Two more of our grandchildren graduated from high school this past weekend. Lee's was Friday night, and Maddie's on Saturday morning. It was busy! That makes it five since Paul and I were married.
Paul's oldest son, Jeff and his family, came down from Ontario on Friday, and stayed here overnight. Brenda flew in last Wednesday from California.
Settings: Lee's graduation was Friday night inside at 6:00 PM in the Odessa-Montour Falls auditorium. Auditorium's are usually hot, but it had air-conditioning. Yes! We had good seats, way down front - saved by Sharon and family. We had to get there early. So I made Wimpies for Jeff's family and us. Not as good as Paul's. His are the best. I used his recipe too. Wimpies are Sloppy Joe's. (I knew some of you wouldn't know.)
Maddie's graduation was Saturday morning at 10 AM at the Corning-Painted Post Stadium, held outside. We were under the stadium roof. We had thought we'd be in the sun - so we took sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and water. Didn't need them. It had a roof and was shady. Her dad saved us seats - second row. We had to get there early. The poor graduates were out in the sun.
Robes: Lee's was maroon. Maddie's school had the girls - white, boys - green.
Times: Lee's about an hour. Maddie's about one hour fifteen minutes.
Graduates: Lee's - 62. Maddie - 220.
Awards - They both got an award. Odessa announced each one. West High - listed them in the program.
Afterglow:
Lee's party will be July 6th. After the graduation we came back to their house and Sharon had homemade strawberry/blueberry shortcake for the family. It was from an old family shortcake recipe with real whipped cream. We sat outside on the deck.
Maddie had her graduation luncheon directly afterward from twelve to two. It was scrumptious, as usual. Her mom goes "all out." Not only family were there, but friends and graduates.
After Maddie's party, a lot of us went to see her brother's baseball Travel Team at Dunn Field in Elmira. Her dad coaches the team. They played against a Rochester Team - a double-header from 2:30 on. Unfortunately our team didn't do so well, but I understand that's rare.
Jeff and Dorothy left for home then, but Alaina and DJ stayed another night. Dorothy got a new jet ski and wanted to try it out. I bet she's sunburned. DJ took Alaina's car and visited some friends in Watkins and stayed overnight. Alaina stayed here.
Sunday Brenda, Paul, Alaina and I went out for breakfast at Chef's diner in Montour, and then on to the Baptist church in Odessa whereSharon and Dave belong. The church service was put on by the teens, and Lee delivered the sermon. He said he worked on it for four days. He did a good job - very poised.
We got home and DJ was waiting for Alaina - they left after lunch for home.
Tomorrow Emma's flying in from California. Brother Bob is due on Wednesday. Good! Can't wait to see them. Bob and his son, Paul, were driving up with Martini. Gracie will be so happy! Paul lives in Pittsburgh and Bob is spending a couple of days with him. Paul has to get back to work. Bob is then coming here to stay for a couple of weeks.
I talked with Bill and Epril tonight - Epril passed her driver's permit test! She's so excited. We had a long conversation. Bill said she's learning to converse a lot in English because of the nursing home patients. They both sounded very happy about life in general. They went out with their friends last weekend.
So - how're things goin' in your neck o' the woods?
Monday, June 24, 2013
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
A Strange Episode
One incident I meant to write about in my last blog, but looked at the length and decided perhaps it would be better if I wrote about this separately. Paul and I really had a good laugh.
On our way back to the motel on Friday night, we stopped to get a cup of decaf coffee and some gas. Paul, as usual, was in charge of the gas. I, the coffee. I walked inside, got the coffee and went up to the cashier. I put the coffee cups down. But not near one another. She saw one cup and said, or what I heard - "Coffee? That's all?"
"Yes," I said.
She said "That'll be $1.05." Then she saw the other cup, and said, "Oh, you have another. That'll be $2.11."
"What? How come it's not $2.10?"
"It always rings up that price for two."
"Why?"
"Usually people order one at a time."
Now does that make sense to any of you???? Paul wondered how much money she makes in a day collecting that extra penny. I suppose I could have re-ordered our coffee one at a time, but I decided she must need the extra penny more than I did.
BTW - the coffee was good. And we had a good laugh.
On our way back to the motel on Friday night, we stopped to get a cup of decaf coffee and some gas. Paul, as usual, was in charge of the gas. I, the coffee. I walked inside, got the coffee and went up to the cashier. I put the coffee cups down. But not near one another. She saw one cup and said, or what I heard - "Coffee? That's all?"
"Yes," I said.
She said "That'll be $1.05." Then she saw the other cup, and said, "Oh, you have another. That'll be $2.11."
"What? How come it's not $2.10?"
"It always rings up that price for two."
"Why?"
"Usually people order one at a time."
Now does that make sense to any of you???? Paul wondered how much money she makes in a day collecting that extra penny. I suppose I could have re-ordered our coffee one at a time, but I decided she must need the extra penny more than I did.
BTW - the coffee was good. And we had a good laugh.
Post Number 500
For those of you who knew, and those of you who didn't, we're home now.
We had a most enjoyable weekend up at Alicia and Howard's farm in Lebanon, Conn., celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary and Alicia's 80th birthday. Howard is Paul's next oldest sibling. What a good time we had!
Unfortunately, Edna and Bonnie couldn't make it, and we missed them, but understood because Ray, Bonnie's son and driver, is recovering from a heart operation and Mike, Edna's husband, stays pretty close to home with with his COPD problem. The three brothers were there. Bob, Paul and Howard.
Once in a while, people come up to me and tell me they read my blog. That's nice. Kathy, Bob's daughter, said she reads it. He's Paul's oldest brother. I think she prints it out for her dad. Kathy called herself a "creeper" which I wondered about. It doesn't sound very good, does it. But she described it as someone who reads Facebook, etc. and doesn't respond. That's okay with me. I'm really good with it. It didn't "creep" me out.
It's nice to be able to tell friends and family what's goin' on at the Woodsedge.
We boarded Gracie at her favorite place - Carol's Habitat for Hounds. Gracie pulled and pulled on her leash when we got out of the car. She wanted to get into the house and see Carol and her little dog, Mickey. She just loves it there! And they love her. You can't imagine how glad we are to have found Carol.
It was a six hour trip to Lebanon. We drove up Friday - the day before the party. We left here at 9 and got to the motel at 3:30. The drive was beautiful. We had a rest and then on to Applebees - practically across the street. Then after supper, we went on to the farm - a 15 minute drive - just to touch base. We didn't stay long because we were tired. We all had the cake I brought up with us. So that worked out well.
Weather-wise - they couldn't have gotten better weather. It was gorgeous. Beautiful blue skies. It had rained the days before, so the grass was exceptionally green. Howard and Alicia have a 40 acre farm with Herefords. They have an electric fence to separate the cattle from the back yard, and the cows just enjoyed coming and looking at everyone. There were only ten or twelve of them at one time. Including calfs. The kids had fun - touching the fence. Paul said it was harmless. He said kids like to get a piece of grass and touch it to see how close they can get to it. Didn't sound harmless to me. But I'm originally a city person. (Long Island)_
Alicia and Howard's three children, Joe, Karyn and Chuck, put on the party for them the next day. It was catered and about 100 people showed up. . Parking was in the village green, across the street from them Lots of friends and neighbors.
But, I must say we had a good number of relatives that attended. Sharon, Ida and Charles came in on Friday evening late in their new truck, pulling a pop-up tent. They set it up on the side lawn along side a tent Karyn had set up. Then there were two carloads from DuBois, Pa. which included Bob, and his two daughters, Kathy and Sue, husbands, and Bob's granddaughter and two little great grandchildren. Plus Lue's son Mike also came in from New London.
The party was in the backyard. A big white tent had tables set up with lavender tablecloths and little bouquets of flowers, white folding chairs. There was an outside appetizer station, a drink station with wine, beer and soft drinks. Inside the tent was a hot buffet with several entrees.
We left Sunday morning at 8 AM which was early. The reason: We had a date to visit with my old college roommate and her husband in Ballston Spa, .an hour outside of Albany. I've known Carol since kindergarten. . .it's been a long time. . .I almost feel like we could be related! Carol and John just had a new home built two years ago. They'd lived in an old farmhouse out in the country. This one is "in town." We stayed a couple of hours and had lunch with them.
And guess what - they're celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on June 29th - Same day as ours - only we'll be celebrating our 6th! And Gracie's pet sitter's daughter is getting married on the 29th. How about that?
What a lovely little one-story house. Actually it's about the same size as ours on the bottom floor, but much more open 1800 square feet. And, to be honest with you, very uncluttered. Hmmmm..... It made Paul and I come home and think about how to get rid of stuff! We're trying. We'll see. We've found some things in boxes and around the house that we didn't know we had, or forgot we had. It's a slow process, but we hope to get our house looking as uncluttered as theirs. We also loved their hardwood flooring in the main area. Now Paul is mulling over whether to do that to ours.
So that's all the news for now from the Woods edge. How're things goin' in your neck o' the woods?
We had a most enjoyable weekend up at Alicia and Howard's farm in Lebanon, Conn., celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary and Alicia's 80th birthday. Howard is Paul's next oldest sibling. What a good time we had!
Unfortunately, Edna and Bonnie couldn't make it, and we missed them, but understood because Ray, Bonnie's son and driver, is recovering from a heart operation and Mike, Edna's husband, stays pretty close to home with with his COPD problem. The three brothers were there. Bob, Paul and Howard.
Once in a while, people come up to me and tell me they read my blog. That's nice. Kathy, Bob's daughter, said she reads it. He's Paul's oldest brother. I think she prints it out for her dad. Kathy called herself a "creeper" which I wondered about. It doesn't sound very good, does it. But she described it as someone who reads Facebook, etc. and doesn't respond. That's okay with me. I'm really good with it. It didn't "creep" me out.
It's nice to be able to tell friends and family what's goin' on at the Woodsedge.
We boarded Gracie at her favorite place - Carol's Habitat for Hounds. Gracie pulled and pulled on her leash when we got out of the car. She wanted to get into the house and see Carol and her little dog, Mickey. She just loves it there! And they love her. You can't imagine how glad we are to have found Carol.
It was a six hour trip to Lebanon. We drove up Friday - the day before the party. We left here at 9 and got to the motel at 3:30. The drive was beautiful. We had a rest and then on to Applebees - practically across the street. Then after supper, we went on to the farm - a 15 minute drive - just to touch base. We didn't stay long because we were tired. We all had the cake I brought up with us. So that worked out well.
Weather-wise - they couldn't have gotten better weather. It was gorgeous. Beautiful blue skies. It had rained the days before, so the grass was exceptionally green. Howard and Alicia have a 40 acre farm with Herefords. They have an electric fence to separate the cattle from the back yard, and the cows just enjoyed coming and looking at everyone. There were only ten or twelve of them at one time. Including calfs. The kids had fun - touching the fence. Paul said it was harmless. He said kids like to get a piece of grass and touch it to see how close they can get to it. Didn't sound harmless to me. But I'm originally a city person. (Long Island)_
Alicia and Howard's three children, Joe, Karyn and Chuck, put on the party for them the next day. It was catered and about 100 people showed up. . Parking was in the village green, across the street from them Lots of friends and neighbors.
But, I must say we had a good number of relatives that attended. Sharon, Ida and Charles came in on Friday evening late in their new truck, pulling a pop-up tent. They set it up on the side lawn along side a tent Karyn had set up. Then there were two carloads from DuBois, Pa. which included Bob, and his two daughters, Kathy and Sue, husbands, and Bob's granddaughter and two little great grandchildren. Plus Lue's son Mike also came in from New London.
The party was in the backyard. A big white tent had tables set up with lavender tablecloths and little bouquets of flowers, white folding chairs. There was an outside appetizer station, a drink station with wine, beer and soft drinks. Inside the tent was a hot buffet with several entrees.
We left Sunday morning at 8 AM which was early. The reason: We had a date to visit with my old college roommate and her husband in Ballston Spa, .an hour outside of Albany. I've known Carol since kindergarten. . .it's been a long time. . .I almost feel like we could be related! Carol and John just had a new home built two years ago. They'd lived in an old farmhouse out in the country. This one is "in town." We stayed a couple of hours and had lunch with them.
And guess what - they're celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on June 29th - Same day as ours - only we'll be celebrating our 6th! And Gracie's pet sitter's daughter is getting married on the 29th. How about that?
What a lovely little one-story house. Actually it's about the same size as ours on the bottom floor, but much more open 1800 square feet. And, to be honest with you, very uncluttered. Hmmmm..... It made Paul and I come home and think about how to get rid of stuff! We're trying. We'll see. We've found some things in boxes and around the house that we didn't know we had, or forgot we had. It's a slow process, but we hope to get our house looking as uncluttered as theirs. We also loved their hardwood flooring in the main area. Now Paul is mulling over whether to do that to ours.
So that's all the news for now from the Woods edge. How're things goin' in your neck o' the woods?
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
This is my 499th post. Who'd ever think I had that much to say???
Sometimes you just have to say it. . .
We've had some gloomy cold days up here at the woods edge. Today I have a sweater on and long pants. It makes me think of Florida and the beautiful weather we'd had down there - sunny, bright, not humid. Not too warm. Not too cold. But then reality hits me, and I know it's HOT down there now. And humid. And if it isn't, it will be soon.
But then:
And of course, the weather will change up here too and it will be beautiful again. It was just a couple of days ago we had cocktails on the deck, with the umbrella up, shading us, and I was exclaiming how beautiful the trees looked as the breeze hit the highest branches, and the Hummingbird Feeder three feet away from us had visitors while we sat there. Kinda nice. So we're waiting patiently. I hear the weather will be better tomorrow.
Sorry. . . On a complaining note:
Yesterday and today I went to Curves. Not many people there. Maybe people are staying home because of the weather. Or not. Last week I signed on for my eleventh year.
As you all probably know, or not, Curves is an international women's health organization. It was run by a healthy, happy-looking mid-forties couple (from their picture) who made a lot of money having health clubs around the world, but especially in the USA. It is meant for ladies of all ages, but it was/is popular for us "older ladies" to exercise without the embarressment of . . . well, you know how we look in exercise clothes and how the other younger, well-trimmed ladies look. . .
Anyway. . .There are big changes in the Curves organization. In January, this happy couple sold their company, and probably made a mint of money, to a group (of men - I've heard, but don't quote me on this.) And this new group made a lot of changes. Some good, some questionable. They want conformity. This all happened in January of this year when I was in Florida, going to Curves down there. However, I didn't get there as much as I thought I would, (but did a lot more walking with Paul and Gracie.) I know why of course. We have a second car here, the rainy weather isn't conducive to walking.
So - back on track
- I didn't notice changes, but there were.
The Florida owner sold her place. After I got back up north, she sent everyone a good-by e-mail, but that "she'd see us on the circuit." (Our word for the machines). She didn't say why, but I think the Powers that Be (PtB) had too many changes and she wasn't happy with them.
Then I got up here. The PtB demanded they change the colors of the room from green to purple. The help was to wear purple Curve T shirts all the time. They were to change their hours - they were open too long. Down south, they were open too few hours. All Curves were to be opened the same. Up here they had to let some of their help go. Also - Too many Christian sentiments put on the walls. They were to be taken down..
Then I found out today that the price has gone up with a new program for new people. (I think new people) It costs $44.00 a month. It's called "Curves Complete" - a brand new exercise, diet and wellness program. I don't think they'll have much of a following. Too expensive for retired school teachers, etc. I certainly didn't sign up for that.
Another rule: the owner has to be on the premises. I hear that was one of many of the reasons that the Bath Curves closed May 31st of this year.
Why couldn't they just leave well enough alone? We "older ladies" enjoy the cameraderie of all the people we see when we go. I've got news for them. Most of us don't want to be weighed and measured. I can still be weighed and measured if I want to, but I choose not to.
I can remember going to Curves every day at 8:30 in Bath, and then going out for coffee with my friends. We'd sit and chat and then go on our way for the rest of the day. These ladies even came and visited me at the Watkins Glen Curves.
BTW That closed too. Several years ago. She couldn't make a go of it.
When I started I didn't know where my words were going, but it seems like I found plenty to say again.
Now it's time to stop. It's the hour before supper.
Everyone - so what's happenin' in your neck o' the woods?
Sometimes you just have to say it. . .
We've had some gloomy cold days up here at the woods edge. Today I have a sweater on and long pants. It makes me think of Florida and the beautiful weather we'd had down there - sunny, bright, not humid. Not too warm. Not too cold. But then reality hits me, and I know it's HOT down there now. And humid. And if it isn't, it will be soon.
But then:
And of course, the weather will change up here too and it will be beautiful again. It was just a couple of days ago we had cocktails on the deck, with the umbrella up, shading us, and I was exclaiming how beautiful the trees looked as the breeze hit the highest branches, and the Hummingbird Feeder three feet away from us had visitors while we sat there. Kinda nice. So we're waiting patiently. I hear the weather will be better tomorrow.
Sorry. . . On a complaining note:
Yesterday and today I went to Curves. Not many people there. Maybe people are staying home because of the weather. Or not. Last week I signed on for my eleventh year.
As you all probably know, or not, Curves is an international women's health organization. It was run by a healthy, happy-looking mid-forties couple (from their picture) who made a lot of money having health clubs around the world, but especially in the USA. It is meant for ladies of all ages, but it was/is popular for us "older ladies" to exercise without the embarressment of . . . well, you know how we look in exercise clothes and how the other younger, well-trimmed ladies look. . .
Anyway. . .There are big changes in the Curves organization. In January, this happy couple sold their company, and probably made a mint of money, to a group (of men - I've heard, but don't quote me on this.) And this new group made a lot of changes. Some good, some questionable. They want conformity. This all happened in January of this year when I was in Florida, going to Curves down there. However, I didn't get there as much as I thought I would, (but did a lot more walking with Paul and Gracie.) I know why of course. We have a second car here, the rainy weather isn't conducive to walking.
So - back on track
- I didn't notice changes, but there were.
The Florida owner sold her place. After I got back up north, she sent everyone a good-by e-mail, but that "she'd see us on the circuit." (Our word for the machines). She didn't say why, but I think the Powers that Be (PtB) had too many changes and she wasn't happy with them.
Then I got up here. The PtB demanded they change the colors of the room from green to purple. The help was to wear purple Curve T shirts all the time. They were to change their hours - they were open too long. Down south, they were open too few hours. All Curves were to be opened the same. Up here they had to let some of their help go. Also - Too many Christian sentiments put on the walls. They were to be taken down..
Then I found out today that the price has gone up with a new program for new people. (I think new people) It costs $44.00 a month. It's called "Curves Complete" - a brand new exercise, diet and wellness program. I don't think they'll have much of a following. Too expensive for retired school teachers, etc. I certainly didn't sign up for that.
Another rule: the owner has to be on the premises. I hear that was one of many of the reasons that the Bath Curves closed May 31st of this year.
Why couldn't they just leave well enough alone? We "older ladies" enjoy the cameraderie of all the people we see when we go. I've got news for them. Most of us don't want to be weighed and measured. I can still be weighed and measured if I want to, but I choose not to.
I can remember going to Curves every day at 8:30 in Bath, and then going out for coffee with my friends. We'd sit and chat and then go on our way for the rest of the day. These ladies even came and visited me at the Watkins Glen Curves.
BTW That closed too. Several years ago. She couldn't make a go of it.
When I started I didn't know where my words were going, but it seems like I found plenty to say again.
Now it's time to stop. It's the hour before supper.
Everyone - so what's happenin' in your neck o' the woods?
Monday, June 3, 2013
It's Been a While. . . .
May 20th was my last date to write. It's been two weeks.
We've been busy - as usual. I just feel lazy, but our cleaning lady is here and I want to keep out of her way. So - here I am. Paul is also at his computer too.
Our cleaning lady, Chris, is here for the first time since we've been back. She comes once a month to keep the house looking nice and fresh. The day she comes, we get up early and I strip the bed, wash the sheets. She puts a fresh set on, and folds the sheets that were just washed.
I'm glad Chris could come. Not only because the house needs it, but I think it's good for her because her father died suddenly last month. . . just around the time we got home. It was in the paper. I stopped by the funeral parlor. He was only 57. Chris is still very fragile. It's a difficult time for anyone. Her mom drove her over here and will pick her up after she's finished work - sometime this afternoon.
So - we went to visit Nancy in Chicago over Memorial Day Weekend. Dan was away at a conference. So we went to help out. We had non-stop flights from Rochester on Friday afternoon and Monday morning.
The kids were all good.
Walter is now 3 months old, and laughing out-loud. He doesn't have much hair, but it looks like it'll be light brown. He's still little of course and needs a lot of attention.
Vincent just turned 7. He wants long hair. Dan said (speaking from experience) he'd lose it soon enough - let him have it the way he wants, while he has it. So, his hair was quite long. Dan convinced him to have it "trimmed" though, so it would grow more equally. It does look better. We went to a ball game with him at the park around the corner. He's on the Cardinals' team. Ages 7-10. It wasn't much of a game. The coaches pitch, they hit. They don't keep score, but they do count outs. Vincent is still at the kicking dirt stage, and not watching the game much. His mom said as he left - remember to watch the ball and listen to the coach. He kinda did. Afterwards, the three of us went across the street to a coffe shop, for some juice and a cookie. Grandpa and I had a decaf and split a cookie.
Evie is 2 yrs. 9 months, and a little doll. She hadn't seen Paul in a long time and climbed right up on his lap. She talks a lot and is still a little difficult to understand, but it's easy to know what she wants. She's very sweet and loving. Sitting on my lap, she saw I had a scratch on my arm. She wanted to know if it hurt? Could she kiss it? Would I like a band-aid? Nancy says they really emphasize empathy at daycare. She only had one melt-down. (after all, she's still little.) We were at the Lincoln Zoo on Sunday and Nancy was on line at one spot for some food, and I was on another, and Evie ended on the floor for some reason. Who knows? I had to carry Nancy's food out so she could hold Evie.
Evie's a brave little girl - and her brother is very good to her. The Children's Zoo had a long netted maze that the little kids could climb through. ( They can see out and parents can see in at all places.) A couple of weeks ago she tried, but she only went in a couple of feet. She was very afraid and cried. This time, Vincent climbed through with her and encouraged her, and she went all the way through - not once, but twice! With him. Big brothers can be priceless. And we let him know it.
We had an early-morning flight back from Chicago on Memorial Day. Since we were early, we decided to stop at Canandaigua Casino for their lunch buffet and to play a couple of games of slots. Our rule is: We take $20 each. When that was gone, we quit. At one point, I almost doubled mine and the smart thing to do would have been to quit, but I didn't. I did stop when I had $20 left. So I came home. Even.
After that we picked up Gracie from the sitter. You could tell the sitter liked her a lot.
She said Gracie was a keeper. We're awfully glad we found Carol.
The weather has been off and on for the past week. It's been rainy, cloudy, cool, and then hot and humid. Sunny. Paul has done a beautiful job with the flowers. I mean a truly beautiful, outstanding job. And the weather has been cooperative. They're getting a lot of water!
We had our usual doctors' appointments the week when we got home. All is very well.
My cholesterol was up and my doctor wants me to use fish oil tablets, twice a day, to bring it down. He was pleased with my weight loss and healthy life-style changes. (That means eating less carbs and exercising more!) I must say, I feel better than I have in years. Paul and I walk up and down the Woods Edge when the weather cooperates. With Gracie. I also go to Curves. I try to get some exercise in every day.
Paul had been bothered by pain in his shoulder. The doctor prescribed rehab, so he went to Schuyler Hospital Rehab Center twice a week. The lady who worked on him was fabulous. She found a nerve/muscle that needed work on and she massaged it, gave him exercises to work on it, and told him to massage it in our hottub. (That helped also.) He's feeling great.
We've been keeping in touch with my brother, Bob, in Venice. He's doing well, but feeling lonely, of course. He's doing well, though, keeping busy. This is the first time he's been alone in a long time. His son Jonathan and his family were planning on moving to the Atlanta area, but their house deal "fell through" and they'll be in Sarasota a while longer. Good. So Bob has some family nearby. Plus Bill and Epril have kept in contact with him - the three of them went to the Moose Club for dinner and a movie.
Bob and Martini will be coming up for a visit towards the end of the month. Brenda will be here from California in time for graduations. Lee's a graduating senior as is Paul's granddaughter in Corning. We're so proud of them.
Speaking of the Moose Club: Yesterday we met Sharon and her family and Lue for breakfast at the Montour Falls Moose Club. It was put on by the Track Team (I think) of Odessa-Montour HS. Charlie was serving. We had to get there by 8:00 because Sharon was teaching Sunday School at 9:30. Lee sat with us. He didn't have to work. He's considered "graduated." I guess.
Yesterday was a strange "eating" day. We do go out for Sunday breakfast, but it's later, and we usually then don't have lunch. But lunch fit in yesterday. We didn't feel like having a regular dinner, so we went to Jerlando's in Horseheads and got some take-out Calzones. I'd never had one before - they're huge. Good thing we only ate half - I checked the carb count. We'll have the rest today for lunch. Spread out the goodness!
I think I've written just about everything. It's amazing when I get started how much I remember. I had thought I couldn't fill a page. . . but as you can see I wrote a lot. Paul's long gone. I hear the lawn mower. That's a constant job. As you all know.
So - that's all the news from the Woods Edge. How're things goin' in your neck o' the woods?
We've been busy - as usual. I just feel lazy, but our cleaning lady is here and I want to keep out of her way. So - here I am. Paul is also at his computer too.
Our cleaning lady, Chris, is here for the first time since we've been back. She comes once a month to keep the house looking nice and fresh. The day she comes, we get up early and I strip the bed, wash the sheets. She puts a fresh set on, and folds the sheets that were just washed.
I'm glad Chris could come. Not only because the house needs it, but I think it's good for her because her father died suddenly last month. . . just around the time we got home. It was in the paper. I stopped by the funeral parlor. He was only 57. Chris is still very fragile. It's a difficult time for anyone. Her mom drove her over here and will pick her up after she's finished work - sometime this afternoon.
So - we went to visit Nancy in Chicago over Memorial Day Weekend. Dan was away at a conference. So we went to help out. We had non-stop flights from Rochester on Friday afternoon and Monday morning.
The kids were all good.
Walter is now 3 months old, and laughing out-loud. He doesn't have much hair, but it looks like it'll be light brown. He's still little of course and needs a lot of attention.
Vincent just turned 7. He wants long hair. Dan said (speaking from experience) he'd lose it soon enough - let him have it the way he wants, while he has it. So, his hair was quite long. Dan convinced him to have it "trimmed" though, so it would grow more equally. It does look better. We went to a ball game with him at the park around the corner. He's on the Cardinals' team. Ages 7-10. It wasn't much of a game. The coaches pitch, they hit. They don't keep score, but they do count outs. Vincent is still at the kicking dirt stage, and not watching the game much. His mom said as he left - remember to watch the ball and listen to the coach. He kinda did. Afterwards, the three of us went across the street to a coffe shop, for some juice and a cookie. Grandpa and I had a decaf and split a cookie.
Evie is 2 yrs. 9 months, and a little doll. She hadn't seen Paul in a long time and climbed right up on his lap. She talks a lot and is still a little difficult to understand, but it's easy to know what she wants. She's very sweet and loving. Sitting on my lap, she saw I had a scratch on my arm. She wanted to know if it hurt? Could she kiss it? Would I like a band-aid? Nancy says they really emphasize empathy at daycare. She only had one melt-down. (after all, she's still little.) We were at the Lincoln Zoo on Sunday and Nancy was on line at one spot for some food, and I was on another, and Evie ended on the floor for some reason. Who knows? I had to carry Nancy's food out so she could hold Evie.
Evie's a brave little girl - and her brother is very good to her. The Children's Zoo had a long netted maze that the little kids could climb through. ( They can see out and parents can see in at all places.) A couple of weeks ago she tried, but she only went in a couple of feet. She was very afraid and cried. This time, Vincent climbed through with her and encouraged her, and she went all the way through - not once, but twice! With him. Big brothers can be priceless. And we let him know it.
We had an early-morning flight back from Chicago on Memorial Day. Since we were early, we decided to stop at Canandaigua Casino for their lunch buffet and to play a couple of games of slots. Our rule is: We take $20 each. When that was gone, we quit. At one point, I almost doubled mine and the smart thing to do would have been to quit, but I didn't. I did stop when I had $20 left. So I came home. Even.
After that we picked up Gracie from the sitter. You could tell the sitter liked her a lot.
She said Gracie was a keeper. We're awfully glad we found Carol.
The weather has been off and on for the past week. It's been rainy, cloudy, cool, and then hot and humid. Sunny. Paul has done a beautiful job with the flowers. I mean a truly beautiful, outstanding job. And the weather has been cooperative. They're getting a lot of water!
We had our usual doctors' appointments the week when we got home. All is very well.
My cholesterol was up and my doctor wants me to use fish oil tablets, twice a day, to bring it down. He was pleased with my weight loss and healthy life-style changes. (That means eating less carbs and exercising more!) I must say, I feel better than I have in years. Paul and I walk up and down the Woods Edge when the weather cooperates. With Gracie. I also go to Curves. I try to get some exercise in every day.
Paul had been bothered by pain in his shoulder. The doctor prescribed rehab, so he went to Schuyler Hospital Rehab Center twice a week. The lady who worked on him was fabulous. She found a nerve/muscle that needed work on and she massaged it, gave him exercises to work on it, and told him to massage it in our hottub. (That helped also.) He's feeling great.
We've been keeping in touch with my brother, Bob, in Venice. He's doing well, but feeling lonely, of course. He's doing well, though, keeping busy. This is the first time he's been alone in a long time. His son Jonathan and his family were planning on moving to the Atlanta area, but their house deal "fell through" and they'll be in Sarasota a while longer. Good. So Bob has some family nearby. Plus Bill and Epril have kept in contact with him - the three of them went to the Moose Club for dinner and a movie.
Bob and Martini will be coming up for a visit towards the end of the month. Brenda will be here from California in time for graduations. Lee's a graduating senior as is Paul's granddaughter in Corning. We're so proud of them.
Speaking of the Moose Club: Yesterday we met Sharon and her family and Lue for breakfast at the Montour Falls Moose Club. It was put on by the Track Team (I think) of Odessa-Montour HS. Charlie was serving. We had to get there by 8:00 because Sharon was teaching Sunday School at 9:30. Lee sat with us. He didn't have to work. He's considered "graduated." I guess.
Yesterday was a strange "eating" day. We do go out for Sunday breakfast, but it's later, and we usually then don't have lunch. But lunch fit in yesterday. We didn't feel like having a regular dinner, so we went to Jerlando's in Horseheads and got some take-out Calzones. I'd never had one before - they're huge. Good thing we only ate half - I checked the carb count. We'll have the rest today for lunch. Spread out the goodness!
I think I've written just about everything. It's amazing when I get started how much I remember. I had thought I couldn't fill a page. . . but as you can see I wrote a lot. Paul's long gone. I hear the lawn mower. That's a constant job. As you all know.
So - that's all the news from the Woods Edge. How're things goin' in your neck o' the woods?
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