Many years ago I started a blog called Chuckles in the Chaos. I was in the throes of raising three teenage daughters with a husband who traveled for a living so it felt like I was doing it alone. I wasn’t, but it felt that way.
Oh, and the dogs. Dogs who ran up my vet bill and chased wild animals into the woods or trapped them under our shed right as I was heading to bed. I started the blog to tell funny stories of our often-chaotic life and try to encourage others along the way. Even if it only made you think your life wasn’t so bad compared to my craziness.
Then, Covid hit and life wasn’t so funny. And Covid changed things – and me.
Well, I’ve moved and the next generation is giving me lots of chaotic things to chuckle about. And we’ve added a puppy (not mine but she lives with me.) Wait, my 12-year-old deaf dog didn’t start out as mine and he still lives with me. I digress.
If you think my life can’t be that chaotic, let me give you a synopsis of my day.
Four year old grand-girl was dropped off at my house before I had poured the second cup of coffee. She scurried up the stairs and alerted me to dog poop. That was just the beginning of the poop pick up. My dog is on meds for an infection that makes him poop more than a full-grown cow and pee more than seems possible. My daughter’s pup is sick and her bowels are defiant. The poop pick up count ended the day at 7. The pee clean up count topped out at 4. Oh, and throw in 1 barf clean up.
I know you are dying to visit my house now. Thank goodness for superior cleaning products.
Back to the grand-girl. We planned a special day with a trip to the American Girl Doll store at the fancy Dallas Galleria. She wanted to wear her new backpack doll carrier. Envision a three foot girl wearing a full size backpack and big doll hanging out of the backpack.
As soon as we crossed the threshold of the AGD store (that’s what they call it…), it must have gotten heavy because she handed it to me. I carried it for a bit until our purchases were vying for space in my hands. Then I thought, “What the heck!” and put the pink backpack with a doll strapped in on my back. No one in the AGD store gave me a second look.
We headed to the food court and I held my head high as I sported my doll backpack while passing the designer stores. Other grandparent-looking people, gave me a quick nod of the head and a half smile that said, “We know. Good job.”
There might have been a potty accident that caused me to dig through boxes in the garage to find a panty substitute for a four year old. The only thing I could come up with was a hand me down swimsuit from her sister. Did I tell you I moved and most of my stuff is still in boxes?
So floral swimsuit and polka dot shirt were the fashion of the day. I had plans to hang garland on my porch railing but didn’t want the judgment of my new neighbors. My old neighbors knew me well enough to know I normally wouldn’t concoct such an outfit. Well, unless the Grand wanted to wear it. I’m the Nonna and don’t have to do the clothes battles. I’ll leave that to her mom. She owes me.
The day was chaotic yet full of joy, laughter and dog tail wiggles. As I sat down after a long day, I looked over and saw Joseph had lost his head. He might have had some help by a 4 year old.
I feel ya, man! I feel ya!
So maybe Chuckles in the Chaos will gain more fodder since I am once again living in close proximity to all three of my girls and the next generation of kids will keep this Nonna in stitches. I hope you and I can laugh and cry together. And be encouraged to run the race set before us.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
Here’s to walking with a pink doll backpack – and not growing weary.