Happy Mother's Day!!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

When our kid's were little, Mother's Day was my favorite holiday.  I got to sleep in on both Saturday and Sunday on Mother's Day weekend (see how I extended the one day to two) and when you had early bird kids, that was the only gift I wanted. It didn't stop there, though, because when I did get up, I was spoiled the rest of the day. We did have one year when around 5 p.m. my husband declared he was done and the day was over. I guess the pressure got to him.  I told him it was good to know that a person could declare a day over on a whim and I would keep that in mind for future reference.

Most of you know, my mom has a very good sense of humor. I really think this is one of my favorite traits about her. She will be 86 this month and talking to her on the phone is always a unique experience because you never know what she is going to say.  This month we have had several talks about portion control.  Apparently, the whole world has singled her out as the person to give the smallest portion to when serving up any type of food.  The Amish are now on her list, because of a recent "mystery ride" trip she went on to an Amish house where the dessert was apple pie.  She started the story by telling me she was so full from her lunch and watched in horror as the Amish started cutting enormous slices of pie and she had no idea how she would ever eat such a big piece...but then ended the story with, "wouldn't you know it, I got the smallest slice of anyone."

My dad was a traveling salesman and left the house on Monday and came home on Thursday or Friday each week, which meant my mom did everything for my sisters and me. You don't really understand what that means until you grow up and have kids of your own. She took in ironing to make extra money and I can remember her with a 7-up bottle with a sprinkler cap, wetting the clothes down to iron. She babysat, too.  My mom bakes great cookies and her pecan/cinnamon rolls are to die for.  I talk to her almost every day on the phone, and she is my greatest audience. She wasn't perfect, but she did her best and that is all we can hope for in a mom. If you have a story you would like to share about your mom, I would love to hear one. Happy Mother's Day to my mom and all the moms in the world.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Can't come soon enough.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Such a dear tribute, Nancy. I hope you will have tender moments with your mother along the way.

My Dad has dementia. He was diagnosed 2 1/2 years go. It is only since his diagnosis and treatment with anti-psychotics that he has been pleasant. He was verbally abusive my whole life and now he even smiles at babies sometimes. For us it feels like he should have been on medication his whole life. He must have been miserable to be so angry for all of those years.

I hope that your mother will shine through for you many, many times to renew your memories of her.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thank you, Bonnie.  I am so glad that you are having positive times with your dad now.  I guess I would rather have it the way I do - with a good mom until now rather than with a cranky, abusive dad until now.

I hope that a cure for Alzheimer's comes in my lifetime and that I don't do this to my kids.  Getting old is the pits!

[Annie Oak]

What wonderful stories from all.  My kleenex box is empty!  I am luck to have my 86 year old Mom take care of Jax when we go out of town.  She just loves him and he is very attached to her like my previous Big Dog Max.  I am lucky never to have had to put my dogs in a doggie hotel...  While doing errands yesterday, when clerks said Happy Mothers Day to me, I said yes, my dog thinks so too.  Not having any children my doggies are super spoiled my me.