In Loving Memory

I had just gotten into bed and was watching a video of Stacy Westfall riding in memory of her father. (This woman is an incredible trainer and rider.) The song she was performing to was Tim McGraw’s Live Like You Were Dying. For some reason, as I watched her ride and control her horse without a saddle or bridle…my eyes filled up with tears and I became overwhelmed with emotions. All I could think about were my grandparents…not just Mama Clair- and not just Jimmie, but them together.

Then the phone rang.

“Your Mama Clair just passed away, honey”

I was speechless. I got goosebumps. I felt relief for her pain and sadness for my own selfish heart. Tears ran like a river down my face. My mind was empty.

My father’s voice cracked as he told me that she passed peacefully in my aunt and uncle’s home. I told him I had both her and Jimmie on my mind just before he called. For some reason, in recent years I never thought about the two of them together…just one or the other. Maybe it was my self conscious preparing me for the call.

She always worried about Jimmie being alone after he passed away. We would always tell her that he wasn’t alone- he was busy watching over all of us. Now I know that he has someone on his arm, who has missed him very much…just in time for Father’s Day.

Mama Clair accomplished many things in her life. Many things that were well-before her time. She traveled to Bridgeport, Connecticut (from her native Hyde County) by bus, train and car shortly after she graduated college. She migrated back to NC to work in the then, Engelhard Banking & Trust Co- one of the only banks to see any profit during the depression. She continued to work as the treasurer of the bank well into her 70s. (At the time she retired, Engelhard Banking & Trust had changed it’s name to East Carolina Bank- and had over 25 branches.) She raised two hard-headed boys, who both grew into hard-working fathers. She took care of her husband after he had a heart attack that left him with only 1/4 of a working heart. And in her spare time, she managed to collect numerous china patterns- all complete and most, in their own china cabinet. (She could spot a fake ‘blue willow’ plate a mile away at an antique show!)

Of all the things she’s accomplished in her life, the one thing she wanted most was to see her boys and their girls together in one room- laughing, telling jokes, sharing stories… She didn’t just want us to get along- she wanted us to be best friends. She wanted my cousins and I to feel like sisters- she wanted us to see each other more than once a year. Even though seeing her health fail was hard on everyone, it brought us all together and today we are all closer than we’ve ever been. I think tonight, when she closed her eyes she felt all her hopes and dreams were accomplished.

Mother’s Day 2007
3 Generations of Spencer Girls

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Kitty Tails (badumchi)

Borat is one of the most relaxed cats I have ever known, much less owned. He will literally get his toenail caught in the carpet and just lay down and wait for me to help him. Not frantically waiting, just like “Oh well…*yawn* someone will be along shortly to help me out…or not, whatever.”

Regardless of his relaxed nature, he’s not a huge fan of water. Even though he will hang out in the bathroom while Little Miss takes her bath…he does not usually venture near the tub. Until yesterday.

I had just finished giving Little Miss a bath…the tub was still full of water and she was sitting in the bathroom floor, wrapped up in a towel when the door opens. Borat sashays his way past us and leaps (leaps!) into the tub!! He had a look of sheer horror on his face when he turned around- soaked, but still in the tub! I grabbed Little Miss b/c I figured he’d be clawing his way out of that water like a mad-man…but no. He looked around and calmly climbed out of the tub- as if to say, “Aw man…now I’m all wet. Shucks, I hope someone gets me a towel.”

What cat does that!? He is such a goof-ball! Juno was also in the bathroom for the festivities- and she was definitely not into following Borat into the tub. In fact, her facial expression read…”dumbass purebred” (She’s so hood.)

Neither of them is too pleased with me tonight. I got them both collars…with bells!! They jingle all over the house and I think it’s hilarious. Borat is quietly annoyed, but Juno tries to run from the noise- which I find particuarly humorous. The look on her face is priceless…she pins her ears back and runs like her ass is on fire, then slams on breaks and turns around like “ah! It stopped!” Then starts to walk again & the jingling starts again…and she runs again. My sides hurt from laughing at her.

I’m really not cruel.

See…she’s getting used to it!

Oompa Loompa Baby

This is what happens when you let your toddler have meatball parmesan all to herself.

Taaa-Daaa!

Look, Mama!! This fun orange stuff is on my hands too!!! Let me hug you!

Needless to say, she had a loooong bath after lunch.

Country Girl!

Well, after 2 months of traveling it is good to really be home. I never thought I would look forward to doing housework, but I was so excited to spend the entire day yesterday getting our house reorganized!

Today we had a bit of a lazy day- as every bone and muscle in my body is aching from the drive home Tuesday and my reorganization party yesterday. Little Miss has a new obsession- walking outside. It’s to the point of having to spell the word o-u-t-s-i-d-e because she loves it so much. So tonight, we continued her nightly event of walking out in the yard. Granted, our little yard is nothing compared to her Bubbie & Gran’Daddy’s yard…but coupled with a walk around the block, it did the job.

Our Little Country Girl

Caught in between worlds…country girl in rock’n'roll shoes.

Spying on the neighbors! I’m not sure where she learned that one!

Around The House

On most afternoons since we have been in NC, Little Miss & Bub or Little Miss & I have gone exploring in the yard. We look at the flowers and the trees- we talk to the squirrels- we bring the dogs out with us and we have a wonderful time. Yesterday we brought the camera along on our adventure.

Throw your hands up!!

& don’t forget to put your ones up!

We always have to hold hands when we’re outside…

Gran’Dad’s tractor.

These tires are huge!

My personal favorite…under the fig tree.

Bub caught us!!