Scrubbing Away

Darlin's and I have been scrubbing away to make the kitchen nice for Freaky's party!

Special Evening

The Darlin's and I trekked over to Firecop's house this evening. We spent quite a long time cleaning out Gramma's stuff. We found, no lie, 19 pair of black pants. Gramma just kept insisting she didn't have any black pants. Every few months or so, we'd head over to the store and buy yet another pair of black slacks! What I think has happened was her closet was so dark she just couldn't see the pants! And I did go through her closet and arrange things, but I know that old woman would come in right behind me re-arrange the closet!!!
Gramma's room is now cleaned out and we have our "treasures." Later, Firecop and sat outside and chatted. We will be having these talks for some time to come, I believe...lots to resolve. The conversation turned to him going back to Colorado. He really feels like his place is here. I know my cousin misses her Daddy and would love for him to be nearer to her. I told him that she can't have him back!!! (I mean this quite lovingly and not meanly!)
I want him to stay, but the choice is his and God's. Firecop knows I will always be supportive of the choices he needs to make and I will stand by his side, no matter what! I just love my Uncle!

To Momma Bear...

"Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light."
~Helen Keller~

I think this might work for my mom, too!

'Cuz if anyone is a run-away stage...She is!

God adds a twist!

Amen!

What lies beneath...

Perhaps it's because I am just sick to death of the whole "mom-thing," that I decided to do a little investigating of my own. What I found was quite interesting. After searching various personality disorders, I found one that I feel fits my mother to a "T."

It's called:
The Paranoid Personality Disorder

Description:
A pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of others such that their motives are interpreted as malevolent, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by four (or more) of the following:

1. suspects, without sufficient basis, that others are exploiting, harming, or deceiving him or her
2. is preoccupied with unjustified doubts about the loyalty or trustworthiness of friends or associates
3. is reluctant to confide in others because of unwarranted fear that the information will be used maliciously against him or her
4. reads hidden demeaning or threatening meanings into benign remarks or events
5. persistently bears grudges, i.e., is unforgiving of insults, injuries, or slights
6. perceives attacks on his or her character or reputation that are not apparent to others and is quick to react angrily or to counterattack
7. has recurrent suspicions, without justification, regarding fidelity of spouse or sexual partner

Psycho-woman is on the attack!

Truevalueman received an e-mail from my mother. It simply stated: "Brad, I will no longer protect Chris from the truth." Truevalueman immediately answered the e-mail. Basically, he stated that she should measure her decision carefully. He told he I have great support, that we base our relationship with Firecop on who he is today and he reminded her that the reason he hired Firecop was becuase of HER!
Here's the rub. I do not pass on my past onto my children. My pain belongs to me, shared with my husband and mostly, in a therepist's office! Furthermore, is there a purpose in rubbing salt into deep wounds? I am still mourning the loss of my Gramma and my mother wants to hurt me more? How is this love? I am firmly convinced she has gone so far around the bend there is probably no hope of return.
Now, the queston is...what do I do next?

What the Darlin's are addicted to!

I have to admit, I think some of these episodes are funny. Every now and then, I get a little disturbed! I love Brian the dog and Stewie kills me! Here's to the "Family Guy!"

To all the great daddies out there!

It's A Special Day!

Happy Birthday to Truevalueman!

Boo's Recital

Little Boo danced her heart out today! She did a solo tap of "We're in the Money!" She was the BEST soloist of the day! We are so proud of Little Boo!

Note to Zapato. Re: the Gerberas!

Getting back to normal

I f you could call my life "normal!" I planted some more flowers today and got the porch and patio ready for the weekend. It felt good to have the energy to do it. I feel like it has been so long since I have enjoyed the little putzing I do around the house. I am relieved that all the ceremony is over. I am going to start preparing for the interment on Monday. I just need a break from it all. Right now, ashes are on the mantle...she gets a good view of us from there!

Old Woman!

In recent years, I referred to her as "Old Woman!" Not out of disrespect, but out of complete RESPECT for the life she lived. My grandmother was incorrigible, courageous, stubborn, humble, funny and just precious. Her ability to face the next obstacle was inspirational. I miss the way she smells. I miss the twinkle in her eye. I miss her quietly whispering to me, "I love you!" I even miss her pinching me! I used to be so afraid she'd hurt herself and take unnecessary risks...now I know, that was just the way she lived her life! She always landed on her feet. She is safe and sound now in heaven. God I loved that Old Woman!

OOOO, my head hurts!

My head hurts. I didn't sleep well last night and I have spent the whole day preparing a power point for the memorial service tomorrow. It still isn't done, but I have enough to finish in a timely manner in the morning. For now, I am going to kick back and sleep!

How I learned to love coffee

Ever since I can remember, my Gramma drank coffee. When I was just a tot, she would load her coffee with milk and sugar and put it just within my reach. I remember sneaking off with her coffee and drinking it until it was almost all gone. I would leave just enough for her (about one little sip!). I would carefully place the cup back and tip-toe away.
When she'd reach for her coffee, Gramma would exclaim with a twinkle in her eye,"Now where did all my coffee go?"
I would giggle and pretend it wasn't me, but we both knew! So, she'd get up and fill it up again. And the game would go on until basically, I got a tummy-ache!
Gramma made the best coffee in the world!!!!

Pie, pie, me-oh-my!

Only I would come up with such an idea! At her memorial service, we will be eating pie and drinking coffee! My Grandmother LOVED pie! I talked to my cousin, Rita, this evening...she said Aunt Cora did too. Rita thought having pie was a great way to celebrate Gramma's life. Believe it or not...Both Aunt Cora and Gramma loved apple and cherry pie. I will be serving apple, cherry and strawberry pie (sugar and sugar-free)! And coffe-of course!

Where they are...

Every one of Grandma's siblings talked about the apple tree on the farm. Each had special memories of playing on or by or swinging on that tree. The night Gramma died, I kept having visions of the five of them running and playing on the apple tree. Later, Aunt Marion's daughter-in-law told me that Aunt Marion wouldn't go to heaven until she saw that tree! I have had goosebumps ever since. I truly believe Gramma's siblings eased her transition by playing by the apple tree!

Jon's Tribute

Don't cry. Celebrate!
I want to tell you about the most fascinating woman I ever met. Elizabeth Ketter. When I first met her I was too young to remember. I can bet she was happy to see me enter the world.As I got older (by older I mean 2-3), I have flashes of memories of her. A sweet lady coming to visit us on Poplar Street in Denver. A lovely lady with a warm smile. That’s about it. Like I said flashes. To read more, click here.

Now, so much for grieving!

Forget the fact that we have lost a loved one...we have papers to fill out and forms to be completed. Not to mention, the bill to be paid! Our society has made death into a beaurocracy! And that to me, just absolutely SUCKS!

"I have you etched in the palm of my hand..."

Isaiah 49...these words are so comforting to me. Gramma died at 11:30 p.m. on June 10th. Exactly 5 years to the day when she first arrived here in Pennsylvania. Evidence of Spirit must be experienced first hand. When I arrived at her home, her Spirit was gone...and I have never seen an empty human before! Her Spirit was a force! Wow! I loved her so much...and now she is playing under the apple tree with her siblings. Before she died, her sister Marion had said when she sees the swing on the apple tree, she'll go...the 5 of them loved their childhood. Now they are all together and having fun! I keep having visions of the girls in white dresses and huge bows on their hair, black boots on running around the tree and pushing the swing and climbing up into the tree. Gramma is letting me know, she is finally at peace!

Truevalueman's Done!

Ever so patient and happy while others are around, Truevalueman saves his grumpiness for me! Dance rehearsal has been running quite late, due to mostly technical difficulties. Hehad to stay tonight while I came home and got Graciegurl's room ready! Truevalueman was NOT a happy camper when he arrived home at 1:00 a.m.!

Get a taste of what's comin' this weekend!

Could she get any crasser?

NEW YORK Jun 7, 2006 (AP)— The group of outspoken 9/11 widows who pushed for the commission to investigate the attacks are "self-obsessed" and act "as if the terrorist attacks happened only to them," conservative author Ann Coulter charges in her new book.
To read what this Nazi Bitch said, click on the Nazi Bitch's head!

It still hasn't stopped!

We were watching this incredible film today. Darlin' Daughter has been so enlightened by the plight of the people in Rwanda. But the genocide continues in Darfur. Click here to read about what is truly going on over in Africa!

First day home...

What is it about kids and adjusting to summer vacation? I feel like chocking someone!!! They want friends sleeping over and they certainly don't want to do anything like CHORES! Ugh! I hate the first few weeks of summer vacation!

Houdini Lives!

Gramma with her nieces and nephew.
Grandma has been trying to "get up." She wiggles her butt down and tries to get her legs out through the bed rails. In a way, it's kind of funny; but it can be quite dangerous for her. This evening, I had to actually yell at her. She almost swatted me until she realized it was me. But she was quite angry with me. I gave her medicine and i had hoped it would settled her down, but she was determined! I swear if she doesn't stop, we're going to have to tie her down! ( Then she'll be REALLY angry!)

Woo Hoo!

Last Day of School!

Talk about perserverence!

Taking the leap, Pocaroja and Katemonster are learning to fly....click on the door to see more!

Really Neat Article!

The White House Without a Filter
By ELISABETH BUMILLER
Published: June 4, 2006
WASHINGTON
MY first day on the White House beat was Sept. 10, 2001. By Sept. 14, I was on Air Force One with fighter jet escorts, heading to New York, where we descended into the smoking ruins of the World Trade Center and the beginning of one of the most tumultuous periods in American history.
To read entire article, click on the picture!

Recital Saturday!!

Saturday evening, the Hittie Darlings will be dancing at the Pullo Center for Performing Arts at Penn State York.

Big Changes!

Our studio is undergoing some big changes. Miss Martha, our favorite modern teacher has decided to purchase the Baltimore studio. This means she will no longer be teaching the girls. And tonight, Amber Zecker, the BEST ballet teacher they've ever had, announced her resignation as well. The kids are pretty upset...change can be soooo hard.

Tech rehearsal has begun!

It's "tech-time" for the Hittie clan! We will be spending most of our evenings rehearsing for the dance recital. There is a lot of tears and frustration-all those elements moms and dads hate. But the end result is usually spectacular and the kids all seem to enjoy the performances.

No Boston, But Beauty

Well, perhaps it's more "scholarship." Due to a paperwork mistake, Darlin' Daughter is not going to be in the intership program at BU. We all took it pretty hard here in the kitchen! But, as God would have it, her pageant information packet arrived today. Her spirits were lifted and she seemed to feel a little better.

Glen Rock Fireworks

Tonight in Glen Rock, they are setting off fireworks. Today was the annual street fair!

Grr! Samigurl is mad!

Samigurl got the family kicked off of AOL for the 4th time. Then, after she knew she was in the dog house, TOLD he daddy she was sleeping over at a friend's house. Well, after Truevalueman was told how I was feeling, he went and got our little bundle of joy at BassGirl's house. Appearantly, it was a quiet ride home. In the kitchen, she was confronted on her behavior, and given the consequences: 2 weeks grounding for pulling the sleep over stunt, no internet for the entire summer, and she must relinquish her cell phone-return of the cell phone is wholly dependent on future behavior. As she stormed off, I told her I loved her. (You know the answer to that: yeah, right!) Then I said that telling the kids I love them after I have to discipline them is my favorite part of parenting. To which Samigurl replied, "You don't know anything about being a parent!!"

Update on my personal Bedlam!

Well, it seems my crazy mother has recently earned her medical degree! Wow! And in only 1 short year!
She called my brother on his birthday to tell him I have bipolar disorder. It seems that there cannot be anything wrong with HER, so it must be ME!!! So I did a little searching and found the information below.
I guess she is wrong once again. If I truly had bipolar disorder, then my Concerta (extended release Ritalin) would actually put me into a complete and never-ending manic state!
Wonder what she'll think of next? Maybe I am histrionic or perhaps sociopathic! How about compulsive liar?

Can ADHD mimic Bipolar Disorder?

A. The relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder is not quite clear. There have been some studies showing no relationship, others showing that bipolar disorder is unusually common in children or adolescents with ADHD. There are also some individuals who, by the luck of the draw, end up with both disorders -- a state termed "comorbidity." This refers to the chance occurrence of two conditions, without implying any genetic or physiologic similarity. Some clinicians have speculated that ADHD is a kind of "precursor" to later development of bipolar disorder, but this has not been proven. There is some symptomatic overlap between ADHD and individuals with hypomanic symptoms, such as unusual amounts of motor activity and tendency to be overexcited and "rub people the wrong way."
Untreated, both ADHD and bipolar individuals often end up "self-medicating" with alcohol or other substances of abuse, leading to more disturbed behavior and mood swings. In theory, someone with rapidly recurring unipolar major depression and ADHD might seem to mimic bipolar disorder, appearing superficially to fluctuate between depression and hypomania (which is less severe than mania). However, the true bipolar patient with hypomania usually shows a constellation of signs and symptoms of an elevated mood state, such as excessive spending, grandiose ideas, increased sexual or social activity and decreased need for sleep. It would be the rare ADHD individual who would show two or more of these at the same time.
Moreover, ADHD is constant--it doesn't come and go in the way that bipolar disorder does. Family history can be an important clue. If there is a family history of clear bipolar disorder, that helps make the diagnosis. Also, individuals with ADHD will usually improve with Ritalin. The patient with bipolar disorder (in the hypomanic state) will worsen, often going into a full-blown manic state. There is no credible evidence that I know of showing that lithium is effective for ADHD, though it may help patients with both bipolar disorder and ADHD .

Source:www.healthyplace.com

A wonderful success!

After being jerked around by a power-mad PTA mom, graciegurl pulled one off! The dance was wonderful!!! The daddies were a big hit out on the floor cutting a rug! The committee recouped most of their expenses and had more people attend than they planned. Well done graciegurl!!!

News from Pottstown!

I am helping graciegurl today! She has put together a 4th and 5th grade dance for Daddys/Daughters, Mommies/Sons, Special Someone/Kid Dance with a Hawiian theme! Here's to a great time!

We be having a party!

Freakychica is a graduate! In honour of her success, a party will be held here at the Kitchen! We will have a casual evening with music, food, SUGAR and lots of family LOVE! I am truly humbled to be able to share the Kitchen for this incredible event!

Amen, sister!

Did you ever see a rock pray?

Turn your head to the left and look at the image. Surprised?! It is awesome!

She is BU bound!

Darlin' Daughter is on her way to Boston University for a summer research intership program! The paper work is astounding! I might be able to get it through it all by Monday, though! We are heading north on July 1st!