It's been a while, but time to post again. I am leaving my job next year. It is public knowledge and I'm rather happy about it. I still love the place and the people, but it just isn't right for where I am in my life now.
My kids and husband are doing great and they are happy. What more could a woman ask for?! Maybe I wish the Kings were doing better, since we often go to the games. But, they haven't been good in a long time. I'll have to try to catch up once I have more time. Until then, peace and chicken grease.
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Monday, February 4, 2013
Houston and back.
It has been like FOREVER since I've posted something on my blog. I think it was 2011. Today is February 4, 2013. It's a beautiful day, about 65 degrees on a clear day in the Sacramento area. It's almost nice enough for me to forget about the 49ers losing the Super Bowl yesterday, but that's a whole 'nother subject. We are all still sulking. But, still proud of them, especially Kaepernick.
Yesterday I returned from Houston after a 17 year hiatus. I was only there for a quick visit (Fri night returned Sunday afternoon). Unfortunately, it was due to my Uncle Leslie's funeral, but it was a beautiful service. All of his siblings, except Michael, were able to attend. But, Michael sent a statement read by Ray.
I don't believe I've ever met Terri's daughter Jamyah before this trip. I don't remember how old she is, but Tremaine and Treveyan are now all big and getting ready for college. Both are tall and handsome, kind young men. The last time I saw them they were babies.
Treveyan (who they call Tre at times) wrote a fabulous and heartfelt poem to his grandfather. It really touched me. His writing skills are mature beyond his years. I asked him to send me a copy. I would post it but I don't want to get involved with copyright issues if he ever decides to publish his writing. I hear that he likes to write poems.
Interestingly, I found out some family history while I was there. My uncle Leslie was a Jr. And, he met his bio dad in an interesting set of circumstances. I'd always known his last name was different than the family's but never thought about the 'other side' of that family.
His 'sister' from this father got up and spoke. In no way was she disrepectful or out of line, but she explained how it happened. Both Leslie Sr and Leslie Jr ended up in the same hospital at the same time, with the same name and they discovered it was his long lost father. From that meeting, he became acquainted with the rest of that family, including his sister (not sure if she is bio-sister, adopted, etc.) from that family. The other irony is that her name is Ruby. Why is that ironic? Because Leslie's wife's name is Ruby. How crazy, right?!
I had the (un)fortunate honor of traveling with my nervous and fussy aunt. Where do I begin with her. I love her dearly, but when her nerves are bad she just can't keep herself together well, even if she thinks she's doing well. She kept asking me if I knew what I was doing, even though I travel by plane to different cities regularly (about 20-30+ trips per year). She questioned everything! "Do you know where you are going?" "Are you sure we have to get on this shuttle?" "How do you know blah, blah, blah?". Even boarding the plane, she kept trying to tell me what to do. She even told me "You can't have that on the plane" (referring to something that I take on 100% of my trips).
Then, she had the nerve to be bossy on a trip that I funded for HER! She paid nothing for this trip. I covered her flight, hotel, rental car and food. She complained about the flight. "Can't you get a direct flight?" I told her that she can get whatever she liked if she paid for it. Then she wanted to know what type of hotel, and I only stay at 4-5 star hotels. I had to tell her all of the information about 5 times or more.
On the plane, she insisted on sitting near the window, which is historically my seat. I ended up sitting in the middle seat, and she was fussing the whole way.
When we get into the car in Houston, my GPS wouldn't work, like it normally would. Plus I neglected to enter the information in early, like I normally do because I thought I could find it (knowing it was close to the airport). So, she starts panicking and getting hysterical and I pull over and tell her that I will get it to work. She was FUSSING, FUSSING and FUSSING, saying "We need to call someone and get directions." She said that about 5 times so I finally told her to call someone because I wanted her to stop talking to me. So, she calls the hotel and wakes up one of her brothers to ask him how to get to the hotel. The problem was (which I knew) is that I didn't even know exactly what street I was on, until I finally got my GPS to work. I was only able to do it because she stopped talking to me.
Then, she kept talking OVER the GPS. I asked her to hold my phone. She talked over it. I said, "Aunt Joyce, I need you to stop talking so that I can hear this" So she says, "Ok, I'm going to stop talking so you can hear it, but I sure am glad that you got it to work. Oh yeah, you need me to stop talking (blah, blah, blah)" so I finally said, "Aunt Joyce, I can't hear the GPS as long as you are still talking!" OMG!! This can't be real!!
Then at the hotel, I already told her that she could get her coffee in the room (she's super cheap). But, she asked the hotel clerk if she could get it downstairs. The lady says yes, but I remind her that it costs money, so then she wanted to argue that it shouldn't. OMG!! Really? Then, we find out our room is on the 9th floor. She said "I don't know if I can sleep on the 9th floor". And, then in the elevator, "I don't think I can take this elevator." And, fussy about the plane ticket cost that she did NOT pay for!!! I told her, "how can you beat free?!!" Then, in the room "I'm going to need the room very warm" She thought she saw a bug and got super freaked out even though I told her that it was just a crack in the ceiling. I had to finally get a flashlight out to show her that I knew what I was talking about. She says she's territorial in rooms and doesn't want me putting my stuff on the same side as hers (I paid for this room and I'm letting her stay for free!). Then, she asked if I knew how to turn on the TV, if the movies on the TV are free, do you know how to work this coffee maker, when are you going to take a shower, Tracy you need to go to sleep now...." You get the point. Next time, no more free trips because that fussing was a double penalty.
Enough for now, but more later. By the way, I still love my aunt Joyce but on the way home, thankfully my uncle Ray was on the same flight and I pawned her off onto him. And, I sat in my own row. I got to sleep and had some peace.
Take care and God bless!
Yesterday I returned from Houston after a 17 year hiatus. I was only there for a quick visit (Fri night returned Sunday afternoon). Unfortunately, it was due to my Uncle Leslie's funeral, but it was a beautiful service. All of his siblings, except Michael, were able to attend. But, Michael sent a statement read by Ray.
I don't believe I've ever met Terri's daughter Jamyah before this trip. I don't remember how old she is, but Tremaine and Treveyan are now all big and getting ready for college. Both are tall and handsome, kind young men. The last time I saw them they were babies.
Treveyan (who they call Tre at times) wrote a fabulous and heartfelt poem to his grandfather. It really touched me. His writing skills are mature beyond his years. I asked him to send me a copy. I would post it but I don't want to get involved with copyright issues if he ever decides to publish his writing. I hear that he likes to write poems.
Interestingly, I found out some family history while I was there. My uncle Leslie was a Jr. And, he met his bio dad in an interesting set of circumstances. I'd always known his last name was different than the family's but never thought about the 'other side' of that family.
His 'sister' from this father got up and spoke. In no way was she disrepectful or out of line, but she explained how it happened. Both Leslie Sr and Leslie Jr ended up in the same hospital at the same time, with the same name and they discovered it was his long lost father. From that meeting, he became acquainted with the rest of that family, including his sister (not sure if she is bio-sister, adopted, etc.) from that family. The other irony is that her name is Ruby. Why is that ironic? Because Leslie's wife's name is Ruby. How crazy, right?!
I had the (un)fortunate honor of traveling with my nervous and fussy aunt. Where do I begin with her. I love her dearly, but when her nerves are bad she just can't keep herself together well, even if she thinks she's doing well. She kept asking me if I knew what I was doing, even though I travel by plane to different cities regularly (about 20-30+ trips per year). She questioned everything! "Do you know where you are going?" "Are you sure we have to get on this shuttle?" "How do you know blah, blah, blah?". Even boarding the plane, she kept trying to tell me what to do. She even told me "You can't have that on the plane" (referring to something that I take on 100% of my trips).
Then, she had the nerve to be bossy on a trip that I funded for HER! She paid nothing for this trip. I covered her flight, hotel, rental car and food. She complained about the flight. "Can't you get a direct flight?" I told her that she can get whatever she liked if she paid for it. Then she wanted to know what type of hotel, and I only stay at 4-5 star hotels. I had to tell her all of the information about 5 times or more.
On the plane, she insisted on sitting near the window, which is historically my seat. I ended up sitting in the middle seat, and she was fussing the whole way.
When we get into the car in Houston, my GPS wouldn't work, like it normally would. Plus I neglected to enter the information in early, like I normally do because I thought I could find it (knowing it was close to the airport). So, she starts panicking and getting hysterical and I pull over and tell her that I will get it to work. She was FUSSING, FUSSING and FUSSING, saying "We need to call someone and get directions." She said that about 5 times so I finally told her to call someone because I wanted her to stop talking to me. So, she calls the hotel and wakes up one of her brothers to ask him how to get to the hotel. The problem was (which I knew) is that I didn't even know exactly what street I was on, until I finally got my GPS to work. I was only able to do it because she stopped talking to me.
Then, she kept talking OVER the GPS. I asked her to hold my phone. She talked over it. I said, "Aunt Joyce, I need you to stop talking so that I can hear this" So she says, "Ok, I'm going to stop talking so you can hear it, but I sure am glad that you got it to work. Oh yeah, you need me to stop talking (blah, blah, blah)" so I finally said, "Aunt Joyce, I can't hear the GPS as long as you are still talking!" OMG!! This can't be real!!
Then at the hotel, I already told her that she could get her coffee in the room (she's super cheap). But, she asked the hotel clerk if she could get it downstairs. The lady says yes, but I remind her that it costs money, so then she wanted to argue that it shouldn't. OMG!! Really? Then, we find out our room is on the 9th floor. She said "I don't know if I can sleep on the 9th floor". And, then in the elevator, "I don't think I can take this elevator." And, fussy about the plane ticket cost that she did NOT pay for!!! I told her, "how can you beat free?!!" Then, in the room "I'm going to need the room very warm" She thought she saw a bug and got super freaked out even though I told her that it was just a crack in the ceiling. I had to finally get a flashlight out to show her that I knew what I was talking about. She says she's territorial in rooms and doesn't want me putting my stuff on the same side as hers (I paid for this room and I'm letting her stay for free!). Then, she asked if I knew how to turn on the TV, if the movies on the TV are free, do you know how to work this coffee maker, when are you going to take a shower, Tracy you need to go to sleep now...." You get the point. Next time, no more free trips because that fussing was a double penalty.
Enough for now, but more later. By the way, I still love my aunt Joyce but on the way home, thankfully my uncle Ray was on the same flight and I pawned her off onto him. And, I sat in my own row. I got to sleep and had some peace.
Take care and God bless!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Niagara Falls
Today I got to see one of God's greatest work of art: Niagara Falls. It's hard to stop looking at it, it's so gorgeous!! I have an amazing view of it right from my room. I'm on the Canadian side, just north of Buffalo.
This evening I had an unusual and memorable experience, on top of seeing the falls for the first time. I was invited out to dinner with a group and had the 'opportunity' to see some of the filthiest wealth I've ever encountered. I'd almost say it was understated, but just initially.
See, I would have thought these guys were regular old working stiffs if they hadn't started talking. It started off with them saying that they had thought of doing business together, and knew each other. I was the only really "new" person in the group.
I'll call the big guy "WBS", since that's what his monogram said on his shirt. One of the guys was there with his wife, I'll call him SS and her GS. They had talked a little about business dealings they had before. There was one other guy "Joe" there, who arranged the dinner as a meet and greet.
So, SS asked WBS first about a racing horse. Then, all three guys chimed in about their own horse or horses. Immediately, I was the odd ball! SS complained that it cost $40 day to have an injured horse be cared for in a facility (and said it again, with great disbelief and was clearly annoyed). Then, WBS said he had over 300 world class race horses, with notable names like Wicked ?? and something else that race on the Kentucky Derby, Belmont race tracks and Saratoga. He said he houses them all himself at his ranch or at the race tracks. He talked about taking one guy to the race in Saratoga and he wanted to buy a horse, but could only afford 1/2 of a horse IF WBS cut him a deal. WBS said that the horse was worth minimally $1 million but if he bid at at least $800,000, he'd split the proceeds of the horse with him. The bidder got overly zealous and kept bidding past the agreed upon amount, and eventually sold at $1.2 million, since he was up against someone else. But, WBS laughed it off, and said he still only charged him the $400,000 for 1/2 of it, and WBS even paid the 5% commission, so he ended up losing money.
Each horse that he owns is worth usually more than $1 million. They have a short race life because of the trauma of racing so most of his horses are on his convelesent facility where he converts them to studs. He said he charged usually about $10,000 for stud feels, and once they are injured will allow them to breed (selectively) with about 150 mares. One horse in particular brought in $400,000 before a race ending injury, and then brought in another $1.6 million in stud fees.
WBS talked about his 300+ horses, that are just a hobby, since he doesn't recreate (that's what he said...no vacations, golf, fishing, he just likes to do these types of hobbies) and realized it could be very profitable.
He talked about his seats on Wall Street NYSE and that he was offered a seat in Dubai but turned it down. Says all of the people are either Italian and/or Jewish, but because his name is unusual (only known in Northern Italy), most people are not sure if his son (who sits in the seat for him) is Italian or Jewish and he doesn't tell them (he laughed at that, too).
He spoke of his oldest two children, a boy and girl. They both went to undergrad and law school in the USA, then they both went to Cambridge Law School in England to get another law degree. They are both so smart they'd only go to school four days a week, then travel throughout Europe for the other three.
The two kids came down with a serious form of bone cancer, normally only seen in places like Tripoli or where they were exposed to high amounts of radiation. So, the doctor suspects that the two of them sat next to a person on the train who was smuggling uranium, and exposed them to this.
The kids are doing well, in spite of this, and have a successful law firm in Richmond, VA with 18 employees and big clients like Citibank and other major companies because of their international education and their brilliance. They take home just what they need (sounded like he said $3 million AGAIN) and send the rest to a cancer research foundation. They never miss work, even though the family has the means for them to sit around and just deal with their illness. The girl still has to go for chemo on Fridays at 10am, but goes into work every day at 6:30am and never misses a day. He didn't mention their prognosis and I decided that I didn't want to hear what else he had to say about his kids because it turned from pride into arrogant bragging.
His son who sits on the NYSE for him makes no less than $3 million per year on the commissions of the sales that he does for his dad. He only got his BA from Tulane (that's what his dad said, not me).
SS's wife, GS, is sitting next to me, and she leans over to me and whispers "He's got a lot of money". I wanted to say, "Get the Heck out of here?! Really?". She's also trying to tell Joe that his son, who's scheduled to go to Afghanistan probably won't have to go because we're leaving the war. I should probably mention that in the VERY beginning of dinner, WBS says to me that he wanted to know what I did. I told him who I worked for and he said he liked to remember people with their name and who they worked for/what they did. So, GS says to him, "Ask me what I do?". So, he did. She said, "I do whatever I want to" and smiles at her husband across the table. Yes, she's a woman of leisure.
So, here I am sitting amongst people who are clearly in the highest tax brackets that we have. Joe is rather humble about it but it sounds like it's because he's had a few wives (up to 4 or 5 because SS, who's known him for a while said, "Won't that be #5 for you" referring to women. I got the impression that he was currently married since he talked about his step-daughter, who's a pain in the butt. I figured he wouldn't refer to her as his step if he didn't have to.
I have silly GS sitting to my left, and BIG ASS WBS (he's about 330+ lbs, 6' 6"....darker complexion almost like a middle eastern person), who loves to attract attention, and I decided I didn't want any part of it. SS was actually a nice guy who loves his wife. They've been married almost 41 years and I have the impression that he spoils her. Either that, or he is amused by her since they don't really live together.
See, while we were in the lobby waiting for SS, she tells me that he works out of Wyoming, but she lives in Arizona up to 95% of the time. He'll come down for the weekends with her. She doesn't like it there, and her kids are in AZ.
OK, I almost forgot to mention that WBS talks about a lot of different business deals that he worked, but talked about the Pittsburgh Pirates (when SS and GS said that was where they were from). He and another guy who owned the Sabres (maybe, named John from the Buffalo area) are the only two guys from the small town he grew up in who made anything of themselves. But, from what I understand, John is in jail now. I didn't get that story, but I did hear about the Pirates.
He said "John" came to him with a deal to buy the Pirates and asked WBS if he wanted in on the deal. WBS said, "If I have enough money, YES!". So, John told him, it'll be about $30 million dollars, and he replied, "Well I have that". They had to eventually spend about $120 million and WBS wanted 1/3 of the team, and almost brokered a deal until they tried to put a clause into the deal that would require the city to support the team with a new stadium and if it didn't turn around in 5 years or the city didn't show support, that they could move it to another city. That's when the deal started taking a down hill turn.
Someone else came in with an offer about $14 million less with no conditions and bought it. He was losing money until that guy's CFO came to him and told him to make the team a bottom feeder team because of revenue sharing; if he could get the payroll to $12 and make them a loosing team, they could make $15 million a year. So, that's what they are doing. WBS said he wished he would have thought of that himself, but it's brilliant. However, he says that the other teams hate them for it. WBS says it costs a lot of money to make a play at being a top tier team because of the cost for players is risky, but the revenue sharing is guaranteed.
I was glad when it was over. I passed on dessert. I mostly focused on the breathtaking scenary from the window of the restaurant overlooking the waterfalls. It was somewhat surreal. Quite frankly, I could not comfortably be that rich. Even still, if I ever had that type of wealth, I wouldn't be that arrogant.
Interesting day. I don't care if I'm not a blue blood. I am so blessed to be just me. Child of God, wife of Kelvin, Mother to my three beauties, daughter of Pookie and the rest of the Joneses, sister in Christ to many!
God bless and Love you!!
This evening I had an unusual and memorable experience, on top of seeing the falls for the first time. I was invited out to dinner with a group and had the 'opportunity' to see some of the filthiest wealth I've ever encountered. I'd almost say it was understated, but just initially.
See, I would have thought these guys were regular old working stiffs if they hadn't started talking. It started off with them saying that they had thought of doing business together, and knew each other. I was the only really "new" person in the group.
I'll call the big guy "WBS", since that's what his monogram said on his shirt. One of the guys was there with his wife, I'll call him SS and her GS. They had talked a little about business dealings they had before. There was one other guy "Joe" there, who arranged the dinner as a meet and greet.
So, SS asked WBS first about a racing horse. Then, all three guys chimed in about their own horse or horses. Immediately, I was the odd ball! SS complained that it cost $40 day to have an injured horse be cared for in a facility (and said it again, with great disbelief and was clearly annoyed). Then, WBS said he had over 300 world class race horses, with notable names like Wicked ?? and something else that race on the Kentucky Derby, Belmont race tracks and Saratoga. He said he houses them all himself at his ranch or at the race tracks. He talked about taking one guy to the race in Saratoga and he wanted to buy a horse, but could only afford 1/2 of a horse IF WBS cut him a deal. WBS said that the horse was worth minimally $1 million but if he bid at at least $800,000, he'd split the proceeds of the horse with him. The bidder got overly zealous and kept bidding past the agreed upon amount, and eventually sold at $1.2 million, since he was up against someone else. But, WBS laughed it off, and said he still only charged him the $400,000 for 1/2 of it, and WBS even paid the 5% commission, so he ended up losing money.
Each horse that he owns is worth usually more than $1 million. They have a short race life because of the trauma of racing so most of his horses are on his convelesent facility where he converts them to studs. He said he charged usually about $10,000 for stud feels, and once they are injured will allow them to breed (selectively) with about 150 mares. One horse in particular brought in $400,000 before a race ending injury, and then brought in another $1.6 million in stud fees.
WBS talked about his 300+ horses, that are just a hobby, since he doesn't recreate (that's what he said...no vacations, golf, fishing, he just likes to do these types of hobbies) and realized it could be very profitable.
He talked about his seats on Wall Street NYSE and that he was offered a seat in Dubai but turned it down. Says all of the people are either Italian and/or Jewish, but because his name is unusual (only known in Northern Italy), most people are not sure if his son (who sits in the seat for him) is Italian or Jewish and he doesn't tell them (he laughed at that, too).
He spoke of his oldest two children, a boy and girl. They both went to undergrad and law school in the USA, then they both went to Cambridge Law School in England to get another law degree. They are both so smart they'd only go to school four days a week, then travel throughout Europe for the other three.
The two kids came down with a serious form of bone cancer, normally only seen in places like Tripoli or where they were exposed to high amounts of radiation. So, the doctor suspects that the two of them sat next to a person on the train who was smuggling uranium, and exposed them to this.
The kids are doing well, in spite of this, and have a successful law firm in Richmond, VA with 18 employees and big clients like Citibank and other major companies because of their international education and their brilliance. They take home just what they need (sounded like he said $3 million AGAIN) and send the rest to a cancer research foundation. They never miss work, even though the family has the means for them to sit around and just deal with their illness. The girl still has to go for chemo on Fridays at 10am, but goes into work every day at 6:30am and never misses a day. He didn't mention their prognosis and I decided that I didn't want to hear what else he had to say about his kids because it turned from pride into arrogant bragging.
His son who sits on the NYSE for him makes no less than $3 million per year on the commissions of the sales that he does for his dad. He only got his BA from Tulane (that's what his dad said, not me).
SS's wife, GS, is sitting next to me, and she leans over to me and whispers "He's got a lot of money". I wanted to say, "Get the Heck out of here?! Really?". She's also trying to tell Joe that his son, who's scheduled to go to Afghanistan probably won't have to go because we're leaving the war. I should probably mention that in the VERY beginning of dinner, WBS says to me that he wanted to know what I did. I told him who I worked for and he said he liked to remember people with their name and who they worked for/what they did. So, GS says to him, "Ask me what I do?". So, he did. She said, "I do whatever I want to" and smiles at her husband across the table. Yes, she's a woman of leisure.
So, here I am sitting amongst people who are clearly in the highest tax brackets that we have. Joe is rather humble about it but it sounds like it's because he's had a few wives (up to 4 or 5 because SS, who's known him for a while said, "Won't that be #5 for you" referring to women. I got the impression that he was currently married since he talked about his step-daughter, who's a pain in the butt. I figured he wouldn't refer to her as his step if he didn't have to.
I have silly GS sitting to my left, and BIG ASS WBS (he's about 330+ lbs, 6' 6"....darker complexion almost like a middle eastern person), who loves to attract attention, and I decided I didn't want any part of it. SS was actually a nice guy who loves his wife. They've been married almost 41 years and I have the impression that he spoils her. Either that, or he is amused by her since they don't really live together.
See, while we were in the lobby waiting for SS, she tells me that he works out of Wyoming, but she lives in Arizona up to 95% of the time. He'll come down for the weekends with her. She doesn't like it there, and her kids are in AZ.
OK, I almost forgot to mention that WBS talks about a lot of different business deals that he worked, but talked about the Pittsburgh Pirates (when SS and GS said that was where they were from). He and another guy who owned the Sabres (maybe, named John from the Buffalo area) are the only two guys from the small town he grew up in who made anything of themselves. But, from what I understand, John is in jail now. I didn't get that story, but I did hear about the Pirates.
He said "John" came to him with a deal to buy the Pirates and asked WBS if he wanted in on the deal. WBS said, "If I have enough money, YES!". So, John told him, it'll be about $30 million dollars, and he replied, "Well I have that". They had to eventually spend about $120 million and WBS wanted 1/3 of the team, and almost brokered a deal until they tried to put a clause into the deal that would require the city to support the team with a new stadium and if it didn't turn around in 5 years or the city didn't show support, that they could move it to another city. That's when the deal started taking a down hill turn.
Someone else came in with an offer about $14 million less with no conditions and bought it. He was losing money until that guy's CFO came to him and told him to make the team a bottom feeder team because of revenue sharing; if he could get the payroll to $12 and make them a loosing team, they could make $15 million a year. So, that's what they are doing. WBS said he wished he would have thought of that himself, but it's brilliant. However, he says that the other teams hate them for it. WBS says it costs a lot of money to make a play at being a top tier team because of the cost for players is risky, but the revenue sharing is guaranteed.
I was glad when it was over. I passed on dessert. I mostly focused on the breathtaking scenary from the window of the restaurant overlooking the waterfalls. It was somewhat surreal. Quite frankly, I could not comfortably be that rich. Even still, if I ever had that type of wealth, I wouldn't be that arrogant.
Interesting day. I don't care if I'm not a blue blood. I am so blessed to be just me. Child of God, wife of Kelvin, Mother to my three beauties, daughter of Pookie and the rest of the Joneses, sister in Christ to many!
God bless and Love you!!
Monday, May 9, 2011
My Mother's Day Gifts
I hadn't realized until TODAY that it was almost a year ago since I posted anything onto my site.
I had a most wonderful Mothers' Day weekend. Quite frankly, it is still a little awkward to think of myself as someone who should be celebrated for just doing something I enjoy. I am honored to be the mother of my beautiful daughters and love every moment of their lives.
My darling husband set up a massage at my favorite local spa for me and took the kids all day on Saturday so that I could relax. That was fabulous. The next day was breakfast in bed and showered with affection from the family.
My middle daughter, Lindsey, made me a wall decor item that said I love you. The funniest parts was that she wrapped it and wrote "From Cereal" on the wrapping. I said, "What??!". She said, "That's because you call me Super Sugar Crisp sometimes". Me: ROFL!! I do! I call her all types of Sugar names.
She made a wall decor item (?) that said I love you on it. On the back, she wrote the cutest little poem. It said:
Dear Mom,
My dad is tall,
My shoe size isn't small,
But none of that matters,
Because you are the best mom of all!
Happy Mother's Day
Love, Lindsey (a.k.a Sugar Bear)
Love that!!
Erin made me a card that you fold out that said "Mom, my love for you grows (then you fold it out), and grows (then you fold it out more), and grows". It was pink with a beautiful long stemmed flower that seemed to grow as you folded it out. She also colored a couple of beautiful pictures for me.
My oldest daughter wrote me the most amazing poem and drew me a beautiful water color picture. She is showing to be incredibly gifted in these arts.
Here's the poem she wrote:
8 May 2011
I will....
Dear Mom
Love is patient
Love is kind
and I know your
love is genuine.
Though
I know,
Sometimes
things break
your heart,
you give them
a fresh start.
I know sometimes
your heart and mind
hurt,
remembert it (sp) not
your fault.
People must make
their own mistakes.
Mommy you do
a great job with
everything because
you have a pure heart.
Being around you
is like being around
a ball
of light, because
you radiate and
infect everyone
with positive
attitudes and
a gigantic smile.
I will always
remember your
encouraging words.
I will remember
your smile that
lights up a room.
And I will never
forget the high
expectation you
require for us
to do our best
in life because
you care.
Love Always,
Ky J
Is there anything better than this? I doubt it. Happy Mothers' Day to all the beautiful women who gave birth AND nurtured a child to achieve the most out of the world that God has blessed us with.
I had a most wonderful Mothers' Day weekend. Quite frankly, it is still a little awkward to think of myself as someone who should be celebrated for just doing something I enjoy. I am honored to be the mother of my beautiful daughters and love every moment of their lives.
My darling husband set up a massage at my favorite local spa for me and took the kids all day on Saturday so that I could relax. That was fabulous. The next day was breakfast in bed and showered with affection from the family.
My middle daughter, Lindsey, made me a wall decor item that said I love you. The funniest parts was that she wrapped it and wrote "From Cereal" on the wrapping. I said, "What??!". She said, "That's because you call me Super Sugar Crisp sometimes". Me: ROFL!! I do! I call her all types of Sugar names.
She made a wall decor item (?) that said I love you on it. On the back, she wrote the cutest little poem. It said:
Dear Mom,
My dad is tall,
My shoe size isn't small,
But none of that matters,
Because you are the best mom of all!
Happy Mother's Day
Love, Lindsey (a.k.a Sugar Bear)
Love that!!
Erin made me a card that you fold out that said "Mom, my love for you grows (then you fold it out), and grows (then you fold it out more), and grows". It was pink with a beautiful long stemmed flower that seemed to grow as you folded it out. She also colored a couple of beautiful pictures for me.
My oldest daughter wrote me the most amazing poem and drew me a beautiful water color picture. She is showing to be incredibly gifted in these arts.
Here's the poem she wrote:
8 May 2011
I will....
Dear Mom
Love is patient
Love is kind
and I know your
love is genuine.
Though
I know,
Sometimes
things break
your heart,
you give them
a fresh start.
I know sometimes
your heart and mind
hurt,
remembert it (sp) not
your fault.
People must make
their own mistakes.
Mommy you do
a great job with
everything because
you have a pure heart.
Being around you
is like being around
a ball
of light, because
you radiate and
infect everyone
with positive
attitudes and
a gigantic smile.
I will always
remember your
encouraging words.
I will remember
your smile that
lights up a room.
And I will never
forget the high
expectation you
require for us
to do our best
in life because
you care.
Love Always,
Ky J
Is there anything better than this? I doubt it. Happy Mothers' Day to all the beautiful women who gave birth AND nurtured a child to achieve the most out of the world that God has blessed us with.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Lawrence E. Jones Middle School
At this moment, I can't express my emotions in words. Honored, proud, estatic, humbled, sad, happy....everything.
The city of Rohnert Park has come through again to show their appreciation for the contributions that my dad has made to their community.
Due to budgetary issues the two middle schools in RP are combining. Instead of keeping one of their names, they have decided to rename it Lawrence E. Jones Middle School.
I LOVE IT!! How amazing!! Thank you so much for respecting my dad. I just wish he could have been here to receive it.
But, the first thing I thought about was my dad's promise to me. He and I had a running joke about my 40th birthday present. For his 40th birthday I made him a certificate that told him that he was officially over the hill and insisted that 40 was old. He was TICKLED by it all. He told me, "You just wait". He had a birthday surprise for me for my 40th. And, each year, he'd remind me about that.
I've had a hard time writing because of this. My dad has occupied so much of my thoughts and memories. Not all of it is bad, but my birthday weighed heavy on my heart because less than a month ago I had my first birthday without my dad. Ironically, the first birthday of mine that he missed happened to be my 40th birthday.
But, at this very moment, I feel like he delivered on his promise. Thanks for the hug Pops, and to CRPUSD. I receive this gift with honor and now feel like I've received my gift!!
God bless, Tracy
The city of Rohnert Park has come through again to show their appreciation for the contributions that my dad has made to their community.
Due to budgetary issues the two middle schools in RP are combining. Instead of keeping one of their names, they have decided to rename it Lawrence E. Jones Middle School.
I LOVE IT!! How amazing!! Thank you so much for respecting my dad. I just wish he could have been here to receive it.
But, the first thing I thought about was my dad's promise to me. He and I had a running joke about my 40th birthday present. For his 40th birthday I made him a certificate that told him that he was officially over the hill and insisted that 40 was old. He was TICKLED by it all. He told me, "You just wait". He had a birthday surprise for me for my 40th. And, each year, he'd remind me about that.
I've had a hard time writing because of this. My dad has occupied so much of my thoughts and memories. Not all of it is bad, but my birthday weighed heavy on my heart because less than a month ago I had my first birthday without my dad. Ironically, the first birthday of mine that he missed happened to be my 40th birthday.
But, at this very moment, I feel like he delivered on his promise. Thanks for the hug Pops, and to CRPUSD. I receive this gift with honor and now feel like I've received my gift!!
God bless, Tracy
Thursday, October 22, 2009
My dream last night
It has been months since I've updated this blog because it's hard to write without thinking about my dad. But, last night I had an amazing experience that I hope I'll never forget.
Most of my friends and all of my family knows that my dad passed away on 6/27/09 after he lost his earthly battle to cancer. It is the greatest loss that I've ever experienced in my life and there are few that will ever be able to personally measure up to this one.
That being said, I had a dream about him last night. It felt like he was really here with me again. Before he got ill and fragile. I saw my Pops! And, it felt so natural and normal. We were at my grandmother's house. I remember walking inside the sliding glass door with him, and telling him I was cold. My dad never got cold, but I always seemed to be. So, he sat on the couch underneath the window in her family room and told me to come sit next to him and he'd warm me up. And, I sat next to him and curled up in his arms and he just held me. It was a beautiful moment, and I remember being confused, almost in disbelief. I wasn't thinking about him no longer being alive, but I knew that moment was very sweet for some unknown reason. Of course, I was awakened way to quickly that night, and was horrorified to have been wakened up in during such a precious experience.
If you are wondering why I wrote this, it's because it's a dream I hope to never forget. We all believe that there are some special ones that we shouldn't forget, but then it happens.
I hope my Pops visits me more often. He always knew when I needed a hug. I guess he still knows.
Most of my friends and all of my family knows that my dad passed away on 6/27/09 after he lost his earthly battle to cancer. It is the greatest loss that I've ever experienced in my life and there are few that will ever be able to personally measure up to this one.
That being said, I had a dream about him last night. It felt like he was really here with me again. Before he got ill and fragile. I saw my Pops! And, it felt so natural and normal. We were at my grandmother's house. I remember walking inside the sliding glass door with him, and telling him I was cold. My dad never got cold, but I always seemed to be. So, he sat on the couch underneath the window in her family room and told me to come sit next to him and he'd warm me up. And, I sat next to him and curled up in his arms and he just held me. It was a beautiful moment, and I remember being confused, almost in disbelief. I wasn't thinking about him no longer being alive, but I knew that moment was very sweet for some unknown reason. Of course, I was awakened way to quickly that night, and was horrorified to have been wakened up in during such a precious experience.
If you are wondering why I wrote this, it's because it's a dream I hope to never forget. We all believe that there are some special ones that we shouldn't forget, but then it happens.
I hope my Pops visits me more often. He always knew when I needed a hug. I guess he still knows.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Tball
I can't believe it's been two months since I added anything. My apologies!! We've been doing so much at once. You know how that thing called "life" goes.
So, it's Tball season and both girls are playing. They're on the same team this year so Kelvin and I have decided to coach them (with their support, of course). Lindsey BEGGED us not to make her play, and she even cried. BUT, after the first practice, she was yelling "Practice MORE". Strange child. She LOVES it. And, she's pretty darn good, too. She can hit the ball but she loves to play defense more than offense. If she could play 1st base for the whole game she would.
Then, there's Erin. She is very strong, fast, and full of energy. We thought for sure she was going to be great. But....but....I don't know what to say. Before we go to the field everyday I ask her, "Erin, what does Mommy want you to do today?", and she says "Not play in the dirt". That's all I ask of her!!
She doesn't want to hit the ball, either. If the ball comes close to her, and she's playing in the dirt, she glances at it quickly and goes back to the dirt. In Tball, EVERYONE gets on base. In the second game (for some reason), she would run from 1st base to right field and stay on the edge of the grass to get to second base. VERY STRANGE! Kelvin was the 1st base coach and would talk to her at 1st base and she'd point to where she was going to run, but when the ball got hit, she'd take off to right field, down the first base line! Ughhhhhhh!!
I think Erin will be better at soccer or basketball! I think we need to sign her up for a game that moves quicker than this one, without all the rules. But, Lindsey has found something she loves as much as swimming and dancing. Finally, a sign that she IS my child.
More later. I'll catch up again soon.
So, it's Tball season and both girls are playing. They're on the same team this year so Kelvin and I have decided to coach them (with their support, of course). Lindsey BEGGED us not to make her play, and she even cried. BUT, after the first practice, she was yelling "Practice MORE". Strange child. She LOVES it. And, she's pretty darn good, too. She can hit the ball but she loves to play defense more than offense. If she could play 1st base for the whole game she would.
Then, there's Erin. She is very strong, fast, and full of energy. We thought for sure she was going to be great. But....but....I don't know what to say. Before we go to the field everyday I ask her, "Erin, what does Mommy want you to do today?", and she says "Not play in the dirt". That's all I ask of her!!
She doesn't want to hit the ball, either. If the ball comes close to her, and she's playing in the dirt, she glances at it quickly and goes back to the dirt. In Tball, EVERYONE gets on base. In the second game (for some reason), she would run from 1st base to right field and stay on the edge of the grass to get to second base. VERY STRANGE! Kelvin was the 1st base coach and would talk to her at 1st base and she'd point to where she was going to run, but when the ball got hit, she'd take off to right field, down the first base line! Ughhhhhhh!!
I think Erin will be better at soccer or basketball! I think we need to sign her up for a game that moves quicker than this one, without all the rules. But, Lindsey has found something she loves as much as swimming and dancing. Finally, a sign that she IS my child.
More later. I'll catch up again soon.
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