Fun Fahn Times....

Quick Update....

2012-01-30T12:05:00.001-05:00

Week-end Fun!

Gina has her dress ordered for Greta's wedding. She will look GREAT in it!

Went shopping on Saturday with Gina, Greta and Ellen. Love shopping at the outlets! I didn't purchase much but that's ok.

We ate at the new Chick-fil-A =) I love their salads.

After church yesterday, we all (except Kim and her fam) ate at Ruby Tuesday's for lunch. Kim missed it because she was hosting the Open House at Corey and Christy's house.

Maybe my kitchen will soon be less of a mess so we can all gather here on a Sunday again. I would be so ok with that!!

After the open house, we all gathered at Corey and Christy's home for the evening.

Gina was able to be there for a little while before heading home to Montoursville again.

A wonderful week-end for sure!

Happy Monday!

January Wednesday

2012-01-25T09:41:00.001-05:00

I'm pleased that today is Wednesday. It's the last Wednesday of January. I'm pleased with that too!

I'm looking forward to the week-end. Gina is coming on Friday evening and staying till Sunday! Saturday will be spent getting her dress ordered for Greta's wedding then doing what ever Gina wants to do.

Till then I have lots to keep me busy. I keep the sweet Littles two more days. I hope to take some bags of clothing and boxes of household items to a thrift store in town. I need to return some curtains and get 3 packs of the correct color at Ollie's (last week I bought 4 packs of 4 different colors. Now I know what I want and hope they still have the 3 I need!)....love that store! There is always some cleaning to do too. And, Ellen has a swimming activity with Aaron's Acres Friday evening - Mom's Taxi service needed!

Yup, never a dull moment.

Happy Wednesday!

Fog

2012-01-23T12:39:00.000-05:00

Fog........outside and fog on my brain. All I wish to do is sleep. But I can't. Aidan and Zoe are here.

Zoe is now taking a nap. I asked Aidan if he would like to take a nap too. He said NO! Alrighty then =)

Nana is going to attempt a nap on the sofa while Aidan plays with his pretend basketball friends. Guess we will see if this clears the fog....in my brain, that is. Don't believe it will do a thing for the fog I see outside the windows!

Happy Monday!

Snow

2012-01-21T12:39:00.000-05:00

Yes, there was snow on the ground this morning! It's pretty, for sure. It's also cold....was 22* when I checked at 11:00 this morning.

A neighbor thought it was a good time

to burn some tree trimmings this morning.

Can you see the smoke rising from the pile in the field?

The skies were so gray.

They have lightened up now.

Happy Saturday!

** Glenda, just in case you are wondering why you haven't heard from me...I'm one of those who can't comment on your blog just now. So sorry! I can read your posts, just can't comment. I'll keep trying =)

Aidan. Kitchen Cupboards. Snow

2012-01-20T18:17:00.001-05:00

Aidan is his normal self today. He has been playing, watching his favorite Winnie the Pooh movie, bugging his sister, eating. Like I said, normal! What a blessing!

Such a sweet boy!

(why is it that the lampshade is always crooked

and I never notice till I see a photo?!!)

Pop Pop was fixing something in the bathroom.

Zoe saw his phone and knew she should give it to him.

Aidan is checking out the progress.

I have a great solution to getting your kitchen cupboards cleaned and organized. Tell your Hubby they need painted! I arrived home this morning from picking up Aidan and Zoe to cupboards without doors. YIKES!! Needless to say, as soon as I could, I got busy cleaning them out.

Ahh, that's better.

I should have taken a before picture...

no, that would have been way too embarrassing!

Pardon the messy counter....

it bugs me too =)

I really hate to see an open cupboard door. So every time I walk into the kitchen I find myself taking a quick horrified breath...who didn't shut the doors???

We're to get some snow tonight. 2-5 inches, so the weather report says. Guess we will see. It's to be 50* by Monday. What a crazy winter we are having! I'm NOT complaining. I rather like it!

Have a great week-end!

Please Pray!

2012-01-19T08:24:00.000-05:00

Please pray for our Grandson Aidan.

Yesterday Aidan was diagnosed with double pneumonia. It came on very suddenly. He responded positively to treatments he was given at the Doctor's office so he was given the ok to return home for the night. They are giving him regular treatments. The last I heard, Christy said he was continuing to respond positively but has trouble breathing again before the next treatment time. They return to the Doctor this morning. A hospital stay is still in the realm of reality, depending on how they feel he is doing.

Please lift him and his parents, our son Corey and his wife Christy, up in prayer. This little boy is very special to all of us. It hurts to see a little one suffer.

Sweet Aidan, your Nana is praying like crazy that you will be healed and back to your normal energetic self very soon!

Jesus, touch this sweet boy!

Thank-you, all, for praying for Aidan. His Mommy said his oxygen level is way up this morning. He will be using an inhaler for 5 days and on an antibiotic for 10. He is much improved. Thank-you Jesus!

Progress

2012-01-16T15:00:00.000-05:00

It feels good to write that word! Dale had off from work on Friday (slow season in the construction world). He, however, did not have a day off at home! The kitchen project is showing some progress.

Wall color - Canvas

The cabinets will be painted

Grizzly Bear Brown -

Benjamen Moore

You can see a sample of that color at the very end next to the wall.

The floors in the family/dining room and the kitchen

will be replaced with laminate flooring.

Guess we really do have a country kitchen....

those hooks have always been there!

Mom's sweater was always handy as were Dad's caps and jacket!

Look behind Aidan.....

(to the left, please, to the right is just too messy!)

That's what the kitchen was.

I have few photos of my kitchen.

My Mother chose this wallpaper early 1980.

She loved it.

Bless her heart, she only lived for two and a half

more years after it was up.

I have lived here since December 1982.

I was not in love with the wallpaper but lived with it.

Last year I decided I was finished living with it.

We made plans to take it down and paint.

Life happened.

We are moving this year.

That wallpaper really, really needed to go!

God Bless the family who will live with this newly painted kitchen.

We aren't sure who it will be,

but we do hope they will like it,

maybe even love it =)

Zoe had a Big Day

2012-01-12T09:21:00.000-05:00

Zoe had so much fun at Nana's house.

Dinner time,

a yawn or two,

eyes going shut,

ear holding (always when sleepy)...........

Sweet dreams, my dear Zoe!

Normal, Routine (sorta)

2012-01-11T21:47:00.002-05:00

My days since Christmas have been blah, routine (sorta), nothing much happening worth writing about.

I keep Aidan and Zoe my usual days of the week. That is always special, never boring!
I stay with the elderly couple my usual days of the week.
I do the laundry. Amazing how it piles up, never seems like a job completed!
I wash the dishes. Amazing how the dishes never stay clean either!
I cook. Guess that's why we have dirty dishes =) Today I made a yummy potato soup for dinner.
I try to keep going through more of our stuff in preparation for our move. The more I do, the more there seems to be waiting......will I ever get finished??
I spend time seeking the Lord daily because......
Staying connected to the Vine seems vital just now. I'm hanging on for dear life because....
All the uncertainty, all the hoops we need to jump through in finding a home, in selling 2 homes, in order to get to our goal threatens to unnerve me. I am a gal who likes stability...a whole lot.
Now don't go and think this is one pulled together gal because I said I spend time seeking the Lord. I confess to really struggling some days.
I do a whole lot of praying as I go about my day. I don't only pray about our move, I remember a lot of you too!

May the Lord Bless you and Keep you!

Honoring a Special Lady

2012-01-07T14:12:00.000-05:00

This morning I attend a visitation prior to a Memorial service for a special lady. Claire Wichterman , the MIL of my youngest sister Rose, passed away unexpectedly last week in Florida where she and her husband were spending time with their daughter.

Here are some special pictures of Claire taken in May when we attended our niece Katie's (her Granddaughter) wedding in GA -

Dancing with her Honey

Such a sweet couple

Caught her looking at pictures she took with her camera.

What a special lady. When my Dad was nearing the end of his life, she and her husband stopped in for a brief visit while I was sitting with Dad. Claire's Hubby had just had some sort of procedure done which they were on the way home from. Since they were coming by my parents home, Claire said they just had to stop and let them know they were in her and Bob's prayers. SO SWEET! It really meant the world to my Dad and Mary.

At the wedding in May, Claire spoke some words to me that I will never forget. She paid me a very high compliment, one that I had a hard time believing. SO SWEET!

She will be so missed. It was good to be with my sister and her family for a short time today. I know God is showing himself strong during these difficult days. Tomorrow will find them traveling back to GA again. Kindly remember them in your prayers.

I stopped at Boscov's at the mall on my way home. Decided to take a quick look at the special occasion dresses. Just looking, I said to myself. But, I saw a dress that I liked (Greta's wedding in June) which I tried on. LOVED IT! Decided to see if it was on sale....50% off!!!! I brought it home =)

Lovely weather we are having right now. From 8 degrees to 50 something, sunny and not windy. It is awesome!

Have a great week-end!

Look Back 2011 - Part 3

2012-01-04T09:26:00.000-05:00

Baby Parade at the Manheim Farm Show....

Celebrating a win with Andrew

UDS Cheering and Football Banquet

Cheerleaders and helpers.

Cheering is Ellen's favorite activity!

October snow storm!

Trick or Treat.......

Aidan and Zoe

Paityn

Brinley Hope Smith

born November 2

Nana is in love =)

Beautiful month of November

Gina was home for Thanksgiving

and met Brinley for the first time!

A sure sign that Christmas is on it's way!

Pop Pop with his baby girls

Christmas morning 2011

The table is ready for hungry people!

Aidan takes his turn on Santa Scott's lap =)

Lunch with the local Witmer's Dec. 26

Ellen was not letting me snap a photo with her mouth closed...

silly girl!

Awesome Christmas light show!

More wedding dress shopping...

Greta found her dress!

(this is not The One!!)

Kitchen renovation

Fabulous Christmas show at AMT

Hairspray at the Fulton with Ellen

Fun, fun show!

Beautiful historic theater.

What a wonderful year it was. Looking forward to what God has in store for us in 2012!

Renovation Project and a Great Show

2011-12-31T10:49:00.000-05:00

We are in the process of a kitchen renovation project. We are updating the look through the use of paint....cabinets and appliances are staying. This was something we had anticipated doing a year ago. Now that our house will be sold in the approaching year, we needed to get the process moving along. Hubs had some days off so moving along, we are! Look what he found under the 70's wallpaper.....

This list is the Witmer children

along with their birth dates

Our parents names.

I guess we must have done the last kitchen reno in 1980

(my parents bought this home in the 60's)

My sister Jeanie had 3 children in 1980

We were a family of 4!

Lovely, isn't it ;o)

Dirt and dust everywhere.

Hubs is sanding again this morning.

Hopefully we will soon be ready for primer.

Everything will be painted.

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

Last evening Ellen and I,

along with my sister Mary Ellen

and my cousin,

went to American Music Theater

to see their Christmas show.

WOW!!!

It was fantastic!

Their shows always are.

Two of my favorite performances were

Mary did you Know....

by Wess Cooke (he's fantastic no matter what he sings)

and

O Holy Night....

by one of the ladies.

Talk about chills!

There was some comedy,

kids,

a bunch of Santa's,

penguins!

Beautiful costumes,

a fantastic band....

sets that were breath takingly beautiful.

Ellen and Mary Ellen

Beautiful decorations

After the show we headed across the street

to Cracker Barrel.

What a great evening!

American Music Theater

Photo taken from the parking lot of

Cracker Barrel.

Love, love, love the blue trees!

This morning I'm taking down the Christmas tree. Feels way too soon. But with the kitchen torn up, I need the space! Plus, dust seeps into this room which is collecting all over the tree and all the ornaments on it. Uggg! Oh well, I think the worst will soon be history.

Ellen and I go see Hairspray today. Two shows in as many days. That's a first!

We are going to stay in tonight. TV will be our entertainment. Ellen has two new movies too. Maybe we will watch one of them.

Happy New Year!

This Week.......

2011-12-29T09:37:00.001-05:00

More photos from Sunday and Monday.....

The kids at church blessed us with a short cantata. I took these photos with my phone so the quality is not great.

They did an awesome job!

Zoe gets a closer look =)

My sister invited the local Witmer's to celebrate Christmas at her house on Monday. Not too many of us are 'Local' anymore!

My sister Mary Ellen,

my brother Dick and his wife Nancy

Grandma Mary

Dale and Ellen

We enjoyed a great meal, Nancy, Mary Ellen, Mary and I played a great Domino game, Dick and Dale took a snooze and Ellen enjoyed a movie (Dick and Dale enjoyed it too, I think!).

On our way home we asked Grandma Mary if she had seen our two favorite Christmas light displays. She had not, so first we took her to the Burkholder farm then to the light show off Pinch road.

This light show set to music is outstanding.

Ellen is crazy about it!

This has been an unusual week so far. I don't need to babysit the Grands at all. Dale's work is slow this week. Since he had time at home, he started the kitchen renovation. The wallpaper is GONE! The walls are old rough plaster so he is covering them with spackling to smooth them before painting. Oh boy....am I ready for a lot of dust from sanding the walls, the cabinets, wainscoting???

Greta made an appointment to look for a wedding dress today. Maybe she will find 'The One'! Wedding dress shopping is loads of fun.

Ellen and I get to see the Christmas show at American Music Theater tomorrow night.....thanks to my cousin who had tickets, who called my sister, who thought of Ellen who loves music and offered 2 of the tickets to us! I always wanted to see this show =)

Then Saturday afternoon Ellen and I go see Hairspray at the Fulton. What a week!

I'm tempted to take down the Christmas tree today. I am never ready this soon. But the kitchen is all torn apart and some things need to be moved into the DR and family room. Taking down the tree would provide some much needed space!

Enjoy your day!

Christmas 2011

2011-12-26T23:03:00.000-05:00

Let the fun begin!

Thanks to my sister Mary Ellen,

we found this fireplace scene on TV

which added a festive touch.

Ellen loves her sweater dress and

movie from Greta

Greta loves the

PURPLE

hand mixer from Ellen!

Greta also loves this computer case

from Mom and Dad.

We later discovered a hot pink lining in it - cool!

How neat are these glasses

from Greta!

A mug of candy and

a gift card from his favorite hardware store,

Longenecker's,

from Greta

No need to put a name on this gift.

Greta knew that circles on the storage cube

meant it was hers!

There was a gift inside it....

PURPLE

Rachel Ray bowl set!

Ellen had no idea what she was in for......

Layers of paper...

Layers and layers of paper

and several boxes too =)

Yes, the gift!

A yellow (fav color) wallet and a note....

Tickets to see Hairspray at Fulton Opera House

on Saturday with Mom!

Our room was full with hungry peoples!

I was waiting for Ellen to take her fork out of her mouth

only to realize that Scott was posing with his fork and a

HUGE piece of chicken!!

Remember the Santa Snuggie from last year?

He added a hat this year!

Aidan and Paityn were sooooo

excited to give the

gifts they chose for each other.

Oh boy, Andrew is in for some work.

Christy had his name and wrapped his gift

completely in packing tape over wrapping paper!!

Aidan was sure his Spider Man mask

would help Andrew be stronger and

get the job done...

Yeah, it's working!!

Zoe discovers a treat.....

Who, me???

Nancy and Grandma enjoy some Brinley time.

After gift giving and dessert

it was time for

Now you Have it, Now you Don't.

Even Aidan and Paityn joined in the fun.

They loved stealing gifts from others =)

After everyone had all their numbers called,

it was time to see what we got.....

Christy discovered footed PJ's in her gift!!

We all laughed so hard we hurt!

How do I look?

Then Kim discovered the same in hers!

We laughed so hard we hurt again!

I don't have pictures of my gift.

I chose it because it said

Merry Christmas on it.

(thought that was so nice)

Beyond the pretty paper

was layer

and layer

of newspaper

with duct tape over it creating a design.

Layers and layers....

Aidan thought I needed the Spidey mask =)

At last, I found a gift....

A Pin the Nose on the Reindeer game!!!!

We ended the day by watching Aidan's new Veggie Tale movie.

What a great day.

Family time - priceless!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T07:24:00.000-05:00

May all your dreams come true......

Immanuel, with us is God

Thank-you, dear God, for giving us your Son!

Almost there.....

2011-12-21T07:48:00.001-05:00

Just a gift card or two to purchase, a gift or two to wrap and I'm done.

Cleaning, food to purchase, food to prepare, cookies to be baked. Oh my, I guess the busy will continue for a while longer!

Here's an interesting fact......we always eat on Christmas Day around 3:30. Christmas is on a Sunday. Sunday is a football day even though it's also Christmas Day. AND, the game of interest, Eagles vs Cowboys starts soon after 4! Should be an interesting Christmas Dinner. The football fans already picked the best viewing spots at the table. I have been warned that mashed potatoes may fly a-muck and cranberry salad may hit the ceiling as excitement during the game builds =)

Have a great day, my friends!
* oops, Marcy said we had it wrong (shows how much I know!!) .....the game is on SATURDAY!

Look Back 2011 - Part 2

2011-12-18T22:39:00.000-05:00

Summer Fun in Nana's back yard!

Zoe cuteness =)

Ellen loves a Parade

Lititz 4th of July

Long's Park for the Patriotic Concert and Fireworks......

You will find us here every year...

been going for more than 20 years!

A rousing game of

Duck, Duck, Goose

Hot, hot, hot!!

Zoe loves the dirt

Aidan, the helper man

Ellen went to 2 weeks of camp

at Aaron's Acres.

She loved the dance class in the afternoon.

Family Vacation at Bethany Beach, DE........

What fun!!

Andrew celebrated his 16th at the beach

Ice Cream on the boardwalk

Relaxing!

Great times =)

Ellen loves the beach

Wedding dress shopping =)

Ellen's 17th Birthday.......

Happy Birthday to you!

Ellen and Ashley love to dance

On our way to see

Dance Explosion

at AMT....

a very rainy night but awesome show!

Loving her gift from Greta

Paityn's 4th birthday........

She loves the robe from Nana and Pop Pop

Happy Birthday!

The Flood of 2011

Ellen loves UDS cheering!

Beach Vacation #2

Avalon, NJ

with Corey, Christy, Aidan and Zoe.......

Beach Vacation #3

Girls Week-End at Ocean City, NJ......

We always have ice cream at the beach =)

There will be a Part 3....see you soon!

Oh My Goodness.....

2011-12-14T19:56:00.000-05:00

Christmas is how many days away???????

We had this discussion last night. Greta was talking about when to make an appointment at a Bridal shop.

Looking at her schedule, she mentioned that next Saturday wouldn't be a good day. Dale said it wouldn't be good since they probably would close early anyway.

I said, WHY?? I was told, because it's the day before Christmas. Still in my Duh moment, I said, It is not!!!

Oh dear, yes it is.

Lots to do. Lot's to do. Christmas is coming and it will not wait for me to get it together =)

Another Family Sunday

2011-12-12T14:57:00.001-05:00

Most Sunday's find the family gathered at the Homestead. That's what happened yesterday.

But first, more about our Saturday.

I had a very busy Saturday decorating the tree. We also hung greens at the windows on the porches and on an old chicken crate I keep on the front porch. We still have wreathes to hang on two gates..... when I purchase the wreathes. If I don't get to it, oh well!

Ellen wanted to go see Christmas lights so we stopped everything around 6:30. First stop was the house with lights set to music. We saw them last year too. What a wonderful, delightful, amazing, thrilling show!! Ellen was literally rocking the car with her [seated] dancing to the music! Next, it was to a property with lights on trees surrounding a pond. Again, just beautiful! From there we went to Mc D's for some burgers and fries. Took them home to eat. I was tired by then and decided I was finished for the day.

So after church, everyone was heading here to spend the day. I hadn't prepared a thing to eat! We decided to let Two Cousin's prepare some pizza and salads for our lunch. They were so happy we asked =) Hubs and I picked up the pizza, Corey and Christy provided soda, salsa and hummus and chips. Marcy and Scott stopped for dessert. We had a lunch and dinner.....in other words, we picked at the grub all day! Kim and Andrew joined us after Kim got off from work.

We watched the Eagles win. That make some happy family members. Later we watched the movie Elf. What fun...we howled with laughter even though we had seen the movie soooooo many times. That is just one fun movie!

Zoe sees the camera and says 'Cheese'!

(excuse the mess on the floor =)

many people

just wanting to relax!)

Of course, baby Brinley is the star of the fam just now.

Brinley is really growing!

We all took turns holding her, even Zoe got a few turns. Zoe just loves the baby and will hold out her arms with her fingers doing the 'give me give me' motion! Unfortunately, Aidan didn't take the time to express his desire to hold Brinley...till she was all tucked in her car seat to go home. He was soooooo disappointed!

Zoe also loves books. She wanted to share a book with Pop Pop and Brinley.

Awwwww

After the movie, it was Andrew's turn to watch his team play. Andrew loves the Cowboys!

And another fun week-end comes to a close. A new week has begun. Aidan and Zoe are with me today. Zoe is taking a nap and I'm ready to stir up a batch of Snickerdoodles with Aidan.....well maybe not with Aidan. He was watching a movie while I was writing this post. I heard him yawn. This is what I found when I looked over at him......

Sleep good, sweet boy

It's Looking more like Christmas

2011-12-10T23:56:00.000-05:00

I've been busy today!

Also put out a few decorations in the living room,

family room and bathroom.

Yes,

I decorate the downstairs bathrooms!

Some favorite ornaments -

Zoe

Andrew

Paityn

Aidan

Laurencia

I made an ornament for each of the Grands

the last several years.

Ellen wondered why she didn't have one.

She is my daughter,

not my Grand

but

she got one too =)

Ellen

Will need to make another one this year

for Brinley =)

Been a long

but good

day.

Good Night!

A Look Back

2011-12-09T11:31:00.000-05:00

2011 - Part One

Aidan has some fun at our

New Years Eve Party

Cutie Pie Paityn

Andrew's team scores

Who can forget the long cold winter!

Pretty but oh so cold!

Ellen loved the Aaron's Acres Valentine dance!

Zoe's first birthday!

Trouble makers =)

SPRING!!!

Nana loves Zoe.....

taken at Women's Retreat

Cupcake baking with Paityn - fun!

Love it when Gina and Joe can visit!

Pop Pop and Zoe enjoy the swing at

Great Grandma's house

Ellen plays Challenger Baseball

Ellen loved the IU Prom!

Ellen and Nicole

Ellen and Austin

Katie and Matthew's wedding in GA

Cousin's...

Katie and Greta

Aidan's 3rd Birthday!

Reading Phillie's Baseball game

Zoe with Mommy and a Mascot

Aidan is ready for some fun!

That's it for now....come back for Part Two!

Many Faces - part 2

2011-12-05T20:34:00.000-05:00

Yeah! I'm able to post the rest of the pictures!

Zoe has the craziest expressions!

Where's Aidan?

Nana juice =)

Ice Cream at the Mall House

2011-12-05T17:53:00.000-05:00

Christy needed a ride to work this morning. Aidan and Zoe were happy to go into the Mall House....as Aidan calls it =) Nana promised a treat!

The many faces while eating Ice Cream.......

Oh, I'm having so much trouble posting pictures.

Grrrrrr!

I have some cute ones of Zoe too.

Will try again later!

It wasn't on my List

2011-12-03T13:54:00.000-05:00

A list? Me, who doesn't do lists, had a list? Yes, I confess. I had a list. The list had on it items I didn't want to forget this morning. I needed to leave early to finish up some decorating, make the coffee and bake the french toast for the breakfast at church. I remembered everything on the list.

The camera was not on the list. No pictures of our wonderful Women's gathering! No pictures makes me sad. But the memories will be precious.

We did have a good time. The food was delicious...sausage and ham breakfast casseroles, baked french toast, bacon mushroom quiche, blueberry pancake squares, veggie squares, fresh fruit, coffee, tea, cranberry punch. We also had loads of pastries. I told the ladies they are to forget about fat and calories for this one event and enjoy!

Everyone was blessed by our speaker. Lisa Miller is a local Realtor and also a worship leader at Newport Dove. I met Lisa years ago when she worked as a Music Therapist at the nursing home where I was an Activity Director. She spoke on the blessing of Being Still before God. She ministered to us, encouraged us and prayed for us. We are so Blessed!

Many ladies helped with clean up. We set up tables in our sanctuary so they needed to be put away and the chairs put back in place again. One of the men came and got everything back in order in a short time. What a blessing!

So now it's time for me to focus on this house. That has potential to keep me out of trouble for some time! Hubs is outside hanging some lights around the deck. Maybe I should switch out the Fall wreaths for the Christmas ones today. Time to get rid of the pumpkins too! Don't think the tree will go up yet. Maybe later this week.

Have a delightful week-end!

I'm OK.....

2011-12-02T16:19:00.000-05:00

.....just busy....and tired.....and busy.......and slightly crazy.....did I mention busy??

Thought I should let you know I'm still on planet earth. Will post an update after the breakfast tomorrow. Looking forward to it!

Shopping, More Family, Brunch Prep, Sore Throat

2011-11-28T21:22:00.002-05:00

Gina and I had a great day shopping on Saturday. As soon as we got to the Mall, we checked at Cost Cutters to see when she could get her hair cut. It was only a 10 min. wait. But the cut took forever! Gina has thick hair. The young girl took her time giving her a great cut, thinned it, blew it dry and styled it. She looked wonderful!

Gina found 2 pairs of jeans, a sweater, a puffy vest and a shirt to go with it. I'd say we had success. She was pleased!

Headed home after a hamburger and fries at Five Guys. We drove through the town square to see the lights on the way home. Love them!

Sunday came too fast and it was time for Gina to return home. After church we met Joe's Mother and Grandmother at the mall. Transferred her stuff from our car to Vicky's and she was gone. Was sooooo good to have her with us for a few days. She was ready to go home again. She missed Joe and Shiloh, her dog!

We had a house full of people again Sunday afternoon and evening. I warmed leftovers from meals I served on Thursday and Friday. That's a good way to clean out the frig! I was one tired Nana when I went to bed!

This week will be a busy week of preparation. Our Women's Brunch at church is on Saturday. I usually do all the decorating. But this year I asked for help. And I got it! There is still a lot to do. I have such a hard time relaxing till it's over. I actually make lists for these events! Surprise, surprise!

One of the 2010 tables

Ah, a sore throat is listed in my title too. Yes, I have a sore throat. Had one all last week and it seems to like me. It really isn't bad, not at all like when I had strep. It effected my voice last week. The elderly couple I stay with still wanted me to read to them...I said I would if they could stand how I sounded! I was so thankful to be able to sing on Sunday morning. I coughed my way through practice but God paved the way during worship...I coughed not once! Sore throat, please leave!

Well, that's all for tonight. My mind will be focused on the brunch this week. (all while I live my normal busy!) My prayers are going constantly for our speaker and for the women and girls who will attend.... that our hearts will be soft and ready to receive the word He has for us. And, of course, I pray that everyone will have a blast!

Aunt Gina meets Brinley Hope

2011-11-26T08:32:00.001-05:00

When Gina comes (she lives in Northern PA) for a visit, she always wants to see family. This time there was a special little girl she wanted to meet. She could not wait to meet Brinley Hope.

Gina was the first one to hold her.

Zoe loves Brinley too!

Zoe really loves her...

getting a closer look!

Aunt Mary Ellen to Brinley's rescue!

Mary Ellen stopped in to see Gina

and got to see many more of my family too!

Gina wanted to visit Grandma Fahnestock and Aunt Nancy too. I thought I would take her to their house to see them but Nancy said they could come to our house. Nancy and Grandma also wanted to meet Brinley!

Nancy holds the little dolly.

Great Grandma sees her newest Great-Grandchild.

Sweet Brinley Hope

Zoe gets some Aunt Gina time too.

Aidan loves to hold Brinley too.

Aidan.....

someone was taking pictures

while I was busy in the kitchen....

what a cute shot!

Making a meal was in the works anyway so adding more to the menu to feed more people was not an issue. Nancy and Grandma, Marcy and Scott and family, Kim and Andrew along with Corey and his kids and Hubs and I and Gina (Ellen spent the evening with a friend) ate Onion BBQ chicken fingers, sour cream mashed potatoes, baked corn (made by Nancy), tossed salad, cranberry salad, pumpkin pie, pumpkin dirt pudding (made by Scott ad Paityn). What a fun family time once again!

No child care for me today. Gina and I are heading to the mall to shop. We will take our time, no stress, no time limit either. When we have enough, we will head home. I have not had a shopping day like that in ages!

Gina heads home tomorrow after church. I love having her for several days =) But she is missing her Honey!

Wishing you a wonderful Saturday!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T15:15:00.000-05:00

Small family gathering at home....

We had turkey, stuffing, baked corn, gravy, cranberry salad and pumpkin whip dessert. Oh, I forgot the good Martin's rolls with blackberry jam.

It's wonderful to have Gina with us. Joe has to work tonight and couldn't come.

We are now relaxing and it feels wonderful =) Ahhhh, life is good!

Mountain Week-end

2011-11-21T12:47:00.002-05:00

We spent the week-end in a mountain cabin. It's really too nice to call a cabin, it's like a nice home!

These pictures were taken last year.

The memory card in my camera was

mistakenly left at home this year =)

We left Friday evening after Corey came to pick up the kids. First we needed to fill the car up with gas then to Burger King to fill our stomachs and to get coffee.We decided we could get food for Ellen and coffee for us because Burger King sells Seattle's Best coffee and we thought that would be ok. I ordered 2 cups of coffee. As I was waiting for our order, the young man said they only had enough coffee for 1 cup. What?? They don't have more to brew?? I never heard of such a thing. So I got some iced tea....but I really wanted coffee. I took a sip of the one we got and left it up to Hubs whether or not he wanted it. It tasted old. He drank it anyway! I would have given it back. A Starbucks was not on our route so we just headed on our way.

Less than a half hour later the 'low coolant' light came on in the car. That never happened before. We pulled over at the next exit. Hubs couldn't see a leak so we headed towards a town in hopes of finding a store that sells water. We finally came to a Giant grocery store. I went in to find a gallon of water. The store was huge! I went almost to the one end, didn't find water, went to the other end, didn't find water. So I went back to the other end again. I had been about 2 aisles short of where it was the first trek! Wouldn't you know.

Hubs filled whatever he needed to put the water in and we were on our way again. The light never came on so I guess he knew what he was doing! We arrived at the cabin just before 9p. Everyone else had been there for hours....we are the late arrivers, always!

What a fun time we had. Last year I had a bad cold and wasn't feeling well at all. My games of Domino's were terrible too. Now this year, I felt much better and my game was too! (I won't brag...probably was just luck) I had my Kindle with me too. I read and read. I didn't sleep much. I never do when away from home.

We ate too much. Laughed a lot too. Ellen was with us and she had a wonderful time. She went on many walks. The weather was beautiful.

After a time of sharing and prayer on Sunday and a lunch of leftovers and pizza, it was time to pack it all up, clean the cabin and head for home again.

Home Sweet Home....dirty laundry, stuff to put away! Oh well, I will plug away at it till it's all clean and put back where it belongs.

Counting down the days till Thanksgiving and Gina will be coming home for a few days!!!

Just in case my week does not allow for blogging.....

I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Christmas is coming!!

2011-11-17T15:45:00.000-05:00

I know, we haven't had Thanksgiving yet. I do love Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yum!

But, today I went Christmas shopping =)

I didn't intend to. This shopping trip was to find items for the Women's Christmas Brunch at church which is coming up fast. I feel good about what all I could knock off my 'list'.

I shopped at Dollar Tree, TJ Maxx, Micheal's and K Mart in Lebanon. Oh the gorgeous stuff at TJ Maxx! It was soooo hard to just pick a few things. It was there that I found some gifts for my family. Oh, was I ever in the mood for Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

(just shut your eyes if you don't want to see this yet...hehe!)

Week-End Past

2011-11-14T15:21:00.000-05:00

What a busy one again!

Friday Evening -

Ellen had an Aaron's Acres activity at Park City. I took her to meet her Buddy, Megan, the same gal as last year, then I went to Arby's for a sandwich, to TJ Maxx and Joanne's, then back to the Food Court to wait for Ellen again. I should have done some real shopping but I was just too tired to do any. Was hoping to find some Christmas gifts at TJ Maxx but found nothing! Ellen had a great time with her group eating and doing a scavenger hunt. From there I took her to the High School football game where she met her Dad. The boys played hard but lost it in triple overtime. No more games for this year....a sad thing for Ellen!

Saturday -

Saturday evening provided dinner and a show for Hubs and me. Dale's boss took us and another employee and his girlfriend to Hershey Farms for dinner. It was a first time for any of us to have eaten there. They have a nice buffet or menu dining. The food is PA. Dutch.....everything one has ever eaten at Grandma's house, if you live in Lancaster Co. PA. We all had more than enough to eat! From there we drove next door to the massive, elegant Sight and Sound Millennium Theater. Wow, what a place! We saw the Christmas show....the story of Jesus coming to earth, born as a baby to Mary and Joseph in a stable. There were live donkeys, horses and camels in the show. It was wonderful! What a nice way to once again bring into focus the REAL reason for the season!

Sunday -

I had the privilege of singing with the worship team at church. We had a different service on Sunday. After worship many people went forward to be prayed for. Ministry was happening as others went forward to pray and lay hands on those who needed prayer. Sunday church is not always singing, taking the offering and hearing a sermon! I love my church!

Then it was home to prepare a meal for the kids and grands who were hungry and needed fed! Baby Brinley was coming to Nana and Pop Pop's for the first time. I sent out an email on Saturday inviting the kids to come and to let them know that Brinley would be here....AND that I was going to be the first one to hold her! We have a lot of family that want her so I thought I had better state my case ;)

Dale grilled hot dogs and hamburgers. I made a salad, Christy cut up veggies, Greta and Lynn brought cookies and soda, Marcy and Scott brought yummy salsa and chips from Chili's. I also made a pan of Pumpkin Dump cake....yummy!

Later in the afternoon my step Mother Mary and my sister Mary Ellen came to see Brinley. Everyone seems to be more than crazy over this tiny little girl!

The Smith's

Paityn, Marcy (my daughter), Brinley and Scott

Nana loves Brinley Hope!

Have a wonderful Monday and a productive week!

November is OK

2011-11-10T11:25:00.000-05:00

I seem to be more ok with November than I was with October or even September. Strange, indeed.

Guess where I was already this morning? Sitting in the dentist chair! I would rather do just about anything other than that. All is good. I had a tooth fixed that's up front and it does look so much better. But....why does it have to cost so much???

It was a foggy mess out there when I went but was looking better on my way home. Now it's a gray and drizzly day and will be getting colder. I'm thankful for the pretty days we had this week!

I rewarded myself with a cup of this -

Pumpkin Spice, yummy!

As I said, it's a gray day. But the leaves are still pretty -

Too bad it's not a nice day to swing!

What is that I hear?

Somewhere in that field of corn......

Ah, there it is!

The corn will do a disappearing act.

Ellen will be able to see her bus coming down the hill

before it gets to our driveway!

Meaning, she can stand indoors longer =)

Have a great day, my friends!

Special Days

2011-11-08T09:02:00.000-05:00

Saturday -
Corey and Christy continue to work to get their home ready to list. Dale and I are helping where we can. On Saturday, Christy had to work. I offered to keep the children so Corey could work at home....uninterrupted. Dale was helping him. Aidan was not happy to see me when I came to his house. Why? Because he was planning to go outside with his Dad to clean up some leaves and to jump in them. He was happy to hear that I wasn't in a hurry and he could certainly go outside and have some fun!

Chasing after the leaves

as his Daddy was blowing them into a pile!

This is the BEST part of Autumn!

Pop Pop gave them a ride with muscle power

because the battery was dead!

This is lots of fun, Pop Pop!

Aidan also took time to ride his bike on the deck.

It was soon time to go and let the men get to work. The great outdoors caused some sleepy eyes and both kids were asleep before we reached my house! Later Aidan helped me make a chocolate cake.

Sunday -
After church we had a family reunion to attend. My Mother's family gathers at a local school the first Sunday of November. It's always special to be with her family - my remaining aunt (who was not able to attend this time) and uncles and their children. It was a smaller crowd this year but just as enjoyable!

After that, this Nana had to go see her newest baby! What a sweet little Peanut! I got to change her diaper....could not get over how little she is! She was wide awake when we got there. I didn't have my camera but took pictures with my cell. Not the best quality.

She was wearing the outfit I bought her.

Newborn size is kinda big

but she will grow into it =)

Nana had to share her with Pop Pop!

Monday -

Aidan and Zoe were my company this day. We stopped at the grocery store on the way from their house to ours. Aidan convinced me of some extra purchases =)

On this day, 29 years ago, my dear Mother went to Heaven. It might be a long time ago and lots of life has happened for me in that time, but I still remember her and miss her. She was a wonderful woman who loved the Lord, loved my Dad and loved all her kids. We knew that without a doubt.

Tuesday -

Today there are two special people with birthdays!

Joe Reed, who is engaged to our daughter Gina. Happy Birthday to you, Joe! We will not be able to celebrate with him today since he lives too far away. We have not seen Gina and Joe since our vacation in August......seems like a long time ago! Joe, we are so happy to have you as a part of our family! Have a great time celebrating you today!

Gina and Joe

It's also my sister Jean's birthday! Happy birthday, Sis! She won't mind me telling her age....60! We celebrate 60! My Mother and my oldest sister passed away at age 59. So, 60 is reason to celebrate. Have a wonderful day celebrating, Jeanie!

Jean (in the coral blouse) with her Hubby

and some of her PA family

Wednesday (tomorrow) -

My Mother-in-Law will be 91! Happy Birthday to you!

Great Grandma enjoys her little ones!

Wishing you all a special day too!

Zoe and Adain at the Mall

2011-11-04T21:17:00.000-04:00

On Thursday, I met Zoe and Aidan and their Mommy at the mall. Before that, I did some shopping, visited Brinley Hope and got a haircut. Christy was scheduled to work and I was going to just get the kids and take them to my house but....Aidan wanted to go into the mall. (plans had changed for me. I wasn't to go get Paityn after all) I asked if they had a stroller. No, but Aidan said they have "two ones and one ones" inside the mall. He suggested getting a "two one". So we did!

We went to the bank, Bath and Body Works, Hallmark. Then Aidan said he was HUNGRY! What do you think we decided on?

Ice Cream, of course!

Yum, Yum!

I just love Zoe's expressive face........

We had a great time and it was soon time to go. We parked our cool ride and picked up the $1 in quarters we got back. Our walk to Nana's car was slow.....we were all tired! Zoe was asleep before we got out of the parking lot!

Another memory day to hold in my heart =)

Meet Brinley Hope Smith

2011-11-03T08:30:00.000-04:00

We all are in love with this little bundle!

She's Here!!

2011-11-02T07:23:00.001-04:00

Brinley Hope Smith

arrived around 4:15 this morning!

We will meet her later today - can't wait!!

5lbs. 12 oz......born at 3:26 a.m.

Trick or Treat

2011-11-01T08:01:00.000-04:00

Aidan and Zoe stayed with me yesterday. It was decided to skip the outdoor Trick or Treat because of the chilly weather. I dressed Zoe in her costume, Aidan would put his on later, and headed to the mall where Christy was finishing up her shift and Corey was on his way there from work. Marcy, Scott and Paityn were heading there as well. Enjoy the photos......

Lady Bug Zoe !

Adain the scary Dinosaur,

he said he would protect Zoe from the monsters =)

Chad gives out some candy at Modern Eyes.

Minnie Mouse Paityn

poses so Nana can get a picture of her!

(love the sparkly shoes!!)

Let the fun begin!

I didn't stay for the fun. After a purchase at Sephora, I headed home to clean up the dinner dishes. Then it was a prop up your feet night till bedtime! Nana was tired!

This afternoon Marcy goes to the hospital. I will be sure to post when we have some news! Can't wait to meet our next granddaughter!

Have a great Tuesday!

Snow, Sweet Littles, Family

2011-10-30T21:13:00.000-04:00

Snow

This was taken before 2 on Saturday. We had much more after that.

The trees were really hanging low but none broke.

No chance of a picnic just now!

Sweet Littles

This Little Sweetie came to Nana and Pop Pop's.

She is enjoying a cookie!

Another Little Sweetie came for the evening....

this one is enjoying some Ice Cream!

Oh, Zoe, you are just too cute....

runny nose and all!

We watched Toy Story and Lion King!

(Mommy and Daddy were away for a long time!)

Family

This morning we went to church as usual. What a wonderful service! Worship music was so good. The sermon was given by a young artist who comes to our church. His message was geared towards the children but had such truth for all of us. He used a pad connected to a laptop which was connected to the big screen. As he spoke, he drew illustrations which we could see on the big screen. It was wow!

We spent the afternoon with Marcy and Scott and Paityn. Marcy will go to the hospital on Tuesday for a scheduled induction. We needed to discuss care for Paityn. I will keep her towards the end of the week.

Sweet Mommy with two daughters...

Paityn and the little one we will meet this week.

What a week this will be! A new Grandbaby to love is big, real Big!

Yesterday while at Ollie's, Ellen was having little success in finding a book to buy. I suggested she look for a movie. Her excited little hand landed right on the movie Hairspray! She has been wanting that movie and it was only $2.99! We watched it this evening. We saw this movie in the theater when it came out.....whatever that year was! Ellen and I still love it.....what a fun movie!

What are you dancing to tonight? hehe

Really, can it be?

2011-10-29T10:35:00.000-04:00

The weatherman said it would be so. It didn't come as soon as expected. That could be a good thing.....guess we will see!

It's snowing quite heavy right now. It's a heavy, wet snow which could be a problem for the trees. The snow is sticking to the leaves which could cause branches to come down. I think the weather people are making a bigger deal about this than it will be. I could be wrong!

Snow in October in our neck of the woods is rare, indeed. I will enjoy it as I do my indoor work. Hubs said he would be delighted (my word!) to take me to Ollie's today. I hope to find some Christmas paper to print invitations to the Christmas Brunch at church. I like Ollie's Good, Cheap stuff! Ellen even wants to go along.

And then, Aidan and Zoe are coming to stay with Nana and Pop Pop while their parents attend a class reunion. Yeah! I am soooo happy to see them again. I missed my sweet littles this week!

Have a great week-end! I'll post more pictures later. It's a lot whiter out there than when I started this post!

Blue Skies

2011-10-28T12:30:00.001-04:00

Just had to get outdoors to snap a few pictures.....

This is calling my name.....

Come sit a spell!

Yes, we have blue skies today. I will be sure to post some pictures tomorrow if our local weather man is correct with his forecast. Personally, I hope he is way off this time!!

*Update on the sickness in our house. I'm getting better very slowly. Greta was diagnosed with strep this morning, Ellen is going to the Dr. this afternoon. We'll get through this!

** Update on the sickies! Ellen also has strep. No surprise there!

I am feeling almost as good as new! I have been able to do some laundry, I did some shopping this afternoon, washed all the dishes without breaks, and did some needed straightening. And I ate a normal dinner! It feels so good to feel so good! Praise the great and mighty name of Jesus!

Ellen and Greta are also starting to feel better. This evening we started to hear Ellen giggle at whatever she was watching on TV (Ellen giggles and talks to herself all the time!). And she ran through the family room to the kitchen....now that is the normal Ellen!! Ellen is rarely quiet, rarely just walks, rarely is still.

We will all be healthy enough to give our new baby, to be born, some love. Oh, I can not wait!!

Not my favorite week, not by a long shot!

2011-10-27T21:03:00.000-04:00

I went to bed on Monday night feeling like a sore throat was coming. Sure enough, I had a very sore throat Tuesday morning and a fever too. Ok, I thought, I give this a day then to the curb I will kick it......yea, right!

Day two, I had to cancel with the elderly couple, as I did the day before. I rested/slept on the sofa all day, again. My fever went up and down according to the level of Tylenol in my system. I went from uncontrollable shaking with chills.... to.... throw off the covers, take off the socks hot!! I could not eat. Fish saltine crackers and applesauce was all I could handle. And tea, and that was not going down all that good.

Day 3 (today) my fever was not as high but still there. Christy found someone to keep the kids. I decided to head to the Dr. Sure enough, I have strep throat. I'm now on an antibiotic which I hope helps me to finally kick it!

I called off my morning hours with the elderly couple for Friday. And Christy will, once again, find someone to keep the kids. I hate not fulfilling my duties!!! Oh how much I hate it! When I was working, I rarely got sick enough to call off. Like maybe 5 times in 15 years. So you see, this does not sit well with me.

Ellen also has a sore throat and fever as does Greta. Do you think a few more trips to the Dr. are in our future? So far Hubs is ok. I won't let him near me....I've been getting kisses on the top of my head!

About the only thing I worked on this week is the newsletter for the Women's group at church. I worked on it on Tuesday morning till I realized that I'm really sick and hit the sofa for the rest of the day! It's not finished and my thoughts for the 'To Encourage You' part are not flowing. I may have to think of something different for that section. And today I washed some dishes, rested, washed more dishes, rested.

Doc said it would be 48 hours till I'm not contagious. Shoot, I'm hoping to feel an improvement by tomorrow morning =)

Is this what the Flu feels like?

2011-10-25T13:14:00.000-04:00

I never get sick....not really sick. I've had a sore throat and a cold from time to time but usually get over them fairly quickly.

Oh my, this is not good! I have a fever (I ~~never~~ rarely get fevers....had 2 in my adult life that I can remember).

My throat is very sore, I hurt when I move, my stomach feels upset.....

so I'm covered with blankets, am trying to drink water and trying to sleep. I want this gone!!

This, too, shall pass =)

Sometimes....

2011-10-24T16:19:00.001-04:00

Sometimes -
It seems hard to find joy
It's difficult to put a finger on why
It's also hard to be completely honest as to why

It's not that I'm unhappy, just a feeling of being unsettled

Maybe it's because -
Cold weather makes me feel sad
I dread winter (I hate to admit that...it feels so shallow)
I'm still adjusting to mostly one income
I don't like to stretch a dollar..... all the time (there are better bargain hunters out there than me. I wish I were better at it. feels like it takes too much energy at times!!)
I'm tired (wonder if changing to a new pair of contacts would help....but it would be my last pair and I'd have to order more. really, I think that way!)
Moving feels overwhelming (geeze, and I'm just beginning the process!!)
Christmas is coming (which means doing less giving than I would like, again. I love to shop and give)

OK, ENOUGH OF THAT! I have so much to be thankful for!

I have a granddaughter who will be born in about a week. Oh. My. Goodness. I cannot wait to meet her!
I'm blessed with a wonderful Hubby and family.
I love my kids and they love me
I serve a Great Big God - he knows my beginning all the way to the end....He Is In Control!
I have a wonderful church family.
We have a wonderful pastor who is not timid about teaching what God lays on his heart for us to hear. That is a good thing!
I have a big bunch of siblings who love each other and love the Lord too
I have food on the shelves, in the frig and in the freezer - not all the food I would like but more than many in this world.
I have a comfortable home - again, not everything is new or really, really nice. But we never get wet in a rain storm and it's warmer inside than out.
Heck, I even have enough clothes and shoes to wear. Not a lot but enough.
I have a car and it's paid for
AND.....
Greta is baking cookies =) Pumpkin Chocolate Chip cookies!!!!

This is a different post than I usually do. I prefer to write about happy, joyful, endearing times that involve family. Today I'm feeling blah, so I thought I would be honest and say it!

But......

The sun will come out tomorrow, bet my bottom dollar! (hehe)

An Evening of Cheers

2011-10-21T12:37:00.003-04:00

Last evening we attended the end of the season Banquet to honor the UDS Challenger Football League and the Cheerleaders. We ate Pizza Hut pizza, bread sticks, salad and dessert bread sticks. Yummy! Many businesses sponsored tables or donated money to cover the cost. We are all very grateful for the community support which gives our special kids a chance to do what kids like to do.....play the great game of football or to cheer.

This opportunity to cheer is a dream come true for Ellen.

Ellen and her two friends

with a UDS Service dog.

The service dogs are one of the UDS programs.

Someone brought them to the games. Everyone loved them!

A room full of excited kids, parents and some Grandparents.

After the football players got their awards,

it was the cheerleader's turn!

Ellen with some of the volunteer cheerleaders from Donegal HS.

Deb, the leader is at the podium.

What a great group. These girls came on Saturday mornings to help our special daughters.... after a late night of cheering at the High School football games. Deb was there every Saturday, even the Saturday that didn't suit any of her team, and, she was sick!

One happy Cheerleader!

Our girls blessed their volunteers with flowers.

Ellen and Deb

Ellen and Molly

Trying to get them all together for a group picture!

Football players, coaches and volunteer helpers.

There they are...

our special girls and their helpers

Another successful season comes to a close.

Special, special, special!

Whoo - Hoo!

2011-10-18T11:30:00.000-04:00

I'm a winner!

My bloggy friend Glenda at gg-notesonthejourney.blogspot.com is participating in 31 days of Christmas wonder. She has committed to post everyday for the 31 days of October. She is imparting her wisdom, tips, encouragement and gifts! Today I found my name as one who won The Wonder of it all card by artist Kate Brand. I am thrilled to pieces! Thank-you, Glenda. I will treasure it!

[If I knew how to put an image of the card on my blog, I would....]

Have a great day! I am doing a bit of cleaning and some laundry, washed the dishes and will soon prepare dinner. Sounds like a super fun and exciting day, does it not! (hehe)

Andrew the Football Player

2011-10-17T15:04:00.001-04:00

Andrew is our 16 yr. old grandson. I am so proud of him. He's playing varsity football this year. His team has been struggling for a win. That is until......

Now, before I go on, I need to explain something. I really don't care for football. I don't understand what a 1st down is or what a team has to do to get one or what positions are what. But when your Grandson is playing, one needs to put aside all that nonsense and go see the boy play.

Friday night his team played a neighboring school. We had this date on our calendar * go see Andrew play at Warwick HS* since the beginning of the season. It turned out to be a rainy day. I don't like football and I couldn't think of anything worse that sitting on a hard, cold stadium bleacher in a driving cold rain. But we were committed to go and I was determined to go with joy!

Just before it was time to leave, it started to pour again!! Fortunately, it must have been an isolated situation.The football field did not share the downpour =)

We watched Andrew play. We watched his team score. We clapped and cheered. Zoe charmed everyone around her....had to throw that in =) Lynn yelled his lungs out! Some stumpted on the metal bleachers, which made an aweful racket, to motivate the team. I guess that's the purpose!

And they won!!!!

This was one happy young man

Andrew with his happy Aunt Ellen

I asked his Mom (my daughter Kim) if his Nana (me) should attend more often!! Andrew also thought that could be a very good thing =)

Rainy Days and Thursday's

2011-10-13T17:51:00.000-04:00

It is Thursday.
It is cloudy, drizzling and rainy. A very gray day.
It isn't making me feel down. Not today.
Why? Because we have just experienced a row of wonderfully warm and sunny days.
And, I have these two to keep me laughing!

Aidan is without his shirt because

he got the sleeves wet while washing his hands.

He thinks he looks like Super Man!!

Zoe is without her pants because her diaper got too wet

and soaked them!

They were washed and are drying =)

It's been another good day!

Mmmmm........and a Silly Boy

2011-10-11T08:12:00.000-04:00

Mmmmmm

Peanut butter cracker snack =)

I'm enjoying it so much!

(I know I have some PB on my face, so what!)

The last bite, already??

Finger lickin' good.....

and lip lickin' good too =)

Nana, take my picture too!

Someone loves to be silly for the camera =)

What fun these two are! They will keep me company two more days this week. A very good thing!

A week of people, farm show, friends, singing....

2011-10-07T13:50:00.000-04:00

As I said earlier this week, our Farm Show is going on this week. I've been there everyday and I've eaten food there everyday! Monday evening I took Aidan, Zoe and Paityn to the Baby Parade. I forgot my camera (a repeated event this week) but I did have my phone.

Those faces just melt my heart!

Waiting, waiting.....

My heart melts some more =)

Cousins having fun!

I took Paityn home after filling her belly with food....so much food that she said it hurt!! While eating, she suddenly said, I miss my Mommy! I know her Mommy was ready to see her too. It was a great day!

Tuesday and Wednesday I stayed with the older couple. I read to them, help them to find music to listen too, TV programs they want to watch, reminisce, look at pictures and do some baking. On Wednesday we made a pan of brownies with some sour cream and choc. chips in them. We each had one while they were still warm! YUM!!

Tuesday I was tired so we just went to the Farm Show to eat and come home. I had my favorite sub (or hoagie, as some know it!). I just love them! Wednesday was the parade. I parked at a church and took the Farm Show shuttle bus to the fair. That was an awesome service. It was a lovely evening and everyone in our town and the surrounding towns must have been there! Oh my, the crowds! I decided on a baked potato with cheese and bacon that night. I was really hungry so I also bought a ham and cheese sandwich to eat while watching the parade. Where was my camera.....air head left it at home =(

Yesterday, Ellen and I had a quick lunch at the show (Ellen had off from school). I got a walking taco...everything is put in a bag of Doritos. Was so good! Then it was to York for an appointment for Ellen. Dale and Ellen headed to the show again that evening. I had plans to eat with some friends that I worked with. 7 of us and did we have a wonderful time! (where was my camera??) We decided we need to do this every month or every other month. Sounds good to me!

Today I made breakfast for the couple I help. Then it was to the retirement community to sing at a funeral. Was so good to see some more of my former co-workers again. Bev, the receptionist always has pictures of her grandson on her computer to show off! What a cutie! Diane played the piano for me today. I hadn't seen her since I left. And I also saw Rosemary, the Assisted Living Administrator. She was on a medical leave when I left and I haven't seen her since. Pure joy!! She told me she prays for me everyday....now, is that just the sweetest ever! She says she talks of me all the time....my goodness. She enjoyed the in-services I taught and the classes I taught on the subject of dementia.

I sang, How Great thou Art. The words just spoke to me so powerfully today. And, being at a funeral for a man who had a wife, daughter, stepdaughter, grandchildren who are grieving brought back some tender memories of my Dad. It was 2 years on Oct. 1 that Dad went to be with Jesus.

So now I am waiting the arrival of 2 sweet faces who need their Nana this afternoon. I will never tire of this job, if I can even call it that.

Off to the Farm Show for more food this evening. There is also a home Football game tonight. I'll let Dale and Ellen enjoy that..... I can came back home and pick up my Kindle. I'm reading 'The Help'. What a good book. Laying it down is way too hard!

Perfect weather, fabulous people, good times, good book, tasty food (no cooking. I repeat, NO cooking!!). Would you call it a good week? You bet, this was one that is going into the memory bank with smiles all over it!

Photos from Ocean City, NJ

2011-10-05T10:02:00.001-04:00

Taking a break!

L-R....

Tammy (friend of RaeAnn), Sister Harnish (who is almost 89 yrs. young! Goes to RaeAnn's church), RaeAnn (also known as Mom Strenger. She organized the trip), Katie (daughter of RaeAnn), Amber (Christy's friend and a friend of the Strenger's) with Zoe (my cutie-pie granddaughter), Christy (my wonderful DIL).

Zoe slept while we shopped =)

Ice Cream for Zoe

Frozen coffee for Christy and me.

Mine was a pumpkin spice and was soooooo good!!

Wedding pictures on the boardwalk!

Had to take this one for Greta....

purple is her color!

These girls went on the beach for some pictures....

walking on the sand in those heels was challenging

and interesting to watch!

Love this view!

Clouds started rolling in by late afternoon.

Sunday was cloudy, some drizzles and cool.

This was taken Friday morning at home.

When Ellen and I went outside to wait for her bus,

I saw the beautiful sky and ran back into the house for the camera.

I love a beautiful sky =)

Today I stay with the sweet couple. We will make a pan of brownies this afternoon. This evening is the Farm Show Parade. No rain in the forecast today....yeah! It's to be 70 during the day and back to mid 40's tonight. Perfect weather!

I just got a phone call from a resident at the Retirement Community where I worked for 15 years. Her husband passed away and she wants me to sing at his funeral on Friday. She asked me to sing 'How Great Thou Art'. I am honored to accept the request.

Have a beautiful day, my friends!

Back from the Beach

2011-10-03T08:07:00.000-04:00

It was a wonderful little vacation!

Weather was beautiful on Saturday. Did some shopping, Lots of clearance items =)

I'll post more pictures later...there are 2 sweet Littles that are in need of some Nana time! There is a possibility another Little will also be in need of some Nana time. Yes, I must go get Aidan and Zoe then pick up Paityn, if she is staying with me today.

Our little town is having the annual Farm Show this week. Yeah!! That means french fries, milk shakes, subs, apple dumplings, steak sandwiches, whoopie pies, chicken corn soup, baked potatoes, grilled chicken sandwiches, pizza, sausage sandwiches.....the food is wonderful! My kitchen is closed this week. We eat dinner at the Farm Show. Supporting the food stands is good, all the way around =) They are all non profit organizations raising money to support their causes. Many are local church youth groups.

The baby parade is tonight and I will take the Littles and Ellen to see that.

Will be a fun day for me. I wish you the same!

Work, Work, Work...then Beach!

2011-09-30T14:19:00.000-04:00

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!

Life

2011-09-29T08:11:00.000-04:00

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!

No Title

2011-09-26T16:15:00.000-04:00

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!

Happy Birthday to......

2011-09-23T12:00:00.000-04:00

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

Today......

2011-09-22T09:10:00.000-04:00

.....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!

Home Hunting.....

2011-09-21T09:20:00.000-04:00

....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!

Going and Going.....

2011-09-20T10:07:00.001-04:00

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 =)

Quiet

2011-09-19T07:43:00.001-04:00

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!

Full House

2011-09-16T12:47:00.000-04:00

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!

Avalon Beach Vacation

2011-09-13T20:59:00.000-04:00

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!

Beach Babies

2011-09-12T22:21:00.000-04:00

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 =)

Relaxing

2011-09-10T19:48:00.000-04:00

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!

What a day!

2011-09-08T21:53:00.002-04:00

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!

Please Pray!

2011-09-07T23:32:00.001-04:00

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.

Cheering and a Party!

2011-09-05T14:18:00.000-04:00

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!

Good times with Good Friends

2011-09-01T11:12:00.001-04:00

We went, we had lunch, we talked and laughed and reminisced.
We didn't go to the Jigger Shop. Thank goodness Connie thought to call....they only opened at 5 yesterday! We suspect it has to do with the schools now being in session and there goes the help! They close for the season after Labor Day.
We ate at Ruby Tuesday's instead. That's a good lunch too.
We caught up on our lives. Ruth also babysits for a Grandson. Connie and Ruth are still the same as when we all worked together. Fun ladies, compassionate caregivers in their field, loyal friends. I am so blessed to have been their boss and to call them my friends.

So, where are the pictures???? I took my camera and it stayed in my purse, never once thought of. UGGG!

Today I go to help Christy at their home. Aidan had a fever yesterday. She is to work again tonight. I will take care of the kids so Christy can rest. Keep them in your prayers....Corey is trying to get over whatever he has going on (cold, congestion) and now Aidan is sick too. Christy is trying to do more but her energy gets less as the day progresses. Rest is still key. A tough road they are on just now.

It's Thursday and a Holiday week-end is on our door-step. Have a great time celebrating the end of summer, our Great Country and the beginning of a new season!

Pictures

2011-08-31T09:13:00.000-04:00

Catching up after some busy days!

Last Friday I took Marcy to an appointment. Since the appointment was going to take about 2 hours, Paityn and I headed to the Mall for some fun. What do you do at the Mall?? Eat, of course!!

Paityn enjoys her burger!

What's next, Nana?

She wanted a ride.

We looked at the rides in the food court.....

they just wouldn't do

so we headed upstairs.

Paityn settled on this Roller Coaster ride.

Nana thought it was quite over-rated on the

fun scale for kids....

....but Paityn seemed to enjoy it!

We went to the Dollar Store next to the rides. Paityn picked out a book to buy and Nana got some things for Ellen.

Then, before we knew it, it was time to go pick up Mommy.

I took them home then headed to Aidan and Zoe's house. The plan was for me to take them home with me so Mommy could rest. But when I got there, they were sleeping! So I washed some dishes, loaded and started the dishwasher, folded laundry...then quietly watched some TV coverage of the approaching storm till Zoe woke up. She was hungry. I found some yogurt for her.

Zoe loves yogurt

and she loves to do it herself!

I'm a Big Girl,

yes I am!

What a cutie!

She makes a mess but gets the job done!

Today I'm having lunch with two gals who had worked in my department at the nursing home. I see Ruth once in a while at the grocery store but only see Connie when I go to the nursing home when I sing on a Sunday Morning.....only twice in the last year. We are going to the Jigger Shop in historic Mt. Gretna. I have never eaten there and am really looking forward to it. I'll take my camera!

Have a great day, my friends!

Oh what a week-end!

2011-08-29T11:00:00.001-04:00

Saturday - Ellen's 17th birthday!
Ellen had her cheering activity Saturday morning. I was away all day Friday and had so much to do to prepare for her birthday on Saturday. So Hubs took Ellen to cheering and I stayed home to clean and decorate.

Looks like it's someone is having a Birthday!

Ellen came home and wanted to open her gift right away!

A new back pack!

She loves to write in composition books

and gets a new one....

fancy cover =)

I told her to look in the outside pocket of her backpack....

she found money =)

$17, of course!

We soon left to pick up 2 of her friends and headed to the Elizabethtown Fare.

Ellen, Brittany and Ashley

We all had a milkshake.

Hubs, Ashley and I shared a fried onion....YUM!!

There wasn't much to do or look at and Irene was looming

so we didn't stay long.

Next we headed to Lancaster to Carvel where Ellen picked out an Ice Cream Cake.

17 candles, a happy 17 year old

and 2 good friends!

Happy Birthday to you, Ellen!

Relaxing while watching a movie....

High School Musical 3

Ashley and Ellen love to dance

and dance they did

for the final song of the movie

It was so much fun to watch them!

This fella brought some cheers =)

All smiles!

We are on our way to American Music Theatre

to see....

(yes, it's raining! Irene is showing up!)

Dance Explosion!

What an AWESOME show!

The girls really enjoyed it.

Ellen and Ashley clapped and cheered and did some (seated!) dance moves too!

After it was over, the people sitting behind us said they enjoyed watching the girls enjoying themselves =)

They thought maybe we knew someone in the show....no, we just have an excited teen with excited friends!

When we left AMT, it was raining harder and the wind was picking up too.

When we arrived at our home, Ellen found more gifts!

Cute PJ's and

A Phillies Phanatic pillow pet

from Greta!

Sunday - A blustery beginning!

We awoke to blinking clocks which meant the power must have blinked off sometime during the night. But we did have electricity and that was good! Some small branches were down and lots of leaves and twigs littered the lawn. All was well here. (we found out later that trees were down at several locations near us) Dale made coffee, we sat down to enjoy it. He just turned on the news and I picked up my computer to check out email and such.....the TV went fuzzy and the Internet was down too! What??? OK....we could live without our connections, I think. When the lights blinked off again, I decided I had better get my shower just in case the power goes off . I was just finished getting ready for church when we received the call that our church was canceled due to no power! We relaxed at home. I made pancakes and bacon, I read a book on my Kindle, we napped. We had a birthday party to attend in the afternoon at Dale's sister and Mother's home. Dale's other sister (Norma) and her hubby (Stan) both turned 60 this summer and their kids were hosting a party for them. When we arrived to the party, a generator was running outside the garage of Nancy's home.....no power in their neighborhood! They have a big generator that covers the entire house so all was good. They didn't run any air conditioners but it was cooler and wasn't necessary. We had a good time visiting with family and some of Norma and Stan's friends that we don't see very often. When we arrived home, our Internet and cable was working again!

Monday - First day of school for Ellen!

So now it's Monday and a new week begins. Ellen woke up at 6. I didn't wake up till about 6:20. Good grief, I was glad she was already up and dressed! Maybe I will need to set an alarm. (haven't done that in years....not even while I was employed) We got her on the bus. I pray she is having a good day. She was really nervous about it.

I don't have my Littles today. Christy is keeping them with her at home. That will be good for the children and Mommy. Christy continues to slowly improve. Not overdoing it is key to improvement....a hard reality for a Mom!

And now I must get something accomplished! I did start a load of towels in the washer. But there are dishes to wash, coupons to clip, stuff to be put away.......lots to do. Just cannot believe that summer is over and school is back in session!

Have a wonderful Monday!

Happy Birthday to Ellen!

2011-08-27T08:49:00.000-04:00

17 years ago I gave birth to our youngest daughter, Ellen. She was our surprise baby =) and a very loved little girl who is now growing up to be a lovely young lady.

Ellen has her cheering this morning then, if the weather cooperates, we will pick up her friend Ashley and head to the E-town fare. If [Irene] prevents it, all will be well.....we have tickets to American Music Theatre to see Dance Explosion tonight. Ellen and Ashley both love to dance. I'm sure they will love this show!

It will be a good day =)

Last week of Summer

2011-08-25T09:15:00.000-04:00

The last week of summer is going fast.....way too fast.

Ellen starts back to school on Monday. Her Life Skills classroom is located at our High School this year. The last time she was in our school district was in 4th grade. On Tuesday evening we were able to go to the High School to see her classroom and meet her teacher. I am proud of MC.....they gave this class a very nice room with a very nice bathroom and a computer lab room attached. (her middle school room in another district was an old industrial arts space that got divided into 2 classrooms after the year started. What was to be a lot of space ended up being small and you could hear some noises from the other classroom too....not ideal at all) Her teacher is younger and has been teaching LS. I think Ellen will like her. The helper teacher said she would be at the front of the school to help the kids to the classroom the first day. Ellen will be ok.....although she said she is nervous.

Yesterday Ellen and I got our hair cut. I feel like I got a mop removed from my head. It was feeling unruly! Ellen went a little shorter with long side bangs. When we were leaving, Ellen noticed some cute head bands Jess was selling. They had flowers on them made out of decorative Duct Tape! I bought her one. Sooooo cute!

The head band is covered with a black and white print and the flower is white.

She chose this one so she can wear it with anything.

After our hair appointment we went to Macaroni Grill for lunch. Ellen had never been there but loves Italian food so I knew she would find something she liked. She loved seeing the open kitchen. She ordered Spaghetti with bolognese sauce, I had a salad with pickled onions, walnuts, french fried onions and other things on it that I can't remember now....with a ranch and blue cheese dressing. It was so good!

After lunch we headed to the mall to get her glasses adjusted. Then it was to the Health Campus just down the street to the Eye Doctor. Ellen had her yearly eye check up. Dr. Klombers has been her eye Dr. since Ellen was a toddler. He is awesome. He thought Ellen has really grown up since he saw her last year. He continues to be so pleased with her eye alignment....he did surgery on her eyes twice.

Then it was back to the mall to hunt for a few clothing items for school. We found a cute pair of longer plaid shorts and a skort. Both on clearance....nice. She tried some tee shirts but none were a good fit.

Today is a day to do some things at home. Christy's parents are keeping Aidan and Zoe again today. We already had a small thunderstorm this morning. A good day to stay home.

We hope to take Ellen and a friend to the Etown fair on Saturday for her birthday.....that is if the hurricane doesn't bring rain in our neck of the woods! Ellen went there on her birthday last year and really wants to go again. I will have to think of a plan B just in case!

How can summer be coming to an end already? I went to the grocery store last evening. The summer flowers that were being sold on the porch are now replaced with pots of colorful mums. Bags of cinnamon scented pine cones are in the foyer........am I ready for fall? NO! Summer went too fast. But, I can't stop it from happening so I may as well embrace it =)

Oh dear....I just realized that Sunday is the last Sunday of the month.....I need to write the September newsletter for our Women! Didn't I just do the August one???? Yeah, I know. Time flies when you......

Off for some fun! Have a good one!

I felt it!

2011-08-23T15:02:00.001-04:00

I was sitting at my favorite end of our reclining sofa, checking out some stuff on my little computer. Aidan and Zoe were in the next room playing, Ellen was in the computer room.

The sofa moved....felt like it was lifting up off the ground! My first thought was...

What the heck is under my sofa?!!!

(felt like an animal was under it and wanted to stand up)

Realized it must have been an earthquake. Asked Ellen if she felt anything....she didn't.

Now it's all over the news......It was an earthquake in VA.

That was exciting =))

* Just a note to those who commented about being ok......this was very mild here. We do feel the earth shake from time to time where we live. In fact, there was one during the winter at night that had a rumbling sound with it. This one just shook. Nothing damaged, just unsettles the nerves a bit!

I must tell you about an earthquake that happened on an Easter Sunday evening many years ago. The church we were going to at the time was in charge of the Sunday evening service at my Dad's church. Our pastor was giving the message about Jesus rising from the dead......and the church shook! Everyone just sorta sat there, the pastor stopped preaching for a while till we all realized what happened! Talk about a live presentation!!

Wonderful Week-end!

2011-08-22T08:54:00.001-04:00

Our Wonderful Week-end -

Ellen started UDS (united disability services) cheering again! That took all of Saturday morning
After stopping at the grocery store, I came home to clean our messy and dirty nest =)
My sister Mary Ellen stopped for a short visit Saturday evening - nice!
Went to church Sunday morning - the best!
Out for lunch to Five Guys because my day was too full on Saturday to prepare a meal for Sunday. Burgers and fries are so yummy at Five Guys!!
Ate lunch with Marcy, Scott, Paityn, Greta, Lynn and Lynn's Mom Sue.
Back home for some relaxing with the fam
Corey, Christy and family spent their day at home. Missed them but they needed a quieter day
Kim and Andrew came later. Kim had to work till five
Chatted with Gina by text and a phone call. She had to work on Sunday too.
Pops grilled hot dogs and I made beef BBQ for dinner. We ate chips and salsa and had ice cream and cup cakes too...and honey buns and Oreo brownies (Scott and Lynn went to the store by themselves, hehe)

It was a good, good week-end. But I didn't get my camera out....not even once!

Now I must get myself moving....I have 2 little ones who will spend their day with Nana again. Gotta go pick them up.

Have a great Monday!

Love being a Nana!

2011-08-20T07:38:00.004-04:00

Who couldn't love this?

They are so stinkin cute =)

Zoe says 'Bye'....she's off for another adventure!

There she goes!

Last week while on vacation and Zoe had a captive audience, she would do this when asked to make a serious face.......

It is soooooo funny!

She will even do it with her Nuk in her mouth!

I had a hard time getting a good picture of it because.......

....she immediately laughs after making it!

A product of that captive audience for sure.

We all cracked up!

I still do every time =)

Christy went to the Doctor again on Thursday. This time a different Dr. diagnosed her with mono. It did seem like that's what it was but she had it in High School and was told you don't get it twice. Well, she did! We hope and pray that she will be able to kick this out the door really soon! The med that she's now on has really helped her throat. I could tell a big difference yesterday when I went to pick up the kids.

Yesterday was Corey and Christy's 5th wedding anniversary. What a way to celebrate that!

Aren't they a good looking bunch!

Corey brought some pizzas to our house for dinner (after stopping at his house with flowers for his wife) to give me a break from cooking. How nice of him! Christy is eating smoothies, mashed potatoes, milkshakes and some soup....anything that doesn't hurt too much.

I will help out with the kids again next week.

My house is in need of a good cleaning. I seem to be able to manage cooking and laundry while they are here, but cleaning??? How did I manage that when my kids were little? Then again, when you are in charge of this sweet face......

Who wants to clean anyway?

Have a great week-end!

Wedding Dress Shopping and a cute Zoe too!

2011-08-18T11:29:00.002-04:00

On Monday Greta along with 3 sisters (Kim, Marcy and Ellen), a friend (Julissa) and her Mom (me), went to David's Bridal in York to begin the hunt for 'The One'. She tried on a lot of dresses. Some were so pretty, some were nice, some were OK, but none of them was 'The One'.

I really liked this dress.

She looked great in it....

but it isn't 'The One'!

(I am intentional in not showing you the front....just in case it becomes 'The One'!

She will make another appointment.

This morning I went to Corey and Christy's home to get the children. Christy is still sick even though she is on 2 antibiotics! She hope to get an appointment at the Dr again today. Zoe was being her cute self before I got her dressed and Aidan got up. Enjoy some pictures.....

Zoe found Aidan's hat and put it on her head!

OK, now how do I get into this thing?

I'm in but I think I'm losing the hat!

Ahhh, maybe I'll rest awhile......

Or maybe I'll play peek-a-boo....

I see you!

She is just so cute! She is taking more steps although is still very cautious. But if she needs to get somewhere fast, it's to the floor on all fours and away she crawls at lighting speed =)

Have a wonderful Thursday!

Chocolate Pudding Pizza

2011-08-17T09:43:00.000-04:00

In a previous post I mentioned a favorite dessert in our family - Pudding Pizza. I have been making it for years. Christy is especially fond of it. In fact when Corey and Christy were dating and broke up for a time, I deliberately did not make it till they got back together again!

I will post the recipe as it is published in Taste of Home.

Chocolate Pudding Pizza

12 Servings

Prep: 35 min. + chilling

20 15 3Ingredients

1 package (17-1/2 ounces) peanut butter cookie mix
1 carton (12 ounces) softened PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese (softened or cubed)
1-3/4 cups cold milk
1 package (3.9 ounces) instant chocolate pudding mix
1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

Prepare cookie mix dough according to package directions. Press into a greased 12-in. pizza pan. Bake at 375° for 15 minutes or until set; cool.
In a bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Spread over crust. In another bowl, beat milk and pudding mix on medium speed for 2 minutes. Spread over the cream cheese layer. Refrigerate for 20 minutes or until set. Spread with whipped topping. Sprinkle with chips. Chill for 1-2 hours. Yield: 12 servings.

This is how I do it:

I buy a roll of already prepared cookie mix - 1 chocolate chip and 1 peanut butter (I always make 2!)
I never beat the cream cheese. I let the brick of cream cheese soften a bit then spread it on the cooled cookie crust. (or you can buy a tub of cream cheese that is already soft and easily spreadable)
Because I always make 2 pans, I use 1 chocolate and 1 vanilla pudding mix. Put them together in a bowl and double the amount of milk that's listed.
I like the mini choc. chips....I don't measure them, I just use a generous amount!

It's such a simple dessert and I really don't know why it's a favorite around here. (I can take it or leave it) But it is. I'm thankful there are some simple things that please the Fahnestock bunch!

Have a great day!

Beach Vacation - Part 3

2011-08-16T16:00:00.000-04:00

We celebrated a Birthday!

Grandson Andrew turned the Big 16 on the 10Th!

Lighting 16 candles!

Blow out those candles

then Let's Eat!

(even though we just stuffed ourselves at Bethany Blues!)

All too soon it was time to pack up and go Home =/

Packing up all our things from the frig and cupboards.

Kim says, who does this belong too?

We had the biggest cooler so I have lots of yummy left overs in my frig at home!

Scott checks the stuff on top of the car

while Marcy waits to get in.

It was a cloudy, drizzly day.

That made it easier to leave the beach!

Corey and Christy decided to drive to Baltimore to the Aquarium

instead of going straight home.

Greta and Lyn waiting to leave.

We stopped at Grotto's Pizza (in Dewey) - a tradition!

Lynn shows Paityn a game on his phone.

Waiting.....

and waiting......

and waiting!

Yes! Pizza!

We ordered 5 -

cheese, meat lovers, margarita, buffalo chicken, and another one

that I can't recall the name of.....it was yummy and had lots and lots of cheese on it =)

Grotto's Pizza is soooooo good!

We had a few 'oh no' or 'oh, OK' stuff.....

Just before we left, Joe's Grandmother was admitted to the hospital. Gina and Joe were planning to ride along with us to Bethany Beach. Because of the uncertainty of his Grandmother's well being, he decided to drive just in case he was needed back in PA during the week. (Thank God she is doing well)
We were on our way to the beach when I got a call. Kim was at Corey and Christy's house loading up her van with their stuff. They planned to travel together. Corey noticed a leak from Kim's van! So they were unloading Corey and Christy's stuff into their car (all that would fit) and Kim was going to go home to get her Hubby's pick up truck! I could not imagine Kim driving that big truck all the way to DE. So I suggested they go to our house to get my car. Which they did. She had to go get the spare keys out of a dresser drawer in our bedroom. Christy drove my car to Kim's house where they unloaded Kim and Andrew's stuff from the van into my car! And THEN they were finally on their way to the beach!! (Kim said she was ready for a stong drink when she arrived!!) hehe
Christy got sick at the beach =( She spent all day Wednesday and most of Thursday in bed. She is still not OK. Went to the Dr yesterday and we hope and pray for good health very soon!
I lost my glasses! My Modern Eyes glasses! The ones with the bifocals that I wear with my contacts. We looked EVERYWHERE for them. I think they are probably lying on the beach in DE. How could I have been so careless.....I now am wearing an old pair of readers to read. Hate it......

In spite of it all, we had a wonderful time. I do love my kids so much, the people they have chosen for their life partners and the grandchildren they have blessed us with! I am greatly blessed!

Just a note to those who are wondering what Pudding Pizza is. I will post the recipe soon. And I will let you all know how the wedding dress hunt is going. Maybe I will post a picture, but you will not see THE ONE till the day she says 'I DO'!

The weather in PA is wonderful. We had rain while we were gone, in fact a lot of rain the day we came home too. Everything is so green again!

Andrew started HS football practice yesterday and his picture was on the front page of the newspaper today! You go, Andrew! Can't wait to see you play =) ..... even though this Nana doesn't understand the game! At all!

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Beach Vacation - Part 2

2011-08-15T09:11:00.001-04:00

We had fun!

Fun at the House

Saturday evening, the day we arrived....

the guys brought out the love seat from the living room

to give us more seating.

Scott decided to sit on it too

between Lynn and Andrew!

A little crowded, you think??

Now you're in trouble, Scott!

Gina and Joe get a good laugh from their antics!

Christy and Kim relaxing.

Fun at the Beach

Beach Babe Zoe...

she loves the sand!

Zoe has some fun with Mommy

Dads and children build in the sand together.

Corey, Aidan, Scott, Paityn

Gina and Joe relax in their nice chairs!

Dale goes out to jump some waves.

Ellen watches.

The water felt cold at first but it didn't take long for it to feel so good!

We had some 95 degree days......

being by or in the water was great!

Fun at the Boardwalk

Tuesday evening activity was the boardwalk at Ocean City, MD

Sand Sculpture

They were so neat.

Of course, we had ice cream!

Marcy and Scott

Greta and Lynn

Aidan and Paityn loved this ride!

They laughed every time it whipped them around the curves!

Zoe hams it up with Pop Pop =)

Andrew poses with the pirate.

He was trying to get Aidan to pose with him

but Aidan was not having any part of it!

One more picture before we head back to the house!

The washing and folding and putting things away continues! Later today I will be going with Greta to David's Bridal to begin the wedding dress search. Ah, sweet .....but a bit of a heart pull for this Mom too.

Have a wonderful Monday!