Hello, friends!
Hope everyone is getting in the holiday spirit! Peenie and I have had quite the exciting week, with two new additions to our families--CHRISTMAS BABIES! One to the Purgason family, and one to the Edwards family! That makes Peenie a GREAT GRANDMOTHER, and I guess that makes me an...aunt-in-law? Cousin-in-law? 2nd cousin? What are you if your cousin has a baby? Anyway...
William Matthew Dillion (my cousin Carrie Purgason's baby boy) was born on the 17th. He's a big boy! 8 pounds, 3 ounces.
Adair Lee Yates (my cousin Nell Yates' baby girl) was born on the 18th. She's a little one--born a whole month early! 6 pounds, I believe.
Both babies and mothers are healthy and happy. So fun! Can't wait to meet little William in Greensboro on Christmas Day. Don't know when we'll meet little Adair...she's a California baby! But we hope to meet her soon, right Peenie? (Peenie squeals in delight at the thought!)
Alright, so even in the midst of all this activity, I am "on the hunt" again. The DREADED job hunt. This is where I need your help, friends.
We learned last week from the doctor that Peenie's congestive heart failure will most likely get worse in the next six months or so. Of course, there's no telling what will happen--she could be kickin' till she's 110! Heck, she could outlive me--and I wouldn't put it past her! But we're beginning to prepare for what COULD happen. Mom has begun to get the house ready for sale, we're looking for care options for Peenie, and I've begun fishing for prospective job opportunities in Greensboro and Winston-Salem.
I'm looking for something in the nonprofit world, something administrative, or something marketing-related. Any magazines hiring? I DO like to write! Shocker, huh? Hehe. Benefits would be lovely! Start date in the Spring or Summer.
Will you keep your eyes peeled for me, friends? I can shoot you my resume to forward along, and I can provide excellent references! 'Twould be much appreciated.
I'll leave you with this:
Entertaining tidbit of the week...
Peanut found two unrecognizable tubes of lipstick in her purse this week. NOT of the Orange Flip variety. Of the pink variety. WHERE DID THEY COME FROM? They're not mine. They're obviously not Peenie's. Did she accidentally pick them up at a restaurant somewhere? Did she unknowingly (gasp) SHOPLIFT them? It's driving Peanut nuts. She's driving ME nuts. We've re-traced her steps, trying to pinpoint the location where she came to possess the mystery lipstick tubes. So far, no luck. I'm thinking about swiping them out of her purse and trashing them--just so she'll forget about it! Poor little nut. Her (did I shoplift?!) conscience just won't let her drop it.
Friday, December 20, 2013
Monday, December 16, 2013
Peenie, Please Go to Bed
It is now almost 8:10 pm, and Peenie has not stopped talking since 8:00 this morning. Granted, I was at work for a portion of the day, so I had a few hours break...but when I got back, I saw that the yapping had continued. It continues even now, as I type.
"Katy, what are you doing?"
"Katy, how do you spell laughter?"
"Katy, doesn't that news-anchorwoman's hair look just TERRIBLE? I wonder when she last washed it."
"Katy, where's my cell?"
"Katy, can you go downstairs and get me a roll of paper towels?"
"Katy, I can't believe that poinsettia was only eight dollars!"
"Katy, what's that spot on the wall behind you?"
"Katy, what color is your hair?"
(Just so you know, I have patiently answered every question she has asked me today. Even the four questions she asked earlier as I was crossing two lanes of heavy traffic.)
Right now, what I really want to say (but won't) is, "Peenie, please go to bed."
I feel like Louis Griffin with Stewie right next to me going, "Mom? Mom? Mom? Mom? Mommy? Mom-ee? Mom-aa? Mom-ee? Mother? Moooooom? Mom?" And...I'm tired. I just want a little bit of quiet. I wish Peenie would be quiet.
Ok, she just went to bed.
Whew! All you moms out there--I feel for ya.
Oh, and...now she's back.
You know how little kids boomerang when it's bedtime? You send them to bed, and then less than a minute later they're back asking for a glass of water or some silly question like:
"Katy, where should we go to lunch tomorrow?"
"I don't know, Peenie...maybe we should decide that tomorrow."
"Okay! Sleepy tight! Love youuuuuuuuuu!"
"Love you, little nut."
Just like a little kid, Peenie boomerangs...but she's too cute to be annoyed at for too long. And, you can't exactly put your grandmother in time-out, can you?
I'll leave you with this:
(Peenie, looking at the news-anchorwoman's hair.)
Peenie: Her hair is really brassiere.
Katy: Peenie, don't you mean bizarre?
Peenie: Oh. Yea. That's right. Her hair is bizarre...BUT...she's probably wearing a brassiere!
Katy: On national television, I certainly hope so.
Peenie: Hehe!
"Katy, what are you doing?"
"Katy, how do you spell laughter?"
"Katy, doesn't that news-anchorwoman's hair look just TERRIBLE? I wonder when she last washed it."
"Katy, where's my cell?"
"Katy, can you go downstairs and get me a roll of paper towels?"
"Katy, I can't believe that poinsettia was only eight dollars!"
"Katy, what's that spot on the wall behind you?"
"Katy, what color is your hair?"
(Just so you know, I have patiently answered every question she has asked me today. Even the four questions she asked earlier as I was crossing two lanes of heavy traffic.)
Right now, what I really want to say (but won't) is, "Peenie, please go to bed."
I feel like Louis Griffin with Stewie right next to me going, "Mom? Mom? Mom? Mom? Mommy? Mom-ee? Mom-aa? Mom-ee? Mother? Moooooom? Mom?" And...I'm tired. I just want a little bit of quiet. I wish Peenie would be quiet.
Ok, she just went to bed.
Whew! All you moms out there--I feel for ya.
Oh, and...now she's back.
You know how little kids boomerang when it's bedtime? You send them to bed, and then less than a minute later they're back asking for a glass of water or some silly question like:
"Katy, where should we go to lunch tomorrow?"
"I don't know, Peenie...maybe we should decide that tomorrow."
"Okay! Sleepy tight! Love youuuuuuuuuu!"
"Love you, little nut."
Just like a little kid, Peenie boomerangs...but she's too cute to be annoyed at for too long. And, you can't exactly put your grandmother in time-out, can you?
I'll leave you with this:
(Peenie, looking at the news-anchorwoman's hair.)
Peenie: Her hair is really brassiere.
Katy: Peenie, don't you mean bizarre?
Peenie: Oh. Yea. That's right. Her hair is bizarre...BUT...she's probably wearing a brassiere!
Katy: On national television, I certainly hope so.
Peenie: Hehe!
Friday, December 13, 2013
Getting to the Bottom of Hurt
Have any of you seen the movie "Lars and the Real Girl"? I watched it last night on Netflix, and was really glad I did. Before you Google it, let me provide you with a description, for fear of you thinking the worst. Trust me, it's not as bad as it sounds! In fact, it's not bad at all. It's a really thought-provoking movie.
"Lars and the Real Girl" is about a guy named Lars (played by Ryan Gosling) who is lonely (though somewhat by choice), extremely socially awkward, but very sweet. He lives in a garage apartment, just a few steps away from his brother's home. His brother has a wife who is newly pregnant, and she regularly reaches out to Lars to join them for meals. Lars almost always refuses. She worries. The brother shrugs it off and tells her not to fret--that Lars is fine and that he's always been a little strange.
One day, Lars, out of his loneliness, orders a life-sized doll off the internet as a companion. The doll, whom he names Bianca, is actually a sex-toy, which everyone else seems to notice but Lars. Lars suffers from a delusion that Bianca is actually a real person, and he begins a (non-sexual) relationship with her.
The brother and wife are, of course, in shock. Out of fear/concern, they convince Lars that Bianca may need a "check up" at the doctor's (who also happens to be a psychiatrist). At the doctor's (played by Patricia Clarkson), they are first told of his delusional state. When they ask what can be done, the doctor tells them that they must go along with it (much to their embarrassment) until they can find out what part of Lars or his memory the delusion is coming from. The doctor agrees to talk to Lars every week during Bianca's "check ups", to see if she can help get to the heart of the matter.
This is where it gets interesting. The brother and wife ask for help from their community and church. Together, they all accept Bianca and treat her as a real person for Lars' sake, ultimately getting to the bottom of his hurt, and leading to his healing.
Wow, right?
The message of the movie--getting to the bottom of fear and hurt through LOVE and CARE--hit me like a ton of bricks. It's something we all need to learn, and man, am I preaching to the choir when I say that.
As I've said before, living with Peenie is fun, but it also can be tough. Very tough. This week, especially. After we got back from the hospital last Saturday, I spent the next two days battling her on taking her medication. Peenie was resistant, insisting that there was nothing wrong with her. I kept insisting that there was. Out of fear for her health, I began to take on a forceful and patronizing tone. This obviously made things worse, and the little nut continued her revolt until we both exploded.
On Sunday night, I realized that I needed to change my approach. Instead of treating her like an unruly child, I needed to be more loving and more patient. Who wants to take orders or receive help from someone who's forceful, anyway?
It's now Friday, and we're in a completely different place now. Because of this different approach, we've had a great week! Talk about a turn-around! Peenie is taking all of her meds, we've both been in contact with her doctor, and she's actually LET me help her with some things that she normally wouldn't.
Peenie and I were both afraid when we got home from the hospital, and Peenie was hurting from embarrassment and the realization of her age and condition. I initially took the wrong approach with forceful words on the importance of her medication, but now I know that was wrong of me. I need to remember that in this relationship (and in all relationships) it's best to get to the bottom of fear and hurt through love and care.
I'll leave you with this:
A picture of Peenie during her check-up at Dr. G's! Cutest patient ever, right?
"Lars and the Real Girl" is about a guy named Lars (played by Ryan Gosling) who is lonely (though somewhat by choice), extremely socially awkward, but very sweet. He lives in a garage apartment, just a few steps away from his brother's home. His brother has a wife who is newly pregnant, and she regularly reaches out to Lars to join them for meals. Lars almost always refuses. She worries. The brother shrugs it off and tells her not to fret--that Lars is fine and that he's always been a little strange.
One day, Lars, out of his loneliness, orders a life-sized doll off the internet as a companion. The doll, whom he names Bianca, is actually a sex-toy, which everyone else seems to notice but Lars. Lars suffers from a delusion that Bianca is actually a real person, and he begins a (non-sexual) relationship with her.
The brother and wife are, of course, in shock. Out of fear/concern, they convince Lars that Bianca may need a "check up" at the doctor's (who also happens to be a psychiatrist). At the doctor's (played by Patricia Clarkson), they are first told of his delusional state. When they ask what can be done, the doctor tells them that they must go along with it (much to their embarrassment) until they can find out what part of Lars or his memory the delusion is coming from. The doctor agrees to talk to Lars every week during Bianca's "check ups", to see if she can help get to the heart of the matter.
This is where it gets interesting. The brother and wife ask for help from their community and church. Together, they all accept Bianca and treat her as a real person for Lars' sake, ultimately getting to the bottom of his hurt, and leading to his healing.
Wow, right?
The message of the movie--getting to the bottom of fear and hurt through LOVE and CARE--hit me like a ton of bricks. It's something we all need to learn, and man, am I preaching to the choir when I say that.
As I've said before, living with Peenie is fun, but it also can be tough. Very tough. This week, especially. After we got back from the hospital last Saturday, I spent the next two days battling her on taking her medication. Peenie was resistant, insisting that there was nothing wrong with her. I kept insisting that there was. Out of fear for her health, I began to take on a forceful and patronizing tone. This obviously made things worse, and the little nut continued her revolt until we both exploded.
On Sunday night, I realized that I needed to change my approach. Instead of treating her like an unruly child, I needed to be more loving and more patient. Who wants to take orders or receive help from someone who's forceful, anyway?
It's now Friday, and we're in a completely different place now. Because of this different approach, we've had a great week! Talk about a turn-around! Peenie is taking all of her meds, we've both been in contact with her doctor, and she's actually LET me help her with some things that she normally wouldn't.
Peenie and I were both afraid when we got home from the hospital, and Peenie was hurting from embarrassment and the realization of her age and condition. I initially took the wrong approach with forceful words on the importance of her medication, but now I know that was wrong of me. I need to remember that in this relationship (and in all relationships) it's best to get to the bottom of fear and hurt through love and care.
I'll leave you with this:
A picture of Peenie during her check-up at Dr. G's! Cutest patient ever, right?
Monday, December 9, 2013
I Could Make a Living on Peenie Quotes
These quotes might possibly be the funniest things I've heard yet from Peenie. And they all happened within the last 15 minutes. Could possibly be all of the new meds she's on, but still...I could resign from blogging after these:
Mom: Mother, I don't even remember how many boyfriends I had.
Peenie: How many rocks are on the seashore?
Peenie: He was a big guy. Probably had a big punker.
---
Peenie: Sue, I wish you'd just leave Ed. Come down here and live with me.
I'll leave you with this:
...and, I quit (for now). Partly cause I'm still doubled-over and can barely type. Wouldn't Flannery O'Connor have a hay-day?
Mom: Mother, I don't even remember how many boyfriends I had.
Peenie: How many rocks are on the seashore?
---
Mom: Remember when JD asked me if I'd have his punkards?Peenie: He was a big guy. Probably had a big punker.
---
Peenie: Sue, I wish you'd just leave Ed. Come down here and live with me.
I'll leave you with this:
...and, I quit (for now). Partly cause I'm still doubled-over and can barely type. Wouldn't Flannery O'Connor have a hay-day?
Friday, December 6, 2013
More Gift Ideas and A Peenie Quote
Peenie was checked into the hospital this morning, friends. Shortness of breath due to her congestive heart failure. Turns out the little nut has been "picking and choosing" with her meds...not good. But we caught it, we're on it, and it looks like they'll release her from the hospital tomorrow or Sunday. She's feeling feisty, too AND she downed a whole Chik-Fil-A milkshake--both good signs! I'll keep you updated, you keep Peenie in your prayers! We want to keep the little nut around for as long as we can!
And now (drumroll please), some gift ideas for the ladies! Or, in other words, things that I'd like to have! Hey, no problem with that, right? To tweak a common phrase, "Gift others as you would have them gift you!"
As promised, they're all under $50. Hope you like the suggestions!
1. Vintage-Looking Lipstick Holder
aka: What I bought for Peenie! She's gotta have a system for keeping track of all of that Orange Flip! ($28)
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/29299674.jsp?cm_vc=SEARCH_RESULTS
2. Persuasion Book Scarf
Handmade Cotton Black and White Scarf with a page from Austen's Persuasion printed on it! ($42)
http://www.etsy.com/listing/118276575/persuasion-book-scarf?ref=shop_home_active
3. Pink Marc de Champagne Truffles
Made in England. Truffles with a Milk Chocolate, Butter, and Champagne Center ($24)
http://www.surlatable.com/product/PRO-1072123/Charbonnel+et+Walker+Pink+Marc+de+Champagne+Truffles
I'll leave you with this:
...a funny/scary thing that Peenie said to me this week, after I told her that she really should get a hearing aid:
"Katy, some man is going to put you in a straight jacket someday. And ELECTROCUTE you!"
And now (drumroll please), some gift ideas for the ladies! Or, in other words, things that I'd like to have! Hey, no problem with that, right? To tweak a common phrase, "Gift others as you would have them gift you!"
As promised, they're all under $50. Hope you like the suggestions!
1. Vintage-Looking Lipstick Holder
aka: What I bought for Peenie! She's gotta have a system for keeping track of all of that Orange Flip! ($28)
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/29299674.jsp?cm_vc=SEARCH_RESULTS
2. Persuasion Book Scarf
Handmade Cotton Black and White Scarf with a page from Austen's Persuasion printed on it! ($42)
http://www.etsy.com/listing/118276575/persuasion-book-scarf?ref=shop_home_active
3. Pink Marc de Champagne Truffles
Made in England. Truffles with a Milk Chocolate, Butter, and Champagne Center ($24)
http://www.surlatable.com/product/PRO-1072123/Charbonnel+et+Walker+Pink+Marc+de+Champagne+Truffles
I'll leave you with this:
...a funny/scary thing that Peenie said to me this week, after I told her that she really should get a hearing aid:
"Katy, some man is going to put you in a straight jacket someday. And ELECTROCUTE you!"
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Forgiveness
Good mornin', friends! Hope everyone had a lovely, restful, food-and-family-filled Thanksgiving! Peenie and I both did! Peenie says she ate so much food that she felt like the stuffed turkey that she ate must've felt (read that again...it's funny). Can't believe that it was a whole week ago (partly because the swelling has just begun to go down). How time flies! Now onto Christmas...
Speaking of Christmas, did anyone get a jump-start on their Christmas list? I did (which has never happened before), and it feels great! I highly recommend the feeling. And if any of you are looking for gifts for the men in your life (hardest people to shop for, right?), allow me do a little sharing. These gifts are affordable, useful, and sure-to-please! Trust me, I did my research (ie: James told me these are cool).
1. Harry's German Engineered Razors ($12)
Gift Pack Includes Razor and Shave Cream in a Stocking-Worthy Gift Box
2. Richer-Poorer Socks ($32 for pack of three)
Gift Pack Includes 3 Pairs of Expertly Designed, Colorful Socks
3. Corter Leather Bottlehook ($36)
Belt Loop Key Hook Bottleopener, Handmade in New England
Hope these suggestions are helpful! I'd share more, but I don't want to give away all of my secrets...hehehehe. I'll share some gift ideas for the ladies later in the week! Like these, all are under $50! Believe me, I know what it's like to be ballin' on a budget. Tough, man. Tough.
Now to the real meat of this post. The topic of forgiveness. I don't know if any of you have seen this shared on Facebook lately:
Get ready to plug your ears...
That, my friends, is BULLSHIT. Bullllllllllllllllllllllllllllshiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit. Bull. Freaking. Shit.
Ok, un-plug your ears now.
Forgive others, not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace?! No, no. That is not the reason we forgive others. Let me give you the ONE reason we forgive others:
Ephesians 4:32: Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
We forgive because we have been forgiven. Not because we or anyone else deserves anything.
To add...
Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
That's actually what we deserve, friends. Not forgiveness, not peace. Death. But we have been given a gift (much better than any Black Friday or Cyber Monday deal) which was the gift of Jesus Christ from God the Father. And if we choose to accept that gift, we inherit eternal life.
None of this is deserved. It was paid for.
*steps off soap box*
I'm preaching to the choir here, friends. As much as I love Peanut and her antics, she drives me crazy and hurts my feelings on the daily (none of those details included on the blog, though--the purpose of my posts will never be to trash my grandmother). But I forgive her. Not because I think I deserve peace, but because I love her. And because I know that much has been forgiven me.
I'll leave you with this:
Hope everyone has a nice hump-dayyyyyyyyyyyy (MikeMikeMikeMikeMike)! Already halfway through the week! Look for another Peenie Post on Friday--gift ideas for the ladies and some Peanut quotes from the past 7 days!
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