A Slice of My Life

Mimi’s New Adventure

Susie — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 06:01:01 +0000

Shortly after school let out in June, Mimi started asking if she could switch to one of the other high schools in our area. Having known our Drama Queen for several years, I merely raised my eyebrows at her and shook my head at her latest whim. Only it turned out this wasn’t a whim. Mimi had had a really rough year, and as she laid out her reasons to switch schools over the summer, we gradually came to agree with her that it might be a good idea.

We contacted the schools and sent in the waiver forms, hoping that despite our relatively late start in this, Mimi would be able to switch schools. She was thrilled when she got the phone call that let her know that her school colors were switching from green,white and blue to black and gold.

As I had Mimi pose for our traditional first day of school photo (I know it’s dark, but we had to leave the house before the Crack O’ Dawn and my poor flash could only do so much!) I asked my girl if she was feeling nervous at all. She thought about it for a moment then said “Nope, I’m just excited.”

Of course it helped that she knew already knew some kids that went to her new school. Most of her soccer team consisted of kids from the new school. And of course, her best friend since Preschool goes there. I think that’s what’s most exciting for Mimi!

I think it’s going to be a great year for her!

New Adventures

Susie — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 07:41:09 +0000

Shortly before the crack of dawn KT and I climbed out of bed, pulled on our clothes and grabbed her packed bag of belongings. KT had said her goodbyes the night before and in order to avoid another long teary scene we quietly crept out of the house.

We sat in a comfortable silence as we drove down the dark and empty streets towards the meeting spot at her friend’s house. The three high school friends were going to drive over the pass to participate in an outdoor adventure program before starting college a week later. Our kids endured pictures taking and repeated reminders to drive safe and call home when they made it to the school. Then us proud parents watched them drive off headed for a new phase in their lives.

A couple hours later, when Shaun climbed out of bed he asked me if I had cried. He was surprised when I told him that I hadn’t. Mimi asked me the same question, and got the same answer. It honestly never occurred to me to cry. For one thing, I knew that we would be seeing our girl again in one short week when we brought her all the things needed for her dorm.

Mostly though, it would be wrong to cry when those excited kids were ready to embark upon such a wonderful new adventure. They were all going to spend a entire week exploring the Oregon wilderness as part of the transition to college life. (OK, I don’t really get that part, they are all small groups of eleven and you don’t have to carry everything you need while on campus, but I’m sure it’s a great experience) Then they will actually start college.

While I understand that KT is ready to spread her wings and learn that she really can fly on her own, I can’t promise that I won’t cry when I have to tell her goodbye for real. After all, she’ll always be my baby girl…

The Tale of Needle and Thread

Susie — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 07:50:28 +0000

I’ve had a half-written post desperately waiting to be completed sitting in my Live Writer for about a week now. I was all set to finish it when I received notification that a new article of mine has been posted at Life As A Human. Trust me when I say the article is a lot more interesting than what I was working on, I enjoyed writing it and I think you will enjoy reading it. It is a poignant tale that involves a ten-foot long, rainbow colored, stuffed fleece snake named Wilbur, preschoolers, some stitches in my leg and my grandmother. (You never thought you’d see a combination like that, did you?) It’s called Needle and Thread and I would be honored it you would go HERE to read it.

Fluttering Those Wings

Susie — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 06:31:54 +0000

These last few weeks seem to have been a non-stop frenzy of shopping, stocking up and getting everything KT needs gathered up for college. In between all of this we’ve had to snatch whatever time she had leftover from hanging out with her friends just to savor our girl. We haven’t much time left with the girl she is now.

Yesterday morning, I helped her load her camping gear, a suitcase and a big box of munchies into the trunk of her friend’s car. I gave her a big hug, told her how much I loved her, and reminded her to check in once in a while. KT’s friend looked at me in astonishment, “she only has to check in once in a while? My mom made me promise to check in morning and night!” I explained that morning and night would count as “once in while” because I really wanted her to check in at least every half hour! Once again, I reminded them to be safe then I watched them drive away towards their Grand Adventure. (Nope, I didn’t shed even one tear!)

For nearly a week the two girls will be on a road trip exploring the Oregon coast. Of course, my meticulous child is going with a completely planned route. They know which campgrounds they’ll be staying out, the prefect trails to hike, what sights they’ll be seeing and where the wedding is. (I have no idea who’s wedding…I just know there is one!)

Last night, I received a location and picture of their Home, Sweet Home

It just thrills a mother’s heart. (and really makes me wish I had insisted on them bringing a baseball bat!)

Tonight, when Shaun came home from work, he asked me if I had heard from KT at all. He had texted her a few times thoughout the day and hadn’t heard back. He was worried that something really bad had happened. I knew that she was probably fine, but still…the seed of worry was planted.

It was getting late, so I sent a text message…then another…and another…then maybe another. I was getting myself all worked up about how irresponsible she was being. In my mind I was getting ready to start taking privileges away. If I didn’t hear from her soon it would be a looong time before she went on another road trip, she would lose cell phone privileges, she would…wait, I told myself, just wait a minute.

I realized I had forgotten something important. Four days after KT came back from her road trip, she was leaving on another road trip. One that would change her life forever. She was leaving for college.

Of course KT finally checked in when they had settled in for the night. She had had a wonderfully busy day and simply hadn’t thought of touching base with us. (I guess we’re going to have to get used to that) It finally dawned on me that this was it. Those wings of independence that have been fluttering more and more frequently these last few months were ready to take off on their own.

I know she will do fine…

My Delicious

Susie — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 06:28:37 +0000

My Delicious is being published at LifeAsAHuman.com today. I hope you join and let me know what your delicious is!

Here’s a taste: I ponder all the Delicious things I’m lucky enough to have in my life. The strong arms of my husband holding me tight, the giggles of my two beautiful daughters or even the colorful flowers that dance merrily in my garden. There are so many wonderfully Delicious things to choose from. Yet, it seems as though I always come back to the same thing…

(psst…Mom…click HERE!)

The Unexpected Package

Susie — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 06:49:42 +0000

KT had been searching for vegan hiking boots for a few months. Little did we know that finding a sturdy leather-free boot would become such an odyssey. In desperation, she finally gave up and searched for a pair online. (Interestingly, she seems to share some of her mother’s reluctance to buy things over the internet. It’s much more reassuring to be able to try touch things and them on first)

Not too surprisingly, our girl has a need for instant gratification. (She got that from her father) Armed with her tracking number, she obsessively checked the Fed Ex site a few times a day just to make sure they were on the ball with her package. Waiting for her hiking boots to come was slowly driving her nuts.

Finally, the day they were due to come had arrived. KT didn’t know how she was going to manage to wait until the scheduled arrival time of 4:00. In an effort to distract her, we decided to head out for some to enjoy the sun and run some errands. To KT’s delight there was a package addressed to her sitting in front of the door. She snatched it up and brought it into the Jeep and began to tear it open.

As KT struggled with the packing tape, I noticed that what appeared to be air holes and mentioned that those hiking boots seemed to need a lot of ventilation even before they had been worn.

KT ignored my clever quip as she managed to finally pry the lid to her boots open. She yanked it open with a flourish and peered in to find…

a half dozen beautiful Walla Walla Sweet Onions!

We struggled to hold back our laughter at the disappointment and confusion on KT’s face, but it was nearly impossible. Never in a million years would anyone expect to get onions in the mail…especially not when they were expecting hiking boots.

When Shaun and I finally managed to control ourselves, we read the note tucked inside. Whitman College, which is located in Walla Walla, had sent the famous onions as a welcome gift to the school.

Fortunately, when we came back home shortly after 4:00, KT’s hiking boots were waiting for her…and they fit perfectly.

And those onions…

They are wonderful!

Talkin’ About the Weather

Susie — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 05:44:04 +0000

There’s a reason you are supposed to jot ideas down in a notebook. Especially if you are past the age of oh…say…27 or thereabout…and have a brain like a sieve. There’s so much I wanted to tell you but haven’t made the time to sit down and write it. Now that I’m sitting here? My brain is empty. So…how about those Mariners? (Actually, I haven’t a clue how they are doing. In fact, and I probably shouldn’t admit this, but I started to write Padres. I guess old habits die hard.

Let’s talk about something safe instead. Like the weather. That’s safe, right?

I realize that it is hot and humid in so many areas right now. We, on the other hand, have finally gotten summer. (I’m crossing my fingers and hoping it stays) The skies are finally blue.

The tops are finally off of our jeeps and, in Shaun’s case, so are the doors.

Yes, it’s a little scary barreling down the freeway with no door. It didn’t take too long for me to relax my grip on the frame of the Jeep. (Hmmm…looks like I need a pedi really bad)

Everyone is outside playing.

Including these two who were surfing, Seattle-Style. Gnarly dude.

(Don’t worry, I’ll write about something more interesting tomorrow)

Fighting Dirty

Susie — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:21:17 +0000

It was one of those rare Saturdays when I had no absolutely no plans except to sleep in as long as I could. So it was a bit of a shock to my system when my cell phone rang shortly after the Crack O’ Dawn. If it had been the house phone, I would have sworn at the caller, then rolled over and happily ignore it. Yet, this was my cell phone, a number that I only grudgingly give out to a select few. I knew it had to be important.

I stumbled from my bed and groggily made my way down the hall to the living room where my phone was. A quick glance at the caller ID showed that it was only my brother calling. He sometimes “forgets” about the three hour time difference between our homes. (I’m pretty sure he wasn’t on my select list of people I gifted my number to…my mom probably gave him the number. I’ll have to talk to her) I dropped my cell back on the table with a snort and made my way back to bed. Just as I had gotten comfortable, the phone rang again. My sleep addled brain insisted that there was a dire emergency that only I could deal with. I staggered back and answered the phone.

Instead of the panicked voice that I was expecting, I heard the chatty soprano of my niece Eliza. She seemed so excited to be talking to me and jabbered on and on about anything and everything. Despite having the distinct feeling that I was being used as entertainment for a bored six year old, it was hard to be upset at such enthusiasm. (After all, how was she to know that I was trying to be coherent on a scant four hours of sleep?) My brother, on the other hand, should have known better than to have her call so early.

Somehow, the conversation with my niece turned to baths. I happened to mention that her father never ever took one when he was a little boy. She paused for a moment, then asked if he took a shower as that is what he did now. My brain started to wake up a bit as I told Eliza about how her grandmother did everything she could think of to get him clean once he got too big to simply pick up and toss in a tub full of water. The preferred method turned out to be squirting him with a bottle of dishwashing soap and then squirting him with the hose.

After thinking my words over for a moment, my niece asked if people told him to his face how stinky he was. I informed that they never has a chance because any time he got near someone they plugged their noses and ran away from him as fast as they could. He wasn’t even allowed to go to school because he was so dirty and smelly!

Eliza was fascinated by my tale and asked a zillion questions about her father. Questions that I was all too happy to provide elaborate answers for. (I was pretty impressed with how imaginative I was without coffee) When we were finally ready to hang up, I told Eliza that her daddy was really embarrassed about his dirty ways when he was a little boy. She could ask him all about it, but shouldn’t be surprised if he said that it wasn’t true. I informed her that she should just keep asking him all about it.

I climbed back into bed feeling quite smug with myself. As I drifted off to sleep I grinned as my over-active imagination thought of several other somewhat true stories to share with my nieces. lI could have a lot of fun with this. Assuming a certain someone is foolish enough to have them call near the Crack O’ Dawn again….

It Ain’t Nothin’ Like Mama’s

Susie — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 18:10:04 +0000

One of Mimi’s favorite foods is beans. She gobbles them down in any shape or form (Which can make life rather…um…aromatic…at times) Her most favorite beans, however, are my World(ish) Famous Baked Beans. As I was preparing to make a batch of them for the weekend’s festivities, Mimi insisted on helping me make them. She desperately wanted to know what magic ingredients I used to create my unusual ambrosia. The only problem with her thinking. is that I don’t really have a recipe. I just toss in the same basic things as I remember them, doing a little tweaking here and there.

Mimi’s enthusiasm to duplicate my baked beans, reminds me of myself when I decided that I wanted to make my mother’s potato salad. I feel badly for those poor souls in the world that haven’t had their lives enriched by savoring a spoonful of Mom’s potato salad. It is, truly, the best in the world.

I can remember standing at the kitchen counter with Mom carefully cutting the potatoes in to bite size chunks, trying not to mangle the eggs too much as I sliced them and sneaking bits of sweet gherkins into my mouth. I’d help my mother by mixing together the mayonnaise, mustard and various other seasonings to create the sauce and then gently folding it in with the potatoes. It was heavenly.

After I grew up and lived on my own, I knew that I, like my mother before me, would make Potato Salad my Signature Dish. Only…I couldn’t do it. I would follow her simple recipe to the letter (Which, for me, is a huge feat!) only to have it fall short. Actually, it didn’t fall short, it fell flat. Completely flat. Time after time, my infamous potato salad was the only full dish sitting amidst platters that had been practically licked clean at the end of a gathering. Apparently word had gotten around. I was crushed.

I’ve since switched to my World(ish) Famous Baked Beans as my Signature Dish. (Happily, they nearly always disappear first.) Still, deep in my heart, I wanted to be known for my potato salad. After all these years, I think I may have finally found the perfect recipe. It involves such odd items as sugar snap peas, dill weed and olive oil. Despite the fact that it’s nothing like my mother’s potato salad, it was the first dish to be licked clean and everyone was raving about it and begging for the recipe. I just may have dethroned the Potato Salad Queen.

When I told my mom about my new recipe and all the trials I’d had to recreate her dish, she was astonished as she had no idea how much I had agonized over her salad. Then Mom reminded me of all the times she had tried to recreate her mother’s famed Glorified Rice. Hmmm…there seems to be a trend going on here.

Apparently, I need to tell Mimi to give up on my beans right now. She needs to know that no matter how hard she tries, the chances are that they won’t ever taste like her mama’s. Although, knowing my child, and all the women before her in our family, she probably won’t listen…

Don’t worry Mimi, you’ll eventually find your own Signature Dish…

Hiding Out In The Monster Closet

Susie — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 05:27:55 +0000

Vacations are a lot of fun, but let’s face it, they are also a lot of hard work. From the anticipation, the packing, and the endless driving to the disruption of routine, unpacking and loads of smelly laundry. I was so ready to be home when we pulled into our driveway late last night.

This morning, I nearly threw my alarm clock against the wall when it went off shortly after the Crack of Dawn. I must’ve set it out of mere habit last night before I wearily collapsed into my bed. As I rolled over to go back to sleep, I realized that Shaun was wide awake…and wanted to chat. He didn’t seem to take the hint when I sent evil muting stun ray towards him with my half-awake mind. So I made the mistake of grunting at him. Instead of running in fear for his life, the foolish man took that as an invitation to continue talking.

I had nearly convinced him that I was actually a cooling corpse and not worth his time,when both the girls and some assorted pets decided to come bounding in our room as well. (I still don’t understand why nobody seemed to realize that it was summer vacation and thus practically a law to sleep in until noon.) It seemed as though Mimi needed a ride to work, Shaun wanted to go get his Jeep that had been worked on while we were away and KT just didn’t want to be left out of anything.

We spent most of the day just being together…just as we had been doing all week. Every time I would leave the room just to get some space, someone would follow me. It was slowly driving me insane. I seem to be one of those rare people that just needs time to be alone in a quiet place. My family is anything but quiet.

Please try not to think badly of me, I really do love my family, but I had to get away from them. I knew that I couldn’t go anywhere as they would catch on and want to come with me. I tried distracting them with fun places for them to go…but they didn’t want to leave me behind. I was at a loss.

Then I finally remembered the Monster Closet. It’s a small closet tucked underneath our staircase that, until about a month ago had been crammed full of junk. We are all so used to not even noticing the door anymore that I doubted anyone would even think to look for me there. My plan is to gather up supplies such as a flashlight, good book and a snack then wait until everyone is preoccupied. I’ll leave to quick note letting them know that I had been abducted by aliens and not to worry about me, then run and hide.

I can’t wait to hang out with just the monsters…

Say hello to my new friends I met at Farm Sanctuary. I like to call them the Gentlemen Turkeys.