Musings and Memories

Mom, Lyndsey, & Me  1982

1982 Kathie, our Brother Jim & Aly at the wedding AFTER the Bacherette Party.

Many years ago, Kathie (my twin sister) and I went along with our sister Peggy to a Bachelorette Party for my sister in law. This was 1982. The party was at a place called Sundance Meat Company - Male Strippers. Yeah, even at the ripe old age of 56 I smile when remembering that night.. I wince though when remembering after several wine spritzers, telling my father (a most dignified man) to TAKE IT OFF while on the phone with him later.. Even drunk I would not go up to the dancers and place my $1.00 or $2.00 wherever for a kiss or whatever. I felt that would be disloyal to Paul. Anyway, Kathie wasn't married yet and had no such qualms. She came back to our table smiling brightly telling me and all at the table, she could die happy now.. Being in such a celebratory mood I gave that comment little thought that night. But over the 25 years since, I've given it a great deal of thought.. I can die happy now... I have a great life. Not rich (not even financially secure at this point), not aging well, not healthy really. But I'd have to say without hesitation that I am a very happy person. I have what you can't buy. Love of a remarkable husband and family, the Most beautiful Grand Children God ever blessed anyone with (I know many of you reading this would strongly disagree, thinking your grandchildren are... ), the best friends I've ever had in my life.. I have it all.

I believe (though many have said I am crazy) that I got a glimpse at the other side the day I had a heart attack 4 years ago.. I heard the paramedics telling each other They lost me.. I wanted them to be quiet.. the pain was finally gone.. don't wake me up... I saw the E.R. doctor telling the paramedics I was gone.. I didn't see much if I saw anything beyond a dream, but I felt very peaceful, and each time "they lost me" I was free of the awful pain consuming me. I'd have said that day I could die happily..  BUT BUT BUT, since that day, I've been blessed with three more grandchildren who, along with their older cousins, have given me more joy than I ever thought was possible in this life. I've gained more friends since that day, I've seen three of my older grand children start school. I've gained far more knowledge and insight into life and the people in my life since that day. Sabby has lived with me since that day and lord knows I've learned from her.

I guess I could die happy today, and say thanks a bunch to God for all that he's given me; but gosh I'd hate to miss all that appears to be on the horizon in the next four  or more years... Starting with this weekend when Rob, Carla, Madi & Conner come to visit (and per Carla, Lyndsey, Victor and the girls, even if she has to tie lyndsey to the top of their car).. AND AND AND , I've decided to face my fear of flying; slowly slowly with small trips; and on my 60th Birthday, I plan on walking home from a Pub in Ireland, slightly drunk, surrounded by my family, to a local Irish bed and breakfast... I rarely drink so it won't take much.. :)

I never did give that gorgeous male stripper dancer any money, and when I think back I do more than smile.. I Laugh out Loud! I've gotten MUCH older than I was in the picture at the top of my post... So has that sexy young dancer... He's got to be close to 50 now.. 

Thanks for taking the time to read my silly musings today. 

First Day Jitters

Sabby just started School this morning.. First Grade. She was pretty nervous this morning and very afraid no one from her Kindergarden Class would be in her 1st grade class.. No one was. Katie wants to change her classroom.. We'll see. Maybe today will be a great day? I hope so, or it'll be GRAN going down there, dragging her out of school and home schooling.... Get a grip Gran, deep breaths.

Here's a breakdown in photos.

Ok, This one is kind of funny... First-- that's our house behind her on the left and that guy standing there behind Katie and Sabby? Well I wanted to tell him to calm down... No need to act like a Drill Sargent ...  Sabby's looking a little nervous.
A shot from behind.. I love these.. Most of my subjects, however, do not.

Sabby's being a little brave one here..with her teacher.
This one really got to Gran.. All alone and trying to be brave.. It's going to be a long long long day..... For Gran

Thanks for taking the time to read, my blog yet again today.

Time really does go by too fast

School starts in AZ early.. Too Early I think. In our District it seems to be the first Wednesday of August.. Today. Sabby will be in first grade. I guess the reason I'm feeling a bit melancholy about all this is that it seems like there hasn't been enough time since we took her mommy school clothes shopping (or was that the year I made all her clothes?) and she started 1st grade in Ms Ruben's Class?  I know in a blink of an eye, Sabby will be graduating from high school then hopefully on to college.

Sabbs is very worried she's not smart enough for the first grade.. I've explained about a million times that first grade is built on what she learned in Kindergarten, but to no avail. I've had that same conversation with other grand children and my own children many times.

Grade school, the teachers and administrators were not kind to my daughters. They had  dyslexia and were labeled very young and unknown to me, that first year,  basically warehoused in the Chino Schools. Our move to Murrieta Schools really was a rescue for them.

I guess I worry the same will happen with my grand daughters as well. There is NO indication any of them have it.. but I'll go ahead an worry anyway.

So we'll take the camera and get the pictures because this really is a BIG day. If I really want to get sad, I only have to remember that, Madi will be in FOURTH grade in two weeks! and is NOT wanting me to go to her first day of school... very independent our Madi..  And Makayla will be going into SECOND grade next week.... Sophie is already scooting! Izabella is turning THREE in two weeks........

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

It's a Dog's Life

Shane, our border collie loves nothing better than to chase the ball. Day and Night, Night and Day. I don't like him running so much in the heat.. I also don't like going out in the heat..

Lucky for Shane, my house is more hallway than anything else.

Rex, Our Collie, on the other hand, is more sedate. He likes sleeping and being left alone.. Oh and He likes hot dogs. We had a barbecue yesterday, Rex is salivating.  Yes, I snuck him a hot dog.

We said good bye to Kat & Emma yesterday. They headed back to California, Home to Aly & Saul. We'll miss you guys! See you soon.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.

Friday

Not much to post today; That won't stop me though. I have Sabby today and decided we should take a nap earlier. She's still sleeping. In a little while, we're going to meet Kathie, Ema, & Kaitlyn at Ricky's restaurant (the one he works at actually) for an early dinner. Ricky had a lot of catching up to do after getting home from Hawaii so he's been working double shifts all week. This way he can see the girls again before they go home. I'll take my camera of course, and annoy the heck out of Ricky, taking pictures at his work. It's GREAT.

I have a rude habit, when someone strikes me as moronic beyond words, of inquiring out loud (not necessarily in front of that person) if their parents were related before marriage. I've said this for probably 20 years. This morning, Sabby wanted to borrow my tape. After negotiating with me for a couple of minutes - promising this time for SURE she'll bring it back, she asked me where the tape was.. I was at my computer, trying to make my new family web page work properly and told her absently that I had no idea where it was. She walked up behind me and I heard her say... "Gran! You are SO RELATED!".. I looked over and saw what she saw, the tape in front of me. Startled, I asked her what she said...she repeated it and I said, you mean my PARENTS are related?  "Yeah Gran" she told me and flashed that incredible smile at me.. I stopped laughing after a few minutes.. I really need to watch what I say in front of her. Mom, Dad.. I PROMISE I told her you guys were NOT related prior to your marriage.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today.