The secret is OUT of the bag!

Well, I know that all you avid readers are just bursting at the seams, trying to figure out what my little secret has been... and I can only imagine what YOU thought of... No, I'm not el prego, no, we're not moving, no... I'm not getting a lung transplant.... the secret was:  MY MOTHER was in town from November 22nd till just yesterday, when we took her to the airport on the most watery and dreary of days... perfect day for the emotions I was feeling, although, I think the fatigue was a lot of what I felt, too! It was so sad, saying goodbye to her... not knowing when I/we will see her again!   She was here since the Monday before Thanksgiving and didn't want to publicize to the world that her house was vacant, so she asked that I not post on Facebook or on my blog. I don't blame her.  MOST of my close friends figured it out, but those of you who didn't... I'm not much of a secret keeper and it was WORK not revealing what it was!

Mom reading her Nook/book!

We had a great time together, even though it was very, very low key and we didn't GO crazy with lots of sight seeing and road trips.  It almost felt like she was LIVING next to me... which is something that I haven't felt since right out of high school, when I lived in CT and even though I had the opportunity to see her and dad every weekend, I also had family down there and was in a relationship which didn't bring me back to the mountains as often as one would think... living so closely.  At that age, too, just out of the nest... "back home" wasn't the first place I wanted to go after moving away and living on my own.

This visit taught me a lot about myself and about her.  When we suggested that she come for the duration of the winter to get away from the Northeast's snow and cold, then pared it down to the "duration of the holidays" 'cause she didn't want to "overstay her welcome", I never thought that the seven weeks she was here would go as quickly as it did.  We had a good time.  I longed for the opportunity to really bond with her and have her show me things that I never knew I wanted her to show me.  When you're growing up and one is "teaching" you how to cook or you are just watching and learning through assimilation,  one doesn't really value the worth of having a "mother" doing this for them.  I have had so many comments from friends who have lost their mother's and wish they could have had the time to spend with theirs like I did with mine.  It really was special just "living" around/with her.  Of course, some of the time she drove me a little crazy... being her baby, she couldn't help being the way she IS... and I've found that some of my traits are exactly like hers... no wonder.  I know the things that drive me crazy about her are also the things that probably drive Kevin crazy about me... uh, like mother like daughter. BUT, the good things far outweighed the "crazy" things... thankfully!

Mom opening NookColor for Christmas

Although mom and I are so different, we are also very alike.  She loves to bake... I like to bake if there is a need--such as a holiday or an occasion where PEOPLE will eat the food.  I don't bake on a regular basis.  She loves to make pies and bread and cookies and cakes... but she can also cook like it's nobody's business. She learned everything she knows about cooking from HER grandmother, my great grandmother... Fanny Gardiner.  Us Gardiner wimmmens are a rare kind.  Just ask my cousin, Caroline. She wrote a poem about us... in general. When mom was first married, she said she called Grammy every day to ask her how to cook a certain dish that she intended for supper.  I don't remember calling her to ask how to cook anything on a regular basis, but just by watching her, I think I learned this trait. I rarely follow recipes and "just throw it in there, then taste".   I haven't had to ever throw anything away 'cause it tasted badly and don't recall anyone every complaining about my cooking.  I am very imaginative when it comes to making meals and only look at a recipe to get an "inspiration".   Doesn't everybody?  LOL!  I think she was amazed that I "doctored" up a Thai dish we made for dinner just by throwing in some spices till I got the right heat and flavor.  YUM!

Very Happy Kev!  Helicopter from Mom!

See it, it's orange!

Christmas was very special with my mom this year and we invited some very dear friends over for brunch. Mom made her special, homemade recipe of Belgian waffles with strawberry topping and homemade whipped cream.  It was very nice to have Stephen and Katie right across the street to share in the festivities. Our dinner consisted of  "Honey Baked Ham" with all the fixin's, which was really easy as all we had to do was warm everything up... Although it was just three of us for dinner, we enjoyed it like it was a regal meal, fit for a King.  If you haven't tried the Honey baked hams, they really ARE "all that and then some!"

In the kitchen...putting away leftover!

During the time mom was here, we did a lot of shopping, baking, cooking, eating out, we rode bikes together, walked the dogs and so much more. Mom got a month's gym membership to a new "Fitness 19" that just opened in our town and enjoyed going there each morning as I slept in and/or did my inhaled meds which take about an hour in the morning.  She really liked getting out and meeting other folks from the area and even did my grocery shopping for me on her way home if we needed anything.  That is one thing that I really despise, and I know that I would cut back on my "impulse buys", if I had someone else JUST picking up the things I NEEDED, although... SHE was the one with the impulse buys, instead of me. She loves hot and spicy things as much as I do and found that CHEETOS makes a "Flamin' Hot" crunchy brand in a "baked style" instead of fried!  She got some of THOSE to take back to the frigid, northeast.... perhaps THEY will keep her warm. I hope so!  They are much healthier and less calories than the fried style---not that I care about that, but she certainly does look after her health. I can't believe this is the year she turns another big number... and at one time....I thought 50 was OLD.  Not anymore!

Air Cargo, Randy, Ray and Kev

When mom first arrived, just before Thanksgiving, Kevin was playing a gig in town called "Feast of Sharing" where HEB (local grocer for Texas) supplied over 10,000 turkey dinners for anyone who wanted one and who waited in the line.  So, we got to see the "Grass Onions" play and had a hearty dinner afterward with the guys in the band.  She enjoyed them as much as I did.  Kevin also played at Threadgill's on the 19th of December so mom got to see the "Air Cargo" configuration of Kev, Randy and Ray Cargo.  They sounded terrific with their harmonies and song selections.  They even did an original instrumental that Kevin wrote almost twenty years ago called "Celica".. named after a car  he once owned, briefly.  Mom loved them and requested that they play at Threadgill's again before she left, but as it turned out, her early morning flight on the 9th didn't allow her to see them afterall.  At least they tried to accommodate her.  Looks like the trio has an ongoing gig there for the next four months so I hope lots of friends take advantage of these gigs.  The food is great and the sound man, Randy, really knows how to make them sound GREAT!

 

Kevin and mom went Geo Caching while she was here.  They took the bikes out on a beautiful, high 70s day and found several, hidden boxes.  One contained a "PARTY" box where they were instructed to put on the party hats and indulge!  So, they did and took photos to prove it!  I am so happy and thankful that they get along so well.  Mom really respects Kevin and they are good friends.  She gave him an early birthday card and present before she left... the card read:  "Son-in-law, strong, good-hearted, intelligent, real, beyond amazing (how did she know) ... It means so much to have someone like you in our family.  Hope you know how much you're loved and appreciated!"  They both like a lot of the same things and think alike when it comes to analyzing things and puzzles.  I am very blessed with an awesome hubby and mom that get along so wonderfully!  She now says that she has TWO WONDERFUL son in law's!  KG is pretty awesome, too!

Mom with Cheddar's HUGE
Hot Fudge Sundae Cake

Mom is invited back again... for as long as she wants to stay... which I can say, that an invitation like that one is not offered everyday... you know what they say about fish... after three days... well, she was definitely not like that ... but MOST people would hopefully not stay longer than that... as guests.  I know I wouldn't want to overstay my welcome in anyone's home, either.

So, here we are... in the middle of January... already, and I have more than a ton of things to get done... so I will be on my way and just say that the house is so lonely again.  Miss you, Mom! Enjoy your snow and cold, but keep warm and cozy for the duration of the winter!