I loved listening to my grandmother tell stories more than anything I can remember as a child.    She was so animated and absolutely hilarious when she told them.  She also had a way of making a point that would leave you laughing and I always remember her talking about a radio show where someone had a closet that every time they opened  the door, everything fell out.  So, if she opened a messy closet or drawer, she would always ask, "What is this?  Fibber McGee's closet?"

Well, I have my own Fibber McGee's cupboard.  Actually, I should admit to quite a few of them.  Catie's job is to empty the dishwasher and she insists on cramming everything in and slamming the door.  Now, she knows that SOMEONE (usually me) will open that door and often get hit with a flying dish, pot or pan.  This was what happened this afternoon when I opened the cupboard to cook dinner.

When I ran for the camera, she yelled "Grandma!  If you take a picture I SWEAR I will post a million nasty things on Facebook about you!"

I really wish I could have had a great come-back, because I know Nana would have had a good one!

Cleaning the Pond....YECH!

After a long Michigan winter, my little pond was in sad shape.  Since Joe remarked that his favorite Mexican yard boy was still sleeping at noon, he was heading to the yard to begin the weekend work.  Feeling guilty, I thought maybe I could find something I could do to help without causing too much arm pain.  I really like working a bit around the flowers, but heavy duty yard work in NOT my thing.

Last summer my boys installed a small pond that I love in the corner of the yard.  I sat down and began arranging the little stones and rocks that Joey's black Lab had used to stay amused this winter.  Then I remarked that we really needed to drain and clean the pond.  Joe grabbed the pump and then the stench came!  OH, it was BAD!  Since this was the first year we had done this, we didn't realize how many nasty leaves would be in the bottom or just how bad they would smell!

That little project took a pump, the shop vac, lots of rock removal and we won't mention all the other things in that nasty water.  Let's just say next year we will cover the pond.  By the time we finished we had all sprayed each other with the hose a couple times, had some fun in the sun and the smell was gone.

As Joe weed whipped around the yard, pulled weeds and did the rest of the hard work, I brought out cold drinks and a plate of cheese, nuts and fruit to keep his energy going.  I found a nice chair under a tree.