242/365

"I LIKE KEVIN BACON BUT I HATE FOOTLOOSE"
Seriously this is one of the best summer songs ever...

I just noticed the "time" when I downloaded the pic. ;-)

241/365

PROBLEM ELDER
I got a call from the social worker at the nursing home this morning... I felt like the principal called me because my child was acting up at school!  Turns out The Glo-worm is being a bit of a bitch... to the workers and nurses and her roommate.  I think her last roommate may have asked to leave while I was in state college.  I came back and she was gone. Glo totally thought she was a man and I'm not sure she/her family liked that too much. She recently got a new roommate who is really out of it.  Glo wasn't getting that fact so she was getting confrontational with her. This woman was accusing us of stealing her sweaters and trying to take her wheelchair. I'm pretty good at getting the situation under control but chrissy was ready to punch her.  I could see how Glo would be frustrated. The nurses thought it might be better if Glo changed rooms and it actually turned out ok for now.  She's now in a private room hoping that that will calm her down a bit.  She's not very social anyway so they thought this would be for the best. We went to take her to lunch while they got the rooms ready for the move and she kept saying that she just wanted to die.  We asked her why she thought that would be better and if she knew what it would be like to be dead and she laughed and said it would be like this:

240/365

RIP RUDY
Rudy Murphy has gone to fish heaven. Michael wanted to bury him so I went to the funeral today.

Chrissy dug a hole under the redbud tree and he was laid to rest.  We all covered him with dirt and said goodbye.  I found a fish prayer on the internet and had Michael read it.

Thank you for being part of our life.
We will miss you now that you're gone.
Swim with your ancestors,
as fish have done for thousands of years.
As your body is here in the ground,
your bones will give new life to this tree.
Your spirit will swim on,
in our hearts and memories.

I was happy to be your only sitter.  You were a good fish. You'll be missed, Rudy!

239/365

PSU (TO?)
This move killed me.  I don't even know what day it is... I was going to do a TOT today and then I realized it was Wednesday.

1. Ted always teases Chrissy because she has to stop at Martin's in Ebensburg for old lady egg salad sandwiches for the car ride.  My parents always called Ebensburg The Point of No Return because, at that time,  it was the same amount of time to go back home as it was to get to Penn State... so if the weather was bad they would judge whether to keep going or not. Martin's is now a mandatory stopping point. These were my snacks.

2. I was telling Katherine and Joe how I kicked my parents and aunt and uncle out of my dorm room after I had a temper tantrum on move in day.  I can still see my mother in the van yelling to Dave and Steve that I didn't know how to make a bed and for them to help me... Chrissy said I still can't make a bed. Chrissy is a Bitch.

3. If I was a student again and 20 and going to Penn State -  I would like to work at the bookstore...

4. The line yesterday at the Creamery probably had a couple hundred people in it.  We didn't even try to go today and went to Meyer's instead.  Last time we were at the dairy (I think for Lizzie's orientation) I slept in the car because I had a migraine so bad...

5. Chrissy merchandised Glo's old tables with some State College literature.

6. Hoping the salt lamps and prayer flags and pyramids and other fun stuff counteract the living in sin vibe.

7. Experimental paint lines...

8. Shout out to Lizzie...

9.  Tea drawer!

10. I'm getting really good at packaging up CCPeppers in the car. I got back to The Dad's and I think he was still sleeping when he came out to the kitchen and asked if I got them... we ate one at 3:30 in the morning.

238/365

I KNEW YOU GUYS WHEN YOU WERE JUST BABY TREES

237/365

DISNEY DAZE
It looks like some people want to disassociate with their Disney days... get rid of all things that connect them to certain events and memories of their past... create a new persona - a bigger and better one even if most think otherwise...

Now let's talk about Miley...

I have been doing nothing but loading and unloading vehicles for the last five days and had no idea the VMAs were even on.  I had to google it this morning to see what the big deal was on the news... I think we all knew we weren't in Hannah Montana land anymore so no one should have been that shocked - though the varying degrees of astonishment on the Smith Family were priceless!

If she wanted everyone to talk about her this morning than good job with that. Her twerking was predictable given everything else. Old news there. The performance didn't really stray too much from the video. I'm done with that tongue action too... and those shoes really didn't go with that outfit. Or maybe the outfit didn't go with the shoes.  Either way - just no.  And did she just discover she has a vagina? WTF? The creep factor with fondling Robin Thicke's penis with her foam finger was slightly disturbing too. Don't get me wrong, I was an early days fan of both from long ago but why isn't anyone bitching about his simulated sex with her with her non-existent ass in his crotch or, better yet, the fact that he had Jack Skellington's outfit on?   Leave the tight pants to my boy Tom Jones. He really does it better.

And another thing, I love me some JT but I think he should have just had the boys suspended from the ceiling on marionette strings because that's basically what he used them as... I understand it was his night and his award but did you see the motion when he introduced "nsync" - it was them behind him... not all of them.. not exactly model behavior.  Get it?  Model Behavior?

You're not a real Timberlake fan if you don't get that. ;-)

You can sing about "mirrors" all you want, Justin, even though I don't think you thanked your wife in your speech or MJ. I mean there'd be no Prince without a King.  I'm glad you, at least, thanked the other four for all the Moonmen. After all, there's no I in team - and there's definitely no I in NSYNC.

236/365

DEJA VU
Day two at PSU... the kids had Chrissy's car filled along with the car top carrier yesterday... today was her car again and Ted's car and Joe's Dad's giant box truck - all completely filled... and we still had a few things left we could have taken! I wasn't expecting getting home at 3 am but by the time we left their apartment it looked like they had lived there forever so it was worth it.

I've been moving the Murphy children in and out of their dorms/apartments/houses for awhile now... I guess it's the closest I'll get to sending my own kids off to college.  It's always a little bittersweet.

When we were over my cousin's house the other day, I was thinking that The Dad is never going to be a Grandfather. His nephew is soon to be one twice over. That has to be weird for him.  He's had grandfather like moments - His nephew, Jonathon, bringing his army helmet and his "super bowl ring" to school for show and tell - the ring was really just a junky Steeler ring I got at a Santa's Workshop downtown for him when I was little but Jon was convinced otherwise. Or when Chrissy's Michael interviewed him and brought his biscotti recipe and cookies in for cooking class last year or when Janel would come over and raid his hats for crazy hat day.  Katherine tells the story about how she used to go over to his house when she was little and he would always try to feed her and how he gave her freeze pops all the time. These kids grew up in front of him too.

I got to the house pretty late last night and as soon as I walked in I could smell wedding soup. I've been telling The Dad I wanted him to make it so he surprised me and made it while I was gone.  He said there was a bag on the dining room table - something he got at the store when he went to get the stuff for soup and wanted me to bring it to Katherine today. I knew before I peeked inside what it was. ♥

235/365

SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES
A little while ago Katherine and Other Joe asked me and Chrissy to help them go apartment hunting in State College.  We spent the day with a real estate agent looking at places and helped them fill out job applications.  All proved successful so we were back up there today to start the move in.

Joe was concerned about his classes and finding his buildings so we showed him around campus.  I was surprised I remembered as much as I did.... I showed them where the squirrel fell out of the tree to his death before Speech class and the only spot that I ever felt unsafe - when I was walking back to Cedarbrook and that white van drove real slow with the side door open in front of the G-man... I showed them where the Farmer's Market (still) is on Locust Lane that had those good cookies and those dried flowers that looked like brains... and the path in front of the Natatorium where I saw the aardvark... and the pretzel nibs in Willard.  Even twenty years after graduation - it still feels like home.  I hope it feels that way for them too...

234/365

MOMMY AND ME
I was 23 when my mother died - 19 years ago today.  I was only a few years younger than she was when she had me. Am I ever going to stop wondering what my own daughter would have looked like... if she would have had the same attitude as me...what kind of mother I would have been?  I don't think so.

233/365

POUNDING THE PAVEMENT
I had a job interview today!  Then I went to storage and got changed there. Totally normal behavior, right? Let's hope there aren't hidden video cameras inside the units!

232/365

YOU'VE GOT A FAST CAR... BUT IS IT FAST ENOUGH SO WE CAN FLY AWAY
Lily is the best car rider!

Before I take the car out of park she starts yawning...

... within seconds she is down for the count.

This is all before I get out of the driveway!

231/365

THRILLS AND SPILLS
Every time I see this I crack up. ;-)

230/365

MAMA - GET UP!!!!!
Are you sleeping?!?  Get up!!  Mama-get up!!  Are you awake?!?  Wake up!! Are you up yet?!?

If the Bud could talk that is what she would have said as she was swatting me in the face while I was trying to take a nap.  I unexpectedly was out all day today.  I know The Bud was by herself and wanted to play. I was exhausted. I barely made it home. I stopped for dinner for The Dad and went straight into bed and set my timer for 12 minutes... that's all I wanted. It was getting late and I still needed to get to The Glo-worm's. On my second attempt at 12 minutes The Bud jumped on top of me and started hitting me. It was equal parts swatting, staring and snorting from then on. She nudges until you wrestle with her and she play bites - she likes the "I'm going to get your teeth" bit.

She has such a smooshed in face and no nose!  For as much of a snout as RoseBud had she has just the opposite. She reminds me of Stitch at times.

"Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten."

229/365

TRUE COLORS
I spent some time today re-packing some Fiestaware we divided..

...with each piece that came out of the boxes moments flashed in front of me.. the dishes all lined up on the table with my post-it notes labeling everything so there would be no need to ask me where something goes when someone helped in the kitchen (it works!) All the after Christmas dinners loading them into the dishwasher while drinking coffee... you know - memories. Even though I have these (really good) memories I can't just get rid of these things.   I know it's a lot of stuff and I have no place to put it and I'm spending a ridiculous amount of money to store everything. What am I supposed to do?  What would you do?

I'm looking forward to organizing more at storage. I think it's going to be a full time job though.  There are some things I'm going to take out so that will give me more room - it's just going to be a big job. I'm excited and irritated with it. It's pretty exhausting - physically and emotionally.

I remember taking a lot of time getting the colors just right as we did with everything - paint, etc...

All these years later I would choose the same ones - maybe add a few more colors now - but these four... they were a good combination.

228/365

'CAUSE THOUGH THE TRUTH MAY VARY - THIS SHIP WILL CARRY OUR BODIES SAFE TO SHORE
I went to Dixon House today. I  tried to get a rubbing of this but (even with DCDs fabulous idea of using the monster maker crayon) it didn't really turn out too great... I had to go with a plain old photo. You may have to click to enlarge it to figure out what it is...

We had these really subtle ships in the plaster -  one in the built ins near the fireplace and one above the archway in the dining room. I have had two dreams about them in the last few weeks. You wouldn't even notice them if you didn't know they were there. I don't know the meaning or symbolism behind them or when or why they were originally put there. I'll always wonder.

227/365

BABY, INTERRUPTED
I carved and painted a couple pieces that were going to be used for baby furniture... I never got around to the third piece or the add on for the changing table that's sitting on top in a box. I was sad to discover this in the back of the storage unit with a big giant crack down the front. ;-(

226/365

MINI TRUCK LOVE
First of all, how have I never seen Under The Tuscan Sun?  I watched it for the first time a few weeks ago... seriously - a bazillion times better than Eat, Pray, Love. Anyway, I've been obsessed with that little truck from the movie. Chrissy's neighbor just got a cute little one just like it. I want to hot wire it and put it in the back yard and put mums and pumpkins in it. Cutest. Thing. Ever.

225/365

SAY YES TO THE DRESS
Do you know that tv show?  This was kind of the opposite... more like say f*uck you to the dress! ;-) I went to storage to take over a second unit. I am now pretty much paying a car payment for two units there.  It's like my home away from home - except I'm not really sure what's there. It's a little like Christmas when I open bins and boxes... surprise - remember this!?  Who knew, 16 years ago, that it would be to my advantage to have rocked a dress that had a removable top skirt?!

I needed to make some room and organize a little better so I had to open some bins that were brought there to see what was put inside... and what do I find?!?

Hello wedding dress. Fancy meeting you here!

224/365

I'M TOO IMPATIENT FOR PUZZLES
I know this should have been easier than I made it... getting four chairs in my car proved to be more difficult that I thought. It was like a big giant game of Tetris.

I was never any good at Tetris.

223/365

GOODBYE SHARK WEEK
Besides the "bad week to be a seal thing" we love shark week! The Dad and I were counting down to it and are sad to see it go. I was always a fan of the sea folk.

Martha had the cutest marine life toys out...

I tried to resist because The Bud has way too many toys.. This was just too cute so I had to get her the starfish... The Bud picked out the shark... maybe because it was on the bottom of the rack and she could reach it or maybe it reminded her of her daddy.

Lily's shark attack video here. (No sharks were harmed in the making of the video but I can't say the same for the squeaker.)

Oh and Martha - we don't like that your toys are made in China.

222/365

BREAKFAST CLUB
The Dad is big on big breakfasts... I'm usually force fed breakfast on the weekends - I'm not saying that's a  bad thing.  I wasn't very hungry this morning - maybe because he had sauce on all night and I got up at 4:30 am and made a meatball sandwich!  He made me a Davey egg and Jenny Lee cinnamon toast and fried ham.  It was a little breakfast today. ;-)

PS - I have been making the best hams - just old school brown sugar and pineapple. Yum.

221/365

FACES ON TRUCKS
I'm having a hard time with my iPhoto.. so trying to add these photos and back posting this week...

Not sure what this truck is but look at this cute guy staring at me....

And this tow truck guy looks like he may be in a little bit of trouble...

220/365

THE MOTOWN SOUND
They asked me to help with the trip to the library for some live music on the lawn... it was Motown Night... The grass was a little wet so they moved the concert indoors - to The Honorable Anthony M. DeLuca Community Room to be exact. Holla!

We were early so this is the crew before everything started... Glo and Clarice in the back and Fran and Pretzel in front. Yes  - they call her Pretzel.  Her name is Prezella.

Everyone had a good time and enjoyed getting down to the Motown stylings of Darryl and Kim Askew. (By the way - google ASKEW... I was trying to find the time of the event and came across this little Google trick.)

I had too many photos on my phone so it wasn't letting me take anything longer than a few seconds for video... I have a question - at what age do you start doing the old lady sway/clap? ;-) YouTube video here. ;-)

219/365

CANCER TOUCHED MY BOOB SO I KICKED IT'S ASS
I saw that on a shirt. ;-) You know what's nice about being a cancer patient?  You get the good tape. The nice soft one... and you get warm blankets when they can't draw your blood. Stuff like that. You know what's bad?  They are usually running three hours behind.  I had an appointment with my medical oncologist and then one to get my injection. I sat down to fill out my paperwork which took all of three minutes...

I observed once again that I was the only one there by myself. There were husbands and wives... lady friends... kids with their moms and me. The place was packed... like standing room only packed. At one point I counted 47 people. They didn't even bring me back for vitals until two hours after my appointment time.  I was freaking out because I had to meet The Dad at his kidney doctor and was running super late.  They brought me back into the exam room and I peeked into the office. I didn't see my doctor but I could hear her talking in another room - I saw this guy with long flowing hair and thought to myself - am I going to have to show this dude my boobs?  Turns out he was a fellow working with my doctor and, yes, within a couple minutes he got to second base. I think he may have been the most beautiful man in the world. I was a little distracted by his accent and his loveliness and by the time my oncologist came in all I remember is her talking about how cute my shoes were.  It doesn't look like my three month shot is working so I'm probably going to have to go back to once a month now - which means more valet charges!  That's one thing I treat myself to when I go to Magee... I can't stand parking there so it's always worth it to me. By the time I was done with the doctor I had less than 20 minutes to get to The Dad's appointment...  I ran outside and went to the booth... tipped the guy and said just give me the keys...

Wait for my car?  Ain't nobody got time for that. Thanks, I'll get it myself. ;-)

218/365

DEJA VU
I met Chrissy at Winghart's for lunch today (Tallulah Hula burger) and then Cara got mad that we went so she and I went there for dinner (wings and mac and cheese) tonight.

217/365

HUMAN WEEK

216/365

CRY BABY
I've been bursting into tears at the weirdest things... I decided to put everything aside last night and cuddled up on the couch to watch some old Junk Gypsy shows I recorded and two minutes into the first one - when she said "I love your moldings" I lost it. I literally sobbed for the rest of the show.  I think the title of it was Happy Living Room too.  Ironic.

I know that part of it - a lot of it - has to do with all my shit in storage and all over the place. Everything I love is boxed or binned and I have no idea what is where... I opened this bin and found my whole life in pictures thrown inside...

Things are starting to collapse...

The Dad makes fun of me to anyone that will listen... he goes on and on like he's doing a stand up routine for HBO about how he has to walk sideways in the house because there's not a wide enough space to walk straight through.  I hear things fall and him swearing every morning when he knocks something over in the garage.  He keeps saying he just wants to have his car in the garage by October.  I honestly don't see that happening.

I'll admit - I'm definitely a hoarder... well - collector.  I'm proud of the fact that I always surrounded myself with things that I love.  Because of that, I'm having a really hard time with all of this chaos.  I've been getting some advice - throw it all out... get rid of it.  That's not as easy as you think. And why should I?

So what did I do the other night?  I bought a Total Gym.  You know - because I don't have any place to put it and we use the other exercise equipment down there all the time like The Dad's giant treadmill and my original Pilates machine that I can't even unfold! I can make a Total Gym fit down there - I swear I can!  I was feeling really terrible and freaking out over everything in the game room and I somehow thought this would make things right.... I even made The Dad put QVC on and watch the whole spiel and he was all for it.  I really thought by the time it arrived I would get the downstairs under control and all would be well in the world - or at least all would be well in the game room.

I ended up canceling it before it shipped. I got yelled at by my Friday night peeps and that night, when I confessed my sins about ordering it a couple hours prior to Chrissy, she yelled at me and said,  "why didn't you buy a piece of fucking jewelry like most people do when they are depressed?"

I guess she's right. A Mariana bracelet does take up less space than a Total Gym.

215/365

PET PALS

The Lily Bud went to see The Glo-worm today...

She has to sign in like all the visitors...

I was talking to the nurses while Lily was showing off her spinning in circles skills and I hear one of them say oh my god Gloria is running... I noticed she was standing by her door at the end of the hall when I got there and I guess she realized it was us and went running down the hall to get to The Bud.  She grabbed the leash and started bringing her around to see everyone.

The pup was all over Alice. Everyone likes Alice!

Needless to say - Glo was very happy to see her.

The Bud was really good - she never really barks when she is there... she fell asleep on the floor for awhile. The only thing she's not real crazy about is the elevator.

She's such a good little puppy visitor!