What a difference a day makes ...

Feeling much better today, thanks for your hugs Em and Amy.

Something therapeutic about reclaiming ones territory ... even if it's only some cupboard and fridge space.

Baby steps. It's all baby steps.

Then again, some marathon NCIS watching after I got back from grocery shopping didn't hurt either.

Gasp!! Not a Star Trek marathon?

What's this world coming to?

I just happen to find Mark Harmon absolutely delicious!!

*****

I promised Alien I'd help her run an errand with the boys this afternoon - an appointment with her social worker. It's one of those bring the kiddies appointments .. and the BF is busy with remodeling their bathroom so I volunteered to go with her. Besides, it gives me the excuse to see Butterball and JJ.

Today's also Valentine's Day, my brother's birthday. A day I really want to be over. Too many memories of my deceased brother today. It's been almost 18 years since he passed, but his birthday has since been one of those days that just bring those emotions back to the surface.

But life goes on ... for the rest of us anyway.

And Goddess knows that my life is far from dull, thanks to the antics of the Wrecking Crew. Granted, I'd prefer excitement of a totally different nature, but you have to admit ... the Diary of a Mad MIL can at times be very entertaining!

*****

On that, I'm outta here. Alien should be here soon with the boys. Still need to finish getting ready.

Sunday

I really need to change the name of my blog from "LCM's Blog" to "The Diary of a Mad MIL".

I'm burning out ... I'm tired of the crap ... I'm tired of the messes ... or the silent treatment when things aren't going her way.

Seems what little privacy I have has been further invaded this winter with the question "where are you going" comes up whenever I put on my shoes and coat.

I lost it this morning. The three adults were leaving (Grandson was gone for the weekend)  ... almost sneaking out of the house (except my front door has a tattle tale squeak). So, I asked "where ya going?" only to be met with a "don't worry, we'll be back" by one of the Wrecking Crew and rather rudely at that. No, that's not what I asked. You ask me where I'm going, it's only fair I ask YOU, too! And get an answer, dammit. Especially if you're taking MY car without asking! Never did get an answer until Single Son called me on the phone after he left "I didn't want to say it in front of Married Son or DIL, but we're going out to breakfast. I didn't say anything in front of them, because they're paying for it." What's that got to do with the whole display of disrespect earlier? I don't give a flying rats arse who's paying or who's not ... I just wanted to know where everyone was sneaking off to before 9 AM.

Single Son came home alone (he'd taken my car alright), and The Wrecking Crew didn't show up until about a half hour ago (six hours after Single Son returned home). Not so much as a "hi Mom", or anything. Fine. I really don't give a crap anymore. Just that the whole disrespect thing really irks me.

The only thing I've said to them since their return was "the kitchen is clean. I expect that DIL will clean up after dinner."

I'm thinking that maybe I should have been a little more specific. One really needs to do that when one's dealing with those with a limited mental capacity.

*****

I always tried to raise my children as I'd been raised - treat others how you want to be treated.
The Golden Rule.

And they wonder why I've turned into the textbook MIL from Hades?

Hullo????? Hullo????? Earth to Dipshit ...

*****

Employment can't come quick enough. And you best believe that I've been applying like a mad woman. Online, offline ... networking through the limited contacts I have (but that list is growing, Em). Still searching. I've had a few "hits" on my online resume, but have turned them down for a number of reasons (travel too far daily for wages that are too low to justify the distance, strictly commission work, or other things that have raised my suspicions).

*****

One of the things I did today was clean the fridge. Threw out a bunch of food she had in there, that was starting to smell (anyone need a science experiment for school?) ... and organized their crap ... managed to "recover" more than half of the fridge shelves by doing so. Then the freezer ... Organized that too (Organize is a foreign word to her). Managed to gain half the space back. Sooooo ... after a relaxing shower I'm off for some late Sunday evening grocery shopping ... and filling the space with food for me. This having one crisper and the butter compartment as my only real space in MY fridge is done.

I'm on the warpath, can you tell? Taking back my space, one shelf at a time.

K ... time to hit the shower.

And yes, Em and Amy ... once they're gone should I ever mention anything remotely resembling "they need to move back home" ... you both have my permission to SHOOT ME!

Dearest Daughter-In-Law

My Dear DIL,
 
I know I don't say enough how I love and appreciate all you do for me!!

You know I say I'm sorry when I'm wrong, and boy was I wrong about stashing all that stuff that was stored in what is now Grandson's room and putting it in the family room while I was so selfishly distracted with Butterball's recent visit. It really makes it a family room to have all those pretty cardboard boxes and rubbermaid storage totes (and the box with the un-assembled book case) in there now. It makes the room look like it's straight out of Decorator's Digest!! Nice touch, too, with the overflow from Grandson's new room going into the living room. It sure makes it feel homey in there!

I've never told you this before, but you have the best taste in under garments. Thank you so much for leaving them in the bathroom piled high so I can admire them every time I take a potty break.

Thank you, too, for putting your coats on the dining room chairs! It makes it nice and toasty for those who wish to sit at the table. I hope you don't mind that I hang them off the backs of those chairs - I'd hate to see the wrinkles you worked so hard at fall out of them. Thank you, too, for covering the table in papers and junk mail. It sure keeps the table clean for us. Again, I hope you don't mind that I toss them in the garbage after we've used them as table clothes.

I just love using those cookie pans that you've so lovingly engraved with folk art. You're so creative! Who would have thought that a pizza cutter could make designs that would make Martha Stewart jealous? You sure are creative!

Thank you, so much Dear DIL for being you!! I don't know what I'd do without you around the house.

Love,
Mom

To the Best DIL in the whole wide world ...

Dear DIL,

Thank you so much for thinking of me ... you're just too generous!

The dirty dishes in the sink were just what I wanted!! And I can't thank you enough for the stuff you left for me on the bathroom counter. I just love handling your hot hair straightener. How did you know?

And how did you know that I'd just love the laundry you left in the dryer - just for me to do.

I so love how you think of me all of the time.

Thank you so much for considering my feelings, and leaving these things behind.

How thoughtful of you ...

Now, Dear DIL if you'll excuse me ...

The men in the white coats are asking if I want to take a ride in their pretty padded van. They even brought me my own pretty white jacket to wear, you should see it, it's got lots of shiny buckles!

So much for a Friday Five ...

I tried, I really did! But the internet went down and there was no one here who knew how to reset it until Single Son got home from work at 5 AM.

I used to know how to reset it. But Single Son changed it. He had to by-pass a thingie-majig to make the thingie-mabob work. I don't pretend to understand the whole process, all I know is that the internet works. Sometimes. It still loves to go down. Of course, it's usually when I really want to use the internet.

Speaking of Single Son ... the practical joker ... comes into my bedroom (yes, I'm hiding out more in my sanctuary lately) and tells me he has to reset the whole network, so I best save what I'm working on. But the system will be back up and running shortly. After resetting it, he comes back into my room just to talk .... asks what time it is. I look ... he's programmed the clocks to say "fuckin late" or "fuckin early" instead of AM or PM ...

And of course he says he doesn't know how to put it back to normal.

*****

I had to laugh at DIL. According to her fb status today she's been slaving away cleaning the kitchen all day long. Okay, I admit she did their dishes, and did mop the floor, but slaving away? Oh please!!

Let's file that in the DIL BS file, along with her fb comments she's been working hard at cleaning the bedroom she's turned into a storage area ... she hasn't touched it in weeks!

Just too funny!

*****

I think I figured out the topic of this family meeting tomorrow. Again, according to DILs fb she's tired of being broke and whines there's no money for the things she wants to do. So, we can pretty much assume that's the topic that'll be discussed. But I'm preparing myself mentally for an array of topics, just to be prepared for any arguments I may need to present. Better to get control of the conversation if you're prepared!

Man, I can't wait until I'm gainfully employed again and can finally tell them "adios". Oh, I'll give them ample (legal) notice that they need to find another place to crash (trash?) ... and that's only because I'm not going to throw a five year old out into the streets (no matter how bad he gets on my nerves).

I'm about ready to just say forget the thousand bucks he owes me ... count my losses and move on!

Friday Evening ...

... I know, two blogs in one day. What gives? LOL!!

The day turned out pretty quiet for a while. Grandson in school, DIL at work and then on errands after work.

I had to laugh at Grandson when he got home from school. He and DIL were talking about the weekend and that he'd be spending the weekend with his Papi and Mamaw again. "Mom, I know. I have the next two days off to relax." He made it sound like he's already grown and planning his much needed weekend. Just too funny.

So ... DIL went shopping (today was her payday). She did the typical grocery shopping, then off to the discount store to get a new mop and some other goodies she wanted. She totally surprised me with a new cordless phone!!

See ...

 

Pretty, isn't it?

She handed it to me saying "Happy Birthday, Mom" ... now before ya'll go wishing me a Happy Birthday ... my birthday isn't until December!! But I was flattered all the same that she remembered my phone predicament when she saw this in the store. And that she parted willingly with the ten bucks for it at the Family Dollar store ... I feel special.

It was so nice to be able to bury the old cordless phone whose readout had long ago died. I can actually SEE the numbers I am dialing now. How sweet of DIL!! And now I know I shan't miss any possible calls for employment.

Or ... was that her motive? Get a phone for the dear ol' MIL so she can get a job and then we get her out of the house for forty hours every week (more or less). Hmmmmmmm ...

I'm hearing my Gigi's (grandmother) voice in my head ... "Now Cisa, never look a gift horse in the mouth".

Oh oh oh ... and get this!! DIL actually let Grandson go outside and play with the neighbor kids today!! They had a blast. Even Married Son (age 27) went out and ran around with the kiddies for a while, playing tag and chasing them all around! They had fun until Grandson ran into the street without looking, at which time DIL ran from inside the house (she had been watching him from the window the entire time), screaming like a mad-woman and grounded him! Okay, running into the street isn't cool, even on a street like ours that sees very little traffic. But to ground him for the rest of the night? How about explaining WHY we don't do that, and let him get back to playing. Hell, even let the other kids know "we don't let him play in the street, can you play in our front yards so he doesn't go in the street".

I think we need to cut the umbilical cord here. She really does smother him. How is he going to learn if she doesn't allow him to do a damned thing? Really!

Tomorrow they have some sort of plan. I'm not sure what it is, but I do know they won't be around for most of the weekend. Grandson will be at his Papi's house ... it seems to be a new tradition, the boy gets the weekends off.

My plans aren't many. I have some more cleaning I want to do in my sanctuary. I'm not sure what I'll do after that. But I'm sure it won't go down in history as anything exciting. Maybe work a little more on my FlyLady Control Journal (chore lists). We'll see ...

Oh, speaking of chores! I was on facebook checking out updates from friends. DIL and I have this mutual friend who was saying ... and thanks to cut and paste, I quote ...
LB: Not that I'm complaining or anything, but I think I need a night out soon. My social life has been lacking lately.
Her comments were:
LA: Mine too! My tail feathers need to be shaken! Lmao
and from DIL ...
DIL: Shit, you aint sayin anything I dont already feel! Work, kid in school, housework. It never stops!! :( But I wont be able to do much for a few weeks.

HOUSEWORK? HER?? Since when? Oh ya ... one day of housework this week (three hours tops) and she's suddenly claims it never stops??

Too funny!

Maybe my talking about FlyLady all the time is finally catching on. And she did use a FlyLady catch phrase today while I was waiting for Married Son to help me install the new phone (yes, it takes two to plug the wires in, one to feed from the bottom of the desk, one to retrieve and pull said wires) ...

Do it now! Don't wait! Get things done  ... which just happens to have been the FlyLady slogan for the year 2008.

Saturday

Once again, it's been a few days since my last blog. So much for trying to blog more, eh? Oh well ... at least it's not months between entries, right?

Been a lot going on, some stressful. Who am I kidding? Most stressful. So much for avoiding stress ... and since I'm not finding much humor - well, not as much blogging.

I really am trying to find the silver lining in everything. But I'm finding some clouds are just crappy through and through. Especially where the Wrecking Crew is involved.

Speaking of the Wrecking Crew ... DIL just isn't comprehending how things work when you live in someone else's home. From throwing out things that don't belong to her to trying to take over how this house is run. Not that I do things a certain way, or am OCD at all, I just don't like someone coming in and trying to take control. There's no excuse for it.

She's on my final nerve, needless to say.

My new tagline has become "Screw Calgon ... Delta take me away". She thinks it's funny ... remember she's not the brightest crayon in the box and doesn't seem to understand she's the reason for screwing Calgon.

On the Alien front ... she calls me late the other night (after midnight) asking if I can babysit, she's having pain and wants to go to the hospital. Sure ... I'll watch Butterball,but she's got to bring him over. She gets here and of course, the Loser is in the passenger seat. He can't drive (lost his license) but will go with her to the E.R. Fine ... whatever. Butterball was fussy, so I gave him a bottle, changed him, and within half an hour he was asleep. Yay me! DIL took Butterball to sleep in their room. Alien called later saying she's being released, that the pain was from constipation (oy), and they're on the way to get Butterball. Loser tries to be all nice to me. I told him don't bother, he's off my Christmas Card list for what he did to Alien and I just won't waste those valuable seconds of my life on him.

Then there's been the stress of my brother coming over. We're not close by any stretch. And after his comment to me last weekend, well, I didn't rush outside to say hi to him when he got here this morning to finish the tree removal that my Mom is paying him $500 to do. So ... I had asked him something about a past holiday event (that he had hosted), and his response was that he didn't remember but oh yeah, by the way, once our folks are gone he doesn't anticipate he'll ever be inviting me to his house again (he said something like 'you'll be dead to me, too') - that the only reason he even talks to me is because of the fact I'm our parents daughter (not sister, but parents daughter). Even though we aren't close, that comment hurt.

Christmas this year is going to be interesting. But I'll let it slide (after the hurt goes away), because I'm good like that. 

So much for not finding silver linings in those clouds, eh? I've done nothing but a bitch blog so far ... and I feel the negative energy really taking it's toll on me right now.

Funny how this crap effects ones health. Time to go look for something FUN ... or SILLY ... to lift my mood.

Oh ... here's a funny ... Single Son one day said the word "pimp" around Grandson. Grandson asked what a pimp was. Single Son told him a pimp is a tow truck driver - the truck is called a hooker (because cars are hooked to it, LOL). So ... Married Son is talking to Single Son today and it comes up that Married Son is looking for tow truck driving jobs. Grandson pipes up with "My daddy is going to be a pimp". I almost fell off the chair from laughing!

And ... on that I'm off to do a little Farmville, Frontierville, Swagbucks ... AND I need to find some tofu recipes ... yes, tofu. My friend Chicken introduced me to the stuff and now I'm hooked on it ... but I need to find new recipes!!

Saturday Sniffles

Really. I've got a head-cold. I'm sniffling like nobodies business. Sneezing, too. Headache.

When I'm sick I have zero tolerance for crap. And Grandson's been full of it tonight. On my final nerve. All day long. Then again, he's been whinier than normal today. Spoiled, not getting his way with Daddy.

Gotta admire him for sticking to his guns (Married Son that is). He's getting the consistency thing down. Not perfect, but much better. However, this kid needs to be in bed. He was told that 9:30 was his bedtime. It's 9:38 now ... I'm counting the minutes before Son realizes it's past bedtime. But I'm staying out of it to the best of my ability by not asking him what time it is. He needs to learn to watch the clock, lol.

Gee, all I had to do was type that and Son says "bedtime Son" ... let the bawling begin.

Sorta like lighting a ciggie thirty seconds before the waitress brings you your food. Oy. Except the waitress doesn't throwing a shit-fit.

On the Alien front ... I don't know whether to be proud of her or angry ... ya, one extreme or the other, eh? First ... proud ... she's going back to school. She takes the entrance exam for the GED courses on Monday (yes, I'm babysitting). Then the GED courses and finally the exam. Yay!! She's already planning her college courses, too. She'll take the core courses first, while she figures out her major. She's also been going to a local church for assistance. They help her with clothes for herself and Butterball, food, furniture, and bills. She's seeking assistance for housing even. She's totally fed up with Bubba and his parents, not only how they treat her, but that they're showing their true colors lately. She's been told she'll be disowned if she doesn't do things their way (and theirs is not the brightest way to do things). I told her to hang in there, to keep kissing their butts until she has her plan not only in place but fully engaged. Don't piss off the "landlady" when you have no where else to go!!  She will be telling them all to bugger off, but much later than she had planned. I'm mixed about this. Heaven knows he's an idiot, but he IS her father. I never denied him access to his daughter. Yet, he pulls everything he has, and still I have yet to bad-mouth him in her presence. Now she's coming to me saying "Mom, why didn't you tell me what he's like?" Like it would have helped, it'd only have created undue stress. Neither of us needed that. But it's sad to think that his own daughter will not maintain contact after this is all over. He made his bed. I'm the one that gets to help her pick up the pieces.

On the "I'm angry" side ... she's been sneaking around seeing Loser again. Yeah. Can you believe it? Married Son's BIL was here the other day helping with some yard work. He leaves. He passes Loser hanging out down the street, sitting there on a parking curb (rocking back and forth no less). Wanting to double check to make sure he'd seen it right, the BIL walks around the block and past the spot again. Sure enough, it's Loser. Waiting for Alien to get what she had come here for and pick him up when she left. The BIL called Married Son, who in turn notifies me. I confronted her before she even had time to leave, and she LIED! "Oh, that's his cousin, they look identical". Nice try. Then she claims she's only interested in him seeing his child, and that she needs help with the cooking and cleaning. "Butterball is a high maintenance child, Mom". "No he's not. YOU cater to his every little whim. How come I can cook and clean and he's happily playing nearby the whole time? It's because won't put him down and let him explore. Get off your arse. Millions of women have to raise kids and do all the housework themselves ... including an outside the home job. They can do it, you're certainly smart enough to figure out how to do it, too."

I seriously think he fusses around her because she won't let him down to explore his surroundings.

And yes, with her I will say something. Partly because she asks, partly because she's at risk of losing him to the state if she doesn't learn to cook and clean and fend for herself. If the state knew Loser was anywhere near her or the baby ... even for a few minutes, let alone probably overnight ... all hell would break loose once again.

Now if she would (could?) only understand that an abusive relationship will never get better, no matter how many times he claims he'll change. Been there, done that. I'll carry the scars with me for the rest of my life. Scars that I used to teach my daughter that love does not come by way of a fist. I understand she's scared, and desperate, dammit, I was there too, only I was a little older (22 years old). I hung out another six years, and many beatings before I had the nerve to put an end to it. I didn't have the benefit of the domestic abuse laws that she does. Those laws weren't enacted until 1992, four years after I fled with the boys for our safety.

Keep her in your prayers, or thoughts, or meditations, or whatever you do, please.

There's more stuff to blog ... but I'm thinking of calling it a night. Brother Deere will be back again early tomorrow to finish clearing up the tree-fall damage ... like finally removing the blasted tree from the back yard. Ya, still there. Was supposed to be picked up by Barky Dog's friend over three weeks ago. Right. It's still there, so Brother is removing it tomorrow. He'll use it in his fireplace this winter. All 70 feet of it. I wonder how many cords of wood that makes? A lot. LOL! And all his.

And since my head feels like it's got a semi-truck (lorrie) parked on it, I'm seriously gonna shut this thing down and call it a night.

Hugs to ya'll!!

OMG It's Tuesday already?

Time sure does fly when you're having fun. If what you want to classify the days of my life as fun anyway.

Let's see ... Friday was my last blog entry ...

Saturday and Sunday found me again watching Butterball so Alien could finish cleaning the house. Yeah, it was that bad that it took her the best part of three days. She had her CPS (Children's Protective Services) inspection on Monday. She will not have Butterball taken from her for living in a filthy home. The social worker said that although it's not "perfect" it was much much better.And of course, the idiot, Bubba never showed up after many promises to help her clean the messes he left behind. Ya, the jerk left her stuck with his crap, and won't man up to his responsibility as her father. Oh wait ... he's an ass. I forget (not!) ...

Too bad she could have lost her child because of him and his shit. And so sad that she finally sees what he's really like. 

So, that's behind us now. I just hope she keeps up with it now and doesn't let it slide back to the way it was. But, it'll be easier since Bubba isn't around to trash it anymore.

I have to admit having Grandson around for the marathon Butterball session was a blessing. He loves Butterball and really enjoyed playing with us. We all had a great time, tiring as it was on Gramma here. Grandson also seemed to really tone down his act a bit, he wasn't anywhere near as wild as he's been lately.

I can honestly say I was proud of him. And yes, I let him know! Many times, I let him know!!

We found out Grandson loves "chocolate pop" ... Diet Chocolate Creme Pie Soda to be exact. LOL. And he loves vanilla ice cream, too. So ... I promised him that because he was such an angel and Gramma's big helper that I'd make him a chocolate pop float. He loved it, until he got to the frothy part, then he hated it. "But that's okay, Gramma, I'll still finish all your ice cream". Um, no ... not at almost $5 a quart you won't!! I told him his mommy needs to buy him the cheap brand of ice cream if he wants to eat it out of a bowl, that Gramma's special diabetic ice cream is only for mixing with chocolate pop.

(On a side note ... he's not allowed sugar four hours before bedtime because he ends up having bad leg pains that last most of the night - not something I want him to go through, besides, he keeps the house up with his blood curdling screams)

Why do I even bother? Every time I try to introduce a new treat, food, or even activity he likes it for a minute or two then claims "I hate this".

So ... I'll enjoy my Chocolate Pop Floats alone.

On a funny note (see, I gotta get that in here somehow, right) ...

Grandson was eating grapes tonight. Something he never seems to hate, lol. He was showing me a huge grape, he called it a daddy grape. Then a tiny one, and I asked if that was a baby grape. A medium sized one he called "the five year old" grape. Ya, five like him - not too big, but not too small. It was a cute conversation. It evolved to ...
"When I'm big like that one (pointing to his father), I'll be your Daddy."
"No you can't be my daddy, I have a daddy. But one day you'll be daddy to your own child".
"But I don't want my own kid. I know, when Uncle JJ gets sick of his kid, I'll be his daddy. I love [that kid]."

This kid is gonna be the class clown, I tell ya. Oh wait ... that reminds me ... he's NOT enrolled in school and it starts in less than two weeks!!

I asked DIL what school he'd be going to (we have a choice of two different elementaries where we live). She said she didn't know, that she hadn't enrolled him yet. I told her she needs to get on that, that school starts very soon. "Oh, I know, but he doesn't even have his shots yet".

Hello? She's had five years to plan this kid going to school. I've given her every mailer that comes from the school district. They're set up to look like a newspaper, and the last two have had headlines of "Kindergarten Round-up Time". And we've procrastinated why? Oh wait ... I know why. She's busy with her facebook applications, texting all her friends and her vampire novels.

Hey, nothing wrong with any of the above, mind you. I love my facebook apps, too (not nearly as many apps as she does, though), and texting and reading (no vampire novels here, I prefer historical stories myself) ... but when you seem to ignore real life to indulge in said activities, there's a serious problem.

So ... wonder how long it'll be before she gets to it?

Tomorrow Married Son has some guy who saw the ad he posted for the large screen tv on craigslist coming over to look at it. Yay!! It'll be out of my house, hopefully.

Which means I have to do some cleaning. LOL. Not much, just vacuum where the couches were that we gave to Alien over the weekend. I don't think I ever moved those couches to clean under them. Oops!

That room is now big and empty minus a few bookcases and my craft corner. What ever will I do with all that space? I have no idea, but I'm not gonna let the Wrecking Crew turn it into their space (or storage, or a play room, or ... whatever).

Blog comment (see Resolution blog) turned Blog Entry

Okay ... so I was telling Em that her suggestion of a child's chore chart just might be what we need to get the "kids" to cooperate.

I've had enough experience with chore charts, and I know they do work. Thanks to court ordered parenting classes that I had to take (and "graduate" from) during both of my divorces. Gotta love Friend of the Court and their interference - I mean, assistance.

Anyway ... the rest of the lengthy comment was going to be:

But I may not have to worry about chore charts IF my mother has her way. My folks own this house, I rent from them. Mom's back on her "sell the house" kick. And just how did the kick happen this time?

The tree that fell last week! That's how.

A little set up here (man, I just love these little gotta-set-the-story-up segments) ... The tree that fell did it in two segments, the first being a few years ago when half the tree fell. I told my mom then the tree needed to be removed, it was dead. And I told her over the next two years that it needed to be removed. Her response was always the same ... "that's what homeowners insurance is for". I'd tell her that I doubted they'd cover a tree that was already dead. But she insisted that it'd be covered.

Skip forward to two hours ago, when the insurance adjuster was here inspecting not only the damage, but the tree remains that still sit in my backyard. She's telling me they won't file a claim, as it's obviously a dead tree that should have been removed by the homeowner long ago, and it's cheaper to fix the neighbor's fence, replace his swing set and have the electrician do the repairs than it would be to file the claim and raise the insurance to an ungodly premium (since this is technically the fourth tree to fall in 14 years).

I then call Mom with the news and get an ear-full. How it's my fault the tree was dead, how it's my fault it wasn't removed. How dare I not have removed the evidence before the insurance adjuster arrived. All my fault! She then starts the "we're thinking about selling the house" stuff again.

Well, that would definitely solve the Wrecking Crew problem, wouldn't it? No need for chore charts if they have to find a place of their own. Oh, talking to Married Son after the call he's decided to apply for a "real job" as a tow truck driver. Get a regular weekly paycheck, in the hopes of having enough income to rent a place of their own. He's there now applying. Wish him luck!!

Single Son and I have talked, too. He's saying "no worries, Mom, we get a two bedroom apartment. Me and you and Spot (his cat obviously). No Wrecking Crew. We can survive living in a smaller place."

Yes, my son loves me and watches out for me. I think he likes having someone who will do the shopping and cooking ... and to be quiet honest, I like having a built in security guard around. LOL. It's still not an empty nest, but he stays pretty much to himself when he's home. Not that moving will happen soon. It could. But then, Mom's made threats before. So, we'll see.

Until then, I'm gonna go dig up my chore chart file. Yes, I kept it!! In the hopes that one day, my kids would seek my wisdom in such things to use with their children. Little did I suspect I might be using the file on grown-up kids.

Here's one I just found on the FlyLady website. Feel free to snag it if you are in need of chore charts ... notice it's bright primary colors to capture the child's attention!

And no I'm not changing the "before school" or "after school" headers. Let them complain I'm treating them like children!

Thursday

Life goes on. Today is gremlin free.

Married Son got DILs car fixed in record time. The smoke was actually from a broken coil spring (gee, that sounds familiar!), that was causing some type of friction-type smoke. Took him under an hour to fix it.

Chicken wants me to come down to Detroit to take care of him while he mends from his injuries. I thought about it for a split second and my decision was no way ... his nose is broken, skull slightly fractured, NOT his legs or back, he can fend for himself. As bad as I need a break from the Wrecking Crew, I am not staying for a few days in one of Detroit's worst neighborhoods. I don't care how good our friendship is. Nope, don't need a break that bad! Besides, you know what a few days of unsupervised Wrecking Crew would do to my house?

Still waiting on the insurance adjuster to come. Not that I need to be home for her inspection, but there are a few questions I do want to ask her.

Alien has her first court appearance on Monday concerning the assault charges against the Loser. I've offered to babysit Butterball for her. Funny now that she sees WHY I wouldn't babysit before but will now.

Speaking of Alien, she's been over almost every day since he was arrested. It's so nice to finally be able to not only rebuild our relationship, but to finally get to spend some quality time with my grandson. He's really finally opening up to me. To see him reach for me now just melts my heart.

And we're carrying on the "ring tradition". You know, I blogged about it back in my early Multiply days ... where the kids break up with their girlfriend, or boyfriend, and I get the ring. Yup, Alien is bringing me the ring that Loser gave her. It's a pretty ring, and holds no sentiment to me ... so I'll be able to wear it without looking at it and remembering the bad (like I did with my wedding rings - that my mother now has).

There's more I'd like to blog, but Alien just called. She needs my help with gathering evidence into a nice presentable portfolio (photos, her blog entries, etc) for the upcoming case.

I'll be back later ...

Gremlin is back ...

Can I be excused from the rest of this week, please?

Here's a run-down of the last few days here ...

Thursday, Married Son asks if I need anything while he's out after midnight. Sure, Diet Mt. Dew, please. He forgets, so runs up to the gas station at 1 AM. Comes out of store to find his truck is blocked by a wrecker and a squad car. Repo man chases him down. This isn't the gremlins fault, this is the fault of the truck owner. However ... it seems to set the tone of the weekend and into this week in motion ... Oh, and DIL blames me!! "If he hadn't gone back out to get your pop we'd have the truck." You know I was happy to point out "no, if YOU'd have paid the bill you'd have the truck". Dumbass.

Friday. Midnight. Alien beaten up by Loser. Again, not the Gremlin, but Losers fault for being ... well, a loser. Temper tantrums get you locked up.

Saturday. Tree fell.

Sunday ... my friend Chicken badly beaten and in hospital until this afternoon (Wednesday), when he finally is able to call me to let me know what happened. His cell phone was stolen so he didn't have a way to call anyone (talk about no memory for numbers, lol). He's got a hairline fractured skull, broken nose, bruised ribs ... all because some thugs in his neighborhood in Detroit were bored!

Monday ... Mom went to doctor's complaining of shoulder pain. She's got a "locked" shoulder. Therapy three times a week for at least a month (possibly two). Therapy is right down the street, so I don't need to rush over to sit with Dad.

Also Monday ... DIL is at work. Smells smoke. Investigates. Goes to electric control panel, sees "change filter" light flashing on the a/c panel ... lights go out as she's checking. Her boss is no help "let the place burn down" she says. DIL calls fire department asking for a smoke investigation. The last working A/C unit is on fire (two others haven't worked for a year). Four firetrucks, one medic truck and a bunch of cops later she's home "oh ... I got to see all sorts of sexy firemen today". Building fine. They were open for business the next day (I wonder what the health dept would think of that).

Tuesday wasn't too bad, minus that fight with Married Son ... was that yesterday? It's all blending in to one big gremlin blur at this point. Ya, it was yesterday. On the plus side, being we were all pretty ticked off with each other, DIL went to clean the bathroom, I went to sort through some eight or so drawers that needed attention, and Married Son went to throw fallen tree branches around. LOL.

Today ... Grandson has turned into the Devil Child. We'd expected some "trouble" after his weekend camping trip with his Popa, but this is ridiculous. He asks for food, then after one bite hates it, he says no to everything his parents say, screams yells and has started to hit walls, and really is the most difficult child. Married Son sees this is out of control, that NO child should be allowed to get away with this. Yet, DIL is trying to bargain with him over everything. She undermines Son's authority in front of the child, and tells Grandson he is free from whatever discipline Son just doled out (like sitting in the chair until he eats, even it it means all day). He asked, I told him "not my place. Not my kid. BUT you need to talk to DIL and NOT when the boy is around. He doesn't need to see his parents fighting over him. He's using this to play against you already, Dad's a prick, Mom's a push-over. He's not dumb. He'll keep playing the game until you both can decide on an approach you can both follow through on. Don't let him see you talk to her about anything that concerns adult conversations, especially where he's concerned".

Then ... just for shits and giggles .... DIL has to work. He's going to drive her so he can use her car. Not three minutes out the door I get a phone call, "Mom, we're at the corner by the yield sign. There's smoke pouring out of the Grand Am". Just freaking great. I leave, get DIL and drive her to work. I'm laughing at the misfortune of this last week. She's looking at me like I'm either an evil witch or just plain daft. Half way back home, my gas light comes on in my car. Great, I only brought my license (oh, the legal papers for the car where in the car the whole time, Single Son didn't see them), no gas money or charge/debit card to get gas with. Grrrrrr.

Got home, got comfy ... I hear Married Son say "come on Son we have to leave". Ummmm, wait ... their car is half dismantled on my driveway ... HOW are they going anywhere? And you know I asked! "Your car Mom". "Um, do we ask, or do we take total advantage of dear ol' mom by just stealing her car?"

Screw Calgon!! Delta take me away!!

 

Excuse me while I vent ...

I think the heat, humidity and stresses from the last few days has caught up with us all ... and it's showing.

Married Son and I just got into a shouting match, big time. Damn fool thinks he's the head of household, barking orders and making judgement calls he's got no right making ... add that DIL is back to the "not me" shit ...

I'm so ready to move into a one bedroom apartment in an adults only complex. I never thought I'd be saying I wish I were 55 already and could move into a place that there's no way THEY could come to stay for more than a few hour short visit.

I'm so pissed I actually am in tears.

How dare he tell me he does everything around here, and I do nothing. Excuse me? Even if it were true, he has no place saying anything. This is not his home, it's mine.

Call me a lazy ass that does nothing. Hello? Everything I try to get done around here, his wrecking crew of three undoes shit faster than I can clean it. Two steps forward, fifteen back.

I told him to STFU and if he doesn't like it he knows where the door is. I didn't order that they move out. I know better, I know about the eviction process ... I told him if he doesn't like it he can leave ... yet he jumps across the table at me out of anger. Didn't touch me ... or attempt to, but I'll be damned if he's going to play that intimidation game his father played so fucking well. He best take all his shit with him this time, I'm NOT playing storage unit any freaking more.

And that's what he reminded me of ... his abusive father. Barking at me, and when I didn't bow down and say "Yes God" he totally blew up.

Poor Single Son came up from his room just a minute ago, asking me what I was doing about dinner ...I busted out crying, telling him I don't know. He hadn't heard the fight, so had no idea what the tears are about. We got to talking, or should I say I was bitching about it (yelling and bitching - venting to Single Son) and out of the corner of my eye, I see DIL in the next room, listening. GOOD! Let her hear what I'm saying!!

I told him basically what I've already typed above, PLUS ... when I (finally) do find a job, and I'm paying the bills once again, The Wrecking Crew is g.o.n.e. I'm tired of the disrespect, the control issues, the messes, and the noise. Done. Finished. The End.

I told Single Son that once the house belongs to the two of us again, to shoot me on sight if I ever agree to anyone else staying so much as overnight.

Aren't ya'll glad we have this time with the Wrecking Crew to blog? Better enjoy it now. I can't see the Occupation lasting much after the first of the year. Provided I'm not in jail for some domestic charges or the other.

Happy Friday

Wow, it's been three whole days since I've blogged. Can you believe it? LOL.

And quiet days they've been! Grandson left for camping yesterday, but spent the night before they left at his Popa and Nani's house. DIL has barely been around since then, thanks to a Nani who really doesn't like being alone when her hubby and Grandson are gone. DIL and Married Son will come home to sleep, so the end of my day isn't exactly quiet. Ah well, at least the days are.

And, get this ... DIL has figured out the whole dish thing. Seems she's realized that doing their dishes (and an occasional dish of mine) immediately after the meal is soooo much easier to keep ahead of then doing them only when they overflow from the dishpan. I know, amazing isn't it? And that she's even done a dish or two of mine without griping about it.

I'm impressed.

I'm still working on my sanctuary. I decided that while I was at it, I'd do some deep cleaning (closet, dresser, bookcase). I got in over my head, but it's been worth it. Then again, it's needed to be done for a while now.

I used to laugh at those people that said they went clothes shopping in their own closets. But know I really understand. My goodness, I found a whole wardrobe that I'd totally forgotten about ... pushed in the back of the closet.

I even found some sweaters from the 80s, no kidding! They no longer fit, plus they're way out of style, so they'll be donated to a vintage clothing store in the next town over.

I got call from Aunt Normal today saying she's dropping the search for her ancestor for the summer. She said it's way too hot to be going all the way to Port Huron to search records. Um, nope ... it's perfect weather. After all, Port Huron is a pretty modern place, they even have indoor plumbing and ee-lec-tricity. Oy ... I mean, this isn't the mid-1800s for pete's sake. And I'd rather do the search now ... being a waterside town it's always ten degrees cooler at least, and with a constant breeze. She said she'd resume in the fall, when it's going to be chilly as hell (okay, only a Michigander would say cold as Hell - and only a Michigander - or Amy - would understand the humor behind that ... hehehehe). As much as I love the colder weather and the City of Port Huron ... I don't look forward to freezing my buns off, and yes, spring, summer, winter or fall, if I'm in Port Huron I stop at my favorite park.

But then, my Mom doesn't want me to do any more of the family search for Aunt Normal. I know, since when do I actually listen to my mom? The deal was to find out about the one ancestor, and I'm sticking to my end of it.

Guess I should go. I just got the new Fall and Winter catalogs for the products I sell in today's mail. Been going over them ... I'm contemplating trying out Facebook Market, maybe even Multiply's market ... see if I can broaden my customer base there.

Tuesday ...

And it's been a pretty quiet day. Then again, the three noise makers have been gone most of the day.

Spent part of the morning on Farmville, working coops that I had to harvest. Grandson wanted to help, but I told him that I didn't think it was fair that he could play my games and not give me a little goodnight kiss (he did that last night). Before I could say anything else, DIL pipes in with "See, I told you Son, you have to be nice if you want to play with Gramma."

I had an errand to run, so that got me out of the house while they were here. Got back to find the house empty, minus Single Son. But we hardly see him anyway, locked up in his room working his one office job.

From her facebook, I see that DIL took Grandson to the park, then to her parents after so she could work.

Well, we have the babysitting issued resolved. She finally figured that one out!

And of course when Married Son and Grandson got home all hell broke loose once again. Barely in the door, he's got his hands all over stuff. I had asked Grandson not to touch something, he did, Son ended up sending him straight to bed. But since it was after 11 PM when they got home, he should have been in bed anyway. Oh wait, bedtimes were MY rule. Seems that they don't have a bedtime for him, that it's after midnight most nights when he goes to bed. I don't envy her the job of trying to get him on a school schedule come the fall. He's gonna be one sleepy kindergartener!

So, it's been quiet again.

Tomorrow Grandson goes camping for four days with his Popa. My only regret is that DIL isn't going. I could use four days of quiet.

I was going to go to Port Huron tomorrow to see if I can find out about this cousin's great- great grandmother. Or was it just one great? I don't remember, lol. Anyway ... I was going to go but between the storms that are forecast for tomorrow and the fact I can't seem to find the registration and proof of insurance for my car ... well, that's tomorrow's priority now. I guess Port Huron will wait until Friday.

And how did I discover the papers are missing on my car? I didn't. Single Son did. And how, pray tell did he discover this? Well... Single Son ... the resident cop, got pulled over by the cops for speeding today!! Yes, even cops break traffic laws. He couldn't find the paperwork, but since he was pulled over by a county deputy with an obvious sense of humor he was let off without a ticket (lucky him). However, he had to tell the deputy who owned the car. He went through about four names before he got it right (he didn't know my dad owns it, lol). And having the deputy check through the police computer system that he is actually a cop didn't hurt either.

I don't have the luxury of being in a cop computer system as a fellow officer, and they don't keep records on cop moms, so I need to find those papers.

Odd thing is ... they were in the car last I saw them. I know, you're not supposed to keep them in your car, but in your wallet ... but it's easier than passing them to Single Son every time he borrows my car. Technically we're sharing my car now, so it got to be a huge pain in the behind ... so, in the car they went.

And I get to be the one to look for them. Because he can't seem to find anything ... For someone who can be at a crime-scene and not miss a detail, at home he notices nothing. Why is that?

Word for the week ... CONSISTENT

One thing I'm noticing more and more as the days go by, there is absolutely no consistency in the way she handles Grandson. Married Son is much more consistent, but he let's her over-ride him. Maybe not let's, more like tolerates. Or hasn't the balls to speak up.

A good case in point is the way this child eats. All he wants is cereal for breakfast, lunch and dinner. An occasional curly fry from her work, but that's about it. When she does get him to eat something different, he takes a few bites, saying he loves it, then a few more bites and decides he hates something. Then the battle begins. Only ... she gives in after a few minutes, lets him get up from the table, the cats get the scraps, and the kid is off doing what he wants. Short time later he comes back saying he's hungry and wants a bowl of cereal. And of course she gives in.

And I see it with everything else he wants too. He puts up a fight for something (toy, pop tarts or sugary snack, other junk), she gives in and gets it for him, and it's never again touched.

She was at work today, so I thought I'd talk to Married Son about it. Now ... this will need a little set-up ... he worked today, too. When he came home he had Grandson with him, and a bag from Arby's (they stopped where DIL works). She gave Grandson a thingie of seasoned curly fries, and put a sandwich in a bag that she wanted me to try (I seem to be the "new sandwich guinea pig", and I love it) ... soooooo ... they get home, put the bag on the table. Grandson grabs the bag, Married Son says "Son, that sandwich is Grandma's, give it to her." "No, I want it." "You can't have it, it's for Grandma". He tightens his grip on it, practically smashing the sandwich. I offer to share it with him, grab the bag, cut the sandwich so he gets about an inch of the six inch hoagie bunned sandwich. Put it on a child's plate (one used by my kids when they were little) and hand it to him. I tell him the story behind the plate, he says his mom gave it to him (standard operating procedure for him, he claims everything is his), takes a few bites of the sandwich. Doing good!! No fight, no whining he doesn't like it. We're doing good. Then ...

DIL walks in from work. And all hell breaks loose. "I don't want this, I don't like it", pushing the plate so hard as to almost knock it off the table. "Eat it" she about screams at him (or is it just her normal high volume yell, I can never tell). Then next fifteen minutes is spent yelling, crying, and otherwise just not touching the food. "Eat it, or you're not going camping with Popa next weekend" ... oh DO NOT threaten that on him, it's a worse punishment than the "crime" calls for ... I would have made him sit there until it was gone ... OR ... just sent him to bed without any more food, and MADE him stay there. But no ...

She coaxes him by taking away the bread, "eat the meat, son" then dividing it on his plate into four fork-sized piles. More fights. More tears. "Stand in the corner if you aren't going to eat." Of course, he fights her on that, too.

In the end, she let him up after only one fork-full. The cats got the rest of the dinner. Hours later he got a bowl of cereal, and a glass of chocolate milk.

And because he's not my kid, I pretty much stay out of it.

I do talk to Married Son about it, and I do discipline him when he's breaking the house rules, but for this I need to shut up.

You can bet no matter how much he begs, whines and cries in the future, Gramma L will not be sharing so much as a crumb with him. Teach him that he won't be the one calling the shots around here. In fact, later he came downstairs (they were up watching movies), saw I was eating a bowl of cherries and of course wanted some. "No way. You aren't getting anything from me anymore. You waste food." He went crying up to his parents. Oh well!

Had he been my child, he'd have been told "you do not leave the table until you eat what's on your plate." And grabbed a book to read while he sat there and ate it all.

Been there, done that. My parents said the same to me, and stuck around to make sure we didn't sneak food to the dog ... I did it when my kids tried the same. I wasn't born yesterday ... I still remember what goes through the mind of a five year old. I'm not that old!

All over a piece of a roast beef sandwich that wasn't an inch long! One I'm sure he would have finished had DIL not come home when she did.

He's still so mad at me for being a mean grandma that he won't kiss me good night. Ah well, I won't lose sleep over being strict and having a kid mad at me.

Aww shit, and now I'm hearing the one year old nephew is going to be here tomorrow because DIL's babysitting. And there's NO where really for a one year old to play around here. And I'm not babyproofing MY house because this will not become a normal occurance. She better be taking them to the park for the entire day, is all I'm gonna say on that.

Today's Lesson ... R E S P E C T

Respect ...

... of one's property, ones possessions, ones rules.

And boy, what a long morning it was!! Started with Grandson about bouncing off the walls (literally). I was in the shower and could hear the noise. Having to get out of the shower, since the two parental units seemed oblivious to the crashing and banging, I put a quick stop to it.

"This is Gramma's house, Grandson. You can't do that here. When your parents find a house just for you guys THEN and only then can you do it. But not here". He tries to tell me that his Nani lets him. Hmmmm, then go to Nani's house and trash her walls!

And yes, I said it loud enough for the parents to hear ... hell, I'm sure the neighbors heard me!

I get back into the shower. At this point it's not to wash up, it's to relax my now tense muscles with hot water.

Coming out of the bathroom, I discover as I'm closing the bathroom door behind me that someone has put three shirt stickers (you know, fairly narrow but real long) on the door knob, totally covering it. "Who did this" was all I had to say. "I did, Gramma". "Clean it up". He comes down the stairs a few minutes later. Asking where he put the sticker (I know better than to not follow up with a pre-schooler) I get "I put it on Mommy's door". "THROW IT AWAY, and clean up these toys while you're at it".

I won't get into the pop-tart crumbs all over the table, floor and chair. However, I did hand a certain grandson the broom and told him to not hit anything as he was sweeping up. Or the little boy who refuses to lift the toilet seat no matter how many reminders he gets from Gramma (Popa doesn't make me lift the seat, Gramma).

Now I'm a mean grandmother. Add that to my recent title of psycho MIL from Hell, and I'm happy!

Success!!

I mean ... I do believe things may finally be sinking in!! Well, maybe sinking in. Hopefully sinking in. I can dream, can't I?

All I ask is that you respect the rules of the house ... my possessions ... and my property.

Is that asking too much?

DIL asked why I was so grumpy. I told her. "You move in thinking that the rules have been changed. They haven't. We had problems last time because you didn't respect the rules. Rules that are very different than your parents rules. Unlike your mother, I won't be your housekeeper, babysitter, gopher or peon. You're to be an active member of this family, even if it means you have do clean up someone else's messes, mostly your husband and son's messes or ... god forbid, do something that you may feel is not your job. And do so without recognition or bitching about it. Grow up ... you are a wife, mother, daughter and daughter in law. You need to start thinking about others."

It's nice to finally be able to speak my mind!! Not an easy thing to learn, but it sure beats being walked all over and sitting quietly as I stress.

Needless to say she left the house for a while. Said she was dropping Grandson off at her mother's so she could come back and get ready for work tonight.

Victory. I'm not even asked anymore if I can watch him for an hour or so.

After about an hour's absence, she's been back here about ten minutes. Slamming of a cupboard door aside (which I hate), she's been rather pleasant. I'm pretty sure she bitched about me to her folks. Her dad's not too bad when it comes to "deal with it, 'cause you ain't moving back here'. Gotta love someone that tells her to "deal with it" since she's stuck with it!

Now if she'd only respect me HALF as much as she seems to respect her folks. When they lived there, she had a list of chores she had to do, regardless of whether she personally created a mess/chore/whatever. DILs Dad wouldn't take "it's not my mess" for an answer. Maybe that's what I need to do? Revive the ol' chore chart - the ones my kids grew up with. Treat her like a kid until she learns to grow up ... show some respect ... and stop the "not me, not my" crap.

Ah, there's an idea!! I took parenting classes during my first divorce (mandated by the county courts). Chore charts, discipline, reward systems, rules ... it was all covered. Great ideas ... and best yet ... they WORKED!

Funny thing is, Married Son, DIL and I were talking just the other night about how strict I was with my kids. Eight o'clock bedtimes (nine o'clock in the summer), meals at set times, chores done after breakfast (on Saturdays or daily in the summer) or they couldn't go play with their little friends, the time-out stair ... oh how I loved that time out system! I only spanked a kid once, and that was out of sheer fear because he'd run into traffic!! But, then again ... I didn't need to spank my kids ... they knew that NO meant NO (and to not ask again), they knew the rules ... they respected the rules and more importantly they respected me! Well, the boys did anyway. Alien was a different story altogether (funny how sperm donors can undermine the mother's authority and screw up all that discipline I tried to instill in her - but that's another blog entirely).

Which I think is what this whole thing boils down to, the lack of respect. Do what you want, when you want ... damn anything that gets in the way (including one mother in law).

Friday Storms

It's eighty-eight degrees outside, humid as all get-out, and the radio keeps beeping with storm watches and warnings ... tornado warnings south of here. It's dark, like it's dusk - but that's still two hours away.

I'm just waiting for the storms!! Yay!! I love a good storm. And no one here to shatter the quiet.

I'm expecting that to change in a bit, but for now I'm so enjoying it. Although, with this storm coming, and DIL absolutely hates driving in the rain so I'm hoping she sits it out at her parents house where she's babysitting her one year old nephew.

Other than that, it's been very quiet around here. Blissfully quiet.

Oooh ... here's the thunder! Yay ... double yay for having a laptop that I can unplug and not have to worry about powering off because of the lightening. However, now the fun begins with Spot. He's a true scaredy cat when it comes to thunder!

I had a laugh this morning. My cousin, Normal's wife called about 9 am this morning. She was polite but tried to tell me they'll be doing their own research from now on. She made it sound like Normal wanted to have some of the "adventure" himself. They'll be going to Port Huron to find what they can. She also told me, finally, just why, at the age of 88 she wants to know about her great grandmother's mother. Hmmmmm ... seems Normal's DIL gave them a family tree (suitable for framing according to my stuffy elderly cousin). There's ONE blank on it, the great grandmother's mother, that she wants filled before she invests in a frame. This is the only reason she even cares? Oy!!

Mom called shortly after I got of the phone with "Aunt Normal" (we call them aunt and uncle because of the age difference - respect sort of thing, you know) ... I barely get "hi Mom" out of my mouth and she's asking me if Aunt Normal has called me yet. Um, yeah, she sure did. Mom then proceeds to blast Aunt Normal and the whole Normal's family tree thing ... great, what a way to start my day. "You know, they don't want you working on it because she thinks you're going to expect another check from her. She's cheap, I tell you ... C H E E P." No, Mom's not the best speller around. Really! Mom asks me to back off. If Aunt Normal is that cheap, she doesn't deserve to know jackshit (and that's Mom's term!). I told Mom I was really intrigued with the whole nautical thing, and three shipwrecks ending in the deaths of three of her ancestors. Mom told me to continue if I'm interested, but to NOT share it with Aunt Normal.

So ... the research will continue, but for my curiosity only. I'll honor Mom's wishes by not sharing diddly with anyone but Mom.

I just think it's hysterical that two octo-generians are acting like kids.

Speaking of kids ... darnit. Guess who just showed up? And with a one year old, too. Grrrrrrr.

This isn't romper room. 

You'd think there's a dozen rug-rats here with the noise level. One adult who has NO volume control is adding to it, too. And she's NOT watching them too closely. I just had to use an empty bookcase as a make-shift baby barrier to keep the one year old and his juicebox away from my carpet.

LOL, I'm turning into a Grumpy Old Woman. Funny, I hear things come out of my mouth that my Dad used to say when my boys were younger ... he was about the same age then as I am now. Oh Lordy, heaven help me. I've turned into my dad!

Now all I need to do is take up beer drinking.

Deep breathe ...

I wonder what I'd without blogging? Would I lose it completely? Or ... find places to bury the bodies?

Probably the latter.

From the time she got up this morning it's been LOUD and she's been lazy.

Married Son wanted a meal while he searched the internet for salvage jobs to do today. After a fight she finally prepares lunch. He finishes ... soaks his dish in the sink. I comment that as long as he's standing there he can take two minutes to wash the freaking things.

Nope. Won't do.

DIL had vanished into their room while he ate. She comes back down the stairs saying she's bored. Married Son said "well, do our dishes then". "You used them, you wash your own freaking dishes. It's not my job. Or I'll drain them and put them on your half of the bed".

Lazy. Lazy. Lazy.

She asks for the dvd player to go back in their bedroom after last night's test drive of the huge screen tv. Says she's bored, there's nothing to do. His response? "I'll put the dvd back after the dishes are done".

An hour has passed and she sits at the table, whining like a baby ... he sits at his computer, ignoring her requests. The dishes are you-know-where.

And I contemplate where I could hide the body.

After I wash the freaking dishes, that is.

Oh What A Beautiful Day!!

What a beautiful day today was!! Sadly it's over, LOL.

Got up a little earlier than normal. Showered, got ready to head out to Port Huron. Only, the cooler I asked Single Son to return was not returned, nor was the car he trashed cleaned out. So hunting down and cleaning out cooler, cleaning car, getting gas and having the air checked in the tires ended up putting me an hour behind schedule.

I decided today was going to be a good day, and refused to let the slow start bother me.

The drive up was nice. An hour and a half, and I took my time. Got to the library to do some research. Oh my!! One of the local historians in Port Huron went through every newspaper from 1876 until 1940 and indexed them, then put them on microfiche film. Then she put the indexes in 4-inch three-ring binders, dividers between each year. It's a fourteen volume set! Papers after that are not indexed, but are on microfiche. What a committed woman she was. Sadly, she died in 2001 according to the memorial page in each and every binder.

I found a wealth of information in those first few binders. The family I'm searching had been in the area way back when. I just spend four hours or so searching the indexes, I have yet to even get to see the microfiche on them!

Needless to say I'm going back next week. And probably the week after, for a few weeks at least.

I called my cousin afterwards, really excited at some of my finds. She was excited but told me not to "kill myself with all this hard work". Hard work? I'm enjoying the heck out of this! Although, sitting on wooden chairs for hours on end did numb my behind. I have to remember to take stretch breaks next week! LOL!!

After the library I went to my favorite park. Did some ship watching, fed the squirrels. They loved the oyster crackers I brought with me. But their favorite seemed to be the Combos I brought ... pizzeria pretzels. Yummy! I had not intended on sharing my Combos, but after dropping one on the ground and seeing how fast it was grabbed by a squirrel I couldn't help but share more with them.

Got some ship watching in, too. There sure was a lot of ship traffic today! I've got a nice Canon digital camera, one of those 5-in-one cameras, does just about everything. Then last night Married Son gave me a digital camera he found while on a salvage run yesterday. It works perfectly. Looks like a mini version of a hand-held camcorder. It's also a 5-in-one, but I can't for the life of me figure out how to access the other four features yet. Between the two cameras I managed to get a few digital movies and lots of digital pictures of ships and squirrels. Yup, the typical Port Huron pics, squirrels and ships. I'll document the ships I saw in my Freighter Watchers Guide later.

I wish I had had the video running when one young squirrel was playing ... actually there were about a dozen young squirrels, but this one in particular either wasn't too bright, or was the class clown. I'm not sure which. Two red squirrels, the rest black ... it was one of the reds who was silly. He'd come up to me, but not too close, and just beg for another pretzel. If he didn't get his way immediately he started chattering and running in tight circles at my feet. He got an itch at one point and as he's scratching he fell over. He laid there on his back, still scratching for a good minute or more, looking like he'd fully intended to fall over. Funny as heck.

As hot as it was at home (82*) in Port Huron it was a good ten degrees cooler. And when the sun was behind clouds, I actually had goose bumps! I love it!!

About seven hours after I'd gotten there, I decided it was time to head home. Nice leisurely drive. I get home after the sun had set. Barely in the door Single Son is asking me what I had for dinner (his hint he's hungry and wants me to get his dinner). I told him a deli sandwich and asked what he had. He sure hates when I don't take his hints. But dammit, he's 30, he can fix his own dinner. He ended up making omelets for himself and Married Son.

As I'm putting my things from today away, I see a toy truck that Grandson hadn't put away. "Oh, gee. You got me a fire truck to play with. Thanks" I say to him. "No Gramma L, that's my truck." "But it's on my shelf. If it's yours it needs to go in the toy box in your room." "That's okay Gramma L, it can stay there and we can share it."

So much for getting him to put his toys away.

It's now midnight. DIL is still at work. Grandson is in bed, but wouldn't go to sleep without Daddy laying down with him. Married Son fell asleep trying to get Grandson to sleep. Cute!! Single Son is in his room.

And Gramma L is enjoying a few minutes quiet before DIL comes home.