The end of an era...

Dear Red Sled (aka "the Kari Kay car"),

I'm sorry about how tonight went.  I probably should have said good-bye or at least ACTED like I was sad to see you go.  I stripped you of your plates, removed everything personal and drove off with your replacement like it was nothing.   Truth is...it's been over for awhile now.

The last six years have been full of memories...some of them good and some of them bad.  We have been through a lot and gone a lot of places together.  Unfortunately, if I'm completely honest with myself I was unhappy from the day that I met you.  Granted, when I heard those Mary Kay Directors ask "Could you get excited about a free car?" the answer was an astounding "YES!"  I wanted you and I wanted you bad.  I worked SO HARD to earn you and couldn't wait to see you for the first time.  But truthfully, it was a disappointment and a step down from my previous car.  You were so plain...no sunroof, no tinted windows, no V6 engine, no bells and whistles.  Yes, you had those Mary Kay decals (that I had to stick on), but that was about it.  I tried to love you as my own and when the lease ran out, I struggled with what to do.  I almost walked away then, but with no better options, I stayed.  Over the years I've struggled with what to do and gone back and forth wondering if we could make it work.  And every time, I decided to hang on.  Until today.

I'm sorry that I didn't take better care of you.  I'm sorry that when that front windshield trim came loose I just tore it off and never replaced it.  I'm sorry when we hit that raccoon that I let that piece drag for awhile before using duct tape to bring it up off the ground.  I'm sorry that I wore a hole in the floor from my high heels.  I'm sorry that I didn't keep you clean and that I only got you detailed one time.  And really, that was only so I could get the best price for you.  I'm sorry that I let Hailee eat and drink and trash the backseat.  And I'm sorry that you had to hear her say "Mommy, let's get rid of this garbage can!"  

But you know what, it's not just my fault.  Sure, I could have given you more love, but really?  What did you expect me to do with all of that random ticking noise that I know you did just to drive me crazy!  Tick tick.  Tick tick tick.  I never knew when you were going to do it or what caused it, but it seems like you would choose those moments when one more thing was going to push me over the edge and then...tick....tick tick tick tick tick.  I tried to ignore you.  I even tried to make a fun little game out of it...hoping it would stop being fun for you.  "Hailee...our pet squirrel is making that noise again!"  It didn't work.

And then there was the driver side window.  I think you tried to get someone to steal you.  That's the only reason I can think that the key lock would be pushed INTO the door.  And every time I put the window down, the CLUNK CLUNK was a painful reminder of the fact that you didn't want to be with me anymore.

I hope you understand that it was time.  Time to let go.  I need more....more room...more power...more ability to go places that I want to go.  I hope you understand and I hope you find someone who will love you the way you deserve to be loved.

All the best,
Kari

(PS...for those of you who might be shopping for a 2004 Red Grand Am (come on, who isn't), don't buy it from Dennis Dillon.  Just sayin'.)

'Tis the season...

Those of you who know me well know that I'm a horrible procrastinator.  Every year I tell myself that I will get my Christmas shopping done early and be totally ready for Christmas.  I actually am!!!  I finished up my shopping this weekend and was feeling all "ahead of the game and stuff" and then realized that Christmas is only a few days away!  So I'm not as on top of things as I thought, but for me this is HUGE!   

I love Christmas and everything about it.  I love the decorations.  I love buying gifts for people.  I LOVE getting Christmas cards, especially now that everyone sends picture cards.  I love the parties.  I love the traditions.  I love the excitement in children.  I love the meaning. I even love the music.  The ONE thing I don't love?  Wrapping gifts. 

We have had our tree up since the day after Thanksgiving, but the only thing that's been under it is a tree skirt.  And, every once in awhile a little grey kitty who likes the tree skirt.  All weekend long I kept thinking "I really should wrap gifts," but thinking about it was as far as it got.

Well...tonight the best thing EVER happened!  Upon arriving home, Hailee saw the stack of presents (not hers, mind you) in my bedroom corner that accumulated last week and said "We should wrap presents!" 

Inside voice:  Excuse me, what? We? You want to help do this thing that I loathe?  I don't have to do it ALL?  And you WANT to do this?  Without me bribing you or saying Santa won't come if you don't?   

Outside voice:  What a great idea!  You grab the paper and the bows and I'll get the presents out to the living room! 

I have to say that it was the most fun I've had wrapping gifts and it will definitely be a team effort from here on out.  We chatted and giggled and talked about Christmas.  Apparently the child is just flat out disappointed in all of these kids that don't understand that we are celebrating Jesus's birthday, but that's a whole different post.

Now granted, I did most of the wrapping.  She did wrap one gift....beginning to end.  And, it will be pretty obvious to my family which one it is.  I wonder who the lucky winner will be..... But, I have to say that I'm no expert gift wrapper either and some of mine didn't turn out much better.  The gift tags, however, are AMAZING! :)  

It took her awhile, but as she finished up the one gift, I told her what I great job she had done and that I was really impressed.  "Yeah, mom....that's how I roll!"   

Oh dear...

With kids you just never know what is going to come out of their mouths and when.  Never.  Hailee and I were eating dinner tonight, just hanging out, not talking about anything and out of nowhere comes this: 

Mommy, if you have any friends that don't have a guy, did you know that there's a website they can go to?

Mom raises eyebrows and opens eyes wide....Gulp.  Oh really, and what website is that?

Well...I saw it on TV (at Daddy's house, mind you) and it's boys.com or something like that.  You basically get to go out and look at pictures of a bunch of boys and find the PERFECT guy just for you.  You just click around and see the boys and then they tell you how to fall in love.


boys.com, huh?  Might have to check that out.....  On second hand, I'm pretty sure I can guess what THAT actual site has on it and I'm pretty sure it's not the perfect guy.