Welcome 2012!

Happy happy New Year to each and every one of you!!

My six month break from blogging was the start of a six month break from "me" stuff.  I stopped blogging, writing, working in the sketchbook, spinning, knitting, scrapbooking, and crocheting.  I didn't stop reading books, but every other thing went by the wayside except the very much needed focus on other priorities. We even stopped our Sunday grandson / grandmother trips to the game store for role-playing games.

Sounds like things were pretty quiet, yes?  Well, during that time we:

• had our annual family vacation at the beach which was wonderful as always. We took the puppies, and they both loved the ocean. After three days, though, Jack Junior got very very ill. He cried out in pain, was unable to walk, had urinary problems, and slept rolled up in a tiny ball. Mr. Bryant took him home the very next morning to get pain medication from the vet, while I stayed and took pictures and loved the time with the fam.

  

• said goodbye to Ama as she went off to Portland. Mr. Bryant laid out her driving trip across the country, and we even found a cabin in Yellowstone for one of the nights of the trip. The drive took her to the Arch in St. Louis, Colorado to see friends, Yellowstone, Coeur d'Alene, and the Columbia River Gorge. 
• said Goodbye to Shannon and John and family as they went off to new adventures in Virginia.
• put all the puppies on a new diet. 
• watched the puppies grow like weeds!

• took Jack Junior to six vets and finally to NC State Veterinary School, where they diagnosed the infection that was crippling and killing him.  We got him started on a three to six month course of antibiotics and noticed immediate improvement in his condition.
• continued to take the puppies to Obedience Training. 

 

• flew the cats across the country to greet Ama in Portland.
• learned the incredible blessings of being members of the Leonberger Community. 

 

• had a fabulous family Thanksgiving in the mountains hosted by Mr. and Mrs. McFadden.

 

• had another wonderful Christmas hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Hanson.
• went to an amazing New Years dinner with our very dear friends.

In addition to all this, I interviewed for a new job or two, adjusted to a restructure at work, and did my best to support Mr. Bryant while HE adjusted to a restructure at work.

During all this time off from "me," I thought I was doing the right things, doing the things that needed to be done, paying primary attention to the other people in my life in the best way. But as I look back at the last half of the year, I can see that I was less centered, less thoughtful, and frankly, less confident.

I am grateful to have learned this lesson, which I think I really knew but allowed myself to conveniently forget.  Taking care of "me" is important, and changes how I interact with the world at every level.

I can't say that I am sorry to see 2011 go.  Although it wasn't the worst year it also wasn't the best.  And sometimes, that's exactly the inspiration needed to go forth and know this New Year better, man! (with a nod here to our friends, the Muppets!)

Here is to the most wonderful year yet.  Welcome 2012!

Our Best Friends

In December of 1980, Grandmother and Grandfather Hanson gave Aaron some Christmas money for books. He and I went to the book store together and any book that caught his eye came home with us. One of our very most favorite books was called "Our Best Friends" by Gyo Fujikawa. This delightful little board book has simple art work and tells the story of a little girl Mary, her doll (Doll), her cat Smudge, and her little mouse (Mouse), as they look for new friends. I remember us reading this book again and again to Aaron, and both of us never getting tired of the story. We took the book on picnics and to Grandmother's house; we read it in the car and at the park. My little blond boy sat in my lap and pointed at all the characters in the book as I said their names. I remember the sun shining down on us while we read outside, and listening to the wind chimes on the porch when we read again. I don't have any pictures of those days. But I do know that in the end, Mary, Doll, Smudge, and Mouse become fast friends with Harry, Larry, Spots, Mops, and Peeps. :)

I read the book to Amanda when she was little, and then again to both grandchildren. The book and the pictures and all the little creatures make me smile to this day. As my house fills up with sweet little souls, I watch them becoming the "dearest and the best of friends." The reality makes me smile and the memories of all those wonderful moments with my son, daughter, and grands wash over me. I am glad we have the memories that books bring, and thank Mr. Fujikawa for his gift to my children, and to me.

Milestone?

Mr. Bryant and his lovely twin Mrs. Reitzel celebrated their birthday in September. They are finally getting closer to me in age! :):) Though we didn't get to see Mrs. Reitzel, we did get to enjoy the evening with Mr. Bryant and the family. Many neighbors dropped by to visit as well, although I didn't get the cake set out before they all had to head home!

A few photos to share.....




Love you baby.

12th Night

We had a wonderful 12th Night Celebration with lots of laughs.  Mr. and Mrs. Rentschler and family were in attendance, along with Ama and R. and the ever wonderful Mr. Bryant.  We talked about the christmas story and the wise men at the manger at last.  

Dinner was yummy and easy AND low fat :) to keep our New Years resolutions on track.  Turkey Chili and Cornbread - Yum - with assorted Skinny Cow treats for dessert.  

The wonderful Christmas Tree was glowing and lovely for the last time, and the beautiful presents were QUITE the surprise.

  

The cycle of High Holy Days celebrations (Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany) gave us a great ending for 2009, and a great beginning for 2010.

Best wishes to you and all your family as we get 2010 and the new decade started!

Treehouse Update

The Crew, working working working on the roof

That treehouse still isn't done, but every week-end it gets closer and closer. There have been several rain delays that have slowed things down, and Mr. Bryant, Mr. Duke, ADR, and many friends are working hard to make up that time and get the roof on ASAP.

Pearly going up and down, anxious for the finished product.


Some of the roof, covered. A solid beginning!

Once the treehouse is covered and outside walls are done, then ADR will get started on some of the more artistic finishing (although I am sure he will delegate some activities to Mr. Bryant and Asa and Jaya, at least!!!).

The view from the roof - pretty far down there!

With the rain delays, the total project list for Mr. Bryant and ADR is backing up as well, what with plans for a rabbit hutch (yes, you heard that right!), finishing the fence, rebuilding the garage (yep, that's true), and the house addition already on the list. Asa and Jaya are excited about everything, but they are also wondering - when are Super Dad and Dad going to get any rest?

The challenging roof framing around the most wonderful tree.

The view into the loft.

Maybe over Christmas. :)

Looking at the progress, from the back porch.

Wordless Wednesday - August 12

best day ever

When most of two sides of the fence were completed, the guys had piles of leftover lumber - and needed a break from fencing. And so began the much dreamed about, much anticipated tree house project. The kids are working on a super design - or at least the requirements for the tree house (rope bridge, two rooms, balcony, deck, stairs, secret room, swing, etc.)

ADR & SRS have several big trees in the back, and the perfect tree has just been waiting on the wonderful tree house built with love by the ever fabulous Mr. Bryant and the always marvelous ADR. And so, the initial platform was built and everyone scrambled up the ladder to see the world from a new vantage point.

Pearly said it best, as she got her first view of the world from above. "Daddy, this is the best day EVER!"

A Tree House

A tree house, a free house,
A secret you and me house,
A high up in the leafy branches
Cozy as can be house.

A street house, a neat house,
Be sure and wipe your feet house
Is not my kind of house at all~
Let's go live in a tree house.

Shel Silverstein

Rough month - and wonderful grands

It was a rough month, July was. So many shocks, so many unexpected issues. It took my breath away many times. Yet, through the rough waters, there were the absolute delights of my grands. He and she lit up my life on many occasions, and reminded me of the joy that was always there to grab hold of. On the hottest of hot days, when it was easy to be distraught and overwhelmed with everything, including the heat, these two gave me the gift of easy smiles.

***
Another blazing hot day. We were inside thinking about oh, so many things. And then Asa said he needed more exercise, but how ever was he going to get it with all this heat???? Even Gizmo was too hot to move.

(Of course, not the brightest puppy you ever did see, as he laid down right in the sun.... I understand that Border Collies are the smartest dogs. Anyone know anything about how a Pekingese stacks up?)

Veteran's Park to the rescue, with running under the sunshield in the water - what ever could be better???

Asa checks out the field of play.

Jaya gets things started up!

And the playing begins!

Hello Pretty!

Jumping through the spray

Come On!

Let's go!


Our wonderful boy

Happy and wet, ready for home.

I am grateful to my family, my children, and my lovely grandchildren, for the delight that they bring to my life every moment. Every day I pray for more patience and a more open heart, so that I can enjoy them more fully.

Thanks so much, loves.

Wordless Wednesday - July 1, 2009

The Tenth Picture

So this was really a fun "tag", and I hope you give it a try. It reminded me of going through these old boxes of photos (you recall me mentioning it to you? Amanda's project?) and finding such wonderful photographic treasures that we had forgotten about.

The Details:

I was tagged by mrsfatface to choose the first folder of pictures that I came to, and then to chose the 10th picture in that folder. The next step was to post and share a little story about that picture. So I went to my external hard drive to the ALL PICTURES HERE folder, and the first folder there was 2005. Inside were more folders, so I chose the first folder THERE, and then the 10th picture.

What I found:

I found my grandson, Mr ADR, at his kindergarten graduation! The celebration really was fun, but Asa was rather sober as he stood in front of the many assembled dignitaries to receive his diploma. I am sure that he was thinking about the grave responsibilities of first grade and all the many things he had to learn, coming up in his life. Or maybe he was just thinking - get me off this stage so I can get a cookie!

I love this picture, and in fact, I love the whole series of pictures we took that day. Asa looks so young compared to now, at 10. He has grown so much, grown so tall, grown so smart, grown so funny! I feel the need for a scrapbook page coming on.

We were not able to make our grand-daughter's kindergarten graduation this year, so I will have to get some photos from her momman and do a page or two for her as well, so I can capture the moment and remember it, even without a blog challenge. In anticipation of that, take a look at this shot of her, in 2005, at the above referenced event. What a doll!

And what FUN this challenge has been!

What's Next?

I have five people to tag, so here we go:

1. Janine at http://altheap.wordpress.com/
2. Ama at http://aproprose.wordpress.com/
3. Joon at http://www.joonbeam.blogspot.com/
4. Chrissie at http://www.niminyfingers.blogspot.com/
5. Pam at http://magdalenejewelspjk.blogspot.com/

The Mint

Is that Mr. Bryant, holding up bunny ears? I think it is!

It was free museum night at the Mint, and they had Masterworks from the New Orleans Museum on display. We ate a SUPER FAST dinner of Turkey Chili (fast and yum!) with cornbread and then mini-cheesecakes for dessert. Asa first hesitated on the cheesecakes (Is that JAM on there? I am allergic to JAM.) but ultimately ate two. Jaya slept through dinner, but woke up to have a cheesecake before we left for the museum.

We arrived at the Mint about 7:00 and only had until 9 so we rushed through some of the coolest displays to get to the Masterworks. According to the flyers, "the exhibition represents the prized names in European and American art history – ranging from the 16th through the 20th century – including: Degas, Gauguin, Giacometti, Giordano, Kandinsky, Lipchitz, Lorrain, Matisse, Monet, Nattier, O'Keeffe, Picasso, Pissarro, Renoir, Rodin, Sargent, Vigée-Lebrun, and Vlaminck, among many others" - and we saw them all. The Degas are so beautiful and subtle, his sculptures are amazing. The Picasso's are really interesting, and the Pollack was really fabulous. But the Monet? Oh my oh my.

Aunt Amanda and Jaya checking out the art.

After we checked out the Masterworks, we had time for a little bit of a walk through the rest of the museum, and ended our visit by checking out the Face It! exhibit, which cracked us all up with the "face jugs!"

It was a whirlwind evening and lots of fun! I encourage you all to check out the free cultural events near you - you may be surprised at the fun you find!

birthday parties - two for the price of one!

With ADR and JRR's birthday's being only a week apart, it only made sense to combine parties - what with everyone's busy schedules and so many fun things to do. So we had a combined family party at their house, and WOW did we have fun. There was great food, wonderful desserts, and lots of family fun.

Beautiful JPR! Happy Birthday!

There were princesses....

and presents....

and handmade jewelry....

and plastic glove balloons....

and a pretty pink purse with a "J" - whereupon many with a "J" in their name took a pose....

JPR and the Pink J Purse!

Mrs. Hanson with the "J" purse

:)

and pretzel writing....

and a super happy group celebration!!!