Memories - (warning....may make for some tears)

When dad came home from his last trip to Austin, he had loaded my car up with Christmas decor from Grandma and Granddad's house. Strange, isn't it? The things that were unscathed in the fire. They were in the attic....you'd think the heat would have damaged them. 

Anyway...I've been driving around with these boxes rattling around. With Daddy being limited in his mobility, I was needing to take some items to the storage unit. So off I drove....happy-go-lucky to the storage unit. I opened the door....no biggie. I grabbed the first box, and not really knowing WHAT was in it, I opened it. And then and there I fell apart. Granddad's silly half-baseball, half-Santa hat with lights on it....then the reindeer ears that Grandma always wore for you kids. And the danged stockings. Love the stockings. But dang.....why do so many memories have to hit me at once?

So as I finished unloading the car, I was boo-hoo-hooing in front of that camera. You know the one....right by the light pole you hit the first day you had your license? (Sorry...hee hee) I couldn't help but think the people reviewing the tape must have thought I was crazy. 

When you get here we will go get those boxes and bring them to the house....right now I am doing good to de orate the tree a little each day. 

Work is steady busy. Took a day off today because I just couldn't get all the things done that needed to get done....home-wise and daddy-wise. He is not doing much better. I keep volunteering to whack his head with a frying pan, so he could fall asleep and not feel the pain for a while. Interestingly, he is beginning to seem like he wouldn't mind....

Including a few Christmas Tree shots. Do you remember the last Christmas with Pa? I was taking shots of all the ornaments and he just thought I was crazy.....I had a vision.  

How is my DROPLET??

Guess where I am??? You know, I know. In the ER waiting room. This time it's daddy's back. He should have gone in this morning. But here we are this evening. Just needs some relief. 

But I am suffering from ADHD at the moment. Wish I had a diagnosis of that. Just because I feel like a faker everytime I claim I have it. But seriously...if they could only hear my thoughts. 

The wallpaper border in here is the same as was in DARS office in Waco. See. Random notice. There are people here of a foreign ethnicity. Not what you normally find in Big Spring. That's not so odd. What IS odd that the now four times I've been to this ER, there have always been a group of young men of same ethnicity. But I NEVER see them here in town. Interesting. (And for the record, you have to come to ER for tests in this town. So I haven't been here that many times.)

As you know, yesterday was the Christmas Parade. Had fun in general. Of course we had devastating news that your brother lost a friend. Tht was right before the parade. I guess that is something I never wanted to prepare for. I needed you. Just another set of arms to hug him. Will be a tough week. Been there. 

Parade was fun. Warmer than last year. Garrett drove the wagon. He did good with Jerry. Jerry didn't always want to respond to his commands but Steve and Scotty were there to make him mind. Had dinner afterward at Crispy's. Missed you again. 

Loved the fact that Terry and I were being escorted through town by five handsome guys. Should have gotten a group photo. Those big ol' horses got a lot of attention. Our favorite comment was the kid who yelled out "that horse has a tattoo" when referring to the brand. 

Hoping Garrett is ok at home. I know he is. But text him your love anyway. 

Scotty and his puppy got lots of attention. He loved it of course. 

No pics onTerry. She was right in front of me so wouldn't focus that close. 

Will let you go for now. Behave. Study hard. Come home safe. 

I'm going to go back to people watching. 

Ready to be home!

Don't Stop Believing....

Hey there, DROPLET!

Wondering what you should not stop believing???

In your MAMA!! I'm sorry I've neglected this blog. I think I'll blame it on football boys.   OR maybe this danged computer. Just this paragraph has taken me 30 minutes.

Will fix soon.

Love you!

Halloween

I had a fun Halloween week! On Thursday, my friends and I went to a haunted house put on by Rory's dorm. My friend Alex dressed as the singer Lorde and since (according to tabloids) Lorde and Taylor Swift are BFFs, I went as Taylor Swift. On Halloween night, I didn't do anything but I helped a lot of people get ready for their parties. On Sunday I had a Halloween carnival with Best Buddies (info about Best Buddies can be found on my FB page). My buddy went as Little Red Riding Hood and she asked me to be the wolf. I made the costume and did the makeup myself! The carnival turned out really well and we had a ton of fun!!

KNOW THIS, MY LITTLE DROPLET.....

When you got back to campus today, you sent me a text that said this weekend was perfect. That made tears come to my eyes.

 

I have felt guilty that we didn't wrap your presents and have a traditional birthday party for you. But know this..... the best gift I can give you.....are these memories. Not the photos, but the FEELINGS you have had at every RoundUp you have attended since you were born.

 

Pa used to stand at RoundUp, put his arm around my shoulder, and exclaim, "THIS is what it's all about! Family! Never forget that!" And I want to pass that along to you.

 

These people...odd as we all are....share your blood. Ma likes to talk about the song that mentions the thread that runs through us all. It connects us. Lisa's girls look like Elizabeth, who looks like Kevin, who looks like Timmy whose daughter looks like you....and so on and so forth. David's laugh is like Pa's. Donald puts his arm around me like Pa used to....and relays the same message. Bessie and Linda tell stories to make us smile. This is what it is all about!

 



 

 

Your Aunts, Uncles, and cousin.

 

 The gabby girls. Baby dolls, memory lapses, phobias, GILMORE GIRLS....

 More cousins, more uncles....

 Not sure if winning is worth it if you have to face the award-giver....

 Cousins....

 Kissing cousins.....

HAYRIDE!!!!!!

Not feeling great

Praying it's just allergies. And prayer requests for everybody's health including the puppy's. 

A new family member in the Richardson household!!!!

Meet Gypsy! The new puppy! And yes this brings our dog count to FOUR! I haven't met her yet but I can't wait! She's so beautiful! 

Where to begin; mixed emotions.

hmmmmm. Where to begin. Well for starters, I'm on a roller coaster of feelings right now! So, blanket statement is, "I DON'T KNOW HOW I FEEL"!!!! Should I do this in list form? One rambling paragraph? Let's see what happens. Stay with me y'all.

• So this week is midterms. I feel strangely okay with this (which is scary, am I missing something? do I have all the material to study?). So nerves are beginning to pick up about this but they're tolerable/average.
• "Ma" (my grandmother) was taken to ER yesterday as y'all can read in previous update from Mom and doing very well today, hopefully being released this evening. So understandable mix of emotions there. Scary and also relieving.
• Missing my friends, missing home. Haven't been able to talk to my friend Bailee in a while and I have no communication with Zack (best guy-friend) while he is doing basic training with the Navy. But at the same time I'm obviously very proud of him, and missing his friendship.
• So found out this morning I did not receive enough student loans to cover the cost of housing, so I spent the morning applying for outside loans. Think this process went well and things should be covered soon. Maybe I should note that I am being as independent as possible (hence the reason I am doing full student loans), only asking my parents to cosign or have a loan in their name as I repay it. This process, which I refer to as "being a big-girl", is an insane roller coaster ride. It's a crazy mix of feelings that can only be described as independence,terror,and confidence.
• My mommy is awesome and is my best friend. I initially hesitated to call this morning with some questions while filling out my loan info for fear that I would stress her out. But no, she was perfect and encouraging and helpful as always.
• Oh and of course a shout out to my amazing boyfriend of two-and-a-half years, Rory for just always being able to calm me down and help me work through this roller coaster. Sometimes I just need a hug and my best friend to make me laugh. He's found out about the secret I thought only my mom could see; my eyes turn emerald green when I'm crying or trying to hold a cry/anxiety attack back. 

How did I do? Were y'all able to follow along?

Hospital ER rooms are COLD.

As I told you when I called earlier, Ma is in the ER in San Angelo. Started as her usual tummy issues this morning evidently, but when I called her a bit after noon, she was talking about odd things. Won't put it all on the web, but the one funny she said was she just "felt blizzard". I said, "huh?"  She said you know how at the end of the day you just feel blizzard?  Odd, but perhaps a new way to use an old word. 

I am not a doctor...... but I used to play one at my job..... But I am thinking she is dehydrated and her sodium levels are off. If that is the case, I shall open my own medical practice and be one of those people who practice great medicine with no license. Yeah. Yeah. I will do that. 

This room is cold. And you know I am never cold. I want answers. On the outside I am smiling politely. On the inside I'm screaming "give me test results, fix this!!"

She did talk more normal a bit ago. 

Oh, and she looks like a Who from Whoville. Somehow busted her lip. We think she probably passed out. Actually when I said that to her she said "I KNOW I DID!" Kinda like, DUH. 

I think she'll be fine. But I wanted to let you know and anyone else who might read this what is going on. 

Oh. And I bought a cool green charger to keep phone charged. 

Take care chicka. I'll keep you updated. 

Getting a visit from my favorite lady!!!

YAYYYY!!! My mommy is coming to visit this week!!! Hehe I'm so excited!

"Who I Am" Just one of the many songs we call "ours" and sing as loud as possible!!!!

"Who I Am"

If I live to be a hundred
And never see the seven wonders
That'll be alright
If I don't make it to the big leagues
If I never win a Grammy
I'm gonna be just fine
Cause I know exactly who I am

I am Rosemary's granddaughter
The spitting image of my father
And when the day is done my momma's still my biggest fan
Sometimes I'm clueless and I'm clumsy
But I've got friends that love me 
And they know just where I stand
It's all a part of me
And that's who I am

So when I make a big mistake
And when I fall flat on my face
I know I'll be alright
Should my tender heart be broken
I will cry those teardrops knowing 
I will be just fine
Cause nothing changes who I am

I am Rosemary's granddaughter
The spitting image of my father
And when the day is done my momma's still my biggest fan
Sometimes I'm clueless and I'm clumsy
But I've got friends that love me 
And they know just where I stand
It's all a part of me
And that's who I am

I'm a saint and I'm a sinner
I'm a loser; I'm a winner
I am steady and unstable
I'm young, but I am able

I am Rosemary's granddaughter
The spitting image of my father
And when the day is done my momma's still my biggest fan
Sometimes I'm clueless and I'm clumsy
But I've got friends that love me 
And they know where I stand
It's all a part of me
And that's who I am

I am Rosemary's granddaughter
The spitting image of my father
And when the day is done my momma's still my biggest fan
Sometimes I'm clueless and I'm clumsy
But I've got friends that love me 
And they know where I stand
It's all a part of me
And that's who I am
That's who I am

The DROPLET is a NAG!!!

I called the Droplet to let her know I might make a quick trip to visit her this week. She had the GALL to nag me about not posting in here. Said it had been "like two weeks".... Whatever....the child needs to learn to read a calendar I guess. But, I will gladly keep her updated as to what has been going on.

DEEEEEEP BREATH.......

I last blogged on Thursday. So on Friday is where I need to start. Let me think......I went to Midland Friday morning for the job. That was good. Had a computer malfunction while there, and I FIXED it myself. Yay me.

Dad was announcing Stanton's homecoming game, so that left me and Garrett to head out to Iraan. The Grays to the rescue. Steve and I drove to Odessa and picked up Terry and we all three headed to Iraan. Long drive. Much prettier than I expected. Some mountains in the distance. Some mountains we drove through....ok....big hills, but still pretty. Went to the Alley Oop park in Iraan. Alley Oop....look it up if you don't know it. Was a comic strip. And a song. We had the song on an 8-track in the van when I was a kid. So I know the song quite well. Steve went to this park as a kid, and remembered the dinosaur.

This is Alley Oop....

 

Here is Steve sitting on Dinny....

 

Steve was cool. BUT, Steve has NOTHING on Terry.....Terry ROCKS!

 

And this I had to throw in to make sure you believe me about the man in the funny papers that we all know.....(look up the song....look up the song!!)

 



SO, after the Dino visit, we went to the game. It was a good game. We lost in the end, but the boys played tough. LONG LONG drive home. I stayed awake....Sort of. I drifted off and on. Then had to go pick Garrett up at the school afterwards. Was 1:00am when I got home,  think.

Saturday, the boys slept till 1:00pm. Lazy boys. I got up, made coffee, ate some breakfast, cleaned on the living room, etc.

Oh, yeah....I missed you.

Went to the fair that evening. Guys weren't into it, so it was a quick trip. Found a dog I want. His name is Clyde. He is cute. I would love him and squeeze him and make him my own. But we have three others, as you know.

Today, I came up with the plan to come see you. Yay me. I rock. I roll.......

I know I do......

Do you think anyone else reads this stuff we post???

Oh...and on Sunday, my computer got a mean ol' virus. Bad bad computer. Upset me.

Oh yeah, and I quit photography on Saturday, started it again today.....Imagine I'll quit again. HA

We need to lay around and chatter! I miss our chattering!!!



Comfort Food

It has yet to get below 78 degrees here. But I still want Burrito Mix!!!! Missing my mommy's cooking. 

Family pictures from past year