FLEXIBLY RIGID!

I've always thought I was flexible and to an extent, I am-when it involves someone elses plans and not my own. When Clark asked me a month ago, "How much do you miss us?" I did hesitate because you never know what Clark is thinking. But the truth is-I really miss them! He asked me to fly to Utah and then drive with him and the three girls to Connecticut while Emily flies home with the baby. (Which I totally support!) I agreed; I REALLY do miss them and I would love to spend time with them and as a bonus get to see Nolan and meet the girlfriend when we get to Connecticut. Plans were made-Utah on the 21st, start driving on the 25th, Connecticut on the 28th and them home again 4 or 5 days later. I called my sister and she graciously said she would drive to Utah and bring my mother so I could spend a few days with them. I called my neice, Tracie, to ask if mom, Chris and I could stay at her house for a few days. She also graciously accepted us. Then, poor Clark, called and said that we would have to postpone the trip because his schedule was so crazy-it could be June before he could get away. Okay-no problem! He called again today and said his commander said to just go now and get it done. So as of now, I fly into Utah on Wed the14, bless Hazel on the 18th and then leave on the 18th to drive to Connecticut and who knows when I will come home! I guess I have to call my sister and Tracie. Here goes! I 'm flexible-I REALLY am!

WOOHOO! SCHARMANS ARE ONE UP!

She is here! Hazel Christina Scharman arrived on Saturday, April 5 at 9:22 pm. After a long day of complications and problems, Hazel joined her family, weighing 8 pounds and was 21 inches long. You can see she does have a little hair and fits right in with her beautiful sisters. Mother and baby are both doing fine. Even though Dad has to leaves today, they will get through this too and hopefully by the end of the month will be a whole family, living in Connecticut. Thank you, Emily. I know you think that you just did what you needed to do but my heart swells with pride and love for you. How grateful I am for you. (Tears are falling) The next time I am in Salt Lake, I think I will go to the 'The This is the Place Monument' and add your name. What a pioneer you have been. (Surely they wouldn't mind. I promise, I would do a good job!) Hang in, Clark, your married bachelorhood will soon end and when the girls are running through the house, screaming at each other, slamming doors and a baby is crying in the background-you will take a deep breath and say "Thank you!"

HERE WE GO AGAIN

My lemon tree is blooming-last year it didn't!

I know that it is one of the 'lesser' commandments (is there such a thing as 'lesser' commandments; I like to think so); but surely we get credit for trying. Anyone who know us, should know that we have tried year after year to follow the prophet and "plant a garden". Some years we have been moderately successful and some years we have been dismally unsuccessful. Our most beautiful and successful garden was devastated when a tornado managed to lay the top half of a pine tree all the way across it one spring. (Paul and I both slept through that one.) Last year we produced 3 peapods-each worth about $1.79 each so believe me they were premium. But we are eternally optimistic. This year we have planted tomatoes, green beans, green onions, brussel sprouts, peppers, yellow squash, and an herb garden. Frankly, if we get a dozen tomatoes out of it, it will be worth it. I would encourage everyone to plant something. There is something about watching it grow, taking care of it and eating what you produce that gives you a great feeling. Good Luck! HERE WE GO AGAIN!

TOMATOES

CHERRY TOMATOES

GREEN BEANS

YELLOW SQUASH, PEPPERS, BRUSSEL SPROUTS

GREEN ONIONS

ITALIAN PARSLEY, PARSLEY, CHIVES, LIME BASIL, BASIL AND OREGANO

"Sisters, Sisters, never were there such devoted sisters!"

I have been thinking how lucky we are to have big sisters. I know that I have the best and now that she is gone, I think I am going through Chris withdrawal. I think of all the big sisters I know and what good sisters they are. Meg, Lex, and Emilyare wonderful big sisters. They are so good to Sadie, trying to include her and offer her advice on everything from fashion to relationships. Then there is Verlinda, Janet, Jerianne, Janae (Jacqui-you are wonderful too!), Tracie (Nic-you too!) and Scharman.

Take a minute and think what your big sister means to you. We don't always need to agree but you can always be yourself-better or worse. And you can always count on your sister to be on your side-no matter what. I don't see my sister enough and even though she has been gone not even 12 hours-I miss her!

RODEO TREK

Well, we have made our springtime pilgrimage to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. It was especially fun this year to have Chris with us. We somewhat tried to dress appropriately but our stock of western wear is lacking. Paul wanted to wear shorts but Sadie insisted he wear his "cool" jeans so , of course, he wore his boots. (They deserve to be worn once a year!) and off we went.
There are some down sides to going to the rodeo. The hordes of people. The masses of people. Did I mention the thousands of people? As we entered the stadium, for the concert, we also entered with thousands of people. I felt like we were cows being herded along. But even worse was the maze to get back on the bus to take you back to the parking lot. Thousands of people pressed into a maze and waiting and waiting. I truly expected to receive a nice big piece of cheese when we successfully made it through.
Hooray! for the up side of the rodeo. Brad Paisley gave an amazing concert-he is one of my personal favorites-it was wonderful. The actual rodeo is very entertaining. You laugh in the calf scramble, gasp at the bull riding and cheer for the barrel racers. The shopping opportunites are varied and vast, and of course, the FOOD! I really need to write an ode to the food. Yes, we ate funnel cakes, cookies and creams in a waffle cone, peanuts and the beloved dippin dots. We couldn't eat it all, so we missed the sausage on a stick, cheesecake on a stick, the barbecue and the turkey legs. I looked for the okra but couldn't find it-maybe next year. All in all it was great. We came home satisfied and the pilgrimage was a happy one.

The "ODE TO ETHAN"

I love having Ethan at home. True, I hardly ever get to use my car. And, true, he is always hungry but....he makes me laugh, he is a wonderful brother to Sadie, he makes me CD's, he helps me babysit- or sitbaby, as little Jenny calls it-, he plays with the cat (or tortures-its a fine line), he does what he is asked to do-if there is time, he will even weed-under pressure-, he adds a wonderful spirit to our home and he is always sensitive to my moods-which can be varied.

What a blessing it is to have a grown son live at home and get to spend time with him. I know he is anxious to move on and will soon be doing so; and I too, want him to have those opportunities. I will miss him. Sadie will miss him. His Dad will miss him.

Last night, as I am cleaning up dinner and talking to Ethan, (take note, I am cleaning and Ethan is talking!) my elbow hit the pan on the stove that still had cauliflower in it. I can't get to it but Ethan with go-go-gadget arms reaches out and catches it before it hits the floor and before it spills. (WOW! Was that superman?) He saved the day or at least the cauliflower and the floor. I will miss the acts of super power-especially flying across my bed- but most of all I will miss the conversations.

Ethan is a positive, up-lifting person, there is much ahead for him. Have a wonderful journey. GO WEST, YOUNG MAN! I love you.

APPARENTLY 'OLD' ENOUGH

Anyone who knows me, know that I am not bothered by my age. I will freely admit that I just turned 53 (WOW!-that is old!) and I pretty much feel that there is not a whole lot I can do about it-it is just how things are. BUT-(and that is a big BUT) don't make me older than I am. I am getting older fast enough by myself, I don't need help from anyone.

For example, a couple of weeks ago, I was having a nice conversation with my 8 year old granddaughter, Madeline. She is studying what she called the "old days". These were her questions to me; "Grandma, did you go to a one-room school?" (No, Maddy, but my mother did.)

"Grandma, did you ride a horse to school?" (NO, Maddy, but my mother did.) "Grandma, did you wear long dresses?" (I was caught by that one. Long dresses were popular during high school. Yes, Maddy, but only because they were cute.) It got better. "Grandma, did you travel by buggy?" (I am still very patient but-No, Maddy, Grandma is not that old!) "Did you make aprons out of flour sacks? Do you know how to shoot a gun? Did you make your own butter? And then came my favorite; "Grandma, did you kill your own meat?" I admit I got a little defensive."MADELINE, GRANDMA IS NOT OLD ENOUGH TO DO THOSE THINGS!"

I have to admit by the end of the conversation, I was laughing but I sent Maddy out to jump on the tramp.

Now just this morning, I figured out where all this is coming from. Meg called to tell me that Julia had ironed for the very first time and she decided that she loved to iron. So, of course, Meg had to inform her that her Grandmother hates to iron. "I know why," said Julia, "its probably because she had to be next to the fire so she could keep the irons hot!!!!"

Now, is that fair? Is it too much to expect loyalty from your children? I admit there was a time on my 30th birthday that Alexa asked how old her father was (she was 5), 56? and I promtly agreed. Year later she told all her friends that her Dad was in his 60's and they were amazed at how young he looked. But I am the mother here and mothers deserve very strict loyalty and devotion. Just remember mothers---your time will come!

And in knowing that I am OK. We have to laugh about getting older or the tears would drown us. You can be sure, as your time comes, I will still be here laughing at-I mean with you.
PS I feel the need to confess. Yes, I made green jello this morning and nothing says old like green jello. All I can say-----IT'S YUMMY!

PPS and this is actually my real great great grandmother, so you know where I'm headed!