Wednesday's Walk Down Memory Lane - Zzzzzzz

It's Wednesday, and time to go for another walk down memory lane.

If you would like to know more, click on the above link, join in, or just read other's contributions.

Today's memory is about something that we all miss at times.

No matter our age, gender, position in life.

It is something that we long for......crave........daydream about....

Today, my "Walk Down Memory Lane" is all about

SLEEP

or lack of it!

A good night's sleep hasn't occurred for the adults in this house for such a long time, it is a very distant memory! When I was pregnant with Samuel, I had all the usual pregnancy things that caused me to wake in the night and toddle off to the bathroom. Then of course, Samuel finally arrived.......

The above photo is one of the very rare times Samuel actually slept in his own bed. The teddy bear was put there for the photo, but the "silky" was and is still the constant sleep companion for Samuel. He has to have it up against his cheek.

Probably for the first year of his life, Samuel slept in my arms. He did not like his cradle, he did not like his crib. He did like to sleep in Mummy's arms. I usually sat in our huge leather chair. We sang, we read books, we told stories, sometimes we dozed.

The few nights that Samuel actually slept through the night, in his own bed, I would wake-up every hour or so and go and check on him.

Now that Samuel is older, he does stay asleep many nights, but there are many nights that he will burrow in between Jim and I. He wraps his arms around my neck and sighs, "Sam's Mum".

Samuel does sleep, in fact he has a child's ability of falling asleep almost anywhere the mood strikes!

A few months ago I went to change over a load of laundry, walked back into the family room and this is what I found!


Fast asleep on the coffee table


IPod in hand

Good night,

Sleep tight,

Don't let the bed bugs bite!

Sally-Ann

It's Wednesday, and time to go for another walk down memory lane. If you would like to know more, click on the above link, join in, or just read other's contributions.

I am posting my "Walk down memory lane...." a little late today! I have been thinking all day about what to write about. As I sit typing, I am still not all that sure. I decided to browse through my photos for some sort of inspiration.

This is the photo I settled on. This is a picture of Samuel Wilton Purdy at 2 weeks of age.

Nearly every week some of the "memories" include the birth of children. The memories shared bought back a flood of my own memories. Samuel is our 4th and last child. Sam is spoiled, Sam is our wild child, Sam is loved, Sam is a gift from a loving Heavenly Father that helped heal my broken heart. Samuel was a high-risk pregnancy - I was 42, diabetic, high blood pressure and had lost a child through stillbirth. Sam came into the world through an unplanned C-section, yelling at the top of his lungs and weeing all over the doctor. I held Samuel constantly after he was born, to have him in my arms was like the balm of Gilead. He is now the image of perpetual motion, but he still snuggles in my arms at night to go to sleep.

18 months before Samuel was born, our little Emma Rose came into the world. An event that was looked forward to with great joy and anticipation. But, instead of the usual congratulations, hustle and bustle, baby's cry - there was silence. We knew that our little girl was going to be stillborn, but you still hope for some miracle. The birth of Emma made me find strengths and faith that I didn't know that I had. Sometimes I didn't think I could continue to function, but because of my oldest 2 children, I did. I love my little Emma Rose and look forward to holding her in the eternities.

Jessica......Jessica has always marched to the beat of her own drum. We had given up trying to have another child and had began the adoption process. Then low and behold! The doctors kept telling me that she would be a small baby and would probably come early. Well, she came the day before her due date, and weighed 9pounds 8.8ounces!! This child has talent oozing from her pores! She writes, draws and plays the piano, steel drums, violin and harp. She is a amazing big sister and a joy.

Jessica and her brother Joshua, are very soft hearted and always try to help others in need.

We thought about having a baby and was promptly pregnant with Joshua. Joshua was a patient, calm baby and has grown into a patient, calm young man. I often wonder how first born babies survive those first years! It is a wonder that stressed out, worry wart parents don't scare them for life! I look back at those early years with Joshua and my mind is flooded with wonderful memories. It is hard to believe that he will be leaving the nest soon.

I love being a Mum. I have never been in a rush for school holidays to end or to whisk the kids off to babysitters. That doesn't mean that I don't go a bit stir crazy at times and need my space! I haven't really skimmed the surface of the memories I have and am making with my children, but I hope that they have equally good memories and realize that they are each loved more than words can express.

Sally-Ann

A Night Out at "Spamalot"

Last night I took Jim out for his birthday. His birthday isn't until Sunday, but last night was when we could get tickets for "Spamalot". I grew-up watching British comedies, including Monty Python. It is all very irreverent and a little bit rude. Well.......can be quite rude at times!! "Spamalot" was no exception to that. In fact, when we were leaving the theatre, Jim asked, "How come when something quite rude is said with a British accent, it is hilarious??" I don't know is my answer. But, this morning as I sat trying to work out how I wanted my blog to go today, I realised, whether it was intentional or not, there are lessons to be learned from this musical. So, read on for my wonderful insights!!!

One of my favorite parts is when the French insult King Arthur and his Knights. I wonder if they use the same insults every night, or think up new ones? This isn't one of my wonderful insights, I just liked this part of the play!

According to the playbill, "Spamalot is “lovingly ripped off” from the movie “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”. On a twenty-five-dollar T-shirt that’s for sale in the lobby, you'll find the catchphrase “I’m not dead yet . . .,” printed. The catchphrase, which is intoned throughout the evening by plague-ridden corpses, by dragooned (decided that this is my word for the day!) soldiers, and even by an amputee knight, seems fitting to me in these times of economic uncertainty: we must never give up, an act of defiance, never say die (ha ha, I crack myself up).

Richard Chamberlin plays King Arthur.

In one song he sings:

“For life is quite absurd,

And death’s the final word.

You must always face the curtain with a bow!”

In all its silliness, I think we can learn something from "Spamalot". "Always face the curtain with a bow." Always be gracious, always do your best, always take the high ground....the list could go on.

Sally-Ann

Wednesday's Walk Down Memory Lane - Bicylces

It's Wednesday, and time to go for another walk down memory lane. If you would like to know more, click on the above link, join in, or just read other's contributions.

Two weeks ago I wrote about trains, this week it is bicycles. Could this be a trend?? I am not sure, but I just know that bicycles have been on my mind the past few days.

When I was growing up, everyone had a bicycle. From the time we awoke in the morning, until we went in for the evening, we rode our bikes. I had many types over the years. I started off on a tricycle - green. I am not sure how old I was, but for my birthday one year I received a "big" three wheeler. I loved it. I could hook my doll's pram on the back and took the dog for a wild ride. My first 2-wheeler was blue, complete with banana seat and those tall handlebars - not sure of the proper name. Over time I graduated to an "adult" style bike.

My oldest son, Joshua, rode bikes all the time when he was growing up. Jessica? We haven't been able to convince her that it is a wonderful thing to ride a bike. Samuel? I think he is going to be another bike rider.

My friends and I would walk our bikes up Gawler hill. Walk because it was such a long, long, long hill. The ride down was fantastic, the wind blowing in our faces. We would ride to the library, the park, to school......everywhere. It was such a carefree time. We had so many places to explore. Shaded dirt roads, the stockyards, the cemetery (it was lined with huge trees, great for climbing), our schools were close by and had wonderful playgrounds.

It was the kind of childhood summers that I wish my children could have. Times are different, we live in neighborhoods that aren't set up for that kind of exploration and freedom. If I misbehaved while we were out and about, I could guarantee that my parents would know about it before I walked in the back door. Having 10 uncles and aunts spread throughout the town, I didn't have a chance to cause havoc and mayhem!!

The weather has been fairly cool and nice here in Tampa lately, so I resolve to take better advantage of it and teach my kids - even the big ones, they need reminding every now and then - the joy of the great outdoors and feeling the wind in your face. I don't think I will teach them to go down hills with their hands in the air and their eyes closed. That is something I will keep to myself!!

Sally-Ann

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Originally this post was titled "Bye-bye Poo: Part 2", then I remembered it was Dr. Seuss's birthday today. I then thought I should name it, "If I Ran the Zoo". As you can see, I finally settled on, "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" Surprisingly enough, I think this is probably the only Dr. Seuss book that we do not own!!

I do remember the opening page to this book however.

Congratulations!

Today is your day.

You're off to Great Places!

You're off and away!

When your child is still in diapers and you are beginning to think of potty training, you (I did, so, therefore, everyone thinks my way, right???) think that with this great mile-stone in your child's life will come a new found freedom for both you and your child. Free of diapers! Free of.......free of what?? This is a myth, there is no new found freedom, at least not yet.

Once he got over his initial stubbornness, Samuel has embraced being diaper free. He has had very few accidents and finds great joy in flushing. With being diaper free, we now have new challenges. Everywhere we go we have to scope out the location of the nearest bathroom. Then I have to overcome the germaphobe in me and try not to have panic attacks over the trillions of germs that could possibly be milling around the facilities. I now carry a huge supply of disinfecting wipes. In fact, I may start buying stocks, even in this economy. We usually end up visiting the restrooms within 5 minutes of arriving at any location. Depending on how fascinating Samuel finds a particular restroom dictates how much time we spend there, or should I say, how often we visit the said restroom!

On Friday night Jim and I went out of a hot date! Well, we found it exciting. We went out to eat and then browsed the local book shop. I was checking out the kids section for a book that might help Samuel in his potty training efforts. Even though I found the selection interesting and somewhat amusing, I did not make a purchase. Though how I could pass up such a variety.........There was the usual, basic potty training books, but apparently they aren't good enough, or perhaps graphic enough?

For example -

• "The Truth About Poop"
• "The Long Journey of Mr. Poop"
• "A Potty For Me: A Lift the Flap Instruction Book
• "Even Firemen Poop"

and my personal favorite

In this little gem you lift flaps until you find the pile of poop.

When my oldest son, Joshua, was about 9 months, my mother called me one day and inquired why he wasn't potty trained yet. I reminded her that he was only 9 months old and wasn't even walking yet. She told me that my sister Gayle was potty trained by that age. I laughed and hung up. When you are going through this milestone, everyone has helpful hints and sure-fired ways that work. All I know is that.......

Today is your day!

I have potty trained my last child - I am not doing this with the grandchildren

You're off to great places.

It may be a toilet, but maybe it is a spectacular one

You're off and away!

Bye-bye Poo - don't forget to flush

Sally "Seuss" Ann