Twenty Years!

This is how my boy pitched woo. In a convertible bug, Chet in the tape deck and with abad attitude. And I fell for it.

Mondays Much Needed Song of the Day: Dancing Away with My Heart

Upping the cheese factor, here, but hey, it's my twentieth anniversary this weekend.

This song isn't an exact representation of our relationship, because, uh, we got married. BUT, we knew we'd feel this way eventually.

And well, I'll always think of Chris as eighteen and beautiful.

Monday's Much Needed Song of the Day: Stray Cat Strut

Last Friday, my son's band, The Regime, (this is a working title) played a cover of "Stray Cat Strut" for the talent show at his school. I videoed their performance, which I thought was impressive, on his iphone and he has yet to let me get my paws on it:)
I did snag a few pics from facebook. (Caleb is paying the drums.)

Anyway, I can't get the song out of my head, so I thought I'd stick it in yours too.

Reluctant Sorta Home School Momma: Switching Lanes

Last week, I took Caleb to get his driving permit. Instead of being nervous I was excited. Excited about him driving, the prospect of a “new” car, and taking a step toward siccing him on the big, bad world. I wasn’t afraid for any of it, and considering my penchant for death anxiety, that is a major accomplishment. 

Two days later, Chaz and I have an appointment with Dallas Area Rapid Transit. It hasn’t occurred to me the irony. Wednesday, I take Caleb to prove he can learn to drive. Friday I take Chaz to prove he can’t.

Sadness comes fast and heavy. Only a few minutes away from Chaz’s school, and I am sobbing.

Get it together I tell myself. And I do.

He greets me with his usual warmth, “Finally. It took you long enough.”

When we get to the DART office, I let him go into the cubicle by himself. I decide not to speak any answers for him, which leaves him with some long uncomfortable moments while he searches. I only speak when the interviewer glances over at me, which is only a few times. THIS IS HARD FOR ME.

“How’s life going for you?” the interviewer asks him.

“Not so great. “

“What could make it better?” She stops looking at her computer and turns to him.

“Oh, you know,” Chaz says, “if I could just do whatever I wanted. Like a grown up.”
“What kind of things?”

“Oh, you know, live on my own, smoke, drink. Stuff like that.”

“I don’t even do those things,” the lady chuckles. ‘What kind of drink?”

“A Bud Light or something.”

We both laugh now and I know for sure, this interviewer’s last appointment on Friday afternoon, is going to be a fun one. She continues on, obviously enjoying Chaz’s candor, and I just hold on to my seat, praying he doesn’t say anything that gets adult protective services called on me.

When we walk out from under ground at the DART office, the sidewalk is glaring from the sunshine. Chaz reminds ME to look before I cross the street to our car.

I drive home, pretty sure Chaz has been re-certified for the Dart para-transit service and I am maybe, just a little bit, less certifiable. I check the time, glad we finished early. Caleb needs the car for his drive-time with Chris and I need a nap.

Monday's Much Needed Song of the Day: Ebarme Dich Marilyn Horne

I'm feelin' it. Have Mercy.

Monday's Much Needed Song of the Day:Caught in the Crowd By Kate Miller

I spent last weekend with Lisa Berry-Ford, founder of The B. R. A.V. E. Society. My uncle interviewed her for a documentary he is working on about founding the organization after the bully-cide of her son, Michael Joseph Berry.
At one point, she mentioned the bystanders, the people he thought were his friends, who did not stand up for him. It made me think if this song and how sometimes we get the chance to apologize, but sometimes we don't.
Mostly it's just better to be brave in the first place, and hope for the best.