Monday, December 25, 2006
Saturday, December 23, 2006
A Melancholy Day
The Dash Poem
by Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end
He noted that first came her date of her birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years
For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not how much we own;
The cars,the house,the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?
©1996 Linda Ellis
Not a very Christmas minded poem, but very thought provoking and poignant for me today.
I am feeling very melancholy today. That is a very unusual feeling for me during this time of year. I love Christmas. And, it's not because of the gifts. I love getting together with family. I love all the decorations and good will from and toward strangers. I love trying to find the perfect gifts. I love the cold and hope for snow every year. I love the Christmas smells. I love giving gifts. I love the fun of the kids opening their gifts. I just love it all!!
I think I feel meloncholy for several reasons and yet, I feel that I shouldn't feel that way at all. There is no good reason for me to feel sad today. The sun is finally out after days of yucky rain. That alone should bring my spirits up. I have virtually all of my Christmas shopping completed. I have most of the food ready for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. All I really have left to do is a little wrapping and house cleaning.
Instead, I am sitting here thinking about the things I should have done. I am thinking about the people I miss and wondering what they are missing. I wonder what my Grandma Bertram would have thought about having not 1 but 2 Great Grandsons this year. I wonder what Grandma Monica would have thought about that too. I wonder what Mark's Mom would have said about Mark having a son. I think they would have been so overjoyed that they wouldn't know what to do with themselves. But, I will never know and I miss them.
Every time I pull out an Orange cookie to give to someone, I think about Mark's Mom. Every time I cut a piece of peanut butter fudge, I think about Andy's Grandmother, Lydia. While shopping yesterday, I walked away from the oranges because I won't need them this year for Lanny's rum and cokes.
As stated in a previous post, I learned a valuable lesson this year. Tell people what you think and feel. If you wait, they may not be there when you are ready to tell them. In addition to that lesson, I have learned that I need to live in the moment and not worry so much about the future. Further, I need to not procrastinate about things and just get them done. Big order, but I am trying to do it all better and with simplicity.
On top of that, I just found out that a wonderful practical joke that I was playing was ruined. I had a confession all prepared for Christmas day as a conclusion of the joke. Sam and I have had a great time with Operation S.W.A.M. I guess this means, I will have to do something better for next year. Maybe those individuals who blew the joke, will be the target. (If I were you two, I would be worried, very worried.) You both just messed with Sam and I, the queens of the practical jokes in this family. You are amatuers who betrayed my confidences and will be dealt with at a later time. If you wanted to be included in the fun, there were much better ways to go about that than ratting me out.
(FYI: Operation S.W.A.M is an acronym for Screw With Andy's Mind. Sam's husband, Andy, has those huge Chritmas lights from the 70's that Sam hates and he just loves. Each year, he strings them out along their driveway and each year Sam complains about how ugly are. So, this year I decided to mess with lights. Every couple of days I have loosened random bulbs with Sam as my lookout. One day I loosened all the red bulbs. A couple days later I loosened all the blue blubs, etc., etc. The first night, Sam tried to tell Andy, but he just didn't get it. So, we decided the game was 'on' and really started to mess with him. He thought it was a neighborhood kid playing a practical joke. He accused Cullen, who knew nothing. He accused both Sam and I and we, of course, claimed our innocence. Andy has been greatly amused by this joke as have Sam and I. The ruined finish to the joke was a confession with a gift wrapped package of spare bulbs after one last loosening of the bulbs. I was planning on grouping each of the colors together! Well, it was fun while it lasted. But, given my mood today, I am very upset that I was ratted out.)
by Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end
He noted that first came her date of her birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years
For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not how much we own;
The cars,the house,the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?
©1996 Linda Ellis
Not a very Christmas minded poem, but very thought provoking and poignant for me today.
I am feeling very melancholy today. That is a very unusual feeling for me during this time of year. I love Christmas. And, it's not because of the gifts. I love getting together with family. I love all the decorations and good will from and toward strangers. I love trying to find the perfect gifts. I love the cold and hope for snow every year. I love the Christmas smells. I love giving gifts. I love the fun of the kids opening their gifts. I just love it all!!
I think I feel meloncholy for several reasons and yet, I feel that I shouldn't feel that way at all. There is no good reason for me to feel sad today. The sun is finally out after days of yucky rain. That alone should bring my spirits up. I have virtually all of my Christmas shopping completed. I have most of the food ready for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. All I really have left to do is a little wrapping and house cleaning.
Instead, I am sitting here thinking about the things I should have done. I am thinking about the people I miss and wondering what they are missing. I wonder what my Grandma Bertram would have thought about having not 1 but 2 Great Grandsons this year. I wonder what Grandma Monica would have thought about that too. I wonder what Mark's Mom would have said about Mark having a son. I think they would have been so overjoyed that they wouldn't know what to do with themselves. But, I will never know and I miss them.
Every time I pull out an Orange cookie to give to someone, I think about Mark's Mom. Every time I cut a piece of peanut butter fudge, I think about Andy's Grandmother, Lydia. While shopping yesterday, I walked away from the oranges because I won't need them this year for Lanny's rum and cokes.
As stated in a previous post, I learned a valuable lesson this year. Tell people what you think and feel. If you wait, they may not be there when you are ready to tell them. In addition to that lesson, I have learned that I need to live in the moment and not worry so much about the future. Further, I need to not procrastinate about things and just get them done. Big order, but I am trying to do it all better and with simplicity.
On top of that, I just found out that a wonderful practical joke that I was playing was ruined. I had a confession all prepared for Christmas day as a conclusion of the joke. Sam and I have had a great time with Operation S.W.A.M. I guess this means, I will have to do something better for next year. Maybe those individuals who blew the joke, will be the target. (If I were you two, I would be worried, very worried.) You both just messed with Sam and I, the queens of the practical jokes in this family. You are amatuers who betrayed my confidences and will be dealt with at a later time. If you wanted to be included in the fun, there were much better ways to go about that than ratting me out.
(FYI: Operation S.W.A.M is an acronym for Screw With Andy's Mind. Sam's husband, Andy, has those huge Chritmas lights from the 70's that Sam hates and he just loves. Each year, he strings them out along their driveway and each year Sam complains about how ugly are. So, this year I decided to mess with lights. Every couple of days I have loosened random bulbs with Sam as my lookout. One day I loosened all the red bulbs. A couple days later I loosened all the blue blubs, etc., etc. The first night, Sam tried to tell Andy, but he just didn't get it. So, we decided the game was 'on' and really started to mess with him. He thought it was a neighborhood kid playing a practical joke. He accused Cullen, who knew nothing. He accused both Sam and I and we, of course, claimed our innocence. Andy has been greatly amused by this joke as have Sam and I. The ruined finish to the joke was a confession with a gift wrapped package of spare bulbs after one last loosening of the bulbs. I was planning on grouping each of the colors together! Well, it was fun while it lasted. But, given my mood today, I am very upset that I was ratted out.)
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Pictures
Ian's newest toy. As you can tell, he loves his Zebra! 
Alex and Ian napping. Not!
Kieren: "Cool Zebra!"Ian: "I know, my Mom's the best."
Kieren: "Can I get a ride?"
Ian: "Sure, little lady."
I had to include this picture. It cracks me up! 
Some Pictures
The long awaited picture of Ian's teeth!!! 
Whiskey and Ian under the Christmas tree.
Getting dressed to go see Santa.Ian says toes are the best toys ever!!
This is how Ian sleeps. He pulls his blankie over his faceafter you lay him in his crib. It makes me crazy,
but what can I do.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
The Many Faces of Ian
Ian is 6 months old today! Above is a collage of pictures that I took this morning in honor of Ian's 6 months on this earth. His personality really shows through in these pictures. He is always, always happy. He has become such a ham for the camera. He has the funniest little giggle and is very ticklish. He has a quirky little smile. He is a big flirt. (He wiggles his eyebrow at you! It's hilarious.) He loves to blow raspberries at anyone that gets his attention. (He particularly likes to do this in restaurants to pretty blond girls. Which, of course, makes Mark very proud.) As you can see, he has mastered the art of sitting up on his own. He is curious about everything. You have to keep things out of his reach, which is amazingly long for such a little person! He still likes to torture me by trapping me in the car when he poops. He is rotten. (Can't imagine where he gets that?!?!) He rolls over as soon you put him down. So, you have to really have to watch him. He talks to me all the time. (Probably because I talk to him all the time.) He likes to try to do whatever Kieren is doing. He is learning some sign language. (He pats your hand or the bottle which I finally figured out means "nice".) And, to the joy of my friend the photographer and to the detriment of my wallet, he never seems to take a bad picture!
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Alex and Ian
Alex and Ian
Video sent by camus422
This is a a video my Dad took the other day of Alex trying to get Ian to poop. Ian has been a little backed up since we started solid foods. This time carrots really stopped him up and gave him a lot of gas. Just prior to this video, Ian tooted and Alex had his nose right down on Ian's rear end smelling it!! We tried to get Alex to do it again so we could video tape it, but he wouldn't do it. Instead this is what we got...
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Birthday Wishes
Mark's birthday is December 11th. He unfortunately will be somewhere in Europe or Asia on that day. Mark' always gets the shaft when it comes to his birthday it seems. Last year, I was in China for his big day. (He turned 40 last year. I called him from China and woke him up because I had jet lag and couldn't figure out the time difference/International Date Line. Expensive call, but completely worth it.) All the other years I have known him, he has been on the road somewhere. I think he has been home for maybe 1 birthday in the 16 years that I have known him! This year, he will at least get to have dinner in Amsterdam with his friend Brian for their birthdays. (Brian's is December 12th.) Why am I telling you this???
I asked Mark what he would like for his birthday when I talked to him on Monday. He had only one request or wish for his birthday this year. He wished that our new nephew, Anson, would come home from the hospital. Anson was born in October but wasn't due until December. So, he has been in the NICU at Ohio State Med. Center for what seems like forever.
Well, Mark's wish came true! Anson came home yesterday evening!!! He was released after almost doubling his birth weight and getting some apnea issues mostly under control. He didn't even have to come home with the monitor that we all thought he might have. So, his very happy and now very tired parents are able to hold and love in him whenever they like. I can hardly wait to go see him and love on him too!!
Mark, I guess dinner for your birthday when you get home is small potatoes compared to that wish come true...
I asked Mark what he would like for his birthday when I talked to him on Monday. He had only one request or wish for his birthday this year. He wished that our new nephew, Anson, would come home from the hospital. Anson was born in October but wasn't due until December. So, he has been in the NICU at Ohio State Med. Center for what seems like forever.
Well, Mark's wish came true! Anson came home yesterday evening!!! He was released after almost doubling his birth weight and getting some apnea issues mostly under control. He didn't even have to come home with the monitor that we all thought he might have. So, his very happy and now very tired parents are able to hold and love in him whenever they like. I can hardly wait to go see him and love on him too!!
Mark, I guess dinner for your birthday when you get home is small potatoes compared to that wish come true...
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Why the address of this blog is auntexlax.blogspot.com
I am relieved today to know that my mojo is still working. I was getting worried. It seemed to be failing me. But after the events of Thursday, I know that all is in order.
Why is the address of this blog: auntexlax.blogspot.com, you ask? 1) it's because every baby I touch poops their diaper. I mean every one!!! Sam has called me before to come over to hold Cullen so that he would poop. I have held my nephew Alex several times to get things moving. What a talent!! But, it has never failed to work.
Until Ian came along. (I told you all that pregnancy really messed me up!!!) Anyway, when I started feeding Ian solid foods, we started to have problems. Nothing major, just a day or two here or there that things didn't move along or out, if you prefer. Then, I tried giving him carrots. That stopped things altogether for about 3 days. I tried glycerin suppositories with little success. So, Thursday evening I was holding Ian and he started pushing and straining. I just kePT holding him and playing with him until the smell was more than I could take. So, I took him in his room to see about the results of our adventure.
Why is the address of this blog: auntexlax.blogspot.com, you ask? 2) Everytime I change a poopy diaper, there is more poop. You heard me right. I start the clean up and more poop rolls out!! Again, what a talent!!! Kieren did it to me in China with the STANK. Cullen did the exploding baby on me several times. Alex did it. It just happens to me!!
Understand that I am a veteran of changing diapers, but it still took me 12 wipes to get all the poop off Ian! He had poop in his belly button, up his back to his neck and in his socks!! I can't believe that he could be full of that much poop. I hollered for Mark to come help me. He came in with his sweatshirt over his nose and only to the door of the room. Wimp!! I sent him for a bag to dispose of the diaper and wipes because there was no way to wrap up this mess without it oozing out everywhere. He returned holding the bag out at arms length with his nose in his sweatshirt. Wimp!! I deposited the offensive items and turned back to Ian to put on a clean diaper. But, he had other ideas. Instead of the nice clean baby I left, I turned around to find a pile of poop on the changing table being smashed into the changing pad cover by his bottom and legs! Again, I call for Mark who comes in with his nose in his sweatshirt (Wimp!!) to help me clean up this mess. I picked up the kid, he pulled the changing pad cover off (while gagging) and I started all over with the clean up process.
About 20 wipes, a diaper, a changing pad cover and new clothes for Ian later, I had it all cleaned up! Can you tell that Mark doesn't do poop any better than he does vomit!?!?
Now you know why the address of this blog is appropriate. And, I am happy to report that my poop mojo is in full working order!! Don't call me if you need help. After Thursday's mess, I have cleaned up my share for awhile and therefore, you are on your own!
BTW, it's official!! I have fallen into the abyss known as parenthood. I just wrote an entire blog posting about poop! Aren't you glad I didn't discuss color and texture!?! It's amazing how parenthood changes your perspective on things and makes you willing to discuss your child's bowel habits in a public forum.
Why is the address of this blog: auntexlax.blogspot.com, you ask? 1) it's because every baby I touch poops their diaper. I mean every one!!! Sam has called me before to come over to hold Cullen so that he would poop. I have held my nephew Alex several times to get things moving. What a talent!! But, it has never failed to work.
Until Ian came along. (I told you all that pregnancy really messed me up!!!) Anyway, when I started feeding Ian solid foods, we started to have problems. Nothing major, just a day or two here or there that things didn't move along or out, if you prefer. Then, I tried giving him carrots. That stopped things altogether for about 3 days. I tried glycerin suppositories with little success. So, Thursday evening I was holding Ian and he started pushing and straining. I just kePT holding him and playing with him until the smell was more than I could take. So, I took him in his room to see about the results of our adventure.
Why is the address of this blog: auntexlax.blogspot.com, you ask? 2) Everytime I change a poopy diaper, there is more poop. You heard me right. I start the clean up and more poop rolls out!! Again, what a talent!!! Kieren did it to me in China with the STANK. Cullen did the exploding baby on me several times. Alex did it. It just happens to me!!
Understand that I am a veteran of changing diapers, but it still took me 12 wipes to get all the poop off Ian! He had poop in his belly button, up his back to his neck and in his socks!! I can't believe that he could be full of that much poop. I hollered for Mark to come help me. He came in with his sweatshirt over his nose and only to the door of the room. Wimp!! I sent him for a bag to dispose of the diaper and wipes because there was no way to wrap up this mess without it oozing out everywhere. He returned holding the bag out at arms length with his nose in his sweatshirt. Wimp!! I deposited the offensive items and turned back to Ian to put on a clean diaper. But, he had other ideas. Instead of the nice clean baby I left, I turned around to find a pile of poop on the changing table being smashed into the changing pad cover by his bottom and legs! Again, I call for Mark who comes in with his nose in his sweatshirt (Wimp!!) to help me clean up this mess. I picked up the kid, he pulled the changing pad cover off (while gagging) and I started all over with the clean up process.
About 20 wipes, a diaper, a changing pad cover and new clothes for Ian later, I had it all cleaned up! Can you tell that Mark doesn't do poop any better than he does vomit!?!?
Now you know why the address of this blog is appropriate. And, I am happy to report that my poop mojo is in full working order!! Don't call me if you need help. After Thursday's mess, I have cleaned up my share for awhile and therefore, you are on your own!
BTW, it's official!! I have fallen into the abyss known as parenthood. I just wrote an entire blog posting about poop! Aren't you glad I didn't discuss color and texture!?! It's amazing how parenthood changes your perspective on things and makes you willing to discuss your child's bowel habits in a public forum.