Little Bits of this and that

December Rose

It’s been eons and ages since I’ve updated everyone on what’s been going on, and I thought it was about time to write what we’ve been up to. Not everyday around the 3T household is tears and fears. 

“Busy and socially rewarding” would be the simplest way to sum it up.

We had Paul’s brother Tim and his wife Anita come for a desert visit in November. Anita has a brother living here as well. In addition to the opportunity to catch up on family, Paul and I had the priviledge of meeting Anita’s brother and family. “Down to earth” and “fun” would be how I would describe them. I did a first while out at Anita’s brother’s house: A straight shot of Patrone Tequila, followed by the most amazing coffee that I wished I’d gotten the name of! As it’s expensive, it wouldn’t be everyday coffee, but it would be great to have it around for special occasions. (Starbucks works for everyday use)

We simultaneously were preparing for a crowd on Thanksgiving. With both the kids’ Dad and his Mom, as well as my new D-I-L’s parents and all of the kids it was a tight fit, but we made it work. And had a wonderful time visiting with everyone! (Photos of both visits to go up on Flickr as soon as I get the energy back to edit, crop and upload all)

On the heels of Thanksgiving came Christmas shopping. Admittedly this year was not quite the chore (or expense) it has been years past. I spend all year collecting eclectic stocking stuffers as well as piles of makeup from Lancome free gifts to make little goodie bags for my teen neices. That’s something I’ve made a habit of doing over the past seven years. Our families decided that this year we would all cut back, not buy for the adults, and the 3T family would hop a plane to Washington state for my first Christmas home in eight years.

As it was a wonderful time to be with family over this special Holiday, I’m glad we did it! Tayler and I worked hard all month putting together a DeHart scrapbook for my parents as a Christmas gift. An idea that didn’t spring up until the beginning of December, so we scrambled for photos, stealing from facebooks, flickr accounts, and what we had managed to take over Rob & Cheryl’s wedding, as well as our quick trip to Las Vegas to watch Gregory perform at a convention on his skateboard. For my parents, I had three of my Dad’s best shots out in the Mt. Adams area blown up. Hitting Michaels for frames and matting, it was fun putting it together myself. In some ways I found the sentimental gifts far more rewarding than retail shopping. And to top it off, this was the first Christmas EVER we didn’t put gifts on credit cards. Which gave the Holiday a much freer feel to it, knowing that come January the statements would not be rolling in.

NOW, on returning for Christmas to Washington state, I have only two words: NO. WAY. The first time I go home for a visit in the dead of winter and they have their worst snowstorms in 50 years. My doctor had prepared me with medication that would take the edge off of the Fibro pain, but trust me when I say it wasn’t enough. Dad, I know you can understand this; He refers to the state of Arizona as “you moved to Hell Teri.” Well Dad, you live in a wet, cold, mossy, moldy state that I half expect will break into the ocean, giving US ocean front property.  Washington will not see my shadow again until the dead of a summer. Paul and I froze our asses off. We’re thin blooded desert dwellers now and that cold snow, ice, wet winter just doesn’t cut it for us. My mild winters here seem too cold sometimes.

Well after the Holiday travel, getting home was pleasant. For a few days, until all the activity caught up with me. Add some weird flu bug to a nasty episode of Fibro and you have a wife and mother who has very little energy, and spends part of her days each day in bed. I think I’m feeling better now, at least in spurts. Last night was rough, but this morning has me feeling a little more energy.

I want to thank those who remembered us this Holiday Season with Christmas cards. It meant a lot to us. Even though I didn’t get the time to send many out. A special “Thank-You to Margie and Mike, (Paul’s sis and B-I-L) for the huge box of baked goodies! Trust me when I say NONE of it went to waste. Although it did go to waist. (Grrrr..) You did break the rules though, by sending gifts to Riley and Tayler. A very generous and sweet gesture, I graciously thank you for. Margie, you are one in a million, and we love you!

The kids ended the school semester fairly well. Tayler is doing the advanced classes and came away with a cumulative 4.1 GPA . Riley just started Jr. High and spent the semester getting used to a whole new program from elementary school. I’d have to say he’s had his rough spots, but managed an average GPA for the semester. A work in progress, I have faith he’ll finish getting it together.

Rob and Cheryl seem to be very happy. As it is with many young marrieds I know they lead a very busy schedule between jobs, house, and the wide array of friends they socialize with. Still, they make time for family. They took Riley and Tayler overnight on our Anniversary for us. A gesture I’ll not soon forget. Thank you Rob & Cheryl, we love you both dearly.

The problems I was not at liberty to discuss a few months ago in this space have resolved themselves. Well, for now anyway. One of these days I need to really embrace “and this too shall pass.” And trust God more. I know what gets in the way of it. An obssessive need to feel some sense of control over life. I have to give that up, to really be able to relax, let go, and let God. WOW, how many cliche lines did I put in this paragraph? Cliche or not, I know the truth. I know it works. I just need the strength and discipline to apply it.

I hope everyone had a good start to the New Year! Ours was quiet and homebound. Which was exactly what we needed after the last two busy months.

My prayer is to a better year in 2009! A year I hope that will hold health, learning, loving and laughing.

Love,
3T
PS. GOOOOOOOO CARDINALS!!!

This was so beautiful it moved me to quiet tears. Hope you enjoy it!

Love,
3T

Along with the adjustments that come with a new Jr. High teen, came the end of a few of our October traditions. My teens have lost interest in going to a pumpkin patch and have no desire to dress up in costume, going door-to-door trick-or-treating. At the end of this month, we’ve come to realize that it is us, the parents, who are mourning the loss of these family traditions.

We knew this was coming, but it still didn’t take the sting out of losing these traditions. As parents, I know we’re going to have to get creative with a few new traditions in order to connect with our teens. That part we haven’t figured out yet. This year I bought costumes for our kitties, and dressed them up and snapped photos of their sweetness. For my own pleasure, here are the results.
Princess Bella
Smokey - The Bat Cat
Mr. Big - aka - Mr. Pig
Bashful Princess
The Bat Cat- Up Close
Mr. Pig did not like playing dress up.
Trick-or-Treat!
Princess Bella along with her brother Mr. Pig and Smokey the Bat Cat, hopes everyone enjoyed their Halloween, more than they did! 
Love,
3T

Tayler put this together on YouTube. It’s from Robby’s and Cheryl’s Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Party at our house. Not sure if this is going to work, but wanted to try since she went through the effort of putting it together. Now I just need her to teach me how to do this!

Today is my baby’s 13th Birthday. Happy Birthday to Riley, who officially becomes a teenager today! Saturday will see the house turned upside down with 13 boys swimming, playing and eating, in celebration of his Birthday.I can’t believe he’s 13 already.
I love you Riley!
Mom

This stands as a warning to all unsuspecting wives out there. TODAY IS April Fool’s Day. My magnetic husband nailed me first thing this morning. And it wasn’t pretty!

First, take into consideration that I woke up last night at 11:30 PM wide awake and stayed that way until after 1:30 AM. (I fell asleep by 8:30 pm last night) Only to awaken by 5:30 AM this morning. I gave up the sleep-ghost and just got my dragging a$$ up.

The hubby was already showered and wide awake, when I started down the hallway heading for the coffee pot. (I don’t try to speak before that first cup.)

Then, in panic he yelled, STOP!!! THERE’S A SCORPION RIGHT THERE. He pointed at my feet while I hopped from foot to foot down the hallway screaming, “WHERE IS IT?!?” Yes, I could have skipped my morning coffee at that point. He just laughed at me, and let lose with those two words a good deal of us are bound to hear today.
APRIL FOOLS!

As silly as this may sound, you have to take into consideration my great and irrational fear of the scorpion. I showered with one who was creeping towards me while I had a head full of shampoo. We have found INSIDE our house about half a dozen of them over the years. And I know our front and backyard are crawling with the little nightmares.

The last one we found is the one in the photo at the top of this entry. It was discovered about a month ago, when my smart and “afraid-of-nothing” daughter let out with a blood-curdling scream from the miniature basketball court in the backyard. Practicing her shot, she came foot to head with the little critter and lost all control. I’m not sure if the little guy was dead or not. But I have read that they will “play dead” when confronted with any sense of danger.

So having this photographed reminder just a mere month ago set the stage perfectly for Paul’s practical joke. I’ll be spending the next year trying to come up with a way to nail him in 2009! As my brother-in-law Jim pointed out this morning, after a while today everyone’s radar is up, and it’s harder to trick them. (Jim’s wife, Barb, did get him this morning, so that’s one for the ladies!)

Consider yourself warned. In the meantime I’m hoping for a nap at some point today. My nerves are rattled and my sleep has been deprived. If I end up dreaming about scorpions though, someone is going to pay the price!

Love,
3T

Painted Skies - Teri Johannes

We are ending the second week of back-to-school, and seem to be getting into our normal routine. Each year seems to bring a few more activities than the previous year. Which translates into more taxi-service and keeping track of times and places that the kids need to be.

We’re starting out on a good foot with Riley this year. Yesterday was the first teacher phone call of the year; and if you’ve been a reader for any length of time, you know it usually is not good. I see the school name on the caller ID, cringe and prepare myself for the inevitable, “Riley did this.” Or “Riley didn’t do that.”

Imagine my shock and delight, when she said she was calling to keep me up-to-date. Riley’s attitude has improved 10-fold, he is eager to get his work done, and to date has been a delight in her classroom. At which point I said, OK, and now for the “however.” Another shock when she said, “there is no however this time.” She went on to say, my sweet but occasionally obnoxious Riley, has managed to charm all of the girls in his class. *grinning* (He has to get that from me!)

Tayler is as busy as ever this year. She has added a few more activities to her extra curricular schedule. Another shock, she is in beginning dance, that from what I gather is a type of jazz dance. And of course needed jazz pants and leotard, the next day. The last two weeks have held quite a few last minute trips to pick up this supply or that supply. She is continuing violin, which makes me very happy. We’re going on the fourth year, so I anticipate concerts that will be even better than last year. This morning she informed me Mondays will hold another after-school activity. She along with one of her classmates and the help of a teacher advisor are starting a FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) group. A club I was part of in High Schoool as well. Although athletics and team sports were the last thing on my mind. I joined the group because I had a huge crush on the teacher advisor and of course I was a Christian. I did leave out the part about why I joined this particular club, when telling Tayler. Between drama and basketball, violin and now beginning dance, this young lady has a full schedule. Which would concern me, accept for the fact that she is more organized and prioritizes her time far better than I do even today! Hopefully some day she’ll teach ME how to stay on task.

As it’s Friday night, tonight is her first school dance of the year, followed by a party at her girlfriend Hannah’s house. Which will have me driving her to and fro this evening. Not only do I enjoy seeing her thrive in Jr. High school, I love how different experiences will bring up some of my old memories of those innocent early years. Kids can be such a complete an utter blessing a good deal of the time. Of course the rest of the time is spent in chaos. A point I won’t dwell on at the moment, since right now; life is good.

I’ve also noticed that my page views on my sparsely updated blog, has hit that one million mark! I do realize probably 75% is spammers, but still I’m astounded to have reached one million. (Lets just say I don’t usually stick with something long enough to reach a benchmark like this.) Hell, maybe I’m finally growing up!

And just for shits and giggles, here’s another self-indulgent quiz. It’s a diary, so self indulgence fits the theme! I hope ya’ll have a wonderful and relaxing weekend!

Love,
3T

You Are Sunrise

You enjoy living a slow, fulfilling life. You enjoy living every moment, no matter how ordinary. You are a person of reflection and meditation. You start and end every day by looking inward. Caring and giving, you enjoy making people happy. You’re often cooking for friends or buying them gifts. All in all, you know how to love life for what it is - not for how it should be.

Kevin and I made it back from NYC in two pieces. (One piece each) Although our feet from the sightseeing have taken beatings of a lifetime. (Which is logical, since I see this vacation as the trip of a lifetime. I’m a bona fide homebody, so for me it is/was.)

Never have I walked as many miles as I did this trip. By the way, Carrie from Sex and the City? Lied! There is no way in hell that fantastic bitch walked as much in HIGH HEELS as portrayed on the show. BUT this bitch walked IN HEELS a total of at least 30 blocks to the harbor and back to our hotel for the sunset cruise around Manhattan on just one evening. Of course while applying bandages to my red, angry and blistered covered feet, I realized just how stupid that was.

Except for one Broadway Musical, (Momma Mia) the heels were left in the suitcase for the remainder of our trip. Number one recommendation, if you plan a trip to Manhattan ladies, leave the heels at home! Find a pair of comfortable and as-fashionable-as-you-can pair of walking shoes, and make them your best friend. There will still be blisters with the walking shoes, but you won’t feel nearly as stupid at the end of the day…

I want to capture as much of this trip as I can in words here, for the memories. So this will be the first of several posts dealing only with the East Coast and my perceptions. And well over 500 photos to download, recording our journey that spanned from Buffalo, New York, to see Kevin’s family and Niagara Falls, to the many neighborhoods that make up Manhattan.

By the time we walked into our front door late yesterday, only one thing mattered. We were home. No noise, no pollution, no honking cab drivers, no humid drenched sweat, that even the breezes provided no relief from. Just our lovely 105 degree DRY heat, enough square footage to feel like a mansion, and our angry cat, who couldn’t decide if he wanted to stay mad, or snuggle up to us for petting.

Love,

3T