DAYS GO BY

I have realized that, so far this Summer has just flown by. We've not really done much yet. However, neither has the rest of the Country. I saw on the news last night that, people are taking a pass on vacation this year. Gas prices, and inflation are just out of hand. People just can't afford to do anything. Again, they are just staying close to home. I understand that, and are chosing to do the same. This month, we wnt to a Family Reunion in Indiana. Not completely my idea of fun. Although, guilt plays a huge facotr in that. You never know who, might no make it to next years Reunion. For reasons that, are our of their control that is.

For the remainder of the Summer. I suppose that, we'll just continue going to the Community Center Pool, and to the Lake on Sunday. Again, there's still Softball on Thursday night. There is also the Annual Luau, at our friends house. They have even invited us to, their Lake House, in a few weeks. I know... Whopee! That one is still up in the air. By now you will have figured out that, we are "Lake Trash" with money. Yes, we do so enjoy the Lake. However, I take expensive food, beverages, and toys with me. For example, our boat, along with my Brother and his Wave Runner. Not to mention all of the fun, costly, tubes, skis, and knee board.

So that the gist of my Summer so far. I chase around the kids and dogs. While still find a little time to cook, clean, and do the laundry. I mean, someone, has to wash the beach towels. Ya'll have fun, and be careful!

MY FAMILY REUNION

For those who just might care, I'm not dead, or ill. I've just been very busy.
Summer has a tendency to do that. I've actually been out of town for a few days as well. Our family, minus my Husband, went to a Family Reunion in Indianapolis. Now that, was an adventure. The adventure included, both my parents, my three sons and I. All of us and our luggage, crammed in my parents Minivan. Last Summer, I swore that I'd never do that again. The ride both there and back, is brutal. In total, I spent about 24 hours in that van.

I honestly figured that, this would be much worse with my two Step-Sons in towe. They actually acted pretty well. We didn't have to get on to them very much. They behaved themselves both on the van, and at the Reunion. They were so well behaved that, we received many complements on their behavior. One of my cousins insisted that, she send on of her Grandsons to our house, to get straightened out. Like my house is a child boot camp or something. I guess you might say that it is. Remember, my Husband, is prior military. Not to mention, a former Drill Sergent.

Now, the house is very quiet. All of the children are gone. My Son, is with his Father, Step-Mother, and half sister for the next two weeks. However, the other two Hulagins will be back on Friday. Not exactly the break that I was hoping for. They were given the choice to stay home, or come back this weekend. They chose to come back. That's both good and bad. Good that they want to be with us. It's bad because, I don't get a complete child free weekend for quite some time. Damn it all!

So, for the next few days, I'll be trying to complete my climb of, Mount Dirty Laundry. Can you even imagine, the pile that was left for me? Although, it's almost done. I've seen such a pile before. Whereas, we've taken the crew on vacation before. It's just been a while. Never-the-less, I was glad to see my extended family. I got to see my favorite Aunt, my other Aunt and Uncle, and eight cousins. All of which, are crazy! I'm certainly glad that, my Brother went this time. He helped occupy my boys. They have entirely too much energy.

So again, we've got yet another Family Reunion under our belt. Our next adventure is, my other Cousines Wedding in September. This time, it will only be my Husband, Brother, and I. It will be a kid free vacation. All of which will take place, on the beach of Willmington North Carolina. My favorite place, the beach. Ya'll take it easy.

PUBLIC PEE POND

Yesterday, at my sons request, we went to the Community Center pool. Our first trip of the year. It's one of our few opportunitys, to do something together. As luck would have it, we went on Day Care day. It actually wasn't that bad. Thankfully, there was a kid there that my son knew. It was the son of, a fellow softball player. He's about three years younger then my son. However, it was someone that he knew and could play with. We only stayed for about two hours. That was my intent to start with.

When it was time to leave, my son didn't want to. He was still playing with the other boy. I needed to stop by Dollar General on the way home. So I bribed him, saying that I'd buy him something. I ended up buying him, a few somethings. Oh well, it was only the Dollar store. He didn't break me, or anything. The things that you have to do, to get your kids to do what you want them to. Never-the-less, we were out there, just long enough to regain some of our Summer color. Ya'll go swimming!

THE WRONG SIDE OF THE TRACKS

Again, my Husband and I, had a disagreement about the people he chooses to socialize with. I am still perplexed regarding, just how I became this way. Then, I started analyzing myself and the situation. I think that, it is all because how I was raised. I honestly can't remember my parents, exposing us to the wrong type of people or situations. Not that we were a family of, great financial means or anything. In Indinanpolis, we lived in two very small homes. However, they were in nice neighborhoods. Then again, isn't it always that way, in the beginning? Then, the neighborhoods tend to go down hill, later on in years.

A few weeks ago, this same situation arose. This was regarding, some people who my Husband had invited, to join us at the lake. Again, not that they were completely nasty people. Not that, they weren't nice people either. However, they ended up being, just what I expected. They were strange people. The Father, had a forearm tattoo, and had this huge gap between his front teeth. The Son, was unusually quiet, had long girly hair, and wore a wool hat. Keep in mind, that it was nearly 100 degrees that day, at the lake. Also, I couldn't help but notice that, the Father was, looking at me in an sexual manner. He was trying very hard, not to do so. Although, he wasn't doing a very good job at it.

Here's the new problem that I faced last night. My Brothers coed softball team, needs my Husband to fill in. Although, my Brother, wasn't the one who called. I suppose that, he knew better. Another man from the team called. He is far from being one of my favorite people. He is actually riding the "I hate you fence." He and his wife, have been married for about 10 years or so. They also have a very sweet four year old daughter. My probelm with him is. He talks to both his wife and daughter, very disrespectful.

My Husband brought up the point that, she should be the one doing something about that. I agree with him. However, when it comes to the disrespect of women, I am an advocate on behalf of the women. Meaning that, I have lived that, and can't stand to see woman being treated that way. I guess that, I am both disgusted with her and myself for putting up with, such behavior. The times that, I have been around this 30 something man, I have wanted to punch his teeth down his throat. There is far more to this story then, just this one verbally abusive man.

On this coed softball team is, a whole slew of "White Trash." Some of which, joined us at the lake last weekend. It ended up being not that bad of a day. The couple of who I am talking about, ended up being "the life of the party." I told my Husband this, just because they plan on going to the lake with us frequently. Does not mean that, I want to get "thick at thieves" with them socially. He understood where I was coming from, and agreed. Also, my Brother's Ex-Stripper girlfriend, is on that team. Do I even have to graise the surface, of that one?

Having said all of that, I would still like to plead my side of the case. I am by no means, from a family of high financial and social status. Both of my parents, retired from Lucent Technology. They are just quiet, middle-class, senior citizens. I still shop at, The Dollar Tree, The Dollar General, Big Lots, Payless Shoes, and Wal Mart. I frequent other nice stores too. Just not as much, as one would expect. Heck, I don't even get my nails done. I'm not saying that, I'm better then everyone else. Nor, do I act like it.

I just want my Husband, not to revert back to, the kind of folks that he grew up with. It's almost like talking to, a brick wall. Over and over, I have explained, just how far he has come. What is that saying? If you lay with pigs? I can't exactly remember. However, you get the gist. Someone please give me you opinion, I need n opinion!