Hello blog!

Hello blog!

I think I recognize you. If I squint real hard and shake my head a couple times. Yes. You're starting to look familiar.

Well, kinda sorta. Some things look familiar--but WOW have things changed.

I did my stint in El Paso. And it was definitely NOT very part-time-ish. I was there until one of the auditors in our department took a position within the Company and my boss asked me if I would prefer that he hire someone for Phoenix or El Paso. What?! Are you kidding me? I jumped at the chance to come back to Phoenix.

And in Phoenix I have been for the last year.

So here's the rundown--Reader's Digest version--ready, set, go!

• got job,
• rented one unit of four-plex in El Paso,
• packed stuff,
• rented U-haul,
• Dale drove U-haul--Sherri the car with Derik and Latke (my kitty) in tow--to El Paso,
• unpacked stuff,
• Dale went home,
• Derik stayed,
• enrolled Derik in school,
• Sherri went to work,
• Dale went to work,
• Drew went to school,
• Derik didn't go to school,
• Mom and sister Beth moved into house in Phoenix,
• Derik moved back to Phoenix,
• Nephews moved into house in Phoenix,
• Latke moved back to Phoenix,
• Beth moved in with boyfriend (boyfriend?!) Bruce,
• packed stuff,
• rented U-haul,
• Dale drove U-haul--Sherri the car with Derik--to Phoenix,
• unpacked stuff,
• went to work,
• Nephews moved out,
• Mom moved out,
• Beth got engaged,
• Drew got engaged,
• Drew applied to many medical schools,
• Derik dropped out of high school,
• Beth got married.

Whew! Two years went by just like that.

And THAT's what you missed with shewbee...

New Life

So, next week I move to El Paso. Sort of on a part time, half and half basis. I'm so going to miss EVERYTHING. Especially my lovely man. No jobs there for him and we can't afford to sell our house right now, so... we're going to try the commuter marriage life=(

But, at least my baby is going with me. Oh, he's not happy about it. Doesn't want to leave all his friends, school, and life. I couldn't bear to be apart from him. And who will torment him if I'm not around? That's the most important thing that moms do--at least according to my boys. Still, I have to be there to push and prod and suggest ice cream for dinner.

One time we took those boys for an ice cream dinner. We went to our best ice cream parlor--Swensen's--and we each ordered our favorite sweet, chocolatey, caramel-y ice cream desserts. It was perfectly silent while we ate. My honey and I congratulated ourselves on being the coolest parents ever.

And then...

Derik, or maybe Drew, said...So what's for dinner?

But wait, we said. That was dinner, we said. Wasn't that fun?, we said.

No, said our boys. We want real food, said those silly boys.

Now I ask you, why would anyone want real food for dinner when they could have ice cream??

Daddy

Today is my Dad's 73rd birthday, except for the part where he passed away 9 years ago September 18th. 1999 to be exact. From complications of diabetes.

I miss him so much.

I miss the sound of his voice.

His sense of humor.

The funny words he made up--like hippicanarious.

I miss how he always called my sister and I SherriBeth--so he wouldn't have to worry about mixing up names:)

I miss just sitting and talking with him.

I miss hearing him tell our four little boys (my two and my sister's two) how my mom was best friends with Pocahontas and Sacajewea.

I miss how he never got to see those little boys grow up into fine young men. Never saw them play baseball. Never saw them receive awards for their amazing achievements. Never saw them play their musical instruments. Or meet the girls they dated. Or give them advice. Or tie their neckties for them.

I miss the crazy things he did. I remember the day before he was diagnosed with diabetes--he must have known what the result was going to be--he brought home chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate. Everything chocolate. Donuts, milk, candy, pudding. My dad, my sister, and I had a big ol' feast. Ate until we were stuffed--and then ate more. The next day, when he went to the doctor's office, his blood sugar was off the charts.

I miss you handsome.

Meet the family

How do I love thee?

Let me count the ways.

One.

With your mouth shut.

That's what my funny husband wrote during a high school poetry unit.

He makes me laugh. He makes me smile. He finishes my thoughts. He breaks out in song whenever the lyrics fit the situation. He quotes movie lines if they fit better than lyrics.

We have been together for 24 years, married for 23 years, and we have two children.

Well, they're not really children, any more.

Drew, 20.

Derik, 16.

They are beautiful, amazing boys. And they have their father's sense of humor. And his brains.

Lucky, lucky boys.