I got a call from the vet yesterday saying that London did beautifully, and I could pick her up either this morning, or this afternoon. I'm glad to know she came through it with flying colors. When I took her in she went insane....barking and shaking and jumping around. I'm so not used to that! Percy would walk in, sit down and proceed to ignore everyone in the room, including the adoptable cats that are always in a huge cage by the front desk....lol. I think London knew something was up, especially since mommy did not give in and feed her. Oh, she tried her darndest to get me to put food in her bowl. She looked at me, twirled, looked at me again, twirled....this went on for a few minutes until she finally gave up and sulked away. Poor baby! LOL....

Wee one is feeling much better. She had forgotten some pictures that she needed for a report, so I took them in to school for her. As I was leaving her teacher stopped me to talk about something, and I just came out and asked if she was going to have to give up Safety Patrol because of the trouble she has been having. He said "no"....whew! When I told her in the car, her eyes got huge and she put her hand on her chest and said, "Oh mom! I feel so much less stressed!" LOL....I was thrilled to hear that. Since she had been having so much trouble, she had been limiting herself on her ToonTown game. She wouldn't come home and play it because she said she felt guilty knowing she was having trouble in school. However, after finding out she was okay she said, "And when I get home, it's TOON TIME!" LOL....

Nothing much else is going on around here....except I've noticed a steady increase of motorcycle ads lying around the house. Damn Daytona! LOL....I knew it was going to happen. John is one of those guys who gets excited with things and bored with things very quickly. In the past two years he has sold his 57, his boat and his motorcycle....however, I'm thinking we are about to become the proud new owners of some sort of toy in the very near future....

I'm going out this week. Yes, I said I am going OUT....with a FRIEND. LOL....we are going to see the movie "The Libertine" with Johnny Depp. I figured since it's pretty much a chick flick, JB would have no interest in going. I'm actually looking forward to getting out and doing something fun. It looks like a good movie too....

Well, that's it from this end. It's 7:10 and although I have yelled and reminded wee one that she should be brushing her hair and teeth, I hear no mumbled complaints about the knots in her hair, and no water running....I tell ya....I get no respect!

The weekend and other things....

*Imagine cute, appropriate graphic here*

(my animationfactory isn't working)

 

And so, another weekend has come and gone. Let's take a look back and reminisce, shall we?

 

For the past month all I have been hearing is how my husband does not want to go to bike week in Daytona because, "it will be my 4th time and I've seen it all". Fine, whatever. I don't care. But he brings it up every single day. Needless to say I was not surprised when he came home Wednesday and said, "You know, I think I'll drive down there on Saturday to meet the guys, and just do some of the demo rides." Sure honey, whatever. Of course by Thursday it was, "You know, if I leave Saturday morning I'll have to get up really early to get there in time so, I think I'll go Friday and spend the night." Yeah, like I didn't see that one coming. So, he left Friday afternoon, which meant I had a free evening and day on Saturday since wee one was going out for the day with her aunt and Betsy had to work. Go me!

 

Friday night while JB was having dinner on the beach, enjoying the nightlife....I was sitting at my desk, talking to my best friend online, and eventually talking to her via phone for four hours. It was great....we had such a fun time. We acted like schoolgirls, giggling over things talking about our feelings....the works. No one can ever tell me that friends you make online are "fake" friends. She is like a sister to me and her friendship is firmly planted in my heart....

 

Saturday I spent blissfully, wonderfully alone. I say this bearing in mind that as of next Friday, I will no longer be alone....for 10 freaking days. Yes, it's spring break here in the sunshine state. My girls will be home and wandering about, driving me insane. Oh, and it gets better....dh decided to take two days off, making the end of the week (and you just know what a great mood I'll be in by then! lol) a flippin four day weekend. Here's hoping we can figure out something fun to do. I would love to go to Sea World but there is no way I would consider getting near Orlando during spring break....sheesh! So, we will probably spend some time at the beach. We still haven't taken London....

 

Speaking of London, she goes in tomorrow to be spayed. I can't feed her after midnight tonight....and that is going to be a challenge. She is so cute in the morning. She knows her routine perfectly! I get up, take her out, then we come in the house and she runs for the food bowls. I pick up the water dish first and she bats at my hand with her paw as if to say, "Nevermind the water....bring on the chow!" When I fill her bowl she runs over to me to watch, then on the way back she twirls....she twirls in circles until I begin setting it down and she sits so pretty for me. She's such a good girl! I don't know how I'm going to get away with not feeding her! I think I'll feed her tonight around 10. That will ease my guilt. She will be staying overnight, so I will have a dog free 24 hours. I'll be lonely!

 

I worked for a few hours with wee one today on her homework. We still have to go over some math for a re-test she has to take tomorrow. Unfortunately, with all of the FCRAP preparation, he didn't give them very many assignments and I am afraid she is going to get a "D" this time. I was looking back at her report cards for the year and they were all honor roll. She just had such a hard time with the subject matter on this one. Last night she called me into my bedroom and laid on the bed with me....then burst into tears. She said it was the stress and the fact that she will be let go from the Safety Patrol. I felt horrible for her. She was so SAD. I told her to try her very best on her test Monday, since it's the end of the grading period. She said she will but that she knows she will fail. Poor thing! I told her she does NOT know that and that we would figure it out together. And you know what? She knows the material. I just pray she doesn't freeze up.

 

Earlier when we were studying, she finally understood something and smiled as she said, "I feel like a kid at Sylvan!" LMAO....(Sylvan Learning Centers for kids who need tutoring). She is such a nut.

 

I knew she had a lot of work to do, but I let her go out yesterday just to relax. That kid is so stressful. She spent an entire day in St. Augustine, at a garden club, the lighthouse museum (they climbed to the top of the light house too), and at the beach. They did lunch at a wonderful little pizza place and had a great time. She looked so happy when she came home. Then....she tells me later that she felt guilty for going. I asked her why and she said, "Because I knew I should be studying. I kept thinking about it all day." Jeez. She is feeling better now....waiting for JB to finish eating so we can go on our nightly walk.

 

It's been so warm this weekend! 84 each day....I've been sweating my bum off on my daily walks. If the dieting doesn't work, the sweating will! LOL. I don't know why people join gyms here in Florida. The humidity is free and almost year round!

 

Well, that's it from this end....my hub is calling me to put my walking shoes on....I sure hope he means just for the exercise!

I miss you dad....

It's been one year since my father slipped quietly away from his earthly family, to the heavenly arms of his Father. It's been a year since I've seen my dad, longer than that since I've heard his voice, and longer still since I've felt his strong, fatherly arms around me in a hug. I miss so many things about him....most of all his smile. Dad smiled with his eyes. Kind, blue eyes that conveyed love, joy and pride whenever he looked at his wife, his children, his son-in laws, and his granddaughters. However, I can take comfort in the fact that we are still being graced with that wonderful smile....only this time, it is shining down on us from his new heavenly home. I love you dad....and I miss you.

This was my speech at my father's going home celebration....

I have so many wonderful memories of my father and I'd like to share a few today.

My childhood was filled with family....which, after his love for God was my father's greatest joy. He was an amazing father. One of my fondest memories were the nightly visits of Christopher. Christopher was a marionette my father made in middle school for a production of Ali Babba and the 40 thieves. He had kept him all those years, and my sisters and I loved him. Well, Gina and I did, but Jody had a bit of a phobia when it came to marionettes. I can remember sitting on the kitchen floor with my sisters, our Playskool doll house with the realistic doorbell all ready for a visit. Dad would start at the kitchen door and walk Christopher up the three stairs. He would say, "Hello girls! Can I come for a visit?" We would giggle and laugh and show him all through the house, talking as if he were a real person. We would always hate to see him return to his plain brown shoe box, but we knew he would be back again the next night. Dad would also read to us, our favorite story, "The Monster at the End of the Book" Oh how we loved to hear the voices he would make as he read it. Every Sunday we would go to church, rain or shine. My father was an Elder at the Presbyterian church, and I remember going with him as he delivered communion cards tothe congregation. My father loved serving at that church, and I can still see him reading a bible verse up in the pulpit. I don't remember the entire verse but it included Mark 14:47; "But a certain one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear." I remember this because I was thinking how much it would hurt to have your ear cut off! Aside from that, seeing my father serving in church stayed with me.

As a teenager my father continued to be a strong Christian role model for me. He and my mother were leaders for the junior MYF at the Methodist church. They would lead meetings and outings with teens and preteens....all of whom grew to love my father. During one particular retreat, dad proved that although he almost sank the entire MYF group on an overloaded pontoon boat on Shaffer lake, he was still a steward of God. As a teen I came to hold more responsibilities. Well, maybe a few responsibilities, one being mowing the lawn with our riding tractor. That was the best job because you could pretend you were driving! What I remember though are the hot summer days when I would be mowing, and dad would be in the garage in his favorite shorts, smoking his pipe and drinking coffee. I'd come in when I was finished, to the scent of cherry almond tobacco and the sounds of Harry Carray singing during the seventh inning stretch.

When I met John, my father took an instant liking to him. Being that he had lived for 18 years in a house with four women, he was ready for another man to come into the picture! And the day that John came over and helped my mother move a piano and china cabinet....it was like in those movies when the heavens parted and the angels began singing....I do believe my father decided at that moment, THIS was the man for his daughter....a man who not only knew about cars, but could move any of the countless pieces of furniture that graced my mother's living room! Soon after we were married, and I walked proudly down the aisle on my father's arm. He did a great job not crying....at least until he gave me away. To this day I'm not sure if those were tears of sadness or joy....one down, two to go! The next summer dad became a grandfather for the first time. I'll never forget him coming to the hospital....the look of pride on his face as he held Betsy for the first time. And what a grandfather he would turn out to be! Betsy and he became fast buddies....he would walk her, sing to her, and as she grew older was the only one who could make her coffee just the way she liked it....and yes, that was at the ripe old age of two! He would take her to the "horsey park" and for countless dilly bars at the dairy queen. When she was hospitalized for a kidney infection, he spent the night in the uncomfortable "lounge" chair, right by her side. With the birth of our second daughter, Hayley, he was still in rare form. They bonded over games of ball in the back yard, countless visits to the park with packed lunches, and hours of Barney videos.

As the years passed, we eventually moved only a few houses down from mom and dad. We needed to be closer than that entire half mile away! We spent holidays together, non-holidays, and Sunday dinners. When they began attending a "new" church called Suncrest, we decided to try it out as well. We soon became regular attender, and were known by most everyone....not by the names John and Sherry B.  but "Oh, you are Eddie's daugher! We just love him!" Suncrest was home for us all. When John accepted a new job in Florida, there was no question, mom and dad would move with us. Of course, it was not long after that dad was diagnosed with his disease. But we were positive about it, and resolved to do whatever it took to take care of dad. After the move he began slowing down, but we made accommodations for him. Soon he needed a cane to help steady himself. There was one other who enjoyed dad's cane almost as much as he did....and that was our dog Percy. He had grown to be dad's buddy. He would walk slowly in front of dad, almost as if he were trying to protect him from falling. When dad would sit down, he would reward Percy with a good scratch with the bottom of his cane. Oh how Percy loved that....and how dad would laugh. Sooner than we would have hoped, the cane turned into a walker, and then a wheelchair. However, as the disease progressed, my father never cried out and asked God why. He accepted it and went on. Sure he was disappointed, but he never blamed God....it was a lesson that we all learned by watching him gracefully accept what was happening, while still being thankful for what the Lord had blessed him with.

As my father's life drew to an end, I was blessed to have been there with him. For 12 hours we watched my father struggle for every breath he took. My mother, John and I would take turns holding his hand or wiping his brow, trying in vein to make him comfortable. We were told countless times that although he sounded distressed, he in fact did not know what was going on, and was transitioning, finishing up whatever he had left to do here on earth. Being his daughter, I couldn't bear seeing him in this state, and would take breaks every now and then to go outside and breathe in some fresh air, hoping to clear my mind.

Early in the morning I went home for a bit, to check on the girls and get an hour or so of sleep. When the phone rang at 5 am I knew who it was, and what it meant. Mom was calling me back, saying the time was getting near. I came in and resumed my spot next to dad who, although he was not struggling as hard to breathe as before, was obviously getting weaker. I would continuously feel his pulse....steady and strong. After another hour or so, I began praying that he would let go. I even whispered it in his ear, saying that I loved him, we all did and would take care of mom. If he wanted to go he could. Still, he held on. After an hour or so, I took a break and went outside. I was torn between wishing he would let go, and not wanting to lose my father. As I stood in the driveway, I looked up and noticed a woodpecker in the lone tree that stands in my parents yard. He was in the process of pecking a perfectly shaped hole in the trunk. I took this opportunity to take my mind off things and watched as he worked. He kept tapping. Over and over and over. From where I stood the hole looked finished and I wondered why he kept going. The tapping continued, he would bring his head back, take a look, and I thought for sure he would fly away....but no. He started that tapping again! I must admit, I found myself thinking it looks completed....why are you still tapping? The process went on for a moment until all of a sudden, in the blink of an eye he finished and flew away.

I went inside and sat by dad, holding his hand and feeling for his pulse. It was still there, and he was still struggling to hang on. It was then that I realized that it wasn't up to me when he would let go.. When his life was complete, when he had finished what he needed to do, is when he would go...not when I thought it was time. The Lord knows the exactly when we will all go home to glory, and that time can't be rushed. So, I continued to sit and wait, until he was ready. When the time came, it was in an instant. I reached for his pulse only to find that the heart that had come to Jesus as a child, sang to Him in times of joy and cried to him in times of sorrow, the heart that loved me through a lifetime stopped....but as his life here on earth slipped away, a new one was beginning. An eternity of joy and everlasting love, of wonder and awe. He took the hand of Jesus as he let go of ours, and entered the kingdom of Heaven, where I know with every fiber of my being that he is today, smiling down on us. In the blink of an eye my father flew to Jesus....and lives.

We rock!!!!

 

As you can see by the pictures above, dh and I had a busy weekend in the back yard. Being that the grass refuses to grow back there and it was beginning to resemble a volleyball pit with all the sand, we decided to do the only thing we could think of....rock it. Jb sank the stepping stones, then I helped him put the plastic down and spread the rocks. I'm really happy with the results....and the best part? No more mowing in the back yard. It only took us 2 1/2 hours to finish the job....I know this because wee one was timing us. Why? I'm not sure....but we were done before noon. I have a lot more landscaping plans for this year. I need to get to Lowe's and start getting some plants. I buy them there every year and they are always gorgeous. I've never been disappointed with their garden supplies. I also need a new gnome. My little guy is getting lonely out there in the ivy.

 

We ended up taking the girls to the mall Saturday night so Betsy could get an outfit for the concert. Oh joy....off to Hot Topic we go. She ended up getting a relatively nice pair of pants....no hooks, chains, studs....just plain brown pants with red stitching. They look like you could buy them in a normal store....the shirt she wanted, which was not bad either, was a black tee with three silver safety pins on the front. However, they did not have it in her size, so she will have to find something else to wear on top. All in all I'm happy with her choice. Never thought I'd say that coming out of that store! LOL....

 

The rest of the weekend was quiet, church, grocery shopping and frozen pizza for dinner. Lazy Sunday all the way. We had thought about taking London to the beach, but Betsy had to work all day and she really wanted to see her on her first trip to the ocean. Next weekend is supposed to be nice, so we will take her then. Actually, the wholeweek is supposed to be nice. 64 tomorrow and then up to 84 by Friday.

 

Tomorrow is the last freaking day of the FCATS. Thank God! Wee one was not looking forward to the science part today. On the way to school she said, "I don't like how it's called the FCATS. It's like taking the 'failure'-CATS." LOL....kinda sad when the kids equate a stupid standardized test with failing. I remember when I was a kid. We had the "ISTEP's" in Indiana. You know what the biggest fear we as kids had? Making sure we had a "#2 pencil". Yes, you were told over and over that you must have a #2 pencil. #1 will not work, #3 will not work....and you better have a backup because NO ONE will be allowed to get up to sharpen their pencils and annoy the class. You always hoped you were sitting next to someone who had one of those little, personal pencil sharpeners, just in case. Boy, those were the days!

 

Okay, I'm off to finish my laundry....3 loads down, one to go!

The doctor appointment and other things....

Well, it's a good thing I took wee one to the doctor today. Turns out she has an ear infection (her ear didn't hurt), a throat infection (which I suspected) AND pink eye (I noticed her eye was bloodshot this morning but she was sneezing and rubbing so....). So now she is all antibiotic-ed up and ready for school. I think she enjoyed our day together. I picked her up right before lunch and she ate in the car whilst driving to WalMart. We stopped in for a few things I needed and then on to the doc. After that it was to Walgreens for prescriptions....and she tried to con me into an Easter glass, but I didn't fall for it. She had one just like it last year and it broke within a day. We got home just as Betsy was turning on to our street.

I ended up getting my L'Oreal True Match Super Blendable Concealer as well as my Olay Total Effects Eye Transforming Cream. We will see if $27 worth of miracle serum makes a difference. So far so good in the wrinkle department....none yet, but I have a slight shadow under my eyes which is why I wanted these products. My years of lip balm have, so far, kept my lipstick from bleeding....but I'm sure there is a product out there that will help when it comes to that. I probably sound crazy talking about this, but I grew up loving makeup....thanks mostly to my aunt Connie who, to an impressionable 10 year old, was a queen in Cover Girl. I would spend hours in her bathroom sifting through her makeup, trying different things. I still have a "scent flashback" to the late 70's when I smell Final Net hairspray. And let me tell you, that stuff is getting hard to find! (No, I don't use it, I just sniff it! lol). I love makeup....

It's been a quiet night tonight. Wee one is relaxing in front of the tv, Betsy is at work and JB is watching a movie. Earlier Betsy burned the "Walk the Line" soundtrack for my mom and I've been listening to it. It is utterly amazing how Joaquin Phoenix was able to capture the essence of Johnny Cash. AMAZING voice that man has....and his looks aren't bad either! And I give props to Reese Witherspoon....she's got a great voice as well. We are going to watch the movie tomorrow. Betsy got the movie "Waiting" and I have been wanting to see it. I know, I know....gross, mindless humor....but who doesn't love that?

Alrighty....I'm off to check on my little patient. Night....

What is on my desk....

My desk is a mess. I need to clean it off. I'm sitting here looking at it, wondering what it says about me. I have two grocery store sales flyers, a Redbook magazine opened to "Under-Eye Brighteners-three solutions to the dark circle drama....", and a container of Lysol sanitizing wipes. I suppose this means I am a tired germaphobe with no groceries....

I have to get wee one an appointment at the doctors office today. I called yesterday and their computers were down, so they couldn't give us an appointment. Apparently if you are sick and the computers are down....you are SOL. Remember when you would call the doctor and they would write their appointmens down in a big book? As I was talking to her, she began telling me what appointments were available the next day, as she was reading them off a printed schedule. However....she couldn't give me one because, you guessed it, the computers were down. W. T. F. (sorry, this one was deserving of the "f" instead of the "h"). You are telling me she couldn't have penciled me in? She couldn't have taken my name and reserved an appointment? What is the difference if you type it in or write it in? I just don't get it. So now I have to call this morning at 8:30, and try to get one of the coveted appointments. I guess I shouldn't worry as no one would have been able to get one....

Only 4 days left of the FCAT's. Wee one is holding up well. I'm glad they did the math first because I think she is more relaxed knowing that part is over. I told her she can only do what she can do....she tried her best and we will work with that. Funny, we got the monthly newsletter yesterday (late, of course) with the cursory article reminding parents not to make a big deal of the tests. The students need to be relaxed and ready. Be sure to send them to school with plenty of rest and a good breakfast (say it with me....peanutbutter on toast), and a good attitude. I laugh every time I read that....the teachers tell them "you have to do good or you will not pass". Maybe they need a newsletter on how to handle the kids. Oh yes, this year they also included some nifty "relaxation techniques" the kids could do at their desks....what is wrong with this world when we are giving our 5th graders instructions on how to relax???? Isn't that the whole point of being a kid! (I may have to read up on those techniques for myself....)

Betsy and her friends got their coveted tickets for the concert of the season. Yes everyone, get ready.....our city is about to be graced with the musical stylings of....Korn! Dear Lord help me now. She is more into the Rent soundtrack right now, but Korn has been her band for a few years. All of her friends are into it. It was the big story at school yesterday....so they are all pretty excited. John said, "You are actually going to pay $80 to watch a bunch of scumbags scream at you?" She just laughed and rolled her eyes. I told her, "Heck, I'll scream at you for $75!" She didn't take me up on the offer. She walked away mumbling something about me screaming for free....

Okay, I have to get wee one's hair done and scoot her out the door. She gets to wear shorts today as it's supposed to be 81. Where did spring go?

BTW, is anyone else having trouble leaving messages? I was only able to leave a few in the morning, but by noon I kept getting the "sign in screen name" box. What is up with that?

Here's an entry....okay????

Someone mentioned to me this morning that I have been "slacking" on my journal. Silly me thinking  the laundry, housework, homework, errand running, dinners, etc. were more pressing tasks. However, I'm not one to disappoint a *fan (*enter sarcasm here), so I will do my duty and provide an entry. Of course, in doing so I will be foregoing thawing out a plump, juicy steak for dinner....so said *fan will probably go hungry tonight....this one's for you, darling....

Well, we are on day 3 of the FCAT's. Wee one has been sick since Monday with a throat infection, and wakes up each day with a sore throat. I am taking her to the doctor to get some antibiotics, and hopefully that will help her get through the rest of the week. Today she took throat lozenges to school, and of course, popped her morning dose of two tylenol and a zantac. They were told that the reading section would be first, so she wasn't nervous when she went to school on Monday. Of course once she got there he had made a mistake and it was the math....but she said she thinks she did well. A few kids didn't finish the test and were crying in class. You see what happens when you threaten them with failure? They tense up and lose their confidence.

Here's how the tests are affecting the 5th graders. Wee one said that at recess they were playing a game and:

One boy out of frustration told another to "just shut up!

Wee one was running to catch a ball and another girl came up behind her and said, "At least let me catch one!" Wee one then hurled the ball in her general direction out of frustration to which the girl yelled back, "Well I don't want it NOW!"

Because she is feeling crappy, wee one didn't wave to her friend in line so said "friend" wouldn't talk to her. At lunch time wee one told me, "Every time I tried to say something she would turn at a 90 degree angle (remember, this was math day), and not talk to me. Then she turned again to make it a 180 degree angle!"  (I'm sorry she had a bad lunch, but I know she knows her angles!)

Of course, on the other side of her was the recess girl who when she asked wee one what was wrong, she looked at her and said, "What do you THINK?" She said they all ate looking straight ahead.

I'm telling you, the stress is making these kids crazy! I will be very glad when Tuesday gets here and things go back to normal. Wee one took her container of chocolate covered peppermint reception sticks to share with the class. Apparently peppermint stimulates the brain, so they can have minty snacks while testing. They are also told to have peanut butter instead of pop tarts for breakfast. Now why wasn't I told that the secret to superior brain power was as easy as peanut butter and peppermint? Here I was thinking it was good teaching and studying! Sheesh....

Oh, and here's the topper. You know how the girls worked all weekend on their invention convention project. We went out and spent over $60 for supplies, spent Saturday and Sunday working on their idea, writing reports, going to the library. Her friend came over Monday so that they could fill out the five pages of required paperwork....all of this so that they could have their work done by the due date on Thursday, during FCAT's....well, apparently the teacher made a little mistake and put that it was due the 2nd instead of the 28th on the class website. I can't tell you the words that jumped from my brain to my mouth and came flying out....and let me tell you there were plenty of parents who spent the weekend doing the same thing we did, who were not very happy! Although, I must say that at least now the project is 90% done and they can just enjoy their spring break instead of worrying about it. Still....it was a ton of stress at a time that we certainly didn't need it.

I can't believe it's March already. Actually, I don't know what it seems like. I know I've been here going on 4 years, but I'm still not used to the seasons. It feels like spring and looks like fall. The leaves are falling and we need to rake....yet the buds are alreadyon the trees. It is so mild out during the day, yet at night and in the morning we need the heat on. This week it is supposed to go up to 80, which will be nice because the humidity isn't here yet. I have another month of good hair....yay!

Okay, I've spent enough time here....my coffee is almost gone, the dog is pacing and I need to run errands....have a good one!