Last Wednesday I went and picked up the boys after school. I usually drop them by the house so they can get a snack before they start their homework. I ran in to use the bathroom, and Mavrick did to. He went to the half-bath downstairs. I left to come down to Mom and Dad’s to get Major. So far, all of this was just a normal afternoon. I usually arrive to get Major at 4:00. At 4:26 Michael called and said that the toilet was overflowing. We said out goodbyes and I got Major and his stuff and went home. When I got to the house water was everywhere! And the toilet was still running!
I called Dad and he came and got Major. There was no way I could set him down to do anything! Michael held him while I turned the water off to the toilet. Upon closer examination, water was literally everywhere! It had run out of the doorway all the way across the living room and around the corner, making it’s way down the hall. It had also flowed the other way into the master bedroom and into the master bath. I yelled over the fence for Kelly the neighbor to bring over all her towels (it was a nice afternoon and they were in the backyard). Then I called Mark and said “you have to come home NOW!”
After we got all the towels down, and stopped it from going any further, or so we thought. I then called the insurance company. The lady on the phone was like “ok, when did this happen?” I told her “about 30 minutes ago.” She said “Oh, it REALLY did JUST happen.” I told her I didn’t know what to do, and that I needed direction. Her direction helped somewhat, but calmed me down enough to focus some at least! After the insurance company, I called Kim, another neighbor who had recently had a flooded kitchen, and asked her what to do about furniture. Everything we have is wood or has wood legs/feet, and I really didn’t want my furniture ruined.
Within an hour the “water team” called and said that they would be out in about two more hours. Then Mark got home. Bobby and Chris got home and both came over (the neighbor husbands) and they started moving furniture till the “water team” got there. They finally arrived around 7:15 and took some pictures then started ripping out carpet. Me and the boys came down to mom and dad’s about 8:30, and Mark stayed at the house. The water team didn’t leave till after midnight. They had about 20 fans blowing all over the place and 4 or 5 dehumidifiers running. It was so much that they had to plug things in upstairs because the breaker kept flipping down stairs.
So, as I said, this was all Wednesday evening. The fans and stuff were in the house till Monday morning. Monday after noon a contractor came by to do an estimate to send to the insurance company. His information went to the insurance company today, and I should hear from an adjuster tomorrow.
We have been at Casa Johnston for over a week now, and as comfortable as they have made us, I still really miss my bed most of all!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Happy Birthday Daddy!
Today my sweet Daddy turns 66. I know, he does look a lot younger than that! His hair has just started to grey in the last year. And about two weeks ago he got hearing aids…”huh?” You heard me.
He really is amazing. You remember week before last when I was so sick, Major stayed with mom and dad for two nights so I could get some real rest and finally get better. One of those nights Daddy slept in his chair with Major because Major was having a bad night. Can you believe that? There are not many Poppy’s who would do that. It is amazing how in love with that child he is. He loves all five of the kids, but he and Major have something so sweet and so different. They are bonded.
Since our house flooded (I will write more about that later), we have been staying at mom and dad’s. We all keep such busy schedules and come and go so much that we haven’t gotten on each other’s nerves yet. Well, they haven’t gotten on my nerves yet, anyway. This afternoon, I was in the kitchen and Daddy had Major in the living room. Daddy was just laughing out loud. It was a good laugh, a real laugh. It was so sweet, and it really made my heart feel good to hear him laugh like that.
Mom and Dad went to the farm last night, so we won’t see them for his birthday… but I will be thinking about you, Daddy. You are wonderful! I Love You! Happy Birthday!
He really is amazing. You remember week before last when I was so sick, Major stayed with mom and dad for two nights so I could get some real rest and finally get better. One of those nights Daddy slept in his chair with Major because Major was having a bad night. Can you believe that? There are not many Poppy’s who would do that. It is amazing how in love with that child he is. He loves all five of the kids, but he and Major have something so sweet and so different. They are bonded.
Since our house flooded (I will write more about that later), we have been staying at mom and dad’s. We all keep such busy schedules and come and go so much that we haven’t gotten on each other’s nerves yet. Well, they haven’t gotten on my nerves yet, anyway. This afternoon, I was in the kitchen and Daddy had Major in the living room. Daddy was just laughing out loud. It was a good laugh, a real laugh. It was so sweet, and it really made my heart feel good to hear him laugh like that.
Mom and Dad went to the farm last night, so we won’t see them for his birthday… but I will be thinking about you, Daddy. You are wonderful! I Love You! Happy Birthday!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Music Therepy
Speaking of music (see previous post), do you ever come across one of those songs that just make you feel young again? We have a radio station here that plays a lot of 80’s music, and I love listening to it. It gets me going. It picks me up when I am dragging, and it just makes me feel good. Of course, as for most girls, my teenage years were not always the best days, but I only remember the good times that go along with those songs, and never any of the other hurtful crap.
A few days ago I heard “Jungle Love” by the Steve Miller Band. Just hearing the beat put a smile on my face. I really wished that Mark and I had gone to the same High School together and could share some of those memories. The Steve Miller Band always makes me think of a wonderful friend I had named Steve Morris. He was a blast. I rode in his car many a time listening to Steve Miller, singing at the top of my melodious lungs, drinking God only know what. We would drive “the shuffle.” It was these country roads on the far north part of town. I don’t know why, but there were never police out there. There were a few places where you could pull over and congregate with other car loads of people. And that was the typical weekend night in T-town. I wonder where Steve is now and what he is doing… Steve! Get on Facebook! Ha Ha!
I also loved David Allen Coe. I actually bought one of his CDs right before New Year’s last year. I listened to it while I made Jell-O shots for the party we went to. It is just crazy how music can make you feel. It can give you energy, pump you up. It can bring you down (I try not to listen to those songs) and make you cry. Music is great therepy.
Gotta go, Ugly Betty is about to come on TV! Ha Ha!
A few days ago I heard “Jungle Love” by the Steve Miller Band. Just hearing the beat put a smile on my face. I really wished that Mark and I had gone to the same High School together and could share some of those memories. The Steve Miller Band always makes me think of a wonderful friend I had named Steve Morris. He was a blast. I rode in his car many a time listening to Steve Miller, singing at the top of my melodious lungs, drinking God only know what. We would drive “the shuffle.” It was these country roads on the far north part of town. I don’t know why, but there were never police out there. There were a few places where you could pull over and congregate with other car loads of people. And that was the typical weekend night in T-town. I wonder where Steve is now and what he is doing… Steve! Get on Facebook! Ha Ha!
I also loved David Allen Coe. I actually bought one of his CDs right before New Year’s last year. I listened to it while I made Jell-O shots for the party we went to. It is just crazy how music can make you feel. It can give you energy, pump you up. It can bring you down (I try not to listen to those songs) and make you cry. Music is great therepy.
Gotta go, Ugly Betty is about to come on TV! Ha Ha!
Love me some Jimmy Buffett
I have been in bed since yesterday about 1:00. I woke up last night for a few hours, but stayed in bed and watched TV. Today, I slept, literally all day, till 5:15 when Mark called to see where all the kids were. At that point I thought I better check my email to see if I need to reply to anyone… ugh!
I did have an email from my sister with a song attached http://www.playlist.com/playlist/additem/1314453 she knows what a HUGE fan of Jimmy Buffett I am, and of course, I loved this new song. It is about a driver on I-95, but could apply to so many other situations and/or scenarios, that at least for today, it is my new favorite song.
I have so many good memories with Jimmy. He was there when I had Michael, he was there so many nights with a car full of friends driving the “shuffle” in Texarkana. He has been so great at so many really fun concerts. Mark even went to one with me, Christy and Nicky several years ago. We had a blast! It is none too often that you see Mr. Pittard let his hair down and have fun. He smiled and wore a balloon hat – the whole 9 yards. He did it for me, but he did it none the less.
I did have an email from my sister with a song attached http://www.playlist.com/playlist/additem/1314453 she knows what a HUGE fan of Jimmy Buffett I am, and of course, I loved this new song. It is about a driver on I-95, but could apply to so many other situations and/or scenarios, that at least for today, it is my new favorite song.
I have so many good memories with Jimmy. He was there when I had Michael, he was there so many nights with a car full of friends driving the “shuffle” in Texarkana. He has been so great at so many really fun concerts. Mark even went to one with me, Christy and Nicky several years ago. We had a blast! It is none too often that you see Mr. Pittard let his hair down and have fun. He smiled and wore a balloon hat – the whole 9 yards. He did it for me, but he did it none the less.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Never
At some point in my life I had a friend and we used to talk about “nevers.” We would see, hear, and even do things, and it would occur to us that one should never really do those things. I think her name was Ashley and we were good friends from around my senior year in high school till about the time I went to Tech.
I recalled this today as I waited at Wally World for an hour and a half for my Rx this morning. I had a BAD night last night and went on back to the Dr today… still don’t know what it is, but it’s not mono. Anywho, when you live in a small area that has one WW to serve a diverse group of people, diverse on every level, one might see a list of “nevers” while waiting an hour and a half, just as I did today.
Never should a woman over 50 (and I am being nice, she looked closer to 65) wear her hair in pig-tails with purple bows. This person looked like Ellie May with grey hair, ringlets and all. To additionally offend the fashion police, she was wearing a purple t-shirt and bell bottom jeans with huge purple embroider flowers on the legs. Ok, I am a bitch. A sick bitch at that, but ladies, dress your age! Please! When in doubt, call me. I am nearly 38 years old and a mother of three, but I know that my days in a bikini are over! Even WHEN I have my rockin’ bod back, I will not be wearing a bikini in public…now if Mark will ever build me a pool here at the house, all bets are off… but I am talking about in public.
Ok, nuff said.
Never should a person wear a work shirt with their name on it, like “Kellie” and their employer on it, like “Lake Dallas ISD” and be purchasing a six pack of Coors Light at 12 noon on a Wednesday. This one just leaves me in awww! I know that many workers have to wear uniforms, and it doesn’t bother me to see a whole slew of them at happy hour drinking it up. It actually helps, because if I have too much to drink I don’t have to clutter my mind with their names, I can just read their shirt. It is helpful. However, we are in the WW, at noon, and by all appearances, you work for the local ISD and you have stopped in for a liquid lunch. Does anyone else have an issue with this? Am I just a prude? Or is this a bad judgment call?
I may be bothered by this because of the background in a sorority. We were never supposed to drink in our letters – that means t-shirt, necklace, etc. Take it off, tuck it in, turn it around, but don’t drink in your letters.
I recalled this today as I waited at Wally World for an hour and a half for my Rx this morning. I had a BAD night last night and went on back to the Dr today… still don’t know what it is, but it’s not mono. Anywho, when you live in a small area that has one WW to serve a diverse group of people, diverse on every level, one might see a list of “nevers” while waiting an hour and a half, just as I did today.
Never should a woman over 50 (and I am being nice, she looked closer to 65) wear her hair in pig-tails with purple bows. This person looked like Ellie May with grey hair, ringlets and all. To additionally offend the fashion police, she was wearing a purple t-shirt and bell bottom jeans with huge purple embroider flowers on the legs. Ok, I am a bitch. A sick bitch at that, but ladies, dress your age! Please! When in doubt, call me. I am nearly 38 years old and a mother of three, but I know that my days in a bikini are over! Even WHEN I have my rockin’ bod back, I will not be wearing a bikini in public…now if Mark will ever build me a pool here at the house, all bets are off… but I am talking about in public.
Ok, nuff said.
Never should a person wear a work shirt with their name on it, like “Kellie” and their employer on it, like “Lake Dallas ISD” and be purchasing a six pack of Coors Light at 12 noon on a Wednesday. This one just leaves me in awww! I know that many workers have to wear uniforms, and it doesn’t bother me to see a whole slew of them at happy hour drinking it up. It actually helps, because if I have too much to drink I don’t have to clutter my mind with their names, I can just read their shirt. It is helpful. However, we are in the WW, at noon, and by all appearances, you work for the local ISD and you have stopped in for a liquid lunch. Does anyone else have an issue with this? Am I just a prude? Or is this a bad judgment call?
I may be bothered by this because of the background in a sorority. We were never supposed to drink in our letters – that means t-shirt, necklace, etc. Take it off, tuck it in, turn it around, but don’t drink in your letters.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
My Day
This is how my day played out… I woke up this morning at 7:21. No one else was up. We have to leave for school at 8:00. Mark jumped up, Michael woke Mavrick up, Major woke up and we started rolling. Breakfast, lunches made, everyone dressed and out the door. I felt like hell, but decided that if I was taking the kids to school then I would go to the gym. So, I get the kids to school on time, and we get over to the gym, and as I drive into the parking lot I start coughing. I cough until I am throwing up. I luckily had a bag that I could spill my guts in. So I do that until I pee my pants! Nice, real nice! So, I decided to opt out of the gym, and drive home.
I am still felling so nasty. It feels like I have a golf ball stuck in my throat with little knives sticking me. I called my real Dr and go in on Thursday – that was his first available appointment. By the time I go get the boys at school, around 3:00 I really could just fall asleep sitting up. So, nights like tonight, when Mark is still not home and it is 10:55 pm, I find myself wonding, and amazed, at how single moms do it.
On a positive note, I did get our taxes done today. Boy! That was taxing! It pretty much too me all day, but I feel good about it. I took it to HR Block week before last and didn’t think they got me as much back as I thought I should, so Mark went and got our stuff back and I re-did them. There were two big things that I think he missed, that made a significant difference in our return. Woo Hoo! Yea me!
I am still felling so nasty. It feels like I have a golf ball stuck in my throat with little knives sticking me. I called my real Dr and go in on Thursday – that was his first available appointment. By the time I go get the boys at school, around 3:00 I really could just fall asleep sitting up. So, nights like tonight, when Mark is still not home and it is 10:55 pm, I find myself wonding, and amazed, at how single moms do it.
On a positive note, I did get our taxes done today. Boy! That was taxing! It pretty much too me all day, but I feel good about it. I took it to HR Block week before last and didn’t think they got me as much back as I thought I should, so Mark went and got our stuff back and I re-did them. There were two big things that I think he missed, that made a significant difference in our return. Woo Hoo! Yea me!
Sweet Valentines
My Valentine’s day this year was so sweet. We woke up in a rush, and had an early basketball game with Michael. His team went 7-0 for the season, and Michael scored in the game also! Then it was back by the house for Mav to change clothes and off to his basketball game. Then back home and it was time for Major’s nap.
Michael and Mavrick asked me out on a date for the evening. So, after Major and I woke up from our nap, I took a shower and got dressed for my date. The boys and I went to Chili’s then we went to see “Paul Blart: Mall Cop.” It was funny, and has a great sound track.
I have got the sweetest little boys. They were so used to the routine that we had as a family, and I know that their world has been turned upside down as much as mine has in the last year. They are doing amazing. They adore Major and are so much help with him.
All day Sunday, all I could think about was how blessed I am. I live with three precious little boys, and one amazing grown man, who all think I hung the moon. My life is good!
Michael and Mavrick asked me out on a date for the evening. So, after Major and I woke up from our nap, I took a shower and got dressed for my date. The boys and I went to Chili’s then we went to see “Paul Blart: Mall Cop.” It was funny, and has a great sound track.
I have got the sweetest little boys. They were so used to the routine that we had as a family, and I know that their world has been turned upside down as much as mine has in the last year. They are doing amazing. They adore Major and are so much help with him.
All day Sunday, all I could think about was how blessed I am. I live with three precious little boys, and one amazing grown man, who all think I hung the moon. My life is good!
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