summer 2011

summer 2011

Paul and I, all 16 kids and Ashley, Benjamin's wife...Christmas 2012

Paul and I, all 16 kids and Ashley, Benjamin's wife...Christmas 2012
family

Thursday, February 8, 2024

just being with them...

 Yesterday was a jumble of spontaneity.  First the pool, on a freezing frosty morning.  Jon's car was behind mine, so I had to move it, bring the keys back in, extra steps are good, right?  I don't love being late to the pool, but I put my suit on under my clothes so getting in is pretty quick.  

My pool friends are pretty amazing.  One lady is 80, doesn't look a day over 65, she takes care of her mother, who is 99.  This 80 year old lady has been busy, bringing things from the basement to the garage, or vice versa, cleaning things out...I am IMPRESSED.  I told her I want to be like her when I grow up.  I also told Emily that she is her when she's older, and I'm 99...as we're the same age apart.  One of the guys in the pool is a retired bus driver, and yes, he drove our bus in years past, a super nice guy my kids remember fondly.  One of the ladies lives on the road my parents lived on when my older siblings were small, my sister remembers her family.  One of the ladies is the cousin to a maternity nurse who lived on my road, before she passed away, and was at the birth of several of my babies.  The small town-ness is amazing to me.  I wasn't born and raised here, but these people are warm and welcoming, and I feel like I belong.  It strongly helps influence me to get my lazy rear end out the door to that pool, three mornings a week.  

Home...ahh, home.  Jon had the day off from work, and has been working on cleaning out his room.  He had some bags for the thrift store, so yes, I wanted to go with him.  He donated five big bags, and didn't buy anything new.  I bought velvet hangers for Camille.  She recently told me she wished she had them, so the clothes stay on better, but it was just a silly wish, or so I thought, until...I walked into the Salvation Army store and brand new boxes of 20, $1.99.  She was rather pleased.

We then went to BJ's to get a few things for Sunday, as I'm having some grandchildren over for a Super Bowl party, although we probably won't even be watching the game.  Jon tried on a coat:


Home again...a little puttering around, organizing some kitchen drawers (how many sets of measuring cups does a person actually need?  measuring spoons?). I vacuumed the drawers, cleaned them, and put less things back in.  I checked my phone, and oops, Emily had called and texted.  She was going to the very same store Jon and I had gone to, would I like to come?  I would.  I didn't need anything, but some time with Emily, sure!  

We went to Walmart too, so I got some sugar free whipped cream, and some frozen cinnamon rolls for an upcoming fun weekend.  

Dinner was a Fend For Yourself night, the girls had made Vodka Pasta earlier, then sandwiches.  Paul ate leftover chicken drums and salad.  I made myself chaffles!  (3 eggs, beaten, splash of vanilla, one cup shredded mozzarella, mix together 1/4 cup almond flour, teaspoon of coconut flour, scant tsp. monk fruit sweetener, sprinkle of cinnamon, dash of cardamom, add to egg/cheese mixture, makes four waffles.  I ate them with raspberries and sugar free whipped cream)

This fine morning, I am going to buy some honey from people down the road.  I found them on Marketplace.  Supposedly, the more local the local honey is, the better it potentially is for allergies.  I have very strong opinions on buying honey from local beekeepers, because I want to KNOW it's pure.  Have you heard of the Chinese Honey Scandal?  They mixed additives in, sent it to other countries, and had it shipped to the US as if it was not Chinese.  Supermarket honey is almost certain to have so much other garbage in it.  

It's a nice sunny day, and is supposed to be warm, in the fifties.  We might to to a playground with some grandchildren...

This weekend, Suzanne is coming for a visit, looking forward to seeing her.  

A lot of fun things are coming up:  next weekend, an Airbnb on Seneca Lake with some dear friends, then in March, Norway!  April looks blank, but May, a weekend in Ocean City, Maryland?  YES!  Then, a trip to Phoenix for some 90 degree swimming weather, and time spent with my boys?  mmm hmmm!  There are wedding plans afoot too, so I will not be bored any time soon.

Have a really good day!

2 comments:

Kara said...

Velvet hangars are a game changer. The clothes do stay put, and they are slimmer than the plastic ones. A couple years back I switched all of the hangars in the house to the velvet ones (except for a few wooden ones left for heavy jackets) and it's been fantastic. A worthwhile investment and a very high payoff on a low cost item.

Terri D said...

It is always a fun visit here with you! Jon looks thrilled with the coat (or you taking the photo)!! Happy weekend!