From the Mouths of Babes

The othe other day I promised Katie and Jared that if they cleaned their rooms I would take them to the Mall of Georgia. Jared was sort of putzing around going slow so I went in and helped him. I went to my room to get ready. I was in my closet and had just changed clothes when he came in and said,"Come on Mom hurry up. I said, It will be a few minutes Jared I still have to put on my make-up. He said,"Mom you don't need make-up. You don't need to attract men. You are married you know.." I was caught off guard. Then I just laughed. How do you answer that one. Out of the mouths of babes.

I am trying to post my picture on the profile. As near as I can figure out I need to post it on the blog first and then cut and paste it on the profile. So here is a picture of the make-up toteing mall vamp.

Life is Like the Ocean

Life is like the ocean blue
Sometimes you slowly drift
The color changes to a different hue
Its beauty is a miraculous gift

A storm can make it a frightening place
You panic and don't know what will come
You are soothed by a vision of a loved ones face
And reach for the comfort of those at home

You often walk along the shore
Collecting pearls of wisdom as you go
You enjoy the journey always wanting more
And the winds of change will surely blow

I Love

the way fireflies sparkle at sunset.
the sound of muffled voices of my children when they are supposed to be sleeping.
the smell of fresh baked cookies wafting upstairs.
the long conversations I have with my friends.
when my husband takes a day off in the middle of the week during school.

hiking through the bright colors of the north Georgia mountains in fall.
floating on my back in the pool the relaxation of it and the quiet
to see ice on the branches of trees turning everything into a winter wonderland.
to watch hummingbirds darting to and fro sometimes fighting over a feeder.
the warmth of my children's lips on my cheeks giving me kisses goodnight.

Three Girls and a Boy

I was lucky enough to grow up with two sisters and a brother. Nancy was the smart one, Carolyn was the shy one, I was Baby Pet and Anthony was the King.

Nancy literally can do anything she sets her mind to and does it well. She plays the piano and organ. She could literally drive me into a frenzy by playing a mere 3 notes. Da DaDa DaDa Da. (Inside joke) She taught herself to play banjo. She wrote and directed many plays starring Carolyn and me. Of course I didn't follow directions well and usually ended up playing the boy. I would argue that I had longer hair. Why did I have to be the boy. She actually made my grandparents pay to see these productions. Nancy is also an excellent seamstress. She makes doll clothes better than the manufacturer. She recreated vintage Barbie dresses and I liked them better than Mattel's recreations. Nancy was in charge of our Halloween outfits each year. One year she made dice outfits out of boxes. Carolyn and I went as a set of dice. It was really cute and we got a lot of compliments that night. People would actually call their mate to the door to see us. Another year she was going to make a Flying Nun outfit for my sister. My mother had a fit because she thought it would be sacrilegious to be a nun on Halloween. Instead she made her a Mortisha costume. Can you imagine a mother wanting her daughter to be Mortisha instead of the Flying Nun. Once she made a really elegant Martha Washington costume for me. Unfortunately I got sick that year and didn't get to wear it. My sisters took our an extra Halloween bag for me. Some people didn't believe they had a sick sister and didn't give me anything but other people gave me extra special things. Nancy was the Queen of the sisters. She crowned me Baby Tattletale and Baby Pet. She introduced me to one of my favorite books, Little Women. I think of Nancy as Jo.

My sister Carolyn and I are only 19 months apart. We were very close growing up and still are. I think I came a little too quick and stole her babyhood away. But she forgave me and guarded me protectively. Carolyn has the best imagination and is the most artistic and creative. She would always come up with the most interesting sequences for us to play. We would pretend we were Jane and Michael from MaryPoppins and always delight in torturing poor Michael. Then we would pretend to be Pollyanna. Once I had the brainstorm of rearranging the furniture because we were now being Pollyanna instead of Jane and Michael. Our bedroom was up in the attic. We picked up the TV set to move it and dropped it on the floor. I am sure the smashing sound reververated in the entire house because my father was up there yelling at us in two seconds flat. Thankfully the TV was not broken or I probably would not be sitting here writing this. (No wonder I did not label myself the smart one). Carolyn used to be painfully shy. If she did not know you she would not utter a word. We are opposites of the same coin. As much as I talk and chatter away that is how quiet and thoughtful she is. I think the saying still waters run deep is true because my sister is quiet yet thinks deep thoughts. She cares about other people and will do nice things to surprise them. She designs and prints her own greeting cards. She is also teaching herself how to play piano. She has a lot of talent. As kids I dogged her every step and followed everything she did. I think my mother only granted her a reprieve from me on one or two rare occasions. Pretty much Carolyn was stuck with me whether she wanted to be or not. And she still is. In Little Women I think of Carolyn as Beth.

I was a sweet girl but probably the most selfish of the three of us. I remember in Little Women it was Christmas and the girls were buying gifts for their mother. Amy was going to buy Marmee a bottle of perfume. She bought the smaller bottle instead so she could also buy some art pencils. I thought that was something I would do. I think of myself as Amy.

When my mother found out she was pregnant at 35 it was a big surprise for her. My father of course wanted a boy. He had always wanted a boy. I wanted the baby to be a girl. I prayed every night, "Dear Jesus Please Please Please Please Please make the baby be a girl." My Dad overheard me and told my Mother"that kid is jinxing me" Well apparantly my pleas did not work because my brother Anthony was born July 15, 1963. With three girls in the family he didn't have a chance. It was like having four mothers. We were in awe. He could blow bubbles without the bubble liquid. He didn't have to learn to talk. He could just grunt and point and what ever he wanted would be brought to him. There were no disposable diapers so I would watch as my mother would hold on to the corner of a diaper and flush it so as to get rid of most of the contents. Then she would put them in a bucket. I forgave God for not granting my wish for the baby being a girl. I was just thankful he provvided disposable diapers by the time I had my children. Nancy was truly a second mother to Anthony. She would do with him all of the things my mother felt she was too old for. She took him on rides. Took him to Astroworld and would take him swimming. Carolyn and I were more his tormentors. He would like to come play in our room when we were budding teenagers. We didn't like it. We invented this boogey man named Room who we told him lived under the bed. We would both start chanting Room RoomRoom Room in deep voices and he would get scared and run out. We would promptly shut and lock the door and do the equivalent of a high five. I would pin him down on the floor and pretend I was going to spit on him. Once I let a little too much dribble out and actually did spit on him. I wasn't banking on his getting bigger than me one day. I am sure he paid me back a few times. Anthony got the coolest toys. Too bad he didn't get to play with them. He had an astronaut capsule you could sit in like a tent. He also had an astronaut launching pad. The launch was attached to a balloon and the pad could be moved around with air. It directed the balloon to land. We have movies of Carolyn playing with it with one hand and shoving Anthony away with the other. It was a whole new world for us. Boys Toys. Anthony learned to play the drums and is in a band. He is a whiz at all things technical. There isn't a character I can assign to him from Little Women but he certainly was Jo's boy.

True Love

When you marry
You think you are so in love
But love contains hardships
That go hand in glove

It's easy to love someone
Who is pretty and sweet
Perfect hair and nails
Clothes perfectly neat

The test is when someone
Loves you when your not at your best
When your tired, crabby
and emotionally stressed

They put on some tea
Give your shoulders a rub
light scented candles
Put bubbles in the tub

After a baby and surgery
They help you out of bed
Tenderly bathe you
And kiss the top of your head

They don't care you feel ugly
Fat and undressed
They hand you your baby
And make you feel like the best

They stand with you always
Through good times and bad
Through rough times and sorrows
That make you so sad

Through elation
Depression
Craziness too

They love you no matter
the things that you do

So true love is a measure
Of all of those things
Staying strong through the trama
That only life brings

Sweet Little Boy

My little Jared was not the pretty perfect baby that Katie was. He had a sweet face but was red and blotchy with milia (baby acne) He was also colicky and cried and complained non stop for 6 weeks. He thankfully took the pacifier and liked the swing. However at 7 years old he still has not stopped complaining. It is his favorite pasttime. Of course it could have to do with his sister getting the better of him most of the time. Jared is also a smart one. He just graduated from the 1st grade and is reading at a 4th grade level. Even more important than that he is a very thoughtful little boy. He often puts other people ahead of himself. One day he and Katie were argueing about who got the playstation first when we got home. Suddenly Jared said its ok Katie you can have it because you have to go to piano. I'll play while you are at piano. Very mature for a 7 year old I thought. And he is so sweet. He tells Katie he loves her all the time. If I start to take him to the store he will stop to be sure and invite Katie. Once we were in the car and had stopped at the stop sign and he told me we better turn around and go back and get Katie. He will come in a room looking for me and just walk up look at me and say I love you. If anybody ever tries to tell you girls are sweeter than boys don't beleive them. My boy is the sweetest.

Growing Up Too Soon

I waited to have my children. Wanting to be responsible and ready. Then mother nature took her time too. When I gave birth to Katie it was one of the happiest days of my life. She was an absoulutely beautiful and perfect newborn. No redness no wrinkles. No misshapen head. She was pretty, pink and had tiny rosebud lips. And I knew right from the start she had a will of iron. Just like her Daddy it was her way or the highway. Breast feed? She will turn purple screaming first.

Today she is still a very pretty girl. She is 11 going on 15. All the signs of teenager. Staying on the phone with her girlfriends for hours on end. Having her first crushes on boys. Smart as a whip, she was recently tested at school and exceeded the standards on every level. Is in the advanced classes at school (called the horizons program) And the child still has an iron will. She doesn't take no for an answer and she argues every point. (Budding lawyer perhaps) She is also very responsible and I hope because of the iron will that she will not be adversely influenced by peers.

Recently a total stranger came up and asked me if I was Katie's mother. I somewhat reluctantly said yes not knowing what to expect next. This person went on and on about what a lovely and nice girl she was and what a wonderful job I had done raising her. I wasn't altogether sure they had the right Katie. But it was my daughter they were talking about. And it made me feel proud. (Although I know it could have just as easily gone the other way.)

Well today my pretty baby went on her 1st camping trip on her own with the 4H club. The camp they are going to is called Rock Eagle and it is 2 hours away. There are going to be over 1000 kids there and as a consequence they are not able to call when they get there. They can only call if there is an emergency so I won't know anything until I pick her up on Friday. Cell phones don't work there because the towers are not close enough. I can only trust that the adults are taking care. And even more I can trust the good sense that I know my daughter has.

Fathers Day

Your gentle touch
Your warm embrace
The familiar curve
of your handsome face

You are honest
upright concerned
There is so much
from you that I have learned

I love you now
I love you forever
Each and every storm
We'll weather

You are an intelligent
and loving father
And you fulfilled my wish
to become a mother

Everyday Housewife Part 2

Slaving over a hot stove today

Family says dinner is just Okay

Life of an everyday housewife

One wants chicken

One wants beef

I just reach for pain releif

Life of an everyday housewife

I want the TV

No I called it first

I think my head is going to burst

Life of an everyday housewife

Everyday Housewife

Go to market

Mop the floor

Clean the bathrooms

What a bore

Life of an everyday housewife

Take kids to the water park

Take kids to the pool

Every summer

Can’t wait for school

Life of an everyday housewife

Going shopping

Spent all the cash

Gave my husband

Hives and a rash

Life of an everyday housewife

Monday June 12 2006

We had some one come out and trim all of the bushes. One holly tree looks a little worse for the wear but on the whole it looks good. We did the usual boring housework and went to the pool this afternoon. We were supposed to get started on the basement but no one wanted to.

Sunday June 11 2006

Carolyn picked me up early and we went to church to do the host team duties. Passing out programs and the collection buckets. We were relieved at 10:15. She took me to breakfast. It was nice having some one on one time. She came and visited with the kids a little while. Jared was showing her what he wanted for his birthday. After she left I took the kids to the pool. I was going to take a nap but it was too hot. I took a dip instead. I am really tired. Not used to getting up at 6:00 and so much activity. I think I will turn in early.

Saturday June 10 2006

I tried to work on laundry today and I did iron some of Terry's shirts. Its just a task that never ends and never holds my attention for too long. I took Katie and Jared to the pool today. Karen was there and I sat with her and some other ladies. We had a nice time and I went swimming. Terry, Katie , Jared and I went to La Cansuela for dinner. We shared a fried ice cream. I thought it was good. Terry thought it was nothing special. What else is new. I promised Carolyn I would work the host team with her tomarrow. She is coming at 7:00 am. I don't even get up that early to take the kids to school.

Friday June 9 2006

Terry took Katie , Jared and Trevor to the movies to see Cars. I stayed home and straightened up the house completely. Trevor stayed over and played with Jared all day and Quintin joined them for a while as well. Needless to say the house is a total disaster area again. I spent time with Lisa today. She is fixing up the basement to surprise Tim. It looks really pretty. I hope he likes it. I am going to kick back and watch a couple of movies I borrowed from her. I think I will go in my bedroom and lock the door. Solitude.

Thurday June 8 2006

I took the kids to Lake Lanier Islands today. Just me and them. We only stayed three hours but seemed to do just as much as last week. I am really tired and a little sore. That place is a real work out. Holding on to tubes. Climbing up stairs. It got me to thinking about all we do for our children so I wrote the following:

A child is born

A parent sighs

Everything changes

The world goes by

First coo

First giggle

First step

First wiggle

Before you know it

they are one

the true adventure

has just begun

Throwing tantrums

making messes

smearing jelly

on Mommy's dresses

School begins

friendships start

you watch as others

break their heart

Soccer swimming

baseball scouts

its really enough

to wear you out

Not a moment of it

would I trade

soccer triumphs

or failing grades

Children are a lot of work

As you can plainly see

I don't know what was in my head

But I'm glad that Mommy is me

Wednesday June 7 2006

I started out today gang busters cleaning the house, sorting laundry. It lost momentum rather quickly after we got home from the grocery store. Katie and I watched The Trouble with Angels this afternoon. It was as funny as I remembered but I didn't recall it being as long as it was. We were supposed to go to Lake Lanier Islands tomarrow. Tracy had to cancel because Lexie has a fever. Karen decided not to go because we were not staying all day. Then Lisa begged off because her Mother wanted to come over and paint. I decided not to go alone just with the kids so I broke the news to them. They whined and moaned a little but they will get over it.

Tuesday June 6, 2006

I missed my little Katie this morning. Jared came out and helped me wash Terry's truck. I think it has been 3 years since it has been washed. There was a foot of pinestraw in the back. We worked on it lovingly for about an hour. It came out much nicer that I imagined. I am hoping this gets Terry inspired to get it running and to sell it. My movies came in the mail today. Where the boys are and Trouble with Angels. Katie and I will watch Where the boys are tonight. I wrote something about being bipolar. It will follow:

Life often takes an upward turn joyous thrilling and free

Then all too soon it comes crashing down like waves on an angry sea.

The days go by. The winds they change.Emotions we battle to tame.

Our hearts stand still for the love that we will and together we play the game

Monday June 5 2006

I was still so tired this morning I woke and went back to sleep till 10.30. Katie and I washed the Buick and the van. They look real nice. Terry worked from home today. I cooked a roast in the crock pot. Dinner was really good. Katie went to spend the night with Laura. I took Jared to the pool as a consolation prize.

Sunday June 4, 2006

I finished up the bathrooms today but still have several loads of laundry. It never seems to end. I took the kids to the pool at 1:00. We stayed until 3:00. I was listening to my ipod. Terry came up and took our order for McDonalds. I was so tired I tried to take a nap but the kids were making a lot of noise and coming in and out. I will go to bed early tonight.

Saturday June 3, 2006

Today I was still tired from yesterday. I was going to relax but Terry got worked up about the house so I straightened up the down stairs and cleaned the bathroom. I will do the rest tomarrow. Jared went to a birthday party . I took him and picked him up. I also took Katie shopping. We got her some luggage for her camp trip in a few weeks.

Friday June 2, 2006

Tracy, Lisa and I and all the kids went to the waterpark today. I must say we had a blast. The 1st thing I rode was the most extreme of all. It was called the Big Dunk but everyone calls it the toilet. You start out going down down this long tube very fast. You are on your back the whole way. Then you are deposited in a large bowl like a toilet bowl and go around and around . Your are sucked under water down a hole at the bottom. It was intense. We got in a wave pool and that was a lot of fun. I had two favorites. One you get on a mat with handles and go down on your belly down and around and under a small water fall. I was laughing like crazy on that one. The other was called a twister. You get on a big intertube and go down a long winding slide. We got there at 10:00 and stayed until 5:15. I have to say we were all whipped and starving. I know everyone will sleep good tonight.

Thursday June 1, 2006

I took a walk at 7:00. It is really nice that time of morning. It is almost a cool breeze. I had lots of housework to do. The kids were driving me crazy wanting to go to the pool. Finally I caved around 2:00. Karen was there too. The water was really nice so I went swimming. I bought the tickets for Lake Lanier Islands tomarrow. We are going to have to get up early.