My daughter has finally named my grandson! He's going to be born in 3 and a half months. She was cutting that pretty close. :-)
Anyway, his name is Gabriel Joseph. I'll have to come up with a nickname for him when blogging, but just this once I'm sharing the real thing.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Dirty Old Men
Whenever I need to do some thinking, I go to the river. I love to watch the water flow by and see the farms in the distance. The Boy likes the river, too. This morning, after baseball practice, he asked me to take him to the river. He likes to read the Lewis and Clark marker and try to match points on the map to landmarks on the far bank. He also likes to climb the mounds. He even has a special spot that he says is great for meditating. It's on one of the Indian mounds in the center of 4 rocks. He says if you sit right in the center of the rocks, nothing will bother you. The bees land next to him and don't sting him. He's my little philosopher.
When we got there this morning, there was an elderly gentleman walking his 3-legged dog. The Boy petted the dog a little bit and talked baseball to the man, then he ran off to meditate. That left me talking to the guy. Here's what I found out.
1. He's an 81 year old retired electrical worker and veteran.
2. His wife died of cancer when she was only 48, leaving him with 2 kids in college and 2 in high school.
3. When he sees his wife in the hereafter, he's gonna kick her because she RUINED their son. She always told the son to watch out for all the girls that were gonna pester him. So he thought women were bad and now he doesn't like females. (I think he was telling me his son is gay.)
4. He hasn't talked to his daugher, Janet, in over a year. She's a doctor and she married a man she dated years ago in college. He expressed his opinion of the man, so now they don't talk.
5. His other daughter, Jean Ann, married an Iranian man. Thank God they're divorced now, but the man valued computers over sports and never played catch with his little boy. So now this guy has a grandson that doesn't play sports at all.
6. His dog lost it's leg because it barked at a guy on a motorcycle and the guy ran over it ON PURPOSE.
7. He's never gonna get married again because he's too set in his ways. He does, however, have a lady friend but she's in the hospital right now. Her damned grandkids didn't even realize she'd had a stroke.
There's more. Much more. I know about his childhood, his hobbies, where he grew up, went to school, worked, etc. But here's the funny part. When I told him we had to go now, he hit on me. I kid you not. The old fart started telling me how pretty he thinks I am! I laughed and told him he shouldn't be driving with his vision impairment. He got really serious trying to convince me that I'm some kind of raving beauty. The raving part I'll give him. But not so much the beauty. Anyway, I walked away smiling, so he did his job well.
When we got there this morning, there was an elderly gentleman walking his 3-legged dog. The Boy petted the dog a little bit and talked baseball to the man, then he ran off to meditate. That left me talking to the guy. Here's what I found out.
1. He's an 81 year old retired electrical worker and veteran.
2. His wife died of cancer when she was only 48, leaving him with 2 kids in college and 2 in high school.
3. When he sees his wife in the hereafter, he's gonna kick her because she RUINED their son. She always told the son to watch out for all the girls that were gonna pester him. So he thought women were bad and now he doesn't like females. (I think he was telling me his son is gay.)
4. He hasn't talked to his daugher, Janet, in over a year. She's a doctor and she married a man she dated years ago in college. He expressed his opinion of the man, so now they don't talk.
5. His other daughter, Jean Ann, married an Iranian man. Thank God they're divorced now, but the man valued computers over sports and never played catch with his little boy. So now this guy has a grandson that doesn't play sports at all.
6. His dog lost it's leg because it barked at a guy on a motorcycle and the guy ran over it ON PURPOSE.
7. He's never gonna get married again because he's too set in his ways. He does, however, have a lady friend but she's in the hospital right now. Her damned grandkids didn't even realize she'd had a stroke.
There's more. Much more. I know about his childhood, his hobbies, where he grew up, went to school, worked, etc. But here's the funny part. When I told him we had to go now, he hit on me. I kid you not. The old fart started telling me how pretty he thinks I am! I laughed and told him he shouldn't be driving with his vision impairment. He got really serious trying to convince me that I'm some kind of raving beauty. The raving part I'll give him. But not so much the beauty. Anyway, I walked away smiling, so he did his job well.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Napaholic
Just so you know, I'm addicted to naps. I have to ask my mom if I fought them as a child like my kids did. If not, then naps have always been hardwired into my brain as a need, as a craving, as an addiction.
Today I had to take some more time off. I took a 2 hour lunch. Guess what I did with it? Yeah. I spent an hour on the internet and an hour napping. I'm so predictable.
Tomorrow I'm taking off half a day. I'm using it to get my weekend shopping done a little early. I hope I don't fall asleep in Target. If so, take me to the bedding section where I can at least be comfortable. If the bedding section is under construction, take me to electronics so I can play Mobsters on MySpace
Today I had to take some more time off. I took a 2 hour lunch. Guess what I did with it? Yeah. I spent an hour on the internet and an hour napping. I'm so predictable.
Tomorrow I'm taking off half a day. I'm using it to get my weekend shopping done a little early. I hope I don't fall asleep in Target. If so, take me to the bedding section where I can at least be comfortable. If the bedding section is under construction, take me to electronics so I can play Mobsters on MySpace
Monday, May 25, 2009
Remembrance
Joseph Neal Kreeger
Jack Joseph Kreeger, Sr
Effie Marie Bennett
George Harry Bennett
David Wayne Bennett
John Kreeger
John Kidd
Lela Johnson Kreeger
Faith Troyer
Greg Gerling
Jackie Devenport Orton
Loren Rose Kreeger
Grace Grant
Jack Joseph Kreeger, Sr
Effie Marie Bennett
George Harry Bennett
David Wayne Bennett
John Kreeger
John Kidd
Lela Johnson Kreeger
Faith Troyer
Greg Gerling
Jackie Devenport Orton
Loren Rose Kreeger
Grace Grant
Changing of the Guard
Bear with me while I tell you a story.
Many years ago a young me and her young boyfriend (now husband) moved in together. I bought him a puppy for his birthday. She was a beagle, just like the dog of his childhood. We named her Enya because we were into that music at the time.
What I did not realize is that beagles are one-person dogs and are FIERCELY loyal to that one person. I loved her and fed her and petted her and let her sleep with me in bed when husband-to-be was on an air force thing for a month. By the time he came back, she was most definitely MY dog. Oh how I loved her. We had silly games we played together. We giggled and rolled on the floor and raced each other up the stairs. I scratched her ears and told her she was a pretty girl. Did I mention how much I loved her? Anyway, beagles are known for following smells at a dead run with their noses on the ground. She did that right into the path of an oncoming car when she was 4. My heart was completely broken and I did NOT want another dog. EVER.
About a week after she died, Mister said we should get another dog. At first I said no, but he hooked me by saying we should save a life and go to the pound to adopt a doomed dog. I wasn't interested for myself, but I went with him so he could pick out a dog. Of course, there was no way that I would ever care about this interloper.
At first I ignored her. Then I tolerated her. One day I woke up and realized that I loved her. Scully is the best dog ever. She's a black lab and she was our child years before we had The Boy. I brush her and feed her and give her medicine. I scratch her behind the ears and tell her she's a pretty girl.
Fast forward 13 and a half years. Scully is half blind, mostly deaf, arthritic and semi incontinent of bowel and bladder. I know what that means. She isn't going to chase a rabbit under the wheels of a car, but she IS going to leave me in her own quiet way. I understand that. I don't dwell on it, but I'm aware that it's inevetible.
In the fall of 2004 my brother's dog was pregnant. I did NOT want a second dog. One dog in a family is like another person, but two dogs are dogs. Still, Mister and The Boy begged. Fine, I gave in. But I was absolutley NOT going to be responsible for a second dog.
Fast forward four and a half years. Her name is Melody and she is our Sheltie. I feed her, cut her nails, brush her tangled coat, let her in and out, etc. I love that dog. Someday, when Scully and Enya meet face to face in Heaven, my ULTRA clever husband will not have to talk me into a trip to the pound. I'll just snuggle Melody and brush her hair and clip her nails and tell her that she's a pretty girl.
We're approaching another changing of the guard in my world.
Many years ago a young me and her young boyfriend (now husband) moved in together. I bought him a puppy for his birthday. She was a beagle, just like the dog of his childhood. We named her Enya because we were into that music at the time.
What I did not realize is that beagles are one-person dogs and are FIERCELY loyal to that one person. I loved her and fed her and petted her and let her sleep with me in bed when husband-to-be was on an air force thing for a month. By the time he came back, she was most definitely MY dog. Oh how I loved her. We had silly games we played together. We giggled and rolled on the floor and raced each other up the stairs. I scratched her ears and told her she was a pretty girl. Did I mention how much I loved her? Anyway, beagles are known for following smells at a dead run with their noses on the ground. She did that right into the path of an oncoming car when she was 4. My heart was completely broken and I did NOT want another dog. EVER.
About a week after she died, Mister said we should get another dog. At first I said no, but he hooked me by saying we should save a life and go to the pound to adopt a doomed dog. I wasn't interested for myself, but I went with him so he could pick out a dog. Of course, there was no way that I would ever care about this interloper.
At first I ignored her. Then I tolerated her. One day I woke up and realized that I loved her. Scully is the best dog ever. She's a black lab and she was our child years before we had The Boy. I brush her and feed her and give her medicine. I scratch her behind the ears and tell her she's a pretty girl.
Fast forward 13 and a half years. Scully is half blind, mostly deaf, arthritic and semi incontinent of bowel and bladder. I know what that means. She isn't going to chase a rabbit under the wheels of a car, but she IS going to leave me in her own quiet way. I understand that. I don't dwell on it, but I'm aware that it's inevetible.
In the fall of 2004 my brother's dog was pregnant. I did NOT want a second dog. One dog in a family is like another person, but two dogs are dogs. Still, Mister and The Boy begged. Fine, I gave in. But I was absolutley NOT going to be responsible for a second dog.
Fast forward four and a half years. Her name is Melody and she is our Sheltie. I feed her, cut her nails, brush her tangled coat, let her in and out, etc. I love that dog. Someday, when Scully and Enya meet face to face in Heaven, my ULTRA clever husband will not have to talk me into a trip to the pound. I'll just snuggle Melody and brush her hair and clip her nails and tell her that she's a pretty girl.
We're approaching another changing of the guard in my world.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Sum-Sum-Summertime
Yesterday was the last day of school. I took the afternoon off and picked up The Boy. We went to the ice cream parlor where I ate my ice cream and the leftover half of his ice cream. Whoever heard of a 9 year old who didn't finish all of his ice cream? Strange child.
Anyway, I am so jealous of the time off that he has. 3 months without homework. 3 months of playing everyday. His babysitter has a swimming pool, so he even gets 3 months of daily water fun.
Anyway, I am so jealous of the time off that he has. 3 months without homework. 3 months of playing everyday. His babysitter has a swimming pool, so he even gets 3 months of daily water fun.
Meanwhile, I have 3 months of working full time PLUS 3 months of lawnmowing, weed eating, pond cleaning, grass sowing, driveway sweeping, de-ticking of dogs, etc. Being a grown up really bites. It's a good thing there are a few perks to make it a little more fair.
No. I'm not explaining the perks to you. If you don't already know what they are, then you're beyond my help.
I'd wish you a Happy Memorial Day weekend, but that seems a bit morbid. Woo Hoo. Have fun remembering the deaths of all the people you love. Jeesh. No wonder people drink a lot this weekend.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Use It or Lose It
I'm maxed out on vacation time at work. I actually lost time last month because I didn't use it. Who am I? As a child, I always pictured the grown up me lounging on a beach or sipping champagne at a cock tail party while wearing the perfect black dress.
I never pictured myself as a workaholic, chubby, grandma who worries about the erosion in the backyard and cleans up doggie diarrhea off the carpeting that I hate. Where are my marble floors and designer gowns? Where is my butler? I think I was probably the child of a super rich family, but I was switched at birth. Some imposter is living on MY yacht.
I never pictured myself as a workaholic, chubby, grandma who worries about the erosion in the backyard and cleans up doggie diarrhea off the carpeting that I hate. Where are my marble floors and designer gowns? Where is my butler? I think I was probably the child of a super rich family, but I was switched at birth. Some imposter is living on MY yacht.
Anyway, I'm taking this afternoon off to minimize the time I lose this month. I'm cleaning house and running errands and spending the afternoon NOT sipping champagne. And since I look just like my dad, I know I wasn't switched at birth. But wait. Maybe HE was swtiched at birth. That still makes me an heiress, right? I'll just sit here on the computer and wait for the maid to show up and do the dishes.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
I Need Some Cheese to Go With My Whine
First, let me start by apologizing to anyone unfortunate enough to be around me the last few weeks. People who know me know that I have an EXTREMELY sunny nature. In fact, I'm SO sunny-natured that I'm often annoying. Two different groups of people in my life that never met one another independently came up with the nickname 'Bubbles' for me. Yeah. I'm that obnoxious to be around.
I don't know if it's my Dad's death, stress over the tanking economy, the onset of menopause, mid-life crisis, allergy medications or whatever, but something has turned me into the Anti-Me. I am whiny, grouchy, and negative. So, to cheer myself up, I thought I would post a list of people that I'm glad I'm not. Kinda keeps it all in perspective.
1. I'm glad I'm not my son's teacher. At home, he's the center of the cosmos. At school, he's the center of the chaos. She finds his high spirits utterly charming, which means that she's one of those rare people who was born to teach. I have a degree in education that I didn't ever use because I discovered too late that other people's children are monsters. Thank GOD I'm not teaching school for a living.
2. I'm glad I'm not my next door neighbor. She's a terrific person and I love her like a sister, but she has three children and multiple step children. That means she RUNS. Her car usually pulls in at about 10:30 pm and she's pulling out of the driveway for work at 6:30 am. Soccer, baseball, doctor's appointments, tennis , volleyball, parties, a demanding career. She is super woman. And in between all of that, she got her doctorate in audiology. I get tired just watching her. Thank God I get to be at home more nights than I'm out.
3. I'm glad I'm not my friend "E". She's spent her whole life looking for Mr. Right. She's let some GREAT men go because they were great, but not perfect. Now she's alone and turning 50. No kids, no partner, and very lonely. I have a great -but not perfect -husband who snuggles me on the couch and brings me coffee and tells me that we are an awesome match. I'm happier with an imperfect somebody than she is with a perfect nobody. I thank God for my husband and children.
4. I'm glad I'm not Meg Ryan. True, she's a talented actress, beautiful, thin, rich, etc... But she doesn't..... but she isn't..... but she.... Dang it.
I want to be Meg Ryan.
I don't know if it's my Dad's death, stress over the tanking economy, the onset of menopause, mid-life crisis, allergy medications or whatever, but something has turned me into the Anti-Me. I am whiny, grouchy, and negative. So, to cheer myself up, I thought I would post a list of people that I'm glad I'm not. Kinda keeps it all in perspective.
1. I'm glad I'm not my son's teacher. At home, he's the center of the cosmos. At school, he's the center of the chaos. She finds his high spirits utterly charming, which means that she's one of those rare people who was born to teach. I have a degree in education that I didn't ever use because I discovered too late that other people's children are monsters. Thank GOD I'm not teaching school for a living.
2. I'm glad I'm not my next door neighbor. She's a terrific person and I love her like a sister, but she has three children and multiple step children. That means she RUNS. Her car usually pulls in at about 10:30 pm and she's pulling out of the driveway for work at 6:30 am. Soccer, baseball, doctor's appointments, tennis , volleyball, parties, a demanding career. She is super woman. And in between all of that, she got her doctorate in audiology. I get tired just watching her. Thank God I get to be at home more nights than I'm out.
3. I'm glad I'm not my friend "E". She's spent her whole life looking for Mr. Right. She's let some GREAT men go because they were great, but not perfect. Now she's alone and turning 50. No kids, no partner, and very lonely. I have a great -but not perfect -husband who snuggles me on the couch and brings me coffee and tells me that we are an awesome match. I'm happier with an imperfect somebody than she is with a perfect nobody. I thank God for my husband and children.
4. I'm glad I'm not Meg Ryan. True, she's a talented actress, beautiful, thin, rich, etc... But she doesn't..... but she isn't..... but she.... Dang it.
I want to be Meg Ryan.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Batter Up!
I love baseball. More accurately, I love watching The Boy play baseball. I have about 500 pictures so far. I won't be posting all of them. I know you're disappointed, but you'll have to buck up. I will, however, post SOME of them. I'm generous like that.
Here he is crossing his arms over his chest when they were lining up for the opening ceremony of the season. 
Here he is getting serious about the game. He looks like he's about to spit tobacco.
Here he is swinging at the ball. I think this one was a strike. He had two at bats in this game and scored two runs. The first time he was walked to first and then stole three times to get home. The second time up he got a base hit and an RBI then made it home on a teammate's RBI.
Here he is crossing his arms over his chest when they were lining up for the opening ceremony of the season.
Here he is playing right field and looking to make sure his dad is watching him.
Here he is getting serious about the game. He looks like he's about to spit tobacco. Here he is swinging at the ball. I think this one was a strike. He had two at bats in this game and scored two runs. The first time he was walked to first and then stole three times to get home. The second time up he got a base hit and an RBI then made it home on a teammate's RBI.
I LOVE this one. You can tell he just hit a foul ball.
This is him taunting the pitcher just before he stole third base.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
I Want My Mommy!
This is my mom. She's the little pig-tailed cutie on the right in the first picture. The second picture is who she grew up to be.
I could go on for paragraphs about how wonderful and kind and funny and smart she is, but I'm sure everyone feels that way about their mom. Maybe to be a little different, I should tell you the crazy things she's done.
Once she wrapped herself in a towel after her bath and danced through the living room where we were all watching tv. She poked her head back out of the door again when she was done and said, "I just washed my feet and I can't do a thing with them!"
Another time she changed her name to Creepy because she was tired of five kids yelling for Mom all day. She wouldn't answer us unless we addressed her as Creepy.
Another time my uncle came over to see us and found my mom sitting cross legged on top of the refrigerator reading a book. When he asked her what was going on, she told him she was hiding from the kids.
Mother of the year? Maybe not. More like Mother of the Century. I want to be my mom when I grow up.
I love you, Momma. Happy Mother's Day.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Cinco de Mayo
http://www.mexonline.com/cinco-de-mayo.htm
Read up on the holiday. It commemorates a particular battle. I mistakenly thought this was Mexican Independence Day. Turns out this history buff needs more buffing. That's ok. My husband insists that Cinco de Mayo is a fifth of mayonaise. I like his version better.
Anyway, make yourself a margarita, put on a sombrero, and dig out your favorite poncho. Happy 5th of May.
Read up on the holiday. It commemorates a particular battle. I mistakenly thought this was Mexican Independence Day. Turns out this history buff needs more buffing. That's ok. My husband insists that Cinco de Mayo is a fifth of mayonaise. I like his version better.
Anyway, make yourself a margarita, put on a sombrero, and dig out your favorite poncho. Happy 5th of May.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Glorious Solitude
On very rare days I have a golden opportunity. When all the stars align perfectly and God himself smiles down on me, I have a day to myself. Usually when this happens, all my middle class motherly guilt swoops in and forces me to spend that time tackling projects. Not today.
Today I slept in. Today I took a bubble bath. Today I watched a chick flick. Today I spent time playing meaningless computer games. Today I read a magazine. Today I took a nap.
I don't even have the desire to think up a blog topic to amuse or inform you. I just dropped in to say hello to you and to tell you that there is nothing interesting at all going on in my life today. Isn't that wonderful?
Today I slept in. Today I took a bubble bath. Today I watched a chick flick. Today I spent time playing meaningless computer games. Today I read a magazine. Today I took a nap.
I don't even have the desire to think up a blog topic to amuse or inform you. I just dropped in to say hello to you and to tell you that there is nothing interesting at all going on in my life today. Isn't that wonderful?
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