It’s “Hey Rene J” Today!

At first I was afraid, I was petrified! Thinking I could watch your kids without you by my side! And after spending nights reviewing where kids’ things belonged, I grew strong, and I learned how to get along…

And now you’re back, from another space. And I find you here, with that super-joyous look upon your face. You missed your angels, little wonders, That’s obvious to see. And if you leave again, it sure won’t bother me!

So I will go, walk out that door… I’d love to watch them again, though my arms are tired and sore. It really hurt me when I had to say goodbye, But did I crumble? Did I lay down and cry?

No, not I. I did survive. I love my granddaughters, they are what kept me alive! I’ve got all my life to live And to them all my love to give and I survived. I’m more alive!

…………and that’s the end of my creativity after a morning of solitude. Oh my. The raising of children is for the young, and I think I took at least a decade off my years playing with and chasing those little puppies for five days.

I truly missed a little angel standing by my bedside at 3:15 in the morning, staring at me longingly with her stuffed elephant. However, I was able to return to slumber and rest easily, knowing my husband and I kept them safe, happy and loved…and knowing their parents were now in charge of undoing whatever “new” habits we formed!

We did survive.

The quirky and mundane observations are stashed in the back of my brain. They come and go fleetingly as we stumble through the war zone, our house!

My spouse and I are on duty for the the weekend as our daughter and her husband take a vacation. Granted, the weekend is longer than two days, but we are happily watching three little peanuts and adjusting to their schedules. Toys are everywhere, books at the ready to quiet whoever needs quieting! I figure it’s pointless to pick up anything, as it just comes back out in the morning.

We are having fun. Hopefully the “kids” are, too.

1/16 of the zone pictured above.

Yes, I did get to watch the game with my husband last night. Viewing the advertisements during the game led me to realize we only have 72 hours!

I can get an emergency supply of food to last me 72 hours in the event of a catastrophe. (Same company promoting other catastrophic purchases.) I can also buy a whole body deodorant that lasts for 72 hours. Are these two companies in cahoots? Do they know something I don’t? Which would I choose should I only have 72 hours – food or smelling better?

If the end is imminent, I’ll need more than 72 hours of sustenance! Maybe the choice is easy?

Monday Night Football has always been a “friend” of sorts.

When my husband traveled weekly and left on those Mondays eons ago, I would put the kids to bed and catch the end of a game. I didn’t care who was playing, just that there was something I enjoyed watching and fairly predictable, comfortable. Of course, we didn’t have the myriad choices we do now for evening entertainment.

Many times when we’ve been separated my spouse and I will put the game on in our different time zones and watch it together, commenting on who is seeing the great play first. “Don’t tell me!” Watching a game and critiquing strategies kept me grounded and helped me to sleep during long stretches of being away.

This is only relevant in that I’m awaiting a call from my two-hour-time-difference-this-evening husband. He might need me to give expert commentary as he attempts to drift off to sleep!

…and so the day began.

Actually, the old Firebird had a fuel leak and my husband was trying to strategize the problem and solution. Additionally, he requested I stand in front of the automobile holding a board as he put it up on the ramps. He’s a good driver, yet, early danger in the day before I’ve had breakfast is probably not wise. So I stood with my extinguisher ready for action as he turned the ignition.

The whole process was rather uneventful and I was able to eat and begin cleaning windows and bathrooms, sometimes dangerous duty in itself. We do know how to have fun.

We have an old wall phone, no longer in use, and yet – the perfect toy! Our granddaughter was given the privilege of standing on a chair and using the phone for her communication. Guess what? She always called, “Grandma!”

We chatted and she was the doctor. We had to bring the elephant in for a stomach ailment apparently, something her grandfather initiated. The elephant ate too many leaves and was sick, so the leaves had to be removed. I tell you – it’s always interesting – the stories we can create for entertainment. But stories are always the best – and most important ways of learning. We pass the family knowledge through stories. We pass the faith through the bible – greatest story. We transfer our wisdom through the stories of our experience.

Stories! I can’t wait to publish my first – and thank you to my son for helping me.

One of my new favorite diversions is Polly Pocket. She is a little doll with tiny rubber clothing that is impossible for my non-nimble fingers to easily don and disrobe. However, it seems my three-year old consort is getting pretty adept at it. Plus, it can only be done when her two younger siblings are napping. The size of a shoe is about a pinkie thumbnail.

I can get a good 30 minutes or longer on playing with Polly, and usually done without me! The minute we hear one of the twins peeping? My little charge cleans up that bin of Polly gear faster than she eats an ice cream cone! We know Polly is too little for the sisters, and we adhere to this rule with a vengeance. I love it! Somehow Polly has instilled in her a special status, one that is obvious in its minute size, not like other toys with little parts that really aren’t that small. Polly shoes and purses are uber-tiny.

The Polly Scurry is wonderful, Although, remind me to wash my cake pan when next I use it. Right now, it works perfectly as a “Polly pool.”

After intentionally risking my life bouncing around on some rocks and steep terrain, I am reminded of those whose lives were risked and lost on this day 23 years ago. May we never forget.

Duct tape always travels with me, wrapped around my lotion or some other bottle…just in case! I have used it in the past to repair a jacket and suitcase. Yesterday, I neglected to bring my little lotion roll on our ATV ride. Who would drag lotion on a trail? We needed it.

A battery issue caused one vehicle to break down. Some MacGyver-ing on the part of the crew finally worked to get the cable attached again. We used the athletic tape in my first aid kit, ruing the fact that duct tape was back in my room.

Today we ride supplied with lotion! And duct tape.

You’d think there was nothing else happening in our great state – other than the Nebraska/CU football game today! Seeing that it is played in Lincoln, I thought this tribute to the stadium was definitely worth noting, especially since I didn’t know these facts. Thanks to my friend who shared this piece about “the good life.”

Let us NEVER forget why Memorial Stadium is Memorial Stadium:

Memorial Stadium was constructed In the fall of 1922. The stadium was named Memorial Stadium to honor all Nebraskans who served in the Civil and Spanish-American Wars and the 751 Nebraskans who died in World War I. Later, the stadium would also honor the 3,839 Nebraskans who died in World War II; the 225 in Korea; and the 422 in Vietnam. Construction was completed in just over 90 working days; Memorial Stadium was dedicated on October 20, 1923.
Inscribed on the four corners of the stadium are the following words, written by former Nebraska professor of philosophy Hartley Burr Alexander:
• Southeast: “In Commemoration of the men of Nebraska who served and fell in the Nation’s Wars.”
• Southwest: “Not the victory but the action; Not the goal but the game; In the deed the glory.”
• Northwest: “Courage; Generosity; Fairness; Honor; In these are the true awards of manly sport.”
• Northeast: “Their Lives they held their country’s trust; They kept its faith; They died its heroes.