Day Off

Ah, I’ve been looking forward to a day off without plans for weeks. Time to relax, turn the light on the old sewing machine and start stitching away. But wait! We have plans? What plans? Sister plans? Oh, I’m sorry my poor sewing machine, but you will have to wait for another day.

My sister lives in the middle of frakking nowhere. Seriously. There is a small sign that tells you where to turn into town (which is also the only road in town, I might add) and then just keep going until you are well outside of civilization and cell service. Once you hear the faint sound of banjos playing in the background, you’ve arrived. Okay, so it isn’t that bad. I don’t think there is any shack close enough to hear the banjos.

But since we haven’t seen her in a few months, we decided it would be nice to go visit. Who knows, maybe I’ll see their new house and get an idea for a quilt to make for them. Since they don’t celebrate holidays or birthdays, I think it is high time to make them a gift. I just need to figure out their style first and see if I have anything in my stash I can use or if (dang it) I need to go scavenger for some inspiration at a fabric store (or four.)

Surprise Visits

Yesterday my sister called to ask if we’d want company. Most of my To-Do list was complete so I said why not.

After getting through a couple loads of dishes, a few loads of laundry, vacuuming, scrubbing toilets and sinks and showers, filling the chickens water and food, and shoveling the soil into a pile for one of the garden boxes, I was ready to call it a day. Yes, I know most of you would’ve been able to keep going, but not I. While I was planting a tomato, a jalapeño and the last two marigolds, along with some lettuces, carrots and radishes, my sister called saying she was on her way back home with her kids and wanted to hang out. We never really hang out, so I said sure. Besides, it would be a great excuse to stop doing chores.

Of course, what I failed to take into account is that these kids are unruly hellions. Okay, so that may be a bit of an overstatement, but not by much. Alas, after water balloon fights, and dinner, which I made pulled pork enchiladas with my delicious from scratch sauce I kindly toned down the heat factor for the kiddos, some Wii games, it was time for them to go. While I’m not close to this sister, I wonder if only living only a couple miles away from each other will make a difference in how often we see her family?

My Sister Kassidie

If ever the story of an ugly duckling turning into a beautiful swan were told in the human world, it would be about my sister, Kassidie. Sad, but true.

When Kassidie was a baby, she sho’ was ugly. But at about four years old as my mom and I were posing her in front of a blooming lilac bush for a picture we both seemed to think the same thing and said aloud, “Wow, Kassidie is pretty today!” Call it mean or call it honesty, but she has always had a great personality, just an awkward baby and toddler stage. I wish I had pictures to show you so you wouldn’t think me a horrible brother for saying such things.

One of the things Kassidie has always been good at is making you feel guilty for not wanting to do something with her. Even at the age of two she would sweetly ask if you wanted to play the card game ‘Go Fish’ and if you didn’t she would scream, “Nobody loves me, everybody hates me, I’m going to go KILL myself!” before scurrying off to her room and slamming the door. Seriously, I wish I was making this up. According to her husband, she no longer announces that particular line, but still manages to convince him to do what she wants to do.

As a teenager, she was a rebel, and not without good reason. Okay, so really as a ten to twelve year old she was, so really preteen. I had already moved out of the house and was living with my husband at the time so I didn’t witness too much of the rebellion. But her and I have always been close, even though as youngsters she would bite me and I would claw her with my fingernails to pry her mouth off my arm. Again, she took ‘Go Fish’ very seriously. And we both still have scars. Part of me still wonders if her violent tendencies stemmed from the fact that her imaginary friends were Freddy Kruger and Jason, both horror movie villains, due mostly in part because we watched a lot of horror movies as a family.

Anyway, we started hanging out a lot around the time she was thirteen and our little brother K.C. was eight. During this time we would talk about everything, make meals together and play games, stuff families usually do that she didn’t really have the opportunity to explore because she was suddenly thrust into the matriarchal role when it came to our little brother. I don’t know many teenagers who’d willingly take that on, but my sister did so amazingly. It was also during this time she began to explore religion and at sixteen decided to become a Jehovah’s Witness, much to the chagrin of most of the family. At the time I didn’t understand her decision, but a few years later it became apparent her reasons for doing so were justified after a court trial and family feud that is still stewing to this day.

And just recently she became a mother to a beautiful baby girl. Of course, the fifty-two hour labor after her water broke ordeal may impede on a quick second child, but I have no doubt she will be a great mom.

So while I know you don’t celebrate birthdays, I’m wishing you one anyway. Happy Birthday, Kassidie! May you continue to be a beacon of inspiration in my life and everyone who surrounds you!

My Sister Ashley

Do you have a sibling who every once in a while makes you go, “Huh?” That’s my sister Ashley.

Ashley is the unpredictable one. Seriously, you never know where her mind will take her next. Even as a child she’d make decisions that seemed completely silly and then surprise you with an intelligent comeback. It’s these extreme polar opposites that make her fun to keep track of and watch. And on top of that, she’s funny, wild, and beautiful. What can I say? All of our parents are beautiful and they made beautiful children.

The other thing about Ashley is that, well, when it was just us boys and her, basically when we’d go over to our dad and stepmom’s house, we’d all gang up on her, as she was the only girl. Of course, that meant she didn’t share a room with anyone, so you can imagine that is where the lion’s share of the jealousy stemmed from. Alas, I hope that this upbringing helped form her into a more resilient person, because God knows I was picked on enough in school for being fat and wearing hearing aids and still see myself as that sometimes, I couldn’t imagine having a brother in the same grade and school as I to torment my middle school years!

However, going back to unpredictable, I remember when we all were getting our hair cut (keep in mind this was the 80s) and all four of us boys got the traditional mullet cut (super short top, shoulder length back) and she wanted the same thing and so we all matched. My mother was not well pleased, but looking back, I think this is just the type of person my sister is… fearless. Well, fearless except for her best friend’s cousin beating the crap out of her so frequently she had to change schools. That cousin is now married to my husband’s brother, so crazy never really left the building!

No matter what life throws at her, she makes the most out of it. Her house is always meticulously decorated and clean, well, with the exception of her boys’s room, but to be fair, they are slobs, and she is a gracious host. I also understand her frustration when she takes the time to plan something nice for her kids and nobody shows up. Instead of letting it show, she takes the opportunity to make it special time with them. Sometimes I feel bad for her because all she wants for her kids is the same big Christmases and birthdays we had growing up, and sadly I don’t think those will ever be again.

I guess the thing I am most proud of her is that when she makes up her mind to do something, she does it. I don’t always agree with her decisions, but I have to admire the fact that she isn’t like me and stalls or tries to find an excuse not to do something. Wants a baby? She has one. Wants a house? She buys one. Wants a new car for her birthday even though she might not be able to afford it? She gets it anyway. She very much lives in the now while at the same time keeps the future close at hand. Because behind those seemingly erratic decisions, lies a very intelligent and resourceful mind.

Happy birthday, Ashley! May life continue to surprise you and may you always continue to surprise us!