Thursday, August 19, 2010

21 years

Twenty-one years ago I married my best friend.
It was by far the best decision I ever made!

My parents didn't support my decision.
My parents didn't want me to get married.
I was to stay at home and take care of them and my siblings.

My mom would wait up when I came home from dates and have a list of reasons why I needed to break up with J.
My dad would leave the room every time J came over.

I was engaged 3 days before I told them.
After they found out they tried to break it off.
My mom took me out for dinner and gave me a list of reasons why this was a bad choice.
Several weeks later they had both of us over to dinner and the whole family confronted us and told us not to get married.
We left --but not after we gave them a piece of our minds.
That was the last meal I ever had at my parents house.

I wasn't sure they would come to my wedding.
I told them when and where and left it up to them.
They did come, but I think it was because several extended family members were coming.

We decided not to have my dad walk my down the aisle and decided instead to walk down together.
For me, that said it all. We were in this together.

We promised to not forget where we came from, to continue to grow and to have a roof over our heads and food on our tables.
So far, all our promises have been kept.

My family, well we haven't seen them in 20 years.
I get an occasional email from my mom.
My kids have never met them.

And my siblings--the ones who my parents supported all their marriages--divorced.
All of them divorced.

And me,
well today I celebrate 21 years.
Today I have a wonderful family that supports me and loves me for who I am.

Today I am truly blessed!

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Cat Bird

We have a Cat Bird that hangs out by our deck.
She has been here for several years.
She hops on the deck railing and hangs out with us.
She doesn't seemed bothered by the noise of the kids or the dogs.

This year we discovered she had laid two eggs in the bushes next to the deck.
Luke carefully watched them.
We would put bread and cracker crumbs near her nest so she wouldn't venture far.

A few weeks ago we noticed one egg hatched.
Pretty soon we heard little peeping nosies.
A few weeks later we noticed little noises in the bushes and every once in awhile would see two
birds hopping along in the branches.

Sadly only one egg hatched.
We still see the other birds out and about.
I wonder if the new bird will join us on the deck next year?

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Being Gluten Free

I have been gluten free for a little over a year now.
I am starting to get used to it.
I am starting to venture out and
am trying to embrace it.

Last week we were on vacation.
We had an 12 hour drive to the Outer Banks.
For the car ride down I packed a great cooler full of food.
I had deviled eggs, gluten free bread with gluten free cold cuts, grapes, gluten free potato chips and gluten free candy.
The food was a success!

All week long I did ok too.
I brought gluten free bread, gluten free flour and ate well.

The ride home was another story.
The house we rented policy was no food was to be left in the house.
By the end of he week we were trying to finish up all the food.
The local grocery store had a little gluten free section.

The cooler on the ride home was full of left overs and my hubby is not fond of leftovers.

We stopped at a McDonalds for breakfast.
They ate biscuits with eggs, sausages and bacon.
I ate a gluten free bar.

For lunch they found a Sonic.
We don't have Sonics here no idea what is in their product so
I followed the rule--
when in doubt don't,
They happily drank thick milk shakes and raved how good they were.
I ate a soggy tuna sandwich.
Confession--I did tear up a little--I really wanted a treat!

For dinner McDonalds again.
I ate grapes.

Lesson learned.
When traveling plan for the trip home!



Wednesday, August 4, 2010

New Tradition

Since MoMo was 2 we have been going to Maine for our vacation.
My in-laws rented the same place and the whole family was invited up.
Most of the time it was just us that went.

For the past 3 years more of the family has been coming.
Last year was the first year that Gena (ML) was not there.
She died in October.
My father in- law decided to do one more vacation up there.

It was nice, but strange.
It was clear that Tom was missing Gena.

The place we stay is amazing.
Right on the ocean.
Water on three sides.
A small cove next to the house.
Breath taking.

The down size it is only 4 bedrooms.
A little cramped the 10 people.
And the water runs out a lot.

So this year we decided to try something new.
Juls ( my sister in law) went on the internet and found a house to rent on the Outer Banks.
It has a swimming pool, 6 bedrooms and beautiful views.

We leave Friday.
We are getting excited.
A new tradition will begin.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Mom of a Teenager

MoMo is still in Sweden.
We pick her up on Thursday--then leave for our vacation on Friday!

Throughout her trip we have gotten emails, chatted on line and phone calls.
Her emails aren't very informative.

Example--she just finished her home stay.
I asked her how it went--answer good. I like my host family. They are really nice !!!!!!!
( notice the exclamation points)

I got more than J did.
When he asked about their 8 day canoe trip --a trip where they were out in the Baltic Sea for 8 days, staying on islands with no bathrooms or electricity--and oh by the way she has never been on a canoe before--
he got
It was fun!!!!!!--give or take an exclamation point.

Yesterday she sent me an email--short
I love you

I guess having a teenager isn't all that bad!

Sunday, August 1, 2010

SyFy

In the past I would not have described myself as a sci fi person.
I had fleeting periods where I watched Star Trek the Next Generation.
I did see the Star War Movies.
But that's about it.

I have never been to a Star Trek convention.
And have never camped out on a sidewalk to keep my place in line to see a movie.

Lately I have noticed that many of the shows I watch on Hulu are tagged --Sci Fi.

Last summer I discovered Warehouse 13.
It is now a new family favorite.

Last summer was also the summer that our family watched the entire Roswell series.

I really enjoy watching Ghost Hunters and Ghost Hunters International.
(The verdict is still out on Ghost Hunters Academy)

This summer I stumbled across Fact or Faked.
Within the first episode Luke and I were hooked.
Luke said it was a combination of Mythbusters and Ghost Hunters.

I have also discovered Haven and The Gates.
Haven I was unsure of at first but it is growing on me.

I didn't want to like The Gates but was quickly sucked in.
A community with the vampires, werewolves, witches and succubus, what else is there to say.

What is a succubus anyway?