My grandmother returned to our Heavenly Father 25 years ago today. I was 13 when she left this earth. The world lost a wonderful woman this day 25 years ago. I have many wonderful memories of her.
My first memories include a trip to Lake Havasu to visit her. I thought that the lake was hers. I was really young, I wasn't even in Kindergarten yet. I rode with my Dad and my sisters to Arizona from Houston. It was a very memorable trip. We still talk about it. I don't remember a lot of the trip, of course. I remember we stayed in a hotel that had a vibrating bed. Dad put a coin in the bed that my sisters and I were sharing and the thing started vibrating. I remember arriving at my Grandmother's house the next day. She had cookies. It almost seems like they were Thin Mints, but I can't say for sure. She also had cans of soda pop.
We went out on her lake. We rented a paddle boat. My grandmother and I rode in it together. I couldn't reach the pedals, so in all my wisdom, I got down on my knees, and tried to do the pedals with my hand. That was a horrible idea... my life jacket got all tangled up in that thing! Good thing paddle boats aren't known for tipping over!
There was a little shooting gallery there by the lake. You would shoot little targets and different things would happen. The thing I remember the most would be the piano starting to play.
My Grandma would come to visit us every so often. I can't really remember how often though. It seemed like once or twice a year. When Grandma would come to visit, she would perm my hair. I always looked forward to the perm. She gave me the best perms going. I do remember once, a brush or curler, or something got stuck in my hair. It definitely wasn't a good thing. It did get out and I got to keep all of my hair.
The year before she died, we all went to Bridgeport. It was the last time we would all be together. All of my cousins, my Aunts and Uncle, and my Grandma and Grandpa. We have a picture of all of us together. My sister uses it on her Ipad as the desktop photo.
The following summer, Grandma was already sick. We had made plans for me to go out and visit her for the summer. I was young, 13 years-old. I left my family and went to Albuquerque to stay with my Grandma and my Aunt. We went on a trip to Lake Powell where we met my Aunt, Uncle and their children. We stayed on a houseboat for a couple days (I really have no idea how long we were on that), I do know I slept on it for a night or two, at least.
We would fish off of the boat. We would swim. We would nap. We would get off the boat and go on dry land. We had grilled walleye and catfish, which we caught.
My cousin was reading the map one day. Grandma asked where it was. He looked out the window and upstream from where we were. Grandma got a big laugh out of that. We still made it back to where we started from. I'm not sure if we had another map.
I was in Albuquerque for the Fourth of July. We had a little party at my Aunt's house. She had some of her friends over. It was a really nice get-together. There was watermelon. I was shy. I hate watermelon. They gave me a slice and I ate it, very slowly! I helped to get everything put away.
While I was there, Grandma and I would watch "Three's Company." She had never seen it before. I was a regular viewer. I didn't understand what was going on at that age, to me, it was just a funny show. It still is a funny show, but I understand it now. My grandmother would just laugh and laugh. I would lie in bed with her and just watch TV during the day.
This was during the Iran-Contra hearings. I can remember that Grandma didn't like that those were taking place of all the shows she enjoyed watching during the day. We had to find alternate viewing. There was lots of leftover watermelon. Whenever Grandma would get up, she would bring me a slice of watermelon. I, being the shy, and polite person that I was, would eat it. Very slowly, I would eat it.
My Grandma had cancer. I was blessed to spend some of the last days that she was healthy enough to go out and have some fun. She was an amazing woman. I was blessed to be able to know her. There are a lot of people that never get to know their grandparents.
My Grandma was always quick with a joke and she had an amazing laugh. She had a great sense of humor! I remember her saying, "Are we having fun yet?" I would have loved to be able to have her around much longer. I would have loved to have her meet my children, hold my children. I would not wish her to have lived another day with the cancer and the pain and sickness she had though.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
My Daughter's First Audition
On Saturday, August 25, 2012, my 8 year-old had her first audition. I saw on Twitter that my city was having a play in October and there was going to be auditions. I asked my two children that are old enough if they would want to do that. I knew that my daughter would and that my son would not, but I had to give them both the option. I was right. I made the appointment for the audition, several days before, and we were set to go.
My daughter was looking forward to this audition for the next several days. She would ask me how many days until the audition. There was no way that she would let me forget what was going on. This opportunity was the highlight of her life, since we moved to this house. That morning, she woke up, got a shower, had her outfit picked out and ready to go. She woke me up, a couple hours early, to be sure she wouldn't be late.
The audition was set for 10 am and she had to be there by 9:45 am to read over the lines. We got there about 9:35 so that we could be sure that we found the right place. I am still getting used to where everything is around here.
We went in and she let them know who she was. They gave her a number. She was number 41. I had to fill out a form and we both had to initial it and sign it. After we were finished, we went into the hallway so that she could start reading lines. Since she has no background in theater, I had to explain to her that she doesn't just read the lines, that she has to add emotion. She did a great job reading, I thought.
The children had to line up in numerical order to go in for the audition. Away my daughter went... I went on a walk with my baby in her carrier. I figured I should do something for that half hour. I got back a little early and waited for her to come out. She didn't get a "call back" slip. I told her that was okay, and we came home.
On Tuesday, as directed, we went back to find out if she got a part. She is going to be the "Narrator 1" in the Pre-show Show. I was very happy with that. She wanted to be in the "real" show. I told her that there were many children that are not going to get to do anything. I also told her that this is a stepping stone. Since she has no experience in theater, to this point, it is nice that she got a part. This will give her experience. She was happy with that explanation.
My son has decided that next time he is going to audition too. I guess the thought of actually being in the play sounds like a good idea to him. The thought of trying out wasn't quite as enticing.
My daughter was looking forward to this audition for the next several days. She would ask me how many days until the audition. There was no way that she would let me forget what was going on. This opportunity was the highlight of her life, since we moved to this house. That morning, she woke up, got a shower, had her outfit picked out and ready to go. She woke me up, a couple hours early, to be sure she wouldn't be late.
The audition was set for 10 am and she had to be there by 9:45 am to read over the lines. We got there about 9:35 so that we could be sure that we found the right place. I am still getting used to where everything is around here.
We went in and she let them know who she was. They gave her a number. She was number 41. I had to fill out a form and we both had to initial it and sign it. After we were finished, we went into the hallway so that she could start reading lines. Since she has no background in theater, I had to explain to her that she doesn't just read the lines, that she has to add emotion. She did a great job reading, I thought.
The children had to line up in numerical order to go in for the audition. Away my daughter went... I went on a walk with my baby in her carrier. I figured I should do something for that half hour. I got back a little early and waited for her to come out. She didn't get a "call back" slip. I told her that was okay, and we came home.
On Tuesday, as directed, we went back to find out if she got a part. She is going to be the "Narrator 1" in the Pre-show Show. I was very happy with that. She wanted to be in the "real" show. I told her that there were many children that are not going to get to do anything. I also told her that this is a stepping stone. Since she has no experience in theater, to this point, it is nice that she got a part. This will give her experience. She was happy with that explanation.
My son has decided that next time he is going to audition too. I guess the thought of actually being in the play sounds like a good idea to him. The thought of trying out wasn't quite as enticing.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Our Peach Tree
Today was a big day in our life as homeowners. On Saturday, I went to Lowes and bought a bunch of things. The things include a hose, oscillating sprinkler, sealant for our roof, a brush to spread it, mulch, soil and fertilizer, grass seed, grass seed spreader, cherry tree, and a peach tree.
The cherry tree is going to make a return visit to Lowes. My husband has heard that birds eat the cherries and then decide to poop on the house, which will leave stains, according to him. We certainly don't want red, bird poop stains on our house or cars. We don't want to stain our neighbors' cars either.
My husband and daughter borrowed a shovel from our neighbor across the street. Then my husband went in the backyard and started digging. My husband apparently found an underground anthill. I would dare say there were thousands of them. Since he already had a good hole going, he just kept digging. Our peach tree went into that hole.
It is a cute little tree. We put the soil and fertilizer around it. We watered it. We followed the directions. I am excited to see what happens with our peach tree next year. I was told that it would be producing fruit next year. It is a little tree, so I imagine we might get 2 peaches next year. I am not sure how much the tree will grow in the fall, winter and spring. We shall see!
The grass seed got spread in the front yard on Saturday, shortly after I got here with it. My 4 year-old had gone to Lowes with me. He was very excited to spread the seeds. We wanted to do the front yard first because everyone sees that. The backyard needs the seeds too. We will seed that this weekend.
The oscillating sprinkler has been put to good use. The children like to run it all over the yard. They also like to run through it. Ever since we lived at our last apartment, the children have enjoyed sprinkler parties. It is very fun if they can turn the sprinklers on and have their own sprinkler party, on their own terms.
If it weren't for the poisonous spiders that seem to inhabit this area of my world, I think I would really like it here! I killed a black widow spider today. It is not something I ever envisioned myself doing. I never associated them with Utah. I came to college here. I lived here for a couple years before I moved back east. It is not something I want to deal with :(
The cherry tree is going to make a return visit to Lowes. My husband has heard that birds eat the cherries and then decide to poop on the house, which will leave stains, according to him. We certainly don't want red, bird poop stains on our house or cars. We don't want to stain our neighbors' cars either.
My husband and daughter borrowed a shovel from our neighbor across the street. Then my husband went in the backyard and started digging. My husband apparently found an underground anthill. I would dare say there were thousands of them. Since he already had a good hole going, he just kept digging. Our peach tree went into that hole.
It is a cute little tree. We put the soil and fertilizer around it. We watered it. We followed the directions. I am excited to see what happens with our peach tree next year. I was told that it would be producing fruit next year. It is a little tree, so I imagine we might get 2 peaches next year. I am not sure how much the tree will grow in the fall, winter and spring. We shall see!
The grass seed got spread in the front yard on Saturday, shortly after I got here with it. My 4 year-old had gone to Lowes with me. He was very excited to spread the seeds. We wanted to do the front yard first because everyone sees that. The backyard needs the seeds too. We will seed that this weekend.
The oscillating sprinkler has been put to good use. The children like to run it all over the yard. They also like to run through it. Ever since we lived at our last apartment, the children have enjoyed sprinkler parties. It is very fun if they can turn the sprinklers on and have their own sprinkler party, on their own terms.
If it weren't for the poisonous spiders that seem to inhabit this area of my world, I think I would really like it here! I killed a black widow spider today. It is not something I ever envisioned myself doing. I never associated them with Utah. I came to college here. I lived here for a couple years before I moved back east. It is not something I want to deal with :(
Sunday, August 26, 2012
The Black Widow Spider (August 24, 2012)
I was told before I bought a house here that Black Widow spiders are not uncommon in the area. I was also told that I should buy some chickens to keep them at bay. I was all about buying a herd of chickens. I do not suffer from arachnophobia, much to the contrary, in fact.
I think that I might be the reason that my two younger brothers do suffer from arachnophobia. I had absolutely no problem, as a child, grabbing one of the eight legs and chasing my brothers around the house. I did it to be mean. I thought it was funny. Looking back, I could have thought of better things to do, but I was young. I liked to hear them scream and run away. I am thankful that we didn't live near snakes, because I am sure they wouldn't have had a problem grabbing one of those and chasing me around the house.
Well, I can't buy chickens, because the city council members decided that citizens could not have chickens, unless it was in an agriculturally zoned area. I am sure I am not in an agriculturally zoned area. I live a block off of the main street that runs through here and a block from the interstate. There went my dreams of having chickens eat the spiders, and having fresh eggs. The chickens would have never become meat, I couldn't do that to an animal, well, unless I was starving to death. Then I am sure I would cry the whole time... I cry when my goldfish die.
Well, my husband was at work on Friday. My 9 year-old came inside and told me he was sure he found a black widow spider. I asked him how he knew that it was a black widow. He said, "It has a red hourglass on its back." That made enough sense to me. My next question was, "Where is the spider?" I was hoping that he located it down the road a ways. He told me, "It is under the mailbox." Too close for comfort!
I got up and went to explore. The spider was about 2 to 3 feet below the mailbox. It had something red on its back, clear as day. I didn't get close enough to make sure that it was an hourglass. I guess that a black spider with anything on its back should be considered a black widow. I went to my neighbor's house. We have become friends. I rang his doorbell and asked him if he would know a black widow if he saw one. He kind of giggled and said yes. I told him that I thought we had one, but I wanted to be sure. He was in middle of cooking his dinner, so he said when it was done he would be right over. I told him I was sure it wasn't going anywhere.
While he finished his supper, I put mine in the oven. We were having pork chops and mashed potatoes. He came over and brought a stick and spider spray. I showed him the spider and he said it certainly was a black widow. He squished it with his stick and then used the stick to take down the web. The web crackles when being removed.
I told him how my 9 year-old was the one that spotted it. He said he was glad that he didn't mess with it. I am too! I am glad he noticed it. I go out to the mailbox daily. I don't need to upset a black widow. We walk past it several times a day. I would never want my children or anyone visiting to get bit by a black widow. Needless to say, I pay very close attention these days to any arachnids in the area. I will not let my children see me remove some outside. I don't want them to think they should do that, because they might not know which ones aren't safe.
I think that I might be the reason that my two younger brothers do suffer from arachnophobia. I had absolutely no problem, as a child, grabbing one of the eight legs and chasing my brothers around the house. I did it to be mean. I thought it was funny. Looking back, I could have thought of better things to do, but I was young. I liked to hear them scream and run away. I am thankful that we didn't live near snakes, because I am sure they wouldn't have had a problem grabbing one of those and chasing me around the house.
Well, I can't buy chickens, because the city council members decided that citizens could not have chickens, unless it was in an agriculturally zoned area. I am sure I am not in an agriculturally zoned area. I live a block off of the main street that runs through here and a block from the interstate. There went my dreams of having chickens eat the spiders, and having fresh eggs. The chickens would have never become meat, I couldn't do that to an animal, well, unless I was starving to death. Then I am sure I would cry the whole time... I cry when my goldfish die.
Well, my husband was at work on Friday. My 9 year-old came inside and told me he was sure he found a black widow spider. I asked him how he knew that it was a black widow. He said, "It has a red hourglass on its back." That made enough sense to me. My next question was, "Where is the spider?" I was hoping that he located it down the road a ways. He told me, "It is under the mailbox." Too close for comfort!
While he finished his supper, I put mine in the oven. We were having pork chops and mashed potatoes. He came over and brought a stick and spider spray. I showed him the spider and he said it certainly was a black widow. He squished it with his stick and then used the stick to take down the web. The web crackles when being removed.
I told him how my 9 year-old was the one that spotted it. He said he was glad that he didn't mess with it. I am too! I am glad he noticed it. I go out to the mailbox daily. I don't need to upset a black widow. We walk past it several times a day. I would never want my children or anyone visiting to get bit by a black widow. Needless to say, I pay very close attention these days to any arachnids in the area. I will not let my children see me remove some outside. I don't want them to think they should do that, because they might not know which ones aren't safe.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
The Backson
My sister came upstairs last night, after my 4 year-old came up, trembling. He had just finished watching a terrifying movie, a movie called "Winnie the Pooh." It is a rated G movie.
She came up to tell me that he was scared to death of something in the movie, "Winnie the Pooh." I wasn't sure I heard her right, so I repeated it back. She confirmed. Who would think that "Winnie the Pooh" would have anything that could be remotely scary?!
He woke her up to let her know. He came running up here, scared to death, and lay down beside me. He was not able to talk about it for a few minutes. I kept asking him what was scary. He told me that it had horns and a triton. So, I was wondering if Piglet had a pitchfork or something.
Tonight, we fast forwarded the movie, so he could show us what was scary. The thing appears to be a bull, with a ring through its nose. I haven't watched the whole movie yet, but I needed to see the scary thing. Seeing through the eyes of a child is difficult. I can't figure out how it is scary. He was hiding under a pillow while he pointed it out. He truly is afraid of that thing, referred to as "Backson."
I am going to have to watch the whole thing, to get the full jest of the Backson. My sister said when she woke up, the credits were running. So, I am guessing that it comes back toward the end of the movie. I will be watching it soon, when he isn't in the room. I don't see the point in scaring him. I want to understand though why that thing is scary.
We are sitting here right now watching "Tangled." Another rated G movie by Disney. He asked to watch something else so he wouldn't have "that dream" again. "Tangled" is something else. "That dream" was probably a nightmare about Backson last night.
I know as a young child, I was scared to death of a rocking horse that was in my room. I would hide under the bed when I would wake up. I still remember some of the nightmares I would have about it. I am sure if I would have told my parents, it wouldn't have remained in my room, but I was scared to death of that thing. I know that although things don't seem scary, they can be.
She came up to tell me that he was scared to death of something in the movie, "Winnie the Pooh." I wasn't sure I heard her right, so I repeated it back. She confirmed. Who would think that "Winnie the Pooh" would have anything that could be remotely scary?!
He woke her up to let her know. He came running up here, scared to death, and lay down beside me. He was not able to talk about it for a few minutes. I kept asking him what was scary. He told me that it had horns and a triton. So, I was wondering if Piglet had a pitchfork or something.
Tonight, we fast forwarded the movie, so he could show us what was scary. The thing appears to be a bull, with a ring through its nose. I haven't watched the whole movie yet, but I needed to see the scary thing. Seeing through the eyes of a child is difficult. I can't figure out how it is scary. He was hiding under a pillow while he pointed it out. He truly is afraid of that thing, referred to as "Backson."
I am going to have to watch the whole thing, to get the full jest of the Backson. My sister said when she woke up, the credits were running. So, I am guessing that it comes back toward the end of the movie. I will be watching it soon, when he isn't in the room. I don't see the point in scaring him. I want to understand though why that thing is scary.
We are sitting here right now watching "Tangled." Another rated G movie by Disney. He asked to watch something else so he wouldn't have "that dream" again. "Tangled" is something else. "That dream" was probably a nightmare about Backson last night.
I know as a young child, I was scared to death of a rocking horse that was in my room. I would hide under the bed when I would wake up. I still remember some of the nightmares I would have about it. I am sure if I would have told my parents, it wouldn't have remained in my room, but I was scared to death of that thing. I know that although things don't seem scary, they can be.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Breaking Glass
This morning, that is what I woke up to. The sound of breaking glass. It is that kind of sound that just makes you sit right up and try to figure out what is going on. It made me really hope that it was something on the interior, not someone breaking in.
I got up and went on a search. I guess I should have been a little more careful since I didn't really know what was going on. I started hearing the children. Then I knew that it was at least something inside the house.
First, I need to explain a part of our house. The playroom was added on to the house, it is virtually an enclosed patio with walls, carpeting, sliding glass door.... It was added on many years ago. There is a window that leads from the playroom to the downstairs bathroom and another to a bedroom.
My oldest son was trying to open the window from the wrong side, from inside the playroom. The glass ended up popping out and shattering on the bathroom floor. I was so thankful that the children weren't injured. I am also thankful that no one was in the bathroom when that happened!
Now the children understand why we told them not to play with the windows. They liked to open the windows and climb in and out of the rooms. I am glad the lesson was learned without injury!
I got up and went on a search. I guess I should have been a little more careful since I didn't really know what was going on. I started hearing the children. Then I knew that it was at least something inside the house.
First, I need to explain a part of our house. The playroom was added on to the house, it is virtually an enclosed patio with walls, carpeting, sliding glass door.... It was added on many years ago. There is a window that leads from the playroom to the downstairs bathroom and another to a bedroom.
My oldest son was trying to open the window from the wrong side, from inside the playroom. The glass ended up popping out and shattering on the bathroom floor. I was so thankful that the children weren't injured. I am also thankful that no one was in the bathroom when that happened!
Now the children understand why we told them not to play with the windows. They liked to open the windows and climb in and out of the rooms. I am glad the lesson was learned without injury!
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Is It Exercise?
Is it exercise if you enjoy it? Or is it just a good way to have fun and burn some calories? Well, I have discovered that crawling around is what brought up that question. My baby is a very good crawler. She enjoys having the whole house as her playground.
I decided one night to get down on the ground and crawl around with her. As I got down there, on my hands and knees, and started chasing her around, something very interesting happened. She got the biggest smile possible and turned and started crawling toward me. She would get really close to me and then lie down.
Later that evening, when my sister got home, I told her what happens. I showed her too. I got down on the ground, the baby got a big old smile and started crawling toward me. I started crawling away, then she got close to me and down she went to her belly. My sister realized what she was doing. She wanted to go under me. I then got up higher and under she went...like a boat going under a bridge.
I have daily been getting down there and playing with her. She will follow me all over the house. I never realized how painful crawling on tile can be. I will definitely be keeping the thick carpeting until she is well past her crawling and falling phase. When I go from the family room (thick carpet), to the kitchen (painful tile), then to the dining room (thick carpet), I look forward to the carpet again. I am glad that we have the carpeting now. I wanted hardwood floors, I will get them when the baby is a bit older.
It is a good workout. I had been trying to figure out why my arms have been hurting. It is the crawling and going up and down to be at her level and then let her go under me. It is well worth it, I love the smile I receive when I get down there and she knows what is about to happen. She is my little crawling buddy!
I decided one night to get down on the ground and crawl around with her. As I got down there, on my hands and knees, and started chasing her around, something very interesting happened. She got the biggest smile possible and turned and started crawling toward me. She would get really close to me and then lie down.
Later that evening, when my sister got home, I told her what happens. I showed her too. I got down on the ground, the baby got a big old smile and started crawling toward me. I started crawling away, then she got close to me and down she went to her belly. My sister realized what she was doing. She wanted to go under me. I then got up higher and under she went...like a boat going under a bridge.
I have daily been getting down there and playing with her. She will follow me all over the house. I never realized how painful crawling on tile can be. I will definitely be keeping the thick carpeting until she is well past her crawling and falling phase. When I go from the family room (thick carpet), to the kitchen (painful tile), then to the dining room (thick carpet), I look forward to the carpet again. I am glad that we have the carpeting now. I wanted hardwood floors, I will get them when the baby is a bit older.
It is a good workout. I had been trying to figure out why my arms have been hurting. It is the crawling and going up and down to be at her level and then let her go under me. It is well worth it, I love the smile I receive when I get down there and she knows what is about to happen. She is my little crawling buddy!
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