Flashback to the 70s when as a family we would watch Battle of the Network Stars ✨. I think my dad had a crush on Angie Dickinson. I’m pretty sure she was on the show a time or two. The reboot is just as fun. Tonight little DJ all grown up dove for the finish line. He almost made it too, just seconds behind.
I am not able to form a coherent thought as many things are racing through my brain. So, … there is that. Fair warning if you venture into this post. Actually, forget that. I am going to take a mental health break. Why force myself to conjure up some dribble? Instead, I will just listen to the soothing sounds of ole blue eyes.
Cheers to my friend who retired yesterday. This is her favorite song. You guys know I prefer the hard stuff but who doesn’t enjoy smooth jazz. I dare you not to sing along 😉
As always, more to come.
… you know, instead of the fake book club category I have here on my blog. I have always wanted to join a book club but I assumed incorrectly I had to know a group of like mind folks. I mean really. Why would I want to talk to strangers? I even attempted once or twice with my dear friend of mine but the timing was such that we could not find a time to get together. That attempt brought me to Jenny Lawson though so win-win all around.
This evening was magic as each end of the month Wednesday, Schaefer public library has skimmers book club. The August selection was Little Black Lies reviewed here. I met some new friends and thoroughly enjoyed myself. The hour passed in the blink of an eye yet we covered all the topics in the book. And then some! Girls gotta talk ’bout stuff ya know ;). I will go back! That’s for sure.
As always, more to come.
Just for you know who. 😂. I could get used to this. The perks of HOB1. 💕
Big Sis: We go to Fairlawn Academy. I’m first grade and she’s 4K
Me: Oh then today is your second day of school
Both in Unison: Yes ma’am
Me: What’s your favorite part of school?
Lil Sis: The monkey bars. Is that your car?
Me: Yes
Lil Sis: What’s wrong with it?
Me: There’s a screw in the tire
Lil Sis: No kidding? Our momma said her car tire has a screw too!
Big Sis: That’s our daddy’s car not momma’s. It’s that red one over there. It’s old.
Lil Sis: Is your car old?
Me: Kind of, it’s 4 years old.
Lil Sis: No kidding? I am 4!!!! I’m not old (giggling)
Big Sis: Quit saying no kidding. Sheesh!
Lil Sis: I’m telling … you said the S word!!!
Big Sis: Not the real S word, I changed it.
Lil Sis: Guess what? I can climb the monkey bars better than anyone. I’m strong and I can do a backbend too. Watch me!
Me: Ooooh, be careful. Oh Wow! You sure can. That’s fantastic! I am glad that you like to play and exercise
Both in Unison: We do!
Big Sis: Exercise helps your heart and gives you muscles too
Mom: I am so sorry they talked your ear off. I was trying to get through the line as quick as possible.
Me: Are you kidding? (as I wink at Lil Sis) They absolutely MADE MY DAY ❤
I went right into the workforce after high school. I took an entry level job to give me time to think about what I really wanted to do. I was convinced the insurance gig would be short lived. Turns out 33.5 years later I am still at it. For a while, as I went to college part-time, I entertained the idea of teaching. Kindergarten of course. The perfect grade. Before standardized testing. While they are still sweet and innocent. With too much time on my hands, as I waited for my tire to be repaired, I thought you know what? I should consider teaching all over again.
Just a flicker. A glimpse. A hope of what might be. Some days something is missing y’all. Not sure what has me feeling so blue. My choice of reading materials for one. I am returning two books unfinished because they are that bad! Note to Self: read only light-hearted fiction. Or maybe it is that bastard Harvey and all the devastation. Watching the Today show with tears in my eyes. I have an innate need to give back. To do something. Something with purpose.
As always, more to come.
Ghost in the mirror. Picture is weird but I’m using anyway. 
Screw in the tire. First in, first out.
While I wait, I’m Enjoying talking to my two new friends. Sweet little girls waiting with their mom.
I said I would not write anything new until I cleaned out my virtual closet. I never should’ve made a promise I can’t keep. I’ve got four drafts left. This post is new. Duh 🙄. Just seeing if you’re awake.
One is just a place where I uploaded a bunch of mismatched pictures for safe keeping until … well until I need a picture. I could use my media library but that’s getting full.
Two is a personal story that is not mine to tell. I copied over verbatim from a FB post with the intention of sharing because the family wanted to spread the word. I just couldn’t hit publish then and as I re-read now I feel exactly the same. Like a voyeur invading privacy. Number two will stay in the closet.
Three is a scathing rant against my arch nemesis. Who is also called not my mother. It’s long and winding and would probably bore the pants off you. If you even made it to the end that is. I can’t delete the post and I can’t hit publish either. Well PANTS!!! Hahaha PANTS the new bollocks and sacrebleu. Three stays put too.
Four is really good y’all with a potential to piss people off or have them cheering. My thoughts about the state of America. Written in November but with a universal theme that could be about any current event really. Decisions, decisions. Until I work up the nerve, in the closet four stays.
However, now that I have everything nice and neat, I will keep it that way. I will not be getting back up to 27. I will stay at four and housekeep every weekend instead of every 10 months.
Well, as I close this post, I hear the sounds of the house coming back to life. Or should I say the inhabitants of the house? I’m tearing up with gratitude. How the hell did I ever get this lucky? Best not to question and just relish the moments like these.
My sweet darling Lulu has left her cave and she’s puttering around in the kitchen. She’s cooking tonight. See what happens when you just shut your mouth and give her space.
Note to self: J-Dub shut your mouth more often. 🤐🤣🤓
As always, more to come.
Well … I am sure you are all on the edge of your seats after having read pre-protest prepping and part Uno Protest Play by Play
Awaiting my verdict … Which is guilty as charged
Guilty of being all that
And a bag of chips
And of course I MUST drag this on
A story is not complete without some flourish
Setting: Bexar County Appraisal District (BCAD)
Cast of characters: ME – J-Dub, two couples: one elderly and one middle aged, one single lady (Beyonce song now on a loop in my brain) and patrolman in uniform.
I enter like a Looney Tunes’ Tasmanian Devil after parking albeit in a place I should not have parked … which was at the vascular clinic across the street because there were no spaces to be had in the BCAD parking lot. I did not want to be late because heaven forbid I miss my chance. I check in and immediately start chatting it up with the cast of characters. I do that when I am nervous and I was nervous.
We cracked the code fairly quickly. Once someone from the back went to the window, they got a packet and a name was called and back you went. The time they give you is only a window. One is taken back based on time of check-in. Two folks got into a little scuffle when a 9:45 appointment went back before a 9:30 appointment. I was tempted to leave more than once. But I am no quitter.
The hearing is in front of a panel. The panel is comprised of three community members. Regular Joe’s and Josette’s. And one BCAD employee.
Wait! Actually I may just need to leave you in suspense
I signed settlement agreement after all
Or, this house is clean as the Poltergist medium – Zelda would have said
Did you know?
Anyhoo, suspense is over! We won! Now just how much this lowers our actual taxes remains to be seen.
As always, more to come.
The delay in getting Lulu into a room was stressful. After we were kicked out of recovery, we went over to Guillermo’s to grab a bite to eat. About 3/4 of the way through our meal, we get the call to come back. We hurry over (because that is my only speed). Billy Bob knew there was no need to rush but he humored me.
We are packed as if we are going on an expedition (her backpack, my bag and books, flowers and balloon we had just purchased from the hospital gift shop). B steps into the restroom. I am trying to hold everything. Heavy. Requiring me to kneel down. What a sight I must have been!
A gentleman walks by and he thinks I am doubled over in grief or pain. He stops what he is doing, puts his hand on my shoulder, and asks how he can help me? And like that, a human touch calmed me. And I am reminded that despite all that is going on in the world, little pockets of nice exist. We need more of that.
As always, more to come.
And that is no typo or so I have learned when trying to cite the author. I thought Shakespeare wrote it but I was wrong. I thought it was beast not breast and that was wrong too. This proverb comes from the play The Mourning Bride, by William Congreve, an English author of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries.
And now that we’re done with our lesson of the day, here’s a quick story of how I was surprised. Then there is that technology thing again … steps forward, steps back.
I always charged by phone on an electrical outlet until I learned you can charge through the PC. Who knew? Not me obviously. When I did this recently my phone automatically starting syncing with iTunes. Yipee!! means more music to enjoy and a throw back from the past. You see I have not used iTunes in years. I was like a kid in the candy store and then I realize “Hey! these are not my songs!” Well they were … some were but several were selected by Pony. He and I used to share an account and even little Lulu used the account too.
Bonanza! Not the TV show, the exclamation! I was heavy with U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Maroon Five – I must have been going through a phase :). Pony had Mitch Hedberg – comedy album and Anthrax. Lulu picked Panic! at the Disco, Marina and the Diamonds and Foster the People. Enjoy some Helena Beat ❤
As always, more to come.
J-Dub's Grin and Bear It 