This Blog Entry is 100% Miss Goofy's Fault

A few minutes ago, Miss Goofy was looking on Ebay. Probably not a good past time for the child who used to watch infomercials with rapt attention then come running and repeat word for word the entire commercial to me ending with, "We need" then whatever the item that was being advertised was.

Anyway she was saying she was contemplating sewing some scarves to sell online. I said that was a good idea and maybe we'd set up an etsy shop. So she then named several items she could sew and sell. One of her thoughts was doll clothes. Something in the way she said doll clothes brought a tear to my eye. And two memories to the forefront of my mind.

When I was girl my dad's mother and my mom's mother did a lot of sewing for my sister and I. One day while my dad's mom was so engaged my mother called her. When she asked what my grandmother was up to, Grandma responded, "Just sewing some doll clothes." A few days later she showed my mom the dresses she had been working on. They were for my sister and I.

She's the same grandmother who used to get mad when people called my sister and I spoiled. She'd look at the person and tell them, "They're not spoiled, just well-loved."

Thank you, Grandma. Your love remains in my heart and memory.

So We Went To The Cabin Yesterday...

Music Man is working. He's working very hard in fact. However, he's not working for a company he's particularly fond of and he's not in a job he really likes. Needless to say, he's been looking for a new job. So this past Wednesday, he received two calls to schedule interviews for this coming Wednesday. Kind of cool since we hadn't heard from anywhere about any jobs we've submitted his application for.

For one of the interviews, the lady told him to bring his social security card. Always a good sign, we think. Now, we both took our social security cards out of our wallets and put them in a file box for safe-keeping. Just to make it a little harder to steal the number. Good plan, right? Well, when Music Man got the job he has now, I had to find that file box and his social security card. I found it and everything was wonderful.

Until he got the call on Wednesday and suddenly, I can't find it again. Now I do need to explain one detail, we had to get him a replacement card a few months ago because the corporation that he'd worked for had laid him off and wanted to bring him back through a temp agency. The temp agency needed his card for their files. We couldn't find it.

Fast forward roughly a year and I'm tearing apart the apartment trying to figure out where I put that damn card. I remember seeing it in my desk. The desk sitting in Miss Goofy's room. It's not in the desk now. I took the card out when we moved the desk. I know I put it somewhere safe. Tragically, "somewhere safe" turned into "somewhere unknown".

So we went to the cabin to look for the card cause I knew it wasn't in the apartment. Saturday night as we were settling down to go to sleep I told Music Man, I was pretty sure I knew which box it was in. Then I said a little prayer that I was right and went to sleep.

Sunday morning dawned bright and early and despite us wanting to be on the road by nine, it was after 8:30 before we got up. So it was more like ten before we left. After a moment of panic as we got onto the turnpike when I thought we didn't have the cash on us for the toll, I found the change in my purse, and we had a fairly quiet drive.

We got to the cabin and walked in, after a moment "Eww, it smells stuffy in here," I turned to Miss Goofy and said, "Go look in that box, I need to use the restroom." And here is the point of this story. Music Man went with her to look in the box. A box overflowing with books. She had been arguing about looking in that box. Her exact words were, "there's no paper-like things in here".

Music Man smirked. I heard her arguing, finished my task and walked into the living room as she said, "Wait, it's in this book." She opened the book and triumphantly removed his social security card. She had remembered putting it in there when we were getting ready to move the desk. I'd handed it to her and asked her to put it in the box with the books. She had even told me she put it in that book. She'd even teased Music Man about it being in her sparkly vampires book.

I looked at her and smiled as she handed the missing card to her father. I asked the only thing I could as I stood over that overflowing box of books. "Did she just say there's no paper-like things in here?"

Music Man grinned and said, "Yes, yes she did."

That's my daughter. We home school her good.

P.S. You may have noticed that the words Miss Goofy are a link. It goes to my daughter's blog. You should check it out.

P.P.S. Are you happy now, Miss Goofy? I plugged your blog four times in one article.

Happy Birthday Jujubee

It's Jujubee's Big Day!!!

Happy Birthday Sissy!!!

I love you lots!!!



From Nora and her Herd

Joy

Simple things in this world give us joy. As adults it can be anything from a bite of chocolate, the wind in our hair, the sun shining on a cold winter's afternoon or sleeping in while the kids are at Grandma's for the weekend.

As a mom I've always tried to see the world through my daughter's eyes. She has always found joy in the simplest things. Twirling in a circle until she was so dizzy she fell down, chasing bubbles in the yard, the dog kissing her cheek until she's laughing so hard she can't stand, these are the things of her childhood. I hope she will remember them with the same joy I felt watching her experience them.

Now I have a new one to add to the list: passing the written test for her learner's permit. It took most of the afternoon for that one to sink in. But when it finally did, the giggles coming from her were exquisite.

I took her out for a quick driving lesson after we got back from our four hour trip to the DMV, which I didn't even mind this time. We were in a commercial neighborhood with no traffic. By no traffic I mean, there is a gas station, a Denny's and a hotel, about four streets and maybe six stop signs. I had told her on the way over I wanted her to get her speed up to 25. She'd been driving around our mobile home park at all of 10-13 mph. So I wanted her to really drive this time. She did and after her lesson, we parked so we could switch places and I could drive us home. I got behind the wheel and she giggled and said to me, "I went 27." The joy on her face made me want to cry. So happy, such a little thing, but it made her so happy.

So I called her a speed demon and got on the freeway to come home. No way I was going to let her know how much it makes me want to cry. Then I blogged about it.

She's still a speed demon.

Miss Goofy Asks a Political Hot Button Question...

So this morning Miss Goofy and I were watching TV. A commercial for an identity protection company came on. We started chatting about social security numbers and I dazzled (yeah right) her by reciting several of our family members numbers. Including my sister's.

She looked at the dog and asked me, "What's the dog's?"

"He doesn't have one."

"He's illegal?" She turned to the dog and asked him, "Where's your work visa?"



He looks worried doesn't he?

And Now I've Become a Soccer Mom

This is Miss Goofy doing one of the drills:



This is more of the same drill. I believe this is just after the girls hit their coach with the soccer ball.



This is a relay the girls were doing:



And this is what happens when your team loses the relay:



I love that picture of Miss Goofy. She just got hit in the butt by a soccer ball.

I have a bunch of other pictures but the biggest thing I keep asking myself is this: How the hell did I wind up a soccer mom?

Forced Blogging

I am writing this post under protest. Miss Goofy is demanding I update my blog. She wants a picture I took of her to be posted. So here it is.



The skunk with her is the newest member of our entourage, Fillmore T. Skunk.

ETA: I just got yelled at for not mentioning the damn hair. Miss Goofy bleached her hair a while ago. Someone needs to do her roots.

15 years ago today

I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. I'd post a picture but my scanner isn't compatible with Vista, so you have to settle for this past Christmas. I love her with all my heart and am thankful everyday for her.



Today, her dad and I took her and her friend out for pizza and to play mini golf. If there is a monster mini golf near you, I suggest going and trying the place out. It was a lot of fun for all of us.

Happy birthday, Baby Girl. I love you!

Happy Birthday Sissy

March is a wonderful time of year. I always feel rejuvenated at the beginning of March. I think it's the prospect of spring. It energizes me and makes me feel like I can accomplish anything.

Then my grandma's birthday passes and I feel a little less energetic, but still pretty good. The next ten days pass and all is quiet. Next thing I know it's St. Patrick's Day and when I was a kid that always induced a panic at the prospect of getting pinched all day.

The day after the pinching is my sister's birthday. I remember when she came home from the hospital. I remember seeing my mom when she was in the hospital to have her. Not that I was allowed on the floor she was on, but my mom came to the window and waved to me. I think she was on the third floor. I remember I was allowed to look in the nursery window and see my new sister before they brought her home. I was so excited that one of those little babies was coming to our house. I wasn't sure which one, I just remember being happy.

I also remember cleaning the house for Mom and Sissy to come home. We spent what seemed like days cleaning. It was probably a couple of hours at most. Oh and my brother had to mow the lawns and that annoyed him.

After my sister's birthday it gets quiet again. Until the 27th, which is when my daughter's birthday is. My sister and I both share our birth months with our nieces which I think we couldn't have planned better if we'd tried.

By the time March is over, I'm tired. Tired of cleaning for parties, tired of cake and sweets and tired of hearing the birthday song.

Thank God, I have a few weeks until my birthday in May.

Happy Birthday Jujubee! I love you!

Happy Birthday Grandma

Today we celebrated Grandma's birthday. Her birthday was actually ten days ago, but this was the first chance we got to have her over. My cousin, Miss B from an A state was in town hogging her. Just kidding, Miss B! However, my cousin was in town with her quiet yet nice boyfriend/father of her child, and her adorable son, little L.



I'd tell you how old Grandma turned but well, I'd have to think awful hard. Okay, Grandma was 25 when she had my mom. My mom was 21 when she had me. I'm not going to tell my age. So never mind. Here is a nice shot of Miss Goofy with Grandma.


This is what I spent my morning working on decorating. It's a really simple cake and the idea came from the back of the package of Easter M & M's. Don't you love commercialism?

Happy birthday Grandma. I'm glad we could have you over for lunch. We love you!

Update on Grandma

I know you're used to hearing how Grandpa is, but, I'm sure you know that he passed away last week. So today I'm updating on Grandma. I just saw her at the grocery store.

She asked how I was. Nearly made me cry, that she's worried about me. I'm doing alright. She says that today she's okay. She doesn't know how she'll be tomorrow or Saturday but today she's okay. She was in good spirits and cheerful. We talked about this weekend and she told me that several of my relatives who we weren't sure were going to be able to come to the funeral will be able to attend. That makes me so happy and proud of everyone who is coming. Even some of the family who is mourning their own loss will be with us and I am grateful to them for the effort. To those who can't make it for one reason or another please don't misunderstand I completely understand and am in no way upset with anyone. This is a difficult time for everyone and some people just can't go to funerals.

Unlike me. I was thinking yesterday while I was in the shower and I realized I have been to more funerals in my life than weddings. So either people don't like me enough to invite me when they get married, but you can't stop me from attending when you die or I need to hang around people who are way younger. Or maybe this means that everyone who is left is immortal and I won't have to attend anymore funerals. Hey I can dream, right?

In any event, thank you to everyone who has written/emailed/called, etc. to offer support and sympathy. We are okay. We will get through this.

Oh and Uncle Bunky, sorry if I confused when I called and told you about Grandma's taillight. She backed out of her parking space and I followed her out the driveway and onto the street. When she stopped to turn onto the street I noticed her taillight was out. Hopefully that made more sense although I'm not convinced it did.

Keep Grandma in your prayers and I'll see you at the funeral.

Bad Month

Yesterday I posted about having had a bad couple of weeks with Miss Goofy out of town, missing my parents and my uncle having passed away. The news keeps on coming.

I got off the phone with my uncle a little over a half hour ago. My grandpa passed away. We suffered while he had Alzheimer's and while he hadn't been Grandpa for several years, it's still a shock to hear that he's gone.

And yet I can't help but feel happy for him. While I hurt he is surrounded by family that loves him and has just been waiting for him to join them.

Don't grieve for him. Grieve for the ones he left behind. There's a lot of us who lost our hero today.

Good-bye Grandpa, we love and miss you.

Where Have I Been?

Don't you hate it when you keep checking a blog and they don't update for weeks? Me too. I do have an excuse this time.

First I was busy getting Miss Goofy ready for her trip. Then while she was gone, frankly I was enjoying being lazy. I didn't do much while she was gone.

Then Wednesday the 13th, I was having an awful day. I was so depressed. I missed Miss Goofy, I missed my mom, I missed my dad. I was really no fun. I woke up the 14th and felt so much better. I knew I had stuff that had to get done, and I was full of energy and ready to get to it. I had several errands that I had to get done.

I left the house around 10:30 and headed for my first stop: the post office. I was filling out the form that I needed when my phone rang. Now I hate when people take calls on a cell phone in public, but it was my grandma and I wasn't about to not take the call. If it had been Music Man I would have told him I'd call him back, but something about it being Grandma made me take the call. It turned out that one of her brothers had died. I remember my uncle Orin. He and his wife were always so nice to me when I was a kid. I actually have a picture of Uncle Orin and my grandpa in my grandpa's garage that I took. I took it cause Grandpa told me I need to take pictures of people when they weren't expecting it. So I took their picture. Orin is turned sideways and laughing. Grandpa has his mouth open in surprise. I don't think he expected me to take that picture. I tried to scan and post it but I'm having issues between my scanner and Vista. We won't discuss it here.

But I'm digressing. So, I knew I needed to get to Music Man's work before I lost it. I finished at the post office, went home so the dog could use the little puppy's room, called Music Man and asked him if he'd like company for lunch. He seemed concerned cause I hate coming down the mountain to the town in which he works. I told him I'd tell him about it when I got there.

I started out and realized he might be concerned about Grandpa so I called him on my cell phone (yes, I used my ear piece, I didn't need a ticket on top of everything else) and told him that Orin had passed away. He was sorry to hear to about Orin.

I got to his work and came into his office. He closed the door and hugged me. Seldom has a hug ever felt so good. I told him I wanted to go to the funeral. It's in Reno. He says okay to start making the arrangements. He put his boss on alert that he was going to need to go out of town for a funeral and they were very kind about it. Boss Man, who isn't actually Music Man's boss anymore but is still a good friend and lived in Reno gave us some tips on hotel rooms. He also checked to make sure that I wasn't leaving from the shop and that Music Man would need a ride home. What a wonderful friend. And I mean that, I'm not being sarcastic like normal.

The funeral was set for Friday the 22nd and we took Grandma with us. Oh and Miss Goofy came home too. The four of us went up for the funeral and while it's not high on my list of fun things to do, it was nice to see so many family members. It did make me and one of my mom's cousins really miss my mom though. My mom was the one who could have told us who everyone was and how they were related us. Although my cousin did a pretty good job. And a big thank you to you. You know who you are. I don't like to use people's names without their permission.

Anyway we came home on Saturday and yes, we tried to get the brakes on the rental car fixed and no they wouldn't fix them without approval from corporate which would have meant staying Saturday and Sunday night and not going to work on Monday for Music Man. So, we drove home carefully and arrived safe and sound. Although I think we had some very busy guardian angels on that trip. The rental company did take $40 off the rental for us though, so the really good deal we were getting was even better.

One good thing about this whole month, I had an idea for a story and I was able to work on it a lot the last few days. I have the outline done, now I just have to write it.

That's all the news from here. Have a good day and remember to pray for your guardian angel. They work harder than we know.

Miss Goofy Goes on Vacation

Sounds like the name of a children's book, doesn't it? I can picture it now, Miss Goofy getting into all kinds of trouble in New York City. Maybe a Nora story?

Anyway Miss Goofy is leaving either Saturday or Sunday to spend either 9 or 10 days with our good friends TheWeatherGod and DolphinLady. So, what should I do with myself while she's gone? I'm thinking enjoy the quiet and miss her terribly. Music Man is always a mess when she goes to spend time with someone else. He misses her a lot. I do too, but I try to stay busy. Poor Music Man is stuck at work all day with nothing to do except worry about his Miss Goofy. And you know payroll, invoicing, billing, write his paper for school, and whatever else Mr. Division Manager throws at him.

Oh I forgot he's also looking for houses in his spare time. Cause we're moving. Eventually. Someday. Somewhere. Maybe. If we find a place. And he doesn't lose his job pining for Miss Goofy. And pretending to write his paper.

Anti-Procrastination Day

FlyLady defines Anti-Procrastination Day as: The day you do what you've been putting off. Or something like that. So, in honor of my anti-procrastination day, I'm adding a daily list for myself to my blog. And since I think the only thing I did on my list yesterday was make dinner and swish n swipe the bathroom, I'm making my weekly home blessing the thing I add to my daily list for today. And then there's this:


And this:


Music Man and Miss Goofy spent 5 and 1/2 hours assembling Miss Goofy's new bed and bookshelf headboard on Saturday. Good thing I hadn't wanted to you know go do grocery shopping or anything. Okay I did and I was very annoyed when it took so long to get the dumb thing built. And before you ask, yes that is a black comforter and a black pillow. The sheets are pink as is the throw blanket that she has so carefully laid on the foot of the bed in that way that is supposed to look casual and just makes me want to go straighten it. I think I'm going to go buy her the same sheets and comforter only reverse the colors, so she has black sheets and a pink comforter. I'm not sure I can find a black throw like this one though. In case you're wondering why she chose pink and black, then look here:


Apparently if it's good enough for Avril Lavigne, then it's good enough for Miss Goofy. I have no problem with the pink and black and I actually like Avril Lavigne's music, which by the way, both pleases and horrifies Miss Goofy. I'm actually glad that this is my daughter's role model. If only because now she likes pink.

ETA: Music Man also did an awesome job of fixing Miss Goofy's stereo. It seemed when she was taking all the stuff out of her room, she attempted to move her stereo with a CD in it. The CD then got stuck. Music Man had to break the CD in order to free it, and then the part that turns the carousel for the CD's quit turning. He took apart the stereo and fixed the carousel. Thank you Music Man.

Best Parents Ever!!! WooHoo!!!

So, Music Man and Miss Goofy found a new bed frame for her a couple of weeks ago. We told her that we would buy it for her but it had to wait a few weeks. Last night Music Man came home with her new bed. I sent her to shower and helped him move the box onto the front porch. And by helped I mean stood there happily chattering while he grunted and cussed. The box was around 173 pounds. He finally got the box up the steps and on the porch. At this point in time Miss Goofy doesn't know that we bought her the bed. We needed to run to the grocery store to pick up something for dinner. Before we left I told Miss Goofy to walk the dog. I knew she would have to go on the front porch and would see the box for the bed.

When we got home with Domino's pizza instead of something I had to cook, (that alone should qualify us as the best parents ever) we got attacked by Miss Goofy and told we were the best parents ever. WooHoo! Now my life is complete.

We ruined it about an hour later when we made her sit and watch "Revenge of the Nerds". I know it's inappropriate for her. But the movie is so stupid that it's funny. And you'd think we'd still be the best parents ever since she got out of doing her chores for an hour and a half.

Oh and when she got up and went to the bathroom partway through, when she came back, she asked questions regarding what she missed. Yeah, she hated the movie.

Music Man's Father

Music Man's father passed away almost three years ago. He was an interesting person. And by interesting I mean he did some things that were really funny cause they happened to someone else. He was a Viet Nam vet who loved to tell stories that began, "You're not going to believe this s***." Which he told me means that the vet is lying. When Music Man was somewhere around 14 or 15, he was out in the back 40 mowing the lawn. He was wearing the straw, San Diego Zoo pith hat that his dad had given his grandma and had somehow wound up belonging to Music Man after she died. Apparently, the hat looked like something that the enemy in Viet Nam wore. I know this because while my husband was happily tooling along on the ride-on mower, he suddenly hears an odd sound. It was only a few seconds before he realized it was the sound of a 9 MM and it was being fired at him. Music Man dove off the mower and took cover. His father stopped firing when Music Man finally threw the hat in the other direction. I've told this story for a reason. Tonight on the way home from dinner, my husband was explaining his lack of empathy for gang members.

"Oh, you poor thing, did your daddy beat you? Really, too bad, mine fired a 9 MM at me. Quit whining and get a job."

I cleaned that up a bit. There was quite a bit of language that shouldn't be repeated on a family friendly blog.

God, I miss my father-in-law.

Fathers

I wanted to take a few minutes to talk about fathers. The way I see it there are two kinds of fathers: Fathers and Dads.

Father: someone to whom you have a biological connection
Dad: someone to whom you have an emotional connection

Further there are two kinds of Dads: those who start as a Father and grow into a Dad and those who start as a friend and grow into a Dad

Music Man is not Miss Goofy's father. Technically he is her step father and has been for nearly 10 years. However, if you have seen them together, you may not know this. I've been out with the two of them and they've been goofing around together or chattering and agreeing on odd topics and heard people talk about how nice it is to see a father and daughter get along so well. Or been told by store clerks and waiters how my step daughter and her father look so much alike. It really is quite amusing. I love the fact that MM is her dad. She looks to him for guidance and for her value as a woman, something all little girls do. I was very lucky to find MM when I did. My baby was growing up without that and it pained me so much.

The Cranky Old Man is my step father too. My own dad died about a month before I turned 13 and although I had a wonderful father, that hole that was left when he died is still there. It's eased only by a wonderful man who also took up the role of dad. I can go to him and talk to him about anything. He's kind and understanding and never set out to take the place of my dad. He set out to be my friend and became my dad quickly. I have a lot of memories of my father and will always love him, but I count myself blessed that after he was gone, my mom was able to find someone who would become my dad.

And recently there is a new man in my life who has the potential to be a dad/granddad to me. MM's uncle is a kind, wise man. He is helping to fill the void left by my grandpa's illness.

Then there was the original Cranky Old Man. My Dad's step father. My biological dad's step father that is. He insisted that my mother never call him "Grandpa" around us kids. He wanted it to come from us kids, if it came at all. It came very early and was heartfelt.

So, to all the men in my life past and present, Happy Dad's Day. You are the backbone of my life and I love and adore you all.

Change of name

Okay so in a previous post I called my dad "the grouchy old man", it has been pointed out to me that we actually call him "the cranky old man" and as such we can't call him "gomy" and that "comy" is what they used to call communists and he might object to that. So, instead we'll just call him either "the cranky old man" or "Mr. Cranky". I'm not sure which yet, possibly both. We'll see which one I type more often. Okay, time to put away the laundry. Have a great day.

Dinner at Grandma's

So, on Tuesday night we went to Grandma's and had dinner. My cousin, Cheffy, was down for a few days and Grandma knew that we'd want to see him. She called me on Saturday to invite us. I happily accepted. She said she would call me later to let me know which night as she knew Cheffy had plans this week. She called me back within 2 minutes and asked which was better for us, Monday or Tuesday. I said Tuesday. I had been fighting a sore throat and achy muscles on Friday. Saturday Dad started feeling bad. I felt much better. So, Tuesday morning Dad still wasn't feeling better. I called Grandma to see what time she wanted us to arrive. She suggested 6 and I told her we'd be there. I was about to call Music Man and tell him when he called me. I told him and he said he'd try to leave work around 4. He managed to get away about 4:30 and came home. We left immediately upon his arrival to go to Grandma's house. We got to the gate around 6:05. We gave Grandma's and our names at the gate. The very nice man looked and there was no pass for us. I was getting out my cell phone to call Grandma when he stepped back to the car and asked what we were on our way to do. Music Man said we were going to have dinner with his wife's grandmother. He nodded and said to go ahead, just remind them they need to call in a pass next time. He was very gracious. So when we got to the house I teased Grandma about not calling in a pass. She gasped and clapped her hand over her mouth. She asked what we did. Now, since I was standing in her kitchen having this conversation with her, I thought that was a silly question, but I told her that the very nice man at the gate let us in anyway. He just told us to remind them about leaving a pass. So then I said "Apparently we don't look like a threat." She laughed and said "Shows what they know, huh?"

Grandma made lasagna which is Music Man's favorite food of all time. She did a really good job with it too. Especially when you consider some of the other food she's made over the years. It's been a family joke for years. But like I said, dinner was delicious.

It was nice to get to see Cheffy. I hadn't seen him since...well, for quite a while. I'm not sure when the last time I saw him was. He was in good spirits and had cut his hair quite a bit.

Grandma took Grandpa some dinner before she sat down to eat. She said he took one bite and then said he was full. Grandma suggested to him he might want to eat some more. He said that was her problem. Apparently he's been saying that one for a while. Not sure what it means, but that's what he said.

Dad has been sick all week but is feeling better tonight. This flu or cold or whatever it is has had several people at his work out for a week or more. Hopefully, he will be able to go back to work on Monday. I think he could probably go tomorrow, but it might wear him out too much. And he's off on Friday anyway.

Well, I decided it is easier to keep track of Weight Watchers points than to keep track of Jillian Michaels calories, carbs and protein. So, I'm still doing the JM workouts (or rather I'm starting them again) and doing her online buddy thing while doing the Weight Watchers online. I think that will work better for me. I'm doing a much better job of keeping track with the Weight Watchers points than I ever did with calories. Kind of ironic really.

That's all the news from here. I'll try to post again soon.