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Saturday, September 5, 2009

How mom became an armadillo

Ok, here goes. My Mom became an armadillo awhile back. After Gramma died, her purpose was gone(so she thought) She had been looking after gramma since her daddy got killed. 11 years ago. Since he was killed in a tractor accident when he went out to Mom's place to bushhog her 2 acres, she felt real guilty for awhile. But she got over that. She is not sure to this day if gramma blamed her for it. She said no, but mom wondered if she did deep down where nshe might not even know.
So, mom knew it was her job since her other 2 sisters were not in the area. Mom and gramma butted heads alot. Her husband spoiled her all their 56 yrs of marriage. Guess love like that is hard to come by.
After the dust had settled, memorial was done(Mom found it strange that she had a hard time leaving the urn...)Older sister-was in charge. Then younger sister came in June. An estate sale was arranged. Big sis had to leave before July 4, so wasn't here for sale. Little sis had her own things to do. (She has a house here and needed to clean out a shed and send her things to CA.
Well, the time came for sale. Mom's Dad was Air Force, so there wasn't a "home Place". Mom realized though things are just things, most of them were "home" for her. That from Okinawa, that from Greece, Germany.Ohio, etc. She knew she couldn't keep everything so she tried not to keep too much.(and of course 2 sisters, grandkids too) At first she brought tons over to her side, and then realized she couldn't-ha-she schlepped back and forth many times. Kinda comical.
Well, sale weekend came. She stayed on her side most of the day-but couldn't help look out and watch her "home" being carried out. She leaked. Finally, she decided she should go over for just a minute. (Mom NEVER wears dresses, but gramma was a classy fashionista. So Mom got dolled up in a dress that she had gotten from gramma's, makeup,hair and went over to "represent". She figured if gramma happened to look down, she'd be proud. She happened to go at a time when a couple were buying a set of bronze/lacquer eating utensils Thailand. He was a Navy brat, they had only a few pieces left, and it brought back memories for him since they had used it on special occasions. Her set was missing none. She teared up, he teared up. She was happy for the first time becase part of her home was going where it was part of his too. She made 2 new friends that day.
OK, so the sale got over. Little sis left shortly after, but Mom didn't see her but a couple of times because she was staying at her house, getting it ready to rent, and visiting her friends.
Well, Here's the armadillo part. They are slow moving, you don't see them during the day much. They have fierce claws which they use to dig for food with or protect their young. They have a hard shell except for their belly, which is soft. If they are in danger they roll up and can "play Possum". A long time, mom's seen it. Mom knew one dog that could break it's shell. A Dobe named Beau. Holy cow. Awesome.
I don't know why(may have started out with one of her trademark falls that really hurt), she was supposed to stay with her legs elevated, ice, yada,yada. well somewhere along the way-she rolled up.
She fed us and let us out of course. But left the house only when she had to. She was having dreams of when gramma had left. She could not get it out of her head. It snowballed and she just couldn't see any point. Thank Dog for Scooter and me.
Anyway,that has lasted awhile. But about a week ago, she unrolled. Couldn't tell you why. Nothing changed. Maybe it was the praying. (Mom here. I know not everyone believes, but I do-even though sometimes it is hard to keep on doing it. I hope everyone has doubts sometimes...)
So, there you have it. Mom is not a racehorse yet, but she's getting there!
OK-trivia(if anyone is still reading) Dillos are called Texas speed bumps around here. #1 road kill. Pic below shows why. They do not see well. When startled by the car they jump=about bumper high. RIP jumpin dillo









I could tell you soooo much more about these mammels that have existed for eons. But I fear if you haven't left already, you're sound asleep. WAKE UP!!! It's over.
We are going to try hard to catch up. We have missed all of you.
Hugs,
Sunny

19 comments:

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Woo and Skhooter deserve some special
treats fur taking such good khare of your mom!

As fur khatch up, take your time...we aren't going anywhere!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
PeeEssWoo: Healing happens slowly but surely it does!

Scruffy, Lacie and Stanley's Place said...

Oh Sunny...Stanley clears his throat gruffly and coughs...um well...maybeyou'dliketogotothemoviesorsomething????? (Stanley talks fast when he gets nervous!!!) I mean I saw a white poodle at Bark in the Park here and I thought it might be you...

We're so glad ur back....take ur time...Khyra's right...we're not going anywhere...


Lacie sends her love to you and special kisses to Scooter...Scruffy is too busy eatin' pears and seems to need to use the outhouse AGAIN...

Love to you and your mom!!!!!
Stanley

Peanut said...

Glad your mom has unrolled. Dad had a soldier who's radiator was demolished by a jumping armadillo. :)

Lorenza said...

Hi, Sunny, Scooter!
It makes me very happy to know your Mom is feeling much better now.
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

The Oceanside Animals said...

hello scooter and sunny its dennis the vizsla dog hay i am glad yore mama is not an armadiller ennymore we hav missd yoo all verry mutch!!! dada sez wen they drove thru texas yeerz ago they saw lots of armadillers along the rode i gess now we no why!!! ok bye

Noah the Airedale said...

Crikey....glad to hear your mum isn't an armadillo anymore. We wouldnt want to see her squashed on the road...eeeeep.
Glad you're back and that your mum is back on track too.

tailwags
Noah Willow Tess Lucy

Dexter said...

I am so glad your mom is feeling better. What a nice post. It sounds like it wasn't always easy to be the primary caretaker, but what a gift to be able to serve that role.

Mango Momma

Unknown said...

Well most certainly we can be friends. I'm glad mom is out of her shell, thanks to you both. That story about the eating utensils is wonderful and glad you are able to move forward after some difficult times.

Hope to see you around.
norwood

Gus said...

Whew...we are so lucky you and Scooter pie were there to take care of your Mom. Hope she has unrolled pretty good, but try to keep her off that highway, OK?

Thanks for the pictures of the armadillos. We had never seen one rolled up before.

gussie

The Meezers or Billy said...

we is happy you is back. Tell your mom to take her time - we's still here and we knows that healing takes time. Prayer does werk!!

Scruffy, Lacie and Stanley's Place said...

Sunny...Lacie here...Stanny is NOT playin' the field...actually he just fainted...he's very shy....you have TOTALLY MASTERED THE ART OF FLIRTING, GIRL!!!

I don't think you have anything to worry about....

Do you have an amonia capsule??? Wait a minute...(Lacie trots over to Stanley and gives him a kick with one of her tiny little paws...)nope...he's a 0 on the coma scale....

He'll come around when he's hungry...

Kissses...Laciegirlie

Gus, Louie and Callie said...

We are so glad that mom has un-rolled. We would love to meet you at the lake sometime.. Just let us know when and we will be there. We usually go to Westlake which is in Lake Dallas. Just follow main street all the way to the end..


Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie

KEY WEST COLLIES said...

Glad you are feeling better. We think that many people become Armadillos. We think your Mom should take Grand Maw's word on not blaming her. Sometimes we beat ourselves up about things we have no control over. Maybe conservatives tend to do it more, because we accept responsiblity for our lives and don't see ourselves as victims.

Somehow the quote "Either get busy living, or get busy dying" from the movie The Shawshank Redemption seems strangly appropriate.

Welcome back to the land of the living friend.

Essex, Deacon & Dog Dad too.

Molly the Airedale said...

What a wonderful post! We're so glad that your mom is feeling better!
We're way behind on reading blogs too!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

Joe Stains said...

Well your Mom sure is strong to go through all of that. We certainly know its not easy (Mom lost her Mom and Dad too - dunno if we ever said that, Mom is a bit forgetful) and we offer many hugs across the way. Many smiles too because we are happy you are back!

Marvin -The Hollow Hound said...

phew! First things first, WELCOME BACK!

Second thing..........my Jeannie was an Armadillo a few years back, so she knows where you are 'coming from'.

Life is very, very hard sometimes, but, the sun does come out again and warms that hard old Armadillo shell, and melts that heart so broken and bruised.

My J says, how odd cliches are so true, "time is a great healer" and all that stuff. But it is.

xxxxx Marvin xxxxxx

Jeannie here - I so so so so feel and empathise with you. I have also been down that horrible rocky road in the past, and remember how good it felt one day to suddenly realise the sun was warming my heart and my soul once more.

Just keep on, keeing on, Sunny and Scooter's Mum!

We have missed you! After my Pa died in 2005, (My ma died in 1999), I was not only an Armadillo (I was an only child), but also a Peach. A bruised and battered peach, which would give way and spurt out its contents at any moment.

I am happy you are beginning to thaw out...........

Much love, Jeannie xxxxxxxxxxxx

Hands across the oceans, Paws across the sea.

Marvin -The Hollow Hound said...

and no worries about the blogs, we still be here ........

Lacy said...

w00fs, mama says she knows how ur mama feels...mama says she wished she had asked her pawents more stuff..it takes time to get over the pain of losing them...but ur mom had u 2 to help her..

b safe,
~rocky~

Maxmom said...

Hey there Guys
GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!
It's nice to meet you and always nice to make new friends! Thank you for visiting our blog.
It sounds like you guys have been through a really hard time and that there are many people around you in similar boats. We would love to be around to help (in some way)...to lift your spirits.
Take care and lots of licks
MAXDOG IN SOUTH AFRICA