Hey Mom, did you even graduate college???

That was the question my brainiac spawn asked last night after he returned from the lab last night. In fact the answer is yes, I did graduate from college.

My path to college was somewhat not a planned item. I had no desire to go to college. I had no desire to leave my small town, I was perfectly happy to keep asking my parents for money. I mean they had supported me all my life, why should things change just because I would graduate high school? I had it good and saw no need to go to college.

One day in 1982 I came home from school and my mom threw me a couple college application books informing me of her decision that I go to school somewhere. After much thought (about 8 seconds), I came to the conclusion I really did not have that much going on after I would graduate high school so I would appease her and take a gander at the books . I then opened the course selections books for a few of the college even though I had no idea what I wanted to "be" when I grew up. I quickly came up with a solution that would solve everything.

I started the selection process with any two year college within two hours of my house. I then proceeded to read the degree options. Factored in that was the amount of money that one would expect to make with that degree. Basically, I went down the page and found what paid the most money for a two year degree. I figured hey, I can do this... “Medical Laboratory Technology” - sounds obtainable right?

First semester came and I managed to hold on to decent grades. Next semester involved chemistry and dang that was hard. Of course the hot guy “Nate” sat next to me in Chem and I admit, sometimes I would daydream about him for that 1.5 hour lecture. Needless to say, I failed chemistry so I decided I should change my curriculum to something more suited to me and my “style”.

My roommate Mona had made a great choice at college. All she did was break and train horses, take care of the four legged friends and ride them. Wow, what a coincidence, I actually owned a horse and I was sure that would be much better than some overpaying Medical Laboratory Technology degree. Why didn't I think of that before? I could be carefree and the horses wouldn't care if I skipped a shower or two. Long story short, I have a degree in Animal Husbandry - Equine which happens to be an AAS degree. Do I utilize my degree? Um, no but I did graduate from college.

Flash forward to last night when my son (who was feeling smart as he had just spent the day at the organic chemistry lab) asked if I even graduated from college I piped up and said yes in fact, I did graduate from college. I went on proceeding to toot my own horn bragging that I am a smart person and that I had graduated, received that diploma, and walked down the path to greatness.

I then went on informing Nick that the degree I received was actually a dual major because not only did I graduate with the "Animal Husbandry-Equine" degree, I also met “my husband”, their dad, Chuck in college. Therefore, I have the Animal Husbandry-Equine degree and a “Husbandry” (the MRS degree)

At least I use one of my degrees on a daily basis. See Momma isn’t such a dummy after all.

Note to self.....

Note to self - Guinea Pigs do not like the sun, they do not like to be warmed by the beautiful California sunshine in January.
Note to self - Do not place a cage with two guinea pigs outside to enjoy the warm air, they would rather be stuck in a dark garage and bypass this special feeling.
Note to self - Don't try to do nice things for animals or people, you just get fucked.
How do I know this?
Monday I got up, took a shower, came downstairs.
Let the dog out, opened the garage doors and said "wow, it is beautiful outside, I bet the guinea pigs would love to stay out and have a wonderful day in the neighborhood". So, I rolled them out, gave them fresh water, lettuce, some carrots and put a blanket on the cage - just in case the sun was to bright on them.
Went to work, pretended to work - came home and called my friend in Wisconson bragging about how warm it was in Sunny California.
Got home, guinea pig cage was still there, blanket still on the top and I go over to say "hi" to the boys.
They are dead - yup dead.
Apparently I killed them because the sun was to warm for their bodies.
Do I feel like shit.
Absolutely....
Note to self..... I do not like this much guilt.....
I'm sorry boys... I am so sorry.....

Even though you were crazy, I still miss you.........

The day was January 5th 2003. 19 weeks after Pa died, 10 weeks after I was diagnosed, 12 days after Christmas, a day before Chuck's birthday, 12 days before your birthday, 5 years and 18 days after Kelley died. It was 6 years ago today but it hurts and feels like it was yesterday.

Its a Wonderful Day in the Neighborhood

Chuck and I were actually up this year to ring in the New Year not once but twice!

Since we are originally NY'ers we rang in NY style with Dick Clark and then again later with Carson Daly. I am so proud we were actually awake.

The neighbors had a party, we walked down around 10pm with a few other neighbors. I actually was surprised that I had a good time for the 1.5 hours we were there. Could have been that immediately after we entered the door we were literally staring into the rim of some Lemon Drop shots? Generally, I am not a shot person but hey it was my first shot of the New Year so why not? Well, one shot led to two shots, two to three etc.

Then Mom mode kicked in and we walked home with ten minutes to spare, we snagged some party poppers and tooters for Carly and the three of us let them rip all over the house. Gosh, I hope the maid works on New Years Day!