Spring Hill

Because Today is Special

From April 2010...

Papa Clyde turned 88 on Friday. Papa Clyde is special. He has a special way about him. A special swagger and being 88 hasn't changed that. There's a lot of things that are cool about him but none more than his gift of expression. Here is a list compiled by my family of expressions from Clyde that really just, tell it like it is.

On turning 88: "I had the worst nightmare last night. I dreamed I was an 88 year old man."

On stretching the truth : "He's taking the Liberty Ship."

When feeling poorly: “I'm hurtin’ all over worse than any other place.”

Again when feeling poorly,"Clyde, how long have you been feeling bad?": "Oh, about 40 years."

When feeling good: “I feel like goin’ bear huntin’ with a switch.”

When considering someone over weight: “He only eats one meal a day; from the time he wakes up until he goes to bed.”

On where to spend your money: “Spend your money on shoes and a bed, cause if you ain’t in one, you’re in the other.”

When any of us grandkids went to visit: "Stay up as late as you want, watch as much T.V. you want, and drink all the Pepsi you want."

Whenever you leave his house (this is spoken with an arm swing): "Hoochi Coochi."

Whenever a new baby is born into the family: "This is the one time in her life that she can say, ""DAMN, I ain't never seen that before!"" about  EVERYTHING."

When checking on said new born baby: "Is she shavin' her legs and typin yet?"

When any of the 3 sons were making too much noise: "You want an axe?"

When describing someone's wife as pretty: "That boy has enough woman to last him the rest of his life."

When there was any sort of conflict: “Take it to Paris.” (referencing Kissinger and the Peace Talks .)
When considering some idiot: “He couldn’t pour piss out of a boot without instructions on the heel sayin’ “Tip up.”

A little off-color classic: "It was rainin so hard it sounded like 2 skeletons screwing on a tin roof." 

Another - When asked if something was hard to do he answered: "Harder than standing up screwing in a hammock!"

Whenever a woman walks into the room: "Hey Doll."

Commenting on a long day: "This day is so long that you could plant corn this morning and pull roastin' ears this afternoon."

When discussing something that isn't difficult: "It's no big deal, on that thing."

When teaching his sons: "Everything is mechanical."

When asked if he enjoyed something you made him to eat: "I'd order it in a restaurant." or "Best I ever had."

When speaking to an attracive under-age lady: "Every minute with you would be worth every year in prison."

When seeing you kiss your boyfriend: "Get the water hose."

When telling his sons to do something: "If I tell you a chicken can pull a plow, hook him up."

When asking for a roll at dinner: "Ed me a roll."

There were others that are a little more poignant and descriptive. And while helpful, I think they are best left off this list and included on another. My favorite one of all time and the one that comes to my mind quickest...

When examining something sweet: "It gets me right here." (While pointing to his heart.)

This Year's Goblins

This October

 



Expect

To Big and Lil'...

Please make yourself some good friends. Ones that you can count on for good and for bad. Ones that will stand up for you at your wedding or tell you you are making a mistake. Ones that will pick you up from jail and never tell a soul. Ones that will drive for miles and miles to see your brand new baby. Ones that you don't have to clean your house for.

Please make yourself some good friends. Ones that you can bitch to and ones that will tell you when enough is enough. Ones that will split a bottle with you or hold your hair back. Ones that will tuck you in at night. Ones that will give you underwear when you need it. Ones that love your kids and worry for them as much as you do.

Please make yourself some good friends. Ones that you'll give your last dollar to. Ones that get scared for you but hide it so well. Ones that you make you breathe better and think less. Ones that will call you over and over. Ones that miss you when you are away. 

Look for them in your life. Because they are the people you never expected and then become the ones whom you can expect. 

What A Great Laugh

6 Has Finally Come!

Lil' has had some big news recently. First of all, she lost something very important on her way to school one morning...

Then, we had her 6th birthday which turned out to be quite the success. This year was a cheerleading theme and the girls had so much fun. Two "real" cheerleaders came and taught them a dance ("Hey, I just met you.") and a cheer. Since Lil' had cheer camp this summer she already knew how to do everything and she got to help teach her friends. 

6 has finally come!

Your Average Tuesday

I caught a quick, green glimpse of Big the other day on his way out the door. I noticed he grabbed his bow and arrow so I felt like I should check on him. This is what I found...

Just your average Tuesday.

 

Happy You, Ned

In the middle of the Rucci birthday season, there lies a very special one indeed. We were able to celebrate her this year on the water and with a fabulous dinner. Happy you, Ned...

We Can't Wait to Watch You

You are 9 now Big. It's your last year of single digits. Things will change for you soon. I'm sure you will start to spend less and less time around me and your sister and more and more time around your Daddy and the other men in our family. And this thought, or future reality breathes on my back and makes me try to slow down and take a deep breath and realize you will only be my little Big for a spell longer. 

When you hug me and don't let go at night just to stall-I kind of lay there a little bit and let you. When you stuff the cat in your shirt and then let him climb out so that it looks like you are puking him up, I don't say anything the first time. And when you say that I'm pretty or a good cook I make sure I say thank you each time and look you in the eye so you know I mean it and appreciate it. 

Everyone says what a good boy you are all the time. Your Grandma, your teachers, Papa's huntin' partners - they all know what Daddy and I do. You are a smart kid with a big, huge crush on the outdoors. That is your place - where you like it the most - the outside. 

Your birthday this year was in Chapin - the seed that planted your love for wide open spaces. I know that you will squeeze every drip out of 9 and we can't wait to watch you.

Calhoun

He's new. He's red. He fetches. He is Calhoun the Kitty Cat...

No You're Not

Big is a summer kid just like me. He likes the freedom that summer gives him. When that last bell in May rings and he comes sprinting outta school - it's on.

This summer Big did a lot of this...

and this...

and apparently has a new found appreciation for things like these...

because while sitting at the beach the other day I looked over and noticed his intent gaze. I said, "What are you thinking about Big?" He answered, "Am I old enough?"

No, Son. No . You're . Not.

How Did You Get Here

Big day round our house and it started early. Lil' woke up with a smile on her face and her first words were "I'm so excited!" Big didn't share the same sentiment but still got up without an attitude which is a huge favor. There were no tears on either of their parts this morning and I held it together at drop off but a little one slipped out on my way to work. They both have great teachers this year and their Emmie will be right there with them every single day. That makes my heart feel hugged. 4th grade and Kindergarten - How did you get here??

Please notice Big's VERY forced smile...

The One and Only

Lil' loves a cell phone. She wants one of her own so badly. Of course she's only 5.975 years old so we don't let her have one but needless to say she spends a lot of time on ours. She loves to play all the games, sometimes she'll record a video of herself but lots of times, we retrieve our phones to find many, many self portraits of the one and only...

Last.

Last week was IT for us. The last dance. The last hurrah. The last of our summer free for all. We spent each day doing as much fun stuff as we could. Lots of beach days, fishing days, bowling, bike rides, ice cream, staying up late. Soaking up each scorching hot second and trying to make it last and last. Before last week got here, I was really dreading it. I hate lasts. But the lasts gave me some of favorite summer memories and moments to hear things like....

"I wish I could start this day all over again."

"Thanks for taking us Mom."

"Thanks for making that happen."

and these moments will stick with me. They will last.

We All Have Fun

Camp She-Me is a little something we all look forward to every summer. When it's time for Camp She-Me it means that we get Miss E all to ourselves for a whole week and that means we are all gonna laugh a whole bunch. It also means that we are gonna go to the beach, the water park, the children's musuem, swim in the pool, eat chicken nuggets and gelato and play with every single toy in this house. It means that we . all . have . fun .