Pretty in Pink

Sweet Babies

2009-03-03T20:03:00.001-06:00

I think I will just let this picture speak for itself.

Blogging by Guilt

2009-02-26T11:19:00.004-06:00

Catherine commented on her blog that she would blog more often, but, since no one else was blogging, she felt it would be wrong, or something like that...and I know I follow some blogs that I get disappointed when they go a long time without updates.

I guess I feel uninspired............but, I am going to babble on about some things anyway...........no cute stories, no adorable pictures of my grandgirls, just life stuff.

Catherine:
She is still home, taking a leave from college. We have partial progress in a professional diagnosis of OCD..........how I missed it, I will never know, I told her I just thought she was being a pain in my rear when she would nag at me about "dumb things". Remember, this blog is my opinion! They would be little things, she would just seem to nag me about or come unglued. ie. If I take something out of the microwave before it is finished, she would just get ridiculous about the numbers left on the microwave. I would just think "if it bugs you, hit clear, and don't nag me!".........anyway, I could list other things, small things that might have been a sign, but the fact is, I missed it. And, to add, it was minimal in comparison. If you read about OCD, you find that 19 is the age where the "illness" becomes most prevalent. I have my own theories about why that age, but, again, just my opinion, and I will keep it to myself. [shock]

What has happened is that what was a small manageable, well hidden illness, became full blown this past semester. One of the things Catherine does is count letters. Count them to the point that reading or listening sometimes becomes impossible. She clinches her jaw, and tenses up. It makes her nuts.

We try to laugh about it when we can, she says she is "crazy", but, we both know she is not, and honestly, we both feel better having a name for what was causing her issues. The counselor was right on target when she said "the goal is to get you where you can manage the OCD and get back to the life you had/want/ deserve".

It is very hard to explain to others, what I see and have seen, and she is at a loss as well. How can someone explain something they don't understand. So, for the most part, we both just say "I don't know", because that is an honest answer. It is not us trying to avoid talking about it, or being in denial, it is truly the honest answer. She does not know why, when and how it will happen, but it happens frequently. She does feel the effects, I believe it is so much stress in her head, both brain wise and jaw clenching physically, that he thinks her head will explode. Other than that, if she does not know, I sure don't know. So, its not that we don't want to talk about it, but right now, there is just not much more to say.

One big blessing has been her boyfriend Justin.(funny part about my usage of "big" blessing, I should mention that Justin is 6'7" tall!, and in our short family, its like having the jolly green giant around!) Justin has been in and out of her life since Jr. High. They were drum majors together, and went to prom together, etc....broke up, got back together, you know that on off type of relationship. Catherine posted some entries in her online diary that go WAAYYY back about him and they are seriously funny, and sweet. Anyway, Justin knows she is "nuts" right now, and not only does he not care (you know, in a "I love you anyway" sort of don't care), but he is patient with her beyond belief.

It has been an adjustment for us both, her being back home for this long. She is pushing 20, and the last place she wants to be is home, but, we are both glad she knew this was the place to be right now in her life.

Unicorns, Faries, Okapi's and other Mythical Creatures

2009-01-25T09:38:00.003-06:00

Within the last 6 months, Mia's dad and stepmother took Mia and her kissing cousin KJ to the zoo. As it is with little ones, the stories that get told after such trips have 90% truth, 5% misunderstanding and 5% imagination.

Within that 5% of misunderstanding, is included the small child's misunderstanding of what was really happening, and the listener of the small child's stories misunderstanding of the tale.........ie, word pronunciation.

At three, even with all of the talking Mia does, she still has problems with the letter "L".......a lion is a "whyon", I love you, "I wuv you", etc......she is working on it, but it still poses a problem.

So, when Mia was telling her mom about the "Okapi" at the zoo, Jennifer had no idea what she was talking about. And the description of the Okapi was no less confusing. Jennifer had even asked me to try and figure out what she was talking about and I too was clueless. I mean, we assumed she was leaving letters off, or misunderstood what was being told, you know, lots of possibilities for misunderstanding.

Mia was here Thursday and it was a beautiful day, so Catherine and I took Mia to the zoo. When I called and told Jennifer we were going, she said "Make sure you find out what an Okapi is!", and I promised her I would not leave the zoo until we solved the mystery of the "Okapi"

As you can see, the only people who were without a clue were the grown-ups. An Okapi is not a mythical creature, nor a mispronunciation by a three year old, and cutting us some slack, when she tried to describe the animal, well, as you can see, it is one ODD creature! No wonder that animal stuck in her head enough to want to share the story.........ah my little sweet toot Mia! I loved spending the day at the zoo with you and Catherine. I will post some more photos later.

New Name, New Baby

2009-01-07T00:11:00.002-06:00

I guess I am not giving out a prize for helping me give my blog a new name.........so, for now anyway, "Pretty in Pink" seems to work. Catherine set up the blog a while back for me with the pink designs and since I have two GRAND DAUGHTERS and 3 Daughters, and since I think every little girl should wear Pink.........it seems to work.........because I think it works for ALL of my girls!

Family

2009-01-04T23:36:00.007-06:00

Jessica wanted to have a nice family picture taken. We were suppose to dress up at Christmas (when I say dress up, I mean, no Dauphin University T-shirts and such), but things didn't work out to do that (we will do it soon I promise Jessica!). In the mean time, at Thanksgiving, we were all together, and took this "casual" shot. I really like it, and my extended family, the "San Marcos Schmid's" now as I call them, are in it, which makes it extra special. The only person missing is little E..........who was not yet born.

Here is our little family.
What you don't see in the picture is the surprise on our faces when Catherine's camera started taking the pictures. She set it on top of the water well, time delayed and when it started clicking, it was like one click every 1/2 second...........and it caught all of our surprised looks. I am going to include one, and you need to look at Rex's face, because his shows our shock and amazement more than anyone else!

Speaking of the San Marcos Schimids', I went to San Marcos for New Years and spent the eve with Rob and Cindy, their daughter Sara, her husband J.W. and their two little boys Brady and Elliot. I have been taking Mia over to play with Brady since basically she was born. They are just now getting old enough to really play together and man oh man, do they have a good time. Brady is 7 months older, and a sweet gentle little boy, with wonderful manners. Sara and JW have done a terrific job as parents. Mia and Brady play and play and play and not once have they ever had any sort of disagreement. They are loud (mostly this is Mia), and they do run in circles (again, Mia), but, they sure have lots of giggles. Sara, Cindy and I went to the outlet mall in San Marcos and bought matching cuddle jammies for my two grand daughters and their two boys. Cute is not a descriptive enough word to describe these four little people in their PJ's!

The look on Brady's face when we told them to sit down and we were going to have them hold their siblings............Brady looked at Mia and said "we are both going to hold our babies"......oh, it was awesome!

Towards the end of the evening, JW was making every effort to read a book to Mia and Brady. Sitting in the living room, Mia perched on his lap and Brady beside him, he proceeded to try and read "One Fish, Two Fish". Mia, who once exclaimed to my mom "I can talk. I talk a wot". was inclined to live up to her reputation, and kept having something to say about everything in the book. Finally, with good humor, JW said "would ya'll like me to read this book, or not", where in Brady replied, "I want to hear the book, but Mia keeps talking". This was all very true, but Mia was having such a good time!

Sara has a very nice camera and takes great pictures. Apparently, she is like Catherine, and a wee bit of a perfectionist when it comes to her pictures. They neither one like to share them before they have been "perfected". But, since it was New Years and since we said pretty please, Sara went ahead and shared some of the photos with us. The one of Brady and Mia and their siblings, and then at Jennifer's request, some photos of baby E.

Can you see the dimple? My heavens, I love dimples!

Oh, by the way, I know I have referred to her as baby E now twice. This past weekend, in my opinion, I have decided she looks like Rex. I was calling her Miss K after than, and I do refer to her as Eleanor also.........so, see I still have not picked a name for her (yes, yes, I know, her parents picked a perfectly fine name, Eleanor Grace), I just mean maybe a nickname, a "love" name, you know....

Skooter and Meg

2008-12-31T12:31:00.008-06:00

As promised.

Skooter Bunny moved in my home. He came as a packaged deal with Catherine. Skooter has some very unusual markings. He is sort of like getting two bunnies for the price of one (I will not go into the price of flying a bunny home on an airplane and buying a hutch for him to live in).

This is a shot of his back half. If you look close you can see the separation of colors, stripped on one side, sort of blotchy on the other. Skooter is a dwarf lop-eared rabbit.

Now I know nothing about rabbits. I suppose I had a bunch of preconceived notions about bunnies. I thought he would be skittish, shy, reserved, you know, basically scared of everything. This is not true of Skooter anyway. He jumps up on my couch and on the tables and stands on his hind legs to see what is what. Oh, and I suppose you could say is the house broken. When not in his hutch, he goes to the bathroom in the back utility room that Meg uses. Meg is "paper trained" (mostly), and so there are puppy pads in the utility room. Skooter hops back there and does his business on the puppy pads.....interesting. He is curious and nosy and has absolutely no fear of my dog Meg at all! They actually sort of play together as much as a bunny can play I suppose.

You can see his color good from this video. Black ear on the right side and black nose on the left...........very unusual, and you can also see that Meg is SOOO not concerned with Skooter nor he with her.

According to information online, you can tell a bunny is relaxed when he lays on his side with his hing legs out behind him. Skooter lays this way quite a bit.....it looks like Santa left a little bunny under our tree.

In all fairness to my little dog Meg, I have a video of her I wanted to add but it seems to have problems loading........oh well.

New Baby

2008-12-29T20:32:00.005-06:00

I am afraid that I have been lagging in my posts. Life just gets that way I suppose.

Yes, we have a new baby in the family. Eleanor Grace Klentzman came into the world December 17, 2008. She and her mom did great. Jennifer had a C-section with Mia, and natural childbirth experience with Eleanor...........you will have to ask her which she would prefer with child # 3. I think they must both have their ups and downs. I was amazed at how good Jennifer looked after natural childbirth. I never saw a picture of me looking that good after labor and delivery! I think she looks wonderful!

Mia was the most precious thing when she first saw her new baby sister. The look on her face, and the soft touch of her little hands on that tiny new face and the love in her eyes just made me swell up with tears. Oh how I hope she always feels that way! I did not get that Kodak moment caught on camera, however, we did get Mia later, running around in her usual crazy Mia way playing with her mom's labor ball!

Mom and baby came home from the hospital the next afternoon. Catherine had made a "Welcome Home Eleanor" sign that we put on the front of their house (sorry, no photo), and she and Mia and I cooked and cleaned and played all day, preparing for their arrival.
Right now, we still have a little "alien" look about us, but, if I have my way, she will look like her mom and be a beautiful little girl. (not saying here that Rex is a bad looking guy, just have my prejudices on wanting Jennifer to have a baby who favors her this time!) Besides, this is my blog and I can say what I want to! :-)

Oh, and one final thought about the blog. I suppose I need to rename it.........I know have two granddaughters, and I won't keep separate blogs about them........I like the "perfectly Mia" part, because, well, she is no one but herself and she is a perfect Mia (she is not perfect, just perfect at being herself....oh, sometimes I confuse even myself)............any how, if anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to submit them. Maybe I should offer some "prize" for the winner?!?

Coming soon.............Skooter bunny moves in

Tee Tee Man

2008-12-13T12:50:00.003-06:00

I know I have blogged about Cindy, the incredible shelves and her making me clean my room and other stories. I know I have mentioned Rob in connection with Cindy. He is her husband. I used to be his "second wife", but he up and left me for "the perfect job" in San Marcos, so, since there is common law marriage, I am saying we have had a common law divorce.

Anyway............

Rob, does some amazing carvings. He has been at it for quite a few years now, and I am probably his biggest fan (well, after wife # 1, Cindy). He has blessed me with several of his works, including a key chain and some walking sticks and a man-face that I have on my front porch.

The walking sticks usually have a man, or several men's faces carved somewhere on them. Rob uses the natural knots and such to make the nose, etc. He says each one has a personality that he brings out. My photos do not do the carving justice and for that I apologize to Rob!

The latest gift is more than amazing. He took an old tree trunk, and using a chain saw he carved a "Tiki" man. (Cindy had a similar one at her house here in Waller, and I always coveted it, threatening to steal it). Not only did he carve it, he also brought it all the way from San Marcus and delivered it to my house!

Mia was here visiting when Rob and Cindy came, and she saw us unload it and set it on my drive, and heard us talk about the Tiki man.

Now every time Mia sees this carving sitting on my drive way she asks "Why did Rob give you a tee tee man?"

Mia Turns 3

2008-12-08T15:59:00.004-06:00

Catherine and I drove to Austin to see Mia on her third birthday. The original party was to be here, but since Jennifer is so close to delivering baby # 2, she and Rex decided it would be better to put off the planned party and stay in Austin, near their Dr. and hospital.

So, considering it was a quick change and not so planned, I thought it was a great birthday. A visit to Chucky Cheese then friends and family went to Jennifer and Rex's for Princess cupcakes.

Here are some photos of the Pretty Pink Princess Mia. Thanks Grammie Juda for sharing your photos with me!

I wish I could say this was her "surprise, it's my party" face, but, that is not true, I am not sure why she had her mouth so wide open!

She is not wearing make up. I think just the dress and the day made her natural "blush" come out! Ain't it cute!

She looks so grown up here. I think I see some of her mom popping out!

Jennifer helped Mia open her presents, but I don't think they all got opened. Mia liked everything so much, she just kept wanting to play with things.

Grammie Juda gave her a new baby doll and stroller. She loved the tiny baby. It looks like a premie cabbage patch doll. Jennifer took a scrap of material and made a "pouch" for Mia to put her baby in, and these are the "Kodak moments".

You can just see the love as her eyes are closed and she kisses her new baby. She will make an awesome big sister.

Thanks again Cindy !

2008-12-03T22:22:00.003-06:00

Most of you know how much I hate having my picture made. Quite possibly it is reality hitting me smack dab in the face............but, I have never liked having my picture taken (could be the same issue I guess).

Anyway, this photo shows my sweet Mia, I just happen to be in it as well. I guess it was taken about a year ago, at the Waller City park.

Thanks Cindy for emailing it to me!

Thanksgiving

2008-11-24T16:46:00.001-06:00

I have a wonderful Thanksgiving surprise coming! I love it so very much.

No photos yet, but, after Thanksgiving.

Movie Date

2008-11-23T20:20:00.005-06:00

I went to Austin and San Marcos this weekend. I had a wonderful visit with Rob and Cindy and their family. Thanks a bunch for having me and my bunch!

Sunday, Jennifer, Rex, and I took Mia to the movies to see "Bolt". The movie was cute, but the little Princess was even cuter!

Catherine, I took my camera and took these for you!

Mia picked out her own outfit, and I am so proud of Jennifer for not only letting her do that, but loving that Mia has such fashion choices! Please note, not only is she wearing Princess shoes, but, as has always been a Mia preference, they are two Different shoes!

Baby Klentzman Shower

2008-11-23T20:08:00.003-06:00

I call this entry "baby Klentzman" shower, because I am still not 100% sure it will be a girl....I know the baby was only 14 days conceived that I bought Pink clothes.....but that is not the point. It is not that I don't want a baby girl........it's just, I think it might still be a boy.........and the old saying, "I just want a healthy baby and healthy mom" is sure true!

Anywho.........a few photos I took. I always forget to get my camera out, so I don't have many. The one of Jennifer's baby "bump", I held the camera at her chest and took the picture, so, that is the view she sees when she looks down!

And, she has blossomed since these photos were taken! I think she looks GREAT as a mom to be!

Rex'a family gave them a wonderful shower! Thank you Klentzman's.

Mia my darling Mia

2008-11-20T23:00:00.012-06:00

I took these photos last week, but felt I had to finish my trip blog first, and now, Mia!

Shaking the Piggy's

Giggling Bath Time

The final Chapter of Our East Coast Trip

2008-11-20T21:03:00.010-06:00

We drove all day Sunday. It will shock those who know me and how much I hate riding in the car to know that I did not hate this ride. We stopped every time we needed a bathroom (no guilt to do so), we stopped to look at anything and everything we wanted, and Becky drove. Somewhere along the road trip we found this cute little New England church.

Becky laid in the grass/leaves in the front yard of the church to get this shot!

Washington DC
We stayed in Baltimore and took the train to Union Station in Washington.

I need to make a correction in post # 4 of the trip. I said we left from Grand Central Station/Terminal.........that was wrong. Those are pictures of Grand Central, and everything I said about it was true, BUT, we left from Penn Station. Another big beautiful building.

We arrived at Union Station, bought tickets for on of the tour buses and off went went. Our time in DC was limited, and we knew from the beginning that it would be, so, we were content to see most of it from inside the trolley. Besides, it was cold and raining...........BUT, on the list of MUSTS was the Lincoln Memorial.

I do not know why this particular memorial was such a necessity for me to see, but it along with Arlington National Cemetery were the two places that I felt I "needed" to see. They were on my "bucket list".

Audie Murphy is buried at Arlington

We were told over 320,000 soldiers are buried here.

For me, like the Grand Canyon, pictures just can not convey the real sight of this place.

I was moved by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the story of the guards who stand over it, 24/7. I know I have a whole lot of links on these posts, but if you follow none of them, please follow the one about the guards. It is AMAZING what these young men give up and have to sacrifice to have the honor of guarding this tomb.

The tomb

Standing guard

Changing of the guard

We drove past and I took pictures of the Jefferson Memorial, the Capital the White House and other national buildings. I won't bore the reader with more photos that you have seen before except this last one............

Can't you just hear Jenny hollering "Forest, Forest!", and see Tom Hanks running through this reflecting pool shouting "Jenny, Jenny".

Oh, and another fun fact we learned. There is only ONE Monument in all of DC, but lots of Memorials, and the difference being, a Monument (Washington Monument) was commissioned while good ole' George was still living............all of the other Memorials were commissioned after the passing of the one "memorialized".

Well, I am calling this "The End".........as I have been posting, I remember more and believe it or not, wish I had added some more info here or there, for my own sake so someday, I can look back and remember. Remember how much I loved this whole journey, how much I loved sharing it with my dear friend, how blessed I am to have had the opportunity to see sights I have always dreamed of seeing, and if I ever forget, how proud I am to be an American.

East Coast Trip......part Five

2008-11-20T18:00:00.018-06:00

We left our cut rate hotel and drove to Boston. Found Faneuil Hall. We shared some wonderful New England clam chowder and a lobster roll. Apparently there are two types of clam chowder....Manhattan (red in color) and New England (white in color).........we loved the white, and not so nuts about the red. We walked around and accidentally came across a weekend only farmers market..........the produce was beautiful and SO cheap! But, what were we going to do with a bundle of asparagus, even if it was only a buck?!

And now we are off for the Catskill Mountains! a Preview maybe?!?!?

On the way to the Catskills, we ran across several apple orchards. We stopped at one for a few "Kodak moments" !
Becky by the apple trees

Lovely

We had decide to drive to the Catskill Mountains to really get the full extent of the colors of the East Coast. We stopped at a little bagel shop and visited with some nice folks there who told us about a little drive where we could see a great view. We drove to Ferncliff Forest.

There we took a 30 minute hike into the forest, and climbed fire watch tower that is open to the public.

I will admit that we did not go all the way to the top...........it was VERY high, but, we did go high enough to get these photos.

The Catskill Mountains and the Hudson River.

Oh and have to say, from a little road side fruit stand, we got an apple cider donut and shared it..........it was very good, but I could not tell it from any other cake donut!

From here, we drove through Pennsylvania and on to Baltimore. The scenery was beautiful, with a mixture of trees and rocks and colors and hills and a great friend to share it all with!

I promise the last installment will be Washington DC and the final chapter of this saga!

Blindsided

2008-11-18T00:29:00.004-06:00

I was going to talk about these great shelves as the last installment of my East Coast trip "mini-series"...........but, I seldom do what I start out doing.

Pictures first

When Becky and I left for our trip, Cindy was here and graciously offered to drive us to the airport. Cindy told me that she had some work to do for this lady in town, and she was going to stay at my house an additional night. Little did I know, she stayed here and built me these shelves, custom made and painted, floor to ceiling, for my movies. Words can not describe how much I love my shelves. They are perfect! For the first time ever, I have enough room to organize and find my movies. I have tons of home movies..........I am getting to my point.

Finally having room to organize, I have been going through the old ones, the unlabeled ones, etc..........so, I have also found home movies, made on the old super 8 MM, silent movies, that I had put on VHS.........I found the movies of Jennifer's birth and homecoming, and Jessica's and Catherine's.

I am systematically copying these VHS tapes on to DVD's. This is a bittersweet process. I can not watch these films without seeing my family, my life, and myself as it was...........I don't mean the youth..........I mean the family. Husband, wife, father, daughter(s), in-laws, aunt, uncles, cousins..........lots of extended family on the Waldrop side, and for me, they are all gone, the relationships and the family gatherings, and holidays. ........so I wonder, is this what it is like to lose a close family member to death? Is there always mourning, even with the fond memories? I can't help but smile when I see my babies, just born, me holding and cradling them, even on the delivery table. The babies crawling and then walking for the first time..........and through all of this, he is there.............the one man who broke my heart, crushed my spirit, and took away the dreams we had together, and in my opinion, single handedly, destroyed our family.

It was a long time ago, and it seems like several life times. I can honestly say I am happy with my life and I think my girls are remarkable, considering it seems I did everything I could to screw them up.

Funny how a wonderful surprise of perfect shelves opens up an overload of emotions.

East Coast Trip......part Four

2008-11-17T18:52:00.004-06:00

After dragging our self to the hotel, we ordered pizza to be delivered, ate and passed out. I did the Google distance thing, and for sure we walked over 6 miles that day, all on cement, and that does not count the up and down stairs for the subway. We decided that day that we both should have done the StairMaster exercise machines before we came!

We checked out of the hotel, caught a cab and went to Grand Central Terminal/Station

We had visited here before and tried our first Filaphal and couscous.....but this time we were catching a bus to New Jersey to get our rental car. This is a beautiful building, and it is HUGE!

I forgot my drivers license at home, and Budget rental car almost didn't let us have a car. I had a credit card, but no license and Becky had a license but only a debit card and they would not take a debit card. Finally after several negotiations, they said if I could get a copy of my TDL faxed, they would use that. No one was home, parents were not home...........nada. Becky suggests Juda Hegar, Mia's other grandmother. Thank you Juda for keeping us from having to walk all the way fro NJ to Texas!

Now, we are off to Rhode Island to see Catherine.

We stopped in Southport, Ct. at the Athena diner-restaurant. This is one meal we did not share. Becky had Moussaka (layers of fried eggplant and ground beef baked with a cheese souffle topping) and I had Souvlaki(marinated chicken breast on grilled pita bread with feta cheese). Our waitress was very nice, and really from Greece! Then we shared a piece of baklava.

Catherine helping carry stuff for their house

We shot a game of pool with Catherine and some of her friends, and played a game of Foose Ball, both of which I have not done in a very long time. We then sat in the game room and visited with some of Catherine's fraternity brothers (or something like that because some of them are girls). Catherine then showed us around campus some (it was dark) and we went to a little Crepe' shop to have a bite to eat. I didn't want to wear out our welcome, so, Becky and I hit the road. I mean, really, what are you going to do with your mom and her friend?

We headed for Boston, stopped for the night at a cheap dive of a hotel. We didn't see bugs, but that was about the best you could say...........

Next entry.........Boston and the colors of Autumn!

(I know, this is going on FOREVER, but I want to be able to look back and remember)

East Coast Trip......part Three

2008-11-16T17:37:00.006-06:00

We went to Times Square (truth be told, we had to ask someone if that is where we were!)

This is where Good Morning America's studio is.........the sign was Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We did not see Diane Sawyer or Robin Roberts, but we were not there early in the morning either!
And another view of Times Square.

We really did walk ALL DAY LONG!

But before we called it a day, we went to Ground Zero. We really debated over if we wanted to even go or not. So sad and we didn't want to go just to "see" it. We then decided we really wanted to go to pay our respects. We followed signs that said "World Trade Center PATH". Now, wouldn't you think that would be the "path" to where the World Trade Center was? I suppose it was, to a degree. But in this case PATH stands for Port Authority Trans-Hudson..........Now this is where I need to add, we were going there between 5 and 5:30 PM........quitting time for 3 MILLION New Yorkers heading home to New Jersey through the PATH! I thought we were going to get run over. Those guys walk SO fast, while we were just strolling along.

From here, we journeyed on to Battery Park to see the Statue of Liberty at sunset. We did not take the ferry out. These photos do not do justice to the beauty, the grandeur, the magnificence, and the pride of being an American I felt.

East Coast Trip......part Two

2008-11-15T22:51:00.007-06:00

The weather our first morning in NY was perfect! Cool and crisp and sunny. It was lovely. We ate at the Ben Ash Delicatessen across the street from our hotel. We shared french toast made of Challah bread, (I had never heard of this Jewish bread, but Becky had) fresh fruit and an extra large quantity of crisp bacon (the bacon was my idea!)

Since our hotel was just a few blocks from Central Park, we walked to the park. We decided to take a carriage ride through the park, and this was really one of my favorite parts. Our driver was from Ireland, and he had the most beautiful accent. We also found out that Central Park is like, 850 acres, so I am glad we didn't take off thinking we could see it all.

Sean Denehay...........our Irish gentleman

Central Park

Me and Becky in the Carriage

Then off on the sub-way we went, heading for Chinatown. We found Chinatown with no problem and Becky bought some perfume. We found a place that made bagels and shared a warm fresh bagel.

Then walking, we went through the areas known as Soho, Loho, Greenwich Village, on our way to find Quincy Market (as seen on the Food Network).

Becky at a Greenwich Village Park

Somewhere along the 500 mile hike we took while we walked the entire length of NY, we found a wonderful little French Bakery. We shared a small cream brule (it was awesome), and the famous Black and White Cookie, along with a few small raspberry tart like cookies. All of it was wonderfully tasty and fresh.

When we first arrived in New York, we spotted these signs. They are numerous, and we found it odd that there were particular places your could not stand! We later learned that those signs mean "no parking".....not literally no standing......I still think its odd.

On our walk we shared some sort of chicken wrap from a street vendor. It was great, and we sat along a building, on the ground and ate it. Now the interesting thing to me was the looks we got. I am not sure where the New Yorkers go to eat the food they buy off the street vendors, but we found no benches or anything of the sort, and we were tired, so we sat and ate. I think if we had put a can out in front of us, we might have been given some money!

Two quick notes:
1). I know it sounds like we ate a whole lot all the time........we didn't, but part of our trip was to try the local food, so I am mentioning the food on purpose.

2). That is all for this part Two.

Bad Movie Saturday

2008-11-15T19:55:00.002-06:00

I don't have cable TV. My choices of TV viewing are not the best. I currently don't have a Netflix movie..........so, what did I do, but pull an old one off the shelf, one that coincided with what they were showing on TV, that way I didn't have to watch the commercials.........Armageddon. Not a huge fan, BUT, there are a few great lines in that movie....."Did you know we are sitting on 2 million gallons of fuel, a nuclear weapon and a thing with 270,000 loose parts that was built by the lowest bidder. Kinda makes you feel good don't it? That made me LOL.

I also had forgotten, they pay tribute to the greatest song writer and singer to ever walk this earth.........

So, since the night is young, I am now deciding if I will do a "Bruce Willis" night, and watch "Die Hard", or a "space" night, and watch Apollo 13.

You Know You're a Redneck If........................

2008-11-15T11:53:00.002-06:00

You duct tape your back porch light to your house..............the added flair is the use of "camo" duct tape!

Oh, and I live in a trailer (they like to call them "manufactured homes" now, but, call a pig by any other name, and it's still a pig.

East Coast Trip......part One

2008-11-14T18:53:00.005-06:00

It has taken me a while to get to this post. I think because, even as much as I like to talk, I am not sure that my words will convey everything I felt and the memories I still have........so, I will attempt to do this in parts, as my attempt at not boring the reader, and still logging/blogging for my own pleasure.

Becky and I left for New York on the 22nd of October. Our plane left Houston one hour late, and we arrived at LaGuardia airport at about 4 pm, East coast time. I had pre-arranged for a van to take us to our Hotel, the Wellington, located in Manhattan at the corner of 7th and 55th. We went through the borough of Queens, and I think we both thought surely we were going to be in a car accident. New York drivers are assertive with their vehicles and their horns!

Our Hotel was in a great location. The room was small, and the Hotel older, but it was clean and convienient and affordable. We were on the 18th floor with a window that opened to the street of New York.

I took the advice of a friend (thanks Joanne M) and pre-ordered tickets through the Hotel to the Empire State building. We left our bags, found the subway, and after some much needed assistance from some nice young ladies, we purchased our subway tickets and off we went! As Joanne's advice was perfect, there was no waiting in line anywhere. Right in we went and right up to the top! It was cold and ever so windy, but it was beautiful none the less.

We left and began walking the streets of New York. We shared almost everything we ate, so, we could sample many different foods. We ate some authentic New York pizza. It was GREAT! We had a hot dog with sauerkraut (that was for you Cindy) and we tried a Knish..... Hot dog was good, the Knish, not so much!

We ended up finding a Korean bakery............very modern, very New York feeling (to us at least), and we went in. The decor was totally cool, and the bakery goods unusual. Becky got a red bean donut and some hot chi vanilla tea. I bought some cookies (which I ended up leaving in Baltimore).

Becky wanted to have her picture taken with our waiter.....he really didn't know what to think, but he obliged! What a nice New Yorker!

We continued to explore the area, found the subway, found our way back to our Hotel, and found our room, all in all, we did GREAT!

We slept with the window open the first night and the expression about New York being the "city that never sleeps", is oh so true! But we did. In bed about 11 PM.

Confessions of a bad Mother-in-Law

2008-11-13T14:30:00.003-06:00

Let me set the scene:

Jennifer is 36 weeks pregnant. She and Mia are here visiting while their kitchen gets demoed, ready for the remodeling. Jennifer has been experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions pretty regularly and intensely

Mia is in bed sleeping. Jennifer and I are visiting and I ask permission to play a joke on Rex. I want to call him and tell him her water broke. Jennifer says it is a bad idea. I remind her that Leah, Rex's sister substituted butter for ice cream in their mom's desert, just this past weekend. She tells me if I call, she will only let him believe it a few minutes before we must tell him the truth. I agree to these terms.

So at about 10 PM, I call Rex. He does not answer, so I leave a message similar to this.... "Rex, I don't want you to worry, everything is Ok. Jennifer's water broke, and we are coming to Austin. I have to pack my bag, and then I will call again once we are on the road".

Now, in my defense...........I did not know that Rex's phone was acting up.

About 1 hour later, Rex calls me back. Very concerned, with much love in his voice....he asks things like "how is she doing? did she call the Dr?" I tell him she is fine, I have her sitting on the couch, and that I had to go down and wake my mom to get her to come and stay here with Mia, since she is already sleeping".

Bragging a little...................I am VERY good at making crap believable........Rex is buying it hook, line, and sinker.

Rex asks to speak with Jennifer, and before my laughing gives me away, I confess everything..............

I have been told in the past things like:

1. Not everyone has your sense of humor
2. Not everyone appreciates your sense of humor
3. You are not funny

It is at the point when Rex hangs up on me and turns his phone off that I start to believe that maybe those three statements have been true when said by others in the past.

I would like to publicly apologize to my son-in-law. I am very sorry that I pulled that prank on you. I meant no harm and I hope someday you can forgive me.

I also hope someday I will quit laughing internally, because, well, truth be known, I still think I am funny.........

Mia, my darling Grand Daughter

2008-10-19T21:46:00.014-06:00

I wrote this blog almost a month ago, and stupid blogger saved it as a draft and would not let me publish it,

Words can not describe how much I love my Mia. She is a shining light that makes my heart sing with such joy and happiness. I had the blessed time with her this weekend. Especially today, she and I, at my house, for several uninterrupted hours. I bought her a little tea set, and today, we had our first tea party (sorry, no pictures, I was just staying in the moment). She practiced pouring (I had to change the "table cloth" three times), and I did not mind cleaning up as we went along. I tried to show her how to hold her pinky out when drinking a cup of tea, but, well, we seemed to be more interested in "slurping" the overflowing cups! She does want Memaw and Granddad to come to a tea party, so I told her the next time she was here, we would take the tea party to their house.

Jennifer calls these "Miaisms" I think.

This weekend I was giving her a hard time about her pronunciation of words with the letter "L" in them. Cinderella sounds like "Cindawehwa"....and when I said it like she does, she said, "No, it not Cindawehwa, it Cindawehwa".......she did not find the whole thing as amusing as I did. Anyway, today, we were having a similar conversation, and she did manage one "look" and not "wook", but after a few minutes of "GG's Speech Class", Mia just turned to me and said "you say your words different than me". Pretty much put an end to my speech class. She, so young and so wise, just put the kibosh on me. And so, I said "I love you Mia", and she said, "I wove you too GG".

Coming home in the car, she informed me that she can speak Spanish. I was, needless to say, shocked. I said, "oh, you can?", "what words do you know?", and she said..."mmm, I know....mmm", and then promptly changed the subject.

There is a DVD that we have, put out by Pixar, that is all Pixar short films. There is one short called "Birds", and all of these little birds sit on a telephone wire, and then a big one come along and sits beside them. Anyway, any time she sees a bunch of birds sitting on a telephone line, she says "I see Pixar birds"......cracks me up every time!

She sat on Memaw and Granddad's coffee table and then proceeded to tell me "Moma and Rex tell me not to sit on the table." so, I said, "well, you should follow their rules, even if they are not here, shouldn't you?", and she said, "moma won't be coming here.". What insight, to know that she already knows what rules are here, or there ( I do try and enforce her Mom's rules, and she did get off the table), but her innocence at this point prevents her from not knowing to tell on herself.

A few weeks ago, she told my mom "I can talk" and mom said, "yes, you can" and Mia said "I talk a wot".........Yes, she does!

I don't know if I mentioned the name of the new baby coming. At this point, I believe it will be Eleanor Grace........but, before a name was mentioned, I asked Mia what she was going to name her new baby sister. At the time, Mia's video of preference was Bambi, so I suggested Falene(spelling here, but it's the little girl doe in the movie.) Now, this was just a joke on my part, but in Mia's little mind, it has stuck, so if you ask her, what her baby sister's name is she says, "baby Elanore Faweene" or some mixture of those three words.

Mia seems to pick her nose a little more often that I would like, and her mom has the habit of accepting the found "treasure" and wiping it on herself somewhere. I love Mia, so much, but I am not so fond of her "boogies" and she and her mom call them. So, Mia was sitting her the back seat of the car, and she said to me, while picking her nose, "I getting something that you don't want GG", and she did, and I was given the "gift"!

Oh, I had such a wonderful time with her today. My joy, my love, my Mia.

Beating a Dead Horse.............Sonic

2008-10-15T22:04:00.002-06:00

So my latest issue with Sonic. It has been established that nothing beats Sonic ice, and I have admitted to leaving a huge carbon foot print with the number of Styrofoam cups I use (average of one per day, which means 365 cups per year)...........what my new habit is, I go to Sonic here in Waller and get 4 Rt.44 cups of ice, in a drink holder, because I can not carry those without them. I come home and put the cups and ice in my freezer, then I use them up, and anywhere from 3 to 4 days later, I replenish my supply. Today, I was in Tomball ( a little town 17 miles up the road), and I went into that Sonic and got my ice. I paid $1.04 there, and here in Waller, the same things costs me $1.74 !! Now I ask.........WHAT'S UP WITH THAT!

Frequent Flyer

2008-10-13T22:00:00.005-06:00

I am not..........a frequent flyer that is. I have flown a few times,(I think I can count on one hand how many) but I still get excited thinking about flying. Not nervous, but excited. I wish I had frequent flyer miles stored up somewhere, mostly so I could see Catherine more, or be able to have her come home more. She is not coming home this Thanksgiving. It is very expensive to fly when you are on a limited budget. Maybe I should try and get a job with an airline, at least then I could fly on standby and not have to take out a loan from the bank! I am going up there in a week, and will see her for a day, but, with Catherine, it takes more than a day. Conversations with her are, well, there are not any, which is fine, since it is who she is, but, I still miss them, and yes, I miss her. I think I might worry about her more than I acknowledge, even to myself. I think I worry because it is impossible to talk to her, because of her schedule, and because of who and how she is. So, I say, Jami, don't worry, it does no good. And I say, Jami, what are you worrying about? and I have no answer.

But, a year has passed, and another one is well into itself, so, I will be at peace with what is, and make an effort to not worry about things that I can not answer.

Money, Money, Money ( a little and a WHOLE BUNCH)

2008-10-08T18:17:00.004-06:00

Pre-warning..........for those who are expecting anything of substance (not that I ever have much), this is just an entry of random thoughts about money.

With all of the "economic crisis" in the news, and a few other things in my life, I have been thinking about money lately.

First, once again, I feel blessed that I am "borderline poor". Barely middle class, according to my income. But, if I had an IRA, or lots of money in stocks, or living on my interest in investments, or having any thing of value anywhere, I might be a little more concerned. As it is............I am doing with this "crisis" as I do much in my life, wearing my rose colored glasses and telling myself "this too shall pass". (besides, I hate to admit this, but, those folks who are loosing their house to foreclosures need a place to live, I rent places to live to people who need a place to live)

Second, having more to do with the "other things in my life" part.........it came up again, in my business dealings that what a "whole bunch" of money is to one person, it just a drop in the bucket to another. I made a business deal on behalf of someone I work for, made him $3000.00, and me $300.00, without having to do anything but say "ok". I am totally happy. $300.00 bucks to me is a WHOLE lot of money, to the other person, their $3000.00, is not considered a good deal............that person is not mad at me, and it will stay a "deal", but, it just put once again, into perspective for me, that, different amounts of money, can be and are, perceived as a "WHOLE BUNCH" to different people.

Fast Food Rant

2008-10-02T12:17:00.003-06:00

I blogged once, (I think) about how much I agree with another blogger about Sonic ice, and how wonderful it is. Combine Sonic ice with Tazo Black Ice Tea, and you have a wonderful refreshing drink!

When Catherine was home, we did a Sonic drive-by and she got a small hot fudge sundae. We got home and the fudge tasted "burned". I called Sonic, and they said, next time you come by, get a free sundae. Blah blah blah.....a few weeks ago, I remembered about the sundae, and decided, a caramel sundae might be nice. I got my free sundae, got home, and it really did not hit the spot, so I left it alone.

Here is the point of my story. It sat out all night, and when I went into the kitchen the next day...........IT LOOKED THE EXACT SAME !......so, now, what is that they use for ice cream????.......I still love the ice, but never again on the fake ice cream!

and now, for Jack-in-the-Box

I am boycotting that chain until they stop running the commercial that has the grown men riding in a stroller, crying like babies..............I HATE that commercial. I know hate is a very strong word, but I feel very strongly about that commercial

Never too old? Part Two

2008-09-08T19:42:00.007-06:00

I have photos to go along with Part One now....in addition, I did not yet mention the paddling test we had to do..........which consisted of.....tandem, paddle in a straight line....turn the boat, and then weave through a series of 4 buoys....switch paddling hands, and do it again, then "dock" which is to pull up sideways to the bank, and then do the course, again, but BACKWARDS!

But, wait, you are not done yet...........now you have to switch positions, which means, the person at the back of the canoe gets in front and vice versa....and now, you get to do it ALL again!

But, wait, you are not done yet..........now you get to do the course yet one more time, in a solo canoe.........

But the fact of the matter is...............I did it. I had a blast, and I would do it all again ( just not too soon, I am still mending!)The EGGS motivate me!

Entering and re-exiting the canoe!

Swamped Canoe race

Everybody Poops

2008-09-07T20:42:00.005-06:00

I am a regular reader of a blog posted by a friend of mines daughter in law. She writes with great humor about her two little darling boys. On one of her posts, she has a video of an uncle reading a book to several youngsters called "Everybody Poops"...its quite funny, the reading and the reaction of the kidos. The title of that book is the motivation for this particular blog.

I have a little green frog who lives on my back porch, and each night, he sits on the little window and eats the bugs that are enticed by the light that shines through my utility room. I very rarely turn that light out, so, I think he is a smart little frog who has found a great place for a guaranteed nightly dinner.

As with all animals, this little frog poops. He poops where he eats, and leaves his little gifts on my back porch.

Lots of big poop for one little frog!

Never too old? Part One

2008-09-07T20:08:00.005-06:00

I have blogged in the past about going canoeing/kayaking with friends. I have had a great time, every time.

I had the opportunity this weekend, this ENTIRE weekend to take a flat water training course. So, I did.

First day, get up at 6:30 AM, leave the house at 7:15 AM and drive around lost for 45 minutes. I did get there at 8:03AM, and we were suppose to be there a little before 8, so, yes I was late......but, I tried.

We watched some video's on basic water safety, etc, then we had to haul 4 canoes off the trailer and "portage" them to a swimming pool, which is a fancy word for CARRY ! I will tell you, I think they are heavy, even if others don't.

We then left the canoes beside the pool and had to take a swim test, which consisted of swimming 4 laps (I can not remember the last time I swam ONE lap, not less FOUR !), and then we had to tread water while an instructor wanted to "chat" a few seconds (seemed like hours to me!), and then we had to float for one minute (this was the easy part, I float well!), and then they threw our life jacket to us, and we had to put it on while treading water. There is some sort of fancy way to flip over it, and go underwater and come out in it, but, I just tread water until I got it on...

Now, being that I am SO out of shape, I am now exhausted, but it is only 10AM....we now have to put the canoes in the pool and do the following:

1. Learn out to get in a tandem (another fancy name for two people canoe) canoe without out tipping over.

2. Learn how to jump out of the canoe without making it tip over, and come crashing on your head. (I was not looking forward to intentionally getting wet this way)

3. Learn how to get back into a canoe while treading water.
(I should add here, that the idea of having to do this, of having to haul my overweight, out of shape, body, that has absolutely NO upper body strength into anything, not less a canoe on the water, almost made to chicken out!

4. Learn how to fall out of the canoe when your partner attempts to get into the canoe. (This was actually not a required skill, but, the lesson was learned)

5. Re-learn how to enter a canoe while treading water.

6. Learn how to get into your canoe when it is full of water. ****note***canoes will not completely submerge (fancy way of saying sink)....they have some flotation stuff built in the walls, but it does fill up all the way!******

7. Learn how to holler out "hey, do you need help, it looks like your canoe is full of water?" This made me laugh and want to say"duh, you made me fill it with water", but, I refrained! Then you have to, while sitting in your canoe, and not falling out, flip the other canoe over, to get the water out, drag it across your canoe, to make sure every drop is out, and then flip it back over, and put it back in the water....did I say you have to do this and not fall out of your own canoe.....hmmm. well, yes, you do, and my partner and I actually did!

The above actions took until noon.......no one drown, but here is a photo of just one of my bruises..........

This is just one.............I have several matching pairs..........canoes are made of really hard material! I will write more about this later, right now, I need some more aspirin, and ice packs!

Salt, you Wonderful Silent Killer

2008-09-04T19:01:00.003-06:00

So, I started blogging about something different, and I realize the whole blog was probably going to be my opinion about salt and how much I love it and how hard it is to do without it.

Dad is suppose to be on a low salt diet. Me and my "I know everything attitude" I figured we just spice up his food with jalepenos and onions and such, and heck, he would not even miss the salt. That like many of my other "oh I know so much", is a big fat lie! I cooked and I spiced and I ate what I fixed for him, and like Catherine said "it would be good if it had a little salt". So, what I want to know is, how come years ago, in "days of Yore" did they trade salt and how come it has such historical value, when, it is SOO bad for you? I suppose it all has to do with "limits", which is a whole nother topic to blog about when I get on my soap box again.

Anyway, I have ordered several low salt, no salt cook books and we will see if that is better, but for now.........I really feel bad for Dad that salt is no longer one of the food groups!

Excitement Abounds!

2008-08-23T20:32:00.002-06:00

Tonight I booked my trip to the East Coast. I am going on a trip out East with Becky. We are wanting to see New England in the fall. We will see Catherine and her school in Rhode Island. We will have a ball! I am ready to go now! Like a kid at Christmas. This is something I have always wanted to do. I have been saving my money, putting aside 30 bucks here and 30 bucks there, and I am ready to complete another item on my "bucket list" !

Flip Flops

2008-08-21T20:40:00.004-06:00

Over three years ago, I traded flip flops with Jennifer. We both bought a pair in Wimberly, but I liked hers better, and she graciously traded. I loved those flip flops. They were made by "Reef".........my dear flip flops, I decided they were worn over 1200 days. Rain or shine, cold or hot, I wear my flip flops. My wonderful flip flops scummed to the brutal wear and tear that I imposed upon them and they broke.

I went to see my friend Cindy in San Marcus several months ago. We went for a pedicure and believe it or not, the people spoke English! I mentioned needing a new pair of flip flops and there is a store in San Marcos called the "flip flop shop"! How wonderful is that! So, after our pedis, Cindy and I took off to find the shop. I bought two pair of Reef brand flip flops.

One pair has this little metal thing on the sole. I noticed this after we got back to Cindy's house. I first thought I stepped on something, but then lo and behold, it was on both shoes. Then I thought maybe they were "ice grippers", something to help not make them quite so slippery on the ice, you know, during cold weather. Then, well, I realized that most sane people don't wear flip flops during icy weather, and I doubted a company would make that just for me! Anyway, after I got back to Waller, Catherine in her infinite wisdom, informed me that I got the Reef's with the "bottle opener" built on them! Like, all you need at the beach is your shoes and a beer! Who would have known! I don't drink beer, but today, I spend $1.50 on a soft drink in a bottle with a pop top so I could try out my shoes!

Dirty Flip Flop

Built in Bottle Opener
Party on a Shoe

IBC Cream Soda

I am thinking of renaming my blog "MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING"..........

More Ramblings

2008-08-20T21:13:00.004-06:00

So, Catherine went back to school yesterday. We left at 6:30am, and did not get to the airport until 8:15am. Her flight was suppose to leave at 8:55am. Yes, we cut it a little close. I thought Catherine might learn from that experience that we did need to leave earlier, but, from her comments "Next time I will make my flight leave later", means the lesson I learned was different than the one she did.

Last night, we sent a few text messages back and forth, her from Providence and me from my bed, and she stated that I wasn't sad when she left. Of course there is some sadness. I will and do miss her. I miss all of my girls, even the ones who have been "gone from home" for years now.

I am happiest when they are here.

But, as far as sadness with Catherine leaving, I told her, that to me, for me to be sad, seems selfish. What kind of mom would I be if I wanted her (or any of my girls) to stay here, to keep me company or entertained? Not so good I think. I must be happy that they are capable of being independent, and grown and happy in their own lives. Like the "new" moms, whos blogs I read, I cherished every moment of when they were young and children..........but I also do love knowing that somewhere, they learned to be happy adults. I cherish that as well.

New topic

The Olympics. For those of you who know me, you know I am not a great sports enthusiast. My parents watch the Rockets, Astros, Texans, Cowboys, and golf....lots and lots of golf. When I go down to visit, sometimes they try and talk to me about those sports. I don't know names and who does what. I just don't watch sports. I don't HATE them, I just don't watch them.............so.........why is it I am glued to the Olympics, all day, every day, all night, every night. I watch fencing, trampoline, volleyball, track, gymnastics, diving, even "Basketball"! Why is that?

And Another Topic

Jessica is taking the GRE test in September. It is the test to get into Grad school. I wish that Jessica knew what I know. She is really really smart. She takes after her dad in that respect. Well, all the girls do really. I may have issues with my Ex, but, he did give them his smart genes.

Jennifer called tonight and said when she was tucking Mia into bed, Mia wanted to know if they were going to GG's tomorrow (GG, that is me), and Jennifer said, "No" not tomorrow, and Mia said " I love her so much".....well, I teared up when Jennifer told me that. I love Mia so much too!

And now you know what happens when:

You don't blog as often as you should and

you have no one to "think out loud to".

you get an incredibly long and dull blog!

My Parents

2008-08-06T00:48:00.002-06:00

I know I have not done my parents justice on this here blog..........I mean, I did start off thinking it would be about Mia, and then, well, she up and got moved away! So, I don't have "daily" tidbits to share about her, thus, I have wondered off the original course. I have written about friends, and adventures, and old movies, and bugs and stuff, but not too much about my parents. I would like to make it clear, I ADORE my parents. I think I must be the luckiest person in the world to have the parents I have, and I must be the luckiest person in the world to get to the age that I know I am the luckiest person in the world!

This past week has been pretty hard on my parents. My dad lost his eye sight in his left eye, pretty much over night. The optometrist said it was Macular Degeneration, but then ophthalmologist said it was AION: Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy. He explained that is like having a stroke in the eye. So, now we are after the information on what caused the stoke and make sure it doesn't happen again!

One of my daddy's sayings when I was growing up was "that's the way the cow eats the cabbage", which pretty much means, it just is what is...........and he takes his own philosophy as much as he dished it out, so, he has pretty much accepted the loss of sight in his left eye, but he sure is worried about that right one! Can I add here, ME TOO ! and my Mom and my brother, and my kids...........so, I ask that if you read this, and you are the prayer kinda saying person, (I know some of you are and some of you are not), please send up some extras for my parents. They are wonderful parents, and, well, I love them so very much.

New look?

2008-07-28T01:29:00.004-06:00

Hi. This is Catherine. I tried to help my mom make a custom background, and I felt like I gave good instructions, but in all fairness, when I signed in to see what was up, her blog was different than mine.
Regardless, this is what I've come up with, and hopefully she will like it when she wakes up in the morning.

It's the middle of the night, and honestly, I went to bed several hours ago and then got caught up in this project.
I tried to make it to where she can change the picture in the upper left as she pleases and easily access it to change it.

Also, my mom didn't blog about my birthday. It was yesterday/two days ago, depending on what day you want to call it... it was the 26th. She blogged about a bug, but not me, but I'm not offended, ... I did laugh though.

So, hey. I'm 19. It's not an age that let's you do anything extra special, but it's technically older.

Also, I have a really great mom that I love a ton and doesn't get enough credit for how wonderful she is and instead apologizes or feels guilty for being over the top and just being true to herself. I definitely think I'd be very lucky if I turned out anything remotely like her... I think she taught me everything she should have and continues to teach me things and be there for me always.
Now that I'm around more people and hear about their parents, I realize though I might call mom crazy, she isn't really. I might say she isn't funny, but she can make me laugh. I may not like her black and white movies, but I knew who Katharine Hepburn was today when no one else did and answered a trivia question correctly.

Long story short, I love my mom because she is an amazing person that I look up to and respect and enjoy spending my time with and it's hard to be away from Mia for a whole semester (after all, that's who the blog is about), but being away from my mom is just as hard.

I love you, mom. You're a wonderful person and the best mom I could imagine. I'm lucky I'm your kid and not someone else's.

Some Sort of Walking Stick

2008-07-27T15:38:00.003-06:00

Now this will give you nightmares!

I asked my friend Rob, who LOVES biology (well, at least fish biology) about my bug, and he sent me looking. This picture totally gives me the willies. The oddest thing I learned is that there are people who not only HOLD bugs, but, buy, sell, trade and raise the little creepy things.( Oh, and let's not forget the most nightmarish of things........some people EAT them !)

I am going to confess, the ONLY reason I didn't smush the ones I had, was guilt. I have friends who actually pick up wayward bugs (or have someone else pick them up) and move them to the outside or where ever they belong. I even have a friend who once shared with me that she removed HUGE tomato worms off of her tomatoes, but just could not kill them! I think she put them in a bucket and took them elsewhere..........(you know who you are, hint, some of your grandbabies are twins)

What is this Bug?

2008-07-26T17:31:00.006-06:00

This bug totally gives me the creeps! I should say "these" bugs, because apparently I interrupted the procreation of the species.......the big one is 3 to 4 inches long.

Gummie Bears

2008-07-25T18:03:00.004-06:00

So, what do you do with the Gummies that you don't like? I don't like orange, green , yellow, and those little odd ones that are not orange or yellow. Which I suppose means, I like the red and the white ones. Now I have a little "army" of bears watching me work..........
I feel like every once in a while, one should take a plunge off the computer and fall prey to my dog.

Keys

2008-07-24T21:06:00.003-06:00

I started managing rental property around 1998. John Kiltz had 14 little houses in Waller and 3 in Tomball. He got me started (thanks John?). Anyway, as with most things in life, including jobs, you sort of learn as you go. I now have 101 units that I manage for 7 different people. Needless to say, it went from a part time job, to a full time job. One of the many lessons I have learned include two very important words, "MASTER KEY". Again, as with many lessons in life, you don't necessarily learn it early enough, thus, my key nightmare begins!

I have spent MANY nightly hours lately, "sorting" my keys. Each key has a number, according to the "cut" in the key. So, I take each key, hold it up to this "gizzmo" that measures each cut. Then I have been writing down that keys ID, tagging it, and trying to find it's soul mate! You would think I might throw them away, but, if you spend enough time, you can find the matches, re-key a lock, and recycle them.

I don't know how many keys I have. But, if you roughly figure, each lock set comes with 4 keys, everytime someone moves out of a house or apartment you need to change the locks, over a 10 year period, well, let's just say I have well over 300 keys.

I am just great-full that I have a job, that I am still learning, and that I have the quiet time to sit and sort my keys. Last night, while sorting, I watched "Woman of the Year" with Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracey. Another great old movie!

PS. I should add that now MOST of my property now is Master Keyed, and thus I only carry around the Master Keys (of course, 4 of the people have their own Master Key's, but 4 is much easier to have on hand than 300 !)

It's a Girl !

2008-07-18T21:14:00.004-06:00

Jennifer went to the Dr. today and got a 90% sure its a girl opinion. (click on her name to see the photos she put on her blog) For those of you who know me, you must know that I am thrilled! I mean, I bought the cutest little onesie when the baby was as Rex put it "only about 30 cells big". I would have had (and would still have) been pleased if it was a boy, mostly because my dad said "I hope this one is a boy". which kind of shocked me that he had a preference, but Catherine (wise old soul that she is) pointed out that it has been over 50 years since my parents have had a little boy to play with. ( my brother is over 50, and never had kids, and I produced all girls)...........so, for his sake, a boy would have been a nice addition. If I understand correctly, Jennifer and Rex want several kids, so, my dad will have other opportunities!

Tonight, this is one happy GG !

Random Stuff

2008-07-17T22:23:00.002-06:00

Catherine is off on her road trip with Rebecca Hart. They left from Austin on July 10th. I know they went through Texarkana, Nashville, Cleveland, Buffalo, and into Canada to see Niagara Falls from the Canadian side, and then on to Providence. They are/were/are having a great time it seems............until last night. They hit a deer. There were 4 of them in the car. No one was hurt but the deer and the car. So, now they are in Providence without a vehicle. The parts for the car are suppose to be in Monday the 21st. Since Catherine does not want to be one the road on her birthday, which is the 26th, I know they won't be leaving until at least the 27th....so, who knows when they will actually make it back.

I did not get to go on my road trip with Becky. Her brother Mike had to have unexpected surgery. So, I told her we must plan a trip this fall to see New England in the fall..........that will be our road trip.......so, I can wait.

I am however going with two friends to San Antonio this Saturday, leaving at 7AM. It is the DCI Southwestern finals. Two young men that Catherine was in band with at high school preform with the Cavaliers. One of if not the best DCI corps there is. The past few years, the Cavaliers have preformed here in Houston at the Sounds of Excitement show, but for what ever reason, they did not participate this year. I am excited about this trip....although I looked at the times, and the Cavaliers don't preform until 10PM.....and then we have to come home! Long day...........

Mia has spent the day with me today. She was a little draggy (not sure that is a real word)........so she was just wanting to watch "toons" and hang out inside. She is a funny little girl that makes my heart sing with love and joy, and makes me laugh with her talking and stubbornness. She ate Cheetos all day (shame on GG), but I tried to offer other things, and she was having none of it. Good news is she finished off the bag, so tomorrow will be better in the nutrition department.

I still love my answering service, and I am still trying to figure out how to get more organized. I am hoping things slow down once all of the property I manage is full, and that should be SOON. Just not soon enough!

Here is wishing everyone a great night, day, week, month, year and life!

Update on Blue Haired Old Women

2008-07-15T10:27:00.002-06:00

I should have stated that I DID get blue in my hair as well. Small strips, on the underside, not so visible on dark hair.....ALSO I should tell readers that Tammy and Cindy conspired to put bold red in my hair as well, but again, it does not show on the dark hair.

So, I did not abondon Cindy.......I just learned from her mistakes.....besides, it WAS all her idea!

In My Opinion

2008-07-12T07:24:00.002-06:00

Last night I was having a discussion with my oldest daughter Jennifer, and one of the things brought to my attention is that apparently I "offend a lot of people" because of the way I state my opinion. I do not preface my likes and dislikes or preferences or "opinions" with "In My Opinion" or " "I think". I just say "That is an cute puppy." for example, (insert any noun for puppy, and any adjective for cute).

So, I would first like to apologize for ANYONE and EVERYONE I have ever offended because I have spoken with out first saying "In My Opinion".

I would like to state, "In My Opinion", that I have NEVER thought I was speaking for anyone other than myself. I have never spoken on behalf of society, the world, or God.

For future reference, when I say "That is a cute puppy", I am only speaking of MY opinion. I am NOT telling you that you have to agree with me, I am NOT telling you that you are wrong if you don't agree with me, and I am NOT telling you that anyone else agrees with me.

If I am stating an opinion OTHER than my own, I preface it with "Cindy thinks that is a cute puppy", "Catherine thinks that is the best pizza in the world", etc., etc., etc.

So, I would like to apologize in advance if I offend anyone in the future for any reason, whether it be by stating "My Opinion" with out that particular preface, or if I offend you in anyway period.

"My Opinion" is worth what you pay for it...........absolutely nothing, but I still have one, and admittedly, offer it "freely".

*******disclaimer********
This ENTIRE blog is "In My Opinion"

A Wild Hair

2008-07-11T23:01:00.002-06:00

Cindy Schmid and I have been going to the same hair dresser(Tammy) for over 6 years now. We go about every 6 weeks and we go at the same time. To make a day of it. Many times we go for a pedicure before the hair fixin'.

I know I have mentioned that Rob and Cindy moved to San Marcos, but like any good friend, Cindy is still driving 3 hours and over 100 miles to come and have her hair done with me!

Today, when we got to Tammy's, I said I would like to do something different. Something bold.........and new cut, or new color. Cindy said, "make it blue, like the color of your shirt". I said no, how about blond"? Tammy said, "no" to the blond. Cindy said, "make it blue and I will do mine blue too," (always the supportive friend).

In my opinion, Cindy made two mistakes.

1). Suggesting blue as a hair color.
2). Going first.

Please note, this is PERMANENT hair color. This does NOT wash out!

Now, please note, you do NOT see photos of me with blue hair!

Last but not least, a good time was had by all, hair grows out, you are only young once, and now we(she really) has already been a "blue haired old lady", so she does not have to do that again!

My own YAY

2008-07-07T23:17:00.002-06:00

I have hired an answering service! I am SOOOOO excited. I will no longer be "on call" 24/7, 365 days per year! I will let someone else answer my phones at night, and when I want to spend family time and such. They have instructions to only text me if it is an emergency! Glorious of gloriousness!

I am tired, so I am going to ramble a sec...........I went back and looked at the photo I finally added of Catherine's teeth. If you don't know what you are looking at, her bottom wisdom teeth are almost horizontal, and her top ones are pounding into the molars (thus I believe the reason for the headaches she was having)......but, another really cool thing.............if you don't notice, she is almost 19 and she does not have not ONE cavity! Isn't that amazing!! I tried marrying her off once (not really), and told the young man that she had good teeth (you know, like a horse is suppose to have). He was a farmer kid, and I figured he would appreciate a sturdy woman with good teeth! He miss his chance! (for those of you who are local yokels, it was one of the "country Paben's" (Tommy to be exact).

Mia is Coming, Mia is Coming

2008-07-02T22:45:00.002-06:00

I haven't seen her in almost two weeks..............she is coming to play tomorrow(well, actually today now)....so I am off to bed!

ITSY BITSY TEENY WEENIE YELLOW POLKA DOT BIKINI

2008-06-30T23:29:00.003-06:00

Sometimes pictures say 1000 words..........

Wisdom

2008-06-23T10:54:00.003-06:00

I was trying to make a new post last week, and my Internet was all funky. I pay almost $90.00 per month to have some sort of speed on my Internet service. I know, ridiculous, isn't it? But, DSL is not available in my area, nor are any other services besides dial up and that alone will make me want to do bad things to my computer. Several years ago, the girls and I all pitched in and had to pay $300.00 for the satellite equipment, and now I pay this $90.00 per month. You would think for all that money I would get GREAT Internet service. Well, I don't. Not only is it unreliable, but apparently it is not "unlimited". In getting to my point, with Catherine home and all, according to my provider, we have gone over our FAT time, and now, have limited, and VERY slow use. Until the end of the month. Besides, some one near by is also feeding off of my wireless signal, and I need to know how to block them from using it........Ok, enough on the computer.

What I was going to post about was wisdom TEETH. Yep, Catherine needed all four of hers out, and me, well I needed to get two of mine out (yep, I still have/had mine). Anyway, the oral surgeon that I was sent to said Catherine's would be $2000.00, and mine would be $600.00. I do not have dental insurance on Catherine or myself, and needless to say I don't have $2600.00 just laying around.........so, the solution........we went to Mexico and had it done for about 1/2 the cost. Mom and Dad went also, and they had some dental work done as well. I have a photo of Catherine's teeth, before they were pulled, but I can not load it on my computer at this time (see above paragraph). Hers were really tough to get out. I won't go into detail, but when her dentist said he had to "cut away some bone", I pretty much quit listening at that point.

As I am sure my previous post indicated, I was feeling a little unsocial. It had nothing to do with the wisdom teeth, just wisdom in general, of my lack there of.....anyway, I am learning to deal with my dilemma, or ignore it, I am not sure which yet, but, no matter, I still don't want to talk about it, so, don't ask me "how's it going".

One more topic and then I am done for today. It is an old one re-visited.....last night I watched the original "Star Wars" movie. That movie came out when I was a senior in high school (1977). Back then, the special effects were awesome, and the movie was great, and so on and so forth. I use to know a group of young men who were beyond fans of "Star Wars"....obsessed is more like it. Let me just say, I laughed watching it this time..........but, even if for the laughter, it was still entertaining. (Luke was a whiner!)

Weak Week

2008-06-11T21:37:00.002-06:00

I am having an awful week, and I don't want to talk about it, and I don't want anyone asking me about it, and I don't feel like being social. I just need to have a weak week. So, now I have "vented" and I have been told it will make me feel better. Well, it doesn't. Go away and leave me alone. ( I am not sure to whom I am speaking, maybe the whole wide world.............)Besides, I think if you were all honest, you have felt the same thing at some point. They say the first step in getting help is admitting you have a problem.........so I say, admit that you have had entire days, or weeks, months, or maybe even years that have stunk! That is all I want to say about it.

Adams Rib

2008-05-28T22:37:00.002-06:00

One of the things I like about living by myself is watching old movies. I have a Netflix two movies per month membership and so far I have watched "Sergent York", "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington", "The Ghost and Mrs. Murier", "To Kill a Mockingbird", and "Mrs. Miniver",to name a few, and tonight, I watched Tracy and Hepburn in "Adams Rib". I truly love these old movies. One of the things I enjoy is seeing many of the same people in each of these different movies. I know this was a time when the actors and actresses had contracts with specific studios, so they were in multiple movies, but it is fun to spot them in bit parts in one, and then major parts in another. It's like "Where is Waldo", but on screen.

I love the costumes, the dresses the women wore were so fabulous, and the nightgowns and robes were flowingly beautiful. Hats, everyone wore hats. The men and the women all wore hats. Mostly, I think the women's hats were ridiculous, feathers and birds and netting over their face. Apparently I am not a hat fan, but I appreciate that they were a part of the movie and the ambiance of that movie. Oh, and the women, WOW, did many of them have these knock out figures. Katharine Hepburn, in "Adams Rib", what a beauty she was in her costume dresses. I watched another old one with her in it, I can't recall the name, it had Cary Grant, anyway, she wore this white swim robe, and she looked like a Greek Goddess in it.....oh, and I love the fact that obscene language has yet to be introduced to the film industry......my "hats off" to old movies!

Confessions of a Mediocre Mother

2008-05-28T10:50:00.004-06:00

Hmmmmmmmm...where to begin.

Ok, so the whole Catherine coming home. Let me state a few facts up front, and then ramble from there. It was a great surprise. I love her very much. I am always proud of her. I do like having her home. That being said......

Confessions :

Within the first 7 days Of her being home, I asked her twice when her return airfare was for, I threatened to beat her silly, and told her I considered killing her ( by pinching her little head off). Most of these statements were said with a smile, I will not declare which ones were and which weren't.

I think I have stated previously in my blog how much I do enjoy living by myself. I like the peace and quiet, I like the lack of conflict, I like only having to pick up after myself.

Things I remembered after Catherine came back home.

I do not like her leaving her dirty dishes all over the living room. I do not like her setting her dirty dishes on the EDGE of the kitchen sink. Not IN the sink, not BESIDE the sink, but she sets them, actually, LINES them up along the EDGE of the sink. I do not like being told that she will get something done, and then, it does not happen.

In her defense, these things do not happen constantly. She has picked up her bathroom, the living room, the kitchen, mowed the lawn (twice), picked up some fencing materials and demoed them so they would fit in the trash can, painted part of an apartment, and spent a day running my errands with me (which, she hates with a passion).

Catherine came into my room, within 6 days of being home, proclaiming that being home "sucked". There was nothing to do, no where to go, blah, blah, blah..........So, I said, "suck it up". I told her "this is the same place you left", and that "she could chose to make the most of time here", and that it will only "suck" if she allows it to. I told her lots of things in my life have "sucked". Getting a divorce, her going away to college so far away, seeing my granddaughter move to Austin, and Rob and Cindy moving to San Marcus. (just to name a few).......but, that I had chosen to make the best of all of those situations, and made them be "ok" for me, since there was nothing else I could do about it, and that she should and could do likewise if she chose to.

So here is my point. As I am expressing myself to some friends, I start to notice the "shocked" or "mortified" looks on their faces. At some point, the realization slaps me in the face, "Jami, maybe you are not the loving, caring, nurturing mom you always thought of yourself as". I confess, I think, secretly, I have taken a considerable amount of credit for my girls being successful in their lives. For the most part, I was a single mom for Catherine (she was 6 when her dad and I split), and Jessica was 12, and Jennifer was 16. They are now almost 19, 25, and 28, respectfully. Now, I am thinking that maybe, just maybe, they are successful IN SPITE of me, not BECAUSE of me!

So, I had a discussion with Catherine about this "insight" of mine. And apparently, I am NOT a nurturing mom. Apparently, I don't give off the warm fuzzy's that I think I do. Now I ask, "How can that be?!" How can one reach the ripe old age of 49 and not know they type of parent she is.

Let me be clear here. I do not think I am a BAD mother. I still believe I am a good mom, the best mom I can be..........that is not my point. I am not bashing myself here, I am just acknowledging outwardly and openly that I am still learning about myself.

So, now the question becomes. Can I change, do I want to change, and would change do me any good at this point? Let's face it. The girls are grown and raised. I have pretty much done all of the damage, or good I can do.

I would say that I will make every effort to be a different type of grandmother than I have been as a mom, but quite honestly, that is already the case. I was a pretty strict mom, and I am not a very strict grandmother, just for starters.

So, I think I will take my own advise and just "suck it up". I will accept who and what I have been. I will adhere to Cindy's philosophy of "asking forgiveness and not permission". I love God, my kids, my parents, my grandbaby(s), my friends, and my life.

I hope you all feel the same about yours.

Biggest Surprise of My Life

2008-05-14T08:16:00.002-06:00

Last night, at about 10 pm, my little dog, Meg, barks, like someone is at the front door. I was in my room, and didn't hear anything, but she is pretty good and keeping me informed. I went and looked through the peep hole, and Chelsea Arkadie is at my front door. Chelsea has been Catherine's best friend for years now. She lives in Waller, and goes to college at Prairie View. When I see her, I always fuss at her for not coming by to see me. So, I am very surprised and excited to see her standing at my front door.

We come in, sit on the couch and start visiting. I am sitting with my back to the kitchen area, and I feel something "nuzzle" my shoulder. "Nuzzle, nuzzle", I think it is Meg, wanting attention. I turn around to tell her to knock it off, and it's not a nuzzle at ALL..........it is CATHERINE !

Catherine who has told me for MONTHS that she was staying for graduation at Brown, which is not until the 25th. Catherine who told me she and some friends were going to rent a U-haul and drive home from Rhode Island. Catherine, who, every time I questioned her on how she was getting home, she told me "don't worry about it, I am not worried, you shouldn't worry". Catherine, who I did not expect to see until maybe June 1st, is standing in my house. Home!

Apparently, everyone knew but me.........and everyone has known for months, and kept if from me. To surprise me. Man, was I surprised. In fact, I don't know what word is bigger than surprise......ubersurprised?

I cried, I hit her a few times (you know the love pat type of smacks)......and just stared at her...........I even asked her to hit me, so I would know it was real! She didn't want to hit me, but Chelsea took the invitation to heart, and frogged my arm!

Catherine is HOME.......and I am HAPPY...........

Catherine

2008-05-12T17:23:00.005-06:00

Catherine posted several blogs last night/today. One of the blogs, she talks about how there is a photo contest for students to enter pictures they have taken at Brown this school year. I have only selected a few pictures to put here, maybe someone reads my blog and they don't read Catherine's. I don't mean to plagiarize (I assume you can do that with photos as well as writings). I just was so blown away with the extreme beauty. I can only imagine what it is like to live there and see these sights daily.

This first picture, I asked Catherine about, and yes, it is like that for several weeks

This next one is also a winter scene, but the buildings are beautiful, the sky is amazing and it is important to show this one before the next one.

And now I might be mistaken, but I believe these are the same buildings, the same court yard, but obviously a different season.

So her having posted those photo entries, and seeing the beauty, and knowing of the life changing experiences she is having, she also admits to being a little homesick. Family, friends, and Texas. She included in her blog a video from the Dixie Chicks..."Wide Open Spaces". I admit to liking the DC's.......not their politics, but their music. And I admit, when I have heard this song on the radio, I could have pretended to sing along, at least with the chorus..........but, I never really listened to the first part. When I did, I thought, "how Catherine" to put a song that so perfectly fit........so, for you readers, I am going to put the first few lines...........to read..........to understand, as I did, just a little bit of what my youngest daughter must have been and is experiencing in her life this past year.

Who doesn't know what I'm talking about.
Who's never left home, who's never struck out.
To find a dream, and a life of their own,
a place in the clouds, a foundation of stone.

Many precede and many will follow.
A young girls dreams no longer hollow
It takes the shape of a place out west (east)
But what it holds for her, she hasn't yet guessed.

She needs, Wide Open spaces
room to make big mistakes,
She needs, new faces,
she knows the highest stakes.
She traveled this road as a child.
wide eyed and grinning she never tired.
But now she won't be coming back with the rest,
If these are life's lessons, she'll take this test.......

Catherine took a leap of faith, she left to attend a college, thousands of miles away, not just up the road. She left saying "I can do it", "I want to do it", and I know in my heart, she will do it. For I too have faith, she just needs "Wide Open Spaces".

Oh how I miss her, look forward to her time home this summer.

More on Mia

2008-05-11T17:41:00.005-06:00

I know I have not posted pictures lately and Catherine has been VERY unhappy about that. I really do have slow internet service, and it takes a long time to upload pictures, especially videos. But here is a clip of Mia being silly, eating Cheeto's in the back of her car. Jennifer and Mia were waiting for me. I had gone inside to order pizza, and we had spent the last hour and the children's museum in Austin.

And here is one of her playing in the sprinkler at her new home in Austin.

And my first attempt at this slide show.

Slide show of Mia

Something old and something New.......seeing something made me Blue

2008-05-07T21:44:00.003-06:00

So I made my first trip to Austin to see Mia, Jennifer and Rex. It was an unexpected trip, Jennifer was having some issues of concern in her new pregnancy, and we all insisted that she get it checked out. Thank goodness it showed to be nothing, in fact, the baby is fine, Jennifer, Rex and Mia saw the baby in an ultra sound, saw the heart beat and according to Jennifer, the little nubs of arms and legs. Mia said the whole thing was "nasty". I suppose looking at pictures in black and white of your mom's guts could be construed as "nasty" even if you are not two! I got to see the new house, which is really nice, and spend time with lively lovely Mia.

That is my "Something New".....part.

Now for the something old.

Jennifer, Mia and I went to eat at Magnolia Cafe today. The food is always good, but I think I always get the same thing! I just know everyone we passed while getting seated had something wonderfully delicious sitting on their plate! Corey Ann (my cousin's daughter) could sure take some great pictures of the food. I have a link to her blog on my blog, and if you want to see some delicious pictures of food, check out her blog. I think she should be a food photographer............

Well, I digress...........back to the old, and made me blue.

As we were being seated, there was a man, I would say 50's maybe 60, in a nice business suit. He was sharing the table with, what Jennifer and I assumed to be his elderly mom. The mom was wearing a little pill box hat, and a light brown fur coat. As we walked up, he was standing wiping the mouth of a teddy bear sitting in the highchair at their table. Yes, I said a teddy bear. Wearing clothes, sitting in a high chair, with a messy mouth. It actually looked like a Paddington Bear. Jennifer and I assume that the elderly "mom" had fed the bear. We both just wanted to cry. Our minds raced with the story that must belong with that family. There was sadness and love all wrapped up in the table next to us. Like Jennifer said, the man, obviously a business man, who had to, in a simple way, humble himself, stop making crucial multi-million dollar deals for a while, by taking his mom out for brunch, and indulge her age by asking for a high chair for a stuffed teddy bear, and then wipe the mouth of that bear. It was such a poignant moment, it almost felt like we were seeing a very private moment between a son and his mom. It was beautiful and sad.

Not being one to stay focused on the beauty of the moment, I told Jennifer that I hoped someday, my girls would have to take me and my teddy bear out! It would serve them all right! ( I was just kidding!) I must admit that I now have a new saying, when I am having one of those "senior" moments, I will now say, "I am just one step away from a teddy bear". I do not say that in mockery of what we saw, but it just was so precious that I think it makes growing older seem a little more positive.

Maybe it touched me so because today is my birthday. I am 49. I am waiting for my teddy.........

Late night blogging

2008-04-27T00:12:00.003-06:00

I have several things to comment on...........first, Mia moved away today. I think that says something when I think of it as Mia moving away and not my daughter! In my defense, Jennifer has moved away before. Colorado, Italy..........Mia on the other hand, well, she moved to Tomball, but really that was not too far. Now she lives in Austin, and while it is not (thank goodness) Colorado or Italy, it is still not just up the road, so to speak. I am happy for Jennifer and Rex buying a house and living where their hearts lead them, but, I miss Mia already.

Rob got the great job with Texas Parks and Wildlife, managing the fish hatchery in San Marcos. They are in the process of moving. I went with Cindy this week to see their new house, help unload some items and help paint. Again, I am so happy for them, but.......well, I will miss them dearly.

I have a membership to NetFlix, where I get two movies per month. I have enjoyed getting old movies, and not having anyone complain or give negative input.("Mom, just because it's an old movie, doesn't mean its a good movie" said by one of my beautiful and wonderful daughters.).....that being said, my last movie this month was "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid". I saw it originally at the movies, YEARS ago, and once since then..........and I remembered tonight while watching it......I refuse to watch the end of the movie! I do not like the ending, but the movie is entertaining. I also watched "To Kill a Mockingbird" this month. Trivia question, "What role does Robert Douvall play in "To Kill a Mockingbird"?"

I have pictures to post, Mia, my Dad's 83rd birthday, and some other events, and I will get them on soon. Now that everyone is moving away, I will have LOTS of extra time on my hands!

Well that's is for now. It is 1:30 in the AM and I think I will try and get some sleep!

OH, PS, I will put these pictures here, because, well I have them loaded on my computer. Catherine has several pictures on her blog of this tree. I call it a Pink Magnolia, but I am not sure of the real name......anyway, I love these trees!

A visit with Mia

2008-04-11T15:13:00.002-06:00

I did promise Catherine I would post a blog with pictures of Mia. My excuse Catherine is that when Jennifer loaded the pictures from her camera onto my computer, she loaded them in Kodak Easy Share, and man, it takes an act of congress to move them!

Anyway, Catherine, here is the video that we took just for you!

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

And the slide show from that day is here if you have time to check it out.

Visit with Mia April 4, 2008

Oh, and by the way, I going to be a grandma again! Jennifer and Rex are expecting a baby! We are all VERY excited. I already bought "her" a cute little outfit! Yes, I am saying "girl" because, well, that is what I know, but everyone else is saying that little "boy" sure is going to look funny in that pink outfit! Even my dad is hoping for a boy..........Catherine said that should not be a surprise to me, since all I had was girls, its been over 50 years since they had a little boy around. So, all things considered, I guess its time for a boy!

Easter and Birthday Weekend

2008-03-24T23:04:00.002-06:00

March 24th is Jessica's birthday. We have a wonderful video when she was a little girl talking about how her birthday was on a "Good Friday". She was almost an Easter bunny baby.

Jessica and her boyfriend Tommy came home for a visit this weekend. Jennifer and Mia were here also, because Rex had to go out of town.

Catherine was missing from my nest.

We ate grilled steak and veggies, and played croquet, and Mia dyed and hunted eggs. It was a very nice weekend and I loved spending every minute with my girls and their families and my parents.

Here are some pics I took.

And if you have time, are interested and don't have dial up internet, here are some videos I took. The background noise from the motorcycles next door is VERY annoying!

More Mia Pics from our March Visit

2008-03-17T22:16:00.000-06:00

Mia Pics 3/17/08

My Little Ponies

2008-03-17T10:49:00.004-06:00

When Jessica was a little girl, she loved "My Little Ponies". She played with them for hours on end. Every pony had a name and a story, and a voice. Through life changes, some pony items are gone, but there is one box that remained. I got the box down from the closet the other night and Mia is now LOVING the ponies.

Here are some clips I took. And yes, in one of the clips, it does look like a pony graveyard........but they are only sleeping, not dead!

My Little Ponies 3/17/08

Old Age, I decided, is a gift.

2008-03-08T17:01:00.002-06:00

This was actually an email I got from a friend...........I believe it speaks loudly to me. So, I decided to copy and paste an email on my blog. There is a first time for everything I guess!

I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have
always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime despair over my body,
the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt. And often I am
taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror, but I don't
agonize over those things for long.

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving
family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've
become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself.. I've become
my own friend.

I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making
my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but
looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be
messy, to be extravagant.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before
they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until
4 AM and sleep until noon?

I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 & 70's,
and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love .... I will.

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging
body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to,
despite the pitying glances from the jet set . They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just
as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not
break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when
somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what
give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never
broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being
imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning
gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep
grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died
before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about
what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even
earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I
like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but
while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have
been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every
single day. (If I feel like it)

Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band

2008-03-07T23:36:00.007-06:00

Tonight I had the pleasure of going with Joanne McCay and Sheryl Stephenson to Cypress Community Church (which by the way, is the church where I got married) to see Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band. We went and had pedi's and mani's and Sheryl got her hair cut, and then we had a fabulous dinner at a place I use to eat many many moons ago, called "Clementine's". They use to be a burger joint with the best cheddar cheese soup EVER, and now they are a little more "up scale". But, Becky A............I FINALLY got my boiled shrimp!

Anyway, back to the Big Phat Band, truth be told, not following the jazz scene, I had never heard of them.............but man can they blow! Kind of a combination of big band and jazz.

Watching them brought back a lot of great memories of good times I had being a full blown band nerd, in high school and my earlier college year.

There are several clips of the performing songs on YouTube......... I hope you enjoy, because I know we sure did!

Thanks Joanne for a great time!

Rob and Cindy

2008-03-03T21:15:00.003-06:00

I have talked in past blogs about friends and family and about friends who become family. I have yet to mention Rob and Cindy Schmid. Yep, I spelled the last name right, it is NOT "Schmidt".........the "t" is not there on purpose. Anyway I met Cindy I believe about 15 years ago, we were both band booster officers. Cindy and I chaperoned a band trip and I think we actually had more fun than the kids did. I remember being asked by the band directors to "keep it down a little" at an outside dinner! A terrible tragedy fell on one of our band directors, and as officers, we ended up putting in more time than normal. (I will not elaborate on this tragedy more)

One thing leads to another.........

Then a few years later, a tragedy happened in my life, and for what ever reason, I turned to Cindy first. We were friends, but, nothing like "BFF". I have since told her, I think I turned to her first because she was "safe". (I will not elaborate on this tragedy more either).

One thing leads to another............

At some point, Cindy and her husband Rob,their son Taylor, Catherine and Jessica and I start doing some "adventures in dining". We went to a Persian restaurant (smoked a bong!), we went to a Russian restaurant (had borscht) , we went to a Brazilian restaurant(most expensive meal I have ever eaten, and one of the best), and we went to an Asian restaurant(they served us a fried fish with his head still attached, sitting upright on the plate like he was swimming and it had a red sauce poured over it, it looked like blood....I did not eat that). Several of these were very international experiences. When we went to the Russian restaurant, we had an authentic Russian dine with us. He worked with Rob and Cindy and was here in the US learning to be a fish farmer. (Oh, by the way, that is what Rob does for a living).

One thing leads to another.............

When I went white water rafting in Colorado, I rode with them all the way there and back. Now, if you have ever been in the car with me for any length of time, you know that can not be an easy thing for them! I HATE riding in the car. They graciously let me ride in the back, with all of my pillows and sleep all I wanted! Possibly more important than that, they let me listen to HOURS of John Denver as we were leaving Colorado! Now, that IS friendship!

One thing leads to another.................

Through them I have met some wonderful couples, with whom I have since camped and kayaked, and canoed and spent Fourth of July and New Years and birthdays with. They call their group the "EGGS".......which is the last name initials of the core families who camp and canoe together (Elbert, Goetzman, Garcia, Schmid). (They all have sons who have since all become Eagle Scouts).

One thing leads to another.................

One year, Cindy, Becky (see older posts) and I took a road trip and drove to New Orleans just to eat at Emril Lagassi's (spelling?)restaurant. Now I have known Becky seems like forever, and by now, I have know Cindy really well, but, these two do not know each other at all. Often, mixing friends can be like mixing oil and vinegar. Truth be told, I wondered how it would work out. Catherine, being the wise old soul that she is said "Mom, how can anyone not like Mrs. Schmid ?". I thought it was funny in retrospect that she did not say that about Becky! (and I of course told this to Becky). We had a SUPER time! And, again, being the friends that they are, they let me ride in the back seat with all of my pillows!

One thing leads to another.................

When Catherine was a senior in high school, she decided that Rob and Cindy needed more of a special designation than just friends, so she declared them her "God parents". She even thanked her "God parents" in her salutatory speech at her high school graduation.

One thing leads to another.................

When Jennifer married this past December, she asked Rob to be the master of ceremonies, I guess you could say. What ever it is you call the person who keeps things at the reception moving forward. She asked Cindy to be in charge of decorating the reception area. The hours Cindy spent planning and creating and designing and building was beyond words, even for me. This couple, these wonderful friends, took more than two days of their lives to travel and work and be a part of my daughters special day. They worked their tails off, and without them there supporting me, well, I would not have made it.

One thing leads to another......................

I love this wonderful, fun, exciting, adventurous couple.

Rob has applied for a job near San Marcos. He would be perfect for this job. I work hard every day, trying to be the friend to them that they have been to me, by praying that he gets this job. It would mean they move away. It would mean a big hole in my life. It could mean the world to them.

So, if one thing truly leads to another, my prayers will lead them to this job, a new town, new friends, and new adventures.

This is for Catherine

2008-02-29T23:21:00.002-06:00

My Montage 2/29/08

Little Kids Can Sure Make a Big Mess

2008-02-28T10:58:00.003-06:00

Last night when I was putting the freshly cleaned crib sheets back on Mia's bed, I had some random thoughts. No one asked, but I am going to share them anyway.

Little kids can sure make a big mess. When Grammie Hegar brought her over, she had already wet her diaper so much that is soaked through her jeans (Mia that is, not Juda). So, we started off with dirty clothes. Then after supper and a snack, we got our shirt, jacket and other pants we had put on dirty. I changed the jacket and shirt, but, due to lack of clothing at my house, we had to wear the dirty pants to bed.

Mia went almost two weeks using the potty, and now, not interested. Normally after she poops, or even has an obviously soggy diaper, and you say, "Mia, lets change your diaper." she says, "No, I fine." and trying to change her diaper can be a battle. I will NEVER understand how wearing poop in your pants is fine! Anyhow, yesterday morning when she woke up, this was the first thing I heard on the monitor " GG. I have wet diaper!!!" (this was hollered pretty loud, I might not have needed the monitor). So, I go in her room, and "I have wet diaper" may go down as the understatement of the week/month/day/year..........everything in her bed was soaked. She felt and smelt like urine...........needless to say, I ended up with a full load of laundry from one night of Mia.

Not that I mind....But, Little Kids Can Sure Make a Big Mess.

It Goes Without Saying

2008-02-28T10:56:00.001-06:00

I suppose I should mention that I have most of my voice back. The high "excited" register is not back, but everything else it. I suppose that goes without saying, since I posted a conversation with Mia.

A Good Day for Grandma's

2008-02-26T23:02:00.002-06:00

I got to spend some time with Mia today. She actually came over from her Grammie Hegar's to take a nap. Right after her 3 1/2 hour nap, we walked down to Memaw and Granddad's. We played cars and toys and had peach yogurt for a snack. Mia was in a great mood. Then Jennifer came out to pick her up. In all fairness, Mia was not ready to go home. Since she had only napped at GG's, she still wanted to "go to GG's for a wittle bit". Thank goodness her mom and Rex had nothing planned, so............Mia is getting to spend the night! This is our first time. It was a blast! We played, she pulled out every toy she has here, and we watched Bambi, and she always says "Oh, no, GG, what's gonna happen?". Now, understand, she has seen Bambi, or what ever movie, SEVERAL times, enough to know what is going to happen, but its still funny that she gets so concerned.

Later in the evening we had this conversation:

Mia: "You GG"
Me: "Yes, I am GG"
Mia: " My name Mia Hegar"
Me: "Yes, your name is Mia Hegar"
Me: "What does Cindy call me?" "What is my other name?"
Mia: ......just looks confused here and says nothing......
Me: "My other name is Jami, Jami Dauphin"

I do have a point of this story. Hang with me a second.

So, a few hours pass. It is bedtime. I have put Mia in bed and I am searching for her warm cuddle blanket. I leave her in her bed, light is still on, and door open, and I tell her I am going to look for her cuddle blanket. I am in my room searching my bed for the blanket and I hear Mia holler "Jami Dauphin!"

Well, it made me laugh and smile and just want to hug her more. Of course, I am a grandma........I get mushy over every little thing she does I think.

The Wedding

2008-02-25T21:27:00.004-06:00

I think this works. Here are the pictures from the wedding! But I am not sure if there is sound....oh well, maybe someday I will figure out what I did wrong....can I say that the pictures say it all!

Or you can go here and listen to the music as well.

Free MySpace slideshows, photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

It's Been 5 Days

2008-02-21T21:18:00.002-06:00

It's been 5 days since I could talk. I am no longer amused. I tried talking to Catherine last night on the phone. She said I sounded like "Stevie" from Malcolm in the Middle (a TV comedy show). As usual, with Catherine's knack for getting to the heart of a matter, I realized that is EXACTLY who I sounded like. Then I could not stop laughing, of course, no sound was coming out, but I was laughing

Someone Must Have had Their Prayers Answered

2008-02-17T20:59:00.004-06:00

Ok, I would like to know who prayed that I would "just be quiet for a while"? For the first time in my life, I have laryngitis. I find it more amusing than anything.....it has however made me wonder, how do people who are mute, or deaf for that matter ever order fast food? I tried to order my usual Sonic Large Diet Cherry Dr. Pepper (during happy hour of course) today, and the young man said "Could you please pull up to the window?" Even after pulling up and trying to speak face to face, I didn't get what I wanted! I could not however blame him.

Back to prayers...... you would think that I had one of mine answered ( I did not pray for this, and it's getting kind of old). I can not taste a thing for over a week now. Jennifer keeps fussing at me saying things like, "Mom, why are you eating that chocolate cake and all of those calories if you can't taste it ?" and my response is "Jennifer, why do you keep fussing at me when you know I don't listen?",.....the reason for both is, of course, HABIT on both of our parts! I bought this particular chocolate cake at a church auction. It was a homemade chocolate cake that looked like it was going to be at least three layers, probably four, but it was two huge layers, with chocolate icing, and a light green creaming filling. The top and sides were generously decorated with Andes chocolate mints. It looked wonderfully delicious.......and I could not taste a thing!

80 Years Young

2008-02-09T22:43:00.000-06:00

February 2nd was my Mom's 80th birthday. I think there is something taboo about telling a "ladies" age, but I also think when you get to be 80, you should be proud you made it! My Mom and Dad have more than "made" it, they are VERY young at heart and spirit. I asked my Mom what she wanted to do to celebrate her 80 years, and of course, as is typical of my Mom, she said nothing........except, she did say, the only thing she really wanted was to have chocolate cupcakes, so Mia could have one. I fixed grilled cheese sandwiches, one of the few things my Mom will eat, and chicken and dumplings, for those who wanted a little more substance (although I think the grilled cheese sandwiches were enjoyed by everyone more than the chicken and dumplings), and then we finished off the meal with cupcakes for Mia!

Happy Birthday Mom (Memaw)

Neat and Tidy is how it all begins

A Little Chocolate is good for the soul

Is it good for the face, neck, forehead and shoulders as well?

Good call on the cupcakes Memaw!

What do you suppose she is "hinting" at?

2008-01-30T20:51:00.000-06:00

So today I get this email from Catherine, and all it has are these links:

http://parentingteens.about.com/od/carepackage/a/care_packages2.htm

http://www.epinions.com/content_4062683268

http://www.parent.umn.edu/carepackages.html

http://www.gardenandhearth.com/Gift-Baskets/College-Care-Package.htm

Of course I sent a package off today! You don't have to hit me with a 2 X 4 !!

Dream Come True

2008-01-29T09:57:00.000-06:00

When I graduated from college, I received a "scholarship" from an organization that I was president of on Campus, AITP (Association of Information Technology Professionals) to be exact. They are a professional organization, and sponsor student chapters at various campuses. Anyway, I think my professor put my name in for one of the scholarships, and I got it. The interesting thing is, I was graduating, and so I tried to give the money to the student chapter, but my professor would not take it, he said the students needed to learn to earn their own money and not have it given to them. So next, I thought about applying the money to my student loans..........that would have been way to practical, right? So, obliviously what came next was, take a cruise! My dear friend Becky Adams and I have talked for many years now about going on a cruise "someday"(she reminded me on the cruise that we have been friends now for 31 years! eek gad!!). Anyway, in August, Becky got to retire from being a prison warden. She put in 27 years working for the state.

End result, Becky and I went on our cruise.

We went for 7 days out of Galveston. Sailed on Carnival Conquest to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. We had a great time. I will not go into many details, except the water is unbelievably blue and clear. I would spend a full week in Grand Cayman if ever given the opportunity.

The one thing I REALLY wanted to do, that was an extra fee was to swim with the dolphins. We got to kiss them, be kissed by them, hold them, ride on them, and be "foot pushed" by them (they push you on the balls of your feet and you get up in the air)...........this experience was so way cool, I have to call it a dream come true.

I have a video, but I do not know how to get it on the computer so I can add it to my blog. When I figure that out, I will add that at some point.

Canada Oh Canada

2008-01-12T01:07:00.000-06:00

Jessica went with her boyfriend, Tommy McCay and his family to Canada the day after Christmas. They did not come back until January 2. Tommy's mom, Joanne, is Canadian, and they have a family cabin there. Jessica said they had a great time, and as you can see from these photos, it was beautiful. Oh, and I would also like to add that I have never seen Jessica happier than when she is with Tommy, this will be evident to the reader when you look at some of these pictures.

Isn't it lovely?

Isn't she lovely?

She thinks he is lovely

Aren't they lovely?

Pretty as a picture in White (she said this was her "serious" face!)

I have had a Break Through!

2008-01-05T17:48:00.000-06:00

Today was a big milestone for me. I like to think that I can learn, and that I am open to new ideas and such (my kids would tell you I am hopeless in this area,but, again, I hope they are wrong). I blogged about being sad and concerned that Mia would get confused as to where her "home" is. I have talked of my sadness that this will no longer be her home.

Today, a breakthrough!

Christina came to pick up Mia. Christina is Mia's daddy's fiancée, and soon to be Mia's step-mother. She has been in Mia's life very early on. She is sweet and dear and she loves Mia and Mia loves her. You can tell from the way they interact.........sorry, once again, I digress.

Anyway, Christina (CC) came to get Mia and Mia was very excited to see her. Mia even said she was "going home" with CC. Specifically she said "I go home with CC". At first, I was taken aback with her calling CC and daddy's place "home". Then, I realized, well, why is her dad's home not as much "home" as her mom's place. And then, I realized there is nothing wrong with having more than one home. I even went to Wikipedia to see what that definition was, and here is what I found:

"the concept of home is broader than a physical dwelling. Home is often a place of refuge and safety, where worldly cares fade and the things and people that one loves becomes the focus"

WOW............isn't that awesome I realized. Mia has several places that she feels safe, and where her worldly cares fade, and where people that she loves and who love her are the focus...........

I could not ask for more, and now, with this breakthrough, I could not be happier!

The Wedding

2007-12-28T22:09:00.000-06:00

I think Hillary Clinton said "it takes a village to raise a child"..boy, I hate that I even have her name in my blog, maybe I will edit this later, but anyway, it takes some very special friends to have a wedding.

For starters, let me mention Becky. Rebecca Jane Adams. Becky has recently retired from being a warden at the women's prison in Gatesville, Texas. (she was the first woman to ever get "warden of the year" in the state of Texas). I mention that here, because she hates me making a big deal about it, but golly, it was a big deal, right?!.........I digress..... anyway, Becky drove over 2 hours on Friday morning to help decorate Fischer Hall for the reception. She went to the church to help decorate there, and then in the evening, she drove over 2 hours home, only to turn around Saturday, and drive back, attend the wedding and then haul a$$ to the reception hall to help get things ready, and then once again, drive over 2 hours home. WOW!!!!

I have some very huge thank yous to a very special couple, but, I am saving that for later, an entire blog entry dedicated strictly to them. Just know, without Cindy and Rob, the reception would not have been the same, and without their friendship, I would not be SANE!

I still have very few pictures of the wedding. I have been waiting to get a bunch to chose from before posting on the blog. I am 48 years old and my patience is, well, lacking..........so, here is what I have for now.

Jennifer's dear friend Jackie, from Colorado was unable to make the wedding, so, she is not pictured here with the bridesmaids, but I am sure she was with Jennifer is spirit. Those women dear to Jennifer that stood beside her are:

Jessica, Catherine, Leah, Christina, and Jenny

Without access to other pictures I can not post photos of Rex and his "best men".

My dad gave Jennifer "away". He looked dashing if I say so myself, but again, I do not yet have those pictures, but here is a picture of my mom and dad dancing at the reception.

They have been married 60 years and they still can "cut a rug" !

Jennifer and Rex were very fortunate to have their dear friends be in attendance. Jenny and Joel here from Salt Lake City (their twins were with grandparents) and Kristi (use to be Kinard) (Kristi and Jennifer home schooled together and shared a really cool "dress up" birthday party years ago).

My dear friend Joyce Schoepf (Jenny's mom) kept the twins during the wedding, and then tag teamed the other grandparents, so she could come to the reception. The team work by these families was really appreciated! Thanks Schoepf/Hunt families!

I won't keep on much longer (who wants another "War and Peace"?), so this last photo you might have to look at closely, but this was the "bride and groom's first dance". It is so symbolic of their marriage, because, right in the middle, hugging the necks of them both, is Mia.........Perfectly Mia.

Conflict of Interests

2007-12-23T21:21:00.000-06:00

What do you do when you have two huge things you want to talk about, because they are all you are or have been thinking about, and they are going on at the same time. My two issues are :

1) Jennifer got married yesterday, this is great big huge wonderful news, not to be dismissed as small or insignificant.

2) Mia is moving out and into a new home.

So, for this blog entry, I have made the decision to talk about Mia (shocked, right?) I do not currently have pictures of the wedding to post, I will soon, and the wedding happened yesterday, and the Mia issue is happening now, and besides, the name of the blog is "Perfectly Mia".

So, my Mia issue.

Tonight, Mia was suppose to stay with her dad and CC. They were suppose to keep her while her mom is getting married and having a short temporary honeymoon (the big one comes January 3). Anyway, tomorrow night Mia will be with her dad for Christmas Eve and morning celebrations, and then Jennifer and Rex will pick her up and come here for Christmas celebrations, and then she will go "home" with Jennifer and Rex to there new "home" in Tomball.

Hang with me, I am getting to my point.

I have been away from her really since Wednesday night. She stayed with her dad from Thursday through today (again, wedding issues). I am home tonight, and so tired I can hardly think, but, I realized how much I missed her these past few days, and how, tonight, well, tonight would be the last night I could call this place, my small house, her home. Tonight it is home, but hereafter, she will be coming to GG's, and not "coming home". I called her dad and asked if I could come and pick her up and have her tonight. It worked perfectly, because they had things they wanted/needed to do in the morning, and I got to have Mia home, one last time. Home, with me, and not just here visiting me.

I will enjoy the visits and I will enjoy the time together becoming maybe "more special" and not just daily routines, but, and this is a huge BUT...........I will miss her beyond words, and so, tonight, for just a while, I will be sad and maybe, just maybe, cry over losing this firecracker of a kid to her new home. I think I am entitled.

I am tired, and so this will be my excuse for being so emotional. I am going now to have a good cry.

I love you Mia. I miss you already, even though you are sleeping in the next room.

Oh so Wonderful

2007-12-17T23:58:00.000-06:00

Those who read this, who have older children/young adult(s) will understand what I am about to say (well, you would if I had a knack for writing eloquently, which I do not, so you might have to wing it).

From the moment of birth, we love our children beyond words. Until you become a parent, you have no clue.....sorry, but you don't.

Our children begin life pooping in their pants, then they learn to poop on the potty, and then, when they become teenagers, they might just poop on you. Not literally, but figuratively. The odds are at least, at some point, they will talk to you like you are poop, and treat you like you are poop. You handle it as best you can, because like when they are babies, and they poop in their diaper, you do not love the poop, or cleaning a dirty bottom, but you love the person who did the pooping. Same thing with teenagers. We do not love the poop, but we still love the person talking, or treating us like poop.

This all leads me to my point ( I warned you I was not eloquent)..........

All of the poop, if you are lucky, becomes fertilizer. Wonderful, life enhancing, enriched poop. And if you are lucky, you will see the fruits of your labor, and the oh so wonderful product that is produced as a result of this fertilizer.

I have been really lucky. The poop from my kids has been minimal. Going in cycles, but on a scale of 1 to 10 on stinkyness, the average rating would be a 3 or 4. I mean, there have been spikes here and there, but on average, low on the poop scale. So, how lucky am I that the product(s), the end results, have turned out to be Oh so Wonderful.

What makes me write this entry specifically today, and now, is that in the past two days, Catherine has said two of the most kind things to me that I may have heard in my entire life. Two of the kindest, yet, simple statements, actually "texted", to me, that make me say, my life is "Oh so Wonderful", because I have experienced poop, and I have lived to see the wonder of it.

Back by Popular Demand

2007-12-16T21:25:00.000-06:00

I still have a whole lot to learn about blogging. I originally wanted to post the videos of Mia's birthday, and then have a separate slide show. I some how ended up with them connected together. In addition to this error, apparently my music selection for the slide show was not so popular. It is my taste in music that limits my choices. I just could not find a Whitney Houston, Wynonna Judd, or Vince Gill song that worked. I did however change the John Denver selection. The song playing is called "For Baby (for Bobbie)". I hope that makes the music critics happier. Oh, and at the request of Catherine, here are the birthday videos again.

Blogging and Blabbering

2007-12-15T21:09:00.000-06:00

Catherine informed me that she writes more on her blog than I do mine. Maybe, but, I tend to blabber (is this word still used in society today?), and since I blabber, I try only to post a blog when I have something to say.

Today here is what I have to say............

It is cold and windy today. My house is cold enough that I am actually a little cool myself, and for those of you who know me, well, this is VERY unusual. I do not want to turn on the heater, because I sleep better when it is cold, BUT, I have Mia tonight, and I do not want a Popsicle for a grand baby, so I think I will put a little heater in her room while she sleeps. I am cool enough that I got out my house shoes, but I am not cold enough to want to keep my socks on AND my house shoes.

I am making chicken salad to take to a Christmas party tomorrow. The chicken is cooking. I am boiling enough chicken that I will also make chicken and dumplings for later. I bought croissants today while out shopping and I am going to make the chicken salad with grapes and pecans..........yummmm.

Speaking of shopping.......today I pulled a marathon. I got my car inspected, I went to Payless Shoes (wedding shoes for Mia),Hobby Lobby (wedding decorations), Big Lots(more wedding), Garden Ridge Pottery (more wedding), Costco (more wedding and some gift items), then Toys R Us (wow, was this a crazy place to be, but I got Mia some gifts here), and then I went to Sam's Wholesale (more wedding), then Office Depot (more wedding, yes, even here, and I also got a gift item) and then Bed Bath and Beyond (gifts here), and then Home Depot (looking for Rosemary Christmas tree and they were sold out). I should have visited a bank to get a loan to pay for the day.

I came home, worked very hard at unloading the car, and then Mia's dad brought her home, so we played and ate a banana and took a bath and then played some more, brushed our teeth and then off to bed.

Now, back to the chicken salad. It is cooking.

I have work to do for my business, and presents to wrap, but I also have a movie I want to watch, so, I am torn, be responsible, or be a slacker. After battling the crowds in the stores and the crowds in traffic, I think I will be a slacker! I could say I am making chicken salad, wrap the gifts AND watch my movie all at the same time........like fishing, I think fishing is something you can SAY you are doing, but really be doing nothing at all. You know, sit in a chair, throw your line in the pond and contemplate the meaning of life. But when someone says, "what did you do yesterday?", it sounds so much busier to say, "I went fishing", than to say, "I sat in a chair outside all day and contemplated life". I like to fish.

The wedding takes place one week from today. In fact, this time next week, Jennifer will be Mrs. Rex Klentzman, and I will have a son-in-law. Pretty cool I think.

I wonder how Mia will make the transition. I have talked before about how much I will miss her, but the other side of that coin is her missing "home". I know, I know, "home" is where your family is, and her "home" will be with Rex and Jennifer in Tomball. I just remember when I had to move Catherine from the only "home" she had ever known, how hard it was on her....(see her blog for more insights to this). Jennifer said she and Mia will come out often at first. Of course babies are so flexible. I guess when she gets a bed there and her toys and clothes there, she will see that is now her "home". I jokingly told Rex that I talked to Mia about "mean old Rex" taking her away from here. I didn't. Rex will be an awesome father. I have already seen glimpses of his patience and love for Mia. She really will be blessed to have him in her life, so there is no such thing as "mean old Rex".

Rex is at his bachelor party tonight and Jennifer at her bachelorette party. They are both in Austin, and yet not at the same place. I do not think I had a bachelorette party. its been too long to say for sure.

Oh, one more random thought..........I know it is often said that Christmas has become too commercialized. But I actually like buying gifts for friends and family. Sure, sometimes coming up with something to get them can be really hard (my brother for one), but, I like the expectation of seeing their face when they get their gift and hoping that they A)like it, or B) don't mind taking it back to get what they want. I do not mind if someone returns my gift. I would rather they had something they wanted than not. So, if I ever give you something and you do not want it, for WHAT EVER reason, please, feel free to ask me for the receipt!

Happy Birthday, Mia turns 2

2007-12-08T21:14:00.000-06:00

Well, as any Grandmother would tell you, our grand kids are the most wonderful people in the world.......and cutest!

I have some great pictures of Mia at her birthday party at Chick-Filet. Lots of special people came to help celebrate. Her grandmother Juda Hegar took some great pictures of Mia at her house earlier that day. mY intention here was to just post the short videos. Somehow I have messed up and now there is a slide show along with the video.

I think she can now be known as the "fastest candle blower outer in the west"! She got a little side tracked in talking, but for now, this is for Catherine.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I played around with OneTrue Media and apparently have some work to do,and those of you who know me, understand the choice of music along with the slides. Only make positive comments. Remember girls, if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all! (Jennifer, Jessica and Catherine)

Update on the Hair Obsession

2007-11-28T23:30:00.001-06:00

GG GOES AT IT AGAIN!

CUTE CUTE CUTE

EVERY ONE LOVES IT !

Galveston 2007

2007-11-28T22:29:00.000-06:00

For the past several years we have gone to Galveston the day after Thanksgiving to see some family friends. Mrs. Norman and her family to be exact. My mom and Mrs. Norman have known each other since they were in grade school......I will not tell anyone's age, but it would be safe to say it is well over 60 years of friendship. Funny note here, I call her Mrs. Norman. I always have and always will, even though she has given me permission to do otherwise. Jennifer calls her Beverly.............is this a sign of the times? I digress....

Anyway, Mrs. Beverly Norman has three sons. Bill, Bob and Brent. They are there along with Bob's lovely daughter, Molly, and Brent's three charming young sons, Brandon, Lucas and Nicholas and his wife Denise. The Norman's all come together for a week at the beach, where they rent a really large house and spend family time. The we go and crash the party for a day! It is always a nice visit, even though it is short.

So here are some pictures of the beach. I believe I do not need to comment on the weather that day for the pictures speak louder than any words I might have.

JUMPING FOR JOY AT THE BEACH

REX AMD MIA, HAND IN HAND

MIA LOVES SEASHELLS, DOWN AT THE SEASHORE

LITTLE BABY, BIG WATER

NEW FAMILY "LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE" (corny I know, but hey..I get to write here)

MIA LOVES SAND AS WELL AS DIRT AND MUD PUDDLES

HE LOVES HER, EVEN WHEN SHE IS FUSSY.........COULD SHE/WE HAVE GOTTEN BETTER?

Hair Obsession

2007-11-14T12:51:00.000-06:00

Some folks might think I am obsessed with Mia's hair, or lack there of. I would not use the word "obsessed", but I have been waiting with baited breath for it to grow. So today, she actually let me put it up. We went down to her great grandparents house to show them how cute it was. As you can see from this picture, even Mia thought it was cute!

Granted, we have a ways to go before we can really have an "updo", but for now, this just makes me smile from ear to ear. Oh, and have I mentioned before that her mom's hair was the same way..........got thicker and thicker, but not longer and longer, and now, Jennifer has a wonderful full head of hair! Jennifer's Grannie Barton use to ask us "why do you cut that baby's hair?" every time we saw her, and every time, we had to tell her that we didn't cut it, it just doesn't grow! Of course Grannie always asked me if I wanted a cup of coffee, and I always said, "no thank you, I do not drink coffee" and every time she said, "You don't drink coffee?"..........It just made me laugh. It is ashame that Grannie passed away before she met Mia, and really so long ago that my kids have small memories. She and Grandpa Barton were a hoot! I loved visiting with them!

Jennifer is 28 years old

2007-11-09T11:39:00.001-06:00

So when your children get older, does that automatically make you get older? Chronologically, yes, it does, but not mentally, because we can control our mental state. Jennifer wanted to stay home for her 28th instead of going out to eat, so I cooked down at Mom and Dad's house. We had Oven fried chicken, mashed potatoes, creamed gravy, ranch style beans, yeast rolls and brownies with ice cream. My brothers birthday was just a few days ago. I think everyone believes that his birthday and Jennifer's are just practice shots for Mia's upcoming 2nd birthday. Notice in the video she gets to blow out the candles and notice how many candles there are!

Don't pay attention to her diaper, she decided she needed to "sag" them. I tried to keep the camera positioned where she would not be embarrassed some day when she gets older!

Where's the beef?

2007-11-07T20:40:00.000-06:00

I should take more pictures. When Catherine lived at home, she was the one who took lots of pictures of Mia, and I just used hers for the blog. She fusses at me all of the time now, because I do not have pictures of Mia here. I am not a good picture taker.

JoelandJenny.blogspot.com

CatherineatBrown.blogspot.com:

and my friend Dorothy Schmidt has an amazing daughter-in-law. I have never really met Brigitte, but reading her blog, gives me a glimpse into her life. She has two very little boys and she writes with such a gift of getting to the point. Her blog is called Spit Up, if that gives you any idea:
Barrettsmom.blogspot.com

I save it on my tool bar as "Dorthy Schmidts babies", but that is because of the bond we grandmothers share..........they are our babies babies after all.

Anyway, the point to this is, Jenny and Bridgett always seem to have a camera ready for great shots. I can not find mine half the time. I need to take more pictures.

Bad mom ! Bad, bad mom!!!!

2007-11-04T21:39:00.000-06:00

Truth be told, I did tell Catherine I would send her some "care packages" when she went off to college. You know, home baked cookies, boxes of popcorn, bags of coffee, sweet notes, telling her I love and miss her................

Truth be told, I have yet to send anything..........bad, bad mom.........

I am appealing to anyone who reads my blog.......if you could, please write to Catherine, please be the mom that I obviously am not! I mean well, but, I have so many of those "roundtoit's" that my pockets are full!

Catherine's mailing address is:

Catherine Waldrop
Box 2247
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912

Oh, and this is a secret so please don't tell Catherine I did this.

Thanks a bunch!

The Circus

2007-10-30T21:08:00.000-06:00

The circus came to town today. According to the newspaper, if you went a little before 9am you could watch the elephants help set up the tent. We left the house at 8:30am (Mia was knocking at my bedroom door before that, saying, "GG, I ready to go see elephants"). Due to a combination of mis-information and Houston traffic, the elephants did not arrive until 11am. Needless to say, it was a long morning waiting. Mia had a blast running around, playing outside and all, (the photo is of her "mixing it up" with the kindergarten kiddos that came to watch) but it would have been nice to see the pachyderms and get home before 11am.

As it was, we saw the elephants, but left before they helped set up the tent.

This is Mia telling the elephants bye.

We went home and Mia took a much needed nap. A little short for my liking, but she awoke in a fine mood, grinning ear to ear.

We left the house again, a little before 4 pm to attend the actual circus. Mia and her GG, off to see the magic of the circus.

Mia rode the elephant with absolutely no fear. In fact, I had to keep her from cutting in line and explain the whole "wait your turn" concept again.

After the VERY short ride (I apologize for the video. I have some others that are cute, and if anyone can tell me how to rotate a video clip I would certainly appreciate it), we went inside the big top to see the circus. At first, Mia was, as I had hoped, awestruck! (again apologies for the photo, I do not have the same knack that Catherine has for "self portrait" line ups with the camera!)

And then we watched the circus, with interest for about 7 minutes!

And then she said "I ready to go home", took off out of the stands, flew out the circus tent well before GG could catch her! I have no photos of this, for I was grabbing my purse and in hot pursuit of the fastest little legs this side of the Pecos!

I wonder how many times I drug (is this how you spell taking them kicking and screaming kind of taking, it doesn't seem right, oh well, once again I digress) my girls to things they had no interest in, yet took them because I was interested, or I thought they SHOULD be interested. It is possible that the outing to the Circus could be one of those times, but this time I drug Mia. This is not to say she didn't have fun seeing the elephants and riding one. But, she will not remember it. Besides, the clowns scared her. Not afraid of a 2000 lb elephant, but a man with a red nose and big feet sent her skittering behind my back or between my legs. She did not cry, but she did not want them seeing her either!

Oh well, another memory for me to forget (alas, it happens with age). I just hope Mia remembers it fondly some day.......

More babbling thoughts about being a Grandmother

2007-10-25T22:13:00.000-06:00

I am having the wonderful experience of watching Mia during the day while her mom goes to school. I, like all new moms, just become overwhelmed with love and sweetness that exudes from my little Mia's pores. So I am going to babble a bit about those little things that make my day with her.

This morning, snuggled together in my bed, her drinking her morning "hot tea" and we were watching Clifford, or Seasame Street,(I can't remember and it does not matter), I was caressing her little arms and hands and looking at the pure sweetness of it all. The delicate hands, so perfect, and the soft skin covering the sweetest arm. I just wanted to eat it up and remember it forever.

Yesterday, while out shopping with her mom and myself, Mia was sitting in her car seat in the back, and out of the clear blue said, "Mia happy". She was smiling such a big smile at us both. Thought my heart would burst with love.

Today, Mia had to go to time out. She did not mind me. I sat her on the couch, told her why she had to sit there for a minute. She cried and my heart about broke for being the one to make her cry (but, believe it or not, I know it is necessary to make her mind). Anyway, after about 30 seconds of crying (which seemed like HOURS!), she stopped crying, smiled really big and said "Mia happy". Well, how could I refuse that! Of course she was allowed to get up off the couch, of course she was allowed to hug me, and of course, I told her I was happy too! I am after all, her Grandmother.

Tonight, she tried on six pairs of socks (all pulled from her drawer) and 5 pairs of shoes (pulled from a different drawer). The child loves shoes and socks. She also left 5 pairs of shoes in the floor and 6 pairs of socks ended up piled on the couch.....but the pay off was, her sitting in my lap that many times (times two actually, because for every pair we put on, we had to take them off!), me getting to put my arms around her to steady her while we put those socks and shoes on, and me getting to hold those little feet or legs or sweet body.

Soon, Mia will be moving with her mom and Rex to Tomball. They will no longer live here, and I will no longer be her day care taker. I will miss her terribly. My time with her will be so little compared to now. She will be with her mom and Rex, or with her daddy and Christina (CC), or at her much beloved PaPa's (he adores her grandfather, Larry Hegar). I wonder if she will even remember that she lived here. She is so young. It will be up to me to remind her that this was/is/ and always will be her home. I am, after all, her Grandmother.

Purple Bobbies

2007-10-25T19:47:00.000-06:00

I was trying to get a video clip specifically for Catherine. Unfortunately it was almost 9 Pm when I did this, so Mia is not overly chatty..........but here is something anyway, Catherine!

Literally

2007-10-22T10:03:00.000-06:00

Literally, this is how toddlers think. This may be one of those stories that you had to be there, or at least be a better writer/story teller than I am, but I am going to give it a shot anyway. Last night, having supper at mom's, Jennifer went and got Mia out of "her room", and brought her to the supper table. Jennifer told Mia "you need to eat and we need to put some food in your tummy". Mia did not seem to want to eat. Again, Jennifer stressed the importance of putting food in Mia's tummy to make her grow big and strong. Mia looked very concerned, and really wanted nothing to do with coming to the table. Jennifer said" Mia, we need to put some food in your tummy", and Mia, still looking worried, said "No food in tummy, food in mouth"!......No wonder she didn't want to come to the table!

Pony Tails

2007-10-20T22:21:00.000-06:00

It must be noted that Jennifer did not have much hair until she was three, almost four. Now she has a head full. Mia is a chip off the old block, except Jennifer had dark hair and Mia's is light. Mia's hair is getting thicker, and a little longer, but still, not much. Being the impatient GG that I am, I put what she does have (mostly in the back) into a pony tail, and I took these photos.

Update on Potty Training and other unnessary thoughts

2007-10-18T22:00:00.000-06:00

We currently have no interest in wearing panties any longer. We have no interest in going on the potty. It seems we like to tee tee in our diaper and wear our poop. I often wonder what makes toddlers tick. Likes and dislikes change daily.

For the first 18 + months of her life, if Mia had an interest in any animated movie, it was "HAPPY FEET". Over and over again she would request that...........up until this past week or so. She is expanding her viewing requests to include "101 Dalmatians", referred by her as "doggie movie", and then last night she really enjoyed "The Fox and the Hound". I know, I know...........TV is just a glorified babysitter. But honestly, my kids would watch Disney's animated "Robin Hood" up to six times in one day......over and over and over again. They seem to have turned out pretty smart and as emotionally stable as one could expect from my kids. It is not like she is watching Jerry Springer!

Which brings me to my last thought of the night. How cool is it that your name becomes a thing.........I mean "Disney"....he was Walt Disney, and now his last name is all you have to know.......it is more of a "thing". A "Disney" movie....what if it were a "Dauphin" movie, or "McCay", or "Klentzman", or "Schmid" or "Schoepf"....see, it just lacks something.......but a "Disney" movie, now that does have a certain ring to it...........anyway, I think it is way cool.

Toddler Language

2007-10-17T18:28:00.000-06:00

So those of you with little ones in your life know that sometimes when we are always around those little ones, only we know what they are saying. I mean, it is as clear as crystal to us, especially when spoken in context of the situation. Mia's dad came by tonight to see her, and she was talking to him and kept saying something that I had no clue as to what it was. And I think I am pretty good with Mia talk. Well, her dad was talking to her like he understood, and so, we asked him, what is she saying........she was saying "round bale"! For heavens sake........round bale! It is important here to know that her father is a hay farmer. It is all about the context clues! He teaches her about round and square bales of hay..........for heavens sake, who knew!

Kissing Cousins

2007-09-26T21:56:00.000-06:00

Mia and her cousin Kendall were innocently taking a moonlight ride in the John Deer gator, when, someone ( I have yet to hear a name), called out, "Kendall, give Mia a kiss". As the pictures show, we have a loss of innocence.

Looking at the Moon

And he GRABS her................

And lays one on her

WAIT !! I think she LIKES it!

Sharing memories of that special moment

Riding off into the Sunset (wait, I mean moonlight)

We Miss Aunt Catherine

2007-09-21T08:24:00.000-06:00

Quiet Country Living

2007-09-17T22:05:00.000-06:00

So for those of you who know, earlier this year, our quiet peaceful country living was lost forever. A bar, a "biker" and "redneck" bar opened right next door. They seem to have no respect for those of us who were living quietly before they opened next to us, the infamous "Harley's and Horses" bar. I wanted to include this video I took from my front porch, just in case you ever wondered " how is it living next to a bar ?".

ENOUGH SAID