Hmmm....

Just a thought. . . Our daughter is home after an almost one week conference to Atlanta. We missed her. Our son-in-law really missed her :-). My brother and his family are back from Italy. He loved it and wouldn't mind living out there. His wife has family in Italy. He said life was so simple and slow-paced and kind. The fact that everyone dresses up even to go on the bus was wonderful to him. They plan to return in 3 years. I'm glad he had a good time. My younger brother is feeling better. He sounds better. He said someday he hopes to make connections with the family again. There is hope. Life is too short. I miss my Dad. . . Zach, my mom's dog was bit by a rattlesnake protecting their little chihuahua, Buddy, and they think he will eventually die. They're giving him anti-venom and antibiotics, but he is still not doing well. Poor Zach. And we're fine, thank God. I'm off-track for about three weeks. I'm ready for this break -- need it. Time to sleep in, watch t.v., go shopping, go to the movies, play Monopoly with my youngest son, and cook. Thank you, Lord.

Anger (sigh . . . )

Why do people hold on to anger so much? Don't they realize how much it hurts their spirit?

I talked to my little brother tonight and the anger he feels to past events has gone on too long. I try to tell him how precious life is, to have faith that everything will be alright, to look to the future and leave the past in the past. But, he can't. He is not ready to do that. In the process he has alienated himself and he's ok with this. Alright, he will do what he wants to do. I call it Stubborness! How he reminds me of my father... We never fall far from the tree, do we.

What do you do about a situation like this. I love everyone -- or at least I try to. I can be pretty stubborn myself, but come on -- who does it hurt in the long run--everyone.

I don't know -- I just think life is too short to be angry all the time. It's such a waste. It's so much better to wake up in the morning, thank God for another day and greet everyone with a "Good Morning!" or a "Buenos Dias!" How perfect is that.

I feel for my little brother because he could be so happy if he just allowed himself to be. His therapist said it the best -- Time will heal everything -- and he's right, but my brother is not ready. Again to what I said at the beginning -- Why is he holding on to so much anger? I'm tired and I don't agree with him.

Lots of Blessings!

The weekend is here -- 1st two days of school shelved away. It never fails -- at the beginning of a new school year I miss my last year's students very much and standing before me are children who last week were in kindergarten -- talkative and very active. They miss their kinder teacher (who by the way is a beautiful person with a very kind heart), they want to go to the bathroom (one kid was gone for about 10 minutes -- "Oh yes, Mrs. L, he does that all the time," they miss playing games, blocks, puzzles etc. It was a tiring day to say the least on my first day. But as they prepared to go home, one of my "new" little girls said, "It's only our first day, Mrs. L. -- tomorrow we will be better." I was so touched and thanked her and them for a "wonderful" first day. I know I have the BEST job.

We had a very restful and delicious 4th of July at my daughter and son-in-law's home. The time went so fast. I really enjoyed the peacefulness of their backyard and the way our family was all together. I miss that very much. As I was growing up as a young adult--people would ask me "And what do you want to be when you grow up?" I would reply, "I want to be a mother." That's all I wanted to do -- be a mother--a good mother to my children. We were and still are so blessed with our children and sometimes when they are all together, I tell my husband -- "Listen, just listen to them." We hear their voices, their laughter, their discussions. We are in awe because these are OUR children. We smile and we laugh with them. God has certainly blessed us.

Hey! Before I forget -- I got my vacuum cleaner back today from the shop! I was so excited! I was using a used one and it just wasn't doing the job. Yuck! But ok -- it tried. Every woman needs her very own vacuum cleaner that is dependable beyond words. I'm so glad I have it back. I got to go vacuum now. Yay! It's back!

Here we are again, one day before the 4th of July. I finally finished getting everything ready at work for a new year at school. My daugher says,"Mom, go home!" And she's right -- I need to go home, but beginning a school year unprepared is like going to work with two different shoes on and one of them being a slipper. Can't do it. But I'm ready. Here we go. I met the new teachers -- every year we get new teachers. I have been at my job for 21 years and every year new teachers are hired, old teachers move on or retire. The ones I met today are so nice. Really like them. They're going to fit in just fine. One teacher who's name is "Pat" is probably as old as me and it's her first year teaching. I liked her. As a side note: Our last principal whom I liked very much always hired young blond teachers (I have nothing against blonds, but come on -- brunettes are pretty good, too. :-) When my daughter used to sub at our school, she would say -- "I feel like I'm in a segment of "Children of the Corn." Hmmm.... So needless to say, it's good to see variety again.

My little sister-in-law called me last night and we talked for a good long time. She is feeling dread -- she doesn't know what it means. I don't either. I wish I could help her figure it out, but I can't. I'll wait to see what it is. Interesting how we can get these feelings and why do we? Got to clean now :-) I have neglected my house. I'm so glad our daughter is having the 4th at her house. Ahhhhhhh........

June 23, 2007

Today was my mother's birthday. It was a wonderful day for her. I could tell she was very touched by all who attended. It was a surprise to her to see one of my brothers and my little sister. She was so happy and I was happy for her. She deserved this day. God bless her.

Because it was a Hawaiian theme, there were lots of shis-ka-bobs (I don't think I spelled that right, but you know what I mean). They were absolutely delicious!

My daughter's gift to my mom -- in a coconut! It was a wonderful day.

Yesterday, before my mom's birthday, we went to "Play on the Freeway!" It was a lot of fun and quite interesting to see how they brought it altogether with so many activities. We have been waiting patiently for this freeway to be done. I think they have been working on it for at least seven years. Perhaps this was their way to say have a little bit more patience -- soon it will be done.

My husband remembers when the Helms Bakery truck would cruise the neighborhoods on the West Side selling glazed doughnuts and pastries. How neat is that? Wow! One of the Car Show entries.

A cool rock climbing wall. Lots of kids.

Mayor Quimby and the gang. :-)

It was cool to actually walk on the freeway and look at all these really well-taken-care-of old cars. I enjoy car shows.

A picture of a "Hello Kitty" car for my daughter.

My future car -- when I retire or perhaps an updated version would be nicer. :-)

Good Old Stater Brothers.

My Mom's Party - Cool!

Today was our last day of school for this year. The year went by too fast. I said goodbye to my little ones and hugged them as they left my classroom for the last time as 1st graders. I will miss them. But then again - it was time.

Tomorrow is my mom's birthday and I feel excited and somewhat anticipatory. My sister and I were hoping for all the children to be there, but alas, only the regulars will be there and that's ok to a degree. My brother and his family from Sacramento will be there. My little sister from Idaho and their youngest son will be there. My little sister from Phoenix and her husband will be there, my youngest brother, my family, and my sister. That makes six siblings which is not bad considering that there are nine of us. It just would have been nice if all had come out for my mom. How can they not understand that my mom will not always be here. I'm so glad we are going. Now the anticipatory part is that I need to behave and be polite to all in attendance - primarily the "in-laws" who will remain unnamed. I'm an in-law, too, and I know how it feels to be excluded. So, therefore, I will be nice. OK? :-) Excited!

A Beautiful Bedroom

I haven't blogged for a while. Things have been very busy around the old homestead. After our son moved out, we had a spare bedroom with thoughts of what to do? A Pool Room? A video game room? A catch - all room (oh, it already was :-) And we can be pretty layed-back, take our time for a long time and that's ok with us. BUT this time we are hurrying to get this room done because my Mom's birthday is in two weeks and a lot of the family is coming, therefore, preparing the extra bedroom for guests. Whew! It's been. . .

In less than a week, it's been painted, a bed has been bought, curtains hung, furniture (ugly) moved out. It looks so pretty -- almost like another world. My honey has worked very hard getting it ready. Thank-you, Honey. We have done it in the style of Tahitian - Mexican, HA!

To top things off, report cards will be due in one week and I still need to finish grading all the kid's math packets. I think I have two weeks worth left. The good thing, tho, is that most of the time, I grade as they do. Therefore, I just need to more or less enter grades. I can't wait for this year to be done. It's time for my little ones to leave me. They've been a really great group. I will definitely miss them - a lot.

Next weekend -- a wedding -- then my Mom's birthday (an interesting day to say the least). I will be on my best behavior -- I promise :-).