~ Partners In Crime

Linda is the first friend I met after moving to California. One Sunday morning I was sitting on the patio with my coffee and the paper and came across an article about a website for women. The website is called The Girlfriends Cafe and the article mentioned how it was a great site for women to meet other women in similar situations that they might be in. So, thinking I'd check things out, I logged on to do a little site exploring. However, in order to explore, you had to join. I filled in the appropriate boxes, made up an ID name and was on my way. The site has an area where you can enter your zip code, pick a 'mile radius' and then find women who are in your area. After all these profiles come up, you can send a message to the 'friend' of your choice. Laughs, I have to admit that it sounded like I was on some kind of female dating site but I explored the site before actually sending anyone a message. Admittedly, at this point, I was desperate for friends and someone to talk to.

I found one person who lived in La Quinta. I sent her a note and we met for coffee a few days later. Lynsay said, "Mom, you have a play date!" The woman was very nice, albeit a bit older than me. We had absolutely nothing in common. After not really giving this venture my all, I decided to toss in the towel. A few weeks later, I had "girlfriend mail". A few days after that, Linda and I met for a coffee at a Starbucks on El Paseo and we became instant friends. It's amazing how we connected and have so much in common.

We try to have dinner at least once a week but sometimes that will end up being every other week. Whenever we get together, we usually find ourselves bent over laughing at one thing or another. I'm thankful for her friendship; without it, I'd probably have packed my bags and headed back to Omaha before this first year in California was even up. We already have stories that we tell about our nights out but I think our favorite story is the night we had dinner at Tommy Bahama's and then walked around El Paseo.

We were hitting store after store, and ended up at Harry & David's. The two guys working that night were the nicest guys, obviously gay and totally fun to talk to. Next thing I know, Linda is knocking a shelving unit over, at which point, I proceeded to act like I had no idea who she was. Once we made it up to pay for our purchases, another customer came in and she happened to be employed at Saks. Linda launched into how Saks 'profiles' people, but especially her because she's Hispanic. I always laugh when she talks about this so after leaving Harry & David's I dragged her to Saks. We walked through the doors and were instantly followed (discreetly, of course) by an employee. We took our time strolling around, oohing and aahing over bags and shoes. I now tell her that they don't profile because of race, they profile because of money. Next time you're at a Saks, pay attention to see how quickly one of their employees rush over to you to offer assistance. Not a one of them asked if we needed to look at anything. Gee, was it that obvious that we wouldn't be buying those $800 Jimmy Choo pumps or that $1,800 Dolce & Gabbana tote? I guess next time we need to not be so obvious. *grins*

It's nice to have a friend around to hang out with, to laugh with. It's true, our girlfriends make life so much more fun.

~ Mother's Day Weekend

Our second trip home was for Ryan's graduation that just happened to be held over Mother's Day weekend. Yay me! This was perfect for me because last Mother's Day, KJ and I got up and met Lynsay for breakfast. After breakfast, we started our long trek to California, stopping in Lincoln to pick up Ryan. It was my worst Mother's Day ever and the visual I have of Lynsay standing in the parking lot of Village Inn will forever be in my mind. Being able to be with both the kids this Mother's Day was a gift in itself.

Again, we flew into Omaha on Thursday, giving us 3 full days with the kids. I spent Friday visiting friends while KJ did his thing. Saturday was graduation and the day/weather was beautiful. We got up early and headed out with Lynsay to Lincoln and the Devaney Center. I've heard nightmares of how college graduations can drag on and on but I was pleasantly surprised that this one seemed to fly by. Lynsay and I sat there and critiqued the shoes that the girls were wearing....lol and that helped pass the time.

As each college was announced the students in that college proceeded up the middle aisle to shake the hand of the dean of that college and then receive their diplomas. I can't tell you how it felt to watch Ryan walking up for his diploma, never taking my eyes off of him. The pride I felt and the emotions that threatened to bubble over. Suddenly, my eyes got misty and the memories started flashing through my mind like movie clips. In my minds eye, I saw him at his pre-school graduation with the little paper cap on his head. Next came his first day of kindergarten and how after driving him to school, he jumped out of the car and went running up to the school, leaving me there thinking, "wait, it's not supposed to be like this; you're supposed to be clinging to my leg, begging me to let you stay home." I saw him in little league and peewee football. I saw him entering junior high and then high school. His first job. I saw him on the wrestling team, the golf team and the Varsity football team. I saw him at his high school graduation. And then, my mind seemed to slow down as I remembered the day he left for college. I remember taking him out to dinner with some friends and how after dinner, he and Zach got into Zach's truck and drove away while Julie (Zach's mom) and I stood there crying. I mean, hell.....they didn't even act sad to be leaving us! It was like kindergarten all over again! Then came the day when Ryan told me he no longer wanted to live in the dorms. Well, to me, that meant getting a house and getting a house meant NEVER coming home. At least when he lived in the dorms, he had to come home during breaks. I was heartbroken. But, the house came into play and the boys were thrilled. And, he still came home. Now, 5 years later, I was watching this incredible young man end one chapter of of his life while preparing for the next one.

There was a small party that night for Ryan, Kyle and Tucker ~ the three of them have been friends since high school and roommates all during college. It was one of those nights where once again we were surrounded by friends and family for a celebration. It was a lot of fun and evidently we were having so much fun, one of the neighbors called the cops! I'll never forget the end of the party when Kenny, Ryan and I were leaving. Ryan, Kyle and Tucker were all in the family room shaking hands (being guys) and the next thing I know, one of them said "forget this, let's have one last roomie hug!" It sounds silly, but seeing those boys standing there in the middle of their friends and family hugging, made me cry.

The next day was Mother's Day which meant I got to spend the entire day with the kids and I was thrilled. We went to brunch, did some shopping and then had dinner together that night. The next day, KJ and I flew back to California.

I missed the kids before I even got on the plane . . .

(the pic up there is Tucker, Kyle and Ryan)

~ For Lynsay

~ Before ~

before I ever held you

in my arms ~

before your tiny hand curled

itself tightly around my

little finger ~

before your crooked toothless grin

could instantly melt

my heart ~

before you looked at the world

with eyes full of

awe and wonder ~

before you crawled at the

speed of light ~

before you uttered your

first word ~

before pre-school and junior high,

slumber parties and the

discovery of boys ~

before make-up and high heels,

homecoming and prom ~

before softball, dance lessons,

and your first car ~

before your first breath

and

before your first step . . .

. . . I loved you

Love,

Mom

~ Omaha Gone Wild

In April, we made the first of two trips back to Omaha. This first trip was to celebrate Lynsay's 21st birthday. KJ and I left sunny California on April 23rd for cool and rainy Omaha. Friday was our first full day back and admittedly, the day was warm and sunny. It was the rest of the trip that was cold and rainy!

I had been looking forward to this trip for what seemed like forever. I had a special surprise for Stinkerbell ~ my mom, my sister and my niece were all driving up from Oklahoma City to help us celebrate. On Friday, Lynsay and I went for pedicures after her class. I told her we couldn't lollygag, that we needed to be back at the hotel by 4pm because one of my g/f's from school (Gem) was leaving town, would miss the party and she wanted to give Lynsay her gift in person. I only partly fibbed.....Gem did miss Lynsay's party but she was already out of town. *shrugs*

So, Lyns and I get to the hotel and I'm scanning the parking lot for my sisters car. Once I spotted it, I had to make sure I didn't park anywhere near it because Lynsay would have definitely noticed the Oklahoma plates. It was drizzling so we hurried in to the hotel and as we walked through the front doors, my family was off to the side waiting for her. When she spotted my mom, she totally lost it. The tears started coming and she kept saying, "I don't know what to say, I don't know what to say." She was really taken by surprise and keeping it from her was well worth it. Even the girls behind the front desk were misty eyed as they watched the scene unfold. I think that moment was the best part of the entire weekend.

We had a big family dinner that night at Big Fred's Pizza Place (a family favorite) and stayed up that night getting caught up. The next day, Lynsay and I ran errands ~ she got her hair done, we picked up her birthday cake, etc.

Her party was held at The Candlelight and you know, we had a really good time. It was so nice to have my mom and my sister there with me; my niece had a blast (her uncle KJ taught her how to play keno) and I got to meet my sister's boyfriend, who also made the trip. I think I maybe scare him though....lol.

All the kids had a great time ~ my two nieces (Kristin & Erin) were up on the stage dancing with Lynsay, TJ (Lynsay's boyfriend) and Ryan, TJ's brother. KJ and I got to spend some time with friends, I got to see my girls from school (I really MISS them) ~ it was just one of those weekends where friends and family congregated to celebrate an important occasion.

I remember at one point I was standing there in the area where we all were and I looked over and saw Lynsay on the dance floor having a blast. I saw Ryan hanging with his college buddies. I saw my mom, my sister, my niece, all having fun. I looked over and saw Kim and the girls laughing at something and everywhere I looked I saw our friends ~ I felt blessed.

It was a celebration on many different levels.

~ A Wife and A Mom

In my "About Me", I mentioned that I'm a wife and a mom. This is my family ~ I'm the wife to KJ and last month, we celebrated our 27th anniversary. In our 27 years together, we've lived in Nebraska, Michigan and now California. We lost one baby but were later blessed with two. We've mourned loss of life ~ my dad, my aunt, his uncle, his grandmother, and my grandmother. We've lost friends due to illness. We've had job loss and job gain, made friends and lost friends. We've had pets galore. At one point, I thought we'd be the 'cool parents' and let the kids have ferrets. Yes, plural....they each had one. Ugh!

Our greatest accomplishment (to me) as a couple? Our two kids . . .

I'm mom to Ryan and Lynsay ~ 23 and 21 respectively. Because of them, my life has known a joy beyond anything I could have ever imagined. However, I truly feel that when you give birth, part of the "goodie bag" the hospital gives you before going home should include a handbook on how to raise children. There have been plenty of days where I made a call to my mom after something that Lynsay did and say, "I'm so sorry" .... lol. My mom was right; until you're a parent, you just don't 'get it.'

You don't get what it's like to wait up every night until each child is home and safely tucked away in their bed. You don't get what it's like to wait for the phone call that says, "I'm running late, I'll be home soon". You don't get that feeling of relief when you hear the garage door go up, knowing that they made it home in one piece after being out on ice covered roads. You don't get that rush of pride that goes through you when they've set and accomplished a goal. The pride you feel as you watch your son from the stands when a struggling football team stuck it out the entire year, never giving up, despite the fact they lost every game. Or, when your daughter puts her heart and soul into dance and seeing her dedication and hard work come to fruition when her dance team makes it to Nationals.

Yes, my mom was right; until you're a parent, you just don't get it.

~ From Cruella, With Love . . .

Since this will be my first blog, I'm going to just ramble a bit.

First of all, the title, "From Cruella, With Love" is probably making Lynsay, Kristin and Erin laugh out loud since they're the three who call me Cruella the most. Where does this come from? Well, remember when the revised movie "The Parent Trap" came out? In one of the scenes, Hallie/Annie runs into Meredith and as Meredith walks away, Hallie/Annie mumbles, "Whatever you say....Cruella." Sometime after that movie, Lynsay said that very same thing to me and well, the name Cruella stuck. So, naming this blog "From Cruella, With Love" makes it a bit more personal.

My friend Linda is the one who introduced me to this site. She uses it as a way to keep friends/family up-to-date on what's going on with the family, what's new in her life, etc. Linda, by the way, is my one and only friend here in California. I absolutely adore her and I guess you could say we're partners in crime whenever we get together.

In this blog, you'll find updates on family, pics of family or places I visit here in California and pics of family events and trips. I'll post my favorite quotes, my favorite music and I'll even be sharing some of my writing. Yes, I know, most of you didn't know that I love to write and according to Kenny and my friends from school, I don't do too bad when I let my imagination take over.

Sit back and enjoy the ramblings of Cruella . . . .