All Is Not Well

I'm sick! Have I mentioned I hate being sick? Well I do, which is why I try to avoid getting sick at all costs. No luck escaping it this time.

Would someone rub my head please? I'm pitiful, I know.

Dearest Nintendo Company..

It's me again, Muffy from Texas. Still no word from you on the Wii console letter I sent you a few days ago. I sure hope you got it.

I've been dreaming about your Wii gaming system lately. What a funny thing to be dreaming about, but there I am with my family - laughing and having a good time as we engage in a friendly game of tennis, bowling, or Mario Brother's Olympics. There I am, looking svelt (thanks to your Dance Dance Revolution Game) and happy because we are finally gaming together instead of apart (as we have all this years past). Everyone is laughing. Friends of ours are over sharing in the fun and laughter. They too can't believe how much fun your Wii games are. But then I wake up joyous and invigorated only to find out we don't have a Wii and we are still doing our own things. How sad don't you think?

Your Friend and Devoted Fan,
Muffy

Dallas..The Real Windy City

I've never been to Chicago, but I think that I can say with some certainty that today (at least), Dallas is the Windy City.

I have no idea what the wind gusts are today (something like 50-60 mph I think - I'm no meteorologist though), but hot damn it's windy out. Today wasn't the best day to be out driving. I bet the guy (formerly) towing his camper behind his pick up wishes he had learned that lesson before today. I don't know the specifics of the accident, I was having trouble keeping my own vehicle on the road let alone be bothered to look around, but some guy had his camper flip over while getting on the interstate near my neighbourhood. I'm pretty sure the incident was wind related, THAT'S just how windy it is. No one was hurt, but it did back traffic up quite a ways. I'm just glad I was headed in the opposite direction.

And of course, today was trash day. My neighbourhood is filled with stupid people. Why in God's name do you not put a lid on your trash can if it's windy out? Why do you not secure your boxes down? Oh oh oh, better yet; why do you not securely close your trash bags so that when the wind picks up your trash bag and hurls it down the road, it doesn't open up and the garbage go flying EVERYWHERE?! Where is the common sense people? Oh yes, and if your bin gets knocked over and your trash spills out, at least have the decency to pick up your mess! Needless to say I was disgusted.



These pictures don't accurately depict how trashy the neighbourhood looked, in my opinion at least. They don't really do the scene justice. It was attrocious.
Also, I apologize for the sad photographs. I was a little busy dodging garbage cans, swirling trash, and the poor garbage men (God bless them) dutifully cleaning up the dirty diapers, food containers, paper, and everything else strewn about to really care about getting a good shot.

Dear Nintendo Company,

My name is Muffy and I'm 33 years old. For Christmas (or earlier if you can see fit), I'd like a Wii console. I know it's only January and you aren't Santa Claus, but either I wasn't a very good girl last year (which I know not to be the case - cross my heart) or the jolly guy just doesn't have the clout that he used to because there wasn't a Wii waiting under the tree for me this past year.

Now I've tried to buy myself a Wii, but your company must be holding on to them with iron fists or something because I just can't seem to find them in the stores. Maybe I just haven't looked hard or long enough? I'll continue to diligently look for said gaming system, but I could really use your help.

Either way, I'm a little sad. You see, my Mama has a Wii and when we visited there this summer my little critter fell in love with the bowling game. He can't play it mind you, but he gets so excited when he watches others and cheers loudly when someone does well. You should see him light up. Won't you help me give my son that joy at home? Pretty please? I promise to continue to be on my very best behaviour. Amen.

Your Friend,
Muffy

One Week Down

Well, I've managed to survive the first week of my Mama's 3 week visit. My sanity is intact..for now, but my bank account has taken a huge hit (by our standards at least).
She's a shopper..bless her heart. I, however, am not. I mean, I can do it and I'd like to do it IF I had oodles of money. I don't. A lot of what I've purchased aren't necessities in the sense that we need them to live, but it is nice to have a house that feels like a home with pictures and other things hanging up on the wall, curtains, or knick knacks to decorate with. We haven't had that since we lived in Oklahoma over 2 years ago. I'm not great at that sort of thing either. I know what I like, but I'm not the visionary Mother is. So..she designs..I spend and Big Daddy..well..he loses his mind.

There are a few plans for Mother's visit on the horizon. There is a short trip planned to San Antonio and Austin the week before she leaves. Big Daddy has to go there and do some business so we're tagging along to be tourists and the like. Knowing Mother, we'll probably end up shopping some (I'm leaving my check book at home though).
Other then that, her visit should be a quiet one. This week we'll do a bit of painting and putting up the pictures..strategizing for when I can afford to do some more decorating. It's a process.

Have I mentioned that I'm so tired these days? I miss my alone time too. One week down!

When Mother Visits

Mother is flying in for a visit on Tuesday and the race is on to prepare the house for her arrival. Big Daddy (and Critter too) helped me do my spring cleaning a little early this year. It's what we did the entire weekend and believe you me when I tell you that I'm tired. I'm so tired my dawgs are barking.

Okay, so I'm a neat freak but it hardly comes close to what my mother is. If there is a level or three above that, that's what she is. Though unintentional, Mother has my sister and I trained. We're like her little dogs. When she rings her little bell and announces that she will be coming for a visit, we start cleaning immediately. I don't think she actually does it, though I can't be certain, I think she goes around my house inspecting it for dust and dirt. She's like the cleaning Nazi. Me, I'm the athlete training daily for her once a year visit. Her visits are my Olympics and I'm just waiting to be judged.

Tomorrow is more of the same, but the cleaning schedule is not near as heavy as it was today. Much of it is done and I can take my time and not be so stressed, which is what always happens.



Big Daddy showing O how it's done - after Mama shows Big Daddy :)

Bond..Sibling Bond

Here in my house recently, there has been some discussion about having another child. For the longest time we, meaning me, have said that there would be no more kids. In fact, we weren't planning on having any children when I got pregnant with O. But here we are going back and forth on the issue. Most days I'm middlin' to con, while Big Daddy is a resounding pro. I have a list a mile long as to all the reasons we shouldn't or I don't care to have another child, but that isn't what this post today is all about. There has been one pro argument that has been sticking in my brain now for a couple of days; the bond between siblings (typically)and their shared life. And the reason it sticks out so much for me is because of the great relationship I have with my sister, Kid and how much she means to me.

If Big Daddy and I decide that one child is enough for us, Critter will grow up never knowing that kind of relationship, that bond that comes from growing up in a house together and experiencing much of the same things. I can't imagine not having my Kid sister in my life.

Kid was born just 2 years after me. I was happy to have a sibling, but Mother says that I have been wishing for a baby brother. I suppose I forgave Kid for not being a boy. I don't know that I actually would have liked having a younger brother. Besides, Kid's good people. Well, she's more then that really. She's my best friend, my girl Friday. When I have a bad day, I call her. When I've got an idea or a mind that needs clearing, I call her. When I need to vent or cry, I call her. And she'll be the one that I call when I need to hide the bodies. :P

Kid and I didn't always see eye to eye growing up. She was a pesky little sister that used to like to tag along with my friends and I. She pulled my hair (I have the pictures to prove it). She conned me into looking over the edge of the top bunk to where she lay on her bottom bunk. I, of course, fell from my top bunk the long..loooooong way down to floor and onto my head. What a sweetheart, huh?

Later when our parents divorced it was just Kid and me against the world. We were inseparable (for a few years at least). High school saw us on different paths and in different houses more often than not. For years the relationship was tumultuous, but we were still sisters..blood. We loved each other but we didn't agree on much and it caused a bit of a rift. In fact, there were a few years in which we did not speak to one another (perhaps a story for another time - perhaps). Thankfully though, those years have passed and our relationship with one another has been restored. They were some of the hardest years of my life; ones I wish never to repeat.

We live miles apart these days and it breaks my heart sometimes to live so far from her. I miss the goofing off we used to do and just being in her company. Even though she is often cynical, pessimistic, and a big ol grumpy butt she is my little ray of sunshine.

This is what I will regret never giving the Critter should we choose not to have another child. This crazy beautiful relationship with someone of his blood.
And Kid, in case that wasn't clear enough for you, you punk, I love you!