As I was winding down from the Memorial Day weekend and working on unpacking my house, my phone rang...and I had a really bad feeling. When I answered, my mom told me that my cousin's youngest son, Tanner, had died from an accidental shooting.
As Mom told me, my heart absolutely broke. My poor cousin -- I cannot imagine losing a child at such a young age (he was 12) in such a tragic manner. How do you continue your life? How do you go on?
Tanner was such a sweet boy. He never knew a stranger and his eyes practically sparkled with laughter -- he was just a very cool young man.
I'm currently out of state for work, so I was unable to attend his funeral, which was earlier today. Mom went to his service and called me after. If possible, my heart cracked even more as she told me about the service. I feel so horrible that I wasn't able to be there for my cousin...my family.
Make sure you and your children know and understand gun safety. Tanner did, but still fell victim to a tragic accident. The rule I always learned was that any gun is a loaded gun.
Tonight, hug the ones you love. Pull them a little tighter and tell them that they're loved. I wish I could hug my people, but since I'm still gone, for now, I'll just have to make sure that they know that I love them. And, you can bet, that the hugs will come the minute I'm home.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Even Jerks Can Have a Good Side
Professional golfer John Daly is oftentimes thought of as one of the biggest jerks on the tour. He's got a bad temper and also appears to battle an addiction to alcohol. He's never been one of my favorite golfers and never really impressed me...until now.
Last week, news broke that Phil Mickelson's wife, Amy, has been diagnosed with, and is undergoing treatment for, breast cancer. Let me clarify that I've not always been a fan of Mickelson, either, but do respect him as a golfer. (If you know me, you probably know that I'm a HUGE Tiger Woods fan.)
So what precipitated my change in opinion about Daly? Well, it seems that he wore a pair of bright pink pants in the final round of a tournament this weekend. His reasoning? To support the Michelson family and let them know he's thinking about them.
One could argue that this was done as a publicity stunt to garner more attention. Was it? Maybe so, but then again, maybe not. Either way, I've got to admit that I'm impressed with Daly's pink-colored pants statement, especially as a woman who has lost more than one family member to breast cancer.
So, today, John Daly, I salute you!
Last week, news broke that Phil Mickelson's wife, Amy, has been diagnosed with, and is undergoing treatment for, breast cancer. Let me clarify that I've not always been a fan of Mickelson, either, but do respect him as a golfer. (If you know me, you probably know that I'm a HUGE Tiger Woods fan.)
So what precipitated my change in opinion about Daly? Well, it seems that he wore a pair of bright pink pants in the final round of a tournament this weekend. His reasoning? To support the Michelson family and let them know he's thinking about them.
One could argue that this was done as a publicity stunt to garner more attention. Was it? Maybe so, but then again, maybe not. Either way, I've got to admit that I'm impressed with Daly's pink-colored pants statement, especially as a woman who has lost more than one family member to breast cancer.
So, today, John Daly, I salute you!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Just What I Needed
The past two weeks have been extremely long and trying. I spent last weekend making the move to my new home, which took a physical and mental toll on me. We finally finished moving the last pieces of junk late Wednesday evening/early Thursday morning, by which time I was exhausted beyond all belief. Add to that a nephew in the hospital with a liver injury from a fall and a grandpa in the hospital from continued heart problems and you have one incredibly stressed and unhappy Meg...until last night.
I have unpacked very little in my house yet, thus making it difficult to find anything and impossible to set up my bed, so I've been sleeping on my couch. While my couch is extremely comfortable and I've spent plenty of nights there, it's not the ideal place to get an optimal night's rest.
Last night, I was surprised with a brand new shiny pink disc golf driver by the world's best boyfriend. Last night, I filled my tummy with a fabulous steak dinner. Last night, I slept in a bed for the first time in nearly a week. And while I woke up earlier than I would have preferred due to back spasms, I moved to the recliner and slept for another three hours. It was, in a word, glorious!
Today, after sleeping in and having a totally calm morning, we went to one of my favorite delis (Hobby's Hoagies) and then went and played a round of disc golf. Yes, this was the very first round of disc golf that I've actually completed and, no, I didn't break anything. This evening, I'm sitting here, slightly sun and wind burned, but happy, content, and truly relaxed for the first time in more than two weeks. I'm beyond mellow and just enjoying life!
I have unpacked very little in my house yet, thus making it difficult to find anything and impossible to set up my bed, so I've been sleeping on my couch. While my couch is extremely comfortable and I've spent plenty of nights there, it's not the ideal place to get an optimal night's rest.
Last night, I was surprised with a brand new shiny pink disc golf driver by the world's best boyfriend. Last night, I filled my tummy with a fabulous steak dinner. Last night, I slept in a bed for the first time in nearly a week. And while I woke up earlier than I would have preferred due to back spasms, I moved to the recliner and slept for another three hours. It was, in a word, glorious!
Today, after sleeping in and having a totally calm morning, we went to one of my favorite delis (Hobby's Hoagies) and then went and played a round of disc golf. Yes, this was the very first round of disc golf that I've actually completed and, no, I didn't break anything. This evening, I'm sitting here, slightly sun and wind burned, but happy, content, and truly relaxed for the first time in more than two weeks. I'm beyond mellow and just enjoying life!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
An Awesome Web site!
I absolutely love the movie "The Bucket List". Since the day I saw that movie, I've sworn that I would make a bucket list of my own, but I just haven't taken the time to start one...until this evening.
My friend Tracy introduced me to the Web site www.43things.com today. It's got to be one of the neatest sites I've seen in a long time! It's a very simple premise: you create a free account and then start creating a list of 43 things that you want to do in your life. They can be major goals or they can be smaller things -- my list contains some of each. I'm not quite to 43 yet, but starting my list has been extremely thought provoking. I'm sure that some of the things on my list will change as time goes by. Some are fun; some are serious.
It's a cool Web site. Check it out!
My friend Tracy introduced me to the Web site www.43things.com today. It's got to be one of the neatest sites I've seen in a long time! It's a very simple premise: you create a free account and then start creating a list of 43 things that you want to do in your life. They can be major goals or they can be smaller things -- my list contains some of each. I'm not quite to 43 yet, but starting my list has been extremely thought provoking. I'm sure that some of the things on my list will change as time goes by. Some are fun; some are serious.
It's a cool Web site. Check it out!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Graffiti Slurs
While driving home from work earlier this week, I noticed that someone had spray painted a message in a lovely shade of day-glo orange across four of the cement barriers along west bound I-40 at the Broadway interchange. Their message? "Brad Henry Baby Killer".
Now I'm assuming that this is a pro-life message that's aimed at Governor Brad Henry, but I'm a little confused, or perhaps more accurately, somewhat amused. Governor Henry is not exactly your most liberal of democrats. He actually tends to be quite conservative, but I suppose that's neither here nor there.
So why am I confused and amused?
Well, first, unless Governor Henry, or another Brad Henry to whom the painter was referring, has actually murdered a child, then technically, this graffiti is libel.
Second, I'm curious to know about the painter's background. Frequently, radically pro-life individuals come from a stringent religious background and feel that they have a very definitive sense of right and wrong. Since they technically defaced state, or possibly federal, property with this message, then how can this graffiti be considered right? I can't quote a statute, but I'm about 100 percent certain that defacing this property is illegal, so I don't understand how someone could consider this action to be above board and appropriate. I would think that illegal actions would violate their sense of right and wrong.
Finally, and perhaps more than anything, I would like to know how in the hell someone managed to paint such a huge, long message along a major highway WITHOUT being noticed! I'm guessing that it was done at night, but you've got to know that it still took some time to paint. How did no one catch the painter/s? I see OHP troopers along that stretch of road all too frequently, so I'm still in awe that someone managed to paint such a huge message without being caught.
As a side note, I've looked for the message the past couple of days, but traffic has been pretty heavy when I've driven past, so I haven't seen it. I suspect, though, that the real reason that I haven't seen it is because it's been removed/painted over. If that's the case, then I'd like to thank this idiot graffiti artist to wasting some of MY taxes!
Now I'm assuming that this is a pro-life message that's aimed at Governor Brad Henry, but I'm a little confused, or perhaps more accurately, somewhat amused. Governor Henry is not exactly your most liberal of democrats. He actually tends to be quite conservative, but I suppose that's neither here nor there.
So why am I confused and amused?
Well, first, unless Governor Henry, or another Brad Henry to whom the painter was referring, has actually murdered a child, then technically, this graffiti is libel.
Second, I'm curious to know about the painter's background. Frequently, radically pro-life individuals come from a stringent religious background and feel that they have a very definitive sense of right and wrong. Since they technically defaced state, or possibly federal, property with this message, then how can this graffiti be considered right? I can't quote a statute, but I'm about 100 percent certain that defacing this property is illegal, so I don't understand how someone could consider this action to be above board and appropriate. I would think that illegal actions would violate their sense of right and wrong.
Finally, and perhaps more than anything, I would like to know how in the hell someone managed to paint such a huge, long message along a major highway WITHOUT being noticed! I'm guessing that it was done at night, but you've got to know that it still took some time to paint. How did no one catch the painter/s? I see OHP troopers along that stretch of road all too frequently, so I'm still in awe that someone managed to paint such a huge message without being caught.
As a side note, I've looked for the message the past couple of days, but traffic has been pretty heavy when I've driven past, so I haven't seen it. I suspect, though, that the real reason that I haven't seen it is because it's been removed/painted over. If that's the case, then I'd like to thank this idiot graffiti artist to wasting some of MY taxes!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Two Totally Different Experiences
In high school, I worked in my local grocery store; during those two years, I learned a lot about customer service. I learned that, no matter how bad your day, you should be pleasant to your customers. That's a policy that I still try to stick to today.
This morning, I left for work well before the crack of dawn (at 5:15 am). My car's gas gauge was happily resting on "E", so I had to get gas before hitting the road. I pulled in to a local gas station that I don't typically frequent, but they were open and their gas was ten cents a gallon cheaper than my normal location. As my car filled, I ran inside to get a Diet Coke, some water, and some beef jerky (you know, the breakfast of champions!). I was in a pretty good mood, despite the early hour, but the clerk was a hateful, hateful woman. I tried to make small talk with her, but all she could do was snarl at me. Let me tell you...I was thankful when she finally finished running my debit card because I couldn't wait to get back to my car.
Forty five minutes later, I'm cruising in to Midwest City and decide that I want some coffee. I pull in to a locally owned coffee shop that I've been to a sum total of four other times. The owner apparently works early mornings and is always happy and pleasant, no matter the weather or the situation. He sees me walking in, greets me by name, and already had started my latte as I approached the counter. I was so impressed and left a few minutes later, warmer, happier, and with a smile on my face.
The difference between these two experiences is incredible. The first store is in the town where I have lived for four years; I've been in plenty of times previously, but this woman still was nasty and hateful. The second shop is in a town where I do not yet live, but the owner already knows me by name and knows my preference for coffee. Wow! I know which one I'll go back to again!
Moral of the story -- avoid the Conoco at the corner of Country Club and Elm in El Reno and FREQUENT The UnderGround at Douglas/SE 15th in MWC! I promise...you'll be glad you did.
This morning, I left for work well before the crack of dawn (at 5:15 am). My car's gas gauge was happily resting on "E", so I had to get gas before hitting the road. I pulled in to a local gas station that I don't typically frequent, but they were open and their gas was ten cents a gallon cheaper than my normal location. As my car filled, I ran inside to get a Diet Coke, some water, and some beef jerky (you know, the breakfast of champions!). I was in a pretty good mood, despite the early hour, but the clerk was a hateful, hateful woman. I tried to make small talk with her, but all she could do was snarl at me. Let me tell you...I was thankful when she finally finished running my debit card because I couldn't wait to get back to my car.
Forty five minutes later, I'm cruising in to Midwest City and decide that I want some coffee. I pull in to a locally owned coffee shop that I've been to a sum total of four other times. The owner apparently works early mornings and is always happy and pleasant, no matter the weather or the situation. He sees me walking in, greets me by name, and already had started my latte as I approached the counter. I was so impressed and left a few minutes later, warmer, happier, and with a smile on my face.
The difference between these two experiences is incredible. The first store is in the town where I have lived for four years; I've been in plenty of times previously, but this woman still was nasty and hateful. The second shop is in a town where I do not yet live, but the owner already knows me by name and knows my preference for coffee. Wow! I know which one I'll go back to again!
Moral of the story -- avoid the Conoco at the corner of Country Club and Elm in El Reno and FREQUENT The UnderGround at Douglas/SE 15th in MWC! I promise...you'll be glad you did.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
What is a True Friend?
It's taken me 30 long years, but I've finally realized the characteristics of a true friend. So, without further ado, here are my thoughts.
True friends...
Even if it's not possible to answer every time you call, a true friend will return your call/email/text message when they have a minute.
A true friend will support you when things are tough, not tell you that you're overreacting or being a wimp.
Real friends follow through on promises and don't make empty ones.
A real friend remembers things important to you -- your birthday, that your grandfather is in the hospital, your mom's name, that your dog is hurt, etc.
A true friend NEVER asks for more than they plan to return.
Real friends don't make lame excuses for no good reason.
You can trust a true friend with the keys to your house and your car.
If you need help with something and a true friend is already obligated and cannot help you, a real friend will do whatever it takes to make it up to you.
True friends will drive more than four hours one way to be there for you when you need something, no matter how trivial.
Real friends don't judge you by the the mistakes you've made (especially if they are the same mistakes that THEY'VE made), but rather, support you through everything.
A real friend is the one beside you when you're at your happiest or most miserable.
I guess it all boils down to this: a real, true friend will not walk out on you, no matter your mood or your situation.
True friends...
Even if it's not possible to answer every time you call, a true friend will return your call/email/text message when they have a minute.
A true friend will support you when things are tough, not tell you that you're overreacting or being a wimp.
Real friends follow through on promises and don't make empty ones.
A real friend remembers things important to you -- your birthday, that your grandfather is in the hospital, your mom's name, that your dog is hurt, etc.
A true friend NEVER asks for more than they plan to return.
Real friends don't make lame excuses for no good reason.
You can trust a true friend with the keys to your house and your car.
If you need help with something and a true friend is already obligated and cannot help you, a real friend will do whatever it takes to make it up to you.
True friends will drive more than four hours one way to be there for you when you need something, no matter how trivial.
Real friends don't judge you by the the mistakes you've made (especially if they are the same mistakes that THEY'VE made), but rather, support you through everything.
A real friend is the one beside you when you're at your happiest or most miserable.
I guess it all boils down to this: a real, true friend will not walk out on you, no matter your mood or your situation.
Help for the Puppies!
Eight years ago, the absolute BEST dog in the world came to live with me. Life has led me down a lot of crazy paths since the fateful day that I adopted her, but she's been by my side all of the way -- and I cannot imagine life without her. When I adopted her from the Pratt County Humane Society in Pratt, Kansas, it wasn't a very pretty place, but I can say with great certainty that ALL of the animals there were very well cared for and loved deeply by the manager. They also did, and still do, their damnedest to be a no-kill shelter.
So, what does all of that have to do with anything? Well, the puppies need your help! Shelters all across the United States are competing to see who can earn the most Internet votes. The winner receives a $20,000 grant! Tess' former home is one of the shelters in the competition for this grant.
Here's where I need your help -- GO VOTE! It is FREE and will be extremely valuable to the shelters who receive grants. Click here to cast your vote.
I would love for you to support the Pratt County Humane Society, but if you prefer, vote for a shelter in your area or one with which you are affiliated. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Tess thanks you, and even more importantly, the homeless dogs and cats thank you, too!!!
So, what does all of that have to do with anything? Well, the puppies need your help! Shelters all across the United States are competing to see who can earn the most Internet votes. The winner receives a $20,000 grant! Tess' former home is one of the shelters in the competition for this grant.
Here's where I need your help -- GO VOTE! It is FREE and will be extremely valuable to the shelters who receive grants. Click here to cast your vote.
I would love for you to support the Pratt County Humane Society, but if you prefer, vote for a shelter in your area or one with which you are affiliated. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Tess thanks you, and even more importantly, the homeless dogs and cats thank you, too!!!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
It's Bittersweet
I've moved a lot of times in the 30 short years I've been on this planet. And while I've moved for myriad reasons, I've learned that moving typically is a bittersweet process for me.
First, I HATE moving. Detest it. Loathe it. Truly believe that, if there is a hell and I go there, mine might very well consist of packing and moving each and every day for eternity. Yet, at the same time, I actually like moving. It offers a fresh start. A clean slate. A chance to clean, purge junk, rearrange, and make new resolutions on organization.
So, why is moving bittersweet? Because, while I do love the clean slate, I know that I'm leaving behind some good memories and knowledge about my house that no one else may know. Sure, the memories will come with me, but sometimes actually being in the place where the memory was created is powerful.
I have so many good memories of my house on Walnut Street in El Reno:
It was my first house in a new state and offered me a totally new start after a bad experience.
Jason and I spent several nights sitting next to the chiminea on my back patio, getting to know each other.
The night I was sitting on my front porch, talking to a friend and watching a thunderstorm, and the tornado sirens suddenly sounded because a tornado had been sighted over the prison. All the while, I'd been clueless about the severity of the weather.
The first friend I made here was my next door neighbor. He moved a couple of years ago, but our friendship has endured. I have good memories of sitting on the patio with him, grilling burgers and drinking wine, and running around the back yard with his kids.
After being here for about a week, it stormed in the night and I woke up to let Tess out, only to be barreled over by my other neighbor's Bloodhound, Amos. Apparently the fence had blown down in the night and Amos, as friendly as could be, wanted to come inside. (Stupidly enough, I was scared of him at the time.)
It was here that I celebrated my first "big" holiday away from my family. Due to several reasons, neither Amanda and Jeremy nor I were able to go to our respective homes for Easter three years ago. Instead, we spent it together at my house, and instead of being sad to be without our families, celebrated the family that we have in each other.
The memories here are great and I'll carry them with me forever. What's really cool, though, is that I'm moving on to a place where I will create even more awesome memories with those who I love. In fact, I've already started building memories there, even though I have yet to officially move!
First, I HATE moving. Detest it. Loathe it. Truly believe that, if there is a hell and I go there, mine might very well consist of packing and moving each and every day for eternity. Yet, at the same time, I actually like moving. It offers a fresh start. A clean slate. A chance to clean, purge junk, rearrange, and make new resolutions on organization.
So, why is moving bittersweet? Because, while I do love the clean slate, I know that I'm leaving behind some good memories and knowledge about my house that no one else may know. Sure, the memories will come with me, but sometimes actually being in the place where the memory was created is powerful.
I have so many good memories of my house on Walnut Street in El Reno:
It was my first house in a new state and offered me a totally new start after a bad experience.
Jason and I spent several nights sitting next to the chiminea on my back patio, getting to know each other.
The night I was sitting on my front porch, talking to a friend and watching a thunderstorm, and the tornado sirens suddenly sounded because a tornado had been sighted over the prison. All the while, I'd been clueless about the severity of the weather.
The first friend I made here was my next door neighbor. He moved a couple of years ago, but our friendship has endured. I have good memories of sitting on the patio with him, grilling burgers and drinking wine, and running around the back yard with his kids.
After being here for about a week, it stormed in the night and I woke up to let Tess out, only to be barreled over by my other neighbor's Bloodhound, Amos. Apparently the fence had blown down in the night and Amos, as friendly as could be, wanted to come inside. (Stupidly enough, I was scared of him at the time.)
It was here that I celebrated my first "big" holiday away from my family. Due to several reasons, neither Amanda and Jeremy nor I were able to go to our respective homes for Easter three years ago. Instead, we spent it together at my house, and instead of being sad to be without our families, celebrated the family that we have in each other.
The memories here are great and I'll carry them with me forever. What's really cool, though, is that I'm moving on to a place where I will create even more awesome memories with those who I love. In fact, I've already started building memories there, even though I have yet to officially move!
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