Roller coaster.

The ride has been up and down this week. I enjoyed my three classes. There are only 6 sessions per class. I like that. Short and sweet. I REALLY like the Spanish class. I like the teacher's approach that tries to get us to say as many Spanish words out loud as she can. That is good. Practice is good. 

Drawing class is good simply because I like being around other like-minded people that enjoy art. 

Dr. Armando de la Cruz teaches my Tai chi class. He is originally from the Philippines. Tai chi makes me happy. It is good meditative exercise.

Yesterday I drove over to celebrate Grandparent's Day at Lauren and Tucker's school. Lauren's class sang a sweet song that made me cry. They each showed me their class rooms. I thoroughly enjoyed the morning. After a fruitful visit to Sam's I had lunch with Daughter and thoroughly enjoyed our few minutes together. 

Yesterday had its down moments. Dad had a rough morning with some bad breathing issues. More meds helped him relax and rest. Don't know what today will mean for him. 

***

Friday night and we will be at home keep a check on the Trojans remotely. Their game is 3 hours away and we just don't do the long distance games anymore. Here's a shout out - Go Trojans!! 

****

Furniture is being delivered today! It has been about 6 weeks since we picked it out. One piece is not in but I wanted the rest to be here. We are getting a new credenza for our TV  plus two occasional tables for the old den. A media chest is also being delivered for the new bedroom. The bedside table will come later. Now I need to find a table and 6 chairs for the new den. Another rug for the new den. And some other odds and ends. I am almost ready to start hanging some art! 

*****

Don't really have weekend plans. I guess we'll just fly by the seat of our pants. Gotta love that. I'll let you know if anything exciting happens or adventure comes our way. 

First birthday party.

The weekend was good. Saturday we attended the celebration of the 85th birthday of a dear friend. He worked with Mr. Macho and retired back in the 1980's. He can still run circles around most of us. Happy Birthday A.O.!
Sunday we celebrated Merritt's birthday with a party. Carrot cake was enjoyed by all.
I would like to include photos. I took so many cute ones. Only, I am out of my free space on this Google Blog account. So, no more snaps unless I pay a monthly fee to download them to the blog. Sorry.

The weather here has been ideal. Low humidity. Cool temps. Lots of sunshine. We officially welcomed Fall a little before 10:00 a.m. last Saturday. Bring on the sweaters, the pumpkins, the hot cocoa! Bring on the piles of leaves and the smell of someone in the neighborhood burning pine straw. Our screened porch is THE spot to be now. Love it. Love it. Love it.

I have some yummy leftover roast and veggies from our Sunday dinner that I plan to use for a soup this afternoon. After I get back from Spanish class. The day holds promise.

Another Happy Birthday post.

Just can't leave well enough alone. More snaps from one year ago. So many people to welcome you into this world....

First kiss.

Dad. 

Nanny. 

Granddaddy.

 

Meeting your sibs. 

Lauren. 

Tucker.

Friend, Michelle. 

Pa. 

Happy First Birthday Merritt!! 

A year in review.

Dear Merritt,

You were born at 2:27 p.m. on a Wednesday. Born on the day that is celebrated as the International Day of Peace. From the moment you were born you brought peace with you into your family. Lauren and Tucker waited anxiously for you to be born. Lauren called you "our baby". When Lauren first looked at you she was in love. It showed in her face. Tucker loved you right away, too. 

 You are a Mama's girl. You eat her up when she holds you. I think you are really kissing her, but it looks like you are trying to eat her face. 

 You are a happy girl and a joy to me and your granddaddy.

At 10 centimeters. 

Meeting Merritt. 

Aunt Tracy and Uncle Wayne brought Lauren and Tucker to see you. Lauren was rushing to meet you.

Ready to leave the hospital. 

Random sleeping snapshot.

Snapped this while Aunt Alyssa was trying to get a photo for your Christmas card. 

Your first Christmas. Yes, that is a Hanukkah onsie. 

Happy girl. 

Easter.

Pretty blue eyes. 

Fourth of July. 

Your baptism. 

Almost one year old. 

I wish you a happy first birthday. May peace be ever in your heart and love surround you all the days of your life. 

Feeling all aglow.

Great 3 mile walk this morning. Feeling the residual Zen of my art and my tai chi class from yesterday.  Plus. The air is cool. It is sunny. Low humidity. I was finding my chi and having happy drawing thoughts, enjoying the play of sunlight on the grass. Dark green. Light green. Everything was sharp and in focus.
The official start of Fall begins shortly after 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. I find it funny that Fall begins at a specific moment. Autumnal equinox. It brings on these wonderful pictures in my head of sweaters and pumpkins and stews and burning leaves in the yard. This morning was cool enough that it warranted wearing a t-shirt AND a long sleeve shirt.
I have things to do today. Bible study. Grocery shopping. Art homework (just have to draw something). I am trying out some Weight Watchers' recipes and finding that I like them. I am having some success in losing the pounds that I want gone. My pants are fitting better. I will not have to purchase a new wardrobe, after all. Whew.
Later today we will attend a junior high football game. I'll wear a sweater. We will eat a hot bowl of leftover gumbo before the game. And maybe we will even burn some leaves on Saturday. To celebrate and welcome Fall.
Tomorrow is a special day. So be sure and check back for my post.

Rainy Monday

It is steamy feeling outside. The rain started when I was getting my annual mammogram this morning. Someone turned on the sauna. 

Had a few quick stops on the way home. To pick up the 1% milk and drop by the store that sells everything for $1. Saw a cute idea on Pinterest and am copying it. Cheap. Cute. Will gift it to someone. Will post pic when I finish. 

Here is what I made on Saturday with more bounty from Uncle Jay's garden...

***

Happy to talk to Dad on Skype this morning. In his very own den. On his very own computer. He and Mom arrived safely yesterday after their extended stay in Ridgeland where they had evacuated for Isaac. It is such a relief to them. And to all of their children. All nine of us. 

****

Am back to working on some crochet projects. The never ending sunflower granny square afghan. One day I will finish. Am also working on another baby hat. 

And the beat goes on.

Weddings and harvests.

Friday I went outside to retrieve my hummingbird feeders. They were bone dry and needed scrubbing and refilling. Got that done. While I was out I noticed the sweet potato vine that was growing out the planter had leaves turning yellow. Hmm. In late spring I had, on a whim, decided to just plant some sweet taters that were sprouting in my kitchen. Originally I had no intention of harvesting sweet taters but Friday I decided to dig in the dirt to see if any had actually grown. Look what I found!

Taters just out the ground.

Sweet taters all nice and washed. 

Growing in the planter encouraged the taters to grow with some curvy character. 

You will be glad to know that the taters are cut, oiled, salt and peppered and in the oven as I type. I love the sweet tater oven fries. 

I might try to repeat this next year since it was so rewarding to dig up these little boogers.

***

Last evening Mr. Macho and I attended the wedding of a friend's daughter. She is a lovely young lady that grew up in our neighborhood. Her wedding was a sweet ceremony followed by a fun reception. It was all very well done and not over done. Kudos to the bride's family for doing everything just right. It was the most fun I have had at a wedding and reception in a long time. Good food. Good dancing. Happy times. 

The happy couple will honeymoon in St. Lucia. One of my most favorite spots on the planet. 

****

Another happy bit of news. My parents are on their way home. Right now. This very minute! They were evacuated because of the storm named Isaac. They have been away from home for exactly three weeks. We cut their stay by one week. Yesterday Mom celebrated her 92 birthday. Paulette spent yesterday with them getting them packed and saw them off this morning. Mimi and Marsha will be there to welcome them home. New sitters have been hired that will give them around the clock care. Mimi has cooked up a storm and been grocery shopping, too. Their fridge and freezer are well stocked. 

*****

I confess that I splurged on the food at the reception last night. I have been on the Weight Watcher diet for almost two weeks. I have dropped a few pounds. Last night I treated myself to some of the creamy dips - but didn't eat any of the crostini or chips. I ate three sausage balls. I ate a rib. Yes. Only one. And I must say it was delish. Then I got a plate of fruits and veggies and munched. I had several bites of the wedding cake and the groom's cake then passed them to Mr. Macho to finish. But the worst thing I did was drink several glasses of wine. And it was all good.

I am back on the wagon today. Counting my points and making wise choices. And drinking lots of 

water. 

******

The next week should pass like a speeding bullet. I have my annual mammogram in the morning. This week I begin three mini-courses through the local college. Beginning Spanish, drawing and tai chi. Wednesday night I am a hostess at my bunko club. Merritt's first birthday is this week (the 21st) and we will drive over for her party next Sunday. 

Good times, man.

What's for lunch.

I am trying hard to stay within my Weight Watcher point range. I was very proud of myself last night. We ate out. I ate a salad with balsamic vinaigrette on the side - used maybe a teaspoon of dressing. I also ate grilled asparagus and a delicious grilled catfish with a nice crawfish sauce. People around me were eating fried plates of yumminess and creamy pasta dishes. I did take two pinches of the fresh bread the waitress brought to sop up the last little bites of the crawfish sauce. All in all I felt like I ate pretty light.

On Sundays we usually eat a mid-day dinner. Sunday nights are called "every man for himself" night at our house. Today I cooked brown rice, canned black beans with homemade salsa, and stir fried chicken with onions an peppers and spiced with chili powder. It was all yummy. And I fared pretty well on my WW points. 

*****

Babysitting yesterday was pretty easy. Merritt crawled and played and was a most sweet baby all day. 

At lunch time I sat Merritt in her high chair and gave her some baby yogurt puffs. I warmed myself a bowl of vegetable soup. When I started to eat, Merritt started to grunt. I gave her a bite of carrot out of my soup. She looved it. She ended up eating all the veggies out my soup which included all the carrots, celery, green beans and tomatoes. She spit out the rice and what ever else those little things were in the soup (maybe barley?). 

After playing inside for a short time, Lauren and Tucker played outside with a neighbor boy and only came inside for lunch the rest of the day. 

Lauren's posed surprise face. Watch me color, Nanny. She always wants an audience. Maybe she will be an actress when she grows up! I hear she is really good at learning the weekly poem that her teacher assigns. 

Tucker's bored face. Like, take the picture already, Nanny. And get out of my face. I am busy! Can't you see?

Cutie Patootie! She is all smiles. And drool. If you are around her, you are gonna get wet. 

Crawling under the table. What a fun game!

She licked the windows and door while she watched the big kids playing outside. 

***

Wishing I could be on the coast to help Mimi. This week she has totally cleaned out two refrigerators at Mom and Dad's. She has arranged and been present for carpet cleaning, plumbing repairs, and lawn clean ups. She has lined up three new sitter companies to be interview by her, Peter, and Marsha. (Another sister and a brother.) Mind you, Mimi is also employed and has a house of her own to run. Amanda made it back to Virginia in one piece. I know she feels blessed, as I did, to have helped care for Mom and Dad during their evacuation. 

Lynn is due in Ridgeland tomorrow to assume The Duties. She will stay until Friday and be followed by other sisters - Paulette then Stephanie. 

I understand that Dad has had to take his nitro glycerin several times this week for his chest pain. I am most anxious, as I know all my siblings are, to get Mom and Dad home. Dad needs home. Amanda is working on making the travel arrangements as siblings on the coast begin to hire new sitters. 

It really is taking a village to "raise" our parents. 

Wrap this one in gold and black.

That's right. We are in the throws of football. Again. Son-in-town is an assistant high school football coach. Tonight we will be in the stands cheering on the Trojans. Unless it rains. When Coach Son was in high school rain could not keep me away. Not so now. I still love the high school football game. Love watching the band march into the stands. Love the National Anthem. Love watching the crowd. Love watching the game. Love the excitement. Go Trojans!
The week has slipped through my hands with not much to talk about. Have tried to catch up from being out of town last week. Have done a little crocheting. Actually bought a couple of crochet booklets. Working on a new little baby bonnet pattern.
I started Weight Watchers this week. My pants were feeling just too tight. I already feel better just for having put more fruit and vegetables into my diet. My workout this morning felt energetic. All good.
Am heading to have lunch with Daughter today. The Super Carrot is home with a tummy bug. I hope the bug doesn't travel.
Amanda, sister from Virginia, has had The Duty with Mom and Dad this week. Sunday will complete their second week of evacuation. Hopefully we will get them home in another two weeks. Mimi, sister on the ground, is cleaning and working hard to have everything in place for their return home. Amanda will fly home tomorrow. Lynn, sister from Texas, will arrive on Monday to spend the week ministering to our parents.
Tomorrow I will drive back to Daughter's house and babysit Lauren, Tucker, and Merritt. Daughter is helping  host a wedding shower for her college roommate. Fun times. She has kept up with many of the friends she made in college. Old friends are good to have. I have very few friends that I feel like are true blue old friends.
No going to that pity party today. I have much to do before the sun goes down. Better get to it. Adios!

I am back.

What a week. This time last week my sisters were scrambling to remove my parents from the path of the storm named Isaac. Thought it would be Monday before a hurricane watch/warning would be issued. It was earlier. Arrived home from church Sunday morning and got the call that it was the day and the ambulance was due to arrive within the hour to load them up and move them out. I threw essentials into a suitcase and by 11:00 was well on my way to meet the ambulance at an assisted living facility in Ridgeland.
Mom and Dad arrived around 3:30 in the afternoon. My older brother and his sweet wife were there also to help get them settled and see to their needs. Bless them both. They brought Mom and Dad many items to help make their month long stay as comfortable as possible. Even went so far as loaning Dad a laptop computer so that he can continue to stay connected to us all via Skype. Skype lifts him up.
Monday and half of Tuesday we lost a little ground with Dad. He was exhausted, pale, and slept most all of that time. By Tuesday afternoon a little color came back to his face and he held his ground for the rest of the week.
I am throwing down the gauntlet and challenging all my siblings to spend a week caring for Mom and Dad. The idiosyncrasies of their lives are so varied I can not possibly recall and convey all the nuances of the job that is caring for them. They both need us. It took both the sitter and me to get things done. Mom is really beginning to need care, also.
I am ever thankful to older brother and wife for caring for me while I was caring for our parents. They both work but found time to drop by during the day to visit. And they provided me a bed and wonderful meals every night. Hugs and kisses and gratitude from me continue to flow their way.
For the next three weeks one sister will be with Mom and Dad to help distract them from the fact that they are not in their home and to care for them and make them as comfortable as possible.
To my siblings: if you do not take a turn, at some point, spending significant time and caring for Mom and Dad you are missing a valuable opportunity. A truly golden opportunity. It is difficult, sad, happy, sometimes wears your patience, but so filled with love that you should not pass up the chance to put your love in action. I feel blessed for having been there. Amen.