Wordless Wednesday

I always feel safer with a grandson "packin' heat in the backseat"!

A Cowboy Birthday

   Recently, my grandson Michael celebrated his sixth birthday with a cowboy-themed campout in his backyard. 

  He and his friends enjoyed stick horse races...

a cowboy boot bean bag toss...

birthday cake and wishes...

pictures with friends...

hotdogs on the grill...

a bonfire with s'mores...

and a night of camping...

Happy birthday, pard'ner!

Summer Days

   I love, love, love summer!  I love the unexpected little rainshowers, the long days, the fresh fruit and produce, road trips with my family, and yes, call me crazy, but I even love the heat.   Of course, I know it will end soon.  Children will go back to school, cool crisp winds will blow and I will be just as excited about the fall. 

   But for now, I'm going to bask in the sunlight and cram as many little trips and summer activities into my schedule as is humanly possible.  This week, I gathered my little chicks together and we headed over to Paris for a day trip.  We spent the day with my sisters-in-law and my brother-in-law and had a great time!

   Here's Michael enjoying the pool...

  His mom and Aunt Melanie had a great time, too!

   And then, yesterday, Michael and I took  one last trip over to Ham's Orchard in Terrell.  The orchard is only open from May 15th through August 15th, so this was our last chance to pick up some nice, sweet peaches and eat some of their delicious peach ice cream.

   Even in the 100 degree heat Michael really enjoyed the treat!

   I brought back a whole box of peaches and today I'm going to freeze some, make some jelly and a nice big cobbler...

   After we came home, we got to spend the evening cuddling with sweet Lilly...

You can't beat that for a fun, summer day!

 

Reflections on Jelly Making

   A few weeks ago, I picked blackberries at a local farmer's patch.  I spent several hours there and picked about two gallons.  The berries were just beginning to ripen and I had to work pretty hard to find them ...

but it was certainly worth it!  I brought them home and froze them and today, I thawed some to make jam.  I love making jellies and jams because it reminds me of my mom and all the canning she used to do. My dad grew a huge garden and Mother was expected to can or freeze as much as she could.  I don't think she enjoyed it the way I do, though, because for her it was a necessity and for me, it's just a hobby.

   Several weeks ago, I found this sieve in an antique shop in Mineola.

   My mother had one just like it, so I had to buy it.  I used it today and it worked great!  I was able to make my jam without all the seeds.  I made sixteen jars and next week I plan on making blueberry and peach.

   I guess to some, it's strange that I would make something that I can buy so cheaply at the store. I think that besides the fact that it reminds me of my childhood, I enjoy knowing that I can be a little self-sufficient.  I mean, I didn't grow the berries, but at least I know what to do with them.  I'm trying to pass that on to my grandson.  Next week, I'll be taking him to Edom, Texas for our annual blueberry picking trip.  I love watching him carry his little basket and pick those tiny berries.  Hopefully, our trip will give him some great memories and more importantly, the experience of working to provide his own food, because a  little pioneer spirit just might be good for us all!                                                                                                                                     

 

Wordless Wednesday - Won't Someone Please...Please Take Me Fishing?

Monday Musings - A Visit From Lilly

This weekend we had a precious little house guest....

And she brought everything but the kitchen sink (luckily, we already had one of those)....

A weekend with Lilly is always filled with ...

• 
  
  lots of hugs and kisses
• 
  
  late night talks and songs              
• 
  
  walks in the neighborhood
• 
  
  dressing up in cute little clothes and hairbows
• 
  
  listening to sweet little squeals
• 
  
  lots more hugs and kisses, and...
• 
  
   a real appreciation  for all parents of special needs children!            

Come back any time, sweet Lilly....just give me a few weeks to catch up on my sleep.   Googoo loves you!

Wordless Wednesday

Oh, my!  Would you look at that?  It seems like only yesterday you were using training wheels...Hey, wait!  It was just yesterday!  Way to go, Michael!!

Wordless Wednesday - Movie Stars

Thankful Thursday

   Today, I am thankful for stares.  Yes, I said stares.  You see, when we take Lilly, our special needs granddaughter anywhere, often we notice that some people do a little more than just glance at us.  Last summer, my daughter, Lilly's mother, said "I hate it when people stare at us."  I started thinking about that and these are the reasons I am thankful for their stares:

• First of all, if people ignored a beautiful little toddler who obviously cannot see or even hold her head up on her own, they would be very calloused.  I know we read about people in big cities who watch a crime being committed and do nothing, but I choose to believe that most people are compassionate and that when they look at Lilly, that is what they are feeling.  Compassion makes us better people and is necessary in a civilized society.

• I also hope that when they look at Lilly it makes them appreciate their own healthy children or grandchildren.   Sometimes in the midst of living our busy lives, we forget about the blessings we have.  If Lilly's presence causes one parent to say a little prayer and thank God for their own child, then she has taught a beautiful lesson.

• Their stares might also mean that they are reminded that there will always be people who are completely dependent on others for their needs and that it is our responsibility, as individuals and collectively, to see that these needs are met.

• They could just be admiring my daughter and her husband. and the way they handle their trials.  It might make them realize their problems pale in comparison, or it might be an encouragement to someone who's handling similar difficulties.

• And some people are just curious about her condition.  But, they may know of someone who has similar symptoms and it could  lead us to a diagnosis for Lilly.

• And finally, a glimpse of Lilly could make someone more appreciative of  their own sight and mobility.  It might cause them to lead a more productive life and make use of their time and energy more wisely.

  So, yes, even though I'm a person who would prefer to just blend into the crowd, I'm thankful for every stare and every person who stops and comments on how sweet Lilly is.  And even though I would never have chosen this path in life, I'm always praying that others will benefit from the walk that God has chosen for our family.

Wordless Wednesday - "Someone To Watch Over Me"

A Granny Quilt!

  Don't you just love coming home to find a package by your front door?  One day last week, I found this one waiting for me on the front porch.

   I was so excited because I knew my "granny quilt" had arrived!  If you don't know who Granny is, you can read all about her on her granddaughter Valerie's blog.  Granny is a precious 96 year old  lady who makes at least one quilt a week.  Can you believe that?   What a blessing to be so active at that age!
  I tore my package open and spread it out on the sofa to get a good look...

  Isn't it beautiful?  Granny's quilts are all machine stitched and machine quilted. She says they give her a reason for getting up in the morning.  I wonder if she knows how much people enjoy her quilts and if, while she's sewing, she thinks about where they might be going and how they might be used.

 I'm going to send her a copy of this picture because I think Granny would be very happy to see this little boy all snuggled up under her quilt!
  Thanks, Granny and Valerie! 

The Barbershop Mystery

For the past two and a half years I have been taking our grandson, Michael, to our local barbershop for a haircut every five weeks.  We live in a very small town with only two barbershops.  The owner/operators of the shop we patronize are two brothers who appear to be in their forties or fifties.  My husband also gets his hair cut there and occasionally takes Michael with him.

Every time we enter the shop I am mystified by the conversation that takes place.  It doesn't matter which barber does the cutting.  The conversation goes something like this:

Barber:  Hello, young fella.  Take a seat right up here. (Looks at me)  How would you like his hair cut?

Me:       Oh, just like it is now, only shorter.

Barber:  Does he wear the front combed down?

Me:        No, his mother combs it over to the side when he goes to church.

Barber:  Which side?

Me:       Over to the right.

Barber:  Do you want a little sideburn?

Me:       Yes, and can you cut it pretty high over the ears?  It grows really fast.

Barber:  Do you want the back blocked or tapered?

Me:       Blocked.

Then the barber proceeds to cut Michael's hair and carries on a little conversation with him.  When he's finished, Michael climbs down, gets the piece of gum the barber offers, hands him a check and we're out the door.

The mystery:  Each time we go there it's like they've never seen us before.  Why don't they remember us, know that they cut it previously, and just cut it the same way it looks, only shorter?   Can't they look at the back and see that it's blocked?  Can't they see the little sideburns?  Can a five year old grow sideburns where there were none in just five weeks? Really, how many little boys call their grandma "Googoo"? That alone would make me remember us. Also, I never hear them ask these questions to the men who get their hair cut while we're there. They just start cutting.

Oh well, if they ever do remember us and just start cutting, I'm going to be so disappointed.  This is so much more fun. I walk in feeling like I'm entering Floyd's shop in Mayberry and I walk out feeling like I'm leaving the  Twilight Zone!          

Decorating...Grandmother Style

My decorating style has definitely changed since I became a grandmother. I doubt if HGTV will be knocking on my door anytime soon to showcase my interior design. But that's okay! After all, what can be better than a post-it note picture of my grandson and me on my closet door?

And I'll bet no one else has these Halloween decorations on their breakfast room window...

I can't wait to see what he has in mind for Thanksgiving! Happy Halloween, everyone!

Who Says You Can't Have Fun on a Rainy Day?

How to have fun on a rainy day:

Step1: Collect worms from a wet patio.

Step 2:

Fill up your wheelbarrow.

Step 3:

Try to get your Googoo to hold them!

Step 4: Transfer them to a bucket.

Step 5:

Hmmm....How am I going to keep them in this bucket?

Step 6:

I know! Use the dog leash to tie them to the porch post. Yep, that oughta hold 'em!

Grandparenting a Special Needs Child

Last Friday our granddaughter, Lilly Grace, spent the night with us. It's always a joy to keep Lilly, even though we can't do the typical things that other grandparents do with their two year old granddaughters.

Lilly isn't able to see us, can't hold her head up without assistance, and has never rolled over on her own. She has to be fed mostly by feeding tube and has three or four seizures a day.

At this point, you are probably thinking, "How can these people find any joy in this situation?"

Honestly, I would have felt the same way before grandparenting this child. But when I hold this beautiful little girl in my arms, I experience the same pride that all grandparents feel.

In my eyes, Lilly could not be anymore perfect. When she squeals in response to my voice, I wouldn't be anymore thrilled if she were able to say "Googoo" or "I love you". When she rubs her little nose against my shirt, it's just as special as if she were able to reach out and hug me.

If I catch her very early in the morning, she might even smile in response to my "Good morning, Sunshine!''

I know that Lilly will never be able to walk, ride a bike, or run and play with other children.

She will probably never be able to see a blue sky, a rainbow or rain falling from the sky. But I know that Lilly experiences love every minute of her life. She knows the tender caress of each member of our family and is never alone in her darkness.

We often have friends tell us that we are an encouragement to them because of the way we, as a family, handle Lilly's condition. I don't feel that we are exceptional in any way. Lilly truly is a gift from God. Through her, he has taught us unconditional love, patience, and to rely on Him for strength in all situations.

When our lives provide us with unexpected circumstances, we can either choose to be "victims" or to be "victorious". We have chosen the latter and will continue to love and cherish each day with our special grandchild!

What's a Googoo?

When my daughter was expecting her first child I spent many hours contemplating what this first grandchild should call me. I just couldn't see myself as a granny, mimi, mammaw, nanna, etc. so I decided on a nice, dignified "grandmother". When I told my daughter the name I'd chosen, she immediately vetoed it as "too stuffy and formal" so... it was back to the drawing board. My next choice, "Gramma" was deemed acceptable by all and I began imagining myself as Gramma. I could see a polite, well-dressed little girl or boy taking me by the hand and saying, "Gramma, let's take a walk in the garden and pick some flowers." (Actually, I don't even have a garden.)

So, when our little bundle of joy was born, it was "Gramma" this and "Gramma" that until he reached the age where he actually started to express himself and what came out of that cute little mouth? You guessed it! "Googoo"! Yep! Just like those gooey, chocolate covered, peanut clusters!

And now, four years later, when I hear a little dark headed,brown-eyed boy with a big grin on his face yell "Googoo!" across a crowded mall, I beam with pride as he bounds over and wraps those sweet little arms around my legs. Who cares if bystanders are all saying "What's a Googoo?"