tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8071805814055395042024-03-07T11:32:16.043-08:00Why My Husband Hates MeAmusing musings about me and the family I love so dearly, my darling Charles, and our wonderful babies, Amanda, Sarah, Maddie and Will.Cara A. Valente-Comptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307482542570174951noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807180581405539504.post-72936401036364330352011-12-27T17:07:00.000-08:002011-12-27T17:07:33.301-08:00Vietnam 2000 RocksThere is a good chance that Sarah will be discharged tomorrow, hopefully going home for good. At this point I will need a month for my digestive system to recover from hospital food, though tonight I got a great dinner. My good friend Sylvie stopped by Vietnam 2000. Shameless commercial plug coming...
So on the corner of San Mateo and Zuni, one of Albuquerque's less glamorous corners, is this unassuming restaurant/emissions testing center. Yes, while you are dining you can have your vehicle certified. The food is amazing. Everything is so fresh. All the vegetables are crisp and delicious. Plenty of really tasty cilantro. Hot stuff if you want hot stuff. My favorite dish is rice noodles with sliced pork. #21. They mix the rice noodles with bean sprouts, so it is light and crunchy, the pork is lean, and they chop up two of their incredibly delicious egg rolls (BEST EVER) on top. Cilantro, scallions. Fresh and wonderful.
This place consistently gets community votes for "Best of Albuquerque" in all the guides. They boast the best avocado shake (though I can't imagine this concept I am told it is wonderful.)
I have just been subjected to a run of Wizards of Waverly Place, and now there is some odd cartoon on, some sort of yeti creature with man boobs.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02778284753295882055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807180581405539504.post-75719438269679878802011-12-27T09:30:00.000-08:002011-12-27T10:02:33.792-08:00Some ThoughtsI think I realized the biggest thing undermining my blogging efforts is one of my greatest loves...Facebook. <br /><br />I love Facebook because it is easy to just post some quick, random thoughts. I am not a Twitterer, though I have an account. It just doesn't captivate me. I love the interaction of my friends and family, the sharing of photos, the political rants, and the banter. I think, though, that it has reduced my attention span to that of a gnat. I need to do more writing. Use it or lose it.<br /><br />Sitting here in the hospital next to my Sarahbelle, I am reminded of some past observations. Television is terrible. Sarah is watching this show on Style called "How Do I Look?" This is a crueler version of "What Not to Wear." This chick that is being humiliated and made over is a 41 year old grandmother who dresses like a glam rocker. She is about eight feet tall and looks like a drag queen. Her son is one of the people who brought her in for this makeover. The clothes she is being led to are, not surprisingly, quite a bit more modest and attractive than the cut off tee shirts, dog collars and hideous mini skirts. She is being transformed into an Amazon Goddess. But before this they put her in a store front window and asked bypassers to tear her down. I told Sarah, "Please do NOT put me on this show." Worse than even finding your own picture on People of Walmart.com.<br /><br />Another observation, Sarah is hilarious. Her random comments at the television make this hospital stay worthwhile. I must admit that spending some one on one time with this kid is amazing. Brilliant. We have had long talks, including one early in the stay where she was really mad at me. We had a big fight. I was trying so hard to be helpful and patient, but it was getting harder. She got up for the bathroom, and I went in to help her, because she was hooked up to everything, her gown would fall into the toilet, and she just needed a little assistance. She got so mad at me that she banished me from the bathroom and sat in there a while. When she came out she gave me an hour long lecture about the things that I do to annoy her. I took my lumps, and since then everything has been great for us. We talk, we laugh, it is just a really neat thing spending time with her.<br /><br />I do miss the other kids, being at home, and relaxing. This is one hell of a way to spend winter break. It is worse for Sarah because she goes back to school next week, so she will have no time off. But she will have great stories to tell.<br /><br />So now we are on to "A Bug's Life." Nap time for Mommy!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02778284753295882055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807180581405539504.post-61530938174739662462011-12-26T19:10:00.001-08:002011-12-26T19:20:45.885-08:00I Am Back, and I Hope for GoodI have come to the realization that blogging is good for me. It allows me to vent, and be creative, and to put some energy into reflecting on life and my family, and that is all good. So I am back, with the intention of staying. <br /><br />A few things have gotten in the way of my continued blogging. Most notably is my entrance into law school this August. The first semester was awesome. I felt completely in my element. I have no idea if I even passed yet, grades will not be posted for a while, but I do know that I learned so much, and I am incredibly happy. <br /><br />Still it has been years since I regularly blogged. At that time writing was all I had to keep me sane. I lived way out in the snowy mountains, starved for adult contact. My children were still young. When I was blogging several times per day Willy was just 2 or 3, Amanda 9, Sarah 7 and Maddie 6. Amanda will be 14 in a few weeks. I can't believe it. Sarah is 11, Maddie is 10 and Willy is 7. They are so grown up, so beautiful, and still the most loving and wonderful kids in the world. I am grateful for every moment I have with them. <br /><br />Last Sunday Sarah's appendix spectacularly ruptured. Her white cell count was 32,000 when we brought her in to the pediatric urgent care (which is attached to the hospital). Our little Sarah is the toughest kid in the world. She barely acknowledged pain, just toughed it out. We were so amazed. So the nasty old organ had to come out, and her belly was full of pus, so she is in the hospital. They discharged her Friday, but she was really sick so we brought her back yesterday, Christmas Day. <br /><br />My hair is going white. I just looked in the mirror and salt is kicking pepper's ass. I am not sure if I am going to go with it or not. We will see.<br /><br />I am quite tired, but I intend to keep this journal, even if only for me.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02778284753295882055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807180581405539504.post-51249653273495242602011-02-09T17:52:00.000-08:002011-02-09T17:52:49.777-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JTx6opCvsg1pCL4tNW0ehKSyzSKDeo5HBFa4qoT3UbioojxJIz6mivxL20Yst3_tP-4Vfph8qYV2gqsFOw15QXHei_LSaVbpPiUH-KzB-H8fTyFxvD9eF0C1F5c1ULqCJuWE4q1eqhU/s1600/181979_500291051775_615891775_6808354_3212144_n.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JTx6opCvsg1pCL4tNW0ehKSyzSKDeo5HBFa4qoT3UbioojxJIz6mivxL20Yst3_tP-4Vfph8qYV2gqsFOw15QXHei_LSaVbpPiUH-KzB-H8fTyFxvD9eF0C1F5c1ULqCJuWE4q1eqhU/s320/181979_500291051775_615891775_6808354_3212144_n.jpg" /></a><div style='clear:both; text-align:LEFT'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02778284753295882055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807180581405539504.post-13348963998916347232010-01-13T19:30:00.000-08:002010-01-13T19:30:37.496-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjgn-nkAhSWL9i8ubxUoYR48yk_ri37ZMyUM2q8WQvMTrJvW5szHqKOMpEoI569xLdGt5HQWABKeP-d5IWFBz6BwkdpgPoBRaMxgbrXKXAf32AkE1TCByrvjbj0_bgzUsnrGzW5C_GH2E/s1600-h/Amanda+through+the+years.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjgn-nkAhSWL9i8ubxUoYR48yk_ri37ZMyUM2q8WQvMTrJvW5szHqKOMpEoI569xLdGt5HQWABKeP-d5IWFBz6BwkdpgPoBRaMxgbrXKXAf32AkE1TCByrvjbj0_bgzUsnrGzW5C_GH2E/s320/Amanda+through+the+years.jpg" /></a><div style='clear:both; text-align:LEFT'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02778284753295882055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807180581405539504.post-26432256112490784602010-01-13T13:29:00.000-08:002010-01-13T13:30:09.611-08:00Picture posting day!Beautiful Amanda, love of my life. Sweet baboo...in a week you will be 12, and you want a bob cut with a stripe of color. How can I refuse? Just so long as you stay away from the tatoos and piercings. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_8O526kdeBHhhgEpGHwweigftKsPCnQlQfFhwkHEGsPxsThqCaUhT8ThlMOCDUk1JVZExyI3FGunhKhhpNZqO5bM0OI7hyphenhyphen0sMSX2ia7elkegsS7z8lzFix96h8ObOvx-Kfsxiv_4aaU/s1600-h/Amanda+getting+ready+for+dance.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_8O526kdeBHhhgEpGHwweigftKsPCnQlQfFhwkHEGsPxsThqCaUhT8ThlMOCDUk1JVZExyI3FGunhKhhpNZqO5bM0OI7hyphenhyphen0sMSX2ia7elkegsS7z8lzFix96h8ObOvx-Kfsxiv_4aaU/s320/Amanda+getting+ready+for+dance.jpg" /></a><div style='clear:both; text-align:LEFT'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02778284753295882055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807180581405539504.post-6677852897875041682009-07-01T20:05:00.000-07:002009-07-01T20:09:19.191-07:00The Trip of a LifetimeI have a son, Danny, who is almost 19. I gave him up for adoption at birth, and looked forward to the day that he called. That day was right after Christmas. He is the most wonderful, brilliant, kindhearted kid in the world. We talk frequently, and his family is amazing. I love his sister like my own daughter, and the kids adore their new siblings.<div><br /></div><div>A few weeks ago our families got together for a wonderful vacation. It was my kids' first beach trip, and it was magical. I can't wait for the next visit, and for a lifetime of adventures with our new family.</div><div><br /></div><div>Images to come!</div>Cara A. Valente-Comptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307482542570174951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807180581405539504.post-72438728677095102052009-03-17T09:25:00.000-07:002009-03-17T10:03:06.507-07:0040 Year Old JuniorI know I haven't submitted any posts of late, but I decided to enroll at the University of New Mexico as a junior in Political Science. Most of my classmates could be my own kids, but that is ok, I am having fun.<br /><br />I am taking some great classes. I have Comparative Politics, where we are exploring other forms of government around the world, The American Presidency, where we are learning about the evolution of our executive branch and discussing Shrubbo's place in history (methinks not so good), Biology for Nonmajors, which is so fun with our quirky and absurdly witty brit Professor Farnsworth, and Spanish Film, where I have enjoyed slobbering over Javier Bardem.<br /><br />It is a little daunting being back in school, and getting back into the groove of studying, but I think it is a little easier in some ways. After all, being 40, married, done having kids and such, I am not there to find a date. It is easier to concentrate on classwork when you aren't focused on the "urge to merge." Well, maybe not in Spanish Film.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBl-hxM_0oix8NKVdlkyQG3K-3rHJ_QcPru-20wAFjSMMUFM9RlbzhZ7LklVPwLtYESUfRVIhYmOnMeLpQb9zNZUjIlGWApOAFqG9pVDZUak7PWl3HczkttDYZLaScbkQn_nWgcPU3bsM/s1600-h/javier_bardem.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314197277026047410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBl-hxM_0oix8NKVdlkyQG3K-3rHJ_QcPru-20wAFjSMMUFM9RlbzhZ7LklVPwLtYESUfRVIhYmOnMeLpQb9zNZUjIlGWApOAFqG9pVDZUak7PWl3HczkttDYZLaScbkQn_nWgcPU3bsM/s400/javier_bardem.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Nummy...Cara A. Valente-Comptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307482542570174951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807180581405539504.post-8364331843889083372008-12-17T20:57:00.000-08:002008-12-17T20:58:59.110-08:00Back again!I admit to being a worthless slacker, but I have been busy. I now have no excuses. Look for more tomorrow, including an update on the activities of the last several months. Sorry for being such a dork.Cara A. Valente-Comptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307482542570174951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807180581405539504.post-2871464732075523012008-06-27T08:20:00.000-07:002008-06-27T08:22:48.061-07:00Maddie Climbing the Walls<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZotj0k69Eq257FaFvcec_EqQ7E5imeaemgHLkDFhOtp-jJhTIsDRvYDAlxhN_aju0kS9LQbQZlxUlc2Eo43xaNmfWog8UBLOgAOipGJVGVcJ9ePRAI7LOGrJ47Bcs9GfxVw8TUpwJSL4/s1600-h/maddieclimbs2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216582034862102866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZotj0k69Eq257FaFvcec_EqQ7E5imeaemgHLkDFhOtp-jJhTIsDRvYDAlxhN_aju0kS9LQbQZlxUlc2Eo43xaNmfWog8UBLOgAOipGJVGVcJ9ePRAI7LOGrJ47Bcs9GfxVw8TUpwJSL4/s400/maddieclimbs2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNgWuCmt3OWU93LU6mcBG0QXZ6TAwsusITFfQixaPHz5RVBBcCqbJ-YLImELP3KwnWnCQBJOYN0Z9BrYg42oGwPU3lvbAZzq2S8_IDx9osYmyN-Toclipw3blOiuA9A4-6AdiwsNJOhU/s1600-h/maddieclimbingwalls.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216581900219225266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNgWuCmt3OWU93LU6mcBG0QXZ6TAwsusITFfQixaPHz5RVBBcCqbJ-YLImELP3KwnWnCQBJOYN0Z9BrYg42oGwPU3lvbAZzq2S8_IDx9osYmyN-Toclipw3blOiuA9A4-6AdiwsNJOhU/s400/maddieclimbingwalls.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>Cara A. Valente-Comptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307482542570174951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807180581405539504.post-42972809021976226772008-02-17T15:32:00.000-08:002008-02-17T15:40:53.643-08:00I'm Back!<div>Alot has happened in the Compton family since I went on hiatus in October. Most notably, Charles and I both lost Grandfathers in December, just one day apart. His grandfather, Gerald, died December 1 after a massive Thanksgiving stroke, and my grandpa Bob slipped away as I was visiting him the next day. I did get the kids to see him though, just a few days before he passed.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYgiV3CUY1umXYeNiigFN0srS7yTP6TJJJUZ-64-y0IpNa_GihqCvmSW9kIVfnuC6n6vqMqhx_FbN44tiuLitBxsDjZGe0q-2aV3QAHwECo0N_vi_7-nYmQ8BhzGfew9hyphenhyphen6lGLyTRCFE/s1600-h/Mom's+pictures+064.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168097645935693250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYgiV3CUY1umXYeNiigFN0srS7yTP6TJJJUZ-64-y0IpNa_GihqCvmSW9kIVfnuC6n6vqMqhx_FbN44tiuLitBxsDjZGe0q-2aV3QAHwECo0N_vi_7-nYmQ8BhzGfew9hyphenhyphen6lGLyTRCFE/s400/Mom's+pictures+064.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The kids are getting so big, and learning so much, every day is a new day. Recently we have been dealing with the flu, and Charles and Maddie were really hard hit, but everyone seems to be getting better. I have a sinus infection that is keeping me from writing much today.<br />But I am back, and will be posting here more often.Cara A. Valente-Comptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307482542570174951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807180581405539504.post-8964907599756476722007-10-24T13:47:00.000-07:002007-10-24T13:49:31.888-07:00Blog HiatusMy dear friends and readers…<br /><br />As you know I have been a strong supporter and blogger for Governor Bill Richardson for a very long time. I believe with everything that I am that Bill Richardson is by far the best candidate for president that our country has seen in years. <br /><br />I have been offered the opportunity to take my support to the next level and help Governor Richardson in a more substantial way, coordinating volunteers for the campaign. This is a really exciting opportunity, and I am proud to answer the call. So, for now, I feel an ethical obligation to refrain from blogging altogether. I will be back when the campaign is over. Until then, you can email me at cvalentecompton@gmail.com to volunteer!<br /><br />CaraCara A. Valente-Comptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307482542570174951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807180581405539504.post-14173048761140771742007-09-27T11:28:00.000-07:002007-09-27T11:35:56.186-07:00Kids are so funnyI am constantly amazed at the things that come out of the mouths of my children. <br /><br />Yesterday, I was getting in the van to take Sarah and Maddie to the hellementary. Maddie gets in our van and says, "Man, something is really stinky in here." and she and Sarah begin the debate about what could be the cause. Did someone leave a cup with milk? Is there some random thing in the van that is causing the disgusting aroma? Then Sarah brings out a gem, "No, it's just because it's fall, and fall gives you the stink."<br /><br />Then this morning Amanda was getting in the van to go to school. I opened the sliding door for her and William, William got in, and she was hovering in the doorway with a smile on her face and her eyes closed in bliss. I got in the van, put the keys in the ignition, turned back to her and she said, "Ahhhh I love the feeling of the wind between my ears." I chuckled and said, "Ok Beans, just get in and buckle your brother in."<br /><br />We then began the short mile and a half drive to her school, and she said, "Mom, sometimes I don't remember my dreams." I told her, "That's normal, a lot of times people don't remember them. Some people never remember them, some people remember them a lot." So Amanda says, "Well sometimes when I don't have a dream I see a screen that says 'THIS CHANNEL IS NOT AVAILABLE." I told her, "Amanda, you watch too much television."<br /><br />Kids.Cara A. Valente-Comptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307482542570174951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807180581405539504.post-16089490317616882682007-09-25T17:01:00.000-07:002007-09-25T17:11:30.111-07:00Hellementary SchoolI have kids in two different elementary schools. Amanda goes to a liberal arts magnet school. It is a fabulous environment for learning, supported by the community, and with a great staff. She is really thriving there, and making lots of great friends.<br /><br />Meanwhile, my other two, languishing on the waiting list for said school, are at a neighborhood school. Maddie's teacher is fabulous, one of those adorable blonde people who loves little kids and has the patience of a saint. She knows how to get the kids motivated and on task. When I brought cupcakes for Maddie's birthday, the whole class cheered in unison "Wow!" It was pretty cute.<br /><br />Sarah, however, brought home a note from school today saying her teacher is leaving. A transition is always tough, but this will be her fourth teacher for this school year. YES FOURTH. We are in our fifth week of the school year. <br /><br />I am so unimpressed with this neighborhood school.Cara A. Valente-Comptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307482542570174951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807180581405539504.post-50025144047940241292007-09-25T16:46:00.000-07:002007-09-25T17:00:57.598-07:00I Just Met the Meanest ManYes, the meanest man. <br /><br />This morning I had a terrible headache. I got up, took Sarah and Maddie to school, came home, showered and jumped back in the van to get Amanda to her school. I had to go back to Sarah and Maddie's school for a PTA board meeting. I knew I needed a cup of coffee so I stopped at my very favorite little coffee place. As I got out of my van I noticed someone had written on the sidewalk in big pink chalky letters...<br /><br /><strong>WHY HAVE WE DESTROYED A NATION?</strong><br /><br />I am a big fan of random political speak. It made me smile, but I was still oblivious because of the headache, I walked in the door, and was pulling it shut behind me, and the lady at the table next to the door said, "Oh there is someone behind you," and there was a man trying to get in. I pulled the door open, and I said, "I am sorry, I didn't see you! I guess you can come on in!" and he looked at me with the most contempt filled face and said, "Well that's really funny." We approached the counter at the same time and the girl asked me if she could help me, and I said, "I just closed the door in this gentleman's face, please take his order first." He turned and glared at me, and then asked for coffee. By this time I was pretty uncomfortable around him, so I decided to give him a wide berth. I stood close to this nice young guy who was sitting and having a cup of coffee with his mom, and just patted him on the shoulder, because I was invading his space, and he was being very cool about that. Mister Sunshine got his coffee, added his flavorings and left. I got up to the counter and ordered my latte, and chatted with the owner and his daughter for a few minutes, and left. <br /><br />I got outside and into my van before I noticed that Mr. Sunshine was sitting at a table in front of the coffeehouse. I started the van and waved and smiled like he was a lifelong friend, and pulled away. But as I did he sneered, actually curled his lips in disgust at me. What a jerk!Cara A. Valente-Comptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307482542570174951noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807180581405539504.post-68801028016588963772007-09-24T20:27:00.000-07:002007-09-24T20:30:36.198-07:00Charles<object width="425" height="366"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YM8VoFZqaeI"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YM8VoFZqaeI" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="366"></embed></object><br /><br />I know this is a few days late, but happy anniversary honey. Thanks for eleven great years, four beautiful kids, two cats in the yard...life used to be so hard, but everything is easy cause of you.<br /><br />I love you.Cara A. Valente-Comptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307482542570174951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807180581405539504.post-58829327729571920012007-07-12T09:39:00.000-07:002007-07-12T09:50:24.361-07:00Late Entry: The Passing of Grandma<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMCTtYvf43s2i2b8-5dpGvtlLOd3QlJomwrIhMX664fLTv_HZmpmfjGIzGhNZ9oExt95L3BT9wgY0_egBF05xDyYV8OYGbCyW0rHQ6aHVPZpxPK6axd3NuPNuPDCGZPflVr1UpK54Uag/s1600-h/thekiss.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086353743697392098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMCTtYvf43s2i2b8-5dpGvtlLOd3QlJomwrIhMX664fLTv_HZmpmfjGIzGhNZ9oExt95L3BT9wgY0_egBF05xDyYV8OYGbCyW0rHQ6aHVPZpxPK6axd3NuPNuPDCGZPflVr1UpK54Uag/s400/thekiss.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>My grandmother, Lee, passed away in May and we were in the middle of moving, so getting this entry and the photos in was really challenging. I don't have all the photos from that day, and am really sad that I didn't take more photos of the family together. The service was beautiful, though I swear the music came from The Best of John Ashcroft.<br /><br />I really miss Grandma.</div>Cara A. Valente-Comptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307482542570174951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807180581405539504.post-37043899306514394042007-07-12T09:35:00.001-07:002007-07-12T09:39:03.421-07:00Photos from Grandma's Funeral<embed style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px" name="flashticker" align="middle" src="http://widget-1e.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" flashvars="cy=bb&il=1&channel=504403158266901022&site=widget-1e.slide.com"></embed> <div style="WIDTH: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?ad=1&tt=1&sk=0&amp;cy=bb&th=0&id=504403158266901022&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-1e.slide.com/p1/504403158266901022/bb_t001_v000_a001_f00/images/xslide1.gif" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?ad=1&amp;tt=1&sk=0&amp;cy=bb&th=0&id=504403158266901022&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-1e.slide.com/p2/504403158266901022/bb_t001_v000_a001_f00/images/xslide2.gif" border="0" /></a></div>Cara A. Valente-Comptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307482542570174951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807180581405539504.post-68926196766344031642007-07-10T09:00:00.000-07:002007-07-10T09:32:47.685-07:00Hot Fun in the SummertimeAs I write this I am suffering from a tremendously sprained ankle. I don't know why I thought I was capable of walking and carrying a mug of coffee at the same time, in retrospect I should never have attempted such a complicated move. Way outside of my skillset. So, it happened Saturday morning. Charles had gone into work, and the kids were still asleep, and it was a truly lovely morning. I ran outside to turn on the sprinkler and water my crunchy tomato plants, and then went out front and got the newspaper. The kids were just emerging from their nests, and were eager to go out and play, so I thought it would be a nice idea to sit out on the patio with a cup of coffee and the paper while they blew bubbles and drew with sidewalk chalk.<br /><br />So I ran inside, grabbed a cup of coffee, and the rest is history.<br /><br />The fall itself was quite artful really. I stepped out onto the back step, still holding the storm door with my right hand (the handle cut the base of my George Bush finger as I went down). My left ankle gave as my sandal slipped a bit and I went airborne, suspended in a twirl like something out of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, coffee arcing around me. As I hit, I skinned two toes on my right foot and the inside (huh?) of my right knee as I splayed out on leftover feathers from a bird Juniper brought to me earlier in the week.<br /><br />The kids were wonderful. They helped me back up, didn't quibble about going back inside, and helped me over to the sofa. Maddie brought pillows. Sarah got the phone and remote. Amanda made me an ice pack and prepared oatmeal for her sibs. She even got me a piece of cold pizza to chew on. <br /><br />Later in the afternoon Charles came back and my mom watched the chillins while we went to the ER. I felt pretty guilty because I got in, was seen immediately, and was out very quickly, while people who had been sitting there for hours continued to wait. They confirmed no break, and sent me home on crutches with instructions to not do that again. <br /><br />I have learned a few things. The most important is to not sit in the leather recliner wearing shorts for long periods of time or your skin becomes one with the chair. Also, don't go back to the kitchen after a couple of days on your back. The men and kidfolk don't get it that we do not want to deal with every single dish in the house piled along the counters and in the sink, and the garbage stacked precariously on top of the cans. Also, be sure to tell your mate if you have clothes in the washer, or you will be rewashing them.<br /><br />Today I will venture out to the patio again, gingerly. I have a beautiful terra cotta pot that I want to get my herb plants into.<br /><br />Wish me luck.Cara A. Valente-Comptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307482542570174951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807180581405539504.post-87722844163827256372007-05-11T10:13:00.000-07:002007-05-11T10:39:57.363-07:00UpdatesWell, yesterday Donna was removed from life support. An EEG determined that she had stroked out and her brain was no longer functioning. Carla, accompanied by her partner Greg and friends from the parish, surrounded Donna and sent her off to a very gentle death. My friend Bridget tells me it was a very beautiful, but sad, event.<br /><br />Slick Willie, he of the Aquaphor addiction, coated our long haired cat, Gabby in Aquaphor the very next day. The cat had to have a bath, only adding to her humiliation and anger. Of course, she had to receive the "Dawn Wildlife Treatment" to get this thick viscous goo out of her fur, and she promptly hid for a couple of days.<br /><br />Sarah has lost another tooth, I can't imagine she has any more baby teeth at the rate they have been popping out of her.<br /><br />Maddie continues to wrestle with the forces of the angel on one shoulder and the devil on her other one. Usually the devil wins.<br /><br />Amanda and her friend Katie talk several times a day about our upcoming move to the city (oh yes, we are moving!) and how they will cope with their separation. <br /><br />I sit here on the computer ignoring the urgent need to pack and clean. I keep telling myself that once my cold passes I will get moving, but Scrabble calls.Cara A. Valente-Comptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307482542570174951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807180581405539504.post-81396270037367471072007-04-28T20:38:00.000-07:002007-04-28T21:35:03.346-07:00A Heartbreaking Day<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwlLXTOzWsnOPxEFWn8DJMK2by3tcJ59kteKwAUnqsUUqjizH7PxKlqS-B5HyQ9STV1S9Hah5bm-LqvZXZcVwAzoW-s6nYTsPCYrsH1s_-xz0zUR1woamJX2pnHkRFo7tCu4jkhkmJWs/s1600-h/amanda+and+donna.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058689661387136818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwlLXTOzWsnOPxEFWn8DJMK2by3tcJ59kteKwAUnqsUUqjizH7PxKlqS-B5HyQ9STV1S9Hah5bm-LqvZXZcVwAzoW-s6nYTsPCYrsH1s_-xz0zUR1woamJX2pnHkRFo7tCu4jkhkmJWs/s400/amanda+and+donna.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em>Donna and my little girl, Amanda </em></div><div align="center"><em>Easter 2000</em></div><p>There are people who come into your life and fill such a big space in your heart that no matter how far away you are from them, or how long it is since you have been together, they are always with you. This is about my friend Donna, in St. Louis, and her daughter Carla. Donna is lying in an intensive care unit tonight, and they are saying that there is no hope, and will likely not live through the night. My heart is breaking.</p><p>I met Donna and Carla in the fall of 1998. Charles, Amanda and I had recently moved to St. Louis from Kansas City, and started attending mass at St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church. Carla was in the choir which I joined to give me a little time out of the house on Wednesday nights and make some friends. Carla has this incredibly magnetic personality and we were drawn to each other immediately. She was young, incredibly funny and stylish in a very <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">eclectic</span> gypsy girl way, and has the most incredible singing voice of anyone I have ever heard. She fell in love with my little Amanda, who wasn't quite a year old yet, and introduced me to her mom, Donna. She said that her mom was the babysitter for almost every kid that had ever lived in the neighborhood forever, and lived across from the church. </p><p>Anyone who has ever met Donna even once will never forget that contact. Donna is a bubbly, outgoing, wickedly funny, and profoundly in touch with her inner child. She loves <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Tweety</span> Bird. She loves musicals. She is witty and sweet. Kids love her. Everyone loves her. </p><p>She is an utterly devout member of her church, in fact she is the lady who stands at the back of the pews before Mass and hands out the hymnals and church bulletins. </p><p>Most of all, Donna was the most loving mother that has ever lived. </p><p>Donna married later than usual for the time. Her family had really tried to keep her at home, I don't know why. She worked a job downtown, and met a wonderful man, Carl. They would spend lunch hours together, take the bus to the zoo, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">surreptitiously</span> dating until one day they simply took the bus to the courthouse and got married. She told me of how they kept this a secret for a while, and she continued to live with her family. I don't remember exactly how it happened, but eventually the marriage was revealed, and she and Carl got their own place. </p><p>They had a son, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Chuckie</span>. He was born with a heart problem and died within a few weeks. Donna talks about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Chuckie</span> often, always with a smile on her face, about what a beautiful son he was, and how much his daddy and she loved him. She told me the story of the funeral mass, and how as she was leaving the church and getting into the limo to go to the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">cemetery</span> a butterfly fluttered around her and landed on her shoulder. She brushed it off, but when she arrived at the burial the strangest thing happened...the same butterfly landed on her shoulder, she really believed it was, and sat there for the whole graveside service. Tonight I believe she was right.</p><p>Donna and Carl had another child a couple of years later, Carla. Carla was a beautiful little girl who filled her parents with so much hope and joy. She was adorable personified, and trust me on this, she still is. They enjoyed four utterly wonderful years together, but sadly Donna and Carla lost Carl suddenly to a heart attack. This loss was unfathomable, and Carla and Donna clung to each other.</p><p>Being a single mother is a difficult job. Donna wanted nothing but the best for her little girl, so she did everything she could to earn enough money to put food on the table and save for an education. She cleaned the parish's school to help offset tuition for Carla, and eventually started taking in kids. This vocation was her true calling.</p><p>While Donna worked hard to care for the children, Carla worked hard to get good grades. Carla's great gift to this world is her voice. The first time I heard her sing a solo was our first practice for Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, when she sang "Oh Holy Night." I was so dumbstruck by her voice that I stood there with my mouth hanging open, unable to sing, and weeping. She has the purest, cleanest, and sweetest voice; there is nothing forced, false or contrived about it.</p><p>Donna was the proudest mother in the world, and loved to hear Carla sing, whether it was at Mass or in a musical. Charles and I took Donna to see Carla in her college production of South Pacific, where she completely stole the show as "Bloody Mary." The three of us had such a wonderful time that night.</p><p>On most weekends Donna and Carla would come have dinner with us either Saturday or Sunday. We usually grilled out. I was pregnant with Sarah, and it was just a wonderful time in our lives. Donna and Carla were the only family we had in St. Louis. They were at all the baptisms, the birthday parties, all the family events. When Sarah was born, they were there. When our house became infested with fleas a week later, they were there...or rather we were there, they took us into their small apartment, all four of us, and let us sleep. Donna took care of Amanda and my newborn Sarah for free while I tried to sleep. </p><p>Donna cared for all four of my children at various times. My youngest, William, is two months older than her grandson, Noah. Noah was a big baby, and at birth was the same weight as my 2 month old, 11 and a half pounds! He was a fantastic, happy baby. I haven't seen him since he was very little.</p><p>We moved back to New Mexico. The last time I spoke with Donna was Thanksgiving Eve. We talked about the kids, and Noah, and how happy she was. I told her that I wanted her and Carla to come visit me in New Mexico, that they would love it here, and she had to take a vacation, and she really wanted to come. I feel so bad that I didn't talk to her again.</p><p>Today Charles called me at work. He said that a mutual friend called, and that Donna was in very bad shape. She had gone in to open heart surgery for 16 hours and was not expected to make it, that she had been transfused with over 70 units of blood, and there wasn't much hope. As soon as I got home tonight I called that friend, and she told me that she had gone into triple bypass surgery, and they had found a, get THIS...butterfly, she said BUTTERFLY...in her heart. I don't know what that really meant, but butterflies were very important to Donna. To me, butterfly just made sense. To me, it seems that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Chuckie</span> is with her. </p><p>She said that they couldn't figure out where she was bleeding from, and after 16 hours they had to stop the surgery. Donna is in ICU, her chest open because they have to keep draining the continual bleeding. She has had over 100 liters of blood, and she is not expected to live through the night.</p><p>All I can do is cry. My friend told me that Carla had gone home to shower and change, and maybe get a little rest, but that she wanted me to call her. I did, and she is so lost. That is all she could say, she is so lost. She said Donna had gone into surgery with such a great attitude, that she had complete faith in her doctors, and that her nurses were so HOT! This is so typical, this woman is so positive. She told Carla she would be fine and would talk to her after the surgery. Carla and Noah are going to be all alone.</p><p>I told her that she would always have us, and I know that isn't any comfort at this point, but it is all I have. I wish I could go right now and be with her through this, but it is not possible. </p><p>This is all I can do, to tell people about Donna, and what a remarkable woman she is, and how the world is going to lose a big chunk of kindness tonight. My only consolation is that she and Carl and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Chuckie</span> will be together again.</p><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div>Cara A. Valente-Comptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307482542570174951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807180581405539504.post-41940690031734000212007-04-24T18:03:00.000-07:002007-04-24T18:25:51.447-07:00Slick Willie<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZtqyzv37OhLTMQoTVQT_5mLo29OjjuwNaHqj_h18VWz4_6hyphenhyphenGUF1h-vsa7tE_a79v234oB7pSB4cn4afo4PbxJI66eAF1dZgbb0ilDY9-wA0Ude4SSDm4-fFHJcLRw_sTYW31VehCL0/s1600-h/IMG_1316.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057166351030136402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZtqyzv37OhLTMQoTVQT_5mLo29OjjuwNaHqj_h18VWz4_6hyphenhyphenGUF1h-vsa7tE_a79v234oB7pSB4cn4afo4PbxJI66eAF1dZgbb0ilDY9-wA0Ude4SSDm4-fFHJcLRw_sTYW31VehCL0/s400/IMG_1316.JPG" border="0" /></a> Meet Slick Willie.<br /><br />Today I was busy with a diary on DailyKos, and doing my thing, basically letting my son do his thing. I thought his thing was sitting quietly in the chair and watching Barney, but I was so wrong. While he was maxing and relaxing, William helped himself to a little product called Aquaphor.<br /><br />Aquaphor is a very thick balm for very dry skin. It comes in a tub. Its consistency is somewhere between Vaseline and Crisco. William covered himself in this stuff. Head to toe. Note the thick, opaque goo on his hands. Behold the mighty sheen of his knees.<br /><br />He was told to park it on his little potty while I rounded up the tools to degrease him. I filled the tub with a nice warm bath and got a wash cloth, a towel and a bottle of dishwashing liquid which proclaimed its usefulness for saving the lives of waterfowl after the Exxon Valdez. I figured that it would be the best in this situation. After a thorough scrubbing the bulk of the Aquaphor is gone, but his skin is incredibly soft.Cara A. Valente-Comptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307482542570174951noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807180581405539504.post-53586253941174353862007-04-24T18:02:00.001-07:002007-04-24T18:02:17.892-07:00Say Hey! BP Has It All!<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/AAkiXLeyelQ' name='movie'></param><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/AAkiXLeyelQ'></embed></object></p><p>This is another disturbing ad from BP. Apparently the Fisher Price people of the early 1970's are now their spokespeople, and in this spot it is parents actually driving the children, a wild departure from their last ad. The parents are tired and zoning out on the road, and kids are bored in the back seat. Miraculously in the middle of the desert appears a BP and there is a magic transformation. Lucky for mom and dad BP carries those little packages of "Trucker Speed" and plenty of sandwiches and beverages for the little ones. All is well. Thank you BP!</p></div>Cara A. Valente-Comptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307482542570174951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807180581405539504.post-8952573237906600922007-04-14T12:24:00.001-07:002007-04-14T12:24:32.034-07:00Say Hey...Did I Drop Acid This Morning?<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/3rklKyFMUME' name='movie'></param><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/3rklKyFMUME'></embed></object></p><p>This commercial is messed up.</p></div>Cara A. Valente-Comptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307482542570174951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-807180581405539504.post-27629773060409546582007-04-14T08:57:00.001-07:002007-04-14T08:57:29.550-07:00Zima - Mom My Ride<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/HEFE3B0Rje0' name='movie'></param><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/HEFE3B0Rje0'></embed></object></p><p>This is a hilarious video, and what makes it especially funny is this is EXACTLY my van, down to the repaired mirror.</p></div>Cara A. Valente-Comptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00307482542570174951noreply@blogger.com0