and there she is! #21! a picture, finally!

Well, there she is, little Miss Nicole Elizabeth!   I don't know why pictures are going on the blog now, but you can all see this newborn who has stolen my very heart.  She has had some ups and downs, but she's waking up more and responds to her mama and daddy!  She is just beautiful, and I love her so much.  (She has Thanatophoric skeletal dysplasia.   She is a miracle baby, and please, keep praying for her! )  

This is a pic from the shower, and I thought I'd leave it even though I previously posted a similar one.

A picture from August, Sonja and Oscar and little Kaia, Nate and Evelyn with Bridget, Miss Suzanne, Miss Char, and Miss Cam...

Blythe...she spent the night and was such an angel!

Tenny got a new fishing pole from Grandpa!  (don't know why I didn't get a pic of Wulf!)

 Miss Kaia Jean is trying to tell you something!

Kathryn is having her baby next month, or in the first part of November, a baby girl, #22.

Then Margaret and Adrian will have a January baby, girl or boy, we don't know!

March, Sonja and Oscar will be having #24!

What a day I had...hum drum...I vac/mopped the floors, puttered around, did some dishes, went to the small city for a doctor's appointment for my new knee.  I found a spot on the street (so much easier than the parking garage!), and walked in, so conscious how easy it was compared to several months ago.  X-rays showed a nice sturdy implant, but in the left knee:  severe arthritis with bone spurs.  eew.  Dr. said it's up to me, a new left knee in two weeks, two months, two years, whenever I want it.  Or never, which sounds kind of good.  :)

After my appointment, I went to Aldi for a caulflower crust pizza, a pizza crust and some cheese for the girls, a chuck roast because it is chuck roast-in-the-crock-pot season, some cream, apples, arugula, cucumbers, ect.  I went in to Sherwin Williams for a can of paint for the bathroom...we cannot find the paint we used for in there just last year, I wonder if we used it all?  A shelf fell off the wall, Paul repaired the wall but we need the paint.  I had to look up old blog posts to find the color, and sure enough, I had posted it!  Symmetry!  Sherwin Williams keeps track of your purchases, and told me it was a matte finish.  

Home...ahh, home.  I got it all in and put away, then put my feet up for a few minutes when Sonja called.  She needed to go to the grocery store!  Yes, of course I'd go with her!  I drove to her house, and got in the car with her and little Kaia.  We went to the thrift store first, found a few nice books for Kaia, a toy she didn't really need but really liked, and a new cape with a hood, which is adorable.  

Then, to Aldi again!  I pushed the cart with Kaia in it, and we had fun saying hi to everyone.  

We stopped for a coffee, which was super duper delicious, but...I dropped it when I got up the deck steps with my groceries the second time....(Who knew I'd need more stuff the second time?  I only got pears, one jar of sauce, one can of diced tomatoes, and seltzer:  apple ala mode.)

I put chicken thighs in some lime juice and lots of cajun seasoning when I got home.  Into the air fryer until nice and crispy, splashed with bbq sauce and put back in....not too shabby.  

Tomorrow I have to bring Cam to class, and I think Evelyn is coming over...Wednesday I have a dermatologist appointment (I do love the sun, so I make it a point not to miss my yearly exam!).  Thursday, bringing Cam again, then Friday a brekky with swim friends.  In a few weeks, Mariel and Suzanne and I will be going to Delaware again, to visit Abigail and Derek...not sure if we'll be allowed to visit sweet little baby or not, but we can still see mama and daddy and make them a nice dinner.  

I do plan to get back to hoeing out things...I was derailed last week, but that's okay.  Life does happen.  Paul was working on things too, we had a lot of camping equipment, he ditched a few old tents.  We only need one tent these days.  

Anyway, not much else going on...I keep tuning into the new baby on her angel care cam...:). She's so sweet.

You all have a really nice night!

 

it's another Saturday night!

 This has been a fine day.  A puttering day.  Paul and the girls got up and left before I got out of bed.  I wasn't really sleeping, but was in no hurry.  It was a breezy dark morning, with a chill in the air, just perfect for not getting up:)

Coffee, yes.  I cleaned up the guest room, put the trundle back and folded things up and vacuumed in there.  I vacuumed over near the door, and along edges and the main floors.  I picked up stray toys, and did a few loads of laundry.  I sat at the table with the bowl of apples, peeled and sliced some and put together two pans of applesauce (made with two huge jars of unsweetened applesauce, sprinkled with brown sugar and cinnamon).  They are covered in foil and in the 'fridge for tomorrow.  I got out the 9+ pound piece of pork loin, cut it in half, sprinkled it with lime juice, then covered it with a mixture of salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, butter garlic seasoning, and steak seasoning.  It's in a foil covered pan in the fridge too.  (I'll also make mashed potatoes tomorrow)  I cleaned out the refrigerator a bit too.  Then I used my new toy, the fun vac/mop and did the floors.  I moved some furniture, and did a nice job. 

I talked to Abigail on the phone.  She's been discharged from the hospital, she was in three nights for her c-section.  Now she is a visitor, and is visiting Nicole and delivering milk to her.  Nicole is doing okay, her oxygen has been increased again because of blood pressure issues.  I don't pretend to understand it all.  Paul and I both have camera access and can peek in on her whenever we want to, and we do!  She's the cutest little thing!  

The girls are gone again, to a friend's house to watch a movie.  Paul is here, football is on, I am tuning it out.  Kitty is on the arm of my chair, and I am very comfy.  I got on the exercise bike a little while ago.  Dinner:  I made waffles for the girls (Paul had a big lunch and wasn't hungry, I hadn't eaten anything but a packet of nuts so I was!), and chaffles for me.  I've explained the recipe before, but here it is again:  2 eggs, whisked with some vanilla.  Add a few spoons of almond flour, a tiny bit of baking powder if you want, then add a cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.  It goes into a hot waffle iron, sprayed with non-stick spray, and mmmm.  I added a teaspoon of brown sugar to it too, then just a splash of real maple syrup and a little bit of real whipped cream.  It was a nice filling dinner.

But shh, I did have some kettle corn a little while ago.  Only one serving though.  I didn't bring the bag out, so much easier that way, just fill one bowl and put the bag away...it doesn't always work, but we try.

So wasn't that a wonderful and exciting Saturday?  Tomorrow will be totally different, church then having the family over....so far I think around 24 will be here.  Kathryn is making bread, Margaret is bringing sheet veggies, Mariel is bringing something, not sure what.  It'll be loud and crazy and chaotic, and I will love every bit of it.  

You all have a really good night!

and we all love a good Friday!

This fine morning, I woke up to the pitter patter of little feet!  Those rascals were up early.  I cannot complain though, they went to bed SO good for me last night!  In our guest room down the hallway, we have a really nice twin day bed with a trundle.  Blythe, who is three years old, and very excited about sleeping at Grandma's house, was all helpful in getting the beds ready.  Grandpa went to the Dollar General for new toothbrushes:). I read some stories, got her into her jammies, and tucked her in with two baby dolls, said prayers, and that was it.  She went to sleep.  (I had a panic, she couldn't find BABY, her own baby doll, which she had brought with her...but she was fine to take the other dolls...then this morning, I found BABY out on the deck in the underseat compartment of the Fisher-Price Trike.)

Wulf and Tenny got to stay up for a while, then they went in so quietly and went to bed without waking their little sister.

They wanted waffles for brekky, but I showed them the pumpkin spice Cheerios I got yesterday...but those kids drive a hard bargain, one suggested chocolate milk in their cereal, and they all jumped on it.  I didn't stand a chance, so yeah, that's what they had.  

They played outside and inside, Tenny tried out my new floor cleaner.  They rode their hoverboards around, and Blythe played with the toy Oreos and dollhouse and tea sets.  Blythe colored, and Wulf made himself a fake fishing license.  The day flew by, and their parents came to pick them up, all healthy, one of them with some heavy antibiotics.  

Sonja came and picked me up, along with Miss Char and Miss Cam, and we went to Target with her and Kaia.  I finally caved and bought new sheets, they were half off...I like 100% cotton:). I got some Pepsi Zero, and some little plastic bowls that come in so handy for the grandkids, yet they disappear.  

Home....ahh, home.  We had chicken marinating for the girls' new fave, the peanut chicken with coconut rice. We pitched in and got it all prepared and cooked pretty fast.  I only had a few spoons of rice, and lots of steamed broccoli and some raw shredded cabbage, mmm, so good with the scallions and that peanut butter sauce, spicy and mmm.  

The new sheets are almost dry and ready to go on the bed, it's the little things, right?  I could have waited and dried them outside tomorrow in the sunshine, but bugs...and I would have to wait.  

Football is on, and I am doing my good old block-it-out thing.  Sometimes I tune in to it, more and more I enjoy it when I do, but mostly I don't care about it at all.  :)

The hospital where baby Nicole is has an angel eye camera system so we can watch her from our phones, isn't that wonderful?  Of course Paul's worked right away, and me, Miss Tech-y, had mine all screwed up.  He helped me figure it out, and I am very thankful for this.  

There are no other updates, which is really actually a good thing.  :). 

This Sunday I have invited the family over for a pork loin roast dinner, with applesauce, roasted or mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes...I would like to bake some pies, but we'll see, won't we?  

You all have a really good night! 

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.  :). 

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...:) 

here I am again...back from the beach!

 Oh, it's hard to wake up on the last day of camping and know you have to move it and pack it all up to go home.  If it were up to me, we would take it more leisurely, but Mr. Paul, well, he likes to get on home.  It didn't help that yesterday morning it was spitting rain, threatening a downpour.  We had Wulf and Tennyson in our camper with us (their mama and daddy were in their tent with little Blythe).   

I like to wake up on a camping morning, and have my coffee in bed, if Paul makes me one, and he always will.  My camping bed:  I have the whole foam mattress pad folded in half on my side because he doesn't like a squishy bed.  I bring nice crisp white sheets, and a duvet with a wonderful cotton cover.  Even if I get out of bed and have my coffee, I do enjoy it way more than anyplace else.  This campsite we had was right on the water, right in view of Lake America:).   

Being able to slip on the swimsuit and walk over for a swim anytime:  luxury.  I am SO thankful for state parks!  It's so affordable, so glad the land was sold to the state, it was set aside for regular people to enjoy.  We like to drive around and gawk at the rich people's houses and camps, in Henderson Harbor, for example.  Even forty or fifty years ago, regular people could have a camp there, but the taxes!  Around the Finger Lakes it's the same thing...rich people buy it all up.  So yay for the state parks!  (and don't get me started on the town boards across the country making it illegal for people to Airbnb their properties, trying to keep the riff raff out!  For some of us, it's a way to experience and area we wouldn't otherwise be able to!). Anyway.

I'm reading a book, The Daughters of Mars, by Thomas Keneally (he wrote Schindler's List), about Australian sisters in World War One, who were nurses...Emily read it first and let me borrow it, there's nothing like reading a good book and having someone to talk to about it.  So when we had rainy weather camping, I couldn't be happier, sitting on my comfy bed with my book.

Now we're home, the washing machine is humming.  All of our bedding is in from the camper for the season, taking turns going through.  Then a certain yellow Lab decided to nap on our bed while I was at the pool this morning, and she piddled!  So my big nice comforter and sheets:  into the washing machine, it got ahead of the other loads, skipped the line.  The bedroom door is closed now, bad doggie.  :)

The pool was wonderful.  We're scrambling now for a class leader, now that Rich is gone.  Three of us are going to take turns, and I don't want a turn, but no one else wants to do it.  I know I'll get yakking and lose track, so I'll have to issue a disclaimer, and ask for help to keep on track.  As long as we're moving, it's all good, but it is nice to do all the different exercises.  

Camille and I looked at house plans last evening...trying to plan our little in-law house, if it actually happens.  The thought of selling this huge place pains me, it's home, and I've had so many dreams through the years of moving away, and missing this house.  I do feel comfortable and at home in Emily's house, so I think living in their back yard will be warm and homey, but it'll still be hard.  

It's cool and rainy today, very cozy and seriously autumn-like, it was only 67 when I got in my car after the pool.  Of course I didn't bring a rain coat, and got soaked, turned the heat on!  

My plan is to get the house cleaned out little by little.  Then, whatever we decide to do, at least that will be done.  It's easier to plan than to actually do, but I saw a video of someone doing a clean out, and they used dark trash bags for donations, and light ones for garbage, I thought that was a great idea.  

We have SO many books in this house.  I grew up with:  books are sacred, to be revered, and treated with respect.  I have come to understand that we do not have to own all the books.  There are libraries.  I will ask the kids to come and take whatever books they want, as they are the ones who owned most of them, but the rest will be donated to the thrift stores.  Children's books are different, it's nice to have a lot of really good ones.  

I am more of a buyer than a seller, on Marketplace, so ha, I have too much stuff.  It's not like hoarding or anything, but there are a lot of toys that I've held on to because:  I love toys.  I got rid of all the Fisher Price Little People sets, but still have the Loving Family dollhouses and bins of dollhouse stuff.  We have Waffleblocks, and toy strollers and shopping carts, and Legos and Duplos and race car tracks and Barbie bins....ride ons and trucks and tractors...the toy kitchen and all the stuff with that...I will be going through it and downsizing it all. 

My plan for holiday decorations:  when I put the summer stuff away and bring out the autumn stuff, I'll get rid of some of it...then same with the autumn...Christmas stuff I need to be radical with, there is too much of it.  

Baby stuff:  I have an Emmaljunga carriage, an Emmaljunga double stroller, a high chair (which I'm always pushing, can't wrap my head around not using it when feeding a busy crawler or new toddler!), booster seats, walker, baby seat, plug in cradle bed, pack and play...it's all useful for when the grandkids need it, and I won't hurry to downsize those things, but there might come a time...

Less is more.  Too bad whenever I get rid of things, next thing I know I need them.  :)

Also too bad I like to go shopping.  

Today, for example, I was trying really hard to psyche myself out to clean out the laundry room.  I'm thinking to go room by room and get rid of stuff.  Well, good thing for me, saved by the bell, Sonja texted and asked if I want to do anything.  Yes, I'll do anything!  :). 

I love organization, I adore it, admire it, long for it.  I clean things out and love it, but I can't seem to keep it organized.  Good thing I never give up trying, I will always vow it's gonna stay nice like this forever!  If it weren't for that very likely false optimism, what kind of gosh-forsaken heck hole (Marge Simpson) would I be living in?  

So my washer and dryer are humming, the sink is cleared of dishes, I have puttered and here I am in my chair, waiting to decide what to do with Sonja and little Miss Kaia....you all have a good day! 

ah well, words are pictures too...

 This fine morning, I went to the pool.  I like to get there nice and early, and walk backwards in neck deep water, then forwards, do leg kicks, warm up, get the blood flowing, it's wonderful.  It is not wonderful that Rich is no longer there.  It's a vast emptiness.  

After our swim class, some of us went out to breakfast at the little place in town.  None of us has ever had anything there we didn't love.  Today, I had scrambled eggs and crispy hash browns, and raisin toast.  They make their own bread, so how can you say no toast, please. ?  You can't.  The coffee is delicious, and part of that diner experience, to have it topped off again and again, ahh.  

On our agenda was to talk about Rich.  I told the story of the girl named after him, the baby he delivered at the county fair, and met up with at work a few decades later, she was named Richelle...I thought it was Richalene, but it was Richelle.  Small world.  Others shared jokes he told and we agreed that although he was gruff sometimes, when he laughed heartily, it was fantastic.  One of the ladies told me that he said to her a few times that I reminded him of Laura in the Little House on The Prairie show.  Okay, but typical.  He also told me not long ago that I looked like a marshmallow, but not a big white one, a toasty one.  Because of my tan.  (Just to be clear, he was much older, and like a kindly father figure, a grandfatherly guy.)

Sitting around drinking our coffee and confessing our guilt was therapeutic.  Oh you know the guilt I speak of:  each of us had some examples of things we should have noticed, or did notice, or a text we didn't answer.  We talked about having someone, a person, to confide in so as to not bear burdens alone.  

We laughed and we teared up, and it was good.

After saying our goodbyes, I headed out to do my camping shopping.  I stopped at the thrift store first, because it's been a while.  I dawdled and meandered, and came up with an adorable $4.99 shirt for me that had the right colored ticket to be half off, two books for me (one is by Anne Tyler, love her!), a baby animals book, and five vintage Corelle Christmas plates with winter sleigh scenes, 99 cents each.  I know, I know, we need to downsize, not buy more plates.  But, if you go by the toss if it doesn't bring you joy philosophy, shouldn't you buy if it DOES bring you joy?

I should have packing for camping just down pat by now.  When something is just habit, it's easy to mess up because maybe you're not thinking very hard about it anymore.  Having a camper makes it so much easier, there are already plates and forks and pans, the coffee grinder (even with no electricity, we freshly grind our coffee each morning!  We can plug it into the truck, or turn on the generator.), mugs and garbage bags, paper towels, all the fun stuff in there.  The refrigerator is plugged in (it switches to propane) and when I got back from the store, I just loaded it up.  Sausages and eggs, cheese, grapes, strawberries, chicken, protein bread, cream.  

It is a game changer, having a camper.  I left my bedding in there this summer, extra stuff.  But I washed the sheets and my duvet cover, have to bring them back out tomorrow before we leave.  

After this final camping trip for the year, we will have to bring everything in.  I'll leave dishes and coffee mugs, but no bedding or food of course.  

I don't bring the Macbook camping, and now it's Tuesday morning and we're packing up in a few hours.  I have several loads of stuff to carry out still, and Paul is working right now (his real job), and I missed the girls before they left for work, they would have taken some out for me.  The way our house is designed, there are stairs.  A full staircase from the deck, or half a flight out the front door, but then down the sidewalk so a longer lug.  (What WERE we thinking?!)

Speaking of that, we do have some downsizing plans.  We have not done anything towards those yet, but we do have the idea to sell this huge monstrosity of a house and build a granny suite behind Emily's house.  My idea:  a huge-0 rectangle, as big as we can afford, with two small bedrooms, two small full baths, some storage, and one big all purpose room (kitchen/living room), for gathering.  We hope to expand their driveway, and they have a nice big yard....so hopefully a pool.  We'll see.  

Anyway.  I'll be off frolicking in the lake, throwing the stick for Sunny.  It's when I miss Suri the most, because they had this thing they did...they would both chase that stick out into the water, Suri would slow down and let Sunny do the work, then when Sunny was coming back in with it, Suri would chomp down on it too, and they would both swim back with the stick.  

I'll be getting that wonderful camping sleep, not actually comfortable, but just so satisfying.  Waking up and having that stove right in the camper to put the coffee water kettle on, sometimes Paul gets up and makes me a coffee and I drink it right in bed...the beds are the tent ends that stick out on both sides, you can unzip them totally and get lots of fresh air, unless it's raining.  But there are windows you can open in the rain and still stay dry.  We are right on the lake, so it will be lovely.  It can be windy sometimes, but it's worth it.  

One thing worth mentioning:  I am SUPER thankful for my mobility, wonky as it is.  Walking out into the lake ahhh, it's something I pictured myself not being able to do, back when I could not take one step without the walker then the cane.  I couldn't remember, back in the dead of winter, whether our camper had the little handle next to the door so I could somehow heave myself up the steps, (it was covered, so I couldn't even have someone check)(it does!)...as I looked forward to warmer weather, I didn't know if I would be able to function on a camping trip, and look at me, I can!  It's the best feeling, and I can't stop being thankful for it.  

Being up at the lake is full of nostalgia for me, my parents loved Lake Ontario.  We camped there when I was growing up, then they bought a camp just ten or so miles south of where we'll be.  My sister also loved this lake, last year she actually made it up there for a visit, which I treasure in my memory.  The best camping trip ever was when she went with her seven girls and I went with my first ten kids and one niece, without Bill or Paul because they had to work.  A whole week!  I miss her terribly.  

So I won't take my time there for granted.  I'll look up at the stars, illuminated without the glare of city lights, and I'll remember my father telling us about the endless galaxies.  By the fire, I'll remember my mother and her absolute joy at a building a good fire.  

My brother and his wife will be up there this week too.  And, Benjamin and Ashley with Anya, Elise and Declan.  Margaret and Adrian will be up for the weekend with Wulf, Tenny, and Blythe, and Kathryn will bring her four up on Saturday too.  Molly might come on Friday with Lydia, Ophelia, and Declan.  I never said it would be quiet, ha.  

You all have a good week, enjoy the summer days...

well...wow I have a lot of kids!

 Last evening, ten of my daughters and two of my daughter-in-laws, and I were at Emily and Mariel's house for a therapy session/hilarious evening.  We did talk about the three girls' recent hospitalizations, and we thanked God for hearing our prayers for healing!  We had homemade corn salsa (Mariel), fresh cut fruit, bruschetta (Emily), and a wonderful freshly made peach cobbler dish from the peaches from Ashley's yard, with vanilla ice cream.  (I brought Hershey's assorted chocolate nuggets, and Lindt truffles)

This fine morning, I got up and got busy.  Just kidding, I sat in my comfy chair and had coffee and read blogs.  Sam and Grace came over with Grant, Ruth, Maeve, and Samantha.  Kathryn, Darius, Achilles, Rhys, Jamie, and Ellis came.  Molly came with Lydia, Ophelia, and Denzel.  Emily came, Mariel too.  Jonathan and Rosi came with baby Emily, and Evelyn and Nate with little newborn Bridget.  Sonja stopped in, and brought Char and Cam to see The Odyssey.  

It was Grand Central Station in here, and I loved it.  I held babies and I hugged grandchildren.  I gave Lydia her birthday presents, and Denzel his.  Emily grilled hot dogs and sausages.  

Tomorrow after swim, there is a brekky with classmates, then I'll go to the store for camping supplies, as we are leaving on Tuesday.  I am tired enough tonight, but oh what a wonderful day!!!