Friday, June 27, 2008

My Mamaw Etheridge

I have been putting off blogging about this for a while. It is very hard for me to think about all of the things that go along with this issue, let alone write about them. My Mamaw Etheridge has stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

She is almost 86 years old. She has survived breast cancer and ovarian cancer. She has lost a son and a husband. She can coax flowers and vegetables from the ground with the touch of her finger. She raised 5 boys and one girl to adulthood. She is one of the strongest people that I have ever met.

When I think about Mamaw, I think about peace, nature, and food. She is that kind of Mamaw. The kind that is just comfort on legs. She is the kind of Mamaw that will tell you that you are fat, but mean it with all the love in the world. I am not sure how that is possible, but it is.

She has lived along the water her entire 85+ years. She is a river girl with creeks and branches running through her veins. I believe that the water has helped to carve her into the person that she is. A woman of stone. A woman that can take anything that comes at her and yet bend with the shape of the times. No matter what changes in the family over the years..she does not change. No matter what shocking thing one of the children or the grandchildren throws at her she does not waver. She knows that the water will run its course and all that she can do is remain steady.

I love her and I am broken at the thought of her not being a rock in my life anymore. I do not know if I can withstand the pressure of these waters. I hope that I have learned something from her. I guess I know that I have. She is a part of me.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

The Dare Devil

So according to Super Z he tries to be good. He spends all of his time trying to be the best boy that he can be.

He doesn't mean to whine, hit his sister, or talk back. These things happen for one reason and one reason only..."The Daredevil comes by."

Okay, so I am not sure if this is the Ben Affleck Daredevil or the slightly scarier comic book Daredevil. I guess it could just be a brave boy with a wild streak... you know, one who jumps off of the top of the bleachers and rides his bike into the lake?

Super Z's solution is that I should pray to keep the Daredevil away. Obviously punishing him for something that is the Daredevil's fault will not do at all. So, I will pray.

Where oh where does he come up with this stuff?

Wordless Wednesday - Flashback to Summer 2006

Notice how they weren't fighting yet...

Monday, June 23, 2008

Free Popsicles!!

I remember two things that my Mom said daily when we were out of school for the summer.

Number 1 was "Close the door, I am not air conditioning the whole neighborhood." Number 2 was "Why oh why do I have to make Koolaid for the whole neighborhood?" She actually said both of these things several times a day. She probably dreamed these statements she said them so much.

I now understand the aggravation of Number 1. I say, "Close the door." at least 600 times a day when I am not at work and 200 times a day on work days. I cannot seem to cool my house for cooling the neighborhood. Alas, the neighborhood doesn't seem much cooler for all of my effort.

As far as Number 2, I now know the answer. She had to make Kool aid for the whole neighborhood, because it made me happy to be able to give it away. It made me feel special that my house was the Kool Aid house. If anyone was thirsty, I could help. Random kids walking by would be offered a drink just for looking thirsty. There was no end to my generosity. Come one, come all, try MY MAMA'S wonderful Kool Aid. Why did she have such a problem with my generous nature?

Um, probably because she was the generous one. The one paying for and making all of the Kool Aid. I was just the giver, a burden on her resources.

I have my own giver now. Super Z, the giver of Popsicles. We can go through a box of Popsicles in one day. They are offered to every child who walks by. Children that come over to play get two or three at a time. Two out of every three times that I walk into the kitchen he is standing on a chair with his head stuck in the freezer. He is not picky either, any Popsicle will do: Ice Pops, sugar free Popsicles, dreamcicles, MY Weight Watchers Giant Fudge Bars!!!!

Why oh why do I have to be the Popsicle mom?

Today took the cake. He had gone three houses down to play with a friend. The next thing I know he is chest deep in my freezer.

"What are you doing, Z?"

An eye appears from the depths of the ice box. "Getting my friend a Popsicle," he says matter of factly.

"You came all the way here to get him a Popsicle to take back to his house??"

"Yeah, he looked hot."

What the crap? What do you say to that? Grrr, stop giving away our food. When you are playing at his house eat HIS Popsicles.. Yeah maybe. I just told him to stay home and enjoy his Popsicle with his sister. At least we can try to keep the Popsicles in the family.

So, how do I slow the beast that is a giver?

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Weight Goals And Stress

I reached my first big Weight Loss goal today!! My weight starts with a new number, that is all that I will say. I am very very proud of myself. 10 more pounds and I'll have lost 10% of my body weight since March...and let me tell you, I had a LOT of body weight in March.

I am sorry that I am missing in action so much. These are just busy days. I will sum it up in less than 50 words:

work, stress, dog chewed up cord that connects camera to computer, illness in family, worry, headaches, blood pressure, fighting, temper tantrums, step-son for the summer, niece for the week, flat tire on interstate, stupid people, deadlines, dinner, dishes, clothes clothes clothes, children never sleep long enough.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Happy Birthday Mamaw!


My Mamaw Felter, my Mom's Mom, turns 80 this month. She is one of my favorite people in the world. She likes me a great deal as well.
My daughter is named for her. And Mamaw introduces Princess H to everyone as,"My namesake."
When I was little my Mamaw was loud, and stubborn and she never stopped talking...She was actually a great deal like me! What do you think about that?
About 10 years ago she had a stroke and since then she has been much quieter and what everyone considers "SWEET." I tell her not to let it bother her. I know that she is just as spunky as ever. :) Who wants to be sweet after all?
Anyway, I love her. She is my Northern Star. She is wonderful. Happy 80th Birthday Mamaw!

Wordless Wednesday


Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Monday, June 9, 2008

Tee-Ball 2008

The Star
The Team

The Action



The Trophy
The Fans