tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11774252004041283012024-02-03T01:49:00.752-05:00Eclectic Experimentcarriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483414028348315498noreply@blogger.comBlogger151125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177425200404128301.post-75232740278094666862010-01-19T17:38:00.002-05:002010-01-19T18:33:20.826-05:00Why I love country musicThey have some of the best lyrics:<br /><br />I hate that stupid old pickup truck,<br />You never let me drive<br />You’re a redneck, heartbreak<br />Who’s really bad at lying<br />So watch me strike a match<br />On all my wasted time<br />As far as I’m concerned,<br />You’re just another picture to burn.<br />(Taylor Swift)<br /><br />Husslers shootin' eightball<br />Throwin' darts at the wall<br />Feelin' damn near 10 ft. tall<br />Here she comes, Lord help us all<br />Ol' T.W.'s girlfriend done slapped him out' his chair<br />Poor ole boy, it ain't his fault<br />It's so hard not to stare<br />At that honky tonk badonkadonk<br />Keepin' perfect rhythm<br />Make ya wanna swing along<br />Got it goin' on<br />Like Donkey Kong<br />And whoo-wee<br />Shut my mouth, slap your grandma<br />There outta be a law<br />Get the Sheriff on the phone<br />Lord have mercy, how's she even get them britches on<br />That honky tonk badonkadonk<br />(sung by Trace Adkins)<br /><br />How do you like me now,<br />Now that I'm on my way?<br />Do you still think I'm crazy<br />Standin here today?<br />I couldnt make you love me<br />But I always dreamed about living in your radio<br />How do you like me now?<br />(Toby Keith)<br /><br /><br />He's a good-time cowboy casanova<br />Leaning up against the record machine<br />He looks like a cool drink of water<br />But he's candy-coated misery<br />He's the devil in disguise<br />A snake with blue eyes<br />And he only comes out at night<br />Gives you feelings that you don't want to fight<br />You better run for your life<br />(Carrie Underwood)<br /><br />And, of course, my favorite:<br /><br />Well, I know sometimes you think that all you really are,<br />Is the woman with the kids an' the groceries in the car.<br />An' you worry about your hips an' you worry about your age.<br />Meanwhile I'm tryin' to catch the breath you take away.<br />Oh, an' believe me, you still do.<br />Baby, all I see, when I look at you,<br /><br />Is one hot mama;<br />You turn me on, let's turn it up,<br />An' turn this room into a sauna.<br />One hot mama,<br />Oh, whaddya say, baby?<br />You wanna?carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483414028348315498noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177425200404128301.post-77627749382120012202009-12-26T08:44:00.002-05:002009-12-26T08:47:00.909-05:00In memory of IsaacIsaac William Gwaltney<br />Born and reborn December 26, 1987<br /><br />Visitor From Heaven<br />Twila Paris<br /><br />A visitor from Heaven<br />If only for a while<br />A gift of love to be returned<br />We think of you and smile<br /><br />A visitor from Heaven<br />Accompanied by grace<br />Reminding of a better love<br />And of a better place<br /><br />With aching hearts and empty arms<br />We send you with a name<br />It hurts so much to let you go<br />But we’re so glad you came<br />We’re so glad you came<br /><br />A visitor from Heaven<br />If only for a day<br />We thank Him for the time He gave<br />And now it’s time to say<br />We trust you to the Father’s love<br />And to His tender care<br />Held in the everlasting arms<br />And we’re so glad you’re there<br />We’re so glad you’re there<br /><br />With breaking hearts and open hands<br />We send you with a name<br />It hurts so much to let you go<br />But we’re so glad you came<br />We’re so glad you camecarriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483414028348315498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177425200404128301.post-58790500730401227482009-11-28T10:07:00.001-05:002009-11-28T10:09:35.779-05:00Overparenting"Fear is a kind of parenting fungus: invisible, insidious, perfectly designed to decompose your peace of mind."<br /><br />Nancy Gibbs<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Can These Parents Be Saved?</span><br />Time Magazine Nov 30thcarriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483414028348315498noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177425200404128301.post-25073941622546330712009-08-04T11:58:00.004-05:002009-08-04T12:09:16.896-05:00A pointless exerciseI was born 54 years ago<br />I graduated from high school 37 years ago.<br />I bought my first car (for $500) 37 years ago.<br />I was married 34 years ago.<br />I went to Europe 33 years ago.<br />I was divorced 30 years ago.<br />I gave my last horse away to a friend 29 years ago.<br />I graduated from college 27 years ago. <br />I moved to NC 27 years ago. <br />I met Will 26 years ago.<br />I married Will 25 years ago.<br />I worked my last day of a full-time job 24 years ago.<br />I had my first child 24 years ago.<br />My second child died at birth 21 years ago.<br />I started homeschooling 19 years ago.<br />We moved to Alabama 18 years ago. <br />We returned to NC 13 years ago.<br />My youngest child was born 12 years ago.<br />My oldest child graduated from college and was married 1 year ago.<br />I joined the Catholic Church 3 weeks ago.carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483414028348315498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177425200404128301.post-59273685699478402852009-07-13T14:11:00.005-05:002009-07-15T11:23:58.743-05:00Coming "home" to the RCCThis is mostly a reprint of something I posted on my wall on facebook. <br /><br />I joined the Catholic church in a Rite of Reception yesterday, July 12th. Of course no one thought to bring a camera, so there are no pictures. It's a shame, because I looked good! ;-) (Even though I was nervous!)<br /><br />Will was my sponsor, which was comforting. Father John loves the anointing oil, so he poured a liberal amount on my head in the shape of a cross, and then rubbed it down my forehead and cheeks. I dripped for several hours until I could shower! It smells wonderful, though, so I didn't mind much looking like a drowned rat.<br /><br />When I came back down the aisle to Will after taking communion (the new members take first), he was crying. We knelt together and he just held my arm and cried quietly for a while. It was very sweet. ... <br /><br />The Liturgy of the Eucharist really did take on special meaning for me once I knew I could fully participate. I felt like I was hearing and saying all of it for the first time.<br /><br />Deciding to join the RCC was a leap of faith, even with all the careful consideration I put into it over the past three years. In the end I had to just step up and do it. In some ways the deciding factor was the structure, freedom within boundaries meant a true freedom for me. I finally realized that I have felt like so much depended on me in the past, and now I don't. I love the Sacraments because they are God's doing. They work because he wills it. Not because of me, or the priest, but because God wills it. I get grace no matter what. I get to stop trying to interpret God or His will. I get to receive and then, hopefully, spread it around. I don't' have to be careful with it. I can love recklessly and let God sort it all out.<br /><br />The structure of the RCC and of the Mass specifically allows me to not only be free, but to grab on when I don't know what to do or how to feel...which is often. The liturgy lays the path out for me to follow, and again, God's will means the path is right.<br /><br />I still have many question and confusions about the Church. And I know they are as screwed up as any other church or institution. But to paraphrase one of the disciples, "Where else would I go? You alone can show me the truth."<br /><br />Thank you to all my friends who have influenced me, supported me, prayed for me, admonished me, challenged me, changed me, argued with me, and loved me. I thank God for you daily.<br /><br />Edited to Add: Will wants me to make sure everyone knows he cried in a very manly way. ;-)carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483414028348315498noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177425200404128301.post-26734502709931225602009-06-23T08:48:00.003-05:002009-06-23T09:08:32.276-05:00Marriage, revisitedI recently had a conversation with <a href="http://julieunplugged.blogspot.com/">Julie</a> about marriage. Her question was whether we should reverence long-term marriages. It's a good post and a good conversation. Check it out if you haven't already.<br /><br />My take, much distilled, is that marriage shouldn't be reverenced at all, but relationships need to be supported and nurtured. I also pointed out that for whatever reason, people still want/need long-term, committed relationships. We seem to be built that way. Whether it's family, friends, or lovers, we want people who will be in our lives for the long haul, and ending those relationships is extrememly painful.<br /><br />Last night while I lounged on the bed sporadically reading my book, Iturned on the TV and caught part of a movie titled <span style="font-style:italic;">Shall We Dance?</span> The movie is so-so, but it has an interesting message about marriage, midlife changes, and "finding yourself." (How cliche is that?) The character played by Susan Sarandon hires a private investigator because she thinks her husband is having an affair. The PI asks a rhetorical question at one point- "Why do people still want to get married?" Sarandon's character gives this answer, "People get married to have a witness for their life." She goes on to expand on that thought in a short monologue that I think is full of truth and insight. We live on a crowded planet. Marriage, or any long-term relationship, helps give our life continuity and meaning. Having someone witness our life helps validate it. I know as I get older the people who have known me for 10, 15, or even 20 years hold a special place in my life. They have the back story, they know the score, and they are still there. Witnessing my life, giving it meaning, supporting and loving me. In a society where other long-term relationships are fragile- community, friends, extended family- we want to think someone is committed to being there, not leaving, not moving away, but always there giving continuity to our days. Our lives are like art masterpieces that need viewers to appreciate them. What do they matter if no one is there to share the joy, beauty, and pain? Lovers, friends, families, communities all give our lives that shared meaning.<br /><br />Why do people still hope and pray marriage works? At least partly because we want someone there to witness our life so we know it matters; that we matter.carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483414028348315498noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177425200404128301.post-85500835837319794722009-06-21T12:37:00.002-05:002009-06-21T12:50:04.179-05:0042 hours aloneTrue confession time. I think I'm turning into a closet introvert. For the past few years my evenings have consisted mainly of me retiring to my room to surf the web, read, or watch TV. Hopefully, by myself. And now I've spent the last 42 hours by myself, mainly in my house, alone, and it's been blissful. Heaven. Like getting into a warm, scented bath on a winter evening, or downing that first drink of something cool and wet after mowing the lawn, or jogging in the heat. For 42 hours no one talked to me, no one needed anything, and no one needed a ride anywhere. No deadlines.<br /><br />I've watched five movies. I've read for hours. I ate only what and when I wanted. I exercised when I felt like it. I spent over an hour in a book store just browsing. I did laundry and cleaned my bathroom, but I even enjoyed that.<br /><br />I never thought a weekend to myself as very appealing. I've known people to go on silent retreats and I thought that was cool, but not for me. Maybe it's age. Who knows. But while I love, love, love to spend time with my husband, and I enjoy my children and friends, I find I enjoy myself, too. And I find I really enjoy watching movies alone. And I like to read. And I like to "waste" time doing almost nothing.<br /><br />I'm looking forward to my week alone with Will in July. That's a different and wonderful kind of alone time, and I treasure it even more than time totally alone. But totally alone has grown in appeal, at least for 42 hours. That's probably just the right amount of time. Or maybe about 42 more would be nice, too.carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483414028348315498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177425200404128301.post-29284369210481508692009-05-21T10:55:00.004-05:002009-05-21T11:28:29.852-05:00Checking inI'm mostly posting to keep my blog from being blown away into cyberspace. I need to grab some posts that I like off of here before I let it die it's much overdue death. In the future I may feel a need to write down my thought processes again, but not now. Writing isn't a natural medium for me. If there are thoughts crowding in my head dying to get out, they will simply spew out of my mouth, for better or worse. I talk; I'm a talker. That's what I do.<br /><br />It's not that I don't think I can write. I do okay, much better than 10, or even 5, years ago. But I'll never be a <span style="font-style:italic;">writer.</span> I have no compulsion to write, no story that is dying to get out, no poem dancing in my head, no pithy sayings ready to edify anyone who stumbles on them.<br /><br />I don't want to post about the inner workings of my mind. I don't want to lay my mid-life crises open to inspection. No one really needs to hear how I'm handling the approach of another birthday or the disappointment over the choices of one of my children. I don 't want to talk about current events, religion, or politics. I don't know who's right or wrong...or if anyone is. <br /><br />If I could write a story, or describe witty scenes of my life, I might keep going. But honestly, my days are pretty normal and my experiences not all that unique. I laugh and I cry. I fight my personal demons and my own character flaws. I succeed more times than I should, and fail more times than I like. I love my children. I love my husband. I haven't figured out the meaning of life. I haven't figured out how to live life to the fullest yet. <br /><br />Some days I am who my husband sees me to be: strong, capable, loving, smart, and sexy. Some days I'm the person I dislike the most: paralyzed, petty, selfish, and indulgent. Some days I marvel at my own strength, other days I cringe at my own weakness. I don't expect too many people are very interested in reading about either version. ;-)<br /><br />So all you writers out there keep clacking away at those keyboards. We need you. Those of us who don't write need to have something to fill our time!carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483414028348315498noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177425200404128301.post-74037879826024505922009-01-28T22:19:00.004-05:002009-05-21T11:32:41.608-05:00Reading romancesI actually slid into reading romance novels by reading a mystery series that had a complex, believable romance intertwined with it. Even though the two main characters get married in the second or third book, the author takes her time exploring this relationship between a Hispanic divorced, former narcotics cop (reformed alcoholic), and a young widow in California over the course of 7 or 8 books. The clash of cultures, backgrounds, and experiences that were frankly more interesting than the actual mysteries. Her books didn't have any sex, just sexual tension, romance, and relationship struggles. (The author is Earlene Fowler and her books are found in the mystery section of the bookstore, not romance).<br /><br />I was reading Fowler's website when I clicked some links to "romance" authors. Fowler admits her books cross genres, and obviously enjoys both romance and mystery books. I've since come to understand that romance crosses boundaries with mystery and sci-fi/fantasy so deeply that some books are shelved both places in bookstores. BTW- romances are loosely divided into historical, contemporary, paranormal (werewolves, vampires, etc), sci-fi, and suspense/action.<br /><br />Okay, so that sets up the background. From Fowler's link I found other authors and started checking them out at the library. I started with mysteries. Charlaine Harris has several series, and they vary in their sexual content. The lighter series is the Aurora Teagarden series. A grittier series, with more sex, is the Lily Bard series. Her sexier, much weirder, often humorous series is the Southern Vampire (also called Sookie Stackhouse) series. The HBO show True Blood is based on these books.<br /><br />From the mysteries with some sexual content, I "graduated" to the romance with a little action/mystery. ;-) The difference is subtle sometimes, but the major component is that the relationship is as important as any other plot line in the book, maybe more so. One of the first authors was Susanne Brockman. She writes a decent suspense/action book filled with hunky ex-Navy SEALS and such. Her plots and characterizations are decent. Her story is as important as the relationship, and she's good with the sexual tension part. Many of her books are about the same group of people, just focusing on different characters. One main character is gay. She has a gay son (she writes about him in a moving prologue), and she does a decent job with that character and his relationship. Two of my favorites are Bodyguard and Flashpoint.<br /><br />Other decent suspense/romance or mystery/romance authors where the plot is as important as the romance aspect.:<br />Penny McCall<br />Susanne Enoch (series starting with Flirting With Danger)<br />Nora Roberts (She writes all types of romance, and she writes futuristic detective type stories as J. D. Robb. One of my favorites is High Noon- not a western, btw.)<br />Linda Howard- some are good, some so-so.<br /><br />I enjoy sci-fi and fantasy, and some of the better books of the romance genre are cross-overs in these categories. My favorite author is Linnea Sinclair. She writes strong female characters who aren't dominated by their sexy male counterpoints. She writes good sci-fi plots and has well-visualized universe. Games of Command is probably my favorite, but I've liked all her books.<br /><br />Other good sci-fi/fantasy authors:<br />Ann Aguirre<br />Jeaniene Frost<br />Eve Kenin<br />Patricia Brigg (especially her Mercy Thompson series. She is not a romance author, but romance is part of her books. She is probably considered a YA author by some, but one or two of her books get a little racy for young teens.)<br /><br />Okay, please note: Many of the books I mentioned have fairly graphic sex scenes somewhere in the book. Mostly the characters aren't married when this happens. If you don't like reading about pre-marital sex, these books aren't for you. ;-) If you'd rather no sex, one excellent author of Regency period romances, known for historic accuracy, wonderful dialog, great plots, and detailed characters is Georgette Heyer. Her books are being reprinted and are truly wonderful reads.carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483414028348315498noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177425200404128301.post-37365567499398366142009-01-22T20:47:00.003-05:002009-01-22T20:57:16.736-05:00Have You Ever....In the spirit of Random Things and getting to know you better, I'll add this list. Thanks to my friend, Beth.<br /><br />01. Start your own blog -- Yes<br />02. Sleep under the stars -- Yes<br />03. Play in a band -- No<br />04. Visit Hawaii -- Yes, but I was young<br />05. Watch a meteor shower -- Yes<br />06. Give more than you can afford to charity -- No<br />07. Go to Disneyworld -- No, but I went to Disneyland as a child.<br />08. Climb a mountain -- No<br />09. Hold a praying mantis -- Yes<br />10. Sing a solo -- No<br />11. Bungee jump -- No<br />12. Visit Paris -- No<br />13. Watch a lightning storm at sea -- Yes<br />14. Teach yourself an art technique -- Yes<br />15. Adopt a child -- No<br />16. Eat sushi -- Yes, well I tried. Ick.<br />17. Walk to the top of the Statue of Liberty -- No<br />18. Grow your own vegetables -- Yes<br />19. See the Mona Lisa in France -- No<br />20. Sleep on an overnight train -- Yes<br />21. Have a pillow fight -- Yes<br />22. Hitch hike -- NO<br />23. Look at the rings of Saturn through a telescope -- Yes<br />24. Build a snow fort -- Yes<br />25. Hold a lamb -- Yes<br />26. Climb to the top of a lighthouse -- Yes<br />27. Run a Marathon -- No<br />28. Ride in a gondola in Venice -- No<br />29. See a total eclipse -- Yes<br />30. Watch a sunrise or sunset -- Yes<br />31. Hit a home run -- No<br />32. Go on a cruise -- Yes<br />33. See Niagara Falls in person -- No<br />34. Visit the birthplace of your ancestors -- Yes- it helps when some are Native Americans.<br />35. Visit an Amish community -- Yes<br />36. Teach yourself a new language -- No, I tried and failed.<br />37. Have enough money to be truly satisfied -- Yes<br />38. See the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person -- No<br />39. Go rock climbing -- Not formally. I've climbed rocks.<br />40. See Michelangelo's David -- No<br />41. Sing karaoke in public -- No<br />42. See Old Faithful geyser erupt in person -- No<br />43. Buy a stranger a meal at a restaurant -- Yes<br />44. Visit Africa -- No<br />45. Walk on a beach by moonlight -- Yes<br />46. Ride in a helicopter -- Yes<br />47. Have your portrait painted -- No<br />48. Go deep sea fishing -- Hmmm...I don't really know. I've been fishing in a boat off the Bahamas. Is that "deep sea"?<br />49. See the Sistine Chapel in person -- No<br />50. Go to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris -- No<br />51. Go scuba diving or snorkeling -- Yes<br />52. Kiss in the rain -- Yes<br />53. Play in the mud -- Yes<br />54. Watch a movie at a drive-in theater -- Yes<br />55. Be in a movie -- No<br />56. Visit the Great Wall of China -- No<br />57. Start a business -- No<br />58. Take a martial arts class -- Yes<br />59. Visit Russia -- No<br />60. Serve meals at a soup kitchen -- No<br />61. Sell Girl Scout cookies -- No<br />62. Go whale watching -- No<br />63. Get or send flowers for no reason -- Yes<br />64. Donate blood, platelets or plasma -- Yes to all three.<br />65. Go sky diving -- No<br />66. Visit a Nazi Concentration Camp -- No. <br />67. Adopt a pet from a rescue shelter -- Yes<br />68. Pilot an airplane -- No<br />69. Save a favorite childhood toy -- Yes- not a toy, but a iron statue of a horse I got when I was 7.<br />70. Visit the Lincoln Memorial -- Yes<br />71. Eat Caviar -- Yes, ick.<br />72. Make a quilt -- No<br />73. Stand in Times Square -- Yes<br />74. Tour the Everglades -- No<br />75. Visit the Viet Nam Memorial -- No<br />76. See the Changing of the Guard in London -- No<br />77. Drive a race car -- No<br />78. Ride on a speeding motorcycle -- Yes<br />79. See the Grand Canyon in person -- No<br />80. Publish a book -- No<br />81. Visit the Vatican -- No<br />82. Buy a brand new car -- Yes<br />83. Walk in Jerusalem -- No<br />84. Have your picture in the newspaper -- Yes<br />85. Read the entire Bible -- No<br />86. Visit the White House -- No<br />87. Kill and prepare an animal for eating -- No<br />88. Hike the Appalachian Trail -- Yes, a part of it.<br />89. Save someone's life -- No<br />90. Sit on a jury -- No, I was called for jury duty but never sat on a jury<br />91. Meet someone famous -- Yes, I think so.<br />92. Join a book club --Yes<br />93. Own an iPod -- Yes<br />94. Have a Facebook page -- Yes<br />95. See the Alamo in person -- Yes<br />96. Swim in the Great Salt Lake -- No<br />97. Cross country snow ski -- No<br />98. Hold a snake -- Yes<br />99. See Van Gogh's Starry Night in person -- No<br />100. Read an entire book in one day -- Yes, many times.carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483414028348315498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177425200404128301.post-18597075000829450012009-01-22T13:13:00.003-05:002009-01-22T13:36:58.690-05:0025 Random Things About MeThis was suppose to go on Facebook, but there are too many teens who check out my page. So I'm putting this here.<br /><br />1. My parent and siblings thought I should never have children because I wouldn't be a good mom. They thought I should have a career and animals.<br />2. It took me many years to believe what they said wasn't true.<br />3. It took me a few more years to realize they really didn't mean it to be unkind. But it showed me the power of words in a person's life. Be careful what you tell a child they can or cannot do. They believe you.<br />4. It was after my divorce at 24 that I realized what I wanted was a husband, home, and family.<br />5. I spent 4 years working with race horses and living on racetacks up and down the east coast, from 20-24. I was alternately an exercise rider and a groom.<br />6. Horses are my first love. I haven't really been around them in years, but I know exactly how they feel, small, and sound. They will always be the most beautiful things on earth to me.<br />7. I gave up horses to be a wife and mother. I don't regret it, but I miss it. I believe life is about choices and that "having it all" is a myth that breeds discontent and heartache. <br />8. This past year I've started reading romance novels for fun. I'm not into the historic bodice-rippers, but I like the contemporary romantic suspense or sci-fi novels. Even the risque ones.<br />9. I'm an extrovert. I get energy from being around people. But I'm more likely to want to be home these days than out and about. Maybe it's because I've got enough people around me here that I don't need to venture far from home for company.<br />10. Fridays after I teach at Providence are my favorite times of the week. I don't have any commitments and no deadlines. I get into pj's and curl up with a good book or a movie. Bliss.<br />11. I went skinny dipping in the ocean off the NJ shore long years ago. That was during my racetrack years.<br />12. I'm not really fond of ice cream. Homemade is good, store-bought I can pass on.<br />13. I can't pass on homemade cookies (although I almost never eat packaged ones). I'll eat my weight in just about any homemade cookie. Hense the reason I don't make cookies.<br />14. I don't really know what I believe anymore, but I'm less worried about it than when I thought I knew. I've stopped trying to pin God down. I can recite the Nicene creed and believe it. I just don't sweat the details anymore.<br />15. I'm still not 100% sure about what to about church. I like the Catholic Mass, but shy away from the commitment of joining. I'm not much into obligations right now.<br />16. I've never been skiing, or ice skating.<br />17. I wear earrings every day. I rarely wear any other jewelry except my wedding rings. I feel really naked without earrings.<br />18. When I'm feeling stressed or depressed, I can read an entire average-length book in a day or less. One month last summer I read close to 50 books.<br />19. I don't really mind clutter in my house. I mind that other people might mind my clutter.<br />20. I don't like day-to-day meal making, but look forward to the day I have time to make fun and interesting dishes. I like cooking with Will.<br />21. I'm scared of getting Alzheimer's, like my mother.<br />22. I lived in Japan for a year when I was young. I've rarely worn shoes in the house since. It's just never felt right.<br />23. I took 4 years of French in high school and another two semesters in college. I had a decent grasp of the language. At 19 I gave up a chance to go to Paris for a month to live with a family and speak only French. I gave it up 'cause my boyfriend was angry I was going. Not THAT, I regret to this day. That was the guy I married and divorced.<br />24. I am a master procrastinator. I'm doing that now, writing this and not grading papers due tomorrow.<br />25. For two hours every Friday I have a room full of teens for Biology. I like these kids. And for two hours I try to accept them unconditionally. I don't think about what I know of them outside of class, if they are "nice" or not, wild or not. I try to treat them with respect and love. To help them feel valued. I hope I succeed.carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483414028348315498noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177425200404128301.post-41693684072505814342009-01-14T09:43:00.002-05:002009-01-14T09:46:03.746-05:00Congratulations to us! 25 Years and still loving it.To my dearest husband, Will: You are my heart. <br /><br />Every year really is better than the last. Thank you.carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483414028348315498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177425200404128301.post-83598782008740274932008-10-08T12:24:00.005-05:002008-10-08T12:45:31.958-05:00"..the remains of a fine woman...""<span style="font-style:italic;">Yes, there are the remains of a fine woman about Ruth</span>." Pirates of Penzance<br /><br />So says one of the pirate's, Sam when asked by Frederick whether Ruth is pretty or not. Frederick hasn't seen another woman's face since he was mistakenly placed as an apprentice to the Pirate King by his nursemaid, Ruth, at 8 years old. Fred is now 21 and Ruth 47. This is one of the pivotal points of the farce..Ruth is now a plain middle-aged woman and Fred is looking for a pretty wife.<br /><br />I used to think this such a funny line, but not so much any more. Perhaps because it has been several years since I've realized it is more true than funny. Our culture isn't nice to middle-aged women, thinking them mostly to be pitied, ignored or laughed at. Mostly ignored. I tell my husband I've gradually become the invisible woman. Totally unseen in shops, restaurants, and elsewhere.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong. I don't necessarily think Ruth a suitable spouse for Frederick, even in fiction. But if the situation had been a man of 47 and a woman of 21? Of course it wouldn't have been thought so unthinkable as to be immediately funny to everyone. "Wink, wink, nod, nod, say-no-more, say-no-more." We all <span style="font-weight:bold;">get</span> the absurdity of a handsome young man marrying a plain middle-aged woman.<br /><br />"<span style="font-style:italic;">There are the remains of a fine woman</span>....." Honestly, it's a little harder to laugh at this when you feel the force of the truth in it all too well. There are many things I like about getting older, and maybe even wiser, but what time does to the body isn't one of those things.carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483414028348315498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177425200404128301.post-73957538340468351872008-08-14T18:50:00.005-05:002008-08-15T07:05:00.091-05:00Lifting the CurtainI had an epiphany today. I realized that as a "good Christian," I'd basically rewritten 14 years of my life, from age 14 to 28. I'd taken the R and X-rated truth and made it PG for the benefit of my family and friends. I quickly picked up on the expectations that if there were egregious sins in my past they weren't to be mentioned except obliquely, and then only to "give my testimony" about how God saved me from my wicked ways.<br /><br />I complied. I was ashamed, even horrified, by my past. I buried it and praised God for forgiveness and another chance. But midlife reevaluation has hit and now I realize something. I hate having almost a third of my life hidden behind a veil, shut away even from me. No one really knows me, because what I went through those years is an important part of who I am. Along with the things I did that I really do regret, there are some gems. There are relationships that may not have been good choices, but were, and are, sweet memories. I've hidden almost everything for years in fear that anyone who knew what I was really capable of would reject me. All those Christians would be horrified. And I think there is truth in that fear.<br /><br />I'm not interested in bragging about indiscretion or flaunting sinful behavior. And I would be more than sad to see my children making the decisions I made. I'm not glorifying or rationalizing. What I'm doing is saying is stuff happened, and it's part of who I am.<br /><br />I started talking to Will about it all when a song on the radio brought back a long-forgotten memory. The memory was so powerful that it overwhelmed me, and I felt like I was shaking for several days. One of the reasons I was so shaken by it was that even though the memory should have made me feel sorrow at my actions, it only made me feel pain and a longing....a longing to remember more. <br /><br />The memory was from about 30 years ago. I was 22 and had been in an emotionally and sometimes physically abusive marriage for almost three years. My husband, Dennis, was a racehorse trainer and we were stabled at Timonium, outside of Baltimore, MD. I remember it was spring and beautiful...everything smelled fresh and new. One day when I was holding a horse for our farrier, Peter, Dennis asked him if I could stay with him for the weekend. Just like that. Like I was a pet dog and Peter was going to dog-sit. Peter had been flirting outrageously with me for months, but that was par for the course at the racetrack. I was female...that was the only criteria needed for every male to make a pass at you. Pete didn't hide it from Dennis, and it didn't matter 'cause Dennis considered it a joke, or some sort of backhanded compliment. But Dennis wanted to go away for a long weekend with the owner of our racehorses, supposedly to an auction, but most likely just to party. We only had one vehicle and our apartment was 45 minutes from the track. I needed to be there each day to take care of the horses, so Dennis needed to find a solution. Pete was his solution.<br /><br />Pete said sure, and I said nothing at all. Pete was a nice guy, late 20's, good looking and fit. He also drank all day from a flask of vodka and orange juice. I still remember how he always smelled..of horse, leather, vodka and orange juice. <br /><br />After I finished with the horses the day Dennis left, I climbed into Peter's Volvo wagon and we drove on out to his place farther in the country. I don't remember feeling anything in particular. Perhaps I was even glad to be somewhere else for a change, for Dennis to be gone. Pete and I never even talked about it, or acted like I didn't always go home with him. I know we had a good weekend. We were at the racetrack every morning to work, and spent every afternoon together. I slept with him at night. He packed a lunch for us one day and we drove to a beautiful spot by a creek and we ate lunch and talked. On Sunday, which was Mother's Day, we helped Pete's family deliver flowers around Baltimore. That lunch and the time at the florist shop made something snap inside of me. I felt like I'd been drugged and had finally awakened. I knew I didn't have to live the way I'd been living. <br /><br />When Dennis returned he picked me up at Pete's house. We all went out to dinner like it was the most normal thing in the world. Pete didn't ask me to stay, although he would have let me if I'd wanted to. I didn't want to. He was sweet, but he had a drinking problem. Plus he worked at the race track, and I was beginning to understand I couldn't stay there forever.<br /><br />Pete and I remained friends, and he even recommended me as an exercise rider to the owners of <a href="http://eclectic-experiment.blogspot.com/search/label/horses">Right Pot. </a> But by the end of that summer I had decided to leave the track. Four months after that, Dennis and I officially separated. Within a year after that weekend, I was divorced and never saw Pete again.<br /><br />I don't plan on dragging up episodes from my past private life for all to dissect, but at the same time I am not going to deny that they exist. Many of the memories really are painful, with no real redeeming sweetness. Maybe only Will will hear about who I was, and how that affects who I am. He assures me he'll love me just the same, and I believe him.<br /><br />I really am thankful for the chance God gave me for a new life with Will. And by the way, the song that sparked the long-buried memory was <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxtvHxQllzM">Make a Memory</a> by Bon Jovi.carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483414028348315498noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177425200404128301.post-22406550922704797412008-08-13T16:53:00.006-05:002008-08-13T17:02:50.158-05:00My sister-in-law named 2009 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail<a href="http://www.iditarod.com/teachers/tott.html">Cathy Walters- 2009 Teacher on the Trail</a><br /><br />My wonderful sister-in-law has been named Iditarod's 2009 Teacher on the Trail. It's an amazing amount of work, but she's so excited about the challenge. She'll spend a month in Alaska next winter before, during, and after the race. She will be flown in a small plane from checkpoint to checkpoint throughout the race, where she will file reports for teachers and students across the country to use in "real time" during the race. Throughout this year Cathy will develop curriculum and other classroom materials for use in schools across the country.<br /><br />I can't tell you how proud I am of Cathy. She's always been a loving, funny, special person, and I'm so happy she's getting this once in a lifetime chance and recognition for how fantastic she is as a teacher.<br /><br />You can also see a short video of her on the main <a href="http://www.iditarod.com/">Iditarod</a> page.carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483414028348315498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177425200404128301.post-68405436342815048202008-08-08T09:10:00.002-05:002008-08-08T09:20:46.401-05:00My new musical findMeet Marc Broussard....<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV_eeDKzqlM">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV_eeDKzqlM</a><br /><br />I can't seem to embed the video, but it's worth following the link....carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483414028348315498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177425200404128301.post-23701298256374983532008-06-30T07:28:00.004-05:002008-07-01T09:01:48.852-05:00Surprise! Obama's true colors emerge.While John McCain is trying to shore up his support among conservatives by reversing himself on tax cuts, off shore drilling, and immigration, Obama has joined the "business as usual" politics with his rejection of public campaign financing and his "ruthless aversion to American Muslims." (William Falk, The Week July 4-11) According to Falk, at a rally last week in Detroit, Obama aides made two scarf-wearing Muslim women leave their seats, lest TV viewers see them in the same picture as the candidate.The NYTimes reports Obama has canceled or turned down all speaking engagements with Arab-American groups, and asked the only member of congress ever sworn in on a Koran, Keith Ellison, to cancel a planned speech on Obama's behalf.<br /><br />Jay Newton of Time.com says Obama is walking a thin line. He skyrocketed to the nomination by casting himself as a principled outsider. Lately, though, the Democratic nominee has been acting like everyone else in Washington. As Richard Cohen of the Washington Post put it, instead of being the agent of change, "it's difficult to recall of a time when Obama has ever alienated his liberal base or took any real political risk." <br /><br />David Brooks of the NYTimes said when Obama somehow made his "cutthroat political calculation" to reject public financing "seem like Mother Teresa's final steps to sainthood," he couldn't help feeling a little awe. This guy is good. "Even Bill Clinton wasn't smart enough to succeed in politics by pretending to renounce politics."<br /><br />So there you are, folks. Vote for Obama if you agree with his (very liberal) economic, social, and political agendas. But don't fool yourself and think he's somehow going to "change" how politics is done. He's a politician playing the same games as all the others. His nebulous, feel-good messages of change and hope are just so much campaign fodder. McCain, who at this point really is sticking with public financing, is probably going to lose since he will have less than a third of the money that Obama will now have to work with. <br /><br />Obama has shown his true agenda, and he's now going to probably win because he isn't willing to play on a level playing field. It's now "do anything to win" and then rationalize that it's for "the good of the people."carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483414028348315498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177425200404128301.post-32177377511018068412008-06-14T09:38:00.004-05:002008-06-14T09:59:21.878-05:00Treading water in the TiberWell, everything is on hold again as far as joining the Catholic Church. (I'll try to get back to my story of how I got here..where ever here is...soon.)<br /><br />We tried to figure out the logistics of how to join the RCC, but it didn't come out satisfactorily for me. We try to go to both churches each weekend, but the truth is Will really has to juggle to make it to mass each week, and in the Catholic Church that's a problem. I realized that I didn't want to join the church until I could mean what I promised, which would include trying my best to attend mass weekly. Right now I can't make that promise. I realized that I am too tied to the church we've been going to for years. I want to be part of that community for my kids' sakes. I enjoy the community and friendship, too, of course, but mainly I want the kids to know I'm in solidarity with them. I realized my joining another church right now, and splitting my time between them, was too much. <br /><br />I support Will's decision to join the Church, and I want to continue to go with him whenever I can. Someday I will join. But right now I don't want to make any promises that I can't keep, so here I am, in the middle of the Tiber, treading water! Indecision, or in this case the decision not to make a final choice, is not a comfortable place for me, but it just might be where God wants me right now. I've always been the type to want the answers NOW, to have my life planned out with no real uncertainty. Are you laughing?? Yes, well, God chuckles at that, too, I think. In fact, the idea that there is no good answer right now is probably God's answer for me.<br /><br />Maybe I'll slowly find God on His terms instead of being handed some prepackaged set of beliefs given by someone else, or lots of someone elses. I don't like not knowing what God expects, and not having any boxes to check or lists to cross off. Right now I'm not comfortable. I worry. I wonder. I fret. What should I do, where should I go, what should I believe, is this true, or is this Truth? I believe this mid-life crisis of faith is designed by God to shake me up and get me moving. God seems to do "uncomfortable" well. ;-)carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483414028348315498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177425200404128301.post-35257347960383899452008-06-04T12:09:00.005-05:002008-06-04T13:03:47.702-05:00Obama gets the nod...It's been a long fight in the democratic primary, as you all know if you haven't been doing research on Antarctica. But it's over. Obama makes history as the first African-American candidate for president for a major party. <br /><br />This time around history was going to be made one way or another. A woman or a black man, either way it was going to open doors and, hopefully, open a few mids. That's good. I am truly pleases that women and minorities are being taken seriously in this country. I only wish I could support one of them.<br /><br />But I can't. <br /><br />I'm glad that this day has come, and we are taking new steps into a future not based on gender or color. I'm going to take that step boldly and say that I will <span style="font-style:italic;">not</span> vote for someone, anyone, just because they are black or are a woman. As many news anchors commented, the actually positions held by Clinton and Obama are indistinguishable, and on too many levels those positions are untenable for me.<br /><br />Obama's campaigners may all dance around to strains of "We Are the Champions" today, but what is at stake here isn't an ideal, or a feeling, or a vague sense of "change." What's at stake is the future of our country, and I honestly believe Obama's economic plans are disastrous. I think his plan to pull the troops out of Iraq without adequate regard to the safety of that country is unethical. I think his words are big and his plans are small. I think he is a talker instead of a doer. And he has no real history of "crossing the aisle" and working on compromise. This "agent of change" that has so many people excited is going to be one more polarizing politician.<br /><br />My money and my vote will go to the one candidate that actually does have a history of being different, a maverick, and agent of change, and an aisle crosser. John McCain.<br /><br />In November if Obama loses to McCain I'm sure the U.S. will get all kinds of harassment and censure from Europeans on how we are backwards and unable to vote a black man into office. That, of course, will only show their own bias. Are we suppose to think about skin color or not??? But if McCain wins it will be because this country really is ready for change... a change from polarizing politics to real solutions.carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483414028348315498noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177425200404128301.post-69974566251883243092008-05-27T16:50:00.004-05:002008-05-27T17:00:20.799-05:00More Wedding photos<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3256/2526317180_45b6856b0d.jpg?v=0"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3256/2526317180_45b6856b0d.jpg?v=0" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2327/2526344164_d4f4105c13.jpg?v=0"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2327/2526344164_d4f4105c13.jpg?v=0" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2100/2525541329_c4756a17eb.jpg?v=0"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2100/2525541329_c4756a17eb.jpg?v=0" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3031/2526367908_2ef61af73a.jpg?v=0"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3031/2526367908_2ef61af73a.jpg?v=0" border="0" alt="" /></a>carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483414028348315498noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177425200404128301.post-6870726890529874852008-05-26T18:28:00.004-05:002008-05-26T18:38:11.354-05:00A few wedding pictures!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2348/2526227558_721f075de5.jpg?v=0"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2348/2526227558_721f075de5.jpg?v=0" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2184/2526224484_80027d06fc.jpg?v=0"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2184/2526224484_80027d06fc.jpg?v=0" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2097/2526230586_75676d550c.jpg?v=0"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2097/2526230586_75676d550c.jpg?v=0" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3291/2526237430_44a490ba8b.jpg?v=0"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3291/2526237430_44a490ba8b.jpg?v=0" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />If you click on the picture you will get a larger image. The two bridesmaids are my two younger daughters, and, of course, Will is walking Hannah down the aisle. I'll post more pictures soon!carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483414028348315498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177425200404128301.post-76262290894533582082008-05-19T12:46:00.004-05:002008-05-19T13:25:04.875-05:00The Wedding Weekend- Saturday MorningOur plan was to pick up the photographer (Olivia) at 8:30 Saturday morning, so I set the alarm for about 6:30. (The photographer is the daughter of a friend of mine who is apprenticing in photography.) I woke up before that, but felt so tired I couldn't drag myself out of bed right away. The morning's activities looked daunting to me, and I wanted to delay getting started! However, I finally did rouse myself to action, and after a cup of coffee, got the kids up. Hannah was already up after getting only 3 or 4 hours sleep. Will, Hannah, and I had all made "What To Take" lists and after each list had been consulted, we managed <span style="font-style:italic;">not to forget anything</span> at home. I call that a miracle, especially considering we had all of the bride's stuff, the dresses, shoes, etc, for both bridesmaids (my other two daughters) and for myself, as well as make-up, hair stuff, bouquets, table decorations, rings, homemade candies, cupcake stands, and more. It all made it!<br /><br />We picked up Olivia about 10 minutes late, and got to the restaurant a little later than planned, but no harm done. We dumped all the dresses and paraphernalia at a "sister" restaurant next door since we would all be dressing there, and took the rest of the wedding stuff on to <a href="http://www.redroomraleigh.com/default.asp">The Red Room</a>, where Hannah was getting married. The groom and groomsmen arrived in a timely fashion, as well as the flower girl and the pastor, <a href="http://jchalmers.blogspot.com/">Jimmy Chalmers</a>. (Jimmy wrote a short piece about the wedding on his site yesterday.) They did a quick run-through of the wedding, and then we "girls" retired to get ready.<br /><br />Hannah and the bridesmaids walked up the aisle to Pachalbel's Canon, and the whole wedding went off smoothly, even though the grooms ring was still sitting in a box next door at the <span style="font-style:italic;">other</span> restaurant! The pastor, my daughter Rebekah, Hannah, and Erik all pulled off a convincing pantomime, and no one knew until afterwards that no ring was actually there for the ceremony! The service took 12 minutes. Afterwards, the guests talked outside in the beautiful weather while the chairs were removed and tables set up, and while photographs were taken. <br /><br />Speaking of photographs, I honestly don't have any. Not one. We'll be getting some, of course, but over the whole weekend we did not personally take ONE photograph. I was too busy! I'll try to post some as I get them from friends and family (and photographer!).<br /><br />We had a tight budget for this wedding, but it was intimate and beautiful none-the-less. the bride made all the floral decorations herself from silk flowers, including all the bouquets. She made her necklace and earrings for the wedding, as well as her sister's earrings. A good friend made hundreds of molded chocolate candies for the wedding as a present, which we placed in small bags around on the tables as eatable decorations. The bouquets were placed in glass vases filled with glass stones on a square of mirror for table centerpieces. <br /><br />For a wedding "cake," we opted for cupcakes in decorative wire cupcake holders, and a small (8") round decorated cake for the bride and groom to cut. We had 4 dozen yellow cupcakes with white buttercream icing, and 4 dozen chocolate cupcakes with chocolate icing. The cake was chocolate with a basket weave design in white buttercream. The cake "basket" was "filled" with decorative yellow icing roses on top. We taste tested cakes from several area store bakeries, but no "wedding" cake makers because of the cost. We picked a local food store called Lowe's Foods. The 8 dozen cupcakes and 8" cake together cost us about $70. The least expensive wedding cake we could find for 100 people was $300, most were close to $450.<br /><br />What we did pay for was great food and great service at The Red Room. We payed for the party, and it was well worth the expense! In my opinion, the food was a much better place to put the money than fancy decorations or over-priced cakes.<br /><br />The wedding started at 11:00 a.m. and the reception was over by 2:00 p.m. Later I'll make a short post about our fun-filled Saturday afternoon and evening with family.carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483414028348315498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177425200404128301.post-50898453095429759652008-05-18T20:25:00.003-05:002008-05-18T20:52:46.873-05:00The Wedding Weekend- Friday EveningThe last week leading up to the wedding was exciting and tiring. On and off Tuesday and Wednesday I had a few min-panic attacks. I felt stressed with all there was to do, and all the unknowns surrounding the wedding details. By Thursday, however, I felt much calmer. There were still unknowns, and still lots to do, but I felt more excitement than stress. I kept checking things off my list and seeing it all come together. By mid-afternoon on Friday, the house was ready, the food was ready, and all the paraphernalia for the wedding had been gathered. Just in time for the out-of-town guests who started to arrive.<br /><br />Most of my entire family arrived from out of town, coming from the mountains of North Carolina and Virginia, and as far away as Oklahoma. Will's family came as well, from Virginia and Ohio. All together we had almost 30 people arriving Friday afternoon and evening ranging from 2 years old to mid-70's. I planned food that could stay out and be snacked on all evening, and had a cooler full of drinks on ice.<br /><br />Friday evening was full of catching up between family members, and making new acquaintances between families. There was always some group telling stories and people laughing so hard they were gasping for breath. As hostess, I stayed busy and didn't have as much time to just sit as I might wish, but it was fun to be an "observer" of this wonderful group of people. I was struck again by how blessed I am to be surrounded by such loving and open people as my family and Will's family. How can anyone be so doubly-blessed?<br /><br />Erik and his two close friends (and future groomsmen) from Oregon stopped by for a while, and then went off again to see <span style="font-style:italic;">Iron Man</span> and try not to stress over the wedding.<br /><br />All the guests had headed to their hotel rooms by 10:00 pm or so, and Will and I cleaned up some before getting everything organized for the morning. Then we all went to bed, except Hannah, who I think got very little sleep!carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483414028348315498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177425200404128301.post-42719511049368388772008-05-09T13:42:00.001-05:002008-05-09T13:44:58.729-05:00Rant against DirecTVI will make this as short as possible.<br /><br />In late March we signed up to switch from cable tv, cable internet, and digital phone to Verizon phone (land line), Verizon DSL, and DirecTV. The monthly savings were significant (>$65 a month). We knew the internet would be somewhat slower, but that seemed okay.<br /><br />It's been a nightmare.<br /><br />First the internet connection crawled. We weren't getting the 1.5 Mb promised. In fact, at one point we were getting less than a third of that. Will finally got that fixed (hour-long service call later, after I'd already spent an hour earlier in the week). (Head's up: 1.5 Mb isn't fast enough for 8 computers, especially when you have several teens downloading games and videos.)<br /><br />But the frustration over slow internet is nothing compared to what we've been through with DirecTV.<br /><br />Short version:<br />April 8th- satellite installed, good signal. Signed the contract.<br />April 20th (or there about)- signal starts breaking up....losing channels.<br />May 1st (or there about)- no signal on any local channel. Almost all channels have deficient quality and pixilation problems.<br />May 9th- Technician comes out and says we have "no line of sight" since the leaves have come out on the trees. (Are you getting this??) He may be able to get a line of sight if we agree to put it right smack on the front of our house, but he can't promise how long that will last since the signal would barely be making it over the tops of two sweet gums in our back yard. If they grow any, the signal would be lost. Plus, it would be on the FRONT of my house.<br />May 9th- a few minutes after the tech left- called DirecTV with this information, asking to cancel service since we have no lone of sight. But guess what? If we "break" the contract we signed, we have to pay them $480. Even if their technician is the one who screwed up and placed the satellite pointing through bare trees that got their leaves two weeks later. Since there was a line of sight when the dish was installed, the contract is valid. We lose $480.<br /><br />Keeping the dish is no option, since we aren't getting service. We'd do better with an antennae.<br /><br />I am ashamed to admit I totally lost it with the service rep on the phone. I was screaming at him. He hung up on me.(He was being an arrogant jerk, but.....) I called back and talked more calmly to another rep. She said she'd "appeal" the action with the "back office." We should hear in about two weeks what they decide.<br /><br />I call it fraud. BTW- the tech that was here today said he's going on all kinds of calls in the past few weeks moving dishes for people who had their dishes installed in the winter when there were no trees. If your are out of warranty, the service call is $80. DirecTV is making money by duping ignorant customers.carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483414028348315498noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1177425200404128301.post-61360112318780653672008-05-08T17:39:00.003-05:002008-05-08T17:42:23.205-05:00I'll be back after the wedding!I probably won't get around to Part 3 of Dog-paddling Across the Tiber until sometime after the 17th. It's not so much that I don't have time to type, but I don't have time to <span style="font-style:italic;">think</span>. <br /><br />The week after the wedding should be a quiet one. I'll plan, Lord willing, to continue then.carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00483414028348315498noreply@blogger.com0