The sunshine really helps my productivity. It was so nice to see the sun today!
This is going to sound stupid, but I bought 10 pounds of potatoes for the anticipated Christmas Eve dinner, then changed the menu. I had a huge bag of potatoes here that had no chance of being used. On my errands this afternoon, I decided to take the bag to church. They cook for the Indy homeless on Wednesdays. Hope they can be used!
Got some prescriptions renewed today. The pharmacy computer said I wasn't due yet, but I told the dude that I fill out a week-long medication filler, and was going to be gone for a few days. Guess that worked.
Will leave for Illinois tomorrow, with snow coming this way. Damn the torpedoes; full speed ahead!
Guess Megan and Denis are in receipt of the keys to their new apartment today. They are now three hours behind Indiana, so I have trouble figuring out their schedule. Megan showed up on Skype this early afternoon but made no attempt to contact me, so I gave up and moved on. They have, basically, nothing. They will need to buy a bed and a table, at first, just to get by...and food staples. Staples alone usually cost $200...eggs, butter, bread, milk, salt, pepper, baking soda, blah, blah. Been there, done that. I wish them well. They also need dishes, pots and pans, towels, etc. Meg is basically re-creating her life, leaving everything behind. My heart breaks over some of that.
Moving on. Getting ready for the IL trip!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Green Poop, Ripped Thumbnails, and Broken Teeth
This may fall into the Too Much Information category, but it is my life.
For instance, did you know that if you eat wreath cookies with green food coloring in them, you get green poop? I didn't. Very colorful!
Then, today, I went to open a car door and a piece of ice bit me under the thumbnail. At least, I think that's what happened...or I somehow ripped the nail into the "quick". It bled and now hurts. Yuck!
Last night, it felt like I had food caught between a couple of back molars, so I got out the floss and started working in there. Out popped a huge portion of my tooth! That means I now have three broken teeth, and I'm beginning to wonder if I am going to end up with dentures. I do have dental insurance, but it doesn't pay all that much toward mouth appliances. Guess I will wait to make the dentist appointment after I get back from Illinois. It's getting rather hard to eat!
I took my car to a repair garage in Stilesville this morning. It's a bit of a hike, but a ham friend works there and is fair in charging. He/They determined that the thermostat was, indeed, the problem with the "check engine" light. Had that replaced and had them flush and fill the radiator on the recommendation of another ham friend. Total cost was just under $300. Just hope the car will make it through winter with no further problems. And speaking of that, I left the house 10 minutes early to go meet my back-up ride to the repair shop. Thought all I would have to do was brush the snow off the car, but nooooo... There was ice under the snow. Had to scrape. I was 10 minutes late meeting Big Ryan and about froze my hands in the process. I hate winter!
I was in what used to be the master bedroom last evening. ("Used to be" because it was once mine...then we moved Meg in there when the garage was made into a Grandma room...and now it's empty.) Trying to decide what to do back there. Anyway, I was organizing the stuff she left behind, figuring out what to do with it. Came across a journal, of sorts, that Meg wrote back when she was in high school and in "luv" with Mike L. Couldn't think of living without him...blah, blah. Water under the bridge. My first thought was to sit down at the computer and transcribe it for posterity, but my second thought was "Whatever for"?? It went in the trash. Bye-bye!
All of Indiana--and maybe the rest of the country--is talking about last night's Colts game, where the coach's decision was to remove the starters from the game with only a 5-point lead, in order to prevent anyone from getting hurt before the playoffs. Colts have been undefeated, and it was a home game. Guess what? Colts lost! There are a whole bunch of disgruntled fans. What's done is done, but there is a lot of armchair quarterbacking going on in the Hoosier state today!
Worked on my bedroom some today. My bedroom (garage room) = place where everything goes that has no other place in the house. Digging out...again. Will the job ever be done???
Stay tuned!
Watching the weather for the Illinois trip on Wednesday...
For instance, did you know that if you eat wreath cookies with green food coloring in them, you get green poop? I didn't. Very colorful!
Then, today, I went to open a car door and a piece of ice bit me under the thumbnail. At least, I think that's what happened...or I somehow ripped the nail into the "quick". It bled and now hurts. Yuck!
Last night, it felt like I had food caught between a couple of back molars, so I got out the floss and started working in there. Out popped a huge portion of my tooth! That means I now have three broken teeth, and I'm beginning to wonder if I am going to end up with dentures. I do have dental insurance, but it doesn't pay all that much toward mouth appliances. Guess I will wait to make the dentist appointment after I get back from Illinois. It's getting rather hard to eat!
I took my car to a repair garage in Stilesville this morning. It's a bit of a hike, but a ham friend works there and is fair in charging. He/They determined that the thermostat was, indeed, the problem with the "check engine" light. Had that replaced and had them flush and fill the radiator on the recommendation of another ham friend. Total cost was just under $300. Just hope the car will make it through winter with no further problems. And speaking of that, I left the house 10 minutes early to go meet my back-up ride to the repair shop. Thought all I would have to do was brush the snow off the car, but nooooo... There was ice under the snow. Had to scrape. I was 10 minutes late meeting Big Ryan and about froze my hands in the process. I hate winter!
I was in what used to be the master bedroom last evening. ("Used to be" because it was once mine...then we moved Meg in there when the garage was made into a Grandma room...and now it's empty.) Trying to decide what to do back there. Anyway, I was organizing the stuff she left behind, figuring out what to do with it. Came across a journal, of sorts, that Meg wrote back when she was in high school and in "luv" with Mike L. Couldn't think of living without him...blah, blah. Water under the bridge. My first thought was to sit down at the computer and transcribe it for posterity, but my second thought was "Whatever for"?? It went in the trash. Bye-bye!
All of Indiana--and maybe the rest of the country--is talking about last night's Colts game, where the coach's decision was to remove the starters from the game with only a 5-point lead, in order to prevent anyone from getting hurt before the playoffs. Colts have been undefeated, and it was a home game. Guess what? Colts lost! There are a whole bunch of disgruntled fans. What's done is done, but there is a lot of armchair quarterbacking going on in the Hoosier state today!
Worked on my bedroom some today. My bedroom (garage room) = place where everything goes that has no other place in the house. Digging out...again. Will the job ever be done???
Stay tuned!
Watching the weather for the Illinois trip on Wednesday...
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Sluggard!
Don't know what my problem is. For the last three days, I have basically done very little around here...and there are so many things I could be doing. On Christmas Eve, late, I came down with a minor cold. Postponed my trip to Illinois the next day because I figured it was going to develop into something nasty. It didn't. Just enough to keep me coughing and blowing my nose, but not enough to make me feel all that bad. But still...
Do you know how bad Sunday television programming is? I've even had to resort to watching Keeping Up with the Kardashians! You know...the one where Kris puts some kind of male enhancement medication in hubby Bruce Jenner's coffee, and her son inadvertently drinks it. He ends up having to go to the doctor because he is having...uh...shall we say, a "male enhancement" problem that won't go away. She has to confess to her men what she has done. THAT is the programming that I am reduced to watching! Pretty sad!
I have new electronics to learn. Yesterday, I got a lesson in how to use the MP-3 player that Santa brought me. Learning curve there. And I have a "new" cell phone (Megan's old one). Learning curve there, too. Plus an old digital camera that Megan left behind that still works. I can take pictures. Had to have a lesson in how to put them on the computer. Yet another learning curve. As my daughter once said, "It's useless to teach technology to you Baby Boomers!" (Tell you what...THIS Baby Boomer has done a lot through the years to enable her Me Generation behavior. She needs to be a little more respectful!)
It has been snowing, gently, virtually all day. I think we have a couple of inches of snow on the ground now. We've had about three snowfalls, so far, that just represented "dustings", so this is the first bigger one. I don't care. My car has only left the driveway once in three days!
Colts game should be going on now. Maybe I'll look for it on TV. Go Colts!
Do you know how bad Sunday television programming is? I've even had to resort to watching Keeping Up with the Kardashians! You know...the one where Kris puts some kind of male enhancement medication in hubby Bruce Jenner's coffee, and her son inadvertently drinks it. He ends up having to go to the doctor because he is having...uh...shall we say, a "male enhancement" problem that won't go away. She has to confess to her men what she has done. THAT is the programming that I am reduced to watching! Pretty sad!
I have new electronics to learn. Yesterday, I got a lesson in how to use the MP-3 player that Santa brought me. Learning curve there. And I have a "new" cell phone (Megan's old one). Learning curve there, too. Plus an old digital camera that Megan left behind that still works. I can take pictures. Had to have a lesson in how to put them on the computer. Yet another learning curve. As my daughter once said, "It's useless to teach technology to you Baby Boomers!" (Tell you what...THIS Baby Boomer has done a lot through the years to enable her Me Generation behavior. She needs to be a little more respectful!)
It has been snowing, gently, virtually all day. I think we have a couple of inches of snow on the ground now. We've had about three snowfalls, so far, that just represented "dustings", so this is the first bigger one. I don't care. My car has only left the driveway once in three days!
Colts game should be going on now. Maybe I'll look for it on TV. Go Colts!
Friday, December 25, 2009
Robin's Picture
When custody changed for my grandchildren and they were sent from here to live in Muncie, Robin's personal school supplies and belongings, etc., from Van Buren Elementary, were brought to me by her former Brownie Scout leader. Among the the items was a drawing done in art class--an under-sea picture of various fishes on a water color/resistance wash background. There was a shark, a sea horse, a clown fish, a dolphin...and something else...remarkably well done. At the bottom was a treasure chest and a key, such as you might find in an aquarium. I was struck with the artistic skill of a barely-7-year-old that I thought I might try to find a frame for it before it got any more wrinkled or had the edges torn up.
During this Christmas shopping season, I looked in several department stores, but there were no frames that would work. The picture was done on a 12" by 18" piece of paper. I could find NOTHING with a 12 x 18 opening, and Robin had made such good use of the whole paper that there was nothing I could trim to make it work in other sizes without jeopardizing the integrity of her picture. Professional framing would work but would be $70 or more. My idea was well-intentioned, but it didn't look like it was going to happen...at least not for this Christmas.
A couple of weeks ago, I had reason to go to Jo Ann Fabrics to get a fabric remnant for a little project. If I had just gotten the material and left, it would have cost me all of $1.50...but I decided to take a jaunt through their picture frames. Up and down the aisles. Will this size work? No... What about buying a picture in a frame and chucking the picture? Hmmm....still nothing. Up and down the aisles some more. Gave up and went to another area of the store to look for something...then back to the picture frames. Nothing...nothing...NOTHING would work. On my last traipse down a frame aisle, I spied a BIG matted picture frame with a 12 x 18 opening. Wow! Success! But price tag = $45. Whoa! That's a bit much for a piece of 2nd grade artwork. You know the rest of the story...right? Of course, I bought the frame!
I thought I was nuts. Didn't know if Robin would have a place for the picture in Muncie. Didn't know if she'd even care much, since it wouldn't exactly be a gift to play with. As she opened it on Christmas Eve morning, she seemed to like it...but I couldn't really tell. When it got close to time for family to arrive for our early Christmas Even dinner, Robin asked when they would get here. I said, "Any time now." She posed herself on the edge of the couch with the picture on her lap, facing outward, waiting for people so it would be the first thing they saw when they came in the door. She stayed that way for at least ten minutes before her daddy and stepmother and step-grandmother came. Then, as the next wave of people showed up, Robin did the same thing--sat on the couch with the picture on her lap. By the time her other grandparents got here, there was no longer any room on the couch, but she immediately pointed the picture out to Grandma Judy, (then took Judy to the back bedroom to show her the poster of Robin and Ryan running in the surf in Florida, given to us by a close family friend). My guess is that she was very proud of her picture!
When I give things to the grandchildren, I am always careful to tell them that the things are theirs to do with as they wish: leave here for their next visit, or take home. I never know what their reasoning will be, but I want them to know that they have the choice. I asked Robin if she had decided what she wanted to do with the picture. She said, "Take it." After they left for Grandma Judy's, I noticed that the picture had been left behind. Did that mean she had a change of heart? They could not have been at Judy's house--a mere mile from here--for more than two minutes when my phone rang. It was Kendra asking if I'd bring the picture when I came over. Robin must have noticed that it had been left behind!
I know from experience that pictures, cross-stitch projects, etc., always look so much better when they are properly framed. I don't know if Robin's happiness with the picture was because it was HER picture, or because **I** liked it so much...or if it just looked good to her in the frame. I only know that it didn't hurt her self-esteem at all to see her artwork in a formal matted frame. A forty-five dollar investment in a little girl's pride was money well spent!
During this Christmas shopping season, I looked in several department stores, but there were no frames that would work. The picture was done on a 12" by 18" piece of paper. I could find NOTHING with a 12 x 18 opening, and Robin had made such good use of the whole paper that there was nothing I could trim to make it work in other sizes without jeopardizing the integrity of her picture. Professional framing would work but would be $70 or more. My idea was well-intentioned, but it didn't look like it was going to happen...at least not for this Christmas.
A couple of weeks ago, I had reason to go to Jo Ann Fabrics to get a fabric remnant for a little project. If I had just gotten the material and left, it would have cost me all of $1.50...but I decided to take a jaunt through their picture frames. Up and down the aisles. Will this size work? No... What about buying a picture in a frame and chucking the picture? Hmmm....still nothing. Up and down the aisles some more. Gave up and went to another area of the store to look for something...then back to the picture frames. Nothing...nothing...NOTHING would work. On my last traipse down a frame aisle, I spied a BIG matted picture frame with a 12 x 18 opening. Wow! Success! But price tag = $45. Whoa! That's a bit much for a piece of 2nd grade artwork. You know the rest of the story...right? Of course, I bought the frame!
I thought I was nuts. Didn't know if Robin would have a place for the picture in Muncie. Didn't know if she'd even care much, since it wouldn't exactly be a gift to play with. As she opened it on Christmas Eve morning, she seemed to like it...but I couldn't really tell. When it got close to time for family to arrive for our early Christmas Even dinner, Robin asked when they would get here. I said, "Any time now." She posed herself on the edge of the couch with the picture on her lap, facing outward, waiting for people so it would be the first thing they saw when they came in the door. She stayed that way for at least ten minutes before her daddy and stepmother and step-grandmother came. Then, as the next wave of people showed up, Robin did the same thing--sat on the couch with the picture on her lap. By the time her other grandparents got here, there was no longer any room on the couch, but she immediately pointed the picture out to Grandma Judy, (then took Judy to the back bedroom to show her the poster of Robin and Ryan running in the surf in Florida, given to us by a close family friend). My guess is that she was very proud of her picture!
When I give things to the grandchildren, I am always careful to tell them that the things are theirs to do with as they wish: leave here for their next visit, or take home. I never know what their reasoning will be, but I want them to know that they have the choice. I asked Robin if she had decided what she wanted to do with the picture. She said, "Take it." After they left for Grandma Judy's, I noticed that the picture had been left behind. Did that mean she had a change of heart? They could not have been at Judy's house--a mere mile from here--for more than two minutes when my phone rang. It was Kendra asking if I'd bring the picture when I came over. Robin must have noticed that it had been left behind!
I know from experience that pictures, cross-stitch projects, etc., always look so much better when they are properly framed. I don't know if Robin's happiness with the picture was because it was HER picture, or because **I** liked it so much...or if it just looked good to her in the frame. I only know that it didn't hurt her self-esteem at all to see her artwork in a formal matted frame. A forty-five dollar investment in a little girl's pride was money well spent!
Christmas Eve, Continued
Sooo... We all retired to Judy and Phil's. Judy had WAY too many dessert choices, all delicious. The children launched into their presents and things got goofy. Judy had bought blinking Rudolph noses for the men, some of whom declared that they would take theirs to church! At about 5:30, I came home. Judy and Phil needed to be at church at 6:00 to prepare for services. I met them all there just before 7:00.
I got to church a little early. Had I been any later, I wouldn't have found a place to sit! I walked down one side of the sanctuary looking for Nathan and family. Not there. Walked down the other side where Kendra spied me. There was ONE empty seat in the pew just in front of them, so I squeezed in. Our church has five (5!!) Christmas Eve services, and I must say that the 7:00 PM service was fabulous, with the full choir and an orchestra. Absolutely beautiful music! There was Scripture and singing and a short pastoral message, and the service concluded with the congregation lighting their candles, singing Silent Night. I've learned always to have tissues with me in church because I can't make it through a single service without tears! I decided years ago not to worry about what people would think of the gray-haired lady bawling in the pew!
I said my good-byes to the children in the parking lot as they prepared to leave for Muncie, then I came home to my now-too-quiet house...and wept most of the rest of the evening. Don't ask me why I cry. I simply don't know! The meaning of the season, the beauty of the music, memories of past Christmases when my loved ones were still alive, change, loss--you name it. I think it comes with getting older...
There were some interesting moments. Since Robin had told me that there were presents under their tree at home, I thought it would be okay to put my presents for the children under mine. Ryan accepted those as gifts from me. On Christmas Eve morning, they discovered their stockings full...but Ryan announced that SANTA hadn't brought him anything except the stocking things because there were no "new" presents under the tree. Oops!
During church last night, I coughed a lot and had a drippy nose. This morning (Christmas Day), I woke up to chest congestion, a scratchy throat, a gluey eye, and more nasal stuff. Thus, I have postponed my trip to Illinois...waiting to see if I am going to get better or if this is the start of the heebie-jeebies. Hope not!
My daughter just checked in. They are doing the Grand Canyon today, but she says it is cold. And so it is.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
I got to church a little early. Had I been any later, I wouldn't have found a place to sit! I walked down one side of the sanctuary looking for Nathan and family. Not there. Walked down the other side where Kendra spied me. There was ONE empty seat in the pew just in front of them, so I squeezed in. Our church has five (5!!) Christmas Eve services, and I must say that the 7:00 PM service was fabulous, with the full choir and an orchestra. Absolutely beautiful music! There was Scripture and singing and a short pastoral message, and the service concluded with the congregation lighting their candles, singing Silent Night. I've learned always to have tissues with me in church because I can't make it through a single service without tears! I decided years ago not to worry about what people would think of the gray-haired lady bawling in the pew!
I said my good-byes to the children in the parking lot as they prepared to leave for Muncie, then I came home to my now-too-quiet house...and wept most of the rest of the evening. Don't ask me why I cry. I simply don't know! The meaning of the season, the beauty of the music, memories of past Christmases when my loved ones were still alive, change, loss--you name it. I think it comes with getting older...
There were some interesting moments. Since Robin had told me that there were presents under their tree at home, I thought it would be okay to put my presents for the children under mine. Ryan accepted those as gifts from me. On Christmas Eve morning, they discovered their stockings full...but Ryan announced that SANTA hadn't brought him anything except the stocking things because there were no "new" presents under the tree. Oops!
During church last night, I coughed a lot and had a drippy nose. This morning (Christmas Day), I woke up to chest congestion, a scratchy throat, a gluey eye, and more nasal stuff. Thus, I have postponed my trip to Illinois...waiting to see if I am going to get better or if this is the start of the heebie-jeebies. Hope not!
My daughter just checked in. They are doing the Grand Canyon today, but she says it is cold. And so it is.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Christmas Eve
Today was to be Christmas for the grandchildren here in Plainfield. I was to provide an early dinner for the extended family; then we all would go to the other grandparents' for dessert and presents. It was my intention that the kids not open their presents until then. Silly me! The minute Ryan opened his eyes, he started asking to open gifts. He had already snooped so knew at least one present (because I didn't have anything wrapped before they arrived a few days ago). He's a skunk!
Okay...so gift-opening took some time when I had planned to clean. I had quite forgotten how hard it is to get anything done with children in the house... I was trying to get things done. Had set the tables--kitchen, and a card table in the living room--last night. That part was accomplished, but we still had to deal with kid-messes in the living room and bedrooms, and dinner wasn't started. Kendra (the children's stepmother) called and told both children to clean their rooms so I wouldn't be left with a mess. They did! Robin actually "deep" cleaned her room, leaving it better than it was when she got here! Ryan was a bit more reluctant but did work on it. Glory be!
I had planned for church outfits for the children. Bought Ryan a totally new outfit since he has outgrown his pants, and had something picked out for Robin...a navy blue skirt that Grandma Judy had provided months ago, and a cute navy cardigan with snowmen on it. Got them dressed. Cute! While I was working on the kitchen, Robin came in and announced, "I have something to show you. I think it means more work for you, and I think it's gum!" Sure enough, there was gum on the seat of the living room chair. Closer inspection showed it all over the back side of her skirt and snowman sweater. Ugh! Change of clothes required for something much less festive. (Will now have to figure out how to get the gum out of the clothes. Kendra and her mother reversed the futon-chair seat. Presto! No gum in sight!)
Okay...so for dinner, I was to have ten people, including me. All part of Nathan's family--my former son-in-law. Guests were Judy and Phil (grandparents); Kendra and Nathan (custodial parents); Mary (Kendra's mother); Sara and Dan (aunt and uncle); and of course me and the grandchildren. I was running out of time to get dinner going. With a mere two hours before folks were supposed to arrive, I reached into the pantry to retrieve a box of Jiffy corn muffin mix, and came up with...cake mix! "Get your shoes on, children! We have to go to the grocery store!" Twenty minutes later, we were back. I launched into a higher gear. Of course, that's when Ryan started asking if he could go play with Jack... Bless him, he couldn't understand that I was in no position to allow that.
Nathan, Kendra, and Mary arrived first. Nathan spied the huge bottle of brandy left over from when Megan and Denis were here. He found the egg nog in the refrigerator and fixed himself a drink. Apparently, Mary did, too. Dan and Sara showed up next. Judy and Phil were last, but it was probably merciful. I had only gotten my hair and makeup done a few minutes before the appointed time. Dinner was served shortly thereafter. It went okay. Then everyone retired to the Heffelman grandparents' home for dessert and presents.
And now I really must apologize, but I am going into so much detail that I don't wish to continue this diatribe tonight. To those who actually read this blah-g, Merry Christmas!
Okay...so gift-opening took some time when I had planned to clean. I had quite forgotten how hard it is to get anything done with children in the house... I was trying to get things done. Had set the tables--kitchen, and a card table in the living room--last night. That part was accomplished, but we still had to deal with kid-messes in the living room and bedrooms, and dinner wasn't started. Kendra (the children's stepmother) called and told both children to clean their rooms so I wouldn't be left with a mess. They did! Robin actually "deep" cleaned her room, leaving it better than it was when she got here! Ryan was a bit more reluctant but did work on it. Glory be!
I had planned for church outfits for the children. Bought Ryan a totally new outfit since he has outgrown his pants, and had something picked out for Robin...a navy blue skirt that Grandma Judy had provided months ago, and a cute navy cardigan with snowmen on it. Got them dressed. Cute! While I was working on the kitchen, Robin came in and announced, "I have something to show you. I think it means more work for you, and I think it's gum!" Sure enough, there was gum on the seat of the living room chair. Closer inspection showed it all over the back side of her skirt and snowman sweater. Ugh! Change of clothes required for something much less festive. (Will now have to figure out how to get the gum out of the clothes. Kendra and her mother reversed the futon-chair seat. Presto! No gum in sight!)
Okay...so for dinner, I was to have ten people, including me. All part of Nathan's family--my former son-in-law. Guests were Judy and Phil (grandparents); Kendra and Nathan (custodial parents); Mary (Kendra's mother); Sara and Dan (aunt and uncle); and of course me and the grandchildren. I was running out of time to get dinner going. With a mere two hours before folks were supposed to arrive, I reached into the pantry to retrieve a box of Jiffy corn muffin mix, and came up with...cake mix! "Get your shoes on, children! We have to go to the grocery store!" Twenty minutes later, we were back. I launched into a higher gear. Of course, that's when Ryan started asking if he could go play with Jack... Bless him, he couldn't understand that I was in no position to allow that.
Nathan, Kendra, and Mary arrived first. Nathan spied the huge bottle of brandy left over from when Megan and Denis were here. He found the egg nog in the refrigerator and fixed himself a drink. Apparently, Mary did, too. Dan and Sara showed up next. Judy and Phil were last, but it was probably merciful. I had only gotten my hair and makeup done a few minutes before the appointed time. Dinner was served shortly thereafter. It went okay. Then everyone retired to the Heffelman grandparents' home for dessert and presents.
And now I really must apologize, but I am going into so much detail that I don't wish to continue this diatribe tonight. To those who actually read this blah-g, Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
As I type those words, I can hear them in Handel's magnificent The Messiah, and it makes my heart thrill! So many bad things have happened in my life this year that I need the story of Christmas to bring me back to what is good. Christmas is good for my soul! Not Christmas, as in holiday trappings and presents and commotion, although there is certainly plenty of that. Christmas, as in beautiful music, quiet moments, and reflection on the greatest gift God bestowed upon the world: Jesus, the Christ.
I am reminded of Christmases as a child with people that I loved so dearly. I remember every Christmas concert that I ever sang in, and one very special concert in the gym of Washington Elementary School in Pontiac, IL, when my then-7-year-old daughter stepped up to a microphone and sang, in a clear and lovely voice, a verse of the song The Friendly Beasts. I remember Christmas in Japan, Christmas in California, Christmases in Illinois and Indiana, and just last year, Christmas in Florida where we watched the sun come up on the beach and fed the hungry gulls.
Every Christmas, no matter where, had one thing in common: traditions, and the celebration of the birth of our Lord, Jesus. My parents, grandparents, and brother are gone now. My daughter is many hundreds of miles away. Still it is Christmas in my heart.
I pray that Christmas will be in your heart, too.
"God bless us, every one."
As I type those words, I can hear them in Handel's magnificent The Messiah, and it makes my heart thrill! So many bad things have happened in my life this year that I need the story of Christmas to bring me back to what is good. Christmas is good for my soul! Not Christmas, as in holiday trappings and presents and commotion, although there is certainly plenty of that. Christmas, as in beautiful music, quiet moments, and reflection on the greatest gift God bestowed upon the world: Jesus, the Christ.
I am reminded of Christmases as a child with people that I loved so dearly. I remember every Christmas concert that I ever sang in, and one very special concert in the gym of Washington Elementary School in Pontiac, IL, when my then-7-year-old daughter stepped up to a microphone and sang, in a clear and lovely voice, a verse of the song The Friendly Beasts. I remember Christmas in Japan, Christmas in California, Christmases in Illinois and Indiana, and just last year, Christmas in Florida where we watched the sun come up on the beach and fed the hungry gulls.
Every Christmas, no matter where, had one thing in common: traditions, and the celebration of the birth of our Lord, Jesus. My parents, grandparents, and brother are gone now. My daughter is many hundreds of miles away. Still it is Christmas in my heart.
I pray that Christmas will be in your heart, too.
"God bless us, every one."
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Not a Particularly Good Day...
Last night, after we watched our movie--a Veggie Tale DVD that Grandma Judy gave the children--the children both bedded down in the living room. Robin was on the couch, and Ryan was on the pulled-down chair futon. They both conked out immediately, bless them. It was nice!
Today, however, hasn't been the best. Yesterday, I told the children that they couldn't play with Jack today until they picked up their rooms and the messes they had left in the living room. There was a lot of hesitation. Then the aggressive behavior began. Ryan was the aggressor on every occasion (four, to be exact...so far) resulting in tears from his sister. The first incident was particularly bad: he bit Robin, hard, on the back of her arm. We ended up having to do first aid on that one. I sent him to his room with the stipulation that he was at risk of not being able to play with his beloved Jack if he didn't follow through on cleaning up his room, etc. He apologized to Robin, blah, blah...and did an excellent job of picking up his room...but there was more misbehavior to come. After the third incident, when Jack was here playing, I had to send him home and tell Ryan that he couldn't play anymore until he learned how to control his behavior. There was yet another incident after that. We've gone over the Golden Rule. We've gone over how saying "sorry" means "I won't do it again". (Of course, in his 6-year-old mind, he did something DIFFERENT each time, so he hadn't done the same thing again!) He is the sharpest, cutest little dude on the planet, but when he gets mad, look out!
Tomorrow is Grandma Judy's birthday. We have made a cake for her, and Robin is working on a gift. I hope to leave them with Judy for a bit tomorrow so I can get some things done for the Christmas Eve early dinner that we are having here on Thursday. I guess I didn't realize what a "planner" I am. It is to the point that I have to know things days in advance so I can plan everything to my own satisfaction. When did that happen??
This morning over breakfast, the children and I talked about what to do if I should get incapacitated when they are here visiting. We practiced using the phone. I posted my address and emergency phone numbers on the side of the refrigerator in case the children forgot, and also posted a list of what to do. First, call 9-1-1, and wait for the paramedics, then go to the neighbors for supervision until the other grandparents or their own parents can show up to take care of them. Robin was the driving force in the conversation. She had lots of questions! I was taking my pills at the time that we talked. Told the kids that I never used to take pills, but had many to ingest since the heart attack. Robin said, "I'm glad you're still alive." I said, "I am, too!" She came over and kissed me. A precious moment!
My friend "Big" Ryan came over this afternoon on his way to Target. While here, he delivered a HUGE poster of my grandchildren playing in the Florida surf just a year ago (today?), and brought gifts for the children. While he was here, he fixed the keyboard tray on the living room computer hutch, and helped me get a big computer chair out of what used to be Meg's bedroom. Don't know what I would do without my friends!
I mused today that it was a mere year ago that Meg, the children, and I were in Florida, watching the sun come up on the beach and feeding the greedy gulls. If you had told me then that, in twelve months, Megan would have given up custody of the children, been evicted from my house, and driven off into the sunset to California with a man she hardly knows, I would have called you a liar. No way! As the Allstate commercial goes...WAY! What a difference a year makes... There are other complications, but that is for another time and post.
The children are down. Ryan is in what he calls "the spare room"...(Meg's old room, and mine before that)...and Robin is on the couch. I allow this because I can! Quiet is good! I love my grandbabies!
Today, however, hasn't been the best. Yesterday, I told the children that they couldn't play with Jack today until they picked up their rooms and the messes they had left in the living room. There was a lot of hesitation. Then the aggressive behavior began. Ryan was the aggressor on every occasion (four, to be exact...so far) resulting in tears from his sister. The first incident was particularly bad: he bit Robin, hard, on the back of her arm. We ended up having to do first aid on that one. I sent him to his room with the stipulation that he was at risk of not being able to play with his beloved Jack if he didn't follow through on cleaning up his room, etc. He apologized to Robin, blah, blah...and did an excellent job of picking up his room...but there was more misbehavior to come. After the third incident, when Jack was here playing, I had to send him home and tell Ryan that he couldn't play anymore until he learned how to control his behavior. There was yet another incident after that. We've gone over the Golden Rule. We've gone over how saying "sorry" means "I won't do it again". (Of course, in his 6-year-old mind, he did something DIFFERENT each time, so he hadn't done the same thing again!) He is the sharpest, cutest little dude on the planet, but when he gets mad, look out!
Tomorrow is Grandma Judy's birthday. We have made a cake for her, and Robin is working on a gift. I hope to leave them with Judy for a bit tomorrow so I can get some things done for the Christmas Eve early dinner that we are having here on Thursday. I guess I didn't realize what a "planner" I am. It is to the point that I have to know things days in advance so I can plan everything to my own satisfaction. When did that happen??
This morning over breakfast, the children and I talked about what to do if I should get incapacitated when they are here visiting. We practiced using the phone. I posted my address and emergency phone numbers on the side of the refrigerator in case the children forgot, and also posted a list of what to do. First, call 9-1-1, and wait for the paramedics, then go to the neighbors for supervision until the other grandparents or their own parents can show up to take care of them. Robin was the driving force in the conversation. She had lots of questions! I was taking my pills at the time that we talked. Told the kids that I never used to take pills, but had many to ingest since the heart attack. Robin said, "I'm glad you're still alive." I said, "I am, too!" She came over and kissed me. A precious moment!
My friend "Big" Ryan came over this afternoon on his way to Target. While here, he delivered a HUGE poster of my grandchildren playing in the Florida surf just a year ago (today?), and brought gifts for the children. While he was here, he fixed the keyboard tray on the living room computer hutch, and helped me get a big computer chair out of what used to be Meg's bedroom. Don't know what I would do without my friends!
I mused today that it was a mere year ago that Meg, the children, and I were in Florida, watching the sun come up on the beach and feeding the greedy gulls. If you had told me then that, in twelve months, Megan would have given up custody of the children, been evicted from my house, and driven off into the sunset to California with a man she hardly knows, I would have called you a liar. No way! As the Allstate commercial goes...WAY! What a difference a year makes... There are other complications, but that is for another time and post.
The children are down. Ryan is in what he calls "the spare room"...(Meg's old room, and mine before that)...and Robin is on the couch. I allow this because I can! Quiet is good! I love my grandbabies!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Political Correctness
I got one of those heart-rending Christian "forwards" in my email box today, from a dear friend and former colleague, Ashwin. You know the type. They are the stories that seem like they could be true but are actually fiction, designed to inspire you to greater heights of faith. Or, some just make you cry. Many of them end with "Send this to five friends if you love Jesus. If you don't, just delete it." THAT kind! The one that Ashwin sent today wasn't as obnoxious as most. It actually had a message. I was really touched.
But you know, it wasn't the message that touched me. It was the sender. Ashwin is a naturalized American citizen of 20 or 30 years, having been born and raised in India. When he first came to America, he saw water coolers at the airport and had no clue what they were. He drove a taxi for awhile, then got his teaching credentials and became a teacher of science and high-level mathematics in Buffalo, NY, before coming to Indiana to teach. He was a well-respected "institution" at Monrovia High School for many years before he retired awhile back.
The interesting part is that Ashwin isn't Christian. He is Hindu. Someone sent that Christian "forward" to him. He could have taken offense, but he didn't. Instead, he forwarded the story to me (and others) because he knows that we ARE Christian, and in so doing, was wishing us the best for "our" faith and traditions. I honor him for that!
I have never once sent Ashwin a greeting for Hindu holy days or traditions. Why? Well...he doesn't exactly live in a country rife with information about Hindu culture/religion. And I, in my typical American elitist ignorance, know very little about his faith.
There are those who are big on "political correctness" in this great country of ours--mine and Ashwin's--and I am one of them; however, we could take a lesson from this quiet man. Respect for others sometimes means doing "as the Romans do". Thank you, Ashwin. It means a lot to me that you cared enough to send that message!
But you know, it wasn't the message that touched me. It was the sender. Ashwin is a naturalized American citizen of 20 or 30 years, having been born and raised in India. When he first came to America, he saw water coolers at the airport and had no clue what they were. He drove a taxi for awhile, then got his teaching credentials and became a teacher of science and high-level mathematics in Buffalo, NY, before coming to Indiana to teach. He was a well-respected "institution" at Monrovia High School for many years before he retired awhile back.
The interesting part is that Ashwin isn't Christian. He is Hindu. Someone sent that Christian "forward" to him. He could have taken offense, but he didn't. Instead, he forwarded the story to me (and others) because he knows that we ARE Christian, and in so doing, was wishing us the best for "our" faith and traditions. I honor him for that!
I have never once sent Ashwin a greeting for Hindu holy days or traditions. Why? Well...he doesn't exactly live in a country rife with information about Hindu culture/religion. And I, in my typical American elitist ignorance, know very little about his faith.
There are those who are big on "political correctness" in this great country of ours--mine and Ashwin's--and I am one of them; however, we could take a lesson from this quiet man. Respect for others sometimes means doing "as the Romans do". Thank you, Ashwin. It means a lot to me that you cared enough to send that message!
Kid Day
Yesterday, I met the grandchildren's stepmother in Castleton to make the "kid trade". Robin and Ryan are here...and I had forgotten how quickly a house could be trashed! At least they have their own "things" here and aren't as easily bored as I was when I visited family as a kid. They walk in and take right over!
Both came in snow boots. I had told Kendra that I had shoes here for both...and thought I did...but, as it turns out, I only had shoes for Robin. Ryan's old ones must have gone to Goodwill after the last visit, since he had largely outgrown them. SOOOoooo...we had to take a trip out to get some shoes. (And milk. How could I have let the Cereal Junkie come and not have stocked up on milk!) Man, Ryan's feet sure have grown!
Of course, the first thing the kids did was go over to see if Jack could play. Eventually, they ended up outside. Somehow, they got into Jack's neighbor's yard and Ryan stepped in dog poop, so I have those boots to clean up. Ugh! Had trouble getting the kids to sleep last night. Some things never change!
Megan and Denis are in New Orleans right now....she with a bad back, injured before they even left Indiana. Ryan told me this morning that he thought he had "stepped on a crack"...which means it is his fault!
We are going to the movies with Grandma Judy today. Always an expensive venture. I hope the children like it. (They enjoy the popcorn and goodies as much or more than the movie, usually.) Other than that, there is no plan. I'm sure the neighbor boy will be in on things before the day is over.
We had a dusting of snow overnight. Don't know what the rest of the week will bring, weatherwise. Guess the East Coast got socked. Better there than here!
Both came in snow boots. I had told Kendra that I had shoes here for both...and thought I did...but, as it turns out, I only had shoes for Robin. Ryan's old ones must have gone to Goodwill after the last visit, since he had largely outgrown them. SOOOoooo...we had to take a trip out to get some shoes. (And milk. How could I have let the Cereal Junkie come and not have stocked up on milk!) Man, Ryan's feet sure have grown!
Of course, the first thing the kids did was go over to see if Jack could play. Eventually, they ended up outside. Somehow, they got into Jack's neighbor's yard and Ryan stepped in dog poop, so I have those boots to clean up. Ugh! Had trouble getting the kids to sleep last night. Some things never change!
Megan and Denis are in New Orleans right now....she with a bad back, injured before they even left Indiana. Ryan told me this morning that he thought he had "stepped on a crack"...which means it is his fault!
We are going to the movies with Grandma Judy today. Always an expensive venture. I hope the children like it. (They enjoy the popcorn and goodies as much or more than the movie, usually.) Other than that, there is no plan. I'm sure the neighbor boy will be in on things before the day is over.
We had a dusting of snow overnight. Don't know what the rest of the week will bring, weatherwise. Guess the East Coast got socked. Better there than here!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Graduation Day
This morning, Megan called to say that she was waiting for Denis to turn in the keys to their apartment in Terre Haute, then were going to a graduation reception before ISU's mid-year Commencement. She apparently messed up her back and was very uncomfortable. It could be a long trip south and then westward!
I got busy cleaning up Robin's bedroom and organizing what used to be my bedroom (then Meg's). I wanted to get the Christmas gifts wrapped and finish painting the bathroom, but those didn't happen. My productivity is somewhat limited by my emotions, I guess. I don't much get moving until noon these days!
At 2:30, I left to run an errand and drive to Terre Haute to meet Meg and Denis for an early supper after Commencement. (I didn't go to the ceremony because they had several things going on, and I was somewhat intimidated by finding the right building and parking, etc.) I was snowing, but the roads were just dampl. We met at Lone Star Steakhouse at 4:00. Had an enjoyable supper. I gave Denis a "Congratulations" card with a couple of food gift cards for their trip. Then, as dark approached, we went our separate ways. I'm proud of myself: I only wept for a few seconds as we pulled out. It could have been a whole lot worse.
Of course, the "check engine" light came on in my car just east of Terre Haute and stayed on for the rest of the trip. It wasn't a battery light and the temperature gauge was fine, so I just came on home. It's a little problematic because I am supposed to meet the grandchildren in Castleton at 1:00 tomorrow afternoon for the kid trade. I do NOT want to be stranded on the road somewhere with my grandchildren in the car! We'll see how it goes.
As I approached Plainfield, I got a call on the radio from a ham who was asking for a Health and Welfare check on someone. It seems that the wife of one of my ham friend's co-workers was on the West Virginia Turnpike (I-64) on her way to North Carolina. At 4:00 AM, she texted her husband that traffic was stopped and she had spent the night in her vehicle...and she was anticipating yet another night stuck there. That was the last he heard from her, and he was frantic. (Poor cell phone coverage in the area.) HF radio reported up to two feet of snow there and that the Interstate was closed, but NOTHING on the Internet road condition sites indicated that there was anything going on. The Weather Channel on TV was focused on the NYC/DC/Boston area. Not much about WV at all. Finally, one of my friends (who is an absolute whiz at Internet searches) came up with a news website that had an article about the situation. Road closed Friday due to heavy snow and a couple of jack-knifed semis. People stranded. The National Guard was on it and the road was "slowly re-opening"...but there were a lot of honked-off motorists who say they weren't warned at the toll gates that there were problems ahead. One fellow abandoned his car and WALKED the eight miles to his home. The WV governor was declaring a state of emergency because over 200,000 were out of power. In any case, all of that took some time and much of my attention, so I didn't have time to think of how bad I feel about things. God provides!
Picking up my grandchildren tomorrow early afternoon. I can have them through the 24th. The Heffelman grandparents and I are planning things, but I try not to over-plan because I want the children to determine what they want to do. Time constraints are the only problem. We do what we can. I do so look forward to having the little skunks here!
I got busy cleaning up Robin's bedroom and organizing what used to be my bedroom (then Meg's). I wanted to get the Christmas gifts wrapped and finish painting the bathroom, but those didn't happen. My productivity is somewhat limited by my emotions, I guess. I don't much get moving until noon these days!
At 2:30, I left to run an errand and drive to Terre Haute to meet Meg and Denis for an early supper after Commencement. (I didn't go to the ceremony because they had several things going on, and I was somewhat intimidated by finding the right building and parking, etc.) I was snowing, but the roads were just dampl. We met at Lone Star Steakhouse at 4:00. Had an enjoyable supper. I gave Denis a "Congratulations" card with a couple of food gift cards for their trip. Then, as dark approached, we went our separate ways. I'm proud of myself: I only wept for a few seconds as we pulled out. It could have been a whole lot worse.
Of course, the "check engine" light came on in my car just east of Terre Haute and stayed on for the rest of the trip. It wasn't a battery light and the temperature gauge was fine, so I just came on home. It's a little problematic because I am supposed to meet the grandchildren in Castleton at 1:00 tomorrow afternoon for the kid trade. I do NOT want to be stranded on the road somewhere with my grandchildren in the car! We'll see how it goes.
As I approached Plainfield, I got a call on the radio from a ham who was asking for a Health and Welfare check on someone. It seems that the wife of one of my ham friend's co-workers was on the West Virginia Turnpike (I-64) on her way to North Carolina. At 4:00 AM, she texted her husband that traffic was stopped and she had spent the night in her vehicle...and she was anticipating yet another night stuck there. That was the last he heard from her, and he was frantic. (Poor cell phone coverage in the area.) HF radio reported up to two feet of snow there and that the Interstate was closed, but NOTHING on the Internet road condition sites indicated that there was anything going on. The Weather Channel on TV was focused on the NYC/DC/Boston area. Not much about WV at all. Finally, one of my friends (who is an absolute whiz at Internet searches) came up with a news website that had an article about the situation. Road closed Friday due to heavy snow and a couple of jack-knifed semis. People stranded. The National Guard was on it and the road was "slowly re-opening"...but there were a lot of honked-off motorists who say they weren't warned at the toll gates that there were problems ahead. One fellow abandoned his car and WALKED the eight miles to his home. The WV governor was declaring a state of emergency because over 200,000 were out of power. In any case, all of that took some time and much of my attention, so I didn't have time to think of how bad I feel about things. God provides!
Picking up my grandchildren tomorrow early afternoon. I can have them through the 24th. The Heffelman grandparents and I are planning things, but I try not to over-plan because I want the children to determine what they want to do. Time constraints are the only problem. We do what we can. I do so look forward to having the little skunks here!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Thanks
To those of you who have expressed concern over my well-being when I don't update this blog, thank you. I am still kicking!
Megan and I have a "don't ask, don't tell" relationship right now. As long as my questions don't breach her security signals, we are okay.
Megan and Denis came over from Terre Haute last evening to watch the Colts game. I will go there tomorrow for Denis's Master's Degree graduation...then they are leaving for California. It will be a big wrench. I have never gone through the holidays withought my daughter before. Neither have her children. She is walking away from us all. Although things are somewhat better, in terms of communication, I just ache for the children. They never had a voice. Ever.
I have invited my grandchildren and Nathan's family here for Christmas Eve Day dinner. We will get things figured out shortly. The children will be here from Sunday afternoon until late on Christmas Eve. At least I get to see them! Plans after that are somewhat sketchy. Probably will go to my sister's for a few days. Need to see my Aunt Rosie. (Shari, take note!)
I am about done with shopping. Anything I buy beyond now is just fluff!
God bless...
Megan and I have a "don't ask, don't tell" relationship right now. As long as my questions don't breach her security signals, we are okay.
Megan and Denis came over from Terre Haute last evening to watch the Colts game. I will go there tomorrow for Denis's Master's Degree graduation...then they are leaving for California. It will be a big wrench. I have never gone through the holidays withought my daughter before. Neither have her children. She is walking away from us all. Although things are somewhat better, in terms of communication, I just ache for the children. They never had a voice. Ever.
I have invited my grandchildren and Nathan's family here for Christmas Eve Day dinner. We will get things figured out shortly. The children will be here from Sunday afternoon until late on Christmas Eve. At least I get to see them! Plans after that are somewhat sketchy. Probably will go to my sister's for a few days. Need to see my Aunt Rosie. (Shari, take note!)
I am about done with shopping. Anything I buy beyond now is just fluff!
God bless...
Monday, December 14, 2009
And So It Is...
I've had a busy few days. Megan decided on Thursday that she, her boyfriend, and the children would come here for their last visit before she moves. I grocery shopped and planned meals that day and cleaned on Friday. By the time everyone got here in the evening, I was plenty pooped. With them all here, however, I could pretend that the heartbreak of the last three months hadn't happened. (I'm good at denial!)
The children were obviously delighted to see their mother and Denis, and also happy to see presents for them under the tree. Although we had decided that Saturday morning would be "Christmas," Ryan wanted to open his presents on Friday night. He finally acquiesced to wait until morning, but he spent quite a bit of time rattling packages trying to figure out what was in them. (Shades of his mother!) We ate a late dinner (corned beef and cabbage--Robin's favorite), watched some Christmas things on TV, and went to bed somewhat late.
I was the first one up on Saturday...or thought I was. I was a little surprised to see Ryan resting on the couch. "What are you doing out here?" "I wanted to be up to open presents extra early." Of course, Robin was up only shortly after that. They patiently waited until almost 8:00 to get Megan and Denis up. Both Robin and Ryan got Nintendo DSs from their mother--expensive video game toys--and two games each to play on them. Megan gave me a webcam for my computer in order to stay in touch with everyone. I gave her/them a GPS for Meg's vehicle. (It amazes me that they had the silly thing on the vehicle and could operate it almost instantly. Thus it is with people raised in the Computer Age! They named the GPS "Linda". Hmmm...) One of Ryan's presents was a children's Bible--really just a book of Bible stories. He crawled up on Megan's lap and promptly started reading it to her! He's only in Kindergarten. We had no idea he could read so well!
During the rest of the day, we made cookies and painted crafty things. The children played with their neighbor friends for a couple of hours (which actually pre-empted the haircut that Ryan was going to get). We adjusted meals around the condition of the kitchen table at any given moment, with paints and cookies in various stages of production. The children played with their DSs, discovering how to play "chat room" with them. (The silly things can communicate with each other, somehow.) Denis helped Ryan figure out how to play one of the games that he got. And so it went.
Sunday, we had a big breakfast, did some more craft painting, and considered a movie (but rejected that because the day was fleeting). The original plan was for Meg to drop the children off with Nathan after the Colts game, but he called in the morning requesting an earlier time. Meg was in tears about that. They came up with a compromise--4:00 PM. We had a big dinner, then it was time to start rounding things up to send the children home.
The "rounding up" process is something that I have typically started fairly early in the day because things get spread out. It always takes longer than one would think! I gathered the children's presents and washed the clothes they came down in so they could go back with them. (I don't have many clothes for them here so am a bit reticent to send them to Muncie in their "Plainfield" clothes. It will all even out, in time.) I noticed that Ryan had arrived in a pair of red underwear on Friday, but I never found them in the wash. Same thing with socks. Hmmmm... I suspected that he was still wearing them on Sunday. Sure enough! He spent the whole weekend in the same pair of underwear and the same pair of socks, even overnight! Guess that's better than no underwear at all...but still! Is that a guy thing??? Megan had a little talk with him about changing his underclothes every day. That's what we get for letting him dress himself, I guess!
After Megan and Denis met Nathan in Castleton for the kid trade, they returned here to gather up their own things before leaving for Terre Haute. Meg installed the webcam on my computer and reprogrammed my TV remote which had stopped working last week. (I'm grateful for that!) We said our good-bye's...and that was it. It ended well...or as well as could be expected for me. I cried the rest of the evening, but that has become the norm these last three months.
I don't know what the future will bring or what the children are thinking, but I am happy that they seemed to have such a good time. They will be here next weekend for a few days before Christmas. By then, Megan will be heading for California with Denis. I guess I will go to my sister's for Christmas Day and thereafter. We'll see how things unfold.
The children were obviously delighted to see their mother and Denis, and also happy to see presents for them under the tree. Although we had decided that Saturday morning would be "Christmas," Ryan wanted to open his presents on Friday night. He finally acquiesced to wait until morning, but he spent quite a bit of time rattling packages trying to figure out what was in them. (Shades of his mother!) We ate a late dinner (corned beef and cabbage--Robin's favorite), watched some Christmas things on TV, and went to bed somewhat late.
I was the first one up on Saturday...or thought I was. I was a little surprised to see Ryan resting on the couch. "What are you doing out here?" "I wanted to be up to open presents extra early." Of course, Robin was up only shortly after that. They patiently waited until almost 8:00 to get Megan and Denis up. Both Robin and Ryan got Nintendo DSs from their mother--expensive video game toys--and two games each to play on them. Megan gave me a webcam for my computer in order to stay in touch with everyone. I gave her/them a GPS for Meg's vehicle. (It amazes me that they had the silly thing on the vehicle and could operate it almost instantly. Thus it is with people raised in the Computer Age! They named the GPS "Linda". Hmmm...) One of Ryan's presents was a children's Bible--really just a book of Bible stories. He crawled up on Megan's lap and promptly started reading it to her! He's only in Kindergarten. We had no idea he could read so well!
During the rest of the day, we made cookies and painted crafty things. The children played with their neighbor friends for a couple of hours (which actually pre-empted the haircut that Ryan was going to get). We adjusted meals around the condition of the kitchen table at any given moment, with paints and cookies in various stages of production. The children played with their DSs, discovering how to play "chat room" with them. (The silly things can communicate with each other, somehow.) Denis helped Ryan figure out how to play one of the games that he got. And so it went.
Sunday, we had a big breakfast, did some more craft painting, and considered a movie (but rejected that because the day was fleeting). The original plan was for Meg to drop the children off with Nathan after the Colts game, but he called in the morning requesting an earlier time. Meg was in tears about that. They came up with a compromise--4:00 PM. We had a big dinner, then it was time to start rounding things up to send the children home.
The "rounding up" process is something that I have typically started fairly early in the day because things get spread out. It always takes longer than one would think! I gathered the children's presents and washed the clothes they came down in so they could go back with them. (I don't have many clothes for them here so am a bit reticent to send them to Muncie in their "Plainfield" clothes. It will all even out, in time.) I noticed that Ryan had arrived in a pair of red underwear on Friday, but I never found them in the wash. Same thing with socks. Hmmmm... I suspected that he was still wearing them on Sunday. Sure enough! He spent the whole weekend in the same pair of underwear and the same pair of socks, even overnight! Guess that's better than no underwear at all...but still! Is that a guy thing??? Megan had a little talk with him about changing his underclothes every day. That's what we get for letting him dress himself, I guess!
After Megan and Denis met Nathan in Castleton for the kid trade, they returned here to gather up their own things before leaving for Terre Haute. Meg installed the webcam on my computer and reprogrammed my TV remote which had stopped working last week. (I'm grateful for that!) We said our good-bye's...and that was it. It ended well...or as well as could be expected for me. I cried the rest of the evening, but that has become the norm these last three months.
I don't know what the future will bring or what the children are thinking, but I am happy that they seemed to have such a good time. They will be here next weekend for a few days before Christmas. By then, Megan will be heading for California with Denis. I guess I will go to my sister's for Christmas Day and thereafter. We'll see how things unfold.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
A Chilly Chili Kind of Day
I was awake at 2:30 this morning, with no hope of going back to sleep. Worse, the TV remote wouldn't work and I don't know what to do to fix it! I was stuck with watching the Discovery Health channel, which is way too interesting to bore me back to Slumberland. Thus, I started the day with a sleep deficit and haven't been able to make it up.
When I went out to the patio in the wee hours, it was actually warm. After dawn, the winds came up and the temps went down. It has been absolutely brutal outside today! We have had snow squalls and snow flurries, but no accumulation...yet. Noonish, I decided to make a pot of chili. I ate three bowls and stored three refrigerator containers with leftovers. I guess I will get to eat for a couple more days!
Also noonish today, the power blinked, then went out. When it didn't come back on in a minute or two, I went to the car to retrieve my cell phone in order to call in the outage. (The only phones in the house are cordless. Power goes out; so do phones. Need to fix that!) Found my hand-held radio to keep in touch with the outside world. It seems that the outage was pretty widespread in Plainfield, and everyone's power came back on at the same time...about 15 minutes later. It has stayed on, thankyouverymuch. The winds are supposed to die down below "advisory" levels after 1:00 AM. We'll see. We have had wind gusts up to 60 MPH today.
I still don't know if I am having weekend company or not. Meg made noises like she and the kids would be here, but I have had no definitive answers. I would like a little planning time. Just don't know what to count on. It's not very fair!
I haven't accomplished much around the house today, slug that I am. Maybe tomorrow??
When I went out to the patio in the wee hours, it was actually warm. After dawn, the winds came up and the temps went down. It has been absolutely brutal outside today! We have had snow squalls and snow flurries, but no accumulation...yet. Noonish, I decided to make a pot of chili. I ate three bowls and stored three refrigerator containers with leftovers. I guess I will get to eat for a couple more days!
Also noonish today, the power blinked, then went out. When it didn't come back on in a minute or two, I went to the car to retrieve my cell phone in order to call in the outage. (The only phones in the house are cordless. Power goes out; so do phones. Need to fix that!) Found my hand-held radio to keep in touch with the outside world. It seems that the outage was pretty widespread in Plainfield, and everyone's power came back on at the same time...about 15 minutes later. It has stayed on, thankyouverymuch. The winds are supposed to die down below "advisory" levels after 1:00 AM. We'll see. We have had wind gusts up to 60 MPH today.
I still don't know if I am having weekend company or not. Meg made noises like she and the kids would be here, but I have had no definitive answers. I would like a little planning time. Just don't know what to count on. It's not very fair!
I haven't accomplished much around the house today, slug that I am. Maybe tomorrow??
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Here Comes Winter!
Hang onto your hats, folks. The winds are supposed to come on strong all day tomorrow, with snow to follow. The Indy area is only expecting an inch, but we saw how the last one inch snowfall went. It's raining heavily now. I expect my car to be royally frozen shut tomorrow. The temps are going to bottom out in the teens over the next few days. So now I start my winter whine: I hate cold!
I had lunch with Judy and Phil Heffelman today. (Thereafter, I stopped in at J. C. Penney's, looking for some sheets as Christmas presents, and ran into a nurse from cardiac rehab who was standing in line at the checkout. She asked how I was. I said, "I just had lunch with my former son-in-law's parents..." The woman behind her in line laughed out loud. She said, "I like that." I said, "It gets complicated...") ANYWAY, we had an enjoyable lunch and talked about some things that are pressing with me. When we left Applebee's, it was sleeting. Not a nice weather day! (Didn't find the proper sheets, btw.)
I brought the Christmas decorations in from the weather today and got the tree up, with lights and garlands on. I will put the "glam" on before the night is over, but my heart isn't in it. Decorating the Christmas tree has always been a family project for me, but there is no family here. I will scale that stuff down, but there are SO many years of handmade ornaments from my former-stepchildren and daughter, and SO many memories in all of those silly baubles. It's sad, really...but I have to remember that the tree isn't about family. It is about the celebration of the birth of Jesus, and NOTHING changes that!
I will be walking at the Rec Center tomorrow morning with my friend Phyllis if we both feel up to it...also weather permitting. I'm not fond of the exercise but really have to keep with it for my health. Just have to make it a habit...a discipline. The alternative isn't all that great!
Merry Christmas to me! The stainless flatware that I ordered for my set arrived today. I am pretty pleased with my online orders. For instance, I ordered my Clinique makeup base online a few days ago, promised to be shipped in 5-7 days, but it was on my doorstep two days later...same as last time. I like that! The Clinique stuff, btw, is WAY overpriced, but it is all that I have found that works for me these days. And so it goes... The stainless is good stuff. I'm glad it is still available.
I'm still looking for a frame for a picture that Robin did in art class earlier in the year. It is standard art-size paper, but NOT standard frame size: 12" x 18". I've looked and looked at the picture, hoping I could trim something off...but Robin was so proud of some things that she put close to the borders of the picture that I can't change a thing. Custom frames are too expensive...but maybe worth it? The picture is a water color wash with crayon resistance. She has a dolphin, a baleen whale, a clown fish, and a sea horse...very well done...with a treasure box with a lock and key at the very bottom. As her brother says, "Robin, you are an amazing artist!"
There is a possibility that the children and my daughter will be here this weekend for their Christmas before she moves. I don't count on anything until it actually happens, but there is much to do, in any case. Back to work here!
I had lunch with Judy and Phil Heffelman today. (Thereafter, I stopped in at J. C. Penney's, looking for some sheets as Christmas presents, and ran into a nurse from cardiac rehab who was standing in line at the checkout. She asked how I was. I said, "I just had lunch with my former son-in-law's parents..." The woman behind her in line laughed out loud. She said, "I like that." I said, "It gets complicated...") ANYWAY, we had an enjoyable lunch and talked about some things that are pressing with me. When we left Applebee's, it was sleeting. Not a nice weather day! (Didn't find the proper sheets, btw.)
I brought the Christmas decorations in from the weather today and got the tree up, with lights and garlands on. I will put the "glam" on before the night is over, but my heart isn't in it. Decorating the Christmas tree has always been a family project for me, but there is no family here. I will scale that stuff down, but there are SO many years of handmade ornaments from my former-stepchildren and daughter, and SO many memories in all of those silly baubles. It's sad, really...but I have to remember that the tree isn't about family. It is about the celebration of the birth of Jesus, and NOTHING changes that!
I will be walking at the Rec Center tomorrow morning with my friend Phyllis if we both feel up to it...also weather permitting. I'm not fond of the exercise but really have to keep with it for my health. Just have to make it a habit...a discipline. The alternative isn't all that great!
Merry Christmas to me! The stainless flatware that I ordered for my set arrived today. I am pretty pleased with my online orders. For instance, I ordered my Clinique makeup base online a few days ago, promised to be shipped in 5-7 days, but it was on my doorstep two days later...same as last time. I like that! The Clinique stuff, btw, is WAY overpriced, but it is all that I have found that works for me these days. And so it goes... The stainless is good stuff. I'm glad it is still available.
I'm still looking for a frame for a picture that Robin did in art class earlier in the year. It is standard art-size paper, but NOT standard frame size: 12" x 18". I've looked and looked at the picture, hoping I could trim something off...but Robin was so proud of some things that she put close to the borders of the picture that I can't change a thing. Custom frames are too expensive...but maybe worth it? The picture is a water color wash with crayon resistance. She has a dolphin, a baleen whale, a clown fish, and a sea horse...very well done...with a treasure box with a lock and key at the very bottom. As her brother says, "Robin, you are an amazing artist!"
There is a possibility that the children and my daughter will be here this weekend for their Christmas before she moves. I don't count on anything until it actually happens, but there is much to do, in any case. Back to work here!
Monday, December 7, 2009
A Good Day to Be Retired!
Got up to about an inch of snow on the ground this morning. I immediately noticed that my neighbor had blown a path around my car and to the school bus stop. Don't know when he did that. He had to have been mere inches away from my bedroom window, but I never heard the blower! Weathermen weren't predicting much, so I think the DOT people were lulled into thinking everything would be fine. Apparently the morning commute was a bit of a nightmare with the snow freezing to the roadways, making them quite hazardous. Streets weren't pre-treated. Very few schools did any delays. Facebook this morning was littered with messages from my previous students indicating that buses couldn't get up the icy hills to their houses, etc. One young lady indicated that she was still stuck on a school bus, somewhere, "same as I've been for the last hour". Hmmm... Glad I didn't have to be up and out in it! One person was killed on Indy roads due to conditions. This was our first snowfall of the season. People forget how to drive on ice...and it doesn't help that the snow came down just before the rush. Time to wake up, everyone! It is winter in Indiana! Today's snow is gone...but stay tuned. More to come.
Heh heh...someone from J.C. Penney's called here yesterday for my daughter. (Meg gets her hair done there. They normally call just before an appointment.) I told the caller that Megan doesn't live here anymore and was about to offer her Megan's new phone number, but the woman was in such a hurry to get off the phone that I couldn't get a word in. "So sorry to have troubled you!" My best guess is that SOMEBODY forgot she was told by SOMEONE not to call here. Like it matters?? Silly...
Today is my sister's birthday. I won't say how old she is, but she was born on THE Pearl Harbor Day. She has been a treasure to me, through the years. We both have our challenges, but we are both Covill/Armstrong women, and there is an acceptance of what we went through as children (the Navy years) that helps us both understand where/who we are now, in a way that no one else gets. I love you, Shari! May you have many happy returns of the day!
Getting the rest of my week organized in my brain. Brain? I have a brain???? Cool!!
Heh heh...someone from J.C. Penney's called here yesterday for my daughter. (Meg gets her hair done there. They normally call just before an appointment.) I told the caller that Megan doesn't live here anymore and was about to offer her Megan's new phone number, but the woman was in such a hurry to get off the phone that I couldn't get a word in. "So sorry to have troubled you!
Today is my sister's birthday. I won't say how old she is, but she was born on THE Pearl Harbor Day.
Getting the rest of my week organized in my brain. Brain? I have a brain???? Cool!!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Sunday, Sunday...
Went to early church today. Phil and Judy (Nathan's parents) were later getting there than I, so we didn't get to sit together. Looks like one of Kathy Cherry's daughters just had a baby. There was a rose on the altar to commemorate that. (Kathy was a colleague of mine back at Hall Elementary School in the early days of my teaching in Indiana.) Also ran into Kathy in the parking lot as I was heading home. That's the problem with bigger churches: we have three worship services, and one doesn't always run into folks that attend different services. The last time I saw Kathy, Ryan and I were waiting for his school bus back in September. What a difference a few weeks make...
When I retired in May, Phil and Judy gave me a gorgeous planter that graced the doorway to my home all season. It had a spike, some ivy, and lots of very healthy pink geraniums which, until just this week, were still blooming. I brought the drooping planter in last night to take some cuttings before the geraniums got totally frozen. I took two cuttings from still-healthy looking parts of the plant, hoping that they will propagate through the winter, and the children can have them for Mother's Day or whatever occasion works in the spring. I love that about plants. My sister still has a ficas tree that was given as a planter when our father died. That was 15 years ago. It is almost too big for itself now, but it was a nice reminder of people who cared in a tough time. Hmmmm...maybe I should have taken MORE cuttings from the geraniums!
I brought the Christmas tree in today but haven't put it up yet. I thought about not doing it but decided that traditions are traditions, no matter what. My grandchildren will be here sometime, so even if I have to leave it up until Valentine's Day, it will happen!
Looks like I will need to change some legal things. Meg is leaving for California (and angry with me) so I have to find someone local who can take care of business should something happen to me. Still thinking on that. And thinking and thinking and thinking...
Oh! God bless the man, my neighbor across the street (whom I mentioned in the last post) has agreed to blow snow for me this winter...for free! I won't let that happen, of course, but I am just so grateful for the help. He and his wife have a key to my house, and I have a key to theirs. Everyone should have neighbors like them!
My grandchildren went to church today for the Rite of Catecumin...which is preparation for baptism. They are Catholic now and never baptized as babies. I asked their stepmother to keep me in the loop. Would like to be there for their baptism. I love my grandbabies and miss them terribly!
Heh heh...I've been watching a TV show called Hoarders. It's about people who hoard things due to mental issues, but it really helps me get a handle on what I am keeping, and why. When Meg and I first moved into this little bungalow, we didn't have much. Then things were acquired. THEN, we incorporated two households into this one, and organizing became a big issue. I have given away a LOT of stuff over the last few years, but the job still isn't done. I don't need a shovel to get rid of things, thankfully, but I'm ready for a home makeover. TLC, take me away!
When I retired in May, Phil and Judy gave me a gorgeous planter that graced the doorway to my home all season. It had a spike, some ivy, and lots of very healthy pink geraniums which, until just this week, were still blooming. I brought the drooping planter in last night to take some cuttings before the geraniums got totally frozen. I took two cuttings from still-healthy looking parts of the plant, hoping that they will propagate through the winter, and the children can have them for Mother's Day or whatever occasion works in the spring. I love that about plants. My sister still has a ficas tree that was given as a planter when our father died. That was 15 years ago. It is almost too big for itself now, but it was a nice reminder of people who cared in a tough time. Hmmmm...maybe I should have taken MORE cuttings from the geraniums!
I brought the Christmas tree in today but haven't put it up yet. I thought about not doing it but decided that traditions are traditions, no matter what. My grandchildren will be here sometime, so even if I have to leave it up until Valentine's Day, it will happen!
Looks like I will need to change some legal things. Meg is leaving for California (and angry with me) so I have to find someone local who can take care of business should something happen to me. Still thinking on that. And thinking and thinking and thinking...
Oh! God bless the man, my neighbor across the street (whom I mentioned in the last post) has agreed to blow snow for me this winter...for free! I won't let that happen, of course, but I am just so grateful for the help. He and his wife have a key to my house, and I have a key to theirs. Everyone should have neighbors like them!
My grandchildren went to church today for the Rite of Catecumin...which is preparation for baptism. They are Catholic now and never baptized as babies. I asked their stepmother to keep me in the loop. Would like to be there for their baptism. I love my grandbabies and miss them terribly!
Heh heh...I've been watching a TV show called Hoarders. It's about people who hoard things due to mental issues, but it really helps me get a handle on what I am keeping, and why. When Meg and I first moved into this little bungalow, we didn't have much. Then things were acquired. THEN, we incorporated two households into this one, and organizing became a big issue. I have given away a LOT of stuff over the last few years, but the job still isn't done. I don't need a shovel to get rid of things, thankfully, but I'm ready for a home makeover. TLC, take me away!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
A Doolittle Day
I haven't been worth a plug nickel today. The sun shone, but 'twas cold and not going to get any better in the next few days. Am I ready for winter? NO! The only benefit to this season over winters past is that I don't have to worry about getting up and out in the dark to go to school. I am aware, however, that the neighbor boy has to meet the bus close to 8:00 AM on my property, and I need to be somewhat more vigilant about shoveling the sidewalk for Jack and the parent/grandparent who waits with him for the bus to arrive. Maybe I'll arrange for Neighbor Fred to snow-blow for me. Might be worth a few bucks. Fred is no spring chicken, but he does a helluva job on his lawn in the mowing season, and his property in the blowing season. Guess I'll ask.
The HCARS Christmas dinner on Thursday was nice, but I didn't get to visit with everyone...and my belly blew up mid-meal. I was uncomfortable and left as soon as I could. (I think my meds are responsible. This has been going on for awhile.) In any case, I look forward to being a bit more active in the club. When Megan and the children moved in, my activity went down dramatically. Now that is all changed. I am relying on my motivation to dictate how much and when I can return to my own decision of activity.
God has given me a load of crap to deal with this fall. If it is true that He doesn't give us any more than we can handle, I must be Superwoman! It has aged me considerably. Still, all that I have and all that I am is by the grace of God. Only He can tell how the rest of my life will go. I certainly have no control over any of it!
Getting through Christmas will be tough. I've done this before. I can do it again. It ain't pretty, but it will happen. I miss my mommy!
The HCARS Christmas dinner on Thursday was nice, but I didn't get to visit with everyone...and my belly blew up mid-meal. I was uncomfortable and left as soon as I could. (I think my meds are responsible. This has been going on for awhile.) In any case, I look forward to being a bit more active in the club. When Megan and the children moved in, my activity went down dramatically. Now that is all changed. I am relying on my motivation to dictate how much and when I can return to my own decision of activity.
God has given me a load of crap to deal with this fall. If it is true that He doesn't give us any more than we can handle, I must be Superwoman! It has aged me considerably. Still, all that I have and all that I am is by the grace of God. Only He can tell how the rest of my life will go. I certainly have no control over any of it!
Getting through Christmas will be tough. I've done this before. I can do it again. It ain't pretty, but it will happen. I miss my mommy!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Snow Flurries Today. Yuck!
Got up to cold temps this morning. Noticed some flurries in the air. Here comes winter, much to my dismay!
My friend Phyllis and I met at Plainfield's Rec Center this morning to walk some laps together. I am a new member. She has belonged for several years. There are lots of machines to use, most of which have to do with strength training. I am going more for endurance and cardiac benefits. In any case, we walked almost one-and-a-half miles before I decided I needed to stop. If we can keep up a schedule, this should be very good for me. Judging by the way I felt when we stopped, I got more of a workout today than when in rehab. Hope that's not a bad thing.
My daughter called last evening in distress. She wanted the number of our AAA membership. I asked if she was having trouble and where she was. She had a flat tire and was somewhere in Tennessee, on her way home from Florda! I had no clue. She is so totally sure that I am a bad guy in her life that it must have been difficult for her to call for my help. I gave her the number and called later to see how she was doing. At that time, she was in a Walmart, waiting for the job to be done...and, at my request, she DID call me when she got safely back to Terre Haute, so I could sleep. It wasn't a very good night to be on the road anywhere.
Getting ready for Christmas this year doesn't hold much fascination for me. I'm doing the best I can, under the circumstances. I have some shopping done, but no decorating yet. My radio club's Christmas dinner is tonight. When I get back from that, I will try to do some decorating. The operative word is TRY.
Blessings.
My friend Phyllis and I met at Plainfield's Rec Center this morning to walk some laps together. I am a new member. She has belonged for several years. There are lots of machines to use, most of which have to do with strength training. I am going more for endurance and cardiac benefits. In any case, we walked almost one-and-a-half miles before I decided I needed to stop. If we can keep up a schedule, this should be very good for me. Judging by the way I felt when we stopped, I got more of a workout today than when in rehab. Hope that's not a bad thing.
My daughter called last evening in distress. She wanted the number of our AAA membership. I asked if she was having trouble and where she was. She had a flat tire and was somewhere in Tennessee, on her way home from Florda! I had no clue. She is so totally sure that I am a bad guy in her life that it must have been difficult for her to call for my help. I gave her the number and called later to see how she was doing. At that time, she was in a Walmart, waiting for the job to be done...and, at my request, she DID call me when she got safely back to Terre Haute, so I could sleep. It wasn't a very good night to be on the road anywhere.
Getting ready for Christmas this year doesn't hold much fascination for me. I'm doing the best I can, under the circumstances. I have some shopping done, but no decorating yet. My radio club's Christmas dinner is tonight. When I get back from that, I will try to do some decorating. The operative word is TRY.
Blessings.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Welcome Sunshine!
Today, God blessed us with His sunshine! It was a most welcome blessing. I forced myself to stay up late last night, so slept to a reasonable hour this morning. Got up to daylight and warmth. I love that!
My pension benefits finally kicked in today, so I had money for a change. Spent the morning hours paying bills online, then got my act together to run errands. Went to the drug store for prescription renewal, the bank, Walmart to shop for the Angel Tree assignment from church and to pick up needed items for home (to the tune of almost $100!!). Gassed the car. Sent a check off to a friend to supply her one-year-old with a birthday cake...and gathered things to send to my daughter. She isn't answering emails, so I'm just sending stuff off.
I called to talk to my grandchildren this evening. Ryan was under the impression that they would be with me "in two weeks" with Mommy before she moves to California. Mommy has decided otherwise, so all I could tell them was that I would see them by Christmas...whenever. Robin asked if she had even seen me in November. I reminded her about Ryan's birthday. They miss me as much as I miss them, I think! Check that. They couldn't POSSIBLY miss me as much as I miss them!!!
I should have spent a lot of time outside today because the weather is supposed to go south in the next day or so. I did take Christmas stuff out of the minibarn. Now have to decide if I actually want to put it all up. If the grandchildren can come soon, we'll git 'er done.
Merry Christmas to me! Today, I ordered some pieces for my stainless flatware. Thought I had it all, but when Meg took hers that I bought for her a few years ago, I realized that I didn't have everything for mine. I have offered to have a family Christmas dinner here this year. With the new flatware pieces, it should all work out.
Every day is a new day. Tomorrow, I will see a friend and take him out to lunch. (He has done so much for me through the years!) Beyond that, I still have a to-do list. Life goes on.
And so it is.
My pension benefits finally kicked in today, so I had money for a change. Spent the morning hours paying bills online, then got my act together to run errands. Went to the drug store for prescription renewal, the bank, Walmart to shop for the Angel Tree assignment from church and to pick up needed items for home (to the tune of almost $100!!). Gassed the car. Sent a check off to a friend to supply her one-year-old with a birthday cake...and gathered things to send to my daughter. She isn't answering emails, so I'm just sending stuff off.
I called to talk to my grandchildren this evening. Ryan was under the impression that they would be with me "in two weeks" with Mommy before she moves to California. Mommy has decided otherwise, so all I could tell them was that I would see them by Christmas...whenever. Robin asked if she had even seen me in November. I reminded her about Ryan's birthday. They miss me as much as I miss them, I think! Check that. They couldn't POSSIBLY miss me as much as I miss them!!!
I should have spent a lot of time outside today because the weather is supposed to go south in the next day or so. I did take Christmas stuff out of the minibarn. Now have to decide if I actually want to put it all up. If the grandchildren can come soon, we'll git 'er done.
Merry Christmas to me! Today, I ordered some pieces for my stainless flatware. Thought I had it all, but when Meg took hers that I bought for her a few years ago, I realized that I didn't have everything for mine. I have offered to have a family Christmas dinner here this year. With the new flatware pieces, it should all work out.
Every day is a new day. Tomorrow, I will see a friend and take him out to lunch. (He has done so much for me through the years!) Beyond that, I still have a to-do list. Life goes on.
And so it is.
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