I am going to be Delana...I am going to buy a backpack for me and for the man in a white shirt...We're going to send the youngest child to camp in Costa Rica.
Then we're going to meet up as a family...with our backpacks. Next July...
Panama? South America? It doesn't matter where, but I'm not traveling with a suitcase...And I'm going to happily blog along the way.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Lilly Versus the Felines
Dear Stockton,
I'm at it again...I'm-a-huntin'-a-cat! This morning, bright and early, me and the lady at the Hotel Za-Za are having coffee. Out of the shadows, comes my prey. She is big, she is fat, she is ready to be chased! One lunge toward her, and that white hair flew up on her back, a loud warning hissssssssss came out of her mouth...I stop in my tracks. I know I can't win this battle. Big Boots is too much competition. I am moving on to more intellectual prey. I have decided to have a "stare down" with Pickles. She is sitting in the kitchen, while the lady continues to drink her coffee. I am sitting here as still as I can be, our eyes locked. Only this cat, Pickles, is much smarter than the rest of the prey. She waits me out--she stares right back, daring me to cross the line of her territory...To tell you the truth, I think I'll stay on my own side of the line this morning. It's kind of scary looking at that cat...on to other news.
Last night's sleep was the best!!! I am so refreshed. I slept (once again) on that big, white, fluffy bed. Only this time, the bed had me, the lady, her man, and two cats!!! I was in heaven; I counted 16 legs, all in one bed! Stockton, you do the math on that one!!! The lady and the man were talking that they had reached a new level of "pet-bed-issues" as they really didn't have much room to sleep--there were too many animals on that big fluffy bed!!! I am in heaven, Stockton. Please talk to our mom and ask her if I can sleep on her bed with I get back home to Alabama!
Oh another thing, Stockton. I went on a long walk last night with the lady. I pretended I was an Iditarod sled dog, pulling and pulling. The lady was patient, but boy did I pull that sled down Plantation street! Then I became a fierce hunter...every bird I saw, I wanted to chase and capture! Finally, I became Miss Lillie the Show Dog. I pranced and pranced, showing off for each passing inferior breed! Overall, walks are good (or should I say "sledding" is good!)
Not much else to report. I'm going to sneak in and have a small nip of cat food! I hope your trip is going well.
Cheers,
Miss Lilly
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Brother Memory #1--Breakfast with LaRue
Why? In keeping with my personal obligation to myself to remember my childhood (for me and my brothers)
Growing up, my brothers and I would frequently spent the night with Grandmommy and Granddaddy (aka LaRue and Ray). We would always sleep in the "green room," and when you closed the blinds it was pitch dark.
There were few toys--only a Space Ghost coloring book and colors underneath the oven. We spent most of our time riding Big Wheels on the black top driveway. That driveway was a huge circle driveway that had a curved, downhill turn that was primo for Big Wheelin'. We would get going real fast on the downhill, turn sharply to the right, then spin out near the CB Radio tower.
Mornings on Lancet Lane are filled with one sweet memory. We would wake up early, lounging in the tv room in our pj's. Granddaddy Ray already had his coffee--white and sugary. He had probably given us a "skin-snoo-ski" as we waited for breakfast to cook. In that room were two lazy boy chairs...all leather. Between the chairs was a round table that had a working crossword puzzle, today's newspaper, and a jelly bean jar. Across the room was a huge salt water aquarium. We would sit for hours watching the fish swim in and out of the coral.
Down the long marble hall, we hear Grandmommy call us for breakfast. The meal was always the same. She ladled the thick, hot, bubbly cream of wheat—then piled a heaping tablespoon of brown sugar—a big pat of butter—and finally—the best for last—the icing on the cake—she poured real cream from the refrigerator—slowly, slowly she poured. It was pure heaven.
Looking back with my motherly eyes and wisdom, I know that making cold Captain Crunch or buttered toast would have been the easier menu…
Growing up, my brothers and I would frequently spent the night with Grandmommy and Granddaddy (aka LaRue and Ray). We would always sleep in the "green room," and when you closed the blinds it was pitch dark.
There were few toys--only a Space Ghost coloring book and colors underneath the oven. We spent most of our time riding Big Wheels on the black top driveway. That driveway was a huge circle driveway that had a curved, downhill turn that was primo for Big Wheelin'. We would get going real fast on the downhill, turn sharply to the right, then spin out near the CB Radio tower.
Mornings on Lancet Lane are filled with one sweet memory. We would wake up early, lounging in the tv room in our pj's. Granddaddy Ray already had his coffee--white and sugary. He had probably given us a "skin-snoo-ski" as we waited for breakfast to cook. In that room were two lazy boy chairs...all leather. Between the chairs was a round table that had a working crossword puzzle, today's newspaper, and a jelly bean jar. Across the room was a huge salt water aquarium. We would sit for hours watching the fish swim in and out of the coral.
Down the long marble hall, we hear Grandmommy call us for breakfast. The meal was always the same. She ladled the thick, hot, bubbly cream of wheat—then piled a heaping tablespoon of brown sugar—a big pat of butter—and finally—the best for last—the icing on the cake—she poured real cream from the refrigerator—slowly, slowly she poured. It was pure heaven.
Looking back with my motherly eyes and wisdom, I know that making cold Captain Crunch or buttered toast would have been the easier menu…
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Pickles the Maine Coon
It all began one day in Rabin County, Georgia.
In the middle of the isolated woods, there was a lost Maine Coon cat looking for food and water. He is a beautiful, strong cat with darker markings of black and brown. Maine Coon cats favor raccoons, with strips on their face and tail. This cat was nosing around, trying to find a morsel of food.
Amongst the garbage and trash, there was a medium size pickle jar was laying down on it’s side. Being a curious cat, the Maine Coon stuck his head into the jar. Unfortunately, the jar was a little tight. The cat started backing up, twisting his head, trying to ungrip the hold on his head. It was of no avail. The jar was stuck.
If you were to come upon this cat in the woods, you would think he looks like a crazy astronaut cat—with a glass bubble on his head. Someone sees the cat and calls the Humane Society. They come out and try to catch him, but he runs away.
Two more weeks go by. No food, no water. Only a pickle jar helmet. The Humane Society arrives and try (once again) to catch the cat. He is hiding on top of a washer and drier. The Humane Society worker tries to corner him, but he jumps down. Crash. The glass breaks and the cat is free. The worker is still concerned, because the rim of the broken pickle jar is around his neck, sort of like a collar.
The Humane Society carefully catches the cat, remove the broken rim, and free him from a life in a pickle jar.
Today, people always ask about my cat’s funny name. I smile and say, “Do you have a minute? I have a great Pickle Jar Story.”
Friday, June 22, 2007
Lilly the Bird Hunter
Dear Stockton,
Hello from Houston! How is your vacation? I hope you are having fun. Make sure you are being extra nice to your big brother.
My vacation is going great. You would not believe the cats at this hotel. One is named Pickles. One time, I crept around the corner and scared the livin' day lights out of him! His fur puffed up like a porcupine! Then he tried to jump from one counter top to the other, but fell half way. He plopped down on the floor and ran off. It was so funny.
Then there is Pig, this weird orange cat that goes inside and outside without a leash? I can't believe they let that cat out the door? Where does she go? Anyway, Pig is not very friendly. She puts her nose in the air and starts to hisssss when I walk into the room. Lately, Pig has been hiding. I think she is on top of the washing machine, but I can't see that far up. I am too short.
There is another cat named Boots. If you will excuse my description...but she is just hu-mon-gous. She is the fattest cat I have ever seen. I don't mean a little fat--her stomach hangs down to the ground when she walks. It is disgusting, if I do say so. I can't believe a cat would let herself go like that? She needs to go to the cat spa and get a make-over! Anyway, I have see this huge, fat specimen of a cat only once...I think she took one look at me and hid. I bet she hasn't eaten (which might be a good thing). Maybe she is on the Lilly-Diet!!
The backyard at my vacation home is quite swanky. There is a huge water bowl full of water. Each time I go outside, I walk up and look in the water. I keep hoping to see a fish. I kind of want to go swimming, but I thought I would wait for you and see if you wanted to go with me! Just let me know.
In the backyard, I found the most awesome thing--a dead bird! I am not sure how long the bird has been dead, quite a while, I think. But I picked up that bird and pranced around the yard pretending I was the "Great Lilly Hunter" who had killed a bird. It felt AWESOME!
Something else I do is really a secret. I sneak upstairs and steal beanie babies from this basket. I bring them downstairs and hopes that no one notices. They are like my little babies...so far, I have four beanie babies downstairs (but shhhhhh, don't tell the lady at the hotel...) shhhhhh. It's a secret.
One final though about my great vacation. I get to sleep in this great big white fluffy bed. This bed is so huge, I can't jump up on it--but the nice people I am staying with lift me up. (You know that trick I do? Where I cry and cry and cry until I get what I want? Well, it works with these people too!) Anyway, this bed is most soft. I stretch out nice and long and sleep all through the night. Last night, Pickles and I had a sleep-over. Pickles drew a line down the center of the bed and then claimed one side; I got the other. But I didn't mind. That bed is much better than my old crate. I hope I get to sleep in the bed when I get back to my house...
Stockton, it is time for me to go eat some cat food. I am having a great time on vacation, but I really miss you and Marshall.
Love from Miss Lilly
Hello from Houston! How is your vacation? I hope you are having fun. Make sure you are being extra nice to your big brother.
My vacation is going great. You would not believe the cats at this hotel. One is named Pickles. One time, I crept around the corner and scared the livin' day lights out of him! His fur puffed up like a porcupine! Then he tried to jump from one counter top to the other, but fell half way. He plopped down on the floor and ran off. It was so funny.
Then there is Pig, this weird orange cat that goes inside and outside without a leash? I can't believe they let that cat out the door? Where does she go? Anyway, Pig is not very friendly. She puts her nose in the air and starts to hisssss when I walk into the room. Lately, Pig has been hiding. I think she is on top of the washing machine, but I can't see that far up. I am too short.
There is another cat named Boots. If you will excuse my description...but she is just hu-mon-gous. She is the fattest cat I have ever seen. I don't mean a little fat--her stomach hangs down to the ground when she walks. It is disgusting, if I do say so. I can't believe a cat would let herself go like that? She needs to go to the cat spa and get a make-over! Anyway, I have see this huge, fat specimen of a cat only once...I think she took one look at me and hid. I bet she hasn't eaten (which might be a good thing). Maybe she is on the Lilly-Diet!!
The backyard at my vacation home is quite swanky. There is a huge water bowl full of water. Each time I go outside, I walk up and look in the water. I keep hoping to see a fish. I kind of want to go swimming, but I thought I would wait for you and see if you wanted to go with me! Just let me know.
In the backyard, I found the most awesome thing--a dead bird! I am not sure how long the bird has been dead, quite a while, I think. But I picked up that bird and pranced around the yard pretending I was the "Great Lilly Hunter" who had killed a bird. It felt AWESOME!
Something else I do is really a secret. I sneak upstairs and steal beanie babies from this basket. I bring them downstairs and hopes that no one notices. They are like my little babies...so far, I have four beanie babies downstairs (but shhhhhh, don't tell the lady at the hotel...) shhhhhh. It's a secret.
One final though about my great vacation. I get to sleep in this great big white fluffy bed. This bed is so huge, I can't jump up on it--but the nice people I am staying with lift me up. (You know that trick I do? Where I cry and cry and cry until I get what I want? Well, it works with these people too!) Anyway, this bed is most soft. I stretch out nice and long and sleep all through the night. Last night, Pickles and I had a sleep-over. Pickles drew a line down the center of the bed and then claimed one side; I got the other. But I didn't mind. That bed is much better than my old crate. I hope I get to sleep in the bed when I get back to my house...
Stockton, it is time for me to go eat some cat food. I am having a great time on vacation, but I really miss you and Marshall.
Love from Miss Lilly
Best Phone Call
There are many phases a parent longs to hear, but this one took me by surprise--"I'm coming home early, Mom."
I'll admit, I have spent a fortune on my skype credit just calling Africa. I just want to hear my daughter's voice--hear that she is safe and clean and fed. She has only the basic necessities (if that), but she still has a smile (most of the time). If I understand her situation correctly, she now appreciates the basic--bare basics--of life.
The sound of the water coming through the faucet when you first hear it spray...
The sound of a fan whirling in a room...
The sound of mom's voice on the other end of the phone...
"Oh Mom, I am so glad to hear your voice. Your call means the world to me." I have heard it over and over this summer. "Keep calling me, Mom. I need to hear your voice." No problem. Skype call on the way!
I just thought I would tell the world how happy I am that my daughter is coming home early from Africa.
Peace down the road.
I'll admit, I have spent a fortune on my skype credit just calling Africa. I just want to hear my daughter's voice--hear that she is safe and clean and fed. She has only the basic necessities (if that), but she still has a smile (most of the time). If I understand her situation correctly, she now appreciates the basic--bare basics--of life.
The sound of the water coming through the faucet when you first hear it spray...
The sound of a fan whirling in a room...
The sound of mom's voice on the other end of the phone...
"Oh Mom, I am so glad to hear your voice. Your call means the world to me." I have heard it over and over this summer. "Keep calling me, Mom. I need to hear your voice." No problem. Skype call on the way!
I just thought I would tell the world how happy I am that my daughter is coming home early from Africa.
Peace down the road.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Happiness Manifesto
1. Get physical. Exercise for half an hour three times a week.
2. Count your blessings. At the end of each day, reflect on at least five things you're grateful for.
3. Talk time. Have an hour-long uninterrupted conversation with your partner or closest friend each week.
4. Plant something. Even if it’s a window box or potted plant. Keep it alive!
5. Cut your TV viewing by half.
6. Smile at and/or say hello to a stranger. At least once each day.
7. Phone a friend. Make contact with at least one friend or relation you have not been in contact for a while and arrange to meet up.
7. Have a good laugh at least once a day.
8. Every day make sure you give yourself a treat. Take time to really enjoy this.
9. Daily kindness. Do an extra good turn for someone each day.
2. Count your blessings. At the end of each day, reflect on at least five things you're grateful for.
3. Talk time. Have an hour-long uninterrupted conversation with your partner or closest friend each week.
4. Plant something. Even if it’s a window box or potted plant. Keep it alive!
5. Cut your TV viewing by half.
6. Smile at and/or say hello to a stranger. At least once each day.
7. Phone a friend. Make contact with at least one friend or relation you have not been in contact for a while and arrange to meet up.
7. Have a good laugh at least once a day.
8. Every day make sure you give yourself a treat. Take time to really enjoy this.
9. Daily kindness. Do an extra good turn for someone each day.
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