I am home today awaiting the arrival of a Sears repair person who will undoubtedly tell me that yes, after only two loads post-repair (2 repairmen here last Saturday until 9PM), new parts are required and another TBD weeks of waiting will ensue. Wherein I will trek to the laundromat, family in tow, and do mountains of laundry in the comfort of plastic chairs, one TV and a Ms. Pacman game. AGAIN. Never buy a Sears Calypso washer, people. NEVER. (They don't sell them anymore ['ya think?] so you're probably safe). And my opinion of Sears repair at the moment is not all that great either, but we're giving them a chance to redeem themselves.
Anyway, I got up around 6 and got 'dressed'. Didn't want to lounge away in PJs and decided 'ala Flylady' I'd be much more motivated if I had clothes on. Got the kids off to school, dogs out, dogs fed, dogs out again - and started tidying up the kitchen. My legs felt strange and I couldn't figure out what the problem was. THEN I noticed. I had two black shoes on - they just weren't the same shoe. Hence the strange feeling in one leg. Lovely. Thank goodness I didn't go to work that way.
The dogs are 'protecting' me from Kevin the pool guy. I might have solved the barking - I put them both in their kennels and turned on a CD of 70's music. They are relatively quiet. I'm sure they'll bark like crazy when the Sears guy gets here - but for now, the quiet in light of a 'stranger' in our backyard is lovely.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Husbands
J. is on a business trip - he returns tonight (Thank you, God). I miss him always - but especially when:
1) The pool filter goes squirrely and I have to figure out what to do to make the horrific grinding noise stop. I can never remember how to shut the blooming thing off (since you're not supposed to shut it off, ever). And then I have to call Kevin the pool guy and do the 'dumb (bottle) blond' routine and ask for his help in figuring out what is wrong with it and make it work again. Which he did - thanks, Blue Lagoon Pool & Spa service. You're the greatest.
2) The dead bird that was MIA under the wheel well of my van is now oh so obvious every time I go out to the car - it makes me shudder to see his legs and wings spread-eagled under the bumper. And I'm not going to even consider attempting to extract it myself - that's J.'s "job". That and all body fluids related to kids, which thankfully, there have been none of (yet).
3) H. brings home his less than sterling report card and it's me (again) being Mommy Dearest and attempting to impress upon him that the note re: needs to focus more in class is related to something other than just sitting there quietly and doing his work. Duh. We need some 'stern Dad' intervention for this one.
4) I've been working on taxes a bit and there's no one there to react to my frequent gasps or the 'oh my Gosh's' frequently leaving my mouth. My expressions always freak J. out - and I miss his reactions from the desk behind me as I wind my way through Turbo Tax.
5) J. does the dishes a lot and I realize I don't thank him nearly enough nor do I appreciate it as much as I should. J. also cooks a lot - we've had frozen pizza and Taco Bell the past couple nights - which the boys are thrilled with. But if J. were home, there'd be better eats around - and fewer dishes in the sink.
6) When it's cold and I can't get warmed up for HOURS 'cuz there's no one there to help warm up the bed. And it's been FREEZING this week (not Ohio freezing, K. - but cold for here).
7) I dreamed all night how horrible I felt - sore throat, headache, achy. And I woke up to realize that it wasn't a dream - I DO feel horrible and yucky. And there's no one to bring me hot tea or a blanket or help switch the DVD's for Buffy The Vampire Slayer 'cuz J's not home. (I'm spoiled - I admit it). He's the best 'caregiver' on the planet.
8) 'Cuz when your hubby's away, you realize even more how much you love him - and miss him. I can't wait for him to be home!
1) The pool filter goes squirrely and I have to figure out what to do to make the horrific grinding noise stop. I can never remember how to shut the blooming thing off (since you're not supposed to shut it off, ever). And then I have to call Kevin the pool guy and do the 'dumb (bottle) blond' routine and ask for his help in figuring out what is wrong with it and make it work again. Which he did - thanks, Blue Lagoon Pool & Spa service. You're the greatest.
2) The dead bird that was MIA under the wheel well of my van is now oh so obvious every time I go out to the car - it makes me shudder to see his legs and wings spread-eagled under the bumper. And I'm not going to even consider attempting to extract it myself - that's J.'s "job". That and all body fluids related to kids, which thankfully, there have been none of (yet).
3) H. brings home his less than sterling report card and it's me (again) being Mommy Dearest and attempting to impress upon him that the note re: needs to focus more in class is related to something other than just sitting there quietly and doing his work. Duh. We need some 'stern Dad' intervention for this one.
4) I've been working on taxes a bit and there's no one there to react to my frequent gasps or the 'oh my Gosh's' frequently leaving my mouth. My expressions always freak J. out - and I miss his reactions from the desk behind me as I wind my way through Turbo Tax.
5) J. does the dishes a lot and I realize I don't thank him nearly enough nor do I appreciate it as much as I should. J. also cooks a lot - we've had frozen pizza and Taco Bell the past couple nights - which the boys are thrilled with. But if J. were home, there'd be better eats around - and fewer dishes in the sink.
6) When it's cold and I can't get warmed up for HOURS 'cuz there's no one there to help warm up the bed. And it's been FREEZING this week (not Ohio freezing, K. - but cold for here).
7) I dreamed all night how horrible I felt - sore throat, headache, achy. And I woke up to realize that it wasn't a dream - I DO feel horrible and yucky. And there's no one to bring me hot tea or a blanket or help switch the DVD's for Buffy The Vampire Slayer 'cuz J's not home. (I'm spoiled - I admit it). He's the best 'caregiver' on the planet.
8) 'Cuz when your hubby's away, you realize even more how much you love him - and miss him. I can't wait for him to be home!
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Proud
Last night in our town, a star was born. That star is my son, B.
B. played at a jazz dinner last night. He had mentioned that he had a solo. He didn't mention that he had TWO. And he also neglected to tell me that he is good. Really good.
Every measure of those solos felt like an eternity to me. Not because it was painful to listen to. But because it wasn't. The kid has 'it'. He is talented and a showman. The audience was mesmerized. Including the gentleman sitting behind us who it turned out is the superintendent of Tracy schools. I heard him commenting to his wife 'now that kid's had some lessons'. I leaned back and said 'yes, he has'. He replied 'he's pretty talented'. We chatted after the performance and Dr. Franco thanked us for supporting Tracy schools and for sticking with the music program. He was glad to see a student who had stayed with music from the Jefferson School district - many haven't. But we did - the Jefferson School music program is significantly smaller than Tracy Unified's program - but the Jefferson School district is growing and more and more kids will be coming into Tracy Unified w/ music experience. That's a good thing.
The band director announced after B's second solo - 'and that's freshman B. on the drums'. The audience clapped even louder. It was amazing. I've never been so proud of him. Honestly proud. He's worked so hard to be good and it's paying off.
I hope he can make a living playing. It would be wonderful for him to do something he absolutely loves everyday for the rest of his life. I'm realistic enough to know that a performance musician has a hard road - and most aren't successful as studio musicians. But I get it now - it's B's dream and what mother doesn't want their kids to fulfill their dreams?
It was an amazing night. He was so happy - and his bandmates kept congratulating him over and over. 'He can really play' was a common theme. And he can. Honestly, really play. He is very talented. And I've been reluctant to admit it - not 'cuz I don't want him to be awesome. But because being a musician is a tough way to make a living. But it's what he wants. So we're going to do everything we can to help him. We are encouraging him to major in music - and the superintendent's wife mentioned the same college we have been researching that has an excellent music program, and specifically an excellent jazz program. Hearing that from an un-biased 3rd party who happens to be married to a district administrator might help B. consider that school more. And it's a school he could attend and commute to - for a couple years and then live on campus the last two - or four, since he'll probably get his master's. Then he can teach while he tries to break into studio musician work.
Wish him luck. I'll be holding my breath for the next decade.
B. played at a jazz dinner last night. He had mentioned that he had a solo. He didn't mention that he had TWO. And he also neglected to tell me that he is good. Really good.
Every measure of those solos felt like an eternity to me. Not because it was painful to listen to. But because it wasn't. The kid has 'it'. He is talented and a showman. The audience was mesmerized. Including the gentleman sitting behind us who it turned out is the superintendent of Tracy schools. I heard him commenting to his wife 'now that kid's had some lessons'. I leaned back and said 'yes, he has'. He replied 'he's pretty talented'. We chatted after the performance and Dr. Franco thanked us for supporting Tracy schools and for sticking with the music program. He was glad to see a student who had stayed with music from the Jefferson School district - many haven't. But we did - the Jefferson School music program is significantly smaller than Tracy Unified's program - but the Jefferson School district is growing and more and more kids will be coming into Tracy Unified w/ music experience. That's a good thing.
The band director announced after B's second solo - 'and that's freshman B. on the drums'. The audience clapped even louder. It was amazing. I've never been so proud of him. Honestly proud. He's worked so hard to be good and it's paying off.
I hope he can make a living playing. It would be wonderful for him to do something he absolutely loves everyday for the rest of his life. I'm realistic enough to know that a performance musician has a hard road - and most aren't successful as studio musicians. But I get it now - it's B's dream and what mother doesn't want their kids to fulfill their dreams?
It was an amazing night. He was so happy - and his bandmates kept congratulating him over and over. 'He can really play' was a common theme. And he can. Honestly, really play. He is very talented. And I've been reluctant to admit it - not 'cuz I don't want him to be awesome. But because being a musician is a tough way to make a living. But it's what he wants. So we're going to do everything we can to help him. We are encouraging him to major in music - and the superintendent's wife mentioned the same college we have been researching that has an excellent music program, and specifically an excellent jazz program. Hearing that from an un-biased 3rd party who happens to be married to a district administrator might help B. consider that school more. And it's a school he could attend and commute to - for a couple years and then live on campus the last two - or four, since he'll probably get his master's. Then he can teach while he tries to break into studio musician work.
Wish him luck. I'll be holding my breath for the next decade.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Tales of Helpers
Our cleaning lady D. is here today - she wears earbuds and chats on the phone while she works. She is the third cleaning 'person(s)'...
