one more time and the signs

 Sometimes life just gets a little hard. I'm fine, but I'm worried about a lot of people that are very close to me right now so I've been praying really, really hard because that's literally all I can do. I can't do anything to change what's going on or make things better so I pray and really hard. Like at night, in the morning, and driving to work. Every once in a while, I'll add "Mom sure wish you were here" because that was her thing. She could make every thing better and when I needed help or just a little bit of encouragement-she was there. I know she physically can't be here, but on the days I utter those words the pennies start appearing in the most unlikely places. You know finding a penny means someone in heaven is thinking of you. Then, I'll see cardinals every where. There will be a whole flock of robin birds outside my window but a cardinal (a sign your angel is near) will come right up where I can't miss him. It will keep happening over and over until I smile. Maybe I'm going crazy, but I've got the pennies in my pocket and I've started taking pictures of the cardinals. My ascent to the nuthouse will be well documented. 

Oh Baby Girl

 

Happy Birthday to my baby girl! Lauren, I don't care if you're 80, you'll always be my baby. 

I hope you know how incredible you are. The work that you do. I could barely take care of three kids much less strangers. 

The discipline you  have. I can't work out after sitting 8 hours at a desk, and here you are crushing some badass workouts. 

The love you give.

Your smile.

I hope you laugh a lot today. I hope you take time out of your schedule to celebrate you. 

No matter what

 

I don't need a reminder as to what I accomplished this weekend. There's a constant reminder on my arm.

I got "No matter what" . Beth got "No matter where" and Lauren got "No matter when". The tats are done in my handwriting and they look good even if I do say so myself. 

But this evening was so much more than an outing to get a tattoo. 

It was a time to unwind a little. A time to laugh. A time to bond. A time to talk and remind each other of how much we love each other. And always will... No matter what. No matter where. No matter when.

Month of ME

 Mel designated March as the Month of Mel because her birthday is in March. While that sounds cool, Month of me sounds pretty cool in my book too. When I first thought of it, it sounded kinda self-absorbed. maybe a little over the top. But you know what? Life is short. Make the most of it and take time out to celebrate you. 

And to prove my point, one of my coworkers died last night. Someone much younger than me. Someone in much better physical shape. Someone with a really good future and four loving kids. 

Life isn't fair. Each day is a gift. Every day.

So today, I stopped and bought my favorite cup of coffee and a couple of lottery tickets. My tickets weren't winners, but I still winning at life. 

Spring teaser

 Last week, I think Arkansas got over 20 inches of snow-no matter what part of the state that you lived in. Snow records were set. Cold temps too. All week long. Never have I looked forward to 32 degrees so much. Texas is still recovering. Hard to believe Austin had six inches of snow. 

We made snow ice cream. I tried to make snow decorations but it was just too cold and they busted. Luckily, none of our pipes in the house froze, but there are field lines that will have to be worked on as soon as the ground is unfrozen.

Yesterday, temperatures were in the 50's and yet there is still snow on the ground. Not a lot, but it's still there. Today temperatures are supposed to be in the 60's-and it just feels amazing. 

The sun. The clean air. I think I saw some flowers poking up. It won't be long now. 

I've got you babe

 Today I'm working from home. It's nothing unusual to hear a dog whine outside my office door. Usually, I open the door and give them a treat or a quick pat on the head or maybe I have to throw a toy and we're good for another hour or so, but not today. Dixie whined for over two hours and it was driving me batshit crazy. At my lunch, I picked her up and held her and she quieted down-as soon as I put her on the floor she'd start up again. I felt so bad-after all, she just wanted to be held. When my lunch was over, I took her into the office and held her some more. She nestled my neck and was content for quite a while. As things got a little busier, I moved a chair close to me and put her in it. I reach over and scratch her ears as often as I can and she seems content. Sometimes I look over and I see her watching me work. Then, I have to smile and scratch her ears again. I may hold her in my arms, but she holds my heart.

Just another day

So today isn't really an important day to me. Sure there's the ground hog looking for his shadow, but he's only a rodent and his predictions are less than fifty percent accurate. I don't really get excited for Ground Hog day (p.s I hated the movie). My baby sister posted a young picture of my mom-both of my daughters look like her. Beth really looked like this picture of her posted today. I miss my mom. I really do, but she would be gone now. This whole covid thing would have taken her out. Seriously, she would have royally sucked at social distancing. It just wasn't in her dna. Speaking of dna, my other sister posted a picture of her granddaughter due in June. A baby girl is joining our family. I'm so excited. I will officially be a "Great" Aunt. A baby is coming! A baby is coming! Quilts to be made. Dresses to find. Bring on the pink!!!!!!