The men in the white coats are coming .....

This picture is from 1994 --- Sons #1 & #2 are sitting on the fence, watching Daddy put the new Jeep together.  This was one of the best gifts of all time.

     So the roller coaster continues.  Make sure you're securely in the car before we begin.  Trust me, there have been quite a few times when the ride has taken off when I wasn't ready --- it is NOT fun to be tossed around the car like a rag doll.

     First of all, I am so proud of Son #2 that I could bust.  He and another friend put together a benefit for a family at our church.  It was a "band fest" to raise money for medical expenses (their daughter is also a 9th grader and a good friend of his).  When he first started planning this I was not optimistic about the outcome.  I've never heard his "band" play and he was pulling together other bands to perform.

Well let me just say that he/they did an outstanding job.  The show was a couple of hours and it was very good.  They raised a fair amount of money --- much, much more than I had thought they would.

I didn't bring a camera or video recorder (see what kind of mother I am?!).  So this is from my phone --- Son #2 is the one in the middle, playing the bass.  He was wonderful!!
And I know that Jim is as proud of him and the tremendous job he did organizing this as I am.  I could feel him.  This is one of the high points of the "ride".

     Next, my brother-in-law left for Oklahoma yesterday.  Things are bad.  Decisions have to be made regarding "quality of life" and how much longer this is going to go on --  how much longer Jim's mom should have to do this.  She is slipping away.  

     So my trip to Tulsa may have to be altered.  I am hoping against hope that I can still go to the reunion.  I really, really need this.  But this is family -- and my family for the last 27 years (I count the time before we were married).  They and I need a lot of prayer right now.  Especially them and the decisions that need to be made, but that no one wants to have to make.  This is where the "ride" makes a stomach lurching drop --- one of the biggest drops ever.   One of them.

     And now, onto the admit and confess part of the ride.  I have lost my mind.  Now I know you're thinking I've been saying this for the last 3 plus months, and that's true.  I have been losing it.  But now ..... it's gone.  Totally.  And the sad part is, I'm still mostly responsible for 6 other people.  It's a good thing the oldest three are close to being all on their own.  Good for them .... bad for me.  

     It all happened yesterday.  Son #3 and I went to see "Leatherheads" --- you should see it.  Cute, funny and gorgeous.  Oh, well, we all know who was gorgeous.  Really, does the movie have to be good?  Nahhhhhh.  If it is, it's a win-win.  :)

Anyway, after the movie we ran into PetsMart to pick up some cat food.  BIG MISTAKE. HUGE, GIGANTIC, MASSIVELY BIG mistake!  I now recognize that I have a serious problem and can never, EVER, be allowed to walk into that store again (kind of like my sis-in-law in AK!).

Because THIS is what I left with:

This is the extra package I came out with.  He's 9 weeks old and very, very cute.  Too bad he and Colbie seem to hate each other's guts.  I went into that store an innocent, unaware victim-to-be.  I left a stunned, stammering, blathering idiot.  And I blame Son #3 for this.  Yes, I had been considering a second kitten for Colbie to live with (especially a short haired, black male), but had really given up on the idea.  And then came the kitten asile at PetsMart.  Dumm dee dumm dummm.  

And now here I am.  The owner of two adorable, yowling, spitting kittens.  Kind of like my kids!

I wanted to give him a Kenyan name but can't seem to find a suitable one.  "Kenya" sounds too much like a female name, unless we call him Kenny, which might not be flattering for my dad, Kenny.  So then I found the Swahili word for cat --- paka (pronounced like Paco, only with a soft a on the end).  Now this would be a perfectly acceptable name if Son #2 had not had a minor speech problem when he was small.  The boy couldn't say an R to save his life.  So when he would tell someone his name, it sounded a whole lot like "Paca", or in the case of his baseball coach, "Paco".  The man called him that for 2 weeks before I realized he was talking to PARKER!  

So, Paca is out.  The next name was the Swahili name for "black", but I couldn't figure out how to pronounce it.  So for the moment it's ................. and do NOT roll your eyes ...............................

"George".  I'm sure you can figure out where that name came from.  I don't know if it will stick, I'd still like to do something in honor of Kenya.  

And just in case you or someone you know feels the burning desire to ask ... NO, I AM NOT A CAT LADY!!!  The definition of a cat lady is one who owns 3 or more.  I have two.  And 2 it will stay (unless George flunks his 2 week trial period and I have to take him back).  I really hope he works out.

And many of my friends have been warned so let me warn the rest of you ---- I can NEVER, EVER, be allowed into that store again.  So if I call you and ask for a delivery of litter or food, please know that you're helping me more than you know if you deliver.  

     OK, time to go ice and then heat the shoulder and then beg my dear sweet friend for something a bit stronger that 800 mg of Motrin every 6 hours.  That takes the edge off, sometimes.  I may have to go see another shoulder doctor when I get back from Oklahoma.  Tomorrow I see the new ENT.  Hopefully he'll be able to guide me as to what to do to help my ears, sinuses and dizziness.

     OK, the ride is coming to a slow down now.  Please wait until it comes to a complete stop before you unbuckle your seat belts, cuz you never know when it's going to take off, going from 0 to 60 in 20 seconds (that one kind of knocks the breath out of you....in my experience anyway).

Stay clear of the swinging doors and leave on the left side.  If you feel strong and brave enough tomorrow then please join me for another ride!  But make sure you're ready!!!