Six Years Later--I have Not Forgotten

Alex had his root canals today, it was a last minute appointment, so I didn't get the chance to do this this morning. So many changes over the past six years, I'm still processing it all.

No worries, I couldn't do a handspring then and I won't attempt one when we meet again, either. Jamee was the talent. I just thought the uniforms were cute.

Christmas Crafts On A Dime--Or With What's In Your Cabinet...

I didn't expect to be away from the blog for so longgggg, and I'm sorry. I'll be back in a day or two, I've probably missed some great posts, so I'll be up awhile tomorrow reading like mad!

I've been involved in something I'm excited about, I'll be back to tell you all about it soon. In the meantime, I happened across a nice little craft site, I think Cat, GiGi, and I will sit down and do some holiday crafting next week. What d'ya think of the lights?:
And if you're looking for something just right for that special little boy in your life, maybe try this:

Is this what I think it is, you ask? Yes, probably. There is an entire site dedicated to the ladies time craft. Check it out, maybe make an angel for the tree.

GiGi, get excited--and bring the supplies, will ya?


And to my dear friend, "Poirier" got your message. And yes, I've been praying all day long, and I know you'll perservere. We all walk some pretty worn out and lonely paths in our lifetimes, and you're going to come out of this one. I'm calling you tomorrow, because Savannah girls are a tight group, we're going to get together. And besides, Savannah girls had a wild streak, too; it's a great excuse to cruise for Christmas decorations. KIDDING! (but that was one very funny night back in...what, 84, 85? Are we that old? No way!) This song's for you.

Double Duty Letter..

I received an email from my highschool friend today and in the midst of replying I'm thinking "I still haven't updated my blog and I'm running out of time!" So I figured two birds, one stone--ten fingers, one keyboard, idk. I have so much going through my mind I want to share, I believe I need to sit down this evening and just make up a few posts in advance. Oh, which brings me to Friday. Friday I have been given the honour (that's for you Coffee Mom, kind of a French flair) of guest blogging on Dawn's (Coming to a Nursery) blog. I love that concept--I just may try it soon. I tried to get GiGi to do that once, but she never accepted. I'll try her again later.

Anyway, here is my reply to my friend...one of the high school friends I met for lunch wayy back in March (I'll attach the pic below the letter). He's a basketball coach for one of our universities now (this is why I call him Coach). He is a slow responder to updates I send him--hence Loser--his words, not mine, but I concur.

Coach Loser,

Very nice surprise to hear from you. I am fine. Very worn out (who isn't?) but fine. My days have become very hurried with the addition of homeschool teacher to Alexander (Alex). I hit the ground running, finish up any unfinished typing if it's a deadline day (today and Friday's), then get a shower. Then get Alex up and showered and fed. Then start school. Try to check emails at lunch/while he's working on something. Never try to work at this point because I'll be interrupted.

After school, Niki and Cody arrive. I hear Niki's drama of the day, beg Cody to please take a snack and drink to dive practice as he drops his bag, grabs the keys and heads back out (he's 16 now!). I'm doing housework in between but I try not to go upstairs--I'll only be deflated at how the kids keep their spaces. This is when I do doctor, dental, ortho appointments or go to a meet (today, Liberty). Come home, dinner, then work. Blog--I hate that my blog is suffering! Then bed. Get up, do it all over again.

*Sigh* Coach, I fear I am no longer the Queen of LS. I am relegated to Cinderella status with no hope in the near future of slowing this ride down. We had roofers here for a week and today while finishing up, one rang the doorbell. I'm so beyond caring I opened the door--no makeup, ponytail, pj bottoms and tank top. THAT's how bad it is now. I didn't care at all. After that, I sat at my desk to catch a few emails before Alex needed to be awakened--noticed John forgot trash day. So....trudged out there in my PJs, ponytail and naked face to take the trash out my darned self. (it's okay, he rarely forgets--and he's teaching until 10 most nights, so hard to blame him either).

Am considering selling the nice suburban home in a few years--seeking out something quaint and small and not worrying about so much! After Cody graduates, of course. Maybe even move north, idk. I chew on this from time to time, then I remember we bought the house because it had a giant back yard--perfect for the pool we can't afford until the kids leave. Will they ever leave??

Niki is doing well in school this year..so far. Her senior pics are on my blog and on her Facebook--most of them anyway. She is indeed a senior, and has returned to North for her last year. A good decision. She is no longer allowed to date another guy from West, not even allowed to LOOK at one! (can you tell she's met a few bad decisions at West?). Actually, we have expanded that to all of West & anyone from Greenwood of late--we had a graduated straggler boy/loser lurking around for a few weeks. There. I think that covers it. Cody is a sophomore--quite a fantabulistic little diver. I'm living vicariously through him now--I dove in Savannah for the city team, but NEVER like this boy can dive. And smarter than I ever hoped to be--top 10%. (not bragging, though, Coach, you know I wouldn't brag!)

I am definitely due for some Dunkin Donuts--I was up there about three weeks ago and got my dozen. I took Alex to the St Joseph Museum--we're doing American Indians right now. I posted a blog about it--hang on....here's the link to that post:
http://jameeforever.blogspot.com/2007/08/im-cooled-off-im-reminiscing-and-lovin.html/ I didn't visit anyone, but next time I aim to visit Kelly for my birthday (yeah yeah, I know I'm the first 40) and meet her new boyfriend. I'll wave as I drive by the university, Coach. Planning on maybe going to Nova's for a bonfire--us, Kelly, Tracy--I'll inform you and maybe you will grace us with your presence. It would be grand indeed to see you and meet Mrs. Coach Loser.

~Ex Queen of LS (turning 40 and really feeling the part lately)

Throwback Thursday Time!!

This group of purple-clad Dorothy Hamill-haired gals is dear to me. If you look on the front row, the gal in the purple, second from the left, is my elementary school best friend, Tracy (you might remember her from the picture below from last year's class reunion!). Next to Tracy, I'm working that Dubble Bubble! To my left, with the bigger bubble was the third piece to our b/f trio, our friend Linda, who is no longer alive. I've blogged about going to Savannah to visit with her mother this past Spring. Next to Linda is my late sister, Jamee. So just digging this photo up was a pleasant surprise, I didn't realize I still had it. And what a treasure it is to have loved ones all in one spot!

Linda, Tracy and I played softball for many more years, eventually getting fairly competitive. I played second base until oh, about 14 or 15 years. That's when I decided I no longer cared as much about stopping grounders as I cared that polyester didn't accentuate my complexion and wasn't attractive (we wore polyester tops and baseball pants back in my day..ugh!). Those days...good. I don't think much beats a little softball team from small town Missouri going up against big town teams from all over Kansas City. And beating the socks off 'em! They said it was because we were used to the heat, being farmers' daughters and all. Dad the pharmacist, Tracy's dad the pharmaceutical salesman and Linda's mom the City Clerk let them think whatever they needed to...if it helped them feel better on the drive back to the big city! Whooped em!

For more great Throwbacks, check in at Pinks & Blues Girls....they've got it going on!

Hometown

My trip to St. Joe/Savannah yesterday was good! Nellie, my late friend's mother, still has the ability to make a group of girls roll with laughter. There was always that ONE mom, remember? The one who enjoyed having a house full of goofy pre-teen/teenaged girls in the house. That's Nellie. I could try and try all day to describe her personality, but I don't think I'd give her the justice she deserves. It's clear her grandchildren feel the same about her, they drop in round the clock.

Cat went along with me this time (thanks girl). We stopped at the cemetery in St. Joseph where Jamee, Dad, and Grandma are buried. I had some little markers I wanted to leave for Memorial Day and knew I wouldn't make it back for Memorial Day.

On that same road, we headed West a mile or so and dum da da dah! Goodness, Dunkin Donuts is RIGHT there, it would almost be rude NOT to stop in! I get DD every time I'm in town--we can't get them in Kansas City.

Cat, Kelly, Me (they hit it off--I know this because they teamed up to tease me all night!)

Swung back down "the Belt" and picked Kelly up, headed north and in 15 minutes were were at Nellie's in Savannah! Oh gosh I always loved her home, she was the mom we all wished we had and NOTHING has changed. Her wit is unmatched, not exaggerating here. I'm still giggling at some of the things that popped into her head. If I had to define amazing, loving and witty in one word--Nellie. I met my Nellie's granddaughter, Linda's daughter. She is beautiful and oh my goodness she has the bubbly personality Linda had.

My bff, Tracy, joined us briefly at Nellie's and the cemetery--her son had his first t-ball game and she couldn't miss that--what mother would?! But I'm so glad she got to come, that Cat was able to meet her.

We drove to the cemetery where we visited Linda's grave. It took my breath away, seeing her name on the headstone. I doubt one ever gets used to seeing loved ones' names on stones, especially long before we're ready. Again, can't show emotion here because if I did, Nellie would break and Lord knows she's done almost more than she can bear--I don't want to cause her anymore pain on this day. This is a mom who loves her children fiercely and losing Linda to a car accident (almost 16 years ago) has driven her to her knees. I pray I never know that devastation.

Here we are, left to right me, Nellie, Tracy, Kelly (Cat is shooting). Or.....and this just now came to me, I'm slow.....Stacey, Nellie, Tracy, Kelly. Now say that all at once. Funny! Guess I don't need much to entertain me, lol. We're looking directly into the evening sun, so it was an awkward shot!

Minus Tracy, we dined at The Pizza Shoppe down on the square. As we dropped everyone off, I was grateful for Cat's company that night. I get a twinge of separation anxiety when I exit back onto the highway, headed towards the city. I don't wanna leave--I miss my home town and I envy all my friends who weren't dumb like me. I just KNEW I was a city girl (ha!).