All other ground is sinking sand... all other ground is sinking sand. The Mormans attacked me on Saturday. I sicked them on Jacob. As I was talking to them on the front porch, Jacob and Barry drove up with music blairing real loud, "Bloody, bloody Tuesday..." as Jacob gave them an intimidating glare. He was ready for them, as missionaires had visited him in Denton the day before, as well as his grandparents are Morman. He had them smiling and sharing their gospel with pride. I was able to finish supper.
We are almost on a solid foundation. Workers were under our house for 6 days digging and dragging heavy boards and cement blocks under there, in-between naps. And of course another $1000 worth of work is needed before they can really finish leveling the house. So, they will be back tomorrow morning.
I showed the rent house to the renters today. The woman has a tremendous butt, and she hit the stove with it. She said, "Opps, I hit my butt." I thought that was great.
I met Jacob's girlfriend this weekend. My first thought was that she looked like us, meaning my family. I guess I thought that because his ex-wife didn't look anything like us. Not that it matters. Saturday night one of the workers from under the house came by and invited Jacob and Rachel out to play pool (he kind of remembered Jake from school). Turns out he is a rapper and was very entertaining. Jacob suffered a little-bit of culture shock. He has been surrounded by college people for the past four years, so a night out with a drop-out rapper was definitely a different experience.
Jacob enjoyed reading a short story that Dad wrote in the early sixties regarding WWII Red Cross signs and their similarity to the blood of Jesus (the Germans respected the red cross and stopped firing no matter who was under the sign, just as the death angel passed by the doors with the blood on them). His comment, "Man, this makes me want to repent."
I haven't found a job yet, not even an interview.
We made a quick run up to the place today to take Ma-Moo's 50 year old couch up there, and to pick up a few needed things. It was pleasent after it stopped raining and I regained my place on the freeway. Yup, I was squeezed out of my lane and into another persons lane. Luckily she was able to move over for me. And yes, the couch got fricken wet.
It's good to be back home in the AC.
We celebrated Josh's 5th BD yesterday. There were no kids here to help celebrate, and it turned out great. He was thrilled to receive so much Spider Man stuff. And boy can he make the moves. He's good. He punched the pinyata instead of hitting it with a stick, and he loved it. He got out a lot of anxiety. I think he'd be a good boxer.
Sunday, July 25, 2004
Sunday, July 11, 2004
"Marie" History
Had a good day today. I babysat Marilyn (Manson) while Nathan gad about town. He went fishing today and caught 6 little fish. Kat went with him. He went back to LaGrange around 5:30. It was nice seeing him for the short while that I did. I got a kick out of seeing him coming home from fishing wearing a fishing hat and carrying two rods (one of them was Uncle George's old rod).
Barry and I mowed and trimmed bushes and trees at the rent house. We worked very hard and I got red-faced.
Tiffany came over today. We enjoyed going through old pictures together. I gave her a family history lesson of who was who and how they were all related. We discussed how she was named after her grandma. I stressed that she should save precious things because in the future she will pull down her box of history and thoroughly enjoy going through it. She said we would probably never throw her away because she was history (her name being Marie). I laughed so hard. She is so cute. I read a love letter dated 1924 from my grandfather to my grandmother. When I started reading it out loud, "My Dearest Sweetheart," Tiffany squealed and said, "I bet he had a crush on her." I then told her that they were married and had three kids, Mom was four years old when that letter was written. Tiff's mother has a tendency to throw good things away just because she is tired of them, or they happen to be in way. I hope I got through to Tiff. I'd hate to see her mom throw away all these pictures I'll be handing over to them. I found three of those round view-master picture slides, so I took them to Tiff's house and Ron put them in Josh's toy slide projector. On a purple wall, we watched projections of Ma-moo, Rick, and Ron dated back in the 50's, taken in the driveway of the house we were in. The kids loved it, and so did Ron and I. Josh thought that was a picture of him.
Well, I am so tired, I am going to go to bed now. Tomorrow is a big day...Barry and I are going to see "Spiderman" with Tiff, Josh, and Ron. :)
Barry and I mowed and trimmed bushes and trees at the rent house. We worked very hard and I got red-faced.
Tiffany came over today. We enjoyed going through old pictures together. I gave her a family history lesson of who was who and how they were all related. We discussed how she was named after her grandma. I stressed that she should save precious things because in the future she will pull down her box of history and thoroughly enjoy going through it. She said we would probably never throw her away because she was history (her name being Marie). I laughed so hard. She is so cute. I read a love letter dated 1924 from my grandfather to my grandmother. When I started reading it out loud, "My Dearest Sweetheart," Tiffany squealed and said, "I bet he had a crush on her." I then told her that they were married and had three kids, Mom was four years old when that letter was written. Tiff's mother has a tendency to throw good things away just because she is tired of them, or they happen to be in way. I hope I got through to Tiff. I'd hate to see her mom throw away all these pictures I'll be handing over to them. I found three of those round view-master picture slides, so I took them to Tiff's house and Ron put them in Josh's toy slide projector. On a purple wall, we watched projections of Ma-moo, Rick, and Ron dated back in the 50's, taken in the driveway of the house we were in. The kids loved it, and so did Ron and I. Josh thought that was a picture of him.
Well, I am so tired, I am going to go to bed now. Tomorrow is a big day...Barry and I are going to see "Spiderman" with Tiff, Josh, and Ron. :)
Saturday, July 10, 2004
Cum Laude and Meatloaf
So, what does cum laude mean? I received my diploma and noticed those two little latin words under my degree. I thought it ironic that I had to look up what it meant. I knew it meant with honors, but I didn't know what degree of honor. I guess it goes with getting lost on my way to the "honors" ceremony because of leaving the address at home (on purpose). I know how to make an "A" is what it means, nothing more. I found my grandfather's transcripts from way back when, from at least three different colleges. He was an "A" student of foreign languages. Now that deserves honor. I wonder if he felt as I do about this cum laude thing? I doubt it. He was a perfectionist according to my rebel mother. He wanted all of his children to make straight A's. Mother was a C student while her two siblings were A students. It drove him nuts. But she was so much fun! They were sticks in the mud. Well, the brother was anyway, I only know the sister through old letters I've been reading lately. She had a funny side, too, but she was proturbed with Mother for not being a good cook or cleaner. Hell, she was at the local creek having a ball! My mom. I'm glad she was easy-goin.
Our newly acquired renters called and said the person they were going to borrow the money from, for the security deposit, didn't come through, and asked if they could pay it on Monday. We told them sorry, and we rented it to the "brothers." I'm glad. These guys are Mexicans with a cool last name. Barry and I went to show the house to one of their wives and she adored it and was so happy to get it. After she left we notice fleas were all over us, so we ran to the store and bought some flea bombs and set them off.
We will be going back over there later to mow AGAIN and trim bushes.
I cooked a great supper last night: meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and collard greens.... ummmmm. I think I'll go heat some up for a snack.
Our newly acquired renters called and said the person they were going to borrow the money from, for the security deposit, didn't come through, and asked if they could pay it on Monday. We told them sorry, and we rented it to the "brothers." I'm glad. These guys are Mexicans with a cool last name. Barry and I went to show the house to one of their wives and she adored it and was so happy to get it. After she left we notice fleas were all over us, so we ran to the store and bought some flea bombs and set them off.
We will be going back over there later to mow AGAIN and trim bushes.
I cooked a great supper last night: meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and collard greens.... ummmmm. I think I'll go heat some up for a snack.
Friday, July 09, 2004
A Sweet Time Gone/Falling into Place
The upstairs bedroom is lookin good. Nathan is coming in tonight with my grand-dog for the weekend. It's raining. Got lots of sheets that smell old from the bathroom closet to wash. Barry painted the bathroom white and I like it. He will start on the other bedroom today.
Got cable and I like it, too. Lots of channels to chose from without getting beat to death with commercials.
The court case was rescheduled (as usual) for August 4. Parking cost $14 because we were stupid. Everyone was stressed out and mad, but we all enjoyed a wonderful breakfast at Hollywood's downtown Houston. It was quiet and we were the only ones there. I liked it.
Sang some local church songs after finding the old supplement song book. I cried. Don't know why. Guess because it was a sweet time gone.
Applied for low-paying jobs with the local ISD. The thought of being off in the summer and taking only 5 minutes to get to work may be worth the low pay. Applied over the internet with USA (United Space Alliance) for a second time to add a USA employee's name as a referral, and after 30 minutes of filling out blanks and choosing options (you have to redo the whole frickin app. to add one frickin piece of info), I received a message that I entered the wrong employee number (when I didn't enter one because I don't know it) and it would not allow me to submit my application. It threw out all my data. Screw them. I do not want to work for a company that can't put together a user friendly web page.
Received my diploma in the mail yesterday! It is so big and beautiful. Plan to have it framed so that it doesn't look like my ancestors' diplomas I recently found, roach eaten and brown.
Rue is sleeping by my feet. She is in the house because earlier there was a thunder storm. Sammy is still oblivious to storms. He keeps that stupid look on his face consistantly.
Gotta Go.... the man is here.
Got cable and I like it, too. Lots of channels to chose from without getting beat to death with commercials.
The court case was rescheduled (as usual) for August 4. Parking cost $14 because we were stupid. Everyone was stressed out and mad, but we all enjoyed a wonderful breakfast at Hollywood's downtown Houston. It was quiet and we were the only ones there. I liked it.
Sang some local church songs after finding the old supplement song book. I cried. Don't know why. Guess because it was a sweet time gone.
Applied for low-paying jobs with the local ISD. The thought of being off in the summer and taking only 5 minutes to get to work may be worth the low pay. Applied over the internet with USA (United Space Alliance) for a second time to add a USA employee's name as a referral, and after 30 minutes of filling out blanks and choosing options (you have to redo the whole frickin app. to add one frickin piece of info), I received a message that I entered the wrong employee number (when I didn't enter one because I don't know it) and it would not allow me to submit my application. It threw out all my data. Screw them. I do not want to work for a company that can't put together a user friendly web page.
Received my diploma in the mail yesterday! It is so big and beautiful. Plan to have it framed so that it doesn't look like my ancestors' diplomas I recently found, roach eaten and brown.
Rue is sleeping by my feet. She is in the house because earlier there was a thunder storm. Sammy is still oblivious to storms. He keeps that stupid look on his face consistantly.
Gotta Go.... the man is here.
Tuesday, July 06, 2004
Sick of Dial-up and Family
My computer is so slow; I'm sick of it.
I am not looking forward to tomorrow. I have to be a character witness in a court fight over custody of my nephew's son. I did this once before. This is the last time for me. He plans on moving in with me if he loses custody. He says he can't afford child support for two children. Now Barry and I have to tell him he is not welcome here. Stress. I hate the way he makes me feel. Or should I say, I hate the way I feel when I'm around him. He is pushy. I've been finding notes in a lot of boxes written by Mother to herself regarding him pushing her around and how she needed to be stronger willed around him. History is trying to repeat itself in this house. creepy.
Trying to rent my TC house is stressful, too. Nothing but what appear to be no-goods are calling. Today Barry and I drove to one of their homes to see if they kept the yard neat. We ended up following them to the chemical plants. We pretended to be detectives. Good Grief.
I've submitted my resume electronically three times. I received the standard "don't call us, we'll call you" reply. I've never had any trouble getting work in past, but now I am beginning to think it may not be so cut and dry anymore.
Went by Lee's house tonight. "Dumbo" from the past drove by his house while we were there. He is my age and he looked over 60! It was creepy visiting with the old winos. I feel like I took a step backwards. And it was initiated by my having had two glasses of wine beforehand.
Locked myself out of the house yesterday. All because Sammy peed on the clean carpet in the rent house. I was so mad at him I wasn't paying attention.
Rearranged the living room today. I like it better.
Filled more boxes for my siblings and put them by the front door. There they will sit for eternity. NOT! I'll get rid of them if they aren't claimed within a reasonable amount of time. Will you copy that for me? I'll pay you...... They have all been saying that. Screw that! You come get it, copy it, and bring it back! Or keep it yourself after I've copied it for myself.
Got mad at the spouse today for not wanting to paint the bathroom two colors. My whole house is going to be white. Fine. If I want it any other color, I'll have to do it myself. Right now I don't have time or energy to do it, but maybe later. I got jealous of the couple at Lowe's picking out a "color" of paint together. I guess I should be happy he is painting at all; and I am.
I'm sick of sleeping on a mattress on the floor, too.
I'm spoiled.
I am not looking forward to tomorrow. I have to be a character witness in a court fight over custody of my nephew's son. I did this once before. This is the last time for me. He plans on moving in with me if he loses custody. He says he can't afford child support for two children. Now Barry and I have to tell him he is not welcome here. Stress. I hate the way he makes me feel. Or should I say, I hate the way I feel when I'm around him. He is pushy. I've been finding notes in a lot of boxes written by Mother to herself regarding him pushing her around and how she needed to be stronger willed around him. History is trying to repeat itself in this house. creepy.
Trying to rent my TC house is stressful, too. Nothing but what appear to be no-goods are calling. Today Barry and I drove to one of their homes to see if they kept the yard neat. We ended up following them to the chemical plants. We pretended to be detectives. Good Grief.
I've submitted my resume electronically three times. I received the standard "don't call us, we'll call you" reply. I've never had any trouble getting work in past, but now I am beginning to think it may not be so cut and dry anymore.
Went by Lee's house tonight. "Dumbo" from the past drove by his house while we were there. He is my age and he looked over 60! It was creepy visiting with the old winos. I feel like I took a step backwards. And it was initiated by my having had two glasses of wine beforehand.
Locked myself out of the house yesterday. All because Sammy peed on the clean carpet in the rent house. I was so mad at him I wasn't paying attention.
Rearranged the living room today. I like it better.
Filled more boxes for my siblings and put them by the front door. There they will sit for eternity. NOT! I'll get rid of them if they aren't claimed within a reasonable amount of time. Will you copy that for me? I'll pay you...... They have all been saying that. Screw that! You come get it, copy it, and bring it back! Or keep it yourself after I've copied it for myself.
Got mad at the spouse today for not wanting to paint the bathroom two colors. My whole house is going to be white. Fine. If I want it any other color, I'll have to do it myself. Right now I don't have time or energy to do it, but maybe later. I got jealous of the couple at Lowe's picking out a "color" of paint together. I guess I should be happy he is painting at all; and I am.
I'm sick of sleeping on a mattress on the floor, too.
I'm spoiled.
