Another Day in Paradise - And Update

Our Sunday gathering was pretty quiet. Sarah and Buddy were resting after all the activity associated with the shower. Everyone else was here. I didn't cook a lot - we just had burgers with the trimmings. You'll be glad to know that the green salad was back in fine form. I also made a fresh strawberry pie. It wasn't fancy but no one went away hungry.

I've actually accomplished a lot today - for me, that is. I ran three errands, did four loads of laundry, made asparagus cheese soup for dinner, went by and checked on a friend who's under the weather, and crocheted three squares of an afghan I'm slowly working. I haven't crocheted for years and it's slow getting started again.

Harry and his golfing buddy are playing 36 holes today. They went to a rather difficult course so I bet they both come home with their tail feathers draggin' their tracks out. They take their games so seriously that you'd think every game is a tournament. I bet it will be quiet at our house tonight.

Nothing new to report from this front. I'm just being the old fart that I am - as a matter of fact I think a nap would be in order. Hope all of you are having a good Monday.

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The guys just came home from the golf course. I was right. They are the two most pitiful guys in the county. Walking slooow, hair looks like a weed eater went through it, clothes obviously exposed to mud, and grins from ear to ear. It's definitely been a good day on the green.

Saturday Fun

Lots has happened since my last post.

Yesterday was Sarah's baby shower. One of her friends who is also a next door neighbor hosted the shower at their home. Their home is lovely and they really spent time and effort in decorating - it was beautiful. And the food - a wide variety each more delicious than the last. I'm sure there were no calories involved. Sarah's mother made a wonderful punch. I need to talk to her about that mix.

I don't think I've ever before seen so many nice gifts at one shower. Mav is going to be one well dressed baby with every luxury available for one so young. Where were all these things when I was raising babies? I know, I know - don't tell me. I raised my babies a loooonnnngggg time ago.

I ask Sarah if I could post a couple of pictures of her here. She selected the pics below. It's important that you understand just how pregnant this girl is. We're not having a five pound dainty little girl. We're having a hefty he-man boy. If you don't believe it just ask Harry Junior (aka Buddy). Sarah's due date is in early May so she still has about 6 weeks to go. It'll be a long six weeks for her.

One of the games was for each person to cut off a piece of yarn that she thought would be a measure of Sarah's present waistline. Then see who was closest by putting each piece of yarn around her. In the picture below Sarah's mom is checking the piece of yarn she cut. The hostess' mother is looking on. Sarah's mom won easily!

After all the measuring and giggling was over Sarah claimed her comfortable seat in prep for opening a mountain of gifts. Our little mother-to-be was absolutely worn out after the shower. This day will be one of her "forever memories".

While all the women were enjoying our gathering the men folk were next door grilling, watching a truck race, and whooping it up. The more things change the more they stay the same.

NASCAR just said "gentlemen start your engines" - I'm outta here.

Must Haves

While I'm waiting for the boys to come for our playdate I’m following a fellow blogger's lead in thinking about and listing things I must have. Here are a few of my “must haves”

Hard back books. (Yes, Jamie, we share this one.) I do have a few paperbacks but only a few. I buy new books and pass a few of them on.

Jeans that fit but still let me breathe.

Coffee in the morning and big glasses of ice water the rest of the day.

My computer.

Better Homes and Garden’s Home Designer software. It’s saved me from many mistakes.

Aveda. I love Aveda.

A period of absolute quiet everyday. Fifteen minutes will do on a busy day.

My collection of cookbooks that keeps growing.

Music. From light classical to honky tonk country. Not rap or heavy metal.

My old baking pans that I’m ashamed to let people see. We have history together.

My collection of art. Most was done by friends who are artists or by family.

Re-runs

Harry played golf today at a really challenging course. He was really beat so he went to bed early. I gathered my yogurt, water, and remote control around me in front of the television to watch Lost. HA! Did my bubble ever burst when tonight was a re-run. I decided to watch anyway. At the end of the episode the big announcement was that Lost would return with a new episode on April 24 and 10/9 Central. Rats and double rats!!!

Like Lucy, I'm going to my beanbag to pout. Not really. Gonna read for awhile.

Wednesday is "Shoe Day"- Updated

“Shoe Day” is a big adventure in our corner of the world. It’s the day that the boys shop for shoes. We have Mommy along to give final approval. Before either of the boys could walk I suggested making a Shoe Day two or three times a year with the grandsons a tradition. (Sarah and Buddy hope you’re reading this. When the time comes, will it be alright for Mav to have Shoe Day with Nana, too?)

We go to our favorite shoe store where we can get properly fitted shoes. The boys select their own shoes for play, hiking, and casual wear. They have to agree to a bit of direction when it comes to their dress-up shoes. We usually get ice cream afterwards. I absolutely love Shoe Day. It’s so much fun to watch them look at all the shoes displayed, have their feet measured, try on all the potential new shoes, and discuss their decisions among themselves. My blessings abound!





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UPDATE:

I love watching Mary with the boys. The love and pride is really obvious.

The boys will be fast as lightening now. Their new shoes have an N on the side. (New Balance) Everyone knows shoes with an N are f-a-s-t. The transformer sandals are way cool. All their straps are adjustable with Velcro and they look like fighters. Dress shoes feel good and are OK but they aren't exciting. We stopped for ice cream at our local ice cream shop. The boys ate their dinosaur sundaes outside so we could enjoy the warm sunshine. After snack time at the ice cream shop both boys had heavy eyes so they went home for rest time. Everyone knows that "older boys" don't take naps. As for Mommy and Nana - well we take whatever rest we can get. We don't care what you call it.

Yes, Brad, I'll adopt you. When should I send you your task list? Even the grandsons have one.

Food and Egg Hunts

WOW, what a weekend! I have to begin by admitting that I was a total senile old gal. In all the excitement, I forgot to take pictures. Bad, bad me.

Saturday was filled with shopping, planning, and coloring eggs. Sunday cooking was easy. Everything was easily prepared – no fuss or muss. I baked and glazed a spiral cut ham, made baked asparagus, boiled corn and a few “pick-ups”. Mary (DIL) made deviled eggs and a key lime pie. Sarah (DIL) brought a carrot cake. We skipped the green leaf salad – what’s this world coming to? So much for the food. As you may notice I always write about the food first. We have to keep our strength up, you know.

All the local kids were here and we were lucky enough to have Sarah’s parents with us, too. Mike and Terri are really nice folks by anyone’s standards. It was a pleasure to have them with us. Harry hid 64 plastic eggs around the front and back yards. He hid plastic and we kept the colored eggs inside for safe keeping. Last year the guys hid the colored eggs and when they cracked the boys were disappointed.

After everyone was through eating, it was time to hunt eggs. Those two boys went wild. I’ve never seen them run the way they did. They were laughing and yelling – having a really fun time. All the adults just followed them from front to back yard enjoying their antics.

The day began and ended with many hugs, good wishes, and “I love you’s” as all southern gatherings do. At least the gatherings in our family end that way.

Bottom line: I did not clean and polish the house in prep for Easter Sunday. No one seemed to notice and everyone enjoyed the day anyway.

We missed having Judy (daughter) and her family with us. She did send pictures of Maddie’s Easter. She is soooo cute and growing up fast – already over a year old. We wish we could see them every weekend but understand that Mommy and Daddy are building careers in Phoenix. It’s good to know that Daddy’s family is there so they aren’t alone on holidays.

This is a long post. Hope I haven’t bored you. I’m off to read about your weekend.

EASTER

Hello to all my friends and readers in the Kingdom of Blog.

The next couple of days promise to be super busy. I’ll catch up
with you early next week.