So this is my first quilt. I just had to brag a bit. Looking for compliments in case you haven't figured that out. Well............... :)
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
My first Quilt
So this is my first quilt. I just had to brag a bit. Looking for compliments in case you haven't figured that out. Well............... :)
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Christmas memories
Christmas is a time for love - understanding - giving - family - helping - shopping - driving - hustling - spending too much - eating too much - asking "What should I get them?" -stress - sending packages on time - decorating - looking at lights - baking cookies - making chocolates - shopping - listening to Christmas music - wrapping presents - waiting for the snow - cooking and Christ.
When I was a kid - it was always easy to get into the spirit and to feel the spirit. Excitement as to what I was going to get along with the thought that maybe this year I would be old enough to keep a secret. I would spent time shopping with my Mom for my brothers and get so excited as I wrapped those presents. I would just tell myself "this year I will not tell them what I was giving them" but I do believe I was a teenager before I actually made it to Christmas without telling my brothers what I got them. To this day, a Christmas doesn't go by without my Dad saying those famous words "And I got you a DJ game". Teasing me again. But Christmas was a time to really show our love for each other. Presents were personal and worked for. I remember buying my brother Tom a pocket watch. He wanted one and well, I wanted to be the one to get it for him. I went to the jewelers and basically put that watch on layaway. I went every week for two months putting money down on that watch. I think I was more excited than Tom when he opened that present. Tom gave me my guitar - I still have it.
When I got older - teenager years - I think it was more the Music and baking all the cookies that brought the Christmas spirit to me. I also learned that I preferred snow in December. I lived in California my teenage years and we didn't have snow. I hated that - and at times I would drive up to the mountains just to feel the cold and see the snow. I remember one very lean Christmas as a teenager. Dad had just purchased a house and a business and there wasn't any money for Christmas. In fact - I think I was the only one who bought presents that year. We were watching something on TV and when a commercial came on I made everyone go into the living room for presents - we were done and back to the TV before the commercial break was over. But that year was great - we were all together and had a day of games and good eats!
Getting married brought more adjustments. Now I had two families to go to. How do you choose who's house to eat at and when to see which parent? I know every new couple has to go through this but it was not my most favorite thing. But then it got easier because I moved away from family and didn't have to worry about that anymore. So I started my own family traditions with my own little family of 5 children. I was always very grateful to my father who always made sure I had enough money to have a nice Christmas. My Dad is a great man. Christmas when the kids were little was fun. The main thing was that I had to make sure everyone had the same number of presents. Didn't matter how much money was spent - just that they each got the same number. This caused a problem because it always seemed that each year it was easy to buy for one kid and really hard to figure out what another needed or wanted. My favorite time was on Christmas Eve when the kids were little and we would act out the Christmas story. Darren - my baby - got to be baby Jesus twice. But as the kids grew we did that less and less. We had a couple of years of adopting a family or getting names off a helping tree. Those times were special - placing gifts on a porch and running. Picking out a present for - a boy , age 9, - wrapping it and bringing it back to the tree. I just wish we did that every year - made that the main tradition at Christmas. Regrets are hard.
Christmas was always hectic. I had to do all the shopping and decorating and cooking and wrapping and...... Well, you get the picture. But even through all the craziness I could always find the Spirit sooner or later. Sometimes it wasn't until the Sunday before Christmas at church. Listening to the choir, hearing the Christmas story "And there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed"
I could find my peace and feel the spirit. Then on Christmas morning all the kids would unwrap their presents. I would make them unwrap them one at a time - everyone had to watch and I remember that one year it took almost 3 hours to unwrap all the presents that way. Thank-you and hugs had to be given out and you had to love what ever you got for at least one hour. Then when the hour was up you could come and tell me that shirt was gross and you would like to exchange it. I also hated waisting money and didn't want anything to just rot in the closet. I remember one year I didn't put any tags on the presents - just wrapped each kids' present in their own paper. Thought this would stop them from handling the presents - didn't work. They knew which presents were theirs - I only gave them a puzzle to solve - and they solved it.
As my children grew - things changed. Christmas has always been a day of games and a puzzle but the first year we were one child short was different. We looked forward to a long distant phone call instead of presents. Presents and food were there but the conversation was about that missing child and what he told us and what we forgot to ask him. Those that went off to college always seemed to make it home for Christmas. That was and is great. Then came the first marriage. Flash backs of when I first got married and being torn as to which parents house should I go to - haunted me. So I have always just told my kids to plan some time with me and I will be happy. I have always been happy with the time I have had with my kids - their spouses - and my grandchildren.
Now most of my children live on the wrong side of the Mississippi River. My parents live across the street and Christmas is still a juggling act. Parents who have a hard time being around very active great grandchildren but want to see them - gives me a new challenge. But we figure it all out and spend what time we have together. Christmas this year was quiet. I still had a lot of cooking and cleaning to do. But it only took two dishwasher loads to get everything clean instead of the usual 3 or 4. Activities are more centered around my parents who are 85 and 83 years old, instead of kids who are 8 or 3 years old. Things are different but different is good - nice! Christmas with service - love - understanding - even forgiveness. I think I may finally be getting this Christmas thing right - Christ first.
So this year Darren came home from school. Mandy and her family live here - at least I have some grandchildren close. We all had breakfast together and opened presents. I didn't get any pictures but I did take a few special shots during the week. Here they are -
Gibson found one of my dolls and was even feeding it pancakes - it was very sweet but I missed the picture and got this one.
Darren learning how to make chocolate covered caramel.
Uncle Darren is the greatest. This is Mandy's house
Well, Christmas is over - Darren is back to school and I have actually cleaned up my house. Now I get to work on my new hobby - quilting. More on that later - Love to all.
When I was a kid - it was always easy to get into the spirit and to feel the spirit. Excitement as to what I was going to get along with the thought that maybe this year I would be old enough to keep a secret. I would spent time shopping with my Mom for my brothers and get so excited as I wrapped those presents. I would just tell myself "this year I will not tell them what I was giving them" but I do believe I was a teenager before I actually made it to Christmas without telling my brothers what I got them. To this day, a Christmas doesn't go by without my Dad saying those famous words "And I got you a DJ game". Teasing me again. But Christmas was a time to really show our love for each other. Presents were personal and worked for. I remember buying my brother Tom a pocket watch. He wanted one and well, I wanted to be the one to get it for him. I went to the jewelers and basically put that watch on layaway. I went every week for two months putting money down on that watch. I think I was more excited than Tom when he opened that present. Tom gave me my guitar - I still have it.
When I got older - teenager years - I think it was more the Music and baking all the cookies that brought the Christmas spirit to me. I also learned that I preferred snow in December. I lived in California my teenage years and we didn't have snow. I hated that - and at times I would drive up to the mountains just to feel the cold and see the snow. I remember one very lean Christmas as a teenager. Dad had just purchased a house and a business and there wasn't any money for Christmas. In fact - I think I was the only one who bought presents that year. We were watching something on TV and when a commercial came on I made everyone go into the living room for presents - we were done and back to the TV before the commercial break was over. But that year was great - we were all together and had a day of games and good eats!
Getting married brought more adjustments. Now I had two families to go to. How do you choose who's house to eat at and when to see which parent? I know every new couple has to go through this but it was not my most favorite thing. But then it got easier because I moved away from family and didn't have to worry about that anymore. So I started my own family traditions with my own little family of 5 children. I was always very grateful to my father who always made sure I had enough money to have a nice Christmas. My Dad is a great man. Christmas when the kids were little was fun. The main thing was that I had to make sure everyone had the same number of presents. Didn't matter how much money was spent - just that they each got the same number. This caused a problem because it always seemed that each year it was easy to buy for one kid and really hard to figure out what another needed or wanted. My favorite time was on Christmas Eve when the kids were little and we would act out the Christmas story. Darren - my baby - got to be baby Jesus twice. But as the kids grew we did that less and less. We had a couple of years of adopting a family or getting names off a helping tree. Those times were special - placing gifts on a porch and running. Picking out a present for - a boy , age 9, - wrapping it and bringing it back to the tree. I just wish we did that every year - made that the main tradition at Christmas. Regrets are hard.
Christmas was always hectic. I had to do all the shopping and decorating and cooking and wrapping and...... Well, you get the picture. But even through all the craziness I could always find the Spirit sooner or later. Sometimes it wasn't until the Sunday before Christmas at church. Listening to the choir, hearing the Christmas story "And there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed"
I could find my peace and feel the spirit. Then on Christmas morning all the kids would unwrap their presents. I would make them unwrap them one at a time - everyone had to watch and I remember that one year it took almost 3 hours to unwrap all the presents that way. Thank-you and hugs had to be given out and you had to love what ever you got for at least one hour. Then when the hour was up you could come and tell me that shirt was gross and you would like to exchange it. I also hated waisting money and didn't want anything to just rot in the closet. I remember one year I didn't put any tags on the presents - just wrapped each kids' present in their own paper. Thought this would stop them from handling the presents - didn't work. They knew which presents were theirs - I only gave them a puzzle to solve - and they solved it.
As my children grew - things changed. Christmas has always been a day of games and a puzzle but the first year we were one child short was different. We looked forward to a long distant phone call instead of presents. Presents and food were there but the conversation was about that missing child and what he told us and what we forgot to ask him. Those that went off to college always seemed to make it home for Christmas. That was and is great. Then came the first marriage. Flash backs of when I first got married and being torn as to which parents house should I go to - haunted me. So I have always just told my kids to plan some time with me and I will be happy. I have always been happy with the time I have had with my kids - their spouses - and my grandchildren.
Now most of my children live on the wrong side of the Mississippi River. My parents live across the street and Christmas is still a juggling act. Parents who have a hard time being around very active great grandchildren but want to see them - gives me a new challenge. But we figure it all out and spend what time we have together. Christmas this year was quiet. I still had a lot of cooking and cleaning to do. But it only took two dishwasher loads to get everything clean instead of the usual 3 or 4. Activities are more centered around my parents who are 85 and 83 years old, instead of kids who are 8 or 3 years old. Things are different but different is good - nice! Christmas with service - love - understanding - even forgiveness. I think I may finally be getting this Christmas thing right - Christ first.
So this year Darren came home from school. Mandy and her family live here - at least I have some grandchildren close. We all had breakfast together and opened presents. I didn't get any pictures but I did take a few special shots during the week. Here they are -
Well, Christmas is over - Darren is back to school and I have actually cleaned up my house. Now I get to work on my new hobby - quilting. More on that later - Love to all.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Sixty - five years and counting
I have the privilege of living across the street from my folks - John and Lorna. We eat together at least 5 nights a week and sometimes 6. I had the opportunity to talk with them about their wedding and what happened 65 years ago and this is what I have learned. I should have asked these questions 10 years ago - it is hard for them to remember now. But this is what I did get.
Everything happened in 1946. Dad got out of the army - sometime in the spring of that year. Mom and Dad met on a blind date. It was love at first sight. They sent every day together. They loved to go dancing. They went to all the different dance halls in or around Chicago. It was a great summer. Then Grandpa Somes made plans for Mom to go to an all girl school in Tennessee. Before Mom left - Dad sold his car to buy Mom her engagement ring and a new suit. Neither one could remember how Dad proposed but it did happen before Mom went off to school.
Then in October of that year Dad with a couple of good friends went down to Tennessee to see Mom. I asked how did he get there since he sold his car and he doesn't remember. I'm betting Bill and Gloria's car. (The good friends) Sometime during this visit they decided to just get married now and they eloped. Dad and Mom spent the week-end together - short honeymoon - before Dad went back to Chicago and Mom went back to class. Dad didn't remember the honeymoon and Mom just said "Thanks". It was a good thing that Dad was on one side of the table and Mom the other because I think Mom would have hit Dad. Sixty-five years is a long time but you should never forget your honeymoon.
They didn't tell their families. They just went on with their lives. Mom didn't tell her roommates at school or anyone but somehow her Father found out. They remember that whoever told Grandpa - they went to see him at his office. My memory of Grandpa is a very stern man that hardly smiled. Dad said that he had to go face the music and doesn't remember what happened but in our imagination it couldn't have been good.
Mom and Dad lived apart for the first 8 months of their marriage. Dad said that they saw each other at Christmas and that was it. They were not allowed to stay together over the Christmas holiday and they had to sneak away to be together. Needless to say the parents were not happy. Sometime in here - Dad's folks sold their house and moved into an apartment. There wasn't any room for Dad so he had to find his own place. He lived at the YMCA for awhile - until he got kicked out. The Y is a temporary housing facility. Grandma Somes found Dad a room at a boarding house. It was just a bedroom in a big house and he had to share the bathroom with everyone else.
When Mom finished her first year in school they got married again - by a Priest - in the Priest's home - on June 21, 1947. All the parents were there and much happier. Mom then moved in with Dad - in that one bedroom - no private bath for the first year of their marriage.
Mom has two wedding bands. She wore them on both sides of her engagement ring for over 50 years. She has never taken the first wedding band off her finger in 65 years. She has argued with Doctors before surgery and won - she wore a bandaged over her ring during these times. She almost had to get it cut off during her "fat" years but she endured that. Maybe that was her motivation to loose the weight.
During their first year - they tell stories of working during the day. Mom's only job ever - a file clerk. Going dancing at night and keeping milk outside on the window sill to keep it cold. A hot plate they had to hide because it wasn't allowed. Their second place was a real apartment - one bedroom. They didn't start their family until they were married for 3 years.
Sixty-five years - 3 children - 10 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren and counting. Only one word comes to mind - WOW!!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Twenty-first Century
So I am not as old as my parents - good thing - but I have seen a lot of changes in this world. Gasoline used to be 35 cents a gallon. We didn't have video games in the home. We didn't have video games. We had pinball machines. We had to go to the bowling alley to bowl. Our arms got sore from throwing a 12 pound ball, not because we WII'd for 4 hours. (I had to make up a word right there) We didn't have VSH or DVR. We didn't have cable - I remember when they first started talking about pay TV. No way would anyone pay when you could get it for free. How stupid!! Well, here I am paying. Stupid!!!
Computers - wow - now I think even 6 year old kids can talk about the changes in this area. I remember going to college in the late 70's and taking a computer language course. The computers were big and we had to wait - I mean wait -up to two minutes - for the computer to do it's thing. No Internet
Phones are another area of change. House phones only. Today we call it land line. The receiver was tethered to the main unit by a cord that kinda stretched. Was wound up like a spring or a slinky and would stretch out so you could stir something on the stove while you talked. Teenagers would stretch it to the closet to have privacy during their conversations. We had a rotary dial. I bet some kids have never seen a phone like this. Then came the push button phone. Then the cordless phone. Then the cordless phone with a finder beep so you could find the receiver. Then the cell phone. The first ones were pretty big and as time went on they got smaller and smaller. Then they put cameras on the phone. Then they made the phone a computer too. All in the palm of your hand. Crazy - just crazy!!
I held out for quite some time before I got a cell phone. I liked not being reached at the store. But with most modern conveniences I caved and got one for emergencies. Then I got into all the "fun" of a cell phone. They added texting. What a fun thing this is. It can also be a bad thing but I won't go into that right now. Quick little questions can get answered without long conversations. Pictures can be sent to let people know you are thinking of them at this moment. I love this!!! It really helps when the grandchildren are so far away. I still have no desire to get a "smart phone". The idea of my pocket being smarter than I - me - oh whatever - is something I don't want to deal with right now. And when my phone dies I will have to upgrade but for now I am happy with my phone.
Tonight I spent 2 and a half hours transferring pictures in my phone to the memory card in my phone. Then pictures that were texted to me from the text folder to the memory card in my phone. Then the videos I have to my memory card. Then I had to remember how to take that memory card out - remember were the adapter was - put the card into the adapter and then put the card into my new computer. I did that ALL BY MYSELF. I transferred all the pictures and videos to my computer. I had to - my memory was filling up. So now I will share some of the memories that were in my phone.
Sa just got her ears pierced.
Cristy with Troy during those first bad hours.
Maddie saying Hi
Georgey lost another tooth
Don't know if Jack is too happy to say Hi
Kevin is growing.
When you can't find your camera - grab the phone then send it to me.
This is for Grant - I win.
Troy smiles!!
Hallie growing
One chunky Gibson!!!
This video is one I took a long time ago and yes, I used my phone. Can't you tell by the quality of this show. This is Maddie - hard to tell - but she was having fun!!!
Now that I have deleted all my photos and videos I need more. So get to it kids. You know my number.
Computers - wow - now I think even 6 year old kids can talk about the changes in this area. I remember going to college in the late 70's and taking a computer language course. The computers were big and we had to wait - I mean wait -up to two minutes - for the computer to do it's thing. No Internet
Phones are another area of change. House phones only. Today we call it land line. The receiver was tethered to the main unit by a cord that kinda stretched. Was wound up like a spring or a slinky and would stretch out so you could stir something on the stove while you talked. Teenagers would stretch it to the closet to have privacy during their conversations. We had a rotary dial. I bet some kids have never seen a phone like this. Then came the push button phone. Then the cordless phone. Then the cordless phone with a finder beep so you could find the receiver. Then the cell phone. The first ones were pretty big and as time went on they got smaller and smaller. Then they put cameras on the phone. Then they made the phone a computer too. All in the palm of your hand. Crazy - just crazy!!
I held out for quite some time before I got a cell phone. I liked not being reached at the store. But with most modern conveniences I caved and got one for emergencies. Then I got into all the "fun" of a cell phone. They added texting. What a fun thing this is. It can also be a bad thing but I won't go into that right now. Quick little questions can get answered without long conversations. Pictures can be sent to let people know you are thinking of them at this moment. I love this!!! It really helps when the grandchildren are so far away. I still have no desire to get a "smart phone". The idea of my pocket being smarter than I - me - oh whatever - is something I don't want to deal with right now. And when my phone dies I will have to upgrade but for now I am happy with my phone.
Tonight I spent 2 and a half hours transferring pictures in my phone to the memory card in my phone. Then pictures that were texted to me from the text folder to the memory card in my phone. Then the videos I have to my memory card. Then I had to remember how to take that memory card out - remember were the adapter was - put the card into the adapter and then put the card into my new computer. I did that ALL BY MYSELF. I transferred all the pictures and videos to my computer. I had to - my memory was filling up. So now I will share some of the memories that were in my phone.
This video is one I took a long time ago and yes, I used my phone. Can't you tell by the quality of this show. This is Maddie - hard to tell - but she was having fun!!!
Now that I have deleted all my photos and videos I need more. So get to it kids. You know my number.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Just playing
I wrote a blog last week and it isn't coming up on any ones lists - so I've been playing around and updated my editor - can it be easy to upload videos too? Here is my try
This should be Hallie - we are outside on the one day the air conditioning broke. Hey it worked!
It even has sound - cool - I may have to share a few more clips!
This should be Hallie - we are outside on the one day the air conditioning broke. Hey it worked!
It even has sound - cool - I may have to share a few more clips!
Friday, August 19, 2011
Summer
Summer - a most enjoyable time. A time to enjoy the nice warmer air and sun shine. OK those who know me are now saying - "What? She doesn't like it when it gets hot?" True - I don't like hot days but I do like sunshine, sleeping in and not going to work. That is what I like about summer.
This summer has come and gone. I can't believe it is just about over. I made a "to do" list at the beginning of this summer and I must admit it was or is a long list. I have no idea what I have done this summer - I feel like I was busy everyday - but my list is still there with only a few things checked off. Now this is a great argument for journal writing. If I was a good girl I would have been writing in my journal all summer and would now be able to look back and see what I did the past two months. But I have not been a good girl - I am old and can't remember. Oh well.....
I do remember the big things ---Family. I was able to see all of my grandchildren this summer. Most of them came to see me and one I went to go see. I am going to be a good grandma or Nana now and share some of the photo's I have.
Da was here for only a day but he was nice enough to leave his wife and kids for a couple of weeks.
One day at Mandy's the kids played school. Nice class room here in the kitchen. I was sent to the principals office - a lot - & had to write sentences - a lot. The kids thought that was funny - a lot!!!
I call this - Pop goes the Jack. Or Jack in the Box.
Now here we are playing one big happy family. George is the Dad, Maddie is the Mom and the rest are the kids. I was the photographer that came to take their family portraits. This is how they posed. Not bad!!!
Gibson and Kevin loved playing together.
Maddie can hola-hoop like - well - like someone who can hola-hoop. She is amazing!! No effort - just stands there and well, even two at time didn't phase her.
Next - it was Mandy's 30th birthday this summer and to surprise her - Cristy flew out and through her a party - Surprise!!! This is a quick pose with Mom and Dad.
This is about the only picture I got of Cristy - but a very happy Mandy after the surprise. Mandy arrived at the house to "pick up an order from Schwans" but as she walked up to the front door she heard Troy crying and well - I had to quickly get her into the house. She saw Cristy - screamed - and in the middle of hugging her she noticed the kitchen loaded with a lot of her friends. Surprise!!! It was a fun night.
Darren came for a week and quickly got to work on the "favorite uncle" award.
I had to read to Troy.
Corn hole is a must!!
Picking of raspberries is also a must.
This is just a cute picture. Cristy left and that same day my brother Tom and his wife Sue came. Then the next day Matt and I left for Cincinnati. To see Grant, Liz and Hallie.
We were greeted by Hallie wearing a Big Sister shirt. It went right over my head. But with Grant pushing the point I finally got it. Yea, number 10 is on it's way. Poor Liz wasn't feeling all that great while we were there - I give her (and the rest of the Mom's of my grandchildren) what ever I should give because I don't know if I would have had 5 if I got sick like she (they) does.
So I'm not allowed to use the picture I took of Grant, Liz and Hallie together - Liz rules. So here is one of Grant and Hallie
And Liz trying not to be in the picture and Hallie. Hallie is so big and a total delight.
I made new pillows for their living room and Grant took the old pillow and made a dress for Hallie. Not quite as cute as he hoped. Maybe a belt would help?
Slides make her hair stand on end. She loves to slide.
Hallie knows the way to Sesame Street. Where is Grover?
While at Grant's we went to the Air Museum. We all had our picture taken in the space suit. I wasn't quick enough to get Hallie's picture but here is Matt.
Matt trying to dock the space craft to the space station. Lets just say he didn't do it.
Hallie showing Papa how to fly. The next day we looked around the city and had a great time the week that were in Cincinnati. I love trips that you come home and don't feel like you need a vacation after your vacation. The worst part was leaving and seeing Hallie crying at the door as we drove off. Made me cry too.
This is the important photo. The one we flew there for.
Now I'm home and just canned 48 pints of peaches. Yesterday I cleaned the carpets in the house - guess I'm finally checking things off my list. Rather be on vacation!!!
This summer has come and gone. I can't believe it is just about over. I made a "to do" list at the beginning of this summer and I must admit it was or is a long list. I have no idea what I have done this summer - I feel like I was busy everyday - but my list is still there with only a few things checked off. Now this is a great argument for journal writing. If I was a good girl I would have been writing in my journal all summer and would now be able to look back and see what I did the past two months. But I have not been a good girl - I am old and can't remember. Oh well.....
I do remember the big things ---Family. I was able to see all of my grandchildren this summer. Most of them came to see me and one I went to go see. I am going to be a good grandma or Nana now and share some of the photo's I have.
Da was here for only a day but he was nice enough to leave his wife and kids for a couple of weeks.
One day at Mandy's the kids played school. Nice class room here in the kitchen. I was sent to the principals office - a lot - & had to write sentences - a lot. The kids thought that was funny - a lot!!!
I call this - Pop goes the Jack. Or Jack in the Box.
Now here we are playing one big happy family. George is the Dad, Maddie is the Mom and the rest are the kids. I was the photographer that came to take their family portraits. This is how they posed. Not bad!!!
Gibson and Kevin loved playing together.
Maddie can hola-hoop like - well - like someone who can hola-hoop. She is amazing!! No effort - just stands there and well, even two at time didn't phase her.
Next - it was Mandy's 30th birthday this summer and to surprise her - Cristy flew out and through her a party - Surprise!!! This is a quick pose with Mom and Dad.
This is about the only picture I got of Cristy - but a very happy Mandy after the surprise. Mandy arrived at the house to "pick up an order from Schwans" but as she walked up to the front door she heard Troy crying and well - I had to quickly get her into the house. She saw Cristy - screamed - and in the middle of hugging her she noticed the kitchen loaded with a lot of her friends. Surprise!!! It was a fun night.
Darren came for a week and quickly got to work on the "favorite uncle" award.
I had to read to Troy.
Corn hole is a must!!
Picking of raspberries is also a must.
This is just a cute picture. Cristy left and that same day my brother Tom and his wife Sue came. Then the next day Matt and I left for Cincinnati. To see Grant, Liz and Hallie.
We were greeted by Hallie wearing a Big Sister shirt. It went right over my head. But with Grant pushing the point I finally got it. Yea, number 10 is on it's way. Poor Liz wasn't feeling all that great while we were there - I give her (and the rest of the Mom's of my grandchildren) what ever I should give because I don't know if I would have had 5 if I got sick like she (they) does.
So I'm not allowed to use the picture I took of Grant, Liz and Hallie together - Liz rules. So here is one of Grant and Hallie
And Liz trying not to be in the picture and Hallie. Hallie is so big and a total delight.
I made new pillows for their living room and Grant took the old pillow and made a dress for Hallie. Not quite as cute as he hoped. Maybe a belt would help?
Slides make her hair stand on end. She loves to slide.
Hallie knows the way to Sesame Street. Where is Grover?
While at Grant's we went to the Air Museum. We all had our picture taken in the space suit. I wasn't quick enough to get Hallie's picture but here is Matt.
Matt trying to dock the space craft to the space station. Lets just say he didn't do it.
Hallie showing Papa how to fly. The next day we looked around the city and had a great time the week that were in Cincinnati. I love trips that you come home and don't feel like you need a vacation after your vacation. The worst part was leaving and seeing Hallie crying at the door as we drove off. Made me cry too.
This is the important photo. The one we flew there for.
Now I'm home and just canned 48 pints of peaches. Yesterday I cleaned the carpets in the house - guess I'm finally checking things off my list. Rather be on vacation!!!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
I'm alittle bit country but....
So it has been awhile since I've "blogged". I blame it on life. You know the life you have when every day is the same. You get up - brush your teeth - eat breakfast, or at least try too - go to work - work - come home - make dinner - collapse in front of the TV for two hours while you think of all the other stuff you should be doing and then go to bed. Then you do it all over again. The week-ends are filled with all the stuff you thought about doing during the week. Always fun to write about cleaning the house - again!! My favorite line is from 'Apollo 13' - "I can't deal with this mess right now - lets just sell the house" So that is what has been going on.
A few side notes - Mom is doing really well!!! I cook dinner for the two of them 5 nights a week. Mom is not back in the kitchen and it is hard to find food you can microwave that is good for Dad's diet. Next - looks like I'm going to regionals again this year for the bus Road-e-o. Nothing to Yahoo about - took fourth in the local competition.
So we did have something happen this week that has gotten me to think. I know I don't do that often and well, it kinda hurt but I used my brain anyway.
I grew up in the city. Oak Park, Illinois. A suburb of Chicago, the windy city, home to the Cubs, Bears and Oprah. A place I remember that had museums, dirty beaches, a fountain, trains and lots of people. We walked to school - no school buses. We walked home for lunch and walked back - come rain, snow or sun shine. I don't ever remember my folk driving me to school. But I digress. We had a dog. Daisy was her name. We had a couple of birds for awhile. And a gold fish or two. I remember one of them committed suicide. Jumped right out of the bowl. Found it lying on the floor all dry and well, we never got anymore fish.
We had squirrels that lived in the neighborhood. Our crazy dog Daisy would 'tree' them. That is chase them up the tree and then go around and around the tree for hours - looking up into the tree trying to find out where that squirrel went. The squirrel was long gone - having jumped onto the garage roof and then the neighbors tree and off to safety. But Daisy would stay by that tree till we made her come in the house. That was our exposure to wild life in the city - squirrels.
In the early years of my first marriage - I moved to northern Idaho, Priest River, and lived on 5 acres out in the middle of nowhere. I mean NO WHERE!! I have no idea what I was thinking! I was a city girl and here I was living with no electricity, water or plumbing. Two babies, in diapers and more wild life then I really wanted. I remember coming on a skunk - luckily the skunk backed off as I back offed and we both ran for the hills before it sprayed. I saw deer, elk, lots and lots of cows in our yard. We didn't have a fence and it is open range up in Priest River. We had a cat - I think we named boots - or mittens - because of it's white feet. I hate cats but when you have mice, you have a cat. My then husband saw a bear on our property and we shortly moved closer to town. Our next property was only 3 acres. There I saw, cows, chipmunks,(even in my house), a porcupine, an owl and deer. We had another cat for the mice again. We also had ground squirrels. They ate my garden from the roots up. Learned quickly that they were not so cute.
It was some time in these years that I turned into a country girl. I say it happened when I took care of a goat for a week. I had to milk this goat - along with feeding and cleaning up after it. I have proof.
There I am - milking away. I guess it is required to wear a kerchief in your hair when doing farm work. I remember not doing a very good job - took me forever but I didn't dry her up and that is all the owner cared about. In case you are wondering - after you milk the animal - you pour the milk through cheese cloth, 5 layers thick, to catch all the hair and gunk, then into the fridge to drink. I never drank it!!
I also learned at this time that I really wasn't a country girl. Could be that I had five children to take care of and I really didn't want or have time to take care of any animals too. I moved to Post Falls, Idaho. A smaller city, but a city. We tried to have a dog for about a year. Wasn't the most friendly animal. Hated men.
Moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho- a bigger city but still not too big. I have been living in this place now for 15 years. As the kids grew we tried out a few pets - birds, fish, a rat and a rabbit. Can't say I really cared for any of them. In our neighborhood we have enjoyed quail, birds of all kinds, (my favorite are the humming birds), squirrels and even a few deer. I have always been amazed whenever I walk across the street and meet up with a couple of deer. My Mother gets very mad them - they eat her roses. They seem to get more and more brave as the years go by. I think if I had a big garden I would hate them more but they have left my raspberries alone - so far. So for now they can stay.
But this week - we have a new arrival on our block. Now you have to realize that I live a mile from the nearest mountain. Between me and that mountain is a highway. A very busy highway. Any forest creature must cross that highway along with other very busy roads to get to my block.
One very ugly moose. He or she - I think she - arrived on Sunday, while I was at church. She hung around for a couple of days and left for a day and then came back tonight. For those of you who know - that is Dad's house in the background.
This picture is taken with me standing in Dad's back yard. I was very careful not to startle her and the fence was between me and her.
I tried to get rid of the creepy eye but it didn't work. But this is the view I had tonight while I made dinner. Looked out Mom's kitchen window and watch this moose eat on the evergreen. Mom and Dad like looking at this moose but Dad hates the presents she leaves.
We have called animal control but they won't do anything as long as the moose is just walking around.
So for now - I thought I lived in THE CITY - but now I'm not sure.
A few side notes - Mom is doing really well!!! I cook dinner for the two of them 5 nights a week. Mom is not back in the kitchen and it is hard to find food you can microwave that is good for Dad's diet. Next - looks like I'm going to regionals again this year for the bus Road-e-o. Nothing to Yahoo about - took fourth in the local competition.
So we did have something happen this week that has gotten me to think. I know I don't do that often and well, it kinda hurt but I used my brain anyway.
I grew up in the city. Oak Park, Illinois. A suburb of Chicago, the windy city, home to the Cubs, Bears and Oprah. A place I remember that had museums, dirty beaches, a fountain, trains and lots of people. We walked to school - no school buses. We walked home for lunch and walked back - come rain, snow or sun shine. I don't ever remember my folk driving me to school. But I digress. We had a dog. Daisy was her name. We had a couple of birds for awhile. And a gold fish or two. I remember one of them committed suicide. Jumped right out of the bowl. Found it lying on the floor all dry and well, we never got anymore fish.
We had squirrels that lived in the neighborhood. Our crazy dog Daisy would 'tree' them. That is chase them up the tree and then go around and around the tree for hours - looking up into the tree trying to find out where that squirrel went. The squirrel was long gone - having jumped onto the garage roof and then the neighbors tree and off to safety. But Daisy would stay by that tree till we made her come in the house. That was our exposure to wild life in the city - squirrels.
In the early years of my first marriage - I moved to northern Idaho, Priest River, and lived on 5 acres out in the middle of nowhere. I mean NO WHERE!! I have no idea what I was thinking! I was a city girl and here I was living with no electricity, water or plumbing. Two babies, in diapers and more wild life then I really wanted. I remember coming on a skunk - luckily the skunk backed off as I back offed and we both ran for the hills before it sprayed. I saw deer, elk, lots and lots of cows in our yard. We didn't have a fence and it is open range up in Priest River. We had a cat - I think we named boots - or mittens - because of it's white feet. I hate cats but when you have mice, you have a cat. My then husband saw a bear on our property and we shortly moved closer to town. Our next property was only 3 acres. There I saw, cows, chipmunks,(even in my house), a porcupine, an owl and deer. We had another cat for the mice again. We also had ground squirrels. They ate my garden from the roots up. Learned quickly that they were not so cute.
It was some time in these years that I turned into a country girl. I say it happened when I took care of a goat for a week. I had to milk this goat - along with feeding and cleaning up after it. I have proof.
There I am - milking away. I guess it is required to wear a kerchief in your hair when doing farm work. I remember not doing a very good job - took me forever but I didn't dry her up and that is all the owner cared about. In case you are wondering - after you milk the animal - you pour the milk through cheese cloth, 5 layers thick, to catch all the hair and gunk, then into the fridge to drink. I never drank it!!I also learned at this time that I really wasn't a country girl. Could be that I had five children to take care of and I really didn't want or have time to take care of any animals too. I moved to Post Falls, Idaho. A smaller city, but a city. We tried to have a dog for about a year. Wasn't the most friendly animal. Hated men.
Moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho- a bigger city but still not too big. I have been living in this place now for 15 years. As the kids grew we tried out a few pets - birds, fish, a rat and a rabbit. Can't say I really cared for any of them. In our neighborhood we have enjoyed quail, birds of all kinds, (my favorite are the humming birds), squirrels and even a few deer. I have always been amazed whenever I walk across the street and meet up with a couple of deer. My Mother gets very mad them - they eat her roses. They seem to get more and more brave as the years go by. I think if I had a big garden I would hate them more but they have left my raspberries alone - so far. So for now they can stay.
But this week - we have a new arrival on our block. Now you have to realize that I live a mile from the nearest mountain. Between me and that mountain is a highway. A very busy highway. Any forest creature must cross that highway along with other very busy roads to get to my block.
One very ugly moose. He or she - I think she - arrived on Sunday, while I was at church. She hung around for a couple of days and left for a day and then came back tonight. For those of you who know - that is Dad's house in the background.
This picture is taken with me standing in Dad's back yard. I was very careful not to startle her and the fence was between me and her.
I tried to get rid of the creepy eye but it didn't work. But this is the view I had tonight while I made dinner. Looked out Mom's kitchen window and watch this moose eat on the evergreen. Mom and Dad like looking at this moose but Dad hates the presents she leaves. We have called animal control but they won't do anything as long as the moose is just walking around.
So for now - I thought I lived in THE CITY - but now I'm not sure.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)