MUD

My given name is Maxine Unice Dupree. Yep, MUD. My parents were told after they had me that due to complications of my birth, my mother would not be able to carry a baby again. So, they thought they'd use both family name on one child. Lucky me. Maxine come from my mother's father, Maxwell, and Unice is my father's mother. Naming me this, they included both sides of the family and satisfied everyone-except me. All the trouble started in second grade. My inexperienced teacher, Miss Thompson, thought it would be a great idea to do a "spotlight" on every child in the class. Could anything be more stupid? A class full of children learning the intimate details of each others lives...That is a breeding ground for would be bullies to get embarrassing info on their targets. Needless to say, when it was my day to be spotlighted, I was very nervous. You see, nobody knew my middle name. Up until then I was just Maxie Dupree. So, as my teacher started reading my history, my face turned red and I put my head down on my desk. I did not hear anything accept my full name...Maxine Unice Dupree...after hearing that, it seemed my ears filled with water and nothing else was heard. Later at recess, I was sitting on a swing when I felt a rock hit my back. I turned around and standing behind me was the smartest, but meanest girl in my glass. She had a nice name-Emily. Emily was smiling cruelly and holding up something else in her hand ready to throw.

"Hey, Mud! That's your new name. Haa, haa, haa Mud. You look so dirty and you stink like mud! Hey everyone look, there's mud all over the swing."

With that, she let her hand fly and a nice round mud pie landed with a splat on my lap smearing my pink shorts with brown goo. I jumped off the swing and ran into the bathroom followed by the echos of laughter. You might think I was in tears, but I was not. I was furious! How dare my mother write my full name on my spotlight history? In fact, how dare my parents even name me what they did? And as for Emily, she was going to get it! I was angrily swiping at my shorts when I heard the bathroom door close. I looked up expecting to see my new enemy. I was surprised to see instead a small girl with long brown braided hair looking at me. I was even more surprised when she spoke in a loud voice,

"Hi. Sorry about your shorts. I heard what they were saying. Some people can be so mean. Here, let me help you."

I was stunned that anyone would want to help me right then, so I did not protest when she wet a paper towel and started wiping off my shorts. I finally found my voice and said,

"Uhhh, thanks... Are you new?"
"Yep", she said, "We just moved here last week. This is my first day."
"How old are you?", I asked.
"I am seven and three quarters", she proudly stated.

She was so small, I was shocked she said that she was seven. She must have seen the look on my face because she said,

"I was born too early and ever since then, I have stayed small."
"Oh. Well, my name is Maxie and I am seven too."
"I am River. River Brown. Do you want to be my friend?"
"Okay", I said. Suddenly my anger drained away ans I knew second grade would be alright.

Actually, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grades were all good because of River Brown. Despite the fact that we were called "muddy brown river" by all the other kids, we were happy. River was the fourth of five children. Her family were Mormons. The only reason for me to have cared about this fact was that on Sundays River went to church and could not play that whole day. Those were my least favorite days back then. River's mother had died when she was only four. Sometimes River got sad about missing her mom, but she really did not remember her and I could always cheer her up. River's dad was a lawyer. He moved his office into their house so that he could be there for the kids after Rivers mom died. He was always very nice to me and called me "Maxeroo". River's oldest sister, Nicky, was good at cooking and keeping the house pretty clean. She was really busy and did not have much time for River and I. The rest of the kids were boys. Jimmy was eleven and always gone, Alex was nine and a huge pest. He was always ruining our tea parties with spiders and pulling off our barbie heads. Ollie was four and he was River's responsibility. He was good about dressing up and playing house or princesses with us. Until he got older. Then we would have to include Star Wars or GI Joe into our games or he refused to play. I loved spending time at River's house. It was busy and loud. Something was always going on. I always felt like just another kid around there. River's family moved away the summer we turned thirteen. I missed her terribly and have never found another friend like her.

Maxie's Pantyhose

I was really late this morning. For some odd reason my alarm did not ring. I guess it could have been the fact that I forgot to set it last night; But, you'd think that out of consideration to me it would have set itself so that I would have had a chance to be on time. When the loud roar of the garbage truck outside my window woke me up, I only had a half hour to get ready and out the door. Instantly awake, I jumped out of bed and lumbered into the bathroom. No time for a shower, I stuck my dry mop of hair under the faucet. As the force of the cold water hit my scalp, I yelped and jerked my head up right into the tip of the spout. "Ouch, crap!" I ignored the smallish stream of blood that was now mixing with the luke warm water and proceeded to shampoo my hair, scrubbing extra hard where I was cut to try to stop the bleeding. I decided that I would forgo the conditioner (which was a gamble). But, I thought that staic head was better then really late head. Rinsing out the shampoo, I reached for my toothbrush and hurriedly brushed my teeth while I let my hair drain over the tub, my poor head throbbing the whole time. Sniffing my pits, I really wished that I could have taken a shower, but my secret and maybe on top of that my suave would have to do for today. After a quick swipe of both, I rinsed my toothbrush and fled back into my room. Luckily I semi prepared myself for being late and the night before I had set out my outfit. Although, as I tugged on my blue and white stripped button down cotton shirt, I started second guessing my choice of outfits. Does this look like I am trying too hard? Am I sure I should wear a skirt and not the pant suit that I love? The skirt is a little tight... would I look tougher, like I could handle things better if I went with the pants? But then what shoes would I wear? I could..."Oh Crap!" I shook my head and told myself that even if I wanted to change, there was no time and the skirt would be FINE! I decided to dry my hair before I put on the skirt. So, back into the bathroom I went. I dug through the cupboard until I found my hair gel, root pump, round brush, Velcro curlers, and the blow dryer. Hastily applying gel and root pump, I plugged my dryer in and proceeded to dry my limp, short damp blond hair. I could immediately tell that I skipped the conditioner as my round brush got tangled in a clump of hair. Feeling frustrated, I yanked and lo and behold, a clump of blond came out as well as the brush. Angry now, I threw the brush across the bathroom where of course it hit and broke the Anne Geddons picture of the sleeping naked baby. "Crap, crap, crap!" I did not have time to sweep up the glass, so I laid a towel over it and proceeded to dry my hair using the brush as sparingly as possible. Once dry, I ratted and sprayed to cover up the bald spot. Finely done with that, I glanced at the clock and noticed I still had fifteen minuets. Ahhhh...I was half way ready to go out the door. I got out my makeup bag and as my habit is, lined up the make up in the order that I put it on. First the base, then the black eye liner, then the nude, brown and green eye shadow, then the dark black mascara and finely the light pink blush. Going in order, I had my make up done and put away in record time. Now, back to my room where I grabbed my control top pantyhose and shoved one foot into them. As I was pulling them up, my nail snagged on part and rrriiippp. Hoping that I could hide the rip by tucking it into my shoe, I kept pulling. Yep, that was not going to happen as the rip kept on ripping up the whole leg. "Oh crap o la!" I was in big trouble now. These control top pantyhose were the key to my whole outfit! Reason being that the skirt I wanted to wear was really two sizes too small. My hope was that the control top would create a miracle. Last night I laid in bed envisioning stuffing my thick legs like sausages into each pantyhose leg, yanking, pulling and heaving them up the rest of the way. Then, tucking the extra "skin" around my middle into the control top, and finely looking in the mirror and seeing a beauty with skinny brown legs, a thin stomach, thighs that barely touch in the middle and a nice tight butt. Now, my vision was completely ruined. I would have to try the skirt without the miracle control top. Sighing, I grabbed the skirt , forced my legs into it and looked down. "Yeah, right Maxie", I said to myself, "If you can zip AND button this up, it really would be a miracle! " Giving myself every advantage, I laid down on my bed, breathed in and zip...only half way. Feeling very defeated and fat, I quickly went through my other options. One, I could call them and say I am in the hospital, two, I could buy some control tops on my way and hope they work, three, I could try tapping my middle with...no, that is stupid, okay, three I could wear my pant suit. Seeing my obvious answer, I stood up and peeled the skirt away from my body vowing to not eat until it fit. Kicking and stomping on my pantyhose on the way to my closet, I slipped and went down hard on my knees. "Crap it all!" I yelled. Wincing, I got up, hobbled the rest of the way to the closet, ripped out my pant suit and yanked it on. I was so over trying to look my best so I grabbed a pair of navy heels, jammed my feet into my socks, stuffed my toes into my heels and looked in the mirror for the final judgement. Grimacing at myself I muttered, "this is as good as it is going to get today, so own it!" Immediately my face took on the look of someone resigned do do something unpleasant with as much dignity as possible. I heard the taxi outside honking. "Alright, now or never..."

As I was sitting in the back of the smoke smelly cab, my head ached, I had a bald patch, I felt like I looked fat, my knees were sore and as I crossed my legs, I noticed that I had on one black sock and one blue. I sighed, well, I considered, this is the real me. Take me as I am or not at all! At least I will be on time...

Should I?

My friend suggested that I start writting a book and put it up page by page on my blog. I have always wanted to write a novel. One time I actually started one and could not believe how hard it is to do. You really have to get into detail-like minute detail-for it to be any good. Now I know why authors do character study on their characters. I think I will not start with a novel, but with random musings by one character. Then it can be as short or as long as I want it to be and still make sense. So, my big question is, would any of you HONESTLY be interested in reading what I write if I post it on my blog? Please be honest. I know some people just prefer lots of pictures and only a little words, so if this is you, let me know.

Derby Time!

Yep, the Pine Wood Derby... Cole came in fourth out of seven or eight. I think he was a little dissapointed until he got a blue ribbon ( along with all the other boys). It was fun to see all the dads and boys getting into it. It's funny to see how the dads react when their boys cars do not do so well. I felt bad for those boys who always got out run though. I would have given my pinkie finger so that every boy felt good about his car and his place in the end. Why is it that there always has to be a looser? Can't we all just be winners?

Back form Utah...

Alright, it has been awhile since I have posted. My excuse is that I have been visiting my fam in Utath. No, I was not there for the whole month, but you know how it is when you go on a vaca and it takes you forev to get back into the routine? I was there for a week. Travis was very kind to stay home and take care of Cole and Ann while I took Taylor. The reason for the visit was that my sister (Michelle) had a darling baby girl. I got to hang out all week with that sweet little bundle. Not to mention the other kids I miss so much-Connor, Kadance, Kaybria on the Johnson side and Rylee, Kolton, and Sydney on the Nelson side. I can't wait to move back so that they will all know me as the awsomest aunt on this planet. I am lucky to be so much older than my sibs so that as my kids are bigger, I can dote on, play with and indulge my nieces and nephews-oh, I miss them so much! Anyway, back to the point. The baby got the name Julie Dee. She had a little of a rough start, but is doing really well now. I was lucky enough to get to play with her a whole night long while Shell slept in 3 hour intervals. I am going to try to make a slide show of the pictures I took while there. Taylor was really the center of attentnion when the baby was not around. He performed all of his tricks and made me look good. It was nice to be in Utah. I was able to squeeze in all my "Utah desires". The list is this...Wingers, Training Table, Cafe Rio, Tai Pan Trading, Down East Outfiters, rainbow. Are my priorities out of wack seeing as 4 out of the 6 things have to do with food? Now you all know where my heart lay. Not all of it was eating. I was introduced to Yoga by my trendy mother, and we ran 4 1/2 miles the day before I was to leave. It was nice to get back home. I thought that the kids would have missed me a lot. I asked Anna if she did and this was her reply, "not really, but I REALLY missed Taylor!" Cole is a little more aware of others feelings and so out of him I got, "well, sort of-where's my present?" They were however more focused on me when I did give them their gifts from the grandparents.

ps-I could not figure out the slide show.

Loose Teeth

Anna has lost a couple of teeth and today lost another. It is her front, top tooth (she lost the other one awhile ago). The process is quite laborious. It not only includes a lot of wiggleing, but a little blood, a few tears, and a lot of time in front of the mirror. I tried to get her to let me pull it out, but she would have none of that. I learned my lesson not to insist on doing it myself when Cole had his first loose tooth. By the time everything was said and done, I basically sat on top of Cole and pulled his tooth out. Don't ask me why... to this day Cole hides the fact the he even has loose teeth and won't tell me untill they are already pulled out. Anyway, after Anna chanted "I hate this tooth" a dozen times, and, "I can do it, I'm a woman" more than a dozen times, she pulled it out all by herself! Proclaiming that she has heard that the tooth fairy gives way more money for big top teeth, she promptly washed her tooth clean, placed it carefully into her "tooth pillow" and tucked it under her pillow. After all that work, I sure hope the tooth fairy remembers that she has a tooth waiting under Anna's pillow at 2060 25th St in Ohio.

Mall Walking

This morning I met my friend Jessica at our local mall. I have some how talked her into training with me for the race and we decided to walk together every Wedensday, and do a long run every Saturday. Well, since it is freezing here and neither of us have a gym membership, we consented to walk the mall. Have you ever done it? We have now done it twice. The first time we were a little late getting there, so we ended up dodging nicely dressed people out doing their shopping. We only got a couple of wierd stares and a few rude gestures by the time we were done. Today we got there a little earlier and oh my heck! It was like a mob in there. There were so many people there to exercise. Little old men who like to look at and talk to the kids everytime we pass, old ladies who totally are into their workout and don't even glance at the kids, packs of heavier women, sometimes 4 abreast that are "exercising" but are walking slower then a crawl and gabbing louder than the kids (when we come up behind them, we have to take a short cut around and through the "stalls" in the middle of the mall because they don't move for nobody!), suprisingly we were not the only young ones walking this morning. I saw at least 3 other youngish looking moms toting strollers and grumpy kids-however, WE were the best looking moms there...It was so crowded that like on a track at the gym, they were going one way only-you felt very stupid if you went against the flow. As we were walking and of course passing everyone, little Abby proceeded to take off both socks and toss them over board along with her jacket, Taylor kept repeating "cuck, cuck, cuck..."(which is truck) louder and louder until I would answer him, and Jack made many conspicous slaps and pinches to Abby which would start her crying. After about 10 min, we decided to pull over to the cookie store and Jessica bought a dozen chocolate chip cookies for the kids to munch on. And of course we were parched and had to get ourselves a diet coke. After about a 1/2 hour or so of walking, we decided to go into Old Navy. Each of us bought something and were thinking of stopping in Buckle and Children's Place but decided against it because Jack wanted to go home and play "Mario" and Taylor and Abby were fussy. So, having spent money, gotten our diet cokes, and exercised all before 10:30am, we walked to our cars and decided to meet there again next week!