May 17, 2014
11:40 p.m.

Post operative pain is not cool. My poor son, he's having a rough time. It's hard to see your kids in any kind of distress. Please keep him in your thoughts, folks. Prayers and good vibes are appreciated.

As parents, we always wish we had magic powers to heal all wounds and erase all pain. When my kids were really little, I used to wish I could just be sick for them. It didn't seem fair to me that these little people had to feel badly. I was bigger and stronger, so let me do it, instead.

I guess that feeling doesn't go away once they're grown. I don't want my "little boy" to feel badly. I hope he gets a good night's sleep and feels better in the morning.
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May 15, 2014
11:41 p.m.

It's been a long day. Having your loved one in hospital, even for a simple procedure, is stressful. My son has been in considerable pain for awhile now, so hopefully this will give him the relief he needs. He came through the procedure very well and is doing fine, although he has post-surgical pain, of course. Tonight I offer up a prayer for his speedy recovery, and ask you, please, to do the same. Thank you!
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So, I found a cute picture online and made a meme. Hope no one gets mad at me for it! (Nah, it's cute, I promise.) But, seriously--can I get in trouble for that? Because I really doubt that the memes that are already out there were made from people's own pictures...

And honestly, who hasn't felt this way about getting their pictures taken? (Cute baby, huh? Love her!)

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It was a pretty nice day today, actually got into the 60's for the first time in awhile. Someone needs to give Mother Nature a nudge--she's forgotten it's May. We've had snow and rain and wind and cold this past week, and my bones are saying "Enough is enough!" So ready for some warmer weather.

(I'll be complaining about dry, hot weather soon enough, don't worry.)

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I was revising a resume today, and had someone watching over my shoulder. I can't type worth a ding-dang in the first place, and I'm even worse if someone is watching me! Please don't be offended that I asked you not to watch--just laugh at me from a little distance, por favor! Ha ha!

Did anyone out there have a teacher who used to stand right behind you as you were trying to work? I  liked most of my teachers (actually, I guess I liked them all, because I couldn't name one I didn't like if someone asked) but that little stunt always drove me crazy. I would just stop whatever I was doing and turn around and stare at them until they left. I certainly couldn't have completed anything with them there, that's for sure! 

I guess some things never change--except I never had the nerve to just say "Please don't watch over my shoulder," to my teachers! Thank goodness I can say it to family! *grin*

Speaking of teachers and the little things they did, I just remembered one of my dear teachers, Mrs. Fox, and her uncanny ability to discern the presence of chewing gum, regardless of how sneakily one might chew it. She'd come and stand next to my desk and hold out her hand--never said a word, just waited there, palm up, until I deposited my gum therein. 

Ugh! She was a tough cookie, that lady. I could never let anyone else's germ-infested chewing gum touch my lily-white hands! *giggle*  

Yeah, right. I raised four kids--there's probably nothing I haven't had to touch at one time or another. 

Still...ugh! Someone else's gum! Yucky!

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I think I might make an early night of it. I've been up since 5:00 a.m., which is about an hour later than my usual bedtime! I made myself go to bed before midnight last night and managed to sleep a bit before getting ready for my son's trip to the hospital this morning. Maybe I can do it again!

So, goodnight, sweetheart, goodnight! Voe doe dee doe doe...

May 10, 2014
10:36 p.m.

Weird. Creepy. Unsettling.

And did I say...weird?

Just finished watching "Her" with Joaquin Phoenix. I have to say that Spike Jones hit on an original concept in an age of endlessly repeated story lines. It is a love story, but...with a twist.

A twisted twist.

And yet, I could not have stopped watching it. I had to know where the story ends up. I'll repeat that it was weird, creepy and unsettling, but nevertheless, it was a good story. I like weird, creepy and unsettling--if I didn't I would never have read a second Stephen King novel.

(I will read anything Sai King writes.)

Phoenix has outdone himself in this role. While he does have some interaction with other characters, it's pretty much a one man show. His performance drew me in and kept my attention throughout. I was rooting for him even when I thought I knew...well...no spoilers.

Watch it yourself.

I have to add that this was made doubly weird for me because in this role Phoenix really reminded me of someone I know.

See "Her". You may find it unnerving, but you'll be compelled to stick with it to the end.

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May 9, 2014
10:08 p.m.

I can't believe it--my grandson is seven-years-old today. Seems like he was just born. Where does the time go? Dang! Enjoy that sundae. little buddy!

The Birthday Boy! Love him!

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I was watching a video blog earlier that featured a young lady sharing some embarrassing memories from her childhood and younger years, and it reminded me of a few things I would rather forget. But it's true that sometimes those are the funniest stories we tell from time to time. So I thought I might share a couple of my own, just for giggles.

We moved to the house where my parents still live in the spring of 1973. The basement was unfinished when we moved in, and over the next few months, my parents built a bedroom and a rec room in the basement. They carpeted the floor and the stairs. They put up paneling. For people who had no real carpentry skills prior to doing this work, they did a really good job. 

Using this as a reference, I can make an educated guess that what happened occurred in 1974--which means I was old enough to know better. Maybe I didn't pay attention when being taught the basic laws of physics; who knows? But it was a dumb thing that I did. Just...dumb. I can only be grateful that there were no witnesses--and yet, here I am, tattling on myself. Typical.

It was a cold and rainy night--nah, it was daytime. I'd gotten home from school and wanted to change clothes, so I headed for the basement. 

I bounced down the stairs--something I gave no thought to at the time and dearly wish I could do now--and about three steps from the bottom, I decided to jump to the floor below.

I made this decision without considering the fact that there was an overhang at the bottom of the stairway. I made my leap, hit my head on the overhang and collapsed in a heap at the foot of the stairs. Thump! Whump! That fast. Sheesh! 

Did I black out? To this day, I'm not sure. When I opened my eyes, I saw stars. I had previously heard of this phenomenon, but this was the first time I remember experiencing it.  My head was pounding, and I felt like I might vomit. I stretched out for a moment, hoping no one would come downstairs while I was still there. I was in no mood to offer an explanation. After a few minutes, I crawled around the corner and into my room. 

Now, anyone who knows me knows I'm a raving insomniac. This worked in my favor that night--if I had a concussion, it did not cause me to die in my sleep!

When I was in the 6th Grade, I had a wonderful teacher. Those who attended Roosevelt Elementary in the 1970s probably remember Mrs. Parker. She had a slow, southern drawl and was a really sweet woman. She made a particularly embarrassing moment a little more bearable for me--and gave my mother an anecdote she takes gleeful pleasure in re-telling at every opportunity.

Mrs. Parker was a hands-on teacher, and would write math problems on the chalkboard and have students come up to the front to the room to solve them. This was always a potentially embarrassing situation even on the best of days. However, on this particular day, I had more to worry about than solving a long-division problem. 

I heard whispering and giggling behind me. Jeez, was I taking that long to solve a simple division problem? What was so funny?

There I stood, chalk in hand, feeling unnerved because my classmates were clearly having a laugh at my expense, when suddenly I felt hands slip around my waist. Swiftly, those hands tied the arms of a sweater around my waist. Mrs. Parker's soft voice whispered in my ear: "Lets step out in the hall, Paula."

What the--?

Commanding the class to shut up and solve the problems on the board, Mrs. Parker pulled me quickly out into the hall. There, she explained my dilemma: the seam in the seat of my pants had split wide open!

I felt the blood drain out of my face. I  then felt it rush back into my face, triple the cost. My heart was pounding, and I knew that my face was red as a ripe tomato. "Oh, shit!" I muttered, then clapped a hand over my mouth. To my great relief, Mrs. Parker chose to ignore my outburst. 

"Wait here," she ordered, and stepped back into the classroom. Moments later she reappeared, and we walked to the office. "We'll call your mother to bring you another pair of pants," she explained as we made our way down the hall.

"I want to go home," I groaned.

"It's always a better idea to face things head on," Mrs. Parker told me. "You'll change and come back to class with your head held high."

(That was good advise; it still is. But, oh my God, it was hard!)

In the office she dialed my number. When my mother answered, she said, "Mrs Shablo, we have a bit of a problem here. It seems there was a little too much of Paula, and not quite enough of her pants."

Yes, she really said that. Just ask my mother. My mother loves this story!

I don't.

But I certainly loved Mrs. Parker. She was a shining example of what a good teacher should be. Even more, she was a shining example of what a good person should be. 

Okay, that's enough for one night. I do wonder, however, if any of my 6th Grade classmates remember this day. I hope not! 

So, it's your turn. Share an embarrassing childhood memory. I could use a couple of giggles myself!

Those are me thinks--good night!

May 5, 2014
11:37 p.m.

Well, as of yesterday, I have completed yet another trip around the sun. The world moves faster every year.
Ha ha!

My son managed to trick me into thinking we were going to lunch alone, and that everyone else was busy with other things. I was fine with that, but as I said, he tricked me. Everyone showed up to have lunch with me on my birthday. What a treat! It means so much to me that they would come out and surprise me. I am a lucky woman!

All these wonderful people joined me yesterday, and we laughed and chatted and ate too much (but it was so good!) Thanks, everyone, for making my day special.

Talked to my daughters in Oklahoma, and six of the seven grandchildren said "Happy Birthday" as well. One-year-old grandson would only listen to my voice over the phone and smile, my daughter said. Spoke to parents and siblings as well. All in all, it was a great birthday. It was made even better by the fact that I was able to talk--finally. The voice is not precisely mine, but it's getting closer!

Have a great night, all! Bye!