After Party Jam Session
Um. Guys? Is anyone still out there? It’s me. I know, I know, where the heck have I been?
When I started The Huckablog 20 months ago I was bored. And lonely. And needed a creative outlet. I loved blogging. The thing is that I still love blogging. But I am involved in other things now, and I am not lonely, and am certainly not bored. This is my official excuse for why if my blog was my baby I would have had CPS called on me by now. NEGLECT!
I am going to try and catch up with all of the life that has been happening all around me this week, so stay tuned.
In the mean time–I SWEAR these are the last of the birthday pictures. The party was over. Almost all of the guests were gone and The Son was playing with his new toys. Remember back here when I told you about his guitar obsession? Grammy and Grandpa bought him a guitar. One that has to be tuned and stuff. Uncle JHJ bought him a harmonica. ShoeShe, who was taking advantage of our super comfy couch as a bed that night, pulled out her guitar and there was a jam session in our living room.
Honestly, it was my favorite part of the night. The Son now sings ” I am a C. I am a CH. I am a CHRTEM!” every time he plays his guitar.
Dotty
I spent some time with 7daytrial this week, and got to hold her yummy little morsel of newborn. I was looking through my pictures which I took of her when I realized I never showed you how the virtual shower went! It was…kinda weird. The people were awesome; the food, made by JHJ and Mom, was of course delightful; decorations were good (if I do say so myself); and, the Skype worked moderately well. But, we were definitely missing something. Over all I would say if it is the only way to go, then by all means have a virtual shower, but be prepared to feel a little sad that you can’t hug the mama to be.
There was a theme, because there always should be a theme. I chose polka dots after seeing so many dotty things on 7daytrial’s registries. There were many dots at the party. MANY DOTS. Really, this theme thing is an illness with me, I should probably seek professional help.
I opted to cut and tape circles on the front glass storm door instead painting them. You would have thought I learned a lesson from the huge duck feet I painted on our driveway for The Son’s first birthday (they have just now totally faded away), but no–it took hours of scraping painted spider webs off of the door to teach me. There are STILL partial golden spider webs, I think it will be easier just to buy a new door.
The Skype. Pros: It was free. We could see and hear each other. It could have been worse. Cons: There was a lag. Several times they just froze and we could hear talking but could not see what was happening. It took some set up.
When we took our Trans-Atlantic cruise a couple of years ago there were these people in the computer lab complaining about how horribly slow the Internet was and they wanted to check their email RIGHT NOW. I just remember thinking how nuts they were, did they not realize how awesome it was that technology had come so far as to allow them to check their friggin’ hotmail from the MIDDLE OF THE STINKIN’ ATLANTIC OCEAN! Yeah, that’s how I feel about Skype. It was pretty cool–but I am spoiled.
JHJ said his friends would not play my stupid baby shower games. I was crushed. Not play games?! What a travesty. I snuck a couple in anyway and they were well received, especially the yo-yoing (more spots, I really need to be medicated).
We almost always have Stacey do our cakes, but JHJ made the cupcakes–and they turned out grand. I had several, but the next day The Son took the tupperware I was storing them in, flipped it upside down and played the drums. We then licked all of the icing off of the lid. Is that over sharing?
Usually when I go the extra mile to hand make something for a party, it is worth the effort. In the case of cupcake toppers — I should have just bought them. They were hard, and did not look as good as I had hoped.
More polka dots for the banner. We shipped a matching one to Las Vegas–don’t ask JHJ how much that cost. He will cry. Lesson learned? Make and ship things for your virtual shower sooner than later. That, and UPS now owns one of my brother’s kidneys. Dang it, that was my spare.
Food: Melon balls and roundish fruit salad, homemade chocolate candy (make more of those JHJ!), Round tortilla chips with fresh homemade salsa, and wraps. Easy, cheap, and looked great.
There were three kinds of wraps, turkey, ham, and roast beef– I forgot to make signs so people could tell them apart. Some of The Son’s plastic farm animals were obliged to assist.
But, the best part was the people who came-came to show their love for 7daytrial, and shower her with lovely gifts, and rejoice in new life. I love baby showers.
Pictures of 7daytrial’s little girl coming soon.
Filed under Family-blame the DNA, Friends-All three of them, Photography, lexapro lexplains it | Comments (4)Found
We are dog people, firmly agreeing that a house needs a dog to really be a home. We are the children of dog people. My parents have always had at least one dog, and usually two, and my in-laws are the same way. This is the bitter-sweet story of one of their dogs.
When he was a freshman at a local community college, The Husband worked overnights at the motel which his dad managed, and lived at home with his parents. It was a small town, quiet all the time, and silent in the middle of the night. One hot, late summer–but not yet fall–night, The Husband heard a pathetic whining coming from the parking lot of the motel. He looked out and saw a miserable looking dog. She was so covered in mange she had almost no hair, and he could not identify her breed. Her ribs stood out, looking like the eaves of a house, from her poor frail body. She was trying to drink from the iridescent rainbow of an oil tainted puddle.
Because he was the kind person he has always been, The Husband put a bowl of cool water by the door and scrounged up some leftovers from the take-out dinner he had as his shift began. He watched her all night through the bay windows of the motel office. He noted she had no tag, and her body was weak from a long trek. He told himself if she was still there when his shift ended, he would take her home. As his overnight shift ticked into morning, and the huge sky turned pink over the rice field across the highway, my darling husband lifted the dog into the back seat of his car and headed home.
“Mom? If I tell you something, do you promise not to be mad?”
“What did you do?”
“Just promise first.”
“How bad is it?”
“Go look in the back yard.”
“WHAT IS IT!?”
“She was going to die in the parking lot of the motel, I had to bring her home.”
“She looks like she is going to die here in a minute.”
My Husband is as kind as he is to animals because of who raised him. MMiL would never say no to an animal who needed help–and this one REALLY needed help. After a trip to the vet to procure mange shampoo, and months worth of scrubbing and feeding and recovering–it was determined the dog was a two year old, purebred dalmatian! Her spots grew in as did her spot in the Huckablog family. They named her Alexandria, Alex or Allie for short, and she fell into an easy life of love and kindness, and a family which soon included another stray dog, and even a cat. Alex walked on a trail everyday with MMiL getting exercise and protecting MMiL from any creeps who might cross their path. The Husband moved away, as did BiL. The dogs stayed with The Elder-but not old-Huckablogs and helped fill the void.
Ten years passed, June 2006. The Husband, BiL, and I were at the Elder-but not old-Huckablogs house for a visit. Alex was having a hard time walking. She seemed confused, lethargic, and could not get her legs to work correctly. Perhaps a stroke? We all gave her extra pats as we prepared to leave, and I was sure we would not be seeing her again. I was wrong. MMiL nursed her back to health. She got well enough to go live at the compound, she got to meet a baby who loved to stare at her lovely black spots, and later sneak her treats. She chased furry, gray squirrels and rested with FFiL as he recovered from his heart attack in the lovely countryside.
This summer Alex was just not Alex anymore. Her body was healthy because of all those miles walked on trails with MMiL, but her mind–it was simply gone. On Wednesday Allie was put to sleep. She is now resting under the Sweet Gum tree in our backyard next to Polly.
Having just had death explained to him because of our fish, Sushi IV, The Son stated it best, “I am sad because I will miss her, but Awex is happy now, right Mama?”
She is happy, and not in pain, and had twelve really, really good years she never would have had if not for a sweet, 18 year old boy, and an understanding mother.
Filed under Family-blame the DNA, lexapro lexplains it | Comments (3)Hupdates. Alternate title: Dear blog, I have been having an affair with real life.
We had vacation bible school last week. I was in charge of the story telling room, and built -in this order- a mountain top and a burning bush, Pharaoh’s palace, an Israelite village, the upper room in Jerusalem, and the Red Sea-parted. (That reminds me of my favorite lyric in Love Shack, “Tiiiiiiin Roof—Rusted“. Now whenever I say the Red Sea I sing it, “Reeeed Sea–Parted”. ) What was I talking about? Oh yes, vacation bible school. I would say I probably spent about 40 hours this past week either at church, or building sets at home.
The worst night would be the evening I had my room all ready the night before, Israelite houses built and the blood (red paint) in place to teach about Passover, and my Grandma decided to help. Oh, have I not mentioned yet that she was my helper? She was my helper. That night, she got to church way before me and “helped” by “cleaning” up my classroom. And taking down the set. And throwing away all of the pieces. I just switched the lesson around and it was fine, the kids never knew the difference. That same night she spilled an entire pitcher of red juice on the sisal rug in my classroom. Who knew the blood of Christ could not be Oxycleaned? Dear Lord, please forgive me for joking about Holy Communion, but seeing as how you know about the kind of week I had, I think you understand.
I was shaking I was so exhausted when I finally came home that last night, and we all slept late the next day. The Son just loved VBS. He has started wanting to say his own prayers at night since VBS began. They all start “Dear God, Thank you for letting me ride on the big airplane, and for vacation, and the funny car, and the hotel in Pennsylvania, and for vacation bible school, and church, and my trains, and for Herbie.” They continue with just Thank You’s for several minutes. So far he has not been thankful for his parents, but I really don’t care. Hearing my two year old pray, on his own with no prompting is the best positive feedback I have gotten as a parent thus far. Last night he fell asleep mid sentence. “Thank you for that man who….” “Is he asleep?” “I think so.” We got up to leave, and he said “Amen.” and rolled over and went back to sleep. That kid just melts my heart sometimes.
I had one day of rest and then it was on to the next thing, cleaning and decorating for 7daytrial’s virtual baby shower! I cut out approximately 4 million circles to use in my polka dot theme, but it turned out really, really cute. I will post pictures and tell you all about it soon.
Next up, I have to get on the ball with my MOPS responsibilities. Oh, did I not tell you? I have been asked to be on the steering committee for MOPS this year. I am the fund raising person. I have to mail out hundreds of letters this week begging for money from local businesses, all the while convincing them that I am not begging but giving them a great chance to advertise. I am mostly praying that I raise enough–because even though our community has not been super hard hit by the recession, it still is not a good time to ask for money. After that we have a huge fundraiser we do with a local photographer– local moms, EMAIL ME! I still have some really cheap coupons left to get professional pictures of your kiddos. Like ten bucks cheap. The Neighbor? I am saving one for you.
We also finally, FINALLY settled with the insurance company for The Husband’s wreck he had back in January. We prayed a lot over this one, and felt like we were being told not to be greedy and fight for more than they offered. He is well, the car is fixed, and medical bills will be paid–it was not worth going to court for more.
Hmm. What else? Uncle D and his friend came to visit, that was nice. Umm, oh, the monolithic swing set got blown over by another storm, and The Husband said a “daddy” word or seven. The Son is going to have a Herbie themed third birthday, and believe it or not I am going to go low key for it since we will be leaving for vacation that same week. We are just inviting family and his three bestest, his age exactly friends. I did, however, find a real live Disney made Herbie to come and make an appearance. He is going to FLIP out.
Yeah, that is pretty much it. Sorry I have been neglecting my blog, but you know what? Sometimes it is either that or neglect life, and I just can’t do that when I have such a nice one. So, tell me, what has been going on with you internet? You have been pretty quiet the last few weeks, so comment! Tweet! Go update your blogs!
Filed under Family-blame the DNA, Friends-All three of them, faith, lexapro lexplains it | Comments (3)Hey Internet? Do you remember?
The Son often starts a sentence with, “Mama? Remember how that boy called Herbie Ocho and then he fell off of the boat and then had bananas?” Or “Mama? Remember how I had an ricecweam cone that time that was blue and then my poop was green?” Or “Mama? Remember how I want to have some water with no ice right now?”.
It is cute, but may be the kind of thing you have to be there for.
Internet? Remember how I used to have things to write about? And I had like opinions and stuff? Yeah that was great.
Stuff is going on around here. I feel super busy but it all seems kinda boring when I sit down to type it out. So….Internet? Remember how I went on a trip that one time and it was lots of fun and I took lots of pictures? Want to see some? Here are a few of my favorites. I will get up a slide show soon.
I love this one. The Son put that door hanger there while we were visiting their room. They were not pleased with that room at all–ask my mom about the bed bugs. And the smoke. And the air conditioning. Our room was great, clean and right above the pool. Anyway back to the picture–it was most appropriate. My Dad MAY have been a little familied out.
Oh, boy. There they go again, they do that all the time you know. My favorite part is how Grandma is holding on to Grandpa’s collar. They remind me of someone….oh, yeah. Us.
This is the house they moved into after they were just married…although my Grandma did say something that made me wonder if it was really right BEFORE they got married. Hmm. I would not know anything about that. Nope, nothing. I asked her if he carried her over the threshold here, and he did. My husband did that too, but banged my head on the door frame.
This is the church they were married in, and the one that my dad was baptized in, and the one that my Great Grandfather was the associate pastor for. I think I just ended that sentence in a preposition. Please ignore.
They had glorious stained glass, but my favorite part was that it was not all just Jesus and Disciples, but stained glass of Methodist History! I saw Martin Luther and John, Charles, and Susanna Wesley, and many more. It was very neat for me, but I am sure the Baptists reading could care less. So I will move on. (Another preposition?! What is WRONG with me tonight?)
This is Aunt Alma, my grandmother’s oldest sister. I have only met her three times in my whole life, but I just LOVE her. Aren’t they lovely?
Speaking of lovely, look at these two. My MMiL and I talk like this too, it would be so sad to have one of those in-laws you hear about. Also, how is it fair that I have more wrinkles than my mother? Hmm? Tell me.
On the drive from New York to Pennsylvania, I made my dad drive my rental car so that I could snap some pictures. Apparently right around here is where my Grandpa used to drive to when he got off work because their liquor store stayed open an hour later than the one in his home town.
These are the original Hershey smoke stacks at the Hershey Factory. The whole town REALLY does smell like chocolate. And dairy cows. And tourists.
We saw several cemeteries filled with my ancestors. So much for anonymity– now you know that somewhere in the past six generations of my family someone had an initial J at one point. I just thought it was a cool picture.
Have I told you how GORGEOUS Pennsylvania is yet? I was trying to drive and take pictures. It may not have gone so well.
I love this picture because this is the EXACT face that The Husband, FFiL, and BiL all make when they are pouting. This pool was approximately 33 degrees–and we had to spend HOURS in it.
The best part about this picture? It is the plane taking me back home to my sweet hubby. And it was before I spilled all of my peanuts.
Hammocks
Oh Lordy, I can not believe I am about to show you this picture–here goes:
Things to notice:
1. The Blossom Hat. I wore it all the time and had a t-shirt with an enormous sunflower on it so when worn together it had the combined effect of a very ugly, silk centerpiece which would have been perfectly at home in the lobby of the Motel Six.
2.The Lack of Pants. This picture was taken while camping at the lake. I am sure I had on a swimsuit under the shirt, but who knows. I already told you no one at this house likes to be dressed, obviously this started early in life.
3.The Sweet Valley High Book. Have I ever told you I alternate good literature with Bodice Rippers (trashy romance novels for those who may not have had the pleasure of reading a book that has sentences like “Their bodies came together in an embrace that shook the heavens as he ripped the bodice of her gown from her heaving creamy bosom.”)? Sweet Valley High is a bodice ripper for thirteen year olds. There are HUNDREDS of those books and either one of them or a The Baby Sitter’s Club book were never far from my side for many years.
4. The item this post pertains to, The Hammock. This one was stored in our camping gear and I always used to race my dad for this spot at camp. Why we never bought another five dollar hammock, I have no idea.
Anyway–I like hammocks. A couple of years ago my in-laws moved to this lovely little community in the middle of nowhere. They were unsure how they would like it, so instead of buying land and then being stuck with it, they decided to rent. They loved it–we all loved it. Unfortunately the owners love it too and decided they want to move back in themselves. The Elder, but not old, Huckablogs have had to move. Which means their hammocks are in storage. Which means I am sad.
Here is my hammock on the old compound front lawn. Just try and tell me that is not the perfect place for a sweet tea and US Weekly.
Here are my feet in my hammock. This one was taken at Thanksgiving; I was too stuffed to move. I took these pictures while laying there.
The Son and I have napped and nursed so often in that hammock it would probably make even the most die hard lactivist proud.
The other hammock often hosted various relatives, they had to share because I would not move out of mine. Here are MMiL and The Son taking a break from hunting eggs at Easter.
The Son does not like to share either. Here he is trying to dislodge FFiL.
Sigh, so sad. A hammock in the back yard in the suburbs is just not the same. Good thing The Elder, but not old, Huckablogs are going to find an even BETTER compound, to buy this time. One with even BIGGER trees, and an even LOVELIER view. I fully intend to help unload the moving truck, but as soon as it is empty, I am grabbing my hammock, my sweet tea, and my trashy magazine and not budging until after the stars have all come out.
Filed under Boy is my face red, Family-blame the DNA, lexapro lexplains it | Comments (6)Our Faith, our Hope, and our Honor
Written in pencil on the back of this photograph it says it is my great-grandparents, and my grandfather celebrating Independence Day 1929. I hope you spend your fourth with people you love, blessing God for America, since he has so blessed us.
Our hearts where they rocked our cradle,
Our love where we spent our toil,
And our faith, and our hope, and our honor,
We pledge to our native soil.
God gave all men all earth to love,
But since our hearts are small,
Ordained for each one spot should prove
Beloved over all.
~Rudyard Kipling