Time

I am someone, that I finally just admitted to myself the other day, is really busy. I guess before I just thought I had a lot to do, but now I realize there is a reason there are some days that I am dragging! I get up early to work in my office. My days are spent either at the store, or with my grandbabies, and then I work more at night before heading to bed to watch some tv. I was looking at some old pictures on my computer this morning, while trying to wake up at the same time. These pictures were taken in March of 2007. Riley wasn't even a year old yet. And now she will be four in August. How does that happen? There are so many times, especially now, that I wish I could slow time down. I just don't know how to do it, do you? The months fly by faster and faster each year, amazing! And now my little Riley is in pre-school, takes swimming lessons & swims like a little fish, talks non-stop, and loves to sing. She is a big cousin to Morgan who will be one in June, and Riley will be a big sister in July when her baby brother is born. She has a wicked sense of humor, and Riley did a little video for her aunt Brande the other day. Kind of shows her style of humor, and you just may see what I mean! I post the lyrics to Zach Gill's song all the time, so you don't have to read them, but I need to post them. They warm my heart.

You Watch Them Grow

She's close to God, I'm sure of that
She sits him down, and they have a chat
She asks for sunshine, and he agrees
You see, for her, He'd do anything

You watch them grow, then you let 'em go

She is a monkey, and I'm her tree
And now she's climbing all over me
Swinging on my vines dancing on my limbs
Her monkey sounds sound like angel's hymns

You watch them grow, then you let 'em go
You watch them grow, then you let 'em go

She is an angel, she is an imp
She's got my big toe, and her mother's lips
She gives fishy kisses, and great big bear hugs
42 pounds of pure love
Then one day she'll be 17, feelin' too big for her home
Seems she was just only 3, oh how our children they grow

You watch them grow, then you let 'em go
You watch them grow, then you let 'em go
You watch them grow, then you let 'em go
You watch them grow, then you let 'em go

Then one day she'll be 33, maybe with a child of her own
Seems she was just 17, oh how our children they grow
He'll ask for sunshine, and she'll agree
You see for him, she'd do anything
He is her child, the center of her world
She is his mother... my little girl

You watch them grow, then you let 'em go
You watch them grow, then you let 'em go

I hate to let anyone know this, but personally, I'm NEVER letting go!!

A Little Country Roads History

Another Friday, my day off! Now you want to talk about a joke, me a day off? Last night "my boy Bryce" and my other boy Vinnie (Katie's husband) were fixing some electric thing at Country Roads. I'm big on the "don't ask, don't tell". I'd rather just not know! So while Katie and Riley patiently waited, apparently Riley thought she might do a bit of advertising/modeling for Country Roads. Above Riley has added some "accessories" from Pat, the queen of pink, new little boutique area she has been working on. Riley is posing in Margaret's space, so as you should know, everything in these pictures are for sale, EXCEPT my little Riley! When I saw these photos last night, I fell in love with them while also celebrating that my store didn't burn down while the boys were doing some "electric" something or other.
Margaret is on the left in this picture, and Pat is on the right. And in the middle, of course, is the world famous Tim! I have absolutely NO idea what "that" pose was all about. This picture was taken last Fall when some of my Country Roads family went to Texas. I have a feeling alcohol may have been involved, what do you think? I was looking again at this picture above, and I have to tell you, I don't really believe Margaret is drinking water! I think the water bottle is just a disguise! Margaret and her daughter, Leslie, were one of the first dealers to take space at Country Roads. I remember that day well. I still had my small store, Battered Barn, open over on S. Glassell in Old Towne Orange. I walked over with Margaret & Leslie to show them what we were doing with the big empty space that would soon be Country Roads. They immediately took four spaces! That was in the fall of 1992! And being the small world that it is, Margaret and Leslie both lived close to where I live. In fact my kids and Leslie's went to school together for awhile! I met Tim during that same time when I had Battered Barn. I use to buy birdhouses from him to sell at my store. And I loved talking to to him, how can you not. For those of you that know Tim, he definitely has the gift of gab! Because of the randomness of meeting Tim so long ago, he was the one that built out the interior of Country Roads. And also because I was married to Mr.Wonderful, he decided building out an interior of a store that was 6600 square feet in a month just wasn't fast enough and fired Tim about two days before Christmas that year. Nice guy, don't you think? I was SO angry at him for doing that! I'm extremely happy, after all these years, to re-establish my friendship with Tim. Pat and her husband Rich, came along a few years later after we opened. Pat and Rich had owned a store called Serendipity. I will never, as long as I live, remember the phone call I received from one of Pat's daughters a few years later. She was sobbing while trying to tell me Rich had died suddenly and unexpectedly. I will never forget that day, I still remember it as I write this now. Pat left Country Roads for awhile, but she has been back for awhile now putting together beautiful vignettes. Both her and Margret's displays are over the top and I love them both! And as Riley is modeling some of Pat's new "boutique" accessories, and posing in one of Margaret's spaces, you can tell and feel and see WHY we are all truly family here at Country Roads! Just one quick comment before I go. For you Idol fans like me, I was SO shocked to see my favorites, Lilly and Alex, have to leave. What's up with that? Have a happy Friday, we have sun, hope you do too!!

I Love Rock n' Roll

I love music, all kinds, including rock n' roll. Have you ever noticed there just aren't that many famous female drummers? They are out there, but they never get the recognition like the guys do. You've got Shelia E above with Mo'Nique helping her out on the drums. Then there is Jen Lowe who plays in Jason Marz's band. There use to me an old saying that if girls played the drums it was so "unlady" like! Please!! You have to remember Meg White with the White Stripes. If you love music, how can you forget her? It's funny, I was reading somewhere that women in Iran are banned from playing drums. Just another reason to be proud to be an American. The other day, I discovered who just may possibly me the next famous chick drummer! Yes that is right.
One of my grandbabies will become rich and famous and be able to take care of her old Gramma while drumming away to one of my favorite songs by Joan Jett! I can hear it now in the distance. . .
I love rock 'n' roll
So put another dime in the jukebox, baby

I love rock 'n' roll
So come and take your time and dance with me!
I must admit, I am happy though that she won't be practicing at my house! Rock on Riley!

Bubbles

Bubbles

Some bubbles rise up to the sky

Some bubbles don't, I don't know why

Easily popped by just one touch

Easily missed by way to much

Silent and round as we make it

Being forgotten bit by bit

Weaker and weaker as it grows

That is what happens, I suppose

Of all the ones we condemn

We don't remember all of them

Even when we continue to grow

We still wonder where they go

Photography Through The Eyes of a Three Year Old

This is Riley & Leonard. There is another side to Riley, her hidden talent as a photographer. She has always liked taking pictures with my camera. Riley even got a cool pink camera from her Mommy & Daddy for her birthday a couple of months ago. The other day, Riley had gotten hold of my camera without my knowing. She took about 35 photos, and it was really interesting to me what she chose to take pictures of. And actually, as you will see below, she did a pretty good job with her photos!
One of my favorites, Riley's feet!


"Riley's hand print that her Aunt Brande made with her for me last Christmas"


"a photo of Riley & me at Disneyland on her second birthday"


"a picture of Ruby & Max from her coloring book"


"Riley's desk with her globe and cookies"


"a stained glass window in my family room, must have been into the colors"


"a framed picture of Katie, Brande, and Bryce in Maui for their dad's wedding several years ago"


"a photo of my backyard"

It's interesting what attracts the attention of little kids. Their minds aren't all cluttered like ours get with unnecessary junk! Guess I'll have to keep encouraging Riley to take pictures. After all, it's photographs that tell the real story of life.

Pudding As An Art Form

The other day, Riley wanted to look in the refrigerator. She spotted the chocolate pudding and said, "pleeeeeze Gramma". How could I say no? Got the pudding, the spoon, the napkins and sat her down at her little table. I asked to please lean over as she ate her chocolate pudding. I got busy doing something, and then I say Riley in the picture above!! She not only had pudding on her face, but on the front of her t-shirt, on the back of it, on her shorts and her gift to me was a chocolate pudding hand print on my bedroom wall! Who knew that pudding could be used as an art form, the new paint for toddlers. How could I get mad when I looked at that cute little face above?

The Littlest Gardener

It was a beautiful Spring day here (except for the aftershock to the earthquake we had Sunday night, I hate those). Anyway, Riley was my little garden helper today. Above she is working on a new section in the flowerbed I just ripped out and re-planted. The rest of the pictures pretty much tell their own story!









It's a great time of year to be outside in our gardens, especially when you share that time with someone you love. Happy gardening to you all!

Visit;"Bloomin Tuesdays" at msgreenthumbjean.blogspot.com

Why I Love Ruthie!!

Today a package came in the mail addressed to "Morgan Jackson", and on the bottom it had written on it, "open ASAP". It was from my friend Ruthie who is now stuck in Florida. She is like a mom to me, and a Gramma to my kids, we all love her. Ruthie sent Morgan a sassy little bathing suit with some poolside sandals. Sorry the photo above is blurry because it "was" a cute moment with Riley and Justine! Enclosed with the wonderful gift was a handwritten card from Ruthie. Riley was doing her best to read the card. Ruthie has a way with words, as you will see below! When you read Ruthie's clever, heartfelt words, don't you miss her too? On a personal note, I am absolutely taking sides as to "why" my friend is now living in Florida, you know what I mean Susan!! Sometimes things in life happen that are just wrong! Enough said. We are having the baby shower at my house in a little less than two weeks now. It won't be the same without Ruthie! Riley is trying to explain to Morgan about the great gift that came today for her. Not sure Morgan quite understood, nor did Riley. But it was still special moment for Riley and her soon to be cousin!

When Little Kids Steal Your Glasses

I've got different pairs of glasses all over my house. This is how Riley manages to steal them and often hide them! First, she acts all cute and innocent. Her next step is to just pretend she is laughing at nothing while inside that little head of hers, she is plotting a plan! Next, Riley crawls up into my chair with her favorite book Ruthie sent her. You know she is setting the stage for "why" she needs my glasses. Now that Riley has spotted my glasses, she hangs them on her shirt the same way Gramma wears her glasses! Now it is time to place the glasses on her little face and try them on for size! Riley now decides these darn glasses aren't going to stay on, no matter how hard she tries! This IS the picture of Riley thinking how fast she can run to hide Gramma's glasses! She managed a month or so ago to hide my really good glasses so well it took another month to find them! But hey, when I see that little smile, it's okay because she has so much fun doing it!