Christmas is 9 days away. Bob and I finally got the Christmas cards written and licked yesterday. Susannah (whose track record includes getting both dogs for me) took care of us by snapping our pics at Fort Worth while we were visiting her the first of December and ordering them through a special deal she found on the internet. She is honestly the most sweetly manipulative person I know...she has a special talent for talking people into doing exactly what she wants them to do. We got the cards the day we arrive home --all for $3.12 (thanks to Susannah's thriftiness in some areas).
Susannah, Adam and Anderson came home over the last weekend and had a whirl of activities at all the parents' homes. She has always enjoyed being a divorced kid and thinks there are huge benefits involved. Two birthday parties, double the presents...two to four Christmas celebrations, quadruple the presents...etc. It's easy to see why she has so much enthusiasm for all the festivities.
Kecia, Jessica and Sydney also spent time with us for the last 2 weeks. I forgot what was like to be in the midst of family (bathtimes, bedtimes, school rush). Bob and I are just settling back into our routine. The dogs are starting to get bored again, too. Bliss......
Work is beginning to slow down. 12 docs recruited so far for 2010 and I'm working on 5 more. I love my job but I honesly thought it would be easier. I forgot that I bring this insane work ethic to every undertaking. I keep thinking that retirement sounds like so much fun but I can just see us taking on major projects. Although Bob initially thought I should retire, now he is rethinking having me around all the time. The Honey Do list is already being formed in my head even though it's a year and half away. However, Bob says I can't retire until I pay off American Express so I may have to work alot longer...maybe another decade or two. Wonder if the Medical Center will continue to employ me into my 90s?
So what do I want for Christmas? World peace, family gatherings, to hear the sound of my grandson saying "Nunna" and tooting for Bop(Bob, who has a funky thing he does like a whistle), my daughter and son-in-love to move into their own home (unfortunately in Texas), to hear Sydney screech with joy, to hear Jessica laugh, and to continue to hear Bob snore.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Dreading my Babies' Move to Dallas
Susannah and Adam's (not to mention my newest grandchild, Anderson) move to Dallas (Grand Prairie)is but a week away and I can hardly stand it. I just want to drag around the house,eat cake(all I could find was popcorn)and pull the covers over my head. I have never napped and I've started napping--how depressed can that be? My energy has ebbed and dipped so slow that you'd have to put a mirror to my face to see if I'm breathing.
ENOUGH! Sometime around 4 pm, I told Bob that I needed goals and projects to get through this time. I started making a mental list.....get dressed (check; roll my hair (check); put on make-up (check...wait a minute -- take some of that rouge off. Bob and I got into the car and went to eat at the Olive Garden, actually had a conversation that wasn't about Susannah and Adam for the first time in 2 months and then he followed behind me in TJ Maxx (he called it CJ Maxx and advised the clerks that they needed a neater store -- my Bob --who was born without a neat bone in his body.)
Next items on the list (wow- Bob is so ready for the list instead of the listless Sue) include planning a trip to Alaska, planning to put flagstones in the back yard near the swing and planning a Thanksgiving trip to Dallas.
No--it doesn't mean I don't care -- I care too much and need to think of other things. Yes -- I can use the webcam and watch my grandchild grow up but it just isn't the same. I love having him wave at me as I drive onto their street and do his hand-dance and then refuse to go to me by hiding his head behind his mom. I loved singing him to sleep last Thursday by singing lullabyes and my mother's favorite, "Your Cheatin' Heart." I love his sweet smile when he's dipping off to sleep and those killer eyelashes when he sighs.
Oops--there I go again ...I need to get back to that list. Blog ya later.
ENOUGH! Sometime around 4 pm, I told Bob that I needed goals and projects to get through this time. I started making a mental list.....get dressed (check; roll my hair (check); put on make-up (check...wait a minute -- take some of that rouge off. Bob and I got into the car and went to eat at the Olive Garden, actually had a conversation that wasn't about Susannah and Adam for the first time in 2 months and then he followed behind me in TJ Maxx (he called it CJ Maxx and advised the clerks that they needed a neater store -- my Bob --who was born without a neat bone in his body.)
Next items on the list (wow- Bob is so ready for the list instead of the listless Sue) include planning a trip to Alaska, planning to put flagstones in the back yard near the swing and planning a Thanksgiving trip to Dallas.
No--it doesn't mean I don't care -- I care too much and need to think of other things. Yes -- I can use the webcam and watch my grandchild grow up but it just isn't the same. I love having him wave at me as I drive onto their street and do his hand-dance and then refuse to go to me by hiding his head behind his mom. I loved singing him to sleep last Thursday by singing lullabyes and my mother's favorite, "Your Cheatin' Heart." I love his sweet smile when he's dipping off to sleep and those killer eyelashes when he sighs.
Oops--there I go again ...I need to get back to that list. Blog ya later.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Dog days
The summer is slipping away from us and dog days are about over. While Bob and I sat out by the pool to eat lunch, the pre-Fall breezes cooled us. The ever-present mosquitoes feasted on me(never Bob who has some magical essence that makes them gag). My formerly wonderful flowers are looking pretty tired and black spot is creeping into the hydrangeas. The impatients are looking leggy and stressed. The rains this week contributed to a jungle like growth of all the shrubs, which badly need pruning.
Today, Bob invited his ex-wife, Belle, to come to church with us. It was a bit of a novel concept for me, to say the least. She was very gracious in accepting and bringing the grandchildren, Sydney and Jessica. It actually seemed quite familial and quirky all at the same time. I asked the pastor to pray for Bob this morning (I suspect he prayed for me). Any reader will understand why.
Susannah and Adam will be moving out to Grand Prairie in early October. While it's very sad, it will adventuresome for them. Sandwiched in between tears and worry that Anderson, my grandchild, will not know me, is an upbeat hope that this will be a wonderful opportunity for Adam, who is taking a step up in his career. It will also allow Susannah to stay home with Anderson-- something I was never allowed to do based on finances.
In an attempt to comfort me, Bob keeps pointing out that lots of people do not live near their children but that does not make me feel better. I'd really like nothing better than to have Susannah, Adam and Anderson live in a trailer in our back yard. It would be kind of crowded but wonderfully comforting.
Maybe I do need those prayers.
Today, Bob invited his ex-wife, Belle, to come to church with us. It was a bit of a novel concept for me, to say the least. She was very gracious in accepting and bringing the grandchildren, Sydney and Jessica. It actually seemed quite familial and quirky all at the same time. I asked the pastor to pray for Bob this morning (I suspect he prayed for me). Any reader will understand why.
Susannah and Adam will be moving out to Grand Prairie in early October. While it's very sad, it will adventuresome for them. Sandwiched in between tears and worry that Anderson, my grandchild, will not know me, is an upbeat hope that this will be a wonderful opportunity for Adam, who is taking a step up in his career. It will also allow Susannah to stay home with Anderson-- something I was never allowed to do based on finances.
In an attempt to comfort me, Bob keeps pointing out that lots of people do not live near their children but that does not make me feel better. I'd really like nothing better than to have Susannah, Adam and Anderson live in a trailer in our back yard. It would be kind of crowded but wonderfully comforting.
Maybe I do need those prayers.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The big 60 is approaching- reflections
Honestly, I don't know where the time has gone. It seems like yesterday when I was sitting with my best friend, Dorothy,in a field of daisies and picking off "he loves me, he loves me not" about the cute older guy in the 8th grade who lived on the next block. This week, I have my 60th birthday coming up.
What a wonderful life! With every wave of sadness or disappointment came the next wave of happiness and excitement. Would I do it over again knowing the past? Would I try to avoid the hurts and pitfalls?
I'm glad I don't have to answer those questions. I believe that God has the plan and the blueprints..... and I have only to listen for his guidance. I have a framed cross stitch that says "Pray without Ceasing." That reminds me to keep thanking God, praising him, praying for guidance....and listening.
So far, it has brought me the most wonderful daughter, son-in-love (as Granny calls it), grandchildren, and husband. Sigh.
What a wonderful life! With every wave of sadness or disappointment came the next wave of happiness and excitement. Would I do it over again knowing the past? Would I try to avoid the hurts and pitfalls?
I'm glad I don't have to answer those questions. I believe that God has the plan and the blueprints..... and I have only to listen for his guidance. I have a framed cross stitch that says "Pray without Ceasing." That reminds me to keep thanking God, praising him, praying for guidance....and listening.
So far, it has brought me the most wonderful daughter, son-in-love (as Granny calls it), grandchildren, and husband. Sigh.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Spring fever
I love Spring planting. I can hardly stand to work during the days that plants are spouting out of the earth and buds are opening. I am so afraid that I will miss this wonderful introduction to my garden that I plot and plan to figure out how I can get more outside time.
I wasn't always this way. Marriage, work, Susannah's needs, and responsibility always seemed to intervene when I was younger. I discovered the intricacies of gardening when Susannah was about 12 and she was more into her friends than into me. I replaced her dependency with watering and nurturing the garden.
This year, Spring has waxed and waned. I've been busy planting and trasferring and pruning. Cold days like today frustrate me because I've got so much to do. Easter is right around the corner and I wanted to have the back yard looking glorious when Anderson found his first Easter egg. I am not daunted by the possibility that the first thing he will do with an egg is try to put it in his mouth.
Unfortunately, a huge beetle eaten pine tree has robbed me of the pleasure of hunting eggs in the back yard. With the high winds, it is dancing in the wind and Bob says it will surely fall with the next high wind. We tried to have it cut down but the tree company needed a bucket machine to be moved next to it and advised us that we would have to lose 2 more oak trees to actually get it down. It's too dangerous to climb. I refused to even consider the possibility and now I'm eying the front yard as a possibility for egg-hunting.
Susannah laughs at me and says I'm possessed. She has no idea that I once took my child-rearing duties with the same intensity that I now care for the garden. Once in a while, I get to glimpse the long term effects of my nurturing: When she reads lovingly to Anderson...when she bestows unconditional love on Gus and Annabelle....when she squeals with joy over Anderson's ever present smile and tells him how beautiful he is.... when she calls her dad or her grandfather just to check on them...when she lets Adam watch sports even though she has no interest in the outcome of the game...when she calls me three times a day just to tell me she loves me.
No sprinkler or fertilizer can create that. It takes love and selflessness.
I wasn't always this way. Marriage, work, Susannah's needs, and responsibility always seemed to intervene when I was younger. I discovered the intricacies of gardening when Susannah was about 12 and she was more into her friends than into me. I replaced her dependency with watering and nurturing the garden.
This year, Spring has waxed and waned. I've been busy planting and trasferring and pruning. Cold days like today frustrate me because I've got so much to do. Easter is right around the corner and I wanted to have the back yard looking glorious when Anderson found his first Easter egg. I am not daunted by the possibility that the first thing he will do with an egg is try to put it in his mouth.
Unfortunately, a huge beetle eaten pine tree has robbed me of the pleasure of hunting eggs in the back yard. With the high winds, it is dancing in the wind and Bob says it will surely fall with the next high wind. We tried to have it cut down but the tree company needed a bucket machine to be moved next to it and advised us that we would have to lose 2 more oak trees to actually get it down. It's too dangerous to climb. I refused to even consider the possibility and now I'm eying the front yard as a possibility for egg-hunting.
Susannah laughs at me and says I'm possessed. She has no idea that I once took my child-rearing duties with the same intensity that I now care for the garden. Once in a while, I get to glimpse the long term effects of my nurturing: When she reads lovingly to Anderson...when she bestows unconditional love on Gus and Annabelle....when she squeals with joy over Anderson's ever present smile and tells him how beautiful he is.... when she calls her dad or her grandfather just to check on them...when she lets Adam watch sports even though she has no interest in the outcome of the game...when she calls me three times a day just to tell me she loves me.
No sprinkler or fertilizer can create that. It takes love and selflessness.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Snow flurries
Today, Bob and I woke up to whispery wonderful snow flurries. It didn't last once it hit the ground. I cannot honestly remember how long it's been since we had snow.
Enchanted, the first thing we want to do was to call our loved ones and share our excitement. We held back because I was afraid I would wake Anderson but it made me think about other times when the first thing you want to do is call you loved ones.
Like 9-11. That day, I attended an early morning meeting and walked into the doctors lounge to see the news discussing the first hit of the World Trade Towers and while I was watching, the second tower was hit. For some reason, all I could think of was Orson Wells' program about the world being invaded. That was my first thought --we're being invaded and my daughter is in Talladega searching for an apartment for Adam with Miss Tammy--what if I never see her again? I'll never forget trying to call Susannah and make sure she was okay. The sheer relief of reaching her and sharing my fears and concerns while knowing she was okay was so reassuring and life-affirming.
Or the day Anderson was born. I called everyone I knew to let them know. We emailed pictures and rousted relatives we hadn't spoken to in months.
Sometimes, it takes snow flurries to reach out. Thinking about that....I called my sister and my niece today, too just to let them know I love them.
Blog ya later.
Enchanted, the first thing we want to do was to call our loved ones and share our excitement. We held back because I was afraid I would wake Anderson but it made me think about other times when the first thing you want to do is call you loved ones.
Like 9-11. That day, I attended an early morning meeting and walked into the doctors lounge to see the news discussing the first hit of the World Trade Towers and while I was watching, the second tower was hit. For some reason, all I could think of was Orson Wells' program about the world being invaded. That was my first thought --we're being invaded and my daughter is in Talladega searching for an apartment for Adam with Miss Tammy--what if I never see her again? I'll never forget trying to call Susannah and make sure she was okay. The sheer relief of reaching her and sharing my fears and concerns while knowing she was okay was so reassuring and life-affirming.
Or the day Anderson was born. I called everyone I knew to let them know. We emailed pictures and rousted relatives we hadn't spoken to in months.
Sometimes, it takes snow flurries to reach out. Thinking about that....I called my sister and my niece today, too just to let them know I love them.
Blog ya later.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Rainy days and dog smells
Sunday morning and it's raining. I cheated and didn't go to church today because I wanted to curl up in a blanket and read the papers (3 have collected). However, my plans for a leisure morning were thwarted by one grey terrier with a horrific smell compounded by the wet weather.
Winston, our Biscuits terrier, and I had to take a shower together because his smell was so bad that I gagged. He's so patient with me and allowed us (it's a group effort) to lead him by the leash to the dreaded shower. Then, he shook and shook and used up 4 towels getting dry. I know his smell is the reason that whoever had him for 4 years took him to the pound. He's so sweet and wonderfully protective even though he butts me constantly trying to herd me. He is super smart and intuitive. He doesn't like our housekeeper, Jewell, however and barks for the entire time (4-5 hours) that she's in the house. I've often thought of writing the Montgomery paper and demanding to know why this unknown owner gave him up after having him 4 years!!! He loves our park walks and for the last couple of years, he watched each truck owner pull up and then made doubly sure that he wasn't his owner. I felt so badly for him and for a while wanted to help find his former owner. Not any more, he's ours and we love him, smell and all.
Blog ya later.
Winston, our Biscuits terrier, and I had to take a shower together because his smell was so bad that I gagged. He's so patient with me and allowed us (it's a group effort) to lead him by the leash to the dreaded shower. Then, he shook and shook and used up 4 towels getting dry. I know his smell is the reason that whoever had him for 4 years took him to the pound. He's so sweet and wonderfully protective even though he butts me constantly trying to herd me. He is super smart and intuitive. He doesn't like our housekeeper, Jewell, however and barks for the entire time (4-5 hours) that she's in the house. I've often thought of writing the Montgomery paper and demanding to know why this unknown owner gave him up after having him 4 years!!! He loves our park walks and for the last couple of years, he watched each truck owner pull up and then made doubly sure that he wasn't his owner. I felt so badly for him and for a while wanted to help find his former owner. Not any more, he's ours and we love him, smell and all.
Blog ya later.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Commiting to Thin
Usually when I start a diet, I do it for about 2 weeks before I get sick of it. I decided that if I am truly to commmit, I have to decide what is really important to me and why I need to try to improve my health. There are several reasons:
(1) I love my daughter, grandson and husband so very much and I want to be there for them as long as I can. I want to be able to get down on the floor and play with Anderson and get up without Bob having to pull me up like he usually does. I want to see Anderson graduate from law school like his dad! Perhaps medical school if I can recruit him.
(2) If I do this, I will feel better and be more active. Each time I go to the gym and work out for 35 minutes on the elliptical, I feel great and almost bounce down the stairs. When I don't,my knnes start hurting and I feel pretty sluggish. I have to admit, though, that I'm the only 60ish (59 but it's coming up in May) grandmother in the gym most of the time.
(3) I want to be able to wear cute clothes and show off my arms. Unfortunately, my legs look like road maps so my arms are my last hope for normalcy.
(4) My co-workers and I are in a group that plans to lose. If we're sucessful (only 10 lbs), we can enter and possibly win $1000. That is a nice incentive but will it pay for all my new clothes.....no. Maybe I should scratch that one.
Finally.....I like myself and respect myself. I need to prove it and do it for me.
Blog ya later.
(1) I love my daughter, grandson and husband so very much and I want to be there for them as long as I can. I want to be able to get down on the floor and play with Anderson and get up without Bob having to pull me up like he usually does. I want to see Anderson graduate from law school like his dad! Perhaps medical school if I can recruit him.
(2) If I do this, I will feel better and be more active. Each time I go to the gym and work out for 35 minutes on the elliptical, I feel great and almost bounce down the stairs. When I don't,my knnes start hurting and I feel pretty sluggish. I have to admit, though, that I'm the only 60ish (59 but it's coming up in May) grandmother in the gym most of the time.
(3) I want to be able to wear cute clothes and show off my arms. Unfortunately, my legs look like road maps so my arms are my last hope for normalcy.
(4) My co-workers and I are in a group that plans to lose. If we're sucessful (only 10 lbs), we can enter and possibly win $1000. That is a nice incentive but will it pay for all my new clothes.....no. Maybe I should scratch that one.
Finally.....I like myself and respect myself. I need to prove it and do it for me.
Blog ya later.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
A new year
Susannah just called and told me that I was a terribly disappointing blogger because it's been a month since I blogged. She's right, of course, but the past month has been busy and I've not had time to do much.
Besides celebrating Christmas, I've had my busiest month recruiting physicians. This is the time that they (residents) start panicking about making a decision and it becomes a race against time to get them to visit, make a decision and sign on the dotted line.
Christmas was fun --we did alot of shopping for our grandchildren. Anderson's first Christmas had to be memorable and we started his ornament collection of trains. He probably had 10-12 Christmas outfits and I hit the consignment shops to do my part. Sydney is growing up at 3 and 1/2 and she can out-talk, out-maneuver, outwit, and outlast us. I remembered buying Susannah a Fisher-Price clock so I purchsed one on Ebay for Anderson along with a set of keys and a handy PDA. I also bought Susannah a Fisher Price tape player when she was four that she sang along with and played Michael Jackson, Air Supply and other creepy artists. Remembering that, I purchased a CD player for Sydney and she loved listening to Christmas songs and kids hits. It's was a bit bigger than Susannah's so she could hardly lift it.
On Christmas Eve Eve (yes, the eve before Christmas Eve), we cooked dinner and opened gifts with Jessica--Northface jacket(what else?), guitar and tee-shirts and then watched Syndney open dozen of gifts for what the Northface cost. Granny--who is 92, opened her gifts, too and loved watching Sydney demand that everything be opened and played with immediately as she unwrapped.
Susannah and Adam came over early on Christmas morning and opened gifts with us around 8 am. We do a stocking gift in a box and that takes an hour to watch each person open each little gift in their stockings. Susannah and I gave each other the same thing for Christmas: a webcam!
After a hearty breakfast, we lazed around while preparing dishes to go to Amy and Tim's. We hit Amy and Tim's about 5 pm and caught up with the Grinstead family. This has been a rough year for them and it seems that it's time for good things to start happening. From my lips to God's ear.
We celebrated New Year's Day with our friends, Kathy and Kurt. We really enjoy both of them and we talked for hours. We had what Kurt termed as "Chicken and Stuff" which is similar to Chicken Caccitore. They have a neat attractive home and that's a rarity in our lives.
Today, Bob and I packed up Christmas(it took us 3 days and about 50 boxes) and he dared me to buy any more Christmas decor. He's right...of course, but I do plan to buy 2 new trees while everything is half-price. I'm waiting for the divorce papers to arrive any minute.
Besides celebrating Christmas, I've had my busiest month recruiting physicians. This is the time that they (residents) start panicking about making a decision and it becomes a race against time to get them to visit, make a decision and sign on the dotted line.
Christmas was fun --we did alot of shopping for our grandchildren. Anderson's first Christmas had to be memorable and we started his ornament collection of trains. He probably had 10-12 Christmas outfits and I hit the consignment shops to do my part. Sydney is growing up at 3 and 1/2 and she can out-talk, out-maneuver, outwit, and outlast us. I remembered buying Susannah a Fisher-Price clock so I purchsed one on Ebay for Anderson along with a set of keys and a handy PDA. I also bought Susannah a Fisher Price tape player when she was four that she sang along with and played Michael Jackson, Air Supply and other creepy artists. Remembering that, I purchased a CD player for Sydney and she loved listening to Christmas songs and kids hits. It's was a bit bigger than Susannah's so she could hardly lift it.
On Christmas Eve Eve (yes, the eve before Christmas Eve), we cooked dinner and opened gifts with Jessica--Northface jacket(what else?), guitar and tee-shirts and then watched Syndney open dozen of gifts for what the Northface cost. Granny--who is 92, opened her gifts, too and loved watching Sydney demand that everything be opened and played with immediately as she unwrapped.
Susannah and Adam came over early on Christmas morning and opened gifts with us around 8 am. We do a stocking gift in a box and that takes an hour to watch each person open each little gift in their stockings. Susannah and I gave each other the same thing for Christmas: a webcam!
After a hearty breakfast, we lazed around while preparing dishes to go to Amy and Tim's. We hit Amy and Tim's about 5 pm and caught up with the Grinstead family. This has been a rough year for them and it seems that it's time for good things to start happening. From my lips to God's ear.
We celebrated New Year's Day with our friends, Kathy and Kurt. We really enjoy both of them and we talked for hours. We had what Kurt termed as "Chicken and Stuff" which is similar to Chicken Caccitore. They have a neat attractive home and that's a rarity in our lives.
Today, Bob and I packed up Christmas(it took us 3 days and about 50 boxes) and he dared me to buy any more Christmas decor. He's right...of course, but I do plan to buy 2 new trees while everything is half-price. I'm waiting for the divorce papers to arrive any minute.
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