Memorial Day Weekend with the P's and R's

I barely remember getting out of the car this weekend. We spent at least 20 hours in the car - literally. Friday we drove to Albany, GA. Saturday night we drove to Atlanta. Sunday night we drove back to Albany. Monday we headed back to FLL. Can you say, "Glad to be in my own bed?"

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I did something quite out of character yesterday that I pondered for hours afterwards.

We made the obligatory Memorial Day stop at Macy's in Orlando yesterday on the way home. Walking into the building K was in front of me and Sid and my mother were a few feet behind me. K held the door for me and I was going to hold the door for the rest of the crew. Before they got there two other ladies got to the door before them. I was holding the door anyway so I kept on holding it. The first lady said thank you and held it for the next lady (they were together). I was really waiting for Sid so I didn't move from the door but instead kept holding it open. The second lady was a bit older. She didn't say thank you as she came through but she sort of smiled so whatever. What got me was that she was oblivious to the fact that there was anyone else around. She walked through and practically let the door hit my kid who wasn't even two steps behind her at that point. My demeanor changed immediately as you can imagine and my sarcastic side came out. Normally I would have just been exasperated but I would have kept my comments to myself. Not this time. Instead I said, "Thanks for holding the door for my son." She asked me to repeat myself which I did. She claimed to not have known he was there. They were the only four people withing 50 ft of each other and they were all walking towards the same door. How could she not even do a shoulder-check before letting go of the door? I could have gone off on her about my loss of faith in humanity and the self-centered, self-absorbed nature of north americans, but I didn't bother.

I felt bad about it later. Not about saying something but about not explaining myself. She left with the misconception that I have "chip on my shoulder." I know because she said as much. She knows I heard her but I didn't say anything. I was really surprised my mother didn't go off because she's always been a firecracker.

Was it worth it? In the end I was still exasperated.

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I finished reading "The Da Vinci" code. All I'll say right now is that I thought it was a good read - definitely a page-turner.

It's My Birthday, It's My Birthday, Go ShellyP, It's My Birthday!!

Today has been chock full of surprises. I've gotten well wishes from so many people that I would not have expected to hear from. I even got an email from Mocha's mom which dang near made me cry considering I've never heard from anyone on my father's side of the family on my birthday before.

My Sid came and told me happy birthday first thing this morning, which, of course, made my day. My husband had a Cadbury Fruit N Nut chocolate bar hidden in the car. I got phone calls and emails. It was nice.

At work I was treated royally. SP baked cranberry scones with love and brought them in for me and everyone else to enjoy. The lunch location was up to me so I chose Grand Lux Cafe (I swear I was gonna get the pancakes) but with a 45-60 min wait we opted for Cheesecake Factory at the last minute. They were able to take us (a party of 11) right away, which was great. (Unfortunately we lost three people in the transition - they didn't check their messages in time to find out the change of plans.) I had a full-sized portion of the Louisiana Chicken Pasta which, of course, I couldn't finish. But, true to form, my gluttonous co-workers forced me to order dessert. I chose the key lime cheesecake. As a matter of fact, all except one person ate dessert. After lunch I came back to a shiny apple on my desk (no, get your mind out the gutter - I was not playing teacher) and a bit later there was a card.

Maybe I'm getting old and sentimental but these seemingly little things mean a lot. I'm such a sap!

Change of Plans

The people we were supposed to be staying with this weekend are going out of town. That leaves us without accomodations. And in Orlando, decent accomodations are not cheap. We were almost resigned to our fate of being stuck at home (at least 2/3 kids would be gone) when my mother saved the day - kind of. She was supposed to leave for Toronto this weekend but her plans got postponed. Instead she'll be visiting her "2nd home" in Albany, GA, and also spending a day in the ATL. She's looking for company, hence new plans have emerged. My mother was going to rent a car but I need new tires. Aha! She agreed to get me new tires!

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I was reading a depressing article on CNN today. Every time I think that things can't get any worse, I hear something like this. A friend of mine asked me yesterday if there is anything that I find disturbing. The story of these women would more than qualify.

The Week Ahead

I finished reading "A Fly On The Wall" by Trista Russell. It was a good read. It's about a teacher-student relationship. Much better than her first book. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be starting "Da Vinci Code."

This weekend we're hoping to head to Orlando yet again - the annual trip for the kids which just happens to more often than not fall on my bday weekend. (Do I sound bitter?) This year, however, the kids are old enough to go with their peers. That means an almost kidless weekend. I'm sort of looking forward to it.

Say It Ain't So!

AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!

Ok, I knew it! My girl - Danielle - is America's Next Top Model!

I said it. Just look at her. She deserved it. I almost thought they were going to make it a tie cause I would have been happy for Joanie too if she won.

As for American Idol, Elliot was bound to get the boot. Excellent vocals but he lacked in personality.

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Been so tired lately. Pregnancy and having a cold don't mix too well.

When did going to McD's become so difficult? I rarely go there but last Friday I went for lack of being able to decide on something else. I tried to order a #8 with a lemonade (no ice).

1. Why did the lady add an extra drink to the order?


2. Why did the same lady not understand me when I asked her what sauces they had?


3. Why did I have to repeat myself four times??


4. Why when I asked for honey sauce did she give me caramel?


5. I thought speaking or at least understanding English was a requirement for jobs here in the US. Was I expecting too much?

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May 25 is on the way!

Semantics?

Obviously I don't understand the meaning of the word 'illegal'. How is it that people can come here and demand that we change our rules to accomodate them? To do that would be an affront to all the people who actually got their status legally - myself included. What am I missing? I've been listening to this debate for the past few weeks and I still don't get it. And as for this wiretapping business, it totally blows me away. B.ush says "we know what's best for you." WTH? 2400+ military men and women killed so far, uncountable injured physically if not at least mentally, no diplomacy with respect to international relations, and playing big brother with our lives - citizens of the United States! Do we live in a dictatorship or a free society??

How much of your privacy are you willing to give up for the sake of "national security?"

It looks like a GIRL!!

So far, me and my vain self have suggested 'Shelby' and 'Victoria'. K says her prefers 'Morgan'. I said ok, her name will be Shelby Victoria Morgan.

Let's just say I'm taking suggestions for names that preferably begin with an 's' and end with a 'y'.

I was in no way implying that the boy does not have good points. I'd be lying if I said he didn't.

So many factors. So many issues.

Gig said it right when she said my post reminded her of a typical teenager. We are born selfish and I don't know anyone who likes to be bound by a higher authority. People will kick against the prick just because they want to and not necessarily because of something at home. On the flip side, I don't know any household without their share of problems, my own being a typical example.

Talk, yes, we're doing better with the talking. I'm trying to help K come up with an activity that both he and Jr can do together that would give them some alone time and hopefully encourage some type of dialog. For myself, I realize that in marrying K his son became my son (sort of). Jr and I used to talk more when he was younger during drives to and from school. Now we barely see each other, literally, but I still try to at least play mediator, as mothers are known to do, with the father being mainly the disciplinarian. It's a learning experience for everyone involved.

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The other day a friend of mine out of the blue told me that I have beautiful eyes. Gotta say I miss BdaB. He was always good at boosting my ego.

"So much trouble in the world"

Well, at least in my house.

Life has been so busy lately. I know that's everyone's sob story so I shouldn't feel like I'm so special. lol.

Last Saturday the 15 yr-old was caught driving the car of a lady from our church. Can you say 'ballistic'? Yes, that was my husband. Then we found out the boy dang-near groped one of his female friends that he's known since elementary school. She was more than upset and tried to get her fist to connect with any part of his body but his reflexes are quick so he got away. She flung some words at him though to give him an idea of how she felt about what he did.

History.
The boy and his father have had issues from before I met them. This boy's mother lives on the other side of the country and didn't (seem to me) to fight enough to keep her son (that's a whole other story - too much drama to recount). Anyway, the boy is trying to be independent which is fine but his father expects him to learn some responsibility along the way, which is also understandable. When the boy bought himself size 38 pants (his waist is 31 btw and the pants are even too big for his father) his daddy almost threw them out. Instead he actually let him return them to the store for a store credit. The pants issue has been going on for about two years now, although I think the boy has finally gotten over it. In the meantime, he has three chores that he can't seem to do consistently (wash the dishes, sweep the floor three days a week, and put out the trash two days a week). Oh, I forgot, he has to do his own laundry and clean his own bathroom. What a rough life this child leads, wouldn't you say? He, of course, feels he's on lockdown despite the fact that every weekend after church he's going to someone's house for lunch, plus he goes on church trips and school trips. The one time he was told he couldn't go to the mall at 8 o'clock on a Sat night with a bunch of guys older than him he decided there was no use in doing his chores. A few days later we all sat down and had (what I thought) was a pretty good discussion about the whole state of affairs in our household. Sometime following that discussion is when the aforementioned grope and car incidents occurred. That is why his father went 'ballistic' on him, becuase here we thought things were maybe going to get better, or at least stay the same, but not get worse like endangering others' lives by driving someone's car or disrespecting someone and their personal space.

The rest of Saturday was a wash with hours of extended family discussions as aunts and uncles got in on the act. I thought it was productive and this week has been better. I'll keep you posted.

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Oh, and for the record, I would not ask for a pic of my ex's wife. I don't need to see her that badly. I've always known what church they go to but I've never cared enough to even pay them a visit. Que sera sera. We're fine just how we are.