Saturday, June 30, 2012

So much Fun!!





Big smiles.....

 
Little Miss ketchup face  =)


I may have a fever but I'm still having fun!


Zoe says, "Yeah, Sesame Street!"

They know that Sesame Street is only on Nana's TV at certain times...
not anytime like at their house.
(Nana doesn't have DVR)


We pray that Aidan's fever will leave. He doesn't want to miss the family fun at Long's Park tomorrow afternoon and evening. It's our tradition to pack lots of food for a picnic (or maybe it's a pick-nic!), enjoy the concert, then it's fireworks and cannons!!

We also have a church picnic in the little grove behind our church after the service tomorrow. That's always a wonderful time too!

Looks like it will be another hot day for our picnics......I just hope any storms will hold off till the fun is done!

Wishing you a fun week-end! Stay cool!


Friday, June 29, 2012

New Toys

Aidan has a slight fever today. But he still wants to come to Nana's house.

Remember this picture of some stuff in my attic?

Aidan saw it on my blog and
 wants to come and play with my "new" toys!

He saw this guy too -

He thought since I have Woody
maybe there would be a
slinky dog and a bucket of toy soldiers too =)

So sorry, Aidan, we only have Woody.

Aidan already is wearing the Buzz Lightyear cap that was Andrew's.


I suppose the moral of this little tale is.....

Be careful what you post. Many people, even little people, look at your pictures! I was not planning to keep these toys... but, I will bring some out for the enjoyment of the Littles....and hope, hope, hope the attachment with them will not be too strong. They will have to go!


Enjoy your day....stay cool! It's very hot in PA today!!!





Thursday, June 28, 2012

Last Thursday vs this Thursday

Last Thursday -


The ocean...
The sand....
The breezes...


This Thursday it's -

Dumpster -  
delivered this morning.....


Recycle bin....

Making use of these because I'm working in the attic!

Looks pretty bad....
I've been moving things where I can go through them.

Plenty of toys, old magazines, books and...
in the boxes behind the toy are
some wedding gift Pyrex dishes!
Yep, antiques too =)


Oh what a difference a week makes. Wish I could be on the sand but duty calls.

Don't let that smile fool you.
This fella keeps me on my toes.
He's probably up there right now fuming
because
 I'm taking too long to write this post ;-)


Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Telephones



We still have a land line.

Some days the phone never rings. Not once.

Yesterday it rang.all.day!!! Most of the calls were nothing. But of course, I had to stop what I was involved in to answer.

 Do I really need a call from the Newspaper to remind me of an event, which I'm not even remotely interested in, to be  held at the Lancaster Convention Center? Good grief.

Then I told the guy who called while I was busy preparing dinner to mail me info about getting my meds through the mail. He had offered it first, my head was too inclined towards meatloaf and a chocolate cake to think of it! Nope, that wasn't good enough, someone called this morning concerning the same thing!!

I know, I know, the caller doesn't know what I'm up to when they call. I shouldn't be so annoyed. I will try to be pleasant (as I tell the caller of my non-interest) even if it's a survey someone is taking or information about events, or a political call, or......

I AM enjoying this beautiful day! Sunny blue skies and gentle breezes. The heat and humidity is promised for the end of the week. Air conditioners will have to be turned on and windows closed. Enjoying it while it lasts =)

Monday, June 25, 2012

Baseball, Family and a Monday

Yesterday was Ellen's last Challenger Baseball game for this season. Did that go fast, or what! Ellen had lots of family to cheer her on this Sunday.

Their coach always gives out awards on the last day.

Snacks before awards...
of course!!
Ellen eats cookies with her friends Nicole and Emily.



Coach Mike is ready to honor his special players.



Ellen receives the
Most Improved award!


Lance always provides lots of enthusiasm at the games.
Coach is waiting for a hand shake while Lance's Dad applauds.

Lance's parents own two local Rita's Ice shops.
They treated us with 4 different kinds of ice.
So refreshing!
So generous!


After the game everyone gathered here. I hadn't cleaned, I hadn't grocery shopped, I hadn't prepared a stitch of food. They came anyway! Later Corey and Christy offered to go to the grocery store. They needed dog food anyway....everyone wanted to be sure they wouldn't come home with just dog food! No worry, we feasted on grilled hot dogs and chicken with 2 kinds of sauces, salad, carrots and dip, grapes and ice cream bars. Yummy! oh, and they bought me a chicken because it was a good price and I make them dinner whenever I have the kids. Wasn't that nice! The chicken is in the crockpot for dinner. It smells soooo good!

*** Rinse a whole chicken. Put cut up onions and celery, salt and pepper and poultry seasoning into the cavity. Put the chicken in the crockpot...no need to add water. Turn on low and cook all day.

I loved doing this when I was working. Nothing like coming home to a yummy smelling house. I would make instant mashed potatoes and either use the drippings to make gravy or opened a can of gravy. Quick, easy and yummy too. Tonight I plan on making real mashed potatoes =)

As soon as I got to Aidan and Zoe's house this morning, my phone rang. It was Greta. She said that it was about time I answered....it was the first I heard it ring! She had cut her thumb, badly, this morning while cutting some cheese. She was ok (had to call on Lynn's Mom, who lives closer to her than we do, to help her out with bandages...they didn't have any!) She just wanted my opinion on whether or not she should go to work. Sue thought she shouldn't. I thought she shouldn't either. Christy told me of some products she had used for a cut she got once so Aidan, Zoe and I went to CVS to look for them. Aidan found some colorful bandages he thought Greta should have. Since they were assorted sizes and were on sale, we got them. He was excited to give them to her =) She will use them when it heals better. I told her she will have to be careful with her new knives. (mine are not the sharpest by any means!!) She had used them before but....it happens.


So now I must get moving on putting this messy house back in order. The floors are sticky from many spills yesterday. Some family Sunday's are like that!

Have a great Monday!




Saturday, June 23, 2012

Short Vacation

I just got back from a short vacation to my favorite place on earth

the beach!!!


 Christy was able to rearrange her work schedule to have Thursday and Friday off. We (Christy, Aidan, Zoe, Gina, Ellen, and me) took off to Wildwood Crest, NJ. Christy's brother just purchased a small 2 bedroom condo just steps from the beach. Talk about wonderful!

These are an essential part of travel...
just ask Christy =)

Yep, that's correct!

Packed and ready to roll!

We enjoyed 2 wonderful days enjoying the water, the sand, the warm breezes. 90 something feels better by the water!




I wanted a picture of Zoe in her cool pink sunglasses
but she was too quick for me!

Thursday night brought us pizza and ice cream at the boardwalk in Wildwood....


Finger lickin good!

That's Ellen in the pink skirt.
She loved watching the roller coaster.
She said she was anxious for our
Hershey Park day with the family.
She is one brave soul on those coasters!!

Before we knew it, it was time to pack up and leave.

But first, since we were all very hungry, we drove to Wildwood to find something to eat.
We thought this place looked interesting....

The Pink Cadillac Diner

The food was good and the portions more than generous.
Our waiter was very friendly..
he graciously wiped up our spilled chocolate milk
as we were leaving.

Aidan being silly!


It was raining and storming as we left. Later we drove in heavy rain, bright lightening and loud thunder. Thank God it was for only a short time. Crossing the Delaware Memorial bridge and all the exits and turns and lanes where you need to be is crazy. We almost did it correctly this time. Only missed one exit and it was easily corrected. We got home around 10:30.

Aidan and Zoe are with me today as I do the laundry and put things away. Christy works a long day  and Corey is working hard to see the completion of the move that Cutco Printing is making. His family will be happy to see him more again!

Wishing you all a great week-end!









Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Special....

Two special ladies......

Yesterday I attended the funeral of a special lady, Ruth Ressler.

From September through April, I spent 2 days a week with this couple. I knew them for many years. Their daughter was just a year younger than me and she married one of my cousins. When Marlene asked me if I would be interested in helping out by giving companionship and meeting needs for this couple, I did not hesitate to say yes!

Ruth's health was fast declining this spring. Their granddaughter (family who lives with the Ressler's) ended her part time job to give more care to her just as I was feeling like I needed to end my time with them. The upcoming wedding and trying to get this house ready to sell needed my undivided attention. It all worked out.

While spending time with Pap and Ruth, this is what I observed:
  • Ruth loved Pap. And Pap loved Ruth. Even though his memory is fading, he still would do many things for her. He would get down on his knees to help her with her stocking and shoes. He made sure she had a glass of water right by her chair. He brought her wheelchair when needed. He watered her plants....and she said Thank-you, always. As we looked through many anniversary cards from a past party the family gave them, many included words of thanks to Pap for being a great boss. Ruth beamed. She was so proud of her hubby!
  • Ruth loved her family. Really loved them. Her eyes would light up like a Christmas tree when ever one of her kids came. And she never thought they stayed long enough =) She loved her grandchildren and great grands too. The 2 little boys who live in their basement brought loads of joy to both Pap and Ruth! Same for the little dog....even though Ruth did not care for dogs.
  • Ruth loved the Lord. Really loved the Lord.
  • Ruth loved God's Word, the Bible. Early during my time with them I started a routine of reading from their Bible after the noon meal. I would always read a Psalm and a chapter from the New Testament. One chapter often went to 4 chapters as she wanted me to keep reading. This love was not  new for her later years in life. It was a result of many many years of reading and treasuring the Word of God.
God be near this family as they go on without their wife, Mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Thank you for entrusting your parents well-being to my care. I truly appreciated the opportunity.

I must add that I admire this family so much. They have sacrificed much to honor their parents wishes to stay in their home. Many overnights, many meals, many hours of companionship, many hours taken off from work.....all because of the love they have for their parents. I often told Ruth how that dedication is testimony to their fantastic parenting. It is, indeed.



Another special lady, my step Mother, Mary.

Grandma Mary with Ellen

 As I was nearing the church, my home church as a child where the funeral was held, I thought I saw Mary walking to the entrance. Sure enough, I got right behind her in line to greet the family. This lady is special in so many ways. We all love her lots. She is also loved by sooooo many people....including the funeral director. She got a hug from that man.....yes she did! I thought to myself, 'Daddy, you did good in choosing a wife after our Mother left this world'. As the director lead us to sit with my brother and his wife, there were several people who indicated they would have loved for her to sit with them. I told Mary that she is so popular!!

Our happy couple returned home late Monday. Greta was here when I got home from the funeral. They had a great time. She showed me some photos of the resort.....beautiful!!!! She loaded her car with more of her things. They returned later in the evening and we heard more about Jamaica. Makes me want to book a trip =) But, alas, I have a house to.......maybe someday.


Wishing you a SPECIAL day filled with SPECIAL activities and SPECIAL people!

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Aidan and the Digger

Yesterday Aidan was sooooo pleased to see a Digger (as he calls it) right in front of his house!! Zoe, on the other hand, was not as pleased with the jack hammering which preceded the digging.

Checking out the action!

The neighbors were getting a gas line installed to their home.


This is so cool!!!!!

Zoe thinks it's OK but would rather return to....

....watching The Big Red Dog =)


It was another delightful day with Aidan and Zoe. God has blessed us, indeed, with precious Littles!




Friday, June 15, 2012

I confess...and more pictures

I confess.......

Yesterday, after not hearing one word from the happy couple,

 I sent a text to Greta.

I got a return message which said they got there just fine and are having a good time.

I said, Thanks and I wouldn't bother them again. I won't! (Greta sent a text back that said it wasn't a problem and she will call when they are back in the states again.) Sweet girl!

I tried to be ok with not hearing from them....I really really tried. But my mind just couldn't rest. I'm fine now =)


As more people post photos of the wedding, I find more I feel compelled to share. If you have had enough already, I will not be offended if you skip these!

Posted by Marcy.......

Pretty girls in white...
Paityn and Zoe


These kids make my heart go
pitter-patter!


They promise to love and cherish.



My daughter Marcy,
her hubby Scott
and daughters Brinley and Paityn.
What a great family photo!!



This shot makes my heart go
pitter-patter too!



My son Corey,
his wife Christy
and their children Zoe and Aidan.

This is the family we plan to live with sometime soon...
we all hope it's soon!
Aidan often tells me that he can't wait to live with us...
sweet boy =)


It's a beautiful day in PA again. Housework this morning then Aidan and Zoe come to spend the day with Nana, Gina and Ellen. Maybe we will go to the playground for a bit.

Enjoy the day!

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Sunday Gifts


Sunday evening we gathered at the Goods once again. This time the occasion was to celebrate with the new Mr. and Mrs. in opening the gifts given to them the day before. What fun!

Before the Newlyweds opened their gifts
 we had to eat, of course!





Time to start on that piled high table of gifts!



 


Heidi (Lynn's future sister-in-law) and Lucinda (Lynn's sister)
wrote down what and who as Greta and Lynn opened the gifts.
Kevin (Lynn's brother) held the cards.
Ellen's job was to carry the gifts to the side of the table after they were opened.

Aidan and Paityn


Couldn't resist a picture or two of this cutie pie.....




Christy had some fun with a purple bow....


Then she thought Corey would feel left out so she.....


We all had a laugh!

The pictures are not the best quality.....was so bummed that I forgot my camera!

Our weather is cool enough to turn off the air and open windows. Love that!

 My day will be filled with mundane stuff again.....no shopping for a good long time!! This is Ellen's first week off from school and we will get some fun in sometime...just not this week. I have some lots of catching up to do.

Wishing you a fun filled Thursday, even if mine is not ;-)