Thoughts this Thursday

They all just left.  All six of them.  Six of who?  MYP.  And I stress, Many.  young. people.  Three are from this home.  Two are sons of my mostly nice older brother who also in turn are - mostly nice.  Another is a guy that finds his way here often.  And we like it that way.  Where did they go?  To Seven-Eleven of course!  Free Slurpies on 7-11!  Seriously.  A pile of people walking into the local 7-11 for free drinks.  They would make my Grandpa Anderson proud.

I'm going through a lot of food these days.  I just can't figure out why... Here they are.  All six of them taken last night before they got crazy and stayed up too late.

Here are a couple cute young ladies that celebrated birthdays this week:

So now after four birthdays in three weeks, it will be nice to get back to whatever 'normal' is.

So this week we went to a hospital.  Before we went there we had lunch.  I shot this picture across the table.  My parents.  My sweet, accepting and gracious parents.

My slightly older, and wise sister was along as well.  We heard from this talented surgeon that the situation is very workable.  Yes, it isn't a nice word.  The "C" word.  But they can remove it and hopefully just follow-up with pills and nothing worse if it doesn't manifest itself in other places it shouldn't during surgery.  We will stand by them because they have stood by us.  That's the nice thing about the parent/child relationship.  It evolves and changes as you go through life.  Sometimes we need support.  Sometimes they need support.  It's beautiful really.

Some have called or texted or emailed about wanting or planning to help.  I feel like my emotions are in check.  Until I hear about the kindness of others and it immediately moves me to bleary-eyes.  I'm so very thankful for kindness offered to them.

The hospital.  The hospital is a place to go when you need help.  I think sometimes a hospital is a place to go when you are needing to be more thankful.  I have a talent of people-watching.  I saw some there that looked sad and scared and worried and happy.  I saw a few very sick little ones being pushed in strollers or wheelchairs.  I saw a very old lady being pushed by her slightly-old daughter.  I saw a younger lady accompanied by a husband with a tense look in the eyes.  After I left and drove my hour home alone I was thinking how health is something we take for granted.  That night our MYP were frolicking in a swimming pool.  There wasn't worry or sadness or unease about the future.  There was health and unbridled joy that I could watch.  I don't consider our MYP could have something serious.  Maybe I should.  Because then I would be thankful for what I do have.

So the Slurpie shuttle will be back soon.  I need to get a few things done instead of blogging.  Like making more food!

Monday Musings

Not a lot to muse.  I kind of ruined it for myself by hopping on here last week and saying too much.  Me and my big mouth!

I was telling someone a fact recently and they said, 'I know I saw that on the blog'.  It made me pause.  This lady I admire for so many reasons.  I felt nearly embarrassed that she reads "The Chairman and company".  It seems so frivolous and unnecessary really.  

We have been busy.  Very very busy with people and company and guests and invites and oh my!  On top of that there are two birthdays in the next two days.  When you are soon 14 and 11 you have glorious dreams of limousines and rockets bursting over you head with a chorus of your closest 127 friends singing happy birthday in perfect unison.  I hope they aren't disappointed.  Because there will be no fancy black cars or fireworks.  

We await news on a surgery date for my mom.  Hopefully in the next days we will know and then I can actually look at the calendar with real thoughts not just speculation.  I'm not good with unknowns.  

I wandered around last night and took a few cell phone shots.  I think that'll wind up my musing on this Monday.  See?  I told you there wasn't much.

Friday, the fifth

So how many of you have we lost due to the shut-down of Google Reader?  Hello?  Oh you probably aren't there so you can't hear me.  I've searched around and found Feedly to be a fairly decent option.  However, I'm still slightly riled up that the powers-that-be at Google thought it was a good idea to shut down the Reader.

An hour ago, I called in a prescription for an asthma medicine.  A few minutes ago the automated call came saying the prescription was ready.  The price?  $308 for one month's worth.  Splendid.  Unfortunately, this child needs to breathe, so there's not too many other options.

Speaking of the MYP.  We got a sealed envelope on our bed the other night.  It was from one of ours.  It stated that we hadn't been out on a "date" in awhile and we should take the enclosed (hard-earned) $30 and go out to the restaurant of our choice.  There was a p.s.  "No return policy".  Were we touched?  Absolutely.   Will we spend the enclosed money?  Hardly.  It will somehow return to the giver in a pleasant way.

I have taken a brief hiatus with the "Ab challenge".  Don't tell the boss-lady about this!  But I have my reasons.  I didn't want all my friends to be completely envious of my bounce-a-quarter-off my six pack.  Or maybe I'm just feeling lazy.  You decide.

We are in full birthday swing here.  The Chairman just had his earlier this week.

As you can see, one of the MYP was MIA at picture time.

Two more of the MYP have them next week.  There are lots of whispers and secrets and hidden bags.  There also are plans of grandiose parties with birthday treats and favors and bright-sparkly things.  I'm not sure how grandiose it'll be.

So yesterday was the 4th of July.  I like to arrogantly think I'm not sentimental.  However, certain dates bring  back floods of memories.  The time around the 4th is especially true.

• As a child, we had front-yard seats to the town's fireworks that were shot off four blocks away.  It usually involved friends over for supper beforehand.
• Nineteen years ago after the fireworks, the Chairman asked if I would... and I said yes.  The symbolism of firecrackers and colorful things is not lost.  
• Thirteen years ago, because the Chairman needed to be in Chicagoland early the following day, I spent the 4th of July alone in the home for the first time with two babies - an almost 1-year old and a 2-week old.  I keenly remember sneaking into the bedroom and seeing two cribs and two sleeping babies and feeling a rush of thankfulness.
• Eleven years ago after spending the afternoon with my in-laws, we headed for home at dark and stopped to look at the local fireworks.  I was five days from giving birth to our first full-term baby.  I remember wondering how it was all going to go.  And I also remember seeing the Chairman holding two little toddlers - one in each arm as they looked up at the sky.
• Seven years ago.  We lost the Chairman's sister during the night.  It was very sad, and also very comforting that the physical pain was now gone. 
• Five years ago, one of the MYP took a 18 mph nose-dive on her bike at a campground and scraped a few layers of skin off her nose/cheek.  Thankfully, the body restores itself and it is only a memory instead of a bad scar.
• Yesterday, we enjoyed spending a leisurely day with my parents.  It was a visit that we both needed.  Comfort in togetherness.  Wondering about what is next, yet thankful for today.  We also enjoyed the company of these two for some days this week. 

 We even kept them out late enough to see some fireworks.

Well this about takes care of Monday Musings, doesn't it?  Well lots have left due to the loss of Google Reader, so maybe it doesn't matter anyway.

Wednesday Words

There are lumps of dirt.  Lumps of clay.  Lumps of dough.  Lumps of sugar.  Those lumps are useful, helpful, edifying, and even sweet.  This lump isn't.  This lump is the enemy and it was found two days ago in my mom's body.

Thankfully, she is vigilant in checking.  Thankfully it initially seems to be contained.  Thankfully she lives near my sister and me.  Thankfully she is in good hands with the nearby cancer center and a niece that is a medical advocate.  However, unfortunately, this is the third time she has had to face this battle.  And this time they cannot just remove the enemy, they have to remove all of where the enemy is hiding.

I noticed when my mom wrote the e-mail to our family about this lump that not once did she mention the enemy by name.  She didn't need to.  We know who 'it' is.  And she, and we supporting her, will do all that is possible to get the enemy out as soon as possible.

Some of you don't know my mom.  But I do.  She is one of those people that you could be around for days and months and years and never tire of her.  She has such a gentle, sweet Spirit of kindness.  She has always helped, nurture, and encourage with a touch of humor.  Always.  This whole thing makes me sad.  Maybe not because life is unfair and the enemy is icky.  It just makes me sad that she and my dad have to go through this again.  The third time.

They have an enormous support system in friends, family, and something even deeper , richer, and hidden.  That will help so much.  If you know and want to encourage this fine couple as they face this hurdle once again, please do.  They love others more than themselves.

Monday Musings

A couple of the creatures here aren't stirring yet, so will quickly pen a muse.  I felt a little squeamish when I was going to sleep last night.  I couldn't think of musing material.  However, I do have some photos that sum up a week in the life of the Chairman's family.

It is strawberry season here.  We picked lots and lots.  Made 12 batches of jam with the help of some nice MYP that appreciate jam on fresh bread on a cold winter's day.  About half-way through they were almost doing it all on their own with me meddling a bit.

Summer birthday parties are fun.  Especially if a pool is involved.  It was actually a girl party, but I had a couple boys here and the next morning 'the mom' asked if they wanted to come over.  Of course!  Boys like to stir up girls' parties.

Then there was an invite to friends for dinner.  Not just any dinner.  Authentic Indian deliciousness made by dear friends.  They were kind enough to allow a few extra MYP we had at our house to come along.

 They also invited this baby and her nice parents.  This spunky little 10-month old had no lack of handlers that night.  :-)  She's not all sugar and spice and everything nice.  She can yell for attention like a mad woman.  She can growl like a dog.  She can whistle!  And she can charm anyone with her ready smile.

As we watched Lisi slink around the corner the other morning trying to nab some leftover cat foot with nothing but a huge pile of guilt on her face, the Chairman said something I found simple, yet profound.  Cats never look guilty like dogs do.  Interesting thought...

So now I better go face the mound of dirty laundry and dust piling on the piano.  We have special people coming tomorrow.  We have berry picking tomorrow.  And psst!  We have the Chairman's birthday tomorrow!  So I best quit musing and start moving!

A loss...

Hi there from your good friend Lisi.  I overheard the Big Lady that yells but loves me anyway talking about something sad.  You see I had a cousin I had never met.  Her name was Mocha.  She lived far, far away.  I know she was very special because she was a dog.  I know she was very special because she was a retriever.  And I know she was very special because I would hear about her each and every time her family would come visit mine.

The Big Guy would look at me and say things like, 'Lisi's eyes are dull and not bright like Mocha's'.  The Big Lady that was very nice would say things like 'Lisi's fur is soft, but Mocha's is very smooth'.  Their big sons would say things kinda insulting like, 'Mocha could run circles around Lisi', or 'Mocha is more loving' or 'Mocha loves walking almost more than Lisi'.   She was very special to them.  It was obvious.

Mocha was a very lucky dog.  She was chosen to be part of a family that loves dogs.  I know.  The Big People that we live with are kind of silly about making sure we are walked, fed, and played with every day.  Some dogs are not so lucky.  So even though our time here on earth is short, it is filled to the brim with just daily joys.  The best is feeling loved by your own people.  Mocha had it that way and more...

Here are some quotes the Big Lady wants me to add:

* Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole.

* A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.

* The reason a dog has so many friends is because he wags his tail and not his tongue.

* You can say any foolish thing to a dog and the dog will give you a look that says, 'wow, you're right!   I never would've thought of that!

* He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.  You are his life, his love, his leader.  He  will be yours, faithful and true to the last beat of his heart.  You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.  

Monday Musings

Lets muse today!  I'm hitting the keyboard early as one of the MYP is already gone.  Two are still testing out their pillows and hence, it makes it easier to have a clear thought.

Twinkies are coming back!  July 15 says the news.  I didn't like them before and I don't like them now.  But I'm almost considering buying a box of hydrogenated sugar just to see what all the fuss is about.

Speaking of food, I may or may not have shook a bulb of garlic between two metal bowls (loudly) the other morning at 9:18 to not only get it all peeled quickly, but to rouse some sleepyheads.

I was just at our local Sam's Club a few days back.  Since it was nearly lunchtime and two of the MYP needed to be somewhere right after, I grabbed pizza for them and sat in the little food area while they ate.  A grandmother one table over turned around and gave me a knowing smile.  Then she said those magic words:  'I bet another Grandma is taking out her grandkids for treats today!!!'.  I smiled brightly and said, 'no, these are my kids.'  "Grandma" starts back peddling.  She got out the shovel.  She got out soap to wash out her mouth.  Almost.  Oh!  Your hair is so gorgeous.  And your face!  It is so vibrant and youthful I thought you were just a beautiful grandmother!  Isn't this weather great?  And it is so nice to have summer again, right?  She went on without a breath for nearly two minutes.  I smiled and nodded and she went off with a huge smile and a large dose of regret for the comment.  I almost felt sorry for her.  (I must admit I did take a look-see in the rear view mirror when we got to the car to see if my hair was really that gray and my face really that 'vibrant').

I promised I wouldn't talk about the cat.  But this bears comment.  He was either shot with a pellet gun or bitten by something big.  He came home a few days ago just not himself.  Finally took him in.  A fever, dehydration, and infection at the wound spot.  $160 later, he's back to almost normal.  However I learned something about this dear, orange cat.  He is all fun and games until you make him go against his will.  He turned into a snarling, hissing, ornery unreasonable cat within moments.  I think this says it all:

LET ME OUTSIDE!!! NOW!!!

So we had our first boating venture of the season.  And what a venture it was.  Perfect day.  No wait to get into the water.  Starts up flawlessly.  Three minutes into the relaxing afternoon there are alarms sounding.  The distinct smell of a hot engine.  One of the MYP howled out in fear, 'WE'RE GOING TO SINK!!!'.  Calm down my love.  We get ourselves near a dock to regroup.  Decide to paddle back to the boat launch.  The usual high-tension Chairman was actually calm to the point of getting funny once we knew the boat wasn't going to blow.  

one of the 'rowers'

manning the 'sail'

 After watching a bald eagle skim the surface in our quiet and painfully slow journey back to shore, a police boat just happened to be on the water.  Lucky for us he wanted to help.  So off we went at the break-neck speed of 5 mph back to the launch.

hooking up

headed back to shore

Fun indeed.

Last week I drove or returned from our local high school 24 times.  Summer school for one.  Camps for the other two.  I saw a lot of this each day.

But I am enjoying this:

And this:

 And sometimes this.  Unless they all ask to come inside for lunch.

Happy summertime!