Ruminations/Reflections on Full-Time Employment

As many of you know, I went back to working full-time this week.  This is a MAJOR big deal for me.  The decision was not made lightly, and I was/am full of excitement AND trepidation.  Here is what I left this week learning:

1.  My kids are FREAKING AWESOME!!  They have worked really hard to step things up themselves -- taking on new responsibilities.  I truly expected there to be many more disagreements and challenges, but they put their hearts into being agreeable team players, and I could not be more pleased.  Those of you who know me well know what all they have to do to make this thing work, so be pleased for me...AND THEM!

2.  Learning new things is intimidating and hard!  With the weird weather, a busy week for the team, and illnesses on said team, it was a challenge for both me and my trainers.  There is an awful lot to learn.  However, I am incredibly determined and waiting for things to "click" through repetition.  I DID notice that a few things stuck with me by the end of the week.  With some more practice, I am certain I will get it.  Thanks to all who made the effort with me this week.

3.  Speaking of those folks...  I left Clipper Magazine in 2002...leaving behind many great folks.  How nice it has been to become reacquainted with them!  It was no mistake that I went back to this company.  The personalities there are fabulous and I really wanted to be a part of that again.  I am so grateful for the opportunity and look forward to becoming a valued member.

4.  I miss the HELL out of my part-time job!!  It was so flexible, and it was fun.  I have to remind myself as I learn new things that I had to learn a lot to perform THAT job, too!  I had much more to learn there, but I needed full-time and it just wasn't available.  I will miss the judge, the police officers, and my co-workers, Maggie and Pam, most of all.  I simply love them, and I am determined not to lose touch.  They are simply fabulous.  I hate that I can't listen and laugh with them every day.  But I will not lose touch.  Such a great transition job from SAHM to full-time. 

Anyway... It's been a long time since something so big happened, and I wanted to share!  Keep your fingers crossed for me.  I've got a lot of things to learn, but am determined and excited for the coming weeks!  :)

Young Adult Fiction

Owen came home with a book yesterday, and she was totally jazzed...  She loves it.  It's called:

The inside jacket reads:  Twelve-year-old Meredith's world is rocked when her best friend, Anjali, suddenly dies.  Desperate to keep Anjali close, Meredith writes letters to her every day, filled with details about home and school, and most of all the amazing news of becoming friends with Noah Spivak, the boy she and Anjali have always liked.  As she and Noah grow close, Meredith starts to wonder if she's somehow betraying Anjali--until she learns a shocking secret that leaves her questioning if she's the one who was betrayed...

My kneejerk reaction was, "Holy.Shit.".  What the hell kind of books are they offering at the Bear Creek library??

This was quickly followed by remembering the books that tripped MY trigger at that age...

The story is told in first person narrative by a twelve-year-old Jewish girl named Patty Bergen living in Jenkinsville, Arkansas during World War II. The story focuses on the friendship between Patty and an escaped German POW named Anton. Patty first meets Anton when a group of German POWs visits her father's store. Anton teaches Patty that she is a person of value. In return, she protects Anton by hiding him above her father's garage.

Umm, yeah...  I'll shut up now...

I remember going to the book fair in elementary school and heading DIRECTLY for the young adult table.  Most of the titles that drew my eye were girl's first names...  I can't remember them anymore, but I remember how hard it was to choose!  I remember one storyline in particular:  I'm taking liberties with the names...

Lisa is a city girl, who hates the idea of having to spend the ENTIRE summer with her grandparents on their rural farm...until she meets Charlie...shirtless farmboy.  Yada, yada, yada...

Owen, I'm glad you're reading -- no matter what you're reading.  I remember now...  :)

Day From Hell

Okay, now I'm getting a complex...  The house on the OTHER side of mine is now for sale.  So now, it's sale, me, sale, sale.  C'mon!  I texted the word "shit" to my neighbor, only to discover that I ACTUALLY texted "shit" to the girls' Daisy Scout leader.  Shit.  I also was supposed to take pics of all the third graders, only to find that SOMEONE had my picture card in his wallet.  I tried to use the cell phone instead, and every picture turned out blurry, so guess where I'm going tomorrow?  I took said blurry pictures while trying to wrangle two six-year-olds.  Claire said she was so hot she was "sweating like a turkey in November."  Tried to print blurry pictures at CVS with twins in tow.  Failed again.  Rushed to Ephrata for my first ever mammogram -- yay 40!  Going to Daisy award ceremony tonight to face the lady I sent the expletive to.  Looking forward to bed.  :)

In Your Face, World!

Like many other folks, there are things I hate doing.  If you ask my children, "What are the two things your mother hates?", they will all tell you -- going to the grocery store and cooking.  I also hate making doctor's appointments.  I have been putting off these nasty chores, looking for anything else to do -- like reupholstering a piece of furniture I'd been staring at for a decade.  So today, I decided to take my balls off the shelf...

I went to the grocery store.

I filled my gas tank.

I went to the butcher's.

I ordered my porch door and filled my propane tank for grilling.

I made 4 dentist appointments at two different dentist offices.

I called 2 insurance companies.

I made an opthalmologist appointment.

I made a (gasp) gynecological appointment.

I have been SO productive today that I think I deserve an award of some type.  You can send my "Congrats for getting off your ass" trophy to my home address.  Thanks!

Success?

You know, sometimes we need to acknowledge simple facts.  For example, sometimes, we pick people apart.  I try to be a good girl, limiting myself to conscious choices people make.  Whether it's the carelessly worn thong, the garment that shouldn't be worn EVEN though they make it in that size, whatever...it's human nature.  Most of us are decent enough to try to hide that we're doing it -- might even quietly chastise ourselves for being nasty.  Guess who doesn't have that filter to run thoughts through...  Young children, that's who...

Seriously, who hasn't had their kid meet someone in the grocery store and say, "Mom, that man looks like a farmer clown!"  They're not trying to be mean, they just don't have their filter yet -- or volume control.

As a parent, I have often lived in fear of what might innocently escape my kids' lips.  My mom told me horror stories about the things I said.  I try to forget, but no go.  Anyway, you see where I'm going.  We all look forward to the time when, if our kids see something they find strange, they at least get out of the general vicinity before mentioning it.

That happened to me today.  We were in the checkout line and the lady ringing us up had crazy long fingernails.  Not pretty nails -- Guinness World record ones...

I had that book, and this guy gave me nightmares!

Okay, they weren't that bad, but they were bad.  I waited for it.  I knew it was coming.  And...nothing happened.  Neither of the twins embarrassed me by pointing those things out!  It wasn't until we got to the car that Claire said, "Wow, Mom, did you see that woman's fingernails?  They were crazy!"  And I said, "Maybe she keeps that one extra long to pick her nose..."  Physician, heal thyself...

Mondays, You Do Me Wrong...

I'd be happy to wipe Mondays off the calendar.  They are terrible!  Part (most) of my problems are self-inflicted, but understanding that doesn't make it any better.  I'd rather just be pissed off at Mondays...

General rush rush combined with new, saucy attitudes from all three of the girls make for a bad start to every week.  Owen seems to be able to save her "choicest" bits for home, but Claire's "tude" seems to be carrying over into the classroom.  So far, she's only failing to listen and follow directions.  At least she's not sassing the teacher -- yet.  Abbie flies under the radar (read: she's sneakier), so not as challenging, but she can cross her arms, throw her nose up in the air and "hrumph" with the best of 'em!

Claire believes that chanting for what she wants will net results AFTER I say no.  She's no quitter, either.   
R-E-L-E-N-T-L-E-S-S.

There's a giant hunk of metal in my front yard that HOPEFULLY will be pushed into the garage this evening.  That still leaves all the other junk that got moved to MY side of the garage in order to accomodate said 6x17 ft. "project".  I'm not holding my breath for my parking spot.

Okay.  I'm done.  I just wish I could stay in bed on Mondays... :)  I'm trying to be funny, but not really...

The Proper Tools

I've been debating the purchase of a Kitchen-Aid stand mixer -- for about 10 years.  I think they are really retro cool, and the cooks I know swear by them.  I'm thinking a plum, green apple or butternut yellow one would look awesome on my countertop!  The question is, would I use it?  My brain says, with the proper tools (stand mixer), I could overcome my aversion to meal preparation and create culinary masterpieces.  At the very least, I could mix batter.  Will I use it, or will I dust it?

Behold -- I am beautiful!

But there are other "proper tools" I could use in my arsenal.  Lots of my home improvement projects would be downright easy if I just had the right tool, instead of having to make do.  For example, I would like:

A Chop Saw

I think I need to get a little better at math before I do that.  Measure twice, cut once, right?  I also would like:

A Heavy Duty Power Washer

I could clean some shit with that!!  Maybe a nail gun?  Some scaffolding.  Doesn't everyone need some good scaffolding?  A tiller would be cool! 

You know what would be the best thing to have?

Who works for free -- just like me!

Just kidding -- about the guy.  I wouldn't let him near my projects!  But I do think the proper tools would be terrific.  I'm gonna need a bigger tool box!  The message on mine is for my husband, btw...

Touch and die!

So, how about that stand mixer??

Friday!

Last night I had one of those nights that, unfortunately, only seem to roll around once a year.  Even if they happen a little more frequently, it FEELS like a rarity, to be sure.  I got to go out with the girls!  Not the girls AND our kids -- just THE GIRLS!

Forgive us for feeling a little giddy at the prospect -- it hardy EVER happens!  But we were able to arrange our schedules and spend some time just being girls (I think "ladies" might be pushing it).  Apologies (not) to any patrons who thought we were having too much fun.

First, I will complain about the lack of watering holes in Elizabethtown.  WHY is TJ Rockwell's the only game in town?  There are enough people in this damn town to warrant a few more!  We showed up to a 60+ minute wait for an inside table, or a 2 hour wait for a table outside.  Not having time for either, we decided to take ourselves up the road to the Black Gryphon.

Okay, we didn't have to wait to get seated there, but the front door tried to kill me before I even got a drink!  (Glad I made you laugh, Heather.)  They hand us fancy menus, which prompted us to ask if they didn't have a "regular food" menu.  Evidently, that's called "lite fare"?  We got our drinks after an exceedingly long wait.  Their glasses are really small, prompting one of my party to suggest to the server that instead of giving me a second cocktail, he could just give me the other half of my first one.

While we're carrying on, we notice a group of octogenarians who are dressed in green shirts and white vests.  We are trying to figure out what club they belong to when they start serenading the restaurant!  Our table's song was "Good Night, Sweetheart", but we didn't think it was "time to go".  I'd post the video again, but, in hindsight, I sound like Muttley, so I won't...

Then, it was time to get to the theater.  Thankfully, it was a very short drive.  Judging from Heather's reaction to my driving, it must've felt something like this:

But, like I said, the drinks were small...I was okay. :)

The movie, which was the reason we all went in the first place, was good, but we had to sit too close to the screen, and let's face it, our eyes aren't what they used to be.  Next time, we'll have to sit in the back.  The movie ended up being secondary to the evening anyway, but I appreciated it being the reason that five great ladies got to be together!

Sorry I forgot to introduce two of you... :(  Well, you know each other now!

Thoughts

While I love the time change, the time change does not love me.  Overslept and had to drive the kids to school for the first time this year.

Shaved my husband's head to save $20, and then took the dog to the salon for a haircut...  Wha?  Chris looks pretty funny...

Speaking of said dog, evidently just washing (which we do weekly) and letting her fluff dry wasn't good enough.  Need to brush her more as she's got some sort of Lenny Kravitz thing going on.  Dreds don't look good on anybody. 

Old Rod Stewart music is an awesome way to start a morning.

Went to the mall and saw all the colorful clothes some women must wear.  Realized I was plain.  Rod
Stewart is a liar!  Thought of CALLING the nearest Amish sect, but, well...

Typical Monday. :)

Blue Morning

Last night was the annual Daddy/Daughter Dance.  We've done it every year since Owen was 4.  It's always been a big deal.  When the twins got old enough, we got Uncle Rob and Papa Kevin to escort as well, and it was a big to-do.  Each girl chose her own fancy dress, tights and shoes, the escorts gave the girls corsages, we all went to a sit down dinner, and then the fellas took the girls to the actual dance.  It was nice to see the pictures of our friends taking their daughters last night.  I hope they enjoyed it as much as we always have.  We decided to skip this one for the first time.  Heart's just not in it, plus the girls seem to be outgrowing it.  But all the pics kinda reminded me of last year's situation.

A year ago found me in a low spot.  My grandfather had died in January, and I had gone down for the service.  My sister and I were asked to read letters we had sent to Papa just a couple of months prior, describing what he had meant to us (insert blubbering idiot).  Then my mom asked the two of us to serve as pall bearers, also (shoot me now).  After that was done, we went back to Grandma's house.  Trying to find something unrelated and light to talk about, I started describing the Daddy/Daughter Dance to Grandma, telling her about all that went into making the night special.  Grandma then went and got Papa's wallet (even though he was largely housebound in the end, she still put money in his wallet each month -- giving the illusion that he had pocket money if he needed it, I guess).  She gave me $300, telling me that she thought it would be nice if Papa could buy the girls dresses that year (shoot me again). 

So, when I got home, I took the girls shopping.  They all picked out their outfits, and were so excited.  In the checkout, I reminded them that Papa had bought their dresses and that they should be thankful.  One of my kids (can't remember which one) shouted, "Thank you for our dresses, Papa, even though you're dead!"  Should've seen that one coming from a mile away! :)  I actually had a little of his wallet money left afterwards, and I bought a horseshoe charm for my bracelet to remind me of all the time Papa spent teaching me about horses and riding.  The fool jewelry store guy made the mistake of asking me why I was buying that charm.  I bet you even money he'll never ask someone that question again, for fear of what may happen!  FYI, I am not one for emotional displays, usually. :/

Anyway.  Long story longer, I didn't feel like tackling the dance this year.  I AM glad that other men took their girls and made wonderful memories.  My girls went snow tubing instead. 

Rant

Painting ten tiny nails is a pain in the ass.  Painting thirty, and then adding polka dots??

"Owen is a BIG, FAT MEANIE!!" -- Abbie

Projects including cutting thin magazine paper, folding, taping in order to create 3 dimensional Moshi monster -- suck.

Migraines hurt.

Diarrhea renders you housebound -- if you're smart.

I.Must.Use.Every.Piece.Of.Tape.In.This.House.  I.Shall.Stick.Things.To.My.Wall.  LOTS.Of.Things.

Took everyone shopping to spend Christmas money.  Abbie is mad because she kept her money and is jealous of the other kid's toys.  Claire is mad because she spent all her money and can buy no more toys.

Have no good food in the house, because, well?  I'm housebound (see above), and I'm smart.  Marginally.

Laundry must have a fabulous sex life, because it's multiplying like crazy!!

House still a shambles.

"Abbie's bagels have more butter than mine."  Catterwauling.  -- Claire

"My nails look like C-R-A-P."  -- Owen

When can we do all the projects we got for Christmas?  We don't care what the house looks like, or that we're wading in a sea of laundry...  Break out the paint and glue guns!!

Calgon doesn't "take you away".  It just leaves a ring in your tub to scrub.

That's just home stuff.  I could go on about global issues, Americans and their short attention spans, etc., but really, who would listen?  And if you did, you'd forget about it in five minutes anyway...

Blah, blah, blah.  I feel petty and better, all at the same time!

Fashion Divergence (I Have A Black Belt in "AWESOME")

So, I take Owen to the mall (insert holy angelic music here) today.  We go to the mall so infrequently that my children are terrified of escalators, so this is a happening!  Owen is my oldest, so she's the one who needs new clothes most often.  The little girls are fashion horses without ever having to set foot in said mall, thanks to Owen's hand-me-downs and those from a true little fashionista up the street.  So Owen and I head off to the mall...

This is what I have in mind --

Matching striped tights, headband and shoes completing the ensemble, I am excited.  She's so cute!  Although she is nine, she's never really cared how I dressed her, so I have had a field day!  TODAY SHE DECIDES TO DEVELOP AN OPINION!  Now, she informs me that while my choice is "okay", what she REALLY likes is this --

Hmmm....  I guess my reign is over.  I guess it's okay, though.  Owen does have a black belt in awesome...

Last Friday Night

So my freshly minted 3rd grader had to create a poster describing herself for her teacher and classmates. It's due today. Of course, this morning is the first time I thought of it. Owen says, "Don't worry, Mom, I did it already." Wow, I was really impressed by that!  1) She did it without help, 2) She did it without being reminded, and 3) It looked pretty darn good...

 Except for one thing...

She said her favorite song was --

"Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)"

Lyrics to follow:

There's a stranger in my bed,
There's a pounding in my head
Glitter all over the room
Pink flamingos in the pool
I smell like a minibar
DJ's passed out in the yard
Barbie's on the barbeque
Is this a hickie or a bruise?

Pictures of last night
Ended up online
I'm screwed
Oh well
It's a blacked out blur
But I'm pretty sure it ruled
Damn

Last Friday night
Yeah, we danced on tabletops
And we took too many shots
Think we kissed but I forgot

Last Friday night
Yeah, we maxed our credit cards
And got kicked out of the bar
So we hit the boulevard

Last Friday night
We went streaking in the park
Skinny dipping in the dark
Then had a ménage à trois

Last Friday night
Yeah I think we broke the law
Always say we're gonna stop
Whoa-oh-oah

This Friday night
Do it all again
This Friday night
Do it all again

Trying to connect the dots
Don't know what to tell my boss
Think the city towed my car
Chandelier is on the floor
Ripped my favorite party dress
Warrant's out for my arrest
Think I need a ginger ale
That was such an epic fail

And on, and on, and on...

Bye, Bye, first impression...

Summer Vacation -- Week One

This is not going to be a smooth-sailing type of summer -- I can tell that already. I've taken to locking each room AS I clean it, so I don't find it torn up ten minutes later. I've told them that if they care for their toys they should put them where they belong when done with them or they just MIGHT end up in the trash... I know a 30 gallon trashbag who could tell you I mean it -- but he's too full to speak!

Owen just blacked her eye in the bouncing castle downstairs. Is it wrong that I only take the thing down AFTER I hear a sickening overripe melon sound followed by screams? Maybe...

Claire has adopted a wild woman piercing screech EVERYtime something doesn't go her way. Things don't go her way A LOT!! When she's not screeching, she's usually singing Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" or "Back to Black" by Amy Winehouse. When in doubt, she scream-sings this one line -- OVER AND OVER -- "I wanna be a billionaire so fweakin' bad!" or "Any way you want it, that's the way you need it!"

Abbie's flying under the radar so far, but I have faith in her -- she's got something up her sleeve.

Owen's totally over-emotional and dramatic -- dude, the Oscars aren't until January, chill!

I lost part of the filling in my front tooth, so I'm Billy-bobbing it for a while.

It's been SIX days, folks. Not even a whole week in.

Need I Say More??

Post's Theme Song ~ "Tik Tok", by Ke$ha

A Day Behind and a Dollar Short

Post's theme song ~ "I'm In A Hurry", by Alabama


I resemble that remark.  I always feel like I'm running behind, forgetting things, and flying by the seat of my pants.  This has been my week (since Tuesday's garbage can and bulletin board debacle).

On Wednesday I registered my twins for Kindergarten.  I had ferried them to and from preschool that morning, fed them lunch, and then got my folders out to make sure I had everything I needed (birth certificates, immunization records, driver's license, proof of residence, etc.)  It was only then that I opened the folder (that I had had for over a month) to discover that there were bunches of papers to fill out, say, 20 pages or so, TIMES TWO!!  I was on my way out the door when I discovered this, so I had to fill out my papers AT the registration while getting the stink-eye from the registration lady.  Oops.  I also realized that I was supposed to have had the doctor and the dentist fill out some forms, too.  Hmmm.  Well, since I had been putting off and putting off making the kids' cleaning appointments, I guess it took the school to finally force my hand...  It's just so easy to move things to the back burner!

I then got Owen off the bus, fed kids again and took off to Owen's first baseball practice.  Her glove was too small, she has no cleats (yet), and the twins bitched the entire time because they were cold.  I had requested that Kenzie's and my kids be put on the same team so one or the other of us could keep the little ones at home while the other drove the big kids, but evidently that was impossible.  Sigh.

I'm trying to wait until Saturday to do my grocery shopping so Chris's paycheck will be in the bank.  I do not want to put it on the credit card.  Living within your means is sometimes not easy!  In other words, I have no cereal, no milk, no juice and no fruit.  Kids are displeased.  Tomorrow I will have to cram a super duper shopping trip in somewhere between a girl scout event and a sleepover date (or my daughter's friend will know how bad I suck, too).

Permission slips for this, lunch money account at school getting low, planning on having the van inspected anytime soon?  Pay your bills today!  YOU LEFT THE HOUSE LOOKING LIKE THAT?! 

Everyone else makes it look so easy.

Here's how I feel --

Keep swimming, folks...  Say, now that you mention it, I have to pay my pool membership, too!  :)

Oh No, You Di-n't!!

Post's Theme: "Loser", by Beck

So, after chasing down the garbage truck while bleary-eyed, greasy-haired and barefoot at 6:45 am, I decided to try to salvage the day by going to Owen's school to put up a bulletin board I had been working on at home.  In order to put up the bulletin board, I always need the help of my right-hand woman, Kenzie.  She's always good about helping me (and doesn't make fun of my anal OCD at all).  The problem is that we have three 5-year-olds between the two of us.  Do you think they behave in school?  Hint: NO!!!

While the laminator is heating up, Kenzie is helping me put up the background, which takes two people.  The kids are crawling all over everything and are not exactly using their indoor voices.  Kenz runs in and does the laminating while I continue working out in the hallway.  By the time Kenz gets back, I have repeatedly threatened said children.  With her comes the principal, Lois Hossler-Brewer, to compliment our work.  Here's where it gets good, folks.

As she's trying to make conversation with us, Kenzie's kid has crawled UNDER the bench where I am sitting, now cutting out laminates.  He is on the floor, underneath me, with his butt sticking up in the air.  What the other women do not know is that while they were not there, stinky "fawts" had been emanating from said butt with much gusto.  So that stinky butt pokes up right in range, and what do I do?  I smack it -- right in front of the principal.  Worse yet, it's not even my kid I'm popping, but, in my defense, my ill-behaved monsters weren't in reach.  They, wisely, were under the benches on the OTHER side of the hallway!  This was more of a playful, reflex pop, but not one I would have preferred to give WHILE THE PRINCIPAL WAS WATCHING ME!!!  Sigh...

Anyway, here are pics of the bulletin boards.  I won't go into how to get photos off the internal memory of a camera (because you left your picture card in the computer) and you no longer have the USB cord for your camera -- GRRR.

Bicycle -- In Owen's Words

Post's theme song ~ "Bicycle Race", by Queen


So, Owen finally decided to learn how to ride a bike.  We spent 2 years trying to help, but she would have NONE of it -- did not want any help whatsoever.  This week, she finally got it.  This is her version...

P.S.  There is NO hill like that at our house -- guess it must just seem that big to some...

Definitely with a swing set -- KABOOM!



Now check out the hearts for eyes!  --

You Can Get This One Wrong Forever -- I Won't Mind...

What's wrong with this paper?






That's not an A+ -- Owen added the "A" herself. What that IS is Owen getting the answer wrong.  Evidently you don't NEED love.  Owen changed the X into an A+. I know the "correct" answer to what humans NEED is SUPPOSED to be food, clothing and shelter, but do any of you really disagree with her answer? You go, girl!




Papa

My favorite fella died last week.  He was loving, funny, ridiculously stubborn, determined, tender, hard-headed, and I loved every aspect of him.  He was my Papa, and he will be tremendously missed.  Here's a picture of him from way back when...

Pretty good-looking, isn't he?  My sister used to say he was a cross between Carroll O'Connor, Roy Clark, and George "The Animal" Steele (hairy fella).  One time, my Grandma bought him an automatic nose hair trimmer.  As soon as he put in his nose, it came to an immediate, grinding halt.  I wish I could provide sound effects!  Patient man that he was, he ripped the entire thing out, nose hair and all, and threw it in the trash can. There are TONS of stories just like that one.  I brought this photo and many others to Grandma when I went down for the funeral and informed her that Papa was "hot".  I think she must've agreed with me -- after I told her what "hot" meant!


I grew up across the road from my grandparents--not street, ROAD.  It was always a joy to walk down to the farm, play in the creek, catch crawdads, and then head up to their house, where there was always a ready supply of Vienna sausages and vinegar, potted meat and crackers.  Seems gross looking back, but man, was it good!


As I got older, he bought me a horse and taught me everything he knew about caring for her.  Riding Misty (of course that's what a 12-year-old is gonna name a horse!) across the bottom at the farm at a gallop was one of the most thrilling feelings I've ever experienced.  As I got older, unfortunately, Papa was also an easy mark for cigarette theft, as he always left his carton of smokes on the seat of his truck (which was a diesel, of course).  He was WAY cooler about it than he needed to be when my mom finally caught on and made me admit it to him...  whew!

He kept me in vehicles as a teen and young adult, even though I wrapped the first one around a tree.

He was a WONDERFUL storyteller!  In fact, he was SO good that he used to get himself tickled that and would render himself speechless!  He'd just sit there and giggle until tears were streaming down his face!

Papa had severe rhematoid arthritis for many, many years.  Although he was in terrible pain, he continued to wear unforgiving cowboy boots and kept on moving -- saying, "I gotta keep moving or else everything'll just seize up!"  He could grit his teeth and bear almost anything.

Papa loved farming, cattle, John Deere tractors, western-style shirts with pearl snaps, General Motors, classic country music (Marty Robbins) and FanFair in Nashville.  I think they went to every FanFair for thirty years!


Papa didn't like laziness, people who didn't agree with his way of thinking, or having his picture taken.  If you ended up actually getting a picture of him, you were liable to get this expression...

Papa with my head on the left

As he grew older he did mellow a bit, but from the beginning, to know him was to love him!


Living in Pennsylvania, my kids didn't get to see him nearly enough, but we did get a few pictures...  Hey, caught him smiling!

Papa and Owen

This is one of the last visits we had with him on the farm when he was still able to get around pretty well.  This was in April of 2003.  Incidentally, this is one of my favorite pictures and I wish I had been closer when I shot it.

Papa and Owen on the Farm

I caught another smile!

By the time my two little girls came along, Papa was less able to get around.  But he made up for it by taking my kids for rides on his motorized scooter and feeding them ice cream.  This is the best picture I have of him with them...

Papa with Claire and Abbie, July 2006

While getting around after this point was extremely difficult, with Grandma's constant help and attention he was able to live for almost five more years.  We would all have liked for them to have been more pleasureable than they were, but we are thankful for them nonetheless.


I was lucky enough to write Papa a letter telling him what he meant to me before I knew he was dying.  I thank my lucky stars I did.  I feel really good that he knew.

So, if you've still got your grandparents, give them a hug or a call -- tell them how you feel about them -- you'll be glad you did.


UPDATE:

Almost two years later, I have finally completed the first of two quilts, made entirely from my Papa's shirts.  The first is for my sister; the second is for me.  I left the grease spots from the shop, the pockets, the snaps -- everything.  It was extremely therapeutic, and I am pleased with the results.  It's a nice way to keep memories of him around... :)

Pioneer Days

Little House on the Prairie theme song -- LOL!



The Bainbridge Elementary second graders recently went to the Landis Valley Farm Museum to learn about the pioneer life (aka OMG, how lucky are we??)  Here is a picture of some of the gang in front of a covered wagon:

And here is Owen carrying some buckets:

They all had a very good time and seemed to learn quite a bit -- good field trip!

Bainbridge Halloween Parade

Well, last night was the Annual Bainbridge Halloween Parade, and the entries did not disappoint!  Owen and her Brownie troop went as vampires this year.  Who would've thought that these cuties:

Could become these creatures!

Owen had a lot of fun, but her favorite part was seeing her idols -- Mario and Luigi....


Owen and Luigi




Owen and Sophie with Super Mario

 The Super Mario Brothers float was my personal favorite -- They had Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Bowser, Bad Mushroom, Toad -- you name it!  It was very creative!

The Chipmunks/Chipettes float didn't disappoint, either, and the Brownies appreciated walking to the beat of their sound system.

The Candyland float was cool, as well as the '80s Hairband, Christmas and Boy Scout floats!

The walkers were cool, too!  I especially liked the Viking family and wish I had a picture of them, but guess who forgot the camera??

What a wonderful evening in a small town -- this is THE event of the year, and the whole community gets involved...  Go Bainbridge!!

Birthdays

Well, all three of the girls recently celebrated birthdays -- Owen's 8th on August 25th and Abbie and Claire's 5th on September 8th.  Owen is now a second grader at Bainbridge Elementary -- here she is on the first day of school...

The twins will begin preschool (3 mornings a week) at the end of September.

Time is flying, it truly is...  It wouldn't be so bad if I had any memory of it.

I think most parents probably have trouble remembering their kids how they were when they were smaller, but I'm here to tell you that I think that problem is WAY worse with twins.  While I love that I have twins, it does make me sad that everything seems to be a blur with them.  I had no time to sit and marvel at how perfect they were -- I was struggling to keep up!  Sometimes I think I should have another baby after the twins start school just so I can enjoy it.  I won't, but I am sad that my only experience of them is the "here and now".  I still may not be explaining myself well, but when people say twins are a blessing, I do think about that "not so great" part.  Thank goodness for video cameras!

Maybe I'm the exception to the rule, but I doubt it.  And just think, in a couple of years, I won't have any memory of 5-year-olds, either -- sucky!

But here they are, getting bigger all the time!

Abbie the Daredevil, who loves to go higher and faster!

Claire, who likes both feet on the ground, Thank You very much!

A lot different than this, which, sadly, I can barely remember...

Anyhow, that's it!  Sadsack signing off until time either reverses itself or at least slows the hell down... :(

Tidbits

Well, summer's winding down and I have to say "THANK YOU, JESUS!!!"  This summer has been incredibly hot, we didn't go on a vacation, and many unexpected expenses have come our way -- car batteries (2), tires, washing machine --  enough already!  Now to gear up to send Owen to second grade (should find out who her teacher will be within the next week).  We will also be sending the little girls to preschool three mornings a week -- $210 per month we don't have.  You think it's expensive and then you're like, "Oh, wait!  Double that fee!  Ouch!"  But they refuse to learn the alphabet from me -- time to turn them over to more capable (read: patient) hands...

So I tell Claire and Abbie (who are still convinced they are starting first grade), "Guess what?  Your new teacher is named Mrs. Kauffman!"  Claire says, "Why she named that??  Does she cough a lot?" 

Claire's new favorite things to do -- headstands of a neck-bending variety that make me worry about paralysis...  She also likes to wear orange swim goggles around the house and pretend her sisters are carrots --  you always know what's going on when you hear, "CARROT!!  CARROT!!"

The girls' birthday party is coming up, so Owen's favorite thing to do is to invite virtual strangers to her party in hopes of gift accumulation. 

(Par-Tay Invitation)

In fact, when she delivered an invitation the other day, I was told that she said, "My mom says that you don't HAVE to bring a gift, we'd love to just have you come, but PLEASE, PLEASE bring one -- I want presents!!"  She's a great kid, but she does have a greedy bone...

Abbie is more of a low key kid -- I don't have much to report about her, except...  Her fear of dogs is quickly becoming ridiculous!  But it does prove that she can run REALLY fast and that her lungs are EXCEPTIONALLY well-developed!  She is also a really dramatic conversationalist -- she loves to talk to everyone!

Anyway, that's a rundown of things as they stand lately -- hoping that Fall brings a deep breath!

At Least I Can Laugh About It!

Post's theme song ~ "Fat-Bottomed Girls", by Queen



Well, until my willpower decides to agree with my good sense, I'm stuck shopping for a plus sized bathing suit that will not sicken my fellow shareholders at the Willowood Swim Club.  But I do have a few complaints --

When you click on "plus size" the price jumps 30 bucks -- for real.  I don't think they use $30 more material -- just saying...

When you're trying to measure your torso (from shoulder, over bust, between legs and back over shoulder) you shouldn't run out of measuring tape -- bummer!

When the only thing you think you have a hope of pulling off with any dignity drops into a dress (read: tent)right after your boobs...

When the "hardware" on the bust is meant to draw the eye up and away from more problematic areas (description actually says that) -- guess they haven't seen the stretch marks up top -- sigh!

Oh, and I must mention that I have a FABULOUS farmer's tan from mowing the yard...  WOO HOO!

But you know what?  My kids want me to see them swim, and if you can't beat 'em, you might as well join 'em!  Brace yourselves, people, I'm jumping in!

In Retrospect...

You know, motherhood can VERY OFTEN feel like a thankless endeavor...  My kids can be noisy (boy, can they), annoying, rude -- shall I keep going?  Nah.  But then sometimes you get a gift you aren't expecting...

I was going through Owen's end-of-the-year report card, journal, classwork, etc., and I found out a few things...

Not too shabby, right?

And she appreciates what I do at school --

That makes it ALL worthwhile!

My 4-year-olds are also capable of catching me off-guard.  Daddy took the girls to lunch the other day so I could read a book in peace.  Abbie brought me her pillow pet and said, "You can have my Pillow Pet while I'm gone and it will be like we are together, okay?"  I never had any doubts, but little things like this sure do feel good!

Kate Gosselin Eat Your Heart Out!!

The moves probably weren't MUCH more polished than yours, Kate, but they were A LOT less painful to watch!  What am I talking about?  Advanced beginners ballet, of course!!  The big recital took place over the weekend -- there were lots of cute performances, one laugh out loud moment, and lots of proud parents.  Here's some pictures of my ballerina (although she is telling me that NOW she's a future guitarist...) --

Here's one of a few in Owen's class --

Several of the Rainbows --

And Owen and Jenna --

I don't have any recital pictures of Abbie and Claire, because they quit ballet one month before the recital...  After they found out they got to dance on an actual stage, they refused to practice in the "lowly" studio -- evidently their moves are meant only for the BIG TIME!!  Too bad no one else agreed... :)

Hey, Boyfriend! Ummm, Over Here, Boyfriend!!

Claire has spent the past week lobbying for a sleepover with her boyfriend, Rylee.  I finally called Rylee's mother and set up a lunch/playdate at our house.  This was not acceptable to Claire, but she decided to take what she could get...

So we all meet up at the McDonald's and Rylee walks right up to Claire and says, "Hey Claire, give me a kiss!''  So my kid plants one on him...  We all ate lunch and headed for the house.

The kids all had a good time playing together, but when it came time to take a picture, evidently Claire didn't assert herself quickly enough, so Abbie stole the shot!

Well, hell!  I was hoping to get a pic of the lovebirds, but this was what I got -- men are even fickle when they're four -- or maybe they're simply opportunists??  These issues will be a lot less funny in 10 years!!