1. nice words

    Yesterday I heard two things a woman always loves to hear:
    1. From a wonderful friend, “You look thinner.”
    2. My 14 year old nephew, “Aunt Janean, Grandma just told me how old you are.”
    I reply, “I’m 41.”
    Sweet teenage boy says, “I can’t believe it! I thought you were in your 30’s.”
    These are words a woman remembers. If you’re looking for me today, my thinner, 30-something self, will still be floating on Cloud 9 with a mile wide smile, Artist, Poet, Daydreamer Style.

    June 7, 2013

  2. mom stuff

    my dishes are all done
    every last one
    even though it won’t last
    I’m savoring this job is past
    laundry is next
    then perhaps I can rest
    for that’s the beauty
    of Sunday evening

    May 26, 2013

  3. tastebuds awakening

    My oldest boy asked for SPAM again at supper time yesterday. He wanted to try it as a sandwich this time, which I served cold. He took a bite and then asked if I’d warm up the SPAM in the skillet again. Of course I obliged. Afterwards my thirteen year old son decided he liked SPAM best with breakfast. I have a feeling this journey is just beginning: My Life As A SPAM Cook. ~ Janean

    May 26, 2013

  4. I’m letting Blue dog curl up next to me in the empty love seat spot
There is a doorknob jangle
Nearly 8:00am
First boy is out of bed
My oldest, The Early Bird (like me)
He saw Blue on the love seat and said, “Oh boy. Mom!”
Then he pet Blue and said, “Look at him. He likes this I betcha.” 
Yep. He does. Spoiled rotten love him too much Blue dog.
Nearly 9:00am now
Youngest son joins us in the family room and says, “There’s another Blue on the couch.”
To the dog he says, “Blue, you’re in my spot.”
What follows made me laugh aloud…
Youngest boy climbs across arm of love seat, surprised dog gets down, then once my nine year old son is tucked tightly up against my side, Blue jumps up again in the space remaining
Quiet from earlier is replaced with a WWII show from History channel being played back via DVR
Saturday morning has truly begun
Blue is even sleeping on the floor
Breakfast for the boys is next 
Good morning 

May 18, 2013

    I’m letting Blue dog curl up next to me in the empty love seat spot
    There is a doorknob jangle
    Nearly 8:00am
    First boy is out of bed
    My oldest, The Early Bird (like me)
    He saw Blue on the love seat and said, “Oh boy. Mom!”
    Then he pet Blue and said, “Look at him. He likes this I betcha.”
    Yep. He does. Spoiled rotten love him too much Blue dog.
    Nearly 9:00am now
    Youngest son joins us in the family room and says, “There’s another Blue on the couch.”
    To the dog he says, “Blue, you’re in my spot.”
    What follows made me laugh aloud…
    Youngest boy climbs across arm of love seat, surprised dog gets down, then once my nine year old son is tucked tightly up against my side, Blue jumps up again in the space remaining
    Quiet from earlier is replaced with a WWII show from History channel being played back via DVR
    Saturday morning has truly begun
    Blue is even sleeping on the floor
    Breakfast for the boys is next
    Good morning

    May 18, 2013

  5. a l’il luck

    in this moment
    I’m all kinds o’weepy
    still wearing my fleece pajamas
    with peacock adorned rain boots
    (of course)
    I don’t care about societal rules
    pajamas smajamas, I’m not nude
    just leaving the grocery store
    where I bought a shamrock plant
    figured I could use a l’il luck
    hoping for the good kind
    years ago, more than 20
    my mom gave me shamrocks
    for my college dorm room
    that’d be four of them
    ‘cause a green thumb is not my gift
    I’d forgotten all about ‘em
    until they recently caught my eye
    plant after plant
    set along a deep window edge
    waiting to catch sunlight
    I mentioned them aloud
    walking down the window lined hall
    following the kind woman
    one of many helping me through
    she casually replied
    “They are mine.”
    Shamrocks
    for luck
    ‘tis their month you know
    March and all
    with the fun of St. Patrick’s Day
    less than a week away
    soon

    March 11, 2013

  6. cookie time

    My doorbell just rang. When I answered the front door, there was the cutest little Girl Scout standing on my front porch, alongside her smiling mother. The littlest Girl Scout, with a pixie smile, was dressed all in purple, topped off with her vest adorned with patches earned. Of course I bought one more box of thin mints, because I had exactly $4 cash, and they are my very favorite kind.

    February 9, 2013

  7. he’ll be 13 in April

    My oldest son has so many good life skills at age 12 3/4. My mom has said, “he’s an old soul,” since he was an infant. I continue to marvel at him, and wonder what God’s plan is for my oldest boy. He is so articulate, knowledgeable about so many topics, and good with people of all ages. He has such compassion and empathy in him, balanced by an in depth knowledge of warfare throughout history and weaponry. Lots of scripture and Bible teaching are buried in his great big heart too. I just keep loving him and encouraging him in all things. Nudging now and then. Downplaying and not gushing to keep his head from swelling. He’s a builder, a dreamer, a planner, a thinker and I hope a doer too. I miss him, his little brother, that great big Blue dog and striped cat too.

    Initially written as a text reply, on January 23, 2013, while sitting at my husband’s bedside at Loyola hospital near Chicago. My friend, whose oldest son is the same age (well, 14 days older), was praising my oldest son’s conversation skills. Saying that he speaks intelligently and clearly, and comes across as very knowledgeable and thoughtful. Of course my Mother’s Heart swelled with a bit o’pride. He is mine. Forever and always my baby he’ll be, even now when he towers head and shoulders over me. Not ‘cause he’s a GIANT, though he’s built broad for football, just ‘cause his mama isn’t tall…sayin’ I’m under 5’ is close enough.

  8. as dark falls

    standin’ in the kitchen
    singin’ along with whatever’s on
    (yes, that’d be slightly off key)
    makin’ chicken piccata for supper
    my mother’s recipe

    December 5, 2012

  9. heart ache

    my woman’s heart is breakin’
    daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend
    life’s been tough for awhile now
    doin’ the best I can
    cryin’ too many tears
    day by day abidin’
    movin’ ever forward
    walkin’ step by step
    thankful for the gift
    of each day
    we have together
    holdin’ it all together
    with bailin’ twine and prayers

    November 25, 2012

  10. slow dancin’

    We were canoodling when the phone rang, cutting off the music we were dancin’ to.
    It was my mother saying, “I’m on my way.”
    He said, “I don’t want to see your tears.”
    I replied, “Then don’t look.”
    There’s no time to kiss them away.
    Gotta get my composure, blow my nose and grab my sunglasses to walk the dog.
    Our sweet pup, Blue.
    Met mom on the sidewalk.
    Chit chatted and smiled sorta bright.
    Held his hand when I came back in.
    Assured him it was the tenderness that did me in.
    I’m a girl.
    It’s how I’m packaged.
    Sometimes they are happy tears.

    November 1, 2012