Leslie's Random Thoughts

Life according to Leslie! Daily thoughts, and random stories about real life, and everyday issues, as seen through the eyes of an ordinary person.

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Location: Aurora, Colorado, United States

I have always enjoyed writing, and I used to keep a journal, but now that I have been married for 10 years, and have two kids, I don't have the time to sit down and write. I have come to realize, I have not been getting the outlet I need, so I began sending a random thought to my friends and family each morning. I have discovered new things about myself, my friends, my family, and about life!

Friday, June 22, 2007

Just a Dumb Truck Driver

Dream.
Do you dream?
Do you know what it is you are truly seeking?
Do you need to make your mark or do you just not know that you already have?
Just a dumb truck driver. Phrase is echoing in my mind. My husbands step father has a dream. A business idea and it is a wonderful idea. And my husband relayed a bit of info to me, that his step-dad had told him he was just trying to make his mark and that he doesn't want to be just a dumb truck driver.
I was instantly surprised, shocked, and numbed. I knew exactly how he felt. I have been there a million times. I am meant for something more, I am more, I am going to leave a mark. But the feelings have subsided since my faith has grown and I have come to realize, my life is more than I thought.
We watch him struggle with this business idea, watch him in a business world that he is not accustomed to, and it's like a fish out of water. But he has a dream, and he hasn't stopped, and for that he is to be applauded. He is making it happen.
I think of my sons. I think of the elation that overcomes them when Grandpa walks in the room. The squeals of joy and complete chaos he causes and I don't see a dumb truck driver or someone who has not left his mark.
I see the mark he has left on his grand kids and now he is showing them how to dream and how to go after that dream. They are learning what hard work is and what kind of character it can build.
If it all fails tomorrow, it won't make a difference to three little people I know. In their mind Grandpa is the best, and no matter what he does, he has left his mark on what matters most. It's not about paying for their college education or buying them their first car. It's not about having a business to keep in the family. It should be about faith, hope, love. All the things that God deems as being what is so great about these tiny lives we lead. It doesn't matter if you gross 4 million a year, or 4,000. It's about the love you give out.
You don't have to make your mark on the world to be something. You make your mark as a dumb truck driver with a dream and a prayer. You make your mark on what matters most, Michaella, Joseph, and Nicholas.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Remember the Multi-Vitamin

Father's Day is approaching, and the older I get, the more I realize I am behind. I keep waiting until the last minute to do things, not on purpose, it just seems to happen that way. My head buried in kids, job, and house, I keep remembering at the last minute or even a minute too late that something important is approaching! To combat this, I have put a very large calendar on the refrigerator, which is probably the most used appliance in our house, next to the washer and dryer. I figure nothing will get over looked if I put it near food.
I have been taking a multi-vitamin, but it doesn't seem to help with my memory. We completely missed Nick's "transition" celebration at school. He moved from Infants to Toddlers. How did we miss that? Well....let's see, we were so preoccupied with Joey's Pre-School Graduation the day before, that we completely overlooked poor little Nick Nick. That and, I think I forgot to read the newsletter completely.
I know I bought several boxes of Kleenex, but I can't remember where I put them, and after I made Joey's lunch last week, I walked out of the house and forgot it. This was after I reminded him and myself to grab it.
Then I did it again with my step-mom's birthday. I wrote it down, I did a task reminder on my computer on Friday. I even thought about it Saturday. Sunday arrived, her birthday came and went, and when did I remember it? Monday morning.
Multi-vitamin is good for my body, now I just need something for the brain. Ginkobaloba? Can't remember what that stuff is, maybe it will help.
I have noticed that the more activities the boys get involved in, the more frazzled my brain becomes. Joey's activates at school, and his karate, and swim lessons, got to remember all the important days he needs his school shirt and don't forget his lunch everyday. Nick needs to wear tennis shoes, no sandals, he plays outside and goes for walks at school. Don't forget, we have Nick's doctors appointment and Joey needs a shot record and a copy of his birth certificate for Kindergarten. Did I get Nick dressed this morning? Can't remember.
I am overloaded with tid bits to remember and remind myself about. I should write it all down, but I am bound to forget where I left the note. I started a grocery list, not sure where I put it, and I know there was something important on there, but I can't remember. I should start video taping myself. John wanted something at Sam's Club for Father's Day, but I am drawing a blank, I hope it was the mega-pack of socks, but I am not sure, I don't recall.
What is that multi-vitamin supposed to do? I'll have to re-read the label, because I don't remember. Not sure it is helping me out much.
Maybe sitting in front of a computer screen all day is rotting my brain. TV rots your brain. Doesn't that sound like something your mother would say to you? Maybe it was true. Maybe she was right and now because I ate the watermelon seeds, a watermelon plant is going to grow out my ear. Can't separate the accurate from the inaccurate anymore.
Damn multi-vitamin, making me hallucinate. Can't remember why I am taking it, I think because I like to have heart burn when I take it with no food, can't be sure, I'll have to re-read the label.
I don't think I am getting old. I just think the longer you live and that with each year that goes by, you have much more information to remember. At some point your brain needs to purge info right? Maybe that is why I have lost my grocery list, those cute earrings I like and can't find, the dinosaur pajamas I bought Joey a few months ago, and no clue where Nick's other sandal is, and why I don't remember why I started taking the multi-vitamin.