The Kids Party

Yesterday was the kids party. And WOW was it fun!!! One thing this old woman has learned though, is that I need to spend more time with young children. I was picking up 30-40 pound little ones, bending, stretching, sitting on the floor, rolling around, squatting to wipe mouths and generally contorting my middle aged body.
In the night I woke with the first mild muscle twinges that reminded me that I am not quite as young as I used to be! This morning in the shower I let the HOT water fall and I am feel a little more nubile!
My nephew planned a great game for these little ones, who ranged in age from 15 months to 6 years old. It was the get through the fire test. Basically it taught them how to get through a smokey room on their bellies, but it was full of fun stuff, like going down a slide, climbing a small ladder, tossing a water balloon, crawling under another ladder that had cloth flames on it, and then using silly string to put out the fire on the fire wall! The kids did that over and over and over again and they laughed and cheered and loved it.
Parents and the kids all enjoyed the day, with a pizza lunch and Grandma Honey’s cake (that’s what they call my sister).
A friend of my nephew, Tim, is a fire fighter and he brought over his gear for the kids to try on. Here is birthday boy Luke in the gear!!
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Now, my sister is quite the ham, and not to be outdone by her grandson, so she hopped right into the fire fighter’s gear and grabbed little Molly.
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The party was so much fun and the kids all had such a good time. I’m so glad I came down to share this day with them.
Nov 12 020.jpg My grand nephew Taft.
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My Grand niece Abby.

Turkey, Stuffing and Chocolate Cake!!!

Last night my sister surprised me with a turkey dinner, with all the fixings! It’s my favorite meal, and one I never get for my birthday, (Nov. 17th) because, let’s face it, who wants to cook a turkey back to back in November?) In all my years I have never had a turkey dinner for my birthday, until last night. I was so happy and it was fabulous! Mel made my favorite chestnut dressing and butternut squash and mashed potatoes and gravy! And my Mom made me a super chocolate cake with butter creme frosting.
I got presents too! The boys, (Taft and Luke) helped me open my gifts. I got a new book by Barbara Delinsky, some perfume I love from my Mom, and a package filled with sheer delight from my sister! I say this because it was filled with all sorts of wonderful Dachshund items!! Dachshund Christmas tree ornaments, a book, and best of all this:
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This is a hand painted sweat shirt of a wire haired dachshund that Melodie painted her self!!! It looks so much like my girls and I love it!!! Also in my goodie bag was a book on sisters!!! I sure am lucky to have such a special friend and sister like Mel, who worked so hard to make this birthday so special for me.

Happy Birthday Luke!!!

Today is the 3rd birthday of my grand nephew, Luke. We went over tonight to have a small family gathering, dinner and presents and celebrate the day with our special guy! He loves firemen and fire trucks, so that was the theme of the party and the gifts! His big party with his friends is on Saturday.
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He is such a happy kid, such a sweet child and it was so much fun to share his day!!!
So once again, Happy Birthday, Luke!!!

Memories of Doing The Dishes

I started doing the dishes when I was really little. I know this because I remember having to stand on a kitchen chair to reach the sink. My mother hated all forms of house work, (she still does) so my sister and I were given chores as soon as she could get us to hold an iron or wash a dish.
I hated ironing. I had a stool I sat on and I remember burning myself more times than I care to remember.

But I loved doing the dishes because it was the time that my sister and I were together. Melodie would tell me stories, and we would tell each other jokes, and quite often we would sing songs. Especially songs you could sing in a round. I loved those. This one was my favorite:
WHITE CORAL BELLS
White coral bells
Upon a slender stalk
Lilies of the valley
Deck my garden walk
Oh, don’t you wish
That you could
hear them ring.
That will happen only
when the fairies sing.

In the morning I’m off to see my big sister for a few days. I’m looking forward to it. We just don’t get together as often as we should. I think my New Years Resolution in 2006 is to see her more often.

Me

Me, defined in blocks of 5 things

Tagged by Janet

10 years ago – I was living in Punta Gorda Florida
8 years ago – I was the happy Mom of Max and Shubi in Florida
4-7 years ago – We sold our house in Punta Gorda and moved back to New Hampshire and built our house.
2 years ago –I got Fritz
Now –Living happily and healthfully in New Hampshire with 1 husband, 3 dogs and myself.

Five yummy things:

1) Dark chocolate anything
2) pumpkin pie
3) turkey dinners
4) snickerdoodle cookies
5) M&M’s

Five songs I know by heart:

Almost any song I like. I have a photgraphic memory for lyrics.

Five things I would do with a lot of money:

1) Take a cruise around the world
2) Travel
3) Plan a big trip with my loved ones
4) get a small camp in the mountains
5) save it

Five places I would to escape to:

1) Hawaii
2) Scotland
3) Germany
4) Alaska
5) A cruise ship

Five things I would never wear:

1) Granny pants
2) pleather
3) capris pants
4) tube tops (not anymore anyway)
5) those pants that aren’t quite capris, but yet aren’t long enough to brush the top of your shoes. UCK!

Five favorite TV shows:

1) NCIS
2) HOUSE
3) Two and a Half Men
4) Everybody Hates Chris
5) The Apprentice

Five things I enjoy doing:

1) walking the dogs in the woods
2) taking pictures
3) cooking
4) traveling
5) blogging

Five Favorite toys:

1) camera
2) my car
3) laptop
4) cd player
5) vcr Still

Five people who get this meme:
Anyone who reads this!

Busy, Busy, Busy

Yesterday, instead of sitting around feeling sad, I decided I would go out and do something that would make me feel happy and positive about the day.
I went shopping for Christmas presents for my grand nephews, Taft and Luke and my grand niece, Abby. The funny thing was, I wasn’t alone on this trip. Here’s what happened.
My cell phone rang and it was my BFF Gail. She and I are on the same cell service and so we can talk and talk for FREE!!! Anyway. I had my headset with me and clipped the cell to my belt and walked through the stores talking to her, telling her what I was seeing, what I was buying, and what life was like yesterday.
I’m sure I looked like a crazy person walking around talking to myself, but it was so much fun to share my shopping trip with my BFF like that.
I am so excited about the things I got for the kids, not only for Christmas, but for my visit with them this weekend!
Now that I have all the presents wrapped, I need to pack a bag and get the car ready for the trip. My neighbor is riding with me. Her sister lives a few towns over from my sister, so it’s a nice way for both us us to go down and have company on the long ride. (4 1/2 hours)

Read extended entry if you want to see Fritz’s wound pictures.

Continue reading “Busy, Busy, Busy”

Happy Birthday Kathleen

Today, 27 years ago, I gave birth to my second daughter. Kathleen Alynne. She weighed 8 pounds and 10 ounces and was 23 1/2 inches long. The labor was short, 4 1/2 hours and out popped this little being with bright red curls! A total surprise.

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She grew into those curls with the greenest of eyes and dimples in both of her chubby cheeks. She had a big heart, an incredible sense of humor and a great love for her family.

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I was lucky to share 6 birthdays with her before she was tragically killed at the age of 6 1/2 in a car accident.
I miss her every day, but I know too, that although she is not with me physically, she will always be with me in my heart! So Happy Birthday, my darling Katie!!!

Fritz

Great excitement here tonight. Fritz went out for his last wee-wee of the night and apparently got into some improperly disposed of barbed wire! It caught him under his chin and he pulled to get away. He came in with quite a gaping gash.
We called our Vet and brought him in and he cleaned the wound and now Fritz has about 6 staples in his chin. He is still all drugged out and we have him on a blanket in front of the fire. My poor, poor boy.
More later.

A Sunny Windy Day

The day started early. I made breakfast for Old Boy, his son and Hubby and then with much sadness we said our goodbye’s. At least they have a nice day for driving.

I was feeling pretty sad, and Hubby came into the family room and said in a loud voice,
“Let’s go for a walk in the park!”
Well, all three dogs jumped up and started dancing around the room! Their delight helped get me up off my chair and out the door. We arrived at the park and no one was there. Probably because it was 42 degrees and the wind was blowing about 25 miles an hour. However, we got the dogs going down the long trail and their delight in being out at the park was all I needed to help lighten my spirits. Before I knew it I was laughing at their antics, and joking with Hubby. It was wonderful to have light, careless moments once again.
At the little lake, the dogs even went for a quick swim, which was a good thing, as they’d gotten a tad muddy on the trails. Shubi especially wanted to play fetch with a stick! I say God Bless, as this old gal continues to amaze me!
We came home and had hot soup for lunch and now the dogs are all sleeping silently around the house.