Just. Breathe.

This is the house I grew up in. It was yellow back then. I made a quick trip to my momma's house today for a very important reason - tomorrow is her birthday. I surprised her today when I showed up on her porch with a flower delivery...rang the bell, then appeared behind the bouquet when she answered. [We'll save the "what are you doing answering the door when you can't see who it is?" discussion for later. I watch too much Criminal Minds.] We went shopping at a little boutique in Waco where they sell lovely candles, flavored olive oils, and lots of stuff I don't need.  Stop by if you're ever in town. It's a happy place.  Then we went to lunch, at a place whose name Mom couldn't remember. Yes, seriously. It's "that little place in the shopping center...I'll know it when we get there." For the record, the name is Taqueria #9 on Valley Mills. And it was definitely tasty. My sweet Momma Shrimp, beef, and chicken fa...

On Father's Day last year, I wrote this entry about my dad. It seemed only fair that this year my mom would get some attention. I'm the youngest of four - two boys, two girls -- by quite a bit. My siblings are 7, 9, and 11 years older than me, which of course means I'm the favorite. :-) Not really. But it does mean that I got to have Mom to myself a little more than the others. Just a few quick memories: Running lines for my various plays Listening to her sing in church Wishing my fingernails were long and pretty like hers Watching her take care of my baby girl when we came home from the hospital Fish sticks and french fries on Wednesday nights Endless games - card games, board games, dominos For the longest time, if I had to pick a word to describe my mom, I would have chosen "soft." Her skin was soft, and she had a gentle personality - at least that's how it seemed to me. It could have been in contrast to my dad, who was outgoing and louder, a...