Tall Tales from Kansas

feliz cumpleaños hermana

I am going to have to insist on a re-match of the Mexican Train Dominoes competition Dottie.   I didn't want to say anything while you were here, but I let you win since we were celebrating your birthday.   You might want to start practicing now. 

my perfect happy mothers day

I hope each of you had one too. 

after they each passed a field sobriety test

Dottie's in town so the Moss girls hit the town last night.  I went along strictly to keep them out of trouble.

They were on their second beer by the time I got there.  I had to put my foot down and hold them at that. 

We had a lovely meal at The Classic Cup on the plaza.  Then Angie had to go and walk up to this table of 2 women and ask the first one if the other one was her mother.  I swear you have to be on your toes all the time with that one.  The woman replied "no this is my dear friend" and was very gracious as I grabbed Angie before she could stick her other foot in her mouth.  I returned her to the table and ordered french press coffee for 3.

After they each passed a field sobriety test I returned their keys and made Angie promise not to stop and talk to anyone else on the way out the door. 

we scared ourselves silly with that show

Way back in 1969 when we lived in South Carolina, my sister Dottie and I used to race home after school so we could watch Dark Shadows.  We scared ourselves silly with that show.  Sometimes we only watched with one eye so we could take the suspense without literally dying from fright.  

She sent me a message today to let me know that Barnabas Collins (ok I mean Jonathan Frid the actor who played Barnabas Collins) had died last Friday.   If you are old enough to have been a fan I am just letting you know so you can pay your last respects. 

I have no idea if Quentin Collins is still alive or if the hand of Count Petofi was ever re-attached to his body or any other details like that.  Maybe Dottie and I will have to try and watch the last few episodes again when she comes out to see Angie for Mother's day.  On second thought... some things are best not spoiled by re-watching. 

good idea huh?

Excerpt from conversation with Angie on the way to the grocery store yesterday:

Angie:  you know I don't like to eat all the crust on my pizza but I don't throw it away.  I cut it off and save it.

Me:  really?

Angie:  yes, and it'a a good thing.  I am out of bread so I took the crusts out of my freezer this morning and ate them with my egg instead of toast.

Me:  wow, I don't think I would have thought to do that.

Angie:  good idea huh?

Me:  yep. 

We bought an extra loaf of bread at the store in case she runs out of pizza crusts anytime soon. 

brownies for your birthday brother

March 5th is my brothers' birthday.  That's him there on the end.  Looking real cute in his bow tie.  Always a snazzy dresser that one. 

I made you some brownies for your birthday brother. 

But these are a little different than the ones mom used to make.  They have a hint of cinnamon and a rich chocolate ganache over the top.  I made them for you brother.  We ate them for you too.  They were good.  Really, really good.  I put one in the freezer for you.  It will be there when you come out to visit Angie next.  I promise. 

we should celebrate his birthday every weekend

Today I prepared a very special birthday breakfast for Chris, my husband, the cheerio eater.

No one should eat breakfast birthday cake alone, so I joined him.  

Then I told him we should celebrate his birthday every weekend. 

it's her job... she takes it very, very, seriously

Tall Tales headquarters.  Wednesday night, January 11, 2012.  8:38 pm.  Windy.  Cold. 

Ring Ring Ring (sound of phone)

Carol?  (yes mom)

Are you driving the truck to work tomorrow?  (I'm not sure mom)

Well you know we're supposed to get a LOT of snow.  (Yes mom, I heard)

Be extra careful.  (Yes, mom.  I've been driving to work in the snow for 27 years)

OK, I love you.  (I love you too)

Does your mom still call to impart motherly advice on a regular basis?  Angie does.  It's her job.  She takes it very, very, seriously.  

Yo sister!

Yo Sister!  Happy Birthday.   I'll meet you at our favorite restaurant at 10:00 pm - sorry for the late reservation but my flight does't get in until 9.  I am taking a cab from the airport.  If I get there first I will order you the same drink you had last time, if you get there first I'll have a bottle of something red.   I asked for the corner table with the spectacular view of the twinkling lights of the city.    They remembered us from last year and were happy to hear we are coming back.  They wanted to know if we were going to get up and sing again this year.   Did we do that last year?

in full recovery mode

I can't bring myself to clean these yet.

I miss the little hands that made them.

Meanwhile, these 2 are keeping it on the down-low.   Still in full recovery mode.    They have never before, in their 13 year old lives, seen anything like twin almost 2 year olds.