If you ever get the chance to go to Oak Island NC, (Long Beach) to spend a day, week or month or so....do it! It's wonderful! :) I was fortunate to be able to spend Wednesday through Saturday with some dear friends there last week. It was a trip that was way too short, with friends that I rarely see.
Gail lives in Colorado. I last saw Gail 2 years ago. They were in town for their daughter to play a soccer tournament. A year before that, Gail, 2 of her friends from Colorado, and a friend from Virginia, and another friend from Rocky Mount, spent a week at Holden's Beach (another favorite Beach). It was so much fun!
I last saw Beverly that same week, as she and her family were staying in a cottage a few blocks down the street. Beverly is amazing. She is a teacher in New Jersey, and is ready to obtain her Masters Degree. She RUNS each day....RUNS? I wish I could say I enjoyed running. If I'm running, someone is after me with a knife or gun. HA!
This year, Gail's husband Eric, daughter and 3 of her friends, Beverly's husband Bill, their adult children Christopher and Sarah, and some of their nephews and nieces all piled into a huge 6 bedroom cottage at Oak Island. The house was very large and didn't appear to be that large from the beach road. A huge porch facing the ocean, and a deck near the dunes. I was able to have a bed in Gail and Eric's room (a single)....and luckily we all snore....so no worries there. :)
Anyway, They all arrived on Saturday. It rained Monday and Tuesday and it was still overcast and rainy when I arrived on Wednesday at lunch. The rest of the week was spent sitting on the sand, watching the waves, drinking a few beers, talking, laughing and having great fun. The last day (Friday), We were sitting there from about 11:00am - 6:00pm....High tide coming in under our chairs....grabbing every last ounce of daylight. We cleaned up and packed as much as possible.
On Saturday, we all were up about 6:30ish and had everything packed and ready to go by 8:30. I drove away after hugs and kisses from my friends, and nearly cried the whole way to Wilmington.
I don't expect great riches in life....but why oh why....can't I afford a beach house? It's the one thing (other than me and mine being healthy and at the least not on welfare)....in life that I want. I really, really want it!!!!
Sigh - countdown till the next beach trip. And next time I go.......for the day....Chaos get to go. :) 720 some days till we all get together again at the beach.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
2011 Mar 19 - FREEDOM sweet FREEDOM
Seems as an adult, my child 18 year old child and I are suffering from the same issue. Both of us want previous freedom. Me - freedom from stress, worry, problems. Hers - freedom from parental care, concern, rules. Makes from a disconcerting time.
I do remember being 19 years old at my parents house. I was working full time and going to college and I couldn't understand why I couldn't do what I wanted, when I wanted. I mean, I was 19 and knew it all..... just wasn't paying for a damn thing. HA HA. So typical of that age (and now this generation). My parents had so many expectations of me even though I was barely home long enough to sleep and get a shower.
Everything comes full circle.
I finally realized that I was not an island and I had responsibilities to my family and I wasn't a free agent. Maybe I'll survive this sequel....who knows. All I can say is "Sorry Mom! From the bottom of my heart!".
I've been told that as difficult as my experiences have been so far with having a teenager, it is now going to get worse...for a while. Oh well. We all have our crosses to bear. Guess I'll dig deep and see if anything is left of my nerves and go forward. A trip to the beach is planned and my therapy will begin there. The Ocean is so soothing.
I do remember being 19 years old at my parents house. I was working full time and going to college and I couldn't understand why I couldn't do what I wanted, when I wanted. I mean, I was 19 and knew it all..... just wasn't paying for a damn thing. HA HA. So typical of that age (and now this generation). My parents had so many expectations of me even though I was barely home long enough to sleep and get a shower.
Everything comes full circle.
I finally realized that I was not an island and I had responsibilities to my family and I wasn't a free agent. Maybe I'll survive this sequel....who knows. All I can say is "Sorry Mom! From the bottom of my heart!".
I've been told that as difficult as my experiences have been so far with having a teenager, it is now going to get worse...for a while. Oh well. We all have our crosses to bear. Guess I'll dig deep and see if anything is left of my nerves and go forward. A trip to the beach is planned and my therapy will begin there. The Ocean is so soothing.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
2010 Feb 7 - Initial Post Here we go!
So, the first post. Starting late at night (10:30) just after watching a good Superbowl and even though the team I had hoped would win - did not. Congratulations Saints!
Hoping to use this blog to give my point of view and maybe to utilize as some sort of therapy. The madness that I see in this world I live in is enough to put even the most sound person go mad. I'm very conservative. I'm not responsible for You, Your children, Your grandchildren or your problems. I must work to put food on the table for my family. I've worked since I was 18. I sent my child to daycare and paid half my salary to that daycare, spending 40 to 60 hours a week at work dealing with crappy management - so I can now listen to the sad stories of how my tax dollars aren't enough for the unwashed masses who choose to live their lives at home WITH their children. Always wanting more, more, more. And their contribution, more unwanted unworthy unneeded children for us to take care of.
I'm feeling totally disenfranchised with politicians (as it should be). They haven't forgotten or forsaken us (middle class). We're just not important enough for them to be concerned. As long as their bread is buttered.....they will continue to do as usual. Posturing, back room deals, corrupt, nasty people.
Anyway, I don't plan to spend all my time and efforts writing about politicians. I look forward to having meaningful dialog with everyone.
Keep in real and keep in touch!
Hoping to use this blog to give my point of view and maybe to utilize as some sort of therapy. The madness that I see in this world I live in is enough to put even the most sound person go mad. I'm very conservative. I'm not responsible for You, Your children, Your grandchildren or your problems. I must work to put food on the table for my family. I've worked since I was 18. I sent my child to daycare and paid half my salary to that daycare, spending 40 to 60 hours a week at work dealing with crappy management - so I can now listen to the sad stories of how my tax dollars aren't enough for the unwashed masses who choose to live their lives at home WITH their children. Always wanting more, more, more. And their contribution, more unwanted unworthy unneeded children for us to take care of.
I'm feeling totally disenfranchised with politicians (as it should be). They haven't forgotten or forsaken us (middle class). We're just not important enough for them to be concerned. As long as their bread is buttered.....they will continue to do as usual. Posturing, back room deals, corrupt, nasty people.
Anyway, I don't plan to spend all my time and efforts writing about politicians. I look forward to having meaningful dialog with everyone.
Keep in real and keep in touch!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
2009 Sep 1 - (weekend) - 1879 Farmhouse and insulation pickup
Friday Sep 1, 2009
Past time for bed.
I worked today at the bank (Quality Control). Then went with Mom and dad to pick up 500 square feet of insulation for the farmhouse. Looks like a long holiday weekend will be a work weekend. (again).
Saturday Sep 2, 2009
Dressed in the monkey suit today as we were working to replace the insulation we'd removed 2 weekends ago. This insulation was placed in the front bedroom, living room, den and small bedroom. It was about 500 square feet total. Although I was tired and a bit itchy after putting in the pink insulation, it was nothing like taking the insulation out. I have truly never been so close to just dropping on the floor and sleeping. I didn't think I'd make it home to get a shower.
Mom and I are an amazing team. We work so hard on this house. I'll say "Mom, why don't you take a break". She says "I will in a while when you decide to take a break". We'd work for hours like that. The house still has areas that smell funky and old and yucky. One place in the front closet. A fresh coat of paint will change that though. We'll be back tomorrow to do some more work. Luckily I will get Monday off to recuperate.
Past time for bed.
I worked today at the bank (Quality Control). Then went with Mom and dad to pick up 500 square feet of insulation for the farmhouse. Looks like a long holiday weekend will be a work weekend. (again).
Saturday Sep 2, 2009
Dressed in the monkey suit today as we were working to replace the insulation we'd removed 2 weekends ago. This insulation was placed in the front bedroom, living room, den and small bedroom. It was about 500 square feet total. Although I was tired and a bit itchy after putting in the pink insulation, it was nothing like taking the insulation out. I have truly never been so close to just dropping on the floor and sleeping. I didn't think I'd make it home to get a shower.
Mom and I are an amazing team. We work so hard on this house. I'll say "Mom, why don't you take a break". She says "I will in a while when you decide to take a break". We'd work for hours like that. The house still has areas that smell funky and old and yucky. One place in the front closet. A fresh coat of paint will change that though. We'll be back tomorrow to do some more work. Luckily I will get Monday off to recuperate.
Thursday, September 30, 1976
1971 and 1972 - Wilkinson School
Wilkinson School is located on Peachtree Street
Bullies - How did I always attract them?
There were 3 bullies at this school. This was 1 year after integration between the black and white schools. All 3 bullies were black.
Frankie
Frankie tormented everyone. He must have had the worst home life. He was disruptive and uncaring about anything. He lived in the ghetto called "The Hill" or "Hilltop". This is the neighborhood that was north of West Thomas Street and South of Peachtree Street.
*I was sitting in the row of seats near the back when I heard a commotion occurring in the classroom to our left. We were facing forward and the classroom door way was at the end of the hall and facing the hallway (left angles). We heard this scream that was obviously an adult, so the teacher. Then we saw her wig fly down the hall in front of our open door. Yep - Frankie had snatched that wig off her head and thrown it.
*Frankie would walk around the classroom grabbing girls breasts. He was a true terror. He only tried to grab my chest once, as I had ZERO boobs at grade 5. He would threaten you for no reason at all. Knock things off the desk, just a bad egg. Everyday felt like a war with this kid.
He never changed, and someone killed him before he was 20.
2) John - I just remember him mouthing off and knocking me down. I remember getting knocked down, toys taken away from me while on the playground.
3) Willie Mae T
The 3rd bully was a girl. Willie Mae T. I worked with her sister Gail at the Canton Station in the 1980s and she told her sister she worked with me. Willie Mae told Gail that I was one tough girl. They could knock me down and give me hell, but I would jump up and give it back.
The Principles response:
The saddest part of being at the school with these bullies, was the Principle. Oh they rant and rave over how wonderful this man was...but an enforcer, he was not. Dad had to go to the school and talk to him as I was getting beat on every day for a while. The school doors were locked, so he went to the principles office and called out "Hey". It scared the principle so badly, he nearly jumped out of his chair. I don't think he let Dad in that day. They might have talked for a minute thru the windows. Dad eventually talked to him and let him know, I was not to be beat on again and this bully situation needed to be squashed. I don't remember having any more issues with the bullies after that.
Other memories
Over-reacting towards the Crossing Guards
The first day of school there, I was walking back home with my sisters and friends. They had crossing guards. I was showing my sister how to walk between the lines and I was walking on the lines. The whistle blew and I was made to walk back to the school and then back across within the lines. I showed my ass and I couldn't believe it was against the rules to walk on the lines. As long as you weren't outside of the lines. I yelled at the crossing guards because they embarrassed me. I said "See - It's my duty to make sure my sister gets home safely and now she's getting ahead of me because of your stupid rule of having to walk back across and then back again". "stupid rule". We walked down to Falls Road, then over to Avent Street and down Avent Street to Avent Circle where our house was.
Dancing the Click Clack
I remember being in the girls restroom and the dance called the 'click clack' was big with the black kids. You know we white kids never could dance. Well I could. I would start doing the click clack dance and the black girls would say "YOU KNOW HOW TO DO THE CLICK CLACK". WOW. LOL. The dance sounded good on the tile floors.
The Lunchroom:
I preferred chocolate milk instead of white milk, but all we could get for years was white milk. Mom always kept Quick Mix (with the bunny on it) at the house. I got smart and would create a small container by putting a spoon full of chocolate powder on a piece of aluminum foil. I'd fold it up into a little packet. Carry that in my purse and then at lunch, I would pay 50 cents for school lunch including milk, and pour the powder into the milk. YUMMM. Speaking of school lunches, they were awesome when I was in school. There were some days better than others, but spaghetti, lasagna, meatloaf, and everyone's favorite, square pizza. The veggies. It was usually good, and usually hot. Once we got to High School, we had a second line where you could get burgers and such, and ice cream. Ice cream for lunch was always good.
The Principle would eat with us. He would sit at the end of a table. I remember he was so 'gentile'. He would cut and take a small bite, pick up his napkin and gently tap the edges of his mouth. Place his napkin in his lap, take another small bite and do the same thing with the napkin. He was more female than I've ever been. Which is ok. Whatever.... but it was weird.
The School Nurse
The School Nurse ended up being my Mother in Law - Rebecca B. I can probably count on one hand the number of times I went to any school nurse to request to go home. I remember where her office was and I remember getting some sort of childhood vaccination there. Measles Mumps??? Something. We were all lined up in the cafeteria and they shot us with the vaccination gun.
Bullies - How did I always attract them?
There were 3 bullies at this school. This was 1 year after integration between the black and white schools. All 3 bullies were black.
Frankie
Frankie tormented everyone. He must have had the worst home life. He was disruptive and uncaring about anything. He lived in the ghetto called "The Hill" or "Hilltop". This is the neighborhood that was north of West Thomas Street and South of Peachtree Street.
*I was sitting in the row of seats near the back when I heard a commotion occurring in the classroom to our left. We were facing forward and the classroom door way was at the end of the hall and facing the hallway (left angles). We heard this scream that was obviously an adult, so the teacher. Then we saw her wig fly down the hall in front of our open door. Yep - Frankie had snatched that wig off her head and thrown it.
*Frankie would walk around the classroom grabbing girls breasts. He was a true terror. He only tried to grab my chest once, as I had ZERO boobs at grade 5. He would threaten you for no reason at all. Knock things off the desk, just a bad egg. Everyday felt like a war with this kid.
He never changed, and someone killed him before he was 20.
2) John - I just remember him mouthing off and knocking me down. I remember getting knocked down, toys taken away from me while on the playground.
3) Willie Mae T
The 3rd bully was a girl. Willie Mae T. I worked with her sister Gail at the Canton Station in the 1980s and she told her sister she worked with me. Willie Mae told Gail that I was one tough girl. They could knock me down and give me hell, but I would jump up and give it back.
The Principles response:
The saddest part of being at the school with these bullies, was the Principle. Oh they rant and rave over how wonderful this man was...but an enforcer, he was not. Dad had to go to the school and talk to him as I was getting beat on every day for a while. The school doors were locked, so he went to the principles office and called out "Hey". It scared the principle so badly, he nearly jumped out of his chair. I don't think he let Dad in that day. They might have talked for a minute thru the windows. Dad eventually talked to him and let him know, I was not to be beat on again and this bully situation needed to be squashed. I don't remember having any more issues with the bullies after that.
Other memories
Over-reacting towards the Crossing Guards
The first day of school there, I was walking back home with my sisters and friends. They had crossing guards. I was showing my sister how to walk between the lines and I was walking on the lines. The whistle blew and I was made to walk back to the school and then back across within the lines. I showed my ass and I couldn't believe it was against the rules to walk on the lines. As long as you weren't outside of the lines. I yelled at the crossing guards because they embarrassed me. I said "See - It's my duty to make sure my sister gets home safely and now she's getting ahead of me because of your stupid rule of having to walk back across and then back again". "stupid rule". We walked down to Falls Road, then over to Avent Street and down Avent Street to Avent Circle where our house was.
Dancing the Click Clack
I remember being in the girls restroom and the dance called the 'click clack' was big with the black kids. You know we white kids never could dance. Well I could. I would start doing the click clack dance and the black girls would say "YOU KNOW HOW TO DO THE CLICK CLACK". WOW. LOL. The dance sounded good on the tile floors.
The Lunchroom:
I preferred chocolate milk instead of white milk, but all we could get for years was white milk. Mom always kept Quick Mix (with the bunny on it) at the house. I got smart and would create a small container by putting a spoon full of chocolate powder on a piece of aluminum foil. I'd fold it up into a little packet. Carry that in my purse and then at lunch, I would pay 50 cents for school lunch including milk, and pour the powder into the milk. YUMMM. Speaking of school lunches, they were awesome when I was in school. There were some days better than others, but spaghetti, lasagna, meatloaf, and everyone's favorite, square pizza. The veggies. It was usually good, and usually hot. Once we got to High School, we had a second line where you could get burgers and such, and ice cream. Ice cream for lunch was always good.
The Principle would eat with us. He would sit at the end of a table. I remember he was so 'gentile'. He would cut and take a small bite, pick up his napkin and gently tap the edges of his mouth. Place his napkin in his lap, take another small bite and do the same thing with the napkin. He was more female than I've ever been. Which is ok. Whatever.... but it was weird.
The School Nurse
The School Nurse ended up being my Mother in Law - Rebecca B. I can probably count on one hand the number of times I went to any school nurse to request to go home. I remember where her office was and I remember getting some sort of childhood vaccination there. Measles Mumps??? Something. We were all lined up in the cafeteria and they shot us with the vaccination gun.
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