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.  :)

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...:)