The Competitor

It always amazing me when I observe snippets of Tayshaun's future character. He's just one of those kids that you call an ole soul. He's in tune with things that kids at four years old, usually aren't.

One of those character introductions has been "The Competitor". Tayshaun's always eager to challenge anyone to a game...whether it be cards, board game (his newest personal favorite is Operation), video games, wiffle ball, etc, etc.

He's aggressive and a talker in his challenges, too. BUT he's a sore loser. Talk about a big lower lip! He's a cry-cry baby when he's losing. BUT when he's winning, I feel sorry for his opponent 'cause he can dish it out. Here's some of his favorites -

'come on, boy, you want some ma me?'...

'you're going down, now'.....

'it ain't gonna be nice, punk!'

The other night I won him in a video game at Gasoline Alley and he told me later 'You're stealing my moves, mom - I'm not playing that game with you anymore.'.....

Tayshaun's a sore loser! 'OUCH....that's gotta hurt!' 'What were you saying, punk?!' 'I am the Champion!' 'You are the Loser!' hehehehehehe OOPS! I been around Tayshaun too long!

S H A L Y S E

It was my daughter, Shalyse’s, birthday Sunday. How can I have a 27 year old daughter?

Where was I -- when I was 27? Shalyse was 10 then, Tisha was 6, and Madison was 4. I was a mommy and had a little family. I was still married to their father. But I would be divorced two years later. Boy, I rushed life didn’t I? I was a grown up at 17 years old.

And here’s Shalyse at 27 and yet I feel like she should be in the bedroom across the hall. But of course, she’s all grown and has her own home now. I’m proud of all her accomplishments. She’s definitely independent and self-sufficient – which I’ve always wanted to instill in all of my children. But mostly she’s become a beautiful, loving, strong-willed, leader, nurturing, pet-lover, brave, opinionated, hostess-with-the-mostest woman….I could go on and on.


On Sunday, her friends invited her to Tsunami Restaurant and I tagged along. Dang! I forgot my camera! So just visualize…use your imagination, there we are at a table of 10. Shalyse is organizing her own birthday dinner. Did I say she was bossy? Oh yeah. Anyways so she’s offering her opinion about what should be ordered, playing with her new touch-screen ipod, ordering additional appetizers, drinking lots of sake, enjoying herself with lots of giggling, chatty company.

It really doesn’t seem that long ago that I was cussing at that bundle of joy while I was in labor for 14 hours (NON MEDICATED!). I just wanted to die! But then there she was. Since there was no such thing as Fetal-Foto in 1982, it was definitely a shock and surprise when I delivered a girl. I have to admit I was a little disappointed at first. But by the next day, I was so happy to finally have my first beautiful little girl. She was tough for the first year. Spoiled. Never liked her crib. Never would take a bottle! But then at about two years old, she grew up. She always was a little grown for her age….always mothering whatever and whoever. Poor kid – she was my first attempt of mothering. Geez, I’m still learning! And she had to help and watch me grow up in my 30s. But I think she turned out pretty well. She survived Yvette.

Girl, you’re stuck with me!!!


I LOVE YOU SHALYSE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Love your mom