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jjmaccrimmonWow, I know it’s been two weeks since the last real entry, but wow the holidays kinda crept up and pounced on me. I guess was easy though now that I think back. Much has happened.
We went to a local SCA event on the 11th. It was very low key and that the way I kept my interactions. I’m slowly trying to get back into wanting to play but it’s not easy. Once my trust is gone for something it’s very hard to piece that back together. In any case, nothing happened. We even went to fencing practice the next day. Gloriously, there were many friendly faces and people I count among friends there.
Let’s see. The kids have been incredible for the last few weeks. Early last week, Brenna told me that she had been selected Student of the Month for her class. Woo Hoo! Go Brenna. The theme for the month was courage and from what I gathered, she demonstrated this by standing up to the substitute teacher from Hell. Now understand that Brenna is headstrong and stubborn but not usually rebellious. In this case, the substitute teacher was so bad that she was nearly pulled from the class on her second (and final) day by the school principal (who subsequently assured me that this woman would never teach in the school district again because of everything). I’m so proud of her for standing up to this person and effectively demanding her and her classmate’s weren’t stomped on.
Chris got his cast off on Friday the 17th. He was giddy, bouncing, giggling and overjoyed about this. I really have to figure out a way to bottle this happy energy! In any case, it was infectious. After sitting in on Brenna’s class assembly (were she got her certificate, and dad got pictures), we did a little holiday shopping (just for ideas of course, heh heh heh) and then I took them out to dinner at one of our favorite’s “Tokyo Steak” a Japanese Tappan and sushi place. Yummy food and a relaxed evening – good combo!
The 18th was a very hard day. I checked the kids’ bags, packed the Jeep, and drove them down to LAX. It was travel day and England was the destination. I was more than a little surprised at how smoothly and nicely the airline handled us. After only a brief wait, the representative pulled us out of the line and processed the kids’ travel documents and arrangements. Then much to my surprise, they gave me a gate pass and together we went to wait for the plane to board. To them, this was the beginnings of an adventure to be savored and relished – like the scent of a well cooked steak coming off the grill or fresh cotton candy. After about an hour and the end of the general boarding, they ushered them forward. That’s when the eyes grew moist and the hugs were fierce. I had to wait another 45 minutes for the plane to leave the gate, but they were on their way.
Sunday morning came bright and warm. I checked and found that the flight had indeed arrived safely with even a hint of adventure. Due to traffic, they were diverted from Heathrow to Gatwick. By all reports, they were well behaved and (as planned) slept most of the way on the flight. I actually chatted with Brenna a bit Sunday morning and spoke with them this morning by phone. I miss them and they me.
Well Sunday evening while chatting with Shady and Markus, owners of the Lost Destinations website, they practically insisted that I come down and spend the holiday with them. I told them I’d consider it but I needed to get someone to watch the house, care for pet/plants and to finish my remaining Yule time shopping. Amazingly I got everything cobbled together by Monday evening. With no excuses and nothing going on here, I made plans and bought round trip tickets into El Paso, Texas on Tuesday evening. Although I’m a little anxious about the plans, I’ll always believed that one has to be willing to take some chances to live life to the fullest.
Oh BTW, I know some folks have asked my why I haven't posted any pictures of any kind on the Journal. In a way, it relates to the title of this entry. I'm very short of time when I get home usually. So I almost never write these entries there, where the pictures are. Instead, as usual, I'm being naughty and writing this from my company company during one of the rare quiet times at work. Someday, I'll start posting pictures and interlink them to articles and entries.
We went to a local SCA event on the 11th. It was very low key and that the way I kept my interactions. I’m slowly trying to get back into wanting to play but it’s not easy. Once my trust is gone for something it’s very hard to piece that back together. In any case, nothing happened. We even went to fencing practice the next day. Gloriously, there were many friendly faces and people I count among friends there.
Let’s see. The kids have been incredible for the last few weeks. Early last week, Brenna told me that she had been selected Student of the Month for her class. Woo Hoo! Go Brenna. The theme for the month was courage and from what I gathered, she demonstrated this by standing up to the substitute teacher from Hell. Now understand that Brenna is headstrong and stubborn but not usually rebellious. In this case, the substitute teacher was so bad that she was nearly pulled from the class on her second (and final) day by the school principal (who subsequently assured me that this woman would never teach in the school district again because of everything). I’m so proud of her for standing up to this person and effectively demanding her and her classmate’s weren’t stomped on.
Chris got his cast off on Friday the 17th. He was giddy, bouncing, giggling and overjoyed about this. I really have to figure out a way to bottle this happy energy! In any case, it was infectious. After sitting in on Brenna’s class assembly (were she got her certificate, and dad got pictures), we did a little holiday shopping (just for ideas of course, heh heh heh) and then I took them out to dinner at one of our favorite’s “Tokyo Steak” a Japanese Tappan and sushi place. Yummy food and a relaxed evening – good combo!
The 18th was a very hard day. I checked the kids’ bags, packed the Jeep, and drove them down to LAX. It was travel day and England was the destination. I was more than a little surprised at how smoothly and nicely the airline handled us. After only a brief wait, the representative pulled us out of the line and processed the kids’ travel documents and arrangements. Then much to my surprise, they gave me a gate pass and together we went to wait for the plane to board. To them, this was the beginnings of an adventure to be savored and relished – like the scent of a well cooked steak coming off the grill or fresh cotton candy. After about an hour and the end of the general boarding, they ushered them forward. That’s when the eyes grew moist and the hugs were fierce. I had to wait another 45 minutes for the plane to leave the gate, but they were on their way.
Sunday morning came bright and warm. I checked and found that the flight had indeed arrived safely with even a hint of adventure. Due to traffic, they were diverted from Heathrow to Gatwick. By all reports, they were well behaved and (as planned) slept most of the way on the flight. I actually chatted with Brenna a bit Sunday morning and spoke with them this morning by phone. I miss them and they me.
Well Sunday evening while chatting with Shady and Markus, owners of the Lost Destinations website, they practically insisted that I come down and spend the holiday with them. I told them I’d consider it but I needed to get someone to watch the house, care for pet/plants and to finish my remaining Yule time shopping. Amazingly I got everything cobbled together by Monday evening. With no excuses and nothing going on here, I made plans and bought round trip tickets into El Paso, Texas on Tuesday evening. Although I’m a little anxious about the plans, I’ll always believed that one has to be willing to take some chances to live life to the fullest.
Oh BTW, I know some folks have asked my why I haven't posted any pictures of any kind on the Journal. In a way, it relates to the title of this entry. I'm very short of time when I get home usually. So I almost never write these entries there, where the pictures are. Instead, as usual, I'm being naughty and writing this from my company company during one of the rare quiet times at work. Someday, I'll start posting pictures and interlink them to articles and entries.
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Date: 2004-12-23 11:30 am (UTC)