Sally, Janie and I have decided that we were going to donate food to a local charity in Pensacola in honor of my dad. So, I went out and bought several bags worth of stuff. Cans are very heavy. We have rice, pasta, loads of beans, tomatoes and peanut butter.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Food Gathering
Sally, Janie and I have decided that we were going to donate food to a local charity in Pensacola in honor of my dad. So, I went out and bought several bags worth of stuff. Cans are very heavy. We have rice, pasta, loads of beans, tomatoes and peanut butter.
Mop Top
Okay. We all can agree that Solon needs a trim. We will see if we can squeeze it into the 'to do' list before we head off for the beach.Quiet Time
The mornings start off well, but it is the couple of hours that Solon is down for his nap that my mind goes back to my dad. I try so hard to keep busy. Doing dishes, taking out the trash, washing clothes...but I can't ignore that deep pain jabbing in my heart.
I try and force my brain to think of a story. Something I can zero in on just so I can ignore the big emptiness inside me. So I just stepped outside to pet Taco and stood and looked out on the backyard. It is cold, windy and rainy. The exact weather my dad couldn't stand. He had such thin skin and would drag out his big green winter coat as soon as the temps dropped below 72.
My dad lived with me and Jay for 9 months a few years back. From September 2004-July 2005. The place he had been renting down in Pensacola had been hit hard by Hurricane Ivan, and he needed a place to live while his townhouse in Perdido was being finished up. I have a lot of stories from those months but this small one popped in my head.
I came home a little early from work one day, and my dad was standing at the fireplace. I saw him make a quick gesture and then I smelled it. Caught red handed. "Daddy! Are you smoking a cigarette inside!!" He tried to tell me no..but the evidence was there amongst the logs. He looked at me and told me it was just too cold to be outside. I laughed and shook my head.
I couldn't say much because neither Jay or I washed a single dish or did a load of laundry the entire time he stayed with us. He also had dinner ready for all 3 of us every night. Jay and I would sit on the couch, and he would drag a chair over to the glass coffee table, and we would eat there together. Sally and Janie always like to poke fun at Jay because he got so fat (fat for Jay) during this time. Living off of chili cheese hot dogs will do that to someone.
This is going to be a hard week ahead for everyone in our family.
Him not being in his kitchen...fretting over his ham...while we all lie around his den...him asking Jay about football because after raising so many girls he didn't really follow it closely...Shellye making her artichoke dip...and all of us eating around his coffee table at the end of the evening...and groaning when he offered up his snicker pie. It is going to be hard for me to realize that this will not be part of my holiday.
I am going to do my best to just think of all the funny and happy times I shared with my dad. Or the times I had to slightly get onto him. And then look at Sally & Janie and see his reflection in their faces and smiles. And try to smile with them. Because that is all my dad ever wanted...was us to be happy. And he loved our smiles.
I try and force my brain to think of a story. Something I can zero in on just so I can ignore the big emptiness inside me. So I just stepped outside to pet Taco and stood and looked out on the backyard. It is cold, windy and rainy. The exact weather my dad couldn't stand. He had such thin skin and would drag out his big green winter coat as soon as the temps dropped below 72.
My dad lived with me and Jay for 9 months a few years back. From September 2004-July 2005. The place he had been renting down in Pensacola had been hit hard by Hurricane Ivan, and he needed a place to live while his townhouse in Perdido was being finished up. I have a lot of stories from those months but this small one popped in my head.
I came home a little early from work one day, and my dad was standing at the fireplace. I saw him make a quick gesture and then I smelled it. Caught red handed. "Daddy! Are you smoking a cigarette inside!!" He tried to tell me no..but the evidence was there amongst the logs. He looked at me and told me it was just too cold to be outside. I laughed and shook my head.
I couldn't say much because neither Jay or I washed a single dish or did a load of laundry the entire time he stayed with us. He also had dinner ready for all 3 of us every night. Jay and I would sit on the couch, and he would drag a chair over to the glass coffee table, and we would eat there together. Sally and Janie always like to poke fun at Jay because he got so fat (fat for Jay) during this time. Living off of chili cheese hot dogs will do that to someone.
This is going to be a hard week ahead for everyone in our family.
Him not being in his kitchen...fretting over his ham...while we all lie around his den...him asking Jay about football because after raising so many girls he didn't really follow it closely...Shellye making her artichoke dip...and all of us eating around his coffee table at the end of the evening...and groaning when he offered up his snicker pie. It is going to be hard for me to realize that this will not be part of my holiday.
I am going to do my best to just think of all the funny and happy times I shared with my dad. Or the times I had to slightly get onto him. And then look at Sally & Janie and see his reflection in their faces and smiles. And try to smile with them. Because that is all my dad ever wanted...was us to be happy. And he loved our smiles.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Froggie On My Back
Solon just barely fills out these little PJs. It was cute seeing him in something so baby-like. We framed some photos of him this weekend, and he starts pointing to them when he sees himself. Whatcha' Got Cooking
I spent today busy which was good. Jay took over Solon duty for most of Sunday, so I could cook 2 batches of dressing and giblet gravy. We then rotated, and Jay cooked 2 pecan pies. We will see if they are better than Sally's from years past. Anyone care for a slice of pecan soup?Air Solon
Solon wore his mini Air Jordans for a few seconds this weekend. He isn't quite that big of a fan of having socks or shoes on his feet.Play Time
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Show Me The Love
Sally and I were driving down I-55, heading to see my dad up at his office, the Department of Agriculture building. We were chatting, and Sally kept saying "Daddy loves you more Mary Margaret. He is so proud of you and that is all he talks about...you being an architect." I kept interrupting her...assuring her that Daddy didn't play favorites and that he loved us all equally.
We showed up at the office building ,and my dad was outside on the front portico waiting for us...and smoking a cigarette. We walked up, hugged and then some of his work buddies showed up. Never missing an opportunity to brag about us and show us off, my dad cornered the men so he could introduce us.
My dad was pointing to me and said "Now this is my daughter Mary Margaret. She graduated from MSU and is an architect." Then he pointed to Sally and said.."And this is my other daughter...Mary Margaret." Long pause. Sally and I looked at one another. He quickly corrected himself and told everyone "Sorry..Excuse me..Sally. And she is a school teacher." I can see him now slapping his fingers to his face over his mistake. But I had to laugh. Sally was looking at me and was saying to me with her eyes...see..I told you so.
My dad loved all 4 of his girls so much...and equally. But differently. Differently because he knew us so well. My dad talked to Sally about photography, repetition and their weird fascination with numbers and division. He talked to me about plumbing, cars and work. He was not a dad who just made a one minute phone call to say I am checking in. He talked to us. And cared about every little thing on our minds.
But Sally...I think Daddy did love me more...Because I was taller than you:)
We showed up at the office building ,and my dad was outside on the front portico waiting for us...and smoking a cigarette. We walked up, hugged and then some of his work buddies showed up. Never missing an opportunity to brag about us and show us off, my dad cornered the men so he could introduce us.
My dad was pointing to me and said "Now this is my daughter Mary Margaret. She graduated from MSU and is an architect." Then he pointed to Sally and said.."And this is my other daughter...Mary Margaret." Long pause. Sally and I looked at one another. He quickly corrected himself and told everyone "Sorry..Excuse me..Sally. And she is a school teacher." I can see him now slapping his fingers to his face over his mistake. But I had to laugh. Sally was looking at me and was saying to me with her eyes...see..I told you so.
My dad loved all 4 of his girls so much...and equally. But differently. Differently because he knew us so well. My dad talked to Sally about photography, repetition and their weird fascination with numbers and division. He talked to me about plumbing, cars and work. He was not a dad who just made a one minute phone call to say I am checking in. He talked to us. And cared about every little thing on our minds.
But Sally...I think Daddy did love me more...Because I was taller than you:)
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Good Night Bday Boy
Jay read Solon his birthday flap book before bed time. Birthday parties for little ones are a lot shorter than they are for grown ups! I think we wrapped it all up in an hour. It was a lot of fun.Bongo-licous
Jay and I bought Solon a bongo for his birthday. It is a real official bongo..not one for babies. He loves going around the house and beating on whatever he can find. Toilet lid, paint can or tupperware. So we are expecting big noises out of you Muffin Man!Almost Got It
Solon loves this toy but isn't quite sturdy enough on his legs to walk with it around the house. He has managed to figure out how to push it around on the floor and make the balls pop around.
Semi-Fan
Solon did inherit my love of balloons but not my love of chocolate. He would take a bite, shudder and then spit it back out. I guess I will need to indoctrinate him into the ways of cocoa. No more squash and peas from this day on! Nothing but chocolate pudding, chocolate bars and chocolate milk.
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