Monday, April 29, 2013

Rainy Monday

Rainy days and Mondays.......always get me down. NAH! I'm not crazy about either a rainy day or Monday mornings but they don't have to get me down!

Yesterday was Ellen's first Challenger Baseball game. She had a great time. It was good to see her friends again and for me to visit with some Moms too. The days are mostly cool around here and although the sun was shining, the breeze was cool/cold. We survived =)

After the game, the family gathered here for the evening. I made a chicken and pasta dish, Dale grilled hot dogs and I made a salad. We had a wonderful time once again.

Normally at this time on a Monday I would be at Corey and Christy's house with Zoe waiting to pick up Aidan at school. But, Aidan had a rough night with ear pain and a sore throat. Christy took him to the Doctor this morning I'm waiting to hear back from her to see if I need to keep the kids or not. Poor little guy!

On this rainy Monday my thoughts, as they so often are these days, are drawn to our housing needs. We are praying and in discussions as to what our next step is. We thought we were getting closer to our home being sold and an offer coming for our son's home. That was not to be. So, we are looking at a plan B. Stay tuned!

Just had a call from Christy. Aidan has a whale of an ear infection. Hopefully the medicine will help him feel better soon.

Rainy days and Mondays make me sleepy!! Dale is home today because of the rain canceling an outdoor job for him. Looks like my job is canceled as well. We may head up to the attic to organize some stuff, decide what else needs to be gotten rid of or tossed. Sounds like a good rainy day job!

Happy Monday to you!

Friday, April 26, 2013

Some Fun in the Sun with Aidan and Zoe

It's a sunny day. A bit chilly with the breeze, but not too chilly for Aidan and Zoe to want some outdoor play.  After I pushed Zoe very high for a very long time, she and Aidan decided to have some fun together.

 Aidan pushes Zoe and Zoe tries to touch him with her feet.


 Zoe giggles and giggles.
Wish you could hear her!


Aidan's turn to go very high!


Zoe loves to dress "like a Princess"-
meaning she likes dresses and sparkles and ruffles.
But she also likes to climb on the rocks,
watch for bugs and play with sticks.




 Who needs fancy toys when you have plenty of sticks?


CRAZY boy!!
He said he likes to feel the grass tickle his toes. 
That made me smile =)


Zoe wanted a blanket because her legs were cold.


Aidan helped cover Zoe and got her settled.
Of course he rocked her too =)


We just got back from picking up our wonderful chicken meals from Manheim Christian Day School. A year has already rolled by and it's time for chicken on Friday and Breakfast in the morning...we don't attend the auction but we love to get some food at their annual fund raiser. Yum yum!

Wishing everyone a wonderful week end!

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Volleyball and Tulips

Yesterday Kim sent me an email telling me that Andrew had a volleyball game at a nearby High School. Did we want to go? I called Dale at work, he was working near New Jersey, to see if he would be able to get back in time. He said he could so we went.

It was wonderful to see Andrew play. The team is not a strong team but they gave the opposing team a run for their money =) They lost all three games but that's ok.

 There's our boy =)

I didn't get any good action shots.
Andrew saved the play many times!


After many cool days, we are having one nice one. The tulips have opened their pretty heads to welcome the sun.

 The red and yellow tulips are from Marcy and Scott's wedding.
They wrapped red, yellow, and purple bulbs and gave them as their gift to their guests.
I will be having Dale dig up some bulbs to take with us before we move. 
I cannot leave them behind!
The purple tulips bloom a little later than the rest and I don't have as many of them.


 These red and yellow mixed tulips were a gift
or maybe I bought them in a pot to decorate my my porch.
I can't remember!


My Mother picked out this ornamental crabapple tree many years ago.
She wanted a pink dogwood tree but the nursery was out of them.
This tree is prettiest in the spring when it blooms.
(other than that, I'm not very fond of it)
Almost always, the tree and the tulips surrounding it bloom at the same time.
The tree better hurry up...
the tulips are about a week old already!


Happy Spring day to you. Enjoy!

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Delightful, Awesome, Fun Retreat!

While preparing for the Women's Retreat this year, I felt so scattered. I don't know why. I got some food for Dale and Ellen who were staying home, I cleaned the house, sorta. I packed my things at the last moment before walking out the door.

I forgot some stuff. I forgot my Bible. How could I have done that?? It was ok, I had my Kindle on which I have 2 versions. I forgot the items needed for a group game we could play. That was also ok...we had plenty to do without it. I forgot my camera card. That was not ok!! The camera and the charger were with me but the memory card was in my computer which I leave at home. Bummer!! I've been trying to get a few pictures I took on my phone to post  here. So far, it's not happening. Again, bummer!!

Friday evening brought strong wind and driving rain. It didn't last long and we who were at the retreat house were safe. I stayed in tune with the weather forecast with my iPhone. Was happy to have that phone this year. On Saturday evening we ate at a restaurant not far from the house. Many of the ladies left to go home after we ate. The five of us who were staying for the night went to Walmart for a few items. On the way there, we suddenly started seeing, what looked like, tornado or straight line wind damage. A house roof blown off, porch railings, porch roofs blown into lawns, a flattened barn, many trees just snapped in half. Wow, we praised God for his protection. No wonder the lights at the house were going dim before the storm got to us. We were thankful that we hadn't lost power.

Saturday morning was filled with teaching by our guest speaker Sherlyn Smucker, Sr. Pastor's wife from the large Worship Center. We would have loved to have her for more of the week end but she is one busy lady. What a blessing she was to us! The afternoon was spent relaxing, playing games, taking walks. After returning from Walmart, we played a crazy game of Dominoes. Oh my, we laughed until we hurt!

Sunday morning after breakfast we sat and talked. Amazing fellowship with amazing women. All too soon it was time to pack up and return home. Another wonderful retreat had ended. Lots of work, lots of planning, but so worth it! I would love for more of the women at church to participate. What a wonderful way to get to know each other at a deeper level. It did this busy lady a lot of good to get away for a spell =)

Here it is, Tuesday already! The last week of April. How can that be?? And, we are not a stitch nearer to our goal of moving. Will it ever happen? Sometimes I wonder but I continue to go through our stuff. Today I will get more things washed and ready to give to Jubilee thrift store. Maybe I'll even go into the store to see if I can find another clothing bargain. New to me things in my closet this year are from thrift stores. Recently I found a Chico's tank top that I LOVE! It was $5.00 =)

Blessings to you today. I hope you are experiencing warm weather. We continue to struggle to see 60 degrees! Since the storm on Friday, it's been down right cold. The end of April and we are only seeing the beginnings of leaves on the trees. What a late spring.

Happy Tuesday!




Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Blue and Green and Red and Yellow and Pink =)

Blue - 




Green -  





Red and Yellow -



Pink - 



How boring the world would be without color!!

Monday, April 15, 2013

S'mores

Our family loves s'mores. Making them has been a family tradition for many years. Yesterday Aidan asked me if we could make some. I had marshmallows but not the crackers or chocolate. He said we could just roast marshmallows....yes we could, smart boy =) But, I went to the store and got the rest of the things we needed because family tradition is precious to me!

 Scott, they look yummy!

 Gina and Corey are roasting their marshmallows.
Zoe patiently waits =)

Mmmm, good!

We went through a whole pack of chocolate and almost a box of crackers. Wow, I guess the first s'mores of the year were a hit! Lynn made one using cookies instead of crackers. That looked pretty good! Next time I'll be sure to have peanut butter cups too. Ever try that instead of (or in addition to - that would be a Scott s'more!) a piece of chocolate? It's yummy!

Wishing you a wonderful week! It will be a busy one for me as I prepare for the Women's Retreat this week end. Blessings!

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Some Fun and more......

This morning I should have been cleaning, washing that huge pile of dishes I left all over the sink yesterday (yes I did) and doing the loads of laundry that I had waiting. But, I didn't start with any of that. My day began with some fun, my kind of fun.

The women's retreat for our church is next week. I usually do the tablescapes and come up with little gifts for the ladies that attend. It takes loads of time but I do consider it to be loads of FUN! Before this morning, I didn't have a clue as to what the tablescapes would be. They need to be simple because I need to transport all the stuff to and from the retreat. I worked with what I had to come up with a different idea for 4 of the meals we will serve. Here's a peek at my "work"......

It looks like a mess and it was!
I made HUGE messes as I worked!
I pulled out stuff from bins and closets.
I put things together and changed my mind =)
(more than once)

The paint will be used for the gift for this tablescape.
It's a leftover from a craft at a previous women's retreat.
I'll be making my way to attic to use something that's been stored up there for a long time.
Love that!

**********************************************************

Corey and Christy had another house showing today. I went over to help Corey finish cleaning because Christy had to work today and Aidan had soccer practice too . Here's hoping they soon get an offer so the hard work of getting the house ready to show at any old time can end!! 
 
* I just found out the showing was canceled 15 min. after is was to be. People, this is rude. It was just scheduled yesterday afternoon and canceling is just plain rude. (I hope I'm not being too harsh. Preparing a house to show in which lives a family with young children and parents with busy jobs is extremely challenging. It really is.)

********************************************************

It's a beautiful day today. We had pouring rain yesterday and temps in the 40's. How lovely the blue in the sky looks today.  I brought Zoe home with me after helping Corey. She and Pop Pop went for a walk.

Zoe was talking and talking as they walked up the hill =)

**********************************************************

A few more signs of spring  -

It won't be long till these will be tall and full of beautiful pink Bleeding Hearts.

Last week the lilacs looked like this - 



A week later and it looks like this -

Looking forward to picking bunches of lilacs to display in the house.
This is my all time favorite spring flower!

Wishing you a wonderful week end! Ours has started out delightful and will continue to be full tomorrow with church, family gathering here for food and fun, and attending an open house.

That's how it rolls around here =)

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Oh What a Beautiful Morning!

Oh, what a beautiful Morning,


Oh, what a beautiful day,


I've got a wonderful feeling,


Everything's going my way.

Hair cut today, yeah!

Things are getting green around here....love it!

I hear the birds singing =)

Love, love, love Spring!!!

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Playground Afternoon

Our weather is perfectly warm this week. Loving it! Yesterday I read in the newspaper that March was the coldest we've had in 8 years. I believe it!

Yesterday after Zoe and I picked up Aidan at pre school, we came to my house to have some lunch. I called Greta (she had the day off) to see if she wanted to go to a playground with us. She did. 

I drove to by the Manheim playground. Aidan surprised me when he said "We're going there? I hate that one!" What?? It is all wood mulch and he had his Crocs on his feet. The mulch gets into his shoes and he hates that! Alrighty, then......we went to Mummau Park on the other side of town.


 
 
We didn't stay long because it has wood mulch too.
We went way out of town to Rapho Township Park. This one, Aidan told us, is his favorite playground. Yeah, we hit it right this time!
 
Zoe enjoys this see-saw bouncy thing because.....
 
Aidan is standing on the other end to give a good bounce!



 
 


It was really warm and the sun was bright. They had fun!

Today is another nice day. I have lots of things I wish to get done. I also just realized that I forgot I had a telephone appointment with an agency for Ellen yesterday that I missed because I went to the playground. Believe me, I'm kicking myself....how could I have forgotten that??? My brain is becoming mush now that I'm not constantly stressed with running a department. Ugh.

It will be a good day. I hope to sit on the swing sometime today and read....but I need to stay near the kitchen phone waiting for a call back to set up another appointment. I am sooooo embarrassed!

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Outdoor Play....Yeah!

We had a beautiful sunny day yesterday. Aidan and Zoe were ready for outdoor play.  (so was Nana!)


 They play in the dirt.

They go grocery shopping =)


They watch equipment moving dirt for a new house at the top of the hill.

Aidan moves the branches so Zoe can get into
'the Batman Hideout'
Yes, that's what they call the area under the big pine tree! 


Zoe blows bubbles....

Zoe looks like she is on a mission...


She sits to come down the rest of the hill...

 Nana, I need more bubbles.
Aidan said I can use his.

 She blows more bubbles....

and more bubbles =)

Have I told you lately how much I enjoy watching these children?? 

*********************************************************************
This morning we enjoyed coffee with two blog friends, Beatrice and Grenville from The Frog and PenguINN blog. It was a delightful time as we talked of house showings, downsizing plans (we both are in the process) and the hope of moving in the (near) future. Precious time spent with precious, delightful friends!

Now, well after I finish this post, I must do some laundry, clean a bit, make food for tomorrow and get ready for the hairy dog to return.....Corey and Christy had lots of showings at their house this week and another one tomorrow. Their dog has lived with us more than them this week. We continue to pray that their house will soon be sold so our plans of moving together can move forward. We are really anxious to get on with it!

Blessings to you, my friends. Enjoy your week end!

Thursday, April 4, 2013

How Cold was it?

It was so cold that ...........

This morning my beautiful lily looked like this =(

Why oh why didn't I bring it indoors???

Today our temps are beginning to be more seasonal. 
It's in the 50's.
60 tomorrow, maybe.
YEAH!!

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

This and This


This - 



And This -



And This - 



Are all working overtime to make me feel better about this - 


 The thermometer on the porch has the temp closer to 40
That's cold for April 2, just saying.....


And it's breezy too.

(sigh)

Wishing you an awesome day!