A Great Vay-cay!

"Yes, she's happy."  

... That was son Troy, affirming my (somewhat)astounded impression of his youngest, my granddaughter Chloe.  

Early on, you see, Chloe struggled to overcome a speech defect which exhibited itself in frustrated, angry outbursts. 

Our last two visits left DH and I scratching our heads when Chloe refused to leave her room for more than a few minutes at a time.   "She doesn't hate you; she just doesn't know you."  
(I wasn't convinced.)  
Thank goodness drugs were never an issue.  Nevertheless, some matters are best left unspoken. 

So, last week I was ridiculously delighted to discover a warm and well-spoken young lady whose smile lit up the room.  (Yup, I'm obviously biased, lol.)   Could be, a certain young man has something to do with it.
   

Actually, Chloe was not allowed to date until she graduated ..... but following a friend's introduction last fall, Jonathan must have liked what he saw.  Pretty soon he was over to the house every weekend .....then most every night to watch movies, what-have-you.  Son's rationale was that Jonathan - an RN at Jackson Hospital - had far more life experiences than his daughter.   They're both super quiet, but he appears pretty genuine -- and even took it upon himself to buy and install new windshield wipers for her car because he thought the old ones weren't safe.  

***

Aside from having to get out of bed at 2:00AM to catch our flight, I think this was the best vacation Tom and I've enjoyed in years.

My BF Debbie drove over from St. Petersburg to meet us for lunch at TIA.  SW Airlines even experienced a flight delay, allowing us nearly 3 hours of gossip and giggles.

         

Later that night in Montgomery I asked, "Where's Sarah?"
My DIL (*insert smile*) replied, "She's with her new boyfriend."  (Whaaaat?)

Following the break-up with her fiancé (sad, but still good thing) my older g'daughter didn't seem to be in any rush to date ... but a few days prior to our visit this fella formally asked her, "Will you be my girlfriend?"

Me-to-son: "So, what does he do for a living?"

With a straight face Troy replied, "Creed?  Oh, he's a drug dealer."

(Had me going for a minute, but actually he's a pre-med student and pharmacy tech.)

* * *

Celebrating Chloe ...

Me with Sarah, Chloe, DIL Lois and Troy

Oh ya, there were plenty of Kleenex moments.

Have y'all ever heard of a Senior Send-off?

I expected to weep when they played "Pomp and Circumstance" at graduation (that stinking melody never, ever fails to make me blubber!) but it was nothing compared to the video vignettes the 39 members of Chloe's class put together against a sound track that included,  "You're Gonna Miss This" ... "Don't Blink" ... "My Little Girl."

I seriously chortled through my tears when one girl's vignette began, "OK mom, I expect you're crying right now, but I need you to suck it up."

Is it my imagination or are today's graduates so much more 'together' than I was in '68?

In spite of DH's never having heard of Baccalaureate, the ceremony was lovely.  Ya, I cried  -- not when Chloe presented her dad with a long-stemmed carnation -- but when one of her classmates lay his flower at the base of a large frame containing an image of his dad who'd been deployed to the Middle East 9 days prior.

* * *

Having learned of the Manchester tragedy only moments before commencement, I can only imagine what was going through my son's mind in this picture. 

How vulnerable we've all become, you know?

.....but so very blessed.


So, life goes on.
It was rough saying goodbye, but I hope to get back for Sarah's college graduation in July, and goodness knows what else!

More to the point, there's a pile of jalapenos needing cleaned and Conecuh sausage to fry.  Poppers -- it's what's for supper. :)

As always, thanks for letting me share a bit of my heart.
I hope each of you are experiencing a wonderful holiday weekend ... and one, in particular, a very Happy Birthday!

Hugs from Phoenix!

Myra

Rules, Regulations ... and Randomness

Thank you so much for your prayers and positivity, m'friends!  Aside from the gosh-awful 'bouffant' cap they made me put on ... and conspicuous absence of a coffee bar, Tuesday's procedure wasn't nearly as awful as I feared.

Beth-from-Buffalo, Tony-from-Kenya and Ricky-from-the-OR were amazing.   More than once, I wondered if they were really Real or an effect of the joy juice.   Sensing my aversion to the 'gas mask' Tony explained (that) the peculiar smell isn't ether, but the material itself.  "Remember, when you were a child and opened a brand-new inflatable beach ball?"   (Why yes ... yes I do!)

Now some of their rules seem absurd to the layperson ... but I have to remember they're there because some random someone, somewhere goofed big-time.   I lost track of how many folks came and went, but every stinkin' one asked to see my wrist band and made me recite my name and date of birth. 
("Seriously!  Don't y'all talk to one another?")

Another rule - this one way more difficult to swallow - occurred at my workplace last week:   No-one (including my boss!) is permitted to carry keys any longer.  What a pain, having to ask Security for a temp pass every time I want to use the bathroom.  I can only presume this (company-wide) policy is a result of increasing workplace violence.  What a world .....

'Hoping and praying that DH keeps his composure Wednesday when we go through airport security.  The reason for THAT practice goes without saying. 

Still, the last time we flew (I thought) the TIA was unnecessarily aggressive -- and worried Tom's temper was going to get him arrested.    (After all, we probably bear  a marked resemblance to probable terrorists.  LOL.) 

One of them called him a "lump of coal."  Can you believe it?

* * * * *


What's in a name?

Has anyone else ever wondered, who gets naming rights to city streets?   That would be cool.  Plus methinks, what a kick it would be to name a hurricane!  (Would I choose one that reminds me of someone I admire ..... or, a witch(-with-a-'b')?

Because my tried and true lipstick shade was abruptly discontinued, I dreaded yesterday's task to find a suitable replacement ... then cracked myself up reading names of various cosmetics:  Forever Fawn, Eternal Iris, Everlasting Rhum. 

Cemetery sounds aside, some make me hungry:
Cinnamon Toast ... Caramel Latte ... Vanilla Pudding ...
(What?  No liver-and-onions?  No garlicky escargot?)

Who on earth would choose something called "Studded Kiss" or "Sweet Venom?"   (Damn, I'm old.)


* * *

In all seriousness .... 
Whether your mother is near or just near in your heart, I hope today's significance finds you smiling.

Mother, Myra and Caraleigh
Port Charlotte, FL (ca 2000)

DIL Lois (Susie), Sarah and Chloe (1997)




BTW, we're off to Alabama mid-week but I'll do my best to keep in touch ... as best I can w/o benefit of an old-fashioned keyboard!

Hugs from Phoenix,

Myra

 

Sunday Stealing: Chicago Crazy Questions

Good morning, friends ...

It's time for another episode of Sunday Stealing!

  

Push HERE if you'd like to play along!

* * *

What was your dream growing up?

To live way out on the country on a horse ranch with 6 kids.  (I regularly daydreamed about their names and faces, but can't recall a spouse anywhere in the picture.  LOL!)

What talent do you wish you had?

It's a toss-up between mastering gift wrap ... or getting Saran Wrap to do what it's supposed to (v. ending up in a sticky ball).

If I bought you a drink what would it be?

Why thank you!  I'd like a Tanqueray martini, please.

What was the last book you read?

The Last Mile (David Baldacci)

Worst habit?

Worrying my cuticles

If you saw me walking down the street would you offer me a ride?

That depends: Do I know/like you?   Many folks here walk for recreation.

 

What is your favorite sport?

I wasn't very good, but used to love ice skating and (snow) skiing.

These days, I'm happy to watch almost everything except baseball or basketball. 

What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me?

Say a little prayer?

Then again, we could sing off-key, really loud.  Perhaps our rescuers would hurry up, just to shut us up?

Worst thing to ever happen to you?

4 souls for whom I cared most passed away before I was prepared to say goodbye.

Tell me one weird fact about you.

In spite of the fact I crave order, I love - and will always choose - odd numbers over even.

What if I showed up at your house unexpectedly?

Unless it were an emergency ... I'd try to hide my annoyance and say something like, "Let me grab my purse and let's go get a cup of coffee."  (My house rarely looks like Martha Stewart lives there!)

If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be?

Wrinkles be gone!!!

Would you be my crime partner or my conscience?

Your conscience.  Although "Going in Style" was a delight, I'm far too straight-laced. 

Ever been arrested?

Nope!

If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it?

Book a Russian river cruise from St. Petersburg to Moscow: Waterways of the Tzars.

(I love cruising and ever since I saw Dr. Zhivago, I've wanted to visit Russia.)

Favorite thing to do in your spare time?

Reading (blogs, Facebook, thrillers)

..... and sleep!

Biggest pet peeve?

Insincerity

In one word, how would you describe yourself.

Insecure. 

(Not exactly flattering, but there you go.) 

Do you believe in/appreciate romance?

Always.

(Little things mean a lot!)

* * *

'Wishing you all a wonderful new week!

BTW, I'm having minor surgery on Tuesday and may be off the grid a few days, but will try to comment where I can.   Prayers and positive thoughts are really appreciated.

Hugs from Phoenix,

Myra