APOLOGY

For those of you who have continued to read my blog on a regular basis I have to say I'm sorry for ignoring you but I have found a new love. Thanks to my grandson Nick, I am learning to play Texas Hold'em on the Internet.
As anyone who knows me knows Las Vegas is my favorite place. I keep saying it's because of the glam, the glitter but we all know it's because of the gambling. When I'm there I only play the slots because even though I know how to play poker, I'm always afraid of betting wrong or making a fool of myself so I stand and watch but never have the nerve to sit in. I watch all the hold'um games on TV, even Poker after Dark which comes on at 3 am but never could pick up the betting, when to check, when to raise and when to go "all in". So now I can practice for free. Yes I am playing for free.
Nick showed my how to sign in, what games to play and how to maneuver around the table. When it came to playing I was on my own.
MY FIRST GAME: One of the problems with free play is at times you have to wait for long periods to get in a game and when you do there are thousands of players from all over the world. OK, I decide on a game and sit and wait for 45 minutes to register. Finally I register and within a minute there are 9000 players signed up. Again you wait for another 20 minutes or so before the game begins. I was nervous counting down, 5 minutes to go. 3 minutes to go, 1 minute. Game starts. You start out with $1,500 chips. Bet, raise, fold. Lost again. Fold. Fold. All in (hurray a win). Fold, Bet. It was going so fast around the table I was getting lost. A couple of more bets. Lost, Lost, Lost. and 2 minutes after starting this game I was broke and out and I didn't know what happened.
So waiting 65 minutes with sweaty palms and racing heart I was out in 2 minutes.
Most people will say this is dumb but someone who likes to gamble even for free will practice, practice, practice until I get it right. I have played several games since then. I am figuring out how to register for different games so it doesn't take so long and I am staying in longer which means I'm starting to figure out what is happening during the game but I have a long way to go. So if as a friend you don't hear from me much don't worry that I'm dead of a heart attack in my bed. I'm just practicing Texas Hold'em for Vegas. Oh by the way My table name is ko4bucks. If you come across me at the tables, you better fold cause I'm out to win.

BEING A GRANDMOTHER

When I got a call from my 21 year old grandson Nick asking if he could come stay with me there was not a hesitation in my answer. Not only are my grandkids my heart but I always told them I would be there for them and I felt proud that he knew he could turn to me. I said "of course" hung up the phone and instantly started cleaning out the spare room. Where the hell did all that junk come from? It's such a small room.

Several hours later it hit me like a dart between the eyes, he's 21 not a child, a grown man. As an over protective grandmother I'm going to smother him to death. I can't be following him around the house, he's not a toddler who will trip and hurt himself. I can't ask who's he talking to on the phone, it's none of my business. And I can't tell him over and over again "pull your pants up", he'll wear them any way he wants. So after going over the normal house rules, pick up after yourself, here's the washer and dryer learn how to use it, and call when you are going to be late, he hung his clothes up and settled in.

Then all hell broke loose. I started to feed him. He looks like he weighs 100 lbs. soaking wet but eats like a 400lb. wrestler. I have shopped with Peapod for several years so the first week I told Nick to sit down and order what he likes. After taking out a loan and looking in the delivered bags to see chips and pop and ice cream and steaks and more chips and more steaks my comment to the Peapod guy was OMG. He asked what is happening cause has delivered to me several times and this is not the norm.

He eats and gets up from the table to look in the fridge to see what's next. He eats again. Dinner in the oven cooking is only a signal that is time for an appetizer so a sandwich or a large salad with all the added goodies and a dish of ice cream will hold him 10 minutes till I get dinner on the table. It's a sight to see.

And of course the arrow in the heart for someone who looks at food and gains 10lbs is this skinny love of my life get down on the floor and works out daily so he can start eating all over again. It's grand to be 21 but wait until he hits 40 and his eating habits stay the same. Hopefully he will be living on his own happily ever after feeding me in the style I've become accustom to.

AND HE IS ALWAYS SMILING

MOTHERS DAY

At times during the last couple of days I thought about what my blog would cover for Mothers day. There are several directions as a daughter, a mother and a grandmother of 8 that I could go. Unfortunatly due to an accident yesterday, my Baby got hit by a car. She has an injured front right leg which, at first, I did not think was broken but as time passes I am getting more concerned. It seems to be getting worse. I have talked to the on call vet last night and from what I described he did not feel it was broken either but prescribed baby aspirins and rest. If it is not better by tomorrow bring her in, he said, which of course I will do. But this sure puts a damper on Mothers Day.

First of all, like a neglectful mom, I was not home. I was out doing volunteer work, which should lessen my guilt some but every time I look at her hobbeling around here on 3 legs I feel awful. She just lays there looking at me, telling me with her eyes, "this hurts" and "where were you"?

I have tried to make her as comfortable as possible but she won't tell me what she wants. For 4 months I have been trying to teach her she can not pee in the house no matter what. Now I have spread carpeting all over the kitchen (she loves to pee on carpeting)and told her feel free to go whenever you need to. I will be glad to clean up after her. No! Now she has decided the only place to go is in the back yard which means carrying her up and down the stairs. I am feeding her by hand cause I don't want her to move too much and of course giving her more treats then she deserves.

So no matter if it's a child or a dog or whatever mothering never stops. Mothers Day or not. Enjoy the day and thank God all are healthy no matter who, child, pet, friend, or neighbor.