...ebay binge...
I formed a very bad habit today, but luckily I have restricted it to today. Right now I have three packages from various ebay seller headed my way. All were cheap (the most expensive being $35 w/shipping) and they should be good...One is a set of 8 National Geographic magazines from 1935, one of which is for June. In the June issue is a picture of my Grandmother as a bridesmaid for a West Point wedding. People actually used to recognize her from it due to her flaming red hair!! Another package contains Pee-Wee Herman trading cards, tatoos, stickers, and masks. Fun! And last but not least is a package of Victorian era (though a fair amount actually is not of that time) papers - maps, books, pamphlets, certificates, ration books, post cards...plus, coins, a letter opener made of bone, sugar tongs and a few other bizarre things. Surprise! That's it for me...at least for now. No more till we have a house!
Monday, April 28
Saturday, April 26
...all is well...
The weekend was great, and the days I have been back have been that way as well. I got to hang out with Daddad a lot and the rest of my family, sling back $2 margaritas with Jenny, eat lots of Mexican food, talk with a bank about getting pre-approved for a home mortgage, and lots more.
Being back is good. I missed Jeremy a lot! Things are good...plans are known and yet unknown too. I am not very worried about whatever future we have. It's good to have warm weather here, and thunderstorms!, and healthy cats, and...everything.
The weekend was great, and the days I have been back have been that way as well. I got to hang out with Daddad a lot and the rest of my family, sling back $2 margaritas with Jenny, eat lots of Mexican food, talk with a bank about getting pre-approved for a home mortgage, and lots more.
Being back is good. I missed Jeremy a lot! Things are good...plans are known and yet unknown too. I am not very worried about whatever future we have. It's good to have warm weather here, and thunderstorms!, and healthy cats, and...everything.
Thursday, April 17
...happy birthday to you...
Today my Daddad (my Mom's father), Thomas Lyman French,Jr., turns 91. He is the reason I am going back to Kansas City tomorrow for an extended weekend. Now...Daddad is not a perfect man. He has some characteristics I do not agree with, but those certainly do not make up most of who he is. I love him very dearly. When my Mama (his wife) died when I was in fourth grade, he started coming to our house for a visit every afternoon. I have grown very close to him over the years.
Daddad grew up in San Antonio, Texas with his parents and his four siblings : Olive, Claude, Dorothy, and James. All of them have passed away. He had a very accident-filled childhood. For example: he was nearly scalped when he got in a bicycle accident. They took him to the pharmacist who poured peroxide on his skull while sitting at the soda counter. There was also the time his brother was swinging around a box of dirt on a rope (who knows why- it was the 1920s?!) and when their father told him to quit it he just let go and it smacked Daddad in the head. Then one time he was riding on the outside of a Model T, headed to play football with some friends, when the car tipped and fell on top of him. They just erected it, played football, then Daddad got his leg checked out.
His father died about a month before the depression, but luckily left coins in the safety deposit box. My great-grandmother Georgia did people's laundry, Daddad worked, and they took out some coins each month. He worked at an ice-cream factory for awhile, which is appropriate considering he is one of the biggest chocolate fiends I have ever met! I used to open cabinets in his kitchen and find them lined with one-pound Hershey bars! Part of that is he still has a depression mentality (the man saves everything), but mostly it's because he eats unearthly amounts of chocolate! Anyway...Georgia died young as well. My Daddad always gets teary-eyed when he talks about how she had to cut her hair (it was red and when it was down, trailed behind her on the ground!) because it caused too much pain.
So, Daddad moved to Kansas City due to his job and met my Mama, Marjorie Jane Benton. He spotted her having a soda with some friends after a bible class, strolled up, swung one of his long legs over a chair, sitting in it backwards, and said, "Howdy girls, my name is Tex." He asked her out soon after, and thirteen days after their first date, they were engaged. They got married a few months after that. Daddad left to fight in World War II. He was in the military police and saw lots of things in Europe, and met some very interesting people. My mother was born while he was away...he did not see her until she was seven or so months old. When he returned, he worked for the IRS investigating people who wanted to work for the IRS. This is why he is a notorious questioner of everything!
He has never tasted coffee in his life, though he enjoys a nice, cold Coke. He hasn't had a drink since Mama got sick. She, and in turn he, were very social people in their day. Never been a smoker. Has had some fairly major health problems, but is still going. He gets sad that he can't recall things well...he is a story-teller, so it hurts extra. He has traveled the world - Europe, both during the war and later on with Mama, Africa, Mexico, the U.S. They were planning to go to Australia, but then she got sick...There is so much more...
Daddad has instilled in me a love of family- living and past, history, collecting (you should see his stamp collection!), not to be too extravagent and to share what you have, work hard, be educated,and so much more. I realize that this could be his last birthday...that's why I knew I had to fly home. He and I are very close...he told my Mom, "I can't believe she is coming just for me!" He is my last grandparent. They were all so important to me, and I can't bear to think of having to let go again, but I know that's how things go. I don't think he's scared and I am not for him, or for what I will feel. But...this is a celebration of someone who is luckily still here despite all those head traumas at a young age! Here's to you Daddad! (even though he won't read this...he's not into computers) Happy Birthday and I will see you on Saturday. I love you. xoxo
Today my Daddad (my Mom's father), Thomas Lyman French,Jr., turns 91. He is the reason I am going back to Kansas City tomorrow for an extended weekend. Now...Daddad is not a perfect man. He has some characteristics I do not agree with, but those certainly do not make up most of who he is. I love him very dearly. When my Mama (his wife) died when I was in fourth grade, he started coming to our house for a visit every afternoon. I have grown very close to him over the years.
Daddad grew up in San Antonio, Texas with his parents and his four siblings : Olive, Claude, Dorothy, and James. All of them have passed away. He had a very accident-filled childhood. For example: he was nearly scalped when he got in a bicycle accident. They took him to the pharmacist who poured peroxide on his skull while sitting at the soda counter. There was also the time his brother was swinging around a box of dirt on a rope (who knows why- it was the 1920s?!) and when their father told him to quit it he just let go and it smacked Daddad in the head. Then one time he was riding on the outside of a Model T, headed to play football with some friends, when the car tipped and fell on top of him. They just erected it, played football, then Daddad got his leg checked out.
His father died about a month before the depression, but luckily left coins in the safety deposit box. My great-grandmother Georgia did people's laundry, Daddad worked, and they took out some coins each month. He worked at an ice-cream factory for awhile, which is appropriate considering he is one of the biggest chocolate fiends I have ever met! I used to open cabinets in his kitchen and find them lined with one-pound Hershey bars! Part of that is he still has a depression mentality (the man saves everything), but mostly it's because he eats unearthly amounts of chocolate! Anyway...Georgia died young as well. My Daddad always gets teary-eyed when he talks about how she had to cut her hair (it was red and when it was down, trailed behind her on the ground!) because it caused too much pain.
So, Daddad moved to Kansas City due to his job and met my Mama, Marjorie Jane Benton. He spotted her having a soda with some friends after a bible class, strolled up, swung one of his long legs over a chair, sitting in it backwards, and said, "Howdy girls, my name is Tex." He asked her out soon after, and thirteen days after their first date, they were engaged. They got married a few months after that. Daddad left to fight in World War II. He was in the military police and saw lots of things in Europe, and met some very interesting people. My mother was born while he was away...he did not see her until she was seven or so months old. When he returned, he worked for the IRS investigating people who wanted to work for the IRS. This is why he is a notorious questioner of everything!
He has never tasted coffee in his life, though he enjoys a nice, cold Coke. He hasn't had a drink since Mama got sick. She, and in turn he, were very social people in their day. Never been a smoker. Has had some fairly major health problems, but is still going. He gets sad that he can't recall things well...he is a story-teller, so it hurts extra. He has traveled the world - Europe, both during the war and later on with Mama, Africa, Mexico, the U.S. They were planning to go to Australia, but then she got sick...There is so much more...
Daddad has instilled in me a love of family- living and past, history, collecting (you should see his stamp collection!), not to be too extravagent and to share what you have, work hard, be educated,and so much more. I realize that this could be his last birthday...that's why I knew I had to fly home. He and I are very close...he told my Mom, "I can't believe she is coming just for me!" He is my last grandparent. They were all so important to me, and I can't bear to think of having to let go again, but I know that's how things go. I don't think he's scared and I am not for him, or for what I will feel. But...this is a celebration of someone who is luckily still here despite all those head traumas at a young age! Here's to you Daddad! (even though he won't read this...he's not into computers) Happy Birthday and I will see you on Saturday. I love you. xoxo
Monday, April 14
...we have taken over...
Psst!...This is Frank and Bones! We can't believe Stacy forgot to mention our part in this past weekend! She was just focused on her fancy highlighting tricks. Humph! We had a splendid few days with that little human they referred to as Morgan. Finally, someone actually paid close attention to us and played with us endlessly. She discovered our love of the rainbow wand and the octopus-on-a-string immediately. I, Frank, delighted in her presence from the get go, but you know Bones...he takes a bit to warm up to things.
Hey! This is Bones (aka Boney Mahoney, Bones Muldoon, purr-bot, and whatever else they think to call me) Alright, alright...I'm just a little shy. I still had a lot of napping on the box by the heater to get in before I was really interested in Morgan. But she's a great kid. Top notch. We are so bored now that she is gone. She would even move my scratching post to wherever I was! Now, that is service! I mean...don't get me wrong...Stacy and Jeremy are pretty good humans, but it's always in and out, squirting us when we just want to sharpen our claws on their stuff, and not as much play as we require...though they do feed us well, and provide excellent napping opportunities.
Oh! Uh...we gotta go! I hear Stacy coming and we can't let her discover yet we know how to type! Meow!
Psst!...This is Frank and Bones! We can't believe Stacy forgot to mention our part in this past weekend! She was just focused on her fancy highlighting tricks. Humph! We had a splendid few days with that little human they referred to as Morgan. Finally, someone actually paid close attention to us and played with us endlessly. She discovered our love of the rainbow wand and the octopus-on-a-string immediately. I, Frank, delighted in her presence from the get go, but you know Bones...he takes a bit to warm up to things.
Hey! This is Bones (aka Boney Mahoney, Bones Muldoon, purr-bot, and whatever else they think to call me) Alright, alright...I'm just a little shy. I still had a lot of napping on the box by the heater to get in before I was really interested in Morgan. But she's a great kid. Top notch. We are so bored now that she is gone. She would even move my scratching post to wherever I was! Now, that is service! I mean...don't get me wrong...Stacy and Jeremy are pretty good humans, but it's always in and out, squirting us when we just want to sharpen our claws on their stuff, and not as much play as we require...though they do feed us well, and provide excellent napping opportunities.
Oh! Uh...we gotta go! I hear Stacy coming and we can't let her discover yet we know how to type! Meow!
...success declared...
I entered my apartment building after work on Thursday and was greeted by Zoe, my favorite New York dog, as usual. After a couple good pets, I threw open the door finally able to do what I had been waiting for all day...to see Josh and meet Julie and Morgan! (By the way, Julie taught me how to do that word highlight-y thing within my text! Now you know how totally un-computer saavy I am. Thanks Julie.) We had a great night. Julie and Josh are a very excellent match for each other (aw...cute and nice!) and Morgan instantly endeared herself to me by saying, "I hear you are artsy-fartsy like me!" Jeremy and I even got to sign her coveted Dr. Suess My Book About Me. We drew, had make your own tacos, and then after Morgan was asleep had adult hang-out/talk time. Not the dirty meaning of "adult" okay!
On Friday I had to go to work, but only until two, so they all came to meet me so we could head to the Natural History Museum. I had never been there before, and man...that place is big! We didn't even see half of it, and we saw tons. Jeremy kept harassing Morgan by poking her with an umbrella , so she finally got him back when we were sitting in front of the stuffed penguins. Thus, the umbrella fights began. We went to Guru for dinner, which is where Jer and I had our N.Y. wedding reception last summer. I watched Morgan work on the same spoonful of lentil doughnut in yogurt sauce for about fifteen minutes. She whispered, "It's kind of sour!" Not one complaint though, and she did eat some as well as portions of what Josh and Julie had. We headed home and ended the long day early.
Saturday was the big day, the reason we were all gathered...Joan's birthday celebration! Josh left in the morning to go to New Jersey originally to pick up Rick, though unfortunately he was not able to come, but got to hang out with him instead. We just kicked around the apartment, watching Simpson's episodes, eating breakfast, getting ready, goofing around. I was very mean and kept picking up Morgan and messing with her, trying to get her to wake up and play with me. Finally she did when Julie brought her breakfast. I apologized for bugging her and she said that was okay. Man...she is the most sweet, polite kid! Wait...I know lots of great kids...I'm not going to play favorites! So, Joan's party was a success. Everyone seemed to have a great time. Food was tasty and plentiful, it was beautiful outside, family and friends were gathered, and there were lots of people to meet and lots of folks who had not seen each other in a long time. It was sad when we had to say goodbye to Josh, Julie and Morgan in front of the restaurant. Morgan started crying and it broke Jeremy and I's hearts. Jer and I wished that we could all live in the same town. We miss hanging out with Josh, and now we miss the latest additions to the family. It's nice to think about how it is just a beginning though, and not an ending.
Jeremy and I hopped in a cab with Rachel and Judie to head on to Grandma Bea's. There, we got to relax and watch Joan open her presents! I always love seeing what people pick out for others. Joan seemed very pleased with the whole day. We were happy to be surrounded by so much family! I got to hang out more with Rachel, which is always a good time, and eventually Peter and Joanne, followed closely by Chris and Juhani with their new girlfriends Carlin and Rebecca, showed up. After lots of gabbing, suddenly it was around 8:30! Time raced by on Saturday. We all walked out together, but then Peter and Joanne caught a cab.
So...Chris, Carlin, Juhani, Rebecca, Jeremy and I all headed for Chris's car which was parked a ways away. Lots of laughing and getting to know one another. When we made it to the car, Chris folded up the backseat so that four of us could sit Native-American style (the preferred nomenclature) back there while he and Carlin had the luxurious front seats. It gave me a new perspective on how scary drivers in New York are. We went all the way uptown to where Peter and Joanne live (81st Street!) By the end, Juhani and I were clinging on for dear life and trying not to hurl. (Chris is a very good driver, but was giving us a hard time!) We were very grateful when he let us out, our legs buckling beneath us. We decided not to go up to Peter and Joanne's, but went instead to a good Mexican place around the corner where we had a very delayed dinner and drinks. Mmm...strawberry margaritas...so tasty and alcohol ladden...After many laughs, stories and such Jeremy and I called it a night and found the nearest subway. We made it home around 1:45 am and went to bed almost immediately (We first had to make sure our neighbor Nancy upstairs wasn't dead like we thought she may be, but that is a whole other story!) So, the long day was done. We were tired, happy, and still a little sad, but we had a great weekend. Thanks to all who were involved. Oh...Julie...sorry we never got a Manhattan Special. (I just wanted another excuse to use the highlight-y thing!)
I entered my apartment building after work on Thursday and was greeted by Zoe, my favorite New York dog, as usual. After a couple good pets, I threw open the door finally able to do what I had been waiting for all day...to see Josh and meet Julie and Morgan! (By the way, Julie taught me how to do that word highlight-y thing within my text! Now you know how totally un-computer saavy I am. Thanks Julie.) We had a great night. Julie and Josh are a very excellent match for each other (aw...cute and nice!) and Morgan instantly endeared herself to me by saying, "I hear you are artsy-fartsy like me!" Jeremy and I even got to sign her coveted Dr. Suess My Book About Me. We drew, had make your own tacos, and then after Morgan was asleep had adult hang-out/talk time. Not the dirty meaning of "adult" okay!
On Friday I had to go to work, but only until two, so they all came to meet me so we could head to the Natural History Museum. I had never been there before, and man...that place is big! We didn't even see half of it, and we saw tons. Jeremy kept harassing Morgan by poking her with an umbrella , so she finally got him back when we were sitting in front of the stuffed penguins. Thus, the umbrella fights began. We went to Guru for dinner, which is where Jer and I had our N.Y. wedding reception last summer. I watched Morgan work on the same spoonful of lentil doughnut in yogurt sauce for about fifteen minutes. She whispered, "It's kind of sour!" Not one complaint though, and she did eat some as well as portions of what Josh and Julie had. We headed home and ended the long day early.
Saturday was the big day, the reason we were all gathered...Joan's birthday celebration! Josh left in the morning to go to New Jersey originally to pick up Rick, though unfortunately he was not able to come, but got to hang out with him instead. We just kicked around the apartment, watching Simpson's episodes, eating breakfast, getting ready, goofing around. I was very mean and kept picking up Morgan and messing with her, trying to get her to wake up and play with me. Finally she did when Julie brought her breakfast. I apologized for bugging her and she said that was okay. Man...she is the most sweet, polite kid! Wait...I know lots of great kids...I'm not going to play favorites! So, Joan's party was a success. Everyone seemed to have a great time. Food was tasty and plentiful, it was beautiful outside, family and friends were gathered, and there were lots of people to meet and lots of folks who had not seen each other in a long time. It was sad when we had to say goodbye to Josh, Julie and Morgan in front of the restaurant. Morgan started crying and it broke Jeremy and I's hearts. Jer and I wished that we could all live in the same town. We miss hanging out with Josh, and now we miss the latest additions to the family. It's nice to think about how it is just a beginning though, and not an ending.
Jeremy and I hopped in a cab with Rachel and Judie to head on to Grandma Bea's. There, we got to relax and watch Joan open her presents! I always love seeing what people pick out for others. Joan seemed very pleased with the whole day. We were happy to be surrounded by so much family! I got to hang out more with Rachel, which is always a good time, and eventually Peter and Joanne, followed closely by Chris and Juhani with their new girlfriends Carlin and Rebecca, showed up. After lots of gabbing, suddenly it was around 8:30! Time raced by on Saturday. We all walked out together, but then Peter and Joanne caught a cab.
So...Chris, Carlin, Juhani, Rebecca, Jeremy and I all headed for Chris's car which was parked a ways away. Lots of laughing and getting to know one another. When we made it to the car, Chris folded up the backseat so that four of us could sit Native-American style (the preferred nomenclature) back there while he and Carlin had the luxurious front seats. It gave me a new perspective on how scary drivers in New York are. We went all the way uptown to where Peter and Joanne live (81st Street!) By the end, Juhani and I were clinging on for dear life and trying not to hurl. (Chris is a very good driver, but was giving us a hard time!) We were very grateful when he let us out, our legs buckling beneath us. We decided not to go up to Peter and Joanne's, but went instead to a good Mexican place around the corner where we had a very delayed dinner and drinks. Mmm...strawberry margaritas...so tasty and alcohol ladden...After many laughs, stories and such Jeremy and I called it a night and found the nearest subway. We made it home around 1:45 am and went to bed almost immediately (We first had to make sure our neighbor Nancy upstairs wasn't dead like we thought she may be, but that is a whole other story!) So, the long day was done. We were tired, happy, and still a little sad, but we had a great weekend. Thanks to all who were involved. Oh...Julie...sorry we never got a Manhattan Special. (I just wanted another excuse to use the highlight-y thing!)
Sunday, April 6
...funny tails...
On Friday Lola and I did our usual perusing of the Union Square Farmer's Market and obtained a couple of chocolate chip cookies. We plopped down on a bench and I, of course, devoured mine pretty quickly. Lola began to throw little bits of her cookie for the birds, which swarmed immediately. I suggested that birds should probably not eat chocolate, but she didn't seem to agree with me. Soon a couple of curious squirrels came over, as well as the mysterious pigeon boy who does not say much but held bread in his hand while the birds landed on him. I couldn't really tell if he was a real person or just some sort of interesting spirit. Anyway...Lola hand-fed a piece of cookie to one of our squirrel friends. Well, he took a liking to it so much that he snuck up a minute later and snatched the remaining half cookie out of Lola's hand and took off! We watched him nibble on it delicately in a flower bed, turning it around and around in his T-Rex style hands. Then he got a good grip on it with his mouth and scurried up the neighboring tree. Lola claimed she didn't like the cookie much anyway. I know she was just thrilled to have such close contact with the animal she has been talking about wanting for a pet for days.
...mythical birds...
Last night we did the most unusual for us...we went to a pub (Peter McManus - or McManus' as it is known to insiders- to be exact) to watch the Jayhawks humiliate Marquette. Adam K. and I got a head start on drinking while waiting for Jer to show up from work. It was a good time. We enjoyed the game, but mainly got caught up in talking, eating simple pub food, and drinking beers and cider. The only drawback was that McManus' reffered to french fries as...da da duh...freedom fries. Sigh. The Jayhawks were...great! Will they win on Monday? Will Roy Williams stay on as coach? Why does Kirk Hinrich look like a Beastie Boy? We shall soon find out...well, probably not about Kirk. Anyway...I'm not even a KU alum (but 3 of my grandparents and both of my parents are) but I must say I have a spot in my heart reserved for KU basketball.
On Friday Lola and I did our usual perusing of the Union Square Farmer's Market and obtained a couple of chocolate chip cookies. We plopped down on a bench and I, of course, devoured mine pretty quickly. Lola began to throw little bits of her cookie for the birds, which swarmed immediately. I suggested that birds should probably not eat chocolate, but she didn't seem to agree with me. Soon a couple of curious squirrels came over, as well as the mysterious pigeon boy who does not say much but held bread in his hand while the birds landed on him. I couldn't really tell if he was a real person or just some sort of interesting spirit. Anyway...Lola hand-fed a piece of cookie to one of our squirrel friends. Well, he took a liking to it so much that he snuck up a minute later and snatched the remaining half cookie out of Lola's hand and took off! We watched him nibble on it delicately in a flower bed, turning it around and around in his T-Rex style hands. Then he got a good grip on it with his mouth and scurried up the neighboring tree. Lola claimed she didn't like the cookie much anyway. I know she was just thrilled to have such close contact with the animal she has been talking about wanting for a pet for days.
...mythical birds...
Last night we did the most unusual for us...we went to a pub (Peter McManus - or McManus' as it is known to insiders- to be exact) to watch the Jayhawks humiliate Marquette. Adam K. and I got a head start on drinking while waiting for Jer to show up from work. It was a good time. We enjoyed the game, but mainly got caught up in talking, eating simple pub food, and drinking beers and cider. The only drawback was that McManus' reffered to french fries as...da da duh...freedom fries. Sigh. The Jayhawks were...great! Will they win on Monday? Will Roy Williams stay on as coach? Why does Kirk Hinrich look like a Beastie Boy? We shall soon find out...well, probably not about Kirk. Anyway...I'm not even a KU alum (but 3 of my grandparents and both of my parents are) but I must say I have a spot in my heart reserved for KU basketball.