My older son, Cameron, happened to be near by and stopped her. She was drunk, spoke Spanish, and Cameron was able to tell her to let go of him. Thank you 5 yrs of Spanish classes. The woman left, only to come back a few minutes later and try again, however this time there were more kids out and the older ones were able to distract this woman and the younger ones went to get help.

The Police arrived, but she was gone. Later that night they did arrest a woman who was passed out on a path, but no one contacted me. No one  asked if I wanted to press charges, and yesterday because she was let out of jail, she walked through the neighborhood again.

I am at an impasse here, because I don’t feel like this is my job to fix her. If I pursue it, will my sons have to go to the police station and ID her, go to court?  Just so she can go to AA? But then again, I don’t like her going through my neighborhood just so she can get her fix.

This is  huge reality check. I keep having nightmares about it, but with worse outcomes. I know on one hand its silly because, hey, he’s here and safe. But on the other, so not cool…

I was cleaning, which, hello? I always seem to be doing that. I was cleaning under my couch cushions and along with candy corn, M&Ms, dryer sheets, and various crumbs, I also found 37 cents.

Every where we go, anytime we find a penny, nickle, or dime, the kids gleam from ear to ear if they know they can add to the Disney Jar. We’ve managed to save quite a lot, just with couch finds, left over change, and ones we find on the street. For whatever reason they add to this jar on their own accord. Even going so far as donating money from allowance and birthdays.

The countdown continues, closer and closer we get, the more excited the kids get. Only 33 days from now. So now, comes the hard core saving, and organizing our Christmas lists. Hard to say ‘hey, lets go to Disney, and a week later, it’s Christmas and noooo gifts.’ The kids will get their trip, we’ll have a great time, and within weeks the trip will be a great family memory, and the gifts will be on a shelf collecting dust- that I will be cleaning.

Hey looky there, totally came full circle on this post. What’dya know.

We had been planning a surprise 60th birthday for my dad, for 6 months now. Lots of sneaking around, man was it stressful. I made a video of photos for him, 60 years worth in 15minutes. I worked long weekends, looked over 400 pictures, and in the end, we had a great party.

One of the photos I found was this one, my dad, cousin Jill, and my Uncle Neil

Then I took this one after brunch on Sunday

History we learn from, history we make.

But moving on.

Sunday my daughter woke up with a bloody nose…one of the fantastic genetic traits she inherited from her father. Then at lunch time, another one. Luckily, I dont freak out during these times…she also inherited that. Then at 7ish, again. She walked into the room, “ahh, man! another one!” she proteseted. funny really. But they are pretty hard on her. And on her mommy, I just want her to be 5. Dealing with 5 yr old issues, not these kinds of issues.

Then we have Cameron and his braces. or lack there of. I think it has been every six months for the last 2 years, we have visited the Orthodondist and every time, Cameron is hopeful that this time will be the time to get the go ahead. Well, again today we saw him, and no go. My hope is that it would soon, because I dont want him to be 17 and have them on. Hubs fear is that it will be too soon and thats a lot of money. This is also a wonderful trait my Hub handed down…bad teeth. Mine are perfect

Oh, and remember to go vote. ‘cha, like you could forget.

One couple put at least 10 huge bags of candy on the belt, and I asked sarcastically ” do you need some candy?” They laughed but then asked why they couldnt find any candy corn. really? your gonna ask complain to me? 3 dys before Halloween? I mean we’ve only had it out on the shelves since Labor day…. but sure, take it out on the one person who looks nothing like someone who places the orders or stocks the shelves. ga head.

Then there are those people and you know who yu are, that take your cart, walk to the other carts -that are nicely lined up mind you- and just leave it there. Thus causing a traffic jam behind you, then another one does it and so on….why not just take the damn cart outside with you? We have plenty of strong young 17 yr olds who actually get paid to push the carts around…sheeesh

Moving on…cant wait for the Christmas season…

My other class starts tonight, and I’m beginning to think i bit off more than i can chew. but at the same time, I fairly confident I can do it all. after all, I’m awesome.

wow. Its only Tuesday. In my head, I had already worked at Target, had my stupid math class, and was prepping for a busy Saturday. I’m not a well person.

Last night, after being on Facebook for what felt like forever, I was able to actually have type a conversation with a very old friend. It brought me to tears, just to know that his life was…well, good. In highschool, there are people who you are friends with, people you connect with, people you date, have crushes on, stab in the back, who make you laugh until you pee your pants, who are there for you. Even if they never know it.  He was what I needed at a time, I didnt know what I needed. Make sense?

A few people get me. One is asleep upstairs while I wait for the fire in the fireplace to die down. One lives in PA and never CALLS me. One is in FL with his wife and baby, maybe thinks of me when I threaten to put a hex on the Tampa Bay Buchs unless he sends new pictures of the baby. Yea, those last 2 are related. One is pretty much tied to her bed atfer having foot surgery last week. One lives down the street from me, but she gave birth to me, hopefully she gets me. And one? Well, I havent seen or spoke to him in 11 yrs. 5 or 6 before that.

When we were in highschool, I was a poser. Now, Ive said this before, fully admit it. Not proud of it, but when you dont fit in anywhere, you do your damndest to fit in everywhere. I had friends on the basketball team. Big tall black guys and me. I had cheerleader friends. Perfect hair, letter jackets, skinny and me. I had chorus friends. Deep, thoughtful, spirited, and me. I had preppy student council friends. well, that was just because our lockers had been in alphabetical order since the 7th grade but whatever, they talked to me. I had my girlfriends that saw me through the years of being in love with the same boy who was never gonna ask me out, and I had Pat.

He wasnt a big part of my life until about 11th grade, we knew each other because of him dating my friend, but beyond that it was a nod in the halls. He was a part of what was called the ‘hoodlums’ but not even really that. These so called hoodlums managed to put on community benifits for the homeless. Not exactly the defintion of a hoodlum.Not Punk, not rock, not …well, maybe they never catagorized themselves…anyway, I remember the 1st day of earth science class. This girl and I had sat down at a table together and Pat walks in, picks up her stuff, moves it to another table and sits down next to me. Can I just tell you how much I loved going to earth science class from then on out?

I dont think he ever was with out a girlfriend, but he always had time for me. He talked to me, all the guys did. About the sex life, the mom drama, the friend factors, the agony of being 17. But when I needed him, he was there. He never made me feel like a troll, like I didnt belong. I was included in his life. I went to fricken easter dinner at his house.

I doubt I made as much of an impact on his life, as he did mine. But I certainly felt like I did. After graduation, which was weird, trust me. A good friend of his(acquaintance of mine- again, I knew everyone) died in a drunk driving accident. Things changed. Life changed. At 18, thats a lot of shit to take in. And not that it was anyones fault, i dont recall calling and not getting an answer, but life happened, and you move on.

I wondered where he was, and if he was happy. My core group included those 2 people at the top, WHO NEVER READ MY BLOG OR CALL ME(but whatever), and our lives consisted of karaoke, and nights playing darts or Asshole. One by one, that group branched out, married, or moved. And only a few of us remain in touch on a regular basis, always talking about a reunion.

I grew up, got married and live right around the corner from were Pat grew up and where his family still is. Is it weird that everytime I walk by their house I remember stuff? Tell me its not because its possible he may read this and I do not want to come off as a stalker…  make your point already…ah yes. It’s just- as a 17 yr old with major issues, and not exactly all together with it(what? shut up, i know things havent changed) I would hope he knew just what his friendship meant to me.

He was a part of my life, and, for better or for worse, he helped make me who I am now.

The world of FaceBook.

It’s a little wierd. BUT! I have found friends that I thought had died, moved to Yemin, or had changed sexes. Not really, but they’re not dead, phew!

Its overwhelming, learning all this new stuff, but hey, I just don’t have enough going on right now.

In other news, today was my Hubs birthday. 41. So for his birthday I give you this…41 reasons why I love him…

1. He loves me.
2. He fixes stuff.
3. He walks the dog in the rain
4. the snow
5. at 7am,
6. and 11 at night.
7. He has taught the boys about football
8. if i want to paint something, he does it, even though he hates it.
9. he irons his own clothes
10. he got a tattoo with me
11. he let me name our daughter Ireland
12. he lets me go on girls nights out- no complaints
13. he lets me go out of town- no complaints
14. he wakes the boys up,
15. gets them ready for school
16. makes their lunches
17. while Im sleeping
18. he always has blistex on him.
19. he loves my hair
20. he loved me when I was 274 pounds
21. loved me at 206,
22. and loves me in between
23. he sits with me and watches “biggestLoser” while we eat candy
24. he lets me cry on his shoulder
25. I fit perfectly inbetween his arm and his chest
26. he has made it very hard for Ireland to find a boy who will ever treat her better than he.
27. he likes my family
28. he puts up with my monthly break downs
29. he loves the way I bite my bottom lip
30. he proposed again on our 10 yr anniversary
31. with a ring
32. he does the best he can
33. he’s a good kisser
34. he’s a good everything
35. he lets me listen to my music in the car
36. he stays home to take care of the kids when I have migraines
37. he scratches my back, a lot.
38. he has never doubted me
39. he has always been there for me
40. he’s a wonderful father
41. because he’s Hub…

I think of how you know me,
no doubts no thinking twice.
When your smile can be so soothing,
a familiar paradise.
When there’s no one else that makes me whole.
I have never needing more
I get this feeling I’ve loved you before

A daughter whose feet grow an inch a day and will only wear crocs because they are the most comfortable.

Trying to find a pair of brown mary janes that dont give blisters, and will hold up to the acts of a 5 year old. I was in my 20’s before I had my first pair of Doc Martens. Ireland? yea, 5.

What erks me is getting talked to- talked down to, for doing your job well. Hello, my name is Exhibit A.

What erks me is that I have 639 things to do in a day and I never feel like there is enough time. I’m sure that erks everyone though, cant claim that as my own I guess.

It erks me that I am soo busy that I havent had time to watch ELLEN. Bugs me. I even fast forward through my soaps just to get the basics, because I HAVE NO TIME.

What erks me…my period. Really? I don’t need a uterus anymore….please take it away….

It erks me that today is 81 degrees out, and tomorrow it will be 60. My air conditioning is going out of control.

Math. MATH erks me. I study and study and still have such anxiety before this class. Even thinking good thoughts and wearing my Kick-ass necklace dont help.

Maybe tomorrow, when its cold, and it feels more like fall, things wont erk me. Then again, maybe next week when my legs feel like they wont fall off and take my uterus with them…then I wont feel so pissed off at the world.