Monday, September 26, 2005

Where are we now?

Hello and good bye to Rita. Thanks for nothing. Three lousy drops of rain. Is that the best you can do? Okay, so a little wind too, but nothing to write home about.

Still fixate quite a bit on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the damage left from Katrina. Keeps me in a kind of funk. I am to go home for Thanksgiving in November but don't really want to. As long as I don't go and see it with my own eyes, it can be distant and removed - not reality. I'd rather it not be real. So much for being a Grown Up and Living In The Real World...

Jean Marc, thanks for saying my sense of humor was back. Few things are more important to me than someone somewhere appreciating my sense of humor.

Mary Poppins is no longer a possibility at my household. Her temporary family plans have become permanent. I do have a replacement and it seems to be working out quite well. Crossing my fingers and toes...

My PreK daughter has a parade this Friday for the school's Homecoming. They will be riding on a float (flatbed trailer behind pick-up truck) and throwing candy and prizes to the local crowd - all three of us. I will take no less than a gazillion pictures! Which reminds me, the school pictures came home yesterday. The ones with the Sleeping Beauty outfit. There she is - in all her glory - Tiara, Scepter, Furry Dress with Sparkles. And she's not smiling. Could strangle the little princess.

Diddy went back home to Mississippi. I am quite certain he was GLAD to go. He had to postpone his return trip one day because of Hurricane Rita and the disappointment was palpable. I don't think he even made an effort to hide it. Don't blame him. After a week with my three - I'd be ready to get the heck out of Dodge too!

My son is in that "so-cute-you-want-to-eat-him-up" stage. He recently started doing animal sounds. Mooooo! Neigh! Ruff Ruff! and Meow! make up his current repertoire. He also does the VRRRROOOooooooommmmm with the toy cars. Why can't they stay this adorable? Why the transformation into whatever it is they transform into - Terrible Two's, Tyrannical Threes, Fearsome Fours, Fire-Breathing Fives...

My six year old DD called me Stupid this morning. Guess the secrets out now. I had hoped to spare her the harsh truth but apparently someone told her anyway...

So I guess that's where we are now. Waiting for autumn, rain and cooler weather.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I suppose I am more of a hiker. ummm. stroller perhaps. I enjoy the countryside, I enjoy the tranquility. I enjoy my own company, which is borne from being an only child I suppose. We have ski resorts also but I would doubt they even begin to compare to those you talk of.

Your children are obviously full of energy and its cool to take the positives out of the negatives otherwise you would find a use for that cupboard under the stairs. Personally I woud lock myself inside and keep my two on the outside.

So tell me, you will go home for thanksgiving? (Thanksgiving, something I have never experienced) Or do you think by staying at home will cut out the reality of what has happened there? Perhaps by going home will be upsetting but it may also stop the wondering that you will continue to have inside your head until eventually you do go home.

Doing something you dont want to, I think that applies to nearly everyday of your life since aged one. We all managed to cope so far, and will continue to do so, although when invited to the inlaws for Sunday lunch, well that was above and beyond the call of duty. : ) ( You have to experience them to understand)

As far as visiting Colorado, maybe some day yes. I visit Canada often, and have drifted over the border a few times, but I think it deserves serious exploring.

As my daughter has two friends staying over until Saturday, I will take to my bed for some well earned rest s that I hve the energy to serve up breakfast and make the school run in time.

Be happy and have a beautiful Friday.


Solus

t_cole said...

Let me see if I understand you correctly...
You are host to THREE nine year old girls - for more than 24 hours?! You ARE either a GREAT dad or a complete LOON! You tell me which!

Where in Canada? I travel to Canada quite frequently for my work - as my company is Canadian held. Was in Montreal two months ago. Lovely European city - especially right in the middle of North America.
I am most comfortable in Calgary. A good Cowboy Town. Was there in 88 for the Olympics and have been back several times. Lake Louise and Banff are breathtaking in the Canadian Rockies.

you read HP too?

Yes, I will go home for Thanksgiving. Will try to focus on things other than the damage. Probably will not go further south than my folks house. (45 miles inland)
Thanksgiving is a nifty American holiday. Eat, sleep, SHOP & watch football. Not sure if you are familiar with the craziness that ensues the day after Thanksgiving but it is the busiest shopping day in the states for the entire year. Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday & they call the Friday after "Black Friday" - b/c it is the day that a majority of merchants go out of operating in the "Red" (a deficit) to operating in the "black" - or making a profit for the year.

In any event, I usually get up well before dawn so I can be in line at Toys R Us when they open at 6AM. The lines usually snakes out the door and around the parking lot. It is insanity - pure & simple - but also quite an adventure. They have the BEST sale prices this day. Most sales are over by lunch. And by noon, I have 75% of my holiday shopping done!
(Now who's the loon!)

I will take your word for it on the in-laws. Mine are most agreeable 95% of the time. But that 5% can be a real test.

Hope you make till Sunday!
HAVE FUN!
tcole

Anonymous said...

Your pictures of the yard are sad.

I am a great dad!!!!! No. A complete 'loon' to agree to it. I am taking them swimming tonight as well....I no know bounderies! I take them shopping tomorrow as well. I will visit my phsyciatrist first thing Monday.

I have family in Brooks near Calgary and in Calgary itself. I was there in October past. I also travel a lot to Banff and to Waterton, one of my fav places in the universe. They have a ranch near Pincher Creek which is a hoot to visit and help out on. Lake Louise, I have also been there and ventured out on those small row boats on a misty morning.

I head towards London next week for a couple of meetings with my work. A trip I do not look forward to. A foreign land, a strange language. (English is my second language)although I converse 90% of my day in English, simply because of where I stay now and the clients I work with are mainly from England.

I hope that your shopping will go well and you save lots of dollars.

HP? Harry Potter? If this is what you mean no. I do read a lot, mainly historical books about my country, or any history in general. I read a lot of kids books also, mainly around 8pm every night!. I illustrate books therefore I receive a steady stream to read, whether I want to or not.

So time to physically remove my son from the bedroom the girls are in before the screaming goes completely through me.

Be groovy


Solus

t_cole said...

How did the weekend go with all the kids? Need counseling? Therapy? A cocktail? A valium? All of the above? :)

I am intrigued - if English is a second language, the first would be??? Scots Gaelic? And you illustrate?? children's books?? Did you happen to have a hand in that web site you sent?

Gee, methinks I lead a boring, mundane existence...

I do love traveling to Calgary. My childhood sweetheart is from there. My first true love. Was about your daughter's age, I guess. He moved to South Miss. from Canada. His Dad was the local Dr. After a few years, they moved to Oregon and then he ended up back in Calgary as a young man.
After many years - I was in college - we got in contact again. Was shortly before the 88 Olympics. My sweetheart and his brother invited me up to see the show. It was an awesome trip - on so many levels. Nothing romantic - but a sort of time travel. My sweetheart had a serious girlfriend at the time - now his wonderful wife. We spent hours talking and catching up. He had been horribly abused as a child by his step-monster/mother. I kept asking him if he remembered this, that or the other. Things we did, places we went, games we played. Invariably, the answer was consistently, no. This sadness started creeping over me. I finally apologized and said I wouldn't ask any more such questions. I remember him telling me not to stop, that it was good to know that it hadn't been all bad. That there really were some good times.
A few minutes later, we met up in the kitchen and he gave me this huge hug. I have never experienced anything like that hug before or since. It was magical - like falling through time - impossible to even do justice with words. My heart was broken and mended in that instant. I know it sounds crazy but it was almost otherworldly.

so that's my Calgary story. I ramble. sorry, needed the distraction. Been a long and eventful weekend with the kids. Will Blog it later.
be well and safe on your trip to England.
t-

Anonymous said...

Yes I illustrate kids books. I also do fantasy, my favourite. A world to get lost in indeed.

Yes Gaelic, Scots gaelic is what I was brought up on.

Unfortunately I did not have a hand in the site you watched although I know one of the artists. But its similar in what I do. And no I survived the weekend. Had a riot. Embarrased my daughter and thats what its all about. hehe.


Your life is far from boring. What you write is evidence of that. You sound as if you are a success in your chosen profession and you have a loving family. Boring is something someone chooses to be.

I thank you for sharing your Calgary experience. No, you are not crazy in what you say. After all it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, and an entire life to forget them. The hug only proved that.

What you described also reminded something that happened to me.

An Angel came and visited me one day and touched my heart. This Angel smiled a smile that shined of love and care. Reaching for my hand they touched my heart. In awe I listened to this Angel, I didn't speak but I felt my heartbeat flutter.

What was the name of this Angel?

Well the moral of this story is simple, for their name is friend.

We are blessed when we have friends such as these.

By the way, your turn to tell a little about yourself.

A pleasure as always.

Be safe


Solus

t_cole said...

so nice to hear from you - as always.

I am in the middle of the log entry from hell - going to be a long one. hope you get a kick out of it - if I ever get it done.

Am I familiar with any of your work? Can I find it on the web?

Something about me...
I'm a what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of person. As in - If You Don't Want To Know, Don't Ask. I am generous to a fault. Hugely loyal to my family and friends. Hard on myself. Often suffer from visions of grandeur.
Love my kids to death but sincerely believe I am a mediocre mother.
Frequently second guess myself and my life decisions.
If you want to know anything more detailed than that, you'll have to include an email addy. Don't plan to share all of me with the world.

be well
t-

Anonymous said...

Yes I should leave an email addy. However like you I do not wish to leave this in a public place.

I loved your story about your last weekend.

Have a beautiful weekend.

Solus.

t_cole said...

Hope you had a good weekend!
Mine was sans kids. Paying for it now. Another of my theories is that you "Gotta Pay to Play."
I was awarded Employee ot the Quarter at work last month. Actually found out the day Katrina hit.
Anyhow, My award was a $500 weekend getaway. My Mom was here this weekend so we took advantage and got away.

Work could not be busier.
Doing a demo for a customer in the Dominican Republic this week and one for a customer in Montreal next week. Thanks to the beauty of technology, I can do both at home in my PJ's. :)
Gotta love this job.

Let me know how you are and what is exciting in your life.

be well-

Anonymous said...

Well done to you!. Isnt it nice to be recognised? Although I am sure the hard work you put in as well as being a mom warrants the recognition.

I hope you made the most of your weekend and that it was thoroughly enjoyable. Yes technology is a wonderful thing isn't it?

My weekend was probably not as exciting of yours but the kids and I went on a steam engine ride and visit my dad who lives about 2 hours north of us. He lives in the castle country so the kids always love to visit at least one and let their imaginations run wild.

Nothing new as such, school run, working, school run again. However kids here have a 2 week vacation starting yesterday, so an excuse for me not to work and plan two weeks of entertainment.

You asked if I had work on the web. I do not have a particular site of my own, as most of the work I do is copyright. I know of sites that have shown some of my work. However if I ever get my email addy to you I will show you a pic or two.

As always

beautiful days to you and your family.


Solus

t_cole said...

Check back here tomorrow around noon Central Daylight Savings Time and I'll let you know how my demo went.
In the mean time, cross your fingers, light some incense and send up good thoughts.
This is not my strongest area.