Monday, May 30, 2011

A Pasta, See :)

Between Woman's Conference, meeting with our very much loved Stake president, and Grant being released from one bishopric and called to another Saturday and Sunday were a spiritual whirlwind. I think I have a new appreciation for the phase "my cup runneth over". My heart is full of love and gratitude. Our family has truly been richly blessed....

Pres VH among many other things encouraged us as a family to focus on family prayer, family scripture study and family home evening......family prayer we don't do too bad at but we realize that there is great room for improvement in the scripture study and FHE department. So Grant we decided to focus on FHE for this next month. Baby steps, my superman, baby steps...

So it is announced well in advance that we need 30 minutes of the rug rats time for FHE this evening, slated time 8:30 pm......Despite the standard eye-roll they all seem to agree. When Grant announces that everybody needs to come to the living room, it takes several minutes to track down our suddenly evasive offspring. Once they are all in the same room Grant had to remind the kids to keep their hands to their selves and  me to stop laughing, apparently I was not helping. It was my Superman's turn for the lesson....

He started by saying " Now remember what Pres VH said yesterday about strengthening our family through prayer, scripture study and FHE...to which Holly sarcastically interrupted "pretty sure he said that the last time too,  Dad" Gotta love teenager. So I can't stop laughing, Grant frustrated, turns to me and says " We haven't had an argument since Sunday Robin and I'd like to keep it that way..." to which Dallyn says "Dad you realize that was yesterday, right?"

So Grant starts again by asking if anybody can tell him what the word "apostasy" means [Apostasy is turning away from the Church and ultimately denying the faith] Holly gives a pretty close definition. The kids ask several good questions and other than asking Dallyn to remove the plastic hanger he now has stuck on his neck head. Things are going good. (by good I mean they are all still in the room). Alex keeps asking if she can share something funny to which Grant keeps saying NO. We ended with family prayer. After,  Alex asks if she can now share, to which Grant says "fine"

Alex with all the dramatics a twelve year old girl can muster says....

Dad, I want to make pasta tomorrow night.....So I can say... A PASTA {dramatic pause} SEE????  Okay so one of them wasn't really listening. But we are trying, right???

Even if they remember nothing, the fact that we can laugh together,  it is all worth it.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

A Kleenex Sunday

Grant, Bishop W, Brother B
The reality that one of our favorite families ever is really moving away, was solidified today when  Bishop W was released. The similarities between our families are erie although they are WAY less crazy ;)...Married the same year, Grant's birthday is the same month as his and mine the same month as hers, we have several children born days apart, we have both lived in Port Alberni twice and Courtenay once (at the same time).  Over the last almost two decades they have become truly treasured friends.

It is with heavy hearts that we see them once again move on. But are more than grateful to have had them close  and hope they will always know how loved, valued and appreciated they are. A, M, A, R, L & M you guys are awesome. We love you.

Grant has had the honour and privilege of serving with Bishop W in the bishopric for the last year and a half. A calling he has loved. The blessings to our family fortifying.

Today a new bishop was sustained, Grant was again sustained as his first councilor. A position he was honoured to accept.

Tears flowed freely as we felt deep respect and gratitude for Bishop W's service, the assurance that our new bishop was called of God, that friendships are eternal and that our family is right where we are supposed to be. But I really should have remembered Kleenex.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Lessons From The Waiting Room

So my Superman was at the ER the other night....but its really not that blog worthy. So we`ll move on.But this is what I learned whilst there :) If  you are ever REALLY bored and have nothing BETTER to do (by better I mean watch paint dry, water boil, go to the dentist, volunteer in Nursery, go to an elementary recorder concert, ok I'll stop) Go to the ER and make sure its a long weekend. It will be the MOST. FUN. EVER!

So lets just surmise that that the waiting room was really full. I've been less claustrophobic in an elevator....But this made people watching even more interesting. I couldn't decide which was more amusing watching the people or my seventeen year old's eyes grow as big as saucers (So Who's family is normal now Holly?) We learned many valuable lessons in the three hours of my life I will never get back.

1. Mixing alcohol (yes the ``two`` beers you had during the hockey game count) and the dozen meds you are on, will give you a one ticket to your friendly neighbourhood doc shop. Announcing your situation to the captive waiting room....will not expedite your cause.

2. If you do not understand the workings of the bathrobe you probably should chose other attire...you definitely should not be buck naked underneath that robe...my seventeen year old would like to thank-you for the anatomy lesson...NOT

3. Just because you think your plaid shirt is long enough does not mean you should leave your pants at home...the fact that you remembered your wool socks and hiking boots will never compensate from the lack of pants, I`m just saying....

So needless to say I am here to announce that the Kramer`s have moved up drastically on the normal scale. According to our seventeen year old at least. So like I was saying if you have nothing better to do....Try the Saint Joseph`s ER....It`s. A. Blast!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Go Fly a Kite!





We had the best ever house guests this weekend. You know the kind of people you don't have to scrub the laundry room for and are just fine with eating pancakes for dinner. I love it when my sister in law and her little ladies visit. Its great seeing the softer side of my teenagers as they colour, play at the park and watch endless Disney movies with their adoring cousins. Hanging out all weekend with a dear friend who is also the other founding member of the "I married a Kramer" support group, the most effective therapy around.

 Sunday afternoon we headed to Kye Bay beach to fly kites....Who knew that dollar store kites could provided so much entertainment!!!
 The light breeze was perfect, even the five year old could get the kite air born.
 In less than ten minutes we had kite flying pros....
 Dallyn's birds eye view....
Alex and Maddie are still trying to grasp the concept of the swing....What can I say they're Kramer's. Thanks for a great weekend C, J & T. Love you lots!!!

Monday, May 23, 2011

Picture Perfect?

Let me tell you a secret...if you want a one way ticket to mommy jail a.k.a. the loony bin., try to get a "nice" wall-worthy photo of seven children. (My nieces were angels really, it was my rug rats causing all the trouble)
My definition of "nice" rapidly declined. By "nice" I mean "looking" at the camera and NOT pouting, Oh and pretending that you LOVE the sibling next to you would be an added bonus.

If they only realized that the sooner they cooperate the sooner this torture session will end
Oh for the love of all that's holy... a mini revolt...nice try...I. said. SMILE! 

 

Introducing the angelic, brilliant, amazing Kramer cousins. The cutest kids ever. Our perfect children.
Now where's my blakey, I think I need to lay down :)

Thursday, May 19, 2011

My New Love

Meet my new love ( I know, I need to get out more)....
The GE Household Steamer.

Don't worry I'm still totally in love with this guy (most days :)...
But that little steamer is AWESOME!!! Grant found it at the Sally Ann for $15 bucks and usually I frown upon any gifts associated with domestic duties, but he hit the jackpot with this purchase. I had no idea that an honorary masters degree in the Janitorial Arts would come with motherhood (I am currently working on my PhD) but it does.

The steamer works with plain tap water, which means no chemicals. Just spray and wipe clean, I was amazed with how quickly it cleaned the bathrooms today. Especially toilets. Windows and window sills too. Only worry is letting the rug rats use it...They are Kramer's and if there is a way to burn yourself they would. So will see ;)

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Hole-ly Pants & the "Pot" Garden

Another mother of the year moment brought to you by Casa de Kramer....
 My son wore these jeans to school this week. Not once put twice.

 Dallyn's favourite pair of jeans.
Not only are there holes and rips in the knees (so he's kinda trendy), there are now a total of THREE holes on the front, just below the zipper (I draw the line)...When I saw their pitiful state on Monday I told him to take them off and throw them away. Dallyn immediately started to plead a case for the jeans survival rivalling the skills of any defence attorney. He even suggested I could patch them (me. sew. not likely)

So he came home Tuesday wearing the SAME exact pair of jeans I thought had been disposed of. Yes this mother of the year didn't notice when he left for school. Now I'm annoyed and slightly embarrassed..."But Dallyn they're holes in the crotch!" "But I wore a long t-shirt it's fine." Must be a boy thing?? (never too sure, I only gots one) Bye bye jeans, may you RIP

---------------------------------------------------------------

So this never, ever happens. Every single plant I started from seed grew and continues to grow. I have 36 tomato plants, 21 pepper plants and 3 pumpkin plants. I only have room for a few here at home. Good thing the rest can go to the Church garden plot.


 When my visiting teacher asked if I wanted some pots she was getting rid of, I said SURE. I didn't know some were nearly 20. We have a super sunny deck and now have quite the "pot" garden started. My Superman even called me "pothead" this morning. Whatever you say flower boy :)
Beets, Cucumber, Peas, Beans, Radishes, Green and purple onion, Tomato, Peppers and Strawberries. Lets just see if it all  survives 'til August :)

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Gooey Ducks & a Young Eagle


We woke up this morning to beautiful, warm sunshine, finally...Since my Superman had had last night off we decided to take full advantage of our kid free time and headed to Kye Bay beach for a few hours...As we headed out the door we realized our magnificent Holly had taken our camera to school. I had to fight off the shakes from camera withdrawal.....We could of had some gorgeous shots today but it wasn't to be, sigh....So the following pics are stolen from google for illustration purposes only (I'll repent later, maybe)...




Gooey Duck



The tide was very low today so you could walk for miles on the flat sand. The only thing was there were gooey ducks boroughed every underneath the sand. [Gooey Ducks are large salt water clams and perhaps the ugliest creature in the animal kingdom. They have the longest life span too 146 years and their tongues can grow 3 ft, yes I'm a Wikipedia nerd]

 The only way you know the gooey duck is there is a tiny hole in the sand. If you step right next to the hole the clam will shoot water several feet in the air, as it boroughs deeper in the sand....Its kind of impressive (the first half a dozen times or so) It amused my Superman for hours, need I say more :) I was not even slightly amused when he kept causing the dang things to shoot me,He thought he was hilarious, gotta love husbands
Young Eagle
The other cool thing was I had a young eagle fly within feet of me and catch something from the tide pool I was standing by....those birds are HUGE, it actually made me super nervous (their talons are pretty intimidating). They are beautiful creatures. (if only I had the camera) First time we have ever seen one that close up. Amazing morning. minus the camera.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

SCREAM like a Kramer :)

This is annoying, but funny, makes me laugh every time....wait for it and cover your ears...turn your volume DOWN!


Apparently the rug rats had nothing better to do on a Sunday afternoon?? We finally told them to knock it off when the screaming was making the dog howl....:)

Saturday, May 14, 2011

I Never Liked that i Pod Anyways....

Thursday night the phone rang just after 11. Grant works graveyards and usually calls around that time to say goodnight. I was down stairs while all of our hand sets were upstairs, (a common problem around here). But since I have let go of my strict exercise regiment I wasn't about to run for the phone.

When I found the phone a few minutes later, I didn't recognize the number.Checking the message it was Madison (on a band trip in Seattle).

"Mom our Van was ROBBED! I'm okay. I'll call you back when I get to another phone."

You could tell she was fighting back tears. I tried the number back, the phone was now off. So I called Grant at work to let him know. And kept the phone close.

Grant called me about an hour later to say Madison had just called him at work. (Smart girl, he always answers, unlike her negligent parent:)

Their van had been broken into while they were attending a laser light show. Madison's backpack, along with seven other students various belongs had been taken. Madison was lucky (kind of). She had put her wallet with most of her money and all of her ID in her pants pocket before leaving the van. The back pack had all of her toiletries, a pair of shorts, about $15 and GRANT's ipod, an ipod she didn't have permission to take...I think that's why she was mostly upset. Having to tell Dad...

He didn't get too upset with her but did take the opportunity to explain the difference between Theft and Robbery :).....
(to) rob  (Verb)1. Take property unlawfully from (a person or place) by force or threat of force.


theft/THeft/ Noun: The action or crime of stealing

Other students lost all their money, ID and belongings including expensive instruments. So we are counting our blessings. Madison has decided to pay Grant back for the i Pod (that's my girl). We did get notice when we picked her up last night that the police had found some of the missing items in a dumpster. So they will be sorting that out in the next few days....

It is just plain sad that these kinds of things happen. But I think a few valuable lesson's have been learned here. At least now Maddie knows the difference between being robbed and theft =/

Myra Falls

My Superman and Dallyn crashed our Young Men's hike today. Dallyn technically isn't a YM until next year but desperately needed some father-son time. So Grant seized the opportunity.They went to Myra Falls in Strathcona Park, north of Campbell River



Grant showed me this picture, Dallyn and Riley are climbing to the top in the left corner, and said "don't worry the rocks were wet, slippery and moss covered, I am surprised they didn't break their necks"(In his most sarcastic tone possible)...He must think I'm a worrier. Where on earth would he get that from?


They had a great day....Can't find an ugly place on this Island, even if you try.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Our little Quasimodo

Meet our newest little hypochondriac (I know bad parent)....

The little man comes by it honestly really. So Dallyn has been complaining a a sore ankle for a few days. Not sure which one, I swear it keeps switching. Nothing major, no visible swelling, no bruising. Just something to whine about and use conveniently to get out of chores and the ever dreaded PE class...
The funny thing is he turns it on when he thinks the Superman or I are watching and turns it off when he thinks he's out of visible range....He's quite the dynamic limper too, makes me think of Quasimodo, seriously this kid has skills.


This morning he crawls on my bed sticks both feet in my face and says "Mom, can't you see that, they're different colours..."  "No Dallyn I'm not seeing it"...He continues to hop all morning getting ready for school. Which I ignore. So he hops out the door to walk to school. Still ignoring. I see him two minutes later heading up the hill with crutches (pretty sure he hid them in the carport). You've got to be kidding me! But I think whatever and let it go :) Two minutes later he is walking back down the hill carrying said crutches. Puts them back in the carport and WALKS back up the hill.

Dallyn man I love you, you krazy Kramer :)

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

FORKED :)

 Spending my teenage years in the bible belt of Canada was a good thing for me. My Mom plucking us from a sun soaked, salary obsessed Southern California and dropping us into the wheat fields and cattle pastures of Southern Alberta was the best gift she could have given two over indulged California girls.It changed the course of my life and I am nothing but grateful.
It didn't take long for us to settle into the laid back life style. We found great friends, the kind of people that make you want to be better and do better. We were good Mormon kids, So what are a bunch of cash strapped kids to do in their free time.....


Lots really....

From sledding at the Sugar Bowl to Chinese fire drills, to filling cars or bedrooms with balloons and news paper to celebrate a birthday, to avoiding the "old lady" (she was like 45) chaperon at the stake dance that made us kneel to make sure our skirts were long enough. I don't think we could get in trouble if we tried....

But our all time favourite thing to do was FORK each others front lawn....Say what?? Now I don't think it has ever been determined if we invented forking or just continued the tradition. But its simple really.....All you need is....

some one's front lawn (usually your most gullible, unsuspecting friend)


and a Costco sized box of plastic forks



Lethbridge Friends 1990
Steve Johnson's Farewell Nov 1991
And a bunch of friends that have access to their parents mini vans :)

Nothing like a thousand plastic forks sticking out of, which ever friend could get out that nights, lawn....( like a poly pockets grave yard)....We thought we were brilliant.
The best added touch was putting the sprinkler on the front door step and ringing the door bell while your side kick cranked on the water. SO. MUCH. FUN!!!
That box of forks was recycled a hundred times, who knew we were a bunch of environmentally friendly teenager before our time :)              {thanks Gary for reminding us}

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

The Plant?


broccoli, no cauliflower, no brussels sprouts???
 For Mother's Day the Elders Quorum gave out the ever so original plant . I ended up with five, I should of had a few more kids, I could of had a whole garden. The Elders Quorum did redeem themselves slightly when the big bowl of chocolates showed up just in time for Relief Society :)

Only thing is they are now surprise plants. You see on the way home, My superman hit a bump/stopped to fast ? and all the plants went flying off the dash...The plastic tags fell out and now we have now idea which ones are broccoli, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts. they all look the same to me.....

I spent the first part of Mother's Day trying to pretend that I loved it  and the rest of the day failing miserably at pretending.

So many good things about that day:

Grant. Roses. Wow! Seriously wow!

My Dad's 7:45 am phone call "Do Canadians celebrate Mother's day today??" "Yes Dad we sure do.:)" Well then Happy mother's Day!"

The Rug rats showering me with gifts (especially the big bag of Skittles :)

The kind emails and messages from friends and family.

The hug from a friend in the hallway of Church...just saying she was thinking about me. (dang those people who see right through me)

Nolan (bro-in-law) calling to wish me Happy Mother's Day. I sure miss him and still can't believe he's getting married (bless you Maggie)


Failing miserably at pretending....

I realize I am the one who has the choice here.{After a long talk with my Superman, I hate it when he is right ;)} Mother's Day or any day for that matter is what I choose to make of it.

Yesterday I read an article called "Finding peace on Mother's Day". I love what she says....
I have learned that peace comes as we focus on the "given good" versus the "expected good" in our lives. If we focus on what we expected our mothers to be like, what we expected to be like as a mother or when we expected to be a mother, we will be disappointed.


However, if we focus on the "given good," the good qualities that our mothers have, the good qualities that we have, and the wonderful opportunities for mothering others that we have had, we can be at peace.

Read entire article HERE



So here's to better choices :) one day at a time.



And guess who's been playing with my camera....


Saturday, May 7, 2011

Everyone Needs a Grandma Beena

I definitely won the Grandma lottery when I was born a Merrill. Everyone should have a Grandma Beena, if they did there would be a lot less trouble, maybe even world peace :)
Beena, Dad, and Kelli April 1994 (Grandma's 95th Birthday)
Lived in three centuries, Daughter of a Handcart Pioneer, 4' 10" spit fire. Grandma Beena was funny, I mean tears rolling down your cheeks, funny. I remember riding in the back of her 1963 Buick Wildcat, while she drove us around Cache Valley She sat on big cushions and always had a white paper plate on the dash ready to hold up to block the sun, she was too short for the visors to work. She was in her nineties, but nobody told her. She quit driving at 95 because the walk to the car got to hard (she could still out walk me with her cane)
Me (yes I'm pregnant with Alex), Beena and Mom Summer 1998
She always told us stories of hiding the coffee pot from the Home Teachers and Hanging her wash inside on Sundays. But we also knew she had a profound love and respect for her LDS pioneer heritage and faith.

Funniest Grandma Beena moment for me was when Kelli and I were older teenagers. We we visiting her apartment in the Senors Village. She was telling us her neighbour had recently passed away... We said Oh Grandma we are so sorry. "That's okay." she said "They didn't find her for a few days, They probably had to take her out with a shovel!" Kelli, Dad and I laughed 'til it hurt. I have laughed for years.
Beena and our gang April 1999 (Grandma's 100th Birthday)

Grandma was acquainted with heartache, knew how to stretch a penny, and could always find the brighter side of life. Terrified of snakes and thunder, seriously phobic.  She was kind. Even after my parents separated she still welcomed my mom into her home with open arms, that meant so much to me.

When Holly was born she gave me the best parenting advice any one could. "Raise your kids so other people can stand them!"  She always said  "The cure to any worry is work". Her life was a testament to that.

When Grandma passed away at 103, a cousin of mine said "She is the only 103 year old that you could say died unexpectedly" Beena has left a wonderful legacy. One I am honoured to claim.

Happy Mother's Day :)

Friday, May 6, 2011

"Happy" Mother's Day




Rug rats Summer 2001, Utah
  



WARNING: The following post is going to make me sound like some sort of mommy Grinch. (My heart could be three sizes too small but I've never had it tested ;) ...If you are that perfect mother I am refering to...please stop it you're making the rest of us look bad :)

 Okay, I promise to keep the eye rolling to a minimum this Sunday...Confession. I find Mother's Day rather cheesy. Its something I'm still working on,  my attitude regarding the honorary day has drastically improved as of late but there is a lot of room for improvement.

Okay a little background here. I was a young mom (5 kids by 25).While I very much wanted and loved my children. I found it way harder emotionally than I ever imagined. On the outside I was the budding "supermom" I thought I was supposed to be. Most people thought I totally had it together and for the most part I did. But on the inside, it was a completely different...I felt like a fraud and failure.
While I loved my children dearly...I really struggled with the monotony and exhaustion of it all. I found little happiness in changing diapers, cleaning up the avalanche of toys in the family room, or my 3 am alarm clock. The joys of motherhood were escaping me completely. Having my own less than conventional mother as an example, who also needed my mothering, gave my little to pull from. I was lost.

I would go to play group or to school and especially to Church and see "happy" mothers all around me and wonder how the heck I had missed the boat.

Mother's Day was torture. For some reason, at Church  they would always have the woman who had like 13  kids, baked cookies everyday, and had an immaculate home (you know the kind) speak. She would share how happy and fulfilled she was. How her perfect children excelled in football, french, pottery, musical theater and ballet and never spoke back...I would sit there with my rowdy gaggle, who I barely had gotten out the door with their faces washed, and try to keep the big old chip on my shoulder and excessive eye rolling from being obvious.

A few dear friends, kindred spirits really saw through my facade. They were farther down the parenting road than I was and gave me a reason to hope. It was the understanding nod as I drug an unruly rug rat out of Sacrament Meeting for the third time in half an hour. The Visiting Teacher who would spend an entire morning with me just talking reminding me that I was still capable of adult conversation. The neighbour who helped scrub paint off my brand new floors after my kids had spilt it and tracked it through the entire house, sharing all the crazy things her kids had done, making me feel human and normal. These friends are now family..when I think of how a mother ought to be I think of them.

So I have survived. The kids have survived. I do find joy in motherhood, even if the definition of joy had to be my own. I wouldn't trade my experiences for anything. I just wish I hadn't been so hard on myself.

Mother's Day is no longer torture. My children don't need that perfect mother, they just need me. Besides what mother could pass up the painted rock  and the burnt on the outside, undercooked inside pancakes in bed....

So "happy" Mother's Day!
Signed,

The Mommy- Day Grinch




Thursday, May 5, 2011

Mr Jellyfish

So one of the older rug rats phoned just before school started today, begging to come home. Something about a headache, stomach ache thingy... So I am on the phone with our budding little hypochondriac, Telling her she must stay at school... My Superman, hearing my side of the conversation, chimes in "Tell her she has to stay" "She gets too far behind if she misses..." Said rug rat is now pulling out all the stops, I am now annoyed. So I call in the reinforcements and hand Grant the phone.

Grant goes all drill Sargent for about 15 seconds...then all of a sudden I sense it (I am sure this is were said rug rat turns on the water works)....Oh no. He's. CAVING...."Okay if you really need to....Where can I pick you up?" You're kidding me!  Not only is he allowing her to come home, he's providing personal valet service. Gotta love my Superman a.k.a. Mr. Jellyfish and his kids know it. :) I have to laugh because I was also the queen of the call home sick routine....

My mom said this poem written by Shel Silverstien was about me... I can still recite it word for word 25 years later :)



Sick

'I cannot go to school today, '

Said little Peggy Ann McKay.

'I have the measles and the mumps,

A gash, a rash and purple bumps.

My mouth is wet, my throat is dry,

I'm going blind in my right eye.

My tonsils are as big as rocks,

I've counted sixteen chicken pox

And there's one more-that's seventeen,

And don't you think my face looks green?

My leg is cut-my eyes are blue-

It might be instamatic flu.

I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,

I'm sure that my left leg is broke-

My hip hurts when I move my chin,

My belly button's caving in,

My back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained,

My 'pendix pains each time it rains.

My nose is cold, my toes are numb.

I have a sliver in my thumb.

My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,

I hardly whisper when I speak.

My tongue is filling up my mouth,

I think my hair is falling out.

My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight,

My temperature is one-o-eight.

My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,

There is a hole inside my ear.

I have a hangnail, and my heart is-what?

What's that? What's that you say?

You say today is...Saturday?

G'bye, I'm going out to play! '

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Do You Know What You Have?

I have to admit, I watch friends (people not the show) who have both parents in their lives still, with admiration, longing and a little bit of envy. I hope you know what you have, and Cherish it, I often think. Its not that I am bitter or jealous, actually far from it. It's just that my journey with my mom and now my dad have taught me to value family.

Instead of talking with my dad about the crazy antics his teenager grandchildren are up to, I am answering questions like. Now when is your birthday? Now where does Grant work? Now how long ago did your mom die? over and over again.

Instead of my Dad enjoying retirement....I hear the anger, confusion and frustration in his voice as struggles through his mail or tries to make an appointment.

Instead of imagining what exotic trip he might plan next I am wondering if he is still able to care for his daily needs, will he remember how to get back from the grocery store?, I can't remember the last time he was able to visit with a friend or go to a concert? who is going to call me next expressing worry and concern ? How do you help some one who refuses all help?

At what point is enough, enough? At what point do we force the issue. At what point do we parent our parents. I wish I knew the answers. I wish I could just pretend like every thing's FINE, and it doesn't bother me. But it does, a lot sometimes.

I feel so sad for him, I feel a deep since of loss for the man he once was. I am really beginning to hate having to go through the long good bye a second time.

So cherish your parents and no I am not wearing rose coloured glasses, thinking that everyone else's situations and relationships are perfect...I am sure they are for from it. Just cherish what you have.  Ask lots of questions. Find out as much as you can about them. The good, the bad and the crazy. There may come a day when that information is no longer at your fingertips...

I spent almost a year, several years ago asking my Dad a few questions about his life, each time he phoned. I kept a note book by the phone and jotted down his responses. I now treasure that information. So will his grandchildren.

It is sad, but regardless I have a very fulfilled and blessed life. My parents reality does not determine my destiny.  That's entirely up to me :) .......Plus, blogging is cheaper than therapy :)

Next post will be how Robin nearly broke ker own finger today....I know, I can't wait either :)

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

The "NOT ME" Monster

Ever since my two youngest could talk we have had an additional house guest, Its called the NOT ME Monster. You see if something is broken or spilt or misplaced etc and I don't see it happen the rug rats have instant on set amnesia. They have no idea WHO did it. It's always NOT ME! I have tried to evict NOT ME for years with no success....

Today NOT ME was working overtime.....

First I go into the kitchen after all the kids left for school, somebody brilliant, probably NOT ME, had wrapped a bike lock chain around the fridge and freezer door handles...Nobody knew the combination to get it off...so all day if you wanted to open one door you had to open both. Beyond annoying....

Second as I looked down the stairs I realize somebody, NO ME again had splattered a brown sticky substance down all four walls of the staircase. My guess is root beer.But one can never be sure, all I know is its splatter capacity was superb. I don't think I could make root beer go 18 feet in the air if I tried. But then again I am only Kramer by marriage.

 After scrubbing for more than an hour I think I got it all...and about an hour after the rug rats returned from school the bike lock magically disappeared from the fridge...Thanks NOT ME, if I could only teach you to sort socks or wash windows well then maybe...

Monday, May 2, 2011

Roastin' Wienies :)

Last night we had Sunday dinner, west coast style....a wienie roast on the beach. Other than it being quite breezy it was great.




Guess which kid didn't want their picture taken?? If you guessed Holly you get the sticker :)