Mome reads Mommy, My daughter's way to spell it when she was younger... It stuck. My son calls me Mome... just like it looks. I now sign all my notes to them "Love, Mome". It's our inside secret and makes them smile. I always want them to smile.

Monday, September 4, 2023

It's been 6 years

6 Years since my last post.  I remember a time, not so long ago, that my laptop was the thing I kept closest.  Always on it, trying to connect, share my messy life, vent, whatever I needed to "get out".  Drinking wine while getting the never ending thoughts out of my head, hoping they would quiet.  Sometimes it worked.  Sometimes it didn't.  

The last 7 years have been some of the most challenging and some of the absolute best, all at the same time.  Those 11 and 13 year old babies I last posted about are 17 and 20 now.

  Time goes that fast. 

 I found a partner who may not be perfect (who is?), but is exactly what I needed.  He is perfect FOR me.

I no longer look for my laptop to pour all my feelings out to.  I have a person who is a damn good listener and bright young adults whose banter and minds fascinate me.  I have it all, within our 4 walls.  

That's not going to be the case forever.  I can feel it slipping.  It'll be time for them to leave soon. I know that's how it works. That doesn't make me more ready.

They are almost ready to fly.  I'm going to focus on getting them there with all I have.

Mome no longer needs wine.  

It's been a blast


Thanks for listening.

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Red Guitar ~ Wine Review



Hailing from Spain, This Red Guitar Navarra is a combination of Tempranillo(55%) and Garnacha(45%). The label jumped out at me and begged me to purchase it. I will add it to my label collection (another wine/art project in the works).

The Spaniards believe in living la bueno vida (the good life). It is evident in their music, food and wines and this blend is a perfect example of their enthusiasm for the finer things.

Wine Maker's Notes~

Tempranillo(pronounced temp-ran-ee-oh)

Tempranillo is Spain's star native grape and is fairly low in sugar and acid content, but with brilliant aromatics and bright fruit characters. It tends to be extremely age worthy and ideal for blending with

Garnacha
(also known as Grenache)

Garnacha is the most widely planted grape variety in the world and thrives in warm, dry regions. It produces wines of great concentration and flavor, with explosive raspberry fruit characters and soft tannins.

Red Guitar Old Vine Tempranillo Garnacha
Together, these varieties combine to produce a rich, smooth and luscious wine full of ripe raspberry and blackberry flavors on a long, soft finish.


My Notes~

Color~ Purplish red, bold and translucent.

Aroma~ Smokey cherries with cinnamon.

Taste~ Raspberries with a hint of vanilla and oak. Medium bodied with a long, smooth finish.

Vision~ This flavorful varietal makes me envision my many (okay, 3) Vegas vacations. It would be great alone to sip on while playing in the casino, and could hold up to any fair, whether it was accompanying a fine grilled fillet or entertaining my palate with one of the bountiful buffets. It would go well with either.

Check it out for yourself. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Sunday, May 14, 2017

My Thoughts on Mother's Day

I am the Mome (mom-e) to an 11 and 13 year old.  I never wanted anything more than to be a Mom.  I don't want my kids to celebrate me.  Maybe later.  When they are parents, and they "get it".
 Today, I just want to remember all the reasons I wanted them.  All the reasons they make me laugh, and smile, every single day.  I don't need a DAY.  I get them every single.

I do, however, want them to realize how important this day can be.

Not for me.  I swear.

For them.

I want so much more for them.

I want my son to find a woman who he cherishes.  Who he would do anything for.  Who loves him beyond anything monetary or physical.  I want him, after children, to worship the woman who gave him children.  Not because she did, but because she shows him, every day, how grateful she is to and for him.

For my daughter.  I want a love, so fierce, that she never questions, when he is away from her, whether or not he thinks of her.   Never.  I want her to miss the hell out of him.  And him, her. I want her to find a man that would do ANYTHING to make smile.

I thought I had that.  It wasn't meant to be.  We made Amazing kids.  Amazing.  I will always be grateful for that.  We drifted.  We weren't One.  I so wanted to "make it right".  "For the kids."

In the end.  I looked at my 4 year old daughter and KNEW that the only way she would have the chance of finding FOREVER is if I let go of my FOREVER dreams.

I needed her to not be willing to settle.  Nothing is worse than unhappy and loveless.

Put your kids first.  Model, FOR them, what you want for them.

Find your Happy.

Don't settle for less.

Kids are watching, 

Sunday, August 14, 2016

I have a Confession

I have a confession to make.

I'm hoping it helps someone else or, at least, gets me some wisdom on how to stop.

My brain has been over processing as of late and the only way to turn it off is to blare music, through earbuds, whenever I need to turn it off.  I've started listening to my therapeutic music on my way to work, and into the building, and while doing my opening tasks.  It calms my brain and gets me ready for the day.

One error in judgement can cause so much torment.

I've been laughed at, joked about, and even received texts to remind me of my error.

I wish I could say I won't do it again.

I said that after the first time.

I did make it almost 2 weeks before it happened again.

It happened again.

Please let my story help you.  I may be alone in this but, it will happen to someone else.

I can't be the only one.

I.  Just.  Can't.

Here is what I've learned...

When you get out of your car at work, all wrapped up in your jams,  you should always, and I mean ALWAYS, make sure you've turned your car off.  You'll know this if you take your keys out of the ignition and make sure you have them,

Or, like me, you can do this...


Text your friends a picture of your keys.

So they know.

You're car will not be running, unlocked, in the parking lot, for the next 5 hours.

For the third time.


I have a Confession

I have a confession to make.

I'm hoping it helps someone else or, at least, gets me some wisdom on how to stop.

My brain has been over processing as of late and the only way to turn it off is to blare music, through earbuds, whenever I need to turn it off.  I've started listening to my therapeutic music on my way to work, and into the building, and while doing my opening tasks.  It calms my brain and gets me ready for the day.

One error in judgement can cause so much torment.

I've been laughed at, joked about, and even received texts to remind me of my error.

I wish I could say I won't do it again.

I said that after the first time.

I did make it almost 2 weeks before it happened again.

It happened again.

Please let my story help you.  I may be alone in this but, it will happen to someone else.

I can't be the only one.

I.  Just.  Can't.

Here is what I've learned...

When you get out of your car at work, all wrapped up in your jams,  you should always, and I mean ALWAYS, make sure you've turned your car off.  You'll know this if you take your keys out of the ignition and make sure you have them,

Or, like me, you can do this...


Text your friends a picture of your keys.

So they know.

You're car will not be unlocked, running, in the parking lot, FOR THE NEXT 5 HOURS.

For the third time.


Monday, May 30, 2016

Guilty Pleasures... Once Upon A Vine ~ Big Bad Red Blend

Reposting from 8/1/13.  Still one of my favorites



I recently came across this blend at the grocery store... Now I'm seeing it everywhere... and it's delicious and just shy of $10.  Winning!

The label caught my attention.  This is how I find most my wines.  1. Label 2. Price.  Not that I won't spend more, but for a first time try, I'm unlikely to splurge on something I may not like.  I have trusty sources, I believe when they tell me wines are good, I'll look for those.  I also like to share with them wines I like.  This is one of those.

Filled with dark berry flavors, chocolate and a good amount of peppery spice.  This wine is smooth and has a lengthy finish.

Winemaker NotesA blend of several red varietals, The Big Bad Red blend appeases our inner dark side, satisfying that craving for the bold and daring. The wine leads with a bramble of berries, dark black plum and root beer flavors, framed by toasted spices. Fleshy and ripe, the palate delivers layers of black fruit with a savory and spicy character. Supple tannins hold flavors into a long, lasting finish. A perfect pairing for a dark and stormy night.
Varietal33% Merlot, 25% Syrah, 11% Cab, 9% Zinfandel, 9% Tannat, 6% Grenache, 7% other reds

I have another NEW guilty pleasure, and the wine complimented it wonderfully.



  
Seriously.  The crackers, I found last year when my parents came to visit and brought them along.  We've gone through several boxes at work... and I'm not the only one bringing them in... they are THAT good.  The cream cheese spread, I came across by accident.  It was meant to be.

 Perfect snack.

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Dear Ex MIL

Dear Ex MIL,

I know you care dearly for your grandchildren.  I appreciate everything you have and continue to do for them.
I understand that you feel my style of parenting isn't up to your Christian standards, and I'm okay with that.  I am not okay with you constantly bashing my parenting style to my children and to other adults in their presence.  You are not building an allegiance with them, you are alienating your relationship with them.  These are two of the smartest, well-adjusted under the circumstances, and confident children I know and I refuse to let you make them think less of themselves because they are not being raised the way you think they should be.
I am always looking for better ways to do things, to better myself, and to be the best single parent I can be.  If you want to share some wisdom or thoughts you have, please contact me.  Using the children to get your thoughts to me doesn't ever send a clear message.  Their interpretations leave you on the short side of the conversation and makes them feel like they have to choose sides.  They do not.
You can expect whatever you want from them while they are at your house.  I make that clear to them.  Grandma's house, Grandma's Rules.  You can NOT dictate to them how things happen at my house.  Period.  It's laughable that you try.
I understand that you have raised a child and therefore think you know what's best.  Maybe you should revisit that thought.
Your grown child lives with you and is reliant on you for his every basic need.
Maybe your way wasn't the right way.
Maybe my way isn't the right way.
I get to choose.
I'll adapt as I see fit.

We all love our children and think they are they greatest ever.
I don't love my children any less that you love yours.
I am raising them to be able to stand on their own and be productive members of society.
We can compare notes when you have achieved the same.

Sincerely,
Your Ex DIL