Sadness

I was reading a blog today and literally just sat at my desk and cried. The writer was writing about some memories she had of her father and one just broke my heart and made me pray for a marriage like that all at the same time. The story is about how he wanted to be the one to shave his wife's head due to her chemo. When he was done he had shaved his head himself. I know that this is not a new thing and you hear about parents doing it for the children and so on, but for some reason this really hit me hard. I have found a new love for The Man over the last couple of years and I can only pray that our relationship can withstand such things such as cancer and other horrifying diseases. I hope that neither of us ever have to endure anything like this, but should something happen, I hope that we will face it together, hand in hand.

Wow - sorry so sad and sappy, just needed to get that one out there so i can quit sitting here hub-bubbin' about it.

Thankful

I am thankful for:

- Getting to work and not hitting anything with all the ice on the roads this morning
- The Man getting to work safely too
- Date night...there just aren't enough of them
- the sweet little things that the kids do for me
- friends that will sit and listen to me rant and rave
- a wonderful church that has amazing music that moves me so much
- a job, that is close to home, pays well, and some days even rewarding
- our debt plan


Oh! I have to go pick up my wine tonight. Wine store membership = two bottles of wine each month. WOO HOOO

Icy roads

OK, I'm off to venture out on to the icy roads. I'm hoping that those people that CAN'T drive in this weather will stay home. Thankfully the office isn't too far away. The Man is almost at work, I have my fingers crossed that all goes well for him.

The kids have NO SCHOOL today. They are way too excited.

Off I go, wish me luck

Just drive!

You would think that after living here in Texas for almost 4 years now I would understand that people cannot drive when the weather is bad. But seriously people...it was just predicted to be bad. You can see that the temperature JUST NOW hit 32. I promise - it is not possible to freeze that quickly. Please just drive. No reason to drive really slow or anything like that. Just flippin' drive.

To The Man

Dear Man,

I love you! I believe in you and know that you will accomplish so many things. Good luck today on the call. I know good things are in store for us. This may not produce the results we are hoping for, but I know that we will find a way.

I am so excited and just can't wait to see what the coming years hold for us. Together baby, we can have it all!

Sick...or not

Well, The Girl is sick again...or so she says. I'm hesitant to say she's not sick, because last time 10 minutes after I made that comment she was throwing up in the bathroom.

Today I receive a call from the nurse and she tells me that The Girl is sick...I ask the usual questions "Is she running a fever?" "Did anyone really hear her throw up?" "Does she look pale?" No...well then send her happy hiney right back to class. Do I want to talk to her? No not really, but sure why the heck not. "See if you feel better after you eat lunch and call me back then" BYE...momma has work to do

An hour later...The Man calls "Hey, the nurse from The Girl's school just called and she is sick" INSERT BIG GIANT SIGH HERE x... OK, I'm on my way.

Now, why in the world won't the nurse listen to me when I say that The Girl is a drama queen. I love her, I really do. But seriously, this happens at least 5-6 times per school year. We are on the 3rd time now.

Good news is, I got her back to the office and she appears to be just fine. No tummy problems, no trips to the bathroom, no loss of color in her face, no lack of talking. She is hungry and ready for lunch.

Big surprise!

The Boy

I know that The Man and I are so very blessed with our children. While they are hateful and sassy most of the time, they are healthy, happy and smart. Mornings are horrible in the house because for the life of me I will never understand why a 12 year old cannot manage to get dressed, eat a bowl of cereal, brush his hair and brush his teeth without me hovering over him telling him what to do every step of the way. I don't get it - and I guess he will be 18 and i will still be hovering over him telling him to get his flippin' shoes tied so he can get to school...does it ever get better?

But then there is The Boy that is so very kind hearted and still gives me a kiss and tells me that he loves me before he gets out of the car in the morning to go to school. He is the sweet boy that is sad because he doesn't go to school with his friends anymore and when they DO get together...he doesn't understand why they don't want to play with him.

He is the boy that has found a passion for playing the trombone. He hates that he is in choir in front of the kids at school, but inside, he truly loves it because he loves to sing. He is the boy that doesn't want to be singled out - but agreed to enter the solo contest in choir because his teacher asked him to.

And he is smart...The Boy is so very smart. We got his STAR (reading test) results home the other night and he is reading on the level of an 11th grader. He entered the spelling bee today with the other kids in his school (6-8th graders)...and he came in 5th place.

I love him...so much more than he will ever know. I believe in him and all that he does. I know that he could rule the world if he wanted to. I love him and one day when he gets thru these crazy hormones i hope that he truly understands just how much I love him.

Around the office

The Boss Man is an 81 year old man who has led an incredible life. He has two incredibly successful companies - sold them both - started a third...i'm still waiting on the incredibly successful part :), has traveled the world, had 6 children and who knows how many grandkids, recruited football players for TCU and so many more things.

Boss Man still comes to office every flippin' day, still has so many creations in his head that are just struggling to get out. He sometimes can't get the words to match up with his thoughts and having a conversation with him is like talking with a 6 year old. Meetings often times end up being counter productive. But beyond that - he is still an incredibly intelligent man and can still accomplish so many things.

Most of the time he is grumpy...he doesn't really like to joke around a lot. He is all business all the time.

He is extremely generous with certain things, and others - well he can be completely pigheaded and stubborn about...

I feel as though he has hit a point in his life when he must feel the end is coming. He has started to focus more on turning the business over to The British Guy. He is cleaning out old files. He is trying to organize his space. It is quite sad, and I wonder what made him turn the corner?

The last couple of weeks, his focus has been on cleaning out his "closet". This closet has had 4 people in there to try to clean it out over the years, all unsuccessful because he doesn't want to get rid of anything he might need.

Today I asked him to take me in there and was truly taken back by everything that was in this closet...no it's a room, probably bigger than my office. This room contains, old patents for things he invented, drawings of tools, miscellaneous memorabilia, old employee badges, pictures...lots and lots of pictures, articles, ads, files and files, accordions (yes the instruments), and that is just what i briefly glanced over in the minute i stood next to him in this room.

As we stood there he was telling me what categories he wants these things to go in, he struggles with what to do with it all. I ask if his children want any of it. In my head I think how wonderful to be able to show your children and grandchildren what you have accomplished over your life and give them a small piece of history. He is a Legend in our industry...a true legend.

He tells me that they have no interest in it. They feel that he didn't spend enough time with them. I was so sad for him. As parents we all make decisions that we have to live with. Some parents stay home with their kids, some parents work full time, some parents are able to find a good balance between the two. He lived his entire life blazing new trails and creating a legacy for his children and they have no interest in it.

As I walked back to my office I heard him singing a little diddy softly in his closet. I couldn't hear the words but I could tell there was a sweet melody to them. I sat and listened for a few moments and wondered what he was thinking about. Here is a man who is all business all the time...and only I can hear him singing to himself as he goes thru old memories.

Sweetness

99 things

I saw this over at I Blame My Mother then at a few other blogs. Sounded like fun for a Friday afternoon


Things I’ve already done: bold

Things I want to do: italicize

Things I haven’t done and don’t want to - plain font

1. Started your own blog.

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band.

4. Visited Hawaii.

5. Watched a meteor shower.

6. Given more than you can afford to charity.

7. Been to Disney World

8. Climbed a mountain.

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo – every time I get into the car

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris.

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch – candles & photography

15. Adopted a child.

16. Had food poisoning.

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.

18. Grown your own

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight.

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill…really? Who hasn’t done this?

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb.

26. Gone skinny dipping…

27. Run a marathon

28. Ridden a gondola in Venice.

29. Seen a total eclipse – I wanna say it was in elementary school

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run.

32. Been on a cruise.

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.

35. Seen an Amish community.

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied…to bad it doesn’t last for long

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person.

39. Gone rock climbing.

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David in person.

41. Sung Karaoke.

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.

43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant.

44. Visited Africa.

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.

46. Been transported in an ambulance.

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine chapel in person.

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling – you know, I say I want to, but I know me and know that I could never go thru with it

52. Kissed in the rain.

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater – we lived 3 blocks from one for 3 years or so and never went

55. Been in a movie.

56. Visited the Great Wall of China.

57. Started a business. – still waiting to see if it is going to be successful

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen.

61. Sold Girl Scout cookies.

62. Gone whale watching.

63. Gotten flowers for no reason…he loves me a lot

64. Donated blood – yes, and I learned I was a little too small (whoops)

65. Gone sky diving.

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp.

67. Bounced a check.

68. Flown in a helicopter.

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square.

74. Toured the Everglades.

75. Been fired from a job.

76. Seen the Changing of the Guard in London.

77. Broken a bone.

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican.

82. Bought a brand new car.

83. Walked in Jerusalem.

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House.

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating…ewww you put it that way and it just sounds awful – it’s amazing I haven’t turned into a vegetarian with crap like that

88. Had chickenpox.

89. Saved someone’s life.

90. Sat on a jury.

91. Met someone famous.

92. Joined a book club.

93. Lost a loved one.

94. Had a baby - two

95. Seen the Alamo in person.

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake.

97. Been involved in a law suit.

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

Funny things heard around the office

We have an interesting group that works here...very interesting.

I have two guys that pretend they are pirates; one VERY white guy that we call Habib; a sweet little old lady answering the phones that constantly hangs up on people...and the list just goes on and on. As I was sitting in my office today I heard something funny and thought about how often something ridiculous is said or just happens and figured I'd just start writing about it...so this is the first installment of "Funny things heard around the office"

~ As I walk by the receptionist desk and peer into the freshly refilled candy jar, she looks up at me and says - "you know, those Jolly Rogers might help your throat". Jolly Rogers = Jolly Ranchers

You have to just smile and laugh internally, because lord knows - she really believes that's what they are called.

Sophie - 3 months

So Sophie was officially 3 months on January 4. She is super sweet and we all just adore her. She is trying to get the hang of going potty outside, but you have to really be watching for the signs. She is sleeping better in her crate at night but I still have to shhh her every couple of hours. Picture holding your newborn baby while they cry and as you walk around and bounce ever so slightly you say to them shh shh shh...well that's what i am having to do with Sophie. I don't have to actually walk around with her, but i just lean my head over to the side of the bed where she can see me and tell her shh shh shh and then she lays back down and starts snoring.

It's pretty funny.

It's official

I have willed myself to not be sick for the last week...however, I think it finally took over. Surely it is just allergies or something little like that. But i'm headed home early to lay down for a little bit...hopefully we can still do date night tonight.

Tomorrow night we are watching the game with some friends...i don't know what game, but it's a game nonetheless and we will be watching it.

Onward to 2009

Another year has passed and the coming year has so much to look forward to. So many possibilities, so many things that are just waiting for us.

I wanted to get this posted earlier, but well...we have a new puppy...and EVERYTHING got put on hold for her. 2008 was a crazy year, but still wonderful. I learned so many things about myself and about those around me.

The year started off pretty non-eventful. I made a decision that it was time for me to find a new job. The one I had at the time could no longer offer me the room to grow and looked like it was heading towards closing it's doors. We came to work every day just to "wait" and see what was going to happen with the company. Now a year later, i'm so glad i left when I did. I accepted an offer with another company because the one I really wanted seemed to be a fantasy out of reach. But as luck would have it...they offered me the job less than 3 months later. If it hadn't been so close to home and a really good opportunity, I probably wouldn't have taken it. But I did, and for the most part it is great. It has it's ups and downs, like any job. I am learning something every day. I am challenged all the time.

I learned some things about myself this year. I learned that I expect too much out of other people. I have this fairy tale world in my head that we can all be friends and everyone can get along. HA. That was pretty funny wasn't it. I learned that I get frustrated when I give and give and don't get anything back. I try to be a good friend and listen when things are going haywire in someone else's life and I try to be whatever it is they need from me. The problem is that it generally is not returned. It is not always a two way road, and that's ok. I have learned that sometimes I am just meant to be the listener.

I like to be independent. I like to not always complain. I like that The Man and I have found a place that I don't always have something to gripe about. I think that I go so long trying so hard not to complain and not to whine about lifes little problems that when I do, there isn't time for them to stop long enough to listen to me. And that's ok.

I realized this year that sometimes I just need someone to call me and ask how I am...and really want to hear the answer.

I realized that sometimes I say things and they come out all wrong. That sometimes I unintentionally hurt someones feelings. I am sorry. I learned that some people don't know me well enough to know that I would never say something mean on purpose.

I watched my best friend go thru loosing her mother this year, far too early. I realized many things throughout that journey. I learned that no matter what, the fighting and the arguing just isn't worth it. I learned that we may not always know what we needed to know and that has to be ok. I learned that you shouldn't hide what ails you, and you shouldn't ask others to hide it either. Let those that love you, love you. Let them be sad, let them remember, let them help. I learned that children have an amazing gift to see things simply and for what they are.

I learned this year that I have a passion for photography. My hearts desire is to start a photography business. I learned that I don't have any idea what that involves... I learned that I can do so much.

I learned that I love The Man more than I could ever imagine. I am so proud of us and what we have overcome. I hope we are a truly good example to our children of what a good happy marriage is.

I learned that we can be in a crowded bar, in a room with a group of people or really anywhere and be just as happy talking to each other rather than everyone else.

I learned that I miss my kids when they are gone.

I learned that 30 minutes after we get home...I'm already ready for them to travel again. :)

I learned that I really look forward to the sweet little text messages that I receive from someone special. She really knows how to start a day or brighten the end of it. Even when "some days just suck"

I'm sure there are so many other things, but for now - this is what is on my mind.

I can't wait for 2009 to show me everything it's got in store for me. I hope that the coming year is wonderful for all of us. I feel very blessed this year and if all works out...2009 will be just as great as 2008 was.