It snowed last night. Not enough to build a snowman or make a snow angel. But the road was white and it gives us hopes for more in the future!
We have special company here. She is a niece and soon to be a Mrs. And she will be making her home with a mighty-nice guy down where they race horses and eat chicken (or so I think). I wish it weren't so far. But that selfish thought is insignificant when you feel certain that she is going where she is supposed to be. And that's all that matters.
Ping pong is the game of choice these days. We have had the table for three years. Only recently, have the MYP seemed interested in playing. And now there's a lot of "pings" and "pongs" happening in the basement. Oh, that, and a few accusations of something wrong and some fast stomping upstairs if the game isn't turning out how they'd like it to.
Someone dug out an old Pictionary game that I've had since college days. Do the math. It is approximately *gasp* 26 years old. Some words are out of date. Like litterbug and Popeye. Some of our MYP didn't know who Popeye was. I told them a big guy was always trying to steal his wife Olive Oil away. Really mom? Yes. But spinach makes it all better.
There was some negativity last night. The MYP were trying to make the other feel not so good. It was getting annoying. So finally I spewed off for a few seconds telling them that the next one that says something not-so-nice to the other would have to immediately go to their room for the night. Wasn't long and one of them just slowly disappeared to a self-imposed place. I was actually admiring that. Maybe that's what we as adults need to do - just take ourselves away from a situation if we haven't a good thought or deed to do there.
And! Yesterday at an upscale store, a lady called out "Miss!" and it was directed to me. Really! She called me "Miss". But that wasn't what was so neat. She wanted to know where I had purchased a knee-length jean skirt I was wearing. I was almost embarrassed, but had to fess up. "Goodwill". She just waved her hand at me like oh great. I said as she was turning away from me, 'But it is Ann Taylor Loft!', like that would help...
Someone very special was just given a diagnosis that she didn't want to hear. I am sad for her and her family. If you have your health, consider yourself very fortunate. I think having a healthy body is the greatest gift taken for granted...
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Monday Musings
Time flies when you're having fun. And so here we go again!
The MYP are on a huge mission to convince the Chairman and I that they absolutely must have cell phones. Really? Are people desperately trying to reach them? From what I can tell, the phone does ring for them at times, but it isn't ringing off the hook. Lots of websites are pulled up and waiting for me to come look when I go to the computer. Ads are strategically left open at the table. You get the point. And no, all three won't be getting them at the same time. And no, we still aren't sure when to actually start down this very winding road.
The Chairman and I had a few hours alone on Saturday. We actually did one stop which was pre-planned. And then we did something really crazy and spontaneous (for us). We went to a coffee shop and sat and sipped coffee in a unique environment. It was almost a date! Whoot! But it was very nice. And I'm so glad that I still love to have time alone with the Chairman after seventeen years.
I was likened to a children's book this morning and I think the correlation was actually uncanny. I am sure all you parents know the story "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" and all the other titles. You probably know where I'm going with this. A daughter created a new title, "If you Give Your Mom a Piece of Toast" and then proceeded to tell me all that I did after she gave it to me. I took the toast and saw that the small plates were all yet clean in the dishwasher. I saw the dishwasher needed unloading. So I put my toast on the plate and proceeded to empty the dishwasher. As I put away the cups I realized I hadn't started the coffee. I got that going and as I filled the carafe I realized that should make lunches. And thus began another long line of tasks. Until I was putting away the lunch items and saw the jam and realized that I wanted some toast! I'm kind of like a mom with ADD in the morning.
I hesitate to write this, but for some reason, I feel moved to do so. The other day as we left a parking lot, the vehicle next to us had a bumper sticker that said 'Abortion is Mean'. Son #1 looked at me and asked simply, 'what really is abortion?'. So I explained in 11-year old terms what it actually means (we feel honesty is vital). After I explained it all, I added, 'we are so thankful that your birth mother chose what she did'. He looked at me with his big, brown eyes and said, 'she could have done that?'. Yes. I almost felt like crying. Then he said quietly, 'I'm glad she didn't because I would be missing all of this'. "This" representing his life of parents and siblings and extended family and friends and basketball and baseball and hunting and a real reason for living. I was glad it was dark out because I got more than misty-eyed. Yes, he would have missed all of this. And so would have we. I'm once again grateful for being an adoptive mom. And I'm once again grateful to be his mom. Because life is worth living. And he makes our life so much better.
The MYP are on a huge mission to convince the Chairman and I that they absolutely must have cell phones. Really? Are people desperately trying to reach them? From what I can tell, the phone does ring for them at times, but it isn't ringing off the hook. Lots of websites are pulled up and waiting for me to come look when I go to the computer. Ads are strategically left open at the table. You get the point. And no, all three won't be getting them at the same time. And no, we still aren't sure when to actually start down this very winding road.
The Chairman and I had a few hours alone on Saturday. We actually did one stop which was pre-planned. And then we did something really crazy and spontaneous (for us). We went to a coffee shop and sat and sipped coffee in a unique environment. It was almost a date! Whoot! But it was very nice. And I'm so glad that I still love to have time alone with the Chairman after seventeen years.
I was likened to a children's book this morning and I think the correlation was actually uncanny. I am sure all you parents know the story "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" and all the other titles. You probably know where I'm going with this. A daughter created a new title, "If you Give Your Mom a Piece of Toast" and then proceeded to tell me all that I did after she gave it to me. I took the toast and saw that the small plates were all yet clean in the dishwasher. I saw the dishwasher needed unloading. So I put my toast on the plate and proceeded to empty the dishwasher. As I put away the cups I realized I hadn't started the coffee. I got that going and as I filled the carafe I realized that should make lunches. And thus began another long line of tasks. Until I was putting away the lunch items and saw the jam and realized that I wanted some toast! I'm kind of like a mom with ADD in the morning.
I hesitate to write this, but for some reason, I feel moved to do so. The other day as we left a parking lot, the vehicle next to us had a bumper sticker that said 'Abortion is Mean'. Son #1 looked at me and asked simply, 'what really is abortion?'. So I explained in 11-year old terms what it actually means (we feel honesty is vital). After I explained it all, I added, 'we are so thankful that your birth mother chose what she did'. He looked at me with his big, brown eyes and said, 'she could have done that?'. Yes. I almost felt like crying. Then he said quietly, 'I'm glad she didn't because I would be missing all of this'. "This" representing his life of parents and siblings and extended family and friends and basketball and baseball and hunting and a real reason for living. I was glad it was dark out because I got more than misty-eyed. Yes, he would have missed all of this. And so would have we. I'm once again grateful for being an adoptive mom. And I'm once again grateful to be his mom. Because life is worth living. And he makes our life so much better.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Unnecessary words
A teacher asked me my senior year of high school why I talked so much. My response was that there are so many words to say. Like it or not, a good portion of this week has been the MYP, the dog, and myself. You see the Chairman is burning the candle at both ends for various reasons. And therefore, he's not here to listen as he does so well. So you my dear peeps are the beneficiaries. Or not.
Did you know today I was listening to an old '80's country song on Pandora to take my mind off of ironing and started realizing something? I have been singing a couple of the words wrong for approximately 25 years. Maybe it was due to the fact I first heard it on a crackly AM station in SD. Just thought I'd mention this in case you thought I was perfect or something.
I cleaned out the freezer yesterday. And I found seven bags that each held about two or three hot dog buns in various degrees of freezer burn. Remind me next time to just toss the extras. I will never use them again. Amazing how much more room I have in there!
People from the country of India are very dedicated to their chairman. I can't tell you how many hits I get from various locations across that vast country with the search for "Happy Birthday to the Chairman". Must be pretty special to be a Chairman in India. And they respect them highly. Maybe I should take my role as the assistant to the Chairman with greater reverence.
I almost feel guilty. I called Warehouse Club #1 to tell them that I would no longer be frequenting their location since Warehouse Club #2 had moved in our neck of the woods. Do you know what WC #1 did? They refunded my annual membership fee! Now I almost feel bad since they were so nice to me.
I love being a mom. Maybe it doesn't always show. And I love the opportunity we've been given to parent both a son and daughters. It is very different and yet so much the same. Don't tell him I said this, but I just LOVE it when son comes up and wants a very long hug. He's too cool for that. But it melts this mama's heart.
Speaking of moms, I saw one tonight at a restaurant. She had seven kids with her from the ages of approximately 3 and 13. They definitely were all hers by looks and size. They all were tidy, well-behaved, and ate without complaint. I was impressed.
I beat the odds this week. You see we live in a large metropolitan area. Two days ago, I entered a store and soon heard a veryobnoxious loud child crying. Then throwing a tantrum on the floor. Then the mother trying to determine what to do. Pleading with "Abby" to get up. Begging "Abby" to behave. Walking away from "Abby". It was a mess to the nth degree. Today, I enter another store at least six miles from the other one at a very different time of the day. I listen. I hear "Abby". I hear Abby's mother once again pleading with her to behave.... and so it goes. What are the odds? I think I might go buy a lottery ticket. Or not.
Well I'm worded out. And these have been mostly unnecessary. But cathartic since the Chairman will be too tired to listen once he gets home!
Did you know today I was listening to an old '80's country song on Pandora to take my mind off of ironing and started realizing something? I have been singing a couple of the words wrong for approximately 25 years. Maybe it was due to the fact I first heard it on a crackly AM station in SD. Just thought I'd mention this in case you thought I was perfect or something.
I cleaned out the freezer yesterday. And I found seven bags that each held about two or three hot dog buns in various degrees of freezer burn. Remind me next time to just toss the extras. I will never use them again. Amazing how much more room I have in there!
People from the country of India are very dedicated to their chairman. I can't tell you how many hits I get from various locations across that vast country with the search for "Happy Birthday to the Chairman". Must be pretty special to be a Chairman in India. And they respect them highly. Maybe I should take my role as the assistant to the Chairman with greater reverence.
I almost feel guilty. I called Warehouse Club #1 to tell them that I would no longer be frequenting their location since Warehouse Club #2 had moved in our neck of the woods. Do you know what WC #1 did? They refunded my annual membership fee! Now I almost feel bad since they were so nice to me.
I love being a mom. Maybe it doesn't always show. And I love the opportunity we've been given to parent both a son and daughters. It is very different and yet so much the same. Don't tell him I said this, but I just LOVE it when son comes up and wants a very long hug. He's too cool for that. But it melts this mama's heart.
Speaking of moms, I saw one tonight at a restaurant. She had seven kids with her from the ages of approximately 3 and 13. They definitely were all hers by looks and size. They all were tidy, well-behaved, and ate without complaint. I was impressed.
I beat the odds this week. You see we live in a large metropolitan area. Two days ago, I entered a store and soon heard a very
Well I'm worded out. And these have been mostly unnecessary. But cathartic since the Chairman will be too tired to listen once he gets home!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Thoughts from the table (part 2)
I hesitate to pen type up my emotions for a couple reasons. One is that I don't want to come off as an elitist that has a soft life. And another is that I don't want to ever appear to be a complainer. But today's experience merits mentioning.
I had a massage. Not just any massage. A very, very bad massage. No, not bad in that way. That would be a different kind of post.
So yesterday I felt some knots building. I also knew I had a couple massages waiting because of my membership. So I called and asked who was available for deep tissue on just the back. Oh! Patty is available tomorrow at 10:30. Great! That should work splendid.
I walk in and meet Patty. She's a slender lady with a ready smile and about my age and size. I immediately feel at ease and am looking forward to fifty minutes of zoning out. Drooling as I lie face down feeling the knots disappear from my upper back. Listening to calming music while my mind slowly sails far away into an oblivious state of relaxation. She warms up the table and gets to work. Or didn't.
She lightly touches my neck. Lightly rubs my shoulder. Very lightly runs her hands down my spine. I'm thinking ok, we're just getting started here and this is her style. Except the very light touches never turn into anything more but very light touches. I'm getting frustrated. I start to tense up. The more I tense, the lighter she rubs. The lighter she rubs, the more frustrated I feel and I'm about ready to sit up and yell, 'STOP! I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE'. It was worse than getting a massage. You want her to dig deeper. Work on those tired old aching middle-age muscles and she continually dances her light fingertips across the skin. AAARRRGGGHHH! I'm not a complainer. Or so I like to think. About 20 minutes into this misery, I finally can't take it. 'Could you please work just a little harder? I feel like nothing is getting accomplished.'. She says, 'you seem very tense and so I thought I would work very lightly'. Really? I clearly ask for deep tissue. I'm known for always having massage therapists that work the ba-jeebers out of my back. And Patty tickles my backbone (and certainly not my funny bone).
Lucky the 50 minutes finally passed. She says flatly, 'well you're all done...'. You bet I am. With you and this massage and this perfectly good waste of an hour of my morning. But I didn't tell her that. I smiled warmly and accepted her glass of cool water and got out of there with my knots in tow.
So hopefully, next time is better. It certainly couldn't be worse!
And no, I try not to complain. Just this once. Can you give me a pass this time?
I had a massage. Not just any massage. A very, very bad massage. No, not bad in that way. That would be a different kind of post.
So yesterday I felt some knots building. I also knew I had a couple massages waiting because of my membership. So I called and asked who was available for deep tissue on just the back. Oh! Patty is available tomorrow at 10:30. Great! That should work splendid.
I walk in and meet Patty. She's a slender lady with a ready smile and about my age and size. I immediately feel at ease and am looking forward to fifty minutes of zoning out. Drooling as I lie face down feeling the knots disappear from my upper back. Listening to calming music while my mind slowly sails far away into an oblivious state of relaxation. She warms up the table and gets to work. Or didn't.
She lightly touches my neck. Lightly rubs my shoulder. Very lightly runs her hands down my spine. I'm thinking ok, we're just getting started here and this is her style. Except the very light touches never turn into anything more but very light touches. I'm getting frustrated. I start to tense up. The more I tense, the lighter she rubs. The lighter she rubs, the more frustrated I feel and I'm about ready to sit up and yell, 'STOP! I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE'. It was worse than getting a massage. You want her to dig deeper. Work on those tired old aching middle-age muscles and she continually dances her light fingertips across the skin. AAARRRGGGHHH! I'm not a complainer. Or so I like to think. About 20 minutes into this misery, I finally can't take it. 'Could you please work just a little harder? I feel like nothing is getting accomplished.'. She says, 'you seem very tense and so I thought I would work very lightly'. Really? I clearly ask for deep tissue. I'm known for always having massage therapists that work the ba-jeebers out of my back. And Patty tickles my backbone (and certainly not my funny bone).
Lucky the 50 minutes finally passed. She says flatly, 'well you're all done...'. You bet I am. With you and this massage and this perfectly good waste of an hour of my morning. But I didn't tell her that. I smiled warmly and accepted her glass of cool water and got out of there with my knots in tow.
So hopefully, next time is better. It certainly couldn't be worse!
And no, I try not to complain. Just this once. Can you give me a pass this time?
Monday, December 5, 2011
Monday Musings
I'm alone. The silence is deafening. And I love it. After a busy past week, I was looking forward to a couple days to be alone in my thoughts and catch up on stuff. Then the smallest of the MYP changed my plans. She was sick. She needed me. And she needed to stay home from school. So after 28 hours of sickness, she got her bootstraps laced up (figuratively of course) and ran errands with me on Friday afternoon. It's kinda neat having just one child along at times. I almost feel like doing a victory dance when only one person out of the family gets the bug. We were lucky this time. I think.
Another misled Google searcher. This came from Punjab Pakistan looking for "Happy birthday wishes for my elder sister". I'm sure they moved on quickly. But it sure makes my visitor map look like I'm a real global-like lady. Or not.
Caringbridge is a lovely avenue of communication. When we went through some tough experiences, it would have been nice to have that site. I would think it would save a lot of miscommunication, and repeating the same information. Plus the little comments people would leave could be a big encouragement.
Fifty years ago today, a little baby girl was born. She brought love and life and happiness to her parents and family, and those around her. She was full of life and lived life to the fullest. A dreadful disease cut the life short. There were and still are some heavy hearts yet five years later. I'm glad to have known her. And I'm glad she was my sister-in-law.
Yesterday was December 4. I woke up very early and decided to take an early walk. And you know what I saw on my walk? A lot of worms. Yes! Worms. On December 4 here in the upper Midwest. Odd I say. Today isn't 'worm weather'. A light dusting of snow. I wish there was about 26" of snow. It's winter! Bring it on. Especially when the Chairman does the snow removal, not me.
He doesn't like my hat. The Chairman that is. I wear a lot of hats... wife, mother, nursemaid, friend, and you get the point. He likes all those hats. But he doesn't like my hat. The hat I bought for slightly less than $2 at Walmart. I wear it walking every day in the cold weather. It's a basic, drab-gray men's hat. And he mentions nearly every day lately how I need a different hat. For some reason I find this very funny. But if you know the Chairman, it is all serious business. So a'hat shopping I must go. Soon. But not yet. It's comfortable you know...
Mused out. And Lisi is looking at me with her pleading birthday-girl eyes for a walk and some serious sniffing.
Another misled Google searcher. This came from Punjab Pakistan looking for "Happy birthday wishes for my elder sister". I'm sure they moved on quickly. But it sure makes my visitor map look like I'm a real global-like lady. Or not.
Caringbridge is a lovely avenue of communication. When we went through some tough experiences, it would have been nice to have that site. I would think it would save a lot of miscommunication, and repeating the same information. Plus the little comments people would leave could be a big encouragement.
Fifty years ago today, a little baby girl was born. She brought love and life and happiness to her parents and family, and those around her. She was full of life and lived life to the fullest. A dreadful disease cut the life short. There were and still are some heavy hearts yet five years later. I'm glad to have known her. And I'm glad she was my sister-in-law.
Yesterday was December 4. I woke up very early and decided to take an early walk. And you know what I saw on my walk? A lot of worms. Yes! Worms. On December 4 here in the upper Midwest. Odd I say. Today isn't 'worm weather'. A light dusting of snow. I wish there was about 26" of snow. It's winter! Bring it on. Especially when the Chairman does the snow removal, not me.
He doesn't like my hat. The Chairman that is. I wear a lot of hats... wife, mother, nursemaid, friend, and you get the point. He likes all those hats. But he doesn't like my hat. The hat I bought for slightly less than $2 at Walmart. I wear it walking every day in the cold weather. It's a basic, drab-gray men's hat. And he mentions nearly every day lately how I need a different hat. For some reason I find this very funny. But if you know the Chairman, it is all serious business. So a'hat shopping I must go. Soon. But not yet. It's comfortable you know...
Mused out. And Lisi is looking at me with her pleading birthday-girl eyes for a walk and some serious sniffing.
Happy Birthday to me!
Today is my day! It is my birthday! The Big Lady that yells but loves me anyway has been singing an annoying song very loudly each time she walks past me while I'm just trying to have some peace and quiet on my dog bed. I love her with all my hairy being, but she gets on my nerves sometimes.
But it's my birthday! I'm four years old today. Well actually, I'm about 30 according to the golden retriever age charts. How many of you have experienced 30 years old? It's pretty prime for people and for dogs. We are in a nice groove of life. We know where we are and where we've been and where we're going. And for me, I hope I'm going on a walk soon. That's the epitome of a good day really.
I heard the MYP talking to the Big Lady this morning. I don't know a lot of words, but I do remember them saying something about presents and bones and candles and something else. Then they'd look at me with a sneaky smile. The Big Lady took some pictures of me this morning. It was a bit much. Can you tell by my face?
I think it's all good, so I'll just lie here with Snoopy waiting on the rug for the magical moment when Big Lady says the best words ever, 'Ready for our walk?'
 |
| my first day with the people I love |
 |
| Cute little bugger wasn't I? |
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Thursday's thoughts...
She lies writhing on the sofa. That after telling me right after g.m. that she didn't feel good. Not feeling good led to feeling really rotten. That led to looking inside the porcelain bowl a few times during the night. Which then led to a fever and now writhing on the sofa with 'sore legs'. And so goes my day. Mothering a sick child instead of hopping into the van to run a lot of necessary errands. But oh well.
You see "Steve" is coming. Our relationship has blossomed. Now he's sharing minute details about his life including the fact that his mother's birthday was yesterday. You see "Steve" is the repairman for my oven. It has now been out of commission for nearly a week. The part has been on back order (due to wildly popular demand). And he would have come yesterday, but it was 'mom's birthday' and you know how that is... as they get older you have to be there for them. My hunch is that "Steve" doesn't have a wife. Just sayin'...
The MYP have often complained about the bus driver that shuttles them to school. I won't humor that thought anymore. This morning about five minutes after the bus came and left, there was a knock on the door. Son #1 bursts in and says 'I NEED MY LUNCH!'. I ask, "did you miss the bus?". No, she stopped at the corner and let me come home to get it!!! Really? So I look out the window. There sits the idling bus. And there races our son back to the bus with his lunch sack safely in his clutches. And you think my school lunches are just mundane? They're worth coming back for. And they're even worth having a busload of unruly children wait for you!
So our special people left yesterday. It's kinda funny how it all works. We hear sometimes in advance that they will be coming. We get bedrooms ready. Come up with a ballpark meal plan (although this time I totally 'winged' it). And they come! It's wonderful and special and encouraging. And before you know it, they are carrying their suitcases back to the car and off they go. I feel almost sad to see them go. But they had another family waiting patiently for their visit. And so go they must. As sweet as they are, one of them said to me after a walk together, 'you kinda feel like my mom'. To which I thought within, 'and you just made me feel old saying that!'. But that's how it should be. We are mothers and sisters and brethren. It's a wonderful thing.
You see "Steve" is coming. Our relationship has blossomed. Now he's sharing minute details about his life including the fact that his mother's birthday was yesterday. You see "Steve" is the repairman for my oven. It has now been out of commission for nearly a week. The part has been on back order (due to wildly popular demand). And he would have come yesterday, but it was 'mom's birthday' and you know how that is... as they get older you have to be there for them. My hunch is that "Steve" doesn't have a wife. Just sayin'...
The MYP have often complained about the bus driver that shuttles them to school. I won't humor that thought anymore. This morning about five minutes after the bus came and left, there was a knock on the door. Son #1 bursts in and says 'I NEED MY LUNCH!'. I ask, "did you miss the bus?". No, she stopped at the corner and let me come home to get it!!! Really? So I look out the window. There sits the idling bus. And there races our son back to the bus with his lunch sack safely in his clutches. And you think my school lunches are just mundane? They're worth coming back for. And they're even worth having a busload of unruly children wait for you!
So our special people left yesterday. It's kinda funny how it all works. We hear sometimes in advance that they will be coming. We get bedrooms ready. Come up with a ballpark meal plan (although this time I totally 'winged' it). And they come! It's wonderful and special and encouraging. And before you know it, they are carrying their suitcases back to the car and off they go. I feel almost sad to see them go. But they had another family waiting patiently for their visit. And so go they must. As sweet as they are, one of them said to me after a walk together, 'you kinda feel like my mom'. To which I thought within, 'and you just made me feel old saying that!'. But that's how it should be. We are mothers and sisters and brethren. It's a wonderful thing.
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