Dorothy was right!

"There's no place like home!" 

After a long 8 days in Kansas City, it was pure happiness to have my two dogs

greet me at the door and to sleep in my own bed!

Unearthed treasures

      We have spent the last few days cleaning out Pops' house.  Pops was not into material possessions.  A child of the Depression, his motto was "If it's not broke, why fix it!"  He was proud of his "blue jeans" that he had for 15+ years.  We found a drawer full of old bread bags that were destined to be reused.  The most valuable piece of furniture in his house was his big flat screen tv.  This he "willed" to his best friend Dave.  You know how most people have a jar of change they save?  Well Pops had an empty "Utter Balm" lotion jar where he saved twenties!!  The most priced possession we found was a 20 page handwritten story about his trip to California when he was around 19.  With very little money, a good friend and a thumb for hitchhiking, he traveled through Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona before ending up at his uncle's house in California.  On this trip he road the rails with "hobos", hitched a ride with a "queer" and was stopped by the police but was let go and left "unmolested". (all his words)  He was a terrific writer if alittle politically incorrect!  We will treasure this "find" and share it with Brady and Brooks so they have alittle more insight into their "Pops"!

Robert Owen Bacchus 1-4-31 ~ 3-16-12

  A good one was lost this week.  Pops lost his battle with cancer during his favorite time of the year ~ March Madness.  Pops was diagnosed less than two months ago with Stage 4 lung cancer.  On Tuesday of this week he slipped into a semi-conscious state and was moved to Kansas City Hospice House on Wednesday.  The Hospice House was an incredible environment.  What a blessing it was for Bob's to spend his last few days in this loving environment.  Bob and I left Texas on Wednesday and drove straight through to KC.  Pops was really unable to communicate but I am certain he knew we were there.  He would turn his head when he heard "his Bobby's" voice.  He could communicate when he was in pain, which was when the pain meds wore off.  It was very difficult for us to watch him suffer.  On Friday night we said our goodbyes and planned on seeing him the next morning.  Pops slipped away quietly that night at 12:45.  We visited him one last time the next morning before they moved him.  This was a very sad time for Bob but we both were relieved that he was no longer in pain.  The funeral is in a few days so we are staying in KC to close up his house and take care of some business.  Pops and his unique character will be sorely missed.  I will update soon with some "Pops" stories.  

Nannette's 29th?!?!?

     We spent the day celebrating a good friends birthday.  Nannette says it was her 29th.  I'll go with that.  The day started out at Rahr Brewery in Fort Worth.  From 1-3 on Saturdays they open the doors and for $10 you can drink beer and get a tour.  I couldn't believe how many people were there.  It was kind of a "kegger" for old people.  I will definitely go again. 

     We moved on to Tillman's Road House and sat at a table for 16.  Enough of the beer, I moved on to wine.  Tillman's is famous for their table top smores! Yummy!!  And their popcorn with truffle butter was sinful! On to Pete's which was a bust because it was raining/cold and the only seats were outside!  "How about The Brownstone" sings Tom Lenz as he does his best "Gene Kelly Singing in the Rain" performance. I need to mention that this "performance" was in the middle of a busy intersection!   At this bar we segregated into boys and girls.  The boys sat at the bar and watched some basketball and the girls sat around two tables.  We laughed, talked about our kids, groaned about our husbands and drank more wine!!

     8:30pm ~ been partying since 1:00 ~ too old for this!!!!!  Bob and I headed home but not before we got scolded for not following everyone to the last establishment, La Gondola, for one last toast.  Not sure who made it there but I'm sure I missed something interesting.  Can't wait to find out as the party continues tonight with a crawfish boil at the Klotz's.  Have I mentioned I'm too old for this!

Book Worm

Book lovers never go to bed alone. ~Author Unknown

Reading has always been a big part of my life.   My parents instilled a love of reading in all of their children.  I love it so much that when I am coming to an end of a book I get anxious.  I always have to have another book "waiting in the wings"!  I am such a book nerd that sometimes I wonder what my characters are doing while I am away!?!?   A book can take you anywhere, teach you, entertain you and always be there for you!

Here's a few of my all time favorites:

Angela's Ashes

Memoirs of a Geisha

The Other Boleyn Girl

A Tree Grows In Brooklyn

The Good Earth

Cain River

The Lion's game

The Help

One Thousand White Women

Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons

Same Kind of Differnt as Me

A Million Little Pieces

Glass Houses

Half broke Horses

That is just a few of the awesome books I have read ~ READ ON!

Children are a gift from God ~ They are his reward.

I recently read this on another blog about what one mom would want to teach her children.

1. You are special.
2. There is no one else exactly like you in the whole world. Cherish your unique self.
3. You deserve love, admiration, honesty, respect, and second chances.
4. You have the right to use your voice – any time, any place, on any topic.
5. You are beautiful.
6. Beauty is as beauty does and while physical beauty is fleeting, a beautiful soul lasts forever.
7. True friends make you laugh and feel good about yourself.
8. True love makes you want to be a better person.
9. Girls can do anything boys can do … and some things boys can’t.
10. Magic is real – you just have to know where to look for it.
11. Taking time for yourself is important – be your own best friend.
12. You can always come home. Always.
13. You can tell me anything.
14. You don’t always have to follow the rules, but …
15. … always follow your heart.
16. You are a creative genius and your creations are your gift to the world. Give them freely and joyfully.
17. There’s no such thing as failure. Learn from every experience.
18. You are loved more than you will know until you have your own child.
19. Anything is possible if you believe.
20. There are few things a hot mug of tea and a good book won’t fix.
21. Go after your passion with a vengeance, but …
22. … remember to slow down and savor the journey along the way.
23. Sometimes it’s okay to eat dessert first.
24. Don’t wait for things to be “perfect” before you do something.
25. Keep your eye on the Big Picture, but revel in the details.
26. Trust yourself. You are smart enough, strong enough, and brave enough.
27. When in doubt, grow something.
28. It’s okay if you don’t know the answers. Sometimes it’s a better place to start from.
29. The Golden Rule is the easiest standard by which to measure any choice.
30. Travel is the best teacher, but always be safe and be wise. The world is a beautiful place, but it is not without its sharp edges.
31. Never compromise your beliefs – not for stature, approval, or anything else.
32. Manners count.
33. Learn to laugh at yourself and life will suddenly seem much easier.
34. It’s okay to be fragile sometimes. Life can be like that.
35. I am always so proud of you.
36. I will always be with you. Even when I’m gone I will be holding you in my heart and wrapping my love around you.

That got me to thinking what else would I want Brady & Brooks to know.   Here's what I would add:

1.  You can't change anyone but yourself so don't try.
2.  Marry Your best friend!
3.  Say yes to your children as often as possible because there are so many times you have to    say no.
4.   Say "I love you" as often as possible to your loved ones.
5.  Live a life of  "Simple Abundance" ~ everything you need you already have!
6.  Be grateful in everything.
7.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart ~ Proverbs 3:5
8.  Happiness is a choice!


So what would you like your children to know?

                              My beautiful, amazing children!!

Name change

     I changed the name of my blog today.  It started as "Wine Goddess".  I  like, ok love, wine but the reason I choose that title was for our last name.  Bacchus is the Greek God of wine.  Since I am the Goddess of this home, Wine Goddess sounded perfect.  After thinking about the intent of my blog, I have changed it to B & B's Mom. 

                                 This I was born to be!!! 

The most difficult yet most rewarding thing I have ever done has been raising my two beautiful children.  All I ever wanted to be was a "mom"!  "Find your passion" all the books say ~ I found mine.  I'll write more about this passion another day!

                            Tattoo on my wrist!