Thursday, May 31, 2007

More on crying

Oh my, I forgot the most famous crying session of all - Thank you qtpies7 (my dear daughter)
It must have been at least 25 years ago - maybe more??? We were watching Little House on the Prairie. It was the episode where Mary's baby died in the fire at the deaf school. I cried and cried and cried. My husband (at that time) said "What's the matter, Honey? Did you spring a leak?" The next day we (dd and I), picked up my niece to go to a Brownie den meeting. I asked my niece if they had watched Little House, and she said "Yes". I asked her if she had cried. Before she could answer - qtpies7 pipes up and says "My mom cried so hard, she took a leak!" I'm still laughing over that one. I probably laughed so hard that I did take a leak.

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Thursday Thirteen~ crying

13 Times I Remember Why I Cried, Wept, Sobbed or Bawled

This past Saturday I woke up in a very depressed, lonely mood. I just cried and sobbed for over an hour. (I kept to my bedroom so the children wouldn’t worry) I called a friend and sobbed hysterically but had no valid reason for it. All I could think of was that I just didn’t have the energy to go out and mow the yards. The next day I got a migraine and was physically ill. I have had a cough for 6 weeks and am just getting run down. I went to the doctor Tues. and was sent for a chest x-ray and blood work. So the crying was probably just form being worn out.

Pondering my senseless crying episode, I decided to try to think of some times that I cried, but actually had a reason attached to it. So here goes.

1. When my eldest daughter (qtpies7) started Kindergarten – we lived in the country and she had to ride a bus. We went to orientation, so she would know which bus to take. On the first day of school, I got ready to walk her out to the bus stop, but she wouldn’t let me. She insisted that she was a big girl now. I cried and cried looking at my little girl standing at the end of our driveway with the BIG yellow school bus coming to pick her up.
2. It seems like that darling little daughter caused more than a few of my tears. When she was about 4 or 5 years old, she had her first dance recital at a retirement home. I sat in the audience and cried and cried – I was so proud of her – my little girl up on that BIG stage (platform??).
3. When my mother died – I was 15 – Long story , I felt that I should have done more – she had an aneurism, and there was nothing I could have done, but I still felt guilty – and I didn’t really get to say good-bye.
4. Looking at my father when he was in a nursing home with Alzheimer’s – He looked so scared and totally lost – it broke my heart.
5. When I thought Baloo died in the Jungle Book.
6. When Dumbo’s mom was locked up and she tried to comfort Dumbo through the bars.
7. When Pete said good-bye to his Dragon.
8. When the same darling daughter mentioned above reprimanded her own little girl for refusing to tell me she was sorry.
9. I sobbed so loudly during “Stepmom” on a girl’s night out that my granddaughter has decided to never to a movie theater with me EVER again.
10. I sobbed through an audio tape of “Stepmom” while drive from Essex CT to New Bedford MA – that I totally missed Providence RI – I was supposed to turn there and completely missed the city and didn’t realize it until I was 40 miles from Boston.
11. Whenever I watch "Romeo and Juliet" - I watched three times when I was a junior in high school (yes we had movie theatres way back then - 1969) I cried sooner and longer each time I saw it.
12. Listening to my niece rehearse “On Eagles Wings” for her father’s funeral (my brother-in-law) and again at the funeral.
13. When two baby mice I tried to rescue from the parking lot died while I was putting together a habitrail I bought for them.

By the way – I was an adult watching #5, 6, and 7

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!


Playing Dress up

Can you tell that the girls used MY makeup? Not quite the right shade. But they are beautiful regardless. Cling-on is on the left.

Wordless Wednesday


Friday, May 25, 2007

Spring

Ahhh, Spring - First the whine - I hate black flies!!!!!!!! A mosquito bites, itches a while, a small bump - goes away. But a black fly - I swell up, if I get bitten anywhere on my face or neck - I get black and blue. And they love me. Mowing the yards - yes I said yardSSS. The Captain is in NC getting his latest boat ready - so I have to mow not only our yard which is big enough, but also the trimming at the apartment building we have which is 2 miles from the house. It is 200 ft long - so that means both sides, the ends, and under the trees where the tractor can't go and around the signs out front.

Ahhh, now for the good stuff. The grandchildren are willing to go outside. We are planning our garden. A and I found my ladyslipper - we have only one on the edge of the woods behind the garage - we are watching it daily to get a picture when it is in full bloom. We have a granite walk-way up to the house with Lily of the Valley growing - it smells heavenly. Both A(who is 6 now) and I picked a stalk and placed in water next to our beds so we can enjoy the fragrance. I set mine by the computer last night and was amazed at the pleasure I received just from leaning over for a little sniff once in awhile - it was very relaxing. (qtpies if you read this - does this count as a mind altering drug) The Lilacs will be blooming soon. Lilacs are my favorite.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Raising Grandchildren



Thirteen Reasons I'm raising Grandchildren

1…. About 6 years I was spirited away to Maine by my now husband - The Captain. He is away fishing the Atlantic for weeks - sometimes months at a time. I did'nt know anyone here and was feeling very isolated and lonesome. I wanted family near me - be careful what you pray for LOL

2. Thanksgiving 2004 dh brought home 3 of his grandchildren from NC : L - 14yr gd, D - 6yr gs, and A - 4 yr gd. (We just got married that June)

3. The children were living in an abusive home - and we were very worried about The Captain's daughter also. She was physically, verbally, and emotionally abused - but chose to deny it.

4. The DHS had decided to step in after the police were called re: L So we petitioned for emergency guardianship to keep the children together and in the family.

5. The eldest gd (L) was also abused - police pictures of scratch on chest - from her mothers at that time boyfriend and scars on her legs from being beat with the plug end of an extention cord.

6. The gs was also beat with a belt.

7. The youngest gd was not physically abused that we know of, but recalls seeing abuse and hearing it.

8. We were pleased when we went back to NC to court that "mom" decided to come back with us. She got a job, started nursing school - then after 6 wks left without so much as a good-by.

9. Two days before (L) had to testify in court re: mom's boyfriend - mom married him and ended up testifying against her daughter.

10. Mom's boyfriend/husband is not the father of any of the children. He was released from prison in 1989 for 2nd degree murder. And didn't deny charges of physical abuse against 2 other women since then.

11. The eldest (L) ended up living w/biological father after 9mos w/us. The youngest 2's biological father lives in NC and is unable to take care of them.

12. The children are a blessing to us - they keep us young and very busy with cubscouts, dancing, counseling, Sunday School, school, sitters, friends - plus we both work full time and are trying to set up our retirement by investing in rental properties - you know, have someone else pay the mortgage - but it is still a lot of work.

13. Praise the Lord - Mom (after 2 yrs) decided to put the kids first - She has divorced, moved to Maine, is getting counseling, has an apartment and a job. She backslides - but is steadily improving. (L) ran away from her father and is now living with mom - She is not quite ready to raise all of the children by herself, but is on the road to that point.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Not only the dog, also the cat

After TTing about my dog not wanting to ride with me - I had to take my cat - Midnight ada Nightmare to the vet for a recheck. (he had a run-in with some critter last week and lost a chunk out of his tail) What a crybaby! He absolutely hates riding in the car and makes no bones about letting me know it. He howls, and pants, and cries, and scratches. Maybe I should consider relinquishing my drivers license.

Thirteen Reasons why I don't want to ride with mom

1…. Who's gonna watch the house while we're gone?
2. Who will keep Midnight (Nightmare) company while we're gone?
3. When we go to work, it is too noisy so I can't sleep all day.
4. When we go to work, the boss's dog keeps taking my treats and you let her.
5. When we go to work, you won't let me bite the back of any one's (the mailman) shoes.
6. You have forgotten me at work too many times, now I don't trust you.
7. You never go right home, and I end up sitting in the car alone.
8. I worry some one else will take my seat (shotgun)
9. Some times (a lot of times) there is too much junk on my seat (shotgun)
10. I'm a boxer mix - I don't like the cold, or the rain, or the snow
11. I really get nervous on bumpy roads - like going down our driveway - maybe once you get the road fixed I'll come a long more
12. Maybe if you get an automatic the ride won't be so jerky~ A dog could get whiplash riding with you!
13. Do you really have to swerve to the side of the road and stop to yell at the kids, can't you yell and drive at the same time? I really do like the length of my nose - it hurts when it hits the windshield.
Mom, I love you anyways - Mika


Links to other Thursday Thirteens!




Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Monday, May 14, 2007

7things about me meme

I guess I've been tagged??????

Seven Random Things About Me

1. My first job was debeaking turkeys - smelly !!!!

2. I love my grandchildren, but really miss my children - I live in Maine, I have a daughter in MN, a son in the state of WA, and a son in AZ.

3. My favorite kind of movies are the ones that make me cry. Like, sad movies, scary movies, cartoons, documentaries, comedies, chick flicks etc. etc. etc.

4. I keep telling myself that I won’t whine about my problems, but always end up whining about my problems – cheese anyone? I really don’t like that about myself.

5. I buy lots of birthday cards, but very rarely send any – shame on me. That is another thing I really need to work on - my poor family probably think I don't even think about them.

6. I love to do crafts, painting, sewing, macram̩, needlepoint, quilting, beading, drying flowers, pressing flowers, scrapbooking,collecting pine cones Рbut never finish anything.

7. The older I get, the more people I meet, the more I realize how very blessed I am.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Its my birthday!!!

Warning: This blog has been hijacked!
Its time to Par-tay! Today is my mom's 55th birthday!

The present is on its way, late, of course, because I AM my mother's daughter!
Please wish my mom a Happy Birthday!
Thursday Thirteen is a post below.


Warning: This blog has been hijacked!




Thursday Thirteen #3 People who influenced me



Thirteen Things about Pauline

13 People who have influenced me in the last 55 years.

1. Lisa – my daughter – faith in God, good mother, good friend, confidante, funny
a. She is a wonder, a blessing – not only to me, but to her husband, her children, her friends, her church
b. I am so proud of her – I am amazed and sometimes (forgive me) envious of her mothering skills and her wonderful sense of humor.
c. She has been a joy to me all of her life – Sometimes she is my confidante – sometimes the rolls get reversed and she mothers me when I need it.
2. Shane – my son – military – capable
a. I am so proud of him – He is a Lieutenant in the Navy
b. He is very capable – he did well in school – did well in "boot camp" and has gotten to this level of excellence without my help (good thing, because I wasn’t in a position to help him financially get through college)
c. When I really need him, he’s there.
3. PJ – my son - struggles – calls
a. I am also proud of Paul – he is the late bloomer of my three children
b. He doesn’t know what he wants to be when he grows up – he’s 22, but I’m confident he’ll figure it out
c. I’m proud that he has shown great respect for women – he has been approached a couple of times by underage, or intoxicated women and chose not to take advantage of the situation. – Also he always calls his mommy – at least once a week.
4. Betty – my sister - taught me how to cook, launder, iron, set limits
a. My mother passed away when I was 15 – my older sisters helped raise me. Betty was 26, she had 4 children at the time my mother passed, and lost a daughter to leukemia 11 months later.
b. Betty taught me how to cook, do laundry, change diapers, love children.
c. Betty also set limits with me that my father didn’t know how to do – like curfews and chores. She is always there for me.
5. Gwen – my sister – business partner – friend –
a. Gwen also took me in – when (the spoiled brat that I was) was unhappy with my father or other sister. – But she didn’t put up anything either.
b. Gwen and I share a love of art – we both paint and had a wind-bell company for awhile – we had clients such as the Lawrence Welk village in CA and the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma – but we found we were too meticulous for production line art work.
c. Gwen has always been there for me – and supports me in everything I do – although not without a few disagreements.
6. Mom – say good things – Samaritan
I only have fond memories of my mother. Anyone I talked to about her only had praises for her temperament and goodness.
She always found the good in people and was always willing to share whatever she had with those less fortunate. I remember one time when I was about 12 – I woke up and a strange man was sleeping on the couch – I went out to the barn and asked who he was – Mom had no idea he was there – she came in, woke him up, gave him hell, then fed him breakfast.
She loved the Lord, she loved her husband, she loved her family, and she loved her neighbors.
7. Dad – trap – laugh at self
a. He taught me how to trap gophers! I can’t image how I was able to smack their little heads and chop off their little feetsies – but I did – and I got 50 cents a pair for those feetsies.
b. He could always get me with his stories. He convinced me that the remains of an old log cabin we found on our property were from Abe Lincoln – I told my class that – DUHHHHH!!!! – Abe Lincoln never lived in Minnesota.
c. He could bounce across the hardwood floor on his behind – with his arms and legs raised up. Too funny!
8. John – my husband -laugh – stretch yourself – art
a. The first thing I noticed when I first met John was he was always laughing on the phone with his grandchildren.
b. He has so much confidence in my artistic abilities – he talked me into entering my work in the fair – and I won ribbons on them all! I never would have thought it possible
c. He is very demanding – a perfectionist – although he never expects anyone to do anything he would also do. He has taught me that I can accomplish a lot more than I think I can. (Even though I’m usually mad when I do it – lol)
9. Grandpa – bum, story teller
a. My Grandpa was also a teller of tall tales. He was always laughing
b. I loved walking in his garden – He taught me how wonderful it is eating fresh peas from the vine.
c. I also learned not to be afraid of wood ticks. My cousins and I would have contests to see who would have the most ticks after swinging on the old tire swing in his back yard.
10. Arianna –my granddaughter - giggle, move
a. She is a treasure – she giggles and is in constant motion from the time she gets up until she falls asleep at night. She absolutely loves everything and everybody.
b. I’ve relearned to see the wonder in everything – the clouds, crayons, buttons, numbers, words, rhymes, holey socks.
c. I’ve had to learn how to do very tiny braids – and bead them!
11. David – my grandson who is laid back, understanding
a. I have so enjoyed watching him change from a sullen little boy 2.5 years ago when we got custody of them to the happy-go –lucky boy we now have.
b. He is always cracking jokes and making faces in the mirror – but never forgets to tell me I’m beautiful when we’re on our way down the driveway and I figure out I forgot to put my make-up on.
c. I’ve learned patience – he doesn’t move fast – he loses himself in video games, TV, or books – (just like his grandma).
12. Beverly – my friend, - shoulder, ear, friend
a. Bev has been my best friend for 20 years. I can tell her anything.
b. She lives in AZ – we don’t talk often, but when we do – it is like we just saw each other yesterday.
c. She is always there for me.
13. God – Number one
a. My Lord – I am so thankful for every thing he does for me.
b. He gives me gifts – talents, passion, compassion, love, kindness, energy when I don’t think I can anymore, family, friends, health.
c. He reminds me that His timing is everything – mine is insignificant. I am so blessed.


Links to other Thursday Thirteens!





Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



Friday, May 4, 2007

Thursday Thirteen #2 Knock-knock jokes


Thirteen Things about Pauline
My Favorite Knock-Knock Jokes


1. This is first knock-knock joke I remember hearing – my mother told it to me about 45 years ago:
Knock-Knock
Who’s There?
Madam
Madam Who?
Madam shoelace is stuck in the door.
2. This is also one from my childhood.
Knock-knock
Who’s there?
Little Old Lady
Little Old Lady Who?
I didn’t know you could yodel.
3. Knock-knock
Who’s there?
Guss
Guss who?
No, you guss who!
4. Knock-knock
Who’s there?
Alex
Alex who?
Alex the questions around here!
5. Knock-knock
Who’s there?
Repeat
Repeat who?
Who, who!
6. This is one my granddaughter can never get right She always says Canoe, can you
Knock-knock
Who’s there?
Canoe
Canoe who?
Canoe come out and play?
7. Knock-knock
Who’s there?
I am
I am who?
Don’t you know who you are?
8. Knock-knock
Who’s there?
Howard
Howard who?
Howard you like to stand out here while someone keeps saying who’s there?
9. Knock-knock
Who’s there?
Doris
Doris who?
Doris locked, I’m climbing through the window
10. Here’s another favorite I like to tell my grandchildren
Knock-knock
Who’s there?
Leaf
Leaf who?
Leaf me alone!
11. Knock-knock
Who’s there?
Norma Lee
Norma Lee who?
Norma Lee I use the door bell, but it’s broken
12. Knock-knock
Who’s there?
Dishwasha
Dishwasha who?
Dishwasha da way I talked before I got my new teeth.
13. And finally
Knock-knock
Who’s there?
Police
Police who?
Police stop telling stupid knock-knock jokes.







Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!