Fendi or Flip Flops?

Designer  brands are not really my thing.  They might have been when I was in about 7^th grade – and a couple of times in between, but never this “over needing urge” to own “Fendi shoes” or a “Gucci handbag”.

Yes, I like nice things.  Quality things.  Things that will last.  Those things don’t always have a “brand name” on them.

I’m not a shopper.  While in Oahu this week, everyone keeps telling me of the “great shopping”.  “I don’t like to shop”, I reply.  They look at me like I have two heads.  “I know, I know”.  I’d rather be DOING something.  In fact, ANYTHING, but shopping.

Once upon a time, I did shop.  Shopping with my Granny – we would spend all day.  We would go to lunch. We would have our make-up done.  We couldn't go home until the trunk was full.

Those days were fun. 

But even then, it wasn't to buy the “best name brand” – it was to buy something I would wear, something in style and made well. 

To me, that means, a couple of trendy items, a couple of staples (well made “core” items”) and made a name brand purse or pair of shoes. Well, maybe not name brand shoes.  Maybe a name brand blouse and comfortable shoes.

I would have worn stylish shoes back in the day.  I still wear fun boots in the winters in Denver – some days.  But mainly, I love my non-name brand flip flops. 

My favorite flip flops were from my first summer in Kona.  They were made of recycled tires – they were supposed to never wear out.  They didn't – the strap broke though.

Then I received two pairs of flip flops last summer.  They were “custom” flip flops – there were words cut out of the bottom.  So, when you walked across the beach, you left a trail.  One pair stamped “Follow” on one shoe “Me” on the other shoe.  The other pair?  “Aloha” (Hello or welcome or love) and “A Hui Ho”  (until next time)

Today, I was on the North Shore of Oahu watching the turtles swim.  They were HUGE.  As in, the two I was near, were the size of as your cooking range.  The head was probably the size of a football.  (Mind you this was in the open ocean – not a theme park or a “planned excursion”)

After swimming with the turtles for bit, I went back up to my chair to sit under the tree.  A bit later, it was time to leave.

Where are my shoes?  (This really isn't surprising that I can’t find my shoes, probably also the reason I think $700 shoes are ridiculous and so are the people whom wear them).

I was down to the beach to see if I left them near the turtles. 

And as the turtle today swam away with just ONE of my flips flops; I knew it was going to be okay.  

As, the bottom of that flip flop had printed on it “Aloha”, leaving me the one that was stamped “A hui ho”  (until next time).

A different kinda place

The island of Oahu is much different than the Big Island.  (Really, the 'Big Island' is Hawaii, but everyone seems to think of Hawaii as all the islands rather than just one)  All of them would be "The Hawaiian Islands".

Oahu is an island.  Honolulu is a city on the island.  The population of the island is almost a million people. Only every branch of the military has a base here and I'm not sure if our service men/women are counted in that population.  As many of them don't claim their base as their residency, but "where they are stationed".

This place seems much bigger than the Big Island - but it has nothing to do with the size of the island, but the amount of people.  (as I think the Big Island has less than 100,000 people on a space twice as big).

Really, this place is like Los Angeles, only water surrounds all sides, not just one.  There are mountains. There is vast foliage and tons of highways. Okay, really, it's the same one, but it's very confusing and busy.  (To me, it's like LA)

So I'm talking to this man today while I was in Waikiki - and I said, "If this is your favorite island", you might as well live in LA - as it is easier to get places"  He told me about the different hikes I should go on.  He told why he has a house here and in LA. And I will, and I keep exploring other places.

The "Aloha Spirit" is different here too.  Not as many people speak Hawaiian to you.

I went to Canoe Club tonight.  First of all - I had to drive an hour to get to a recreational paddling group.  (In Waikiki) and they were really nice.  A diverse group, much younger than my other group.  Thursday night group (as it's the first Thursday of the month) - is the same, there is a group "dinner", instead of breakfast.  They are getting pizza, instead of potluck.

I really am not trying to compare the differences, just point them out.

And, I'm still not sure the man I was talking to today wasn't Jack Nicholson.  Maybe.  Maybe not.  In Kona, it wouldn't have come up whom he was.  It didn't come up today either.  Other than the bartender said, "Hey, Jack".  But our conversation about this place, we never introduced ourselves.......  Now that's a bit different.......

Just a scratch

I wasn't even on the island for two hours before I was in the water.

I don't think I was even in the water for 20 minutes, the first time.  When I got out, dried off - was having a beer, I looked down and there was dried blood on the top of my right foot.

Hmmm?

Nothing hurt.  I wonder what that was from.  I wash my foot off.  There is a one inch scratch across the top.  Not deep at all.

Pele!!!!  I told you last year, I understand these are your islands.  I'm just here to enjoy them with you.

Thanks for the reminder.  May we always know our place in life.

Like I was dying

No, this trip to Hawaii wasn’t planned.  At least not well in advanced.  It was planned for about two whole weeks.  No one knew.

My boys were going to Texas.  My ex-husbands Aunt (whom I somehow got in the divorce) has breast cancer and is having an operation on Wednesday, but she had a whole group to help her. That being said, no kids, I work from home, no need to help family out at the moment……hmmm, what the hell am I going to do????

I’m going to go see a little boy in Hawaii

Only the little boy is 26. I babysat him many, many years ago.  The boys were put in a car to Texas.  Yes, they knew.  Then I told the grandparents they were in the car with.  They my dad’s wife told her sister, and well, we know how his works……

Maybe we need to hop over to the Big Island for a couple of days…….Maybe.

He has tons of stuff planned; he’s on leave for a week.  I’m staying two.

Friday morning, I get on my flight.  United.  Direct flight from Denver to Honolulu.  I’m not sure whom is more excited – him or me.

We sit on the runway for over an hour before they even tell us anything.  Apparently, there was something wrong with the cargo area – they couldn’t get the temperature under control.  There was a dog down there.  We went back to the gate.  They fixed it.  (The little boy I’m going to see told me to just put the dog on another plane – Actually, he told me to shoot the dog, but I wasn’t sure if I could actually write that).

We pushed out from the gate again.  They ran all the tests again.  We sat on the runway for another hour.  

We finally took off. 

Only, when you looked at the flight map on the TV, we were headed North to Wyoming.  Hmmm….. 

Usually, when you depart Denver, you head West.  Then South.  Towards the Ocean. 

Something wasn’t right.

The airplane was hot.  It wouldn’t cool off.  We heard a bang.  Then we smelled smoke.

THEN, our flight screen showed our flight time was only 20 minutes.  We were landing in Salt Lake City.

They then shut the tv’s down.  They shut the lights off.

We were over the mountains.  It was bumpy. As in big drops.  It took us over 45 minutes to get to Salt Lake City – and this was from the time they told us we were 15 minutes out of Salt Lake City.

We landed.

The plane was greeted by two fire trucks and another emergency vehicle.  The only saving point was they let us go to the gate.  I figured if it was really bad, they wouldn’t have let us pull up to the gate.  Dammit though, we didn’t get to slide down the slide!

Heck, I’m not in Hawaii, but I have incredible friends in Salt Lake City.

Richie came to pick me up.  We stopped and bought me a tooth brush – as, they didn’t give us our luggage.

Delayed a day.  Changed forever.

There are no more maybes in my life.  I’m either in or out.  Although, I’ve probably been pretty close to this way of life for a bit.

Not a good month for 777’s.

Because, when your plane catches on fire at 25,000 feet, and you actually get to land – and you survive…

THEN, you thrive.  (I first put in “get to thrive”, but there is no “get to” in life.  It’s just do”   I said this was my year to thrive.)

If you thought I lived my life with reckless abandonment before, you haven’t seen nothing…….  Just saying…….

Oh, Denver

I tried.

Really, I did. Denver, you are a beautiful city. A magnificent place on this Earth with incredible scenery, perfect weather and wonderful people.

Denver, Colorado is one of the most incredible cities to visit. To live in. To grow up in. We have four seasons.  We have a "city". We have any outdoor activity you could possibly want - year around.  Pick one.  (And by pick one, I mean a sport or a season). You can ski and golf on the same day.  (snow or water) What is your poison?

There are no bugs. There is no humidity. And holy hillbilly, pot is even legal. (Although truly, this makes me sad - as Colorado is now known across the WORLD for this - doesn't matter that we have everything else).

I HAVE so TRIED this summer.

• Bike rides
• Red Rock Concerts
• Hikes - look at this backdrop?  It's beautiful.
• Camping

Okay, well maybe, I haven't tried that hard.  But I pretended really hard that I tried really hard.

Just shows you, pretending will never get you there.

I will always love you, but you see, a few years ago, I cheated on you. Not only did I cheat - When I cheated, I fell in love.  That's the problem with having an affair - you can't always go back.

I'm sorry.  It sounds trite. It might sound pitiful, but I will always love you.

My love for something else does not diminish what we shared. I will treasure our love always.  I'm grateful for the love.

Because, I do truly LOVE you. I'm just not sure how much I like you.

If it's okay, I'd like to be friends. Friends whom understand we can have each other, yet, love other places too.

For now, as we transition into this next stage of our life, I would like to see you more than anyone else, but I think we both know it's time our relationship changes. Please understand. We've been faking it for a while.

Oh, Denver, as much I love you,

I love another place more.  

As much as I would like to apologize for my actions, I can't.  You will always have my heart, but another place came along and stole my soul.

And it's time I pay my soul a visit......

Want Ads

Remember when there were "want ads" in the newspaper?  Where you looked for jobs?  Where you MAILED in your resume?  Or you called and set an appointment to meet someone?  Or you just went in and applied for job?

I'm a recruiter by trade.  I tell people all the time:  "Less than 1% of people whom have jobs got the position by just applying".  Usually, it's a referral.  Or a recruiter/headhunter.  I don't remember what we did before LinkedIn and Job Boards.  I think we ran ads in the newspaper.

Previous to Craigslist, I had never been hired for a job if I applied for it.  My first job out of college, I sent resumes and cover letters to the Top 25 hotels in Houston looking for a meeting planning position.  One of the HR people called me and I was hired.

When I was hired into the recruiting industry, I had gone and applied at every temporary staffing service in town for temporary work.  They hired me to be a temporary in their office.  That was over 20 years ago.

My only exception to this rule?  My college job.

I was working at McDonald's in high school.  My roommate at the time, had a friend come down and stay with us for a weekend.  When I told him I was working at McDonald's - he told me I needed to quit.  I was better than that.  He pulled out the want ads - it was a Sunday and told me to look through it.  

Of course, I had no self confidence and the only other job I had was a camp counselor.  I found an add for a single dad looking for a baby-sitter for his two kids.  He was in school and also needed help with tutoring in Math.  I'm actually really good in Math.

They hired me.  

The third child was born the next summer - the wedding to the girlfriend was the following fall.

That was 27 years ago.  There is not a birthday, a Christmas or any other life changing event that goes by without a call from the family.

The oldest, I've seen her and now her kids for several summers when we used to go to the beach in Texas. The middle child I hear from on occasion.  The youngest - well, we call him "my first born".  I hear from him all the time.  

He was the ring bearer in my wedding.  Last year, I got to see him for an afternoon.  But tomorrow, he's picking me up at the airport - and I'm staying with him for two weeks.

I'm not sure whom is more excited.

I called his dad today and told him "thank you"  for running that ad in the paper all those years ago.  The dad replies, "We don't know what we would have done without you."  "No" I responded, "I don't know what I would have done without you."

Appreciation

In life, we don't need someone to tell us the good job we are doing.

We just need people to tell us, "I appreciate you".

Thank how far that would go.

"I appreciate what you did for me!"

You picked up my mail.

You went grocery shopping for me.

You did ANYTHING for me.

I appreciate you.

People don't say thank you often enough.

People take for granted what others do for them.

You need to come to my house with your dogs?  Okay, that works too.

You need to come to my house in July instead of October?

That works too.

Just appreciate that we are both adaptable.  Because, I will be appreciate you.

People are in my house

Even though I still have my kids whom live at home, they are with their dad for 50% of the time.  That means for 50% of the time, I live by myself.

Only I don't .

During the "50% of my free time" - I still spend on dr appts, hockey games and other activities.  Of course, I work more during that time, so I can be home with my kids, but society seems to think I have more time.

And, of course, I do.

Then, people come visit.

Relatives come visit with you.

Then there are parents in your house.  Teenagers in your house.  People never going away.

For years, I actually said, "I'm not sure how full time parents do it".  But then again, "I'm not sure I could be a a parent whom didn't live in the same city as my kids".

For me, this worked out.  My kids are "always with me".  Of course, so is everyone I love, but for someone whom lives alone part of the time, right now, there are people in my house. Lots of people!

And they have been here for a week!!!!

Windshields

"Some days, you are the windshield.  Some days, you are the bug"

Do you ever drive down back roads and find all you really see is bugs flying in your face? Wait, this actually happens on main roads too.

The windshield gets dirty.

When I was a kid, my dad always said when a bug hit the windshield "You know what was the last thing that went through that's bugs mind?"  "His, ass"

Geeve Um! ;-)

Then I remember learning the quote, "Some days you are the windshield, some days you are the bug".

I always thought it was better to be the windshield.  You are the protector.  You are are one whom keeps other things out.  I thought it would be bad to be the bug.

Then, yesterday, I was the windshield.

There was more shit thrown at me from people whom had no one else to blame other than me for their problems.

I'm a happy person.  And really, whom blames other people for their own unhappiness?  First, you should look in the mirror.

So, I was the windshield.

All I can tell you, is that all these years I thought the windshield was better than being the bug. I was wrong.

Restrictions

It's funny, when you can't have something - you want it more.  Is that just human nature?

There are several historical references on this  - from the Greeks - it's Pandora.  (And Pandora didn't actually open a box, but a jar).  From Biblical times, it's Adam and Eve.

Part of my giving up my morning addiction habit, I'm giving up more than the caffeine.  I'm also addicted to the habit.  Also addicted to all that other crap in the energy drink.

SO.........

This week, I've been following the formula of:

• No sugar substitutes
• No gluten
• No dairy
• No soy
• No corn

I forget the others, I figure, if I don't all I will be eating is spinach or some type of lettuce, but I can't eliminate everything in my life.

It's funny, the only thing I've really missed is my morning soda - so, I did have a club soda.  There is also a drink out there called Hi Ball (hiballer.com)  which is basically club soda with caffeine - which I've been waiting for FOR years.

I'm not substituting, I'm also not restricting myself.  I'm just not participating in a couple of things right now.

Oh, yeah - I'm sure alcohol is on the list of restrictions, (there are seven total) and that's been eliminated too.

I have been sleeping better.

Now I just dream of cheese. Or some other thing we aren't supposed to want.  The truth is my fridge is stocked with all of the things above. I can have anything I want, anytime I want.  I'm just going to wait for it. Or eliminate it from my wants.  But, my restricting it, I would want it more.

Cold Turkey

I don't drink coffee.

I love the smell of coffee.  But, for me, it's hot.  And unless, I'm freezing - I don't want anything hot to drink.  And by freezing, meaning I've been out in the cold and am about to have frost bite.  Even then, I don't want coffee - I want to go to the steam room at my club and stand there until I'm warm.

Coffee is served a million different ways.  To me though, unless you drink it black - that's not drinking coffee. That is some coffee drink.  You know the one where you add milk and flavor and a million other things. That is NOT coffee.

No, I grew up drinking sodas in the morning.  In fact, up until about 5 or 6 years ago, I don't ever remember not having a soda in the morning.

What is even worse, I would like it from the fountain.  Meaning a stop at a convenience store on the way to work every day.

I was fine with it, but realized too, that's a pain.

One year for Lent, I gave up my soda's.  I did fine.  In fact, I never went back.

Only I replaced it at the end of Lent with one of those Diet Energy Drinks.  Now that I think about it - it was probably longer ago than that, maybe 8 years ago.

I would periodically stop drinking those too - only to try and drink ice tea or a soda or diet soda here and there.

The truth is, I never really broke the habit.

I only have one a day.  First thing in the morning.  Sometimes, I would have two (not very often) - or a soda now and then.

Truth is, I don't like sodas anymore.  And really, I call my diet energy drink "My cancer in a can".  There is not one thing in that can of nutritional value or that isn't synthetic....

So, I stopped.  Well, the last one I had was on Saturday.  It's now Tuesday.

Yes, I've had a few headaches and keep wanting to take naps, but I think I may be through the hump.

This time, I didn't try to substitute it for anything else.  It's all or nothing.  Let's see how long this can last....

Lead with your heart

I have two nephews.  They are twins - only they look nothing a like - in fact, they even have their own birthdays.  (One was born before midnight, the other after)

My sister and I were not close as children.  Not really even close as adults.  But now, we are bit closer than we used to be - as I think we realize we might be the only sane ones we are related too, and that is probably even stretching it a bit.  (Us being the sane ones, that is)

Truth be told, I'm not that close to my nephews either.  But they are good kids and my sons have a GREAT relationship with their cousins.  I guess the fact that they are all boys.  All have Irish/Scottish names and ALL of the same grand-parents would make them, by default close.  In fact, genetically they are really half brothers - as my sister and I married brothers.   I know, I know, it sounds strange at first, but the moment you say "sisters married brothers" well, someone will say, "my Aunts did that too"

I digress.

My nephews just graduated from high school.  Two different high schools - as they have two very different personalities.

But like most people, we all have different things in common.

One of my nephews called me yesterday.  I can count on one hand how many times I have spoken on the phone to my nephews.

He was trying to figure out when my sons were going to be in Texas this summer - as all the cousins are trying to get there at the same time.  He said no one could tell him the dates, but he figured I would know (at least he knows that about me!)

As a graduation present, the twins went Skydiving.

I was really excited to ask about this, as it is on the list of things to do in my life.

Me:  "How was skydiving?"

Him:  "It was awesome."  (the answer I was expecting)

Him:  "Your stomach doesn't even drop"

Me:  "Really?"

Him:  "Yeah, it's not like a roller coaster.  Where your feet end up in front of you.  Or you just drop"

Me:  "What about when you jump out of the plane?"

Him:  "No, not at all, as you don't really jump, you lean forward and follow your heart."

Ahh, said Aunt Leasa.  When you lead with your heart, it's always okay..........

The Window Washer

Every year - usually just before Mother's Day - a guy shows up at my house and offers to wash the windows.

He will take the screens off.  Wash the screens AND the windows - all for $20.  I usually try to give him at least $30 - depending on how much cash I have around.  You have to give him a bucket and a bit of soap.

My windows looks great.  He doesn't always wipe the place on the bottom - between the screen and the pane, but hey, I'm only paying $20.

Some years he stops by twice.  Other years, he doesn't stop by at all.  This year, he stopped by today - a few months later than normal.  He even commented how dirty my windows were.

He puts on his music.  I usually give him a bottle of water.

The thing you CAN"T do?  Engage in a conversation with him.

Truth be told, I think he's homeless.  Or least doesn't live like the rest of us.  He noticed my iPhone and asked "is that one of those phone/music things?"  I didn't mention the camera too.

He's clean.  He does not smell like alcohol.  He works a honest days pay.  He goes house to house asking if he can wash their windows.

The first time I let him wash the windows was probably 5 years ago - at LEAST.

We don't let him in the house.  He keeps offering to clean a couple of the windows inside, that he can't get from the outside, but we say no thank you.  I make sure the boys aren't home with him alone.

A few years ago, I was telling a friend of mine about my window washer.  She told me, the next time he stops by, bring him to my house.

She has a two story house.  I think her bill was $40 dollars.  I'm sure she paid him $50.

We just had the conversation a few weeks ago regarding "William the Window Washer" and how he hadn't shown up this year.

Low and behold, he showed up today.  She's out of town with her son visiting a university.  I'll met the window washer at her house tomorrow - I forgot to call her husband today, letting him know someone was coming by to clean the windows.

When I sent her the text "I know you are out of town, but the window washer is here!".  I know I literally skipped when I saw him coming up the walk!

What a deal.  And more than that, here is someone whom is a limited in his mental capacity, yet being productive to society.

I don't ask more as he seems to talk to the space behind you.  But, he cleans my windows.  He cleans my friends windows.  He is clean he shows up once or so a year.

When you manage your expectations of other people in life - he exceeds them every time.....

Like you, only younger

I've written about this of friend of mine before.  

He is a dear friend.  A friend I've know for over twenty five years now.  In fact, next summer, my youngest son will be the same age (down to the week) he was when we met.  All those years ago.

His first wife was murdered.  Almost eight years ago.

It took a long time - he's re-married now.  He has a son.  He has a crazy wife.

I've tried.  Truly, I have tried.

I don't ever try to get someone to like me.  I don't "try" and be nice.  I just am, well, who I am.  Warts and all.  

I've played nice this time around.  I realize I'm very protective of my friend.  He's been through a lot.  We all think we have been though stuff - then well, when you say, "My friends wife was murdered", well, everyone agrees he wins the prize.

My teenagers think she is crazy too.  We all do.  We have all tried.  The entire group of us.  We are a welcoming bunch.  Just ask the boys, they think this group let us in - truth is, you don't have to welcome people in.  When people show up, you let them stay.  

Unless they try to change you.  

I could go on and on.  I could rant for days.  

Only, today, I will pray she finds peace in her life.  I really hope she can find it.  We are a really loving group.  Our group is patient.

Of course though, I have teenage sons involved in this relationship.  They get she is crazy.  It's actually funny to hear their version of the story.  

Today is my friends birthday.  I send him a text.  I sent him a message on Facebook - then I went to write something on her Facebook page.  Only I couldn't find it.  

Hmmmm..... That's odd.  Only, I was too busy to really think about it again.  Then I thought, "Hmm, maybe she got off Facebook"  (I do get the fact that it can be a bit much), only I sent a text to a friend of ours.  "Has she gotten off Facebook" - the reply "No, I can still find her".  

Then I have my oldest son look.  He finds her immediately.  Hmmm..... I've been blocked.  Seriously?

Are you really that insecure to block me from your friends list on Facebook of all places???? Was all I could really think.

The worst thing is that she will find out I figured this out.  (Although, sadly, I'm not sure how long it has been since she blocked me) Then she will apologize profusely.  And THEN, I will be so disgusted by the fact that begging just makes me sad,  and really all I wanted was for my friend to be happy.

As my oldest son and I are talking about all this, he says, "You know, what he needs to do is to break up with her (I had to remind him they were married and you don't just 'break up') and find someone whom is athletic, likes to do fun things and is adventurous".

"Someone like you mom." "Only younger"

I think that was a compliment.........And, I think at least, well, my son doesn't think I'm the craziest one around......

Cravings

You know how when you are on a diet, or "watching what you eat", when you suddenly want something you aren't supposed to have?

That extra piece of watermelon.  A cookie.  A glass of wine.  Chips and salsa.

Pick your vice.

So, what do you do instead of just eating that cookie?

You eat everything else around it.

The handful of carrots.

The yogurt with the fruit in it.

The non-alcoholic beer.

The kale chips.

Or pickles - as they are salty and crunchy, just no calories.

Then, you feel sick as you didn't just eat one of the things - you ate them all.

AND, what's worse?  You are still craving what you were craving in the first place.

I think you are better off, just giving in to your cravings.  You don't have to eat a bunch - or exactly what you wanted (maybe you have a sugar cookie versus a chocolate chip), but you need to come pretty darn close.

There is no sense and pretending it's not what you really want.

Thanks for dinner

Yesterday was my youngest son's birthday.

We had a great day.

We spent the morning at the DMV.  Then we went to Kona Grill for lunch.  I guess, if we can't be in Kona, well, then this is pretty close.

We had our Poke.  We had our fish tacos.  Their blender was broken, so he didn't get his Virgin Pina Colada.

Thinking about our summers in Kona.  A waitress delivered me a drink.  I hadn't ordered a drink, so when I refused, she said, well, I think it's from the woman over there?  No, I think that is her margarita.  And, in fact, it was.

Last year it was blind date, this year, it was just a wrong delivery of drinks!

We came home.  He went to be with his friends.

I finally text him around 5.  Dinner?

"Going to Paxti's"  (A pizza place around the corner where he and his friends go quite often).

At the last minute, I drive up there and pick up the check "for the boys on the patio".  They were just about to pay.  The waitress told them, "Some random stranger picked up your check, they said you had to leave the tip and pay it forward".

She said, they were all like "no way!"  "what!"  "Are you serious?".

I snuck out of the restaurtant, but I think I was spotted.  Not by him, but his friends.

I left the hostess my phone number, in case they didn't leave a tip.  I said I would come back and leave a tip.  She said, " those boys have been coming here since we opened two years ago, they always leave a tip."

I was dying to hear what they were saying.  I was hoping they hadn't seen me.  But I figured someone had given me away.

A couple of hours later, I sent a text asking where they were.

"We are at the school.  BTW, thanks for dinner". ;-)

I replied "Come get these cupcakes"  "BTW, I have no idea what you are talking about.  ;-) "

Just pay it forward......

BINGO

Today, my youngest son received his learners permit.

He's 15.  Today.

We were at the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicle) by 9:15am.  On his 15th birthday.  He now has his permit.

We had to wait about an hour.

Two weeks ago, I was with his brother the day AFTER he turned 16 and a half (the brother that is) to get his drivers license.  (In Colorado, you must hold your permit for a year, before you can get your drivers licence).

Not comparing here. Comparing things is stupid.  And, I don't think I've ever said anything is stupid.  But comparing, well that's stupid. We are all different.  But, can we tell the different personality types of these two boys?

Meanwhile, at the DMV - they call people based upon the service they need.  P719 was our number today.  I'm guessing the P has something to do with the permit.  Two weeks ago our number was B222.  Then there is T217 or X314 or B141.

I couldn't help it.  I quietly just said "BINGO".  My oldest son glared at me like it was the worst possible thing I could have said out loud.

Today, before we left for the DMV, I told my youngest son, "We get to go play BINGO at the DMV".  "What, really?"  He actually sounded excited! He had never been to the DMV, he had no idea.

We are sitting there.  They call "P719".  He looks at me and says "BINGO"

I guess he won.  I think he gets it.



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