Oh my Goodness! Is already November? It is really unbelievable how quickly time passes, isn't it? Maybe I don't feel like it should be November because it has been so warm in Texas. Yesterday it was 87 degrees, today it was 83. The weather is not cooperating with the change of seasons and it still feels like late spring or early summer, maybe May or June. Leaves are still green on most trees except those that are very sensitive to lessening daylight. Some trees have entirely lost their leaves while others look deep green and full of leaves. Only a very few have changed colors. Yesterday I saw daffodils blooming in our neighbors yard. Poor little daffodills are so confused. Guess we may not have a true fall but will go from spring like weather to winter in a matter of hours or a day or two. That is one thing I don't like about living in this part of Texas, sometimes you don't get to have four seasons. Some years you may only get two, spring and winter or summer and fall or any combination of two seasons.
When I about 12 or so, we were moving in July and it was cold enough to wear a sweatshirt and long pants. It was also misting us with a fine spray of rain. Strange enough for me. One year we wore shorts on Christmas and New Year's Day and had the air conditioning on because it was 90 degrees plus outside. It sure didn't feel like Christmas that year. Another Christmas it was 0 degrees and icy. You just never know what our weather is going to be from one year to the next. I am patiently waiting for a Blue Norther to come in so it will feel like late fall or early winter. Thanksgiving is coming up quickly .... maybe it will cool off a little bit by then. I really don't like to cook Turkey and all the fixin's when it is too warm. I will sweat like a pig even if the air conditioning is on. Just hate that sweat dripping down your neck when your are peeling potatoes and baking pies...
We have another trip planned to see Amelia & Jon and the grandchildren in mid-December. I am so very excited about seeing them. Haven't seen them since September and I know the boys are all growing like sweet little weeds. I bet baby Graham has changed so much since I left. I know Ewan and Isaac will have increased in size, vocabulary, maturity, and every other way since I left. It makes me sad that I can't see them at least once a week. I would like to see them more often, of course, than every two to three months. However, Pennsylvania is a long way from Texas! Even though we fly, it still seems like a long flight. Especially since the most inexpensive flight is American Eagle with no room between the seats, under the seats or overhead. It was tough to pack for six weeks when I was up there for Graham's birth. I was caught with overweight luggage (again!) I just shouldn't take a large bag. I can really pack those babies tight - especially when you roll the clothes so they don't wrinkle. This next trip, I am not going to pack too much! Someday I must learn to pack light. I honestly don't know how. I just get carried away when I try to accessorize. Too many shoes, too many blouses, too many sweaters and etc. etc. etc. How do you know what you want to wear when you get there? What if you have to go to some dress-up function ---hoisery, dress shoes, slips, dress/skirt/blouses, sweater, jacket? What if you are going sledding? What if you are going to be outside and it is just cold --- gloves, hats, warm shoes etc. EEEEK!
Oh well, maybe I should let Tom help me pack. I can just see it now. One pair of jeans. Two blouses. One sweater. Two pair of shoes, two pair of socks, underwear, ONE pair of jammies, One pair dark trousers, ONE DRESS BLOUSE, one DRESS jacket, one coat, ONE pair of gloves. His theory - wash what you aren't wearing...so you can wear it another day...BUT WHO WANTS TO DO LAUNDRY WHEN YOU HAVE GRANDCHILDREN TO PLAY WITH? Not me. We are only going to be there a week. Help me out folks. What do you pack when you are just visiting relatives for a week? We will go to church, probably museum or two, play outside with kids, play with kids on the floor, but nothing formal.
Guess not too much else is happening. We are thinking about moving before Tom retires to somewhere farther outside of the primary metroplex where we can have a bit of land for Tom to put a detached work shop or four car garage on top a three car attached garage. Proably just a couple of acres or so. Not too much - too hard to take care of. Afterall, we will be retiring and just thinking of mowing a big place is daunting for me. If Tom got sick, it would be too hard for me to mow very much with the RA and fibromyalgia. I think it would be hard to hire someone to do that if you are out of the city. Maybe not.
So, I will be looking for a house and acreage. I just wish I could find the perfect place for us in just a day or two but that probably is not going to happen. It will take some time just to get our house ready for sale (at least the cleaning the stuffed closets and attic out). We moved in the house in 1985 and there is just too much accumulation over time - I am not really a pack rat but I am not one of those people who throw out things if they haven't used them in a year or two. Nope, might use it someday. The other day I found some material that I was going to make some pillows out of for our sofa. We don't have that sofa anymore and the material did not match anything in the house....hmmmm. Should have tossed it out or should have made the pillows. That kind of thing...I think a really organized garage sale would be great. But, we will probably just donate things to Salvation Army or women's shelter or something.
Well, must go to bed. Had a long day. Got up at 3:30 a.m.and didn't get a nap. I am very tired. Hope I can sleep some tonight. I didn't sleep Friday night but got a little nap Saturday afternoon. No sleep Saturday night, napped a little Sunday afternoon. No sleep last night but finally got up at 3:30 a.m. and read for awhile. Finally fell asleep about 9:00 a.m. for an hour. Had to get up to go to meeting with financial guy. No nap this afternoon. So, my hind end is dragging and my muscles are screaming. Hope there is sleep for me tonight.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
I Am So Excited the Closer it Gets to Aug.11--the Countdown Begins...
I am doing a countdown of days from now until I fly up to PA to be with Amelia & Jon & boys when new baby is more near his birth date. I plan to fly up on Aug. 11 and be gone for a bit to see if I can help with whatever they want me to do or I do what I can see that needs doing (if they don't mind). I love this part of being a Grandmother. I hope that all is going to go well with the timing and I get there a week or so before the birth. Maybe we can do a few things that Amelia has not had a chance to do because she needed an extra pair of hands. I would also like for Jon and Amelia to go out on a date too. It may be a while before new Mama will feel like going out without the baby.
Plus, I get to play be Ewan and Isaac. I am practicing making truck sounds and car sounds because that is one of my many weaknesses. Ewan thinks I need to practice a little he told me the last time I was visiting. I think boys are born with some extra gruff vocal cords that make those car, truck, airplane, and other sounds so realistic. While my attempts at shooting a gun are pointing my finger and saying," Pow, Bang, Bang, Pow! " With many reminders not to point at any one. (I can just feel the hair growing on my chest!) Ewan is more patient with me that Isaac. Isaac just laughs at me...like a hopeless case...but he has such a cute smile!
They are the sweetest boys (99.5%) of the time. The other short times they are not in a good mood they are usually tired, hungry, or too excited. I really do enjoy every moment I am with the Parker's. Jon is very sweet to his mother-in-law. I know he must be irritated sometimes with me but he is a very gracious host and a heart so full of love. I try to be a good guest but since I will be staying more than three days, I am praying that we will all be patient and loving with each other so we can model that to the grandchildren. Amelia is a terrific Mother and is excellent at giving them good discipline when they need it. I know how much it hurts to discipline your kids sometimes, but she is strong and will do it. They do such a good job of disciplining that Grandma rarely has to say anything to the boys because they are so well behaved.
The other thing I like to do is cook for all of them. It is so hard to cook for two people and I love cooking for more people the merrier. If you are going to cook for one, it is just more fun to cook for 10 or so.
I hope Tom, my husband, will have a chance to come up after the baby is born so we can play with the kids! He misses the boys! He is constantly asking questions about the boys and how Amelia is feeling and how Jon is liking school again. I think he will have some good ideas for Jon for Christmas this year - some of the things we have no need of in our usually mild winters. Since Tom grew up in Wisconsin, he know so much more about cold than I do.
Just a note on my medical condition, my feet have been affected with R.A. and it absolutely sucks when you try to walk on them. I absolutely respect my rheumatologist. He is super terrific. Dr. Zashin found a medication that is HELPING my feet but doesn't make me have rashes, hives, weird swellings, or other side affects. It seems to be helping my feet to the point that I can walk some without wishing I could have wings or another mode to get around the rooms, stairs, and just plain walking. Felt like my feet were being shredded in a million strips of pain with each step with sharp, stabbing pain, aching, breath gasping pain every time I put my foot in front of the other. I kept going but only by gritting my teeth and going after it. It makes me very irritable after several hours of walking or standing. I usually have to get off my feet, elevate them, soak them, rub them, ice them because of the swelling and fever in the ankle and arch of my foot. They are still not totally comfortable. But, I can get from the kitchen to the bedroom and to the living room without having to sit down and massaging my feet so I go take a few more steps. Praise the Lord! He is our Physician, Our Healer, Counselor, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Thank you, Father, in the name of Jesus for helping me feel better. Thank you for your Grace, Lord.
Plus, I get to play be Ewan and Isaac. I am practicing making truck sounds and car sounds because that is one of my many weaknesses. Ewan thinks I need to practice a little he told me the last time I was visiting. I think boys are born with some extra gruff vocal cords that make those car, truck, airplane, and other sounds so realistic. While my attempts at shooting a gun are pointing my finger and saying," Pow, Bang, Bang, Pow! " With many reminders not to point at any one. (I can just feel the hair growing on my chest!) Ewan is more patient with me that Isaac. Isaac just laughs at me...like a hopeless case...but he has such a cute smile!
They are the sweetest boys (99.5%) of the time. The other short times they are not in a good mood they are usually tired, hungry, or too excited. I really do enjoy every moment I am with the Parker's. Jon is very sweet to his mother-in-law. I know he must be irritated sometimes with me but he is a very gracious host and a heart so full of love. I try to be a good guest but since I will be staying more than three days, I am praying that we will all be patient and loving with each other so we can model that to the grandchildren. Amelia is a terrific Mother and is excellent at giving them good discipline when they need it. I know how much it hurts to discipline your kids sometimes, but she is strong and will do it. They do such a good job of disciplining that Grandma rarely has to say anything to the boys because they are so well behaved.
The other thing I like to do is cook for all of them. It is so hard to cook for two people and I love cooking for more people the merrier. If you are going to cook for one, it is just more fun to cook for 10 or so.
I hope Tom, my husband, will have a chance to come up after the baby is born so we can play with the kids! He misses the boys! He is constantly asking questions about the boys and how Amelia is feeling and how Jon is liking school again. I think he will have some good ideas for Jon for Christmas this year - some of the things we have no need of in our usually mild winters. Since Tom grew up in Wisconsin, he know so much more about cold than I do.
Just a note on my medical condition, my feet have been affected with R.A. and it absolutely sucks when you try to walk on them. I absolutely respect my rheumatologist. He is super terrific. Dr. Zashin found a medication that is HELPING my feet but doesn't make me have rashes, hives, weird swellings, or other side affects. It seems to be helping my feet to the point that I can walk some without wishing I could have wings or another mode to get around the rooms, stairs, and just plain walking. Felt like my feet were being shredded in a million strips of pain with each step with sharp, stabbing pain, aching, breath gasping pain every time I put my foot in front of the other. I kept going but only by gritting my teeth and going after it. It makes me very irritable after several hours of walking or standing. I usually have to get off my feet, elevate them, soak them, rub them, ice them because of the swelling and fever in the ankle and arch of my foot. They are still not totally comfortable. But, I can get from the kitchen to the bedroom and to the living room without having to sit down and massaging my feet so I go take a few more steps. Praise the Lord! He is our Physician, Our Healer, Counselor, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Thank you, Father, in the name of Jesus for helping me feel better. Thank you for your Grace, Lord.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Three Amigos
Aren't the three amigos cute? Isaac, on left, is two. Joaquin, center, is also two. Ewan is on the right and he is three (four in July). Isaac and Ewan are my grandsons and Joaquin is their friend they are visiting. Ewan was probably the leader in finding "sticks." I guess all little boys love to play with sticks. Afterall, it can be a sword, a laser, a gun, a cane, a fishing pole, a lance, and a partridge in a pear tree. Isaac and Ewan are 14 months apart. They will have a little brother in late August. My daughter is certainly going to have her hands very full! She is a terrific mother and will do a great job. My grandsons are the delight of my life (other than my dear husband). We are Grandma and Grandpa to them.
My daughter and her family are moving to Pennsylvania today! Boo-hoo! I am so very sad they will be moving so very far away. My son-in-law is going to be fulfilling a 12 year dream of getting his M. of Divinity. Even though I will miss them terribly, planes do go to Pennsylvania every day so when my arms get too lonesome for a hug and kiss from my grandsons I can get there in just a few hours. I will practically beat them there since they are driving up with their car. I will be flying up early next week to help my daughter and son-in-law unpack and/or help entertain the little boys while they unpack.
I am looking forward to seeing them in their new home. Every time my daughter has moved (to go to school, to get married, etc.), I don't feel comfortable until I actually see the place she will be living. After I see where she will be physically, I will be able to relax and know she will be okay. It is probably a strange mother kind of thing. I imagine many Moms feel the same way. At least, I try to convince myself this is normal...;)
I think it is time for dinner so I need to go do a little cooking. Maybe. Leftovers are beginning to sound okay.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Just Curious About Weekends
What are your weekends like? Do you do all your chores by list? Are you so organized that the weekends are free because you did all your chores prior to the weekend? Do you honor the Sabbath Day?
The clue to our household serenity is, "roll with the flow, baby." Most Saturdays my DH "sleeps in" until 7:30 a.m. Whoo! I know that is extremely late for some since he is up most weekdays by 6:15 or so. I wake up from 3:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. or later depending on how much pain is oozing out of my joints.
We never know exactly how many adult children, grandchildren (3yo and 2 yo and one grandbaby due in August), and grandpuppies will show up at our doorstep. Usually the sons & daughters-in-laws that are not working on Saturday come earlier and have lunch with us and watch racing with their Dad or if the race is delayed maybe some shopping for this and that at the hardware stores, autorepair shops, Home Depot, Big Lots to hunt for bargains , Dollar General if they have stuff you like to use, shoe stores, boots, jeans, or shirts. Sometimes it is a trip to Sam's if it is near a race weekend. (They race a Formula Continental in SCCA) as a hobby. Many things you will never want to know about cars are discussed continually.
Daughter and Son-in-Law with grandchildren are often busy with church (they teach biblestudy in their home on Saturday night) but can sometimes squeeze in a lunch or more likely an early dinner with us by the time the two older boys & family's are heading home since they have been there longer. Depending on my daughter & SIL schedule we may see them on Sunday afternoon after church and we have big early dinner after the kids wake up from their naps. Or, sometimes we see them during the week for dinner at our house or at a "rest er naut" as my grandsons say. Our sadness is showing the last few weeks because they are moving to Pennsylvania. It is for a truly good reason - SIL will be going to Trinity Seminary in Ambridge, PA to get his M.Div. We are so proud of him but just wish they weren't going quite so far away. However, I did find a flight that will take me to Pittsburgh in a couple of hours with no stops so I am relieved about that because it won't take as long for me to get those grandbaby hugs that make me feel so very good.
The clue to our household serenity is, "roll with the flow, baby." Most Saturdays my DH "sleeps in" until 7:30 a.m. Whoo! I know that is extremely late for some since he is up most weekdays by 6:15 or so. I wake up from 3:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. or later depending on how much pain is oozing out of my joints.
We never know exactly how many adult children, grandchildren (3yo and 2 yo and one grandbaby due in August), and grandpuppies will show up at our doorstep. Usually the sons & daughters-in-laws that are not working on Saturday come earlier and have lunch with us and watch racing with their Dad or if the race is delayed maybe some shopping for this and that at the hardware stores, autorepair shops, Home Depot, Big Lots to hunt for bargains , Dollar General if they have stuff you like to use, shoe stores, boots, jeans, or shirts. Sometimes it is a trip to Sam's if it is near a race weekend. (They race a Formula Continental in SCCA) as a hobby. Many things you will never want to know about cars are discussed continually.
Daughter and Son-in-Law with grandchildren are often busy with church (they teach biblestudy in their home on Saturday night) but can sometimes squeeze in a lunch or more likely an early dinner with us by the time the two older boys & family's are heading home since they have been there longer. Depending on my daughter & SIL schedule we may see them on Sunday afternoon after church and we have big early dinner after the kids wake up from their naps. Or, sometimes we see them during the week for dinner at our house or at a "rest er naut" as my grandsons say. Our sadness is showing the last few weeks because they are moving to Pennsylvania. It is for a truly good reason - SIL will be going to Trinity Seminary in Ambridge, PA to get his M.Div. We are so proud of him but just wish they weren't going quite so far away. However, I did find a flight that will take me to Pittsburgh in a couple of hours with no stops so I am relieved about that because it won't take as long for me to get those grandbaby hugs that make me feel so very good.
On Sundays we go to the early service and the 10:00 SS class. We are usually home by 11:00 to 11:15 am. Lunch and Sunday naps! That's about all, folks....I had a point to this somewhere but I lost it in process...have been yawning and half asleep since 3:30 am. So, going to go get some coffee and meds and breakfast. Have a good weekend if you chance upon this.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Being a Grandmother - Beautiful Grandchildren
March is coming to a close and with it Spring arrived! My grandsons are growing and learning at an amazing rate right now. They are incredible little sponges that soak up everything they come in contact with. When they ride in the car with Mom and/or Dad, they have specific CDs they love to listen to and will call out an artists' name, song name, or type of music to listen to, i.e., Veggie Tales, Bible Songs, Johnny Cash (they love Jackson on the CD from Walk the Line), just a sample of their "favs". For a 3 and 2 year old, it is amazing to hear them sing and enjoy music so much. I think my daughter and son-in-law are awesome to let them listen to the music they love both at home and in the car. It's great when they have music time at their house with guitars, drums, kazoos, flute, saxophones, tambourines, pots & pans, spoons, and whatever else they can find to make music on or with. I feel the vibrations of the music confirming that Spring is here, with my little family of "birds" singing and swinging to music. Ewan and Isaac provide us with sounds of their music which is pure love....from their hearts, souls, and mind. Their grins are as wide as can be, eyes are flashing, bodies are moving and a grooving....it's so much fun! Wish y'all could join us for a jam session - - - guaranteed to lift your soul to a happy place where love abounds! It's hard to wait for the new baby (to arrive in late August) because I wonder what talents he or she will have. They both know so many songs but do not like to sing on command. So, when they are at play and no one appears to be listening it is great to hear them sing with their sweet voices.
Being a grandmother is so much fun, if anyone out there is expecting their first grandchild, it really is as wonderful as we say. I can hardly wait to see them every time I get a chance. I love to have smeary grandbaby kisses on my face - peanut butter & jelly make your face soft - just as good as anything that comes out of a jar. I don't worry about sticky hands or faces, I dress to be able to roll in the floor or dig in the sandbox. If they want to put partially chewed veggie in my mouth, (within limits - it does have to have a shape to the item), it is okay as long as it really is a veggie and not play dough or some other inedible material.
The Lord has blessed me so very much with the beautiful children and grandchildren. Their beauty is from within and spreads to every inch of their bodies. After all, He made them while they were still in their Mother's womb. What could be better than that? Thank you, Lord, for my family and everything you provide for us.
Being a grandmother is so much fun, if anyone out there is expecting their first grandchild, it really is as wonderful as we say. I can hardly wait to see them every time I get a chance. I love to have smeary grandbaby kisses on my face - peanut butter & jelly make your face soft - just as good as anything that comes out of a jar. I don't worry about sticky hands or faces, I dress to be able to roll in the floor or dig in the sandbox. If they want to put partially chewed veggie in my mouth, (within limits - it does have to have a shape to the item), it is okay as long as it really is a veggie and not play dough or some other inedible material.
The Lord has blessed me so very much with the beautiful children and grandchildren. Their beauty is from within and spreads to every inch of their bodies. After all, He made them while they were still in their Mother's womb. What could be better than that? Thank you, Lord, for my family and everything you provide for us.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Lonesome Dove
This morning I was up very early, around 2:30 a.m., and was wishing there was something to listen to beside the manmade noises around me. Sometimes I wish for the clarity of a desert sky, no clouds, no recent sandstorm to dust us like a powdered donut, just a moon, stars, and the call of a coyote. As dawn slowly comes, I long to hear the sound of the morning dove. The soft cooing that is too beautiful and soulful you just know in heart and mind that God is the creator of everything because nothing that wonderful could be an "big bang" event. Just remembering the sound in my inner ear encourages me to try and listen for more messages that God is nearby.
Well, the desert is far away from me these days and even farther than my childhood but I can still conjure up the smells of rain in the desert, the softness of big snowflakes landing on my tongue, the grit of sand in my teeth including coating my tongue by an incoming sandstorm, the strength of a mighty wind that would literally blow me down when I tried to walk home from school in the wind (I weighed in at 36 pounds in first grade - a little girl), and the colors of the sunsets on the rugged mountains. I felt like a little mouse sometimes trying to crawl away from the prey until I got in the front door in those storms.
Well, guess I am feeling a little melancholy tonight. The weather teased us last week with temperatures in the upper 70's and today was windy and in the upper 40's. Can't wait for the cold weather to slam into spring the way it does in Texas - with big, bold thunderclouds, torrential rains, eerie green skies that warn of hail and maybe something worse.
Don't know why I feel so like a lonesome dove...all is well, all is well. My mantra will carry me through until the sun once again comes up and the dove begin to coo, the air will feel soft from the humidity, and the sound of my grandchildren's voices make me giggle again.
Well, the desert is far away from me these days and even farther than my childhood but I can still conjure up the smells of rain in the desert, the softness of big snowflakes landing on my tongue, the grit of sand in my teeth including coating my tongue by an incoming sandstorm, the strength of a mighty wind that would literally blow me down when I tried to walk home from school in the wind (I weighed in at 36 pounds in first grade - a little girl), and the colors of the sunsets on the rugged mountains. I felt like a little mouse sometimes trying to crawl away from the prey until I got in the front door in those storms.
Well, guess I am feeling a little melancholy tonight. The weather teased us last week with temperatures in the upper 70's and today was windy and in the upper 40's. Can't wait for the cold weather to slam into spring the way it does in Texas - with big, bold thunderclouds, torrential rains, eerie green skies that warn of hail and maybe something worse.
Don't know why I feel so like a lonesome dove...all is well, all is well. My mantra will carry me through until the sun once again comes up and the dove begin to coo, the air will feel soft from the humidity, and the sound of my grandchildren's voices make me giggle again.
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