My last post failed. I hit a button before I even got started writing...and found that I had "published" nothing! Couldn't get back to it because my grandson was hogging my computer at the time.
I got the children safely delivered to their father yesterday evening. The meeting place is in Gary, IN (the Armpit of the Midwest). Meeting them there keeps me out of Chicago traffic...and even though it is an almost-three-hour trip to Gary, I am MOST grateful not to have to brave the construction and congestion of the Interstate 80/90/94 fiascos. As it was, post-Thanksgiving traffic was pretty horrific--bumper-to-bumper most of the way north, and only slightly better on the way south. I/We drove past two dead deer, two dead dogs, three accidents (one of which kept traffic moving at 5 mph or less for 30 minutes), and two flat tires. (The second flat was a blowout that happened right in front of me. It is to the driver's credit that he was immediately aware of the problem and maneuvered across three lanes of traffic at fairly high speeds and onto the shoulder without a hitch. Whew!) Adventures in holiday travel! Thank God, the day was clear and the roads were dry. It could have been a lot worse.
The children and I had a good time together. We had our Thanksgiving feast with the other grandparents. The kids played with the neighbor children, of course. Robin and I baked. (She likes to cook.) We watched movies on TV and ate popcorn. Ryan played Spore on my computer. We put up the Christmas tree and hung stockings. Robin and the neighbor girl went to Grandma Judy's to play with the fairy treehouse. We took a ring to a jeweler to have it resized to fit Robin. We went to church and Sunday School, then had the other grandparents over for lunch afterward. We didn't do anything particularly special, but when they are here, it's ALL special! Except for the first night when we didn't get back to Plainfield until 2:00 AM, we weren't up late any evening, and no one seemed to be too tired to have fun. We also did some hugging and snuggling. That's the very best part!
So now it's back to boring old life as usual. Will be preparing to drive to my sister's a little later in the week. Hope the weather cooperates.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Snubbed!
Got up this morning to the sound of the garbage truck just down the street. Oops! It's garbage day! Out I dashed in the freezing cold in my bathrobe to take the trash can to the curb. The truck was just two doors down on my side of the street, coming my way. My neighbor's trash was still out, so I knew I had beat the clock. Whew! Just in time! Just as I came in, my granddaughter was up and gave me a big morning hug. We puttered around. Eventually, I opened the blinds to see that my garbage can was tipped over toward the street, and the lid was IN the street...so I knew I was going to have to go out there when I got dressed to pick it up. Then there was a mysterious email from my neighbor across the street, telling me when the garbage truck had come by... I figured that was his subtle way of telling me to go pick up my empty can and lid, so I did...except the can wasn't empty! Huh? What's up with that? The garbage dude totally took my neighbor's garbage and drove right on by mine. Snubbed by Ray's Trash Service!! (The truck was so close when I took the can to the curb that the dude had to have seen me in all my glory. I'll bet if I were some sweet young thing taking the trash out in a bikini, no one would have given a thought to passing up my gar-bauge!) Humph! I've been "dissed" by better men than he!
The children are having a good time, playing. Tomorrow will be errand day...but for today, they are just kids. I have spent some of my day rearranging things to make room for Christmas tree and decorations. I want the children to help me decorate the tree while they are here. That has always been a family activity in my house...and without family to do it, it just isn't much fun.
I have an Advent wreath for the table this year. Found it in a Christian gift store in town for 75% off last Easter. I've always wanted one of the silly things. Now I have one!
More later. The day is yet young.
The children are having a good time, playing. Tomorrow will be errand day...but for today, they are just kids. I have spent some of my day rearranging things to make room for Christmas tree and decorations. I want the children to help me decorate the tree while they are here. That has always been a family activity in my house...and without family to do it, it just isn't much fun.
I have an Advent wreath for the table this year. Found it in a Christian gift store in town for 75% off last Easter. I've always wanted one of the silly things. Now I have one!
More later. The day is yet young.
Turkey Day
Once upon a time, my daughter came home from Girl Scouts or something with notice of the Thanksgiving tradition of the five grains of corn. At our feast today, we did that. Robin put five kernels of popcorn (we didn't have REAL corn) on every plate. I read a little story of the tradition--that the pilgrims had only five grains of corn to live on for days--and then we went around the table with each person telling five things for which they were thankful, putting their corn kernels in a little cup. The adults were predictable. We waxed loquatious about each thing. When it was Ryan's turn he was a man of few words: family, friends, health, shelter, food. Period! Robin came just before him and expressed thanks, among other things, that there were grandparents who were kind enough to give presents (she's not stupid!). Grandma Judy's turn was the last. She turned her thankfulness into a prayer that was our food blessing. This wasn't orchestrated. It just happened!
The food was good; the fellowship better. We ate well and came home a couple of hours later quite full. The children played with their friends for a bit and got to talk to their mother/stepfather on Skype from Utah. We watched a movie, ate popcorn and ice cream cones, played Yahtzee, played Spore and Webkinz on the computers. We have 2 1/2 more days to be together until Christmas. We will make the best of our time! When the children are here, it is as if nothing had changed. They are better behaved, perhaps, but still my babies!
God is good.
The day after Thanksgiving in 1986 was the day my mother passed away, suddenly. The day used to be tainted by that. I no longer think about that horrible time.
I am so thankful for all of you!
The food was good; the fellowship better. We ate well and came home a couple of hours later quite full. The children played with their friends for a bit and got to talk to their mother/stepfather on Skype from Utah. We watched a movie, ate popcorn and ice cream cones, played Yahtzee, played Spore and Webkinz on the computers. We have 2 1/2 more days to be together until Christmas. We will make the best of our time! When the children are here, it is as if nothing had changed. They are better behaved, perhaps, but still my babies!
God is good.
The day after Thanksgiving in 1986 was the day my mother passed away, suddenly. The day used to be tainted by that. I no longer think about that horrible time.
I am so thankful for all of you!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving!
I woke up this morning to tornado warnings in Indiana? Huh? It's November, for Pete's sake!
I had a rather sudden change of plans this week. Instead of going to my sister's in Illinois for the holiday, I was persuaded by circumstances to stay home and visit with my grandchildren. It's a long story which I will spare you. Suffice it to say that I had to beg off from Illinois and change directions here.
Originally, I was to meet the children's stepmother in Gary on Wednesday evening for the kid trade; however, she called me to say that her "ex" was driving the whole distance to pick up their daughter on Tuesday night...and would bring my grandchildren with them to Lafayette where I could meet them at about 9:00 PM. That was going to save me a couple of hours of drive time. (I hadn't been aware that the children got Wednesday off from school.) In any case, he got snarled in Chicago traffic for about an hour-and-a-half going up and didn't call me to say he was on the interstate in Indiana for the trip back until almost 10:00 PM. I left for Lafayette. Couldn't find the road to their house. After a couple of calls, I stopped in a Steak and Shake parking lot, and they decided to come to me. (Guess I was close...but not close enough!) Anyway, the children and I were back in Plainfield by 2:00 AM. I'm glad we did our traveling on Tuesday. Wednesday turned out to be a nasty weather day.
It feels so good to have the children here! Yesterday, they were up fairly early, watching the clock to determine when their friends would be home from school. Ryan played Spore on my computer while Robin and I made pecan tassies. (Robin loves to cook. Since pecan tassies [little pecan pies] are somewhat labor-intensive, it was good to have the help. She did a great job forming the little pie shells!) The day went smoothly, and the instant the neighbor kids came home, it was play time! The neighbor and I conspired that when it was supper time, play time would be over. She needed to get ready for Thanksigiving at her house...and although I had the children here to play, they tend to migrate back and forth. In the evening, we watched a Harry Potter movie on TV and ate popcorn...then off to bed. (Well...the kids watched the movie. Grandma dozed!)
Our Thanksgiving feast is a cooperative effort with the children's other grandparents here in Plainfield. I supplied the turkey, but Judy is cooking it...plus stuffing, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie. I'm bringing the pecan tassies, mashed potatoes, corn casserole, and deviled eggs. What started out to be just a small celebration has grown over the past couple of days. I don't think we'll have to send out for pizza!
Megan and Denis are making a road trip to Zion National Park in Utah for their long weekend. Megan will call the children if she has cell service there. Robin was asking if she'd be able to talk to Mommy on Skype. We'll work on that!
I wish my family in Illinois the very best of blessings this day. (I love you, Shari. I'll be there next week!) To my friends, I am so thankful for you! May the day bring you joy and warm family times. To my daughter and son-in-law, I love you. Take care in your travels! Happy Thanksgiving to all!
I had a rather sudden change of plans this week. Instead of going to my sister's in Illinois for the holiday, I was persuaded by circumstances to stay home and visit with my grandchildren. It's a long story which I will spare you. Suffice it to say that I had to beg off from Illinois and change directions here.
Originally, I was to meet the children's stepmother in Gary on Wednesday evening for the kid trade; however, she called me to say that her "ex" was driving the whole distance to pick up their daughter on Tuesday night...and would bring my grandchildren with them to Lafayette where I could meet them at about 9:00 PM. That was going to save me a couple of hours of drive time. (I hadn't been aware that the children got Wednesday off from school.) In any case, he got snarled in Chicago traffic for about an hour-and-a-half going up and didn't call me to say he was on the interstate in Indiana for the trip back until almost 10:00 PM. I left for Lafayette. Couldn't find the road to their house. After a couple of calls, I stopped in a Steak and Shake parking lot, and they decided to come to me. (Guess I was close...but not close enough!) Anyway, the children and I were back in Plainfield by 2:00 AM. I'm glad we did our traveling on Tuesday. Wednesday turned out to be a nasty weather day.
It feels so good to have the children here! Yesterday, they were up fairly early, watching the clock to determine when their friends would be home from school. Ryan played Spore on my computer while Robin and I made pecan tassies. (Robin loves to cook. Since pecan tassies [little pecan pies] are somewhat labor-intensive, it was good to have the help. She did a great job forming the little pie shells!) The day went smoothly, and the instant the neighbor kids came home, it was play time! The neighbor and I conspired that when it was supper time, play time would be over. She needed to get ready for Thanksigiving at her house...and although I had the children here to play, they tend to migrate back and forth. In the evening, we watched a Harry Potter movie on TV and ate popcorn...then off to bed. (Well...the kids watched the movie. Grandma dozed!)
Our Thanksgiving feast is a cooperative effort with the children's other grandparents here in Plainfield. I supplied the turkey, but Judy is cooking it...plus stuffing, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie. I'm bringing the pecan tassies, mashed potatoes, corn casserole, and deviled eggs. What started out to be just a small celebration has grown over the past couple of days. I don't think we'll have to send out for pizza!
Megan and Denis are making a road trip to Zion National Park in Utah for their long weekend. Megan will call the children if she has cell service there. Robin was asking if she'd be able to talk to Mommy on Skype. We'll work on that!
I wish my family in Illinois the very best of blessings this day. (I love you, Shari. I'll be there next week!) To my friends, I am so thankful for you! May the day bring you joy and warm family times. To my daughter and son-in-law, I love you. Take care in your travels! Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
A Fly
One single fly found its way into my house yesterday, and although it had the entire house to play around in, it chose to buzz me all night. (Guess I need to take a bath??) The silly thing has gone to insect heaven, thanks to my still-okay refexes as of fairly early this morning. But he still irritated the daylights out of me!
I've had a somewhat busy day. A radio friend came over in the morning to help me rake the leaves in the fenced-in back yard, and haul them to the curb. If I'd had to do it alone, it wouldn't have been done. With his assistance, we had it knocked down in about an hour.
A bit later, I drove to my former school to help with the radio club there...then went to Aldi's for a few things... Got some Christmas things out of the minibarn, hoping that the grandchildren will help me put things up this weekend. Glad I did. The rain hit a bit later...lightning and thunder...things we haven't had for a LONG time.
The news from the north is that I am to get the grandchildren TOMORROW night, a full day before expected! The house isn't ready, but I am!
Bedtime. Have big-time cleaning to do tomorrow!
I've had a somewhat busy day. A radio friend came over in the morning to help me rake the leaves in the fenced-in back yard, and haul them to the curb. If I'd had to do it alone, it wouldn't have been done. With his assistance, we had it knocked down in about an hour.
A bit later, I drove to my former school to help with the radio club there...then went to Aldi's for a few things... Got some Christmas things out of the minibarn, hoping that the grandchildren will help me put things up this weekend. Glad I did. The rain hit a bit later...lightning and thunder...things we haven't had for a LONG time.
The news from the north is that I am to get the grandchildren TOMORROW night, a full day before expected! The house isn't ready, but I am!
Bedtime. Have big-time cleaning to do tomorrow!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Good News and Bad News
The good news is that my grandchildren will be here for Thanksgiving.
The bad news is that I have had to cancel my plans to be with my sister in order for this to happen.
The good news is that my Social Security benefit has been upped by a few dollars, retroactive to 2009 income.
The bad news is that my house payment has gone up by $130...a lot more than my SS increase.
The good news is that I am still alive.
The bad news is that I am quite depressed. I'll figure it out. I have contacts for help.
The good news is that I have a family who loves me, no matter what. There is no bad news in that!
The bad news is that I have had to cancel my plans to be with my sister in order for this to happen.
The good news is that my Social Security benefit has been upped by a few dollars, retroactive to 2009 income.
The bad news is that my house payment has gone up by $130...a lot more than my SS increase.
The good news is that I am still alive.
The bad news is that I am quite depressed. I'll figure it out. I have contacts for help.
The good news is that I have a family who loves me, no matter what. There is no bad news in that!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)