Sigh...

Well, here I am with wet hair (it's colored), feeling pretty shitty. :8

In between work, and errands, car repairs, and my boys coming and going, I wasn't listening to the radio, so I didn't hear about MJ dropping dead until early this evening. I was in shock over Farrah this morning, and I was wondering to myself: Okay, Ed McMahon died, now Farrah, now who is next? I would have never guessed for a billion trillion dollars that it would be Michael Jackson of all people.

Sad news.

His music was a part of my child of the 80's. Part of my childhood...is just gone.

My daughter is playing his music upstairs in her room. She has a black line on her face from the tears she cried, and says she isn't going to wash it off until morning. She was going to invite him to her wedding (like that was really going to happen), but now she is going to have to resort to playing his music. She already has 3 songs picked out.

I remember one MJ moment that has stayed with me for years. Picture this: I'm walking down an residential avenue near the ocean with my brother Eddy, my cousin Manny and his sister Adelaide down the cobble stone streets of Terceira in the Azores (Portugal). It's a beautiful summer's day, and the streets are a little deserted. Blaring from the window of a veranda, we hear "Billy Jean, is not my lover..." in tune with the lace curtains that are softly flowing in the summer wind. We walk down another block, and from another window, we hear, "Dance with you...all night..." I remember myself thinking to myself, "He's everywhere!"

Well, tonight he is.

Rest in Peace, Michael, Ed & Farrah

Guess who is wearing her Curves pants?!

It is virtually impossible to take a picture of myself..sorry. I'm posing in my Curve pants.

I have no idea what possessed me to come into work today. Sure, my son has summer school in town, and swimming lessons later this afternoon, but I have a multitude of things to do before tomorrow morning! We are leaving tomorrow morning at the break of dawn on a road trip to southern Nevada, and I have a lot to accomplish today and tonight! I also want to color my hair! I have a suspicion I will be doing that late this evening…

Saturday we celebrated my son Andrew’s birthday—he is now the BIG 15, and according to him: “I don’t feel any different.” Oh to be 15 again. Do you remember what you were doing at 15? I do. When I was 15 it was 1981—and had a first real kiss from a boy (that wasn’t a relative), first slow dance, first job. Sigh… Andrew has his whole life ahead of him for firsts.

I will post pictures of his birthday later---perhaps tonight when I’m waiting for my hair color to set in front of the computer.

Nicholas is now in summer school and is happy. His day starts with play and physical education on a big playground, and then he goes to another teacher who he practices writing and reading skills. Of course, the kids in his class are all older than him, but I think he will be alright. His teacher’s name is Kitty. She was my kindergarten teacher---it’s a little weird, but this is what happens when you come from a smaller town. On the first day I saw an old classmate of mine from elementary school. It so happens someone from my 1st grade class, Jennifer’s daughter is attending the same class.

“Julie Costa, is that you?”

Yes, it’s me!

Nicholas started his swimming lessons the other day. Although he was excited at first to learn to swim, he was less than thrilled when it was time to actually get in the pool. Yes, I found myself chasing him around the kiddy pool, but eventually, he gave in and slowly got into the pool and in the end really was enjoying the water and blowing bubbles. He really loved it, and now he can’t wait for his second lesson-which is later today. Of course he is learning to swim in the same pool I used to go to. The pool area is near a playground, and guess who we saw when we passed by? Why it was OUR kindergarten teacher, Kitty! Oh well, at least she looks good still—it makes me feel young.

There has been some really weird news lately… What is up with that Republican Governor, “disappearing” for a matter of days to be with his Argentina lover, “Maria”.
Okay, could he have, I don’t know, done this all a little better? I mean with some extra planning? Why has this become NATIONAL news in this country and in Argentina? Is this some publicity ploy? I mean this is the sort of stunt that Madonna pulls; celebrities do this for extra ratings! I was shocked this morning when the morning news lady announced that we could actually read his love letters to his Argentine love bug on the internet. What?! Why are his “love letters” to “Maria” posted all over the internet? Why, and most importantly, WHY DO WE CARE?! What about his poor wife, and his children?! Do they really deserve this kind of humiliation? This guy is a piece of work. If you are having an affair, and you want to end it, do it quietly for God’s sake. It could have been done. I guess it is “pay back time” from the Clinton administration…oh well, people in glass houses should not throw stones.

Remind me NEVER to be in a reality show. Jon and Kate make 8? Um..not anymore-try 7, or will they split the kids now with each parent? Will Kate have her own show? Now didn’t we all see this coming? Won’t people ever learn that reality shows are simply a BAD IDEA! Sure, there is money involved, but—IS IT REALLY WORTH IT? I don’t think so. I guess the lady, (Angelina lookalike wanna be) with all the babies are going to have her own show as well. Wow, I can’t wait to see that one. “Mommy takes the kids to MCD’s, with the help of 3 mini vans…” Exciting stuff.

Happy Daddy's Day

Now that I have my scanner working, I can finally post some better pictures of one of the most important men in my life---my dad. I love this picture, because the smile he is wearing, is his natural smile. My mom just got out of the salon when she took this photo--that explains the BIG hair. This photo was taken years ago---I'm guessing in the early/mid 90's.

Father's Day has been different since my father passed away-it's bittersweet. I miss my dad, but now that he is gone, I've realized with each passing year, that he is still with me stronger in spirit. I can hear his voice in his favorite country western song we used to make fun of--(anything by Kenney Rogers or Johnny Cash), and each time I hear the music to the Portuguese chamarita-the dance he always danced with my mom. I see him in the faces his grandchildren, and feel his embrace.

Better Later, than Never

My mom and dad, at my son Andrew's birthday party, years ago, is seen here posing with a family friend.

Whoa…it’s been awhile since I’ve written, I know.

June is proven to be a very busy month---even more busy than May… Where to start? I feel like I have to play catch up AGAIN. This month we had a graduation, end of school parties, and now summer school academy for Nicholas and swimming lessons… We also have a birthday this weekend (Andrew is turning 15), and the following weekend a family reunion to attend to out of state on my husband’s side of the family.

I think I’m spending the time that I used to spend here on a daily basis on Facebook, and walking around the track at the high school wearing my Curves training pants. Yes, Mary, I am a Curves training pants whore. I do not have before or after pictures, but I have noticed that my clothes, my jean in particular fit better! Anyway, if any of you have Facebook—look me up if you haven’t already-I’m under Julielangley66@yahoo.com.

It’s been awhile since I’ve updated you with the remodeling of my once “ghetto building”, and I know all of you have been wondering for weeks and weeks on how it is coming along! Well, I am happy to report that the entire “Miami Vice” motif wallpaper, and stained and contaminated from sewage, soiled matching carpet is gone! Yes, now we have new carpet in shades of green brown and yellow. Not my favorite, but at least we know it’s fairly clean. We also have new tile, paint, and new building doors. We no longer have a piece of paper stuck on the door, with red tape with the number to the building written in black felt marker. We actually have REAL #’s on our building. HURRAH! The trailer toilets and porta potties have been taken away as well, and the new bathrooms are nice, except for the ONE SINK. We have keyless entry now, and we have to type in a code to open the door, but, after that sex offender guy got caught leaving the women’s bathroom, I still check for men’s shoes in each of the stalls. At this very moment there are men on working on the roof. I can hear them walking about, and I wouldn’t be surprised if one comes down from the ceiling at any time. It might be raining men soon.

I just came back from a nice walk downtown with my former co-worker, Maria, and it was a nice walk. Not one street person asked us for spare change. This is the main reason I have not taken a walk downtown for awhile. It was a nice walk, and I almost bought myself a cute sundress, but after I saw the care instructions, and how thin the material was, I figured it wasn’t worth the trouble or the money. I don’t do ironing, and who has time for hand washing? Not me. The weather here has been really nice---it actually feels like summer!

Sunday, is the first day of summer! It is also my son’s birthday, and Father’s Day. Now that my scanner is working, I hope to scan some pictures here later. I got my daughter to remind her dad that Andrew’s birthday was coming up. I tried to call, but just the sound of his voice makes me want to throw up a little, so Lizzy called. I didn’t want him to have me remind me of his son’s birthday. Yep, and of course he forgot, but at least he knows now. Funny, how some people can forget birthdays of their own children, but apparently a lot of them do! My mom didn’t believe it was my birthday a few months ago.

You know how there are some things you hear, or experience, and you never seem to forget? Those moments in time that stand out because the way it was told to you or, the way that it made you feel—it may be of shock or surprise. Well, hours after Andrew was born, his dad went home to watch the rest of the soccer game on T.V. I really didn’t think it was a big deal, and I was pretty shocked and a little offended when I heard the nurse who was tending me say: “If that was my husband, I would divorce him.” Wow, she must have been psychic or something, hey? I can laugh about it now.

Yes, NOW is so much better than the THEN. That’s all that really matters right now.

American/Portuguese Kids

(My daughter, Lizzy.)

I got this an an email--thought it was cute...

American kids: Move out when they're 18 with the full support of their parents.
Portuguese kids: Move out when they're 28, having saved enough money for a house, and are two weeks away from getting married.....unless there's room in the basement for the newlyweds.

American kids: When their Mom visits them, she brings a Bundt cake, and you sip coffee and chat.
Portuguese kids: When their Mom visits them, she brings 3 days worth of food, begins to tidy up, dust, do the laundry, and rearrange the furniture.

American kids: Their dads always call before they come over to visit them, and it's usually only on special occasions..
Portuguese kids: Are not at all fazed when their dads show up, unannounced, on a Saturday morning at 8:00, and starts pruning the fruit trees. If there are no
fruit trees, he'll plant some.

American kids: Always pay retail, and look in the Yellow Pages when they need to have something done.
Portuguese kids: Call their dad or uncle, and ask for another dad's or uncle's phone number to get it done.

American kids: Will come over for cake and coffee, and get only cake and coffee. No more.
Portuguese kids: Will come over for cake and coffee, and get linguisa, wine, sweet bread, malasada, salad,
and a few after dinner drinks.

American kids: Will greet you with 'Hello' or 'Hi'.
Portuguese kids: Will give you a big hug, a kiss on your cheek, and a pat on your back.

American kids: Call your parents Mr. and Mrs. E
Portuguese kids: Call your parents Mom and Dad.

American kids: Have never seen you cry.
Portuguese kids: Cry with you.

American kids: Will eat at your dinner table and leave..
Portuguese kids: Will spend hours there, talking, laughing, and just being together.

American kids: Know few things about you.
Portuguese kids: Could write a book with direct quotes from you.

American kids: Eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on soft mushy white bread.
Portuguese kids: Eat sweet bread and liguisa (for breakfast).

American kids: Will leave you behind if that's what the crowd is doing.
Portuguese kids: Will kick the whole crowds' ass who left you behind.

American kids: Think that being Portuguese is cool.
Portuguese kids: Know that being Portuguese is cool.

American kids: Will ignore this.
Portuguese kids: Will forward it

Mom met "Elvis".

Andrew in his confirmation suit! Nope, it's not green. I was surprised how many people actually thought I actually entertained the idea of buying the green "pimp" looking suit I posted earlier.. It gave me a good laugh to say the least..



My mother was so thrilled with his outfit, she couldn't stop taking pictures with him---she wanted to be in all of them. She kept on saying he reminded her of Elvis. Lizzy thinks he looks more like a Jonas Brother.


See, I'm not kidding.

Andrew's confirmaton ceremony at church when very well-it was a nice service, however they didn't allow flash photography, so I have no pictures from inside the church. Pooey. I was tempted when I saw the woman who ignored the earlier requests by the priest, and flashed to her heart's content, but I didn't want to push it. Everyone was staring at this woman with disapproval, and I didn't want to be the center of attraction. I tend to like to blend in the crowd, if you know what I mean. There was a woman who was taking flashless pictures, and more pictures were taken by a photographer in the church hall later, so hopefully I'll get a copy of those...


Andrew & his proud mother..

Today, Andrew is performing at the Veterans Hall in Santa Cruz for a high schoolers in the county. Unfortunately, I can't be there (according to Andrew, its for teenagers not parents...). I suspect he is right, but I also suspect that he is pretty nervous about the whole "gig". Having me there might just fluster him. I hope someone records it, or takes a picture or something.. Funny thing is, I remember going to the same dance over 20 something years ago at the same hall. So strange.

Well, school is almost over, and I am SOO ready for this to happen. No more early morning walks up to Nicholas' school for awhile---or rushing out the door with various school projects, homework papers, or wonder if I have to still bake those 36 cupcakes. No more knocking on Andrew's bedroom door, telling him to "WAKE UP! OR YOU WILL BE LATE!! We live two blocks away from the school, and he still gets to school late sometimes. Weird how that happens. I'm SO READY.

The weather has been very strange over here. It is sunny, then rainy, then cloudy. Expected thunder storms predicted by the weathermen turn into sunny and warm days. Just weird. Weird times too. Kids at a local high school have been throwing themselves in front of commuter trains over here. So far 3 kids have committed suicide from one high school-one kid almost did it last night but was stopped by his mother. Sad---tragic, horrible. Then we have planes MISSING out of thin air.... So strange.

I still swear on my Curves trimming pants. I've been asked what sizes they come in. They come in sizes, Small, Medium, Large, 1X & 2X.