Time Keeps on Ticking

Another first day of school...
...has come on gone.

Cameron and Corey look pretty happy about the first day of school.  Colby on the other hand, not so much. 

Today was the first day of the last year of Brooke's High School life, the first day of the last year of Colby's Junior High life, and the first day of the last year of Cameron's Elementary School life.  Corey - his milestone year will be next year.

So I spent the day thinking about time and how fast the kiddos grow up.  Was it really eight years ago, when I walked out of Colby's kindergarten class with tears in my eyes?  What about Cameron, could it really be that five years have passed since I asked him, "How was your first day of kindergarten?"  I thought about Corey, and how I can still hold his little hand in mine, but in the blink of an eye he will be standing before me a man.  Then I thought about Brooke, she was a nine year old little girl when I met her.  Now she is a seventeen year old, beautiful young lady about to take on the last year of high school. 

The little boys didn't have a lot to report about their first day back in school.  Cameron said he spent the day getting organized.  Corey was pretty excited about the questions his class got to ask to his teacher.  It was a "Getting to Know You" kind of day for him.  Corey's favorite question for his teacher..."How old are you?" 

The first day back at school went pretty smooth for the kiddos, which is definately a good thing.

Until next time...

...We're gonna keep on doin' it Townley Style. 

Shut-up Nancy!

Turn left here, Make a U-Turn...
...You know that annoying voice that usually puts you in the wrong place.

My morning began on just two hours of sleep due to excessive homework and studying.  I had to be out of the house by 6:30 in order to get to Arlington for my scheduled check-off.  I grabbed breakfast, which was the same thing I had for dinner the night before...a package of Austin brand Toasty Crackers with Peanut Butter and ran out of the door.  Perfect...I not only would be there on time, but I was going to have a few moments to go over the check-off one last time.  Wouldn't it be nice if life worked as good while it is happening as it does in our heads? 

Halfway to Granbury, I realize I don't have my watch, an important piece of equipment in the check-off.  In a split second several things run through my mind as I pull to the side of the road and whip my car around...driving all the way home would make me late, I could borrow a classmates watch, but it's scheduled check-offs so there might not be anyone else there, if I am late the instructor could actually count it as a fail, three fails and your out, can't be out of the program, could call Terry who might grab my watch and head my direction with it, (quick glance at the clock and back to the thoughts flying through my head) Terry could already be at work, Terry might be gripey, can't be late, awe heck just call Terry.  Well, I did, he was not gripey, and he met me on the road between the house and Glen Rose with my watch.  Lifesaver!

That turning around did take about 20 minutes of the clock, which was cutting it pretty close, but getting to Arlington on time was still possible.  That was until the flat bed truck in front of me started losing tools off the back of his truck.  So there I was dodging a large combination square at 70 mph, hoping it didn't hit my car and feeling sorry for him when he go to the job site.  I needed to get around him, but it wasn't gonna happen.  For fear of getting hit by a table saw I slowed down to a crawl.  Yes 55 - 60 feels like you're crawling when you have to be somewhere by a certain time.

Now, I know which roads to take, which exits to use, so I didn't need the navigator, but Nancy, the navigator, has that neat little feature that shows your arrival time, and she is always right on the money.  (The kiddos named the voice Nancy, but my husband usually calls her something else)  I reach over, turn Nancy on and she shows my arrival time to be 8:49.  That is 19 minutes late! 

By this time, I am out of the country and in traffic, on the phone with my instructor, and going over the steps of my check-off.  Yes, I was going through the steps out loud, and yes, other drivers were most likely wondering, "What in the heck is wrong with that girl?".

My lack of sleep, hunger, test anxiety, and stress got the best of me.  I could see far enough ahead to know there were no cops, so I decided I could go a little bit faster, ya know just to get through the traffic.  Before I knew it, Nancy is yelling "CAUTION".  She yells that when your speed is 10 miles over the posted limit.  I am a multi-tasker, but even I couldn't keep my eyes on the road, drive a little bit faster than I should, fight traffic, go over my check-off, and turn Nancy's volume off at the same time.  Come on, It just wouldn't be safe if I did all of that. 

So, every few seconds, I hear, "CAUTION".  I slow down just a tad, but speed right back again.  There she is again, "CAUTION"  I repeat the slow down - speed up. "CAUTION", "CAUTION", "CAUTION"  Like I mentioned before, my lack of sleep, hunger, test anxiety, and stress got the best of me, and I holler out, "SHUT UP NANCY!"

She just replied, "CAUTION"

In case you were wondering...I was 15 minutes late, Ms. Todd did let me check-off, and Yep, I passed first attempt.  We'll see how next week goes.

Until next time...
...We're gonna keep on doin' it Townley Style.

A Nine Year Celebration

It's hard to believe how fast time passes...
...Our baby boy turned Nine.

Corey woke up to find a "Happy Birthday, Love Dad" note Terry left on the counter before he headed off to work.  Corey thought it was pretty special because when I got home that was the first thing he told me.  And when Cameron said, "I was the first to wish you Happy Birthday," Corey quickly responded, "Nu-uh, Dad was, He left me a note!"

I spent the majority of Corey's birthday running around and getting things together for his birthday party that evening.  A quick run to Stephenville followed by a quick run to Cleburne.  Yep, two different towns - two different directions....some of the joys of living in the sticks. 

We planned on having grilled hot dogs at 7.  Which was way too long for Corey to wait.  His excitement increased throughout the day, while his patience decreased.  He could hardly wait for everyone to get to the house.  Once they got here, he could barely wait for everyone to get finished eating dinner.  I think he ate his hot dog in one bite, and was asking, "Are you done?"  He even cleaned up everyone's plates in hopes of of speeding up the process.  Finally, we were all was finished and it was the moment he had been waiting for...time to open presents.

He got everything he was wanting.  A Dale Jr. beach towel (which he says he is hiding from Dad), a watergun, new swim shorts, an electronic light saber with batteries, Mario Galaxy for Wii, one size fits all - Cash, and a bright green bicycle.  He could barely decide what to do first, shoot someone with watergun, ride his bike, head to the room to play videogames, run outside in the dark to see his light saber glow, or jump in the pool so he could dry off with his new towel.  He did squeeze in a quick, "Will you put this money up, so we can go to the store," and then I'm pretty sure he did everything within ten minutes and then repeated his list.

When he got settled down, he threw his arms around our necks, and said he had a Great Birthday!  Makes your heart happy.  I am very greatful our family was here to help make Corey's birthday Great! 

This birthday marked the last year of the single digits for Corey.  Next year he hits the doubles. Milestones....10, 13, 16...time just keeps on flying by.

Until next time...
...We're gonna keep on doin' it Townley Style!

1977

I woke up yesterday morning...
...to the beginning of a new year.

Yep that's right, it was my birthday, and my day was full of surprises!  From a beautiful, fresh bouquet of summer flowers to Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush lip gloss (8 tubes of it) to Blingy, Oversized sunglasses to sweet smelling Sexy Little Things Love Me perfume and lotion (another Victoria's Secret Special), to MORE Beauty Rush lip gloss and makeup...(Love that girl, Vickie and her store)!  A Very Big Thank-You to Dad and Kelly; Mom and Rick; and the fabulous Queens of Quality.  By the way, I am thinking all of that lip gloss will last me approximately 5-6 months.  Although, certain individuals might argue with that statement.  Actually, I think they have placed some bets on how long it will last me.

Terry had to have been a pretty busy fella yesterday afternoon with all of his birthday planning he was doing.  When I got home, I walked up to the house and could smell the sweet aroma of a freshly baked cake, so I knew Terry had been doing some baking after he got off work.  However, I was instructed to go immediately to the room and wait.  A few minutes passed and he told me I could come out. There stood Corey, holding the cake, Terry, Tillman, Brooke, Colby and Cameron.  They all busted out in song...  "Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday Dear Ma, Happy Birthday to you."  Terry had definitely been doing some baking.  The kitchen counter was filled with Terry's Famous Burritos, Homemade Rice and Beans and the yummy chocolate cake decorated with colorful marshmallows. 

My birthday was FOR SURE a day of surprises, and I love them all!

Until next time...
...We're gonna keep on doin' it Townley Style.