Decision: Grandma, come quick! ANIMALS

That was Ethan! He was in the kitchen at Great Grandma's and saw these out the French doors to the East. 'Look, it's a daddy, mommy, and baby'. I was in the entry room and told him to be quiet and not scare them away while I got my camera. It turned out I needed a long lens to get a very good picture but if you look really close you can make them out. Anyway, Ethan was excited and that's all that matters.
They aren't the only 'amimals' he saw at Great Grandma's this weekend. In addition to these sandhill cranes, there were deer and bunnies too. Ethan decided that was pretty cool!!!!

Decision: Walk Across Michigan

This is a cool story, the best part of which is that Phil, while on his way to Hubbard's back in May, saw this guy walking up Main Street (Onsted Highway in front of the Medical Center).

It's a worthy cause and a good story. Read on!



http://stiltstory.org/home

Decision: Remembering Isabel Jody Barnes

Even in death there is hope.

Today I called Shanon. It was no small feat and days in the planning. First, I had to get her new phone number; then determine I had the right date, and finally, pick the best time for both of us. (I was a little off on the time because I forgot she is an hour behind us!). But, no mind, she was at least awake and thinking about getting up. We chatted a few minutes to catch up, and then we got the business at hand: sharing our thoughts and feelings about Isabel.

We are of like mind when we talk about the earthly symbols that remind us of her presence: a butterfly. It seems to take on different shapes and colors, but it is always a butterfly. It started the day Shannon left the hospital 'escorted' by a butterfly that seemed to say 'I'm here, I'm here......when you see a butterfly, think of me'.

More resent, a blue one landed on the foot of her niece, Ashlynn. It appeared to be playing as it tickled her toes. Whether you believe or not, it's a comfort to us all. Aaron and Shannon have also talked about the 'angels' watching after Isabel and agree that her name sake, Jody James Pawson, would definitely be looking in to make sure she knows she is loved and missed by us all.

I think Ashlynn said it best for me when she told Aunt Shannon that to celebrate Isabel's birthdate they should write her notes, attach them to balloons, go down to the waterfall, and let them go so they would raise up to Heaven where Isabel would find them. This is such a sweet idea.....from the heart of a 9 year old.

My message to you Isabel.....though I never held you in my arms, I will always hold you in my heart. Love, Grandma Marlys

Decision: Coach Scott Has a Birthday

Last night was Devin's last T-ball game for the season. Amanda and Denver were there as spectators, Devin and Scott were there to play and coach the game. It must have been great for Devin to be in the ball field after last week and to have his Dad, Mom, and brother there to cheer him on. Devin had a great time but the best part of the night was when the whole team decided to sing 'Happy Birthday to Coach Scott.....pride abound! What could be more American than, Baseball, Mom, and Birthday 'cake'!

Decision: Here's Your Sign?

I actually found this on my way uptown and since I really like what it says, I decided to give it a spot in this blog. 'Don't spend your life, Invest it'. These are good words to live by and such a hopeful philosophy!

In the office, on my way to the Mechanical Room to check the temperature, tonight I ran across this sign. Those of you who know me will recognize this sign......is me all over!

And, 'The Promise'. When Jacob was leaving work he called me about this rainbow. I put my phone on 'break', grabbed my camera and hustled to the parking lot.

So, do any of these signs move you?

Decision: Who Talks Like That Anyway?

I get asked that question a lot. Did you ever use a phrase or words that got you the 'she's a crazy lady' look from those you were talking with?
At work they call them "weird Marlys talk". I just 'calls 'em as I sees 'em'. Those quirky sayings you grow up with that, until you mention them in general conversation, you thought were common place.

Like 'around the sat bush'. My Grandma Richardson used to say that and it never occurred to me to ask what a 'sat bush' was.....is it a bush somebody sat on? and why are you going around it?...are you trying to figure out how to help the person sitting on the 'sat bush' or are you just 'running around like a chicken with its head cut off' (ok, they have heard of that one too, so they are not totally lacking in being educated in common, ordinary, everyday sayings.)
'Reefing on the table'. When I explained this one to the guys I work with, they made me prove that pushing down on the table when you sit down, stand up or lean you elbows on the edge is called reefing (and I did, in some obscure drilled down definition in Wikipedia...so I got the last laugh on them.....I don't know why they ever doubt me!)
'Kittywampus' and 'kittern' they had at least heard of, but weren't completely sure how to use them in a sentence....silly boys!'The people are as good as the folks'...went right over their heads (I guess it makes them think and when you're working, that's the last thing you want to do.....hey, I mean think about anything but work, of course.)
Some of the phrases I remember and like are just words, like 'johnny cake'. I liked how my Grandpa Richardson would light up when Grandma made 'johnny cake' and how we would eat it in a bowl with milk or cream. I think it was just corn bread, but doesn't 'johnny cake' sound yummy! (Maybe you had to be there....it was good!)
'In a pickle', 'upsett the apple cart', 'count your chickens before they hatch', 'go to hel 'en hunt for it' (I was grown before I figured out that Grandma wasn't swearing.....she had a friend named Helen Hunt....), 'piggy-hoggie hen coop', and on and so forth.....
Well, this ought to either get you thinking about those sayings and phrases you grew up with, find you ROFL, or giving that 'she's a crazy lady' look to your computer screen!

By the way, I will keep on using those phrases and sayings and many more because I get a kick out of their puzzled looks and head shaking reactions!

Decision: Up from 2000 mg to 3000 mg

Sodium intake that is. Devin was allowed 2000 mg per day when he entered the hospital but, by the time they decided to send him home, it was up to 3000 mg per day.

Have any of you ever had to count mgs? I do (but I only get 500 mg per day, so, according to Devin, 'you're lucky, you I don't have to count so high'! Cute kid....(rolling eyes)) and let me tell you there is sodium in almost everything. Especially the things that Devin likes. But here Devin is eating an apple, carrots, and drinking pomegranate-grape juice. Denver has joined the cause and is eating applesauce-peach cup, carrots, and drinking 'moke' (that's milk for those of you who haven't had him bring you the gallon to pour from)!

Another key practice to keeping Devin healthy is that he, Denver, and the whole family use the hand sanitizer. Here, while I'm taking the picture and Devin is holding his hand 'in a cup' shape, I am dispensing some to Denver. After he briefly rubbed his hands together, he wiped the rest on his shirt! While I'm sure his shirt was sanitary (ya, right!), we're gonna have to practice getting it all rubbed in before he goes to the shirt!

Decision: 'Snow' in June in MI?

No, that is not snow-it's hail! (Sure glad I decided not to get my car fixed after the hail storm last fall!) Sorry pics are so dark; it was WAY too wet to go outside to take these! In addition, they were taken THROUGH the window screen (guess I could use a few lessons how to take pictures in the wind, rain, and hail)....LOL
So, once it calmed down, I opened the door and this is what I found! I did see Amanda just after this; they were in Meijer when the hail hit. Devin didn't much like the sound from in there! We got a second, less violent, busrt later and then everything was calm. I didn't have the nerve to go out and check for damage. Most we got right here was that chair, which belongs to the neighbor. All's well that ends well!!!

Decision: Devin Has Left the Building....

thankyouverymuch......knowahatimean! (in my best Elvis voice)
Doctor decided he is OK to come home....wahoo! Amanda said he's doing the 'happy dance'....that's quite a change from when he left here on Tuesday. Welcome home Devin!

He will be on low sodium intake now and word is he will be seeing the transplant doctor soon for reevaluation.

For this weekend, he, Denver, and Amanda are on there way to the campground to spend the rest of the weekend with Grandma Calhoun, Pa, and Aunt Ashley. Bad storm and all, it's a really happy time in this household!

Decision: We'll Call her Molly

A 'something' by any other name is just a 'something'.......how does that go....giggle!
I had no idea I was having a girl, but I had all sorts of names picked out.....Eric Todd, Marlin Louis, Kyle Philip, .....I have that list around here somewhere. Oh, I'm sorry, those are only names for boys (Molly, I'm sorry, I couldn't resist. Forgive me (head tilted, puppy dog eyes, smiling)? I love you just the way you are!
Where was I.....girl names: I didn't feel I should use Dolly because I have a cousin named Dolly; I liked the name Jean, but not as a first name; Amanda was also in there somewhere and Erica, if Eric was a twin (turns out, both those girl names were reserved). Juanita or Wuanita after Grandma Smith, or maybe Salena Marlys after Grandma Heimerdinger and me (but at the time I'm was not sure how to spell Salina)----obviously, I am still not sure how I would have spelled it----just too many to chose from!
I even thought for a few seconds about taking the "L" from Lois and putting it with the "olly" from Dolly and calling her Lolly Ellen.....but I knew even I would end up calling her "lollipop' and I wouldn't be able to get that song out of my head!
When it came right down to it, and I was assured I was not having twins, the only names for me were Eric Todd, if a boy, and Molly Jean, if a girl.....and the winner is: Molly Jean!!!
My Grandma added "Menice" during those terrible twos, and somewhere before or after that, "Molly the Messer" was used for a while. Now they call her MJ (apparently there is an abundance of Mollys in Alaska and they are all at her school (no, not the fish (I think that is spelled mollie anyway); the female-person-adult kind of Molly).
So, here we are thirty-five years later and calling her Molly was the perfect choice! She has been a challenge and a joy, she has overcome heartache and triumphed, the choices she made have ranged from bad habits to magnificent accomplishments and she has grown into a wonderful woman. I am proud to call her daughter, friend, confidant, and ask God to bless her always, taking stock in what I learned about loving her big sister.
One daughter grew 'in my heart' and the other daughter grew 'under my heart' and as each was added to our family, it has been and will forevermore be my privilege to love (each) 'her' always.

Happy, happy birthday Molly!

Decision: Treasures We Found at Dad's

These pictures show the 'treasures' Angelica and Ethan found at "Dad's". They dug around the piles of dirt and found these smooth, flat stones.

But, I decided the real 'treasures' are these kids playing and working together at Dad's:

What do you think!

Decision: How I celebrate Fathers' Day

Since my son became a daddy just before my Dad died, celebrating Fathers' Day for me has centered around him and his children. This year was no exception, although it also means planning around the race at MIS. (I never do a very good job of getting in and out without having to drive MILES out of my way, but I love the time I spend with him and them.) This year I added a stop because I didn't get to the cemetery on Memorial Day. I visited my Dad too. Then, at the end of the day, I stop by the farm see Mom.
I had decided to plant some annual flowers to help give Aaron's place, which is becoming a full fledged construction zone (settlement is in after the fire and he has begun preparations for the rebuild) that "Welcome" feel. When I was there on Saturday, I transplanted some Lilies of the Valley, and begun weeding the only patch in the front of the house that is not scheduled to change. So, when I arrived on Sunday, I was armed with a few flowers I have left over from my own flower pots and a gallon jug of water. Brooke and Ethan came with lunch (Angelica had to go back to Clinton on Sunday to Great Grandma Procter's funeral). As Aaron came to the front of the house, he said, 'looks good, Ma', then he sat down to eat. After ten minutes or so he turned to me and said, in a concerned tone, 'are those going to need to be watered this week?' Brooke laughed as she told him she had planted flowers like that before and they don't seem to mind not being watered. I told him that was why I brought the gallon of water and I would pray for rain for the week! LOL....he was relieved......then he returned to his Fathers' Day celebration, pre-fabbing his new walls!

Decision: Avaya or VoIP

Again with the acronyms! What it basically means is we got a new phone system which will eventually be throughout the entire MBCG corporation. For now it's just a few locations, our office being one of them. The whole time leading up to the switch, I harassed the purchasing guy about making sure I got the super deluxe top of the line model for my desk. The cutover was over the weekend and when I got to work today, this is what I found on my desk.....I squealed and jumped! They rolled on the floor laughing because nobody expected that kind of a reaction. Actually, I didn't either.....even though I knew he had something planned, it still took me by surprise. It's the switchboard phone from up front here at Corporate and a more delightful surprise then the kind they usually have waiting for me. Besides, note my "real" phone in the background.

Decision: To Love her Always

Today is Denise's 40th birthday! Happy Birthday Denise, and holy cow do I feel old! Growing up was rough on Denise, she started out behind in every way. She was a preemie, and I didn't know her until she was three when I married her Dad. She and I had our ups and downs.....I was a new mother and didn't know 'diddly' about what a 'mom' really was, and she was now putting up with two of them (you can imagine how that can wear on a very young child)!
Two years went by and she had a little sister, who will be 35 in 5 days. Now I get an education on being a Mom from scratch....more about that in five days...LOL. Anyway, back to Denise. For a long time while she was growing up, she reminded me I wasn't her 'real Mom', which was true. But, I had already decided to love her always. Then, years after she and I became separated, but not forgotten, we came to a common ground......she became a Mom and began to experience what it can do to you. Suffice to say, she decided I wasn't all bad and without prejudice, she decided to love me always too! Earlier this year she became a Grandma, so the 'common ground' experiences between us just keep getting stronger and stronger!
Love you always Denise and Happy 40th!,
Mom

Decision: Long My It Wave

Today is Flag Day. It is always June 14th and was declared so in 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson. Other than a day to honor one of the symbols of our country, which is very important to me, it reminds me of my Grandma Richardson. Not complete clear on why. I know that she displayed the flag on very special days: any day that was a Federal holiday, any day that was set aside for honoring our Military, past and present, all days like that. She put it up at Sunrise and took it down at Sunset, as I remember; and, it did not hang outside in the rain, she would hang it on the front porch. Some of that has changed, which I like. I like seeing it 24/7, as they say, because our flag represents strength, endurance, as well as freedom, that 'never give up' and 'we can do it' attitude. It reminds me of our Forefathers, and of my father, who fought, with his brothers, and his future brothers-in-law to keep our country free. Of how they came home and in later years, stood with other Legion, Mason, Eagle, Moose members to honor Her and keep the memories of their comrades-in-arms alive by honoring them in death. OK, I'm getting too teary-eyed to continue. Suffice to say, this day has always meant a great deal to me.

'Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave, o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!'

Decision: What? Now I'll have NO privacy?

This over a juniper? Last time I took Angelica home she was shocked to see that the decision had been made to cut down the over grown ornamental juniper-type tree outside her window. I was puzzled at first over her reaction until I realized it meant now she would be able to get to the window to wash it! Could that have had anything to do with her dismay.....LOL. Since I didn't hear her say 'Oh goodie, now I can wash the window' I'm gonna assume that was the reason for the negative outburst. Seems kids react the same about washing windows no matter which generation they are from.

PS: Going home wasn't all bad for her....this put a smile on her face (no pun intended). I don't know how well you can see it but somebody mowed the hill side off the drive to her Mom's with a "smiley face". It's pretty cool!

Decision: Healthy Is As Healthy Does

This is merely a synopsis of a conversation Amanda and I had and my opinion of the outcome: it's just me thinking out loud. This decision is something she has been thinking about, though it could be any one of us.....especially me.

Ah, but how to get from 'here' to 'healthy' for less, that is her dilemma. Amanda's concern is that she cannot afford to buy healthier foods which she defines as fresh, unprocessed, and colorful. I thought: 'she can't see the possibilities for the dollar signs'; then I suggested she consider that her current grocery list consists of no vegetables and only a few fruits from time to time. I also suggested that she make only one change to get started. For instance, and to save money, she could start with canned or frozen fruits and veggies, on sale - lose some weight, start to feel better, require less food, leaving more money for the raw, unprocessed, more expensive healthier choices. Don't look at me like that; it could work.....! Her boys could benefit too, from trying some of these foods and finding that they like them, thus getting started on a healthy path with her. Granted, it could take a few months, but it's a start (and worth it!). I think she is 'mulling it over', but it's hard to tell.

I also thought of a couple other keys to eating healthier: planning and cooking. You have to take the time to "think outside the box", literally! (She makes a mean macaroni and cheese, or spaghetti, or just noodles with butter on them, but always seems to be pressed for time to put something else with it!)

Well, that's my two cents worth. I'll check with you another time to see what her 'mulling' came up with.....(sighs, then smiles).

PS: Picture is of fruit I keep at my desk (on my docking station) from time to time. Yum-my!

Decision: How to handle summer vacation

(You've heard this song before, you know the beat) Scho oo oo l's out for the Summer! Personally, I used to love that song, for about half an hour when the kids were school age. You know, until they realized they won't see friends much (if at all) and their mean-ole-mom (namely me) had lots of things for them to do (not allowing them to be bored, hopefully).

But, nowadays, it's a whole different scenario......or is it! This is how it played out at our household: within fifteen minutes from the time that Devin, Denver, and Amanda walked through the door (I told you she wouldn't let him walk home alone a second day!) it was, 'I am bored' from Devin, Denver was putchy (because he had to come inside), and Amanda was trying to explain that she had lots planned for the next two days....the highlight of which was cleaning the entire apartment. Not what either one of them wanted to hear! So, half an hour after summer vacation started, I asked Amanda if she was ready for it to be over. She rolled her eyes and said, 'ya think'?!?!?!

Well, they all got through that initial school's-out-what-do-we-do-for-fun difference of opinion, the apartment got cleaned (including their room), and the boys talked their Mom into some fun stuff.

As for me, looking at the pictures I took of Devin and Denver the last day I walked with them to the school, I can't imagine that these two will have any trouble entertaining themselves, each other, and all the rest of us.....LOL!

PS: Devin was being a real "ham" as I was taking these...but the last is a picture of his 'let's go already' poise! His body language can sure get his message across....LOL

Decision: Life with the Check Engine Light

I paid off my car in January, and you know what happens when you pay off a vehicle.....they nickle and dime you to death!
In February, my muffler fell down during a snow storm. Then, the check engine light came on. Upon advise of one of the guys I work with, I tightened the gas cap and the light went off. I got the muffler fixed but opted not to have the scan hoping that tightening the gas cap had done the trick.

Then in early April, the moon roof started leaking during some rainy days. I took the car in again and got it sealed shut....no more leaking!

May rolled around and the check engine light came on again. This time tightening the gas cap didn't cut it so I made an appointment to get the scan and, as long as I was going to be there, the oil changed too. You guessed it, the check engine light went off again, but this time I got the scan.....it turned out not to be critical (read out says SCAN ENGINE CODE: P0441 INCORRECT EVAP PURGE FLOW...whatever the heck that is it does have to do with what's below the gas cap). Since I didn't have the extra hour and a half it takes for the investigation to see what needs to be replaced so the light will go out, I decided to live with it until I do. It's another one of those little things that make life interesting. Maybe I will just cover it with black tape and call it good......LOL

PS: This picture is of the actual Check Engine Light...go ahead print it out, tape it on your dash, and experience the real thing. After all, why should I be the only one it annoys!

Decision: Devin, how long does it take to walk home from school?

Don't faint, but Amanda let Devin walk home from school today! I know, I am in shock too. It was way harder on her than Devin; he thought it was cool and handeled it just like he had been doing it his entire school career....two whole years!

So, she made this decision because Denver was sleeping when it was time to leave to meet Devin. Denver hasn't been getting very good naps this week and he really needed the rest. (I would love to have been there while she was working up the courage to call the school. Of course, if I had been there, Devin would not have gotten his chance!). Other than Denver needed his nap, this is how she rationalized the situation:

>It's OK because 'they gather the walkers and bus kids together in the lobby' (little did she know that when the announcement came, Devin didn't have a clue where the lobby was!)

>It'll be OK because 'they help the walkers cross the street and make sure they are on their way safely' (because he didn't know where the lobby was, Devin went out the Recess Door and by the time he left, I am not sure there was a crossing guard present!).

>It'll be OK because 'I will wait at the corner of the building and I will be able to see him when he is half way home' (the minutes seem like hours and Devin 'lolly gags' so you can imagine that, as the time for him to be home got closer, the clock ticked louder!)

Amanda was back and forth from the apartment, checking on Denver, to the corner of the building, checking on Devin, when Denver woke up. Now it was time for some real action, but as she was getting her shoes on and putting Denver's on him, Devin came through the door.

"Where were you", Amanda anxiously asked. "You know me Mom, I 'lolly gag'" replied Devin. All was well as he told her the details about not knowing where the lobby was and crossing the street by himself. There is only one more day of school this year and Amanda had NO intention of letting him walk again. After all, that would be more than a Mom could take in one week!

PS: Picture of Devin crossing the street was taken on his way to school this morning.

Decision: Paper or Plastic?

Not meant to be an overwhelming decision (and a moot point if I'd remembered to bring in those 'simulated go-green' bags I'd purchased on a trip to Meijer and that travel with me, in my car, everywhere I go). But I didn't remember, so I had a decision to make. Let me lay it out for you:

>boxes of cereal

>Woman's Day Magazine

>grape tomatoes, an apple, and an avocado

>24 oz bottle of Caffine Free Diet Coke, from the cooler

>Honey Chicken (Dinner from China Express, located inside the store, which you pay for at the checkout.)

Extenuating circumstances which impacted my decision:

>I'm going back to work to eat my lunch.

>When I get home, I will be transporting these groceries, my laptop bag (which is on wheels), my lunch bag, and my purse from the parking lot out front, around to the first apartment at the back of the building.

>And, I want to do that in one trip.

So, to her questions about paper or plastic, I say: 'put it all in one paper bag but use a plastic bag to keep the cold Coke from getting the magazine, and other things, wet.' I think this is pretty straight forward and that I will end up with what I ask. Well, it lost something in the translation, 'cause I walked out of there with two large paper groceries bags and a plastic bag with the magazine in it.....where did I go wrong! LOL

The Coke was in the same bag as the boxes of cereal, separated from them by the carton of grape tomatoes, the apple, and the avocado. My dinner, which comes in it's own Styrofoam container, placed in a plastic bag, placed in a lunch-size paper bag, and stapled shut, was in the bottom of the second bag while the magazine was placed in a plastic bag and slid down the side of the store printed, brown paper, big bag. Oh, where did I go wrong.....and I was expecting packing up these few groceries to be a no-brain-er!

Apparently her decision trumped mine.

Decision: For Better or Worse

Mom sent me an email spotlighting the 'beauty bush' picture I had sent her. As I read her words I realized they spoke volumes about how right her decision was to fall in love with and marry Dad. Here is the memory she included, which she would like to share with all:

(It is a beautiful picture and) I;m glad to have it. I'll never forget when Grandma and I moved it from beside to front steps to it's place in the back yard. You know, when you transplant something, you never know if it is where you want it. As for me I have truly injoyed where we put it since I can see it out the kitchen window whether it is green or in blossom. And it is just one more of my memories of your Grandma (Dolly) Richardson and my wonderful mother-in-law. I was very blessed when I married into this family to have such caring in-laws and Kids to bring me much joy. Grandma and I used to do so many things together, as she was always game for anything and would go anywhere, (all you had to do was) just ask her. I guess this is enough memorabilia for now. I'm signing off and thank you for the picture. Love Ya! Mom

Decision: To pick or not to pick

Luckily, this was not something I had to decide. This was my mother's decision. She wants pictures of all the flowering bushes in her yard, at their peak, without any of their abundance removed.

This year those flowering bushes (many of which were planted by earlier generations, long before I can remember) are bursting with flowers and fragrance! I used to walk this yard with my grandmother, picking bouquets for her, and can appreciate how Mom feels about their abundance. However, I can also appreciate how hard it is to refrain from picking them! Before I got the word to my grandchildren, Angelica had picked this branch from the 'beauty bush' in the front yard. Smart girl though: when I approached her to let her know Great Grandma didn't want them picked, she handed it to me and said, "for you Grandma". Now doesn't that just melt your heart!

PS: My youngest grandson, Ethan (aka Joe Cool), picked "flowers for his Mom" out of the same yard that houses those bushes. Great Grandma didn't mind that so much though....his bouquet was of dandelions. Seems Great Grandma doesn't want pictures of those! LOL