Vacation 2010 - The Decision

This year I signed up at work to take one week of my vacation from May 24 to May 28, but with the holiday, I won't go back to work until June 1.  This was really the only week available for us as a family due to the youngest's summer class schedule.

At first the boys and I discussed going to Missouri.  I did some research, ordered a Missouri vacation planner, found a couple of places that were possibilities to rent, and then chose one, but did not rent it.  Every time I went to rent the house, something kept me from pushing the final button.  I must have known deep inside that it would not work out, and it would not have.  I was going to rent the house for a week, but when the oldest was hired at his new job, he was told he could only take Monday and Tuesday off.  

Monday and Tuesday off meant that as a family we could leave Friday, but we would have to be back Tuesday night.  The boys said they did not want to go to Bella Vista, my fave, but they would not come up with a plan.  Every time we asked the youngest he said "Meh."  The oldest just did not know.  

I finally asked if they would like to go to Cherokee Village, AR and see the lot that my mother left me.  They decided that sounded like a great idea.  

I called the Southern Pines Realty and whereas I could not rent the house of my choice, I did rent the second on the list of possible houses.  Number 14.

We had a plan.  The oldest would be able to get home by 2 or 3 P.M. Friday and we would leave immediately.  Since the realty company said we had to physically check in, we decided to drive as far as we could Friday, and then get up early the next morning, drive on in to Cherokee Village, check in and then we woulld have as much time at the lake as possible.  We would leave early Tues. morning and check out some other areas on the way back, including quilt stores.  

All was good.

Kept My Mouth Shut -

Friday I moved my youngest out of this dorm.  I have moved my oldest out of the same dorm twice.  Each time you move out there is an inspection that you must pass in order to check out. 

My oldest went through the checks.  Both times one of the RAs or PAs would show up, look over his contract, and glance around to make sure all his obligations on the contract were met.  No big deal. The oldest sailed through the inspections without a problem. 

When I arrived at my youngest's room Friday, he warned me that his inspector was a pain.  I read the letter he had sent and thought to myself  "okay this guy might be a jerk."  Inspection time came, and the youngest and his roommate were present as required, even though only my youngest was moving out that day.  The inspector was right on time, which I appreciated.  He walked in wearing a suit, which I thought was odd, but okay.  He asked the youngest if he was prepared and we said "yes."  I'm thinking maybe this won't be so bad. The inspector started looking around and then he pulled out a white glove.  I wanted to laugh, but didn't.  The next thing he pulls out is a very powerful flashlight, now I am getting irritated.  My youngest's side of the room is actually cleaner than when we moved in and this guy has a white glove and flashight!  My youngest is giving me the "keep your mouth shut look."  I know he does not want me to make trouble, so  I sit back in my chair and watch.  

The inspector keeps finding "small issues."  Small issues I know do not exist because I had just checked those areas, but I am biting my lip.  Then he opens the drawers.  The drawers are lined with shelf paper.  He looks at the youngest and informs him that the paper is not "State issued."  Excuse me!  I could not be quiet a moment longer.  I informed him that the paper was there when we moved in and that I would never spend the time shelf papering a dorm room.  We tore out the paper and went on.  

I finally had to ask him if he had a meeting that afternoon where a suit was needed.  He informed me that he likes to wear a suit when doing check outs because he finds that as the day wears on and parents are getting tired they tend to not yell at him because his suit shows authority.  I have to say that was not what I was thinking, but to each his own.  

The youngest passed the inspection but once the inspector left the room I had a few things to say.  The youngest and the oldest were glad I kept my tongue that long.

Tonight my tongue was challenged in another way.  The oldest had a very disappointing evening and I so wanted to say something about the person that made it disappointing, but I kept my mouth shut.  I am really trying to let him work out his relationship issues by himself and not say anything about someone that might be around for a very long time, but it is very hard. 

Mother's Day, 2010

I think Mother's Day this year might have been the best since Raymond died.

Since Mina was going to be in California on Mother's Day, the girls gave Mama C (me) and Auntie Jill (BFF) our green gifts early, which was wonderful since those gifts were very useful at Cottonwood.

The weekend of Mother's Day, BFF, Loni and I had a good Saturday together that included plenty of game playing. It was very relaxing.

On Mother's Day, Loni went with me to get the youngest for lunch.  We stopped at Quilt Country and I purchased the fabric for the next baby quilt.  We picked up youngest on campus and went to Chili's for lunch, followed by a trip to Target where the youngest bought me a hat and dvd.  We had dessert at Beth Marie's and stopped by Recycled Books.  Once back on campus the youngest gave us a few items to return with for move out and we headed home.

We arrived at home to find the oldest waiting for us.  He had a nice gift of handmade vanilla sandalwood  soap for me and bought us Chicken Alfredo pizza for dinner.  We played Split and then he had to leave.  Loni and I watched Celebrity Apprentice and played more Split. 

Yes, it was the nicest Mother's Day in a long time. 

Maybe That Expiration Date Meant Something

The months are flying by so quick that I am not always sure what date it is.  I bought 2 bags of salad with spinach and dark greens last week with the use by date of May 2, thinking I had plenty of time to eat the salad. I ate one bag immediately.  The second bag I saved for lunch this week. 

Today I opened the second bag, looked at the date and thought "oh that was just yesterday"(uhh not really, it was Sunday and this is Wednesday).  I made myself a grilled chicken sandwich for lunch with lots of the salad on top for my work lunch, and it tasted great.  However, around 3:00 P.M. today my tummy started telling me that the greens were a little too old. 

Unfortunately, at 8:00 P.M. tonight my tummy is still telling me that the greens were too old.  I really need to pay attention to the dates on the calendar.

Because BFF Asked

BFF asked that I post a link to the following artist that she bought some prints from at Cottonwood Arts Festival.  I have posted his link before because I have some of his prints, but I will do it again.
CJ Bradford

I No Longer Remember

I have a really bad habit of putting things in odd places and then saying to myself, "Oh, that is an odd place for that, but I will remember."

After spending a couple of hours looking for an item this weekend that I remember putting in an odd place, I now know I need to put everything back in its place.  

I did find the item, and it was in the place I thought it was in, it just wasn't inside of the item I thought I put it in several months ago. 

I really need to get organized.  Loni ... bring me that bank box soon, please.

Cottonwood Arts Festival - Spring 2010

Yesterday I spent a glorious morning at the Cottonwood Arts Festival. The weather cooperated by not pouring rain on us this year, and it was not too windy. What a change from the last couple of years! All the artists were commenting on how happy they were that it was not raining.

Queen Jill (my BFF), my oldest and I arrived at the Festival not long after it opened.  Since QJ had not been there with me before I explained the way we worked the booths. I go up and down all the aisles and visit the booths that interest me.  If there is something in the booth that I am interested in purchasing, the oldest takes note of the booth number in his phone and when I have been through all the booths I go back and decide what I will purchase from the items I liked.  Purchases I make for my oldest I sometimes make right on the spot, or if it something I just know I cannot go home without, I definitely purchase it as I see it.  I go with a budget that comes from money I have set back specifically for the arts festivals I attend, and I know I cannot go over that budget without a very, very long talk with myself about my bank account.

Yesterday there were a lot of booths I enjoyed. 

I purchased the "Knight, Death and the Devil ("In the Age of Reason") from Tanya Doskova. It is the artist's rendition of the 21st Century, starting with the hanging chad, and includes Bush and Cheney.  It was a must for our family.  I gave it to the oldest so that he could add it to his art collection.

The oldest and I also purchased pieces from Andy Van Schyndle. My purchase was his "Light My Way Home Little Acorn Lantern." The oldest bought two pieces to give his girlfriend.

I bought a paperweight for my desk at the office from Ingrid Hanson. It will also serve as a worry stone when I need it. 

I purchased a clock from Macone Clay. They don't have the type I purchased on their website, but I love it. Their booth was extremely crowded and they were doing a booming business.

My favorite booth was Scott and Vicki Supraner's Hawksbill Pottery.  I bought several pieces from them, including a piece for QJ. 

I love being able to add unusual pieces to my turtle collection. 

QJ surprised me with a puzzle from Eric Dowdle. I love quilt puzzles. The website has a way you can do the puzzles online.  Very cool.

We ended the adventure with lunch at Rockfish.  I love their roasted jalapeno cream soup with 1/2 shrimp poboy. 

It was a wonderful day.  It would have been a perfect day if my youngest had been available to attend with us.