love, ro

Dear Oliver,

2010-05-07T12:49:00.000-07:00

Welcome Home!!

Love,

mom

Dear Sears,

2010-04-25T14:11:00.000-07:00

Oh how I love a great sale!

30% off energy star appliances was a super great deal!

The sales associate that could not stop itching his man parts - not super great!

love,
ro.

Dear Escrow,

2010-03-29T12:24:00.000-07:00

Hi there, nice to meet you. I know we have never met before. Can you please be kind and not produce any types of delays.

Jordan would appreciate it the most. He already his dog's name picked out but cannot take him home until we have our home!!

love,
ro

Dear BBQ Chicken Pizza,

2010-03-20T21:13:00.000-07:00

I hate that you are so darn good to me, especially when you're homemade.

Love,
ro

Dear Life,

2010-03-07T16:46:00.000-08:00

Would you mind slowing down?

If you have not notice that I am still back logged from 4 weeks ago.

love,
ro.

Dear Vikings,

2010-01-24T18:34:00.000-08:00

We are rooting for you!!

love,

Dear My Son's Coach,

2010-01-17T23:28:00.001-08:00

Thank you.

Today, you taught your team that being a team was more important than playing a game. When the other team demanded that the one of our team members needed sit out because according to their religion they cannot compete against any females. You pulled the kids together and explained that we practice as a team, we compete as a team. The kids circled around and clapped and proudly walked off the court.

Today those kids learned that principles should never be compromised.

And today, I could not be more proud that Jordan is part of a great team that you have built.

love,
ro.

Dear Closet,

2010-01-10T17:07:00.000-08:00

For almost the past two years, I thought you were odd and misplaced and rather not useful.

And... then on night, I thought I had a great idea. I would take my walk-in closet and turn it into a small office. Clever, huh? So I dug in and started to do all the rearranging that would need to take place to make this happen.

So after a week of moving and rearranging and sorting and dumping..... I was done. (note: evening hours only) Then I realized two things that were not well thought out. 1. I had no electric outlet in the walk-in closet and 2. I had no light in the small closet.

So... what is behind door number 1?

It is called a good use of space....

(Hi Jordan... love your Celtics t-shirt!!)

And did you see that I added a lamp? Clever, huh?

So how much does this little make-over cost? Well almost nothing. The only thing that I added was the table - a rectangle card table, you know the one with the padded top and folding legs? All other things were items that at one time, I thought... oh that is cute, let me get that. Then I would never get around doing anything with it.

So after a week of moving and rearranging and sorting and dumping....

I love you, my office closet.

And yes, that means that I am sitting in the closet and sometimes in the dark, but never nude.

love,
ro.

Dear Creepy Guy,

2010-01-09T15:54:00.000-08:00

Yes, you the one at Target.

I did not like how you looked at me when I walked into the building and I did not like it when you continued to stare at me when we would cross paths.

You gave me that same uneasy feeling I got when we were at the park the day that the drive by shooting took place.

I wanted walk away from my basket and leave; however, I have promised myself not to live my life in fear. And you creep, I was not going to allow you to change my mind.

love,
ro.

Dear Neighbor,

2009-12-23T15:42:00.000-08:00

I think you might want to seek help!!

I might be wrong, but calling me the other night and leaving me a message that you could not remember if you gave Jordan a Christmas present or not because you had too much to drink, was a rather loud indicator.

Not only did you give him a very thoughtful Christmas present, but we also had a 5 minute conversation about the holidays.

I am still attempting to connect the dots of why you track down my cell phone number from another neighbor instead of just knocking on my door or leaving me a little note regarding this little incident.

Oh well...

Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

love,
ro!

Dear Minnesota Weather...

2009-12-23T09:56:00.000-08:00

Can you do me a tiny little favor - can you hold off from your blizzard like activities until later in the day on Christmas Eve?

I will love you forever.....

ro.

Dear Thougths:

2009-12-21T16:52:00.000-08:00

So when you are sitting waiting for your son at basketball practice and in between conversations with other parents - here is something for you chew on.

How can one criticize bad behavior while exhibiting the same bad behavior?

love,
me.

Dear Holiday Cheer...

2009-12-20T22:51:00.000-08:00

Thanks for finally hitting me over the head.

This year, it has been slow coming. I am not sure why - I am huge Christmas lover. I love everything about Christmas... the music, the movies, the shopping, the wrapping, the cooking, the decorating, etc.

I think it is because I have not really done much of anything - and no it is not because I am being lazy, again. We are traveling this year to Minnesota to spend Christmas with the family. I have kept myself from getting too excited. I have done 90% of my shopping online and had it sent to my parents house. I decided not to mess with a Christmas tree or lights. There are no gifts to be wrapped or stacked up around a tree.

The last time I spent Christmas in Minnesota was 4 years ago. Of all things - fog delayed the connecting flight to land and after 28 hours, we finally arrived by bus. Not super fun.

I am so looking forward to the sledding, the laughing, the eating, the gift giving - more eating, sledding and snuggling with my favorite cousin who I have not spent Christmas with since 1994.

Oh the Joy of the Season....

love,
ro.

Hey Allie!

2009-12-15T18:44:00.000-08:00

Thanks for making my hair look fabulous again.

Sorry that I waited six months between my appointments. I also promise you that I will not snip the split ends with the nail clipper while I am patiently waiting for the red lights to turn green - not that you actually requested for me to stop that behavior, but the look of horror on your face indicated that to me.

love,
ro.

Dear Oblivious Driver-

2009-12-10T20:50:00.001-08:00

Thanks for taking my parking spot....

You know the one that I patiently waited for, with my blinker on, when 3 or 4 people crossed in front of my car.

It is okay, really...

love,
ro

Dear thoughts...

2009-12-08T13:23:00.000-08:00

hmmmm......

When does perception become reality?

Off to ponder......

love,
me.

Dear ______ :

2009-12-07T06:40:00.000-08:00

Yes you – and you know who you are.

If you are indeed the person that I think you are that has been spewing hateful things about others, while using names that are not your own – I am not sure if I feel more disgusted or baffled.

But either way, it is sad. Sad – because healthy people do not sit around all day thinking of hateful, hurtful things to say only to be a coward and hind behind different identities. I had a little respect for when you would post things on your blog that would leave everyone thinking “what the hell” – at least you owned it. Not so much now.

Please next time that you use my name, Ro – please reply in the same fashion that I do. You know, with incorrect spelling, wrong use of words plenty of – and …. , it helps to make it a little more believable and authentic.

love,
ro.

Dear Cousin Beck,

2009-12-05T20:59:00.000-08:00

I cannot wait to see you again, even if it is just for a few hours!

Ya know, to be complete dorks like we are....

love,
cousin bert!

Dear Ex-Husband -

2009-12-05T20:22:00.000-08:00

The time that we spent with our son today was enjoyable.

It makes me ponder why you cannot be that person more often. When we departed, I was not left exhausted. Why? Because you did not constant hassle me over every little thing.

Thanks!
ro.

Dear Jennifer McKinney

2009-12-02T23:38:00.000-08:00

Something to remember about Tiger Woods - since you control who can leave comments....

Tiger has kept his private life – private. He made that decision very early in his professional career. At the same time, Tiger has also created an image of how great he is off the course. Not to take anything away from the fact that he is a very talented golfer. It was his decision. Tiger has marketed himself to be that person and I truly feel that this fall will be difficult – for his career and with his wife.

It was also his decision to sign contracts with major brands such as Nike and Gatorade, just as it was yours to have sponsors. And by doing so – the general public that buys those goods indirectly supports him – which then leads to the question of who cares. A lot of people care because they have been betrayed of an image that he created and failed. I truly believe there are some that look at the complete package of what an athlete has to offer.

If you know a thing or two about professional athletes is that there are gobs of women who throw themselves at them – regardless of their looks, status, etc. It is about the money or the hope to get something out of the deal. I know first hand – not because I am one to compromise my morals, but by son’s uncle was a professional athlete for over 10 years – and things that I saw or heard about would blow your mind and make your skin crawl.

Really – what real woman would lower her standards to be with a married man?
But then again – what real man would compromise his family's core values for a cheap thrill?

But then you have to ask yourself why would such a public figure put them self in that situation? I believe it is because when you reach a certain level of any career the desire to continue to have your ego stroked increases. It increases to an unhealthy level. (please take time to reflect)

This position that Tiger has put himself in is no different than the hot water that Kobe got himself in – well except there are no rape charges.

So even though I can understand the situation, does not mean that I agree with it. And perhaps my thoughts on abuse or cheating might be harsh to some – but I believe that the strong move forward (leave) and the weak hang on (stay). I had some tough decisions in my own marriage – and after an affair which brought on the violence, I walked away. When I took my marriage vows, I also promised myself that I would NEVER compromise who I am or my core values which were from developed from my foundation and morals.

It was not cute at all that you used someone else's misfortune to toot your own horn.

love,
ro.

Dear Disneyland,

2009-12-02T20:18:00.000-08:00

Holy Crap!

Your tickets are expensive. For the amount that the tickets cost, we should have received free t-shirts or something. I had to buy 2 adult tickets because two weeks prior someone that I claim on my taxes turned 10.

Good thing everyone had a great time and we all made it home safely.

love,
ro.

Dear Kid -

2009-11-20T21:16:00.000-08:00

Thank you for suppling a ton of laughter - your spunk and your energizing personality is rather delightful!

Last night, when you came out of your room claiming that you were an "office worker" - you had me cracking up. I loved the fact that you had your pens clipped on the outside of your pocket.

love,

ma.

Dear you,

2009-11-16T19:18:00.000-08:00

Yes you -

Could you please teach your son manners! That would be great and way more pleasant when we all have to share the same breathing room!

love,
ro.

Dear Jordan,

2009-11-12T20:59:00.000-08:00

Happy 10th Birthday!

I could not be more proud of the young gentleman that you are turning out to be.

A conversation has kept playing through my head that I had with your dad when you were not even an year old. We were watching TV, you were asleep - I looked at him and said, "the next thing we will know he will be 10 years old!" I paused and then said... that will be in 2009, which seemed shocking to say in 2000.

But here we are. Man oh man - we have had so many changes in our lives in those past ten years. I have worried by self sick sometimes... because every move that I make, I rake over in my head how it will impact you. It has taken me some years to realize that you are such an easy going kid... and I love you for that.

This past year has been a fun one. Hopefully the memories will stay with you a life time.

I love sitting and just watching you at your basketball practices and cheering you on at your games. I love even more that you take a quick glance when you can to make sure that my eyes are on you. As I tell you before every game... I am your biggest fan!

This year you entered the 5th grade. The last year at your school until you march off to middle school. I know last year was tough, but you and I both made it through it. But this year.... you love school. Homework is not a struggle and you are bringing home A's and B's. My heart is bursting.

I am learning that you are growing up... you are a pre-teen. Hormones will start to flood your body soon. I am not really looking forward to that part. But anytime that you want to snuggle or have me tuck you into bed, you will not have to ask twice.

As your grandpa wrote to you... you will never have single digits again and it will be 90 more years until you have triple digits.

I hope that you will have fun at your little party at the park with your the boys on your team. You all are so cute together and I can hope and wish that you all will stay friends for many years to come. Then over Thanksgiving, we will celebrating your birthday again, along with Uncle Tad's, at Disneyland.

love,
ma.

_____________________________________________________

sorry buddy - no birthday letter when you turned nine. Auntie brought us both a present last year for your birthday that landed us sick for many days.

_____________________________________________________

Dear Jordan,

I am writing you this letter for your 8th birthday, which for some reason seems so bitter sweet. Eight years old buddy! It is really hard for me accept that. I think back to the day that I had you and how just after minutes old, you looked at me with so much maturity and depth and when others marveled in how big you were, I marveled in your soul.

One of my favorite memories that I have with you this past year is our conversations. Sometimes they are really silly – I love how you just randomly tell me things and how honest you are with your feelings. I know there are times that you are frustrated, but son, that is life – sometimes things go our way and sometimes they don’t. Please remember that today is a lesson for tomorrow. I love how you always have questions, and questions that just come out of no where – like who is the strongest man to why do people steal. Of course you will ask me about the strongest man when we are shopping and inquire about why people steal when you are building with Lego's.

I know this will not come to a surprise – your laugh makes me laugh. When you laugh, it feels like the world stops to laugh with you. I love that you find so many things funny. Like when I unlock the door and lock them again really super fast and repeat this annoying behavior for 5 minutes, all the time that you are laughing. A couple of Saturdays ago you had to go to work with me and I know that it is not your most favorite thing to do and it is not mine either, but I had to start the morning off good. You love closing the garage door and jumping over the sensor. So I pull the car out and waited for you. Well on Saturday, I decided to see what you would do if I just pulled the car out like I normally do and then take off like you were already in the car. I looked back in my rear view mirror and there you were sprinting down the road and laughing as hard as you were running.

For four months you saved your money because you wanted to buy a bike. I want you to know that you could of asked and I would of bought it for you, but you were really determined to save all of your money to buy that bike. Jordan, I am really proud of you. You ride that bike with so much pride and the best part is that you tell everyone that you bought that bike because you recycle.

This year you started 3rd grade. You looked so unsure that morning when I waited with you until the bell rang. What you did not know is that I whispered in your teacher’s ear that you are a little shy until you get comfortable. That night when I picked you up, you were in the best mood and raving about your teacher and your agenda book. So far you have taken so much pride in that agenda book. The best part is that you check every morning to make sure that I sign off that you accomplished all of your tasks for the evening.

I know I am lucky to have you as my son, hopefully you feel the same way.

Love,
Mom.

Dear (name being withheld),

2009-11-09T21:41:00.000-08:00

I think you are socially awkward!

love,
ro.

(I am feeling nice today)