I Got Skills!

Napoleon Dynamite would be so proud! Last Friday was parents’ night for South Grand Prairie High School’s marching band. Jim & I, of course, attended because Eric was performing. (You can certainly tell where Eric is in the tuba line because of the sudden drop in height of one of the players. Yup, that would be him.) Eric called Friday afternoon and told me to make sure I was wearing comfortable shoes. Why? Because the parking lot was a lot further away than they expected so I should be prepared. Kind of odd, but okay. So we get to the stadium, parking where we usually park and stroll in to the stadium and take our seats on the bleachers. After the kids lined, all in their spaces with bright, shiny, sweaty faces, they performed a really short routine. Just a teaser for the upcoming games. The band director introduced all the board members, student teacher, flag corp, etc. And reminded us all of the ongoing fund raiser. You know – ward business kind of stuff. Then THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! “Parents, please raise your hand so that your student will know where you’re sitting.” I look to my right and neither one of his parents are raising their hands. Jim’s not raising his and neither was I just figured that he knew exactly where they were sitting and he was headed their way. That is until I spy Eric running across the field, looking straight at me, with the biggest grin on his face. Dunt, dunt, duuuuuuh! He was coming for me!!! Slowly he turned. Step by step. Inch by inch. Oh, wait. Wrong story. That would be Abbott & Costello, not Eric & Mimi. Sorry. So I met him at the edge of the field and he took me on to my spot. Right on the 40 yard line “cash mark”. I looked around and couldn’t see anybody ready to offer but then he explained it was actually “hash mark”. Oh. Big difference. He very quickly ran me through the two sets (24 and 25 if anyone’s interested) that I was supposed to learn in 5 minutes. Sure seemed like a lot less. I asked him to slow down, show me how to do the moves, but he told me (with an even bigger grin) that he wasn’t allowed to do that. Just talk me through it. Great. So I learned how to stand, where to find my mark, how to hold my arms and hands in place (EYE LEVEL, MIMI!), and how to take (mother, may I?) 9 steps backwards. Not big ones. Sort of ¾ size ones. Not on the balls of my feet but more on the middle of my feet. Huh? About the time I was sorta kinda almost got it, the band director called for all kids to leave the field. Whaaaaaaat? The drum line started doing their thing to give us a beat to move to. I found out where Eric was standing (his smile was now at the excessive wattage point and he could have lit up all of South GP with that grin) and mouthed to him that was SOOOOOO grounded. I actually tried the moves. Held my hands at eye level, arms held high, bingo arms flying in the wind, shuffled my feet, moved to the left, took a couple of steps backwards. Ta da! My proudest move? That I didn’t fall down. Or pass out. Eric was kind enough to escort me back off the field, laughing all the way. He was so danged proud of himself and how he pulled one over on his Mimi. But that’s okay. I know where he sleeps. Oh, and before I climbed back up the bleachers I did the classic raising my arms over my head and gave everyone the classic victory pose. The one that most folks call the “horn” sign. I prefer the “I love you” sign – but with more oomph! Eric’s in trouble because he’s created a monster. SUPUH STAR!!!!

A Bad Meltdown Does Not a Good Mother Make

The meltdown I had last night was not her fault. I walked in from work to be greeted by my darling husband with an invitation from our youngest adopted Gdaughter to visit with them for family home evening. Her big sister is leaving for BYU in a few days and this would be the last time that we'd get to spend with her before her trip. Of course when the littest one calls her Poppy, his heart melts and he always says yes. Me? Oh, glad to go, but I was really looking forward to changing into PJs, having a homecooked meal (by him - not me), plopping down in my chair and have critters run to my side in anxious anticipation because Mom was home. Nope. Not happening. So out the door we went. Oh, don't get me wrong. I was glad to go. But it was taking a while for my brain to shift gears. (A happy compromise might have been for me to go in my PJs but I don't think any of my boys would have appreciated it.) On the road - and the phone rings. Could we pick up one of the Gsons from his dad's house in Irving and take him to his mom's house in Hurst? Any other evening would have been fine. But we were going to south Arlington (past I-20). We live in south Irving. She lives in Hurst (NE corner of Tarrant County - Ft. Worth-I-love-yew country. Quite a haul. And a tank of gas. So bickering in my brain. My heart shrinking one size smaller a la Grinch. And I just lost it. Why couldn't she pick him up? Why do we have to be inconvenienced? Blah, blah, blah. The more I thought, the more frazzled I made myself. Things came to a head after we left early from FHE. I called my daughter and let loose on her. Which I never should have done. My foul mood was just oozing all over the place. With my older daughter when we left. And now on the phone with my younger daughter. Things are tough all over right now for our clan. Everybody's going through hard times right now. And that affected my mood, as well. (Our bank account is to the point that moths are starting to hover over the numbers. Not looking very fiscally swell right about now.) So I let the worries about using the gas, taking time away from one part of the family to take care of another part of the family, when I should have changed my heart's vision slightly to the right and change my attitude. The other family members would have understood if I had explained the situation to them. I wouldn't have transferred my ugly feelings & thoughts to my other daughter which put the damper on her fun for the evening. And I would have remembered that as a mother I have rare opportunities to continue to serve my children - as in "what would Jesus do". I wasn't a very good disciple last night. Not a good example to anyone. Especially not to my younger daughter. I made her cry. I hurt her heart. And caused her more stress - which she certainly doesn't need at this point. So today I get to make amends to both my kids. Apologies are needed all the way around. And get my head and my heart back where they're supposed to be. An apology and a fervent "I love you" will make me a better mother. And remember my calling as a "mother in Zion". At least I hope so.

Time's flies when you're having fun.

Or at least that's what I've been told all my life.  And, fortunately or  unfortunately, it's all too true.

Summer time and the living isn't so easy.  Seems that the whole country is suffering from higher temps than usual.  Brown outs.  A whole community on the east coast without water services (eeewww!).  Not enough rain to refill the lakes from this ongoing drought we've had.

This past week we did have a cool front come through.  So instead of close to being 100 with high humidity we had a couple of days of 80s and wonderfully cool nights.  AC turned off.  Windows thrown open.  Nice little breeze blowing through the house.  Such a nice break from the sufferings of summer.  But, alas and alack, the "real" Texas summer returned all too soon.

So summer is passing too quickly.  Haven't been able to spend a lot of time with any of the Gkids.  We did manage to get down to Eric's Scout camp to check him out for a few hours on a couple of weekends.  We visited "the" Walmart and "the" movie theatre (four tiny auditoriums) in Athens. 

He got to come home earlier than planned.  My SIL made him an offer he couldn't refuse - a high adventure outing with their Scouts down to the Texas coast (sounds mighty high falutin', doesn't it?).  Thankfully Eric got to visit with the camp leaders, explaining the situation, and they let him go with their blessing.  AND he'll be able to return next summer to work since he left under good circumstances.

The kid is a hard worker.  A good example to others and does what is asked of him. Plus good attitude and terrific sense of humor.  Which helps when you're working in 90+ weather, in high humidity, around stinking smelly boys, etc.

Gorgeous country down there.  Almost wouldn't mind moving there.  But then we'd have to figure out how to build a portal so that Gkids and kids can zip in & out anytime.

Although it's only the middle of summer the dreaded school supplies and uniforms are already populating aisles and aisles at local stores everywhere.  I can feel a disturbance in the universe as kids & their parents are trying to grab and hold on to every last second of summer.

Time for a trip to DQ for a Blizzard, another trip to the frozen yogurt store, or a visit to my local snow cone stand.  That's how I get to celebrate summer this year.  That and thank the inventors of air conditioning!!!

Good Times

Just got a call from my dear, sweet, talented, TALENTED friend Lynn.  She just invited Jim & me to be with at her being sealed to her husband Mert.  They were only together for a short time here.  But after our trip to the temple, she'll get to be with him for all eternity THERE!  And that's what counts.  She's an amazing woman.  And if Mert had enough good sense to marry her - then he was an amazing man.  Anybody who has John Wayne as his hero is all right in my book!  This is a real honor for us.  And a dream come true for her.  And we're grateful that we got to be at both wedding ceremonies.  For time.  And now for all eternity.

Got to spend last weekend with my Gson Eric.  What a blast we had!  Movie out, movies in, eating out (Thai, Vietnamese, and Sweet Tomatoes), cooking in, checking out boots & cowboy hats at a local western wear shop, laughing, hugs, errand running, visiting the DFW National Cemetary to honor heros and to give him a history lesson, church, decorating the front yard with American flags in honor of Memorial Day & his hero Poppy, more laughing, and finally ending with his learning how to make his favorite meal from his Mimi (Buttermilk Chicken, if you must ask).  Yes, his mother has the recipe.  And, yes, she does cook it & has learned an ever better way to make it (what did we do before slow cookers?).  He was so proud of himself.  And I bet his mom will let him cook it himself from time to time.

His parents were very gracious in letting me have him for the long weekend.  They were going out of town to celebrate their anniversary and one lucky soul (well, really two lucky souls) was (were?) going to have 24/7 access to him.  Jim & I were the winners!!!  Eric leaves in short bit to staff Scout camp for two months.  So I got extra time with him before he leaves.  So I guess this means when he goes on his mission I'll get him for a month before he goes?  No?  Darn.

I'm grateful than all my Gkids live close.  If any of them ever decide to move outside of the DFW area - we're in trouble.  And the boys?  Well, when they have kids there just going to have to figure out how to make a living here!

I've joked for years that I'd love to have a compound (no, not like the wackos in Waco) where everyone could have their own house and we could have access to all Gkids all the time.  My kids were lucky in that their Meemaw lived a short drive to Oak Cliff and so got to visit her often.  Lucky Meemaw.  Luckier them.

Summer's coming soon.  I've declared it so by having my toenails painted the brightest cobalt blue.  That's my official declaration for summer arriving.  And with the summer, HOPEFULLY, more time with the other three Gkids.  Geography/schedules have not always been in our favor in getting to play with them.  I've got stuff planned. 

Attention K-mart shoppers, I mean, Gkids!  I'm going to get you!  You parents have been warned and if have to alert the media I will.  "Mimi kidnaps Gkids.  Again . . . "

And we'll have fun building memories.  Laugh a little.  Hug a little.  Go on some adventures. You have been notified.  Save some time for me this summer.

Time passes all too quickly.  My time with you is too precious.  Worth more than all the riches in the world.  I want good memories, enough to last through the eternities. 

The happiest thing you could ever say to one another would be, "Do you remember the time that Mimi did (insert crazy stunt here)?" 

Or "Can you believe that she danced in the (car, church, Kroger's, Half Price Books - take your pick from a LONG list) and didn't care if anyone was looking?"

I pulled some stuff on my kids - but with my Gkids, it seems that at times I don't have a filter.  But I'm fine with that

Let the good times roll!



 

I'm Still Here!

So much has gone on over the last month. 

Spring break - that just about sums it up. 

Our boys came in from Arizona (oldest) and SJ, CA (youngest).  My sweet daughter-in-law wasn't supposed to be coming (new job, not enough $$, etc.) but lo! and behold!  There walking right next to my oldest was his lovely bride.  I didn't see her at first - but when I did I almost knocked her down.  We do so love this girl! 

Eveyone kept it a secret from me - and from the Divine Mz. B.  She and my DIL are "twins".  In the past it's been wherever my DIL was - Mz. B was not too far behind.  Oldest has been threatened - you better do right by her.  She's a keeper and we like her better than him.  Of course that's nonsense . . .  Hmmm. 

And then youngest brought a girl home, too.  She's divine!  She funny.  Jumped right in to help with anything that needed to be done.  Made us laugh.  She put up with our hilarity ("easily amused" continues to carry on!) and we didn't even scare her.  Not one whit.  (Darn.  We did it wrong!)  We hope she gets to come back.  She just fit right in.  That's the kind of girl (young lady, woman, whatever) we really like.  She and youngest look good together - and act good together as well.  Plus (and this is a big one) all the Gkids adore her.  I can't think of any better recommendation!

I asked Oldest how I should behave - proper, quiet, shy, etc.  He gave me the best advice, "Just fly your freak flag, Mom."  So I did!

It was fun to watch Youngest and +1 as they went through a box full of awards, certificates, and yearbooks.  He had left a closet full of boy toys and had asked why did I keep them after all this time?  They weren't mine to give, but when he gave us the green light - out the door they went.  To a very excited 13 year old Star Wars fan.  And I'm sure his parents are very grateful for that 4' long light saber.  Tee. Hee.

All four of our guests got introduced to the extended family at a special dinner at Older's house.  LOTS of people.  Didn't seem to phase any of them.  Everyone just rocked on as if we'd all been together for years.  (We don't intentionally try to run off those that are dating our boys, but it's happened.  Well, not really our fault but we were rooting for the boys.  This time?  Tables have turned!!)

We got to celebrate Older Gson's Eagle Court of Honor.  What a spectacular celebrationt!  Youngest got to sit in the Eagles' Nest.  That was an awesome sight.  His nephew was so pleased that his Uncle Taylor got to be there.  And I think maybe his Uncle Taylor was just as thrilled.

Our visit with all of them was way too short.  Not enough hours in the day.  Too much food to eat.  Too many restaurants we wanted to visit.  (I think we all gained about 10 lbs. each!!)  So hard trying to fit in everything/everybody that they wanted to visit.  Sadly Younger was the one who had the shortest visit with them.  Her working hours were ruining her seeing them.  But she had a new job and couldn't take off the time.

I'm so grateful we had the time to spend.  Sometimes it's hard to realize that they're all "growed up" with lives of their own, schooling, jobs, their own circle of friends, totally different likes and dislikes than when they were kids. 

Sometimes their growing older is the pits. How did this happen?!?  If I could figure out how to slow down time just a little teensey bit - I'd be happy.  Especially when we all get together.  I like to sit in a corner and just watch them interact.  Seems like they haven't skipped a beat.

I'm SO grateful that we got to spend time together and strengthen the ties that bind us together.

Time's fun when you're having flies

Or so I've been told . . .

Things are moving along at a rapid pace at our house.  Trying to get ready for the boys +1 homecoming.  But the tasks at hand are not easy ones.  My poor house looks like that - a poor house.  We have so many things that need painted, tossed, scrubbed, realigned, moved, hung, taken down, removed, dusted, washed.  I'm already worn out just from reading what needs to be done! Plus I'm running out of verbs.

For instance - I got beat up by my house on Saturday.  Scrubbing, dragging, pushing, pulling, tossing, more scrubbing, twisting, turning.  If anything falls on the floor it will just have to stay there until I can bend over or squat without pains and/or muscle cramps to pick it up.  It even hurts to sit!  And I get to continue doing all this until I've had enough - or the house surrenders!

I just know that my kids will appreciate all my efforts when they walk in the house, go straight to the stove and say, “Wow, Mom!  Good job!!!”

My BFF told me that now that it’s all sparkly and pretty that I can’t cook.  Okay. Fine by me.  On most days that's a deal that I'm happy to live with. 

To help move the work along - I asked Sara if she’d lcome over and help me out.  She's really good at organizing, tossing, etc. - skills that I'm sorely lacking in.  I also asked her to bring the kids over so that they could earn some $ to spend during spring break.   

About two minutes after their arrival - it went downhill from there. 

I asked them to clean up the yard (pickup sticks & various tree parts, sweep the walk, pick up trash, etc. so that it would be done for Poppy.  One of the neighborhood kids came over and promptly dropped a couple of F-bombs while conversing with the kids.  Sara was livid.  Ashley said in a VERY loud voice – “What did you just say?!?!”  Of course he didn’t repeat it but Sara jumped on him. 

I went out & told him basically that my house was a rated “PG” house and that kind of language wasn’t allowed.  He apologized (though did look a little puzzled over the fuss).  And then the kids started visiting - and playing. 

Toby was dug up part of the yard.  Then got stuck up a tree.  Ashley came in to get her fishing rod.  After trying her hand at casting the hook got caught up in another tree. The kids dropped orange peels in the front yard.  Yeah – pretty much downhill.

I paid them because they did do some good work.  But as they were all leaving - I saw what a mess they made in the process.  Particularly after they’d picked up a lot of tree parts and Jonathan ended up emptying the whole bag in the middle of the front yard.  It took me a while to figure why he did that. 

He had taken the trash can to the curb because his mom told him to do so.  He didn't know that she meant just the trash big. 

After she got on to him for that - she tells him to empty the bag.  Which he did - right in the middle of the front yard..  I think his mom was giving him too many directions at once without a whole lot of explanation.  Poor guy . . .

I had a little meeting with them afterwards.  Told them that this was supposed to be helping Jim (“Poppy”).  But that they did a shoddy job.  I told them that Poppy works hard for his money, I did, their Mom did and that they should work just as hard as we do.  I even asked them how they felt about the work they did.  “Not good.”

When Jim gets a closer look at the front lawn he’ll probably find that they weren’t as helpful as I’d hoped.  Note to self:  do NOT let Toby walk around the yard with any kind of tool and/or yard work implement or his knees will get ripped off and stapled to the back of his legs . . . .

I asked Sara how the kids were on the way home and she said that she yelled at them all the way home (would have loved to been a bug in that car!).  They felt bad and gave her the $$ that I paid them.  I think they got the point of the conversation.  Well, probably Jonathan & Ashley got it.  With Toby – not so much.  Sara volunteered to come back over w/ Ashley and they’d both help me.  We’ll see.  Hopefully I’ll pretty much have it all under control by Saturday afternoon.

Wait – who am I kidding?

A little guilt is a good thing at times. 

 

God Bless Texas!

March is Texas History Month here in the great Lone Star State. And March 2 commemorates the anniversary of Texas' independence.  Celebrations and reenactments will be happening all over our fair state.  Some kids will be lucky enought to study everything Texas this month.  Why?  Because kids who live here gotta know their stuff and start working on those bragging rights at an early age!

We have an adopted Gdaughter who is attending BYU.  One of her teachers asked a loaded question – “Why is Texas so great.”  Our Gdaughter was more than happy to oblige.

But then the question started me thinking – why do I think Texas is the next best thing since sliced cornbread?  Well – here are more than a few of my thoughts.

Bluebonnets. Dr. Pepper. The Alamo.  The River Walk.  BBQ.  Babe's.  Tex Mex.  Frito pie.  Citrus from the Rio Grande Valley.  1015 onions.  Native pecans.  Fried pies.  Smoked brisket.  Chili – with or without beans (this will cause a heated debate, I’m sure).  Peach cobbler.  Steaks on the grill.  Kolaches from West.  German food from New Braunfels.  Mud bugs. 

Palo Duro Canyon. Galveston (as tacky as it is - I still love it). Piney Woods. Padre Island (minus drunk college kids). Central Texas and the Hill Country. Bats flying out from under the Washington Street bridge in Austin. Texas A&M vs. TU. The Texas/OU game. Oil derricks pumping away to a beat that only they can hear. Jefferson. Granbury. North Park Mall. Kilgore Rangerettes. Possum Kingdom Lake.  A horizon that goes on forever as you drive through west Texas.  Fort Worth.  Heck. I'll even throw in Houston just for the fun of it.

Football (especially in Midland/Odessa where they do high school football right!).  Soccer (hey! It’s a new age, folks.)  T-ball.  Hockey.  Basketball.  Baseball.  Hockey.  Little league.

Whole Foods.  HEB.  Minyard's.  Brookshire's. 7-11.  Titche-Goettinger.  Sanger Harris.  Foley's.  K-Mart.  Sears.  Montgomery Ward's.  Skillern's.  A&P.  Mott's.  Ben Franklin.  Ice houses and corner stores.

The State Fair of Texas.  Big Tex.  Fair food (heavy on the batter, deep on the fried).  Rodeos.  4^th of July parades.  Drive in movies (we still have a few).  Dive in movies at the water parks. The Paluxy River, complete with dinosaur footprints. The Brazos River.  Gruene.  Paris.  Italy.  Athens.  Nacogdoches. Waxhachie.  Marfa.  Boerne.  Waco.  Mexia.

Folks who wave at you as you drive by in small towns (no - not THAT kind of wave!!).  Cowboys tipping their hats.  A 200 mile long funeral procession that ran from Dallas all the way to Austin. “Bless your heart”.  Texas twang.  The chicken dance.  Western swing.  Willie Nelson's picnic.  Janice Joplin.  Van Cliburn (Bless his heart – in a very good way.).

Folks pulling over to the side of the road when a funeral procession passes. Thunderstorms. The Texas flag.  Remembering to say “please” and “thank you”.  Addressing any female over the legal age ‘Ma’am”.  (And – no – it’s not a sexist thing or an ageism thing.  It’s a sign of respect.)  “Yes, sir” and “no, sir” – also signs of respect.

Front porches.  Dogs in the yard.  Screen doors.  Swing sets.  Neighborhood parks and pools.  Skinny dippin’.  Cow tippin’.  TP-ing someone’s house (usually a sign of affection – or at least it used to be).  Camping in your own backyard.

Texas A&M.  University of Texas.  TCU.  Baylor.  University of Houston.  Stephen F. Austin.  UNT.  TWU (go, Maggies!).  Texas Tech.  Sul Ross.  SMU.  Paul Quinn.  And lots of junior colleges spread all across the state. 

As you can tell - I am not one bit proud of being a Texas.

When some folks are asked if they’re an American first – or a Texan, they’ve answered proudly, “I’m a Texan.” 

Amen!