easy/lucky/free

did it all get real, i guess it's real enough
they got refrigerators full of blood
another century spent pointing guns
at anything that moves
sometimes i worry that i've lost the plot
my twitching muscles tease my flippant thoughts
i never really dreamed of heaven much
until we put him in the ground
but it's all i'm doing now
listening for patterns in the sound
of an endless static sea
but once the satellite's deceased
it blows like garbage through the streets
of the night sky to infinity
but don't you weep (don't you weep for them)
there is nothing as lucky
don't you weep
there is nothing as lucky, as easy, or free

don't be a criminal in this police state
you better shop and eat and procreate
you got vacation days then you might escape
to a condo on the coast
i set my watch to the atomic clock
i hear the crowd count down 'til the bomb gets dropped
i always figured that there'd be time enough
i never let it get me down
but i can't help it now
looking for faces in the clouds
i got some friends i barely see
but we're all planning to meet
we'll lay in bags as dead as leaves
all together for eternity
but don't you weep
there is no one as lucky
honey, don't you weep
there is nothing as lucky, as easy, or free

Ahem

Doesn't everyone need a mustache?

Random stuffs

Looking for interesting things to say this week...

I was going to write about the rude kid at the orthodontist office this last Wednesday. I mean really who wants to hear obnoxious rap music blaring from the ear bud of an ipod while trying to enjoy an article about pork and ramen soup in a Cooking Well magazine. Oh me, right? NO. I seriously wanted to smack* this kid. I could hear every word uttered. I mean EVERY word. I understand you want to listen to your music, really, I do. I love music, while albeit rap isn't my first choice, I can relate to wanting to listen to it while waiting for my turn. But to impose your choice on others who are waiting is really, just plain rude. Is this what it's coming to? Is it now acceptable to do this? I told my kids if they every did this they'd be grounded to infinity. Julian obviously picked up on my irritation with this kid because as I was describing the scenario at home later to Marty, he blurted out, "yeah, I could see your eye twitching!" Oi.

Marty's birthday was on the 22nd. He turned 35, 30 for the fifth time, 30! We had a lovely little "presidential" gathering. We decorated in red, white, and blue, threw up a few "vote" for Marty posters, and ate some great food. I made tamales, again, (the first time was for Christmas Eve, and apparently they were a hit because they were requested again for this celebration). We had a great time, and I've been informed in 5 years when he turns 30, again, I can throw him a GREAT big party. Which gives me plenty of time to arrange the dancing gorilla, *wink*. I don't have a single picture to document that festive day, well, because I forgot the camera. Which brings me to the following...

I have this recent obsession, neurosis, to get a new camera plan. Our little point and shoot is starting to have some peculiar behaviors and I fear it may be on it's last leg. Why not get another point and shoot you ask? Well, I wanna experiment with photography and learn how to properly use a camera, which involves vast knowledge of things like, ISO, aperture, shutter speed and how they all relate to each other, white balance, focal length, depth of field, and various other complicated things that I am desperately trying to understand. The camera that I want is more than just a point and shoot. And it costs more too. So my supportive Husband, who always stands by me in these moments of neurosis "adventure into new hobbies", suggested that I round up some stuff to sell and get little new camera fund started. So I did. Some stuff has sold, some hasn't. I'll keep you posted.

Which brings me to Craigslist weirdos. When you sell stuff on Cragislist you get inquires from all sorts of folks. Just an fyi. Sometimes they seem innocent enough, or sometimes they seem odd as all get out. I think through this we've seen our share of both. My wonderful Husband has taken over the task of managing all the Craigslist stuff so I don't have to deal with the weirdos. Thank you Dear.

Oh wait, I just did write about those things.

*I honestly, would never hit anyone and I used this purely as a figure of speech. I swear.

Zeros

I'm totally diggin' Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. They sound dreamy and surreal with a bit of folk mixed in. It's pure nice.

"Alabama Arkansas I do Love my Ma and Pa
But not as much as I do Love you
Holy Moly Me oh My your the apple of my eye
Girl aint never loved one like you
Man o Man your my best friend I scream it to the nothingness
that we got everything we need
Hot and Heavy pumpkin pie
Chocolate candy Jesus Christ
Aint nothin please me more than you

Home, Let me come Home
Home is Whenever Im with you
Home, yes I am Home
Home is wherever Im with you

Lalalala Take me Home
Mama Im Coming Home

I follow you into the park, thru the jungle thru the dark
Girl aint never loved one like you
Moats and boats and Waterfalls, Alleyways and payphone calls
I been everywhere with you
Laugh until we think we'll die, barefoot on a summer night
never could be sweeter than with you

like its only you and me jade/ebes your somethin to see

Lalalala take me home
Mama Im Comin Home

Jade, you remember that night you fell outa my window?
ya you came jumpin out after me
well, you were bleedin all over the place and I covered your ass with your dress and we went off to the hospital, you remember that?
ya
well there's somethin I never told you bout that night
what didnt you tell me?
well, while you were sitting in the back seat smokin a cigarrette you thought was gonna be your last, I was fallin deep, deep in love with you, and I never told you till just now!

Home, let me come home, home is wherever Im with you
Home, yes I am Home home is whenever Im with you!

Alabama Arkansas I do love my Ma and Pa
Yes Home, yes ward! home is whenever Im with you!
Home is whenever Im with you.

2009 recap, or how I intend to spark my inner blogger with a 2010 resolution to blog at least once a week

In 2009 the following happened...

• We Marty successfully completed the first phase of our remodel. I really didn't help, but more or less pretended to so I'd feel like I contributed to it. The boys moved in to Julian's new room, (Solomon will be squatting until the rest of the remodel is complete) on Christmas Eve eve. I can only imagine how my Husband feel about this. He really accomplished a lot on his own and I think the boys are loving having a "new" room. Phase 2 will commence in 2010.
  

• Marty bought me a horse, yes, one with 4 legs and a mane and tail. I haven't had a horse since I was a teen and really, even then she wasn't mine, she belonged to my evil step-mother (and that's a whole other story), but I was allowed to ride her. You can read about the new poneh, here. So far, he hasn't killed me and I've kept him alive. I think I'm doing pretty good.

• We grew real tomatoes and onions, seriously the kind you can eat. Eat with delight and glee. They tasted delicious too! The tomato harvest was plentiful. We enjoyed them well into September and October. Even Julian ate some! I think we have it figured out and can reap the benefits again next summer. Can you say homemade salsa?
  

• We completed our first of marriage. I say this with great pride because I believe marriage to be a great achievement. It's a relationship made on great understanding, compassion, and commitment. I am proud to be Marty's wife and for him to be my husband and I look forward to many more years of marriage and the romance being gone. (Sorry honey, bad joke)
  

• I went to my first top fuel drag race. OH BOY! I can't wait to go again. After a full day of the fumes, bits of rubber flying and the noise I can safely say I survived with no injuries, except a dang sunburn, oops. I was nervous, I had heard the stories. Marty joked and teased me about it for days before. I was smart. I wore two pairs of ear plugs and it worked great.
  

• We attended Billetproof 2009 where I shot super 8 for the first time and it was a blast! It was like a two night date for Marty and I, with day time fun thrown in. We paled around the car show on saturday looking at some really amazing cars and then later that evening watched the cruse. Marty worked on the super 8 film and put this together with our footage. I'm looking forward to the day when we can attend and Marty can enter his car.
  

• Speaking of super 8, additionally, Marty and I shot a wedding in Super 8. We'd been toying with the idea of shooting a wedding here and there for practice and fun and ended up finding one locally. It was a really good learning experience for us both. The film turned out great, except for some I shot with a camera that doesn't like to focus when you zoom in. Marty spend HOURS editing and put together a really amazing piece of work. I hope we can do it again in the future.
  

• We hesitantly sent Solomon into the 7th grade. Yes folks, middle school, eeeek. He really has taken it with great stride. He is an incredibly self motivated kid, with the desire to succeed. He's creating his own persona, experimenting with style, and still managing to make honor roll. All I can say is if middle school was this easy of a transition for him, high school will be a breeze.
  

• We ushered Julian into double digits. That's right folks, Julian turned 10. Egads. He's really developing into such a little smarty. Recently his wit and humor have sharpened and he can almost keep up with his older brothers. He loves food and is quite adventuresome with it. Which for me is a dream. I think because I know one of the kids will be willing to stop out of the "normal" food box I can try new things with less hesitation.
  

• We watched Reuben become a SENIOR. *faints* Yes, we have a senior in high school who is gonna graduate and all that stuff. I mean, sheesh. It's the first time I've ever ordered a cap and gown. I never got one, so it was pretty momentous. He's really risen to the occasion. He has a plan, knows what he wants at this point in time, and he's sticking to it.
  

• Reuben began his University of DAD driving lessons and that's all I'm gonna say about that. (Cause I don't teach driving)

• We bought a "new" used car. Gaah. Really, more stuff. But with Reuben learning to drive and eventually getting his license we needed another car. And I'm spoiled.
  

In other news, this blog will be combined with this one, because let's face it, I can't even keep one blog updated so trying to keep two going is just plain nuts. Which brings us to the other part of this post. One of my new years resolutions is going to be a blog post a week. Gasp, shriek, sputter. Yeah, I know. Gotta put my big girl britches on.

The summer ends and school begins *insert groaning from crumbs*

Yes, school started last Thursday with not much commotion at all. Aside from the jitters of the first day everything ran smoothly like a well oiled machine. Reub was up and out the door to his senior year, yes folks you heard right. A SENIOR! It's hard to believe. He's grown up so much in these last few years. His wit and sarcasm are becoming more fine tuned, he has a girl friend, and shortly he will get his learner's permit. (Marty will be the driving instructor)

Sol was easy. 7th grade. Middle school. He didn't want anything to do with us. "I'll just walk, no really it's fine." And he did just that, easy peasy. It's only 3 blocks from the house, but still. This is a big year for him. No little brother at school with him, 8th graders, a locker, changing classes. He's ready though. He doesn't sweat it, just puts on his "cool" face and viola. He's good to go.

Woody had some apprehension, but we washed it away be meeting his teacher the day before school started. Then it was like old news, "oh yeah, I've been there a thousand times." Marty and I were able to walk him into class though, but then it was time to hit the playground. None of this waitin' around! He's really come so far... as Marty and I walked across the playground to leave we only looked back once and he wasn't looking at us. It was sad because he's growing up, but it felt good too, because he was brave and wanted to be there.

There is really something to be said for routine, I myself, function much better when the routine is in place. And we are getting back into that routine and it feels good. As much as I'll miss summer, I welcome fall.

One down, forever to go....

Yesterday was our one year anniversary. What a whirlwind of a year. It felt as if I'd just turned the corner to walk down the aisle to my Groom on a warm summer evening surrounded by friends and family. But really, it was 365 days later. And I am still madly in love, more so each day.

It's the good kind of whirlwind though, the kind where you are content in life and it just moves as it's supposed to. The kind where life happens and you follow it, bouncing along like a car on a dirt road, on a summer evening, knowing you are headed in the right direction, but not sure where you are exactly going.

I feel so blessed to be where I am. To be married to a man who takes me as I am, the good, and the bad. A man who takes the time to show me he cares, to make me feel adored, and loved. Who, without even knowing it, can take my breath away with a look, a smile, or even just the sound of his voice.

I am learning much about marriage. About the relationship it sustains and surrounds. Marty has taught me so much this last year about myself. I get excited for what our future holds, it's rich jewels we have yet to discover. But for now, I'll say thank you to my Husband for loving me the way only he knows how!

Happy Anniversary Love!


Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4 9:12

Moon Landing & Base Hits...

What a week! Tuesday Sarah and i had to be two places at once and somehow we pulled it off, well sort of. Julian had a function at his school called Night of the Notables and Solomon had his last baseball game of the season.




Here is Julian's costume... Night of the Notables is a project where each of the fourth graders pick a eminent person in U.S. history and do tons of research on that individual. i tried talking Julian into picking Johnny Cash, but he had better visions dancing in his head and chose Neil Armstrong. On the big night the kids go around to the parents and read off their index cards; all the facts they dug up on their character. Once they're done reading you are supposed to try and guess who they are...it was a lot of fun. Sarah slaved over the shirt, and had a almost disaster when the cat tried to escape the house while she was painting. The paint went everywhere and somehow we manged to salvage it. Nice going Peanut!





Solomon had his award ceremony on June 10th to celebrate the team's excellent year of baseball. The team made it to second place for the west-side division and fourth place over all. The picture above is of his coach Kevin Curry who brought each of the boys up and spoke to them about their year. Kevin said that the boys standing in front of him (Ethan, Bailey, Solomon, and Adam - who you can't see) were crucial to next years team. He also said that he is doing one more year of coaching because of those exact boys. WOW! you guys rule!


stay tuned for a big post on Reuben, who has been super busy with NJROTC!!!

Happy Birthday Solly!

Our little Sol turned 12 today, and he's cooler than ever! Just look at that face, it says "you talkin to me?" & "TCB Baby TCB"... this kid cracks me up. Solomon has one of the biggest hearts i know someone to possess.

Not much sneaks by you when you are around son. You always know if me or someone else is having a bad day, you always put yourself last when it comes to most everything, and you truly care about peoples feelings. You would have never of thought that when you were a baby though...from being breech before birth, to throwing things like rocks and forks, and don't forget those countless hours your grandmother (Jamie) spent rocking Mr. Colic in that rocking chair for hours on end. But there is more...

You always have a tone in your voice that is so soft and caring. You are the nurturing type, and i love your patience with animals and how sweet you can be. You have such a great sense of humor too!

Happy Birthday son, you make me so very happy and proud to be your father!


-dad

Happy Birthday Julian - 10 years old today!!!

Our sweet Handsome, cute and cuddly Big-Boy Julian A.K.A: Woody, has now joined the higher ranks of double digits. He's such an amazing boy! If you want to know anything about Halo, ask Julian...if you want to know how to harass a cat, ask Julian...if you want to see thee BEST dimples in the world, just ask him what a "Pish Dance" is! 10 years ago today, you made my heart race, and my eyes well with tears as i first laid my eyes on you. You had the softest cry as you took in your breath and exhaled with your first sounds... Thank you for being so wonderful son! -dad

John Spalding 1975-2008

it's taken time like a slow dripping faucet, to let this all sink in. it presses on my heart now and again that such a beautiful person is now gone from our midst and no matter what, that email will never reach you, that phone call will just ring, and your voice is gone from our ears.

it would never take anyone long to fall in love with John's personality. he made everyone feel as though you've been friends all your lives, and watched your eyes when you spoke to him like he was genuinely interested in what you were saying. he was a brilliant man, period.

John and i met sometime in early 1997 at the Hiawatha House (a hodge-podge of artists and musicians all living under one roof) and quickly became close. John replaced guitarist John Himmelberger and contributed half an albums worth of material for Ninety Pound Wuss' second full length album Where Meager Die of Self Intrest. we traveled all over the country, played shows of all sorts and talked and laughed and ate.

John was diagnosed with cancer and was succumb to countless bouts of treatmeant that would prove unsuccesful. John lost the battle November 23rd 2008 making him the third person close to me to meet our Savior in the month of November. what the heck is up with the month of eleven?

well, i think writing about you and the reminiscence of all the good times we shared is a step forward in this unthinkable loss. i think about you often friend, and know that you are in Loveland (John's term for Heaven) for all of eternity.

God bless you,
-marty

http://blog.kexp.org/blog/2008/11/24/lovelands-the-beautiful-truth-weve-already-stuck-our-heads-up-and-now-its-time-to-swim/

What does the smell of bacon do for you?

Wednesday night I made breakfast for dinner. Marty and Julian had left before dinner to pick up Solomon from baseball practice.

I began frying bacon after they left. Upon their return, Julian, who came in first yelled from the living room,

"It smells glorious in here!"

Yes. GLORIOUS. Those were his exact words. Heh.

He's my foodie in the making. Yep!