Psychologically, the perfect time to start a brand new journal. Kind of like the alignment of planets (Age of Aquarius anyone?) My alignment? Well, Michelle, my baby, my little pettitoes, my ShelleyBelly is going to be 16 tomorrow. I blinked and she grew up! Her birthday wish list was a delightful blend of child and young adult...she asked for (among other things) a Honda Civic, Ding Dongs, Life Savers, A Ford Explorer, nail decals, and makeup, Body Shampoo, and a magazine subscription to "BOP"...what a mixed bag. We can accomodate all but the cars! That's the first "Planet". Next is the location of this journal. We're living in Granite Bay. 20 minutes from Mom in Carmichael. Actually, my thoughts and feelings about the move are an entry unto themselves. Of course, the obvious third "Planet" is the fact that it's a new year. We celebrated our 19th anniversary a few days ago. 19 years. NINETEEN years! Yikes! Enough for now. I'm overwhelmed just starting to think about a whole new journal.
January 31, 1997
Ever since the girls 'discovered'my journals I've periodically heard..."What did I used to do??" and "Read one about me!" So it's my mission to include entries and anecdotes that can be shared and chuckled over for years to come: Here's one for Martha...We were sitting around the dinner table the other night and somehow got to talking about dying and death. Martha looked up from her plate and without missing a beat said, "Been there, done that!" After a stunned moment of silence everyone roared - and acknowledged that not many people can claim that distinction!
Wayne, Mom, Joe and I ate lunch out today. A place here in town called Granito Piedre Grille. Their claim to fame? It's a garlic restaurant. Just walking in the door cures the common cold. And for the first time in my life, I can honstly say I had enough garlic! YOW! I had fresh clams and linguine (with garlic) Wayne had a garlic steak sandwich, Mom had grilled salmon and Joe had something called 40 clove chicken. We reeked! The appetizer was a saute pan with cloves of roasted garlic and butter for spreading on sourdough bread. Ambrosia at the time - but a major source of ...er...gastric distress now! I don't think there are enough Tums in the house!
(Editing notes from February 1999)
Well, that's all I managed to record in 1997. Darn it! I know more than that happened! So I'll just try to recap the highlights... Martha and Ruth continued Band at their new school, Cavitt Jr. High. Martha on the clarinet and Ruth on the trombone. Cavitt has a good jazz band established and both girls have been accepted into that program. Ruthy made the basketball team and in the spring, girls softball. Martha decided to see how life would treat her as a redhead! Mom thinks I'm crazy I think, but after all...it's only hair! and Martha looks wonderful as a redhead! She has the fair complexion and the green eyes that go with the color so well! Granite Bay High School is shaping up nicely. Michelle decided to run Track and Field her sophomore year and earned a letter for long jump and triple jump. She's our "leaper" It's those long legs! Margaret discovered a love of the stage and is staying busy with the drama department. Wayne started working for Raley's Main Office (computers again) in April and stayed pretty busy entrenching himself in a new job. As for me? I'm the mom. I get to be the glue that keeps it all together. I lost the client base for Needle and Thread when we moved up here. Sometimes I miss it, and then I remember the stress of a wedding....or prom....and I breathe a large sigh of relief.
Now, I know a lot more than that happened in 1997...but it's late and that's all I can remember off the top of my head.
