We're Expecting Another Baby!

No, no, no!  Not My Bob and me, but our son and DIL, Austin and Melissa.  This will be their third and they tell me, final.  They would like a girl, since they have two boys, and they seem very happy about the prospect.  Bob and I are also excited, even though we always have our concerns.  Austin and Melissa  seem to already have too much going on in their lives and never seem to quite be settled.  Austin told me that he wants a third child and is happy about it, but he also wished that their lives weren't so chaotic.  I told him at this point he better just go with the flow because it's probably not going to get any less chaotic for the next 18 years or so.
They are back to thinking they should now move closer to Austin's recruiting office.  They had given up on that idea and he had decided to just stay in their house here in town close to us, but now he feels he should live closer to his office with Melissa being pregnant and the new baby due in July.
Melissa quit her job about a month ago in order to stay home with the boys.  So this news didn't come as a complete shock to me.  Especially after they laid eyes on their beautiful baby niece, Riley, after she was born in May.  I could see the look in their eyes then that they wanted one, too.  But Melissa just signed up for the Air Force Reserves.  Since she was already in the Air Force about five years ago, she's now in the reserves as a photographer, which is what she started out in.  She signed up for the reserves, though, before she was pregnant and this is her first weekend of training.  She will be gone one weekend a month.  So we'll see what happens.  I have nothing against her being in the reserves at all, but see what I mean about just adding to the chaos?
I'm getting better at telling myself it's their life and that's my constant mantra right now.  I just keep busy with my own life and hobbies and I'll help whenever I can.  I certainly can't take on their hectic lives. 
One thing I know for sure, My Bob and I can't wait to hold another new baby that just amazes us with the love we feel for them.
Speaking of beautiful grandchildren that we love, here is the most recent picture of Riley in her high chair for the first time.

Is she a princess or what?

Happy Anniversary -- to us

Today is the 30th anniversary of the day back in 1979 that My Bob and I eloped.  And "They" all said it wouldn't last!!  Proved "Them" all wrong, didn't we?  We were very young way back then and we both had jobs, although not great jobs.  We found a cute little apartment that was brand new and way outside of Cincinnati so we could afford it.  We had one car and drove together every day to work in downtown Cincinnati.  And we were very happy.  I shouldn't probably admit to everyone, but we were already living together and that bothered us a little.  So one day Bob came by my office at lunch time and said, "Let's go get a marriage license and blood test", and I was game for the adventure so that's what we did.  I think it was three days later, we went to a Justice of the Peace in Covington, Kentucky, paid him $25.00 and we were married in the living room of this drunk JP, while the Bengal game was playing on his TV.  Took all of about 10 minutes.  Then we went to dinner,  went back to our cute little apartment, and back to work the next day.  (We love to tell this story, it's true)  I don't think we told anyone for two weeks, but we felt really good about our little secret.   But the more time that went by, the guiltier I felt for not letting my mother and dad know.  Then the longer we waited, I started to become afraid to tell them.  We went to my mother first when she was alone and Dad at work as she was less intimidating than Dad and her reaction wasn't too bad.  At least she acted just fine.  I'm sure deep down she was a little upset that her only daughter didn't have a wedding and a wedding dress.  Heck, I didn't even have an engagement or wedding ring!  After hugging us and welcoming Bob to the family, we asked her to please tell Dad for us.  That was a no go.  She wouldn't do it and told us we had to tell him ourselves and we had to do it that night.  We stayed for dinner and when Dad got home we broke the good news.  And guess what?  He was wonderful, too.  (At least on the surface).  He hugged me, shook Bob's hand, and welcomed him to the family.  Mom and Dad then insisted that we have a large reception that they would host and pay for.  For over three months we planned a very nice event with a Valentine theme and on February 9, 1980, our wedding reception took place.
If I had it to do all over again, I wouldn't change a thing.  We saved ourselves and my parents a lot of money.  We figured being married is being married.  We're not big party people.  Mom and Dad still rub it in once in a while on our anniversary.  They tell us they don't remember the date very well because they weren't there.   We feel we got married for all the right reasons.  I wasn't pregnant, we didn't feel we had to wait until we had some money or a big house or another car, and we loved each other.  And here we are, 30 years later, a big house, two cars, two wonderful sons,  three beautiful grandchildren, and we still love each other.  Isn't that what it's all about?
Now a lot has happened in between November 3, 1979, and November 3, 2009, for good and for not so good, for better and for worse, through sickness and health.  But again, isn't that what marriage means.  You stay together for the bad, worse and sickness.  I tell young people that will listen, that each hurdle and obstacle you work through and make it over, you are stronger and more in love on the other side of it.
I have to give some credit to the wonderful role models in my life, my grandparents, married 73 years and still living, and my parents, married 53 years.  Setting a good example sometimes says a lot more than words. 
We're not doing anything special today to celebrate.  Just like out wedding, why spend money on something that's not necessary.  Mom and Dad are taking us to dinner.  We're saving our money for our trip to visit Brandon and family in  Spokane the end of this month and for home improvement projects on our short list.  Home and family is what's important to us now.  I don't need another diamond ring. 
30 years!! I feel pretty safe in saying we're in it for the long haul now.

No Bad Ghosts or Nasty Witches at Our House!

It's a beautiful Monday, I got some much needed sleep last night, and I'm home alone today.  It's a good day.  I know I've mentioned it before, but I get so much more done when My Bob is on the road and out of the house.  I love him dearly and don't mean this in a mean way, but he gets on my nerves when he's working at home.  Love him dearly, though, just want to emphasize!! (in case he reads this)
We had a nice Halloween weekend, but we were both so exhausted yesterday.  For me, it was more of a bone weary tired, not a need to take a nap weary.  There's a difference for me.  I don't like to take naps because I have too many things to do, but sometimes I just need to sit, knit and be alone.  Sit and knit is how I felt last night.
I know you all want to know how the Candy Corn martinis turned out. (see last post)  Well, they were good, but wayyyy tooo strong.  It struck me after the first sip that, "Hey, these are all alcohol!"  If I added more ice and let more candy corn dissolve in it, it was better.  I would play with this recipe next time I do it by adding something non-alcohol to cut it down a little.  The cupcakes turned out very Halloweenish and tasted good, too, as did the sloppy joes.

The grandsons looked adorable and loved the evening.  Logan was black spiderman and Landen was the Joker and looked like a little midget. 

                      



                               Here's Logan casting his web

And I was complete with my annual cat ears and fur collar and my little Fergie the pumpkin head with my dad, dressed as my dad.

The boys were very hyped as you can imagine and Austin and Melissa asked if the boys could spend the night with us because they were having a few friends over for the evening.  Of course we agreed and love to have the boys, but way too much sugar for them was very tiring for Nina and Bobby (that's what they call us).  They didn't want to go to sleep, but finally after two movies fell asleep around 10:00.  Awww! Rest!  But not for long ---- they were awake at 6:00 am, which was now 5:00 am.  And they would not go back to sleep or even quit talking.  So up we got, no choice.  I don't remember by own two boys being quite this active and loud, although I'm sure they were.  It's funny how 25 years of age makes things seem louder and busier.
Their mom and dad came for them around noon the next day and that was none too soon.  My son walks in the door with a big pumpkin/flower arrangement for me.  It had been a stressful couple of weeks for Austin and Melissa and I had  a long talk with Austin on Friday night and then a long talk with Melissa on Saturday.  Melissa and I don't always see eye to eye and can rub each other the wrong way, but I think we both felt better after our talk.  I walk a tightrope between trying to be helpful and minding my own business.  I know I fall off that tightrope often, but sometimes I can't help myself.  I guess this was a time I must have got it right.  The card attached to the arrangement said, "We don't tell you often enough what a wonderful mother, grandmother and friend you are.  Thanks for everything, Love,  Austin, Melissa and boys."  Made me want to cry!

It's a real pumpkin and real flowers!

Then Austin handed me a couple of his Air Force uniform dress shirts that needed stripes sewn on and some buttons fixed.  But I don't mind at all.

Cheers to Halloween

Happy Halloween tomorrow!  I never was a huge halloween fan, but I enjoy it a little more in my Grandma years.  I love to see the little goblins come to the door in the cute and creative costumes.  I'll make chocolate cupcakes with orange icing and halloween decorations just for my grandchildren and family that stop over.  My little Fergie dog and I wear matching cat ears.  I try to encourage trick or treaters to our house by having purple lights around the door and all the outside lights on and candles in the windows.  I'm always a little disappointed because we don't get that many visitors due to the main road we live on.
I just saw this little drinkie recipe in our newspaper last Sunday and bought the ingredients yesterday.  We are not big drinkers, contrary to my last post, but this sounded so good.  I can just picture myself in my black ruffled skirt and orange cat ears, carrying this orange candy corn martini in my hand as I answer the door to welcome my little goblins.  I don't know why that picture in my head appeals to me.  But I won't analyze that!
Anyway, I wanted to share the recipe in case any of you have that same fantasy picture in your head.

Candy Corn Martini

1/2 cup candy corn, plus extra for garnish

1-1/2 cups vodka

ice

2 oz. orange liqueur

juice of 1/2 lemon

l large egg white

In a jar with an airtight lid, combine the 1/2 cup of candy corn and the vodka.  Cover and set aside for at least 3 hours.  When ready, strain out and discard the solids.  (I did this last night and my candy corn vodka is now in the freezer, ready to go)

To prepare the drinks, in a cocktail shaker filled with ice combine 4 ounces (1/2 cup) of the candy corn vodka, the orange liqueur, lemon juice and egg white  Shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds, then strain into 2 chilled martini glasses.  Garnish with candy corn.

I might have to taste test this tonight.  I sure hope my acid reflux  is good with this.  I'll let you know.

Oktoberfest in Cincinnati

Oktoberfest party in Cincinnati, two weeks ago.  Sorry I'm so late in reporting! I think I've got too much going on, by my own doing, that I'm having trouble staying caught up.   The weekend of October 16-19 was a busy, fun and productive one.
My brother and his wife had invited us to their big Oktoberfest Party and we had been wanting to make a trip to Cincinnati (6 - 6-1/2 hours away) for a while now, so this was the perfect time. 
I lived in Cincinnati, with my family, back in the 70's during my high school and college years.  My two brothers still live in that same area.  My husband is also from Cincinnati and his family is still there.  We try to get back at least once a year. 
This particular trip included My Bob and I, my parents, my son Austin, and my little toy poodle, Fergie.  My parents, Fergie, and I left on Thursday.  No particular reason why the three of us wanted to go a day earlier than Bob and Austin other than to have more time with my brother, Chuck,  and his wife, Jill.  I drove the whole way with Mom in the front so we could talk and Dad sat with Fergie in the back so he could spend six hours on his new little wireless computer.
When we arrived, we noticed the huge enclosed tent that had just been delivered and set up in Chuck and Jill's large back yard.  Complete with plastic windows, a heater, and tables and chairs for 75 people.

Chuck and Jill have a beautiful home on a large lot and throw great parties.  They requested on the invitation that everyone bring a 6 pack of German beer.  We're not beer drinkers, so we brought German wine.  They also had two kegs of beer being brought in and we found out when we got there that Jill was making most of the food herself.  So Mom and I contributed to the preparations as best we could.  There was cabbage boiling for two days for braised cabbage, and I think 30 pounds of potatoes being peeled for German potato salad.

Now back home, Bob rented a small U-Haul.  His sister had gifted to us an antique Larkin Victorian fainting couch that she had and no longer had a place for.  She knew I had a perfect place for it and she wanted us to have it.  She had it re-upholstered and it's beautiful.  We had to have a way to get it back to Pennsylvania. 

This is it all set up in my piano/tea room once we got it back home.   I am now on the search for an antique little coffee table to replace this white iron table.  It just doesn't go with this.  The back and sides of the couch fold down, which I will probably never fool with.  Isn't it pretty?  This is the little bench that used to be here, and it really never belonged.

 This is where the white bench is now.  In my dining room in the bay window.  It gets a lot of use here.

The reason for getting the U-Haul round trip was because I had been cleaning and had quite a pile sitting in the basement for Goodwill.  So did my mother.  My sisters-in-law, five of them, asked to please not take everything to Goodwill.  They all love Goodwill stuff and wanted it all.  And I'm always impressed at the knack they have for fixing up and arranging their "finds" in their homes.  So Bob and Austin loaded the U-Haul and arrived in Cincinnati Friday night.

The other major reason for the Cincinnati trip was to see my mother-in-law.  This is why Austin decided to arrange to make the trip with us.  DIL Melissa stayed home with their boys.  Bob's mother is very ill with pancreatic cancer and is getting weaker.  So Friday night I met Bob and Austin at his sister's house and his mother was there, along with several other family members.  Debbie had very good food and wine for us and we had a very nice time with family.  At the same time it was sad.  Mother Millie does not look well and she cries when you talk to her.  I would, too.  On a good note, we got to see our niece's new baby boy.

He's about 1-1/2 weeks old here and is beautiful.  This is Roxanne's fifth child.  She's a good mother.

Now, back to the Main Event.  Saturday  is Oktoberfest Day.  The signs and posters got hung, the port-a-potty was delivered (Jill didn't want all those drunks messing up her beautiful home and I don't blame her), the kegs were delivered and the cooking continued.

  Jill's sister also brought deep fried goetta balls and deep fried pickles.  Oh my gosh, were they delicious!  I don't know if everyone knows what goetta is.  I only ever see it in Cincinnati.  It's a sausage mixture and it is so good.  By 6:00 at night the German music was going in the tent and the people started pouring in.  My brother swears that he had the 3rd largest Oktoberfest Party in Ohio.  I believe it.  Fun was had by all and some had way too much beer.  It was fun to see some of my brothers old friends that I hadn's seen since they were little kids.  Sunday morning was clean-up day.

Bob and Austin headed back home with U-Haul in two on Sunday morning.  Mom, Dad and I stayed one more day.  My nephew and girlfriend also had a new 1-1/2 week old baby girl, Natale, and we got to visit with them on Sunday afternoon.

This is me with my new little niece.

We had a great trip.  Very busy, fun, a little sad, a lot happy, and productive.  A lot crammed into a weekend. 

Monday morning started the 6-1/2 hour drive home.  This always includes a stop at Cracker Barrel at lunch time. 

It took me about a week to recover.

I need to shorten these posts up a little bit, but so much happens all at once.  I should divide our events up in chapters, I guess. 

How Do I Stop the Fire?

This wasn't going to be my topic today.  I wanted to tell you about the trip we took last weekend to Cincinnati to visit family and all the activities.  That will have to wait.   I have to tell you about my night last night because it was one of the worst I ever had.  No, my house didn't burn down.  I know that's what you're thinking.  It was much worse!  I had a bout of acid reflux, or GERD, that was so bad I was awake until 5:00 this morning and then got about 2-1/2 hours of sleep.

 I'm talking about this fire in my throat that I felt was burning through the roof of my mouth and into my sinuses.  I've never felt anything like that before.  OMG!  I could hardly swallow and my jaws and temples even hurt.  Raise your hands -- who all has had this before and understand what I'm talking about?

Now I've always had a very sensitive stomach and my stomach hurts after I eat very often, and I "gurgle" a lot, as I call it.  I just never associated any of this with acid reflux.  But since I was in so much pain, the thought came to me.  My mother has this and is on medication and so is my cousin. 

In thinking back through the day, I know what didn't help today.  I went to lunch with a girlfriend and had a meat and cheese panini.  It was very good but it was grilled in a lot of butter.  This came with potato chips, which I ate.  And to drink I had a fairly large frozen cappucino with caramel and whipped cream.  It was delicious, but I had already had 3 cups of coffee that morning.  Then I didn't move for three hours.  We sat and talked until 3 in the afternoon.  Doesn't sound like any big deal, but for me it was suicide.  But I hate doctors and medication so now I'm on a mission.  I never want to experience last night again.  Since I couldn't sleep, I spent from 3 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. researching on the computer.  I found several good sites that were very helpful.  The best one was:  www.ehow.com/about_5074594_symptoms-acid-reflux-disease-women.html -
Another good one was heartburnalliance.org.  This one gave a whole list of foods that need to be avoided and which ones are good.  And the six steps to follow are:  1) eat 5-6 small meals a day  2)avoid caffeine, this includes chocolate (Oh No!!)

3) avoid acidic fruits  4) avoid fatty foods  5) avoid alcohol  6) eat an early supper - at least 2 hours before bed.   #'s 2, 4, & 5 are going to be hard for me.

 I love my coffee in the morning.  But this morning I made a pot of decaf. green tea and it was actually very good.

 And I love to have a glass of wine in the evening while I prepare dinner.

 I'm not sure what I'm going to substitue there yet.  Another tip I read was to drink 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with 1/2 glass of water with your last meal.  Mmm! Sounds so good. I guess that will become my new "wine".  Fatty foods I can easily avoid, its just that I like them a lot.  These are basically good healthy eating habits anyway and certainly can only be good for you no matter what. 

The articles also say you should exercise to get everything moving in the right direction.  Gravity is a good thing.  Sitting at this computer as much as I am is not the best.  I need to get back to my walking on good days and yoga every morning at 8:30.  (I just got back from a 1/2 hour walk with the dogs).
The final major natural remedy is to avoid stress.  Well, I don't believe you can avoid it, but it can certainly be handled and managed.
So there, I'm motivated by not ever wanting to feel like that again and not wanting to end up in the hospital or on medication.  And you know, my Bob and I are really very healthy people and have always enjoyed good eating and physical fitness.  I have to admit, though, and now I've been hit over the head about it, I have strayed lately.  So it's back to a healthier lifestyle for me.  As an added bonus, I should probably have no trouble losing that extra five pounds I've wanted to get rid of. 
The menu for dinner is: lean steak, rice and mixed vegetables.  All on my good list of foods.
I hope none of you experience any of these problems, but if you do I hope my experience and research helps a little.
Here's To Your Health!

Life is a Series of Ups and Downs

Life is just so fickle, isn't it?  One day can be so good, and the next day, not so much.  I remember when I was a little girl, I used to keep a daily diary.  Each day I would start off the entry with, "Today was a good day", or "Today was a terrible day".  I guess the good thing that tells is that if you're having a bad day, don't get too down about it, because it will change.  Well, that's how the past three days have been for me.
Sunday was a great day.  It was a beautiful autumn day.

 The colors outside were so pretty and the temperature was cool, which made it feel even warmer and cozier inside.  I got up early to start preparing lunch for the whole family:  Austin, Melissa and the boys, Dee and Riley, and Mom and Dad.  Austin and his family had not had a chance to see their new little niece and cousin  (Riley) since she's been in town.  I was so happy making two pans of lasagna, homemade pear crisp from  pears off the tree in the front yard, salad, garlic bread and apple cider.  Everyone showed up between 12:30 and 1:00, after church.  I would have gone to church, but I needed the time to cook.
We had a wonderful afternoon.  Everyone taking turns holding Riley.  She is such a sweet baby doll.

Mom and Dad with Riley

Dad with his 3 great-grandchildren

The boys are so funny.  They come up with the darndest things.  Logan wanted to know if Riley would turn into a little boy when she got older so he could play with him.  Oh my gosh!  That was so cute!

Melissa and Dee (DIL's)

Dee and Riley then left for Pittsburgh to her parents house for a few days.  Now she's back in town for two days until we leave for Cincinnati to my brother's house for a big Oktoberfest Party that he and his wife are having.  It will be fun.  More on that later.

It was a great family Sunday.  And I'll hold onto that, because Monday was not so pleasant. 

It was a good news/bad news thing.  The bad news far outweighing the good. 

Our accountant called and told us that because our income was up we have to come up with a lot (I mean a lot) more money that we owe in taxes.  My Bob is just in the worst mood now.  He's ranting and raving about taxes, the IRS, the crooks in Washington, and on and on.  He'll get this out of his system and will eventually be fine, but right now he's a bear to be around.  I don't blame him and I feel his stress.  We live a nice life, but in no way an extravagant one.  Being self employed just comes with it's own issues.  He works so hard and then he almost feels punished for all his hard work.  He's rambling now that he's just going to go live out in the woods in a tent and not have to deal with this stuff.  OH My Gosh!  He'll calm down, but I almost wish he would go into the woods for a few days.  I feel like I need to help somehow, but how?  I'm trying to offer any help in the way of support.  Then I feel like I should go out and find a "real" job.  But I work now for our business, so that would suffer if I wasn't here doing it.  I just don't get a pay check or any money that you can actually see. 

Today My Bob is busy with work and then decided to go downstairs to lift weights.  I hope that helps just a little.  But as I said earlier, things will change and I know we'll go back to being the happy family of a few days ago.