Tuesday, July 24, 2007

You really can't go back


Hello,

Sorry to take so long to check in,but leaving everything but your clothes, cat and car behind is not easy. However, here I am in Kansas, looking for the wizard. My sister is keeping me company and it is a good thing because she has a sense of direction and I do not!

We stopped in Las Vegas to see family members who are not in a good place now, even though my sister's ex husband told her he missed here and would she come live with him. I was all for second chances but she isn't sure so we said "good luck" and went on to Utah. Had a lovely dinner in a nice restaurant and had theplace laughing with us. Felt good after the family visit.

Emily, however , is not liking her first road trip. She mews a lot and then sleeps and does not eat much.

Next stop Denver to visit my sis's granddaughter and great grandson. Beer and Bar B Que. Fun. Both of us became ill during the night and could not get out of bed the next day. Being young and the weekend we did not get any tea or sympathy., let alone chicken soup. They did ask her to come and live with them and was offered a job managing a fast food restaurant. We hung around for one more night and hit the road. We made it to Kansas and had to cut it short cuz our tummies were not completely ok. Got a good nights rest and hit the trail. The scenery was greener and lovely. I decided to visit my ex hubby and called and he said come on by. It was 50 miles out of our way, but I wanted to see him or me to see him. Boy was I surprised when he opened the door and had a grey pony tail halfway down his back thinning on top. Also had a belly the size of a basketball.

My sister had driven half way across the USA and he didn't even think to offer us refreshments. I got myself a glass of tap water and we shared family stories. I excused myself and left the room. my sis asked if there was a motel in town and he answered "no" then she asked about a place to eat and got the same answer.
I came back and asked if he had any beer and he got us one. He drinks scotch and it was too early at 4 PM. Well, excuse me!!

We left soon after and I realized why our marriage ended 20 years ago. Besides, I am on my way to a new life.!!!

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

During the first week of vacation visiting my daughter and her family, I saw it coming. The first disagreement involving the whole family. I didn't stay to see who won. I really am trying to enjoy the family as a whole and not get involved with solving problems.
It was all about sports and body damage. At least that is what it should've been about. It ended up being about $$$ and time already invested. My granddaughter's friend who I accompanied here has a back pain which has kept her from competing in all 4 of the gymnastic event at the National Competions recently. My daughter was not informed of this and scheduled time for the visitor at the local gym which cost $$. After one visit the friend did not want to go again and then my granddaughter also said she didn't want to go. Whoa!! the poop hit the fan! I departed and I guess there were calls made to the friends' mom which stated the friend should get " dressed out and do what you can do".

My problem with this is...why push your kid when she is injured or not interested any longer, especially when it involves so much time and $$. There are many other activities to "round them out". But then things were different when I raised my kids and, let's see, one is an educator, another a law enforcement officer and the other a degree in accounting, but staying home to raise her brood. I might add that I did not spend a penny on their education after high school. They made it and I am proud to be their mom.

Monday, July 9, 2007

Fathers and Daughters

Whew!! I am in Virgnia and what a changel. A real cultural shock. Not to mention the weather. San Diego is so open and dry and sunny. Some would say that it's great, but when it is the same, day after day, even paradise is boring.

My family are doers, goers..If you are not moving you are not growing and that's not a good thing. They relax at 10 pm.

My son in law is an amazing man. I am looking at him with different eyes. I have realized that this is not a competition. He is the most patient, loving , teaching father to my granddaughters.

I am sleeping in the wonderfully cool basement and I woke to tinkering noises and went to see what was going on. He was getting his bike ready to go to work. All dressed in his biking clothes, looking fine I might add, and I saw him ride away with a huge pack on his back with only 13 miles to get to work. He didn't want to wake my daughter so that she could drive him to the metro.

My 16 year old granddaughter is a sweet heart but has no patience with her dad who would give her the world and does. All he requires is love and respect and a hug once in awhile. The more he wants to hug her the more she holds back. It is hard to watch, but they will find a meeting point I am sure.

The 13 year old granddaughter is all over him and gooey about her "daddy" . That's sweet.

People are different. I can't remember hugging my father, but then I can't remember a lot of things.