Daily Shoveling- January 28th

 We'll get to the beaded bell in a second.  

Thank you Paula for mentioning the Liquid Thread in the comments of yesterday's post- I was wondering why daughter kept texting me regarding going to get me some today. Now I understand.

I went out to get the morning paper and took the snow shovel with me.  Husband isn't a fan of people walking on the unshoveled snow.  So I shoveled my way to the street and back and then walked over to watch the neighbor "zamboni" the small ice rink he built for the twins.  And I was greeted by a very very happy Retriever Puppy.  Who got an energetic ear rub and then promptly began digging a hole.

On my return, I finished off the driveway with my best favorite scoop-y shovel.  The whole thing. And now it's a nice wet black clean driveway and looks very very nice.  Then I made breakfast and read the paper. My oatmeal was delicious.

Now the Bell.  Long ago and far way......... on a sweet dead end street in Florida where five adorable families with children either young enough for their kids to play with or old enough to babysit.  One evening two of the neighbors and I came to my house- my husband was rarely home- and we made bells.  I wrote down the directions.  I think we also made pipe cleaner rabbits. I found this in the Attic.  With directions. And an extra supply of beads.  It brought back so many memories.  It was on this street, that my marriage actually ended.  I just gave up trying.  Seven years in. Work won.  I lost.

It was where I returned from a family trip to see my parents.  With my brand new first time driver's license (my dad insisted I finally learn).  Which gave me a way to go to the bank in my own car.  Gave me a way to have money, ID, groceries etc. when my husband was too busy at work to come home.  I wanted the children to have a life they deserved. So, I gave up mine or part of mine.  My daughter is reading this and will text- why the hell did you do that???? 

Divorce and child support was not something I could count on in the 1970's (wild times for sure). None of his co-workers paid child support.  Most were divorced.  Some multiple times. We know some of them to this day. ..... and as long I wasn't complaining, my husband didn't really care what I did or how much money I spent. 

Would I, should I, have made different choices?  I don't know.  I never met anyone who made me question my choice.  And that beaded bell brought it all back.  That Attic.  What a pain in the ass it can be.