Once upon a time in Mexico….
Throwback Thursday
Category Archives: Twists and Turns
Bite My Tongue
The following responses are things I wish I could say to people who ask silly and/or rude questions or make comments that are offensive. Some people do not realize how offensive some remarks can be, so consider this a heads up.
Offensive Remark #1 (to parent of homeschooled children): What about socialization?
What I want to sarcastically say: I’m totally against it! The kids spend most of the day locked in the closet.
The reality is that most homeschooled kids are very well socialized. You appear uneducated when you make a comment like this because you have obviously confused socializing with socialization. Socializing as we know it refers to hanging out with friends in social situations. Socialization refers to getting along and acting appropriately with people of all ages. Most homeschooled children are able to appropriately interact with adults, peers, etc., with little trouble. Parents go out of their way to have interaction with homeschool groups and play groups as well as shuttle the kids to dance class, the library, church, museums and the local nursing home. I think that covers socialization quite well.
Offensive Remark #2 (to parent of homeschooled children): Aren’t there some “gaps” in their education?
What I want to say: Why do you consider it your business? What do you remember from high school? Can you give an example of an isotope? Can you tell me what you know about fractals? When you give me a confused look, I can then tell you, “Oh, I see I found your gaps!” Face it—we all have them. The reality is that education and intelligence are partly about knowing where to find information not stored in our heads!
Offensive Remark #3: People should choose a spouse that is of the same race.
What I want to say: Are you referring to the human race?
The reality is people are people. No race is better than another.
These three examples are the ones that bug me a lot, but there are more. Others include (but are not limited to) things like: Why can’t everyone speak English? We should send all the foreigners back to their home countries. I’m sure you can add your own examples. I am trying to be less judgmental and more thoughtful. I wish others would do the same.
Wordless Wednesday
We used to take the kids to this duck pond in Virginia.
Jinx!
If you have been reading the blog lately, you are aware that we recently adopted dog number three. 🙂 Her name is Jinx, and she’s a white chi mix with very sharp teeth. She started out on her best behavior, of course. According to Bela and her bestie Gen, the “honeymoon” is over! Last night the girls took her out to play, and they came in looking disheveled, leaves and grass in their hair and teeth marks on them! The puppy won the battle and the war!
They told a horrific tale about getting bitten, chased and mauled by a 10-pound pup. Oh, the humanity! As you might imagine, I got a tummy ache from laughing so hard. After all, a little dog like that is infinitely more manageable than a 100-pound dog, right? The girls do not agree. I heard shrieking outside and looked out the window. As a witness to the “attacks,” I can only say the kids were stretched out in the grass laughing. Not exactly convincing “victims” of a brutal “puppy attack,” am I right?
This little girl looks way too innocent to be so rotten. I think the girls decided to make up a story for my sympathy. If Jinx bit them, she was only trying to “taste” her favorite kids. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it! Judge for yourself—does this look like the face of a vicious pup?
Jinx!
What innocence!
Caturday!
I was trying to do my homework!
One More, Please!
Once upon a time in Nebraska, we had two little dogs. My little girl, Boxi, came from the pound. I originally adopted her and her cage mate, Osito (little bear). They both came down with the dreaded parvo; Osito didn’t make it, but Boxi did. I was saddened to lose Osito, but thankful Boxi pulled through. I had planned to have a pair of dogs to keep us company, so I was “missing” one.
Enter Julia and A. R. K. (Animal Rescue of Kindness). Julia put a picture of Chance on Facebook. At first I wasn’t sure we should meet him. After discussing it with Bela (for days), we decided to give Chance a chance. We took him home with us the day we met and have never been sorry. He’s been a wonderful little dog, and so has Boxi. I thought our pack was complete.
Recently Julia posted another little dog in rescue. Her name was Roxy (which sounds a lot like Boxi). She’s a young chi mix with a brown eye patch and freckles on her nose. Julia said she was a bit timid, but very sweet. She needed a family.
I think little dogs are a lot like potato chips—you can’t have just one. That being said, I am also of the opinion that adding a third dog to the pack can be a bit tricky, depending on the personalities involved. Since Boxi hates to ride in the car, we loaded Chance up to go meet Roxy. After a few minutes of mutual sniffing and no growling, we figured it would be safe to take her home with us.
Once home, Roxy and Boxi were able to get acquainted. Again, no growling! Bela and I were elated. It went so much better than we could have dreamed! I don’t want to jinx us—that reminds me—we changed her name from Roxy to Jinx. She comes when we call her, and she has been on her best puppy behavior. I know there will be bumps in the road, but we are ready. It’s so nice to be able to hang out in the living room with our three peaceful little furkids.
Suffice it to say, a dog in need has friends indeed. 🙂
Bela and Gen with Jinx and Boxi
Chance and Boxita
A Little “Off”
Chance and Boxita
If you live in a multiple-pet (or kid) household, you know there’s a lot to do. You also know that some things just don’t get done sometimes. Is there fur in the floor? Probably. Is a cat stalking me? Usually. Does someone want attention? Definitely. Do all the pets feel well? Not sure. And that is an important issue to me.
My two little “barkleys” have been together for a couple of years (at least). They mostly coexist happily. The last two or three days, however, I have noticed that my little girl, Boxi (pronounce it “bosh-ee), is not acting just right. I can’t say what exactly is “off,” but it feels like something is. She snapped at Chance for walking around her on the bed. Bela broke up the squabble since I was in the shower, but Boxi was doing some trash talking.
She has been wandering around the living room instead of finding her favorite comfy spot to nap. Boxi usually loves napping on the bed with me, but lately she has been under the dresser. I could understand that in the case of a strong, loud storm, but not when it’s quiet time. Maybe I worry too much. After all, she’s not barfing or anything. I will definitely keep en eye on her. I’m hoping she’ll snap out of her “funk” soon.
Adorable!
Happy at home!
Spoiled stinking rotten!
Concert!
We left around 4:30 to make our way downtown to Summit Music Hall. We were glad we did because we found a decent parking space at a reasonable price. It was the cheapest to be had at $4 per hour. I paid an even $10 for the evening since the concert would last more than an hour. Near the ticket machine there was a sketchy guy beside a parked truck. I’m not sure he was fluent in English, but he did “request” a high-five. Another fellow walked up to him asking for drugs. He told him to go away. I paid as quickly as possible, put the ticket on the dash (taking the girls with me, of course) and we moved on down the street.
This reminded me of Mexico.
There was already a line, but we had our tickets in hand, so all that remained to be done was wait. Bela, the birthday girl, met Mari in person after chatting online for the last few months. They read each other’s stories on wattpad. Her mother, Diana, is a very nice lady. Her plan was to let her teens go enjoy the concert while she sat at the bar away from the foam. That was a good plan. She said they came every year to see Blood on the Dance Floor, so she filled me in on the usual happenings. We had plenty of time since the doors opened at 7.
The temperatures were in the eighties, but an occasional breeze kept us from melting. Bela held our place in line while Gen and I walked a couple of blocks to the nearest 7 11 for water. We made it back, drank our water and chatted with some people from Sidney, Nebraska. Small world. There were a lot of strange people in line. If it helps you picture it, Diana, Gen, Bela and I were the ones who stuck out like a sore thumb. I felt very out-of-place because 1) I’m old and 2) I was dressed in regular street clothes. One young boy had on furry leg warmers. With short shorts. No, I am not making this up! One guy had hair like a rainbow. When a blonde boy came by asking for donations to buy a ticket, Diana said he did the same thing every year.
Gen out of her comfort zone! I can relate!
Gen would have fit in better if she had worn these! One boy had on leg warmers made of the same stuff.
Periodic squeals of excitement punctuated the air as fans caught sight of their favorite performers going in and out of the back door at Summit Music Hall. One thing I will say about these singers is that they do interact with the fans. They took pictures with them and talked to them like they are important. It’s a good strategy because a band with no fan base fails. After two hours in line, our purses and/or backpacks were searched and we got in! I was asked for ID, but I wasn’t going to drink, so I got a slash marked on my hands. Diana perched on a bar stool facing the stage, and I landed on the stool beside her. The kids went as a pack to the “merch” tables to see what was for sale. Bela found me soon after for money to buy a CD and a foam finger. Just that fast, $20 was shot.
The opening acts took their time, but Bela and Gen said someone told them that one of Jayy Von Monroe’s suitcases was misplaced at the airport. They went on stage later than anticipated. I got the feeling that the stage persona is something the guys put on like a costume, but behind closed doors they are most likely nice people. I hope I’m correct in my assessment. I saw flashes of happiness on Jayy Von’s face as he smiled and waved to fans who caught his attention. It was as if he let down his guard somehow to connect with the fans.
I must say that the show was supposedly rated “all ages,” but the language should have made it at least a “16 and over” performance. The bad language ruined (for me) what could have been a decent concert. Mixed in with the profanity, there was a positive message that the kids should not be afraid to dream and pursue those dreams. The delivery of that message could have been better. One thing that has stayed with me is Dahvie Vanity saying, “You didn’t come here to be judged, am I right?” I tried to remember that after the concert when Bela was happily chattering about the fun she had. She was not “different” at the concert. She fit in and had a great time. I’m glad she enjoyed her birthday present, and I’m glad she has a best friend who loves her enough to leave her own comfort zone to go with her. Gen and Bela got some autographs and made some memories. 🙂 Gen and I joked that our ears got raped by what we heard at the concert!
Always Something
I was getting ready to shower this morning after breakfast and noticed I had been so busy making sure Bela had her clothes that I had forgotten to pack my shirts. I couldn’t believe it. I went to the front desk after I griped for a few minutes. Oksana, an awesome receptionist, told me where to find the closest Target so I could buy a shirt.
Oksana the Awesome
On my way out, I noticed some guys wearing light blue shirts that said ARGENTINA. I asked what was going on, and a nice young fellow said they are in town for the Lacrosse World Cup being hosted in Denver this year! I was hyper about it, but I went to Target anyway since the guys loaded up and left.
I found Target, got a cheap shirt ($8) and some Skittles for the concert. Thank the Lord that I found a service station with an attendant who checked my tire and put air in it. (She was super!) I put in gas, picked up a couple of packs of smokes and made my way back to La Quinta.
I settled in to just hang out and rest until we leave for the concert later this evening. I went out to smoke and noticed the Argentina guys were coming back. Turns out they just went to practice. Their first game is Friday. (I did look them up on Facebook.) I hope they win! Blogging comes in handy, and I use it to my advantage. I told one of the guys that “my girls” would like to get a picture of them. He saw no problem with it, so I hurried upstairs to send the girls with the best camera we have. By the time they made it downstairs, the guys were all in the room. Gen texted me to come down. I got there just as a couple of the guys were getting something out of the truck, so I asked them if they would let us get a picture of them. The guy asked if the girls would like to be in the picture with them, and I’m glad I was ready to grab the camera. Bela basically launched it at me!
We support Argentina!
Ramblings of a Perforated Mind 