The youngest grandkids sure know how to work their grandparents. This past weekend, Gram-Gram and Papa took my kids and their cousin E to Camp Tamarack for a fun filled camp experience. They don’t sleep in tents- there is a “lodge”, so they didn’t really rough it. My son actually volunteered for the talent show. I was thinking, What in the heck would he do? He doesn’t play an instrument or do any sort of acrobatics, and he tends to be on the shy side.

His talent? Weird stuff. This consisted of his double-jointed thumb & ring finger wiggles, crossed eyes, and eye rolls/show just the whites of your eyes trick. So, my kid is a self-proclaimed weirdo, but I am so proud of him for getting up in front of a crowd to put on a show.

The three kids DID NOT FIGHT, WHINE, or CRY the entire weekend. What did they give them??? I want some-whatever it is.

We had a wonderful Father’s Day. I ate way too much, and my sister-in-law served the most amazing ice cream dessert I have ever had. Ice cream sandwiches which sandwiched a chocolate pudding/coolwhip/oreo layer, topped with cool-whip and mini chocolate chips. Absolutely delicious. I am not having a skinny day today!

Tomorrow DJ starts camp-finally- and Anna has camp too. Mama needs a breather

I went to a new quilt shop “Quilt N Friends” in Sterling Heights. Brad came with me, bless his heart. He is so patient with my hobbies (photography, quilting, digi-scrapping, anything). The owner was so fun and sweet- just had a great time talking with her.

I am making a quilt for my friend Chris, who is stationed in Iraq. I have a hard time picking out just the right fabrics, and other than my BIL, have never made a quilt for a man, and never in the style my friend likes. I needed help

Between Brad and one of the other employees, with the owner cracking us up, I was able to find what I think he will like in style and color. Brad gave the final approval in fabric choices, so rest easy that it is not going to be “girly”.

Well, we pay and leave the shop. Go to the car, and oops. I left my key in the console, because when I asked Brad if I needed my wallet, he said no. Well, my wallet is my key ring too. Out of habit, when I opened the door, I hit the lock button- no key in hand.

Brad’s spare key was also in the console. Oops again.

At this point he was doing the happy dance and laughing at me. Score one for Brad Call the Sterling Hgts police, because my AAA card was in my wallet, hence no ability to contact them and give them my card #. They connected me with the company the city uses.

Luckily, the quilt shop has a nice bistro table and chairs just outside the door. The owner sets out cookies, candy and water, so Brad and I had a snack and relaxed outside in the shade. It was really a nice time together, even as he snickered every now and then.

We have a new member of the family- “Hammy”. Hammy is a fluffy little hamster that DJ’s 1st grade teacher keeps at school. She asked if any of the families wanted to watch him for the summer, and I volunteered. I’m a sucker for this sort of thing. DJ and Anna thinks it’s awesome. The dog could care less, and the cat won’t go near the cage because he thinks it’s his cage and I’m going to stick him in it

We let him roll around the house in his little ball- he seemed to have fun with it. Anna wanted to hold him, and when his little claws touched her she threw him a few feet. Not sure if he will survive the summer. For now, Anna won’t be able to hold him, but I will and let her pet him.

He’s still zonked out from the exercise. He was always right in the middle of the classroom, so he is used to noisy rooms during the day. I have him on the kitchen table. Wouldn’t want him to miss out on anything.

I can’t believe school is almost over for the year- 14 days, hubby keeps telling me. I am going to be the mom of a second grader? No way. Next week is going to be bittersweet for me. On June 4, 1981, I too was in first grade. My mom died that day. She was buried on June 7th, and the next day I returned to school. Other than the memory of the moment my dad sat us down on his knee and said “Girls, your mom died.” I don’t recall being sad at that time. In fact, I was enjoying it- so much attention being lavished on me. I was eating it up. Seeing my cousin in suit at the funeral? Hilarious. Riding in a limo for the first time- awesome. Sitting on green velvet chairs at the cemetery? I was so cool. Getting to write the day’s new on the board at school that following Tuesday? I was da bomb.

Odd, isn’t it? This time was not a sad one to me. Was it because I was so young? That my memories of my mother are less than the memories I had right after her death? That I question where I would be had she not died? Would I still be an Ohio gal? Would I have met Brad and had the children I do now? Where would I be?

Is it also strange to think that it may have been a good thing for me in the end. That her death has resulted in my happiness now (we won’t discuss ages 8-17). Or did she play a part in it- maybe having some pull with God, asking, well, telling him, that we had better end up ok since she didn’t get to be with us?

I’ll never know.

I do know that right now my son is seven years old and we have not made it June 4th. I hope I do.

One day, and this day may not be soon, or even in my lifetime- my children will not whine for an entire day.

It’s Brad and I’s 11 year anniversary.

Happy Anniversary babe.

May 7, 2009

This little girl of mine…holy moly. I often wonder if I was really cut out to do the mom thing. Today was one of those days that made me question my decision-where I wonder why women choose to have children, why I chose to have two when I was pretty damn sure one was more than enough for me.

4 outfit changes this morning. 2 this evening. A screaming fit for over an hour. Then finally, crawled into bed, she laid next to me, snuggling, and I asked why she always wanted to sit on my lap to fall asleep.

“Because I love you”

She just earned another get out of jail free card. Stinker.

Dog For Sale (OR Free to Good Home):

Answers to the name of Dolly (?!?)

Excellent guard dog.

Owner cannot afford to feed him anymore, as there are no more thieves,murderers, rapists or molesters left in the neighborhood for him to eat.

Most of them knew him as ” holy sh*t!! ”

I love this song! Take a listen:

“Online” by Brad Paisley