Comfortable

I love my daughter Julie and I am grateful to her for such a comfortable and relaxing vacation.

We are comfortable with each other. Even comfortable with discomfort. We are careful – because we want to be respectful of each other and our different points of view – but we are comfortable with that too – because the tension that comes from different points of view is understood and accepted. Julie and I both have strong opinions about things – so it is important that we give each other wiggle room. She does – and I hope I do too.

This zone of comfort includes Sean (who joined us for 4 days) as well – and perhaps more so because he does not have the angst that children and parents have cultivated and also I think because...everyone is comfortable with Sean :-)

All this leads to an incredibly relaxing vacation time together. Nobody needs to entertain or be entertained. The venue of the day has more to do with what somebody, anybody really wants to do – or not do.

For the last two years, Julie and I may have started a tradition by starting off her vacation in California with three days at the beach…her favorite beach, Carpinteria. It is home to our family. It is the beach where we spent the most vacations and even day trips while our kids were growing up. This year we invited my mom to join us. We had a lovely, relaxing, sometimes even sleepy time together. The weather was perfect.

Mom and I picked up Julie from LAX and stopped at The Warehouse in Marina Del Rey for lunch. We were all pretty hungry - the food was great and the place was beautiful.




















We checked in at Best Western Hotel in Carpinteria - and trekked immediately to the beach to catch the rest of the day's sun.











Ah-h...beautiful warm California sun.







I have never enjoyed laying in the sun for very long. The beach always inspires something artistic in me; and this time I started by collecting driftwood of various shapes and sizes. That, and a comment from Julie that one stick looked like a bird, and I was off--creating as I go. I loved it - and Julie loved soaking the sun, and mom loved taking a nap and reading. Very comfortable.

The next morning - Mom remembered a trail along the beach somewhere on the south end of Carpinteria. We searched (with some doubt whether this trail was worth it) and found it. It was a winner! Beautiful walk together in the morning and lots of discoveries :-)

























Below is quite a group of seals, sea gulls, and other bird life.
















I love the pictures Julie took on our walk of the succulent and the railroad tracks.




















More to come later. :-)

Swimming, Reading, and Pies We picked up Sean from LAX after our beach trip. Our visit with Sean was accented by pies. It WAS vacation - and we wanted pies. Two double cream lemon pies (our favorite), one razzleberry pie, and one german chocolate pie (not our favorite). This is a picture of Sean. He was sent in to Marie Callendars to buy the last two pies. He actually wasn't too happy about the picture - but he obliged. (Thanks Sean)

We spent lots of time at the pool - lounging, swimming, reading. Mostly we were the only ones at this huge pool - and a bit annoyed when anyone else would come to swim. We had come to believe it was OUR pool.


This is either a very sad conversation - or two very tired and relaxed guys. It is the latter. Notice they both have books that they had been reading.












Gorgeous California girl. OK, Colorado girl from California.



















See! I told you we had the whole pool to ourselves!
















Can you guess whose legs?













Too soon we had to take Sean back to LAX - but we got to stop in Manhattan Beach and eat dinner with Andy, Lyndsey, and Gwen Scout. This is Gwen outside the coffee shop showing us her foot?














Bye Sean, we wish you could have stayed longer :-(

Like Julie, I have delayed posting anything yet in June which includes a wonderful 11 day visit with Julie. Sean got to come and share 4 of those days. Right now I want to share with you Julie's recent blog about Lyndsey, Andy, and Gwen Scout visiting Julie and Sean in Colorado.

I am so thrilled for my grown children to enjoy each other's company and OF COURSE Gweny. So enjoy with me Julie's blog on Andy and Lyndsey's vacation to Julie and Sean's in Colorado:

http://discoveringmonsters.blogspot.com/

An "E" Ticket weekend with Gwen Scout

Disneyland used to give you a packet of tickets when you paid at the entrance. There were "A" tickets, "B" tickets on up to "E" tickets. The "E" tickets were the best rides - like The Matterhorn. You were always sorry to run out of "E" tickets. This blog is about our 4 day weekend with our granddaughter Gwen Scout - an "E" Ticket weekend for sure!

Hi Mommy and Daddy! Do you want to know what I did at Gamma and Gampa's house? OK I'll tell you. Gamma had a swimming pool outside and I got to hold the hose and help fill the pool with water. This is me doing my water dance. See how I put out my leg just so?

Gamma gave me LOTS of watermelon popsicles that Gamma made from real watermelon. They are yummy!



















I also ate strawberries.














Gamma and I picked berries and ornies. The berries were yummy too. It was fun to ride in the wagon with Gamma to the ornie trees.















We made a train in the kitchen. I put Elmo in the front. It was fun to make a train. And see...I'm eating more watermelon popsicle!

















Mommy, did you know Gampa has a race car like Lightning McQueen? He DOES! and I always like to drive the race car. Gampa stayed out with me and gave me popcorn while I drove his car.






















On Saturday Gamma dried the pool and brought it into the house and poured a bag of balls into the pool. Oh Mommy! I had so much fun running and kicking and rolling in those balls. I laughed and I squealed. It was REALLY fun. You can watch me on the video below.









On Sunday after my nap, Gamma and Gampa drove to Great Aunt Kim's house. I went outside and played in the water with Aubrey and I saw a real turtle. I got to touch it too! That's their dog Mary standing by me. (and I am eating another watermelon popsicle!)
Then we went inside to play. Aubrey had two dolls and let me play with one of them.
















We also had good food at Aunt Kim's house. I ate a hot dog and corn on the cob.

At Gamma's house I played outside with Gamma a lot. See Daddy, I put the walrus and the bird in the boat.















Daddy, Gamma showed me your doctor kit and I was the doctor for my baby. I checked her eyes....and her ears....and her mouth. I also listened to her heart. My baby was good. Good eyes. Good ears. Good mouth. Good heart.


Well, I think I will go back outside to play in the pool. By Mommy and Daddy! I'll see you soon. I love you!

Gwen Scout

NEWS ALERT!

This may be a great disappointment to many of you. It was definitely a shock to me. My husband has informed me that I am not the center of the universe.

ARNIES!

Did you know Grandma has arnie trees? I got to pick arnies from the tree. Grandma showed me how to peel an arnie.







Then I ate it!














Um-m-m-m! So juicy!

Thank you Grandma!

Medical Internship. Eat your heart out Uncle Sean!

SATURDAY MORNING MOONIES!

Saturday morning when I got hungry, Grandma and I made moonies [smoothies]. Grandma let me put in the blueberries, the raspberries, and the strawberries. Then I got to watch grandma buzz it all up.















Look Mommie, this is what we made!

Grandma and I are drinking our moonies.
M-m-m-m Moonies are good!

Friday with Grandma and Grandpa


Hi Mommy!

Grandma wanted me to tell you about my day and I said OK.

About 1 a.m. in the morning I kind of woke up and tried to go back to sleep singing my sleepy song--but eventually I opened my eyes enough to realize--"Hey! I don't know where I am!" Then, forget the sleepy song, I want my Daddy!

Guess what! Grandma was right there and said "Hi Gweny!" and she picked me up and showed me I was at her house. That was OK with me, but where was Daddy? She walked me down the hall and said Daddy was asleep in that room. Yeah. That was OK.

Grandma took me in the living room and guess who was sitting on the couch smiling at me? GRANDPA! He said real soft, "Hi Gweny." And I was happy to see him. Then I saw lots of toys and I wanted to play. Boy mom, you should have seen all the toys. I got to open a present of Eddie and Sarah Lynn dolls. "E-d-d-i-e!" I like my Eddie. Grandma and I stayed up and played a long time. Grandma got tired and laid down on the couch. Funny Grandma! She said all my toys were getting tired and so I needed to go to bed too. I guess that was OK. I got a drink of juice and went to bed with my Night-Night.

In the morning I woke up a little grouchy--but not too much. Grandpa and Grandma were up and Grandpa was getting ready to go to work. Daddy was up too.



Feeding Elmo
Mommy! Guess what! I saw ELMO--and he danced and sang me a song and everything. He came ALIVE! I was so excited and happy. He sang to me alot today. Grandma showed me how to squeeze his hand and make him sing. I like Elmo...a lot.










After breakfast we went to see where Grandpa works. All these people came up to me and smiled. I didn't like it. I never saw them before--but one lady had a box of Sponge Bob toys....LOTS OF 'EM! Didn't matter I didn't know her--forget her....look at these TOYS! She let me wear her Sponge Bob backpack. I showed Daddy. We thought the backpack was pretty cool.














We went home, I ate lunch, and Daddy put me down for a nap. I kind of didn't want to...but Daddy helped me...and then I got REALLY sleepy and slept a LONG time.

We did lots of things when I woke up. I helped Daddy wash the car. I rode with Daddy in the wagon--Grandma pulled us BOTH. She is really strong. I put Elmo in the wagon and pulled him. I don't quite get the wagon thing--because I don't like to walk backwards--so I pushed the handle on the wagon which made it move in circles. Weird.

Grandma showed me a mother bird who was sitting on her nest. Guess where she built her nest? IN A FLOWER POT on a shelf outside. Grandma told me to be real quiet. We looked at the bird. She looked at us. She wasn't even scared.







I got to help Grandma cook dinner. She let me help close the door on the microwave and push the button. She let me stir the food in the pan. It's OK Mom, I was real careful because Grandma told me it was hot. I got to help her take the peeling off the onion, and I helped Daddy set the table. I like to help.

After dinner, Daddy and Grandpa went to hear music. Grandma and I went outside and said goodby. I forgot to tell you that two ladies came over and talked with everybody and ate dinner with us. Grandma said her name was Grandma--but that couldn't be right. And the other lady was named Julie, but that couldn't be right either because she was not my Aunt Julie. I was confused so I just ignored them.

Daddy talked to Grandma about a bath and Night Night. I didn't like that word bath. I didn't want a bath. Grandma was nice to me and we put all my toy friends in the bath. I didn't mind if THEY went in the water--but I didn't want to. Grandma tried getting in the bath with me--but I kept one leg in the air reaching to get out of the bathtub. She washed me quick and talked nice--but it didn't help until I knew the bath was over. Whew! I thought I was going to die.

I showed Grandma my pretty silky pajamas. She thought they were very pretty. I wanted to wear them. I played with Elmo--but then she said Elmo had to be quiet and go to bed. After she said that Elmo couldn't sing anymore. She read me some stories and then let me pick some toy friends to go to bed with me. I picked Eddie and the clown and some cars. Grandma has this light that changes colors right by my bed. I played a little and then went to sleep.

I love you Mommy. Grandma told Grandpa and Daddy that you and Daddy are a wonderful Mommy and Daddy. I knew that, but how does Grandma know?

I love you Mommy. XOXOXO! Gweny

POSTING for those who complain.

My sister shamed me for not putting up any posts of my granddaughter. It has been so long since I posted--that she even took me off her list of links from her blog. Now I DO feel bad. But the lack of posting reflects how incredibly sick and then busy I have been. I am a student at Bakersfield College taking a 5 unit class in Spanish--combining both semesters in one. I am starting a new ministry--well actually I started it a year ago--but took a new leap into renting an apartment for a ministry base. I have lots to learn, but I am LOVING it. Besides that, I don't get to see my little granddaughter NEARLY enough--but I am going to post some pictures so my sister will stop complaining. (Hers and my niece-in-law's blogs are FILLED with granddaughter pictures--so I can't really compete--but here some of them are:

Gwen Scout McCraw, say HELLO!

So THERE!

Significant Nothing Day

This is my significant nothing day--which might get interrupted by something--and that could mess it all up, because then I will need another nothing day.

Today I watched Lady in the Water two times because...I wanted to. Because it reminds me of Kelsey and who she is, and who I am, and who all those around her are.

But I did not take a shower, did not clean up the living room, did not exercise yet--I let this anxiety in myself build up--this "ought to" anxiety--and ignored it. Because I know it isn't always real--and that if I always answer my ought to's the real me gets lost somewhere, and the "ought to's" loom larger and become more demanding.

So I ignore my ought to's for a day and enjoy whatever I want--and waste time extravagantly. My husband comes home to the very same mess he left that morning--and sometimes I even whine that I got nothing done all day. But I am learning to be proud of my nothing days, just like I am proud of my something days.

There are bills, and errands, and phone calls....but not right now. I used to reprimand myself for such selfish indulgence--until I realized after years and years--that soon following my nothing days--I got all kinds of stuff done--and unusually fast or with unusual patience. I am pretty sure my nothing days make my something days possible.

Christmas Day

My daughter just called me at 7:15 a.m. on Christmas morning--so that I wouldn't miss those early morning wake-ups when she and Andy couldn't wait any longer to see what Santa had brought.

She nudged old memories of late night Christmas Eves, coming home very late from a full Christmas Eve at the Burdettes, church, and McCraws--kids would go to bed excited from opening presents at their grandparents houses, and anticipating Santa's magical visit.

Santa Claus did not get to bed. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus stayed up until the wee hours of the night bringing out the toys--arranging them, putting them together, and admiring the whole effect. Sometime around 2:00 a.m. I think, they would stumble to bed--only to be pounced on a few hours later by enthusiastic Andy and Julie begging them to get up so they could go see the magic of Santa's gift giving.

Thank you Julie for waking me up......again! ;-)

THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I have memories like Bob at Grandma Skeen's house. Playing outside in the leaves, climbing the apricot tree in the back, and playing and talking inside while we could smell delicious smells coming from the kitchen. Cooking was clearly Grandma Skeen's domain. I don't remember much more than a Thanksgiving prayer and lots of good food. I don't remember much Thanksgiving conversation at Grandma's. Did we?

Then we graduated to Mom's house on Carr street. Lots of food and pies. Mom always doing more than her share. Sharing the Thanksgiving Story and personal Thank You's. Babies and kids everywhere and lots of sweet chaos.

As our extended family boomed--the McCraws pulled away for one peaceful holiday a year with our own family. We had such good times together, making placemats, taking silly photos. Everyone got to make something for the dinner (except Ron who never cooks). Andy was always in charge of slicing the turkey. Between Julie and Andy--they made the green bean casserole, the yams with marshmallows, and the frozen cranberry salad. Sitting down at the table--we all took turns sharing for what we were most grateful. I remember Kelsey always loved Thanksgiving--and loved the mashed potatoes and turkey and gravy. It was a special treat for her too. Usually we traveled to Grandma's house for dessert and to see the rest of the family.

Now our kids are adults--and farther away--and we needed to pull back into our extended family again. Thanksgiving with two or three of us is kind of empty. So we have joined the Burdette Clan again. It is getting more and more important for me to connect with siblings and nieces and nephews--because the importance of family is taking on a new perspective for me. There is some kind of thrill and comfort in hearing from Jacob, and Annie, and Wendi, etc. There is some renewed sense of joy when I get to hug Peter and meet his sweet wife Tracie. Traveling to see my sister Julie with Mom was wonderful--and satisfied some deep need in me to connect, and laugh, and talk, with my family.

I LOVE MY FAMILY! I love you guys,

Love,

Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Mom, Grandma Marti ;-)

PS: Mentioning all 17 cousins and families would have been laborious--so I hope you all gave me some slack. The love is there too.