Friday in Texas...

Little Leighton (aka LL aka Biscuit) and I made the trip East to her casa Wednesday. After an early lunch. I knew she’d have to make a “potty” stop and I was going to need gas. We did this in Weatherford. At a new, big gas station. Everything was great. Then we got back on the Interstate only to be caught in a parking lot. I swear. They get these highways down to one lane—on the pretense of doing roadwork—only to cause major hang-ups and headaches. (I often dream, as I'm sitting completely still and wondering if I should have brought a sleeping bag, of the opportunity to talk to the people in charge of this "roadwork." I'd love to know how THEY feel when they're caught up in what appears to be ridiculous delays. Sigh. The two-hour trip took almost three. Biscuit was pretty patient, though. God love her.

We found TLC and Baby Elle waiting for us in the driveway! They’d been alone for about 36 hours. They were ready for some relief and entertainment. God love them.

I came back home yesterday evening. Today My Sweet Hubby and I are going to Ft. Worth. We feel the need to escape chores and work for a few hours. It’s hot. SO. VERY. HOT. Duh. It’s Texas.

Have a Fabulously FANTASTIC Friday and Wonderful Weekend, Dearest Friends…AND God love each of YOU!

Love and BIG Hugs,

ELC

twinkle. with a "g"

So Little Leighton (aka LL aka Biscuit) has come to the country for two nights/three days. Yippee and Woo Hoo! My Sweet Hubby (aka MSH aka Pa-Pa) and Grammy ELC are hugely thrilled! Duh. Double DUH.

LL has missed and loves, loves, LOVES our three Mama cows! Y’all may remember she named them. Dixie. Elsie. And Twinkle. “With a ‘g’.” Okay, we have no clue where she got the “with a ‘g’.” Not an iota of an idea where that could possibly have come from. But that’s what MSH and I now call this cow: Twinkle. With a “g.”

When we met TLC and Baby Elle at our rendevous spot this morn—a Target store in Grapevine—LL asked Pa-Pa if he had fed the cows. She was delighted when he told her he’d saved that job for her. It was the FIRST thing she wanted to do when we got to our casa.

We fed The Cow Gals. Went into town for MoYo (aka frozen yogurt. Pa-Pa calls all frozen yogurt places “MoYo.”). Got back home around 3:00 p.m. Watched the newest Sofia the First (even though LL confessed she’s already seen it six or seven times) Grammy had recorded. Ate a truly healthy, and delicious, gluten-free dinner. Played for a very long time in her bath—which she gets to do at Grammy and Pa-Pa’s—but not typically at her house. Read four books—instead of the usual two she gets at her house—at bedtime. (Are y’all seeing a pattern here? LL runs this place. No point in trying to deny it.) She passed out in seconds once Grammy told her to shut her eyes, quit wiggling, and go to sleep. Please. Grammy is pooped. 

Tomorrow will be a “Girls’ Only Day” in town. Shopping (Hellmart and one of Biscuit's all-time most favourite stores, Staples. I can’t make that up.), followed by a quick stop at the beauty shop for a trim of LL’s too-long bangs. Pa-Pa has yardwork. It was his idea that we go in without him. Winky. Wink.

Grammy and LL will head to TLC’s on Wednesday. I’ll stay the night. Baby Elle is confused about where her Big Sis is and I need a few of Elle's sweet wittle hugs and smooches.

Have a Wonderful Week, Everyone!

ta-ta for now…

ELC

no pink ray...

Long-ish week. Good times. Tough Times. FUN times. TLC was lucky enough to have lunch with her special, dear, treasured friend, Taylor. This Marvelous Mom of two PRECIOUS boys, Baker Extraordinaire (She makes the most beautiful, exquisite, amazing iced cookies—they are literally Art!), SMART, gorgeous, FUNNY, KIND and THOUGHTFUL friend brought TLC a decorated sack (She also does incredible calligraphy—this girl is tooooooooo talented for her own good.) full of her (Taylor's) favourite things. Surprised and totally touched TLC’s heart.

Grammy ELC Nanny-ied Little Leighton and Baby Elle while TLC and Taylor ventured to a favourite café in downtown McKinney. TLC DESERVED a  few moments away from her hourly stress, frustration, home-selling-buying challenges! Just seeing Taylor made me cry. (I'm old-ish. Many old-ish women cry about everything. Sigh.) If Y'all don't remember who Taylor is: She and TLC have known each other most of their lives. Although Taylor was a couple of grades ahead of TLC in school, they grew up together.  She was TLC’s Big Sister in their sorority and a Maid of Honor in TLC’s wedding. She is AWESOME. Period. End of story. She left as traffic was about to get horrid. Pretty sure I cried. Again.

I got my 25-lb weight loss “charm” at my local Weight Watchers’ meeting yesterday! I’m collecting key-chain charms (they are adorable) and currently working on the cutest little “sunglasses” charm for Summer. The challenge is to make 11 out of 13 weekly meetings. I’m determined to get it! (I’ve actually lost almost 27 pounds. Eleven-ish to go. I CAN DO THIS.)

Today is a semi-lazy Friday for moi. Home chores. Etc. TLC and Her Little Princesses are looking for their future home! They’re trying to see three this morning. Time’s a tickin’! Their home has a contract. We PRAY it sticks. Pray with us—if you have a few extra seconds and feel inclined. This Precious Family is excited about change and moving upward and onward! They need many details to work out. Too many have floundered/failed. SHEESH.

TLC called me on her way to meet their realtor in their upcoming hometown a couple of hours ago. Little Leighton (aka LL aka Biscuit) found out she’s coming to Grammy and Pa-Pa’s casa Sunday. (She doesn’t know she’s going to a play with us that afternoon in Ft. Worth. We save info like this for the day it is happening. Complications can be BRUTAL if something doesn’t actually happen. This will be only her second play in almost five years! We think she’ll love it. A report on that to follow next week!) While she was on Bluetooth/Speaker, I reminded her to bring her Moana DVD.

LL: Trolls, too, Grammy?

ELC: Yes! Trolls, too! (I’ve seen neither movie.)

LL: Well, there are two Rays in that one. One is a Blu Ray, Grammy. No Pink Ray! You can’t play it on a Pink Ray. Do you have a Blu Ray?

At this point, TLC and I were so tickled we simply could not suppress our laughter.

ELC: Yes, Biscuit. Grammy has a Blu Ray!

Little Leighton. We cherish her funny, quirky, silly little brain…it comes up with the darnedest thoughts!

She’ll be staying with us for three to four nights. My Sweet Hubby (MSH) and I cannot wait. We adore every second we get to be with her. Y’all are too very aware of this fact. We believe she feels our love and devotion. We want her to ALWAYS feel it. We’ll miss Baby Elle. We will! But she deserves some one-on-one time with Mama TLC! The kind of time LL got before Princess Baby Elle arrived to ROCK Our Family’s World. (Plus, Baby Elle is lovingly called Our Wild Child. She’s hard for these two Seniors to keep up with for two nights. Cannot do three to four nights without the possibility of a trip to the ER. And I’m meaning MSH or moi going to the ER. Not Baby Elle.)

Hope each of you out there has a Wonderful Weekend—wherever in the World you are! (Stay away from Pink Rays, ‘k? Winky. Wink.)

Smooch!

ELC 

please leave my girl be...

It was hard to read TLC’s previous post. Truly hard. I was there. In the midst of some of the chaos and confusion. Frustration and stress.

As a mother—and grandmother—you never, EVER stop wishing you could take away the pain your children and/or grandchildren are suffering. You want their fears, illnesses, exhaustion, worries, concerns, hurts, disappointments to vanish. Immediately. To leave them alone. You’d gladly take all of their challenges on yourself. If you could. You feel like you cannot pray enough—long enough—loud enough—often enough—to help them.

My heart hurts for her. My head? My soul? My spirit? They all know everything is going to be okay. They all (MOSTLY!?!) feel the Peace of Our Lord God waiting to comfort her. Reward her. Release her from her difficult challenges.

I’ve been sending her memes/sayings/quotes I see (and believe) from Facebook and Pinterest. Instagram. (Of course I have no doubt she adores getting them from me. I’m certain of that. Winky. Wink.)

Here are a few she’s had to suffer through as text messages from her Mama this week:

 

Pray when you feel like worrying. Give thanks when you feel like complaining. Keep going when you feel like quitting.

          DaveWillis.org

 

Everything you want is coming. Relax and let the universe pick the timing and the way. You just need to trust that what you want is coming, and to watch how fast it comes.

          Abraham Hicks

 

SMILE, things are going to work out. You may not see it now, but you’re being directed to a much greater HAPPINESS.

          Curiano.com

And the most important one of all?

 

TRUST in the Lord with all your HEART and lean NOT on your own understanding.

          Proverbs 3.5

 

Deep breaths. Take them.

Patience. Faith. Trust. Hope. GRATITUDE. Feel them.

May each of you have a Sweet Saturday—wherever in this World you are!

ta-ta for now…

ELC

the altar...

Here's the truth:

I. Am. So. Tired. Tired of cleaning my house. Tired of being grouchy. Tired of inconsiderate people. Tired of being sick. Tired of being tired.

I'm so sorry I've been absent, well, for basically over a year. I still cannot figure out how to parent two children at the same time most days. I'm out numbered. And the little one is FAST. Now we are trying to sell our home and buy another in a new, basically unfamiliar town. It's just a lot. I'm OCD to begin with, and knowing strangers are coming into my house to judge it, makes me extra twitchy.

I'm also fully aware how truly "first world" my problems are. I sincerely try to wake up and start each day with a grateful heart. My "problems" pale in comparison to most. And while I know, in the end, everything will all work out as it's supposed to, I'm still struggling with patience and (lack of) control.

ELC called me last week and told me about a sermon she had just re-listened to on her satellite radio. It was about a woman who struggled for years with infertility. She prayed every second of every day, until she finally, truly, surrendered to God. She told Him she wasn't going to ask Him anymore for a baby. She knew He knew the desires of her heart. She knew He knew those desires would never change. She only asked that He help bring her peace and happiness. She was going to leave it all at His altar. It wasn't long until she and her husband were presented with the opportunity to adopt twins. LOVE.

I know God uses our struggles to draw us nearer to Him. We have been on quite the rollercoaster in just this last week alone. Contract on our house. Contract not on our house. New people want our house. We get excited, only to see the said new people looking at the other house on our street that's for sale. New people no longer want our house. It's hard to NOT take it personally. So, I've done (okay...okay--I'm REALLY TRYING TO DO but still falling short) what that sweet woman did: I've left it all at God's altar. He knows I want nice, fair people to buy our house (and soon). We have been blessed with such sweet neighbors in this current town. I want to leave them with good people. He knows those desires won't change. I know He's working on my behalf and in His time. I have to find peace and comfort in that knowledge. When I feel myself getting overwhelmed, I try and take a deep breath and pray the prayer that never fails: Thy Will Be Done.

I fully contend I need to REALLY "let it all go." And not just "say it," thinking God will believe my words. I know I have to feel it. Live it. And I'm trying. I'll get there!

So, thereyougo. I'm a hot mess. Yet, through my messiness, there have been lots of sweet memories made over the last few weeks, too, and I hope to be back sooner, rather than later, to share lots of pictures!

Until then...and if you're still reading my ramblings--THANK YOU for your patience!

confession #68...

I said I was going to confess my speeding “violation” last Sunday (Yes. I’m a Violator.)—so here goes:

First: I haven’t been stopped by a policeman, deputy or highway patrol in years. (During these 48 years I’ve had a driver’s license? I’ve had two tickets I had to pay…four warnings…a few minor accidents caused by me—I can think of seven—not all with another vehicle…some I simply tore up my own car—or MSH’s…oops—and I’m naïve enough to think that ain’t bad!). In fact, the last time I was pulled over was eight years ago and only seconds after I pulled out onto the highway. I was less than two miles from our home. I’m referring to the highway to Interstate 20. The highway that begins My Journey to TLC’s Casa or anywhere else I go south, north or east. West? That’s a different road. On that day, I’d known for NINE YEARS what the speed limit was at the exact place I was being pulled over. The woman highway patrol person that stopped me (Why do women highway patrolpeeps dislike little ol’ moi?) said I was going 10 miles over the speed limit.

TRUTH: I will never, EVER, EVER argue with a highway patrolperson, police officer of Sheriff’s Deputy. Ever. Not about something I’ve allegedly done. (I can’t promise I wouldn’t defend one of our children or grandchildren or a relative or dear friend if they were being bullied or mistreated. I pray I’m never in that kind of situation.) I’m not going to be rude. First of all, I don’t believe there’d be much of a reason to argue. There's a process for which we can contest tickets. And I’m a Rule Follower. Have been since the day I was born. So if I am accused of breaking a rule? I’m confident enough in myself to tell you it’d be a very minor break and I'll accept responsibility for my actions. That incident? I apologized and told her if she showed I was going 10 miles over the limit I had not meant to and I wouldn’t do it again. She gave me a warning. (I think she clocked someone near me. I didn’t tell her that. Nope. Not wise. Just sayin' I'm pretty sure that's what occurred. More truth according to ELC.)

Further background: They are doing major construction on this dadgum problem highway. From I-20 south for sixty miles. This highway has become hugely dangerous in the past ten-ish years. Many people have been killed. It’s being widened. As it should be. But the work going on is, of course, VERY ANNOYING. Especially to those of us who must travel the highway daily. The speed limits all along the way are confusing. There are orange signs that are put up by the construction companies and that are, apparently, only “suggestions.” (This was confirmed by the highway patrol woman who stopped me Sunday.) The white Highway Department speed limit signs change every few miles. It’s hard to remember what the speed is supposed to be—especially when 80% of the people in front of or behind you are going anywhere from 10-20 miles over said limit.

Fast forward to last Sunday: I was driving my car to meet TLC at a Target where we exchange her chilluns. My Sweet Hubby (MSH) was in the front passenger seat. (I have a small-ish car.) Little Leighton (aka LL aka Biscuit) was in her carseat in the back. Behind MSH. As I got close to the interstate, I passed a highway patrolperson who had been pulled over on the opposite side of the road, heading south. I was going north. I cringed when said vehicle pulled away from the shoulder, turned their lights on and turned into my lane—right behind me. I was shocked. Truly shocked. And it’s the worst feeling. Ever.

ELC to MSH: I could NOT have been speeding. I saw a sign that said 65. I was maybe going 68. (Most of us have always heard a highway patrolperson will give you a few miles over—approximately 10% of the speed limit. So I felt very safe at 68.)

MSH in a quiet voice—as if the lady could hear him: “I knew you were going to get stopped. I’ve been telling you you’re not paying attention to all of those signs.”

SIGH.

She was a beautiful young woman. (I couldn’t help but think about her Mom and/or family wishing she was in any kind of profession other than this one.) And kind. She asked for my license and proof of insurance. She asked me where we were going. I told her. She then said I was going 68 in a 60. That she’d give me a Warning—because she knows all of that construction makes the speed limit confusing. But FIRMLY stated I was to make sure not to go over the speed limit in the future. She walked back to her car and I looked back at Biscuit.

ELC: Biscuit, I made a mistake. I shouldn’t have been driving so fast. I’m sorry. I’ll do better now and always. Are you okay?

LL: Yes, Grammy, I’m okay! Remember when Little Critter’s Daddy got stopped for speeding? This is like that!

Sheesh. Wasn’t wanting a “teaching opportunity” to end our great visit—but you take them when you get them. With an attitude of humility, patience and honesty.

As I shared in my last post, MSH used this as a chance to lecture me NON-STOP for a couple of days. I deserved it. So I did my best to be understanding about his worries.

Now it’s a beautiful, clear, sunny (will be a tidbit hottish) Saturday in North Central Texas. I’ve gotten a lot of rat-killin’ done and a healthy lunch eaten. I have a few more chores to get accomplished before MSH and I go pick Our Precious Frien Emily up for an early dinner in Granbury.

I’m sending each of Y’all a BIG HUG—wherever in this World you are! Be safe. Go the speed limit (but not too far under—that’s annoying, don’tchaknow…). Look for ways to be a GOOD example for any and all children in your midst. BE HAPPY! Be safe. BE KIND.

smooch!

ELC

when a trip to walmart becomes...

entertainment. Yes. Seriously.

Let me back up:

Last Tuesday, TLC and Little Girls were to come stay with me and My Sweet Hubby (MSH) for four nights. TLC was going home, alone, on Friday morn. Then we were going to take Little Leighton (aka LL aka Biscuit) and Baby Elle (aka Belle) home after lunch on Saturday.

CHANGE OF PLANS. No shock here. What's new?

Belle had been feeling icky for a few days. Not sleeping well. LL had already visited their pediatrician week before last and had one ear infection and pink eye (NOT from Grammy—my pink eye was back in January. Whew.). TLC knew she’d better not drive two hours away from home—to the country—with a sickly baby. She took Belle to the doctor on Tuesday afternoon. Low and behold, she had TWO ear infections and pink eye. Poor Baby.

Loaded up with antibiotics and despite the fact that Belle hadn’t had a decent night’s sleep (therefore TLC had had none, either) in days, TLC and The Little Girls got here Wednesday afternoon. TLC was still going to go home Friday afternoon and we were prepared to keep Our Little Angels until Saturday afternoon.

Wednesday night? ROUGH. Not much sleep happening in Belle’s crib. Thursday night? ROUGHER. Belle was awake from 11:45 until 4:15. TLC had had virtually no sleep in almost two weeks. I insisted she go into her old bedroom and crawl into bed with LL. (LL had no clue TLC was even there. She was surprised when she woke up the next morning.)

Grammy ELC? I got a little less than three hours of sleep Thursday night. I ended up putting Belle in our bed at 4:15. MSH went ahead and got up—sitting quietly in the den, reading his iPad. I was grateful to him. He’d not had a lot of sleep himself, but he gave me his side of the bed so Belle could have mine. Baby Elle was having nothing to do with her crib. I mean NADA. We fear this is going to be a new pattern and we’re not sure what we’re going to do about it during future visits. Sigh. She screamed every time I attempted to put her down in it. Which was a minimum of THIRTY times in those four hours.

TLC woke to learn how bad the night had been and realized Belle would have to go back to the doctor. MSH and I asked if we could keep Biscuit until Sunday or Monday. (Sadly, TLC and Her Hubby were going to have to drag Belle around looking at homes in the town they are going to move to soon…and stay out of their house with her while prospective buyers looked at their home.) TLC and Belle left about 12:30—after lunch. I cried. The weather was scary. It had all become quite stressful and worrisome. I did my best to hide my tears and fears from LL. TLC made it home and to the doctor's office with Baby Elle sleeping the entire time. Two and a half hours. God love and bless her pooped little heart.

The Trip to Walmart (aka Hellmart/aka WallyWorld) happened Saturday morning. In the midst of all of our trials and tribulations, we were having rain. A very acceptable amount! Some quite heavy and with some high winds. (We refuse to allow ourselves to complain about rain. We simply cannot.)

(Friday afternoon, after TLC and Belle had headed to the Metroplex, MSH and I took LL into town for some MoYo--MSH’s name for frozen yogurt—no matter what the yogurt store/business is called—he calls it MoYo. We’d hoped to run into Walmart for some food items. Just a few. I’d also told LL she could get three things. A game. Two little “cars” that she wanted for herself and Baby Elle. Some jellies (plastic shoes). While we were in the MoYo store, a storm came up. Ominous looking. We made the decision to get home as quickly and safely as possible and try to do Walmart Saturday morn.)

Saturday morn it was still rainy, but we were thinking we could get tres bored in the house all day. We went to town soon after breakfast. Our 60-Minute-At-The-Most-Including-The-Trips-Back-And-Forth-Adventure turned into 2 1/2 hours! MSH roamed the Hellmart aisles alone while Biscuit and Grammy slowly perused the toy aisles, clothes 'and shoes' areas, crayons' and stickers' aisle. We had FUN. We didn’t buy too many things not on our list (Truth, TLC. Teeheehee!). We departed for home to enjoy a lovely, gluten-free lunch of beef hot dogs (Oscar Mayer “Natural”—YUMMO), tater chips and a Disney game!

Meanwhile, Baby Elle got a horrid shot late Friday afternoon. She’d had three of them a few months ago—one per day for three days in a row. TLC knew how much it was going to hurt her. Had to be done. She’s gotten better and better with each passing day, thank You, Lord! Belle's doctor told TLC Belle could only have one shot this time. It needed to work.

Saturday evening, Biscuit and Grammy spent the night over at our Barn apartment! She loves it there. Her first time to stay there (It’s never necessary. She’s had her own room at our home since she was born!) was last Summer. She’s bugged us and bugged us to do it again. We’d be sixty yards away from our home, in a quiet/cool apartment, and MSH could work on hunting down an armadillo that was demolishing our yard and gardens. I said: OKAY!

Biscuit and I had a wonderful night of sweet sleep! (The Armadillo Hunt was, sadly, futile.) We packed up her bags after breakfast Sunday morn, made her a car picnic lunch, and took her to meet her Mama and Belle Sunday around noon. (We meet at a Target in Euless or Grapevine. We’re not sure which town it’s actually in. I am sure of this: Until they get the store remodeled, I am NOT going back in. It is a hot mess. Been that way for months.) MSH and I missed Biscuit the moment we drove away. Sniff Sniff.

Note: We (When I see “we” I mostly mean ME.) did have an unfortunate incident on the way to meet TLC. I was driving my car and was stopped by a Highway Patrol Officer. (A beautiful young woman!) For speeding. First stop in about eight years. I’ll cover that debacle in my next post. Suffice it to say I was not proud Little Leighton saw it all go down from the backseat. Sheesh.

MSH and I have a HUGELY big/cRaZy/frantic week coming up. Hope Y’all’s will be smoother and easier than what we’re expecting. Yikes.

It’s JUNE, Y'all! Have a Marvelous Monday and Wonderful Week...wherever in the World you are...

Hugs,

ELC