A banner day people. A BANNER day!

A self portrait~Sam, 2008 "A Red Head in Time"

2 banner achievements for Sam today. Folks, we were seriously cooking with gas in Pinkieville. Sam, with great joy, learned how to pee in a bottle.
Uh-huh.
You read that right.
Pee.
In a bottle.
Mind you, it wasn't something I intended for him to learn; however, you can bet your bottom dollar that he has never been so excited about something in his entire 6 years and 11 months of life. We were stranded in a location with no...facility....as it were. What's a mama to do? I found an empty water bottle in the car and nonchalantly gave him the green light to do what he had to do. Oh how his eyes sparkled. He laughed, fiendishly, while exercising his new skill. He inquired, with glee, as to whether or not his daddy had ever attempted such. I assured him that I didn't know, but chances were that he had. With the bottle nearing the VERY FULL mark, I began to worry that my choice of receptacle would not withstand the, obviously, VERY FULL bladder of my red-headed, middle child. Never fear. It topped off in the nick of time!
In other, less excretorial news, Sam learned how to cross the monkey bars at the park. When he finally crossed the entire length, he hopped to the ground and said, "Hey Mom! How about you give me ten dollars for being so great!"
He's great alright.
And the world may never be the same.
Citizens, hide your empty bottles.

Smell that?

'Tis the smell of Athlete's Foot. Wait. No. Oh yes, the smell of AN athlete's foot.....clashing with another athlete's foot. Judging by the direction of the ball, I'd say Jack got the first jab at the ball. Today was the first soccer game of '07, and Jack had a wonderful time. He's definitely no Beckham, but he gives it 110%....which hopefully counts for something! Hehe.
We're off to the mall to pick up a few things. After that, we're heading to the park to meet Pinkie cousins and then to Jason's deli for supper.
It's a gorgeous day outside, so go play!
Go on!
Shoo-shoo.
Scoot.
Skee-daddle. (I'll stop on that one....)

Neighbors

During my trip to see my #$#% Granny, I stopped briefly at the small, country cemetery where my Ninnie and Papa are buried. There are 244 markers in the cemetery that is located in a town with a population of 8 (seriously.) About 25 of the stones mark my own flesh and blood. Names of people I have met, and some of people I've heard stories about. Names like Mary Leigh, Myrtle Retha, Sampson Belvin, Estella Ophelia, and Nannie P. This cemetery is so neatly maintained, and on this day, Confederate flags were flying by about 60 of those markers. This guy (above) is on the row next to my grandparents. The Civil War seems so long ago in our minds, but it's so bizarre to think that my grandparents are buried next to a Captain from Company G of the Missouri Guards in the Confederate States Army. How long must the plots around him have been waiting? Well, I guess since 1936, judging by the dates on the stone, huh? Still, I could stay there all day reading the headstones. The older they are, the more they tell. Some of them are like stories straight from the pages of history describing who the person was, what they succumbed to, and who loved them. About 2 sections over from my grandparents, there are entire families that were wiped out from, I suppose, the influenza of the early 1900's.
Sometimes you just feel so small.

My @$## Granny and a Sweet Lady

On Saturday morning we learned that my sweet, sweet grandmother's twin (and by twin I mean CLONE) had passed away at the age of 96. She died in her sleep and had laid out her clothes that she wished to be buried in the night before she went to bed. Just like my grandmother, Ninnie, she (Irene) was the sweetest, softest lady to ever walk the planet. We all 3 shared a birthday, and after the death of my Ninnie, it was so special (and sad) to still be able to speak to Irene who laughed and talked just like my Ninnie. It was also very much like talking to someone from beyond the grave. She was that similar to her twin in appearance and every other way you could imagine. To say they were clones is not an exaggeration. I was so incredibly sad after hearing about her death, but I had to stop and remind myself that 96 years of life with no health problems, a large loving family, and 94 years with a twin who loved you more than life was something to celebrate, not be filled with sadness about. So, I went outside and watched 2 butterflies chase each other through my garden and thought of those two giggling, old ladies that I loved so much that are once again together. Holding hands like always.

My Ninnie once filled out a book for me called A Mother's Love. It was a book my church had given out on Mother's Day for a mom to fill out for her children. At that time, my Papa had just died after 63 years of marriage to my Ninnie, and I thought it would give Ninnie something to do to take her mind off of things. The questions were things like, "Describe your mother in her favorite dress" and "Describe a time when you were very afraid." It took her two years to complete the book, but she gave it to me a couple of years before she passed away at the age of 94. I learned things about her (and my family) that I had never known. For example, that my daddy had once given his baby sister a bath in Drano and almost blinded her for life. Also, that my Ninnie's parents were share croppers and that she met my Papa at a barn dance in West Texas during those share cropping days. That she and my Papa were married on a Thursday morning. She in a blue dress that cost $8.00 and my Papa in borrowed clothes. Following their wedding, they spent their first married night back at her parent's "house". I don't think sharecroppers had a "house" like we would imagine these days. The day following their wedding at the preacher's house, my Papa left for 3 days to work on the WPA. Isn't it amazing the history a family can have?

In that same book, my Ninnie wrote page after page about Irene. About how Irene was her "joy" and that on the day my Ninnie and Papa were married, Irene "took to the bed for a week and cried." Ahhhh. They were inseperable for their entire lives. Even the miles weren't strong enough to separate them. When my Papa died, Irene's children drove her to be by my Ninnie's side. They were both pushing 90 years of age at that time. As Irene entered the house, we all just started bawling as she was wearing the exact same dress, sweater and shoes that my Ninnie was wearing. Totally unplanned.
So, Saturday was a sad day for me. I no longer share a birthday with my 2 favorite ladies in the entire universe, but they are together now...and that is how they would want it.

We barely were over the shock of Irene's unexpected death, when we received a call Sunday morning that my #$#%#$# Granny had taken a horrible fall and wasn't doing very well. I needed to see her before it was too late, so I drove (10 hours) to see her. I took Sophy with me, and Ben stayed home with the boys. In typical D.Granny fashion, she was ungrateful, pissy, and entirely too grumpy for words. THAT is what makes her my #%$^%#$^ Granny. She rolled her eyes at the doctor. She lied, repeatedly, to my mom, her sister and their youngest brother (this is the #T%$%$# Granny who birthed 12 children) about whether or not she had taken her medicine as prescribed, about the last time she had eaten, about how many cigarettes a day she was smoking. We learned yesterday that she has some very large internal bleeding and was given 3 units of blood today, an enlarged heart to go with her several other MAJOR health issues that will never be corrected (emphysema, diabetes, flebitis, etc.), and something unspeakable growing in her lungs. Anyone else would've been dead 15 years ago, but there is only one $%$^$ Granny, I promise ya that. Besides the whiskey probably has pickled and preserved for a while longer. You've never met anyone like her, and you're probably glad because of that. We're not sure how long she has. She's on borrowed time already, but she's just too stinking mean to die. She's as tough as they come. And ornery too. Bless her heart.
Could I have been spawned from 2 more polar opposite camps of women? I don't think so. Bless my heart!

Bears, Trains and a Monkey in a Space Suit

Space is no longer the final frontier. Look out Mr. Spock.

The kindergarten classes had their annual Bear Parade today! Look how sweet!

A recent pic of Jack and his Pop. It's hard to tell who loves trains more. It's equally hard , on most days, to tell who is the child and who is the alleged adult.

A loaded question from Cinderella and a 9 year old who doesn't like to travel alone.

That is, I think, most likely the longest title I've ever managed.
I really didn't intend to make another entry, but after a very disturbing encounter with Cinderella's Magic Mirror, I felt compelled to share. I had just opened Sophy's closet door, walked in and switched on the light when her Cinderella talking vanity said to me, "Don't you think I'm pretty?" Cinderella usually only speaks when you push her buttons, but I'm guessing she's having battery issues. So, I was a little perplexed as to why she was addressing me. Either way, I didn't answer her, which is why she continued with a much deeper toned, "Don't you think I'm pretty?"
I'll admit, the Satan tone got my attention, so I answered her. "Girl, have a little self respect. You should've spiked your step-mother's Pepsi with Drano a long, long time ago. And don't even get me started on Drucilla and Anastasia. A little rope and duct tape would do them some good...So, do I think you're pretty? I dunno. I think you're a very weak influence for little girls, and you really need to step up and work on your self esteem issues." GardenDaddy walked up about that time and cocked his eyebrow at me. I pointed to the vanity and shrugged. As he walked away, Cinderella said, "Don't you think I'm pretty?" I stuck my tongue out at her and closed the closet door. She's still in there. Waiting for me.

Jack has been swimming at the gym with GardenDaddy lately. Tonight I told Jack about the Olympics and how he could participate in the Games if he kept practicing hard. He got all teary and said, "Mom. Where do they have the Olympics?" I told him the really cool part! That the Olympics are held in countries like Australia, China, Japan. More tears. He goes, "I can't go to another country by myself!" Hahhaa. Duh! Doesn't he know I'm going to college with him? It only stands to reason that I'd go to the Olympics with him too. Ha!

With Monday On The Way....

This pic seemed pretty appropriate to the start of the school week! Well, at least from this side of the teacher's desk. I'm sure it feels the same for those wearing student shoes too.....and mommy shoes. Ok, ok. It's a Monday now matter how you slice it, right?
Have a good week everyone!

Saturday Sniffles

My first two weeks of school were productive, I guess. I have the beginnings of a head cold, so the weeks weren't a total loss! Hehe. Actually, I think it's Golden Rod allergies or something. Mostly I'm just sniffling and sneezing my head off. Whoohoo! As I type, I have a chef salad made and potatoes baking for lunch, Sam is sweeping the kitchen and has just emptied all of the trash cans in the house, Sophy has music blaring in her room and is "dancing like a star", and DaddyPinkie and Jack are at the gym swimming laps. After they get home, we're heading to a movie and dinner in town with the kids. I wish they would hurry up! I want lunch already.

Week 2 of school went great for the kids. Sophy is WAY too impressed with PE, and Sam has made 90's and 100's on his sight word and spelling tests. Jack has a new friend that has "really stinky breath that smells like rotten eggs", but that is okay because he can run really fast and "is a pretty nice guy." That's my boy. Do all 9 year olds look past the stinky breath of a potential friend? I don't think so. My Jack is a kind-hearted fellow, for sure. Sophy, on the other hand, has a gaggle of girlie girls in her class that are all very concerned with hair bows, necklaces, and pink sparkly lunch boxes....Sophy included. Her nightly clothes laying out sessions are very extensive and grueling. Why can't our district wear uniforms? UG!

Ooops. I smell potatoes burning....arrgghhhhhhhh.

ARRGGHHH!

We're here! I promise! Things are INSANE right now with ballet for Soph, gym class for all 3, soccer practice for Jack, homework for all 3, etc, but life is really good. The kids are happy, loving school (for the most part), and doing really well. Sophy LOVES kindergarten, and Sam is tolerating first grade. HA! Third grade is a definite shift in gears from second grade, but we are managing. Jack seems happy, and he loves being a third grader. My classes are going super, and T'giving break can't come soon enough. All at the same time. I LOVE my 7th graders, and I'm getting to know my 6th graders. DaddyPinkie and the boys are working on a model train set ($$$$pit) with PinkiePop in our "free" time...haha, and I am getting back into walking when possible, and this post is starting to sound like a beauty pageant narrative. Not that I've ever been in a pageant. Those of you who know me are surely giggling at the thought. Pfffft.
Speaking of beauty pageants, where is Elaina? Does she read this blog anymore? These are the things I wonder about in the middle of the deep, dark night.

Taco Bell...uhhhm. Guess what is for supper tonight? Hehe.

In other news, we're ANXIOUSLY awaiting Survivor (Amy!) and dreaming of going to England (Ang!). Survivor is a sure thing...England, well, we'll see! Also, there has been some pretty serious talk of selling our house and building. The thought of building a house totally makes my hair stand on end, but DaddyPinkie's business has grown so much that it is almost a necessity at this point. If we build, we're doing a pool...so guess where my vote is? HA! Uhm, yeah! It's always been something we've talked about while keeping at arms length, but it's getting unavoidable. DaddyPinkie's home business is becoming more business and less home which is good and crazy.
This weekend we're planning a trip to the zoo or park with the kids, so I'm hoping to have pics to share soon! Hope everyone out there is doing peachy!