Friday, October 30, 2009

Journal installment #13 -- NOT!

For some reason, this blog will not allow me to paste the word document containing this installment. I've tried several times but it absolutely refuses to let it happen so I will settle for one of the photos used in the paper for now. Definitely do not want to retype the whole thing. At least not now!



This twig fence is one of many used by British farmers to separate their fields from public footpaths. Fences like this are excellent examples of using what nature provides rather than purchasing wire and other supplies needed to construct a fence. Not only are they attractive, they are more economical, blending seamlessly into the landscape while not adding unnecessary visual contaminants to the environment.


































































































I'm thinking

that TS won't be very active for a few days. Halloween, sick babies, doctor's office, etc. Lots to do. Good thing she's getting a paycheck now!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

This & that

It was so nice to see the sun again. According to the weather forecast, it won't last long but I enjoyed it while it was here.

Also on a good note, I think my "eye" situation is finally improving. I've been around the world it seems (and spent enough for the fare) trying to fix a simple problem that was incorrectly diagnosed by the optometrist my son recommended and caused major problems.

After expensive punctal plugs that caused more harm than good, a chemical burn from the Restatis he prescribed (spent 4 hours in the ER with that!), numerous attempts to wear contacts, three visits to opthamologists, the second doctor whom I've seen twice said my eyes were not dry, that my contacts just weren't fitted properly.

The optician he referred me to worked me in today and so far, so good. I'm crossing my fingers they continue to do well. I'm really tired of wearing glasses all the time. Occasionally, I don't mind but full time, it pretty much stinks.

Just talked to TH and the girls didn't get to go to Babyland. Seems the little one was spiking a pretty good temperature last night so they postponed the trip to another day. The joys of mother/fatherhood!

Rain or shine, I'm looking forward to tomorrow. Every day is a bonus!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Rain Rain Go Away

Bleah. It's a rainy, cold day, and I'm ready for some sunshine. I'm not one to complain too much about what weather we get, but my girls and I need some Vitamin D rejuvenation! We were out and about in the nastiness all morning and fortunately (?) are ensconced in our house right now. I question the fortune of this as I half-listen to the chaos surrounding me...Little Bit is pretending to be a Froggy in trouble and Roo is playing her a "Get Well Soon, Frog" tune on the piano while the dogs wrestle each other, with one soaking wet from being out pottying in the rain.

We went to the dentist this morning and Roo had sealants put on her permanent molars. Supposedly, they will help her from getting cavities in those hard-to-brush cracks and crevices. I figure if that's true, even with the inital cost (pretty expensive since we have no dental insurance anymore) it will be a worthwhile investment. Still haven't made that first visit with Little Bit, so I suppose I need to do that soon. They glanced at her teeth last time I was there and said they looked good, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they will continue to be. Next on the agenda was the library, where they were holding a Spooky Storytime. It was lots of fun, especially the Bat Windsock craft the girls got to make. We're really getting into the crafty thing: we made paper bag trees and salt dough ghosts for Halloween as well. Since Little Bit is getting older, it's a lot easier for us to do more fun stuff like that.

Back to work tomorrow...the in-laws are keeping the girls tomorrow and planning to take them to Babyland General Hospital to get Cabbage Patch Kids. Don't know how that's going to work out with the rain, but am too busy cutting out stuff in preparation for my job tomorrow to worry too much about it.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Another Beautiful Day

There's something soothing about riding alone in a car at 6 a.m. That is, unless you're on the I-75/85 connector in Atlanta or I-20 westbound. Fortunately, I was on the eastbound side this morning and my ride was smooth. It felt so peaceful that I wasn't even tempted to gloat at the sea of headlights on the other side, not even when part of it looked as though it was a massive parking lot. Just felt a few little pangs of sympathy for those who had no choice but to be there.

This is my morning to stay with Little Bit and I have to leave early to get here in time for her Mom to leave by 8:00. Thank goodness she is in a good mood this morning. She did go in the bathroom and stuff bits of tissue in her ears when I kept nagging her about going to potty and brushing her teeth. She did what I asked anyway (eventually) so I ignored the obvious little rebellion she had going on. Sometimes you just have to pick your battles.

It was dark most of the way out here but as the sun has come out, you can see the lovely golds and reds and yellows of fall all around. All the hickorys and other trees preserved on this lot when the house was built provide a breathtaking view from the deck. The ride back after lunch should be lovely. I will never understand how anyone can enjoy such glorious panoramas and not believe there is a higher power in charge of it all.

Enough for Monday musings. I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful day as much as I am.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Nice End to the Week

What a glorious day! The sun was shining and the sky was an incredible shade of blue all afternoon. The park was teeming with people of all shapes, colors, and sizes, probably enough to populate a small town. You could feel the pure energy vibrating in the air with so many folks out enjoying it all. Seizing the last vestiges of summer, I suppose.

My son and I had a great lunch at Daddy D'z and I'm having our leftovers for dinner tonight, another nice touch.

I thought about walking down to Park Tavern at the end of the street to hear Angie Aparo this evening but the crowd waiting for him was already huge at 5:00 o'clock and he isn't scheduled to appear until 9:30! Thinking I might pass it up this time.

I will miss the park when I move from here but it's time to make a change. It feels right and I am looking forward to it.

Except for this blog refusing to let me in or to read postings, this week ended much better than it seemed it was shaping up to be. My partner and I finished second in bridge yesterday afternoon and I had a nice evening later. Life seems good today.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Enough Said!

It's Friday, not the 13th, but I'm wondering where the next bomb will fall anyway.

My chiropractor who works miracles on my back is leaving, my tenant is moving out, city taxes on my house in Podunk increased over 50%, county taxes not quite that much but a substantial raise all the same, along with a few other things I won't list here.

Enough said. Just praying for an uneventful weekend with no bad news at this stage.!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Oops!

Never lie down on the sofa to watch Jeopardy when you're exhausted. That half hour turned into a 40 minute nap and probably will keep me up most of the night. I did need it though.

I spent the day at my new apartment, trying to get the cabinets cleaned and lined with new paper so I can start putting things up once I get them there. That doesn't sound like an all-day job but believe me, it was. Plus, I did a couple of other things in the cleaning department too. The apartment has been "cleaned" but apparently the person who cleaned, and I use that term very loosely, didn't believe in looking into corners and the tenants who lived here before didn't either.

I'm really beginning to look forward to living there. The folks I've bumped into so far have been very friendly and the sandwich I had at the restaurant yesterday was very good. Also, the ducks are back in the pond which is back off the golf course now. I sat at an outside table while I was eating and the view was gorgeous. Guess this country girl missed trees more than she realized!

I have a couple of weeks left here so I don't need to do it all at once so I think I'm going to take it easy tomorrow. Maybe.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

The healing power of lollipops

I am proud to announce I have discovered the solution to world peace: give all the country's leaders one of those long-lasting lollipops to suck on while they're negotiating. I mean, really, there's just something so soothing and peaceful about it. Even Chavez would have a hard time looking nasty if he was working on a Jolly Rancher pop, you know? I've noticed when my girls have one, it's like an instant mellowing out of the attitude...unless it's a Dum Dum pop or other chintzy one where they can grind it to bits within a minute. Little Bit has been working on a Frankenstein's Monster one we got the other day as a special treat for the last half hour. Amazing. I just hope that whomever reads this idea gives me the proper credit.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Another Sunday

Fall is definitely in the air! High 30s this morning and even lower tomorrow. It is nearly Thanksgiving though so it should not be unexpected if a bit unseasonal. I'm just happy that it's stopped raining at least for a while!

It's been a beautiful day, albeit a little chilly, but I couldn't get out enough to enjoy it. The streets around here were closed once again, this time for an AIDS Awareness walk. All these walks, runs, etc. are for good causes but you kind of wonder if maybe they might find somewhere besides Piedmont Park every time. You'd think perhaps they would like a change of scenery, but maybe not.

Being trapped in like this on such a gorgeous day makes my new place look even better. I'm sure there will be drawbacks but maybe the streets will stay open except for the usual traffic snafus anyway. I'm planning for a great week next week and this is not going to put a damper on it though. It is what it is, roll with the punches, and all that rot!

Friday, October 16, 2009

Packing

Moving day will be here way too soon. I signed the lease on my new place yesterday so it's official. I know I am going to like it there though. Lots of natural beauty, a restaurant on the premises, a more homey feeling than here. But if you want to play golf as my guest, you will have to wait a bit.

When I was there yesterday (in the rain), there were ducks swimming on the course. Fortunately the unit I am renting is on the upside of the hill and on the upper level so hopefully is safe from flooding. At least it has been so far!

I don't really hate moving. I hate packing! Unfortunately, it's a necessary evil so I'd better get busy. With my pinball though process, it will take the three weeks I have left. Help definitely appreciated!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Wish Seems to be in Vain

TH's wish for people not to get too much rain seems to be in vain. It's raining steadily again and appears it will be that way for a while yet. Oh well, we complain if we don't get it and complain if we do so at least we're consistent.

I've been lazy this week but I have a good excuse. I picked up five books at the library on Friday and of course I had to finish reading them. I'm done so now I have to go back (in the rain) to get some more. And I played bridge twice this week but that's two excuses, isn't it?

I really shouldn't get more books right now though. I need to pack the things I can do without in preparation for my upcoming move. Supposed to sign the lease tomorrow so maybe I will get inspired by that to get busy and even take a few things to the new place. Or not.

This waking up every morning at 4 a.m. is getting old in a hurry. No matter how late I turn in, I have awakened at the same time for about two weeks now. Thought when I retired I would sleep late. So much for that!

Monday, October 12, 2009

Hi hi hi ho, back to work he goes..

Oh, well. The gold hunting expedition was unsuccessful, so DH had to trudge back to work this morning :) Not expecting anything, it was just nice for him to have a break and get away with some friends.

For some reason, I am so exhausted today! I've fallen asleep three times on the couch while I was just intending to "rest my eyes" and was awakened by Little Bit. I'm a little better this afternoon after shooting some caffeine, but still dragging. What's going on? I got a better night's sleep than usual...maybe my system just isn't accustomed to it!

Lots of rain up here today, starting at the crack of dawn this morning, about five inches total the last time I checked the rain gauge. Hope the folks who have already been saturated will fare better and not get too deluged again.

Good feelings here this afternoon: got chili in the crockpot, warm chocolate chip cookies coming out of the oven, and cheesy Easy Listening from my customized Pandora Radio station emanating from the computer. Fabulous.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Back to the Real World

Well, last night was wonderful. Dinner at a nice restaurant, a Broadway-themed show with fabulous music by the ASO, and a little adult conversation (albeit conversation that did seem to keep coming back to the subject of the girls).

DH has left to find fortune in the gold-saturated (haha) mountains of North Georgia, and the girls have reeled me back completely into the real world of fish sticks, bickering, and potty training. Oh, and birthday parties...we have a friend's to go to this afternoon, complete with bouncy house. I still don't have his present wrapped, plus I have a book review due on Monday that I still haven't written. The evening I was supposed to have a few nights ago to concentrate on writing ended up with me having to help DH out and by the time the girls were down I didn't feel like writing anymore. Oh, well! I'm fortunate to have so many "problems," for sure.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Friday, October 9, 2009

B-Day week extends

Well, aren't I the lucky one? I get to extend my birthday all week by going to an Atlanta Symphony Orchestra show tonight and dinner w/my mom...very excited about this. My DH is going panning for gold (?) in North Georgia with some friends this weekend, taking off at the crack of dawn tomorrow morning, so I'll have the girls to myself until Sunday evening. No big deal, though; his long hours have meant he's not seen them for longer periods than this many times.

Playing with Little Bit this morning and taking a break to update. She's being pretty good, other than wanting me to walk with her in the rain, which is not gonna happen with her lingering runny nose and cough. She's getting a little tired of me and antsy for her big sister to come home and play with her, poor thing! Maybe I'll have a minute this afternoon to squeeze in a shower and dress halfway decent for my girls' night out!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Break (?) Time!

Well, the next week and a half, no work for me, hip hip hooray. No official work, anyhow, with a teacher furlough day and intercession next week. I think it'll be good to be at home with Little Bit for an extended time. She was so excited this morning when I told her I wasn't going anywhere...she asked me who she was going to stay with and I said I was, she said "Really??" and gave me a huge hug. Definitely an awww moment, at least until she started pushing my buttons about something or another. Overall, it's been a good day, though. You'd think I leave the child 60 hours a week instead of just 15.

Oops, spoke too soon. As I was typing, Miss Mischiveous decided to hide the remote-control tarantula she got for her birthday (thanks, MOM!) and wait until her sister was walking by to start it up and scare the pants off her. It was pretty funny, actually, though I can't show it too much. God bless my mom for helping me out so much while I'm working...I know the little one has especially been testing her and this break will be very good for her!!

I wish my break coincided with Roo's, but it's different counties so there is some disparity. I think it's pretty similar as the year goes on, however, so that'll be good. I'm so lucky to have a good job that I enjoy, especially in this economy...I worry all the time about jobs not coming back for good and stress about how this is going to not only impact our family but America in general. DH tells me to stop reading Newsweek before bed, that he's going to start hiding it and only putting out Southern Living or some other "comfort" reading material!

Little Bit's birthday has come and gone, as well as mine three days later. Both were lovely occasions, and as aforementioned, simple occasions. I think she had a great time surrounded by those who love her. She and sis are both still a little under the weather, so it definitely worked out for the best. My b-day was wonderful: I got to go to the U2 concert and it was phenomenal, I ate dinner out with my sweetie, received a big birthday cookie, and was greeted by my girls on my birthday exclaming "Happy Birthday!!" and presenting me with all the gift bags in the house, filled to the rim with their toys. It just doesn't get any better than this.

On life...

Life is a moderately good play with a badly written third act. ~ Truman Capote

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Journal installment #13

Excerpts from an English Journal,
Part 13

Sunday, March 22: We had another nice leisurely breakfast and Richard has even done a load of laundry and hung it outside to dry. (He says I will probably take all this sunshine with me when I leave on Thursday and he wants to take advantage of it while it lasts.) Now we’re we headed to church. It’s a short stroll but we’re not planning much else today, just relaxing a little and letting him catch up with a few chores.

We’re back from a most uplifting Mothering Sunday service. Mothering Sunday, always the fourth Sunday of Lent, is a time when children pay respect to their Mothers. The church provided fresh spring flowers and cards for all the children to come forward and claim and present to their mothers as part of the service. Afterwards, ushers/attendants stood at the door as the congregation filed out and gave a flower and a card to the ladies who didn’t have children at church that day. Very pretty and very sweet.
Speaking of sweet, Mothering Sunday is sometimes known as Simnel Day after the tradition of baking Simnel cakes to mark the occasion. Simnel cakes, now associated with Easter, were originally made to celebrate Mothering Sunday, thus the nickname. It’s a fruitcake with a flat layer of marzipan placed over the top and decorated with eleven marzipan balls representing the 12 apostles minus Judas. (Except for the apostle adornments, it sounds a lot like the birthday Celebration Fruitcake we had earlier.)
We walked back with Roy again and stopped in for a glass of ginger wine with him and Josie. Apparently this is a tradition for Richard and Roy as Josie does not attend services regularly. Roy leaves for church earlier but they usually walk back together and visit for a little while before separating. They’re very good neighbors and look after each other’s property when one of them is out of town. They’re a nice couple and I’m going to miss them.

We decided to have fruit and sandwiches for lunch. I introduced Richard to egg and cheese sandwiches. He was game enough to taste my sandwich even though he settled for ham and eggs with a slice of bread. I don’t think he’s gotten over my eating jam on cheese toast yet but I’m still shocked at some people using catsup on cheese toast too!

I volunteered to clean the kitchen while he watered his plants. Birthday week is officially over so I also picked up the birthday cards out of the den. There were 37 of them plus a letter from Buckingham Palace addressing him as an OAP (old age pensioner), a joke from his brother-in-law. Only a few duplicates in the bunch.

Mid-afternoon: Richard is outside washing the car. He said he would bring in the laundry later. It’s so nice to see a man who doesn’t mind doing “woman’s work.” The sun keeps darting in and out but it’s quite pleasant here in the conservatory. If not for a chilly wind blowing, I might even think I was in Georgia. Right now, I’m just taking it easy, making notes in my journal and sipping a Piňa Colada.

Evening: We didn’t do much today and neither of us was particularly hungry so we decided on a light supper tonight. I made a salad and we had some fresh multi-seeded bread with butter. Doesn’t sound like too much but I suppose the Lambrusko and birthday cake we had later negated the healthy salad. I also tried Squash, a/k/a High Juice tonight. I had the pink grapefruit flavor and really liked it. A pleasant surprise. Well, to me anyway.
Monday, March 23: My new RL jeans felt a bit tight when I zipped them this morning. With all this rich food, it scared me for a minute before I remembered they were washed in warm water rather than the recommended cold and apparently had shrunken a little. What a relief! (They did return to normal after wearing them a little while.)

It’s cloudy this morning, a bit reflective of my mood today. I’m feeling a little sad that I have to leave this lovely place in just three days. I’m amazed at how quickly the time has flown since I arrived. So hard to believe it’s been nearly three weeks already! We have some shopping to do today. I told Kevan that we would prepare dinner for him tomorrow evening. It won’t be nearly as delicious as the meal he cooked but hopefully will be good. I’ve found this stove to be quite intimidating and I’m also not accustomed to cooking with gas either so we shall see.

Late afternoon: We’ve had a busy day even though we’ve stayed home for most of it. After breakfast (more Squash for me), we went to Town Centre and stopped in at Marks & Spenser (no crescent rolls there either) and visited a couple of bookstores where we picked us some maps and a few things for my family. From there, we went to Sainsburys to complete our grocery shopping. We got stuff to make a meatloaf and broccoli casserole along with a few other items.
Back home, I made baked chicken again and prepared a salad while Richard cooked some very good new potatoes to go with it. After lunch, I put the meat loaf together and put it in the frig. Also did prep work for the casserole so we won’t have so much to do tomorrow.

I cleaned the kitchen while Richard washed the floor and ran the vacuum cleaner. Now he’s about to start ironing but I think I’ll just sit here a while and listen to Norah Jones and watch him work. We did have a treat between chores and I think he’s still in shock that I actually drank milk instead of a diet soda. He had a triple chocolate brownie with his glass of milk while I opted for the less sweet fruitcake.

I felt a little guilty watching him work so I dusted the tables in the lounge while he took the kitchen rubbish out to the wheelie bin and swept the driveway.

Evening: We had leftover chicken, fruit and cake for dinner. (I might actually pick us some healthy eating habits if I stayed here long enough.) Also watched the DVD “Love Actually.” It was a good movie even if it did jump around a bit. All-in-all, it was a very pleasant and much-needed relaxing day.

*********

This Simnel Cake recipe sounds a lot like the fruitcake Richard had for his birthday. I’m not sure of those ingredients but it was much better than the American fruitcakes I’ve had and the marzipan sheet of icing draped over it really brought the flavors together nicely.

Simnel Cake

110g/4oz butter
110g/4oz soft brown sugar
3 eggs, beaten
150g/5oz plain flour
Pinch of salt
1/4 t. each ground nutmeg and cinnamon
350g/12oz mixed raisins, currants and sultanas
55g/2oz chopped mixed peel of 1/2 lemon, grated rind only1-2 T. apricot jam
1 egg, beaten for glazing

For the almond paste: (Marzipan)

125g/4oz caster sugar
125g/4oz ground almonds
1 egg, beaten
1/2 t. almond essence (extract)
To make the almond paste: place the sugar and ground almonds in a bowl. Add enough beaten egg to give a fairly soft consistency. Add the almond essence and knead for a minute until the paste is smooth and pliable. Roll out a third of the almond paste to make a circle 18cm/7in in diameter and reserve the remainder for topping of the cake. (You can halve the recipe and omit the decorative balls for the top if desired.)

Preheat oven to 140C/275F. To make the cake: cream the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs until well incorporated and then sift in the flour, salt and spice (if using) a little at a time. Finally, add dried fruit, peel and grated lemon rind and mix into the mixture well.

Put half the mixture in a greased and lined 18cm/7-in. cake tin. Smooth the top and cover with the circle of almond paste. Add the rest of the cake mixture and smooth the top leaving a slight dip in the center to allow for the cake rising. Bake in the preheated oven for 1-1/2 hours. Once baked, remove from the oven and leave to cool.

When you are ready to decorate the cake, preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Brush the top of the cooled cake with the apricot jam. Divide the remainder of the almond paste into two equal parts. Roll out a circle to cover the top of the cake with one half and form 11 small balls with the other half. Place the circle of paste on the jam and set the balls round the edge. Brush the top with a little beaten egg. Return the cake to the preheated oven for about 10 minutes or long enough for the almond paste to brown. Enjoy!


Apple Dumplings by Mark

1 medium-sized cooking apple, cored, peeled and cut into 8 wedges
1 pkg. crescent rolls, 8 to a pack
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. water
1 c. white sugar
1/2 c. light brown sugar
Cinnamon Sugar

Wrap apple wedges triangularly in crescent rolls and seal edges. (I usually use Gala apples.) Lay dumplings in the bottom of a baking dish, seam-side down and sprinkle brown sugar between them. Heat butter, water, and sugar until butter is melted. Pour over dumplings and sprinkle dumplings liberally with cinnamon sugar.

Bake @ 350° for 30 minutes, or until browned. Serve plain or warm with ice cream or whipped cream. The result is easy and excellent apple dumplings in a great caramel sauce. NOTE: If you want to double this recipe, double apples and crescent rolls and use 1-1/2 times the other ingredients.

These were the apple dumplings I wanted to serve Richard’s family but could never find the crescent rolls I needed to prepare them. The recipe came from my friends Mark and Debra Ballard of Macon and are tried and true. I’ve never had a bad review in the many, many times I’ve served them.
Cinnamon Sugar

1/4 c. granulated sugar
4 t. ground cinnamon
Combine well and store in an airtight container. Put in a sprinkler container if you have one for more even distribution over desserts, French toast etc. Quantities can easily be doubled or tripled but a little of this goes a long way.

Sinful 4-layer Brownies

Cookie Layer
18 oz. Oreo cookies, crushed finely
1/2 c. chopped pecans
1 c. melted butter
Chocolate Layer;
6 oz. bittersweet chocolate
3/4 c. heavy cream
1-1/2 T. confectioner's sugar
5 T. Kahlua
White Chocolate Layer:
6 oz. white chocolate
6 T. heavy cream
1-1/2 T. confectioner's sugar
Ganache
6 oz. bittersweet chocolate
3/4 c. heavy cream

COOKIE LAYER: Combine crushed Oreos, pecans, and melted butter and press evenly into 8x12 pan. (I put Oreos and pecans into a food processor and pulse together.)
CHOCOLATE LAYER: Put chocolate, heavy cream, sugar, and Kahlua in top of a double boiler. Melt together, spread over cookie layer and let cool.
WHITE CHOCOLATE LAYER: Put white chocolate, cream, and sugar in top of a double boiler. Melt together, spread evenly over chocolate layer and cool in refrigerator for 15 minutes.
GANACHE: Melt chocolate, cream, and butter in top of a double boiler. Spread evenly over white chocolate layer. Refrigerate until cooled completely, overnight if possible, and cut into 1-in. squares. If these are to be out of the refrigerator very long, it is better to secure the squares with toothpicks to keep them from sliding apart if they get a little too warm.
NOTE: These are not the same brownies as Richard ate but have been a family favorite a long time and were always welcomed at library functions.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Monday Musings

Another Monday, and a rainy one at that! Nice, soft rain though, not like the monsoons we just came through. Actually, it's quite pleasant to watch a soft rain falling on the tops of the trees just outside my windows. I will miss that view when I move but the leaves will be gone soon and it won't be quite as beautiful then.

Yesterday was nice. Son #1 and I went to visit TS, Son #2, and the girls to celebrate Little Bit's third birthday, along with the paternal grandparents. It was limited to family only this year, probably the last "tame" part for her. I'm sure she will want a bigger affair next year. I am really impressed though that her parents go against the modern trend of ridiculously extravagant parties for babies too young to appreciate it and stay with the older, age appropriate, common sense approach.

It worked out for the best anyway as she and Big Sister both were a little under the weather with runny noses, low grade temps, and Little Bit seeming to be developing a cough, something that cannot be predicted in advance for sure. They behaved very well and it was difficult to tell who enjoyed it most. Roo's birthday is coming up next month and it will probably be another day of chaos at the Jump Zone or some other similar venue.

Their Uncle volunteered to sponsor it this time after he saw much they enjoyed it last year (courtesy of grandparents) and to save his sister the trouble of a home party. I must say that despite the noise, it did beat McDonald's. They had a private room for the cake and gifts and I unselfishly volunteered to stay back there and watch them while the others had "fun" with the kids. It was a sacrifice I was happy to make.

I have officially goofed all morning so I need to get dressed and try to accomplish at least one thing despite the rain. Or maybe I will wait just a little longer...

Saturday, October 3, 2009

So nice...

What a wonderful day! The weather is gorgeous, sunshine and great temperatures, and I'm spending it the best way ever: doing absolutely nothing except watching the football games on television.

It's almost 2:00 p.m. and I've just gotten dressed. I think the neighbors might frown upon my going down to check the mail in my nightie or I probably wouldn't have yet.

I am getting excited about the new apartment I found. I like the floor plan, love the area where it is located (gated community with golf course, tennis courts, pools, restaurant, health club, etc.) and best of all, it is so much less than what I am paying here.

Never thought I would say these words, except for actually leaving McRae/Telfair County last year, I am actually looking forward to moving. Just hoping it will be all I think it will!

Friday, October 2, 2009

Winding down?

My last day with Little Bit for this week. Of course, I will be going back out there Sunday for her birthday but that's a little different. I think she was more than happy to be rid of me for a little while. Too much me and not enough Mom and Dad for her this week, I think.

You might think enjoy having her big sister out of school for a teachers' furlough day today would be at least a little bit of fun for her, but no-o-o-o. Not at all.

She has a stubborn streak a mile wide. (Can't imagine where she got that!) Her uncle says she has big sister's number on speed dial and I believe it. She really knows how to push Roo's buttons and does that just often enough to keep things "interesting." One minute they will be playing like angels and the next minute she will say something to annoy Roo and it's off to the races. I don't know if things are going too smoothly to suit her and she just needs to stir the pot a little or what.

In any case, her mom (and dad) definitely have my sympathy. It takes a special person(s) to live with a temperamental child and not lose it themselves. My hat's off to both her parents!