Friday, September 25, 2009
Coming soon . . .
to a theater near you. Ok, no, not really. Not even close. I will post pictures of our cub scout trip to see the mayor as soon as humanly possible. But first, I need to tackle housework in a major way. It's Friday already and I'm seriously behind before I can even get started. Tomorrow is Saturday which means we'll spend half the day at football games so no time for housework tomorrow. Then there's Sunday, and we all know what that means. As much as I try to keep the Sabbath holy, I find myself doing laundry. I really don't like that. I'm off for now, but I'll be back later on. Ciao!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Remembering 9/11
As I've browsed Facebook and friends' blogs over the last 2 days, I'm reminded to remember 9/11. To be honest, this is one of those things, along with several others in my life, that I've tucked away in a quiet and unvisited corner of my mind only to remember briefly on the anniversary of the occasion. I have to numb myself to these things because I just can't revisit the feelings involved, nor do I want to. Maybe that makes me weird, cold-hearted, or dispassionate, but that's the only way I can handle certain life-changing events.
Several friends have asked the question: Where were you on Sept. 11, 2001?
I remember sitting in the little apartment we were renting in San Diego. Ian was going through 6 weeks of training there and we decided to go as a family instead of being separated for 6 weeks. We'd had enough of being separated due to deployments and this was the beginning of his first shore duty since we'd been married.
Ian was getting ready to leave for class and I was up to see him off. I don't think Todd, who was just 2 at the time, was awake yet. Ian turned on the news, like he does most mornings, and there was Katie Couric reporting from the Today show with a shot of the first tower burning in the background. We didn't know quite yet that a plane had been hijacked and flown into the tower. I remember seeing a shot of the grounds surrounding the Pentagon and thinking the area looked very familiar, but didn't know something had happened at the Pentagon, too. I was still having a hard time sorting it all out.
Then back to the towers, and within a few minutes, we saw the 2nd airplane hit Tower 2. It was so surreal, like a scene from a movie, but it definitely was NOT a movie. The most shocking part to me was when the 2nd tower collapsed . . . and then the 1st . . . like they'd never been there at all. All I could think was, "Is this it? Is this the end of the world?". I stayed glued to the TV all day. I wanted to be back in Alabama where our families were, but we were stuck in San Diego for another 3 weeks.
One day passed . . . two days . . . then a week . . . and things seemed to get back normal, for us. I know it was anything but normal for so many people.
Ian finished his training and we headed back to Alabama for a visit before moving to Connecticut. A couple of months before the 1st anniversary of 9/11, I found out we were expecting our 2nd child. Ian has since gotten out of the Navy, we've moved back home to Alabama, and added two more kids to the mix. And, eight years later, life is normal. I don't know what I'll be doing eight years from now. Hopefully still plugging along as usual.
To borrow from another blog Pioneer Woman :
"I wonder what I’ll be doing on September 11, 2017? What about my loved ones?
Several friends have asked the question: Where were you on Sept. 11, 2001?
I remember sitting in the little apartment we were renting in San Diego. Ian was going through 6 weeks of training there and we decided to go as a family instead of being separated for 6 weeks. We'd had enough of being separated due to deployments and this was the beginning of his first shore duty since we'd been married.
Ian was getting ready to leave for class and I was up to see him off. I don't think Todd, who was just 2 at the time, was awake yet. Ian turned on the news, like he does most mornings, and there was Katie Couric reporting from the Today show with a shot of the first tower burning in the background. We didn't know quite yet that a plane had been hijacked and flown into the tower. I remember seeing a shot of the grounds surrounding the Pentagon and thinking the area looked very familiar, but didn't know something had happened at the Pentagon, too. I was still having a hard time sorting it all out.
Then back to the towers, and within a few minutes, we saw the 2nd airplane hit Tower 2. It was so surreal, like a scene from a movie, but it definitely was NOT a movie. The most shocking part to me was when the 2nd tower collapsed . . . and then the 1st . . . like they'd never been there at all. All I could think was, "Is this it? Is this the end of the world?". I stayed glued to the TV all day. I wanted to be back in Alabama where our families were, but we were stuck in San Diego for another 3 weeks.
One day passed . . . two days . . . then a week . . . and things seemed to get back normal, for us. I know it was anything but normal for so many people.
Ian finished his training and we headed back to Alabama for a visit before moving to Connecticut. A couple of months before the 1st anniversary of 9/11, I found out we were expecting our 2nd child. Ian has since gotten out of the Navy, we've moved back home to Alabama, and added two more kids to the mix. And, eight years later, life is normal. I don't know what I'll be doing eight years from now. Hopefully still plugging along as usual.
To borrow from another blog Pioneer Woman :
"I wonder what I’ll be doing on September 11, 2017? What about my loved ones?
I’d try to predict…but life doesn’t work that way.
A lot can happen in eight years. And I realize more every day that the only thing certain about life…is its uncertainty.
But that makes the moments of calm and peace even that much more delicious."
Absolutely.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Frustrating week
This is a big fat whining post so beware. I normally try to be positive here, but sometimes you just need to let it all out.
As happy as I am that Todd decided to join beginner band, and tried out and made drums, I'm extremely frustrated by the band director's lack of communication with parents. We just found out that we have to also have to buy a set of bells along with the snare drum, both of which will sit at home for practice only. And, of course, his music books are more expensive than everyone else's.
Our 2nd car is broken and I can't afford to fix it.
Our central A/C is broken and I can't afford to fix it.
The A/C is about to go out on the van and I can't afford to fix it.
The van has lots of other problems and I can't afford to fix them.
I need to get rid of my chickens and ducks because, even though they're not a huge expense, they are an 'extra' expense.
I want to get rid of the dog. He's not happy here because he has to be tied up all the time. We have a wireless containment system but the collar needs a new battery. There again, an extra expense. And the poor dog can't even eat or have fresh water because the ducks and chickens take it over.
The cats need to just go away. They're causing more problems to the house that I can't afford to fix. But if I get rid of them, the mice will take over.
I'm tired. I'm tired of being responsible for everything.
As happy as I am that Todd decided to join beginner band, and tried out and made drums, I'm extremely frustrated by the band director's lack of communication with parents. We just found out that we have to also have to buy a set of bells along with the snare drum, both of which will sit at home for practice only. And, of course, his music books are more expensive than everyone else's.
Our 2nd car is broken and I can't afford to fix it.
Our central A/C is broken and I can't afford to fix it.
The A/C is about to go out on the van and I can't afford to fix it.
The van has lots of other problems and I can't afford to fix them.
I need to get rid of my chickens and ducks because, even though they're not a huge expense, they are an 'extra' expense.
I want to get rid of the dog. He's not happy here because he has to be tied up all the time. We have a wireless containment system but the collar needs a new battery. There again, an extra expense. And the poor dog can't even eat or have fresh water because the ducks and chickens take it over.
The cats need to just go away. They're causing more problems to the house that I can't afford to fix. But if I get rid of them, the mice will take over.
I'm tired. I'm tired of being responsible for everything.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Inspirational thought for the day ---
I found this on another blog and thought I'd post it here. It's just what I needed.
"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life." I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." ~Maya Angelou
So very, very true.
"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life." I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." ~Maya Angelou
So very, very true.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
It's Autumn Time! It's Autumn Time!
The leaves are falling down. It's Autumn Time! It's Autumn! It's all around the town. I wish this were true. No leaves turning or falling yet, but I know it's around the corner somewhere. I'm trying to make it feel like fall a little earlier than it usually does around here. I've changed my blog background, my MyYahoo! background, and I've been looking for some fall crafts to do. I really want to make a fall wreath for my door since I can't hang up my little garden flag. Ace finished off my flag holder for me a while back. I guess I could get a new flag holder (and probably will) , but I'm really itching to make something. So if anyone has any cute or tried and true ideas, please pass them along.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
New Giveaway
Another great giveaway over on Anne Bradshaw's blog. Hurry and enter! The winner will be chosen tomorrow. Good luck!
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