Graduation Times Two

Nearly two weeks ago, our son graduated from Oklahoma State University. Yay!!!

That’s him with our grandkiddo, Cam, learning to wear the cap for his upcoming experience. I went to OSU myself, as did both my sisters, BILs, nieces, and most friends. (Yes, Bob went to OU. We are a mixed marriage.) I’m an orange person anyway, so I loved the orange tie (Go, Pokes!) and also the red/white/blue cords that show Brandon is a veteran. (Army proud, Army strong!)

Then last night Cam had his own graduation.

Pre-K graduation is a very big event, you know. To hear Cam tell it, he worked at least as hard for this day as Daddy did for the OSU graduation.

The kids sang a couple songs, received their diplomas, and, with the teacher’s encouragement, a few of them tried tossing their caps.

At least Cam caught his. The other boy’s landed up on a shelf with the sock puppets.

The kids were really more interested in the snacks they got after the ceremony than showing off their diplomas. Diplomas are cool, don’t get me wrong, but come on: it was cupcakes!

When it was over, Granddaddy got a picture of Cam and me for posterity.

Then he got one that captures us as we really are.

Happy graduation, silly Willy, sweetie Petey, Camo pup. We love you!!

 

Happy Birthday, Twisted Princess!

Twenty eight years ago, my wonderful daughter made her appearance in this world. I was blessed beyond belief then and also now. She amazes me still. I do regret–maybe like most parents–that she grew up so quickly. Why did the time pass so fast? I was warned this would happen.

As I venture into a new chapter, I hadn’t realized that the Princess would be forced into a new one too. We’ve never lived more than an hour or so away from each other. Now we will be a few hours. To be together will take a bit more planning, which will depend on her schedule.

The old saying about giving your children roots and wings is true. I know I’ve done that with Amy. What she might not know is that she’s given me the same thing. She’s the one who stayed on my butt to finish that book, to laugh in the face of being rejected, who stood by when part of my life fell apart then came together. We faced trials and she was my oasis of stability. I did what I thought was best for her, and she returned the favor by dragging me to that first diving class.

A few years ago, she told me to go live my own life. She gave me my wings. Thank you, my daughter. I have spread them and love who I’ve become. (I don’t have to tell her that as she has led by example too.) There is one thing she may not fully comprehend is that wherever I shall roam, she will always have a home.

And a room waiting for her to land, whether a touch and go, or forever.

First Dive of 2013

I took my first dive of 2013 on Saturday, May 4. There is no way to describe to a non-diver the feeling of water rushing in a wetsuit, the sinking under the surface watching the sky quiver and skew, then the wonders below become crystal clear. Once I’m in the water, I’m totally pain free. Even with my severely sprained ankle, I could move– no glide– through the blue green liquid. My breathing slowed, my heart rate smoothed out after the initial thrill of being back in the water, and a peace enveloped me that I believe is a foretaste of heaven.

Apryl and I logged our first dive together. She was still teaching a student. I was sorry that it was so short but with a class schedule to maintain that weekend in Athens, I’m glad we got what time underwater that we did.

Saturday, May 4, was my only dive of the weekend. It wasn’t the 71 degree water, or doing the wetsuit wiggle in a 7 mil suit, or wearing a hood. It was getting out with the wind whipping in from the north.

Cold is cold and bone chilling–wet or dry.

Gearing up

Apryl leading a dive briefing

Me…I stayed on the dock.

What I’ve Learned From Diving

The first weekend in May I took a break from moving. Off I went in my car packed with scuba gear to Athens Scuba Park, in Athens. . .Texas. The drive took me down so many deer trails, past dog houses, hen houses (seriously–the LONG commercial ones), outhouses, and I’m sure a few cat houses.

Once I did get there, I was thrilled to see my good friends, especially Apryl. We may not talk on a regular basis but she’s in my thoughts a lot. I took Rescue Diver from her in 2008. I wasn’t sure I was going to pass the course much less have it change my life forever.

What I didn’t see in myself, Apryl saw. Maybe that’s why she made me take the open water skills twice. Rescue Diver is more than learning to rescue another diver, you learn to rescue yourself. There have been so many times out of the water that I remember what Apryl taught. I also found my voice. Now that’s a wonderful thing to discover even though I was in my 50s.

Apryl, and Ken, encouraged me to take my dive training one step further. Divemaster, which I earned! in 2010. I’ve met some lifelong friends through diving. And that makes me one rich woman.

Happy Mother’s Day

Happy Mother’s Day to all the great women! My greatest accomplishment is having two wonderful children who are conquering their corners of the world. I’m proud of them, and they know it. The celebration of Mother’s Day for me has always been mixed though. Won’t bore anyone with the baggage from my childhood, or the fact that my mother died way too soon. Or that maybe I’m a bit jealous of those happy families all celebrating, doting over an uber thin, strikingly beautiful mom with no sags, bags, or wrinkles.

Or perhaps I’m paying for my raising. Like I’ve mentioned, I wasn’t the best daughter. Now I can’t remember the last time I had either of my kids here with me on Mother’s Day. (Of course, I have senior moments.) It’s not like they don’t do anything. Cards, calls, texts, maybe even a post on my Facebook wall. The one gift I want from them is the one they don’t have enough of to give me.

Time.

I Have What???

I apologize for my absence but I do have a good excuse. Well, kinda. As you know, Don and I are working hard here at The Bluff, and at Twisted Creek. While moving items, I seemed to have bitten by a No-Seeums. Why they liked only my left leg, I’ll never know. Fast forward to The Bluff when I’m weed-eating around the pecan trees. I have no clue what those vines are.

Yep, poison ivy! I’ve rolled in the stuff before and never had a problem. Apparently, weed-eating slings the nasty stuff everywhere! My normal yard attire is a cut off shirt, shorts and leather tennis shoes that don’t seem to mind the occasional slip when I try to trim them.

I would only wish this misery on a few people I’ve encountered, but NOT before a dive weekend. I do thank weather for being cold enough to wear a hoodie out of the water and a hood in so I could cover my hideous face.

To add insult to injury, I stepped in a fire ant bed. Now my ankles are covered with ugly red spots.

There has been one benefit. While shopping, I noticed that people avoid me, and I get checked out fast!

What’s On Your Bookshelves?

I believe you can tell a lot about a person by the books they choose to display. We moved our massive bookcase and I had to rearrange what items I put back. I allowed Don his touch–massive stuffed trophy bass on the top! (I think they’re awesome.)

I’m not sure what the eclectic collection of books and items say about me–maybe that I’m truly twisted.

Y’all have a wonderful weekend!

 

Where Am I?

Lately when I’m awakened, I have to look around the room to see where I am. If the room is dark, then it takes me more than a second. Am I going through a senior moment? No, I believe this is temporary brain damage from moving and never staying in one house more than three days.

I thought the move a few boxes put them away then get more would work. Uh, no. It prolongs the agony of sore muscles, achy back, and two huge lawns to mow.

But, it will all be worth it in the end.

Returning Things

I learned the hard way a long time ago to never lend anything you can’t live without. My good friends have usually returned things without my asking. DISH NETWORK seems to thing that leaving me threatening messages about returning their equipment will entice me to return as a subscriber.

Say what? So, I called the number on the letter begging me to come back. The customer service operator, Evan–he sounded cute–was very nice, as was I. He apologized as he’d heard the recorded message, but he cautioned that sometimes people need a gentle reminder. Yeah, really?

I, being the person that I am, reminded dear Evan that DISH was the one who has FAILED to send me return labels, yada yada yada. How can I return their property without an address? Ah, Evan put in another request for them to send me a box to ship the receiver back.

“But I kept the original box!” For I seldom throw stuff away, therefore the dilemma of too much junk to sort through while moving.

“Great,” said Evan. I could tell he was really thinking WTF is she doing keeping a box by the tone in his voice.

So after getting the return address, cramming the stuff in the box (with proper padding because I have a ton of bubble wrap) I have sent the receiver, 2 remotes, telephone wire and cable connectors, plus a few extra that I had around the house just for good measure, back to the DISH NETWORK El Paso Drop Off Equipment Location.

Hope they have a really sharp knife. I am a pro at taping now.

Blessing Amidst the Madness

I had a garage sale this weekend. ARGH. Rain visited Twisted Creek several times both days. As soon as I would get things covered up, the showers would stop. Sigh….And coming with the rain were mosquitos the size of small dogs. I have bug bites in places where I didn’t think possible.
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But in the midst of this madness came blessings. My good friend, Christi, and her two beautiful daughters helped me set up on Saturday (remember it was supposed to rain buckets on Friday night–nary a drop then!) Her oldest daughter had made wonderful cookies and brownies, and when they left, she stashed some in my kitchen. These were lifesavers for me as I didn’t have a chance to eat a meal. Thank you, Miss B!

Sister Marilyn reminds me that I seldom meet a stranger, and that is true. Talking to people can be fun. What a blessing it was to meet a woman who must have been related to me in another life. She and her lovely dog, Ruby, swooped into the sale and a lightness came over me. Not easy since I’d been on my feet for 8 hours at that point. This Georgia Peach is a true Southern Lady. We shared stories, laughs and yes, a few tears.

As I sold my beloved treasures, some buyers were interested in the stories behind them. That made the parting so much easier. The slow time between lookers was filled with the sweet songs from mockingbirds and the coos from two huge ring-neck doves. Mother and Daddy were there, and that was the best blessing of all.