When you know it's been too long..

or confessions of a haphazard housekeeper.  You know it's been too long since you last swept the kitchen floor when you reach for the broom and there is a spider web on it.  Like wise, you know it's been too long since you ironed when a guest wants to iron a dress and you can't find your iron.  The ironing board I found, just not the iron.  I was thinking today that when I retire in a few months I'll have a lot more time to be organized about my housekeeping.  Yeah! Like that'll happen.

most embarrassing moment

For some reason I was reminded today of an embarrassing moment which my children treated me to many years ago. First you need to know that I am not a heavy drinker.  I average about one glass of wine a month and maximum two beers a year.  After work one cold slushy winter afternoon I was shopping in a local drug store with my two, at that time, teenage children.  As we walked through the aisles of the store which were wet with tracked in snow I slipped and fell down.  Luckily I was wearing a heavy coat and I wasn't hurt at all but a concerned clerk expressed her sympathy.  I hadn't walked more than 10 steps when it happened again, same clerk, same sympathy.  And, would you believe it, it happened again? I had some very slippery shoes on.  Of course by this time my dear concerned children were laughing their heads off.  When we came to the check-out counter the same very solicitous (and probably fearful of being sued) clerk was behind the counter. After I assured her yet again that I was fine my son turned to me, deadpan, and said "Mom, I told you you shouldn't have had all those beers."  If looks could kill, he would not have lived to see manhood.
There's an old saying, "Revenge is a dish best served cold." My grandchildren are rapidly approaching their teens so I know some time, some how I will be avenged.

What 'cha doin'?

I work at a church which also houses a day school, and every once in a while I get trapped with a small child, usually when I in the restroom washing my hands or trying to pretend I'm not in one of the booths.  Invariably I get the question -"What 'cha doin'?"  Rather than give in to the temptation of grumping "What do you think I'm doing?" I've taken to giving answers like "I'm paddling my row boat to China." or "I'm in a rocket heading for the moon." or "I'm hopping up and down on one foot."  The reaction is always a long pause followed by "Nuh uh." usually with giggles.  Always leave 'em laughing.

I love to laugh

I've discovered a new favorite TV show "Last Comic Standing".  In the two episodes I've seen so far the comedy has been very witty and delivered in a wide variety of styles. One favorite joke was about the comedian's mom who is learning to text.  I so relate to that.  She didn't know what BTW stood for, thought it might stand for Booker T. Washington.  Another performer, after explaining at great length that he is not prejudiced (he happens to be white) said that the best use he's found for the "N" word is to use it as his bank password because he knows he will never blurt it out accidentally.  A good fun show but probably not for kids.

Guilty as charged

I admit that while I try not to show it, I do get irritated when two friends with carts stand chatting in a grocery store aisle and effectively blocking it so no one else can get through.  I've even been known to say "Excuse me." very nicely of course and I have even shifted a cart (but never one with a child in it) so I and my cart, and sometimes people behind me could get through.  So there I stood innocently searching the shelf for my brand of multi-vitamin when I heard a familiar voice say "Luci!"  It was a friend I haven't seen for a few weeks and we immediately launched into a swap of what have you been doing lately stories.  We must have stood their talking for a good five minutes before I heard a shuffling noise behind me and realized that someone was waiting to get through.  We moved out of her way of course and kept talking while trying to avoid blocking anyone else.  I do apologize to the stranger in question.  I will try to be more understanding..

A Memorial Day reflection

I was thinking today about my family's military history.  As far as I know none of my immediate ancestors died in battle but we do have a long military background.  A multi-great grandfather, Philip Von Steinmetz, came to the colonies before the Revolutionary War (legend says he escaped from Germany after he was arrested for killing the king's deer) and fought in the Revolutionary War.  My husband had a picture of a multi-great uncle in a Civil War uniform but I don't know any more about him.  My father-in-law fought in World War I.  He died years later of heart and lung problems aggravated by inhaling mustard gas in battle. My father served in World War II and was deployed to, of all places, Brazil.  My husband was in Korea after the Korean War in a time referred to as the Korean Occupation.  My older brother was in Viet Nam and came home with a smashed ankle but very much alive.  My younger brother was in the Air Force but happily not during a time of war. Now my daughter and son-in-law are both active military, and have been deployed, between them, six times.

I just realized, in all this long list, my daughter is the only woman.  Yea!! Beth!!

I proudly salute them all and thank God for many safe returns from deployments.

Bustin' my buttons, beaming with pride.

My son was the liturgist in church this morning.  We had a guest pastor so the liturgist had to read a large part of the service.  Now my intellectual side knows full well that my son is a grown man, 42 years old for goodness sake, and quite capable of leading a church service or anything else he puts his mind to.  But my motherly emotional side swelled with pride to see him up there doing an excellent job of taking us through the service.  It didn't hurt either taht after the service several friends told me what a good job he did.  That's my boy!!