Monday, July 23, 2012
Feeling... Sentimental and Beachy....
This weekend I had the opportunity to speak with a distant cousin’s wife. I am trying to find out more information about my Pye family members, who back in the early 1900’s originated in Beaumont, Texas. You know, with DS graduating from High School and starting college, plus Dad being home from Italy for good (another reminder to self to remove “Visit Dad in Italy” off my list), I guess I’m getting sentimental. That and for some reason I have always felt like an old soul.
I’m 38 years old. My Grandpa Gil died when he was 49, his Dad died when he was in his late 20’s (best I can tell). My great Grandfather died when he was 63. I can’t imagine being halfway through my life, there’s so much I want to accomplish! That said, some of my best memories and times in life is when I have taken the time to just breathe….
Sometimes I have to remind myself that it is important to stop or slow down. This song that Kenny Chesney did made me a Kenny fan for life. You see, my spirit is truly at rest and peace when I’m at the ocean. There are NO words to describe the experience, slowing down, listening to the waves. When life gets hectic, I put this CD in… All songs have the island feel, to remind me… Life is short. And just like that, I’m at the beach… Thanks Kenny. Maybe someday I will be Sherry, living in paradise… Until then, I guess it’s back to Bucket List Living. And remaining on my list, Hang out with Kenny Chesney on a boat in the Caribbean. We aren't promised a tomorrow - Dream big!
Friday, July 20, 2012
My Chicago
Today, *MAYBE*, will be my last day talking about Chicago. This was my third trip to Chicago and my full purpose was to submerse my child into the Second City experience. I think we saw seven shows while we were there. And while he was in class I roamed the streets of Chicago, sent e-mail updates to my family, read a book and a half, SKYPED Dad in Italy and shopped some. Hey, I was ½ block from Michigan Avenue, can you blame me? When asked what I recommended another tourist to see, I was embarrassed almost to admit I wasn’t doing the ‘touristy’ things. But here are the things I did see and do.
The route to and from Second City from our hotel had me passing this sculpture at least twice a day. The detail is amazing. There are 5 fingers and toes on each hand and foot. Then upon closer look, the hair is made from silverware handles! I’m not sure what his official title is, but my unofficial title was banana man. One afternoon I was killing time waiting on Christian, so I walked over get a chocolate covered frozen banana. Looking for a cool place to sit and eat it, I thought, well, I’ll just head over to the park area…. The humor of me eating a frozen banana while ‘appreciating’ the sculpture took me a few hours to grasp. Lol! Hopefully no one got a picture of that.
Each morning we had breakfast at the McDonald’s across the street from Second City. One morning the manager was in the corner ordering his food and it makes me think of my Grandpa Gil and what all he went through working for them at that time in his life, long hours, countless employees... And then to know they didn't have shredded lettuce at that time, so the employees probably had more 'WORK' in preparation... Revelation knowledge, I know... Just my thought.. Plus the mgr is on his cell phone; Lord knows Grandpa Gil never had one of those, much less a 'cordless' phone... Wow, just think about how much life has changed since 1975!
Marijuana was the topic of the time we were there, I got a snapshot of the newspapers while sitting at McDonald's one day, Geez!
On the way back from breakfast and dropping Christian off I had a different path I took and had a few favorite houses of note. One day I was on the phone with my sister and talking about this magical place with castles all around, not realizing that there was someone behind me. When I stopped to take a picture to message her, the rather manly looking woman looked at me scared… lol! Like I cared. It was interesting that in such a modern city that there were ‘castle-looking’ houses. I laughed thinking about their ‘kingdoms’ in such a modern place.
Swoon, the church from the Julia Roberts Movie - My Best Friend's Wedding
Directly behind the chuch is the White Hall Hotel... See, you are never too far from home... Coincidentally, the Cheesecake Factory was right there as well, so you know, Chicago Michigan Avenue is my FAV Cheesecake Factory. This time I only went there 3 times.... And in 14 days, that is a new record, normally it is every day! lol! Oh, Chicago, I will miss you... Until next time... ;)
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Double Decker Bus TOUR! :)
On our trip to Chicago, I completed a Bucket List Item – take a double decker bus tour! J It was so hot the first day we tried, after about an hour we had to bail on the endeavor and I was CRUSHED, HOT and EXHAUSTED… L
However, the Lord BLESSED me on Saturday evening with an AWESOME night of weather, so my DH, DS and I went on the city lights tour. It was almost chilly at times. Finally, my list item was fulfilled. Swoon! And the architecture there is so rich and different than what I see in Arkansas on a regular basis.
I can't remember the name of our tour guide, but he was awesome! And check out his 'POSE' wow!
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
So much to talk about, so little time! lol!
Last week, following the 2 weeks at Second City Training Center at Chicago, Christian wasted NO time in finding a creative outlet. He went on Monday and spoke with a local child care facility about doing a “mini camp” for the kids to do a comedy segment for the talent show in August. Hopefully, after this the kids will have an interest to keep meeting as a ‘club’ once a week or every other week, something like that... Keeps his chops ready, plus when next summer rolls around, it might help him with going to Second City again he will have more experience.
My DS also registered at our local community college and will be starting classes there later in August. His first semester is 12 hours and I think that will be a good way for him to ease into transition from High School to College... He also spoke with the people our local comic book/video/video game store and I think he will look into working for them part time. I’m officially the mother of a ‘COLLEGE STUDENT’ how did that happen?
On a personal note, fueled by the excitement of all my Grandpa Gil’s information, plus Dad coming home from Italy, I am trying to connect with our family in Texas. As of yet, they have not been responsive, but I have hopes that they eventually will. My Aunt HAP has been sharing older family photos, some of which she didn’t even remember having! What a blessing!
My Grandpa Gil and Granny Anderson divorced when my Dad was younger, we never knew them together. When Grandpa Gil died he had Grandmother Margaret and thanks to our trip to North Carolina I have some pictures of them together now I get to see a younger Gil and my Granny Anderson, young, words can’t describe the happiness I see in her eyes. She has his Marine uniform coat, look at their feet! How CUTE!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
John Cusack? ALMOST!!!!
After the first day at the Second City Comedy Training Center, Christian came in and told me that his stand-up teacher, Andrew Thorp, looks like John Cusack. Of course I about flipped out. On my list of Famous People I would like to meet is John Cusack. Okay, you are right, Andrew Thorp isn’t actually John Cusack, but he does favor him. Once the finale was over I asked him if he would mind me taking his picture with him. He was very gracious and agreed. We laughed about the fact that he favored John Cusack and I did ask if he stood in his girlfriends drive-way with the boom box. He didn’t do that, but he did dress like that for one Halloween.
Side notes to this entry - #1 John Hughes I feel was pretty instrumental in getting John Cusack noticed in Hollywood. #2 From the documentary – “Don’t You Forget About Me” it was noted by another actor that John Hughes remained close with John Cusack long after Hughes stopped making movies. #3 John Hughes was from the Chicago area, several of his movies were shot in and around Chicago. #4 I was in Chicago with a John Cusack look alike – who was a very nice gentleman and funny to boot.
If you are a fan of John Hughes and the movies he made, I recommend "Don't You Forget About Me"
Yes, John Cusack is still on my list of famous people to meet, but until then I’ll have my picture of Andrew Thorp. Andrew – Thanks for the moment – thanks for teaching my son stand-up for 2 weeks and giving him advice and direction in an area that was new to him. Personally I thank being kind enough to stand-in for John in his absence – I pray all your dreams come true in the comedy arena and truly wish you the best!
Monday, July 16, 2012
God Bless the USA
My Dad arrived home from Italy last night. He worked there for almost a year. A health issue cut his year requirement short by just a few weeks. He had the job of his dreams working with soldiers on an almost daily basis. I know how special it is to LOVE your job and do what you are supposed to be doing. However, after a year of being away from his family (minus the time home he had at Christmas), I’m THANKFUL to have him home, back in Arkansas! I think he will agree with my song choice for today’s Music Monday.
From the 80’s, Lee Greenwood says it best! ;) God Bless the USA!
Now, I have to take off ‘Visit Dad in Italy’ from my list… Though I still have tickets to go to Italy later this summer… IF all goes well, it will be a mom and daughter trip, not quite the gondola ride we were planning on, but we will make the most of it! Lol!
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Who you'd be today?
I’ve done lots of reflection in my life over the past 6 months; really over the last year. For some reason, inexplicably I am drawn to find out more about my family history. Around each bend is yet something else I don’t know or a piece of the puzzle. And today for some strange reason my heart is heavy for those who have left this world, both friends and family. Some I knew for all my life and didn’t really get to know them, some I never met; some I met for a short time and felt like we had known each other forever. My man Kenny Chesney says it well in a song “Who You’d Be Today.”
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Me and My Baby
Happy 18th DS!!!!!
Today is a very special day. 18 years ago today, I woke up at 5:30 and felt pain and the need to walk. By 6:30 I decided I was in labor, it was time to go to the hospital. I remember me telling my DH after our walk that I was for sure in labor and this was just after our walk and we had decided to take showers before the walk. He stood there naked except one shoe and asked, "Do I need to put the other shoe back on or can I take a shower?"
Needless to say, there was plenty of time to shower and head to the hospital. On that day 18 years ago in Little Rock at 7:45 in the morning it was raining. I was laying back in my seat of our Corsica, looked over and noticed that we were going 40 mph, my DH was being extra cautious on this special day, until the next pain. Finally we are going 60 mph on the interstate in the rain... Arriving at the hospital around 8:00, greeted by picketers regarding abortion, they check me in and we are off to our room.
At almost 5 p.m. we meet our DS, Christian. He is greeted by many family members and friends. The are all ushered into the room and as was caught by the video, you can hear the nurse say as they weigh him "8 lbs. 5 oz." Without missing a beat you can also hear my Dad say, "Well, that's a wall hanger!" That's right, my Dad liked to bass fish and if my DS would have been on his hook, you guessed it, he would have been on the wall. ;) Happy tears were shed meeting the first grand and for some of our families the first great-grand.
18 years later, here we are. Christian has just graduated High School, been accepted to the local Community College and just completed a 2 week training session at Chicago's Second City. Yesterday was the finale and I sat there beaming bc like his mother before him, he was on the stage... And even though having a comedy set was on my bucket list, I wasn't envious of his comedy set, I was proud. You see, my time will come, this is his time.
Our 2 weeks in Chicago have been a total blessing to me. We have made memories that will last his lifetime. I know they will bc I will write everything down for him, including receipts and make him a scrapbook of our trip,so in the years to come he can look back at the book and remember his 18th birthday and Graduation trip.
At almost 5 p.m. this afternoon we will be watching Blue Man Group, his 'gift' choice of the day, and there is no one I would rather spend time with. He's the best gift anyone could have ever blessed me with. The realization is REAL that we are in a time of change, transition if you will. But one thing is for sure, I never take a moment for granted with him. And though I might have felt different when he was a tornado from the ages of 2-8, I look at the young man he has become and I'm thankful that I had him when I was younger so that we could grow up together, because I enjoy spending time with him as a person. Sitting in the hotel room my DH and I just woke him up saying "HAPPY 18th Birthday!" It's 8:30 a.m. here and I ask if I can get in bed and cuddle with him, he says, "as long as I can sleep, okay...." Thank you Second City, his comedy training was successful! Half asleep and he can still throw a one-liner...
Happy 18th Birthday Fred! Mommy LOVES YOU!!!!!
More on our trip to Chicago later!
Back to Bucket List Living! Thanks to everyone for their patience in my lack of posting!!!!
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