I work in a small town that was dependent on the textile mills for it's economic well being. As the mills closed, the unemployment rate grew until the rate seems to remain at a figure well over 10% and sometimes nearing 20% or more. Although the town itself boasts a home where Jefferson Davis visited and several homes with architecture that is recognized throughout the state, there is also a great deal of government housing and many homes that are in ruins. The idea of generational poverty is not new here and because they have had government support for so long, many of the youngsters have no idea of how hard some people have to work to obtain things. They view the world as a place where Santa is in the shape of their single parents or step families and they get things without having to work for them.
There are also no consequences for misbehavior. I work in a school where the students can talk to me any way they choose because the Principal thinks that I am too strict and does not believe in firm discipline. It is her philosophy that these children should be nurtured no matter what they do. I had a child yell at me yesterday and when I told him that he wasn't going to talk to me like that he said, "Well!" Which means, "well I just did, didn't I and nothing is going to happen to me is it?" And it's true, if I had sent the child to the office nothing would have happened. Another child was told that she shouldn't do something and when I asked her to please go to her seat, telling her again not to do what I told her, she looked right at me and said, "Well, I just did it anyway." The children know that no one is going to make them behave and that if I do they can go to the Principal and say that I am too mean and that there will be no consequences for them. It is very frustrating to say the least.
I have begun to feel as though someone is out of touch with reality. I am not sure if it is me or the administrator that I work with. I have talked to others who agree with me so perhaps I have not totally lost my grip. I do know that nothing you say to many of the people I work with is the least confidential and that much of what is said is twisted and retold to best serve the teller of the tale. I know that many of the women that I work with smile in your face and then run back to others to make sure that they are the first to carry the latest bit of hopefully damning news. It is all so tiresome. Just yesterday I, being naive, told a fellow employee, in confidence, something that had happened that involved their position. I was not being malicious or anything else. I was just carrying information that I thought the person should know. I had no idea that they would immediately carry the tale to someone else to verify it and try to find out more information/gossip. Now I will have to wait to see how soon I get summoned to the office for yet another letter telling me that something I have done has ruffled the feathers of the administration. What comes after tiresome?
Well, it's off to bed as I have yet another day at the Salt Mines awaiting me in about 3-4 hours. Oh JOY! At least I have a job and that I AM thankful for.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
My life has gone to the dogs!
They have eaten the couch. Okay, not such a loss as I didn't like it anyway and really they only ate the cushions, but that stupid foam all over the house was a real pain! I'm still finding pieces of the stuff and I took the couch out three weeks ago.
They are still actively trying to liberate the prisoner who lives next door. I have to go out every day or two and fill in the holes that have been test dug to test the enemy's resolve. So far the enemy is holding fast but the incarcerated victim is now actively attempting to aid the rescue effort.
Charley helps with the prisoner's exercise program by making him run up and down the fence while calling out instructions and encouragement.
The head of the excavation team spends long hours trying to recruit other members of the family to help in the efforts. Poppy can be seen regularly conducting practice sessions at training sites in throughout the yard in a never ending search for help in the plot to rescue the prisoner. Today the training exercises involved either digging for a mole or looking for the Evil Squirrel's hidden stores. At any rate there was considerable flying dirt, shallow trenches and a great deal of snuffling. Charley helped out some, while Hannah, Ashley, and Angel watched. Hannah stayed for the whole class while the other two simply lost interest and wandered off.
I kept expecting the Evil Squirrel to take advantage of the fixed interest of the dogs to lob a few acorns, but alas he must be sleeping. I have noticed that he seems to be a little slower these days. I wonder if age is creeping up on the little varmit. Of course, it could have been that the nasty little thing was waiting for me to be dumb enough to walk under the tree. HA! Not today you Evil creature!
Well, it's time to go... there is laundry to wash and sheets to mend... Yep, that's Angel's new passion, digging to nest in the bed and shredding the sheets in the process. Perhaps the next episode will include details about the goings on of the "Claws of Death!" In the mean time, I think I'll go enjoy the sun with Bernie who is napping on the back porch.
They are still actively trying to liberate the prisoner who lives next door. I have to go out every day or two and fill in the holes that have been test dug to test the enemy's resolve. So far the enemy is holding fast but the incarcerated victim is now actively attempting to aid the rescue effort.
Charley helps with the prisoner's exercise program by making him run up and down the fence while calling out instructions and encouragement.
The head of the excavation team spends long hours trying to recruit other members of the family to help in the efforts. Poppy can be seen regularly conducting practice sessions at training sites in throughout the yard in a never ending search for help in the plot to rescue the prisoner. Today the training exercises involved either digging for a mole or looking for the Evil Squirrel's hidden stores. At any rate there was considerable flying dirt, shallow trenches and a great deal of snuffling. Charley helped out some, while Hannah, Ashley, and Angel watched. Hannah stayed for the whole class while the other two simply lost interest and wandered off.
I kept expecting the Evil Squirrel to take advantage of the fixed interest of the dogs to lob a few acorns, but alas he must be sleeping. I have noticed that he seems to be a little slower these days. I wonder if age is creeping up on the little varmit. Of course, it could have been that the nasty little thing was waiting for me to be dumb enough to walk under the tree. HA! Not today you Evil creature!
Well, it's time to go... there is laundry to wash and sheets to mend... Yep, that's Angel's new passion, digging to nest in the bed and shredding the sheets in the process. Perhaps the next episode will include details about the goings on of the "Claws of Death!" In the mean time, I think I'll go enjoy the sun with Bernie who is napping on the back porch.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Notes from the dogs
Recently I have been listening to a wonderful book called "Inside of a Dog", at least I think that's the name of it... any way it's a lovely book and I have taken to reflecting upon my dogs and my tendency to give them members of my little herd human characteristics. OK, so it's a little more than eccentric. On the other hand, if I didn't credit the canines with human characteristics I would have to admit that I spend my evenings home alone with no one to talk to. Happy alternative, be entertained by and talk to my four legged friends.
Earlier this evening I was browsing the books Amazon would like to see me purchase. One was a new title by a favorite author called, "Notes from the Dog." I excitedly clicked to see what wonderfully witty book this author had written. He knows dogs well and has in the past written wonderful books both humorous and factual. To my great disappointment it was not really about notes from the dog.
POOH!
As I sit here with three of my seven resting close to me, I wonder, what would they write if they left a note in my lunch each day? Here are some of the things I imagine they might write;
Dear Mom,
You didn't take me to work with you! What's up? You know I like to go! You know I'm cute! You know the people at work love me. I know you'll do better next time.
Love Charley
Hey Mom,
Do you think you could invite some people over to play? I miss my kids. I sure do like playing with the other dogs here though. Do you thing that cute dog from next door could come and play? He's really cute and he looks really lonely all by himself.
Love, Poppy
Mom,
I never thought that couch cushions could taste so good. They are lots of fun to chew on and they feel really good in my mouth. I know that you know that I can't hear you, but I can guess that you are not always happy about the things that I chew on. I know that you love me though because you never yell at me, you just shake your finger at me and shake your head. Sometimes I think that you are even trying to hide a smile, you can't fool me. I know you love me even when I chew up all of your new plastic thingies, they are so crunchy and fun I just can't help my self. Don't let Charley hog up all the space close to you in the bed. I'm cuter than him anyway, so I should get to sleep next to you.
Angel
Hey Mom,
You gotta do something! I love you, but I'm going a little nuts here. I'm bored! I'm used to chasing guys through the woods, and now I can barely get a good whiff of squirrel! Besides that one in your yard is evil! He throws things at me! I'm glad I don't live in a kennel any more and I love playing with all the other friends here, but I would like to get busy again. See what you can do, I miss chasing people.
Love Sox
PS I do like being able to find interesting things to chew on in the house and you do give good skritchies.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Late entry... Stopping to smell the Kudzu
Kudzu is often considered a plague and an unwanted guest. However, at the right time of year, the air is fragrant with it's perfume, and when picked, the blossoms produce a beautiful sweet jelly that is delightful to the taste. My students were amazed when I picked the blossoms, boiled the flowers and they helped to make the jelly.
I know someone who's life has been more than a little rough lately and I thought of him when I made the jelly. His father died about ten days ago and the first of his niece's killers was sentenced on Monday, his father's funeral was Tuesday. So on Thursday I stopped by to give him a little gift. What he didn't know was that his gift to me was far larger.
This person is someone I know professionally and every time I meet with him he unfailingly tells me how good I am as a Social Studies teacher. Sometimes I forget that I am really passionate about teaching about our country. Talking with him renews my passion for what I really do love and makes me remember that I am a good teacher.
As I talked with him about my sympathy for his loss, we talked about his father and his father's legacy. I thought about my own father so recently gone and what he had left to me. He told me about his father and the kind of person he was and I shared how my step-sister had said that my own father was so very like a peach, already sweet before being squeezed and was always sweet no matter what life threw his way. We shared our faith and the sense of loss. For the first time I was able to really grieve for my father. As we talked I was grateful that he had such a close and supportive family and that as his father passed that there were those who loved him holding his hands. I wondered if anyone held my father's hand because I was not allowed to be there to do so myself.
As we talked about his niece I shared how much my heart broke at his brother's grief and loss. I shared how much I prayed for their comfort as I watched this father confront his daughter's killer with such obvious pain and dignity in the courtroom. We shared our feelings as parents and how we would willingly give our lives for our children and again we shared our faith. I was impressed still more by the love of his family for one another and shared with him how grateful I was that in his time of trial that he had a wonderful and loving spouse to support him.
We talked for a while and on the way home I saw God's hand in all around me more clearly than I had recently. The clouds seemed more brilliant, the leaves more shades of green, the sky more blue, and somewhere, perhaps only in my imagination, I smelled the Kudzu blossoms.
I know someone who's life has been more than a little rough lately and I thought of him when I made the jelly. His father died about ten days ago and the first of his niece's killers was sentenced on Monday, his father's funeral was Tuesday. So on Thursday I stopped by to give him a little gift. What he didn't know was that his gift to me was far larger.
This person is someone I know professionally and every time I meet with him he unfailingly tells me how good I am as a Social Studies teacher. Sometimes I forget that I am really passionate about teaching about our country. Talking with him renews my passion for what I really do love and makes me remember that I am a good teacher.
As I talked with him about my sympathy for his loss, we talked about his father and his father's legacy. I thought about my own father so recently gone and what he had left to me. He told me about his father and the kind of person he was and I shared how my step-sister had said that my own father was so very like a peach, already sweet before being squeezed and was always sweet no matter what life threw his way. We shared our faith and the sense of loss. For the first time I was able to really grieve for my father. As we talked I was grateful that he had such a close and supportive family and that as his father passed that there were those who loved him holding his hands. I wondered if anyone held my father's hand because I was not allowed to be there to do so myself.
As we talked about his niece I shared how much my heart broke at his brother's grief and loss. I shared how much I prayed for their comfort as I watched this father confront his daughter's killer with such obvious pain and dignity in the courtroom. We shared our feelings as parents and how we would willingly give our lives for our children and again we shared our faith. I was impressed still more by the love of his family for one another and shared with him how grateful I was that in his time of trial that he had a wonderful and loving spouse to support him.
We talked for a while and on the way home I saw God's hand in all around me more clearly than I had recently. The clouds seemed more brilliant, the leaves more shades of green, the sky more blue, and somewhere, perhaps only in my imagination, I smelled the Kudzu blossoms.
One of those days...
Have you ever had one of those days? Although I wouldn't wish it on anyone else, I am also selfish enough to hope that I am not alone. I have just gotten up from a nap hoping that by "going back to bed and starting over" I will be undoing some of the jinx that seems to have followed me today.
I got out of be and started my day by cleaning up a mess tha tone of my dogs had left in the hall. They never mess in the house. Then I swept up the mess that one of the dogs had made sorting through the trash looking for items of culinary interest. That one was my fault for leaving such interesting items within reach.
I went downstiars and started laundry in my washer that leaks profusely and proceeded to make the food for my dinner, fortunately, I managed not to burn anything. My laundry went okay and I even managed to get dressed and find some nylons to wear to church. (Happy, happy day!) I did have to choose to wear brown instead of something that required black shoes as Sox, not only has good "taste" in library books, but good "taste" in shoes as well, preferring black to brown and real leather to fake on any given day. I even managed to get out the door ten minutes early. WOOHOO!
Except that the car wouldn't start and I sold my back up car and none of my neighbors were up to give me a jump. I finally got the neighbors at the end of the street to give me a jump. I went to the parts place nearest the church and tried to cover my anxiety as a new battery cost me almost $100. OUCH!!!!! I could have gone to Wal-Mart but by the time I discovered how much the new one would be at this place I had laready turned off the car and it was TOOOOOOO late.
I got to church in time for the end of Sacrament service. I dropped numerous things while I was still in the parking lot and even managed to accidentally set off my "panic" button, which of course took severl tries to turn off. I got into church in time to realize that it was the end of testimony meeting, which means that I had fogotten to fast. I went to Sunday school and cried because I miss my kids so very much, but was able to contribute a little to the meeting, I even understood much of what was said. (I go to church in Spanish) I even got a hug from the cutest single guy in our ward. (who is too young for me and SO not interested, but he does have sweet kids) .
I even managed to get through my lesson for young women, the one I had tried to teach twice but Satan seemed determined that I should not. I still come out of there feeling as though I talk too much. The girls talked more today and I hope it was at least partially a discussion. They are very cool young ladies.
Whoops! I guess do overs don't make your brain work any better. I accidentally left the bathroom door open and the trash that I picked up this morning was lovingly spread all over the upstairs hallway and bathroom again. As I came downstairs to continue here Sox came in to join me and jumped up on the bed with wet feet from swimming in her kiddie pool. I decided that I needed some comfort Kool-aid and found that I had run out of Lemon-Lime, so have had to make due with Strawberry-Kiwi. **sigh**
The last fun thing that happened this morning was that my neighbor called and left a message on my cell while I was in church that two of my dogs had managed to get out of the fence. YAY!Fortuanately, the neighbor who helped me this morning had given me their phine number, something I am sure they now regret, so I could call them and by the time I got most of the way home, they had put the dogs back in. My heroes! She was going to a funeral and had "nothing" to wear so I gave her my simple black dress that is too small. The poor dear will probably swim in the thing, but was gracious enough to accept it with thanks. Some people are just too nice. I still can't figure out how the two juvenile deliquent dogs escaped, but I have blocked their only apparent escape route.
Is it too early for bed?
I got out of be and started my day by cleaning up a mess tha tone of my dogs had left in the hall. They never mess in the house. Then I swept up the mess that one of the dogs had made sorting through the trash looking for items of culinary interest. That one was my fault for leaving such interesting items within reach.
I went downstiars and started laundry in my washer that leaks profusely and proceeded to make the food for my dinner, fortunately, I managed not to burn anything. My laundry went okay and I even managed to get dressed and find some nylons to wear to church. (Happy, happy day!) I did have to choose to wear brown instead of something that required black shoes as Sox, not only has good "taste" in library books, but good "taste" in shoes as well, preferring black to brown and real leather to fake on any given day. I even managed to get out the door ten minutes early. WOOHOO!
Except that the car wouldn't start and I sold my back up car and none of my neighbors were up to give me a jump. I finally got the neighbors at the end of the street to give me a jump. I went to the parts place nearest the church and tried to cover my anxiety as a new battery cost me almost $100. OUCH!!!!! I could have gone to Wal-Mart but by the time I discovered how much the new one would be at this place I had laready turned off the car and it was TOOOOOOO late.
I got to church in time for the end of Sacrament service. I dropped numerous things while I was still in the parking lot and even managed to accidentally set off my "panic" button, which of course took severl tries to turn off. I got into church in time to realize that it was the end of testimony meeting, which means that I had fogotten to fast. I went to Sunday school and cried because I miss my kids so very much, but was able to contribute a little to the meeting, I even understood much of what was said. (I go to church in Spanish) I even got a hug from the cutest single guy in our ward. (who is too young for me and SO not interested, but he does have sweet kids) .
I even managed to get through my lesson for young women, the one I had tried to teach twice but Satan seemed determined that I should not. I still come out of there feeling as though I talk too much. The girls talked more today and I hope it was at least partially a discussion. They are very cool young ladies.
Whoops! I guess do overs don't make your brain work any better. I accidentally left the bathroom door open and the trash that I picked up this morning was lovingly spread all over the upstairs hallway and bathroom again. As I came downstairs to continue here Sox came in to join me and jumped up on the bed with wet feet from swimming in her kiddie pool. I decided that I needed some comfort Kool-aid and found that I had run out of Lemon-Lime, so have had to make due with Strawberry-Kiwi. **sigh**
The last fun thing that happened this morning was that my neighbor called and left a message on my cell while I was in church that two of my dogs had managed to get out of the fence. YAY!Fortuanately, the neighbor who helped me this morning had given me their phine number, something I am sure they now regret, so I could call them and by the time I got most of the way home, they had put the dogs back in. My heroes! She was going to a funeral and had "nothing" to wear so I gave her my simple black dress that is too small. The poor dear will probably swim in the thing, but was gracious enough to accept it with thanks. Some people are just too nice. I still can't figure out how the two juvenile deliquent dogs escaped, but I have blocked their only apparent escape route.
Is it too early for bed?
Monday, July 6, 2009
Ex's and middle school
Have you ever had one of those days when you'd swear that you were still in middle school even though you know for a fact that most middle schoolers don't have mortgages or need two jobs? Well I have them. Thankfully not too often. Today is one of those days.
I have an ex who can't seem to just let me alone. Every once in a while our whole painful past rears it's ugly head and slaps me soundly about the neck and shoulders. While I try to remain grown-up, it is the unfortunate truth that I always seem to end up back in middle school, complete with the eye roll so big my eyes are at risk of getting stuck in the back of my head.
Here's how the latest trip back to days best ignored began. My oldest son said;"There is someone from the church that wants to talk to you about getting my brother to talk to his dad." I said, "okay." showing just how dumb I can be. I honestly figured that the call would simply be a matter of 'Do you think that your son will talk to your ex?' Having contacted my son the answer would be a simple, 'No'. Easy, right? NOT!
So now the guy wants to know why and I tell him. Trying to stay as neutral as possible and trying to maintain the most forgiving tone that I can. Assuring the man as often as possible of the facts that I know and the ones that I have been told. It's hard to stay neutral because the events that occurred were so hurtful to my kids, but I hang in there; telling the man that I have been praying for this change for many years and have also told the ex that if he really loves this new wife that he should get his life in order. All true. Middle school question; why am I telling the guy this and why didn't my ex, who knows all this junk, not tell him? Answer; because I am a sucker and I talk too much.
I tell the man that the ex is still very angry with me because he think that I was vindictive in keeping the kids from visiting him after the "painful events." Events that culminated in my having to make a report to "Child Services" which was found to be "founded" but was never prosecuted. My kids didn't want to talk to or see the ex after that and because they were all minors I made sure that I respected their wishes, I felt that I was protecting them. It was always their choice. Remembering all that hurt is depressing at best.
The man says that the ex has changed and that he has forgiven me. I let him know that my kids tell a different story. He assures me that the ex has changed. I feel angry and resentful, but I don't feel that I can let the man know. Why should the ex forgive me? Shouldn't he be asking my forgiveness and that of the kids? I am the one who had to deal with kids who were hurt emotionally and physically after they visited him. I am the one whose reputation has been slandered to who knows how many people over the years because I was protecting my kids. I am the one who has said for years that the kids needed to make peace with him. AARRGGHH!
Enter middle school, stage left. Here's the rest of the story. I did tell the ex lies about why the kids were not visiting him; made lame excuses, whatever. I also tried to defend my stance to the kids because of my fear that he would hurt them more. I undoubtedly vilified him far more than necessary. Junk happens, I was afraid of him and of what he could do to my kids. I tried to be grown-up about the whole thing but I have to admit that when they initially re-established contact I was jealous. It didn't seem fair that the ex should enjoy the wonderful adults that I had raised. I wanted a "Cat's in the Cradle" kind of revenge I guess. Then I realized that I was not the only one who had raised these boys. I realized that God had put many people in our way that helped shape them into wonderful young men and that I couldn't take all of the credit (see, I do try to be grown-up). So I let it roll.
Oh lest we forget although I do try, I'm not out of middle school yet on this one. I still get edgy about the whole thing. I have to admit that I wish that we could have worked things out and that he would have been willing to make these changes for his children and for me, but in all fairness, I was no joy to live with either. I think that we both did the best that we could at the time. So the blame in this goes both ways, doesn't it always? It still makes me sad that someone else may see the fulfillment of my fondest dreams and that I am the one who is living alone except for the dogs, lots of dogs. ;-)
Just a lemons and pits kind of day... guess that's why there are books to read, lawns to mow and work to do. Hey! Maybe that's why my house gets dirty, so that there will never be an excuse for me to sit around and feel sorry for myself. Hmmmmm.
I have an ex who can't seem to just let me alone. Every once in a while our whole painful past rears it's ugly head and slaps me soundly about the neck and shoulders. While I try to remain grown-up, it is the unfortunate truth that I always seem to end up back in middle school, complete with the eye roll so big my eyes are at risk of getting stuck in the back of my head.
Here's how the latest trip back to days best ignored began. My oldest son said;"There is someone from the church that wants to talk to you about getting my brother to talk to his dad." I said, "okay." showing just how dumb I can be. I honestly figured that the call would simply be a matter of 'Do you think that your son will talk to your ex?' Having contacted my son the answer would be a simple, 'No'. Easy, right? NOT!
So now the guy wants to know why and I tell him. Trying to stay as neutral as possible and trying to maintain the most forgiving tone that I can. Assuring the man as often as possible of the facts that I know and the ones that I have been told. It's hard to stay neutral because the events that occurred were so hurtful to my kids, but I hang in there; telling the man that I have been praying for this change for many years and have also told the ex that if he really loves this new wife that he should get his life in order. All true. Middle school question; why am I telling the guy this and why didn't my ex, who knows all this junk, not tell him? Answer; because I am a sucker and I talk too much.
I tell the man that the ex is still very angry with me because he think that I was vindictive in keeping the kids from visiting him after the "painful events." Events that culminated in my having to make a report to "Child Services" which was found to be "founded" but was never prosecuted. My kids didn't want to talk to or see the ex after that and because they were all minors I made sure that I respected their wishes, I felt that I was protecting them. It was always their choice. Remembering all that hurt is depressing at best.
The man says that the ex has changed and that he has forgiven me. I let him know that my kids tell a different story. He assures me that the ex has changed. I feel angry and resentful, but I don't feel that I can let the man know. Why should the ex forgive me? Shouldn't he be asking my forgiveness and that of the kids? I am the one who had to deal with kids who were hurt emotionally and physically after they visited him. I am the one whose reputation has been slandered to who knows how many people over the years because I was protecting my kids. I am the one who has said for years that the kids needed to make peace with him. AARRGGHH!
Enter middle school, stage left. Here's the rest of the story. I did tell the ex lies about why the kids were not visiting him; made lame excuses, whatever. I also tried to defend my stance to the kids because of my fear that he would hurt them more. I undoubtedly vilified him far more than necessary. Junk happens, I was afraid of him and of what he could do to my kids. I tried to be grown-up about the whole thing but I have to admit that when they initially re-established contact I was jealous. It didn't seem fair that the ex should enjoy the wonderful adults that I had raised. I wanted a "Cat's in the Cradle" kind of revenge I guess. Then I realized that I was not the only one who had raised these boys. I realized that God had put many people in our way that helped shape them into wonderful young men and that I couldn't take all of the credit (see, I do try to be grown-up). So I let it roll.
Oh lest we forget although I do try, I'm not out of middle school yet on this one. I still get edgy about the whole thing. I have to admit that I wish that we could have worked things out and that he would have been willing to make these changes for his children and for me, but in all fairness, I was no joy to live with either. I think that we both did the best that we could at the time. So the blame in this goes both ways, doesn't it always? It still makes me sad that someone else may see the fulfillment of my fondest dreams and that I am the one who is living alone except for the dogs, lots of dogs. ;-)
Just a lemons and pits kind of day... guess that's why there are books to read, lawns to mow and work to do. Hey! Maybe that's why my house gets dirty, so that there will never be an excuse for me to sit around and feel sorry for myself. Hmmmmm.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
A touch of irony
I have three children, all boys, who are thankfully grown and out of the house. Yes, I miss them terribly and wish that I had done.... But let's just go with water under the bridge and a strong reliance on a forgiving God and forgiving children.
Recently my oldest son and his lovely family moved to an Army Post about 5 hours from my home. After a Christmas visit involving over flowing toilets, backed up bathtubs, the pumping of the septic tank followed by the need to replace the downstairs toilet.... well, frankly it isn't the world's biggest surprise that he and his family aren't all a-flutter about coming here to visit. Of course that's without accounting for the fact that moving one old, fat, grumpy woman with carpal tunnel and sciatica, (in a word; whiny) is a whole lot easier than 2 grown-ups and 2 kids. So for the 4th I found myself driving to their home.
The kids made a giant effort to make the day an enjoyable and memorable one. It was, so much so in fact that even the 5 hour drive home was not terribly onerous. I really enjoyed watching the kids, grown and little, at the water park. My kids are awfully good parents. I also enjoyed seeing them hold hands on the Ferris Wheel while I watched the little ones. Did they kiss at the top? I wasn't peeking.
Here's the little irony though. After all of that, I know it's greedy of me, I was hoping to get a week or so of my delightful daughter-in-law and grands while my son is away at school for a few weeks.... What I came home with is their dog. My daughter-in-law and the kids are going to visit her parents. They will camp, and play, and generally have a wonderful time. What makes it worse, is that I can't even be jealous, because her parents are such nice people! I like dogs and their dog is absolutely cute and charming, don't get me wrong, but somehow, it's just not the same as getting to have the people part of that family around.
Oh well, I do like cherry lemonade....pits and all!
Recently my oldest son and his lovely family moved to an Army Post about 5 hours from my home. After a Christmas visit involving over flowing toilets, backed up bathtubs, the pumping of the septic tank followed by the need to replace the downstairs toilet.... well, frankly it isn't the world's biggest surprise that he and his family aren't all a-flutter about coming here to visit. Of course that's without accounting for the fact that moving one old, fat, grumpy woman with carpal tunnel and sciatica, (in a word; whiny) is a whole lot easier than 2 grown-ups and 2 kids. So for the 4th I found myself driving to their home.
The kids made a giant effort to make the day an enjoyable and memorable one. It was, so much so in fact that even the 5 hour drive home was not terribly onerous. I really enjoyed watching the kids, grown and little, at the water park. My kids are awfully good parents. I also enjoyed seeing them hold hands on the Ferris Wheel while I watched the little ones. Did they kiss at the top? I wasn't peeking.
Here's the little irony though. After all of that, I know it's greedy of me, I was hoping to get a week or so of my delightful daughter-in-law and grands while my son is away at school for a few weeks.... What I came home with is their dog. My daughter-in-law and the kids are going to visit her parents. They will camp, and play, and generally have a wonderful time. What makes it worse, is that I can't even be jealous, because her parents are such nice people! I like dogs and their dog is absolutely cute and charming, don't get me wrong, but somehow, it's just not the same as getting to have the people part of that family around.
Oh well, I do like cherry lemonade....pits and all!
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