Sunday 4/3/11 day 5_
Life is great and gettin better. We know you will be here tomorrow or the day after and we're all jumping up and down. These munchkins get they're mama back and I get to go home.
But actually they took a vote whether I should stay on here or not. The guys were yelling, "How many want Mehmaw to stay!?" And they all 3 had both hands straight up hollering "Yeah Mehmaw!!!" :D It was so cute, even if I know they all just like my custodial favors. Well maybe Paris don't care about the custodial care, but she looked like part of the pep squad, cheering gleefully, with those little arms reaching ever so high. Sooo enchanting!
For Sunday school, I dressed Paris in this adorable yellow dress that she probably hasn’t ever worn before. It was in that bag in the bottom of the closet where you had all the other ‘get rid of stuff'. (Should I say that?)I figured that out cause, while I was searching for something particular for her to wear when I notice everything in the bag was mostly size 12 months and under_ well, except for a couple items, including that darling yellow dress! I took it out, pressed it nicely, fixed her a little slip to wear under it and did her hair up with a headband and bow that matched perfectly! I was lucky enough to find one in her drawer. And I even found some light yellow stockings for her. It was the prefect little getup for a bright sunny day. If there woulda been a contest for the most adorable, she woulda won! I had her looking just like you when you were that age. Good thing you like your baby pics, huh? :)
I shan't speak of how she looked for the evening service. I will only say, I wish I had chosen her pink shoes, had a way to glue her head band to her head and had time to run the fuzz buster over her stockings. And yes, I’m pretty sure just about everyone had to notice her as she went from Me, to Emily, to Clista, to her Dad and back to Clista... Yeah, yeah, I know you get it.
It probably didn't matter because we all got dressed in a hurry and I felt like rubbish myself. Then of all nights the preacher had me on schedule to sing. L-O-L_not! So if Paris looked orphaned and tousled the imaged faded in view of the bigger, more negative impression_me. :(
I was pretty much surprised that I was on schedule and I didn't even get to protest. I had no forewarning till Charity came from the conference room and said your on schedule tonight then went straight up to play. She didn't seem real confident that she remembered how to play my song either, so like I told them, I felt decapitated without my right arms. (Pretty sure they knew I was speaking of you and your Dad.) So, I went ahead and pulled an old classic. Which I felt fine about because Sister Thrasher led song service with all old classics. I like them anyhow since they fit my age. Got a few compliments anyhow, and the old guy that always wants me to sing a solo got his wish and was sure to boost my ego. God bless his heart.
Paris is getting tired of me fixing her hair, changing her clothes, putting her down for nap. She’s lost her patience. Basically the signs are plain and simple. She’s sick of me trying to replace her Mama. You’d think I had beaten her by the way she has started to fuss every time it turns up me and not Daddy who does something for her, (if he happens to be around). But she has no wounds, I promise. If she’s agitated and fussy I’ll pull up your pic and let her look at you. Invariably she always gets calm and gives big smiles and says, “MAMA! MAMA!” then she starts chattering away. No doubt she’s telling me about the wonderful life she once had with you. Makes ya wanta cry a river full.
Even though it’s been a steady uphill climb the typical housekeeping has been pretty manageable_ until the weekend when Payton was not in school, didn’t stay out playing with friends, and was in and out of the house all day. But to be fair I have to admit, it also probably had a whole lot to do with me being out flea marketing part of the day on Saturday, and breaking schedule. Now I feel like I’m in a nonstop blender picking up and putting things back where I had already put it before.
I found out, Payton still likes to change clothes in the middle of the day. Sometimes 3 times, depending on if he takes a notion to play dress-up in a karate outfit, or some such. If I had to spend another week here, then by-cracky, I’d have him washing and putting away his own clothes_ `if I had the nerves. But that would require him staying under foot and I fear that could mean more outfits.
All the week I didn’t get to his room. Well truth is, with all the toys everywhere and clothes he drags and hangs out his drawers, I dreaded it. So I committed the immoral act of not resting on Sunday and started to work in there today. Don’t get too excited though, I only got it half done. But I imagine you know that. His many hobbies are enough for a whole crew of boys. He has music stuff, Sports gear stuff, hunting stuff, Build-a-bear stuff, cards and game stuff, electronic stuff, cowboy theme stuff, and etc. It doesn't help that I'm getting old and it took me twenty minutes to make up his twin size bed and move the foot board outta my way.
His room is not big enough for 2 kids. I say 2, because Paris never plays in her own. Why should she when Payton's room is wall to wall, and tree top tall, full of toy? It's the beautiful room versus the toy room. Thus you hear Payton sometimes yelling, " It's my room Paris!" :)
That huge, heavy foot board fell on me too many times while I was trying to get to his closet, so I moved it and stuck it behind the head board. Apparently it got broken loose from the bed somehow. Payton says, now his dad won’t ever sleep with him because his feet will hang off the end. Oh well, nothing a big, brawny, moose can’t fix.
I had a brain storm about what to do with his room but it fizzled. I could never get it done by myself. I would need someone to do the painting and heavy work while I pointed.
Payton slept all thru the evening service, came home, ate and went to bed. So surely he got plenty rest for school before test week. His Dad helps him with his night prayers every night but then it's Mehmaw to the rescue after that. I've had the job of laying down with him every night but one.
Do you know how hard it is for an old lady to get back up out of a bed without waking a sleeping child? Invariably, at the least_ 2 tries every night.
No cooking on Sunday. It's hand to mouth day.
Saturday 4/2/11’ Day 4_
Ahhhh, Saturday… (I’m a day late and a dollar short.)
Was thinking, this Grandmother needs a break!_ when, Dan and Doll came to get me to go eat at Barnhills and go flip-flopping around the flea markets for Dan’s birthday today. What a beautiful day it is for that. Summer has finally arrived! Then I started feeling suddenly ill in the pit of my stomach. They insisted I drink some baking soda water to settle it fast. I did_ it didn’t. :/ But I’m sure you know that didn’t deter my flea market excursions. I’ve been sick stomached many times before.
I feed Paris and got her ready to go. Payton was getting ready to go off and spend the day with Perry, and Brad was taking Paris with him for the day, to make estimates on some side jobs. I figured you had given him the 1-2, about spending extra time with her while you were gone so she wouldn’t feel completely deserted, but still I thought it was awfully sweet of him since you wouldn’t really half to know. She loves going off with him.
One could guess, the expenses of this all girly ‘Cozumel cruise’ you’re on, would be an initiative for the current side jobs. Well, at least it’s supposed to be a girl thing. I forgot to ask if you had found that young, strong, handsome ‘thang’, you had mentioned, to tote your luggage up that long gang plank. Never-you-mind_ you can answer that later. I can keep a secret.
Awh, and little Paris can tell them. She is ever so adorable telling her secrets. Piss-apiss-apiss she says, in her little hushed tones. ha ha. Did I say, she is an absolute living Doll?
She wasn’t so sure about uncle Dan but eventually, though warily, she let him hold her a minute, even though her back was in ‘arch mode’ while she kept her eyes trained on him, with her brows in that ‘what’s up with this guy’ look. Eventually she relaxed ever so slightly, and gave one of her, ‘ok I’m pretending everything is ok’ grins, so he would put her down. She did well and gave all goodbye hugs, which I think actually could have interpreted as ‘good riddance’.
Well, I did say Payton was getting ready to go with Perry, but he didn’t. He opted to go to the flea markets with us instead. A small debate ensued because we all know he normally hates going shopping, but in the end he decided to take the gamble. He loved every minute of it. He rode up front with his uncle Dan, while Doll and I rode in the back so we could chat more easily. He felt all grown up, I’m sure.
His Dad gave him a little money to spend and offered me some. I think my ill stomach had over-ridden my good senses because I declined the offer. Dum-dum!
Payton found his prize at the first place we stopped_ a fishing pole. I talked him out of it cause it didn’t have a reel. Plus I don’t know a thing about them and didn’t want him getting a bum deal. Of course, while talking to him about them, I pretended to be the expert. Oh.., AND it was going to take all his money, PLUS some. But luckily, Uncle Dan says he has one he’ll give him. He sweetly thanked him and was elated to be getting a fishing pole and still have money of his own to spend. There was a double bonus when his Aunt Doll gave him another five dollars to add to his own money. Of course, true to form, he wanted lots of things that cost more than his money could buy. Prices have gone up, even in the flea markets these days. But all-n-all Payton got a cap with a tractor on it, a cap that says, “sugar daddy”, some protective goggles for dirt bike riding, a noisy guitar which is supposed to teach kids to play professionally_(yeah uh-huh), a measuring cup for his mom (thanks to the dish washer, I couldn’t read yours), a knife for his Dad, some kind of story he was interested in, and thanks to me_ 4 more books that he wasn’t interested in. : )
Even though Paris didn’t go with us she got a cute little dress, a set of 9 little books, a basket I put in her drawer for socks, so I could find them more easily, and 3 puzzles. One to help learn the different body parts, one for learning to recognize the right and left feet and counting toes, and one that helps her recognize how to find and set in puzzle shapes_ all of which she loved. Ah..*sighing wistfully* Don’t worry, I put the dress in the dirty clothes to be washed and washed the rest with lysol.
For myself, I found a nice heavy gauge small pot with a glass lid to go with my set at home. I thought about getting an adorable tote bag that had a Loralie [Lora-`lie] design on it, (because I love Loralie’s designs), but I didn’t like the cheep bags the carrier embroidered her designs too. Poor Loralie, if she was to see her absolutely darling, au courant, designs on those cheapo’ bags it just might be a...uh.. sad day.
I told Payton he was the best, because of the way he entertained us in relating the day’s event later that evening. He says, “Ok, add it to that.” (Speaking of adding it to this journal for your benefit.) So you are being unequivocally reminded_ ‘he is so stinkin funny and such a great story teller.’ I find the best stories are always the true stories. Especially in this family.
The events of the day turned out to be an uproarious exchange of chatter that evening when Payton did all the reruns of his uncle Dan and his antics. He explained of how Uncle Dan `alleged he had five, six, seven, or `EIGHT fishing poles, in which he could choose one to give him. I had no idea he was paying so much attention to him, but who could help noticing, when Dan reached from 5 to 8 poles. I nearly collapsed myself in his hilarity. Payton had it down to his lisping, Cajun speech, enunciations, and his way of incessantly, insisting you to go back to the bar for more food and ice cream. Like one of us might need the prodding! Laugh-out-loud…
Never-the-less we thanked Dan for having us trail along and insisting he buy our dinner for his birthday. Dan’s a generous ole guy. Happy Birthday Uncle Dan.
Actually I didn’t think Dan looked real well. He looked a little ashen, and looked as though he were on something that made his eyes appear stretched and bugged like he was on a weekend speed high. I quietly ask Doll about it, and she said he wasn’t on any type of prescription `narcotics of any kind. Well Dan is half deaf, so he is used to periodically asking what the convo is about. He chose that moment to ask. Sometimes it’s hard for him to comprehend even after you repeat the convo; so Doll habitually shortens the relay and she told him I was concerned about the way his eyes were wide open. He looked totally puzzled and said, “Well there supposed to be, I’m wide awake!” Needless to say, no one at our table could refrain from the rowdy joviality.
Of course, all of those events happened `after Miss Prissy woke early and walked and fell all over Daddy’s head. She needed height to see over the tall headboard and out the bedroom window. What better way to improvise!? A smart little girl. Of course it `was the bed, so the jolly pouncing up and down on him as well, was a little part of the flavor of morning. Apparently she had to be put in his bed at some point between bed time and early morn. I don’t know how long he endured that, but once I could hear her feet pattering across the floor she was in full throttle, so I knew it was time for me to get up and fix her oatmeal and fruit cereal.
It didn’t matter to her in the least that I hadn’t gotten to bed till after 5:00am. No, I had not meant to do that, but as you know sometimes my biological clock gets stuck and I have no idea that time has passed me by. I knew once Brad got up looking for something to sooth his chapped,burning lips and realized the night was gone. Mmmm, is that the best choice of words?
Brad and Payton eventually went to the shop to help somebody work on something, so that evening we changed partners and it was Paris and I once again. I turned on her Barney songs and she danced around merrily, sometimes doing her hips Hawaiian style. She looked particularly adorable doing that in her three tiered ruffled skirt. She is really very good at everything she does_ or is that just me?
Of course since everyone was scattered and on the go, I didn’t have to do supper, so leftovers was it for me and Paris.
All went well till bed and bath time. She has begun to morph into meltdown mode anytime I brush her teeth. :/ I have decided to forfeit that job, because babysitting is almost over and I don’t want her remembering that her grandmother tortured her, during what little time she had invaded her life.
By now.. we are all missing you.
Lydia Cirilo Carroll 4/1/11' Friday Day 3_
A mostly uneventful day, except for the cleaning, cooking and washing as usual. Whew, I'm tired! Nearly forgot what it's like to have a family with little children. I do appreciate the schedule the kids are on though. I could totally use this kind of structure in my life. My sense of Psyche needed this my whole life. No surprises. I remember always running behind your Dad, trying to keep up with his constant pace, so we could be a family. And that was long before he started evangelizing. LOL!
Didn't see too much of Payton today_ (because he was at school part of the day then Brad took both kids with him to Jonesboro, for church part of the day, then skating afterward.) except for what time he spent playing sword fight in the living room with Drake. Argh!
Drake has the loudest tone to his voice of any kid I've ever heard. His natural sound is at the least 5 octaves higher than your Aunt Helen's.., and God knows that's loud! And he talks nonstop at the constant high speed of a rolling freight train! My God please help me! I wanted to scream, "Please go outside to play!" But I didn't. If the Bible doesn't say, endurance is good for the soul, then why did I endure?
Payton says, he thinks he past his spelling. His math paper had 76 correct math problems. I've never seen a paper that didn't give a grade, only had how many problems you got right. I could have calculated but I feel like Payton does_ that I've had enough homework this week. I think he missed 4 problems and he is up to a 2 minute timer which means more math. He's gonna love that I know_not! (Even though he is good with his math.) It's Friday so no homework or reviews. I truly praise God for that!
He didn't `mind today as well as he normally does. Neither did Paris. This wasn't her special day.
I told her not to put her magnetic letters in the door crack of the refrig, but she kept doing it anyhow. Of course once she did, guess who, had to go open the door every few minutes to let her get them out so she could do it all over again. I took some short clips of her with my phone doing her humming sound, as she placed her letters on the door. I thought that was the way she put herself to sleep but apparently she concentrates like that. She's such a funny little princess.
I was cleaning her room and trying to sort a few things when she found her big doll in the toy box. The doll dress was dingy so I took it off the doll to wash it. Paris thought that was funny for some reason, but then she decided it needed it's clothes back on and she tried and tried to redress it. I got several snaps of her doing her dead level best to dress that naked doll. :)
She felt a little sour all day. Her normally sweet self usually comes to get me by the fingers and take me to whatever it is she wants me to do, chattering happily all the way. But today she would come and get my finger, quickly let go and walk off, expecting me to follow. If I lagged behind she'd throw herself around and make agitated noises and verbally fuss at me in her own language. For some reason she felt like being boss today.
Her Daddy got ready for church and she was to go with him but when he went out the door to look in the car for her purple shoes, she went in a tailspin. She cried till he came back in_ and oh God, I didn't think he ever would! Just part of her not so special day. She was happy as a lark when they got back from church though, like around 12:30. She was chattering away at full speed! I said, "Maaaan, your Mama is gonna love your new schedule when she gets back." Brad had expected her to fall asleep on the way home but she didn't. She went to sleep in his lap soon after getting home though. Then she looked just like the sweetest little angel she had not been all day. :)
She ate really well today. We had ground-beef stew and corn muffin mix for dinner. Easy and delish! Well, at least me and Paris thought so. She ate till she wasn't hungry anymore and then wanted all the corn out of mine. Apparently she loves corn. Brad didn't eat (does he like stew?) and neither did Payton. He ate a pack of crackers when he got home and wasn't hungry by the time dinner was done. He got hungry about the time they were leaving for church, so of course he took another pack of crackers. I don't know what they had served after church.
Don't worry about the kids not minding too well today. It wasn't that bad; especially since Payton was hardly around. We all have those days. I felt like not minding and being irresponsible myself, but The clothes were not through being washed.
After Payton got in from skating after church he was just fine. He came in showing off his singing skills. He was singing out and doing the motions to a really cool song they had done at church. I loved it!!! Gotta learn that song, and gotta love that kid!
And no, Payton didn't say he missed you today and Paris hasn't cried for you that we know of.
*Thinking* (Should I say that? Is that good or bad? )
4/1/11' Friday Day 3_
A mostly uneventful day, except for the cleaning, cooking and washing as usual. Whew, I'm tired! Nearly forgot what it's like to have a family with little children. I do appreciate the schedule the kids are on though. I could totally use this kind of structure in my life. My sense of Psyche needed this my whole life. No surprises. I remember always running behind your Dad, trying to keep up with his constant pace, so we could be a family. And that was long before he started evangelizing. LOL!
Didn't see too much of Payton today_ (because he was at school part of the day then Brad took both kids with him to Jonesboro, for church part of the day, then skating afterward.) except for what time he spent playing sword fight in the living room with Drake. Argh!
Drake has the loudest tone to his voice of any kid I've ever heard. His natural sound is at the least 5 octaves higher than your Aunt Helen's.., and God knows that's loud! And he talks nonstop at the constant high speed of a rolling freight train! My God please help me! I wanted to scream, "Please go outside to play!" But I didn't. If the Bible doesn't say, endurance is good for the soul, then why did I endure?
Payton says, he thinks he past his spelling. His math paper had 76 correct math problems. I've never seen a paper that didn't give a grade, only had how many problems you got right. I could have calculated but I feel like Payton does_ that I've had enough homework this week. I think he missed 4 problems and he is up to a 2 minute timer which means more math. He's gonna love that I know_not! (Even though he is good with his math.) It's Friday so no homework or reviews. I truly praise God for that!
He didn't `mind today as well as he normally does. Neither did Paris. This wasn't her special day.
I told her not to put her magnetic letters in the door crack of the refrig, but she kept doing it anyhow. Of course once she did, guess who, had to go open the door every few minutes to let her get them out so she could do it all over again. I took some short clips of her with my phone doing her humming sound, as she placed her letters on the door. I thought that was the way she put herself to sleep but apparently she concentrates like that. She's such a funny little princess.
I was cleaning her room and trying to sort a few things when she found her big doll in the toy box. The doll dress was dingy so I took it off the doll to wash it. Paris thought that was funny for some reason, but then she decided it needed it's clothes back on and she tried and tried to redress it. I got several snaps of her doing her dead level best to dress that naked doll. :)
She felt a little sour all day. Her normally sweet self usually comes to get me by the fingers and take me to whatever it is she wants me to do, chattering happily all the way. But today she would come and get my finger, quickly let go and walk off, expecting me to follow. If I lagged behind she'd throw herself around and make agitated noises and verbally fuss at me in her own language. For some reason she felt like being boss today.
Her Daddy got ready for church and she was to go with him but when he went out the door to look in the car for her purple shoes, she went in a tailspin. She cried till he came back in_ and oh God, I didn't think he ever would! Just part of her not so special day. She was happy as a lark when they got back from church though, like around 12:30. She was chattering away at full speed! I said, "Maaaan, your Mama is gonna love your new schedule when she gets back." Brad had expected her to fall asleep on the way home but she didn't. She went to sleep in his lap soon after getting home though. Then she looked just like the sweetest little angel she had not been all day. :)
She ate really well today. We had ground-beef stew and corn muffin mix for dinner. Easy and delish! Well, at least me and Paris thought so. She ate till she wasn't hungry anymore and then wanted all the corn out of mine. Apparently she loves corn. Brad didn't eat (does he like stew?) and neither did Payton. He ate a pack of crackers when he got home and wasn't hungry by the time dinner was done. He got hungry about the time they were leaving for church, so of course he took another pack of crackers. I don't know what they had served after church.
Don't worry about the kids not minding too well today. It wasn't that bad; especially since Payton was hardly around. We all have those days. I felt like not minding and being irresponsible myself, but The clothes were not through being washed.
After Payton got in from skating after church he was just fine. He came in showing off his singing skills. He was singing out and doing the motions to a really cool song they had done at church. I loved it!!! Gotta learn that song, and gotta love that kid!
And no, Payton didn't say he missed you today and Paris hasn't cried for you that we know of.
*Thinking* (Should I say that? Is that good or bad? )
