To the hunters behind my house and in the field next to me this morning at 3:15---

You really do need a life.

Stray puppy - part 2

3:00 a.m. - Inside dog needs to go outside. Trying to get her outside. Can't because our newest addition is blocking the door - she darts in - inside dog refuses to go out until I am holding one wiggling, whimpering puppy.

3:15 a.m. - Inside dog standing in middle of yard. I am in my pj's calling her name, my back is turned - outside dog darts in again - barking - and playing.

3:25 a.m. - Both dogs are where I think they should be.

3:30 a.m. - Inside dog thinks she deserves a treat for going outside at 3:00 a.m.

Now, I can't go back to sleep.

To think I started 2007 with a Goldfish - and am ending it with two dogs - how did that happen?

Stray Dog

For whatever reason our house is now the drop off point for all stray animals - we now have a mixed lab puppy. She is beautiful. I am thinking she may belong to someone and just got out - she is too healthy and shiny to be a stray. Sam has named her Lucy - it fits her - she is constantly causing problems-and doesn't seem to be aware or care.

Our inside dog does not like this new dog that is outside - she is so funny about it. That is a reality show if I'd ever seen one - me trying to get one dog to go outside and one to stay outside.

Delightful

I have a new friend. She and I went to the mall on Saturday (it really wasn't bad - and I didn't buy a thing)) with my daughter and her friend.

She sent me an email....saying..."Tori and her friend are delightful."

2 teenage girls delightful?

Sure.

Okay.

To those people under 20 living with me....

Do you really think it is necessary for me to repeat myself 20 times?

How hard is it to understand....."please fold the laundry" or "go take a bath" or "clean up the bathroom" or "get off the phone and the computer"

If you or anyone else out there figures out why I need to repeat myself over and over and over, please let me know.

RELAXED

This is what I am, relaxed...and that.... like never happens.

I have actually slept late every day since Thursday morning (Thanksgiving) slept late somewhat on that day also. It has been so nice. I am not one to relax - I am pretty much in constant motion.

Tomorrow will be a treat - I am taking the day off - Steve & I are hanging out - spending the whole day together. I am so excited.

Looking like Christmas......

We are decorated for Christmas. The tree is up, the Nativity is set up in it's usual place, wreaths on the doors, candles out, stockings are hung with care, garland around the mantle, the little village is in a different spot this year - and it is taking some getting used too - and I need to add more snow - which I will pick up some today. I would like to add a couple of Poinsettias to the mix - but we shall see on that.

Every ornament told its' story again - the kids now know each one. My dad's ornament (a 49'er bear) is in middle of the tree.

I pray we don't get lost in the rush, the hustle and forget for one minute the true meaning behind Christmas.


Side note: Yesterday was the first time in 9 years that I did not have to do all the heavy lifting, the climbing of the attic steps - it was nice. Nice having someone here. Nice knowing that this will hopefully be the first of many decorating days.

Things I can't believe I forgot to blog about...........

From my friend S.D.

She and I had lunch together the other day.....two signs you are a mom....
A plastic dinosaur in the passenger seat and/or door and peanut M'M's in the floor board - though I don't think the M'M's belonged to her son? (If they had been plain M'M's - I would have ate them!)

Also From S.D.

Sunday morning - she stopped two boys by saying "No running in church guys..stop running." we looked up at the balcony...and guess who we saw running? Yep, her son! It was sooooo funny. (he was being chased by a girl - so hey - maybe he needed to run!)

A Tub Bath....

On Wednesday morning - it was raining, the house was dark, and everyone besides me and the dog were sleeping. I decided to take a tub bath - a long soak-with a cup of tea on the edge of the tub. I soaked for 45 minutes. I was clean, shiny. relaxed and smelling good. And get this - no one, and I mean no one knocked on the door, the phone didn't ring - it was heavenly. What an absolute gift. Everyone stayed asleep until I left for work. Whoo hoo!

Too much turkey.....

My friend D.C. called me - her dad cooked two turkeys for their family - she has no clue how they will eat all of the food. I am impressed her dad cooked! (he has yet to officially adopt me - he has to be one of the funniest, sweetest men I have ever met!)

I will break my arm with dignity...

My son and Steve were wrestling the other day. Sam twisted his arm around - Steve said "be careful - you'll break your arm moving it that way." Sam did not miss a beat.....he said "if I must break my arm...I will do so with dignity!" (I could have sworn I heard the National Anthem in the background!)

"Laundry...what Laundry?"


This is what my daughter said to me last night.

The laundry in question was in the middle of her bed.

EEWWWWWWWWWWW..................................CAT POO.....................................................

If you do some digging around in this blog (around the summer months) you will find a post or two about the same subject.


But let me set up the story.

This past Spring - a kitten found us. By finding us - she showed up in a tree - covered in fleas and ticks and starving. We fed her - cleaned her up - I sat on our porch swing and picked every tick off. She was so grateful. She was long and skinny with the longest tail I have ever seen.

She became ours.

Her name? Lucky Peekachoo KeeKee Mills (Combination of all the names everyone wanted to name her) but she came to us with KeeKee.

She filled out, became healthier - she had to be an outside cat- My son has allergies - he would have a constant runny nose and cough if we had a cat inside. But she never left the house. Never. She left us presents in the form of mice and moles - no way I could convince her we didn't need such nice gifts. :)

She has disappeared. No where to be found.

Well.....last night I was meeting Steve for dinner at his apartment complex - and out comes this cat running toward me - looking just like KeeKee - she was loving on me - I picked her up - she cuddled up against me. I said "this is our cat - she stowed away in your truck." Steve said "I don't think so - there are cats everywhere around here-and I think this one has been here for awhile." She jumped out of my arms. I was still thinking it may be our cat - she was marked up very similar to our cat - but it was dark.

Now to the EEWWWWWWWWW..........................Cat Poo.........................

I started sniffing....I looked down on my shirt - she had pooped on me! It was on my shirt, my arms. And I am borderline germaphobic - so you can imagine my hysteria-Steve was laughing so hard. He had a shirt for me to change into - I scrubbed my arm with hot water, Zest Soap, Shampoo and hot water - then put on some Germ-X - then lotion.

Well, we left for dinner - there she was again she meowed - I decided that wasn't our cat - based on the meow. This cat had a deep throaty meow - our cat has the whiny-spoiled-pitiful meow that earned her treats every time. And besides my cat would not poop on me.

Happy Thanksgiving To Everyone!

I am thankful for:

1. My Salvation - God is so good!
2. My Children - two great kids - they are awesome - I love them much
3. Steve - he is a definite blessing in my life.
4. My family
5. My friends (you know who you are - old, new, blog friends, the list can go on and on - I love you all!)
6. Health
7. My Church
8. My Job
9. My car - it is still working!
10. This wonderful world we live in.

My son seems to think that taking a bath, brushing his teeth and doing his homework are optional.

Hmm....I don't think so.

Last night I noticed my daughter can be online, im'ing people, on the phone, text messaging and eating chips.

But she can't watch TV and fold laundry.

Amazing.

One of the coolest things about being part of a couple - you have someone here on earth (a grown-up) who cares about you, your day and how you are feeling. (Yes I know I have friends who care...but you know what I mean)

One of the coolest things about being in love - is that you feel all these things at one time and at times you are in shock -but then you sit back and realize what blessing it is. And this love I feel and the love I receive - are both huge blessings in my life.

Love you S.C.!

Explain to me one more time..

Why I can't call my doctor up and say...."I really don't need a monthly cycle anymore...honest."

This on top of cold and virus ---whoo hoo I feel good.

Before you venture into the closets of my children....

Make sure your shots are up to date.

Why a mom can't be sick.

1. Someone has to feed the kids
2. Someone has to take the dog out
3. Someone has to feed the kids
4. Someone has to check homework and call out spelling words
5. Someone has to feed the kids
6. Someone has to take the garbage out
7. Someone has to feed the kids
8. Someone has to feed the cat
9. Someone has to feed the kids

.......You would think they were underfed and malnourished

Sweet - Romantic Gestures

I am home sick today with a cold and stomach virus ( I am about to hop back into bed).

Last night I was working late and my sweet sweet boyfriend (have I mentioned I love saying that?) brought me some tea...just because I was feeling bad and he knows I love tea.

How sweet is that!?

Dear 3rd grade teacher...

I just found out about the project last night. The paper was folded into a paper "football" - how was I to know it was important when I threw it out?

Yes, I know English homework is not supposed to be done at 9:30 at night - but hey he found the sheet under the bed when he was looking for his jacket. No, he didn't find his jacket, but he did find his shoes (thank goodness) and a GI Joe.

No, no, go ahead and nominate me for mom of the year..I insist.

Community Property

If you have a teenage daughter, you will understand what I am talking about.

If you own it - you won't for long - it disappears.

(Makeup, lotion, purse, socks, and the list can go on and on)

And if you hide it from them, you get mad when you forget you hid it.

One reason why not to step out on your porch before the sun is really up, when it is drizzly rain, when you are half asleep in your bare feet as you are letting the dog out and feeding the cat...

Snails.

I stepped on one.

Gross. Gross. Gross. Gross.

Nope, this isn't me - but this is how I feel.

Yuck.

I can't stop sneezing.

Yuck.

Way to go George!

I have been a George Strait fan for years!

I have seen him in concert about 15 times!

I enjoy his music and look forward to every CD!

He won Album and Song of the year last night on the CMA's!

Way to go George!

BALANCE

The hardest thing I found out about dating again, having a relationship that may lead to a future without driving everyone away or crazy (including myself) is balancing everything.

Being a single mom of two is hard - my kids have never seen me with anyone - until now.

They like S.C., but they are having a hard time with me dating, in the sense of being gone one weekend night, etc. I try to make it a point to be home either Friday or Saturday night with them, sometimes S.C. is with me. We do something with them that they like to do - games, movies, etc. My son is so funny about S.C. sitting beside me - so my son climbs all over me, etc.

My daughter doesn't seem to be too bothered except when it messes up or interferes with her schedule or social life. And S.C. is being ever so patient, kind and understanding.

My mother is having a hard time too - she is realizing that there is a life around the corner for me - and that adjustment will be hard for her. It is exhausting - she is handling it with hurtful words. (my patience is thin!)

My friends, especially my guy friends, one Precious friend in particular, I don't even know where to begin on this one. I have several guy friends - so how do I balance that friendship? Most of them understand - so the conversations are few and far between now, and I miss them. I want them to be happy for me. My girlfriends are happy for me.

I guess all of life is a balancing act. Parenthood, work, church, sports, school, etc.... I am a little tired. (Soccer will be over Saturday - that will be me you hear yelling in excitement on Saturday)

I think I am worrying for nothing - I just need to vent!

Just in case you are wondering....

Where all missing mates to a pair of socks are....look no further than my daughter's second drawer - in fact you could probably find a lot of missing laundry and clothing you forgot you had.

Just so you know.....


My 14-year old soon to be 15-year old daughter and my 9-year old son are tons smarter than me.

My son...again...

My son saw me kiss my boyfriend (feels so good to say that!) on the cheek on Halloween night.

Later in the night he came to me with hands on his hips...

"Momma, you have got some explaining to do?"

I asked "Why?"

He said "I saw you kiss him on the cheek!"

I responded "That's okay, we care for each other, he is very nice, , I like him, he likes me I wanted to give him a kiss on the cheek...so I did. That is one way people who care about each other show affection, they hug, hold hands, and maybe even kiss." ( I was giving myself mental high fives for explaining affection and such)

He looked at me and said. ... "Momma that is fine, I like him, he is nice to you. But kissing? That is just gross!"

How funny!

My Son....

My son is so funny. This morning - he was mid-dress. I noticed on this stomach a circle and two dots around and above his belly button.

I asked him what it was.

He squeezed his stomach and started making kissing sounds.

Please, please tell me this is normal behavior!