Out of the Mouth of. . . . . .

Goldilocks.  I can always count on her to insult me come up with clever verbiage.  Sometimes I just walk into it with eyes wide open.  Never thinking of the outcome.  'Cause I'm stupid innocent like that.  Sometimes I think I am more clever than she only to find out she has insulted me in the most sly of ways.  Never see it coming.  Such as it was a couple weeks ago.

Goldi and I were standing in the kitchen. I was leaning on the sink. She  nestled in between me and the dishwasher.  Should have been suspicious then, but nope. Not me.

I was drinking coffee from my new favorite mug:

Donna Mae gave it to me for my birthday.  I L. O. V. E. it!  Of course Goldilocks knew this but that didn't stop her from asking ~ again ~ about it.  So (silly me) I proceeded to tell her ~ again ~ about my favorite mug.  That Donna had given it to me because we were sisters.  You know, simple and to the point.  So she says, "That's why there are two girls on there?". " Why, yes. You know that." I say to her.  Her eyes start to sparkle. Awe, how cute.  BIG WARNING SIGN HERE I CHOSE TO IGNORE.  (that's all I'm saying about that)   She gently turns the cup towards her as I am holding it, looks at it, looks at me, and then in an ever so sweet voice says:  "I can see the resemblance."  Insert 'deer in the headlights' look here. 

Why, oh why, can't I just learn????  But, always a but, I took comfort in knowing that there are two happy little girls on that mug. So, if I resemble one, then Donna must resemble the other!  That's my theory and I'm sticking to it! !  Sorry Donna.  tee-hee

Things. That Make. You Go. . . . .

. . . . . . Hmmmmm. 

I stopped by Kellifer's over the weekend to drop off a fall wreath and to see her Halloween and Fall decorations.

 She had in her yard, this:

I.  Want.  This.  Thing!  He's so stinkin' cute.  I've seen the traditional round chimeneas, but this guy sports character like no other!   When it was time to leave, one of the girls asked Kell if they were going to have a bon fire.  About that time Goldilocks runs up.  Kellifer said she probably was going to do the chimenea.  Goldi asks:  "What's a chimenea?  Some kind of ritual?"  Oh. My.  You can only imagine the thoughts running through my and Kell's heads.   Go ahead Kellifer.  Explain this to your Mama.  I'm waitin'.  We got a good silent belly laugh out of that one!

And, today is October 1st.  Already.  And this is how I feel about that:

 

Lop-eared and all. 

 

Now to go wish Happy Birthday to one of my fellas.

 

 

She Had A Dream . . .

She, being, my Goldilocks.  We've been having some weirder than weird dreams around here lately.  Don't know why, but they have been doozies!  

A couple days ago Ben and I were discussing this anomaly and sharing our dreams.  Goldilocks, being nosey attentive, chose to share hers.  Here it is as best I can relate it:

"I dreamt that when I got off the school bus it was the same, but different.  Across the street where Larry's fence is there was a row of bathrooms.  There was this old woman following me and she had my violin and backpack and wouldn't give it back to me.  I was following Ben and he turned around and said: 'Why are you following me?' I tried to tell him the old woman had my violin and I wanted it back.  Then he went into one of the bathrooms. When he came out I asked him to get my stuff back.  After I got my stuff I started walking toward home and the old lady jumped on my back and started doing the "giddy up" motion to make me walk faster.  I finally shook her off and ran home!  Mom-mom, she was a short old lady with white curly hair! She scared me to death!" 

And as my Goldilocks was re-living this terror, her voice was all rapid and breathy.  When she finally came to a place where she could catch her breath she calmly, but matter of factly,  said to me:  "I need a dream catcher."    I told her I was pretty sure they were only for looks and really didn't work.  She politely informed me that Natalie had one hanging over her bed and she  NEVER  has dreams.   Well, there you go.  The proof is in the dream catcher.

So, being the sensitive grandmother that I am, I found her a little something today at Salvation Army for a whopping twenty-five cents.  (apparently it didn't fit the bill for the previous owner).

Her very own. . . .

 

. . .  Dream Catcher!

 

She was thrilled!  As a matter of fact I think her very words were:  "Thank the Lord!"    What can ya say?

Land of "The Lorax"

A couple weeks ago I ran  across a deal on Hibiscus trees.  They normally run around $25.00 to $30.00.  ~ the reason as to why I don't buy them.  To me that's a bit pricey for something you may not be able to nurse through the winter.  But, now, at $10.00 I can and will do that.  So do that I did.  I purchased two of them for my deck.  Yay for me! 

As much as I loved them, they looked  . . . . naked.  All exposed in those pots.  Something had to be done.  It was bugging me.  So I Googled ~  "companion plants for Hibiscus trees", and true to Google's form, it led me all over the universe to look at other tropical plants, but, not really answering my question.

A trip to my favorite local roadside nursery was in order.  Off I go with babes in tow  ~  tee-hee.
Pickin's were slim, it's a little late in the season, but they did have some things I could use. And I had to plant my strawberry pots as well. Each pot has nine cups, meaning I had to buy thirty-six little plants.  Adding that to the companions for my Hibiscus trees I thought I might have to leave one of the kiddos as payment!   Good thing they were on sale.  As we were meandering the isle Goldilocks spied some feathery looking Cock's Comb.  Mom-mom, she says, don't these remind you of The Lorax?  Well, yes, yes they do!  Into the flat they went!  I had my companions!  Through the eyes of a child ~ we should all live there!

 

 

Off we go.  I. Am. Stoked!   Got my stuff planted this weekend.  I like how it turned out.  During Reasy Peacey's birthday party Colin told Kelly that the plants in my Hibiscus pots reminded him of The Lorax.  Say what?  Seems some of us do live through the eyes of a child!  He said they felt like feathers ~ um. . . you touchin' my plants Dude?   He must be a hands on kinda kid! 

 

 



I am so glad I got them.  I never really thought about planting through the eyes of a child, but this year, can I  say,  my eyes were opened in a whole new way.  So now I have a little, very little, Lorax field on my deck.  I love how it turned out.  I am glad I didn't "poo-poo" Goldilocks's vision.  I'm glad I let her be my eyes.  I'm glad, I'm glad, I'm glad.

So, what do you think?   Does this remind YOU of  The Lorax?  Would you plant a Lorax field in your pots?  I hope so!

I will leave you with this.  I don't know why I like it, but it sort of ends my wordy little Lorax post!

Food For Thought

As I was checking my email, Goldilocks engaged me in her world while she was eating her Rice Krsipies.  Here we have it thru her eyes:

G:  "Mom-mom, did you make this?"
M:  As I turn from the computer she is holding a tomato pin cushion.  "No.  It was already made."
G:  "I thought you made it.  Where did you get it?"
M:  "Someone gave it to me with some stuff.  I'm not sure who."
G:  " It's really hard."
M:  "Yea, they use a special stuffing so it keeps the pins sharp.  And it's really packed in there."
G:  "Oh.  Like six-pack hard."
M:  (where is this going?)  "It's a little harder than that, I think."
G:  "It feels likes a six pack to me."

Now, since when does an eight year old know what rock hard abs feel like?  Specifically, six-pack, rock hard abs?

Just some food for thought to begin the day.

What's a Mom-Mom to do?

So, I'm sitting at the computer, minding my own business, checking my email and drinking my coffee.  In prances Goldilocks.  (She and Rease spent the night) She proceeds to chat with me while I'm trying to read.  I. Don't. Like. That.  As a result, I give her "the ole stink eye".  She doesn't like that.   She leaves.  I settle back in.  What's this?  In she comes again.  Only this time she is sporting her chair and an electronic device.  This girl just doesn't give up!  Wonder where she gets that from?

Rease has since settled on the love seat behind us with her electronic device. But Rease doesn't read out loud.

Goldilocks proceeds to turn on her Kindle ~ yes, that's right ~ she has a Kindle.  A Kindle Fire as a matter of fact.  Both her and Rease. Santa brought them.  Hm.  She opens up my blog.  She looks at my posts.  She then asks how to get to her mommy's blog.  I show her and she's off and running.  Reading out loud to me as she goes.  Did I say its hard for me to be read to and read myself?  I did?  Well, apparently Goldilocks didn't get that memo, nor does "the ole stink eye" intimidate her.  But, I have to admit ~ it was sweet listening to her little voice read the things her mommy had written about her, Rease and Piper.  She made the statement that it brought tears to her eyes.  It made her want to cry. 

Melt.  My.  Heart.   

I Want one.  Oh wait ~ I have two!  tee-hee

Monday Quietness

This morning is pretty quiet. Baby Girl isn't here yet, the other two dumplings are in school and Ben is at the gym.  I've managed to have a financial meltdown while balancing my checkbook and paying my bills, I've vacuumed and mopped (with my new favorite mop), I've blogged, I've done laundry and I have had lunch ~ all.  by.  myself.

So I thought I might take a little more time and share my finds, my "doings" and just things in general.

On Saturday I went anti-quing with Heidi Jane.  We had a maa-vo-lus time.  She hit the jack pot with the bargains.  Her new name is Bargain Betty!  I love it!  I didn't hit the bargains, but I did manage to find a gem or two.

 I've been looking to buy a juicer for a while now ~ this one came in at five dollars.  Bargain Betty got hers for under four.  Hm.  Helena is already making lemonade.   And . . . . the most adorable muffin pan I've ever seen! ! !  I walked around with it for a bit before I convinced me to buy it.  I've never seen a glass one before.  Rease is waiting with bated breath for some muffins!


Then when I got home I told me:  "Self, you are going to finish a project this weekend. Period."  "Okay", I meagerly replied.  So I jumped on a bookshelf that I have had, literally, for years.  It was an unfinished pine piece.  Now it looks like this:

I painted it white (barely) scuffed it with sand paper, rubbed on some glaze and then some poly.  I like the way it turned out.  The picture is a little hard to see, but it sure beats that nasty unfinished pine. I think for now I will put it in my laundry area.  I need a place for diapers, wipes and hair doodles for the girls.  This will work for now.  Then we'll see where it moves to next!



And this morning, Goldilocks tried her hand a "arranging".  I usually keep my apples in my white milk glass fruit bowl.  But Goldilocks liked this better:

I think I will keep it for a while.  I like that you can see thru it and see my lovely pink screwdriver! 

Notice the "candle holder"?  Well, it's actually a miniature pie plate I got from the gal that lived across the street from dad.  Got two  ~ love them!

Well, Be`be` Girl is here.  Gotta run!

I Fear. . . . .

. . . . . there's no turning back!  Baby Girl  has figured out how to get in Goldilocks's chair ~ all by herself!
 Goldilocks is stressed.  She's not ready to give up her chair.  Not just yet.  But Baby Girl is persistent. 

When the girls sat down for breakfast this morning, Piper bee-lined to "stake her claim", all the while causing grief for Helena.  Alas ~ it is on. 

It's Bad to be Blind. . . .

We had breakfast with Paul and the girls this morning. It was really nice. Near the end of the meal my phone alerted me of a text. Helena jumped up and ran to the kitchen to get my phone for me. I told her it was ok, I didn't have my glasses and probably couldn't read it anyway. But she insisted and also offered to run upstairs to get me a pair of glasses. I told her it was okay, I'd get it later, but she was already on her way out of the room. She returned with a retro-looking pair of glasses, handed them to me, whispered something in Rease's ear and stood quietly while I tried to read my text. Having the glasses wasn't any better. I couldn't read the text and one of the lenses was badly smudged. I told the girls (as they were smiling at me) that they were probably just plastic lenses and one was smudged at that. Then the giggles began as Helena took the glasses and poked her finger where a lens should be. I was not only wearing plastic lensed glasses, but one of the lenses was missing and I couldn't even tell! ! ! ! Everybody got a kick out of it. What a clever little fox she was. That stinker!

It's bad when you start to go blind. Really, really, bad.

Back in the Grind

Sometimes my day after a long weekend goes pretty well. This one started off pretty good. Baby Girl took a two and a half hour nap this morning. After lunch was pretty sketchy with her. She just wanted to be walked around by the hand. Well, that's all fine and dandy for her. . . she's not the one hunched over! I opted to let go, and here's the outcome. . . . .

She's not really just sitting there. She's trying to move the cabinet with her foot. She is ticked with me.

When moving the cabinet didn't work, she opted to flop herself on the floor and have a little hissy fit! Not a way to end a good beginning, I say. She continued on for a few minutes, shoving her chair back and forth - not for kicks and giggles, mind you.

She settled a little after a nap and when the girls got home she had a snack with them. But just for the record - she hates having to think that she might just have to walk all by her little self!

Poor thing.

On a side note - Goldilocks came home from school wanting me to Google Blackbeard the Pirate. They had learned about him in school today. She filled me in on all the "details". So, I Googled him. We looked at all kinds of pictures. I found a little cartoon "movie", but that didn't work for her. She wanted the "real" thing. I'm thinking she was thinking she could actually see him. I did find a 1952 Blackbeard movie - but suffice it to say - it kinda scared her. Oh well.

All in a day's work, I say. All in a day's work!

Anthology Book.

Last night as we are finishing homework, I tell Helena to get her Reading book. It is laying amongst a mess she has scattered in the floor.
It's been a long afternoon. She wants to Dilly-dally, Rease wants to be Chatty Cathy, and Piper wants her bottle.

So, as I ask Miss Dilly-dally a second time to retrieve her Reading book, she looks and me. . . and. . . .here we go:

Miss Dilly-dally: "Why?"
Me: "Because you have Reading homework. Now get your Reading book." She is looking at me like I have five eyes.
Miss Dilly-dally: "I don't have a Reading book." (see where this is going?)
Me: "Helena, it's right THERE!" (as I'm pointing to said book in middle of clutter)

Chatty Cathy is watching this unfold. Piper is drooling out the side of her mouth. I can feel Ben watching. All eyes are on this little drama that is unfolding.

Miss Dilly-dally, as she picks up the book in question: "This is my Anthology book."
Me: "Anthology book ? ? ?" Do I look confused? Yes? Well, it's because I am.
Miss Dilly-dally: "Yep. That's what my teacher calls it."

Well shut my mouth and knock me over with a feather.
Chatty Cathy is grinning. I look up and Ben is standing a the other end of the table grinning louder and pointing his finger at me. And to make me feel better: says he: "It's okay mom. I only know what it is because of literature." He proceeds to explain to his mom that an Anthology book is a compilation of short stories.

Now, since when do six year old first graders call their Reading books Anthology books? Hm?
Since they have a teacher that calls them that. And we all know, what Teacher says. . . . .
I can hear it now: "Okay class. Get out your Anthology books and turn to page . . . .".

Just humor me here. Does this not say "Reading"? Does it not?



Where are the good ol' days? Where?

Things That Make You go . . . "Hmmm . . ."

Yesterday as I was finishing my blog about my "wallet", Kelly handed me Piper and asked if I would finish feeding her while she ran home and changed. They had been swimming in the pool.
As I am feeding this little sweetie, Helena is eating a peach in her little chair just diagonally behind me. Perfect spot to analyze the veins in my legs, again. So. . . here we go:

Helena: "Mom-mom, you have veins in your legs."
Me: "Yes, I do."
Helena: "They are in 3-D."
Me: "3-D?"
Helena: "Yes, one is sticking out!"

I turn and look at her, as she is slurping her peach, not missing a beat, she smiles back at me.

Okie-dokie.


Kelly returns and visits for a bit and as she is collecting her "parcels" (that being the girls), she points out the rebate check on my kitchen counter. I know, I tell her. I need to take it to the bank. But she keeps "tapping" it. So I walk over and look at the check.

Yep, she's been here alright!

"Dear Pop-pop"

When Bob returned home from his "walk-about" in KY Helena wrote him this note:

Translation:
Dear Pop-pop, XOX
I miss you all the time.
You are my best friend.
I miss you whenever.
Your Friend, Helena

Translation:

I am happy!

Have a happy day.

Enough said.

"Swim Lessons - 101"

This was Helena's swim aid last year. When I opened the pool I hadn't got all the "equipment" out of storage so. . . . . . .

. . . . . .Helena had to use this. . . . an inner tube that had missed the storage box last year. She wasn't overly thrilled, for fear of drowning, but in lieu of watching Rease swim, she donned the rubber star.

In the mean time I shopped the Dollar Tree for noodles. (Why pay more when they will be done for at the end of the season anyway? Hm?) Helena watched Rease jump in and grab her noodles of choice. I could see the wheels turning - and I was getting queasy thinking what she was thinking. She did, however, get in the pool with her star and immediately insisted that I take it off and give her a noodle. *Insert sinking feeling here* (not her, me!) "Are you sure?" asked I.
"Yes!" says she. Against my better judgement, I obliged. Not only did she make out ok with the noodle . . . . . .




. . . . . she let go of it and proceeded to doggie paddle! Be still my beating heart!





Questions is: When did she lose the fear of drowning?
Was it the colorful noodles that enticed her, or her pride - not wanting to "hang" around in that star!

I think she wore herself out paddling around. Rease was a nervous wreck - thought her little sister was going to "belly up"! !

Helena told me she was taking swimming lessons - at Mom-mom's - and she wanted to know if she was going to graduate - Oh. My. "Of course", I told her. I know - you don't have to say it.

Little does this gal know the only lessons she will be getting are the ones she picks up naturally, because the owner/operator of "Rease Swim Club" can't swim a lick! ! ! How's that for faith?

Umm . . . PS - after school this afternoon Helena spotted her purple swimmie on the deck. She said: "Thank you for finding my swimmie. Where was it?" I told her it was with the beach towels. "Oh. I'm not going to be wearing it, but thank you anyway." she says.

Alrighty then.

"Tomorrow is Alysa's birthday."

A brief conversation with Helena this afternoon as she is laying on the couch watching "Noddy":

Helena: "Tomorrow is Alysa's birthday."
Me: "Who is Alysa?"
Helena: " A girl in my classroom. She will be seven."
Me: "Seven?"
Helena: "Yes. Seven."
Me: "Is she a new girl?"
Helena: "No. She is six now. She is old. Very old."

End of conversation. Back to watching Noddy.

Alrighty then.



PS - I should clarify the age thing - Helena is 5 and in Kindergarten ~ ~

"She's not available."

This afternoon, as I was cleaning out one of my cabinets, the phone rang. I couldn't get to it right away. When I finally checked the number I saw that it was Paul. I knew it was his day to have the girls and thought there might be a problem, or that he might be late to pick them up, so I called back right away and Helena answered the phone. ? ? ? She proceeds to tell me that she is a car rider today. They were going to pick Rease up next. Why didn't I answer the phone? What was I doing? She told me left a message. Hmmm . . . . . So. . . after our brief conversation I decided to check the message.
Here is what she says:

"She's not available." (She must be telling Paul this because I hear him say in the background to leave a message.) So she proceeds:
"Mom-mom, I'm a car rider today and we're going to pick Rease up now and we're gonna stop by your house later. I hope you're available then. Bye."

Okay, then. There you have it.

"Ground Hog Day"

Just a few moments ago as I was checking my email, the home news page had "Punxsutawney Phil" from PA on it and I made mention it was Ground Hog's Day. Guess who is sitting by me? You've got it. Helena. So long story short:
Just as I make mention of the little guy, he comes on TV and Pop-pop calls her in there to see him. She of course wants to know about this ground hog that she imagines in our zoo and why he's "there". So I, being the wiser one (or so I thought), explained to Ms. Einstein that he predicts the weather. And in her matter-of-fact voice, as she looks me in the eye, she says:

"I thought God predicted the weather."

It certainly is difficult trying to explain a fun iconic symbol with such a dubious task to a practical 5 year old who wisely credits everything to God! I proceed to tell her he really doesn't - we are just playing - like a game - hmmm. . . . not so easy . . . . the right words eluded me, but she got my drift.
So starts my morning - blessings do come in small packages and at the most unexpected times! :)

By the way - six more weeks of bad weather ~ according to "Punxsutawney Phil" ;)

"waddle, waddle, quack, quack . . . ."

After much thought and deliberation with my self I've decided to share something with you, my friends. Friends being the operative word, here. It takes all my strength and courage to do this, but I can't get this "trauma" off my mind and I think sharing it will help me heal faster.

I was in Wal-Mart (my least favorite place in the world) around Christmastime with Helena and this trauma has prevented me from remembering who else was with me or what I was there for. The following conversation with Helena caused me much humiliation and my mind went reeling and all sense of purpose stopped!
We are walking towards the garden shop and I am holding her hand. All's innocent and all's well - so I thought.
Out of the blue, she looks up at me and asks - "Mom-mom, why are you waddling?" (insert screeching halt here) Not in a "cute" way mind you, but in a way you would ask a child - "Why are you doing that?". My mind immediately conjured up images of the soft, yellow, web-footed thing.
I wasn't quite sure I heard what I heard and thought about not saying anything, lest I should "quack".
But. . . couldn't leave well enough alone - nope, not me.
So I said - "Waddling? Do you even know what that means?" (stupid question #1) "Yes", says she, oh wise one. So I said (should've known better) "Show me, then."
No problem here - she's quite happy to oblige as she holds her arms stiff to her side and proceeds to waddle like a duck! Oh, the horror in my heart! That can't be me, I'm thinking as I am looking around! (is anyone else privy to this conversation?)
Unable to keep quiet, I ask - "How should I walk?" (stupid question #2)
Ah - "Little Miss I have the World Under Control" proceeded to walk like a prim (almost military) and proper little lady. "Like this", she says.

Now, in my defense: I was wearing a bulky coat, holding a slightly heavy purse and the hand of "Little Miss Proper". So I could have (more than likely) been off balance. (That's my story and I'm sticking to it!)

Things That Make you go "Hmmmm. . ."

Some of the things that go thru Helena's head:

• Ben is watching "The Return of the Mummy" - Helena is watching the guy that's all bones covered in slime - talking "ancient language" to his now almost mortal love. Slimy guy is fondling love's hair. Helena looks at me and says - " I wonder if he's got bad breath". Hmmm. . . . .
• In anticipation of going to school today Helena asked me yesterday - "Mom-Mom, do I have my rabies shots for school?" Hmmmm. . . . . :)
• Of course she, being the tomboy princess that she is, is intrigued with all the tools Ben uses to build the deck with. On occasion she will ask him if he needs his "screw gun" (drill) hmmm. . . .
• This summer her favorite swim suit was, of course, her zucchini (tank-kini) hmmm. . .

Stay tuned - I'm sure there will be more - her mind never sleeps and the way she looks at life is refreshing, to say the least! !

"Did ya give it love?"

For snack today, Helena wanted an apple. She normally eats it whole, but because she has a loose tooth, I had to slice it for her. As I was slicing, a seed fell out and she asked if she could plant it. Before I could answer, Rease told her no, it wouldn't grow.
Helena - "how do you know?"
Rease - "because I tried it before, and it didn't grow."
Helena - "did you give it water?"
Rease - "yes"
Helena - "did ya give it love?"
Rease - silence

Hmmmm. . . .

Moral of story - things grow with love :)