Friday, September 30, 2011

Work, Work, Work...then Beach!

Baking, cleaning, laundry. Blah, blah, blah.....

Pack.......to the beach I go!


I know, I was just there. I'm going again. Yeah!

All girls and Zoe. I don't know 3 people that are going but I do know Christy (DIL) and her friend Amber.

It won't be warm like the last time. It's the beach, who cares =)

Have a great week-end, my friends!

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Life

Life goes on. Life moves at break-neck speed. Life can be complicated or fabulous. Life is.....

Life is busy for me just now. I am still trying to figure out how to accomplish all that needs to be done each day/week while trying to fit in some extras. I'm sure this is just a season and I will make the best of it!

One good thing - these busy days keep my mind working creatively. I like!

Today I have a hair cut appointment. So ready for it. I would just love to do something really different - style, not color....but I chicken out! Jess would never let me do anything too drastic anyway. And with relatively short hair to start with, the different is limited. And I am 57, for pete's sake! Oh well, the thought of it is thrilling =)

Aidan and Zoe will be my company later today.  Love those two! I picked up some cookies to bake at the discount grocery store the other day. Aidan and I will bake them. Making cookies from scratch is always the best....but my days are busy! So having them in little balls on a tray ready to be put on a cookie sheet is the way to go. I can smell them now - chocolate chip and peanut butter!

Have a wonderful day, my friends! May your day be fabulous - even if, at the moment, it appears to be complicated!

Monday, September 26, 2011

No Title

Couldn't think of a title so there isn't one!

Ellen had a wonderful time cheering on Saturday morning

Waiting for the game to start.

Water break

Half time show!


Sunday afternoon - David's Bridal again.  Greta was trying to decide between 2 dresses. Kim, Marcy, Christy and I all went to help her decide. We gave her our opinion and........she still does not have a dress. She thinks she will make an appointment somewhere else. There is a dress out there somewhere that has her name on it and meets all the dreams that play in her head! Yes, indeed, there is.

I thought this one was pretty.
But it's not The One.


Aidan is a big boy. He goes potty....I no longer need to remind him.......and he doesn't need my help unless he uses the bathroom with the higher toilet. Can you tell that I've raised mostly girls....sometimes I call his underwear panties. Believe me, he corrects me right away!!!

Yesterday we had lunch at Dale's Mother and sister's home. Marlin (brother) and Carol and their son LaVerne, their daughter Lynette and her husband John were down from Maine for the week-end. We had a wonderful lunch and a great time together!


Happy Monday to you!

Friday, September 23, 2011

Happy Birthday to......

Gina!


Greta!

Yes, 22 years ago I was in labor. It was their due date and I was ready to not be prego! I felt soooooo good after giving birth, and a bit frightened at having 2 babies to care for! Those sleepless nights seemed never ending, the toddler years challenging but here they are all grown up, engaged to be married to wonderful young men and living independent lives.....just what we raise them to do!

Gina and Greta,
We are grateful to God for giving you both to us to love. We were so thrilled to have twins. I remember Corey saying after you were born, "Mom, I can't believe you now have 5 kids"!!! Yup, we were a big family =) We have had such good times and some challenging times as well. But, that is what life is all about. We love, we learn, we grow. We love you dearly and wish you both a wonderful day celebrating you!

Mom and Dad

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Today......

.....A Fun Day =)
  • Wash dishes - not the fun-est thing on earth but it feels good to have them clean again - sigh
  • Laundry - ok.....there are a few necessary things to complete before the fun begins
  • Pick up Ellen for a dentist appointment - now Ellen does not consider this a fun thing - at all!
  • Ellen's teacher said to not bring her back to school after the appointment - let the FUN begin =)
  • Pick up something good to eat (Ellen), something good to drink, like iced coffee (me)
  • Stop at Stauffer's because they have Whiff Roasters coffee on sale - $2 off! I'm bringing home some Jamaican Me Crazy, Pumpkin Spice....and more. I love this brand and it doesn't go on special often enough.
  • Stop at Giant because I've been out of my favorite protein powder for too long. I get it there because they have it for the best price.
  • Stop at Office Max to pick up black ink for the printer.....been out of that for too long too. I have stuff to print....lots of stuff!
  • Meet Greta at the mall then heading to York because......
  • She has an appointment at David's Bridal to continue the wedding dress search! Now, that is the best FUN we will have today!
Wishing you a Happy and Fun Thursday!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Home Hunting.....

....is fun. One we looked at last evening is not a contender, the other one is a maybe. Some things we really liked, some things I'm not so sure of. We know that we will not find the perfect home. The weighing of importance continues!

Off to my "job" soon! Wishing you all a lovely Wednesday!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Going and Going.....

I have lived a great life the past 1yr and 3 mon. since walking away from full-time employment. I was able to say 'yes' to a lot of people needing an extra hand......something I did little of for too many years.

Things have changed a bit for me again. I have started a part-time job, about 16 hrs. a week. A friend has parents who live at home but are in need of some extra help because of dementia. She asked me if I would be interested in helping out. You bet I would.....even if it makes me feel busy again! So I have added this to my week besides keeping Aidan and Zoe 2-3 times a week and helping Marcy with appointments as I can. And I need to be going through our stuff in preparation of a move in the next year.

Yup, I'm going and going.....

This going calls for some increased organization, something I have been less bothered with ;) I will be going to this couple's home today so I made a pot of soup in my crock-pot for dinner. I used the Italian Sausage Minestrone recipe in the latest issue of Taste of Home. I didn't have some of the ingredients so I subbed with others.....not sure what it is but it's soup! Smells good!

I also did a load of laundry which is ready to be folded.....I want to do that before I go. Anyway, as I was putting the load into the dryer I was looking for a pair of my jeans that I hang to dry. Didn't find them so I figured I decided not to wash them....oh well, will get them another time. As I sat down to write this post, I looked at my legs and........realized I didn't wash them because I WAS WEARING THEM!!!!!!! oh.my.word.

Will miss my favorite show tonight...The Biggest Loser. Because, we will be going to look at 2 homes tonight if Kim (our daughter Real Estate Agent) was able to schedule the homes. Exciting!

Have a great day! I know I will =)

Monday, September 19, 2011

Quiet

It's quiet around here again.........and empty. Saturday morning I took Ellen to her cheering at the Challenger Football game. Corey, Christy and the kids were just getting up. When we returned home around 1p the  house was empty! They had packed up the kids, their stuff and the dog and went home to their home.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am happy for them to be back in their home. It's been more than a week since they have been there. But, I miss them!!

Christy said on the way home that Aidan said he wanted to sleep at Nana's again! Sweet boy!

Our family gathered here for lunch and dinner yesterday. That's a good thing! It's been a few weeks since we have done that. Paityn really misses it when we don't get together.

Aidan and Zoe will be my company today....got to go get them really soon. Quiet no more =)

Have a wonderful Monday!

Friday, September 16, 2011

Full House

I think there was a TV show with that name a "few" years ago. Yes, we have a full house. But it's all ok.

Corey, Christy, Aidan, Zoe and Roddy (the dog) have been staying with us. Last week their basement was flooded. Then we went on vacation. Roddy stayed here with Greta while we were at the beach. We came back on Monday.  Corey, Christy and family came back Tuesday. Because the hot water heater needs some repairs and some circuit breakers need replaced, they have been staying here. The furnace also needs a cleaning and are not sure what else needs to be done to bring it to working order.

It's a full house. But that's ok.

At some point in the next year, we are all planning to live together anyway. Yes, big plans and big changes are in the works for us. Corey and Christy have been working to get their home on the market and are looking for a larger home. They have asked us (Dale, me and Ellen) to move in with them. We like that idea. Soooo, we will be working very hard, in the next year, to go through all our stuff in preparation to sell our home. We will be a modern day Walton's family!

We have been having fun together. Last night everyone went to bed except Christy and I. We decided it was time to hit the sack so we said our good nights. Christy went to the living room (where all 4 of them have been sleeping) and I went to the stairs to go up to bed. I decided that I needed my Kindle so I went to get it....just as Christy forgot something too and was coming around the corner. We just started laughing so hard...and trying to be quiet too which made it worse. I giggled all the way back up the steps!

I took Christy to work yesterday and today. After we picked her up yesterday, Aidan was treated to a ride at the mall because he is being a big boy.....telling me when he has to use the bathroom.


After looking at each ride and sitting on some of them, he chose this one!

Zoe enjoys this one!

This morning Aidan decided he wanted to put on a pair of Daddy's shorts.....

How do they look, Nana?

He wanted a rear view too!
Roddy had to give it a look-see too =)

Wiping his nose with his Daddy's shorts!!

Zoe says, This is all too silly so early in the day!

They hope to get the water heater up and running tomorrow. I know they are anxious to get back to normal as soon as possible. Christy is feeling so much better which is wonderful!



We are having some fall-like weather. It was really cold last evening and night! Today there is a clear blue sky. Just beautiful! I think I am ready to put out some fall decorations....I knew I would get there!

Have a wonderful week-end!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Avalon Beach Vacation

We arrived on Friday night around 11:30......that's a late drive for 2 tired old people! We stopped to fill up the car with gas, buy coffee and get a bite to eat before getting too far on the journey. Followed our GPS which got us there!

 Saturday was spent at the house while Corey, Christy and the kids attended Christy's brothers wedding on the beach. We ate lunch at a deli in town and got some coffee at a shop next to it. Was a beautiful day!



We picked up the kids and Gavin (the grooms son) before the reception was over. Walked the beach for a while then headed back to the house. The kids had a wonderful time playing!

Now that Zoe walks, she tries to keep up with Aidan and Gavin!

What ya lookin' at, kids?

Pop Pop, are you in there?

We headed to the beach around 11 on Sunday. Christy's brother and his new wife (left for the Honeymoon on Monday), several of their friends and Christy's parents and 2 sisters joined us. It started out as a cloudy day but the sun soon was out bright and warm. Loved the empty beaches!

Mommy and Baby =)

Katie (the Bride) makes a sandcastle with Aidan and Gavin

Corey and Christy

Pop Pop thinks this would be a great way to get back to the house!

This is safer =)

Sunday evening we met Christy's parents, sister and daughter at the Ocean City boardwalk. We ate at a little restaurant that sold pizza, subs and salads. The food was really good. We had a great time!

Monday was back on the beach for a couple of hours before heading home again.

Zoe splashes in the wet sand...
this kid loves getting dirty!

What is not to love about this??


 I think a new tradition is in order....September week-end at the beach every year! Yes, indeed!





Monday, September 12, 2011

Beach Babies

We returned home this evening....back to reality!

Aidan

Zoe

Christy's Niece, Rylie

Collecting shells

Here is a kid who does not mind the sand!

We had a wonderful time. The water was wonderful, the beach almost empty. So relaxing!

Will post more photos when I have a moment to do so =)


Saturday, September 10, 2011

Relaxing

Indoors.....



Or Outdoors....

......it doesn't matter to me.
I'm just planning to do a lot of this =)

Loving the beach at Avalon, NJ!

Thursday, September 8, 2011

What a day!

I didn't sleep much last night. We had all kinds of excitement around here. We were ok but our neighbors had water in their homes, how much, I'm not sure. I wish I had gotten a picture of the garage of one of them.....the water mark was just below the window.  Greta, Ellen and I ventured out this morning to look around. 

This home is surrounded by water

That puddle was most likely a river last night.

That is usually a lawn.


To the right of the road is usually a meadow with a creek running down the middle.
The water was really rushing over the road.


I wanted to take more pictures but the battery needed charged =(

The pictures that I saw on the news today were incredible. Such devastation. And some loss of life too.

Dale helped Corey work through the night to pump water out of their basement.  Then it was taking things apart to dry them out and clean up. They are exhausted tonight. I thought we needed a comfort food so I  made a kettle of chicken corn soup. The guys made it to our house this evening for showers. Corey plans to return home again. Christy and the kids will sleep here.

All this rain and flooding would have been enough drama.
But there was more.
 Christy was starting to feel better...remember, she has mono. But on Tuesday night she started feeling sick and had a fever. She was in bed at home on Wednesday till the afternoon when Corey called to ask her to check the basement. Kim had been there with the kids. Christy opened the basement door and discovered the 5 ft. of water!

It gets more complicated.
Kim had a meeting at work at 3. Greta planned to take care of the children after her classes. Because....I started a very part time job that day....of all days!! (the job will be the subject for another post) Greta had a hard time finding a way to Christy's because of high water. She got there and decided that Christy and the kids needed to leave and come to our home. Corey called me to tell me that I was getting overnight guests! That was fine. Dale called me to let me know he was on the way home too. His boss had been getting calls from the school that his kids needed to be picked up. I had been calling home and Ellen wasn't answering. Was she even at home?? Sure enough....Ellen needed picked up too. No one was home to get the call. He picked her up then made his way to help pump water out of Corey's basement.

I finished at 6 and picked up some pizza. I was never so glad to be home.

Back to Chrsty being sick. She didn't feel any better this morning. We discussed what to do. We knew we couldn't make it to her Dr. She decided to try sleeping to see if she would feel better. After a few hours, that didn't help. She talked to her Dr., they decided she should see someone so we called an office near us that we could get to. Greta took her. She is now on an antibiotic for 2 infections. We hope this helps to speed up the process to good health!

And the crazy continues.....
We - Corey, Christy, Aidan, Zoe, Dale and I were planning a beach trip this week-end. Christy's brother is getting married on the beach on Saturday. Aidan and Zoe are in the wedding and Christy has a part too.
Could the sickness, the rain, the flooding of their home come at a worse time?

We are going to go. I am working 2 hours again in the morning. Corey brought dirty laundry over to wash so they have clean clothes. Somehow we will all arrive at our destination sometime tomorrow. They should be there by 5 but I doubt they will make it by then.

We will go.
We will have fun.
We will Trust the Lord
and not worry about home.
Yes. We. Will!


Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Please Pray!

We are experiencing heavy rain and flooding in our county and surrounding counties here in eastern PA.  My husband and our son have been pumping nearly 5 ft. of water out of our son's basement since about 5 this evening. It's now after 11pm and our neighbor just rapped on our door wanting my hubby because they are experiencing rising water in their home and possibly his parents next door....all he said was 'my Dad' then took off to another neighbor when I told him Dale wasn't home.  Oh, Lord Jesus, we need you!

Christy and the children are sleeping at our home tonight. Dale is planning to come home but sooo many roads are flooded. I pray for safety for him.

Thank-you, my dear blog friends, for petitioning for mercy on our behalf.

* Hubby is turning around and heading back to spend the night at our Son's. I feel better about that. He can try again in the morning when it's daylight.

Monday, September 5, 2011

Cheering and a Party!

It's been a while since I posted. So much has been going on. I've kept children, drove kids to appointments, looked at houses, watched Ellen cheer, had a delicious strawberry ice at Rita's, ate with friends at church and attended a party.....yuppers, it's been busy!

Pictures!!

Cheering practice before the game.
Attendance was low because of the
Holiday week-end .


Ellen with her good friends
Nicole and Elizabeth

Every time Ellen saw me with the camera,
she had to pose =)

Birthday Party
for our Paityn!

Paityn was 4 years old on August 28. Her party was on Sunday
(we were feeling the effects of a hurricane on her birthday!)
Scott's parents hosted the party.
Ellen wasn't able to attend because she was attending another party
for her friend Nicole!

Minnie Mouse Paityn!

Zoe finds something to play with.

Jess finds something funny!
She played a Dr. Seuss game with Aidan and Paityn

Andrew builds a tower while Aidan and Paityn watch

Getting ready for some Pin the Tail on the Donkey


Zoe gives it her best shot!


Opening gifts...
Another Dr. Seuss game!

A video game!

A Phillies Phanatic pillow pet!

Aidan says, What is it, Paityn?

A cute Minnie Mouse!

Zoe loves it too!

Aidan gives a two thumbs up....
Another gift!

A purple bathrobe from Nana and Pop Pop

What a cute Birthday Cake!

Oops, Paityn got her fingers in it!

Happy Birthday to you!


We did have a wonderful time. It seemed all too short till we had to leave to pick up Ellen. She was swimming in Nicole's pool. What fun she was having too. Our evening was spent at home, just relaxing.

Today is a holiday and I should be getting lots done. So far it's been 2 loads of laundry, washing the dishes and posting this blog post. Zoe is here too today. Christy is working and Corey needed to do some work at church on the sound system or something like that. Aidan went with him. Greta has off today....we are watching [and laughing!] the Shrek movies on TV. Such funny movies!!



Hope you are all enjoying your Holiday!