Tag Archives: friends

checking in then checking out…

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So, I spent the weekend in Oxford. Got in Friday night, dropped Rader off with a friend and then headed to my next door neighbor’s house for some late night swimming. The water was so warm it was like swimming in a giant hot tub–or giant pool of pee. We decided the hot tub analogy was better.

Saturday was a day for cleaning. We didn’t accomplish as much as we wanted to but we did get the back 3 bedrooms and bathrooms cleaned and in ship shape. Then we went to see our friends Richard and Heather in Water Valley, MS. It was a good time, but I thought I was gonna have to cut Rich’s fingers off. He kept trying to touch my nose “diamond”. And he kept saying “you got something on your nose.” Yeah, that never got old. But it was Richard, so I forgave him. Besides, he’s from Alabama, he really doesn’t know any better.

I wasn’t feeling very well, so we left a little early. I was in bed by 9:30 that night. It seems my mother passed on her chest cold to me. Ian had it last week…so bad he actually missed his 3rd day of school. I’ve been fighting it with everything I’ve got. Vitamins, sleep, airborne, more sleep…today I’m feeling much better. Which is good because I didn’t want to go to the beach with a cold.

Oh, did I forget to mention I’m going to the beach this week?

Sorry ’bout that.

I’ll try to blog some while I’m there, but honestly, don’t be surprised if you don’t hear from me. I don’t think I’ll be able to type while I’m two-fisting my beverages…

I’ll be back on Sunday night. If you haven’t heard from me by next Monday, call the blog police.

My workout was good this morning. I ran 2.15 miles in 30 mins on the eliptical and did arms and abs. I know I’m still as slow as a snail, but it feels good to be back in the exercise saddle. I have to make sure I at least walk while at the beach this week–otherwise it will be like starting over again next week.

Maybe I’ll drink light beer while I’m playing the role of Sungoddess. Okay, maybe not.

Any book recommendations for my week of lounging?

day the last.

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Today is the end of an era. I’m leaving the cozy comfort of a steady paycheck and jumping head first into the murky pond of full-time writing.

It’s bittersweet, really. I have been working at the same place for almost 7 years and I’ve been in the corporate world for much longer. Those of you who have worked in Corporate America know that the movie Office Space is unfortunately, very true to life.

I won’t miss that part.

But I will miss my friends and daily human interaction. Starting next week, I’ll have lots of daily interaction with imaginary people…many of whom happen to be vampires. Could be tricky. Especially when the line between imaginary and real begins to blur…

This is the beginning of a dream come true…but in many ways, it’s a scary dream. I have to watch my spending (what???? I’ll be in a city with malls and a Target and I can’t shop???) I’ll have to put myself on a writing schedule (what??? I can’t do the when it feels right I’ll do it method anymore?) and I’ll have to be a single parent for a while until the house sells. Totally weird.

Anyway, to my friends: Don’t forget about me! I’ll miss you!

this is a test…

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Okay, to follow Louisa’s lead, I’ve decided to offer a test to see if you can be my friend. Some of you may not pass, and for that, I’m truly sorry. Just know that I loved you once.

Of course, my test isn’t nearly as classy as Louisa’s. Mine is more like the idiots guide to pop culture.

Choose one on each

  1. The Family Guy reruns or new American Dad episodes?
  2. Harry Potter or the Chronicles of Narnia (books)?
  3. Dark beer or Light Beer?
  4. Taquería or TexMex?
  5. Titanic or Poseidon?
  6. Ben Affleck or Matt Damon?

mea culpa, michael hauge

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I did a bad, bad thing.

I misspelled my new BFF’s name in my former posts. What kind of BFF does that make me?

Michael Hauge (nice ass) is allowing me to make it up to him. He is a much better BFF than I. (Even if he is a pushover for any broad with a boa….) Who can blame him, though? I’ve touted the magic of the feather boa for as long as I can remember.

If you are a writer and you haven’t checked out his nice ass books because you think they are for screen writers only, then you’re missing out.

So to wrap up the groveling. I’m a tart with a boa and I misspelled his name. He writes awesome books and has a great ass sense of humor.

How’s that for an apology?

Nostalgia part deux

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I wouldn’t go back to being 18 again for anything…not even if I could go back knowing what I know now.

But as my friend Jen said, it was great to relive the innocence of 18 for just a few hours. When our biggest worries were test scores and rejection and how to score our next beer. (not that I drank when I was 18…)

I’m still on a nostalgia high. I spent a fantastic week at conference and then followed it with a great night with old friends. Wonder what the crash is gonna feel like? Maybe, if I’m lucky, I’ll just coast on the good feelings for a while.

I find it ironic that I enjoyed myself as much as I did, when even the morning of my reunion, I was dreading it. I don’t know what I was worried about…I guess no matter how much you grow into yourself, old insecurities can come crashing back like a landslide. High School was bittersweet for me. I didn’t always have a Naughty River (or at least, my Naughty River wasn’t free flowing…) I never had the one “boyfriend” but I had a lot of great boy friends. I never was the star athlete but I was athletic. I knew almost everyone, and was friend to most, but only felt true to myself around a few.

Today, I’m okay with who I am around everyone. I can look at the big picture and think, “I don’t have to be everyone’s friend. It’s their loss.” Could you imagine ever thinking something like that in High School? Or, if you thought it, did you really believe it?

The best part of this weekend’s reconnection was seeing that we’d all grown into ourselves. I’m amazed at the adults my friends turned out to be. And I don’t know why it should be surprising…they are my friends, and I’ve always had great taste… if I do say so myself.

oh the nostalgia…

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Bryant High School…20 years later.

Wow. It was fantastic seeing so many of my old pals. There was one group of friends I was most interested in catching up with, and thankfully they were all there. 2 of the guys traveled from Seattle and one traveled all the way from New Zealand. It was fantastic.

After the reunion, several of us took the party upstairs. At 5:00 a.m. I realized I was too old for this kinda thing. We all bid our farewells and I figure we’ll do it again in another 10. Or maybe in 5. Who knows?

The top picture is of my BFF Jen, Kim, Laurie and me. Laurie is a nurse in Afghanistan right now. She amazes me.

To the right is a pic of me and my friend Annetta.

And then the last pic on the left is of the group I was most looking forward to seeing. Me, Jason, Jon, Nolen, Jen. At one point or another, I crushed on each of the guys. Nolen and I did try to date a few years after high school, but we remained friends instead. It was a great night, lots of memories, and a little too much booze, but hey, if it only happens once every 10 years, it’s okay…right?

i’m (locally) famous!

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Okay, so I told you guys about the local bru-ha-ha surrounding the sports complex and the county supervisors not ponying up the cash (which is only $150K a year for 20 years). Well, today, I was quoted in the local paper.

Snort.

Parental concerns

Melissa Francis lives in the city limits so her children will continue to participate in OPC activities, but her two boys will have to face losing some of their teammates. Francis, who is a volunteer with the OPC, has also been vocal about the situation, commenting on Ward 6 Alderman Jon Fisher’s blog.

“The whole thing should’ve been a no brainer on the part of the county supervisors. Sadly, now all the kids will suffer. This is a community issue people. Not a city vs. county issue,” Francis wrote.

“It’s truly sad that the aldermen were put into such a tough position, but I support their decision. It just breaks my heart to know that so many kids won’t get to participate in January. This could’ve been avoided and I honestly hope the supervisors will remember who they really work for and make this right before there is a fracture in this community that is too big to repair.”

Like other parents, one of Francis’ biggest concerns is what this is going to do to the programming of activities in OPC and the remaining kids.

And my friend Andrea (with her last name spelled incorrectly) was quoted just below me…

Andrea Jekobsons said the decision is holding the kids “hostage.”

“It is not fair because my kids go to the city schools and my 6-year-old son will be in classes with the kids who are able to play,” Jekobsons said. “How do you tell a 6-year-old they can’t play soccer with his friends any more?”

Okay, so there’ s a citizens’ meeting tomorrow about this whole thing, and you couldn’t keep me away. Andrea suggested that I print my quote into a big bubble on a stick and carry it with me as I go. I don’t think that’ll be necessary. I have no problems expressing my opinions verbally.

I just have to sensor my language so people will actually LISTEN to what I say. Anyone who is attending, when I’m taking a deep breath, just insert the words “You Assholes” or “you bass-akwards rejects” and you’ll be in my head.

fun with pictures

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So, we went to Lake Oauchita (pronounced WASH i tah) over the weekend. I would’ve blogged about that Monday had we not come home to a 92 degree house.

Now that we’re back to proper climate control, I can get back to the blog that shoulda been.

Two other couples met us at the lake, Birdrunner and her family and my old boss/friend who now lives in Little Rock, Allison, and her family.

Now, you may think we had fun by looking at the slideshow, however I can assure you the best pictures are below.

We’re not really sure what Birdrunner was thinking when she sat on the styrofoam ice chest, but let me tell ya, I’m really glad she did it, cuz I haven’t laughed like that in a looooooong time.

it’s that time again…

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Wow, where did the weekend go? (for some great pics of my youngest son and his watermelon festival experience, go here.

Yesterday, despite the fact that I blog-hopped, I wrote 15 pages and edited 10. Quite an accomplishment for someone who wastes good writing time on the internet.

Last night, Fishdog and I were invited down the street to hang out in the pool/hot tub, drink margaritas, and cook out. We went and had a fabulous time. This would be the same couple where “The Great Hot Tub and Wine Incident of 2006” took place at the beginning of the summer. I know I haven’t shared that story with you because it’s just too stupid and I should’ve known better. Just know that though I did consume a couple of adult beverages, this time I stopped before I entered the hot tub and when I got out of the hot tub, I drank WATER only.

And this morning, I feel fine.

See, you can teach an old dog new tricks.

My real boys start school this week. Ian is officially in Junior High. I am the mother of a 7th grader. God help us all.

And I can’t even think about what 3rd grade is gonna be like with Rader…I’m sure I’ll have plenty of blogable stories…and some that aren’t so blogable, but I’ll post them anyway.


I spoke to Simon via messenger yesterday for close to an hour, and that was fab. He was headed to Cincinatti today with Gary for one more camp next week. And then, if the planets align and the timing is right, he might stay with us some the next week before he heads back to Birmingham. I know his family will be happy to see him. I’m still gonna miss him.

Grant called last night when they arrived in KC. They were getting ready to go check out the town. KC is a great place and I would’ve hooked him up with one of my closest friends while there, but Nick was in Colorado. They head to Lincoln, NE today. I think I told you he’d be there for 3 months. I’ve heard Lincoln is pretty conservative and these guys are not, so I’m anxious to see how they manage. They seemed to deal with the Bible Belt pretty well. It’ll help that they’ll have their own apartment instead of staying with a family for three months.

Anyway, today is the beginning of a new week. I’m going to write this morning, read this afternoon, walk tonight. I miss the lads, but they are both happy and healthy and I couldn’t ask for more. I’m both happy and sad that school starts Tuesday. And I’m more than relieved that I didn’t repeat “The Great Hot Tub and Wine Incident of 2006” last night. Life just doesn’t get any better than this.

Let the party begin!

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I love my birthday. It’s my favorite time of the year.

Why? you ask…

Simple. It’s because I get to see my friends and go to the horse races one more time.

We’ve been doing this for my birthday every year for a long time. I think close to 8 years.

Anyway, I’ll see my best friend from high school and her husband:

Jen, Brian, and Mel

Then, I’ll get to see one of my college roommates, PamPam and her husband Apple. (I introduced them, thankyouverymuch.)

Jen, Mel, and Pam (couldn’t find my picture of Apple)

Maybe I’ll be able to see my other college roommate, Lori (aka, LeLe-da-sandybooty-lyin’-ho-bitch) Sigh, can’t find a picture of LeLe either. In my defense, she hasn’t been able to come for the past few years, so I don’t have a picture of her that isn’t pretty darn old. Just envision a petite babe with reddish hair and an infectious smile…and that’s LeLe.

And, my best male friend and one of my kids’ godfathers will be there. Nick, the Godfodda:

(Nick is single and ready to play ladies. He’s quite a catch. If you’re in the KC area and wanna meet him, let me know!)

The other Godfodda and one of Mark’s best friends from elementary school will be there:

Jim is in the green checked shirt and his wife, Holley, is turning away from the camera. Nick is in the background.

Glen and his wife Misty are joining us again:

Misty and Glenn

Michael J and his lovely wife Pattie are driving down from St. Louis again:

Pattie and Mike

Tracey and Paddy are also coming in from KC with Nick, but I can’t find a picture of them, either. Sniff.

And last, but definitely not least, I get to see two of my favorite people in the world. Chris and DeeDee:

Aren’t we a cute Triple? Dee2, Chris, and Mel

Yes, I get a night with my bestest friends in the world. Every year, we go to the races, then hang out in the Bier Garten of our favorite German Restaurant in Hot Springs, The Brau Haus. We act stupid and have the best time in the world.

And as great as all that is, I have to add one more thing. My husband. None of this would be the same without him. How awesome are we?