How you phrase it matters

Monday afternoon, almost 4:00 p.m. We took my best friend and her husband to the zoo today. Her stamina is gone but she won't admit it, but I know how to work her. Hubby said, "She will NOT do a wheel chair, so don't even ask."

I said, "You seem tired. Would you do better if I got you a chair with wheels on it so you don't have to walk so much and I can push you a bit?" She readily agreed. It's not just what you say, it's how you say it!

Bill's Birthday

It is almost 8:00 p.m. Sunday night and I am so full, happy and tired. Bill's 67th birthday party was fun. Our 4 kids came. Our nine grandchildren tickle my fancy and are growing so fast it frightens me. The baby, Nicole, almost 2, and I snuggled on my bed. She spied the mama rabbit figurine with a baby rabbit on a shelf and had to have them. Nana can't say no. So as we laid down I talked to her about the baby going night-night (like she should have been) and the mama kissing her baby. When I'd make the bunny kiss me, she'd belly laugh. Needless to say she didn't nap. Her brother Nicholas is 7, and everytime he sees me he says, "You look 21." He knows that will get him a hug anytime. He asked,"Nana, who's your favorite?" I smiled and said I couldn't answer. He smiled knowingly and said, "Well, I can answer who MY favorite is. YOU; you're my favorite grandchild!" Silly boy. He will have the girls falling all over him. He and 12 year old Austin chased each other like wild boys.

I played ball with Austin; that kid can slug a ball! Madison 12, and Morgan nine and a half, tumbled and jumped rope. Sean, 10 wrestled with Papa, as did George who is 12and as tall as Papa. Kyle, 16 and his girlfriend came. Ashley, almost 20, and her boyfriend stayed a while before they had to go to St. Charles to shoot film for her photography class. All of the kids are going in so many new directions. The older kids are subdued and sophisticated until somebody starts the family ruckus,a soccer game or tackle. Then all of them including their moms and dads have a free for all on the lawn. Oh yeah, we stop traffic. Wrestling your grandpa, aunt, uncle or cousin, or collapsing in a pile and laughing hysterically is a healthy, physical, fun outlet. We sure made some memories today.

Deadline

Time flies when you're having fun, drags when ... something like that. Time is almost up for two Chicken Soup deadlines. One is for Teachers and the other call out is CS for Mothers and Daughters. So get busy. The final day is tomorrow. Submit on their web site. Am I glad I went back and checked these deadlines. We have had out of town house guests, so I didn't get a chance to write as much as I usually do. It's 10:00 p.m. and it looks like I will be sitting here for a couple more hours trying to rev my brain and come up with something. I do well under pressure, and "last minute" sometimes works best for me. I hope it will for you too.

The thing that really makes me smile

We have been watching America's Funniest Home Videos. I have concluded that some people are just plain idiots, and also, there is no better sound than a baby who is belly laughing.

Live in the moment

It's the moment that counts, not the memory. Today we went to Powder Valley and Suson Farm. My friend from Boston is here for a week. Sheila loves barnyard animals and is amazed at our wonderful parks. Whatever makes her happy! Our time together is precious and taxing on both of us. She is physically and mentally declining due to a brain tumor. Even though tomorrow she probably won't recall what we did today, at least she was happy for the moment. I believe that we should cherish each moment.

School

Whew! What an evening. Parent orientation and meet the teacher went well; we had a tremendous turn out. Then I went to Ted Drewes for ice cream with faculty. Laughter is so good for the soul.

I'm beat and I want to eat.

I am exhausted. It is 6:00. I worked from 8-4:30 scrubbing every toy and surface of my classroom, hauled toys in and out after bleaching them. I ache. All I want to do right now is dip mini chocolate cake donuts in a cup of hot coffee and then lie down before my best friend arrives from Boston.
Aw, my wonderful husband is baking a pizza for us. I'm one lucky old gal.