secret life of bees

page 14 and I'm already crying....

"The bag contained a pair of white cotton gloves stained the color of age. When I pulled them out, I thought, Her very hands were inside here. I feel foolish about it now, but one time I stuffed the gloves with cotton balls and held them through the night."

a poem for the end of summer break

Summer break is winding down.

We've been out of town

every weekend

since the last weekend of May.

Kids moods

ebbing and flowing.

Can't believe I haven't yet said those words.

For so many summers

they have escaped my lips way before now.

But like a thunderstorm in the distance

I can feel them

forming.

They aren't quite ready to come out.

But when they do

watch out!

"Gosh, I can't wait for y'all to go back to school!"

that time of year again

Numero Uno asked if we could go school supply shopping this week. Why not this afternoon I figured. So, after an early dinner, we pulled out the sales fliers from the weekend paper and planned out what we would buy in which store. We made a master list, and off we went.

The whole fam-damily went (I know you are asking "What were you thinking?!?!") and afterward ... at 10pm!... we rewarded all seven of "ourselves" with Wendy's Frostys for the fact that we saved a huge amount of money by using store coupons and shopping smart.

Pretty soon, these late nights will end. School will begin and we will have early bedtimes and more painful, early-to-rise mornings.

but officer...

This morning I awoke with blood-red blood shot eyes. They were dry and hurting so badly that I felt like I had been in a staring contest all night, or that I had been drinking the night before.

Actually it isn't the first time. It has been happening occasionally in the past few months. After I am up awhile, they get back to normal. But I must admit, it is a little unnerving. Am I sleeping all night with my eyes open? Am I dehydrated? Is it the sign of some dread disease?

Or do I sleepwalk and go down to the corner bar and have a whole 'nuther' night life?

*sniffffff*

Nope, I can rule that one out. I don't smell like the bottom of an ashtray. Whew!

I really hate shaving my underarms.

It's the pits.

oh, the difference a week makes

Last week I ran two loads of dishes all week long. This week I have run two loads per day with stuff that still won't fit and has to wait til the next load.

Last week I did one load of laundry, but there wasn't enough to do two. This week, Mt. Washmore!

Last week all the clean surfaces stayed clean. This week... well there aren't any clean surfaces no matter how hard I try.

Last week was calm and quite peaceful. This week I cannot hear myself think and my nerves are on edge.

Last week I heard the beloved sound of clocks ticking. This week I hear the beloved sounds of kids in the house.

now reading

Still trying to get through Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis (Every time I pick it up, I read a few pages and fall asleep. On the upside, I am catching up on sleep.)

Per my sister's suggestion: Secret Life of Bees (Just got it yesterday but haven't opened it yet.)

And for the book club: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (This book is moving so slow that it is pissing me off. I don't even want to pick it up again. I just look at it and keep walking. Isn't that terrible?!?!)

photo credit

After tasting some peaches we bought from a roadside stand on our way back home from the (wonderful 25 year class reunion) weekend, I have come to the following conclusion:

The fruit by which Adam and Eve were tempted

was not an apple!

photo credit

follow-up letter

Dear JM Class of 1985,

You people ROCK. You are like family and it has been way too long.
Remember how anxious I was a few weeks ago? Well, all of that melted away when I first saw Sheila and Tracie in the hotel and got to hug their necks.
Tonight was a blast and I don't think any of us wanted it to end.
Do your feet hurt as bad as mine do? Pass the Motrin, will ya?
God bless you til we meet again.
xoxo

:o) mg

tick tock

credit for clock photos

My mom always says to me,

"One day you will get tired of hearing the clocks tick"

every time I complain about the kids and their noise.

This week our roles have been reversed.

Gotta say, I rawtha like being able to hear the clocks.

Probably it's because I know it won't last long.

thank me later

1. Dice 4 cups apples (a tart variety is nice...I used a smallish red variety that is tart, though I don't know what the name is offhand) - either with or without the peel. I prefer the peel because it makes me think I am getting tons more fiber.
2. Put in microwave safe dish
3. Sprinkle with cinnamon. You will not need sugar. The sugar from the apples is plenty.
4. Cover dish with clingy plastic wrap
5. Microwave for 10 minutes. Let cool! (*can be eaten cold)
6. Serve with a dollop of sour cream on top. Thank me when you see me. :)

It is so yummy. Almost an apple cheesecake flavor. Not only is this a Simple. Sugar-Free. dessert, it can be paired with other things to make one helluva great dessert (though not necessarily sugar free).

I love to make trifle. So check out my trifle idea: Sour cream pound cake (diced) place a layer of the cake on the bottom of your trifle dish. Apple layer. Sour cream layer. Cake, apple, sour cream, etc. Then get a plate that fits just inside your trifle bowl and smash all the layers together. Cover with plastic wrap, refrigerate. Serve.

movie recommendation

Seven Pounds

yet another incredible movie that Will Smith is in.

ps- it has nothing to do with PMS

come on down to the gutter with me.... double dog dare ya!

Ok, I know this is extremely disgusting, but

it's just how my fertile little pea-sized brain works.

photo credit

Have you ever known or seen an adult male who just couldn't stop scratching his... well, his... er... his family jewels? I'm not talking about that once in a blue moon thing. I am talking about the kind of scratching that actually distracts you when you are in a conversation with the dude. I'm talking the kind of itch-fest that makes you not want to stand too close, lest one of "dem bugs" jumps on you!

Ok, so my question is this: Why do you think it happens? Do you have any scratcher stories? Come on down in the gutter with me and be as silly or as factual as you care to.

summer reading list con't

Just finished:
On a Street Called Easy, In a Cottage Called Joye - a very generous friend lent me this book about two men who restored a 60 room home in Aiken, SC. Having restored the home we are in, I loved hearing all the stories of disasterous events and successful outcomes.

Also have these two books going on simultaneously:
Surprised by Joy - the story of C.S. Lewis' early life
The Art of Racing in the Rain - a story told from the viewpoint of the family's dog

How 'bout you?

mini empty nest

Kids are at gramma's and King and I have several days to ourselves.

Whoa.

Is this what retirement & empty nest will feel like?

Much to the dismay of many, most especially grannykins, this is the first time we have left the kids with my mom. They have spent the night with King's parents, who live a mile away, and even with their aunt who lives an hour away; but, although she has begged each summer, the fact that she is 4 hours away just seemed like a little too far.

Since there is nothing the kids have going on this week that would prevent their being out of town, and in light of the fact that I am ready to let go, I am quite peaceful about them being THAT far away. The two little ones are able to communicate their needs and the older three are able to help out with nearly any disaster.

Because feeding five kids, one being a teenage boy, is pricey, King and I decided we should provide Mom with meals: red beans & rice, pot roast, lunchmeat & sandwich cheese, plenty of pb&j, etc and gave her $100 for whatever other activities they want to do. Might not go far, but it will help.

I know. I know. This all could be thought of as Controlling and Obsessive, but I prefer to think we were being Overly Responsible, Helpful, and Thoughtful.

(*sigh* "You say tomato...")

I think mom, the kids, and King all thought I'd be a basket case as we pulled away from her house today, but I was fine. Chipper, even! Funny thing was they were the ones who had a slight catch in their voices.

Not me, buddy. I may be slow, but I get there!

cuteness

"Sponch Spa Pair a Pants"

What #5 calls Sponge Bob.

pulu si bagumba

Gilligan's Island was a religious show.

King LOVED Gilligan's Island as a child (still does) and practically knows every episode by heart. Sick? I always thought so, but maybe notsomuch now in light of this.

*******

I, on the other hand, was a huge fan of Bewitched and I Dream of Jeanie...

hmmm.

What's wrong with this picture?

enjoy the show

Here are some photos I took at my uncle's pre-Fourth-of-July party. I took about a gazillion pictures that night, but these are some that turned out the best.

**I doubt anyone would want to, but please do not copy these pictures and use them as your own. If you would like to use one, please ask my permission. Thank you!**