Hard Bits To Swallow

My thirteen year old tells me he doesn't want to come for Christmas.
First conversation since Halloween and I initiated it.
And he says, "Yeah, I don't think I'll come for Christmas soooo,
you can just put my $200 in the mail."

I was shocked and I was cooking supper.
I burned the pancakes on the virgin griddle.
Joe hugged me a lot and nuzzled my neck.
Then I took to my bed.

Upon awakening, I learned Willie had also had a turn of bad luck.
I hope we get our respective problems ironed out.
::Fist pump::

Howdy, Pilgrim!

I cannot begin to tell you how well he did in his Thanksgiving program this year. He has come out of his shell a bit and it's a beautiful thing. Third from the left, back row...

He sings, he bobs his head, he smiles...

(To be continued...)

An Oldie But Goodie

His birthday is next week.
He still cracks me up with the intensity.
He's so much like his Dad.
Much of the soft part of my heart belongs to him.

Christmas = Crazy

The holiday season does a number on me. I try to prepare myself for the insanity and all the trimmings but it never goes as planned.

Our birthdays are three days apart, a week before Christmas. Joe could care less but I always felt like I was competing with Jesus for some birthday recognition when I was younger. Now that I'll be 36 this year, Jesus can have it! I've gone all secular anyway. As evidenced by this...

That's right. I'm on the other team. I'm all about helping Santa this year. I know I appear to be despondent in the photo but I was just embarrassed to be wearing velour knee pants. I tried to get the red and white horizontally striped knee socks in there too but I did not succeed. It's just as well. They did nothing for my meaty elf calves.

It's also the time of year to visit with my eldest. He'll be here on Christmas this year and since he skipped his summer visit (Did I mention he's 13?), I can't wait to see him. I worry over him and our relationship. It feels nonexistent at times. I fret he feels I've abandoned him even though he chose the change. It's going on three years he's been with his Dad. I wonder if he'll have issues with women based on how he feels about me. Joe tells me I romanticize it. He reminds me he's a 13 yr old boy. He reminds me that I, of all people, should be able to relate to how much he is not relating. He accuses me of being a 13 yr old boy. Or thinking like one at times. Then he points out how "deep" a 13 year old is in general. And I get that funny look on my face and he says, "Exactly."

And there you have it. It's been sitting in DRAFTS for exactly four days. It's unedited and unfinished. Much like my life.

I Kid You Not

On Tuesday, I drove by this place. Actually, I drive by this place twice a day, Monday through Friday but on Tuesday, I noticed something new. Not SOMEthing but many things.

Do you see them?

They are multiplying like tribbles on that porch!
Still no For Sale sign.
Still stacked up.
Now on both sides.
For no obvious reason.
Other than our amusement and wonder.

Cause nothin' ever doesn't change but nothin' changes much

If this doesn't make you want to dance and save animals, I don't know what will.




(I've been in a bizarre place lately. Good, Bad but mostly Bizarre.
This seemed fitting. Enjoy.)

Gourd Hoarders

Everyone Seems To Agree

Left or right or just plain down and out, everyone seems to think the nation is in the toilet. Too little change, too much change, whatever... No one I voted for was elected to office, I'll tell ya that!

I am socially very liberal and fiscally conservative. I cancel myself out. I'm not into politics. I'm not into persuading or being persuaded. And that's just how I am.

History repeats itself and as a very wise friend pointed out, this has been going on since 1776. So don't kid yourselves. We've been in the toilet and risen from the "ashes" over and over again.

And now, I hope you're all happy. I posted this lovely ladies room photo for all you freaks. And because I thought it said so much more than I possibly could.

Destiny Or Accidental-Like

“I don’t know if we each have a destiny, or if we’re all just floating around accidental-like on a breeze, but I think maybe it’s both.” Forrest Gump

My Little Pumpkin

*Thanks to Sam's TA for the wonderful pictures!