March 2004 Archives

The oral surgeon put Julia's jaw back together while I waited in the waiting area of the office. She was under general anesthesia and the whole procedure took about an hour. He came out to tell me what a mess it was and how it was broken in the middle and at the back of one side and what he had to do to get it back together again. I didn't want any details and I tried hard as I was praying for the doctor to be successful - to not picture what he was doing to fix the damage. I was so relieved to have that done and her back home so we could get on with the business of healing. Children regenerate bone easier than us grownups. She will only be wired shut for three weeks. 20 days now. We have all kinds of mushy food for her. It will be a challenge to keep her weight up and her appetite satisfied. She isn't big on dairy stuff - so yogurt, ice cream, and anything else like that is going to take some doing to get down. Julia is a good eater; she has always had a taste for spicy or garlicky stuff.

Angela, Christina, and Mom came over last night bearing gifts. Popeyes for the family, two short sets (One from Sue and one from Mom), a new bathing suit from Elizabeth (and I was promising her that as soon as she was able, we were going shopping for a new bathing suit), a butterfly-shaped dry erase board with many colored markers w/felt erasers on the end of each, a paint-by-number of some dolphins and some colorful hair accessories. The visit and the gifts almost made the whole ordeal worthwhile. That really made her day. And mine. Thank y'all so much.

It was nice to hear from you, Mary. I will call your Mom today, probably. That's funky too. We were discussing that last night over our Popeyes and wondered if the dog was greeting her or moving past her and swept her down without realizing he was bumping into her.

It is so amazing what can be done with the body now to fix what is broken.

My next door neighbor's house is for sale.

Any takers?

Mom?

PS - For those of you who have been to our house, this is the first house on the right. Ours is the second one. Yeah, we're the poor kids on the block.

Aaron, Julia, and a friend were jumping on the friend's trampoline when Aaron's leg and Julia's chin collided. Her lower jaw is broken from one end to the other. The mother called me to say Julia has a cut between two teeth and it bled profusely and that I might want to come get her. It was nasty looking and I had to hold myself together for her sake. I spent two hours with her in the e.r. and Michael had to come take over so I could get to the theater on time, The show must go on. They were there another 4 hours. I called home often for any word. Aaron and his friend were here watching t.v. I beat them home. They spent another hour at Walgreen's waiting to have prescriptions filled. We have to see a dental surgeon first thing Monday morning. The e.r. doctor spoke with him before stitching her up in two places of her mouth. Poor Julia. She is no stranger to the e.r. Such a trooper, though. Doctors always marvel at how well she takes it. I was the one crying in triage. I couldn't help it.

It was the occasion of their fourth birthday. I decided to take them to the zoo and to City Park. I was off that day and they had never been to either. It was a gorgeous day. They were dressed in shorts and white sandals (No socks). The sandals would haunt me the rest of the day.

As we approached the gate, the sign said something like:

Seniors (59 and over) - $3

Children under 4 - Free

I told the lady at the gate, “One adult and two children”.

She then asked me how old the kids were.

Well, for one whole year, I had been saying they were three so I said, “Three”.

The twins then piped up in unison, “We’re four, Robbie”.

To which I replied, “Oh, I forgot it was your birthday” and I’m fairly certain the lady didn’t think I was trying to sneak them in for free (Actually, I’m not at all certain she thought that) but I was definitely NOT trying to do that (I really did forget. Honest!). Anyway, they got in for free.

About the sandals: It should be noted that four year old girls don’t fully grasp the concept of how to keep pebbles and other debris out of their sandals. It should also be noted that these sandals had two buckles each on them. On the paved paths at the zoo, we had to stop every 2 minutes or so and remove at least one sandal completely to get the pebble/debris out. If we got off of the paved paths, we would have to stop every 30 seconds. These were dainty little girls.

We had a grand time at the zoo but the zoo, itself, wasn’t the real hit though. The hit of the day was feeding the squirrels. I bought a couple of bags of peanuts and we sat at the base of one of the zoo’s many magnificent live oak trees. The plan was to eat them, ourselves. Two peanuts into the bag, a squirrel approached us. I tossed him a peanut and he came up fairly close to us and got it. The twins squealed with glee at that. I tossed a few more and the squirrels kept coming closer and closer. The twins could hardly contain themselves. Blue jays also swooped in and grabbed a few. Unfortunately, the squirrels never quite made the adjustment from my underhanded, non-threatening peanut toss to the twins' running up to them and throwing it as hard as they can peanut toss. For many years afterwards, the twins wanted to feed the squirrels every time they were taken to the zoo. It was a great day!

Happy Birthday, Angela, Christina, and David!

Love,
Robbie

Happy Birthday, Scott.

I believe Scott turns the big four oh today.

Amy took sewing lessons last year and made the prettiest quillow, a quilt that turns into a pillow when you fold it correctly. She has her name embroidered on it and Julia loved it and wanted lessons. I called around and found someone to teach her at $60 for three two-hour lessons. Yikes. So, Elizabeth and I worked out a trade; her teaching Julia how to sew and my watching Polina. Yesterday, I took Joe and Polina to the playground in Mandeville while they started on the quillow. It is such a pretty time outdoors and that Polina is a rugged toddler. I brought her home good and dirty. I told Elizabeth that I feel like a monkey trying to work her van. The buttons are spread out on the console, in the mirror, on the doors, and on the sides of the seats. I can put the car in gear and drive and that's it. If you want the t.v. on, or the DVD player, or air condition, forget it. Yesterday, I accidentally did get the mute off of the player, but I don't know how I did it. I would have to take a class to operate the van. One could endanger people if they were trying to do anything other than drive. The console looks like something out of a science fiction movie. But let me add, I loved it. It is such a nice ride.

Julia so far has made her name in pillows for her bed, and a big flower pin cushion with all the spools of thread sewn in it. She will not be learning to sew clothes from Elizabeth, but hey, did you ever see Elizabeth's window treatments? I have my diabolical plans for Julia's learning. My kitchen, living room, and bedroom are lacking window treatments.

Tomorrow is Julia's school-wide Cultural Arts Day and I have volunteered to work it all day. This is one event I enjoy working. They feed the volunteers food from the countries that are being featured. This year Maggie, the school mascot (a puppy), rides the Orient Express; China, Japan, and the Phillipines.

Mom is leaving for the weekend. Who wants me to call them in the morning? It will be early. I will miss not having my morning call to her so I can then get on with my day.

I know you will enjoy your trip, Mom, being with the Clayton's, and they will love having you visit. I hope you can fit all the stuff people have been giving you to take with you into your suitcase. Just wear all of your clothes in layers onto the plane to give you more room in the suitcase for the 15 boxes of Girl Scout cookies that Sue ordered, the gifts everyone is dropping off for David's birthday (the 27th), and anything else that must get to Atlanta and can't be trusted in the mail. This may be the first time that I know of David's receiving his gifts on time. Hallelujia.

Amy 13, Kevin, Katie, Lars 15

I should be writing my resume, but instead I'm catching up on the family blog. Janine's entry 'What's up Doc' has inspired me to action. I finally got the hang of uploading pictures. (I hope!)

We enjoyed her play tremendously. It was great seeing her on stage. She did a wonderful job seperating her characters. It was great to be there with the Doots, Joey, David and his two, and of course Mama. Lot of fun!

The weather here is just gorgeous! We had a cool front come through and it's sunshiney and dry (no humidity!) Gotta love it! Rob, loved the picture of your redbud, and Angela I'm glad you finally got a full bloom out of yours. I'll have to stop by and see it.

Kevin's friend Tom just left after delivering some plants from his garden. I got more irises (didn't have the heart to tell him that I give my surplus away too!), canna lillies (not my favorite!) and blueberry bushes. Now I have to find someplace to put them all! I sound so ungrateful, don't I. Actually, I haven't had much interest in gardening since the nursery I worked for went under. Been in a bit of a funk ever since. I wish I could find my spark! That's only one of the reasons I need to get a job, to find that spark again. Well, that brings me full circle. Better get on that resume! Ciao!

This blog is one of my new faves.

Brother-in-law, Kevin, at JazzFest in 1993. That's his friend, Terry, with him.

Louisiana's State Bird, The Pelican. I see these every day on both of my commutes. They are a joy to watch. They dive straight down to get their fish. It is an awesome sight.

Today's CrabAppleLane Blog entry. That one is closing in on its one-year blogiversary.

OK, what do you think, cute?

This, too.

Happy Saint Joseph's Day!!!

Be Italian today!!!

Janine's review in today's Times-Picayune.

I don't know how long that link will be good but it's worth the read.

Great job, Janine.

Thanks to Scott for pointing it out.

A.K.A. San Giusseppe, which the honoring of him began in Sicily and continued in Kenner and other parts of the world where Sicilians concentrated after immigration. I wish to find an altar around here and get my fava bean to carry in my purse for good fortune. Do y'all have any recognition of this day in Mn.? Or Wisconsin, Nancy? Irish/Italian is big here in N.O. Don't know how those two ethnic groups found each other, but there is much compatibility and they have a parade that is as big as any other. Saturday was the Irish/Italian parade and Sunday was the St. Patrick's parade, where cabbages and potatoes are thrown from the floats. And there are Irish marching groups of men parading - looking for women to kiss and give fake flowers to.

Weakness for M & M's.

Drop us a line and let us know what you are doing, everyone.

Laura and Joan, how was Florida? Mary, how's the baby? Robbie and Christina, how was "Lord of the Rings"? Nancy, see any good injuries lately? Beth, what are you doing? Sue, ... oh never mind. She may or may not read this. Are you there, Stephen? I hear Kelly is graduating and you'll be doing some long-distance dating. It will make the heart grow fonder.

Robbie, tell Mom how to get into the link to make entries on the blog. Not comments; she can do that. You have told her before and she hates to ask again, but I would like her to be able to write some entries. She'll put it in her "Favorites", I promise. And don't make her feel dumm.

As for me, my play opened this past weekend (March 12th). It is a good, old-fashioned play. I would like it even if I weren't in it. I have already forewarned the cast that I have a contingency coming to this Friday's performance. I'll have to make some sweet treats for after the show so y'all can come over and visit with me after. It is always nice to have an audience. Just inviting some of my family can fill plenty of seats.

Q: Why didn't the skeleton go to the Halloween party?

A: Because he had nobody to go with.

Get it? No body.

Have a great day, you guys, y'all, and all the rest too!

March Madness, anyone?

Joey and I are planning to go to the reunion. We will probably be there from Friday through Monday or Tuesday. Joey wanted to find out if anyone is interested in fishing on any of those days. He'll go out to one of the lakes by himself if he has to, but would love to have a guide. He is desperate to take in the outdoors any time he isn't working, especially in a different environment.

Kinda slow around here. Here are some photos hot off the digital camera. 30 minutes old.

Below is an owl I bought off of a clearance table at a garden center I go to now and again. I have no idea what I’m going to do with it yet but I just couldn’t pass it up for $6. It will bring some color and maybe a smile to whoever sees it. I may just put it somewhere in the yard for visitors to stumble on.

Below are some petunias Patsy bought a couple of weeks ago. We love the pinwheels. At this time of year, we both will buy $2-5 worth of flowers every time we go to the grocery. We buy all different kinds and they are planted randomly throughout the garden and yard. I just love this time of year.

Below is our eastern redbud tree in bloom. It provides a spectacular contrast to the white flowering Bradford pear trees. My digital camera and/or my photographic ineptitude just cannot capture it.

Christina and I are finally going to go see the final Lord of the Rings movie this Sunday. We've been talking about it since we saw the previews the night we saw Kill Bill. I enjoyed the first LOTR OK and the second one quite a bit. This will be the first of the trilogy that I’ll have seen on the big screen.

I know the movie received 11 academy awards but I am very skeptical that the movie is that good. I have no expectations and I didn’t read the books (I read about 10 pages of The Hobbit and put it down for good). That said, I still can’t wait to see it.

OK, for what it's worth here's my opinion of the movie The Passion of The Christ. I wasn't overly moved. I didn't come away with any new spiritual feeling. I did however think that a little more background into why Jesus was condemed would've made it clearer as to why he was arrested. The sub titles weren't a problem and didn't distract from the movie. I also think that even a little more about the resurrection would've made it more....moving. I did think it was a bit gory, but then according to all accounts it was. I always have trouble with any kind of torture in a movie (or life actually) and never can figure out how anyone could be so cruel, but that's human nature I guess. As a "movie" it was very well done with good special affects and the acting was good, but as a spiritual vehicle I thought it was somewhat lacking. Ashley liked it but again didn't come away with any profound new angle to her faith. So there ya have it for what it's worth. Hope I didn't rain on anyone's parade planning to see it. Carol

I was adding frozen corn-on-the-cob to my Sam’s list yesterday and we were talking about boiling crawfish at work at the time. That brought back a long ago hidden memory. On one of our Minnesota vacations, Uncle Puzzy (Or is it Puzzie?) had us over for dinner. On this occasion, he picked fresh corn from his backyard and shucked them before our very eyes. I had never seen that done before. He then boiled or steamed those fresh corn ears in a pot very similar to the ones we boil crawfish in down here in Louisiana. He served it with fresh, real butter (We only had real butter on Thanksgiving and Christmas at our house in those days). I have not ever eaten anything as delicious as that since. Man, that was great corn.

Well, I think it's cute, anyway.

Just four days old.

Asiyah, my 11 year-old had a story published in our local neighborhood newspaper. The topic was "What would it be like to wake up and find that you are an adult?" Asiyah is constantly surprising us with her talents!
If you want to read her story go to http://www.southeastangle.info/ and click on southeast reads or click here.

Hi. Hey, I was wondering if any of you movie buffs have seen the new movie, The Passion of The Christ? I'm taking Ashley and some friends this weekend and was curious of your opinions. Another comment on the reunion blog from me too. Carol

New entry on the Reunion Blog.