Love Story and other loves

Today, Ali MacGraw is on the Oprah show.  Of course the movie Love Story came up.  I remember seeing that in my youth.  I also remember when Ali's character uttered the famous line "Love means never having to say you're sorry.".  I also remember even then, at the tender age of 10 or so (it came out in 1970 when I was 10) thinking bullshit!  Love is work.  Love is -- if you mess up, you damn well better apologize and mean it.  You better change your ways.  You better not need to apologize again for the same thing.  To me, that particular line is the most idiotic one ever written in a movie or a book (because it was indeed a book first -- written by Erich Segal).  I'll admit that I have not read every book or watched every movie, so there could indeed be a more idiotic sentence out there, but this is my choice.  I'll also admit that I loved the movie back then.  I cried when the movie ended and I've only seen the movie once.  (The photo is of a blob of tar in a parking lot.  Looks like a heart to me.  So, of course I had to take a photo of it.  I'm finding more and more of them since my sister passed.)

I got pictures of my granddaughters yesterday.  They got new hair cuts and I think they look darling.  Granddaughter #1 has wanted to have bangs like her younger sister, but she has a cowlick like her gramma.  So, she finally figured out how to do it.  She got bangs on only one side.  I was worried about what this would look like, but it looks great!

Granddaughter #2 is just precious too.  I love her red hair.  Love, love, love it. 

I also got some great postal love today.  From my friend Tracey (!) and postcrossing! First, I feel that I owe Tracey a public apology.  I think I've been misspelling her name this whole time!  I think I've been leaving the "e" out each time I've written her or written about her.  If I have indeed done that Tracey, I'm very sorry.  Second, a public thank you since I'm posting about your sweet gift!  Thank you!  You shouldn't have, but it was so sweet and I'm so glad you did.  I love the photo card you made!  It is wonderful.  Such great fall color.  I can only dream about color like that here in Texas.  Loved the cheerful stationary, the supportive card and the book is right up my ally.  Thank you so much for the wonderful surprise!

The postcard is from San Diego and shows a local lighthouse   -- the Cabrillo National Monument.  I've loved lighthouses since we lived in Biloxi, Mississippi for 4 years while my husband was stationed at Keesler in the Air Force early in our marriage.  Our son was born there.  Found memories. 


The tiny heart rock is one I found when I got home from visiting my mom this afternoon. 

This last photo is a postcard that I'm sending to someone here in the United States.  It is one of a few that I have purchased.  This person asked for a postcard with a recipe and I just happened to have one, but not on a photo postcard that I had taken.  Thought you might like to see it.  I have not tried the recipe.  If you try it, let me know if you like it.

Clearing the Decks

As I write this, the Texas Rangers are winning their first playoff game in the American League Division Series against Tampa Bay.  They are beginning the bottom half of the ninth inning and the score is Texas 5, TB 1.  Of course Tampa Bay has one half inning to try to win.  I've got my fingers crossed and my Texas playoff hat on!  I haven't adjusted the size on it yet, so I'm wearing it backwards so that I can see what I'm writing.  * The Rangers won game one!  Woo hoo!  The final score was 5 to 1. 

I don't remember if I told you how grand-     daughter #2 sleeps in her bed.  Right now, grand-     daughter #1 often sleeps with her in #2's bed.  Which is in itself, quite tricky since it is a twin sized bed and they are getting fairly big.  Number 1 has done this since their mother passed away.  She's also insisted on a nightlight because she often has nightmares.  This last time I visited (for grandson's birthday), the girls each slept in their own beds.  And every single time I went in there to go to sleep in my bed, I got tickled at the way #2 sleeps in hers -- which is horizontally.  I took this photo with the flash and in the dark, except for the nightlight.  I didn't realize the room was such a mess when I did it.  Oh well.

I have a couple of more hearts to show you.  The first is a small rock I found in my walkway as I was going to my car.  It's small enough to carry in my pocket.  It is a little more defined than the photo shows, but not much. 

The second is something I think is really unusual.  You may need to click on the photo to enlarge it enough to see, but even that may not help.  I had a lot of trouble photographing it.  Another time I wish I had a macro lens on my camera.  It's part of an eraser.  I put it in my toiletries bag when I headed to Oklahoma this time (it was totally clean, no color on it at all when I left).  I didn't want to forget it and I didn't want it to get messed up in my purse.  I use this type of eraser when I work on Sudoku puzzles and mess up and need to erase the puzzle and start over.  I never used it while I was there and I never came across it in my bag.  When I got home, it was sitting on top when I opened up the bag.  And this heart was on it.  There is nothing ink filled in my bag that could have made this heart.  There is nothing in my bag to write or draw with at all.  I don't know how the heart image ended up on the eraser.  In fact, looking at it closely, it really looks like it's a double heart.  I hope you can see it. 

On the drive home from Oklahoma, I stopped at one of the "look-  outs" on the way to eat my lunch.  I took a few photos.  This is the one I liked the most. 

The Japanese persimmons are getting darker.  I'm sure I'll share even more photos of them as they ripen.  They are just beautiful when fully ripe.  Well, I think that ties up the last of the loose ends and takes care of all of my little odd photos.  I'll have postcards to show you tomorrow.

The Party

I shopped a lot in Texas before I left and when I got to the kids house, I did some cleaning.  So, by the time we got to the day before the big birthday and party, I was having a lot of problems with my knees.  This is really nothing unusual for me, but I was in enough pain that I could not stand the thought of standing to mix the cake.  Not what I had wanted for this weekend.  So, I roped the kid's dad into making the cake.  Of course the girls did help and I was on stand by for questions.  It was his first time to mix a cake from scratch, possibly the first time to make a cake, period -- I'm not sure.  All in all, I think they did a very good job of it.   

                                     

You can't really tell from this angle, but that is indeed a Dora the Explorer cake pan.  Fortunately, they had one already.  Unfortunately, neither the kid's dad nor I felt up to decorating the cake as Dora should look.  The oldest granddaughter came up with the perfect solution.  Make Dora a ghost since it's close to Halloween!  One smart kid!  I loved the idea and her dad did too.  After it baked, we left it to cool on the racks, so we could frost it in the morning. 

On the big day, the girls wanted to help with the party too, so I let them decorate the cake.  It did not look the least little bit like Dora when the girls finished with the white frosting and I put on the chocolate sprinkles that represented her eyes and mouth, (it would not have looked like Dora if I had done it either!). 

Dad and I decorated the kitchen for the party while the girls frosted.  When it was all completed, the birthday boy realized that everyone had disappeared into the kitchen.  He came to investigate and the party started!  First we sang "Happy Birthday to you" and he blew out the 7 candles, even though he continued to tell us he was only six.

Then came time to eat the cake -- which he had been asking for for 2 days!  I don't think he cared what Dora looked like at this point. 

Then we started playing games.  First there was Bingo.  I didn't look at the game cards before we started and didn't realize that all of the cards had the same exact pictures on every card, only in different places!  So, when we played a "black out" game, they all "bingo-ed" at the same time!  Actually, they all "bingo-ed" when we did a single row too.  I never did figure that one out, but I didn't try really hard either.  After Bingo, we played Pin the Tail on the Donkey.  It was the first time for my grandson to play anything like this and possibly the first time for the girls too.  They understood the rules well enough, but I think the two youngest could see the game despite the blindfold.  They both got the tail very close to the bull's eye that marked the spot to aim for.  The oldest, didn't peek, but did feel the game for the other two tails!

At that point, I decided that I didn't really do that well on the games (or enough fun had been had!) and we decided to open the gifts!  The costumes from me were not a huge hit, but that's OK.  I know that they will come in very handy down the line somewhere.  They will be enjoyed.  His dad and sisters got him a Nerf gun that shot Nerf darts.  It only took about 10 minutes before the first child (CV) was hit near the eye and the safety lecture started.  The hit of the gifts was a water safe car thing.  It actually floated.  Only about thirty minutes after the gift opening was completed and the balloon playing was dying down, did I hear the birthday boy ask for a bath so he could play with his cars in the tub. 

Balloon playing continued off and on all night.  I think the party was a success and fun was had by all.  The girls are already talking about what they want at their parties. 

                                                           

What I Want

Here are just a few of the things I want.

What I want for my son:
1. Happiness
2. When you get out of the military, I want you to find a profession that you love and enjoy and I want you to do it.
3. True, last forever, soul mate love
4. continue your education

What I want for my granddaughters:
1. I want you to make your own money in a profession you love
2. I want you to support yourself and live on your own for at least one year before you marry
3. Happiness
4. True, last forever, soul mate love
5. a college or university education

What I want for my grandson:
1. I want you to find a profession you love and be able to make a living at it
2. Happiness
3. True, last forever, soul mate love
4. a college or university education
5. I want you to also live on your own for a year before marrying
6. I want you to be all that you can be

Kid's Birthday Parties

I'm going to warn you right off the bat, this is a sad story. 

My grandchildren are 9, 8 and 6 as I write this and other than their first birthday, the only one who has ever had a birthday party is the middle one.  And I believe that it was a bit of a fluke. 

Her birthday is in July, when there is no school in progress.  So, in 2009 her family came to TX to visit from CA during the last of July and she got to have a birthday party (after her actual birthday) with all of her TX cousins and family here.  I don't think there were any party games, but there were so many people and gifts that it was quite an occasion for her. 

After they returned home, life as normal returned.  That means that their momma was sick when her younger brother's birthday came up in October and her older sister's birthday came up in January.  Neither of them had parties.  Not real parties.  And to be honest, they didn't always get to have a special "day" on their actual birthday either.  To this point, their birthday was often even "put off" until momma felt better and could make a family party of some sort.  I think there were times, when it never happened at all and other times when it was put off for as long as a month.  Momma wouldn't allow for a "party" without her doing it, you see.  The whole time, I fumed.  In my opinion, there isn't much more important than making a child feel special on their birthday.

In March, their momma passed away suddenly.  One of the things I thought of was that if they were able to move closer to TX, I would do my level best to make sure they each had a birthday party of some sort.  The Air Force did move them closer to family and they are in OK instead of CA now.  I was there in July and the girls helped me make the cake for middle grandchild.  We celebrated together before her party, which was held at a park in 100+ degree weather.  I did not attend the party itself because of the location and temperature, but I know that all 5 children in attendance had fun.  And the parents in attendance survived.

My grandson, will be 7 on Sunday.  I am still sick and hoping I will be able to drive up to Oklahoma  on Thursday.  My grandson is autistic.  I believe with Asperger's Syndrome.  I don't know that the parties are as important to him as they are to his sisters, but I do know that he loves to feel special, just as any child does.  When I lived with them (for three months), after their momma died, his favorite letter was the letter X, so I plan to use X in anything I can for his birthday.  I plan to buy him a cape -- middle grandchild recommended it and she's right, he'd love it.  I plan to get all the kids glow in the dark vampire teeth.  If there are guests at the party, there will be goodie bags.  I plan to have games.  I want my grandson to have fun and I want my granddaughters to know what a party at home can be.   I wanted to do this for my middle grandchild, but she opted for the park.  I will take lots of photos and I will keep my fingers crossed until I'm able to go.  These children deserve some "HAPPY".  They deserve a life time of "HAPPY".  They are way behind on their quota too.  I may even try to make a crown. 

If you have any ideas....please leave them in the comments section.  I am open to anything.

Little Granddaughter Update

I talked to my momma earlier.  She was concerned about her great-granddaughter after reading my blog.  I thought I had updated to let you know the latest, but I apparently have not.  So, just to let you know, in case you are worried too -- she's doing OK for now.  I've talked to her several times over the last several days.  The last three calls have had no lies or tears.  Not even little white lies or sniffles.  She's sounded rather upbeat.  I am glad.  I need a rest.  I'm tired.  Emotionally tired and I think I have a sinus infection, so I'm not up to much at the moment.  I'll be headed up there to OK to see them all next  Thursday, more than likely.  Hopefully, things will remain calm until then. 

I've Been Told....

That "the Lord will not give us more than we can handle".  This may be a simplified way of phrasing it, but that statement has helped me in times of duress.  Other times, I've tested the limits of it.  I was given almost more than I could bear when my father died and I then went into a deep depression.  I think his death triggered the depression, I don't think it was the reason for it.  I was in it for a long, long time.  My house has not been clean since. 

Now, I fear, that our family may have been given something that will sorely test that age old belief.  I fear that my dear, precious granddaughter -- the one I have been so very worried about during her grief over the loss of her mother and the same one who is entering puberty -- is also showing signs of bi-polar disorder.  Her mother was (or would the correct word be - had?) bi-polar and it was never treated correctly.  I feel that it ultimately led to her death.   If the reason for the most recent actions of my sweet granddaughter are indeed the first signs of bi-polar disorder, I don't know if I'll be able to handle this.  I really don't know that I will.

A Leaf Cousin

My oldest granddaughter has loved trees since she was a tiny little thing.  She used to pat them lovingly when she was outside and just starting to walk.  If she was not free to roam and being carried or in a stroller, she said "tree" and stretched her arms out toward it as if she needed to be near just to breathe.  She was not happy if you did not take her to the tree, but if you did, she smiled and literally seemed to take a deep breath and she looked calmer.  It always amazed and tickled me.  And I, for one, always took her to the tree when I was with her, which I will admit was not often since they lived in Italy at the time and I was in Texas. 

Her affection for trees isn't as obvious now.  After all, she is nine years old and what self respecting nine year old girl is going to pat a tree in front of others?  But she can't fool me.  I know that she still loves trees!  She mourns not having one large enough to climb at her new house.  She always climbs one at my house and she brings me leaf faces just about every time I see her from whatever kind of branched thing is growing leaves at the time.  They always pretty much look the same, although she is artistic and I fully expect to start seeing variations at any time.  This last leaf face jogged my memory of one I had seen on another blog -- check out Keri Smith.  I think they may be cousins, although I think Keri's Ralph looks to be an older, wiser cousin.  Alas, #1's leaf has no name.

Continued from Below (P.M.)

It took me just a few minutes to find the song I was talking about in the posting Pure Misery. I found it on youtube, so you can hear it too. It's What the World Needs Now (Abraham, Martin and John) by Tom Clay. The first one just shows the 45 single record (which is what I had and listened to way back then) and has a very clear recording of the song. The second version shows video that matches the song. The recording and video don't always match up when the people talk, but it's not a big deal. I found the second recording first and watched it. I found it interesting, but it made me sad to see it all in color again. My imagination is bad enough. Living color is worse, especially when President Kennedy was shot. But I wanted to give you the option of which to see and listen to. I have no doubt that if youtube had been around when this was first put out, I would have listened to and watched the second one and cried to it, often.








A little update on my granddaughter #1. I went up to Oklahoma for about 5 days. While I was there, she had no nightmares that I'm aware of. We got her a couple of bras (new to her), although I don't know if they would really be called "training" bras like they were when I was a little girl. Her sister had to get some too, although she didn't really need one yet.

We all went shopping for a gift for their daddy's birthday. The girls each paid a little on it themselves. I paid some for their little brother (who didn't have any money of his own). After spending some of the money, #1 decided that she wanted to keep the remainder of her money. She had been trying to give it away to her daddy and to me. Which had us quite worried. It is just not normal for a 9 year old child to say she doesn't want her money. So, now she has plans for it. Which relieves my mind some. She and her sister also made friends with a girl about their age who lives across the street from them.

I forgot to mention in the last posting that they live in a new neighborhood in a new state and are, of course, going to a new school. So many changes, in such a short amount of time.

Pure Misery

Are you a woman? Do you remember what puberty was like?

Now, set that aside for a moment and think about the first time you experienced the loss of someone you truly loved. The first death of a close family member or good friend. This first, sour taste of grief is just gut wrenching. And as we all know, it doesn't get better with the next experience. You just know that you will live through it.

Go back to the feelings of puberty. Do you remember how miserable you felt? How you would sometimes cry for no reason that you could think of? How you would get so sad? I remember listening to this song that had excerpts from live news coverage when President Kennedy was shot, when Robert Kennedy was shot and from Martin Luther King Junior's "I Have a Dream" speech and then coverage of when he was shot. I would listen to it over and over and over and cry and cry. I remember hating myself at times and everyone around me other times. Those hormones flying around in our bodies are nothing to take lightly! They are mean little things, I'm telling you!

Well, as it turns out, my poor granddaughter #1 is indeed mourning her mother's loss and trying to understand it while she is indeed entering puberty. Lord, help us all. If you are reading this and of the praying sort, please pray. For #1, for her father and for her siblings who will be within striking distance.

Wait for it......

As you know, my daughter-in-law passed away a little over 5 months ago. My grandchildren are dealing with this with various degrees of difficulty. Right now, my oldest granddaughter (she's 9) is having a very hard time with it. The kids and their dad came down here to see us and other family members this weekend. Tomorrow, I'm headed up to Oklahoma about the same time they do. I'm hoping that having me up there for a little while will help her some.

I'll be checking in and trying to keep up with all of my fun things -- like postcrossing and the gift of jewels. :) I don't know when I'll be able to show you what I've gotten through the mail though because I don't know how long I'll be up in OK. So, y'all will just have to be patient and wait for all the extra fun when I get back. OK?

By the way, "wait" was the Sunday Scribblings prompt word for this week.

I found another Heart Rock!

I couldn't believe it! I was coming home from the post office.

I've been thinking a lot about my sister Teresa the last week. The last couple of weeks. Heck, the last -- almost 5 months now, since she passed so suddenly. I had gone to the post office twice today. I hadn't been to the post office at all this week. I've been in a funk and I haven't left the house. What can I say? I'm not really depressed, but I would much rather watch movies or work on sudoku puzzles right now than just about anything else on earth. OK, I'll leave the puzzles and movies to see my momma, son, grandkids and my best friends and maybe some members of my extended family, but not just anyone.

So, I go to the post office to get the mail and with the main objective of mailing my nephew S's birthday card. It just happens to be S's birthday -- today! Which means the card is already late. "S" is Teresa's youngest son. And I have a heck of a time remembering his birthday during a good year. This is not a good year.

So, I get home from the post office and I go in the house, look in my purse and there is S's birthday card! Damn! So, I grab up some of the postcards I'd had made to show the post office clerk and I head back to the post office. When I get there, I mail S's birthday card before anything else. Then I chat with Debbie about moo.com's postcards and show her the one of my son and grandkids. Then I show her as many as I can, until another customer comes in. Debbie loves postcards! Then I head home.

As I get home, for the second time, after finally mailing S's birthday card -- I find another heart shaped rock. This time in the walkway to the house.






I didn't put all that together at the time. It wasn't until I was sitting here writing this that I did that. I did think that Teresa was the guide to it though, from the beginning.

Although, after my oldest granddaughter called tonight, I'm not so sure. It may have been her mother M. She died 12 days before Teresa. My oldest granddaughter is having a very hard time with her mother's death. It has only been 5 months, but she seems so much worse now than earlier. I'm very concerned about her. I told her about finding the rock and how it was possible that her momma's spirit had helped me find it for her. That I'm going to give it to her when I get to see her this weekend and I want her to hold it when she's thinking of her momma. Dear Lord, I hope it helps. I hope I can help her. If Teresa is the one who really helped me find it. I know she'll be OK with this. She was heartsick over these kids losing their mom. They are all younger than her kids. It's a crappy situation for all six of these kids from these two families. Period.

Wild Hairs and S'mores

I got a wild hair last Friday and decided to go see my grandchildren. Since they live in OK now, it's not a big deal to do just that. It was 9:20 PM when I jumped into the car and headed out. I got there a little after 2 AM. Went on to bed and got up around 9 or so to start visiting. Unfortunately, #1 was sick. Just running a slight fever and not feeling all that well. She had been home from the sitter on Friday, but I figured she'd be well by then. No. She wasn't. In fact, she continued to feel puny, but not horrible all weekend. Sunday night, I noticed that her tonsils were swollen. On Monday her dad took her to the doctor and found out she had strep throat and would be contagious for 48 more hours. I left then. But back to the weekend....

Since #1 was sick, we didn't get to do any of the things I had wanted to do on my next visit. Going out and exploring being number one on my list. So, inspired by Christina, I made the kids s'mores! They had never had one before!


I'm guessing that JT didn't like his very much because he only ate just a little of it before leaving the rest on the table and going on to play on the computer. I told him I was going to throw the rest in the trash and he said "OK".


Number 2, their dad and I ate all of ours!


Number 1 ate almost all of hers before saying she didn't want any more. Then she announced that she hoped she didn't see anymore chocolate, marshmallows or graham crackers for several months. Bless her heart.

A couple of things that we joked about while I was there: the kids know that I have a strong aversion to blue people and blue on people. I know it's a little weird. One of my little quirks, I guess. I think it's the blue next to the white of the eyes that really gets to me, but I couldn't help kidding #2 about her blue nail polish. It was in need of a touch up.



Their mother, loved Ramen Noodles. She passed the love on to the girls. When I first got to the house in CA after M had passed, there was probably 2 cases of Ramen Noodles in the pantry! M had not wanted to run out! It's taken a little over 4 months, but they have been eaten, mostly by the girls. Here is a photo of the last package of Ramen Noodles. The girls argued over who would get it.

Ohhh, I'm bad, bad

That's what my oldest granddaughter used to say when she was first learning to talk. She'd say something was "bad, bad" instead of just "bad". I love watching the -- dare I say it -- tweens -- my granddaughters are turning into, but I sure miss the little ones they used to be. I can do so much more with them now and talk to them about so many things, but I miss hearing the precious things that came out of their little mouths as they learned about their world. It's just not the same as they get older. My middle grandchild, #2 can still just knock me over with laughter with the things that fly out of her mouth and I do believe she will always be that way. So, in some ways I won't totally lose that wonder, I guess. And little JT is still quite young in many ways. Fun times at all ages.

Anyway, the reason that I am indeed "bad, bad" is that I'm probably going to keep a couple of the jewelry pieces of my sister's that I had originally intended to give to my sweet cousins. I just don't know that I'll be able to part with them. They are funky and fun. They'll make me think of Teresa and remind me of the things we had in common when so much of our lives were spent in conflict with each other. I try really hard not to think of the wasted years we spent angry with each other over stupid things that meant so little in the long run, but today, for some reason I seem to be dwelling on it. I'm extremely grateful that we made up and became very close to each other, years before she died. I don't think I'd be able to handle this at all if we had not. It's so very hard at times, even with that comforting knowledge.



I picked out the earrings, the ring and the silver colored bracelet for myself to begin with. The bracelet says "With God, All Things Are Possible" all around it. The saying is similar to Teresa's favorite bible verse. So, it will always make me think of her. I've had the ring and bracelet on almost nonstop since I picked them out. Teresa and I were both very interested in learning more about making funky jewelry and about natural stones. I love the charm bracelet that is made from an old men's watch band. What a cool idea! It's tight on me, but I am ever hopeful that I'll lose weight and be able to wear it. I love the red stone bracelet too, it's just not that easy to put on myself. Maybe I haven't learned the trick yet. The other one just wasn't comfortable at all on me.

I've emailed the first cousin to give her a choice in the other bracelet and a cup and saucer. Whatever she doesn't pick will be offered to one of her sisters along with a very shallow bowl. After she picks, I'll see if the last sister wants something and if she does, she gets what is left or I may offer it to Mike. I wish I had thought to get Mike something on his own. Maybe on my next trip down, if there is anything left.

Sissy Dog

Sissy is my son's and grandchildren's dog. My son got Sissy for M before #1 was born. She may have been a Christmas gift, I can't really remember. She's a miniature pincher or minpin and is brown and tan. When she first came to live with them, she was smaller than a Coke can. M never had Sissy spayed. She had planned to breed her. I was totally against this. First of all there are way too many unwanted dogs in this world. Second, Sissy is really funny looking! No one with any sense would pay to have her or a puppy of hers. Oh, sorry son. I think you paid for her didn't you? Yikes! We'll she is a very sweet little dog. Anyway, Sissy has one ear on top of her head and one on the side! It's just hilarious looking! But you don't have to try to imagine for yourself, here are the photos to prove it.....

I'm Home for a few Days

I came home a couple of days earlier than I had originally planned when I left home. My son managed to get the kids enrolled in daycare earlier than I had expected. Mostly due to the fact that Angie got the paperwork she needed to sign early on Wednesday morning and was able to send it back out to us the same day. We got the paperwork on Thursday and he enrolled the kids on Friday. They start tomorrow. So many changes in all of their lives!


My son bought his new car too. I forgot to take a photo of it, but I will next time. It's a Hyundai Tucson and I am in love with it! I tried to get him to switch cars with me, but for some reason, he just wouldn't go for it. Wonders never cease!

On Friday, son, the kids and I went out to eat burgers. You may know (or remember) that I am allergic to beef, which gives me migraines and makes me itch, so I haven't had a beef hamburger since I discovered this almost 2 years ago. I was really craving a burger and had decided that we'd just go somewhere that served bison on Friday night. Well, it wasn't as easy to find as I thought it would be. But I did find a place called Irma’s Burger Shack in OK City that served beef that had been raised naturally with no pesticides, hormones or other stuff added. It comes from a small private heard at the No Name Ranch right there in OK. I'd been thinking for a while that it is really the things that have been added to beef that I may actually be allergic to and not the beef itself. So, I decided to chance it and try a "no name" burger. The last time I ate beef, I had a migraine within 30 minutes and was itching all over my body within 15 minutes. I ate the "no name" burger at Irma's and didn't realize until we were home that I was having no symptoms at all! I didn't even get a migraine the next day, which was possible also.



Friday night, after our burger dinner, the girls and I baked 22 cupcakes for #2's 8th birthday the next day. It was after 9:30 PM when they came out of the oven, so we waited until morning to frost them. Originally, #2 wanted strawberry frosting on chocolate cupcakes. Her sister, #1, said she didn't like strawberry, so #2 changed the frosting to red, white and blue. Now, I didn't quite understand how #1 didn't like strawberry since she'll practically knock you down to get to eat fresh strawberries when they are in the house, but I have a few oddities myself, so OK. The next morning we divided the frosting into three bowls and added food coloring into two of them -- attempting to make red and blue frosting. We did get a light blue, but never added quite enough red food coloring to make red. We ended up with pink as you can see by the photos. The cupcakes were then topped off with chocolate sprinkles.

Number 2's party was going to be held in a park, at noon, outside, in the hot. And I do mean HOT. So, I asked permission to skip the party and go on home. Everything I had come up to do was done. I was ready to go and let this little family get used to being on their own. I think they were really pretty ready too.

So Far, So Good

The girls have been out of school for the summer for almost 5 hours now. I'm not totally insane as yet. For this I am thankful.

I just trimmed #2's bangs. She insisted on me using scissors. I was nervous, because I had a son, not a daughter and little girls who are almost 8 years old can get quite upset if you mess up their bangs. I think the only reason they are basically straight is because I'm a quilter. I've learned to "do" basically straight even if I can't get truly straight to save my life.

Number 1 heated up little JT's dinner while I was trimming bangs. Then she heated up her own dinner. Number 2 started her dinner heating when #1's was finished and then she read her brother a book while hers was heating. This could work out fine. I just have to keep the girls reading to little JT the rest of the time I'm here.

I'm a little down in the Dumps Today

I've been here helping my son and grandchildren for the better part of two months now. I didn't expect to be here this long when I said I'd come. To be fair, neither did my son. I'm ready to go home. I want to go home. I miss my own bed. I miss watching my favorite TV shows and sewing. I miss listening to the music I like and sleeping past 6:45 a.m. (if I'm lucky enough to sleep that late!). I miss my dogs and my hubby. I miss my momma. I miss my friends. I miss being able to get in my car and drive to wherever I want to go and shop or visit. I want to go home.

And in all fairness, I'm sure that my son is ready for me to go home too. The longer I stay, the shorter my patience quota for the day seems to be. The girls are really probably ready for me to go home too, although I don't think they'd ever say so. I've heard them tell me, more than once, that they want "gramma mode" back and "momma mode" gone. Apparently I'm pretty bossy right now and not just to the little kids. JT is the only one who seems immune to my grumpy periods.

I noticed yesterday that I have more gray hair than when I got here. Kind of a streak starting. I said something to my son about it and turned around so I could point it out to him. Only I didn't have to point it out. Apparently, what I thought was the start of a streak is more like a swath! He could clearly see it from 4 feet away!

So, today I'm a little grumpy and sad. I'm tired (haven't slept well this week) and want to take a nap, but I hate to "waste" some of my last precious alone time. Tomorrow is the last day of school for the girls and for some reason, JT goes one more day. Precious and few are the moments I'll have with you once they are out of school. Wish me luck.

Our Little Pirate

Today was "Pirate Day" for CL's class. When we first got the note from the teacher that it was coming up, I was filled with dread. I couldn't think of one thing pirate-y to put on the child to wear today. Then I emailed my "quiltingfriends" group and asked for advice. They gave me wonderful ideas! Like the hat, a parrot on her shoulder, a white shirt with puffy sleeves, a patch on the eye, a scarf on her head, black pants. One dear lady, Krissy, even went out of her way to send us a hat and a great head scarf that had dreadlocks and beads sewn onto it! What fun! The photo shows what she ended up looking like.

Artwork by the Girls

Made by CV -- 9 years old -- 2 paintings in watercolor, 1 drawing -- May,2010







Third image made (by CV) from her name in cursive at school.




Last two images are by CL -- 7 years old -- acrylic paints -- 2 paintings -- May, 2010