Thursday, July 31, 2008

Duet

Cowboy has taught Sadie to sing. I was downstairs ironing my clothes and heard singing going on upstairs. Cowboy has taught Sadie how to sing. It is the cutest thing. They just howl and howl together. I tried to download my video clip but it wouldn't let me. I may try again when I get this all figured out.

I've been really tired from all my company. Went to bed early but was also up early to go to the gym. Cowboy bought a 30 day pass to the gym for $2.50 off eBay so we are going to try it for 30 days. I went this morning and wasn't really impressed. Our old gym is cleaner and more personable. This is big, very open and overwhelming. Can you get attached to your gym? I'm not sure I want to change. We are going to go again in the morning. Maybe it will grow on me.

Good news today...my eye doctor released me from post op. I am seeing much better and am totally healed. My vision is greatly improved. Yeah for me!!!

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

My Girls



Seriously, with girls that are as cute as these, how could I not be distracted for the past couple of days?? My visit with my best friend and the girls was awesome. I loved having them here. I spent Saturday cleaning the house for them. On Sunday, I went to pick them up. I drove 2 hours to get them and would have driven 20--well worth the trip.

We had college friends over for ice cream and cake on Sunday night. It was really fun to have a house full for friends and kids. It made my house feel like "family". Monday it was off to Wonderscope, an interactive museum for the girls. That was really fun. Cowboy volunteered for girl time so Sherry and I went tooling around town in the Miata for an hour. Monday night we went out for dinner and Tuesday, it was off to the airport. The trip was entirely too short but a few days is better than not seeing them for a year.

Sherry and I get into the pattern when I am around the girls where she gives up some of her mommy duties and I take them over. I get to feed and bathe the girls, do their hair and snuggle with them. It really makes the biological clock bang loudly. Cowboy even enjoyed having them around. We tried to talk Sherry into leaving one of them behind. No one would go for that...bummer.

I helped them at the airport and just started crying when we said good by. The girls said "Mommy, you need to get your tissues out." I miss my friend so much. Even though we stay in touch, it's not the same as having her around. I love her dearly and love those little girls as my own.

She knew Cowboy from when we started dating 14 years ago and didn't trust him from what she knew of him. (I didn't either). She made a comment when we were at the airport that she was glad to have spent time with him and could see how happy we were and how much he has changed. She said she felt so much better about me being with him and was comforted by being here. That meant the world to me to hear that from her.

Tuesday, I treated my brother to a round of golf. He brought his kids up and we golfed in the rain--it was fun. My mom came along for the night-so my house was full one more night. It helped me not miss my girls as much.

Cowboy was a real trooper. He hung in there and was very patient with lots of little 'cookie crumbs' in the house. He even said that he enjoyed them being here.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

I'm so excited

My very best friend is in KS, she has been for a week and tomorrow, I'm picking her up for a two day stay with me until she flies back to FLA. I'm so EXCITED. I would love to see her more often but it just doesn't happen. She has never stayed with Cowboy and I. Bonus is her three adorable girls. The twins are 6 almost 7 and my god-daughter is 3 almost 4. I haven't seen them since last Sept. I always go to Florida for their birthday and will try again this year.

Sherry and I met in college in 1984 when we were pledge sisters. We both had gone our freshman year to a junior college and we met our first year at the university. We became fast friends and have had so many great experiences together. She didn't marry until later than all our friends (just about 7 years ago). So as single gals, we have stories to tell.

I spent the day getting ready for their arrival. The house is all slicked up. Cowboy said it looks good but the "cookie crumbs" will just get it messy.

While Cowboy was golfing with her son, I spent the day getting 32 pints of homegrown corn vacuumed packed for the winter and I mixed up 2 loaves of banana nut bread to top it off. Needless to say, I'm a little tired but I'm so excited!!

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Lovely Pic

Just wanted everyone to see how lovely I look when I'm on the farm. This is one of those pictures that makes me want to get back to the gym for the next month and not leave.

Cowboy and I were going to get up this morning and go to the gym but snuggling won out. However, we made it tonight. I love the gym. I love lifting weights. I'm not sure where my motivation went. I keep looking for it. It eludes me. It's hiding from me. I have never weighed this much in my entire life and can't seem to do anything about it. I just can't seem to figure out what to do about it. I know logically what to do...why can't I do it.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

WipeOut

I would like to think that I am growing older gracefully. Just like a fine wine, I should be getting smoother, right?? So the other night, I was walking down the steps to the living room--those 5 small steps to get to where I'm going. It was dark and Cowboy was laying on the couch watching TV when I came down the steps. I think I'm at the bottom and take the last step. OOPS--not the last step. My hands were full and there was nothing to do but go down. I CRASHED onto the floor, face down, drink flying across the room and I'm sprawled all over the floor.

Not grace in motion. No broken bones. My pride was hurt. Cowboy has dubbed me "Crash". I'm fine. But really, that shouldn't happen to me. (To tell the truth, I fell down the other set up steps when we moved in.) I remember a conversation with my brother and sisters about how we just don't bounce back like we used to and how we used to be able to do things so much easier that what we do now. I don't want to get older--not if that's going to happen.

PS. My nephew shot an 82 today--pretty damn good. Tomorrow is the final round.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Thoughts of Home

I love being from a farm. I love how quiet it is and how laid back the pace is. When the city becomes to much for me, a trip home is exactly what I need. The farm calms me and helps me get centered again. We are getting close to the end of an era. My dad has been farming our land since he was a child. He grew up living across the street from our current home. His father's father homesteaded the place. His father raised 7 children in the house across the street. His father died a day after putting a roof on a barn. Grandpa worked everyday up to his death. My father will be the same way. In a couple of week, he is selling everything- the tractors, plows, rakes, discs, combine, etc. (He is 70 years old and has a new job in the 'city'.) It will be an incredibly sad day. You can tell by the pic, Sadie loves the farm also. This is her on our ride home from the farm.

On a different topic-this is the next great golfer in the family. BooMan started playing golf when he was two years old. He would carry a plastic club around and say "I'm Tiger Woods". He has turned in to an outstanding golfer. This is the 3rd year he as qualified for the state tournament with the Kansas Junior Golf Association. Last year, he placed 6th as an 11 year old. He's playing tomorrow in the state tournament. Wish him luck.


He beat the pants off of me this weekend. He shot a 84 on a par 76 course--not to shabby. He told me that when he is on the PGA tour, he'd help his Aunt MJ out. Gotta love that boy!



Monday, July 21, 2008

We Have Twins

Cowboy called me from his cell phone when he was out mowing the yard--told me to get the camera and come outside now. I grabbed the camera and he took me over to the neighbors back yard. We have a doe and twin fawns living in our backyard. Cowboy said he saw them again today in the subdivision. It was a totally awesome sight. I know that Cowboy thought this was super cool. We were looking at the pictures later and he commented, "a cool new screen saver". I think the grandbaby has lost his place on the computer screen.

Cowboy talks all the time about selling out (we just bought!) and moving out to the country. He would love to have a pond and woods for the deer. I'm hoping our own little "forrest" will satisfy him for several years longer.

I'm a little recuperated from the reunion. It was such a whirlwind weekend. It didn't seem like we were anywhere for very long. I have enjoyed all my reunions. I loved high school and the people that I went to school with. One of my classmates shared her pictures thru snapfish. I'm sad that the reunion is over.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

The Big Reunion




I made it to the big 25 year high school reunion. 26 of my 50 classmates also made it. Notice the really stoned guy in front. He was a weird one in HS and hasn't changed. Still stuck in the home town and still stuck in the 80's. Some people looked the same and some I swear weren't in our class.
We made it early Friday morning for a golf game with the family. My 12 year old nephew beat me like you wouldn't believe. I did well and shot in the 90's both Friday and Saturday. (I beat Cowboy like a drum on Saturday and he cried like a little school girl). Friday night we went to town for a gathering at the "beer garden". My hometown has the longest running "reunion week" in the state of KS. They blocked off half the main street with cattle pen panels and had a live country music artist. At the end of the street was the "beer garden" enclosed by more cattle pen panels. Gotta love those small town festivals.
Cowboy and I drank a few to many beers. Several of my classmates showed up. It was awesome to see them and also sad because some of them live less than 15 miles from me and I only see them every 5 years. It's amazing how time flies. My classmates are grandparents. Some don't have their hair and some are really gray.
Saturday evening was the dinner. The big question was "when are you getting married?" If I had a dollar every time I was asked, I'd be rich.
I know I'm just rambling. I'm a little tired. Overall, it was fun and Cowboy was a great sport.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

My Sadie

One of my favorite things about Sadie is she will put her chin on my leg when I'm eating something. She looks at you with these big eyes that plead for just one lick, one small taste. She'll often just drool but it is the tenderest thing that she does.

Sadie is a rescue dog. She was found in Dec 2001, chained outside and almost starved to death. She was taken to Animal Control and they did not think she would live overnight. She weighed only 44 lbs and was very emaciated. She had to stay at Animal Control until her "abuser's" trial. She was released to Weimaraner Foster Care on Dec 24th. Just in time for a good Christmas. She stayed in foster care for two months and ended up staying with a co-worker and friend of mine for 3 weeks during that time.

When Sadie was ready for adoption, my friend asked if I wanted her. I thought and debated and ended up saying no because another family was interested in her. The next morning I knew I had made a mistake and vowed if it didn't work out, she would be mine. The family ended up not wanting her and she was mine. Sadie is the first dog that I have ever had.

The weekend before I picked her up, I was down on the farm and said to my dad (a firm believer that animals are to be outside at all times) that I wouldn't be home as often because I was getting a dog. He told me he would make a pen for her in the hog house. I said no, she was going to be a house dog. He replied, "Well, as long as she doesn't roam the house at night when I'm trying to sleep". I looked at my sister with my mouth wide open. Really, did he say that. That sounds like a consenting statement.

Sadie had been with me ever since. She goes home with me and loves the farm. Grandma loves her to death and Grandpa tries to pet her but that is as far as he gets. Sadie is goofy, adorable and oh so lovable. When she's not with me, I miss her. She gets up at 4:30a to eat every day. She is amazingly food focused and we have to watch her because she will eat everything in sight. She is the best.

She loves Cowboy and Cowboy loves her. Actually, she loves everyone. She has never met a stranger and won't fight even when attacked by littler dogs. I love my goofy girl!

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

I Love Summer

I love summer. I love everything about summer. I love watering my flowers after work. I love that it stays light longer. I love sitting on my deck. I love that neighbors are out of their house. I love walking with my dog. I love how the sun feels on my skin. I love yard work. I love watching my garden grow. I love driving with the top down. I love sweating just because it's hot. I love the birds and bugs. I love the smells. I love summer.


I love this picture!

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

I love this pic. It was one of the only redeeming things about waiting on the highway for 3 hours.

Low key day and low key evening. Cowboy got up really early to golf and I couldn't go back to sleep so I laid in bed and read. I love reading and really haven't gotten the chance to read as much as I'd like to. I try every night before bed but sometimes I'm to tired.

Cowboy has been very good lately. The letter may have had an impact.

We are leaving on Friday morning for a trip back to the farm. The big 25 year class reunion is this weekend. I had vowed to lose 25 lbs and guess what...still waiting for that to happen. Oh well, I'm pretty okay with myself and am looking forward to the reunion. I've been to all of them and have had a blast at each of them. This will be Cowboy's first year to accompany me so it should be interesting.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Cheeseburger In Paradise

After our long trip, yesterday we went out for a round of golf. I was very tired but liked getting outside and playing with my boy. I played pretty poorly--the pace was very slow and the guys we were playing with weren't really that fun. They quit on the 12th hole so Cowboy and I got to play the last 6 holes by ourselves. We always bet dinner on the round and I had lost that bet after the second hole. Cowboy started flipping me shit and bet me a cheeseburger on the last two holes. He said he would give me a stroke a hole.

Number 17, I out drove him by 10 yards. I hit my second shot right of the pin, put it on the green in three and two putted--5 for me. Cowboy's second shot was short, chipped on for three and two putted. I won that hole.

Number 18, it's a 5 par and I have never gotten less than a 7 on this hole. Last night, I was in the bunker after 3 and Cowboy was in the bunker after 2. We both chipped out perfectly. He putted for a 4 and ended up with a five. I putted for a 5 and ended up with a 6--which meant we tied. I won cheeseburgers.

Cowboy called me after work and we met at our favorite hamburger joint and I got a cheeseburger tonight. I love it when he challenges me and I put it out. It was the best cheeseburger I've had in a long time.

The Trip


The trip to Arizona was not as bad in some ways as I had anticipated and worse in other ways. Our flight out was at 8:30a and we arrived in AZ at 9:15a--thanks to a time change. They had moved our U-Haul rental from 2 miles from the airport to 30 miles from the airport. That was a nice $50 taxi ride. What a rip off, just to get out of the airport by taxi was a minimum of $15. The U-Haul guy was nice and deducted the taxi ride off the total bill bringing it down to a mere $926. No problem with airplane ride or getting taxi. We were then off to get the keys for the storage unit. They had me sign my life away and promise any unborn children just to get the keys. Then to the storage facility. The first very big frustration. My brother went to pick up my uncle. I looked around in the units to begin to formulate a plan.


I went to the office to ask about getting the truck in the gate. They would not let me get the gate security code without a letter and permission to get in the unit. (Keep in mind I have the keys) The unit was not in my aunt's name but in the trust name. The trust administrator was on vacation. After contacting the trust company and getting someone willing to help, he sent the letter but no that was not good enough. The manager came in and now they wanted the death certificate and trust papers. What!!! My blood started boiling in the 95 degree heat. After 30 minutes of arguing with the manager, we asked to contact her manager and then the VP. The VP said, "Oh, they have the keys...let them in". WTF are you kidding me. They then gave me anything I wanted, the security code, etc. It was crazy.

My uncle wanted to visit, take us to lunch, anything but focus on the task at hand. He looked horrible. Truly like a homeless man. It is such a sad situation. It doesn't help that I am so angry with him for manipulating my mother and aunt and now inheriting a lot of money. My brother and I successfully managed to get him focused and get him back home in a couple of hours. Bless my brothers heart, when he returned from taking my uncle home, he arrived with 2 whopper jr's and a huge glass of tea and water. It was about 2p AZ time and 4p our time.

We spend the next 2 1/2 hours loading the U-Haul in the very hot AZ heat. The pics above are what we looked like after were were done and changed out of our dripping wet clothes. We were able to get almost everything in the truck and what we couldn't, we moved to my uncle's storage unit. We were off. Only to encounter this. About 15 miles north of Phoenix we came to a complete stand still. We literally went 4 miles in 3 hours and spent the last hour just sitting on the interstate. Something about a semi jack knifing in the mountains for the second day in a row. That just added 3 hours to our 20 hours of driving. One small world experience- as we were sitting there, I started talking to a man from the car next to us. He said he was born in KS and when I asked where, he told us he was born in the town in which my brother currently lives. They knew some of the same people.
Here is our sunrise somewhere in New Mexico. The rest of the trip was uneventful. The U-Haul was not comfortable for sleeping so we only got about 4 hours of sleep each but were both glad we drove straight thur. My mother was very grateful for getting some of my aunt's thing back to KS. I personally very grateful it is over!

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Quick Note

We made it back from Arizona...what a trip. Will fill in all the details tomorrow night. I'm very tired and very glad it is over!!!

Thursday, July 10, 2008

The EYES

Will they ever heal? Lasik was such a walk in the park compared to PRK HELL. I can tell my eyes will be great when they are all healed. I went to the eye doctor today. He said all is going well and they eyes are still healing and have not healed completely over yet. I get to go down to 1 steroid drop a week for a week and he said after I'm off of the steroid drops the healing and sight should dial in quickly. I can't wait, this is very frustrating. I'm sure the outcome will be great. Those moments when I see clearly, it is awesome.

I'm not ready for the trip! I don't want to go on the trip! I want to say screw it all and stay home. We almost had a hitch, both people that I needed to get storage unit key clearance from are on vacation--oh my luck. They had to track one guy down on vacation and it seems like it's all going to work out. DAMN IT--would have been a good excuse to stay home. On the bright side, I get to send 24 uninterrupted hours with my brother, that hasn't happened in years. It's a good thing I like him.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Guess Who's Tired

It's incredibly humid out and we decided to go for a three mile walk. Poor Sadie started out strong but was draggin' behind towards the end. She came in the house, ate, and has been laying down ever since. My guess, she won't get up for the rest of the night.

Work has been stressful lately. Why can't people come to there job when they are supposed to, do the work they are supposed to, and act like intelligent adults??? I hate personnel issues and to add fuel to the fire, we are a week into conversion to our electronic billing system. I've been working a few extra hours and finally got to sneak out on time this evening. I called Cowboy when I was almost home to tell him that I was just leaving work. He was surprised to see me home early.

Again, he was very thoughtful and good. I might be writing more letters if I get the same results.

I have a small trip coming up on Friday and I'm dreading it. It's starting to bother me more than I care to admit. In Sept 06, I became guardian of my great-aunt. She passed away in March of this year. Around 4 years ago, my crazy uncle was a part of having her will changed and screwing my mother out of lots of money--not that that is all important. It how it was done and the bad feelings that it has caused. My brother and I are flying to AZ to clean out her final storage unit. This means we have to deal with my crazy uncle. On my 10 ten list of things I'd like to be doing this ranks about 795,120,000. Grant me strength--this will be my last trip to AZ.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Goofy guy

Cowboy got up this morning and was wearing his house shoes around. He caught a reflection of his legs in the mirror and was shocked by his tan lines. I don't know what he was expecting, he never goes without his socks. It really does look laughable in the picture.
He was goofing around with Sadie this morning when I snapped this photo and couldn't help but laugh. It's the best. He is awesome with her when he's not fighting with her about being on the bed. I still can't believe he gave in on that one and she's allowed on the guest bed "on her blanket".

I had gotten a little fed up with him on Sunday. He doesn't seem to listen to me about a few of the issues I have with him. Either he doesn't listen or he chooses to ignore me. I thought I'd use a different approach and I left him a letter on the bed yesterday morning. My thinking is that if he read what I was saying it might stick. I came home and he had dinner all ready. We sat down to eat and he started in on one of the issues I wrote about. I asked him if he read my letter--he hadn't even seen it. I told him that I would like for him to read it and then we would talk.

He read the letter and made a few changes today. We'll see how long it last. The letter is still on his bedside table. We haven't had a conversation about it yet but as of now it seems as if he gets a little of it.

Monday, July 7, 2008

Is a Repeat in the works

Cowboy lost both of his parents. His father died just before I met him 14 years ago. A couple of years later, his mother died of cancer. He has 4 siblings but he is not close to any of them. He occasionally will get a letter from his sister in North Carolina and a call from his brother in Pennsylvania. After his parents died, he adopted a mother. She is a lovely woman and is the mother of his best friend. Being with someone with limited family has some advantages--like all the holidays are spent with my family. However, I would be incredibly sad if it were my parents that were gone. So occasionally, he will invite "Mom" up for the night. He called on Saturday and she was able to come up Sat night. Yesterday, we spent most of the day just hanging out with her. I'm very happy for him that he has someone to call "Mom" and invites her up.

He was rassing me all day about beating me on the golf course after Saturday. We had a late afternoon tee time at a small course that has mostly par 3's with a few par 4's mixed in. I was confident that I could kick his ass again. My golf motto "Moments of brilliance followed by complete and utter chaos". Let's just say I lived up to my motto. No repeat for me. I'll add two disclaimers--1) I forgot my eye drops and had a hard time seeing and 2) it was hot and play was slow. Next time...I'll show him.

Saturday, July 5, 2008

The Day After and Then It Happened

So I'm really not that good of a drinker. In college, I was on my pledge class chug team and could put away a lot of beer and did. But now, I'm not that good of a drinker. I could be the influences from my job--working in an addiction treatment center. It could be that on several occasions, I have gotten so drunk that it took 3 days to recover. It could be that I don't practice drinking that often...but whatever the reason, I'm not that good at it now. Yesterday, after our party, I didn't feel that bad but I didn't feel that good. Just a little sluggish all day. I met Caroline for a little pool time then came home and shampooed the carpets. What an exciting 4th of July. Cowboy called around 6p and we met for dinner. He caught a "whole mess" of fish on his little trip away. After dinner, we spent the evening doing nothing, I didn't even see any fireworks.
And then it happened! We slept in this morning--8:30a. Then it was up and around for the day. I booked a tee time for 1:30p. After 18 holes, the score was tied. Didn't quite beat Cowboy--but we tied. It was the best round of golf I have ever played! I knew we were close but couldn't believe that we tied. I'm going to have this framed! It's staying in the frame until I get one that shows me beating him. He was a pretty good sport about it. I'm so proud--I played great. It is the lowest score ever for me. If you all could see me now--I have a huge smile on my face and will probably stay there until we play golf tomorrow.

Friday, July 4, 2008

Girls Gone Wild

Cowboy left town to hang out with his buddies. My friends and I decided to have a "Red, White and Boom" party, complete with bomb pop martini's. So yummy. Good time was had by all.
Need I really say more???

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

On a roll

Cowboy is on a roll. This morning, he wakes up and is complaining about his back being sore from shoveling the dirt in the garden. He rolled over to get a little back rub. Then he got a little --uh mm "romantic". Afterwards, he says "Thanks babe, that helped getting my back loosened up for my golf game." Gee thanks, glad I could help with that. And here I was thinking that you were just being particularly loving this morning.

Tonight, we went out to eat at a fancy restaurant. This was highly unusual for us. We got a coupon in the mail for $20 off. Whatever the reason, it was an awesome meal.

Wanted to share this picture with you all. Poor Sadie was tired after 3 laps around the neighborhood. I love this pic. Notice, Cowboy has consented to her sleeping on the bed with her blanket on it. I guess Sadie won that battle.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

"You're the Best"

Cowboy and I play the little game. I'll say something and he'll respond with something that is about a half compliment. For example:
ME: "You are a good man"
Cowboy: "You aren't half bad".
We do this all the time. It just our thing and I just laugh most of the time. I always call him when I leave work and am on my way home. Our conversation went like this:
Me: "Hi loverboy, what are you doing?"
Cowboy:"Hi pootergirl, I could tell you but I'd have to kill you"
Me:"I'm on my way home."
C: "Hurry I have a surprise for you."
M:"Wow, you're a good man"
C:"You're the best woman I know."

Me: stunned and not sure what to say. He does have it in him--I knew it was there somewhere.

Not only did I get the compliment, I got a home cooked meal for dinner.

He is a keeper!