Why do they have to be so mean?

My nephew, who has always loved school, started 6th grade yesterday.   Instead of having a great first day, he broke down last night about how mean the kids were.   All of his friend ignored him.  He was teased for wearing his cowboy boots.  Boots he saved his money to buy and loves.  And this in a town surrounded by farms, and where the major summer event is the rodeo and county fair.  He was told he was weird. This is a big deal for a kid, especially on the first day of school.

My heart aches for this boy who is such a loving kid.  He would never say or do anything to hurt another person.  I try not to have favorites but something about him reaches out to me more so than some of my other nephews. 

This boy loves animals.  He studies them and wants to have a farm when he grows up.  When CAL Ranch or IFA start selling chicks each year, he begs to go to the store to watch and hold the small birds.  For years he has wanted a Russian Tortoise.  Like good parents, my brother and his wife waited to awhile to see if his interest in the Russian Tortoise would wane.  It hasn't.  In preparation for getting a tortoise, he researched their habits, diet, and habitat needs.  This summer he finally received his Russian Tortoise, "Otis".  His mom is growing dandelions in her windowsills to feed Otis and my nephew can tell you everything you ever wanted to know and more about his tortoise. 

Everything about this kid screams kindness and goodness so I don't understand why kids have to be so mean.  I pray that he finds a couple of good friends who can accept and appreciate everything good about him.  And I pray that kids all over can learn to be kinder to each other. 

Vintage Pyrex

I have developed a love for vintage Pyrex.  Looks like it is time to start combing thrift stores and the internet to begin my collection.  I don't have even one piece of the old stuff.  I need to fix this.  I particularly love these snowflake patterns. I may be buying one of these soon.

    Images from www.kaboodle.com.

Motivation, where are you hiding?

I have misplaced my motivation.  It was easy to find at the beginning of the summer.   I was going to water-aerobics each morning.  I felt great.  Then work interferred and I started having 7 am meetings.  My classes started at 7 am.  When the meetings started my motivation went into hiding.  I haven't been able to find it again.

My mom is losing weight.  My cousin has posted some great weight loss on Facebook.  My son is exercising every night.  The more people I see successfully doing something I am not should bring back my motivation.  Right?  Wrong.  My motivation has been even harder to find. 

I keep waiting for THE MOMENT or THE THING that will get me moving and feeling better.  It is elusive.  I know, I need to do it for myself.  But negativity is a terrible things and I think, "Will doing this really change my life, change me, make me a different person?" The answer comes back as "No!'.  Really?  That's not fair.  It should make me feel better and isn't that what I need?  I know it is.  I need to feel better.  I'm just not motivated.

I'll keep looking. Maybe I will find it.

Bears....Oh my!

Friday afternoon after unpacking all of our camping gear and setting up the tents, Mr. Forest Ranger stopped by.

FR: Did you get the phone call?
Me: What call?
FR: There was a bear spotted in the area last week and we have been calling to let people know. 
Me: Oh...
FR: It is your choice to stay here but we have to warn you.  I don't think he is still in the area.  But he was in the camp across the road last weekend.  Do you want to move?
Me: (Looking around.  Talking to dad.  Thinking about the odds that the bear is still around) We'll stay.
FR: Okay.  I really think it has left the area.  You should be fine.

Mom:  I am scared to death of bears.
Me: (Hands mom my pepper spray) Keep this with you if you want.
Mom: I don't think I would be able to use it.  I would be too scared.
Me:  Don't worry.  You have the pepper spray and Dad and I have our guns.  You'll be okay.
Mom: Whatever. 

There were no  bears....at least not last weekend...that we saw anyway.

The Benefits....

I have been renting apartments or houses for most of my adult life - minus the couple of years of home-ownership that did not work out as planned.  I tend to beat myself up over the fact that I rent rather than own.  I beat myself up over quite a few things so this obviously is not new.  Lately, instead of beating myself up, I have started to realize a benefit of renting that I hadn't thought of before. 

I get to experiment with different floor-plans, fixtures, flooring, appliances and so on without the commitment of a mortgage.  Over the years, I have figured out what I like and don't like, what I want in a home and what I would prefer to live without.  Here are a few things that I have figured out.

1- Hardwood floors  are not a good idea for people with feet problems.  Especially people who like to take their shoes off as soon as they walk in the door.  My entire main floor is hardwood. 

2- Black granite counter tops never seem to look clean - even after a good scrubbing.  Especially in the areas around the faucets.

3- Black appliances always look like they need to be cleaned - even after a good scrubbing.

4- I love having a double oven.

5 - I do not like smooth-top ranges.  Of course, it could be that mine is black.

6 - I do not like side-by-side refrigerators.  I feel like I don't have enough space.

7 - Not a fan of the open-plan concept. At least not the one I have.  Makes arranging furniture a little difficult.

8 - A window in my bathroom is a must.

9- Three bedrooms is must.  One for me, one for my son (or guest when the boy moves out), and one to use as an office.  My office is currently a corner of my living room.  I work at home so this is not ideal.

10 - A garage is not just for parking cars.  I need the space for my projects.  I miss having a garage.

I could go on but I will leave it there.  As you can see the benefit of renting is in finding out what I want when I buy a home.  And that is how I am going to look at until it is time to get my own place.

I did it!!!

I went to the hospital to visit JP.  I stopped at the florist looking for a "guy" type of thing and came out with an old-fashioned honey jar with a fake daisy type flower in it, but had the florist add a couple gerbera daisies in bright red and orange and some greenery.  It is so dang cut and not too girly.  I wish I had taken a picture.  He liked the flowers and the juice I brought him.  I had called before hand to see if he needed anything.  "Juice" was all he said, so I picked up a few different flavors for him.  But I think he like the company the most.  I didn't stay too long cause he needs to get some rest but will go back tomorrow.  I didn't need to overthink it at all, I just needed to DO.