Ellen

My mother-in-law was a wonderful person. Funny. Happy. Energetic. Creative. Ellen was just about the best mother-in-law a girl could ask for and I'm going to miss her. I miss her already.
She's the one I called when I ran over and killed my husband's dog.

"Ellen," I sobbed. "I just killed Mike's dog!" sniff, sniff.
"What do you think I should do? Should I call him now, while he's at work, so he has time to think about it before he gets home? Or should I wait until he gets home so I don't ruin his day?"

No matter what, she was always there for us. When we had financial disasters, she would mail a check. When we had sick kids, she would send little care packages to them and offer "doctorly" advice over the phone. If I happened to mention I was sick of cooking, she would surprise us with a check in the mail so we could order a pizza.

The most important thing she taught me was to slow down and enjoy my children. She never seemed to be too busy when she had little children around her. Ellen would simply drop everything to do a project with our sons, or read a story, or make a tooth decaying snack for them. She would play games with them, or paint, or just sit and listen when they wanted to chatter. Grandma just knew how to relax and have fun with kids....

What always amazed me was the way she could spend so much time with them and still cook a huge meal, keep her house spotless, the laundry done and her groceries bought. In a word, that woman was organized!

One spring she gave up a month of her life to come spend it with us. I can't remember exactly how old our sons were, but I think they were close to being 3, 7 and 9.

Anyway-one morning I woke up and thought I heard whispers and giggling coming from somewhere in the house. It was still pitch black outside and I was sure the boys were still asleep. I threw my bathrobe and slippers on and crept out into the living room, where I thought the giggling had come from.


Sure enough, I had heard the joyful sound of giggles. As I stumbled into the living room I saw our 3 sons standing in front of a roaring fire in the fireplace. Next to them stood Grandma. She was wearing a Daffy Duck nightgown, roasting marshmallows with them in the pre-dawn darkness.

Marshmallows for breakfast? No wonder they'd been whispering.

Wild Times While the Parents are Gone

All I can say is, mom will never leave her poor child under the protection of a particular brother again... 

Just turn your head sideways. I have neither the time nor the inclination to figure out how to reformat it :)

Judy's Firstborn Child and Joy of Her Life

PS Welcome home mom! I love you!

A Guest Speaker

Well, I sat down this evening to write a post using the Simple Woman Daybook idea. I obviously didn't get very far. My 7 year old son wanted to write his very own blog post. He plopped his little bottom down on my lap, adjusted his fingers over the keyboard, and began typing. Maybe I'll come back later and try again. In the meantime, here are the household observations of a 7 year old:

Outside My Window...a bunny is eating the apple peels mama threw out there for them to eat.
I am thinking... how do I write this post?
I am thankful for... mama
From the kitchen... I wish mama would make another cake.
I am wearing... a blue t-shirt and some shorts
I am going...to eat some popcorn tonight
I am reading...Schoolroom in the Parlor
I am hoping... to get a new Lego set soon.
I am hearing... mama
Around the house...Daddy is making a green smoothie.
One of my favorite things...mama
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: I want to sew a pumpkin pillow out of orange felt and paint a pumpkin on a paper plate.

Happy 7th Birthday Sweetness!

Boring? Never!
Always curious
Raring to go
Responsible
Ever busy
Talkative
Totally wonderful

Barrett