I have to say something about this man.

We all have influence in our lives. Michael Jackson influenced me and my generation in 1970. He was just a year younger than me and I remember sitting on my bed studying while listening to him sing "I Want You Back." Sometimes I would bounce to the beat, sing and even get up and dance. He made me happy. He was the first pop star to influence me as I moved into my teen years. I don't remember anyone before him except Elvis and the Beetles. He changed and brought a new type of music to the world and to me. My children will think this is completely weird that I would dedicate this space to Michael and I'll be harrassed for it. I can take it. The little boy Michael Jackson is the one that I like to remember now.

Michael and Donny Osmond were always in competition with each other for number one hits and at one point they communicated and worked together. My children laugh when I tell them this. See, here's the thing, I don't harrass them when I ride with them in the car and they are listening to rapp music that degrades women. One time however I pointed out what the lyrics were saying to Clay and he said, "I don't listen to lyrics mom!" Perhaps not but your subconscious works over time recording every thing you see and hear for later recall. (I'm just sayin!)

For all the times Michael was in trouble during the past decade, the press and the world was ready to condemn him and now that he is deceased, the world idolizes him and stands in the streets for days at a time mourning his loss. We have become a people who spend way to much time following idols or non-idols; we feel that the Sunday Football game is more important than our spiritual growth or figuring out the meaning of life. we read the newspaper before we say good morning to our loved ones; and the list goes on.

Michael Jackson lived in a tunnel and was put there by his father. He grew up to be depressed and confused much of the time. He was a genius for sure even as a child, and perhaps contributed to his downfall. He learned to work but never was allowed or shown how to play. He tried to learn as an adult but failed and then got into trouble. Where is he now? In a place where he won't be smothered, won't be allowed to hide, or take pills, or be taken advantage of. He'll now be given a chance to rest, and to learn all the things he didn't get to learn here and he will begin to grow again. By the way, if you haven't seen my moon dance, ask me the next time we see each other. I'll do it as soon as my bad knee and hip get all better. : 0 )

That's my editorial about Michael.

Eleanor and other Women

I have always been an admirer of Eleanor Roosevelt. At a very young age I read a book about her and came to know that she was the strength behind her husband who was President of the United States and suffered from illness. Many in the country didn't know how serious his illness was because she helped him function and make decisions and often made decisions for him when he couldn't - - even while he served as President. So when I read that book I came to know in a clearer way the influence we, as women, have and can have and should have on our world. I have never forgotten Eleanor's example and have thought about her when I needed to, and said her name out loud when I needed to be strong myself in my own life. Every woman will have her own "Elearnor Moments." We all need one woman to think about, emulate and even be mentored by whether or not our mento knows she is mentoring us. We may be mentored just by watching someone who carries positive impact on us.

Today I was thinking about strong women; women I have looked up to and admired. Some of them are older than me and some are much younger. The following come to mind: Christina, my great grandmother who came from Denmark and who gave up wealth and ease to come to America for a better life and then struggled for the rest of her life so her familiy could live in this country and worship as they wished. Laverda who was the valedictorian of her class but because she was a girl had to relinquish her honor to the boy who came in 2nd place. She went on to become the most well-read and educated woman I've ever known. Josie May who had struggle in her life but endured to the end of her days. Carmen a leader of women and youth who raised me and still is admired by many women in her community for her service and leadership. She was a sought after speaker by highschools, women's groups, churches, and community leaders. Lou Estelle who raised my husband, had polio, raised 6 children, is now 90 and cares for her family and husband on a daily basis. My sisters, Lisa, Alyson and Ann, Myrt, Kathy, Cindy, all talented women who all have things they could teach me that I don't already know and would if I asked them to. My daughters, Analee Michelle and Rachel Jean who continually remind me of who I am and teach me every day by their example. There are others who have influenced me . . .here's to you; Charlotte, Amy, Bebe, Becky, Celeste, Vonnie, Lisa, Tawni, Pat, Jean, Sandra, Lori, Brooke, Stephanie, Megan, Savannah and Ashlynn and as of yesterday - a new little grand daughter - Lily Rose. I wonder what influence she will have on my world.

Packing, First Day of School, General Progress on the move.

I wanted to post a few pictures of the progress we're making on our home in Pensacola as we prepare to move. I don't know for sure when we'll move, hopefully soon. I've been back for 3 days and have been very tired and doing some resting quite lazily. My trip to Utah was fast and hard and a little bit stressful. Thus my need to chill here for a few days.

Our moving date will depend on Dean's work schedule. Summer is his busiest time. In Delta, they too, are affected by the market fall. Some teachers have been laid off, through attrition, schools are closing and teachers are moving to other schools. Dean is in charge of moving all those teachers to their new areas and making sure they are set up for the new school year. It is a massive undertaking. Hopefully after this week or next he'll have a better idea of when he can come and get me and our "stuff." It could be very soon or as long as 2 months. I hope not.

I have been nesting today because some of my rooms are filled with packed boxes which are shown below. So I went to my room because I needed room and freedom from feeling clostrophobic. I nested, moved things around, dusted to make myself feel better.
This is Dean's and my bedroom which used to be a dark burgandy color. This is Dean's antique dresser which came to me as a young girl from great aunt Nellie Lind on my dad's side of the family. Why did I get the dresser? I was the first girl born in generations to the Lind or Houmand families. Nellie never had a daughter. I lucked out. Nellie's son, Don Lind, my cousin removed was an astronaut on the space shuttle back in the 80's.

More of our bedroom. This antique dresser that I use was purchased at Pensacola's Water Front Mission and we refinished it. Dean was always a little grumbly when I'd bring home a new find from the mission. It was in terrible condition but is beautiful now. The bed? Same as Ray Romano and Debra's in their sitcom bedroom.

This is how Clay feels about posing for first day of school picture. He loves me.

You have to finally give in when I'm after something I want.

The Den, painted and really is packed except for a few things that we'll pick up when we go. This room used to be a sea green color. We have added a new back door.

Clay watching a Florida rainstorm and breaking the rule about not sitting near an open door or window during a lightening storm. He is a storm chaser and Weather will be his life's work. The wreath has been packed.

The beloved antique piano I sold on Craig's List for $85.00. It's former resting place is now filled with packed boxes.

This is what I think about when I'm stressing. I've gone here mentally a few times this week.

Today is Clay's first day of college and this was the best "first day of school" picture he would give me? He is very excited to be starting school and I love being her to watch him go out the door for the last time at the beginning of a new "year." He is registered this quarter at Pensacola Junior College because the courses were less expensive for him. Next quarter he's going back to UWF because his scholarship money will kick in for him. He loves University of West Florida and it is a very good university. Relatively small and intimate.

Living Room packed out along with a few closets, sewing machines etc.

Clay bought this chin-up bar while I was gone and started doing the P90X workouts. I have to go in my room because it hurts me to watch him and listen to him. He gets all the way through! Amazing. Then when he is through I go out and get on my bike for a liesurely ride while watching "The View" or "Gilmore Girls."

Kitchen, cupboards almost empty, except for basic living stuff. The final packing is still going to be alot. 20 years is not an easy pack!

Garage full of boxes. This shows only one corner of the boxes filling this quite large room. I still need to pack up some of the tools and food storage items. Tread mill in the forground.

Part of the newly painted kitchen, we love these colors. Rich and cool at the same time. Vibrant! Whoever buys our house may not like them but they are a great improvement over the flowered wallpaper that was here previously.

Oh, how we'd love for it to rain again this week.

Front Yard rain storm. It's nice but then the sun comes out and WOW HOT! Tropical which is a good thing right? That's it for now.

Napping and Mothering

I've been in Seattle for a few days now and one of the things we do, because Rachel insists on it is take naps every afternoon from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. At first I thought, "How can I do this thing when I'm on vacation in such a beautiful place and waste precious time?" Then I gave in and participated in this daily ritual that she and Ashlynn have. I've learned so much about napping in the last 3 days.

When I would put my children down for daily naps I would just put them down and they'd eventually drift off. I never did anything special to prepare them for naps, just gave them lunch and put them in their beds.

What does Rachel do? She feeds us lunch. Then she changes into her pajamas, put's Ashlynn in her little pajamas (bottoms only so Ash sleeps topless), encourages me to get into my pj's which I do, and we crawl into bed in dark rooms with windows open so the Seattle breezes can blow through on our faces as we sleep. It's just plain lovely. I feel guilty because I made my children sleep in tight fitting jeans or elastic waste band pants. You can't sleep in Jeans and tight elastic around your waistline. I want to go back and do this part of mothering over again. As Rachel pointed out today, children turn over on their faces and wiggle their bottoms up and down to rock themselves to sleep. "Have you ever tried to wiggle your bottom up and down while going to sleep in tight fitting jeans mom?" she asked. I can't say that I have but I can imagine that the snap in the front would either chaff or pinch.

This younger generation is much more patient and thoughtful in mothering. They are much more relaxed and happy. Rachel walks into Ashlynn's room singing and laughing in the morning and after nap time. I pretend she is coming in singing to me becuase it is so wonderful to hear. I see the same skills in my daughter-in-law Jen and in my nieces who are first-time moms.

In Human Resources we study all of the generations and what their emphasis is and their preferred styles for working and family life. These new GenXers are way ahead of where I was on both fronts. They put family first and want family time and don't rush through it. They want promotions at work and want them fast so they can provide for their families and they also want time off to be with their families. Each generation gets smarter and I see that in the things my children teach me every day - - just by watching them.

Barbara Jordan said, "Wouldn't it be wonderful if the entire world could have cookies and milk at 3:00 and then go down for a two-hour nap, the entire world would be a better place." Yogi Berra said, "I always take a two-hour nap from one to four."

I believe that napping is the sleep required for all the time we spend tossing and turning the night before while thinking about the next day's schedule. Up, Up, Up with Pajama naps!

Pictures from Here in Delta!

Here are a few photos of my new town and the house we are reconstructing. I love being here with Dean. We go to lunch together, spend quality time , and best of all we're under the same roof again.

Treats and Tricks!

So, I thought I'd just write one more quick thing. I come to Dean's office to do all my computer business. He has this amazing drawer in his office of goodies that people gave him for Christmas which he has not touched. There are huge pretzel rods dipped in choclate which are still fresh as day one when they were made. There is this big glass jar of dark, light and white chocolate bon bons wrapped in gold and red and silver foils, What else? Steak Sauce (what a great christmas gift!) and other great yummies that tempt the female soul.

This is a terrible temptation! Why? Because! Because our family, my family, my little brother and his wife encourage us to join their fitness club which is called "The Ryan J. and Ann B Houmand race for the cure for obesity in 42 year old men!" Just because I'm 52 does not mean that I am not invited to the club. It's part of our family goal to get fit and live long lives. So what do I do with "the drawer?" I truly try to ignore it. That's all. I'm going now, right after I sneak a gold foil bonbon. Oh drat!

Delta Check In

I'm here. I really am. No new pics. Why? Because I don't have the computer abilities here yet that I have at "home" in Pensacola. I just wanted to say I'm here. I'm good. Rachel will update my blog with pictures when I send them to her later today or tomorrow. I'm a lucky girl to have a daughter who offers to help me with my Blog. We talked today for an hour on our cell phones off peak time - - Eeek! . . and it was fun.

Delta? It's good. It's Peace! It's quiet. School's out so you can go out and drive down main streets and never pass a car except at noon when everyone is out for lunch. You pass plenty of youth out walking the street in "gangs" which are good gangs. On Saturday I wake up to the sound of a thousand 4-wheelers going around town. It's very funny and very different. On July 4th you wake up to the sound of cannons which I'll miss because Ill be back in FL by then. It's just a different life here. All in all I feel good and happy here and extremely wonderful about being with Dean again. I've had two nights when I woke in the night in tears - - I guess the adjustment worked on my sleeping subconscious to force the tears out of my ducts. I rolled over and put my arm around Dean and he hugged me until I stopped. I guess for a fraction of a second I wondered, "What in the world are we doing?" Then I was fine. The other morning I woke up sad, missing Florida friends and I just got up and dressed before dawn, walked over to the little white bungalow we'll call home and started painting the last bedroom a soft light cheerful color called "sea mist blue". As the sun came up and began to come in the windows I sat down on a chair and felt happiness return.

I have loved spending time with extended family(including brother's family and sister's family and lots of nieces and nephews; parents and Eric, who I've had precious little time with the past ten years and Jen and Savannah. I have loved driving to the small surrounding towns with Dean as he travels to different schools to fix computers and then stopping at the local hotel for lunch which is always amazingly tantalizingly yummy. I have enjoyed a wonderful dutch over lunch that the school district had after school was out for all the principals and Dean and I were invited. It was the best food I've ever had, all cooked by men. I've even learned to love to paint as it works out my fears and worries and arthritic joints into non-fears, non-worries, and well oiled joints.

Tonight we'll have dinner with friends who Dean grew up with, who moved to Pensacola the same time we did back in 1989 with the Military and then left Pensacola 5 years later to move back to Idaho. We haven't seen them in 15 years but have emailed and talked a few times. Life is one big circle.

I'm living a very simple life and will probably live a much simpler life than even the people of Delta for the most part. I plan to slow way down from my fast life of the past and stay that way for emotional and physical, marital happiness. The women here? They all are gourmet cooks, they all have a huge quilt set up in their homes that they are working on, they all have college degrees because teaching is the only profession one can have in Delta, they all serve on the county fair board, they all subscribe to cookbook clubs, they all are welcoming and oh, yes, they are very outspoken. Rachel asked me to promise to keep my Florida, southern manners (without the Florida dialect), hold my tongue and be the lady I taught her to be. Rachel, I promise!

I miss Rachel and Clay and Ashlynn and Howard but I know, there is time for everything and everything has it's own time and place. All things come together eventually and that includes us.

Check in for pictures later.