Posted by
Mindy
at
5:56 AM
Thursday, June 28, 2018
My boy leaves for an amazing summer in New Zealand tonight! Well, actually it's winter there, and will be a little on the chilly side compared to the "feels like" 100 degrees here in Florida.
I'm so excited for him, and so proud of him for his hard work that earned him this scholarship. He's excited, too, and a little nervous. I told him to try and relax and just soak in the whole magical experience.
He's going to be doing so many awesome things...I know I mentioned the glow worm caves before, but they will also be hiking up and surfing down the Te Paki Sand Dunes.
He will also hike One Tree Hill and take in the views of meadows of meandering sheep and the blue waters of the sea.
And he will hike with the other kids in his group (ten kids selected nationwide for the New Zealand trip) to soak in a natural hot spring surrounded by pristine forest.
He will also learn about the Maori culture, including spending time with a Maori artisan learning about the symbolism of their tattoos.
He will also participate in an ancient whakawhanaungatanga ceremony.
They will also attend a Maori hangi workshop and learn how to cook food underground. Doesn't look especially appetizing to me, but I'm picky. I'm sure Joe will love it.
And he will visit some beautiful, remote black sand beaches like this one:
He will experience all this and more, and I couldn't be more excited and happy for Joe as he undertakes this epic journey. Bon Voyage, Joe! Take a million pics! I love you!
This week has been pretty easy, with doctors on vacation all over the place. Days have been light, and it has been a struggle to stay busy. Today I'm going to help the marketing lady with the website(s).
Last night, the documentary James was in, Fenn's Searchers, (by Matt Maisano, a talented and really nice guy) had a showing in North Carolina. It had a nice turnout, about 100 people, and James, Sacha, and Dal joined James on the panel via video feed to answer questions afterwards. It went well, and although I couldn't hear what anyone else was asking or saying (because of the headphones James had to wear), I was impressed with James's answers. Matt is also planning to open the documentary to the general public. When he does that, I'll let you know.
Moving on...I forgot to post a few videos from last weekends ax throwing fun. These are slow-mo, which are pretty interesting. One was thrown by James, one was thrown by me. I can't remember who threw the fail, but we both had some pretty hilarious fails, as well as a few impressive strikes. These three clips are very short (a few seconds each), and worth the watch.
Speaking of ax throwing, did you know it's becoming a thing? With some ax throwing ranges opening up? Pretty interesting. I noticed even Jimmy Fallon likes it. Here's a clip with Fallon and Serena Williams having an ax throwing contest:
He's also done ax throwing contests with other celebrities such as Jennifer Lawrence. Jimmy Kimmel has also had a few ax throwing segments.
Moving on...
Omaze is a great way to donate to charity. I frequently donate there, because celebrities or other entities offer a chance to win something if you donate. All the proceeds go to charity. Right now they have an amazing opportunity to win a trip to Iceland. That would be amazing. If you're interested, you can visit the Omaze website to see this amazing opportunity to both donate to a worthy cause and win a magical trip. You can click here to go straight to the webpage.
I know I've posted this in the past, but this is the bottle F likely drank his Dr. Pepper from in 1955.
I don't believe he was at the Texas Open that day, unless he was on leave from his assignment at Scott AFB. And if he was, I don't believe he hung out with Dizzy Dean and Sammy Baugh. FF is not Forrest Gump, although fate does seem to have put him in the right place at the right time often enough. But, that's just my opinion.
Posted by
Mindy
at
6:53 AM
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
So, Milan calls out mdavis for his obsession with me. Mdavis replies that I "sealed his fate" with him when I sent the cease and desist. Silly obsessed sock puppet! Your hatred and obsession goes back much further than that!! Why do you think I sent the cease and desist????
And Harry is obsessed it seems, too. Claiming that he wants to know about my personal life out of "curiosity." But I like answering Harry's questions, because his ignorance and mistaken assumptions are seemingly boundless.
1. Harry said he thought I made up our wedding plans "on the spot."
My answer: No, Harry, if you recall, when we first announced our engagement, we talked about getting married in Scotland. We were going to plan for this summer, but we want family to attend, and with Joe in New Zealand, we decided to wait til next summer. We've been looking at castles for a long time. And we have matching leather bracelets with the coordinates within Scotland--the place we have always planned to marry.
2. My daughter was urged to take probation. Her bond is set to $0. She could get out on probation if she wanted to. She had the choice of 4 months in jail or 8 months of probation. Probation is set up to fail in Florida--ask anyone who has experienced it. That she made it as long as she did (almost three years) is a miracle in itself, because just about EVERYTHING is a violation of probation. Thinking your probation officer meeting was Friday instead of Monday and showing up on Friday instead of Monday? Instant arrest. Five mph over the speed limit? Instant arrest. Out walking your dog when the probation officer shows up at your door unannounced? Could be instant arrest. So, yes, she chose jail in lieu of probation. Probation is more stressful than jail, according to her. And yes, Rooster, she was clean and not using (Rooster is another obsessed person who gets everything wrong).
3. I haven't had "substantial time off." I work for a very good practice. I started to accrue paid time off the day I started. I have taken 24 hours of vacation to visit my daughter for graduation. That's it. Naples is a seasonal city. During the winter season, we are slammed. During the summer months, it's slower. Doctors are starting to take their vacations, and without them in the office, there's no one to x-ray, so I usually get my hours helping the marketing woman, doing other computer things. or helping restock. No mystery there. Sorry.
4. You go against what Forrest says in the Moby Dickens video when you say not finding the tc on a trip is a "failure." Watch it--he says you win every time you go search. I don't look at my search trips as "search trips." The only trip I went strictly to search was when I went to MT with Jamie. All the others were combined with vacation. I look at every "search" trip as an adventure, and like I've said a million times before, I don't care if I come home without monetary treasure, because the memories are an even better treasure. Even when I thought I had my 100% solve, I wasn't "humiliated," nor did I feel like I failed. Nearly everyone in this chase thinks they've been 100% at one time or another, and they have all come home empty handed, too. However, I haven't spent thousands and thousands of dollars going on hundreds of trips. I'm not obsessed with finding it. If I find it, I find it. If I don't, I don't.
Here's my almost 50 year old self enjoying some swimming yesterday because we didn't have patients in the afternoon (No PS, no filters, no makeup, btw):
And one with a filter, just for the heck of it. After all, most celebrities wouldn't dare post any picture without some manipulation or enhancement, so what rule says I have to post un-enhanced photos (like the one above) all the time?
Harry, why is my personal life so important to you? It seems I truly am more important than the chase to you.
That is sad.
But to answer your questions:
1. None of your business, but none of them ended in failure. If you define failure as not finding a treasure, then the answer is still zero. If you mean how many times have I been BOTG? Four, I think.
2. None of your business, but he's still right by my side. I'm blogging less, so of course he comments less. Nothing has changed since the day we met. Wedding plans in the works. It will be quiet, with a ceremony in Scotland--not this year. Family and just close friends invited. That's all you need to know. Well, really, you don't need to know. Sorry.
Castles we are looking at renting include this beautiful one in Dunbartonshire:
Or this one in Aberdeenshire:
3. None of your business, but no.
4. None of your business, but, she does not want probation. She chose to serve time in lieu of probation. She's an adult. I talk to her every day, and she will be home soon enough.
5. None of your business, but it's awesome. Best job I've ever had. Great group of people to work with. Not sure why you would think it wasn't working out.
Seems as though I have truly become some sort of legendary figure over there, where every quirk and aspect and event of my life has some divine or karmic reason behind it. A simple mom can't just have other hobbies besides the chase, can't live in quiet contentment, can't simply enjoy her job, can't enjoy her family, can't live the majority of her life quietly without posting about every tiny aspect---without her fans making conspiracy theories and assumptions about what must be going on.
Who are the real "sock puppets?" Seems I have you all on my strings.
What you don't know, apparently, is that I do not post about the majority of my life. I post highlights, and sometimes thoughts, and sometimes struggles, but 98% of my life doesn't appear on the blog, or Facebook, or anywhere but the here and now.
Sorry to let you down, but that's just the reality. I can't satisfy your twisted fantasies, although you are free to have them if it floats your boat.
Oh my, Mindy has been quiet for a few days and the rumors are swirling! Apparently, I am no longer getting married, yet I glance down and still see a beautiful Viking-styled diamond ring on my finger. So, where do these rumors come from? Some have imaginations that rival mine, except that I use mine for good and not evil.
It’s funny that whenever I’m busy with...other...things, the rumors about me swirl like the unseen wind in Van Gogh’s Starry Night. Yet...I see.
While it’s true I haven’t written much this week on the blog, it’s not true that my life is in tatters and I’m cowering in a corner, all but forgotten. It seems as though I will NEVER be forgotten, thanks to those who can’t keep me out of their minds or their mouths.
Anyway, I’m sure you all will have a jolly time trying to figure out what mischief I may have been up to.
Maybe, I was just too lazy to write. Or maybe I was saving this wee little snake from certain death in the pool.
Can you imagine our laughter when James managed this impressive throw?
Or maybe I’m just taking time to live well, and smell the roses. Or in the case of this Florida Viking, the Hibiscus. What a lovely shade of pink. It’s so pretty, isn’t it?
Or maybe some of you are right—maybe I’ve been out spending my millions on Botox and plastic surgery so that James will love me again.
LOL.
I’m sorry, but for those of you who dream of my downfall, wishing will never make it so. And neither will yours dirty deeds and speech, for by your many words, you are made fools.
But at least you’re where you belong.
In reality, I've been indulging myself and sleeping in a little since Joe is gone for the summer. But "imagination is better than knowledge, right?"
Posted by
Mindy
at
6:47 AM
Wednesday, June 13, 2018
I forgot to put the wet clothes from the washer into the dryer last night, so I'm waiting for my scrubs to dry before I get ready for work. Today will be the busiest day of my week. We're getting close to doctor vacation time, and one doctor will be starting his vacay tomorrow, so I only work a half day. I think I'm supposed to help our marketing person with some website issues, so I'll be able to get my hours.
I thought I'd tell you about a funny moment with Connor last week. I brought my PS4 to CA, and was showing him "Monster World Hunter." I like games where I can customize a female character, and this game has some pretty cool customizations.
Connor: This is cool! Can I play? Me: Do you want to create your own boy character?
Connor: Yes!
Me: Okay.
So I log out and start a new game. I make it as funny as I can for him, going through the different hairstyles for him to choose, and we laughed because you can actually put ponytails on your male character.
Connor thought that was hilarious.
He settled on a hairstyle much like his own.
Me: Okay, Connor, so we've got your character created. Now, we have to name him...
Connor (without even a second of hesitation): Jeff.
His dad started laughing.
Me (incredulous and befuddled): Jeff?
Connor (very matter of factly): Yes. Jeff.
I looked back at his dad. "Where'd that come from?"
David (still laughing): I have no idea.
Me: Okay, Connor, Jeff it is. But are you sure you don't want to name him something like "StarLord" or "DeathBringer?"
Connor: Jeff, please.
Me: You got it.
I typed Jeff in as the character's name.
Then we had to create his Palico, which is your cat buddy. Yes, unfortunately, this game gives you a cat that follows you around and meows. Out of all the outrageous looking cats, Connor picked a simple orange tabby, which I found out the reason for later...
Me: Okay, there's your cat. What do you want to name him?
I was thinking he would pipe out some normal cat name, like "Socks" or "Terrible."
Connor: Connor.
His dad starts laughing again.
Me: So you want the warrior to be Jeff and the cat to be Connor?
Connor: Yes.
Me: You got it.
Oh, later that night, when we went to Makai's birthday dinner, I discovered where Connor had gotten the inspiration for his palico...
The end of last week and the weekend was amazing in so many ways...
Joe and I flew out to CA on Wednesday. After a long but uneventful flight, we arrived in Santa Barbara tired but excited.
Joe and Callie's Uncle David, Grandma Terri, and Connor arrived Friday around 3:00. Upon arriving, Connor, adorable as always, showed off some of his new dance moves:
Later, we walked to the Santa Barbara Bowl to watch the big event--Callie's High School Graduation. Callie has chosen the University of San Francisco as her college of choice. She starts in August and is enrolled with honors on a couple academic scholarships. She's going to be studying neuroscience and psychology.
Here are a couple pics before we left:
Of course, Connor wanted his pic taken too:
The walk was very pleasant and the street we walked down was lined with these giant old pines:
The graduation was very crowded. There were about 490 graduates and what seemed like 3000 relatives. It took us an hour to get through security.
Here's a pic of the graduating class:
And here is what happened when Callie's name was called. As a result of my focus on her and my screaming proudly, I failed to keep my camera under control. Luckily, the clean video is on YouTube. Lol.
And here is the moment where the kids start throwing their caps in the air, and you realize that child you nurtured through the last 18 years is tossing her cap up with pride and jubilation and eager excitement to start the next phase of her life, and you realize just how proud of her you are. A pride that brings tears to your eyes, and hope to your heart, that THIS young woman, and other young men and women like her, can unite this country once more.
Here's one proud Momma and her new graduate:
Afterward, we went to Callie's aunt's house, and visited with her aunt, and my niece and nephew.
Here is Callie and her cousin, Kiele:
And here's Callie, Joe, Kiele, Connor, Makai, and Makai's girlfriend, Annette:
The next morning, we just chilled in the condo. Callie's very interesting friend, Star, came over and spent the day with us. She was very sweet and fun. I got the whole family hooked on "Vikings," and we were going to walk to the beach, but everyone was too into Vikings.
A little later, the "adults" wanted to go to Happy Hour at a local hang out. I'm not a big drinker, so I was more than happy to stay home with the kids and watch Connor. He's an amazing little 5 year old.
And he adores Joe...here are Joe and Connor playing the Switch (Uncle Dave in the foreground):
While Callie and Star laid on the inflatable mattress that served as Connor's bed and continued watching "Vikings," Connor and I played hide and seek. After that, I noticed Callie was asleep and went to lie down next to her for a few seconds and just stare at my daughter's sweet sleeping expression. She's so pretty...and I was so freaking proud of her...
Then we watched funny cat videos per Connor's request (his one flaw is that he loves cats, lol), and I let him download some games on my ipad like "Geometry Dash," which he couldn't get enough of.
Later that evening, we went to Kyoto, a Japanese place, for Makai's 19th birthday celebration. The food was excellent, and it was nice to see some people I haven't seen in years:
There is sooo much more, but I've got to get ready for work...
I was so happy about how well the weekend went, I treated my back to First Class on the flight home.
Here are a couple more pics of the ride to the airport. California is a beautiful state!
Oh, and I got some excellent news while in Santa Barbara-- Aidan's DUI was dropped to reckless driving (because she wasn't under the influence--she was texting), and her drug test came back clean, so the judge was lenient. She could have gone home with probation, but probation in FL is set up to fail, so Aidan chose to to do time in lieu of probation--so for her violation of probation charge she will probably serve a few months in jail. Surely much better than what the crooked prosecution was pushing for--prison. And her boss has assured her she still has her job when she returns. So, all in all, yes, she messed up and took a step backward, but she's accepting the consequences of her actions like a responsible adult, and hopefully this will be the last time she takes a backward step in this way. I believe she has a bright future, and I think she's finally starting to believe it too.
So, very good news considering what she was facing!
