Isn't She Lovely

I was just running to JoAnn's Fabrics to pick up one thing. With Emma following behind, I walked directly to the item I was looking for. After picking up a spool of thread I found Emma at the pattern books asking me to "come look at this". She wants a new dress and found a cute pattern. I told her "no, I'm not going to make a dress for you. I haven't sewn a garment in many years. I don't know if I can put a zipper in anymore. "


She pleaded, begged and promised her undying love for me, her mother. Finally....we left the store with all the necessary fabric , notions and my growing feelings of my inadequacy. Me cursing myself for giving in to her pleading.


I looked at the fabric for 2-3 weeks, afraid to start the project because I was afraid to fail. After feeling guilty about spend the money on the supplies and feeling ashamed that I am such a sissy; I began her dress. A few days later she modeled the finished project.

Now I'm feeling pretty proud of myself. I have a new found sense of my capabilities and I love Emma for asking me to take the challenge. She has no idea the boost my confidence has received in my service to her. Thank you sweetie, I love you. Thanks for teaching me to try again.

Lessons from Daddy

Emma is such a Daddy's girl, she idolizes him. Today proves that she will do anything he asks her to do, as long as he works beside her. We have found the key for Emma is Daddy's companionship.

So today, it's over 95 degrees and the yard was looking shabby so the two of them head outside for the weekly "yard work" chores. Emma works with Daddy in the yard because she has been asked to do so; it's not her kind of thing. Until today:

Her first driving lesson and she loved it. The smile on her face said it all.

We don't have sons to help with the yard work, but Emma is learning from Daddy how to take care of the lawn. Most weekends when it's time to tackle the yard we hear, "I wish I had some sons". Then he figured Emma is ready to learn to care for the lawn. I think he even has a checklist like this:

1. Cut grass with riding mower.

2. Use push mower for areas riding mower can't cut.

3. Weed eat everywhere else.

4. Edge around the patio, driveway and sidewalk.

5. Use blower to blow all trimmings across the street to the empty lot.

6. Pull any weeds in landscaping beds.

7. Spray for Japanese Beetles in flowering trees.

I thank God everyday for Murray, he has the knack for knowing just what Emma needs and how to work with her and teach her all she needs to know. They make a great pair. So what do you think, will she be as eager to learn from me when I tell her she is now in charge of her doing her own laundry?

You Can't Afford Her

On our way to the big city up north we stopped for gas and something to drink. Emma and I went inside the quick mart and made a beeline for the candy aisle. We both looked up and down each and every shelf for something chocolate.

This takes time as there are so many choices. Right next to us were some scary biker dudes perusing the candy selection at the same time. I was keeping an eye on them while sending them vibes with the message, quit glancing at my 13 year old daughter! I made a move to position myself between Emma and the dudes saying "Um, excuse me please" in my kindest voice.

As they politely said "no problem, mam" they alowed me to stake out my position of dominance. One then looked at me, smiled and nodded toward Emma and asked "How much for the little girl"?

I laughed and said "Oh, you can't afford her". Snorting out a little laugh, he smiled and said "you're probably right".

Emma and I moved to the register to pay and he was in line right behind us. Clearing his throat he then said, "Mam, I was just joking back there".

I turned, smiled and wished him a good day. Leaving the mart I saw the back of his leather jacket with a large logo that read, BIKERS FOR JESUS. Now I'm really confused, maybe he's not a scary biker dude, just a friendly grandpa-aged man. I don't know what to make of my first impression. Was I too quick to judge by his appearance?

Cruising In Memory Of....

Remember my blog on Vanity Plates?

I discovered another strange thing that folks do in this part of the state. There are many cars on the road advertising why they are driving. The window decals state they are cruising in memory of someone they knew or loved. You know, like their pawpaw, their son, their loving wife or Dale Earnhardt. The funniest decal I have seen stated: Cruising in memory of Lisa and my money.

It's like a peek inside their private business. I'm sure Lisa spent all that guy's money and then left. I'm also sure he's not the first one to experience that. Likewise, the folks who advertise on their rear car window they know someone who has died aren't the only ones on the road who have experienced the death of a loved one.

So what's the difference between us and them? I wouldn't presume anyone else cares about my loss and I'd feel uncomfortable putting my private affairs out there. Very different from blogging where I'm writing to my interpeeps.

Maybe it's a badge of honor for those who haven't moved on after their loss. Whatever the reason, it can provide moments of laughter. By the way, thanks Lisa. You should have seen him, big, mud-spattered pick-up truck, wife-beater shirt, mutton sideburns and what hair he had was down past his shoulders. I don't blame you girl.

Happy Birtrhday Brian!

My younger brother, Brian Frank turns 43 today.

He is the 5th child in a brood of 6. He came following on older brother and 3 older sisters. With his curly hair and blue eyes Mom thought he was an angel. Then she gave him a t-shirt that read "I'm a little blue-eyed devil."

There are many memories in my mind of Brian getting in trouble. Dad would call out his name in an effort to draw Brian out of hiding (it's always better to hide than face the music). Brian would scurry around the house and sneak into each hiding place our house held. Dad, always 20 steps behind Brain, would storm by us and ask "have you kids seen your brother?"

We enjoyed this "game", always relieved we weren't in the hot spot. Eventually Brian was found and the discipline began. Sometimes it ended in Brian going outside to cut a switch for Dad to use on him. That was not funny, each of the 6 children in my family had to cut their own switch at least once. Except maybe Julie, see item #2.

Brain was disciplined by Mom one evening when she was getting dinner ready. I found him in the hallway by the living room crying. I picked him up and carried him to the old green rocking chair and dried his tears. You remember that don't you BFB?

I am only 4 years older than Brian, but when I became a teenager, that 4 years felt like a whole decade. He was always my "little brother". Soon he grew taller than the rest of the family and was always skinnier than his sisters. He worked as a landscaper during high school, tinkered with cars and gave Mom & Dad heck on a daily basis.

He came to Murray's rescue on our wedding day. While at the temple, Murray discovered he left the marriage license at his house. A quick call to Brian solved that problem. Brian, always happy to drive, drove over to Murray's house, broke in the basement window, retrieved the license and raced to the temple.

Brian is still thinner and taller than me and I still weigh more than he does, but he will always be my little brother.

Happy Birthday Brian, 43 was a good year for me. Make it a good one for yourself!

Love, Ree

Normal, Everyday Things

My blog has been empty lately because I ran into a brick wall mentally. When I sit down to record my thoughts, I am totally blank. I feel that something very exciting must happen in order be blog worthy. Maybe I don't recognize the very exciting things in my life. I'm sure that's it. Sometimes I don't see what is right in front of my eyes.


Murray took two days PTO and we planned to spend the two days going to museums. Day #1 we stopped for breakfast at IHOP, Murray's favorite. Next we went to the new Smithsonian Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum. We spent 5 hours reading plaques and looking at airplanes, space ships and helicopters. It was much more interesting for Murray than Emma and I.


We were tired so we headed home to our comfortable, air conditioned house. I emphasize the air conditioning because it was hot and humid and nothing sucks the life out of me like heat and humidity. I'm a real sissy.


Day #2 we went to the Wash, DC temple. Emma was feeling ok about not visiting any more museums and stayed home and lounged all day long. The temple is only two hours away and we always let things get in the way of making the trip. There are forces that conspire against us when we make plans to go to the temple but we didn't let anything stop us today. We were the only two in the session. It was a beautiful way to spend our day.


I will say that while Murray devoted time to Emma and I and we did things together away from his office, he still took phone calls and checked email from his blackberry. PTO means paid time off, Cisco Systems can't get along without him. I know how they feel, neither can I.

So while these things happened in an unexciting everyday way, it's good to remember and keep close to my heart. I was reminded that I have a wonderful, bright daughter and she sometimes enjoys being around me. I also have a husband that is mine forever. We reminisced about our own wedding as we entered the temple where 25 years ago we began our life together. I felt the quiet whisperings of the spirit telling me that taking time to be in the temple will result in blessings untold. Everyday should be this good.