"The Crazy Things we Do and Laugh About"

One of my daughters-in-law and I have a unique relationship in that we share funny tidbits about ourselves with each other. We both have funny senior moments, laugh and try to blame it on the fact that those funny things happen as a result of us being around each other.

When I was there helping with my granddaughter who recently had a bone marrow transplant to be cured of sickle cell disease, we kidded, joked and crummed on each other for the whole two weeks I was there. It was therapeutic.

Some of the things we shared were stupid little habits we have, and it was funny when we found out that both of us do those crazy things, for instance: I don't like to see people sleeping with their heads buried in a pillow because I'm afraid they will suffocate; consequently, if I happen to put a stuffed bear, a doll, or etc. on it's face, I will turn it face up as though I actually think it might suffocate, or I don't put boxes of food upside down on the shelf because if a human being is on his/her head too long, the blood will rush to it. It's almost as though I think everything has feelings like I do; however, I really know better. As we were sharing these funny little habits, my granddaughter began to laugh at us, and she decided that for my sake, she will make sure that all of her dolls are face up.

About a week ago, I went grocery shopping. Among my groceries, I purchased a can of beans. When I opened it, the first thing I saw was a bug floating on top. In order to make sure it was a bug, I took it out with a spoon and it began to move. Therefore, I got a sandwich bag and put the bug in so that I could return it, along with the beans to the grocery store. But wait, "this bug may suffocate in the bag" O thought;" therefore, I punched a whole in it so the bug could breathe.

My daughter-in-law and I usually have what I call "senior moments," such as looking all over for my purse and it's on my shoulder, putting something in the refrigerator that should be put in the oven,looking for her glasses and they are on top of her head, etc. Sharing these little tidbits can be amusing, and laughing at them between the two of us is therapeutic. I enjoy my time with her because we have this kind of relationship and we laugh at ourselves a lot, plus we have crazy fun times with the kids. She cracks me up because she knows every word of the songs that her kids listen to on CD's or the radio.

Today, I was talking to one of the secretaries at work and she shared with me that last night she got a sweet tooth and wanted something sweet to eat but there was nothing around the house; therefore, she happened to have a container of icing and ate all of it. I fell out laughing because I have done that same thing several times.

There are so many other "dumb" things that we do, and laugh about when we share them with each other. Actually, it is funnier when you hear us tell it because we are able to put more umph into our stories.

It's Time for the Grandkids Again - Happy Grandma!

Talked to the "Little Man" last evening. He sounded so grown up. Mommy said he's getting taller. Dad says he looks like Mommy's dad. I can't imagine; I still see the little guy I visited last summer. It's hard to watch the little ones grow away from you. He will be five this year but I bet he still has that prize winning personality. Mommy and dad have kept him busy this past summer with soccer ball, and T-ball, basketball (which he enjoyed tremendously and was good at it too), and whatever else he was doing; *grandma is smiling from ear to ear.* Little T is such a happy little camper, you can hear his smile when he talks to you and his laughter in the background when talking to the parents (between the yelling "get down from there," "don't do that," "eat your green beans," and whatever kind of trouble he is getting into. I must say, he is all boy.

This summer I will have the pleasure of seeing my great grandson for the first time. I'm looking forward to that. Will that be a pleasure? well, from what I hear from mom when talking to her, it's going to be quite a challenge, but who cares? I'm grandma -- I can deal with it. *smiley face*

I'm Not Sure How I am Feeling

I'm not angry or mad. Am I sad? No, livid - maybe, disappointed, outdone perhaps, or maybe just a little peeved, I guess.

After my mother's death 10 years ago, I have been more or less tip towing around my dad and pretty much anyone I love because I'm afraid if I say anything wrong to them, tell them "no" about anything or basically let them know when they have upset me, that they may die before I have a chance to make things right and I would feel guilty.

A few years after my mom died, my dad re-married. Even though I was in my fifties, I didn't take to the person he married, and most of our family felt the same way. It seemed as though she was unfriendly and just different. I might even say that there have been red flags. She is a lady Evangelist and seems to be a devout Christian. The reason I feel sort of funny about her is because my dad has always and still tells me things that made me feel that way, before and after the marriage. I will not elaborate on it, but there are several things going on in their marriage that makes me uneasy. Like I said before, my uneasy feelings are a result of things my dad has said, especially when he needs to vent. Usually, I'll just say, he puts me in the middle of their situations.

There was a situation just yesterday that involving my dad where he again put me in the middle, and apparently I either said something or my body language relayed my disapproval. Even though their affairs are none of my business, because I love my dad, I just want him to be happy and not taken advantage of; therefore, when he takes me into confidence and tells me something that he's perhaps unhappy about, I will make negative comments, and complain about her. I do; however, treat her nice when I am around her so she would have no idea that he's been talking to me.

Yesterday I picked him up from church and took him home. That's when the conversation came up. Later that evening, he called and told me not to say anything about what we talked about, which he always does after one of his venting sessions. He tole me I act as though I don't accept her, but my brother does, and I am causing problems and I need to give her a chance. I was frustrated because I think I told him that the reason I feel the way I feel is because of what he tells me. In my opinion, it is him causing the problem by venting to me and expecting me to ignore what he is telling me. I am no doubt wrong because I allow him to do so, but I just want him to feel he can talk to me when he needs to. I then told him that I don't want him telling me anything else about them and he agreed. I need to know if I am in fact causing a problem. Need some advice

"He Sang His Presentation"

What can a mother say when one of her sons has made yet another great milestone in his life. Last week, number three son went to Wisconsin for the whole week to prepare to get his Master's Degree. Apparently they had to work in groups for the week. Each day some of the students had to do their presentations. There were approximately 500. They did their presentations in their own groups, and when it was "T's" turn, he sang the first part of his presentation. He is a vocal music teacher and has a talent for acting and singing as well. Somehow it got around that he could sing and then he was asked to sing in front of 500 or more people which he did. He kept getting compliments on his singing the rest of the day.

Also, I would like to wish him a very happy birthday and may the Lord continue to bless him and his siblings throughout their life time.

"Living With Guilt"

Guilt -- it can eat you alive! Today was "G's" funeral as he was cremated just after his death and we have been waiting for his family to arrive from out of town. It was a wonderful service. I sat there and listened to the music, comments, and just took in the whole service. All of a sudden my eyes were fixed on a small porcelin type square container. I knew right away that his ashes were in there. It gave me a feeling of sadness because knowing that was what was left of him.

I have been in my own way mourning him. He was my cousin and someone I really cared about. No matter how he lived his life, he always made me laugh and everyone else he came in contact with.

The guilt I'm feeling today is the fact that after being in a nursing home for about a year or more, he finally got out and was renting a cute little house. He came by one day to visit me and told me where he lived and asked me to come by some time. I said I would. He came by again some time later and visited with me but since I was on my way (I think to church), I couldn't visit with him very long. The last time he called me, he was inebriated and I can hardly remember our conversation, but I do remember him mentioning to me to drop by and again I said I would. In my travels about town, to and from work, out to the lake to walk, to the store and other places, I did intend to go by and visit, but I never made it. In my mind now I wondered if he was lonely and just needed someone to talk to. I keep thinking that perhaps if I had gone over there a few times, maybe he wouldn't have been drinking and maybe I could have made a difference. I know that God will relieve me of this guilt some time soon, but in the mean time, I keep think of him and tearing up. Please pray for me.

"I'm Not Doing Anything Without My Dad"

She exclaimed as she told me her happy news. I was very touched as I listened to my oldest granddaughter tell me how her boyfriend took her to dinner, and proposed to her, after he asked her dad for permission to marry her first. As we talked about the wedding plans, she blurted out -- "I want my dad to be there." "I'm not going to do anything without my dad." I beamed as I heard the love in her 23-year-old voice, as she sounded like a little girl who truly loves her dad.

When she was three and one-half months old, she came to live with us. A beautiful little baby girl who was quickly spoiled by our family. Her dad was in college and took on custody of his little girl and as young as he was, he was like both mother and father to her. I remember when he was in college and how all of his classmates admired this young student who was not only the "student of the month" the whole time he was there, but prevailed in his classes while raising an infant child. He even received notes from his peers about how they admired him.

Just before the graduation ceremony, there was a program that took place where a taping was shown of each student, their accomplishments and their goals. Afterwards there was a social gathering kind of like an open house. Dad had his little girl right there with him, she was dressed to a "T" and dad was proud.

Number one granddaughter presented many challenges throughout her life (and that's putting it mildly), but dad hung in there with her even throughout the drama she presented constantly, etc., even when he sometimes felt like giving up. She always knew who she could count on even when she was angry with him and disrespectful.

I cannot leave out the wife as she was strict, but loving and "S" needed that even though at times she resented her step mom, but in the long run, she learned to appreciate her and looked up to her as a true mother figure.

I have seen her grow in several ways during the past few years and now she is a mother, and I would say a pretty good one. The love between "S" and her is a very unique one as it is with most "daddy's and daughters." I am happy for her and hope the LORD will bless their marriage. God bless you "S" and I love you.