September 11, 2001
I was in Virginia Beach on a business meeting - a line review with Coleman and the Navy. I was technically on maternity leave - Preston was 5 weeks old. This was an "overnighter". I had flown to Virginia and spent the night for an early am meeting. I had not seen my sales partner Mary since I had Preston, and we stayed up until 3 in the morning talking. On the 11th, we were in my company's satellite office. A coworker burst into our meeting to tell us what had happened. Our meeting came to a halt - I remember excusing myself every 20 minutes or so to go get myself together. Hormones...nursing...not good. Once we knew we were under attack, we closed our meeting and packed up. Packed up means - packing lanterns, stoves, tearing down tents and sleeping bags. Flights had been canceled, but thankfully my boss had rented a car, which we proceeded to "borrow and cross state lines". You know, ask for forgiveness later. We got out of town around 2pm that day. I just wanted to get the heck out of Virginia Beach - lots of bridges and tunnels, and quite honestly, one our major military hubs. I was scared to death, literally. We took turns driving. My boss got tired around 1am. My turn. Those who know me well know that I am not a night owl. But I drove - through the mountains of Tennessee with more adrenaline than I had ever felt. I remember the talk radio callers volunteering to "go kick some terrorist ass". Only it was a bit more racially explicit. I drove from 1am - 6 am or so. It took 25 hours to get home. We only stopped for fuel, food and breaks. When we approached Dallas, we headed to my house first. We lived in Lewisville. The freeways were empty and the D/FW airport (practically in my backyard) was closed. When I got home, I kissed my husband and ran upstairs to see baby Preston. He was asleep in his crib, peacefully. I then saw the TV. We had been in the car for 25 hours and had not yet seen images of the attack. I sank down into my chair and wept. I was sad, tired, terrified, relieved to be home and angry all up in one. It's two days I'll never forget.
I just heard on the radio - Kidd Kraddick (don't mock me, I've listened since Jr. High) said - remember all those promises we made 10 years ago and then quickly abandoned? Like not getting mad at the driver in who cuts you off, or spending time with your family, or getting in contact with friends more often? Let's take this day to remember those promises - the pride we felt in our nation and how we felt in the days and months after the attack.
I have the George W Bush 9/11 special from National Geographic on my DVR. I haven't gotten the nerve up to watch it. It all seems so fresh in my mind. Maybe because it's been 10 years and I see a 10 year old boy sitting in front of me - the same 10 year old that drove my middle-of-the-night adrenaline. I still can't believe it happened. And yet I still wait for it to happen again. It's like we never feel truly safe again. It's why it is so important that we never forget.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Cultural Experiences
We had a lovely weekend. It was crazy busy, as we tend to over schedule ourselves. Joe traveled all last week (summer whip!!) so we were happy to see him on Friday. We went to dinner at Fuzzy's Taco Stand, and then I got a glorious hour to hit the DSW Shoes and Nordstrom Rack. Alone! Nice.
Preston had a football game at 8:00am Saturday morning (another whip), but at least it leaves the rest of the day open. We are shopping for new cars, so we hit a few dealerships, put the dream of owning a luxury vehicle out the window (soooo expensive!) and kind of narrowed it down. The total highlight was this kid at the GMC dealer. We had a bad hail storm a while back and all their inventory was dinged. TV Joe ain't buyin' no dinged up car. So he had this kid run back to get one fresh off the assembly line (in Arlington, TX - holla!). We load up in this truck and start a test drive. I like it, it's nice. We get back to the dealership and the kid says "what we gon' do to getcha in dis Denali today?" His name? Cody Wildman. Best moment of the day. "What we gon' do?" Classic.
After shopping we headed to Fort Worth for a concert at the botanical gardens by the FW Symphony. It was a hot chili pepper of a day, so we loaded up beverages and a nice Central Market picnic.
We went with our great friends Jeff and Candace. Their daughter Kate and Bergen are tight buds. Adorable friends.
Isn't she a living doll? They really do love each other.
We listened to some great Eagles music, watched some amazing fireworks, then headed home. Fun had by all.
Preston had a football game at 8:00am Saturday morning (another whip), but at least it leaves the rest of the day open. We are shopping for new cars, so we hit a few dealerships, put the dream of owning a luxury vehicle out the window (soooo expensive!) and kind of narrowed it down. The total highlight was this kid at the GMC dealer. We had a bad hail storm a while back and all their inventory was dinged. TV Joe ain't buyin' no dinged up car. So he had this kid run back to get one fresh off the assembly line (in Arlington, TX - holla!). We load up in this truck and start a test drive. I like it, it's nice. We get back to the dealership and the kid says "what we gon' do to getcha in dis Denali today?" His name? Cody Wildman. Best moment of the day. "What we gon' do?" Classic.
After shopping we headed to Fort Worth for a concert at the botanical gardens by the FW Symphony. It was a hot chili pepper of a day, so we loaded up beverages and a nice Central Market picnic.
We went with our great friends Jeff and Candace. Their daughter Kate and Bergen are tight buds. Adorable friends.
Isn't she a living doll? They really do love each other.
We listened to some great Eagles music, watched some amazing fireworks, then headed home. Fun had by all.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Punta Mita Paradise
This one is especially for Megan...one of these days y'all are gonna come with us!!
My awesome friend Ashley turned 40 this year, so we took at trip to Punta Mita, Mexico to celebrate.
It. Was. Amazing!
Punta Mita is about an hour outside of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. It's a totally exclusive, gated community. We go somewhere tropical (sans kids) every year. We love Puerto Morelos, which is just outside of Cancun, and home to a cool fishing village, and the world's best masseuse. But we shook it up a bit this year.
We had an amazing house with a gorgeous pool. There was a cook and drink server everyday from breakfast until late afternoon. He learned our likes and dislikes - it was so amazing. He figured out in 2 days I like my coffee exactly one hour after a wake up. He was never late. I could get use to that!
We didn't do much - reading, lounging and swimming. There was a golf cart to take us all over the town. We had dinner at the Four Seasons and the St. Regis - both are gorgeous hotels.
We celebrated our girl Ashley - she's an amazing person and we are blessed to have her in our lives. She's the kind of girl who would bury the body without asking any questions. I love her to pieces...and I'm not alone. She has many fans.
Here's a little Smilebox of our trip. We are already counting the days until TV Joe turns 40 so we can do it all again!
My awesome friend Ashley turned 40 this year, so we took at trip to Punta Mita, Mexico to celebrate.
It. Was. Amazing!
Punta Mita is about an hour outside of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. It's a totally exclusive, gated community. We go somewhere tropical (sans kids) every year. We love Puerto Morelos, which is just outside of Cancun, and home to a cool fishing village, and the world's best masseuse. But we shook it up a bit this year.
We had an amazing house with a gorgeous pool. There was a cook and drink server everyday from breakfast until late afternoon. He learned our likes and dislikes - it was so amazing. He figured out in 2 days I like my coffee exactly one hour after a wake up. He was never late. I could get use to that!
We didn't do much - reading, lounging and swimming. There was a golf cart to take us all over the town. We had dinner at the Four Seasons and the St. Regis - both are gorgeous hotels.
We celebrated our girl Ashley - she's an amazing person and we are blessed to have her in our lives. She's the kind of girl who would bury the body without asking any questions. I love her to pieces...and I'm not alone. She has many fans.
Here's a little Smilebox of our trip. We are already counting the days until TV Joe turns 40 so we can do it all again!
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Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Spring Download
I have a sweet friend named Megan who lives in the middle of the Indian Ocean on an island. She left this winter to spend one year on this tiny island, and I promised her I would keep up with my blog so she could keep up with life here.
I'm such a loser bloggy friend! I have been slacking so bad. She is a faithful blogger and has many followers - and a lot of them are strangers drawn to her because her blog is beautiful, thoughtful and honest. She is also beautiful, thoughtful and honest. So the series of posts I will do this week are dedicated to her. (notice I said series...this week - this is to keep me honest!)
Here you go sweet Megan - words can't tell you how much you are missed over here. Your girls can't wait to see you in a few weeks!
I'm such a loser bloggy friend! I have been slacking so bad. She is a faithful blogger and has many followers - and a lot of them are strangers drawn to her because her blog is beautiful, thoughtful and honest. She is also beautiful, thoughtful and honest. So the series of posts I will do this week are dedicated to her. (notice I said series...this week - this is to keep me honest!)
Here you go sweet Megan - words can't tell you how much you are missed over here. Your girls can't wait to see you in a few weeks!
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Friday, April 22, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
What's in my Kindle
I've never participated in Show Us Your Life over on Kelly's Korner, but I love to read, so I thought this is a great day to jump in.
I got a Kindle for Christmas and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! It's amazingly light and clear - it looks just like a page of a book. And it's perfect for reading in sunlight - I can't wait to take it to the beach!!
What I've recently read:
The Help by Kathryn Stockett - pretty much my favorite novel of all time right now. I love this book so much and I can't wait for the movie. It's a southern novel with a lot of humor and some soul searching, change the world characters. Highly recommend!
Little Bee by Chris Cleave - I read this for my new book club. It was a tough read. It's not light and humorous (like me). It's very deep and dark and hard to read. Now that I'm through it, I'm glad I read it. But I'm not really recommending it. It's about a Nigerian refugee who has very bad things happen to her, and to the family she runs to after being released from a detention center. Nothing happy about this book.
Black Heels to Wagon Wheels by Ree Drummond - I'm a fan of the Pioneer Woman's blog and cookbook, and this is a hot love story between she and her husband. It's a sweet read and I love good memoir.
All I Can Handle - I'm No Mother Teresa by Kim Stagliano - Kim is a friend of mine. I have worked with her husband off and on for a decade. He's a mentor of mine - I adore these people. Mark and Kim have 3 girls on the autism spectrum and this is her memoir detailing their life through several job losses, moves, financial problems and learning how to care for their girls. Kim is a Warrior Mom and a powerful voice in the autism community. This is obviously a great book for families affected by autism, but also for everyone! With 1 in 50 kids being diagnosed on the spectrum, odds are we are affected or know someone affected. Highly recommend!
What I'm Reading Now:
Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman - such as sweet southern novel. I'm only 60% done, but I'm in love with this book. I'm reading it for book club, and it was a nice switch from Little Bee! I love every character.
What's Coming Next:
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen - Got to get this read before the movie comes out!
The Sweet Gum Tree by Katherine Allred - more southern humor!
Happy Reading Y'all!
I got a Kindle for Christmas and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! It's amazingly light and clear - it looks just like a page of a book. And it's perfect for reading in sunlight - I can't wait to take it to the beach!!
What I've recently read:
The Help by Kathryn Stockett - pretty much my favorite novel of all time right now. I love this book so much and I can't wait for the movie. It's a southern novel with a lot of humor and some soul searching, change the world characters. Highly recommend!
Little Bee by Chris Cleave - I read this for my new book club. It was a tough read. It's not light and humorous (like me). It's very deep and dark and hard to read. Now that I'm through it, I'm glad I read it. But I'm not really recommending it. It's about a Nigerian refugee who has very bad things happen to her, and to the family she runs to after being released from a detention center. Nothing happy about this book.
Black Heels to Wagon Wheels by Ree Drummond - I'm a fan of the Pioneer Woman's blog and cookbook, and this is a hot love story between she and her husband. It's a sweet read and I love good memoir.
All I Can Handle - I'm No Mother Teresa by Kim Stagliano - Kim is a friend of mine. I have worked with her husband off and on for a decade. He's a mentor of mine - I adore these people. Mark and Kim have 3 girls on the autism spectrum and this is her memoir detailing their life through several job losses, moves, financial problems and learning how to care for their girls. Kim is a Warrior Mom and a powerful voice in the autism community. This is obviously a great book for families affected by autism, but also for everyone! With 1 in 50 kids being diagnosed on the spectrum, odds are we are affected or know someone affected. Highly recommend!What I'm Reading Now:
Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman - such as sweet southern novel. I'm only 60% done, but I'm in love with this book. I'm reading it for book club, and it was a nice switch from Little Bee! I love every character.What's Coming Next:
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen - Got to get this read before the movie comes out!
The Sweet Gum Tree by Katherine Allred - more southern humor!Happy Reading Y'all!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Donut Races
Preston has quite possibly the *coolest* 3rd grade teacher on the planet. I wish I could be in her class! Preston loves her so much - she really caters to kid's learning needs and she makes it super F-U-N!
All year they've been working on math skills. Preston is quite the multiplication wiz, and he's getting better on the division. They take timed tests every day. There are kids in his class that can do 100 math problems in a minute.
One fun tool she uses is the donut race. 4 contestants go up to the chalkboard and race at multiplication facts.
There is a donut shape with the numbers 1-12 randomly placed in the donut. The teacher calls out the middle number (in green), and contestants race to get the product of the middle number by the numbers in the donut (in black) and write them on the outside of the donut (shown in red). When you finish the race, you knell down. Whoever finishes first and correctly wins. Then...and this is critical or you don't get the winning point...you tell your competitors "good game". Winners get a donut, losers get a donut hole.
These kids are super fast and decided to challenge the parents. So TV Joe decided to participate, and I went to take pictures...since my mad math skillz are nillz. Naturally I got suckered into racing and made a F-O-O-L of myself since they wouldn't let me use my calculator. The 12's get me every time!!
Here are a few pics from the fun. The kids had eye black on and were singing "We're Gonna Protect this House" when we walked in. Little gangstas. It was a tight race, but the parents won in the end. But, since we live in the land of skinny people, none of the parents would eat their donuts (um, except TV Joe who NEVAH passes on a donut) - the kids all got donuts. It was so fun, and the kids learned if you don't know your mad math skillz, well, you can always go into sales...
Preston racing his dad and our neighbor racing his daughter
Parents Rule!
All year they've been working on math skills. Preston is quite the multiplication wiz, and he's getting better on the division. They take timed tests every day. There are kids in his class that can do 100 math problems in a minute.
One fun tool she uses is the donut race. 4 contestants go up to the chalkboard and race at multiplication facts.
There is a donut shape with the numbers 1-12 randomly placed in the donut. The teacher calls out the middle number (in green), and contestants race to get the product of the middle number by the numbers in the donut (in black) and write them on the outside of the donut (shown in red). When you finish the race, you knell down. Whoever finishes first and correctly wins. Then...and this is critical or you don't get the winning point...you tell your competitors "good game". Winners get a donut, losers get a donut hole.These kids are super fast and decided to challenge the parents. So TV Joe decided to participate, and I went to take pictures...since my mad math skillz are nillz. Naturally I got suckered into racing and made a F-O-O-L of myself since they wouldn't let me use my calculator. The 12's get me every time!!
Here are a few pics from the fun. The kids had eye black on and were singing "We're Gonna Protect this House" when we walked in. Little gangstas. It was a tight race, but the parents won in the end. But, since we live in the land of skinny people, none of the parents would eat their donuts (um, except TV Joe who NEVAH passes on a donut) - the kids all got donuts. It was so fun, and the kids learned if you don't know your mad math skillz, well, you can always go into sales...
Coolest teacher ever!
Little Gangsta
Preston racing his dad and our neighbor racing his daughter
Parents Rule!
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