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.  :). 

oh my dear dear sister, I miss you so on your birthday!

 The sunny September 10th, for so many years a good reason to get together and go out for lunch...it's always nice out on September 10th, too.  This year is no different, except for it's ALL different, she's up there in heaven while we work at living without her.  

We are getting together tonight, some of her girls and Evelyn and I, (and baby Bridget!).  We're going to dinner, and we will be remembering her.  I'm sure there will be laughing and crying.  

Right now I'm cooling off in my comfy chair, I was out on the deck for a bit in the sunshine, and it's warm out there.  I had been cleaning and sorting...this time in the foyer, do we still need all these hats and mittens?  I know I'm not doing myself any favors, but I did save some of them, who knows if grandkids will be here and want to play outside and need them?  

Today, there are three bags to donate.  We'll leave early and drop them off before Cam's class, because after I have to drop her home then drive to the northern city on Lake America for our dinner reservation.  

I have more ideas and more things to do than I have time or energy.  I'm thinking, before we move and downsize, I really want to refinish our dining room tables and benches.  We bought them unfinished, and put clear coat on them.  They really need a fresh look, they are orangey oaky looking.  Because I am lazy and want results without TOO much sweat equity, I'm considering a two toned look.  I want to sand off the tops, then use a warm walnut stain, then wipe on water based poly coat...the bases, I'm thinking to scuff them up with the sander, use Zinnser 1-2-3 primer, then paint with cabinet paint, a warm off white.  The chairs need some love too, I bought them for five bucks apiece several years ago from the thrift store...

What a fun project though!  I am excited about it.  I don't know when I'll do it, but I will say this:  I know there are things coming that are going to be extremely challenging...with the tiny newborn baby girl, Nicole is her name.  God already knows exactly the outcome, I do not.  So I think I'm distracting myself a little bit.  

I am super thankful that I'll be able to spend this weekend with Abigail though!  I wish I could put some pictures!  

I have to get going out the door now to ride with Miss Camille as she drives herself to class...so you all have a really nice afternoon!

the middle of the week....

 ...and it is so rainy and cozy.  I went to the pool this fine morning, then out to brekky with the swim class.  The little diner in town does a really nice job, home made bread...yeah, I had the raisin toast, with scrambled eggs and crispy hash browns.  Their coffee is top notch, and I ask for a bit of heavy cream to put in it, this time the waitress brought it over without me even asking!  They will be closing soon for the winter, and going to Florida with their food truck.  

We had a nice time over our coffee though.  A few of the ladies are quite old, one had fallen and really scraped up her legs so she wasn't able to go to class, but made it to breakfast.  They are all really nice, we get along just fine.  I've learned a few things along the way of life, and try to put them into practice:  I don't have to be right.  I don't have to get the last word, or even any word, of every conversation.  Sometimes it's nice to just listen.  I don't have to agree with everyone, or anyone, but I also don't have to say anything.  (if they all want to sing the praises of the Covid vaccine, let them!  Also, I don't care who you want for president, or whom you dislike, we can still be friends!).     

Tomorrow night, I am going out to dinner with some of my closest friends in the world, my sister's girls.  It's her birthday, and she's in heaven now, but we still want to get together and remember her.  Last year we took her out to lunch, not realizing it would be the last time.  

This fine morning, after breakfast, I came home and cleaned out some more things.  We don't need a toaster anymore as we toast our bread in the air fryer.  We never use our little coffee maker anymore as we have the espresso machine and some pour-overs.  There are pans and decorations and odds and ends that have been sitting on shelves...we simply don't need.  So two more bags are filled for tomorrow's thrift store drop off!

I do want to go through the cupboards again, but I don't think that will be next. Maybe my closet and dresser....hmmm.  

When I was finishing up weeding things out, Sonja called and was going to Aldi with Kaia, did I want to come?  Of course!  I didn't need anything because I was there yesterday, but I got to push the cart with Kaia in it, and show her all the stuff in the store...the scary mirror, which she thought was funny, a big skeleton sitting at one of the empty registers, which she also thought was funny...she's afraid of balloons, but likes skeletons:). 

Home again...I cut up chicken this morning, and Camille made the peanut chicken marinade, so we'll be having that for dinner, mmm.  

To all of my Florida friends:  sometimes I really envy your warmth and sunshine, but there is NOTHING like a New York autumn.  The dark rainy days, the crispness in the air, the leaves are starting to turn...right now it is absolutely lovely.  

You all have a really good afternoon!

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.  :)