New look?

Hi. This is Catherine. I tried to help my mom make a custom background, and I felt like I gave good instructions, but in all fairness, when I signed in to see what was up, her blog was different than mine.
Regardless, this is what I've come up with, and hopefully she will like it when she wakes up in the morning.

It's the middle of the night, and honestly, I went to bed several hours ago and then got caught up in this project.
I tried to make it to where she can change the picture in the upper left as she pleases and easily access it to change it.

Also, my mom didn't blog about my birthday. It was yesterday/two days ago, depending on what day you want to call it... it was the 26th. She blogged about a bug, but not me, but I'm not offended, ... I did laugh though.

So, hey. I'm 19. It's not an age that let's you do anything extra special, but it's technically older.



Also, I have a really great mom that I love a ton and doesn't get enough credit for how wonderful she is and instead apologizes or feels guilty for being over the top and just being true to herself. I definitely think I'd be very lucky if I turned out anything remotely like her... I think she taught me everything she should have and continues to teach me things and be there for me always.
Now that I'm around more people and hear about their parents, I realize though I might call mom crazy, she isn't really. I might say she isn't funny, but she can make me laugh. I may not like her black and white movies, but I knew who Katharine Hepburn was today when no one else did and answered a trivia question correctly.

Long story short, I love my mom because she is an amazing person that I look up to and respect and enjoy spending my time with and it's hard to be away from Mia for a whole semester (after all, that's who the blog is about), but being away from my mom is just as hard.

I love you, mom. You're a wonderful person and the best mom I could imagine. I'm lucky I'm your kid and not someone else's.

Some Sort of Walking Stick

Now this will give you nightmares!



I asked my friend Rob, who LOVES biology (well, at least fish biology) about my bug, and he sent me looking. This picture totally gives me the willies. The oddest thing I learned is that there are people who not only HOLD bugs, but, buy, sell, trade and raise the little creepy things.( Oh, and let's not forget the most nightmarish of things........some people EAT them !)

I am going to confess, the ONLY reason I didn't smush the ones I had, was guilt. I have friends who actually pick up wayward bugs (or have someone else pick them up) and move them to the outside or where ever they belong. I even have a friend who once shared with me that she removed HUGE tomato worms off of her tomatoes, but just could not kill them! I think she put them in a bucket and took them elsewhere..........(you know who you are, hint, some of your grandbabies are twins)

What is this Bug?

This bug totally gives me the creeps! I should say "these" bugs, because apparently I interrupted the procreation of the species.......the big one is 3 to 4 inches long.

Gummie Bears

So, what do you do with the Gummies that you don't like? I don't like orange, green , yellow, and those little odd ones that are not orange or yellow. Which I suppose means, I like the red and the white ones. Now I have a little "army" of bears watching me work..........
I feel like every once in a while, one should take a plunge off the computer and fall prey to my dog.

Keys

I started managing rental property around 1998. John Kiltz had 14 little houses in Waller and 3 in Tomball. He got me started (thanks John?). Anyway, as with most things in life, including jobs, you sort of learn as you go. I now have 101 units that I manage for 7 different people. Needless to say, it went from a part time job, to a full time job. One of the many lessons I have learned include two very important words, "MASTER KEY". Again, as with many lessons in life, you don't necessarily learn it early enough, thus, my key nightmare begins!

I have spent MANY nightly hours lately, "sorting" my keys. Each key has a number, according to the "cut" in the key. So, I take each key, hold it up to this "gizzmo" that measures each cut. Then I have been writing down that keys ID, tagging it, and trying to find it's soul mate! You would think I might throw them away, but, if you spend enough time, you can find the matches, re-key a lock, and recycle them.


I don't know how many keys I have. But, if you roughly figure, each lock set comes with 4 keys, everytime someone moves out of a house or apartment you need to change the locks, over a 10 year period, well, let's just say I have well over 300 keys.


I am just great-full that I have a job, that I am still learning, and that I have the quiet time to sit and sort my keys. Last night, while sorting, I watched "Woman of the Year" with Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracey. Another great old movie!

PS. I should add that now MOST of my property now is Master Keyed, and thus I only carry around the Master Keys (of course, 4 of the people have their own Master Key's, but 4 is much easier to have on hand than 300 !)

It's a Girl !

Jennifer went to the Dr. today and got a 90% sure its a girl opinion. (click on her name to see the photos she put on her blog) For those of you who know me, you must know that I am thrilled! I mean, I bought the cutest little onesie when the baby was as Rex put it "only about 30 cells big". I would have had (and would still have) been pleased if it was a boy, mostly because my dad said "I hope this one is a boy". which kind of shocked me that he had a preference, but Catherine (wise old soul that she is) pointed out that it has been over 50 years since my parents have had a little boy to play with. ( my brother is over 50, and never had kids, and I produced all girls)...........so, for his sake, a boy would have been a nice addition. If I understand correctly, Jennifer and Rex want several kids, so, my dad will have other opportunities!

Tonight, this is one happy GG !

Random Stuff

Catherine is off on her road trip with Rebecca Hart. They left from Austin on July 10th. I know they went through Texarkana, Nashville, Cleveland, Buffalo, and into Canada to see Niagara Falls from the Canadian side, and then on to Providence. They are/were/are having a great time it seems............until last night. They hit a deer. There were 4 of them in the car. No one was hurt but the deer and the car. So, now they are in Providence without a vehicle. The parts for the car are suppose to be in Monday the 21st. Since Catherine does not want to be one the road on her birthday, which is the 26th, I know they won't be leaving until at least the 27th....so, who knows when they will actually make it back.

I did not get to go on my road trip with Becky. Her brother Mike had to have unexpected surgery. So, I told her we must plan a trip this fall to see New England in the fall..........that will be our road trip.......so, I can wait.

I am however going with two friends to San Antonio this Saturday, leaving at 7AM. It is the DCI Southwestern finals. Two young men that Catherine was in band with at high school preform with the Cavaliers. One of if not the best DCI corps there is. The past few years, the Cavaliers have preformed here in Houston at the Sounds of Excitement show, but for what ever reason, they did not participate this year. I am excited about this trip....although I looked at the times, and the Cavaliers don't preform until 10PM.....and then we have to come home! Long day...........

Mia has spent the day with me today. She was a little draggy (not sure that is a real word)........so she was just wanting to watch "toons" and hang out inside. She is a funny little girl that makes my heart sing with love and joy, and makes me laugh with her talking and stubbornness. She ate Cheetos all day (shame on GG), but I tried to offer other things, and she was having none of it. Good news is she finished off the bag, so tomorrow will be better in the nutrition department.

I still love my answering service, and I am still trying to figure out how to get more organized. I am hoping things slow down once all of the property I manage is full, and that should be SOON. Just not soon enough!

Here is wishing everyone a great night, day, week, month, year and life!

Update on Blue Haired Old Women

I should have stated that I DID get blue in my hair as well. Small strips, on the underside, not so visible on dark hair.....ALSO I should tell readers that Tammy and Cindy conspired to put bold red in my hair as well, but again, it does not show on the dark hair.

So, I did not abondon Cindy.......I just learned from her mistakes.....besides, it WAS all her idea!

In My Opinion

Last night I was having a discussion with my oldest daughter Jennifer, and one of the things brought to my attention is that apparently I "offend a lot of people" because of the way I state my opinion. I do not preface my likes and dislikes or preferences or "opinions" with "In My Opinion" or " "I think". I just say "That is an cute puppy." for example, (insert any noun for puppy, and any adjective for cute).

So, I would first like to apologize for ANYONE and EVERYONE I have ever offended because I have spoken with out first saying "In My Opinion".

I would like to state, "In My Opinion", that I have NEVER thought I was speaking for anyone other than myself. I have never spoken on behalf of society, the world, or God.

For future reference, when I say "That is a cute puppy", I am only speaking of MY opinion. I am NOT telling you that you have to agree with me, I am NOT telling you that you are wrong if you don't agree with me, and I am NOT telling you that anyone else agrees with me.

If I am stating an opinion OTHER than my own, I preface it with "Cindy thinks that is a cute puppy", "Catherine thinks that is the best pizza in the world", etc., etc., etc.

So, I would like to apologize in advance if I offend anyone in the future for any reason, whether it be by stating "My Opinion" with out that particular preface, or if I offend you in anyway period.

"My Opinion" is worth what you pay for it...........absolutely nothing, but I still have one, and admittedly, offer it "freely".


*******disclaimer********
This ENTIRE blog is "In My Opinion"

A Wild Hair

Cindy Schmid and I have been going to the same hair dresser(Tammy) for over 6 years now. We go about every 6 weeks and we go at the same time. To make a day of it. Many times we go for a pedicure before the hair fixin'.

I know I have mentioned that Rob and Cindy moved to San Marcos, but like any good friend, Cindy is still driving 3 hours and over 100 miles to come and have her hair done with me!

Today, when we got to Tammy's, I said I would like to do something different. Something bold.........and new cut, or new color. Cindy said, "make it blue, like the color of your shirt". I said no, how about blond"? Tammy said, "no" to the blond. Cindy said, "make it blue and I will do mine blue too," (always the supportive friend).


In my opinion, Cindy made two mistakes.

1). Suggesting blue as a hair color.
2). Going first.



Please note, this is PERMANENT hair color. This does NOT wash out!








Now, please note, you do NOT see photos of me with blue hair!

Last but not least, a good time was had by all, hair grows out, you are only young once, and now we(she really) has already been a "blue haired old lady", so she does not have to do that again!

My own YAY

I have hired an answering service! I am SOOOOO excited. I will no longer be "on call" 24/7, 365 days per year! I will let someone else answer my phones at night, and when I want to spend family time and such. They have instructions to only text me if it is an emergency! Glorious of gloriousness!

I am tired, so I am going to ramble a sec...........I went back and looked at the photo I finally added of Catherine's teeth. If you don't know what you are looking at, her bottom wisdom teeth are almost horizontal, and her top ones are pounding into the molars (thus I believe the reason for the headaches she was having)......but, another really cool thing.............if you don't notice, she is almost 19 and she does not have not ONE cavity! Isn't that amazing!! I tried marrying her off once (not really), and told the young man that she had good teeth (you know, like a horse is suppose to have). He was a farmer kid, and I figured he would appreciate a sturdy woman with good teeth! He miss his chance! (for those of you who are local yokels, it was one of the "country Paben's" (Tommy to be exact).

Mia is Coming, Mia is Coming

I haven't seen her in almost two weeks..............she is coming to play tomorrow(well, actually today now)....so I am off to bed!

ITSY BITSY TEENY WEENIE YELLOW POLKA DOT BIKINI

Sometimes pictures say 1000 words..........

Wisdom

I was trying to make a new post last week, and my Internet was all funky. I pay almost $90.00 per month to have some sort of speed on my Internet service. I know, ridiculous, isn't it? But, DSL is not available in my area, nor are any other services besides dial up and that alone will make me want to do bad things to my computer. Several years ago, the girls and I all pitched in and had to pay $300.00 for the satellite equipment, and now I pay this $90.00 per month. You would think for all that money I would get GREAT Internet service. Well, I don't. Not only is it unreliable, but apparently it is not "unlimited". In getting to my point, with Catherine home and all, according to my provider, we have gone over our FAT time, and now, have limited, and VERY slow use. Until the end of the month. Besides, some one near by is also feeding off of my wireless signal, and I need to know how to block them from using it........Ok, enough on the computer.

What I was going to post about was wisdom TEETH. Yep, Catherine needed all four of hers out, and me, well I needed to get two of mine out (yep, I still have/had mine). Anyway, the oral surgeon that I was sent to said Catherine's would be $2000.00, and mine would be $600.00. I do not have dental insurance on Catherine or myself, and needless to say I don't have $2600.00 just laying around.........so, the solution........we went to Mexico and had it done for about 1/2 the cost. Mom and Dad went also, and they had some dental work done as well. I have a photo of Catherine's teeth, before they were pulled, but I can not load it on my computer at this time (see above paragraph). Hers were really tough to get out. I won't go into detail, but when her dentist said he had to "cut away some bone", I pretty much quit listening at that point.

As I am sure my previous post indicated, I was feeling a little unsocial. It had nothing to do with the wisdom teeth, just wisdom in general, of my lack there of.....anyway, I am learning to deal with my dilemma, or ignore it, I am not sure which yet, but, no matter, I still don't want to talk about it, so, don't ask me "how's it going".

One more topic and then I am done for today. It is an old one re-visited.....last night I watched the original "Star Wars" movie. That movie came out when I was a senior in high school (1977). Back then, the special effects were awesome, and the movie was great, and so on and so forth. I use to know a group of young men who were beyond fans of "Star Wars"....obsessed is more like it. Let me just say, I laughed watching it this time..........but, even if for the laughter, it was still entertaining. (Luke was a whiner!)

Weak Week

I am having an awful week, and I don't want to talk about it, and I don't want anyone asking me about it, and I don't feel like being social. I just need to have a weak week. So, now I have "vented" and I have been told it will make me feel better. Well, it doesn't. Go away and leave me alone. ( I am not sure to whom I am speaking, maybe the whole wide world.............)Besides, I think if you were all honest, you have felt the same thing at some point. They say the first step in getting help is admitting you have a problem.........so I say, admit that you have had entire days, or weeks, months, or maybe even years that have stunk! That is all I want to say about it.

Adams Rib

One of the things I like about living by myself is watching old movies. I have a Netflix two movies per month membership and so far I have watched "Sergent York", "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington", "The Ghost and Mrs. Murier", "To Kill a Mockingbird", and "Mrs. Miniver",to name a few, and tonight, I watched Tracy and Hepburn in "Adams Rib". I truly love these old movies. One of the things I enjoy is seeing many of the same people in each of these different movies. I know this was a time when the actors and actresses had contracts with specific studios, so they were in multiple movies, but it is fun to spot them in bit parts in one, and then major parts in another. It's like "Where is Waldo", but on screen.

I love the costumes, the dresses the women wore were so fabulous, and the nightgowns and robes were flowingly beautiful. Hats, everyone wore hats. The men and the women all wore hats. Mostly, I think the women's hats were ridiculous, feathers and birds and netting over their face. Apparently I am not a hat fan, but I appreciate that they were a part of the movie and the ambiance of that movie. Oh, and the women, WOW, did many of them have these knock out figures. Katharine Hepburn, in "Adams Rib", what a beauty she was in her costume dresses. I watched another old one with her in it, I can't recall the name, it had Cary Grant, anyway, she wore this white swim robe, and she looked like a Greek Goddess in it.....oh, and I love the fact that obscene language has yet to be introduced to the film industry......my "hats off" to old movies!

Confessions of a Mediocre Mother

Hmmmmmmmm...where to begin.

Ok, so the whole Catherine coming home. Let me state a few facts up front, and then ramble from there. It was a great surprise. I love her very much. I am always proud of her. I do like having her home. That being said......

Confessions :

Within the first 7 days Of her being home, I asked her twice when her return airfare was for, I threatened to beat her silly, and told her I considered killing her ( by pinching her little head off). Most of these statements were said with a smile, I will not declare which ones were and which weren't.

I think I have stated previously in my blog how much I do enjoy living by myself. I like the peace and quiet, I like the lack of conflict, I like only having to pick up after myself.

Things I remembered after Catherine came back home.

I do not like her leaving her dirty dishes all over the living room. I do not like her setting her dirty dishes on the EDGE of the kitchen sink. Not IN the sink, not BESIDE the sink, but she sets them, actually, LINES them up along the EDGE of the sink. I do not like being told that she will get something done, and then, it does not happen.

In her defense, these things do not happen constantly. She has picked up her bathroom, the living room, the kitchen, mowed the lawn (twice), picked up some fencing materials and demoed them so they would fit in the trash can, painted part of an apartment, and spent a day running my errands with me (which, she hates with a passion).

Catherine came into my room, within 6 days of being home, proclaiming that being home "sucked". There was nothing to do, no where to go, blah, blah, blah..........So, I said, "suck it up". I told her "this is the same place you left", and that "she could chose to make the most of time here", and that it will only "suck" if she allows it to. I told her lots of things in my life have "sucked". Getting a divorce, her going away to college so far away, seeing my granddaughter move to Austin, and Rob and Cindy moving to San Marcus. (just to name a few).......but, that I had chosen to make the best of all of those situations, and made them be "ok" for me, since there was nothing else I could do about it, and that she should and could do likewise if she chose to.



So here is my point. As I am expressing myself to some friends, I start to notice the "shocked" or "mortified" looks on their faces. At some point, the realization slaps me in the face, "Jami, maybe you are not the loving, caring, nurturing mom you always thought of yourself as". I confess, I think, secretly, I have taken a considerable amount of credit for my girls being successful in their lives. For the most part, I was a single mom for Catherine (she was 6 when her dad and I split), and Jessica was 12, and Jennifer was 16. They are now almost 19, 25, and 28, respectfully. Now, I am thinking that maybe, just maybe, they are successful IN SPITE of me, not BECAUSE of me!

So, I had a discussion with Catherine about this "insight" of mine. And apparently, I am NOT a nurturing mom. Apparently, I don't give off the warm fuzzy's that I think I do. Now I ask, "How can that be?!" How can one reach the ripe old age of 49 and not know they type of parent she is.

Let me be clear here. I do not think I am a BAD mother. I still believe I am a good mom, the best mom I can be..........that is not my point. I am not bashing myself here, I am just acknowledging outwardly and openly that I am still learning about myself.

So, now the question becomes. Can I change, do I want to change, and would change do me any good at this point? Let's face it. The girls are grown and raised. I have pretty much done all of the damage, or good I can do.

I would say that I will make every effort to be a different type of grandmother than I have been as a mom, but quite honestly, that is already the case. I was a pretty strict mom, and I am not a very strict grandmother, just for starters.

So, I think I will take my own advise and just "suck it up". I will accept who and what I have been. I will adhere to Cindy's philosophy of "asking forgiveness and not permission". I love God, my kids, my parents, my grandbaby(s), my friends, and my life.

I hope you all feel the same about yours.

Biggest Surprise of My Life

Last night, at about 10 pm, my little dog, Meg, barks, like someone is at the front door. I was in my room, and didn't hear anything, but she is pretty good and keeping me informed. I went and looked through the peep hole, and Chelsea Arkadie is at my front door. Chelsea has been Catherine's best friend for years now. She lives in Waller, and goes to college at Prairie View. When I see her, I always fuss at her for not coming by to see me. So, I am very surprised and excited to see her standing at my front door.

We come in, sit on the couch and start visiting. I am sitting with my back to the kitchen area, and I feel something "nuzzle" my shoulder. "Nuzzle, nuzzle", I think it is Meg, wanting attention. I turn around to tell her to knock it off, and it's not a nuzzle at ALL..........it is CATHERINE !

Catherine who has told me for MONTHS that she was staying for graduation at Brown, which is not until the 25th. Catherine who told me she and some friends were going to rent a U-haul and drive home from Rhode Island. Catherine, who, every time I questioned her on how she was getting home, she told me "don't worry about it, I am not worried, you shouldn't worry". Catherine, who I did not expect to see until maybe June 1st, is standing in my house. Home!

Apparently, everyone knew but me.........and everyone has known for months, and kept if from me. To surprise me. Man, was I surprised. In fact, I don't know what word is bigger than surprise......ubersurprised?

I cried, I hit her a few times (you know the love pat type of smacks)......and just stared at her...........I even asked her to hit me, so I would know it was real! She didn't want to hit me, but Chelsea took the invitation to heart, and frogged my arm!

Catherine is HOME.......and I am HAPPY...........

Catherine

Catherine posted several blogs last night/today. One of the blogs, she talks about how there is a photo contest for students to enter pictures they have taken at Brown this school year. I have only selected a few pictures to put here, maybe someone reads my blog and they don't read Catherine's. I don't mean to plagiarize (I assume you can do that with photos as well as writings). I just was so blown away with the extreme beauty. I can only imagine what it is like to live there and see these sights daily.

This first picture, I asked Catherine about, and yes, it is like that for several weeks



This next one is also a winter scene, but the buildings are beautiful, the sky is amazing and it is important to show this one before the next one.



And now I might be mistaken, but I believe these are the same buildings, the same court yard, but obviously a different season.





So her having posted those photo entries, and seeing the beauty, and knowing of the life changing experiences she is having, she also admits to being a little homesick. Family, friends, and Texas. She included in her blog a video from the Dixie Chicks..."Wide Open Spaces". I admit to liking the DC's.......not their politics, but their music. And I admit, when I have heard this song on the radio, I could have pretended to sing along, at least with the chorus..........but, I never really listened to the first part. When I did, I thought, "how Catherine" to put a song that so perfectly fit........so, for you readers, I am going to put the first few lines...........to read..........to understand, as I did, just a little bit of what my youngest daughter must have been and is experiencing in her life this past year.

Who doesn't know what I'm talking about.
Who's never left home, who's never struck out.
To find a dream, and a life of their own,
a place in the clouds, a foundation of stone.

Many precede and many will follow.
A young girls dreams no longer hollow
It takes the shape of a place out west (east)
But what it holds for her, she hasn't yet guessed.

She needs, Wide Open spaces
room to make big mistakes,
She needs, new faces,
she knows the highest stakes.
She traveled this road as a child.
wide eyed and grinning she never tired.
But now she won't be coming back with the rest,
If these are life's lessons, she'll take this test.......

Catherine took a leap of faith, she left to attend a college, thousands of miles away, not just up the road. She left saying "I can do it", "I want to do it", and I know in my heart, she will do it. For I too have faith, she just needs "Wide Open Spaces".

Oh how I miss her, look forward to her time home this summer.

More on Mia

I know I have not posted pictures lately and Catherine has been VERY unhappy about that. I really do have slow internet service, and it takes a long time to upload pictures, especially videos. But here is a clip of Mia being silly, eating Cheeto's in the back of her car. Jennifer and Mia were waiting for me. I had gone inside to order pizza, and we had spent the last hour and the children's museum in Austin.




And here is one of her playing in the sprinkler at her new home in Austin.



And my first attempt at this slide show.

Slide show of Mia