Oh! I forgot!

On Tuesday, Boo and I went to the Library again, and Nana and Poppi were there again.
They enjoyed spending Story time with her, and a little visit afterwards on the bench outside in the courtyard.

So after a few hours, I decided to test my little munchkin. Asked her:

what did you do at Story Time?

We watcheded a mooovie!!! (we did)

Who did you see?

Nana and Poppi!!!!!

ARGHHHHHHHHH

Okay, time to come clean.....sort of....

I am still not willing to tell that I instigated the whole thing and that we met last week. Instead I casually mentioned to Wheelie: Guess who WE ran into at the Library??? He could care less.

Later with Bugs, same question. She goes: Oh God, no...
I was able to explain that these people were delighted to see their granddaughter again after a year, and that Poppi was very ill. And that seeing them was not a disaster.

She softened a bit, realizing this IS a small town, and running into them was a matter of time (with or without my help)

So now the cat is out of the bag (sort of). I suggested to the grandparents we take it easy, and maybe wait a couple of weeks before the next visit.

Bugs lost her TV cable (nonpayment) and she's pissed that PH is now spending his evenings mostly at his house, watching football.

Maybe stuff like this will be the incentive she needs to get in shape financially. I'm no longer standing there with my wallet open.

No more suggestions, no more handouts. A shoulder to cry on? yes! Love her unconditionally? Yes!

SGMKJ!

Another Saturday

First of all, my Doctor assured me I was a healthy specimen, despite the diarrhea. My blood was good, my cholesterol was a teensy high, but nothing to worry about, I should bring up my "good" cholesterol by starting to walk 5 times a week.
My uterus looked good, my blood pressure was normal. He doesn't expect any surprises from my pap smear.
He figures I am good for the next 5000 miles, wants to see me back in 6 months.
He thinks my tummy problems are a result from stress.
Now I could insist on a bunch of invasive and expensive tests, money I don't have, but he thinks I am fine.
For some reason I trust this guy. He is a common sense doctor, not in the profession to make a huge profit. He doesn't mess with insurance, thinks the system is atrocious.
We agreed that SOMETHING big has to happen to make changes, but both agree that in a country this large with so many differences of opinion, so many different cultures and ideas, this change will be difficult to attain.
I jokingly said: Maybe they should divide the country into a bunch of small countries. He thought that would be a splendid idea. He said he would be happy to live in the country of Georgia. I told him I would move back to the west coast. California? Where the fruits live? Yes! I LOVE fruits! Fruits make life interesting! And people aren't so damned uptight over there. He clapped his hands and laughed.
All this chit chat while I sat on the table nekkid from the waist down, draped by a white paper sheet.
So we'll watch the tummy stuff for a while, I can always opt to go more into debt and have the upper GI tests and the colonoscopy if things don't improve.

I thought I was watching Boo all day today, staying overnight and watching her tomorrow, but Bugs called me and said she didn't have to be in until five. So she is taking the little bugger to gymnastics this morning.
A welcome reprieve.


It has been rather cold here, early for the season, time to drag out the down comforter.

Spoke with my sister yesterday who's at her wits end with our mother, who is being mean and combative with her. Long story.
So we talked for an hour and ended up laughing like usual. I wish I could go visit. Not gonna happen this year.

SGMKJ!

Tummy blues

Ever since I started on the Prilosec medication for my suspected GERD, I've been having the runs.
Not every day, but at least 4 days the past week or so.
Something is not right in this tummy of mine.
It's not just a matter of acid reflux, I've been having problems for too long, and been just ignoring them. Sometime you just get used to being uncomfortable and go with the flow. Pop a Zantax or some Tums, and voila. But now it's just getting to me, am sick and tired of feeling crappy.

I am seriously thinking of asking Dr. R to order one of those barium tests. I want to know what the hell is going on in there.

It has been a blissfully quiet day here. I only went out to get the newspaper, and while Wheelie is watching the entire John Adams series on DVD, I've been lounging and napping, and running to the potty.
(Oma doesn't go poop-poo, she goes SPLASH!)
Gawd, this child makes you laugh.

I heard her say this while in the tub yesterday. "Ohhhh...you are so cute!!!! You are MUCH cuter than your Mommie!!!!"
Where the hell did that come from?

She loves her bath, stays until the water gets cold. with a million toys floating around her, she sings and plays and looks at herself in the silver plated disk under the faucet.

We are having another day off tomorrow, which is just perfect.

And now it's almost dinner time (barf!) Gotta go find something to fix the my better half.

SGMKJ!

Gymnastic Witch Roto Rooter

My brand spanking new leotard

Darn, it's raining!

Can we GO now, Oma????

My $1.00 Witch Hat

Saturday, Gymnastics Day.
Going to Target Day and making Oma buy me a Witch Hat Day

And Roto Rooter day for Oma, who just saved Wheelie a few hundred bucks by fixing and cleaning/unclogging the pipes under the sink!

My little Boo fell asleep on the way home, and I am SO happy she didn't wake up when I dropped her on her bed!!!! Leotard and all!

I am not much in the mood to write, but I wanted to keep y'all up to date.

Bugs got a promotion of sorts. She will be starting her barkeep training this week. It's the next step to a possible management position.
A small step, but it's important for her, especially since she had such a rough start at this job.
Her cable was turned off, but I kept my foot down and my wallet zipped up. Not gonna do that anymore. SO PH will have to watch the football games at his own house, Hehehe...

The weather is kinda crappy, but not too bad. started to rain just now. Yesterday it was 85 degrees, today much lower, thank God.

2:30pm...can I possibly take a little nap myself?

SGMKJ!

Random Act of Kindness, or Stupid Idea?

Night before last I had an brain storm. Before I could change my mind I emailed Nana and Poppi and suggested we "accidentally" meet at the library. Since I was taking Boo to Story Time. A public place, right? I mean, people run into other people all the time, it's inevitable, such a small town and all.

I have been feeling so ambivalent about them being able to see Boo-boo. It had been over a year.
Being a grandparent, I can imagine how it must hurt not to see them grow and be with them.

Nobody would be the wiser, since I wouldn't tell about the so-called "chance meeting" and Boo wouldn't tattle. She basically doesn't know them and she is friendly and hugs everyone.

So when we approached the library yesterday morning, there they were, Nana, Poppi, and auntie.
Sitting in the courtyard, straining their necks to see. Nana jumped up and rushed forward and swooped the baby in her arms. Boo was thrilled to get all the attention and the hugs and the kisses. Auntie was even given a few hours off from her work to go see her niece.

We all cried, dammit.

Poppi was dragging an oxygen tank behind him, he looked awful. I was told that he "died" a few weeks ago but they were able to resuscitate him. Poor fellow. He is so sick. BUT...still drives his truck, even though he falls asleep at the drop of a hat.

We all trooped into the Library and attended the story time program. For once Boo stayed on Auntie's lap and listened, instead of bouncing all over the place.

Afterward we sat around the "puzzle" table for a while, visiting. The folks were so emotional, and obviously so happy to spend some time with her. It did make my guilt fade in a hurry.

At the end of the visit one of Daddy's brothers came in too, so it was a huge reunion.
Boo loving the attention, and being more than happy to clown for the cell phone cameras.

So now I've got a secret. Instead of lying about it I'll just keep my mouth shut for now. Boo doesn't know who these people were, she might have told her momma that there were "people"
but...

I just hope we didn't make too much noise down there, but anyone could see that something happy was going on. SO.

I told them I couldn't make a habit of this. But I do realize my actions will need some serious thought. One day I will have to bring this up, and hopefully will be able to soften Bugs' feelings about these folks and allow them to visit with Boo now and then.


To me it's the decent thing to do.

I just hope I didn't open a box of worms.

SGMKJ!

Can you spell: f-r-u-s-t-r-a-t-i-o-n?

Today has been a tough day.
Boo-boo seems to have a bee up her butt, as she is being stubborn and just wild. She finally fell asleep on the couch (4pm), exhausted.
I was at the end of my own rope for trying to soothe her while doing my laundry, and trying to get my own stuff done.

In the meantime I have been dealing with an eBay buyer from China who started a dispute, claiming he did not receive his 4 rare CD sets. He wanted a refund. It has been a frustrating two weeks, trying to communicate with Pay pal, trying to file a counter claim, but to no avail.
It seems that the customer is always right, even in this type of situation. Ridiculous!

So I lost not only the merchandise, but had to refund him his shipping ($32) which he paid, of course, but which amount I used to ship the damn stuff! It's enough to drive me nuts.
So this afternoon, after another email from the guy, who wasn't going to budge, I gave him his damn refund, and blocked him from ever bidding on my auctions again.
From now on I will charge any international buyer an extra amount of money for "proof of shipping" or some sort of thing.
And now I should put this behind me. Right?

I wish I could take a little pill that would just make me 35 again, along with a strong body and a ditto mind. Stuff didn't use to bother me this much. Now it seems I have one nerve left and everyone and everything is getting on it.

Yeah, even despite the antidepressants. Doc R. wanted to start weaning me off the stuff (my own request) but hell no, I am going to keep taking them, and next week when I have my major check up/overhaul we will discuss it, perhaps I need a different sort of medication, a different brand.

Lately I have been feeling pretty damn lonely. I have NO friends. No girl friend to go out shopping with, or to talk with. And I mean someone HERE, close by.
It's so pathetic, I will go through a store, pretending my sister is with me. I hope to God I don't talk out loud when I do that, making me seem like a nutcase.

October has never been a good month for me emotionally. Oh, I have my good days, like yesterday. But then a day like this sneaks up on me and just throws me flat on my face again.

Wheelie is no help at all, either he doesn't notice, or he just ignores it. Same old, same old.

Bugs, thank God, is doing better. PH quit his job yesterday and started a completely different one today, working for a pool maintenance company, with some rich customers in Atlanta. You'd think this kind of stuff would not be profitable these days, but a few of his friends went to work for this company and have been doing very well. Plenty of work, it seems. It was a huge step for PH, who has basically always been in the restaurant business, but he is a big guy, it will be good for him to do some physical work. His hours will be terrific, Mon-Fri 9-5 basically. Same salary.
I truly hope this works out. It took him a while to get up the courage to actually quit.
We shall see.

It started raining again last night. Overcast and gloomy today. Another reason Boo is out of sorts, I am sure.

But I bought her a new comforter set for her big girl bed today, and changed her room around.
Looks real cute. Now we just need some posters for the walls. Wheelie suggested I put wallpaper on it
No friggin way!

For those of you who are interested in my old blog, I was able to revive it. (Amazing!) So let me know, and I'll send you the URL.

SGMKJ!

In Them old Cotton Fields Back Home........

We have lived in these them parts for almost five years now and NEVER have I noticed them cotton fields!!
And they are right there, we drive by them every gosh darn day!

Since I was getting curious about this crop that was growing everywhere, with the white stuff, I decided to take Boo-boo on a walk along the "river" We never made to the actual river, it would have been too long of a walk for her.
The weather was great though. Cool, a little overcast, about 63 degrees. Perfect for a little stroll.
We could have walked from home, but it's about a mile so that was too much for Oma. So we took the car instead of the stroller and parked it right next to the soccer fields.

The Hispanic community plays a bunch of games here on the weekends.
It was a great atmosphere, families all about, kids running around, parents on the sidelines while the daddies played soccer.

We checked out the field and low and behold, it IS cotton! most of it blooming. Amazing!
Boo was thrilled, even though she has no clue why I was so excited. Haha.
But she loved the soft tufts of cotton I had her touch, tried to explain that this stuff is used to make her T shirts and her pants.
Hmm.
It's amazing that this pure cotton actually SMELLS like cotton. Clean and fresh. The pods they pop out of are hard and pointy, and I had a tough time trying to pick a few twigs without pulling the entire plant out.

We walked for about 1/4 of a mile. Saw a bunny rabbit munch on some grass. She got to about ten feet of it before it scampered away.

There is a trail that runs along the river (left of those trees) and it wanders around for about 3 miles and comes back to the soccer fields.


After we visited them cotton fields, we watched the soccer match for a while, Boo wanted to "play" but I convinced her this was for the big guys, so we drove to the park. On the field inside the track the Catholic Church of St. Francis was having an open air mass. Our Catholic Church here, the only one for miles and miles, consists of about 95% Hispanic parishioners. There was quite a crowd. A Mariachi band, and lots of singing. On the playground some of the dads were letting the younger crowd play on the slides and jungle gym (Jim?)

It felt great there, the atmosphere was friendly, warm, people saying hello and good morning, everyone smiling. The men open and friendly, the women shy, tending to their flocks of kids. A different culture, for sure, but it felt good to be around.

After Mass was over the bleachers were put back outside the track, everyone helped clean up, and in about 15 minutes the field was empty. Everyone trucked over to the picnic grounds where the music started up again and the lunch was being served. Boo and I decided to walk around the track. We made it. 1/4 mile. She is the energy bunny.
After getting our toes tickled in the sand box, I had to drag her back to the car.

At home she ate her lunch, and took a decent nap.

It was a pretty nice day. If only I had the energy to take her out like that all the time. Lately though I am feeling it. My back, my hands. You want to be like you were when you were 30, or even 40, but it's just not possible, at least not for me. It's hard taking care of a little child.

Before we went out this morning she wanted to play the drums. I put my Tupperware bowls with lids on the coffee table and handed her a set of wooden spoons. She went nuts!

To think her uncle practiced on those same Tupperware bowls 25 years ago.

Her daddy played the drums too, as well as the guitar, he was actually pretty good. So we're hoping she's got some talent there as well.

She certainly knows her instruments. Even surprised me during a song on a CD I was playing in the car: there's that clarinet again!!!! (she was right!)

Amazing.

SGMKJ!