88gurl’s blog

Last night as I was winding down from a long day at work, my daughter decided to take a nice leisurely bath to relax before going to bed.  I was sitting at the computer reading celebrity tweets when I heard a blood-curdling scream from upstairs! I sprang to my feet and yelled "What's wrong?" I heard yet another blood-curdling scream as I seemlingly glided across the room to the foot of the stairs (I believe I covered the entire footage in about 3 steps), as I took the stairs two at a time I heard, yet one last blood-curdling scream! Both of our cats bounded up the stairs with me to see what in the world was wrong! By the time I got to the bathroom my daughter was already out of the tub, wrapped in a towel! What caused this mini horror movie in my bathroom you ask? A BUG! Of course!

Women have very distinct screams and these were undeniably the screams of a woman seeing some sort of creepy, crawly thing! My logical mind knew this as I quickly locked-down into 'Mommy-mode' and rushed to save my 18 year daughter from some horrifying terror!

Apparently, one of those big, disgusting water bugs (also called 'Palmetto' bugs) had gotten into our bathtub and UNDER the bath mat. As my daughter filled the tub it was forced to try to escape, swam to the surface, brushed her body and even attempted to 'fly' out of the tub as her screams sent it into panic mode (hence the MULTIPLE screams)! By the time I looked in the tub, it was already drowned in the soapy water. Another bug bites the dust! HOORAH!

After we calmed down, laughed a bit and my cats eyes shrunk from saucer size back to normal we quickly decided to buy a new bath mat and burn the old one!

Summertime! Bugs! Yuck!

So Mothers, Fathers, Husbands and kids, the next time you hear a blood-curdling scream in your house....it's probably just a woman reacting to Mother Nature coming inside to say Hello and get out of the heat!

I guess I've just lost my desire to be witty and provoke thought and emotion, at least for the meantime....it's too damn hot to think too much LOL! So I haven't updated my blog....but to make a long story short...on May 22nd, 2009 my baby girl graduated from high school!

I remember her 5K graduation like it was a few yesterdays ago. I still have that little rolled up diploma and the cap she wore. You probably can't see it, but she had a gumball machine ring on her finger in this picture. Wow! Time flies and kids grow! Who knew?

Hailey's high school graduation was held at Samford University, a college across the street from Homewood High Schooll. We were all so excited because Hailey will be the first one in our immediate family, since our parents, that graduated from high school the traditional way: I dropped out (pregnant with my son) and took my GED. My sister dropped out (pregnant with her oldest daughter) who also dropped out (pregnant with her first son) and took her GED. My son dropped out because he was being harrassed by the administration at Clay-Chalkville High School over his appearance. I personally went up to that pos school and told the assistant principal he was driving my son to be a drop-out when he was trying desperately to finish his education. Well he did drop out but passed all of his GED tests in 2 tries. Not the way to do it, but we all did it...but we were all so excited to see Hailey walk across the stage in her cap and gown to receive her diploma! Doing it right!

First I would like to say that I am SO glad that I made the wise decision to move to Homewood when Hailey was in the 5th grade. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner. Homewood has a stellar school system and I'm so grateful that my daughter can say she has a Homewood education. Had we stayed where we were, she would have wound up at Clay-Chalkville (I have much ill-will towards CCHS students and their families that stemmed from a 1st round playoff football game in 2006, but that is old news and I've already blogged about it so I won't go there - but I will say that we won and they didn't take the loss in a sportsman like way).

So before going to the ceremony I wanted to take some photos of Hailey in her cap and gown. We went down to Homewood Central park with my Mom. The wind was blowing like crazy and Hailey was not too happy that her hair was getting mussed!

I still got a couple of good pics though...

We were still way too early to go to the ceremony so we went back home so she could freshen up her hair and makeup. Afterwards she was a little happier and obliged me with a few silly poses.

So we were off to the auditorium to meet up with my son and my sis and her gang. More photos were taken.

Finally it was time for the graduates to go get lined up and for us to get inside and find seats. I started to feel that anticipation when Pomp and Circumstance started to play. The graduates filed into the auditorium, in alphabetical order from both sides of the the room. My VERY TALL brother-in-law was able to snap a pic of Hailey coming in.

Once all of the grads were seated they were a sight to behold! A sea of blue caps!

The ceremony was finally underway. It was LOOOOONG! Several honor grads spoke (some gave excellent and even funny speeches, some were a little boring, some a little too self-promoting). The principal and some other school administrators spoke. The principal honored the parents of the graduates and asked us to stand. I very proudly stood up and I'm sure Hailey's Dad did also (he was there but we never saw him). Finally it was time to hand out the diplomas. The principal took several minutes to stress to the crowd how important it was to keep quiet and to hold all applause and hooting/hollering/etc until all of the graduates had received their diplomas. They went up by rows as they had rehearsed that morning.

By the way, while Hailey was gone to rehearsal I went out to buy some balloons for her. While in CVS asking the lady to show me the balloons they had, I got choked up as I tried to explain to them that my daughter was graduating. It was quite funny that I couldn't even say the words without getting a lump in my throat. I set up the balloons and a couple other little gifts I had bought for her so she would see them when she got home.

So back to the ceremony....Hailey is a 'W' so we had quite a wait. Most people stayed quiet as we were told, but a few hollered and were given stern looks from the principal.  Finally, I heard the announcer call my daughter's name...I was frozen! I saw my beautiful, grown-up daughter walk across the stage, shake the principals hand and receive her diploma...just as I heard my son let out a ripping "YEAH!" At which point he was immediately approached by a Homewood police officer who I thought was going to remove him from the premises, but luckily he got off with a strong admonishment. Whew! I was secretly glad that he did it though because it was cool!

Finally all of the graduates had their diplomas and were back in their seats. They were told to stand and the principal presented the 2009 graduating class of Homewood High School and instructed them to move their tassles. Yeah! Now we could all holler and we did! The applause was deafening and I was SO, SO, SO, SO very proud!

Then the graduates exited the same way they entered to go back to the 'secret place' to turn in their caps and gowns and get their actual diploma (the leather case given to them on stage was actually empty because they wanted their caps and gowns turned back in - clever)! She got to keep her tassle though and she got a rope for 4 years in band and a little card, like an id card that says she's a high school graduate. How cool is that?

Afterwards we had planned to go to Cheesecake Factory for dinner. The whole motley crew! We had a blast and although we were ALL watching our money it was still so much fun! I don't think we have all EVER gone out to dinner together! Hailey was glowing!

It was a very fun night!

So high school is all over with and I'm feeling a little sad. It's so strange to think I'll never go to the school again. But what I'm going to miss most is band. The thought of no more band camp and football games and parades and trips makes me really, really sad but I have tons of great memories and they are all preserved in photos and videos. Being in band was such a huge part of Hailey's high school experience and mine. To have the honor and privilege to march in both the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade AND the Tournament of Roses parade in her 4 year tenure is something she will take with her throughout her life! And I'm so thrilled that I was able to be there for both parades! It's all a testament to the school system, the fine arts program and the extremely dedicated band directors!  I asked the band e-mail lady to keep me on the distribution list. In the fall, when I get the e-mails about picking up uniforms and shoes and practices and the first football games, I'm probably going to cry, cry, cry. But I still want to be a part of it. That is just something that never leaves you. It gets in your blood and in your heart and soul if you let it...and I did.

So now Hailey moves on to the next chapter in her life. It's going to be great! I know it will take some time for her to come to realize that she misses high school....kids live in the moment and right now they are ALL just glad it's over...but that reflection will come....in time...as they mature.

We Love Homewood Day is an annual event held to celebrate the city we love. It starts early in the morning on the first Saturday each May with hot air balloon rides and continues throughout the day with a carnival, rides, crafts and bar-b-que...then just as the sun is setting the We Love Homewood Day parade steps off from the Homewood Library. The star of the We Love Homewood Day parade? Well the Homewood Patriot Band of course! Even though this event celebrates our city, more importantly, it is a major fund raiser for the Homewood Band programs.

Hailey actually got to march in the parade as an 8th grader in a group called 'Dance Workshop' but even though I was very proud to see my baby in the parade in that group, the Patriot Band still competely stole the show!

On May 2nd, 2009 Hailey put on her Patriot Band uniform for the final time to march in her 5th consecutive We Love Homewood Day parade and 4th consecutive as a Patriot Band member.

I worked the carnival early in the day as band parents are always asked to do. Seeing all of the beautiful little girls riding the ride I was working, I couldn't help but get choked up! Standing there taking tickets I was blinking back tears. My baby was all grown up! I just wanted to grab those parents and tell them "Don't miss a thing, it's going to go by in the blink of an eye!" It was VERY hot and humid but I still enjoyed it and told them to sign me up for next year (many band parents continue helping out the band long after their child graduates, in fact the woman who is in charge of the uniforms hasn't had a child in the band in 25 years but she still goes to every game, trip, competition and works tirelessly on the uniforms).

Now it was time to get ready for the parade! My Mom came as usual, and for the first time, Hailey's big brother came to see her march!

 

I snagged some pics from Hailey's friends on FB of them cutting up at parade lineup:

 

 

This parade is pretty predictable but always enjoyable because the whole community comes out to watch, many being able to walk to the parade route from their homes. The parade always begins with the JR Air Force ROTC from the high school. All the regulars were represented: the Southern Belles and cheerleaders, the clowns, the big trucks and huge wreckers, the Birmingham Humane Society with all the cute doggies, as well as city officials and realty companies all throwing candy in hopes of people's support or patronage. This year we had a new addition to the parade: An orthodontists office being represented by a giant, walking tooth! Everybody watched and clapped and collected candy, t-shirts and beads!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But it was all in anticipation AND celebration of the STAR of this parade: THE HOMEWOOD PATRIOT MARCHING BAND!

So, here is HAILEY'S FINAL MARCH!

 

On April 30th, 2009 Hailey played her final band concert with the Homewood Patriot Band. I'm just in shock that it is actually over...no more band concerts! Where did these years go.

I remember like yesterday when she signed up for band in the 6th grade. I didn't have the money to buy her a clarinet so the middle school band director, Mr. Cooper, found her a loaner for the beginning of the school year. I remember when she brought it home and started playing it, it sounded horrible but it was still music to my ears! Her Dad bought her her own clarinet for Christmas that year.

6th grade band doesn't even get uniforms, they just play concerts in 'church clothes'. I remember at that first Spring concert, after they played their painfully rough 3 concert songs, Mr. Cooper had taught them just a verse of "Hoorah for Homewood". They played it and the crowd went wild! Just a snippet of what was to come for these little band seedlings!

7th and 8th grade band members are issued a very cool looking Patriot red blazer that they are to wear with black pants, black socks, black shoes and a white shirt underneath.

 

Once the band members enter high school they are issued their much coveted Homewood Patriot Marching Band uniform (which doubles as their concert uniform without the hat).

 

 

 

 

So the final band concert has finally arrived. As a Senior Hailey is in the 1st period Honors band and they performed 4 songs.

The Washington Post March by John Phillip Sousa, conducted by Mr. Chris Cooper

 

Jefferson: A Vision For America by Robert W. Smith, conducted by Mr. Ron Pence, narrated by Jason Kennah

 

"I" of the Storm by Stephen Melillo, conducted by Mr. Ron Pence, Caleb B. soloist

 

Light Calvary Overture by F. Von Suppe', conducted by Mr. Ron Pence

my memory card got full on this one and cut off just before the big finish :(

 

So 7 years of band concerts have come and gone. They were all fabulous and I'm going to miss it a lot.

One more band event and Hailey will be done.

Wow! I haven't updated my blog in forever. I've been watching Idol and Hell's Kitchen but just haven't had the time to blog about them they way I would like to. Work is crazy and busy and I'm working 9 hours a day and I'm ecstatic because I know a lot of people are out of work right now.

Things have been crazy and stressful as Hailey nears graduation. She's still got lots of work to do and is still working at her job as well. I had no idea that Senior year was so stressful! Just a few more weeks!

Last Saturday I was at work when this huge bank of clouds rolled in (just the southern tip of a storm that actually caused some serious damage north of me). I first saw them out the window from my desk and immediately closed up shop and left because I had Hailey's camera in my purse and I was determined to get some good pics!

I'm not at all familiar with this camera and apparently it was on some strange b&w setting when I first started taking pics...then I changed it. Either way the pics turned out great!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On February 5th, 2009 my baby girl turned 18 years old. It's the big one! Now she can vote, she can open a checking account and she can even get sued...just like an adult. It's funny because to me, she's still a baby and that will probably never change. She has been sheltered but I'm trying to raise her right and help her avoid all of the pitfalls that sucked me down. By the time I was her age I had already married, had a baby, divorced and was working full-time trying to be a Mom when I really still felt like a kid. I was raised with a steady stream of money and never, ever had to work for any of it. I was given checks, written out to the store of my choice, with the amount left blank. I never even knew what a power bill was until the first one came to mine and my husbands apartment. I thought, "What is this? So we're supposed to have the money to pay this?" I was as ignorant as an oak tree when it came to things of that nature. I don't blame my parents. My Father was successful and he shared it. He was busy and gone a lot and my Mother wasn't exactly a disciplinarian. She cooked and cleaned and washed our clothes and drove us and our friends wherever we needed to go, until that is, I got my first car. Brand new off the showroom floor at Jim Burke Buick ON my 16th Birthday! In less than 6 months it was taken away from me because I was irresponsible and stayed out all night without even a phone call to my worried parents. Looking back now, if I had been my own parents first of all, I wouldn't have bought me the car and definitely would have taken it away. On my 17th Birthday, I got a used Toyota Corolla hatchback with a dull paint job. Now that's more like it Daddy!  I drove that car until the engine locked up (because I had never gotten the oil changed)! Nobody had ever told me about that, I guess they just assumed I knew....ignorant as an oak tree! This story goes on and on but this post is about Hailey's 18th Birthday so I'll just leave it here...

My baby girl was born in 1991. In that same year a very poignant song was released by Suzy Bogguss called 'Letting Go'. I distinctly remember sitting in a library in Moody, Alabama doing research on Greek philosophers for a paper I was writing for school (only the rich and geeky had the World Wide Web back in 1991). A radio station was playing softly over the speakers in the library and this song came on. I got this huge lump in my throat and had to blink back the tears. Now, 18 years later, this song still causes me to react the same way...

All I can say is.....DON'T BLINK PEOPLE!

For the past two years I've thrown Hailey very successful (but expensive) parties.

Here's a pic from her Sweet Sixteen party!

 

 

Here's my big honkin blog entry about her 17th Birthday!

Make sure to read the last paragraph!

 

This year she decided she didn't want a party because she's busy working and her BFF has moved to West Virginia. That was really fine with me because the fundage just isn't available for a party anyway. I did sink my entire Alabama tax refund into a new TV, my gift to her because her old one went kaputz.

I got it in and replaced the old one while she was at work one night and just kind of let her find it. She was very surprised!

On the night before her actual Birthday I put her card inside her Cheerios box because I knew that's the first place she would look when she got up. She thought it was a cute surprise!

 

 

We planned to 'celebrate' her Birthday on Saturday night. It was the night of the Bud Shootout (as her Birthday parties usually land on). She had to work until 10. We invited Michael and Alyssa to come over for a late dinner of spaghetti and meatballs and crusty bread (no jalapenos this time Alyssa, I promise). It worked out fine for them because they were also working late. Dinner was very, very good! Although we didn't have a party I did buy flowers because I just think Birthdays are deserving of a few flowers and I always buy some.

 

I also made cupcakes for her 'cake'. I've done that for both of my kids for the last couple of years. It's a lot easier and there's no slicing of the cake. They were chocolate with strawberry frosting and a strawberry flavored Hershey's kiss inside each one. The kisses didn't melt which I thought was VERY strange!

 

 

And CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES that were out of this world good!

 

 

So we lit the candles and we sang Happy Birthday to miss Hailey and she blew them out and made a wish! She wouldn't tell me what it was...but I'm pretty sure it had something to do with what is soon to come...

 

 

 

 

 

Now for the biggest and bestest part of Hailey's 18th Birthday.....that's right.....as promised one year ago....she finally got her car! I didn't buy it, her Father did and she was ecstatic! It's the cutest little 1998 Honda Accord with a sporty little spoiler.

 

 

 

So now my baby has her own car. Finally, she can drive herself to school and to work and to the mall and to get her hair cut. That's about it for now because she is still learning to be a good driver and I will still ride with her as she gains more experience and branches out into more difficult driving situations. 'Alive at 25' is our motto (look it up) and she's with me on that (for the most part anyway). But just her being able to drive herself around locally is such a change for me. Driving Miss Hailey has been such a huge part of my identity for such a long time....it's kind of strange but a little bit liberating. I still worry and pace when she's on the road, but she's a very good driver and it's a very good car.

So that's it....my baby is an adult now....she will graduate from high school in a few months and that chapter of her life will be over...and she will begin her journey into real adulthood...college, career, marriage, children....I will be there to guide her and gradually I will be 'letting go'...

 

Not really, just wanted to get somebody's attention LOL. I made a compilation video about the band's trip to California for the 120th Tournament of Roses Parade. So, if you missed my 10-part post about our trip to California, this little video encompasses the jist of the reason we went there. It turned out very well and I hope it will be a lasting memento for my daughter and her band mates so they will always remember when they were invited to the Rose Parade. The soundtrack is by Coldplay. Hope you like it!

 

So it's January 2nd, 2009 and it's coming home day. Our first flight leaves @9am so we're up with the chickens again to shower and finish packing to make sure we get to the airport in plenty of time.  Flight 1 members of the band, including Hailey, are also up and heading out to the airport to catch their flight. They are flying out of John Wayne/Ontario, we are flying out of LAX. I've been very concerned that Hailey might get back to the school before me but looking at our flight schedules I've already determined that it looks, on paper, like I would be able to get there just a few minutes before she does. We have a layover in Houston but she has a 2 hour drive from the Atlanta airport to the school. It's going to be close!

We get checked in fine but Hailey texts me to tell me that they took her Victoria Secret body spray because it was in her carry-on. She also tells me that their flight is delayed because they are waiting on a flight attendant. This is good news to me because I really want to be there when their buses roll in!

We take off on time and have a nice flight with another movie and meal. I felt cramped because I was in the middle seat! We have the same hassle in Houston and once again I DON'T find 'outside security' in time to have a cigarette!

The sweeps and dips coming in for a landing in Birmingham make my stomach do flips but we land fine (Thank God) now I just gotta get Hailey on the ground and through that 2 hour bus ride and we will be HOME!

We get our luggage, I get my car out of the garage with $50.00 (wow) then we head to the school. It's around 5:45pm Bham time and the band is supposed to arrive at school around 6:30pm.

Just as we were turning into the school Hailey called me and said they were 15 minutes out. I couldn't believe it worked out so perfectly! Some of the 'stay in Bham' band parents had erected a Welcome Home sign for the kids. It was AWESOME!

 

Mom was anxious to get home so she headed out and I anxiously awaited the buses arrival. All of us parents were out of our cars waiting for the buses (and if I'd had a nut in my head I would have pulled out my camera, but I was tired and goofy). When the buses pulled in they received a round of applause! I got my girl and we stopped by the Pig for some food because I knew she didn't eat hardly anything there (she's picky) and I knew there was nothing at home to eat...then we headed home.

The animals went absolutely nuts when we came in (especially Heidi). Michael and Alyssa had made us a Welcome Home sign as well...

 

How sweet!

It was a fantastic trip but it was good to be home. Mom called and said she had made it home so all was right with the world. We all 3 made it there and back safely.

So that's our trip. Thanks for checking it out!

88gurl

Please see parts 1-8 first

All of the floats in the parade were beautiful but there were a couple that were my favorites.

First is the Jacko float. Now, not being from California I thought this was a float dedicated to Michael Jackson. It was only later that I realized it was about Jack in the Box, the fast-food restaurant. Who knew?

 

It was like 60s hippie dancing themed and kind of reminded me of an episode of Laugh-In!

 

 

 

My most favorite float in the parade was the Bollywood float! The colors were gorgeous and the dancers walking alongside were beautiful and it was the scene of a wedding.

 

 

 

 

The stealth bomber was late but finally showed up! I heard there was frost on the wings and they had to de-ice it before it could take off from somewhere in Kansas!

 

And now...the moment we've all been waiting for (well me and my Mom anyway)! The Homewood Patriot Marching Band making their 3rd appearance in the Tournament of Roses Parade. The Homewood Patriot Band is the first band from Alabama to ever appear in the Rose Parade and holds the record for the most appearances. I have numerous videos that I have found across the internet as well as the video that I made myself.

Anyone watching the piece of crap network called NBC probably missed our band because the scumbags chose to air a commercial while we were marching by.....a lawsuit is pending!

Video of the band being featured on ktla in Los Angeles (Homewood is shown at the beginning of the part 6 video)

KTLA actually has another video of our band as well as all of the bands and floats and equestrian units in the parade. Just keep clicking next.

HGTV gave Homewood a good bit of airtime although he spends part of it talking about a new television show and he called us the 'Hollywood' Patriot Band LOL...this video is not available online but someone cleverly filmed it on their television screen.

 

Someone I don't know also made a video of our band in the parade.

 

And finally my own video I made as they marched by our area. They were awesome!

 

GO HOMEWOOD PATRIOTS!

After the parade was over there was a mass exodus out of there!

 

We got back on our bus and rode back to our hotel.

The band was not done with this day yet...oh no...they had plans to go to the Santa Monica Pier and then have a special Mexican dinner with Mariachi band at their hotel.

Mom and I had planned to go to the pier to meet up with them but we were just too exhausted. We decided to just hang at the hotel and start packing for the trip home.

To be continued in part 10...

 

Please see parts 1-7 first

The floats and horses in the parade were simply amazing! Here are a few of my favorites.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I couldn't believe Hee Haw had a float in the parade. Marty Stewart and his wife were on board.

 

The Vera Bradley float carried women who had survived breast cancer. Cynthia Nixon (Miranda from Sex and the City) was on board. She looked so pretty!

 

 

The now famous skateboarding dogs, Tyson and Tillman had their own float in the parade with a skateboarding track built right in! This float was blaring "Who Let the Dogs Out?" and it was a real crowd pleaser!

 

I believe it was one of these horses that took off with the most amazing gait I have ever seen. I believe it's called the rack or racking. I wish I had filmed that!

 

Both USC and Penn State showed up for the parade and both teams were greeted with both cheers and boos as they came by our area!

 

 

 

 

More to come including my favorite floats AND the Homewood Patriot Marching Band!

Continued in part 9...