A Post Christmas Post?!?

Just a couple of things on my mind this evening.

I sit here alone.  My daughter is out and my husband is working.  My son, well, he didn't make it home for the holidays this year.  My heart was broken.  I cried.  A lot.  This was the first Christmas since I had children that we were not all under the same roof for the arrival of Santa.  I am sure it is the first of many; but that doesn't make it any easier nor anything to look forward to.

On Christmas morning, Natalie asked why we did not have knitted stockings.   Guess what I will be knitting throughout the year?

This may shock some, but perhaps not.  I love Home Depot.  Not because I love to go through the store to find things to do with my house by myself, but because I always find something there that is very helpful!  When we painted our house, I found this "edger" painter thingie and I trimmed all of my walls dark chocolate milk brown and all of my ceilings sparkling white and the edging is perfect.  Perfect.  Per.  Fect.  I have been asked on many occasion if a professional did my walls.   A professional did not do my walls, I did.  With a great product from Home Depot!

Well, I was walking around Home  Depot by myself a few weeks ago.  I went in to look for some caulking stuff or weather striping stuff or something that took the draft away from the sliding glass door by which my work desk happens to be right by.  I have a heater.  And a blanket (home knit, btw).  But, nonetheless, I was cold.  I always look at the rugs.   And the new refrigerators (I am not really sure why on this one, but I do).  And the light switch covers.  And the paint colors (though I have no intention of painting again for a long while; even though my edges are Per. Fect!).  I just like to stroll Home Depot.  Especially by myself!!  When Trenty goes, he is often on a mission and I don't get to browse like I would like to!  They have toilets with #1 and #2 flushing buttons!!  I know, right?!?    Anyway, I digress.....

As I was browsing, slowly, down all of the aisles, I came across this frickin' wonderful new (? I don't know if it was new or not, but I had not seen it before) product that I just had to have!!!




It is a drain Zip-It!  I have rather long hair and I shed.  Yeah, go ahead, judge.  I shed!  Apparently, I shed a lot!  I bought this wonderful product to help with my slow drains in my bathroom.  Yes, drains.  Plural.  My side of the sink and the shower drains were slow.  I shed in the sink, as well.  Okay, I am judging myself a bit now!!  Anywhoooooo.... I bought this great little product.  I came home and after a few days, I remembered I had it in the truck!  So, I asked Natalie if she wanted to clear my drains with me!  Our lives must be very, very boring, because we were both WAY too eager to try this out.

I started with my sink drain.  Let me preface this by saying that I never wash my hair in the sink.  Never.  I brush my hair in front of the sink.  I curl my hair in front of the sink.  I hairspray my hair in front of the sink.  I never wash my hair anywhere near the sink.  Yet, I had a hair clog.  It was impressive!  Natalie was a little speechless with the hair ball in my sink drain.  I was a little surprised that I had any hair left on my head.

After this, we went to the shower drain.  I took the little plate off (I know my way around plumbing!) and I stuck the little Zip-It down the drain as far as it would go.  I don't know, maybe close to 2 feet?  I was kinda excited about what I was getting ready to pull out!  I slowly started to pull this long, plastic apparatus out of my shower drain and .... Oh.... My.... Gosh.... there was some hair on it.  And by "some hair" I mean....well,  let me say it this way... Natalie, not really a huge drama queen, sucked in her breath, opened her eyes WIDE, and yelled from the top of her lungs, " OH MY GOSH, THAT IS AS BIG AS YOUR PONY TAIL!!!!!"   It was indeed, my friends, as big and thick and long as my pony tail.  My puny pony tail, NOW, I might add.  I didn't know one could lose so much hair.  Of course, Trent does share the shower with me.  And everyone knows that Trent is getting a little shy on the top...where does all that hair go?  Huh?  That's right...I am sure it goes down the drain!  And, apparently, gets suffocated by my pony tail.

We then went into Natalie's bathroom.  She had no...absolutely NO!!...hair down her sink drain.  I really think I am the only person I might know who has lost so much hair down a sink drain...I am concerned.  But her shower....well, let's just say, she is a shedder herself.  Hereditary, my dear...hereditary!

Anyway...get this product.  Now.  Go and get this product!  And, if you get something out of your sink drain, please let me know...I gotta know it's not just me!!

There was a couple of other things I wanted to chat about, but I rambled too much about the sink hair...so, it shall wait for another time.  It was about lost love and dignity and that sort of crap!  Maybe best not to even bring it up again!

And here I will leave you with a little something...

And, I don't mean the dancing kind!!! ROFL!!

XOXO

Dallas!

Trent and I went to Dallas, Texas for the first time ever.  We had such a wonderful time. 

We were surprised at all the hype still going on at the Book Depository.  It has been 50 years...I just wonder if the next generation will still find it as interesting and those who kinda grew up around it all.  I wasn't born when JFK died (Trent was!!) but it was still something that interested me a lot.  I had heard about it my whole life.  The shooter, the grassy knoll, the conspiracies...it was all still there and still fascinating.  When we went to Washington DC a few years back, we went to see Ford Theater, but there wasn't a lot of people there.  I wonder if the whole JFK will eventually be like that?

We saw the Dallas Cowboys play live and in person!  They won and it was such a exciting game! What a great experience. It was a bucket list item for both Trent and I that we crossed off together.  As we talked throughout the days of this short little trip, we talked about other bucket list items; I hope we can cross off all of them together!  It was so amazing and just so wonderful to be with my eternal partner and knowing we have this life and the next to enjoy each other.

On that note, the other day Natalie and I were talking about something, I can't remember what brought it up, but she said, "Because of you and dad and the love you both have for each other, I know what real, true love is."  I almost cried my eyes out.  She sees it all, too.  She sees the arguments, the disagreements, the agree to disagree moments, the laughing, the joking, the hand holding, the admiration, the love.  She knows us; it is just not a person making an observation.  It made me feel really good that she has seen these things and knows what is important and what is worth working for.  All those times when I thought I was a bad mother kinda were lost in that moment.  It is not what you say but it really is what you do.

A couple of other things about Dallas... The drivers are really bad there!  They say California drivers are bad...no way, Jose!  Those people are cray cray!  But, they are very, very nice people.  Started up conversations with people standing in lines with us.  Always got a "Hi y'all" and a "Come back ya'hear" everywhere we went.  The shopping was amazing.  Thank you Tiffany and Co for my new earrings and the wonderful blue little box!  The clothing stores had a lot of sequins and fur!  The women were all made up and glamorous; I saw not ONE person in pajama bottoms and slippers walking around!  We were in line for the Maverick game and a couple saw us there and invited us to sit in their preferred seating box, for free!  Saw family who I love with all my heart and miss so much.  The gas was only like $2.50/gallon!!  WHAT?!?  The cupcakes were frickin' amazing.  The BBQ was out of this world!  The steaks were fork tender.  The panoramic view from the Reunion Tower was so beautiful.  I don't know, but I so could see myself living there someday.  I asked Trent to ask for a transfer!!  I even bought a cowboy hat, I am ready!!

The Maverick game from our box seats with our new friends!

The above mentioned cowboy hat. It HAD to have bling!

What a fun, fun place. 

Yeah, that's right, we're cool in our Dallas blue!

A little excited! 

On the Bowl Bus to the game. 

Me and my Cousin, Scotty! 

No explanation needed. 

Wedding cake for me, German chocolate for him.  

The corner window (this was on the 7th story, not the 6th because they have that blocked off) of the book depository looking down at where JFK was assassinated. 

One of our many, many views of Dallas from the Reunion Tower. 

Can't wait for our next adventure!! 

XOXO

Mama's Moosie

I was supposed to foster Moose.  He was only supposed to be at the house for 2 to 4 weeks.  He was not supposed to be mine.  I was not supposed to fall in love with Moosie, but, I did.  And, I would like to think that Moosie fell in love with Mama as well. 

I don't really know what kinda of a "family" Moose had before ours except that he was used for breeding.  Probably a lot of breeding.  He is very mild mannered and very easy going; perhaps like a doggie that has been passed around a bit.  He didn't really show a lot of emotion when we first got him.  Except that he was very aggressive towards Maggie.  If he found a toy, he would hoard it and if she came near, he would snap at her.  With that attitude, Moose was sure to find a new foster home before he was adopted out. 

It took me a few days, maybe even a week or so to figure out Moose.  He knew like five words:  Moose, sit, stay, come, and heel.  He didn't know "Cookie" as in treat.  He didn't know "wanna go for a walk?"  Or "wanna go for a ride?"  He didn't know "Who's Mama's Moosie?" or "Is Moo Moo a good boy?"  or even "I love you, Moosie."  It took me a while to catch on...No one had ever really talked to Moose.  No one had cuddled him or loved him.  No one had made him part of their family.   I talk a lot with my family, furry or otherwise.  If someone sneezes, I bless them.  If someone yawns, I ask if they are tired and ready for night night.  If it's been a long day, I express that to them.  If I am sad, I ask for huggies and cuddles.  My doggies are a part of my family, not just a pet. 

I laugh and say that I love Maggie more than I like most people; it's sad, but kinda true.  She is a faithful, loyal, pain in the ass, but she is mine.  Moose is too.  Moose is mine now.  He is starting to learn new words and phrases and he is starting to react to the tone of my voice and my moods.   He has a personality now.  He knows when he is in trouble and I think he knows that when I leave, I will return, back to him.   He knows I work at home during the day and can't play, but after I finish, we can throw the ball in the backyard!  He knows that first thing in the  morning mama is getting him "breakfast."

One of my most favorite things about Moosie is that he hugs me.  I can't really explain what he does, but when I first wake up, before I get out of bed, but after he knows I am awake, he will come up to me (he sleeps on the bed, so he just crawls up a bit!) and put his head and neck over my neck and pushes down, he leaves his behind up in the air.  At first, I thought he was trying to kill me!!  But then I figured it out, he is hugging me.  He stays in that position long enough for me to give him a kiss, tell him I love him, and rub his sweet little ears.  

I am happy to say that Moose indeed knows his name now, in every form that we call him (Moose, Moosie, Mooser, MooMoo, Mama's Moosie, Big Moo, Hoss, Moosie Degoosie, etc.)  He also not only knows what a cookie is, but he knows where mama has them stashed!  He knows that he has a bucket of toys that are just his and Maggie's.  He knows he is my buddy and my friend and my family.  All it took, was to be talked to and to be loved. 

Glad I could help you out, Moosie. 

XOXO

Something of value in the backseat

I just have a small rant.  Let me just start by saying that I am not a big ranter, I don't think.  I haven't looked back in my blog to see if there are many rant posts, but I am thinking that there probably is maybe one?  Two?  I am a keeper of my own thoughts to myself.  Weird, I guess.  I don't like others to know that something has bugged me up because then they have fuel against me.  I know, where the heck was I raised?!?  But, it's true.  I don't like people knowing too much about me that could come back and bite me in the butt in the future.  For instance, one of my Facebook friends posted a 'funny' today that said something like women who vote republican are like chickens who vote for Col. Sanders.  I am a woman who votes republican but I don't want to have to defend why I do.  It's my vote and I will issue it as I see fit.  Am I mad at this friend?  For heaven's sake, of course not!  But, I would never say anything about the way she votes or anyone else for that matter.  Except my kids, maybe...I might question why they voted a certain way!!  I don't really care how you vote, so, give me the same consideration.

Wow, I guess I had a few rants inside me today!!

Now, for the real rant....

Kids left in the backseat of a hot car.  Why the hell is this even an issue?  Who leaves kids in the backseat of a hot car?  Who does this?  Last week my husband had on the "Today" show or "Good Morning America" or something...I have no idea, I wasn't watching it.  But I did get interested in the case of the man who left his baby in the back seat ALL DAY LONG and the baby died.  The guy left..his...kid...in...the...car...all...day...long.   So, a specialist or someone came on the air and suggested that we all put something valuable in the backseat with our children so we can remember them.  Like your phone or take off your shoe and put it by your baby.

Are you fucking (sorry, I had to!!) kidding me?!?!?

Your phone is more important and more valuable than your kid?  Your shoe will remind you that there is a human being who relies on you for everything in the backseat? 

I almost fell over and died.  I really felt like at 46, I had finally heard it all.  What kinda of world do we live in that our phones are so valuable that we wont leave them in the car, but our kids we might forget?  I am not sure this is a world I want to live in.

I personally, and for heaven's sake, I hope I am not the only person who feels this way, feel that my children are the most valuable, the most important, my most prized possessions (I use that term not in a derogatory way) in the whole world!  If there was a fire in my house, I would run to my children first.  If there was a gunshot fired outside, I would run to my kids' room to see if they were okay.  If I had to leave the house in 2 minutes flat, I would grab them first and then think of what else I may need.  I cannot even begin to think of a reason I would leave my children behind in any situation.   As far as putting something valuable in the backseat...ummmmm...yeah, I already did when I strapped them in!!  Really?  What is more valuable than my children?

I am still shaking my head...put your phone or shoe in the backseat to remember there is a human life back there.  Oh my gosh...I just can't believe that statement was even put out there.

I understand that our lives are so busy and there is so much going on and we are all in such a hurry that we can't stop to smell the roses.  But to imply that you need something of value, that is not your child, to put in the backseat to remember something is the craziest, stupidest thing I have ever heard.  In my entire life.

But for the love of all that is true, if you will remember your phone and might forget your kid, by all means, put it in the backseat with your kid.  But then, when you get home,  it might be time to reprioritize your life.

Cherry Chapstick

Kinda a weird thing happened yesterday.  It is not the first time something like this has happened to me but it is the first time I am sharing it (except with my favorite guy) and it had a little different flavor (!) to it as well. 

I was just done with work and by done, I don't mean finished, I mean DONE!  I had sat at my desk long enough and if I didn't walk away someone's life could be in immediate danger.  So, I walked away.  Like 3 feet.  To my couch.  (Side note:  this is either a tremendous blessing in my life that I work at home or the greatest tragedy, I'm not really sure which; it changes every day.)  I sat down, because my gosh, I haven't sat near enough today!  I reached for my knitting project and before I turned on the television and just after I turned off my radio, there was complete silence.  Maggie wasn't near, so I could not hear her snoring.  Trent was at work.  Natalie was at work.  I was alone.  (Another side note:  A few years ago, I would have had total panic at this; being alone.)  I kinda of marveled in it.  I just sat there, knitting on my lap, breathing deep (thank you yoga), and just not even thinking.  There was not one thought in my head. 

I felt a swoosh of air behind me, I am even pretty sure I felt my hair moved in the breeze.  I looked behind me, but not the startled kind of look like, "Oh my gosh, who is here?!?" but more the curious look around.  There was no one there.  But, for the briefest of moments, not even a second, I smelled Cherry Chapstick.  It was so slight and it happened so fast that I was unsure if it indeed had happened.  I smiled...I knew it had happened. 

I have felt presences previously -- like a brush on my leg or a tap on my shoulder or even just a feeling of knowing someone was there.  This was the first time, however, that I had actually smelled the presence.  Cherry Chapstick. 

I smile now as I sit and type this.  How I miss my daddy putting on his Cherry Chapstick, always in his pocket.  Taking it out every so often to moisten his lips; usually offering a little to me.  The Chapstick container was nearly worn down to nothing.  There was no lettering on it, just a white tube.  I don't know how long he had the same tube, but always in his pocket.  I think, but not entirely sure, always Cherry.  But, even if not always Cherry, Chapstick has a distinct fragrance, a smell that is only associated with Chapstick.  A smell that I associate with my daddy, though I didn't know this until yesterday.  When I felt him and when I could smell his Cherry Chapstick. 

One month from today it will be 4 years that I lost my daddy, unexpectedly and very fast.  I can't hardly believe it has been that long yet it feels like forever since he left us.  I miss him almost every day.  I think about him and of him a lot.  I wonder what he would say about certain situations.  I laugh when I KNOW what he would say! I know that that is the way it is supposed to be; you bury your parents.  But, that does not mean, under any circumstances, that it is an easy thing to do. 

I think I will go buy some Cherry Chapstick. 

XOXO