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Okay! I have had it! I am not going to spend my entire retirement (which translates to "the rest of my life") working on "that damned pool." I'm just not. Really...what is so terribly difficult about getting your pool water clean and clear and ready for swimming? Obviously I don't have the answer to that question. We, Ron and I, have been working on our pool since APRIL. It is now June 26th and the water still looks slightly better than Lake Ray Hubbard....only slightly better. Yesterday, in my wit and wisdom, I went to a local pool retailer with a water sample and a credit card. After having the water sample tested and speaking with the cute little guy who works there, I left with $248 in chemicals and assurances that I would be busy all day the next day vacuuming the pool because the chemicals would work their magic and our water would be crystal clear and ready to enjoy. After 38 lbs. of chlorine shock the water is lighter green than the day before. It is nowhere near crystal. As for swimming...I'm not getting in that water! There could be spiders, snakes, turtles, frogs, the undead....God only knows what is in that water at the bottom of the pool. I can assure you of this....if that water doesn't clear up soon I'm going to hit the drain button and let it all pour out...and start over with fresh water from the tap. Now, don't go "GREEN" on me. I know that we are supposed to be saving water and recycling and I'm all for that. I'm also for eating, paying my bills and living a normal life.....which I haven't done since "that damned pool" turned green!
I got the sweetest and most welcome phone call this afternoon. When I answered my cell phone it was my little buddy, Trenton, (my bestest friend) and he said, "Guess what, Nana. I'm having a brother!" This was particularly good news since Trenton had already informed Nana and Popaw last weekend that if the baby is a girl he is giving her to us. I love my grandkids but I'm thinking I'm a bit too old and too tired to start over with diapers, formula, sleepless nights, colic....but I digress. While I'm certain that we will get numerous chances to keep "the kids," I am fairly certain that Kristin and Scott would not just give away their child....right? Right?
Trenton is very excited about the prospect of having a sibling. I think he believes his brother will enter this world already walking, talking and ready to play. I'm not sure that he understands yet that this scrawny little scrunchy faced sibling will demand mommy's and Scott's time and attention and that he, Trenton, really won't be getting anything out of this new arrangement for quite some time. "What's in it for me?" comes to mind.
Me? I feel blessed. Whether this baby turned out to be a boy or a girl was inconsequential to me. I just want to rejoice in the blessings of a healthy grandchild to love, hold, cuddle and share with Trenton. I'm already looking forward to the holidays and the sounds and smells an infant brings into a holiday home. Well....most of the sounds and smells, anyway.
Today we celebrated Trenton's fifth birthday even though his official birthday isn't until June 30th. He will be with his dad on his birthday so we spent today making him feel special...and in the meantime a bit of that "specialness" rained down on the rest of us. The party took place at an indoor facility that had lots of bounce house type activities such as slides, mazes, obstacle courses, etc. Lots of photo ops....LOTS of photo ops. It isn't too extreme to take 324 pictures if you're having a good time, is it?? And, yes, we were having a good time. Kids and adults alike all had smiles on their faces...from all appearances having a good time. Me? I was in my element....with the people who mean the most to me (Ronnie, Kristin, Ryan, Scott, and, of course, Trenton) and spending my time in a way I supremely enjoy (taking pictures). It was a very good day. I think that ANY day spent with the people you love is a very good day. Happy Birthday, Trenton, and here's to MANY, MANY more very good days!
Sooo....somehow I thought that after seven years of employment in one office it would be a somewhat traumatic separation when I retired and pulled away from the parking lot that final time. In my mind's eye there was a beautiful mellow Kenny G tune playing in the background as I walked the "receiving line" of colleagues and made my way tearfully to my car. I would look over my shoulder to see my colleagues wiping their eyes and gently waving goodbye. Well, it was nothing like that. It was totally uneventful. It seems that I was one of very few people who even bothered to show up at work. All but one of my administrative team members was "out" for the day. One of my secretaries was already off for the summer and the teaching staff was gone. It was me and one other secretary. As the morning progressed we completed what little work I had left to do and then we, or I should say I, looked for things to do to be busy. The tech guy came in and disabled my computer because some offices were changing so I couldn't even surf the web. After lunch I helped pack up a couple of bookshelves, made myself a WalMart list, and finally, about 12:30, I hugged my co-worker of seven years goodbye and walked to my car and drove off. No line of friends waving....no tears....only the one hug....what a total disappointment. While I totally hate "goodbyes"...come on. It felt like everyone has moved on and I was just in the way....gathering dust as a lame duck. So much for the dramatic departure. And so, my retirement begins...
