Grant

Grant Wille 2009

Grant is getting ready to leave the US for a year to teach English in Majorca, Spain. He's enjoying his summer and I thought I would share this photo that I took of Grant sitting on his favorite motorcycle.

I had someone say to me after Grant's graduation that I must be feeling very proud. But feeling proud is not what I'm feeling right now ~ that would be taking credit for all of Grant's hard work.

I hear parents say "I'm proud of my child" but I can't take credit for Grant making choices good for himself, going to classes, building relationships with his teachers, often practically living in the library and doing the hard work. Oz says that we can take credit for giving him an accepting, stable and supportive home life. That much is true.

Triangle River Mermaid

Beautiful Valerie Ruth

I called my mom today and she told me to look at some great photos that Danny has been taking of his weekend trips around Oregon with Valerie. Mom especially loves this one of her granddaughter mermaid on the river rocks.

The A Team

P6251813, originally uploaded by Van Go Mobile Arts - Lawrence, Kansas.

This photo is of Hilary Kass and me working together to get lunch served for Locally Grown Jams. Click on photo to see Hilary!

Maxie and Marlee

Maxie and Marlee Summer 2009

Today we took a field trip to the Humane Society because my girlfriend wants to adopt another cat and my nieces love kitties and puppies. No, I didn't buy a puppy for you, Mom, although I was tempted.

Tonight I promised the girls we would go out for sushi. Having teenagers in the house is fun and I kinda forgot the part of about teenagers sleeping until 2:30, staying up all night and sister fights. Oh, they are feeling right at home with us! Yay!

Last night I went over to see my young friend Melody to help her figure out her old Brothers sewing machine that she bought for $20 at a garage sale. She's trying to make herself some throw pillows and needed another reminder on how to thread the machine. While we were working she asked me about rules that I had for the boys when they were growing up. I told her I didn't have any rules. She said, "What about the rule for washing your hands after you go to the bathroom?" I told her that I only had to explain once about germs on hands and what could happen if you don't wash your hands. I don't remember ever having to make it a rule. My boys are pretty smart! I know her son is just as smart! I occasionally reminded them when they were too excited for dinner to remember to wash up. But I wasn't going to shame them or punish them. Next she wanted to know about bed time rules and the consequences and punishments for not going to bed on time. I told her that I let Logan stay up as late as he wanted to with the information that his job was to go to school all day, on time, every day. It only took one time staying up all night and then having to go to school the next day for him to learn the "consequence" of not going to bed on time. He came home feeling sick, tired and wanting to go to sleep right after dinner. I am happy he learned this lesson at a young age rather than when he left home to go to college. Because there was no way I was going to try to wake him up every morning for an 8 am class while he is away at college.

Parenting 101

This was part of a conversation with my niece Maxi who is in high school. She is visiting us for a week and asked me some questions last night while we were sitting on her bed. Her sister Marlee was quietly listening to this conversation too.

Maxie: Aunt Mimi, did you ever ground your boys?

Me: No.

Maxie: Never?!

Me: Nope, I don't ground. It seems as silly for me to ground my father whom I respect a great deal.

Maxi: So, they never did any bad things? You know, like getting drunk and throwing up all over the floor.

Me: I know that happened and I don't think that is a bad thing. How else are they going to know that they don't want to do that again (getting drunk and vomiting all over the floor)? I'm not the one they should listen to. They have to learn these things when they are young, not me. I already know them but I don't want me to think for them....I want them to think for themselves. That's how they hear it. That's how they learn their internal yes or no.

~ I told Oz about this today at lunch and he response was: Kids are going to do these things anyway. Do you want to know about what your kids are doing or not?


I believe that Grounding and that kind of punishment teaches kids to be sneaky about what they are doing. It teaches kids that parents aren't okay hearing what is going on in their lives as teenagers.

Seriously Black

I took a quiz to see which Harry Potter character I am.



You are misunderstood by most everyone, but there are also those few who know you and want to help. Your stubbornness is your biggest flaw, which causes some problems. However, you make a great godparent, and you will do anything and everything to protect those you love.

Happy Fourth of July

Oz Wille at What Floats Your Boat 2009

I hope that your weekend is spent with those you love. I'll be spending it today with Oz and my nieces. Today you'll find me in the kitchen. Today's menu is: grilled hamburgers, roasted potatoes, basil zucchini orzo salad, fresh tomato slices on the side. Dessert is probably ice cream with lots of extra stuff on top. Fireworks are tonight starting at 9:45.

Don't forget your bug spray. The chiggers are nasty again this year.
Love, Marianne