Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers, stepmothers, pet mothers, and the whole village of women who help raise us. Had a lovely weekend with my family celebrating Niece #3's high school graduation. Left the day before cause my Mom is convinced I can't get up early enough or find my way to the high school the day of. Whatever. Left in mid afternoon to arrive early evening cause sister's family has activities and we want to be sure they are home ready to receive guests. Ate at McDonald's and Mom got her first slushy of frozen lemonade. Where ever Mom goes she has to have lemonade and this place had only had the frozen kind with strawberry juice mixed in. They made a non-strawberry lemonade just for her and clerk was confused how to do that. What Mom discovered that it is hard to drink right away until starts to melt. We slept on the sofa bed in the living room. Everybody noticed my hair is shorter. Next morning get ready for celebration and take off to help set up reception at a church. No wild keg parties for this family. Decorated tables and prepared food. Then left church for the ceremony. Met the family at the high school and sat on bleaches way up high. Videoed the entrance march and took photos of the rest. Both valedictorian and salutatorian mentioned by brother-in-law: social studies teacher, speech team, mock trial, softball team, etc. He is quite the character playing 70's rock to the students. Niece was in 4th place on the GPA ratings so didn't make a speech, but top 5 students get all the scholarships. Her 1st year is paid for, now my sister and brother-in-law have to pay room and board. Niece plans to be a middle school/high school math teacher. Funny, I never made it past Algebra II. She loves Dr Who like my brother. Then stood in line for the receiving line outside the school. Eventually I cut in line to take niece's picture and give her a hug. I don't need to shake all 32 hands. Went to reception. Told family about new job prospect and they were so excited I would be quitting my investment job. Actually, no, I'm not quitting my investments job. I think of that as extra money and work what I can since everybody but 3 people run away screaming "I don't want to buy anything". And for some reason people keep reminding me it is a commission job like it is a disease I caught. Yeah, I figured out this is a commission job the first day and done that type of work before. It is not working for free, it is unstable income. Funny nobody cried foul when my tax office job is 100% commission and a retail store job I had once was that way too. Jerks. So finish cleaning up the reception room and go to sister's house. Relax in front of TV and chat. Sister got our Dad's stuff asking if we wanted anything since I said once I wanted Dad's dog tags and couldn't find them. We went over his stripes, ribbons, pocket watches, etc. My Dad never wore a wrist watch, he had pocket watches. I got his dog tags and brother mentioned he found a flight log of Dad's along with the log he kept as a conductor on the railroad. Did Dad fly a plane in the Air National Guard? Mom can't remember, but then she can't remember anything anymore. Sister said that someone said our Grandma mentioned Dad flying planes and stopped when he got married. He would fly over their farm and tip his wings so they would know it was him. Never heard that story before. But then again, my family rarely tell stories. Next morning went out for lunch at a restaurant and waited nearly 2 hours for a table. That's Mother's Day for you. Had to sit by aunt who complained I wasn't talking much. I already declared my good news, nothing else for me to talk about. I know she doesn't want cat stories. I have no money to do fun things. She never comprehends how broke I really am (when I lost my job and almost homeless, she thought I should travel Europe and tell her all about it). She suggested we visit a living history museum in town. Yeah, ok, we can take my little niece #4 to see that again, I took niece there last year for a pioneer wedding. I'm sorry I don't share her enthusiasm viewing something I've seen a dozen times and volunteered 2 seasons there. So finish with cake. Niece #4 begins to cry and refuses to eat her cake because she didn't know where her mommy is. As someone gets up to check the rest room, here she comes wondering what my niece crying about. Isn't she allowed to use the rest room without her? Waiter then asks which man at the table wants the bill. My nephew says he wants to pay the bill. Waiter asks if he was sure cause it was $400. Nephew says he has no money. Waiter says he can work off the bill at a child labor camp. Nephew replies his mommy can pay the bill. So we separate our orders and pay our bill. Hugs and kisses done and drive home. Mom fell asleep half way home. Long 2 hour trip. I got home to pet the cats, fill food dish, change water, scoop the litter, and not a bad mess to clean up. Good cats.