Halloween

What a laid back mellow holiday we had.  The little man went with his friend to do the trick or treat thing.  He came home with a bucket full of candy.  The little woman wanted to go around the block and only do some of the houses.  Then we came back and she handed out candy.  Just like last year.  And again she did a marvelous job.  She commented on costumes and she said "Happy Halloween" and she was just responsible.
After the little man came home she went and hit a few more houses on our street.  I asked if she did the ones she didn't get the first time around and that is what she did.
The little man wore a mask he bought at a yard sale.  The little woman wore her cat ears.  I'm not sure why she didn't want to be Harley Quinn.  Maybe she was in too much of a hurry.  Anyway...cheap for me. They had a good time and that is the important thing.

Sick Day

The littles woke up with a headache.  Then after the little man was dressed and complaining about noise he said he didn't feel very good.  And then he vomited all over the floor.  Guess he really didn't feel very good.  So they stayed home.  I called in at work and stayed home. 
We spent the day on the couch until late afternoon.  He felt better and went outside, but no one was around to play with.  Probably not a bad thing.  Then we headed to bed early.  Early for them anyway.  It was just a down day. 

Eight

Eight years ago the little woman was born.  And we were so blessed.  A perfect baby with blue eyes and red hair.  And those things never wavered. 
Today we celebrated her birth with a party at JJ Jump.  The little woman, the little man and Brooklyn spent an hour jumping and running from bounce house to bounce house.  Aunt Traci came with Leon.  We had picked up Grammy and Uncle Pat showed up.  We ate pizza.  The little woman picked her own cake.  It was chocolate and I think she really liked the chocolate rose on top.  Naturally she ate that rose.  We sang to her and she was happy.  Some years she has not wanted us to sing. 
She opened her presents and was very pleased.  Brooklyn brought her a pregnant unicorn who had three babies.  Daddy gave her a boat for the littlest pet shop pets.   She got money and little pet shop pets and shopkins.  And of course the snuggle kitty.  Now it's not really a snuggle kitty...that is just what she calls it.  It is a little live pet and it is cute. 
Even though the party was small she had a good time.  And JJ Jump gave her a jump card good for 11 jump sessions.  Thanks JJ Jump. 

Highly Sensitive

Lately I have been coming to the conclusion that the little woman falls in the higher end of the spectrum for sensitivity.  It's called highly sensitive.  Some of the signs are bugged by small things like seams in socks, textures of foods, high empathy and on and on.  I don't think she is extremely high sensitive, but she definitely is highly sensitive.  It explains the not being able to wear shoes that I can't get the sand out of or having the seams on the socks be just right.  It explains the picky eating.  And on and on. 
I took an online test and I don't put much faith in them, but she still scored in the ranks of having it.  Twenty percent of the population do.  It isn't so much a condition as an explanation and now we can look for ways to make life a tad easier for my little woman.  Anyway today someone else commented about it in her.
So she again got bit by a dog.  This time our dog.  Right on her lip and she knew instantly she needed stitches.  She came and told me and then showed me.  And then we went to the ER.  Again we got sent up to pediatrics.  And it was hard.  After her last experience she was not going to cooperate at all.  And she really needed to because of where the bite is.  So the decision was made to sedate her.  And oh my gosh....she got so much medicine it was unbelievable and she still was awake during the procedure.  Not to the point of fully awake, but enough that she did move and squirm and talk.  She got four stitches.  One inside and three outside.  And they are dissolvable.  Thank goodness.  And while she was "under" the doctor went ahead and took out the remaining three stitches in her fingers that she would not let anyone do.  We had went to urgent care and after removing three they told me they could not do anymore and to bring her back some other time.  She felt him removing those stitches. 
When they were almost done the tech and the respiratory therapist talked about how amazing it was that she had that much ketamine in her and still she was aware of what was happening to her.  The tech then turned around and asked me if she was in the highly sensitive category.  Anyway once they quit bothering her she slept and didn't wake up for another three hours.  The doctor said the good thing about the versaid and ketamine they gave her is that she would not remember any of it. 
Ha.  Maybe not all of it, but enough of it is still remembered.  I hope we don't have any more trips to the ER anytime soon. 

The Mall

Aunt Traci picked the kids up from daycare and took them birthday shopping at the mall.  They had a really good time and found some presents.  I stopped after work and took over the parenting duties.  We headed upstairs to the bungee jumping.  When they do this it is pure joy.  The smiles are so big on their faces. 
Then we headed back home as the Fall Festival was happening at their school.  I was so impressed this year.  They didn't run out of candy in the first fifteen minutes.  There were lots of activities for the kids to participate in.  There was cheap pizza and baked goods for sale.  The little man found his friend from school/neighborhood and then he was invited to go to another party with him afterward.  There were so many cool costumes including adults.  It was a great sense of community.  We had a great time. 

No Mouse

I opened the cupboard door to notice all the dark gray pieces.  Yup.  My critter destroyed the intake line almost like it was mad I shut the water off.  My little man had tripped my trap.  But the peanut butter was gone.  So I reset it with new peanut butter.  I'm not hopeful though because I still don't see any mouse droppings.
Within half an hour the trap is sprung.  We open the door and the trap is broken.  I do not have a mouse.  It is looking like I have a rat.  We actually peeked inside the hole in the back where the water lines come in and there is bread in it.  I think I found a stash. 
We need to buy some bigger traps and get this taken care of.  Oy.  And I think I am going to shop vac the hole and get rid of that bread. 

Water Again

Woke up and headed to the kitchen.  Got to have my coffee.  Hit the kitchen floor and I was in water.  It is an instantaneous drop in the stomach.  Turn on the light.  Looks like it is again coming from under the sink.  Open up the door and yup.  And again I take all the cleaning supplies out as I am soaking up water off the floor.  Get that all up and then I realize where the water is coming from.  The hose leading to the dishwasher.  And turning off the valve stopped the water.  Now I'm looking and the first hose, that had a hole, is completely disintegrated.  And there is soggy wet bread back there...not in the bag as it would have been when I threw it away.  Methinks I got a critter. 
I set a trap, but no luck so far.  Other than the bread and the pieces of hose there is no evidence of critters. 
I had just been commenting that washing dishes by hand was getting old and maybe it was time to replace the dishwasher.  I would have it installed and that takes care of all those issues.  But I have to wait and see if I have a critter.  I don't want this again.  And certainly not with new hoses. 

Conferences

Well both conferences went about the way I expected.  The little man has impressed his teacher.  He has a math brain and has more than shown it to her.  He is able to explain how he deduces things.  Something the rest of the class may be doing at the end of kindergarten.  And he is going to be a top reader also.  He is very competitive.  He is a great helper and is helping her teach the class even if he isn't aware of it.
The little woman is of course a great artist still.   Maybe a tad too much.  She tends to draw when she doesn't want to do other work.  She has great story telling abilities (gets that from me) and we need to work on getting those stories from her head and mouth into her hand and on paper.  She has already came a long ways on it, but we will keep moving forward.  Math is not her strong suit some days and some days she does fine.  Funny girl. 
I have lots of paperwork for help at home for them.  Reading, math, writing.  At least we aren't dissecting any frogs.  Although the littles already kind of did that and she told a story about it. 

Spooky

I am the first to admit that I am not observant at all.  I have to really be paying attention to see things.  So one night last week we were driving to Orchards just after dusk.  It was dark, but not quite black.  And I noticed this cop car at a house on 503.  We were acquaintances of the owner a long while back, so I noticed....this time.  The next house up is an abandoned mobile home and there were many cop cars.  But it's all dark.  No lights anywhere.  I thought it odd but didn't give it another thought. 
A couple of days later we were returning home from Orchards and we passed the acquaintance house and it is dark.  It's really dark outside, but you can still make out outlines.  And dang that house looked ghostly, spooky.  Empty.  Wait...what? That can't be right. 
But it was.  Paid attention the next time I drove by in the daytime.  Front door open, a couple of windows gone.  Still looked spooky.  And then I drove by today and the porch roof has completely collapsed.  That takes time.  And yes, it looks spooky, ghostly.  Very very empty. 
According to the county the building has no value....yeah I got that.  Several pieces of property right there have been bought up by a company that is obviously eventually planning on developing. 
Makes me wonder how long the house had been empty before I ever noticed.  I drive by it all the time. 

Family Dinner Out

Family dinner out tonight.  We headed over to Gresham and ate at Giuseppe's.  It is one of Pat's favorite places.  We had to wait for a table.  The littles had tablets and were well distracted. 
Naturally there wasn't anything for the picky eater to eat.  But she had a soda and behaved.  The little man had pizza and we brought a few pieces home.  Pat got to take his and Mom's leftovers home.  Lots of Parmesan. 
Every one bahaved.  And it made for a nice night out with the family. 

35 Years

So much to tell.  It has been 35 years since I graduated from Evergreen High School.  Lori hosted the reunion event at the Royal Oaks Country Club.  Let me start by saying I have lived in Clark County since I was 11 years-old and had never been to the Royal Oaks.  It's a nice place. 
There were about 70 of us at the reunion.  Some, of course, were spouses.  I was sitting with Jane and her friend and we kept watch on the door seeing who we recognized.  At first it was slow, but we did manage to recognize quite a few.  For Jane and I , none of the people we were friends with attended.  We ended up looking at the yearbook and reminiscing.  Pointed out "our people".  She and I ran in totally different crowds.  And neither of us were in the popular crowd, the jock crowd or the smart crowd. 
Our table for dinner had open seats so Tommy Tutone and his man Alex Hart sat with us for dinner.  Tommy told us how 1982 was a good year as his oldest daughter was born that year.  What a lovely thing to share. I noticed he and the ever exquisite Michelle had a conversation. Michelle always wanted to be a singer so after her kids were grown...that is what she is doing.  After dinner Tommy did a little show for us and naturally sang his hit "867-5309 (Jenny)". 
Alex Hart was a treat.  He was funny and entertaining.  He had stories to tell.  He didn't graduate with us but he was there having fun nonetheless.  It is a perk of whatever his job is.  I was never quite sure what it was exactly that he did. 
There was a magician who was amazing.  Somehow he took my ring that I gave him and it ended up on his keyring in his back pocket.  He brought out a bottle of wine in a napkin.  Just amazing little tricks.  He was funny. 
I had moments with some of my classmates that I never talked to in high school.  In high school Terri had done an exchange thing one summer and came back to school with a nose ring.  Now this was long before it was the cool thing to do.  I was so impressed and thought it was just the coolest thing.  So 35 years later I told her how cool I had thought it was. 
Michelle remembered me right off and we talked about her love of horses...she rode when we were in high school.  Then she told me her dream of singing.  It is nice being remembered by someone with such grace as she has. 
I asked Brad where his brother was.  We went to school together a long time.  He and his brother are twins, but Brian is not on facebook so he can't be stalked that way.  We talked about Brad's broken leg from a few years ago and his construction business.
Another Brian remembered me as being quiet.  Oh yes, I was quiet and still am unless I put myself out there.  So immediately I open my mouth and insert foot with him.  I think it was all right.  I looked him up after the reunion and we should have talked about his kids...who are close to the age mine are (I think). 
Lisa and Lisa (must have been a popular name) chatted with me.  One of them lived in my neighborhood.  And they both looked really good.  I chatted with Cindy and always remember her more as Kim's friend. 
Desi came over and I asked her about the change in living in Stevenson to living in LA.  She is taking her fashion designing to the next level.  Good for her. 
I met Charles, Gerry, Tim, Oliver and Brett.  I actually got Brett out on the dance floor for a bit.  And yes, I danced.  Not in my comfort zone at all, but I did it anyway. 
I still have no clue how that guy got Lori's tutu and wore it on his head.  He said he wasn't part of our class, so must have been a spouse.  And obviously one with a sense of humor. 
It really was a lot of fun and I had a great time.  I am glad when the announcement came up for buying our ticket...that I forced myself to immediately send Lori the check....that way I could not talk myself out of it.  If I pay...I'm going. 
Thank you Lori for hosting.  Thanks Pat for babysitting. 

Rain, Rain, Rain

And the rain has started.  They tell us we will get over three inches this weekend.  Glorious rain.  One of the storms that passed through today had water pouring off our roof at work.  Only the second time I have seen it like that.  It was done by the time I left though. 
One the way home from our treat we saw the darkest clouds.  Kept waiting for the storm, but it didn't hit here.  I love pointing stuff out to the kids though and then having them do their own noticing.  They see different things than I do.
And naturally we missed the Orionid Meteor Shower.  I'm sure it was up there but there was no way we were going to see it through those clouds.  Maybe our luck will change with the next one.  ;p

Field Trip

It was the little man's first field trip with school.  He has been waiting and waiting.  So off to Casee Center we went to the pumpkin patch.  The little man is the only one wearing shorts.  I did hear other parents talking about it.  If he isn't cold, I'm all right with it.  And I had a pair of pants in my bag just in case.  He never needed them. 
When we got there we got split into two groups.  We went to the petting barn first and the education barn.  We identified leaves, counted beans, looked at stuff through magnifying glasses and guessed fruits and vegetables.  The kids tried to pet some sheep, but the sheep weren't having much to do with it.  And they were wet anyway. 
Then we went to the pumpkin patch.  Funniest patch I've ever seen.  Someone had hid a bunch of pumpkins in the woods just off the trail.  All the kids were happy to find a pumpkin.  Then they received a snack of apple slices.  I saw the little man go back a couple of times.  He must have enjoyed them.
Once back to the school it was time for lunch.  Since I was there, I again had lunch with each kid.  The little man was so excited that they had chicken burgers today.  He really likes them.  I think they taste like a big chicken nugget.

Invitations

We found some invitations.  The little woman has been pondering who to invite to her party.  She has the first three down and has never wavered on them.  But since she had more invitations in the package she felt compelled to use them.  And the fun began.  Who did she like?  Who liked her?  Who wasn't mean sometimes?  She managed to add a couple of boys on the list.  I'm sure if they come they will be great playmates to the little man....since they are his age. 
We had already invited Aunt Traci, but the little woman felt she needed an actual invitation.  Then she wanted to invite her cousin.  She just knows she has a cousin around here. It did finally come to her.  She wanted to invite Adrianna.  And I told her I would send her an invitation if that is what she wanted.  She hasn't seen Adrianna in over a year and that is the way Tanya wants it.  And all of that must have spun around in my little woman's head and she opted instead to invite Arianna. 
So our tally is complete.  We have eight invites to the party.  That leaves us room if we miscalculated.  We can have up to 11 jumpers.

Hooky

I can't figure it out.  Lots of mornings the little woman goes through a dance of "I don't want to go to school".  Sometimes only until the bus passes and then she is fine if I drive her.  Sometimes it continues all the way to school and beyond. 
Every reason that she tells me doesn't fly.  Brandon on the bus sits behind her and picks on her.  Well when I talked to the bus driver....Brandon sits in the very front and she is four seats back.  Nope.  She tells me how mean the teacher is.  She gets in trouble a lot.  And I will bring this up next week at conference.  But when I ask her how her day is at the end of the day....it is just fine.  So I'm just lost as to what is up. 
Today I just opted to not deal with it.  Tomorrow I will be right back on the "you are going to school" band wagon.  So I let her play hooky. 
We did a little shopping.  We went and visited Grammy.  We took the old mini Ipad in to have the screen fixed.  Then when we got it back it seems to have more problems.  Hoping it is just needing a break in from all the new glue.  Otherwise I probably wasted that money on fixing the screen.
She actually was discreet and didn't tell her brother that she got the day off.  She just enjoyed the day together and he enjoyed the day at school. 
Just hope I figure this out soon because it really is annoying to go through it most mornings. 

Disappointment

Oy.  I knew better than to expect more.  When I went out for lunch with my friend Tom...I did so knowing he likes to smoke pot.  My understanding is he uses it in place of alcohol.  And while to me it is just a change of drug of choice.....pot doesn't affect you the way alcohol can. 
When I arrived he had to get stoned before we went out for lunch.  This after he took a couple of minutes to "cool" down from his new business dealings.  I suspect it is something illegal.  Lunch was fine other than he had to keep an eye on his phone....for business.  And I was way way put off when he told he how he and his business partner were going out for some beers later in the evening.  Told me about a game they like to play...so they don't get shitfaced.  About a month ago he had told me he hadn't had any alcohol in over a year.  Yeah right. 
I'm not looking for a boyfriend.....I just like male company.  But I don't need that kind of company.  If you need to be stoned to go out for lunch or have a conversation....and I'm sorry stoned conversations aren't deep, it is just not my gig. 

Serenity Prayer

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

the courage to change the things I can,

and the wisdom to know the difference.  

Funny how often I am back to saying that to myself. Trying to live in the moment and make life grand.  I cannot change the things that break my heart.  I cannot stop my heart from breaking.  But I can let it break and then go on.  

So I woke up this morning to a text from Cassie asking for our address.  She moved and must have lost it.  Anyway she said she couldn't do as much for the little woman for her birthday because her medical bills are just costing her too much.  You know we all got bills and if you can't do much, you can't do much.  But there are also priorities.  Last year she sent the little woman $20.  So does this mean this year she is sending her $10.  It will be what it will be.  

But on the other side of our coin.....we are planning a party this year.  First real party for the little woman.  I managed to stash a little money anticipating a real party.  I did have to veto G6 and Skyzone.  $300 is out of my range.  So we are going to JJ Jump.  Probably the last year this would work for her so good timing.  

I'm a value shopper.  I worked really hard on not doing it.  I remember Dave commenting about not getting the one thing he asked for, but a substitute.  And how disappointing it was.  I took that to heart and figured the little woman already has enough disappointment in her life.  She wants the snuggle kitten.  She pointed out the ad.  She showed me in the store.  It's darling.  It's $50.  It's a toy.  I was able to let my value shopping take me online and found it a little cheaper even after tax was added on. So it really is turning out to be a good birthday for her.  

I cannot make "family" be part of her life.  I cannot make her immediate family whole.  I cannot cure the addictions.  I cannot change the distance to her mommy.  I cannot make her daddy not be incarcerated.  What I can do is love her and hope I have enough love for her to feel it and not miss all the love from others that she doesn't get.  

Lazy Sunday

We spent the whole day at home.  Well not really.  The littles played with various kids in the neighborhood.  My car never moved from the driveway.  I did walk with the kids to Lucy's house a few blocks over. 
The little man and I did do some snipping in the front yard.  He loves to snip branches off the Japanese Maple that gets unruly.  Again I cut out something I don't know what it is.  It doesn't do anything but grow and have green leaves.  I think next year it comes out.  It all looks a little better except for the piles of clippings. 

Lunch

Aunt Traci picked the littles up today to take them to the Jurassic Quest going on at the fairgrounds.  She planned it a week ago or so.  She had wanted to do a pumpkin patch, but decided this sounded a lot more fun. 
After the littles were on their way I headed over to Tom's house.  I picked him up and we went and had lunch at the Gateway Breakfast House.  It is a little hole in the wall place.  And it was packed with people waiting.  It didn't feel like we waited all that long. 
The food was really good and the service delightful.  We had a young waiter who had the nicest smile.  What I really liked was his eyes lit up when he smiled.  The waitress liked my spider earring and said she had a pair.  Another customer had asked her recently where she got them and she could not remember.  Avon.  I remembered.  She was going to pass that along to the other customer.  Unfortunately Avon probably doesn't sell them anymore.  We did agree that we had them for about ten years. 
The highlight to going to Tom's house is naturally Tom's "cat".  It really belongs to the neighbor, but lives at Tom's house.  He is a big black cat and is so wonderful.  Obviously I have a great love for black cats.  This one likes me also.  I was disappointed that he was out catting around when we returned from lunch. 
I stopped at the grocery store on the way home and did some shopping sans kids.  Got home and just about had the groceries put away when Traci and the kids showed up.  Guess my timing was just about spot on.  It was a lovely afternoon for me and for them.  I got to hear about the dinosaurs a lot. 

Choice

So today each child had a choice of something they wanted to do.  And both choices amazed me.  The little woman had hers first.  She wanted to clean her room.  So we did.  All her toys went into her bins and the floor got vacuumed.  Looks much better.  Unfortunately then she drug all the bins out to the living room to play with them. 
The little man wanted to go for a walk.  We have been doing small walks for awhile.  Me, just to keep moving and him just for the fun of it.  Spotted these cool plants/shrubs in people's yards.  Always looking to see what people are doing with their landscaping.

An Iguana

The little woman has drama right now as one of her elective type classes.  Today they put on two small mini plays.  The little woman had a good part in the pourqui piece called "Why a Mosquito Buzzes in People's Ears".  She played the iguana. 
Things I noticed.  She really gets into it and plays the part big.  She did not need the script as she had her lines memorized.  She has a flair all her own.  She was very excited that I was able to come see it.
After it was over I realized it was lunch time, so I stayed and had lunch with each kid.  The little man had me come outside to "play" tether ball.  That was just standing there watching him wind the rope and ball around the pole.  I think they were both really happy I was there.  I know all the rest of the kids at his table had tales to tell me. 

Girl Scouts

It was the little woman's first Brownie meeting tonight.  We arrived just a little early and found our room at Brookdale Sr. Living.  The little woman knew one of the other girls immediately and she was excited.  And the other girl was happy to see her also.  The best part was when Brooklyn walked in.  I think she is going to be fine.  We had talked about it being a club and her making more friends.
Afterwards she said she was coming back.  I'm glad.  I really really want her active in some stuff.  I still believe that active kids (not every minute) get in less trouble.  Active kids are more motivated to do things.  My experiences have not necessarily always proved that, but it is what I believe.
The little man could not understand why he couldn't be part of it.  He did not care the least that it was for girls.  Sorry little man....boy scouts for you in a couple of years.  ;p

Writing

It's a long time ago, but when I was in kindergarten we learned our abc's and our colors and our numbers.  Pretty basic basic stuff.  In the years and years since then they have discovered a lot about how we humans learn.  And they teach way different than they did.  Even compared to when the littles' dad was in school. 
The little man wanted to know how to spell turtle.  And this is our new thing......spelling all kinds of words.  Then he brings me this piece of paper and tells me he wrote a sentence.  And other than the punctuation on the end....he sure did. 
I am always amazed at how intelligent he is and how quick he picks things up.  He has been in kindergarten a month and a half and is writing sentences.  And he only needed me to help him spell the one word.  These are his strengths.  He will be a whiz at reading, writing and math.  Hoping it translate great in science. 
I know he has already picked up so much from his sister and her homework.  We made the job pretty easy for his teacher in respect to learning.  Now that drawing a man on the carpet with crayon.....that is a different story.  Although he says he is not going to do that again. 

Dad Day

Today was a dad day.  Little things that just struck me.  A truck went by and on the side it said Claim Jumper.  My dad used that as his CB handle for a long long time.  Later in the day Claim Jumper came up again.  Haven't seen it in years and years and here it was twice in one day. 
Then another truck said chaparral.  Now my dad never had any truck or trailer with that on it.  But he did have a Chaparral snow mobile.  And as I recall it was fast.  My dad was a bit of a thrill seeker.  My best story about him and me and that snow mobile was we were out in a field and we had to cross a fence.  So he got off to hold the fence down while I gave it gas and went over the fence.  I was probably 7 or 8.  Well I gave it too much gas and went further than he intended for me to go.  Like I said it was fast. 
I have always been a believer in signs and omens.  So I think Dad was conversing with me today.  Letting me know he was thinking about me and the littles.  Little people he never met.  Letting me know I am always doing the right thing. 
Love you Dad.  Light and love. 

Picture Day

We met up with photographer Markie Wing at Casee Center.  We went down into the botanical gardens and tried to get some shots.  Neither little was being very cooperative.  She did manage to get a few shots that would work.  We were only doing a mini session so after she got what she needed, she left to go to editing.
We walked down to the ponds, but did not find any turtles.  We went on a mushroom hunt and they found some big ones in the woods and little ones in the grass.  We found loads of helicopters and when you throw up a whole hand full....it is pretty cool. 
The little woman told us about the time she came to the gardens last year.  The little man is looking forward to his trip coming up.  At least now he will be a little familiar with it. 

Blessed

Tom and I have been having this ongoing conversation.  I'll make a glib statement and he will tell me he knows.  And I remember.  He knew me when I was me.  And he brings that person out in me again.  I like being funny.  I like being outgoing and willing to try things.  I like who I was.
Who I was before having to deal with ex-spouses, step children, addictions and alcoholism.  I'm still that person, but those other things made changes along the line.  I'm less adventurous.  I don't let people in, not even those who came before.  I don't have that youthful confidence. 
I still think things will always work out, but I put a bit more planning into it.  I have great wit in my brain that I keep there.....most of the time. 
So we talked about how we did not end up where we thought we would be when we were young.  But we agreed that we are both blessed.  He with all his many friends, me with the littles.  And I am blessed to reconnect with those friends from my past who remind me of who I am and that I can be outgoing and I can be funny. 

A Question

When I got married, it was with the belief that it would be a lifetime (and it was).  But I thought that lifetime would be into our 70s and beyond. I always said I would not marry again.   I also did not expect that I would have to do the legal thing of divorce to make sure I was secure.  But life throws curve balls and so Dave died when he was 58 and I was 50.  And so 70s and beyond is still a long long time. 
While walking with Marti the other day she popped up with would I ever be interested in another relationship....like when I have free time after the littles are grown.  She was referring to a marriage type relationship.  It gave me pause.  I hadn't been thinking anything on those lines. 
My life is good right now.  Not perfect, but good.  The littles and I enjoy the freedom we have.  I want to do something and we go and do it.  I don't have to take anyone else's schedule into account.  Now that we are in school it does change a bit.  But we still have a lot of freedom.
Then there is parenting.  I doubt I'm going to find another person who is going to be like me.  And I would be scared to bring anyone else into the parenting dynamic.  We have had enough damage and loss to last us a good long while. 
The littles are going to be with me for a long time yet.  And while time flies.....I will be 65 when the little man graduates from high school.  That is a long time before I have free time. 
So I guess the short answer and the long answer is maybe.  But I'm not looking for it now.  I'm enjoying happily ever after in all it's forms.  I was married to my best friend.  We created a family.  And that family continues.  And I'm enjoying the littles growing up.  And I'm enjoying life each day.  Learning new skills, being self sufficient, having the freedom to go to the beach on a whim.  My life is pretty full.  And when I feel like talking to men, I talk to my friends Doug, Tom, John, and Greg.  It's nice to have friends, but I don't need a husband. 

Dentist

The little woman finally got her dental work done.  Due to her reluctance at her last appointment we opted to do the anesthesia thing.  Well that includes a trip to her doctor first to make sure everything is right with her for anesthesia.  Work schedules, school schedules, three reschedules each of the dr. appt and the dentist appointment led us to today. 
She got her two crowns.  She also had two baby teeth that needed no prompting to come out.  The adult teeth were already trying to push through.  She ended up needing one adult tooth taken out.  The good news on it is at her age the next tooth over will just slide over and fill the space leaving room for the wisdom tooth. 
She said she was going to work on the brush her teeth habits.  Not only doing it, but doing it better and more thoroughly.  Let's hope so. 
Brought her home and she slept for another hour.  By tonight you can't even tell that anything occurred today. 

Shopping

What to do when you have several hours between kids going to school and work.  Shop of course.  Stopped at the local Walmart to get new shoes for the little man.  He is just going through shoes and it doesn't matter if I buy more expensive ones elsewhere.  He is using his shoes as brakes on his bike.  And there is no convincing him not to.  Found a pair of boots for the little woman that are just cute. 
After visiting Mom I still had time, so I went to Kohl's.  I have my high school reunion coming up soon and I live in jeans and tshirts.  That will not do at the country club.  So I found some nice black slacks and a black tunic with coppery embroidery.  Went to look at their boots and the only ones that would work were $100.  I don't think so. 
So that put me at another Walmart and I got a pair in my size just like the ones I bought for the little woman.  Hopefully it all looks as cute as I think it will.  And I already know the boots will be cute on her.  Everything is cute on her.  ;p

Lunch With Marti

Marti and I have been planning lunch for a long time.  We finally had a day off together.  So we met at Who Song and Larry's and ate out on the patio.  The weather was perfect for sitting in the sun.  Not really warm and not cool.  The river was very quiet today.  Not much traffic on it. 
After lunch we went for a river walk.  Haven't done one of those since Cassie lived in a tent down that way.  It was lovely.  Marti showed me this sculpture dedicated to the women who worked in the shipyards during World War II.  It's quite a sculpture with a lot to look at on it. 
We got all caught up.  She likes to keep a few tabs on how the bookstore is doing.  Even though she moved on, she still cares.  Most of the time when people move on they really move on and never keep in touch.  Marti and I didn't just work together though, we are friends. 
As always it was good to see her and do a grown up thing. 
Got home and had an email from the little woman's teacher.  Seems someone made a lunch for the little woman and forgot to put it in the backpack.  Oy.  It all worked out all right though.  She had enough time to get a hot lunch even if she didn't eat much of it.  She did drink the milk.  And now knows how to do that at that school.

Soup

I was able to make that chicken into at least two meals.  A big pot of chicken noodle soup was made today.  Remember we had had this chat and no one else in the house was going to eat chicken.  Well the little man had two big bowls of the soup.  And there is enough leftover for dinner tomorrow. 
There was also enough stock and chicken to put in the freezer to become chicken and dumplings another day.  It will be so easy.  Thaw, thicken the stock and make the dumplings.  Easy peasy. 
So due to a YouTube video...the littles will now not eat Chicken McNuggets.  It is not necessarily a bad thing as fast food isn't that good for you.  However, that said, my picky eater pretty much only ate McNuggets as her meat.  The rest of her protein is coming from milk products and other non meat foods.  She is growing and is healthy so I try not to worry about it too much.  I don't eat a lot of meat myself.  But I have noticed that since they quit the McDonald's, she has been eating more sausage.  Go figure.  I think she is a natural eater and her body tells her when to eat a more substantial amount of protein. 

Arts and Crafts

The fall after school activities started.  The little woman attended her first arts and crafts.  She brought home a raccoon mask and a picture of a cat.  She didn't talk too much about it, like normal.  But she did say she had a good time and her cat and coon were excellent. 
I'm happy that she is spreading her wings a bit and in a venue that she can succeed at. 
I was concerned how the little man was going to take it.  There are no activities for kindergartners.  So he road the bus home and then we went and picked her up.  He wasn't bothered in the least that she was doing something that he didn't get to do.  Whew. 

Fall Day

It feels like a wonderful fall day.  We bought our first candy pumpkins of the season.  I am so glad they are only available now.  I like them too much and they are easy to just eat up. 
While at the grocery store, we bought a chicken.  That led to quite a conversation about eating chicken.  I guess neither one had thought about it before.  Our chicken was whole because it was going to be stewed and then made into chicken noodle soup and maybe some chicken and dumplings.  Fall comfort food.  And according to the littles I am eating this stuff all by myself.  Bet one of them joins me for the soup though.  ;p
So the chicken is stewing so it can be made into one or the other later in the week.  Tonight we are having meatloaf, baked potatoes and squash.  Another favorite of mine that I may be eating alone.  Ah, the story of my life.