Murder was the case that they gave me

I am a murderer.

I was on my way between errands for work yesterday around 5 PM and trying to avoid Mopac due to traffic. I decided to take Shoal Creek from Koenig Lane all the way down to Anderson. Big mistake.

Just as I, and three other cars, made the quick turn onto Shoal Creek, a large white cat jetted from behind a Fox service van. He was a haze. I saw him, but only in time to slow down as I heard him underneath my car. Horrible.

I pulled over into the bike lane. The cars behind me swerved to avoid him. I waited a few minutes to regain my composure. I looked around and saw some kids playing in a driveway one house down from where the accident happened. I walked across the street and asked the older of the two if his mom or dad were home. He went in and got his mom.

She walked out and I told her I was sorry to bother her, but did they have an outdoor cat. She put her hand to her heart and said they did and had he been hit. I immediately started to tear up and told her that I had hit and killed her pet. Wow, that was very hard.

I was so blessed she was very kind to me and was assuring me it was an accident and that he runs out in the street all the time. Now the blame had taken another pair of shoulders and firmly placed itself on her back too. We walked over and she picked the cat up (not exactly looking for cars coming in the process. I was thinking "Lady, do you want to get run over too?") She just picked the cat up with her bare hands and carried it over to their yard.

The kids were sad. They said "Mom, that's Jo-Jo (not actually sure if that is the name they called as I was walking away in tears)" The mom said "She knows, she knows". I ruined their night, their week probably.

I called my mom after I got in the car and pulled away. I balled for 20 minutes while telling her what happened. Then I realized I should stop crying and hang up the phone before I ran over another household animal, or worse.

To the family, I would like to say I am very sorry and extend my sympathy for your loss. We had many cats meet their death at the wheels of a car and it is very sad to walk out and see them lying there in the street. I hope you appreciated that I came to find you and won't hold it against me. I am still very sad for you and hope Jo-Jo is happy, where ever he is now.

Book Review

My New Year resolution for 2010 was to get back into reading more. I have been telling myself I just don't have the time, but that is complete bullshit because I figure out a way to watch 2-5 hours of TV every night and most of it I don't even care about. I decided to DVR all the shows I really need (okay need is a stretch) to watch and am trying to just stick with those. Of course there is always some extra time for Olympics, SpongeBob, and whatever sport Jason is forcing me to watch for the season. But, after that I am going to read.

Now it is in writing and I have some accountability. To keep me focused I decided I would do a blog review of the books I complete.

The first book I finished this year was "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. It was wonderful. I am not going to review it because I actually read 90% last fall and put it down with 30 pages to go for 3 or 4 months. Finally finished it and passed it on to my mom. It is a great read and pretty educational, too. I would especially recommend it to anyone who is in one of those "trying to find yourself" places in life.

For my birthday, my wonderfully thoughtful friend, Heather bought me an "easy read". (I put that in quotes because I just had to explain to my hubby what the difference between an easy read and a hard read is..............he is under the impression that after about age 12 everything should be easy. I told him it was like the difference between reading the Austin American Statesman and The Wall Street Journal. He got it.)

"Are You There Vodka, It's Me Chelsea" by comedian and host of E!'s "Chelsea Lately" author Chelsea Handler was my first completed book for the year. It took me 4 days only dedicating 30 minutes to an hour before bed and a little extra on Friday night.

It was hilarious!!! Short stories in chronological order from elementary school through the present. She gives us an insight to her childhood and the relationships with her parents and siblings. Some ridiculous dating mishaps and friendships that would make anyone need a drink are the basis of the remaining tales of lust, liquor and laughter in Los Angeles.

One of my favorite things was her ability to write sarcasm in a way that was blatantly obvious and even gave me the chance to laugh out loud at least once per story. I love when I get to laugh when reading!!

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes funny, autobiographical humor. Of course you need to be open minded and having a dirty mind would be helpful too!

My next book for the year is actually a re-read from about 10 years ago. "Island of the Sequined Love Nun" by Christopher Moore. I have read many of his books and I love the way his mind works. I would describe him as Stephen King on hallucinogens, without the scare factor. One of those authors where you are left asking yourself, "How does he come up with this stuff?".

Look for my next review in a few weeks.

How do I love thee

Let me count the ways.

I love your love, I love your hugs, I love your ability to always stay calm.

I love your love for Dylan, I love your desire to provide for us, I love your need to research and compare everything before we buy something.

I love that you vacuum, I love that you do your own laundry, I love that you always eat the food I cook even when we both know it isn't very good.

I love your face when we talk about having another baby, I love your affection when you have had 5 beers (maybe not so much after 10), I love your obsession with politics (maybe not all your political views).

I love that you let me be me but still fight me when I really need it.

I love that you want to try new things with me.

I really do love all the things that you bring to my life and the fact that you allow me to bring things to yours. I am so happy to be your wife and YES, I would marry you all over again.

Hello Strangers

I'm back!!!

It is not that I haven't had anything to blog about recently, Dylan is still cracking us up every day and people are still getting on my ever-loving nerves every day, but I just haven't been feeling all that creative. I know the point of this is to just blurt out my thoughts, but I always feel more accomplished if I have a plan of action when I start typing. After all, no one would want to read this blog if I treated it like a personal journal. (or if you did want to read it you would then also want to have me permanently committed to an insane asylum shortly after)

But, I finally started reading after a two month break and it got my brain functioning in non-accounting and non-mom/wife mode and I decided to jump back on the horse. However, I have no plan, no new news. So, I will just let you all know what has been and will be going on.

Had my busiest time of year over the end of December through the beginning of February. Made it through, but not without many arguments and headaches. I got a raise and am in the process of hiring an assistant. Hopefully that will allow me to take more time off and possibly work less hours starting in mid to late summer.

Jason and Dylan are both doing great. We have been keeping a low profile and hanging out at home a lot. Wii, Olympics, cooking......the norm. Dylan is growing up so fast and his is so sweet and loving these past few months. He really is the light of my life.

Mom and Chas have sold the duplex and are finally going to be able to finalize the divorce and begin their new lives. It has all been for the best and I can finally see them moving forward and am hopeful they will both be happier.

And last, but most certainly not least, tomorrow is mine and Jason's 3rd anniversary. I am excited for our future together and we will be celebrating with a family dinner at Outback. Dylan just loves that place!!

That is it for now. I will return to blogging soon. Hopefully with more interesting topics!!!