White Lies

Today I was encouraging Annie to do more exercise.
She said she would of course.
I told her I will believe it when I see it and that I think she is telling me little white lies.

You're right dahlin, she said.
But I will try to tell you less white lies in the future.

Insightful Farewell

Last night Julian said goodbye to Annie.

It was wonderful having you here dahlin, she said.
Now, take care of your teeth, get a physical and get a colonoscopy sometime in the next decade.

Home Inspection

I hosted a birthday party for Annie on Sunday.
She came over for dinner the Friday before.
Then began Annie's Home Inspection 2009.
She walked slowly around the entire house inspecting every nook and cranny.

Your house is just dahlin, she said, after an hour of inspection.
Of course you will need new towels for the guest bathroom.

(I thought the towels were just fine)

Bathroom Pillow

Last week Annie tried to give me a single pink pillow.
Maybe I could use it around the house, she said.
I politely declined. I don't decorate with pink.
On Saturday Mom and I asked Annie why she has stopped going to Church.
The hard pews, they hurt my rear end, she said.
I suggested she bring the pink pillow with her to remedy that problem.

That old thing, she said, it screams bathroom pillow.
I could never bring that to Church.

Then we had a good laugh at the fact that she tried to pawn her pink pillow that screams bathroom off on me to use in my home.

Cow Steaks

Yesterday we were driving down Three Chopt Road.
We passed by the new ginormous condo/retail development under construction.
Oh my, look at that, she said.
I think it's ugly.
The pastures that used to be there were much nicer.
They were full of cows.

Cows are great for milk and the occasional steak, she said.
I read yesterday that Americans eat entirely too much red meat.

Collectors Item

Last night I took Annie to run some errands.
Whenever I see her, she gives me something.
It is usually something quite old and often something I truly do not need or want.
Examples: three old knives, Family Circle magazines from several years ago, books with information on the colors that fit best with my skin tone, random pillows.
You get the idea.
Last night, she gave me something quite special.
First, though, she asked if Jeff is a great snuggler in bed.
Oh no, I thought. Where could this be going?
When I told her yes, her reply was, "Oh goody."
She explained that Poppy was a great lover in bed too. Yikes.
She then told me that a bag in her apartment contained a box with her nighty and robe from her wedding night.
She wants me to have it.
I feel very honored to have this and it truly is beautiful.

Take care of this, she said.
And keep the box it came in.
It is from Miller & Rhodes.
It is a collectors item.

Sweaty Feet

Do your feet sweat, Annie asked.
Yes, sometimes, I replied.
How often do you wash your house shoes, she wondered.
I don't wear house shoes, I answered.
So you just go around with bare feet, she said.
Yes, I do.

Dahlin, you really should wear house shoes, she said.
You never know what your feet might pick up.
I can't bare to pick up things on my feet.
(Then she laughed out loud at her unintended pun)

Small Boats

Today I called Annie on my lunch hour to check in.
She is having a good day but had heard some terrible news.
Pi, her great friend, has a daughter.
The daughter's best friend had been in a boat accident with her family.
They hit rough seas.
The husband died.

Boats should only be allowed on small lakes and creeks, she said.
That way the accidents aren't catastrophic.

Cheap Champagne

We are planning Annie's 84th Birthday Party.
A brunch at my house after church on Easter Sunday.
I told Annie there would be a mimosa bar. She was thrilled.
I received a phone call at 9pm the next night.

Be sure to buy cheap champagne, she said.
No one will ever know the difference.
I learned that years ago.