At home with a tummy bug and feeling sorry ...

... for myself I opened my email client and found a letter from one of my wife's cousins encouraging everyone (on the distribution list) to call, write, or text to Cousin Cindy who is dying from cancer.
Tummy bugs are inconsequential when you consider what else is happening in the world and each of us would do well to thank God every day for the blessings He affords us.
As I am an only child, brought up by my mother and grandmother and having no contact to speak of with other family members , it constantly amazes me when I witness my wife's family "in action"
On the news of Cindy's worsening condition my mother in law, her sisters and brother, without hesitation, drove from South Texas through Louisiana and Tennessee, picking up a convoy of cousins en-route, and made their way to Virginia to provide moral support and encouragement to Cindy and her immediate family. Other cousins flew in to visit and the result is that email encouraging us all to make contact.
From the email:
"Cindy is going away, and she'd love to hear from her cousins. Every, single one of them. No matter how long it's been since you've seen her. There is no funeral out there. It is a going away party. There is still time to check in on it, and phoning it in is fine."
I met her only once, at a family reunion in 2001, but her courage and faith are an inspiration to me and I marvel at the outpouring of family love and support.
Of course I don't know why I should marvel at it because I've seen it demonstrated in happier circumstances too. When my wife came home from holiday in 1998 and announced that she intended to marry a crazy Scotsman she had known for only two weeks everybody supported her decision and welcomed me into the family. It is only fitting that they should rally around and provide support at this time too.
So, this post is for Cindy, the picture is just a pretty flower which grew in my yard, I know not what it is but I hope you like it. Thank you for being my wife's cousin and friend.

Homework

Eddy sets about her homework

Horsing around on a trampoline

This is Laddie; when I pressed the shutter Johnson was in the picture nose to nose with the horse but then Laddie snorted and Johnson bolted - so much for that photographic masterpiece!
Oh well I guess we best not get a horse lest we scare the dog to death.
Even although our dog was a tad put out by the presence of a horse this did not prevent Eddy and Little Ted having a good afternoon of fun and frolicks on the trampoline with their friends.

Watching dolphins from the ferry and wading in the gulf

Little Ted and Johnson enjoy looking for dolphins during the ferry crossing to Port Aransas.
Then Little Ted decided to go wading in the surf even although more sensible folks like Ted and Johnson felt that it was too cold to get their feet wet!

Hoots mon, och aye.

Little Ted has decided to embrace his "Scottishness"
He has taken to playing bagpipe music on his CD player and dancing around the room in his kilt.
The "devil" dog is not bothered by this at all and sits quietly watching.
(BTW, since red eye reduction does not work on yellow eyes can anyone tell me an easy way to stop the dog looking like a horror movie character?)

Wee Willie Winkie

One has to wonder why Eddy likes to put her tights on her head. Perhaps she has been watching too many bank robbery films? But if that is the case surely she has somewhat missed the point of disguising her appearance.
Odd though it may be it is incredibly cute when she skips into the room, asks for some potato chips, and skips out again like there is nothing unusual about her attire.

I simply don't believe it!

Every day I feel more like Victor Meldrew

For those of you of an American persuasion rather than British check out the link Victor Meldrew to help you figure out what I'm banging on about.

This week, the manager of the company I work for - which shall remain nameless - although it is no longer involved in the transportation industry with which it's name is synonymous, actually said:

"I don't want to hear any members of staff wasting time talking to each other when they could be on the telephone selling to customers."

FOR CRYING OUT LOUD SHE ACTUALLY MEANS DON'T EVEN SAY GOOD MORNING TO A COLLEAGUE IT'S WASTING CORPORATE SELLING TIME!

I despair, in fact it's even persuaded me to take the drastic step of wasting money on the lottery in the vain hope of winning millions and being able to tell corporate America to take a flying f - sorry, being in the fortunate position of not having to report to Stalagluft whatever for duty each day.

Oh well, one can always dream. However, as the kids still need to go through college I guess I'll just have to conform and not talk to my colleagues ever!

Eddy's 7th Birthday

The house was awash with little girls, and a couple of little boys, between 2pm and 4pm. All excited and squeally, playing games and having fun.
See all the fun at 7th Birthday on Tartanted.com