Jammin' Out To Awesome Tuneage (insert Heidi's eyeroll here)

Music has always been an important part of my life. When I was a kid I would sometimes spend an entire day listening to Rick Dees weekly top 40 and record every song on my boombox cassette player. I would edit out the commercials so I would hit play and stop over and over again as the songs began and ended. I always had a walkman with me. Songs can bring me back to certain places: When I hear anything from Prince's "Lovesexy" album I think of a trip to Chicago with my high school Spanish club. When I hear Air Supply I think of my trip to Mexico my Sr. year. When I hear Sinead O'Connor I think of hanging out in the common room of my dorm at UW Madison. And when I hear Whitesnake I'm in the car cruising up and down Watertown's Main Street with my friend Ann. Sometimes music causes me to think of certain people: Jennifer Warrens reminds me of mom. I remember waking up on the weekend to her music blaring from the living room. I hear Hart and I think of my High School friend Gina, and friends still today. Red Hot Chilli Peppers remind me of my crazy college friend Nina, and I'm so thankful that we found each other again on Facebook. The Beastie Boys and LL Cool J bring thoughts of my brother to mind, and Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler make me think of my little sister. Finally, there are several songs cause me to think of Vernon; and just a handful of them are on our LDR blog, (Sexy Chicken Was Here) which is linked to this one. 

The songs I have picked for Heidi's Playlist were specially chosen. There are more that I wish could be on here but they were not available with the program that I used. Also, I hate that my international friends and visitors are not able to access the music. As I become more familiar with blogging, I hope to find better ways to customize them to how I want. Those of you that do have access to the Awesome Tunage on this blog, some songs will cause you to smile, and some will cause you to say "WTF?!?!" Well, that's ok because I know when Heidi listens to them, some will make her laugh, some will make her smile and some will make her say, "WTF?!?!" Because that is what we do to each other. She'll understand where my brain was when I picked each song, because she knows me better than anyone. Before she left for college she got me a "goodbye" gift of 2 record albums in MINT condition. Billy Idol 'Rebel Yell' and the Flashdance Soundtrack. When she went to New York she brought home a Dwight Schrute bobblehead doll. (Totally random unrelated statement) I have the coolest most awesomest daughter ever. We have our music and I know I've passed that passion on to her as she has impeccable taste (except for her recent interest in country music for which I will have to check her into a mental health facility and submit her to shock therapy) but I think I understand where that interest is coming from.

I can't wait to hear what she thinks of my music selection. I'm sure she'll ask me where certain songs are that I may have forgotten. But on a final note, she and I will forever laugh inappropriately in Church and other religious Christmas events whenever 'O Holy Night' is played or sung. Darn that Eric Cartman!

Do You Think Harry Potter Likes Green Bean Casserole?

I'm sad. I'm so very sad. I  had made plans to drive down to Kalamazoo to visit my sweet girl  for Thanksgiving and because of unforeseen circumstances I have no money for gas or hotel. I had to call Heidi to break the news and it was such a horrible feeling. I could tell I made her cry, she tried to hide it but I could hear her. She understood, like she always does, but it's still so very disappointing. I am thankful however that she still has family down there. She will be able to spend Thanksgiving with my sister and her family. She lives fairly close to Heidi. With the holidays coming up so soon there are a lot of commercials. The one that bothers me the most is the one for Campbells Green Bean Casserole. I cried the last time I saw one. She just loves green bean casserole. I was going to make it and surprise her; but now it will have to wait until Christmas. Not only does she love green bean casserole, she loves the way I make it. I normally don't get compliments from her on food that I prepare, but she goes on and on over my green bean casserole.


At this very moment my daughter is having the time of her life. What is she doing you ask? She is watching Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. She went with her suitemate and family. I guess some other friends are meeting them there too. Every time there is a new Harry Potter movie, Heidi would go to opening night in her home made t-shirt with all her girlfriends and they would wait in line at the theater for hours. Heidi would then insist on taking me a week or two later. At first she had to drag me kicking and screaming, but I have to admit, the movies are entertaining and the stories are creative. I still refuse to read the books, which is the same for the Twilight Series.

I'd have to say, even though we don't get to spend Thanksgiving together or see Harry Potter together, she is still my #1 and I think it has sunk in with me that I am hers. She is thoughtful and amazing and she loves me. She called me tonight before she left for her movie. She calls me nearly every day and I just love talking to her. But her calling me tonight before her movie just meant so much. She could have called anyone else. I miss her.

Starting month #3

Well, it has been a while since I've written in either of my blogs. I felt it was time I got back to doing that again. I have no excuse, just didn't feel like it. So what is different with Heidi being at school? I'll list them:
-I hardly ever watch TV and listen to my stereo instead.
-I eat less. I don't have to have food in the house or make any meals, not that I cooked often while Heidi was here, but it's less often. That can be a problem because now that I don't feel morally and legally responsible to keep my kid fed I put more of the grocery money toward the bills I'm behind on and don't buy groceries. I'll go a couple of days at a time without eating and then I start to feel a bit sick. Not ideal, but at least I got the water bill paid.
-I sleep with the hall light on and booby trap both doors. I feel uneasy living alone. Not sure why I'm such a freak.
-I sleep less. Some nights I'm up until 2am and that is on a work night. I don't function well on lack of sleep and when Heidi isn't here to tell me to go to bed I just stay up because I'm a grown up dammit!
-I don't wear my CPAP mask every night when I should. No one hears me snoring. Not good! I don't get the usual "MOM! PUT YOUR MASK ON!.... MOM!!!"
-I'm saving 1/3 on the electric bill. Woo Hoo!
-The house stays cleaner. Picking up the living room isn't a big deal but my socks tend to pile up quite fast.
-There isn't as much laundry to do. I'm not washing clean clothes or clothes that have been worn once.
-I get to Skype with Vernon every Sunday.
-I have nothing to do on the weekends. I usually hung out with Heidi watching DVD's all day, going to the movies, going shopping or just spending time together.
-I'm late for work all the time. I don't have to take Heidi to school so why get up early? UGH!
-I have no one to talk to about my day, when it's good or bad.
-I cry alot.
-I carved a pumpkin to keep busy. I come home and do nothing and it's depressing so I have to think of stuff to keep me busy. That was one of them.
-I had my photo taken at work and I had no one to help me with my hair or makeup. I hate makeup!
-I miss the bickering, the laughing till we cry and the talks. Mostly the laughing till we cry, and it's usually at my expense!
-I am going to school, taking one class at a time. It's working out great. I started a year ago. I'm on my third class. She was a big help to me on the Algebra front when I had to take my business math course.
-I joined a club at school and I'm thinking about joining bible study at church. Things I never would have done because of Heidi's busy schedule. I'm meeting some really great people.

-Other than Vernon, she is the only person I look forward to talking to every day. I love hearing her voice and knowing that she's thinking of me too.

The Big Move

It's official! I'm finally a grown-up and living on my own. What will I do with my time? Rather than typing this one out, I'll simply post the numerous videos I took over the last 3 days. I am new at taking video since I've never had a video camera before. I will not be held responsible if you get motion sickness from these... so watch at your own risk! :)

 

Between the last two videos I cried. After filming the final video, I didn't think I was going to be able to stop crying.  It was terrible. My tears were of both happiness and sadness, but I knew that if I didn't leave right away, I never would.  I'm so proud of my girl!

Packing

We are packing her belongings, old, new, borrowed, blue.. wait, that's for something else, anyway... we're packing up all of Heidi's crap. Check out the new trunk. Made that purchase from http://www.trunksusa.com well, it's more of an investment. This should last her through college, her first home, marriage, and maybe her kids will take it to college. Anyway, I'm really happy with it and it will go nicely in her dorm.

I've only cried once today. Gilmore girls is "our show" and Heidi put it in the dvd player as I was getting our breakfast today and the theme song came on and I started to cry. I had to pull it together before I came into the living room. So far, for the remainder of the day I have been pretty good. Mom is here to lend me moral support and her car... we are taking that to Kalamazoo, MI so I'll need to start loading that puppy up tonight. I have a scary feeling that we are going to run out of room. I really hope not.

I plan on recording the process with my new flip camera. I warned Heidi ahead of time and I told her not to be a brat about it. I'm going to film whether she likes it or not. I think she'll be cooperative. I'll be doing this for myself and for Vernon, who will be interested in this process. He'd be here if he could so I thought recording it would be the next best thing.

 I had better get back to work before I get into trouble for slacking off.