Gommy thinks this 'old gray mare' might just be what she used to be after all. Today is the last day of taking care of my two little ones. That would be Gommys' grandchildren Samantha, who is 2 3/4 and Brandon, who is 5 months. Gommy made it through the boo-boo's, the mealtimes, the nap times, the 2 am feedings, playtime-activities and bedtimes. And it was all wonderful. Just like riding a bike really. It all comes back to you and you remember when your own little ones were young. It brought back some pretty nice memories.
Gommy did cheat a little though. When things got too temperamental, i.e. a potential meltdown by big sister, or the 'witching hour' which usually occurs right when it is time to fix dinner, (things haven't changed all that much since Gommys' little ones did the same thing), there was always "Little Bear", "Dragon Tales" or some other fun thing to watch that Mommy doesn't usually allow except for before naptime or bedtime.
Today Gommy and Grandpa Mike go back to our 'regular life' of work, eat, sleep, work, eat, sleep, work, eat, sleep, and on and on. We will miss our little ones' faces in the morning, the fun in-between times and the cuddling at night. We'll miss the cutest questions from the cutest little voice. Grandpa Mike loves it when he comes home from work and Samantha is anxiously waiting for him at the front door. That is the purest form of love. And how when he is still asleep in the morning, he feels eyes staring at him and when he opens his own eyes, there is Samantha waiting for him to get up and have breakfast with her. There is nothing like it in the world. It makes you feel needed again and that is a very nice feeling.
So, it is Sunday again and Gommy is reminded how we have even more to be grateful for this week than last. We are so Blessed to have such a wonderful life with our family. The best part of life is sharing it with loved ones. You can't buy this sort of special time. We didn't have to go to an amusement park, or a movie theater, or anywhere at all that costs money. We had books to read, cartoons to watch, a playroom full of fun and educational toys and we even had story time where we told stories to each other of good memories we have.
I know Mommy and Daddy enjoyed their time together and their big girl and big boy playtime to celebrate Daddys' birthday but Gommy wouldn't trade all the fun she had with the little ones for anything. And I think I can speak for Granpa Mike too. So thanks Trace and John for taking your little trip......it was really more of a gift to Gommy and Grandpa Mike.......tee,hee
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
From Mommy to Gommy
Gommy has had the pleasure the last few days to take care of two of her grandchildren. They are; Samantha age 2 3/4 and Brandon 5 months. As a mommy, I remember these times but in a very different way. When you are the mommy, you are responsible for them totally and in every way. Gommy is just responsible for them and their safety for two and a half days......Two and a half glorious, wonderful and fun filled days. Everything they say and do is just so precious to Gommy. I can remember as a Mommy that I didn't think everything my kids did was so precious. Yes, I enjoyed them and loved them beyond words, but when you are THE mommy, every day life comes into play and you sometimes don't have the luxury to just sit around and marvel at what miracles the children are. There is laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping, taking them to sports or dance or picking them up from school. Gommy can just be with them and get all their 'sugar' (that's Southern slang for kisses).
I have heard the saying that you should have your grandchildren first so you could enjoy your own children more. Now that idea is probably going to be stolen from Gommy too. For years Gommy has said that we should be born old and become younger each day so we would be more appreciative of the aches and pains disappearing and a wrinkle that is not there one morning when you are looking at yourself in the mirror while brushing your teeth, or the stamina that you regain each day...... Does the movie 'Benjamin Button" ring a bell?????Oh well, what I meant about having grandchildren first is that they are pure joy. No, they are pure bliss. I am writing this right now while Brandon is making the most adorable baby-cooing talk sounds and it is making my heart melt. I don't think he could be having as much fun making those sounds as I am listening to them. Earlier, before lunch and naptime for Samantha, we swam in her pool and just giggled, laughed and splashed and made wonderful memories. At lunch, there was some spinach in her noodles and when she said she didn't like spinach, I told her about "Popeye the Sailor Man". I taught her the song and when she started singing it, I knew I had to show her a Popeye cartoon on YouTube....she loved it. Even though it was grainy and hokey. Not like the slick cartoons she is used to.....but she loved it just the same. She and Gommy shared a piece of history today.
What I want to say to Mommies out there on a more serious note though is that some day your little ones will grow up and leave the nest. That is the way it is supposed to be. But in the mean time, make sure you are making a life for yourself as well and that you are staying close to your husband in ways that will assure there is still a 'couple' left when the kids are gone.
I have a glorious relationship with my daughter Tracey. I think that is so precisely because I try not to MOTHER her. Yes, I am still her mother, but my job of 'mothering' is finished. We moms must let our children make their own decisions and mistakes. Gommy isn't saying I don't still worry like a mom or occasionally tell Trace to be careful, etc. - but Gommy really does TRY not to give advice unless it is ASKED for....and even then, Gommy has learned to 'use a filter' when answering because as I have said before, most people don't want your advice, they usually want someone to agree with them and your children aren't any different.
Moms that have the hardest time with the 'empty nest syndrome' are the ones that don't have any other identity except as a 'mother'. Believe Gommy when I tell you, you will have a much happier relationship with your kids if you just keep your opinions to yourself and mind your own business and let your kids mind theirs. .....It will be much appreciated and your kids might even like to have you around a little more. Gommy has to say a big thank you to Grandpa Mike for helping too. He was very gracious about just packing up and moving in for the days we were needed to be with the grands. I thank God every day that Grandpa Mike and Gommy kept the 'couple' alive in our relationship so we still have each other now that our children have flown the coop. Good luck all you comrades out there.....let Gommy know how it is all working out for you!
I have heard the saying that you should have your grandchildren first so you could enjoy your own children more. Now that idea is probably going to be stolen from Gommy too. For years Gommy has said that we should be born old and become younger each day so we would be more appreciative of the aches and pains disappearing and a wrinkle that is not there one morning when you are looking at yourself in the mirror while brushing your teeth, or the stamina that you regain each day...... Does the movie 'Benjamin Button" ring a bell?????Oh well, what I meant about having grandchildren first is that they are pure joy. No, they are pure bliss. I am writing this right now while Brandon is making the most adorable baby-cooing talk sounds and it is making my heart melt. I don't think he could be having as much fun making those sounds as I am listening to them. Earlier, before lunch and naptime for Samantha, we swam in her pool and just giggled, laughed and splashed and made wonderful memories. At lunch, there was some spinach in her noodles and when she said she didn't like spinach, I told her about "Popeye the Sailor Man". I taught her the song and when she started singing it, I knew I had to show her a Popeye cartoon on YouTube....she loved it. Even though it was grainy and hokey. Not like the slick cartoons she is used to.....but she loved it just the same. She and Gommy shared a piece of history today.
What I want to say to Mommies out there on a more serious note though is that some day your little ones will grow up and leave the nest. That is the way it is supposed to be. But in the mean time, make sure you are making a life for yourself as well and that you are staying close to your husband in ways that will assure there is still a 'couple' left when the kids are gone.
I have a glorious relationship with my daughter Tracey. I think that is so precisely because I try not to MOTHER her. Yes, I am still her mother, but my job of 'mothering' is finished. We moms must let our children make their own decisions and mistakes. Gommy isn't saying I don't still worry like a mom or occasionally tell Trace to be careful, etc. - but Gommy really does TRY not to give advice unless it is ASKED for....and even then, Gommy has learned to 'use a filter' when answering because as I have said before, most people don't want your advice, they usually want someone to agree with them and your children aren't any different.
Moms that have the hardest time with the 'empty nest syndrome' are the ones that don't have any other identity except as a 'mother'. Believe Gommy when I tell you, you will have a much happier relationship with your kids if you just keep your opinions to yourself and mind your own business and let your kids mind theirs. .....It will be much appreciated and your kids might even like to have you around a little more. Gommy has to say a big thank you to Grandpa Mike for helping too. He was very gracious about just packing up and moving in for the days we were needed to be with the grands. I thank God every day that Grandpa Mike and Gommy kept the 'couple' alive in our relationship so we still have each other now that our children have flown the coop. Good luck all you comrades out there.....let Gommy know how it is all working out for you!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Boundaries
Gommy wants to say something about setting boundaries. Boundaries are necessary if we are to get along with each other, or have a relationship with our in-laws, or just live together on this planet and still be happy. Gommy has always been an advocate of the belief that people only do to you what you allow them to do. One of my blog readers (thank you very much) wrote to tell Gommy that they had forgiven someone and that someone still got to them after the fact.
Now Gommy hasn't always been so great at this sort of thing herself. Gommy has been known to be a "Doris Doormat" herself and a poster girl for the "Best Little Girl in the World" syndrome as well. At one time, Gommy would take the long way around any situation so as not to have a confrontational experience. Or make herself very, very small so no one would notice her and ask her to take sides. Even if one of the sides was Gommys'!!!!! Live and Learn, right? Gommy learned. Did I mention I'm a slow learner????
There is a fine line between intelligence and being wise. Intelligence is a measure of mental acuity. Being wise is knowing and using good judgement. Gommy has always suspected that she was a little ESP-ish....Gommy can usually tell, just by entering a room, if there is tension between the people in the room, or get vibes from people, really strong vibes!!! Gommy can also feel when someone is troubled about something. Gommy used to think the person was mad at Gommy but I have finally come to realize that isn't the case. It is usually just the other persons' stuff, but when you feel it so strongly, you mistakenly think it must have something to do with you.....NOT!!!
Back to setting boundaries. First, you have to be willing to listen to the other persons' side before you make up your mind about the whole she-bang....But if you really can't agree with the person, say it. Believe it or not, they will respect you for saying your piece. Gommy isn't saying they will like it, but they will respect you. They also will know where they stand from then on and it takes away any lingering 'feelings' or doubts about the subject. The secret to the whole thing though is to be kind when you say NO! Saying no isn't a crime. The crime is when you do something you don't want to do and do it anyway. It can be a 'crying shame' and the crime is against YOU...Self-inflicted yes, but it still feels like someone was wronged and they were....YOU!
So it goes back to the blog I did on forgiving. If someone has done something to you and you can't seem to set boundaries with them, you should still forgive them. It will make you feel better. It is like the story about two Monks. Monks normally take a vow of silence and are not supposed to speak or have any sort of relationship or contact with other people. Well, these two Monks were walking along a road and they came upon a creek. There was a girl in a long dress on the edge of the creek and she seemed concerned about how she would get across without getting her dress wet. The one Monk said to the girl, "Would you like me to help you across creek?" The girl answered that she would. The Monk carried her across to the other side and then the two Monks went on with their walk. After a time, the one Monk said to the other Monk, "You know we aren't supposed to talk with or have contact with anyone and you carried that girl across the creek." The other Monk said, "Oh, are you still carrying that girl? I let her off hours ago!". The Monk who was so worried about doing the right thing was mulling the incident over and over in his mind and not letting it go while the Monk who was just doing something nice for someone wasn't agonizing about it any longer. If we keep harboring our ill feelings, we end up making ourselves sick over it. Just let it go.....free yourself and do yourself the favor.....Stop telling your 'sad story' over and over to yourself. There are so many more nice things you can think about.
So Gommy says to be nice about telling someone to 'BACKOFF'. Rehearse it over to yourself. Write it down and read it out loud. It is hard at first, but it comes easier once you get the hang of it. Gommy says quit thinking about stuff that is unpleasant. You and everyone who comes in contact with you will be happier......So, be happy, don't worry. I think Gommy has heard that somewhere before....But it still applies!
Now Gommy hasn't always been so great at this sort of thing herself. Gommy has been known to be a "Doris Doormat" herself and a poster girl for the "Best Little Girl in the World" syndrome as well. At one time, Gommy would take the long way around any situation so as not to have a confrontational experience. Or make herself very, very small so no one would notice her and ask her to take sides. Even if one of the sides was Gommys'!!!!! Live and Learn, right? Gommy learned. Did I mention I'm a slow learner????
There is a fine line between intelligence and being wise. Intelligence is a measure of mental acuity. Being wise is knowing and using good judgement. Gommy has always suspected that she was a little ESP-ish....Gommy can usually tell, just by entering a room, if there is tension between the people in the room, or get vibes from people, really strong vibes!!! Gommy can also feel when someone is troubled about something. Gommy used to think the person was mad at Gommy but I have finally come to realize that isn't the case. It is usually just the other persons' stuff, but when you feel it so strongly, you mistakenly think it must have something to do with you.....NOT!!!
Back to setting boundaries. First, you have to be willing to listen to the other persons' side before you make up your mind about the whole she-bang....But if you really can't agree with the person, say it. Believe it or not, they will respect you for saying your piece. Gommy isn't saying they will like it, but they will respect you. They also will know where they stand from then on and it takes away any lingering 'feelings' or doubts about the subject. The secret to the whole thing though is to be kind when you say NO! Saying no isn't a crime. The crime is when you do something you don't want to do and do it anyway. It can be a 'crying shame' and the crime is against YOU...Self-inflicted yes, but it still feels like someone was wronged and they were....YOU!
So it goes back to the blog I did on forgiving. If someone has done something to you and you can't seem to set boundaries with them, you should still forgive them. It will make you feel better. It is like the story about two Monks. Monks normally take a vow of silence and are not supposed to speak or have any sort of relationship or contact with other people. Well, these two Monks were walking along a road and they came upon a creek. There was a girl in a long dress on the edge of the creek and she seemed concerned about how she would get across without getting her dress wet. The one Monk said to the girl, "Would you like me to help you across creek?" The girl answered that she would. The Monk carried her across to the other side and then the two Monks went on with their walk. After a time, the one Monk said to the other Monk, "You know we aren't supposed to talk with or have contact with anyone and you carried that girl across the creek." The other Monk said, "Oh, are you still carrying that girl? I let her off hours ago!". The Monk who was so worried about doing the right thing was mulling the incident over and over in his mind and not letting it go while the Monk who was just doing something nice for someone wasn't agonizing about it any longer. If we keep harboring our ill feelings, we end up making ourselves sick over it. Just let it go.....free yourself and do yourself the favor.....Stop telling your 'sad story' over and over to yourself. There are so many more nice things you can think about.
So Gommy says to be nice about telling someone to 'BACKOFF'. Rehearse it over to yourself. Write it down and read it out loud. It is hard at first, but it comes easier once you get the hang of it. Gommy says quit thinking about stuff that is unpleasant. You and everyone who comes in contact with you will be happier......So, be happy, don't worry. I think Gommy has heard that somewhere before....But it still applies!
Gone But Not Forgotten
Gommy is very sad today. In the last few days, we have lost three icons who have left imprints on many of us and left us with very fond memories of very great entertainment. Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson have all passed. Ed McMahon had a very long career and lived a good, long life. He was Johnny Carson's sidekick for many years on The Tonight Show. Farrah Fawcett was the pin-up girl of the 70's and was probably most remembered for her role as Jill in 'Charlie's Angels". I don't think there are very many people from the 70's who didn't watch her solve crime after crime with her two BF's.... And then there is Michael Jackson, The King of Pop..... He was an entertainer extraordinaire. He had moves like no one had ever seen when he made his album "Thriller". Everyone sang along with his songs and loved to watch him dance and tried to dance themselves like he did. He was the real deal!
The passing of these three famous people made Gommy think about how life is so fleeting.....We are here today and gone tomorrow. Whether we are famous or not, we all have to leave this planet. Like my Dad used to say, "No one gets out of here alive." It makes you think that we should all take the time to appreciate every day we do have while we are alive. It is incomprehensible to many of us that one day, we too will be gone. Hopefully we won't be forgotten either. The impressions we leave with loved ones or even friends and acquaintances are the legacy's we leave of how we spent our lives. You can either do good things while you are still among the living and leave a nice impression (literally and figuratively), or it may just be said of you when you depart, "Good riddance to bad rubbish". Maybe not that harsh, but you see where Gommy is going with this.
Entertainers are remembered for their movies, songs, comedy, etc., but the rest of us are remembered by how you treat other people, how fair and honest you were to others, if you were kind and helpful and who you loved and maybe more importantly, who loved you. Gommy hopes you had the chance to know real true love and to have been truly loved by someone while you were here.
So Gommy thinks we should all say a prayer and a good-bye to Ed, Farrah and Michael. Then we should all say a prayer and a thank you for all we have and for all of our Blessings. No matter how much or how little we have, we should be thankful for it all. There are many things to be thankful for, even if you can't think of anything. How about you are breathing right now? How about you ate some food today and how about most of us had a bed to sleep in and a roof over our heads last night? Believe it or not, there are many people in the world who didn't have any of those luxury's. Yes luxury's...... No one owes you any of those things. They were provided to you through the Grace of God. There are some people in the world who would switch with us in a second......so you better start being thankful or you may just be taught how it is be without!
The passing of these three famous people made Gommy think about how life is so fleeting.....We are here today and gone tomorrow. Whether we are famous or not, we all have to leave this planet. Like my Dad used to say, "No one gets out of here alive." It makes you think that we should all take the time to appreciate every day we do have while we are alive. It is incomprehensible to many of us that one day, we too will be gone. Hopefully we won't be forgotten either. The impressions we leave with loved ones or even friends and acquaintances are the legacy's we leave of how we spent our lives. You can either do good things while you are still among the living and leave a nice impression (literally and figuratively), or it may just be said of you when you depart, "Good riddance to bad rubbish". Maybe not that harsh, but you see where Gommy is going with this.
Entertainers are remembered for their movies, songs, comedy, etc., but the rest of us are remembered by how you treat other people, how fair and honest you were to others, if you were kind and helpful and who you loved and maybe more importantly, who loved you. Gommy hopes you had the chance to know real true love and to have been truly loved by someone while you were here.
So Gommy thinks we should all say a prayer and a good-bye to Ed, Farrah and Michael. Then we should all say a prayer and a thank you for all we have and for all of our Blessings. No matter how much or how little we have, we should be thankful for it all. There are many things to be thankful for, even if you can't think of anything. How about you are breathing right now? How about you ate some food today and how about most of us had a bed to sleep in and a roof over our heads last night? Believe it or not, there are many people in the world who didn't have any of those luxury's. Yes luxury's...... No one owes you any of those things. They were provided to you through the Grace of God. There are some people in the world who would switch with us in a second......so you better start being thankful or you may just be taught how it is be without!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
A Million Dollar Car????
Yesterday, Gommy was driving home from work and it was raining 'cats and dogs'. Gommy is always very careful while driving but I am even more paranoid when it is raining. Well, I was having 'crazy talk' to myself to be careful while I'm driving, the roads are probably slick from the oil build-up, don't get too close to the car in front of me.....WOW! The car in front of me happened to be a black Maybach.........a car that costs a million dollars!!!! I practically stomped on the brakes, but the car behind me wouldn't have appreciated it very much. I was so nervous that I was afraid I would hit the gas pedal instead of the brakes....
Now, I don't know about you, but I can't even fathom owning a car worth a million dollars. If I were ever in a position to own a car of that value, I would have to live in it, eat in it, and it would have to wash itself and come with a butler and maid......
Gommy got to thinking about how wealthy a person must have to be to drive around in a million dollar car...........How must the valet person feel who parks it for the person? How much did the owner of the car tip the valet? I hope it was a bundle...I would hate to have the valet guy 'revenge' bump it..... After the million dollar car guy turned into the parking lot of the restaurant he/she was going to, I thought it would be funny to run in to the restaurant and be all drippy wet and scream frantically into the dining room, "Who is the owner of a black Maybach.....I just ran into it!" On second thought, anyone who owns a million dollar car and drives it to a restaurant, probably isn't concerned about things like that.....they probably even had a chauffeur anyway and didn't even valet (what was I thinking?) I know, I was thinking like an ordinary person.....
I did hear about a guy recently who was in a Maybach in Chicago who when stopped at a light, got a big surprise. People started beating on the hood of the car and screaming how they should be ashamed to show such vulgarity of wealth and how it was all the rich people's fault the country was in such a mess......Wow, I bet they parked that million dollar car in one of their garages and took a taxi from then on.
Oh well, back to reality.....Gommy wishes everyone the very best and hopes only good things to everybody. No bad Karma here....Peace Out!!!!!
Now, I don't know about you, but I can't even fathom owning a car worth a million dollars. If I were ever in a position to own a car of that value, I would have to live in it, eat in it, and it would have to wash itself and come with a butler and maid......
Gommy got to thinking about how wealthy a person must have to be to drive around in a million dollar car...........How must the valet person feel who parks it for the person? How much did the owner of the car tip the valet? I hope it was a bundle...I would hate to have the valet guy 'revenge' bump it..... After the million dollar car guy turned into the parking lot of the restaurant he/she was going to, I thought it would be funny to run in to the restaurant and be all drippy wet and scream frantically into the dining room, "Who is the owner of a black Maybach.....I just ran into it!" On second thought, anyone who owns a million dollar car and drives it to a restaurant, probably isn't concerned about things like that.....they probably even had a chauffeur anyway and didn't even valet (what was I thinking?) I know, I was thinking like an ordinary person.....
I did hear about a guy recently who was in a Maybach in Chicago who when stopped at a light, got a big surprise. People started beating on the hood of the car and screaming how they should be ashamed to show such vulgarity of wealth and how it was all the rich people's fault the country was in such a mess......Wow, I bet they parked that million dollar car in one of their garages and took a taxi from then on.
Oh well, back to reality.....Gommy wishes everyone the very best and hopes only good things to everybody. No bad Karma here....Peace Out!!!!!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
"Waste Not Want Not"
'Waste Not Want Not'......How many times has Gommy heard that growing up? Any other 'Baby Boombers' out there remember that phrase coming out of your parents' mouths? Or how about "Do you think money grows on trees?". I bet you have. Boomers' parents were from the "Depression Era", which was another time from our relatively recent history, that the country found itself in financial doom. We are experiencing harsh economic times once again and the younger generation is finding it very hard to wrap their minds around it.
I can still see my mother washing out our used, store-bought plastic bags to save for another use. It was more the norm that she would use our empty plastic bread bags or re-use the plastic bags from the grocery store. Her generation knew what going without really meant. Even though we are having rough times now, people are still going out to eat, still going to the grocery store for their food and still driving to get around. Gas and food was rationed during the Great Depression. When I was a young girl, I never understood why it was called 'great' because there was nothing great about it. I later learned the term meant great as in huge, large, etc.
Some of my Moms' habits trickled down to me and I still find that I save 'really good' plastic containers that grocery store food comes packaged in. I find myself thinking, "Hmmmmm, I have to keep this one!". What happens is that I have a kitchen cabinet that is crammed full of containers that I really don't need. Can I bring myself to throw them out? Apparently not. And I can always get three or four more baths from a bar of soap that most people would think is finished.....This is proof that our neuroses is generational. And I have now handed it down to my own daughter......But it's a good thing that she recognized this ailment and has made an attempt at stopping the vicious cycle. She is much better than I am at throwing stuff out, but it took a concerted effort.
I think we hang onto stuff because it is a sort of pacifier for adults. It gives us comfort in some sort of weird way to know that we have 'stuff'. I have recently reduced my 'stuff' considerably and I can honestly say that I don't miss the 'stuff' I used to hang on to. It actually makes you feel alot lighter not to worry so much about your 'stuff'.
I will admit though, that I could always get two or three teeth-brushings after my kids 'thought' the tube of toothpaste was long empty. And I can never throw out a dish washing detergent bottle until I have rinsed it out completely and gotten a few more sinkfuls of dishes washed. Yeah, I still hand wash dishes. It's something about thinking the dishwasher wastes too much water.....I know, I'm still working on myself.
I feel the younger generation never thinks about lack because they have never experienced it for themselves. There has always been plenty for them, so they don't have that built in fear that it won't always be there.
So Gommy thinks we should all try to conserve 'stuff', like energy, water, and things that will help the planet. But for heavens sake, throw out the used plastic bags before you become a hoarder...
I can still see my mother washing out our used, store-bought plastic bags to save for another use. It was more the norm that she would use our empty plastic bread bags or re-use the plastic bags from the grocery store. Her generation knew what going without really meant. Even though we are having rough times now, people are still going out to eat, still going to the grocery store for their food and still driving to get around. Gas and food was rationed during the Great Depression. When I was a young girl, I never understood why it was called 'great' because there was nothing great about it. I later learned the term meant great as in huge, large, etc.
Some of my Moms' habits trickled down to me and I still find that I save 'really good' plastic containers that grocery store food comes packaged in. I find myself thinking, "Hmmmmm, I have to keep this one!". What happens is that I have a kitchen cabinet that is crammed full of containers that I really don't need. Can I bring myself to throw them out? Apparently not. And I can always get three or four more baths from a bar of soap that most people would think is finished.....This is proof that our neuroses is generational. And I have now handed it down to my own daughter......But it's a good thing that she recognized this ailment and has made an attempt at stopping the vicious cycle. She is much better than I am at throwing stuff out, but it took a concerted effort.
I think we hang onto stuff because it is a sort of pacifier for adults. It gives us comfort in some sort of weird way to know that we have 'stuff'. I have recently reduced my 'stuff' considerably and I can honestly say that I don't miss the 'stuff' I used to hang on to. It actually makes you feel alot lighter not to worry so much about your 'stuff'.
I will admit though, that I could always get two or three teeth-brushings after my kids 'thought' the tube of toothpaste was long empty. And I can never throw out a dish washing detergent bottle until I have rinsed it out completely and gotten a few more sinkfuls of dishes washed. Yeah, I still hand wash dishes. It's something about thinking the dishwasher wastes too much water.....I know, I'm still working on myself.
I feel the younger generation never thinks about lack because they have never experienced it for themselves. There has always been plenty for them, so they don't have that built in fear that it won't always be there.
So Gommy thinks we should all try to conserve 'stuff', like energy, water, and things that will help the planet. But for heavens sake, throw out the used plastic bags before you become a hoarder...
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Happy Fathers' Day
To all you Dads out there.....Gommy wishes you a wonderful day. Grandpa Mike had a great day so far. Gommy fixed Grandpa a super-duper breakfast of bacon, eggs, orange juice and homemade biscuits with strawberry jam. Then it was off to the beach. It couldn't have been a more beautiful calm ocean if Gommy had ordered it up for Grandpa. My daughter Tracey and her husband Johnny along with the grandkids, Samantha and Brandon surprised us and came to swim with us while we were there. Swimming in the ocean with your kids and grandkids, on a beautiful, sunny day in Florida....ahhhhhhhhhh - you can't ask for more than that. Well, maybe that Grandpa didn't have to go to work at 1pm and he could maybe stay at home, on the couch, and watch the U.S. Open Golf Tournament on TV ????? Okay...we are grateful for what we did have.
It really is true that anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a DAD. I know Grandpa Mike has always been a great DAD and Step-Dad. He has been and still is so proud of his son Michael and my children, Terry, Tracey and Tiffany. And he has been a terrific Grandpa as well. He agreed to have my grandson Terry come to live with us for a whole school year, a while back. Having a teen in the house is a lot to ask of someone who works seven days a week. I believe it did my grandson a world of good and I know Mike enjoyed helping him he and never complained once. That takes a real big heart. But anyone who knows Mike knows how big a heart he has. He is the proverbial guy who would give you the shirt off his back. There have been times I have had to rein him in so he didn't literally give his last shirt away....I guess you could find other things to fault a man about.
So Gommy wants to tell all you Dads that you should enjoy every single second of the time you have with your children. These are precious times and they go by so very fast. There may be days that you will want to pull your hair out by something they have done, but you will find that it is all worth it when they do something out of the blue that make the buttons on your shirt just pop off..... Make memories with your children. That is all they will have when you are gone. It is the best gift you can ever give them. It is what we all look for in the movies we watch that make us all warm and cozy. Nostalgia.....That is the feel good feeling that just makes you wish you could get it back.........even for just a day.
It really is true that anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a DAD. I know Grandpa Mike has always been a great DAD and Step-Dad. He has been and still is so proud of his son Michael and my children, Terry, Tracey and Tiffany. And he has been a terrific Grandpa as well. He agreed to have my grandson Terry come to live with us for a whole school year, a while back. Having a teen in the house is a lot to ask of someone who works seven days a week. I believe it did my grandson a world of good and I know Mike enjoyed helping him he and never complained once. That takes a real big heart. But anyone who knows Mike knows how big a heart he has. He is the proverbial guy who would give you the shirt off his back. There have been times I have had to rein him in so he didn't literally give his last shirt away....I guess you could find other things to fault a man about.
So Gommy wants to tell all you Dads that you should enjoy every single second of the time you have with your children. These are precious times and they go by so very fast. There may be days that you will want to pull your hair out by something they have done, but you will find that it is all worth it when they do something out of the blue that make the buttons on your shirt just pop off..... Make memories with your children. That is all they will have when you are gone. It is the best gift you can ever give them. It is what we all look for in the movies we watch that make us all warm and cozy. Nostalgia.....That is the feel good feeling that just makes you wish you could get it back.........even for just a day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)