Rusted Away Again In Caliville

My apologies to Parrot Heads all over the world for taking liberty with one of your theme songs. I feel that I do have that privilege though as I personally have been a closet parrothead for a bazillion years. Yes, I hum "Cheeseburgers in Paradise" while I'm watching the playground at recess. Back to the rusting in Cali, we broke a record today for the most rainy days in March. In fact the Mr. keeps quoting some elusive weather channel factoids that this is the highest rainfall in Cali for over a hundred years in March. Well, okay, that's nice, we don't have a drought, we have enough water to send to SoCal for the next century, and I think we have replaced the water in the aquafir. But, .....all the norcal prophets of doom tell us that we can never have too much water. I think it's because we don't store water properly or we waste it. Anyway, I'm rusting, and my seasonal depression from not enough sun and too much cold and rain and clouds is beginning to annoy my usual positive and sunny outlook. In fact, I'm a little snappy. Just ask that Junior High student who told me that it wasn't in his job description to do something I had asked him to do at a school function. Needless to say, I am getting a little too seasonally cranky or a little too rusty to deal with this winter. Why oh why did that silly ground hog see his shadow last February? And, by the way, why does he affect us on the left coast? We are immune. Arent we? Now because of all this rain, the blossoms on all of our awesome cherries are being majorily affected. My farmer friends are bummed and gambling big time. They may lose their shirts again. The almonds are losing blossoms and the poor little bees cannot even pollinate. It's depressing. Believe me there's a lot of hand wringing going on. So again I say, we are just rusting away again in Cali.

"I Don't Do Death...."

Okay, that's a quote from my teenager. He's been faced with another senior from his class who has died this year from an automobile tragedy. Last May, 2005, a member of the varsity golf team wrapped his car around an unmovable oak tree a mile from our home. On Christmas Eve, two beautiful senior girls were killed on the side of the road by of their homes at a family Christmas party by a driver. Last Saturday, a fellow senior and terrific young man, had left the bowling alley, a favorite pastime and was headed for the Denny's. He was distracted, no alcohol, no drugs, and hit head on and killed. My teenager had been grounded to the house that night, by me to finish a book for school. On Christmas Eve he was home as we had our own family party and he didn't join other high school friends at the scene of the accident. Last May, he was at swim practice. You know what sweetie, it's not so much that you don't do death, but God isn't ready for you to do death yet. I love you, teenager and I love you, oldest. Please do stay safe.

Down 1.8

Okay, I'm really dieting now and I'm down 1.8 pounds. Yeah, I know that's not a lot, but it's a lot for me. I've been walking as much as possible and even rejoined my crazy walking friend Helen who literally walks me into the ground. The last time I was thin I do believe it was because Helen kept after me, nagging, talking, walking faster and faster, longer and longer. I guess it's her personality and her "can do" stead-fastness. I am very tired today but encouraged. I even go to share a bit about my Mexico mission at our school's chapel today and even about the assassination of the scorpion via the supreme placement of my number 8 1/2 New Balance, without a miniscule scream I may add. God is good. Today is really a mixed bag of those blessings and stop and pray things. I have another dear friend, a whole lot younger than me, who is dealing with a very real cancer scare. I am that mental arrow prayer mindset right now. You all grab hands and tell each other they are precious and that you love them. Life is short and really precious.

Disneyland

I think I forgot to mention that Disneyland was an absolute scream. First of all, do not ever get in the way of 4 women who are away from their teenagers and husbands. That is true freedom. We laughed and rode the coasters until we couldn't walk. It was cold, rainy, and crowded in So-Cal but we were at the Happiest Place on Earth. I got my golden 50th anniversary ears and we all got honorary citizens of Disneyland stickers. If I told you of all the silliness it would take days. Suffice to say, everyone should have good friends, and great walking shoes and 3 days of laughter in Disneyland.

Fat, oh did I mention fat?

Okay, I haven't gained any weight, but I haven't lost any either. Mexico has helped my self- absorbed depression. The problem is I eat when I enter my house after work. The Mr. and the teenager are always at each other and it is so bizzare that I feel responsible for their behavior and why they are not relating well to each other. I take it on and my oldest's issues as well. I need to stop it. I stuff it, try to blame myself, enjoy the victimization of it, eat it, punish myself with food, and get fatter. The good news is that I walked with my crazy friend Helen today. We'll see how that goes. I have a terrible head cold, so breathing was optional. Hopefully, walking with Helen, who routinely tries to walk my legs off, will be better tomorrow.

TCU to UOP

Okay for all my friends in Cow Town, the irony of this situation will not be lost on you. My oldest is an alum of the Horned Frog home of TCU. My teenager as aspirations of being a UOP Tiger and tearing up its pool and distinguished school of business. In fact, he had chosen a business major before he decided to specialize in the Sports Management area of the business department. Okay, so we discussed TCU for baby bro and the wonders of TCU's Neeley School of Business. Alas, TCU, has no water polo team and baby bro decided to stay in Cali. Here's the irony. UOP has a new dean for its Eberhardt School of Business and yes, y'all, its Dr. Charles, "Chuck" Williams from TCU. Is this a random worldly sign? I hope so, because flippin' UOP needs to come up with some sort of money, grants, work study, "We love you come to UOP," money for my teenager. Anyway, I was a little blown away by the Ft. Worth/ Stockton/Lodi connection. Sheesh......

Mexico 2006

I'm back and intact. I survived the scorpion, copious amounts of rain, tents that weeped condensation in puddles, and very cold high desert evenings. It was AWESOME! It was my first mission trip and I learned more, worked harder, spoke more Spanish, and saw more teenagers step up to the plate and be excellent than I ever though possible. There were so many amazing moments and so many wonderful Mexican children at the medical clinics and deaf school that will forever be imprinted on my heart. I am humbled by their grace, their love, their smiles, and their acceptance of me. They are wonderful. God's grace was sufficient for me and His blessings showered over our band of 105 like a wind from the mesas. Even the coyotes and travel delays and extended returns could not put a damper on the spirit. I cannot wait to sign on for another trip. Tell me when and where, God, I'm ready to go.