Good morning, October!

My 86 year young mother leaves in the morning after almost a week with us here at the ranch. It’s been a delightful visit, creating a host of memories I will treasure always. I posted a photo-journal of most of our daily events on Facebook. Through this album, I’ve shared with family and friends, and now you! It is such a blessing to have had this time with her.

Although I have a major custom order to finish (thankfully, the completion delay is understood), I have worked on it a bit while she has helped me tremendously by sorting through my trim stash!

That is, once she’s come inside from working on touching up the mural she created back in 1994ish!

Still, I’ve been having an internal fight with myself to not worry about the order, but to focus on Momma, and my time with her.

This is a total reminder… focus on the day…

And, that’s exactly what I’m going to do!

We’re crossing the cattle guard in a little while, heading south for our last outing before Bud takes her home tomorrow! We have errands to run and a fun meeting to attend this morning, then more errands!

I’ll let tomorrow take care of itself…

it usually does!

Momma vs Mother

Since I can remember, I always called my daddy, Daddy. I don’t know why, but since I can remember, I would call the woman who gave birth to me, Mother.

This changed a few years ago.

One day while eating at a restaurant, “Mother” asked me why I didn’t call her “Momma” and I didn’t have a clue. After listening to her, I realized she thought I didn’t feel as close to her as I did Daddy, not with the same loving tenderness as I had for my daddy.

WRONG!

I grew up calling both paternal and maternal grandparents: Papo and Grandmother, not “Granny” or “Mee Maw” or “Oma” or whatever. The “mother” always had a bit more formality than the men. I don’t know why.

Until that day, it had never occurred to me she felt that way. I’m glad she opened up and asked me, and I listened. I’m thankful and blessed for the time since then to call her Momma.

Now and forever, my momma she will be!

The Wearable Napkin

They are in the mail!

My sweet 84 year young mother is in a rehabilitation facility recuperating from a fall she took on July 9th. After surgery the following day to repair her left femur, and a few days in the hospital, she’s now discovering muscles she’s not used in years while maneuvering the wheelchair and walker! Every day she is a bit better and stronger. Praise the Lord!

She's wearing the Hawaiian Artist Smock/Apron I created for her before her fabulous
trip to Hawaii a couple of weeks before the fall!

During the interim, sitting up straight in her wheelchair while eating meals has been a challenge due to other physical issues she has unrelated yet aggravated by this fall. While sharing a meal with her last week, she dripped and spilled food down her blouse.

Dabbing up the trail of syrup here and there, and laughing at herself, she said, “I guess I’m going to need a bib like Wouida wears.”

Well, my momma will never wear a “bib”!

Wheels began turning in my head to create something else with the same purpose, but not to look like a "bib" in any form or fashion!

Drum roll, please! Announcing the

“Wearable Napkin”!!!

 

Pocket for cell phone is behind the black dress with white dots -
see the cell phone barely sticking out? It does slip all the way down, but I pulled it up some to show!
I used a terry cloth towel for the bottom "skirt" 

Besides being a "so momma print" - I kept in mind what others across the table will look at and read!
Wish I could be a fly on the wall when she wears this for the first time!

Reversible!  Only difference between the 2 sides is the pocket size/placement.
Just like wearing a "real" apron, the neck tie only needs to be tied once!

I came up with two similar styles and have ideas for a bit different ones in the future.

Keeping in mind busy prints makes for hiding spills and drops!

            Like a camo print for men?

Also, she likes to keep her cell phone close. I applied a pocket (matched within the print) on the upper left side sized especially for her phone.

They are in the mail to her! She should get them tomorrow at the latest!

I can hardly wait to hear what she thinks! I've told her they won't be a thing like Wouida's!

New Normal

Finding the new normal is going to be hard. After having someone in your life, and being such a huge part of life, for almost sixty years, it’s an odd feeling not to be able to pick up the telephone and hear that familiar sweet voice. It’s weird not seeing, or hugging my daddy, or playing a game of dominoes with him. Not to mention kissing that perpetual five o’clock shadow scratchy cheek. I always loved the opportunity. Those memories will carry me through the days while learning a new normal.

Leaving Dallas today, after being here since that full moon night in January, is going to be hard. Being with Momma, helping her, crying with her, laughing together, remembering wonderful times with Daddy, and both so grateful he’s no longer in pain, has been a blessing. It’s time, however, I go home.

It’s hard to let her go it alone. I have such mixed emotions. I know she’ll be okay. She has over sixty six years of memories to hold on to while she finds a new normal. She’s a strong woman. She’ll show me the way.

I Wouldn't be any Other Place

It’s interesting the way things happen. I wrote my last post, Things in Order, exactly ten days before the Lord called my daddy home. Between then and the phone call at 6:10 p.m. on January 28^th, I worked and worked, getting my things in order. I’m still not finished, but that’s okay. I’m now working on getting things in order for Momma.

I wouldn’t be any other place.

Although I’ve set my ArtFire Studio to “vacation” mode right now (due to timely shipping issues since I’m away), I so appreciate customers contacting me via email. Several places, such as Facebook and Pinterest, have pictures of my products, with links. I am receiving inquiries and continue to receive special orders.

I’m grateful to each and every one of you!

It’s a nice break from paperwork to create an apron (or 4!) for a special occasion!

Thank you!

Lanetta

Happy Mother's Day - 2012

Me growing up was rough on my mother. Looking back, I know I gave her hell at every turn possible in between sprinkles of joy. She’s a tough woman though and got me through it all without too many scars on either one of us! I don’t know where I would be right now if it weren’t for Momma. I am truly blessed.

 

The greatest gift she taught me was giving unconditional love for family. She never said it, she always showed it – and still does. Among many life lessons she taught me, one thing sticks out above all others. I can hear her words now as she told me, “It’s the mother who sets the tone for the day.” No matter how she felt, or what troubles she was experiencing, she always started the day with a happy, “Good Morning” and a hug.

When frustrated with me I could bet money she would say, “Just wait until you have children of your own.” I certainly heard this more than a few times!

Well, God said, “No” to me having children. Instead, I was blessed when He brought two nieces and a step-daughter into my life. Although I wasn’t around each and every morning to start the day, I love them all with an unconditional love.

Thank you, Momma, for everything you’ve done and continue to do for me.

Thank you, Sister, for sharing your girls with me throughout their life.

Thank you, Bud, for bringing Amy into my life.

Thank you, Sweet Jesus, for your unconditional love

and the peace it brings to me knowing I’ll someday know the reason for “No”.

Something else on the website where I found this picture is exactly how I feel and want to pass along:

To all the women out there who have ever:
 Read a book, tied a shoe, mended a boo-boo, wiped a nose, dried tears, gave hugs, taught lessons, passed on a tradition, allowed a mistake, picked up the pieces, stood on the sidelines, pushed us ahead, and generally been there for us – be it grandmother, aunt, mother, sister, mentor, co-worker, pastor, cousin, or simply a friend…
 We say happy Mother’s Day to you all!! We couldn’t do it without you. Thanks Mom!!

Hope you have a fabulous Mother’s Day!