Author: sistertex

The color for this True Color Thursday is one I had never heard of before, so first I had to define the color: Cerise.

ce-rise – n.  A deep to vivid purplish red.

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[French, from Old French, cherry; see cherry.]

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Adj.
1.
cerise – of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies

Noun
1.
cerise – a red the color of ripe cherries   

There are many Shades Of Pink, just click on the link and you will see an array.

And upon definition of the color all my notions about today’s blog went down the drain.  It is a purplish cherry red, and at least for me, much harder to find.

Here is a pair of Cerise earrings:

I knew this shirt would come in handy one day. There is some Cerise in there somewhere…just have a look!

A close up of Cherry Blossoms.

And what about this smiling critter….the Cheshire Cat!

                          “We’re All Mad Here!”

 

A friend sent this to me and I thought it was pretty funny. (Caution…a ‘discouraging word’ is within its contents)

This afternoon Vinni decided, like he often does, to take over a dog beg in the sun. Generally this leads to pacing and whining at me to let me know that one of the kitties have taken their bed. Occasionally though, the hounds just find a way to sleep around the cat. Due to the limited sunshine streaking though the windows, today was one of those ‘sharing days’

They took turns sharing. Here is Blew with Vinni.

Here Scooter shares with Vinni.

 

Renner is now sharing with Vinni.

And if you look closely you will notice that during all these hound transitions, Vinni doesn’t give an inch….doesn’t move from his spot. He is large and in charge!

Greyhounds and Cats get along pretty well most of the time as long as the hounds don’t mind sharing. ZZZZZZZzzzzzzz…….

My first inclination is to say this ABC Wednesday Letter is ‘P’ for ‘Pain’! My back is still causing a lot of Pain and I am hoping soon it will GO AWAY so I can get back to normal. That said …I’ll move on.

Meet A Puddle Monster!

 

Some lovely Peonies growing outside my daughter’s house.

Sitting Poolside

Playing In the Pool

Pipestone at Pipestone National Monument in Pipestone, Minnesota.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Path Up Pipestone Stairs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Pups At Pipestone National Monument

AND

A Pissed Off Pussy Cat (Vinni)

We see the flower garden starting to ‘POP’!

Grass starting to grow and trees starting to sprout bright green leaves. 

Finally, proof  that spring has indeed sprung!

Hopefully by mid-June it will look like this:

And I am trying something new this year! We used to have a garden plot as well where we grew tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers and a variety of peppers like banana peppers. Years ago we gave that up. However, I have really been missing the home grown tomatoes so this year, inspired partially by a tour of a place that grows veggies and such in a hanging position, I am going to give this a try! We purchased this little device that I will try growing tomatoes while they hang ‘upside-down’ .

The container I will use for this looks like this:

I will try and keep posting on how it goes.  I already have the tomato plant (starting with just one) and am keeping it inside until it is warm enough to plant it outside. Here in Minnesota the general rule of thumb is not to put tender plants out until Memorial Day weekend (end of May). So just before that I will be moving the plant in and out in order to harden the plant and acclimate it to the outside. Then will put it out the end of May. It will hang from the eaves of our house over our deck. Should be interesting and I hope will yield some yummy tasting home grown tomatoes.

I am at the last couple of weeks in this session of school, trying to finish things, taking exams, just one hassle after another pops up. I’m just trying to fit everything into, sometimes, seems like an impossible time frame. To add to this more ‘normal’ bustle, TA-DA, camping season has begun for us.

“TA-DAA! Let The Camping Begin!”

We start a little earlier than others do because ‘we can’. Yes, no kids in school and the heat of a furnace in our RV…in Minnesota it is still in the 30’s Fahrenheit at night right now. That temp is only for the hardiest tent campers to be sure.

ANYWAY so it is like running two houses then, instead of one and I am all into getting the house on wheels ready, washing up things that had been stuffed away, getting food in and so on. Though very tired at that point, it is worth it just to GET AWAY!, go some place else, walk some trails, have a campfire….ROAST MARSHMALLOWS (which I am well known for!).  So it has come time to go, OH home from work is changing his clothes then we will be off. He moves a cargo trailer, which sits in front of the RV most of the time while parked by the house, to drive the RV down to the road. Then I generally push the trailer back to where it belongs so I can drive the car down as we hitch the car to the back of the RV.

The problem came when I pushed the front trailer wheel right over my right foot. OUCH!  Couldn’t move or even breath there for minute or 5. Yep…I got it off, but couldn’t even utter a word. I have broken my little toe and caused a lot of bruising. Then after the first pain came and went, my foot was numb. Even though my OH had then suggested we call off the trip, heck…I couldn’t feel my foot (not much pain in that) so I was GOING!  I’d done a lot of work to get this thing in gear, and wasn’t stopping for anything.  Once inside the RV I took some Alieve and the pain had returned….I rode with my foot up on the dash the whole way.

Here is the culprit, the little hard wheel in the front , that did in my foot and started this whole messy week!

I hobbled around pretty well though considering and my two year old grandson (we met my kids there at the park they have a tent trailer) wanted to walk so fortunately his small steps were a really good excuse for me *not* to hurry along the trails. 

We didn’t  do much trail walking though, turned out to be a rainy weekend, so the hiking was off and on small trips. I used a hiking stick that we have tucked away in the closet most of the time and relied on it so heavily that my arm muscles were sore. I must have walked so oddly trying to protect my right foot that my back began to ache.

Once home I went about normal chores both for the  RV and house until Friday. When, after mopping the tile in the kitchen and rolling around with the vacuum cleaner on the floor to clean under the couch, I suddenly was in so much pain I could hardly stand taking a deep breath. My back decided enough was enough and was protesting it the loudest voice it had. PAIN! 

(Ok, that’s not me and he is really not in a lot of pain…just being forced to wear a cow rain slicker and boots…but thought you could use a little visualization at this point.)

I was miserable and could hardly find a position to sleep in. Saturday I woke up only to feed the animals, take them out and then went back to sleep. By Saturday afternoon it was better, but I was still having problems moving and this has pretty much persisted and is ongoing as I am taking time to sit here and write about it.  Most likely I will give it a little more time and then if it doesn’t improve go to see a doctor, though I have not a lot of faith that they will do much. Not big on going to doctors and have seen way more of them than I ever wanted to.

So that is the way it is here right now…. to think that all this because I was an idiot who pushed a trailer over her foot…. from now on I will let someone else do the pushing….or my daughter suggested steel toe boots, that might be the ticket.

 

Rainbow is the color of choice for this True Colors Thursday. Rainbow, to me, can mean a plethora of colors.  They don’t have to be the brightest colors, just a range of colors.  So for my first photo for this week’s True Colors I give you:

A Rainbow of Greyhounds! All reporting for their monthly heartworm preventative.

Wrapping paper with a Rainbow of Colors.

A Rainbow of Balls In Motion

Rainbow colors of a handmade music box doll.

Last but certainly not least is a True Rainbow during a spring storm.

This ABC Wednesday brings us the letter ‘O’ and I will start of with a photo of a friendly little Opossum.

Also an Owl who occasionally hangs out…maybe looking for an Opossum for its lunch. (Yikes!)

A scene from an apple Orchard

A bright Orange bird at Busch Gardens, Florida

A Greyhound Outside

More Greyhounds looking Outside from an Open door.

I give you Rust, which is the color of choice for this week’s True Colors Thursday.

Cat Feet On Rust Rug

 

Rust Colored Pipestone At Pipestone National Park

 

Leaves of Fall – Camden State Park, MN

 

True Rust of an old Railroad bridge spanning high over a trail at Camden State Park, MN.

Rust Painted Walls

 

A Greyhound With Rust Spots

 

Rust Colored Greyhound

For Alphabet Wednesday I will start the letter ‘N’ off with a photo of a bird’s Nest, though oddly placed, I think it is lovely in design. 

 

Next a lovely collection of Noses.

Greyhound Noses

 

Big People Noses

  

A Nose Profile

A Little Person’s Nose

A little person’s Nose smeared with chocolate cookie.

 

Goat Nose.

Cat Nose

 

My Nose

True Colors Thursday brings us to the color Lime!

Baby looks good in his Lime bib while playing with his Lime toys. 

A shiny bow!

A funny greeting card….

The color of new spring growth.

Kicking off ABC Wednesday – ‘M’ is Minnesota, my home state.

The photo below is of the Twin Cities: Minneapolis/St. Paul.

The Mississippi River flows through Minnesota, look at the photo below and this is the Mighty Mississippi  River at a not so ‘Mighty’ spot.

But then Minnesota has a lot of waterfalls – the following on is Minnehaha Falls.

And the next one is Minneopa Falls which is actually a double waterfall.

 

The photos that follow are photos taken while driving from Minnesota to Florida.

The Mountains of Tennessee (please pardon the reflection of the windshield)

Coming back down  through the Mountains they feel it necessary to provide Runaway Truck Ramps

For some reason I found this Motorcyclist’s Jacket fascinating. It declared him an ‘Iron Pig’.

 

We also saw a Mega-Cross.

And then of course I’d also like to celebrate Monty who is one of my kitties, turning 20 years old this  Month!

Love this photo! Thanks to Kathy Lazenby for letting me post it for you all to see.
Enjoy the lovely weekend!

This True Colors Thursday we are in Black and White.  I offer up this photo which is 34 years old as a beginning.

A Happy Couple Wed In Black and White.

 

A Very White Landscape.

A Black and White Sign Posted By A Lake.

 

A Black Nose on a White Face. (Scooter)

 

 

A White Greyhound Looking Out a Window Into The Black of Night. (Renner)

A Black Greyhound. (Cyber)

 

 

 

 

 

A White Greyhound In a Black Shadow. (Renner)

 

Last but not least, a Black and White Greyhound. (Scooter)

For this ABC Wednesday Let me get the most important three ‘L’s in right off the top and those would be special people in my life Larry, Lucy and Lyle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This being Larry.

                  This being Lucy.

This being Lyle.

All people I Love.

The item being aimed at you is a Launcher, which Lyle is also holding and for some reason keeps finding its way into our 4th of July Lunch and celebration each year. It shoots Nerf rockets …usually at unsuspecting people in our party.

One of my favorite ‘L’s occurs during what I consider the best season of the year.

And that is……

  Leaves changing color in the Fall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both photos above were taken at Savannah Portage in Minnesota.

Leaves on a hike at Nerstrand Big Woods in Minnesota. 

Renner Lying in the Leaves to rest after the hike at Nerstrand.

One last ‘L’ I would Like to Let you Look at are more Lilies in my garden (the bright orange instead of the scarlet ones this time.)

I just can’t help celebrating each time something new comes my way in the gluten free shopping place!

And Simply Great when a company takes a mainstream item and makes an issue out of being Gluten Free. So hoping this trend continues to catch on making like easier for those of us who must adhere to the Gluten Free diet in order to stay well. This particular cereal should be just about everywhere in the U.S. by June 2009.

Thank you General Mills!

This ABC Wednesday brings us to the letter ‘K’ which makes me think of Kitties, Kiddies, Kites and Kitchen. First are my two nearly twenty year old Kitties. 

This is Vinni my Siamese Kitty, sleeping with one of my Greyhounds, Tyler. Unfortunately Tyler is no longer with us but Vinni keeps on snuggling up with what every Greyhound has space available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The Grey Tabby Dilute shown below is my Kitty Monti. Named after Monty Python’s Flying Circus as we are Monty Python fans.  I believe he is just done taunting Grand Greyhound Ruby who so Kindly puts up with his antics.

And of course there are Kiddies, of which mine are grown, but still fly Kites. I will put them all together in the next photos where my Kitty is watching my Kiddies (and OH) fly mini-Kites in the back yard just after the snow has melted and warmer temperatures begin luring everyone outside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 And last, but not least, representing the letter ‘K’ this week would be my Kitchen. It is due for a new paint job but I probably won’t get around to it for a while yet.

So there you go, though I Know if I’d thought it out better I probably could have come up with better things. These are few things that are Kind of a big part of my life.

 

Dear Mother Nature,

What have you done with Spring?

I didn’t really want to write about us being gone while we were gone and away from the house, but we will be back home in a few hours so I thought I’d mention that we have been rumbling around the states for the last couple of weeks in our RV with our greyhounds.

We went to my parents house as my Mom has finished her radiation treatments, only to find my Dad with two injured feet, one of which had broken bones. So it was good we went and *I* think the timing was fine, but my Dad didn’t. He had 3 people after him then to take proper care of himself…which left him basically no choice. With that many people after you, you almost have nothing else you can do but comply.

We also spent a couple of days at Fort Wilderness while we were down there and the rest of the time, except for the first 2 nights, the rig was parked out at Griffin State Park. This is a very nice park, a photo of the road we were camped on is below.

Going down was lovely weather, but then one of our Greyhounds, the eldest, Blew started having problems, so he had emergency vet appointment first thing in the morning when we got there. The vet put him on some meds and he is much better. They had x- rayed his leg, as it was swollen twice the size it should have been and bone cancer was suspected – but not so, he has beautiful bones, no sign of cancer so we were pleased. The medication really helped and he has been doing very well since.

I continued my classes on-line, while I was there so it was not a ‘work free’ experience. I stayed up quite a few nights until after 1 am doing school work.

Coming home has been anything but free and easy. Storms had broken out from south to north in the mid-portion of the country.

Tumultuous Skies of Tennessee

The brunt of the poor weather was in Tennessee where we were headed through to get to Paducah, Kentucky to bed down for the night. Stopped for gas outside of Clarksville and tornado sirens were going off. Got the dogs out for a quick walk in a sprinkling of rain and winds that were picking up by the minute. Finished gassing up and we were off toward Clarksville, not knowing what else to do but head onward in the direction of home. Considering the storm just kind of kicked up violently all around us we just kept moving hoping to move out of it.

However, it was not to be the case as just a few miles south of Clarksville we were caught in a mini tornado that sent rain, wind and small tree branches swirling around us as it rocked the RV and made it hard to see. It was actually very terrifying, we were pretty much all over the road and creeping along. Then it was gone and still heavy rain and wind prevailed. The wind remained heavy as we drove down the road passed Clarksville and on toward Paducah. There were several tornados moving through the area and one of them hit pay dirt as it picked up an empty semi ahead of us and threw it on its side.

Traffic stopped completely in all lanes as we all waited for the tow trucks to come and remove the semi from the road. It was a scary bit of time as we sat feeling rather trapped in the jammed up traffic, the RV rocking, at times violently, with the strong gusts of wind. We saw storm chasers zoom by us on the side of the road as they chased the elusive funnels. Finally we were underway again and the wind did not give up on pushing us all over the road for the next hour or so until we got to our over-night spot. It was dark and we were continuously concerned about being tossed over on our side, which added to the worry of just keeping it on the road. We did make it of course, but were pretty shaken up in the process.

This morning we found the weather much the same with not only rain, but snow as well. Though the winds have still been pretty hefty and the temps have dropped considerably from when we left to travel south from Minnesota, they have not been as frightening as yesterday evening. The winds have been heaving us around all day so far (we are about 4 hours from home at this point) and we understand that we will just be beating a snow storm into Minnesota (comes tomorrow – Monday), so we are thankful for that. It will be so good to be home again.

 

I will dedicate Scarlet Thursday to a cardinal we have named Hank. This beautiful Scarlet creature flew into my deck door windows and sat stunned in the snow by the steps. It was a harsh minus 30 wind chill and  I feared he would not survive. I kept vigil over him and finally held him in my gloved hands next to me keep him warm until he suddenly flew from my hands into a near by bush. I continued watching over him, keeping predators away, until he flitted off high up into the trees. We like to think Hank still comes back to visit us whenever we see a cardinal at the pond or feeder.

 

Another beautiful Scarlet I see only in the spring  and early summer are the Day Lilies in our garden.

 

However, nothing radiates  serenity like a beautiful Scarlet sunrise.

This is the first Instance that I have adhered to the ABC Wednesday rule and find this Interesting and even challenging to participate in. I Intend to do well but we shall see as this project Intensifies as we progress. First stop is the fountain out back that is now a heaving mountain of Ice, due to the Inhospitable temperatures of our Minnesota Winter.

Lovely isn’t it? And if this isn’t enough ice for you then I can also Introduce you to an Incredible Minnesota Tradition that is built during our Winter Carnival known as the Ice Palace.

Of course then you will want to see Inside this Interesting place where people have placed placed coins Into the walls.

The large block walls are Incandescent with color.

Our Itsy-bitsy fountain pales in comparison.

It may be Inferior to the Ice Palace, but it is Impeccably cared for and well loved.

 

 

In the hum drum day-to-day, it is often the events which  seem very insignificant, to some, that can really make a difference to many. So now you ask, what could the above photo possibly have to do with the significant, (or perhaps insignificant), statement above. The printing on the box along with what the box contains is very big news IF you are a member of the Celiac Disease community.  Yes, check below the name of the product and right on the front with big green letters it states that it is now ‘Gluten Free’.

Not that I eat Corn Chex normally, but I will go grab a box in support, it is the idea that mainstream manufacturers are now starting to pay attention and take seriously, the needs of people who cannot live with gluten in their lives. Each time another manufacturer reformulates one of their products, that never really needed to contain gluten in the first place, so that it no longer contains it,  voices of the Celiac community can be heard cheering from coast to coast. Kudos to General Mills for being one of the leaders among major food manufacturers for stepping up to the plate  to offer mainstream products that can be had in any grocery store for a normal mainstream price. 

In the last few years we have started seeing a slow progression of mainstream manufacturers moving toward better labeling of gluten in their products. Prior to this movement Celiac’s were forced to purchase food items that were quite often obscure and very expensive in order to be able to have something that compared to what they ate before diagnosis. Yet, regardless of paying twice or even three times more for the item, it often tasted quite below par. I do hope that other mainstream manufactures will jump on the bandwagon and at least label their packages to help Celiac consumers decipher whether or not items contain gluten or are gluten free. Being able to just pick up a package and see it clearly stating whether or not the product contains gluten would shorten shopping time considerably and be a veritable Godsend to the Celiac family as a whole. Two Thumbs UP for General Mills.

 

 

Wow…..the last few days have been warm here. (figured I hadn’t done a weather post for a day or two) And the snow, of which we had a lot, is now nearly gone. Yesterday I actually saw a opossum toddering around out by the pond, in broad daylight (now that’s just not right). Things are topsy-turvy around here. I’m thinking by the end of the day we could be hanging out at the lakes in our shorts (I never wear swim suits…so not going there) and flip flops. Temps here in Minnesota don’t have to go too high in order for us here to revert to summer wear. A little sun and 50+ degrees and a lot of us are ready to go for a dip in the lake…uh provided the ice is off it. I know, for some March is when a lot of people start feeling that spring has sprung, but those of us in this far flung northern state KNOW it ain’t over till it’s over, and that can be anywhere between April and June. March is generally the snowiest month of the year. BUT if it hits 50 it is good enough for us to discard the snow pants for a pair of shorts, even if it is for only one day.

Crazy day….geez I hate Saturdays where you have so much to do the day is gone before you even know it is here. Took a lot of the pets here into the vet to the tune of $1300+. The rest of the crew are not due until April, so we will do it all again then. Mostly good news

Renner Sleeps In Back Of Car.

on the ones that went in, but we have to wait for the lab tests to come back, then see if there is anything we need to do from there.

Then the Fridge in our camper was recalled, we just had the camper in last week getting a winter thing done on it, and the stairs fixed (they quit working right the end of last fall) last week, would have been nice to get the recall letter BEFORE we did that, but no it came right after we got it home from the shop. So took it back again yesterday. Hopefully they can fix it up in good time so we can go visit my Mom and Dad with the doggies when the time comes.

I also had to hunt some new kitty food for Monty. He and Vinni are the old guys of the crew here, will be 20 in April, and Monty is supposed to be eating NF, but can’t tolerate it for some reason. So I started giving him regular kibble again. That helped a lot, but was too high in protein. So I was trying to find a commercial brand that matched the vet kibble, that he would be able to eat. I came up with a few choices, but couldn’t find any of the brands at my normal haunts. So I got a kibble that was close for now, however…he snubs it. I guess less protein means less appeal, which makes sense. Sigh – well….what do you do then…something I have faced with many a pet. We usually just work until we find some sort of mid-ground that works for all, it is just finding it that can be tough some times. After finding the kitty food we moved on to Fresh and Natural.

F & N is an organic food store that carries a lot of Gluten Free items as I am a Celiac and so have to be on a special diet myself. Usually I shop at a normal store for most things, but some things you can’t find at a normal store, so I have to head out to either

F & N or a Whole Foods. I like the organic stores better anyway, but they are pretty expensive. After going back home to feed the dogs and let them out, (where we’d be in and out a few times already) we stopped for dinner. When dinner was finished we went to the airport to pick up the kids who were coming back from San Diego. Brought them back to their house, then came back to our house to pick up Ruby, my GrandGreyhound, to take her back home. Everyone was very glad to see each other. 🙂 Blew had graced us twice that day with a peed on floor…frustrating, but he is an old man and had a rough day (does not like going to the vet), so we felt pretty bad for him. Having such a tough day then having your owners gone off and on so much is not easy for an old guy. By the time we got home and settled in again it was about bed time. Being busy is good of course, but sometimes I feel like I should just have a revolving door installed at my house.

 

Apparently so.

Photo: CATERS NEWS

Check it out further using this link:

Telegraph

Pinky is the world’s only Pink Bottlenose dolphin and was discovered in a Louisiana Lake. It’s coloration is due to albinism.

And just when you think you’ve seen everything to see that is possible in pink, one more thing pops out at you. Truly fascinating.

 

Yes, Grandson + MeeMa = Loud around our house. After chasing Bampa with a snake around the kitchen island for a while, then chasing Meema around the house with a snake, even Ruby for a while, it was time to put the snake (a long shoe horn) away and wave bye-bye to Bampa as he backed out of the garage and went to work. Scaring everyone brought him great joy. Ate cereal with blueberries, fed dogs,doggy dishes washed, doggies taken out 3 times, watched Big Bird and Elmo for a little bit on Sesame Street. We have built a sand tower in the garage out of the sand that is used to keep the doggies from slipping on the ice, advised Bampa that his pond is frozen and needs more water. Made the Robin ‘flap flap’ around the house and go sit back on its perch to sleep. Read 3 books twice, done puzzles, played with the Little People Airport. All doggies have been kissed more than once and informed ‘WAKE UP’, found the kitties, started the dishwasher. Played dodge ball, seal, bounce the ball, chase around the island, spin the ball on your finger, kick ball and roll around on the ball on your tummy (which I didn’t participate in that one so much, hide and seek and it is not even 8:30 yet. Who knows what the rest of the day will bring.

 

The kids are on vacation down in San Diego this week. I have had Grand Greyhound Ruby with me since last Friday. She is a good little girl, no problem to have. The boys may feel a little put out about having a bossy female around. Ruby runs the show when she is here, is an only greyhound at her house and thinks everything should be her way and for the most part the boys do give way to her. I am also caring for their kitties (3) and their house as well. They will be back sometime Saturday, we will go pick them up at the airport. Meanwhile I need to get my kitties and doggies all into the vet in the next couple of weeks. Everyone is due for everything. Gonna’ be an expensive March! 

Meanwhile, I thought I would get a lot more done on my school work from not having my Grandbaby here with me today, but it is funny how life always finds a way to ‘fill in’ any extra time you may suddenly find on your hands. I was working on my notes for Excel, which I am already behind on due to a class communication issue the professor seemed to have with the entire class. I left to go check my daughter’s house and kitties, get some more dog food, and mail a birthday card…just a few errands, wasn’t gone all that long. Came back and Ruby had made herself pretty comfortable on the couch, found my notes on the back of the couch…hidden up there so nothing would happen to them, and decided to do a little work on them herself. Let’s just say the Excel notes are even more of a puzzle than they were. You know, I really didn’t want to do them anyway! 😉

                                           ROOOBEEE!

 

 

I think the title just about says it all. I keep getting sick, I do believe my little grandson brings more than his greyhound with him on his days with Meemaw. What’s a Meemaw? Oh yes, once my little grandson could talk, he began by calling both me and his Momma, ‘Momma’. It was all a bit confusing for him I think at about 6 months old or so and he also had another Gramma to address as well. He had a lot of concepts to grasp for a little guy. Very smart he is indeed, and I’m not saying it just because I am his Granny. He started talking in full sentences early enough to even surprise his own doctor. But then sometimes in order to understand him you have to speak ‘his’ language. Somewhere along the way, Momma stayed Momma (and rightfully so) but I turned in to Meemaw. I will pause here to mention that actually his first name here was given out to his very well loved Bampa. Yes, the first thing he asks as he walks in the door is Where’s Bampa? Bampa still in the shower? Once Bampa enters the room it is all about Bampa. Anyway, getting back onto the subject of ‘Meemaw’. I thought it was cute (I think everything he does is cute!) that he was calling me Meemaw and still tried to keep saying Grammy so that eventually he would get around to calling me what *I* thought I should be called. But found myself many times saying Meemaw back to him, when speaking grandson-ese, rather absent mindedly, instead of consistently supporting the Grams thing.

So the other night we were all together for his 2nd Birthday party, Meemaw, Bampa, his folks, and his other set of grandparents (my SIL’s folks). He’s all ‘hi Meemaw, hi Bampa!) and then he turns to his other grandmother and says ‘hi Grandma’. I am like whoa!!!! Did I actually hear ‘Grandma’…. he said ‘Grandma’ to her, Wow!!! So I commented to my daughter about what I had heard. She explains to me that he’s been saying Grandma for quite some time to the other Grandma, and just refuses to call me anything but Meemaw. That is who I am to him, and quite possibly, that is who I will stay. I wasn’t sure how to feel, because I am the Grams who has seen him (and my daughter’s family) through most everything regarding Grandson….I was graced by being able to be there for his ultrasound (when we found out it was a boy) right on through his birth (push…Push..just a little more Sweetie, you can do it). My word, I think I was nearly as tired as she was because I was pushing in a standing position and at least she was laying down. 😉 I have cleaned a ton of the poopiest of butts, rocked, held, played, read, worried….well, I figured it was high time I deserved that name ‘Gramma’!! And you know, who ever heard of being called ‘Meemaw’ sounds a bit like a donkey’s bray don’t you think? Okay – well except when my Grandson says it, then it makes me feel very happy and proud that I am his Meemaw. Obviously he has bestowed upon me his own version of identity for someone who he knows loves him very much and he feels safe with. I’m good with that, in fact I am more than good with that, I feel honored. However, I just have to ponder occasionally how it is going to sound in 20 years (if I am still around) when he walks to me with his girl and says, “Hi Meemaw, meet my girl friend.” His girlfriend will probably ask ‘Meemaw’ where did you get that name?” I’m thinking he might answer, “Well it is what she wanted to be called so that is what I call her, makes the old lady happy.” Now my question at this juncture is…how did he know I wanted to be called that when he was only six months old… before I even knew? See, I told you, he is a smart little guy!

Keep mouth closed tight while chipping  poopsicles from ice in potty area!