Message for the New Year

There's an old saying: "Don't cry because it is over, smile because it happened". New year is the time of beginnings. It is time to start afresh and do things that would make someone else smile. Make at least one person happy and you'll see the difference it can make in both your lives. The essential message of New Year is let go of the past and embrace the future. Harry and I wish only the best for each and every one of you in the coming year and beyond.

Year 2007 is Fast Fading

Today is the last Sunday gathering of 2007. Everyone was here. We ate home made taco salads and then we all watched the ultrasound video of the new baby. It's unbelievable how detailed those scans have gotten to be. Doctor says everything looks perfect. We could even see the four chambers of the baby's heart. I can confirm the rumors that we're having a boy. Ain't no doubt about that. Sarah is doing so well. She is positively glowing and Buddy is, too. They will be model parents. We are so excited. The little ones watched the video, too. The oldest was concerned that Aunt Sarah might find all that wiggling around painful. We reassured him that it wasn't and then he was OK with the event. The youngest just kept saying, "WOW!!" and looking at Aunt Sarah's tummy. His big questions were, "Is a baby boy really in there? Can he hear me? When will he be done?"

Everyone has plans for New Years Eve. The old folks plan to be just that - Old Folks. I'd like to go out until I try to decide where I'd like to go. It's then I realize that there's no place like home. So home it is. New Years day will be spent at home as well. The two married sons and daughters-in-law want to spend the day together at their homes. The unmarried son has three or places he intends to visit. He never tells all - I guess that's a good thing. We probably don't want to know.

I'm not making New Years Resolutions. I'd just break them and then feel like I failed myself. I can think of a few I should make, but that's another story. No use going there this evening. What are your resolutions? I'd love to hear all about them.

I'm fast turning into the proverbial pumpkin. Good Night to all.

It's a Big Sunny Day

As the oldest grandson said this morning, "Nana, It's a big sunny day." He is correct. The boys were here for a little while this morning and I was so glad to see them. They and their dad decided to let their mom sleep in. Dad was taking the children to a little cafe for breakfast and they were talking about what they would order. I was listening and heard the oldest say, "I don't like green eggs and ham." To which the younger said, "I like whatever they have if it's breakfast stuff." By being quiet and listening I hear some of the most interesting conversations between those two.

I've been thinking about all the work-related travel I did before I retired. Every place has an icon in my mind. Rock Island, IL - Iowa Machine Shed; St Louis, MO - The Hill; Alexandria, VA - The Fish Market; Washington, DC - The Mall; Rockville, MD - G Street Fabrics; El Paso, TX-Wings (on the reservation just east of the city); Las Crusas, NM - Organ Mountains; San Francisco, CA - The Persido; San Diego, Ca - Balboa Park. Boston, MA - The Green; Baltimore, MD - Aquarium, Chambersburg, PA - the Amish market on Saturday morning. This is only a few; I could go on and on. No wonder I'm tired. I worked long hard hours most of the time, but my job gave me something I would never have had if I'd had any other career. It gave me a picture of the world. Once more I give thanks for all my blessings.

Gray Day in Huntsville, AL

Last night was stormy with lots of wind and some rain. The storm was the flashy, noisy kind that always gets the cat in a strange mood. I slept through most of it but woke periodically when the cat would decide to lay on me. Today has been just about the same. The front is almost past us and we have the promise of colder weather for a few days. (Colder for north Alabama, that is.)

I haven't accomplished much today. The gray, yucky days just leave me with no get-up-n-go. The grandsons didn't spend time with me today so I didn't have anyone to play Legos or watch Diego with me. In other words, just a blah day.

It's probably a good thing that the boys didn't come because I'm developing a sore throat and I think my ear would like to hurt. Maybe it'll be gone after a good night's sleep. I seldom develop a full blown throat or ear infection. Being a tough old girl does have advantages.

Our big news of the day is that our daughter in law, Sarah, had a definitive ultrasound today and there is no mistake that the baby is a boy!! We saw the pictures and we can confirm that. She and our son, Buddy, sounded really happy, as we all are. Time is really moving fast and now that Christmas is over things will begin to come together for them. The nursery is almost ready and most of the essentials are either in place or on hand. Sarah's mother and father, who live in Minn) will be here somewhere around January 25th and stay for a few days before going on the the coast for their winter sabbatical. Later they'll be back for the birth and to spend time with new grandbaby. We're walking on air at the prospect of a new grandson. I have my rocking chair at hand and will have it warmed up just in time to rock our new bundle of joy.

Harry always says, "Leave 'em with a feel-good note." The expected new baby boy is my feel-good note for today.

Hope everyone is well and ready for a new day tomorrow. My best to everyone.

How Not To Workout

Sorry, everyone.

I just couldn't resist.

A friend sent me the above video. You may have seen this many, many times, but it was new to me. I need exercise but not at this gym nor on a machine that is kin to this one. I'd never walk again!! At least someone came her rescue before rolling with laughter.

Last Days of 2007

Here we are, the day after Christmas 2007. It's time to file Christmas away under memories and move along. New Year is the next biggie - well, a biggie for some, a plain old day for others. I'll watch the Rose Bowl Parade (hope Harry will watch with me) and drool over all the flowers. One day I'd like to see the Parade in person and close enough to be able to reach out and touch the floats. Even though I'd like to watch 2008 arrive with festivities, I know Harry and I will look at each other, yawn, and just sleep through the arrival. Ho-Hum!!

My next big project is to clean out my closet to the bare walls - both of them. I still have clothes in there that I wore when I was working. I'll never ever wear them again by choice. Someone should be wearing them as they are quality clothes and basic classics in like new condition. I trust that Goodwill will find them a new home. I'll empty my shoe chest as well. After I finish the closets, it's back to the kitchen to get the upgrades to the cabinets. I want pull-outs added to the lower cabinet shelves so I don't have to get on my knees to get things out of the back. Not all that lazy just gettin' older.

The big thing happening here is that the heat pump is on the blink. The axillary heat is working but that is really expensive to use for everyday heat. I certainly hope it's just a relay or something simple to repair. I'm prepared to be told that the compressor is bad since the unit has been in use since 1989. If that is the case, I'll have a whole new system installed. Big bucks, but it's just money, after all. What am I going to do with the $6.99 I have in reserve? Leave it to the kids to fight over? Not! I dread the process but I'm not stressing over it.

I took a long look in the mirror a few days ago and was absolutely shocked at how much weight I've gained. In some ways I knew it but, darn, that long look was too much for me! Gotta be some changes made. I hope Harry will support me in a diet change. I'm sure he will but will he join me? More on that later. For now I need to move along.

Thanks for visiting my blog. I look forward to your comments.

Christmas Day, 2007

Christmas Eve with all the kids was a blast to say the least. We all ate like we'd never had a full breakfast. Even the grandsons ate as if they'd been working outside all day. We had a Southern Country Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, peppered bacon, country ham, sausage gravy, home make biscuits, and a big bowl of mixed fresh fruit. Of course there was also plenty of butter, jellies, honey, etc. It may sound hokey but we all enjoyed eating this food - we don't often have a really big breakfast. It's a treat for us.

When it came time to open gifts, Papa (aka Harry) filled in for Santa.

(As an aside comment. Harry painted the picture in the background.)

True to form, the eldest grandson is interested in the toy. (Bumble Bee Transformer)

The youngest is checking out the wrapping paper.

He likes to keep samples of all wrapping paper.

The absolute highlight of gifts was the armor that the eldest son made for the grandsons (his nephews). It was a monumental task in that each scale and the base had to be assembled and attached by hand from very basic material. He makes the armor according to historical descriptions. This armor is constructed so that it can be adjusted to size as the boys grow. This gift can - and hopefully will - be handed down to generations. Folks, below you are looking at a gift of pure love!

The eldest grandson being outfitted for the first time

by his uncle who made this awesome gift.

The grandsons admiring their newest treasure.

They were really proud of their "really, real armor."

Today Harry and I are being quiet old farts. Harry gave me a gift certificate good for an all inclusive trip to the beach whenever I want to go and for however long I want to stay. (Is that dangerous or what?) Harry's gift is a Garvin GPS thingy so we can find our way to the beach and back home again. Remember we are old and need all the help we can get. Our three sons and families are enjoying their Christmas day together. We're sure our daughter and her family are having a wonderful Christmas in Phoenix with her husband's family. We miss her but are glad she has family there and is happy.