My dad thinks of Buddy today...

So, our family isn't over our loss of Buddy this past December before Christmas. He sent me an email this morning that Bob, his friend who runs Dirks Fund Golden Rescue in the St. Louis area, has been subtly hinting that my dad should adopt Clifford.

Clifford is a cute golden with an angular face. He has recently gotten over bloat and now has a 13-inch scar on his tummy. My reservation is that when dogs get bloat and survive, they are much more likely to experience it again.

This is my dad's email to Bob and it made me cry (like anything does when I think of Buddy). I love my dad.

My Buddy would have been eight today. His family of humans, canines, and felines still miss him. He was one of God's great blessings in my life. When I walked the neighborhood with my three boys, I felt like the richest man in the world. Some of the angels God sends us walk on all four legs.
-John Ewers

ERIC CLAPTON CROSSROADS GUITAR FEST

Earlier this week, I got an email newsletter from JAM Music. They always have awesome performances/concerts that I don't get from Ticketmaster.com.

The first concert it detailed was Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival being held at Toyota Park (in a Chicago 'burb) on June 26th. I knew he was back on tour; however, I had no clue that Guitar Fest was happening, and with SO many awesome performers. With the tickets being only $100, no matter what seat, I thought it was a steal for having the caliber of performers already confirmed.

Tickets were on pre-sale; however, you had to have a code or something. So, I had to wait along with the majority of the ticket buyers for the sale to begin on Saturday at 10am CST. As I waited the 48 hours to buy tickets, I kept getting more and more excited.

My dad had already told me he wanted to go, but we hadn't asked my mom or brother yet. But when my dad asked them, their response was "let's roll!" (Gotta love the Ewers family.)

I grew more and more anxious waiting for tickets because I KNEW this would sell out rather quickly. But I didn't realize exactly how quickly. I got on Ticketmaster.com around 9:50am and clicked refresh every minute until it opened at 10am. I put my request in for the maximum 4 tickets and went to the jump page that shows you how long you have to wait until your available seat confirmation comes up. Usually when I do it, it takes maybe 10 seconds tops but I waited well over 2 minutes. It was CRAZY!

Long story short, we were able to get Section 112, Row 10, Seats 1-4 reserved. I went back right after I got the confirmation to get 2 tickets for a friend who had mentioned giving them to her boyfriend as a gift, but they were already sold out. That was around 10:11am.

CAN'T WAIT UNTIL 6/26!!! We've seen Eric Clapton before (my parents a few times) and it was awesome. I can only imagine what the whole day will be like!

Mommy's Day, celebration of birth

My friends who know me and how I feel about children know that I probably won't be a mother any time soon...if at all. As many of my friends/family tell me, it is hypocritical to despise small children/babies considering I used to be one. Blah blah blah...you can't tell me that parents don't wish they could give their kids away every now and then, especially when they're acting like a-holes.

What I do appreciate is my family, especially my mom for birthing me from her loins. I came back home tonight to spend this weekend with my family. My mom, dad and I were sitting around watching "Baby's Mama" and comically reliving the birth of my older brother and me.

First thing to know about my older brother is that he was almost a month LATE. He wouldn't come out. Lazy bastard was stubborn as a mule from his zygote stage. But when he decided to grace the family with his presence, he was out in 45 minutes. My brother was born on June 11, 1981, and my mom's birthday is December 11th. So, there is some number connection in the cosmos with them. My brother was the CUTEST baby I have ever seen. He was like a rolly-polly teddy bear baby.

I, on the other hand, was NOT the cute baby. I came out kinda weird lookin' (and some would argue that the stage is not over yet). I was 2 days early, because I believe to be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late and if you're late, don't show up. My mom was telling me tonight that she didn't really feel any pain when her water broke and she felt fine until she got into the hospital. But, like my brother, mine was a quick birth--1 hour baby! I was born on April 15, 1983...and my dad is CFO/CPA. Take THAT for karma! But my dad, speaking as a CPA, believes I am the best tax break he & my mom ever got, and I don't disagree.

Growing up, my brother and I had BLEACH blond hairs. Yeah, have no idea how that happened. Look at my picture...I have dark dark brown hairs. My brother looks like my mom's dad, may he rest in peace. While I look like my dad, even though I don't see it and still feel like the milkman's baby.

Many arguments, broken bones, sports teams, traveling and school later, my brother and I are adults. My parents are empty nesters...until I come home with Will and Grace, and then it's game on. Spending time with my family while I'm home is relaxing and needed. Work and Chicago can really distract me from being appreciative and contemplative of the blessings I have been given and have worked for in my life.

My mom has had her times...there were times I didn't know if I could look at her without wanting to tear her face off. But in the end...in the reality of it all...I respect her and thank her for my life.

Mother's are a force to be reckoned with. Their power, strength and intelligence is insurmountable. I would challenge any man/father to do half of what their wife/mother has done for them and their children without being asked or told. It is an internal, natural ebb and flow. And while I cannot see myself with children, I hope that if the blessing comes along that I can learn from my own mother and my friends who are mothers for guidance.