A few sister-ly activities.....
Roller skating on Saturdays
Riding our bikes or walking to 'the' mall...Lake Air...even with our hair in curlers. Stopping in Walgreens grill for green jello, shopping for Dad's birthday and finding 'amethyst' cufflinks that fit nicely into our budget...for $5!!
Embroidering or having Mom sew patches on our chambray shirts to wear with our bell-bottom jeans...
Going to church camp...staying in cabin #4...coming home to a freshly painted yellow bedroom with orange trim..including our initial hanging over our bed and a huge bulletin board that covered most of one wall...
Sharing a bedroom....just about all the time
Taking our baby sister Amy for a walk....and (allegedly) making her cry so we could go back in the house. (we were so mean!)
Going to Lion's Park...and getting a burger from "Sandy's"....
Sharing our Datson 4-door car...with Grandpa's gas card we could use once a week to fill up for $5...
Fighting....with nail digging, pinching, hair pulling and all!! Yeow! Think I still have bruises...as the other 3 might have as well...
Cleaning the bathrooms...the first and the second...till they met with Mom's approval....
Making sugar cookies on Sunday afternoon....most of which were gone by that evening
Shopping....shopping....and shopping
Friday, August 31, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
Birthday for Baby Girl
Today is my sweet daughter's 22nd birthday. Yesterday I told her about the 'pains' she caused me at 3:30AM...followed by her birth at 7:30. Actually the pains are remembered the least...the joy is what I remember most!! Seems like just a couple of years ago she was joining the family as the first grand-daughter on her dad's side. What a nice young lady she has grown up to be, although she'll always be my 'baby girl'.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Work has been so frustrating lately...but nothing like getting thrown into the fire....a good way to learn how to continue to multi-task. My problem is I like to tackle problems right away and hopefully solve them, not talk them to death. I know my way is not always the right way, and I am open to constructive criticism. Just don't leave out details when showing me how to do something then complain when it is not done totally correct. I have enjoyed meeting alot of new people who - for the most part - have been pleasant. The occasional mean-spirited-I'm-better-than-you-type can sometimes be the only opportunity to 'kill 'em with kindness'.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
More about Ryan...
Ryan is my baby boy...all 17 1/2 years of age. He was a sweet baby...and now a sweet young man. He has been through alot, but has come out a winner. When he was in day care, his teachers loved him - but I found out later that they called him 'alien baby' because his little ears stuck out!! How cruel for a mom to hear that. I knew better though, he was heaven-sent, not from another planet!!
Ryan's middle name - Taylor - also belonged to my paternal grandmother's relatives, and I understand they had something to do with making Taylor Whiskey back in the day. Ryan means "little king" and he was the ruler at our house in his younger days, and of course, likes to still think so today.
Ryan has been a source of comfort for me. I was not a popular mom when telling the kids that divorce was eminent - they were so angry and cried. I remember Ryan saying he wanted "to cuss" he was so mad. I said OK, then he shouted "s*!#". When he gets upset or excited, he has trouble getting the words out - not stuttering according to the speech therapist - but a 'flow' problem. He knows what he wants to say, but has difficulty letting it 'flow'. Usually when he's having a hard time I'll tell him to 'calm down' and think about what he wants to say, then he does better.
When Ryan was in kindergarten, I got a call from the school principal. I was working at Sears and just picked up the call when I was paged in the middle of the home fashions department. The principal explained that Ryan and his friend Cameron were in the office for having a 'cussing match'. He put Ryan on the phone and of course I asked - "what did you say?" He answered me with that little lisp - "thit". I about laughed until I cried. He and the principal became the best of friends.
Ryan and Lindsey are best friends. They played well together...most of the time. He looked up to her quite a bit - and still does. Lindsey - ever the little mother - enjoyed her role of big sissy to her 'bubba'.
Ryan likes to make people laugh - especially Lindsey and me. We put up with his act because we like to laugh. Ryan and his friends can be go goofy - but they are good kids. Their parents love Ryan as if he was one of their own - and from what I understand - he is just as goofy with them as he is at home. I have heard stories of how Jordan's mom makes sure Ryan takes off his shoes and socks OUTSIDE...because coming inside with those stinkers would be deathly. She also has a towel for him and encourages him to take a shower or at least wash his feet. Sometimes a kid can listen so much more to a different mom.
I always tried to come up with different costumes for Halloween...but the kids did not like it one year....Ryan went as a bag of jelly beans ( a dry cleaning bag, folded in half and stuffed with balloons ) and Lindsey went as a sunflower...with seeds drawn all over her face. They still talk about that. Several folks had to ask Ryan what he was and Lindsey looked like the saddest flower on the planet.
In middle school, Ryan had a music class where he played the guitar. I got to see him do it a couple of times, and he enjoyed it very much. He has also enjoyed the idea of playing golf, riding his bike, skateboarding and lifting weights. He is into cars and of course, his cell phone - and text messaging has cost him some money! High school brought the ROTC and he is one handsome cadet. He moved up through the ranks in the short time he was there, and looks especially nice in his dress blues. The short haircut looks very sharp - and much to the joy of his grandparents - he has to keep it trimmed.
Ryan started working part time at 16 and his boss says he's one of his best workers. I'd like to think that he got his work ethic from me, but I am sure his Dad had something to do with it. Ryan likes to spend his money...and enjoys buying things for other people. Although his hat collection has grown, he has made some sensible purchases of school clothes and 'what not'. I have found I cannot take him shopping or make any suggestions as to what he should wear...but iIndsey and Joe have no trouble with that.
I just bought a car from Ryan's friend Shelton - a 98 Honda Accord. Ryan is so excited - and now really wants to get his driver license. He was saving me money by holding off getting his license - and I appreciate it. I bought it now because I thought it would be good for Ryan and something to work for. He wants to pay for his car and his insurance - though his eyes got big when I showed him the amount due for insurance - he thought it was for a month when it was really for 6 - but - thats the amount without him as a driver! Yipes!
Although he doesn't have a girlfriend at the time - I think - he has had one previously and Lindsey bugged the stuff out of him. So, maybe he really does have a girlfriend and won't say so. I am in no rush for that to happen - but hope when it does - he'll ask me for advice and bring her to the house. He probably won't, but I can hope.
Ryan's middle name - Taylor - also belonged to my paternal grandmother's relatives, and I understand they had something to do with making Taylor Whiskey back in the day. Ryan means "little king" and he was the ruler at our house in his younger days, and of course, likes to still think so today.
Ryan has been a source of comfort for me. I was not a popular mom when telling the kids that divorce was eminent - they were so angry and cried. I remember Ryan saying he wanted "to cuss" he was so mad. I said OK, then he shouted "s*!#". When he gets upset or excited, he has trouble getting the words out - not stuttering according to the speech therapist - but a 'flow' problem. He knows what he wants to say, but has difficulty letting it 'flow'. Usually when he's having a hard time I'll tell him to 'calm down' and think about what he wants to say, then he does better.
When Ryan was in kindergarten, I got a call from the school principal. I was working at Sears and just picked up the call when I was paged in the middle of the home fashions department. The principal explained that Ryan and his friend Cameron were in the office for having a 'cussing match'. He put Ryan on the phone and of course I asked - "what did you say?" He answered me with that little lisp - "thit". I about laughed until I cried. He and the principal became the best of friends.
Ryan and Lindsey are best friends. They played well together...most of the time. He looked up to her quite a bit - and still does. Lindsey - ever the little mother - enjoyed her role of big sissy to her 'bubba'.
Ryan likes to make people laugh - especially Lindsey and me. We put up with his act because we like to laugh. Ryan and his friends can be go goofy - but they are good kids. Their parents love Ryan as if he was one of their own - and from what I understand - he is just as goofy with them as he is at home. I have heard stories of how Jordan's mom makes sure Ryan takes off his shoes and socks OUTSIDE...because coming inside with those stinkers would be deathly. She also has a towel for him and encourages him to take a shower or at least wash his feet. Sometimes a kid can listen so much more to a different mom.
I always tried to come up with different costumes for Halloween...but the kids did not like it one year....Ryan went as a bag of jelly beans ( a dry cleaning bag, folded in half and stuffed with balloons ) and Lindsey went as a sunflower...with seeds drawn all over her face. They still talk about that. Several folks had to ask Ryan what he was and Lindsey looked like the saddest flower on the planet.
In middle school, Ryan had a music class where he played the guitar. I got to see him do it a couple of times, and he enjoyed it very much. He has also enjoyed the idea of playing golf, riding his bike, skateboarding and lifting weights. He is into cars and of course, his cell phone - and text messaging has cost him some money! High school brought the ROTC and he is one handsome cadet. He moved up through the ranks in the short time he was there, and looks especially nice in his dress blues. The short haircut looks very sharp - and much to the joy of his grandparents - he has to keep it trimmed.
Ryan started working part time at 16 and his boss says he's one of his best workers. I'd like to think that he got his work ethic from me, but I am sure his Dad had something to do with it. Ryan likes to spend his money...and enjoys buying things for other people. Although his hat collection has grown, he has made some sensible purchases of school clothes and 'what not'. I have found I cannot take him shopping or make any suggestions as to what he should wear...but iIndsey and Joe have no trouble with that.
I just bought a car from Ryan's friend Shelton - a 98 Honda Accord. Ryan is so excited - and now really wants to get his driver license. He was saving me money by holding off getting his license - and I appreciate it. I bought it now because I thought it would be good for Ryan and something to work for. He wants to pay for his car and his insurance - though his eyes got big when I showed him the amount due for insurance - he thought it was for a month when it was really for 6 - but - thats the amount without him as a driver! Yipes!
Although he doesn't have a girlfriend at the time - I think - he has had one previously and Lindsey bugged the stuff out of him. So, maybe he really does have a girlfriend and won't say so. I am in no rush for that to happen - but hope when it does - he'll ask me for advice and bring her to the house. He probably won't, but I can hope.
Going around...
Dad's recovery is coming along - Uncle Skeet is here to help take care of him - and Mom is back at work - a 'vacation' of sorts - ha ha. While home alone, Dad took a fall last week in the bathroom...had to crawl into the bedroom to use the dresser and bed to help him get up. His back is bothering him now, but he's doing OK.
Work has been....frustrating. Can't seem to grasp the complete picture of my role just yet...seems to jump from one thing to another....trying to keep up. My memory is evidently not what it used to be. I am taking lots of notes...and trying to remember what I did with them!! Seems like the only 'way' is her way - and I guess that's because she's had to do things, retrain folks and re-train so many times, that's the only way she knows. I sometimes get the hang of things - or so I think - then a 'gray' moment puts everything back at zero. I am used to being my own person on the job and leading more so than following, so it will take some time to get used to. I get frustrated when I can't make something happen immediately and completely correct. Then again, there are some 'anal' people who want to re-do, re-work, re-word and completely make my ideas their own. Editing their work comes fairly easy - and it usually does read more clearly - although $1,000 words are a part of acadamia. I am meeting some nice folks and learning the ropes. After another 6 months or so, I hope to feel alot more comfortable.
Work has been....frustrating. Can't seem to grasp the complete picture of my role just yet...seems to jump from one thing to another....trying to keep up. My memory is evidently not what it used to be. I am taking lots of notes...and trying to remember what I did with them!! Seems like the only 'way' is her way - and I guess that's because she's had to do things, retrain folks and re-train so many times, that's the only way she knows. I sometimes get the hang of things - or so I think - then a 'gray' moment puts everything back at zero. I am used to being my own person on the job and leading more so than following, so it will take some time to get used to. I get frustrated when I can't make something happen immediately and completely correct. Then again, there are some 'anal' people who want to re-do, re-work, re-word and completely make my ideas their own. Editing their work comes fairly easy - and it usually does read more clearly - although $1,000 words are a part of acadamia. I am meeting some nice folks and learning the ropes. After another 6 months or so, I hope to feel alot more comfortable.
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