Impromptu block party

It was one of those great evenings where you feel like you have been transported back a few decades to where this was more of a common occurance. These days we don't often meet our neighbors or get along with them, etc. But the other night was different.

I was sitting outside with 2 of my neighbors while our kids rode their bikes. It all started when another neighbor went out to her front yard and turned on her sprinkler to water the grass. Her 2 daughters ran out behind her in their bathing suits and started running in the sprinkler. Bethany saw this, and ran over and plopped on the grass and yanked off her socks and shoes and ran to join them in her jeans and top. I eventually let her take off the jeans and run in her top and underpants. Luckily we know this neighbor and she had no problem with this. The other kids saw Bethany join in and they too started yanking off their socks and shoes.

So we grabbed our chairs and moved to the driveway. One of my friends has the lawn connected to the other neighbor so she turned on her sprinkler too, so it was 2 spinklers in one long yard. Then other kids on the street started showing up. So their parents followed. Then somebody made a joke about BBQ, and next thing you know we had a few BBQ's pulled out and all of us checking our kitchens for hot dogs an whatever else was handy. Then the MP's pulled up to see what was going on and they stayed for a few to visit. They couldn't stay long because they wereon duty. The kids ran in the sprinklers until dark, and the parents sat in lawn chairs in the driveway. It was awesome! Here are a few pics I took as things were just getting going.

An original Bethany story

Tonight Bethany wanted me to read her a story but I am too beat up from my class tonight to get up and get a book, so I suggested we make up our own story. I got her started with, "Once upon a time there was a princess named...." She chose to name the princess "Shiloh" after a boy in her class. And here is the story...
Me: ok Princess Shiloh like to....
Bethany: Eat princesses!
Me:oook. So one day she went to a castle but instead of a princess she found a...
Bethany: shell! But it was too loud and crunchy!
Me: So she went to another castle...
Bethany: What about Bethany! There is a princess Bethany!
Me: ok she found Princess Bethany at the next castle, but he didn't eat Bethany because Bethany said she wanted to be her friend.
Bethany:But Princess Shiloh said no! And went home.
ME: One day Princess Shiloh was walking and he saw Princess Bethany
Bethany:And Princess Bethany called her stupid and so Princess Shiloh got in a helicopter and flew to the desert and there were cactus's. Like in Texas. And there was a cowgirl and her horse ran away.
ME: Hmmm, do you think Princess Shiloh can give her a ride in the helicopter?
Bethany: Yes, and they flew back to Princess Bethany's house, and Princess Shiloh told Princess Bethany and the cowgirl to be friends and leave her alone!
Me: So did she go home then?
Bethany: No. She ate princess mommy's biiiiig nose and gave her back a small one. Then she went home. The end!

College girl

I have been working on getting squared away for school for a little while now, and I am thrilled to say that after spending the last 2 days in the student services center, I finally finished up the process! I have classes locked in and paid for by financial aid. I just need to go get books. Now my schedule is a bit weird, but here is the deal. I am wanting to get into an RN program after we move next year. But I need a degree plan for now. So I chose biology as my major because many of the pre requisites for the RN programs involve a lot of science. Most of the classes were already full so there were no openings in math, english, science or history. So I am taking 2 psychology classes. General, and Life span and growth study. I go on campus 2 days a week for that. I am also taking 2 online classes. Music appreciation which is my humanities requirement, and pharmacology. Pharmacology is part of the RN program but is also one of the few RN program classes I can take before I am in. The counselor tells me pharmacology is a hard class, but she thinks I can handle it because I got such high reading and english scores on my placement test. I will have to take it at some point and I did not have many options, so I said, "Fine. Let's do it!" I am really excited because this is the beginning! I am getting started to better my life. I am doing something for myself! It feels good!

Lap Dance

Yes, we look pretty silly

The other night my 4 sisters, one of my sister Heather's friend's, and I drove to downtown San Diego and took a private lesson on how to lap dance! It was awesome! It sounds slutty, but it really wasn't. No men allowed in the studio and everyone was fully dressed. It was quite a workout! We are all still sore. But it was so much fun! And the stuff we learned is totally something you can go home and do for your husband. Trust me, the routine she taught us will not meet any complaints from any hubby's. lol. Well, my husband is deployed, but that just gives me more time to practice and get in shape. Actually thinking about continuing lessons back in TX. A lot of women take the classes as a workout. There was one lady leaving as we showed up, and I chatted with her for a few minutes and she told me when she started the classes she was bigger than me. This lady had an awesome body. But anyway, it was a really fun way to break up the normal every day routine. And it was great to be with my sisters and just laugh with each other.

Vanilla

We are currently visiting my family and friends in CA. My parents have a cat named Estella, but my girls have gotten it all wrong despite being corrected several times. They insist on calling her "Vanilla". Both Bethany and Shea immediately fell in love with her and Estella/Vanilla seems to love them right back. She lets my girls harrass her while she eats, and pull on her tails and get in her face. She is very concerned when either one of them is crying or upset too. I wish we could take her home with us. Maybe I should have gotten the girls a cat a while back. Here are some pictures of them. In the first picture, yes Shea was taste testing her food for her.

My First Pair of Running Shoes!

I am so excited! Today I bought my first pair of running shoes! Bethany and I went to Dick's Sporting goods. Although I know squat about running shoes at this point, I figured I could trust the guy in the store to know what he was doing, since as soon as I walked up he told me that I walk on the outside of my feet. I guess people who know this stuff notice how people walk. I am still in the walking portion of my couch to 5k program, but I am about to pick up the pace. More to come...

The value of a friend

Today one of my best friends moved away. Her son was also Bethany's first real best friend. I am so sad. How often do you find a friend who understands you, and leans on you but not too much, and helps you out when you need help? A friend who is right on your level.

I have had 2 such friends. My best childhood friend Stacey who I am still close friends with, and now Violet. These two people have been there for me, and I never felt judged by them.

As for Bethany and TJ, in a neighborhood and age where other kids already tease each other, and take notice of their weaknesses, they are still innocent compared to many other kids their age who are already acting like teenagers. Sure, they fought like an old married couple over the stupidest things. One of my favorites, was the repeated arguments over which one of them was 4. Because they can't BOTH be 4, you know. Despite the fighting, if they are apart more than a day, they ask for each other. TJ is one of the first people Bethany wants to show a new toy, or sticker, or picture she made.

A lot of friends have come and gone in the last 7 years that I have been part of a military family, but this one is the hardest yet. I was so sad to see Bethany and TJ give each other one last hug and kiss good bye and to try and explain to Bethany that he is not coming back and will not live at his house anymore, but we can send him pictures and talk on the phone.

I will miss sitting with Violet after the kids go to bed, and just talking. I suddenly feel very lonely with Aaron gone, and now my friend and her family. I know we will make other friends. And with Aaron getting out of the Army in another year, maybe we will even make some friends we can keep! It is one perk to switching over to the civilian life.

Violet, when you read this, I hope that you get your college done, and go on to accomplish everything you are hoping for. And I hope you will be happy. You know how to find me anytime you want to talk.