Juel's Journal

Intervention

...what a good boy, what a smart boy, what a strong boy...

when you were born, they look at you and say
what a good girl, what a smart girl, what a pretty girl..

I like that song. On A&E this new real life series is coming on..
called Intervention. It looks pretty interesting. I see too, they're
bringing back that Mortuary series.

I love it when they start advertising the new season on television...
it means the season's getting ready to change out here in the real world.

Spring's coming! Thank God!

Reverse Mortgages

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7047332/

*laughs*

Sorry kids, I spent your inheiritance! How do you like them apples! HA!

I think this is the coolest idea, so long as you can stay in your home until you die. I'd hate to think that after 10 or 20 years I would live on, no home...the bank having taken it, after having finally paid me off and burnt their mortgage.

My sister and I used to work in a small supermarket that my dad owned, a hundred years ago. We'd watch the old people come in and buy cat food. We knew they were going to eat that cat food, it was all they could afford.

AARP and the baby boomers are really trying to move mountains to get more rights and better benefits for the older generation. Every time I hear of something they're pushing for, I do say a silent thank you. My time's not far behind theirs. Did you know the laws concerning abuse of the elderly are nowhere near as tough as those involving spousal or child abuse? They should be. Anyway...

My sister and I went out to dinner the other night... sans kids... and we had a great time. We sat at Ryan's and talked about how we were getting older and how we sure hope we're not going to be in a position to have to eat cat food in the future. We've decided that if fate leaves us here that long, instead of each of us living alone, we're going to live together, combine our social security checks to make our way easier. Two strange old ladies living together, pinching our pennies, sharing old lady dresses...

Wow, a glimpse of the future just hit me like a tidal wave:

Sis, you take off my sweater, that's MINE!

You're wearing my Dr. Scholls Food Massaging shoes again! I told you about that!

Have you seen my reading glasses? You KNOW I hate it when you take them from my nightstand, stop that!

I know I left my Metamucil right here in this cabinet, sis, you're getting on my last nerve. *looks around for her walking stick* I'm going to pound you into the grave, leave MY METAMUCIL ALONE!

Stop touching me. You're TOUCHING me! If I wanted help down the steps I'd ASK for it!

I'm not watching that tonight, it's MY turn to pick the channel!

Egads.

But.. at least (God willing) we won't be eatin' catfood!

Enough's Enough

Maybe if there were some public executions, this shit - husbands and boyfriends killing their wives/girlfriends and unborn or living chilren - would stop.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,148709,00.html
Maribel Estrada

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7017466/
Lisa Underwood

http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/11/12/peterson.verdict/index.html
Laci Peterson

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6293531/
Lori Hacking

This stuff is happening more and more and it makes me sooooo angry!! What the hell is wrong with these men and why aren't they publically executed to show other men what will happen to them if they do this stuff?

I can't sleep.

I have a busy day today and couldn't sleep a wink all night. I decided to give in to the big-eye and just go ahead and get ready for my day. I'm dressed and ready now for Bonnie to get here...I'm going with her to court.. Joel's daddy isn't paying his child support as he should be, and this county attorney means business about collecting it. How 'bout that! We've truly come a long way, baby.

This afternoon, Sarah wants to take me shopping. Her treat, she says. I hope she realizes that I'm a material girl. Her treat. I'll get the best her money can buy at stores of MY choice - Dollarmania and the Dollar Store, and General Dollar! By GOD I WILL! *laughs* She knows how much I hate shopping, she'll be lucky to get me as far into the store as the throw rug aisle. Shopping for birthdays and Christmas is one thing, but to ...go, just.. to be going? For no particular reason? Women! You can't reason with them! No. Wait. I am a woman. Ah well... it will be fun though to look at new baby clothes.

I have an aunt, who used to continuously make me laugh and when she'd go home, I'd sit and quietly think, Wow, I want to be more like that. Worry less, and laugh more. I truly enjoyed her company and looked forward to her visits. One of the most fun shopping trips I was ever on, was in her and my mother's company. We were shopping for clothes for my wedding, back in 1979. Two particular shops come to mind, and both of them for the most tasteless but hilarious of reasons.

The first was a men's clothing store, where we were looking for tuxedos. The store was so small, the counter and area behind it where the gentleman stood waiting on us was no larger than 4 feet long and 3 feet wide, and the store itself was (and I'm being generous here) 20 feet wide by maybe 30 feet deep. All the walls were hanging with suits, and we were completely surrounded, and no windows or doors open for fresh air.

My aunt has always been gassy. I don't mean like oops, excuse me, I don't know what's gotten into me today, dainty gas, but great big WOWZA, the- windows-shook-man-style gas. I don't know what it is with them, but all of dad's folks can do that. It's amazing. Mom and I sit there in this midst of this green fog, and breathe deeply into our gas masks wondering what it would feel like to be able to do that without tearing ourselves in half.. anyway..

In this little tuxedo shop, my aunt was in rare form. With solomn brown eyes, she queried about sizes and styles, intent on helping me get things that were nice for my wedding, and all the while, she stood there passing copious amounts of wind, without a bat of her lashes. The gentleman helping us tried to defend himself by moving behind the counter, so nonchalantly as if the air there would be safer, fresher somehow. I could see the tears forming in his eyes, and knew he wasn't fairing any better than mom and I were, for we'd left our gas masks at home.

He answered her questions without skipping a beat, and she asked more of him without cracking a smile.. yes, she cracked something else, but not a smile. I was dying to laugh, but was as determined to imitate my aunt, so stood there pretending she didn't smell like an out-house, and making believe I wasn't standing there watching the poor salesman's eyes watering so much they were wetting his pinstriped oxford shirt on both sides of the buttons. Mom's shoulders were heaving with quiet laughter as she turned to look at the suits at the opposite end of the store. I'm certain that after we left, the poor guy ran to the back room to puke!

The second store, a shoe shop, was having a summer 2 for 1 sale. They were packed. Have you ever been in a Payless Shoe store when they're having a kick ass sale? On a Saturday? With your gassy aunt? We nudged around bumping into other customers at every turn, and the most popular aisle was where the ladie's size 8's were. My size. Midge shrugged it off and said, "Are you wanting to look down there?" I said, "Yes, but they won't let me." She just gave me 'the look', and she edged her way into the center of the aisle.

I couldn't help it, I just broke down laughing, I knew, KNEW what she was going to do, and while I couldn't see her there in the middle of the sea of other size 8 wearing customers, I heard her. It was as if the bowels of.. well something.. had opened and the next thing I knew gasps and moans of disgust filled the noxious air and in seconds, the size 8 aisle was completely empty but for my aunt standing there with this look of triumph on her face.

I know, I know.... a disgusting topic.. just..ever when I think of shopping, I think of that, and I don't think I've ever laughed so much on a shopping expedition since. Ohh if I could only do like my aunt did back then... Sarah would have some memories of today to take home with her, now wouldn't she? *cackles*

Baby Stable After 2nd Head Removed

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6998205/

They said it could smile. And blink.

Bless their hearts...

Okay Now...Mikyla again...

I find it odd, that she knows so much about Mamaw, but she doesn't recognize her in photos when Mamaw was younger. The only ones she recognizes her in are the last ones, the latest pictures before Mamaw died. Then she points and says with much excitement, "That's MY Grammaw!".

In Mamaw's youthful photos, Mikyla insists, no, that's not my "Grammaw", that's a picture of Granny. I noticed when we talked tonight, she didn't call Mom Dranny anymore, but Granny. She's getting too big.

Anyway...she informed me that she and her Grammaw used to feed each other chocolate pudding, and they used to plant flowers and work together in the garden...she told me that one of Mamaw's favorite things were "Muffin Cakes".
That made me smile. Mamaw's "muffins" were just cake mix poured into muffin pans and no frosting on top. She liked them like that and made them often. I know I never told Mikyla that, the simple truth is I'd forgotten that until tonight.
Maybe Sarah remembered that and told Mik, or maybe Mom or Lisa did. I'll have to ask them.

I forgot too, that Mamaw had trouble with her legs and often had to have papaw rub alcohol on them. She'd say they were hurting so bad they were killing her.. and then would add, "It must be fixin' to rain." Mik told me that she used to have to rub Mamaw's feet alot.

One thing she said, I'm not sure about. I asked her what was Mamaw's favorite song. She replied without hesitation, "Down by the River." I don't recall Mamaw ever singing that one at any of the singalongs. I always thought her favorite gospel song was "The Old Rugged Cross." Again, I'll have to ask Mom. She'll know.

She was on such a roll tonight, that I called mom to have Mik tell her too, but Mikyla clammed up. She said she'd tell mom in person, but not over the phone, and she tried to get Mom to come over even though it was almost 1 a.m. The movie Shark Tales didn't hold her interest, she just talked and talked.. with such enthusiasm. I'd start to tell her something about Mamaw, and she'd either correct me, or she'd interrupt with a memory of her own involving Mamaw.

When Mikyla talks like this, it bother's Mom. She feels like it's a warning.. I don't get scared, somehow it makes me feel safe, like when Mikyla gets to wanting to talk about her, I start thinking there definately has to be some plain on which Mamaw still exhists, and still loves her Muffin Cakes. Someplace all of us will eventually be together again. I sorta like that thought. However... like Loretta Lynn sings in one of her old gospel songs...'Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die.' I don't want anyone else to die either, so if it is a warning like Mom thinks, ugh.. ok, I won't go down that avenue, because when I do, that's when I get scared. Not of dying, but of having to live while someone else I love passes. Even knowing there's that other place waiting, it's still a scary road and I don't like thinking about that.

I do though sit listening to Mikyla and I can't help but smile. She just makes Mamaw sound so very alive, so very real, that I can't help but get comfort from it.

I just can't help it.

Just This and That

Tonight I can't decide if I'm depressed, or happy. I'm sad that Mikyla is growing up so quickly. But on the other hand, I'm glad she's going to be going to school, she's so looking forward to it. I'm sad that she's growing away. But then again, I've known for a long time that that would start happening.

Oh don't get me wrong, she's still Mammy's girl, by far, but still... I think that will change a ton come August. And that's natural, it's right.

I've been so busy here lately, I don't have time to look up. A woman named Gwen sent me some ghost photos to post last week, and I just got time to do that tonight. That's odd for me. I've always managed to at least update my website. I don't know if Sarah's going to continue working or quit, with this new baby on the way, she's seemed to have lost all interest in working outside the home. I know she isn't feeling the best, so that's probably a lot to do with it.

My life is passing so quickly. Watching the kids grow, I don't notice, but I'm growing older too. My hair is graying faster and faster, my joints ache if I try to move them too quickly. My friends are phoning me with heart ailments nowadays and what's worse, I'm starting to recognise names in the local obituaries.

I guess it's time for AARP.. and that .. extra life insurance they advertise on television, that's just a little something extra to bury you with. And one of those emergency medical bracelets that tell my ailments to the paramedics for just in case I can't tell them myself. No, wait, my ailments aren't yet known. They're still lurking, hiding inside my body, waiting to surprise me someday in the future.
Oh, and maybe it's time for me to look into getting one of those little "Help me! I've fallen and I can't get up!" beeper things.

Acey is going to be staying with us now instead of day care. Turns out that he was in a situation to choose last night and he choose Mammy's house.. so he would be able to be with Mawwowy. He does so love Mallory. :)

I guess as long as I'm able to fuss at the kids, I'm doing okay.

You should be a fly on the wall in my house somedays...

Mallory: Wake up Mammy, it's daytime!!
Me: Okay, I will wake up, one sec!
Mikyla: Mammy can we have biscuits today? Not cooked hard though.
Me: Sure, just get you some out of the fridge, bust open that little tube and have at it, want a fork?!
Stan: Have you seen my coffee filters?
Me: Sarah took them home, she was out of toilet paper.
Stan: Why didnt' she just take a roll of toilet paper?
Me: Because she was out of coffee filters too.
Stan: I'll get the mail.
Me: Okay, don't let the cat in!
Mallory: Can I have cereal?
Me: Sure! Just let me put the cat back outside!
Mikyla: Did you know you can make hats with these biscuits?
Me: Pass this cereal to Joel, Mallory.
Mallory: Him don't want it.
Me: Give it to him, nice hat Mikyla, now you need a bath, the dough stuck in your hair!
Mikyla: That's alright, Mammy, I like dough!
Me: Joel! Put your eye back!
Mallory: HIM DON'T WANT IT!
Me: Mal, you have your own cereal, give Joel's to him!
Mikyla: I want juice.
Me: Okay, one sec, let me get Joel's cereal back and give it to him.
Mallory: I'll take Joel's and you can give Joel mine!
Me: Fine, let's just give the child something to eat!
Mikyla: He can have a biscuit!
Me: Here's your juice, don't spill it!
Mikyla: I won't.
Stan: All we got were advertisements, want to look at them?
Me: Yeah, just let me wipe up this juice!
Stan: Did you know Mikyla's feeding Joel dough out of her hair?
Me: No, I didn't. Mikyla, don't feed him dough out of your hair.
Mallory: He likes it!
Me: JOEL! PUT YOUR EYE BACK!
Mikyla: OW, JOEL JUST PULLED MY HAIR!
Me: Get away from him, he's just after the biscuit!
Mallory: Can Joel have some more cereal?
Me: Joel, or you?
Mallory: Joel, I ate all of his.
Me: Let me put this chicken out to thaw, one sec.
Stan: Chicken tonight?
Me: No, I'm just putting this out to thaw for the cat. Yes, we're having chicken tonight.
Mikyla: I don't like your chicken. I want chicken from Burger King.
Me: Pretend it's from Burger King.
Mikyla: Can I go play Banjo and Kathooie?
Me: Sure, just let me get Mal some more cereal.
Mal: Mammy I threw away the papers for you.
Me: Thank you honey, here's your cereal.
Mal: I'm full. I don't want it. Give it to Joel!
Stan: How are you going to make the chicken tonight? Fried or Baked?
Me: What papers?
Mikyla: MAAAAMMY Turn on Banjo and Kathooie for meeeee!!
Me: I think I'll fry it, is that okay?
Stan: I love it, sounds good. She threw away the ads..
Me: I didn't look at them yet.
Mallory: I emptied the cereal for you mammy.
Stan: She poured it on the ads.
Me: S'ok, I don't want to go shopping anyway. I'll be right back, I have to go turn on Banjo and Kazooie! JOEL! PUT YOUR EYE BACK!!
Phone: (A Recording) Please hold for a very important call for Angela...
Me: I don't know Angela.
Mikyla: MAMMY KILL THE TROLLF!! Kill the TROLLF!!!!!
Me: I'm coming, wait and let me tell this guy that we don't know Angela!
Mallory: It's alright Mikyla, I hanged it up for mammy!
Me: Thanks Mal, let's go kill the trollf!
Mikyla: NOOO She CAN'T Play, it's not her turn!!
Me: You have to share, Mikyla.. JOEL! PUT YOUR EYE BACK!!
Stan: I'm gonna go feed the goats.
Me: Don't let the cat in!
Mallory: Mammy, Dippy let the cat in!
Me: Put it out, I'm killing trollfs!!
Phone: Hey, got time to talk this morning?
Me: Always, what's new! Mallory get back IN here!
Mom: What's new?
Me: Same-O, Same-O, what's new there, didja sleep good?
Mom: Yes, I did, I had to get up early this morning though.........
Me: Hang on, Mallory went outside!
Mallory: I'm coming back in! I will be good!
Me: Don't let the cat in!
Mikyla: Mammy, it's another Trollf!
Stan: It's cold out there.
Me: Put the cat back out!
Phone: Please hang up and try your call again!
Stan: Someone knocked the phone off the hook..
Me: Oh god, mom was on there, I forgot!
Mikyla: KILL THE TROLLLLF!
Mallory: It's my turn!
Me: Mikyla, let mal kill the trollf, JOEL! PUT YOUR EYE BACK!
Mikyla: I'm gonna get dressed now, I'm gonna wear my party dress.
Mallory: No, I'M going to wear your party dress.
Visitor at the door: Ma'am have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour?
Me: I just .. get the cat, the cat came in again!
Visitor: Where do you worship?
Me: What? Where do I worship.. I do it here and there..
Visitor: We'd like to invite you to..
Me: Thanks, that's really nice of you.
Visitor: (trying to shake my hand)
Me: I'd shake but I've had enough viruses around here for a while.
Mikyla: MAMMY! Mallory has on my dress!
Mallory: MAMMY! Mikyla HIT me!!
Stan: Girls, stop fighting! STOOOOP FIGHTING!
Me: I really have to go, I don't have time right now.
Visitor: What if you run out of time today.
Me: If I stand here talking to you much longer, I'm going to!
Stan: I think you hurt his nose with the door...
Me: JOEL PUT YOUR EYE BACK!
Mallory: What's for lunch, I'm hungry!
Me: Uh...soup?
Mallory: No, I want potted meat.
Me: Yes, we've been through that. This time we do have potted meat. Granny brought you a case.
Mallory: MMM POTTED MEAT!
Me: Stan, I left the crackers in a bag in the car, will you get them?
Mikyla: Can I play Castle-a-vanyeea?
Me: yep, let me open this for mal...
Mal: MMM POTTED MEAT! POTTED MEAT!
Stan: Here ya go, toss me the chips and I'll get Joel's lunch ready.
Me: ok, Let me give mal some crackers.
Mikyla: MAAAAMMY!!
Me: coming one sec, really! JOEL! PUT YOUR EYE BACK!
Mallory: I want pop.
Me: One sec...
Mikyla: MAAAAAAAAAAAMMY!
Me: One sec, really!! ONE SEC!
Stan: Do we have any Noodle soup left?
Me: No, Sarah took it home?
Stan: Why, was she out of toilet paper?
Mallory: Mammy! It was an accident!
Me: I'll find you tomato, let me clean up Mal's pop.
Mikyla: MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMY!!
Phone: Hey, can you keep Acey for me tomorrow?
Me: Sure, just bring him when you have to.
Phone: ok, see you tomorrow!
Stan: Acey comin?
Me: yep, tomorrow. Put these paper towels in the trash for me, please?
Stan: Okay, did we have tomato soup?
Me: One Sec, let me turn that game on for Mikyla.
Mallory: Can I have more pop?
Me: When you're done eating that will you take out the trash?
Stan: That was good, sure will.
Me: Don't let the cat in!
Mallory: I want cookies.
Me: In a bit, I have to wash some towels.
Mikyla: I want to help!
Me: Ok, but first let's put the cat back out!
Mallory: I get to put the powder in!
Me: Alright, but be careful, don't dump it all in my washer, just a cup! JOEL! PUT YOUR EYE BACK!
Mallory: It was an accident.
Mikyla: Do you want me to turn it on?
Me: Yeah but first let me get the powder back out.
Stan: I can't find the cat!
Me: Someone get the phone!!
Stan: It's your mom!
Me: Oh god I forgot mom again!
Mikyla: I'll go talk to her!
Me: Get down Mal, you're going to fall!
Mallory: I won't fall! Let me push the button this time!
Me: ok but don't fall!
Mallory: It was an accident! My foot slipped!
Me: Are you alright!
Mallory: I'm alright, no! I'm bleeding! I'M BLEEEDING! Get a bandaaaaaaid!
Me: Tell mom I'll be right there, ok mal, here's a bandaid!
Mikyla: Is she bleeding.
Me: No, but she wants a bandaid. JOEL!! PUT...YOUR...EYE....BACK!
Stan: your mom said to call her back.
Me: Okay, will you put joel down for his nap?
Mikyla: Are we going to help you cook dinner?
Me: yep, you sure are.
Mal: Are we going to cook a cake?
Me: yep, we sure are.
Mikyla and Mal: YAYYYYYYYYYYYYY!
Stan: Where's the wet wipes, Joel pooped.
Me: Sarah took them.
Stan: I know, I know, she was out of make up removers...
Me: She was out of bread..
Stan: Bread? What's that got to do with wet wipes?
Me: I'll tell you in a minute, first I have to get the chicken on..
Mikyla: Mallory didn't wash her hands.
Me: I'll help her, she gets soap in her eyes when she does it alone..
Mallory: I'm bigger, I can do it by myself!
Me: Ok, but don't get soap in your eyes.
Stan: I'll be right back, gonna take this diaper out to the trash.
Me: Okay but don't let the cat in.
Mallory: I GOT SOAP IN MY EYES!!
Mikyla: I get to break the eggs!
Stan: Boy that chicken was good.
Me: That cake would have been better if we'd had eggs to put in it.
Mallory: IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!
Me: Take joel's plate away, he's going to ...
Mikyla: He dumped it on the floor!
Me: I'll clean it up.
Phone: MAMMY IT'S DRANNY!!
Me: just a sec, let me clean up this cake...
Mikyla: Mammy can I watch Lilo and Stitch?
Me: Ok, let me talk to granny first..
Mallory: I get to pick, it's my turn to pick!
Me: you need baths first if you're staying all night with me!
Mikyla: Can we have a bubble bath?
Me: Sure you can, let's get your clean pajamas...
Mallory: I have to potty first...I can wipe myself!
Me: Okay just don't unroll the whole roll of tissue, just a little piece.
Mallory: IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!
Mikyla: I got the bubbles!
Me: JOEL! PUT YOUR EYE BACK!
Stan: Your mom said to tell you to call her back when you get time.
Me: Oh lord, I forgot she was on the phone again!
Mikyla: What happens mammy if you turn this on before the water fills up?
Me: Mallory, get OUT of that cabinet, it'll fall over on you!
Mallory: I'm reaching a towel!
Mikyla: MAMMY HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP!
Me: Turn that off, wait until the water's over that hole!
Mallory: IT WAS AN ACCIDENT! I will be good!
Me: Mal get in the tub.
Stan: I'm gonna go talk to Bill a while.
Me: Don't let the cat in!
Mikyla: She's splashing me!
Me: Mal stop, you're going to fall!
Mallory: Me won't fall, me won't... IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!
Me: Accident my eye, you stop tormenting your sister! Stan! Put the cat back out!
Mikyla: She got soap in my eyyyyyes!
Me: Ok Joel, you're all done, PUT YOUR EYE BACK!
Mikyla: Do we have to go to sleep now?
Me: That would be nice.
Mallory: Where's my good dream pillow?
Me: Here it is. Let's get all tucked in and you can watch your movie.
Phone: (Sarah) I made it home, how's the girls?
Me: Fine, just settling down for bed.
Sarah: Darn it, I forgot to stop and get cigarettes.
Me: If you come back out, bring us some milk.
Sarah: Okay, I'll see you in a bit.
Mikyla: Is she bringing Pringles?
Me: no, you're not allowed Pringles here, they're too messy.
Stan: Do we have any popcorn?
Me: No, sarah took it, she was out of..
Stan: birdfood?
Me: Yeah, that. Stan did Joel poop again? I think he did...
Stan: I'll change him.
Mikyla: I want a pickle.
Mallory: IT WAS AN ACCIDENT.
Me: Mallory, what did you do?
Mallory: I spilled nail polish.
Me: Where did you get nail polish?
Mallory: Mommy gived it to me.
Me: Lord, let me get that up.
Stan: I'm gonna run to the store and get some popcorn.
Me: Don't let the cat in!
Phone: (Mom) Where've you been all day.
Me: It's been a madhouse today. The kids have run me ragged. I'm bushed.
Mom: I called you this morning to see if you wanted me to keep the girls, I've not seen them all week.
Me: (hopefully) Want them tomorrow?
Mom: I don't know, I'll call you!
Mikyla: This pickle is tired.
Me: Tired?
Mikyla: Yes, it isn't crunching, it's tired.
Me: You got a limp pickle!
Mikyla: Will you get me one that's not tired?
Mallory: GET JOEL DOWN he's in my way, I can't seeeeeeee!
Me: Joel, move over honey and PUT YOUR EYE BACK!
Mom: Well, I'm gonna get on the computer for a while, see you there.
Me: ok, I'll be on after while. I gotta go put the cat back out first.
Mallory: Mammy I love you.
Me: I love you too punkin.
Mikyla: I love you more.
Me: I love you both more.
Mikyla: But you love me most more.
Me: I love...JOEL PUT YOUR EYE BACK!
Mallory: Goodnight, Mammy.
Me: Goodnight Mallory Honey.l
Mikyla: Mammy I want to sleep on your armpit.
Me: Okay Mikyla, just go to sleep, close your eyes.
Mikyla: Goodnight Mammy.
Me...Goodnight Cat.

*laughs*
I've been awake too long!
G'nite world!

Mikyla, Sweety, Please Learn Now...

Little one, I do so worry about you.

She's so timid. Outgoing with the family and family friends she's grown accustomed to, but she's truly bashful and very timid.

The other night, I walked into the den and Joel was slapping her in the face. Something he doesn't do if I'm sitting there. Joel minds good.. a firm no and he stops. But Mik wasn't giving him a firm no. She just sat there, moving her face away to soften the blows, but she wasn't telling him to stop.

He's small, it wasn't hurting her, but still.

I gave him his firm no, and she said, "Oh, Mammy, it's alright, I don't mind."

I just looked at her for a time and then I said.."Mikyla sweety, somewhere, a little girl is most likely running around in her mommy's living room, in diapers...who will grow up someday to be Joel's wife. If we don't teach Joel, that it's not okay to hit girls now, when he grows up, he'll think it's okay to hit his wife too. Now that little girl's mommy loves her little girl very much.. don't you think we need to teach Joel to be good and not mean so that when he marries that little girl, he'll treat her nicely and not be mean to her?"

This...dawning.. lit up on her face and she nodded emphatically. "Oh yes, you're right! We DO need to teach him not to hit or be mean to girls! We do!"

Agreed!

Now we give him his "No!" every time he raises his hand to strike them.

I refuse to help rear an abusive male.

I refuse to let Mikyla think it's ok to sit there and get slapped by a male.

I just wish all mother's and caregivers would teach them, both girls and boys, not to do that and not to permit that.

The most annoying cat in the world

This is Buttercup. She's the most irritating, the most annoying, the most.. the most.. the most.. she's pushy! She's just sooooo pushy! Her name should be Pushy, not Buttercup. lol.. you can open the door and she'll trip you to get inside. TRIP you! She aims for your next footstep! Did I mention she's the most exasperating cat on the planet?

My ecard from Mikyla

Mikyla was trying and trying to reach me the other night, to have me go get her so she could stay all night with me, but I was sleeping and didn't go get her. I woke up to find this card in my box, boy did I feel bad. :(

Love her heart!

Bowls and the Women Who Covet Them

I found out today that your average pyrex baking dish with a lid can make a woman go from zero to bitch in under 2.8 seconds.

*laughs*

Sarah wanted to take home the leftover cabbage rolls and I told her to get them, sure, go for it, but when I saw that she was taking the bowl, I went to 'bitch' fast, said "NOOOO not in my bowl, you won't bring it back! Put them in foil! "

Then she went bitch and said, "NEVERMIND, I don't want 'em!"

She'd not take them either. The stubborn ass.

I...refuse to mention that the bowl was mom's...and I wasn't about to have mom go to from 0 to bitch on me about the missing bowl that I haven't yet given back. nuh huh! ('Kyla likes biscuits baked in that one - it doesn't let them get crispy)

Nooo way!! Sorry Sarah!! I love ya! HAHAHAHAHA!

Out of the mouths of babes..

When I first woke up this morning, I turned to Mal who was already awake and waiting for us to get the day started. I smiled and said "Good morning, Sunshine."

She said...(with a wrinkled nose and look of tormented disgust on her face)
"Oh Mammy, your breath is bad, you need some NEW air!"

*laughs*

Needless to say I hurried to brush my teeth so that my air was newer!

A First from Acey :)

O.J. was off today but called to say that Acey was insisting he wanted his mammy today. She had to bring him over and leave him for a few hours too!

*laughs*

How a-bout that?

Castlevania

This game is so much fun! *laughs* Okay, it's not the game, so much as Mikyla's reaction to it. She's TERRIFIED of it, but will NOT turn the blasted thing off. The hero has to go into the castle, and kill off Dracula (mik pronounces that Dlak-kia) On the way, he has to kill skeletons, and wherewolves and all kinds of scary looking beasts.

That's when I play.

When Mik plays, she chooses the girl, Carrie.. and she clicks start then freezes. She just sits there holding the controller in her hand. I'll say, "c'mon mik, get going, let's see what's gonna happen now.."

She says, "No. I'm not gonna do it."
Me: "You can't play if you don't move her!"
Mikyla: "No! If she moves the tree is going to fall on her and she'll get burnt!"
Me: "No, just be careful!"
Mikyla: "No!" "NO!!"

*laughs*

She screams and cries.. mercy that kid gets into those games. She will NOT move though if she has the controller. Will not. Nope, it's not happening.

She said she's just gonna wait till it's daytime at the castle! LOL

Roger from SPR

Had a mild heart attack last week, and is going in tomorrow for a drug induced stress test. Medication will be given to him to make his heart race to 300+ beats per minute, and hopefully they'll be able to find the blockage. He sounded upbeat and good on the phone tonight, but more than a little worried. Please pray for him!