from the porches

living in the moment

 
  
  This weekend we kept Madeline and Oliverand I can sum up the weekend as living in the moment.

Maddie spent much of her time playing with Lily and Maggie.

 

On the other hand, Oliver did whatever it is he does at three years old, but mostly it involved trucks and calling "Nana". 

He has a mind of his own right now and was very emphatic on a couple of instances:

I am NOT putting on that bathing suit (but he did!)

I am NOT wearing those shoes (and rather than fight about it, we returned him to his parents bare-footed)
 
 
  
Grandmother (Mom) got to help out by reading the nightly bed time stories.

Other new things took place this weekend:

Roger is now sleeping on Mom's bed with her; however, Mom said, "But that's okay."  (She's always wanted a cat that would sleep with her.)

 
 And  Maggie and Lily are now fetching toys.

It took me six hours before I could think of something to write about because I have been living in the moment all weekend.  For a while there I thought I was stuck.  I couldn't be stuck.  I have one more lesson plan to write. . .and five more days of teaching. (Whoopee!) , and Mom has five more days of radiation. (Whoopee!)

But for peace and serenity we're suppose to live in the moment, aren't we?  That being said, I did my part.

It was a good weekend.

i am a dandelion

As I was browsing through my photos of dandelions, I had a revelation: I am a dandelion.

I started my day yesterday fresh and with a go-get 'em attitude.

Then I got pulled in all directions:

I taught.

I picked up Mom and drove her to radiation.

I stopped by the drugstore.

I picked up Madeline from school.

I picked up Oliver and their suitcase for a sleepover for two nights.

I deposited the children into Truett's loving arms and placed puppies in Maddie's lap.

I took Clay to  the grocery.

I brought him home and ordered pizza.

I went to Hungry Howies to get pizza.

I brought it home.

I served pizza.

I put a movie in for the grandchildren to watch.

I cleaned up the kitchen (somewhat).

I watched a little TV with Mom.

I escorted her to bed.

I put the the grandchildren in bed.

And then I collapsed on the front porch and watched a thunderstorm.

I AM a dandeliion.
 
 
 

how do you want the money

Dear Abby,

I'm in a quandry.

My mother's bank (BOA) is so rude!  This is how our visit to the bank played out:

We drive up to the drive-thru window and I hand the lady a check to cash written on Mom's account. The lady asks for ID, so I hand her Mom's drivers license.

She scrutinizes the ID and finally says,  "Mrs. Alice, how do you want this?"

So I answer, "Large bills, please."

Then that woman said, "I was speaking to Mrs. Alice."

Abby, I wanted to jump out of that car and squeeze myself through that money tray and pop her upside the head with Mom's red wallet. 

But I didn't.

So I raise my voice and shout, "Mom, how do you want the money?"

Of course, since Mom can't hear even with her hearing aids, it startles Mom.  "Wh..wh..what?"

"How do you want the money?"

"Well, big bills, of course," she answered.

Then I glared at the woman and said, "I'm on Ms. Alice's account now, so you don't have to speak only to Ms. Alice.  You can speak to me as well."

Then I took the money and drove away, leaving a trail of anger fumes behind me.

Abby, should I contact the bank manager or withdraw all Mom's money and put it elsewhere?

 
 
 

A new perspective

I can look at this photo taken from inside my classroom looking out and think, "Those windows need washing."

Or I could look beyond the grime and think,"What beautiful clouds."

Well, Susan taught mom to look at her cancer from a new perspective.

You see, Mom has been telling everyone for the past four months, "...and I asked the Lord: Lord, why me?"  And the Lord said, "Why not you."  And then Mother goes on to say "Better me than my children or grandchildren."  And with saying that, Mom was able to accept why her.

Well, it didn't take Susan but a few times of hearing Mom tell people this when Susan said, "Mom.  The Lord did not give you cancer.  The Lord gave you Merry Jennifer to help cure cancer in people like you. So STOP saying that!"

Mom thought about Susan's words. . .and so did I.  Mom doesn't say those sentences anymore because now she sees her bout with cancer  from a new perspective.

Thanks, Susan.

roll call

Tonight I heard my mama call my orange cat, Punky, every name in the book.  It went like this:

I watched Roger come in my room and start snooping around under the dresser and I said, "Roger, are you looking for Muffy?"

"Muffy?" I asked.

"Yeah, Muffy or Tuffy or Muffin or Puffin...you know...that yellow cat," Mom answered.

Awww!  That hurt my feelings because clearly Punky is more than that yellow cat.

Honestly, am I the only one with an 86 year old mother (or Grandmother for that matter) that runs through a list of names before they reach the right one?

When we were growing up it was bad enough having a twin and people messing our names up.  They would say, "Sherry, blah. . blah. . blah," or "Merry, blah . . blah. .  blah."

But that never bothered me. Seriously.

It was only when my grandmother, Bigmama,(can you tell I'm from Tennessee?) ran through her list of names like: Debby, Tom, Steve. . .  Clearly she could see I was NOT a Tom or Steve; but she went through the roll call anyway.

Well, now my mother does the same thing. 

I wonder how Maddie will feel when I call her Truett or Sam or Oliver or whatever your name is.

Children, beware!

I think it's an age thing.
 
 

  
 

i'm waiting

 
Lily and Maggie have adjusted well during their first full week as part of the George family.

Well, who wouldn't adjust with four adults stroking your fur every spare minute they have.

Yes, four adults listening for the first bark or whine so they can rush to the puppy pen to give the puppies water or food, or just good old TLC.

The puppies got a kick out of pregnant Molly as she circled their outdoor pen the other day.

But, I'd say, without a doubt, that Maggie and Lily enjoy Susan crawling in their pen to hold and play with them the best. 

Oh, I thought about crawling in their pen, I really did; but I think almost  falling head first in their pen to clean out soiled puppy pads was close enough. 

 I'm just waiting for the day when the pups are old enough to roam freely through my house. 

I'm waiting for the day when they race to the door and bark and then I'll let them outside to do their business. 

I'm waiting for the day when Roger and Punky and Lily and Maggie can all play together. (Do you really believe that one?  I'm afraid one swat from Roger will show them the real boss of the George family).

Maggie and Lily definitely live a charmed life right now.
  

 
 
 

mom's first fun outing

Yesterday morning Truett and I were sitting on the front porch having our morning coffee and discussing our plans for the day: grocery. . .Lowes . . .laundry, etc.  All the typical mundane Saturday chores.

But then I came up with a fun plan.  "Why don't we see if Mom feels okay to go to Steinhatchee?" I proposed.

Truett liked the plan.  After all, we needed a break.  We needed fresh, salt air.  I needed the Gulf of Mexico.

I heard mom shuffling from her bedroom to the bathroom and saw Susan typing away at the computer.  "Are you up for seafood at Steinhatchee?" I asked.

Susan clapped.

Mom said, "Well it beats going to the doctor!"  (Somehow I've learned to weed through Mom's answers to finally reach a yes or no;and thank goodness she didn't answer with, "Whatever" because then I'd have to go through the, "No, Mom.  It's not "Whatever".  It's yes or no." And then she would answer, "Well, I guess so." which would be closer to a yes, but still not a yes.)

So off we went. 

It was Mom's first fun outing in months and months and months even though it wore her out. 

 

I really had intentions of ordering broiled seafood; but fried...fried...fried was what Truett, Mom, and Susan were ordering.  I am so weak.  I caved in and ordered fried.  One day I'll stick to my guns and maybe lose a little weight; but not yesterday.  My fried seafood platter was delicious!

I learned a big lesson yesterday: check my camera's battery before taking a day trip.

Sure enough.  After the lunch I was poised on the deck ready to snap photos of sea gulls and pelicans, but my camera wouldn't work.  I turned it off...then on again.  Finally, in frustration,  I saw my camera had no juice left, so I've borrowed seagull photos from my previous trips to Steinhatchee.

We ended our outing with an ice cream cone from Dairy Queen in Cross City and headed on home, exhausted and as full as ticks.  

I think Mom enjoyed herself, but next time we'll probably eat seafood a little closer to Fort White.
 
 

 

  

 

retirement dinner

Last night Truett and Susan and I went to a retirement party for me and my two friends, Nancy Stalnaker and Caridad Tillman.  We had such a good time and I appreciate all of your comments, cards, and gifts.

As educators we always talk about the positive impacts we want to have on our school children; but I have to say straight up, we impact each of our lives as well by knowing each other, working with each other every day through thick and thin, FCAT preparation, and school carnivals.

Fort White is a special school. . . a community school; and I, for one, appreciate all that each of you do for our Fort White children.

 ...and yes, I will miss you all even though I pretend to walk away cold turkey!
 
 
 

dandelions

This afternoon as I was leaving and heading to my car, I saw a patch of dandelions.  I noticed how some were soft and feathery,

I'm thinking they remind me of snowflakes in that no two are exactly the same.

I took my camera to school yesterday because the day before I had seen the perfect dandelion; but when I walked along the sidewalk an hour later, it was gone.

"Have you lost something, Mrs. George?  We'll help you look for it," a couple of fourth graders said.

"Well, I've lost my dandelion.  I was going to photograph it," I answered.

I'm thinking a kindergartner or first grader picked it for their teacher. . .

or blew it into the wind.
 
 
 
 
 

 

bits & pieces

Today's post will be bits and pieces about what's happening right now.

MOM:

Susan has taken my mother for her first two radiation treatments, and so far everything has gone fine.  Mom is the healthiest I've seen her in a while.  Her appetite is back.  We usually buy her a McDonald's vanilla milkshake after the drudgery of doctor appointments; but today she told Susan,  "No!  I don't want a milkshake!  I want real food at Piccadilly's Cafeteria in Gainesville."

Then tonight I had chores in High Springs and Mom went with Susan and me and we ate at Brown's Restaurant in Alachua.  I was surprised she had the stamina to go, but she did.

Mom is talking and bossing and back to her antics such as, "Look at that little fat-jawed baby."  I only hope the parents didn't take offense.  So all is well for now with my mother.  Thank the Good Lord!

 

PUPPIES:

Lily and Maggie are coming around.  Now when we put our hands in their pen, they nuzzle our fingers.  They are still too young to be left alone outside for fear a hawk may snatch them up.

Lily was the most insecure for the first couple of days, but now she's the one to rush to our fingers first.  We always had short-haired dachshunds like Lily, so we're especially fond of her.

Maggie has been the friendliest puppy and the greediest when it comes to eating.  Their mom is a long-haired dachshund and the dad is a short haired dachshund.  We're told Maggie will develop more red in her fur as she gets older; but it doesn't matter, she's a sweetheart.

We had forgotten how sweet puppies are.  We had forgotten how much they eat. . .how much they chew on things. . .and how much they poop, especially long, cigar dachshund poop.  Now all those memories are flooding back.  I'm just anxious to let them out of their pen so they can run free.

Meanwhile, Roger (my Manx cat) stares them down, and Punky (my orange Manx cat) watches the pups from afar.  One day we will be one big happy family and we'll all be running around trying to stay out of each other's way.

School:

I have 13 more school days left until I retire; and my friends, now I am counting.  A friend of mine said, "I can't believe you're just giving all your things away.  You really are breaking away, aren't you?"

For a second I thought about her comment because it made me feel like all these forty-six years meant nothing.  But it has.  Teaching has been my life. Teaching has been my identity.  I will miss teaching, but I will especially miss the children.  I will miss watching the students' writing grow from mediocre to excellent.  

Besides, I have bigger issues that call me now.  Someone in the community asked,  "So what will you do when you retire?"  I pointed to Mom and said, "Take care of her.  She's my priority now."

To end, I must thank Truett and my sister, Susan.

Thanks go to Truett for making Mom feel welcome in our home and for being far more patient than I have been at times.

Thanks go to Susan for flying here from Germany and then extending her stay to help out with Mom so I could continue teaching without getting docked in pay. 

I certainly needed your help and appreciate it!