TORTURE . . .

Early last week my husband reminded me we had a "legal" dinner. We were set to go to a BEYOND beautiful home here in Dallas, it is listed as the 14th most expensive home and . . . I believe it. BEYOND BEAUTIFUL!

I start stressing mid week about what to wear . . . I drag my mother with me to Nordstrom’s to buy a new dress. I don't buy just 1 . . . .4 dresses later I should . . . SHOULD . . . be covered. We head down to the shoe department. I tried on 22 pairs of shoes. 22 pairs - what I wanted . . . my mother didn't like. What she liked . . . I didn't want. Then there was the shoe the dress dictated . . . and I didn't want that kind either.

See . . . I am a soccer mom . . . not really but the term fits. Actually I am a swim team, select football team, pee wee soccer, gas guzzling, car pool, recently ticketed aggressive crazy mom driver - NOW do you have a better picture? I am good for a pair of Tory Burch flip flops, Gucci slide ons, Manolo kitten heel sandals . . . or Uggs! I like a comfortable shoe. In fact . . . I LOVE a comfortable shoe!

1st Time . . .

Today is a first for us and unfortunately it is a sad situation.

We are taking our oldest to a funeral.

Our oldest doesn't really know the deceased, he knows his son.

Scoots and his friend met many years ago.  His friend is a bit older than Scoots, but someone how they got along perfectly!  His friend is actually a family friend and very close friend of Scoot's Aunt Julie.

Weekenders . . .

Starting with last Monday my husband wanted to go to the lake house.  He suggested it at least once a day.  I wasn't up for going.  I would check the weather . . . I was looking for a reason  not to go . . .  but as it goes here in North Texas . . . it can change from minute to minute. 

We determined if it wasn't going to rain we were going . . . :/ 

We checked the weather daily . . . the Texas rain storms kept eluding us . . .me.  I just might have to go.

The lake house is like living back in the early 90s - spotty wifi, bad cell reception, average restaurants, lots of land with not much to do . . . but sleep!

It isn't that I don't like the lake house . . . it is just I have stuff to do in Dallas and would rather be here than at the lake without access to my . . . stuff.

Didn't Drink the Kool-Aid . . .

I have always thought of myself as a hard ass.  Someone who operates in black and white - there is no grey.  I am the enforcer . . .  the passer out of punishment . . . the 1 . . . 2 . . . 3 . . . kinda of girl!

Long before I had children matters were just that . . . black and white.  Either you are right or you are wrong - nothing in between.  So when my husband and I would hear of "other" children misbehaving . . . we had a plan on just how to deal with it!

Cheating on a paper . . . Make them come clear with the teacher!

Kid selling drugs . . . Your turn him in . . . and beat him!

Taking something that doesn't belong to you . . . Force the child to return it in person!

Committing a crime . . . Call the cops!

Child being rude . . . He writes an apology letter!

I am a big believer in them owning the responsibility for their actions!

Sunday Supper and Swim . . .

For as long as I can remember we have always done dinner with family on Sunday.  Back when I was a kid, it would happen immediately after church.  On the rare occasion we went out for lunch, it was either Wyatt's Cafeteria in Red Bird Mall or La Mancha for Mexican, but we usually would meet up with the extended family for lunch at my grandparent's home.

1974 - Easter

My grandmother was the best cook ever!  Her Sunday meal rotation was limited and so very typical southern food:

1 - Chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, okra, green salad and banana pudding

2 - Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, green salad, carrots, and banana pudding

3 - Salmon croquettes, Le Sueur green peas, they were my grandfather's favorite, green salad and banana pudding

I have so many fond memories of us playing with my cousins while dinner is being prepared . . . climbing their trees . . . hopscotch on the patio . . .and helping set the table.  The sounds, smells and taste of those foods takes me back to being a kid.

Feeling a Little Judged . . .

Last Saturday we were invited to a neighborhood Easter Egg hunt.  Never one to turn down a fun party invite . . . we went.

4:00pm Saturday . . . the invitees were the kids on the street and fellow neighborhood kids who go to the host's daughter's school.

We weren't sure what to except . . . what we got was my oldest son and about 20 girls and then my youngest son and another 4 year old boy.

When invited I asked the mom, "What do you need from me?"  She told me 1 dozen filled eggs per child.  She mentioned she would have snacks for the kids after the hunt.  Off to the grocery store I go . . . ALL of the pre-filled eggs were gone - so I must fill my own!   While at the grocery I also pick up a party tray of cookies and 2 dozen chalk eggs as additional eggs for the hunt.

I drop off all of my goodies before heading home at the party site - filled eggs, cookie party tray and chalk eggs.

It is now party time . . .

Cancer Sucks!

Cancer Sucks!

Really there is nothing else to say.  It sucks. 

Cancer robs families and friends of the future.  It robs individuals of their dignity.  It robs children of their mothers and fathers.  It robs parents of their dreams to one day see their child . . . have children of their own, get married, graduate college, graduate high school . . . hell even graduate kindergarten!

EVEN KINDERGARTEN!!!!!! 

There is Hope . . .

We recently had tickets to the DSO, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Family Concert day.  We had made plans to take both of our boys.  What could go wrong?  We had a private box, the boys needed to be dressed and behave.

We made plans to see one of my husband's clients while at the DSO event.  Which is why . . . I was a little anxious about them behaving . . . and why we decided to leave the baby (4 year old Jake, home with Goo.  We would take Scoots and a friend.

Unfortunately, my good friend's daughter, who goes to school with my son wasn't available.  Not wanting the ticket to go to waste and not wanting to worry about Jake 1 - enjoying the Symphony . . . 2 - sitting still in our private box . . . 3 and most important . . . him behaving for 2+ hours at a Symphony, we called one of the neighbor girls!

Public Safety Announcement . . .

I have to insist . . . if you are going to insult someone in writing . . . you MUST know how to spell!

Recently the boys and I met up with a bunch of friends and their kids at Jump Street.  It is an indoor trampoline park . . . think wall to wall trampolines.  Some for the little guys . . . some with slides attached . . . some at an angle . . . some that are perfect for an Average Joe vs. Robogym show down!