Grown-Up Conversation

Some of you young moms have posted conversations you have had with your children. I have truly enjoyed them all. They are adorable, silly, and sometimes hilarious. I thought it might be enlightening to someone out there to hear this conversation between me and my 22 year old daughter. So, listen up and learn a thing or two about grownup children and what you have to look forward to. Now, I love this girl to death but she has just spent way too much time going to school in what we call “Happy Valley”. It’s a place where you can trust everyone, feel comfortable getting help from a stranger when you break down on the freeway and never get mugged.

Tammy has been in Houston this week attending a Museum Conference in downtown Houston.

She called me Saturday afternoon:

Tammy: I can’t find my car (it is not her car; it is MY CAR). It is not where I parked it this morning.

Me: What do you mean? Did you forget where you parked it?

Tammy: No. I parked it in the same lot that I parked it in on Wed. But now it is not in the space that I parked it in this morning.

Me: Ok. So, tell me what happened.

Tammy: Well, just like on Wed the guy just took my parking fee and then told me which space to park in. Oh Shoot!! He took my MONEY!!!

Me: Ok. So you pulled into the parking lot and you gave a man money to pay for your parking space. Then you parked, went to the all day conference and came back to the parking space and discovered that my car is no longer parked there.  Tammy: Yes!! And he took my MONEY!!    

Me:  I get that he took your money. But where is MY CAR? Did he give you a ticket to put on your dash?

Tammy: Uhhh…. NO! He scammed me and took my MONEY!!!

Me: Ok, Tammy I understand that he took your measly $5.00. Now, find out where MY CAR is.

My car was towed and impounded. Two hours and $200.00 later she was following me out of downtown Houston into the suburbs.

Three and Four Down

Four new grandbabies in less than 6 months is so much fun!!
Here is #3 - Ruby - I really, really want her to have red hair.

Here is #4 - Collin - He and his family will be moving to Singapore on July 27th. That is 10,000 miles away!!!!

Strawberry Jam

Just wanted to share my newly invented recipe with you. I wanted jam with less sugar and didn't want to spend $3-4.00 on pectin. So here is what I came up with. It is so easy and it comes out perfect!

Ingredients:
2 cups crushed strawberries
1 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1 package unflavored gelatin

Directions:
Crush strawberries with a potato masher or in a food processor.
Put all ingredients in a sauce pan. On medium-low heat stir until
sugar is dissolved. Ladle into jars, zip lock bags or plastic containers.
Stores in fridge for a few weeks. Stores in freezer for about 6 months.

I Miss my Sweetheart

Everyday I think of him. Many, many times. And I miss so many things about him.

I miss how we always sat close to each other in church– often holding hands unified in our faith. Our children always sat on either side of us - never between us.

I miss the therapeutic-on-demand foot rubs. In the most unladylike way, I would thrust my feet into his lap and know that without complaint he would soothe the cares of the day away.

I miss sharing fajitas and conversations on the patio at Café Adobe.

I miss his loving devotion to his mother which led him to call her every week to chat and express his love and concern for her.

I miss being a participant in his weekly Sunday School class where he carefully and thoughtfully taught new members and investigators of the church. Through his gentle inquirys he guided each student in discovering their own thoughts, feelings and opinions.

I miss working on a project with him and the shared feeling of accomplishment when the task was completed.

I miss answering the phone and hearing one of our children ask to talk to him when his advise or encouragement was being sought.

I miss his companionship in everything I do. His gratitude for meals. His laugh while watching silly movies. His enjoyment of running errands with me. His instructions while paying bills. His opinions when discussing issues.

I miss hearing him say to others “Welcome to church.” “How is your family?” “I appreciate all you do.” “You are doing a great job.” “Do the best you can.”

I miss hearing him say to me “I appreciate all you do.” “You are doing a great job.” “I just want you to be happy.” “I love you.”

Veldon, I miss you.

Love, Joyce