just chillin in the desert...

 because it's cold!  The day we got here, the sun was shining, and we got in the pool, but when we got out, brrr!  It was in the sixties, and low humidity.  Yesterday we got a little bit of sun in, but it got rainy.  So we went out and about a bit, got some chicken strips from Raising Canes.

It's nice to be here, nice to see Aaron and Riley, and the pups.  

As you know by now, Riley is an excellent cook.  He made us beef stroganoff, with blackened ribeye.  

Carbs?  What carbs?  It was soooo good.

The sunlight this fine morning...and that's Pretzel, she's the sweetest.

Banjo on the left, Lily and Pretzel on the other side...

That sky!

The Tesla...I love those Batmobile doors!

It was snowy and overcast when we left Syracuse, then we went up over the clouds, and I marveled that we can actually experience this.  I've flown so many times that it's almost meh.  But when you think about it, really WOW.  

Our trip out here was not uneventful, of course not!  We had a tight connection in JFK in New York City, so we paid extra and checked our bags so we didn't have to mess with carryons, and could just hurry off the plane.  We boarded on time, got all buckled in, then the pilot announced we were going to taxi over to the de-icing station, it would take about a half hour.  Yeah, it was snowing out.  

So.  On I talked to a flight attendent when we were in the air, she looked at my boarding pass, and was in communication with the other crew, and came back and said there were 54 people on the plane with tight connections, and don't worry, we would make it.  Well.  We were just touching down when the Phoenix flight started boarding.  We taxied for 15 minutes.  We were near the back of the plane (I realized I should have paid extra for better seats near the front instead of checking the bags!), and when we got off that plane...we boogied.  Char and Cam had no problem hurrying, Paul could have sprinted, but he held my hand and I hobbled quickly.  We scanned our boarding passes as the ladies there urged us to hurry down the hall, they were closing the doors...Char was last to scan, and her's wasn't scanning...the ladies told us to GO, I said, "I'm not leaving her!", then it scanned on the third or fourth try, and off we went...phew.  

It's really nice and sunny now, not so hot today, but getting gradually warmer.  We should have at least four hot days, then when we leave for home it will soar back into the nineties.  Oh well.  The sunshine is enough for me, it's so nice.  

The dogs at home are being taken care of, and seem to be happy, I'm thankful that Sam and Grace are such good sports to stay at our place and be good to them.  

I left some treats for the kids to make it fun for them.  (there are little wood birdhouses to paint, some paint, glittery stick on gems to decorate them, then playdough stuff, rice krispie treats, ect.)

My knees...they are not cooperating...the "good" knee is giving me a very hard time.  It simply doesn't want to straighten up sometimes when I stand up, and it hurts.  It's interesting, for sure.  

Ah well....I'll be enjoying my time here, and the sunshine, you all have a good day!

filling the suitcase, and more pictures...

 One of these days I'll get my act together and take better pictures at gatherings.  But until then, we'll just have to enjoy what we have.  Our friend Linda took these: 

3 of my girls, Suzanne, Evelyn, Molly Rose

Our friend Janette and her sister Jen, Rosi, and Miss Camille in the middle

Grace, Camile, Jen

Miss Charlotte Claire

Nate and Evelyn and the beautiful blanket made by Suzanne!  

Three of the granddaughters, Anya, Elise, and Lydia

They enjoyed making bouquets!  My niece Becky, Elise, me

Ah well....it's been a day!  I went to the pool, then Sonja came over and picked us up...I returned those beautiful dresses to Target, then picked up two t-shirts I bought.  We walked around, and I managed to buy a few more things, funny how that happens.  I found a half price space heater, we needed one as a few have broken.  I got some fresh chicken breast tenders, which were half off, vitamins, snacks for the trip, and a few treats for Grant and Ruth, who are staying here to watch the doggies, with Maeve and their parents, Sam and Grace.  

We also went to the thrift store, where I got one shirt from the Loft with the tags still on it, and one dress that looks decent.  Char got a lovely dress, she looks so pretty and vintage.  Then to Aldi quick, then home....ahh, home.  I put the chicken in lime juice, salt and pepper, and did some laundry and gathered some of my things, pre packing.  

The chicken was browned up in olive oil and taco seasoning in the iron frying pan, I got out some fresh salsa and cilantro, and browned up some corn tortillas with lime juice and salt.  A quick and easy dinner, and so good.

Ah well...I REALLY need to pack!  Have a good evening!

showered with goodness!

Miss Evelyn holding Newton...Emily, Charlotte Claire, Camille, Ev, Margaret, Suzanne holding Ellis, Kathryn, and Jon's fiance' Rosi.   Molly came later but I didn't get a pic! 

The cupcakes, Miss Cam frosted them.

Her macarons...cookie butter, and strawberry with jam and buttercream

Margaret made strawberry cookies and carrot cake cookies with cream cheese frosting

 

Post party euphoria ensued, ha.  We had so much fun.  Now it's quiet again, but oh it was nice.  My sister was here, and three of her girls, and two of her granddaughters.  Our friends Linda and Karen came, and Page and Jenn, and Janette.  Ashley came with Anya and Elise, Molly with Lydia.  Nate's aunt came (she is SO nice!).   His dad came for a bit, it was nice to meet him.  (His mom couldn't make it).    The food came out good, and there was plenty.  I think there is that moment before every party when you really doubt or wonder if there will be enough, and worry it won't be good...

Anyway....phew!  It was a really good day!

the calm before the party...

 

The punch needs to be made...

Ready for tea...

One of the shower activities is bouquet making...

The meatballs are in the crockpot, we will make bruschetta and slice up that bread, slather with olive oil and a bit of garlic, toast it up a bit..there are freshly baked chocolate chip cookies I made last night, and the cupcakes are all frosted and in the refrigerator, macarons in the freezer.  The fruit platter needs to be made up, and Emily is coming over with Buffalo chicken bites and savory pastry puffs...ect. (we put the air fryer away for counter space, and she needs it for her chicken, oh well ha!, it comes back out...or she can plug it in on top of the washing machine!)

I am shhhh, skipping church this fine morning.  My knees can only take so many steps, and I have so much to do here.  The shower starts at 2:30, and I can't be walking in at the same time as everyone else.  The floors need another vacuum, and the coffee table needs a shine.  I do a few things, as much as I can, and stop and put my feet up.  I've been sleeping a lot better, still have pain but not as bad as the awful week, not sure why, but I'll take it.  Sleep is a wonderful thing.

Yesterday was a stay-at-home day.  We rearranged the furniture to fit more guests in the living room, brought out one of the benches from the kitchen.  

Tomorrow is a packing day, and a going to return dresses at Target day, picking up anything we need for our trip, as we leave here at three in the morning Tuesday.  I'm glad I had some grandkids over on Friday, I miss them the most when I'm gone.

Ah well, you have a really nice day! 

a new beginning...

...not so profound, just have to clean the house again.  As I sat here in my comfy chair sipping my black coffee while the sun came up and brightened the living room, I thought about cleaning this house.  It's been just a non-stop endeavor for years and years.   It was almost clean the other day, then we lived in it ha.  Actually, yesterday put me back a few steps, but it was a good day.

Yesterday morning, I got up and had my coffee, put on my swim suit under my clothes, and headed to the pool...I got home just as Margaret pulled into the driveway with her three small children.  Blythe is a year and a half, and still sits rear facing in her car seat.  She had a bottle, and some crackers on the way here, and was car sick.  Margaret had to get on her computer and to a meeting, so I gave little Miss a bath, and Cam dressed her in warm clothes.  Tennyson was just glad to be here, all yakky and happy.  But where did Wulf go?  I had to go out back and find him, he was exploring in the side woods.  He wasn't too far away, but too far for me to keep track of.

Charlotte Claire and I headed out for our shopping trip with Tennyson, and Miss Cam stayed back to help with Blythe and Wulf, who was happy to be playing Pokemon with his Aunt Camille.

Ten was a delightful four year old companion.  He got to pick out a box of cereal in Aldi, he chose corn squares, which his mom said he has never had before.  He insisted.  He is too funny.  

Tally, the BJ's robot, takes inventory.  The kids really like it.  

By the time we got home with the groceries, Kathryn was pulling into the driveway with her four little ones, then Grace came with her three.  We had to keep them semi-quiet, as Paul and Margaret were both working.  At some point, I sat in my chair and scooped up Miss Blythe, who fell asleep in my arms as soon as I started to sing to her.  She slept for two hours, poor me, ha.  Grace made the hot dogs and macaroni and cheese, which the children devoured.  We also ordered pizza and wings.  

When Blythe woke up, I made a pan of brownies, and the house started smelling heavenly.  There was chocolate ice cream too, so the kids had some yummy dessert.  

Ruth and Grant adore their baby cousin Ellis...

Kettler...aka Old Kitty.  She's my little friend, always purring, always on the arm of my chair.

 Ah well.  I have to clean the house.  Vacuum and put things away and clean off the counters and put away our coats so there's room on the hooks, and and and.  I have to bake the cupcakes, and and and.  But, I don't have anywhere to go today, and Evelyn is coming over to help me.  (Paul is heading to the house we're working on, to put in a new bathtub, with Nate)

I ordered two dresses from Target because they looked lovely on the models, and were 30% off.  Well.  One looked like it could fit me if I gained fifty pounds and was nine months pregnant, yet it was way too low cut.  The other...well, it is such an almost.  I love love love the fabric...

It has a lining, and is good quality, but is too low cut, and the sleeves are just nah.  I want to love it, because I partially do love it, and it has pockets!  But it just isn't a great look on me.  So it's going back.  

Well, I guess I'll get up out of the comfy chair, and meander into the kitchen and start making those cupcakes.  I will say this, my knees don't put up with a lot of shenanigans these days.  If I don't listen to them and take frequent breaks, they scream at me.  And it goes on and one.  They just don't shut up.  This fine morning, I had to drive the girls to do some work, and as I walked up the deck steps when I got home, my "good" knee gave me a strong warning, a super painful twinge, oh dear.  

Old people, going on about their aches and pains, it's for real.  I've heard it said that if you're over fifty and you wake up with no aches and pains, you'd better check, you're probably dead.  :)

I tell the kids, take better care of yourself than I did.  I'm glad I woke up when I did, ten-twelve years ago, and started eating better and going on walks and exercising.  If I hadn't, I probably couldn't even walk anymore.  

Anyway, you all have a really good day!

all things converging...

 There are so many things going on at the same time!  Randomly,

1.  The wedding shower for Evelyn is here on Sunday, with 26 expected guests.

(This requires another shopping trip for fresh things, baking and frosting the cupcakes, decorating, ect.)

2.  We are leaving on April 1st for our trip to Phoenix.  This requires washing summery clothes that have not been worn in months, and packing.  

3.  Since we are leaving, Sam and Grace will stay here with their three young children, to look after the pups and keep them happy.  (Jonathan is here but works full time, hangs out with Rosi, isn't home enough, especially for poor Suri). This requires having the beds made up, ect.  (I did vacuum the guest room today)

4.  I agreed to do a shopping trip for meals on Saturday for workers/builders at our church property.  It's not a huge list, just some ingredients for brekky, lunch, dinner for around 30 people.

5.  We have plans to paint the ceilings today in the rental house we are renovating.  (They were just painted before the last family moved in, less than two years ago, but...)

6.  Margaret is working from here tomorrow because she has some important meetings, I also invited Kathryn over...and Grace.  So it will be Grandchildren Central, and I love it.  But, we cannot really clean up before that...

I have a pick up order from Target (two tank tops and two t-shirts with elbow length sleeves!), not sure when I'll get there.  

Yesterday I went with Sonja and Oscar to look at a house.  I don't even know what to say.  The prices now are INSANE.   Monthly payments are triple what ours was, but the salaries haven't tripled.  There are not enough houses around here, when they go up for sale, people offer more than the asking price, some from out of town pay cash, the realtor said, and most houses are sold within days.  Finding a place to rent is a challenge too, a whole 'nother kettle of fish.

(I was interrupted from my writing by a red truck that pulled into the driveway...guy wanting me to sign a petition for the new town clerk, okay, no problem.  He was talkative and friendly, and told me he was limping up the stairs because he has knee problems.  Well.  We got to talking, and he needs a total replacement on the same knee, and goes to the same doctor as I do.  We talked and talked, then when he was hobbling away, he said, "Well that was nice, you are friendly, I like to talk to people and spread cheer, it's God's will."   So, it was a nice encounter.   I am so socially awkward, yet love a good friendly interaction...I mean, don't just pull into my driveway...!!!)

When you're trying to get your house ready for company,  you might possibly find that you have too many things on your counter.  I'm sorry, but do people really pull out their small appliances every time they use them, then put them back?  Where on earth do they have the space to store them?  I ask this, but we've started keeping the four slice toaster on the laundry room shelf, because it's so big.  Also we moved the microwave to on top of the washing machine in the laundry room temporarily for some party or other, and guess where it still is?  It's kind of hilarious and redneck-y to go into the laundry room to zap your bowl of soup, but it somehow works for us.  

I'm thinking the air fryer will go bye bye in there for a few days.  The Kitchen Aid stays on the counter though, it's too pretty:)

All the shallow stuff we think is so important, but it isn't.  Well, I want to bless Evelyn and make it nice for her, so of courses that is important. 

Ah well.  You have a really good day.  

second guessing is my favorite...

 It's what I do!  Making a decision in the first place is challenge #1, but sticking to it with certainty, well...

I have not changed my surgery date yet, sometimes I think I positively will, because:

1.  Autumn is farther away.  (Maybe I can lose some weight, get in better shape beforehand) (and, ha, it's farther away!)

2.  I can swim all I want to this summer.

3.  My knee doesn't hurt THAT badly. ( This is always followed by the pain flaring up and me remembering how badly it hurts when it hurts.)

The pluses of getting it done in June:

1.  It will be over with sooner, less of this dread.

2.  If the girls start college in the fall...

3.  Sonja is having her baby around Labor Day weekend.

Oh don't get all sick and tired of me blogging about the surgery!

This fine day, I went to the pool. It's my absolute favorite, I like it even better than second guessing things.  Wading down the ramp into the water, then I swim over to my water aerobic friends, they're a cheery group.  The guy who runs the class lost his wife to cancer in January, she was one special lady, and a dear friend.  He seems to be doing okay, I think three times a week in the pool is helpful for him, socially and physically. 

I've been puttering around here doing this and that...cleaned behind and under the couch, laundry (thinking about packing for Phoenix, leaving next week!). It's cold and we had some snow flurries here, Phoenix means hot weather clothes!    Here is a pic from a few years back with my eleven daughters and daughter-in-law Ashley.  Look at Camille's shoes!  

Orange Guy and Sunny on The Dog Couch

Sunny and Suri

Miss Char with Kettler on her lap, and Camille...we are watching "The Walking Dead".  I mostly joined in by accident, but it's fun watching stuff with them.  It's not really my thing, but it does catch the interest.

Tomorrow we're going to paint some ceilings and trim in the house across from Sam, then I'm getting the girls some dinner for helping.  Friday is a busy day, we have to get the rest of the things for the shower, and Margaret is working from here so we can help with her little ones, as she has some important meetings.  Kathryn might come over too.  I am planning a kid-friendly dinner of boxed mac and cheese, and hot dogs, not sure what I'll make for us.  I mean, that mac and cheese IS good, but...

Paul made bacon and eggs for dinner tonight, I toasted up some Ezekial bread, and it was so good.  I made some sugar free vanilla pudding, and had a squirt of the new Target lavender lemonade whipped cream on it...mmm.  

I do have a random comment:  if a person chooses, in this free country of ours, to buy an electric vehicle,  does anyone else have the right to deface or wreck this vehicle, for any reason?  I think not.  

Ah well....not much going on...have a good evening!

a date makes it real...

 ...but it's not really set in stone, is it?  I talked to the scheduling lady about the total knee replacement surgery.  She agreed that it was too aggressive and not actually realistic to fit it in after Phoenix and before the May weddings, with pre-surgery testing and all.  I have a camping trip on the weekend after Abigail's wedding, that first weekend in June, and it's in my favorite camping site.  So, June tenth is the date we decided on.

But.  It will ruin my summer.  I will not be able to get down that ladder into my pool, even if my incisions do heal up in a month.  We do not have AC, and the thought of not being able to swim all summer, even if I can still do the other three camping trips I have booked....the second trip would be four weeks out from surgery...would I be able to wade into Lake Ontario?  I don't know. 

So.  Being the excellent Second Guesser that I am, I am thinking perhaps trying for September instead.  Sonja and Oscar are having their baby around the beginning of the month, but I'd still be able to hold a baby, right?  Summer would be over, and I would be able to heal up by the holidays...it seems to make more sense.  

(The schedule lady was extremely understanding and if I call to change the date, it's fine)

Also, I was googling the heck out of total knee replacements, and there's a study that says 1 in 5 patients have regrets.  So I googled "total knee replacement regrets" and oh dear.  It was SUPER second guessing time!  But no, I had enough of that, and googled "Thankful for knee replacement", and okay, that's much better ha.  I mean, who needs to read stories about people who had even more pain afterwards?  No, I need "It changed my life and I can do more than ever!"  :). (as with a lot of medical procedures, there is the question of:  are way too many tkrs being done?  Do all these patients actually NEED this done?  Are some drs pushing for them because money?).  (for the record, my dr hasn't pushed me at all. )

Anyway.  Life is good, isn't it?  I am trying to make the most out of my challenges, went to Wegmans today, then Walmart for a few things for the wedding shower we're having here on Sunday.  Camille needed cream of tartar for her macarons, I wanted some pretty plates and some Baby Binks  (the cute little Palmer chocolate bunnies that used to be 88 cents, now $1.36!) for Easter for the grandkids, and something more for Evelyn's gift.

There was clearance stuff in the center aisle in Walmart so of course I perused, and found some of my favorite giant underwear for almost a fourth of their usual price!  I like the ones that come right up over the belly button, and hold my tummy in a bit, no bikini thongs for me.  

My point is we ended up have some things in our cart...more than 15, for sure, but not too much stuff.  There were two of the self check registers open, and yes, there are signs that say 15 Items Or Less.  But, there were only a few check- outs open with Real Human Cashiers, and they had carts just full of stuff.... the thought of getting in line behind them and waiting at that point...well, my knee was throbbing.  The girls convinced me no one would care at the self check out, so we checked out there, quickly and efficiently, with Char and Cam scanning, and me putting things back in the cart.  No one was behind us, there were still empty registers.  I was pretty surprised when the Self Check Lady approached us and reprimanded us for having more than 15 things.  "I understand, and I tried to use the other checkouts, but I didn't think I could stand that long, I have a really bad knee."  She told me there were a lot of registers open, which wasn't true, but I wasn't going to argue with her.  We were already finished.  She said next time we come in, we should remember the rule.  Okay.  Have a nice day.  

I don't much like to get in trouble.  But it was interesting.  I felt the temptation to be a witch with a capital B.  That growl-y feeling.  It gave me a sudden feeling of mercy for people who lash out at other people.   Maybe they're just in pain!  At the end of their rope, either physically or mentally.  I'm not saying it's good to lash out, just that I undersood it more, had this flash of clarity.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will obtain mercy.  We all know that verse.   We don't suffer for nothing, there is always something to learn, and God is good.  

The table color in the daytime...

The birthday party...

Wulf loves Pokemon!

Ashley and her three, Declan, Elise, Anya

Anya is so good with her little cousins...Ruth, and Rhys

Margaret made a poke-ball cake and cupcakes, and Pikachoo peeps.

Uncle Benjamin with Jamie, and Blythe, and Paul had his guitar out.

The grandchildren except for Lydia, Ophelia, Denzel, who didn't come, and Jamie who didn't want to be in the pic, and newborn Ellis.  So 11 of them!  Blythe didn't want to play Get Your Picture Taken either, but Evelyn tried!  

Yesterday we went to the Amazon store, it was $6 bin day.  We found a few fun things, then went over to play with Grant, Ruth, and Maeve for a bit while Grace had an appointment.  They are quite adorable, and we had a good time with them.

We stopped at the grocery store too, just for a few things, this store has closed in our area, and they had pork chops for $1.99 a pound, the center cut ones that are so yummy...these days, meat for that price a pound is a steal.  Paul does not care for pork chops, but I love them.  I think it's a childhood thing, we got to have a whole one, and we mostly had meat that was in a casserole or something.  Anyway.  They're marinating in lime juice, olive oil, salt and pepper, and I might just go throw them on the grill this afternoon, even though...if you can believe this....it was snowing here today!  brrr!  Spring, my arse, as my mother would have said.  

Anyway.  I'm going to get up and putter around a bit.  Camille has started the macarons, she's making cookie butter with cookie butter buttercream, and strawberry with vanilla buttercream and strawberry jam in the center.  I will be making strawberry cupcakes with pink vanilla buttercream frosting, and Margaret's making the carrot cake cookies.  We have pale pink gingham tablecloths, and we're getting out the tea cups.  We'll have punch, and Diet and regular Coke, water bottles, coffee, tea, seltzers.  Dill hummus with pita chips, a fruit platter,  mini meatballs in bbq sauce, bruschetta with baguette, chips and dip, white chocolate dipped strawberries, and some puff pastry things Emily is making, vegan curry puffs, and fried buffalo chicken bites.  

I cannot get the fruit until Friday so it's fresh, and I forgot to buy the frozen meatballs today, and I had a list on my phone.  I'll get the tomatoes and the baguette on Friday too.  I think I'll make the cupcakes today, and freeze them.  

On Thursday, we're headed to the House to paint ceilings.  Sonja, Char, and Cam are helping, I'll probably work on finishing painting trim.  We'll then get some dinner, as promised as payment ha, then visit with Evelyn for a bit.  Then Friday Margaret is coming here to work because she has some meetings, I might bring her children to Aldi with me.  Saturday will be the real Clean The House and Decorate Day, and hopefully it'll all get done.  

I love sitting in my comfy chair typing about how busy I'm gonna be...:). Hot coffee, kitty on my chair arm purring away, Char making rice and Asian chicken in sesame oil, Cam making her macrons and humming "Phantom of the Opera".  She'll be belting out some lyrics soon too.  

Warm and good and special and delightful, these days with these girls.  I know they are numbered.  Miss Charlotte will be going to college in the fall, not positive if Camille will be starting then too.  They will be working more soon, and won't have these blissful days at home, and freedom to go out and about with their old mother.  

Yes, children are supposed to grow up and stand on their own two feet.  In no way do I want to stop that, but the last few flapping their wings ready to fly, oh dear, it's hard for my soul.  They both have driving permits, Charlotte Claire did all the driving today and is doing quite well.  Cam is coming along too.  It's only a matter of time...they're 17 and 18 now.  They're not moving out yet, they'll probably live at home while they're in school...

Anyway....you all have a good day, stay warm, and enjoy the day!