The day before Thanksgiving, we were off to the river house for some time with the family and so happy everyone was able to come. One of the best parts was that David and Aubrey were going to be in charge of the whole dinner. All I had to do was enjoy spending the day playing with my grandchildren.
This was the first time in 46 years, I had not baked a turkey and all the trimmings on this special day. Consequently, packing up for the trip was relatively easy since I didn't have bags and bags of groceries. William and Sadie and I got underway around noon. It was a beautiful day and the landscape was fully fall-wrapped, so pretty. Sadie is a great little traveler and loves to go in the car. She sits quietly on my lap the whole time.
As we drove through Fredricksburg, the Christmas decorations were out and as usual, the sidewalks were brimming with shoppers. A very festive atmosphere. We were happy and excited as we got to our shortcut outside of Harper. FM 473 is eight miles long and runs into Interstate 10.
The closer we got to the river house the more nervous I got that I had forgotten something and I had been mentally listing all the items
I should have packed.
By the time we made the turn onto 473, I had worked myself up to a full blown frenzy in my head, thinking about what I had neglected to pack. Then, it occurred to me that William was driving way too fast for this stretch of road. Not only is it very curvy, but it goes up hills and down hills, lots of hills. I told him he needed to slow down and for a while he did. Here came the hills, up.....down......up.....down. I began to get mad that he was not slowing down and I was feeling a little queasy. About that time as I was holding Sadie, I felt her stomach lurch,... wait,.. what...yes, it was definitely moving. Uh oh,,,,,,,oh no.....at about the third hill, all of a sudden she started getting sick. Not a little bit. An incredible amount, all over me, all in my seat, in my purse, all over my books and magazines. At that point, I completely lost it. My sister calls it a "psychic break", I call it completely, out of control, crazy. "Pull over, pull over, pull over damn it!" God, I was so mad and upset and sick and holding Sadie and.... it was awful.
'Idiots delight' finally pulled over. "Is this a good place?" he said. Jesus Christ.... I bailed out of the car in hysterics, crying, furious, crying uncontrollably. I could not get it together and this 18-Wheeler dude who had pulled over for a lunch break saw the whole thing unfold, literally. I'm not sure, but I think he was laughing, well, I know he had a big fat smile on his face. After about 30 minutes since the total breakdown, I cleaned myself and Sadie up. And my purse and my shoes, (yes, in my shoes). William cleaned up my seat and the floor. Thank god he kept his mouth shut. Then, we got on I-10, and headed west.
About an hour later, William says, 'you okay?'. "Yes, I'm okay". As we headed for the river house I added one more item to my list of things I had forgotten.... a doggie bag and one of those stun gun thingies.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Shakeup at Shoalwood
No, not what you think, no, I'm not leaving the boy after what....45 years. No the shakeup has to do with this home of 30 plus years getting a face lift. It has been such an experience for us to see "this old house" start to
look less like the Clampets live here and more like some real nice older folks do.
The entire process took about 2 weeks of very loud pounding and sawing and more pounding. I now know why some
people leave on vacation while their home is being renovated. But, we stayed through it all and glad we did. Mainly because there was usually some questions that needed answers fairly quickly.
look less like the Clampets live here and more like some real nice older folks do.
The entire process took about 2 weeks of very loud pounding and sawing and more pounding. I now know why some
people leave on vacation while their home is being renovated. But, we stayed through it all and glad we did. Mainly because there was usually some questions that needed answers fairly quickly.
"Matati"
I have been a Grandmother for over 3 years and I can't say it gets any easier. Don't get me wrong, I love my role as the grandmother who is called "Matati". It is just that when it comes to the discipline aspect of my role, lately, I have hit a brick wall...... hard.
My grandson, Archer, is 3 years old and truly such a joy in our lives. However, lately he is a handful! Very independent and that is fine, but also very argumentative and stubborn and that is not fine when the grandparents are exhausted.
I have yet to send him to 'time-out', but I came very close a couple of days ago. When my children were young and would act similarly, there was no 'time-out', just a swat on the butt and sent to their room. Archers' parents use the time-out method.
To give you some idea of how trying it was, this was the scenario: It is 9:00 p.m. on Friday night. Archer's bath has been ready for about 30 minutes and is getting colder by the minute. Archer is playing with his remote controlled tractor and keeps running into the dog. The dog is being extremely patient, mainly because she is a Golden Retriever who is used to these shenanigans, but also because her arthritis is so bad, she will only get up if she absolutely must. After several verbal commands to stop, from me and from Grampaw, Archer is totally ignoring us, and I am ready to take the toy away and prepare myself for the screaming fit. Then out of the blue, he says: "It is my toy, all mine, and I can do whatever I want with it!"
Hmmmm....really. This is not the Archer we have known. This child is some sort of alien in our house. I take the tractor away, and the remote control device and yes, the screaming begins. I go into the bathroom and close the door. Just me, and a tub of lukewarm water. The urge to get in and put my head underwater so I won't hear Archer is strong, but I just sit there, on the edge, literally, almost in tears. Yikes.
Then I hear this little voice on the other side of the door, "Matati, I need to come in and take my bath." I open the door, he struts in, takes his clothes off, gets in the tub and begins playing with his bath toys. It was like nothing ever happened, like we had just survived some sort of time warp. Amazing. Incredible. Almost scary.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Sadies' Adventure - A Field Trip
The woman who bought Sadies' sister, "Alice", wrote me with an update on her. Seems like the sisters are on the same page with their tricks and personalities. Very cute. She mentioned that Alice chews everything, including furniture which Sadie doesn't seem to have a taste for. So to remedy that situation she had heard that Petsmart had something called "Bully Sticks" . She bought some and that is all Alice chews on now. So, I packed Sadie up and headed to the Petsmart store and also to check into classes for her to take.
We were in the aisle where all the chewy things were and this couple walks by with a very tiny black and white Bichon Friese. He was adorable and was walking around without a collar or leash.? However, he stayed right by the couple and didn't wander off. I was very impressed and asked them about him. Turns out, they were from Mexico and drove all the way to the Woodlands that day to pick up their new baby, "Bruno". When I asked about the way he followed them around, they said that that is just what he did without any training. Hmm...then I found out from one of the sales girls that the couple told her that "Bruno" just didn't like the way the collar felt around his neck..... Interesting.
Sadie was about to have a heart attack about this little puppy, so with collar and leash on I put her on the floor and she immediately went nuts for the puppy. I realized that she was out of control but when I tried to pick her up, she wriggled out of her collar. Yikes! The couple scooped up "Bruno" and Sadie bolted through the store. We all were chasing her, but she is super fast and with her hair on her feet she would slide to make a turn into a different aisle very quickly.
The whole store went on 'Lock Down', with my Sadie touring the place at 80 mph! They locked all the doors so she wouldn't run out into the parking lot and finally was caught while watching the little guinea pigs! Lordy. I was a wreck. One of the employees tightened the collar for me and asked if I wanted to enroll her in their obedience classes. I looked at her like she had just granted my fondest wish. Yes please!! She looked down at Sadie who was straining and pulling on her leash and said, " We're going to teach you NOT to do that pulling on your mom". I almost started crying. I was so happy.
Yes, sign us up!
Oh.....I got the Bully sticks, she could care less, not to mention the smell is enough to knock you down. It smells like something died. Oh yeah, something did, a cow.
So, Sadie starts next Wed. evening, 1 hour class, one day a week for 6 weeks. Also made an appt. to get her trimmed up since she is now a shaggy dog. I followed Lanny's lead and slick her hair back out of her face, but I use water. Ill get a picture of her and send it to you guys.
We were in the aisle where all the chewy things were and this couple walks by with a very tiny black and white Bichon Friese. He was adorable and was walking around without a collar or leash.? However, he stayed right by the couple and didn't wander off. I was very impressed and asked them about him. Turns out, they were from Mexico and drove all the way to the Woodlands that day to pick up their new baby, "Bruno". When I asked about the way he followed them around, they said that that is just what he did without any training. Hmm...then I found out from one of the sales girls that the couple told her that "Bruno" just didn't like the way the collar felt around his neck..... Interesting.
Sadie was about to have a heart attack about this little puppy, so with collar and leash on I put her on the floor and she immediately went nuts for the puppy. I realized that she was out of control but when I tried to pick her up, she wriggled out of her collar. Yikes! The couple scooped up "Bruno" and Sadie bolted through the store. We all were chasing her, but she is super fast and with her hair on her feet she would slide to make a turn into a different aisle very quickly.
The whole store went on 'Lock Down', with my Sadie touring the place at 80 mph! They locked all the doors so she wouldn't run out into the parking lot and finally was caught while watching the little guinea pigs! Lordy. I was a wreck. One of the employees tightened the collar for me and asked if I wanted to enroll her in their obedience classes. I looked at her like she had just granted my fondest wish. Yes please!! She looked down at Sadie who was straining and pulling on her leash and said, " We're going to teach you NOT to do that pulling on your mom". I almost started crying. I was so happy.
Yes, sign us up!
Oh.....I got the Bully sticks, she could care less, not to mention the smell is enough to knock you down. It smells like something died. Oh yeah, something did, a cow.
So, Sadie starts next Wed. evening, 1 hour class, one day a week for 6 weeks. Also made an appt. to get her trimmed up since she is now a shaggy dog. I followed Lanny's lead and slick her hair back out of her face, but I use water. Ill get a picture of her and send it to you guys.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Old Friend Gone
Old Friend
When I entered 3rd grade at Wooldridge Elementary School in Austin. I was one scared little girl. My family had moved several times around Austin and then San Antonio and then back to Austin. My new school was within walking distance to our new house, so that was a good thing for me. A little security knowing that if I totally freaked out, I could always run home. My 3rd grade teacher had long hair that she made into two braids and rolled each on into a ball and pinned them to each side of her head. I thought that was the most beautiful hairdo I had ever seen. She was a very sweet, kind woman and I immediately loved her.
That first day of school for me was one that would change my life forever. At recess, all the kids ran outside and went into several different little groups to laugh and play together. One group of little girls were playing jump rope and some were playing jacks. I was beyond shy, I was pretty much petrified. I made my way to a corner of the playground and sat on a stone wall swinging my legs like everything was ok, but I was close to tears and I was trying to remember the way home, since I had decided that was what I was going to do. Just about the time I was going to bolt out of the play yard, a little girl came around the corner and smiled at me. I smiled back so she wouldn't notice that I was about to cry. "Hi" she said, my name is Lominta, what's your name? I told her my name, "My name is Cathy Kypke. Today is my first day here, we just moved. "oh she said, who is your teacher? I told her that my teacher was Mrs. Robertson. "Oh, she said, she is my teacher too!"
I had been so scared I didn't even look at any of my classmates. Lominta asked if I had any brothers and sisters and when I told her I had three brothers and three sisters and that my mom was about to have another baby. As I told her this her eyes got bigger and bigger. Then she broke out laughing and said how lucky I was to have some brothers since she only had sisters. She had such an infectious laugh that I started laughing too. It seemed to me that she had a very deep voice, and a great laugh. About that time, the bell rang and she grabbed my hand and said, "come on let's run back to the classroom together." She was about the best thing that ever happened to me from that day forward. We were pretty much inseparable for many years after that. I still remember her phone number, GR 62815. When I saw her at the Mardis Gras party I was telling her that and she said, "yes, and I remember yours, TU 23831." Amazing.
Lominta was a huge part of my growing up and we remained best friends for so many years. She even went on vacation with us to go see my grandparents in Illinois. That was the ultimate vacation for my older sister, Kim and I. The three of us were all best friends. That summer was the best I ever had, to this day. She and Kim and I had a blast, exploring all over my grandparents farm. My mom made us take naps in this huge bed, upstairs with the promise that if we slept or just rested, there would be a treat on the stairs. Well, we mostly played and giggled, but always found treats on the stairs. We had many adventures on my grandparents farm that my sister and I still talk and laugh about. One in particular was the time up there that my older brother, Kip, locked us in a horse stall and left us there for hours. It was quite the drama for three little girls. We yelled and screamed and were totally ignored by my siblings. At one point, I told Lominta and Kim that I was so cold, I was going to freeze. Both of them took their shirts off and put them over me.
Kip finally let us out in time for dinner. He was such a jerk as only big brothers can be. Hysterical for many years after as each of us would recall that time, and pretty much laugh till we wet our pants. That kind of laughter. The best kind I know.
There was a time when my family was going to move again and we were all heart broken to leave Austin and our best friend, Lominta. Kim and I asked our mother if we could just adopt her and Lominta was all for that! Well, that didn't happen, but we still got to have her come visit. Time went by and we lost touch with each other during marriages, having kids, traveling..... Then I heard that she and her husband and family were living in Mexico, so I figured it would be a
while before we saw each other again.
One day, in 1981 I think, I got a phone call and it was Lominta, she said that she and her family were back in Austin. We were both ecstatic. Then she said that she and her husband, Rob had rented a little house. She asked me if we still lived on Shoalwood, and I said yes. Lominta said, "ya know, I think we might have rented the house across the street from you!" What!! Oh my God.... Well, we just picked up where we left off as soon as they moved in. Coffee together most days or evenings when we could. It was an amazing time in my life. She was there at the hospital when my second son Aubrey was born. He is now 30 years old.
Needless to say, we remained friends my whole life although we lost touch here and there, whenever we did get together it was pretty much a laugh fest. I will be 66 this summer and I have never had a friend like Lominta in my lifetime and I doubt I ever will. She was just such a special person in my life, and a friend I will always cherish in my heart.
I didn't realize how traumatized I was when she died and I couldn't go to her funeral or any of the things that occurred after she died. We were out of town. I always want to remember Lominta like she was when we were younger. Laughing and skipping down the side walk. Two little girls who had never been happier. And when she died, I have never been sadder. I will miss her always.
When I entered 3rd grade at Wooldridge Elementary School in Austin. I was one scared little girl. My family had moved several times around Austin and then San Antonio and then back to Austin. My new school was within walking distance to our new house, so that was a good thing for me. A little security knowing that if I totally freaked out, I could always run home. My 3rd grade teacher had long hair that she made into two braids and rolled each on into a ball and pinned them to each side of her head. I thought that was the most beautiful hairdo I had ever seen. She was a very sweet, kind woman and I immediately loved her.
That first day of school for me was one that would change my life forever. At recess, all the kids ran outside and went into several different little groups to laugh and play together. One group of little girls were playing jump rope and some were playing jacks. I was beyond shy, I was pretty much petrified. I made my way to a corner of the playground and sat on a stone wall swinging my legs like everything was ok, but I was close to tears and I was trying to remember the way home, since I had decided that was what I was going to do. Just about the time I was going to bolt out of the play yard, a little girl came around the corner and smiled at me. I smiled back so she wouldn't notice that I was about to cry. "Hi" she said, my name is Lominta, what's your name? I told her my name, "My name is Cathy Kypke. Today is my first day here, we just moved. "oh she said, who is your teacher? I told her that my teacher was Mrs. Robertson. "Oh, she said, she is my teacher too!"
I had been so scared I didn't even look at any of my classmates. Lominta asked if I had any brothers and sisters and when I told her I had three brothers and three sisters and that my mom was about to have another baby. As I told her this her eyes got bigger and bigger. Then she broke out laughing and said how lucky I was to have some brothers since she only had sisters. She had such an infectious laugh that I started laughing too. It seemed to me that she had a very deep voice, and a great laugh. About that time, the bell rang and she grabbed my hand and said, "come on let's run back to the classroom together." She was about the best thing that ever happened to me from that day forward. We were pretty much inseparable for many years after that. I still remember her phone number, GR 62815. When I saw her at the Mardis Gras party I was telling her that and she said, "yes, and I remember yours, TU 23831." Amazing.
Lominta was a huge part of my growing up and we remained best friends for so many years. She even went on vacation with us to go see my grandparents in Illinois. That was the ultimate vacation for my older sister, Kim and I. The three of us were all best friends. That summer was the best I ever had, to this day. She and Kim and I had a blast, exploring all over my grandparents farm. My mom made us take naps in this huge bed, upstairs with the promise that if we slept or just rested, there would be a treat on the stairs. Well, we mostly played and giggled, but always found treats on the stairs. We had many adventures on my grandparents farm that my sister and I still talk and laugh about. One in particular was the time up there that my older brother, Kip, locked us in a horse stall and left us there for hours. It was quite the drama for three little girls. We yelled and screamed and were totally ignored by my siblings. At one point, I told Lominta and Kim that I was so cold, I was going to freeze. Both of them took their shirts off and put them over me.
Kip finally let us out in time for dinner. He was such a jerk as only big brothers can be. Hysterical for many years after as each of us would recall that time, and pretty much laugh till we wet our pants. That kind of laughter. The best kind I know.
There was a time when my family was going to move again and we were all heart broken to leave Austin and our best friend, Lominta. Kim and I asked our mother if we could just adopt her and Lominta was all for that! Well, that didn't happen, but we still got to have her come visit. Time went by and we lost touch with each other during marriages, having kids, traveling..... Then I heard that she and her husband and family were living in Mexico, so I figured it would be a
while before we saw each other again.
One day, in 1981 I think, I got a phone call and it was Lominta, she said that she and her family were back in Austin. We were both ecstatic. Then she said that she and her husband, Rob had rented a little house. She asked me if we still lived on Shoalwood, and I said yes. Lominta said, "ya know, I think we might have rented the house across the street from you!" What!! Oh my God.... Well, we just picked up where we left off as soon as they moved in. Coffee together most days or evenings when we could. It was an amazing time in my life. She was there at the hospital when my second son Aubrey was born. He is now 30 years old.
Needless to say, we remained friends my whole life although we lost touch here and there, whenever we did get together it was pretty much a laugh fest. I will be 66 this summer and I have never had a friend like Lominta in my lifetime and I doubt I ever will. She was just such a special person in my life, and a friend I will always cherish in my heart.
I didn't realize how traumatized I was when she died and I couldn't go to her funeral or any of the things that occurred after she died. We were out of town. I always want to remember Lominta like she was when we were younger. Laughing and skipping down the side walk. Two little girls who had never been happier. And when she died, I have never been sadder. I will miss her always.
Monday, March 19, 2012
The Ranch Wedding
The wedding for my nephew and his bride, Kaci, was held at the most beautiful ranch, the Red Corral Ranch, near Wimberley this past weekend. It was the first time in a few years that many members of my family would get together and we were all excited for the event. It turned out to be a perfect weather day, cloudy and a little cool, not hot.
The groom, my nephew, Donovan, my brothers' youngest, was quite handsome as well as his best man, and brother, Garrett. After the ceremony we all went up to the Big Red Barn for dinner and dancing. My boys, David and Aubrey and David's wife Amy and my grandchildren Archer and Violet, were all there and Aubreys' girlfriend, Megan.
My grandchildren, Archer and Violet were a sight to see. Archer in his first suit which he was very proud of and little Violet with the sweetest dress on and a feather headband.
David told me that a lady came up to Violet and said, "What's your name sugah?" Violet said, "My name is not Sugar."
It was wonderful being around my family of brothers and sisters, everyone was there except 2 sisters and a brother. So at least there were 5 of us. So much fun. The food was delicious and they had these vodka sweet tea which was green that was some of the best stuff I have had. 2 of those and you were having a real good time. Great to see my sisters in law who I rarely get to be with. And my two wonderful nieces, Ava and Jessica.
My grandchildren, Archer and Violet were a sight to see. Archer in his first suit which he was very proud of and little Violet with the sweetest dress on and a feather headband.
David told me that a lady came up to Violet and said, "What's your name sugah?" Violet said, "My name is not Sugar."
It was wonderful being around my family of brothers and sisters, everyone was there except 2 sisters and a brother. So at least there were 5 of us. So much fun. The food was delicious and they had these vodka sweet tea which was green that was some of the best stuff I have had. 2 of those and you were having a real good time. Great to see my sisters in law who I rarely get to be with. And my two wonderful nieces, Ava and Jessica.
Like I said those green vodka drinks were really good!
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