Yesterday was an amazing day with the kids. We spent the morning at the neatest little park with a great splash pad and play area for both kids. They played hard for two straight hours.
In the afternoon, the high school down the street had its annual homecoming parade – much to Speedy’s delight. He’d been looking forward to it all day long and asked if he would wear his Pirate costume. We let him dress up and then I had the idea to give the kids on the floats a target to aim for with the candy.
To say it worked like a charm would be an understatement. The kids went nuts throwing candy into the bucket and Speedy giggled and laughed more than you could possibly imagine. He would stand right in front of the bucket and then laugh as candy hit him in the face and on his chest – we finally convinced him to step to the side but I honestly think he liked the candy coming right at him. All the high schoolers thought it was adorable that he had dressed up and when he would yell “THANK YOU” after they threw candy, they’d throw even more. About halfway through, I suggested that he blow kisses to the girls – I didn’t really think he would do it, but as soon as he realized they threw even MORE candy when he did that, he did it over and over and over again. The girls went crazy throwing candy at him and the boys liked trying to make it into the bucket.
We’ve always gotten lots of candy from this parade and have even used it as our halloween candy before. This year, we have enough candy for three houses to use for Halloween and one very pleased pirate.
Princess liked the candy and enjoyed putting it into the bucket, but she was not thrilled about all the yelling and throwing and sirens. She has definitely reached that fearful age.
Is anything more annoying that the constant drip drip drip of a leaky faucet? Okay, so maybe there are lots of things that are more annoying than that, but lately this one is really bothering me. The faucet in our bathroom has a little leak and daddyo hasn’t had time to fix it yet.
Of course, my thought is if you’re going to take it all apart to fix it anyway, we may as well look into some new faucets, right? Like aMoen faucet with some super cool features. And as long as we’re looking at new faucets, we may as well get the new tub you promised me when bought the house, SIX YEARS AGO. So maybe that isn’t exactly what you promised, but you did promise to upgrade the bathroom to at least a jacuzzi tub.
Boy, I sure could have used a big jacuzzi tub last night. Calgon, take me away. The kids and I were playing in the front yard yesterday when my neighbor came over for a little visit. As I was telling her about my day, she told me she had plenty of wine at her house and I was welcome to come over and help myself. 
I told her I may take her up on that after I got the kids in bed. Daddyo came home when I was bathing the kids and I could hear him laughing and talking to someone so I assumed he was on the phone. He came into the bathroom and told me that our neighbor had brought over some wine. I laughed and said, “she must really be feeling sorry for me after our conversation. I guess she could tell I wasn’t feeling so great.” I said this thinking she had brought over a glass of wine. Much to my surprise, she had brought over THREE BOTTLES of wine. Guess I was worse off than I thought.
So I got to enjoy a nice glass of wine while I took my bath in my old bathtub with a drippy faucet. Maybe two glasses. It was nice, but it would have been even nicer with a new Moen faucet. Perhaps you are wondering what was so bad about my day? Rather than tell you, I think it will be more fun for you to guess. See if you can complete the paragraph below:
When I picked Speedy up from school, his teacher said, “can you stick around for a few minutes?” OH CRAP. This can not be good. So I waited until she could talk with me and she explained that Speedy had……….
So what do you think Speedy did at school? LauraP, you can’t play this one since you already know. But how about the rest of you? We’ve been seriously lacking in the comments department lately, so take your best shot.
Filed under: Day after day
Have I mentioned that Stella’s new foster family rocks? I know it is a good sign when all of the other kids in the house call the parents “mom” and “dad”. She should be starting her new school today so let’s say a special prayer that everything goes well for her.
Watching the Texans football game on Sunday, one of the players got hurt pretty bad. Bring out the stretcher bad. Head coach on the field bad. I was very touched by four football players who knet in a cirlce and held hands to pray for their teammate. Most of the players took a knee and I’m sure many of them prayed, but there was something about seeing these four kneeling together with their hands linked that caught my attention. Four giants finding strength on their knees.
Driving down the street I saw a man collecting money on the side of the road. His sign read: Just Hungry. Please Help. “God” bless. Now what does “God” mean? Why the quotes?
I’ve been getting a sinus headache every afternoon for the past few days. I’m not talking about a little discomfort either. I’m talking lay on the couch and want to die pain. Hopefully, today will not be the same as yesterday.
Filed under: Uncategorized
So I was reading some of the information about this marathon I signed up for, and I realize that there is actually a time LIMIT. Oops. I was thinking that we could walk it at a fast pace, but not too fast, now I realize I’m going to have to really truck it if I want to finish the race. And I do. I’m thinking now that I may actually have to run a little bit in order to finish before everything closes down. Holy Crap. What have I gotten myself into?
Oh well, I’m going to do it. I have never in my life run in any type of sporting event. Except in seventh grade I tried out for the track team, but I only did it so I could skip PE. ????? I almost made the team, too. And I really didn’t want to.
Anyway, so I figure if I can get myself into shape enough to run a marathon by January, surely we can raise the money to meet our goal.
Donated: $270
Left to go: $5000 – $270
(hey, it’s a marathon, not a math-a-thon)
By the way, the fundraising campaign is not aimed solely at the blogging community – I do have friends IRL who are participating as well! I’m thinking we should do something fun, like everytime we hit a certain goal I have to post a ridiculous picture of myself or something. What do you think? We’re at $270 now, once we hit $1000, I’ll do something embarassing. Self portrait. Video of me doing the chicken dance. Why anyone would want to see that…..I’ll never know. I’m open for ideas here. Whatever it takes. Let’s do this for Stella.
Filed under: advertising
Okay, forgive the advertisements that will soon be showing up regularly. I’m going to donate the money I make advertising to my own fundraising campaign for Stella and others like her.
Filed under: advertising
So part of my job is online training – I do a lot of talking over the internet and connecting in real time with people around the world. The technololgy has come so far, you really can’t tell that you are talking over the internet vs talking over the telephone line. Because I work out of my home office, I’ve often considered getting a seperate business line instead of using just my cell phone for work calls.
But then I stumbled upon PBX Phone System and now I think I have another solution. This is really cool for people like me who work from home – in fact, the company I work for is completely comprised of people like myself, working from home offices all over the country.
After browsing the site, I think I’d go for this phone just because it looks cool. Actually, the Complete Broadband Phone System comes with a speaker phone and pre-programmed “softkeys” to drive Virtual Office features. And did I mention it looks cool? ha ha ha You can see I’m in this for the right reasons, huh? In my case, I’d want to use the “Unlimited Extension” plan because it offers free calls to multiple countries – and like I mentioned, I often work with people around the world.
There are lots of plans to choose from, including a “Fax Metered Extension” which provides the industry’s most reliable fax solution based on the T.38 ITU standard for sending faxes across IP networks in a real-time mode. You should definitely jump on over to Packet8 and check out the PBX Phone System.
I can hardly wait to see what they come up with next.
Filed under: Child Advocates
Those of you keeping up with Stella’s story know what it means for a child like her to have an advocate. Most kids in foster care do not have advocates at all. By now you know a lot about Stella’s story – some of her history, her recent placements, her limited options for the future. Not all foster kids look like Stella.
“Tim” and “Katie” were taken into custody after their mother left them with a homeless man at a convenience store. Being left alone with strangers was an unfortunate occurrence that the two children had grown accustomed to while in their mother’s care. During visits to their foster home, their Child Advocates volunteer, Deena, discovered both children could graphically describe how their mother cooked crack with “a spoon” and smoked it in front of them.
The rampant child abuse in our society is simply astounding. If somthing you’ve read about Speedy and Princess’ story, Stella’s story, or even Child Advocates in general has touched your heart, I hope you’ll agree to help make a difference. I know not everyone has the time or even the inclination to become a court appointed child advocate – everyone has their own calling in life and this one just happens to be one of mine.
So I’m asking you to click for Stella. Click the link below and make a donation that will go directly to Child Advocates. I’m going to participate in a marathon - technically, a half-marathon – and I’m looking for sponsors. I will join other volunteers and walk/run (mostly walk) 13.1 miles in an effort to draw attention to the abused children in our community.
I am asking you to help. I rarely participate in fundraisers of any kind because I don’t like asking people for money. I’m going to shamelessly ask, beg and plead for sponsors for this event because I fiercely believe in the cause. Although the event does not take place until January 2008, I’d like to finish my campaign prior to Thanksgiving to avoid holiday spending issues. None of the money collected will ever be in my hands – it is all set up to go directly through the website sponsoring the fundraising campaign.
The information packet said I should have a fundraising goal and the first thing that came to mind was $5000. Yep, I know that’s asking a lot for one person to collect from other individuals, but I’m sticking with my first instinct. I’m working towards that goal and have already figured out that we can do it if we can find:
20 people to make $25 donations
20 people to make $50 donations
15 people to make $100 donations
4 people to make $500 donations
It seems much more doable when I break it down. Do it for me. Do it for Stella and Speedy and Princess and Lucy and Sam and Johnny and the countless other children who need someone to stand in the gap for them.
Click here to visit my fundraising page and make a donation. I’ll eventually put a graph or something on my sidebar so you can track our progress. Help me help Child Advocates help abused children.
Thank you for your support. You rock!
Filed under: Child Advocates
Stella will be moving to another foster home tomorrow. I spoke with the new foster mom on the phone tonight and she sounds wonderful! When I asked her how long she and her husband had been foster parents, she told me that they consider this their ministry. I’m praying that this is where Stella will find the love and support she needs to survive this world.
Please pray for these foster parents – pray that God will give them wisdom and discernment, patience and an overwhelming love for Stella. Pray for Stella, that she works hard to make this placement work and that she gains the self-control she needs to manage her anger in any situation. Pray that this is her miracle.
Filed under: whatever
So seriously, something is wrong with our society.
I mean, is it really necessary to arrest Great Grandma for not watering her lawn?
And I think the biggest issue here is that you let your son wear girly shoes. Ugly girly shoes.
Gamers, we have a problem. Soon there will be ads with a 1-800 number for people with gaming addictions. “If you or someone you love has a gaming problem, call today.”
EDITED TO ADD: CROCS: BOYS LOOK FUNNY WEARING THEM. PER.EEEE.UD. I don’t care who you are or what you’ve been told. If you are a male, those crocs you wear look ridiculous on you. Girls can barely get away with them. Guys shouldn’t even try. DOWN WITH THE CROCS!
Filed under: Speedy
I awoke this morning to the sweet sound of Speedy’s voice next to my bed: “I jus don’t feel vewy good. I just need to snuggle.” How could I resist? I seriously doubt the “i don’t feel very good” statement – he just knew that was his ticket into our bed. Seems to be feeling fine this morning other than waking me up at 5AM.
It’s going to be a long day if I don’t find something to do.
Filed under: Speedy
And now the Speedster is sick. 102 degrees of sick. Poor baby. I took him to school today (he did NOT Have fever this morning) but I knew he wasn’t feeling good. I should have trusted my gut instead of the thermometer. Oh well, it’s not all bad. I get an afternoon and cuddling and watching movies.
Filed under: Prayers
Hey guys, I have a huge favor. A friend who is near and dear to my heart is facing some special challenges and needs some prayers. Please pray that God will put a hedge of protection around her and her husband. Pray that they will experience His grace and His hospitality in new ways every day. Pray for Godly friends to encourage them and build them up during this trying time. Most of all, pray for the work I know He is doing in them and through them in the midst of it all.
As for you, my friend, I am claiming Jeremiah 29:11 for you guys (I know, big shocker with the verse) “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord. ‘They are for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.’”
Filed under: whatever
So, I’m wondering. At what age do the children in your church start attending “children’s church”? Ours go from the nursery to attending Children’s Church and Sunday School at age 3. I’ve looked online and haven’t found another church in the area that offers children’s church for the 3 year olds, most start in pre-k or kindergarden. So I’m just curious. I think 3 is really young and to expect this age group to sit in an auditorium style environment and listen to a story may be asking a little too much.
What has your experience been with this?
Filed under: parenting
When we woke up this morning, Princess had a low grade fever and she’s been teething so I didn’t think too much of it. Gave her some Tylenol and headed on over to my mom’s because we were going shopping. When I got to mom’s about 2 hours later, Princess’ fever had gone up a degree so I gave her some Motrin, still thinking it was probably just teething.
We had to go get diapers because I was completely out and by the time we got back to the car, mom’s shrimp dealer had called and we had to meet him for a pickup. Sounds like a fancy drug ring, to me. By the time we got the shrimp home and then got back to the mall, it was 11:30am. Not much time for shopping before nap time but hey, we’re going to give it a shot, right?
We made it to two stores. Really, just one and half. In the second store, Speedy is sitting in one of those little cart buggy things with Princess and he says, “Oooohh… I spit up, mommy.” As I got closer, I could see (and smell) that he had thrown up a little bit on his shirt and shorts. But it wasn’t very much, it was wierd. Speedy is ALWAYS putting things in his mouth and twice last week he stuck his hand down his throat and made himself “spit up” a little bit. (why that was fun for a 3 year old, I’ll never know) Anyway, I didn’t think he was really sick but since Princess had fever also, we just gave up.
As I pushed the buggy towards the bathroom to clean him up a little bit, he turns around in his seat, holds up his hand and says, “Mommy, I just ate some of it.” Then I started dry heaving. I was afraid I was going to throw up in my mouth and end up eating some of it, too.
You’d think it wouldn’t get much worse, but I ended up taking Princess to the doctor because her temp went up to 103.3. Meantime, daddyo is at his doctor because he hasn’t been feeling great the last few days and has been very “sinusy”. While I’m in the waiting room with Princess, daddyo calls to say he has a low grade fever.
CAN I GET A FREAKIN’ BREAK, PLEASE?
Everyone is in bed now and my throat is feeling a little scratchy. I just took one of every pill and spray the doctor sent home with daddyo. I’d love to sleep but I need to stay up so I can give Princess more medicine at midnight – I’m afraid if I go to sleep, I won’t get back up.
Tomorrow is a new day.
Filed under: whatever
When was the last time you went shopping for a halloween costume for an adult? Did you notice any common theme on the ladies’ costumes? I mean, seriously, has Halloween become an excuse to dress up like the whore you’ve always wanted to be or what? It’s really bad. I would guess that 90% of the costumes for adult women looked like hookers. I was very disappointed because I already have hooker clothes, I wanted something different for Halloween.
Anyway, I found some cute outfits for the kids but didn’t buy anything. Speedy wants to be a pirate and I thought we’d all dress like pirates but then Brigitte suggested we dress Princess as a parrot and let her ride on daddyo’s shoulders. As cute and creative as that is, I haven’t yet come across a parrot looking costume for a toddler. Or for an adult. We want to all dress up but I’m thinking now that the boys may go as pirates and I don’t know what the girls will go as.
I had a fabulous idea of dressing Princess in something totally gross or goblin looking – how many goblin toddlers have you seen walking the streets on Halloween? You know it would be hysterical. Daddyo didn’t think so. Actually, he thought it would be funny – just not for Princess. Everyone expects me to dress her as a little princess so I thought I could do that, and then make just her face look like a zombie or something. Again, Daddyo shot that down. I know it’s a little morbid, but it would be so funny.
Since the boys are dressing alike, I thought it would be fun for us to dress alike also, but no way am I dressing up like a princess. Maybe I’ll go at Ragedy Ann. Or maybe we’ll go as clowns. Ooooh! I could be a clown and Princess could be my puppy!!!!! Maybe not. I’m open for suggestions. I thought it would be fun for the whole family to dress as The Incredibles, but the kids are too young for that. So, please, suggestions? Boys are pretty much stuck on pirates…..so what about us girls? Ideas?
Filed under: Thankfulness
This one is for you, HH!
Today I am thankful…..
…..for God’s redeeming love.
…..for my family.
…..for a job that lets me choose my hours and work very little.
…..for Mother’s Day Out.
…..for my friends – the ones I talk to every day and the ones I can pick up with right where we left off before.
…..for the sweet sound of Princess’ voice saying, “Mommeeee! Up! Peas!” and “UVVVV EWWWW”.
…..for other moms who get it.
…..for the birthparents of my children.
…..for my wonderful church home.
…..for my mother-in-law, who watches the kids every week so I can work.
…..for music.
…..for Speedy’s enthusiasm for life.
…..for infertility.
…..for giving me a man who loves me completely, flaws and all.
…..for a sense of humor.
…..for the cross.
edited to add:
I am also thankful that I live in the Great State of Texas, where we not only have the death penalty, but we also have an express lane to get you there faster when there are 3 valid witnesses to your crime. I only wish it could be given out to people like this.
Filed under: whatever
I haven’t had anything really good to gripe about in a long time. I think it’s time, don’t you? Rather than griping endlessly about petty little things that drive me crazy, I decided to compile a list:
1 – but cracks. Please cover them up. They are not attractive. ON ANYONE.
2 – friendly parents. You are not meant to be your kids’ best buddy. Act like a parent. They may hate you for a little while, but if you don’t discipline, it’s almost certain they’ll end up hating you for a lifetime.
3 – Some Working moms. Seriously. I like being a stay at home mom. Don’t act like I’m from another planet. It’s great that you choose to work outside the home. Don’t turn your nose up because I made a different choice.
4 – Advice givers. Look, just because I like to give advice doesn’t mean I like to receive it. Especially from you. yes, I’m talking to YOU. When you become perfect like me, then you may give advice freely. 
5 – Perfect Mothers. Get. Over. Yourself. We all know that you are a wreck behind closed doors.
6 – Britney Spears. someone give that poor girl some help.
7 – Angelina Jolie – it doesn’t matter how many kids you adopt, it will never fill the gaping hole in your heart that only God can fill.
8 – girl at the gym with amazing body – really, do you think you need that personal trainer I watch you flirting shamelessly with every day? There are much cheaper ways to get dates, lady.
9 – Husbands who don’t help around the house – yes, I know you work soooo hard all day while your wife just “plays” house with the kids. But do you think it would kill you to do the dishes once in a while? Wash a load of laundry? And just because you are “off” from work doesn’t mean you get to sit on your butt or play golf all day. You are a husband and a father. Act like it. (I’m so grateful that Daddyo is NOT one of these men)
10 – YOU. I mean, can you give a girl a comment once in a while?
11 – Me. Could I be any more shameless?
The moment I’ve been waiting for:
By the end of the day, it was messy, but still cute!
You know, all this time I’ve been thinking that as Speedy is maturing, we are about to hit “easy street” as far as behavior goes. Princess has always been so pleasant and so eager to please.
That. is. changing.
Little miss priss likes to have things done her way. I think we’ll be dealing with temper tantrums before long by the way she dramatically throws herself onto the floor and PRETENDS to cry her little eyes out. And heaven forbid you should help her at dinner time. If she can’t do it herself, she’d rather not eat. Unless, of course, Speedy is feeding her. He is the only one allowed to help her with her food.
Not only does she have this new found independence, but she also likes to ask, “why, mommeeee?” when I tell her to do or not to do something. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? She’s not even two yet!
Guess we better buckle up and hang on for the ride.
Filed under: Child Advocates
One of the things that I did for Stella last week was gather her things from the foster home. 3 small duffle bags, a small radio, and 3 garbage bags.
Broke. My. Heart.
When I brought some extra clothes to her, I asked if she’d mind if I moved her things into another bag – I didn’t want to “go through” them without her permission. I found 2 big duffle bags on clearance at Target and moved all of her things from the garbage bag into the duffles. So now, at least she doesn’t have to carry her things around in a trash bag.
I’m making labels for all of her bags – like labeling her bags is going to fix her life. I just want to make sure that her things go with her when she moves. I guess I should really embroidery them so the tags can’t be removed. Everything she owns besides a few pairs of clothes is right now on my living room couch in 5 duffle bags. I should point out that when moving her things from the trash bags to the duffles, I came across no photos. For some reason, that made me really sad. I wonder if she even has a photo from when she was little.
She seems to be making some progress, but then again, she may also be playing me like a fiddle. Frankly, I don’t care. I think she needs someone to be on her side.
How many momentos do you have from the first 15 years of your life? Do you have an outfit you wore as a baby? A photograph? A favorite toy or doll? Special certificates you received? A baby book?
Filed under: Child Advocates
Sigh.
It’s been a rough two weeks with Stella. While I was on vacation, she ran away from her foster home but only for a few hours. I think it was more like leaving to go visit a friend even though she’d been told she wasn’t allowed to do so. To make a long story short, Stella was accused of hitting one of the other foster girls in the head while on the school bus. Let me give you the different versions of the story I heard:
CaseWorker:
I’m not sure what happened, exactly. I don’t have the details yet but I know Stella is at XXXXX.
Foster Mom:
Stella hit so-and-so on the head and left a huge bump. The school called me and told me to come get Stella, that she was suspended from school for three days. I picked her up and took her to the hospital and I don’t feel like the other girls are safe with her in the house, she can’t come back here.
Stella:
Cindy, you know that I wouldn’t lie about this. You know it’s not like me to say I didn’t hit someone. I DID NOT hit that girl. She is mentally retarded and I would not ever hit a mentally retarded person. If I hit her, I’d tell you. I was NOT suspended from school. They looked into it and decided there was no proof that I hit her so I did not get suspended. I was just sent home for the day while they investigated.
Vice Principal:
Stella was not suspended. We did not see enough proof that she actually hit someone so she is NOT suspended.
Interesting. I have to say that from what I’ve come to know about Stella, it would surprise me if she would lie about hitting someone. Don’t get me wrong, I know she lies. But not usually about this. Let me explain. If Stella had actually hit this girl, her response would have been more along these lines: “yeah, I hit that girl. She done what she did and I’m going to beat her down. You can’t do that to me. She was disrespecting me and I’d hit her again.” I’ve actually heard those words come from her mouth before. She isn’t one to shy away from the fact that she hit someone. She likes to hit and she doesn’t think there is anything wrong with doing it.
And why should she? It is what she has seen and experienced her whole life.
Sigh. The fact of the matter is it doesn’t matter whether or not she hit anyone. This is still another move for Stella.
Because I want you to understand as much as possible what it feels like to be Stella, imagine living in a home where the other foster kids are your age but are all MR. The preteen biological child in the family does a lot to care for the other girls and is a great help around the house. However, she is put a position of authority over you as well yet she is 3 years your junior. Stella was treated like she needed the same assistance with things that the other girls needed. In addition to that, she was also constantly reminded that she was “just a foster kid”. I believe one quote from the foster mother was, “I don’t let my own children do that, I’m sure not going to let a foster child do it.” Also said to Stella was something along the lines of, “I’m not about to let a foster child get me disliked by the neighbors.”
So far my experience with foster parents through Child Advocates has not been pleasant. Frankly, they suck.
Speedy loved school! When we were driving home, I said, “you get to go back after two more sleeps” and he said, “can we just do them now, mom?”
He was very excited that he got to bring home a library book and now gets to play on the big kid playground. So. Grown. Up.
Speaking of grown up:
Princess screamed and cried when I left her but she was fine after about five minutes or so. Although she ate good and seemed to have a lot of fun, she only slept for about 15 minutes. Needless to say she was pooped when she got home!
Alright, here are random photos from vacation. We made it back Sunday and I still feel like I’m catching up.
So yesterday was officially our last day of vacation and today was reserved for the long drive home. We anticipated driving all the way home today and having all day Sunday and Monday to recover and get back into a routine with the kids.
Funny thing about plans………they don’t always work they way you think they will.
We decided we’d have breakfast on the road and were looking for a doughnut shop. We weren’t having much luck on the main highway so we headed back towards the coast and thought we’d surely find a shop along the scenic route. I know what you’re thinking right about now…..you’re thinking we got lost along this “scenic route” but you’re wrong, we didn’t get lost.
We found this quaint little community with no high-rise condos and lots of vacation homes and beach cottages. It was really sweet. I wondered aloud what the beach looked like here (and later in the day came to realize this was stupid because we were only about 30 miles from where we vacationed. I mean, really, how much different could it have been?) We turned onto a road that dead-ended onto a beach and daddyo noticed lots of trucks and boats parked along the shore.
Why not?
I’ll tell you why not. Because we don’t have a four-wheel drive truck, that’s why not. Because it hasn’t rained in a long time on that beach and the sand was very fine, that’s why not. Because we don’t have a winch, that’s why not. Because people there aren’t as friendly and eager to help as Texans, that’s why not.
Needless to say, we didn’t make it very far in the sand, though the second most popular phrase we heard was, “wow, you made it A LOT farther than most people do with a two wheel drive truck”. When the wheels started to spin and the sand was flying, my stomach was sinking just a bit. And I couldn’t help but laugh.
Daddyo started digging the sand out around the tires while I tried to be helpful: ie: taking pictures with my phone while he wan’t looking and sending them to our family so they’d know we’d be home late:
We got stuck somewhere between 8:30am and 9am. Although it was a huge pain in the butt, we weren’t all too concerned and assumed we’d just be delayed an hour or so. Right. Here’s what we heard and experienced soon after getting stuck:
- oh man, that sucks. I’ve been there before. as he waves and keeps walking
- hey man, you stuck? no, we’re not stuck. We were just afraid the truck might continue to roll forward so we dug a three foot hole around the tires. this was the most popular response we got
- you need some help? yes, please No problem, man, I can pull you out. You got a chain? um, no Oooh! neither do I.
- hey, man, I can pull you out. we’d appreciate that You have four wheel drive? no eeeewwwww, yeah, I’m not gonna be able to get you out.
- you stuck? see my mental response above I have a four wheel drive with a big winch and a 30 foot chain….I could get you out with no problem…..our faces light up and we are suddenly hopeful that we’ll actually get to leave but my truck’s in the shop then why the heck did you even stop? To taunt us? To torture us?
- you stuck? I have a four wheel drive and could get you out….but my truck’s in the shop. yeah, we’ve heard that about ten times now and I just don’t believe it anymore. shut up.
And from the tow truck driver we finally got to come out:
- No way, man. I’m not driving out there and I don’t have a long enough chain to pull you out from the pavement. Sorry, dude.
Mind you, I had called about ten towing services and this was one of two who even agreed to pull us off the beach. Unfortunately, we just made it too far, most people get stuck right at the begining, just ten feet or so from the pavement. Not us. We’re from TEXAS. When we do something, we do it BIG. We got stuck about 300 feet from the pavement.
After about an hour or so, daddyo asked me to take a picture and even posed for the shot:
I love daddyo so much and couldn’t be blessed with a better husband. Most men would have been simply unbearable after just getting stuck. Daddyo kept smiling and laughing about it and just rolling with the punches. Even after four hours of no luck.
The only time he got even a little bit perturbed was when I gently suggested that he keep his pants pulled up so that the people walking by would quit laughing at his plumber’s butt crack. I also suggested that maybe someone would be more willing to stop and help if they weren’t looking at his crack on the walk over. As much fun as it is to laugh at other people’s husbands when their butt crack is showing, it’s embarrassing when the crack belongs to your husband. Daddyo could have cared less. Needless to say, daddyo’s crack is probably all over the internet by now.
Finally, one of the local fishermen came back and he had the biggest, baddest truck with a winch on the beach. Daddyo went and talked with him, and the guy said his truck wouldn’t be able to pull him out. Now, those of you who know daddyo IRL know what a talker he is and how good he is at making friends out of strangers. This guy was a grouchy old local and wanted no part of helping us. Daddyo even played the, “we’ve got two kids who’ve been stuck out here with us for FOUR hours”. The guy was a jerk. It was only after another local, who was extremely kind, talked to him and pressured him a little that he decided to help us out. It took him like less than a minute to get us out – his truck had no problem moving us at all. So FIVE HOURS and $100 bucks later, we were on the road again. 2:30pm.
Ironically, we found four doughnut shops within 15 miles of that God forsaken little town.
We’re in Mississippi tonight and hope to make it home tomorrow. I have to say that the kids were awesome throughout the whole thing. I took them to a little restaurant and we had lunch but mostly they were in the truck with intermittent air conditioning. There was a decent breeze blowing off the Gulf so it wasn’t horrible, but it wasn’t always comfortable either. The kids never got fussy or cranky.
By the way, after we got out we stopped at a gas station to put more air back in the tires and while doing that daddyo stepped on gum. barefoot. And poor guy is soooo sunburned.
