Do you know who you spoke to?

So I'm out running several errands today in 100+ degree Texas heat while my kiddos are at a friend's house and I'm eventually met with a phrase I'm so sick of hearing I could spit. Here's how it went down:

I've had a prescription I've needed to get refilled for sometime now and last time I was in CVS (that's right...I'm calling them out) the person behind the counter at the pharmacy says, "Well, if you transfer it here, you'll get a $25 gift card."

Sweet! I'll get on that...and indeed did have it transferred. Who can't use an extra $25?

Fast forward to today as I go to pick the prescription, as well as my said promised gift card.

"Uhhhh...there's no note of it on here," says the under-enthusiastic person behind the counter. Get ready...here it comes..."Do you know who you spoke to?"

Are you !#@$%& kidding me?

Think about it...how many times in your life have you heard this phrase? Too many...right? Or is it just me? Whether it's about a promised service or whatever...it's the phrase used by those who have no intention of making it right. Maybe it's because there are too many people out there flat-out lying about what they were promised, but c'mon...this phrase has gotten on my last good nerve. I've even remembered the name of the person before only to be told, "I don't know anyone who works here by that name." Yeah right.

So...here I go with my response that can only come from an exhausted mom trying to get too much done in too little time:

"No...I don't know the name of the person I talked to. If I took down the name of every person who told me valuable information or a service that will provided to me, my back wouldn't be able to carry around the notebook that housed all the information." She stares at me, mouth open, chin almost touching her chest and slowwwwly replies:

"So...what do you want to do?"

"I want my medicine."

"But I can't give you the gift card."

"Yes...I realize that. However, it doesn't negate the fact I still need my medicine."

"Ummmm...do you want to talk to the manager?"

"Sure...if it will help."

"Well...she's not here right now."

"Am I on Candid Camera?"

"Whaaaaat?"

"Just give me my medicine, please."

I feel for the next person who asks me if I know who I spoke to. Between now and then, I will have worked up some elaborate story which will include the fact if the person who promised me something isn't there when I come back it's because they can't stand the idiots they work with because they can't remember jack and have decided to go look for another job.

Or, I'm going to purchase a notebook specifically designed for people who promise me things so when they don't deliver, I have it in writing. Yes....that is how I want to live my life.

Geeeez.....

The View from Where I Sit

I have to admit, over the past few days I've seen and experienced some interesting things. Don't know if I've noticed the "little" things more or if indeed these things would have caught my eyes/ears not matter what. For sure, some of them would have.

So I thought I'd share a few of my "extraordinary" encounters because they may bring a smile to your face...and we can all use a smile.

It's fascinating to me that:

It is 2009 and a six-lane highway like 820 in Fort Worth would have a minuscule speed limit of only 60 mph, causing traffic to bottleneck at the shear exhaustion of drivers having to put our foot on the break so much. C'mon!

It indeed can't all be blamed on the minuscule speed limit, but also on the stupid drivers who still actually slow down to rubberneck at the cop who pulled a speeding car over on the opposite side of the highway. This beyond irritates me.

The grandma driver behind me is actually honking at me because I'm not going. "Look around! No one is moving!" Of course, that would imply she could see over her steering wheel...which she's having a hard time doing.

She now spends the next five minutes waving to me in my rear view mirror trying to apologize for her ignorant honking that she's now apparently embarrassed about since she realized, in fact...no one else was moving either and it wasn't my choice to stop in the middle of the highway.

All of this traffic fiasco is completely overlooked when F16s began doing touch-and-goes right over me. Ahhhhh....roll the windows down and listen. Very cool. Doug and Ben would be jealous.

The chicken biscuit I'd been craving for the past 30 minutes was not cooked completely. Of course, this was only discovered after I took a bite. Yuckkk.....

The Starbucks next to the KFC can make it all better and tell me, my order is now "free" after hearing my chicken story and thinking I could use something good...and non-life threatening. Tip put into container... . Thank you Starbucks.

We just this past week made it out to Groggy Dawgs on Lake Granbury after passing by it so many times and discovered, we absolutely love it.

There is karaoke night at Groggy Dawgs and the only thing the Kenny Chesney "look-alike" (and I use that term loosely) has in common with the real-life country crooner is the straw cowboy hat and pooka shell necklace.

It's relaxing to talk about the future with someone you love over cold beers, at a marina bar in front of a fan the size of which could put the space shuttle into gear.

We didn't order the nachos.

I have now seen two different grown men on retro-style, red mopeds leaning into them to try and make them go faster as if they were sitting Supermen. Really? Hmmm....

The parking lots at our church (Custer Road United Methodist) are so full now you have no choice but to park down the street and take the bus. For some this would be irritating...but I think it's awesome. I think God thinks it's awesome, too.

Just the smell upon entering church makes me smile and make everything seem possible.

My father-in-law, even in his current condition fighting lung cancer, can still say something that totally cracks me up and makes Doug speechless. Not an easy thing to accomplish on that last part!

My father-in-law can bring me to tears just by putting his hand in the air when I walk in the room because he wants me to come give him a "high-five".

99.9% of all the snowcones stands in Texas are located in Hood County. At least that's what I think.

My kids are the light in every day and remind me of what is important and what life is all about...family.

The same person called three times this morning only for me to tell her time and time again she had the wrong number and she still wanted to argue about it. A person by the name of 'Andrew' does not live here and he obviously gave you the wrong number on purpose. Catch a clue and move on.

And, finally...if there is a snake within 100-yards...it will find it's way to me. Only this time...I had a lawn mower as a weapon.

Smells Like Love to Me

Have you ever had something that meant so much to you, you can't imagine life without it? Something that is comforting, is there in your time of need, makes you happy, is unjudgemental and has unconditional love.

Meet Belle's Pink Puppy. Today, Doug asked when the last time was Belle had a bath. "Either it's her or that Pink Puppy, but something is rank." No doubt...it's the puppy. I don't care how much I wash that thing, it will never look the way it once did. Why? Because she's loved it more than anything in the world! Seriously, if she is holding that puppy, her thumb will automatically go in her mouth. And if I didn't have it in the car everyday when I picked her up from school, she would instantly look like she was missing her best friend and go grab it as soon as she walked in the door.

One of Ben's baseball coaches jokes with her all the time about taking it from her. Always laughing. Never serious. But when she went over to their house the other day, she was adamant about leaving it in the car. Apparently, once inside, she told him she'd hidden it so he couldn't get it. Even though he's joking and would never take it...the girl ain't taking any chances!

The white parts on Pink Puppy will never be white again and believe me, I've tried every thing out there. Trust me on this. I don't know that I'll ever get it to completely smell like a springtime meadow, but when you ask Belle about that "odor" she simply says, "It smells like love to me." Too sweet.

I got it at a craft show when she was about 9 months old. At the time, she really loved frogs and they had a frog, so I picked up the frog. A sweet grandmotherly lady said, "Oh, you should get that pretty girl this pink puppy. It's as pretty as she is." Ummm...excuse me...I think I know my daughter, thank you. I handed Belle the frog, she quickly tossed it aside and reached for the Pink Puppy and it's been love ever since. Way to go for what you wanted Belle and love her (yes puppy is a "her") as much as I know Pink Puppy loves you. I love you, my Belle. Even though that puppy is stinky. I mean...even though it smells like "love". She loves that Pink Puppy completely and unconditionally. We should all love and be loved like that.

My Girlfriends Rock!

My family has had a hectic life as of late (moving, ill family members, etc...) and I just wanted to take an opportunity to say Thank You from the bottom of my heart to the absolutely, fantastic, unconditional friends who have been placed in my life. While I've had most things"under control", they are always there to be...well...girlfriends, in the true sense of the word.

Not only have you been there to help, but also to listen, pray, advise, etc... . And while I may not have taken you up on your numerous offers to help YET...just wait...I'm sure I'll need it soon enough! I've just recently learned how to let people help (as KB says, "Uh...yeah!").

These sweet women call just to say, "What is up with you? What can I do?" Or my favorite, "Let's have a Girl's Night Out!" (We need to do that again soon, by the way, ladies.).

True friends. KB, KA, MA and LM - you have been more than I could have ever asked for and you know I'm here if you need anything also. So nice know I have classy ladies who have my back, are not judgemental and just want to be a friend. You don't know the meaning of the term "fair weather friend" and the word "gossip" isn't in your vocabulary. For those things and so much more, I'm grateful.

And while I have lots of friends who fit the same description, the ladies above have definitely gone out of their way to be there since I'm not always so good at accepting help.

Although, I've gotta say it seems I've really taken advantage of KA lately. Sorry girl! That's what you get for my kids loving your family so much! hahaha You know I love your kiddos just as much.

That's pretty much it...just had to say "Thanks" since I know you ladies check-in to the blog from time-to-time (yes...I keep track of who is visiting!) :-) I'm sneaky that way... . Now those who didn't want me to know they are visiting are going, "What?!". Your checking in is just one more way of supporting me in doing something I like to do. No judgement...just support.

Love you! xoxoxoxo

Streets Made of Gold

Awhile ago, a sweet friend of mine's mother passed away from cancer. Now obviously, this is a disease I've come to hate being that it has taken many members of my immediate family, including my mom. But I have also come to feel as if it is a "being" in my life. It has and still is affecting so many people-strike that-friends and loved ones in my life right now, I almost feel as if it is a deliberate attack coming from somewhere very sinister. It has taken a form of purpose and I despise it. It's a dark side the force hasn't quite figured out how to conquer yet. I'm sure I am not describing it correctly, but can't find the words I guess because it is so personal. However, I am proud to say these people are all fighting back and have in no way given up. Even my sweet, stubborn, grumpy, story-telling dad-in-law. Man he's great. By the way, the photo to the right was taken by D out in Granbury the other day when his dad started getting worse. That was a single cloud formation in the sky at just the right time. Again...God speaks and we listen.

Back to my friend's mom...at her funeral service, there was a poem printed on the program (for lack of a better term). When I read it, I instantly felt comfort when looking back on the day my mom went to be with Jesus. See, I wasn't with her (no one was) and I have felt such remorse over it ever since.

Years ago, a minister told me he believed when it was someone's time to go, they probably have some sort of "window". In other words, they go when they are ready and the window stays open until they are ready to pass through. He said on one side are the person's earthly loved ones and on the other side are the loved ones who have been experiencing the magnitude of Heaven, cheering them on to pass through the window. He said, "Think about it...would you want your kids to watch you pass away? While it turns into a celebration for you, they don't feel that here. We can't possibly imagine what is waiting for us on the 'other side'. " Hmmmm...never thought of it that way. Did she "choose" to go at that time so we wouldn't have to experience that pain? No way to tell, at least not right now. But it was an interesting viewpoint.

I keep getting off-track. The poem in the program (I've pasted it below) brought it all together for me and filled my heart.

As we watch my father-in-law fight this disease (his is lung cancer), I'm reminded that where he is eventually going (where all believers are eventually going) is far grander than anything we could possibly imagine. You know they have Streets Made of Gold there, right? :-) Wonders we've never known.

I am standing by the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength, and I stand and watch until at last she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sun and sky come down to mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says, 'There she goes! Gone where? Gone from my sight - that is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and just as able to bear her load of living freight to the places of destination. Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says 'There she goes! ', there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: 'Here she comes!'

So, in true "Out of the Clouds" fashion...I leave you with song. I wish there were a more "professional" style video, but the words will definitely speak to you...trust me on this.

And that's the ballgame, folks!

Ben's baseball team, the Rockies, played their last game of the season tonight. While the score doesn't reflect it...it really was a great game. The team we played was the other team from the kids' school so they are all friends. They played a great game, lots of great hits and pitching (wow A.M.!!).

I've got to say (Warning: Proud Mom entering) Ben played a great game. I am so proud of him. He had fun and for that, I'm thankful.

I hope he continues to have fun playing and never looks at it like it's a "chore" or gets burnt out. This kid needs his "down time", so any more than city league ball would be more than he'd be willing to take on.

We absolutely LOVE this team. The kids are such good kiddos. The parents are fun and don't take it too seriously. If one person's kid "messes up" everyone is always there to make sure they know it is so no big deal. We all encourage the kids and really just have fun together. And for that too...I'm thankful.

I don't know what next season brings, but for now...I'm going to enjoy what this season brought: My son being very happy with his accomplishments. His self-esteem has sky-rocketed and that will put a smile on a parent's face every time.

By the way, thanks Rockies Coaches! You are part of the reason he loves baseball. One of his coaches even sent me a text message tonight after the game that said to tell Ben he thought he had a heck of a game and that he was very proud of him. Now he did not need to take time out of his night and do that, but that's just the kind of coach (and man) he is. And I did tell Ben. And it did put yet another smile on Ben's face. Thanks Coach J. You are one in a million and we appreciate you more than you know.

And to my sweet son...Way to go! I am so proud of you for having fun and always (always) doing your best. Another one of his coaches pulled me aside after the game and said they could always count on Ben being where he was supposed to be and always giving it everything he's got. You always give 110% Ben and that's all we ever want for you to do...just try. Never stop. It's one of the many reasons you will live a successfully happy life. You will give it everything you've got versus going through the motions. XOXOXO

My Kids Make Me Think

As I start typing this, I'm not really sure exactly what I'm going to end up saying (scary, I know)...but I know I have something to say.

It's funny how little trips with your kids to batting practice and the grocery store can put so much into perspective and kind of get you going.

What did I learn on this trip? Well, I learned kids...at least my kids...have minds of their own. They use their own brains, not someone else's, to make their own decisions. Unfortunately, all too often, I watch adults make decisions with other people's brains. Disappointing, but not all too shocking.

Do things, or don't do things, based on your own thought process people! Just because someone else is doing it/joining it/buying it/typing it/chosing it/wearing it/eating it/smoking it...whatever...doesn't mean you should. My kids know this. Now some are saying, "I don't do that." If not, good for you. If you are doing it, admit it and stop it. You are much more intelligent than that and don't think for a second you don't have the gray matter it takes to make your own decisions. You do what you know is right. If you aren't sure what is right, think about it. It shouldn't take long to come to you. It really isn't that difficult.

Think. Decide. Act. Commit.

The "commit" part is usually the part where people have the most trouble. Why? I guess because that means you actually have to stick to your guns and not flip-flop in your decision-making process. Too many people want that "out". That's why on game shows they ask, "Is that your final answer?". Shelby would be great at this show. "ALL of my answers are my 'final answer' !" she'd declare. That's my girl.

Where is this coming from? Believe it or not...my daughter telling me she had no desire to eat the Sushi I was going to have for dinner. She didn't say it in a whiney voice. She said it in a matter-of-fact, I-don't-want-that, I-know-what-I'm-saying and no-one-will-change-my-mind voice. Good grief...wasn't going to ask her if she wanted some anyway. But...I appreciated the commitment she had made to her decision. Bravo Belle.

My kiddos, and lots of kids for that matter, even have moral compasses at their ages. They know 'right' from 'wrong'. They know what situations will get them in trouble, have bad consequences, cause them or someone else pain, so many things. It's true what that book says, "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten." For those of you who haven't had the pleasure...here's an excerpt:

>Share everything.
>Play fair.
>Don't hit people.
>Put things back where you found them.
>Clean up your own mess.
>Don't take things that aren't yours.
>Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
>Wash your hands before you eat.
>Flush.
>Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
>Live a balanced life - learn some and think someand draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
>Take a nap every afternoon.
>When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together.
>Be aware of wonder.
>Remember the little seed in the styrofoam cup: The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
>Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we.
>And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggestword of all - LOOK.
>Everything you need to know is in there somewhere.
The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation.Ecology and politics and equality and sane living.
>Take any of those items and extrapolate it into sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your family life or your work or your government oryour world and it holds true and clear and firm. Think what a better world it would be if all - the whole world - had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down withour blankies for a nap. Or if all governments had a basic policy to always put thing back where they found them and to clean up their own mess.
>And it is still true, no matter how old you are - when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.
© Robert Fulghum, 1990.


Another thing I learned today in The World According to Ben when he exclaimed, "Why did God make this impossible?!": You can't lick your elbow.

You're trying it, aren't you? I thought so... . Good luck.

What Texans do during Tornado Warnings

The skies were threatening and the sirens started sounding...But it's gonna take a lot more than tornado sirens to ruffle the feathers of this family, as you can see below. Okay, the dogs were freaked out, but the two kids and one kid-at-heart (aka...Daddy!) had a party in the bathtub (had to take it in there only because it's the "thing to do". Good practice, too.)

Ahhhh...good times.

Welcome Summer

That's right baby! It's officially summertime. School is out: no more alarm clocks (at least not going off every morning at 6:30), no more homework duty, no more lunches to make...time to relax and enjoy each day with my kids while they still want to spend time with me.

We went to a party today to celebrate BS's graduation from high school today and it hit that it is finally summer.

As we were sitting outside enjoying the company of friends and watching Ben and Shelby swim, I noticed those all-too-familiar smells of summer dancing in the air. I sprayed the kids with sunscreen and took it in. MM made burgers and hot dogs on the grill and it made me remember all the great barbecues we've had with friends and family. I sat back and looked around at the fabulous friends who would do anything for my family and my husband who wasn't feeling too well (got a fever out of the blue yesterday), but didn't want to be anywhere else and I became relaxed.

I remember when my friend Betty and I would spend every single day at the neighborhood pool (called SeaBlue) in Wichita Falls. I mean every day. I'd wake up, put on my bathing suit and head to the pool. We would literally stay all day. Hours were from 10-9 and if you needed us; that's where we'd be. Awesome memories. Memories of rockin' the pool (what the boys did when they did bombs off the diving boards and there would actually be whitecaps in the pool), making suicide drinks (using every flavor on the drink machine in one cup) and slathering on the coconut scented tan oil. Sunscreen? What sunscreen? Don't think they made it "back then"!

Then later when I moved to Lewisville, Leigh and I would go the the Sno-Cone stand and overdose on them. We'd sit on top our cars and talk about life. Leigh was always a lot more level headed than I was and she would give me advice, we'd make plans about our futures...just had fun hanging out together. We especially liked it because it wasn't what everyone else was doing. Yep...we liked being unique. Still do.

I hope and pray my kids have fun summer memories they will always look back on and cherish. We are hoping to take them to the beach for the first time this summer. While Sea World is also on the agenda (don't know if we'll be able to get out of that one. It's become somewhat of a pilgrimage for our family.), we are really hoping to make it to the Texas coast so our kids will still have that "wow" factor of seeing something larger than they ever thought possible.

Tonight when they both hugged me, I kissed them on their heads and smelled summer once more in their pool-soaked hair. Ahhhhhhh....take it in. I am looking forward to this summer. I don't know what it will bring exactly, but I know I am going to try and make it a great one. BS graduating is just another reminder of how quickly time passes and how we should make memories every single day we can. I am so thankful for what I have and want my kiddos to know how much they are loved. Summer is a great time to spend time together and make memories...here's to Summer 2009.

And because I love Rascal Flatts...I dedicate this to you!

National Donut Day

Because it's the last day of school, we made special stop on the way home by our neighborhood 7-11 today so the kids could enjoy a Slurpee. We celebrate big, don't cha' know?!

As the kids are filling their Slurpee cups, one of Allen's Finest walks in and proceeds to the drink counter. Upon seeing him, Ben...in awe of the uniform...says, "Hi!". The police officer says, "Well, how ya' doin'?" Ben continued to tell him how it was the last day of school so he was doing very well, thank you. The police officer said he was aware of it being the last day of school and how the police didn't care for it very much because it made their jobs a lot harder. He said they had already received 22 calls regarding juvenile disobedience JUST in our area. Good grief!

So we start walking to the cash register and Ben stops, calls out to the police officer who is in front of us heading to the counter and says (and I'm not kidding): "Aren't you gonna get a donut?"

Oh my word...did that really just happen?

The police officer literally stops in his tracks, the people in front of him turn and look with huge grins on their faces and he slowly turns to look at Ben - who he can now tell is serious. Ben wants to know why on earth a cop just passed by a yummy display of Krispy Kreams without grabbing one.

The officer says, "Do you think all police officers eat donuts?" with a smile on his face. "Or are you just asking me that because it's National Donut Day?" (seriously...come to find out, it is).

Ben replies with a grin, "They do on TV."

Trying to diffuse the situation (though the officer is clearly tickled, thankfully), I ask Ben if it really looks like this officer eats many donuts (he was fit and by no means overweight at all...again, thankfully).

I shouldn't have asked...

"It looks like he may have had some," says Ben, now trying to make the officer laugh.

Which he did. "That kid just made my day," he replied. I can't tell you how many times in my life someone has told me that exact thing about Ben. He just has a way of making people laugh.

When he got to the counter, the nice lady working said she wasn't going to charge him for his Big Gulp to which the officer said, "Thank you very much." then turned to Ben and said, "And it's diet, by the way!"

Thank you for letting there be approachable officers out there with a great sense of humor. Whew!

And, Happy National Donut Day to everyone!

R is for Redneck

I like beer. There...I said it.

I know what some of you are thinking. "How undignified!" "Expand your pallet!" or how about, "Grow up already." To those critics I say...Whatever! I'm a Texas girl born and raised and if that makes me a cheap date...so be it.

I was raised listening to Hank Williams Jr., Willie Nelson, John Denver, Jerry Jeff Walker, Johnny Cash...many redneck stories in my past. Not that we didn't listen to other things, don't get me wrong. It's not like my parents put me to sleep every night to "Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother" (which I know every word of, by the way). But, my parents liked to have fun and every year had a party with their friends (chosen family, if you will).

A couple of them were excellent musicians (as was my mom, thank you very much) and they basically played music all day long. Yes, beer drinking was part of the agenda, too. Looking back on it, I never remember anyone being "drunk" though. Only having fun. Not to say they weren't over-served, but as a kid I just enjoyed being around all of the music and laughter and wasn't paying attention to the alcohol. Probably because it wasn't the main focus of the get-together.

You may think that makes my upbringing very "low rent" and that's okay with me. It's got to be part of the reason I'm not a high-maintenance person. I don't desire designer things. Not that I fault or judge anyone who does. No way. Just don't fault or judge me for not desiring them. I'm sure I spend my money or time doing things others think is silly. Again...okay by me. God made all of us different for a reason. What a boring world it would be if we were all the same (as I frequently tell my kids).

My beer of choice has always been Coors Light with olives. Though, just recently I discovered something new. Bud Light Lime. Gotta say...not bad!

Now for the really embarrassing part (I can't believe I'm releasing this info): I actually won a beer chugging contest in college when I was a little sister for a fraternity. Aren't I looking high-class now?! Hey...college brings out a different side in us and I definitely had my share of fun.

I don't drink any type of alcohol like I used to. But that doesn't mean I don't like my ice cold CL's from time-to-time. Not in excess. I've got two kids to wake up in the morning, after all!

So...cheers to all my beer drinking friends out there! Here's to you! Go put one on ice, kick back and enjoy.