It's my birthday......just saying

Next year my mom is hosting a Medicare party for me

Birthdays...at my age... they are important...consider the alternative!
but the hoopla isn't as important as it was,say when I was  10
I like a phonecall....a card......flowers....
.wish my birthday were in summer
then I could really get some good stuff for the garden....but heck at my age
if I want it I usually buy it myself...Who knows better than me what calls to me at the market
or store?
So....dinner it is today ....with family.......or whoever shows up to sit next to me...
no birthday cake please...watching the blood sugar....
no gifts.....just a smile and a "glad you were born"loving hug
Thanks mom ...you did all the work
to make it happen

Oh...did I tell you my little brother, Tim was born on my birthday 12 years later?
I take my thank you back Mom....nasty trick :)

whose house is this?

 

This has been harder than I thought.

Socializing

I have spent time on the internet researching this topic

and I have found a lot of helpful info 

But to be honest.....it's a heap of work

We are working on getting them to be dependent on us for feeding

moving the bowl closer and closer each time with us sitting on the floor in front of the bowls

got past that hurdle....now

we have to get them to eat off of our finger..baby food...chicken

they love it

This morning I came down and I found my husband feeding three of them

out of the jar....

They  have escaped out of the study and are running around the house...they sound like wild horses..

but a good thing is .....noise and the other cats don't seem to frighten them

progress

 

Now the hardest step....touching them

So far I have touched two.....cornered them in the closet

I held them tight to me and talked to them

they calmed down and let me hold them....

no bursting heart rate...no hissing no biting or scratching

But boy were they happy to be let down

Hank the tank and Mr Grumbles are still to be touched and held

But boy...I needed this job like a hole in the head

The parents have forgiven me and are showing up twice a day to be fed and are using the heated house outside on the deck

....not the ideal life for  beautiful cats but it works for them

My Boo, Ms.Kitty O'Shea and Abigail seem to get along with them just fine

 

I think it is good for them to have adult cats to mentor them

I wish

 

 

 



a still house, a stirring heart

They have all left now

 

There are still dishes to wash

 

towels to be picked up

 

sheets to change

 

...toys and books to be put away

 

The silence of the house was closing in on me

in an odd way

So what did I do

I put on Josh Groban's Christmas CD

 

tears started to fall....good tears

 

How I love my family

 

and how much do I love them all together

 

a neat trick if you can do it

 

 

It is Finn's 5th birthday today

 

we are going to CHOO CHOO Johnny's

 

Where our meal is delivered by a little train

 

how fun is that?

 

Then off to Build a Bear...heh, that's what he wants

 

Then later they will be off to the Bulls game with Grandpa

 

Grandpa......I have hardly ever talked much about him

Let me tell you

I am married to the kindest, generous loving man on earth

 

He'd have to be ...to let me keep 7 new cats in the house....

 

they are all doing well

But the day is coming soon when I will have to let go of the precious kittens

all of whom I have let into my heart

....but we must love

and we sometimes must let go

 

Just like waving at the suv pulling away from my driveway

my grandchildren crying in the back seat and waving goodbye

 

Our hearts heal...but they never close..at least not mine

Life and love go on

as it should

But for today I will be a bit sad

the house so quiet now

 

 

 



and then there were 4



Early Thanksgiving morning, while it was still dark

while we were hurrying to leave the house to head to our home in Galena

I found a precious kitten had passed away during the night

I cried so hard

We called him Artful Dodger...Artie for short

Rest in peace little one....

life is so unfair

where we are born
to whom we are born
the worth of our birth
so random
But Little kitty, you were loved by me
and for this I can take comfort
 

 

v-i-c-t-o-r-y

 

 

 

 

You can't imagine how exhausted I am

 

dead tired

 

 

but I got him...the last hold out

who sob sob spent the frigid night outside all by himself

 

I would tell you about the comedy routine it was watching the last two

try and get the food out of the trap without going inside

ha!...don't they know the trap maker figured that one out

 

but it was pure giggles watching it

 

Finally the little gray one just had to go in....snap!

 

I got him right away...but that sent the big one I call

Joey white toes

sent him under the deck

 

...until this morning

when he finally came out from under the deck

and he too let his hunger get the best of him

 

and believe me...he wasn't the last one trapped for nothing

what a toughie....I really had my hands full with that little guy

and scratches to prove it

 

but all is calm for now

they're eating, sleeping playing

 

and watching tv

 

Mom and dad....Fiona and Ralphie

are safe downstairs recuperating

 

and now to get ready for daughter in law and the kids to arrive tonight

 

..I told you I'm exhausted

 

thanks for listening

I'm sorry I've bored you about my troubles

..because I know most people don't care for cats

....but maybe you care about me

so thanks



 

I got two

one last night....it cried all night for its mom

an eerie sad call

My husband, of all people went downstairs and held it for twenty minutes

holding it and comforting it....now he thinks he's the cat whisperer

Early this morning I put out another trap

and phew the kittens came flying out of the igloo on the deck..ha ha

they are smart ones afterall...there's a warm pad in there

I put the trap out and bam I got one right away

I have trapped the two small females....hmmm

I picked up Henry Ralph and Fiona this morning

they are resting in a large dog crate.....cost me big bucks here

Now there are 3 traps outside

it is cold but sunny...and when I got back from the clinic

the three remaining kittens were running up and down my horsechestnut tree

 

I tell you....this has been the hardest thing for me to do...trap an animal

I am a wreck

but I have succeeded thus far

rescuing two adult cats from continuous kittens and hunger, disease, and injury 

and kittens who were doomed to have maybe an even harder life

 

through no fault of their own....dumb people who value nothing

 

OH....I got another one
bye! !!!!

 

I got 2

 

5 to go....but 5 little ones

 

This is not pictures of them, only what they look like

they are in traps in my basement and garage

that are draped in heavy blankets to quiet them in darkness

The kittens are alone outside

I was hoping to get them first, but I am happy to have gotten anyone

I guess sardines is the trick

I transport them tomorrow at 6:30 am to a low cost feral clinic

for spaying and neutering

I bought a large dog crate to house them in while they recover

and I hope to get the kittens tomorrow

 

Oh and my mom's test came back fine

She's in better health than me

It was a welcome distraction today taking her for her test

She is sympathetic about the felines

My son...who just arrived from California

thinks his mom is nuts 

 

maybe I am

but I'm too far in to turn back

 

gin joint

cats...

 

I didn't seek this or want this

 

I didn't let my cat out or dump it unspayed



to have kittens

in someone else's garden

other people did this to these poor creatures

 

But of all the gin joints in the town they walked into mine

 

When I was 12 I used to see this little boy on my walk home

He always waited for me and walked alongside of me the length of his block

It got cold and he showed up with a too short coat with no buttons

and he didn't have a hat or gloves

it was so cold that I took him home

I shutter to think of what I did looking back

asking a small child to come home with me

But I did

and I took him in the house, made him some hot chocolate

while I found mittens and a hat for him

and went into my mother's button tin and found buttons

to sew on his coat

Then I walked him back home

and I don't think anyone missed him

but he was warm and happy

His name was Mikey

 

I have not changed

 

Wish me luck today....I am setting up the traps

what I'll do after that...I am not sure

I hope I get the kittens first

they still have a chance at a home

The other two....they are doomed to be feral cats

But I am taking on the task

they will be under my care

and I don't know how I'll handle all of this

but these are the least of these

and like with Mikey

I will

 

 

 

It's going to be 1 degree wind chill tonight

11 degrees actual temp

 

and I have 5 little fur balls under my deck

who the mom keeps moving back and forth between my deck and my neighbor's

Finally she brought them to eat....showed them the food bowl

and they haven't stopped eating

they love the warm chicken I provide

 

I went to the feral cat class to learn how to trap them

....these women have been in the biz a long time

they talk about the cats like they are nothing

..to me ...I have an emotional investment in their wellbeing right now

...yesterday the mom cat was on to me and hid the kittens

....and then both my daughters showed up with kids

and there went that...

I missed this morning's spay appointment

try again Tuesday the woman at the clinic said

 

what if I get a kitten first....which I would bring inside and try to get it used to people

so it can have a chance at getting a home with a family

not to live its life outside as a feral

 

I am certain the mom will hide them from me or disappear

 

only.....I have the warm chicken

 

Oh I have a stomach ache thinking about all this responsibility

and to make things worse....what do I do with mom after I take her in

with entire belly shaved...in this cold...oh dear...

and My family is coming in from California for Thanksgiving and we are going to galena

what will I do with a cat or kitten if I catch it?

I know you can't help me....but I just have to get it out

 

oh dear...would you believe I just looked out my patio door and there is another

cat looking in?

 

 

yep,those be kittens

  ?

 

 

good golly

why me?

I thought she just looked Prego... then not

 

She continued to come around 3 times a day ...ravenous

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

but no kittens

 

until yesterday

 

when I looked out and saw four

 

then later the black cat escorted a little orange one over

 

from my neighbors deck

 

so far 5 little felines

 

Oh dear and winter is just around the corner

 

I am now in contact with the local feral cat rescue

 

I don't like to do it but I have to save the babies

and then I will take on caring for the two adults

 

who will be neutered

 

such a thing...I have to pay for all of this

 

good thing I have a wonderful husband who cares about animals

and me and my heart

The little gray one with two white toes on his back feet and one white toe on his front paw

has stolen my heart.....

But I have order in my house

and bringing in another one would possibly cause chaos

Remember that all the cats I have..3...

are rescued

and I had 3 summers of finding kittens homes

you run out of kind friends

And remember my beloved Handsome who I took care of for 10 years

and Beautiful ...and so many other wayward felines and two dogs

 

My family is coming for Thanksgiving from California

and I have to help my mother take her driver's test and some medical tests

and my daughter is sick and could use my help with Walter

heavens to Betsy......

and I am leading my book club discussion on Labor Day by Joyce Maynard

on Friday

 

.....it's all about love

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

woohoo





!

 

well....

it isn't a kitty

but who knows what lurks just outside our doors

unless we put on the light and look out

we never know

 

This little guy was there with two raccoons

... the wounded one and another one just as big

the bigger one was on his hind legs swinging at the wounded one

I yelled out and opened the door

they all ran!!!

My husband said...are you crazy!

 

only the little skunk came back

and I turned off the light and went to bed

 

This morning, Bart and Hazel were waiting patiently for their breakfast

 

my, they are getting big....and no sign of any kittens

yet

 

 

 



 

 



 

Writing group tonight

We are supposed to be thinking about writing something on the topic of

embers and flames

..gosh I hate prompts

 

I threatened to write a haiku

...gasps heard around the room

 

Really and truly

I tried

 

but, they are getting a haiku

 

Flaming maples leaves

Room 9,Central Hospital

Winter comes, let go

 

..

 

I have been bummed out for a few days

overhearing something at the drugstore

not ready to write about it

 

....funny

last workshop it was suggested to us

to eavesdrop

catch a story

 

I caught one

 

a horrible shocking thing

that stays hooked

in me

 

how to make a story out of it

...all under 1000 words

 

The kitties are still coming

along with a big fat wounded raccoon

he sits by them like a bear

..oh...why me?

 

 

 

Little orange and black Glory showed up yesterday

minus belly

oh dear, dear, dear,

I wonder how many dears she had and where

 

She came late this morning, after her sibling, and ate hastily

but finished every bit

We were going to Galena this weekend...but oh my who will feed her..them?

I guess I will ask my mom to come late on Saturday and early on Sunday

a lot to ask of her...but I will



 

It is Fall already and they have just been born....by time cold weather comes

they will still be little...

I thought I was through with cat rescuing

three years in row I rescued mom cats and kittens

found homes for them.....

got the rascal cat, Handsome, to finally except his shelter and that I was friend not foe

how I still miss that guy and his garbage truck meow

 

I slow roasted a chicken yesterday and today I am making broth

out of the bones and vegetables left in the bin

smells good.....such a Fall thing to do...make soup

 

I am trying to go back on my low carb/high fat/moderate protein diet

sucks

but it works...and I need to control my blood sugar

but the boredom....but I guess I have made cooking and eating too much of a sacred act

I need to get back to my workouts and walking...though I hate walking

I would rather spend hours lifting weights than walk aimlessly

I have a heel spur acting up right now, so that may be coloring my thinking

 

Tonight we join the kids and the grandkids at The United Center

for a pre-season hockey game

GO HAWKS.....oh I how I love watching hockey games...who knew?

 

I did manage to write something for Thursday's writing group

 

but alas they did not like my opening...said I was telegraphing the murder

ohhhhhh.....that was the point...I wanted you to know that he had murdered his wife

and was now playing the suffering husband looking for his missing wife

Sometimes I think they read and stop to quickly...finish reading..it goes where you don't expect it to

But they were persistent...and they didn't understand what ley lines were

I suppose I may take that criticism ...to add a bit of info in there for those readers

who are not aware of ley lines.....an important element in this story

curses.....back to the keyboard

I may give them what they want...but they'll see

my way was better.....

...Now off to make the bed and wash the morning dishes and vacuum

pay the bills and avoid the writing as much as I can

 

 

 

The kitties still are coming around twice a day to be fed.



I will do my best to build them a feeding shelter

and a housing shelter

 

I wonder if they will use it? together?

 

they won't go near Handsome's shelter

 

oh well I will do my best.

 

 

Thanks to all you dear animal lovers, especially the cat lovers

 

for all your ideas and sympathy

 

 

Yesterday I spent the day with my two daughters and their babies

 

and of course, Finn

 

He cheats at chutes and ladders

 

but he cuddles good, especially if I scratch his back while watching

the Cat in the Hat

 

 

I'm back to my writing group

 

feels good to be doing something creative

 

My entire spring and summer was occupied with house stuff

 

finding new places to put things or getting rid of things...installing new floors and painting

 

I have too much stuff.......my husband is right...darn.

 

 

Fall is here and I am glad....went to Galena this past week

 

...more work there!  But boy when I hit that spot in the road where Illinois becomes

 

valleys and hills and magical blue skies....wow...

 

I went to meet a guy about a driveway......and a tree guy about planting more trees

 

maybe a Catalpa and a tulip...love those

 

Everything went well except for my cable ,internet, and phone being out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I was alone with my thoughts all evening and morning......a dangerous thing I tell you

 

I ate too much and spent more money in my mind on that old house then my husband could ever bare

 

but the cable guy came the next day....(.threatening to throw the darn equipment out the window

may have helped)

 

It was a quick trip to Galena..I had to return home.....meeting the gutter guy back there on Saturday

 

....and today I finally hung the drapes in the family room....which I would love to replace

but I dare not ....if I want to make it to year 44 of marriage and sorted through books and books and books...and loaded my car up with stuff for Goodwill.....so I guess I did get something done

 

Did I ever tell you about the swat team that was in front of my house this year

oh no?  I bring this up... it swirling through my mind trying to leap out an idea for the page.....

what with writing group tomorrow..and I don't want to work on anything I already have....but it doesn't work...I guess I'm stuck with the guy whose GPS leads him to dead end cornfield and a crop circle....sigh

 

And coming home last night from my daughter's

I spotted a squad car in front of me cutting its lights off as it turned left

hmmm....how I wanted to follow it....but it was late and I had been driving for an hour already

and the kitties would be waiting

...my morning glories...

so I took a pass

 

I guess I have rambled on too much...all in an attempt to get my writing juices flowing

but my keyboard is sticking horribly

so I'll just have mercy on you all and say Oh bother and  goodnight

 

 

 



Morning glories

 

Twice a day my morning glories show up

This morning they were actually sitting on my deck

getting-brave kitties

The black one listens to me talk

only a few yards away.....having run into the deep flowerbed when I approach the door

The tortoiseshell one is very afraid...fidgety

Would you believe they ate 4 cans of food!

 

The other night I looked out my door and saw two young skunks

pawing around my garden....cute they are....but please don't stay I said to myself

and last night I peered out the window and there was a possum

with a large belly that dragged along the grass

I called my husband to see it...oh he said...her pouch must be filled with little ones

oh dear.....

But on my mind is winter

what will I do about the cats?

 

 

I suppose you think that all I do is feed animals

 

one of those old ladies

 

Well......
 I help all in need who share the path of life with me

human and beast.....a fruit of faith I suppose

The garden morning glories are blooming their heads off

This year I bought blue ones in a pot then just cast a seed packet of purple ones into the garden

..'cause planting them never seemed to work..

and wulllllah!  they sprouted and I have them all over!

I once read an essay about ....a curmudgeonly pessimistic old man

 who got a seed packet in the mail as a promotional gimmick

Bah..he said

then shoved the packet into his coat pocket and took his daily walk

It was toward the end of autumn.
.He reached into his pocket for his lighter to light his pipe and felt the seed packet

He lifted the packet out and ripped it open

and emptied the seeds into his hand then flung them along the road

across from his house

of course they all took
poppies...red ones
across the road from his house
he smiled

That little essay stayed with me
and I often think of that man.....a man I knew.....
A man who had little regard for things
but he was given a gift that day
when he walked out of his house and remembered that he had planted them
sort of....planted them with no faith

ah...faith the size of a mustard seed...I remember that one too

That man died two years ago but his experience lives on in me

I have never had luck with poppies....
but the cast morning glory seeds
well....joy filled my being
 when they opened

We all have a wee bit of hope
that resides in us and some days
 we take a leap
reach out to the universe, we
trust
risk
and it happens

May you be given a gift today
joy





 

 

 



Hello

 

Here's a shot of my late summer garden, yes only one photo..from my picture file

 

Blogger simply won't let me publish photos from Picasa

 

and what's a garden blog...or any blog without photos?

 

I am 62...oops...63 years old, and slowing down

 

so this year I let live

 

...even abandoned weeding because of a nasty case of poison ivy

 

...even my landscaper got it....now how did that stuff get into my garden

 

horrors

 

The red twig dogwoods are puckering out too

 

...they may go this fall

 

The lilies...what can I say...they are divine creations of the Great Gardener

 

 faithful to grow
 and astound me when morning, afternoon and evening light passes through their delicate petals

 

I could just stare at them forever

As I would stare at sunflowers

forever

 

stare may not be the right word.....sit in worship of them

 

worship with a small w

 

and of course the marigolds.....I hear they are making a comeback

 

yippee.....I have always loved these warriors of the garden

 

lovely in pots......blooming until they freeze to death......

 

Medals of honor should be bestowed on there lifeless bodies after the first frost

 

Maybe I will make up a ceremony...

 

It has been a cooler than usual summer and a wet one at times

 

..ha...I am never happy it seems...can fault that dang weather anytime

 

But today....shucks..it was beautiful

 

Did I tell you...oh of course not...I haven't been blogging....

but have I told you that I am graced again with kitties at my deck

 

two...one black and its mate or sibling is orange and black

 

oh dear......what am I going to do if they have kittens under my deck?

 

there is a no vacancy sign on my door

 

But my heart simply breaks when I think about Handsome...my dear, dear, feral  cat

 Who the last time I saw him....over a year ago I think

was so sick.....so very very sick

 

I recall that he ate his warmed up chicken and meowed his pitiful meow

then turned and walked into the garden bushes

and I never saw him again..oh how I miss that rascal

 

We will meet again I'm sure

 

A few times this summer I swear he rubbed up against me in the garden

something he would never do... because of his great fear

 

but where he is.... maybe he has no more fear

only love

 

joy

I see this is posted on my other blog...sorry
it has been so long that I have blogged I goofed up
I hope you excuse me.....now how do I post this on my garden blog?
sigh



 

This weekend is their first trip to Galena

 

 

Maybe I'll take them over to see our friend Barb's new donkeys

 

...well....they might remember it...couldn't they?

 

It will be a full house...just like we like

 

except for the California ones.....Oh...did I tell you

 we are going there in june!!!

 

I am finally getting over this nasty virus....almost a month!

 

and the floors....well.....there's progress.....final stain, sanding and coating tomorrow

 

upstairs....then onto the living room and the study and foyer

 

yikes.....

 

I can't wait to get back to normal around here

 

but being house bound has given me much to ponder

 

and it isn't pretty

 

aging is a B

 

and one cannot exist on mac and cheese and pretzels



 

Every year in the springtime two Mallards appear in my garden 

I love to hear their quacking

Once they made a nest...with an egg...but alas, they abandoned it for some reason

 they are truly the sign that I wait for

before exhaling......Spring!!!

It has rained hard here lately...the ducks even had a few puddles to swim in...truly they did

 

 

The new wood floors  going in upstairs are almost finished

But it has been a nightmare for the cats

and me

I have been sick for a week with a virus of the ..can't lift my head off the couch..kind of virus

...sanding...pounding..banging, grinding.....stain and varnish

yikes...I don't think I am going to make it

My house looks like a hoarders ...stuff everywhere

and next week..they head downstairs

We have moved around the house at night...going from one bedroom to another

as they move us out of them

The kitties are stressed beyond belief

Abigail cries at night not knowing where we are

and Boo....well , Boo....he thinks its party time

Old Lady Ms Kitty OShea.....no one is moving her....

I finished that awful book.....hated every word of it...creepy

I watched the author on youtube

explained a lot to me

But the worst thing is I missed my Bookies book club discussion about it

sick......if only I had known..I could have spared myself

I am a difficult reader to please...just ask my book group

My dear mother brought over a cozy mystery for me by M.C.Beaton

Agatha Raisin mystery...Busy Body

Agatha is vain, bossy and always where the bodies are.....

gosh I love her

just what a sick woman needs while sipping hot tea and lemon

Pictures of the floors when they are finished

 

 

 

 

I ask you....is this the mug of a happy cat?

 

uh,no.

 

 

Eight teeth had to be extracted

and to make things worse, I am having the worst back spasms ever

 

So...my dear husband....had to do the deed...take Abigail in to the vet

 

day before..nothing after 10pm

 

WHAT!? was the panicked response from the entire household cat population

 

nothing????!  but I like to munch and nash at night

 

too bad....but it worked....Abigail..the shy...showed up promptly at 6:30am

for food

 

I told my husband we have one shot at grabbing her.....Boo understands English

 

snitched.......but in the end we got her.....and  that lean over caused me 2 days of bedrest

 

hello.....the flooring guys are coming soon....too bad there also

 

Now I am the traitor......I don't think Abbey will ever let me pet her again

 

Good grief, I can't sit or stand for more than 10 minutes at a time before

my back goes into spasms.....good grief......I hate this

 

I am a doer......

 

 

I know what sent my back out....that two days of 70 degrees

 

the garden.......clean up...raking

 

but oh dear it was worth it.....I think I came alive again in that fresh air

 

that dirt....that bloodroot and bluebells poking through the ground

 

 

But for now it's me on the bed with a book

 

The \Time Traveler's Wife....not enjoying it so far....maybe it's the Tiger Balm getting to my brain

 

I'll miss my writing group tonight.....

 

I was working on a story about a hoarder....who slowly becomes the junk

 

...good stuff......

 

At least the mind still works

My heart is melting toward Spring
Robin Red Breast sang early this morning outside of my window
 I stirred to the light of sunrise,
 roused to get up and open the window....to just listen.
joy

I went downstairs in my fuzzy slippers and put on a pot of coffee,
opened the patio door to hear the symphony going on
The cats heard it too and stretched and walked into the room
and lined up by the door....to bird watch

Miss Kitty O'Shea is feeling much better. Her nail had grown inward into her paw
and she had to have a visit to the vet last week......something she detests
...there are lesser creatures there...like dogs
But she survived the ordeal just fine and is on the mend....I even caught her walking upstairs!
Doctors...so good when you really need them.
 Abbey goes next week for a teeth cleaning,
that should be fun.....not
Little Boo hasn't got a clue that this going to happen to him, too. ..a visit to the vet
for his yearly.....When I took Miss Kitty he freaked at seeing her in the carrier,
wailed like I had never heard before, tail and body fur 2 times its normal size...so funny
He and Abbey hid all day......ha ha he goes next week

I have been going to bed smelling like an old lady lately.....arthritis cream on my arms and legs
not pretty
But we are getting wood floors put in upstairs and the man said everything has to come out of the closets and small things out of the rooms...he'll move the big furniture
yikes! Good thing I have been cleaning out the closets this dreadful winter.
But I'm telling you this is not a job for the weak or frail
.....I am so sore from packing stuff into bins, hauling them into the basement,
....I have too many clothes and shoes
....kept too much of my children's childhood
...too many art supplies and writing books, notebooks, poetry folders
.....too much jewelry and perfume
.....too much

I know I will not be putting it back into my closets or rooms
...Book cases are going to be pared
Writing notebooks gone through
Goodwill will be the recipient of many shoes, belts
purses and clothes that I hoped to get back into....you know how that goes

I will not be hosting  Easter dinner
This I know for sure

 

 

 



 

FINALLY!

 

You would have thought a Prince was about to be born

all the family gathered around

for his appearance

 

worth the wait...of course

 

He smiled at everyone....

 

Daughter Sarah is beaming

and resting

Oh I like days like these

 

Even great grandma was there to share in the joy

 

7lbs 1 oz

21 inches long

 

Mom had to have a rush c-section

and Walters blood sugar is a bit high

so there are a few things to take care of still

he'll be in nicu for 36 hours

 

 

We came home in a ice ball storm

and woke up this morning to a winter wonderland

of very heavy 5-6 inches of snow

Branches on the trees bending weighted down by this white stuff

 

Oh well......nothing came wreck my good mood today

 thank you for your prayers and good wishes

joy

 

crossed fingers and prayers

Blogger has it out for me
I am unable to upload pictures, and it is not a storage problem
I like to blog along with a photo...I guess because I like pictures
But, oh well, I am getting frustrated going into my computer to post pictures
So today it is just words.

Little Walter is still not here, so the doctors are going to induce my daughter.

Funny how our mom hats go right back on, competing with my grandma hat
No fear, there is room for both.
I am too nervous to tackle any more projects....only pacing to await a call
to come to the hospital.
Yesterday it was 55 degrees outside...can you believe it? Miss Kitty O'Shea hogged up the opened screened door, basking in warm sunlight on her aching joints. Age has its privileges.

Much of the snow has melted....but oh dear, we are going to get 6-8 inches tonight.
that should make good traveling on the toll way.  Maybe we will go earlier...it will only be raining with 40 mph winds. :-O

What I love about this event is the pulling together of the family. Major events do that.
We put aside our squabbles and different opinions and just love one another.
Our circle about to get bigger.

 

 

Still no baby

So I decided to tackle another project

cleaning my pantry

yikes

Have you ever looked at expiration dates on your spices?

and really how many cans of tomato sauce do I need

and what's with all these nuts?!

 

It is a beautiful blue sky day...I even opened the kitchen window

 

..I had a Swedish girlfriend who always told me to fling open the windows in the winter

air the house out or risk getting sick

Gosh I miss her. Her name was Sigrid

She had many sayings...

Like " you've got 5minutes to cry about it.....then get yourself back up"

"Your kid will always remember that you were there"

'If all else fails, bake bread"

 

I moved away and lost contact with her...I've tried to find her...but I think she remarried and

that was that.

 

I will be busy this summer with two new grandchildren..

.Tuula is growing so fast...

and praise the Lord..she is just like her mother

and you mother's out there know what I meant by that :)

And hopefully Walter will be born any minute now...!!

 

 I sense the years going by quickly

and I thought today that I must reconnect to my girlfriends...

I  somehow have been very busy these past years and going through much sadness

to connect much....

.But finding Sigrid's old large wooden spoon

in my kitchen drawer has given me pause.....

I need my girlfriends

 

I may even make up with one .....

that I truly do miss.....but ticks me off

 

the days are passing by fast....time to let go of the negative energy

that has kept me mad at her for 8 years

 

I think I may call her...listen to her drop the phone

 

....this could be good

 

 

 

 

 

 

The only one that is focused in this house is Boo

 

 I had to move my oxalis plant off of the cabinet

so he could get a catbird seat view

 

Why just look at that little sparrow...braving the window sill

 

Boo jumped and all the birds flew away

 

but they'll be back

 

It has been snowing for hours now

 

.....I am at my wits end with this winter

 

truly, I know we are all mostly in this same boat

 

but what happens to US is the most important

 

I can't seem to stay focused on anything but the weather

 

Friends call to bitch about it

 

and I listen sort of......

 

I have been making use of my time served

 

to clean out closets....but that is really a dangerous thing to do

 

I found a letter from 1969 from my brother

 

talking about how afraid and nervous he was to go to Viet Nam

 

He made it through Nam but died months after returning home

 

in a car accident.........but really  another victim of the war

 

I found colorings from my children when they were preschoolers

 

and old pictures....was I really that thin and cute? I wish I would have known that then

 

I spent my whole adult life feeling underordinary

 

It wasn't until I turned fifty and joined a bunch of crazy women

 

that I really found out who I was.....and I have enjoyed her ever since

 

It is hard to prune one's life of old clutter.....but I think there comes a time

when it is a must

So being in the mood I have been lately

 

I dived in

showing no mercy

 

closets should be cleaned and sorted by

dare I say...SPRINGGGGGGGGGG!