He is a snowboarder dude and he took Little Billy under his wing and taught him a thing or two about snowboarding.
At one point during our Utah trip, Little Billy asked Matt, "Why would you do that?" in reaction to Matt's admittance that he once broke his collar bone while boulder jumping with his friends.
Matt's nonchalant response was ... "Dude ... sometimes you've just gotta live life!"
And so ...
While in Utah ...
That became our motto.
The motto of the On The Upside family.
The motto Matt lives by.
The motto Little Billy took seriously.
And the one that Alexis is already very familiar with.
"LIVE LIFE!" Courtney.
"Have fun, Tom --- but, don't hurt my baby girl with that snowball!"
"Or ... she WILL get you back!"
Don't forget to take a few moments out of all the life livin' ... to LOVE a little too!
And ... make sure to take a few pictures of old moms sledding down very scary hills.
And photos of dads ... looking capable and young again.
And little boys ... that live life pushing caution aside to fly down hills with as much speed as the wind and ice will offer.
Make time to rest weary bodies tolive life in beautiful Utah hot springs with family and friends.
Smile.
And, laugh!
And be ... adorable.
And ... lovable!
Don't hide your eyes or your hearts ...
There is much to do ...
And, there is lots to see ...
When you live by the motto ...
"Hey, Dude ... Sometimes you've just gotta live life!"
*******
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOURS! I HOPE THAT 2009 BRINGS YOU LOTS OF LOVE AND HAPPINESS!
I sat down one morning in the bathroom on the small bench in front of my mirrored vanity. The vanity I inherited from my grandfather when he died in 2003. It was given to me by my father, along with the four poster bed, tall dresser and night stand that were all part of the same set. The furniture that had inhabited my dear grandfather's bedroom for as far back as I can remember.
As I sat there, applying make-up and blow drying my hair - I heard Matt Lauer's voice on the TV in my bedroom. He was interviewing Franklin Graham (Billy Graham's son) via telephone. I did not catch the entire conversation, but I did hear the part where Mr. Graham said, "My father tells how he has never had a fear of death - how he has been preparing his entire life for dieing and going on to live eternity with the Lord. But ... he does say that he had never truly prepared himself for aging and it has been difficult," (something along those lines).
My grandfather (my father's father), lived to the age of 102. In those final months of his life, I remember talking to my mother and saying, "What must it feel like to be at the very end of your life - and KNOW it? Know that you have - in his case - only months or weeks or hours - or minutes - left to live?"
My grandfather was one of those people that enjoyed life and lived his whole life in motion. When I was in his presence, I was acutely aware of his motions and actions and words. I was aware of how invested he was in his life through his mood, his tones and his gestures. He was a man of few complaints - while I imagine he had a few - he never wasted time in dwelling on the obstacles or barriers or problems. He moved through and around and over and beyond the problems in his life with the exact same grace and enthusiasm as he navigated the joyful and positive events.
Sometimes ... when I sit at my grandfather's vanity - the one now painted with a bright coat of white paint - I sometimes see myself in the mirror and imagine that I am a proud reflection of him. And then other times ... I see in the mirror a person that lives a life that does not reflect him at all, but ... a person who often allows her life to overwhelm her and has a life that she allows to dictate or determine its own direction.
My grandfather was a man that lived his life and not a man that allowed his life ... to dictate to him how to live. It was evident that he knew the difference and also evident that he chose the difference.
When I was a little girl, I spent many a summer at my grandfather's farm in West Virginia. In my mind I still go there to sit on the swing on the front porch of the old farm house. I listen to hear my grandfather's voice. I watch to see where he is - up in the pasture, down in the feed barn ... high on the hill. I wander the paths and fields and feel the breeze as it sweeps over the mountains and finds its way to me in the valley below the barn. I hear the trickling of the mountain streams and I play with the kittens. I climb the ladder to the hay loft in the barn and make my way through the bails of hay. I stand by the window.
This was my grandfather's world - this farm - this place. I loved it for its beauty and its worth, but most of all I loved it ... because it represented to me the life that he lived. It was the place that is filled with memories of seeing a man that was not afraid to callus his hands from years of hard work or ... take time out to enjoy the simple pleasure of searching out and picking blackberries with his grandchildren.
When I need reminded - to remember to try to live my life and stop letting my life lead me - I sometimes go to the mountains of West Virginia and I climb the ladder to that hay loft. I walk over to the window and I lean way out.
It is here ... through this window that I know ... I will remember to ... see the world.
I feel lucky to have this place and these fond memories to lean on. I also feel fortunate to own this old vanity that was my grandfathers, as it is a constant reminder of a man that I loved very much.
Every morning I sit in front of these old mirrors - it is how I start nearly every single day of my life. If I could see my grandfather's image in the mirror and if he could whisper words of guidance and wisdom, I know what he would say to me. He would say ... "Now, go on, Kellan. Go on with your day. And don't forget to live ... every single moment of your life."
I know - I've been writing here On The Upside and over there On The Flipside and even more on mySA ... but, it's not the writing I speak of?
I do love all of this writing.
It is fun!
It does take a lot of thought and words and sentences and paragraphs and grammar and punctuation marks!
I have invested so much time and effort into blogging - I love to write and it has given me a place to stretch my creativity and explore lots of different ways to write about motherhood - about my kids - about my family.
But ...
It is not the sort of writing I did before I started blogging. It is non-fiction and it is non-fiction story-telling. I have loved it and would never give it up, but ...
I am writing again!
Fiction.
Another novel.
Yes - I have written several novels. None of which are good enough to publish, but I have been inspired and so ...
I am writing again!
If I had invested all the time and energy and words I have invested in writing and publishing all of my blog posts - I suppose I could have written at least 2 novels by now. Not that I would trade that time and energy spent blogging - in creating and taking care of my blogs - I wouldn't. But ... I think I have it in me - a novel. A really good novel. So ...
I am writing again!
I know ... this is awfully presumptuous of me - me thinking I could ever possibly write a novel. Well ... I've written several (3 to be exact) novels - so I know I can do it. Now ... all I have to do is write one worth publishing. That's my goal. Right here, in the middle of my life, when I have more on my plate than any human being could possibly manage realistically and successfully ...
I am writing AGAIN!
So, you might ask, where did all this sudden burst of energy come from? Why now? What has triggered this sudden urge to write again? Well ...
I read a blog post on one of my favorite blogs recently that inspired me in such a way that after I read it I went straight to my desk, sat down, started organizing my thoughts over several days and, well ... I am into Chapter 2 and ...
I am WRITING AGAIN!
I have not written anything (aside from blog posts) in over a year. I haven't had the time, really, nor the desire. I guess it is because blogging has given me so much satisfaction and the writing has been so fun and productive that I haven't had time to think about fiction or consider taking the time to write anything.
My family will continue to come first ...
I will do my best to keep up with all of my responsibilities ...
I will continue to write and keep up with my blogs (and ENJOY it) ...
I am completely certain that I am going to be hard to live with ... because ...
I AM WRITING AGAIN!!!
From the blog post that so inspired me, "There will be a last time. Nothing lasts. Each and every time is propped against the last time. The present is made of all gone things."
Black Hockey Jesus (the writer of the wonderful post: Last) inspired me with not only his writing, but his words. He writes brilliantly (go on - go over to his blog, The Wind In Your Vagina, and read some of his great stories) and so often, when I read a great post that someone has written (and I've read hundreds that are truly great!) - like this one he wrote - I am inspired. And this post - this writer - just happened to trigger that thing in me that said - You need to write - get on with it - before it is too late.
So ... last Friday (for Photo Story Friday), I introduced you to Alexis' friend, Sally. I followed her through her day - took photos, and told you the story of "Sally's Busy Day". Some people said they would like to see Sally again and we might just see her again soon, but ... this week, we are going to meet another one of Alexis' friends for a Photo Story Friday interview.
Interview With A Flat Girl
"It's very nice to meet you ... Flatsie."
"Thanks. I'm so flattered you picked me to interview."
"Is Flatsie your real name - or is it a nick-name?"
"It's my real name. I was named after my Aunt Flatsie, on my mother's side. My brother - his name is Flatten. My sister - her name is Flattest. My daddy - his name is Flatter and my mother - her name is Flattey. We're all flat. I'm the youngest in the Flat family."
"And ... where are you from, Flatsie? Where do you live?
"Well ... in Flat, Texas - of course."
"Is there really a place - Flat, Texas?"
"You've never heard of Flat, Texas? It's about 38 miles southwest of Waco. It's where all us Flats live."
"Is that your last name - Flat?"
"Yes - Flatsie Flat, of the Flatter Flats from Flat, Texas."
"And ... do you live there with your family?"
"Oh, yes. We live in a flat just above the filling station, across the street from the Flat Feed & Seed."
"Your hair is beautiful, Flatsie. Do you do it yourself?
"Thanks. Yes, I do. First I flatten it with the flat iron ..."
"Then I braid it. This is how I always fix my hair."
"What do you like to do in your spare time, Flatsie?"
"Well ... I like to watch a lot of TV on our wall mounted flat screen. And, I like to go to concerts. Last weekend I went to Waco with some friends from Flat, to see Rascal Flatts."
"So, you went to Waco. Do you travel a lot?"
"Not much. I don't want to travel too far - and risk falling off the edge of the earth. It's flat, you know?"
"Those are lovely shoes, Flatsey. Do you like shoes?"
"Boy - do I! These are the only pair of heels I own, though. Being as I am so flat - I usually wear - flats. I have lots of flats."
"What is your favorite food?
"I'd have to say ... flat bread. My grandma Flat makes the best flat bread in all of Flat!"
"Thanks so much for the interview, Flatsie. I'll walk you to your scooter."
"Oh My! I have a flat tire!"
"And ... wouldn't you know ... I left my tire jack back at my flat in Flat and ... all I've got is a flat-head screwdriver here in my scooter trunk."
"I could give you a ride - if you'd like."
"No - that's okay. I'll just call my brother, Flatten - he'll come right over here and fix it in nothin' flat. He's an expert at fixin' flats."
"What on earth happened? Why are you lying on the ground, Flatsie?"
"Oh ... I'm okay. The wind just blew me over - flat to the ground. That happens sometimes. I'll just lie here flat on my back and rest a while until Flatten comes to fix this flat."
And, there you have it. An exclusive interview with Flatsey Flat, from Flat, Texas. I believe we all now know as much as we ever wanted to know about a ... flat girl.
*Note: This was my doll when I was little. She is at least 40 years old. I believe her name was Flatsie - at least that is what I always called her. These were very popular for a while - these little flat dolls. They came with all sorts of "flat" accessories - so cute (I still have her flat baby carriage - but no flat baby ?). I think they need to bring these little dolls back. The doll is only about 3" tall - not very big and ... she does look a lot like Paris Hilton - doesn't she?! Maybe she'll come back as Paris in a future PSF - that might be fun.
I am a planner. I am an organizer. I am a control freak (there, I said it).
I knew I had to go to the dentist, Thursday, October 25, 2007 at 10:00 a.m., since way back in September. It was on three different calendars. I have been keeping a mental note (other control freaks know this technique) of this appointment for, oh... six weeks. In other words, I knew this appointment was coming.
So ... this morning, I get up and get dressed (another upcoming post under the title, I'm Too Sexy For These Shoes). I do a few morning chores (wash dishes, make a few beds, put in a load of laundry) - piddle around on the computer a bit, get some coffee, feed the cats and dogs, water a few plants ... and then ... RAN AS FAST AS I COULD TO MY CAR ... BECAUSE I'M ABSOLUTELY GOING TO BE LATE FOR THIS DENTIST A.P.P.O.I.N.T.M.E.N.T!!!!
I get in my car and pray the prayer I always pray, "Please let there be gas in my car. Please let there be gas in my car. Plleeeaassse let there be gas in my car," and ... like every single time before that I have prayed this prayer ... there was no gas in my car (*pathetic sigh - slump down in seat*). I was sitting on the BIG "E" and ...
it was 9:57 a.m!
And this would all be okay ... if my appointment were, say ... just down the street. But, noooo ... I know it is going to take me at least fifteen minutes to reach the dentists' office and that is only if I don't run into any traffic and if ... I had gas in my car (*sigh*).
I am a planner.
I am an organizer.
I am a CONTROL FREAK!
But ... I can't get anywhere on time!
Because ... I am also a doddler (those who waste time). I doddle. I'm a doddler that ... likes to LIVE ON THE EDGE.
I like to see just how far that car will go before it will actually run out of gas (hasn't happened yet) - because that's just the way I am ... I like to LIVE ON THE EDGE.
I like to see if can actually make that trip that would take twenty minutes - in three minutes ... because that's just the way I am ... I like to LIVE ON THE EDGE.
I didn't stop for gas - too frightened I'd have been even more late (*lowers head pathetically*).
I was very late (*sigh of humiliation*).
On the upside ... I made it all the way there running merely on fumes. One day I am going to run out of gas (the odds are leaning heavily towards this happening) and when my husband has to come to help me and he asks, "Hon, why didn't you put gas in your car?" I will simply say, "Because that's just the way I am ... I like to LIVE ON THE EDGE."
*Note: All that dust on my dash, in that clock picture ... is really there on the clock, on the dash of my car. I guess I need to doddle out there sometime with my trusty Swiffer Duster and dust all that dust off.
"Mom - how long do you plan to live?" Little Billy is sitting behind me in his seat in the van.
"Oh, I hope I live to at least 80," I answer quickly.
"That's all?" he is surprised. "I have 89 years still. I'm going to live to 100 years old."
"Well, I hope you do, Sweetie," I look at my darling son in the rear view mirror. "But ... make sure you never blink," I say, and giggle.
"Why?" he is confused.
"Because it passes by in a flash. It seems like a long time, but it will be over before you know it and you don't want to miss a thing. Don't blink."
There is this Bar-B-Q place near my house that is known for its delicious barbecued beef brisket and ribs. I love the brisket and smoked turkey the best. But, my favorite thing about this place is its yummy creamed corn.
My sister sometimes teases me about my love of food. She thinks I obsess over food and I think she is probably right. It's not that I eat all the time or gorge myself at family gatherings - it's just obvious to her that I take tremendous delight in delicious foods. It's true - when I find a food that I just love, I think about that food a lot. I crave it and make time in my life to search it out and enjoy it - over and over again.
Imagine all the foods in the world that we will never try in our lifetime. It is something not many people think of or even care about, I am sure. But ... it is one of those things that, if we had the opportunity, might enrich our lives in ways we might never imagine.
This is true of all of life's experiences. Unless we take the time to truly see the opportunities that cross our paths and stop and taste the deliciousness of the moment - we might never experience the details of life. Meet the people that can change our destiny. Hear the words that might alter our perceptions.
When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a Mack truck driver when I grew up. I wanted a beautiful, red Mack truck. Somewhere along the path of my life, I changed my mind about joining the trucking union and pursuing a life as a truck driver. I can't tell you the exact moment or the words, but ... something happened that altered my decision. Life has a way of doing that to us - placing people in our paths or thoughts in our minds that form our beliefs and desires and interpretations. It might be something truly magnificent that will alter our course, or it might be something subtle - like creamed corn.
I went to drop Alexis off at choir practice a few weeks ago - it was beginning to rain. After leaving her at the church and driving away, I noticed a nicely dressed woman standing at the bus stop near the church. In the sky above our heads, the clouds were dark and ominous. I could see the rain coming.
I drove past the woman thinking about how wet she was going to get - standing there on the sidewalk in her nice clothes and shoes. I became worried for her. Sad for her.
I turned the corner at the stop light and then made the quick decision to turn again back into the church parking lot. I drove near the woman standing at the bus stop, rolled my passenger side window down and gestured for her to come over. When she approached the car, I reached over and handed her an umbrella I had stashed in the pocket of my door. "Here - take this umbrella," I insisted, "You are going to get soaked."
The woman smiled and thanked me. She went on, maybe too long, about how generous I was to take the time to stop and help her. I drove off and as I turned onto the street and headed towards my house, the sky opened up and the rain poured down.
I don't know if this one event affected this woman's life in any significant way - maybe it did - maybe it did not. What I do know is how this event affected mine. I was the person that crossed this woman's path on this one day, and she mine and ... when I stopped my life for just one moment, to see her ... I was forced to make a decision. The decision I made was - to help her and ... I will always remember that red umbrella and the smile it put on a stranger's face.
I have lots of umbrellas.
That creamed corn that I love is not significant in the scheme of things, but ... it makes me happy when I eat it. It's sweet and smooth. It's especially delicious and I am affected somehow, every time I enjoy it.
I hope I live to be 80 years old. I hope I never have to be a Mack truck driver to make a living. I hope I am able to enjoy lots of new foods in the course of the rest of my life and ... I hope I remember to stop my life every now and then to acknowledge the people that cross my path. The events that unravel. The words spoken with meaning and especially those uttered quietly.
I need to remember that life is full of opportunity and gifts and I need to remind myself - like I suggested to my little son - to keep my eyes and mind wide open. Keep my vision clear and my awareness sharp and ... not to blink.
If you live in Texas, you might want to go to the Rodeo.
If you are a Texas girl ... you might want to blow dry your hair - curl it - poof it up real big - and spray it with tons of hairspray.
Also ... as a Texas girl ... if you want to fit in at the Rodeo - you might want to wear the biggest, gaudiest earrings and make very sure you wear those gaudy earrings with a shirt that has rhinestones, gems or sequins all over the front. You could wear a cowboy hat, but this would mess up your big hair, so opt for very large sunglasses with rhinestones instead.
When you get to the grounds of the Rodeo, make sure you search out and buy ... cotton candy, a funnel cake, some fudge, some beef jerky, a turkey leg and don't forget a piece of delicious ... roasted corn.
While at the Rodeo - walking the grounds or touring the horse or pig barn, make sure you look around. And don't be looking at the ground for piles of doo-doo -- No ... keep your eyes on the horizon because ... this is where all the good looking men gather - cowboys in every direction - as far as the eye can see!!
If you plan it right, you might buy yourself a ticket for a seat inside the arena ... way down in the front ... right near the COWBOYS ......
That way ... if you tire of watching the bull riding or calf roping (which you will) ... you have something pleasant to look at. This is also as close as you will ever really come ... to a ... REAL. LIVE. COWBOY.
That is ... unless you are me.
And you get to bring one home with you ...
One that often talks sweetly to you, in a slight Texas drawl.
One that looks nice in Wranglers, a crisp western shirt and a Stetson hat.
One that holds you tight on a country dancehall floor as you sway and dance beautifully to a two-step or a waltz.
One that might whisper softly into your ear, "When I was young ... I only ever danced with the girls ... so I could get laid afterwards."
Okay - I watch a lot of entertainment TV. Sometimes I try to call it the News, but friends of mine are quick to point out that "it is not the news".
I don't care - I still watch it.
So ... what do you think about all this stuff going on with Britney Spears and her kids?
I just want to wring her neck. Did you see that "news" piece where she was driving somewhere and the two little boys were in the back seat, with all the cameras flashing - and the two little boys were so scared and they were holding hands? I just want to wring her neck.
I heard some other actress say, "She doesn't have to live in LA. She could take those kids and just go somewhere else and live - away from all the press."
There ya go. It doesn't get any simpler than that! She's got the money to live anywhere. Why doesn't she just take those boys, go to some island, let them swim a little, play in the sand, make some castles, collect some seashells? What is the matter with her brain? And where is her MOTHER!!!!???? Get those kids outta there!
Why isn't there anyone - a cousin - an aunt - Madonna - telling this girl that she is an idiot and she needs to grow up? Why isn't anyone, but Kevin F. fighting for those kids?? All I'd have to do is look at my kids the wrong way, get caught doing so on a Wal-Mart security camera ... and CPS would be at my house taking away my kids.
She doesn't deserve those kids. She should have never had those kids. She was on TV again yesterday, being filmed with no panties on (enough of that already!) and out at 2:30 a.m. partying. She's a mess and someone needs to get her some help! Why does she keep going out (every single day!) and there are those kids in the back seat? I can go DAYS without feeling the need to leave my house and I don't have anyone doing the grocery shopping for me. Where is she always going that is so important? I only ever see her shopping or partying. She needs to stay home or get to work.
If they give her back those kids (while she's still acting like a maniac) - I am going out there to LA and getting them myself! I am!
If you live in Texas - you get used to the warm weather.
If you live in Texas - you get used to the bugs.
Okay - maybe not this bug! I don't even think you can call this a "bug" - I think it is a CREATURE! The thing is over 6" long and CREEP-Y! This one is dead, but imagine seeing one of these creatures crawling along the sidewalk or up the side of your house - eeeeek! I've had people tell me of how they've had these creatures get in their house!!
If you live in Texas - you get used to the lack of defined seasons and do your best to adjust to the cool mornings that require a sweater and then ... the need to shed that sweater to a tank top ... on that same day's afternoon.
We begin to plant our yards in Texas around the end of March or early in April.
We take our ferns out of our green houses and hang them in the trees or place them decoratively by our front doors.
We plant flowers in the ground and in clay pots that we place on our porches and decks.
We clean our flower beds and plant new shrubs and layer on the cedar mulch to hold in the moisture in anticipation of long, hot summer days.
By the time late July comes ...
Some Texans are clearing out summer petunas and impatients and begonias ... that have seen better days and long since withered and dried up under the hot Texas sun and ... bringing in mums of red and purple and gold.
By the time late August arrives ...
I am tired.
I have watered plants in pots and baskets and flower beds ... for MONTHS!
I have transplanted and pruned ...
I have mulched ...
And ...
I might plant a mum or two, but ...
I am ex-hausted and ... just ready to move on.
By the time September comes around ...
I don't water as often as I should - but, I do what I have to to keep my plants alive.
I no longer transplant, but I still pluck off dead leaves.
I seldom fertilize.
By the time October arrives ...
*sigh*
On the upside ... I have 4 children I can barely feed adequately - keep alive! If it is still warm in Texas by the time October gets here - like it is this year ... honestly --- I am wishing - hoping - praying --- the cold weather will sweep in like a mad arctic northern and kill the plants in my yard - dead! Seven months is well past the time I feel obliged or am even capable of keeping any fern or flower alive.
Paul Rowland. A name that strikes reverence from anyone within the modeling industry. Paul is the founder of Women Model Management and Supreme Models, a visionaire extraordinaire, who can single handedly turn the course of the modeling industry at will.
His story is as interesting as are his accomplishments. Having managed some of the biggest names in modeling from Kate Moss to Iris Strubegger his success didn't come by accident, nor did it happen overnight.
Modeling found Paul. Over 20 years ago.
Originally, he came from Arkansas to New York City with the dream to be a painter. He had no close friends, no family, and no job when he arrived to New York. Working part time as a waiter, he was spotted by Click Models, the leading male modeling agency at the time.
In a common move, his agent left Click to start her own agency and Paul left with her. Then one fateful day, the birth of an empire began.
Paul's agent had to leave for Europe and she asked if he would be willing to man the phone. He said yes. Soon, he realized he was good at booking appointments. The businessman in Paul wanted to go where the money was at and when his booker came back from Europe, he asked if he and his partner John Gnerre could start up a womens division for the agency.
She said yes and in an unoccupied corner of the apartment, Paul made a desk from a piece of wood and set it on two sawhorses, set up a phone (there was no call waiting at the time) and got to work. It was 1988.
Two people, two phones, tons of passion and two decades later Paul's empire includes offices in New York, Paris, Milan and hundreds of people on his payroll.
Paul made it clear to me that he really doesn't care what other people think. He must've said this at least two or three times during the course of our brief conversation. While many will claim they don't care what others think, few will actually live it. From the art direction of his personal photography to the girls they choose to bring into their New York office, he will not compromise his artistic integrity for the sake of winning the approval of another.
It's a life lesson we all need to be reminded of from time to time. In an industry where outer beauty is common, people with a great passion like Paul, who have the courage to live life by their own convictions and who live with a sincerity to themself are a rare breed and worth working to follow.
I know I'm following, how about you?
p.s. one question I did ask Paul was, "With print media struggling like it is right now in terms of getting advertising and pages being cut across the board among some of the finest magazines, what impact do you see blogs and the internet having on the modeling industry in the future?" He answered, "….the internet will definitely have a huge impact on magazine sales…but there will always be a place for publishing."
It was about this time, fourteen years ago, that we bought our house.
My mother and I had been out driving, drove by this house with a For Sale sign on it - I called my realtor and asked him to meet us quickly at the house to show it to me. By 6:00 p.m. that evening we had made an offer on the house, contingent on the sale of our other house. One month later, we were moving in.
That afternoon, when my realtor rushed over to show me the house, I entered the property and didn't even have to go inside the house - I knew I wanted to buy it. It had a huge 1 acre yard that was entirely fenced in and I knew this would be the perfect home for our family. My twins were 2 years old at the time.
So ... we bought it and moved in and have lived here ever since.
I have since realized that this is not the house of my dreams, but it has become the house my children have grown up in and it is our home. I think we will live in this house for the rest of our lives.
There are many special things about our house - but, not necessarily special to the naked eye. One of those things is ...
the cowboy ghost ...
that lives in the upstairs hallway leading to our bedrooms.
YES - a ghost!
I had seen the ghost many times, after we first moved in. I would be sitting in our little den area down by our kitchen and every so often - about 2 times a month - I would catch a glimpse of the ghost in the upstairs hallway.
I was always surprised and startled.
I was always confused.
I woud ALWAYS get up and go inspect the hallway and the bathroom - trying desperately to explain what I had seen.
The ghost would move from right to left. From my daughters' bedroom, across the hallway and then into the bathroom - a tall, dark shadow. That's the only time I ever saw him and that's all he ever did - move across the hallway from right to left. I never saw him go back again and I never saw him anywhere else in the house.
I was, however, the only one that ever saw the ghost and I never mentioned that I had seen him to anyone - not even my husband. That is, not until ...
One evening, my mother made the comment, "Did you know that there's a ghost in your upstairs hallway?"
I, of course, perked up to this statement. I did not offer my experiences - I requested that she tell me what she had seen.
She said, "He's tall and he wears black. He wears a hat and a trench coat and boots. He moves across the hallway, from the girls' room over to the bathroom."
She thought she was telling me something I didn't know. I said, "I know - I've seen him too," and went on to explain that she had perfectly described the ghost I had seen many times before.
My mother and I sat there and could not believe that we had, in fact, confirmed our sightings - without even realizing or trying. It was spectacular.
I have gone on to tell people about the ghost, but don't encourage the talk around my smaller children, as when they pick up on the idea, it sort of scares them.
About 8 years after we bought the house, we added on a new master bedroom. We also tore down some walls in our kitchen and den area and renovated our kitchen/dining room/living room area. Since that renovation, and redesigning our den, we no longer have the seating arranged in such a way that you can sit at the bottom of the stairs and look up. Because of this, I have not sighted the ghost in a long time - at least not in the hallway.
When we added the master bedroom and then moved in - I began to sense that the ghost was in our room.
There have been many nights when I will sense that there is someone sitting (I can feel the movement) at the foot of my bed. When this happens, I will bolt up in my bed, expecting to see a cat or one of my children.
There never is.
I am not afraid of our ghost, as he has never done anything other than wander. I believe he is a lost cowboy.
The neighborhood I live in is an area where Indians lived. The name of our neighborhood is named after these Indians. There are caves near our house that have been said to have drawings - left behind by those Indians.
Like I said, I am not afraid. He's a lost cowboy and I am perfectly content letting him live in the upstairs hallway of our house. I'm even okay with him sitting at the foot of my bed watching me sleep.
But ... if he decides to move again - if he gets it in his head to crawl in bed next to me ... he needs to leave his trench coat thrown across the chair and his boots on the floor.
I guess he can leave the hat on.
I'm a sucker for cowboy hats.
(I wrote this post for Suz, over at Busy Bee - she wanted to hear the story.)
Over the course of these 10 months, I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing my life, my children and my stories with many readers.
I have also enjoyed getting to know many wonderful women/moms through my blog.
I have also .... been very fortunate during this time ... to not have received very many negative comments on my posts. I've received a few - but, not many at all.
I did receive one VERY NEGATIVE comment yesterday (Wednesday 6/18/08).
Now ... I would like to just let this comment go and not say anything, but this comment - this person - gives me the opportunity to set a few things straight.
I was a bit angry about this comment.
My anger was not about the honesty - I very much appreciate honesty from my readers.
My anger was not about the words - while some could have been chosen better - I am all about words!
My anger was that ... "This woman doesn't know me. She has no clue what she is talking about. She obviously has not read any of my other posts, or she would not feel free to say such things."
I was frustrated that someone would say something so "mean" based on one post. If she had TRULY read the over 300 posts I have written - I do not feel she could have said these things. This, therefore - made me mad!
I'm not going to try to defend myself in detail against this person's comments - I am only going to say ...
My stories are a mere GLIMPSE into my life - mere moments.
My stories - my blogging - is a way for me to document my children's lives - my life - my family's life and this is a blessing and a gift!
My stories are intended to offer others ... moments where they can laugh or cry - where they can witness or relate to another mother that does not always get everything right and is not ashamed to admit that. A place where they can go daily and find a good story and hopefully leave with a smile on their face.
My blog is a place for me to write my stories - a creative outlet - something I love doing and something that is mine and something that I deserve to indulge in if I care too. It's my blog and I use it to tell stories that I think people will enjoy.
My blog is a HAPPY place - I created it for that purpose - I intended it that way! It is not a place where people come to fight - to knit-pick - to ridicule anybody! It is a HAPPY PLACE! It is not a teaching blog. I am not here to tell anyone how to live their life or impose my opinions or beliefs on anyone. My blog is simply a place for me to tell my stories.
I write about the stuff I do wrong in mothering - a lot! I write about the mistakes I have made. I write about the things my kids say. I write about the things we do in our lives. I write about a lot of things .... and I do all of it with LOVE for my family.
I DO NOT write about all the things I do right in my life - not often anyway, and that is because ---- THAT STUFF IS NOT FUNNY!
It's all pretty simple.
I am proud of my blog.
I am proud of my stories.
I am proud of the type of mother I am and I believe my children would say the same.
I am not going to go on and on defending who I am and all I have done right - while I could do that - I could write a good, LONG list. I'm not going to.
I don't have to.
I know who I am.
I know why I blog.
I believe my stories are a gift, not only to my children and family ---- but to my readers.
I don't think this reader will ever come back to my site - as she stated she wouldn't. But ... if she were to want to come back ... she is always welcome here at On The Upside.
But, beware ...
I will not be changing the way I write ... I will not be changing the way I parent ... I will not be happy if you leave another "mean" comment ...
And ...
By the way ...
Alexis ate Captain Crunch for breakfast again this morning - it was 10:10 A.M. and I actually got my lazy butt up off the chair and went into the kitchen and got her bowl out of the cabinet and I even poured the cereal and splashed on the milk.
You are always welcome here ...
Everyone is welcome here ...
Anyone that enjoys a funny story or a touching story ...
Is welcome here at ...
On The Upside!
But ... keep your MEAN and UNINFORMED comments to yourself or I will DELETE it. As easy as it is for you to say MEAN and UNINFORMED things - it is just as easy to ERASE THEM!
I let you have your say this time. And, I will let others have their say - as long as the comments are not uninformed and mean. I don't do that to anyone else and I won't allow others to do it to me.
Here is the negative comment that was left yesterday:
"seriously, i empathize, but why don't you do something fun with your kids? i see you were nominated for best humor blog but i don't think this is funny.get off your butt and stop living your life on the internet. you have a small banner that says "vote for me" - why don't you stop worrying about the online popularity contest and give your kids a fun summer to remember? best parenting blog? no, it is not. you admit this stuff to make people laugh, but it just makes me sad. when your kids are out of the house you are going to wish you had spent less time blogging and more time with them."
"i'm just reading your comments on this. let's support each other in our "good enough mothering!"this is my first time here, i can't come back. it breaks my heart. good enough mothering? no.i'm not out there planning stuff for my kid for every second of the day, but this is ridiculous." June 18, 2008 8:52 AM
Now ... in true On The Upside fashion ... lets see if we can find an upside anywhere in this mess of words.
"seriously, i empathize, but why don't you do something fun with your kids?" --- I took them to that damn Kung Fu Movie the other night - does that count? DID YOU SEE THAT POST!? And ... I'm at the lake with my kids, as I type this post - need I say more.
"i see you were nominated for best humor blog but i don't think this is funny" ---- That's okay - this is not really my funniest post - I've written far funnier stories before - read one of those.
"get off your butt and stop living your life on the internet" ---- Would it really be possible for me to live my whole life on the internet and raise the 4 wonderful children that I have into the fine people they are becoming? I don't think so! And ... last time I looked - this is MY LIFE and I can live it anyway I see fit for me and for my family. Don't presume that just because I have a "busy" blog that I spend all my time on the internet either. What I do is none of anyone's business, but I assure you - it is interesting and fun and busy and productive and ... centered around 4 children and a husband and 5 pets and extended family and friends and 2 homes and a business.
"you have a small banner that says "vote for me" - why don't you stop worrying about the online popularity contest and give your kids a fun summer to remember?" ---- I'm not worried about these contests - but, I do want my blog to be popular. I love sharing my stories and I want as many readers as I can find. And, as for the summer ... I'm at the lake with my kids - need I say more!
" best parenting blog? no, it is not. " ---- I guess this is where we'd have to DEFINE this category. In some people's eyes - I guess I might be considered a darn good parent. In others - likely not. That's cool! That's why there are red cars and blue cars and yellow cars and silver cars ... so everyone can have what they want. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.
" you admit this stuff to make people laugh, but it just makes me sad. when your kids are out of the house you are going to wish you had spent less time blogging and more time with them." ---- I've spent the last 16 years ... with my children - nearly every single day! I spend plenty of time with my kids (All straight A, honor roll students, by the way; 2 are gifted, one is in Boy Scouts, 2 play basketball and softball, one is in gymnastics ...) - if I am not the one spending time with these kids then there is someone that looks an awful lot like me in my house doing that job. And ... my kids are going to find all of my stories to be a GIFT when they grow older. They are going to know how I really felt about them - what I was really thinking - how I heard so many of their words and listened to what they had to say. And ... YES ... I write this stuff to make people laugh. If they are laughing at my stories then I feel happy about that. I try very hard to make my stories humorous. Life is not always happy and if someone enjoys my blog and knows that they can come here daily to read a story that is likely going to make them laugh - then I think I am doing something very RIGHT!
"i'm just reading your comments on this. let's support each other in our "good enough mothering!"this is my first time here, i can't come back. it breaks my heart. good enough mothering? no.i'm not out there planning stuff for my kid for every second of the day, but this is ridiculous." ----- I am not the one that wrote that I was a "good enough mother". I think my title to this last post was, "The Loser-est Mom Ever". It's satire. I am not a loser as a mother - but ... I have my moments and I will have many more. If that is "Good enough mothering" - then that's what I am. It's SATIRE and it is a MERE GLIMPSE INTO MY LIFE - the other 96% you don't see and likely will never see.
I'm done now.
Keep an eye out for a "funny" post tomorrow. Back to business as usual.
Note: If you are so inclined to leave comments on my blog - feel free to be honest - but, BE NICE or I WILL DELETE YOUR COMMENT and ... I will probably write a post about it and talk about you the next day - because this is MY BLOG and I can do that! HA!
And ... PLEASE do not attack this person that left this negative comment - that is not my intent of this post!
I want there to be snow - but there is never snow where I live.
Usually, we try to get away around Christmas or Spring Break to go skiing - then I get to see the snow and it makes me very happy.
This year we didn't go on our regular ski trip at Christmas time and I think we are going to the beach during Spring Break (blah!).
This weekend - this is where I am:
Yes - during even the winter months - we go to the lake.
Now, it is chilly here this weekend (54 or so), but it is still beautiful.
We have a house on this lake - a townhouse. We spend a lot of time in the summer up here and some weekends during the winter. It's nice to come here to just relax and get away from home.
We don't do much when we come here in the winter.
We eat out a lot. We go to movies. We go to Walmart. We rent movies. We watch TV. We sometimes play games. We take walks. We ride around in our golf cart. We visit with friends. We fish. We feed the ducks. We take naps.
We do all these same things in the summer - only add in:
Lots of swimming. Lots of boating. Water skiing. Wake boarding. Jet Skiing. Picnics. Eating outdoors. Long evenings out on the decks.
On Friday I asked my kids, "Do you want to go to the lake?" and they all screamed, "Yes, Yes, Yes!"
So, we came.
This is what the kids are mostly doing:
Playing Guitar Hero. They think they are on vacation and they aren't much help, when help is needed. That's okay, this weekend - they too, deserve a break.
Here is a little tour of our place:
This is our bedroom. Notice my laptop on the bed - never go anywhere without my laptop.
This is the "bunk room" where the older girls sleep and hang out with their friends. They made a complete mess of it before I had a chance to take a good picture.
This blurry picture is of my mom's room. We call it her room because she is often here with us all summer long - she's here almost as much as we are. This also serves as our guest bedroom.
This is Little Billy's bedroom. We made this little room for him in the attic space above the garage. It's a very comfortable and cute little room. He has his toys and TV - it couldn't be more perfect for a little boy.
This is Alexis' room. We made her a little room in a closet - yes, a closet. Since the master bedroom has this really large closet with built in cabinets and all, we decided when she was just a baby to stick her crib in there - give her her own little space. As she has grown, we changed out the crib for a toddler bed and decorated it with her toys and pictures. She is due for a bigger bed and we plan to give her a new one this summer - if it will fit in the closet. Don't tell her it is a closet - she doesn't know - she just calls it "her little room". It is precious and just right for her.
Our house has officially 3 bedrooms and 4 baths. But ... people tease me all the time that if any space is large enough, I'll find a way to make a bedroom out of it and stick a bed in there for some kid to sleep on - and it is true. There is not on foot of unused space in the house - not one inch. Since it is a lake house and we didn't need the closet space (we only ever wear swimsuits and shorts) - the closet was perfect for her and - she has her own bathroom to boot.
This is not her bathroom, this is my mothers.
This is my bathroom.
This is our little kitchen (note all the slushie cups along the wall - we make lots of slushies and smoothies at the lake).
This is our dining room.
This is the living room - before the kids took it over for Guitar Hero.
This is the upper deck. We spend lots of time up here in the summer - sunbathing and looking at stars.
This is the lower deck. We spend lots of evenings out here - fishing and visiting with friends. This is also where the kids swim and the boat (to the right - can't see it) is right here for us to go out whenever we wish. The Jet Ski is kept here also.
This is a view of the lower deck from the other direction.
God has been so good to me and my family. We are lucky to have this beautiful retreat and I just wanted to share it with you.
Wouldn't it be fun to have a ladies weekend here - sit around, the bunch of us - talk about our kids (because they wouldn't be with us - BTW) - share our stories - drink a few Margaritas or iced tea - listen to some music. I wish we could do that!
We love this place.
Thanks for letting me share it with you.
Now .... I'm going to go back to what I've been doing most of the weekend.
I don't know about you, but I've been needing this relaxing weekend. I hope you are having a relaxing weekend too!
On this one night, she was sleeping over with Alexis (because they don't see enough of each other already).
The two of them were running up and down the hallway making way too much racket and I finally thought to suggest that they put in a movie and go SIT DOWN SOMEWHERE AND WATCH THE THING!!
So ... they agreed.
Before they actually settled down to watch the movie, Alexis emerges into the hallway again, opens the door to my room and says, "Can we go get a quick snack before we start it?"
I shake my head and say, "I guess so."
As they skipped off towards the kitchen, I saw Alexis turn to her cousin, smile sweetly and say, "That way ... we won't starve." (*skip, skip, skip, skip, skip ...*)
So they won't starve - HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
On the upside ... Aren't they the cutest things? Alexis could probably live 25 days on the reserves she has stored in her chubby tummy alone, and if my niece could get to those reserves - they could both live at least 12 1/2 days each. But ... if getting a quick snack would encourage them to SETTLE DOWN AND WATCH A MOVIE, then - go for it - get a snack - I wouldn't want anyone to starve, for goodness sake. (*Do ya want me to make ya a BA-ritto?*)
Little Billy came home from one of his out-exploring-the-world afternoons and brought home this ...
"Well ... it's a unicorn horn - of course," I tell Alexis, in response to her question whilst standing in our kitchen.
"But ... are they supposed to be all scaly like that," she reaches over and touches the scaly horn.
I shake my head most confidently, "Why yes - that is how they look when they fall off. And when they fall off ... all the unicorn glitter falls off too - leaving them looking like this," I am smiling a big smile, all the while looking into my darling girl's adorable face.
She is a little excited now.
Excited by the fact that we - she and I - are in possession of a REAL LIVE UNICORN HORN - right in the middle of our kitchen - sitting right there on the kitchen table. She can't stop smiling.
But then ... she does stop smiling for just a moment and says, "Is there really such a thing as unicorns?" I don't know what took her so long to ask.
So ... what do I say?
Do I wiggle my way out of this fantasy discussion?
Do I confess to my ridiculous lies and tell the sweet child the truth?
Or ...
Do I continue with the pretense?
Continue to try to make Alexis believe there are in fact unicorns and they live right in our neighborhood - right near our house?
Yes ...
I lie!
I say ...
"Well ... here's it's horn - isn't it?"
On the upside ... While Alexis and I were happily discussing our unicorn theories in the kitchen ... in the living room - was Little Billy - SCREAMING, "IT'S AN ARMADILLO TAIL! IT'S AN ARMADILLO TAIL AND ...WASH YOUR HANDS AFTER YOU TOUCH IT, BECAUSE DAD SAYS IT CAN HAVE A DISEASE THAT WILL MESS UP YOUR FACE!"
Poor Alexis .......... I'm pretty sure she was better off believing it was a unicorn's horn - yep!
I have been tagged again for the 7 Random Things Meme by Forgetfulone and also by Mary @ Happenings Today - thanks ladies for thinking of me.
So, I am going to list 14 things and here it goes:
1. I am a lot funnier in my head - than I am in real life. I can be funny - when I am around the right people (like a few of my closest friends and my family), but I am not one of those people that humor comes to quickly or easily - except inside my head. In my head ... I am HYSTERICAL! This is also true about how I perceive myself - I am way better looking in my head - than I am in real life! Also ... a lot smaller.
2. We have a ghost in our house. Our house is about 40 years old and the ghost lives in the hallway that leads to our bedrooms. When I (and my mother) have seen this ghost, he is always crossing the hallway (from my twins' bedroom) and goes into the bathroom. He wears a black trench-like coat, black boots and black hat (like in cowboy movies). The neighborhood we live in is well known for a particular Indian Tribe living here. I believe this ghost is from that time. My mother and I are the only ones to have ever seen him, but I have seen him at least 25 times over the past 13 years. It has been a while since I have seen him and I have recently began to believe that he has moved from the hallway to my bedroom and sits at the foot of my bed (as I feel the bed move, like someone is sitting - jump up even to see who is there - like one of my kids or a cat - and there is never anyone there. I usually have to then, pull the covers over my head so the ghost won't come near me). I've never been afraid of this ghost - and I am not one to really believe in this sort of thing - but he does live in my house.
3. On a scale of 1 - 10, if you were to ask me how happy I am in my life ... I'd have to say that I am at a 10. And, this is not something that I have just suddenly come to realize - I think I have been at a 10 for a lot of my life. I seldom feel as though my life could be any better. I don't believe that is true of very many people and I feel fortunate to be able to say that. I thank God often for blessing me and for giving me my wonderful life.
4. I totally believe in God. I believe he is standing next to me and guiding me - all the time. I truly believe he is completely aware of how much I love him.
5. Something I hate ... let me list something I hate. I hate "high-maintenance" friends. I want my friends to be simple. I want to be able to call you and say, "What are you doing?" and I want you to tell me, "I'm mopping the kitchen floor." I want you to know that I care about that - I want you to know that you can tell me that, even though it may seem insignificant - I want for that to be how simple our relationship is - that we talk about stupid crap and can turn that stupid crap into an hour long, ridiculously funny, memorable conversation. I want my friends to be completely and emotionally capable of dealing with me and me with them - on the simplest and purest level - no pretenses. I am too old and too tired to have to figure you out - I don't have the patience for that anymore.
6. I do not like spaghetti, pancakes, watermelon, sloppy Joe's, peanuts, cinnamon rolls or pretzels. I can eat all these things, but I don't like them.
7. I am nocturnal. I've always been a night-owl and love the night. I also love a dark room and seldom turn on many lights in the room I am in. I also turn off lights in every room that I think is too bright. My family is just the opposite and are always turning on every light in the room and I go behind them and turn most of them off. My mother complains constantly that I should open the blinds or turn on a light. I like the way a dark room, a cloudy day or the night makes me feel - cozy and closed in. I do, however, also ... worship the sun and love summer and stay outdoors a lot when it is hot.
8. I'd rather give a gift, than receive a gift. I love buying gifts and am always looking for a reason or occasion to do so. I think I drive my friends crazy because I buy gifts often for, what seems like, crazy reasons. I love buying gifts.
9. I keep a lot of lists. I am a list maker. I get this from my Dad - he was and is a list maker. I have lists to keep up with my lists.
10. I am drawn to clocks. I am also drawn to lamps, vacuum cleaners, socks, rugs and throw pillows. I have to talk myself out of buying these items every time I go into any store.
11. I often look at my husband and think, "He is so handsome - how did I get such a handsome man?"
12. We have 9 TVs in our house and one in my van. There is always a TV on, somewhere in our house - sometimes many are on. I keep a TV on at all times when I am home alone - for the noise. I turn the TV on as soon as I wake up. I don't watch TV, hardly ever, during the day ... but it is always on. It is on right now in my bedroom and I have no idea what channel it is on or what show is on.
13. If I had to admit to one regret I have in my life, it would be that I did not do more with my life. While I am completely content and happy with how my life has turned out and totally happy with everything that it is ... I believe that I honestly have not reached or lived up to my true potential. I wish I had had more drive, direction, ambition and detailed goals, when I was younger that might have led me to pursue a path of something that I loved (like animals or art or writing).
14. I do not like to walk or run - anywhere. I don't know why ... but I don't want to do either. I don't have any desire to hike or enter marathons or walk from the farthest parking spot in any lot. I am not a lazy person and I don't think there is anyone in my life that would say that I am - but I don't want to walk or run - ANYWHERE!
Thanks again to Forgetfulone and Mary @ Happenings Today for tagging me for this meme. I know I am supposed to tag seven more people, but I am going to leave this tag open and if you'd like to take it and do it - consider yourself tagged.
How can I be as old as I am, and never have met anyone - famous?
Maybe it is because I am not very observant or that I am slow moving.
At Alexis' gymnastics class recently, I was sitting in the waiting area and noticed three women talking. They were sitting in the row of chairs just in front of me. One of the women (a rather athletic looking type, with brown hair, small build, tanned skin, busty chest and beefy arms), suddenly pulled out a little flier and handed one to each of the other two women. Being the nosy-body that I am - I peered over their shoulders to see what it was.
Guess what it was? You could not possibly guess, so I will tell you. It was this flier like thing that had the "beefy" woman's picture on it - her, and all THE SURVIVOR CONTESTANTS FROM THE SECOND SEASON (I think she said the second season - I'm really not sure)! It had all their names and pictures on this glossy flier with the Survivor logo right at the top.
There she was (I didn't catch her name because I was too slow to jump into the conversation and ask) ... a real-live, reality TV star - right there in the gym just waiting for her kid to finish gymnastics. I know ... it wasn't like it was Madonna or Ellen DeGeneres - but, she was sort-of a famous person.
I watch Survivor. I haven't watched every single season, and I must have missed the season she was on, because I didn't recognize her at all. I kept staring at her - trying to place her and it never happened. And ... I guess, she didn't do all that well after the show, as there she was sitting in that stinky gym ... with the rest of us nobodies.
On the upside ... I often imagine that I could be a contestant on Survivor. I think I have the stuff. Well ... aside from the fact that the one thing I would have to bring (when they give you a choice of bringing only one thing from home) would have to be a can of Pantene hair mousse. I could still eat bugs, build a shelter, make fire, dive off cliffs, traipse through mud with a giant boulder on my back, put together jungle puzzles, live with the mosquitoes and spiders and snakes and monkeys and wild hogs ... I'd just have to have my mousse, so my hair would look big on TV. I've thought this all out ...
My husband's father lives in the town my husband grew up in - south of where we live - about 40 minutes away.
My husband's mother lives in a town near where my husband grew up - south of where we live - about an hour away.
My husband often goes to help his mother - takes her to the grocery store and run errands - she no longer drives.
Hearing that my husband was going to his mothers, I suggested that he take Little Billy with him - drop Little Billy at his father's house, so Little Billy could hang out with his grandfather for the afternoon.
Hearing this suggestion, Alexis piped up and complained that she wanted to go - wanted to go hang out with Grandpa.
"Alexis," my son looks across the aisle in the car at his sister, "You aren't made to handle it - it's hot and we do outdoor stuff - you have to be tough and rough," he looks her seriously in the eyes as he talks. "You have to be a redneck - like us - the On The Upside men," he never twitched an eyebrow.
I looked at my redneck husband.
The husband that is raising this redneck boy.
He smiled a big ol' redneck grin.
I cringed and then couldn't help but smile back.
Little Billy, now gazing out the window, watching the cars pass by, continues, "It's not somethin' yur taught, either," he looks over at his sister and chuckles, "It's somethin' yur bornwith."
I SWEAR!
On the upside ... I looked over at my redneck husband again and realized - at that very moment - NOPE ---- It is definitely a LITTLE OF BOTH!
I turned around and looked at Alexis and said "It's okay, Sweetie. You don't want to be a redneck - you'd have to wear crumby clothes."
I don't think I convinced her. She got all teary eyed and sad looking. I guess she's next. I guess she'll be getting those redneck lessons from Daddy Redneck real soon, as she doesn't seem to be coming by the redneck gene naturally (she obviously takes more after my side of the family *tee hee*).
Can you say ... CITY GIRLS HAVE NO BUSINESS IN THE COUNTRY ON ANY RANCH WITH HER FOUR KIDS AND NOT THE RIGHT CLOTHES OR SHOES TO BE RUNNING AROUND WITH THE COWS AND THEIR POOP AND ARMADILLOS AND SNAKES AND GUTTING DEAD DEER HANGING FROM BEAMS IN THE BARN AND ALLIGATORS IN THE NEAR-BY POND AND MICE!!??
Okay ... take a breath.
That's what we did this past weekend. We ... went hunting. Well, I didn't actually do any hunting and neither did any of us girls ... but that was the point of this trip to our friends' ranch. For the boys to go hunting.
The first time we were invited to the ranch, my girlfriend said, "Now, Kellan ... you know that it is a ranch, right? You probably should not wear flip-flops or heels to the ranch. You know this ... right?"
I didn't grow up on a farm ... but I'd been around my grandfather's farm many times in my life. I knew that you didn't wear heels! I debated about just wearing a pair - with a sparkly top and foo-foo hair, just to mess with her. I didn't.
And I didn't this time either. But ... I did not pack the right stuff. Tennies are not really appropriate for the rough terrain or the cow patties and ... I really should have packed a hair net.
There are MICE at the ranch!
There were MICE the last few times we went as well. Along with bats in the attic and critters roaming the yard. But ... I never actually saw a MOUSE until this hunting trip! It's better when you don't actually see the MOUSE!
And ... these MICE are in the house. They live there. It's a log cabin and they have moved right in - because humans don't actually live in the house - they just visit. The MICE own this house. I saw MICE. I saw many MICE. It is a MOUSE-HOUSE.
I really don't like mice - particularly. I especially don't like them in my house (we've had one or two in our house)! I wasn't so disturbed that the mice were in the house(because it's not my house) and that I occasionally would see one dart across the floor and then vanish into a crack (there are lots of cracks in a log cabin house). This ... I became used to - really. You just have to put it out of your mind - hope one doesn't come running straight at you - hope you don't see them carrying off anything important. You just have to deal with it - it's a ranch house. You are at the ranch.
It was the NIGHT-TIME MICE that wore on me. If I would see a MOUSE (and I did) ... just before going to bed, say ... in my room (and I did) ... I could not get the MOUSE out of my head.
This was exhausting ... the last night we were there. I managed through the first night fine - not thinking much about the MICE and just fell asleep. The second night, however ... I definitely decided that I have WAY TOO BIG hair to sleep anywhere where there are mice liable to run across my face, trip and become entangled in my BIG OL' hair-sprayed hair! After this vision hit me - I COULD NOT SLEEP! Even ducking my BIG OL' HEAD under the covers - it was no help! It was physically and mentally exhausting! And HOT!
I needed a hair net. A cafeteria-lunch-lady-hair-net! Or a swim cap. Because ... I realized, that it was my head that I did not want the MICE to come near. Not that I wanted them crawling under the covers with me (Nope!) - but it was really my head that I kept trying to protect.
It was useless!
My husband ... lying next to me in the MOUSE-HOUSE-bed ... slept just fine. He apparently had no hidden MOUSE fears and neither did any of my kids. All asleep.
When daylight came ... I woke up. Somewhere in the restless night, I fell asleep. I don't know if MICE were on me when I slept - I have to imagine that they were ... saying stuff, while sitting on my chest, "Stay away from that one's hair ... get caught in that and you'll never get out."
On the upside ... Aside from the NIGHT-MICE ... we had a blast! We spent a wonderful weekend with our best friends. We saw a rattle snake up close, armadillo, alligators, raccoon, cottontails, cows (and baby cows too), deer and 7 of the most adorable baby owls nesting in the barn. My husband and son shot a buck (antlers will be mounted for my son), my friend and I rode motorcycles and talked a lot, the kids wandered around, took walks, took pictures, watched movies ... and we ate - lots! We had fun and the next time I go I will just have to remember to take something to cover my head. At one point, I asked my husband to go get me a straw so I could breath fresh air from under the covers - he just laughed and fell asleep (I wasn't kidding).
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