My environmental (not hair) roots

Sometimes I wonder how I got to be who I am. Where did my environmental roots come from? My parents were not tree huggers. I didn't grow up enjoying nature due to my upbringing - except for my camp experiences which my parents did pay for. Girl Scouts, Bar-L Ranch, Camp Cheley - those were my nature experiences.

Dave and Pat Bullock believed in hotels with running water. My mother did try growing a few tomatoes I recall. Don't remember eating them though. But we did watch a whole lotta TV! Some of my earliest memories are of watching Captain Kangaroo on a black and white TV.

In the later years we had one large console TV in the family room. That was where I first saw this:
Iron Eyes Cody

What can I say? I'm a sucker for Indians? I loved the Lone Ranger - and his side kick Tonto when I was a tot. I had a red "rocking horse" - it was really more of a horse that had all 4 limbs attached to big springs. When western television shows were on, I'd watch them downstairs on our little red TV, and ride that red horse. I imagine I rode those springs hard! (I also developed a huge love for horses during this time).

And the first Earth Day was in 1970. The early 70's were very eye-opening when it came to pollution. People were discovering how much were doing that polluted our world! That got my attention without me really even knowing it.

When I see Iron Eyes Cody, I have to say  - he's part of the reason I do what I do. Thanks guy!

Pseudo kid

We're friends on Facebook...and her parents have our names. But I've never really met her. My pseudo kid - Rebecca Goldsmith. None-the-less I was pleased to read the recent excellent article about her in the DSM Register. Des Moines Register Goldsmith article

It makes her sound very grounded about being Miss Iowa. She tried three times before she was selected - so it's a goal she's worked hard to attain. I really appreciate the fact that just because she didn't succeed at first (or at second), she didn't quit. That tells me a lot about this young woman! I wish her well  - at whatever she tackles next.

And the fact that her parents have such strong names! Well...she can't help but be a winner!

Cereality - Cereal Bar and Cafe

Have you heard of it?
Sounds like my kind of place! Seriously...I love cereal! Looks like there are only three of 'em so far. One is in the Dallas Fort Worth Airport. How did I miss it?

If I go a few days without eating cereal, I start to crave it. I'm a big cereal mixer. My latest recipe is what I have each a.m. at work - I get there at 6:30 a.m. sharp  - Tuesday through Thursday. On Mondays, of course (every other at least) I meet my Creston home girls for breakfast at S&K you might recall. So those don't count...they're often egg days.

Work days I have a lovely mix of Wheat Chex, granola, strawberries (quite juicy this time of year), half a banana, blueberries (fruit is good for ya!) and light vanilla soy milk. Yum! Plus my vitamin and calcium supplement. (A girl must stay healthy).

I think people would be happier if they all ate more cereal. I'm glad my mommy fed me fruit loops and Capn Crunch when I was a kid. I think that's why I'm such a cheery person today. haha

Mistaken Leslie again...

Jules and me - 2009

Last night I was just drifting off into REM sleep when my phone buzzed. I thought it was time to get up! Snatching it up, I saw that it was really a phone call with my friend and high school classmate Jules on the other end of the line. She lives in Boulder, Colorado. I noted it was 10:45 PM.

My heart began to pound - why would she call this late? She said "Sorry for calling so late but I need to change our 9 a.m. meeting tomorrow to Wednesday." I thought, "We have a meeting - I don't remember setting it up?" but went with it...I told her I'd check my schedule and text her in the a.m. Which I did. "Busy 9-10 a.m. free otherwise" But this morning I was thinking - "What is she doing in Des Moines again?"

Julia was in town a month or so ago on her way to NE Iowa for a funeral. But, again, I didn't remember talking to her about getting together this week. Did I miss something? I got a text back from Jules. "I'll try to shuffle some things and let you know." I text back, "What are you doing in town?" She sends back, "How about 9:15?"

I'm starting to think - "Who is this person - she's wacko!" I told her I had a meeting then with my supervisor 9-10, so no I can't meet then. She comes back with, "How about 12:15? Happy Birthday!" I'd had it! I said, " My birthday is in November! Noon works."

Finally - the light bulb went on in Boulder. Jules said, "Argh, wrong Leslie!" And she called me later this afternoon to apologize sheepishly. Julia is a masseuse and she had been trying to set up an appointment change with a client. Not me

After I texted that I had been starting to think she was bi-polar. And she owes me a massage!

Communication is a very strange thing - when two people aren't talking about the same thing or to the same people. Good thing Jules didn't text me a pic of her wiener! haha

Dirty little secret

I likes da naughty music. Yah, you heard me! I like hip hop - where they talk dirty a lot, but the beat it good. And now people know it.

Jud gave me an iTunes gift card for Christmas, so I downloaded some new music recently. I'd been lusting for some hip hop since I'd been to a couple weddings and danced to the stuff with the kids. Mid life crisis? I don't know! All I know is I like to dance to the stuff and it makes me feel like jiving around.

I made a CD of my latest music to take to Amy when we went to Denver - she'd mentioned that she too enjoyed Katy Perry's California Girls. Corny song...what can I say?!? Plus I had gotten some other songs I thought she'd like, by artists like Plain White T's and Adele.

But I like me some Rihanna. And one of the songs I got was S&M. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlEdFJpQ8-c
Amy said she had that one on when she and niecelet Jordie were going to a kickball game recently. Jordan was like, "Uh, does your mom know this is about sex??" Yep Jordo, I done figured it out!

I hope Jordan doesn't have visions of me and her Uncle Paul in S&M costumes - me in thigh high leather boots - stilettos, a bustier...with a whip! HA HA. Except it's me, so it would have to be more like some nice comfy leather moccasins and sweats. Guess S&M is out - I'd laugh too hard getting into the outfit!

I know some of the people who see me driving while listening to the tunes prolly think I'm nuts! Old lady jiving around...no whips and chains though. I've always been a classic rock kinda girl, but lately I've got the new jones for the hip hop. Can't wait for my next dance party!

Another thing. Some women are trying to fight back against the old "she was asking for it" by dressing provocatively. They introduced the Slut Walk - starting in Toronto this spring. They're combating the myth of the slut and blaming the victim. Their point is that women should be able to dress how they want to and not be attacked. http://www.slutwalkchicago.org/

I'm not encouraging anyone to dress like a slut - because...well it doesn't look good. But men should be able to keep it in their pants regardless. No matter how sexy we're dressed and what we dance to!

Moving day for Jud

Jud is feeling lofty. He moved into his new loft on Saturday, with the help of U-Haul and his parents. We took advantage of the situation by purchasing a new king-sized bed (see my blog from a few days ago regarding my sleeping around situation).

We didn't have all that much stuff to move - the queen sized bed, a desk, dresser and chair. Jud had taken all the small stuff earlier in the week. Paul got the U-Haul at Cook Appliance and Video for under $40! What a bargain. I helped load the stuff - pretty good for an old broad. But it wasn't anything too heavy, and we were not dragging it too far.

We took off Saturday a.m. around 7. and arrived at St. Joe about 9 a.m. - Jud was already there (he'd been in KC at GF Kara's). The loft is in an old paper warehouse, called Mitchell Park. He'd arranged to move in through the freight area and use the special elevator and cart. Two trips and we were done. Slick!

The building is awesome, and I was pleased to see has some green aspects. It's like a little community! It's also huge and must hold all age groups - young, old and families. Plus pets. Jud is on 5th floor and is rooming with a kid named Connor, a Nebraska grad who moved into the building in January.

There is a rooftop area with grills for residents' use, a pool and a workout area. Hell, I want to live there! We moved his stuff into his room and made up his bed. Paul thought the bed skirt was a little girlie, but Jud didn't protest...I think they need stuff on their walls. What a neat bachelor pad!

Kara arrived - the two were on their way to Omaha for her family gathering for a graduation party. Paul and I headed out to look around town a bit. We drove by Jud's new office and then headed home to Creston. Another chick has left the nest!

Note solar panels on parking lot lights - Jud's building

Turnin' it off

It just hit me - on the way out of the Wallace Building Thursday after work. I was trotting down the steps plotting how Jud could set up his apartment...and I realized...(Sound Trumpets). I need to turn off some of those parenting skills I've been utilizing so well for the past 25 years!

It was an "Aha Moment!" I know...you're thinking WTH...she's an intelligent, saavy, beautiful, cool (okay I'm getting carried away with the adjectives). How can she not have thought that some day she would need to ease off on the parenting gig?

I'm usually someone who can analyze situations well. So this hit me hard. I have not prepared for this! (Just ask Amy). I've laughed at helicopter parents - hey, I haven't gone that far...I never attended a job interview with my children.

But then I looked into the mirror. I am still treating my kids like they're in college. Especially with Jud. It's time to put on my big girl pants and...well. Let my kids be - grown ups!

It's going to be hard. But they're certainly up to it! Just look how great they're doing! Can I sit by and watch them suffer through tough times without jumping in and making things "all better"? Can I stop fretting up a storm over them - and let them slog through life on their own, taking their own lumps like I did? Can I wait for them to ask for help when they need it and refrain butting in when they don't?

Paul and I did a damn good job parenting from 1985 until now. We won't totally turn off the parenting buttons, but the things we've done for the past 25 years (and the fact that our offspring turned out to be damn fine peeps for whatever other reasons - genes, environment, friends) are paying off. I'm going to make a conscious effort not to be a bossy parent from now on! (Just remember one doesn't unlearn something instantly...).

Jud and Amy - all growed up!

Is there a 12-step program for this?