Wordless Wednesday: Worth a chuckle...

Three generations...

It's been a sad week here in our quiet little corner of the world. While none of the recent losses have impacted me directly, I'm so sad to watch friends and neighbors cope with such losses.

One woman lived a full life, and judging from how great my pal Dodi turned out, I'd have to conclude Mrs. B. did an awesome job raising her family. And while her presence will be missed, I'm suspect that her family has many happy memories that will comfort them in the days to come.

The next woman has fought a hard battle against M.S. for many years. Severe pneumonia and a failing neurological system means that she too will pass away very soon. Her family has asked for God to release her from her suffering and their prayers are that she will be called home soon. She's the childhood friend of one my nearest, and dearest pals, Judy. My heart aches for Judy...to lose someone you've called friend for longer than anyone else you know just seems impossible to imagine.

The third loss is perhaps the hardest to imagine. A little baby girl never made it out into this world to feel the touch of her parents or hear the laughter of her siblings. She wasn't due to make her entrance into our world for another week or so. I can't imagine how a mother moves on...tending to the needs of her family while her heart is broken for the little baby she has lost.

My deepest sympathies go out to all these friends and neighbors who are suffering this week...
And for the rest of us, let us all reach out to one another...Take time to share a special memory with a parent while you still have that chance, call up your childhood pal and just ask how things are going, and love your children with all your might...for none of us know when these opportunities will no longer be possible....

Worries

Thing One tells me today that he had a bad day. Apparently he read in his book that when you turn 11 you become mopey. He wants to stay 10 forever...he doesn't want to turn mopey. I didn't have the heart to tell him "too bad bud, we're already seing signs of the teen 'tude".

Wordless Wednesday: Apparently, Size matters

If you've not been bitten by the bug, this makes no sense to you at all. But, if you have, you realize sometimes you need more than 5.5 inches!

On the last day of track off

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

Tomorrow the Things return to school for their last quarter of this school year. We've had a great time off track and in celebration of the fun, we went on one last adventure, meeting up with friends at a nearby park. A beautiful Spring day here...so we soaked in the sun as we had fun with our friends!

Messy Things

In case you wonder where he gets his messy ways...look no further than his momma. Or at least her craft room..(I'm in the middle of Spring Cleaning, I'll have you know)

Apparently I also have the "big butt" gene that I inherited from my father...or so that's what Thing One announced last night at dinner "It's OK Mom, it's your Granum gene that makes your butt big". Hubby did his best not to snicker but only said "Son, I've got a lot to teach you when it comes to sweet talking the girls"

In other random weekend news, I found myself letting up on my hover-mom tendencies just a tad when we let the boys get trampy with the neighbor's new trampoline. It still isn't totally my thing (in other words, NO, we won't be getting one ourselves) but they had fun and were eager to be outside so I think I'll manage. Heck, I've overcome my worries about Hubby and his mistress...(not once did I nag this winter when he said he was riding to work so maybe there is hope for me after all?) Again, you won't see me on a motorcycle but I realize that if I worry too much then all my worries and then some might just come to be.

Letting go of excess worry doesn't come naturally to me but neither is being neat but I remain a work in progress...

Speaking of making progress and working I'd best quit procrastinating and get back to my mess..

Cleaning Up

A snippet of last night's pre-bedtime exchange
"Thing One, time for your shower" hollered mom
"But why do I have to take a shower, I hate showers" replied the pre-teen, attitude and all
"Because you've played outside all day and ya stink" replied the mom

I finally get him upstairs and in the shower.
And you know what he does next?
Yep, starts singing and won't get out of the shower when I tell him "times up"
"Mom, don't you know I just love taking a shower, I don't want to get out"

And we wonder why mommies take to drinking??????????????

Trying to make sense of it all

Thing Two is my thinking/questioning one. (Thing One is quick to admit "not going to think, I"m off track" and trust me, his track off attitude reflects this admission). This morning out of the blue the youngest one asks "what's the point in having a middle finger if you can't raise it?"

I think I"ll leave that one to Hubby...as he wasn't buying my explanation about all the things we're able to do because of our five digits not just four.

Wordelss Wednesday: While I was away..

Scrappin' happened and here's the proof!

Wordless Wednesday: While I was gone

Naps happened! Thanks Dad for helping keep

the home fires burning!

(Belated) 12 on the 12th

The Midwest Edition...In the middle of nowhere....You can find this lovely retreat house called the Keepsake Kottage
Nestled in amongst some trees, the river runs right behind the Kottage..

Inside, you'll discover there is some scrapbooking going on...(that's Jill and Jodi whose husbands farm in the surrounding communities. Jill also highly recommends you check out http://www.recipetips.com/ for fabulous meal planning ideas)

Even those known more for yapping, might find themselves scrappin...(just kidding Amy!)
You can find a "dealer" in Iowa (assuming what you're buying is Mary Kay and not drugs)
You'll take a trip into town (driving along some dirt roads) where you'll lunch at the lovely Blue Bell Inn...
Where you will feast on this lovely lunch...complete with dessert

After lunch...you'll walk past the liquor store where you bought your booze the night before. Yes, I know, it looks like a bar, but trust me...if you talk to the bartender, he'll escort you down to his basement where he sells you stuff right from his stash. Yes, it is as creepy as it sounds...

You'll make a quick stop in the adorable little crafty shop, where low and behold, you find a rusty cock to add to your rooster collection (actually I passed on purchasing it because my luggage was already pretty full)
At some point you'll return back to the cottage, scrap a little, laugh a lot and just enjoy the time spent with others who share your passion for scrapbooking, and online chatter...
Thank you to my new found friends in the Midwest...I had a blast and appreciate how you treated me so well!

*yes, I know...I have more than 12 pictures...but there are so many stories to tell...12 just didn't seem like it would be enough!

Wordless Wednesday: I'm outta here

Assuming Mother Nature doesn't foil my finely crafted plan...I'll be heading out before some of you reach for that second cup of coffee tomorrow morning. Catch you on the return!

Only a matter of time...

Ever since my friend Dodi told the story of her mistaken identity, I knew with certainty, that my turn was only a matter of time. Well, today, let's just say: Time was up!

Yep, while the Things placed their candy order with the woman running the snack bar, she replied with a smile and said "as long as it is OK with Grandma!"

Yikes...and this is AFTER I've just had my roots done.
At least my children corrected her (I was just going to let it slide, why point it out?) and she appeared embarrassed but I reassured her it really was OK. Because you know what: I've got cousins, not much older than me, that have grandchildren older than the Things. I know I bloomed late: but I also know I"m a much better mom thanks to my later in life choices!

Retro Monday...

I have nothing interesting, funny or even slightly amusing to say this evening.

I can tell you that the house is company ready as dear old Dad arrives tomorrow evening. Hubby remarked that he thinks we should have Dad visit every other month or so just so that the "Martha" side of me makes more frequent appearances. Funny dear, very funny (but shhh...he's right...many of the chores never get tended to unless we've got company coming).

So instead, I give you this picture...isn't it fun to see how much they really change in a couple years? This fella was so brave today when he had two teeth extracted. He even went back all by himself. OH MY: I've become a waiting room mom...but I only brought one short magazine...fear not, the oldest one still wants/needs Momma by his side so I don't worry about my usefulness becoming extinct any time soon. I'll always have Thing One!

She knows...

Uh oh: guess who I ran into this evening at Wally World? Thing Two's teacher.
How lovely you say.

Probably not so lovely when all I had in my basket was tonic water.
That alone ought to tell her how week one of track off went! Pass the Mommy Juice s.t.a.t!

1 in 150

children will develop Autism. This ONE is mine....
and our world is brighter thanks to him and his most unique way of looking at the world.

Take time to learn what you can about Autism...today is World Autism Awareness Day!

Wordless Wednesday: Only in my dreams

Does a Thing look anything like this when in the chair!
Goodbye mad $, Hello Southmoor Pediatrics!