bill has bothered me less than you might think. I kind of see it as her way of paying it forward. Not that I demanded it or expected it, but it has been nice.

This year, Elisa is old enough for the public school Pre-K program. That means mom will no longer pay for pre-school. That has always been the deal and I've always abided by it. (Natalie got extra years because neither Tristan nor Caroline attended pre-school.) Not only is that fair, but I love the Pre-K teachers at the kids' school and both of them were Tristan and Caroline's teachers which makes putting Elisa in that class that much more appealing. She has looked forward to it and talked about it all summer. Unfortunately, it's only a half-day program, but two of my friends whose kids have been faithful passengers in my carpool for the last year or two had enrolled their children as well. So, Elisa was going to leave after the morning session with them and be cared for by their shared caregiver (whose kids also ride in my car) until I brought the older kids home and picked her up after school. This made it possible for me to keep my job, continue driving the car pool, AND the other parents involved liked being able to help me out because I've driven that car pool without compensation for two years and counting.

Last spring, we explained that all three kids needed to be together. I thought that three years of PTA service might hold SOME sway with that request. Apparently not. The other two kids got into the morning class, and Elisa didn't. There is no one I can leave her with that can drop her off at 12:30, and my car is already at capacity for after-school pick up. It's stupid, but I feel really betrayed by everyone I trusted to make this happen over the summer. I feel like three years of service to a very under served school, and two years of a very full carload of kids was all for nothing. I never asked for a lot of attention or credit as PTA President (and, believe me, I got none), I have NEVER asked for special favors my kids at school except for this one thing; and I have never taken money from anyone whose kid needed a ride home if there was a seat in my car for them-so why am I always the one who gets screwed when I trust in 'the grand eternal scheme of things' that everything will work out for the best? Why?

Now, I really am screwed. I can't afford private pre-school on Dave's and my combined salary. (Not to mention, I withdrew her from it yesterday which sends us straight back to the waiting list.) Elisa has her little heart set on going to school with her brother and sisters and this is the only year it could happen for all four of them. I am mid-project at work and refuse to abandon something that seems to have been set up and abandoned at least three times previously. (Not to mention, I love my job.) There is no one available here who can drop her off at the afternoon Pre-K start time and I'm out of seats in the car at pick-up time unless I kick someone out of the carpool, which I don't have the heart to do. (Nor should I have had to do had anyone listened to a simple request at the end of the last school year.) No place to leave 4 year-old during 6 hour work day=Me.so.screwed. You know, I've spent most of my adult life doing things for other people without ever asking for anything in return and while I don't regret that for a minute, I did think that I had stored a little more good karma than what I've experienced in the last 24 hours. But I guess I was wrong.

Lazy Monday

I haven't felt like doing much of anything today. I didn't feel like making lunch until about 1:00 (but that's OK because the kids didn't feel like getting up until about 9:45 and had breakfast at around 10:00). I didn't work out until about Noon-ish, and only now at about 2:30 am I dressed, made-up, and ready for my day. (OK, so I did do some dishes and laundry, I haven't completely lost my mind.) And now it occurs to me that I don't feel like blogging today, so I won't. I couldn't write anything funnier than what Mrs. Schmitty came up with anyway. My advice to you all is to check her out today instead. That is, IF you feel like it.

Weekly Winners

Having re-discovered hiking at Lake Tahoe, I thought I would see what the great state of Oklahoma had to offer. It turns out, quite a lot. Yesterday, a friend and I went to the Chickasaw National Recreation Area (aka "Platt National Park") According to my mom, our Camp Fire group went when I was about 8. I kinda recognized it. Hey! I was 8.

We'll start with a pretty shot from the spings. We basically followed this from the trailhead to the nature center and were never too far away to hear the rushing water, which I have always found very soothing.

Dave looked at me like I had taked complete leave of my senses when I said "I think I'm going to go hiking next Saturday. Fortunately, Deborah wanted to come along with me!

She was seated on that rock farthest across the stream in the previous picture. I climbed over there too, but the terror at having to come back without falling into the water is pretty obvious in the picture that she took of me and since it's my blog, I'm not posting it. (I did make it back without falling, though-but Deb had to talk me back across. Yes, I really am THAT big of a baby. Always good to hike with a friend.)

I only fell on my butt once climbing down here. (And once climbing back up to the trail. At least I'm consistent.)

Nice close-up shot of part of the park I think I remember

Here's the full view

We managed to hit a dead end several times trying to find the nature center. At one point, we crossed this on foot rather than back track. I swear I did it too, the camera was just in the back pack (along with my wallet AND cell phone) while I was trying not to slip on the mossy rocks. I was very aware of the contents of the back pack the whole way across and again, I'm glad I was there with a friend. I panicked a little.

After several forks in the trail with no explanatory signs and our little 'crossing the stream' adventure, we finally found the nature center. I'll have to bring the kids here soon! (There really is a parking lot here you can pull up to if you don't want to hike.)

This is me looking relieved that I didn't have to cross any more streams today. Yay me! I did it!

For more Weekly Winner photos, check out Sarcastic Mom!

FRED Pt. 5

Will you look at that? I only said I would finish up my story if I didn't get to hike this morning, and I did! I had a great time. For you other Okies, a friend and I went to the Chickasaw Nat'l Recreation Area this morning and just barely scratched the surface of all there is to do there. We will be going back! (And I'm glad I thought to invite a friend at the last minute.) I came home to an empty house and it has stayed that way all day. Dave and my cousin took the kids to see the Clone Wars movie and while I never thought I would say it; there is one Star Wars movie I have no interest in watching. (Collective gasp of horror from the crowd!) What can I say? I loved the little shorts they showed on Cartoon Network and that's all I cared to know about the time between Clone Wars and Revenge of the Sith. With everyone gone, I've got lots of quiet time to blog right now.

And so, that leads us back to the last installment of FRED 2008. When I left off yesterday, we were leaving Emerald Bay State Park and Toni was saying "cheeseburger" with the occasional "25!" thrown in lest Emily forget at what speed she should approach those hair pin turns (actually, I think those were 10 mph). We were headed for the Burger Spa and catching up on things we missed while separated. I think this was the only outing we took during this FRED that was just the mama's from the HenHouse. FRED is actually a gathering of Toni's friends from all parts of her life, even though we Hens tend to dominate the group. I have no real point in sharing this because it wasn't planned as a Hen-only outing, but it was kind of cool that it turned into one. (I think our South Park jaunt in '07 was just the Hens as well.) One of my favorite stories was something that I overheard while waiting in the bathroom line just before Emily and I started our trek back up the trail. The bathroom was rather interesting. We called it a self-drying latrine because it was one of those waterless jobs only somehow air whooshed up from underneath it while you were on it. (You men may think you're cool because you can 'go' wherever you want, but there are things you miss out on that way. Like whooshing toilet seats at National Parks.) It's silly to write about in a blog I guess, but it was very entertaining to discuss in the car. (And yes, the stalls did have t.p., it just seemed unnecessary.) Apparently, the whooshing and large-sized toilet seats are pretty scary if you are four, because as I waited in line; I overheard quite the exchange between mother and daughter:

Daughter: Mom, hold me! I might fall in!
Mom: It's OK, I've got you.
Daughter: Mommy, can I look down in the hole.
Mom: No!
Daughter: OK Mom, it's your turn. Do you want me to hold onto you?
Mom: No, I'm OK Honey. I won't fall in.
Daughter: Is that because you have a big butt?

I had to bite my hand to keep from laughing, as did the lady standing in front of me. We both finished before they came out of their stall, but we waited outside to see what the little girl looked like. It was worth the few minutes, she was adorable! (And thanks Stef for reminding me about the whooshing latrines or I would have forgotten to include that little story in the trip report, and it really deserves a spot on this blog!)

Before long, we were eating at Izze's Burger Spa. I think they were the best fries I had ever tasted in my life! After that, it was back home for one last trip to the beach before packing up for tomorrow morning's departure. The ladies who stayed behind were ready to go once we got there, but the hikers hung out a bit packing up, cleaning up, and relaxing before joining them on the lake shore. Apparently, we missed out on a wedding (I saw more than a few of those going on throughout the weekend. Reno is kind of like Vegas that way. How did I not know that? We tried to talk Tee into getting hitched while we were there which inspired this favorite quote: "It would be fun that day, and cool to have all of you there to see it. But then I would wake up the next morning and I would be married.") Anyway, we got to the beach just in time to see Tee, Lonna, and Janey in the water. I tried again, but only got in as far as my knees. (I'm just begging to be tossed into Lake Tahoe if I ever find myself there again, aren't I?) The idea was to hang there until sunset and then start our little FRED 'goodbye' ritual. I spent the rest of the daylight hours chatting with Anne, watching others take pictures, flipping through a People Style magazine and mocking the outfits (something Anne and I have enjoyed doing together since the mid-80's), and just enjoying what little time I had left there. There was some "grand theft towel" when some of us got out of the lake and grabbed a stack of towels located near us that weren't necessarily ours. (Oops!) At one point, Anne and Libby went back to the house and I begged for a sweatshirt and my p.j. bottoms which I then proceeded to wear on a public beach at Lake Tahoe, Natalie! (And your horror and embarrassment over what I'm willing to wear in front of other people is one of the many reasons you can't go to FRED with Mommy-not that you call me that anymore.)

So, with the sun down, the blankets spread, and the photos taken; we proceeded to watch the Perseids and talk about what we hoped to accomplish between now and next year's FRED. I don't feel comfortable sharing the hopes and dreams of the rest of the group or really even what my goals are. I feel like what was shared at that beach should stay there, just know it was a very moving experience for all involved and that it ended with a HUGE shooting star. (Just the way most good things do or should do, in my opinion.) Then it was back to the house for some snack food, packing and showers. We cleaned, listed what we thought were some flaws with the house we had stayed at this year, re-read all the quotes in Toni's "little notebook" and got ready to say goodbye since some of us had to leave rather early the following morning. FRED is never long enough in my opinion, and yet I don't know how I could get away longer with my life such as it is right now. We hugged the Sacramento gals goodbye at 7:00 the following morning, and we were packed and ready to move ourselves by 10. We saw the cleaning crew as we left. A mom with lots of teen aged 'helpers.' I guess that explains the cobwebs and crumbs in the sheets?

We drove slowly back down the mountain, stopping for souvenirs on the way. When we got to the edge of Reno, we pulled into a gas station (of all places) for goodbye hugs since the Chicago gals were staying another night, Jennifer B. needed to hit the road back to Oregon, and Anne, Libby, and I had planes to catch. (Wish I remembered the name of the station, it was something like "Terrible's" or "Trouble's" you know, appropriate like that.) The hugs weren't quite as hard as last year (for me anyway), because I knew for sure that we would all see each other again next year. So why am I a little teary-eyed typing about it right now? Because, I'm a very big dork, and that's not news to anyone reading this. Tee dropped us off at the airport and all three of us found clever ways to sneak gas money to her as compensation. Anne's check-in went rather quickly while Libby and I found one of the longest Southwest lines ever. Anne's flight was earlier than ours, so it worked out rather well. Anne came back to our line to hug us both goodbye. (That's three times we saw each other in one year, my friend-a lot better than when we were teenagers, no?) And then, it was just Libby and I-exactly the way we arrived at FRED the year before. It wasn't lost on either of us.

Before I knew it, I was in Las Vegas buying my very own copy of Breaking Dawn! And that's all I really remember about that layover, the crew change in Phoenix, AND the final leg of the flight back to OKC. Unless you want me to tell you how Breaking Dawn, and thus the whole Twilight series ends? No takers? All right, then. I'll just leave it at how FRED ended. Wonderfully, as usual. Thanks to everyone for reading, and Freddies, I'll see you this time next year. Love to you all!

FRED 2008 Pt. 4

This is the day I've been the most excited to recap for everyone because this is the day I tested my limits and passed with flying colors. (I LOVE days like that.) After everyone woke up to see Jennifer off (including Tee who came racing up the stairs for a last-minute goodbye hug), several of us decided we wanted to do some hiking. It turned out, I was going to get a closer look at the Emerald Bay historic house after all. We packed some Luna bars and water and after a light breakfast, we set out for some outdoor time. Emily did the driving, Toni did the navigating...and the speed-limit reminding...and the peanut gallery comments. Just let me say here that riding in the car with Toni (or any of us, really) is its own form of entertainment above and beyond whatever it is you have set out to do or are returning from doing.

We got to the state park with just a few hairpin turns and paid the cute little park ranger at the front gate. (He really was adorable!) We drove to what we thought was the trailhead and started hiking. The problem was, we kept finding dead ends and climbs and drop-offs that were a bit much for what we were told was a relatively easy 1.7 mile trail with moderate inclines. Sure enough, we had found the scenic overlook and were trying to blaze our own trail back down to the shore. Bad idea! (Though part of me was mildly disappointed when we found the easier path-I think because I'm a little bit crazy.) Once we found the right one, we were one our way.

The first part of the hike involved a lot of downward steps that I kind of noted might not be so fun on the return trip, but I was too involved in the views, the company, and getting to spend time in nature to think much about it. I may not look or act the part, but there is a part of me that has always been drawn to the great outdoors. I love the scenery be it mountains, trees, desert, plains, or water, I love the fresh air, the smell of the dirt (I've mentioned that I'm weird, right?), and just being outside and feeling like I'm a part of it. I could live without humidity and mosquitos, but otherwise I like it. I think I had forgotten just how much I loved it until just then, climbing down towards Emerald Bay. But as I did so, every camp out I had been involved with as a Camp Fire girl and every campground and state park my dad or Anne's mom had pitched a tent at all came clear into focus and I remembered "Oh yeah, I ADORE this!" I think the highlight of this hike was stopping off just before the end of the trail ("I'm going down to the water, b*tches!") and wading in the lake. It's definitely where I took the most pictures:

After wading, we hurried to the end of the trail for a potty and snack break (we sat on tree stumps just yards away from the potties for our snacks, are we a bunch of moms or what?). We poked around the gift shop and Libby and I lost ourselves momentarily in the free museum where there were about three dioramas (sadly lacking clay figures of any type) AND a historical DVD with Leonard Nimoy as the narrator running on a continuous loop. It was museum nerd heaven!

To my credit, I did manage to walk out of the tiny gift shop without purchasing any of the DVD's even though parts one and two were ON SALE and both narrated by Leonard Nimoy. (I do believe I already called myself a museum nerd here, thank you!) At first, it looked like I wouldn't be touring the historic Vikingsholm (built at about the same time as the historic house museum where I work) because the majority of the group was interested in getting back to the trail so we could reach the car in time for lunch. We saw a lot of visitors coming the opposite way from a sign marked "parking lot." Because Em was feeling a little tired (she developed a heart condition during her second pregnancy-it ran concurrently with my second pregnancy which I why I remember it so well. The only condition I developed during my second pregnancy was heartburn that required prescription meds...and a very big behind, even for me. I am a definite subscriber to the 'boy pregnancies show up in the rear before they show on your belly' theory. I accurately predicted both my nephews that way before their 20 week ultrasounds, much to my poor sister's chagrin.) Anyway, Em thought she might want to stay behind and have the car brought over to the closer parking lot so she didn't have to walk as far. I wanted to stay with her because I was feeling a little tired too AND I really wanted to tour the old house. How could I go back to work the next week and tell everyone about the house if I hadn't even seen the inside of it?! So, the majority of the group went back to the trail, and Emily and I bought tickets for the house tour.

The house is called Vikingsholm. Mrs. Laura J. Knight thought that the Emerald Bay area reminded her of the Scandanavian countries she had visited in her travels, and designed the house according to that theme:

It was furnished inside and out with authentic furniture and what she couldn't get authentically, she replicated at great personal expense. It was her summer home for the last 15 years of her life. Flash photography wasn't allowed inside, but here's the best I could do:

I loved the clock on the right! The rug on the left was just me practicing close-ups with my camera.

The formal living room is to the left. I took a closer picture of the dragon hanging from the ceiling. Mrs. Knight used them purely for decoration, but during the days of the Vikings, they denoted areas that were "for men only." Women and children could only serve them from the perimeter of the room

The tour takes you through the house and then out into a courtyard where visitor's cars were once parked. Our very charming tour guide, Mrs. Helen Henry Smith was a frequent summer guest of Mrs. Knight's in her youth and wrote a small booklet about her experiences. She is holding the one she autographed for me in the photo. They were $5 with all proceeds going back to benefit Vikingsholm's restoration. I think I need to write one abour our museum...if only I had ever been a visitor there in the 1920's..

One of the questions they asked during the tour is "How did the guests arrive?" Helen explained that the long, steep, winding one mile path that leads from the house to the parking lot was once the driveway. Once the driveway? You mean...the way up to the parking lot where Em and I were meeting the others was a long, winding, extremely steep one mile climb? Uh oh...

After the tour, we found a picnic table and called Maria's cell. Mid-hike there wasn't any service, so we left her a message suggesting that maybe they should sit tight once they got to the car and that we should start following them. (We were about half an hour behind at this point.) Maria must have got the message quickly because within a few minutes she had texted us back and told us to sit tight. When the rest of the group first left, I had been a little disappointed at missing the chance to prove myself by hiking all the way back up the trail. After taking the nice house tour and sitting for about 20 minutes, I wasn't sure I had it in me anymore. And that was unfortunate...because before long we got another phone call from the rest of the group telling us that we could either hike a steep mile up to the other parking lot, or come back on the same 1.7 mile trail we followed to get there. I was worried about Em (Her heart condition remember? Not that the not-so-nice and not-so-cute lady park ranger cared when the rest of our party explained it to them at the trailhead) and since neither one of us really wanted to climb, we went with the 1.7 mile return plan instead. Most of it was a fairly pleasant journey. We took our time and I let Emily set the pace. She didn't go any slower than I would have. En route, I took a few more pictures:

And then...we got to the steep part at the end. I am so glad Emily was with me. Not only is she great company, but I needed a second voice for all the f-bombs that dropped every time we turned a corner and saw that the path continued to go UP (and up...and up). Maria and Stef must have been bored waiting the hour it took for us to catch up to them because they came back and talked us through the last 10-15 minutes of the climb. Meanwhile, the rest of our group were sitting in the car with the engine and the a/c running because, as Toni put it, "We've had an assload of outside today!" On the way out of the state park gate, we stopped and asked Mr. Cute Park Ranger (& Ms. Meanie-head just because she was in there with him) the best place to get a local burger. He recommended Izze's Burger Spa-so that's where we went. (We wondered why they call it that because the burger's don't seem to get any special treatment nor does the place offer mani-pedi's-but it's a memorable name, that's for sure!) I was good at got the junior burger instead of the 1/3 pounder, but I did get some fries. I had earned them!

(There is more to Day 4, but I think this post has gone on long enough. Part 2 will resume tomorrow IF my planned hike is rained out tomorrow. Toni, I think you created a monster...)

FRED 2008 Pt. 3

So...granola in the bed sheets, a broken hot tub, and cobwebs in many corners of the house=Toto, we aren't at Bright Star Ranch anymore. BUT, were we walking distance from Lake Tahoe there? No Ma'am. And such is the give and take rule of vacations. And FRED with cobwebs in the corners beats no FRED at all, right? Right! And so, Saturday morning had us thumbing through Lonna's coupon book again. This time, we went with a gondola ride up the side of a mountain. This was located in (where else?) Heavenly, California. I think it was about a 15-20 minute drive from where we were staying. We all got dressed and ready and loaded up the cars. It was on this trip that I rode with the Sacramento gals and fell in love with the Mazda CR-5 that they rented. Six seats for my family of 6, and it's NOT the size of a mini-bus. I want one! So does Emily! I'll bet she gets hers first. Not because she's more deserving, but because she acts on things like this more quickly. For example, one day we got an email from her in the HenHouse groups saying "My husband and I are thinking of adopting a baby girl from China." I may be off on the timeline, but I swear that 6 months later she and her mom were already back with baby Ellie. So the Mazda can't be too far off in her future either. Sadly, my Durango still runs and until it dies, a new car is not an option. (And even then, it will have to be used. I'm cheap like that.)

Anyway, we were in the Mazda dream car en route to Heavenly. Let me just say that Heavenly is a hopping place. It was very lively and tourist-y (for lack of a better word) and we spotted the gondolas going up-up-up almost immediately. We found an over-priced parking garage for convenience (is there really such a thing as cheap parking at big tourist spots?) and bought our ride tickets. If you've looked at my Flickr page recently, you will see that we were all temporarily distracted by Carmen Bearanda. What can I say? She was cute? After all kinds of cheesy pics with the bear statue, we decided it was time to get this show on the road, or I guess I should say up in the air. It was at this point that I realized that not everyone in our party was as comfortable with heights as I was (and they aren't my favorite) and that some of us were really stretching ourselves by getting on the ride.

Since I wasn't one of them, I hopped aboard happily and enjoyed the ride (though you do have to get one while the ride is moving which is one of those things that I don't like). I did think about certain other members in our party anytime the gondolas slowed or stopped briefly, but all in all it seemed like a quick pleasant journey to our first stop:

This was a little walk-around area with a see-through walkway (not very beloved by those of us who didn't like heights). You basically walked around a circle where you had the opportunity to purchase over-priced snack foods and beverages, take pictures of stunning views, and re-board the gondola to continue the trip upwards:

We spent the remainder of the ride up chatting and attempting to (ahem) communicate with each other from gondola to gondola. Who knew that there were security cameras in the gondolas? Not us, that's who? But the people at security said it sure looked like we were having fun. And that's all I've got to say about that. (Just think "Mom's gone wild!" and you're there-but I refuse to name names or go into details. I'm good that way.)

Once we got to the top of the mountain, we decided to regain our composure with a nice dignified (very breezy) lunch. There was a little cafe' at the top and the prices weren't outrageous considering that our choices up there were limited to their cafe' OR their burger stand. I had the fish tacos. I loved the fish tacos. In fact, I now scan the menu at every restaurant I visit looking for them hopefully now. (I had them again at the Iguana Mexican Grill last Friday-they were great. Being late to the show because the service was slow was no fun, but the tacos rocked!) So anyway...we all had some good food and some good chit chat. And the folks in the security camera booth must have warned the wait staff about us because we were seated about as far away from everyone else as we possibly could have been. (Also, we were a big party and that was the only table that could accommodate us, but the "look out for those gals" story is funnier.)

After we ate, some of us decided to take the short hiking trail up and back. It was marked "easy." It's good for me that I didn't try anything more difficult. Although, why is it that I'm always wearing Keds when it's time to go hiking? You would think I would know better by now. Apparently not. In my defense, I may have slid here and there, but I didn't fall on my butt even once the whole time-and this was a lot steeper than anything you can climb at Turner Falls. We walked up and around and up and around, and up and around some more. And just when we thought we were there...we still had a couple more twists and turns to go. All in all, I'd have to say it was worth the climb:

Once we were back on solid ground, we decided to get a reward at Cold Stone Creamery. I had blueberry muffin batter which was good enough to justify the purchase, but not so good that I had to eat the entire serving. And that's a good thing in my world. After that, we looked around the shops just a little, but could I find a copy of Breaking Dawn? Nope! Not a single one. Sigh. Oh well...there was sure to be one at the airport, right?

Before leaving Heavenly, we made a stop at the World's Slowest ATM machine. Seriously. The. Slowest. And that's when I learned about the demented Leprechaun's that work in the Chicago airport. (Forgot to ask which one, my bad.) Just like the OKC airport, this particular Chicago airport has the toilet seats where the plastic sheet that covers it will rotate when you press a button (so everyone gets a clean toilet seat, supposedly.) According to Toni and Janey, it's just one sheet that rotates behind the bathroom wall where a demented leprechaun who is probably smoking a cigarette MAY hit it with a squirt or 2 of 409 IF he feels like it before it rotates back out onto the toilet seat when someone hits the button again. (It's more of a funny visual, especially when Janey acts it out-but I tried here.) Apparently, those same leprechauns work in the Heavenly ATM machine. Em must have really ticked them off because they gave her one $100 bill instead of $20's. (In an aside, another advantage to the Salida, CO trip was that we had to visit ATM's far less because we didn't do as much that required money.)

We switched it up a little in the parking garage so that one car could take Jennifer S. to Mass. Over the years, I have watched a beautiful transformation in my friend Jennifer. She has gone from someone who is Catholic because her family is, to someone who is Catholic because she truly believes it herself. It's a change I've admired, but one I feared just a little when it came to Jennifer coming along with us to FRED even though I desperately wanted to meet her. Just as I had worried with Anne, I also worried that we would be too boisterous and rowdy for her. That she would be offended by our crudeness. Umm...hello?! She was the RINGLEADER in most of it. And yet, she is also the only one of us who managed to fit church into our otherwise 'Moms Gone Wild' FRED weekend. Truly, she is the granddaughter that Gran D always wanted-too bad she's stuck with me instead. I am SO glad she came along this year! Even if she did insist on clearing the counters and table top every chance she got.

With one car taking Jennifer to church, the other car headed for Safeway for dinner fixin's. On the menu was Janey's ravioli lasagna. We loved that stuff the year before, and many of us (myself included) made it for our families when we got home. Still, it was nice to see the recipe back in the hands of its creator. We kept our Safeway time pretty brief (still no Breaking Dawn), but I did manage to grab a postcard for my co-workers. I went to the little post office building to get one. It was closed, but I thought I could at least buy a stamp from the machine. Guess what?! I think I found the only little post office ever with NO STAMP MACHINE. Huh? There was a place on the wall where it used to be, but it was long gone. And that, my friends, is the kind of luck I have. A post office with no stamps-what were the odds?

The rest of the evening I remember a bit hazily, even though I coped with the Lake Tahoe altitude much better than the Salida altitude of the year before-7200 ft. v. 9500 ft. quite the difference, I guess. There was lots of good food, many more quotes written down, some YouTube fun ("make me fries") and more of Lonna's sex dip. Good times...Libby, please tell me you managed to see "White and Nerdy" when you got home. Stupid slow ("borrowed" from next door) Internet connection. I do know that we tried to be quiet at bed time because Jennifer S. had to leave in the morning. BUT, that didn't stop us from making as big a mess as we could on the counters once she was sleeping so that she could find it and be properly disgusted before she caught the shuttle back to Reno. Hee! (I love you too, Jennifer!)

If You're Using a Feed Reader, You Are Missing Out!

Make no mistake, I love my Google Reader too. But, just for today click through and see my new look, courtesy of Alexis at Indelible Creations! For more examples of Alexis' web designs, click on the button to the left. (You won't be sorry! I know I'm not!) I've wanted to personalize this blog in a meaningful way for quite some time and I've tried it myself on one or two occasions. But, I'm just not that good and as a working mom of four, I've got no time right now to practice and get better at it. So, those who can't do for themselves must pay other, more talented people to do for them. I can't afford a housekeeper, but I could afford a blog re-design and I couldn't be happier with the end result. In the interest of giving credit where it is due, Alexis is the star of the re-design, but the beautiful header at the top came from the lovely Kelly Gibbons, a talented photographer and fellow FREDDIE. Not only is that picture exactly what I had in mind when I envisioned a more personalized look here, but it was taken at last year's FRED in Colorado. It doesn't get more personalized than that. Thanks to both of you for giving my blog such a beautiful space to call home.

FRED 2008: Part 2

I had every intention of sleeping in as late as possible. Unfortunately, I forgot to tell that to the alarm on my cell phone which went off at 6:30 a.m. Oklahoma time. It was in my purse on the dresser on one side of the room, I was on the top bunk of a double bunk bed room on the other side and it was 4:30 a.m. in Lake Tahoe. Big apologies to Anne and Jennifer S. for that fun. (And Tee, aren't you glad you didn't move in 'till later.) I managed to get off the top bunk without major injury, turn the phone off, and lay back down; but I never managed to get fully back to sleep after that. Not for lack of trying on MY part, I assure you.

Eventually, I gave up and went back upstairs. I wasn't the only still functioning on my time zone, because I wasn't the first one up. It's funny, even before my church days I had no interest in drinking coffee; but I love to smell it first thing in the morning. I always have. So it was nice to have a pot brewing in the background as we chatted, checked our email (those of us with laptops), and got a bit more reacquainted. As you may have read on this year's quote list, Lonna brought a Reno area coupon book with her and was determined to get some good use from it. After some phone calls and a little planning, a good-sized group of us decided to take an afternoon paddle boat lunch cruise on the lake. While Bright Star Ranch was far superior as far as lodgings go (the comparisons are coming, just wait), we were a little isolated out there and trips into Salida required planning and mobilization. Here, all we had to do was walk down a hill to find restaurants, a boat dock, and miles of swimming beaches. It was an OK trade-off, at least on this morning.

One of the immediate deficiencies in this year's rental was towels. We were a party of 12 and we could only find about 6 in the three bathrooms. Ugh! Those of us fortunate enough to find towels (and I wasn't one of 'em) began to shower. The rest of us alternately hunted and griped about the shortage. I believe this was when we coined one of the week's bigger catchphrases: "Well, last year at Bright Star Ranch..." and by the end of the weekend you would have believed Bright Star Ranch in CO was nothing short of paradise (and it was). Eventually, Maria (often the brains behind our actions over the course of the weekend) thought to look in the laundry room and found many more towels in the dryer. I helped her fold them into a huge pile which we stacked on the back corner of one of the couches (and I do use that term loosely) where they were easily spotted one the way down to the basement bedrooms or as you passed down the hall to the rooms on the main floor. Another quote o' the week emerged as Toni walked up the stairs, passed the huge stack of towels, and asked "Did we ever find anymore towels?" Lonna took a great picture of her reaction when we showed her that, indeed, we had and they were under her elbow. I posted it the day it happened here.

Now that everyone had towels, pretty much everyone just had to shower. By the time I was cleaned up and ready to go, everyone else was leaving for the boat dock. Is it a surprise to any of my friends that I was the last one out the door? I thought not. Still, we got there in plenty of time to pay and wait to board. Up on the top deck, seating was at a premium. We scrambled to save seats, but it turned out that there was never a time when we all wanted to be seated at once. There were pictures to take, people to visit with, and the not-worth-$12-but-we-paid-so-let's-eat-it-anyway lunch buffet. (I'm told the pecan pie bars were good, though.) During the cruise, we listened to a "tour" by a canned narrator. I'll admit it didn't hold my attention. We also met a pair of friends who were Vietnam vets and lost touch in the late 60's only to be reunited in 1991. They had tried to meet up every year since then. When they asked us how we met, our "umm...mostly the Internet" answers seemed kind of silly. At least to me. (Couldn't ask for a better group of friends, though.) An even more amazing story was how one of them met his wife who was along for the boat ride, as well as their children and grandchildren. Apparently, the wife was looking to write a GI, got his name, and he never answered her letter. She asked for another name, got his again, and sent another letter with a picture this time. Her future husband wasn't sure starting anything while he was overseas and serving in hazardous duty area was a good idea, but that same friend with whom he would later be reunited saw the picture and told his buddy that he had better write that girl. He did and they met up when he got home some 30-plus years earlier and they had been married for most of the time since then. Chatting with all of them was a neat way to spend that afternoon.

Our paddle boat sailed around Fanette island on Emerald Bay and I remember wishing I could hike through there for a closer look at Vikingsholm (a historic house on the bay) and its neighboring island Tea House both constructed by a Mrs. L.J. Knight (according to the boat's recorded tour). And the moral to that story would be "be careful what you wish for," but we will get to that in Part Four. Eventually, our cruise ended and after a rather dangerous street-crossing incident (seriously, do not jay walk in Zephyr's Cove-they do NOT like it), we were back up our hill and into our rental house.

In a fit of haste or forgetfulness back home, I had forgotten the very cute bathing suit I picked out for the trip. Fortunately, Jennifer S. brought two and the one she let me borrow was even cuter. (I was pretty impressed with all our swim wear this trip, cute suits without any of us trying to look too young or too old.) Thanks Jennifer! Once we were changed, Maria, Jennifer, Anne, and I walked back down the hill to the beach. The sand was HOT and the water was COLD. Ultimately, I found my biggest enjoyment laying on one of the blankets finishing Eclipse. All around me there were fans gearing up for midnight Breaking Dawn release parties, but I was happy where I was surrounded by friends, a beautiful beach, deep blue water, and a beach umbrella Jen B. was smart enough to pack in her car (and a nice man who was good enough to stick it into the ground for us two of the times it blew over). I'm not sure how long we stayed like that, but it made for a very pleasant afternoon. (Note that I did not mention how inferior all the college gals in bikinis made me feel, that's because I was trying to enjoy the day and NOT let that happen. You're only 20 once, I guess-and even at 20, I didn't look like that; so why worry? Also, I was wearing a very cute bathing suit. I should buy another one myself-it helps.)

Eventually, we knew the rest of the group would be making dinner plans; so back up the hill we trudged went. It was decided that we would walk back to the local restaurant (Right there with the beach and boat dock-whatever this rental lacked in amenities, it really did make up for with location!) I think we were all a little bummed that the rental's hot tub we were so looking forward to was empty and unplugged with a lot of wires sticking out of the back of it when we arrived, taunting us with our inability to use it. Dining out would make that lack less noticeable. The wine, Margarita's, and beer (and water with lemon, if you're me or Anne) were free-flowing that night. Toni invited our cute waitress to come back home with us, giving us the beloved "Now, you are creepy!" line-though our accents aren't nearly as cute as hers was. With or without alcohol, we were all feeling a little boisterous, so I'm not sure why they decided to seat a group of several women and children just next to us. We were a little dismayed by it (we were trying to have 'Moms Gone Wild' thank-you-very-much), but not as dismayed as the moms were when the human anatomy terms started flying at our table. (That's what you get for sitting by us, Ladies...) Of course, the moms had annoyed me from the get-go by telling the waitress to seat all of them at one end of the table and all the kids at the other. I understand the desire, Gals; but my sisters and I have seen some pretty disastrous results when we have attempted that in the past-so I was just as glad to get our checks and leave before that table became the "rowdy" one. (As an aside to FREDDIES who missed this year, Toni and Maria went back to ask Gabrielle for some limes to take home and she pulled them out of her apron! Thought you might laugh at that!)

We went back to the house and tried to play the question game. To facilitate things, Toni purchased a 'Question book' and brought it with her. The book was a little fixated on celebrities:

1. What celebrities' underwear would you like to be and why? (Hence, the Johnny Depp quote)
2. What celebrities' body part do you want to be and why? (Couldn't even THINK of an answer for that one.)

Of course, this prompted a repeat of last year's celebrity threesome question. I didn't have an answer last year, even though it was right under my nose: Starbuck and Apollo, of course. I also remember Mulder and Scully as answers, as well as the ever-popular Brad and Angelina. Does anyone else remember names that I'm forgetting? I was just excited to have an answer this year. We also listened to Toni's suggestion that we end FRED with another New Age-y ritual. We all loved the idea, but the end of FRED seemed so far away on a Friday. In addition to the question book, we were also introduced to Lonna's "sex dip" that night. (Though I would call it "better than sex" dip myself.) It involved marshmallow creme, strawberry cream cheese, and mini chocolate chips. 'Nuff said. Good stuff.

The only other thing I remember before falling asleep that night was that I pulled back my covers that night with the lights on and feeling a lot less tired than I had been the night before. As it turned out, my bed sheets were full of granola bar crumbs. And I hadn't eaten even one since my arrival. Lovely. That's NOT what I mean when I say I want to try and get back in touch with nature. "Last year at Bright Star Ranch..." there was NEVER food in the sheets before we even got there.

FRED 2008, Part One

I'm not sure if it was having to drag myself out of bed at 4 a.m. or because all kinds of personal and professional deadlines were looming, or because I was feuding with Dave; but I wasn't all that enthusiastic to get on my plane that Thursday morning. Knowing myself, I'd say it was definitely the 4 a.m. wake-up call and the Dave spat from the night before which basically boiled down to the fact that I'm really tired of him refusing to work with me or help me around the house because sometimes I "use the wrong tone of voice" or I don't "ask the right way." I mean, how old are we? So, I was grumpy when I got to the airport, but cheered up slightly when I saw the line at Southwest was short (a rarity) AND that everyone else in the airport was waiting at the security check point in the middle of the airport when the one just to the left of the Southwest counter was also open and had about three people using it. I may have had to walk a few more steps to my gate, but I guarantee I waited a lot less. I'm always happy when I find a good bargain or a short-cut so my mood picked up considerably.



I was a little annoyed that the airport's free wireless wasn't working well. Lately there has been one IP address from the Blanchard/Newcastle area that has shown up often on both my statcounter and my friend Deborah's MySpace page. There have been some pretty specific searches by this person in my archives and both of us are a little nervous about the whole thing. The night before, I had posted a list of hilarious (but mostly inappropriate) quotes from FRED '07 and was suddenly wondering if I should have with some blog-stalker (likely from church) poking around and possibly looking for something to hold against me or Deborah or both of us. I know that sounds a little paranoid, but our thinking is that if it were a friend of ours; they would tell us they were reading. And neither of us have been approached by anyone. One leader in particular is not a big fan of either one of us, so we are both trying to be careful about what we say and post. Just in case. (Which is why several things have been saved as a draft in my archives rather than a post in the past few weeks. It's all still there, but only I can read it. As in any church setting, there are those who you just can't trust to take things in the right context.)

Anyway, I was going to take that post down, but couldn't before they called for boarding. I'm not sure how I feel about boarding by letter AND number (weren't A, B, and C groups enough?), but since I was in the A 1-30 or a 31-60 groups for each flight; I already had the advantage anyway.



Thinking I would sleep, I chose window seats for both legs of the flight. Not that I slept anyway. I was too engrossed in Eclipse. It's good that I had a good book though, because I am suddenly bored with about 75% of the music on my iPod. Also, the magazines in my seat for both legs of the flight already had completed crosswords. No fun. I sat with husband and wife teams for both flights as well. The first couple were retired and the wife was an even bigger mother hen than I am. She passed me all my cups and snacks as if I were 7 years old and not once did I have to throw away my own trash. She was very sweet and I felt a little guilty letting her take care of me, but she was pretty insistent and I was pretty worn out so I rolled with it. My second seat mate took out a disinfectant wipe as soon as she took her seat and proceeded to scrub the armrests and tray table. I remember thinking "Oh great, someone with OCD for my flying entertainment," but her quirks seemed to begin and end there and she and her husband were pleasant company for the remainder of the flight.



During my layover in Phoenix, I stared longingly at the mountains out the window, found my gate with ease (having flown in and out of Phoenix twice as often as I did in and out of Tucson when I lived there) and did some of my 'if only' sighing before remembering that I would actually see Anne on this trip. I guess Arizona will always feel like home to me even though it never really was. I also managed to pull down my post while waiting to board my flight. I am not ashamed of anything that came out of any of our mouths, but I refuse to let some self-righteous hypocrite take one of the best weekends of my life and use it against me. (If that is, indeed, the kind of person that is so fascinated by everything Deborah and I are writing these days.)



I arrived in Reno 15 minutes early and discovered pleasantly that those waiting to meet you can still come upstairs because Tee found me right away and we got caught up as we headed to the baggage claim. I was the first to arrive, and we decided to drive around a bit and see Reno since the next round of arrivals were coming between Noon and 1:30 and it was barely after 10:00 a.m. (though already noon back in Oklahoma). I took a driving tour of downtown Reno and a walk around a duck pond. I marveled at the electronic lock on what Tee's family has dubbed the 'Star Trek' bathroom (automated locks, sinks, toilets, and hand dryers), why yes-I am easily impressed. Why do you ask?



Soon, it was time for more airport fun. I got really familiar with the Reno airport and could probably still draw a pretty accurate diagram of it today. (One, because I remember things for an annoyingly long time, and two; because it wasn't very big to start with.) At noon we were expecting the Chicago gals: Toni and Janey who were there last year, and Lonna and Jennifer S. who were finally joining us this year! As we waited for them to come out, we jokingly said they would be in the midst of whatever group of other passengers were all holding their ears and massaging their temples (from the noise on the plane). We weren't far from wrong as I understand it (though I still think the people who had to fly from OKC to LAX with Chris, Lanie, Wendy, Vickie, Kay, Melissa and I have also earned a special place in heaven). It was SO GOOD to see everyone, in particular Jennifer S. who I have known since Natalie was a baby, and feared would never talk herself into coming on one of those trips. It was a little surreal to see her, but a lot less surreal than last year. It was also exciting to meet Lonna of the beautiful pictures and status as Toni's former doula fame. We heard about her before she ever joined any of our mom lists. (All good, Lonna, I promise. We were discussing the pro's of doula-assisted births and you got pretty high marks from Toni.) Four more arrivals, two more to go...

We walked over with them to get their bags, the rental car, and went to the garage to help them load up. The original plan was to have them follow us to a local Greek restaurant (we have been lucky the past two years to have held FRED someplace where Tee lives and knows where to eat), but we soon realized that we were cutting Libby and Anne's arrivals too close. So, we sent the other ladies ahead with directions (and took a picture of Tee writing them out in the "little notebook", of course) and went back inside to meet Anne and Libby. Since they came from different gates, I went to the side where Anne would exit and Tee went to find Libby. I was really worried that Anne would walk right by me when a plane full of boys in their Navy white dress uniforms walked by me. (Reno must be a military hub because there was and abundance of crew cuts, camo, and Navy whites everywhere you looked-my version of heaven.) Fortunately, she was a few paces behind them and I spotted her immediately. Libby (my roomie from last year) and Tee were already at the baggage claim when we arrived and soon we were off to meet everyone else for lunch.

I immediately regretted leaving my backpack and camera in the car as soon as we walked into the restaurant and saw the life-sized pirate statue. I missed out on that fun, but Toni, Janey, and Lonna didn't! I definitely did NOT miss out on some good food, though! We had one good Greek restaurant in Norman and I think it closed down years ago. (I'd have to drive to campus to be sure, though very little is still there from my high school days which is when Susan R. and I drove over for gyros at least once a week-Wow! that dates it, doesn't it?) Anyway, it had been awhile since I'd had Greek food and it was worth the wait. Yum! The restaurant was in a shopping center area, so we decided to get some groceries too. I swear every cashier there had a great sense of humor. Anne and I would have stayed another half hour talking to ours easily had we not had friends already waiting for us up the mountain at Zephyr's Knoll. (Or was it "cove," I never could keep that straight.) To my amusement, they did initially send Anne and I back in to buy the margarita ingredients until I said umm..."Tequila...that's Cuervo right? And umm...we need salt?" That's when Jennifer S. thankfully joined us. You see, I quit drinking at the point in my life when most people start and anything I had consumed during the early years had been those things we could get our hands on cheaply and easily. I'm familiar with beer kegs, wine coolers, Mad Dog and 7-Up, and red trash can punch. Anything more sophisticated than that is beyond my expertise. (And most of that would, no doubt, make me very sick if I were to consume it now.)

So, with the vehicles full of groceries, liquor, and good friends; we started to climb the mountain. It was an uneventful drive for me, but I guess I'm more OK with heights than others. Also, I didn't have to drive which I'm sure made a huge difference. AND I was completely distracted by the beautiful view of the blue lake we were winding up and around. Just gorgeous. Tee told us there was gold dust in it, so it was not only beautiful, but also magical. Then again, FRED is always magical so it shouldn't have been that big a surprise. I'm thinking it took just over an hour to arrive at our house, but I could be wrong. I was enjoying the drive and the company and it seemed to go quickly for me. Once we got there, we were greeted by Maria, Emily, Stef, who had flown to Sacramento and driven in that way, and by Jennifer B. who lived in Oregon and also drove in herself. (And brought 'everything we would ever need' in her car. Literally. She rocks!) Maria was another newbie this year, even though I've also known her since Natalie was a baby and Jen B. was a friend of Tee's who I now cannot imagine hasn't always been part of the group. Stef was there to give me a quiet hug and Em's was a little more exuberant. Her birthday had been the day before, and she was celebrating! It was so good to see her! (And everyone else too!)

The rest of the evening was spent eating snacks, getting caught up, figuring out sleeping arrangement, and the usual obligatory flashing that happens whenever you get us gals together. I had been mildly worried about how my good friend Anne would find the rest of us. I had wanted her to come since my second day at FRED last year, but I am usually a half-step more subdued in her presence than I am at FRED. She reminded me that this is likely because her Mom is usually around too. I think this is true. Regardless, I was worried for nothing. She fit right in and seemed not to be frightened by me at FRED as opposed to me as a wife, mom, and house guest surrounded by her mom, siblings, and sisters-in-law. I was very glad she was there and very glad we were finally together!

(If I'm forgetting anything from Day One, fellow Freddies, be sure to fill it in for me. I was up early and in bed late and I'm getting too old to remember everything anymore.)

Week In Review

Reading-

Grace Eventually, by Anne Lamott-

The Reno airport didn't have Breaking Dawn, but it did have this one on its half-price bookshelf. It was wonderfully calming during the turbulent take-off and landing from Reno to Las Vegas. I read about half of her essays and really enjoyed them. I still have the other half to read because once we landed in Vegas I found...

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer-

I anticipated this one all summer. I even re-read Eclipse on the way to Lake Tahoe in preparation. I started it during the Las Vegas layover and finished it the following Sunday. My first thoughts on the book were that they crammed too much information and too many new characters all into one book and that it would have been better had she split it into at least two books. I was overwhelmed by all the plot twists and different people. I think I was also disappointed by one of those twists so much during my first reading that it effected my opinion of the rest of the book. Once I reconciled that particular element of the story, I re-read the book and liked it much better the second time. My favorite is still a toss-up between Twilight and Eclipse, but this did provide a satisfying ending to the series. (Still don't like that one name, though.) I have more to say, but I think I will wait until more of my friends have had a chance to read the book.

On Broadway-

Urinetown-

I saw the last show in the Lyric theatre series. Like everyone else, I questioned the title and the content. And like everyone else, I enjoyed the show. I think it may be the first really dark musical that I've ever seen (unless you count Phantom, and I don't), and I was really impressed with it. Apparently, my subconscious was too because if I'm not dreaming about vampires, I'm dreaming about water shortages this week. As we said walking out of the theatre, "a musical with a serious moral-who knew there was such a thing?" (And that inspired a very fun conversation about the 'moral' of the other musicals we've seen this summer. Fun stuff!) Overall, it was a good show with a lot of funny spoofs and a pretty valid message about our resources. Two thumbs up!

Randomness

I don't really feel like starting my trip report tonight. I think that's maybe a 'next week' project. After a very hectic summer which is coming too a close all too quickly, I pretty much gave myself t he day 'off' today. I didn't do much but sit around and think until an empty fridge and cabinets drove me to go grocery shopping, where I walked around the store thinking (and making sure I checked my list from time to time). I didn't come up with much of importance today, but here are some of the things I tossed around in my head:

• Bernie Mac, you were supposed to be "on the mend"! It was too soon!
• I think I would have liked Breaking Dawn better as a teenager than I did as a mom
• How really, desperately important was it for all of us to know about John Edwards affair of 2 years ago?! Could we not leave him and his family in peace for however much time his wife has left?!
• Having said that, I cringed for him as I read a lot of his quotes on marital fidelty though many of them pre-dated his affair. All I could think was "Oh my! You have to be SO careful when everything that comes out of your mouth is a moral absolute. That's just asking for trouble." I also think that we unfairly demand these kind of statements from our public officials when they are just as human as we are. Still, I'm not sure I could ever vote for him after this, so now who's the hypocrite?
• Al Gore, if you ever did anything wrong, now is NOT the time to share that with the rest of us. I still need to believe in someone, after all.
• If you had told me in the year 2000 that I would ever place Al Gore in the "someone I believe in" catagory, I would not have believed it. I was pretty sure he was an android back then.
• There are a lot of things I wouldn't have believed then that are true now.
• Getting older has opened my mind a lot. Watch out, because I'm told by the time I'm 40 it will open my mouth too-and I've been quiet for a really long time.
• I don't feel sorry for my husband. Any male reader of this blog would have good reason to, but he knew what he was getting into when we got married. Granted, he thought he could "change all of that," but I knew he couldn't and told him so.
• I still tell him so.
• But I still don't feel sorry for him.
• Am I going to manage to see Mamma Mia! before the end of the summer?
• Or the X-Files movie, or Dark Knight, or any of the other 'must sees' on my list?
• Do I really and truly look "too young and too thin" to have had four kids? The grocery store checker told me that and I hear it from a lot of other people too, but I look in the mirror and I just don't believe them.

Still Here

I had this crazy idea that I would do the first installment of my newest trip report this afternoon between the time I got home from work and when I turned around and left for The City to go see the last Lyric theatre play of the summer season. Turns out that it was a crazy idea and that it's not going to happen. So, I'm off to have fun with my friends and I will start writing the travelogue tomorrow. I'm sure you are all waiting with baited breath...

Speaking of breath...I finished Breaking Dawn last Sunday! I've got lots to say about that, but no desire to give away any spoilers. So, I won't.

You Knew It Was Only a Matter of Time Before I Posted These...

I give you "The Best of FRED Quotes" 2008:


"I guaranteed my seat in hell on the plane today."--Toni
"I think we did that a long time ago." --Melessa

"Gonna get your drinkin' pants on?" --Jennifer S. to Janey after Janey said she couldn't wait to get to the house, change her clothes and start drinking

::Emily flashes Toni::
"Fred can begin!"

"Clap for your pillows."
"Those aren't pillows!" --Janey

::baritone, monotone voice:: "Bye, Mom. I love you. I'll miss you." --Emily, imitating her son at the waving stump at his school

"If the Simpsons did a skit about Waldorf schools, the 'waving stump' would totally be in it." --Toni

"It's like a reunion of the Witness Relocation Program." --Jennifer B., trying to take our photos as everyone covered their faces

"Thanks, Parking Fairy!" --Toni in response to the man who randomly appeared with instructions on where to park at the kitchen window instead of the front door while we were mid-conversation

"Get out of our weekend!" --Janey, to the Parking Fairy

"We need dioramas, damnit!" --Libby (missing the clay figure miners from the South Park museum last year)

"I like you, do you want to share a dime bag?" --Lonna's husband courting her in middle school

"Ring of Fire--Is that a gay thing?" --Jennifer S.

"Designated Mormon." -Jennifer S.

"I can't believe I'm gonna say this, but I think you crossed a line." --Janey in response to Toni inviting her to inhale her musk

"CHEEP!"

"Johnny Depp? You know he doesn't wipe. He tries the bidet and moves on." --Jennifer S. on why nobody should want to be Johnny's underwear

"NOW you are creepy!" --The adorable waitress Gabrielle at the restaurant across from the house after Toni invited her back to hang with us

"And then there were 10." --Toni, about Jennifer and Maria getting run over on their early morning walk

"When pine cones attack." --said after a HUGE pine cone with SPINES on it fell from a tree and hit Jennifer B. in the boob

"I'm such a tampon snob." --Anne

"Soft Taco Express!" --Toni (mis-hearing "South Tahoe Express")

"Although he is getting tired of me dropping my drawers in the living room." --Jennifer B. on rooming with her dad while her apartment is renovated

"That's because I'm afraid of tornadoes." --Janey
"You're afraid of toenails?" --Maria

"Make me fries." --from the Pearl Jam misheard lyrics video on YouTube

"SAME SHIT, DIFFERENT DUDE!" --Libby (On why we stay with the annoying men in our lives rather than looking for someone else)

"Love me, love my Sasquatch." --Toni on her refusal to wax her Bermuda Triangle

"Make your own butthole." --Toni's recap of Janey carving a butt-shaped dent in the sand

"Grand Theft Towel." --Some of us may have told Emily she could use beach towels that didn't quite belong to us

"Bare boobs are private, Lonna." --Toni

"I can't wait to get home and get these underwear off!" --post-hike Stef

"I'm six shades of gross right now." --post-hike Emily

"Scratch 'n sniff Jeffrey!" --Toni, on the vanilla scent of the bark of the Jeffrey pine tree

"We've had an assload of outside." --post-hike Toni

"Cheeseburger! 25! 25! Cheeseburger!" --Toni, trying to stay in her happy place while reminding us all of the speed limit as Emily drove down the winding road from Emerald Bay State Park back towards Izze's Burger Spa after a much-longer-than-anticipated morning hike

"This 'couch' belongs in quotes." --Toni (on the questionable definition of the rental house couch as furniture)

"I'm interested in getting into more natural things, but NOT granola in the sheets." --Melessa (on the cleanliness of our rental house)

"Great Western Tampon Snake." --Toni, after hearing Emily describe the snake she saw on the hiking trail as about the width of a tampon

"Get your OWN lawyer, son!" --Toni about teens turning 18

"Note to self: Don't buy reconditioned DVRs from Comcast." --Melessa, after hearing Jennifer B. recount how her cat threw up on one and they took it back

"I was going to do interpretive dance {to accompany reading the quotes in the notebook} but it would've been all obscene gestures." --Libby

"We all met on the Internet, we ARE nerds." --Melessa (after she and Libby were dubbed "museum nerds")

Coming Back Down the Mountain

I've always suffered from just a bit of post-vacation depression and today is no different. I walked in my front door after midnight tonight only to be greeted by a huge stack of dirty dishes (the ones at the bottom were there the morning I left) and overflowing laundry baskets all over the dining room table. I would have cried, but I sort of expected it. Dave went to bed immediately once he sensed my unhappiness with the situation which is perfectly in keeping with his "ignore it 'till it goes away" theory of marriage and that was a reaction that I also expected. So, I think I'm going to write up some notes about FRED so I don't forget things and then take some time offline to get my house in order before school starts. Yes, I am overwhelmed by the mess and upset at the lack of support I get from anyone else around this house when it comes to cleaning it. But I also have to face the fact that if I don't take care of it, no one else will and I can't live like this.

Don't feel sorry for me. I had a great time at FRED. I've waded in Lake Tahoe, hiked at Emerald Bay and I have some of the best friends in the world both online AND in person. I feel their love and support even when they aren't with me and because of them, I can get through this and anything else life throws at me. It will all be OK, I just don't feel like dwelling on it which means I don't feel like writing about it. I'll be back when I can write about fun travelogues and other happier subjects.

Time To Go Home

This has been an awesome weekend! It included the requisite amount of giggling, inappropriate (but very enjoyable) conversations, and also quite a bit more physical activity than we managed in Salida last year. (We think it's the lower altitude, though we're still pretty high up here.) Among these activities were wading and swimming in the lake, a four mile hike today, and several shorter daily walks. I'm especially proud of surviving that one because it was not the "gentle incline" that the cute little park ranger told us it was AND because I haven't really hiked like that since I went on a Camp Fire girl trip to Colorado in 1985. Yay me!

I've got more pics, great quotes, and (of course) another travelogue to write; but for now I have to pack up, clean up, and catch a plane in the morning. See you all on the other side...

FRED Pics

FRED...The Adventure Continues

Well folks, here we are at Lake Tahoe. Everyone's flights were uneventful. I'm coping much better with the altitude this year, and I have never seen more blue, clear, and beautiful water in my life. We've already filled three pages of Toni's little notebook (it's blue this year instead of green) and life is good. I could go into a blow by blow description of our adventures, but I'd rather enjoy them right now and talk about them once I'm home.

Quote of the day:

"Did we ever find anymore towels?"
~Toni (standing next to a huge pile of folded towels)