Clean Windows!

I declare I found me a job this morning. My husband was called to work around seven, so I got up to fix him some breakfast. It is a known fact we are late sleepers, so being up at seven am doesn't happen often except on Sunday.

The morning sun had not been peeping over and through the trees very long, the rays reaching far and wide to shine into the dining room; Beautiful bright and introducing what should be a great day.

I made the coffee and went to the refrigerator for the bacon, and looked out at the front yard where the birds were having their morning snack. But alas, I could hardly see them for dirty windows!! I'm almost ashamed to admit they were so dirty, but there they were practically yelling to me "I want a bath!" Thus my new job.

While bacon was simmering in their own grease, I got the supplies I had bought for cleaning the windows, and went to work. I really think the inside is clean, but how can I know for sure until the outside is clean? It is only natural that I think of the biblical account of the mote and the beam

(Mat 7:3 Why, then, do you look at the speck in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the log in your own eye?)

Or the story of the busy body that kept complaining about her neighbor's wash which hung on the clothes line, looking dirty. You know the story - it was not her neighbor's wash, but her dirty windows!

The way I detest dirty windows at a restaurant, or an airplane, should be reason enough to have them in spit shine shape here in a few hours. My husband told me not to clean the little hand prints off the storm door, but theres no way to mold those prints into stone, so I'll think of another way to keep them. Believe me, they'll make more when they come again!

This can be an expensive time of year, especially when taking inventory of the usual things around the home that needs repair. The fence has slats that need to be replaced, the house siding needs to be power washed, flower beds tended to, and on and on, however I won't bore you.

We are thinking of visiting my almost 101 year old Dad this week-end.

Are you spring cleaning?

grammyof13

Spring OH Spring!

The week is winding down and soon it will be just Dad and me again. We've had a good week, however and I believe the little boys will have great memories. Their Papa took them to the cattle sale barn on Tuesday for the day, and with Preston being so full of dreams to own land and cattle he got so excited his feet never touched the ground when his mother told him the plans for the day. Of course Parker enjoys whatever his brother does, and vice versa.


I took them to the Library on Monday for a day of reading books and playing in the make-believe kitchen. I really enjoyed the experience myself, as I was able to set and read the newspaper while they played. Of course we couldn't come home to see how Mommy did with the Bedroom paint job until we went for ice cream. (any excuse for ice cream is a good one).


This is Saturday, and we followed them out of town for a few miles hoping to go to the A-Z shop in Fort Smith, but Dad and I learned there was a screw in a tire that made it leak air. So, we got as far as wal-mart and decided, to keep from detaining them any longer, we would say our good bye's about an hour into our drive.


We experience the same feeling when they are gone. An Empty quiet house where the walls reverberate the sounds of little ones playing and giggling. Clay came for one day before having to go home. With the three of them here it makes for an interesting time.


I have a lot of catching up to do in reading what everyone has been up to.


My daughter was so good to paint my bedroom, and with the new spread it looks so fresh. Which brings me to the rest of the house and spring cleaning. I remember those spring cleaning days as a child. Remember taking the rugs out to the clothes line to beat the dust out of them? Remember rearranging the furniture, taking she curtains down to wash? Washing windows? And even though the floors had been mopped faithfully each week, she added waxing them during spring cleaning.

One of our favorite memories as mother's six girls, was how she made the chore a game. I wonder if Mother's today still use her technique of making a game out of work so that it goes faster!

The best I remember she applied the wax, and when it dried, we took turns pulling each other across the floor to buff it. I'm sure she also buffed it after we finished our play, but as children will, we laughed and laughed making a memory to be recalled years later. It could be that this memory keeps me from dreading the leaving of winter and welcoming of spring and all the work that comes with the change of the seasons.

I took the opportunity yesterday to go through my closet and make a box for Goodwill and hopefully the consignment shop. Next the linen closet, and on to the bathroom closet. Then maybe soon, I'll be ready to tackle the flower beds and replanting. I'm sure others are much ahead of me, but remember I work on a scaled down schedule!!

I trust you are having spring weather wherever you are.

Grammyof13

Fellowship

Few things compare to a Ladies Fellowship to boost ones laughter quotient. No one has to move the conversation along, it just happens when the women in attendance are of varying ages and temperaments. From singles, to careers, to young mothers, to grandmothers and great grandmothers, we never seem to notice the age difference when we are to gather.

We met this evening in/on the home of my son and his wife Debbie, who live on a houseboat on the Ark. River. It was a treat to visit their home. We didn't realize we were on the water until a barge went by making their home rock on the waves. We only noticed however if we were looking out the window and realized the windows were going up and down! Also about 5 ducks came calling for food as we were leaving. They swam up to the front of the house doing their squawking and letting the home owners they were ready to eat.

One of my daughter's is with me for the week during spring break for her little boys. We have a few plans one of which is to clean fan blades, and paint two walls of my bedroom. I don't know what I'd do without her I've decided. When she comes she is always helping me with something I need to get done. On the otherhand, I get to enjoy the two little boys while she works. Can't beat that price at any market!!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful week.

grammyof13

A Little Bit of Ireland

Welcome to a little bit of Ireland in Tennessee.

I'm sure I did not appreciate the history of the town where I grew up until later in life. Isn't it special when you hear the familiar name of your hometown, regardless of where you are in the world, you perk up. I do. Few people outside Tenn have ever heard of Erin, for it is a small community town that no US Hwy runs through. Only state and county roads that have been paved in the last forty years or so.

I will hasten to add, you may be lost, if you find yourself in Erin, and did not plan to be there. You may have physically taken a wrong turn somewhere, but for sure it had to be a right turn. Everyone should visit at least once in their life time and many actually do during the Irish celebration each year. My home town has a way of overflowing with people from many states far and wide to experience a little bit of Ireland. Hence I hope you enjoy some history about the land of my birth.

* * *

A Quiet Small Rural Valley Community forged out of the Well's Creek Basin at the Foot of the Tennessee Ridge and cradled in the heart of Tennessee's natural wonder and magical charm, 200 jewel-like acres of Houston County are nestled quietly in a range of hills and valleys, unequalled in beauty by any part of the highland rim portion of the state.

According to legend, Irish railroad workers who were reminded of the valleys, hills, hollows, and meadows of their homeland, Ireland, gave the name Erin to this small community. The Houston County Area Chamber of Commerce presents its annual Irish Day Celebration in Erin, Tenn. From the Grand Parade, Leprechauns and banquets to carnival rides, pageants and arts and craft booths, there is entertainment all around.

From wee tots to wise old leprechauns, we have something for everyone. Relive the spirit of St. Patrick at one of the largest St. Patrick's Day celebrations south of Chicago. Don't forget to wear green!

If you ever passed through on your way to somewhere else, please feel free to let me know. Some would say it is a great place to be "from", however there is a piece of me that is planted firmly in those rolling hills. See, one can't take memories away, so as long as I have memories, a piece of me will live there in the land of my roots.

Grammyof13

Thirteen at last.

Thirteen years ago today, God sent us our first boy! My oldest son had given us three girls to spoil, so my youngest son decided he would add sons to the clan. Chandler had personality from the beginning, and his mother learned soon that he knew what he wanted and what he wanted was all he would settle for. Even today, he is one who knows where he is going at 13, and I firmly believe 13 years from now he will have almost, if not for certain accomplished his goals.


I wrote him a poem and e-mailed it to him today. I'll share it with you also.

CHANDLER
C Stands for Competitor, especially in sports
H Is for Handsome - that is good of course
A Stands for the great Athlete we see in him
N is for Never giving up when the chips are down
D Could mean daring - when the time comes
L Stands for Laughter when the crises is gone
E Means he's Extra special to Papa and me
R is for Real, he is genuine you see?
All these letters spells one special grandson,
who makes our heart glad when our day is done.

Happy Birthday again Chandler!



Love Grammyof13

Hind Sight is 20/20!

Today I learned that age does not automatically bring wisdom. I think I may have used that same phrase in another way in my former life of youth. Getting to an age that is considered "old" does not make one a "sweet old person" or something to that effect.

Estelle Getty of the program the Golden Girls said it best in her wry, albeit witty way, "if you're stupid when you're young, then you will be stupid when you are old."

I've always wanted to be a sweet old lady - I like to think I've arrived, however that opinion is actually left up to the beholder. There is nothing more tiring than a grumpy, ill tempered, ill mannered old coot that can find nothing to be thankful for, or any good in anyone. With an attitude of "nobody loves me, everybody hates me, I think I'll eat a worm" they spill their disagreeableness on the rest of us.

But, back to wisdom and aging for now. Our garage door operator broke a few weeks back, and we have been making do until we get a financial windfall. In the meantime, we lift the door up, and let it down upon leaving. That has worked OK - not the best way when I have a garage door opener on the visor of my car that is useless at this point. However we have lived with the broken door for a few weeks.

Today appears to be the day I should have dipped into my bucket of wisdom and called for help before lifting the 700 lb door. Problem with that is there was no one to call, and I had an appointment at 1p that I was almost late for. Instead of planting feet firmly on the ground, bending slightly at the knees then lifting - I stood side ways, feet unevenly planted and within a few minutes I have inconvenienced myself for several weeks having to get Therapy on my poor aching back. Muscle relaxants, pain pills and Therapy - are not a combination I'm looking forward to.

My hind sight is good however. 20/20 to be exact. I am filled with shoulda, coulda, woulda's staggering around like a pack of drunks in my head bumping into each other, until it could be deafening.

I could see myself in the hospital on an operating table with a Doctor wielding a knife over me, but first things first. We'll try therapy first hoping to keep the knife wielding surgeon at bay for awhile longer. Suits me fine.

Grammyof13

Chinese Tea!

We just missed the big snow that hit Memphis and Northern Ark. I'm not sure which way it went, but wondered if it went toward Kentucky and East Tenn. I warmed up for a couple days, only to be in my warmest robe this afternoon.

I had a wonderful visit with my Sister over the week-end from Wednesday to Saturday anyway. We talked and talked, did some shopping but mostly visiting and resting. There is nothing like a beautiful Condo on the lake that is bigger than my house (or as big) to get away from the telephone and listen to the quiet.

We found a little shop called "Company's Comin" with some of the most unique items. Some of which I'd never seen. The one I just couldn't live without was a China tea "root" (I call it, until I learn better) that when dropped into a glass pot, pour hot (almost boiling) water over it, starts to bloom into the most unique flower. It is considered a white tea - no one could give me an idea of the taste, however that didn't matter. I decided I wanted it for the flower more than anything.

One little "ball" makes 50 oz. tea. It stays in bloom until its 50 oz life has past. Make only what you want at a time (I made 10 cups). When finished - store in cold water in refrigerator!

Then when ready for more tea, pour off cold water - replace with hot (almost boiling) and now "Madam - your tea is served."

I used my coffee pot, but I think of how pretty it would be to be in a total glass tea pot.

Anyway, I am always a day late and dollar short, so I figure I'm behind in the line of knowing about this before now. I think it is neat and so far I'm enjoying the tea. It is really quiet flavorable.

Thanks to my sister and her husband for their hospitality. She deserves the rest for sure. She is faithful to make an almost daily visit to the nursing home to take my Dad his favorite meal. I know it is labor of love, but most tiring on the body. Not many people can say at 70+ they are taking care of their almost 101 year old father. It has to be labeled a "labor of love" for often it is a thankless job. The duties that come with an attitude of "I have to do it" could easily make one wear out before their time. I'm glad to witness the spirit of how she goes about her responsibilities knowing there is no pay period at the end of the week. When it is all said and done, she will have no regrets. To be able to say, "I did my best" is enough to give anyone a good nights rest.

Sis, I appreciate you for the memories we have made together over the years. From Erin, to Nashville to now - we have a history. And that is a good thing. The way I pestered you when we were children, caused you to get spankings that weren't merited, should give us a few laughs anyway.

We'll have to do this again sometimes. Stay well Sis.

grammyof13