Grilled Corn Tortillas

Only Edgar isn't pictured here, early yesterday morning, with his original sib group. I'd called to tell him that all games were cancelled, disappointment is etched on Fabian's face.

For a dozen years I've had multiple babies and toddlers living in our home and as a result our home has been messy. Add in the violent older children, rebellious teens and a group inability to help me, my house has taken a beating. I've been frustrated, crying at times over how hard it is to get everything done, feeling judged and stymied in my constant attempts. I've used every spare minute to clean out a drawer, or haul off unused or broken items, and it is only very recently that I've felt like there was a light shining off from the organized distant future.

My dining room table and long kitchen counter separating the living room from the kitchen, have been spaces full of papers, projects, and repositories for stuff. I'd decided that, at least, the open dining room would remain clean as would the kitchen counter. It's a battle, lemme tell you.

This mama tried to explain how the stealing behaviors in her children didn't alarm her so much as they once had the capacity to do. I so agree with that and in talking with Ms Carr yesterday, who understands my frustration with the homework issue...I've been losing that battle for a myriad of reasons.

I went outside to spread Edgar's Friday gift of leaves and to think. I'm still buffaloed and unwilling to have a big fight every afternoon over homework. I think I will only concentrate on those who will work and maybe I won't have to have medical attention regarding those who won't do it, knowing from experience in the end, my efforts won't have mattered regarding this argument. By me taking that tact, I'll also expect the reverse psychology to eventually bug a few of the kids who will be oppositional enough to do some work just to spite me. BTDT.

A reader asked me about dandelion greens and I agree with her, yes they're delicious as is poke sallet. One of my other goals this year involves over planting even at the expense of not getting more weeding done. I want too much homegrown produce but is that concept possible with this many mouths to feed? We'll see.

Tony's going to be glued to a grownup today to remedy some of his recent outbursts. I'll have to be the grownup I suppose. Wonder if I'm up to it?

Linda B here in Athens asked me why I wasn't more specific on my grandchildren-on-the-way number. It's because I think someone lied to me, and someone else has been evasive while some one else has an attitude. I need to emotionally withdraw at times from grown kids who still lash out, particularly when I don't really know the whole story.

My sweet son-in-law Big Jose had grilled out yesterday while Carolina made big pots of her usual delicacies including a zucchini with sour cream and my favorite pico de gallo on the side. Jose even grilled the corn tortillas freeing me up from fixing supper. Chuck and Dewayne were working on the doublewide here while Carolina and Jose fed everyone, a demanding prospect.

Ms Carr'd taken Jonathan, Nando and JoJo out to a Nature Center while Miriam and Vanessa took Allen and Mayra out to run errands, everyone home for supper of course, me just grateful for a fairly quiet, uneventful day. Nando grinning with delight over His Big Adventure with Ms. Carr, Jonathan had bugged everyone all week about it and I think even JoJo acted decently for her.