Ticka ticka dee, ticka ticka doo.....that's what my grandson, Anderson, says when he is deliriously happy. I'm happy because I just received a major dose of my daughter, SIL and grandson that might just last me for about a week.
I just returned home from visiting the McCords in Mansfield, TX (part of the Dallas/FW sprawl if you remember your geography lessons.) We had a great time visiting. The night I arrived, we dined at Chef Point, an interesting gas station that is also a fine dining establishment because the owner couldn't get a bank loan for a restaurant but he could actually get one for a gas station. It's been featured on Diners and Dives on the Food Network. Yum --the bread pudding with its cognac sauce is outstanding. It's not everyday you can get gas and chicken piccata at the same place.
On Tuesday, we gorged on Kincaid's famous hamburgers and hot dogs with chili before tackling the Central Market, which is like Eatsey's or Fresh Market, multiplied by 5 or more. I found the most delicious lemon curd. I just wish I'd bought more to take home in my suitcase. Plus, I wish I'd brought a bigger suitcase. Susannah cooked a great dinner, Chicken Delight, a recipe that will be a staple at our home from now on.
On Wednesday, we visited the nation's fifth largest zoo in Fort Worth, which is a charming city with an obviously wise planning commission helping new developments blend in. After wearing our shoes out for two hours without even seeing 1/4 of the zoo, we crawled to the nearby Macaroni Grill, where we amused ourselves with coloring while Anderson looked on with a puzzled look while hinting (unt, unt) impatiently that he wanted his crayons back. If they had given us more than 3 colors, we'd still be there. I was able to convince Susannah to let me browse the local antiques emporium in Mansfield where we found a stuffed animal with new tags for Anderson for only $2 (as opposed to the zoo's standard of $12.99 for a tiny stuffed animal). We had to make up a song about the walrus, "Wally the Walrus Wades in the Water, Flip, Flip, Flip, Flip, Flip, Flip," whereas Wally gets flipped repeatedly much to the delight of the previously bored Anderson.
Thursday was girls day out with a trip to local gently used childen's store (kinda upscale, I might add) to see if we could possibly add to Anderson's collection of Spring shortalls (I counted 24 in his closet right now), the Home Goods store affiliated with Marshalls and our favorite store of all time, TJ Maxx. We found an educational alphabet bus that we bought for Anderson that after a short time needed to have its batteries removed for our sanity. If we had had a screwdriver, it would have gone the way that annoying doll, Chatty Cathy, went for Susannah--wonderfully silent eternally.
What fun....Ticka ticka dee, ticka ticka doo.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Getting Ready!
Next Monday, I'll get to see my daughter, SIL, grandson and grandoggies in the Dallas Metroplex area. I can hardly wait.
Telephone calls are great, videoconferencing is okay but frustrating, and blogging is the next best thing to watching my grandson grow but -- to get to hold him and hug Susannah--that's what I dream about.
Our lives have been so enriched by our grandchildren. It's hard to imagine unconditional love but I think Susannah and Adam have discovered it in Anderson.
Blog ya later-- Bob wants the computer
Telephone calls are great, videoconferencing is okay but frustrating, and blogging is the next best thing to watching my grandson grow but -- to get to hold him and hug Susannah--that's what I dream about.
Our lives have been so enriched by our grandchildren. It's hard to imagine unconditional love but I think Susannah and Adam have discovered it in Anderson.
Blog ya later-- Bob wants the computer
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Remembering Cheryl
It's taken me a while to write anything. Right after Christmas, I lost my sister, Cheryl, to what probably was a heart attack during her sleep. I honestly haven't been able to write because I didn't want to feel. I talked briefly to Cheryl a couple of days before Christmas and offered her a bunch of excuses why I hadn't been down to Suwannee to see her or why I hadn't gotten her a Christmas gift. She laughed hoarsely (she was a smoker)and said, "You're a new grandmother... I understand."
I'm driven. I've always tried to be the best....the best student, the best worker, the best mom but I wasn't the best sister. After work, I generally fall into my chair and put my feet up on the ottoman and die a mental death by watching reality television. Because I call people all day and talk on the telephone incessantly, it's been too much trouble to give either of my sisters a call. I kept saying---I'll go spend some time with her when I retire or I'll send a card (it came back.) I kept thinking,...when I have time, I'll........
We don't have any more time.
Cheryl, here are the things I would say if I had the time:
You were the meanest and the kindest big sister. Only you will understand that.
I forgive you for all the times you drove by Ritchie's house and blew the horn while I cowered in my seat. I forgive you for the police visiting our house and almost issuing a stalking ticket to me(a seventh grader in 1961). It certainly dampened that crush.
I forgive you for teasing me relentlessly. Perhaps you'll forgive me for surprising you when you walked in the door (as a 11th grader) and found me holding a butterknife to my abdomen with ketchup smeared everywhere. It was payback and your scream reinforced my resolve.
Thank you for pitching in and helping with Susannah's wedding when I was losing my head. Thank you for buying such generous gifts for her when it probably meant you went without.
Thank you for taking care of Daddy all those years. Although we tried to make up for it by paying you, we took advantage of you.
Thank you for going with me to try to intervene and try to get our oldest sister, Beverly, into rehab when we knew it was all for naught.
Thank you for helping me understand that having friends and support is more important than having wealth. Your friends loved you and showed up in force at your memorial.
I always loved you and I'll repeat what I told you the last time we talked, "I'm glad you're my sister."
I'm driven. I've always tried to be the best....the best student, the best worker, the best mom but I wasn't the best sister. After work, I generally fall into my chair and put my feet up on the ottoman and die a mental death by watching reality television. Because I call people all day and talk on the telephone incessantly, it's been too much trouble to give either of my sisters a call. I kept saying---I'll go spend some time with her when I retire or I'll send a card (it came back.) I kept thinking,...when I have time, I'll........
We don't have any more time.
Cheryl, here are the things I would say if I had the time:
You were the meanest and the kindest big sister. Only you will understand that.
I forgive you for all the times you drove by Ritchie's house and blew the horn while I cowered in my seat. I forgive you for the police visiting our house and almost issuing a stalking ticket to me(a seventh grader in 1961). It certainly dampened that crush.
I forgive you for teasing me relentlessly. Perhaps you'll forgive me for surprising you when you walked in the door (as a 11th grader) and found me holding a butterknife to my abdomen with ketchup smeared everywhere. It was payback and your scream reinforced my resolve.
Thank you for pitching in and helping with Susannah's wedding when I was losing my head. Thank you for buying such generous gifts for her when it probably meant you went without.
Thank you for taking care of Daddy all those years. Although we tried to make up for it by paying you, we took advantage of you.
Thank you for going with me to try to intervene and try to get our oldest sister, Beverly, into rehab when we knew it was all for naught.
Thank you for helping me understand that having friends and support is more important than having wealth. Your friends loved you and showed up in force at your memorial.
I always loved you and I'll repeat what I told you the last time we talked, "I'm glad you're my sister."
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Christmas Coming!
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.
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.
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.
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