Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Snow Day, Kohls Addiction, Dean's Move, And Getting Along

Another Snow Day.
The yahoos' emotions vacillate between
relief and anxiety
because there are two built-in snow days
on the school calendar left,
and once those have been used up,
anymore snow days will have to be made-up
by adding school days to the calendar.


So while they're wrapped like burritos on the sofa,
watching the Disney Channel and Nickelodeon this morning
in their pj's,
all warm and lazy-like--
they don't wanna push their luck
and run outta snow days.


Because by the end of the school year,
it's near torture to have to go to school
when these Rocky Mountains finally thaw out
n' the warm sunshine is wasted by sitting inside.


***


Yesterday, I was off work so I did whatever I wanted...
kinda.
As a Momza, I never really do whatever I want,
being that I am a responsible parent and all that.
But
I did go and do
whatever I wanted within the "Mom Realm".
Went to one of my favorite places, Kohls.
They hold me hostage, it's true--
they're the only store that carries the line of dishes that I love so--
my Woodland Reds with the bears, canoes and pine trees
That's them right there.
Have you seen them at Kohl's?
I started with just the plates back in 2007--
when they were on clearance for .99 cents a piece.
I know, right?
But they're not on Clearance
in Colorado--
because we Coloradoans are all about the outdoors!
So I can only get them when they're On Sale--
which is why,
everytime I go to Kohl's
there is a cosmic force that pulls me to the housewares department,
specifically down the Woodland's row
where I must see for myself if there are new additions
to the collection
and if they're On Sale.
Confession here:
It was all I could do to walk away from the Woodland's Dining Utensils.
Yes, they even make silverware to go with--
but I had just bought some nice stuff last Fall,
and common sense told me not to buy it.
Even at 50% Off.
Common sense can be a thorn in the side sometimes,
yeah?
'Cause I so wish I'd gotten them--
nevermind that there's no common sense involved in that "wish".


So now you know why I am addicted to Kohl's.
At least partially.
Maybe they pump oxygen into the store
like Las Vegas does to their casinos?
I dunno.
****
Last night, at 8:22pm,
the phone rang and it was the best part of my whole day.
Dean's new caregiver, M. called to tell me that the move went very well
and Dean was a happy camper
in his new digs.
Seriously, I love this woman!
No other HHP has EVER called to say how Dean was doing
his first day, or second or any day after that.
It was a total act of compassion for M. to make the effort
for me.
It was a short call,
but oh my, it was a huge gift!
When I hung up,
my heart leaked out my eyeballs
pushed out by relief and gratitude.
No matter what else is going on,
in the back of my mind
is ALWAYS the concern for my special-needs Son.
And especially yesterday,
as I knew it was "Moving Day" for him.
With the weight of that concern removed,
I was able to exhale my worry away into a breath
of gratitude.
***


Yesterday at lunch,
Nana and I were talking about our family
and others that we know.
The topic of "happiness" came up alongside
"trials".
Nana observed,
"I think most people I know are just trying to get by, Mom."
We talked about that for a few minutes
just letting it soak in and appreciate it for what it is, ya know?


One of my most favorite American figures is Will Rogers--
he was just plain good.
One of my favorite quotes of his is:


“I never yet met a man that I dident like. When you meet people, no matter what opinion you might have formed about them beforehand, why, after you meet them and see their angle and their personality, why, you can see a lot of good in all of them."


Olive Garden bread sticks really bring out the philosopher in me.
Must be the seasoning, 
which I am fairly certain is made up of some addictive chemical 
that makes me crave it fortnightly.


Anyway,
I think Nana's right.
Most people I know are just trying to get along.


Last week was a rough one for me--
in particular, there was a day
a day
that I needed to pat myself on the back.
SO 
I took a pencil and paper
and wrote down
all I had accomplished that day,
in 5 minutes.
I had done alot
and I felt better just looking at it all
in black and white.


I don't know what made me think of that,
but it made a difference.
***


Okay, so I'm off to work.
Make it a good day!





9 comments:

  1. That is wonderful news about Dean's move and the thoughtful caregiver. Sounds like you definitely had the right inspiration about this one!

    As for those plates, living in Colorado as you do, I can understand exactly why you need them. I applaud you for resisting the silverware. I'm not sure I'd have been able to...

    ;)

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  2. I am stunned that this is the first time anyone has paid you the basic courtesy of a phone call on moving day. No wonder your heart has been so fraught! I pray Dean is in a safe and happy home now and that he can stay there for as long as he needs.

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  3. good news about a thoughtful HHP... and the plates ARE beautiful - like a little slice of Colorado... hmmm... I might need to start haunting Kohl's!

    but the list? I'm afraid to make one... for fear it might say "dishes, facebook, blogging, oops"

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  4. Glad to hear about Dean's caregiver. I wonder if she knows what a gift you gave her.

    Sorry about the kids snow day. I don't know when you are out of school, but you are right. When it final thaws in these mountains the last thing we want to do is go to school.....or work.

    We have sunshine here today. Shocker.
    Bitter cold though.

    I understand about the Olive Garden bread sticks. They are pretty much crack aren't they.

    I have only been into Kohls less than a half dozen times.
    I probably should go really wander around.

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  5. We don't have a Kohl's where we live...sob, sob.
    It does make me want to hop in the car and head off to Portland or Seattle and hunt one down though. Very cute dishes.

    I love that you received such a comforting call about Dean. Here's to a perfect fit for him.

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  6. I feel like I have been on this journey somewhat with you by reading all your thoughts and feelings about Dean and what is going on with his different caregivers. So as I read your post tonight I feel such relief for you and for him. His new caregiver sounds like a very thoughtful person and that is something to be so grateful about.

    I have never noticed those dishes in Kohls but now I am bound too and then think of you! They are really nice.

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  7. So happy the move is working out for him, and I hope he loves it there and can stay a long time. I love Kohls too, we don't have one here ,which is probably a very good thing. Love the red dishes. They look pretty darn nice!!!

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  8. @PattyAnn: Thank you for your kind comments re Dean. He really is the softspot in my heart.
    @Cherie: The Kohl's by YOU is where it all started with those dishes! And thanks to you for sharing my journey with Dean and his HHP's. I appreciate you.
    @Connie: Thank you! Hope u find a Kohl's nearby!
    @LOL! at your comment about breadsticks=crack! True! It was ONE degree when I took Daisie to school this morning. I thought of you.
    @T: I'd bet you have alot more on your list than those things!
    @Sue: Just think of yourself good and hugged right now!
    @

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  9. I'm thinking of making a bumper sticker that says, "Just doing the best I can"

    And I was concerned about Dean, too, so I'm glad everything went well for him!

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