Reminders ....

"So ... I can just plug my computer into the cable line in my bedroom and i've got internet, right?"
"No Dad, that's a cable line. It doesn't work that way"
"But I was told the whole house is internet ready!"
"It is Dad.  We have a wireless network set-up"
"But you just said I can't plug my computer in!"
"That's right, you can't.  You need a wireless card for your old desktop"
"THEN HOW THE FUCK WILL I GET INTERNET??"

Yes, this was an actual conversation between my Father & I last night.
These conversations make me nucking futs.
And they sadden me.
It reminds me more and more that he's getting older.

INDEPENDENCE!!!!!

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.” 
― Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre


Welcome to Haiku Monday!
Our resident Southern Belle, Aunty Belle is our most gracious hostess this week.
In keeping with the upcoming holiday, Aunty has chosen Independence as the theme.

Independence takes on many forms .... from an oppressed people who band together to fight for their freedom, to a young woman striking out on her own for the first time.
I have chosen the latter to write about today.
My beautiful, smart, talented niece who leaves for college today.
She and I have shared many in-depth conversations and I consider it an honor that she feels comfortable
to come to me with anything and everything.
I will miss her terribly, but I know she will become more amazing and do incredible things!

So, here's to you Su-Z ......

Tough,sweet girl of Fall, 
17 and resolute,
Wings unfurled, FLY!

“How wrong is it for a woman to expect the man to build the world she wants, rather than to create it herself?” 
― Anaïs Nin

Have a safe and awesome week y'all!

HE DID IT!!!!!

My smart, funny, talented graduated son graduated from High School yesterday.
Some tears were shed .....

But I couldn't be any prouder!!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS JOSH!!!!!!!!!!!

My niece and nephew also graduated yesterday .....

Best of luck to ALL 3 of you!

I LOVE YOU!!!!!

Countdown ....

My son graduates from high school in three weeks
I'm excited for him.
And scared.
The world is a far different place than when I graduated.
A college degree doesn't guarantee fuckall.

Thankfully, he is going into a field that hasn't slowed down and doesn't really show any signs of slowing down.
Healthcare.
He wants to be a Physical Therapist.
He's already in his 2nd year of Personal Trainer, so when he graduates he can sit for his license and be a Certified Personal Trainer and work in a Gym or on his own while he's attending college.
He thought ahead about all this, which is more than I can say for myself.
I mean, I knew I wanted to go into healthcare, I just wasn't sure what I wanted to do exactly.
27 years since I left high school and I am NOT working in healthcare!  lol

Anywho, the countdown is on ... and I find myself increasingly torn.
One minute i'm excited, and the next i'm bawling my eyes out and then i'm mad as hell about every little thing he's doing (or not doing).
I have a graduation party for 3 (my niece and nephew are also graduating) to plan, buy for and execute,
It's the end of the school year and I have Dad to take care of, and well .....
yeah .....
I feel like i'm riding a psychotic horse into a burning barn!

On top of it all, it's JUNE.

The most dreaded of ALL months for me.

*sigh*
I feel like i'm whining and bitching, but if I don't write all this, I may have a nervous breakdown.
And I can't afford to have one of them.
I have too much shit to do.

It's official ....

This "sandwich generation" seriously sucks rhinoceros testicles.

My Dad had pretty intense and extensive neck surgery this past Monday to replace pretty much his entire cervical portion of his spine.
The discs were gone, baby, gone!
He now has some spiffy new titanium discs and cadaver bones to keep his head upon his body.
He also has rules he has to follow ...
No lifting ANYTHING heavier than a coffee cup
No bending over
No smoking
But, like any 'child' in their mid 70's, he's broken all of them.
He wasn't even home 24 hours before he managed to break all 3 of them.
So now I find myself parenting my 70something Father.
I don't much care for it.
It really sucks.
Rhinoceros testicles.
Dead Rhino's at that.

It's gonna be a looooooong 8 weeks.
Send vodka.

Hard Lessons ....

The Boy is in the midst of a very heartbreaking and quite traumatic (and dramatic) on-again-off-again
relationship.
I'm trying my very best to keep my nose out of his business and just "be here" for him.
It's a struggle.
Not that I want to tell him how to live his life.
Especially his love life.
But ... the Mommy in me wants to keep on protecting him.
I can't.
I know I can't.

Hard lessons are being learned.
By both of us.

48 .....

You would have been.


For Lanny ....

 Happy Birthday Brother!

 Love you ....
 Miss you ....
xoxoxoxoxox

Ass whoopin'

December kicked my ass.

I ended the year going to funerals (5 of 'em) in between trying to get everything ready for Christmas.
Christmas Day found me with snuggling Woobie as he had a temp of 102 and was pukey.
New Years Eve found me hugging the toilet for hours on end with a very nasty case of stomach flu knowing also that I had to drive 300+ miles the next day as I had to be back to work on the 2nd.

January 2013?
So far, we're all good.
YAY!!!!!!!
Welcome 2013!

I wish you all much peace, love, happiness joy and health for the coming year!

Where did the time go????

 It seems like only yesterday The Boy was toddling around.
Learning to ride a bike.
Playing baseball.
Fishing.

Doing all the cool things that little boys love to do.

Not too long ago, we went to Macy's Mens Store and bought him his very first real suit.
A beautiful black shadow stripe, slim-cut, fully lined wool suit.
He was a bit uncomfortable having all his measurements taken and a bit fidgety for all the pinning and tailoring.
But he managed to get through it.

He selected the tie .... a gorgeous silk in a shade of pink/raspberry that I was honestly quite surprised at.
Next was the shirt.
He choose a lovely amethyst colored shirt with pinstripes of black and silver.


I was quite stunned.

This past Saturday, he and his lovely girlfriend attended the Tinsel Ball at his high school.
I did my very best not to cry when I saw him.
My breath caught in my throat ....
I choked up.

He was no longer my baby .....
He was a man.

I blinked ....

Just live ....

Recently, I was reminded that I need to not just Give Bliss a Chance,
but really ... EMBRACE IT.
Not just talk about it.
Even on days when I don't much feel like it.

My bliss today is in remembering and celebrating my Mothers LIFE.
I remember hearing this back in 1976.
I was only 8.
We both loved the beat.
It made us happy ..... and we DANCED.
Unashamed and  full of happiness and joy.

33 years have passed .... but today i'm going to dance like I was 8!

 


 Love you Mom!

Back to life ....

.... back to reality.

Reality bites!

I'm back to work now ... which is good .... but I kinda got used to being home.
Getting up at 5am sucks ass.
I should just be grateful that I have a job to go back to.
While i've been out, the school district has done a major overhaul and has not only eliminated a shit ton of jobs, they also were able to get a proposition passed that will eliminate a shit ton more.
Today it was announced that after our Stupidvisor (he's a class 'A' douchebag) "retires", we will be using the services of a neighboring school districts Supervisor.
He will split his time between his district (super small) and ours (very large).
It should be interesting.
The inmates will be running the asylum!
Like I said, I should just be grateful I still have a job.
I am.

But i'm still concerned.
"They" want to cut special needs programs .... and I'm not sure how that will affect Little Man.
I'll just have to wait and see.
And hope.

I hate waiting.

All for a great cause ....

Happy Friday everyone!

My amazing niece informed me yesterday that she plans on participating in

Goin' Bald for Bucks this year.

I can't begin to tell you how proud I am of her!
Not only is she trying to raise money for research, she will also be donating her lovely locks
 as well.
Anyway, here's her words:

Hey guys! I'm doing bald for bucks this year!

I'm trying to raise a lot of money, all the donations go to cancer research.

Any donation helps!

My goal at the moment is $1000. I will update the amount of money raised everyday!

So far today, i've technically (with people telling me the amount to put them down for) made $65 dollars. Please donate or tell others so that they may be able to donate!

The day of shave is March 30th during school!

Thanks for the support!

My niece .... she's smart, talented, gorgeous and just all kinds of awesome!

Goin' Bald for Bucks 2012

If any of my dear blogger family would like to help her achieve her goal, please click the linky link above ...... it'll take you right to her fundraising page.
Thank you for your love and support!

Have a great weekend y'all!

(Today's song selection is for you Q! You rock!)

One or my Brother .....

Happy Friday everyone!

This week Flashback goes right to my heart .....

Sunshine, cold beers, the smell of the river and Gin Blossoms!
It was a good time Brother!

Stay warm and be safe y'all!

Watching the Wheels ....

Another week down .....
I only have 4 left till it's back to "the grind".
(Yes, being a school district employee allows me the luxury of being home with my boys)

My oldest and I have been having discussions of colleges, the military ...
all those wonderful conversations parents have when their kids grow up.

I can't believe how fast the time has flown!
*SIGH*
(I have to go cry again)

Anyway, here's my pick for this week ......

Enjoy ....... EVERYTHING!

Grrrr .......