Entry for July 26, 2006

My godmother took this photo of me and my mom at her 50th wedding anniversary. I love it. We are so much alike, me and mom. The day was an exceptional day. Everyone gathered at 2:00 for mom and daddy's ceremony. They re-committed to one another. Their life together has been and still is so full. All but a small handful of family joined together. Granddaughter Sarah was absent, she is in Iraq, nephew Cheyenne was absent, he is in Korea, nephew Eddie was absent, he is in Afghanistan and granddaughter Molly was absent, her work refused to let her off even though she put in for it 9 weeks in advance - work or be fired, so sadly she too was missed. Everyone else came together to celebrate. We shed tears of joy on the occasion as the preacher renewed their vows. Mom was glowing and daddy was so handsome. I escorted my daddy down the brick walkway to the gazebo. I kissed his cheek and told him how proud I was to be his daughter, then he turned around to watch my mom being escorted by my son up to the top of the hill where her one true love waited. It was very touching and sweet. We took photos and then zipped off to the hall where we gathered with friends, loved ones, neighbors, and family. We ate, drank, sang, laughed, danced and enjoyed to day. I connected with cousins and friends and aunts that I haven't seen in years. My cousin Mary was there with her son Ronald. I love this girl so darn much. We laughed together till I thought we'd pee ourselves. My son asked his girl to be his wife right there on the dance floor with all of us as witnesses as he protested his love for her. She said yes, and they've set a tentative date of "next year sometime". After we cleaned up and stored the food away, we moved the party to my mom and daddy's house. My friend Wally built a bonfire and all us 'old' cousins moved down the hill with music, beer and fire. We talked and drank and danced by the fire till 3 in the morning. All the 'young' cousins stayed up on top the hill, doing what we were doing, till about daylight. Us old folks petered out and drifted off to find beds and lay our heads down. It was a great night. It was a day of thanksgiving.

Scott and Chelsea are moving to Michigan City, Indiana so they can finish schooling. Chelsea's was accepted for an internship there, so they both have transferred their jobs up there - over there - and will start next week in a new town. My Becca is out on her own with her husband and son in their apartment. I miss my Boog terrible, but I will get him this weekend. I called to ask if I could have him Friday night. I want to take him to get his photograph made at the studio on Saturday.

I am thoroughly enjoying my solitude. I have been so busy cleaning out and scrubbing up my home. I have some big adjustments to make. I'm clearing out a lot of my things, so I can move new things in. I gave Becca my kitchen table and chairs, I gave Scott my bedroom suite. I want new. I'm moving my bedroom upstairs, using what is my bedroom now for an office, and taking this computer out of the living room. In a year or two I am building a garage, and decking my back porch and enclosing part of it, so I can put a hot tub out there. I have so many plans, goals and things to look forward to.

and I am smiling.

love me later ~ tj   

Entry for July 18, 2006

Finally, the day has come, they moved out!! It's  a bittersweet feeling. I'm so glad, happy, extatic, thrilled beyond belief that the big ones are gone. It's the little guy's presence I will miss everyday, anytime I want him or he wants his YaYa. He calms me and made their presence bearable. He is the reason I lived in a house, not my home.  So now, I take my house room by room and I find my home again.

It's nice to come home again......

and I am smiling.

love me later~tj

Entry for July 04, 2006

Finally out of work, sure gonna git out at 2:30 my butt. Got out at 5:45.  Grabbing a shower, a bite then heading off for the grandstands in HIllsdale. I guess the fireworks start at about 9:15 so I have a little time.

I missed the parade this morning. Our little town always does one up so nice. Where I grew up our neighborhood did a parade every 4th. The picture is of my daughter getting ready for the parade. Some folks don't care for it because it disrespects the American flag. I love this photo and all it represents. I'm proud to be an American. I'm proud that I raised a patriotic son who when overseas so that I could have my fireworks and wrap my baby daughter in an American flag on the 4th of July.  Freedom.

A friend from Oklahoma called me today to say "Happy Fourth of July" He said we might fall on hard times but we always have the freedom that many fought for. I read my friends blog, and he said it very well. I cherish this day, and I remember those who can't. I remember those who fought and lost.

I'm heading out alone tonight. I couldn't scrounge up a buddy to sit with me, but I want to oooh and aaah. It's my favorite part of the celebration. Good thing, because of work, I had no other festivities today.

O beautiful for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties

Above the fruited plain!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!

love me later~ tj

 

Entry for July 04, 2006 Afterward

The fireworks as always delighted me. I ran into the most charming lil fella there. I couldn't resist a photo with him, he obliges me so well. I met a man there that ironically I was able to help. We sat on the grass together. He started talking and the contacts I have I was able to hook him up with some phone numbers that if he makes the call he will get the things he wants. Interesting night.

I had fun tonight, I'm tired, but I'm smiling.

love me later~tj

Entry for July 03, 2006

Goodness, I'm tired tonight. I watched my cat last night, I was up most the night watching him, but when I woke up this morning after 2 hours sleep, he was snuggled up to me like always. He is still twitchy but he's gonna be fine. I called the vet again today and shared his recovery with him. The vet said now I need to watch for kidney failure. So I'll watch and wait, but tonight he seems fine. Jumpy and twitchy but fine.

I went to mom's after work again. Tonight I washed windows and light fixtures. Jeez that woman has light in her house. I never realized it until I was up on a ladder washing the chandeliers as she calls them.

Tomorrow is the 4th of July. I'm working tomorrow as usual, and going to mom's as usual of late. If it doesn't rain I might head out to the fair grounds for 8 o'clock, cop a squat on the lawn in front of the grandstands and watch some air art. Eat a funnel cake and come home. Maybe.... 

Now I'm up for a bit longer tonight, I need to write a few things down that have been itching in my head.

love me later~ tj

Entry for July 02, 2006 Continued much later in the day

"..and collared and dropped Eugene with mega flea killer gunk, certain to annihilate all the fleas upon contact."

I woke up at 6:15 this morning to my cat having a seizure. He was so sick. I ran him into the bathroom to wash the gunk off him. I took off his collar and bathed him in cold water to close his pores so no more poison could enter his system. It was too late. He has it in his system. After I got him to eat a bite and drink some, he settled into my bed and hasn't moved in 11 hours except to allow me to drop water into his mouth every half hour. He's so sick.

I looked up the insecticide that was most prevalent in the drops, the shampoo, the collar, the sprays, and the foggers. PERMETHRIN

"...Some products contain permethrin, which can tremors, seizures, or death. Learn about permethrin toxicosis, and other ingredients hazardous to cats. ... The villain is a chemical called permethrin, which is known to be highly toxic to cats, causing permethrin toxicosis..."

I wanted the bugs to not bite the baby, but in the meantime, I nearly killed my cat. This insecticide was prevalent in ALL the products I used yesterday. I have no idea what will become of my beloved Eugene, only time will tell. Permethrin toxicosis is a nerve damaging situation. I pray he comes round. The vet said to be certain to water him, of course he preferred that Eugene be brought in, and be on IV's. I love my cat, yet on a Sunday morning over the 4th of July, the vet said 'bout $600.00. I cried. The vet gave me valuable information on what to do for Eugene at home. He is eating and taking water and those are both very good signs.

I called my daughter and told her not to bring the baby home until I was certain that the house was aired out. The little guy and Eugene weigh about the same, and I wanted no issues coming from the carpet of the sofa, poisoning my grandson. I asked her to stay away another night. I have been vacuuming every other hour today. I called poison control and asked them about the baby, told them about the cat. They recommended airing and vacuuming, and wiping. I washed all the bedding again today, I will leave the house wide open through the night so tomorrow all should be poison free.

....I just left Eugene after watering him. He watered himself, drinking from the bowl. He sat up wobbly, and twitchy, but sat up and drank on his own. Fingers crossed. God willing  (God knows I love that cat) all will be fine in a few days.

love me later~ tj