November 29, 2007
Better Days...
This is a picture of a picture, mom had it over at her house last night. I can remember when we took this one, it seems like a thousand years ago.. oh to have that moment back.
Some more pics
We had Dippy a birthday dinner at Mom's Sunday - here's a few pics..
Dinner Last Night..
I made a really good one.. fish, mashed potatos, corn, and cooked carrots. The kids ate everything but the fish, mashed potatos, corn and cooked carrots.
The Kids...
Mikyla is getting so big. So.. old. She asked me for her own online journal the other night, and so I made her one. If you'd like to peek, it's here:
She's still not liking school.. never has. She goes to the ball games and does her cheers, and does a GREAT job, but she doesn't like that either. They canceled the game tonight, I think the game was on but the cheerleaders didn't go. It was an away game and too many of them couldn't be there tonight. Mikyla sure was glad. I'm glad tomorrow's Friday.. one more day to get her there, then she can rest for a couple of days. She's already started gagging and coughing this morning trying to get us to let her stay home.
Mallory is doing fine. She gets dark cicles easily and has to rest more than she wants to, but she's fine. She has an appointment with her neurologist on the 6th of December to see about weaning her off of the Depakote. I'm sort of worried either way. Some folks have told me stories about people who once their kids were taken off of it, they had these ultra seizures that they couldn't stop, coudln't bring their kids out of.. and then of course the horror stories of what the medicine can do to people's liver and teeth, all those awful side effects. I'm glad the doctor went to school so he knows what's the best thing to do for Mallory.
She's still funny, has a wonderful sense of humor.. and too she's one of the most sarcastic kids I've ever seen. Someone at school was telling Sarah about a situation she overheard between Mallory and one of her male classmates.. it went something like this:
Little Boy: Here, Mallory, let me help you with that...
Mallory: " (wearing a dirty, go away look) Uh.. did I ask you for help? No, I did not. If I need your help I'll ask you for it, but since I didn't ask that means back away from me. "
We were studying for her spelling test at the kitchen table tonight and she informed me she is ready for her Mom to go stay up at Nana's now until they get their own house, that her Mommy is destroying too many things around here and if she's here much longer we wont have anything left to leave her when we die. Think I should tell Sarah this?
We got up this morning and the house is a wreck, Sarah's air mattress we have in the living room floor to keep them and their piles of blankets and pillows out of the den was just flat. Somehow they sliced a big hole in it in the night and poof, now it's history.. along with one of the ceramic dolls I got Mal for her 3rd birthdays.. her poor ceramic head just busted right off of her.
Anyway.. Mal's had enough. *laughs* She told Lisa tonight she's ready for them to move on.
Joel has been legally adopted by Kelly now.. well, the signatures have all been done, the paperwork is on its way to be signed in court, so after that's finished, he's legally Kelly's son. How cool is that? He's a rough one. We get in the floor to play and he wears me out. The girls play.. rough, but gently rough. Joel plays boy rough. *laughs* See?
Maegan is a sweety pie. She's talking up a storm, doing everything she wants, going anywhere she wants, she loves shoes.. and has her own opinion already about what she wants to wear. Socks aren't something she likes to wear. She's going to be like Mikyla in that department. She dances and cheers and does all the things around here the bigger gals do. She tries to help with the house work, pick out what to watch on television, what we're going to have for dinner, all of it.. she's a huge part of all of us. When she get off to herself getting into something she shouldn't and we call her name, she jumps, backs out of whatever it was, and really fast she'll say, "I love you!" *laughs* needless to say she doesn't get into too much trouble, even if she's doing something she reaaaally shouldn't be doing.
Tristan is growing like a weed. What a baby, how different he is! He started out crying all the time. Then he'd sit quietly while we held him without crying, big eyes just looking around, but if we talked to him, he'd just go on crying like his heart was broken. It was funny, it didn't matter who it was, he wasn't having any of that coo'ing to him business. We'd pass him around to see if any of us could talk to him without making him cry but even Bonnie couldn't talk to him. This week though he's started smiling when we talk to him. That's adorable.. here's a few pictures:
He has one of those little baby faces that don't change much as they grow and age. My guess is at 30 he's going to look much the same, more hair maybe but he'll be one you can tell who he is from his earliest baby pics. He already has all the character that usually only life can give to our features. His expression, for the most part screams, "This is just B.S.!"
I do love them, all of them, very much. I sure hope they know it.
November 27, 2007
4 Months
I miss you so much. I didn't go to your grave today, it was pouring rain so we didn't stop. If I had gone up there, I know you would have just called me a 'moron' for it. God I miss having you call me a moron.
I miss having you call me lots of things. I miss it all Dad.
Sometimes I think of things you used to say to me and I stand there abruptly laughing like a fool, and other times I just stand there shaking my head, not believing you're gone... people asking me why, thinking my head shake is at them. I just miss you. I don't think I'll ever get to a point when I don't miss you.
I love you Dad.
November 24, 2007
Maegan's Egg
She felt left out of the star cakes, so Lisa helped her make an egg...
Star Cakes
Thanksgiving night, the kids went out back to play on the trampoline. Mik twisted her ankle, so the next night Lisa brought her a 'suffering' toy - the cutest bowl with cupcake mixes.. and they baked some star cakes.. they turned out pretty tasty too!
Thanksgiving
Mallory made sure Dad had some dinner. :(
Bonnie, you did a wonderful job, dinner was WONDERFUL! Thanks for having us!
November 22, 2007
He couldn't wait!
Dippy opened his presents last night. He's like a big kid, once he saw them, he just HAD to open them!
Happy Birthday, Dippy!!
November 20, 2007
Thanksgiving Dinner
Wow! Bonnie is going to cook Thanksgiving dinner this year. I think she's going to do a wonderful job.. she has a cute home, she's a fantastic cook, her house is always spotless and she has something wonderful to be extra thankful for this week.
What really made me feel nice, useful and needed, was the fact that she said, "Mom, I don't know if I can do it, I've never baked a turkey before, I don't even know what I need to buy from the store.. " Then, to my amazement, she asked me if I'd go with her and help her get the turkey and the other things she'd need to cook a really nice meal.
I agreed, I'd be happy to go with her, and we went together this afternoon. That was fun.. she shops like me, go in, get what we need and then get the hell out of Dodge.. there's no reason to stand and consider a bird for 20 minutes before choosing.. she said "Mom, Kelly will come up to me and ask, "Does this chicken look good?" Her reply to him, "I guess? What's a bad chicken look like?" A turkey is a turkey, shrink wrapped in plastic, grab one and go!
We got her groceries home, unloaded them and then she asked if I'd come help her Thursday morning. More usefulness for me!! I'm not obsolete yet!!
*snoopy dances*
Of course I will! I can't wait.. Thanksgiving at one of my children's homes! How COOL is that!!
I'm totally ashamed of myself for never having the foresight to know how good it would feel for a daughter to ask her mother to do something like that, I've never asked Mom to do that with me.. I had no idea how nice it would feel, but I do now. I'm sorry Mom, it's not that I didn't want or need your help, I did, I do, and always will - it's that I think I was trying to keep you from doing the work, so didn't include you in the "work part" the times I cooked here. I don't know if it matters to you as much as it did to me, this Bonnie including me thing, but I swear, I really do want you to move in wif me.. I NEED YOUUUUUUUU!!
A Trip to IGA...
...yesterday evening was very interesting. Dippy ran into Joel's step-mother and she and her companion, her mom maybe, struck up a conversation with him. This gal told him that Paul had been trying to catch up with Bonnie to ask her if she and Kelly would be interested in his giving Joel up for adoption to Kelly.
Dips came in and told me, I was sure he misunderstood, so I called Bonnie and told her what was said, had Dips repeat it for Bonnie, and in a while, Bon and Kelly came pulling in the driveway.
Bonnie asked me if I'd care to call and see if Stan had misunderstood, or if it was true, she was afraid if she called and repeated that to him he might get angry with her, but if it was true, she and Kelly would love to do that.
Sure, I said, and they got me the number and I called. I asked, and the gal said yes that it was true, no misunderstanding. I was very surprised. Bonnie was sitting there, the gal put Paul on the phone, I handed my phone to Bonnie, and they talked a bit.. Paul saying yes, he felt it was the best thing for Joel.
I have to say, Paul and I have had our differences, but I was pretty impressed that he was willing to do something for Joel's well being and in his best interests.
They have an appointment next week to begin the proceedings.
Sarah Got a Job...
...she's worked 3 days this week. Yay, Sarah!!
Roy went for an interview today, they told him they'd let him know in about a week.
Brendan!
I know you loved Dad very much and took his passing so hard.. he loved you too. I found a photo of you and he taking a Sunday afternoon nap on the couch a few years back, when you used to come stay sometimes on the weekends. I wont post it here without Shelly's permission, but if you'd like to have it email and let me know, and I'll send it to you. It's precious. :)
November 19, 2007
My Neighbors...
Have to hear the rucus here sometimes.. the kids gone wild, fighting, yelling at the tops of their lungs, and then there's me or Dippy one or the other trying to calm them down, quiet them down, bring order to the chaos..
"For the LOVE of GOD, will you please stop fighting?!"
"In the name of all that's HOLY will you stop jumping off the couch like that!!"
"Christ on a Cross, will you just stop that screaming at each other for 5 minutes, I can't hear myself think!!!!"
"JESUS, JOSEPH and MARY, if you don't sit down I'm gonna lose my ever lovin' mind!!"
Sarah just sat there listening to Dips getting onto them the other night, never batted a lash, just said, "You know, I bet the neighbors can't figure out if you all are Catholic, Methodist or Penticostal sometimes..."
Ass Intervention
Bonnie called me the other night. She said, "Mom..I have to do something about my weight. My body is doing something strange..."
Me: "Well.. just do some exercising..."
Bonnie: "But It's my butt, it's not right, I'm okay on top, but from my hips down, my butt's so big it's coming on around in front of me! Help! What can I do?!"
Me: (earnestly trying to help) "Maybe if you stand up some along, during the day..."
Bonnie: (after a thoughtful (or maybe a taken aback) pause): ".....are you saying.. if I'd get up off my fat ass and do something it wouldn't be so big?"
Me: (yes, laughing, I'm sick like that) No!! Bonnie, no, I just mean that ..you asked me.. if I thought.. you need to.. you ASKED ME! I was trying to help!"
Mom: (having been sitting there listening) "Tell her to stand on her head a few hours a day, gravity isn't being kind to her."
Me: (scowling and laughing all at the same time to Mom while whispering with my hand over the mouthpiece) "I am NOT telling her to stand on her head, she just had a baby a month ago, it's only natural her body is out of shape! I can't tell a new mother to stand on her head! "
Mom: (giving me an incredulous glance) "No? You just told her to get off her fat ass and move around some."
Bonnie: "I'd like to take a moment to thank you both for this most loving and caring "Ass Intervention." I truly appreciate the kind advice."
Gawd these people in my life, they make me laugh!
It's Common Knowledge...
...Sarah's not the tidiest person on the planet. We tease her relentlessly about being so.. sloth-like in house keeping.. well.. cleaning anything really is a foreign concept to her. When she opens her truck doors, bottles, cans, papers, old food containers fall out onto the ground, she scurries to pick up some, leaves some laying.. just she's a mess.. always was. Sometimes she can be so bad it's baffling. I say she's like "Pig Pen" from the Charlie Brown cartoon, she carries her mess with her in a fog, leaving some of it everywhere she goes. She can walk by an ashtray and suddenly ashes and butts are scattered in a 3 foot radius around where the ashtray was. A can of pop will be spilled if she so much as glances at it. Yet she's always mystified at how the mess happened.. the kids did it, the dog did it, Roy did it.. a big wind came from nowhere and just .. did it! You get the picture, I'm sure.
Lisa and I were at the kitchen table the other night when we couldn't help but eavesdrop on a converstation Sarah was having with someone who had called a few minutes earlier...
Sarah (into the mouthpiece of the phone): "Oh, I know you, yes! Aren't you the one that I made puke that day?"
Lisa and I just lost it. I think Lisa got choked she was laughing so hard. We didn't know what she'd done to make this man throw up, but we did indeed believe that it was very likely and most probable that she DID in fact make a man puke.
E-gads!
This Turtle Stool...
...caused a war over here yesterday. My goodness! I went with Mom and Lisa to the graveyard to decorate Dad's grave for Christmas. While we were gone, Nick stayed here with all the kids. Bon and Kelly were here with Joel, Sarah and Roy with the girls..Dips was roaming around here somewhere...
I really like this stool. I ordered it from a catalog, and when it came I just loved it, it's different, it's a turtle, but it's just a cute stool. When I got it, I showed it to the kids and told them they're not allowed to jump and play on it.. that it's not a toy, it's "Mammy's and off limits". I knew they would be apt to jump on it and break the legs. I caught them playing on it once or twice and made them sit down, sternly making sure they understood that they're not allowed to play on it. I thought they did understand, as it lasted a week without being damaged.
Yet.. when we got back from the cemetery yesterday evening... I walked through the den, (which looked like a hurricane had just demolished it) and there was my turtle stool, the legs loose and a button popped off. I guess maybe I was tired.. maybe a little embarrassed that Mom and Lisa came in and caught that den such a wreck, the kids were running in wild circles shrieking to the tops of their lungs, I just picked up my turtle stool, headed for my room crying like I was the child - snubbing.. I t.. t.. told them n.. n.. not to t..t..t...touch it! It's d..d...destroyed!
Mom slapped her leg, stomped her foot and pointed at the kids, told them to STOP that.. and they stopped to see what was up, and when they got quiet, Mom did some house cleaning in the way that only she can do. I don't know HOW on earth she manages it, but when she talks, like Myril Lynch, people listen.
She gave the kids 5 minutes to get the blankets and pillows up from the den, get the cookie bucket up, vacuum the crumbs up, get the tables cleaned back off, the toys up and boy did those kids scoot.
Then Mom went off on the grown ups for not policing their kids and the next thing I knew, Sarah was up and cleaning up her mess on the fly, I never saw her move so fast, and I have to say I never in my life saw her make her own bed before, but in 20 minutes she had that bed made and a mountain of her clothes picked up and put away... AND she cleared her breakfast mess (yes, it was still sitting there at dinner time.)
While all that cleaning was going on Lisa was busy repairing my turtle stool, and I sat there feeling sheepish for crying, but I really was loving how they were getting the house back to rights.
Mom sat at the table across from me and was explaining loudly that she was tired of my house being used as a 'flop house' and she wasn't gonna sit by and watch that anymore.. about that time she turned around to see Roy sitting on the couch with his feet up on it and I really do think that's when Mom popped a vessel.
She told him (in a voice that wasn't really hers anymore, I don't know where that one came from but it was truly terrifying) to get his feet off my couch, and then she told Joel get his off of it too.
Kelly and Bonnie had started to leave, but when Mom got onto Roy, Kelly said he just couldn't go, he had to see what was going to happen next so he went and found a chair in the den out of the way to watch. Bon too said she sat back down, transfixed and watched, and Roy just got up and left so fast he didn't even remember his cigarettes and lighter. They said he muttered something about not having to take that crap.
Anyway.. later, when it was over and everyone was gone, Bonnie called me. She said "Mom, I'm so sorry, we had that coming, we really did, I'm sorry." Then she said, "Granny scared me so bad, I came home and cleaned up my OWN house!
I lost it then. I laughed so hard I thought I was die! Only Bonnie!
Sarah didn't take responsibility for some of the mess though, she blamed everyone else.. Joel did it, the girls did it, etc.. But Mikyla looked her square in the eye and said "Nuh Mom, you're the one who brought those pillows and blankets in there and threw them down, and you're the one who got nail polish all over Mammy's tables, I told you Mammy was gonna kill us!"
What a time that was!
Anyway, your way works Mom.. they didn't tear it up today, I could actually walk through it and not trip on something! Wanna move in wif me?
*looks at you all hopeful-like*
Lisa Yesterday -
Haley loves my camera.. every time she's around she grabs it and takes pics of everything. When she gets shots, she usually gets so many orbs it's amazing. Anyway, she took the one above of Lisa, and the reason there's no pics of her here while we were at the cemetery, she had the camera!
Nice pics, Haley, good job!
Strange Sky
Lisa wanted this pic of the sky from yesterday on the way home from the cemetery. Isn't it odd looking?
Wicked, Wicked Mom...
...made me laugh so hard at 3 in the morning the other night, when she sent me this photo.. that I woke up 2 of the 3 kids!
I don't know who took this pic, if it's yours and you want it removed drop me an email, but I couldn't help it, I had to post it, it was too funny to pass up!
Hmmm....
I know this kid. I know what she was thinking. I don't know who was talking to her but I know by her expression she was thinking that whomever it was, was full of crap!
November 17, 2007
November 11, 2007
Orbs and Mists and Even a Face...
On several of the shots I posted here today I'm sure you'll notice the orbs and mists. Mallory has an orb in quite a few of the shots I take of her though out the house. Even outside, just one orb, sometimes it's a big one, sometimes it's small, but it's with her a lot.
Those shots of Sarah in the cemetery leave me baffled. In that one trip, less than 30 minutes there, I got several orbs, 2 different mists, and a face peeking at Sarah so close there at her veil. It's on the last shot in that post. Wedding Gowns in a cemetery must make the spirits curious. How strange..
In those 2 shots where there are mists, we weren't smoking. Well.. you can pretty much tell it's not cigarette smoke anyway, but I wanted to let you know we weren't in case you're tempted to believe that's what that was.
If you'd like to see the original full shots of those mists just click these links.
*cackles!*
As I'm entering these posts, the phone rang. It's Sarah, who has just taken the girls out to buy them new winter coats.
"Mom! The girls picked out their own coats at J.C. Penny's! They have EXPENSIVE taste, MY GOD their coats were $79.00 each!!"
I laughed and agreed, yes they can be expensive. I don't know if she heard me or not though, I think she fainted...
Moah-Buttah
Friday after school, Mallory wanted to go to Granny's and make some more butter. But.. we couldnt' easily show off the taste of her butter without something to put it on... so we took some steaks, and some dinner rolls and a few other things, a desert cake, and some candles so it would be a really nice dinner.
It was GOOD too! Thanks for letting us come over and do that Mom, it was fun! :)
Maegan's "Matoe"
Mom gave Maegan a bag of oranges. For some reason she kept calling them "Matoes" "Thank you for the Maytoes, Dranny!"
She's a doll. :)
Keeper of the Flame
Nick spent the night over here Friday night. He wanted to! It was a very FIRST for him and I figured he would change his mind but he made it all night! He kept the fireplace going, and his spot was the recliner there beside it. What about him!
Cheerleader Mallory
She wants to cheer just like her sister! She can do it, too!
In Bonnie's World..
She has her Christmas lights up and is into full swing getting her house ready for the big day. I got a few shots when I was over there a couple of nights ago...
She was making a mold of Tristan's hand and foot..
Joel was sleeping, I didn't get a pic of him..
All 3 Jilted
Mik took this one:
And this is Mikyla's self portrait. Creepy!
Shew, you know, looking over these shots, I don't like 'em.. they're too creepy even for me!
Jilted...
We've been trying to get shots for my "Jilted" series for over a year. Both Bonnie and Sarah promised to pose, but then something always happens and we don't get to do them.
Last night Sarah and the girls dressed up just to play around, it was dark, about 8 or so, and they were going to have a tea party. Sarah remembered my Jilted pics and asked if I'd like for her and the girls to get make up and and let me take some shots.. so that's what we did.
They looked more like they were made up for Halloween, than for what I had in mind, still it was fun..and while their faces all look somber and sad, they were cracking up between shots, my babies are consumate actresses!
November 07, 2007
This Ring...
Before Dad crossed over, he was trying to find a ring for me. He knew I was trying to find a Saphire and he kept watching GEMs on television, and when one would come on, he'd call me in there to see if I liked it.. they were all beautiful, but waaay too expensive. I'd say, no, that's not the one Dad, and then I'd tell him I didn't want a real one, I wanted a fake one.
He wasn't having that though, no, it couldn't be a cheap fake one, they were ugly and he wasn't going to do that. He wanted it to be a real one. A pretty one. And so he kept watching. He'd call me and say, "They only had one tonight, and it was a man's." "They had 2 tonight but too expensive." "They had a nice one but it got gone before I could call in." Still.. he kept watching for one...
Look what Mom came carrying in for me yesterday. When she handed it to me, I saw that box and I knew what was in it before I even opened it. I just knew it was a Saphire ring. She handed it to me and said "Here you go, this is from your Dad. He was trying to find one but didn't get to buy it before he passed, so today he lead me straight to this one.
Oh how sweet, that was the sweetest thing. I couldn't help but cry. How touching to have Mom pick up where he left off and do that. I will treasure this ring for all of my life. Mom, thank you. I love it, it's perfect, but you know what.. even if Dad had lived to see that I got that ring, it would have been you who had gotten it for me. It was always that way. Thank you Mom. I love you.
Come, Butter, Come!
Mallory made butter in school a month or so ago, and ever since has been begging me to let her make some here. I kept meaning to but kept forgetting to get her some cream. I finally remembered today and she got to make us some butter. That was pretty neat!
At first she had the cream in a coffee jar, shaking and shaking and shaking, singing this sweet little song. Remember when Mamaw used to sing this?
Come, butter, come! Come, butter, come!
Johnny's standing by the gate,
Waiting for his butter cake!
Come, butter, come! Come, butter, come!
The butter didn't get there fast enough, I watched while she handed the jar to Dippy and told him to shake a while, that her arm was hurting. He in turn gave it to Roy to shake a while. Finally it went back to Mallory who just kept singing and shaking. Come, butter, come!
After a while she got tired again and I mentioned that it might go a little faster with a hand mixer. She got all excited, "Will that work?" And so we tried it. And yes, it worked! Look what nice butter she made!
It was DEEEELicious!! Nice Job Mallory! Be careful though, I think I heard your Mommy and Daddy talking about having you make it and sell it over at the courthouse!
Tristan Tonight
Bless his heart, this baby just cried tonight. I don't know what was wrong with him, tummy ache maybe but he'd sleep 3 minutes then cry 30.. even after being fed and changed he'd just cry like his heart is broken. He doesn't cry like Acey and Joel did, like they were being gutted.. he cries just like the saddest soul on earth, it's heart wrenching to hear. Maybe he'll be in a better mood tomorrow.
He's one month old today. See the little outfit he has on? That was a present from Mom yesterday and it fit him perfectly.. cute as can be on him isn't it? Thanks Mom, that was nice of you, that little sleeper's adorable, look at the feet on it!
How cute!
A Miracle!
Sarah, Cooking!!
While she was cooking, the house started to fill with the smell of smoke. Bonnie was just sure Sarah had set something on fire.. even I was wondering enough to have her open the oven and check on the cornbread.. we opened the doors to let some smoke out.. watched as it billowed out into the air.. and I got my jacket on and went to the porch, I had to go back in and tell them to quickly shut the doors. The smoke wasn't coming from Sarah's cooking after all - something was on fire outside down the road and the smoke was so thick it was just hovering over the park across the street. We weren't letting smoke out when we'd opened the doors, we were just letting more in. I don't know what was on fire out there, but this time it wasn't Sarah's cooking! Way to go Sarah, dinner was Great!
We Really Didn't Wanna
celebrate Christmas this year. Well.. the adults didn't. But.. we're going to.
This is why we do the things we really don't feel much like doing anymore.
*smiles*
She was watching the bigger kids, in awe, while they decorated the Christmas tree over here yesterday.
I can't think of a better reason to go on living. Can you?
A Special Guest
This reception was for a dancing Santa doll.. imagine how well recieved the real thing is gonna be come Christmas!!
Curlers
Mikyla detests having her hair curled. I was surprised when she agreed to let Sarah curl it for the game Monday night. I took a picture and she was all smiles.. so I thought, okay, she's growing up..
Later I heard her crying and objecting. She and Sarah were in the bathroom getting ready to go to the game. Soon the crying became louder and louder and finally I couldn't help it, I had to go see what was wrong.
Oh the lamenting! Mikyla was tugging on those curls, "Please! Mammy get them out!! That's why I wanted YOU to do my hair, I don't like these curls! Get them out!"
I stood there torn, I didn't want to step on Sarah's toes, yet Mikyla wasn't used to the curls, didn't want the curls, hadn't asked for the curls and was in great distress! What's a grandmother to do? Sarah came into the bathroom about that time and saw both of our distress and to our great relief got out the hair straightner and fixed Mik's hair the way she likes it.
Sheesh!
November 03, 2007
A Busy Day...
Mom came and got the girls for a while today so I was able to get out in the yard and paint their jungle gym and other 2 pieces. They turned out really well, they look great and the kids just love them! I wanna be a kid in my yard!
Lisa took me to get some firewood this evening. We're going to go get some more tomorrow. Mom came with her and damned if she wasn't right there in the wood pile helping to load that truck. I love doing that. I love the smell of fresh cut wood. I love the fires in winter too. I think we're going to need about 8 more loads to have enough to do all winter. That seems like a lot to me, but we ran out last year before it got warm. It's a lot of work, but it's well worth it. Thanks, Lisa, Thanks, Mom, for helping!
Today I started thinking about getting the house decorated for Christmas. I like to get the lights out now so it's not so cold my hands stick to the gutters and shutters in December. I got out my old Elvis Christmas CD, and turned it on, the kids were dancing and enjoying the heck out of it, when the thought of Christmas without Dad went dancing through my mind.
Mom's not going to celebrate Christmas Eve at her house this year.. she said a change would do us good. I agree. We've not decided what we're going to do yet, but I'd really like to go away for the Holiday. Wouldn't it be nice to go to the beach for Christmas?
One thing I did decide to do here, is to go buy new Christmas lights, decorations, all blue. In memory of Dad - we're literally going to have a blue Christmas. Lisa liked the idea too, so she's going to do her house blue too, and we're going to go take down the Halloween things from his grave and do it in blue Christmas stuff in a day or so.
On Christmas day, Mom's going to send some balloons up in memory of Dad. That's a pretty cool idea too.. Sarah said she should put some lottery tickets in them.
I still can't believe Dad's gone. I just have the damnedest time accepting this ever was. Acceptance usually comes easy to me, always has, but this time, it's just not happening. The weekends are harder for me than the other days because that's mostly when I'd go to Mom's and spend time with Dad. So... that's where my mind is come Saturday evening and on Sundays. I really really think this part of the perfect plan isn't so very perfect at all. I really really think it just sucks.
Joel is spending the night tonight. He's still up and at it, doesn't seem the slightest bit sleepy, but keeps going on about how we're going to play in the park yard tomorrow. He really likes that slide. I really love that we don't ever have to go to a park again. YAY!! That alone is worth giving up my yard space to the kids! I got to where I absolutely hated going to the park, and the kids loved it so much I couldn't deny taking them.
Speaking of yard space, we moved our fence back about 8 feet so we'd have a place to park our cars without having to use the driveway. I figured we could do that much and not clog up the driveway though we have a right of way to, and a contract allowing us to park 2 vehicles in it. We just never did that, if we did, the neighbors wouldn't have a place to park.
At that time, the neighbor's visiting family were parking down the hill across the street at the park. It was a good arrangement, everyone had room to park, and turn around and it was nice. No bottlenecks. But then one of the neighbor's cars got scratched and somehow he charged the park owners for car repairs to a tune of over 2500 bucks, they had to pay him and didn't care for that, (I don't blame them) so they stopped letting them park down there.
Which meant.. they all pull up here now when they visit their Mom.. which is every day, and for a few of them, all day. Three of them pull up here in our yard and use our parking space. Which means the driveway is always bottlenecked. Dad couldn't come visit much because he could rarely get a parking space up here and wasn't able to walk from the bottom of the hill. I always resented that but never said anything to them.
Today though, I got angry enough to go say something. Lisa and Mom came up here to get me to go get the firewood and one of the nephews was parked up here, on my yard, his van sideways taking up a ton of space. He was standing there talking to his uncle, and Mom and Bon were out there, Mom asked him as she passed why he didn't park straight so other people could come up here. Lisa was waiting at the bottom of the hill. The guy.. UGHHHH, he got smart with her, told her to tell me and Dips to get a dozier and have some of the mountain taken out behind the house that we could park there.
I saw red. I was feeding Tristan when Bon and Mom came in to tell me what he said, and I handed him to Bonnie and I went out there on him. I don't even know his name, he's not a regular, just a once a week parker. Still, that was enough to set me off. I didn't walk, I stormed .. *laughs at herself* .. over to him and I pointed to his van and very firmly I told him (didn't ask, I told him!) You get your van out of my yard now so my sister can pull up here and park. He looked so shocked. He got smart with me, said well I can't go anywhere until she moves. I pointed to Lisa, and I know I had on Mikyla's thunder face, I called out loudly, Lisa, move your truck so he can get off of my yard! And I turned and stomped back into my house.
The nerve. Take out some of the mountain out back and we'd have a place to park. We would still have to get past his van to do that if we took ALL the mountain away from out back. If where he'd parked had been true driveway instead of our yard that'd be one thing, but the jerk was in my yard. When I looked 2 minutes later, he was gone. Ughhh!
I figure they'll either stop parking there altogether now, or they'll start blocking the drive so we will have a hell of a time getting in and out. We'll see.
Sarah and Roy are on their way here. More business Monday. Then they're heading straight back. They should be here in a few more hours.
Oh how sweet. All 4 kids are sleeping. That just happened while I was writing my parking rant. I love this time of night.
I better get now - though it's Sunday tomorrow, it's going to be an early day. G'nite, world!
Alot of Pictures
I'm just gonna post them all here in one topic. I'm lazy tonight!
November 02, 2007
November 01, 2007
Joel & Mallory
Were in the paper tonight. Here's a photo of the clipping..
