tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27726849051456510862024-02-07T02:13:59.781-06:00JulaverJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16241377605401357415noreply@blogger.comBlogger549125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772684905145651086.post-38617905139703940622022-12-30T17:18:00.000-06:002022-12-30T17:18:20.260-06:002022: Checkpoint<p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p>Wait, where did 2022 go?</p>
<p>1. What did you do in 2022 that you’d never done before? </p>
<p>Watched my daughter as the lead in a play. Helped a child of mine apply to
college. Lived in a house with hard flooring. </p>
<p>2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next
year?</p>
<p>Pah-leese.</p>
<p>3. Did anyone close to you give birth?</p>
<p>None babies.</p>
<p>4. Did anyone close to you die?</p>
<p>My (great) Aunt Betty. One of the best and will not be forgotten. Especially
her chocolate chip cookies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Others not close-close,
but once removed. My dad’s best friend. Chris’s best friend’s niece. Chris’s other
best friend’s mother. Not great, Bob.</p>
<p>5. What places did you visit? </p>
<p>Walt Disneyworld, my happy place. Wisconsin for Betty’s funeral. In March.
In a snowstorm.</p>
<p>6. What would you like to have in 2023 that you lacked in 2022? </p>
<p>Global immunity to and the eradication of the SARS-COV-2 virus. (Still,
sigh.)</p>
<p>Fairness and compassion across the globe.</p>
<p>7. What dates from 2022 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?</p>
<p>May 27, my baby girl moving on from middle school to high school. July something,
finally getting the floors done. August 17, watching both my babies walk into
the same high school. October 28, Sabrina’s Eurydice debut. November 13, submitting
Sammy’s college applications. December 29, learning about Sammy’s first
scholarship.</p>
<p>8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? </p>
<p>Finally getting the living room painted and the floors replaced. Been on the
house list for over a decade.</p>
<p>9. What was your biggest failure?</p>
<p>Not going into this. Let’s just say how many times I’ve said I’m giving up
ice cream vs. how many times I actually gave up ice cream.</p>
<p>10. Did you suffer illness or injury?</p>
<p>Mom broke her hip in January on the same day Dad got COVID. Not a happy experience,
but much better now.</p>
<p>11. What was the best thing you bought? </p>
<p>Paint and floors.</p>
<p>12. Whose behavior merited celebration?</p>
<p>My kids stepping up this year to be leaders even when they didn’t realize
they were being leaders. Family members loving other family members even
harder.</p>
<p>13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? </p>
<p>Putin.</p>
<p>As before: Those who could but did not get vaccinated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every last one of them. Both those proud of
their stand and those who hide it.</p>
<p>Also as before: Basically anyone who clings to arbitrary lines drawn in the
sand for no other reason that they were on one side of the line when it was
drawn.</p>
<p>14. Where did most of your money go? </p>
<p>Evergreen: Day to day stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amazon
Prime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taxes.</p>
<p>Paint and floors. A theme.</p>
<p>15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? </p>
<p>Duh, paint and floors. The Guardians of the Galaxy ride at WDW. Sabrina’s
play.</p>
<p>16. What song will always remind you of 2022? </p>
<p>Honest admission: I am no good at keeping up with music. No clue here.</p>
<p>17. Compared to this time last year, are you:</p>
<p>a) happier or sadder? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like Texas
weather, wait a minute and it’ll change. </p>
<p>b) thinner or fatter? Probably the same. Ish.</p>
<p>c) richer or poorer? I think about the same? Probably a little poorer, but
mostly same.</p>
<p>18. What do you wish you’d done more of? </p>
<p>Laughing. It always feels good and we can always use more.</p>
<p>19. What do you wish you’d done less of? </p>
<p>Worrying. Procrastinating. Feeling bad about myself.</p>
<p>20. How did you spend Christmas in 2022? </p>
<p>Christmas Eve Mass, listening to Fr. Henry play his harmonica. Charcuterie
for Christmas Eve dinner, for the second time so now it’s tradition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New PJs for the kids from the grandfolks,
which they say will be the last year, but I doubt it. Santa.</p>
<p>Children SET AM ALARM for 7 AM so they wouldn’t oversleep. They woke us at
7:02. Woot BoCs of delight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pigs in a
blanket, donuts, coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parents house
for the great unwrapping. Much eating and traditional merriment.</p>
<p>21. Did you fall in love in 2022? </p>
<p>Just more.</p>
<p>22. What was your favorite TV program? </p>
<p>House of the Dragon.</p>
<p>23. What did you do for your birthday in 2022? </p>
<p>Had brunch with the folks. Dinner with the family. Rolled it right on by.</p>
<p>24. What was the best book you read? </p>
<p>I read things, but I don’t recall any of them. So I can’t pick a favorite.
Finally got back into the Game of Thrones series and am finally making headway.
They’re thick, so one a year seems a brisk pace for me.</p>
<p>25. What did you want and get?</p>
<p>Paint! And Floors! </p>
<p>26. What did you want and not get? </p>
<p>Herd immunity.</p>
<p>27. What was your favorite film of this year? </p>
<p>Still haven’t been to a theater. Caught up on many Marvel movies, though. </p>
<p>28. Did you make some new friends this year? </p>
<p>Nope, but I’m hoping for a turnaround.</p>
<p>29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? </p>
<p>SEE QUESTION 26.</p>
<p>30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2022? </p>
<p>Jeans, leggings, capris, shorts. Pick your season. Yes, shirts as well.</p>
<p>31. What kept you sane? </p>
<p>Sanity is overrated.</p>
<p>32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? </p>
<p>Not fancy, but I have a deep respect for President Zelensky.</p>
<p>33. What political issue stirred you the most? </p>
<p>Pandemic. Exclusion by means of supposedly upholding moral standards.</p>
<p>34. Who did you miss? </p>
<p>My aunt. My best friend. Everyone who's far away.</p>
<p>35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2022.</p>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Your work will bear fruit like a peach on an apple
tree.</span><p></p>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16241377605401357415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772684905145651086.post-63301457660186482692021-12-31T15:21:00.000-06:002021-12-31T15:21:12.498-06:002021: Checkpoint<p> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p>Lather, rinse, repeat.</p>
<p>1. What did you do in 2021 that you’d never done before? </p>
<p>Got an mRNA vaccine.</p>
<p>2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next
year?</p>
<p>Hahahahahaha.</p>
<p>3. Did anyone close to you give birth?</p>
<p>Zero babies.</p>
<p>4. Did anyone close to you die?</p>
<p>No, thank goodness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But so many from
this horrible virus.</p>
<p>5. What places did you visit? </p>
<p>Palo Duro Canyon, Texas. One night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Charleston, South Carolina, with vaccinated family.</p>
<p>6. What would you like to have in 2022 that you lacked in 2021? </p>
<p>Global immunity to and the eradication of the SARS-COV-2 virus. (Still,
sigh.)</p>
<p>Fairness and compassion across the globe.</p>
<p>7. What dates from 2021 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?</p>
<p>June 4, when we had to take the dog on a car trip because she bit the pet
sitter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>March 31, getting my COVID
vaccine alongside my son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>August 8,
aforementioned son completing his Eagle Scout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>November 12, my baby girl starring in her play and stealing the show.</p>
<p>January 6. Hmph.</p>
<p>8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? </p>
<p>Getting everyone in the house vaccinated.</p>
<p>9. What was your biggest failure?</p>
<p>I do not have enough bandwidth to list them all.</p>
<p>10. Did you suffer illness or injury?</p>
<p>Thankfully, no. Let's do that again.</p>
<p>11. What was the best thing you bought? </p>
<p>Meh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new mattress started sagging
immediately and had to be replaced through an incredibly PITA process, so not
that. The AC going out in July and costing massive dollars wasn't a choice, and
super irritating. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'll say paying the
fee for Sammy's driver's license, because it sure is nice not to have to run
his places all the time.</p>
<p>12. Whose behavior merited celebration?</p>
<p>Everyone who got vaccinated. (A theme?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, a theme.)</p>
<p>13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? </p>
<p>Those who could but did not get vaccinated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Every last one of them. Both those proud of their stand and those who
hide it.</p>
<p>As previously stated, basically anyone who clings to arbitrary lines drawn
in the sand for no other reason that they were on one side of the line when it
was drawn.</p>
<p>14. Where did most of your money go? </p>
<p>Evergreen: Day to day stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amazon
Prime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taxes.</p>
<p>15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? </p>
<p>Vaccines. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kids with smiles. Seeing my
kids being joyful.</p>
<p>16. What song will always remind you of 2021? </p>
<p>I haven't listened to whatever was current in music maybe ever. Memories by
Maroon 5 makes me think of my best friend. </p>
<p>17. Compared to this time last year, are you:</p>
<p>a) happier or sadder? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both. Neither.
Ugh. </p>
<p>b) thinner or fatter? Probably the same. Ish.</p>
<p>c) richer or poorer? Poorer. (See: new AC.)</p>
<p>18. What do you wish you’d done more of? </p>
<p>Laugh. It always feels good and we can always use more.</p>
<p>19. What do you wish you’d done less of? </p>
<p>Worried. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Procrastinated.</p>
<p>20. How did you spend Christmas in 2021? </p>
<p>Christmas Eve Mass, outside because I wasn't willing to go inside with the
crowd and it was 80 degrees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Charcuterie
for Christmas Eve dinner, which was significantly easier and got rave
reviews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Egg nog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New PJs for the kids from the grandfolks (In
N Out burger!). Santa.</p>
<p>For the first time EVER, I woke up first, which was still late at 7 AM for
Christmas morning, and HAD TO WAIT for these teenage children to get up, get up,
GET UP!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were new phones for 75% of
us, and Woot BoCs of delight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pigs in a
blanket, but sadly, moldy donuts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parents
house for the great unwrapping. No one was sick and everyone smiled.</p>
<p>21. Did you fall in love in 2021? </p>
<p>Just more. That's good.</p>
<p>22. What was your favorite TV program? </p>
<p>Probably Cobra Kai, because we watch that as a family.</p>
<p>23. What did you do for your birthday in 2021? </p>
<p>Beats me. </p>
<p>24. What was the best book you read? </p>
<p>The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.</p>
<p>25. What did you want and get?</p>
<p>VACCINES!</p>
<p>26. What did you want and not get? </p>
<p>Herd immunity.</p>
<p>27. What was your favorite film of this year? </p>
<p>Not a clue. No movie theaters for me yet. Probably something we watched with
Disney +.</p>
<p>28. Did you make some new friends this year? </p>
<p>Not really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come on, 2022.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need this.</p>
<p>29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? </p>
<p>SEE QUESTION 26.</p>
<p>30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2021? </p>
<p>Everything is covered and no food stuck on.</p>
<p>31. What kept you sane? </p>
<p>Honestly, Animal Crossing. </p>
<p>32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? </p>
<p>Nothing fancy here.</p>
<p>33. What political issue stirred you the most? </p>
<p>I believe I've been clear on this so far.</p>
<p>34. Who did you miss? </p>
<p>My best friend. Everyone who's far away.</p>
<p>35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2021.</p>
<p>Take a breath first. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</p>
Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16241377605401357415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772684905145651086.post-68762134280514261582020-12-28T17:36:00.000-06:002020-12-28T17:36:02.125-06:002020: Checkpoint<p>Well, this should be... something. I don' think I'm too bitter, but when I
think about this past year, my face scrunches up like I just sucked a lemon, so
we'll see how this goes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fair warning.</p>
<p>1. What did you do in 2020 that you’d never done before? </p>
<p>Lived during a pandemic.</p>
<p>2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next
year?</p>
<p>Nope.</p>
<p>3. Did anyone close to you give birth?</p>
<p>Zero babies.</p>
<p>4. Did anyone close to you die?</p>
<p>This is the worst question this year. At least it's early in the
progression.</p>
<p>My best friend, Sarah, died from metastatic breast cancer. I could not
attend her funeral.</p>
<p>Also, hundreds of thousands more from this horrible virus.</p>
<p>5. What places did you visit? </p>
<p>Beyond the grocery store and essential places? Nowhere. One day escape to a
state park, outdoors, distant,</p>
<p>6. What would you like to have in 2021 that you lacked in 2020? </p>
<p>Global immunity to and the eradication of the SARS-COV-2 virus. </p>
<p>Confirmed continuation of New Tech High School @ Coppell.</p>
<p>People to be wiser and more compassionate to all others.</p>
<p>7. What dates from 2020 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?</p>
<p>The week of March 10: when it all went downhill. November 8: new dog day. December 5: see question 4.</p>
<p>8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? </p>
<p>Survival. Quite literally.</p>
<p>9. What was your biggest failure?</p><p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p>I'm sure they were many, but let's try to swing this thing upward.</p><p>10. Did you suffer illness or injury?</p>
<p>Thankfully, no. Let's do that again.</p>
<p>11. What was the best thing you bought? </p>
<p>The dog?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel like I'm supposed to
say the dog here. </p>
<p>12. Whose behavior merited celebration?</p>
<p>We did not destroy each other despite stay at home orders, ridiculous
stress, and virtual school, so I'm going to say my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Science, for working tirelessly to study this
virus and develop vaccines at a superhero pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Healthcare workers, for taking care of everyone in unfathomable
circumstances. </p>
<p>13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? </p>
<p>The Hatfields and the McCoys of the United States.</p>
<p>As previously stated, basically anyone who clings to arbitrary lines drawn
in the sand for no other reason that they were on one side of the line when it
was drawn.</p>
<p>14. Where did most of your money go? </p>
<p>Evergreen: Day to day stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amazon
Prime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taxes.</p>
<p>15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? </p>
<p>Science. Vaccines. Kids with smiles on their faces.</p>
<p>16. What song will always remind you of 2020? </p>
<p>I tried to ask Sammy and Sabrina about this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All 3 of us came up with bupkis.</p>
<p>17. Compared to this time last year, are you:</p>
<p>a) happier or sadder? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, come on. </p>
<p>b) thinner or fatter? Probably the same. Ish.</p>
<p>c) richer or poorer? 'Bout same.</p>
<p>18. What do you wish you’d done more of? </p>
<p>
</p><p>I have absolutely no idea. There wasn't much we COULD do, so what I did do
was all right by me. I will say hugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because we couldn't.</p>
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<p>19. What do you wish you’d done less of? </p>
<p>Worried. But it was warranted this year.</p>
<p>20. How did you spend Christmas in 2020? </p>
<p>Christmas Eve dinner. Zoom Mass. Santa.</p>
<p>The kids (ahem, SABRINA) got up earlier that ever before even though they
are teenagers (or close enough).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Santa bacchanalia.
Parents house for socially-distanced, open window Christmas. Quietish and nice.
No one was sick and everyone smiled (or at least I think they did, behind their
masks).</p>
<p>21. Did you fall in love in 2020? </p>
<p>We got a dog. She's adorable.</p>
<p>22. What was your favorite TV program? </p>
<p>The only thing I remember watching consistently was General Hospital. Chris
and I picked up New Girl as our current together show.</p>
<p>23. What did you do for your birthday in 2020? </p>
<p>Since it occurred right at the start of the pandemic precautions, not too
much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Family togetherness, which is all
I really needed anyway. Everyone was healthy (a recurring but important theme).</p><p>Oh, and lasagna. <br /></p>
<p>24. What was the best book you read? </p>
<p>The Martian. </p>
<p>25. What did you want and get?</p>
<p>The guest bathtub refinished, finally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A new computer desk that gives more space to the living room. Kids happy
to be in school.</p>
<p>I'm not adding the dog here because I was never really into having a dog,
but the other 3 in the house were, so it seems 2020 is the year I wore down to
the bone. But she's adorable and doesn't shed, so, yay dog.</p>
<p>26. What did you want and not get? </p>
<p>See question 6.</p>
<p></p>
<p>27. What was your favorite film of this year? </p>
<p>Hamilton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a no brainer.</p>
<p>28. Did you make some new friends this year? </p>
<p>Virtually, since all things happened virtually this year. My friends of the
internet and, in particular, a crazy little group of adults who play a silly
little game like Animal Crossing who showed kindness, generosity, and a general
appreciation for nerdiness, kept me going this year.</p>
<p>29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? </p>
<p>SEE QUESTION 6.</p>
<p>30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2020? </p>
<p>Everything is covered.</p>
<p>31. What kept you sane? </p>
<p>Honestly, Animal Crossing. </p>
<p>32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? </p>
<p>Nothing fancy here.</p>
<p>33. What political issue stirred you the most? </p>
<p>I do not have the energy for this one. Just consider me stirred.</p>
<p>34. Who did you miss? </p>
<p>See question 4.</p>
<p>35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2020.</p>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">I am blessed. </span>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16241377605401357415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772684905145651086.post-73607673717249360892020-03-25T16:02:00.001-05:002020-03-25T16:02:35.562-05:00VisitorsI know in this time of social distancing, we're not really supposed to have visitors, but I just can't seem to get rid of them.<br />
<br />
Hundreds. Incessant. With so many legs.<br />
<br />
Ants.<br />
<br />
This has been the wettest start to the year since they started keeping track over a century ago, at least according to my favorite local meteorologist. And it doesn't surprise me that we get tiny insect squatters after a lot of rain. It's happened in years past. But this is a whole new ballgame. Wettest winter = so many more ants. And somehow they come in through the roof into our bathroom. The room has a high, pitched ceiling with a crossbeam running the length of the peak. Ants like to use that beam as a superhighway, running along it, back and forth, but the dozens and dozens and dozens, until one or several get dizzy and fall to their deaths. On my bathroom floor. Into my sink. On the toilet. Which is spectacular fun to discover in the middle of the night. Crunch.<br />
<br />
Chris got out the ladder and commenced chemical warfare last night, which did (at least temporarily) close down the bug commute, but he forgot to remove the bathmats before hosing down the room with ant spray, so, surprise laundry! And then when I went in about an hour later, I looked upon what could only be described as an ant Jonestown. Now, I don't know how many died from poisoning and how many committed suicide, but it doesn't really matter, because who cares when there's a carpet of dead ants on the floor. I cleaned that up, and a while later, there'd be another batch. And another. Thankfully, the batches are getting smaller, but I'm tired of sweeping and the mass grave wastebasket is filled with little bodies. <br />
<br />
Kids, time for hygiene class!Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16241377605401357415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772684905145651086.post-24372491237928207272020-03-23T20:08:00.001-05:002020-03-24T10:43:28.506-05:00Not Normal But NewSo, what's new with you?<br />
<br />
Just kidding! We're living in a tornado right now, aren't we? Things changes so fast and furiously that any minute we could get sideswiped by a flying cow and it won't be surprising. Even for someone as anti-change as I am, I'm at the point where, "Another new and startling piece of information that upends our lives again? Pfft. Whatever."<br />
<br />
Since coronavirus blossomed into a mushroom cloud of terror a few weeks back, we've been doing all the buzz words: social distancing, isolating, you name it. Actually, about this time this became real for the vast majority in these parts, we were on spring break, and Sabrina was down with the flu and strep, as confirmed by medical professionals. I really thought that would be the worst to happen over spring break, but, well, you know. Luckily, no one else caught either one of her illnesses and we remain healthy today. (It probably goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway - it is my sincere hope that it stays that way for us and all of you.)<br />
<br />
Spring break came and went. A second week of stay at home came and went. The kids have now commenced distance learning, which, thankfully, they are completely ready to tackle. As much as I am not a fan of 1 to 1 technology in our school district, it has given our students an unexpected preparedness for this situation. They dove right in today without a worry, and actually wish the schools would roll out further virtual options immediately (they need a little bit of time to put live classes and the like into practice because they hadn't really had to do it in the past, certainly not to this extent). I sent emails to both principals thanking them and offering my encouragement to keep going. Last week, Sammy starting taking taekwondo classes via Zoom and Sabrina's Girl Scout troop met via Hangouts. I even had a virtual happy hour with some neighbor friends (note to self: pour a bigger glass of wine next time). Granted, we have to learn to stop grabbing iPads out of each other's hands when things aren't progressing quickly enough, but we're getting better. Technology for the win!<br />
<br />
Chris's job is essential to the infrastructure, so he's still going into work. It's mildly unnerving, but he's not out in the public and has contact with only a handful of people, so I'm trying not to get squirrelly over it. Plus, if he were isolating at home with us for weeks on end, he would lose his fool, super short term attention span mind and I might have to lock him in a closet to save myself. My parents are fine so far, as are my other family members and friends as I know today. I've learned I already isolate/social distance most of the time anyway, so I'm pretty good at it. I identify for just about every single meme out there right now.<br />
<br />
And so, let's circle back to old school blogging. Why not?Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16241377605401357415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772684905145651086.post-43801869882544686932019-12-31T20:35:00.002-06:002019-12-31T20:35:51.962-06:002019: Checkpoint<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
Yadda and all.<br />
<br />
1. What did you do in 2019 that you’d never done before?<br />
<br />
Driven Houston to Dallas between midnight and 5 AM. I'd like not to repeat
that ever again.<br />
<br />
2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next
year?<br />
<br />
Nah.<br />
<br />
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?<br />
<br />
None babies around here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wait, a
cousin had a baby this fall and he's really cute.<br />
<br />
4. Did anyone close to you die?<br />
<br />
Woo boy, this has been a year. Sabrina's teacher lost her dad in an accident
the day before school ended for the summer, so we went to the rosary for him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, we lost Chris's mom during the Weekend
of Misery. My cousin, Chad, passed from leukemia that we didn't know he was
enduring, and my friend, Kelly, passed after a very long battle with cancer -
both far, far too young.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this past
week, a sweet 11 year old boy from just around the block died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's been a lot.<br />
<br />
5. What places did you visit?<br />
<br />
Houston, Texas; Charleston, South Carolina. Points along the way.<br />
<br />
6. What would you like to have in 2019 that you lacked in 2018?<br />
<br />
As always: More surplus dollars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
boatload of patience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More and closer
friendships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will power, fortitude, self
discipline, and better ways to communicate.<br />
<br />
7. What dates from 2019 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?<br />
<br />
May 23: the day of Sabrina's elementary school graduation ceremony and her
being given an award by her peers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May
24: Sammy's middle school graduation and watching my boy completely break down
because he was leaving such a special place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>June 8-10 (AKA the Weekend of Misery): Sabrina gets sick on a Girl Scout
trip to NASA in Houston, so we do the midnight ride home (she is fine upon
return); Chris's mom passes away while he, Sammy, and my parents are in a car a
few hundred miles from their destination of Las Vegas (Sabrina and my flight is
mercifully cancelled due to weather); on the return drive, the road trippers
stop in Amarillo for lunch, where my father suffers a heart attack (he is
treated very quickly and is now doing very well; the boys drive my folks' car
back and the folks fly back a few days later). Whew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>August 14: Sammy starts high school and Sabrina
starts middle school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?<br />
<br />
Survival.<br />
<br />
9. What was your biggest failure?<br />
<br />
Evergreen: Letting frustration win, again and again and again.<br />
<br />
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?<br />
<br />
Thankfully, no. Let's do that again.<br />
<br />
11. What was the best thing you bought?<br />
<br />
A Ring doorbell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A new hot water
heater to replace the one that gave out but did not flood the house on its way
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Disney +.<br />
<br />
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?<br />
<br />
My niece for welcoming our foursome to stay in her house and upend her life
for 5 days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?<br />
<br />
Basically anyone who clings to arbitrary lines drawn in the sand for no
other reason that they were on one side of the line when it was drawn.<br />
<br />
14. Where did most of your money go?<br />
<br />
Also evergreen: Day to day stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Amazon Prime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taxes.<br />
<br />
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?<br />
<br />
Game of Thrones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Disney +.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finding useful gifts for people I love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Awesome bargains I found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watching my kids have a blast at the beach.<br />
<br />
16. What song will always remind you of 2019?<br />
<br />
I know nothing of music this year. Something about an old road?<br />
<br />
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:<br />
<br />
a) happier or sadder? Tough year, but I'm working on happier.<br />
<br />
b) thinner or fatter? My mind tells me fatter every time i look in the
mirror, but my clothes still fit, so meh.<br />
<br />
c) richer or poorer? 'Bout same.<br />
<br />
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?<br />
<br />
Smiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finding the upside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?<br />
<br />
Fretting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being annoyed.<br />
<br />
20. How did you spend Christmas in 2019?<br />
<br />
Hosted a Christmas Eve dinner for my side of the family, then we went to
Mass together and it was lovely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Except
that Chris said he wasn't feeling well.<br />
<br />
We came home, cleaned up, somehow got the kids into bed, and let Santa do
his business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We finished much earlier
than in the past, and Chris went to bed, and I followed (also earlier than in
the past).<br />
<br />
Christmas morning was happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kids
adored their gifts from Santa, we had donuts and pigs in a blanket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had trouble getting out the door to go to
my parents' house because we kept forgetting things and having to turn around. More
breakfast, then giftapalooza. We all watched Chris turn paler and quieter, then
go sleep the entire afternoon and evening. I made him a clinic appointment for
the next morning, then tried to enjoy the rest of the day. Epilogue: he had
strep AND the flu.<br />
<br />
21. Did you fall in love in 2019?<br />
<br />
Um, pass.<br />
<br />
22. What was your favorite TV program?<br />
<br />
There was this little show called Game of Thrones. I watched the whole
series the week before the final season started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm glad I did it that way instead of having
to wait years to see what would happen.<br />
<br />
23. What did you do for your birthday in 2019?<br />
<br />
It was a Thursday?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, I don't
remember.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm sure my family was nice to
me, and that's all that matters.<br />
<br />
24. What was the best book you read?<br />
<br />
Evvie Drake Starts Over, and not just because the author is an internet
friend.<br />
<br />
25. What did you want and get?<br />
<br />
My Wifi thermostat installed (I've been waiting on this for years).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A new computer desk (see next year's list for
said desk assembled and put in place).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
good start to high school and middle school for my kids.<br />
<br />
26. What did you want and not get?<br />
<br />
Skinnier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peace on earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Children with consistent table manners. And where is that rich benefactor?<br />
<br />
27. What was your favorite film of this year?<br />
<br />
Probably Toy Story 4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although
Captain Marvel was surprisingly fun.<br />
<br />
28. Did you make some new friends this year?<br />
<br />
I'm really hoping for a new or strengthened friendship in the future,
particularly a local one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have lots of
friends across the internet, but I'd really like someone close both figuratively
and literally.<br />
<br />
29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?<br />
<br />
Inner peace.<br />
<br />
Slightly modified from last year: the ability to communicate anything to my husband
(and OK, children) and have him understand instantly and completely.<br />
<br />
30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2019?<br />
<br />
Ironing is clearly not a skill I possess.<br />
<br />
31. What kept you sane?<br />
<br />
Caffeine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Naps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TLI.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Long
showers.<br />
<br />
32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?<br />
<br />
Still not fancy. I enjoy following the British royals more than ever, so
we'll put that here.<br />
<br />
33. What political issue stirred you the most?<br />
<br />
Boy, that's a loaded question. Moving on.<br />
<br />
34. Who did you miss?<br />
<br />
Everyone I lost (which is too long a list this year) and everyone I don't
see often enough (which is most everyone). As usual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2019.<br />
<br />
Take a deep breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take another. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
Once more, with some semblance of feeling...<br />
<br />
1. What did you do in 2018 that you’d never done before?<br />
<br />
Visited Colorado. I think this makes my 40th state (assuming I've counted
correctly).<br />
<br />
2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next
year?<br />
<br />
Not gonna happen.<br />
<br />
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?<br />
<br />
No babies around here. Some far flung friends, but none infants I've met in
person.<br />
<br />
4. Did anyone close to you die?<br />
<br />
No. Glad for this answer.<br />
<br />
5. What places did you visit?<br />
<br />
Las Vegas, Nevada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Denver(ish),
Colorado. Points in between,<br />
<br />
6. What would you like to have in 2018 that you lacked in 2017?<br />
<br />
As always: More surplus dollars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
boatload of patience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More and closer
friendships, both in person and across the internet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need some buddies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will power, fortitude, self discipline, and
better ways to communicate.<br />
<br />
7. What dates from 2018 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?<br />
<br />
April 20, Sabrina's birthday slumber party. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm still tired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>July 7, leaving on our road trip to Colorado.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>December 12: taking 100 5th graders
camping for 3 days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In December.<br />
<br />
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?<br />
<br />
Survival.<br />
<br />
9. What was your biggest failure?<br />
<br />
Evergreen: Letting frustration win, again and again and again.<br />
<br />
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?<br />
<br />
Nothing significant, thank goodness. Let's hope for the same moving forward.<br />
<br />
11. What was the best thing you bought?<br />
<br />
Netflix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm super on top of things.<br />
<br />
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?<br />
<br />
Sammy, for working so hard and being dedicated to school, even if he's not
feeling tip top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sabrina, for her kind
heart toward her friends and (most of the time) her brother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My parents, for many things including loading
us all into a car for a road trip to Vegas, again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Ladies Internet continues to be
compassionate, insightful, and kind in so many ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?<br />
<br />
A vast majority of people with titles won through election, and the people
who put them there.<br />
<br />
14. Where did most of your money go?<br />
<br />
Also evergreen: Day to day stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Amazon Prime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taxes.<br />
<br />
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?<br />
<br />
Summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Netflix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Awesome bargains I found.<br />
<br />
16. What song will always remind you of 2018?<br />
<br />
Since I can't think of one, I'll go with Sabrina's selection of Ariana
Grande's "Thank You, Next."<br />
<br />
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:<br />
<br />
a) happier or sadder? A period of sadder, a period of happier. Ending on an
up note.<br />
<br />
b) thinner or fatter? My sister said I've lost weight, but who knows? I
don't have a scale for this very reason.<br />
<br />
c) richer or poorer? No exact numbers, but probably a little bit one way or
the other.<br />
<br />
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?<br />
<br />
Smiling. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not worrying about things
way out of my control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?<br />
<br />
Stressing.<br />
<br />
20. How did you spend Christmas in 2018?<br />
<br />
Hosted a Christmas Eve dinner for my side of the family, which Chris managed
to make despite working long hours that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We went to Mass together and it was lovely.<br />
<br />
We came home, cleaned up, somehow got the kids into bed, and let Santa do
his business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched the NORAD Santa
Tracker a little too late and finally went to bed.<br />
<br />
Christmas morning was delightful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
kids adored their gifts from Santa, we had donuts and pigs in a blanket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We managed to get dressed and over to my
folks' pretty much on time for breakfast. Lots of gift opening and pickle
hunting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>General slothlike behavior. I
dealt with a headache in the afternoon, but thankfully, it faded by the
evening.<br />
<br />
21. Did you fall in love in 2018?<br />
<br />
Um, pass.<br />
<br />
22. What was your favorite TV program?<br />
<br />
I finally got to watch The Crown and One Day at a Time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like New Amsterdam and I think I like
Manifest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
23. What did you do for your birthday in 2018?<br />
<br />
Heck if I can remember. I think I got a pedicure and went out to lunch with
my parents.<br />
<br />
24. What was the best book you read?<br />
<br />
Crazy Rich Asians and the second one were fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm waiting for the 3rd from the library.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn't know there was a 4th Peculiar
Children book until last week, so I'm diving into that one right now.<br />
<br />
25. What did you want and get?<br />
<br />
Netflix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hulu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New drawer handles for the kitchen, installed
by someone other than me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A way to
manage all of Sabrina's extracurricular activities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
26. What did you want and not get?<br />
<br />
Skinnier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peace on earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Children with consistent table manners.<br />
<br />
And where is that rich benefactor?<br />
<br />
27. What was your favorite film of this year?<br />
<br />
Ralph Wrecks the Internet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks,
@Pamie.<br />
<br />
28. Did you make some new friends this year?<br />
<br />
Yes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went to Nashville and met a lovely
new section of TLI.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I roomed with Jen (@jayesel)
and drank (or at least tried to) a bottle of wine with Joanna
(@ofgoodfamily).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those were the nights I
laughed the most all year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to do
a better job keeping in touch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?<br />
<br />
A jet pack.<br />
<br />
Always, always, always: the ability to communicate anything to my children
and have them understand instantly.<br />
<br />
30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2018?<br />
<br />
Yes, I shop at Kohls, why do you ask?<br />
<br />
31. What kept you sane?<br />
<br />
Caffiene.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TLI.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sending my kids to school and husband to work
and returning to a quiet house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?<br />
<br />
I'm not too fancy this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still
want to hang out with Lin Manuel Miranda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And he should bring his wife and Weird Al along with him.<br />
<br />
33. What political issue stirred you the most?<br />
<br />
The Supreme Court.<br />
<br />
34. Who did you miss?<br />
<br />
Everyone I lost and everyone I don't see often enough (which is most
everyone).<br />
<br />
35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2018.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Don't open your mouth if you don't want an answer.</span>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16241377605401357415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772684905145651086.post-21330316023648950622017-12-30T16:02:00.002-06:002017-12-30T16:02:38.648-06:002017: Checkpoint<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
I'm sorry if this comes off a little grey this year. I'm hoping for more rainbows & glitter in 2018. I put Sabrina in charge of that...<br />
<br />
1. What did you do in 2017 that you’d never done before?<br />
<br />
Visited my brother's family & stayed in his house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went on vacation via airplane for which I had
to shell out $$$ for many tickets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Got
completely verklempt over my son receiving numerous middle school awards.<br />
<br />
2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next
year?<br />
<br />
Pish.<br />
<br />
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?<br />
<br />
A couple of cousins added to their broods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But I haven't held a squishy newborn in some time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bummer.<br />
<br />
4. Did anyone close to you die?<br />
<br />
Thankfully, not this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whew.<br />
<br />
5. What places did you visit?<br />
<br />
San Antonio, Texas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Portland, Oregon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vancouver, Washington.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Oregon coast/Pacific Ocean.<br />
<br />
6. What would you like to have in 2017 that you lacked in 2016?<br />
<br />
We'll just double down, OK?<br />
<br />
More surplus dollars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A boatload of patience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More and
closer friendships, both in person and across the internet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need some buddies. Will power, fortitude, self discipline, and better ways to
communicate.<br />
<br />
7. What dates from 2017 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?<br />
<br />
Hmm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May 30, the middle school awards
ceremony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some day in October when
Sabrina was elected to student council (the date is not significant but the
memory is because I tried my darnedest to be on student council my whole academic
career and never succeeded).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a lot
of specific dates this year, but nice moments for sure.<br />
<br />
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?<br />
<br />
Making it through?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keeping my cool
(mostly)?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eh.<br />
<br />
9. What was your biggest failure?<br />
<br />
Once more with feeling: Letting frustration win, again and again and again.<br />
<br />
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?<br />
<br />
Strep plus a nasty virus at the end of spring break and over my
birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That's about it, thank
everything.<br />
<br />
11. What was the best thing you bought?<br />
<br />
My husband will say his new car, but I don't believe we needed one, so not
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We finally finished replacing all
the windows (except the weird one in the bathroom which can stay because it's
weird), so perhaps I shall go with that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Suuuuuper boring.<br />
<br />
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?<br />
<br />
Last year's answer just carries straight over: as we wind up this year, it
feels like nobody behaved very well, at least at large.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Ladies Internet continues to be
compassionate, insightful, and kind in so many ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?<br />
<br />
Anybody fighting and yelling because differences exist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That's a vague but direct answer.<br />
<br />
14. Where did most of your money go?<br />
<br />
Still - and more - true: Amazon Prime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Taxes. Also, new car.<br />
<br />
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?<br />
<br />
Any time Amazon showed up at my door?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It didn't take much this year.<br />
<br />
16. What song will always remind you of 2017?<br />
<br />
I have been noodling over this question for days, and I have no answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn't even know Despacito was a thing
until I heard it on a 2017 review show.<br />
<br />
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:<br />
<br />
a) happier or sadder? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honestly, a bit
sadder, but hopeful for 2018.<br />
b) thinner or fatter?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My rings are
looser on my fingers, so I must be headed in the right direction.<br />
c) richer or poorer? Poorer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stupid
taxes.<br />
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?<br />
<br />
This remains ever the same: Catching myself before I get annoyed with the
kids, particularly for interrupting me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Spending time with lady friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It bears repeating, I need more friend time.<br />
<br />
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?<br />
<br />
Worrying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now and forever.<br />
<br />
20. How did you spend Christmas in 2017?<br />
<br />
Christmas Eve dinner at our house, just us, the kids, and the folks this
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of leftovers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mass in a very warm chapel with not the best
selection of music, but that's OK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
Santa business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Terror over a big
present that could not be made to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Much fretting.<br />
<br />
Christmas morning nailbiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kid
delighted by Santa's last minute apology for a reindeer stepping on an important
gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parental relief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Giddiness over other kid finding a gift she
was sure she wouldn't get.<br />
<br />
Family togetherness at the folks'.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Pickle hunt that went on far, far too long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much eating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Much revelry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much tired.<br />
<br />
21. Did you fall in love in 2017?<br />
<br />
With my Ninja coffee maker.<br />
<br />
22. What was your favorite TV program?<br />
<br />
Didn't watch all that much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw
quite a bit of this season of Outlander and that was fun, especially after
reading the first book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I want to
read the rest.<br />
<br />
23. What did you do for your birthday in 2017?<br />
<br />
Tried to recover from multiple germs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Got a pedicure to help that along.<br />
<br />
24. What was the best book you read?<br />
<br />
I finally got a copy of The Royal We, and it is much fun in the light of
Harry & Megan's engagement.<br />
<br />
25. What did you want and get?<br />
<br />
The right teacher fit for 4th grade for Sabrina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A continued smooth journey through middle
school for Sammy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
26. What did you want and not get?<br />
<br />
Lessened tension.<br />
<br />
Netflix.<br />
<br />
And that rich benefactor must be crawling here.<br />
<br />
27. What was your favorite film of this year?<br />
<br />
I took myself to see La La Land, which was a treat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just this week, Sabrina and I saw The
Greatest Showman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, musicals.<br />
<br />
28. Did you make some new friends this year?<br />
<br />
Not really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'd like to change that.<br />
<br />
29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?<br />
<br />
Teleportation.<br />
<br />
Always, always, always: the ability to communicate anything to my children
and have them understand instantly.<br />
<br />
30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2017?<br />
<br />
No holes, no lint, not falling off, not skin tight, no visible
underpinnings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let's go.<br />
<br />
31. What kept you sane?<br />
<br />
Laughter. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Texting. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Ladies Internet, for sure. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caffeine. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Same, same, same.<br />
<br />
32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?<br />
<br />
No fanciness to speak of.<br />
<br />
33. What political issue stirred you the most?<br />
<br />
Blergh.<br />
<br />
34. Who did you miss?<br />
<br />
Anybody I didn't get to spend much time with.<br />
<br />
35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2017.<br />
<br />
Growth is good. Relax your grip.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br />
Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16241377605401357415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772684905145651086.post-9952157676161591872017-11-30T21:01:00.003-06:002017-11-30T21:01:51.812-06:00Holidays, Matrix StyleI'm in this weird spot where I'm both ahead of the game and running to catch up. I managed to mostly organize and even wrap the Christmas gifts I have, but it feels like I have so much more to figure out and buy. My cards arrived today (after much dithering about doing them at all and spending way too much time trying (and failing) to get a decent family shot), but who knows when they'll actually get addressed? And I have no idea how to be in 3 places at once Saturday morning.<br />
<br />
It feels like I have so much to do and I'm woefully behind, but then, it's only the start of December tomorrow. How is that even possible? Such a time warp, the holidays. <br />
<br />
I don't really have a point here, except to say we all need to take a breath and go one step at a time. It feels like a sprint, but it's more like a marathon. But hopefully not as sweaty or physically destructive. Hopefully.<br />
<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16241377605401357415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772684905145651086.post-61035366365148022742017-11-29T16:55:00.001-06:002017-11-29T16:55:22.416-06:00My Companion for the Next Month<p dir="ltr">This is our Christmas tree. A few years back, I bought a new tree when I couldn't take the annoyances of the previous one (which of course I can't remember now, but they were sufficiently annoying). I purposely got an unlit tree so I could string it with as many lights as I wanted. LED this time, so hopefully they wouldn't burn out too quickly. I spent a long afternoon weaving lights in and out of branches on each section, keeping each section separate so I could easily take apart the tree and store it with the lights still on it. Several hours (and many, many expletives) later, we had our own prelit tree. It's been 4 years, I think (this being the 4th) and it's still going. I'm sure I just jinxed myself.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I did too good a job because my parents bought a 9 foot tree (!) and asked me to light it. Sorry for all those cuss words, Mom.</p>
<p dir="ltr">My favorite part is that every ornament has a story. Maybe it's something we bought on clearance after Christmas because one of the kids liked the character. Maybe we got it on a vacation. Maybe it commemorates a birth, a new house, a hobby, a shared interest. Maybe my dad made it from scratch in his garage. I know every one. (I'll share if you ask, but never force a story on someone.) There is even a whole separate tree for the kids' creations (and some of mine!) over the years. </p>
<p dir="ltr">It makes me so happy. History on a tree. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEira2dFqzbbFXsB3kKy09Ty_8SSbBz6G29NraIvvLZ0hxpbTvWrEgPSk6cifXk8gk0LvrYOX3CyjLeBlAfZuyI0InmPMK4i5MCqAK61I-S-OWU3gs86HWszWL4Vb7TIDYae7sW-escyNJ8P/s1600/1511996080831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEira2dFqzbbFXsB3kKy09Ty_8SSbBz6G29NraIvvLZ0hxpbTvWrEgPSk6cifXk8gk0LvrYOX3CyjLeBlAfZuyI0InmPMK4i5MCqAK61I-S-OWU3gs86HWszWL4Vb7TIDYae7sW-escyNJ8P/s640/1511996080831.jpg"> </a> </div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16241377605401357415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772684905145651086.post-2210830784128037792017-11-28T20:39:00.001-06:002017-11-28T20:39:17.401-06:00Regal and GentileWe took pictures for Christmas cards this weekend. This works, yes?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7BvvV1dfXVP847juKWZsaieb2klBDImWDDkQGMvbxLck4Ri7zOy-Rbui0yTEqTVU3RmbGDD_k_doKaymPjsDHhlyD0NuQMykHuycdY58gkl4Cp4nD053ZmWNtGgidbbEAVfW9hzfbG6o/s1600/112617+Sabrina+Sammy+Outtake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1200" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7BvvV1dfXVP847juKWZsaieb2klBDImWDDkQGMvbxLck4Ri7zOy-Rbui0yTEqTVU3RmbGDD_k_doKaymPjsDHhlyD0NuQMykHuycdY58gkl4Cp4nD053ZmWNtGgidbbEAVfW9hzfbG6o/s320/112617+Sabrina+Sammy+Outtake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16241377605401357415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772684905145651086.post-56550576187373857972017-11-27T21:55:00.000-06:002017-11-27T21:55:01.323-06:00This Always Happens at Least OnceWhoops, almost forgot about this today... almost.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16241377605401357415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772684905145651086.post-88060088080968673512017-11-26T15:11:00.001-06:002017-11-26T15:11:41.086-06:00Festivizing<p dir="ltr">Now it's Chris's turn to holiday up the house. The outside, specifically. He's not too pleased that one of the strands of lights he put on the roof already went out, but I think he likes doing this overall. At least we have some new friends this holiday.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhZJZ-U9t02d1R36zfGx_drQVNq1k3NCv-E6xjKaGZIrffMZ9B75UgogvrKroJRemCGt41VlMNxib6rcWNrsujrXxtWsr0PZFXSqS6OzTxop6eJeQWI3clkBQwGVARo2jBt0i_Nxdj0kf/s1600/1511730675002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhZJZ-U9t02d1R36zfGx_drQVNq1k3NCv-E6xjKaGZIrffMZ9B75UgogvrKroJRemCGt41VlMNxib6rcWNrsujrXxtWsr0PZFXSqS6OzTxop6eJeQWI3clkBQwGVARo2jBt0i_Nxdj0kf/s640/1511730675002.jpg"> </a> </div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16241377605401357415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772684905145651086.post-82546742263381770822017-11-25T20:51:00.002-06:002017-11-25T20:51:36.254-06:00Cooked19 1/2 pound turkey roasted. 20 people fed. Merriment achieved.<br />
<br />
My mother in law was under the weather and couldn't make it to the in-law Thanksgiving, which was a bummer but for the best. Hopefully, she can make it to Christmas, which thankfully is not at my house (thank you, Cousins, for offering to host another year). It was extra warm, so people (especially of the kid variety) could mill about outside and not pack inside the house like sardines. There was plenty of wine and other spirits, a good selection of appetizers (I could have eaten the entire bowl of what I would call baked brie dip, but really who cares what it was really called because melty cheese), and even a variety of green things mixed in with the carbs (including the poor tossed salad that never gets eaten). I didn't take enough pictures again because I was busy making sure all the food was warm, available, and not accidentally dropped on the carpet. Everyone seemed happy and even a bit reluctant to leave. Good day.<br />
<br />
Now, turkey stock is simmering on the stove, the house is almost back in order (get busy, Kids), I am in my jammies, and I just have to wrap this up before I go sit between my husband and the TV so he knows I want a should rub. Good on ya, Thanksgiving 2017. How about we do this again next year?<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPMVtR4QsC_ican1OwY1p17S9jNNoei6MsXQu5KiX6JWcq1EcBYChTc3yr_ZjAchKAooW_5aUwDxSKVSZgn0vY1G7a4aTzHGMGvMF2fVZaaZSbWy9UVTqpI1vBlWbDnhnTyh-PQ8vbjlj/s1600/112517+Turkey+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPMVtR4QsC_ican1OwY1p17S9jNNoei6MsXQu5KiX6JWcq1EcBYChTc3yr_ZjAchKAooW_5aUwDxSKVSZgn0vY1G7a4aTzHGMGvMF2fVZaaZSbWy9UVTqpI1vBlWbDnhnTyh-PQ8vbjlj/s320/112517+Turkey+01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Bird</div>
Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16241377605401357415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772684905145651086.post-5181953891602522242017-11-24T18:03:00.001-06:002017-11-24T18:03:14.198-06:00Gluing Day<p dir="ltr">In recent years, today has become known as Black Friday. But in even more recent years, at least as long as I've been using today to prep for in-law Thanksgiving and decorate for Christmas, it has become Gluing Day. Because something always comes out of the decoration bins broken. Today has been no exception, and part of the evening will include peeling super glue off my fingers.</p>
<p dir="ltr">By tonight, I will have fixed a nutcracker, a tree, a Santa whose tiny styrofoam pebble stuffing decided to make a break for it all over the house, and probably a fee ornaments yet to be determined. And that doesn't count whatever my folks nneed glued because I am the designated family gluer. I'll wear that mantle. I'm pretty good at it. Bring me your broken stuff. I might glue myself to it temporarily, but I'll put that dumpty back together.</p>
<p dir="ltr">And then tomorrow, the in-laws will invade and there will be much merriment (hopefully everyone) and much exhaustion (definitely me). I'm prepping now. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibNm_vLKBdE9Rp59zL6NgqzbbQwJ32h9C3JVeM2fbRQdpKQDqzSj0TyWxWWcn9QaGBQ_cg0uKvWjCMN6_6F_uHNZ9uOrhShmPUAKw_BJ8rwnNP3RLgqDsaOEnzeYGpCbsLb69Tqrjl8un/s1600/1511568144179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibNm_vLKBdE9Rp59zL6NgqzbbQwJ32h9C3JVeM2fbRQdpKQDqzSj0TyWxWWcn9QaGBQ_cg0uKvWjCMN6_6F_uHNZ9uOrhShmPUAKw_BJ8rwnNP3RLgqDsaOEnzeYGpCbsLb69Tqrjl8un/s640/1511568144179.jpg"> </a> </div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16241377605401357415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772684905145651086.post-26520139764742237262017-11-23T22:09:00.001-06:002017-11-23T22:09:50.127-06:00I Hope You Got to NapI tried to post earlier today, wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving from my turkeys to yours, but I guess the tryptophan got to Blogger and it wouldn't post, so OK.<br />
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It has been a lovely, quiet day filled with carbohydrates, online shopping, laughter, and pie. We didn't have a huge group around the table (that'll be Saturday, good gravy), but having just the 6 of us meant everyone got a seat at the big table and everyone was part of the conversation. And other than Sabrina trying to bring up politics, it was excellent conversation. As were the hugs. Lots of that today.<br />
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We even made a trek into the apocalyptic wasteland that is Walmart on Black Friday Eve. (Since it was more than an hour after opening, it just had a picked over garage sale vibe. We bought... celery.) And now we're home, the kids are in bed, I'm running that last load of laundry I forgot about, and I'm contemplating if any new sales will pop up tomorrow since most everything got going over the past 24 hours. If you are in person shopping in the AM, via con Dios.<br />
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I hope your Thanksgiving was joyous in every way possible. I am thankful for much more than I can even count. And I hope that there is even more for us all to give thanks next year. And have a Good Black Friday!Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16241377605401357415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772684905145651086.post-69615470327126684452017-11-22T20:08:00.003-06:002017-11-22T20:08:43.821-06:00Rounding the Bend and Heading for HomeThe family is fed.<br />
The house is clean.<br />
I'm about to fall asleep on my feet.<br />
You know what I mean?<br />
<br />
Thanksgiving is lovely.<br />
I love it so much.<br />
It get so overshadowed<br />
In the race to Christmas rush.<br />
<br />
I want to remember<br />
So many things I'm grateful for.<br />
We are safe and healthy.<br />
Who could ask for more?<br />
<br />
And that we shall celebrate<br />
With family near and even far<br />
With turkey and dressing<br />
And cranberries from a jar (or can, but can doesn't rhyme).<br />
<br />
Maybe I'll take a nap<br />
Once it all goes off with out a hitch.<br />
What's that? I have to do this all over again Saturday for the in-laws?<br />
Well, sonofa%&@!<br />
<br />
Happy Thanksgiving Eve!<br />
<br />
<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16241377605401357415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772684905145651086.post-24334273058815986492017-11-21T13:44:00.001-06:002017-11-21T13:44:21.159-06:00There's Always a StoryTime for the annual Santa picture post! You'd think after all these year, I'd have figured out how to make this run smoothly, but no. There is always some new crazy making wrinkle to be found.<br />
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This year, I checked with the website ahead of time to make sure Santa had indeed come down from the North Pole to grace the mall with his presence. I glanced quickly at the posted times and planned accordingly. Had to make some last minute scheduling glitches disappear, but no problem.<br />
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Sure, Sabrina wanted a complicated hairstyle I'd never attempted before. Sure, Sammy had some kind of bug bite/allergic reaction situation going on his neck. I can deal. We got it all together, got in the car, and made it to the mall a few minutes after opening at 10, yay! Surely we wouldn't be too far back in line.<br />
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No line at all, we see from a distance. In fact, no elves or anybody around at all. Hmm. I guess we'll just wait here a bit until they get rolling this morning. Maybe a few more. Where is the photographer? Let me just check that website one more time... oh. 11 AM this fine Tuesday. Whoops.<br />
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I reassessed and took the kids to do their shopping for each other (an elaborate game of subterfuge involving a shopping basket covered in a jacket) first. We made it back to find Santa ready... to take on the long line that appeared. Sigh.<br />
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Luckily, none of the kids in line were like my kids of years past and everything went smoothly and quickly. Then we got up to bat, I pushed and prodded everyone into submission, and I settled for the least weird picture as usual. Then we did a little more window shopping and sample snacking in the food court for funsies, and an hour later, passed by a completely empty Santa picture line. Oh well. <br />
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Next year, I'll make one of those new-fangled online reservations. #thinkingahead<br />
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<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16241377605401357415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772684905145651086.post-57361279979698031022017-11-20T20:34:00.000-06:002017-11-20T20:34:24.250-06:00Random Cleaning PostI started the great ramp up to Thanksgiving prep work today (which leads to Saturday when we host all of Chris's side of the family, so I have a little more time but also have to decorate for Christmas, so, still busy). Thanks to having older children who can stay out of the way and not demand my presence every 3 minutes, I was able to get the kitchen and bathrooms scrubbed top to bottom. (Yes, I wish they could help, but despite my training, they have not mastered any cleaning techniques whatsoever. I'm thinking boot camp might be in order in the foreseeable future.) And just because I'm a glutton for punishment, I also cleaned out the drawers in my bathroom, which I have not done... ever. <br />
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It was like some dirty, toothpaste covered museum. Some of the makeup would have needed carbon dating to determine its age. There were free range q-tips and bobby bins in every single drawer. And used toothbrushes? I don't even know. I found the curling iron I used in college. I doubt it even heats up anymore, but there it was. Why does Chris have so many electric razors and trimmers? He only has 1 face. Why did I save every lotion and cleaner sample I have ever touched and never used any of them? All told, I think there were 27 tiny dentist visit sized floss packs and at least 9 travel toothpaste tubes. And countless toothbrushes (this time, I'm talking new ones).<br />
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It was a bizarre experience, and I think the trash can has more in it than the drawers now. Just in time for the kids to go to the dentist and bring home more samples.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16241377605401357415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772684905145651086.post-61585083021466865492017-11-19T17:00:00.001-06:002017-11-19T17:00:01.875-06:00Frozen, Figuratively and Literally<p dir="ltr">Frozen is on TV at my mother-in-law's house. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6wLgAweldHdcrE-pzHvL7cfBPGl77ROMtI8WHkbmWiWf8tgmz6wP3UZ2fFWVwIFQVFvH3D7_N6061YT6WWoE8NIu9n2QBezoD2AqbfMf9kmYYuI7X_ASjwFomRcLCOm-xB3EDnLxS05Y/s1600/1511132269399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6wLgAweldHdcrE-pzHvL7cfBPGl77ROMtI8WHkbmWiWf8tgmz6wP3UZ2fFWVwIFQVFvH3D7_N6061YT6WWoE8NIu9n2QBezoD2AqbfMf9kmYYuI7X_ASjwFomRcLCOm-xB3EDnLxS05Y/s640/1511132269399.jpg"> </a> </div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16241377605401357415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772684905145651086.post-426644999534789852017-11-18T21:10:00.001-06:002017-11-18T21:10:16.398-06:00Date Night<p dir="ltr">We were gifted last minute theater tickets, so we are pretending to be grownups while the kids get spoiled by their grandparents. I'm even wearing makeup. But if I stay awake through the whole thing, it will be a miracle. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2Nbv_nHQntycVwDOLeWf-eobY6DfsQ8A4Yu_dhOM_OmIYKXJlSfspJyreMaRe6HCoSmvmequYwMcUvme3hUStyZTxzBLTBpp8ywVvRP_sC1arNQkiacAPIFUVWj_YZ3si-6-OdeOfUJP/s1600/1511055187921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2Nbv_nHQntycVwDOLeWf-eobY6DfsQ8A4Yu_dhOM_OmIYKXJlSfspJyreMaRe6HCoSmvmequYwMcUvme3hUStyZTxzBLTBpp8ywVvRP_sC1arNQkiacAPIFUVWj_YZ3si-6-OdeOfUJP/s640/1511055187921.jpg"> </a> </div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16241377605401357415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772684905145651086.post-17475504715138408342017-11-17T19:30:00.001-06:002017-11-17T19:30:45.109-06:00There are 2,618 Colleges in the US Alone<i>Fade in: a young teen is working on a project for school, a virtual tour of a selected college. (Editor's Note: Why 7th graders have to be concerned about colleges is beyond me and ridiculous busywork.) Teen is hard at work writing and recording voiceovers to go with the presentation he has put together in school. His mother is in the kitchen, making yet another dinner. (Ed. Note: Always with the feeding.) Mom listens in...</i><br />
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Teen: "Hi, Everyone! This is Sammy Vrla, coming to you from the University of Texas!"<br />
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<i>Mom darts around the corner.</i><br />
<br />
Mom: "What did you just say?"<br />
<br />
Teen, confused: "... the University of Texas?"<br /><br />Mom: "Of all the schools in the world, you chose UT?"<br />
<br />
Teen, still confused: "Um, yes?"<br />
<br />
Mom: "Do you see why this is a problem?"<br />
<br />
Teen, continuing to be clueless: "...No?"<br /><br />Mom: "I went to Texas A&M, their big rival! You remember? Our fight song calls out UT specifically? You have the t-shirts and everything!"<br />
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Teen, starting to form a clue, not not completely: "Oh. Sorry?"<br /><br />Mom: "You're fired."<br />
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<i>Cut to Teen cleaning toilets with a toothbrush.</i>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16241377605401357415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772684905145651086.post-69934341608185845332017-11-16T16:15:00.001-06:002017-11-16T16:15:26.164-06:00Check Your GirlsToday I took care of all my lady business. So may this serve as a reminder to the ladies who need to visit their doctors and have their mammograms.<br />
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The idea of my first mammogram was frighteneing. I'd heard so many stories of squishing, pulling, and stre-e-e-tching that I was certain I'd come home in a cloud of pain with my upper respiratory area hanging down to my ankles. None of that happened. Sure, your boobs are going to be jostled around and tugged, resituated and sandwiched between plastic plates. But it doesn't feel like they're trying to cold roll your flesh into a pancake. And it can be pretty fast. I was in an out inside of 15 minutes today. So I have a bit of time to kill before going to meet my new doctor.<br />
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I don't like change. Is this a surprise? No, not to any single person on this planet. So when my lady doctor of over 14 years up and quit practicing and gave me 2 weeks' notice, it's a wonder I didn't a) go screaming up to her office and beg her to stay, b) dissolve into a puddle right then and there, or c) both. Don't get me wrong, I was good and angry (still am - it felt like being fired). But I still had to get stuff done, so I did. I made an appointment.<br />
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I was fine. Everything was fine. The new doctor is fine. It's still weird, and hey, what wouldn't be after 14 years, but I can deal. She didn't ask any awkward questions and got me to open up about a few questions I was hesitant about bringing up myself in a relatively comfortable way. Actually, the worst part was when they asked to take my picture for their files.<br />
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After taking care of all that, you bet I went straight for the biggest hamburger I could find. I deserved it.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16241377605401357415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772684905145651086.post-1999038464492246832017-11-15T16:16:00.001-06:002017-11-15T16:16:37.020-06:00PlaceholderI'm not feeling so hot today, so of course I have a meeting in my house where I have to talk tonight. So please enjoy this picture of my kids.<br />
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<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16241377605401357415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2772684905145651086.post-4063575500716965782017-11-14T19:23:00.002-06:002017-11-14T19:23:59.558-06:00Movin' and Groovin'For 12 years, I have run 3 times a week. But I'm not a natural runner. Every step is earned. I will never win a race. I will never enter a race. I keep at it because I need to do it, both for my physical health and my mental health. It's what I do.<br />
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My children, however, have an innate talent for running. They have long legs (where those came from I have no idea) and natural gaits and I can see how far they could go (figuratively and literally) if they choose to develop their abilities. But they can't stand it. Oh sure, Sammy doesn't mind running a mile in PE class every now and then, but the interest ends at the finish line. Sabrina would prefer not to push off the starting line. <br />
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I hope that one day this will change and they might pick up running, at least for enjoyment or health or stress management or whatever. No pressure. Just a little sweat. I wouldn't mind a running buddy (as long as they don't leave their old mom in the dust).Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16241377605401357415noreply@blogger.com0