Marines and x's

Life seems to love to bring you surprises. My X is now engaged and expecting a baby. I have this delightful Marine occupying my free time and the year is almost over. A couple weeks ago John took me on a little hike through a Double Horn Creek and I was amazed at how beautiful the creek was in the fall. I filled my eyes with the beautiful fall colors and loved hiking along and climbing on rocks as we were serenaded by the trickling of the water as it cascaded over the rocks in the creek. I believe John said it was a six mile hike all I know is I slept good that night. Now John has become a staple in my life from the frequent visits to say Hi at Wal-Mart to the time we spend together on my days off. I get teased a lot at work but I don’t care I like this guy and he keeps me laughing. Last night the X and his new baby’s momma drove up to bring me a few tubs of my stuff and I gave them the signed divorce papers to give the attorney. John and I met them at River City Grill and we had a nice dinner and visit before they left. Tom surprised me by asking if I was happy. I replied “Tommy I love it here and I am very happy” we said our good byes and Tom told John to take care of me I was a nice lady. John said I know that is why I’m with her. I wasn’t sure what to say so I was silent for a little while. I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders knowing that he has moved on and now I have a life of my own to live. I have realized that I am in a good place and I have lots of friends that are like my family. Now I have this romantic Marine that knows just how to make me smile and he seems to want to spend as much time with me as I want to spend with him. Life is good! Now all I need is a computer so I can finish editing Case of the Dead Husband and get it to the publisher.

Hermits and Hismits

After reading Kinky Friedman’s article in Texas Monthly I thought it was weird that he thought himself a hermit. I figured a hermit never came out of their cave or cabin. He told of a cute tale he was told when he was a child and a camper at his families summer camp Echo Hill. Then the end of the article he admits that he was the hermit of Echo Hill. Frankly I do not see him as a hermit but who am I to argue with the Kinkster.

When my sons and their women came to visit last weekend I learned that I was considered a hermit. I found this a strange thing to tell me considering I had just read the article a week before. It was Sheena that told me this in passing as we were eating out at Justin’s favorite restaurant The River City Grill. Sheena’s mom Sharon and her Grandfather Roger said that all I do is go to work then came home. I have been accused of never going out or visiting with neighbors. I found this funny coming from a man that calls me Wal-Mart. I don’t visit because by the time I get home I just want to relax and spend time with Mater and Bridgett. I do not date because well no one has asked. Feeling a bit hurt I just tried to shrug this off but it bothered me. Yesterday I talked to my daughter Kikki and I asked her if she thought I was a hermit. Her answer was “Mom you have always been kind of a loner and yes you are a hermit. If you could find a way to make money from home you would never go anywhere. Face it mom you are just the female version of Kinky. If he could sell his books with out doing book signings he would never leave his lodge.”
“No Kinky would still go to Vegas he likes to gamble” I replied in defense of my favorite cowboy.
I guess my daughter opened my eyes so now I will have to work on getting out more. Sharon and Donald have convinced me that I need to move back into their house though because they are afraid I will become to depressed then isolate myself.
I have had a few phone calls from my ex-husband’s new girlfriend and the divorce is being pushed through because the two of them want to get married. I am happy for the two of them but mostly I am happy that he is no longer holding on and I will finally be free. The kids on the other hand are pressuring me to move back to the area so I can be in their lives again. I love the Hill Country and I don’t want to leave but for some reason I feel the Marble Falls area is not where I truly need to be. I would love to be closer to The Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch so I can volunteer. The wonderful thing is all my options are open so I guess I will go where the wind blows me. I will be submitting Case of the Dead Husband to the publisher next month so I will be busy making last minute revisions up through the holidays then I can focus my mind onto Case of the Missing Texas Star Who Took My Kinky. Maybe being busy will make me a bigger hermit in those neighbors’ eyes. The funny thing is I like being who I am. I entertain my co-workers and customers at Wal-Mart while I am there then I come home and spend time with the two dogs that love me for who I am.

On the Road Again

Well I can honestly say it sucks to be with out a vehicle. I had the day off Saturday Oct 25th and I loaded up Mater and Bridgett so we could head off on an adventure. Our destination was Fredericksburg. Just after we passed 71 my truck Firecracker made a weird sound then I lost compression making it hard to get over thirty five miles an hour. Heading back home I begged Firecracker to get us back safely. Well it just so happens that the electronic ignition system that I had put in Firecrackers distributor had worn out so had the distributor. Arranging a ride to work on Sunday I figured I would get the part on Thursday when I got paid. As I explained what had happened to my truck to Johnny in Produce on Sunday he offered to lend me the money to order the distributor so I could get my truck finished sooner. I was thrown that so many people were offering help in giving me rides. I must say my fellow associates at Wal-Mart are wonderful people. Finally with distributor in hand on Tuesday we attempted to stab it. Problem number three the rod that runs from the distributor into the oil pump had came undone. I was heart broken knowing I would have to drop my oil pan to try to fix the problem and I did not have the tools necessary to do so. Needless to say I was blue for a couple days then when Saturday rolled around and I realized that I had been without a vehicle for a week I spent my day in tears. I called Kinky Friedman to wish him a happy birthday while I was on break which did lift my spirits some but not even Kinky could pull me out of my depression. I did have a half of a smile for about a half hour.
Don went home then told Sharon that I had cried at work most of the day so she grabbed her phone then called my son Justin to tell on me. He called to see what my problem was. When I explained he told me he loved me and that they would come down next weekend to help me out. I was so happy that I would be seeing my boys soon which pulled me right out of my depression.
Sunday was a better day and as I walked around my yard waiting on my ride of the day to pick me up for work I picked up a little acorn, made a wish that my truck would be fixed real soon then placed it in my pocket. I spent most of the day feeling better. Josh called me around lunch asking me what I needed for my truck. I explained that we just needed to get that pin back in place. He reassured me that they would be there late Friday. I had a big smile on my face after I hung up then told all my friends there in the brake room that my boys were coming to my rescue. Later in the day as I was in the personnel office doing a necessary Computer Based Test over Hazardous materials in the work place when the door opened and Lupe from produce walked in and said some one was looking for me. I looked up and there stood Josh, Elizabeth, Justin and Sheena. I was flabbergasted. The foursome had driven four and a half hours just to come help me on the spur of the moment. Tears poured down my face as I rushed to finish my work so I could leave early. Needless to say josh had the pin in place, distributor stabbed and my truck purring within a half hour. The kids took me out to eat at River City Grill before leaving for the four and a half hour drive home. Now that is what you call love. I am so proud of my kids and the great adults they have become. I did learn one thing that weekend I found out that I am a hermit. I will tell you that tomorrow.