Jill's Stories

It’s been a while since I have written to you, grandchildren of ours.  I have decided to talk a little bit about each one of you because each and every one of you are so important to me.  Let me begin with the first grandchild, Nicholas Lee.  Nick arrived into this world on December 7, 1996.  I saved the newspaper that day as it was an important day in the history books…it was “Pearl Harbor Day.” Now I am aware that the kids will need to Google this one day.  I was actually present with Nick’s Mom to behold this amazing event; Nick’s Opa was also present.  Jackie delivered this baby herself and we all gazed in amazement.  Nick lived with his grandparents, myself and Opa for a couple of months. It was so interesting to watch him grow rapidly, play with toys and watch his mom teach him the basics.  It was difficult for me to allow my own daughter to take charge. I wanted to do it; but I knew I needed to step aside.  This fine young man is now 17 1/2 years old and an athlete extraordinaire.  He is kind and strong and has learned through his years to watch over his mom and take charge of some things by himself.  I am so grateful to have been around to watch the “little child” develop into this awesome man.

Now I have decided to finish my story about Nick.  He just celebrated his 18th birthday.  I am here with him in Emeigh, Pennsylvania.  He is now making plans to enter college…he is still the athlete that has come so far. It will be very interesting to see where his career takes him.  This year also happened to be the year that Nick joined the Pennsylvania National Guard.  How awesome is that?  He is quite tall now. .. 5’10” to be exact.  Quite a growth spurt since we first held him 18 years ago.  His hobbies include hunting and more hunting.   (to be continued)

I can add something of great significance now.  Nick was deployed to Afganistan this year…he left his homeland in April of this year. (to be continued)

The following are included in a list of things that people do “before the Cleaning Lady arrives” : Sweeping the kitchen floor, emptying the dishwasher, clearing off the counter tops, wiping the stove, folding the towels, putting away the snacks, wiping the table, putting fresh flowers in a vase on the table, throwing out newspapers and magazines, emptying trash, folding the laundry left in the dryer, shutting the closet doors, clearing off the bathroom shelves, emptying the vacuum cleaner, putting fresh trash bags in containers and straightening the quilts on the beds, not to mention removing all treasures hidden under the beds.  The occupants of said household, now can leave for work, gleefully thinking about the hired person coming in and “cleaning” the entire house.  It makes their day! No work to do at  home.  The cash is left on the table, and the person is paid well upon completion of said tasks.  Did I mention the tasks?  Dusting, scrubbing, sanitizing, polishing and many more things I am sure.  Upon arriving home the occupants of the sparkling home remark of the clean fragrance, uncluttered appearance and polished look of the entire domain.   The lady of the house hears such raves as “Wow look at my bathroom!”  She says to the man of the house, “why didn’t you ever say that when I cleaned your bathroom?”  He answers, “It better well ____be clean, I just paid her $60 for this.  And the beat goes on…did I forget to mention that before the cleaning person arrives, it is useful to pull the stove away from the kitchen wall and vacuum, scrub and sanitize behind there also?  Did I mention that it is also very wise to take an extra few minutes before one leaves for work to select diamonds and gold and cherished jewelry and stash it in one’s handbag to tote along to work just for safe keeping?  Did I mention that it is also inspiring to see the shoes all lined up in the bathroom closet, color coded and brushed off?  Did I also mention the refrigerator has never looked so organized and tidy before the cleaning person arrived?  All of these happenings are signs of achievement.  I am simply wondering….why are we so tired?  For $60 we should be “tired”! P.S…..cleaning lady rocks!