Salt of the Earth

As of 10 minutes ago- my 3 legged frog is still alive. yeah! go Freddy, go Freddy, go Freddy….

I am diggin my new car. It is however, VERY hard to drive the speed limit. I am constantly slowing down. I do NOT want a ticket.

It was chili this evening. Like fall. I just LOVE fall.

One week today the boys start school. We went to see How to Eat Fried Worms today. I read that book when I was about 10. I was so excited to see that it was going to be a movie. It’s such a kid movie. Lots of gross boy stuff in it. I instantly recognized the main girl character- but couldn’t place her. Half way through I remember she used to be the little chubby, bucked tooth girl who used to do those annoying western, Pepsi commercials. She’s all grown up now- but still bucked tooth and dimpled. it was a cute movie.

Off to watch Rock Star Supernova. I can’t wait to see who gets the boot tonight.

Tina

we moved Fredrick to a bigger tank today. It’s only 1/2 gallon-but he’s not gonna get that big. The next few days will be the waiting game- to see if he lives or not. His tail is almost gone-now. He seems to like his tank. I had a treasure chest in there with him- but it kept tipping over. So I took it out until I can somehow get it weighted down. I know, I know, I’m obsessing over this little frog. But i can’t help it.

I had the best dinner tonight. Black beans in a low carb tortilla with fresh tomatoes and onions. OH so good. MMMM the beans were seasoned so well. If I could still eat just steak but call myself a vegetarian I would. My doctor, husband, and friends don’t think it’s a good thing for me to give up meat with my anemia situation. I am searching for a cast iron dutch oven to cook in. that’s supposed to help. I don’t know how or why. I still can’t tolerate the iron pills. They make me vomit no matter the dosage.

ANyway, if Fredrick is alive tomorrow morning- it’s one step closer to him living. Go Fredrick, go Fredrick, go Fredrick!!!

T

mmmm one of my favorite things in the summer is my neighbors tomatoes. He’s a little old, retired guy who has a beautiful yard and an amazing garden. He started bringing tomatoes over to me around the time we moved in and has been faithful about it ever since. Sometimes i get zucchinis and bouquets of flowers from his yard. Graham has become addicted to these tomatoes as well and he’s been patiently awaiting them all summer as I have. Finally, yesterday Walt brought over a coffee can full of very clean, very yummy cherry tomatoes. We’ve been feasting on them ever since. Graham eats them constantly- even for a snack. So many things I love about summer.

So on one of my bad sci fi weekends I watched Solaris with George Clooney. What the hell was that about? I was SO confused at the end. Someone please explain it to me. I get the whole alien mimicking people they love thing- but the end? WTF???

Ok, off to finish getting school supplies.
T

Currently listening to Dave Navarro’s live radio show.(Spread Radio Live) It’s awesome and pretty funny. He goes from talking on the phone to playing different music. He broadcasts live from his bed room- and he claims, naked. Ha ha

Another day that Fredrick is alive. He’s getting closer to being a ‘real’ frog. I’m just keeping my fingers crossed- cause he’s still just so cute.

The boys and I went out and got shoes for school. Thomas is in an 8 mens. He’s got skis for feet. The guy who measured his foot must have been high on crack because he said his foot was a 4 1/2. We tried several size 4 1/2 shoes and Thomas couldn’t even get his foot in the shoe. We went up until we got to an 7 and he finally got his foot in. But his toes were crammed at the end of the shoe. So we went to an 8 Wide. Perfect fit. I chuckled to myself because his feet are so big- like a puppy who needs to grow into his paws. Graham has long narrow feet- size 2. We went to the underwear section to find under shirts for Graham. He picked out wife beaters. What can I do or say?

Still diggin my new car. It’s very sweet.

Our friend came over this weekend to build benches to reinforce the back railing. After he finished he was washing his face in our bathroom and his back went out. He was in pain the whole time. He ate half his dinner and then laid on the floor. He hobbled out to his truck and some how drove home. Poor guy. But it looks REALLY nice.

Ok, show is over so I’m gonna go sit outside.

T

Mom left this morning. We had that sad drive to the airport. (thank God it’s only 10 minutes away) it’s so quiet now. It’s amazing how much one person can make such a difference-and i mean that in a good way. Like always I am finding little remnants of her visit- her coffee cup, her towel, pillow…. All that remind me that she was here cause it hasn’t quiet sunk in that she’s not here now. It’s hard living away from family. We had a really good time- especially yesterday. I worry about mom- her back is really bad again. She’s in constant pain. She had an MRI the day before she came. I hope she doesn’t have to have another back surgery. Poor mom- she’s been plagued with this her whole life. She thanked me for taking care of her- i don’t really see it as that. It’s just what you do when you love someone.

Fredrick is still alive today. His metamorphous has started- he doesn’t swim around as much and his tail is getting shorter. in a week he will be a frog- or not.

We had a big BBQ for my mom last night. She had some friends over- and my cousin Vic and his baby and wife came as well. Baby Abby is pretty darn cute. She’s 7 months now and sitting up, rolling over, laughing a lot. It was sweet to see her interact with the boys. They had fun making her laugh. I so enjoy seeing my cousin as a daddy. He is such an amazing father. He was doing all these crazy moves to make Abby laugh and I was in hysterics. I’m taken a back sometimes when I think that at one point Vic was my baby cousin and now he has his own baby. Baby Abby looks like him in so many ways- except the color of her eyes and hair. It takes me back 30 years to when Victor was that little- it’s like we get to do it all again.

I need to upload pictures in my gallery. It’s been FOREVER.

Mick’s friend is here to do something to our deck. I better go supervise!
T

SO my mom is here and we are having a good time. I took her to my campus yesterday and showed her my art work in the library. We couldn’t find my guitar and after searching- we found it in my teachers private office. Kind of funny. She kept it for herself. The boys are loving having my mom around. It’s nice to have the company and the help. Her back is hurting her- which has me worried.

An update on our little frog…. We named him Fredrick. He’s still so damn cute. He sprouted a leg and two little arms. I was concerned about his 4th leg and called the company where we got him. They said it was a freak of nature but it’s happened before. He won’t get another leg. He’s at the stage where he is getting ready to morph into a frog. Because of his leg problem- he may not make it through this stage. That makes me sad. BUT if he does make it through- he’ll live the normal life span. If he doesn’t make it- they will send us a new one for free. I’m hoping little Fredrick will be ok. -i know he’s just a frog but he’s just so cute.

The other big news- WE BOUGHT A SCION!!! It’s been a long crazy process but it’s done. And I pick it up tonight. this is my FIRST new car. I’m very excited and SO relieved that I will have a reliable car. The boys are happy-and so is Mick. NOW to clean out the garage.

Off to make dinner so i can pick up my car!!!

T

ah…. he’s home safe and sound. Mick, Graham and I drove to the coast yesterday and got him. We stopped and had lunch before heading to Adventure Cove. Mick took Thursday and Friday off- which i really appreciated. It made the time go by much faster. I think he knew how hard it was for Thomas to be gone-well, hard on me.

I was very proud of myself when I first saw Thomas-I restrained myself from running going up to him- as he was concentrating on his activity. When he was done- he turned around and saw us- i got a HUGE smile from him and he grabbed both my hands to greet me. Then he went on to his last activity and his leader gave us the grand tour. WOW the beach was beautiful. The camp site had an amazing overlook of the beach. Mick, Graham and I spent some time on the beach while Thomas finished up and then we met up with him at his tent. We packed up and headed over to the BBQ. Afterwards we went to the closing camp fire where the staff did skits and sang songs. The very last song was beautiful. The staff joined hands and sang a song for the boys- telling them to do their best and tell their parents they loved them. Without directly looking at me- Thomas put his hand on my leg and gave it two little pats. yeah, tears filled my eyes. It was very sweet. We said good bye and walked to the parking lot with everyone else and left for home. I had a very warm heart- the entire day was one I will remember forever.

My mom got in tonight. We will enjoy the next week with her here.

At dinner tonight I couldn’t help but look across the table at Thomas and smile. I am SO glad he is home. He keeps talking about what he gets to do NEXT year at camp…… NEXT YEAR??? I’m barely over THIS YEAR!

T

my son will come home tomorrow bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow they’ll be SON!!!

Yes, tomorrow is Friday- finally. Camp is over. I am so happy. Tomorrow- my boy will be safe and sound at home.

We test drove 3 cars today. Scion, Serento (KIA), HHR (Chevy). My choice is a Salsa Red Scion.

I got Thomas a new comforter and pillows and a trash can for his room. I also spent most of yesterday cleaning out his room. He will enjoy it all-especially the big fluffy body pillow. He is supposed to go to Winter camp for Webelos. yeah, that’s not gonna happen. Next time he leaves will be for college- and that’s to Portland State University which is 20 minutes away. I am weak- i can’t handle saying goodbye and having my family be ‘gone’. I’m sure he had fun. But I’m glad he’ll be back at home-safe and sound. ah… tomorrow…..

I’m going to get his room ready
T

Ok, I broke down and called one of the dads that went to camp with Thomas. (well, actually TWO but the first one had his cell phone off). I asked how Thomas was doing- John said “Fine- they are all having fun, Thomas is grabbing a biscuit now.” (They were at dinner) and then we got cut off. (bad reception at the beach) Short, simple but good enough for me. Just as long as my boy is doing well i can breath a little easier tonight. but just a little…
T

PS
tonight Graham told me he still misses Thomas- but he likes having me all to himself. ha ha so sweet

It’s tuesday now. Graham and I have been hanging out and filling up the days. Yesterday he wanted to go to the mall to get his Build A Bear fixed- the arm was torn. Afterwards we came home and played board games until dinner. We hung out outside until Mick came home. I really miss Thomas at night time. It feels weird not having him here- tucked in his bed safe and sound. I asked my mom how she did it- when we went to boarding school. She said it was SO hard- but we were older too. She also said that many of the mom’s who lived in Saudi and had to send their kids to boarding school were VERY big drinkers and VERY depressed. ha ha But honestly, I can see that. Just not knowing that he’s ok and not being there to make sure of it is just killing me. Even though he’s 10 and relatively responsible i still feel fiercely protective over him. If I could absorb any of his aches and pains and worries I would. i am enjoying my one on one time with Graham- he’s such a sweetie. He misses Thomas too.

ok- off to play SImpsons Clue with G
T