you & me

oh the things we do...or don't do.
you get on me about not filling the dog's water bowl, yet I can't get you to take out the garbage, empty the dishwasher, help with laundry, and on the day we pick up a new puppy I said to call me and i'd come home so I could go with you, but obviously that was not meant to be.
AND I left a list of things to think about for the new puppy, including puppy food with TWO stars, and that is the one thing you leave me to get.
WHHAAAAAA!!!!!

puberty to menopause

Today I was thinking, dang, here it comes again. YUP, the beginning of my cycle. Last month I was over a week late, this time it seems early. And it hurts. Fortunately it's still only a real bother for about 3 days.
As I reach closer to 50 (I'll be 48 soon)  it feels like adolescence all over again or maybe it's more like puberty. See I think it's the bracket of our lives.
Puberty
Then about 30 years of normal 'child-bearing' years which may or may not produce children;sometimes by choice, sometimes not
Menopause.
Or maybe more like (puberty + adolescence [about 30 years] Peri-menopause + menopause).
Either way childhood leads to craziness which leads to times of production and more craziness then a time of peace? relaxation?

As a runner I noticed the times after a local race. Now it wasn't an 'in it to win it' type race. It was a fundraiser charity race, but still I did notice there were large amounts of people 20 & 30 somethings age groups - mostly women. At around age 50, not only did the population drop off, but so did times. The men - not so much. Of course they are still producing after we have stopped, even though they do experience a male menopause as testosterone drops and I've understood their 'seed' may not be as good as it used to be, maybe because of the lack of testosterone, but we've stopped producing pretty much anything, so is that why we slow down? and although men can take testosterone supplements with little to no problem, do we really want to take estrogen supplements to get a boost and (ugh) get our period back?

Of course none of this is researched or anything, just thoughts off my head from stuff I have gleaned over the years from articles, advertisements and TV - yeah media.

hold it together

We haven't even really started anything and I have moments I really find it hard to keep it together.
During a nap (gotta love vacation time) Gil started crying in his sleep. It was very brief, but it really bugged me.
no crying...not allowed...I was strong last time, I can do this again.

Our student from Norway (Danielle) has decided she can't take it - not sure she can handle Gil getting sick, being in the way, or what have you. We've never had a kid want to leave us before - we are often a favored family, if I may be so conceited. I guess I understand it though. We are the same age as her parents, it may be too close to home. Plus we have to keep so clean, no getting sick, things may have to be put on hold or not done. it's weird.

Guys are a funny breed

I deal with three of them on a regular basis. One I am married to and only have the normal relational issues with (money, sex, family - sometimes I feel it's too easy for him to relax while I'm running around working, cleaning, cooking...), one is an exchange student and the other is my co-worker - those are the two I'm having issues with right now...
never did finish this thought, but I remember they both had moments of treating me like dirt, and they both resented each other for it. How weird is that?
That was about 2 years ago...my co-worker hasn't changed much, but the exchange student is gone.

My visit

Ah, my visit is over and I am now home. But here are some pictures from my visit.
The sidewalk where I like to run (which a car drove in front of as I was taking the picture). It's houses on the left, swampy swales and Kings Hwy on the right. Very pretty early in the morning.

My cousins Mobile home...in amongst all the new ones that have been built UP (that's my car in the driveway...the green CRV).


Pictures of my old High School that is still a mess almost 2 year after Charley. School is being held in portables.

Well, it's good to be home with my husband, my dogs, my own bed, and...well, our exchange student, Jason?...I dunno.

Old fashioned church picnic

Nothing like a good ol' church picnic...whether you eat indoors .... (Hi Mom & Dad) .... or out in the Florida sun (although it was a little cold).

At home?

I'm visiting my parents in their retirement home....condo...in Pt. Charlotte. Yes, the town once ravaged by Hurricane Charley (Friday Aug. 13th 2004).
Today I had to deal with "the day before vaction" mentality. Jason was so moody. Was it because I was going out of town? Was it because of his Algebra II test? Was it because I didn't order Chinese for lunch or because I took the basketball out of the back of my car? I was sure he knew I was going to leave right after school.
Whatever. I'm here now, he's there...why should I care, right?
Right now, I'm watching news (I'm not real thrilled about national news...it's usually so depressing) in a place that provides perfectly portioned meals in their dining room, has maids that supply your towels and vaccume your floors, and you don't have to worry about when you get up (well, except to check in at 10am) or what you are going to do today.
Well, "Wheel of Fortune" is on. I guess it's time to go and eat the dessert we brought up from the dining room. mmmmmm......