So Jay gets home from LV on Saturday at noon. We are expecting for him to be home through Tuesday which was unbelievable stint at home considering it is July (peak recruiting period, but only 3 coaches can be on the road at a time so Jay was going to get a short break. I am thinking SWEET b/c life is just alot richer with Jay here!
Only a few hours into his home visit we learned that "some kid" in Toledo sprained his ankle and as a result Jay would catch latest flight out Sunday to get to Orlando. Seems a bit twisted I know....and there is some rational but essentially our life is in the hands of 18-21 years old guys...what happens to them or decisions they make alters my life.
I do fully recognize that we have it all in terms of what matters so I don't really care what these boys do....but I was bummed that Jay ended up with only 19 hours at home. But look what we accomplished:
1) Flight lands in Nashville
2) Jay drives to Glendale house (house I wanted Jay to see....we've been casually looking)
3) Play with kids couple of hours
4) Join friends for home-cooked dinner (Thanks, Hickmans !!)
5) Baths & Bed; Change Jay's flights; wash clothes
6) Early Church
7) Wash clothes
8) Join friends for home-cooked lunch (Thanks, Martin's!!!)
9) Revisit Glendale house and make offer!
10) Straight to Pool ---awesome time with Frye's and Rosenthal's
11) Picnic with just us 4
12) Home for clothes washing/baths
13) Take Jay to airport
Well, we didn't waste a minute of his 19 hours and celebrated yet another wonderful day!!!!! Jay will return late Thurs. Then we'll head out on our annual hot as hell Mississippi homecoming trip that we enjoy so much that we go in spite of heat.
As for the Glendale house (the circa 1915 house that oozes with charm and screams our name)...we'll see. If God's in it...then it will work. If not, we shall recover since we've already been GIVEN all that matters anyway.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
I'm Your Handyman
Steph & I have just celebrated our tenth year of marital bliss. Considering the differences in our personalities it’s a wonder we ever got together in the first place, much less survived this long. But some say that our differences make the world go ‘round. In that case it’s easy to see why we have been spinning so wildly all these years.
Like many women, Steph is a big time nester. She is a) extremely proud of our home & always seeks ways to improve it, or b) diabolically consumed & obsessed with thoughts of home improvement, depending on your perspective. In comparison, I am a) glad to keep up with the basics of home maintenance but generally satisfied with the home we live in, or b) lazy, thoughtless & apathetic about anything to do with the house, depending on your perspective.
For example, Steph’s nesting instincts lead her believe we need eleven pillows on our bed. There’s also the one she keeps under the bed that she uses for actual sleeping. For some reason it doesn’t make the cut with all the others. We also have approximately 427 other pillows in various locations throughout our house. These are called throw pillows, however you are not allowed to throw them as Willie & I have learned.
I’m not always on the same page as Steph concerning what needs to be done around the house. But with a few slow days between camps & recruiting trips, I wanted to do something nice for her. So I decided to surprise her with a little improvement project on our master bathroom. The rollers on the shower door were broken so it needed replacing and the caulking needed to be redone. Also the shower head needed replacing. So I leave the office early & get all my supplies at Home Depot. I figure the project will take me the whole rest of the day, maybe a little longer.
I get home & get right to it. I rip out the old shower door first & then the old caulk. I start putting in the new door which requires a bit of measuring & cutting. About this time Steph gets home with the kids & the bathroom is a wreck. There are parts & tools & dust everywhere but I am clearly making progress. I expect to hear something like, “Oh, Jay…thanks so much for doing this. You are the best…this is awesome!” Instead I get a look that says, ”You are an idiot & I will kill you with a blunt instrument tonight as you sleep.” You see, I bought a frosted glass shower door to replace the old one that had clear glass. In case you didn’t know, if you have frosted glass in your shower door, you are an idiot too. Hate to be so harsh, but that’s just what you are. Don’t feel bad, I didn’t know either.
So now she’s beside herself & my feelings are hurt. Not to mention that I am about four hours into my project with no end in sight. What would take my dad about two hours to do looks like it will take me quite a bit longer. I did inherit some of his vast handyman skills but really only enough to get myself in trouble. So I plug away despite the negative energy clouding the project & at the end of the day there is still a mess in the bathroom & the door is installed but the new caulk & touchup paint have yet to be applied.
The next day we took the kids to Six Flags for a little getaway. No problem I thought. I’d just finish the job when we got back before I had to leave town on a recruiting trip. Sadly, my grandfather passed away while we were gone which necessitated a trip to Mississippi & another quick trip back to Nashville. Then I left for my trip-still no working shower. Steph was forced to shower in the guest room during the whole week I was gone.
At this point she had called Rick, a contractor friend who has bailed me out of a couple failed do-it-myself projects before. But he’s got a job going & doesn’t get a chance to make it by. So, finally back from my recruiting trip I am determined to finish. After three trips to Home Depot (can’t get the right color caulk) & countless messes made, I finally get done. I even figure out a way to salvage the glass from the old doors to use with the parts from the new door. Basically I spent a couple hundred bucks on four little rollers that I could have probably bought for about five dollars. Steph had by this point told me that the frosted glass wasn’t so bad & that she could live with it. But anybody who’s ever been married knows exactly what that means.
At 10:00 one night, three weeks after starting my project, I declare victory & Steph even has to admit that I had done a good job despite taking so long. It wasn’t perfect but at least Rick hadn’t had to come to the rescue. I went to bed feeling satisfied that we hadn’t had to pay anybody to do it & that I was finally over. The next morning Steph takes a shower & afterwards there is a huge puddle of water on the bathroom floor. Initially I am crushed but I spot the problem & quickly fix it with the caulk gun. Good thing too, because I was leaving again that day on another recruiting trip & may not have been allowed back in the house upon my return.
As a result of this latest project I have been placed on home improvement probation indefinitely & have been banned from ever buying anything for the house without first consulting Steph. Fine by me, but somebody needs to fix the kitchen sink. In all seriousness, Steph does a remarkable job of making our house a home. Anyone that knows her knows that making it nice is one of her passions. If you have ever been here you know she does a wonderful job and often does a lot with a little. She even does it all despite the fact that I am her #1 handyman.
Like many women, Steph is a big time nester. She is a) extremely proud of our home & always seeks ways to improve it, or b) diabolically consumed & obsessed with thoughts of home improvement, depending on your perspective. In comparison, I am a) glad to keep up with the basics of home maintenance but generally satisfied with the home we live in, or b) lazy, thoughtless & apathetic about anything to do with the house, depending on your perspective.
For example, Steph’s nesting instincts lead her believe we need eleven pillows on our bed. There’s also the one she keeps under the bed that she uses for actual sleeping. For some reason it doesn’t make the cut with all the others. We also have approximately 427 other pillows in various locations throughout our house. These are called throw pillows, however you are not allowed to throw them as Willie & I have learned.
I’m not always on the same page as Steph concerning what needs to be done around the house. But with a few slow days between camps & recruiting trips, I wanted to do something nice for her. So I decided to surprise her with a little improvement project on our master bathroom. The rollers on the shower door were broken so it needed replacing and the caulking needed to be redone. Also the shower head needed replacing. So I leave the office early & get all my supplies at Home Depot. I figure the project will take me the whole rest of the day, maybe a little longer.
I get home & get right to it. I rip out the old shower door first & then the old caulk. I start putting in the new door which requires a bit of measuring & cutting. About this time Steph gets home with the kids & the bathroom is a wreck. There are parts & tools & dust everywhere but I am clearly making progress. I expect to hear something like, “Oh, Jay…thanks so much for doing this. You are the best…this is awesome!” Instead I get a look that says, ”You are an idiot & I will kill you with a blunt instrument tonight as you sleep.” You see, I bought a frosted glass shower door to replace the old one that had clear glass. In case you didn’t know, if you have frosted glass in your shower door, you are an idiot too. Hate to be so harsh, but that’s just what you are. Don’t feel bad, I didn’t know either.
So now she’s beside herself & my feelings are hurt. Not to mention that I am about four hours into my project with no end in sight. What would take my dad about two hours to do looks like it will take me quite a bit longer. I did inherit some of his vast handyman skills but really only enough to get myself in trouble. So I plug away despite the negative energy clouding the project & at the end of the day there is still a mess in the bathroom & the door is installed but the new caulk & touchup paint have yet to be applied.
The next day we took the kids to Six Flags for a little getaway. No problem I thought. I’d just finish the job when we got back before I had to leave town on a recruiting trip. Sadly, my grandfather passed away while we were gone which necessitated a trip to Mississippi & another quick trip back to Nashville. Then I left for my trip-still no working shower. Steph was forced to shower in the guest room during the whole week I was gone.
At this point she had called Rick, a contractor friend who has bailed me out of a couple failed do-it-myself projects before. But he’s got a job going & doesn’t get a chance to make it by. So, finally back from my recruiting trip I am determined to finish. After three trips to Home Depot (can’t get the right color caulk) & countless messes made, I finally get done. I even figure out a way to salvage the glass from the old doors to use with the parts from the new door. Basically I spent a couple hundred bucks on four little rollers that I could have probably bought for about five dollars. Steph had by this point told me that the frosted glass wasn’t so bad & that she could live with it. But anybody who’s ever been married knows exactly what that means.
At 10:00 one night, three weeks after starting my project, I declare victory & Steph even has to admit that I had done a good job despite taking so long. It wasn’t perfect but at least Rick hadn’t had to come to the rescue. I went to bed feeling satisfied that we hadn’t had to pay anybody to do it & that I was finally over. The next morning Steph takes a shower & afterwards there is a huge puddle of water on the bathroom floor. Initially I am crushed but I spot the problem & quickly fix it with the caulk gun. Good thing too, because I was leaving again that day on another recruiting trip & may not have been allowed back in the house upon my return.
As a result of this latest project I have been placed on home improvement probation indefinitely & have been banned from ever buying anything for the house without first consulting Steph. Fine by me, but somebody needs to fix the kitchen sink. In all seriousness, Steph does a remarkable job of making our house a home. Anyone that knows her knows that making it nice is one of her passions. If you have ever been here you know she does a wonderful job and often does a lot with a little. She even does it all despite the fact that I am her #1 handyman.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Really, Ruby?
I think I have alluded to Ruby being a bit strong-willed (or high-spirited as my friend Diana would say). On Sunday at church, Ruby didn't want me to carry her. So I set her down and thought we'd hold hands in route to the car. She then did want me to pick her up then she didn't. So I set her back down. She laid down on the asphalt (no crying) and just closed her eyes. (I ultimately hauled her to the car with her long legs kicking.)
She pulls same stunt again at school in the lobby. This time, she cried and screamed hysterically while I strapped her in the car on a hot hot summer day. Willie was visibly sweating and I felt like crying myself. Ruby is still screaming as we drive off. Willie yells over her wails..."mom, how many kids do you plan to have?"
She pulls same stunt again at school in the lobby. This time, she cried and screamed hysterically while I strapped her in the car on a hot hot summer day. Willie was visibly sweating and I felt like crying myself. Ruby is still screaming as we drive off. Willie yells over her wails..."mom, how many kids do you plan to have?"
Willie & Elvis
Willie has also been on a huge Elvis kick this week. First of all, I like music but I don't have it on all the time. I don't listen to Elvis anyway. So out of no where...he insists on styling his hair like Elvis every morning. He looks so goofy. He started asking me about when Elvis died and why....
I told him Elvis didn't take good care of himself and he cared too much about stuff and money (teachimg moment I am thinking.)
30 minutes later--
WW: "Did Elvis eat green beans?"
me: "Probably, why?"
WW: "You said he didn't take good care of himself."
me: "Well, I think he smoked alot of cigrettes (pronounced se-grets by WW)"
Next morning:
WW: "Mom, look at my Elvis hair. I love MONEY."
So where did the Elvis kick come from??? I share my annoyance about his slicked back hair with Jay....Jay dies laughing and takes responsibility. They had been experimenting with hair styles after bathtime.
This is kind of how it goes with Willie....he gets something on his mind and he asks lots of questions and could dwell for days on his new found interest.
This afternoon I said it was muggy after the rain.
WW: What is muggy?
me (weary 5 days solo): It's hard to explain.
WW: Just try, mom. I'll probably understand.
Your right, Willie, you would probably understand.
I told him Elvis didn't take good care of himself and he cared too much about stuff and money (teachimg moment I am thinking.)
30 minutes later--
WW: "Did Elvis eat green beans?"
me: "Probably, why?"
WW: "You said he didn't take good care of himself."
me: "Well, I think he smoked alot of cigrettes (pronounced se-grets by WW)"
Next morning:
WW: "Mom, look at my Elvis hair. I love MONEY."
So where did the Elvis kick come from??? I share my annoyance about his slicked back hair with Jay....Jay dies laughing and takes responsibility. They had been experimenting with hair styles after bathtime.
This is kind of how it goes with Willie....he gets something on his mind and he asks lots of questions and could dwell for days on his new found interest.
This afternoon I said it was muggy after the rain.
WW: What is muggy?
me (weary 5 days solo): It's hard to explain.
WW: Just try, mom. I'll probably understand.
Your right, Willie, you would probably understand.
Recruiting in July
Jay was in Las Vegas this week. I think it's his 9th annual recruiting trip to LV in July! So hot...Over the years he's had some funny/interesting stories that come along with recruiting trips. This year...he was in the gym with Denzel Washington who looked sloppy to the well-pressed Coach Walton. (You see, coaches like to have a slick look.) Even Jay has been known to break out a championship ring now and then to try to reel one in:) Seriously, I love making fun of coaches and watching coaches....you could say it's a hobby of mine.
Some of my favorite recruiting stories include the rental car stories of the Plymouth Prowler and White Cargo Van. And don't forget the boxers with butterflies he was forced to purchase in Eastern Europe due to lost luggage and limited supply in Jay's size.
Jay is due home tomorrow and then just one more trip to Orlando....we will survive another recruiting period!
Some of my favorite recruiting stories include the rental car stories of the Plymouth Prowler and White Cargo Van. And don't forget the boxers with butterflies he was forced to purchase in Eastern Europe due to lost luggage and limited supply in Jay's size.
Jay is due home tomorrow and then just one more trip to Orlando....we will survive another recruiting period!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Who needs Training Wheels?
In typical Willie fashion, he busts in the back door and tells me he wants to take off his training wheels. Gratefully, Jay was home so no need to balance Willie's wants and Ruby's needs.....Jay was "on it" and had the training wheels off in a couple of minutes. We did a couple of rides back and forth on the drive then he pretty much had it! (He has to learn how to take off by himself and we really haven't tried out any turns yet:) Enjoy the attached video.
Willie has been such a blessing at each milestone to tell us when he is ready for something and then making it so easy on us....Jay and I actually had the audacity to think we might have something to do with his readiness and confidence in life...then Ruby said, "Really?
Willie has been such a blessing at each milestone to tell us when he is ready for something and then making it so easy on us....Jay and I actually had the audacity to think we might have something to do with his readiness and confidence in life...then Ruby said, "Really?
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