a sunny Thursday in September...

 This fine morning, I picked up three grandchildren, and headed back here.  We went through the drive through at Dunkin first, Munchkins for them, an iced coffee for me.  (with one pump of pumpkin!)

Kathryn was here with Achilles, Rhys, Jamie, and Ellis when we pulled in the driveway, so the fun began!  The kids played outside and inside and had some snacks and treats.  Emily came over and picked up Wulf and Tennyson for a hike, Kathryn headed home with her kids, and I brought Blythe with me to bring Camille to college.  

We went into BJ's while Cam was in Anatomy and Physiology class.  They're having a 42% off sale for their 42 year anniversary, so I got apples for around $3, potatoes the same, a huge-0 thing of peanut butter M&M's for 9.95 regularly $16.99....a bag of rice for 42 percent off, a pork roast, some chicken.  Blythe wasn't so sure about this store...she was walking so nicely and holding on to the cart, but their inventory counting robot came beeping down the aisle, and Blythe said, "I want to go home, Grandma."  

I asked her if she wanted to ride in the cart, she was much better.  I told her we would stay away from the robot, even though it was a nice one that just counts things.  "It counts to five, Grandma!"...

She didn't much like the Halloween monsters either, the huge animated ones.  

Home...ahh, home.  We had bacon and eggs for dinner, except for Wulf, who wanted chicken nuggets.  Ten just had a peanut butter and jam sandwich:). They're spending the night, so I have to get moving and get them brushing teeth and reading stories...

I won't be giving health updates, because it's not my story to tell.  

Baby Nicole though:  she is on an oscillating ventilator, but this fine morning, her oxygen setting was lowered from 60 to 30, and so far she seems to be tolerating it, which is really good news.  The odds are stacked against her, but we're rooting for her, and praying for her!!!!  

Well it's bed time...you have a good night!

back in New York and heading north!

 Yes, here I sit in the comfy chair, but not for long!  I am heading to Margaret's house to pick up Wulf, Tennyson, and Blythe.  Everyone is fine, but one of them may or may not be in the hospital with an infection that hopefully can be treated quickly and efficiently.  They deserve to be together in times of trouble, so I'll go get the kids.  :)

We came in the door yesterday afternoon after five+ hours on the road, and the girls were making dinner...a spicy peanut chicken dish with rice noodles.  Paul made an acorn squash in the air fryer, we had that instead of the rice noodles (although I did have a few of them, yum!).  It was so nice to be home on a chilly cozy evening and have dinner with the girls!  

Baby Nicole is a fighter!  There was some thought that she would need a heart surgery after birth, but the cardiologist team didn't think that was going to be necessary, after an echo.  Her little heart is fine and pumping like it should.  Her lungs are the issue, she is on an oscillating ventilator and they hope to lower the oxygen level and see how she does.  She's a little miracle right now!  She is sedated, because that vent is uncomfortable, but when Abigail and I went in to see her, she would suck on the oxygen tube when we talked to her.  

I told Abigail that my talking to the dog voice and talking to babies voice is eerily similar, but Nicole didn't mind.  She just likes to hear that she is the most beautiful baby ever, and she has lots of hair like her mama, and her daddy is already designing cute t-shirts for her.  I told her that so many people already love her.  Because we do.  The first picture I saw of her, I was in love.  This is not fair, that she is so adorable.  She has short little arms with pudgy rolls of fat, and tiny little legs and perfect little piggy toes.  Her face is so sweet I can't even think about it without crying...I just plain love her.

We don't like to go by numbers or statistics, that is bleak.  But God is the one who gives life, and in His goodness and mercy, this child was born in this day and age at a hospital that is incredibly advanced and able to care for these babies who wouldn't have had a chance just a few years ago.  The surgeon who performed the cesarean talked to us ahead of time, and said she was praying along with us.  How sweet is that?

When she came in after the surgery and said that the baby cried, we all cried.  

I know there is a rough road ahead, and there will be dips and curves, and no one knows how long they have here on earth, but that baby is loved, and she has blessed us already.  

If Abigail and Derek give permission, I will try to post some pictures of her, but just imagine the cutest little dwarf baby, but with some wires and tubes.  You will fall in love with her too.  (Also, I do not know if that is still the term used, but she is a little person for sure, and adorable!)

Okay...I have to get moving, you all have a really good day, and be good to one another!  Use your time in a good way....:)

welcome to the world, sweet girl!

 Baby Nicole was born today, and we are rejoicing.  We are rejoicing tentatively, and cautiously, but oh dear, the joy when the dr came in and announced that baby cried after she was born!  The c-section went well, Abigail is doing well, and baby is on the ventilator.  

I won't post pictures yet, but she has these precious chubby rolls of fat on her little arms, and all four pounds 15 ounces of her is pure cuteness.  From the short lil arms and legs to the little piggy toes, and her sweet little face, oh dear, I am smitten.  She is all hooked up with wires and tubes, and has no idea that all of us are in love with her already.  I hope she can feel our hope and our prayers.  

It has been a very long day, an interesting day, and I am tired.  I am thankful that Abigail and Derek seem to be doing okay, and I am heading to bed with prayers for strength for that tiny new girl.  Thank you all for your kind words and prayers!  Good night!

Sunday night in Delaware...

 It's almost midnight, and I have to get to sleep...well, now it's Monday morning, and this is a pic of Abigail from last week...

This is a message Paul sent me for the baby shower, which I read...

Molly, Mariel, Sonja, Char, and Cam

Abigail...

She did get some teeny tiny baby clothes!  

Her baby will come into this world tomorrow.  She's been busy packing what she will need for her hospital stay, knowing she is having a c-section.  Being unsure of how long little Nicole will grace us with her presence, she is packing for a possible extended stay at the Ronald McDonald house.  

I am super thankful I've had these days with Abigail.  She is firm in her faith, and there's not much more a mother could ask for.  Derek is fantastic, he's such a good husband for her.  They have the same sense of humor, and they respect each other and love each other so much.  My soul does ache, as I want them to have a healthy living baby, who is born and breathes and cries and passes the Apgar test.  I don't want them them to suffer loss and heartbreak, but who am I?  Rest comes when I stop, and trust God.  

Ah well.  We have big plans today.  Derek is at work, Abigail will finish packing, and we'll go to Aldi for some coffee cream and maybe something for dinner.  They will be checking into the Ronald McDonald house this evening, and spend the night there, and will bring me to my Airbnb, where Emily and Paul will arrive tonight.  We will go to the hospital first thing tomorrow morning, and be with Derek's parents and some of his siblings.  (he has the sweetest little sister, ten years old!  Dear Lord, bless that child and give us grace to help her accept whatever happens!)

So you all have a good day, don't waste it!  Be thankful!  :)

the box in the mail that didn't disappoint!

Do you all remember Calvin and Hobbes?  If not, do yourself a favor and just go order some and read them, comic books.  They used to run in the Sunday paper, written and illustrated by Bill Watterson.  One time Calvin ordered a new hat, a beanie with a spinny propeller on top, from the back of the cereal box.  He had grand illusions of being able to maybe fly a little bit...he waited and waited at the mail box for that thing to arrive, but it was just a stupid hat!

Anyway.  My new vac/mop was supposed to arrive next week while I'm gone, but it updated and was coming yesterday!  I waited with one ear open for that delivery truck all day!  It came at 8:40 p.m.!  I dragged the box up the stairs, opened it up, Cam helped me snap the pieces together, and boom, I was in business.  It was only partially charged, but wow, did it do a nice job.  It exceeded my expectations, seriously.

When the battery was dying, the voice said to return to dock to charge.  After half hour of charging, I pushed the cleaning button, the water heated up and it cleaned the roller, then dried with hot air. I had to dump the dirty tank and rinse it, but that was not difficult.  This fine morning, I couldn't wait to use it.  

Paul said first thing, "Are you going to use your new toy?"  Indeed.  Indeed I am.  Since this is the lower end model with only like 40 minutes of run time, I wasn't sure what to expect.  You know I did lots of research before pushing that BUY button, and there were varying opinions on how long it would clean for, ranging from 15-35+ minutes.  

Turns out, when you don't have a cord to deal with, it doesn't take all that long to vacuum/mop most of this floor of the house.  It didn't die on me.  I finished up, and it even had enough charge to begin the cleaning cycle right away.  

I'm not saying this machine works miracles.  But it is so light and effortless, I have never imagined I could vacuum and mop at the same time so easily.  I hope it lasts!  For what I paid, I am super satisfied.  It was on Amazon for $179.99 with the extra rollers, $169.99 without them.  Roborock F25GT, a basic model, which ran for more than enough time for me.  It's lighter than the better ones, too.

You know I don't get one penny for touting this, I have never monetized the blog and don't intend to.  

Anyway, such an exciting life, right?  

This fine afternoon, I will be going into the city with Miss Cam, so I need to move it move it and get some things bagged up for the thrift store!  You all probably imagine my house like this hoarder's den, but believe me, it's not.  I don't like clutter and the table tops are all clear, it's just things that have piled up in unused rooms, and extra bedding and towels, and old clothes, books.  Back when 18 of us lived here, we needed all that extra bedding, and oh the towels and washcloths...!  Some of the kids took all their stuff when they left, but some left some, and then there are tools and paint, a random backpack, hockey skates, and old curtains...shh, I might be running out of stuff for the thrift store soon, ha.  

There are three bags now packed up and ready for donation:  lots of random toys, shoes, throw pillows I don't like anymore...a bag of movies and d.v.d.s...

Kathryn and the kids are coming over tomorrow for dinner, I'm making crock pot chuck roast with potatoes and carrots, and I can't wait.  It's been so long, and I'm so in the mood for more cold weather food.  

And....now it's "tomorrow night".  I had a fun and exciting day!  This fine morning, I cleaned my ears.  Well, imagine my surprise and distress when I removed the store brand cotton swab, and the end was missing.  Uh oh!  I grabbed the tweezers, and asked Paul to do me a favor.  He shined a light into my ear, and couldn't even see anything in there, it was so far in.  dang.

So, off to Urgent Care I went.  It was a gorgeous drive, trees waving in the breeze, leaves just starting to turn, some floating down on the neighborhood sidewalks in the village south of here.  Embarrassment:  mmm hmmm.  The nurse told me they had a little girl in last week who put a bean in her ear, because she wanted ear plugs.  "At least cotton will come out easier!"  The doctor came in, also a young woman, and thought it was quite funny.  They worked together and pulled out little bits, then finally, whoa, came the whole end.  I mentioned not buying cheap swabs anymore, I have a big package of real Q-Tips, I am only using those from now on.  No, they said, getting things out of ears is fun, don't throw away those off brand ones!

Anyway.  It was a beautiful day, 70 degrees and breezy, and I was right next to Walmart, and I needed a gift bag, so in I went.  I did wander and meander, and ended up with a seven dollar dress, that I did try on first.  After going through the check out, I noticed a text from Sonja...Mom, are you in Walmart?  How on earth did she know?  I called her.  She was parked right near me and recognized my car.  I went back to the baby department to see her, and Oscar, but shh, mostly little Kaia!

Home...ahh, home.  I washed some dishes and got the chuck roast seared in a pan with onion chunks, and into the crock pot with beef broth and garlic and rosemary.  I chopped carrots and red potatoes, and put those in too, with some gravy packets.  I used my new toy and vacumed/mopped the floor...then sat down and put the feetsies up...but not for long!  Kathryn forgot to tell me she was leaving and was on my road!  I hurried out the door again, to go to the library with her and the kids.

I pushed myself in the library, and was fine.  I followed Ellis around as he pushed a little shopping cart and  went up and down the steps of a big canal boat for kids to play on.  

We stopped for some chicken nuggets, and then home, ahh, home.  I put some frozen fries and mini corn dogs into the air fryer, with some extra chicken nuggets, and the kids were happy.  They played in here and outside, then Kathryn had to leave.  Sonja and Oscar came over with Kaia, and we had dinner...it did come out delicious, it's always nice to transition from summer foods to colder weather fare, when it's new and novel for the season.

Now I have to pack...we're leaving here in like 10 hours, first thing in the morning.  I have my gift all packed up, and some snacks, but my clothes are all over my bed...I got things out between Kathryn leaving and Sonja coming...now Paul is home from hunting, and I have to pack up before he decides to go to bed and turn out the lights.

I'm going to the baby shower tomorrow with Sonja, Kaia, Charlotte Claire, and Camille. Mariel is driving with Molly, Rosi, and baby Emilia.  I will be staying with Abigail and Derek, they check into the Ronald Mc Donald house on Monday evening, I will be staying at an Airbnb with Paul and Emily...Tuesday morning is baby time.  

Phew I am tired!  You all have a good night, and I'll talk to you one of these days!

a dark and cozy day...

 Here I sit in the comfy chair with Orange Guy on the arm.  He is a very bad kitty, he bosses his mother around.  When she's sitting quietly minding her own business, he'll pounce on her and take her spot.  He is the king kitty, yet he's such a dork.  If there is a doll stroller, or a real stroller, or a car seat, or any kind of baby bed, he will be in it.  

Well, I ordered my vacuum mop!  I am so excited, inordinately excited.  When analyzed, it makes sense:  a huge life event is taking place, so I focus on a vacuum mop!  I decided on the Roborock F25GT, from Amazon, when I spent ten extra dollars it came with two extra rollers.  ChatGPT said the Roborock models have the same basic specs, but this one just lacks the fancy things like a screen and automated rolling.  If it works properly, it should vacuum and mop the floor at the same time, spraying out water and sucking it back up, it's cordless, it's self-cleaning (put it on the charger and push the cleaning button, and it goes up to 194 degrees and cleans then dries the rollers).  It's light too, the lightest one in their line up, 8.8 pounds.  So, we'll see! (If you remember my woes after my surgery, I would vacuum when I was still using that walker, the cord would get all tangled up, it was a mammoth undertaking!  Now, cordless sounds just wonderful!)

Yesterday I did some more cleaning out.  Our downstairs guest room, which of course used to be a bedroom, is a bit cleaner.  I vacuumed first, then donated some bedding and picture frames, two huge bags full. I threw away cords and old old old paperwork and an old pillow.  There are books galore in there, I asked my kids and Paul to help me box them up and get them out...I'm thinking to a used bookstore, or the thrift store.  

Camille and I set out for the college, she dropped herself off there, and I went to Marshall's.  I found some nice shoes there, I never even look at the shoes there because I am limited to what I find comfortable.  I have three or four pairs of Birkenstock sandals, and I treasure them all.  Come autumn, I do wear a pair of clogs that are Birk dupes, Cushionaire from Amazon, they are quite comfy!  Well, lo and behold, Marshall's had a pair of them in suede  for $34.99.  Did I NEED them?  Well, no....but they were so comfortable!  I had them in the cart then put them back...but shh, I might go back tomorrow and get them...

Cam and I made the stop to drop off the bags at the thrift store, picked up a BJ's order (so exciting, toilet paper, paper towels, Mr. Clean Magic Erasers, Dawn dishwashing liquid, and a package of ground beef...I'm trying to behave! ) got some gas, and came home...then made meatballs...some whole oats, bread crumbs, crushed crackers, diced white onion, garlic, salt and pepper...add five pounds of burger, four eggs, mix it all up.  It made 77 meatballs.  The girls had theirs with angel hair pasta, I had mine with canned French cut green beans.  

There are enough for tonight's dinner, and Grace is coming with Grant, Ruth, Maeve, and Samantha, and they love meatballs!

I did talk to Abigail yesterday.  They have a room at the Ronald McDonald house across from the hospital, should they need it.  She will be having a c-section, and will stay in the hospital a few days.  We are staying in an AirBnB near the hospital for a few days.  

Saturday morning, I'm off to Delaware again with Mariel, Molly, Sonja and Kaia, Charlotte Claire (if she doesn't have too much homework), Camille, Rosie and baby Emilia, We're going to a baby shower for Abigail, then I'm staying with Ab and Derek until Monday night, when Emily and Paul will come down.  The normal excitement for a baby, a first baby!  is so tempered with reality.  But, life is a gift, and God gives good gifts.  Baby girl seems happy and healthy now in her mama's belly...she might not like life outside the womb, she might go straight back to her father in heaven, but she is still a gift and very loved.  

So I have my shower gifts gathered up, I won't say what they are because perchance Ab reads this:), but they are gifts for her.  I did bring her a nice diaper bag so she can bring a few things to the hospital for baby Nicole...

Oh dear.  Tears are okay, right?  We are programmed to love, especially to love newborns, and to love our children whether they are little monsters or grown adults, so it's not surprising that these trials hurt our souls.  But:  "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you".  (Deut 31:8)

Who am I to question God?  That's what keeps coming to me.  He knows the big picture, and what He wants to work out and accomplish.  He softens hearts and comforts us and leads souls to salvation in these trials.  "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (John 14:27)

Ah well.  I am also very much interested in house plans and trying to visualize living in a very small place after this huge-0 house.  This is also a big distraction right now, I am well aware.  

Today is most likely a stay-at-home day.  I have so many things to work on and do, I do not get bored.  I do get tired though ha.  

You all have a very good day, and thank you for all of your kind words.  

homey home, ahh....

 Our trip home started at seven this morning, first a stop at Starbucks, as we headed north.  We stopped a few more times, and the hours flew by as we drove through the mountains of Pennsylvania.  We got some McDonald's food (I eat the burgers but not the buns!, and love the Diet Coke!).  We were 30 minutes from home when we heard a loud noise, like we ran something over...then the van started to overheat...warning lights...Benjamin pulled off the highway onto a little dead end road.  He and David got out to inspect it, and determined a belt had broken and the water pump was damaged...

He called a tow truck, and we waited on the side of the...Paul came and got us.  

It was a nice weekend...I didn't get to see Abigail on Friday night because we got there so late, but in the morning, I went downstairs and Derek was making her some blueberry pancakes.  She came downstairs, I can't believe how good she is looking.  Pregnancy agrees with her, no swollen ankles or anything.  Baby Nicole is wiggling around and kicking, Ab has a very cute baby belly.  

We spent the day at a friend's pool, and enjoyed the warm weather down in Delaware.  We talked and laughed and maybe cried a little.  There is a lot of uncertainty coming soon, but God already knows what will happen, there is comfort in that.  My heart aches, I can tell you that.  

Paul made some smash burgers for dinner, I did a load of laundry, washed a few dishes, had an afternoon coffee, and caught up with Charlotte Claire and Camille.  We talked about the puppy we almost got on Friday...the Mennonites had three puppies for sale, St. Charles Cavaliers...they were adorable, so gentle and sweet.  What stopped us was their possible health challenges when the breeders don't pay attention, they are really prone to heart issues.  

(Paul had gone down to the farm for some raw milk, saw the puppies, then asked the grandkids on Friday if they wanted to go see them...we were able to hold them and play with them, and oh my goodness, sweetness!)

Anyway.  Tomorrow morning I have to leave the house very early to go watch Wulf, Tennyson, and little Blythe so Margaret can bring Evelyn to her appointment.  :). I have to get myself into bed early tonight, I stayed up super late last night then was up before the sun so we could get on the road.  Yeah, I had to wake up every hour or so to make sure I wasn't oversleeping. 

Not much else happening...except I am pondering a mop/vac purchase...I've been wanting one for so very long, and had my eye on one of the Tineco models, but so pricey!  The Bissell Crosswaves reportedly get musty and stinky, then I discovered Roborock.  It's supposed to be powerful, cleans in the charger with 194 degree water, and is cordless, although it only lasts from 20-40 minutes on a charge.  It's the base model, there are some with way more bells and a few more whistles, but for so much more money.  AI says the base model (F25GT ) has the same basic components, and really good suction.  

It does seem like a dream come true to just push a cordless mop/vacuum around and clean and vacuum at the same time without tangling up in the cord.  I have always admired and adored clean floors.  :)

Maybe I'm distracting myself here.  Yes, I think I am.

You all have a really good night...and thank you all for kind words.  :).