March 3, 2009
Ode to Unmentionables….
Diapers….oh so expensive.
Diapers….a mommy life saver.
Diapers….stinky in the garbage.
Diapers….a mom’s worst enemy.
Pull-Ups….are they underwear?
Pull-Ups….not uncomfortable enough.
Pull-Ups….diapers for big kids.
Pull-Ups….cost too much money.
Underwear….nasty when filled.
Underwear….makes an instant big kid.
Underwear….disposable, but not as cost effective.
Underwear….sometimes a mom’s worst nightmare.
February 23, 2009
The Simple Woman’s Daybook
For Today… February 23, 2009
Outside my window… bright sunshine, blinding white snow
I am thinking… about my grandpa and how lonely he must be.
From the learning rooms… piles and piles of disorganized books and papers.
I am thankful for… the memories of my grandma that I hold close to my heart.
From the kitchen… empty cupboards and fridge shelves…it is far past time to go grocery shopping.
I am wearing… Adrian’s Sponge Bob Square Pants jammie pants, Adrian’s t-shirt.
I am reading… Mistaken Identity.
I am hoping… for an early Spring.
I am creating… ideas for future unit studies.
I am hearing… Lollie snoring quietly beside me.
Around the house… laundry baskets overflowing with laundry, toys scattered about.
One of my favorite things… hair pretties.
A few plans for the rest of the week… taking it easy with the kids and an OB appointment on Friday.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you…
February 20, 2009
The Funeral
The funeral is over…. There is nothing else I can ever do for Grandma…. She is gone…. Her body has been laid to rest. My heart is broken….. My grandpa’s heart may forever be broken.
I asked my grandpa to share his love story with me and this is what he shared:
Grandpa’s Love Story
“Phyllis and I met in 10th grade at Roosevelt High School. She jumped out as me as a very petite, pretty girl. I enlisted in the navy in the 11th grade of high school. When I came home on boot camp leave, I went into my homeroom class at Roosevelt and saw Phyllis. I asked if she’d write to me and she agreed, and we both did. It got serious in our letters and when I came home on boot camp leave and I saw her… I think we went on our first date. We went to the Falls Theater and to the Dairy Queen and had dessert. I went back to sea. We kept writing serious letters. At one point the ship went to shore and I went to a jewelry shop and bought her an engagement ring. I sent it to her folks and her folks signed for it in the mail. When she got home that day, they asked her if she was serious about me. When she said yes, her dad opened the box and told her that “you and Henry are now engaged”. Things got serious in the mail. I wrote in the mail and asked her if she’d marry me. Plans were set for April 21, 1945, when my ship came back to the states. I went on leave and saw Phyllis and her folks and decided that a wedding would take place at St. Helena’s Church on April 21, 1945. Rog McInerny, a grade school friend of mine, was the best man; my sister, Patsy, and Phyllis’s sister, Cathy, were the maids of honor. Phyllis’s father walked her down the aisle for the wedding. After the ceremony, Rog McInerny drove Phyllis and I around in his dad’s car with a large “Just Married” sign on the back of it. Our first wedding nights and days were spent at Phyllis’s folks’ house, then my parents’ house, then we took a train to the coast where my ship was. We got the name of house where we could stay for nothing and we had a bedroom with kitchen privileges for free. When my ship was leaving, Phyllis boarded a train and stayed with her folks’ at their house. In the appropriate period of time, she let me know she had our first baby, Little Diane. It was quite a while before I got out of the navy. I was discharged for hearing loss. I came back to the cities. We stayed at my folks’ house for a while with Diane. Then we rented an apartment about 5 blocks from her folks’ house, then we bought our first house. As time went on, I was learning different trades and doing different jobs and we bought another house. We must have bought at least 4 houses before we bought her parents’ home. Life went on…. The best we could do is have three more daughters.
Shortly after I got out of the navy I had to get major lung surgery – I think they thought I was leaving, but I didn’t.
As our children grew, I kept working different jobs. At one time I was working in Fairmont as a plumber and sheet metal installer. Then I ended up at Scheneel Rug Company making rugs. My one brother, Gordy, convinced me to open a garage. Then a friend told me it would be a hell of a lot better job to work at the Post Office, so I was a clerk and a letter carrier. While I was doing that, I was going to night college to get some decent education and got promoted to a carrier foreman and then the manager of safety for the Postal Service. I retired from that position when I was 59 or 60 years old. After I retired, we lived it up riding motorcycles. We were motorcycle enthusiasts. We just enjoyed ourselves.
I think we had a wonderful life.
Phyllis was an extremely good Christian and I think she made me a better person.
At the point that she was determined to get Alzheimer’s, and was really bad….she fell down our stairs – broke her arm and fractured her skull. She was at a nursing home until we both went to the Lighthouse. The VA determined that I needed nursing help. We were in the same apartment for the longest time until she needed so much care that it bothered me, so they moved me so I would have to walk to visit her. We saw each other on a regular basis. Then early one evening, they called me to rush to the nurses office. Phyllis was in bad shape and having difficulty breathing. They took Grandma to the hospital. I called Karen and she called all of the kids. She took me there and we were all around her and Phyllis passed away. When we were all around her, and I was holding her hand, and we were saying the Lord’s Prayer, the nurse came in after and said Phyllis had passed away.”
His story was shared this afternoon at Grandma’s funeral. As tears rolled down my cheeks, I was so proud to be there…in that moment….proud to be their granddaughter.
Grandpa listened, as their story was read, with his eyes closed. Perhaps he was remembering days gone by, or perhaps he was praying (even begging) for a miracle. At one point, during the visitation, Grandpa leaned down and whispered to Grandma, “Breathe…breathe…breathe….” It was heartbreaking. Dearest Heavenly Father, I just ask that You touch Grandpa. Please help him to see that there truly has been a miracle through Grandma’s death, because of Jesus Christ. Help him to know that Grandma is with You, and that she is healthy and whole. Please, Lord, give him hope. Thank you! I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
In Him always, Beckie
February 18, 2009
My Grandma….a List of Memories
A List of Memories………..
My Memories:
*loved Jesus
*PURPLE
*slippers
*homemade cookies
*grilled cheese sandwiches
*perms
*tiny hands
*polyester pants
*hair scarves
*pink lipstick
*robe over jammies
*shampoo hair dos
*Scrabble
*King’s Corner
*Aggravation
*Perry Mason
*VCR questions
*Love Inspired novels
*newspaper funnies
*shopping at Applebaum’s
*socks
*hand washing dishes
*early breakfast
*pistachio salad
*Miss Piggy
*kitties
*little shoes
*small steps
*loved Grandpa
*loved babies
*stubborn
*holding my babies
*Agape love
*glasses
*crooked teeth
*itty bitty ears
*beautiful hands
*holding hands with Grandpa
*crippling hands
*Alzheimer’s
*whitty
*quick tongued
*smart
*singing hymns
*humming
*picking up fuzzies
*picking raspberries
*worrying about pneumonia caused by getting cold
*tucked in tight at night
*forgetting words
*anxiousness
*modesty
*family parties
*walks at the Falls
*horrible nursing home
*beautiful Lighthouse
*pills
*ice cream
*sweet smile
*contagious laugh
*beautiful curly hair
*creamy white skin
*femininity
*snacks
*breast cancer
*home invasion/robbery
*games
*decorations for every season
*constant cleaning
*frugal
*coupons
*scratch paper
*stuffed animal friends
*tiny nose
*fragile
*frail
*strong
*sparkly
My Kids’ Memories:
*purple
*gifts for we gave for holidays
*Valentine’s we made
*funny
*skinny
*loves Grandpa
*said our singing was horrible
*loved everything except our singing
*Phoebie gave her a monkey
*one day she was angry
*she learned how to roll her wheelchair
*Gabe pushed her in her wheelchair
*Grandpa fed Grandma
*Ike always made her pictures
*Abbie sang to Grandma and the other grandmas
*homemade Christmas calendar
*Halloween party
*Christmas party
*upset lots of times
*petting her kitties
*moving to the nursing home
*Malakai calling her “Grandpa”
*eating snacks
*making framed pictures
February 13, 2009
Letter to Gabryel
It was Gabryel’s birthday on February 11th. I have decided that I am going to write each of my children a letter on their birthday. Because Gabryel has the first birthday of each year, he gets the first letter.
Dearest Gabryel,
I can hardly believe that you are already 10. It seems like just yesterday you were toddling around behind Iszak, trying to do everything he did. Now you are double digits!
You were a wonderful surprise from God, Gabryel. Your daddy and I didn’t know if we’d have any more babies after we had Iszak — I know that seems crazy to you now, with us having our eighth baby soon — so we were thrilled to find out that you were on your way.
Your dad and I knew that we’d have our hands full the moment you were born – coming into this world with your middle finger up, as if you were giving everyone your opinion of being forced out into the cold world. You definitely had your own plan, from day one. You didn’t want to sleep in your own bed, so would fuss and cry until I would give in and take you into my bed. You slept in my bed for, what felt like, years. You didn’t want to watch your big brother walk while you were forced to crawl, so you were our youngest walker. You loved Thomas from the time you discovered what television was. All of your early birthday gifts contained Thomas toys and books.
Looking at you now, nobody would imagine how chubby your cheeks and thighs were. I couldn’t help but squeeze you! You have always had a smile that lights up your face, and brings warmth to those around you. Your funny sense of humor keeps everyone in stitches. Your silly dances and corny jokes keep us laughing.
You have always been my “yes guy”. I can ask you to do anything and you are quick to comply. Of course, if there is a tv or electronic device nearby….well…I can’t guarantee that you will stay on task. I will never forget the time that your daddy took apart the Nintendo 64 and hid the wires, only to wake up to the whole thing connected again. There you sat, smiling and playing. We still can’t figure out how you did it. You were only 4!!
You are an eager learner, and always have been. You have an insatiable appetite to discover everything that is in your world. It is so fun to teach you because you have such a willingness to learn.
I am so blessed to be your mom. I am very thankful that God chose us for each other.
Praying for many blessings in the coming year and always!
I love you!
Love, Mom
Psalm 2:11 NIV
Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling.
February 6, 2009
Memories….
There are so many wonderful memories tucked in the corners of this house. Living in the house where my grandparents spent so many years has been such a blessing to me. When I open the linen closet in the bathroom I sometimes get a whiff of Grandma’s perfume and Grandpa’s Stetson. If company comes to the front door, I linger an extra minute in the entryway before opening the door so I can enjoy the familiar “Grandma and Grandpa’s house” smell. When the house is quiet at night, I sometimes hear my grandma’s sweet giggle coming through the walls. When I open the kitchen cupboards, if I close my eyes, I can still see my grandma’s brown cups and plates. I can even sometimes smell the grilled cheese she used to make me as a special treat. When the kids and I rush out the door to the car, I can look behind myself and see my grandpa slowly making his way down the sidewalk, not complaining about our hurried steps. When I pull away from the house I can see Grandpa and Grandma standing on the boulevard waving and blowing kisses….
Why does time have to go so fast? Why do people grow old? Why do Grandmas, who used to be whitty and fun, get Alzheimer’s? Why do Grandpas, who used to race you down the street, have to succumb to slow and painful steps? Why do Grandparents, who once took care of everyone else, lose their independence?
I have so many wonderful memories of my grandparents… I often try to reflect on the memories so they don’t fade away. I remember Grandpa helping me with my student council secretary campaign. He spent hours and hours making banners and pins, helping me write and rehearse my speech. I remember Grandma making cold hot dog lunches for Grandpa and me when we would take walking trips down to the Minnehaha Falls. I remember spending the night with them, and Grandpa “camping out” with me under a card table. I remember Grandma scolding me for not wearing socks or slippers, telling me I would catch pneumonia. I remember perming Grandma’s hair and playing games with her and Grandpa while the curls set. I remember the lazy days of summer, picking raspberries with Grandma and rollerskating between Grandpa and Grandma on our many walks. I remember Grandma blushing when Grandpa would grab her behind or make reference to how beautiful she was. I remember her washing my hair and giving me all sorts of funny sudsy dos. I remember Grandpa and Grandma walking to our house, excited to read our newpaper. I remember shopping for groceries with my mom and Grandma, listening quietly and looking so forward to being a grown up. I remember Grandma yelling at Grandpa for cheating because it seemed that he always won all of the many games we played together. I remember how beautiful Grandpa and Grandma looked at my wedding, the way that Grandma’s eyes still shone when she looked at Grandpa… I remember praying that Adrian and I would have that same love, so many years after our wedding date.
I remember the first time I noticed Grandpa struggle to get up from a chair. I remember the first time that I saw him waiver when he took a step. I remember the first time that Grandma looked at me, her eyes momentarily filled with confusion. I remember the fear in her eyes as she told me that she had Alzheimer’s. I remember seeing the pain in Grandpa’s eyes as he realized what Alzheimer’s would steal from, not only him but, his beautiful bride. I remember the first time that Grandma fell…the first time that Grandpa fell. I remember the moment that I realized that Grandpa and Grandma had changed…and would never again be the same. I remember seeing Grandma in her hospital bed, after her final fall in this house….she was so tiny and frail. I remember when the doctor said that Grandma would never go home. I remember visiting Grandma at the nursing home where so much of her dignity was stolen. I remember feeling helpless. I remember when Grandpa, too, was told that he shouldn’t go home after his own trip to the hospital. I remember the joy I felt when my sister, Jennie, and I found a place for Grandpa and Grandma to stay together. I remember moving them in together, the confusion in my Grandma’s eyes and the hurt in my Grandpa’s eyes. I remember when Grandpa had to make the difficult decision of not being in a room with Grandma anymore. I remember the sparkle in Grandma’s eyes whenever Grandpa walks into the room. I remember the time that Grandma recognized me and told me that she loved me. I remember the day that Auntie Chrissy and I sat with Grandpa and Grandma for hours, not wanting to ever leave, because we were getting a glimpse of days gone by. I remember when Grandma held my little Ayden, telling me how beautiful he was. I remember so much…………and I don’t want it to fade.
Psam 71:9 Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
In Him always, Beckie
