1/8/04

Sisters

(Meg, Busy and Me)
at my daughter's Bat Mitzvah
My sisters are two cool chicks. If I could spend every day of my life with them, it would never be enough. Unfortunately, they are in the Midwest and I have to settle for once or twice a year. But when we're together - it's a ball!
My mother had 4 kids in 5 years. We have a brother, we speak occasionally but we're not close. I feel a little bad about that - but it's more by his choice. And he's let it go on so long that - I'm sure he thinks he'd never fit into our little clique. We'd love to embrace him - but he WOULD never fit in to the sister clique.

My mother gave us all classic names. Mine is Katherine, and my sisters are Margaret and Elizabeth. Margaret always disliked her name, she found it "dumpy" so now we call her Meg. When Elizabeth was born, Meg couldn't say her name - she said Busybeth. So for her entire life she's been Busy.

I am the oldest, with Meg three years behind, and Busy another 18 months after that. Since my brother is between Meg and me, we were often referred to as Katherine, Tom, and the little girls. When we were growing up, I always felt like I was ages older than them. They were very close, and I was an outsider. But now we're just about as close as three sisters can be.

Meg is so delightful - and her life has dealt her a lousy hand. I think she's through the worst of it - and we're seeing her re emerge as the dynamic person she is. She's just out of a 20 marriage to a VERY controlling man. So controlling that he would decide what she needed to pack to go to mom's for the weekend or when her purse needed to be cleaned out. She once told me she'd never risk so much as putting a bulb in the ground - it just wouldn't be in the right spot. But that's behind her and we've got her back.

Meg is THE consummate nature lover - but especially the creepy crawly things. As a little girl she'd go after a snake or a salamander or an insect with fascination. She spent some time as a state park naturalist and part of her gig was doing the snake talks. I know she was great because she could pick up a big old snake and let it wind around her arm without flinching. And because her interest was so deep - she knew all about them (and most other indigenous creatures). She's a great storyteller with a wicked sense of humor. I can picture her at a campfire with the crowd enthralled.

Now she's a high school biology teacher in a rough district. She loves her material, but the students have very little interest in applying any effort to learning. And a lot of the kids are troublesome. She has kids in class with house arrest bracelets, she's had kids who one day didn't show up because the shot someone, she's had boys expecting multiple babies (with different moms) in the near term. But even with this, she is dedicated to trying to whet their interest. She works hard on plans and activities that might grab them. And she has a lot of living things in the room. She says - if nothing else, they all love the animals. Meg once told me that it would be best if she could have enough animals in her class that every student could hold one. When they have an animal they calm down and pay more attention. She can see the child that still exists behind these tough exteriors.

Busy is just that! She's a nurse and a mom and a barrel of laughs and my sweetheart. Busy was the baby - and she had a rough go as far as us older kids were concerned. We teased her mercilessly - called her stupid and dumb baby. Even though the adults (my parents friends) all though she was SOOOO CUTE and gave her tons of attention, our taunts did their damage. She was not a high achiever in school or in college. Her adult life started out very rough. Then one day she announced - she was going to become a nurse.

No one had a lot of confidence in her in the beginning but she showed us all in the end. I admire her so much for her commitment and accomplishment. She became a nurse, and I can imagine none better. She smart and sweet and compassionate. She must also be very patient - but I think maybe she uses that up at the hospital because she usually CLAIMS she has not patience at home. And she has the ability to work like a wild woman. She has worked two jobs and incredibly long hours. I can't imagine working as much at such a demanding vocation. She impresses the hell out of me. We talk as often as we can, by phone or IM - but no matter how much, it's never enough. And we have an unspoken pact. We never end a conversation, or chat, or even a voice message without saying "I love you!"

I have two recent stories regarding the support and friendship we share. The first has to do with that ugly 4 letter word DIET. All three of us have struggled with weight at one time or another. When we were together last summer, I was the thin one. I think I have finally mastered the religion of weight management. Meg was having a terrible time and confided in me that she had found her FAVORITE donuts at a convenience store on the way to work. I said Meg, you are stronger than a donut. You have to drive by and flip off those donuts. F**k the gd donuts! Well, we all became hysterical - and for the remainder of the evening, we enthusiastically flipped off ANYTHING that might be the least bit tempting. We’d flip off rolls or salad dressings or cake - and then just break out laughing. But we were kind of doing it on the sly, behind my mother's back. She wouldn't find it funny. But being covert made it even funnier to us. Mom would walk out of the room and we'd flip something off with gusto chanting F**k the gd (fill in the blank)!' I'm thrilled to report that since we developed our plan, Meg has lost a boatload of weight. It's beautiful.

The other story has to do with our cabin. (See The Lake below) It's still there, it's in terrible disrepair. We go out at least one time when I visit in the summer, but two summers ago we decided we had to sleep out there just so we could get up early and have coffee on the deck as the sun came up over the lake. So we did. We trooped out there with our kids and our sleeping bags and settled in with the spiders and the wood boring bees and the ants. I don't know that anyone slept all that well. But we got up to a beautiful morning. The sun was over the lake, the water crystal clear. It was a sparkly day. We sipped coffee that morning and soaked up that early sun and reveled in the company of sisters.....and then we went for a swim!

Written by sunflowerkat321 .

This entry has 1 comments:
You have such wonderful sisters, and this is a beautiful tribute to them. I hope they can read this. I have one sister, and she, like your sisters, lives far away. I never feel alone as long as I know she is somewhere sharing this earth with me. Sisters rock!!!!!!Comment from karensull12 - 1/8/04 10:11 PM

This entry has 2 comments: (Added after Meg's death..8/3/05)

I see Phinney and I are on the same wavelength:) I also wanted to revisit some of your family entries. I hope all of your sisters saw these marvelous tributes.Comment from donah42 - 8/5/05 11:29 AM

I never read back this far in your journal. I am here today, looking to learn about your beloved sister. I hope this doesn't make you sad, but I wanted to seek out something to know who she was. Much love, PhinneyComment from geminiwilder - 8/4/05 12:41 AM

1/7/04

A Look WAY Back

I'm fortunate, in that our family roots run deep. Generations of my ancestors preceeded me in my home town. We've had homes stay in the family for multiple generations. Therefore, we are blessed with a collection of family artifacts.
A distant cousin compiled a book of family history, story's, documents and photographs. This particular picture is a favorite of mine. The couple in the middle are my great, great grandparents, Thomas and Susan Kern Ray. They are surrounded by their TWELVE grown children. And count them... there are TEN boys! These twelve were born between the years of 1864 to 1885.
I like this photo because I can't look at it without putting myself in my great, great grandmothers shoes for a moment. C'mon, try it! Can you imagine raising twelve children in the late 1800's. I'm surprised that woman had the strength to sit erect. She's probably just shy of 60 years old in this picture. If I just imagine the LAUNDRY, I nearly break out in hives. It had to have been done on a washboard - I can't believe she was ever done. I imagine her expecting the 7th or 8th child with all those little ones. The work it must have been to take care of them, keep them clean and fed - it just exhausts me. She also educated them all. In her shadow, my life looks like a never ending party.
The book was put together by Susan's granddaughter. She quotes her mother as saying that Susan insisted to all her children that "You might not have any money, but MAKE SOMETHING of yourself". All twelve children became professional people, many of them educators.
There's one story that stikes me among the many. It qoutes my grandmother telling that one of her uncles had stopped in to see her father(Curtis). He felt he needed to hurry home because "Ma" (Susan) was alone. Alone? "Yes, there's only Dale, Ed, Fred, Sallie and Frank, and they aren't company!"
Think of it, home with five of her children was ALONE. This woman deserved a truckload of Calgon. I think how I was tickled when my THREE finally went back to school this week. I've got to count my blessings.
Written by sunflowerkat321 .

This entry has 10 comments:
Thia picture is so great! My Mom has a similiar one of her fathers family in Ireland...13 children, and a few others (?)...Comment from alphawoman1 - 1/8/04 2:02 PM

Great picture and story. And no, I cannot imagine what life would be like with more than 3 let alone 12. Now THAT woman is a Saint!!!Comment from karensull12 - 1/8/04 12:02 PM

Oh, and my hubby comes from a family of 11--9 boys, 2 girls--and come to think of it, mom-in-law's kind of a crank too! I'm sensing a pattern!Comment from donah42 - 1/8/04 8:38 AM

My dad comes from a family of 16!!! 12 boys & 4 girls....no wonder my grandparents were so cranky! And she had all of them at home, except for the last one....I often wondered why she bothered at that point---probably just wanted to get away for a couple days!Comment from donah42 - 1/8/04 8:36 AM

i can't imagine having so many children .. i've only got 2 and i don't think i've had a day of rest since they were born .. ok, i'm exagerating lol i know i've had at least one day of rest .. i just can't remember it lolpamelaComment from his1desire - 1/8/04 8:01 AM

Great picture. Once I lived in a place with a huge attic. It was a four-plex and I guess a lot of people left lots of things behind. I found a lot of pictures like the one of your great-grandparents and family, and I just sat there and looked and wondered what their life might have been like.Comment from hrmore1956 - 1/8/04 4:39 AM

I love old photos and family histories! Coincidentally, my great-grandparents (on my mother's side) also had twelve children - four boys & eight girls......JonComment from jayveesonata - 1/8/04 3:10 AM

HOLY COW! I had the same feelings looking at the picture. I'm surprised the all survived back then. Your family must have been made of good stock. LOL My great grandmother had a bunch but lost a few to diseases. Anyhow...It must be wonderful to have all those old precious things. I would be going through it all the time.Comment from redhdka - 1/8/04 12:49 AM

Terrific entry. I just love old pictures like that too. What a woman she must have been! : )Comment from readmereadyou - 1/7/04 11:36 PM

Having roots and knowing your family really is a blessing. My grandmother was one of 14 children, and my father one of 50 first cousins. I just don't see how they handled it.Comment from sistercdr - 1/7/04 11:29 PM

1/7/04

The Lake ( 1 of 3)


I'm up unusually late for me tonight. My husband is sick so I'm staying in the guest room/my office. The Mom CANNOT be sick - it's a law! So here I am - alone with my computer, and a story.
In summer, I thought I was just about the luckiest kid alive. We spent all our summer weekends at the lake. It's not a big lake, but it provided us kids with about as much fun as any kid could wish for.
When I was three years old, I remember my parents taking us on a LONG ride (20 minutes) into the country to look at KenRay Lake in Pinhook, Indiana. I remember wading across the spillway, walking on the dam, and skipping rocks at the waters edge. We bought a lot and my father started making plans. He and my granddad (Pat) would design and build the house. They made a little model of our future cabin out of tiny balsa wood strips. I was fascinated by it. For the next 2 years, Pat was out there nearly every day working, and dad was there most weekends. The summer I was five, we opened our cabin for the first time. That house would become the soul of a family.
It was an A-frame house that sat just up the hill from the waters edge. It's front was a wall of windows facing the lake, and there was a big porch extending out. Inside there was one really big room that was the living and dining areas, a small kitchen, two bedrooms, and an upper level loft. We spent so many nights up in that loft. There were mattresses on the floor and we'd jump and tumble on them until the adults were threatening us, or we just passed out from exhaustion.
We spent our ENTIRE days in the water. We couldn't wait for the first swim of the season. The winter's ice would hardly be gone before we'd be begging to swim. My parents would usually allow it -and it was COLD! We'd swim until we were blue - and get out satisfied.
Written by sunflowerkat321 .

This entry has 1 comments:
NEAT photo! Ah, ye spoiled kids.Comment from andreakingme - 1/7/04 2:06 PM

1/7/04

The Lake (2 of 3)
There were several families who were regular weekend guests. We were almost never there alone. We were as close to those kids as our own cousins. We devised our own games that we played for hours out in the water. We were rough - but we all became very strong swimmers. One favorite was "Canoe Capture". A team would start out in a canoe, and the opposition would swim out to it. The swimmers would attempt to conquer the canoe. Those is the boat would fend off the swimmers with paddles by splashing aggressively. It could get pretty brutal. Eventually the boat would always be swamped. Then we'd be into phase two of the game which was to maintain control of the swamped boat. We'd push and shove, swim up behind each other and dunk, then turn the boat over and hang out in the air pocket to rest. We'd put one or two kids into the boat lying down and then spin it around. This could go on for hours. The moms would usually bring a big plate of sandwiches down to the dock about noon, and we'd all get out long enough to eat - then be right back at it.
We also had a ball with a giant inner tube. Four or five kids could fit on it. We'd all sit on that tube with our legs in the middle grasp each others arms and do a backward leaning wave type motion. One by one we'd spontaneously flip off backwards to upset the balance, and eventually the tube would flip on the remaining kid. Sometimes we'd do the same thing but standing on the tube all laughing and screaming. It couldn't have been more fun.
Evenings were also incredibly special. We had no TV there, so we provided our own entertainment. There were lively card games or an excruciatingly difficult puzzle. We had STACKS of comic books. But the BEST was the music.
My dad was very musical and had a beautiful tenor voice. Many of his friends sang well also. So once dinner was over, we'd often have a dozen people, adults and kids, out on that front deck singing. Dad would play the baritone ukulele or a banjo and we'd SING our hearts out. You haven't seen anything until you've seen three little blonde girls belt out "Hard Hearted Hannah, the Vamp of Savannah"! My sisters and I will still do that one together - any chance we get. Dad's friend, Dr. Kerr had a very deep bass voice and was a great addition to our ragtag chorus. It wasn't really ragtag though - it was magic.

Written by sunflowerkat321 .

This entry has 1 comments:
Boy, this entry really brings back memories. Some of our best times were spent in the water, too. A bunch of us would join hands and then we'd run together and do canonballs in the water and try to drench sunbathers!Uh-hee-hee-hee.Comment from andreakingme - 1/7/04 2:12 PM

1/7/04

The Lake (3 of 3)
There's a little song I can hear my dad sing in my mind clear as anything. I think of it often, and now that he's gone - when it pops into my mind it's almost like a message between us.
I'm gonna sit right down and write myself a letter.
And make believe it came from you.
I'm gonna write things oh so sweet, they're gonna knock me off my feet.
A lot of kisses at the bottom, I'll be glad I got 'em.
I'm gonna say I hope that you are feeling better.
And close with love the way you always do.
I'm gonna sit right down and write myself a letter.
And make believe it came from you!
Written by sunflowerkat321 .

This entry has 3 comments:
Wow I loved this story...wondeful memories and a beautiful house. I can't believe your dad built it. I love the picture of all the girls up there. So special.Comment from redhdka - 1/8/04 12:53 AM

Boy, did I need THAT summer story right now! Feeling very sorry for myself with the hideous weather here in Oregon. I see now why you swim for a living.... And the picture is great! Lisa :-]Comment from mlraminiak - 1/7/04 12:30 PM

This song is so beautiful. And your memories from your summers at the lake are wonderful. It's so great to be a kid and spend your whole summer in a bathing suit. Hope your husband gets better soon. I hear you on the "Mom can't get sick" thing. Who has time???????Comment from karensull12 - 1/7/04 9:45 AM

1/6/04

Evolution
Thanks for the input on how to change a journal name. For future reference (if anyone's interested) it is just as easy as clicking edit. The ADDRESS remains the same.
I feel like this journal is coming into it's own and I'm quite happy about it. I didn't know what to call it when I started. But today, it came to me. My walks are such an important part of my life. When I walk I feel mentally, physically, and spiritually alive. And what better time to talk with a friend than on a long leisurely walk. I'm feeling great about all the wonderful people I'm meeting here and I'd love for each of you to walk with me.
Written by sunflowerkat321 .

This entry has 3 comments:
Happy new journal name!Comment from chefgracegeorge - 1/7/04 1:17 PM

Sure, I'll walk with you, and possibly even skip, but if you start to run, you're on your own! I'll meet you back at the house for a cup of coffee!Comment from donah42 - 1/6/04 11:31 PM

I used to walk every day with a friend of mine and I got in the best shape of my life just through walking (fast). I'm going to get back into it soon. Love the new name!!!Comment from karensull12 - 1/6/04 6:14 PM

1/6/04

Fit Kids (1)
I read three related news stories on AOL this morning that are sending me to my soapbox. They all had to do with fast food and childhood obesity. It all started here AOL News - U.S. Teens Fatter Than Peers in Industrialized Nations. That's something to be proud of huh?
As one who struggled with weight as a child, I can't help but feel pain for these children. I was not obese, and I was very active but I was always one of the heavier kids in the class. My mother was a "you MUST clean your plate" parent. For those of us who have been there, we know how detremental this is to one's self esteem, and how it can take a lifetime to get over. It's psychologically damaging enough, but now we are facing the problem to such an extreme that the physical damage cannot be ignored.
As a parent, it's such a difficult battle. The kids are drawn to the worst types of foods by the media. Fast food, soda, candy and high sugar cereal. It's a crime how these products are marketed to children. And while the child isn't the primary purchaser of these products, the companies are relying highly on the "nag factor" that we all suffer with and fall victim to.
It seems wherever I look, those who should take some responsibility are turning a blind eye. In my area, the school lunches are a joke nutritionally. Chicken fryze? French toast sticks? Nachos with squeeze cheese? These are the entre offerings. They should be ashamed. My kids pack. How about soda machines readily available in the school corridor? How about teachers who use candy as an incentive? How about sweet snacks at every scout meeting, every Sunday school class? You can't be on top of them all the time, monitoring what they put in their mouths - how can you fight this crap when it's everywhere!Written by sunflowerkat321 .

This entry has 5 comments:
I come from a family of big and tall people. I am almost 5'10". My girls are tall but they are not the teeny tiny girls you see on the street. They are what I would call normal. Try finding clothes for "normal" girls. The XXL t-shirts would fit a 3 year old. It's so heartbreaking for them. They are athletic and beautiful and the media tells them to they are too big. We need a happy medium somewhere.Comment from karensull12 - 1/6/04 9:05 PM

I was thinking the same thing today. Is McDonald's responsible for our obese children? Absolutely not! I think we as parents have to teach our children what and what not to eat. Maybe we shouldn't have sugar in our house, and stay away from refined foods. PACK their lunches and stay on top of things. Remember, sugar makes us fat! You brought up some real good points :))Comment from redbaron1216 - 1/6/04 7:33 PM

I already put an entry in but it didn't take. Today kids get rides everywhere. Let them use the feet they were born with and walk. And, with my kids I made them think vegetables were a treat and they didn't get any unless they were good. The love them still today. : )Comment from readmereadyou - 1/6/04 4:17 PM

Preach it, sista! I'm not a parent, but I know I'd do things differently than what my sister does. She has three boys -- and I can't count the times she's let them have a can of Mountain Dew just before bedtime. And that's just scraping the surface.Things have definitely changed since we were kids. Pop machines in the school? Never.Comment from andreakingme - 1/6/04 3:55 PM

The school lunch thing brings up a whole other point, because, for some of my elementary school years while my dad wasn't working, I received free lunches. What do those parents do when they can't pack?Comment from hyjeanne11 - 1/6/04 12:51 PM

1/6/04

Fit Kids (2)
I have to take my lumps here too. My kids eating habits are not the best. But their visits to a fast food place is limited to about once a month. AOL News - Study: A third of kids eat fast food daily is a frightening statistic - considering they're peddling various composites of empty carbohydrates, fat and salt. And my children are also not nearly as active as I would like them to be - but we're working on that.
I don't understand why fitness facilities are not developing extensive programs for children. It seems that the market exists as well as the need. As kids get fatter, they drift from competitive sports toward the isolation of the tv, xbox, or computer. I contend that fitness programs focused directly at kids could be a winner. If you could drop your kid at an aerobics, or kickboxing, or aqautic exercise class while you got in a workout - wouldn't you go for it. I sure would.
We started a walking club at our school and tallied kids miles. They got a little foot token for every five miles they walked. The walker with the most miles at the end got a little trophy. This was attainable to ANY kid in the school willing to put in the effort. We charted the overall miliage for the school and they walked from Pennsylvania to California. We had a California day celebration and the kids wore surf shirts and we played Beach Boys music at lunch. It was a ball and the kids LOVED it.
So I'm feeling it almost as a mission to see kid fitness become more accessable. It needs to be fun and challenging but non threatening. I'm starting with my kids aquatic program this spring - but I'd like to see it spread through the facility where I work. I know some Y's have these types of programs. If the money grubbing owner of our gym could be convinced of the profit potential - it could be game on.
Anybody out there have sedintary kids, kids not into sports. What would you like to see? Is there a fitness niche we could develop that would draw your kid in? Help me with my vision.Written by sunflowerkat321 .

This entry has 3 comments:
readmereadyou - I wish I could make them walk. We live in a development that's not in walking distance to anything! Bad choice in that regard.KatComment from sunflowerkat321 - 1/6/04 4:35 PM

My daughter, Redhdka-Brand New Day, will tell you a trick I had that still has her loving vegetables today. I'd leave the vegetables until last and the table and when the kids began to squabble at the dinner table, I'd say, "If you don't stop that, you can't have any vegetables tonight!" Worked great. Makes veggies a treat. One way to stop kids from being so sedentary is to not drive them everywhere they want to go. Let them use the feet God gave them. : )Comment from readmereadyou - 1/6/04 4:15 PM

Being a mostly sedentary adult myself who really needs to run on the Ellipses machine and do her Firm video tapes more often, my advice is to buy a whip, Kat. Snap that sucker any time you think one of your kids is lolling about too much. They'll hup to.Seriously, though, I know most kid's eating habits are formed while they're young. Feed 'em lots of veggies and fruits. And don't forget the vitamins. Vitamins make you hungry for GOOD foods.Them's my two.Comment from andreakingme - 1/6/04 4:01 PM

1/5/04

Growing Pains
My oldest daughter is just days away from being eligible for her drivers license. This is my first time around with a new driver - and I guess I'm a little twitchy. I think I had an over reaction today...at least I've been accused of such. Tell me what you think.
She asked if she could take the car out on our street to practice parallel parking. Our street does not go through and it's a small neighborhood - almost no traffic - so I said OK. She set up a couple of trash cans and was practicing parking between them. This went on for awhile - and I was down in my office reading blogs.
When I went upstairs, the car was not in the garage, or the driveway or out on the street. It was nowhere - nor was she. I stepped out on the porch - NOTHING. I came in STEAMING and dialed her cell phone - no answer. I guess I was glad of that because I've been telling her - no cell phone while you're driving.
Almost immediately she called me back. "WHERE ARE YOU?" I demanded. "In the garage, I just pulled in." "WHERE WERE YOU?" "I drove to the end of the street to turn around."
So here's where it gets fuzzy. I admit - I freaked out. I know it was harmless but she's not licensed YET and she was out driving alone in the car. She came in, we got in a major shouting match which (of course) my husband walked into the middle of. He didn't take sides at the time, but later did not hesitate to tell me that I was over reacting.
So what do you think? I think I have an obligation to impress on her that she has to be totally responsible for her actions as a driver, and driving anywhere alone unlicensed is NOT responsible. Yes it was harmless - but to me it's the point! So tell me, should I simmer down, or stick to my guns! Written by sunflowerkat321 .

This entry has 5 comments:
I'm a guy. I'm staying out of this one. It could be a trick question. But, Mom, when you called her on the phone, were you setting her up? What if she HAD answered? Oooh, this could be an interesting journal. I'll have to hit that favorite button heart thingie.HansComment from hrmore1956 - 1/6/04 12:29 AM

I don't think you overreacted at all. You were right. Stick to your guns. She will thank you for it one day.Comment from readmereadyou - 1/5/04 11:31 PM

My oldest is just 12. I say, start with a firm hand, then lighten up later if it's deserved. It's too hard to get tough when you've not been firm in the first place. It's a privilege, not a right. I can hardly manage to take my 10 y/o shopping for clothes without losing my mind, I can't imagine the driving lessons. I'll need sedatives, I'm sure.Comment from rbushu - 1/5/04 10:44 PM

In other words...YOU WERE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!Comment from redhdka - 1/5/04 9:40 PM

I would have freaked out. My husband would have told me I overreacted as well. I think you already made your point and she's learned not to mess with you. Hopefully! ahhh I got one more year till this hell happens to me.Comment from redhdka - 1/5/04 9:40 PM

1/4/04

Makin' copies part1

I was deluded into thinking that when everyone went back to work/school that I'd get my arms around things here at the house. I feel like someone fired the gun at the starting line and I'm off to the races. It's good busy though - I feel like I've got a couple of things out of my way, at least for awhile.
It started with OVERSLEEPING! I HATE when that happens. I knew we were expecting crummy weather today so my plan was to get up and to the gym EARLY - so I'd be back before the kids left for school. But the alarm went off at 5 and I didn't haul my butt out of bed. Bad, bad, bad. Next thing I know it's 6:45 and I'm rethinking my whole days schedule.
I've gotten myselft in a bit over my head volunteering at my sons school - and today there was work there to be done. Not only am I their yearbook coordinator, I'm also the PTO newsletter editor. This newsletter thing has turned out to be a bit of a thorn in the side. Our elementary school is BIG, the PTO has a lot of programs going on and the monthly letter runs 8 - 12 pages each issue. It's my "job" to collect all the information, type it up, lay it out with graphics, have it proofread and then make and distribute close to 700 copies! It's like pulling teeth to get thie information together, I'm always running right up to the end of the month getting it ready to go. This year, I got smart and got some volunteers set to do the copying - but my person for today bailed. So guess who's doing a stint at the copy machine today.
So it went something like this...the kids left and I threw on my workout stuff and ran to school. I picked up the rough of the newsletter (principal had to ok) and headed to the gym. An hour on the treadmill and I'm feeling better. I took a quick shower, dashed home and sat down to do the final draft revisions and grab some food. Then back to school I went. I was totally on schedule - it was 11:30.Written by sunflowerkat321

This entry has 4 comments:
An hour on the treadmill can fix most anything. For everything else, just scream the word, "NO!" Works like a charm.Comment from rbushu - 1/5/04 10:55 PM

I really admire the school moms. I just hand in my 9 dollar pta fee and I move on. I can't, I won't, It's too much trouble and I'm not the right man for the job. My kids suffered great pains because of this. I used the excuse that I was such a young mom and had nothing in common with the other moms. Yea they bought it. LOL But from all the lazy Mommies around the world I would like to say. "THANK YOU FOR HELPING MY KIDS, AND ALL KIDS, ENJOY THEIRS YEARS IN SCHOOL"Comment from redhdka - 1/5/04 9:45 PM

http://journals.aol.com/linus131999/VanessasMentalplace/ nice page come check out mineComment from linus131999 - 1/5/04 5:02 PM

I over extended myself one year at my kids school and that taught me a valuable lesson--not to ever do it again. I was room mom for all three kids and chaired a fundraising comittee--it was grueling. Glad to see you've things under control.Comment from karensull12 - 1/5/04 3:04 PM

1/4/04

Makin' copies part2

But Murphy was lurking and the copy machine went down! Now what!?! The secretary directed me back to a second restricted use copier. It's hidden back in a storage room. That's all ok - I'd dumped some music on my RIO and so I'd be fine back there. But, they're in the middle of a major renovation of the school and they recently took the carpet up in this room with some major commercial solvent. Between that and the regular copy toner fumes - I was feeling no pain. I had great tunes, I was singing and dancing around my little closet just having a ball - makin' copies.
Remember, this is the first day back to school after the break. EVERY teacher in that place stopped by the closet to make some last minute copies of work for their classes. Quite a few of them got a kick out of me. I've had some kid in that school for 11 years - they all know me. Oh well, I think anything I can do to break the stereotype of PTO MOM is a good thing, right?
I'm home now - my head has cleared and I'm looking around at all the stuff here just waiting for my attention. There's the laundry, the Hannukah decorations are still out, you can't see the top of my desk and I have a list of calls to make. Maybe that storage room was not such a bad little space after all.Written by sunflowerkat321 .


This entry has 1 comments:
I'll take carpet solvent in close quarters any day. I've been the treasurer of our elementary school pta for 5 years now. I broke any remaining stereotypes at registration this year when I came in with 4 kids in tow singing, "It's the most wonderful time of the year." I had dance moves and hand jive. The office personnel were cracking up. Other parents were pretending not to know me. I figure when I'm done, I'll have 15 years in.Comment from rbushu - 1/5/04 10:53 PM

1/4/04

Claim to Fame

I grew up in a very small midwestern town - Bedford, Indiana. But this little bump in the road claimed noteriety as "The Limestone Capital of the World". Woo Hoo!
Actually, this is significant to me because I was from a limestone family. My great grandfather came to Bedford from Chicago trained as an architect. He started a limestone company complete with a quarry and a mill. It wasn't the only limestone gig in town, but it was successful enough and I grew up with the "distinction" of being the descendent of one of the local limestone barons.
Bedford stone was once in very high demand. A good deal of Washington DC and NYC are built from our local stone. However, during the enery crisis of the 70's stone became so expensive to transport that many companies went under - ours included. But I still treasure this little bit of heritage. I grew up in a big limestone house, I appreciate the intricacies of beautiful limestone carvings. In fact, I may one day become the "proud" owner of the handcarved limestone busts of great grandma and grandpa (YIKES). I can show you the millions of eenie, weenie, tiny fossilized sea creatures that compose Oolitic limestone.
Now I live in eastern PA. Kennett Square (a town near here) touts itself as the "Mushroom Capital of the World". Pennsylvania is the largest mushroom producing state and Kennett Square is at the heart of it all. Somehow, I can't help translating this to the "Fungus Capital of the World" but...oh well, sorry Kennett Square.
I've done a little nosing around (I really don't have this much spare time but - what the hell) and found some other interesing "World Captials" What do you think about...
Cedar Spring, MI - Red Flannel Capital of the World
Beaver, OK - Cow Chip Throwing Capital of the World
Fort Payne, AL - Sock Capital of the World
Mount Horeb, Wi - Troll Capital of the World
Winnipeg Canada - Ectoplasm Capital of the World.
So, does YOUR town have a claim to fame? Have you been through a "not to be missed" capital of the world. If so, please share these hidden treasures.
BTW - we once drove through Gilroy, CA - Garlic Capital of the World. Our car reeked of the stinking rose for at least a week.
Written by sunflowerkat321 .

This entry has 5 comments:
I am new to your board and am catching up - I have been thru Fort Payne and you've never seen so many sock stores!!! They also have some association to the band Alabama - socks on 3 corners, Alabama fan things on the other....Yes, Gilroy is rather stinky. Comment from kateraxe - 2/25/04 5:50 PM

How can someplace claim to be the SOCK capital of the world? Very Funny. Reminds me of the movie "Michael" where they visit the world's largest frying pan. We visited San Diego last February and learned it is the Avocado Capital of the World. You can't order a turkey sandwich without avocado and sprouts on it there.Comment from rbushu - 1/5/04 11:01 PM

Haha... I'm from Scott, La. "Were the West Begins." Gotta love a country thing like that!Comment from lahdeedah754 - 1/5/04 5:51 PM

As a galic lover, I'm deeply offended. LOL! ; )Comment from readmereadyou - 1/4/04 8:58 PM

Cool! My Dad's family is from Bedford. We were just down there last year for my Grandma's burial. Lots of limestone tombstones!Comment from chefgracegeorge - 1/4/04 8:03 PM

1/2/04

Another "reality"

hilareeday gave us a great rant about that brat Paris Hilton in The Simple Life. It brought to mind another "reality" series set on the polar opposite premise.
Did anyone watch Frontier House? I have little time for TV so I didn't see it much, but what I did see I found fascinating. In this program, they took three contemporary families and sent them by covered wagon into the wilds of Montana. They were prepped with basic survival skills and sent on their way.
Now, who can imagine spending 6 months with NONE of the conveniences we take for granted. How about your kids? No cell phone, no PC, no MTV, no Xbox. OMG, how would they ever survive? Funny what's "necessary" for survival, huh? As hard as it would be, sometimes I wish I could give my kids this type of experience. Six months might be a little extreme, and I certainly wouldn't want tv cameras documenting it all but to take your family out of the modern world for awhile would be incredible. Adversity breeds strength, right? What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I look at my kids and the privilege that we've afforded them and I think, we really haven't done them any favors. But how to you isolate them from contemporary life?
My kids already consider me a hard ass mom because I don't allow the TV to be turned on during the week and I expect them to do some family chores. Anything above and beyond that, they feel entitled to argue the "unfairness" of it all. So it would delight me to take their little butts and plop them where they had to fend for everything they need for a little while. I can hear it now....whatever doesn't kill ME will make me stronger! :-)
If you're interested in the project, check it out here. PBS - Frontier House: The Project
I hope they rerun the series. I can fantasize...or maybe it will help me appreciate all I'VE got!Written by sunflowerkat321

This entry has 3 comments:
I read about the series, but did not see it. I agree with everything you wrote here. Kids, by nature, are selfish and I find myself getting angry with my children for not appreciating how much work is involved in them having the things they have. Every once in a while I find myself lecturing them on the sacrifices that have been made for them. I doubt they will ever truly appreciate things until they are adults (just like me).Comment from karensull12 - 1/3/04 8:21 PM

I'm not a TV watcher either, but I did see one or two episodes of 'Frontier House'. Amazing show. The one woman freaked up because she couldn't take her makeup with her. Can you imagine? When I heard that I was thinking "Honey, once you get out there, that will be the LEAST of your worries."I don't have any children but I can certainly appreciate your frustration with them for not appreciating how lucky they are. That's why I'm not a Mom. I'd probably go right off the deep end.Comment from somenuttychic - 1/3/04 11:42 AM

I missed that one, but saw the one where they were in the house in London during WWII during the blitz. I thought that was interesting, how the women were put to work, and everything was rationed. They even drew a line in their tub so they'd know how much water they were allowed to use! It makes you think of all the luxuries we take for granted!Comment from donah42 - 1/3/04 11:06 AM

1/1/04

Mummer's Strut

I thought I'd introduce you to a little unique PA culture. Ever heard of a Mummer? Nope - neither had I until we moved here, about an hour from Philadelphia.
Philadelphia has a traditional New Years Parade called The Mummer's Parade. This year is was the "103rd annual" and it's an extravaganza of which the locals are VERY PROUD. To the rest of the world - we just shake our head in disbelief. There are a plethora of Mummer's clubs in Philly, and each plans it's own theme based perfomance for the parade. Some clubs are string band clubs, who march and perform on banjos, accordians, saxaphones and glokcenspeils (spelling doesn't count). There are also comic brigades that are primarily a bunch of satiric clowns, or a group guys in ridiculous drag, and THE FANCIES. The fancies march and dance in the most elaborate costumes of all. Some of these costumes cost upwards of $20,000 each!
This parade is kind of a combination of Mardi Gras and Carnivale. It is grand in color and the costumes are eccentric in design. Fancy costumes may be twice as tall as the man wearing it and all feathers and sequens. Sometimes the costume is more like a float that is worn. Often the club has a huge rolling backdrop for their performance. This is so popular in Philly that about 15,000 (that's right - thousand) participants march. I have to correct myself here, they don't march, the proper term is STRUT! Though the parade route is only about 2 miles long, this string of strutters lasts up to NINE HOURS!
I will say - I have never personally witnessed the Mummer's parade. Somehow, standing on a street curb on January 1st for nine hours leaves something to be desired. It is broadcast on TV - but I can't imagine sitting and watching it in its entirity. To me, after you've seen a couple of the groups, they start to look the same. Occastionally at an event in Philly there will be one of these Mummer clubs present and it leaves me shaking my head - speechless. To this midwestern girl, it's sort of like stepping into OZ. Just imagine - a heavily mustached and bearded guy (big guy) dressed like Bo Peep complete with parasol! By the way, parasols are a standard part of many "uniforms".
Written by sunflowerkat321 .

In Eugene (Oregon), they have the slug parade, complete with a "slug queen..." Don't ask. Eugene is a country unto itself. Us midwesterners just have to get over ourselves, I guess... Lisa :-]Comment from mlraminiak - 1/4/04 12:09 AM

Um . . . why would a big guy with a moustache and beard want to dress like Bo Peep. On second thought, forget I asked. :-) Sounds like quite the spectacle.Comment from somenuttychic - 1/3/04 11:44 AM

I just visited www.mummers.com to learn more. Fascinating. And weird.Comment from chefgracegeorge - 1/2/04 5:40 PM

1/1/04

Gotta stand back

We're undertaking our first project of the year. It's (past) time to redo my son's room. He's nine now and it hasn't been redone since he was a baby. This was at my husbands initiative - so I'm really hanging back a bit. They've got the room emptied out, and I have been asked to remove the border. Boo Hoo - it's SO cute. I remember picking it out - how much I LOVED it. It has the sweetest baby animals on it...baby polar bears, tigers, wolves, elephants, and pandas. I knew this day would come - I have to accept there are no babies in this house anymore.
My husband is at the home store with Joel now - looking at borders and paint. I had to sit on my hands to stay out of it. The flat out truth is that my husband has NO decorating sense. But I have a feeling that if I try to pilot the project, all of a sudden I'll be the one holding the paintbrush, and I really don't want to go there.
This is a direct path to decorating wars. I've watched a little too much HGTV. If I get started with a project, I'm ready to faux paint, build furniture, go wild. Is anyone else afflicted with this disorder? They make it all look so easy - so you do a little faux painting, sew up a couple of swags, the next thing you know you're out in the yard with a pallet of flagstone and 4 tons of screenings installing a patio (ask me how I know).
My husband wants to paint a solid color and call it a good job. So I've just decided to let him feel like he's controlling this for the time being. Maybe after that solid color (translation: base coat) is done, I'll step in and add a little flair. Heck - he'll be back to work on Monday, the kids will be back to school, I can just take over then!
LOOK OUT!Written by sunflowerkat321 .

This entry has 8 comments:
Once my "outdoor room" with flowing white curtains and a few pieces of carefully placed furniture filled with dry, crackling leaves, I abandoned Christopher Lowell. He really didn't look all that great as Little Bo Peep with a beard peeking through his stage makeup. I also learned that a little stenciling goes a very long way.Comment from rbushu - 1/5/04 11:09 PM

I don't have kids, so I really shouldn't say, BUT...I think it's cool for your husband and your son to be "bonding" this way. If you CAN, let them deal with it. It's only a room...and probably one you won't be wanting to go into anyway once he hits puberty!! Lisa :-]Comment from mlraminiak - 1/4/04 12:02 AM

OMG! my husband refused to even buy the paint for our room without me...he said: "What's the point? You'll redo it anyways."Comment from ckays1967 - 1/3/04 7:59 PM

Ah, so THAT is the border you were removing. Mmmm hmmm. It's all becoming clear to me now. :-) Well, good job that you're going to let your husband take charge of the (initial) part of the project. He gets to make a contribtution, it will avoid conflict and like you said, you can always go back and add to it later.Comment from somenuttychic - 1/3/04 11:50 AM

i've learned my own lesson .. i refuse to watch any more of the home improvement shows .. i ended up convinced that i too could redesign my daughters bedroom into something enjoyable to a pre-teen .. about a million buck and hours later it was finished .. weeks later the color was no longer her "favorite color" .. i make her suffer in silence if she wants to continue living lolpamelaComment from his1desire - 1/3/04 9:27 AM

Yes, I have the HGTV disorder, too. I can't leave a single surface in my house untouched!Comment from chefgracegeorge - 1/2/04 5:37 PM

I wish I had your enthusiasm, I grabbed a pillow, laid on the couch and said"I'm sleepin this year."Comment from mrscheesestix - 1/2/04 1:56 PM

I can empathize with you. I recently painted three rooms in my parent's house (surprisingly, they turned out pretty good!) JonComment from jayveesonata - 1/1/04 10:35 PM

1/1/04

Steppin' Out

I feel great today. I like the thought of a fresh new year - a clean slate! I don't know that I'll do anything significantly different this year, I'm not much of one to make resolutions. But I'm very much looking forward to what's ahead. I can't help but look at a new year with anticipation, hope and optimism!
With that - I'm heading out for my first walk of 04. It is beautiful here this morning and I'm feeling on top of the world. I think I could get going out there and just walk forever. So it's time to grab the dog, crank up some music and step out into the first day of the rest of my life.
Yeeee HaaaaaaWritten by sunflowerkat321 .

This entry has 3 comments:
I think along these lines every day. Each day is full of new possiblities and I wonder where it will lead me. Early in the day, I feel like I haven't had a chance to screw things up too badly, so I'm always off to a fresh start.Comment from rbushu - 1/5/04 11:11 PM

Welcome to 2004! Your previous poster is right -- you DO have a very contagious sunny outlook for this year. I haven't read all your entries either, but I think at some point this weekend, I will have to go back to entry 1 and read from there. Welcome to the AOL journal community, by the way. We're glad you're here!Comment from somenuttychic - 1/3/04 11:53 AM

Wow, You make me want to go out and Walk ALSO. You have a very contagious outlook for 04, thanks. I really enjoy your journal. I have not read all your entries but I will, and I will look forward to your inspiring entries for the new year. http://journals.aol.com/mw15mw99/ThisandThat/KateComment from mw15mw99 - 1/1/04 2:12 PM

12/31/03

Where did the last year go? The last 5? The last 10? Wasn't I in college just a couple of years ago? I wish!
I don't know if I'm any wiser - sometimes I can actually feel the brain cells fizzle. But I've had some great experiences along the way that I wouldn't trade for a million bucks. So I look to the new year with anticipation about what's ahead. I've hit the middle of my life by numbers, but who's counting. I'm not getting old - not going there - NO WAY! I don't care how quickly the years insist on flying by.
Happy New Year to everyone. I hope 04 brings you happy times and great surprises. I can't wait to see what happens next!Written by sunflowerkat321

This entry has 1 comments:
Happy New Years! Save those hats! That's the kind of stuff to show your kids later. Hurry before your husband throws them away!Comment from mrscheesestix - 12/31/03 9:56 PM

12/29/03

It's just stuff!

While I've been reading and writing, my husband has decided that we have too much stuff in our lives and he wants some of it OUT! OK, fine, whatever. But it makes me defensive to have him ratting around in all the closets deciding what should stay and what should go. This man is black and white. Useful - stay, otherwise - go. No room for sentimentality what so ever.
If you're imagining closets bulging with stuff that hasn't been looked at in 20 years - it's not that bad. As a matter of fact, I go through the closets on about a yearly basis and purge mismatched gloves, outgrown boots, etc. But I NEVER touch his stuff, and I just went upstairs to find a bunch of MY stuff in the give away pile. What's up with that?
So am I nuts to want to keep my sons first little fleece snowsuit with the bears on it? I don't want to give away my antique jacket that I wore in college, or the jacket that was dad's. I swear, I'm not a packrat - but there are just some things that are not replaceable, even if it is a nondescript beige jacket.
I don't want to be a slave to stuff. Have you ever thought about how much stuff there is in the world? WHY so much? Why 50 kinds of shampoo? Why 100 different pens? And so much useless, meaningless chatchke. Why does all this stuff even exist?
My mother lives in the house that HER grandfather had built in 1901. It has never been emptied. Talk about STUFF! There's 103 YEARS worth of family stuff in there. I swear when my mom is gone, I'll probably have to move back to Indiana for a year to sort through it. It will be like falling into a black hole. We've tried to help her with it - but she's sure she'd get something for every bit of that stuff if she'd just have a yard sale. HA - like she ever will.
Whew - got to take a deep breath. It is just stuff after all. When something breaks - I'm able to write it off as a thing, no matter how meaningful it was. But when it comes to choosing what stuff must go - it's hard to take my heart out of the equation.Written by sunflowerkat321

This entry has 8 comments:
I too love stuff! I have my boxes of stuff that are not for touching by anyone but me. I always wished i had STUFF that my mom had saved for me to look at. Old newspapers, school papers, clothing, etc... So I am doing this for my son and daughter. One mans garbage is another mans goldmine.Comment from mrscheesestix - 12/31/03 1:53 PM

Growing up, my parents never saved a thing. Needless to say, I save everything. I want my kids to be able to come to me and take things from their childhoods into their future lives. I can't decide what to keep and what to throw away, so I save everything (neatly).Comment from karensull12 - 12/30/03 8:27 PM

Yuck. This reminds me of my closet. Sometimes when it gets too overwhelming, I just go back to bed! LOLComment from hillareeday - 12/30/03 4:03 PM

Kat, you'd better never audition for that show on TLC. I forget what it's called, but they re-design two rooms in your home and REALLY consolidate down. They're like organization gurus. And they make you get rid of A LOT of your stuff. It gets vicious sometimes. Tempers flare. Fights ensue. Tears threaten.Heh, heh, heh.Comment from andreakingme - 12/30/03 3:46 PM

haha my now ex husband pulled the "its either me or the stuff" routine on me .. he's gone now and i still have my STUFF lolthen my daughter tried to get me to throw away my stuff .. i told her she can go live with her dad and i'd have more room for MORE stuff .. so she let it drop heheain't nobody coming between me and my stuffnosiree:)pamelaComment from his1desire - 12/30/03 10:37 AM

My name is Grody, and I AM A PACKRAT. Its true and I suck at throwing things out. Even things that do not fit and never will . Yeah Yeah Yeah, I'll get to it. And, I'll grow hair again someday too. GordyComment from grodygeek - 12/30/03 9:52 AM

Hello fellow pack-rat! My hubby is as bad as me--no, worse. I never touch his stuff, but when I try to de-clutter my stuff, he goes thru the trash & rescues things. Once I tried to throw away the same watermelon-shaped sponge about three times, and it just kept re-materializing elsewhere in the house! I think I finally gave up & it's still here somewhere! Happy New Year!Comment from donah42 - 12/30/03 9:33 AM

Tell hubby to keep his hands off your stuff. There are some things that even marriage doesn't entitle you to do. Yes, it's just stuff, but there IS a such thing as sentimental value. Tell him to get over it. Lisa :-]Comment from mlraminiak - 12/30/03 1:46 AM

12/29/04

A Purpose - Part2

But this fall, I was in the health club - we had just rejoined. I have been very dedicated to health and fitness over the last couple of years - and I'm thinner and more fit than I've ever been in my adult life. The pool director snagged me and asked me to come back to teaching. She didn't have to ask twice.
I've been back teaching about 2 months now and I LOVE it. It's perfect for me. I LOVE the water, I LOVE to move to music, and I LOVE the response I get from the participants. Now, for everyone who's picturing a bunch of old ladies jogging in place with their hands over their heads - STOP IT RIGHT NOW! This can be an agressive exercise program that is very challenging - especially if we move it to the deep end of the pool.
Many of our participants are elderly or fighting weight problems. But they are a joy to work with. They know that they have to take responsibility for their health, and they love when I push them. They always thank me when they've had a super workout - so it's my goal to always give them one. I'm just thinking about it so happily today - there were a lot of people there WANTING to pay their dues for their holiday splurge. It makes me feel great to see them respond to me - working so hard AND enjoying themselves. It's a great job!
My challenge is creating a program that appeals to kids (young teens). We get calls from parents who want their kids in an aquatic program for the exercise - but they aren't competitive swimmers. This is a very exciting niche. With all we read about childhood obesity, it's my chance to perhaps make a difference in someone's life. If I can start a child toward a lifelong habit of fitness and health, I'd feel like I'd really accomplished something. I'm working on the program now. We need cool music, some strength and resistance work, some deep water walking/jogging (cardio), some swimming drills, and some games, just for fun. I'm hoping to launch the program in the next couple of months. Wish me luck!Written by sunflowerkat321 .

This entry has 4 comments:
Good luck Marigolds - I hope you can find a program that will meet your needsKatComment from sunflowerkat321 - 12/31/03 11:09 AM

don't i wish i lived in your neighborhood! there are very few places to get any water exercise here, and mainly only in the summer. i have serious arthritis and water exercise is the only kind i can really tolerate. i'm going to join a program at a nearby school if i can find one that will work into my schedule, once i KNOW my schedule!Comment from marigolds2 - 12/30/03 6:30 PM

Sounds fun! I love the water and you are right water aerobics/exercise isn't as easy as it looks. I wish I could be in your class!Comment from hillareeday - 12/30/03 4:07 PM

You go girl! I've been doing water ex since 1991. I don't belong to a class right now..I've made up my own workout and go during lap swim. I get a better workout this way. The kids class sounds like a great idea. My niece and nephew could sure use something like it! Lisa :-]Comment from mlraminiak - 12/30/03 1:42 AM

12/29/03

A purpose- Part 1

I was presented with an opportunity that was truely a gift late in the year. I have gotten to return to doing something I really love. Over 10 years ago, I used to teach aquatic fitness. It was in its infancy then, but the facility where I worked had a great program with a lot of variety. I started teaching after I had my first baby, and taught through my second pregnancy. Can you imagine - me in a swimsuit teaching aquatics - nine months pregnant? Not a pretty picture. I taught the day I delivered my second daughter and was back in 6 weeks swimming circles around everyone.
But the kids started to create a problem for me continuing to teach. If someone was sick, or school was delayed because of weather, I could never get a sub. It became a major stress and I finally gave it up.Written by sunflowerkat321 .

12/28/03

We've talked a lot about true love. Today it was crystal clear to me that it can be summed up in one word.

DOG!
I have a great dog - Berkeley. He's a 4 year old golden retriever. Poor Berkeley had to go to "camp" while we were skiing.
I went to pick him up as soon as we got home today. He nearly lost his mind when he saw me. They let him out of his kennel and I was nearly knocked to the floor. I couldn't get his collar on, he got tangled up in my purse and just kept jumping up and licking my face.
"YOU CAME BACK! YOU CAME BACK!"
I remember the first time I had to put my first dog in the kennel. I felt terrible - so guilty. My father's response to my angst was "Katherine, that dog's not wearing a watch!" I'm not so sure that he was right.
Berkeley dragged me to the car and breathed heavily on me all the way home. Unconditional love. I can ignore him all day - he loves me. I can blow off his walk, or tell him to get lost because he's bugging me - he loves me. I can leave him in a cage surrounded by 100 other barking dogs - he STILL loves me. He has barely left my side since we got home. He even crawls under the piano when I sit down to play (and we have an upright).
Gotta LOVE a dog!Written by sunflowerkat321 .

This entry has 5 comments:
DOG is GOD spelled backwards. I don't think that was an accident. I am a HUGE dog lover too. They might not be able to talk, but they sure can communicate with us.Comment from hillareeday - 12/30/03 4:11 PM

aww! [pets Berkeley]Comment from chefgracegeorge - 12/29/03 12:24 PM

Girl, you are so right. My ex got our dog, because it makes sense. When I get to see him, he just goes bugshit. He just moans and squeals with excitement. I love the bugger and miss him a bunch, but this is better for him. Sigh. Gordyhttp://journals.aol.com/grodygeek/GrodyLogaLot/Comment from grodygeek - 12/29/03 12:12 PM

You're absolutely right. NO ONE but a dog will love you unconditionally. Cats come close, but dogs are clearly the tongue-lolling winners.I wish there were so FEW animals on the earth that more people would cherish their pets. You know?Comment from andreakingme - 12/29/03 11:55 AM

Aww a golden! My ab. favorite! I cannot wait until B and I get our house...that is the first purchase I will make! Dogs are heavenly. I mean, yea my kitties are fantastic...but they are so much different than dogs! I simply cannot wait until the day I get my v. own puppy! Ben wants a Great Dane...I think I smell a compromise building as we speak! Maybe we'll get two! Yay! Great entry Sun! ~ShellsComment from dazeychic - 12/29/03 11:04 AM

12/28/03

Lots of catching up to do

We just got in from our trip and I've started to make my first run though some of the journals. I missed reading them SO much - I couldn't wait to get back and catch up. I"ve been writing for such a short time and I already think of so many of you so fondly. I'm looking forward to this new year with new friends to share with.
I'll write more later - but FIRST, I've got lots of reading to do!
Written by sunflowerkat321 .