3lb. Thoughts

No, this isn't another post about weight! I read somewhere that the average brain weighs about 3lbs. (Interesting fact, I know.) Hence, the reference to 3lbs in the title. By the way, I would like to point out that the reason why we are all gaining weight is probably because we are getting smarter and our brain weighs more. Hmmmm...think about that for a minute.

Anyway, I wanted to give you a small glimpse into my crazy head. Thoughts that run through my brain. I am not sure if this happens when you become a mother and it just never goes away. Or, do all people do this?

What? What the heck are you talking about, Mary??? I am talking about random, gruesome thoughts that just pop into my head. For instance, (get ready, this may be a bit twisted) you know that I am having this dilemna about my dog while I am at work? My sweet, highly intelligent Sophie! Last week, I came up with this great idea to block her from the front room and stairs. She still has plenty of room to roam in the living room and kitchen which prove to not have as much "stuff" that she can destroy. So, I propped these shelf thingies against a couple of chairs. Voila! She is now blocked.

On one particular day, I left my adorable kitty in the house. That would be Zoe. I am on the bus headed for home. And, all of a sudden, I think.. Oh know! What if Zoe tried to jump over the shelf thingies and they fell over on top of her and I get home and she's hurt or dead? What the he**??? Where did that thought come from? Why would I even think something like that? Then, I take it even further to wonder how I would react. What would I do??? It's sick!!!

This isn't the first time that I've had these crazy thoughts. When my son was a baby, I used to have them all of the time. Some are too horrible to repeat. But, I would just all of sudden think, what would I do if I fell down the stairs while holding him? What if I accidentally dropped him?

Please don't misunderstand me. These are not plotting type of thoughts. They literally are crazy things that all of sudden pop up. I have to tell myself to stop and then force myself to think about something else.

Thankfully, after talking to many mothers, I did find out that seems to be normal when you first become a mother. And, it never seems to go away because you have similar thoughts as your children get older. Like when they are teens and first start driving, you can't but have horrible worries about them getting into an accident. But, tell me, does this happen to you? For my not quite mother's yet readers, do your thoughts kind of freak you out some times?

What questions would you ask?

As my bus home made it's usual stops on Travis St. in Downtown Houston, I had the opportunity to observe a homeless man. He was probably in his 60's. Or, possibly just looked worn down in his 50's. His clothes tattered. His socks black on the bottom. His face unshaven. I watched as he picked up small pieces of paper, tore them into even smaller pieces, and threw them in a small cardboard box. During this exercise, he constantly talked to himself. I could only wonder what topics he was covering.

This made me think of some topics that I would like to discuss with him. Specifically, I have some questions:
1. What life events led you into this situation?
2. Did you live a society defined "normal" life at one time?
3. Do you have children? Don't you think they are worried about you?
4. Where is your family? Isn't there someone out there who is missing you?
5. Are you content with your life?
6. How long have you been homeless?

Nevertheless (is that a word?), I feel pretty certain that he is not the type to hold even a semi-intelligent conversation. I could be wrong. My questions will never be answered.

I stopped feeling sorry for the homeless years ago. That's not to say that I am now callous and uncaring about them. I have just found that most choose that lifestyle. Those that don't want to be homeless usually find a way out even if it does take some time in some instances. It seems that our world was created to have these variations in lifestyles. We, of course, label them as "classes." But, is it really a "class" when certain people choose to live a lifestyle which doesn't conform to the norm of society?

Tell me.. what questions would you ask?

The IQ of a Dog

That would really be the IQ of MY dog. Such a smart one she is... dogs are like your children. Everyone always thinks their dog is the smartest and the cutest. Of course, we all know mine IS the smartest and cutest.

I can tell her to get her ball. What does she do? Looks around until she finds it. That is as long as she isn't distracted by a bug, or the cat, or a leaf, or.. you get the picture.

I can ask her if she wants to check the mail. She immediately runs to the drawer where I keep the mailbox key.

I can ask her if she wants to go "bye-bye" and she immediately runs to the door and then to the car.

When I walk across the street, I tell her to stay and she lays in the front yard until I return.

Oh, I am sure that I could go on and on... but this highly intelligent dog can't seem to figure out that she isn't supposed to chew on computer wires, file folders, and any miscellaneous items left on the bottom shelf of my coffee table!!!!!!

I have this ongoing guilt trip about what to do with her while I am at work. My sweet mom has convinced me that it is torture for her to stay in her kennel all day long. So, I've tried leaving her out in the house but blocked from going upstairs. The first two days were great. I came home to no surprises and a very happy (highly intelligent) dog. That's it!! I got two days of the good girl. Ever since then I have come home to one disappointing surprise after another.

I tried one day to leave her in the backyard, knowing full well that she would probably tear up my flower garden. Well, this sweet, highly intelligent dog didn't even touch my flowers. Why?? Because, she managed to find her way out of the back yard only to greet me happily at the garage door.

Sigh!!!! I don't know what to do. Would it be reasonable for me to hire a nanny????