Toby Tells It Like It Is

Toby Keith dropped by WFMS last week.

He told us he coaches his son's football team, and yes, hears some criticism from other players' parents. They often want to know why their son isn't playing. Toby had an easy response.

"Because they aren't any good."

Oooooooooooooook.

A Life Lesson in 55 Minutes

I voted yesterday.

Expecting long lines, and hoping to kill time, I stopped by a bookstore on the way to pick up something to read. Got my book, got my Starbucks, had my ID, and I headed to the polls.

In line, I cracked open my new book and began reading. But, I didn't make it past the third paragraph. Behind me in line, I heard a voice say, "You like Starbucks, too?"

I turned around and stood face-to-face with a woman who reminded me of my grandmother. Next to her was her husband, a frail man who had his arm draped around her shoulders.

I found this couple more interesting than reading my book, as they seemed to represent a slice of life that we all hope to become. Over the next 55 minutes, I took in as much as I could about this couple. As we exchanged stories, it dawned on me that we would soon part ways, never to speak again. This letter is to them...

To the couple behind me in line,

You made my day yesterday. Talking with you was refreshing, like when you said you moved to the neighborhood to be around families, because getting trick-or-treaters at your door is "what life is all about."

Or when you said you both considered voting early, but instead chose to vote on Election Day itself. You said there is something historical about voting the actual day. And so you were willing to wait.

You said you had been married 41 years. I could see in your eyes how much you admired each other as you finished each other's sentences.

I loved that you buy candy bars and popcorn from every child that comes selling it at your door, because "it's the right thing to do." You explained that others bought from your kids, and now it's your turn.

Leaving the polls, I felt good about that 55 minutes. I voted. And I was reminded there are some good people right under our noses.

See you at Starbucks.

The Club with No Meetings

Moms.

We may have different interests and hobbies, but one thing will always bond us together...motherhood.

Once we become mothers, our lives change forever. We are issued an imaginative membership card to a club we didn't know existed. A club with no meetings where dues are paid in full. Not with money, but with staying up late when our children are sick, and with the knowledge that we will worry for a lifetime.

I found this to be true during our fall break, while at SeaWorld. Hayden wanted to crawl around in a gigantic tube-like jungle gym that stood several stories high. (Think Chick-Fil-A, times twelve.) The signs warned that there were many exits to the contraption, and to agree on a meeting place with your children. Worried about his safety, I decided the only way I would be able to keep track of my stubborn 3-year-old was to go with him.

Parents were welcome, though I soon discovered the never-ending tubes were not designed for us as we crawled on hands and knees. Hayden shouted "this is awesome!" and I repeatedly scraped my back as I maneuvered the maze and wondered when I would once again be able to stand upright.

Just when I was feeling silly, I came face-to-face with another mother, and it was apparent she was doing the same thing.

We both laughed, and she said, "The things we do for our kids."

Spoken like a true club member.

How a 7-Year-Old Votes

It's Election Day.

Griffin came home yesterday and told me soon we would have a new President. And that he has decided to go with Barack Obama, that is, if he was old enough to vote.

"Well, do you know anything about him?" I asked. "Yes," Griff said, "this and that, and this and that."

"Well, how did you make your decision," I asked? "It was easy," he said...

"Eeny, meeny, miny, moe."

Good advice for what NOT to do.

Toby Packs His Suitcase

Wanna live in Toby Keith's Nashville pad? You could for 1.6 million.

It's on the market.

The house is much smaller than his Oklahoma mansion, at 3,400 square feet, featuring two bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths.

The Little Guy Reflects

"I sure do miss the old days, Mom."

Those were the words of my 7-year-old last night on the way home from dinner. Griffin sighed when he said it. I sometimes feel like I'm talking to an adult when he's around. We had stopped at a gas station, and my husband was putting fuel in the car.

I asked him what he meant.

"Well," he explained, "Dad used to ask me to climb in his lap and help him pull the car into the garage. But, he doesn't ask anymore."

He doesn't ask anymore because Griffin is no longer a toddler. He's grown rather tall and it's hard for him to fit like he used to.

Yet, tonight, our long-legged second-grader climbed onto his Daddy's lap, (knocked over a drink in the process...but, no big deal), and guided the car into place in our garage.

Let's hear it for the good ol' days.

Note To Self: Remove Tags

I just cleaned out my closet.

In doing so, I found a top I had been looking for. This top is a camel-colored fancy thing that I wore to a New Year's Eve party at a friend's home last year.

Haven't seen it since.

In my unorganization, the sweater had been tossed behind a laundry bin, and blended in with my carpet, never to be seen again. Until now. Imagine my surprise when I held it up, only to spot a transparent "Small" seal on the lower left waist of the top.

Remember now, I had ALREADY WORN IT.

And apparently, announced to everyone at the party that I was sportin' something new.

Winner.

Ever Had One of Those Weeks?

All I know is I'm glad it's the weekend. Both of these could apply!