God bless the Freaks

Parent Teacher conference. I was gone on an extended work trip at the beginning of the school year, so I don't know the teachers well this year. I also haven't seen many of The Teenager's old classmates. After one conference, I exited the room to a gothlet eying me with familiarity. The teacher greeted her with her name and I just about fell over: one of the Teenager's old classmates who I had absolutely loved in elementary school! Smart little girl. Now a blue haired freaklet! YAY! Couldn't help it, I blurted out how beautiful she was. (She is!) Probably embarrassed her to death.

Since my own mother despaired over me when I was a blue haired freaklet (exorcisms included), I told her mom that the freaklet would grow out of it. I realized later that this wasn't entirely true, nor did I want it to be.

My non-conformist attitude helped me on this path and I really like myself today: creative, smart, and highly motivated. Successful.

Those punk rock days helped shape me through adversity. Without them, I wouldn't have grown in this direction.

I haven't grown out of it; it shapes my every day and every decision. I just don't have an outward display anymore. I actually think it's pretty neat because I haven't conformed even to non-conformity.

SO, Blue Haired Chiclet, what I really meant was that you WILL grow. Not necessarily "out of it". If you don't, I'm going to hunt you down; because you are a smart girl and I like you. Because the alternative is to be a statistic and part of the system; the very thing you are trying to avoid now. Because if you don't it will break my heart. Because I don't want you to stagnate. I want you to enjoy life, but I want you to be successful, too. Because I still would have blue hair if I could. (I DO have a funny story on how I recently dyed my hair a color between Lucille Ball and Ronald McDonald. It was an accident, I SWEAR!)

The path you have chosen can suck you in. Trust me, when it spits you out you will not be pretty. Mangled and used up. A mutation, possibly malignant. Make certain that YOU are controlling your path and it is not controlling you. (If you want examples, let me know, I'll introduce you.) KEEP USING YOUR BRAIN. Neglect and drugs destroy it.

Now, make sure you stop by. I have some blue hair dye that I can't use anymore. I'll even help you put it in if you want.

(Maybe she can help me find my nose ring!)

Barley dog

The puppy has been here for over a week. I'm tired. New baby tired.
Not too many SURPRISES. He usually gives us a warning that he needs to go, but it requires that I sleep near him on the couch. He warns at least three times a night. (Despite his size, he has a bladder of a walnut.) One of those times requires a wait of 15 min. while he decides where the grass needs to die on the lawn...

He's already 1/2 way through a 40 lb bag of dog food in his quest to rival his papa (250 lbs). The breeder told me he'd be gaining 5 lbs a week, SHE WASN'T WRONG! (And believe me, we are not encouraging him to grow more quickly!) Last night, in an attempt to eliminate the 15 min. night deposit, I removed the food bowl before I went to sleep. At the 5 am whining, I took him out, gave him a chewy for the hunger pangs and settled back to sleep. At 7 am I awoke to dog sleeping peacefully near the couch. NO 15 min. outdoor poop wait! YAY, method worked?

Gave him the food bowl, but he didn't tear immediately in. HMMM, Curious. Went upstairs (blocked off and off limits to dog) and discovered that, despite the fact he didn't see me put the CAT food up there and the stairs were blocked, there had been a doggie visit. The damage was not only to the cat food, but the kid's rug.... At least he's not dumb.

A link to a stranger that feels like a friend

I've decided this blogging stuff is fun. Maybe a bit addictive.

In the rare moments that I have sucessfully wrestled the hubster, and the kids (YES, all 3) off the computer to use it, I found this.

I occassionally laugh so hard things fly out my nose. Those baked goldfish crackers are especially painful.

(The smurf story hits a special spot in my heart --and my house.)

Stop the ringing in my

YEE GODS.

I've lost my nose ring. I took it out to represent my hobby for a Make-A-Wish thing I helped with. Now I can't find the "safe place" where I stashed it.

I don't wear it much anymore. Doesn't fit in with the "Federal Officer" look. (The badge and the nose ring just makes them giggle... Like the friends who knew me "when" and find out what I do now.)

It was nice to have it as a safety net. Keeps the age away. I realize that I can be responsible and not be "grown-up" and stodgy. The nose ring let me pretend that occasionally I could still be dangerous and irresponsible. (OH GRIEF, is this why the overweight, balding, 40 somethings still wear the high school football jersey and buy a convertable???!!!!)

That thought alone may make me leave it to the dust bunnies collecting in that safe place.

Syrup

I just wanted to link to this post on Love. It was sweet and I'm feeling a bit sappy from attending a wedding last night.

Cool wedding. Creative black tie, which allowed me to wear a cool beaded 20's dress. Supposedly the wedding was a family thing only. Friends were celebrating with after.
Well, they made the appropriate entrance and announced that "Surprise! We wanted to do this with you, our family" (Should have known. They are known for their theatrics...)

Not usually the sappy type. Enjoy it while it lasts.