Friday around 11, I got a text from CT3 asking what time the kids and I were leaving for Atlanta. It was going to be a quick, but important trip nonetheless. After 43 years in the class room, Mom was finally, officially, finally retiring.
Her work was having a little send off for her and while it would be a quick {or long depending on how the kids did!} up and back, I knew that celebrating Mom's longstanding career and all of the lives she has impacted was something I didn't want to miss. Besides, AM and CT4 never miss a good reason to eat brownies and see their Gigi and this seemed reason enough!
I told CT3 we were dressing right then and hoped to be in the car in 45 minutes. He responded with, "I am coming too and will be home in 20."
WOO HOO!! He hadn't even told me it was a possibility because he didn't want work to get all crazy and then me be disappointed and so instead he just surprised us. He got home, got ready and we were in the car at 11:50.
A few panic attacks, traffic jams and miles with the gas light on and no AC running to conserve fuel later, we pulled into the school on fumes. I wasn't exactly sure where we were going and there was a gentleman in the parking lot so I flung open my door and asked him where the library was.
First words out of his mouth were, "You are Margie's daughter. You look exactly like her!" Ha!
He went through the building and unlocked the side door for us as CT3 and I threw kids in strollers, grabbed diaper bags and argued on how to get inside faster and if the other had locked the doors.
Kristin greeted us at the door and Annie M squealed, "Look Mama! It's Kwis-tin!!"
The event started at 2 and we rolled in about 2:07. Kristin and Dad were on time and had already surprised Mom. She figured her school would do a little something to officially send her off, but had no idea that Kristin and Dad, much less her little babies would be there to celebrate with her!
Kristin told Mom that she had to go wash her hands {or something random to allow her to sneak out} and she helped us in the door. We came around the corner in the library and I think we got Mom pretty good with our surprise!!
Anne Margaret was happy to see Gigi and G-Diddy and Mom was proud to show off her cute little grandbabies to her friends! Most of them know them already via Facebook, so now they got to meet them in real life!
The hour was filled with food, stories, gifts and tributes to three women who have invested their lives into kids.
Anne Margaret did great sitting and listening and it was towards the end that she did get a bit restless. She clapped and would hop up and down out of her chair and at one point climbed into G-Diddy's lap.
After it was all said and done, you could feel the emotion as Mom joyously hugged her comrades - and as some of them freely let the tears roll as they said good bye to Mom. Mom is one of those people who is every one's friend and will give anyone the shirt off of her back. She's never met a stranger and it doesn't matter who you are or what you need, no task is to great for my Mom.
That is why she is She-ra:: Princess of Power.
Mom promised that she would come back to visit and that it wasn't a good bye, just a see ya later!
We thanked her friends for loving her and then we asked someone to take a picture. I hate that the only family picture we got was blurry and has AM choking Kristin, but, it was memorable, I guess!!
The school my Mom retired from is housed at the same school that she met my Dad in the 8th grade at. Kind of cool that everything came full circle and that the same halls that Mom grew up in and proudly exclaimed she wanted to be a teacher at are the same halls that she finished her decorated career.
If they were smart, they'd name a road after her or something....just my humble opinion! ;)
Anyway, since the kids had been in the car, I wanted to let them burn a bit of energy before making the drive back. There is a park - that's actually a few blocks from the school and across the street from the house my Mom grew up in and so we went there.
Mom was supposed to leave the party, go to her second job and then run home and clean up for graduation, but with her family in town, she called the lady she works with and told her she would have to catch up later! She had important playing to do with a certain almost 3 year old!!!
{WEIRD!! Is my best girl almost THREE?? I cant handle that.}
We played, climbed, see-sawed and monkey barred around for about an hour and then bid our farewells and loaded back up.
Upon getting back in the car, our first stop was the gas station. Remember we were cruisin with out the AC and running on fumes. Mom and Dad directed us to the nearest one and we pulled in and it was a parking lot. Literally, the place was hopping and cars coming from all directions just trying to scoot in and find a place in line.
I made my way around and found a spot to wait our turn. There was a lady finishing up and so I knew we would be soon.
Apparently, it was the lady's first time ever pumping gas in her life.
Not really, but maybe??
I have no clue how it happened but it was like she just pulled the gas pump out of the car and forgot to stop squeezing the handle. Gas was flying out of the pump and home girl was flinging it everywhere as she yelled for help.
I finally snapped at CT3 to "get out and do something!!!"
I am not sure what happened next because CT3 told her to simply squeeze and release the handle and whaddayaknow it STOPPED!!! CT3 went inside to tell them that gas was all over creation and I began to look around for anyone with a lit cigarette.
You see, I have this fear of cars exploding for no good reason.
Well, my car sitting like a lame duck over puddles of wet gas at least seemed like a probable cause and I proceeded to freak out with my two babies in the car as I waited in the "parking lot" for other cars to move so that I could get to another pump.
The lady who had no clue what she was doing left and finally the lady in front of her left. It was enough for me to pull through and at least calmed my nerves and gave me hope that we would be 7 feet away from a massive explosion and not parked on top of it.
A smart lady behind me pulled up to the "broken" pump but was told to go somewhere else til they could double check the handle and let the gas dry.
I pumped as fast as it would let me and then I moved my car far, far away while CT3 took AM to the potty. Finally, we were safe and sound and headed south. CT3 told me he was nervous with the lady flinging gas everywhere that not only would it drench him as he approached, but she would strike something metal and it would spark - again igniting it....see I just looked for the smoker - while my engineer husband had other ideas in mind. Either way, I am thankful that we made it out of there unscathed - and with a full tank of gas.
Headed home, we skirted around traffic thanks to a fabulous new route I have found!!! There are always four exits that are SLOW and I have a quick new route around them WOO HOO!
I don't know what my deal was but people kept honking at me. I NEVER get honked at and when I do, it hurts my feelings. I never, ever honk so honking to me is like the worst thing ever. CT3 and I kind of joked about it, but I was starting to think I really was a bad driver!! Then we spied some of the people who were honking speeding, swerving and honking at others so we decided it was them and not me and that they needed a chill pill in the 5 pm, rush hour, Atlanta traffic.
We made it home and I indulged in a HUGE piece of this::
Glory be.
After I ate it {and two hot dogs} I was feeling a bit fat and so I laced up my shoes for a run. It was late and I knew it would be dark soon, so I was going to go a quick few miles and then grab Champ for a walk around the block and a cool down.
Long story short, I did a short, decent run {2.5 miles} and then grabbed Champ. We got about 6 houses down before two dogs came barking and growling at us.
Mama Bear became a bit protective of her Champie and I looked for any stick I could possibly find. Those dogs would have gone home without their eyes before they would have laid a paw on Champ.
Every time I yelled at them, Champ would do what I would say. I am thankful for such an obedient dog but I was yelling "sit" and "stay" and "back" to these random dogs and then couldn't get Champ to come without saying "come."
Basically, I walked backwards YELLING at the dogs and at one point when they kept coming at me, I was screaming HELLLLLPPPP!!!! We got to our yard, darted inside and I slammed my back on the garage door as I tried to duck underneath it.
CT3 came out to see what was going on and when I told him he went out to look for the dogs. They weren't there but apparently neighbors were out - probably looking for the girl who was screaming like she was on fire.
No doubt these dogs were domestic, but they clearly didn't like Champ and I being close by. Next time, I may be armed with my mace and a stick and I wont hesitate to spray!!!
Anyway, the day was exhausting, but well worth it all around! I was so happy and proud for my Mom and I am excited to see whats next for her! Mom was happy, the kids were happy and it was a great day!
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