Leave it to her.

Gram finally called me back. I called her earlier and she asked if I could hold a minute as she was on her way to the bathroom. I told her to call me back instead. An hour and a half later she returned my call. She said it took her so long because she shut all the shades in her house.

She asked how that friend of mine, Karen, is doing. Karen is my cousin on my father's side. I told her she was doing well and that she was visiting Los Angeles soon. Phyllis said, "Leave it to her." I am not quite sure what she meant by that.

Gram asked, "When ya comin' home again, honey bunch?" She asks me this most conversations. I don't think it's old age that makes her forget. I think she just doesn't listen when I call her. She also tells me every single time that I call her that she was just going to call me. That is complete baloney as Gram would say. Something tells me that she was not about to pick up her phone, only to find me on the other end. More than likely she was eating the ice cream that my aunt stores in her freezer.

A family name and gran crackers

I called Gram to remind her to make that hair appointment and to thank her for the note. I told her that I didn't know County Mayo was the location of the potato famine. She told me she has all of this information written on a legal pad. She then informed me that, Kathryn, "your mother's name," (as if I didn't know) was a big family for us. However, she threatened to name my mother Phyllis.

I babysat my niece and nephew tonight and I told them graham crackers were GG's (short for great grandmother) most favorite thing. My nephew said, "Why aren't we her most favorite thing?" When I repeated this to Phyllis, she said, "Well, I don't know what their favorite food is, but I doubt it's graham crackers. They're so slim." She also said that she is really trying to limit the graham crackers. I should mention that she pronounces graham as gran.

Before I could get another word in, Phyllis told me she had to go so she could turn her television down from 900 before she went to bed. "Take care, dear."

War Themes and The Irish Hour

I received a letter from Phyllis today. If I knew how to scan the letter, I would do that. Instead, I will just retype what Phyllis had to say. In regards to the small debt she was paying, ($12) that was for her dinner at Boston Market that she refused to allow me to pay. Below is her letter in the exact format in which it was sent.

Hi Meredith,

Enclosed please find small check to pay debt. Weather warm. Lunch filling. Macaroni & cheese, diet jello, milk, tomatoes & peas. Lunch was good though.

Sat 7-12-09

Just listened to the Irish Hour. Nothing spectacular. They can’t end with any fast war themes. They have to be choosy. Today a fast song from County Mayo. My mother’s people came from Mayo. That’s where the Potato famine was. Take care.

Love,
Gram

Global warning sucks

Talking to Gram right now. Again, no teeth. She wants to know when I am coming to visit next. She proceeds to tell me she's homebound. Except for when she gets her hair done. I can take hints. She will be calling her hairdresser tomorrow to schedule her appointment. Phyllis told me that I can do "whatever I want" while she gets her hair done. I am sure I will think of a fun activity that lasts eight minutes.

Gram just asked if I had any new flames. It would be "nice" according to her. She then explained what a flame was, you know, a boyfriend.

After the lesson in flames, Gram asked how the weather was. She said she only hears about it, as she is homebound. I told her it was cool and cloudy all week. She said, it must be because of "that" global warning. She then told me it was time for me to go to bed.

"Love ya Honey Bunch."

Grey's Anatomy, he's cute.

It's been a while.

I called my family tonight. My parents have my sister, her husband and their twin boys over for dinner once a week. I am two hours away, so I can no longer attend these dinners. I miss them. Bill Lang is a great cook. Typically I call and ask what they are eating, while I chew on my granola bar of choice. Meanwhile, they are eating chicken Marsala or pork piccatta.

Gram was in attendance tonight. My sister answered the phone when I called and said, "Hello favorite child." When I was living with my parents I programmed that into their phone for my caller ID. I kept trying to talk Gram via speakerphone, and finally she asked if the radio was on.

Due to our lack of communication earlier in the evening, I phoned Phyllis at home. Her teeth weren't in. She said her mouth was sore. She was watching NCIS. I asked if she watched Grey's Anatomy and she replied, "Oh, he's cute."