A Modern Day Pioneer Woman - Hero

This friendly person is my sister. And she is Laura Ingalls of this decade. 8 years ago, she decided to go for it. Give up what she knew and what was safe. Go west. Go on an adventure. She gave up her secure job, sold her house and took off. Alone. She loaded up her car and went to California in search of love and adventure. If I remember right, as she was leaving,her car was wrecked somehow and she had to duck tape her passenger door shut. Nothing was stopping her. She is the brave one.

I admire this so much in her. It scared me to death for her to do this. I would never do anything like this. I prefer to stay safe. No risk. But not Tresa, she went for it all. Some of her adventure has been heart breaking but some of it turned out great. She made new friends and saw new places. She has seen movie stars, whales, Vegas, broadway plays, etc. These things do not happen in Lubbock.

Now she is thinking about moving back to Texas. I would love to have her closer to us. Maybe it is time for a new chapter in her life. But she still has had an amazing adventure and I am glad she did. She saw what she wanted and risked a lot to get it. And for that she is a role model to me and my girls - she is a hero to emulate. Thanks Tresa.

Miss Congeniality

Today I was in the car listening to the oldies station and they played Crocodile Rock by Elton John. My mind went racing back to junior high and a party I was at where a friend did the jitterbug over and over to that song. I remember having such fun that night. Then another thing connected with her came back.

There were three of us who were really good friends in junior high. Teri was one of the three. She moved to Amarillo during junior high and the other two in our group threw her a going away party. Teri was a very sweet girl. So naturally many people liked her. For some reason we decided to vote for Miss Congeniality at this party. I think we watched too many Miss America pageants. Naturally Teri won this award. After all it was her party. But the thing I remembered was everybody at the party got at least one vote but me. I counted the votes and I was crushed. I remember thinking I was not likable or worse, just a mean person. I felt terrible the rest of the party like I had finally been let in on the joke and I was the joke. Strange memory but it showed up today out of the blue. Funny how old songs can take you back to places like nothing else can!

Day 1 of my Vacation

I generally think of vacations as going somewhere but this year my vacation is here at home. The Latin root for vacation is vacatio which means freedom from something or to vacate something. Well 4 members of my household vacated today. One more will be leaving on Tuesday. So technically I am vacationing.

So far it has been hard work. First I cleaned up the boys room and threw away only 18 water bottles this time (see previous post) They are pack rats with a capital P. Actually they are hoarders. Then I cleaned my room and vacuumed. Next I worked in the backyard with Hurley to help. Hurley is a 2 month old beagle who is loads of help. But she is entertaining. She thinks the shovel is wildly fun. She loves to stand in the way and bite your ankles as you work.

Then I pulled up some dead plants in the front yard, trimmed a tree and THEN I broke my toe. It didn't really hurt all that bad. I kicked a rock. I had just taken my shoes off. So then I put them back on just to keep from kicking it again. When I took my shoes off an hour or two later, I was shocked to see it was purple. And it hurts like crazy. All activity stopped. So my vacation just slowed down. Maybe that is a good thing. Maybe I will watch a movie with my feet propped up!

A Quarter of a Century

25 years ago, I became a mom and the whole world changed forever. Mike became a daddy. My sisters became aunts which they were very good at. They bought that baby more dresses than she could ever wear. They adored her completely.

The day she was born is fuzzy in my mind. As you can see in this photo I was drugged. They induced at 9:30 am and she was born at 11:17. I set the record at Methodist Hospital in Lubbock. All I remember of delivery is being fascinated by the clock! Demerol will do that to you.

Last week Holly and I had the oddest conversation about babies. What would happen if they were named based on their birth? I'm not sure how we got there but it was pretty funny. Whitney's name would have been "AAAAAAHHHHHH" Putman. I told Holly that her name would have been "COME OUT ALREADY" Putman. She was 8 days late. My name would have been "Hold on, we aren't at the hospital yet" Putman. My mom almost delivered in the elevator.

So Happy birthday Whit! You rocked my world and I have loved it all.

Very Belated Birthday

Yes I know it has 3 weeks since my birthday but I promised I would post these photos. So here they are. Out of order. I downloaded tham in backwards order so start at the bottom. Work with me. I'm getting old.

My kids and husband decided I needed a birthday party and it should be a surprise. As you can see from the photos, I was surprised. It was way fun. Contrary to photographic evidence, I did open my eyes during this party. It is a genetic flaw to shut them in photos.

Thanks to all who came and helped out. I am blessed to have good friends who can lie and keep secrets surprisingly well. They got me good!

Tomorrow is the big day!

Tomorrow Nate has his next surgery. This time the doctor will repair his palate. Hopefully, this will be the last surgery for a long time, maybe forever. They will also be doing a small repair on his nostril which is slightly misshaped. He is Georgetown Hospital with his mom and dad and Grandma and Grandpa Archer. I will be here pacing the floors.

Please pray for successful repair and healing. Also eating difficulties to be gone after his mouth heals. And while you are praying, his Daddy needs a job! Thanks and I will update ASAP.