Christmas in February

Christmas in February?  Why not?  Sometimes the hectic, whirlwind, over-stretched, over-stressed feelings really put a damper on what we are really celebrating.  So stepping back and exchanging gifts with extended family later on is refreshing.  That's what happened this year ~ a delayed exchange.

I always love the gifts I get.  They are fitting for me.  I'm all about simple and sweet without all the fluff-n-stuff.  Fluff-n-stuff is nice, but sometimes it's irrelevant.  Simple and sweet means thought out for me specifically.  That's what touches me ~ that someone has listened to my needs and sometimes my wants.  ;).

I received a February gift that really spoke to me.  It wasn't a "want", nor was it a "need".  It was, however, geared specifically to me. It was a Willow Tree figurine, a "Generations" piece.  A grandmother, a daughter and a granddaughter comforted by a quilt.  Yes, this was me.  I love to make quilts and I love even more teaching my lovelies how to make them. Very fitting. Yes, very fitting indeed.   It was the note that came with it that made me do some serious thinking.  So, I guess, this post is more about the effect of this exchange rather than the timing of this exchange (although God's timing is always perfect).

The note that accompanied it simply stated:  "Crickett, When I saw this I instantly thought of you. You are the anchor in your family....even on the days you don't feel like you make a difference to anyone.  Love you more than you know, Donna"

A simple note with a profound statement.  I can assuredly say I don't feel at all like any anchor.  More often than not I feel as I've let my entire brood down.  I can't for the life of me see them tethering themselves to me for anything, let alone, stability.  I feel more like the buoy in the ocean, bobbing to and fro, insecure in where I'm placed. The only thing keeping me from drifting out to sea is The Anchor tethered to me. Perhaps my minuscule affect on my family has trickled it's way upward from The Anchor to the buoy to them. Perhaps.

Home Base

 According to Goldilocks:

"Mom-mom's house is home base.  When you are here no one can touch you.  Kind of like tag. It's where you go to be safe. They can chase you and hoover around home base, but they can't come onto home base.  You are safe.  But once you leave, you're fair game. Anyone can get you."

This was said to the Mama Bear yesterday while laying in my kitchen floor with her hands to her head in dread.  She'd been here since she got off the bus and dropped her things by Papa Bear's.  I knew why and watched the above scenario unfold after she told  Mama Bear her dilemma ~ as she had told me:

*Papa Bear got an email from Teacher stating her concerns about Goldi's academic situation.  Seems Goldilocks has been slacking a bit.  And. .  . she's had her phone on in class.  And Teacher had to rearrange seating for chatting reasons. Definite no-no's.  I scolded her about the phone and raised my eyebrows about the rest.  Apparently I didn't raise my eyebrows loud enough, because she told Mama Bear I didn't yell at her,  I just listened.  Oh, the joys of Grand-parenting.   But back to Papa Bear.  He texted our Little Goldilocks (while she was still in school) to say he had received the email and they would discuss it further when he got home. *

Thus the reason for the wringing of hands and the comfort of "Home Base". She wasted no time getting here, and stayed 'til the last possible minute.   Mama Bear wasn't any the more happy with her.  I felt like I needed to squirm.  Don't know why ~ . . . .  But I will say, I was glad I was on "Home Base" myself.  I did take the Mama and Papa Bear's sides.  We can't let our girl fall to the way side.  She needs to be held accountable. 

She got her phone taken away and she can't come to Mom-Mom's until her grades come up.  Now, WHAT did I do??  Seems to me she wasn't the only one to be punished here.  Yes, I am complaining, and whining.  And venting.  So much for taking the parent Bear's sides.  Pft. 

Oh, and in honor of today:  BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH!!!!
Who is your Brutus?!  I think mine is the Bear parents. 

I've not written a heart felt, deep thinking, no nonsense post in quite some time. It seems life has thrown her monkey wrenches in my plans at the most inopportune times. 

My days are filled with a one year old.  She is not the "monkey wrench", per se, but she stalls my plans, (my plans are not her plans.) I'm like a plane in a holding pattern. I know where I need to go,
but have to wait for the Tower (AKA: Turtle Dove) to allow me to proceed. I circle and wait, and finally with my landing gear out, I descend into the 5 o'clock hour. I roll to a jerky stop and hug my passengers as they exit the rear door.  By that time I am as worthless as a plugged nickel.

I can barely pull dinner off, let alone write on my blog.  If I didn't have everyday chores on top of cooking, I might have some free time.  Maybe.  I don't know.  Who knows, really?  Who? Not me, that's for sure.  Those two things, dinner and chores, are monkey wrenches. (Two of many.)

At any rate, it has been a hard start to a new  year.  Death cane calling.  Families weren't prepared. No one sees The Grim Reaper coming.  That is how he operates, unannounced and, most assuredly, unwelcome.  He doesn't discriminate. He's not picky.  And he's on no one's schedule. 

It's now well into March. I have to so much on mind and heart to write about, but not sure that I could find the right words even if I found the time.  Time.  They say it heals all wounds.  Does it?  Or does it just soften the pain?  At any rate, I know I will find the time when I find the words.  And I suppose that is the frightening part.  When the words come.  Because we know, when the words come, they will open wounds and leave way for pain to follow.  Again.  And  no one wants pain. Especially pain of the heart. 

Speaking of the heart.  My Boy and I were talking last week.  About the heart and how it responds to emotional situations.  He said (in his infinite wisdom) that if the emotional pain were severe enough it could cause the heart to stop beating (AKA - heart attack).  He said there were these "heart strings" within the heart  and they could break given the right circumstances.  It goes to show, one could literally die of a broken heart.   Don't know why I felt it important to share this.  I guess it causes one to ponder life's oddities and the complexities of the body and soul.

I suppose I should run along.  I have a ton of no-nonsense things that need to be done while the Little
Turtle Dove is sleeping.   And I need a fresh cup of octane, I mean coffee. 

Sarah Sponda

I am writing this to let you know I am always thinking of you and the situations placed in your path.
I pray for you and your family to be able to wrap your heads around what may seem a mountain at your door.  But pray, I do.  I hug you guys daily with my heart and my mind.  I cry with you and sometimes I cry for you.   I understand.  I do.

It's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel when you are standing in the middle of "darkness".  It is easy to become fearful of what lies ahead, where to place your next step.  We all know the light is at the end.  But what we don't know and what makes our journey stressful at times is what we will encounter in that tunnel and how we will handle it.   The good thing is. . . we don't always have to go through tunnels!  Sometimes we can walk on a bridge or dance in the rain or catch snowflakes on our tongues or just sit on a pier at the river and dangle our legs taking in all the good life has given us and anticipating the best that is yet to come.

I read once when someone asked, "Why me?", the appropriate question should be, "Why not me?" I feel God has chosen you because of your strength, your faithfulness, but mostly because of your willingness.  He knew who could carry the burden, who would pray without ceasing, and who would learn to lean unashamedly on Him.  You are the middle child for a reason. You are a fulcrum.  You are the pivot on which your siblings are balanced.  It is a big job with seemingly little rewards that you can see.  But the rewards are there ~ Every.  Single.  Day.  They are your little nuggets of hope and hugs and smiles.  *They are the family and friends God has strategically placed around and about you, near and far.  They give you heartfelt, but God honoring advice.  They love you.  They do. They stand on each side of you ~ holding you up during the battle you are fighting. They offer you rest when you get weary.  They may not always be there physically, but their hearts and prayers are.  You are "sandwiched" between those who love and care for you. 

Please do not feel you are walking this journey called Life alone. 
Please feel the love that flows your way.

I love you ~ more than you will ever know.

Mom-Mom

PS:  Some of my favorite verses/quotes:

"Fear is the devil's darkroom where he takes you to develop the negative."

Ps. 119:105 ~  "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."

Exodus 17:11-12 ~  " 11. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed and when he let down his hand Amalek prevailed. 12. But Moses hands were heavy and they (Aaron & Hur) took a stone and put it under him and he sat thereon:  and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands , the one on the one side and the one on the other side, and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun."
 *we battle daily, Sarah.  We need Aarons and Hurs in our lives to help us prevail. 

Happy Birthday, Hope!

I can't believe how the years have flown.

Into a lovely young woman you've grown.

Your as sweet as flowers in the month of May.

Your smile can brighten anyone's day.

Your heart is tender, your spirit is strong.

I love you Little Lady,  to infinity and beyond.

Happy Birthday!

Love,

Mom-Mom

Happy Birthday, Moonbeam!

It's hard to believe you're already one!

My, my, my, how the time has flown!

You're growing up in cute little spurts

My love for you ~ well ~ just makes me burst!

Kisses and hugs all around

For this cute Little Moonbeam God sent down!

I love you, Little One!

Love,

Mom-Mom

What Is A Full Heart?

I suppose a full heart can mean many things to many people.
There are many things that fill my heart to bursting.  They are never pre-determined by me.  The fullness hits me the  moment it touches my heart.  I don't look back and say "Oh, that was heartwarming."  No, I feel it instantly.  Simple things received by a simple person from those who are clueless as to how full they have filled my heart.

God has blessed me with some of the most awesome Grandchildren.  I can't think of one hateful thing to say about either of them.  Sure, they all have their "quirks", but that is what makes them ~ them.  Understanding that leaves a door open for heart warming, heart filling moments.  Ones that are least expected.

I've had two of my nine grandchildren call me their best friend.  Who does that these days?  I must say it caused me to pause and think.  I don't recall being anyone's "best friend" until then.  But I can't think of any higher honor than that.  It was, to say the least, very humbling. 

Then we have the one(s) who love the banter and tease of life. (That actually, pretty much, fits all of them).  The ones not afraid to joke with me.  The ones with the dry humor that I find hysterical.  The facial expressions, the inside jokes.  They all have that.  I love it. I love them.

Then of course we have the complimentary souls.  The ones who won't let me grow old.  They defy my age. They push me to my limit. Sometimes it's painful, but so worth the effort.  They remind me of what being young is.  In my heart, in my mind and in my spirit. 

I truly can't imagine my world without these guys.  Sometimes just thinking about them makes me cry. That's how full my heart is with them.  That is the impact they have on me.  They may never know that moment when my tank is filled, but God does.  And I know He will bless them along the way.  I pray they may experience that fullness, but most importantly be able to recognize the reason their hearts were warmed.

That's it.  Short.  Sweet.  Simple.

Little Boy Blue ~ July Visit

I know you know this Little Fella stole my heart the moment I laid eyes on him!  He just did.  I have no words for it.  But, alas, Little Boy Blue, he is a'growin'. 

And he still melts my heart. 

I think he has taken favor to "someone" and "someone" has taken favor to him (although he won't admit it).

Big  Boy couldn't get too far out of Little Boy's sight.  He made sure he shadowed every move the Big Boy made.  We discovered Little Boy was smitten with baseball!  He would sit with Big Boy and watch all day long if he could.  It was priceless to watch him "hit the ball (with what ever would work as a bat), throw his "bat", run the bases and slide!  We know what his calling is!

Watching the Home Run Derby
on the computer
 

Then there was the fishing ~ yep ~ even though Little Boy didn't get to fish didn't mean he didn't have a shared interest with the Big Boy.

 

 

Let's just see what we can find online to spark our "creative juices" or maybe some sweet boat to pine after.  Who cares as long as it involves a fishing pole, lures, water and a boat!  And speaking of boats, let's just see what Big Boy is up to with his!

A key!

There's lights and buttons
and switches!

Train 'em young we say.  No need to wait 'til they're old and set in their ways.  Nope.

And if it wasn't bad enough he had stolen my heart, Goldilocks was just as smitten with him as me!
She couldn't get enough of him.  Can't say I blame her. 

Be still my beating heart!

I wanted to just put him in a box and hide him until they had gone back home.  I just WANT TO KEEP THAT BOY!

Happy Birthday, McKenna!

 

Happy Birthday to a Cutie Pie!

Seven years old

My, how time flies!

 

 You're growing up,

For this, I'm glad.

But try to slow down

Just a tad!

 

Love you bushels and pecks

With a great big hug

Around the neck!

 

Love,

Aunt Crickett

Back to Summer. . . . .

. . . . . now that it's fall  . . . .

My young kindred was able to come back to the shore for a few weeks in July courtesy Kelly's friend, Jenny.

Believe it or not, this was one of those very rare visits that we hardly did anything constructive. 

Sarah Sponda did finish a scrapbook she started eons ago. 

We became obsessed with outfitting Hope's bedroom with Paris-y, French-y things.  We found bargains galore for her!  Talk about being stoked, we were!   It seemed every corner we turned we found treasures.  We became the  "Make-over" team.  Two peas in a pod ~ yep, that was us.

This is my girl donning the latest fashion trend ~ men's boxers split at the crotch up the middle:

 

Ben split them when he squatted and I didn't notice until I was folding the laundry. Nothing like washing laundry just to throw it away.  Kinda like making sure you have clean undies on when you leave the house  ~  just in case you're in an accident!

 Puts a whole new spin on the phrase:  "You're getting a little too big for your britches!". 

 

 

Sarah decided she wanted to make her own rag quilt.  No argument here!  Count me in any day.  Quilt, fabric, shopping ~ what's not to love about that?   With the exception of the background fabric, she found beautiful flannels for the front.  She sat and meticulously cut her squares.  Good Girl.  She didn't get to sew any ~ ran out of time ~ imagine that!  But, she did have them ready to go for when she got home and could find the time. 

 

And speaking of time, MOST of our TIME was consumed with watching Grey's Anatomy on Net Flix.   She was hooked.  Of course I couldn't let her run that marathon all by herself even if it did mean bedtime came after 1:30AM (3:30AM on her last night here).  I was one weary gal.  But I wouldn't trade it for all the tea in China! 

 

We did the usual for the rest of the summer.  Swam, bickered and waited for school to start.  

 

 

 

It was surely a strange summer this year.  Can't put my finger on it, but it just seemed a little "off". 

 

But all in all, it was memorable. 

 

Now that fall is officially here and school is in full swing maybe I will be able to keep up with the homeland news. 

 

Maybe.





Family

Family ~ according to Webster:

fam·i·ly
/ˈfæməli, ˈfæmli/ Show Spelled [fam-uh-lee, fam-lee]  

noun, plural fam·i·lies. 

 

1. a.  a basic social unit consisting of parents and their children, considered as a group, whether dwelling together or not: the traditional family.

b. a social unit consisting of one or more adults together with the children they care for

 

2. the children of one person or one couple collectively

 

3. the spouse and children of one person

 

4. any group of persons closely related by blood, as parents, children, uncles, aunts, and cousins

 

5. all those persons considered as descendants of a common progenitor.

 

Sometimes I think families get a bum wrap.  Not because of how it is "defined", but because of the dynamics of the family unit.  

 

No where in that definition does it say that a family is all pixie dust and moon beams, sunshine and lollipops, gentle breezes and cool grass.    I get the distinct feeling that is what a lot of people perceive families to be or should be.  I think it's borderline delusional ~ and someone is in for a rude awakening.

 

I don't know about you, but my family is full of  meteor showers and sun spikes, thunderstorms and sour grapes,  hurricanes and forest fires.  I have to constantly duck and dodge the fallout, batten down the hatches, and throw buckets of water on the scorching flames. You gotta get in the saddle to tame the bronco, a dirty job, but somebody's gotta do it.  And during the calm from one event to another I am afforded the freedom of the sweet things in life.  That is what my family is all about. 

 

I have never promised an easy life to my kids.  I've never said it will be a cake walk.  But at the same time I encourage them to never give up, keep forging on and grab the gusto when you can. 

 

But when family attacks its own, that is where I am lost.  Now, I don't mean squabbles or hissy fits.  Or ticked off children, or temper tantrums.  I mean shaking the family to the very foundation on which it stands.  Not seeing the benefits afforded to that one because of the sacrifice of the family.

  

An effort put out by all for the benefit of one is family.  Coming together to nurture, love, hold up, and even rebuke is family.  Crying is family.  Praying is family.  And. . . . . loving unconditionally is family.  

 

Family is the privilege that deserves honor and loyalty.  To discard it's depth and meaning is to throw away the very soul of love.    How,  I ask,  can someone do such a thing?

A Look Back at October Through Pictures . . . . .

I thought September flew by, but boy, oh boy, October was a blur!  Maybe it had something to do with the fact that I was gone for a third of the month.  Maybe it's just old age.  At any rate, it was here and gone before I could flip the page on the calendar!

So, here, in some cases in a blur, is October thru pics:



Only an Itty Bitty could stack a wobbly tower and not have it fall.
How does she do that?

We celebrated a birthday.

I finally deflated Dora after four plus months of
hanging around!  I've never seen a Mylar last this long.  It
was for Itty Bitty's birthday in May!

This was the original reason I was to be in the Land of Horses at the end of October.
Band Competition.

This is Hope doing her hoop thing ;)> .  She is going to be talented
like her older sister!

This is Sarah's Senior year in HS.  This was her last Guard competition.
Bittersweet.  That is her in the dress.
She had the solo part this year.
 She enters a portal to a different realm,
 only to become part of their world ~ for just a short time.
She was fabulous with the rifle!

"Should I leave?  No . . . I'll stay just a bit longer."


 

This is the reason I arrived a week early!  How can you say "No." to these little faces?  How?

Give me my heart back!  Now!
Never mind.  You may keep it.

 

Snug as a bug with his binky!
And cute little chapped cheeks, to boot!

 

Never too big for an exer-saucer!

L. O. V. E.   Nothing less.

Back home in time for Trick or Treating.
Our 80's gal, our Jelly Fish and an Itty Bitty Cow!

 

Dare I even say it's November?  How could it go any quicker?  Um, don't answer that!  PTL for cameras ~ even tho I'm a lousy photographer I get to keep the memories.  At least pictures don't fly by at break neck speed!  I can, at least, linger over them ~ well, for two minutes or so. 

Let's wait and see how November pans out.  Can I get a worthy post or two in before the end of the month?  Or is this a sign of things to come?

A Look Back at September Through Pictures

This month has flown by ~ way to quickly.  So here's the "lowdown" of how our life "went down" during September:


Our South Paw had to come to Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop's just to rest

Itty Bitt is really itty bitty!

Squashing the ants (long "A" sound here) on Uncle Ben's boat

Audrey Dog thinks my sewing space is her window to the world!  Get.  Off. Now.

A Sweet Pea named Missy gave ME raspberry jam and a bouquet of flowers
from her very own yard!  Thank you!

My washer went up so I was able to snag these from Kellifer.
Again. . . . Thank you!

We've confirmed Itty Bitty is a klepto thief.

I got to go to an estate sale as well as a barn sale!
Scored big time!  These are only a couple of goodies from
the estate sale.

We got to watch our South Paw play some fall ball!

Of course,  there was some playing with cotton, some birthday stuff, some a LOT of school and the everyday mundane stuff ~ you know ~ laundry, cleaning, cooking. . . . . .

So that pretty much sums up September this year.  Hopefully October will just casually stroll along.  Hopefully.

Summertime . . .

It seems it took For. Ev. Er.  for summer to get here!  For.  Ev.  Er!
But, boy when it did, it flew in like it owned the place.  I really enjoyed the cooler days and even cooler nights, but now we have been smacked in the forehead with 90 plus temps.  "Hotter 'n the hinges on hell's gates!" as Kelly would say.  But the kids are enjoying the pool.  Their gingerbread color is proof.  I'm sure Kelly and Paul have stock in the sunscreen industry.

 

June was an easy, cool month for the most part.

 

They swam, and Itty Bitty started learning the doggie paddle.

 

 

Reasy Peacy's Birthday Party

They played Yard Twister

Then we slid into the heat wave month of July! 

HOT, RAINY and HUMID! Not necessarily in that order.  Miserable, but we're surviving.  Family for the Fourth has become a tradition here.  We ate, swam, ate some more, and watched fireworks from the comfort of our deck, and all the while we are swatting the mosquitoes that the monsoons have unleashed upon us this year.  Needless to say, bug spray was a precious commodity!

There's a birthday party about to happen today, too!
 

 

 

Each year our little town has a "parade".  Bicycles are
patriotically decorated and paraded around town! 
Some of our gang - out front waiting to cheer them on! 
Gotta love a little town.

Our fireworks were held on the 5th this year . . . .

due to our share of goodness getting detained by DOT and delaying the whole thing!  Some of the family got to come back to enjoy good times.  Some didn't . . . .

Bomb Pops are the bomb!

 

 



A friend from afar with us this go-round.
Goldilocks, Reasy Peacy, Itty Bitty, Jenny from Ohio, and
Miss Corrinna.



And today Goldilocks and her big sister, Reasy Peacy, left for a week long camp in Stevensville, MD.
It's right on the Chesapeake Bay.  Can I just say.  "I'm jealous of the view."?  Wouldn't you be?



Two weeks into the month.  Summer in full swing.  So much more to do.  But before we know it, we will be school shopping and getting ready for that fabulous season called "Fall".