Teenage Milestones

Yesterday, my precious teenage daughter, went to the DMV, waited along with the rest of the masses, had her number called, her picture taken, written test handed to her, and proceeded to take her test. I sat on the side lines being appropriately anxious, even though I pulled off the cool and confident mom bit. I had to for Chelsea. I didn't want my nerves rubbing off on her nerves, making her so anxious that she couldn't properly read and answer the questions. When she was done she mouthed to me "what do I do now?" I responded by pointing her to the appropriate counter where she nervously handed her completed test to the awaiting DMV grader. I joined her at the counter; Chelsea couldn't look, I couldn't stop looking at he made hash marks across some of her answers. My mind started rushing, "how many can you miss before you fail? She'll be crushed if she fails. Will I be crushed if she fails? I've got to hold it together for her in case she fails. Don't be silly, there is no way she is going to fail." I think you get the picture. The DMV dude looks up and says, "Congratulations, you passed!" The relief that rushed through me was palpable and need I tell you Chelsea's reaction? I took her picture but she forbade me to post it. She was smiling very big in the picture as she held up her driver's permit.
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Dan and I leave with Greg and Mona tomorrow for Mendocino where we plan to ring in the new year. The kids declined to come, so we're leaving them home alone for the first time. I'm so nervous. I don't know what about. I was practically living on my own when I was Chelsea's age, but whenever I give my kids a little more freedom it is always accompanied with a bit of nervousness. I think I've asked the entire population of Chico to check in on them, so there are plenty of eyes on them. We'll be staying for two days and two nights. We love going to the coast because we truly are cut off from most technology. Cell phones don't work, no television reception, and no computers. It's a chance to hunker down with a good book in front of the fire with one's favorite beverage close by. I so need to be cut off from the world for a while with my husband and best friends. I'll take lots of pictures. Happy New Year everyone!

Abundance comes when there are no expectations

Yesterday was my birthday and what a day I had. I've come to the conclusion that when you have absolutely no expectations, that's when everything comes your way. The day began with taking Mom to our local nail salon. She got a manicure and I got a pedicure. It was so freezing out that when I placed my chilly feet into the warm bubbling water, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Upon arrival home from getting our nails done we were greeted by my Aunt Ann and Uncle Al who had driven up for the day from Manteca. We had an hour or so to get caught up before going out to a wonderful lunch at Tres Hombres, one of my favorite Mexican restaurants. They make the best marguaritas and I ordered a grande. When lunch was done we said our good-byes to my aunt and uncle as well as my Mom. They drove her down to the Sacramento airport so that I wouldn't have to. I figured my birthday celebrating was over. It was more than I ever had hoped for, so I was good. But my darling husband had other plans. At 5 pm he arrived home with Greg and Mona in tow. I was informed that I was going to be taken out for the evening. Birthday presents came first. Dan gave me a beautiful new purse with a very nice "something" (cash) inside. He was quite generous (thanks Honey!) and Greg and Mona gave me two of the most beautiful sets of crystal earrings and a wonderful leather wallet (which I needed very much!). We had a little wine, toasted our great friendship, and then it was off to my favorite restaurant, Fifth Street Steakhouse. Once the meal of finished, they surprised me with a cake and very quiet version of Happy Birthday. We then went to Greg and Mona's house to see their beautiful newly remodeled guest bathroom and finished off the night with a little more conversation. I sure am a lucky (and slightly aging) woman. My cup runneth over.

P.S. I also have two wonderfully supportive sisters. I couldn't ask for better sisters. They know what they did for me over this Christmas holiday. I will be eternally grateful. Together we can do anything, face anything, conquer anything. Again, my cup runneth over.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone. We had our traditional family Christmas last night. It was my turn to host. Let's just say that it involves a lot of work and leave it at that. I had lots of help, but by the end of the day I'm ready for bed! We, or I should say I, had far too much to eat, but what are you going to do? Christmas time provides the perfect rationalization to let down any and all resistance to eating forbidden foods. I think a good time was had by all.

Another year older

Tomorrow is Dan's birthday. We, meaning myself and the kids, plan on taking him out to dinner and then to Glenn Beck's stage show of the Christmas Sweater, which is being beamed via satellite to our local theater. I read the book and it is a very sweet and heart wrenching story that teaches the importance of facing our personal storms and the value of family and friends. Last year I took Chelsea to San Francisco to see Glenn Beck's live Christmas show and in that show he related about a 10 minute story about the Christmas Sweater. That 10 minute story made quite an impact, with Chelsea and I crying for far longer than we probably should. So the two of us are really looking forward to the full telling of this story. I hope Dan and Cody enjoy it just as much.

Blessings flow

I'm done and it seems like I just started. That's the way every semester is. When I say I'm done, I mean I'm done with class meetings. Now it's the mad dash to the end with loads of grading, but my time is my own and that's the part I like. I can sit in the comfort of my recliner to grade, or I can go into the office to grade. I can stop grading to go shopping or pick up the kids. Did I mention that this is the part that I like? Well I do.

When I arrived home I had the most lovely and beautifully wrapped present waiting for me. My first thought was "Wow, Dan must have paid someone to wrap my present like that!" But upon closer inspection the gift was not from Dan, but from my bestfriend Mona. The gift label said, "Open before Christmas. Open today." How could I open such a beautifully wrapped gift. I should have taken a picture, but in my addled state it didn't occur to me. When I did open the gift I immediately recognized it. I've often admired these angel figurines that Mona has in her bedroom. I have often commented on them. She found me the exact same angels and gave them to me so that I could decorate with them this Christmas. Do I have a great girlfriend or what? While I treasure my new Christmas Angels, I treasure my friendship with Mona far more. I sure am blessed.

A man and his car

NEWS FLASH: During our two day drive home from Albuquerque, I finally finished the sixth and final book in the Diana Gabaldon series. I realize that this news flash only has meaning to those select few who have been ensnared by Gabaldon's tales, but those who have I know are giving me a silent, "you go girl!" Now I am free to begin reading the growing pile of books that were in the "books to read after Gabaldon." Thanks Gail for getting me started down this road. I also curse you Gail for getting me started down this road. I apologize to Lynnie for having gotten you started down this road.

Back to our regularly scheduled post.

It is Sunday afternoon and a few hours ago Dan and I arrived home after a 12oo+ mile drive from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Chico, California. It was a LONG drive through the most ugly terrain. I'm sorry folks, but I am not a desert person at all! As I stated before we went there to see a man about a car. A car that Dan has been playing mental footsy with for a couple of years now. He finally decided to take the plunge and buy the car. So he booked the tickets, arranged for the hotel, and we were off. Upon boarding our flight, we quickly found our seats, 18E and 18F, as as we were settling in we looked up and saw a very familiar face, Lana Kramer, the mother of Cody's best friend. What was all the more amazing was that she was assigned seat 18D. What are the chances??!! I say none. We had such an enjoyable flight, getting to know each other even better and what better way to keep our minds off of any potential flight anxiety. Before we knew it we arrived at our destination. There was not much sleep to be had that night, in spite of the nice accommodations because Dan was too excited. We arose at 5:45 am and went downstairs for our free breakfast. After finishing breakfast we returned to our room and Dan placed a call to the seller of the car to confirm our 7 am meeting time. All systems were go.
Dan used this time to complete the New Mexico Bill of Sale so that upon the seller's arrival we could finish the paper work quickly and be on the road.

This is Dan's first look at his new car. I had a hard time getting a decent picture as a strange thing kept happening with the morning light causing my pictures to come out dark. There must be something about the "land of enchantment's" lighting that messes with cameras. We promptly completed all the paperwork and were on our way...homeward bound.

As we were leaving Albuquerque we were greeted with the most lovely sight of early morning hot air balloons. It seemed as if everyone had come out to say goodbye and wish us a safe and enjoyable trip home. I realize that this is a tad bit narcissistic, but I found the fantasy to be a highly enjoyable one.

The first day of driving we were able to make it all the way to Bakersfield, California. We arrived around 6:30pm, promptly found a hotel and then set off for a great Mexican dinner at El Torritos. We were exhausted after a long day of driving and little sleep the night before, so we immediately went to bed when we returned to our hotel, after calling and checking on the kids. Our kids did so well while we were gone. Uncle Fred took them to Olive Garden on Friday night. Cody and his cousin Liam rode their bikes to Bidwell Park on Saturday, whereupon Liam lost his bike chain and one of the two had a flat tire. Cody called me from the park to inform me about their disabled status. They had already called Uncle Fred to come and retrieve them, but they were clearly having fun on their little adventure.

The next morning we arose at about 7 am, got in the car, drove to Highway 5, had a little breakfast and were back on the road making great time. We arrived back in Chico around 2 pm.

Now it's time to really unveil the new car, the newest shrine, Dan's new 2001 Acura NSX!

Isn't it pretty? And the trees turning fall colors ain't so bad either.

You can tell by the smile on Dan's face that a) he's glad to be home; b) he's proud of his new car; and sadly c) relieved to no longer be sitting in the slightly snug seat. When we both got into the car for the first time, be looked at each other and agreed that our behinds were slightly too big for the size of the seats. It appears that we need to lose some weight so that we can fit in our new car. It's much easier to buy bigger size clothing, much more difficult to get larger car seats.

We're off to see a man about a car

Tomorrow we're off to see a man about a car; a car that just happens to be located in Albequerque, New Mexico. We're flying out tomorrow afternoon and the plan is to drive Dan's new "shrine" back to California in time for me to make it to work on Monday. The bad news it is couldn't happen at a worse time, the end of the semester. The good news is that Dan and I finally get to have some "away alone" time, which we have had far too little of since the kids were born. Because of my admitted "uptightness" I never felt comfortable leaving my kids over night. I think since the kids were born we've only left them three times; twice for a weekend and once for an over night. I know that this probably hasn't been healthy for anyone, but my OCD tendencies just got the better of me. Dan's brother Fred has agreed to sleep over for the two nights that we are gone and they couldn't be in better hands. If you want me to get real, the kids are really old enough to spend the weekend on their own, afterall when I was Chelsea's age I was left on my own all the time. But it feels different when we're talking about my "babies." I plan on taking pictures on the road and hopefully I'll be able to post a few upon our return.

Dear Kidnapper

Dear Kidnapper,

About six weeks ago, during the dark of night, you snuck into our home and took our disrespectful, negative, and mouthy teenage daughter. In her place you left a sweet, respectful, and loving young woman. I am unsure of your motivation for taking our daughter. We haven't received a ransom note or any other request to ensure her safe return. I want you to know that you can keep her. We rather like the replacement. This morning the sweet young woman overslept and with only 5 minutes to get ready for school, she rushed around the house with nary a foul word passing from her mouth, sweetly asking for my assistance, and amazingly was ready to go in that brief amount of time with a smile on her face. It truly was a miracle. I am greeted with a hug and a kiss when I arrive home. When I ask her to do things she readily complies, whistling while she works. We have grown very attached to her and have no desire to see her go. You are welcome to keep the nasty teenage girl. Consider it an early Christmas present.

Gratefully,
The happiest mother of a teenager in the world