A Composition Book, Diamond, and The Wandering Gnomes

Have you ever parked your car and forget where you parked it??? No, not after pulling a bar bender, but just going to the grocery store??? More of that in a few minutes.

You know how kids are - or at least my kids. "Hey mom, I'm gonna need a composition book for school tomorrow." And you wonder to yourself, why didn't you tell me this sooner? So off to Wal-Mart to get a composition book. (Just a side bar, when did they start calling them "Composition Books?" I thought they were just notebooks? Hhhmm, I must be getting old.) Anyway, we get the composition book along with eight other items and head to the check out. Luckily, we meet the requirements for the express checkout lane. In and out in record time and we come to a complete halt. Up ahead is that one person who tries to charge; their card doesn't go through and then they dig around in their purse to find enough pocket change to pay for their summer sausage, wheat thins, and beer...oh bother. So while the great penny search continues, I take inventory of the shoppers standing in line. And in one lane over; I watched it happen.

There was a lady, in one of those scooter carts, who was trying unload her cart when all of a sudden a gal from further back in the line came up and finished unloading the cart for her. I knew right then and there that I wanted to meet her. Our nine items sacked and paid for, I tell Gray to hold on a minute because I wanted to go meet this lady. She only nodded. The entire time that we were at Wal-Mart she had been on the phone talking to one of her friends. Head-to-toe snapshot: nice shoulder-length wig, short cropped jacket with fur-lined hood, brown leggings (maybe a bit too small), and flip flops. I extended my hand and I said, "My name is Donna and I saw what you just did." She looked at me quizzically and I continued by saying, "I saw you unload that lady's groceries and I wanted to thank-you for be kind." She finally extended her hand and said her name. I said, "Oh, Diana it is nice to meet you." She corrected me and said, "It's Diamond." Okay-dokey....I am sure this the first and only Diamond I have ever met. I asked her why she did that. She said, "Because she needed help." I nodded and said, "Well I noticed and I just wanted to say thank-you." How refreshing to see a neighbor helping a neighbor and I am not sure I would have believed it if I wouldn't have seen it with my own eyes. I walked back over to Gray and finally off the phone, she asked why I went over there. I re-told her what I saw and laughing she told me, "That lady looked scared when you walked over to her." "Really?", I said. And she said, "Oh yeah." I guess it might appear sort-of odd to have a stranger walk up to you and have them tell you their name. I shrug and momentarily ponder the thought and then tell Gray, We gotta go."

Out the door and to the car. Just one hitch - I can not for the life of me remember where I parked. Yes, I became that person.....the wandering gnome with grocery sacks. In and out of cars, up and down the rows. Gray is embarrassed and walking about 15 feet behind me and the more I walk....the more dumb-founded I become. Where the heck did I park???? I turned to ask Gray and she pretends that she doesn't know and gets on the phone and calls one of her friends to tell them we are lost in the Wal-Mart parking lot. Did I mention that I wasn't wearing a coat and it was about 30 degrees with a brisk wind? Then with a gust of wind it hits me. We came in through the other door- on the other side of the store. HAHAHA - I laugh out loud. With provisions in hand, we trek to the other side of the parking lot. Yup, right where I left it......I am such a goober sometimes. Once in the car, Gray tells me who she is talking to......can you guess who?? MacKenzie...of Brudy's family fame. Well, at least I only lost my car for 10 minutes.

Bowling, Band, and PETA

When I was little as I always thought people worked at occupations because they liked it. If you were a milkman - you liked cows and milk; if you worked as a fireman - you liked to save people and had a slight fascination with fire; and if you worked a a bowling alley you liked to bowl. I have grown a bit wiser as I've aged, but I still think that if you work at a bowling alley - you should at least bowl. Not true with my next stranger. I walked into the Rowlett Bowl A Rama and the only people there where the employees and myself. So I walked up to the counter, interrupted what appeared to an early dinner from Sonic, and rattled off my spiel about meeting a stranger a day; extended my hand and said, "Hi, my name is Donna." He extended his hand and told me that his name was Paul. I asked what I thought was an obvious question, "So how well do you bowl?" And his answer surprised me. "I am not a bowler - don't know anything about bowling and I can only bowl if the bumpers are up." In my head I screamed, WHAT, How is that possible?? And then without a filter, my outside voice said the same thing except I didn't yell it. Paul explained that he had been laid off from Starbucks and on a trip back from the lake he decided to stop in and see if they were hiring. He said that he had to go through three interviews before he got the job (I am guessing that might be about right for a guy who doesn't know a thing about bowling). He went to tell me league bowling happens every night and Tuesday's are $2 beer and $2 bowling. For me, a girl who loves to bowl, that sounds like a return trip on another Tuesday.

While I was at the bowling alley, I also officially met David. I had seen David before at the Sachse High School football games and knew he was a band parent, but I did not know who he belonged to - until then. He told me that he was the dad of Brandon and Brittany who played in the band. "Oh, I know Brandon. Our son, Mason, is friend's with Brandon." He nodded in agreement. I told him that I thought he was still managing Chuck E. Cheese and he told me he was, but he was now back at the Bowl A Rama. He told me that Brandon was bound for the University of Houston after graduation and I told him congratulations. I told David that I was glad that I could now put face and name together. I wished them both a good day and headed out the door.

I am glad that Paul was able to find a job after being laid off. But in my humble opinion, I think working in a bowling alley and not like bowling is like having a PETA supporter work in a butcher shoppe.....it just seems weird.

Bi-Level Haircuts, School Zones, and Lynette

I have seen her almost every morning since the school year began. She is out there in the rain, snow, and the heat with whistle around neck and stop sign in hand - she makes sure that the children going to Hudson Middle School and Sewell Elementary School get across the street without incident. She is the crossing guard and I had always planned on having her be one of my strangers to met, but I never seemed to get around to it. And truth be told, I was more times than not usually still in my pajama bottoms (which are lounge pants) and sweatshirt when I drop Grayson and her car pool companions off. However, I had my opportunity to meet her on Friday night - no not after school, but Friday night after Grayson's play. The cast were having their taking photos and I was at the back of the auditorium when I noticed her talking to some other parents. So I waited until she was finished and I walked over and said, "You are the cross-walk lady, right?" And she said, "Yes, I had to come support my kids. The ones who cross the street." I told her that I had see her everyday and wonder about her on the days that she is gone. And then, I extended my hand and told her that my name was Donna. She extended her hand as well and I was shaking hands with Lynette. I chuckled when I said that I would have stopped sooner to meet, but I was usually in my lounge pants and sweatshirt. She said she had seen worse - she even once saw a man in his t-shirt and boxers. Oh boy, I think that I could have even found enough time to get my drawers covered. She went on to explain that she is not an employee of the school district, but is actually employed by the Sachse Police Department and has been doing it for five years. I was surprised because I thought cross guards were employed by the school district and she said that most were, but not in Sachse. She has even gone to court to testify when people wanted to contest the tickets they receive in school zones. I am sure she could tell a story or two about the stuff she sees. I thanked her for coming to the play and told her that I would give her a shout out on Monday morning when dropped off the girls.

So this morning, as we approached the school and the cross-walk, I rolled my window down. As I got ready to turn the corner - I yelled out my window, "Hey Lynette. How's it going?" She hollered back, "Hey girl, good to see you." As I rolled my window back up, Grayson in a mortified squeal says, "What are you doing, Mom?" I said I met Lynette on Friday night at the play and promised to give her a shout out this morning. I truly think that if all three girls could have - they would have crawled in the trunk or under the flat - right there.....they were embarrassed that I had the nerve to call out to her. They told me she had funny haircut and I said oh no, she doesn't - I had a bi-level (now sometimes called a mullet. However, a mullet is totally different than bi-level) when I was in college and it was stylish. Gray stated - that was a long time ago. I figure if you have ever worn a bi-level haircut - you have to stand-up for those chicks that still do. Unless of course they are in prison and have a nickname of Tank; head-up a motorcycle gang and are named Tiny; or Kate Gosselin who wears the reverse mullet - I think they can all stick up for themselves and don't need my support.

I got the girls dropped off and as I cruised through the intersection, I gave a Lynette a wave good-bye. And here is where I get on my soap-box about school zones. I think people who go over the speed limit in school zones are punks, I think that tickets for speeding in school zones should start at $500, and to confirm - I honk at people who speed through school zones. Slow down going through school zones - they are children; not deers bounding through a field.

Dog Dancing in Traffic and Scooby-Doo Success

Success - I have attached the photo of the Scooby-Doo Mystery Van. It took me a while but, I finally found the van at home. Parked my car in alley; jumped out and had to endure the cat calls from the kids at South Garland Senior High as I took photos. I am not sure what they said, but I was not about to detour from my mission of getting a least a good shot of the van. There was one thing that I thought funny was a faded,weather-worn "Jimmy Buffet for President" sticker on the back bumper. I picture Shaggy as a Parrot-head, but not sure that Velma and Freddie would have approved. And to confirm, I would have gotten more pictures, too, if wasn't for the meddling kids.

So I am driving down Miller Road with no particular place to go (hey, isn't there a song there?) and a Garland Animal Control truck goes whizzing by me with its lights flashing. First, I didn't realize Animal Control trucks had flashing lights - I guess for emergencies and; Second, in my day, didn't we just call it the dog-catcher no matter what they were "catching"? Like a mosquito drawn to fresh skin, I decided that I had to follow the truck and see first-hand what the emergency might be. I stay just far enough behind it as not to impede the hunt. And what to my wandering eyes do appear, another Garland Animal Control truck, parked in a turning lane, with its lights on. What the heck could they be after that would require two trucks??? I told myself, by dang, I was going to find out. About that time, a "dog-catcher" went running into traffic chasing a big ol' black and brown dog that looked like a Mastiff to me. The truck I was following pulls over; flashers on; jumps out pole in hand that had a noose on the end and takes off in full sprint after the dog. Two men chasing a dog that is going in and out of traffic and when they tried to close in - it was just like a cartoon. He went right in between them and took off in the opposite direction. Both dog-catchers (dc's) run back to their trucks, make u-turns and head back in direction of dog-on-the-run. I go up to the next available intersection and make a u-turn and follow in quick pursuit. It was really like watching a cartoon because every time the dc's got out to chase him or try to corral him - he would dart off in the other direction. When they juked; he jived. He went right; they went left and then he would do the fake out and head back to the right. At this point, I was rooting for the dog! I slowed my car down and actually got stuck behind him as other cars went around me. But it did allow front row action. And all of sudden, that crazy dog was heading right toward my car and for a second, I thought it was going to jump across my hood. It was like slow-motion. He came toward my car - his head was going side-to-side, his jowls were flapping and with turn of his head big wads of dog spit would go flying. I could have washed my car with the amount of spit that flew onto my car. The dog goes by and the dc goes by and looks at me like "don't even think about getting out of your car." Trust me dude, it never even crossed mind once I saw the size of the dog and his teeth. This cat and mouse game went on for another 15 minutes and I finally found a spot in a parking lot to watch the dog and dc dance. They finally got him corralled in a front yard and my dc "roped" him and drug him to his truck and loaded him in. I was on the other side of the road and down a bit so when he pulled away - I knew that I had follow him and make him my stranger for the day.

By the time I cut across traffic and going in the same direction, I thought I had lost him. But I finally found him parked in an alley behind a warehouse. I pulled up behind him and he probably thought I was the dog's owner. But as I approached him I said, "So you guys finally got him." He said, "Yes, I am just cooling down. That is about the most excitement we get." I asked if a owner had called the dog in missing and he said that a school over on Dairy and Centerville had called to say there was a dog running in and out of traffic and school was getting ready to let out. Now mind you, when they caught him he was at Miller and First streets which was a heck of a haul for a dog being chased. I said, "My name is Donna" and extended by hand. He did the same and I was shaking hands with Drew of the Garland Animal Control Services. I asked what kind of dog it was and he told me it was a Rottweiler and went on the say to me, "Man, I got hot chasing him so I had to pull off my jacket." I nodded in agreement and said, "Yeah, I saw that." Then, an awkward pause of silence and realizing I really had noting less to say - I wished him a good day and good luck with the dog.

The one thing I pondered, as I headed toward home, is how many Animal Control officers would it take if there had been a loose coyote??? I don't even want to know, but I hear it on the scanner - I 'm there!!!

Lions, Tigers, and Deer - Oh My....

Nothing screams "go meet a stranger there" than a giant fish on top of the building. I found it quite by accident when I was cruising the one-way streets around old downtown square in Mesquite to get over to the Mesquite BBQ. So once done at the BBQ, I cruised back around the square until I found a parking spot and headed to the store front right below the fish.

I was a little nervous as I pushed the door open. I had never been to a place like this before and yet I curiously excited as I walked through the door. And the minute I crossed the threshold, I thought I might throw-up right there. I was met with an odor that I had not planned for......a smell that burned my nostrils. I had just walked into the A-1 Sportsman Taxidermy Shop and to say the least - there was a lot to take in. There was a gentleman behind the counter conversing with a man and two young boys and a large black dog sauntered up to me and gave me a couple of good sniffs. I turned to see where the dog came from and came face to face with, what I thought was, a moose and later learned was an elk. There were deer heads, elk head and shoulder mounts, life size bobcats, rabbits, fish on the wall and/or in the counter case. They were really beautiful in a scary sort-of way. And in the middle of the room was a large (long and wide) table that I quickly deduced was the "working" table. It had tools, head molds, boards, push pins, etc. scattered about the table. I am just standing there trying to take in everything without going into sensory overload slowly turning around and around. And then the gentleman behind the counter asks if he can help me. I am sure I looked out of place with my purse and note pad and he probably thought I was going to try to sell him something. I told him that I didn't want to interrupt his transaction and he said that he was done. So I moved over to the counter; extended my hand and told him that my name was Donna and continued with my spiel. I was shaking hands with Steve, the owner of A-1 Sportsman Taxidermy and big hunter looking Steve asked me, "What in the heck made you decide to come in here?" I told him, "Couldn't pass up the giant fish on the building and I have never been in a taxidermy shop before. So, why not." He laughed and shook his head. And then I heard in a small voice, "You can meet us too." So I met Alex, his brother Patrick and their dad, John. They were there to get their first bucks mounted. Patrick had bagged a 8 point and Alex got a 5 point. Alex went on to tell me that his fell about 15 yards from where he shot it and then Patrick told me that it took them 15 minutes to find his and they walked past it about three times because he was so well camouflaged in the grass. Patrick appeared to be about 11 and Patrick was maybe 7. John, the dad, was beaming from ear-to-ear as his boys told me about their bucks and then he chirped in and told me, "I am a proud dad, I didn't even pick up a gun - they did it all." I couldn't figure out if they had already dropped off their deer and they were in the back "for processing" until I looked down near my feet and peeking out from black trash bags were eyes. I jumped back until I realized it was dead. I mean I knew it was dead, but somehow you forget until you take a second look. I should have stuck with the first glance because the second look confirmed - dead deer heads on the floor in trash bags. Insert full-body shiver here. Again, beautiful in a scary sort-of way. As Steve is writing up the order for Alex and Patrick's deer, I ask him the dog's name - Gunner and to explain, in simple terms, how this whole taxidermy thing worked. Skin removed, tanned, pulled over the form, glass eyes added and viola'.

Now to that smell. Did mention that the smell in the store burned my nostrils??? It smelled like 7th grade biology class when we had to dissect a frog. Formaldehyde and skin......if you ever had to dissect a frog - you never forget the smell. I guess you get used to the smell after a while, but I never did for the 15-20 minutes that I was there. Steve gave me the price list and as far as I can tell the cheapest thing that you can get mounted is a raccoon, flat skin without the head and the most expensive thing appears to be Life Size Mount Elk. Huh, I would have thought a bear would be more expensive, but not according to the price list. I had tons of questions that I could have asked Steve, but frankly, I couldn't take the smell and I started coughing. So I bid Steve and Gunner good-bye and Steve wished me good luck with my project. Back in my car, I couldn't stop coughing. My first thought was chemical poisoning. Second thought was a fur ball. After about 2 hours, I stopped coughing - I think I finally coughed up the deer fur ball. Oh, I should have kept it and had Steve mount it for me. Okay, maybe not.

Broadway, Beltline, and BBQ

The end of last week, we had 12 inches of snow here in the Dallas area so I had to take a couple of days off to play and just be still with the snow. But the snow has now melted and I am back stranger meeting and updates. So I am in my car heading really to nowhere when I turned onto Broadway in Garland and when I ended up in Balch Springs (which I had never been to before) and hadn't yet stopped, I decided to turn around and head back toward home. At the corner of Beltline and Davis, I got caught at the light and as I tried to figure out where the distinct smell of BBQ was coming from. You know the smell, when mesquite hangs in the air and all of a sudden you are hungry even though you just had lunch. Oooh, I love that smell. I turn toward the right, and the driver next to me just stares - nope - he is not BBQ. Back to my left was Mesquite BBQ and I knew I had to pop in. The light turns green; a quick maneuver to the left and I am making my way around old Mesquite Town Square back to the Mesquite BBQ. Pulling into the parking lot, I see the sign proclaiming Celebrating 50 years of business. The minute I walked in, I stepped back in time. A time when everyone who was anyone met at the local diner and hung out. Heads of animals line the wall and I find woman taking inventory of the rolled flatware. So I introduced myself, gave her my spiel and extended my hand. She did the same and I was shaking hands with Karen. I asked Karen if she was the owner or manager and she told me that me that she had been working there about 2 weeks and was the cashier. I asked if the Mesquite BBQ had been in the same location for the last 50 years and she turned and pointed to the Mesquite BBQ history board. It has only moved once and as far as I could tell it just moved down the block. It is still family owned and operated, albeit through marriage which I think is still a very cool thing to have a family owned and operated business in this day of multi-national corporations and big box stores. Hats off to you. I have to tell you that this place smelled great...did I already tell you that??? A few people were doing the sit-down-eat-inside, but it looked like they have a booming take-out business. I wished Karen a great day and she wished me luck in my stranger meetings. If I am ever back or if you are in their neck of the woods - stop in; pick up a pound or two of BBQ and tell Karen and the boys behind the counter that I said hi.

Cookies, a Slim Jim and Scooby-Doo Update

First things first, I am still trying to find the Scooby-Doo van so that I can get a picture. I found out where it "lives" and have been driving by daily and no such luck in finding it at home. Alas, I will keep trying, but if you live in Garland and see it out and about - take a photo and send it to me..I will give your credit.

I went to the Rowlett Town Hall meeting last week and it reminded me of going to the City Commission meetings back in the "Little Apple." City status updates by the Mayor (who I have already introduced to you), City Manager (whose office I visited in an earlier blog), Deputy Mayor Pro Tem, and City Councilman and followed with a Q&A. Most of the Q&A was more complaint than a question and those who did ask a question - lost me. Not because it was an issue that I wasn't familiar with, but because the question became so convoluted in detail that I forgot what the heck the original question was. I also question my fellow Rowlettians, Rowlett-tonians (I am not even sure that is what we are technically called) who stuffed their pockets and purses full of cookies and water that had been set-up in the back of the room. You know the type - they show at any and everything that provides free refreshments. And if we are speaking frankly, some of them can smell out a free cookie about 500 yards away. After the meeting, I was waiting to meet the City Manager (since I had already met "her" office), when I had a woman approach me. She said to me, "I know you from somewhere, but I can't place it." I smiled and replied, "I am the meet a stranger-a-day lady and you are Denise from the City Manager's office." Excitedly she said, "Yes, yes -that's it." How cool. I then noticed that she had gentleman with her so I decided to meet him. I could tell from his jacket that he was the Fire Chief (it was embroidered on the left shoulder). I extended my hand, just like I had when I met Denise, and gave him my spiel. I was meeting George Harris, Rowlett Fire Chief. George looks like a fireman - broad shoulders, tall and a moustache. He has been a fireman for 25 years and hired Chris's cousin, Jimmy Wilson. I told him that he made a good choice with Jimmy and with a hearty laugh, he agreed with me. George is also the go-to-guy (words from the Mayor) when a City Manager position opens. George, I found out use to be the Rowlett City Manager so when Rowlett has position open - George fills in during the candidate search. Talk about being handy as a pocket on a shirt!!! I wished Denise and George a good evening and headed toward the door, but before I leaving I made sure that I met the City Manager.

Lynda Humble is the Rowlett City Manager. She has been in office for one year and is very passionate about her job. That passion came through during the Q&A session when responding about volunteer opportunities within the city. I liked her before I even met her. I told her that I had two things when I approached her and she promptly pulled out her notebook. I am sure that she thought that I was going to complain about something. "First", I said, "I have to ask you if your shoes are comfortable?" She was wearing very pointed black below the ankle boots. She said, "Surprisingly, yes." And as I extended my hand, "Hi, my name is Donna and I thought I should meet you since I have met your office." She cocked her head and looked at me the same way my dog does when I burp...oh come on....everyone burps. I went on to explain that I had met Denise as one of my strangers-a-day and she told me that she had heard about my visit. I smiled and wished her a good evening and thanked her for doing a great job. Nodded at John Harper (the Mayor) on the way out because my hands were full - I was stuffing a cookie in my mouth with my right hand and I was grabbing a second one with my left.

One other stranger I met was at the Chili's in Rowlett. Dressed in red shirt and black pants, he greeted us at the door and seated us. As we (the family plus Britni) waited for our food and as he moved through the the restaurant to seat other patrons - we commented on how tall he was and that he must play basketball. Food consumed and bill paid, we headed for the door, but I stopped to meet him. I extended my hand and told him my New Year's resolution that my name was Donna. He told me that his name was Jimmy and shook my hand. I asked him how tall was and he replied about 6'5" or 6'6". According to my brother-in-law, Mike, anything over 6'7" is freakishly tall so Jimmy - not freakishly tall - just tall. I continued, "Please tell me that with your height - you are playing basketball somewhere." "Yes, I play for Richland College," he said. "The Thunder Ducks," I said and he beamed, "Yes, we were National Champions." Chris had already left and started the car so I wished Jimmy a great evening and he said to Grayson, "Good Night, Baby Girl" and shook my hand again and said, "Good Night, Love." I hopped in car and said, "Jimmy plays basketball for the Thunder Ducks." Chris asked, "How do you know that?" "Jimmy is my stranger." What a polite Thunder Duck.

Knee-Deep in Politicians and Scooby-Doo

Last night Chris and I went over to "the big city across the bridge" - Rockwall - for a Republican campaign appearance by State Senator, Bob Deuell and Lt. Governor, David Dewhurst. I figured it would be an easy way to meet a stranger. Let set the stage for you.....it was a cool and rainy day and the appearance was being held at the Rockwall Public Library conference room. As we walked in, the first thing that we see are two receiving lines down the middle of the room each side flanked by supporters holding campaign posters and yard signs....don't really want to be in this group of people...too styled, too stiff and too many acting like groupies. Those in attendance are a combo of men and women some young, but most grey hairs (which is sad statement in itself) and as I move toward an open spot against the wall - I catch whiffs of Ben-Gay, Bryl-Cream, and the distinct smell of those who drink coffee all day. One we stopped moving, candidates running for local offices surrounded us like sharks drawn to chum.....candidates running for office need to press the flesh and we are easy targets flat against the wall. First up, Ken Jones running for Judge and past Mayor of Rockwall, even after we explained that we were not in his district, he insisted that I take his business card. Okay, I said and took back my hand. He had really soft hands, smiled a lot and boisterous.


As the main event was getting ready to start, those running for office scurried back to their spots in the receiving lines. Introductions were made, speeches were given, questions asked and answered provided and last but not least; asking for your vote. The local candidates meandered in the middle of the room while the Senator took one corner of the room and the Lt. Governor took the other side and lines formed so those in attendance could personally meet them, partake in a photo-op, or just provide some well intended "advice." However, I did not migrate to either one of them - I sought out to meet the Mayor of Rowlett, my city, John Harper. I had never met him before even though Chris has regular email conversations with him and speaks highly of each of their conversations. I approached him and extended my hand and rattled off my spiel. And then he asked me, "Do you know Chris Paul." I chuckled and said, "Yes" and turned to Chris who was standing behind me, motioned and said, "This is Chris." As they talked briefly, I took inventory. Nice suit, purple tie (I knew I liked him for a reason-EMAW), nicely groomed moustache. The conversation turns back to me and I tell him that I am planning on attending the Rowlett Town Hall meeting on Thursday evening as I figure it is yet another opportunity to meet a stranger or two. He tells me that he is "honored" to be my stranger of the day and thanks me. I, in return, thank him. He and Chris turn back to discussing politics and John asks Chris about the possibility of him running for City Council and in slow motion..... my head turned as if I was Linda Blair possessed in the Exorcist and I made a gurgling noise - cross between laughing and choking - and said, "What.....I am the only one who could put up with him." Both he and John laugh. I bid John a good-bye and remind him that I will be at the Thursday town hall and I get in line to meet the Lt. Governor.


David Dewhurst is tall, I mean really tall. I went on-line and articles indicate that he is 6'5". He has really good teeth and reminded me of a younger Mark Hamill (before the car crash and before the alcohol). I wait patiently in line and it comes up turn...."Hi, my name is Donna Paul...." finish the spiel and then I say, "What is one thing you would change about your office?" Pretty heady - right?! He ponders just for a moment, like a good politician does and says, "Time. Everything takes so long for us to make progress. It is like rolling a boulder up a hill; it is very slow. And in the end, I think that we all want the same thing, but it just takes so long." Nice response and I smile. Then he asks me, "So, who is the most interesting person you have met so far?" I choke...uh....uh.....think Donna think......then prideful, I say, "You, Governor." I beam. He looks at me like it is a cop-out response so I quickly say the man that I met in his front yard - yes that it is - wait - no - it is the man that I meet at Wal-Mart waiting to pick up his prescriptions. He smiles with his big straight white teeth and tells me, "You must have made his day." and I say without hesitation, "No, Governor, he made my day." He wished me good luck and he was on to the person behind me. I turn to Chris and I say, I think that went pretty well and he said, "You couldn't think of someone more interesting of the people you have met?" I laughed - nope - I couldn't; I choked!!! Oh well, what's a girl to do...did I tell you that he was tall???

The gathering was coming to an end, but I did want to get my picture taken with the Senator since I had met him on the way in. So I darted over to his side of the room and asked if I could have my photo taken with him. He obliged, I smiled, and Chris took the picture. And as we walked to the car, Chris said don't forget to mention that Senator Deuell drove himself to the meeting - he parked near us and we arrived at the same time. Mentioned.

As we are heading home, I got to meet one more stranger - sort of. I saw it out of the corner of my eye and then as if my eyes were deceiving, I did a double take and yell at Chris, "Look at that." There, getting ready to pull into traffic, was the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine van. I tell Chris that we need turn around so that I can meet the people in the van. He said, "Uh, no - it is raining and I want to get home." He was right. And then it was as if the heavens heard me, the light turns red and it pulls up right behind us. I yank off my seat belt and like a Chinese Fire Drill - I am out of the car and running back to the Mystery Machine van. I am standing in the rain admiring the van and I ask them to roll down the window. I reach across the passenger and introduce myself and the driver tells me that his name is Nick. I told them I thought is was a great van and then like a goof in my best Scooby voice I say, "Cool and Ruh-Roh, Shaggy." Nick looked at me as if to say, never heard that before. ZZOOIINNKKSS. I ran back to the car and said, "What the heck to you think you are doing in the middle of traffic, in the rain?" "I don't know. I just wanted to meet them.", I said. And like a little kid, he said, "What did it look like inside?" I said, "Bare. I think they spent all the money in the paint." I settle back in the car and am trying to buckle up before the light changes, I notice that the passenger in the car next to us is hanging out the window taking pictures of the Mystery Machine. It WAS cool. When we get home, I tell Mason that I have saw the Mystery Machine and he tells me that he has seen it a couple of times and that it at a house over by South Garland High. Oh really?!?!?! I am going to venture over there so that I can get a picture of it and when I get there I am going yell, Hey, Nick - GAAANGWAAAAY!!!

Beer Brats and The Sausage Dog - My Canine Stranger

So what would you do if you happened upon a stray dog with tags on a cold day??? That is exactly what happened to Mason's girlfriend, Britni, yesterday. She called Mason, asking what should she do? She had knocked on doors and no one answered and it was shivering. When he told me, I said, "Bring it over here." Of course, when I agree - I am not a 100% sure of what kind of dog was coming over. The only thing I knew was it's small. And so the story begins, but as a reminder - we have a dog. Timmy, our Australian Shepard has always been the only canine to receive our love and attention.

The small dog was shivering in Britni's arms and I wasn't sure if he was shivering because he was cold (short-haired dog) or because it was scared. Once inside our house, Britni told us how she found him and couldn't leave him there, but that she and Mason needed to go to the library - what should she do? I should interject here that while Britni is holding the dog, Timmy was going ape dog crazy. I could see his his brain working...."Gotta smell the new dog; I repeat gotta smell the new dog; let go of me so I can smell the new dog, gotta play with the new dog; let go of me; is anyone listening to me?" I told her leave him here and I would check his tags and see if I could locate his owners. His tags did not give him a name, but he was registered and had a rabies shot within the last year. So holding him in my arms and reading the vet number from the tag - I called his vet. And by providing the tag number, I now was holding Brudy, the overweight Chihuahua and his last name was Wyatt. The vet gave me a contact telephone. I thanked them; hung-up and immediately dialed Brudy's human people. Ring, Ring,Ring......"Hello you have reached the ....".......and I respond with...."Hi my name is Donna Paul and we have your dog........please call us." And with that I put Brudy on the floor and looked at both of the dogs and said, "You two need to get along so figure it out." After about 5 minutes of a circular dance with nose to bottom sniffing, they settled down. And the wait began. And we waited. An hour passed and then two. Well, I thought, they must be stuck in rush hour traffic...I reassured Chris that the humans will call. And he assures me that we are not going to keep the dog. I nod in agreement. Of course all bets are off when Grayson gets home from rehearsal and the first thing she says is, "Did you buy him? Do we get to keep him?" And he is small enough for her to carry him.

Brudy is everything our dog is not. He has short hair; Tim has long. He has a tail; Tim has none; He is very hyper; Tim is a quiet couch potato. Moving into the third hour of Brudy in the house. Not thinking that he would be here this long, I didn't even think to ask his vet if he had any diet restrictions. So I reverted back to the advice our pediatrician gave us when we first brought Mason home from the hospital almost 18 years ago, he is coming to live with you.....he will adapt. So Brudy dined on dry dog food with Timmy. Brudy learned very quick that Timmy was the lead dog in this house - when we went out to the backyard - Timmy went out the door first and when we came back in - Timmy came through the door first. Two more hours passed. We started doubting that anyone would be calling for Brudy. And we played the "what-if" game. What if they were on vacation and the dog sitter accidentally let the dog out; what if they had their house foreclosed and they just left the dog; what if no one calls? At 10:00 pm we decided to make plans for the doggie slumber party as it appeared that Brudy would be with us for a while.

We knew for sure that Brudy would/could not impede on Tim's space so the the master bedroom was off limits as well as Timmy's crate. So I turn to Mason. And before I could form the sentence he said, "He is not staying in my room." Ugh. I turn to Grayson and thinking if I stared at her long enough she would cave. So I stared and stared some more. I had lost my touch because she said, "I am not having him in my room - what if he poops in there?" Ugh - good point. I turned to Chris and said, "You will have to sleep down here with him." He didn't hesitate when he said, "OK." What??? No point, counter-point conversation??? I think that Chris has taken a shine to Brudy the sausage shaped Chihuahua. Brudy would jump up and plop himself down on the pillow and then a minute later he would be on point like he was Rin-Tin-Tin at the edge of the sofa. The quirky sausage dog was worming his way into our lives. NO, must resist - we don't need another dog. And I as ran upstairs leaving Brudy downstairs with Chris, I am still confident that Brudy's humans would call.

6 :15 am Tuesday morning - amazed that I slept so well last night. Wake Mason up and head down stairs. Chris is sleeping on a pallet he has made on the floor and Brudy is laying next to him. I poke Chris with my foot and ask him why he is on the floor and not on the sofa. He mumbles back, "Brudy was on the sofa and I didn't want to wake him if I moved him." Oh lord - really?!?!?! I need to have a cup of coffee to digest that bit of information. Both kids up and moving and the first thing they ask, "Is he still here?" "Yup, sure is, but I will be calling his vet again to see if they have any other contact numbers," I say. Mason off to school and I take my car-pool girls to school. Back home, I find both dogs chillin' on the floor. This is when I start entertaining the notion that maybe we could have two dogs in our house and hearts.

10:00 am and I finally call back the vet. And after telling them about the dog slumber party, they were able to provide me with some alternative telephone numbers as well as a human name - Geri. I rang the first number - nope wrong extension. Call the second number and it sounds like someone picks up, but all I hear is a radio. After a couple of seconds, I say, "Hello??"
And a startled hello echoed back at me. I asked if this was Ms. Wyatt and she asked me if I called her and I pulled the phone from ear - looked at it - put back and replied, "Yes." I explained Brudy's situation....called last night and left a message....called the vet back this morning to get more contact information. And she said, "Brudy???" and she continued, "Where are you? Brudy, a Chihuahua?" Rowlett and yes Brudy the Chihuahua, I said. I explain to her that he can stay with me today and I can bring him to her after the work day. I went on the say that I had to pick my daughter up from play rehearsal at 6:15 and I would be more than happy to bring him home. She asked me to repeat the Middle School name because she has a daughter in middle school and sure enough - same Middle School; same grade. She tells me her daughter is a cheerleader and I pause.......Grayson hangs with the cheerleaders. "What is your daughter's name?" "Mackenzie." And then I tell her, my daughter knows your daughter. I tell her my daughter is Grayson and she tells me, "She just asked me to be her facebook friend." We chuckle and I am relieved that I am familiar with his human. And then she admitted the most unbelievable thing to me......"We didn't even know that he was missing." WHAT? REALLY? Did she just say that they didn't know that he was missing??? She explained that they didn't check the answering machine, came home late, had to feed the kids, chauffeur the kids and when Brudy is cold he goes and hides. They didn't even miss him last night and this morning she thought it was weird that he didn't come out, but again she thought he was hiding. Nope - over here in Rowlett having a doggie slumber party. She gave me their address and we agreed that I would bring him back home after school and with that I hung up.

And as I replayed the conversation, I could not comprehend - how does someone not know that their dog is missing??? I know for sure I would know if Timmy was missing. I might be going out on a limb, but maybe they are too busy to have a dog.....maybe??? So I text Gray and tell her to tell Mackenzie that we have her dog and we are going to return it this afternoon.

To make a long story short, Brudy hung out all day with me and Tim. Britni and Mason took Brudy home this afternoon and Grayson came home and told me that at Mackenzie didn't know that Brudy was missing and confirmed that he hides a lot because they have 5 kids, 4 dogs, and two cats.

So in honor of Brudy the sausage shaped Chihuahua staying with us, we are having sausage (beer brats) for dinner, and hoping that Brudy is safe and warm tonight.