I have been inspired this morning. There is a very popular blog that I read daily called The Pioneer Woman. She gives away a lot of cool loot every week. Today she is giving away another of her favorite mixers. What she does is post a question and all you have to do to enter is just post something. Today, she asked "Who is your favorite man?" Oh my was I ever torn. But it did inspire me enough to write this post. I hope you enjoy it.
My dad was and still is my hero. He always, always made time for us kids. Even when he was busy tinkering with something (he loved to take things apart and put them back together) he could always stop what he was doing to listen to me. He was so patient also. He coached my brother Mike's little league baseball for years. When the concession stand at the ballpark was not able to be used (I can't remember what happened to it, So will tell us) he built a portable concession stand that he took back and forth to the ball fields. So and I worked in it and the original one for a couple of summers (I think...again, So will set me straight! His memory is better than mine). He built a treehouse for us kids. It was the coolest thing. It was not actually in a tree, it was supported by 6X6s. He built steps up and the way down was the coolest pole we slid down. There was a little wood thingy we would pull up which made it where we could slide down the pole. I will never forget the time our brother Mike slid down it and hurt his ankle or something. So and I laughed and laughed. Mike was a bit of a baby when we were small. The room of the treehouse was screened in and he even built the furniture that was in it. As a matter of fact, the last time I drove past our old house it was still there. Other children have been able to enjoy what my precious Daddy built over 40 years ago.
Dad also knew that I was born with an instant love for horses. He bartered with one of his employees at his dental office for my first pony LuckyPony. He was named Lucky because the folks who had him won him in a raffle and were keeping him in their garage. Oddly enough I actually sat next to the girl that had him a couple of years ago at a local horse auction. You can imagine my surprise to find that out!
When Dad passed away 10 1/2 years ago I was devastated. We had a tough year in 1999. My stepmother Linda, passed away in Feb 1999, my beloved Mother passed away May 3rd 1999 and Dad passed in August of that same year. Dad's was the hardest for me. Mother had ALS and had been bedridden for years. Linda had Aplastic Anemia of which there is no cure aside from a bone marrow transfer. I was fortunate enough to be with Dad in the emergency room that night and I am so grateful now for it taking so long to get his room ready. We were able to talk about everything under the sun. Things we had not talked about in years. I guess, somehow we knew it would be our last conversation.
Then there is my son Ryan. I love him so much. He has been through a lot in the last few years. Mostly of his own doing (actually ALL of his own doing) but hopefully he is on the right road now. That is up to him. He and I have been through a lot in his life. 2 divorces (the first from his father), being so poor I couldn't even afford one roll of toilet paper. But we got through it and were stronger because of it.
There is my brother Scott, but he is So to me. We have called each other that for many years. It started when we were kids and neither one of us can remember how we came up with it. There is no telling actually. So is my rock. He has been my rock my entire life. We played with trolls together, made clothes for them from felt, listened to our Dad's collection of Disney albums and read the scripts from the album cover inserts. I swear I think I could probably still recite Pollyanna in a heartbeat. I know he can. So helped me in so many ways and still does. When I was having so much trouble with Kevin, who was the boy next door (literally across the street) and how badly he treated me So helped me. I remember going to Nashville for a week when I was 16 and stayed with him and his roommates. I went to the club where Merna Turner performed using an ID from some girl from Alaska. I had no idea what to order to I had a Singapore Sling. Again I had to ask So what to order because I was clueless! The week away helped a great deal and I was finally able to put Kevin behind me. So also helped me with my hair! I hated my natural curls and was constantly trying to straighten it. I didn't have the cool straighteners that kids have now. He pin curled my hair and when I let took it out (or he did, I don't remember) it looked fabulous! There is nothing better than having a gay brother for me!
When my boyfriend kicked me out of his house in Chicago where I had moved with him So was the first person I called. He told me I was coming to Houston and that is what I did. I stayed for 13 yrs until it was time to come back home to raise my son. He is currently doing something for me that is priceless. Absolutely priceless in every way. I can't talk about it now because it is a surprise but I will soon.
I love my brother So more than I can put into words. Like I said, he is my rock, always has been and always will be.
Then there is Joe. My wonderful husband. He was my best friend for many years before we started dating. In one moment we went from being like siblings to instant love. We were on a platonic date and were dancing to "The Dance" by Garth Brooks, oddly being sung by my current boss and good friend Butch. Joe asked me if he could kiss me. I said yes and my knees buckled....literally. The rest is history. He took on a single mother with a 2 yr old and a 12 yr old and has been the best father to both of them. Even Ryan's dad (Kevin I spoke of earlier...long story) has told Joe that he was a better dad to Ryan that he was. He has taught me so many things. I have taught him so many things in the 16 yrs we have been together. He is still my best friend. He always will be. I can remember when I used to wish on the first star I saw at night. Yall know that little jingle don't you? I remember that last time I wished on a star. I was sitting on our (mine and Joe's) front porch when I realized I already had what I had been wishing for so many years. It was Joe. I knew right then the last name that would be on my tombstone. It still makes me smile to this day.
I am a lucky girl to have had so many wonderful men in my life. I am forever grateful to them all.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
It was NOT a good day to piss me off!
But it happened. It also happened yesterday. If you put the two together I was fit to be tied this morning.
It started yesterday when myself and another co-worker in our warehouse was not told about a good ole' BBQ lunch that everyone (except the 2 of us) were invited to attend. By the time I knew about it I was already eating my nasty low calorie frozen items. It isn't the first or even second time this has happened. It has happened numerous times. It wasn't the fact that I didn't have the delicious BBQ, it was the principal of it. Now, I do admit that the idea of that kind of a lunch sounded so very good, but the main reason I was upset was that we were forgotten about.
This morning we were scheduled to have a safety meeting. That requires me to get up at a much more unGodly hour than I normally do. 5:15am comes mighty soon for anyone, much less this grandmother who is still trying to recover from Project Graduation this past weekend. I arrived early, as usual, for the safety meeting. I was curious to see the lack of vehicles in the parking lot when I pulled in but I just thought folks were running a tad bit late. I walked on into the office, saw some donuts and thought "ok, everyone will be here in a minute or two." Then I decided to call my boss to find out if the meeting was being held at the other office where it is sometimes held. You can only imagine what I felt when he said "the meeting was cancelled, didn't Mark tell you?" Uh, no Mark didn't tell me. He was trying to work to leave yesterday since his brother in law dropped dead Sunday. He was trying to hurry up and get home to his wife who was obviously upset about the entire thing. About that time the guy who is the Traffic Manager at the sandyard came out of the restroom. He started to tell me the meeting was cancelled when I quipped "NO ONE TOLD ME JUST LIKE NO ONE TOLD ME AND JONATHAN ABOUT THE LUNCH YESTERDAY!" and I stormed out of the office, got in my vehicle and literally squealed my tires coming out of the parking lot.
Now I don't usually let things get to me like that. Well, let me be clear on that. I haven't reacted that way since I was in my 20's. My brother, So, used to say that I could clear the Astrodome if I wanted to. I had quite a temper when I was a late teenager and early into my 20's.
Not only that but for the last 3 years I have worked here I have not been recognized one bit on Administrative Professional Day even though the girl who worked here before me received flowers every year. The 2 ladies that work at the main office always receive lunch, flowers or this year they received a gift card. I have never said anything about it, just accepted the fact that it is what is it. Well no more. I am tired of being ignored and obviously not appreciated.
Bear with me for a minute while I say this. I put my heart and soul into my job. I work to constantly improve and make things easier and more efficient. I go out of my way to check inventory at other warehouses to make sure they are cooperating with the way my customer requires things to be done. Believe me, there are many times they don't. In fact just yesterday morning I let my customer know that so and so wasn't sending the oldest product like they were supposed to be doing. I have never been late to work in the almost 4 yrs I have been here. I have never called in sick when I wasn't. Believe me I have been tempted too. But I don't believe in that. I don't DO that. Apparently my boss and others don't give a rip.
Ok, I am getting off of my soapbox now. I just had to vent and get that out. Some things are just not right and for me, I think I have been taken for granted for far too long.
Now, as Joe and I say when the subject needs to be changed.......How are the plants?
It started yesterday when myself and another co-worker in our warehouse was not told about a good ole' BBQ lunch that everyone (except the 2 of us) were invited to attend. By the time I knew about it I was already eating my nasty low calorie frozen items. It isn't the first or even second time this has happened. It has happened numerous times. It wasn't the fact that I didn't have the delicious BBQ, it was the principal of it. Now, I do admit that the idea of that kind of a lunch sounded so very good, but the main reason I was upset was that we were forgotten about.
This morning we were scheduled to have a safety meeting. That requires me to get up at a much more unGodly hour than I normally do. 5:15am comes mighty soon for anyone, much less this grandmother who is still trying to recover from Project Graduation this past weekend. I arrived early, as usual, for the safety meeting. I was curious to see the lack of vehicles in the parking lot when I pulled in but I just thought folks were running a tad bit late. I walked on into the office, saw some donuts and thought "ok, everyone will be here in a minute or two." Then I decided to call my boss to find out if the meeting was being held at the other office where it is sometimes held. You can only imagine what I felt when he said "the meeting was cancelled, didn't Mark tell you?" Uh, no Mark didn't tell me. He was trying to work to leave yesterday since his brother in law dropped dead Sunday. He was trying to hurry up and get home to his wife who was obviously upset about the entire thing. About that time the guy who is the Traffic Manager at the sandyard came out of the restroom. He started to tell me the meeting was cancelled when I quipped "NO ONE TOLD ME JUST LIKE NO ONE TOLD ME AND JONATHAN ABOUT THE LUNCH YESTERDAY!" and I stormed out of the office, got in my vehicle and literally squealed my tires coming out of the parking lot.
Now I don't usually let things get to me like that. Well, let me be clear on that. I haven't reacted that way since I was in my 20's. My brother, So, used to say that I could clear the Astrodome if I wanted to. I had quite a temper when I was a late teenager and early into my 20's.
Not only that but for the last 3 years I have worked here I have not been recognized one bit on Administrative Professional Day even though the girl who worked here before me received flowers every year. The 2 ladies that work at the main office always receive lunch, flowers or this year they received a gift card. I have never said anything about it, just accepted the fact that it is what is it. Well no more. I am tired of being ignored and obviously not appreciated.
Bear with me for a minute while I say this. I put my heart and soul into my job. I work to constantly improve and make things easier and more efficient. I go out of my way to check inventory at other warehouses to make sure they are cooperating with the way my customer requires things to be done. Believe me, there are many times they don't. In fact just yesterday morning I let my customer know that so and so wasn't sending the oldest product like they were supposed to be doing. I have never been late to work in the almost 4 yrs I have been here. I have never called in sick when I wasn't. Believe me I have been tempted too. But I don't believe in that. I don't DO that. Apparently my boss and others don't give a rip.
Ok, I am getting off of my soapbox now. I just had to vent and get that out. Some things are just not right and for me, I think I have been taken for granted for far too long.
Now, as Joe and I say when the subject needs to be changed.......How are the plants?
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
OUCH
I have had kind of a crick in my neck for about 2 weeks now. It really is more like I slept wrong and that side of my neck down to the shoulder area hurts. REALLY hurts. Ryan massaged it really well the other night when he was at the house. How I long for a professional massage. If anyone has any ideas on how I can get some relief please share immediately! I'm a hurtin' I have some muscle relaxers at home but when I take one I get so sleepy I can't work. I end up getting so sleepy and that is not a good idea at work. I wonder if heat would help? I might try the heating pad tonight. Come on friends.......do a gal a favor and share share share ideas!
Stephanie is thoroughly enjoying being out of school. She has slept and slept and then slept again. Then she took some naps. Last night I gave her some chores to accomplish today. We'll see how that works out.
Joe has been visiting Bill at the hospital daily. It is so amazing to see how well he is doing. Bill that is. When I think of how close he was to death just a couple of weeks ago and how he looks and acts now it is an absolute miracle. A miracle from God for sure. Bill has arranged for after care for himself as Joe just can't handle it again. We will, of course, bring him home if the after care doesn't work out. Bill has made a lot of mistakes in his life but you know what, who hasn't? He has recovered from several surgeries at our house in the past few years. What's one more time!
Steph's boyfriend of 2 1/2 yrs abruptly broke up with her last week, 3 days before school ended. I don't want to get into it here because she would be very upset. But Joe and I have tried to help her through it. Her friends at school helped more than anything. I fear now that she doesn't believe what she was told and will get back with him. It is her decision for sure. It just hurts so much to see my baby hurt. Steph thinks that I don't understand. But I dealt with a no good boyfriend in high school that I truly did love. In fact we ended up getting married years later. He is Ryan's daddy. But that marriage didn't work out. We just grew in such different ways. He has apologized for his part in the failed marriage (which was 90%!). We are still friends and truly do care for each other. I truly hope that she realizes the truth but that is up to her. It is her future and happiness. With that said that really is all that we want. For her to be happy.
I guess it is time for me to get some work done today. That is if I can stop my continual rolling of my neck trying to make it feel better. If I don't stop soon I'm going to fall on my arse when I get up from dizziness!
Stephanie is thoroughly enjoying being out of school. She has slept and slept and then slept again. Then she took some naps. Last night I gave her some chores to accomplish today. We'll see how that works out.
Joe has been visiting Bill at the hospital daily. It is so amazing to see how well he is doing. Bill that is. When I think of how close he was to death just a couple of weeks ago and how he looks and acts now it is an absolute miracle. A miracle from God for sure. Bill has arranged for after care for himself as Joe just can't handle it again. We will, of course, bring him home if the after care doesn't work out. Bill has made a lot of mistakes in his life but you know what, who hasn't? He has recovered from several surgeries at our house in the past few years. What's one more time!
Steph's boyfriend of 2 1/2 yrs abruptly broke up with her last week, 3 days before school ended. I don't want to get into it here because she would be very upset. But Joe and I have tried to help her through it. Her friends at school helped more than anything. I fear now that she doesn't believe what she was told and will get back with him. It is her decision for sure. It just hurts so much to see my baby hurt. Steph thinks that I don't understand. But I dealt with a no good boyfriend in high school that I truly did love. In fact we ended up getting married years later. He is Ryan's daddy. But that marriage didn't work out. We just grew in such different ways. He has apologized for his part in the failed marriage (which was 90%!). We are still friends and truly do care for each other. I truly hope that she realizes the truth but that is up to her. It is her future and happiness. With that said that really is all that we want. For her to be happy.
I guess it is time for me to get some work done today. That is if I can stop my continual rolling of my neck trying to make it feel better. If I don't stop soon I'm going to fall on my arse when I get up from dizziness!
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