The Eleven Cent Cure

I freely admit it. In fact, I warned people. I was crabby yesterday. With a Capital C! Like it was my JOB! The last month had taken it's toll. Five-and-a-half weeks of nonstop arthritis pain from the worst flare-up I have had in 10 years. Many, many sleepless nights due to pain, increased medication side effects, and heat. Both Emily and Hannah flying the coop. Burning the candle at both ends with activities. A sick and ultimately dead cat. And then, 3 days in a row of daycare for the Grandkids. Now I am not saying they were bad, not at all. Just normal kid stuff. It's just that I was just So.Not.In.The.Mood. by the third day.

We had taken Luke, Sophie, and Jake up to Hugo to swim and picnic as a last hurrah to summer vacation. It was hot. As I conceded before, I was crabby.  Bob had asked me something, and again, didn't listen to my response, and needed to ask again! AAARRRGGGH! I blistered back a response as we walked over to show him the answer. I turned on my heels and headed back to my perch in the shade, fuming as I strode. Just then, something caught my eye. Bob and I had just taken that exact route seconds before and had seen nothing. But now, on the concrete in front of me, lie a dime and a penny! Tokens from above. The penny from Bob's mom, and the dime from mine. To me, proof that I am not alone. That I am watched over and cared for. Just Eleven Cents! But plenty valuable enough to change my mood. I quickly called to Bob, apologized and hugged him, and sat back in my chair to try on my completely new frame of mind.

And then went home to take a nap!

We're (Almost) Famous

I was published in August 23rd's Saint Paul Pioneer Press Bulletin Board .

 ASK A SERIOUS QUESTION...

Grandma Jody of St. Paul:
My daughter Hannah just moved to Albany, New York where she doesn't know a soul. Her birthday is coming up ( August 23rd),so I asked the grand-kids to write her a letter, or draw a picture to send her. Five-year-old Sophie went right to work on a crayon drawing. When she was done, I asked her what it was so I could title it and she could sign it. Luke, AKA Boy Genius, at 7 years- old is a good artist. He previously drew Hannah a very detailed and accurate picture of a stethoscope, thermometer, and blood pressure cuff to take with her to Med School. So I was surprised when he was finished with his ink and marker creation and I didn't have an idea what is was! Without hurting his feelings, I tried to gently probe him for answers.

Grandma Jody: "I must be having a hard time seeing today. What exactly is this a picture of, Luke?"

Luke: "Gramma, it's not a picture of anything. It's an abstract!"  That kid!

 Happy Birthday Hannah. We love and miss you.

Goodbye My Friend

Cinders   2000 - 2012

Cinders, my 11 lb. bundle of fur, my nap-mate.  My cuddlebunny, my face-licker.  My bellywarmer, my headwarmer.  My annoying alarm clock when you were hungry, my soothing purring sound machine when you were full.  You will be missed. Goodbye, my friend.