Friday, April 10, 2009

rumours of my death have been greatly exaggerated

No, no, I'm not dead, nor am I depressed. I'm sorry this blog has been so dull lately. I imagine it sitting here meekly, quietly, like an untended garden, lying fallow. Perhaps no-one is even passing by anymore to notice all the brown, shriveled plants and the crumbly dry soil. Nevertheless. I am watering a little and turning over the soil with a shovel, huffing and puffing as I dig and even getting a small smile on my face. Ahhhhh! I do still like this garden.

My brother is still away. I hear his news regularly, and he is doing it tough. There have been casualties close to him. His job involves a huge amount of responsibility. He is working horrendous hours and he has lost a lot of weight. I don't know what he will be like when he comes home. I miss him.

My brother's wife is enduring his absence with a determined good cheer, which wavers only occasionally. There is so little I can do to help from afar, and I hate that she is dealing with their two small children, house and dog, as well as worrying about her husband and missing him terribly. This is the life of an military wife, but that doesn't make it any better. I am just thankful that my sister-in-law is such a capable and courageous woman.

My Grandfather has turned 95!

My daughter has asked me about s-e-x. I tried to get away with the old 'it's a sort of very tight cuddle' line, but was thwarted by her query, "And then what? Does anything else happen?". Dammit. So I briefly and simply explained the technical details, and then paused for her reaction. "Okay", Laura remarked calmly. I asked if she had any questions; was she worried about anything? Thoughtful gazing into mid-air....... "No." Frankly I was prepared for incredulity, disgust, gales of laughter, even abject terror. But I was forgetting this was my lovely, laid-back Laura.

My son has declared himself to be gay, over breakfast this morning. After some inquiry, I determined that he really loves his friend Harry, and he's heard that if you're a boy and you love another boy, then you're gay. I explained that if you're a boy and you love a boy in a romantic, want-to-kiss-on-the-lips sort of way, then you might be gay. Ben pulled a face and quickly amended, "No, no, then I'm not gay!". So the coming out party has been postponed for now.

My friend 'Chooky' is having a baby next month - her first, and possibly only, child. I am so excited for her, and I can't wait to meet her baby. There is no miracle like the miracle of new life.

I wish anyone ambling by this poor, overgrown & wilted blog a very HAPPY EASTER! May you find peace and love at every turn this Easter.

26 comments:

rel said...

Jellyhead,
I'm happy to see you and to know that life is moving apace with you.
rel

thisisme said...

Jelly, I'm so pleased to see a post from you - and what a great newsy post.

Have a very happy Easter

Elaine said...

It is so good to see you back, alive and kicking. Take care, and remember all your friends out here who want to hear from you.

Happy Easter!

freefalling said...

A-ha!
So you've been busy with 'real' life.
Good to see the kids are keeping you on your toes.
Sending positive vibes through the ether to your brother (they really do work, you know?).

Just a bit worried as I walk past your poor, overgrown, wilted blog, that I might see your foot sticking out from beneath a bush!

Susan Tidwell said...

what? not dead? I just ordered flowers, I wonder if I could get my money back?

A well rounded offering today, death, birth, 'the mother-daughter TALK', closet doors opening (and closing). Love the garden theme and hope your brother is safe.

Have a great weekend!

Pam said...

What a hoot, and yet it's sad that your little chap has even heard the word "gay" and might be even a bit worried about it. Being ancient, I had no idea about sex till I was about 11 and even then knew very little - children were very protected by society then. I'm sad to see sex everywhere nowadays so that children can't help being aware of it (at least vaguely). But obviously your two aren't damaged by this at all!

Very glad you're not dead, by the way.

Michelle said...

Of course I am always ambling by your weary blog!!! Glda to hear you are alove and well and dealing with family issues so well and perfectly!!
Happy Easter to you and your family too - enjoy the eggs!!

Puss-in-Boots said...

Well, I'm so glad to hear that...

What a lovely post, Jelly, I had to smile at your two lovely children, bless them. Although it's a pity that your son was told he was gay just because he loved his little friend. I've heard other kids use it as an insult...it's sad to hear those things come out of little ones' mouths.

Anyway, it's good to see you back and I wish you and your family a Happy Easter.

Dragonfly said...

Happy Easter. Glad that rumours were exaggerations.

DB said...

I always check your blog.

TUFFENUF said...

Glad you are still with us, Jelly. You know you are my favorite blog. Funny about Laura!

Unknown said...

And a Happy Easter to you dear Jelly :)

Glad you are still about and alive! I have just made a determined effort to kickstart my blog again as like yours it had wilted...

fifi said...

Hello ther dear one, so ice to hear from you. Thanks for calling by my place, and a happy easter to you too.

Thats a shame about Ben, because he could have been such a great shopping companion for mummy in years to come!!

Cindy said...

Jellyhead, I missed you! Even though I'm fairly new. I have attachment anxiety (is there such a thing? I don't know) Spring is a great time to start weeding your blog again. comments about your post...
Laughed out loud about your son - bless his soul, such a big boy and still so innocent
And your daughter wanting to know about sex..when I was in grad school the nine year-old grand daughter of the Program director asked a male colleague and myself (I'm female) where babies came from and my dear friend Paul said, "first the daddy bunny buys the mommy bunny flowers, the he takes her out to dinner ..." at which point I gave him a sharp kick in the ankle, afraid we'd find ourselves shoved out the door of the grad program!

Stomper Girl said...

Glad to hear all is okay. My 8yo asked last year if sex hurt, that was when I had to admit to him that it was nice. I hope your brother continues to stay out of danger.

Kerri said...

We had a quiet, but happy Easter, thank you Jelly. I hope yours was full of happy and pleasant hours spent with your family. How's your lovely mum?
I'm glad to know your sweet children are keeping a smile on your face (for the most part) with their inquisitive minds. You must wonder sometimes what Ben or Laura will come out with next :)
Your brother's courage is greatly appreciated. I'll keep him in my prayers, along with the many others who are sacrificing so selflessly for our freedom.
Your grandpa is made of tough stuff!
Wishing Chooky a smooth delivery. I can just imagine you clucking over her little one :)

Farmers Wifey said...

I love your blog and glad you are back. You have alot going on, sounds like a busy life like me. I am new to blogging and think I am already addicted. Cheers from Australia. Michelle

meggie said...

See, here we all are, thrilled at your return. Knowing you were just pausing, along the way.
You made me smile with the s.e.x. story. I remember us barrelling along a highway, the kinder looking at magazines in the back seat.(who knows where they got the magazines- I never bought them)
"Look at this" said son B,to his sister, younger than he, by 21 months. "Soon you will be using these!". It was an ad for sanitary tampons. Gom almost died at the wheel when I explained what it was, they were discussing!!

Mimi said...

Good to hear from you Jelly and great to see as usual you are in good form. I am in the throws of teens and the S-E-X talks. Yikes parenting is not for the faint of heart.

fifi said...

just checking to see if you are breathing.
Went to my beloved Gp this week, hence thought of you.

She gave me a whooping cough vaccination, just for the fun of it I think.....

Pam said...

Hello? Hello? Can you hear us? Blink your eyes if you can. Hello?

Tell us what's been happening in the world of Jelly. Go on. Just a hint.

Mackey said...

Ya...just a lil blurb=) We will be happy with the tiniest morsle=]

Motherkitty said...

Happy Mother's Day to you, Jellyhead. Hope you come back to blogging very soon.

meggie said...

Jelly?
I hope you are ok. You seem to have been so 'missing' now.
Hugs & thoughts your wayXX

Michelle said...

Should i start the runours again??????

The Hippocratic Oaf said...

My flat mate had to explain to his mother how it worked after the school informed the parents they would be teaching sex education.

He still seems traumatised by the experience.