Category: General

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Keep Lookin’ Up

Easter was the first time ever, that I had all of my children on a holiday, it was nice, the only one missing in the family was Tessa. It was her mom’s turn for Easter.

I would like to make it clear I don’t consider myself Stacy’s mom, she is my daughter, but I am not her mother. She has a mother, she has a father, and they have and continue to be good parents to her.

I haven’t written in a while because my thoughts are scrambled, there is too much going on in the world, in the United States, in Texas and in McKinney. It’s insanity I tell ya, the world is totally going to hell in a hand basket faster than we can imagine.

So, the Irishman has decided we are married, he told me that we were, I scoffed, he said look it up. Sure enough, in Texas, we meet the requirements of common law marriage. AS a matter of fact, if we broke up, we would have to divorce.

Now he has it in his head that we need wedding rings and has changed his status on Facebook to married.

I really don’t know how I feel about this, in his mind I think he sees it as a renewed commitment to me. To our relationship, to let others know he will not entertain interference from outside forces. Maybe this is more of a reminder for him, than I, that he is in a relationship, that we do live together and have since 2010. I don’t know, it’s just kind of unsettling to come home to ring size papers everywhere.

The days are getting longer, there is no chance of me getting snow this year, I am sad, I didn’t get it once this year. Not one single time, it is disheartening, when there is no snow I believe God is angry with me, that there is something I was supposed to do for him and didn’t.

I’ll have to figure it out before next year, as I want snow, desperately want snow, it is the great equalizer of the world. The way it blankets the earth in pure, sparkly whiteness, making even the ugliest of landscapes beautiful. There is something magical, pure, a giant blanket giving the earth warmth. I miss it, I crave it, I need it and it renews my soul, my soul is hurting this year from the lack of snow.

Yes, I now it sounds crazy and no, I do not care, you have your thing, I have mine.

I do look forward to summer, to being able to have Tess more, to take her to the pool, skating, bowling and maybe a trip to the Laura Ingalls Wilder museum. That would be incredible.

That is a trip my mother always wanted to take, so me taking Tessa would be honoring her memory. Then maybe a side trip to Silver Dollar City, how fun would that be! I’ll have to map it out and see how far it is and see if there are hotels near these places.

I know there is around Silver Dollar City, the other is in question.

TTFN, see ya soon, and remember keep lookin’ up, cause that’s where it all is! (Yes a Kidd Kraddick quote to end this)

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United We Stand

So much horror in the world, brutal, horrible, terrible things happening and yet people still find time to be petty, small minded and mean-spirited. It’s horrifying really, the small things that I witness, women who can’t seem to understand that they should find a man that is free and clear instead of choosing ones that are taken.

Backbiting, backstabbing, being just ugly towards one another, it is rampant, only we can turn the tide. Politicians can’t do it, world leaders can’t do it, even church leaders can’t do it, only the people can.

Us, we are the people, we are the ones that can change this world, we don’t have to wait for an election, we don’t have to wait for Jesus to come back. Do we, as Christians, seriously want him to come back and find us like this?

I, myself, have been judged (by me) and the jury has come back and I have been found guilty of doing some of these things. Not the man thing, that is just not coded into my DNA, but the pettiness, the judging people on outward appearances. Judging people on speech patterns, no not speech patterns, that’s wrong, grammar, that one stays. We have all gone to school, we have all had the same elementary to high school opportunities in this country. I will especially judge if you are a college graduate and it will be brutal if you are a teacher and make these common mistakes.

I cannot seem to change that about myself, I believe that is coded into my DNA as well, my mom told me once that during the sermon she would take apart the preachers grammar. She said that she was shocked by the lack of grammatical skills he had. She said she happily did this every Sunday, until one-day God hit her on the head. She realized she was missing what he was saying, she was so busy being judgmental she missed the message.

Man this is a hard one, I so want to be a grammar policewoman, but on the other hand, my mothers lesson stays with me. Am I missing what people are trying to impart by being so judgmental?

Yes, yes I am, it will still bother me, a lot, but I am going to try and look past the grammatical errors and really see and hear what the other person is trying to impart to me. They might have real words of wisdom, God might even be trying to tell me something through someone else, I have been so busy being superior that I have missed it. Shame on me. I should have learned my mothers lesson long ago.

In this world of terror, we seem to live in, let us, the people, really listen to one another, not rhetoric, not double-speak, but each other. We have so much more in common than we do differences. Let’s not be divided as a people by rabble-rousers, let’s not judge on speech patterns, idiosyncrasies or by regional division. Divided we fall, United we stand. The UNITED States of America. That is what we are, as one, as a people, no matter our skin tone, no matter our way of speaking, no matter our accents, no matter our manner of dressing and no matter which part of the country we live in.

United we Stand. So, let’s stop the judging, start the healing and start some conversations about where we want to go as one.

 

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Discombobulated 

The world has collectively lost its mind. Everything is upside down, I feel discombobulated, disheartened and at times disgusted. So I decided I needed something simple, something true and earnest in its belief that America is the best country in the world. 

Yes, I am re-reading the Little House books, for the millionth time. At the same time I’m listening to the BeeGees. It just takes me back to a much simpler time. 

A time before cell phones, Internet, Facebook and insanity. There are times, while reading the series, I wish I had lived in that era. Then Laura talks about bathing once a week and I’m out. Hygiene is important. 

There is one thing that has me, very literally shaking my head. I have seen it several times and this is not the first election I have seen it. 

If you are voting for (fill in the blank) delete me from your friend list. More than once I have seen a person say ok. I admit, out of sheer curiosity I have gone to their friend list. Sure enough, the person that said ok is gone. 

Let me tell you something, if the way I am voting defines our friendship, please feel free to not be my friend. But I have to tell you this, I don’t base my friendships on political affiliations. 

I base friendship on kindness, humor, addictions (coffee, reading and shoes) and other commonalities. Seriously, with the majority of my friends, politics only comes up every four years. And if we don’t agree, well we agree to disagree. 

Also, in this country, my ballot is a secret, my business. Not yours. And yours is not mine. 

I do love a good political debate, however in this climate one cannot be had. 

So, from this point forward, I will refrain from discussing politics with almost everyone. 

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Be a Ruth

So, ok, today on Facebook, I saw a post from a friend asking married men to stop poking her. for those not familiar, it is a feature within Facebook that you can send a virtual poke. Back in the day, like 6, 7 years ago, it was meaningless, now it has taken on a different meaning.

I weighed in with women need to stop as well sending these virtual pokes to married men or men they know are seeing someone.

Now, before I go further, I want you to know my friend, she is a total Ruth, she means it when she says no. she is loyal, loving, kind, beyond beautiful and completely dedicated to the Lord.

I have talked about this before, being a Ruth while waiting on your Boaz, for those of you not familiar with the story, please allow me to direct you to the book Ruth in the Bible.

In case you are wondering were to read this amazing story: http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Ruth-Chapter-1/ you can go here and read the entire book.

Ruth is a wonderful example of how we all should be, loyal, kind, loving and willing to work hard to provide for one’s family. She also shows us that family comes in all forms, her husband dies and instead of going back to her people, as was the custom of that day. Ruth stays with her mother-in-law to make sure she is provided for; in fact, she follows her to her homeland. She goes to work in the fields to make sure they both have enough to eat.

Which is where Boaz notices her, he doesn’t notice her beauty, he notices her hard work and asks about her. Why is she working so hard, who is she providing for? When he finds out it is her mother-in-law and she is widowed he is intrigued.

What kind of woman does this? When she could have gone back to her own people, she would have been provided for, instead, she works in the field.

It’s an amazing story, most people read it as Boaz is the hero of that story, rescuing Ruth and Naomi, but really, Ruth is the hero. With hard work, perseverance and loyalty, she carves a life out for her and her mother-in-law. Unheard of in that day and age, unheard of now.

I believe the book of Ruth is a blueprint on how women should behave towards one another, we should be looking out for each other. Helping one another, not trying to take married men, or engaged men or even men who are dating another woman.

In all honesty I pity women who behave this way, they will never know the true kinship of womanhood.

We are all here together, behaving like a Ruth transcends just the aspect of men and women, it is the way we should treat everyone.

Unkindness is becoming a way of life in the world, not just the country, the world, Christians and Jews are under attack, being beheaded and it is still not being addressed. I am shocked and saddened with all of that going on, women still can’t get their acts together.

Just stop, stop encouraging the contact with the taken men, as soon as you find out there is someone at home waiting for them. Step away. Walk away. Run away.

Be faithful to not only other women, but to yourself, hold yourself higher, look to Ruth for a code of behavior that never goes out of style.

With those words I will leave you with an old segment of a radio show that doesn’t’ exist anymore.

http://www.convosate.com/2013/04/conversations-saturday-april-13th-2013/

Go in peace, remember, give a hand up to others, not a boot in the face.

 

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Saying Goodbye

Nancy Reagan will be laid to rest today next to her beloved husband President Ronald Reagan. Hearing of her passing hit me hard, I loved Ronald Reagan, that is no secret, I think he was a great American, an excellent president (although who wouldn’t have shined after the disaster that was Jimmy Carter) and together they were an amazing example of romantic love.

Ronald and Nancy Reagan reminded me of my parents in so many ways, they were happiest when they were together. They made each other laugh, they protected each other and they were perfectly happy alone.

When President Reagan died I watched his funeral and sat on the floor and bawled (no, not cried, yes, bawled) like a big fat baby. I was a blubbering mess, what pushed me over the edge was watching Nancy Reagan at his casket not wanting to leave him. She was genuinely bereft and the pain in her eyes was palpable.

I saw the same look in my mothers’ eyes 11 years before, when my dad passed away. The same pain, the same intense longing to go where he was.

My heart broke into a thousand pieces for her, not only for that moment but for the years leading to his death.

Alzheimer’s is not an easy disease to live with and I believe it is even harder on the caregivers. You have to watch your loved one sink slowly into an abyss where you cannot follow. She lost him a lot sooner than his physical body gave out, she never lost his soul.

When my mother was lucid she would tell me she wanted to go home and be with her daddio (her nickname for my dad). I knew what she meant, she wanted to go to heaven, home is our word for heaven. We don’t speak of death we speak of going home.

Nancy Reagan is finally home, with her beloved Ronald, what a great day it is for her. What a sad day for us, we have lost an icon of a generation that loved with their whole heart, that believed in the greatness of America and believed we truly are the greatest place in the entire world.

We lost someone that showed us what true love really looks like, although I had that example in my home, others were not so lucky. The Reagans showed us by example what loyalty looks like.

I am sad today with the laying of rest to a great woman, a great American and an excellent example of class, loyalty and perseverance.

 

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Election Rant

I make a really great cup of coffee, I use local honey, Nature Nate’s to be exact, organic cinnamon, coconut milk, the real stuff in the can that you buy in the Asian aisle at the grocery store, heated and foamy. First you put in the honey and cinnamon then the coffee, then the coconut milk. I have this on weekends, since I have stopped daily coffee I get to really feel the effect of the caffeine. I tell you all this to let you know it is Saturday, I have had and am having my incredible coffee and I must get something off of my chest. You are in for a rare, caffeine induced, old-fashioned Angie Rant. Buckle up.

This election, we are not even at the actual election yet and it is so nasty and so brutal to watch, there was only one true adult in the whole mix and he has suspended his campaign. Yes, that would be Dr. Ben Carson, the one true mature, grown up in the whole bunch. I am talking about both sides, Republican and Democrat.

This past week Mitt Romney came out of wherever he has been (do we care?) to spew vitriol at Donald Trump. Interesting, because in 2012 he was praising Donald Trump, so which is it Mitt?

And another thing, where was that passion during the 2012 elections? With that kind of passion and hard hitting speech you might have actually won.

You need to simply stop, you are no longer relevant and all you have done is fuel Donald Trump’s supporters. No matter what people sling at him, he is coming out on top, and I have seriously never seen anything like this. Ever.

Here is a man who is just simply spouting rhetoric, and not very good rhetoric, but people are flocking to him. I can tell you why, you might not like it, but here goes

He thinks it, he says it, it is the way of his people, why do I know this, because I think it, I say it, it is the way of my people. Not that I am claiming we have the same people, we do not, but the things he is saying, the way he is just saying whatever pops into his head with no filter, well, in all honesty, it is refreshing.

We know what he is thinking, he says it, and he is saying what a lot of Americans are thinking. We are exhausted by politics as usual, it is a corrupt system in Washington and the people are tired. We are tired of funding it, we are tired of paying for illegal immigrants to have medical, educational opportunities and living expenses. Especially when we see the people of our country that actually deserve these benefits hurting. I am talking about veterans, the ones who go out and pledge to keep us safe, they fight for us, literally, physically, giving it their all. They come home to nothing, to a VA system that is broken, to waiting for much needed medical help, mental help and basic needs help.

Before you jump on top of me, I am not a Donald Trump supporter, even though he says what he thinks, he has no actual plan to fix these issues. But I will also say this, if it comes down to a match between him and Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders, he has my vote.

The Republican party needs to get its act together, quit bad mouthing Donald Trump, just stop, put your heads together and figure out how to best work towards a common goal. Fixing systems that are broke, stop the bleeding of our money out of Washington.

We gave you the Senate!! We handed it to you, the Speaker of the House is a Republican and you have all betrayed us. That is how we see it, so when someone goes to the microphone and says he wants to protect us, to take care of our veterans, people are flocking.

I have actually paid attention, I have seen a few of his rallies, not in person, but on the internet and television. I look at the audience, it is mostly vets, have you noticed that Republican party?

The in fighting makes us all look bad, I am going to tell you something right here and now, you need to stop treating Donald Trump like a joke. That was your first mistake when he announced he was running. The GOP treated him like a joke, huge mistake, you said he was a reality TV star, another mistake.

The Donald (as he was really known in the 80’s and 90’s) was a real estate mogul, a best selling author, you should have read The Art of the Deal before ever attacking him. You would have learned a lot about your opponent, and I believe your strategy would be different.

Rubio, too little too late, you are behaving like a little boy, the whole small hands thing, juvenile at best. There was nothing but yelling on that last debate, have a real debate, get rid of Megyn Kelly, she is not a moderator, she is a rabble rouser.

Ted Cruz, he still just looks smarmy to me, however, I have seen videos of him speaking one on one to people and he is engaging and says intelligent things. The video of him dancing with his daughter, well, I don’t know if that was contrived or not, but the look of complete love when he looks at her, that was very real.

I have always loved the presidential elections, but no more, and it didn’t start with this one, it started in 2008, I am just disgusted by it all now.

Voting has always been special to me, I still remember the very first election I got to vote in, I did my research, no one influenced me, not family, not friends. I made up my own mind, I went to my polling place (the fire station in Owasso) and I cast my ballot. I felt pride, I felt patriotism, I felt American.

It is no secret I loved Ronald Regan, I still believe he was the best President of my life time, during his exit speech I couldn’t even speak I was crying so hard. I called my mom, I don’t think she knew it was me at first, then when she realized who it was she simply said “exit speech?”

I managed to say yes, she said “I know exactly how you feel Roosevelt was my first and I bawled like a baby when he left office.”

I want to take pride in my voting again, I want to go to my poling place and cast my ballot and feel patriotism, feel American.

 

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Read at Your Own Risk

There are so many things running around in my head right now, it’s been difficult to get them to become cohesive thoughts. But, I thought I would give it a go. Oh, I must preface this with, this is my world and these are my opinions.

This presidential election has me at times angry, bemused, amused but mostly disgusted, disgusted not only with the candidates but with people as well. The internet provides us with a window into other peoples’ thoughts, it seems a lot of people can’t keep their thoughts in their heads. So, here are my thoughts:

Free education, let’s tackle that one, first off, we do have free education, kindergarten through 12th grade and in a lot of places Pre-K is also free. So building on the fact that we do have free education in the childhood stage say we, the United States of America decides to give away free college education as well. What will the criteria be? You can’t just say everyone goes for free, can you?

Here is my solution, and I have given this some thought, this is not coming off the top of my head. For this example of how I believe a “free” college education should work we are talking an average student. This mean takes out the student who has learning disabilities, just for this thought, so please, no comments about how I am not taking that into account. We are just working on a premise of the average student, with no learning disabilities.

You have been given thirteen years of free education, if you took advantage of that and kept your GPA at 3.5 and higher, welcome to higher education.

But here’s the catch, you have to work for it, there are plenty of jobs on campus, this is a higher education, you have to want it. So there will be no beer pong parties, my tax dollars will not pay for that. There are plenty of jobs on campus you can do while earning your education. Work in the library, the book store, the cafeteria, janitorial, maintenance and lawn care. It is very feasible to work while obtaining an education.

I, in fact, worked three jobs, was a single mom to three children and went to school full time. It can be done; you are not free from work just because you have decided to take advantage of “free” college.

The students who did not take advantage of their free 13 years of schooling will have to pay for any higher education. You can still apply for grants, scholarships or beg your parents for money. Do away with student loans, there seems to be some contention regarding these, don’t take a loan out to go to school, especially if you are getting a liberal arts degree. You will never, ever, find a job that will pay you enough to pay that debt off.

My advice is take advantage of the first 13 years of truly free education you are being offered. I have seen some college graduates posting on Facebook, Twitter and even blogs. I am horrified by their lack of basic knowledge of grammar. Of the English language, it is truly horrifying what our higher institutions of learning are churning out.

I read a blog a few weeks ago written by a teacher, a teacher, let that soak in, yes I said it twice on purpose. It was filled with grammatical errors, I just sat here, in my chair, shaking my head.

Ok, education issue resolved.

Next issue, illegal immigrants, wait, ILLEGAL immigrants, I want no doubt in anyone’s mind as to the subject matter.

I do not believe people should be allowed to come here illegally, and then given free stuff, education, medical, food and housing. This is insanity, we have citizens who need these things and we are giving them to people who don’t obey our laws? Before you start finger pointing and saying oh a Trump lover, I fully believe he would be a disaster as our president.

However, he’s not wrong about a few things and the media is completely biased against him and does in fact twist his words. He said ILLEGAL immigrants need to be sent back home, 100% I agree, come here the right way.

Before you say oh the Pope says that’s not Christian, seriously I don’t see the Vatican taking in ILLEGAL immigrants, Italy punishes people for crossing their borders illegally. There’s no welcome wagon rolled out for them and let me tell you what the BIBLE says about obeying the laws of the land:

 

Romans 13:1-7 ESV

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authority’s resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore, one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. …

Romans 13:1 ESV

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

1 Peter 2:13-17 ESV

Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Romans 13:2 ESV

Therefore, whoever resists the authority’s resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

 

Obey the laws of the land, come here the right way, I live with a LEGAL immigrant, who came here the right way and as a matter of fact has to renew his green card after so many years. Not going to lie, I can’t remember how often he has to do that, but he does it. He works, he pays taxes, pays for his own healthcare, the unmitigated gall we have as citizens to demand people come here the right way.

Ok, next subject:

Refugees

We couldn’t even properly screen a woman coming here on a fiancé visa, she gave an address that simply doesn’t exist. She had Facebook posts before she came here regarding her allegiance to ISIS. Seriously? If we can’t properly vet someone like that, who came through our airports, went through customs, had all the paperwork. How on earth are we supposed to be able to properly vet people who have no paperwork? Stop, just stop, look at what is happening in Europe, Germany is a mess because of this. They are telling their women not to leave their homes without an escort, are you kidding me? They are not safe in their own country, and you want to flood our country with the same?

No, just stop, step back, get a better system in place, our own government tells us that they cannot properly vet the refugees. So just stop.

I still don’t know who I will be voting for on Tuesday in the primaries, I just know it will not be a crazy old man that wants to take my money, a woman who is a criminal, in my opinion, nor will it be for a man who would be a disaster. I seriously love Dr. Ben Carson, but in reality I know he doesn’t stand a snowballs chance in this thing.

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Romance Foy and Odela Style

With today being Valentines Day I feel the need to talk about the most romantic couple I have ever known in my entire life. My mom and dad, Foy and Odela, true love that lasted a lifetime and left a legacy of love that is still on going today.

Since I didn’t know them when they were just married or even when they were a young couple raising children all I can tell is what I witnessed when they were older.

The first legacy is well me, they didn’t have to take me in, let alone adopt me, teach me what real love is, lasting love. It is unselfish in nature, always putting others in the household before yourself. It was incredible to witness firsthand, I can tell you that, every day of my life I think of them and try my very best to live up to the lessons I learned by simply watching them.

You know what, I am going to tell you about a typical day in their life, not a special day, just an ordinary one.

It began with waking up, very important, as some people don’t, they recognized this and the very first thing they did every morning was give thanks to God. Together.

Next was breakfast together, again, giving thanks that food was on their table, as they had lived through a time that was not always the case.

Next was doing the dishes after breakfast, once again done together, there was no mechanical dishwasher, it was done by hand. The two of them standing side by side, cracking jokes, laughing as one washed and one dried and put away.

Next was daily chores, my dad dusted and vacuumed, my mom cleaned the bathrooms and did laundry. All the while joking as they went along, grateful they had a floor to clean and indoor bathrooms.

Sometimes it was a trip to town, which would include the both of them, when one had to leave to do an errand without the other, they would kiss like they were never going to see each other again.

Lunch was their main meal of the day, once again, giving thanks for all God had provided, there was never a lag in the conversation. One would think after all that time together they would have run out of things to say, but no, they still chatted and flirted like they had just gotten married the week before.

Dinner was simply bran cereal and a piece of fruit, then it was the news and Wheel of Fortune, what came after that was simply the most romantic thing I have ever witnessed in my entire life.

The would take their bibles out and read out loud to one another, not random passages, they had it all planned out. Every year they would read the bible through, and they would choose a different plan every year to do that. Then they followed through with their plan.

Reading to one another out loud every evening, sitting side by side in their recliner sofa, sometimes with the dog between them. More times than not, holding hands while doing this simple, soul bonding, activity.

On Valentines Day my dad would get my mom a beautiful flower, hardly ever a rose, it was something usually hand picked by Scotty, the owner of the flower shop my dad knew. Of course a card and box of candy.

He never forgot me on that day, he and my mom would get me a card and a box of candy as well.

Witnessing the love these two shared, the quiet, romantic, silly, fun and enduring love has shaped how I look at love and romance.

I hope everyone out there can find the kind of love my parents had, however, I do believe it was a once in a generation type of romance.

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My Birthday Week

So, it’s been my Birthday Week this past week and has it been full! It started off with a wonderful massage at Quantum Body Massage and Wellness on Monday, this was actually a Christmas present from the Irishman. I just now was getting to use it; best massage I have ever had! I highly recommend this place, she is an older woman, maybe late 50’s early 60’s, not chatty, and listened when I told her what I do for a living and she got all of the spots! Amazing!

Same day I got to pick up Brooklyn from school, had a short conversation with her and dropped her off.

Then Tuesday went to Sherman to see Jeffrey (oil change, but any excuse to see my son) then Bonham to see Elizabeth Anne. That trip included seeing her new birds, she has a new best friend, an African Goose named Petrie. He’s hysterical, I think he was trying to tell me that she was his and not to get too close.

Then on my actual Birthday, I was able to have a fantastic visit with my good friend Wanda, a 3-minute conversation with Brandon then a 45-minute conversation with Brooklyn. She is much more chatty on the phone than he is. And I managed during that call to get a text from Stacy saying you told Brooklyn to tell me to take her to Petsmart? I can see my phone privileges may get revoked. Then dinner at Abuelos with the Irishman, it was a good evening.

I received phone calls, texts and many well wishes on Facebook, I am extremely humbled that people took time out of their busy lives to tell me happy Birthday.

Thursday was lunch with Alex, always a good time, I love our conversations. Then I got to pick up Tessa from school. Dinner with Jeffrey and Tessa, plus I got two kettlebells, a 20 pound and a 40 pound! I came home and immediately began doing squats with the 40 pound one!

Friday was spent at Tessa’s school for her Valentines party, so much fun! She was so happy that I got to be there. Which made me happy.

The evening was topped off with a movie with the Irishman, The Deadpool, such a great movie!

It was funny, irreverent, tongue-in-cheek, completely enjoyable and can I be honest here? It was great to see a comic book movie with no children in the theater. This is an adult movie, Rated R for a reason! And it was glorious! Ryan Reynolds was completely in his element in this role. I hope to see many more sequels in his future.

Today is Saturday, I have nothing planned for today, tomorrow is shopping and hopefully lunch with Elizabeth Anne and Stacy. Which will be fun.

Oh and The Walking Dead is new tomorrow night! A great ending to my birthday week!

 

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Thank You

I have something I want to say to someone and every time I sit down to write it, it comes out like an eulogy, and it isn’t one, not by a long shot.

I just want this person to know what they have meant to me and how they have affected my life and the lives of my children. So, I am just going to write a letter to him to let him know.

Reno,

From the very first time I met you when I was 18 you have never spoken down to me. You didn’t treat me like a kid, you treated me like an adult. I can’t begin to count how many times you came to the house, after I married your son, to help fix things or get things ready for our first child.

You did it all with a ready smile and with laughter in your voice. When you stayed with us while you were working in Tulsa while living in Texas, you introduced me to chocolate malts made with chocolate ice cream and chocolate malted. Pure, old fashioned heaven.

When your son and I divorced you still treated me with respect, when you would see me you would hug me and tell me you missed me.

You never once spoke down to me, or treated me like I was less than just because your son and I decided we would be better parents apart than together.

With my dad passing away when my children were very young you became their only grandpa. I don’t know if you really realize how much they love you and look up to you.

No matter what they were going through you never made them feel bad, you were there to simply listen and offer your wisdom. Never judging, just being their grandpa Reno, and you have been amazing at that job.

I could never have asked for a better man for the job than you, I see parts of you in each one of them. Especially your humor, they all seem to have gotten a triple dose of humor, I like to take credit for part of it.

I just wanted to take a moment to let you know that what you have done and the way you have treated me have not gone unnoticed.

I think we all do a fabulous job at being exes, ex-in-laws, ex-spouses it doesn’t matter when it comes to family and being there for the children, grandchildren and a great grand. You are incredible at putting everyone at ease and bringing a sense of fun to gatherings.

Even my fiancé, when going to Tessa’s birthday party this year asked if you were going to be there, because he really likes you.

Thank you is all I really have, and it doesn’t seem to be enough.