Important Times...

I dare say the most important times in our children's lives are those times we share with them.

Good or bad, they learn they can count on us; they can count on their family unit. Going on an adventure with one's family is the perfect example. That adventure may be sharing a holiday alone...no extra bodies other than your core group, a vacation to some place familiar or someplace exotic or traveling in a situation which takes you out of your comfort zone.

As a child I grew up camping with my mom, dad and brother. We started out with a tent and quickly moved into a pop-up trailer. Part of our adventure was mapping out where we would go. That task usually fell to the adults, but as children in the household we were privy to the conversations and negotiations. Once we arrived at our destination we all had our "jobs" to do to help set up camp.

But traveling to and from was the best part of the adventure for me. We always went by car which meant we had lots of time for just the four of us. Once packed into our car the "line" was drawn down the middle of the backseat. My brother and I were to stay on our own sides of the car. Air space was usually violated early in the trip which lead to threats of, "Do I need to pull this car over?" We didn't wear seat belts then...and I recall leaning my head over the drivers seat and resting my head on my mom's shoulder. She'd cradle her arm around my little head as I stood in the backseat.  If our mom had a sunburn, you could lean forward and peel her back for money. What would the police say today!

On our trip to Colorado dad was very excited because he was going to bring home the prized Coors beer for all his friends and relatives. It really was only sold west of the mighty Mississippi at that time. Driving through the mountains with a trailer in tow and ledges or cliffs to one side was breathtaking even as a child. I remember our parents pulling the car over, us being in shorts and getting out to play in the snow before we descended the other side of the mountain.

We toured the Coors factory and dad got to drink free, fresh samples. I remember my brother and I having something to drink, but it was probably just mountain spring water. Coors beer had these wonderfully ingenious "pop tops" in the day. That too was part of their sell.   Two round dots were on top and you pushed them in to drink and vent the aluminum can.  Dad bought as many cases of beer as he could stuff into our trailer for the return trip. Each night that we'd stop to camp the precious beer had to be locked into the car. One morning, as we were packing up the trailer the cases must not have been put back exactly right. As dad and mom pushed in one side of the beds to close up the trailer we heard "Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!" which was quickly followed by a "G** D*** It!!!!! Trisha quick! Kids get over here and start drinking!" Or something like that. :) Dad didn't want to waste his precious treasure.

Most of the beer made the trip home, but that memory remains strong in me.

This week my brother has been on an adventure with his wife and children. My niece and nephew are pictured above in Florida. I just wonder what wonderful memories they are building and am glad to see my brother following in our tradition!  I only wish I had a photo to share of my brother skim-boarding and the thumbs up he received.   :)

Family History...What you have is what you have...

Special Moments...

A few weeks ago my friend celebrated her 20th wedding anniversary, alone with her husband. They sent their kids away to be with family for the time while they went to a local state park, spent a few nights at the inn and went for an adventurous bike ride. It was cold, they traversed flood waters and a wooden bridge. They mostly just shared time together. Romantic certainly is the word that comes to mind, although if you check out her blog on this you'll see it was anything but! Still, how wonderful that they were able to put themselves first and share time. Twenty years together is a wonderful accomplishment. My friend and her husband grew up very near each other and have been friends since like 5th grade! How cool is that?!

Tomorrow night they will quietly renew their vows with a small gathering of family and friends. After their private time they will open their evening to the many others who love them too. No presents is requested on the invitation, but somehow I can't do nothing! A bride needs something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. Here's my take on what my friend will have with her when she renews her vows:

Something Old: her husband!...and her wedding ring back from the jewelers.
Something New: her dress and shoes.
Something Borrowed: the residence where we'll spend the evening.
Something Blue: the hankie I made her!

Although her wedding colors were peach, I included a small icon of interlocking blue rings on her hankie. I can't wait to go give this to her. I am waiting for her to call; she's having her nails done with her mom as I type this.

I find it interesting how much closer people can feel to their friends than their own family. Why is it that we are willing to work on those relationships that aren't blood more than we are those that are? Maybe as human beings we should look at all our relationships as people we can befriend. Forget the blood. I'll bottle my thoughts on blood-relationships for another time. Right now it's time to think about and celebrate my friends! How blessed I am!

:)

Fine lines...

I love to watch General Hospital. It's been one of my favorites for over twenty years. I did try to stop watching it when our children were young. Complaints that young ears and eyes shouldn't been exposed to certain issues and visuals on TV did guilt me. Taping it and watching it at a later time back then just didn't work; definitely not enough hours in the day when kids are young. There was a time when I knew all the lyrics to every song on Barney. A proud moment back then for me, although certainly weird when I think about it now. Mom's...that's how we are.

As my children are aging I realize I watch less and less television, others control the remote and I won't battle that battle. I rarely turn on the TV during the day because there a so many other things that need my attention in my time alone. If the TV comes on I will sit and watch, then nothing gets accomplished. I don't really like to watch repeats either. Public Radio fills my ears and days. I like it that way. Even though I could watch my soap now while my hubby is at work and the kids are at school, I just find it hard to sit and vegge-out. Too many years of being conditioned to get things done when you can...and besides, I love the DVR. How cool to skip commercials or watch details over and over or just be able to hit pause while I answer the phone. So daily the DVR records my vice.

While I am cooking in the kitchen or late in the evening while knitting and trying to relax I like to catch up on the lives of those in Port Charles. My 13 year old knows all the characters too! Just as Barney was a tool to teach..."clean up, clean up, everybody every where..." my soap is a teaching tool as well. Yes my face can redden over certain issues: faulty condoms, one-night stands, compromising visuals...but I look at these reddening moments as times to teach. I am not shy about voicing my opinions or asking, "what do you think of that?" I also point out the differences of reality versus fantasy. After all, my soap is fictional. That said, I realise the writers of my favorite show need to get their material from someplace.

Yesterday I was with my daughter in a craft store when the young ladies behind us started having a conversation that caught our ears. The girls were in their mid-twenties. I didn't look at them because I certainly never want to see them again and have the opinions I was forming rear their heads. The first says to the other, 'I am 23 and dating a guy that's 43...can you believe that?' The second says, 'that's nothing I was dating a 49 year old when I was 23 and he was my neighbor.' Boy, did my daughter and I share a funny look and our ears perked up even more! I bit my tongue in commenting to these young vixens. It was more fun to listen to them and share this moment with my daughter! The second girl went on to say that this guy proposed to her and she accepted, but two days later she changed her mind. He had bought her a ring too but it worried her to wear it because he'd spent $50,000.00 dollars on it. GIVE ME A BREAK! I wanted to laugh out loud. This story almost seemed believable too until I heard the price of the ring and number 2 continued by saying that her "boyfriend" always kept his doors unlocked...except for the night she went to break up. It was two in the morning and she found things locked up tight. Naturally she did the logical thing and she crawled through the doggie-door, then woke him and broke the news to him. Too funny!

The conversation my daughter and I had as we returned to our car was about the age difference first. Tried as I might, picturing my 43 year old self with someone 20 years my younger is hysterical! Oh, I could certain get a 23 year old, but what would his problems be? To be interested in someone 20 years older than himself, he would certainly have issues! Then, no one spends $50,000.00 dollars on an engagement ring. And if they did...how STUPID was this chick to let him go! If he had that kind of money for a ring he must certainly have more for other things. Dumb, dumb, dumb!

Finally, my daughter and I talked about the fact that these girls felt the need to talk in public about this personal stuff. They definitely were trying to make themselves feel better. Talk about having issues!

My daughter and I went home sipping our frappachinos and turned on the DRV so we could watch our friends in Port Chuck. Maybe fantasy mimics reality more than I like to admit! :)

A day on the road: From Bloomington to South Carolina...3/08/08

Normal Life....

Barbarians, Chatting Teenage Girls and my husband wonders why he has back pain.

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For a Latin class project my son dressed as a Barbarian today. He also took in Port Derby and Sage Derby cheese for his classmates to sample. Who would have thought Latin class in High School could be so much fun!

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My daughter and her friend really are chatting online to one another in this photo. Her friend is translating her text into French and then my daughter is out loud responding to what her friend has said. Kids these days! How can people think they aren't creative!?

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And lastly, my husband and daughter are playing Wii tennis. And he wonders why he has back problems?

:)

...today is...

Reminiscing souls are always aware of important dates...even if they don't acknowledge them to anyone else.