September 19, 2015

Not wanting to oversleep for Maggie’s big day, I woke up intermittently; checking the time to make sure it wasn’t too late.  This has always been a big fear of mine, being too late, though I can’t recollect it actually happening.  Yet.  There was a lot to do…bake the pies.  Ok, well, really just bake the pies, but I also managed to clean the bathroom somewhat.  I have forgotten how to clean.  I think a large part of that is being on my own and not “having to keep the house clean” for a husband – not that it was ever a requirement from L, but as a female, we are raised with that position being whispered into our souls…”take care of the house and the children.”  I gave up that role.  I made sure the girls were up by 10 because we were leaving in an hour to meet at the park ‘n ride to collect the rest of the crew.

We headed to the roller-skating rink.  L was ahead of us since we had to wait for a couple of girls. 

It was very interesting once everyone was there:  the 7^th graders skated..the 8^th graders wanted to talk with each other and socialize.  It is so cool to watch the interesting developmental aspects of these girls by just a grade.  Ethan had his friend Michael there.  Poor guy.  I think I freak him out.  Ethan was out skating so I’d talk to Michael and one point he flat out got up and moved away from me and sat by the girls.  I guess I need to learn boundaries with this kid.  The thing is – if he jokes around, I’m going to joke back.  I think everyone had fun.  At two we headed over to the mall and parked.  One of the coolest things ever was trudging through JC Penney with a cooler.  The looks the girls got from some of the people!  The rad thing is that I was the one who came up with this, but since I was the grown-up, I got to tell them to do it.  I bought the girl’s a corn dog and drinks (which cost more than the corn dog).  When it was time for pie-singing and candles, I wanted to check with someone at the mall first.  Heaven forbid we have security surrounding us with flashlights or walkie-talkie.  I found a sweet grandmother who was cleaning tables and she said to go for it – she didn’t think there was anything wrong with it, so I put the long sparkler candles in and we started singing as the candles would keep leaning.  There we were in the food court at Sunrise Mall, with a few diners joining in..applause after, and one lady came over to tell me how cool that was.  Super awesome.  Next time I’d want shorter candles that can hole their own for a few minutes.

Parents came to pick up girls at 3:30-4:00 and L took the rest home.  That meant I would be spending some time at the mall while Maggie and her friend walked around.  I found a comfy chair and did some people watching.  I overheard convo between a security guard telling a store clerk about a “dicey situation” with a dreadlocked dude.  I shared a smile with the happiest baby face I have seen in some time.  I looked at so many people and saw what our food is doing to us – because really.  Look back in pictures 30-40 years ago:  people are slim, because they prepared/cooked their own food and I’m sure what we put in the food wasn’t quite as bad. It’s a shady thing in this country – the FDA admits on its own, there is no way to check the safety of much what is put into foods.  Well, shoot – just look at us.  A top 3 reason of why I want to get the hell out of this country.        http//:www.washingtonpost.com/national/food-additives-on-the-rise-as-fda-scrutiny-wanes/2014/08/17/828e9bf8-1cb2-11e4-ab7b-696c295ddfd1_story.html

The headed back just as my stomach was beginning to lose patience with me.  Jake would be proud, I had no desire to eat any of the mall food and had dined on, what else, spinach and eggs for breakfast around 8:30.  It was close to 5 and, out of mutual agreement, Chenoa and I decided we had to introduce Maggie to KP Marketplace.  We headed to the beautifully culturally mixed market – with so many people of different ethnicities and backgrounds.  I like this place because it’s so “multi-culti” as Tanti used to say .  We all enjoyed a bento box – I cleared mine out, even the spicy kimchi.  Very good. Then we walked around the store where Maggie chose a box of fine Latvian chocolate.  Chenoa persuaded us to try an Asian dessert – I’m not sure if it is Korean or Japanese, or what – but I believe it is called dorayaki.  I can’t remember.  Mags and I tried it in the car – it is not really my style, but then I haven’t been raised on it and my palate isn’t trained for such a taste.  Still – what a marvelous adventure!!

Last but not least, we headed to the drive in to watch The Scorch Trials.  We found out little spot in the back and once the movie started, I traded spots with the girls and let them sit up front.  What a freaky feeling:  it won’t be too long until this is actually happening.  Yikes.  I chatted with my friend Jenni- then I laid down for a bit since I was not too interested in this movie.  I decided to go grab a small popcorn in the snack bar area and as I was walking back with the movies playing on the screens, then seeing a swing-set, I felt like I was on the  movie set of "Grease" and wanted to start singing “Sandy.”  Folks pulled up next to use about half way into the movie and were out talking on their cellphone very loudly and at one point I got out and asked them if they could please keep it down – that we were trying to finish the movie.  I think I scared them a little (although I could have easily been jumped by them).  I’m just so damn tired of the inconsiderate people.  Headed back and dropped off sweet C before bringing Mags back home.    Noticed the dogs were excited about a mouse, so it seems more steel wool is on the agenda. 

Pictures:  Maggie's 12th birthday celebration:  First at Rollerland; Sunrise mall; The drive in.  This makes twice for me and both times with my girl. :)

September13, 2015

I need to state, first and foremost that often times I don’t edit before I post( like last night), but I do tend to edit the next day, time permitting.  I write these each and every night (usually) and am often so tired that I can’t take the time to keep my eyes open, much less add propositions, change the verb or check spelling.    

 This morning was nuts.  I read (and it was later confirmed by Joette) that Harbin Hot Springs had burned in the Valley Fire,.  This fire has, in 24  hours, devoured almost 50, 000 acres and the homes and works of so many.  By us, the Butte Fire has destroyed about 65,000 acres in its 4 day assault.  This has given me much insight into this weight of Stuff and Things which I keep with me.  It needs to go.  I have way too much Stuff and Things.

Ethan was picked up by his friends and Mags and I (after a shower and effective leg shaving) headed out to go see Straight Outta Compton.  A few thoughts:    The movie was incredible and threw me back into the 80s, listening to the N.W.A. cassette with my badass yellow Walkman as I lived in Midland, Texas.  Yes, I was a white girl (still am, actually), but I understood that anger.  No, I wasn’t being harassed by the police, but I sure felt like everyone was against me (perceptions, I know).  I LOVED this movie, and no, it didn’t bother me one bit to have Mags sitting next to me while they were “ Motherfucker say what?”ing.  She knows they are words.  She also knows about drugs and sex and boobs and how women are dehumanized and portrayed/treated as sex objects by misogynistic men.  Ethan watched the same movie, but with a friends and a “cool person” (the girlfriend of friend’s dad).  He also knows these same things.  Now, I rarely have a kilo of dope in my possession, nor do I have the loaded 12 gauge around, but I think my kids need to know about this type of stuff that was going on and still is going on in our world.   People are constantly pushed down, taken advantage of because who they are.  On a side note, it was rad to be rapping along the movie. 

Afterwards, Mags and I headed to Tips n Toes where she wanted to get a  pedicure.  They were filled to the brim, so we grabbed a bit to eat at Los Piños and I was very sad.  It doesn’t taste good to me anymore.  My boobs have grown, once again, to their former size and my taste buds are ashamed of me.  Food doesn't seem to taste good, anymore. Buy then, most of what we eat isn't really food, anymore....

 

We headed to Tips n Toes then, it was past closing time, but I was told later that they stay open until customers are gone.  It was very nice, my calves feel much softer than they have in eons after the sugar scrub.  I told the woman I need to do that to my whole body.  Seriously, I’m a rough little piece of Human. As we were the last customers, 3 little daughters came in, cute as could be.  It makes me think that not so long ago, my little Maggie was 3 and now she is almost taller than I am.  We had gotten the “fancy” pedi, so we could enjoy the hot wax dip after and I tipped 20% like I tend to do…but I think it was a little much.  My math skills were under pressure and my 20% ended up into more like a 50% tip when I tipped them each $14 instead of $14 total and splitting it into 2.  This is why I don’t like math.  As we got in the car, 2  teens boys with their brim baseball caps were being punk-assy and I wanted to get in their faces with my bad black ass, like Suge Knight.  Except I'm a white middle-aged woman with regrown girth.  Especially around the boobs. 

 

We were heading home when we found put Ethan’s friend was headed to the hospital for a possible broken ankle and a huge bump on his forehead from skateboarding.  We headed to Marshall hospital.  The friend was in a lot of pain, but hopefully there is no break.  Ethan felt so guilty. Home to homework and verifying movie facts.  Another weekend gone.  My lungs are a little better, so I may skip 2^nd doctor’s visit tomorrow since I spent so much on pedicures.  Gotta go make cinnamon rolls now for Mags to wake up to…..

Pictures: The precious daughters; My poor gnome was knocked unconscious by smoke inhalation;  Mags and I in the movie; My feet have carried my far; A smoky red sun sinks.