For all I know you could be laying in a ditch somewhere...

My grandmother called me around 10:30 last night. This is rather late for her so I was worried when I saw her number on my phone. I had to smile though because she was just calling to get my permission, or at least that's how she puts it.

About three years ago, she and I got into a bit of an argument. I had been trying to get ahold of her for three days and couldn't reach her. I called my cousins,my uncles, her sisters and everyone I could think of. There was no finding her. I called one of her neighbors in Mt.Pleasant to have him go over to her house and check to see if she was home. She wasn't.

Why do I worry about her so much? Well lets just say, she does things that a women her age probably shouldn't be doing, like climbing ladders to pick apples and apricots in her orchard, getting down in her pond to clear out the muck so her pump will work, standing on the ledge of her cupboard to change her clock, etc. So I worry, I always worried that one day she was going to slip and fall and no one would find her for days. However, since that three day absence, I have called her every morning to check on her and make sure I know what she is up to.

Anyway, finally after three days of calling her cell phone numerous times she called me back.Where was she? Well she had ran off to Wendover, NV with her sisters and not a one of them had bothered to tell anyone where they were going. Now she thought it was funny and had no problem with the fact that I was so upset and worried. I on the other hand gave her a lecture worthy of a stereo-typical how to parent book. After I had calmed down she agreed that maybe one of them should have let us know where they where at. We also agreed we would talk daily on the phone so I knew she wasn't laying in the bottom of her pond or stuck in a tree or on the roof or wherever she may find herself wandering off to...

Back to last nights call, she was really just calling to tell me she was heading to Wendover and wanted to make sure I knew where she was so I wouldn't worry.

Phd or no Phd sometimes they should just be smacked....

Sometimes I wonder how a doctor with years

and years of schooling could absolutely, positively have Zero common sense.

What is wrong with this picture???

An 80+ year old woman

A Valium

Last minute surgery on the right eye ~ thus limiting vision in the right eye

Allowing said women (Who I might add drives like a stereo typical 80

+ year old woman)to get behind the wheel of an automobile

to drive 50+ miles to her sister's home.

When I called my grandmother this afternoon to see how she had made out at the doctor's, I about died. She said the doctor decided to do the surgery he was just supposed to be consulting her about, TODAY!!! and she is just to nice and sweet to say no.

Thank goodness all went well and that no one was hurt.

Although she has told me I am not allowed, I am going to be calling that doctor's office tomorrow and giving them a little piece of my mind. How dare they put her on the spot, guilt her into having last minute surgery without anyone there to support her and then send her off to drive herself home, endangering herself and every person she passed as she drove down the freeway. It makes me so mad I just want to give the doctor a big old "what were you thinking" smack on the back of the head.

Senior Buffett - Senior Meat Market...

My grandmother called me today and asked if I wanted to meet her and her sister's for lunch. Then before she could say where I told her that Golden Corral has a Senior hour from 1-3 and it was cheap. I knew that would get her. Otherwise we would have been off to the old Barf'O'Rama. So at least with Golden Corral, you get those amazing rolls and their salad bar isn't to bad.

However, I had no clue what I was in for. I'll bet I could count on two hands the people under 60. I am here to tell you, it was unexpected but it was a seriuos meat market. Who would of thought. My grandmother and aunts had gents getting them food, carrying their plates and all but asking for their numbers. I just sat back and just giggled. My Grandmother and her sisters are beautiful women and I can only pray I look as good as they do at their age.

They were the hotties of the Golden Corral and loved every minute of it.

Aunt Zara, Nana, and Aunt Doreen

Remodel update...

Nana's house remodel is coming along well. Despite rain, injury, and unexpected surprises it is beginning to take shape. More to come soon.

Let the Construction (Destruction) begin....

As I said in an earlier post I was going to post on the goings on at my grandmother's in Mt.Pleasant. After years of talking, discussion, and debate the remodeling has begun.

"Yeah" as we all hear a chorus of angels singing praise.
My Nana's home is a small country cottage. Three of the rooms in it are 147 years old. Then there was an addition in about 1930 that added on an indoor bathroom and a small mud room. In 1950 the addition of a back room was added onto the house.
So basically the home has one bedroom, a kitchen, formal living room, family room and a small "room". Not much room especially when even just my sister and I head to Nana's for a visit. It is wall to wall kids, dogs, and beds. When I was a teenager there was talk of building in the upstairs attic. Adding two more rooms and a bathroom.
Now again the talk was going on when I was 13, that is 25 years I have heard this discussion. But the discussion is over and seal has been broken on the attic. Bricks and wood have been flying out the attic door for days.
I have been helping Nana de-junk to get ready to organize her home in a larger space. This is no small feat. I have been helping her every spare second. Bless her heart she is from the Depression Era so she is a hoarder. Now you wouldn't know it from walking into her home. It's what is behind the scenes where it is all hid.
It has been a difficult process, emotions have ran high, due to special memories, conflicting opinions, and fluctuating hormones. But it is going to be so amazing when we are done.
I have included some before pictures and will keep the posting them as we go along.

Wish us all luck!!!

My Nana

Today is my Grandmother's 85th Birthday. She is the most amazing women in the world to me. She is always there and she always seems to know what to say. I am so grateful that she is in my life and the life of my family. Eric and Mason absolutely adore her and you can tell how much she loves them.
We thought that we might lose her last year when she had a scare with cancer. She called me know that she had some test run and was a little worried but she was more worried about getting her yard cleaned up. So I called my sister and brothers, we all cleared our plans and went and spent the weekend with her. Getting her yard in order(and I think taking her mind off the worry of the test results.) Everything came back okay and we all were so very grateful.
That weekend meant alot to her and it meant alot to me as well. It showed me how loving and supportive my family is of one another and that no matter what we are always there for one another. Family is sacred to me and I am so appreciative for my grandmother to instill in me the values of, loving one another, being a part of one anothers lives always in good times and bad, and not allowing problems or differences to get in the way because in the grand scheme of things they are just not that important.
I am so thankful that Mason has had the opportunity to spend time and get to know her. When she left for Virginia for the winter he was so sad and told me how much he missed her.He was so excited when he would get a postcard from her. When I asked him what he wanted to say here about her he said he wanted to share how much he loves her because she spends time with him and takes the time to get to know him. That she is interested in what is going on with him and shows how much she loves and cares about him.
The amazing thing with her is that she is that way with all of her children(3), grandchildren(24), and great-grandchildren (25 and counting). We are so very blessed to have her as the Matriarch of our family. She has been a huge part in making me the person I am and I am so grateful for that.
Happy Birthday Nana, We love you always!!!

There is no place like home...except my grandma's

This has to be one of my most favorite places on earth. My Grandmother's home in Mt. Pleasant. This home sits on 1 acre and she has ever square of it landscaped. I love to go and just spend time with her puttering around in the garden. She has been in Virginia since mid-December and will not be home until March, so I am really missing her especially today for some reason. She is across the country and we talk on the phone almost every day. But it is just different. I can't imagine how hard it will be the day she goes to join my grandfather. The world can be falling apart but all is made better with just a visit to my Grandmother's house. I am going to have to go spend a month with her when she gets home.