I Went to the Crossroads...

and fell down on my knees... literally.

We arrived at our hotel with ample time to eat a wonderful dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. After a great night sleeping, we got to Toyota Park at 9:45 am on the 26th. The line was long. The gates opened at 10. A very nice English gentleman at the Embassy Suites in Lombard told us what to do IMMEDIATELY when we entered the gates. If you want the advice for the next Crossroads Festival, e-mail or call me... I will not share it openly.

We entered the gates, followed his advice, Cameron and his buddy Nate went directly to the stage. They stayed there until the Finale at 11 pm. Yuppers. They manned their post for close to 12 hours. Cameron's second time seeing Eric Clapton and his third 'real' concert. Nate's first 'real' concert. What memories they created for themselves. They did rotate out for bathroom and food breaks.

... and thank God for texting (Oh my goodness. Did I just type that?!"). Texting is how we kept in touch with the boys. This is how we learned that at one point they "were not leaving their spots." The temp was a good 90 and the humidity level was over 90%. Todd bought water. He took it to a security guard. He told the guard, "Look, I've got two 15-year-old boys on the rail. They need water. Please find them." Todd got a text shortly thereafter... "Got the water. Thank you."

The day was full of blues music. It was mesmerizing. It was phenomenal. It was a wonderful fundraiser of 30,000 who paid $100 each for Eric Clapton's Crossroads Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Center. The performers played for free, and they enjoyed every minute of it. We were close enough to see their expressions. They were friends supporting friends.

For me if was kind of like the AFC Championship game where the Colts beat the Patriots to go to the 2007 Superbowl. I was there. I can die a happy woman knowing that no other football game will ever surpass that game in emotion... for me. That was my pinnacle of football, and I have not had a desire to attend another football game since. I feel the same way about this concert. It was the pinnacle of music... unless I am fortunate enough to be able to attend another Crossroads Festival. At that time we will talk again and reassess the situation...Me and Todd at the CrossroadsEric Clapton. Guitar phenemon since the early 70's. He's in his mid-60's now. We saw him on the side of the stage with his daughter. We have several pictures of them. Touching doesn't begin to explain the love he showed for her while enjoying his friend's performances. Oh, and his little girl was holding an American Girl doll. He's sucked into that too!I will post more pictures in the near future.

The wait is over

In early February we learned from a friend that Eric Clapton's 3rd Guitar Festival benefit show would be in Chicago on June 26. It was a no brainer. We would be there. We are taking Cameron and one of his friends (also a guitar player). So excited...

"The following artists are confirmed to participate in this unique event to benefit Crossroads Centre Antigua:

Albert Lee, Allman Brothers Band, BB King, Bert Jansch, Buddy Guy, David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas of Los Lobos, Doyle Bramhall II, Earl Klugh, Eric Clapton, Gary Clark Jr., Hubert Sumlin, James Burton, Jeff Beck, Jimmie Vaughan, Joe Bonamassa, John Mayer, Johnny Winter, Jonny Lang, Keb' Mo', Pino Daniele, Robert Cray, Robert Randolph, Sheryl Crow, Sonny Landreth, Stefan Grossman, Steve Winwood, Vince Gill, and ZZ Top.(Line up is subject to change without notice.)"

And then this was added... Apparently the line-up has changed and we wish Gregg Allman the best...

"Gegg Allman has undergone successful liver transplant surgery. The Allman Brothers Band will not be performing at Saturday's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2010 at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, IL. The Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi Band, along with longtime Allman Brothers Band/Gov't Mule iconic guitarist Warren Haynes, will take the stage and invite special friends to join them."

Emma gets to spend the weekend with Aunt Marla. And Christopher? Well, Christopher is on dog and fish duty.

Diggers & Dump Trucks (& cranes, too)

When Christopher was 2 or 3, he had a book titled "Diggers & Dump
Trucks." He loved that book. We dug the book out for Cameron and he loved it also. Boys and construction equipment. Every time we were in a construction zone, the boys would point out the various pieces of equipment and what they do. The boys gave me an appreciation of heavy machinery. I think it's probably the happy memories of when they were little and would sit on my lap as we read about diggers and dump trucks that is appreciated along with the power of heavy equipment.

It's ironic that I now work for a company that makes construction equipment. I look at the equipment with the loving memories of my boys and also from a professional perspective of which brand of equipment is most prevalent on a job site. Caterpillar is the overwhelming winner all the time. They make a good product. Terex makes a good product also, but we don't have the same brand name recognition and market share as CAT does.

I was in traffic on 465 yesterday when I went to get Emma from Danville. I snapped a few pictures...
Terex crane!!!In the center of this picture is a concrete wall that is being poured. Our trucks were on site and doing their job. Have I told you that I sat in the cab of a mixer when we were doing a test pour for this very project? I got to move the chute back and forth. So way cool.And then after I had Emma and we were driving north on 69, I could not believe my eyes. Right in front of us, driving on the highway was a Terex crane. Goosebumps!After we passed the crane, I pulled over in the lane in front of him and Emma took this shot. In order to see that Terex is on the front of the crane, you have to double-click on the picture to enlarge it.We have been watching Parkview North grow for the last 2 years. Construction is well under way on the new hospital. I get to see these cranes every day, and every day I think that they are amazing.

She's back

Emma has been in Florida with my parents and Cathy's family for 10 days. I picked her up from Cathy's this morning. She had a great time. She told me about the time she had with just Grandma and Grandpa (they went to Universal Studios) and the time she had once Aunt Cathy, Uncle DJ and all the kids got to Florida. She and Faith swam A LOT in Grandma and Grandpa's pool. Emma told me that some of her hair is 'green.' Whatever. It's just hair. It can be washed out or cut off. She and Faith also had much fun riding around The Villages in the golf cart with Grandpa and stopping for ice cream and shakes.

Grandma wanted to do some more sewing with Emma. (Dammit. One of my kids or grandkids will learn how to sew! Someone has to inherit my passion.) Didn't happen. Emma was too busy playing and swimming. Emma wanted to learn how to knit. That didn't happen either. Once again, Emma was too busy playing and swimming. I think maybe I need to send her to spend some time with Grandma when it is cold outside. This will force her to be inside and learn from her grandmother.

Grandma made a skirt for Emma... and it is sooooo very Emma.
When I went to Danville to pick her up this morning, Cathy and DJ were having new counter tops installed. Cawood was all about those power tools. The installation crew would grind down the existing cabinets to make the new counters level. Cawood was right there watching and listening to the intriguing sound of the grinder and the shop vac that was instantly vacuuming the shavings and dust. Once again, proof positive that it is inherent in boys... They love tools and the wonderful sounds that they make. He also was fascinated when Cathy walked by their truck. He grabbed the side and leaned in for a look. Boys.

Honk for Jesus

Stole this picture fair and square from a Facebook friend. I LOL'd (Laughed Out Loud for some of you) when I saw it.

Fishbowl from the past

Everyone remembers the little fish bowls that you can win at carnival games, right? Emma received one of these as a gift when she was less than 2. All I can say is that my husband doesn't throw anything away... "because you never know when you might need it again." I'm pretty sure I never would have had a need for the fishbowl again. Ever. Emma had different thoughts when she found it in the basement. She washed it, and she asked for a fish. When I told her, "No" she looked so sad. I fell for it. I put water in the bowl and told her it had to sit on the counter for two days to allow the chlorine to evaporate. I was really stalling but it worked. She made lists of fish names. Two days later she reminded me that it was time to go and get a fish.

We went to Wal-Mart of all places to get a fish. She talked me into two fish. She said that she had to have two because one fish would be lonely in the bowl all alone. I'm a really big sucker. I fell for it. We bought two fish. She named them Carl and Faheem (she has a boy named Faheem at school and she thinks it's a cool name). The new additions to our family were brought home on Friday June 11. Saturday mid-morning Emma told me that the water was gross. Sure enough, the water was cloudy and gross. Daddy pointed out that the fish looked sad being in the little bowl. They were bumping into the glass since the bowl was so small.

You know where this is going, right?

An emergency trip to PetSmart: 10 gallon starter tank, rocks, and plants were purchased. $72 later, Emma, Carl, and Faheem were all happy. Mommy? Well, on Sunday Emma left to start her vacation with Grandma and Grandpa Misterka. Mommy got left behind with the grandfish.

And I'm not thoroughly convinced that the bowl was "too small." I think the fish like to look at their reflection in the glass or maybe they like the way the glass feels on their nose. Do fish have noses?

Filler

I completed some of the posts I had previously started. Scroll down. I'll do more in the near future.

Family pictures

Cathy has been insistent for a year that we get a family picture taken. I'm so glad she never let the idea die. The last of the grandbabies has been born (unless God has other plans) and the first of the grandchildren is preparing to leave. It is time to get the picture before it's too late and we really start to scatter as families usually do.
Funny stuff... We went to a park near Cathy and DJ's new house. There was a really nice spot on the other side of a creek. We had to cross a suspended bridge to get there. On the bridge posts were red, white, and blue balloons. There was a sign on the ground. I should have taken a picture of the sign because I don't remember what it said. Regardless it was some sort of liberal organizing event going on in the pavillion close to where we were going to take pictures. Perfect. Send a bunch of conservatives over to where the liberals are planning strategies. No, we weren't quiet about the irony of it.The original five of us. Just like Cathy, I forgot that there used to be only the five of us. Todd's been around forever. The first time Miki met any of us Cameron walked up to her, gave her a hug and said, "Hi Aunt Miki!" Matt replied, "Uh-oh, the pressure's on!" DJ, well, DJ is DJ. He is quiet. He blends in. He is perfect for the outspoken, effervescent, and (diagnosed as an adult) A.D.D. sister of mine. He keeps things in check, but when wound up, that man can crack some very funny jokes.The 5 of us grew to be a total of 16!After we took pictures in the park, we went back to Cathy and DJ's new house. It's beautiful, by the way. We celebrated Christopher's graduation. Aunt Miki made a beautiful cake and cupcakes.Cathy gave Christopher some first aid advice. He is getting ready to leave for the woods. He is reading many books on survival, edible plants, plants as medicine, etc. Aunt Cathy gave him some first aid kit recommendations and why he must get what she is recommending... "Just in case..." I think he is planning on listening to her. Geez, at least he is listening to someone.

Walk about

Found out that he is going to the upper peninsula of Michigan. Zeke's family has a cabin up there on Lake Superior. They are leaving mid-July and will be returning the end of September. They are going to try to live off the land. They are going to eat plants and berries. He wants a .22 to shoot small animals for food. That's the plan. Don't know how it's going to work out yet. Don't know if they have permission from Zeke's mom yet. Don't know a lot of things that seem important to me but irrelevant to Pher. Aahhh, life with teenagers.

The graduation that wasn't

Pher's graduation announcement. Yeah, we bought 50 of them along with 50 name cards that read Christopher T Meyers in beautiful script. No, you didn't miss getting yours in the mail. We did not mail them. A component of Christopher's arrangement of going to school only two periods a day was that he not participate in commencement. This was the request of the administration.

Sunday June 6, 2010 at 2:30 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Christopher's class had their ceremony... and we were not there.

Update

I've been awful at updating the blog, and I was called out on it tonight. I have several posts that I started, but never took the time to complete. It has been an emotional week. I will fill in the blanks. I promise. I will. Thank you for understanding.