Wet Oatmeal Kisses

It was like magic, having a baby growing inside of me.  I could feel fists and feet kicking and poking... eager to get out and begin a life in this big bad world.  You were my first.  From you, I learned much.

I was only twenty-three back then, working in a sewing factory and relishing not only how my co-workers said I glowed during my pregnancy with you... but also the baby shower that they surprised me with weeks before your birth.  On the way home that day, I stopped at Dairy Queen for a Hot Fudge Brownie Delite.  I was eating for two ya know! 

So my weight went from 98 lb  to 155 lb in nine months.  Then came you.

Happy couldn't describe my state of mind.  I couldn't believe my miracle.  I'd watch your crib at night and pray to God that He'd shelter and protect you always.

You grew.  Learned about life.  Had fun.  Made mistakes.  Cried.  Learned more about life... then became the wonderful person you are today.

I cherish you're beautiful and loving heart.

And as I go through your baby book I remember...

A time of firsts...

 a time of innocence...

and I become saddened by my little boy gone. 

Wet Oatmeal Kisses

by Erma Bombeck

One of these days you'll explode and shout to all the kids, "Why don't you just grow up and act your age!" And they will...


Or, "You guys get outside and find something to do -- without hurting each other And don't slam the door!" And they don't.


You'll straighten their bedrooms until it's all neat and tidy, toys displayed on the shelf, hangers in the closet, animals caged. You'll yell, "Now I want it to stay this way!" And it will...


You will prepare a perfect dinner with a salad that hasn't had all the olives picked out and a cake with no finger traces in the icing and you'll say, "Now this is a meal for company." And you will eat it alone...


You'll yell, "I want complete privacy on the phone. No screaming, Do you hear me?" And no one will answer.


No more plastic tablecloths stained. No more dandelion bouquets. No more iron-on patches. No more wet, knotted shoelaces, muddy boots or rubber bands for ponytails.


Imagine.... a lipstick with a point, no babysitters for New Years Eve, washing clothes only once a week, no PTA meetings or silly school plays where your child is a tree, no car pools, blaring stereos or forgotten lunch money.


No more Christmas presents made of library paste and toothpicks, no wet oatmeal kisses, no more tooth fairy, no more giggles in the dark, scraped knees to kiss or sticky fingers to clean.


Only a voice asking, "Why don't you grow up?" And the silence echoes: "I did".

Happy 40th Birthday Jack!  You will always be my #1.

MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC

With so many great vacation moments it's hard to pinpoint the highlights...  but the live piano player in the lobby each night would most certainly be among the best.

Upon our arrival to the lobby the first night we were greeted with this song in honor of the shirt I was wearing that read "DOG MOM"

Requests were then taken and we were a part of a cool sing-a-long.  Love these old songs.  Music, Music, Music!!

The first night, this boy sat quietly beside me in a big overstuffed chair and he asked if he could play something.   Do you know how to play?  They asked.  He said he could play a little...  and he'd improvise.

All I can say is WOW!!!

And then the next night, a different piano player.  Mama Mia?  I requested.  And he got out his big thick book and played a mix of Abba songs that kept the girls (and the grammy) tapping their feet and dancing along.

Words Hurt

The one good thing about leaving the warm sand and fresh ocean breeze at the beach to return to the mountains and back to the daily grind is... 

Nothing.  I can think of no one good reason.  Vacations should last forever.

Why would one wish to leave fun and sun?

Every year though, I think...  am I getting too old for this?  Walking through the hot sand to the water is not my idea of fun. However - - -  once I hit the umbrella and feel the sea breeze sweep over me, it's like  ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Directly in front of our hotel sits an umbrella/beach chair/boogie board etc. rental business.  All you have to do is tell them what you want and pay them and they follow you to your desired location on the beach where they plant the umbrella for the day.  At the end of the day they go out and retrieve it.

We always get an umbrella...  and sometimes chairs.  Beside of us this year was another older couple who had enjoyed the luxury of a chaise lounge for each of them under their umbrella and they were kind enough to gift it to us when they had had enough and were ready to head back up to their room.

When we left, we found another couple to pay it forward to...  They appreciated it as much as we did!    If the Lord wills us another vacation at the beach next year, I will have a chaise lounge under my umbrella!!

Wait!  What?!?  You can't think of one single reason to come home?  Seriously?  Not even one??   Well then!  My new pack consists of just me, Squeaky Man and Wormy-Friend.  You need to make it up to me... somehow...  Words hurt, ya know?  Use your imagination if you will.  Toys.  Treats.  More Treats.  Playtime.  Walks.  More Treats.  More Treats.  More Treats.  A belly rub.  More Treats.  It will take a very long time for me to forgive you...  but I think it can be done.  We will take it one day at a time.    

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