I Can't Even Imagine

This particular blog may turn in to a rant but I have something weighing heavy on my mind.

Two small children died this week in Houston is a span of 2 days. How they died was needless! They were each left in a locked car for hours.

In both cases the parents had put the child in their car seat in the back seat of the car. When the children were found hours later the parents stated they forgot about them on their way to work.

Because of these deaths the local news had a special report on "devices" to use so you don't forget your kids. There are little pads you put in a car seat for the child to sit on. There is a key-fob which attaches to the parents key ring so if the parent locks the car and walks 15 feet away from the car an alarm will sound. In the report they also suggest setting an alarm on your cell phone as a reminder to not forget your child.

A man was interviewed on the subject and I don't know if he thought he was being funny but his statement really ticked me off. He said "I sometimes forget my kids in the car but I never forget my keys or cell phone. Luckily nothing has ever happened to my kids". Jerk!

What is the deal with these people? ? I can't imagine someone forgetting they haven't dropped the child off at daycare or the babysitters; Plus not noticing they have the child with them in the car.

I can't even imagine needing something to remind me I have kids!! Even though they are grown Kim and Josh are thought of thoughout my day. First thing in the morning I wonder what they have planned for the day; I ask God to watch over them and protect them each night in my prayers. This is not because I have to. It is because I am their Mom and I love them.

A few years back, Josh told me a girl asked him if he thought he was thought about by someone everyday. Josh said yes. She said Josh was pretty conceited for thinking it and she also asked who he thought was thinking of him each day. Josh answered "my mom". Josh told me the girl laughed and told him "nobodies parents think about them every day". I feel sorry for her. How sad must it be to think your parents don't think about you daily.

On Friday of this week, I was driving to a rent house to check on the property. As I rounded a corner close to the house I saw a small child dressed only in a diaper walking across the street. I noticed 2 other children in the yard and seriously thought this child probably was outside with them.

It took me about 10 minutes at this particular property and when I left I rounded the corner again only to see this same small girl walking down the middle of the street about halfway down the block. I stopped the car but was very aware I was going to be asking small children questions and didn't want someone to think I was trying to abduct a child. These kids didn't know who the little girl was nor had they ever seen her before.

I immediately called 911.

I really was concerned about picking this child up so I slowly enticed her out of the street and over to the curb where we waited for the police and ambulance.

To make a long story short; from the time I called 911 to the time the police had gotten all the needed information this toddler was "missing" for over 2 1/2 hours. During which there was no parent frantically driving streets, running, screaming or even looking for this child. The police were going door to door to see if they could find where the child belonged.

I probably will not ever know what happened to the little girl but with this happening and the other 2 kids dying this week I just can't get it off my mind.

As the title of this blog says, I can't even imagine.

"Old" People Still Like to Rock

A few weeks ago a friend, Albert, asked Craig and me to be a part of his wife Laurie's 50th birthday. Albert was surprising Laurie with dinner and a concert. Craig and I were thrilled to be asked to be a part of such a special occation so we said yes.

You might be thinking what kind of a concert would a 50 year old enjoy. The answer is Lynyrd Skynyrd and Kid Rock!! Yes, that's right; we sat on the hill at The Cynthia Woods Pavillion and enjoyed a little southern rock.

We all enjoyed Lynyrd Skynyrd. Did a little dancing, a little singing, but nothing that would embarrass our children. Albert was a little overwhelmed by Kid Rock. Albert had heard the radio mix versions of the songs so when Kid Rock sang the original lyrics Albert almost swallowed his tongue.

Before we went to the concert I asked my son Josh what he thought about his dad and me going to this particular concert and his answer was "Lynyrd Skynyrd is pretty old so there will be old people at the concert too". He was right!!

The Wheels on the Bus Go 'Round and 'Round and 'Round and ....

Have you ever had one of those days or even weeks where nothing gets accomplished? This has been one of those weeks. 'round and 'round

For the past 3 days I have had things I wanted to get done before weeks end and I am no closer today than I was 3 days ago. I have encountered countless interruptions so frustration has set in. 'round and 'round

As I look around the house all I see is the things that I haven't accomplished. Deep down I know I have made tremendous headway but I'm ready for the house to be finished. I'm getting impatient. 'round and 'round

Craig and I have hung the curtain rods and I have made numerous trips to every store imaginable to find curtains. I bring them home; they don't look right; I take them back and start all over again. Time wasted. 'round and 'round

As for the walls, I have been trying to find just the right spot for everything so I don't make needless holes in the walls. Forget that...I'm hanging things just to get them off the floor. I can always touch up the wall later. What doesn't fit on the wall will go under a bed to deal with later. 'round and 'round

I have been asking God to give me patients so I can relax and not stress; then it dawned on me....God won't give me patients, He will provide the opportunity for me to have to be patient. He provides so I can learn. I'm listening God.

For the rest of the afternoon I will patiently shop on-line for the right look for the windows and this evening I will patiently locate the right spot on the wall for the wall decor before I make a hole.

I'll still be on the bus with the wheels going 'round and 'round but I'm getting closer to the destination and I know the bus will reach it.

Are Mullets Still In Style?

One of my least favorite things about moving is finding a new hairdresser. You build a trust with your stylist and know you will leave looking like a million dollars.

This past week I was way overdue for a haircut so out I ventured into the rain in search of someone to cut my hair. First stop, Baybrook Mall and home of Visible Changes.

I thought I had made a good decision in my selection of a hair studio. I have patronized Visible Changes for a few years and Kwin (my past stylist) had always done a great job. I had been told that Visible Changes trains their stylist in the same techniques. I guess I was told wrong. On this particular day I left with a mullet!!

Now, I'm not the pickiest person when it comes to my hair. I don't want anything fancy or that takes a long time to style; just a quick blow dry, a little flat iron and out the door. But a mullet...nothing I seem to try makes it look like anything but a mullet.

Today I will venture out once again in search of a stylist. I do have enough hair left that I don't have to shave my head to correct the problem but it might be a tad shorter than I would like.

In the mean time, I will present myself at my new office and introduce myself to my new broker and fellow Realtors while sporting a very "fashionable" mullet.

A Place Called Home

Craig and I are slowly getting settled. Unpacking has to be my least favorite chore involved in a move.

When you pack, everything is wrapped and placed in boxes then stacked neatly. When you unpack, everything is taken out of the boxes and stacked hap-hazard in the floor until you can decide where it will be placed or hung.

Right now the only rooms semi finished are the family room and kitchen. The other rooms are a disaster so I will share photos of the two rooms which are presentable. There are no window coverings so the lighting for the photos is not good.

Camping "Texas" Style

I grew up camping. Every summer my family would pack the camper and head to the Conejos Valley in the southern Rockies of Colorado. I can rough it with the best of them. Out-house down the road, no shower for a week, pump water, no electricity, etc.

This past weekend Craig and I went on an overnight camping trip to the Blue Lagoon with our friends, Laurie, Albert, Mark and Sam. We had a great time but I did get "tickled" at our camping style.

Craig and I went with the usual tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad, bug spray, a few snacks, ice chest with ice and drinks and finally hot dog fixin's. We were only going camping 1 night.

We had everything we could possibly need for 1 night. WRONG...I guess we are going to have to adapt to a different way of camping.

If you will look closely in the photo you will see an electric blender, bottle of tequila and Margarita mix. What camping trip is complete without a generator and electric blender? Thanks to Laurie and Albert for the blender and Mark for his generator.

In this photo to the far back right, you will see a green portable shower. Call me old fashion but I don't think camping and showering go together. The "dirtier" you get the less the bugs bite. Let's just say everyone smelled nice except for Craig and me but it was just a 1 night camping trip!

We did do a few things the old fashion way like building a fire to roast marshmallows and make smores; even though it was 80 degrees outside.

I'll have to admit, I semi-conformed. I had a frozen Margarita but I refused to take a shower!!

Imagine If You Will...

As Craig and I were leaving Wisteria Walk for the last time, Craig started laughing at a memory from the first night in our home. Anyone who knows Craig will tell you he can't remember what happened yesterday much less 6 years ago so this had to be something profound to stick in his mind!


I will preface the story to get you "up to speed".


Craig, Joshua and I had been living in an apartment in Kingwood for part of the summer while our home in Amarillo was being sold. Kimberly lasted 2 weeks in Houston before asking to go back to Amarillo to tend to the dogs and house.


We finally got a contract on our Amarillo house and bought a home in Spring but Joshua was going to have to drive from Kingwood to KleinCollins High School the first 3 days of school until we closed on our house in Spring.


I honestly didn't like seeing my 16 year old drive off each morning, in Houston traffic, at 6:15 in order to be at school by 7:30. We were extremely anxious to move in to our house. Our home on Wisteria Walk was close enough to school that Josh could leave the house at 7:15 and not be late which meant he could sleep later plus not be in rush hour traffic.


Closing day finally came but the movers wouldn't deliver our belongings until the next day so we had the carpets cleaned so they could dry before the furniture was delivered. It is at this point in the story that Craig was laughing about and remembering.



Imagine if you will...3 people so desperate to sleep in their new home that Craig and Joshua shared a blow up mattress. Joshua might as well have slept on a bucking horse because every time Craig rolled over Joshua was bounced off the mattress. Keep in mind we had to sleep downstairs because the carpet was wet and downstairs had wood floors. Without thinking I had placed the dimpled side of the mattress against the wood floor which caused "tooting" noises any time someone moved. I think I had it best; I slept on a swimming pool float.


Poor Josh; between being catapulted and rolled on to the floor and hearing pppfffttt noises all night I don't think he slept a wink.


The next morning after a good night sleep, Joshua was ready to concur the world until he stepped in to a cold shower. (Someone had turned the hot water heater off) Joshua didn't see the humor in the situation at the time but he was a good sport.


So, as Craig and I were leaving the house for the last time and he started reminiscing, I offered to stay one more night on the air mattress for old times sake.


I'll bet you can guess Craig's answer.