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. 

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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!! 

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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...

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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. 

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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. 

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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.