Photo Story Friday

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek There's no way I can post just one photo of this amazing woman. So, you're getting three, and you're gonna have to like it ;) Proceed with Caution: Long winded-ness ahead. This is Grammie. She is my husband's 89-year-old grandmother. She is nothing short of magnificent. I am not able to tell just one story about her because she has made such a huge impact on me in the 9 1/2 years I have known her. I know that she will not be around forever, and when she does go, I want the world to know how much she meant to me. I remember when Zac and I started dating. I called him one day and he said, "I'll call you right back, I am on the phone with my grandma." I was thinking, "What? He talks to his grandmother?? Growing up, I had NO relationship with either of my grandmothers and the idea was so foreign to me. So, imagine my surprise when he called me back TWENTY minutes later, saying, "Oh, sorry I just got off the phone with her. We talk about 3 times a week." Whoa, what on EARTH would anyone want to talk to their grandmother about for THAT long?? And three times a week? I was beginning to think this guy was gonna be a dud. A few months went by, and Zac wanted to introduce Brandon and me to his grandmother. Zac was a bit scared since Grammie was 80 and her only grandson was dating some chick with a kid. I was so nervous, because if he was scared, then there HAD to be a reason (I soon figured out that Zac is quite the over-reactor). We walked in and Grammie hugged me and hugged Brandon and she was just ecstatic to meet us. She sat us down and wanted to know everything about us. I knew at once what it felt liked to be welcomed with open arms. And I knew at once that I wanted this woman to be MY grandmother. She reminded me of the grandmother on 'Happy Gilmore.' Grammie had a hard adult life, but you'd never know it. She takes everything with stride. Her husband left her and her two boys when the oldest was about 5. Grammie was a single mother and she never, ever dated again. She knew that her job was to care for her boys and not let anyone else get in the way of that. She did a wonderful job, and her boys are now taking care of her. The respect they have for their mother is admirable. This is just a little teeny piece of Grammie, but there is SO MUCH MORE. I am sure I will share more about her, but for now, since I am tearing up already, this is gonna have to do it. I will say that I am a better person for knowing this amazing woman. I tell my husband all the time, " I only married you for your grandmother." He thinks it's great. You know what's even better? Now, I have a Grammie that I talk to three times a week.

My children are growing up...what does that say about me?

20 days until my baby is 6. I am actually not counting down the days-she is! Every morning since May 1st it's been, 23 days, mom! 22 days! 21 days! So, on day 22 she presents me with a request. "Mom, can I get my ears pierced on May 24th for my 6th birthday?" I respond, "Remember, honey-I got my ears pierced on my 10th birthday and I thought you could wait until you're 10, too." She then brought up a very valid point. "But, mom. That's still 5 years away, and I've already waited 5 years." Simple Kindergarten math, but being mathtarded (thanks for the term, Julie!) as I am, it impressed me. I did pull the whole, "We'll talk it over with dad" which backfired since dad's response was, "I don't care." So, now it's not only 20 days until my baby is 6....now it's 20 days until my baby is 6 AND having her ears pierced. Whoa is me.

I really am going to start trying to make more time to come here. I miss it. I used to have so many fun bloggy friends and now I am so out of the loop. I let life get the best of me. What I really love doing is shouting to the world. Yes, shouting. I shout. About what? Who cares!! Now, to go comment so people know I am actually still alive.

Cuatro?

Ok eventually I will stop counting how many days I've made a post. Right now, it's still kind of surreal to me. Thank you to my friends who didn't forget me. I heart you guys.

Don't let the 'posted from my iphone' fool you. It's an iPod. I'm not that important. But it is sorta cool I can blog while watching my kid play soccer. Nothing like one-fingered blogging. Rad.

I realized I haven't mentioned my kids. Yes, I still have them. Brandon is 14. Gets his braces off in a few weeks. Cute as ever. He shaves now and asked me for cologne and breath mints the other day. Yes, breath mints. Nolan is 7 and a ladies man, according to him. Apparently, there are 47 girls 'going for him' right now. He's disinterested. Kendall is a genius princess, according to her (and her father). She is the highest level reader in her class so that makes her the 'smartest.' And she's the prettiest girl daddy's ever seen. Besides mommy, of course (did I just throw that in there?)

Happy weekend friends!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Uno, Dos, TRES...

I am cold. Normally, I would be wrapped up in a warm blanket, and it would be awfully difficult to type with my paws covered up by a blanket. But, ALAS...I have a Snuggie Deluxe that not only warms me from neck to toe, but allows my hands to be free so I can type this with ease. Oh, yes. Rad.
Do you ever look at your past blogs and think, "Wow I am smart, funny AND clever!" Because that was so me the other day. I was pondering why I never went back to blogging, so I started scrolling through my old ones and actually LOL'ed a few times while thinking, "Wow, did I actually write this? I am pretty flippin' hilarious!" Not to toot my own horn or anything; I just hope I can keep it up :)

I got a couple new bras in the mail today. I ordered my size, but for some reason, they are awfully tight. Couldn't be the fact that I gained weight and now my old ones stretched out and my size isn't actually my "size" anymore. I don't care though. I will squeeze because I am so irritated at myself for gaining weight-bah! Soooo, those of you losers out there...HOW do you do it? Ok, I mean BESIDES diet and exercise, because frankly, THAT's not fun.

So, friends, bear with me on this-I haven't blogged in a long long time and I may forget and have to ask all over, but it feels good to be back!

Whoa. Two days In a row!

I hope I can keep this up.

So, HolleAnn, since you are the only comment I got, I will give you the story behind the photo. Some of you MAY know that I was (and still am, evidently) a HUGE New Kids on the Block fan. I went to a few concerts since I last blogged...ok, 4! Well, the last one I went to I got pretty good seats so I was STOKED! My friend, Leelee called me the day before (she had VIP Meet and Greet passes!) and asked me if I wanted to take her spot at the Meet and Greet. I was like, "WHAT?" I cried, and I thanked her profusely, because frankly, that's the coolest thing anyone could have ever done for me. So, I went. We get in this line to meet "the guys" and all the women (yes all 30+) were screaming about, "I wanna stand by Jordan. I want Donnie. Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh!" I said I was standing next to whoever I could, because I was just grateful to be having this experience. So, I got between Jon and Joey. And I was thrilled. Danny, however invited me backstage to talk to him about a fundraiser we were doing for Breast Cancer in honor of his mother. He ended up being a bit of a pompous jerk. BUT I did get to see Jon, Joey and Donnie up close while backstage, and THAT was worth it. I ain't got no shame lovin' the New Kids. Before you try to come up with a clever name for them, I have indeed heard them all. You aren't clever.

Hello...anybody in there??

I can't believe I am doing this. I don't think anyone even remembers me, even. Yet, I feel compelled to write in this blog. Not because I am a fabulous writer, but because I have a lot to say and it won't all fit on facebook. I mean, how many times a day is it OK to update your status? That, and I re-read my Corey Feldman post down there and I pretty much decided that I am seriously rad. Hard core, even.

What I have been up to: I have a job. I KNOW...SAHM is a job, and it's the toughest job I've ever had. But this time, I have an office that I go into, with people I LOVE and get paid for being super anal and "detail-oriented." And I am done way before the children get out of school. So, they don't even know I am gone! So, this is what I am gonna do...PLEASE ask me any questions about my year and a few months away. I have so much to say and I really wanna tell you, but I don't want a page and a half of posts, so I wont. I will, however, leave you with THIS.



Yes, as a matter of fact; it IS a Kelly sandwich

This is my kid. My middle schooler who turned 13 last Tuesday. Yeah, I am feeling a wee bit old. Isn't he cute? Yeah, the girls think so.
In fact, last month, we went to the carnival in town. Brandon and his buddies go off on their own and are to meet back with me and Zac. Well, he meets us and I notice his hat is gone. So I ask him, "Hey, buddy, where is your hat?" SO, he gets all bugged and says, "Some girl took it. She's with Kaitlyn." I know who Kaitlyn is, so I tell Brandon if I see her, I will get it. About an hour later I see some girl wearing his hat. I look next to her and see Kaitlyn (just so I know I have the right girl). I walk up to this nice girl and say, "Hi. May I please have my son's hat back?" She says, "Oh, you're Brandon's mom?" I tell her yes I am and she says, "Oh, I have talked to you on the phone. I am Jessica, Brandon's girlfriend." I just look at her and she says, "OH, I guess Brandon didn't tell you about me. He said he was going to tell you." He had told me about this girl, but he told me she thought he was her boyfriend but he didn't like her. Anyway, I said, "Oh, the reason he didn't tell me about you is probably because Brandon is not ALLOWED to have a girlfriend." She just looked at me like a deer in the headlights and walked away. I found Brandon, gave him his hat and told him the story. He says to me, "Dude! Mom, you rock! Thanks for doing that!" Then on Monday, he told her he can't have a girlfriend and "broke up" with her. Now he's getting all kinds of calls from girls and stuff. Man, I hate it. He's a little boy for cryin' out loud.

OH, also. On October 10 I went and saw New Kids on the Block in concert. I know, I know. Don't be jealous. Especially don't be jealous that I am going to Seattle in November and going AGAIN. Yep, I am THAT cool.

Thank YOU HolleeAnn!

I got an email from HolleeAnn just because she misses me and I realized that I needed to post an update.

I have so much to say, too. I may have to do it in phases.

Grammie is doing great! She moved out of her house and into a Retirement Community. It turns out the reason she was dizzy and passing out is because she didn't have the energy to eat anymore. She could eat, but she couldn't cook. So she was eating 3 crackers with peanut butter each day. Now, she walks to the Dining Hall three times a day for her meals and if she misses one, she gets a phone call and they bring her food. She turned 90 on the 30th.

Here she is at her party:





Just try and tell me she isn't the cutest thing you ever did see. Don't worry though, we scolded her for the shortness of her skirt. We were there looking through old pictures and things and there was a photo of her in a BIKINI. OMGosh you guys, she was so flippin' cute! At one point, Zac's cousin says, "Wow, Gram, you have always been a hottie!" Gram says, "Oh, yes, Katie, I really have always been." Good to know all this trouble in her life hasn't caused any self esteem issues. LOL!

Thanks for thinking of us all and I will absolutely get back on the blog ball! I need you guys! And thanks again, HolleeAnn. You made my week (10 days ago!)

I know it seems like I've abandoned ship...

and I guess I sort of have, though not intentionally. I fully intended to take a month off to get everything together for the kids when they started school (July 28th they went back). However, since then, Grammie has not been doing well. At all. And honestly, I am doing everything I can just to stay afloat. I am very, very sad and every time I think about her, I cry. She has been hospitalized twice in the last month and a half, and she has gotten dizzy and passed out a number of times. I know she is old, but I am not ready to lose her. I have only had her for 10 years! Please forgive me for not checking in. I will try to check in more often if I can. And please, please PRAY for Grammie. She is an angel and deserves the best. There is so much more detail involved, which I really can't get into, but Zac and I are trying to persuade her to move in with us. Please keep in touch if I am not on here, through the email in my profile.

Photo Story #4

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

If you have ever read any posts about my son, Nolan (aka Ninja Boy), then you know he is a handful, to say the least. He is all boy and already at 6, he doesn't take crap from no one. No one that is, except for his "best friend" Jaydin. Jaydin is a little DIVA. She is absolutely, positively 110% G-I-R-L. You'd think that they would hate each other given the fact that they are polar opposites.

I know why Nolan likes her. She's the only person (besides family) that has put him in his place, and my boy LOVES a challenge.

Jaydin's mom, Monica (my BFF) took Nolan and Jaydin to a friend from Preschool's birthday party and then to another party for a family friend last summer. At the family party, Nolan and Jaydin decided to get in the hot tub. As they are getting in, a friend of Jaydin's family said, "Oh, Jaydin, is this your boyfriend, Nolan?" Nolan immediately pipes in and says, "NO!" Jaydin, at the same time, says, "Yes." She hears Nolan say "no" and she glares at him and says, "Nolan, you ARE my boyfriend, and THAT'S just the way it is!" Dude, I hope he keeps this girl forever!!