As we sat and watched a movie tonight, Chicken Noodle Butt snuggled in close. I asked him if he was comfortable.
His reply?
“I like cuddling close to you. You’re squishy.”
After a while, he jumped down to cuddle with Grandma, then came back to cuddle with me.
“Grandma not comfortable enough for you?”
“No. She is just soft; not squishy.”
Oreo was a Christmas surprise almost five years ago. My parents had come for a visit and then next thing I knew, I had several rabbits. Mom took all but one back to Colorado with her; Oreo. The Talented One couldn’t part with her, and so she became part of our family.
Oreo loved to run around the back yard. (Except for that one time when the dogs decided to chase her and we chased the dogs…but that’s another story!) She like to dig holes in the back yard; and when she was done, she go back into her hutch. She liked carrots and loved to be petted when we’d go out on the back porch to visit her.
Yesterday, we lost Oreo. My heart goes out to my children for the loss of their Oreo. I remember someone sharing this poem with us before and so I’ll share it again.
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together. . . .
So it started out ….
So seriously, after a long day of preparing for my son’s engagement party tomorrow, I was conned into taking certain girls to Chipotle for a late dinner on the way home. We were having a lively conversation, when it somehow turned into “Sister Wives”…
And the next thing I know…totally NOT making this up…they all walk into the restaurant! As I try to calm the three girls down, they are about to bounce out of their seats.
“Can we ask them for a picture?”
“Can we ask to take a picture with them?”
They could barely contain themselves as I replied,
“No! They are here to eat, not be bothered with pictures.”
“No, leave them alone, don’t bother them.”
And then, one of them, Christine, walked over ever so friendly and states,
“We’d love to take a picture with them! And they didn’t ask…I was eavesdropping and offered!”
The next few moments were spent with the girls googling the poor wives as they scarfed down their food in anticipation of a photo moment with the Sister Wives! And then, Kody walked by and sat right down at the next table. Poor man was trying to eat his burrito and my children were about to jump out of their seats!
Finally, Christine told him that she’d told the girls they could have their picture taken. They were very nice and all stopped eating their dinner to take a picture with the girls. I tried to bow out gracefully, but was told to join in the picture.
Of course, the entire ride home was spent texting everybody and their mother!
Of course, I had to laugh when “someone who shall remain nameless” remarked,
“I can’t believe I met someone from Hollywood!” to which we replied, “They’re from Vegas, silly!”
Sunday, May 27
The Princess woke up croupy. No church for us today. By the end of the day, it was obvious she was only getting worse, so off to urgent care we went. We pulled in just in the nick of time. As soon as the doors opened, the parking lot was covered in regurgitated food. Yuk! Not long after, armed with steroids and an inhaler, we headed home.
Monday, May 28
Memorial Day 2012 – Spend six hours at an appointment with the two younger ones for an evaluation. All a necessary part of the adoption as we move forward, but none the less, emotionally exhausting as well. We made it home to grilled salmon and grilled zucchini…awesome meal! The Good Looking One came over for a visit later, which always makes my day!
Tuesday, May 29
It was the Princesses birthday…ten years old. My how the time flies! I remember the day she was born and the first time we ever brought her home with us. She was just a few months old and I didn’t have any real idea of what her needs were. Several back and forth trips and now, hopefully, the adoption will be final before the summer is over! She requested grilled cheeese sandwiches and tomatoe soup. Home made tomatoe soup. (There are three foods I really don’t care to ever eat…lima beans, black eyed peas and tomato soup), but I made the soup and dipped the sandwich in it and smiled the whole time, because she was so happy that we had made her special request for her birthday! (Bboo shares my sentiment and forced the liquid down, too!)
Wednesday, May 30
Happy 20th anniversary to hubby and I! I spent some time this week sitting and remembering…I honestly can’t believe twenty years have gone by so fast! I also never would have imagined this wonderful, amazing life that we have spent together. And it’s a good thing we celebrated on the weekend, because there would be no celebrating on the actual day! Between work, court and dance, all he got was a text message. He, on the other hand, sent me a beautiful note, so he won the most romantic award for the day.
Thursday, May 31
I honestly don’t remember it. I think it was because I slept through it.
Friday, June 1
Another busy day of work, appointments, various sport events for the kids, etc. A quiet moment with the Talented One while we watched a movie ended the day nicely! It’s not often we get to spend one on one time together!
Saturday, June 2
Errands, cleaning, grooming dogs, etc! Finally, a houseful of people and a game of Hearts and Mexican train with good friends, because after all…there will ALWAYS be time for a game of Hearts!
But the best part of the week?
The Drama Queen found out last minute she is singing tonight. She is usually pretty confident, but was completely unsure of herself last night. The Talented One called her downstairs to the piano to work with her.
Sometimes, certain memories just stick…you know it’s going to be one you won’t ever forget. As I sat there playing the game, I was able to completely keep my composure. But inside, I was choked up and melting as I listened to him playing the piano and encouraging her while she sang, “Lead Me to the Cross.”
It was beautiful.
My family. My life.
God is good.
…to send off to Prom, that is! The boys, we throw them in a tuxedo…that’s is. Sure, we can instruct them to be a gentleman, open the doors, treat them like a lady, ask them if they have enough money, etc., but then we send them off and trust that we’ve taught them well.
But when it’s your daughter….it’s another story! It’ takes weeks of preparation! There’s shopping for the dress; then the shoes; then accessories…and the list goes on and on.
Until it’s finally the day…and in it, there are not one, two, or even three trips to Sally’s…but FOUR! Half a bottle of fingernail polish is used before the nails are just right. Then there’s the bobby pins, glue gun to make the hairpiece, make-up for “smokey eyes” and so much more!
And when you’re all done…you remember the dress has to go over the head….yeah, that was fun!
And the finished product?
And then, there’s that smile!
And a moment with her father…
And her oldest, very protective brother…
And finally, we’re about done with pictures…..
And they’re off!