Do You Feel aTwitter?

It seems that everyone, even me, is twittering. Do you? I began to notice this a few weeks ago when I was watching CNN one afternoon. Rick Sanchez was the news man and he kept telling people to respond to the stories by twittering him. Now it seems that I see it every where. Traci, Annie and Bobby all twitter. You can follow any number of things on these mini blogs. I've seen Good Morning America, E online, The Texans foot ball, and so on. I've even seen a cartoon about twittering.

I guess that twittering is the blog version of texting. Only a few words so it is short but to the point. Is this going to replace IM? I have heard it said that people who twitter don't really have much to say about their life but they feel the need to tell every one about every little thing. Annie and Traci twitter about the tv show "Friday Night Lights" while it is on.

I have posted a few twitter notes but have not really gotten into the whole thing yet. It is a way of getting short bits of info quickly I guess. It is amazing the shear numbers of people in news,sports, and other things are linked on twitter. I can keep up with the Houston weather by twittering one of the local tv weathermen. I even have Dr Drew on my twitter list. I can't say what I will learn from him though.

So, now I guess I will have to go back into the living room and see who else is going to butcher a song on American Idol. I never really thought I would ever watch this show... One just never knows. Maybe I'll twitter about it, or not.

The Freedom Tower???

Remember after 9/11 everyone wanted to rebuild the twin towers bigger and better? Did you ever wonder why nothing has happened? The new World Trade Center has dropped the Freedom Tower name. It will be referred to by its address, One World Trade Center. There have been many delays and trouble attracting tenants. Even the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey which is building the 1776 foot tall skyscraper says their own workers don't want to work where nearly 3000 people were killed.

Apparently the local tabloids have not been kind to the project. As a result it has become less of an "in your face, we will rebuild it" building to something no-one wants to occupy. Some say it is because they are afraid of another attack. George Pataki who was Governor of New York when the building was attacked told the New York Daily News that the Freedom Tower was "symbolic of our commitment to rise above the attacks of September 11". He also said that the addresses 1 and 2 World Trade Center should never be used again since that is what the twin towers were called. So what happened to this symbol?

They do apparently have one tenant who has (or will) rent several floors. But there is not much interest in the new building by many others. Too many arguments about height and design have slowed the building of the this tall landmark. People are wary or maybe they no longer care.After all, it has been nearly 8 years. When George Bush spoke after the attacks he told us to go about our normal daily lives. Go shopping is one thing he said. But what about rebuilding? Our resolve to show the world what America is has faded away to bickering and indecision which have resulted in no Freedom Tower. I guess New York has moved on, after all there are a lot of new buildings to sell and times are tough now. I just thought that this one might have been special.

Sounds of China Spring

China Spring is a few minutes outside of Waco and worlds apart from Houston. Traci and Bobby's house is in a newer subdivision which is still building. For the most part it is quiet.

I can usually tell what time it is in the morning by the sounds. First I hear the neighbor's car as they leave for work. Then I hear my grand children getting ready for school as they shut their bed room doors (slam sometimes) and go out the front door. Then I hear the school bus as it stops to pick them up.

Then there are the sounds of the birds as they begin to chirp a greeting to the day and each other. Sometimes I can hear the dogs next door arguing or playing. Then since there are several houses being built here I can hear the noise of the nail guns and hammers as the put together houses. Several times a day small planes fly around the airport. Three times a day there is a commuter plane from American Airlines that drops in too.

But the most interesting sound I have heard so far is at night. The nights are usually quiet until the coyotes decide to start talking or singing. I have seen on tv stories about these animals and listened as some photographer goes out at night to film them. I never really thought about it until I was outside in the dark and heard them. The barking and yowling is a bit unnerving when you are not used to it. After all, sirens I know. Coyotes not so much. Their conversations can be a little creepy. They like to gather in the pasture behind the houses and do what ever it is they do... I don't think they have gone under any of the fences into the yards but the thought has occured to me. What would I do if one did? But as long as they stay where they are, I guess I will get used to the symphony of coyotes. It is more interesting than the loud car radios that rattle the windows in Houston.

Ah Chooo

Have you ever thought that sneezing could be an art form? Traci and Bobby have a pretty gray and white cat who does just that. Not only does he do the usual cat things like walk across counters or sit in potted plants, he also sneezes a lot.

So maybe this is not so funny, at least to the cat, but he really sneezes a lot. I watched him sit on a chair and sneeze and sneeze and sneeze. He he looked around like he was thinking, "So what are you looking at?" I have not been close enough to get showered, but I feel for him. My daughter Annie used to sneeze at lot. We used to all say, "stop it!" to her. Of course she would then say, "I can't help it!" I wonder if that is how the cat feels.

So what does go through the mind of a sneezing cat? Does want to look for a tissue. Or would he claw it to shreds? How about a little allergy medicine? And just why does he sneeze so much anyway? He always seems to look around like he thinks everyone does it. Of course I am waiting to see him perched delicately somewhere and then fall off in mid sneeze...

One Week Down

Well, I've been here a week now. I'm still getting used to things here. When you have been used to a certain routine for years, I guess it is normal to have to adjust to a different style. I have not even tried to figure out how to use all the remotes connected to the satellite tv. And I am still getting used to the fact that Traci and Bobby stay up later than I do. When Annie and Jason were here Traci and Annie were up really late doing what ever it is they do online, chatting, I guess, with their friends. Sitting next to each other on the couch chatting. Hum...

There was a bit of humor this weekend, at least for me. Before we went out to the movie Traci got her mail and found notes from the school telling her about how Brad and Aryn were fighting on the school bus. They were not fighting with each other but some other kid. Traci was not happy, to say the least.
So later she called them into the living room to discuss their misbehavior. Then as punishment they had to hug each other. Oh that was funny. Just try to keep a straight face watching that! I looked at it as a full circle cause I used that punishment when Traci, Annie and Pat were kids. They hated it! Nothing has changed! Brad and Aryn don't like it either.

So much for the first week.

Just Us Girls

Jason and I went to WalMart this morning to get a wireless adapter so I could get my pc working. When we came back Traci, Annie and I went on a "girls day out". We had lunch at the local Cracker Barrel. I had always wanted to go there but never got the chance to go in Houston. I thought the food was good and I enjoyed looking at all the stuff in the gift shop.

Then we went to the mall. My Bath and Body Works supply was low so they took me there and Annie bought me some new stuff. After we wandered for a while we went to see the "Race to Witch Mountain" with Dwayne Johnson. I enjoyed it and Traci and Annie were let's say much enamoured of the "Rock". And yes, I admit I enjoy him too.

Later Traci decided to scare the shit out of me by driving down (really down) on of the local streets. If it were to snow that hill would be a great ski slope! I threatened to crawl into the trunk. I have not problem with heights in a plane, but not in a car going down a very big hill very fast. Yikes.

While we were gone Jason watched the kids and got my computer up. Traci even found my old Craig Biggio wall paper to put back on it. Cool.

It was kind of fun to just go silly and listen to those two and their music. How old are they again. They were singing to all the songs on the ipod. I had no clue what or who the singers were. I guess everybody needs a day to just escape and not have a care. Maybe I should break loose more often?

Have Wine Box Will Travel

Well Sunday was the big day. Amanda rented a truck to move my stuff. Traci and Bobby and Jason loaded up the truck. That truck was a huge thing. I could have moved the White House in that! Annie stayed with all the kids in Waco. Jason drove the truck while Bobby and I drove in his car. The last couple of days we have worked on changing the rooms around. So my bed, dresser and desk are now in Aryn's room. A lot of room trading here. There are still some boxes in the garage that I have to look through. Traci and Annie got a kick out of looking at the pictures of my parents. They actually said they were "hot". That made me smile.

I like the house which Traci and Bobby recently bought. It is very nice. It's in a brand new subdivision. The area is still growing and is about 15 minutes from Waco, Texas which is a nice small city. The subdivision backs up to a pasture and there is a large tree behind the wood fence. There is also a small air strip in the back behind the pasture which when former President George Bush used frequently on his trips to his ranch in Crawford which is about 20 miles away.

I still don't know what to think cause the day I left Jimmy was still giving me mixed signals. Oh well. The ball is in his court. Pat called me to tell me that Amanda read her daddy the riot act because she did not think it was fair to "send mixed signals". That must have been an interesting discussion. Would have been nice to be a fly on the wall.

It's pretty quiet here. Not like around Houston where you had a lot of traffic noise to listen to on any given day. The other night I was standing in the back yard and looked at the stars which are so much brighter here.

Bobby's garden is doing well and he is excited about the growing crop of vegetables. He will be planting more veggies too and he also has a flower garden in the corner near the house.

I also have met the next door neighbor Christopher who fixed my cedar chest which had legs that were about to fall off. He had to add some wood to secure the legs and even matched the old paint. I'm very happy with the work he did on it. Christopher will be leaving soon to go back to Iraq.

I guess you could say I am beginning to settle in. Lady and Daisy are a little confused but they are getting along with their dog who is a lot bigger. I thought there might be a problem but apparently she is a little more worried about my two little dachshunds . Daisy has put her in her place a couple of times so far. I did discover a cat under my bed last night. Crap! two dogs on the bed, one cat hiding under the bed. No problem....

And so the stomach turns. A new chapter begins. Time for a glass of wine.

I Feel Like I'm Nowhere

So I was in the middle of printing up a list of the bills and how and when to pay them. Since it was raining yesterday, Jimmy couldn't do all the work he needed to do. That left him with time to pick up his truck from the shop, to the tune of $523. At least we have known our mechanic so long he told Jimmy to pay him when ever he could.

As I printed up the bill list, Jimmy asked why I was being so nice to him. Well, he has been nice to me, why not? He bought me a surge protector for my computer. It seems that even though he wants me to leave our life is almost normal at times. Yesterday we were talking about all the stuff I've packed and what was in the storage building. Then in the middle of this conversation I had to do a "Huh?" when he asked what would I do in 6 months or a year if he called me to come back. Say what?!

Come on dude, quit sending me mixed signals. I can't take this! I have this strange feeling that after I've been gone a while he might discover that he really didn't want this. I know he has issues of some kind that he needs to solve. I shouldn't read anything into this, but one can hope. Sometimes I just don't know what to think. I feel like I have been through Hell during this. I wish I knew what to think...

A Marriage Made in Heaven

This little story made me laugh.

A young couple were driving down the road one day, happily, deliriously in love and due to be married the next day. Suddenly, a large truck swerved from the oncoming lanes into their car! BOOM! And they both died.

At the Pearly Gates, the young couple confronted St. Peter. "Sir, you have to help us! We were to be married tomorrow. Is there any way we can be married in Heaven?"

"Hmmm," replied St. Peter, "I don't recall there ever being a marriage in Heaven. Well, let's take it up with God and see what he says."

So they approached God with their plea. God sat for a moment, pondering the request. Then he looked down and said, "Come back in five years and ask me again."

Five years later, the couple approached God again, even more in love than ever and pleading that he allow their marriage. God paused for quite a while, musing over their request. Then he spoke, "Come back in five years and ask me again."

And once again, five years later, the couple was again in the presence of God, more in love than ever and begging God's permission for the third time to marry. This time God smiled broadly and thundered, "Yes my children, you may marry!"

Well, the wedding went off beautifully, the reception was huge, everyone thought the bride was simply breathtaking and the groom was soooo handsome, and everyone was happy! Until...

Two years later, the couple was back before God, and things were not looking so good. The couple had come to the realization almost immediately that although marriages were made in heaven, they didn't last very long there! And, in spite of their struggles to come to terms with the situation, they had decided there simply was no alternative but to get a divorce.

Black clouds fractured by lightening rolled across the sky, and the ground shook with explosive thunder. God glared down at the tiny couple before him, his face becoming dark and angry, and he roared, "Divorce?! Impossible!!! It took us TEN years just to find a priest in Heaven! Do you have any idea how long it will take to find a LAWYER?!!"

Moving Right Along Here, What Next?

For some reason I keep having the lyrics of "My Way" by Frank Sinatra running through my head. Maybe I will use this as my new mantra. I just changed the he to she...

And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, Ill say it clear,
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain.

Ive lived a life that's full.
I've traveled each and every highway;
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Regrets, I've had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.

I planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way.

I've loved, I've laughed and cried.
I've had my fill; my share of losing.
And now, as tears subside,
I find it all so amusing.

To think I did all that;
And may I say - not in a shy way,
No, oh no not me,
I did it my way.

For what is a woman, what has she got?
If not herself, then she has naught.
To say the things she truly feels;
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows -
And did it my way!

So here I sit among the boxes and trying to think of what is in the storage building that I will have to move. Traci made an interesting comment about the Dickens Village. Maybe they might have room to put up some of it? Year round? Interesting.

I colored my hair. Of course it came out too dark. Never fails. Oh well. It will lighten in time.

Of course it has not rained significantly here in months. We are under a burn ban and are in a drought condition. So since we will be moving stuff Saturday, guess what will happen! Rain! A cold front is coming through bringing needed rain. But I don't need it while I am moving furniture and boxes. Nuts. I just heard the weatherman say that Friday will be a possible record for the lowest high temperature for a March 13th. It make not make it to the 50's. Wonderful.

Well, at least Traci and Bobby have a garden. He is anxious to get some help and rain. It seems that Traci doesn't have a green thumb. But she does have pink hair. Don't even ask because I don't have a clue.

Oh joy, the kids across the way are crying. Lady is waiting patiently to go outside now. Someone is playing thumping music which I can hear from where I sit. And so it goes...

So Much to Do

Well, I've been busy going through things and packing. I have a feeling there is a library somewhere near Waco that will be getting some books. I'm getting tired of moving them around. I've actually managed to clean out the closets. I have boxed up other books and cd's and a few dvds. I can't believe that I have over 150 record albums. What is funny is that the price is still on some of them. How does $2.98 sound? I'm also working on packing two sets of china. I will have to re-pack some of my breakables including the china cause the boxes are just too heavy.

Jimmy and I may go over to our storage building this week-end to check on some stuff. We may have to do a switch with one of our bed/dresser sets. He wants the one that was his which was stained a darker color than the other. So we will probably have to take one out of storage and put it in the second bedroom while the other one goes with me.

Right now my back hurts and my emotions are still racing from one extreme to the other. I seem to wake up every morning feeling the "how could you do this to me" emotion. Sometimes I have to fight really hard to keep from crying. Some days I suceed, other days I don't. Why do we have to do this is always on my mind. Then there are other days when I want to get on with it and try to start over. There must be a reason that I have been put in this position. As bad as I feel I have to remind myself not to think like a victim. Maybe this was "in the stars" all along. Maybe I will find a better life. After all God has the plan, right?

Now the question is to color or not to color? I haven't colored my hair in a while so the gray is coming out more. Seems I have something in common with President Obama. We both are showing more gray. Can't be because of stress, right? Hum.

Well, now I have to go stare at the tax forms.... Yes, Uncle Sam, I hear you calling.

Can't a Girl Poop in Peace?

I have come to one conclusion. I will not miss Lucy! Lucy is the wild child dog who belongs to the lady who keeps all those kids.While I love dogs, I do believe that it is not right to let them outside in this area without supervision. To many things can happen, none of them good.

We have sort of an agreement in our building between Kayla, the pitbull, and Lady and Daisy. We try to not be outside at the same time or at least go in separate ways to do the business. But Lucy is another story. She is so wild and hyperactive that she nearly runs over Lady and Daisy. She really wants to play but she is much too rough and runs around and even over them.

Lucy used to be let out the door early in the morning and later in the evening to do her business. I managed to avoid her by taking Lady and Daisy out at a different time. But lately Lucy seems to be running wild around the buildings every time I try to take my dogs outside. I have nearly tripped a couple of times as Lady or Daisy tries to do what they need to do. She's bigger than them and I'm a little afraid they could accidentally get hurt. So just call me annoyed. How is a girl supposed to poop in peace around here?

Too much stuff

I've been going through things that I have amassed over the years, or should I saw what I have here cause a lot of my stuff is still in storage. I feel discouraged because there seems to be so much, even though I have gotten rid of a lot of stuff. Then I open another door and find more stuff.

Maybe I can get Traci to help me sell some of this stuff on eBay. I have been moving a lot of stuff around for too many years. I was going to give it to an eBay store near by but they moved way on the other side of town and I am not in the mood to drive all that far. Oh wait, I can't do that even since Jimmy's truck is in the shop, he is using the Trans Am.

My back hurts and the dogs keep looking at me like I am nuts. Maybe I am.Last night we talked about what to do about the Dickens Village stuff. "Do you want it?" he said. "Yeah but where would I put it?Again since I don't think I will ever have the room for it again, maybe I should sell it? Of course that would require that we get all of it out of storage and I just don't think there will be enough time or a place to put it when I move.

There sure is a lot to think about.I still have to do the taxes next week so that we can get that check to Uncle Sam. Then I have to print up a schedule and how to pay the bills since Jimmy has never done that.Talk about a rude awakening! So much to do...so little time. Oh well, I have a strange yen for a beer. I'm tired, think I go sit down a while and as Scarlett O'Hara said "I'll think about that tomorrow..."