So tonight it's just me and the kids. Mike has a work dinner at Stoney River. Gib and I got caught up on some shows on the DVR together. We thoroughly enjoyed Big Brother followed by an episode of the Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson. He had Julie Chen on, who is the hostess of The Talk and Big Brother. She is also married to the big boss of CBS which was kind of a running joke. We both really like listening to his Scottish accent and how much he cracks himself up, which in turn cracks us up. We can totally relate to that.
Mariah wondered what all the laughing was about. She's not quite old enough to watch that show; it is after all on late at night for a reason... but she was upstairs trying to nap after school today. She came home feeling yucky and was pretty pale so I called it on Volleyball for tonight. We won't be able to go to the game this Saturday anyway because of a Girls Weekend to paint Indy's apartment. She was bummed, but after a bit she rallied.
If she wasn't so disappointed about missing Volleyball, I would have been suspicious. But I guess if you're weak and pale your mouth could technically still work just fine. We talked out on the patio for quite some time. Then we came in and talked to Gib, who got ready to leave to go to Boy Scouts. I'm pretty sure he left a little earlier than planned. Haha. Yeah, buddy, I've seen that trick before. He can claim he was hungry and headed to Wendy's, but we woman may look like we aren't paying attention and are only going blah-blah, blah, blah, blah about nothing in particular, but we see all and know all.
One down, one to go and Mariah kept talking. We couldn't decide what to get for our dinner, so we decided to copy Gib and left for Wendy's too. All the way downstairs, in the car, out of the driveway, down the street, she kept up a constant stream of chatter. I have no idea what she said anymore, but I do know she never stopped talking. I think my amazement showed. I have to admit, I don't mind being the blah-blah, blah-er, but I kinda have a low tolerance for listening to it too. Heh heh. At the corner the conversation went something like this:
Mariah: blah, blah, blah-blah, blah..... am I talking too much?!
Me: yea
Mariah: Oh, I'm sorry. I'll stop.
1.5 seconds later: Ooooh, look!! A Titans fan! Do you see it?! Huh?! Do you?! Look over there. It was on the license plate.
Me: half-smile (I knew she couldn't do it) but slightly surprised she didn't at least make it until the light turned green
Mariah: Oh.
3 seconds later: (hands fly to her face and gasps) I just thought of something I have to tell you!!! I got Stephen to talk in his British Accent the other day!!
Me: Sarcastic look to Mariah
Mariah: blah-blah.. blah, blah, blah, blah, (all about how she got him to do that I think) and then "Oops. OK, I'll stop now".
She picks up her cell phone and starts texting.
Me: Texting IS still talking. Just to someone else with your fingers. It still counts.
Mariah: Guess I can't stop talking....
Blah-Blah, blah, blah, blah-blah, blah.... Haha, I'm just making a little bit of fun of our talkative girl. I assure you it was all QUALITY time. Me and whoever she was texting enjoyed it very much. I think she is feeling much better now. Nothing like Wendy's to perk a girl up.
2023
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
The Edge of Glory
Our Saturday started off in high gear. Gib is making some progress on writing his proposal for his Eagle project. Mariah has her first Volleyball game. And this evening we are joining some friends for a picnic and to listen to an outdoor Jazz concert.
This morning, Gib met with our contractor for the patio, Skeeter, who graciously volunteered to be an expert consultant on the horseshoe project. Mike reports it was a very productive meeting. Gib thought a nap was in order afterwards, but his dad urged him to write it all up while it was fresh in his mind. Skeeter believes the whole project can be accomplished in 3 Saturdays, including one for clearing the brush. It sounds like he has some contacts in the field who will be willing to lend their assistance in their area of expertise as well, which will prove to be very helpful. It is a big project for Gib, but one step at a time will get the job done. It's overwhelming with so many "but firsts" however, when Gib sees the big picture and gets an idea of where, when and how to get to the end result I think he will take the ball and run with it.
Speaking of running with the ball, or throwing it, or kicking or punting it.... it's NFL season!!! We had our Fantasy Football draft. I decided to go in blind and put absolutely no effort, time or research into my selections. I don't think Coach appreciated my lack of preparation.
As a matter of fact, when I logged in to our draft room, I was so busy trying to figure out how to do everything, that I ignored the smack talk/chat room verbal barrage going on at the bottom of the screen. Had I read it, I don't know if it would have made me pause before my fateful CLICK. But it included information about a certain someone's untouchable pick and when he was going to make that selection. I was the last person in the draft I had 2 turns in a row each time. Well by the time I got there, all the really good RBs were snatched up. So I got the best one I liked that was left, (Ray Rice, Baltimore) frustrated that I would not have a consistent 20 point RB (or two) per game, and thought to myself, in the freakin' minute I had left to analyze my decision, that this would happen to me every single time and I'd end up with a mediocre fantasy team unless I went out of order and didn't go all RB, then WR, then QB.
What to do? I decided to grab the first QB. Now I could have gotten #1 - Rodgers of Green Bay; but as a die-hard Farve fan I'm not ready to root for another Packer QB yet. Maybe next year. And besides there's something about him that annoys me. It's like the year I could have picked Peyton but he annoyed me too so I picked Brady instead. So I look and see Brees of New Orleans and think to myself, he used to be a Charger, he's a Super Bowl QB, he's been working all off season even when there wasn't necessarily going to be a season, there's the underdog factor which I like, and he throws like crazy putting up some points to make up for my less than spectacular RB's. So that took me like 3 seconds of reasoning, and I clicked on his name. All of a sudden I hear Mike choking/laughing next to me, and he goes "I can't believe you just did that!" Gib bursts out laughing "Mom!" and Mariah is laughing and and I'm all WHAT?!
Then it dawns on me, as I see the smack talk screen come ALIVE that I have snagged the untouchable Drew Brees, the QB that "BELONGS" to another fantasy team player who was planning on taking him on his 3rd pick. Ooops. My bad. He was slightly annoyed to say the least so I figured I needed to respond in some manner so he didn't realize it was some Woman Move that ruined his year. So I told him to Bring It. He assures me he will. He took Brady with his next pick.
The rest of my fantasy team has some potential, but really kinda rides the line between OK and greatness. And then there's the Team Chino curse. It would be nice to kick that this year. Most of the time my players have the worst year of their career. As soon as I drop 'em, Mike snatches them up and they start racking up fantasy points again. Case in point: Last year I drafted more logically than emotionally and took Peyton. Look where he is now. Hey, at least we made it thru the season that time. The year before that I think I had Brady, and it might have been he messed up his knee on my watch and I ended up going with my back up QB which was Farve (who true to form hung in there like a champ and delivered on the Fantasy points until Brady was back). Gib laughs and commiserates with all the players who will now tank, be put on injured reserve, eat bad nachos, whatever; unless of course they happen to be on my bench that week and then they get like 45 points... C'mon Man!!! So, I really hope I do decent after making such a bold move early on. There's a bounty on my head.
Gib, Mike and Mariah all built solid teams. They didn't make any bonehead moves like taking Ochocinco because there wasn't alot of choices left and it's fun to say Ochocinco. In retrospect, I probably should have gone with a NO or GB wide receiver instead of NE. You never know who Brady is going to throw to and Mariah took my favorite already - Welker. To show some hometown support I took Hasselback as my back up QB. All I can say is Brees better not go out because The Hass and the Titans are not exactly pegged for a race to the title. Mariah got Chris Johnson. Mike and Gib have multiple leagues. I can't keep track of who they have where. Whatever. If it's not my team, I don't care. If they want airtime they have to blog themselves.
By the way, Brees got me like 35 points in the season opener. I don't care how many points Rodgers got his fantasy owner. Because You-Know-Who with an axe to grind didn't pick him! Mwahaha! I figure there's a chance for a really great trade. Or not. I like living on the edge of glory.
It will be an interesting season after all.
This morning, Gib met with our contractor for the patio, Skeeter, who graciously volunteered to be an expert consultant on the horseshoe project. Mike reports it was a very productive meeting. Gib thought a nap was in order afterwards, but his dad urged him to write it all up while it was fresh in his mind. Skeeter believes the whole project can be accomplished in 3 Saturdays, including one for clearing the brush. It sounds like he has some contacts in the field who will be willing to lend their assistance in their area of expertise as well, which will prove to be very helpful. It is a big project for Gib, but one step at a time will get the job done. It's overwhelming with so many "but firsts" however, when Gib sees the big picture and gets an idea of where, when and how to get to the end result I think he will take the ball and run with it.
Speaking of running with the ball, or throwing it, or kicking or punting it.... it's NFL season!!! We had our Fantasy Football draft. I decided to go in blind and put absolutely no effort, time or research into my selections. I don't think Coach appreciated my lack of preparation.
As a matter of fact, when I logged in to our draft room, I was so busy trying to figure out how to do everything, that I ignored the smack talk/chat room verbal barrage going on at the bottom of the screen. Had I read it, I don't know if it would have made me pause before my fateful CLICK. But it included information about a certain someone's untouchable pick and when he was going to make that selection. I was the last person in the draft I had 2 turns in a row each time. Well by the time I got there, all the really good RBs were snatched up. So I got the best one I liked that was left, (Ray Rice, Baltimore) frustrated that I would not have a consistent 20 point RB (or two) per game, and thought to myself, in the freakin' minute I had left to analyze my decision, that this would happen to me every single time and I'd end up with a mediocre fantasy team unless I went out of order and didn't go all RB, then WR, then QB.
What to do? I decided to grab the first QB. Now I could have gotten #1 - Rodgers of Green Bay; but as a die-hard Farve fan I'm not ready to root for another Packer QB yet. Maybe next year. And besides there's something about him that annoys me. It's like the year I could have picked Peyton but he annoyed me too so I picked Brady instead. So I look and see Brees of New Orleans and think to myself, he used to be a Charger, he's a Super Bowl QB, he's been working all off season even when there wasn't necessarily going to be a season, there's the underdog factor which I like, and he throws like crazy putting up some points to make up for my less than spectacular RB's. So that took me like 3 seconds of reasoning, and I clicked on his name. All of a sudden I hear Mike choking/laughing next to me, and he goes "I can't believe you just did that!" Gib bursts out laughing "Mom!" and Mariah is laughing and and I'm all WHAT?!
Then it dawns on me, as I see the smack talk screen come ALIVE that I have snagged the untouchable Drew Brees, the QB that "BELONGS" to another fantasy team player who was planning on taking him on his 3rd pick. Ooops. My bad. He was slightly annoyed to say the least so I figured I needed to respond in some manner so he didn't realize it was some Woman Move that ruined his year. So I told him to Bring It. He assures me he will. He took Brady with his next pick.
The rest of my fantasy team has some potential, but really kinda rides the line between OK and greatness. And then there's the Team Chino curse. It would be nice to kick that this year. Most of the time my players have the worst year of their career. As soon as I drop 'em, Mike snatches them up and they start racking up fantasy points again. Case in point: Last year I drafted more logically than emotionally and took Peyton. Look where he is now. Hey, at least we made it thru the season that time. The year before that I think I had Brady, and it might have been he messed up his knee on my watch and I ended up going with my back up QB which was Farve (who true to form hung in there like a champ and delivered on the Fantasy points until Brady was back). Gib laughs and commiserates with all the players who will now tank, be put on injured reserve, eat bad nachos, whatever; unless of course they happen to be on my bench that week and then they get like 45 points... C'mon Man!!! So, I really hope I do decent after making such a bold move early on. There's a bounty on my head.
Gib, Mike and Mariah all built solid teams. They didn't make any bonehead moves like taking Ochocinco because there wasn't alot of choices left and it's fun to say Ochocinco. In retrospect, I probably should have gone with a NO or GB wide receiver instead of NE. You never know who Brady is going to throw to and Mariah took my favorite already - Welker. To show some hometown support I took Hasselback as my back up QB. All I can say is Brees better not go out because The Hass and the Titans are not exactly pegged for a race to the title. Mariah got Chris Johnson. Mike and Gib have multiple leagues. I can't keep track of who they have where. Whatever. If it's not my team, I don't care. If they want airtime they have to blog themselves.
By the way, Brees got me like 35 points in the season opener. I don't care how many points Rodgers got his fantasy owner. Because You-Know-Who with an axe to grind didn't pick him! Mwahaha! I figure there's a chance for a really great trade. Or not. I like living on the edge of glory.
It will be an interesting season after all.
Friday, September 2, 2011
5 Days 6 Doctors
Well, doesn't that sound like fun?! And nobody is even sick, really. Well I guess technically Mariah was, but we didn't know that. Bad mom card pulled.
I got a triple gold star at the dentist for my Monday, Wednesday and Thursday appearances. Oh, and a chuckle for my dentist fetish joke. That's it. After all the money they got and a stellar patient performance for the crown replacement, a cavity filling and a filling adjustment. I think a free teeth whitening or something would have been nice. Maybe a tube of toothpaste, or a free toothbrush to go?! Oh wait, they already gave that to me LAST week when I got my bi-annual cleaning.
Then Mariah and I went to the Allergist that Indy and Mike go to. It was about time! She has those same allergies and the weather here has been sending people over the top with the pollen and stuff. Mariah has been miserable since February and already on steroids twice since then to deal with it. So we were hoping to start allergy shots soon, but the doc said we have to wait for all the pollen to go away with the first frost to test her. Then the shot treatment (aka immuno therapy) can begin. Meanwhile, turns out she was super WHEEZY and breathing all shallow to compensate. That was why I couldn't hear it. When she began breathing like a normal person she sounded like a creaky door. Oh, that was a lovely thing for a mom. We were at that appointment, in a place that rivaled a meat locker for temperature, sharing Mariah's tiny denim jacket, for 2 hours. She got a breathing treatment, 2 inhalers and a nasal spray to try to get a handle on it.
Today I had another doctor appointment and then met Mike and Mariah at her pediatrician. Turns out it was a half-day for school with the long weekend, so Mariah didn't even miss anything and didn't have to go back to school! Mariah had requested an adjustment in her ADD medication so we went to discuss options. Mike left when I arrived. A little warmer there, and dressed in layers anyway, we comfortably discussed the previous days events and breathing treatment. We decided to switch Mariah to a non-stimulant medication called Intuniv. It stays in the system for 24/7 (provided you take it everyday of course) but you can take it at night and the effects (ie increased ability to focus in school and do homework) might prove to be a better fit for her. If it does a better job regarding dry mouth, stomach issues and resting pulse Mariah will be thrilled.
More news of the day: Mariah opened her first savings account with $100 earned from babysitting. She likes to keep a modest amount in her wallet for spending money - enough to buy make up, an outfit or a pair of shoes for example - but wanted to sock the rest away. She and her dad found a local bank which offered a free savings account. When she reaches $250 she will receive a $25 bonus added to her savings from the bank! Pretty sweet. Mariah is also tithing and we are very proud of her choices and maturity. She and I have been babysitting her regular little gal the past couple weeks as baby reached the separation anxiety stage and mom was having a hard time with it too :) We got both talked into using our home and it worked very well last week. It was a much easier night with practically no tears at all. Mariah's arms about fell off, but she is thrilled to be babysitting and for such a cute little gal too!
That's about it. Preschool started. It was a great week!!!! The best start ever. I have to get my preschool legs and energy level back up to speed, but it's like riding a bike, or a trike as the case may be.
So it was really off-putting to me today to see in my email a position that I always said I would apply for if it passed my path. It did, so I did. It took me all day too, which also irritated me. It's at Vanderbilt University in the college admission processing center. We shall see if anything comes of it or not. I don't really want to leave my job at the preschool, but one of the benefits at Vandy is that in 5 years any dependents are eligible for a big chunk of college paid for or even free admission at Vandy if they can get in. That's quite an incentive.
I'll probably need to see another doctor to deal with the stress now.....
I got a triple gold star at the dentist for my Monday, Wednesday and Thursday appearances. Oh, and a chuckle for my dentist fetish joke. That's it. After all the money they got and a stellar patient performance for the crown replacement, a cavity filling and a filling adjustment. I think a free teeth whitening or something would have been nice. Maybe a tube of toothpaste, or a free toothbrush to go?! Oh wait, they already gave that to me LAST week when I got my bi-annual cleaning.
Then Mariah and I went to the Allergist that Indy and Mike go to. It was about time! She has those same allergies and the weather here has been sending people over the top with the pollen and stuff. Mariah has been miserable since February and already on steroids twice since then to deal with it. So we were hoping to start allergy shots soon, but the doc said we have to wait for all the pollen to go away with the first frost to test her. Then the shot treatment (aka immuno therapy) can begin. Meanwhile, turns out she was super WHEEZY and breathing all shallow to compensate. That was why I couldn't hear it. When she began breathing like a normal person she sounded like a creaky door. Oh, that was a lovely thing for a mom. We were at that appointment, in a place that rivaled a meat locker for temperature, sharing Mariah's tiny denim jacket, for 2 hours. She got a breathing treatment, 2 inhalers and a nasal spray to try to get a handle on it.
Today I had another doctor appointment and then met Mike and Mariah at her pediatrician. Turns out it was a half-day for school with the long weekend, so Mariah didn't even miss anything and didn't have to go back to school! Mariah had requested an adjustment in her ADD medication so we went to discuss options. Mike left when I arrived. A little warmer there, and dressed in layers anyway, we comfortably discussed the previous days events and breathing treatment. We decided to switch Mariah to a non-stimulant medication called Intuniv. It stays in the system for 24/7 (provided you take it everyday of course) but you can take it at night and the effects (ie increased ability to focus in school and do homework) might prove to be a better fit for her. If it does a better job regarding dry mouth, stomach issues and resting pulse Mariah will be thrilled.
More news of the day: Mariah opened her first savings account with $100 earned from babysitting. She likes to keep a modest amount in her wallet for spending money - enough to buy make up, an outfit or a pair of shoes for example - but wanted to sock the rest away. She and her dad found a local bank which offered a free savings account. When she reaches $250 she will receive a $25 bonus added to her savings from the bank! Pretty sweet. Mariah is also tithing and we are very proud of her choices and maturity. She and I have been babysitting her regular little gal the past couple weeks as baby reached the separation anxiety stage and mom was having a hard time with it too :) We got both talked into using our home and it worked very well last week. It was a much easier night with practically no tears at all. Mariah's arms about fell off, but she is thrilled to be babysitting and for such a cute little gal too!
That's about it. Preschool started. It was a great week!!!! The best start ever. I have to get my preschool legs and energy level back up to speed, but it's like riding a bike, or a trike as the case may be.
So it was really off-putting to me today to see in my email a position that I always said I would apply for if it passed my path. It did, so I did. It took me all day too, which also irritated me. It's at Vanderbilt University in the college admission processing center. We shall see if anything comes of it or not. I don't really want to leave my job at the preschool, but one of the benefits at Vandy is that in 5 years any dependents are eligible for a big chunk of college paid for or even free admission at Vandy if they can get in. That's quite an incentive.
I'll probably need to see another doctor to deal with the stress now.....
Monday, August 29, 2011
One of Those Days
Today is one of those days where my iPhone alarm is set to go off a whole bunch of times telling me to do stuff. It used to be that I had a list. Well, the list doesn't beep. Twice.
Wake up. Send an important email. Call the eye dr, call the pediatrician. Fill out dr office paperwork. Go to Bed Bath & Beyond for Indie's window curtains, go to the UPS place to mail them to her, and pick up Mariah early from school for an appointment to hopefully start allergy shots - finally! (don't forget that paperwork)That sort of stuff. Forget about mundane reminders like do the laundry or vacuum.
But the dreaded alarm? Ehhh, that one is at 11:00 for the dentist to get a crown replaced. Apparently I'm a jaw clencher (yes, I actually do bite back some words) and after many years an old crown which is stronger than the tooth under it has cracked the tooth. First, I cracked one getting out my kids-are-going-to-college-anxiety issues, while filling a chocolate fix, with See's Chocolate Suckers, and now this!!! I was so irritated by both the need and the expense, that I just flat out did NOT go back to do it over SIX MONTHS ago. I got a phone call about 3 months later and told them I was going to wait on that. Against all their advice. Hey, when you don't have the funds, you don't have the funds. Still don't, but I decided against the redneck missing tooth look or seeing if insurance covered more for a root canal than they do for a crown. When I returned for another bi-annual cleaning, they were practically toe-tapping at me. Well, today they have me right where they want me. It's payback time with the nasty numbing juice and the big needles. But what I absolutely hate the most is the face numbing afterwards. If I could just be put under until it was all over I would do it in a heartbeat to avoid that.
Well, my alarm is about to beep for the 2nd time. I should have put an alarm on for blogging and allowed time for that too. What was I thinking?!
P.S. It would be great if Mariah got allergy tested today, but not sure she will because I think you have to make another appointment for that. But the poor girl is in the middle of another major allergy attack and has already been on steroids twice since February to deal with it. She's miserable enough not to complain too much about the needles today and won't overthink it like she will if we go back specifically to be pricked a bunch of times. Really, who wants that?!
It will do to her what the crown appointment is doing to me. And it will be one of those days....for both of us.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
I Wonder
I wonder where this will go? I debate between trying for an all-in-one summer update which would probably go on for way too long, even by my standards, or just a jump in where we are now and maybe mention something about summer each time? Well, that debate stalled me for a long time, so I guess I will go with the latter idea and get back to watching Hurricane Irene batter NJ and NYC. I get a kick out of watching the weather newscasters in their slickers making it into a big event and while I know it is important, it sure doesn't look like much on TV. And then when you least expect it, wham! Geraldo is tossed into the surf or something. So prime time! That I live for these moments I'm sure says something about me.
We tried for one of those fun moments with Felicie in Gatlinburg but were disappointed. We got a good rest though. Every afternoon a thunderstorm approached and cut off the fun. The second day we were at the water park. Most people left but when we heard there was a 50% chance of hail we got under one of the covered patios by the wave pool at the very edge and hunkered down covered by our towels. It got really chilly being rained on after awhile. Felicie said she hadn't seen hail before, which I can't imagine. Sometimes things got lost in the translation. But since she wasn't really loving this crazy American thing to do, we gave up on it when the storm front moved past us. We headed back to our hotel and warmed up and played Phase 10 forever instead.
Back to present day, I have to admit I keep thinking I need to Google the names of the 2011 Hurricanes. I know there was a Harvey, and now Irene. That means J will be a boy name and K is back to a girl. How awesome would it be if it was Kay? (Mike's sister and her husband for those of you who don't know!). I tell you I would be laughing every time I waited for a weatherman in a rain coat to get swept off his feet just thinking about that.
So, classes have started for Taryn and Indy. They both finished their first week. Taryn and Tim celebrated their one year anniversary as a couple this weekend. Congratulations to T&T! I'm not sure, but from the photo on facebook, I am wondering if he gave her a TV for her dorm room? There was just enough room for it under the desk. Inquiring minds want to know if it was an anniversary gift or what? Not that there's anything wrong with that! I can see Taryn really enjoying it. But, Tim, please make sure she studies before she plays XBox.
Indy has found that Aussie is a Brutus after all and we did not need to change his name that the shelter had bestowed upon him. He has been tearing up her apartment and following her around literally. He sits behind her on her chair when she is working at her desk. He chews her textbooks when she isn't looking (saw that one coming) and has taken up a horrible habit of chewing door frames. I have never seen a cat with a chewing fetish before. It's odd. I will have to look it up and see what to do about it. I brought her a plant decoration to keep him occupied but of course he went about finding his own things to destroy. What a demon.
Gib is driving himself around town now. I have almost gotten used to it. He has a full load of honors and AP classes and is working on his Eagle proposal. There is alot on his plate. He needs to think about some kind of income for his fun, but until we see his academic workload and how that goes for him and get the Eagle thing off the ground, I am not putting any more on his shoulders. He has a good group of friends and they usually have something going on after school on Friday's but it is often at the park or at someone's house to play XBox and not necessarily more than a meal at Sonic as far as expenses go. In just two weeks, Gib has about used up all my Sonic coupons! He is also going to do Youth Legislature again this year. I am glad he will participate in that again. As he keeps reminding me, he's a great guy... I hear good things about our Gib, and often see little hints of my dad in him which makes me smile inside.
Mariah (age 13) recently had a mini makeover and suddenly became all grown up.
One of her teachers from last year called her "hair and contacts" for the first week of school. The year in glasses changed our perception of Mariah so much! When our vision coverage renewed we used the insurance on the scratched lenses to replace them in the old frames and put Mariah back in contacts. We went with Daily's. If Mariah spreads out wearing them, i.e. wears her glasses part of the time, we can work the insurance system and pay less for both contacts and glasses but it has to be every 18 months not every 12 months. Or we have to buy a box of contacts to last 6 months until insurance kicks in again. Mariah auditioned for and got in 8th grade Performance Choir. She has it for her 1st period class which means no more early morning school twice a week! yay! I am looking forward to hearing them sing. She requested to learn Harmony and is singing Alto. Mariah has good teachers and is happy with her class mix (the students with her) this year. She is in Spanish for the first time and also has Geometry for high school credit. No surprise but she scored great on the end of course exam for Algebra - one of two students with a 100%. Very proud of our girl!
Actually, that reminds me I need to make an appointment for Gib to try contacts again on Monday. We had one but he got a migraine and cancelled it. This is about his 3rd or 4th try. Let's all pray that this is The Year!!!! I'd really like for Gib to see the whole world all the time. I can't do much about him not hearing it 24/7, but seeing it would be nice.
We tried for one of those fun moments with Felicie in Gatlinburg but were disappointed. We got a good rest though. Every afternoon a thunderstorm approached and cut off the fun. The second day we were at the water park. Most people left but when we heard there was a 50% chance of hail we got under one of the covered patios by the wave pool at the very edge and hunkered down covered by our towels. It got really chilly being rained on after awhile. Felicie said she hadn't seen hail before, which I can't imagine. Sometimes things got lost in the translation. But since she wasn't really loving this crazy American thing to do, we gave up on it when the storm front moved past us. We headed back to our hotel and warmed up and played Phase 10 forever instead.
Back to present day, I have to admit I keep thinking I need to Google the names of the 2011 Hurricanes. I know there was a Harvey, and now Irene. That means J will be a boy name and K is back to a girl. How awesome would it be if it was Kay? (Mike's sister and her husband for those of you who don't know!). I tell you I would be laughing every time I waited for a weatherman in a rain coat to get swept off his feet just thinking about that.
So, classes have started for Taryn and Indy. They both finished their first week. Taryn and Tim celebrated their one year anniversary as a couple this weekend. Congratulations to T&T! I'm not sure, but from the photo on facebook, I am wondering if he gave her a TV for her dorm room? There was just enough room for it under the desk. Inquiring minds want to know if it was an anniversary gift or what? Not that there's anything wrong with that! I can see Taryn really enjoying it. But, Tim, please make sure she studies before she plays XBox.
Indy has found that Aussie is a Brutus after all and we did not need to change his name that the shelter had bestowed upon him. He has been tearing up her apartment and following her around literally. He sits behind her on her chair when she is working at her desk. He chews her textbooks when she isn't looking (saw that one coming) and has taken up a horrible habit of chewing door frames. I have never seen a cat with a chewing fetish before. It's odd. I will have to look it up and see what to do about it. I brought her a plant decoration to keep him occupied but of course he went about finding his own things to destroy. What a demon.
Gib is driving himself around town now. I have almost gotten used to it. He has a full load of honors and AP classes and is working on his Eagle proposal. There is alot on his plate. He needs to think about some kind of income for his fun, but until we see his academic workload and how that goes for him and get the Eagle thing off the ground, I am not putting any more on his shoulders. He has a good group of friends and they usually have something going on after school on Friday's but it is often at the park or at someone's house to play XBox and not necessarily more than a meal at Sonic as far as expenses go. In just two weeks, Gib has about used up all my Sonic coupons! He is also going to do Youth Legislature again this year. I am glad he will participate in that again. As he keeps reminding me, he's a great guy... I hear good things about our Gib, and often see little hints of my dad in him which makes me smile inside.
Mariah (age 13) recently had a mini makeover and suddenly became all grown up.
One of her teachers from last year called her "hair and contacts" for the first week of school. The year in glasses changed our perception of Mariah so much! When our vision coverage renewed we used the insurance on the scratched lenses to replace them in the old frames and put Mariah back in contacts. We went with Daily's. If Mariah spreads out wearing them, i.e. wears her glasses part of the time, we can work the insurance system and pay less for both contacts and glasses but it has to be every 18 months not every 12 months. Or we have to buy a box of contacts to last 6 months until insurance kicks in again. Mariah auditioned for and got in 8th grade Performance Choir. She has it for her 1st period class which means no more early morning school twice a week! yay! I am looking forward to hearing them sing. She requested to learn Harmony and is singing Alto. Mariah has good teachers and is happy with her class mix (the students with her) this year. She is in Spanish for the first time and also has Geometry for high school credit. No surprise but she scored great on the end of course exam for Algebra - one of two students with a 100%. Very proud of our girl!
Actually, that reminds me I need to make an appointment for Gib to try contacts again on Monday. We had one but he got a migraine and cancelled it. This is about his 3rd or 4th try. Let's all pray that this is The Year!!!! I'd really like for Gib to see the whole world all the time. I can't do much about him not hearing it 24/7, but seeing it would be nice.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
New Post
Taryn gently reminded me that I am quite negligent on the blog. I must admit, while I had plenty to write about, I seem to have lost my muse. So I turned to my favorite photography subjects to see if I can get it back. The cats. haha. Not exactly how it happened.
Chino - Ignoring me. Like there's any point in that.
He's so not amused by me calling his name and telling him how much I adore him.
Well, he has to admit it... he likes it.
But he can only take so much.
Diego is not a cooperative photo cat
This morning when I opened the door to get the cat's dishes from the patio, a fawn was scampering in the sprinklers. I think they had just come on and she was trying to figure out what in the world was going on. It was funny. I went for the camera and thought she was gone when I got back. But as I was standing there looking for her, out popped a head from behind the big tree trunk.
Never did see her momma.
Kay - I took this one for you. The Chaste Tree we planted is quite happy in its spot. I sure hope that means my mom won't ask us to transplant it. Ever.
If you follow my facebook, which if probably how I lost my muse in the first place because why would I want to put everything in both places?, we were "graced" with a giant Zipper spider this year in our lovely new garden area amongst the Cannas. I've been morbidly fascinated with it.
I will get around to the humans in the blog later tonight or tomorrow. And for those who don't want to see the Zipper Spider, you are safe until the bottom of the blog.
This spider, which I named Chiquita, could care less if her zipper is perfect, as long as it gets the job done. What that job is, exactly, I have no idea. But I like that about her. Every day there is a new zipper in the web. If you go out early enough, you can see her finishing the web. I'd rather not see her move really. But once she starts, I can't stop staring, however I'm so tense that if anyone came up and said BOO! I'd scream. I always back away from Chiquita. And if the cats walk near her web I hold my breathe and worry. They seem to know to go around it.
So, the son of my preschool coworker has a project this weekend to put together a powerpoint using photos of insects. I figured I would help and send a few of Chiquita as she is a beauty. Apparently I was there during feeding hour. Ehhh. The first time she raced down the web I about lost it, but I just backed up, put on the telefoto lens and got tons of pics. There is one of her snagging the hapless gnat that flew into her web. And another of her egg sac. I wish I had been there when she was making it. It hardens and all the baby spiders incubate inside it all winter. There are over a thousand zipper spider in it. That's not a happy thought for me. But I've never seen that many in one spot so I'm assuming they don't all make it or it's like Charlotte's web and they all just fly away. And since the Zipper takes care of insects I don't want, and stays where I can keep my eye on it, we have a truce. Chiquita's days are numbered now. I expect to go out one morning and she won't be there. After that I will be a little freaked... where is the giant spider?!!? Even though I know she is probably dead. When we cut down the Canna, we will have to take the branch up the hill or something.
And now the moment you have been waiting for... Chiquita and her babies. See the egg sac at the bottom left. Clever spot, huh?
Hope you had yours.
Chino - Ignoring me. Like there's any point in that.
Well, he has to admit it... he likes it.
But he can only take so much.
Diego is not a cooperative photo cat 
This morning when I opened the door to get the cat's dishes from the patio, a fawn was scampering in the sprinklers. I think they had just come on and she was trying to figure out what in the world was going on. It was funny. I went for the camera and thought she was gone when I got back. But as I was standing there looking for her, out popped a head from behind the big tree trunk.
Never did see her momma.
Kay - I took this one for you. The Chaste Tree we planted is quite happy in its spot. I sure hope that means my mom won't ask us to transplant it. Ever.
If you follow my facebook, which if probably how I lost my muse in the first place because why would I want to put everything in both places?, we were "graced" with a giant Zipper spider this year in our lovely new garden area amongst the Cannas. I've been morbidly fascinated with it.
I will get around to the humans in the blog later tonight or tomorrow. And for those who don't want to see the Zipper Spider, you are safe until the bottom of the blog.
This spider, which I named Chiquita, could care less if her zipper is perfect, as long as it gets the job done. What that job is, exactly, I have no idea. But I like that about her. Every day there is a new zipper in the web. If you go out early enough, you can see her finishing the web. I'd rather not see her move really. But once she starts, I can't stop staring, however I'm so tense that if anyone came up and said BOO! I'd scream. I always back away from Chiquita. And if the cats walk near her web I hold my breathe and worry. They seem to know to go around it.
So, the son of my preschool coworker has a project this weekend to put together a powerpoint using photos of insects. I figured I would help and send a few of Chiquita as she is a beauty. Apparently I was there during feeding hour. Ehhh. The first time she raced down the web I about lost it, but I just backed up, put on the telefoto lens and got tons of pics. There is one of her snagging the hapless gnat that flew into her web. And another of her egg sac. I wish I had been there when she was making it. It hardens and all the baby spiders incubate inside it all winter. There are over a thousand zipper spider in it. That's not a happy thought for me. But I've never seen that many in one spot so I'm assuming they don't all make it or it's like Charlotte's web and they all just fly away. And since the Zipper takes care of insects I don't want, and stays where I can keep my eye on it, we have a truce. Chiquita's days are numbered now. I expect to go out one morning and she won't be there. After that I will be a little freaked... where is the giant spider?!!? Even though I know she is probably dead. When we cut down the Canna, we will have to take the branch up the hill or something.
And now the moment you have been waiting for... Chiquita and her babies. See the egg sac at the bottom left. Clever spot, huh?
Breakfast.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Mercer Service Scholars
Indy with the children of the family that they
were helping to build a house for in Armenia.
were helping to build a house for in Armenia.
Here are a couple of links that will provide pictures and personal reflections on the work that Indy is doing in Armenia with her Mercer Service Scholars team.
Pictures:
Fuller Center Photo Album
Pictures and Reflections:
Mercer Service Scholar Blog
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