Life | A Thankfully Imperfect Woman

Sep 3

Father and Daughter, Off to School

This is my favorite ‘First Day of School’ picture.

I actually didn’t plan this shot at all. I said my ‘Have a good day(s)!!!’, they left via the back of the house, and I headed out the front to put a card in the mailbox. I looked up as I turned to go back in and there they were.

{Sigh}

Doesn’t this tug at your heart?

It’s especially sweet when you consider the fact that Gabi is 13. I love the fact that she still likes walking to school with her Dad. Well…most days. Once winter comes, she’s not as inclined to head out as early as Tim does (when it’s -20). I think she holds out hope that either we’ll have a heatwave in that 1/2 an hour that she waits, or that Mom will feel sorry for her and give her a ride.

Right.

We only live 3 blocks from the school.

Not happening.

There are moments that I do give her a ride. The days that are colder than -20. Like -30…-40, or if it’s pouring rain outside.

I know…I’m up for Mother-of-the-Year.

Hmmm…

Maybe that’s part of the reason she likes walking with her Dad. Well…that and I’m sure they talk math and athletics on the way to school. She is his Mini-Me after all.

{Sigh}

I sure love those two.

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I had planned on ending my blog there, however, Gabi just sent me a text from her CC Running practice…here’s the conversation:

Gabi…Mum?

Me…Yessssss?

Gabi…Can you pick me up when we’re done?

Me…Why? (I know, I’m such a loving mother aren’t I?)

Gabi…Cause I don’t want to walk home in the rain and cause you are an amazing mother.

Me…Hahahahaha! (That was for the buttering up.) It’s not raining now!

Gabi…Yeah, but I will call you when we are done and then we can decide

Me…Ok

…..guess who’ll be walking home if it’s not raining! 😉

Patty O

ps…for those of you who are new to my blog…my husband is an advanced math teacher and athletic director at our high school.

Aug 19

Rewind to Day One: 219 Blog Posts and 410 Followers Ago

Just for fun…and, well, because Gabi wanted to see it, I pulled up my first blog post.

As I re-read it I laughed at myself and thought maybe I should re-post it for those of you that started following recently. Read more

May 20

6 Comments

The Deep, Dark Well and the Bright, Shining Son

Imagine you’re in the bottom of a really deep well.

Overwhelmed and haunted by memories:

A loss that cut deep in your soul. Arguments with loved ones. A history of past abuse. A history of deep shame.

Memories of (insert yours here). Read more

Apr 3

2 Comments

Teriyaki Pot Roast

It may be April 3rd, but here in Northern Minnesota it looks like December. More snow is in the forecast for tonight and with everyone’s moods low (I think we’ve hit an all new level of crankiness), I knew it was time for some comfort food. Of course, having made regular pot roast throughout the winter, I decided to make it with a twist.

I rarely make something that’s not from a recipe. I tried years ago and it was a disaster. But this time…this time…it was FANTASTIC! Of course there were a few things that I realized should have been done differently, so I incorporated those into the recipe below.

TERIYAKI POT ROAST

1 – 2-3# Beef Roast (find one that has some nice marbling – it makes the roast more juicy)

1 – Bottle of Teriyaki Sauce

4 – Golden Russet Potatoes

4-8 – Carrots, cut up (8 if you use small baby carrots)

6-8 – Brussel Sprouts

1 – Medium Onion – diced

1 – Shake of Montreal Steak Seasoning (to lightly cover the roast)

1 – gallon Ziploc Bag

Place your roast in a gallon Ziploc bag with 2/3 of the Teriyaki Sauce. Refrigerate 4-6 hours.

Brown the roast (preferable in the same pan you’ll be using in the oven). Once browned on all sides, add vegetables. Pour in 1/4 cup of water and the rest of the Teriyaki Sauce. Cover and cook at 350 degrees for 1.5 hours, remove the cover and cook another 30 minutes.

Remove roast from pan, slice and return to pan. The juices will help keep it moist. Serve with hot buttered rolls.

Enjoy!

Patty O

Apr 1

10 Comments

Dear God…Sometimes Life Just Kinda Stinks

Today was one of those days, and no, this is NOT an April Fool’s Day joke.

We’ve been dealing with anger issues with Motzy lately. He would do really well…and then suddenly snarl at one of us.

We tried everything…reprimanding him, putting him in his kennel for a timeout, and anything else you can imagine. We even had our own private Veterinary advisor Jen – the daycare baby’s Mom. She talked us through many ideas for training and disciplining him.

But today we had to say goodbye.

He went after Gabi last Thursday night when she was doing nothing more than snuggling with him – like they had every night for the past 7 months. He left 8 indents on her hands along with a couple scrapes. He didn’t break skin, but she froze in fear. Motzy was immediately put in his kennel where we didn’t hear a peep from him until morning.

Today he went after me twice. This morning leaving a few teeth indents on my hand and this afternoon I was saved by his cone. He has snarled at us before and had attempted to bite but hadn’t connected. We had him neutered on Friday with the hope that it might help things. Unfortunately it didn’t, he actually was worse.

We had to make the decision today, and even though we knew we absolutely couldn’t have a dog that snapped at any of us or the two little daycare babies, it was still hard to say goodbye. He was the sweetest dog 95% of the time. But we couldn’t take a chance on the other 5%, especially with his episodes escalating.

I told Gabi before we left that maybe this was just all part of God’s plan. Maybe Motzy has a wonderful new home to go to where he’ll be able to do all the things English Setters are supposed to do – go bird hunting and get lots of exercise each day. Maybe that owner wouldn’t have been able to take him when he was a pup. Maybe we were supposed to give him lots of love for 7 months so that he could eventually meet up with his permanent owner.

For now Jen was able to find a foster home. She’s hoping to find him a permanent home soon. I imagine a farm where maybe he could live in a barn and run free.

But for today, we kissed him goodbye and told him how much we loved him. He’s spending the night at the Vet Clinic awaiting his ride.

Whatever God’s plan may be for Motzy, or for us…

Sometimes life just kinda stinks.

Patty O