Tonight at sundown marks the first night of the Jewish holiday, Rosh Hashonah.
It is a time of personal reflection and new beginnings. The holiday starts tonight and culminates in 10 days on Yom Kippur and "...is a solemn day, a time of self-examination, when we reflect on our past mistakes and deeply regret our offenses against God and the hurts that we have caused others."
To any of my Jewish readers, I wish you a healthy and sweet New Year.
Peace and love,
Grammie
Celia...
If you were a potato, I'd peel ya...
If you were a fish, I would reel ya...
If I were a doctor, I'd heal ya...
If you were Jello, I'd congeal ya...
If you were a law suit, I'd appeal ya.....
If you were a push cart, I'd wheel ya...
If you were a letter, I'd seal ya...
If you were missing, I'd reveal ya...
If you were a cotton ball, I'd feel ya...
If you were a bag of money, I'd steal ya...
If you were a lid, I'd seal ya...
If you were a law, I'd repeal ya...
If you were a card player, I'd deal ya...
If you were knees, I'd kneel (with) ya...
If you were a pig, I'd squeal ya....
If you were hiding, I'd conceal ya....
Celia.
I had to laugh yesterday as Mom told me that they had Italian Night at "the home" and the servers were wearing French berets and Greek salad was on the menu. Sounds more like a night at the UN...
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The "TV Ears" are still working great on night number two. These will be especially helpful as we are now heading into football season! Dave cannot get enough of all of the games that are beginning to take up the airwaves these days... rah rah.
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The weather is so perfect this time of year....while the afternoons are still quite toasty, the mornings are just delightful. Perfect morning walking weather! I love it.
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Jeffrey and Janet put together the most incredible book for my birthday. It is filled with pictures and words from family and friends. The friendships cover people from my past as well as now. When I first went through it up in Maryland, it brought tears to my eyes as I reminisced. It is the sort of thing that I will treasure forever.
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Every once in a while I stop whatever I am doing and just smile as I realize that in such a short period of time I have become a Grammie to three beautiful children! How did I get so lucky?
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My pool is no longer "green" as I have poured "shock chemicals" into it since returning home. I think that Dave and I will put the cover on it soon and close it up until next Spring. It has certainly been an expensive challenge for me this Summer. Anyone want to buy a large in-the-ground swimming pool? Maybe I should put it on eBay?!?! ha.
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My friend Sharon has been reading a book on making good nutritional choices. She told me today that she is now eating Mounds bars after reading that dark chocolate is good for you...and she now picks Almond Joy bars because she found out that almonds are full of good nutrition! (She is trying to forget about the other ingredients in these two snacks....like coconut, sugar, fat, high fructose syrup, etc. etc.) Sounds like a good diet to me! : )
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After anticipating the "Great Presidential Debate" last night, I have to admit that I was let down...and, after a while, even found myself doing some other things as I was watching it. I get so tired of the political "babble" and seemingly empty promises that are made. I wanted to be uplifted...but, this did not occur. Disappointing.
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The financial situation happening right now is frightening. I know that everyone is being affected on one level or another. I feel like I am hanging on for dear life at times as things around me continue to rise in price. Nothing is unaffected...and that trickling down is what is so disconcerting. I guess that I am hoping for a miracle as I tighten my belt a little.
*************************************************************Well, things in Minnesota are getting back to some sort of "normalcy" as Jenny has returned to work, Adam is finished with his paternity leave, Owen is still in his daycare....and, little Audrey has just started her daycare experience at General Mills. With all of this, Jenny continues to pursue her post-grad degree as she gets back into taking classes this Fall. Hats off to all of them for making these changes without much fuss.
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While Dave is out playing golf today, I am planning to go to a movie with a couple of the girlies. We are going to see the chick flick, "The Women". I will write a "review" later. In the meantime, I am going to head out for my walk...and then scour the house for some candy to take to the movies with me! Maybe Sharon will bring some of those "nutritional" candy bars with her. Mmmmm.
: )
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Have a good day!
xoxo
While in Costco yesterday, I accidentally came upon this little gadget....and, it has changed things unbelievably!
(Do I sound like a commercial?!!!?)
Dave hooked it all up last night...and, this little wireless device allows him to watch tv to his heart's content...as loudly as he would like it....on any channel that he would like....and, I CAN'T HEAR A THING!
It's nothing short of a miracle....
ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
: )
I'm home.
More to come after I finish unpacking....etc. etc. I feel as though I have been away forever.
...missing sweet Celia and her mommy and daddy already.... : (
Looking forward to doing a lot of catching up now that I am back. : )
xoxo
Grammie
I will hold you a little more closely as I breathe in that wonderful "new baby smell" that you wear so well.
I will look into your eyes a little more intently with the hope that you will somehow remember me until we are together again.
I will prolong the times that I am able to give you a bottle so that I can remember how warm and cuddly you feel in my arms.
I will enjoy watching you attempt to hold that little head up with the strength of a child much older than your 13 days on this earth.
I will continue to soothe you with my songs sung gently into your tiny ears when we are alone.
I will listen closely to the wonderful little sounds that you make so that I can replay them in my head when I am back home.
I will watch with joy as you kick those tiny little legs and swing your long arms...as I try to memorize all of your "moves" to play back in my mind when I need a smile.
All of this is important today because tomorrow I will be heading back home to Birmingham.
This is always the hard, but necessary, part for a Grammie who lives far away.
I have to leave you until the next time...but, lucky for me, I will be carrying so much of you with me as I go.
You are a precious baby who lucked into having incredibly loving parents staying behind to care for you.
But, with all that being said, I will miss you terribly...it has been a great week...thank you for filling me with such joy and letting me fall deeply in love with you.
Be a good girl.
Love and kisses,
Your Grammie
I perused this book by Dr. Karp and really liked what he had to say. He gives suggestions on how to calm your crying baby and help them sleep longer.
One of the keys is "swaddling" your baby.
Now, this is a relatively new concept to me in that "in my day" (Oh Lord, did I just say that?) we put our baby to sleep on their tummy and then placed a little blanket over them.
Today's moms are taught to tightly (and I mean tightly!) wrap up their baby in the blanket so that their arms and legs are restrained. This keeps them from flailing about and disrupting their sleep.
I am a believer in that I see how it totally calms Celia to be wrapped up in this way. It allows her to peacefully sleep for long periods of time.
Now, truth be told, it does get some getting used to in that she looks a bit like a baby burrito!
But, it made me think that we adults could learn something from this. Maybe we could get swaddled before going to sleep at night.
Sounds good to me...what do you think?
: )
Jeffrey was holding little Celia in a position that she seemed to like....we were sipping some red wine...enjoying the delightfully cool air...and just talking.
It was so nice.
While I would usually have a tv going while home in Bham....I haven't watched a minute of tv while here. Instead, when not with Celia, I have been enjoying reading a book that I received for my birthday.
I am totally enjoying the peaceful, quiet time.
I want to remember this feeling when I go home next week.
*sigh*
...another beautiful birthday gift for an already overwhelmed and joyfully blessed Grammie...
I have so many stories to tell...and pictures to show....however, for right now I am doing laundry and repacking as I am heading out to D.C. first thing in the morning....to meet my newest granddaughter....Celia. : )
Much more to come....
xoxo
....I can finally face the fact....
...that today I am (gulp).....
.....60!
and....
...if all of this joy is what 60 feels like....
..I am in for quite a ride!!!!
Sending love and hugs to all of my blogging friends today,
your older, but wiser (?)....Grammie
So, as we arrived at the Flying Biscuit restaurant I sat down and began to look over the menu.
I noticed a girl walking by outside that looked a lot like Jenny. I thought to myself that the resemblance was uncanny.
I looked up again and saw that she was holding a little boys hand....a little boy that looked like my sweet Owen!
Behind them were Adam and Audrey...
I SCREAMED at the top of my lungs as I realized that this was my surprise! (My apologies to the other patrons in the restaurant!)
My son and his family had flown down from Minnesota to Atlanta to celebrate my 60th birthday weekend with me.
I can't think of better present than this wonderful surprise...
: )
P.S. The only thing "missing" was my other son, his wife, and my brand new granddaughter, Celia....I can't wait to be with them in 4 days when I fly up for a week!!!! : )
I'm off to Atlanta for more celebrating with the family....but wanted to send off some photos of my newest granddaughter!
The "whirlwind" continues for me.....but, I will try and post when possible.
xoxo Grammie
My new granddaughter weighed in at 6 lbs. 6 oz. and entered the world around 7 pm (Eastern time) today.
I am heading up there first thing Tuesday morning for a week....after spending the next few days with my mom and sisters for my birthday!
Whew!
xoxo
Smiling Grammie
I needed to run the kiln so I hurriedly got a little more painting done on my pottery. I have a large commission job that needs to be finished soon....and, with all of my travels, celebrations, etc. there hasn't been a lot of time to work.
The car hadn't been cleaned for a while....so I went to one of those drive through cleaners aptly named "Goo Goo Car Wash"....named after a baby, I presume. : )
As I got the tires on the track and was prompted to stop...I sat back and got ready to go through the machine. Slowly, I went through as the huge rubber pieces began to slap the car. I didn't see any water or soap being sprayed..but, figured that was to come.
The ride continued...still nothing liquid was being placed on my car while various and sundry items were flapping against it. At the end of the "ride" hot, dry air was being forced upon my already dry car. What???!?!?!
As I pulled around I was told that something had malfunctioned and to take the car around for a second time.
As I went through the second time things seemed to be working okay except for the drying part. The force of the drier made me feel as though my front window was going to be blown out. My windshield wipers were being moved around by the strong, hot wind on the car. Frightening.
Finally finished, I began to vacuum my car. When the car was shiny and clean inside and out...I headed out to some more of my errands.
I couldn't believe my eyes....the beautiful, sunny day suddenly darkened and....
..... it began to rain!
Moving on...Karen and Mom were delayed for two hours but finally arrived here late last night...tired, and a bit weary from their day of traveling...but happy to be here. Now, the birthday celebrations can begin.*****
However, when I awoke this morning and went down to open the kiln...I found that one of my pottery pieces had blown up and will have to be redone! aagh.
Luckily, today is a new day.
********I JUST GOT A PHONE CALL FROM JEFFREY. JANET IS IN LABOR AND IN THE HOSPITAL AS I WRITE THIS. STAY TUNED....I may have another grandbaby before the day is out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My friend, Carol, (pictured with me above) was the hostess to a beautiful birthday luncheon yesterday afternoon. It was so lovely and delicious and I am still smiling from all of the fun that we had. Two of the "elder mamas" were amongst the friends that were there....special women who have been a big part of my life...and they made it all even more fun! I guess that one of the perks of getting older is that you and your friend's mothers can spend time together as friends.
The laughing never stopped....the food was scrumptious....and,
I am one lucky and blessed woman. : )
Shrimp cocktail, grilled lobster tail with warm butter to dip it into, fresh spinach a la Dave, potato with bread crumbs and parmesan cheese....a tomato stuffed with sauteed onion and feta cheese with a touch of honey...and, of course, a great bottle of red wine...Ahh....Chef Dave strikes again as he prepared this incredible birthday dinner for me last night.
It was delicious...and, filling, as we toasted my turning the ripe old age of 60...carefully savoring each and every bite.
I finally had to stop when I was totally stuffed, but happy.
Tomorrow, my mom and one sister arrive until Thursday morning when we head to Atlanta to meet up with my other two sisters....and, (yep) get ready for more celebrating.
: )
Yes. We bought Owen a Little Tikes Kitchen for his birthday....much to the chagrin of his Poppie, Grandpa and Papa Dave.
Well, to say that he loved it would be an understatement.
He is having the best time "cooking" on the little stove....as well as the bar-b-que grill on the backside of the kitchen. (I think the fact that there was a grill was a bit of a relief to the men. (Men!)
It is really a great little kitchen and, of course, we fully stocked it with pots, pans and 101 plastic foods! It was a multi-cultural assortment...including sushi and tacos!
Of course we had to teach Owen about "pretend eating" which he seemed to understand once he tried one of the vegetables and found out that it was quite rubbery and not very tasty.
Watching him in the little kitchen...all I could think about was a future on the Cooking Channel.
My Owen, Chef Extraordinaire!
Watch out, Emeril!
BAM!
