Even if I hadn't personally driven hubby to the bus station so he could hook up with his trainer again, it wouldn't have been long before I realized he was gone....in fact it was less than 24 hours before the first thing went wrong....
Josh called home from camp "Mom, they want you to come get me because I have a 102 degree fever."
No matter how many times we try to say it only takes an hour to drive up there, somehow it always takes longer.
I got the phone call a little after 4pm. I had a party scheduled for 7pm, no bosses in the building and I had some work that had to be finished. I kept working while I tried calling boss #1's cell phone, which rang in the other room. He left it on his desk. I kept working while I called the hostess to relay the story. "I'll be there" I promised, "but I might be a little late. It depends on how long it takes me to find a boss."
I called boss #2 and he said go. I left a note for boss #1, took the mail and left.
A little over an hour later I arrived to find the sick boy in the med lodge, but then I had to track down the med guy and talk to the head guy and hear what an awesome but sick kid I had, collect all his clothes from his cabin, put him in the car and speed back down the mountain.
He made it all the way home, in the back door and to the sink before he got sick. I worried all the way home, what I would do if he didn't make it. I had visions of him getting sick, followed by me getting sick....
"Sorry son, gotta go, there's sierra mist in the fridge, drink it slow, take a cool bath, I have my cell phone..."
I was a half hour late for the party, but it went great. So so so.. glad I had packed it all up and put it in my car in the morning. I was late, I was frazzled, but because I can also be anal... I pulled it off.
I wish I could say that the rest of the weekend was one of relaxation, but that wouldn't be near as interesting.
Stay tuned to find out where I was when the thermometer reached 114 degrees.
Monday, July 24, 2006
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Inpiration
I am inspired daily by the blogs of others. I love reading their perspective and how they deal with life. Today I read a great entry by Cathy Zielske. Click the link to see her blog.
http://www.cathyzielske.typepad.com/
She read an article in Real Simple magazine that asked readers what the most fearless thing they have ever done was.....
What a thought provoking question.
I would have to say that the most fearless thing I have ever done is to leave home. I was 18 and my mom kicked me out because my room was dirty. I'm sure what she really wanted me to do was clean my room. Instead I went to a friends, bought luggage, quit my jobs, moved to Spokane and started my life over.
I think that decision forever altered the rest of my life. I lived with my aunt and uncle who loved me unconditionally. They helped me to heal the wounds of my childhood. They helped me to stop saying "I'm sorry," about everything. I got to see what it was like to have a normal family life. I didn't wake up to fighting. I didn't have to worry over every little thing I said or did. I was able to have fun, experiment, grow, learn.... I learned to love.
After being there for a while, I tried to return home, but I only made it a couple of weeks before I had to move again. Home was not a good place for me. Thankfully I had the opportunity to see what a home could be and my life is forever changed.
I learned that the decisions that take the most courage, usually wind up being the ones that change your life forever.
http://www.cathyzielske.typepad.com/
She read an article in Real Simple magazine that asked readers what the most fearless thing they have ever done was.....
What a thought provoking question.
I would have to say that the most fearless thing I have ever done is to leave home. I was 18 and my mom kicked me out because my room was dirty. I'm sure what she really wanted me to do was clean my room. Instead I went to a friends, bought luggage, quit my jobs, moved to Spokane and started my life over.
I think that decision forever altered the rest of my life. I lived with my aunt and uncle who loved me unconditionally. They helped me to heal the wounds of my childhood. They helped me to stop saying "I'm sorry," about everything. I got to see what it was like to have a normal family life. I didn't wake up to fighting. I didn't have to worry over every little thing I said or did. I was able to have fun, experiment, grow, learn.... I learned to love.
After being there for a while, I tried to return home, but I only made it a couple of weeks before I had to move again. Home was not a good place for me. Thankfully I had the opportunity to see what a home could be and my life is forever changed.
I learned that the decisions that take the most courage, usually wind up being the ones that change your life forever.
Monday, July 17, 2006
One Crazy Family
My family likes to say that I am the strange one. They act as if all bizarre conversations are my fault. Hubby says he was normal before he married me, but I have rubbed off on him. I say they are all weird. Perhaps I helped them get in touch with the weird that is within, but honey, I can't teach this........
Random car conversations..... Act I
Hubby: Ahh, poor dead squirrel
Son: How do you know he was poor?
Hubby: He was skinny.
Son: How do you know he wasn't Rich and anorexic? You don't say poor actress when you see a skinny anorexic actress.
Many miles later.......
Random car conversations....Act II
Hubby: Ahhh, another dead squirrel. I won't say poor because I don't want to get into another argument about his financial status.
****
Now, back to my argument. Their weird and my weird are very different. They have random bizarre conversations where they argue about stupid things. These conversations can go on forever, or maybe it just feels like forever when you get stuck in one. Me? I wouldn't have argued about the squirrel's financial status. I probably would've told you his name and how disappointed and sad the rest of the family was. In fact, I'm sure the second squirrel was a relative that just couldn't bare to live now that the first squirrel was gone.
*****
We have plenty of time for these conversations and a never-ending supply of things to talk about every weekend as we drive back and forth to scout camp. I think there must be a million squirrels along the way. This weeks favorite was the squirrel that sat in the middle of the lane, eating. He did not move. At the last second Josh swerved to miss the squirrel, who still sat there eating. He finally moved before the big truck behind us got to him. I'm not sure about that one. Dumb or Courageous.....
Then there are the cows..... I don't know how many times I went zipping past them on the dirt road, but one time I caught them walking across the road. Now I look for them every time I drive in. They hide. They lurk in the shadows of the trees and watch all the cars go by. I think I saw them the first time because I came in much later in the day (that would be the day the child forgot his laundry at home. I made the trip twice that day....) I fooled them and they didn't expect my car to come by. Well this week they were right next to the road. So close that Rick thought he could just step out of the car and pet them. I didn't know cows could move so fast. Of course Rick thinks it was the car door that scared them...
Hmmmm what's scarier....
the sound of a car door
or
a big guy jumping out of the car to pet you.
I'm with the cows. I'd take off too.
Random car conversations..... Act I
Hubby: Ahh, poor dead squirrel
Son: How do you know he was poor?
Hubby: He was skinny.
Son: How do you know he wasn't Rich and anorexic? You don't say poor actress when you see a skinny anorexic actress.
Many miles later.......
Random car conversations....Act II
Hubby: Ahhh, another dead squirrel. I won't say poor because I don't want to get into another argument about his financial status.
****
Now, back to my argument. Their weird and my weird are very different. They have random bizarre conversations where they argue about stupid things. These conversations can go on forever, or maybe it just feels like forever when you get stuck in one. Me? I wouldn't have argued about the squirrel's financial status. I probably would've told you his name and how disappointed and sad the rest of the family was. In fact, I'm sure the second squirrel was a relative that just couldn't bare to live now that the first squirrel was gone.
*****
We have plenty of time for these conversations and a never-ending supply of things to talk about every weekend as we drive back and forth to scout camp. I think there must be a million squirrels along the way. This weeks favorite was the squirrel that sat in the middle of the lane, eating. He did not move. At the last second Josh swerved to miss the squirrel, who still sat there eating. He finally moved before the big truck behind us got to him. I'm not sure about that one. Dumb or Courageous.....
Then there are the cows..... I don't know how many times I went zipping past them on the dirt road, but one time I caught them walking across the road. Now I look for them every time I drive in. They hide. They lurk in the shadows of the trees and watch all the cars go by. I think I saw them the first time because I came in much later in the day (that would be the day the child forgot his laundry at home. I made the trip twice that day....) I fooled them and they didn't expect my car to come by. Well this week they were right next to the road. So close that Rick thought he could just step out of the car and pet them. I didn't know cows could move so fast. Of course Rick thinks it was the car door that scared them...
Hmmmm what's scarier....
the sound of a car door
or
a big guy jumping out of the car to pet you.
I'm with the cows. I'd take off too.
Friday, July 14, 2006
For Crazy Aunt Pearl
I have an addiction, a blog addiction. There are a few blogs that I just have to read. My day is not complete when they don't update. Well one such blog is www.crazyauntpearl.com. I live in California and I still get a kick out of her observations of LA.
She has recently returned to the land of dating and had some interesting observations. As a mother of a 16 year old boy, I am right in the middle of this rite of passage and I have some tips to share.
Teaching a child to date does not start when they become old enough to date. It starts from the moment they are born. (please note, my child is NOT perfect...but he has his moments)
My husband still opens doors for me, other women, the elderly and someone with their hands full. Josh grew up watching that. As he got older I would prompt him to open the door for me, other women, the elderly, someone with their hands full. A few months ago we were at the mall and the elevator in the parking structure was broken and a pregnant woman and her mom and her baby and her stroller were standing at the foot of the stairs. So many people just walked by. I held the bags and Josh helped them up the stairs. Every day you encounter instances where you can teach your children to be helpful.
The result? He started opening doors for girls long before he started dating. He even walks closest to the street. (I never taught him that, he either figured it out or dad is responsible.) He is shocked that a friend of his walks ahead of his girlfriend and never opens the door for her...unless it's a special occasion.
In Cub Scouts we always had the boys serve their parents refreshments first. They are Boy Scouts now and they do it without being told... most of the time.
But that is only half the battle. A mom can teach a son how to treat a girl, but the girls need to know how to act too. Wait for the guys to open the doors, thank them, expect them to call ahead for a date, come to the door.... Some may call it old fashioned. I call it respect.
So Josh is old enough to date now, but he has one final hurdle to jump through. Before he can go out on a date, he has to ask me out. And the rules for taking me out are quite firm.
1) He must ask ahead of time because I have a very limited schedule.
2) He must plan the date and let me know the appropriate attire.
3) He must pay for the whole thing.
4) While on the date he must use good manners, he must open doors and treat me with respect and he must prove to me that he has the skills and maturity to treat his date with respect too.
I wish I could take credit for this idea, but it was passed on to me and I love it!! It has caused Josh and I to have some great conversations about ideas for dates and what is expected. He's not in a huge hurry to ask me out, the girl he likes isn't old enough to date yet, but I know he's already planning the date.
She has recently returned to the land of dating and had some interesting observations. As a mother of a 16 year old boy, I am right in the middle of this rite of passage and I have some tips to share.
Teaching a child to date does not start when they become old enough to date. It starts from the moment they are born. (please note, my child is NOT perfect...but he has his moments)
My husband still opens doors for me, other women, the elderly and someone with their hands full. Josh grew up watching that. As he got older I would prompt him to open the door for me, other women, the elderly, someone with their hands full. A few months ago we were at the mall and the elevator in the parking structure was broken and a pregnant woman and her mom and her baby and her stroller were standing at the foot of the stairs. So many people just walked by. I held the bags and Josh helped them up the stairs. Every day you encounter instances where you can teach your children to be helpful.
The result? He started opening doors for girls long before he started dating. He even walks closest to the street. (I never taught him that, he either figured it out or dad is responsible.) He is shocked that a friend of his walks ahead of his girlfriend and never opens the door for her...unless it's a special occasion.
In Cub Scouts we always had the boys serve their parents refreshments first. They are Boy Scouts now and they do it without being told... most of the time.
But that is only half the battle. A mom can teach a son how to treat a girl, but the girls need to know how to act too. Wait for the guys to open the doors, thank them, expect them to call ahead for a date, come to the door.... Some may call it old fashioned. I call it respect.
So Josh is old enough to date now, but he has one final hurdle to jump through. Before he can go out on a date, he has to ask me out. And the rules for taking me out are quite firm.
1) He must ask ahead of time because I have a very limited schedule.
2) He must plan the date and let me know the appropriate attire.
3) He must pay for the whole thing.
4) While on the date he must use good manners, he must open doors and treat me with respect and he must prove to me that he has the skills and maturity to treat his date with respect too.
I wish I could take credit for this idea, but it was passed on to me and I love it!! It has caused Josh and I to have some great conversations about ideas for dates and what is expected. He's not in a huge hurry to ask me out, the girl he likes isn't old enough to date yet, but I know he's already planning the date.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
I'm Back
Woo Hoo. I'm home. Ok, so technically I have been home for a few days, but life is never dull at Chez Dawn and this is the first chance I've had to even think about blogging.
Since I have too much to really write. I'm going for a list of random things as they pop into my head.
Hubby might be coming home tomorrow. Woo Hoo!!! He was coming home via bus, but it was so much fun last time that he's not really looking forward to another bus trip. Looks like we might fork over some cash so he can fly the friendly skies..... I've already warned him that coming home four days earlier than planned means that the house will not be in the same condition that it would've been on the 10th....
Why is my house a mess??? Let me just list the reasons for you....
Before my trip there was the last minute cram session to get all the artwork done. And here are my adventures since arriving home... actually the fun began with a phone call while I was still in Utah....
Joshua called me and asked "Mom, do I have health insurance?" Oh that's never a good question. World Cup fever had taken over the camp. The boys were playing soccer. The details are sketchy. Someone pushed someone who fell into Josh who...thinks he might have broken his wrist. Oh Joy! Of course this happened on Thursday and he's finally telling me on Saturday when I'm still three states away. I told him to ice it and wait for me.
I got home at 4am Sunday, slept for a couple of hours, made some phone calls to make sure he has insurance (love the switching jobs thing...grrr.... but am glad we thought to purchase insurance for him while we wait....)
Off to Kaiser where I continued to lament the loss of our super duper great insurance that cost $5 per visit. I had to pay every step of the way.... $51 dollars later and Josh is sporting a splint for his badly sprained hand. Thank goodness it wasn't broken!!
Doc was funny. Kind of busy/abrupt. But when we got back and found out it wasn't broken, I asked if he had any limitations since he would be returning to work at camp. Suddenly doc's attitude changed. He was oh so impressed that Josh was a camp counselor at a boy scout camp. Josh started getting super duper cool treatment then. Gotta love boy scouts.... it opens doors everywhere.... and I really love when stuff like this happens. I think it helps my 16 year old, almost eagle scout.... keep his eye on the prize.
So hand is taken care of and suddenly Josh has a couple extra days at home...which means the social calendar must be filled and mom must put on her chauffer hat. That boy is just lucky I still remember being a teenager in love..... Yes, I went to the "best friend's" house for dinner. Yes both the families went to the drive in. (Family activies - ok.... dating....not allowed. She's not 16 yet).
I thought social obligations were fulfilled. Nope. We all had so much fun that we were invited back for the 4th.
Somewhere in there I got a few hours sleep and started to design my pages that need to be done by Friday.
Today I took the boy back to camp, was 3.5 hours late for work and now I get to do that mad rush, clean house because hubby is coming home....
So see..... I really do have an excuse......
In case you think I might exaggerate about the house.... just know that I still have an extra couch and paper racks sitting in my living room.... reminders of the great... let's re-do the house when I have a million other things to do....
Good thing that man loves me. Maybe he won't notice the house.
Since I have too much to really write. I'm going for a list of random things as they pop into my head.
Hubby might be coming home tomorrow. Woo Hoo!!! He was coming home via bus, but it was so much fun last time that he's not really looking forward to another bus trip. Looks like we might fork over some cash so he can fly the friendly skies..... I've already warned him that coming home four days earlier than planned means that the house will not be in the same condition that it would've been on the 10th....
Why is my house a mess??? Let me just list the reasons for you....
Before my trip there was the last minute cram session to get all the artwork done. And here are my adventures since arriving home... actually the fun began with a phone call while I was still in Utah....
Joshua called me and asked "Mom, do I have health insurance?" Oh that's never a good question. World Cup fever had taken over the camp. The boys were playing soccer. The details are sketchy. Someone pushed someone who fell into Josh who...thinks he might have broken his wrist. Oh Joy! Of course this happened on Thursday and he's finally telling me on Saturday when I'm still three states away. I told him to ice it and wait for me.
I got home at 4am Sunday, slept for a couple of hours, made some phone calls to make sure he has insurance (love the switching jobs thing...grrr.... but am glad we thought to purchase insurance for him while we wait....)
Off to Kaiser where I continued to lament the loss of our super duper great insurance that cost $5 per visit. I had to pay every step of the way.... $51 dollars later and Josh is sporting a splint for his badly sprained hand. Thank goodness it wasn't broken!!
Doc was funny. Kind of busy/abrupt. But when we got back and found out it wasn't broken, I asked if he had any limitations since he would be returning to work at camp. Suddenly doc's attitude changed. He was oh so impressed that Josh was a camp counselor at a boy scout camp. Josh started getting super duper cool treatment then. Gotta love boy scouts.... it opens doors everywhere.... and I really love when stuff like this happens. I think it helps my 16 year old, almost eagle scout.... keep his eye on the prize.
So hand is taken care of and suddenly Josh has a couple extra days at home...which means the social calendar must be filled and mom must put on her chauffer hat. That boy is just lucky I still remember being a teenager in love..... Yes, I went to the "best friend's" house for dinner. Yes both the families went to the drive in. (Family activies - ok.... dating....not allowed. She's not 16 yet).
I thought social obligations were fulfilled. Nope. We all had so much fun that we were invited back for the 4th.
Somewhere in there I got a few hours sleep and started to design my pages that need to be done by Friday.
Today I took the boy back to camp, was 3.5 hours late for work and now I get to do that mad rush, clean house because hubby is coming home....
So see..... I really do have an excuse......
In case you think I might exaggerate about the house.... just know that I still have an extra couch and paper racks sitting in my living room.... reminders of the great... let's re-do the house when I have a million other things to do....
Good thing that man loves me. Maybe he won't notice the house.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
If I could only remember...
I've always prided myself on remembering things. I don't usually have to write them down. I don't have to keep a calendar, because I remember. I have a huge brain that keeps things in order and I just get them done...
I do like to make lists. I like to make lists of lists. But really, the lists aren't necessary. It's just something I like to do. I do not need to carry them around with me and obsessively cross things off because I have a super, terriffic, awesome memory.
Yesterday....
I forgot to mail the mail in my car.
I forgot to call the driving school (for three days in a row!)
I forgot to take the orders with me to the party last night. (A mistake that made me look like a complete dork and made me 1/2 hour late for the party. Can you say "professional?"
This is just a small sampling of the things I have been forgetting. I'd tell you the rest but I forgot what they were. All I remember is the pain and frustration of forgetting.
I think it's all a symptom of the chaos I am currently calling "life." Not to worry though... I'm making some headway on that list of mine and I see light at the end of the tunnel. When I return from Utah I will be back on track and ready to find some organization, some structure...
Oh wait. I just remembered what started this tangent. I keep forgetting to look for the "piece of paper by the desk" that has hubbies blog name and password so that I can start updating his blog for him.
So once again, I will use my blog to document his adventures. Maybe someday I'll remember to copy it from here and put it there.. after I remember to find out what the name of his blog is....
Ok so he left Arkansas on June 8th. Then he went to Los Angeles. For whatever reason, I am more fascinated with what he is hauling, than where he is going. I never used to give it much thought, but what is in all those trucks we see on the freeway? So as long as I'm giving the updates, and unless and until I find out that I'm not supposed to share that kind of info.... we'll all get to share in my obsession that we'll call "what's in the truck?" Ooops. I've probably just said it wrong. Kind of like calling a boat a ship and a ship a boat.... I think it's more accurate for me to say "what's in the trailer." Doesn't have the same ring.
So he hauled paint and painting goods to Los Angeles (hazmat load. Apparently hauling a bunch of paint is a hazard. I guess it is. I don't think it would be a pretty mess if it spilled all over the freeway.) Los Angeles to somewhere in Texas was..... little packets of condiments for McD's. Can you just imagine a bunch of ketchup and bbq sauce... an entire truck load?
Texas to Pensylvania was Milk. Little wee cartons of milk. The kind you used to get at school.
I haven't talked to him yet so I have no idea what he's hauling now and where he's going. For that matter, I'm sure he's not in PA anymore so I really have no idea where he is. Sadly, I'm more concerned that I don't know what treasures he has in the trailer.
I do like to make lists. I like to make lists of lists. But really, the lists aren't necessary. It's just something I like to do. I do not need to carry them around with me and obsessively cross things off because I have a super, terriffic, awesome memory.
Yesterday....
I forgot to mail the mail in my car.
I forgot to call the driving school (for three days in a row!)
I forgot to take the orders with me to the party last night. (A mistake that made me look like a complete dork and made me 1/2 hour late for the party. Can you say "professional?"
This is just a small sampling of the things I have been forgetting. I'd tell you the rest but I forgot what they were. All I remember is the pain and frustration of forgetting.
I think it's all a symptom of the chaos I am currently calling "life." Not to worry though... I'm making some headway on that list of mine and I see light at the end of the tunnel. When I return from Utah I will be back on track and ready to find some organization, some structure...
Oh wait. I just remembered what started this tangent. I keep forgetting to look for the "piece of paper by the desk" that has hubbies blog name and password so that I can start updating his blog for him.
So once again, I will use my blog to document his adventures. Maybe someday I'll remember to copy it from here and put it there.. after I remember to find out what the name of his blog is....
Ok so he left Arkansas on June 8th. Then he went to Los Angeles. For whatever reason, I am more fascinated with what he is hauling, than where he is going. I never used to give it much thought, but what is in all those trucks we see on the freeway? So as long as I'm giving the updates, and unless and until I find out that I'm not supposed to share that kind of info.... we'll all get to share in my obsession that we'll call "what's in the truck?" Ooops. I've probably just said it wrong. Kind of like calling a boat a ship and a ship a boat.... I think it's more accurate for me to say "what's in the trailer." Doesn't have the same ring.
So he hauled paint and painting goods to Los Angeles (hazmat load. Apparently hauling a bunch of paint is a hazard. I guess it is. I don't think it would be a pretty mess if it spilled all over the freeway.) Los Angeles to somewhere in Texas was..... little packets of condiments for McD's. Can you just imagine a bunch of ketchup and bbq sauce... an entire truck load?
Texas to Pensylvania was Milk. Little wee cartons of milk. The kind you used to get at school.
I haven't talked to him yet so I have no idea what he's hauling now and where he's going. For that matter, I'm sure he's not in PA anymore so I really have no idea where he is. Sadly, I'm more concerned that I don't know what treasures he has in the trailer.
Monday, June 19, 2006
Moving On
I think I'm over my major melt-down from Friday. I was a total basket case. I cried all day and all night and I can't even blame it on pms. It all seems so silly now. Nothing has really changed. Nothing has gotten better. I've just plugged away on my "to do" list. I can't really say that I'm making progress, but I think I'm finally keeping up with it. I'm accomplishing as many tasks as get added each day with hopes of gaining on it soon.
I got Josh all packed and on his way and I'm now living on my own for the very first time - ever. I'll get weekly visits from the son and I suppose hubby will return someday. Until then. It's me. I only have to pick up after myself. I only have my laundry and my dishes and my messes. I have to admit, that part of this adventure is a little exciting.
Gail and I plugged along on our artwork yesterday. We each have one more board to do and a few little clean-up things on the other boards. We just might make it.
It's so frustrating to be creating so much art and doing so much stamping and scrapbooking and not have a single thing to post to show for it. Hopefully the splurge of posts after convention will make up for it.
I got Josh all packed and on his way and I'm now living on my own for the very first time - ever. I'll get weekly visits from the son and I suppose hubby will return someday. Until then. It's me. I only have to pick up after myself. I only have my laundry and my dishes and my messes. I have to admit, that part of this adventure is a little exciting.
Gail and I plugged along on our artwork yesterday. We each have one more board to do and a few little clean-up things on the other boards. We just might make it.
It's so frustrating to be creating so much art and doing so much stamping and scrapbooking and not have a single thing to post to show for it. Hopefully the splurge of posts after convention will make up for it.
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