My Dictionary Word of the Day

The definition of this 14 letter (!!!) word made me laugh today! Who comes up with these words anyway???? : )

Word of the Day for Wednesday, July 30, 2008

sesquipedalian \ses-kwuh-puh-DAYL-yuhn\, adjective:

1. Given to or characterized by the use of long words.

2. Long and ponderous; having many syllables.

3. A long word.

BIG NEWS!

Sitting downstairs in my dungeon (studio) and working on my pottery yesterday, I received a phone call from my daughter-in-law, Jenny.

"Hi Mom!" she said, "Did you talk to Adam last night?!?!?!"

Initially, I couldn't tell if her voice was concerned or excited. She is always pretty enthusiastic...but this time I was a bit puzzled.

"No, what's up?" I asked starting to worry a bit. (I'm a grandmother, ya know....worrying comes with the territory!)

"He tried to call you....didn't he ever get you?" she asked again....causing my angst to rise even more.

"Nope, no calls, no messages....what's up?" I asked again.

"He didn't tell you about Owen? Such excitement over here!"she exclaimed.

OK. Now at this point I am quite ready to hear this "big, exciting news"...

Finally, the news comes.

"Owen pooped in the potty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" she announced.

I couldn't help but laugh a little at this earth-shattering achievement of my first grandson....

She then went on to tell me about how it all came about...and, how she and Adam clapped and sang and hugged Owen with joy at this newest milestone. (I can only imagine!)

They made him a little certificate to mark the day of his first official "poop in the potty"!.

Now that is something that he will save to put up in his dorm room some day, don't ya think?

It makes a Grammie proud.

: ]

If you can....take a moment out of your day to view this....

"Joy is the most infallible sign of the Presence of God." Teilhard De Chardin

This video that was forwarded to me shows pure, simple joy... Enjoy! (Make sure to keep watching it until the whole family comes out!) http://www.maniacworld.com/twin-baby-moose-in-sprinkler.html

A step back in time....

After Dave and I did a little clearing out of my shed yesterday, we were both feeling the effects of the heat and humidity.

I decided to cool off in my rarely used pool.

I put on my exercise belt and got in.

Because of my recent embarrassing injury (walking into a sign!!!), I am trying to take it easy on my joints by doing some of my exercising in the water.

So, I found myself rapidly moving my arms and legs as I moved through the cool water trying to get some aerobic benefits from all of this.

It felt nice as I did several laps back and forth, trying to use a variety of muscles each time. The nice thing about the "belt" is that it keeps your head above water at all times and just allows you to move the rest of your body. I am a pretty good swimmer, but I prefer this to just getting in and swimming laps.

As I got out of the pool, I decided to relax and dry off for a while. Stretched out on one of my lounge chairs, I closed my eyes and began to remember so many "pool times" of the past....

I could see my two little boys having so much fun playing in the pool with friends...yelling out "Marco--- Polo"...tossing a beach ball......seeing who could make the biggest cannonball splash....or the nicest dive. We used to "judge" their dives by giving them a number as to how well they did....just like the Olympics! They would love going down the sliding board...squealing with delight as it emptied them into the deep end of the pool with a big splash.

Baseball team parties were held here occasionally...as well as an "end of the school year" get- togethers.

We hosted many, many Fourth of July parties right here around my pool...friends would come over with their kids....everyone would bring a different dish for our delicious potluck supper...as we celebrated the holiday together. I still have a variety of red, white and blue tablecloths and decorations left over from those parties...as well as some great memories...

It is much quieter around the pool these days...and, it really doesn't get used that much. Occasionally, my neighbor will bring his grandkids over for a swim...but, even they have gotten so grown up now that swimming with grandpa isn't quite as exciting as it used to be...

As I opened my eyes and looked over at the pool through my reminiscing, I smiled thinking about some of the future possibilities that lie ahead. I thought about having my grandkids coming to visit Grammie in the warm, summer months... and bringing some life back to my little backyard pool....

: )

My Own Words....

I found this great site called Wordle . I listed words that I find important in my life and here is what it created and designed. You can also put in your blog url and it will pull words from your posts and create a word page. It allows you to change the colors, format and fonts to make it your own original design. Other people's word designs can be viewed.

Great, addictive fun.

What would your words be?

ahhhhhhhhh

"Skype" Heaven

When your children live out of town you have several options for keeping in touch.

One is to do a lot of flying and visit whenever you can.

Another would be to move closer to where they live.

Lots of phone calls and emails help bridge the gap!

Sending photos through the Internet is always wonderful!

But, one of the best substitutes for actually being there is using a webcam and visiting on Skype. Skype is a free online service that allows you to converse and view each other via the computer with the help of your webcams.

When Owen was first born, it afforded me a way to see him in real time...and, that was great. Now that Audrey is on the scene...I can view her in mommy and daddy's arms...wonderful!

But, the greatest thrill lately is when Owen sits in the chair at the computer and visits with me via Skype. His attention span is getting better and better the older that he gets...even though he still spends a lot of the time tapping on the keyboard or moving the webcam around!

Today was one of those very special days where I really got to visit with him...and, it was heavenly.

He loves when his Grammie blows bubbles with bubble gum...so, that has become a "given" during our online visits. (I hope that he eventually outgrows this so that I can be known for something a little more dignified!)

But, anyway, we both counted our toes and fingers today. There is nothing more mature than Grammie putting her feet up to the webcam and flashing her toes to the camera!

Then we both got out our whistles and did a little whistle duet for a bit.

An extra treat was when Jenny finished feeding Audrey and she brought her in for a quick look. Oh, how she has grown already....so cute!

But, the best part of my whole Skype visit today was at the end. As we were saying our good-byes....without any prompting....my sweet Owen leaned forward and began to hug the computer!!!!!!

Be still my heart.

: )

Friday fragments....

Ah, Friday is here.... and I am appreciating that I don't need to be sitting outside in the oppressive heat at my garage sale like I was a week ago. I must admit that I prefer the cool air-conditioning over the heat and humidity...doesn't everyone living in the deep South in the summertime?

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Today also marks what would have been my parent's 66th Anniversary...which would have been an incredibly happy day had it not been for my Dad's passing this March. It still feels so strange. I know that Mom is especially feeling the sadness today. We spoke this morning and she was talking about the big 65th celebration last year when the whole family gathered around to honor their special day. Oh, to be able to step back in time...

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Right now, I am proud of myself and my self-restraint...I didn't eat a single M & M all day yesterday. (Yes, I still have the bag in my house and, no, I still haven't thrown them away yet. See previous blog titled M & M Wars). I just can't bring myself to do it!

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For the first time ever I made Risotto last night for me and Dave. It was amazing how long it took for that rice to absorb 46 ounces of liquid before becoming this delicious, creamy dish. I added onions, parmesan cheese and fresh sauteed mushrooms to it and it was yummy! Highly caloric, but scrumptious, nonetheless. (no pictures because it pretty much looked like porridge---it tasted better than it looked!)

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My knees and elbows are still sore from my scatterbrained and embarrassing accidental fall last week when I crashed into a standing sign on a walkway. I am taking Advil and icing my knee every day...but, I guess that older bodies just take a bit longer to heal. *groan*

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I spoke to Jenny yesterday and she said that Audrey is growing by leaps and bounds. I can't wait to see some new pictures! At her age, the changes occur daily! She said that Owen has been in a real hugging mode lately...what a sweetheart! Oh, how I miss them all.

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Talking about missing, I am anxious to speak with Janet and Jeffrey this weekend and see how things are going with them. Their baby is just about 7-8 weeks (or so) away! The last time we talked, they were having an issue in that there was some lead in the old paint on their door....which they are planning to remove and/or repaint. Because their new home is older, they had all of the paint tested for lead. The kids are much smarter environmentally than we were 30+ years ago. They know so much more about the possible health hazards surrounding them. If it means that my grandchildren will grow up in a safer environment and lead healthier lives...I am totally for it and applaud their being cautious.

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Well, I'm off to my studio downstairs to get my hands in some clay and get to work! xoxo

I couldn't resist...

...taking a picture of this birthday card before sending it out today.

I think that it says it all, don't you think????

Have a great day!

M & M Wars

OK. Here is my issue.

I adore chocolate....

Not the now "healthy" rich, dark chocolate loaded with anti-oxidants...but, the sweet, creamy milk chocolate kind.....full of sugary goodness and, dare I say, fat.

The kind found in M & Mmmmmmmmm's.

A couple of weeks ago I found myself craving a bit of chocolate...but, there wasn't any to be found in my house.

So, the next time that I was in Costco I purchased one of their MEGA-sized bags of M & M's so that this lack of chocolate would not occur again (Heaven forbid!).

I promised myself that I would limit my intake of these delicious chocolate morsels to 10 a day. After the first day I had already eaten two day's worth....so, I upped the limit to 20 a day.

Sounds reasonable, eh?

Well, temptation takes over when you have this humongous bag of sweets sitting in your pantry.

So, I found myself snacking on 20 in the morning...and then another 20 (or so) in the afternoon....and, maybe a few in the evening. : O

This was not a good situation for someone trying to cut back on sugar as well as not putting on any more weight. For me, the more sugar that I have.....the more that I want. It is definitely an addiction.

I found that I was talking to myself as I dug down deep into the bag of candy.

"OK" I admonished myself, "I will take a few M & M's now--- but, I will absolutely not take any more for the rest of the day!".

Ha!

That didn't work.

The old adage: "Out of sight, Out of mind" particularly pertains to me now.

The only way to win this war against eating too much sugar is to get rid of these tempting treats once and for all.

So, I have made the decision to get rid of the whole bag of M & M's....

........... tomorrow.

With age comes wisdom?

"What do we live for if not to make life less difficult for each other? George Eliot

As I approach the ripe old age of (gulp) 60 in September...I can't help but feel a bit of confidence from having lived through so many different life experiences.

You know what they say: "With age comes wisdom"!

Aack.

Nevertheless, at the garage sale this past weekend I had the opportunity to visit with an acquaintance from many, many years ago. It was great seeing her again and doing some catching up.

But, looking into her eyes as she told her story...I saw such sadness and fear.

She had been divorced for quite a few years now and the pain was still quite obvious in her face. As I listened to her words, I realized that she was "stuck" in the past and didn't seem to know how to move on.

There is something that connects women who have gone through a divorce. Only those of us who have experienced that type of loss can totally understand what it is like. Even though each situation is different, the basic emotions are similar...but, how the individuals handle "life after divorce" can be extremely varied.

All I could do was tell her some of my story and impart some of my "wisdom" (HA!) to her. Remembering back 6+ years ago after my divorce, I did recall how comforting it was to me to know that others had gone through this and survived. Some had not only survived but had moved on to a healthier, happier place.

I remember reading book after book back then...just devouring the pages filled with information that made me say: "Oh, I feel the very same way!".

Some I read several times until the words sunk in. Some made me well up with tears as I let some of my own pain out. I told her this as I began to put some of my "surviving divorce books" into her arms. She wanted to pay me for these garage sale items...but, I knew that these would be a gift from me and the 50 cents or a dollar that I might have made on them was nothing compared to the help that they might offer to her.

I talked to her about "getting back out there" when she was ready. She was very fearful of taking that first step and seemed to be hiding herself by staying busy with work and other excuses.

"Maybe I will do that someday when I lose this extra weight that I have put on." she said.

I told her that she was a beautiful person and that the right man would find that inner beauty when he got to know her. I encouraged her to take a chance...go online....talk to friends about her availability and interest....whatever it took.

I told her that finding companionship in our 50's was totally different than dating in our 20's (boy, is it!). By the time that we have all reached this age we have already become pretty set in our ways...and change becomes difficult at best...but that there is a comfortable calmness about having a more mature relationship at this point in our lives.

I also felt that she still had a lot of life left to live and to try and take those first "baby" steps as soon as possible...not to keep putting it off until??? I said that there is still so much happiness awaiting her and she so deserved a full and satisfying life.

I continued to encourage her as we laughed together about some of my early dating disasters...and I told her about having Dave's companionship and love in my life now.

After a while, we hugged good-bye...and, with her arms full of books...I watched her walk away.

I couldn't help but notice that she seemed to step a little livelier and stand a little straighter as she headed down the driveway...

...and, it made me smile.

No, no, not that one!

Adam "interviews" Owen and tries to find a song to sing to the "audience" (baby sister Audrey). It seems as though Owen's favorite words these days are "No, no, no"! : )

Yeah Baby, bubbles!

When Owen is older he will probably not love the fact that his Grammie put this in her blog....so, I will do it now while I can get away with it!

It's Over!

The garage sale is over.

yay

We were all so loopy by around 2 o'clock today that we were literally "giving" things away.

These things are exhausting...let me tell you.

I had such a sense of relief when the truck drove away filled with all of our things that did not sell. We were donating the remnants of our two day sale to a local charity...and, it made us feel so good.....not only to be sending our things off to be used by people who really needed things....but, because it signified the end of two l-o-n-g days of schmoozing and selling.

Garage sales can be so interesting....you find yourself talking with folks that you might never come across otherwise.

We met so many interesting people....there was the little girl with Down Syndrome who was trying on all of the adult shoes for sale ( we gave her several "little girl" items)...there was the Oriental family who had just finalized their adoption overseas of their beautiful son ( a cute stuffed animal went to him!)....there was an elderly woman who spoke of her beloved husband who had recently passed away...and, her grown son who was so sweet as he accompanied her to the sale....there were the bargain hunters who really "worked" us to get our prices down even lower....there was the elderly woman who purchased some items that she later told us were for the homeless people (we ended up donating several items to her)...there was the large group of firemen who came by the sale (hopefully, no one was needing their services at the time!)....there was the old acquaintance who had just gone through a divorce...I sent her home with several of my "getting through divorce" books for free.....there were the antique dealers who purchased many of our lower priced items and had plans to resell them at their booth at a local antique show (and probably make a fortune!)....and, finally, there were just good old plain ordinary folks who worked hard for a living and were trying to make the most of their paychecks....

It was quite an experience for us all.

Some of the garage sale girlies....Sharon, Carol, and me... : )

L-O-N-G Day

The garage sale weekend is half over.

Tomorrow starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m.

It was a pretty productive day today as we had a nice steady crowd for most of the day.

There is an interesting phenomena that occurs during these sales....you get so exhausted sitting out there in the heat all day...that when asked if you will take a lower price for an item....one absentmindedly says, "sure".

Then you realize that you just sold your $150 table for $15.

aack.

I found myself selling an old computer for $5....what was I thinking? It was a relic, but still.....

And, my friends weren't any better...almost giving away things. We even laughed that our prices were so low that we were almost paying people to take our items.

Oh well, I guess that people come to these things looking for bargains...and there were plenty of them today!

And, I do believe that I heard a few delighted 'snickers' as people walked away holding tight to their newly acquired treasures...

I think that I will raise some of my prices before the sale tomorrow.

Right....who am I kidding?

I'm just too much of a softy.

Guitar Duo

Exhausted.

The "grand" garage sale starts first thing tomorrow morning.

We have been hauling, gathering, pricing, and organizing non-stop all day long in the 90+ degree weather.

Luckily, I am not alone in this venture and had some girlfriends bring their stuff and help with the set up!

Unfortunately, there isn't a part of my body that isn't either bruised or cut right now. I was distracted the other day as I made my way down a walkway from the Mammography clinic to the parking lot and walked right into a large display sign that was sitting in the middle. Besides being terribly embarrassing, I have two bruised and sore knees and elbows and a generally achy body. Add to that this garage sale preparation.....and I can barely move tonight.

...too pooped to write any more....

I think that Dave was right when he said that we are getting too old to do these kinds of things...

Oh well, wish us luck.... : ]

...more tomorrow if I have the energy to use my fingers to type..... *groan*

"Why do I always do this?"

For those of you who know me well, this true story won't come as much of a surprise.

After a doctor's appointment yesterday, I headed to Costco to fill up my car with ga$.

I pulled up to the pump and got ready to insert my membership card into the slot...but, I couldn't seem to find my Costco card anywhere in my wallet.

In my frustration, I spotted a Costco employee nearby with is back to me.

"Sir, Sir!" I called out.

No reply.

"Sir, Sir!!" I again called out louder and with a little more force.

Again, no reply.

How could he not hear me? He was just a few feet away!

One last effort and the "gentleman" turned in my direction...ONLY....

"he" was a "SHE"!

So, I apologized and quickly changed to "m'am". (I am a Southerner ya know!)

I felt terrible about this mistaken gender identity....but, as I told her the problem, I somehow found my card stuck behind another credit card.

Issue resolved....BUT....

As I pulled away with my car now filled with ga$, I approached the Costco employee....rolled down my window AND....

...(here is what I always tend to do) still feeling so badly for mistaking her for a man (ok, she did have very short hair, broad shoulders and a touch of a moustache) I said, "I want you to know that you are a very attractive woman...and again I'm so sorry for my mistake. I couldn't help but notice the puzzled look on her face as I drove away.....

I tend to go overboard to make someone feel better instead of just leaving well enough alone....

"Why do I always do this?!!!!"

Aaaargh.....

Oh well, have a nice day and be careful who you call "Sir"!

Owen and Audrey's MOMMY's special day!!!!!

July 14, 2008.

My sweet Jenny turns 34 today!

Jenny, I know that you are crazily busy with all of your new responsibilities...but, I hope that you get a chance to read the blog today and receive all of my love and hugs on your special day!

You are the best...and, I love you dearly!

Happy, happy BIRTHDAY!

XOXO

Grammie

pre-haircut

The Haircut---------------A photo essay

While in Minnesota I was able to be there (with camera, of course) when Owen got a haircut.

So cute!

and, don't forget the giggles at the end!

Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis

I loved this comic strip from today's paper!

ENJOY!

Temporary Insanity?

Getting ready for a garage sale is multi-faceted.

Once you have committed to doing it, you are thrown into a whirlwind preparing for it.

Suddenly, everything has the potential of being sold...and, I mean everything.

Every time that I open a cabinet, drawer, or closet, my mind goes into garage sale mentality.

"I mean, do I really need this?" I query as I begin to see dollar signs everywhere.

Making the decision whether to hang on to an item for another 30 yrs.--- vs. putting it out there for the public to possibly purchase--- can be quite daunting.

"Well, you never know when this huge silver plated ornate champagne bucket will come in handy..." or "Maybe we will fondue again some day..."...and, "What about this key lime margarita kit?..that would make a tasty summer drink".

...and what if I decide to read through some of my old books like: "Eat Fat...Be Healthy" and "How to Date Like a Man"? These are some very important decisions!

My girlfriend, Sharon, who is doing this sale with me has really gone over the top. She can make anything fun...even a garage sale. She is finding "treasures" in her house as she scans for sellable items...things that she had forgotten about for years. She was so hyped up after going through her house yesterday that she had trouble sleeping last night.

She found herself feeling really crazy when she was in Pier One yesterday....looking at their bargain items and thinking to herself..."Hmmm, I could buy these $3 items and resell them at the garage sale for $4." yikes....

Then when we took a walk together this morning...we actually considered picking up an old, dirty rug that someone had thrown out for the garbage men to pick up.... and selling it at our sale....

But, we came to our senses (temporarily) and said "Nah.." as we walked on by....

...hysterically laughing!

Parents in Training

While I was in MN, parents-to-be Aunt Janet and Uncle Jeffrey came in for a weekend.

I loved watching them with Audrey and Owen.

Janet had a way to keep Audrey very calm and relaxed....especially when she draped her over her ever-growing pregnant belly! Who wouldn't like a nice, warm "lounger" like that?

And, Jeffrey became the favorite of little Owen...who kept uttering "Uncle Jeffrey, Uncle Jeffrey" over and over again.(Sure, the kid won't say "Grammie" much at all...but, he manages to enunciate "Uncle Jeffrey"!)

Jeffrey is such a gentle soul and children sense that in him. I sat and proudly watched as he played with him, read to him, talked to him, etc. etc.

Janet and Jeffrey have been reading all of the childcare books and I know that they are filled with knowledge when it comes to having their baby...

However, more importantly than knowing the facts about childbirth/care, I see such a calmness and confidence in the two of them that tells me that they will be wonderful parents to a very lucky baby.

I guess that we will all see soon....

...as their due date isn't that far away...

.... and September will be here before we know it !!!!!

Ahhhhh, another sweet baby to love...

: ) (Grammie smiling)

Stick drawings and memories....

"We live in the present, we dream of the future, but we learn eternal truths from the past." -Madame Chiang Kai-shek

It's garage sale time.

I am determined to clear out some of the old things around the house and in the attic. Things that are no longer of use to me...but, that can be a "treasure" to someone else.

It is a difficult venture, but a necessary one. Too much of my "space" is filled with "things" that I do not need anymore. I think that this exercise will be very freeing.

However, it has forced me to go through piles of old memories and this can get very emotional. I was a "saver" when my boys were growing up. If their name appeared anywhere, I kept it.

So, today, I went through stacks of old report cards, test scores, newspaper articles...and, other memorabilia from the past.

What I found was priceless...for example, seeing these old drawings by Jeffrey (top two) and Adam (bottom two) gave me the strangest feeling as I thought about the fact that they are grown men now....Adam a father of two....and, Jeffrey about to be a first time dad.

Their children will be making these same stick figures some day...and their parents will proudly save everything that they do...until they have grown up, moved out...and started families of their own.... Then, with tears in their eyes, they will box it all up .....mail it all out....and realize that the circle of life moves on so quickly....and they will wonder where the years went....

...just like I am doing today.