HAPPY

NEW

YEAR !!!!!

Counting my many blessings as we say good-bye to 2009...

XOXO,

Grammie

Fascination

During my stay in Princeton, Judy (the other grandma) and I took Celia to the local library. It was filled with wondrous things....including this huge fish tank that Celia was enjoying.

Ah, to see the world through a child's eyes....

Surrounded by grandmas!!! : )

Leaving my mark....

Whenever I can, I give out Alabama shirts to my family members....here's Celia wearing one that was a wee bit too large....as, it was meant for her grandpa!

...and, before I left town, I left a heart in the beautiful snow...

: )

...and, so the trip continues....

Once we were settled in Princeton, I happily anticipated the arrival (from NY) of my sister's son, Evan, and his girlfriend, Kate!

Little did I know that walking in the door would also be.....

My sister, Karen!

What a great surprise!!!! She had taken the train in from Skaneateles, NY, to spend a few hours with us all.

I can't think of a better way to spend the evening than for us all to be together!

Our host kept the wine flowing, the dinner was wonderful...and the laughter filled the night!

(to be continued...)

An interesting trip begins with snow....

(a shot of the snow in D.C. when I arrived)

Cancelled flights...record breaking snowfall...my December trip up north began.

First stop...Baltimore where I was picked up by my son, Jeffrey. We headed back to D.C. and picked up Janet and granddaughter, Celia and headed to Princeton, NJ. We were a bit concerned about the roads....but, made it there safely several hours later. Unlike Birmingham, where a dusting of snow causes the city to go into panic mode, the cities up north are much better prepared for these events!

Once we settled inside to the warmth of Janet's parent's lovely home, we sat and watched Celia joyfully playing with some of her new Chanukah toys...including this wonderful "tunnel" that brought out some of the best giggles that I have ever heard...

Home Sweet Home

Still unpacking from my nine days away....more tomorrow!

xoxo

"Historical, record-breaking, winter wallop"

These are some of the words being used by the media to describe the huge snowstorm that is occurring along the Eastern coastline....including my planned destinations: Baltimore, Washington, D.C. Princeton, NJ...and, eventually, Wilmington, Delaware.

Even though I changed my ticket from today to early tomorrow morning, I am now getting a little concerned that I may not even be able to get there then...? One by one flights are being cancelled.....I am glued to my tv as I watch the weathermen continually counting the mounting inches of falling snow and predicting more to come.

The little girl in me is wishing that I could be there playing in the beautiful snow....making snowmen and snow angels, etc.

But, the adult in me is so disappointed that I am having to sit and wait this thing out in hopes of eventually making my way there.

So, , in the meantime, I am just going to have to go downstairs, make myself a nice, warm cup of hot cocoa... fill it with tons of miniature marshmallows and continue to optimistically finish my packing......

Did you hear about the wintry blast heading up the East coast?

...Well, it is the reason that I have cancelled my flight to Baltimore tomorrow morning and have rescheduled for Sunday morning. Hopefully, the winter storm will have moved on by then! The latest word is that the Baltimore/DC area may get from 10-20 inches of snow!! Wow...incredible.

And, to think that I always wish for snow when I travel up north....

*sigh*

Another day, another tissue

It's times like this that one wishes they had had the foresight to invest in Kleenex stock....as, this lingering head cold continues to, er, linger.

I am flying out of here this coming Saturday as I head north for some family visits...so, I am giving this "thing" exactly 5 days to get out of my system! (please....?)

Unfortunately, I guess that misery does love company as both my Mom and my sister, Marsha, both have this same thing that I have. My sister was hysterical yesterday as she told me that all she has wanted to eat were noodles! noodles! and more noodles! She said that she will eat any kind as long as it gets soft in water. She thought that her lack of eating would have helped her lose a little weight....but, found out that the noodles have, instead, caused her to gain weight this last week or so. I totally feel her pain.

I did go to the store today to purchase some of those special tissues that have the lotion right in them. Supposedly, this will soothe the redness around the nose....and, believe me, my red nose definitely needs some soothing.

Rudolph has nothing on me...

"Chrismakah"

Tonight is the second night of Chanukah. The menorah with it's three candles lit is shown here next to the little Christmas tree that I set up for Dave.

The two holidays coexist in my home very peacefully. I will be making some potato latkes (pancakes) during the Chanukah holiday this week.....and will be feasting on ham at Dave's family's Christmas dinner next week in Delaware.

We respect each other's holidays and traditions....now, why can't the rest of the world do the same?

Peace, everyone. : )

...just when you think it is safe to put the cough syrup away.....

I had a total coughing fit last night. You know the kind...where you can't seem to stop and you feel like you aren't going to live through it (a little drama added here for effect).

I took my heavy duty cough medicine and went to bed...only to awaken around 2 a.m. coughing again. So much for heavy duty!

While lying there awake I began to think of the benefits of coughing like this. I had noticed how sore my stomach muscles were after coughing and began to think about a new exercise video........."Want to tighten up those stomach muscles?...try 'Coughing for Abs!'. "

Think that it would sell???? : O

Chicken noodle soup for the "yucks"

After picking up my prescription yesterday, I purchased ingredients to make a big pot of chicken soup. It is such a comfort food when one feels like they just can't blow their nose one more time! : )

Here's how I make it: One whole chicken, chicken broth and water, carrots, celery, garlic cloves, fresh parsley, a whole yellow onion cut up, scallions, pepper and a pinch of clove. (noodles optional...but, if you ask me...the more the merrier!)

Fill large pot with enough liquid to cover the chicken, etc. Bring to a boil. Cover and let simmer until the chicken meat comes away from the bone and the veggies are tender.

Sip slowly...and, savor! : )

Meds for the "yuck"

...back from the doctor with meds in hand. My diagnosis was right on...bad head cold/sinus infection yada yada. (And, to think that it is the doctors who get paid the big bucks!?!)

Basically, I am lethargic, achy, sneezing my head (you can insert a more interesting body part here) off, coughing and feeling pretty poorly.

Anyone care to join me in a little "pity party"?

AH-chooooo. : (

Yuck.

I try not to complain too much...but, I seem to have an unbelievable head cold or sinus infection, or just plain yuckies.

It may have started with Dave...or, maybe he picked it up from Celia, who may have gotten it at her daycare...or...? Who knows? Not that it matters where the germ originated...but, it's always fun to blame someone or something, right? : )

Keeping tissues close at hand, as well as lots of cough syrup and hot tea, I have been feeling pretty miserable these last few days. My head hurts all over...even my teeth hurt! You know what I mean?!

Luckily, I have a doctor's appointment this morning, so maybe she can shed some light on the situation and help me get rid of the yucks.

I hope so.

I'm ready for it to leave... : o

An ordinary day...?

"If we only knew the real value of a day." ~Joseph Farrell

It started out like any other day...breakfast, my morning walk, a few phone calls, a little paper work, etc. etc.

However, on my calendar for the afternoon was a 12-5 obligation at the gallery where I am showing some of my pottery. As part of the co-op, each artist promises to put in one day working at the gallery...and, today was my turn.

In all honesty, I was begrudgingly seeing it as "something to get over with" when I arrived there at noon today. I prepared myself for a lot of sitting around as I packed up some reading as well as some snacks to "graze" on as the day went by.

Little did I know what interesting people I was about to meet...and the life stories that I was about to share. One young woman that I conversed with was a dynamic soul who wrote poetry. She seemed to have a delightful zest for life. I couldn't help but notice her bright blue eyes and big smile as she spoke to me. I had commented on the little black hat that she was wearing and she immediately told me of its story. It seems that she and her grandfather (no longer living) had shared many of the same traits in life and this seemed to please her tremendously. He sounded like an interesting and multi-faceted man and this little hat of his had become a recently acquired treasure for her.

Another conversation began with an incredibly talented artist who was there helping me "man" the store today. Energetic and charismatic, he is one of those personable people who you instantly feel as if you have known all of your life.

As the day wore on we began to share bits and pieces of our lives....most especially, our divorces. Like me, he, too, had been a part of a long term marriage that had ended about a year and a half ago. We compared "battle scars" and gave our own insights as to what had led to the demise of our unions.

As we talked about "life after divorce" I realized the similarities in people who have gone through this painful experience. The words flowed as we discussed how we were each affected by and how we were handling moving ahead. I felt like I was learning quite a bit from him as I listened to his honest and open emotions. We laughed about the "dating process" after a "later-in-life" divorce...and, I told him about having Dave in my life now.

Since I am rounding the bend on the 8th year of my divorce, my wounds have pretty much healed now. I let him know some of my philosophy of letting go of my past hurts and moving forward with a new friendship with my ex. While not an easy task at first, this decision has enriched my life and made things so much easier for both of my children. I assured him that time and patience are the most important aspect in the process of this journey of healing.

Suddenly I realized that it was 5 o'clock and my "shift" was officially over. Deep in conversation, the time had flown by...

As I gathered my belonging together, we hugged good-bye and I left with a smile on my face.

This ordinary day had turned out to be very special...and, in the process I had made a brand new friend. : )

My Celia and the big world outside Grammie's door....

"There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child.

There are seven million."

Walt Streightiff

Sitting here this morning listening to the thump, thump, thump........

....of my washing machine as it jumps all over the place while on the spin cycle....probably because I filled it too much as I continue to wash all of the many sheets and towels from the Thanksgiving weekend!

But, I find that it doesn't concern me as I am still in my "love filled daze" from spending time with family...

There is nothing like it...and, having grandchildren now adds even more to the mix.

I think that I will just stay in this happy la la land for a while.

Maybe the washing machine will find a way to "balance" itself... : )

...somehow this disappeared from yesterday's post...so, here it is again! : )