Upside Down House Again

To those who don't know, we are in the midst of change at the compound yet again. Let's see, Matthew has moved over to Albany in his quest of trying to find himself. Donald and I are moving into the poolhouse after we exorcise the maleness of Matt's friends who have been hanging around the last few months. Dave and Eileen are moving into the main house because they just keep feeling like they need to be in Tifton at this time in their lives. Believe me they have fought the feeling for several months. Tabi is off to Virginia at least until the end of August. I hope she loves it as much as we did. The grandparents are not moving anywhere though they may wish they were elsewhere in a month or so. Tift Towers might look real inviting. Did I mention Dave and Co. includes a dog, cat, chickens, and a rat? Betsy said we could have Bob the retired thoroughbred horse to round everything out. For everyone who hasn't seen the house yet, we have all gone stark crazy and have finally redone the living room. The hole James fell through is fixed, we have wood flooring laid down with beautiful clean new baseboards, and the walls have been painted two shades of blue though one shade may change. It is all kind of nautical looking at the moment and that may not go with the game room theme we hope to achieve once the pool table is moved inside the main house.

Tagged

How to play this game. Post these rules on your blog; List 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 random surprising facts about yourself. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names....

Joys- Making Jed and Donald laugh.
Watching an old movie on quiet Friday nights.
Giving away roses to brighten someones day.

Fears- Not being a good example
Going blind
Losing a member of my family to bad influences
Goals- Become more independent
Get my mind back
Have everyone settled by school start
Obsessions- M&M's though I have cut back
Roses
Reading recipes off the web
Facts- I love Danielle Steele movies
I have never driven more than four hours
The three guys who have loved me the most are all named Donald

I think everyone has been tagged. if not go ahead and do this, I like reading them.

300 hundred pairs of underwear

Why do they call it a pair of underwear? Donald says it is because it has two places for legs. Anyway, we were cleaning out the barn yet again and I was reminded of one of the really stressful times in my life.
It was hurricane season about three years ago. We had collected clothing and sent it over to the coast. We had sent men and food over to the coast. It all had been really, really stressful. To top it all off, we had asked for donations of pairs of large size underwear. It seems that was a much needed item. One of our sisters in the ward went to the local underwear manufacturer and found out we could get underwear classified as no good for free. There was nothing that would make it unwearable, it just wasn't perfect for some reason. So we went to pick it up. It filled three vans. We first stored it in the hallway of Bishop Burns house. It fit fine, I don't know why he was so anxious to have it moved somewhere else. We were never able to get it to the coast because the week after we picked it up no one was going that way anymore.
We began our quest to dispose of the underwear. I'll bet if you looked you would see the beautiful leopard print and cobalt blue on half the women in Tift County. We thought of sewing quilts with some of it. We were going to get the boys scouts to help move it from the Bishop's house to the barn. We changed plans when we pictured what those boys might do when they discovered what was in the boxes they were carrying. We gave it to relatives, church groups, anyone and everyone and still had underwear in the barn. Boxes and boxes of it. We couldn't burn it because of all the time we had invested and besides it was free! Finally after facing all those boxes every time I opened the barn, I saw an ad in the shopper. Someone wanted clothing. I called and told them what a goldmine I had. I don't know what they did with it, I hope they personally used some judging from the way they looked when they came to pick it up. I was just glad to see that old car drive off with boxes sticking out from the tied down trunk lid. And yes, I did keep one pair of it. I keep it to remind me that sometimes it is good to say no when someone makes what sounds like a great offer.

Big Dog Has Cancer

I am crying as I write this. No matter if she bit you or growled at you she has been a good dog. She has protected those she loves. I am talking about Duchess. She has bone cancer. Amputation isn't really an option because of her size and age. Chemo costs thousands of dollars. She is on medicine that seems to be keeping her comfortable and she still wags her tail so we will leave it at that till something changes. Then she will join the other animals wagging tails as they wait for us. I believe there are animals in heaven.
I had to remember other animals who have meant so much to me. My first memory is of Sammy, the Siamese cat we had in Japan. I have spent all my life trying to find cats to measure up to her even though I have such vague memories. The dog I remember most from my youth was Velvet, Mom's best friend for a number of years. We got her to replace a dog Mom had when Dad was in Vietnam. Isn't it funny how we get animals trying to replace holes left in our hearts.
That is why we got Duchess. For years Dave has tried to replace the first Duchess, a black mutt I don't even remember where we got. She would run away exploring and the only way to get her home was to drive around in the car calling for her. She would come running and jump in the car for the ride home. All the others since have loved riding in cars. First we got Mia, a Keeshund. The milk delivery guy at the minimart where I worked gave her to us. She bonded with me. One of the saddest days of my life was when I took her to the animal shelter and told them I couldn't keep her anymore. She kept me company during the day. She ate at one knee and Matt ate at the other when he learned to stand. She developed hip trouble and started nipping at Matt. We had to get rid of one or the other. I cried and told her how I loved her. I hope maybe she got a good home. (I don't have any proof they put her down, Jennifer)
Then we got Princess, a lab, when we got back from Penn. We got her from Donald's cousin. She drove me crazy rubbing along the wall a leaving a dirt border. She lived a great life in Fla and enjoyed Ga till her time came. Donald and Ryan took her on her last ride. I will always be grateful to Ryan for helping Donald with that.
Then there are the cats. Tia, who came to us through two little girls ringing the doorbell and asking "Can you take my cat? We can't keep her anymore." She was a siamese. I'll never forget the time we were sitting in the living room and she came flying off the roof outside. She was lost for two weeks in Ga at one time. She finally used her last life when she was hit by a car. Jen had to handle that by herself because I was out of town.
Finally, there was Kitty. We got her with the house. She was my companion when I was pregnant with Timothy. Don't you think animals know sometimes when you just need them near? She stayed indoors until we got the dogs and then she decided to live outside. She would visit Granddaddy alot. One day Donald found her laying by the fence in the yard. He said she had no damage so we aren't sure what happened.
There have been others; Bob the cat, the kitten lost on the way to New Jersey, Cotton the dog; I am sure each of you have a list. Each time we say we are not getting another animal. I bet we will, but not to replace the ones we lost. We just need another one to love us without asking for anything in return except a little food and a little pat on the head.

Reunion

The party at our house started Saturday with the arrival of the out of town children. The wii guitar hero was immediately set up and the loud noises started. David and Matthew entertained themselves by planting "Grandaddy" stickers all over town. Sarah and Travis, don't worry, I have you covered and will explain when we see you. We know you had another family to celebrate this weekend. The Saturday night swimming, horseshoe,billiards, cookout party had about sixty-five in attendance. After going to Dairy Queen, my bunch came back to the house. Jen and James went home to sleep but the rest turned on the games again until almost one o'clock. Sunday lunch was fabulous as always. I went off and left the fruit salad I had made just for Paula in the refrigerator. It seems no matter how many dishes I wash before I leave, I always have a sinkfull when I come home. I am blessed with Carol's leftovers; everyone loved the dreamscicle cake, but that means I get to wash out her pans also. The party continued once again with the wii bowling, etc. until Eileen told Dave it was time to go. Eileen and I have yet to figure out how to truly enjoy reunion weekend without having to be the "adult". We did get some great family pics. Jen has posted some. Rumor has it Helen and Ryan are in charge of next years festivities so any suggestions can be sent to them. Lunch at 12:00; all in favor say aye. Sound system for the emcee would be great. Could the weather have been any more perfect!!

When I grow up

I guess everyone has read Aunt Carol's post. Here is my response. I, like Vickie, wanted to be a mommy. I have accomplished that. I wanted to be an entertainer in the USO groups but since I have no talent in that area, I don't think that will happen. I can be very be entertaining while listening to my playlist and dancing around the room when no one is looking. Wait, I guess from the comments and expressions on your faces, I am pretty entertaining when I indulge myself even if someone is watching. My samba roll is getting quite good from watching "Dancing with the Stars". I thought I wanted to give a home to all the unwanted animals. I may still be able to do that one if I get the human animals taken care of. I've realized I can't do both. I always wanted to take horseback riding lessons. For ten years I have lived across the street from a stable. The paper was advertising lessons over there so who knows, this may be the summer I do that. I too wanted to be a teacher until I started substitute teaching and saw all the rules teachers and students have to obey. I guess my years at the Agrirama fulfilled that dream. It sure was fun while it lasted!

Every Day is Mother's Day

That was the name of a tv show back in the 80's or early 90's. It was hosted by Joan Lunden, the Katie Couric of her day. She was a supermom and had it all and did it all so it seemed.Everyone wanted to be her. That is why I intensely dislike Mother's Day. For every mom out there who is perfect and everyone knows it, there are hundreds just struggling to make it a few more hours. I heard that when we speak in church,bear testimony, or teach in meetings, we should never say how grateful we are of our children's achievements; mission, temple marriage, etc. It isn't the place. It doesn't edify or teach anyone. I've thought a lot about that concept and agree. There is a time and place for expressing those sentiments.
I am lucky to have been able to bear children. I loved being pregnant and feeling them inside of me. Let's be honest, though, once they were born I could have done a better job. I am not comparing myself to others, I am saying I had it in me to do better and for whatever reason didn't. I had my good moments. I have always had good homemade treats available. I know the boys love their honeybuns but they like my cinnamon buns also. Except for Jed, of course.
No matter how I did, I have some great children. Jennifer loves books and and the fine arts and makes sure her girls get to the library like I did with her. Dave excels in survival skills including driving in big city traffic. Helen can get down and dirty digging in the dirt to plant vegetables. That is very exciting to Grandaddy and myself. Matthew is tenderhearted and deeply loyal to his friends. Jed was born an old man and wise beyond his years. It doesn't matter how anyone else views my children to me they are my most wonderful gifts from God.

Looking for Matthew

I realized I talk a lot about Jed but haven't mentioned Matthew. Most of you know he is trying to "find himself" at the moment. Donald and I both tried to kick him out this week but it didn't work. We welcome all advice on the subject, just don't get offended if we don't take it. He does have a second interview at Starbuck's on Monday so everyone pray for him. I think getting a job that gives structure to his life will help his situation. For those who have met her, Beenish is back in the picture. She seems to be a good influence on him. He always goes into a cleaning frenzy when she is going to show up. I can talk about him on this blog and say what I want pretty much. I asked if he had read any of them this morning and he said no. I am trying to look at the big picture with him and not compare him with what my other children had going on at this stage in their lives. I think that is one of the big mistakes people make. Comparing themselves to other mothers, fathers, workers, etc. is not the way it should be. How boring life would be if we were all the same. One thing that can be said about Matthew is that life has never been boring around him. Not to fall into the trap I mentioned above, did anyone see the Donny Osmond interview where he talked about his mother. She died Mother's Day four years ago. He said at her memorial service one of the older brothers told everyone he always knew he was the favorite. Everyone else started laughing and he said, no really. When they laughed again he said that was what was wonderful because she made each of her children feel that way. Shall I do a post saying what is wonderful and special about each of my children or shall we just wait and see how the grandchildren turn out. They say that is the true measure of how good a job a parent truly did.
I made a video for Matt while he was wrestling. I was playing around with the media movie maker one night. I had to use the most of whatever pictures I had and it just happened to be wrestling ones at that time. I will try and do another with family pictures I have now that we all have cameras. It will be a summer project.

Music

I had to add some music after reading and listening to Carol's blog. This morning on the way to school I was listening to some "oldies but goldies" and Jed asked me what was that stuff. We had a brief music appreciation lesson as I tried to rationalize how music from my period made more sense then today's stuff. Does that really make me one of the older generation? I changed it to a country station but he decided that wasn't much better, though who can beat some of those lyrics? Our current favorite is the daddy telling his daughter's date to have a good time with her and bring her home on time because he will be right there waiting at the table, polishing his gun. This actually happened to one of Jennifer's dates.
I quit listening to music for awhile after Timothy's death. Some songs had been so comforting I just couldn't stand to listen to them anymore. I am glad I was able to finally enjoy them again. One is on my playlist. It is from the Disney movie Tarzen. It expressed so well how I felt about the baby inside me; no matter what happened he would always be in my heart. One of my favorite things to do now is come in the office on Sunday afternoons and spend awhile listening to all kinds of music. I have learned after all "where would I be without my music?"

Summer Calendar

Here is what I know is coming up in the next few months. Please let us all know correct times. Tabi, Sarah and Travis all have graduation in May. Sarah and Travis are going to Disney, Tabi is undecided. Jed leaves for a trip with his other family, the Thibeault's, on June 6-21. He will be going to Prince Edward Island and Rhode Island. He has scout camp in North Georgia the first of July. Dave and Eileen hope (that probably is not the right word) to get moved to Brookfield in June. I am going to do something totally unlike me this summer. Don't know what it is yet, but look out. Anyone else have any plans they want to share?

Be Careful What You Wish For

Remember when you were a kid and you wanted to eat the whole bowl of chocolate chip cookie dough? It isn't as great as you think it would be. (For me it was brownie dough anyway)
We belong to a foodbank group where we pay money each month to recieve random items in return. It is like Christmas every pickup day because some of the items are things you normally wouldn't indulge in but can afford it at the price we pay. Sometimes we win, organic eggplant, strawberries, leftover easter m&m's; sometimes you lose, liners for thongs, lime calcium water,coffee creamer. One of the win items has been cookie dough. We are talking peanut butter, m&m, sugar, oatmeal, even one that was a mixture of everything you would want in a cookie. Then there is the chocolate chip. It was great the first time. Not to bad the second. I didn't even mind the third time. I have finally reached my limit after scooping two huge boxes of mashed together cookies into six gallon ice cream containers. That doesn't count the one box I was able to put neatly into ten ziploc bags. Those cookies had not arrived here all mangled together. Some of these cookies have big chunks of chocolate, some have tiny chocolate chips. Either way the pieces have a tendency to fall out of the dough and I find myself constantly picking them up and eating them so as to not waste any. It is all enough to make one swear off chocolate! There goes one more pleasure from my feeble, miserable excuse for a life. Cookies anyone?

Jed's Birthday

Yesterday Jed was fourteen years old. I spent the morning trying to pick up some new underwear for him. I think it is time I gave him the money and let him do it himself. Do you know how many choices there are for men's underwear! Someone else gets to take the boy shoe shopping. I asked him what kind of cake he wanted and his answer was surprisingly,"I don't know" He finally said make a chocolate one. I didn't feel like standing over the stove stirring old fashioned frosting. It was already after four o"clock and I had been in the kitchen all day. I was going to make the mounds cake that I love but instead decide to google snicker cake and see what came up. That is his favorite candy bar. I then spent the next hour going to the store to pick up ingredients, going back in the store to get ice cream that I forgot on the first trip, unwrapping the package of caramels the recipe called for, chopping nuts to go in the filling, and waiting for the bottom of the cake to finish baking before adding the filling and the top layer. The irony is the old fashioned only would have taken about fifteen minutes. (I must point out I did have to go to the store to pick up a prescription for Granddaddy anyway) All seventeen people in attendance at our family home evening agreed the cake was good. Jed complained about the nuts.

Ten "R" Things

My letter is R so here goes. Red peppers, rain,riding a bicycle, Ryan V., rolls, romance,riches,roasting marshmellows,reading,recycling. I know I will think of really good stuff the moment I press publish.

Flower Power

That title is a throw-back to the slogans of the hippie era for those of you who weren' t around back then. I really enjoy flowers and herbs. Those of you who have been here hopefully have seen my rose garden in full bloom. It is showing promise of another great season.
I went to Bob's flowers yesterday. I don't know why it is called Bob's. The guy who runs the place is named Harold or something. Bob isn't even close to his name. He does have a great business though. I mangaged not to get to carried away on this trip. Those gerber daisies were calling my name. (hint to anyone who wants to make me happy) I bought some mint, cinnamon basil, Italian basil, golden sage, parsley, and chives. I already had the rosemary and thyme. I moved my lavender over to a new bed so cross your fingers it survives. It had outgrown the place on the corner. Who knew it would do so well!
I like my mom's philosophy of flowers. Bring them to me while I am alive and can enjoy them. I try to take her some about once a week . I consider my rose garden to be hers. That is why Donald planted it in the first place. His care of it shows me how much he loves me and I can pass it along to Mom. I can also return the love to him. Those of you who are old enough may have heard the rose petal story. When I am dead, I don't want bouquets lying all over the dirt, dying. Take them to a hospital. Give them to people at church. Make someone else have a beautiful moment in their day.

Apologies to Jen

I am wrong! Mark the day on your calendars becuse it doesn't happen very often. Jen took the picture, Andrea submitted it to the paper. That is what happens when you start to age. Just ask Donald to tell you his dog story. You know, the one where his mom called him everyone's name including the dogs. It is part of our family lore. Maybe I'll do a piece on stories we all have heard over and over and over.

Explaining the picture

It is about time I explain the photo of me. Andrea, Eileen's niece lived with us for a few months last year. She love photography. We were clowning around one day with the guitar hero and hat someone had left lying around. I was wearing my favorite after shower muu-muu. I know everyone will be glad when I purchase a new one. Except for the dress, I think I look very beatnik-ish for those of you who know what that is. Anyway, she snapped the pic. We loved it so much she submitted it to the local paper as an entry in the photo of the day spot. I don't know why but it was never chosen. It is such an outstanding shot I thought it deserved to be viewed by millions worldwide to show the "gazette" what bad taste they have. Wouldn't you rather see me than some ten year old kid holding the head of his first big buck?

A Great Weekend

Last night I was all alone. That doesn't happen very often. I could have had a great evening shampooing the carpet but decided to be really wild and work on the blog. Do you love my slide show? Jen says I need to do something to protect the images. How am I to know someone might decide to take my fab pics and use them for their own gain? One thing about the internet is you learn things real fast. I am reallly improving my typing skills. Did I ever tell you how much I hated typing class in college. It was the only thing that kept me from getting my diploma for two years. I finally took a night class when Donald was on one of his deployments. The teacher took pity on me and let me pass. Just couldn't type fast enough. But I am getting off the subject...
After I blogged for a couple of hours, I watched "Pride and Prejudice" on tv. It was the version with Kiera Knightley. That scene at the end where Darcy walks across the misty field toward Lizzie is definitely way on the top of my list of great romantic love scenes. In between my sighing I was working on a quilt. I found some squares my mom had cut out but never sewn. If she went to all that work the least I can do is sew them together. I finished off the evening watching a corny movie with Mark Consuelos. (He was in the movie, not on the sofa beside me)I actually stayed up till about three 0'clock am! It was thundering and lightening pretty bad outside and I would have had trouble sleeping anyway. I am not one for enjoying nature's violent displays. I will save my list of fears for another time. It is Saturday night now and golly somehow I am alone again so I will watch another corny movie and finish that quilt.

Identity Crisis

First, I was going to label every post as some sort of sandwich, but rapidly realized even though that would be cute and creative, I don't have enough hours in a day in which to be that cute and creative.
I think this part of my life is all about getting to know me and more importantly reinventing me. Some of you will know what I am talking about. You go from being someone's daughter to someone's wife, to someone's mother and so on. When I worked I did have an identity for a little while. Even then though I was known as Milton's assistant! Now is the time to do something that is unique to me. Any ideas?

Bare Knuckles

I am jumping into blogging! Maybe it will help me keep my sanity and I won't have to pay for the counseling my family says I need. Hey, I can't help it if I was born trying to save the world and everyone in it from life's problems. My tombstone will read "If only they had listened to me." Now I know how that sounds, like I think I know it all. Believe me, I know I don't. I guess that is what this will all be about. I try to do the best I can, in the place I am, with the tools I have. I just want everyone to love one another!