ah, yes, memorial day. our american version of the day of the dead: the cemeteries are packed with festive ornaments and the vfw is all out, flags waving and uniforms fresh. this year we were sort of rained-out, but i do try to keep a tradition of decorating the graves, thanks to grandmother and aunt ruth (and mom & dad) who taught me to do those things. casey has several “people” over at sunset memorial gardens and i called up c to ask the whereabouts of her parents (maudie and t.r.) so i could put some flowers on. with a little effort we found them and also jenny faith, a high-school friend who died tragically in 1976. we made it by casey’s dad’s grave–a cool marker with a racecar; his brother’s grave actually had a few dead flowers on it and the free flag that they give for veterans, so the love of his life must have made it by, also. (he actually was discharged for going awol, but she believes otherwise). i made sure mom&dad’s maus was properly patriotic, too.
the casey jrs arrived friday evening with a sickish olivia. she’s cutting 4 top teeth and has been feverish and snotty, but nothing a little tylenol and benadryl can’t help. we spent yesterday afternoon watching the 500 and napping, playing the piano and just exploring the house. since spring insists on staying springish throughout the entire season, the rain may interfere with plans for the zoo today, but we’ve got all week to get there. yesterday i cooked up some fresh green beans and new potatoes with enough bacon grease to lubricate my pruritis ani on the way out (a little nurse humour). today i’ll stick with salad and fruit. later that day: yeah, sure. i bought some pasta salad, corn on the cob, cole slaw; grilled some steaks and drank some drinks……MUST STOP…..
thinking back: when we had the pop-up camper we always went camping on memorial day week-end, at first down at barkley lake, then traditionally new harmony. 12 years ago dad died the friday before the weekend. 35 years ago i married bb. 4 years ago mike and jess married. was it 3 years ago already that emma was baptized? grandpa eaton died around this weekend in 1967 (you do the math). casey always has to watch the 500, so he resents any events that occur on the sunday of the weekend unless he can have at least a radio nearby.
i’m looking forward to summer vacation and have some lofty goals which i will share with you (maybe) later. we’ll see.
wherever you are, have some fun and remember the folks who got you here with a serious smile.
well, heck. seems the thursday morning time is not okay with ali after all. jury is still out on when the reschedule is. maybe later on thursday? we’ll work it out. we do know that we’ll be together for fun and music and that’s what matters.
i added 2 knockout roses to my arbor garden yesterday. because i can’t stop planting during planting season, i always end up with too many plants. in my daughter’s honor (she has a lavender jones) i decided to plant a hedge of lavender in the back. after buying 6 lavendar, i’m thinking i’d rather have the lovely scent in the arbor garden. i like the idea of zinnias and sunflowers where i’d planned the hedge, maybe try the lavender in containers and decide where they should go permanently later?.
weather is great, so there’s not excuse for grumpy today. get on out there and smile!
it’s a bittersweet excitement that i start out the last week of this school year; it’s been a good year. i’m heading out early this morning to the health/science office to turn in the state-required reports and the audiometer. i have 1 more report to file on the 19th. then there’s the kids: they’ll be squirrely all week, at best. some of my favorite kids are graduating, so i’ll probably shed a few tears. overall, i’ll be light as a feather by the time i walk out on friday. i’d love to take some pictures for you to see, but i’m leery of posting pictures of kids on the internets, however innocent my intentions. i will take some pictures, though, and my kids can delete them after i’ve crossed over.
speaking of my kids—i can hardly wait to get my hands on olivia this weekend. how about a birthday party for her on 5/28 around 10 a.m.? so far, that’s the best time for the children. everybody is invited. we’re hoping to get to the zoo, maybe a park or two. and just be together, the best part of all. countdown to nyc is 2 weeks! it’s going to be a great beginning of vacation for a doting grandma!
well, enough of my happyhappy stuff. hope you’re all feeling at least well. go for great. just try it—start with a smile!
hey, it was 6 years ago just about today that i first saw sonnystone acres and it was love at first sight. i simply had to have this place. 6 months after mom died, 1 month after quitting my job, casey wasn’t working……not such a good time to buy a house, but i did. remember, if you will, that we made the offer as i was flying to nyc and that i made the negotiations for mortgage as i was walking through central park. one of the biggest reasons i loved the place was the tree that is now gone! the windows were falling off, the siding had holes in it, you couldn’t see the place for the overgrown vines, and what i saw that day was a vision darn near what i have today. it’s not been all fun, but it has been a dream come true, literally. casey and i have certainly teamed up well to make this happen.
gotta run….see you all soon!
with 7 more days of school, i accepted that the situation with the twins was going to be something we dealt with next year. i’ve kept my mouth shut. well, truthfully, i tried to speak with the discipline guy before spring break, but his conversations were circular so i implemented the peace-through-patience approach. yesterday, i went down to give the boys their medicine during 2nd period when they’re in the same class. they were, as always, sleeping at their desks. this time, however, they wouldnot/couldnot wake up. the teacher expressed her frustration (again) to me and while i have nursey opinions about their recent med changes, she was more vocal regarding the discipline aspect of allowing them to sleep through 3 periods daily, then spend the rest of their day in my office. i walked upstairs and spoke to the principal; he walked downstairs, woke up the boys and brought them upstairs. their dad was called and they were suspended for the rest of the year—–couldn’t we have done this earlier? according to my sources, their dad was informed that they should not return to school this year, that they will repeat 7th grade next year at another school and likely be separated (going to different schools). i didn’t know you could even flunk out of school, frankly. these boys have had f’s all year; this is crazy. why wait until now? i’ve still got some of their meds and have to make sure they are lawfully returned, so i’ll probably get to see them again and say goodbye. the teacher thanked me. i’m not sure why.
re: my facebook op, you know i spent my thirties on the phone for hours daily, ignoring or yelling at my children while the person on the other end did the same. i don’t mean to imply that i am too good for wasting time—it’s one of my hobbies. i would actually take more part in the forum if it weren’t for the particular “friends” who insist that i join in their particular application, if you know what i mean. it’s like the people who abused email with those corny christian forwards or chain letters. while i can take them off of my radar (and i have), i would probably use facebook if i could go on without that person knowing i’m on. at least i can ignore a phone call. npr has had a recent funny article about twittering and it’s been interesting to see that folks love their technology. i’m just saying.
i’ve made quite a lengthy list of books for summer reading. currently i’m finishing up a couple so i’ll be ready in (after today) 6 more days!! have a great day!
gee, i hate to complain but i feel like crap this morning. the “scattered” and “isolated” rain and thunderstorms are oppressive to my allergies and my eyes look (and feel) like yellow-matter-custard, seeping from a dead dog’s eye. ugh. add to that the fact that i pigged out on some beany-corny salsa and you have the entire gassy, bloated picture.
if you looked at the mom’s day pic, you may have noticed that we’ve finished: the wisteria are in, the daylilies are planted. i put out a second row of green beans and planted the snow-peas yesterday; husband finished painting the arbor. we bought the ferns for the front porch and they are swinging happily along with the sunny pot of red bells. now if the allegra will kick in, we’re happy.
i’ve been disgruntled anyway about the whole facebook thing. see, i’m not really excited about facebook and only lurk around. my girlfriend from texas is the only reason i even went on and she’s quite obnoxious, or i think so. she is now pressuring me via telephone to accept about 3million “drinks” she has sent me. not only do i not want to spend my time opening them, i don’t want to pretend i’m drinking them or any such nonsense. i took a quiz several weeks ago and ended up with a $11.95 charge on my verizon bill for some sort of texting thing. i’m just not interested. and i have this wonderful blog to keep you up-to-date on when i take my bathroom breaks. >sigh<
i booked my flight to nyc for 6/2, staying until 6/7. i’m tentatively planning olivia’s bday party for 5/28. after today’s work, there will be 7 more days of school. go for a silly smile today.
