Posts

Showing posts from 2005

Mountains...

I sat down at the foot of a mountain. I had a shovel on the ground next to me. I had to move the mountain out of the way. I knew it was a hopeless task. I sat there and cried. He told me to give Him the shovel and not to worry anymore. I gave it to Him and fell asleep. I didn't think about it anymore. I actually forgot about it. One day I looked up and realized the mountain was gone and I didn't remember how it had moved. I was so excited and realized He had worked on it and I didn't even realize it. It still hasn't come back.

Logan

Logan loves Amy and Katie. Logan loves to give them both sweet kisses. He slipped his tongue between Katie's lips yesterday. He planted some slurps on Amy's lips and cheeks and chin and nose. Logan jumps and dances at Amy's feet. He jumps and dances at Katie's feet. Logan nibbles on the fingers and toes of Amy and Katie. Logan snuggles and cuddles with Amy and Katie. Logan goes crazy with joy when Amy comes home. Logan goes crazy with joy when Katie comes home. Logan licks Amy's fingers to make sure all the tasty goodness is cleaned off them. He licks the tasty spills off Katie's shirt and pants. Logan loves Amy and Katie. Logan doesn't care that Amy sits in a wheelchair. Logan doesn't care that Katie walks. Logan loves them both the same. Logan is a very smart puppy. He looks at their heart and sees who they really are. Why doesn't everyone else?

Matthew 12:20

A bruised reed he shall not break and a smoldering wick he will not quench. I read this verse in a Max Lucado book when I was hurting and grieving for Sarah. I felt like there was so little left in me and I couldn't make it anymore. I wanted him to blow out the smoldering wick so I could be with my daughter. I wanted him to break the reed and let me go to heaven and have my pain end. I hurt so bad. I was battered and bruised. I knew there was no way I was going to make it through on my own. I asked God for help. I grabbed hold and clung to this verse for dear life because I didn't know what else to do. It took a long long time to heal. The bruises did heal though and through gentle puffs the fire grew out of the smoldering wick. It was a moment by moment, step by step process. I don't know how and I don't remember it much. It does work when you hang on to God because he is the rock. I could have never made it without his help.

My wish

I enjoy watching Extreme Home Makeover. It is a wonderful show. They do amazing things in seven days. Lives are changed and made better. It is fun to see all the new devices and appliances and ideas that they have for the people and homes. The homes are all so beautiful and huge--often McMansions. I wonder how expensive these homes are for utilities and taxes once all the tv cameras are gone. Does it get to be too expensive for these families? I hope not but I really do wonder about it. When the show first came on, I considered applying for it to have our home redone for Amy. We could use more room for her wheelchair and equipment. I figured though that it wasn't realistic. We just don't have the room for a mini mcmansion. I don't want one. I just want more room for wheelchairs. More space to store stuff. More room so Amy can really move around and have freedom in our home. I would like that so much but I sure don't see it happening right now. Life is just way too expen...

Day 30

I completed my 30days of writing a blog. I kept my commitment to Surprise Me God. I reread all the blogs for it (not this one) and now have to mull it over. Dane and Amy are sick. Dane goes to the doctor tomorrow. Amy stayed home today and will tomorrow. I am playing it by ear. It is really cold here today. I was glad to keep Amy home and not bring her out in the bitter cold. It is hard for her when it is so cold. It feels like January instead of December. Well time to go and slip into a nice warm bed.

Dear Sarah...

It has been twenty years since I last saw you. The time has gone by so quickly yet it has been so slow. Time is an odd thing. While you are in the midst of it, it is the slowest thing there is but when you look back, it is the fastest. I stood by you as the machine whooshed each breath for you. The warming blanket tried to keep your body warmed. The machines did the best they could but it was obvious that it was time for you to leave. Your borrowed time upon this earth which was God's gift to us was now over and we had to give you back to Him. It had taken me eleven days but I knew I had to let you go. I sat in the chapel with my cousin Kathy and we talked. Daddy stayed with you in the room as the machines were quieted and you were finally allowed to slip away. I came to say goodbye with Daddy next to me. I brushed your hair out of your face and stroked your hand. I looked at your quiet face one last time and said goodbye. I called grandma and grandpa to tell them you were gone. I ...

ReGrEtS

I should know by now to keep my mouth shut. I have a horrible habit of open mouth, insert foot. I did it again and was really hurt by it. I truly regret it and I am sorry. I didn't mean it. I wish I could take it back but once the words have escaped they can't be retrieved. Words aren't like a boomerang except they hit you and knock you out. Time to go to bed and get some rest. Good night sweetheart.

Letting loose...

When Amy got home from school today she wanted a snack. I gave her some chocolate pudding. Logan, the notorious puppy, was laying on her tray. His head followed the spoon from cup to mouth and back. Up and down. Side to side. Lick the chops. Amy started to giggle as I did loop the loop with the spoon and Logan copied it. She laughed. She giggled. She lost it in the great tradition of our family. She laughed til she cried. The laughter rang. She couldn't stop. The joy abounded. I have been afraid for so long to let loose. To let the laughter peal. To let my sides ache from the uninhibited joy of it. The joy of life. The joy of joy. It is time to cut the bonds and let freedom ring. I need to let loose and be joyful. I need to rejoice in the moment and lustly burst forth in hearty laughter. I need to embrace the passion of life and run with it. I have been changing since I started Surprise me God. When I read back over my daily blogs in the mystery location which you still will not f...

True booger green

Someone I know made a comment about a color. She called it true booger green. It made me laugh. Blood red. Diarrhea yellow. Baby poop green. Ahh, the things I will talk about at times. My husband likes to say that whenever my family gets together for dinner my mom always brings up body functions involving the lower abdomen. Not much will offend me and there is not much I won't talk about. My lovely puppy Logan the white poodle decided to bark at 346 am and kept whining and whimpering for the next 45 minutes. I finally had to let him out. He made a mad dash out the door. I couldn't see him though. He was so well camoflauged against the snow. He didn't even do his usual circle to find the right spot but made an immediate deposit and came back to the door. He thought he should stay up and play. I had other thoughts. He went back to his kennel for more beauty sleep. Dane is busy snoring and mumbling in his favorite sleeping chair. He enjoys his naps. He is going to his mom...

34 Years Ago today...

I was at the Ice Capades. My mom was in labor. I was 14 years old and excited beyond belief. My new brother/hopefully sister was going to be born. I already had 4 brothers and figured it was my turn to have a sister. God had other things in mind though and I ended up with another brother. Chris was a sweetie. I claimed him as my own. I held that little bugger as much as I could and kept him close. I loved him so much I could hardly stand it. My parents might have had plans for him but so did I. I was going to make sure that he had the childhood that I didn't and he was going to have fun. I wasn't allowed to go to movies growing up and I missed out on classic Disney movies. I didn't have the joyful memories of Sleeping Beauty, The Absent Minded Professor, etc like my other friends. I had to watch them on tv. I was determined that Chris would not suffer the neglected important things that I had. I brought him to movies. I bought him things. I read to him. I loved him so much....

Surprise Me God

I made a commitment to blog for 30 days. I am 1/3 of the way through it. Through round about channels I heard about this website called Surprisemegod.com and checked it out. I found it to be an interesting idea and decided to give it a try. I have let go of expectations and told God daily to Surprise Me God. I have had a variety of experiences so far. It will be interesting for me to look back and really see the progress and events that occur over the 30 days. If you have interest, check out the website. It's worth a look and will make you think. I am not a person who is real consistent about stuff and my follow through skills are awful as my family will attest. Right Kate! I am proud of myself for sticking it out so far. Surprise me God.

Memories light the corners of my mind...

I celebrated my twentieth anniversary today for my job. I invited friends to lunch to celebrate. I am in the process of emailing all of them to thank them for coming and sharing my thoughts and memories. I am going to put bits and pieces of them in my blog today. Thanks for the memories. ---The memory that I have of you that means the most to me is the day I had a doctor's appointment and I found out that Amy had a problem. I left the doctor and was supposed to go back to work. I couldn't do it and I called you. I started to talk but couldn't get the words out. You were there to listen and you prayed. I sobbed and told you there was something wrong with my baby. You were willing to drop everything and come to me. I can't tell you how much that meant to me. I am choked up and fighting back tears even now as I write this. --one day we all will stand before the almighty and i intend to thank him for bringing you into my life. i will tell him how much your friendship meant ...

Falling in Love...

When I fall in love, it will be forever. That is a line from a song I love. I have always been a sucker for romance. Romantic novels, movies, shows, whatever is sappy and sweet. I love it. I didn't expect to fall in love or get married when I did. I never had a real high opinion of myself. I was overweight and unappealing. I didn't consider having a boyfriend. I didn't consider my future a whole lot. I took it as it came. I met this quiet unassuming guy who was nice. He worked hard and kept to himself. He was new at work and I gave him a Christmas card. I didn't know it would touch his heart. One day we talked and found out we had things in common. Before I knew it I was trying to find reasons to be with him and I really liked him. I don't remember the the moment if there was one when I knew I was in love. I did everything different though. I asked him out. I found his home and climbed the fence and knocked on the backdoor. His sister later told the Romeo and Julie...

Leaves...

The leaf had had a wondrous journey through life. Its short but wonderful life. It had started out as a small bud bursting forth from the branch. It slowly unfurled itself to the sun, to the sky, to the stars. Rain, wind, bugs. All the amazing things that the Creator had bestowed upon the world of the leaf. He drank it all in and sang praises. He watched the world around him. The comings and goings of the many creations. The small and the large. The living and mechanical. The life of his world. The life of his tree. The spring was early and the summer long. It stretched out through October the sun breathing its warm breath. The wind kissing him with its warmth. Where was the autumn cool? The frosty breath he heard spoken of in whispers and shadows. There was nothing but warmth. Nothing but green. Nothing but life. Then it came. One night a sharp slap of wind. Cold. Very cold. The sun no longer kissed his warmth upon his brow. He faded into a pale yellow. No longer green and growing. N...

I want you to imagine...

sitting in a wheelchair. Your movement is very limited. You can move your head a few inches to the left but you mainly look to the right. Your hands can move a little. Your range of motion with your right hand is five inches max. Your left hand does not move much. It stays immobilized. You can move your thumb so you can grasp slightly. Your fingers are stiff and don't bend. Your elbow is stiff. You can't straighten out your arms. It hurts to have someone lift your arms up. Your knees can kick but your legs don't straighten. When you lay down, your legs can't straighten out. You lay with knees bent all the time. Your body has almost no muscle strength. You can't hold your head up. You have to have a headrest for the support. If you sat in a chair, you would fall sideways. You would crumple onto the floor. And there would be absolutely nothing you could do about it. Now imagine you are sitting in a wheelchair that you can drive as long as your hand is in place on the...

Creeping...

The house was lovely. Its gabled roof with the shingles insets. The lovely bay windows under the gable. Turrets, corniced eaves, gingerbread and the Corinthian columned porch all worked together in a classic Victorian home. This house was very loved. It smiled as it looked down on the town from its hill. It stood in a place of honor, of beauty, of prestige. Manicured lawns and trimmed hedges, sculpted bushes and trees all enhanced its beauty. No one ever noticed that one little plant hidden at the back. It sent out little shoots, creepers which helped it climb. It found the wall of the lovely house and began its slow climb. Ivy spread. Creeping up the side slowly gracefully covering a small section. Up it went finding its way into each small nook and cranny, slowly grabbing and holding on. Gaining a secure hold with which to propel the next generation of leaves. Over time it covered the back wall which no one saw. It began its ascent on the sides. Little did anyone realize that this lo...

New School Year

School started last week on Thursday. Two days of school and then three day weekend. Why? Why not just wait until the day after Labor Day like so many other school districts? If we had brought Katie to Duluth as originally intended, Amy would have missed school anyway. I don't like it starting before Labor Day. It has to do with money though and, of course, money makes the world go round (or so says the song from Cabaret.) I am having issues with Amy in school. Thursday she had four classes with no aides or paras to assist her. She was left sitting there alone with no one being responsible for her. One aide in particular wanted to point her to the class and do it on her own. That doesn't work for Amy. She wants independence but not that much. She needs someone to help her take notes, move her arm, hold up books or papers, etc. That just didn't happen. This is a new school where people don't know Amy or her needs. I understand that and it will take time to work these thi...

For Grandpa Doll

Today I put my trowel away for the last time. I closed my eyes to this life and opened them to the new. Today I put my trowel away for the last time. I breathed my last breath of earthly air and inhaled the sweet breath of heaven. Today I put my trowel away for the last time. I saw Mom waiting for me and we sang our song. Today I put my trowel away for the last time. And there I saw Him. The one for whom my heart was longing. Today I put my trowel away for the last time. And laid it at my Master’s feet. I wrote this when my grandpa died. My dad read it at his funeral. Gramp had written a love letter to my grandma on their 50th anniversary. One of the phrases was "I put my trowel away for the last time" and I used it as my inspiration. My grandpa was a cement mason and he spent a lot of time on his knees troweling and praying. I loved him very much. I miss him.

blue skies shining on me...

nothing but blue skies. gray clouds. white lightning. whistling winds. pelting rain. cover the blue skies. darkness covers the earth and moves over it like a shadow. shadows are the wisps of darkness that try to hide the sunlight. sunlight still shines behind the shadows. behind the clouds. blue skies lie under the clouds. so nothing but blue skies. shadows are evidence of the sunlight because a shadow is just blocked sunlight. faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Don't give up because you can't see it yet. It is just over there behind the shadows.

Sultry and Sweaty...

Image
This is a picture of Katie and Amy from our trip to DisneyWorld last year. It was bloody hot. It was sultry and sweaty. It was a lot like the weather we have had lately. I have been tempted to use the fan spray bottle that Katie is holding. We have stayed inside a lot. It is too hot and takes too much effort to do anything outside. I understand the concept of a siesta now. A very appealing thing. I still have to let the dog outside and deal with his outdoor behavior. Bark bark bark and don't come in the house. Play play play. Amy just got to the part of Harry Potter where the death occurs. She was upset. She got teary eyed. So did I. Today was a not much happened day. I can deal with those kind of days. I like them. I like them a lot lately. Life is just fine right now.

Twitters and twits...

HI AMY!

Do you ever wonder...

Tonight I was asked by a good friend of mine a question I have pondered in the past. "Do you ever wonder what effect your family has had on other people's lives?" I sometimes wonder that and I know that I will often never know the answer to that question. Amy's disability and challenges have affected all of our lives. I believe that we have all become better and stronger people as a result of these challenges. They will either make you or break you. God has used them to break my stubborn and willful spirit. I like the person I am now more than I did before. I was selfish and willful. I fought and argued a lot. I am much more obedient to God and so much more open and willing to help others. I am thankful for the struggles and difficulties because I am a better person as a result of them. So many wonderful people have come into our lives as a result of Amy. One of the most wonderful is the person who asked me this question. Her name is Liz. She came into our family when...

Blue skies and whining puppies....

My puppy is whining and barking sharply right now. He must want to get out. He peed on the floor by the backdoor this morning when I was at work. People were letting him run loose and not watching him as instructed. He has been nipping and biting. I had to play alpha mama dog and he didn't like it. I won't allow that behavior and made it quite clear to him. He whined and pouted. He looks so sad and pathetic when he whines. Time for the spray bottle.

Dryer Lint

I am sitting here waiting for the pants and shirts to dry. I emptied the dryer lint. It had remnants of pink, gray, blue, black, white and was soft and fuzzy. It actually is a lot like how I am feeling right now. School is over. One graduated from grade school and the other one from high school. My heart has little bits and pieces of memories, thoughts, emotions stored away. It all forms into a soft fuzzy blanket of life. The first day of kindergarten was so nervous for all of us. She sat there so sweetly name tag dangling from her neck waiting patiently for the bus. I had her sit down in the same spot and took her picture on the last day of school. This time a young woman half awake smiling patiently and tolerating her mom's request. I tear up as I write this knowing this may be the last summer she is home. She could leave and never come back. Who knows? How come there are so many baby books but not any young adult books for parents? I think it would be a helpful item. I feel very...

The gift...

Tonight I sit alone in the basement listening to the washer and dryer doing their rhythmic dance. She does the cha cha of the wash cycle, now it is the rapid twirls of the spin cycle. He does the round and round. I have been reading random blogs recently. They are so often full of anger and swearing. I wish so many of us didn't feel that was the only way to express our full emotions. Unfortunately I often find myself using the same language in my head and regretting it but it has such force that it sums it all up. The wonderful effenheimer. The all american word. The first time I heard my daughter use it was shocking even though it shouldn't have been. I was about her age when I started to use it for shock value. Unfortunately, it doesn't produce a shock anymore. Eighteen is a glorious age when you are the one experiencing it. It can be difficult for parents though. I remember being eighteen and beginning to have freedom and choices. It was wonderful. I did what I wanted. ...

Beanies and the world...

Beanie babies were a big part of my at one time. I bought and sold them. I made a nice profit. In fact, my daughter had surgery which required me to be out of work for 6-7 weeks and beanie babies made that possible. We would not have survived without them. Everyone wanted a beanie. Everyone wanted the Princess Di bear. I sold some for $300. I look at it now and shake my head. People are willing to pay it and I was willing to sell it. I still see beanies around work that people bought from me. Right now I am looking at the ones I have on shelves by the computer. They make me smile and I have happy memories of them. We are getting a puppy this week and my husband found a beanie that looks like the puppy. It is a little white fuzzball and he gave it to Amy. We are going to call the puppy Logan so the beanie is Logan Jr. I like beanies.

My child

I sat next to the child. Respirator on her face. Warm blanket to stop the temperature from dropping. Her dark hair and closed eyes. Whoosh. Whoosh. The machine breathed for her. I sat there for 13 days and watched her slip away into a world far away from me. It was time to say goodbye. I couldn't be there for the disconnect. I went to the chapel. It was quiet and serene. Unlike my soul. Unlike my life. I was about to say goodbye to my daughter. Try to imagine that. Try to imagine that countdown. In 15 minutes. 10 minutes. 5 minutes. 1 minute. It was time to go and say goodbye. I had to walk into that room where her daddy stood with the doctor. I saw her. Her eyes were closed and the mask was gone. I could see her face for the last time. I could say goodbye for the last time. I had to say goodbye for the last time.

A part of you...

Within me you grew and lived through my grief with me. It became a part of you. Life threw back its ugly head and laughed. You again were part of something you did not understand and it became a part of you. She was born and you lived through her life and it became a part of you. The hurt and the injured are drawn to you. And they become a part of you. You are embarking down an unknown path and I hope you let HIM become a part of you. You need His strength right now more than you even know. I hope that you reach out and let Him be there for you. Let my love be a part of you.

Deep Down

This is going to sound really dumb and really stupid. A few years ago my daughter started playing Neopets. She really enjoyed it and I got some pets for myself. It was something we could share and talk about and have fun with. She has decided not to do it anymore. I have kept it up even though she hasn't. I was looking at her stuff tonight and a wave of sadness hit me. I wanted to cry. She is really leaving the things of childhood behind her and growing up. It is hard to have your kid grow up and get ready to leave. I had a lot of struggles and tears about it the past year. I have gotten a lot stronger and more accepting of it though. It just caught me by surprise tonight and I have this lump just sitting in the pit of my stomach along with a few tears. I am so thankful that I have such a good relationship with her and her sister. I treasure that because it is so precious and so special. She is not only my daughter but my friend. I think that is why it makes it even harder to have ...

I don't know about things

This has been a weird week. Terri Schiavo died. I was really upset about the whole thing that went on with that and how it was all portrayed by the media. Now the Pope dies. He was elected shortly after I was married. He was a great man. I had a major meltdown and took a day off work because of it. The stress of stuff really got to me and I needed to have a good cry. My knee hurt too so it was good to be off. I spent the morning at my mom's house and talked and cried. It helped a lot. I ended up going out to lunch with my parents. It was really nice. I had a real sense of peace after it all. I was very thankful. Denise, my friend and the mother of Sophia Grace, visited us with Sophie. She is seven months old and the most beautiful smiley happiest baby ever. Amy adored her. She giggled and laughed when Amy talked to her. We love this little girl who we prayed for a lot before she was even conceived. She is a real answer to prayer and what a blessing for Denise and Martin. Tonight m...

TV faves

I am an avid Survivor fan. Survivor totally is the best of the best. I love it. I have seen every single episode since day one. I There is nothing I don't like about it. I love Trading Spaces and all the HGTV shows. Anything having to do with design will have a fan of me. Of course, my husband can't stand them. I turn them on and he leaves the room. I wish he would enjoy them. I do admit there are times that I have overdone it but I do try not to chase him away. Monk is a great show. Tony Shaloub is wonderful. I have always loved Columbo. No one is better than Peter Falk. I have always enjoyed mysteries. They have always been my favorite of the favorites. There is nothing better than a great mystery. Bewitched was a great show. I wanted to be as cool as Samantha Stevens. I am looking forward to seeing the movie. Nicole Kidman looks great in the preview. I know it isn't much but I am a big fan of hers. Gilmore Girls is a gem. Me and my girls enjoy watching it together. I h...

Maybes ...

Maybe today I will write that letter. Maybe today I will bake those cookies. Maybe today I will talk to my kids. Maybe today I will learn how to knit. Maybe today I will take time for me. Maybe today I will turn off the tv. Maybe today I will learn Spanish. Maybe today I will sign up for that class. Maybe today I will tell my husband how much I love him. Maybe today I will tell my friend the most important thing in my life. Maybe today I will let the world know that life isn't worth anything unless you Know HIM. Maybe today I will let go of my fears. Maybe today I will take that risk. Maybe today I will reach out to the needy. Maybe today I won't yell at my daughter. Maybe today I will be more patient. Maybe today I will stop saying maybe and do it before I don't have anymore todays.

I don't gotta do anything...

today or ever that you want me to do. Ha. ha. ha. Christilina is one of my favorite people in the whole wild world. Mama bear is 25 years old and one of the sweetest and funnest peoples anyone could wish to know. She is the mom of a very busy and energetic 9 month old little boy named Abraham. Abe is the apple of his mommy's eye. She was born to be a mother. If anyone was meant to be a mom, it was Christina. She worked for my family taking care of Amy. We loved her right from the start. I met her and gave her the key to the house after an hour. She is talented and lovely and wonderful. She is a very gifted writer. She used to send emails to her friends often detailing her life as a counselor with boys. We all looked forward to them and she pulled you into her life with her words. She will one day be a well known writer if that is her desire. Time brought you to us. Time kept you here with us. Time took you away from us. Time spent with us was your greatest gift.

Ordinary life

Well it is dinner time or should I say, post dinner time. We had roast beef, mashed potatoes and corn. It was very tasty. I believe I shall have a bowl of chocolate ice cream to finish it off. It is a deep dark chocolate with peanut butter cups pieces. It makes my mouth water thinking of it. I loaded the dishwasher now that Kate has emptied it. I don't mind loading. It's always nice to get it loaded because it is such a marked difference in the kitchen. It is an easy and quick way to make it look cleaner. My husband is wonderful about doing the dishes. I would like it if he would also clean out the sink and wipe the counters. I would like it if Kate would do that but I will appreciate anything they do. I like the help so I don't have to do it all. Tonight I have to put Dane's pants in the dryer and then hang them. I always leave his shirts and pants for the last loads to wash and dry. I don't like hanging them. I never have and probably never will. I like doing laun...

Random thoughts along a crooked line...

Today is the first day of the rest of today. I bet that you can't do this she said as she blew a bubble of jello out her nose. Katie is in the midst of a tornado of her own making and she doesn't even know it. Amy is way too much like me. She scares me. Dane is the bestest of the best. Colleen is the sister I never had and I love her dearly. I still miss you Sarah even after all these years. You were my first song in the key of life. Kate was the best gift I ever got. She was the answer to all the prayers I had when I wanted to be a mom. Amy has been the greatest challenge and greatest joy. I want so much to believe but I need help in my unbelief. Please help me Lord. Dermot Mulroney is one fine looking man. I wish he would turn around. Eric did not rape her. Brynn almost gave me heart failure when she fell. It is way too cold today and I am really tired right now. The greatest gift is to love and be loved.....and to know that you ar...

Goodbye Johnny

I am extremely sad right now. Johnny Carson has died. I grew up watching Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show during my formative years. I learned about the great comedians of the past and great ones of the future. I cried when he left. It is weird as you get older to have the people you admire and love die. It is not fun. I used to stay up and watch JC with my dad. It was one of the few things we did together and enjoyed. My dad and I didn't have a lot of time together and this had a big influence on me. I laughed when he laughed and soon I laughed on my own. I learned about the world and fell in love with information and news and the world. Johnny Carson helped shape my world and how I viewed it.As I got older and went to school, he kept me awake doing finals and homework. I studied many long nights with Johnny in the background. Watergate was my real introduction to politics and JC's comments and insightful jokes gave me an additional perspective. I read there will not ...

Mom, please don't ...

Mother Ann my daughter says. She likes to call me Mother Ann when she is being tough with me. Of course, Ann is not a part of my name at all. She is being tough right now because I am going to talk about her in my blog. Oh no you're not she says. Well yes I am. She is my spitfire youngin and life is never dull around her. She is the funniest person I know. She can't help being funny. She says and does funny things all the time! Situations turn funny when she is added to the mix. I love her. My little Amester. You are the light of my life.

My first time....

blogging that is. My daughter and her friends all blog but I am forbidden from reading them. She reluctantly tells me that I can but really means "Hell, no." I am therefore alone in the world of blog. Friendless, a newbie, the new new kid on the block. Can you be the new kid on the block when you are 48? Maybe. Doodledash is my name. I love it. I stumbled across it one day when I was looking in a Super Thesaurus that I have. I was trying to find some words for 'write' or 'scribble.' Doodle, dash, etc were listed and I was looking for an email address at the time that was fun and me. Doodledash just seemed to be perfect. So Doodledash I became. I googled doodledash and found someone played a clown they named Doodledash. There aren't many of us around. What's it like to be in the world of blogs? Is it fun? Is it interesting? I guess I will learn. I read one of Kim Komando's Daily Tips which said you can make money blogging. I may have t...