Wednesday, May 25, 2011

2.OH

Do you remember here, where I mentioned this?

Well, now I'm here!

Such an honor to be featured and I hope I can do the site justice because hers is a tough act to follow.

Thank you, Julie!


- Emily McP

Monday, May 9, 2011

The good witch

Mom:

You birthed me from your womb almost 27 years ago, and apparently, it hurt like hell. I know because you told me. Also, dad never let me forget about his lunch with your doctor in the hospital cafeteria being interrupted by the labor I was putting you through. Dad, I'm sorry, this one isn't about you.

While I don't remember making my way down the dark tunnel and into that white light, I do remember the time in first grade(ish) I went to a neighbor's house without telling you. When I came strolling down the sidewalk on my way back home (like it was NBD), dad was running down the street yelling my name while you met me in the driveway. You were two inches from my face and told me to "NEVER leave the house AGAIN" without letting you know, and I told you about your coffee breath. You tried so hard not to laugh.

I remember you taking me to ballet class and picking me up with McDonalds Happy Meals (orange soda included) in-hand. There was a reason I didn't continue dance after age eight.

You bought me a chalkboard and pointer so I could nurture my talent of teaching stuffed animals reading, writing, and multiplication tables using mini marshmallows; a dream I still haven't given up on.
You also stood by while I made "soup" with every herb and spice in your kitchen so I could practice being a chef in the instance my day job fell through. Neither panned out.

You were there at every school function and church play. You took a few pictures, but thank goodness you never learned to operate a camcorder or else I'd have to continuously relive that "awkward stage" from third grade until I was a freshman in college. It's not that you didn't want to document those precious moments, you honestly just don't know the first thing about technology, nor do you care. That is what is so endearing about you, Glenders. But why you own an iPhone is baffling.

We've seen each others best and worst, of which the latter is far outweighed.

You work full-time, care for a husband, an elderly mom, spoil three grandchildren, chase an active Corgi, and have raised three (beautiful) daughters. You taught me to give my troubles to God and showed me that besides Him, nothing is more important than family.

Although it sometimes takes a glass of Pinot to end your day, you deserve it. That glass of wine is celebratory because your miraculous strength is to be admired.

Cheers, mom. Here's to hoping I raise a kid half as awesome as me so I can finally give you the credit you deserve.




- Emily McP

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Down on bended knee

Yesterday Jordan calls me:

Jordan: Get ready for the best news of your life. And no, I'm not engaged.

Me: You're pregnant!

Jordan: Better. BOYZ II MEN is playing in Shreveport next weekend.

Just so happens to be the weekend I'm in town. Call it fate, call it what you will, but I will be there in an all denim ensemble and Timberlands. Jordan says she's wearing her nicely pressed baseball jersey, emblazoned with the logo from her team of choice-the Shreveport Captains.

I remember hearing Boyz II Men for the first time. I was in middle school and my mom was driving me to the bus stop because I was too lazy to walk eleven yards. Spoiler: Nothing much has changed.
As we pulled out of the driveway, mom tuned the FM to KVKI (light rock, less talk) and there they were, the gents of BIIM singing about wanting me to throw my clothes on the floor, because they were about to make love to me. In front of my mom? How embarrassing.

I think it should go without saying that I will be at that show.

Front and center.



- Emily McP

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Doubled-up

By the by, I've been meaning to make this post for a few days now, but mess happens, you know?

I just wanted to share a few of the "happy places" I visit on the world wide webs (and the like) for when the world seems too much, or just when I need good seeing-eye material. And no, I do NOT mean while at work...

Life2PointOh is a recent addition to the webs and one of the founding editors, Julie Miller, is a fellow friend and Louisiana Tech grad.
My dearie friend Jordan is a contributing writer on the site and does a dynamite job relating to us twenty-something gals in her posts. She should know, because she is a twenty-something gal.
You can read her first inspiring post here.
Like a momma, I am so proud of hers.

Another person that turns my mouth corners to a happy position is Brooke; her and I met during the Tyler Read ages as her Josh and my Chris were bandmates. I've been a faithful blog follower for a while and her posts are consistently thoughtful and entertaining. I love.

If you're feeling cute and crafty (and fashion-y?) head over to A Beautiful Mess and keep wishing you can be half as cute as Elsie. I thank my MIL for that introduction.

My friend Erica (pronounced Urca) is the Founder of the non-profit Pet Education Project, or PEP, to teach kids the importance of properly caring for animals, which is so important! Girl is doing work.

Lastly, René made a vow to post to her blog every.single.day of Lent, and by gosh, she she did it. What a feat!

All of my friends are accomplishing so much, I feel so inadequate!


- Emily McP

Phallic flowers

What a weekend. Sunday night Chris and I drove back from New Iberia where we spent a few days visiting with his (our) family. He wasn't supposed to be home from recording until last night; unfortunately, his grandmother became ill Thursday so he changed plans at the last minute to come home Friday.
I'm not entirely disappointed he was here a few days sooner, but if it meant a healthy Mawmaw, I'd wish him back to Virginia.

What a gal Mawmaw is; there is no other like her. She spent the weekend in ICU with pneumonia, on top of other ailments that have plagued her for a few months now. Despite her health and how bad she must've felt, Mawmaw still managed to make us laugh with stories about how she met "Chiefy" (her husband) and drawings of phallic flowers. See below:




"It's a penis," she wrote. That sense of humor AINT goin NOWHERE.

Mawmaw spent the better part of the weekend attached to a mask that controlled her CO2 levels, so pencil and paper was the best form of communication during those times. Thank goodness for the comedic relief.

Although she's now out of ICU and home from the hospital, the future remains unclear. We continue to pray and hope for recovery and know one thing for sure:




We love you too.


- Emily McP