How the "Grinch" Stole Christmas

‘Twas a time before January

2020, the year

When a fast-spreading virus

struck those far and near.

The nurses and doctors

soon began to care

for those who were stricken.

The “Grinch” was everywhere!

Most folks in the world,

still snug in their beds

had no earthly idea

about this thing they’d soon dread.

People were sick

It was all over the news.

Across the vast oceans,

and much worse than the flu.

The “Grinch” had arrived.

Soon everyone chattered

about nothing else.

It was all that mattered.

We got in our cars

and made a fast dash

to get toilet paper and Clorox

for our own private stash.

The “Grinch” was just vicious,

spreading fast, it did grow

working quickly and quietly

touching people we know.

We spent several months

quarantined and in fear,

just hoping and praying

the “Grinch” wouldn’t appear.

We covered our faces

with masks we did pick.

In hopes that we wouldn’t

 soon become sick.

The months dragged on by,

our lives not the same.

The “Grinch” now took over,

and all knew its name.

Now, Evil and Cruel

and Stealer of time,

Creator of fear,

you’ve committed a crime.

You took away loved ones.

You stopped one and all

from seeing each other

from the spring to the fall.

The year 2020 will soon

pass us by.

No chance for reunions.

We all want to cry.

We want to have parties,

and hugs from our crew.

We want our lives back

and our family, too!

Oh, “Grinch” you have shaken

our lives to the core.

Just, please don’t come knocking

at any more doors.

You disguise yourself smartly

with a cough like a cold.

But without any warning,

you take young and old.

We’ve followed the rules,

no people we’ve seen.

Now we just wait our turn

to receive the vaccine.

Our plans for this Christmas

are little or none.

You’ve managed to squelch

every minute of fun.

The “Grinch” stole our Christmas,

our traditions so dear.

The ways we’d have celebrated

this blessed time of year.

But in spite of this evil,

this “Grinch” of our times,

let’s pray for the healing

of everyone’s lives.

Let’s look to the future,

be hopeful and bright.

And be thankful 2020

will soon be out of sight. 

The "Joy" of Working in a Church Office

All of my dearest friends know one thing about me.  I have had many jobs, but my most favorite by far were the years I spent working in a church office.  I have had this great privilege three separate times, working for three wonderful churches.

The first church was located in Minnesota where I worshipped.  I worked there for about 6 years when I left for family reasons.  I loved the staff and all of the members who came to visit us on a regular basis.  The next church I worked at is just around the corner from where I currently live in Pennsylvania.  This job I left after 3 years because we had started a business and I was needed there.  It was, once again, so hard to leave because I really enjoyed working together with such wonderful people every day.  Both of these jobs were gifts from God, and I was led to each one at the prefect time in my life.  I currently volunteer at the church we now attend, and I am loving every second of it!!  I know this is what I am meant to do.

These jobs have given me much joy in my life.  I love being able to serve our Lord in this way, and have the opportunity to get to know the church staff on a more intimate basis.  I also get joy from meeting people every day that I may not have otherwise had the opportunity to do so. The church I now attend, and volunteer at, is a very large church, so it is difficult to meet a lot of people on a one on one basis.  I get to do it every day!!  See...joy!!

But the joy I feel by serving my Lord, and the joy I receive from working with and meeting so many people is not the only joy that comes out of working in a church.  I don't know why it is, but my experience over the 11 years that I have worked in this capacity shows me that people think that you have the answers to all of their questions...regardless of the subject matter.  Now, this, has brought another whole level of joy to my life!!  And a few good belly laughs also!!

Here are just a few of the things people have asked me when either calling or visiting the church office.  I will list them by category.

Food:
"Where do you buy your seafood?"

"How do you cook pork chops?"

"Do you have food there?"

(I'm not certain if any of these people realized they were calling a church office and not a restaurant.  And yes, these are actual questions I was asked while sitting at my church office desk!)

Tech:
"Do you know how to work this cell phone?"

"Isn't there a battery to change on a computer that updates the date?"

Service:
"Do you know someone that can fix my van?"

"Do you know anyone that cleans chimneys?"

"Do you know a Tupperware dealer?"

"Where do I get a duplicate birth certificate?"

"Does anyone know how to speak Spanish there?" (this was in MN...so...no)

"What time does FedEx come?  I'm expecting a golf club!"

"Since you are here to serve us, do you have any dental floss?"

Telephone:
"Do you have the number to the local UPS?"

"Do you have (a certain woman's) phone number? It isn't in the phonebook and my wife is out of town!"  (This one is a favorite - what he meant was his wife always had the phone numbers handy, but she wasn't home to help him!!)

Caller, "I have been trying to send a fax." Secretary, "Yes, it has been ringing, but nothing has come through." Caller, "My name and number is on the fax. If it doesn't come through, will you call me and let me know?"

Post Office:
"How much are stamps?"

(A member called from the Post Office) - "Do you have my son's service address, and what is the zip code?"

Lost and Found:
"We visited your church for the first time this past Sunday, and now we can't find our dog.  It's brown and black and might be in the Nursery."

And....my all-time favorite...
"Where is the lost and found? I lost my pajama bottoms. The last time I wore them was here. I don't wear them at home!"  TMI!!!!  (The church was offering a place for the homeless to sleep, and this was one of the volunteers that had stayed one night with them.)

See...pure joy!!!!  I LOVE working in a church office!!

Pete and Repeat

Getting older is a very comical process. You lose everything - your sight, your teeth, your agility, your balance, your memory and yes, your hearing.

All weekend long we walked everywhere. (Other than our bike ride and Surry adventure) Carol is much like our mom used to be, and sprints out ahead. I could easily keep up with her, but I feel bad leaving Marcia behind, who only "strolls", as she described it. So most of the time we were in line - Carol, then me,then Marcia.

Now we all suffer from hearing loss - just like our mother, and our grandmother, and our aunts on that side. The loss is at varying levels, but let's face it, we don't hear like we used to!!

Carol would make a comment - and I would respond. And no sooner did I finish, but Marcia would make the identical comment as Carol.

Here's a scenario...
A sign on a building in Cape May reads Cape May Roasters (and there's a picture of a coffee cup). Carol walks by and says -" Oh, I wonder if they have peanuts?" Second in line, (me) says -"It's a coffee shop!", as I pass the sign. Marcia approaches the sign and says -"I wonder if they have peanuts?"

And so this is how it went the entire weekend!! I just couldn't stop laughing. The two of them are connected telepathically for sure, because they were too far apart for Marcia to have heard Carol's comments. Just call them Pete and Repeat! And I'm stuck somewhere in the middle!!

Part II - The Surry

Well, two days later we got another great idea!

If we can't ride individual bikes how about a Surry where we all pedal together. Sounds easy, right? 

We walked to the bicycle rental shop and said - "We'd like a Surry for 2 hours, please!" The very polite man behind the counter said -"Well, ladies, have you ever driven a Surry before?" Us -"No." Polite man -"Well, my suggestion would be to take it out for only an hour. You will thank me when you get back!" Us-"Okay." (Mumbling under our breath that he must think we are really incapable, weak, old women) "Tom" explained how the Surry worked and said that even though there were two steering wheels,  only the one on the left actually steered the Surry, and that the pedals do not "brake" the Surry, but a large silver handle (thingy) by the left steering wheel was the only way to stop the thing!

The sisters quickly took a seat - Marcia in the back (middle) so she didn't have to pedal - and Carol on the right side of the front - leaving yours truly in total command of the Surry.

As we started off "Tom" said - "Hey, the one in the back has to pedal, too!" BUSTED!!! I used the large silver thingy to stop the Surry as Marcia slid over to pitch in her man (woman) power, and off we went one more time!

One thing great about the Surry is there is no balance issues, therefore no wobble , wobble. However, there is still the pedal, pedal, huff, huff to contend with - and now we are pulling lot more weight! So... it's more like PEDAL, PEDAL, HUFF, HUFF, HUFF! I was beginning to see why one hour would be long enough.

We once again enjoyed the sights. The old Victorian homes in Cape May are just gorgeous! I can never get enough of them!

After about 45 minutes, I had to take a potty break. I'm sure it had something to do with all the giggling we did on that thing. We drove to our B and B, took the break then headed back to turn it in. And yes, Mr. Polite Man was there to greet us with - "I told you so!" 

I actually think that we may just try the bicycles again next year! Do you think we'll remember how to ride them???

Part I - It's Just Like Riding a Bike

You know the saying...the moment you think you have forgotten how to do something some wise person says "you know, it's just like riding a bike!" This is supposed to make you feel more confident because, of course, you will always remember how to ride a bike!

NOT!!!

This past weekend I took our annual trip to Cape May with the sisters. We have stayed at the same Bed and Breakfast for the last three years, and have already booked for next year - we love it so much!

Every year we try something new that we hadn't done there before. We've toured an old estate; took a "haunted house tour" on a trolley; took the ferry to Lewes, DE for the day; and rented a Surry (for a long hour) and bicycles! You know, because you never forget how to ride a bike!  May I stop here and say it has been a good 30 years for me, and 15 or so for Carol and Marcia since our cheeks have touched a bicycle seat!

Our B and B provides bikes for the adventurous- so we thought - why not?

Just picking out the right bicycle and mounting it was a real treat! Marcia's handle bars felt "weird" - so we traded bikes. Carol's bike was too tall for her so I traded my bike (aka Marcia's bike with the "weird" handle bars) for hers. After a trial run into the curb she wanted her other bike back. So we finally took off with Carol in the lead, Marcia in the middle, and I took up the rear.  After a few false starts along with lots of wobbling due to balance issues, we were on our way! Oh, boy!

Pedal, pedal, huff, huff, wobble, wobble, pedal, pedal, huff, huff, wobble, wobble -and so it went for the next 90 minutes! The sights were beautiful, but the sight of us must have been another story!

Nearing the end we all stopped at a stop sign at a very busy intersection. Carol continued on and Marcia waited for the next break in traffic. As she took off she started to wobble, finally putting her feet down to "walk" across the street. I patiently waited for her to get on her bike and start peddling. She'd go a little bit, wobble, and put her feet down. I think she forgot how to ride her bike!!!

After several attempts she got going and I crossed the street to join her. By this time Carol was several blocks away unaware of Marcia's struggles.

We continued on and as we approached our B and B we noticed a bunch of people gathered at the end of the driveway. Uh-oh!! Carol had crashed her bike pulling into the driveway! Thank goodness she was okay! Just a bruise on her arm and leg - no blood!

Just so you know...those "wise " people are not so wise - you can forget how to ride a bike!!

FORE... or is it FOUR??

FOUR…not rain or snow or sleet or hail can keep my honey from his latest addiction!  He has become a four-season golfer.  Now, I don’t mean traveling to warm and sunny locations during the cold, wintery months…although he does that also…I mean being creative and finding ways to play year-round golf…here…in snowy, cold Pennsylvania.

Lately my honey has decided to “up” his game, so he is taking lessons AND watches every golf coach known to man on the Golf Channel or the computer.  He practices all the time.  In the house, in the mancave, and probably in his dreams!

One of his newest mancave toys is a golf simulator where he plays golf every day, and sometimes is joined by one of his golfing buddies.  He has purchased special clubs and gadgets to help correct what is wrong with his life-long swing.  He is determined to “get it right” so he can play out his retired years the correct way.

Today I looked out the window and found him standing in the driveway hitting balls towards the creek.  Not sure what happens when it is mowing time.  Maybe at Easter we can do a “golf ball hunt” instead of an “Easter egg hunt”!  FORE!!!

I am almost perfect...

As I slowly descend that hill I climbed so rapidly in my youth, I realize that this side of the hill can be quite comical.  I guess having a good attitude about aging helps.  After all, we really have no control over it, so why fight it!

There are several things I have gotten really good at as I age.  Most of them bring my children to a state of embarrassment, or if nothing else…doubled over in laughter.  Hopefully when they reach my age they will accept their children’s reactions as joyfully as I accept theirs!

Things I have perfected:

Brushing my teeth while squatting…really helps with lower back issues.

Holding on to or leaning on the wall while putting on my underwear and pants…really helps from falling over!

Buckling or unbuckling shoes/boots with my foot propped on the bed…can’t seem to twist and bend anymore!

Snoring, I have really perfected this!  My poor husband spends most nights on the floor or in the recliner in our room…geesh,  get over it, already!   LOL!

Getting up in the morning - a 3 part process - sit-up, stand-up, count to 3 before moving…really helps with the blood flow so that I can move!

Talking to myself including having a two-way conversation…my daughter gets a real kick out this!  I was actually having an argument with myself the other day which went something like this “Yes”…”No”… “ummm Yes”.  At least I got the answer I wanted!!

  

Turning up the TV…I think the remote does not work properly, because a “25” used to be perfect and now it’s more like a “30”!  Better yet try CLOSED CAPTION!!!  Love it!

Smiling and nodding when I haven’t a clue what you just said to me…I can’t help it if a) you don’t look at me when you talk to me and b) you talk like you have marbles in your mouth!!

Tooting, you know, without warning…oh, well, what more can I say???

Forgetting everything that anyone has told me…write it down when it’s said if it’s important!  The old hard drive ain't what it used to be!

Sharing and comparing with my friends the latest and greatest medications we are currently on…somehow these I don’t forget!!

Being more patient with my grandchild, and less patient with telemarketers and uninformed customer service representatives…’nuf said.

Talking more and more about how I should a) diet and b) exercise more…talking is good, right?

Walking slowly up and down steps…my knees don’t seem to bend as easily as a few years ago!

But, by far, the best thing I have perfected is:

Spending more time with a) my honey and b) my girlfriends…FINALLY now that the kids are grown it’s ME TIME!!!

Looking forward to what else I can perfect over the next couple of decades!!  Practice makes perfect!

Merry Christmas from our Santas to yours!!

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

For Carrie was bartending at a place we call DUBS,

Where one can get cold beer and some really great grub!

Jessie’s there, too, and much like Carrie you’ll find

She cooks, waits on tables, and makes all “tow the line”!

The two of them spend every spare moment there

Growing the business with responsibilities they share.

Now, Patty in her DUBS shirt stops by quite a lot

To work on the books and give hostessing a shot.

She also spends time, once a week, it is known

At the front desk of their church answering the phone.

While Lex in his golf cap looks forward to each day

That he can get out on the golf course to play!

He works hard at growing his own business also

A place that goes by a name he calls Latro.

The others aren’t nestled all snug in their beds.

Will lives in New York, works at Joe Allen’s instead.

He comes home to visit when time does allow

And sings Karaoke at DUBS for the crowd.

Little Cailyn has grown up and now goes to school

It’s first grade where she has a chance to be cool.

She loves taking dance class, jazz, tap and ballet.

She keeps us all on our toes every day!

Now Leigh, she has found her partner for life.

In September she became Nevin Brede’s wife.

So, the stockings that hang by our chimney here

Will just keep growing like our family, so dear.

While Santas may wear many hats

and spread the magic of Christmas,

may we never forget the true meaning of this holiday.

Wishing you God’s blessings in the New Year.

Love, The Wilkinsons

Our First Littlebird

Yesterday we watched with love-filled hearts as our oldest daughter, Leigh, married the man of her dreams. The wedding took place in Minnesota, where they live. She was the one littlebird that remained there when the rest of the family moved back to Pennsylvania.  Planning this wedding over the last 12+ months has been a challenge because of the distance between us. Thank goodness she inherited all of my organizational genes, because it could not have been a more perfect wedding. Both she and Nevin contributed some very different ideas about the attire, but in the end it was just a beautiful wedding - both sparkly and colorful, just like their personalities!!  I am so happy to welcome my new son-in-law to our family!

I wrote the poem below for our first littlebird and gave it to her the morning of her wedding.

My very first little bird, ‘twas love at first sight

So soft was your skin, your eyes were so bright.

I bundled you up, brought you home to the nest

And mothering you has been the very best!

Through scraped knees and bee stings, and big ugly splinters,

Through springs, summers, falls and bundled up winters,

Through grade school, middle school and then teenage years,

I loved being the one to wipe away your tears.

You’ve grown into a woman who’s remarkably strong

Who knows what she wants, and just where she belongs.

Your smile is like sunshine, your laughter outrageous

Your bubbling demeanor is just plain contagious.

And now, look at you…a beautiful bride!

My heart is just bursting with love and pride.

My very first little bird, ‘twas love at first sight,

and forever and ever, each day and each night

‘til my last breath I’ll love you.  Oh, yes it is true!

My very first little bird, how I love you.

Love, Mom  

Wax On...Wax Off

So, the other day I was cleaning up the house, you know, bouncing from room to room putting things away in their proper spots, folding blankets, fluffing pillows, etc.  We’ve all been there, especially if we have been away for a full day, and left the house unattended, or should I say attended only by a husband, a daughter and a granddaughter.  Things tend to get a bit “messy”.

 

As I was flitting to and fro I decided I was going to discard the candle that was in the warmer and replace it with a new one.  I turned it off…good thinking…but did not wait for it to cool so the wax could harden.  Instead, I reached in and lifted it out, and while trying to place it on the bar to cool it slipped from my fingers.  Uh-oh!!!  “Wax on!”

The candle jar flipped over and poured hot wax all over the bar, the bar stools, and the floor.  What a mess!!  Now, I had to stand there and watch it harden so that I could clean it up!  Plastic spatula in hand I began the very long and tedious process of scraping up the cooled wax.  This worked pretty well for the bar and floor, but not the upholstered seats of the stools.  That required an iron, an extension cord, an old towel and more patience than I had in the moment.  After about 2 hours of the “wax off” part, I just gave up.

Lesson learned…just get over the house being a little “messy”.  There are bigger worries than things out of place…or unfolded blankets…or candles that no longer make the house smell like flowers.

    

Worries like stiff and sore knees from scraping wax off a floor!

April Showers

This year two very special ladies are getting married.  First, my beautiful daughter, Leigh, will marry the man of her dreams in September.  She is the first of my children to get married, and it has been a great joy to help her with the planning…even if it’s been “long distance” as she lives in MN and I live in PA.  We are so excited to welcome Nevin into our family.  Another son for us!!!  The other special lady is my daughter, Carrie’s lifelong best friend, Jamie.  Jamie has been a part of our lives for a very long time, and is considered to be like “one of our kids”.  She is marrying her soulmate, Dave in June.  Blessings all around!

It was my great privilege to host both of their bridal showers in April at the BlessInn.  What fun!!!  I love having my home filled with people, and what better way to do it, then with such a happy occasion as a bridal shower!!

Although these April showers did not bring May flowers, they will bring wedding flowers, and celebrate the love of two couples who are beginning new lives together.   I pray their marriages will be filled with LOVE and HAPPINESS.

The Bridge

I have been very blessed in my life to have been given wonderful parents.  They have taught me many valuable lessons…lessons that have helped me to become the person I am today.  Lessons like working hard to accomplish a goal, unconditional love, forgiveness, the importance of family, respect, having strong morals, and how to work through hard times together.  These lessons were not always taught by words, but by their actions…actions of good and decent people…people that God entrusted to take care of me on this earth.

My sisters and I spent the last several weeks by my dad’s side as his health was declining. He had gone back and forth several times from the hospital to the nursing home.  He ended up in the hospital for the last time on Monday.  He kept telling us “I quit, I’m tired of this game”.  We knew his time here on earth was nearly complete.

My dad crossed “the bridge” yesterday and joined my mom in heaven. The day before he died he said many things as his life passed before him, some good and some painful.  He repeated over and over “I love all my girls”.  He sang to my mom…My Sweet Irish Rose and said quite clearly that the first and last time he walked side by side with Bea was down the aisle.  My sisters and I knew what this meant, as he often told us that during their life together she always walked 10 steps ahead of him.  He spoke of his mother, who passed when he was a young boy, and kept repeating “Red Rover, Red Rover come on over”. Could it be his mother wanted him to cross the bridge and he wasnt quite ready to say good-bye?  Just before he took his last breath, he said “bridge…bridge…bridge”. He finally took that step into heaven.

With heavy hearts we said good-bye, but we know that he is finally at peace and does not have to “play the game” any longer.  He leaves behind, not only me and my two sisters, but MANY people who loved him.  That became quite evident by the kind words people have said about him to me since his passing.

Thank you daddy…for loving me…caring for me…and teaching me.  I hope that I made you proud!

And as I told mommy when she crossed the bridge…it’s not good-bye…it’s “see you later!”

Pillow Talk

There are many things that married couples do to keep their marriages from becoming boring. Let's face it, you see each other every day at your worst, and we all know that sometimes we just become invisible to our partner. It helps if we can keep a little humor in the mix!

My honey and I find our humor with "pillow talk". Now before you get all "TMI" on me, let me explain.

  

We have an unspoken rule that the last one out of the bed makes it! I will interject here that I CAN NOT crawl into an unmade bed...ewwwwwww! I like the look and feel of a neatly made bed. I have several decorative pillows on my bed, and the fact that I am "slightly" OCD, I have a certain way that those pillows are presented when the bed is freshly made.

Given the fact that most mornings I am the FIRST one up, the task of bed making has become my honey's. At first I would "adjust" the pillows to my liking, but let's face it...that was just plain silly. Some things you have to let go!

Anyway, one day I walked into the bedroom, and just had to smile at my honey's creativity. Since then, he has tickled my funny bone every morning. Each day he stacks the pillows a different way, and I must say some are very clever!

Below are a few examples of his "pillow talk". When I walk in the room the bed is the first thing I see...and he always makes me giggle! I hope he doesn't run out of ideas! If so, we will find another source for the much needed humor in our marriage.

May your marriages be filled with your own style of "pillow talk" humor.

Nothing Stays the Same

I am one of those people that love the sound of the Salvation Army Bell and the sound that change makes as it is dropped into the red pail. It means Christmas is coming. It is proof that there are good and generous people in this world.

Today you can find these volunteers in generally the same places they have always been - street corners, malls and in front of stores like KMart and Walmart. Often times, they stand outside, shivering in the cold. Kudos to all those that have volunteered their time for this great organization that offers comforts to those in need.

So much has changed about this simple yearly tradition of bell ringers. When I was a child all the Salvation Army volunteers were dressed like Santa. When I was a child the red pails were made of metal, not plastic, and did not have locked lids. When I was a child the volunteers wished you a Merry Christmas, regardless if you gave a donation or not.

Yesterday I was doing a little Christmas shopping and noticed a young man standing post by his red plastic pail. I always make a donation, and do so when I am leaving the store. I smiled and walked by. As I was coming out of the store and digging out my wallet, I saw that there were now two young people manning this post, a young girl and the same young man. May I stop right here and say how wonderful it was to see young people carrying on this tradition.

I took out the bill from my wallet and started to put it in the plastic pail with the locked lid and the young man said "Oh, wait! They told me to hold on to the bills!" Hmmmmmmmm...... He continued, "They lost the key and can't open the bucket to get the money out." Hmmmmmmmm...... As I returned the bill to my wallet, my heart still tugged at me to give, so...as we continued to converse about the locked bucket dilemma I dug in my wallet for an appropriate amount of change. Me, "Well, how do they get the coins out?" The young man replied "Well, they turn it upside down and keep shaking it until all of it comes out!" Hmmmmmmmm...... I dropped my change into the plastic pail with the locked lid that cannot be unlocked, smiled and said "Merry Christmas!"

The bell did not ring, the coins did not "clank" in the metal pail, and "Santa" did not wish me a Merry Christmas. But, I know next year I'll stop by a Salvation Army post and donate again.

Hopefully all of their plastic pails will be in good working condition!

And all of heaven is dancing...

Today our loss is heaven's celebration as my sweet friend, Sherri, has gone home to be with Our Lord. I will miss her greatly, but I know that I will see her again some day.

I had the great privilege to have a little "one on one" time with her in May when I traveled to Minnesota to see her. I left her with this...

I believe that God sends us angels here

to help us, walk with us, protecting those dear.

These angels aren't always just those from above.

sometimes they're people we know and love.

He sends them at just the right times, you know,

It's His plan, His timing, His "one man show".

Sometimes it's too hard with our human eyes

to see that these angels are in our lives.

But sometimes He sends you a special one

to laugh with, to love with, and to learn from.

You know they're an angel, it's easy to see

Your life is so blessed in their company.

I thank God He sent me an angel named Sherri;

A good friend with faith that is extraordinary!

An example of Jesus' love day after day,

A servant's huge heart, pure in every way.

This legacy she's left me, so when we're apart

she'll always be etched so deep in my heart...

her laughter, her wisdom, her humor, her love;

most definitely an angel sent from above!

My forever friend...I give you this with much gratitude and love, Patty

Every Little Girl Needs a Hero

I remember when my three little bird girls were really little and they had issues with sleeping at night. For some reason they thought that there were monsters in the closets. They slept on the second floor of a Cape Cod, so there were a lot of small storage areas with doors all through their room.

My honey came upstairs before bedtime and "scared" all the monsters away by stomping his feet and banging on the walls while shouting "all you monsters, get out of here!" It seemed to work, as they slept well after that night. Every little girl needs a hero, and their daddy was just that.

After the squirrel fiasco (see last blog) Cailyn has been scared that the little critters are going to return and come into her room again. She fretted about this for several days, and nothing I said seemed to reassure her. Then...I got an idea.

Cailyn came with me to ask my honey if he could go get his "magic sprayer" out of the barn and spay upstairs to keep all the squirrels and other furry creatures away. He of course knew exactly which sprayer I was referring to, and got up immediately to go to the barn and retrieve it.

After about 5 minutes he returned with the sprayer strapped to his back and took Cailyn with him upstairs to spray away the critters.



And...since that night she has not had one fretful night about those pesty creatures! I am so glad that after all these years my honey still has the "magic" touch and can make our special grandlittle bird feel safe and secure, just like he did for our little birds so long ago.

Thanks for being our hero. Love you honey!!!

It's alive!

When my little birds were really little birds my mother-in-law...aka Namby...used to tie up a man's handkerchief into this "shape", and play a game with them. She would hold the hankie in her hand and pet it like "a little mouse" and when the little birds would come close to pet it she would make it "jump" up her arm. This, of course, has caused much laughing AND screeching over the years!! Every little bird in the family has had a visit from this mouse at one time or another.



Well, the other night grandlittle bird, Cailyn, was visiting with Namby and D'dad and was introduced to the "little mouse". She of course screeched each time the mouse would "jump" up Namby's arm. Finally, Namby untied the hankie to show her that it was not real. After that grandlittle told everyone about the "little mouse". She even talked Namby into letting her sleep with it. She snuggled with it in her arm all night!

Tonight grandlittle went upstairs to get ready for bed when she suddenly screeched to her mommy that something was running around in her bedroom...and it must be the "little mouse...it's really alive!" Our littlebird, of course, screeched for her "daddy" to come and rescue them. And so begins a very comical 15 minutes or so.

After determining that the "hankie...little mouse" was maybe a "little chipmunk", my honey came downstairs and got a broom. He wanted me upstairs...for support I guess...as Cailyn was screeching...my littlebird was screeching...and I was supposed to calm them down. Well, I climbed up on my littlebird's bed where the girls were hiding and explained to grandlittle what was running around in her bedroom. It was not the "hankie...little mouse" but a little chipmunk like the ones she sees running around outside in the flower beds. It wasn't going to hurt her, and it was just as scared of her as she was of it. GP would get it, not to worry. I turned to leave and shut the bedroom door. Uh-oh...I forgot that the door "locks" and can not open once you shut it tight.

Why this is an uh-oh is because all the rooms connect upstairs...that was the only door that provided an escape route without having to pass through where the chipmunk was "cornered". My littlebird was beginning to get a bit screechy again. So what did I do...I bailed!!!!! I went back downstairs and thought I would just leave the master chipmunk catcher to do his task. What did he need me there for???

After a few minutes I heard littlebird calling for me to bring up a bucket. Here's when it really gets funny. I am sorry now that I did not record any of this! I took the bucket upstairs and found that my honey had blocked himself and the chipmunk...which at this point has been correctly identified as a small squirrel...in one section of the bathroom. In this small section of the bathroom is a toilet and a sink, closed off with two pocket doors. There is not much room in there! All I could hear was my honey jumping around and laughing while whacking the floor with the broom!

I told him I had the bucket so he slid open one of the pocket doors to get it and...oh no!!!!...out comes "Rocky"...right towards me. So now I'm screeching and jumping on grandlittle bird's bed. "Rocky" obviously was not the brightest squirrel in town as he turned and ran right back into the section with the pocket doors. Trapped again!!

My honey in his ever-so calm manor, managed to capture "Rocky" and send him for a swim down the toilet towards the septic tank. We knew this was the right course of action because if you remember back when we first purchased the BlessInn, our realtor told us to periodically throw a groundhog into the septic to keep it working properly (see "Not This Groundhog's Day -July 2009). Although this squirrel was quite a bit smaller than a groundhog, my honey figured it could help out somewhat...given we have been having septic issues lately!

So, my honey saved the day once more! Oh, wait...littlebird and grandlittle bird are still locked in the bedroom. A hero's work is never done! It took him just a few seconds to "unlock" the door, save his princesses and save the day.

I hope grandlittle bird can fall asleep in her room tonight. Maybe she and Mommy will have to snuggle together in mommy's bed. I am sure that is where I will find them in the morning!

Menopausal Insanity

I have heard it said many times that once you reach menopause you begin to become even more forgetful. This fact has always been a little unsettling for me because I already suffer from daily memory loss...sometimes making life a bit scary for anyone living with me. LOL!

My latest brain hiccup happened just a few days ago. It struck me as so comical, I thought it worth a blog. Here goes...

Jessie, #3 littlebird, has a computer that crashed a long time ago. I kept telling her to bring it to the house, and I would take it to my favorite computer shop in our little town, but she kept forgetting. (Maybe this thing is hereditary...yikees!) Anyway, I knew this particular shop had done a lot of work at the church, and they are dependable.

Well, one day...several weeks ago, when I was picking up #3 at her apartment she surprised me by remembering her computer. I placed it in the back of the TBird, behind the seat, knowing one day I would just drop it off when I was out and about.

About a week ago I passed the shop, but it was pouring rain and I had a miserable cold. I chose not to stop. Wouldn't you know I saw Jessie that very next day and she asked it I had dropped off her computer yet for repair. I sheepishly told her no, but that I would...I promise!

Yesterday I made an appointment at the doctor's right after work to FINALLY take care of lingering symptoms from that cold I mentioned. I had a few extra minutes and knew I would pass right by the computer shop, so I planned to stop.

All the way there I was thinking about #3's computer...how I did not have a power cord for it, and maybe I would have to buy one before they could even get started...and also how I did not know her password to sign on to the computer, and would that be needed. These thoughts consumed my mind all the way to the shop.

I soon arrived, and parked on the street outside the shop. I turned to get the computer from behind my seat. Now take a moment here and get this visual...it is so important! I just spent the last 5 minutes obsessing about the computer and the issues I may incur when I got there to drop it off. I parked the car, turned it off...and turned around in my seat to grab the computer in its place where I had tucked it away several weeks earlier. OK...stop right there.

Here's when I realized my mind was not with me that day. I was not driving the TBird. I drove my honey's car to work that day. No TBird = no computer.

And definitely NO MIND!!!

See you later!

This past Saturday my mom passed away peacefully around noon. Because it was so sudden, I have been trying to process it all, and I must say, struggling a bit while working it through. She led a good, long and busy life, 88 years, but had not been ill, so this passing took us by surprise.

My little birds all came home to the mother nest. Of course. Funny thing about the timing...this past week we had already planned to be together. We were going to a family friend's wedding, and little birds Leigh and Will had already taken off work and planned to come home. I guess "Mimi" decided now was a good time to check into her new room, since we were already gathering.

My very smart grand littlebird Cailyn, has been trying to figure out what is going on. She will be four in just a few days, so it is a bit challenging to explain. Here are a few conversations she has had over the last couple of days. She never ceases to amaze me with her ability to process information...well beyond her years.

Cailyn "Mommy, why are you crying?"
Mommy, "Because Mimi died today and went to heaven to be with Carter."
Cailyn, "Oh. Well, some people go to the dentist, some people go to the doctors, and some people die."

Auntie Leigh, "Tomorrow we will go to see Mimi".
Cailyn, "How do we get there?" (after all, Mimi is in heaven, she was told)
Auntie Leigh, "Well, her heart and spirit are in heaven. Do you know what a spirit is?"
Cailyn, "No,maam."
Auntie Leigh, "Well your spirit is all your love and feelings...that's what is in heaven with Carter. Mimi's body is still here, asleep."
Cailyn, "Where is her head?"
Auntie Leigh, "With her body."

Cailyn, "Grandy, we are going to see Mimi today."
Grandy, "Well, actually you won't be able to see Mimi. She is asleep in a pretty shiny grey box. But the lid will be closed so you can't actually see her."
Cailyn, "Is it like a bed box?" (having been told Mimi's body is asleep)
Grandy, "Yes, just like a bed box. There is pretty pillow inside, and a blanket with roses on it. It looks just like a bed inside."

She has certainly helped to bring a smile to our faces these last few days,and made it all just a bit more bearable.

The other thing that makes this all bearable is this. My daily devotion on the day my Mom passed said that as Christians we never have to say goodbye. We can instead simply say see you later.

So..."See ya later, Mom!"

Crazy August Days

This summer sure has been an odd one, at least weather wise. We have had such a wet summer. Hot, then wet, then cooler, then hot again. It has also been an historical summer given we have had an earthquake and a hurricane within a week!!! I know my friends from MN (the two L's)who relocated here must be wondering 'just where in the heck are we living!'

Last Tuesday I took my Mom to the doctors, so I left work early. After her appointment I went back to the church to finish up a few things before I called it a day. As I was sitting at my desk I suddenly felt "dizzy"...like I was swaying unsteady on my feet...only...I was sitting down. I didn't think a lot about it at the time as I am a diabetic and thought I was experiencing some sort of "sugar dive". Not until I got home did I realize what I had felt was an earthquake! Never in my lifetime have I ever experienced one here on the east coast. As my friends on Facebook were saying, it gave new meaning to Carol King's hit "I Feel the Earth Move"! Most bizarre!

Then, on Saturday and Sunday we experienced the effects of Hurricane Irene. We were so fortunate here at the BlessInn, compared to some of my friends along the east coast that have experienced some damage from flooding and hurricane force winds. Other than being without power for 17 hours...and a soggy yard full of branches...we got through the weekend unscathed.

I posted a few pictures below of our creek and yard on Sunday. My honey has been busy with clean-up and reinforcing the levy he has been working on all summer to hold back most of the water when the creek floods...which is several times a year. All of the water this weekend continued on its way to contribute to the flooding of the Delaware River.

We are...once again...counting our blessings, knowing it could have been much worse!