Bits and Pieces

* Met my newest grandbaby and snuggled her brothers on Sunday afternoon. Oh, so wonderful, and a little like being at work. LOL! I have the best job ever!

* I went the the third of my current pottery classes on Tuesday evening. Not quite back in the groove, but maybe I'll get there by the time it ends. 

* I got my hair cut on Wednesday. It's not drastically different, just a little shorter and freshened up.

* I worked an hour late tonight, came home and ate, did my laundry and broke the washing machine. Ha ha! (It doesn't want to spin...) Dropped my car off at the shop for repairs, withdrew some cash from the credit union, popped into target with Hannah, and came home to wring out my clothes and bail out the washer. Then I packed a few clothes in a bag.

*If all goes according to plan, I will be gone away for the weekend. I've taken both Friday (tomorrow) and Monday off work. My friend Gail and I are going east, to the coast, and a Sea Glass Expo. North Hampton, New Hampshire. We're going on an adventure!

Like Father, Like Son

I can't help but smile when I see my own children be great role models for their children. "I want to snuggle Logan like daddy does," my grandson told his mom. He's not yet five and he's doing a great job of snuggling his baby brother.

Nothing makes a mom's heart swell more than seeing her children love, care for, and protect their younger siblings. Number Seven might be territorial and protective when it comes to his toys, especially his dinosaurs, but it looks like he's off to a wonderful start when it comes to taking care of Number Twelve.

As for my own son, his love of babies goes all the way back to being a very small boy. He was just two years old when he became attached to his sister's abandoned doll, named her Elizabeth after a friend's baby, and took her all the way to New Mexico with us on vacation. Such a tender heart... and now his arms are full of his very own little ones and he is teaching them tenderness as well.

According to my daughter in law, Spencer "was so proud when Logan started to drift off into sleep."  She says, "More is caught than taught!" and you know, she is absolutely right. (I'm thinking that big boy caught a bit of the Baby Bug from his very own mom because there was nothing much sweeter than falling asleep with my very own baby snuggled in my arms.)

(I stole the pictures. You don't think they'll mind, do you?)

The Week in a Nutshell

It's late and I should be fast asleep, but I just dropped Joe back off at his apartment and I'm spending a few minutes winding myself down before turning out the light.

Autumn has finally arrived in upstate NY. We had summer temperatures up until Friday afternoon when the weather decided to take a turn toward winter. Today it was in the forties, down from the eighties earlier in the week. It was a good run with some calling it "the summer that wouldn't end." Fall is going to feel extremely short so I intend to love as much of it as possible while working full time inside.

The week was varied and diverse from weather to sleep patterns to daily activities...
Sunday- church, and then feeling rather sickish, I stopped at Wegmans on my way home for a bit of medicine and some chicken soup which I took home and ate after tucking myself into bed for a long nap.
Monday- work, my step study, and a late night, bare-footed, jammie clad visit to one of my boys.
Tuesday- work, chiropractor, support group meeting
Wednesday- work, and went out with Ben. "I loved him the moment I first set eyes on him. Tonight he brought me flowers and took me out to dinner in his fancy truck." (Gotta love having grown up boys.)
Thursday- work and a bit of time at the pottery studio
Friday- work and a birthday party for Number Seven. (He four now.)

I went to sleep exhausted Thursday evening, woke up in the middle of the night, and couldn't go back to sleep. When I finally dozed off, I dreamed it was light out and the clock read 7:30 am. I was late for work, and of course couldn't find the number to call in. When I did find it, I dialed wrong over and over... I was relieved to realize it was all a dream and even more relieved when my alarm went off at the usual time and it was still dark outside. Ha ha!

I had a long snuggle with a sleeping Number Eight at the birthday party Friday night and took Number Nine home with me afterward while his mommy and daddy went to a Homecoming Game out in Williamson. At home Idris played with his new firetruck, we brushed our teeth together, and then I read a few stories before tucking him in for the night. He didn't even cry when I turned out the light and shut the door.

Today I stayed in bed much longer than most mornings, and eventually headed out to the house in Williamson to look through some stacks of boxes and a bit of paperwork. Rachel and I saw our brother, and this evening Joe came over to visit for a while. (Did I tell you I liked having grown up boys?)

So Far

It's been a busy week, both at work and out of it. I started going to a new group on Monday evening, a step study with Celebrate Recovery. Still looking to be healthy emotionally and spiritually It was a good sized group of women. There were two I knew from outside of CR and it felt very comfortable. Going to this group will mean not attending CoDA, or at least not attending regularly. Perhaps it is time to move on...

I met a friend at Panera this evening. She had a dessert and since I'd not eaten dinner, I had a salad. It was a good visit. Tomorrow evening I have a date with a different friend. We're going to Chipotle because neither of us has been there before. Next week I will meet my sister for breakfast one morning before work.

The school year is over and our daycare numbers are dwindling. Teacher's kids have the summer off. One of our little guys won't be back next year because he's moving a few towns over. It will be sad to say goodbye and I will miss his little arms around my neck each afternoon. This is the way of childcare. Our job is to love them while we have the opportunity and to remember the days are fleeting.

Tonight I caught a few minutes with a few grandsons because Seven and Ten came to play with Nine. How fun is that?

Making Some Connections

It is a strange and unusual phenomenon to have sunshine and 65 degree weather mid February in upstate NY, but I woke up yesterday morning to bright, sunny skies and promising temperatures. My mind and body are in mid winter mode, but the sunshine called louder than the sofa, and I laced up my walking shoes and called my sister. We took another 3 mile walk, this time in shirtsleeves. No scarves or mittens this week.

The walk was wonderful, aside from my aching toes (they aren't used to walking anymore), but a paralyzing fatigue set in following our after-the-walk visit to Panera Bread, and as soon as I returned home, I collapsed on the couch. I later learned she had done the same, along with several other friends who'd taken in the day's beautiful fresh air and sunshine.

We had a little "party" last night. Invited a couple of our kid families over, and cooked up a batch of buckwheat pancakes (with real maple syrup) and a bunch of scrambled eggs. I did not take pictures, but I did get to snuggle my newest grandbaby, love on the next youngest, and hug the big brother who is still just a little guy himself. It was a somewhat quiet and controlled party, unless one counts baby cries and childhood giggles as noisy.

I have "stolen" some grankid photos to brighten up this post and make you smile. Thank you to my kids for taking them and posting them where I could grab a copy.

Starting the Year Right

Happy Birthday, Josiah! (yesterday)

Yesterday my Almost-Christmas-Baby turned 29. I had to work until supper time and so found myself incredibly grateful for my super hero daughter in law who not only got supper on the table, but baked a beautiful cookie cake as well. (Sometimes even moms appreciate a little help pulling the day together.)

Did I tell you I went to work this week? I'd already planned to take my weekend off while my son is in town, and then I missed last Wednesday as well for the funeral service for my cousin's son. I decided perhaps a few dollars in my checking account might be helpful during this holiday season...

It's been a busy few weeks. Not so busy physically as mentally and emotionally. I'm finding myself tired and probably in need of a long walk. The Christmas goodies are catching up with me and I'm not very happy with the bathroom scale today. Another good reason for regular long walks. In another few days I'll have a chance to take a good look at my day to day schedule and begin to work on adding/removing plans and activities. I am looking forward to setting goals and making progress in 2017.

 PS. Our littlest grandson was able to go home on Tuesday evening. His big brother has decided he is wonderful and wants to keep him.

Seven is Two

Happy Birthday, Number Seven! 

Now you are two. Every year goes by faster than the one before. In no time at all you will be a big brother. Can't wait for your birthday party next weekend. It's gonna be great!

Return Visit

One visit to the hospital to visit a new baby is never enough, especially if the baby has to be shared with multiple relatives, so Hannah and I picked up Bethany today and made a return trip. He even had his eyes open! There is nothing quite like a brand new baby, especially a new grandbaby.






Hannah is my Baby Whisperer, quiet and calming. She has nothing but love and adoration for each and every new baby we welcome into our clan, and they always feel the love. I can't wait to see how the bond between this little boy and his Aunt Hannah grows. She is truly inspiring.





Bethany didn't make it to the hospital yesterday. Today was her first meeting with her newest nephew. It is a beautiful thing to watch my children interact with our new babies. Tender kisses, gentle hugs, and sweet caresses are given in abundance. I'm so blessed to have managed to catch a few of those moments on my camera today.




I couldn't go home without a picture of the new family, so Nate climbed up onto the bed beside his beautiful bride with his tiny son in his arms. They are all smiles and blessed beyond measure. It's hard to believe my little guy is really a daddy, but it's looking good on him so far.

Awww.... :)

He tiny, he's sleepy, and he's adorable. His daddy looks tired and his mommy can't keep the smile off her face. He already has more than enough people to love and we are going to have to practice sharing all over again.

Happy Birthday, Baby Boy! (Updated version)

Yeah! He's finally here. It was a very long and exhausting day for the new mommy and daddy. "Grueling" he called it, but little Spencer finally made his appearance at about 4:15 this morning. I have no stats and no stories. That'll come later.

Spencer James weighed in at 7 pounds 2 ounces and is approximately 20 inches long. I'm hoping to get a peek at him later this evening. Stay tuned.

Baby Shower

What a beautiful day it was! This afternoon we celebrated the soon arrival of my newest grandson with a baby shower at Bethany's house. It was a lovely occasion.

The gathering was small, just our immediate family, Aunt Margie, and our favorite Morgan. We also had a few small children whose daddy was unexpectedly away for the afternoon.

Because it was such a gorgeous day, because life is short, and because the dessert was so pretty, we ate it first. There is nothing prettier and more lovely to eat than cheesecake unless it is cheesecake with fresh fruit on top.

 The table was set with fine china, doilies, and a vase of pretty flowers. Simple and sweet.


The new momma was looking radiant and ready to pop at any moment. (Isn't she cute?) Oh, goodness! I don't know if this small child will wait until I come home from my vacation at the end of September!

We had a fine time watching Sabrina open gifts. I brought along another monkey because babies do love monkeys, you know. I tucked my very own handmade afghan in the bag too, and it says "Happy Birthday" because that will be happening very soon. Besides, with a monkey to tuck inside of it, how could I resist such a cool gift bag?


Once the formalities were over, we settled down to a cup of coffee or tea and enjoyed our time together.

It was a very nice afternoon if I do say so myself!

The Grandchild Collection

Several years back I started a new collection, a grandchild collection. So far it includes five little boys and one sweet (and sometimes sour) little girl. Around the first week of October we will add a new little one to the grandchild group, another little boy. (We found out last night that it will be a boy.) He will bring our collection to seven.

Our computer is acting up so it's possible, if things don't clear up, that I may disappear for a bit. James is thinking he may have to take it in for an overhaul.