tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39147159894956728602024-03-13T03:55:13.212-07:00life in the mom lanelife in the mom lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159048805132940308noreply@blogger.comBlogger216125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3914715989495672860.post-40611889522301735732013-10-04T09:15:00.002-07:002013-10-04T09:15:58.721-07:00No I am not dead, just incredibly busy!This summer the excuse was working on our cabin, which looks fabulous by the way (pics to come later)<br />
<br />
Then school began and holey guacamole!<br />
<br />
Instead of having grades 9 through 12 I now have grades 8 through 12!<br />
27 new students added to my caseload! Talk about stressing & pulling your hair out.<br />
<br />
I finally feel like I have a handle on things, but let me tell you. My days FLY by! I blink and it's lunchtime, I blink again and it's time to go home. Two days a week I go work out and them stagger home to "regular" chores etc.<br />
<br />
I have tried to keep up with as many of my regular blogs as I can, but...<br />
<br />
Anyways, I am going to try (key word) try to post at least once a week... if anyone is still listening<br />
<br />
*crickets*<br />
<br />
We shall see, have a great weekend all!life in the mom lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159048805132940308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3914715989495672860.post-75872828073858539692013-05-07T18:28:00.003-07:002013-05-07T18:28:41.954-07:00Not counting the days, making the days count<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vNm2UWTlzOo/S1dQWMxIV8I/AAAAAAAAAFI/ji0E0Kjb6xU/s1600/buff+pic2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vNm2UWTlzOo/S1dQWMxIV8I/AAAAAAAAAFI/ji0E0Kjb6xU/s320/buff+pic2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Sadly we have just found out that our beautiful Buffy has a tumor in her abdomen, it is at a very bad place and is putting pressure on both major arteries and nerves. She has Cushing's disease, which the vet believes is unrelated, but that complication added to her age (9) leaves an extremely poor prognosis.<br />
<br />
He said she probably only has weeks left.<br />
<br />
We are needless to say overwhelmed and heartbroken.<br />
<br />
Luckily our vet is willing to do whatever it takes to keep Buffy comfortable. When I asked him what we should watch out for to signify that she was worsening he replied with one word... Collapse.<br />
<br />
People who are dog lovers will understand the agony I am feeling. We are going to lose a family member. One who has been faithful, and who has brought great joy to our lives.<br />
<br />
We are trying to make whatever time is left wonderful for her. She is having pancakes/syrup daily, getting lots of extra attention, going on car rides, all of the things she loves. <br />
<br />
You can learn a lot from a dog; patience, loyalty, an enjoyment of the little things in life. The following pretty much sums it up:<br />
<br />
<h1 class="title" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Everything I Need to Know<br />
I Learned From My Dog</span></h1>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<h3 class="subtitle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Author Unknown.<br />
Taken from the Web.</span><br />
</h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When it's in your interest, practice obedience.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let others know when they've invaded your territory.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Take naps and stretch before rising.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Run, romp, and play daily.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Avoid biting, when a simple growl will do.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout
... run right back and make friends.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Be loyal.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Never pretend to be something you're not.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />life in the mom lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159048805132940308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3914715989495672860.post-12054092279567516452013-04-30T11:17:00.004-07:002013-04-30T11:17:44.291-07:00TransportationI am participating in a monthly photo challenge over @ <a href="http://hoohaablog.com/" target="_blank">PJ's</a> place and this month's prompt was transportation.<br />
<br />
It's been a year now since I got my "sweetie"- she's a Chrysler 200 and I absolutely LOVE her!<br />
She gets me where I want to go in style and is very comfy too!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z__yl9itp40/UYAKYbdFXGI/AAAAAAAABlk/EE5X8AApwqg/s1600/sweetie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z__yl9itp40/UYAKYbdFXGI/AAAAAAAABlk/EE5X8AApwqg/s640/sweetie.jpg" width="473" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't she sweet?- Hence her name :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />life in the mom lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159048805132940308noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3914715989495672860.post-72721362093287353672013-04-02T07:59:00.002-07:002013-04-02T07:59:46.911-07:00Photo Blogging Challenge (March 2013): My World- ok I'm late......<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--7wWG0hfHiE/UVrv3Jvv-_I/AAAAAAAABdM/bLkEmu3X-2g/s1600/BFADDFA3-B03A-4A6B-A19D-9ACC1A2856C1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--7wWG0hfHiE/UVrv3Jvv-_I/AAAAAAAABdM/bLkEmu3X-2g/s320/BFADDFA3-B03A-4A6B-A19D-9ACC1A2856C1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A highlight for March Madness was seeing my younger daughter on TV (she is on the right)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CO-yjcdyiCw/UVrxKQyvIxI/AAAAAAAABdg/xRmgMH6-YYA/s1600/PhotoGrid_1363894492920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CO-yjcdyiCw/UVrxKQyvIxI/AAAAAAAABdg/xRmgMH6-YYA/s640/PhotoGrid_1363894492920.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Repainted our master bath and added some new touches. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m5qnFgBkdX4/T9jiLuuAidI/AAAAAAAAAd4/xKh6kZq9TzY/s1600/kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m5qnFgBkdX4/T9jiLuuAidI/AAAAAAAAAd4/xKh6kZq9TzY/s400/kitchen.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My kitchen where I spend a lot of time</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m_Leavye17M/UVrxwTdCVFI/AAAAAAAABdo/KJ6tkeNSOBg/s1600/2013-03-15_09-30-20_471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m_Leavye17M/UVrxwTdCVFI/AAAAAAAABdo/KJ6tkeNSOBg/s400/2013-03-15_09-30-20_471.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My desk at work- where I spend a lot of time!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j0aWqNIBe6Y/UHTBX61OHVI/AAAAAAAAAuo/0L59nZV-h80/s1600/021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j0aWqNIBe6Y/UHTBX61OHVI/AAAAAAAAAuo/0L59nZV-h80/s320/021.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lost a furry friend this past month :(</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />life in the mom lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159048805132940308noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3914715989495672860.post-69064586897302859232013-03-20T17:58:00.001-07:002013-03-20T18:00:47.710-07:00Proud mom!Tonite JMU beat LIU in the first game of the NCAA tournament! <br />
My daughter cheer girlie was there cheering on the Dukes! <br />
And tonite she got on TV!!!!!<br />
<br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zT-9ilrD32o/UUpbvs32kLI/AAAAAAAABPo/dYNM0__rkuU/s640/blogger-image-2114280369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zT-9ilrD32o/UUpbvs32kLI/AAAAAAAABPo/dYNM0__rkuU/s640/blogger-image-2114280369.jpg" /></a></div>life in the mom lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159048805132940308noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3914715989495672860.post-86439814905912745802013-03-07T08:19:00.001-08:002013-03-07T08:19:56.136-08:00RIP ~Ashley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j0aWqNIBe6Y/UHTBX61OHVI/AAAAAAAAAuo/0L59nZV-h80/s1600/021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j0aWqNIBe6Y/UHTBX61OHVI/AAAAAAAAAuo/0L59nZV-h80/s320/021.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Ashley passed this morning at the ripe old age of 20.<br />
She will be deeply missed.<br />
Best. Cat. Ever.life in the mom lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159048805132940308noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3914715989495672860.post-89618131052958646802013-02-28T05:02:00.001-08:002013-02-28T05:22:32.863-08:00#28 Is that all<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>I have to apologize because work/life has been incredibly busy the past week so I have not been able to comment on many of your posts... I am hoping to be able to take some time this weekend and "catch up!"</i><br />
<br />
<i>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ </i><br />
Gert told Enis to head on into the diner and that she would
follow shortly. She picked up the phone and punched in the numbers. She heard
Rich answer with his usual curt hello.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Rich it’s Mama” said Gert.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hello ma, what’s up?” said Rich.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t know how to say this so I’ll just spit it out. Son,
Livie’s here.” Gert said listening for his reaction.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Livie? Who’s Livie?” said Rich perplexed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gert sighed inwardly, relieved that he hadn’t lied to her
all these years. Her fear had been that she’d been denied being a grandmother.
“Well son Livie says she’s your daughter.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Silence…</b><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ma, is this a joke?” said Rich.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Son, this is not something I would joke about.” Said Gert.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ma, tell me everything this woman has said to you, I need
specifics. In my line of work I have to be very careful.” Rich said with a
steely edge to his voice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gert relayed everything she knew about Livie, she also
described what she looked like and told him that she was letting her stay in
Rich’s cabin. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is that all?” asked Rich.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gert said yes and Rich told her that he would be home by the
end of the day and to not let on who he was when he arrived. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Let me assess her without her knowing who I am” Said Rich.
“If you get the opportunity, go through her wallet and write down anything you
can find in her identification and text me the information. I’ll run a check on
her.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’ve grown hard Richard” said Gert saddened that her son
had grown to be untrusting, but understanding why.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“In my business that’s how you stay alive Ma” said Rich.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 3.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: wave windowtext 3.0pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
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The line went dead and Gert
looked at the phone frowning. Could Livie have been lying?</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</b> <br />
Joe woke up the next morning and turned on the morning news.
He made a cup of coffee in the little coffee maker in the room and headed in
for a shower.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After showering & dressing he headed across the street
to the diner and once again sat at the counter. He ordered the special and
watched the news on the TV behind the counter as he ate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just as he was finishing his cell phone rang. It was Bud,
his car would be ready that afternoon, as luck would have it his part distributor
had extra of the parts needed and Bud wouldn’t need to order the parts after
all. Joe smiled and agreed to come by around 3:00 when Bud said it should be
ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i><br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Things were looking up</i> Joe thought. He finished his coffee left his
money on the counter and headed back to the motel. He stopped by the office and
asked if he could check out late and explained about the car. The owner gave
him the thumbs up and Joe headed back to his room to do some work.</div>
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Just before 3:00 Joe headed the
quarter mile down the road to the service station, paid for and picked up his
car. He headed back to the motel and checked out and hit the road again. He
figured it would take him about 4 hours to get to Wolf Creek and hopefully not
much longer to find Livie.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ <br />
That morning Livie went in to help out at the diner and Gert
greeted her with a smile. Later that morning while Livie was busy, Gert found
an opportunity to go through Livie’s wallet and sent the information to Rich
via text.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She hoped her son was just
being overly cautious and that Livie was who she said she was.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Later after the breakfast rush she sent Livie on an errand
to pick up the mail at the post office across the street and she went in the
back to talk to Enis. She explained what was going on and told him to not let
on that he knew him when Rich came in around supper time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do ya think she could be lying Gert?” asked Enis.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I hope not,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope I’m
not that bad a judge of character” said Gert. “Imagine, a granddaughter Enis!”
exclaimed Gert. “Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”</div>
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Enis smiled and gave Gert a hug.
He hoped to God that this young woman was who she said she was.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ <br />
Richard Anderson,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>checked
the data base for any information on Livie. As a high ranking officer in the
Special Activities division of the CIA it didn’t take him long to run the
security check. He had years of experience leading units of highly trained men who
performed unconventional, and often high-risk missions. It had been a solitary
life which at times he regretted, but once in, he had moved swiftly through the
ranks. People depended on him because he was good at what he did.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
As he read through all of the information he found about
Livie, it took him back to his younger days with the CIA. He had been careful
not to have any long term involvement with women. Knowing that any one of his
missions could result in death made him sensitive to the risk he would put a
family in. So through the years he had stayed mainly unattached.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Except for Jackie; Livy’s mother.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He closed his eyes briefly remembering her face. He was sad
to hear that she was now dead. At the same time he was angry at Jackie. She had
never told him. The timing was right. Now it made sense why she had put him off
fifteen years ago when he had tried to contact her.</div>
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He shoved all of the information
he had about Livie, including a picture from her driver’s license and headed
for his car. He had to catch a plane to Montana and get to Wolf Creek.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</i></b><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Is that all?</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No I don’t think so… this story will continue. But there is no way I
can neatly wrap it all up and finish it in one last post. </i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">So my friends, you’ll have to check back from time to time to see what
happens. </i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">;)</span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What is that saying? </i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Leave them wanting more? ;)</i></b><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">This is just one of many stories written by a group<span style="font-size: small;"> of </span> talented writers for 30 days minus 2 - check them out over</span></i></i></b><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">at <a href="http://www.weworkforcheese.com/" target="_blank">www.weworkforcheese.com</a></span></i><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
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<![endif]-->life in the mom lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159048805132940308noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3914715989495672860.post-55544799991579755732013-02-27T04:51:00.001-08:002013-02-27T04:54:09.621-08:00#27 And that’s why I got drunk<i><span style="font-size: small;">Thanks so much for <span style="font-size: small;">everyone's</span> kind comments yesterday- each day this story changes- I have absolutely no idea where it is going. This is just one of many stories written by a group<span style="font-size: small;"> of </span> talented writers for 30 days minus 2 - check them out over</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">at <a href="http://www.weworkforcheese.com/" target="_blank">www.weworkforcheese.com</a></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gert watched the play of emotions cross Livie's face and smiled kindly. "Hells bells child you have been through the ringer" said Gert. "So what made you up and leave your home"?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"There was nothing left there for me Livie said sadly. "I don't have any brothers or sisters and it's always been me and my mom. With her gone there wasn't really anything keeping me there. I was able to sell our house and my mom had invested cautiously through the years so while I'm not rich, I can take the time to search for my dad" Livie said.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gert looked at Livie intently, "Is you father here in Wolf's Creek?" asked Gert.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I hope so, but I'm not sure if he still lives here, the last address I found went I went through my mom;s things was postmarked 15 years ago."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gert asked "What is his name?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Richard Anderson, do you know him Gert?" asked Livie hopefully.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gert looked surprised but quickly composed herself sighing heavily, "Oh child, Rich did live here, before he went off to work for the government. As far as I know he hasn't been back here in five years, hell I'm not even sure if he still owns his property. I know he had it up for sale for a while. His place is still empty."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Livie's face was crestfallen she had never expected that he wouldn't be here. She looked at Gert and forced a smile. "You wouldn't know where he is now would you Gert?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"No child I am mighty sorry, but I don't. But I may be able to find a way to get in contact with him. Give me a few days to work on it"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gert felt ashamed at the look of hope that came over Livie's face. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Later that night as Gert was getting ready for bed she thought about Livie wondering if the lie she told the girl was really in her best interest. She had been shocked to hear that Rich was her father. Rich had never said that he had a daughter- hell did he even know he did? <i>What to do, what to do</i> Gert thought. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This revelation had taken years off of Gert in an single instant. She was amazed that she hadn't given away more. But she had to figure out what to do, if she didn't give Livie some kind of information about Rich then she was liable to leave and Gert would lose the only chance she might ever have to get to know her granddaughter. A granddaughter she thought with a smile. What a wonderful surprise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Enis shuffled in and asked her if she needed anything. Gert asked him to bring up the bottle of Old Grandad and a glass with ice. Enis just looked at her and raised an eyebrow. "Gert, you don't usually have a drink during the week" he said.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Are you gonna bring it or do I have to come and get it? " Gert said gruffly. Enis hurried to bring it not wanting to agitate Gert any more than she already was. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The next morning Enis woke Gert up to get ready for work. "Gert are you getting up?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gert groaned and held her head. "Lands sakes Enis why did you let me drink last night?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Gert you were in such a way I knew that to try and talk you out of it wasn't gonna work, what had you so upset sugar?" asked Enis.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gert was careful not to let on what Livie had asked about, Enis would learn soon enough that Livie was looking for Rich. Enis was a kind soul and he would understand but she just wasn't ready to tell him. Rich had been born to her first husband, who had died in the war. Enis thought of Rich as his own and had been a great step father, but just for a little while this was a secret she needed to keep to herself. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She looked at Enis and said "That sweet young Livie, poor child has had a rough time of it Enis, thinking about all she's gone through,<i> that's why I got a tad bit drunk."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Enis brought her some aspirin and a large glass of water. "Gert if you are under the weather I'll call Cora again and tell her she has to come in. You are just too kindhearted for your own good."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gert gulped down her aspirin and said "Dammit Enis you'll do no such thing, I'll be ready in two shakes."<i><br /></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Joe flipped through the TV channels. It was getting closer to dinner time and he decided to walk down to the grocery store. The snow had stopped and the plow had gone through so he could walk along the edge of the road.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Once he made it to the grocery he got a cart and started down the isles. He decided to get enough snacks to help carry him through a few days. He grabbed some Doritos, Oreo s, a six pack of beer, a bottle of Jack Daniel's, a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant and shampoo. As he put his stuff on the conveyor belt he added a package of beef jerky, some chap stick and a couple of Milky Ways. He ran his credit card through the machine and signed the credit slip. The clerk a middle aged woman wearing a tag that read "Millie" looked at him and said "You that young man who has Bud working on that car?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Joe glanced up and said "Yes ma'am I am."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Guess you're stuck aren't ya sonny?" said the clerk.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Yes ma'am I am" said Joe with a slight smile.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Well don't you worry sonny, Bud'll do right by ya, he's a wonder with cars."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I sure hope so ma'am" said Joe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By the time Joe made it back to the motel he was freezing. He had stopped by the diner and got a dinner to go. He decided to warm it up in the microwave in the room. He poured himself healthy shot of JD and downed it while he waited for his food to heat up. If nothing else this forced time here would provide a well deserved rest. He'd been working almost non stop for weeks, and that was part of the reason for the misunderstanding with Livie and why he'd missed her train. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He heard the beep of the microwave and got his food out. He put it on the small table in the corner and grabbed a beer and sat down to eat.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Looking down at the food he took a swig of his beer suddenly not hungry. He looked at the bottle of JD wishing he had made different choices. He took another another swig of beer and turned on the TV. As he made his way to the bed he grabbed the Doritos and JD and began eating the Doritos between sips of beer.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He found a hockey game on TV and thought about how his actions must've seemed to Livie. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Even if he did find her, getting her to even talk to him might be hard. For all he knew she might refuse to even talk to him. God he had screwed things up majorly this time. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Looking at the bottle of JD he reached over and screwed the top back on and put it aside. That was NOT going to help. He remembered long ago watching his dad use the bottle as a crutch, nearly ruining his life one shot at a time. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When his mom died his dad had lost it, and used to say </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>that is why he got drunk.</i>.. finally he realized that he wasn't going to do anything but numb himself with the alcohol. Those were rough years and he didn't want to follow in those footsteps. His dad almost lost everything.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Joe watched the game not really seeing it. He had muted the sound, the only sounds he heard were the occasional car whooshing by through the slushy road outside and the the whir of the heat kicking in on the rooms register. As he crunched the Doritos he began to formulate what he would say to Livie when he saw her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If he wasn't already too late.</span></div>
life in the mom lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159048805132940308noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3914715989495672860.post-71636849912849579202013-02-26T04:40:00.000-08:002013-02-26T04:40:36.236-08:00#26 Deal with it<i><span style="font-size: small;">Join all of the talented writers for 30 days minus 2 over</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">at <a href="http://www.weworkforcheese.com/" target="_blank">www.weworkforcheese.com</a></span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">I wish I <span style="font-size: small;">had half the ability of</span> the other writers who are participating in </span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">30 days minus 2 </span></i>. There are some immensely talented & special writers <span style="font-size: small;">that I am fortunate enough to join in this challenge.</span>Writing is not something I find "easy"- I do multiple drafts of some of my entries, wonder how much I should say, how <span style="font-size: small;">honest I should be... I read the other entries and often find my posts lacking.<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>Guess I'll just have to deal with it.</span></span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span> </span></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Livie found herself four hours
later, tired with a sore back and feet and way more respectful of the job a
waitress does. While most of the customers she waited on were nice enough,
trying to be upbeat while running her ass off was hard!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Looking over at Gert however and
seeing the older woman keep going as hard as she did made her realize that she
needed to continue helping out Gert as long as she needed her. It was the
least she could do since Gert gave her the cabin to use.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She gave the counter one last wipe
down and then heard Gert telling her to get a drink and come sit with her. She grabbed
a soda and sat down with her. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"You did good child" said
Gert with a smile.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> "Livie took a sip of her
soda and said "Thanks, it was way harder than I expected it to be".</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gert looked her over and said
"Yes it is but the secret is to just stay positive, friendly and do you
best". If you don't mind me asking, what kind of work are you used
to"?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Livie smiled and said "I am a
teacher, I've taught elementary school on and off the past seven years. The
last two years I only substituted because I was taking care of my mom. She had
cancer and passed about four months ago".</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gert took both of Livie's hands in
her own, her knarly, veiny hands soft to the touch as they gently clasped
Livies'. "Oh sweetheart I am so sorry to hear that, hopefully she didn't
suffer"?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Livie nodded and said "no, they
were able to keep her comfortable till the end".</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> "And you child, are you
ok"? Asked Gert.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"It has been very hard but
yes <i>I'm dealing with it</i>" Livie said softly. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bud looked over the car muttering
under his breath the whole time. Joe stood anxiously to one side watching,
listening, not understanding what Bud was saying.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Finally he said "Can you
fix it"?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bud looked up, pushed his cap
farther back on his head and replied "Hell yeah I can fix it".</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Joe looked visibly relieved. He said
"That's great, is there any way it could be ready by tomorrow
morning"? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bud looked at him and said
"Sure, if I had the parts you needed, but I don't, I'll need to order
'em""</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Joe's face fell. He said, "How
long do you think it'll take"?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bud scratched his head and said”Well
that depends".</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Depends on what?" Joe
asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"It depends young man on if I
can locate the parts in Billings and if the weather cooperates to get 'em here.
Once I get 'em it’ll take me a day or so to work on it".</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Joe's face fell again”So you're
telling me I am looking at two or three days"? Said Joe.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"More like four or five if
you're lucky" said Bud.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Joe gave Bud all of his information
and Bud towed his car back to his garage. As Joe watched his car disappear down
the road he went back into his room frustrated. He did not like this one
bit but there was nothing he could do about it. He was in the middle of nowhere,
no car and stuck here for at least a few days. Fortunately he had a place to
stay. The whole situation sucked but at least he could do some work on his
manuscript, he might as well <i>deal with it.</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i>life in the mom lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159048805132940308noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3914715989495672860.post-24765909893896488622013-02-25T03:57:00.001-08:002013-02-25T03:57:14.827-08:00#25 Fact or Fiction<i><span style="font-size: small;">Join all of the talented writers for 30 days minus 2 over</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">at <a href="http://www.weworkforcheese.com/" target="_blank">www.weworkforcheese.com</a></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">I'm taking a break from the story...</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">When I was a kid I remember watching Star Trek and thinking how cool </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">all of the stuff they had to communicate and get around was. </span></span></span></span></i><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images-partners-tbn.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQqCtz45URnpN5rJJentaxyK8Wchrprg_xeidSsmogV8lB_mP5YRrrjNuc:http://www.thespeciousreport.com/2006/06images/communicator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://images-partners-tbn.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQqCtz45URnpN5rJJentaxyK8Wchrprg_xeidSsmogV8lB_mP5YRrrjNuc:http://www.thespeciousreport.com/2006/06images/communicator.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What was fiction...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>is now fact?</i></span></td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span> </span></i>life in the mom lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159048805132940308noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3914715989495672860.post-3260984691407991912013-02-24T05:37:00.002-08:002013-02-24T05:37:38.376-08:00#24 Confucius<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>I was going
to stop, how in the world was I going to incorporate this prompt? I'll
give it a shot. Now shoot on over and join all of the talented writers
for 30 days minus 2 over at <a href="http://www.weworkforcheese.com/" target="_blank">www.weworkforcheese.com</a></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Livie listened to Gert as the cook Enis came out to talk to her. She hoped
Gert’s sitting with her wouldn’t get her into trouble. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enis looked to be about Gert’s age, weathered
and gray haired wearing a big food smudged apron. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You ok Gert"? Asked Enis.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Enis damn it, leave me be, I’m fine, I swear to God you watch me sharper
than those knives you use. I’m just talking to Livie here” said Gert with a
smile.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Enis looked at Livie, bobbed his head and said “Ma’am” before turning to
Gert and saying “Now Gert don’t get your panties in a bunch I just wanted to
let you know that Cora called and said her boy Seth was sick and she can’t come
into work for the lunch crowd”.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Well damn”, said Gert, “that poor baby, Cora has had her hands full with
him.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Enis looked at her and asked “Should I call Elsie?”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“No she’s visiting her sister down in Virginia City, I’ll stay through lunch”
said Gert.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Now Gert you know what the doctor said” said Enis worriedly.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She looked imperiously at Enis and said “I’ll thank you to keep your
opinions to yourself Enis Eugene Shrugg”.<span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span>Enis sighed and shrugged his shoulders
and shuffled back to the kitchen mumbling about women being so contrary.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Livie looked at Gert and asked “I hope you sitting here isn’t getting you in
trouble”?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Trouble”? Gert said, “Child <span style="font-size: small;">Enis and </span>I own this place, Enis is my husband he's just a worry wart.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Oh” said Livie smiling, and then she noticed Gert’s rheumy looking knuckles. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Could I help out?” asked Livie. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Gert looked at Livie and asked “You ever
waitressed young lady”?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Livie looked at Gert and said “Well no, but I could try, that is if you
could first direct me to a motel where I could put my things. I could be back
before lunch”.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“We ain’t got no motel child” said Gert. She saw the flicker of dismay on
Livie’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Livie unconsciously bit on
her bottom lip and worried the napkin in front of her. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Is there somewhere I can rent a room”? Asked Livie.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“No child, at least not now, Ethel who runs the boarding house is visiting
her daughter down in Florida and won’t be back for a month” said Gert. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Livies’ face fell again. Gert watched her then made a decision.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Gert said “I own a small cabin around the corner back towards the woods by
the train station; my tenant left a month ago but you’re welcome to stay there
in exchange for helping out here till Cora’s’ boy is better. The place isn't much but it's clean”.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Really”? Said Livie, thankful to the old woman. “It’s a deal”. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Gert grimaced as she got up and slowly walked back to the kitchen taking a
key off of a hook by the phone. She brought it back to the table and gave Livie
directions to the cabin, told her to turn up the heat and asked her to be back
by 10:30. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Livie agreed, put on her coat and scarf, gathered up her things and
headed for the cabin.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The crisp air blew wisps of hair as she made her way back the frozen road to
the small cabin set back against trees. Her shoes crunched in the packed snow
as she made her way to the cabin. Thankfully someone had plowed and she was
able to make it through to the cabin. She used the skeleton key to open the
front door and dumped her bags inside the door. As she looked around the small
cabin she found the thermostat and turned the up the heat. Moments later she
heard the furnace grumble as it kicked in before hearing its purr as it came to
life. She walked through the cabin; it consisted of a living
room, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This
was actually perfect</i> thought Livie. The furnishings were worn but clean.
She opened up cabinets in the kitchen and found the basics, glasses, plates,
bowls and the like. As she looked at the old Frigidaire refrigerator she
noticed all the different magnets on the front, one holding up what looked like
a paper from a fortune cookie. She read “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Our
greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do.</i>”
~Confucius. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She smiled and took her bags into the bedroom. She sorted through them
finding a pair of jeans, long sleeved t shirt, socks and a pair of sneakers. After
she changed she went into the old fashioned bathroom tiled in pink and white
and smiled into the mirror as she brushed her hair and pulled it into a
ponytail. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I did the right thing coming here</i>
she thought. Then she glanced at her watch and saw it was time to head back to
the diner. It had begun to snow again. She pulled on her coat and scarf and
gave a prayer of thanks for the kindness of strangers, then squared her
shoulders and headed out to go help at the diner. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Waiting tables can’t be that hard</i> she thought.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Joe woke up to the shrill sound of his phone’s alarm. He stretched at first
uncertain where he was, then looked around the room rousing himself from his deep
sleep. Then it came back to him… Livie.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He got up and went into the bathroom, when he was done he flushed the toilet,
washed his hands then threw some water on his face to wake up. As he walked
back into the motel room he ran a hand through his hair. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I need to figure out how to get to the
next stop</i>, he thought. He pulled his laptop out of his backpack and found
that thankfully the motel had an internet connection. He booted up his pc and
began looking up the best route to go.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">His stomach rumbled and he looked out the window seeing a diner across the
street. He got dressed and went over to eat. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The snow had stopped and he saw that the roads
had been plowed while he had slept. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He found a seat at the counter and ordered his food. A TV was on behind the
counter and he listened to the weather report. It didn’t sound good. There was
a front coming in from the west, and it was forecasting more snow and ice.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He was just east of Billings. He needed to continue west on route 94 and
by his calculations it would take him about 4-5 hours to get to the next stop.
He finished up, paid and headed back to his motel room. Since there were no
real towns for a while he figured he’d better pick up some food for the ride.
He decided to drive down the road the small grocery store he’d passed on his
way in to get some supplies before checking out. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He got in his car and turned
the key. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Nothing. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No, don’t do this to me</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not now</i> he thought. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He waited a
moment then tried again, still nothing. His head dropped to the steering wheel. Of all times for his car to break
down, this was not good.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Joe sat up and thought. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ok, this is a
minor setback, I’ll just find a mechanic and get it fixed, things could be
worse this could’ve happened alongside of the road.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He got out of his car
and walked over to the motel office. The clerk came out and Joe asked “Where
can I find a good mechanic, my car won’t start”. The clerk jotted down a number
on a post it and handed it to him and told him to try Bud down at the gas
station. Joe thanked him and went back into his room and called the number on
the paper. After ringing several times a voice finally answered “Bud’s”. Joe
explained the situation and was happy when Bud said he would stop by in about
an hour.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With nothing left to do Joe turned on the TV and flipped through the
stations. He paused on the History channel and watched for a few minutes. The
program was about the Chinese philosopher Confucius. From time to time some of
his most famous sayings were transposed on the screen. One caught his eye. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It does not matter how slowly you go as long
as you do not stop</i>.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Joe smiled, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">just what I needed to hear</i>
he thought. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Then there was a knock on the door. Joe got up and opened the door to an old
man in overalls and a heavy coat, wearing a hat that said “Bud’s Service” on it,
a cigarette hanging out of one side of his mouth.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Ya got a bum car for me to look at”? Bud croaked.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
life in the mom lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159048805132940308noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3914715989495672860.post-1460133741104305812013-02-23T04:16:00.001-08:002013-02-23T04:22:35.564-08:00#23 Absurd<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<i>This is day 23 of the absurd creative writing challenge. </i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Join all of the talented writers for 30 days minus 2 over<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>at <a href="http://www.weworkforcheese.com/" target="_blank">www.weworkforcheese.com</a></span></i><br />
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSJ1wkDl-TDnFf3-nf8YBy9SFN8BxR85jolPNvA6eWvAfNaRg_LFQ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSJ1wkDl-TDnFf3-nf8YBy9SFN8BxR85jolPNvA6eWvAfNaRg_LFQ" /></a></div>
Gert watched the pretty young woman then headed over and offered her more
coffee<b>.</b><br />
"Thanks" she said looking up. Gert took in her delicate features,
the deep blue eyes and curly blond hair.<br />
<br />
As Gert refilled her coffee cup she said "So I know everyone in
town, where are you from miss?”<br />
<br />
"Back east" she said.<br />
<br />
"Do you have a name?" Gert prompted.<br />
<br />
"Oh I'm sorry, yes" she said looking shyly down, "its Livie".<br />
<br />
"Well Livie" Gert said, "It's nice to meet you, is
someone meeting you here?"<br />
<br />
Livie looked down again, biting her lip unconsciously and holding her hands
tightly together. The older woman had a kind look to her. Gert glanced over her
shoulder at the construction workers who called out a goodbye, and looked back
at Livie.<br />
<br />
"May I?" She gestured at the booth.<br />
<br />
"Oh yes, please do" Livie said.<br />
<br />
Gert settled down with a grimace. "Damned knees, I'm getting too
old for this".<br />
<br />
Gert looked at Livie, "So what brings you to Wolf Creek child?"<br />
<br />
Undecided how much to share Livie simply said "I needed a
change".<br />
<br />
Gert snorted and said with a smile, "Well child not much of a
town here for someone as young and pretty as you but welcome".<br />
<br />
Livie sipped on her coffee and said "Thank you", feeling at peace
with her decision for the first time.<br />
It was<i> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">absurd</b> </i>because
she had no job here<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">,</span></span> nowhere to stay, but somehow she knew it would be alright.<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
As he left his second stop he knew he needed to stop and rest. The roads
were beginning to get fuzzy. He needed to sleep. That paired with the now
steady snow was making driving dangerous. This was <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">absurd</i> </b>he had to stop. He
was liable to fall asleep at the wheel and end up in an embankment.<br />
<br />
He saw a sign for a motel two miles up the road and decided to stop and get
some sleep. He was half way across Montana now and there were only two more
towns she could've gotten off at.<br />
<br />
As he pulled into the motel parking lot and parked his cell phone rang. He
glanced at the caller i.d. and sighed... his editor, he had to answer this.<br />
<br />
"Hello Stan" he said.<br />
<br />
"Joe, I got your manuscript and have some questions, do you have a
minute?" said Stan. Joe sat in the cooling car and answered
Stan's questions, concise in his explanations. He and Stan had worked together
for five years now and they had this routine down pat.<br />
<br />
"Just so you know Stan, I'm gonna be out of town for a while,
something’s come up".<br />
<br />
"Everything ok bud?" Stan asked.<br />
<br />
"I hope so Stan thanks. Don't worry I'll have the next installment to
you by the end of next month, I have my laptop with me, I'll
email you in a day or so".<br />
<br />
They ended the conversation and Joe got out of the car and checked into the
motel. Once he was in his room he took a blistering hot shower and fell into
bed. He plugged in his cell phone and set his alarm for five hours- that should
be enough. He laid back down and was asleep almost at once. As he drifted
deeper he smiled in his sleep dreaming of a girl with blue eyes and blond
hair... his Livie.<br />
<br />life in the mom lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159048805132940308noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3914715989495672860.post-36071217228046893602013-02-22T03:53:00.001-08:002013-02-22T03:53:02.316-08:00#22 Compulsively<i><span style="font-size: small;">Join all of the talented writers for 30 days minus 2 over<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>at <a href="http://www.weworkforcheese.com/" target="_blank">www.weworkforcheese.com</a></span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The sun was peeking up through the horizon to the
east and she looked at her watch. Just before seven, they were right on time.
She still couldn’t believe that she actually slept on the train, she must have
been more tired than she thought. If she was honest with herself- she had been
exhausted, both physically and mentally. It was probably a blessing she got
some rest, she was going to need all of her strength to get through the next
few days.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The train finally came to a stop and she got all of
her bags together and got ready to get off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her eyes glanced out the windows and she took in the quaint, but
desolate station. She breathed in the cool air as she got off of the train. It
was so quiet here. No cabs, no traffic, no one there except for the man behind
the ticket counter reading a paper while he enjoyed his morning coffee. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She tightened her scarf, the air was brisk, and it
felt like snow. She looked up at the clouds which were thickening. Great, just
what I need she thought. She started walking towards town and decided to stop
at a small diner, she only had that coffee last night, she had been too nervous
to eat and her stomach growled now.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She went inside, the diners’ warmth welcoming as she
found a booth in the back. Country music played from a radio behind the counter
and the motherly waitress walked over with a coffee pot. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Good morning dear, coffee”?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Please” she said with a smile.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“My names Gert, let me know when you’re ready to
order” said the waitress with a smile.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She opened the menu and zeroed in on the
“special”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even with all the thoughts
going through her head she felt like she could eat a horse. She caught Gert’s
eye and after she came back to the booth she ordered. She looked at the paper place mat covered with local advertisements. Some construction workers came in
and sat at the counter, glancing at her with interest. She looked out the
window seeing the first few flurries beginning to fall. She began to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">compulsively</i> pick at a loose thread in
her sweater, not realizing it was unraveling the edges.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 3.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: wave windowtext 3.0pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: wave windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She needed to find a
job and somewhere to stay. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: wave windowtext 3.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She needed to focus and
figure out her options.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ </span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As he drove through the night he drank coffee,
knowing he needed it to stay awake. He stopped at a rest area and filled up his
gas tank, used the rest room and grabbed a sandwich, chips and switched to Red
Bull. After he paid the cashier he glanced at the map trying to figure out
which of the stops she might’ve gotten off at.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He looked at the notes he’d jotted down. He’d
accessed the train schedule from his cell phone and had written down all the
stops her train made. Seven stops in total, he was about ten miles from the
first stop. The second, fourth and fifth stops were simply that, stops. They
were in the middle of nowhere so he could cross them off of his list. That left
four stations she could’ve gotten off at. He knew the longer it took him to get
to each stop the worse his chances of finding her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He got back into his car and headed west, opening
the chips and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">compulsively</i> eating
them without thinking. Flurries began hitting his windshield<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>lightly at first then they became heavier. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If this was any indication, this wasn’t boding well.</span></div>
life in the mom lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159048805132940308noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3914715989495672860.post-71991383497400768632013-02-21T04:32:00.000-08:002013-02-21T07:10:34.993-08:00#21 Last train<b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yester</span>day's</span> weather prompted the change in scenery. Follow the trac<span style="font-size: small;">ks to meet </span>all of the talented writers <span style="font-size: small;">participating in </span> 30 days minus 2 over at <a href="http://www.weworkforcheese.com/" target="_blank">www.weworkforcheese.com</a></span></i></b><br />
<br />
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As she sat in the coffee shop she kept surreptitiously
looking at her watch.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He was late.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the waitress came by to refill her cup she nodded her
head slightly, smiled and covered her cup; if she drank another cup she'd be
floating. As it was the caffeine had her tensed up so much she felt like she
could take flight.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She glanced around the coffee shop and noted the customers
there. It was late, way past the dinner rush, closer to midnight actually.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Where was he?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She glanced at her watch again. She didn't have much longer,
and she simply couldn't wait.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She gathered up her purse and her bags, left a tip for the
waitress and headed out the door, the bells jingling as the door swished opened
then shut after her. A fine mist fell over her, the weather was taking a turn
for the worse.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She'd need to hurry if she was going to make the last train.
Her heels clicked in a rhythmic code as she hurried down the platform. She
stopped at the ticket office, secured her ticket and found a bench to wait.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was finally time to board. She took one last long look
around the train station her eyes searching, not seeing him. Resolutely she sighed,
got up and boarded the train. A soft rain began and drenched the windows
mirroring how she felt inside. She sat, desolate, staring out the rain
spattered window, not really seeing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How could I have been so wrong about him? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the train slowly began to pull out of the station she
leaned her head back, sighed and closed her eyes, a single tear streaking down
her cheek; the only outward sign<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that
something was wrong. She wiped the tear away with the back of her hand. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If he couldn't even show up he wasn't worth her tears.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once again she was reminded that she could not be weak and needed
to only count on herself, leaning on him for strength had been a mistake, and
she would do this alone. She could do this. She had to do this.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the train pulled farther away from the station it’s
lights becoming smaller and smaller a distraught young man ran out onto the
platform, chest heaving as if he had just finished a marathon. He<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>stood in the now steady rain, soaked to the
skin, watching the taillights of the train disappearing in the worsening storm.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He had missed the train and she was gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was no way to catch it, and he had no way to reach
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He ran to the ticket office ready
to pay whatever price a ticket on the next train would cost, only to find it
closed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The last train had left and with it the love of his life,
but she would never know.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He went back into the station and sat down on one of the
benches. He racked his brain trying to figure out what to do next. After a few
moments he got up and headed out to his car, he couldn't find a parking spot
earlier and he'd had to park blocks away. As he walked<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he formed a plan. He would pack a bag and
drive there, he had no other choice.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Somehow he was going to find her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i>life in the mom lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159048805132940308noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3914715989495672860.post-79574364577929563662013-02-20T09:26:00.003-08:002013-02-20T09:26:50.802-08:00#20 The other shoe<i><span style="font-size: small;">Join all of the talented writers for 30 days minus 2 over</span></i><br />
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She finished her make up and went to put on her perfume. Her
favorite scent wafted over her and she smiled thinking of the evening ahead.</div>
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She went into her closet and got out the dress, silky, sexy
and a bit risqué. She hung it on the door and then went to put on her garters,
hose and stilettos. </div>
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As she sat down and began putting on one stocking she heard
the downstairs door and smiled knowing he was home. She hurried to snap the
garter in place and picked up her other stocking and repeated the process. She
slipped on one stiletto as he walked through the doorway. She picked up <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the other shoe</i> and met his eyes. </div>
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He shut
the door and locked it with a click. </div>
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“You won’t be needing those” he said with a smile.</div>
life in the mom lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159048805132940308noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3914715989495672860.post-38180445483971172762013-02-19T04:41:00.001-08:002013-02-19T05:28:53.971-08:00#19 Little things<i><span style="font-size: small;">Join all of the talented writers for 30 days minus 2 over</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">at <a href="http://www.weworkforcheese.com/" target="_blank">www.weworkforcheese.com</a></span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">When you've been with <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">someone</span> as along as I have been with hubby</span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">(29 years this July <span style="font-size: small;">+ 8 years prior = 37 years, which accor<span style="font-size: small;">ding <span style="font-size: small;">to hubby's calculations is about 74% of our lives to date</span></span>)</span></span></span></i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> it is the little things which can make or break a relationship.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Early on there were differences... </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I squeeze the toothpaste w<span style="font-size: small;">here ever- he neatly squeezes from the bottom up.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">He drinks out of the containers in the frig... I don't.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">He pulls Jars/containers against the back splash on the counter tops out and doesn't push them back- drives me crazy. </span> </span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-size: small;">I have a tendency to leave lights on, he turns them off.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">There are lots o<span style="font-size: small;">f things for both of us-</span> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>But...</i></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">We still flirt with each other.<span style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">He often kisses my hand <span style="font-size: small;">when he</span> tells me he loves me.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I bake him <span style="font-size: small;">his favorite </span>cookies.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">We have "<i>dates</i>" sometimes just to the grocery store or the home improvement store. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">He sometimes brings me flowers "<i>just because</i>".</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I still leave him notes "<i>just because</i>". </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">We both do whatever we can to help around the house.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">We take care of each other. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Little t</b><span style="font-size: small;"><b>hings</b>, but i<span style="font-size: small;">t is the little things which <b><i>mean the most</i>.</b></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-akbds3EmkxU/USN96w2Q5_I/AAAAAAAABKU/5Wr40IZgJog/s1600/2013-02-19_08-22-43_74.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-akbds3EmkxU/USN96w2Q5_I/AAAAAAAABKU/5Wr40IZgJog/s200/2013-02-19_08-22-43_74.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instead of buying a valentine- he wrote me a valentine letter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n3wU4eQzPDw/USNx0G2BkqI/AAAAAAAABJU/nAMej-lEj4E/s1600/2013-02-19_07-31-05_302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n3wU4eQzPDw/USNx0G2BkqI/AAAAAAAABJU/nAMej-lEj4E/s200/2013-02-19_07-31-05_302.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little thing but he "decorated" the envelope to my valentine :)<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </i></span> </span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i>life in the mom lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159048805132940308noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3914715989495672860.post-67805364167841749672013-02-18T17:46:00.001-08:002013-02-18T17:46:30.743-08:00#18 Home at last<i><span style="font-size: small;">Join all of the talented writers for 30 days minus 2 over</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">at <a href="http://www.weworkforcheese.com/" target="_blank">www.weworkforcheese.com<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></a></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.weworkforcheese.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></a></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">We are home at last... unfortunately being home means work tomorrow *ugh*</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">We were away for the long weekend<span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i><span style="font-size: small;">at our cabin in the mountains.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is nice to be home with all of the c<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">conveniences</span>, but really, wherever hubby is... is home for me. :)</span> </span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.weworkforcheese.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></a></span></i>life in the mom lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159048805132940308noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3914715989495672860.post-46435237323268954912013-02-15T06:34:00.000-08:002013-02-15T06:34:52.757-08:00# 15 Or else<br />
As a parent there always comes a time when you find yourself resorting to saying something like "because I said so" or "or else".<br />
<br />
This usually works when your kids are little but it loses it's effectiveness as they grow older. <br />
<br />
I'm probably showing my age, because they say one sure fire way to sound older is to talk about how disrespectful society's youth have become. But honestly, in today's society it is not just the youth... it's prevalent across the board. People just don't seem to give a shit about a lot anymore.<br />
<br />
I don't know if media has desensitized us or if basic values have just become lax, but I am sometimes amazed at what is on tv. (If you are over 50 you probably know what I mean). Trust me, I am no prude, but some of what I see on tv is so over the top that I find it amazing that it is even allowed on tv.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/pYqLuDzFVzQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Anyone remember George Carlin? I loved him, he was raunchy, crude, and funny as hell. How many of the seven dirty words have you heard on tv? I know I have heard some of them....<span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i>Take a listen, <i> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>or else....</i></span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Join all of the talented writers for 30 days minus 2 over</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">at <a href="http://www.weworkforcheese.com/" target="_blank">www.weworkforcheese.com<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></a></span></i><span style="font-size: small;"><i></i></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.weworkforcheese.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></a></span></i><br />
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<br />life in the mom lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159048805132940308noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3914715989495672860.post-8740507364743149452013-02-14T04:36:00.000-08:002013-02-14T04:36:12.267-08:00#14 Where can I get a good blintz?<i><span style="font-size: small;">Join all of the talented writers for 30 days minus 2 over</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">at <a href="http://www.weworkforcheese.com/" target="_blank">www.weworkforcheese.com</a></span></i><br />
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRCmLpxgJ7G1sasev8Un8emQN5pNSKmKgI9BRgzJ75ttLTPqhks" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRCmLpxgJ7G1sasev8Un8emQN5pNSKmKgI9BRgzJ75ttLTPqhks" /></a></div>
I have never had a blintz, and actually have no idea what they taste like let alone where I could get a good one.<br />
<br />
Anyone want to enlighten me???<br />
They look like rolled up pancakes.....*shrug*life in the mom lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159048805132940308noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3914715989495672860.post-50055741797548735782013-02-13T05:55:00.000-08:002013-02-13T05:55:38.187-08:00#13 UnintendedJoin us for 30 days minus 2 over at <a href="http://www.weworkforcheese.com/" target="_blank">www.weworkforcheese.com</a><br />
<br />
<b><span class="hw">Unintended</span> <span class="pron0x"></span></b>adj/<i>not intended; unplanned</i><br />
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Well I am shit outta luck because for the most part I am a planner. What to write...? *long sigh*</div>
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For the most part, any major decision made in my life has been planned. All 5 of my pregnancies were planned. I guess what was <i>unintended</i> were the two miscarriages I had prior to #1 child. </div>
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I remember how excited I was *small smile*. I had been feeling queasy and was late. We were "trying" to get pregnant and there ya go, first month, how about that for beginners luck? Of course in our excitement we told all of our family & friends, I now realize we should've waited because around 9-10 weeks in I miscarried.</div>
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Everyone was so quick to tell us (me) "oh it happens so often" or "you're young you have plenty of time". But to me, that had been a baby, a promise of a new life and as quickly as it came it was gone.</div>
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I went in to the hospital, & had the "<i>procedure</i>" to ensure I had completely aborted. </div>
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<i>I felt empty inside</i>. Our dog Tiger knew something was up, they had me stay in bed for 2-3 days afterwards. Tiger left me ONLY to go outside to do her business & eat. The rest of the time my angel was at my side in bed with me.</div>
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That next year I got a full time teaching job. We moved on and decided to give it a little time before trying again. Things were back to normal and I finally shrugged off the miscarriage. I started my new job and immersed myself in work. That fall we decided to give it another try.</div>
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First month AGAIN, I got pregnant. This time we didn't broadcast it, we decided to wait a little bit before telling anyone. I was sicker than a dog. At times I actually looked green.... I breezed past the 9-10 week mark and we breathed a little easier. We decided to tell just family at Thanksgiving. Everyone was very excited for us! </div>
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About two weeks before Christmas hubby had to fly to Puerto Rico for business. I had passed the twelve week mark and my "morning sickness" was finally subsiding. Not a moment too soon either because up until that time I hadn't felt up to Christmas shopping, I was too nauseous.</div>
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I went in for an appointment with my OB and he ordered a set of blood work to be done. Some particular enzymes or something - they drew blood right then and there, and then I had to return after 48 hrs. to get another test done. The numbers that he was looking for were supposed to double daily. Friday afternoon, two weeks before Christmas I was supposed to call the dr.'s office for the results. I stopped by to see my parents after work and realized I had to call the dr. before they closed for the weekend.</div>
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The first thing the nurse said to me was "are you alone?" A feeling of dread came over me at her question but I stayed calm and I replied that no I was with my parents. She then explained that the test indicated that the numbers, rather than doubling were decreasing and that I needed to report to the hospital the next morning because I was about to lose the baby. I started asking questions and finally she said "I'm very sorry but your fetus might already be dead". </div>
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That was the only time in my life that I ever lost total control. I began screaming/crying and luckily we were able to get hold of hubby- my parents talked to him and my mom drove me home and stayed the night with me. It was a rough night.</div>
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The next morning I reported to the hospital - the whole thing seemed so surreal. I felt really alone.</div>
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When I woke up in the recovery room, somehow hubby was there. His boss had chartered a plane and got him home. We just clung to each other. The next month (including Christmas) were really hard for us. We pretty much just went through the motions. Even now, 25+ years later remembering this still makes me cry.</div>
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Our ending is happy though, we have three beautiful kids. <i>:) I cannot imagine our lives without each of them.</i></div>
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Looking back, sometimes I think, what if? </div>
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Had I not miscarried those two times I would most likely not have my<i> cheergirlie</i> or <i>QB1</i>... this is unimaginable....<i> </i></div>
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<i>Unintended...</i>? I like to think that this <b>was </b>the plan God had for me. Going through those two miscarriages made us appreciate our kids so much more.</div>
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life in the mom lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159048805132940308noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3914715989495672860.post-14700311252444875982013-02-11T04:27:00.003-08:002013-02-11T04:28:58.729-08:00#11 Road tripJoin us for 30 days minus 2 over at <a href="http://www.weworkforcheese.com/" target="_blank">www.weworkforcheese.com</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Leashes?... check<br />
Collars?....check<br />
Medications: ours & Buffy's? ....check<br />
Towels?....check<br />
Keys? ....check<br />
Clothes?....check<br />
Make up?....check<br />
Toothbrush?....check<br />
iPad? ....check<br />
Books/magazines? ....check<br />
Snacks/food bought?....check<br />
Drinks?....check<br />
Glasses/sunglasses?....check<br />
Phone chargers? ....check<br />
iPad? ....check<br />
<br />
Ok, ready for our roadtrip let's GO!!!! life in the mom lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159048805132940308noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3914715989495672860.post-70116800450959710722013-02-09T13:33:00.002-08:002013-02-09T13:35:13.383-08:00#9. 15 minutes<br />
Join us for 30 days minus 2 over at <a href="http://www.weworkforcheese.com/" target="_blank">www.weworkforcheese.com</a><br />
<br />
I open the lid and the steam escapes, disappearing into the moonlight.<br />
<br />
First one step, then another as I step over the side.<br />
<br />
As my my foot hits the heat I gasp softly, then bring my other foot into the warmth.<br />
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Slowly I sink down, heat enveloping my body as I sigh into the exquisite warmth.<br />
<br />
I press the button and the water churns, swirling around tired limbs, massaging aches I didn't<br />
<br />
realize were there.<br />
<br />
I ease back and allow the relaxation of both my mind and body, gazing out into the starlit night, the<br />
<br />
wind whispering through the trees like a forlorn echo.<br />
<br />
My eyes close slowly hypnotized by the sensations and I breath in the silence... Only hearing the<br />
<br />
sloshing of the water.<br />
<br />
After what feels like only a few minutes the churning stops, the water stills it it is silent again. <br />
<br />
I resolutely get up and climb back out, my 15 minutes of bliss over in what felt like an instant.<br />
<br />
My hot tub beckons me to stay, but I know I can't go back in... Not until tomorrow.<br />
<br />life in the mom lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159048805132940308noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3914715989495672860.post-51791536954788088002013-02-08T04:29:00.001-08:002013-02-08T04:29:59.639-08:00#8 FRENCH<h4 style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">30 Minus 2 Days of Writing </span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-weight: normal;">See the other <strike>masochists</strike> participants over at <a href="http://www.weworkforcheese.com/" target="_blank">We Work for Cheese.</a></span></i></h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS2NdOkP55LwiUsFiLdjhxPOtj-rVgJ6c69sq3_p04ZUjC5W1vY" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS2NdOkP55LwiUsFiLdjhxPOtj-rVgJ6c69sq3_p04ZUjC5W1vY" /></a></div>
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<br />
Let's see.. there's<i>:</i><br />
<ul>
<li>French fries</li>
<li>French bread</li>
<li>French toast</li>
<li>a French manicure</li>
<li>a French bistro</li>
<li>French kissing</li>
<li>French bulldogs</li>
<li>French poodles</li>
<li>French wine</li>
<li>French cooking</li>
<li>French <span class="st">cuisine</span></li>
<li><span class="st">French restaurants </span> </li>
<li>French onion soup</li>
<li>French pastries </li>
<li>French's mustard</li>
<li><span class="st">Canadian French</span></li>
<li><span class="st">the French language </span></li>
<li><span class="st">French history</span></li>
<li><span class="st">French accents</span></li>
<li><span class="st">"pardon my French"</span></li>
<li><span class="st">"Mr. French"</span></li>
<li><span class="st"> French cut green beans</span></li>
<li><span class="st"> French roast coffee</span></li>
<li><span class="st">the French revolution</span></li>
<li><span class="st">French beret</span></li>
<li><span class="st">the French foreign legion</span></li>
<li><span class="st">French mastiffs</span></li>
<li><span class="st">French New Guinea</span></li>
</ul>
<span class="st"><br /></span><span class="st">What did I miss?</span><br />
<ul>
</ul>
life in the mom lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159048805132940308noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3914715989495672860.post-57650541814864425712013-02-07T04:22:00.003-08:002013-02-07T04:22:49.750-08:00#7 Texting<h4 style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">30 Minus 2 Days of Writing </span></h4>
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<i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-weight: normal;">Or as I like to refer to it... the OMG are you an idiot for agreeing to do this writing challenge? See the other <strike>masochists</strike> participants Nicky has <strike>strong-armed</strike> invited over at <a href="http://www.weworkforcheese.com/" target="_blank">We Work for Cheese.</a></span></i></h4>
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Texting is slowly replacing conversation and while it is convenient it has innate problems for our society.<br />
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I text, usually to keep in contact with family members, tell them I love them, remind them of things, check in on my kids. The problem with texting is that kids today text more than they actually talk to each other.<br />
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This is a problem because it is keeping kids from learning how to converse and communicate effectively with people.<br />
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When you text people you cannot see their facial expression, body language, they cannot hear the inflection in your voice. And if they interpret your message incorrectly it can lead to misunderstandings. Whenever I see my kids texting about something important I always tell them CALL the person! Do not have important conversations via text. But in a society that embraces the easy & convenient way, we are raising a generation of kids who are lacking in the basic social skills we learned prior to the boom in technology.<br />
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I work in a senior high school. Part of my job as a speech therapist is to teach appropriate social skills to my students who lack the innate knowledge that the average student learns through normal language development. When I listen in the hallways from time to time and hear some kids as they try to talk with teachers, I am appalled. It is not just the "special ed" kids who could use instruction in social communication.<br />
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There is no easy answer here.Technology will continue to advance and people will continue to text. I just hope that people remember the importance of conversation and talk to their kids.<br />
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In everyday life it is becoming harder and harder for families to sit down regularly for a family meal, but when they do I hope the use that time to talk. That's the only way children learn HOW to initiate and maintain a conversation.life in the mom lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159048805132940308noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3914715989495672860.post-35308227619967331132013-02-06T06:38:00.001-08:002013-02-06T06:38:49.279-08:00#6 Haven<br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">30 Minus 2 Days of Writing </span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-weight: normal;">Or as I like to refer to it... the OMG are you an idiot for agreeing to do this writing challenge? See the other <strike>masochists</strike> participants Nicky has <strike>strong-armed</strike> invited over at <a href="http://www.weworkforcheese.com/" target="_blank">We Work for Cheese.</a></span></i></h4>
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To me haven elicits thoughts of a getaway, somewhere where you can escape the world, a place where you can relax, and recharge. </div>
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I have come to find this in the mountains.</div>
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My husband has had this cabin in the family since his grandfather built it in the 1930's. it has become our haven. </div>
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We have been going there as often as we can.<br />
It is easier now with just the two of us and our pups (who love it there)'<br />
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life in the mom lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05159048805132940308noreply@blogger.com18