crossrhodes

So, in less than a week I have found high school friends, Don’s air force buddy from 20 yrs ago, and James’ long lost cousins on myspace.

Most recently on friendster, I found my childhood friend in grade school in the Philippines! She now lives in Northern California and led me to other classmates on friendster. In fact, our school has an alumni site on friendster! I’m just having such a blast jogging my memory. It’s the stuff scrapbooks are made of!

Just got these tonight from my brother… pics from his and James’ paintball weekend. That’s my brother up front and center in official BDUs and James’ head sticking out behind him. James was a pointman for his team (squadron? unit? platoon? what-e-ver!).

I’d better get used to seeing James in BDUs coz he’s set on a military career. It just doesn’t sit well with me because I know the risks.  Why can’t he just play paintball forever instead?!?!

Exciting news this weekend…

I got a myspace account! Woo-hoo! LOL :-) It took me this long because I thought it was only for kids and Chris Hansen’s surprised guests on Dateline NBC. But a couple of (grown up) friends told me its a great place to find old friends… even better than friendster.com. And they were right! I’ve touched base with a few high school buds (thus, my yearbook pic) and other long lost friends in a matter of hours! My junior prom “date” emailed me today. (I say “date” in quotes because a couple of us rebelled against the prom institution by going out to dinner instead, so we never actually went to the prom. Yup, that’s me… rebel without a clue.) I found my ex-roommate in California, second cousins I only hear about from my mom, and friends in my 20’s. And I’ve been on a quest to find more ever since! (I bet James just loves having his mommy on his myspace friends list :-)

Also this weekend…

James blew 2 months’ worth of allowance and all his b’day cash gifts on… paintball! (You thought I was going to say his girlfriend, didn’t you? I don’t know how much he’s spent on her but I will bet paintball has burned a bigger hole in his pocket!) He and my brother had been prepping for this day for weeks in advance! It’s a major weekend event. He usually sleeps over at my brother’s house coz they leave early the next morning.

I actually don’t mind this hobby of his. I know who he’s with coz he only goes with my brother’s youth or men’s group from church. It’s an expensive hobby but I’d rather he save up his allowance for this than drugs, alcohol, and what not. And this way, he can let out all his pent up aggression from his nagging parents on someone else or a poor innocent tree :-) LOL!!!

This is crazy!!! Just 2 days ago, I went to pick up James from school in a short sleeve t-shirt and flip flops because the mercury hit 80 DEGREES!!!

Tonight, I scraped 2 INCHES OF ICE from my windshield to pick up Don from the train station. Thank goodness he’s not flying because hundreds of flights to the Northeast have been cancelled.

We’ve got rain, sleet, AND snow — yup, all of the above! Aren’t you jealous? *grin*

When the weather is like this, I can always count on 2 phone calls:

1) My father-in-law calls coz he likes to compare notes on the weather :-) *LOL*

2) My mom makes her round of calls to all her children to make sure we’re all home. And she won’t sleep until every single member of the family is safe and sound coz that’s what moms are for.

Ain’t it nice to be loved?

Why can’t cute little kids stay cute and little? Or clone our offspring to skip the teen years? You do realize I’m too young to parent a teenager?!?! Even scarier… I’ll be too old when my future, unborn kids are teenagers. *sigh* I’m really upset w/ James tonight. He tries to pull fast ones on me when Don’s away on business trips. He forgets that I’m actually more strict than Don. Don’s just louder.

Oh well, putting bad thoughts to bed for tonight and reminiscing on happy birthday memories.

I’m getting the hang of this cake thing. FYI - 1 box of cake mix makes yields 4 dozen minis and half a dozen regular cupcakes. So I split the minis between ladies craft night at church and mom’s birthday lunch. Red velvet batter is so pretty, isn’t it? I think I’m ready to delve into making the batter and frosting from scratch.

I let the kids decorate my mom’s cupcakes… or… at least… wear it on their shirt :-) This was fun, btw. Great idea for a kid’s birthday party. Set up a table w/ some naked cupcakes, filled frosting bags, sprinkles/toppings, and let ‘em rip! Even the grown ups wanted to give it a squeeze. I would not do this in a carpeted room. Fortunately, my brother’s house has hardwood floors for easy vacuuming of chocolate jimmies off the floor. And, ummm… I would probably stick with stain-free vanilla cupcakes next time.