thank you!

 I am very thankful for you all, and your prayers!  I am heading to Delaware this Friday to spend the weekend with Ab, we have big plans to do nothing but relax.  

This fine morning, I decided to clean the nice Weber grill I bought from Marketplace in the spring.  The grates and the metal tent things that go over the propane lines, I washed in the sink.  (It was a very messy job!).  Then I put a huge bowl lined with a trash bag on the shelf under and scraped all the debris down the center hole into there.  It was also a messy job.  Then Dawn Power Wash, some scrubbing with a big bowl of hot water, and it's much better.  I wiped it down on the outside, shined it all up, and it won't get that bad again. ha.

I've been sticking to my vow to bring at least a bag to donate every time Cam has class and we drive to the small city.  (ha, she's only been to two classes, but that's four bags out of the house!). Today, I have three.  Clothes I never wore this summer, and a whole bag of towels and dishcloths.  (I think the thrift stores can donate the cloth and get money for it...).  

I straightened shelves in the laundry room, did a load of random items, and vacuumed the living room.  I am sitting here in my comfy chair for a few minutes before I have to go get dressed and leave for Cam's class.  I will go to Aldi, I think.  Cam and I made a little meal plan, which includes that heavenly peanut chicken and her curry chicken.  

Yesterday, I puttered around and made a double batch of brownies.  Kathryn and Darius came over with Achilles, Rhys, Jamison, and Ellis.  (Ellis is just adorable, he's 18 months, he walks around and loves pushing a toy shopping cart or doll stroller, he comes over to me to sit with me, and grabs his nose, because he knows I ask him where it is.  He cuddles and endures a few songs and some this little piggy, then he scrambles down and gets busy again.  

Sam and Grace came with Grant, Ruth, Maeve, and baby Samantha, who is scooting all over on her tummy.  She isn't quite crawling yet, but she gets where she wants to.  

Mariel came over too, she brought a big bowl of fresh cut fruit.  I grilled burgers, hot sausage, and hot dogs, and put two big pans of fries in the oven.  Have I ever mentioned how thankful I am for paper plates?  Not the traditional white soggy ones, the better ones, which somehow I always have.  

Ah well.  I need to move it move it.  It's non negotiable to get out the door on time, she has to be on time for anatomy and physiology.  So off I go.  And again, thank you for all the love and good thoughts and prayers for Abigail and Derek and baby girl....(I see Ab sitting there rubbing her tummy as baby kicks and somersaults, and my soul!  I plead with God.  Deep in my heart, I know that He causes all things to work together for our good, and sends things for our very best, and that is comforting....). You all have a really good day, enjoy it and do all the good you can!

promises, promises...and some challenging things...

You know, I am working on getting pictures back on the blog.  Well, every time I sit down and write, I think, oh yeah, I need to ask Margaret how to get photos on here again!  I have googled and asked AI, but have gotten lost in the process of trying.  So you'll just have to bear with the writing, and use your imagination!

This fine day, this wonderful day, I had no plans.  The girls were gone for most of the day, and Paul was busy installing a new water softener.  Our water was shut off for a while, so I decided to stay out of the kitchen, I mean, who wants to bake when there's no water?  

I washed some windows and cleaned up the deck.  I bagged up some clothes I never wore this summer, to donate.  My rule:  at the end of the season, if I haven't worn something, it goes.  But sometimes, if I really like it, I'll give it a second chance.  :). I have so many clothes, but never ever anything to wear.  harrumph.

I vacuumed the floors and sorted various things, put autumn-y covers on the counter stool cushions.  Then Sonja and Oscar came over with Kaia.  Oscar had school work to do, as did Char and Cam when they came home.  Kaia likes wandering around and seeing if she can spill my seltzer or escape to the deck.  Orange Guy jumped on her, begging for food I think, because she was near the closet...he gave her a few scratches, and I was so mad at him.  (they weren't bleeding, and he wasn't attacking, he was just trying to get her attention, not realizing she is just one year old and isn't going to open the closet and scoop out cat food).  

Paul was going to make some smash burgers, and didn't have any cheese slices, so I drove to town in his new truck and got some, along with some burger buns.  Paul browns them up on the Blackstone, mmm, but I skipped one this time, have to watch those carbs.  Because, after dinner we went to get ice cream!

Our regular place was closed, so we drove to the new Byrne Dairy, and wow were we disappointed!  The ice creams were TINY!  They looked like little baby cones!  It was good, and I actually think it was enough for me, but still.  We won't be doing that again.  We did have fun though, with our two girls still at home in the back seat.  I think both Paul and I know that these little outings are numbered, with the girls being almost 19, and 20.  

The weather is absolutely glorious!  It's 58 degrees tonight, with sunny skies and 75 degrees forecast for tomorrow.  Beautiful sleeping weather!  It would be a wonderful night for a fire in the propane fire pit on the deck tonight, but alas, the girls are doing school work...

So there is a challenging situation I've been wanting to write about, but as with all trials my grown children experience, I'm not always sure what's my story to tell.  But here it is.  Abigail (our second oldest) and Derek are having their first baby this month, which is a joy and blessing.   Baby girl has some issues though.  She has skeletal dysplasia, which means her bones are not growing properly.  The concern is that her ribs are very small, making it hard for the lungs to develop.  It isn't clear if she has enough lung growth to breath on her own or survive outside the womb.  She is coming to join us in this world in a few weeks, and I plan to be there in Delaware, when she's born.  

We're not sure what to expect, but the God of miracles does have us in His hands, and not a sparrow falls without Him knowing.  I am praying for that baby girl to be born and be able to breathe.  But I don't know the big picture, and God does.  I pray for clarity for Ab and Derek, that they have wisdom and peace about whatever decisions they have to make.  I pray for strength for us to be able to bear whatever comes with this birth.  

I'll be heading down to Delaware this coming weekend to spend time with Abigail, then the next weekend for her baby shower, then I'll stay there until the birth.  Keep them in your prayers, please.  

I'll end here for tonight...you all have a good night.  :)

birthdays and boys and noise, oh my!

Well, we had a par-tay here yesterday!  Tennyson turned six years old.  He had 2 siblings, 8 cousins and four friends here, and it was wild.  The boys did go outside (water balloons!) (the woods!) (the swingset!) intermittently, but when they were in here, the volume was...what?  I cannot hear you?!  The little girls were loud too, but they had princess dresses on.  There weren't enough princess shoes though, so there were some fights.  

Margaret made the cake and cupcakes, and brought the decorations. I made pulled pork, peeled potatoes, and made mashies, as T. wanted them with his corndogs and fries.  The airfryer was humming as I made mini corn dogs, regular ones, fries, and chicken tenders.  Margaret decorated and set out plates, got out chips and dips and veggies, ect.  They ate, they watched as Tenny ripped open the gifts, so excited!  They had cake, and they ran around.

It was over too soon, and tired mamas herded tired children who did NOT want to leave, out the door.  Grandma here was sad when it was over, but, phew, the comfy chair with the feet up, yes mam.

It did take the better part of today to bring order back to the house, but I did do lots of laundry too.  There were still some camping blankets, and a pipe leak in the bathroom caused a load of towels.  (it's fixed, Paul is good at that!)

The crock pot soaked overnight, and is now all clean, the sink is empty, the floors cleaned and mopped.  I am leaving in a few minutes to go with Mariel to watch Boo Boo, which is what we have taken to call Miss Kaia Jean.  

I finished my book today too, The Daughters of Mars...it was heavy stuff, not a fluff book.  

The sun is shining but I have not been outside except for to hang up a comforter and bring in some dry stuff.  I have to bring Mr. Winnie out before I go with Mariel, he's a huge-0 Labrador, but very gentle (unless he finds a corn dog in the wrapping paper bag, don't try to take it from him!)

Ah well, have a really nice Saturday evening!

 

oooh stormy weather!

I love a dark and stormy day.  When the rain clears up and the sun comes out, ugh, no, go away!  This fine morning, it started to storm during our swim class.  The lightening bolts, the thunder, it got really dark out.  It was absolutely downpouring when I got out of the locker room, no cats or dogs, but yeah.

I got soaked.  No rain coat, or umbrella, I waited until it calmed a little, then just walked to my car.  I cannot run, nor gallop, but I did walk a bit briskly, for me.  

Home...ahh, home.  Oscar was here with little Kaia Jean.  She was here from around ten until 4:30, with no nap!  She didn't want to go to sleep, but she wasn't even fussy, she did well!  Oscar went to his class, Sonja was at work.  Kathryn came over with her kids, and we had a fun busy day.  I made some scrambled eggs and fed them to Kaia and Ellis, Jamie just wanted the sausages.  

This evening, I am tired enough. I don't know how I used to do it.  The kids are wonderful, and I enjoy the heck out of them, but the worn out grandparent idea is a real thing.  :). Dinner:  I made some taco meat, opened some black olives, and called it taco salad.  (We do have some wonderful thin tortilla chips...mmm).  

Another storm is coming through, with a tornado watch.  The thunder is booming in the distance, and Winnie doesn't like it.  (Suzanne and Zech are going on vacay, so we have their black Lab for a five day sleepover.  He is a bit nervous, probably the storm).

And, now it is Thursday, and I'm getting used to September.  Sometimes months blur by, and by the time I'm like oh, I love August!, it's over!  

I have some small goals.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Cam and I set out for the small city for her college classes, so I want to drop off at least one bag at the thrift store each time.  Today I have my eye on sorting through some toys...you know, all those little bits and pieces and things no one plays with...

Ah well...I need to vacuum in here this fine morning too, with an additional Labrador, you can well imagine the doggy fur that floats underfoot....:). Have a good day!

settling in at home...

...after my shopping trip with Miss Kaia Jean and her mama.  We went to Hobby Lobby, which was really fun, because Sonja actually likes going there, so we didn't have to hurry through.  Although, one-year-olds are rather ticking time bombs. Kaia did NOT like the Christmas trees!  We thought she would, but she seemed scared of them!  She did like the stuffed animals, so her mama got her one.  

I bought a few little autumn espresso mugs, and some candles for Tennyson's birthday, we're having a party here for him on Friday.  We went to Target, I didn't get much...some half priced teriyaki steak for a stir fry (it was really good, I added frozen peppers and onions, then made some cauliflower stir fried rice).  (Camille made homemade tomato soup:  she roasted the tomatoes with garlic and onions, put it all in the food processor, added heavy cream, simmered....it was SO good!).

I've been plugging away at the bedding from the camper.  I took a few blankets from a bag and it left a pile of sand on the floor!  So I vacuumed the living room and the kitchen.  Exciting stuff, eh?

Here it is September 1st, and autumn is invading my house!  I lugged up bags, Cam carried up a few bins, and I sorted through all the fall decor, and have two big bags to donate.  Less is more, right?  Wow, writing this down makes it seem so easy...but it's taken half the day.  I had to put the throw pillows in the dryer with softener sheets to get the dust out, and wash all the throw blankets and seasonal hand towels.  I put flowers in vases, and of course had to pack away all the pretty pink summery stuff...wah.  I just remembered as I typed this that there is another whole box down there I forgot to bring up...oops.  

Anyway.  Camille started year two of college, she drove to class, then I went to Marshall's, after getting an Americano with one pump of pumpkin spice.  I found one sweet thing for baby Bridget, some shampoo and conditioner for me, one package of yummy looking cookies, and some body spray for the girls.  I picked up Cam, we dropped off two huge bags to the thrift store, then "ran" into Aldi.  One package of Waygu beef for 50% off, a basket that fits nicely under the table I redid, one of those little cinnamon brooms (they smell so good, only $1.99 at Aldi!), one big package of Oreos for one grandson who is having a birthday soon, one Roma tomato for the pizza Cam is making tonight (18 cents), and a package of arugula.

Tomorrow Miss Kaia Jean will be here for a few hours as her mama will be at work, and daddy is starting college.  I think Kathryn might come visit with Achilles, Rhys, Jamie, and Ellis.  I do not have time to get bored, do I?

You all have a really nice evening...:) 

here I am again...back from the beach!

 Oh, it's hard to wake up on the last day of camping and know you have to move it and pack it all up to go home.  If it were up to me, we would take it more leisurely, but Mr. Paul, well, he likes to get on home.  It didn't help that yesterday morning it was spitting rain, threatening a downpour.  We had Wulf and Tennyson in our camper with us (their mama and daddy were in their tent with little Blythe).   

I like to wake up on a camping morning, and have my coffee in bed, if Paul makes me one, and he always will.  My camping bed:  I have the whole foam mattress pad folded in half on my side because he doesn't like a squishy bed.  I bring nice crisp white sheets, and a duvet with a wonderful cotton cover.  Even if I get out of bed and have my coffee, I do enjoy it way more than anyplace else.  This campsite we had was right on the water, right in view of Lake America:).   

Being able to slip on the swimsuit and walk over for a swim anytime:  luxury.  I am SO thankful for state parks!  It's so affordable, so glad the land was sold to the state, it was set aside for regular people to enjoy.  We like to drive around and gawk at the rich people's houses and camps, in Henderson Harbor, for example.  Even forty or fifty years ago, regular people could have a camp there, but the taxes!  Around the Finger Lakes it's the same thing...rich people buy it all up.  So yay for the state parks!  (and don't get me started on the town boards across the country making it illegal for people to Airbnb their properties, trying to keep the riff raff out!  For some of us, it's a way to experience and area we wouldn't otherwise be able to!). Anyway.

I'm reading a book, The Daughters of Mars, by Thomas Keneally (he wrote Schindler's List), about Australian sisters in World War One, who were nurses...Emily read it first and let me borrow it, there's nothing like reading a good book and having someone to talk to about it.  So when we had rainy weather camping, I couldn't be happier, sitting on my comfy bed with my book.

Now we're home, the washing machine is humming.  All of our bedding is in from the camper for the season, taking turns going through.  Then a certain yellow Lab decided to nap on our bed while I was at the pool this morning, and she piddled!  So my big nice comforter and sheets:  into the washing machine, it got ahead of the other loads, skipped the line.  The bedroom door is closed now, bad doggie.  :)

The pool was wonderful.  We're scrambling now for a class leader, now that Rich is gone.  Three of us are going to take turns, and I don't want a turn, but no one else wants to do it.  I know I'll get yakking and lose track, so I'll have to issue a disclaimer, and ask for help to keep on track.  As long as we're moving, it's all good, but it is nice to do all the different exercises.  

Camille and I looked at house plans last evening...trying to plan our little in-law house, if it actually happens.  The thought of selling this huge place pains me, it's home, and I've had so many dreams through the years of moving away, and missing this house.  I do feel comfortable and at home in Emily's house, so I think living in their back yard will be warm and homey, but it'll still be hard.  

It's cool and rainy today, very cozy and seriously autumn-like, it was only 67 when I got in my car after the pool.  Of course I didn't bring a rain coat, and got soaked, turned the heat on!  

My plan is to get the house cleaned out little by little.  Then, whatever we decide to do, at least that will be done.  It's easier to plan than to actually do, but I saw a video of someone doing a clean out, and they used dark trash bags for donations, and light ones for garbage, I thought that was a great idea.  

We have SO many books in this house.  I grew up with:  books are sacred, to be revered, and treated with respect.  I have come to understand that we do not have to own all the books.  There are libraries.  I will ask the kids to come and take whatever books they want, as they are the ones who owned most of them, but the rest will be donated to the thrift stores.  Children's books are different, it's nice to have a lot of really good ones.  

I am more of a buyer than a seller, on Marketplace, so ha, I have too much stuff.  It's not like hoarding or anything, but there are a lot of toys that I've held on to because:  I love toys.  I got rid of all the Fisher Price Little People sets, but still have the Loving Family dollhouses and bins of dollhouse stuff.  We have Waffleblocks, and toy strollers and shopping carts, and Legos and Duplos and race car tracks and Barbie bins....ride ons and trucks and tractors...the toy kitchen and all the stuff with that...I will be going through it and downsizing it all. 

My plan for holiday decorations:  when I put the summer stuff away and bring out the autumn stuff, I'll get rid of some of it...then same with the autumn...Christmas stuff I need to be radical with, there is too much of it.  

Baby stuff:  I have an Emmaljunga carriage, an Emmaljunga double stroller, a high chair (which I'm always pushing, can't wrap my head around not using it when feeding a busy crawler or new toddler!), booster seats, walker, baby seat, plug in cradle bed, pack and play...it's all useful for when the grandkids need it, and I won't hurry to downsize those things, but there might come a time...

Less is more.  Too bad whenever I get rid of things, next thing I know I need them.  :)

Also too bad I like to go shopping.  

Today, for example, I was trying really hard to psyche myself out to clean out the laundry room.  I'm thinking to go room by room and get rid of stuff.  Well, good thing for me, saved by the bell, Sonja texted and asked if I want to do anything.  Yes, I'll do anything!  :). 

I love organization, I adore it, admire it, long for it.  I clean things out and love it, but I can't seem to keep it organized.  Good thing I never give up trying, I will always vow it's gonna stay nice like this forever!  If it weren't for that very likely false optimism, what kind of gosh-forsaken heck hole (Marge Simpson) would I be living in?  

So my washer and dryer are humming, the sink is cleared of dishes, I have puttered and here I am in my chair, waiting to decide what to do with Sonja and little Miss Kaia....you all have a good day! 

ah well, words are pictures too...

 This fine morning, I went to the pool.  I like to get there nice and early, and walk backwards in neck deep water, then forwards, do leg kicks, warm up, get the blood flowing, it's wonderful.  It is not wonderful that Rich is no longer there.  It's a vast emptiness.  

After our swim class, some of us went out to breakfast at the little place in town.  None of us has ever had anything there we didn't love.  Today, I had scrambled eggs and crispy hash browns, and raisin toast.  They make their own bread, so how can you say no toast, please. ?  You can't.  The coffee is delicious, and part of that diner experience, to have it topped off again and again, ahh.  

On our agenda was to talk about Rich.  I told the story of the girl named after him, the baby he delivered at the county fair, and met up with at work a few decades later, she was named Richelle...I thought it was Richalene, but it was Richelle.  Small world.  Others shared jokes he told and we agreed that although he was gruff sometimes, when he laughed heartily, it was fantastic.  One of the ladies told me that he said to her a few times that I reminded him of Laura in the Little House on The Prairie show.  Okay, but typical.  He also told me not long ago that I looked like a marshmallow, but not a big white one, a toasty one.  Because of my tan.  (Just to be clear, he was much older, and like a kindly father figure, a grandfatherly guy.)

Sitting around drinking our coffee and confessing our guilt was therapeutic.  Oh you know the guilt I speak of:  each of us had some examples of things we should have noticed, or did notice, or a text we didn't answer.  We talked about having someone, a person, to confide in so as to not bear burdens alone.  

We laughed and we teared up, and it was good.

After saying our goodbyes, I headed out to do my camping shopping.  I stopped at the thrift store first, because it's been a while.  I dawdled and meandered, and came up with an adorable $4.99 shirt for me that had the right colored ticket to be half off, two books for me (one is by Anne Tyler, love her!), a baby animals book, and five vintage Corelle Christmas plates with winter sleigh scenes, 99 cents each.  I know, I know, we need to downsize, not buy more plates.  But, if you go by the toss if it doesn't bring you joy philosophy, shouldn't you buy if it DOES bring you joy?

I should have packing for camping just down pat by now.  When something is just habit, it's easy to mess up because maybe you're not thinking very hard about it anymore.  Having a camper makes it so much easier, there are already plates and forks and pans, the coffee grinder (even with no electricity, we freshly grind our coffee each morning!  We can plug it into the truck, or turn on the generator.), mugs and garbage bags, paper towels, all the fun stuff in there.  The refrigerator is plugged in (it switches to propane) and when I got back from the store, I just loaded it up.  Sausages and eggs, cheese, grapes, strawberries, chicken, protein bread, cream.  

It is a game changer, having a camper.  I left my bedding in there this summer, extra stuff.  But I washed the sheets and my duvet cover, have to bring them back out tomorrow before we leave.  

After this final camping trip for the year, we will have to bring everything in.  I'll leave dishes and coffee mugs, but no bedding or food of course.  

I don't bring the Macbook camping, and now it's Tuesday morning and we're packing up in a few hours.  I have several loads of stuff to carry out still, and Paul is working right now (his real job), and I missed the girls before they left for work, they would have taken some out for me.  The way our house is designed, there are stairs.  A full staircase from the deck, or half a flight out the front door, but then down the sidewalk so a longer lug.  (What WERE we thinking?!)

Speaking of that, we do have some downsizing plans.  We have not done anything towards those yet, but we do have the idea to sell this huge monstrosity of a house and build a granny suite behind Emily's house.  My idea:  a huge-0 rectangle, as big as we can afford, with two small bedrooms, two small full baths, some storage, and one big all purpose room (kitchen/living room), for gathering.  We hope to expand their driveway, and they have a nice big yard....so hopefully a pool.  We'll see.  

Anyway.  I'll be off frolicking in the lake, throwing the stick for Sunny.  It's when I miss Suri the most, because they had this thing they did...they would both chase that stick out into the water, Suri would slow down and let Sunny do the work, then when Sunny was coming back in with it, Suri would chomp down on it too, and they would both swim back with the stick.  

I'll be getting that wonderful camping sleep, not actually comfortable, but just so satisfying.  Waking up and having that stove right in the camper to put the coffee water kettle on, sometimes Paul gets up and makes me a coffee and I drink it right in bed...the beds are the tent ends that stick out on both sides, you can unzip them totally and get lots of fresh air, unless it's raining.  But there are windows you can open in the rain and still stay dry.  We are right on the lake, so it will be lovely.  It can be windy sometimes, but it's worth it.  

One thing worth mentioning:  I am SUPER thankful for my mobility, wonky as it is.  Walking out into the lake ahhh, it's something I pictured myself not being able to do, back when I could not take one step without the walker then the cane.  I couldn't remember, back in the dead of winter, whether our camper had the little handle next to the door so I could somehow heave myself up the steps, (it was covered, so I couldn't even have someone check)(it does!)...as I looked forward to warmer weather, I didn't know if I would be able to function on a camping trip, and look at me, I can!  It's the best feeling, and I can't stop being thankful for it.  

Being up at the lake is full of nostalgia for me, my parents loved Lake Ontario.  We camped there when I was growing up, then they bought a camp just ten or so miles south of where we'll be.  My sister also loved this lake, last year she actually made it up there for a visit, which I treasure in my memory.  The best camping trip ever was when she went with her seven girls and I went with my first ten kids and one niece, without Bill or Paul because they had to work.  A whole week!  I miss her terribly.  

So I won't take my time there for granted.  I'll look up at the stars, illuminated without the glare of city lights, and I'll remember my father telling us about the endless galaxies.  By the fire, I'll remember my mother and her absolute joy at a building a good fire.  

My brother and his wife will be up there this week too.  And, Benjamin and Ashley with Anya, Elise and Declan.  Margaret and Adrian will be up for the weekend with Wulf, Tenny, and Blythe, and Kathryn will bring her four up on Saturday too.  Molly might come on Friday with Lydia, Ophelia, and Declan.  I never said it would be quiet, ha.  

You all have a good week, enjoy the summer days...

well...wow I have a lot of kids!

 Last evening, ten of my daughters and two of my daughter-in-laws, and I were at Emily and Mariel's house for a therapy session/hilarious evening.  We did talk about the three girls' recent hospitalizations, and we thanked God for hearing our prayers for healing!  We had homemade corn salsa (Mariel), fresh cut fruit, bruschetta (Emily), and a wonderful freshly made peach cobbler dish from the peaches from Ashley's yard, with vanilla ice cream.  (I brought Hershey's assorted chocolate nuggets, and Lindt truffles)

This fine morning, I got up and got busy.  Just kidding, I sat in my comfy chair and had coffee and read blogs.  Sam and Grace came over with Grant, Ruth, Maeve, and Samantha.  Kathryn, Darius, Achilles, Rhys, Jamie, and Ellis came.  Molly came with Lydia, Ophelia, and Denzel.  Emily came, Mariel too.  Jonathan and Rosi came with baby Emily, and Evelyn and Nate with little newborn Bridget.  Sonja stopped in, and brought Char and Cam to see The Odyssey.  

It was Grand Central Station in here, and I loved it.  I held babies and I hugged grandchildren.  I gave Lydia her birthday presents, and Denzel his.  Emily grilled hot dogs and sausages.  

Tomorrow after swim, there is a brekky with classmates, then I'll go to the store for camping supplies, as we are leaving on Tuesday.  I am tired enough tonight, but oh what a wonderful day!!!

ah the weekend!

 Well, no pictures tonight...but life goes on.  Yesterday, Miss Suzanne was here for the day.  We went to Target with Sonja K. and baby Boo, little Kaia Jean.  We found ribeye steaks for 50% off, and I did get five of them.  I grilled burgers, hot sausages, hot dogs, and made some onion rings in the air fryer.  Evelyn and Nate were here, along with Sonja and Oscar and Suzanne.  We went to the ice cream place after dinner...:)

This fine morning, I got up and went to the pool...early, as per usual.  But this time Rich wasn't there early, wasn't there at all, and it was glaringly sad that he was missing.  There hasn't been anything announced about any services, so the pool class is going to brekky on Monday and we're having our own little remembrance.  

When I got home, Evelyn and Nate and baby Bridget were ready to go to Costco.  Oh, we had fun.  I got Hershey's nuggets, a big bag of whole bean Lavazza coffee ($11.99 for over two pounds!), chicken nuggets, a Land's End shirt for $4.97.  I got spring mix, so we could have a nice salad with tonight's dinner...which was grilled ribeye.  Nate grilled.  Sonja made Mac and cheese.  There was a birthday cake for Miss Kaia, and also for Evelyn, who turned 27 today!

Kathryn came over today, it was so nice to see her, and the kids.  Rhys sat with me and told me a story...Ellis is always up for some hugs and rocking with grandma...even Achilles sat on the arm of my chair and cuddled a little.  They had some raspberries and Oreos, and played with lots of toys.  

Tomorrow night we're having a therapy session...all the girls in our family, and some daughter-in-laws...to talk about and cope with the three girls' hospital stays a few weeks ago.  It's really a grand excuse to get together, and we will probably sing to Evelyn.  Em and Mariel are making food, and I'm bringing my popcorn, butter, coconut oil...there is nothing like stove popped popcorn.  

Summer is slipping away...our pool never did get fixed, yet here I am alive and well.  I do not like it, not one little bit.  But, we are going camping again next week, so who am I to complain?  

One of these days I'll try to fix the "no pictures" glitch, but for now...try to imagine how sweet newborn Bridget is, how cute Jamie is with his summer tan and blonde hair, and little Kaia smushing cake all over the high chair tray, then playing with her new birthday drums....

You all have a good night!

running around...

 

Emily went to Delaware and visited with Abigail...Ab is due next month...(they are my two oldest "children" :))

Nate and Evelyn visited us when we were camping, with baby Bridget

And, that's all the pictures blogger will let me post today...no idea why.  

This fine morning, I had to skip the swim class and take Miss Cam to an appointment.  We then went to Aldi, since we were in town, then visited baby Bridget...oh, and her parents:).  We had to stop at the lab for Cam to get her bloodwork done, and we did so with our pumpkin spice iced coffees...mine had only one pump, so it wasn't very sugary, but oh so good.  

I stopped to visit Miss Kathryn for a few minutes, got a big hug from Rhys, and listened to some interesting facts about Morray lizards?  shh, I wasn't totally listening...oops, from Achilles.  

Home...ahh, home.  I cleaned the guestroom, washed some bedding, vacuumed, and here I sit.  

I'm doing okay, but I am partly tortured.  When someone you care about takes their life (and I'm sorry if anyone considers this something that shouldn't be talked about!), it hurts so many people.  We wonder what we missed.  We think of the texts we skimmed over and didn't reply to.  It breaks my heart.  I am asking, oh no, were you so lonely and we didn't realize?  Felt hopeless?  Overwhelmed?    I just want to go back in time, to last week, and intervene.  To be fair, one of the guys in class did ask him that day if he was all right, because he sensed he was off, but he of course was fine.  

I will truly miss Rich.  He was quite a bit older, and was a veteran, a courier in the Army, and had so many stories of his adventures.  He had a 76 MonteCarlo, and so did I...(I think that was the year I had...my mother in law surprised me with it for my birthday in 1989...just parked it in my driveway all covered with bows and ribbons.).   He took over running the class when his second wife passed away, the first died of cancer too.  So he had really been through it.  He was an EMT in his younger years and sometimes he told of the things he had attended to, one would have nightmares.  He had happy experiences too, once he delivered a baby on a call, and then years later at the cutlery plant he was working at, met a young lady named Richaline..sure enough, he had delivered her and her mama had named her after the nice EMT:)

For some years now, swim class and going out to brekky once a month, you get to know someone.  Maybe you just chat and catch up, and take that person for granted.  How are you to know that it will come to a sudden and screeching halt, so tragically and sad?

It is a lot to process.  

Anyway.  I have things to do, why does my chair have to be so comfy?  I love summertime.  Today the windows are open (the AC is off), and the curtains billow a bit in the breeze, and I have bare feet.   It's quiet in here, the girls are at work, and Paul is working.  Suzanne is coming over tomorrow, and Evelyn and Nate and baby Bridget are coming over later in the afternoon.  (I'm thinking beach?).  We are very lucky to live half hour from a nice sandy Lake Ontario beach...

Ah well...you all enjoy this summertime afternoon!  

being the babysitting grandma...

 This fine morning, I headed out the door to the small city on the lake, to pick up three little children.  Wulf, Tennyson, and Blythe were excited to ride in Grandpa's truck, even with Grandma driving, ha.  We stopped at the grocery store, and let them pick out a donut, some chips, a watermelon, some sweet corn on the cob, and cheesy popcorn.  

They have kept me hopping.  The boys are playing a game on the tablet right now, Blythe is playing with the Aldi cash register.  She played with the wonderful antique dollhouse, with play dough, the dolls and strollers, and outside for a bit running around and on the swing.  She played in the cars on the deck, and we played doctor...she took my blood pressure like a pro.  The boys played in the woods, but not for long, there are scratchy thorns, according to Tennyson.  

Wulf lit some candles, he said his mom lets him, and I have heard that one before, but I let him.  He opened two cans of seltzer at the same time, and chugged some out of each.  They brought stools over to the refrigerator and searched on top for treasures.  Ten scored a baggie of Pez candy refills, Wulf found some Lindt chocolate truffles.  They found old iPhones in the drawer and Grandpa said they could have them.  They are charging right now, they probably cannot access them, who knows who they belonged to and what the passwords were?

They had hot dogs for lunch, except for the one Sunny jumped up and stole from the counter while Blythe was otherwise occupied.  She didn't really want any more, to be fair.  

I managed to vacuum a little bit around the toys, but it looks a teeny bit like a small bomb went off in here, and I've scurried around more than my usual.  

The boys like to wrestle, Grandma is too old for that...someone will get hurt!  

We are having company for dinner tonight, my brother-in-law.  The chicken breast is marinating in lime juice and seasonings, I'll grill it, the slice it up...corn tortillas, white onions, and cilantro...fresh salsa...then sweet corn and watermelon, mmm.  

Tomorrow morning, I have to bring Miss Camille to a dr. appointment, so I'll miss swim class, drats.  

This weekend...Evelyn and Nate will be coming over, as their car will be serviced at the mechanic down the road...we will have a little happy birthday for Miss Kaia Jean, who is turning one year old!  We're having a therapy gathering for all the girls in the fam at Emily's house on Saturday, to talk about all the trauma of the hospital stays...(we've been wanting to get together for a while, this is a good excuse!)

I think we're having people over here on Sunday...so it'll be busy.  Then Tuesday, off we go camping again, this time to the eastern shore of Lake Ontario for five nights.  We'll be joined by Marge, Wulf, Tennyson, and Blythe...and Ben and Ashley and family will have a site too.  Blythe's third birthday will be celebrated there!  

We actually have nine birthdays in August.  Maeve turned 3, Sam, Ruth turned 5, Evelyn's is Friday, Lydia will be 11 on the 24th, Kaia on the 27th, Blythe the 28th, Denzel will be 3 on the 30th....(and baby Bridget was born on the first!)

(I'm glad I wrote this post, I see I have a birthday gift to get, phew!  Actually two!)

Ah well....kids need some attention, Blythe has had two packs of fruit snacks now...oops.  Have a good afternoon!

just so sad...

 ...before I tell you all about our nice camping vacation, there is some really sad news, and no nice way to put it:  my swim class instructor has passed away.  If you remember my saying, his wife passed on, back in January of '25, she had just been diagnosed with cancer the previous autumn. 

When his wife Joan was the instructor of the shallow water part, he lead the deep water aerobic part.  They were a busy couple, always going to church luncheons and sporting events and family gatherings.  When she passed away, he seemed to stop going to church things and family things...the pool was his main social event.  I did not detect any red flags in his behavior recently, I saw him on Wednesday at swim, before I left for camping, he seemed okay. He had some things weighing him down, but I had no clue he was struggling so much.  No clue.  

As with all stories, the details aren't really ours to tell, but it was shocking and tragic.  Another pool member was worried when he didn't show up for class on Friday...I was camping and didn't have any idea...he wasn't answering texts or phone calls, so G. went to his house to check on him...no answer...he went back later, and went into the house, and found him.  

We had a sad and crying class today.  I just want to say this:  check on people.  Ask them if they're okay.  Have a person, a person that you can talk to.  There are people who care about you, who would help you.  The ones you leave behind are bewildered and hurt and angry, we would have stepped up, we didn't know.  Is that valid?  Should we have just known?  It's so hard.  

We did have a wonderful time camping, and I still can't put pictures up, but I will fix it one of these days.  We had some cozy camper time in the rain (the best was when Suze got there with her huge Lab Winston, after a four hour drive she had to walk him around in the pouring rain, but then came in and joined us...Mariel, Char, Cam, granddaughter Elise and Anya...we had the lantern on, and had snacks and coffee and cold drinks...it was so cozy and fun).  We had some sunshine and some swimming, and some sweatpants and sweatshirt weather.  Our campfires were full of stories and laughing and marshmallows.  We had meals together, and Camille made the best pancakes:  blueberry, and M&M...the dogs were all good.  Nate and Evelyn visited with newborn baby Bridget, and their Newton the Frenchie was good too.  

I slept pretty good, it's not the best Princess and the Pea bed in the camper, but I sleep so well after being outside all day.  It's just so cozy.  Suzanne and Zech stayed in the camper with us for the weekend, it was so much fun.  (Char and Cam tented with Mariel).  The Adirondacks: oh so beautiful.  The lake surrounded by pine trees, being in the woods, the fresh air...ahhh.  There were barely any mosquitos, either.  

It was relaxing, and it went by too fast.  We got home yesterday, and the girls were super helpful getting the camper unpacked.  I've done several loads of laundry, almost caught up.  They wanted to go to Target, so off we went...I got some baby things for Abigail and Derek's baby, who will be joining the world in September, and a new sweatshirt for me, marked down to $10.50.  

We went to Aldi and got some food for the week.  The girls made a tentative meal plan, it's nice when they go with me.  

I came straight home after the pool today, and am sort of working on cleaning around here...I'm kind of in shock about Rich...when he wasn't there this morning, well, he's NEVER not there.  It's hard to come to terms with, such a sad sad thing.  He was a good man, a good friend, and it's going to be tough.  

You all have a good summer afternoon, and hug your dear ones...

and off we go!

 Ahh, the Adirondacks!  But, Paul cannot fit his kayak in, wah.  The camper is hitched up, the fridge hopefully working (we brought a big cooler to transfer things if it stops), all the cold stuff packed in there...the freezer is teeny tiny, with two bags of ice, some burgers, and that's it!  I figured the brekky sausage could be in the fridge, as long as we eat it in the next few days.  

I feel like Mrs. Potato Head in the Toy Story movie when the Mr. was going on an adventure, and she kept packing more things into his back...the longer it takes us to get out the door, the more things I think of that we could use.  Oh yeah, some acetaminophen!  The small cooler!  The big stainless steel bowl!  Some snacks for the ride!  Get me outta here!

I did go for a nice workout/swim this morning, so glad I fit it in....  it's wonderful.  You all have a really nice day, and a good weekend!

something sad...

 Last night, I had a dream that was so real, it was almost really real.  I had things to tell my sister, so I brought the phone into my room, sat on my bed, and called her.  She listened and she talked and we laughed and had a good old time, then I remembered....it was like a sock right in the stomach...and I said, but you're dead!  Then the line went silent...she was gone again.  It seemed so real.  In the dream, I told my kids that I had talked to Cheryl!  I told her girls, too.  They all thought I was crazy.

I miss her so much.  

This fine day, I woke up with the thought:  I have to pack for camping!  I had to make my shopping list, the meal plans are done, but I needed to go to the store.  I had my dentist appointment, and thought I'd go afterwards.  Then Kathryn texted about something she had to do in the same city, and I could help her with the kids, so we decided to add in a trip to a play-space.  

Ellis pushed a shopping cart, he's so good natured and happy.  Achilles was happy too, romping around and playing and being silly.  Rhys and Jamie were put on the construction vests and helmets, then played in the truck, the grocery store, with the baby dolls in the play-house corner.  We were going to all go to the store afterwards, but they had enough fun and were falling apart, as children tend to do sometimes.  So Kathryn brought them home:)

I went to Walmart.  It was not exactly a nightmare, but it was a slightly bad dream.  They've been reorganizing it, putting up strange new walls and making it hard to find things.  I couldn't make heads or tails of it.  I bought:  one green plaid blanket, for fall and Christmas:  $7.  One really cool rattan vase, marked down to $6.  I bought pancake mix, gluten free pancake mix, and a bag of Jimmy Dean frozen sausage links.  I went to the self checkout line, and the lady behind me suggested I go up to the front-most register, there was no one there, did it work?  I scanned one item, it did work.  But.  There was something already scanned!  Butter Rum, it said...I looked into a cooler bag sitting there, and there was a big bag of Butter Rum Lifesavers!  What?!  Next thing I know, an angry man was asking what I was doing with his stuff!  He had to go back to the deli because his ham didn't have the proper sticker on it, and the worker had told him just to go....I didn't know that register was in the middle of a transaction!  He yelled at me!  I apologized, said I didn't realize.  I was very nice, he backed down and then ended up thanking me for being patient.  It was a whole ordeal though...

The dentist.  Raise your hand if you love going to the dentist!  Not I!  I don't hate it, but don't love it either.  Although shh, when the kids were little, I kind of liked sitting there getting a cleaning, with them all in the waiting room playing and watching each other, knowing that it was my break.  

Anyways, our family dentist has moved in with a group of dentists in a big huge old house of an office.  He actually did my cleaning today.  He remembered my tooth and it's history.  But, he suggested we wait, as the x-rays show it's not that bad inside.  We decided that if I need an antibiotic once or twice a year, we can wait to pull it, because he suspects a wisdom tooth behind it may be the culprit...I'm okay with waiting...I know if it bothers me I can go in and get it pulled pretty quickly.  I didn't have any cavities, so yay!

After that, I went to Aldi to get the food on my list.  Well, they didn't have ANY boneless chicken breast, and one of our meals is grilled chicken fajitas!  So.  I got what I could, then went over to BJ's.  Pepperoni, chicken, cream, Starbucks Cold Brew, and a bag of Reeses' Peanut Butter Pumpkins ALREADY!  

In Aldi though, there was a mom with a few kids, one a young teenaged girl...they were down the aisle from me when I heard yelling:  I TOLD you to get BEHIND me!!!  The poor girl!  Her face was beat red and she had a boo-boo lip, so embarrassed so I looked away quickly.  ugh.

Later, as I was putting my cart away, the lady was coming to put hers away too.  I said a prayer for her, and wanted to say something kind to her, here's what came out:  It sure is hot out here today...and I smiled big at her.  She did smile back.  What I wanted to do was give her a big hug and tell her she's doing all right, and to be patient with her kids...it's so hard to do sometimes!  

You can't just tell someone not to yell at their kids though, they might take it out on them more if they get embarrassed.  If they think their impatience is the fault of their children, they won't be hearing what you're saying anyway.  It does grieve me.  There is so much suffering in this world.

Ah well.  Home....I tried to put the cold things right into the camper refrigerator, but it wasn't working...Paul was fixing it though.  Being married to Mr. Fix-It is handy!  Cam helped me put things away in the camper and bring the rest of the stuff in the house.  I bought a bag of frozen Tyson chicken strips, and a cauliflower crust pizza for an easy dinner.  

Our camping meals besides the fajitas (and Jasmine rice) are BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, which Ben and Ashley are bringing, and hamburgers and hot dogs with salt potatoes.  We packed peanut butter and jam, and fresh Italian bread, and croissants, and the s'mores stuff, crackers, pepperoni and cheese, arugula (it's so good with lime juice and a splash of avocado oil and some craisins, cucumbers, maybe blueberries).  

I plan to get up and go to the pool, then come home, pack up, and leave for the Adirondacks.  

You all have a good day tomorrow, and a nice weekend...we will not have electricity so I won't be bringing the Macbook.  We will turn on the generator each day to charge our phones and grind our coffee beans...:). (I never said we were roughing it!)

all is quiet....

 ...phew.  What a week.  The girls are all home now.  Grace will have to take some time to recover, she has her sister with her to help with the kids, and of course Sam is great holding down the fort when he's not at work.  Evelyn went home from the hospital last night, same thing, will need some time to get her strength back.  Kathryn is doing better too.  

It takes a village, and when things get rough, it's amazing to see everyone pull together and help.  My pictures refuse to load, not sure why..

I don't know why I've been so sluggish to post on here, I think it's the tight wire of my blog/their business...I love them all so dearly, don't want to cross any lines!  

But.  I went to see Miss Evelyn yesterday, she's finally feeling more of her old self.  She has color in her cheeks and it was wonderful to see.  I am so proud of her, she's such a good mama to that tiny little baby...Nate though, he's been the real hero through all this, he was Mr. Mom for Bridget's night time shenanigans, and he did wonderfully.  

We got to see Grace for a few minutes yesterday too, she seems to be doing much better.  Say what you will about modern medicine, but I am super thankful to live in these times.  Most of our family would be dead and gone by now.  Seriously.  

This fine day, I shall pack for camping, as we leave tomorrow...then I have a dentist appointment, which I had to pre-medicate for, but I also had to go on an antibiotic for that awful molar issue...but I didn't want to start without the probiotic, and Amazon messed up and didn't get it here until yesterday...so I waited to start the meds...Amoxicillan really hurts my stomach, but I discovered when I take the Saccha-whatever Boulardi, it really helps.  

After the dentist, I'll get some camping food...we have meals planned with Ben and Ashley.  Suze and Zech are coming too, and Mariel...and Char and Cam.  I think we might get a visit from Nate and Evelyn, if she's feeling up to it...they were the ones who planned this, but oops, little Bridget decided to bless them with her presence.  Yesterday was her due date, and she is a whole ten days old now!  

I don't know why my pics aren't loading, it's a shame because I have some really good ones.  I was with Ev yesterday when Ben and Ashley came over with Anya, Elise, and Declan to meet the baby.  Those girls were in LOVE.  They wanted more turns with Bridget!  

Ah well....you all have a good day, and thank you SO much for the kind words, kind thoughts, and prayers!  We have much to be thankful for!  

oh my goodness what a week...

 Walking the line between what's my story to tell and infringing on privacy isn't always easy.  But we have had a challenging week here.  Last I told you, Grace was in the hospital, she was there until last evening.  Evelyn had a bad migraine, which turned the corner in a very bad way.  I was headed to Sam's house to celebrate Ruth turning five years old...poor girl, her mama in the hospital on her birthday!  (I stopped and got pink frosted cupcakes and donuts and raspberries and strawberries, bacon and eggs, frozen meatballs and sauce).  Anyway, Sam lives across the street from Evelyn, he called me and asked what was wrong with Evelyn, because there was a police car, firetruck, and ambulance at her house...I thought he was teasing me, they all know how I go from zero to totally freaked in no time flat.

Well, he wasn't kidding.  Evelyn went to the hospital and suffered several seizures.  They moved her to the ICU, and gave her meds to stop the seizures and lower the blood pressure, she had some other serious issues going on, and it was very scary.  Emily left work and came here to take care of newborn Bridget, I came back from Sam's and helped her...Suzanne and Zech came over because Suze was quite upset, and they wanted to help...turned out they were needed...half hour after they got here, Darius called and needed someone at his house so he bring Kathryn to the hospital...here's where I'll leave you in the dark, she likes her privacy, but Suze and Zech went over there immediately.  

Kathryn is most likely going to be okay.  She may be able to go home today, after two nights there, her baby is doing well (due in Oct/Nov). She's on the same floor as Evelyn, who was moved from the ICU last evening.  So we went and visited both of them.  Molly works at that hospital, so she came in too.  Mariel works at the cancer center right up in that area, so she was able to be up there when things were really scary.  Emily used to work with the dr. who took care of Evelyn, so that was helpful. 

Yesterday we had a full house here.  Nate had spent the night here taking care of Bridget, so he left to go see Evelyn, I had newborn...with Suze's help...then Darius brought Achilles, Rhys, Jamie, and Ellis over.  He went to spend some time with Kathryn.  Oscar and Sonja came over with little Kaia, the kids had tons of fun...Sonja played hide and seek, Oscar played Sorry!  Zech talked to Achilles for a good hour about Spongebob show plots.  

I wanted to make sure I gave the kids some dinner, because Mariel was picking them up and bringing them home...it was like one of my nightmares!  The box of corndogs I was thinking of giving them had only one in it.  I had no hot dogs, so I made boxed Mac and cheese, sliced up some chicken breast I had grilled that was still good, made corn tortillas (Suze did that), chopped onion and cilantro, made eight crunchy chicken drums in the air fryer...it was like when the kids were little....Kaia and Ellis were in the kitchen with me, toddling around...Sonja put Ellis in the high chair and fed both he and Kaia their dinner...Achilles didn't want any dinner, even if I make the same food as his mom, he said, it tastes different...I get it.  He was also anxious about his mom and wanted his dad to come back.  

So Suzanne and Zech and I headed up to the hospital with Bridget last evening, right as Mariel was picking up Kathryn's kids...(Paul held down the fort for a little while).  Evelyn was so happy to see her baby, although she couldn't hold her very well yet.  We left baby with Nate and went down the hall to see Kathryn.  Suze and Zech went down to the vending machines and got snacks and drinks for Kap and Eve and Nate before we loaded Bridget back into her car seat and brought her to spend the night with Aunt Emily....

My pictures aren't loading at all, not sure why...but I have things to do and places to go and a living room to vacuum...you all have a good day, and hug your dear ones....

oh you never know...

 Yesterday morning, I got up and went to the pool, then to the diner in town for brekky with the swim friends.  There were only a few of us, and the highlight was when one fellow actually spit out his milk in sudden laughter.  You couldn't fake it that well, it was perfect, yet it was spontaneous.  Charlie said something so hilarious, and he wasn't even meaning to be funny.  oh dear.  

In the mean time, Miss Evelyn was having a really rough time.  She had a headache that was getting worse and worse, so she wanted me to come help Nate with baby and with Newton the French Bull dog, while she went in for an appointment...well, she ended up going to the Emergency Room, for fluids and bloodwork, just to rule some things out.   I drove up there and took her to see her dr. afterward, it seems it was a really bad migraine.  

I did get to sit and hold one small Bridget, who made funny faces.  She smiled and raised her eyebrows in her sleep.  She wriggled and tooted and snuggled, she's like a little doll.  I think Evelyn is feeling a bit better.  (Nate is very patient and so good with baby!)

Then, because it's always something, Grace got sick and ended up in the hospital, I don't know if I'm free to share details, so I'll just say that she thinks she'll be okay, but today is Ruth's birthday and Sam is home with the kids.  So, I have birthday presents and am going to stop and get a cake, and head up there so Sam can go see Grace or pick her up or whatever has to be done.  

These are the times I am super glad I don't work!

Ugh, I'll tell you something awful.  I have a molar that has a very expensive crown, yet it insists on giving me trouble.  The dentist told me a few years back that it's best to yank it, but there's no hurry.  I went a few years with no trouble, then had an infection.  Then nothing for a long while.  It flared back up in the wintertime when I had a brand new knee, so I called and got an antibiotic quickly.  Well, this past week it started in again...I'll spare you the details...but I happen to have a dentist appointment next week, so I called this morning and have to go pick up antibiotics today.  (I am thankful, so very thankful to live in these times!  I would be SO dead by now!).   I'm sure we'll revisit the tooth pulling conversation on Tuesday.  

Charlotte Claire and Camille are going camping in the Adirondacks this fine day, for the weekend.  They've been packing and prepping!  Kathryn and Margaret are going too, it's a girls' trip.  I sent my broom and solar lanterns and a tablecloth, and my favorite tent.  They are going to have so much fun!  

It'll be quiet here again though....

Anyway.  I need to get moving...have a really good summer day!  Go bare feet in the grass and get some sunshine on your face!

a sunny summer Tuesday...

 

One little baby spam:  Bridget Suzanne:), pic stolen from Evelyn.

This fine morning, I headed to Target all by myself for a store pick up.  I had ordered body wash, shampoo, ect., had a few coupons, ect.  Of course I decided to wander around a little bit.  I didn't find much, but I did get some marked down donut holes and lemon poppyseed muffins for the girls and grandkids.  I was rang up at the service desk because only one register was open besides the self serve ones, she called me over.  So, I couldn't see how much things were ringing up.  Well.  I got out to the car, and the $4.99 muffins which have a date of tomorrow, did not ring up the $2.00 on the big yellow sticker.  The other things rang up way too much too.  I did NOT feel like going back in on an 84 degree sunshiny day for five dollars in overcharges.  ugh.

Anyway.  I headed out to visit Ms. Kathryn and children, and go for a swim.  That sunshine, ahhh!

Home...time to grill the chicken I had marinated in lime juice and cajun spices, before I left.  The girls came home from work and made coconut rice, chopped cilantro, onions, tomatoes, jalapeño peppers, and made guac.  I put a cauliflower crust pizza in the oven too, it was going to expire:). I didn't have the coconut rice, although it sounded yummy, I had a bowl of arugula with blueberries, lime juice...and chicken on top.

I slathered the chicken breast with avocado oil, salt and pepper, and grilled it to 145, then put it in a bowl with foil to finish up.  I sliced it up, and it was so tender and juicy!  There is nothing like it.  

After dinner, Paul took us all for ice cream.  Why does soft ice cream have to be so good?  It was a lovely drive through the countryside too, especially fun with Char and Cam along.

Life is good.  You all have a good evening...maybe tomorrow I can put more than one picture on!

oh so sweet, welcome to the world baby girl!

 Evelyn and Nate, congratulations!  Baby Bridget Suzanne was born on Saturday!  She's their first, and she's adorable, seven pounds of sweetness.  

I was so pleased to hold her, only a few hours old.  

Evelyn had just been to the house not long before, and wasn't even ready to have a baby yet!   Bridget had other plans:)

Here's 11 years ago, when I still had little kids afoot, Miss Char and Miss Cam with Suri, the best black Lab ever...

Well, this isn't letting me add any more pictures.  I got a beautiful new dollhouse this morning from a swim class friend, a 50's Marx tin house with all original Renwal furniture.  It was her's as a child, and is in very good condition, 70+ years old.  

It's a rainy day, just lovely and cozy.  I have some trim painting to do around here, as well as some laundry...you all have a really good day, and I hope I can post pictures tomorrow!

We two do have fun!

 Last night, we went out to eat spontaneously.  And, I do mean "out"! 

Lake Ontario!  

We stopped at an iconic little place called Rudy's, and got fried haddock.  

We drove around a bit on the way home, got lost, had to cheat and use Maps.  He said, "I think I'm being too nice to you this week."  I said, Well you DID bring me to the hardware store last night!   :)

This is the table I refinished...forgot to take a proper "before" pic, the top was a dull brown but I sanded all the finish off, then added a coat of primer to the rest before I remembered that I forgot the picture, ha.

I sanded it smooth, and put several coats of poly on the top.  The legs and bottom were painted with Sherwin-Williams Biscuit cabinet and trim paint, because I still had some from doing the coffee table and the kitchen cabinets.  It's a warm creamy color.

It was a fun project, and since I was so sad to be finishing it, I painted the door from the kitchen to the deck...:). same color.  

This fine morning, I went to the pool...came home, did a second coat on both sides of the door, puttered around then sat out on the deck for a few minutes, then noticed that Kathryn had texted.  I ended up going swimming with her and the kids, and Grace and her kids.  :). I love summer, love the sunshine.  

I took a quick trip to the store on the way home, even though it was several miles out of the way.  The girls are on their way home, and I wanted to have milk and bread.  Paul has raw milk and we have low carb protein bread, but the girls like regular whole milk and regular bread:). I also got them some Oreos, Coke Zero, ground beef, salt potatoes, cherries, and a few blocks of cheese.

Home...ahh, home.  How I hate carrying everything in all by myself!  I had brought a cooler and a pool bag to the pool, added to a few bags of groceries...there are still a few six packs of Coke Zero in the back of the car.  

Paul and Mariel drove down to Newark to pick up the girls, they stayed in Norway an extra week.  

Miss Char (in the sunnies)

Camille and Charlotte Claire

Char and Cam....I stole all these pics from them.

It has been a very nice week here with just Paul.  But.  It will be so nice to have the lively girls back in the house.  

On Wednesday evening, Emily was going to stop in to drop off a few books for me, so I invited her for dinner.  I made chicken stir fry.  (Chicken breast marinated in Aldi Asian salad dressing, added some cornstarch, cooked in the iron frying pan in avocado oil...it was good, but what a mess, it stuck to the pan....I stir fried veggies in the other frying pan in some sesame oil, then stir fried up some frozen Asian cauliflower rice from Costco, in addition to the Basmati rice I made to serve it with.  Scooped in a bowl with some Aldi Orange Chicken sauce, and mmmm.). We had a nice visit with Emily, too.  

Just for the record, my "old' knee is clicking and aching.  dang.  I would like to get a few more miles out of it, I am simply not ready to go through this whole rigamorole again.  Not yet.  But.  Almost every step click!, it just isn't smooth at all.  I go in September to check the new knee...we'll see.  

We are going camping in a few weeks in the Adirondacks, then up on Lake Ontario after that.  Then summer will wrap up, all too soon...wah.

Right now, I'm bare foot in an old sundress, with Old Kitty on the arm of my chair, relaxing.  

Today one of the older guys in the pool told me I look like a marshmallow.  I don't mean white and puffy, he said, but golden and toasted.  Okay.  ?  

All right.  Not too much more to say...oh, but I am super excited, grandchild number 20 will be arriving soon, baby girl of Nate and Evelyn!  (Then Abigail and Derek's baby girl, then Kathryn and Darius' baby girl, then Margaret and Adrian's baby (they don't find out the gender))...

You all have a nice Friday night!