Real Estate

Today I went to Nana's house.  It's been "empty" for quite some time.  Mom's been going through the drawers and cabinets one by one for a while now.  Today I went to grab the china she gave me long ago.  And so many memories came flooding back.

 I walked through every room looking at all of her things spread out for the estate sale next week.  That was her life on those tables. 

Her sewing kit.  The sewing kit she used to make my clown costume and poodle skirt for 50s day.  The sewing kit she used to make the dress I wore to Mom & Gary's wedding. 

Her dishes.  The dishes we had Thanksgiving Dinner on.  The dishes we ate her famous spaghetti on. 

Her purses.  She always had a purse to match her shoes.  And a fancy purse for church on Sunday.

Her Ponds cold cream.  That's what Nana smelled like when she kissed me goodnight when I would spend the night at her house.

Papa's tools.  He was my original Mr. Fix It.  Now I have Babe and I'm so thankful he has that talent.

Papa's 8 tracks.  In a black case.  That we listened to going to Uncle Roy's for Thanksgiving (and every other occasion).  Merle Haggard.  Hits of the 1940s.  Marty Robbins.  Gospel Hits.  I knew every word.

What to keep?  What to let go of? 

Too bad I can't keep the smell of her Samsonite overnight case in there forever. Smells like Estee Lauder lipstick, Clinique powder, toothpaste, shower caps, and hotel shampoo.

Wish they were still there. Cooking, whittling, playing bridge, smiling, baking, mowing, laughing, watching National Geographic or the 6:00 News(Papa) or Guiding Light  or Murder She Wrote (Nana).

Now it's just a house.  Real Estate.  With tables of stuff.  Stuff that I don't need, but is part of me.  Stuff that filled a house with love. 

Countdown to Kindergarten

Last night, I was sitting in Riley's bed while he was choosing his 3 books for bedtime. As he was crawling into bed, I looked at my watch and checked the date. "10 days to Kindergarten" I announced. And noticed that ironically,one of the books he chose was...

We've read this one many times over the summer, he knows the story well. A girl is counting down to Kindergarten, dreading that she will be the ONLY one that doesn't know how to tie her shoes. And Rule #1 is that you can't ask for help!

One page, the girls parents are dropping her off in her classroom. Riley notices the mother is crying. "Why is her Mommy crying, " he asks "because she's happy?" "Yes, she is happy. And sad too, because her baby is growing up and starting school. I might cry too, on your first day" I explain. "Uh-uh" he says "Mommy, I'll always be your baby. I'll be your baby forever" he assures me, leaning in for a snuggle.

Yes you will....

The Deer Got Stuck by Riley

One morning at the ranch, Mommy was trying to take a picture of this tree and she saw a garden snake.
Then Mommy heard a noise that sounded like a loud goat. It was pretty loud, it sounded like "AAAAAAAH!"

Then she walked around and saw a deer. It was a baby fawn. The fawn was running into the fence and falling over backwards. It kept getting stuck in the fence. It couldn't get through, it was blocked.

Mommy put her hand over mouth and Daddy and I saw her. Daddy ran outside to help. Then I came outside to see what happened. We saw the deer running into the fence and falling on his back. He was saying "AAAAAAH!"

The mommy and daddy were out in the big pasture hiding in the bushes. The baby was in the little pasture. Oreo (a cow) was going to go over there and try to buck him.

Daddy climbed over the fence and picked up the baby fawn. Mommy and I were watching from the other side of the fence. Daddy brought him over so we could see him and pet him. Mommy petted him but I didn't. I didn't pet him because I was scared, he yelled, "AAAAAAH!" when I was trying to pet him.

Daddy spread the fence so the baby fawn could get out of the little pasture and get in the big pasture with his mommy and daddy. He said "AAAAAAH!" again and his mommy and daddy came running.

And guess what? The mommy deer jumped WAY over the branches of the big tall tree, alot of them, I mean alot.

Okay, this story's over.

*He spoke, I typed. I asked some clarifying questions for details and correct sequencing, but this is all him. I had this idea because when this happened, he was so excited to share the story with all who would listen. AND he wanted me to show the pictures as he was telling it each time. He would give me "turn the page signals!" Remember those? Needless to say, I'm pretty proud of my little storyteller!!

The Naked Chef

He loves to cook, just like his Mommy! I'm not sure where he gets the urge to cook pantless...

I Can't Believe it's Yogurt!

Paralyzed

Husband is at work.
Baby is at school.
Almost Kindergartener just left to go to the ranch until Saturday with grandparents.

I'm paralyzed with freedom.
Do I stay home and relish in the silence? Well...the iPod is on shuffle and I don't have to worry about Jay-Z dropping the f-bomb OR The Killers singing about his boyfriend that used to be his girlfriend...and that's NICE.

On one hand it's glorious. On the other hand, it's not.
As a mother, my kids are constantly on my mind, whether they're by my side, in my house, or otherwise. When I'm with them, I'm often fantasizing about my next "break." When I get that break, I enjoy it, but thoughts of them tend to monopolize. It's crazy!

Meanwhile, here I sit. Paralyzed with freedom. Where shall I begin?

They're Baaaaaack!

We rarely have time for t.v. anymore around here (which is fine by me) but when we do, Riley prefers the old Batman sitcom, Pink Panther, or Spiderman. As far as kids shows go, I prefer The Backyardigans. I've been missing them lately. Let's keep that between you and me, okay?

Riley requested an oldie and we went back in time to The Backyardigans this morning. Kace didn't stop shakin' it for the entire theme song! He wasn't interested in the rest of the show at all. Maybe there's a little Saturday morning Soul Train in our future...

Rebecca's War Dog of the Week: Eli, brother and protector, goes home - Tom Ricks | The Best Defense

I was blessed to know this young man. A ray of sunshine with a smile that could light up the entire town of Orange Grove. He paid the ultimate sacrifice fighting for our freedom in Afghanistan. He is survived by his parents, younger brother, older brother, and Eli. His mother posted this article and I felt compelled to share. This is just a tiny shapshot of him and his family. They've been through so much...anguish to jubiliation in the honors he's received.

His company, Darkhorse 3/5 returned from Afghanistan last week. Colton's family and friends went to meet them for their return. The soldiers brought home Colton's camera to give his mother...they wanted to give it to her in person.

Rebecca's War Dog of the Week: Eli, brother and protector, goes home - Tom Ricks | The Best Defense

Playing

A couple of good moments I captured at the ranch this weekend. I played around editing them and here are a few.







Not sure which one I like best...all of them, I think!

Austintatious!

OPI came out with a new line for the summer...a Texas collection! There was an Austin one....a sparkly turquoise...that I had to have. I'm pretty much a coral/pinkish/red kinda girl. Burnt orange in the fall and a dark brown here and there. I'm not really a blue/green/purple polish person, but I am now!!



Riley was first to notice:

Riley: "Mommy, I LIKE your pretty blue toes!"
Me: "Thanks, Buddy!"
Riley: "Daddy, do you like Mommy's pretty blue toes?"
Daddy: "Ummmmmmm....probably not if they're blue!"

Ha! Makes me giggle every time I look at my Austintatious Turquoise toes!