Brought to darkside again

Tommy Gunn has done it again. He has brought me over to the dark side, although rarely am I kicking and screaming. He's right about the chocolate, gossip, love of blogging and popcorn. (Don't all coworkers do that!) Rarely are we ever bored for long between gossip and everyday drama.

Thanks to Sandi, Seamus, Crimson, Chuck, The Melody Censor, Semi-Celibate Man, Blondie, Suze, Felicity, my girl Lime who is always stopping by to visit, Brad, and anyone else I may have missed who commented on my pedicure. I do love pampering.

I'm a bit partial to my cute feet and much to my husband's dismay, I often remind him when we have an argument ("It doesn't matter if I'm wrong because I have cute feet" is often my fight ending statement. He's left to figure out how my feet came into the picture.)

For those of you who are completely confused about what this post is about ... you should be visiting Tommy Gunn's blog ... you don't know what intellectual insight you are missing. Despite your fall from grace for not visiting TG, here's a preview of my guest HNT. What is HNT you ask? You'll just have to get the nekkid truth from Os.

Look at me!

I'm excited ... today at work I did my first voice narrations for Warrior Spirit TV, the Fort Polk television station. I was a little nervous but I was happy that Jeff, our TV station guru, was patient. I probably wasted a lot of his time, but it was fun.

Tommy Gunn and KG helped me rewrite the script so I'd feel comfortable with it and I had a few days to practice reading it, so it wasn't too hard.

I voiced a segment on the MWR archery range for the Limelight program and a slide for the bowling center. He had a third, for the Sunday night football but I didn't feel like I could do the whole "Monday Night Football" voice, but Jeff didn't push it. He said he'd do it.

It was fun. He said he would like to use us (staff writers) on future projects, taking more of a producing role, so hopefully I did o.k. I'm sure I'll get better in the future. But if you live in the Fort Polk area check out the new stuff they've done with the Warrior Spirit TV.

Happy Birthday My Love

Today is George's birthday and it is hard to know that he has the "celebrate" in Afghanistan. We don't really do anything "special" for our birthdays, but we do spend time together and I miss that. I did get him a birthday present and he said he got it, so I can tell you what I got him.
We are big fans of comedy, often going to the Laff Stop Comedy Club in Houston, so I got him both CDs from our favorite comedian, Mike Birbiglia. We've been to a show in Houston and it would be the best Christmas present ever if he could be home for the December shows.
I had the chance to briefly talk to him today and he sounds a bit tired, but then again it was nearly 1 a.m. his time. Like the rest of the Soldiers he is ready to come home, but they know they have a job to do and are dedicated to making sure to complete the task at hand.
I was hoping to give him a reminder of home, so I made him this montage of pictures. Check it out:

Missing you

A day at the museum

Last weekend I went to the Lake Charles Children's Museum for a future article in the entertainment section of the newspaper. I asked a friend if she would like to go and bring her kids. We had a crazy fun time. There was a children's news desk so of course I had to try it out. Unfortunately it only made me realize how short I am since I fit almost perfect. This was only the beginning of the day ...
I had a cowboy moment after shopping at a grocery store with carts 2-feet tall. Their produce was so fresh ...

I also spent time on a drum set rocking out to Rub-a-Dub-Dub. It was a breakout performance that is sure to lead to multiple gigs and some music award nominations. I think I might spend some time in the recording studio, I still have time to make a slammin' Christmas album.
There was also a drum that tapped out my heartbeat. A bit erratic, but hey it had a good tune.


My favorite part was the trick mirror. Once I realized it made me looked taller and skinnier, I went crazy taking pictures. I had nearly 15 before my friend managed to take the camera away from me.

There was also an this whisper wall that was a parabola shaped disc about 10-feet in diameter. When you spoke into one a person in front of the other one on the opposite end of the room could hear you as if you were standing over their shoulder. It was amazingly fun. I would definitely recommend it to anyone in the area. Oh, and you can bring the kids if you want ...

Life is good, but still missing important piece

Hi all! Not much going on. I thought that I'd write a post about nothing at all. I'm sitting here is bed, trying hard not to fall asleep before giving Sgt. Major his meds. Poor guys allergies are so bad, that missing one dose could set him back for days. He scratches his face so bad, it looks like he got into a fight with a bobcat.
He is currently rolling around on the bed, a favorite pastime for him. I'll have to take some pictures and post them, its a riot.
I'm watching CSI:NY, a favorite because it has Gary Sinise. He is one of my top favorite actors. He is so versatile and I love when he plays serious part, like CSI:NY.
Tomorrow is our long day, production at a newspaper is always hectic, but tomorrow we will be down one boss. Our second in command will be in charge for the first time, but I don't expect too much difference other than taking longer. I have to do Polk People, tomorrow on top of it. It's when we ask a "man on the street" question. I really hate it because I feel like I'm harassing people. I asked Tommy Gunn if he'd like to do it and he declined to rescue a damsel in distress but jokes on him, he has to do it next week.
It has been a busy week for me so I am really looking forward to Friday. Things will be slow and I think I'm going to take an early lunch and try the morning water aerobics class. A few friends started two weeks ago and love it, so I may start going in the afternoons on Tuesday and Thursday. I'm trying to vary my aerobic workout so I don't get bored. I've already lost nearly 20 lbs. Since George left and have some more to go. I actually like working out when I am in shape.
I really miss George. I have the opportunity to try some new areas of media at work (television) and it would really be nice if he were here to share it with.
Well I guess I'll go for now. I guess even in writing I can ramble. It's bed time and I've been out since 5:45 a.m. It catching up with me ...

This is my 'hood

O.k. ... back to rude neighbors
I strive to keep myself busy since George has deployed which means when I am home, I am curled up on the sofa doing homework (yeah, right!), working on laundry and cleaning (more believable) or watching TV with the pup on my lap (most likely).
A few posts back, I told the story of neighbors who were fighting in the streets into the early hours of the night, to which I reported then to the Military Police.
In the following days, I was informed by neighbors that the Soldier in the family is an MP and others in the neighborhood have reported them to no avail. The reports are not going onto the MP blotter, which is sent the the “higher ups,” so there is no repercussions for their loud partying and dangerous activities (ex: driving). Neighbors have gone so far as to say they have seen the Soldier abusing his pregnant wife, but alas I have not witnessed any of this.
I was also “warned” by neighbors that the family who lived across from me had reported them on several occasions, which led to that family being harassed by the MPs. They eventually moved out. Again, this is only what I heard, but I have heard it from numerous people.
I was told that I might want to “be careful” especially since my husband is deployed ... oh, that did not go over well. I will not be bullied. He may think he is a big shot because he is an MP but I have dined with his commander’s commander ... that’s right, he does not want to get into a pissing contest with me. This was my ‘hood first (sorry, went a little ghetto for a minute.)
Fact of the matter is I work in the media, I have debated with politicians and dinned with general, who does this person think he is. I don’t mind playing the “I know people in high places” game.
My husband was a little upset when I told him, and God knows I love him, but he doesn’t always give me credit for being able to handle stuff on my own. He’s not one of those “women can’t do anything” guys, but he does believe he should protect his family, even if he is in Afghanistan.
I told him that I had heard the rumors in the neighborhood and was keeping notes and documenting what I see. I’ll go through the proper channels and if that doesn’t work, then I’ll pull out the big guns.
Until then, bring it ... You don’t scare me! I play quiet and dirty. Watch over your shoulder, there will be no warning.

Tonight I wanna cry

In this deployment, some days are harder than others ... there are times when I just want hide from the world, curl up in the corner of the closet and let the tears fall.
Everyday is a new start. Every day I get up and force myself to go through the paces of daily life when all I really want to do is crawl back under the covers and sleep this horrible loneliness away.
It's amazing how the pain of not having him here seems to grow everyday. Why did we take so much for granted. Why did I not say "I love you" when I had the chance. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but they no one ever talks about the hurt, fear and heartbreak at the little things. I hate seeing other couple together walking their dog ... that's it, it doesn't bother me to see them at dinner or shopping or going to the movies.
It seems as if every day I find a new reason to worry, but I'm trying to deal with that. I find that staying informed has helped me cope as well as give me something else to keep busy.
It hurts me to hear about marriages falling apart because I would give anything to have my husband here.
The key really is to keep busy and to not take anything at face value. The families in the unit have faced ups and down, jubilation followed by disappointment through the past six months.
Sometimes I wonder if I really can do this for the rest of my life, always saying goodbye to him, but when I look at the families of Sept. 11, especially the children, I know that we face this challenge to save other families from the tragedy that we saw as a nation on that day.
I knew what I was getting into when I married George, I knew that there would be separation and loneliness. Some of us pay a higher price the America's freedom. Some pay a much heavier price than I have and for those families, I will never take what we have for granted.

Tonight I wanna cry, by Keith Urban
Alone in this house again tonight
I got the TV on, the sound turned down and a bottle of wine
Theres pictures of you and I on the walls around me the way that it was and should have been surrounds me
I'll never get over you walkin' away

Well I've never been the kind to ever let my feelings show
And I thought that bein' strong meant never losin' your self-control
But I'm just drunk enough to let go of my pain
To hell with my pride
Let it fall like rain, from my eyes
Tonight I wanna cry.

Would it help if I turned a sad song on
"All by Myself" would sure hit me hard, now that you're gone
Or maybe unfold some old yellow lost love letters
It's gonna hurt bad before it gets better
But I'll never get over you by hidin' this way

Cause I've never been the kind to ever let my feelings show
And I thought that bein' strong meant never losin' your self-control
But I'm just drunk enough to let go of my pain
To hell with my pride
Let it fall like rain, from my eyes
Tonight I wanna cry.

Adoption: One familiy's story of finding each other

Editor's Note: This is the story of adoption, something that has touched my family on three ocassions bring four beautiful boys into our lives. For me this was a bit personal as I searched to find what it was that my Aunt Laura and Uncle Gil and their spouses were seeking to fill their homes and hearts ...

-- Published in Fort Polk Guardian (Aug. 1, 2006) --
By: MICHELLE LINDSEY, Guardian staff writer

“I've always wanted to be a mom. After going through fertility treatments and then going to Panama where we didn't have the ability to pursue that as aggressively as we wanted to, I finally said I want to be a mom one way or another. That's when we decided that adoption was the way to go,” said Luz Montour, recalling the events of nearly 14 years ago. At the time, her husband, Command Sgt. Maj. Joe Montour, 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, was stationed at Fort Gilick, Panama.

The Montours had tried for many years to conceive a child. Their time in Panama led to a decision that would change their lives forever.

“We always wanted to adopt kids, we just thought we would be able to have our own, too. We had talked about it when we first got married,” Luz said. “In Panama there were a lot of Americans who were adopting Kuna (San Blas Indian tribe) babies. I thought this would be a very good idea for us.”

Joe said the decision was sealed for him after a visit to the shoppette.

“One day my wife and I were at the 24-hour shoppette (at Fort Gilick). One of my wife's friends was there with her adopted daughter. I watched this little girl take a candy bar and put it up on the counter. She then looked at her Mom and said ‘Mommy I can't have this ... can I?'

“I knew right then and there that was the one thing missing in our lives. I told my wife as soon as we got in the car to start looking into the adoption process,” he said.

Once the decision was made, the Montours began their search for a child to join their family.

“I was a member of Protestant Women of the Chapel and asked the group for a prayer,” said Luz. “If this was something God wanted us to do, we would need guidance.

“A few weeks later, a woman in PWOC called and asked if we were serious about adopting because there was a child from the San Blas Islands that needed a home. It happened really fast after we decided to adopt.”

Joe continued.

“On Feb. 14, 1993, my wife received a phone call from a woman named Sonia, who was helping us through the adoption process. She told my wife that there was a little girl born that morning who needed a home. After two minutes of discussion we decided to bring this little girl into our home and our lives.”

The next few weeks were difficult. Joe said that while Luz was happy to finally be getting a child, he was concerned that the biological mother would change her mind.

“It was hard,” said Luz. “We didn't know who her biological mother was, we only knew that she came from the San Blas Islands, and the only way to get to the islands was by plane. Someone flew the baby into Panama City and from there they took a bus down to Colon where we picked her up.

“We knew she was coming, but we also knew the mom could change her mind at any time,” she continued. “It was scary because she was supposed to arrive and she didn't show up that day or the next. By the third day I said, ‘This one must not be meant for us. I'm OK with it.' Later that day we got the call to come pick up our baby.

“I had assumed the biological mom had changed her mind, but we were told when the plane flew over (the part of the island where people with the baby were waiting) they didn't see anyone so the plane kept going.

“The plane only stops if they see someone there,” Luz explained.

Joe said it was worth the wait when they finally got to hold their daughter.

“I will never forget that day; I was very nervous and at the same time anxious to bring this little girl into our life. We showed up at Sonia's apartment around 3 p.m. that afternoon. As soon as we walked through the door we could see Sonia and her cousin standing there with our daughter. Sonia handed my daughter to Luz and she began to cry. She was so happy there was nothing else she could do.”

“The first time I held her was very emotional for me,” Luz said, her eyes tearing at the memory. “I remember when they placed her in my arms I started to cry. I can't explain it, I was so happy, excited to have a baby. Right away I knew this was my baby. No matter what happened this would be my baby.

“I wanted to name her Lucy Linda but somehow we combined them to Luzinda, meaning ‘beautiful light.' It was something unique,” she added.

The reality of having Luzinda began to set in when they took her home and settled into their routine as parents.

“I remember telling myself it was no longer Lucy and I,” said Joe. “Now I had a daughter that I would be responsible for raising with my wife. Even at the age of 30 that was a scary thought. I now have another life I am responsible for, making sure she understands the difference between right and wrong, providing a safe and healthy environment for her to grow. I thought about all the things my folks did for us when we were kids and thought to myself, ‘Am I going to be able to do all of that for this little girl?'”

“We were lucky in getting a child so early (in the process), but there were still roadblocks after she came home with us,” said Luz. “In Panama, the child is placed in your home and then the adoption process is started. We had to get a lawyer and go to court.”

There were other obstacles as the Montours completed Luzinda's adoption. First, they had to find certified personnel for a home study and obtain money for legal fees. But the biggest roadblock was the legal system, said Luz.

“During the invasion of Panama (December, 1989), the courts and records office had been bombed. The person helping us seemed to hold it against my husband.”

“When you are dealing with a government that has a revolving legal system (like Panama), each time you go to court you see a different judge,” Joe explained. ”Each judge has a different opinion on how the paperwork should look. We were turned turned away and told to resubmit once we had all the paperwork needed to complete the adoption.”

“It was so frustrating,” Luz said. We kept having to go back with more paperwork.”

The Montours also had to get remarried in Panama. Problems arose when Luz, a citizen of Mexico, needed a copy of her birth certificate. Then the marriage had to be certified in Mexico.

“Basically we were married in the United States, Panama and Mexico. I told Joe he couldn't get rid of me now,” she said laughing.

Despite the setbacks, the Montours said they would do it again to have Luzinda in their family.

The adoption was final on Nov. 1, 1993, Panama's Dia del Nino or Children's Day.

“I remember the day because when I went to get the adoption papers they were having a big parade,” said Luz.

The Montours said their families backed their decision, readily accepting Luzinda into the family.

“I was very surprised with my father's reaction (to Luzinda) because I thought he would have a hard time (accepting her), but they were all very supportive,” said Luz. “She was 18 months when (the families) finally met her and she was a part of them from the moment they saw her.”

Luzinda filled a void in the Montour's lives.

“She has given me the chance to be a mother and that is the greatest experience you can have,” Luz said. “You never realize how much you truly love someone until you have a child and it is an amazing feeling. I'm glad now that we were unable to have kids. We might have lost the chance to have (Luzinda) in our lives.”

Luzinda, now an active 13-year-old, is grateful, too.

“I think I am very lucky because if I was still in Panama I would be living on the streets. But by being with them I feel complete,” said Luzinda. “I wouldn't be traveling all over the world with my mom and dad or have a great education. I talk to my friends and they don't see me any differently. They don't believe me at first (that I am adopted), but they treat me the same.

“I think I appreciate what I have more. I wouldn't have what I have now (without the adoption),” she added. “There was never a defining moment where I felt I was adopted. I have always felt like a natural part of the family.”

“We have told her from the beginning about her adoption,” said Luz. “My husband did not know his stepfather was not his biological father until he was much older and it was a big shock for him. We learned from that and have told her. We tell her God knew where she belonged and this is where he put her.”

The Montours said they have learned that being a parent is less about being pregnant and more about what you do after the child is born.

“My wife and I decided to adopt because we knew we would be good parents. It did not matter that we did not carry the baby for nine months,” said Joe. “We both had our minds made up that we wanted to be parents and were willing to do everything we could to make that happen.

“Adopting Luzinda is something I will never regret, bringing this young lady into my life has, without a doubt, been one of the best things that has ever happened to me,” he continued.

“Going through the adoption process, there were days when we wished there was another way. If you are adopting, don't get discouraged,” he added. “It is worth every headache, every frustrating obstacle and every cost. There is no way I can describe the feeling I get every time we talk about how Luzinda came into our lives.”

Luz has this advice for couples considering adoption: “Go for it. I know it is a hard decision, but if you really want to be a parent don't let money or anything else get in your way. If you can give a child a loving home, everything else is secondary. There are so many kids out there who need a home.”

Luzinda offers her own advice to kids: “Be thankful for what you have and that your parents love you.”

To see what else is happening read the Fort Polk Guardian.

I live here too .. show some respect

O.k. so last night something crazy happened ... keep it clean people. I went to bed as usual at about 10 p.m. With the pup at my side I feel asleep pretty fast only to have a rude awakening at 10:39 p.m. as Sgt. Major took to barking and growling like there was a grizzly at my front door. Since the barking has become the norm since George's deployment, I proceeded with the customary "Good boy! Come back to bed!" which usually gets him calmed down. But not last night.
After crawling out of bed I found him at the bedroom door in the "guard dog" position with the growl working. Then I hear it ... voices in the front of the house. Looking out the livingroom window, I saw nothing, so to the bedroom. In front of the big picture window is a huge tree so I got nothing from there wither, but the sound was definitely closer. "Damn it! They are on the blind side of the house," I thought as I went to the window in the office to see if I could get "eyes on" from there. Again, nothing.
By this time, I realize it is angry shouting, versus drunks. "Damn it, again!" I go back to the bedroom and peer out the window again (thank God for dark colored, heavy drapes). Now I see people moving in my front yard outside my bedroom window and there is a car parked cocked-eyed and ass-backwards with headlights blaring into my bedroom window ... now I am just pissed. Don't these people have work ... hell I live on a military installation, someone's getting up for PT at 5:30 a.m. and it wasn't me.
I got back to the livingroom to get the phone and peer out the window just in time to see them pull the car up across the street from mine. Then two tall black guys in jeans and wife-beaters emerge from alongside my car yelling and stepping up to each other (I'm not racist, but white people are just too chicken for all that drama, we'd just hit you with the car and go back to bed.)
I grabbed the phone and went to the bathroom to call the MP station (I didn't want them to see me turn the lights on and I'm too cheap for a phone that lights up). I tell them what is going on and ask if someone can drive by the make sure that everything is o.k. I leave my information and hang up. With the MPs driving through the neighborhoods throughout the night they should be here soon ... wrong!
About five minutes later they are again in my yard, but then a pregnant girl in her early 20s shows up ... oh, this'll be good.
A few minutes later one of the men and the girl squeal out of the neighborhood (hello! speed limit is 10 mph!) Since there was no crash I figured that my car was fine so I crawled into bed to go to sleep. I'm tired and if I want to see drama, I've got the Soap Opera channel.
About 13 minutes after calling the MPs (yes, I was watching the clock) two roll through the neighborhood, take a quick tour and leave. Whatever, I just want to go back to bed.
Five minutes later the car comes squealing into the neighborhood, screeching to a stop in front of the house across the street (by now I figured which family/house it was). They burn rubber getting into the driveway (I was kinda hoping that they would hit the garage just for kicks, but no such luck). Go back into the house and close the door.
Thank God. It's over I can get some sleep. By now it is nearly 11:30 p.m. and I need some beauty sleep. Just as I get the puppy down and doze off at about 1 p.m., it starts all over. Damn it! Here we go again.
We'll see what happens tonight and I'll fill you in on what the news in the neighborhood is about that house later ... that's right. I'm gonna gossip. So if you don't like it sign off for the next few posts. If you are interested ... pull up a chair. Here's the latest ...

Flashback ... 1996

What comes to mind when you think about ... Tom Cruise's call to "Show me the $$$!", Tickle me Elmo getting the giggles, Dennis Rodman's white wedding dress fashions, and Will Smith taking on the aliens to save the world .. that's right you are back in 1996!

This weekend I faced my biggest fear and came out of it unscathed ... what was it? My 10 year high school reunion. That’s right. Independence High School Class of 1996 regrouped for a night of reminiscing and catching up. Most of those who showed up had stayed in the area, but a few of us (seven by my count) had moved away.
My first hurdle was trying to get to the point where I felt happy (or at least indifferent) about my looks. I had cut my hair SHORT in the past few months and not only were they seeing it, but my family was seeing it for the first time.
I also had these crazy illusions that everyone would be this highly sucessful people, but Ha! it wasn’t as bad as I thought. There were a few “career” people there (me included) and most of the girls had kids, so it wasn't that bad.
I was in top form (I’m going to brag a little). I had the cutest capri dress pants to wear with a cute top and jacket (thank god it was cold!)
I got to catch up with a few people but once the DJ started playing (another guy I went to school with in middle school) and everyone got drinks in them, it got a little crazy ... I don’t mind admitting that this girl likes to party hard, but I don’t think this was the place to get wasted at. I was looking forward to catching up, but others were more interested in hooking up and getting drunk. Maybe I was just intimidating (Ha! If you only knew me, intimidating is not the word you would use) but it did make me think about my life over the past five years and I must say, I’m sitting pretty.
1. I am married to the PERFECT man who treats me like a princess (does weekends at the Ritz Carlton, jewelry for no reason and dinners at jazz clubs convince you).
2. I am successful career-wise (I am hold two degrees, plus am completing my masters and was made senior staff writer after less than two-years at the newspaper).
3. I get to meet amazing people through my job in public relations (Kevin Sharp, Aaron Tippin and Negro League player Ira McKnight to name a few)
4. I socialize with colonels and generals (sometimes that’s not so glamourous!)
5. I have a beautiful home (I tend to like the finer things and my husband loves to surprise me) with an amazing puppy who greets me like ... well a princess, every night!
But I digress ...
I was really sad that George couldn’t be there though. I’m sure he would have enjoyed it. He really loves dressing up and getting out and talking to people. It really would have been fun to have someone to talk about the events with too. Not that I wouldn't mind showing him off either. There were only a few who managed to keep their waistlines undeer control and George would have be the envy of them all. What can I say, my husband is a HOTTIE!!
We don’t get to see my dad’s side of the family often, only once since we’ve been married actually, so I‘m sure they would have liked to see him too.
Oh, well! I'll get to show him off next time we are in town. I’ll post pics when I get some.

My life is not a game of craps

O.k. maybe I have become a little sensative since the deployment began, but my new pet peeve is people taking bets on how long it will take for us to get pregnant when George returns. I don't mind it so much when close friends make jokes about it. They do and I accept it. That's what friends do, tease each other where they know it will get them closest. But when people I only see monthly (at most) in a social situation start placing "bets" I start to get pissed. My life and the life of any future child/children are not in existance for people's entertainment.
Sometimes I contemplate starting my own bets. How long were the Soldiers gone before their spouse started stepping out on them, or how long will the marraige last once the Soldier sees how much money they pissed away while they were off fighting a war? O.k. I'm really not that mean, but sometimes I do get frustrated. I guess I should be more forgiving, but whatever. I'll be really happy when this deployment is over though ... with or without a baby!

Ever have one of these days???

Ever have one of those days where you feel like your head with explode or know that you are minutes away from people seeing steam come out of your ears? Hope this makes it better.

Random post

My ass hurts. Ha! That got your attention. Seriously though. Since my husband deployed I have been working out nearly twice a day for an hour or so each and now my muscles hurt, my bones hurt, hell I even think my DNA is in pain right now. I don’t know if that is possible scientifically, but bit me ...
What I don't get (o.k. I do but it doesn't make sense) is why do my legs hurt. I walk all day, but if I spend 30 minutes on the treadmill they hurt. Maybe it that I really do 50 minutes, twice a day on the elliptical nad the two times a week I have a "slow" day in the treadmill, my body has enough time to catch it's breath in time to protest me pushing so hard.
I am on this crazy mission to keep busy to make time fly by faster, so between a full time job, unit family volunteer, working on my masters and keeping up with my active-for-a-bulldog canine, I am wiped out. I get home about 6 p.m. and gratefully climb into bed at about 10 p.m., so I have only about 4 hours by myself to feel sorry about everything that is going on. The good part is that I have a list of things to choose from as I prepare dinner and walk Sgt. Major (my dog’s name still cracks me up!) so the voices in my head always have something new to gripe about.
Awww ... the voices in my head. They have kept me company over the past 147 days (or 4 months, 3 weeks and 4 days, but who's counting.) They are such an active part of my day. Do you think they will be jealous when George comes home and I spend less time with them? They can entertain each other I guess.
Any way, I was hoping to use some of that after work time for blogging, but then there is the whole homework from school thing, so my time has not been divided as I thought it would be. It could be worst ... I’d list how, but I hurt to much to try to think of some ways.
Anyway, I really had nothing to say except that my ass hurts and I’ve said it twice now, so I’m done ...

Time's up ... High school reunion is here

My 10-year high school reunion is just around the corner ... seriously it’s on Aug. 12. I am quite excited to get back and see all of the ol’ gang but a little sad that George can’t be there.
High school for me was fun ... well once my parents allowed us to go to school instead of being home school. You see, when it comes to schools I’ve tried them all. I spent my elementary years in private schools, junior high school I was home schooled and high school my father and (wicked) stepmother allowed us to go to public school. There are pros and cons to each, but living in a family of 12 kids, I definitely agree you should not home school unless you have a firm understanding of educational needs ... or in the case of my stepmother, a high school diploma.
We were given workbooks with seven pages to do each day. We were sent to our rooms and told to do our work, but it was never checked. I still don’t understand how we were able to get through school since there was no one really accountable for us, but since it was not state testing years, I guess it didn’t matter.
I promptly finished two years in about three months and with little else to do I simply read a lot. (We didn’t have radio or television.) Since I still had no guidance, I pretty much read what I could get my hands on. I kind of wish now there was someone who could have helped me discover my interests and pointed my in the direction of where I could learn more ... but that was life in our house. Every man (woman and child) for themselves.
I think this ever-present need to fill my life with books as I did back then has led me to be the education-seeking person I am today (as I am currently working on my third degree!)
But I digress ...
High school was a place for me to “see the world” in a way. I was (and still am) naive to things like drugs, violence and other things from the “wrong side of the tracks.” My husband sometimes shakes his head (I really did think Mary Jane was a shoe, not a type of drug.)
My closest group of friends was six others and since I was medium height (at a petite 5’ 1”) we became known as the seven dwarfs to each other and a few others.
I wouldn’t say that I was well know or popular, but others might disagree. We were well known, I played various sports and was in a few groups. I worked as an office aid with my best friend, Jinnie, and Jamie the homecoming queen and class president was also a close friend with whom i spent a lot of time with. But Jinnie was the only one to ever come to my house and even then she never spent the night.
We were a fun bunch I must say, pool parties, slumber parties, football parties. What can i say, there were only a select few ever invited to a Seven Dwarf’s party, but we had a blast no matter what we id.
I think one of my favorite memories was Jinnie and I searching her families’ house for loose change (sorry Papa Danny and Mama Rita) so we could go to Taco Bell. Then her brother Danny hit a rabbit while driving there and we cried about his poor family left behind.
Her youngest brother Vernon was a bit of a cutie and learned he could get pretty much anything he wanted, which often led him to crawling in our bed asking for breakfast.
Then there was the fried pork blood ... on second though, never mind.
I think I spent more time over there than with my own family, but with the constant jealousy from my stepmother who I was apparently in competition with for my father’s affection (in her mind at least), I never wanted to go home. Papa Danny and Mama Rita took me in like one of there own. I miss them so much.
Over the years life took over and Jinnie and I don’t get talk to each other as much, but the bond is still there, as strong as ever. Our lives took different paths, but I think we live vicariously through each other, she as a parent, me as a college student and career woman.
It’s amazing to believe that 10 years have gone by.
I am an adult, I never thought I’d see that day. Funny, how you wake up one day and your whole life is changed. The question is, is it what you expected? Mine turned out better than I could even imagine.