Gramps

Today marks four years since my Gramps died. That was a fast four years. Tonight around the dinner table we all told our favorite memory of him. Actually I’m not sure I ever got a turn because Don remembered a story that Gramps told us one night when we were out at Red Lobster (his favorite restaurant).

My grandpa was in the military and was scheduled to come home by plane. I think there was a snowstorm of some sort and the plane crashed. Everyone on it died. My grandmother and family were told he was dead. They all cried and started to plan his funeral. Late into the evening everyone had gone to bed. There was a knock at the door and my mom’s cousin Bobby answered it. It was Gramps, alive and well. He took Gramps down to the basement and they decided to surprise my grandma (probably not the brightest idea but I remember Gramps giggling like a kid when he told us). Of course she nearly had a heart attack when she saw him. Turns out he got bumped from the plane by the wife of a General. The General offered to drive Gramps home (there wasn’t a spot for him on the plane either) but Gramps refused because he was so mad that he got bumped. Little did he know his life would be spared that night! He said he’s never forgotten that General and his wife and couldn’t even imagine the heartache the General went through after the crash.

Gramps was more like my Daddy than my grandpa. I cherished him (and still do). I adored him (and still do). I miss him every minute of every day. He lived such a long wonderful life full of stories and adventures like the one above. He was ready to go but I do wish he could have stuck around just a couple of years more. He would have loved Gracie and would have been thrilled to see her red hair!

He called me Baby. I called him Old Man. Sometimes he called me Betsey Boo. He collected baseball hats and always wore the one you gave him when he’d see you. He had pineapple upside down cake every birthday (Christmas Eve). He loved westerns and country music… even the new hip stuff like Garth Brooks and Tim McGraw/ Faith Hill. He never missed a CMA awards show. He loved to watch Miss America too. Its ironic that the pagent is on tonight. He would keep a notepad and score his top 10 and then compare with the judges. He was usually able to pick the winner correctly. He collected postcards and had them all pinned up on his wall along with a huge map of the US where he put map pins in each city he had received a card from. I have all of them now along with the World Almanac’s and Farmer’s Almanac’s he collected every year.

I miss you every day My Gramps.

Rain Down

I went to a new church this week where they sang this song. I didn’t know the words so I was forced to just listen. It moved me and I immediately came home and downloaded it. There is a lot going on right now and my heart is heavy but somehow this song gave me hope that He has it all under control.

Rain Down – Delirious
Looks like tonight, the sky is heavy
Feels like the winds are gonna change
Beneath my feet, the earth is ready
I know its time for heaven’s rain
It’s gonna rain
Cos it’s living water we desire
To flood our hearts with holy fire

Rain down all around the world we’re singing
Rain down can you here the earth is singing
Rain down my heart is dry but still I’m singing
Rain down rain it down on me.

Back to the start, my heart is heavy
Feels like it’s time, to dream again
I see the clouds, and yes I’m ready
To dance upon this barren land
Hope in my hands

Do not shut, Do not shut, Do not shut the heavens
But open up, open up, open up our hearts

Give me strength to cross this water
Keep my heart upon your altar
Give me strength to cross this water
Keep my feet don’t let me falter

Today my daughter reaches double digits. Someone mentioned to me the other day that she’ll never be single digits again. She will forever have two numbers on her cake now. I had a very short pregnancy with her… she wasn’t born early… I just found out about my pregnancy a bit late. Let’s just say Oprah would love to talk to me! To this day I don’t even remember being pregnant. Its like Kayla just fell from heaven right into my arms! Thank you so much God for my little angel.

She’s at such an in between stage right now. She loves Pokemon as much as she loves lip gloss. I know in a few weeks we’re going to have to sit down and have some talks about birds and bees stuff and I’m just so not ready for that. Her friend M is already wearing a bra! In some ways I’m sad to see her growing up so fast but in others I’m excited about her teenage years… the school dances, the boy crushes, the chick flicks and mother/daughter shopping days. My mother has already warned me about the teenage angst she’ll probably deal with. My mom knows because Kayla’s personality is so much like my sister’s (love you M-E!). That’s not a bad thing mind you… they are just very “high spirited” which I’ve realized only means that Kayla will grow into a very strong woman one day just like my sister. She absolutely has a huge heart for animals and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her as a vet or a zookeeper one day. She loves to sing and the songs I like best are the ones she comes up with herself. She’s a great Mama Duck to her baby sister and only occassionally yells at her for messing with her stuff. She’s a voracious reader and reads on an 8th grade level even though I can’t let her read 8th grade level books yet due to subject matter. She’s one of the smallest in her class but is obviously growing because her shirts have suddenly all become belly shirts. She has hair as thick as mine that she hates to brush but I know one day it will be one of her greatest assets.

Happy Birthday my sweet spunky little lady! Mama loves you “high as the sky”!

Why?

Gracie is in the why stage.  Its hilarious but tiring.  Last night she slept with me on the couch and the conversation went something like this... 

"Gracie, lay your head down and go to sleep"

"Why Mommy?"

"Because its nighttime"

"why is it nighttime?"

"because the moon is out"

"why is the moon out?'

"because its nighttime"

"why is it nighttime?"

"because the sun went to sleep"

"why did the sun go to sleep?"

"lay your head down Gracie"

I realize no one is even reading this at this point seeing as how its been almost a year since I’ve posted. And what a wild and crazy year its been. I didn’t mean to disappear but life had other plans for me. I’ll get around to posting about it all but for now I have a musical confession to make. I’m already listening to Christmas music. Yes, you all knew I was a little but nutty and I guess I’ve just confirmed that for you. I was having a bad week last week and needed something to perk me up so I bought the $5.99 Target CD they always put out and Olivia Newton John’s new Christmas CD. I *heart* Olivia and the sound of her voice. Its so very smooth and soothing. I’ve moved my other CD’s out of the car (with exception to kid music cd’s because I do not dare drive without Sesame Street’s Greatest Hits ready and available!) and put my folder with all my Christmas tunes on the front seat. Out of all the Christmas CD’s I own I have to say the one I look forward to listening to the most every year is my Harry Connick, Jr. one. I used to have all (both?) of his Christmas CD’s but the oldest one got lost in the shuffle somehow. However, Harry for the Holidays, has an awesome rendition of Frosty the Snowman that the girls and I all enjoy. We turn the radio up and sing along… Thumpity Thump Thump Thumpity Thump, Look at Frosty Go… Thumpity Thump Thump Thumpity Thump, Over the hills of Snoooowww! I had the pleasure of going to Harry’s (we’re on a first name basis) Christmas show a few years ago and had sixth row seats. They were off to the side so not as wonderful as they may sound but Harry worked the stage so that even us poor souls on the side got great enjoyment for two hours straight. It was such a fun and exciting night. After the concert I ran into a co-worker who happened to be there with Harry’s cousin and I begged and pleaded for them to get my Christmas ornament autographed. He promised they’d try and Monday AM walked into my office with one autographed HCJ Christmas ornament that now hangs at the top of my tree every year. It is one of my most prized possessions.

So, yeah, those of you who think I’m totally off my rocker, Thanksgiving really IS only a week from today! I’m not that far ahead of the game if you think about it. Happy Holidays to you!

Gracie:  Is Waggles hungry?

Me: yep, but we're out of kitty food so we'll have to go to the store and get some.

G: Kitty food and bananas?

Me:  you want bananas?

G: Yeah, kids need to eat bananas.

Me:  You're right, bananas are very good for you.

G: Yeah, and they're yummy too!

She makes me smile.  Just what I needed today.     :0) 

Love Me Tender

Tomorrow marks the 30th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death.  I was planning to spend the evening at Graceland but that was before the heat wave set in.  There is no way I would sit out in this heat in that crowd of people tonight.   However, you can watch the vigil online and there is plenty of Elvis info out there to check out if you just feel like learning more about the King.

Our newspaper has a special online section  www.goelvis.com.

Then there is the official Elvis Presley Enterprises website www.elvis.com.   which leads you to www.elvisweek.com.

Those of us who live here in Memphis know about Graceland Too.   If you ever come to visit me here, I'll take you.   This article describes the experience perfectly.   I've been there twice and only need one more visit to get my lifetime membership card.  Seriously. 

ETA my friend Ted's website - www.epexpress.net.   He does the jumpsuit, the scarves, the whole deal.   Its a hoot. 

Larry King is here to interview Priscilla tonight at Graceland.   I think its on right now but will repeat again later this evening if you just feel lthe need to TIVO it.   I admire her grace and her genuineness.  She knows she will always be the wife of Elvis (even though they weren't married anymore) and she welcomes the public with open arms. 

Truthfully, I'm an Elvis fan.  I loved him as a child and I love him now.   I often wonder what music would have been like had he lived... if gansta rap would even be in existence.   Lisa Marie and Priscilla do a lot for the city and especially St. Jude and I know Elvis would be proud of them.   I'm just sorry drugs cut his life so short.   Such a waste.