I have become completely discombobulated on my days this week. When the alarm goes off it takes awhile to cut through the sleep fog, dragging me back to reality where I have no idea where, who, what, when, WHY I’m awake!

Thankfully, my day does’t start until 10am at the salon. I’ve got a few clients, a little break…time enough to go to the supply house to gather supplies needed for tomorrow’s Hair Bangin Extravaganza, then back for a few more end of day clients. Tonight is the “Welcome Party” for the wedding guests. So many are flying in from different states. I’m going to run by for awhile and mix and mingle, take a few party pics, then home to scour Youtube for bridal hair video inspiration and sleep.

Tomorrow will be nuts. But, I have total faith that I will get that hair perfectly beautiful, and everyone will be happy. There’s time for me to get home and shower and spiff up into one of my Dallas purchases and Kate Middleton shoes before heading back down to the chapel to help with last minute finishing touches.

I want to tell you about Seth and Abby. Their love story is one of my favorites. It’s a tale of serendipitous timing, perseverance, bravery, and the most beautiful example of finding your best friend across the miles that I’ve ever heard. It’s funny…I just can’t remember a time that these two were not in my life. Instant connection. I’ll save their story for another post.

I am so happy to be able to share in this day, to be able to use my skills to make them happy, to help them breathe easy. It is such a gift, to ME, to be a part of their day in this way. I can’t wait for tomorrow night.

It’s gonna be a great party!

Happy Friday, ya’ll.

We got in late last night. It was a full 8+hours of travel. I was nauseous for most of the day…turbulence and I didn’t remember I had Dramamine in my backpack until we got to Denver.

Getting home last night was glorious. The kitties welcomed me back, I laid my suitcase in the living room floor (where it still sits) changed out of my travel clothes, and flopped. I had a huge day of hair banging today, starting at 9:30 am with Abby’s bridal hair run through. This is Wedding Weekend, and festivities begin tomorrow night. Today we worked out Abby, and then banged a little Grandma hair and discussed the M.O.B.’s hair as well as the sisters. Our Saturday morning schedule begins at 10am and we work until we have to leave for photos. Did I mention that the happy couple lives in JERSEY??? This is all a long distance wedding. Seth is from OKC, grew up here, and they decided to have the wedding here.

It’s gonna be fabulous. I’m excited.

Tonight is a critical game for our Thunder. But I was reminded once again while at the grocery store a few minutes ago that this is such a great thing for our city. I had on my Thunder gear, many others did. As I was walking out, a woman probably in her early 60s gave me a sweet little “thunderup!” Unifying the city in a way that hasn’t happened since the bombing. I love that so much it makes me teary. If Miami wins tonight, it’s over. If the Thunder wins, they come back home. I just want them to come back home. Feel the energy, feel the love.

I’m feeling the love of recreating a meal that Dion had for us when we arrived. Cold grapes, wheat thins, sharp cheddar. I have a sour green apple, and more fruit to make a salad like we had there.

I’m loving this couch too.

THUNDER UP Ya’ll!

We slept late today. Real late. So we didn’t get started out into the world until almost noon.

We headed straight to Portillos. Lord but it’s so good. Locals know it. Which is how I know it. We needed fuel for this day.

Dion and I shared an Italian beef special. Italian beef and Italian sausage with hot and sweet peppers and cheese fries.

Lord.

Back on the bus we headed out to the Museum Campus area. It’s Illinois Resident week a the Shedd, which means Dion got in free and got us all a fat discount. YAY! It also meant there was a line to get in.

This elicited more moaning and groaning and end of times prophecy from Wonderboy. This photo pretty much sums up our stay in the Windy City. Beautiful scenery, the city in the background, amazing museums in sight…and flop.

I have laughed till I peed. We all laughed.

Wonderboy decided to continue with making the crazy faces and we got into the museum with air conditioning and penguins and jelly fish and sharks.

It was pretty freakin awesome.

Tonight we came back for swimming, chinese food, cold beer, some cookies and are in disbelief that by this time tomorrow it will all be but a memory.

We walked 500 miles yesterday.

Or so it seemed.

Once we got up, there was some general funk about. Wonderboy didn’t want anything that was here to eat. No cereal, no fruit, no poptart, no toast, nothing. He wouldn’t say what he DID want, just pouted.

As we were gathering our information on bus numbers and routes to get us to Michigan Avenue and eventually Navy Pier, it just seemed to get worse.

I’m sure it was nervous energy, combined with hunger (if he was that hungry he’d have eaten a pop tart so I don’t buy that stuff) and just general unease about being in a new place, big city, someplace what was NOT Great Wolf Lodge. All self contained and tidy.

But we made it to Michigan Avenue. We went into the first place he got excited about which was The Cheesecake Factory. (facepalm.) BUT, it IS a ritual thing that he and Bonusmom do together, he was comfortable there, and he started smiling. Priceless. Thank you JESUS. We had a great waiter, who coddled us and gave him a little birthday sunday which he scarfed down. We made a little shopping plan to go to the Lego Store and then across to the Hershey’s Store. Both things were the best in the world. So, it was then that we began to walk a bit, heading toward the river with the intent to catch a water taxi/boat cruise of some sort and head to the Navy Pier.

It was hot. It wasn’t as hot as it’s ever been, but it was hot. And windy. We stopped for slushie’s and water and kept moving and it was then that we saw signs for the Navy Pier. Well, somehow, unintentionally, we walked all the way. Instead of getting a cab, or finding a trolly (which I never saw)–the signs diverted us from the path to the river where our original intent to catch a water taxi would have happened. It wasn’t a bad walk. For a 10 year old it was the end of the world. I have no idea why we didnt catch a cab. I have no idea why we didn’t find a bus. I just don’t. It didn’t come to my mind. Bonusmom didn’t say let’s do it. We all just kind of focused and walked…Luckily, we made it. We made it and there was a water feature that Wonderboy promptly went and cooled off in. We walked up and down Navy Pier, nothing much jumped out at us. We were over the shopping. The Imax wasn’t showing anything till this morning. The Ferris Wheel wasn’t operating due to the high lake winds…someone would wind up in Michigan. Lord. BUT, we found a Build-A-Bear, we found a Candy Store. There were smiles again.

We contemplated getting a cab back to the condo, but decided to make the bus trek, and made our transfer and came right home! HUZZUAH!

Dion got the car out and we ran some errands, got some dinner, came back to the condo and while he went into his room to teach some online Rosetta Stone classes, we went down to the pool. Wonderboy and I got in, and let the cares of the day float away. He played down there till it closed at 10pm, we watched the planes coming into O’Hare. That was a sight to see. (it doesn’t take much to entertain Bonusmom and myself!)

I think yesterday was a learning day. I don’t think all new experiences are necessarily fun while learning, but I do think that at some point, in the not to near future, Wonderboy will look at this and talk about walking all over Chicago, how hot it was, being right by the Great Lake, eating pizza and hot dogs…I think he’ll like it.

Mostly, playing games on my computer has put the biggest smile on his face.

But that’s a 10 year old for ya.

Yesterday was LONG.

Let me reiterate.

It was LONG.

I got up at 4 a.m. after bartending and working the night before. We got to the airport, everyone was exhausted, Wonderboy had stayed up all night. Our flight was delayed a bit because that crew had gotten in late the night before and FAA Regulations INSIST on letting those dudes rest a Full 8 Hours.

WHO gets a full 8 hours of rest these days, I ask you?

The dude flying our plane. So that was a relief and a little anxious combined It was all well. We got to Denver, boarded immediatly. I bought Wonderboy one of those neck pillows and he immediately went comatose asleep. We found our way into Midway, got our baggage, got our Metrocards (that’s what they’re called in NYC, I don’t remember the Chi name) and jumped a train into the city.

First time on a train, and Wonderboy’s immediate response was “I don’t feel too safe on this thing”

I just laughed.

It was about an hour and a half commute, and we were all worn out and HUNGRY. Dion met us at the stop and we walked a few blocks to his GORGEOUS condo overlooking Lake Michigan.

Some Lou Malnati’s was in our future, yummy deep dish buttercrust pizza, then back to the condo to just collapse. Wonderboy on my computer, Bonusmom on her nook, Me on my phone and working on WB’s iPod touch. I did watch the game, damn the loss…we’ll come back on that.

Sleep was glorious and peaceful.

It’s going to get ass hot today. Into the 90’s. We’re heading to Navy Pier, on a boat cruise, and to Michigan Ave to shop.

Wonderboy’s words yesterday were:

“I’m ready to test out some food. Pizza today, hot dogs tomorrow.”

I do believe he is blood of my blood.

Gotta hit the showers. There’s stuff to be purchased, and food to be eaten.

Last night several EHS alumni gathered to visit, drink, and spend some time with our English Teacher, Bill Guy. He’s in town from San Diego for HIS high school reunion. It was a wonderful night, on many levels.

Sitting around the table, there were several student council presidents, cheerleaders, straight A-making-self-proclaimed nerds, non-joiners, and…me. People drove 45 minutes to three hours to get there. A table that would have never happened 20+ years ago, not only happened, but shared in laughter and pictures, and stories with a common thread of all, at one time, sitting in one man’s classroom.

I have said it before, and will say it again: I Love A Reunion.

More than most people.

Last night it was lovely to see the pride on Bill’s face because I think he got it. He got that he made an impact on our lives. He figured out, by some magical wonderful way, what we needed in that English class. Honesty. Respect. Discipline. Laughter. Encouragement. Strength. Passion for the work.

He was honest in his opinion of diagramming sentences.

“You will probably never do this in the real world. But you have to do it now.”

He encouraged our creativity.

“Mr. Guy can we listen to Whitesnake during class?–Sure.”

He humored our silly sides.

“Mr. Guy were you ever a hippy? –No, my mother wouldn’t let me.”

He gave us nicknames.

“Little Freaks.”

And twenty plus years later, a table of adults, with their share of success stories and full lives gathered to toast the man who saw in us, what we perhaps, couldn’t even imagine for ourselves.

In his letter to me, folded in my graduation card and dated May 24, 1989 he wrote:

“You have so much ahead of you. Just remember that you can have whatever you want. But…you will have to pay for it, either in effort, patience, determination, or maybe with tears and self-respect. The tricky part will be in deciding whether what you want will be worth the cost.  In the final analysis you will get what you pay for!”

During this break in classes, as I embark on the final year of This Grad School Thing and contemplate “What’s Next?” I started to doubt. Visualizing the END of this is difficult. There is clutter, and papers, and test scores, and it’s just really foggy. That scares me.

Last night was a reminder. It was a bright light, cutting through the funk and the fog. Educators make a difference. Teachers, the good ones, impact a life forever.

I want to be that.

Sometimes a simple little reunion, gathering around a table on a patio, sipping cold drinks and sharing stories is just that. A simple reunion.

Sometimes…sometimes it’s so much more.

Paying bills: YAY. It’s always a relief. I also got one whole medical bill paid OFF

Working weddings: I picked up another one tonight. Yeah, I would really love to watch the Thunder play. It’s the first game of the finals. THE FINALS!!! It’s a big damn deal. . . BUT. . . I’ve got a happy hour tomorrow night with Guyser, and we leave for Chicago on Sunday. I’ll have my phone charged, download the ESPN app, and pocket a little more cash. I talked to Wonderboy yesterday and between the Mmmhmmm’s and the grunts I gathered that he’s pretty excited.

Gathering estimates for repairs: I got my checks from the insurance. It’s time to start figuring out what can pay for who to do what. Darci recommended a guy that rennovated their kitchen, so I called him. He came over last night and I just felt so comfortable. He started shaking his head at the house.” You need all new windows, not just one” –tell me something I don’t know. “You need vinyl siding. This wood won’t even paint, it’s so bad.” –no shit, lamar. “The doors to the shed aren’t a standard size. We’ll have to customize something for you” –nothing about this house is standard. He did some measuring and wrote down some things in his little notebook and as he left he turned to me and said:

“Everything will be alright.”

I could have cried.

He’s going to get back to me and help me figure out how to spread the money I’ve got into the repairs I need.

Getting the house cleaned, floors mopped, laundry finished, starting to pack for the trip…that’s about it. Work, clean, tv, bills.

Don’t be sad for that, though. I’ve squeezed in some fun. Audra, Joe and I went to the Barry Manilow concert last weekend. Spur of the moment, tickets were less than 16.00 a piece and were upgraded to just off the floor seats. We sang every single song, laughed and clapped and glow stick’d our way through the 90 minute set and were out by 9:30. HA! Awesome. It was good for our souls.

Hope you’re doing something good for your soul this week.

also:

THUNDER UP!

 

I’m tired.

Mentally and physically.

This morning, I woke up and fired up the ole FB and was met immediately with hate filled political postings from FB Friends. (I am fully aware of the difference between real in your life friends and FB friends. I hope you do, too.) I mean, this stuff was just awful. There were mentions of physical violence, and just mean spirited comments. It was also posted along side inspirational quotes, and mentions of faith and love and God, and I thought, WHAT THE F am I doing allowing this in my space?

Hide. Delete. Hide. Delete.

I’m a huge proponent of managing your own social networking. Don’t blame. Take responsibility. Don’t be one of those people who whine about FB or Twitter, manage it to be what YOU want it to be.

SO. I did. It didn’t end there, but it does end here.

Mentally exhausting.

I believe we’re here to love and be kind. I believe that the rights of our country have been fought for by countless brave men and women and that they not only deserve my respect and gratitude, but the right to marry whomever they want as well. I believe that people who hate- be it gays, liberals, welfare, skin color, miracle whip or the taste of coconut- in the name of God, are the scariest people on the planet. I’m not afraid to tell you, hide you or delete you if this is the category that you fall into.

I’m so sick of it. I’m sick of people throwing out blanket statements, or lumping together groups of people. Don’t you dare tell me that everyone that believes in God is a “bible thumping tea bagger” or because I believe in equality for men, women, homosexuals, my uterus, your special needs child and Charles Barkley (bless his paste eating heart) that I’m a Godless, tree hugging liberal. We are better than that.

My tolerance for it is gone.

and I’m exhausted.

So, today I controlled my FB wall, I helped my clients, I ended the day with Delb & Co and laughed and talked and counted a few blessings. That’s all I’m doing today.

Happy Friday night, ya’ll.

 

 

I have to get a new roof. New gutters. New window. New paint. New doors to my shed which are falling off.

The insurance adjuster hasn’t given me my estimate for the damage yet, but I’m working already to line up contractors.

I’m lucky to have some connections and have started making calls.

But damn. What a hassle.

I’ve been couchlocked the past two days. Literally spent two whole days laying on the couch watching tv and napping. I’ve got some nagging things in my mind that I need to do, but couldn’t make myself get up and do them. Oh well. I’ll chalk that up to the first two days of my summer break. School is finished for a few weeks. Woot! Still don’t have a grade posted, but I think my proff is at a conference. Who knows.

Lot’s of money issues whirling around my brain. And I’m pretty much ignoring all of them right now.

Chicago trip is right around the corner. I’ve got three bartending shifts before then that will pay for this trip and for Taos.

Have you seen Google today? They have a doodle honoring the opening of the first drive in movie theatre.

I’ve never ever been to a drive in theatre. Just not something my family did. My family wasn’t into movies, I remember. However there is one on the south side of OKC and it’s 6 bucks for a double feature!!! I might really go this weekend! SIX BUCKS??? That’s crazy.

Another storm moving through the metro. My first appointment isnt until 2, so I got up and put my car in the garage. Just in case.

Guess I’ll sit on this couch until it’s time to get ready.

I just finished my intersession class. Well before the midnight deadline.

and the people rejoiced.

and the cats slept.

All was well with the world.

I kind of want to take a shower and go be social since I’ve been cooped up all day long.

The effort of all of that almost seems insurmountable.

I’ll use what energy I’ve got to make taco salad for supper.