A Monday List

Y’All, it’s 63 degrees today in The Mitten! In March! I went out to bring in the trash and recycling cans and was ever so pleasantly surprised.

March is shaping up to be a super busy month. Lots of appointments, a couple procedures, some routine temple maintenance. We are doing some extra things because Honey could be retiring any minute, or in a couple months. Whatever, I don’t ask.

The Boy spoke about humbly approaching the throne of grace at his church on Sunday, we were ever so proud of him ❤

We were a little too far away to get a clear picture, or to show you his cute new boots 🙂

I’m a little out of order here, this was Friday. The Boy came to clean the basement carpet so we can put the furniture back where it belongs, since he and his family are no longer basement dwellers. The Girls and I took care of the little rascals while Dad cleaned and their Mom went down to Ohio to pick up some furniture.

They had a snack.

My most favorite hippo ever!

This one was telling us of her love for her shirt, it had POCKETS!!!

Moonpie was napping in the crib when it became apparent Little Dipper needed it. I was happy to be his nap spot ❤

Honey has been gathering papers for the meeting with our tax guy on Wednesday. I kid you not, it seems like we were just sitting in his office about 2 months ago. How does time fly so fast?

Mousey is having Lasik on her eyeballs Friday! She is super excited to see!!!

We hope she can see a little the next day because there is a food tasting where she is having her wedding reception, and we have been waiting for this a while, so she might have to go like Mrs. Magoo. You don’t need eyesight to pick out what your guests will eat at your wedding reception!

Let’s all have a smooth week.

Fun With MoonPie

We have had Moonpie several weekends over the last few months! Because her Dad is the Youth Director at their church, and because The Dane likes to be involved as well, we have taken her when they have travelled for retreats, or had big doings going on, and once when they took a quick trip to Chicago to help one of the students who lived with them in Washington move into his new apartment. She is always a pleasure to have and she seems to like it over here too!

She likes to do certain things, like art with Papa.

Make pancakes with Grammy.

This is a random picture of us at their church for a big Christmas party they had, she had just finished decorating a Christmas cookie and scarfing it down! We DID have her this weekend, so I guess it counts 🙂  I love her expression, this is what a bunch of jumping in a bouncy house, no nap and the afore mentioned sugar cookie looks like!

She likes the phone and can get into things I can’t even get into when I want to, can lock you out and is forever wanting to “take a pitcher!!” Snapchat is a big old favorite too.

 

She loved decorating these Valentines cookies!! So intense, so patient, So.Much.Licking. I am especially digging her new-ish cheesy smile.

She also likes to head down to the basement with Papa to cook and very creatively play with animals. This was a tea party, they all had names. I believe this was Linda.

Might be Karen here.

We have gathered all of Mousey’s kitties, and there are many. She brought them all upstairs and they live among us now. They go for rides in the stroller, Target cart, and she brings a good many with her at nap time.

We have trained her well in the love of feline. She sometimes tells me “Seymour is so cute!” She says this about her Papa too 🙂 ❤ My two Beebees <3<3

An armful of LOVE!

There is always great quantities of reading as well. Sometimes she walks in the front door and says “BOOK!” We were reading about The Little White House, starring Tom, Betty, Susan, Flip and Frisky! That is the book I learned to read with. Anyone else?

She was our Funny Valentine this year ❤

Papa had a special treat when she was here last weekend, PAINT!!! And yes, she is a south paw.

I had a Dum Dum sucker from the last time I picked up Lee’s Chicken carry out and she was a very neat sucker eater!

Was intrigued with her red tongue.

Wanted me to “take a pitcher!!!”

It has been so much fun having her around!

The Usher sent me this after the last time she was here! LOL!

Come again Moonpie, come again 🙂

Snow Day List

They predicted a weather event up here in The Mitten and last night the school closings began. The Ab-Cat was ecstatic. We have had a little, but certainly nothing to justify the mass cancellations. If we don’t get some MAJOR inches this afternoon there are going to be some cranky school superintendants. I have to say it’s nice when they make the call the night before. After the districts started to fall like dominoes, our BSF leaders meeting was cancelled, meaning all of us Admin leaders proceeded with calling our designated ladies from our phone tree fan out list. It was nice to have the decision made, phones called and alarms turned off, and the knowledge of the beauty of a snow day ahead!

Currently reading. This is the third book in the series, following The Rosie Project and The Rosie Effect. I have really enjoyed them all for many reasons, but I have particularly appreciated how he explains the thinking of the main character Don, who has Asperger’s, autism, or is autistic. The label itself is up for debate. Funny, sad and thought provoking.

A text between Mousey and The Usher, contemplating their future cat.

🙂 🙂 🙂

Maybe because I let them lay on me in this fashion and am patient when he gives me sassy tail every time I move.

I don’t know about you, but I submit that finding the tiniest flake of eggshell in your pancake ( or whatever) to be one of the most off-putting things that can occur at breakfast. Just my opinion. And you can not eat confidently after finding it, because you never know how many more flakes might be there.

I don’t know about you, but I submit that donating 13 bags of unloved clothing to the BSF church, a bunch of boxes of unwanted household stuff to the Salvation Army, and returning around $80 worth of bottles and cans is very…..fulfilling.

 

It’s almost 1:30 and there is still no snow. I’m a little disappointed. Was hoping for a blizzard like one of the many my girl Laura Ingalls Wilder survived in The Long Winter. Of course they had little food and were running out of fuel to heat their house. We have heat and a gas fireplace, so it’s ok on that front. Plus I have a full fridge, many ingredients in the pantry, and well stocked in cream, butter and toilet paper. I say bring it ON!

Have a good Wednesday.

The Little Dipper

The Little Dipper sure has changed a lot in the past year!!

A little Nugget less than a month old when they arrived.

He just kept growing!

And growing.

And growing!

Generally a genial fellow.

He has gone with his folks when they have left his sister with us on weekends. He still needs to be with his Mama, and  to sleep a little more at night 🙂

He is a charming young man who is walking now and showing us he is “SO BIG!” then clapping!

His Mama sent these when they were in Denmark and he had jetlag,

all taken in the space of a few minutes,

best boo boo kitty face I’ve seen in a looooong time!!

His family came a couple of weeks ago for a visit. Papa and his Dad went to find a part for Dad’s car, Mama went to Ikea and the Ab-Cat and I kept the young-uns. Moonpie went down for a nap and we got to play with this little mister. Abby took the pictures from across the room, so I apologize for the fuzz. He was a little Lovey Dovey ❤

Very ticklish.

Infinitely kissable.

 

Happy to sit with his Grammy.

Not quite sure about the cat.

But willing to share space.

Getting tired.

And slept on Grammy for about an hour, such a nice way to while away the afternoon ❤

He’s a punkin!

2019 in Review

Man, that was a fast year!!! I had big plans to blog and capture all the doings and then we and a full house and life just kept on going at breakneck speed! Here are 19 of the highlights, and I seriously could have done 2019 highlights ❤

We welcomed The Little Dipper last year! He is now on the move and getting very personable!

 

Spent time with The Capri’s in February on North Captiva Island, always a pleasure to be with treasured, old Friends. Old as in we have known each other a long time, because they say 60 is the new 40, right??!!

I am Grammy of two!

 

Always love to see my people laughing, it’s my favorite ❤

Oldest to youngest, the extreme ends of the generations!

Me and my Honey, all gussied up for a wedding. I still like that guy.

The Boy GRADUATED in May from Moody Bible Institute!!!!!!! That’s 7 exclamation points because 7 is God’s number!!

These two, the fun never ends ❤

Heard The Boy give a Good Word for the first time!

Thankful for my brother Beeve. I like his face.

 

BUBBLES!!!

So glad to have this family nearby. It’s still an hour drive, but WAY better than the other side of the country in Washington State!

Happy to welcome The Usher to the family, he’s a keeper and we love him ❤

Love this bunch a BUNCH!

Have loved having Moonpie stay for some weekends! We took her to our Dear Friend Awesome Autumn’s costume birthday party!

Love being able to babysit as needed, especially now that this guy is allowing his Mama out of his sight!

Little Dipper celebrated his first birthday last week in Denmark, land of his Mama’s People!

Our annual Christmas celebration with our Dear Friend’s The Hostlers!

And Happy New Year from Ab-Cat and Awesome Autumn from their Roaring 20s party!

Here’s to 2020, may it be the best year yet!

Thanksgiving 2019

We are in the thick of all things Christmas over here, but wanted to get the Thanksgiving memories committed to the blob!

Our Thanksgiving did not go quite as planned. We were expecting 13 in the morning and by noon 7 were out. Sick kids and other plans were the causes, but we made do and had plenty of food!

Honey and I bought this dining room set when we moved into our house, some 21 years ago. It was highly recommended that we purchase the protective pads, which we were happy to do because we are usually the sort to try and protect investments. I do remember the salesgirl using the scare tactic that if we didn’t, a drop of water could ruin the finish. I must have been skeptical at the time because who would buy such a poorly finished table that people actually eat and drink on? As I recall, we had some other problems with this salesgirl and when we voiced concern, we found out that she was someone’s girlfriend and they would not do anything about our concerns, so now I call bull on her sales skillz. I basically think she lied to sell us the pads that we would have bought anyway. But Honey never forgot the one drop of water scenario and therefore the table has never been naked in its entire life. Protective pads forever was his motto.

It was my goal to have everyone at the same table for the holiday. Partly because we are always so close to needing two that it is more fun to squish together than it is to have 3 or 4 in the kitchen. Plus, I am feeling a little attached to our dining room. Since we could possibly move in a couple of years, or at any freaking time, it has occurred to me that each time we use it could be our last. A hard thing for a sentimental gal. This brought up the need to add in an extra leaf that we have never used before for some reason. And for another some reason, that leaf has NO protective pad! Good grief, how did that happen? Honey wanted to go and mosey around Home Depot until something inspired him. If you know Honey, he enjoys a challenge because he is a Fixer and a DOER. He found this, some kind of smooth particle board that was the exact thickness. We put some felt pads on the bottom, slid it in, and it worked like a charm 🙂  Too bad we didn’t need it for our 6 guests.

The bird was good.

As was the pig, and all the other sides.

It was a quiet, well fed kind of day.

30 Days of Thankful-21,22,23

We had a fun time last night! We babysat for Moonpie and the Little Dipper while their Mom and Pop went to Bible study ❤ The Ab-Cat and I went over one other time for this and Little Dipper had a very rough night missing his mama. Not last night!

The only time he cried was when his sister accidently smooshed his little bitty finger! Otherwise he was busy crawling and walking (still holding on to things) and being his all around charming self!

Moonpie and Papa pored over the Jesus books all night long, discussing everything in great detail 🙂

She loves her Papa, yes she does ❤

I spent some time asking Little Dipper how big he was and raising his arms saying “SO big!!”

We also demonstrated the Chicken Dance many times, because they are ones for loud, raucous behavior.

Taking a breather from dancing.

Spent some time with the Legos

Singing the song about Uh Oh, Spaghettios, she participated in that as well!

On to her favorite thing, Snapchat!!

She asked specifically for the tongue one.

I took the little Miss up to bed, read some books, sang some songs, rocked, and at her request, snuggled ❤ ❤ ❤

I came down to this Little Dipper all tuckered out on his Papa 🙂

Oh my goodness, heart eyes emoji!

Today I am most thankful for Moonpie, Little Dipper and the joy of being a Grammy.

30 Days of Thankful 15,16,17,18

15. After many years of being devoted to DaVinci chai tea, I was asked by our natural path dr several years ago to forgo it because it was a concentrate made with Splenda  I agreed to try because I was paying her the big bucks to help me solve some health problems, and it seemed reasonable to actually take her advice. Her preferred type of sweetener was Stevia and she allowed Truvia. Honey and I both made the change, because we are married and do everything together. I also switched over to what I considered ‘the lowly tea bag”, sweetened with the afore mentioned Truvia and half and half. I have to say that it will never be as scrumtrulescent as a hot cup of chai, but I have come to appreciate that the lowly tea bag has its own charms. And I am thankful for it.

16. Even though it is technically still fall, we appeared to have tumbled headlong into winter. But this being The Mitten, we could be in the 50s next week. Pure Michigan. I scrounged up our couch throw blankets, which were inexplicably downstairs, the washing machine removed the basement smell, and we have been huddled under them ever since. Cold weather means our kettle gets a workout, extra cups of tea and hot chocolate! This is what we have been loving lately.

Thankful for reduced calorie cocoa with a little extra sweetener and cream to make it even tastier!

17. You may have noticed the above Skinny Syrup and may know that it contains Splenda. While I primarily use Truvia, I am not a purist. I know that the aspartame in Diet Coke is not good for me, but I have it on occasion because I love it so. I have come to the same conclusion about Splenda. I also watched a documentary on Netflix about sugar, which we also know is not particularly good for us, and I am not convinced that the sugar lobby does not smear ALL sugar substitutes in protection of their own powerful industry. I remember the campaign to get saccharine off the shelves when I was young, and if it was as bad as they said, I doubt it would still be sold some 50 years later. All that to say that I am making an informed choice when I choose to have a little Splenda, and I still treat myself to the occasional DaVinci chai tea and Diet Coke. Thankful for options.

18. Oh.My.Goodness. Have you tried this from Sam’s? I was first introduced to it when The Boy made his homemade for Mousey and me in Washington! He made it again for us last summer and The Ab-Cat loved it too. But there is very little difference in flavor between the 2 and its a lot easier to throw this in the cart at Sam’s than making it from scratch. SO DELICIOUS!!! We have been going through two a week! Thankful for a yummy snack and it makes all Mexican themed meals even better!

30 Days of Thankful-7,8,9,10,11,12

This was not how I planned to do this, but I am rolling with the flow! Still trying to think blog-ally, but after lying dormant so long, it’s proving difficult! Mousey gave me a couple ideas for posts to come, so there is that! 🙂

7. Keelyody, my walking buddy and I decided that last Friday was our last walking day of the season. When we set out that morning the temps were in the 20s, but we did not count on the arctic breeze that was causing our faces to hurt. We cut it short after one side of her subdivision. Some years we have walked into December, and once even walked a few times after Christmas! I am thankful for a walking buddy who agrees that it is a good thing for us to do, and is ready to go at 7:30, 3 mornings a week! The world is now going to have to go solo, because we will not be there solving all the problems 🙂

I am also thankful to walk with my pal Jip the Farm Dog on Wednesday and Thursday mornings from the time BSF lets out in May until we go back in September!  Once again, what will the world do without us?!

8.  After many years of similarity, our holidays have undergone a change. First was my Mother’s passing, then my cousins married and moved from the area, sometime after, The Boy followed suit. Our latest change has been the early departure of Uncle Bob and Aunt Phyllis to their Florida home. They have had good reasons, like the births of grandchildren, and the desire to help their daughter, Girl Cousin Lindsay, with the preparation of our traditional holiday meal for her extended family. It’s all good, but we miss their presence ❤

They are heading down this week and we wanted to get together before they left, so we all looked at our calendars and the 8th was the date that accommodated the most. Everyone but Mousey and The Usher were in attendance, they had travelled down to Ohio for his family celebration of Thanksgiving. I am thankful for my Aunt and Uncle and the years of memories we share. The Lord has put us in each others lives for His good purposes, and I am grateful to Him for them.

9. I was hoping for a nice relaxing Saturday after the family gathering the night before, but Honey had other ideas. He thought it would be a perfect day to do a leaf raking and final mowing and edging of the lawn. In hind sight, it was a perfect day, because we got a ton done before the snow moved in. Here is our frozen tundra now. Leaves are still falling, but I’m thankful we got rid of a lot!

10. I believe I may have mentioned that we are going to be celebrating a wedding in 2020! There are many i’s to dot and t’s to cross before that occurs, but we took a giant step closer in the planning on Sunday! We had looked at 3 venues for the wedding reception last month, each nice in their own way, but Mousey was fairly certain she was going in the direction that a friend had recommended to her. She had been in conversation with the representative of the venue and they had both of her dates available. She then was in discussion with a photographer, who also had both dates open. Honey had spoken to our pastor a while back in passing and told him of the upcoming event and asked a little about pre-marital counseling, he said no problem, just give him a call. I realized Sunday morning while driving to church that we had not actually asked if the church was available!

I prayed to see the two ladies I thought might be able to help me ascertain that information, because Mousey’s venue choosing appointment was the next day and the church office is closed that day. Sure enough the Lord had one of the sweet gals right in the lobby as we walked in. She said she would go check and have the answer for me after church.

All that to say; the church is available!!!

11. I am thankful for our veterans. They have sacrificed and put their lives on hold in service to our country and its citizens.

I am grateful to these men in my immediate family who answered the call and were willing to go where their country needed them. My Dad/ The Grandpa- United States Air Force, Uncle Bob-United States Marine Corp, my Father-United States Army, and Beeve-United States Marine Corp. Thank you Gentlemen for your service ❤

12. You may have heard that The Mitten had a little snow yesterday. Normally I do not go out when we have treacherous driving conditions, except when they happen to fall on Wednesday and Thursday BSF mornings. It started snowing in the wee hours yesterday morning, which made The Usher very happy, because at his job, snow means plowing, and that equals OVERTIME! Unfortunately, it snowed all doggone day and that did not bode well for Honey and I and our long awaited, 2:30 dental appointment. We braved the weather and s l o w l y went. Thankful for safety when we saw many cars in the ditch!

30 Days of Thankful-2-3-4-5

We had a visitor last weekend! Our favorite Moonpie came to stay while her brother and folks went to a weekend retreat with their youth group. We were thankful for the time to spend with her, we miss having her around!!! She was so happy to see her Papa! They were snuggling 🙂

And reading, and coloring. Goodness, I think I read about a hundred stories! A big thanks to the Ab-Cat for getting some other favorites from the library ❤ Hello Pete the Cat and Llama Llama.

On Saturday night we went to a costume birthday party! Moonpie brought her own kitty cat costume and Mousey gave her some whiskers.

She liked them!

So proud with her lumberjack Papa, seriously, it was the least he could do.

I really did have 2 kitty ears, the other is no where to be seen.

The Ab-Cat was Rosie the Riveter, hair and makeup also done by Mouse-Ann, she is reason #3 of thankfulness.

She looked adorable if I do say so ❤

Mousey and The Usher were Velma and Shaggy from Scooby Doo!

Moonpie was everyone’s favorite photo prop!

The whole gang.

And thankful #4 was the reason for the birthday party, our dear friend Awesome Autumn is now thirty, flirty and thriving!

❤ ❤ ❤

Party planners extrordinaires, Rae-Babe and Jon-a-fin, dressed as Mary Poppins and Bert the chimney sweep! ❤

And joined by her sister, Nurse Lauren! Couldn’t be more thankful for these life long friends! #5

Moonpie had a fun time looking at all the costumes, decorations, EATING, and licking the frosting off of my cupcake while shunning the actual cake.

A wonderful time was had!