Goodbye

Goodbye

Goodbye to the cold and rainy and wet
Goodbye to all the new friends we've met

Goodbye to the little things,
like washers, fridges, and roads with rings

Goodbye to right hand drive
I'm going back to the other side

Goodbye to all the history; the churches, the castles
I'll think of you instead of the hassles

Goodbye my Monday morning crew
I hate to leave you to just two

Goodbye to the Busy Bee ladies
Thank you for loving my babies!

And Mary gets an extra special thank you,
without you, I'm not sure what we'd do!

Goodbye to my train driving mate,
the next beer and round will have to wait

Goodbye my local landscaping lager lout
Next time we meet, you'll be drinking stout!

Goodbye to the Golf Society guys,
you who shoot low and score so high

Goodbye to all the people with all their charm
Goodbye beloved Thatcher's Arms

Goodbye to the landlord who made me feel at home
I can't thank you enough for the kindness shown

Goodbye is not how I feel, in the end
So I'll choose to say, till we meet again.

Thank you all so very much!!
Chris

A summary

Well, here it is. Rian's last day. Yesterday did not go so well. She was obviously upset at saying goodbyes, and consequently didn't say very many. I hope it doesn't make her too sad in the long run; it's a hard lesson she will learn later in life: say your goodbyes, and express your affection when you have the opportunity. All in all, she wasn't bad, just a bit overwhelmed.

On the way from school to her special dinner she got very quiet. I asked if she was ok, and she said,

"I am just sad for growing up."

*choke back tears*

"Well, honey, Daddy is a little sad too, but we all have to grow up. And just think of all the super cool things you get to do when you are older; like drive, go to college, get married..."

"NO! You just get soap in your eyes and get big sore bones!"

*Ouch* How do you argue that though? I mean, it felt like I had soap in my eyes at that moment, and I was still trying to drive. I can only imagine the second part of her declaration had to do with a discussion regarding growing and how it sometimes hurts, but that was months ago. I guess another reminder of be careful what you say.

Next week, Rian gets a break and Daddy gets Rian  and Bay at home. Hope the weather is nice or it could be a long one. Then, school starts up and we move on...and wait for calls from the Headmaster.

I would like to post a poem, written by one of Rian's wonderful teachers, a super lady who is always full of energy and joy and really keeps the kids going. No idea how she does it, but she is tremendous. Thank you KJW!

       We'll Miss You
                            
The time has come to say goodbye,

We'll try so hard not to cry,

We'll miss your funny little ways,
And all our fun and crazy days.

Getting messy, paint and glue,
Sticking, colouring and collage too.

Making friends, time together,
Memories that will last forever.

We've watched you grow, and come so far,
You'll always be a shining star.

Learning together each new day,
A brand new skill that will always stay.

Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring,
A brand new season, what will it bring?

Time outside, rain and sun,
So much fun for everyone.

Riding bikes, climbing and sliding,
Running, jumping or a game of hiding.

So now we have to be apart,
But you'll always be inside our heart.

Everyone will miss you so,
And always remember wherever you go,

That you are special and quite unique,
In the way you move and the words you speak.

A last goodbye and last squeeze,
Never ever forget us please.

Poem by Katie Whitnell
 
Thanks so much to all the Busy Bees Staff, especially Emma, Katie, & Carly and the others who fill in at Starburst since this is about Rian. Trusting someone with your children is not always easy, but you ALL do an amazing job, and we "transplants" are lucky to have found you!

A quickie

Well, due to the way things work here, I have one less year of having a "little girl." Rian graduates from Pre-school today and starts Reception, a.k.a. kindergarten on the 6th. I am torn. She is a smart girl and I have no doubts mentally she is ready, but if you've met her, you prolly know she is a handful, and I am not sure they are ready for a school takeover. I am concerned for her attitude and stubborn ways and sarcastic mouth. Granted, she comes by those things honestly as mine and Lace's child, but it isn't a great combo for a 4 year old starting school sooner than we thought she would.
Ah well, we shall see. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers, and more importantly, keep myself and Lace there as well. Kid #2 Pre-school graduation here I come! Ugh...am I really old enough to have been to two kids PS graduations??

1 year down

While I sit here exhausted, trying to arrange all my thoughts of the last couple weeks back home and the last year as a whole, one thing is for certain--I am blessed. Now that doesn't mean I am always happy, of course it doesn't, that is just ridiculous. It also doesn't mean that I wouldn't change anything. Nonetheless, I am overwhelmed at just how lucky I am sometimes.
First off let me start by saying a giant thank you to all of my friends and family back home that made for a very special 3 week vacation. It was much needed and much appreciated. We crammed a lot into the first two weeks as a family and I just about killed myself the last week running all over. Wouldn't have changed it though, too much good stuff is good sometimes.
OK, so a quick rundown. Golf for me the day after I got back probably wasn't a good idea and my scores showed that. No harm done. Sunday school was great, getting to catch up with good friends, and having several groups invite us over was wonderful as well. Thank you Evans and Sheehys, and Gunnemans thank you for stopping also. Racquetball Monday was an experience. Fun to be back out there, not so fun to stink it up so bad. Dentist Tuesday resulted in everyone having good news except Rian, who is back to having Mom and Dad brush her teeth. Yikes, kid! Wednesday, my folks showed up and took us for some Mexican (oh how I missed you so!)...(parents and the food) after more racquetball. Friday morning, Dad and I did something we hadn't done in ages. Single digit age for me I think. We went fishing with my neighbors, Matt and Paul, thanks to both for the invite and Paul for the boat. What a fun time. Cigars, couple cold beverages, and we all caught--winning combos. Poker that night--also rusty, and shopping the next day. Church again Sunday, cavity filled for Rian & racquetball on Monday, followed by a movie then dinner, and saying goodbye to my parents. Kelsie had a positive report on Tuesday from her neuro, though we aren't off medicine and seizures are still present, she was pleased with K's progress, and said there were FEWER seizures. Thank God. Golfed again Wednesday night with better results and Lace helped her friend set up her classroom for school. Thursday was more cavities and Friday I golfed with my brother in law and then we had our farewell dinner with Leasea's sister and family. I said goodbye to Baylie that night for a week, and Saturday after breakfast with the Carlton family, I said goodbye to the other three as they got on the plane, England bound. I saw a movie and tried to take it easy that night, I was off to Tunica at 5 am on Sunday...
...Pre-dawn, Matt and I are picking up Tate and Eastbound. Had to be there in time for a tourney, which I finished one off the money in, and then had a ridiculous, Paula Dean buffet. Bad idea, as we all over-ate. Good idea because it was so dang good. Took some seriously rough beats at the poker table that night and I was down in a hole to start day 2, but golf was coming. Monday we played 27 holes of golf, I shot 48 on the front, 48 on the back, and 48 on the bonus 9. Nothing brilliant, but I beat Matt, and I guess you could say I showed consistency. A quick hustle to the hotel for three showers and back off for another tournament which I made final table, but no cash, and Matt chopped the pot for a win--congrats Matt! I hit big again and again on 3 card and was out of my hole and up a bit after day 2. Came back on Tuesday, relaxed, got laundry started and finished on Wednesday between errands. Was pretty well squared away and ready for my flight to Chicago on Thursday to met my cousin Gary and his roommate Daryl for some fun and a ballgame. Thursday was the fun, bouncing around downtown and having Gino's East pizza, before heading back to condo to sleep and get ready for the ballgame Friday. Hit some places in Wrigleyville before the game, which the Cubs came from behind to lead before showing off their patented come-from-ahead-loss skills. Awesome. Couple more places to show D and then I was off to the airport. Got back to AR at midnight, got home, showered, slept, woke, finished packing and was loaded up for the airport 10 hours later. Ugh. 16+6 hours later I was in Mt Bures hugging all my girls.
So, what does all that do? It leads me to this. I love home, I miss home, but it was nice to come back here, because this is where my family is. As fun as that last week was, I had to stay that busy so I wouldn't be lonely. There are many issues when you are living two places. You are always town between where you are and where you aren't. Who you're with and who isn't around. What things were like, and how they are. That isn't a bad thing, and I hope I am learning how to cope better. I have met some great people here who are becoming friends I hope to have for many years. I have wonderful, tolerant, helpful friends back home, that while missing them makes it hard to be here, there prayers and support and help, makes it possible to be here. I think it is probably like comparing girlfriends; better left undone, just look to each new experience with a fresh and positive understanding. And I am trying.

A short PSA

When "kickin it old school" remember:
The memories are always going to win out over trying to recreate the memories. The saying you can't go back, is really deeper than some Southern wit.
I had a PB&J this week. First time in awhile. This from a guy who will try PB on anything. Did it taste anything remotely like Gramma used to make when I threw her the "deuce" sign to answer what I wanted for lunch? Ahh, no. Same type of bread, same type of PB, jelly, the works. No dice. Maybe it was a magical, pre night-games at Wrigley period where things tasted better. (It was always two PB&J's, a run around outside, and back inside for a 1:20 first pitch. Marvelous.) But the generations previous have the same things, don't they? Some time, some place, something was better than they will ever experience it again. And I don't mean the cliched, "I walked uphill 5 miles both ways" stuff, I mean real memories. The things you can still feel, or touch or taste.
And I also mean that both ways. Good and bad. The bad memories are just as important, if not more so, than the good ones. Sure, we treasure the good ones, but the bad ones--if we're smart enough--we learn from, grow from. I honestly believe that this life would be boring if we only had highs. I mean, can you imagine a roller-coaster with just highs? Not so much a coaster as an airport moving walkway. I don't relish my bad memories, but I do hold them dear. I have to.
I could go on and on, I've had a million of these moments in the last 6+ years that Lace and I have been together. This one just stuck out. Maybe it was the time between "sammiches" or maybe it was looking forward to going home in a month, who knows? Anyhow, it cured what ailed me as far as writer's block...at least for the time being.
I guess as parents, the best we can hope for is to give our kids as many of the good, help ease the bad and teach them that they all need to move you forward. Or, to bring it full circle, hopefully, one day, Baylie's PB&J making skills won't compare to my skills.

Well this is a mess/New list

Ok, I got on here with full intention of writing about how screwed up San Francisco and Arizona are right now, but I realize I am on the losing side...strangely enough, that happens to be on the side of the law. How in the heck can it be wrong to ask someone to be a citizen to get benefits, wages and to VOTE? It is the law, it is absolutely right, and if you are illegal, leave or get legal. Or we can start paying you in pesos. How would you like 8 pesos and hour vs $8? Right. So, thats all on that, because I have a feeling I could rant a thesis length paper right now about the idiot protestors.

So, new list. Favorite rock musicians. Solo. There are going to be many more on here, but that is because there are so many greats, and, frankly its my list, so I don't even know why I have to justify.
Again, in no particular order.

Bruce Springsteen - Ok, you may argue he is in a band if you like, but it is Bruce Springsteen & ... So individual it is in my book. The essential voice of the working man. A blue collar poet. Sure, sometimes it seems as if he is reading from a diary or a newspaper, but the way he turns the phrase into something more is outstanding. And sure, his voice is not great, but if it were, I don't think he would be as good. Teh grittiness makes it. Concerts are legendary. Super-gluing your fingers to keep playing even after 3 hours on stage? And he can certainly play. And The E Street band is pretty dang good too.

Billy Joel - The Piano Man. Just don't request that at a piano bar. Amateur. I love his stories. Its like country music set to piano and rock. A lyricist to the core who can tinkle the ivories with the best of them. Diverse too, with many clasical pieces under his belt and lending his songs and expertise to Broadway as well. A good voice, with great range, his albums run the gamut and give you a listening experience that doesn't all sound the same.

Meatloaf - Ok, so he mostly acts now, but he has arguably the best concept album ever with Bat Out of Hell. And he can belt, really belt. Again, a lyric storyteller, with epic length songs. Pretty sure 'the best of' could get you through a regular workweek commute. Its more quality than quantity here, which to me, is unfortunate, but he does have a new album out, so there is hope.

Before I continue, yes, I see the theme. I like stories. I like lyrics. Understood.

Elton John - Very similar to Joel, except more flamboyant x 10. Great songs, and part of one of the best writing teams of all time with Bernie Taupin, and now very prolific on soundtracks and Broadway with Tim Rice. Diverse, eccentric, and interesting, his 35 years of albums are all over the map, and mostly good. Like the US, minus Ohio.

David Bowie - Another of the top 5 concept albums of all time, in my opinion with Ziggy Stardust. Ecclectic, mega talented, and smart, he has an outstanding voice, and ideas a plenty. One of those artists I really get excited about when the radio gets its head out of its rear end and puts some Ziggy on. An actor as well, he has fallen away from the music scene a bit, but has enough credibility to pull off any move he wants to.

Prince - Some may argue he is R & B, but I say rock. What other R & B act has that kind of music, especially the guitar? And, sadly, Prince gets overlooked too often because he doesn't neatly fit into a category. He can certainly handle himself with the instruments, and musically brilliant. One of the best soundtracks from one of the worst movies with Purple Rain. Vocal range to spare, all in a pocket sized, in your face, daring dude. Sure he is strange, but I imagine thats where the inspirations come from, so go for it man.

Michael Jackson - Off his rocker weird. Ok. No argument. But the best performer in my lifetime easily and Elvis is probably his only rival of all time. Singer, writer, musician, dancer, & actor and all done fairly successfully. Controversial for many reasons, even before the allegations of the 90s, he seemed to be a little boy genius trapped in man's body. Be hard to say what he would have been like with a normal family, but his results speak for themselves.

So this is my list. Apologies to Van Morrison (nothing in my lifetime too significant) and Bob Dylan (everyone's go to pick, but I prefer his lyrics to his music) and Elvis (what have you done lately, huh?) and too many others to name. Feel free to comment. Or not. Suggest a list if you want.

Rian-isms

Here is a re-post from Facebook of all the Rian-isms from the first 9 months or so of England life. In chronological order as well, so for your viewing/reading enjoyment, I present Rian. And remember, laughter is the best medicine!

"Ohhh Dad this (vanilla) ice cream tastes like 3 million strawberries." Ummm, ok, Rian




2 new Rian gems while coloring today:

"I colored outside the lines to remind me not to, it's not an accident." &

"When I grow up to be a mommy, I'll play in a poker tournament with you, I will."



"Daddy, you're so nice, I just wanna send you to Heaven." Thanks, Rian, I don't know what to say.



Rian just started screaming at the top of her lungs in the back seat, I asked her what she was doing and the response was, "I'm not screaming, I'm singing like Fiona and trying to explode that bird over there." Might be time to stop watching Shrek



Me: "Rian, Daddy spent all day cleaning, why are you tearing stuff up?"

Rian, with a grin even: "it's just what I do, Dad."



Rian, upon seeing my new tattoo for the first time. "WHY YOU HAVE MY NAME?? YOU 'POSED TO HAVE YOUR NAME, NOT MINE!!" the put her face down in her arms, and huffed and puffed and pouted



While walking through Sherwood Forest, both girls with walking sticks:

Rian: "I have a big stick."

Baylie: "Rian, they are basically the same size."

Rian: "Well, potentially mine is bigger."

Potentially, really? Sure you're three?



Rian: "Here Dad, rub my new head bump (from meeting a door @school)"

Me: "No honey, Daddy doesn't want to hurt you"

Rian: "Then why do you spank me, huh?"

And walks away. I feel like I've been set up



Rian wailing in church because she only got a blessing and "nothing in her hand and no drinks!" (cracker and wine for Communion)



What an age we live in.

Me: "Rian, apologize to Kels." (she accidentally knocked her over)

Rian (walking away): "I will sent her a text message"



Latest Rian Red-bottom Retort:

Me: "Rian get your clothes on."

Rian: "I not like those pants!"

Me: "You can't always wear dresses, I think those are pretty."

Rian: "You wear them Daddy"



Me: "Rian, go to your room and sit in bed!"

Rian: "I sending me to bed first, not you!"



Upon hearing coughing from the bathroom; Me: "Don't drink your bath water Rian!" Rian "I not! I choking on it!"



Me: "Don't drink your bath water Rian!"

Rian: "I not! I choking on it!"



Rian's bones are bigger than last night, she has to grow up to go to work. Her words, not mine obviously.



Rian, in the bathtub with Kelsie: "Arggh, Kelsie. You're making me cross. Ahh its ok, even though you have a bad 'attitune,' I still love you."



"My body ate all of my ‘sunscream’ up cuz it wants me to get a tan."

Sigh, whatever, Rian.

And finally a prayer from the beginning of our journey over here:

After reading Franklin's Vowels: The Letter O, Short Sounds

"God and Jesus, welcome for my family, welcome we have a great day. So much fun. Please let no fox or hog or dog in my yard. Only a dog if its Maya. Please we can have a log and an otter to come over in my yard. Not a fire, for its hot, can burn my Kels. Welcome for only getting one scratch on my nose when I fell down the stairs. I want a top for Christmas or tomorrow. I had one yesterday."

Long pause.

Me: "Are you done? Say Amen."
Rian, "No, I listening."
Big Sigh.
Longer pause.
Rian, "Ok. Amen. Daddy, leave all the lights on for Maya to come visit, good night."