Blogger Interrupted My Bermuda Trip

I posted Day 3 of our Bermuda Trip yesterday, but now it's gone.  It was filled with pictures from St. George and took me a lot of time to write it up.  Gone!  This is so frustrating.  I understand that Blogger is still working on restoring lost posts so I'm hoping it's back up soon.  I hate to take the time to re-write the post, get it all done again, and then they put my original one back up!
So, I worked outside today to get away from this darn computer.  Sometimes you just have to do that!  I have so much to do outside that a little bit each day makes a difference pretty quick.
I'm still dealing with a little bit of a sore throat.  This is going on the second week now.  I would be concerned, but it is actually much better.  Just a lingering annoyance now.
Hubby is picking up our granddaughter, Leanna, to spend the weekend with us.

This is her mother's Air Force Reserve weekend and we thought it would help her daddy out if he only had her two older brothers for the weekend.  So they are having a "boys only" weekend and I get some alone time with my little sweetie pie!
My cousin and his family are also coming over from Harrisburg this evening to spend the weekend with us.  They have a wedding to go to tomorrow and we love having them at our "Lake Château", as they have come to call my home.
Now I can't end the day without commenting on American Idol last night!  I'm addicted to this show and am always amazed at undiscovered young talent and how they progress through the months.  But last night was a total disappointment.  My favorite, James Durbin, was voted off.  How could this happen?  He has so much talent and I couldn't help but be drawn to his back story.  He has turrets syndrome and mild autism, he's married with a young son, and you can tell he just  worked so hard for this and wanted this so bad.  It just broke my heart!  I know he'll still do very well from his exposure on this show and I hope all the best for him. Remember his name, even if you're not an American Idol fan, because I know we'll all be hearing more about him.
Since I have a few more hours to myself before the welcome onslaught of relatives, I think I'll get a much needed shower, get something to eat, and maybe bake some chocolate chip cookies!  I might have to check with Blogger off and on (even though I told myself to now turn off the computer for the night)  to look for my missing post!  My OCD (Obsessive, Compulsive Disorder) is struggling with me again!

A Little Exercise Does Wonders

We're all getting back on schedule now.  It could be that we were so tired on Monday because we really did work pretty hard over the weekend - cleaning, cooking and friends over for the Super Bowl.  Oh, and two babies to keep up with!  The thing that has made both of us feel so much better is exercise.  Dee has been going to the gym each morning for an hour with some of her friends.  I'm glad I'm able to give her that break. She said the exercise makes her feel so much better.  I hope she can find a sitter or a friend to watch the kids after I go back home this weekend.
While she's gone I put Heath down for a nap and then I work out to a fitness show on TV.  It's "Bodies in Motion by Gilad".  Back home it's on FIT TV, but here I found it on JLTV (Jewish Life TV).  It's half an hour and includes some stretching, cardio, abs and some light weights.    When done consistently it's a nice little workout. 
Yesterday morning I was trying to keep Riley occupied so I told her to exercise with me.  She tried to follow along and it was so cute.  Then I picked up the hand weights and she picked up two of the dogs' rubber bones and tried to do the same thing I was doing.  So adorable!  This morning I had my camera ready just in case, and she followed along again with me and Gilad.

Heath has also become a much easier baby.  The colic that he was so troubled with while at my house seems to have passed.  Now he is a happy, smiling baby!

He loves his jumpy chair and will sit in there and laugh and bounce for quite a while.

Brandon came home this morning from five days on a training mission out in the woods. He walked in the front door about 8:30, with all his gear, looking and smelling like a mountain man.

   We were all so glad to see him.  Layla (their Sharpei/Golden) could hardly control herself.

Unfortunately Brandon has to leave at 6:00 tomorrow morning for Georgia for three weeks of Jump School training.  I won't see him again until they possibly come back home in June.  Poor Dee is going to be home alone with the kids for 2-1/2 weeks since I'm leaving on Sunday.  She does a great job, though, and is a wonderful and patient mother.  Brandon wanted me to stay longer to help her, but I really need to get back home.  Dee is probably ready for a break from me anyway.  She's been with her mother-in-law (me!) since Christmas.  Being alone isn't always a bad thing! 

I figure by Saturday, the day before I go home, I'll be accustomed to the time change and Dee and I will have a good system working together!  Then it will take me another week and a half to get used to the Eastern time change!

Through Rain, Sleet and Snow

We made it to Spokane!  It was a long, hard trip.  I came to Spokane to help my DIL on the plane with the two kids and to stay for two weeks. 
Brandon has been back in Spokane since New Years to get back to work.  Diana stayed in Pennsylvania for a month.  Brandon was going to be out in the field most of the month and then last week he was in Alaska.  Now they are all very happy to be back in Spokane together.  But I must say, it wasn’t easy!
Dee and I were scheduled to leave Pittsburgh at 11:48 Tuesday morning, fly to Cincinnati, then to Milwaukee, then to Minneapolis, then finally to Spokane arriving at 6:50 Pacific time (9:50 our Eastern time).  Well, that wasn’t how it went.  The winter storm started to hit the East Coast and the Midwest on Monday night.  Diana was already in Pittsburgh at her parent’s house.  At 3:00 in the morning I was laying awake in bed listening to ice hitting my bedroom window and thinking that Bob needs to get me to Pittsburgh by 9:00 in the morning and the roads are going to be covered with ice and snow.  Needless to say, I didn’t sleep from that point on. 
We got up at 5:00 in order to leave by 6:00.  It would normally take us about 1-1/2 to 2 hours to get to Dee’s parent’s house but we knew we had to leave with more time to get there that morning.  We were right!  What a mess.  If it weren’t for having an all wheel drive vehicle we would have never made it.  By 9:00 exactly we were there.  The next hurtle was hoping that the flight out of Pittsburgh was leaving and on time.  Pittsburgh weather was much better than mid central PA, so it was looking promising. 
Bob headed back home for the 3 hour long treacherous drive and Dee’s parents drove us the remainder hour drive to the airport.  It was only raining at this point.  In the meantime I was getting messages on my cell phone that our first two flights had been cancelled and they were putting us on a different (and actually better) flight direct to Minneapolis and it was leaving at noon.  Some things were positive and going our way.  We checked in all our bags which normally would have cost us about $100 extra with 4 bags, but the Delta check in attendant didn’t charge us anything.  Maybe Dee’s military ID helped, and possibly feeling sorry for us on this awful travel day with two babies.  Whatever reason, that was nice.  The other good news is that the airport was empty.  So many flights had been cancelled.  This led to another good thing; the planes were not full, so we had extra seats to spread out in.
 
Dee and I were each going to have to hold a baby in our laps, which is really hard for a 15 month old to do.
We made it to Minneapolis with no problem.  We then had a four hour layover before our next flight to Spokane.  Thankfully Minneapolis airport is big with lots of restaurants and shops.  We had a nice lunch in Chili’s and Riley was able to walk and run a little energy off. 
The flight to Spokane was so empty that they were able to give us a whole row of six seats for ourselves.  That was nice!  Between diaper bags, filled to the brim large purses, and winter coats and hats, we took up a lot of room.  I don’t know how we could have done it squeezed into two small airplane seats as we normally would have had to do.   But by about half way through the 3 hour flight to Spokane the Chili’s food, which had tasted so good, started to hit me in a way that was not feeling good at all.  Acid reflux was setting in and that along with an active Riley and a little bit of turbulence – Ohhh! it was not good.  The last thing we needed now was for me to throw up on the plane! 
We finally landed in Spokane, a little early even.  Getting off that plane and being able to walk helped me out a little bit.  So we go down to baggage claim to meet Brandon and wait for our bags.  We waited, and waited, and looked and looked and no Brandon and no bags!  Brandon was held up at work and our flight was early. He eventually showed up.  It was a very excited and happy little family reunion.  Our luggage was a different story.  The conveyor belts were now empty and out bags were not there.  We go to the lost baggage desk and find a line of fellow travelers.  We had to fill out claim reports and from initial checking it looked as though our bags all went to Salt Lake.  Wouldn’t you know it!  And I never check luggage, but we had to have our hands as free as possible this time.  I would also normally have a carry on bag with toiletries at least, but I didn’t do that this trip.  Wouldn’t you know it!  You know what, at this point we really didn’t even care.  We were so tired and worn out. 
We got to Brandon and Dee’s house and it felt so good, except my acid reflux was not going away.  I finally fell asleep on the couch watching TV.  Being so exhausted helped the situation because I went back to bed and slept very well.  I woke up in the morning feeling just fine.
That was our Travel to Spokane adventure story.  It was one of those days that was not easy but will forever be a memory that we’ll always have and be able to look back on a smile about and say “Remember when ---".

Good-Bye, Grandpa!

On October 3, at 10:30 a.m., my Grandfather passed away.  He was loved very much and will be missed very much.  This was the 3rd death in my family in six months and in that same six months two new grandchildren and a niece were born.  They say these things happen in threes so we've had our allotment and hope we're done for a while.

Grandpa's funeral was held the following Saturday with a military service.  My son, Austin, a Sergeant and Recruiter for the Air Force, accepted the flag.  It was very moving.
Following is my good-bye to Grandpa that I read at the funeral.  Sorry for the length, but I just could not shorten in any way and I just had to share:

Thank you all for being here to celebrate the life of my grandpa, Roland E. Bechtel, Sr. Six months ago I would not have thought that we’d be back here so soon. Grandpa was doing well, was fairly healthy, no disease, no illness, no major medications. But here we are. About three weeks ago Grandpa made some comments that he really missed “his girl” (Grandma) and that he was tired. Shortly after that he closed his eyes and went to sleep and last Sunday he just quit breathing. Grandpa died as he lived. Tidy, neat and with dignity. He was truly a great man; a role model and an inspiration to all that knew him and loved him.


Grandpa had a very successful and accomplished life, in many ways. He was the perfect example of being “self made”, of making your own way and working smart and hard. He was a car salesman and a machinist in his very early years and then was drafted into WW11 and served in the Army Corp of Engineers in Japan, leaving behind a young wife and two young boys. I know this had to have been a tough time, but he returned safe and proud with a life long repertoire of war stories that we think he embellished just a little each year. Then there even seemed to be brand new war stories in his much later years that we’re not sure were real and forgotten for many years or just imagined. Either way, he loved to tell stories and we always listened as if we had never heard them before.

Grandpa started The Bechtel Agency, selling real estate and insurance, shortly after returning home from the war and built a successful career. In addition to brokering the sale of the land where the DuBois Mall is located, he served on the Morningside Cemetery Board, the DuBois Housing Authority Management Board, the 4th Ward Hose Co. of the DuBois Volunteer Fire Dept, was a member of the American Legion Post 17 and served on the Clearfield County and DuBois area Board of Realtors, serving a year as president.

Grandpa accomplished a lot. But he was most proud of his family. He and Grandma raised two handsome and intelligent sons. The biggest tragedy of their life was the loss of their son Charles at the age of 23, but from this tragedy came another proud accomplishment, that of raising their grandson, Brad, as their 3rd son. As Grandpa’s family grew, he became more proud. And it always really stuck with me that he loved every member of his family equally, whether they came into this family by blood, marriage or adoption. It didn’t matter to him. If they were part of our family, they were his to claim. My mother, his daughter-in-law, became especially close to Grandpa after Grandma passed away. She was his main caregiver and he missed her a lot if she didn’t show up a day at the nursing home. And if I came to visit him without Bob, his grandson-in-law, he never failed to ask me where Bob was, and how was he.

Grandpa was the perfect grandfather and great grandfather. And when the great great grandchildren started to come along (he had ten of them) he started to lose track of what great grandchild they belonged to and what their names were, but when we took a baby in to see him and he knew it was one of his, he just loved that baby to death. When my boys were young, he loved picking them up from school whenever he got the chance so that he could talk to the school office ladies and brag that they were his great grandsons. And he and Grandma were always very proud to take my boys to church with them or to Valley Dairy, or the mall, or Bailey’s Ice cream stand.

After Bob and I moved to DuBois and took over The Bechtel Agency, and had our two boys, Austin and Brandon, Grandpa started setting new goals for himself. Austin was his first great grandchild and he said his goal after Austin was born was to see him graduate from high school. Well, that happened 10 years ago and Grandpa was 84. His new goal then became to reach 90. That happened almost 5 years ago. Then he said, “well I’m just gonna go to 100”. And it’s funny, a week before he went “to sleep” he said something to Dad like, “well now that I’m 100”. We think that he thought he had reached his final goal. He had accomplished all that he had set out to do and he left knowing that he did a great job.

Grandpa had some habits and quirks that at times were annoying, but that we now look fondly back on with smiles: His trash habits; he would neatly tear papers or boxes into pieces that would lay flat and stack in the garbage can. Then he would wrap the garbage as nice and neat as any Christmas package to throw it away into the big garbage can; he had a gum chewing habit for many years and being a student of thrift he was not one to waste anything, he would patch holes and cracks in his driveway with his chewed, spent gum; His sweet tooth was legendary. He kept Hershey’s kisses in business. I remember him sitting at his desk in the office and before lunch and about 3:00 every afternoon he would open his desk drawer and divvy out two kisses at a time as his snack. Like clockwork, same time every single day. Now in his later years he didn’t bother looking at a clock or counting out the kisses. He just ate what he had until they were gone. Also later on he added jumbo marshmallows to his daily snacking. Mom kept an eye on this and would only give him so many each day. I also remember as a young girl, and my boys remember as well, spending the night at Grandma and Grandpa’s house and every night at exactly the same time, Grandpa would dish out a small bowl of vanilla ice cream with melted peanut butter on top. Of course, any one around was also offered a bowl. As Jane said the other day, she had a bowl of this famous treat the other night in honor of Grandpa. So much for healthy snacking. He lived almost 95 years this way.; then there are the times when Grandpa was in his late 70’s to 80’s in the winter, due to his OCD behaviors of being neat and tidy, he would get up on his roof to shovel off the snow so that he didn’t get any roof damage or leaks. People would drive by and see this old man up on an icy roof shoveling and stop in our office to ask Bob and me if we knew he was up there. We’d say, “yeah, but he won’t come down until all the snow is shoveled off”. And Grandpa was very well known for being thrifty. He loved to run my office errands for me, such as going to the bank, post office, or getting my office supplies. I would give him the money for my purchases and he would come back with the goods and the receipts and if I was short by even a penny, I would have to make good to the penny right then and there. At the time, I would get very annoyed by this, but have come to appreciate his ways and remember this with a smile.

But what is so moving and heart warming is the legacy of love that Grandpa left. You know when people ask the question, “What do you want to be remembered for”? Grandpa defines the answer to this. The comments I’ve received through the years, and especially this last week, about Grandpa, really does not include too much of his personal career accomplishments, but about the kind of man he was. Comments such as; he was a great man, he was so proud of his family and was always pulling pictures out of his wallet to show the latest grandchild or great grandchild to anyone in the mall that he hadn’t shown them to yet, I miss seeing them walking together about town or at the mall, previous bank tellers telling me they loved talking to him and joking with him when he came into the bank; we have such fond memories of him at the family reunions; he always came into the dry cleaners with a joke and a smile; he made such a great contribution to the community and was so funny; my nephew, Roland IV, wrote to me telling me he’ll always remember Grandpa whistling and humming and eating candy; and from my dad – I will always remember my father as a loving and uplifting man. He always overcame adversity with a smile and a humorous remark. He had a great way of energizing the family and making everyone feel good. He had no hangups except his penchant for tidiness. He succeeded through ‘good times’ and ‘bad time’.

We can only all hope that we’re remembered in these ways that Grandpa, Roland E. Bechtel, Sr., will always be remembered.

Long Catch Up - Part 3

Still catching everyone up to date from my trip to Spokane, the birth of my newest grandchild and so much more.  Currently, things are settling slowly and some new rules and changes to our lives are being implemented by me.  I just can't live at this pace comfortably.  I want to get back to Bob and me enjoying our good life and actually becoming a little more selfish with our time.  I believe we all have the power to create the life we want and should not feel guilty about making it good.  Learning how to say "NO" more often will go a long way in accomplishing this.

(Continued from previous post):
Went downtown Spokane yesterday and walked around the beautiful Park. Bob proudly pushed the kids in the double stroller. The babies were very good. Ate dinner at P.F. Changs. Was so good.
September 14 at 7:51pm via Mobile Web

(Outside of P.F. Changs)

At the Spokane airport waiting to board to Phoenix and then to Pitt. Awfully hard leaving Dee and the babies. Have to say quick good-byes so as not to get emotional.
September 15 at 10:41am via Mobile Web

In Phoenix. Waiting to board for Pitt. Then the 2-1/2 hr.drive home. Miss my house and dogs. Nephew Kyle now living with us for a while. Hoping all is under control as well as can be expected with me being gone for 3 weeks.
September 15 at 2:46pm via Mobile Web

Got home late Wed. night. Logged onto computer on Thurs. night and a virus shut it down. Another week computerless. Kinda getting used to it. Don't think I like computers anymore.
September 19 at 10:17am via Mobile Web

(Sunday evening, September 19, I had a 23rd birthday dinner for Kyle.  I know he enjoyed and appreciated it.)

(From Sunday, September 26 through Friday, October 1, I went to my other kids' home an hour and a half away to help Austin with the kids while Melissa was away at her week of Reserve's training.  Of course, Austin was home in the evenings, but at work during the day.  Thank goodness he was able to drop off and pick up the boys from school and was able to help with bath and bed time at night)

Not so tired today. Leanna, my beautiful 3 mo. old granddaughter, and I are getting used to each other. With both boys in school all day {Pre-K and Kinder.} I can handle it pretty good. Also fixing up my little mother in law apt. here at Austin and Melissa's house. Making it cute and cozy.
September 29 at 12:44am via Mobile Web

On a sad note - my grandpa not doing well at all . He'll be 95 on 10/28. He's not going to make it. He's had a good life and because of him, so do I! He's tired now and misses Grandma. It's been 6 mos. since she passed on.
September 29 at 12:52am via Mobile Web

‎3 kids, 2 dogs, cooking, cleaning and laundry is a lot of work! How did I ever raise two boys and work a full time job? I know what you're all thinking: I was a lot younger then. Back home - Bob's "Kyle Project" as we have come to call it, still happening and Grandpa still barely with us. No relaxing in my near future.
September 29 at 11:10pm via Mobile Web

(From my niece in Cincinnati) Love you Aunt Nina.. thinking about you and your grandpa! Remember to take some time for yourself while you are helping everyone else! How is Kyle doing??
September 29 at 11:16pm via Facebook for Android

Gross!! I just ate an Entenmann's choc. chip multi grain cereal bar and bit into a chunk of black plastic. I feel sick to my stomach just because of the disgust factor.
September 29 at 11:18pm via Mobile Web

Melissa's home, kids are in bed. Austin making a hot dog run to Sheetz. I told him to get me one too. What the heck! I would never think of doing such a thing at home.
September 30 at 9:40pm via Mobile Web

(On Friday afternoon, Bob came to pick me up along with the two boys to go back home.  Melissa now has to be away for the weekend for Reserves.  Austin is coming to our house on Saturday along with the baby and the two dogs so he can attend the wedding of one of his best friends from high school.  They all left on Sunday.  I don't know how much more of this I can do!)

Exciting Life and Times!

Finally, I'm back!  I've been reflecting back on the last month and so much has been going on.  Five weeks ago today (wow, I can't even believe it's been five weeks!) My Bob and I left for Spokane for our son Brandon's graduation from the U.S. Air Force S.E.R.E training.  (See my June 11 post)  We were also very excited to see their new cute little house on base ,that they had just moved into and Dee and Riley are still adorable.

 The following morning we attended a breakfast with the Commander for parents and family.  It was very interesting to hear more details about the intense training that our sons, husbands, brothers all went through.  And now where they go from here.  They are now SERE instructors, but now with 6 more months of training as an apprentice they will then become certified and at that point will instruct on their own.  It's very intense and tough, and as a mother I just cringe. 

Friday was the big day and it was a beautiful day, although not real warm.  The graduates are now awarded their gray berets and their shiny black boots.  Their dress uniform is slightly different from others because of the Special Forces they are in.  Here we are, the proud family of Brandon.

Saturday included a family picnic and we were able to meet some of the other families.  These are all wonderful, bright, nice young men.  It was a pleasure meeting them all.

We came back home on Monday and the following Saturday Brandon, Dee and Riley came back to Pennsylvania for Brandon's one week of leave time.  On Sunday morning they had Riley baptized at our little home town church that was attended by my grandparents , as well as Dee's grandparents, and by both of our families on many occasions throughout the years.  In fact, Brandon and Dee and Dee's brothers attended Sunday school there as young children.  And now their baby was baptized there.  Riley acted and looked like the perfect angel.

 

What was also just as special that day is that both my sons were there together, both in their dress uniforms, and I could not have been more proud.

Aren't they handsome!!

Give me another moment to brag!

And here they are with their beautiful and pregnant wives.

As you can see here, Melissa, is VERY pregnant.  In fact, the next morning she went into the hospital and little Leanna  Rene was born at 3:41 p.m., weighing 7 lbs., 9 oz. and was 19" long.  Just perfect.  With the most head of hair I've ever seen on a newborn!

Mother, baby, dad and brothers are all doing very well.  It was so nice that Brandon and Dee were here to see the baby.  The timing couldn't have been better.  I had to split my time in many different directions for the week, and I have to admit that I was extremely tired by the end of that week, but I wouldn't have wanted anything to have happened differently.

Here they all are on the Fourth of July.  Again, the timing was perfect that I could have my whole family together for this weekend. 

So here are my two newest little Fourth of July firecrackers.

Guaranteed to be more exciting times ahead!

My Baby Boy, the Survival Trainer

We are so proud and excited!  Our youngest son, Brandon, just found out he passed his final exam for SERE.  Brandon has been in this 6 month training program with the U.S. Air Force and now he will graduate next week.  SERE is a Special Ops course that stands for Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape.  They are a very specialized  part of the Air Force that very few men qualify for and even fewer make it all the way through the very intense physical and mental training.

Brandon graduated from Penn State with a BS in Hotel/Restaurant Management.  He worked in this field for a couple of years and decided this wasn't really what he wanted to do.  Well, that was a very expensive search in "finding yourself"!  I now believe it was worth it.  Brandon got married a year and a half ago to the beautiful Diana

and then decided he wanted to apply for the Air Force SERE program.  He qualified and passed all the entrance exams.  Brandon was a very good wrestler in high school and in very good physical condition still, so the physical qualifications were no problem.  

So then a little over a year ago, with a baby on the way, his new wife moved in with us and Brandon went off to Basic Training.  He graduated 2nd in his class of over 700 men and women and we couldn't have been more proud.  

Then off he, Diana, and now precious little Riley,

 moved to Spokane, Washington (clear across the country from us) to Fairchild Air Force Base.  The first of January  of this year he was one of 60 men that began their long, hard and vigorous SERE training program. 

This is the SERE Creed:

"I am a SERE Specialist...
I am an expert in Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape. I can survive anywhere in the world and prepare others to do the same. I prove myself by deed and action. I respect every warfighter and consider their needs before my own. I will remember that the lives of those I influence rest in my hands and if they fail the failure is mine alone. I will keep myself in top physical and mental condition, I will never tarnish the honor of fellow SERE Specialists, and I will accept no less from my peers. I do these things so they may:
'Return With Honor'"

If anyone is interested, following is video showing the training that these men go through.  I didn't see this video until about a month ago and I'm glad I didn't or I would have been that much more worried and stressed than my normal nature was anyway.
See video here

Now he's done.  26 of the 60 men that started out actually made it all the way through.  They not only have to be able to physically and mentally survive any situation, including torture, these men now also have to be able to train others to do the same.
Graduation ceremonies are next Friday at Fairchild Air Force Base and Bob and I will leave from Pittsburgh on Wednesday to be there.  We can't wait and are so excited.  Brandon will received his special gray beret worn only by SERE  Specialists. 
We're also very excited to see one year old walking now Riley, and the beautiful 6-1/2 month pregnant again Diana.  They have also moved into a bigger 3 bedroom house that we haven't seen yet.
And once again, we couldn't be more proud!

Soap Box Derby and a Wedding

No time for lazy weekends around here.  Although I wouldn't mind one once in a while!  It just seems for quite a while now, life has been busy.  Not just the weekends, either.  There seems to be something going on or something that needs done all the time.  I know that's a good thing, and it's all good stuff.  I just like to be lazy or have more "free" time.  But that's OK.  I need to slap myself if I sound like I'm complaining.  I'm very fortunate to have a good life and a great family.

Friday night we were able to have our fire and smores down by the lake.  The rain held off until late that night.  Logan and Landen also had fun watching the bats fly out of their "bat cave" located in the cap of our chimney.  They leave every night at dusk.  If you happen to get up early enough in the morning by dawn you can watch them all fly back in.  They've lived in our chimney at least as long as we've lived in this house, which is 5-1/2 years now.  We don't mind them at all.  They keep the bug population down!

On Saturday, Austin was up early to meet my dad in town.  My dad started the local Soap Box Derby back up in our little hometown last year.  He had participated in this event when he was a little boy and then it died out for about the past 60 years.  Saturday was the soap box car inspection and picture day.  My son is the appointed Soap Box Derby photographer.  He was a photographer for the Air Force for four years before becoming a recruiter and he is very good.  He won several national all military photo awards.  He really misses it and is considering going back into this field for the Air Force when his recruiting tour is finished. 

This is last year's picture.  It has grown this year.  The big race day is June 19, I think.

Saturday also was the wedding day for my cousin, Lindsay.  We got dressed and out the door by noon to pick up my mother. (I just really don't like getting dressed up any more, but I did, of course).  Dad was busy with Soap Box Derby, so he came later to the reception.  Since it was an adult only wedding, Austin and Melissa didn't bother looking for a babysitter.  Austin was busy with pictures and Melissa is so pregnant that it just felt like too much trouble.   The bride and the wedding was beautiful.  It was a large wedding and it's always fun when all the relatives get to see each other and visit.Aren't they adorable?!

After the wedding, my Harrisburg cousins spent the night at our house, which I always enjoy.  They left by noon on Sunday.  I was so tired the rest of the day.  I don't know why, really.  Nothing was stressful or a lot of work over the weekend and all we did was sit all day at the wedding.  As my cousin, Jane, said - sometimes just sitting all day and doing nothing makes you tired.  And I think I was still getting over the little sinus bug that I seemed to be fighting for the last couple of weeks. 

Anyway, it was a good weekend, I'm feeling good, and the new week has begun.  It also looks to be packed full of activities.  My favorite activity still remains being at home, taking care of house and yard, knitting, writing, sewing and reading.  I just don't have enough free hours to do as much of that as I would like. 

Busy Weeks Go By So Fast!

Have you missed me?  This has been such a week. 
My computer kind of died on Monday.  It just kept shutting down right in the middle of things.

 I couldn't work on it like that.  Got it to the computer fix-it shop and it looks as though the fan and motor just needed some cleaning.  Working good now. 

We also got the grandsons on Wednesday since their mother had another sonogram on Thursday and then left from there to go for her Air Force Reserve weekend in Pittsburgh.  Their dad, (our son, Austin), works long hours as an Air Force Recruiter and does quite a bit of travelling so they just brought the boys to us until Sunday.  They are really good and very sweet, but I get so worn out.  I wouldn't have had time to get on the computer even if I had one this week.

They love getting a "tubby" with bubbles in the jetted tub.

My other DIL, Dee, and my granddaughter, Riley, are in town from Spokane for two weeks.  They split their time between her family in Pittsburgh and the rest of the family here.  We got to see her Wednesday and Thursday.  What a doll baby.  Dee looks real good.  She's also pregnant and due in September.

 They're having a boy this time. We now have a pattern that seems to be evident; the DIL's gain more weight being pregnant with girls versus pregnant with the boys.  Interesting!

I had all three of my grandchildren with me at the same time for one day.  That's only happened twice now.  I'm a lucky grandma.  I can't wait to be able to get pictures after September of me with all five of them.

We had a frost for two nights in a row and it looks as though my yellow dahlias didn't make it.  I covered them each night.  The red daisies did just fine, though.  Now today was a beautiful, sunny and 80 degree day.  I was able to clean off some of the yard furniture while the boys played outside.  Work time is cut in half with them, though, because of the potty runs and food and drink requests.  Then at 2:00 I took Logan into the doctor for his shots needed for kindergarten in the fall.  Oooh! he was real brave until those needles went in, then what a scream.  Then the little sweetie apologized to me for crying! Ahh! So like any good grandma, we went to Wal-Mart for a new Transformer and then an ice cream cone.

 He was as happy as could be instantly.  I just can't believe he'll be in kindergarten!

Austin came up for tonight and tomorrow to be with his boys and then he has to work at a marathon in Pittsburgh on Sunday. 

Oh, almost forgot!  I'm also trying to finish the pink and brown baby quilt for Melissa's baby shower that I'm planning for next Saturday.  I got the newborn hat and booties finished.

 I work on the quilt from about 8pm until 10pm.  I'll make it!

Follow Up on Easter

Wellll, we went to church on Easter Sunday and then Dad and Bob went to pick Grandpa up from "The Manor" (nursing home) to bring him to brunch with us.  Mom had given the nurses instructions the night before that he was to be shaved, put on the suit she had layed out for him, and not to send him to the dining room for lunch.  Dad and Bob showed up to get him and he had not shaved, he had on his jeans and sweatshirt, and had gone to lunch.  The nurses put the blame on Grandpa and said he wouldn't cooperate, which very well could be true.  The guys got him shaved and dressed and after about 45 minutes of Mom and I waiting at the restaurant, the three of them slowly, and I mean very slowly, came walking in.  Grandpa looked good, but you could tell he was slightly confused and not happy about being brought there.

He wouldn't eat anything, said nothing tasted good.  At $16.00 a plate, by the way!  Which was OK, not the point.  I managed to find a few chocolate eggs hidden in the buffet table decoration that he ate.  Later in the afternoon, Mom and Dad took him back to "The Manor" and he was very happy to get back into his comfortable space, with all his familiar stuff around him.  He got back into his comfy clothes and wanted to go down to the dining room for dinner. 

So now we know.  He  likes being where he is, and for that we are all grateful.  We would feel so bad if he didn't want to be there.  He's happy going to Dairy Queen once in a while, but that's about it.  He's happy when we come to visit him and bring him chocolate and marshmallows.  So now we know!

While we were at the restaurant I received a text picture from my DIL, Diana, with a picture of Riley in her Easter outfit.

Isn't she just beautiful, sitting on her daddy's lap?  That's my son, Brandon.  I think he looks pretty cute, too.

I really miss them. They're in Spokane.  Dee and Riley will be home in a couple of weeks for her uncle's wedding.  Then in June Brandon graduates from his Air Force Survival Training School and Bob and I will be going out for that. 

On Monday I received another text picture of Riley wearing the pink hat with the mink flower that I knit for her and had just sent for Easter.

Is she cute or what??  Can you tell I'm really missing her?

Snow Day and More

Snow, snow everywhere.  It's been quite a few winters since we've had this much. Just take a look at my Winter Wonderland picture on the sidebar and add about another foot of snow to it.   And today it's not just snow, it's 10 degrees and we are right on the border of blizzard warnings.  Everything is closed.  Schools, stores, roads and highways.  Perfect day for me because as you know, I love to stay home.  I feel so bad for those that have to be somewhere or go outside for whatever reason.  My son, the Air Force Recruiter, had to walk to work.  Thank goodness he moved, because now his office if only about 1/4 mile from his home.  He was supposed to take a couple recruits to Pittsburgh for testing and physicals, but that's not happening.  The testing place is closed and I think the roads to get there are closed.
I really feel sorry for animals that are outside.  This was brought to my attention by my new blog friend, Maggie, at http://maggiesraggedyinn.blogspot.com/2010/02/homeless-cats.html.  Her post really made me think about this and made me feel so bad.  Pets that are ignored or left outside by their owners is just so sad.   I don't personally know of any or see any in my neighborhood, but I know there are plenty out there.  Please bring them inside people!  My own little Fergie, the 5 pound toy poodle, won't even step out the door when the weather is like this.  I lay newspaper by the front door for him.  But so far today, and it's 11:20 am, he hasn't done a thing since he got up this morning.  I keep looking and sniffing around the house but I'm not finding any messes.  He's sleepinig in between his pillows on his little bed right now.

Yes, he has a four poster bed!  He's the little apricot colored ball laying in there.

OK, so now what about American Idol last night.  I wish it were on for two hours.  They just don't have time to show everyone.  Here are my picks from last night:  Andrew Garcia.  He was the very first one.  A father that wants a better life for his little boy;  Casey James.  Real cute.  He took his shirt off at the original try out, and he plays the guitar.;  And Crystal Bowersox.  She had her son's name tatooed on her neck right before the show and she sounds like Carol King.  We'll see how good my predictions are.  Don't forget to watch tonight.

An update on Mother Millie (MIL).  She has a doctor's appointment today and my sister in law is taking her.  The doctor is recommending that she discontinue the chemo treatments and let hospice now come in to keep her comfortable.  This is very sad to come to grips with, but Millie has accepted this fact.  They are going to increase the strength of her Oxycodone to alleviate more of the pain that this pancreatic cancer is forcing upon her.  It's just come to the inevitable point of nothing more can be done except trying to keep her comfortable.  Why her?  This cancer question still really puzzles me.

Here's my newest knit hat I just finished.  I don't think I'm going to sell it or give it away.  It is so warm and comfortable.  I need it for myself right now.  It's knit from a a tweed washable wool and the buttons I used are all from my grandmother's button collection kept in an old tin that I inherited. 

I think I'll make some hand warmers to match.

Now I've come up with this new idea to make cute little pillows and sachets.  I made this one for Valentine's day for myself. 

 I'm going to make some more to sell on Etsy.  I am trying to get some dried lavendar to fill them with.  In the meantime, I'll just have to use Poly-fil.  I love to use ribbon, lace, buttons and charms to embellish.

Frustrated and Edgy - Get Over It!

I feel so frustrated and on edge today.  Don't know why, exactly.  I think I'm just tired and have no time just to myself.  Then I feel so guilty for feeling this way and saying this because I know I have a comparatively good and easy life.  So I hate to complain.  And I'm not really complaining, I'm just edgy.

I have been going to Austin and Melissa's house one or two days a week since they moved in order to help, but I think I'm going to have to pass this week.  It's wearing me out and it frustrates me.  There's so much to do there and every time I go down I feel like I'm starting all over again.  It feels like there's more to do each week instead of feeling like the progress made equals the time put in.  I was there two days last week and then they came here on Saturday to clean out the old house.  We kept the boys Saturday and overnight, then met their mom and dad half way on Sunday to eat late lunch and hand them back over.  Now this weekend again they are coming back to town to (hopefully) finish cleaning and get the house ready to rent and list for sale.  Again I'll be helping, either by keeping the boys or cleaning.  Even though I don't really mind doing either, it makes me tired and then I get behind in my own work. 

Austin also is having his first inspection by the higher ups at his recruiting office and he was very nervous.  This makes me nervous.  My feelings have always been connected with Austin's.  First child and all, I guess.  I always feel whatever he is feeling.  Weird or normal?  I don't know.  I don't have that same kind of mental connection with Brandon.  Of course I love them both, but Austin is more of a worrier himself and much more sensitive and for some odd reason I pick up on that even if I'm not physically with him.  Weird?
I've also gotten behind in bookkeeping and computer work for my husband's Financial Planning business.  One of my New Year's resolutions was to stay current on this and I'm so not there yet.  Since I'm usually pretty organized, this unorganized portion of my life is starting to drive me crazy.  And being that this is the money maker that makes it possible for me to do all the other things that I do, you would think this would be my first priority.  I'll get there.  It's not that much fun so I procrastinate on this job.

The one last thing bothering me right now is knowing that Mom and Dad are leaving for Florida on Saturday for two weeks.  They need and deserve this break so I'm glad they're going, but because Grandma is in such poor health in the nursing home, I'm very nervous about them not being here.  I'll be taking Mom's place as main visitor and care taker at the nursing home and I guess I'm just afraid.
So now that I've written out all my issues I feel better already.  As you can see these are really all non-issues that now that I see it in front of me if feels like I'm worrying about abstract "what if's" and there is in reality nothing wrong.  So ---- I need to quit worrying about things that haven't happened.  I need to say "no" more often.  I need to take more time for myself no matter what others need or want from me.
Oh, I feel much better now.  I needed to take this time to organize my thoughts.  OK, now I'm ready to move on.  I'm going to go upstairs to my little studio, turn on Oprah, and make a pincushion. 

I'm also looking forward to American Idol tonight.  Love that show.

Moving Into the New Year

This is going to be a hectic day.  This is moving day for Austin and his family.  They are only moving about an hour and 15 minutes away, but it's very cold out and a lot of snow.

Bob shoveling yesterday - there's a lot more this morning

 Austin is picking My Bob up at 8:30, in about an hour and a half, to go pick up the U-Haul.  The boys spent the night here last night so that Austin and Melissa  could get more packing done.  I'm going to gather up my cleaning supplies, some food for a few meals, a little bag for myself in case I decide to spend the night at the new house, then the boys and I will pick up Austin's brother-in-law that lives with them and we'll head off to the new house. 
The reason for the move is for Austin to be closer to his recruiting office.  It's a good move, but a hard one.  Austin is having to give up the house he's in now, which was his great-grandparent's home for 50 years.  It holds a lot of memories and was so convenient to us.  But these changes were in the best interest of their family, so life goes on.  This new house is not a "new" house.  Just new to them.  It's from around the 1960's and is a five bedroom, 3 bath with a unique layout.

 They'll just be renting it, so there are many things I would do to fix it up, but they won't want to do as a rental.  So I'll help clean it real good and offer my decorating advice.  Sometimes it's hard to draw the line between trying to be helpful and butting in.  I'll do my best to walk that tightrope.  It can be hard for me to not go overboard with the cleaning and the decorating because I enjoy doing it.  Why is it that I see dirt and problems where no one else does?  Just drives me crazy.  Anyway, so far they are asking for my help so I'll take advantage of the opportunity. 
The boys are still asleep, and as soon as they get up, which I expect to be any minute now, the "fun" will begin.  I sure wish I had slept better, but too much going on in my head.
Then last night my other son from Spokane called to say that they just got word that they got a three bedroom, 2 bath house that they had been on a waiting list for.  They are packing up their tiny apartment right now and moving on Monday.  This is a house on base (Air Force).  These on base houses are very nice.  They looked at houses off base to rent and there is nothing nice.  And they wouldn't be able to buy a home in Spokane that would be even close to being as nice as the base housing.  As soon as they get moved in, Brandon starts his six months of Survival Training and Diana will be coming home for a two week visit.  I wish I could go back with her and help clean and decorate their new home! That just won't be possible right now.  If they were closer I would certainly be there. 
I am hoping that I can get one whole day to myself pretty soon.  I think I'm going to be very tired after this weekend.
We did have our New Year's Dinner yesterday.

Table setting for New Year's dinner

 I cooked our traditional pork roast, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, applesauce, green beans with almonds, and chocolate peanut butter pie.  There were nine of us here. It was very good, if I do say so myself.  Austin and Melissa ate and then left shortly after to continue their packing.
Ohh - there they are!  They're up!!  Time to get this party started!!!

Come and See Spokane, Coeur d'Alene and My Baby

It's 5:00 a.m. and I can't sleep.  I have this little tickle in my throat and I keep coughing.  I don't feel that terrible, but I'm keeping my Bob and myself awake.  So I layed there and I layed there, trying NOT to cough, which of course only makes you cough more.  Then I tried to talk myself back to sleep, which of course only keeps you wide awake.  So I'm laying there wide awake, coughing, and thinking (about everything) and decided I may as well get up and write about our Spokane trip a few weeks ago.  When you lay in bed unable to sleep, for some reason it's a time when the brain seems to work double time in thinking about:  all that you need to do, want to do, forgot to do, worries that really aren't worries when you're up and about during the day, your children and grandchildren, and just overall trying to plan world peace.  In amongst all those rambles of thoughts I realized I never posted my Spokane trip with the pictures.  So up I got, made myself a hot cup of tea, looked out at the 1-2" of new snow and still coming down, and feeling wide awake.

We've been home now for about 12 days and I miss my kids already.  This is my youngest son, the Survival Trainer for the Air Force.  He actually starts his official six months training in January, but does things now like run, work out, exercise, and go out on survival treks in the woods of Washington.  He left two days ago for a survival camp out in the woods in a foot of snow and wind chills of 20 below with nothing but a back pack of gear.  I'm very impressed because there is no way I will even walk the dog if it's below 40 degrees.  If anyone is interested, the web site for what he does is : http://www.gosere.com/medium.html  It's a very interesting site.

My son, DIL and Baby Riley live in a cute, but tiny apartment in Spokane and since my Mom and Dad went along with us this trip, we couldn't all stay with them.  From our previous and first trip we knew they lived close to the Idaho border and there is a resort in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, that is just beautiful so we checked into that and were able to trade one of our time share weeks for a condo at the Arrow Point Resort on Lake Coeur d'Alene.  It's absolutely breathtaking there.  The bald eagles were in season to be seen flying over the lake right outside our windows.  Coeur d'Alene is about 35 miles from my son's place, but by the time you drive up the side of the mountain to get to the condo it took us about 50 minutes one way.  But it worked out well because my son could take a few days off work so they packed up and stayed with us a few nights and the other days we went into Spokane. 

Here is a view out our window of the condo showing the snow topped mountains in the distance.

The view in the other direction off the back deck.

View from atop the mountain looking down the lake.

The views and scenery are just awesome, but there were a few days of some light snow and driving up that mountain, with a little bit of slickness, and no guard rails in spots, had me gripping the car seat and door handle the whole way.  My hands would be sweating by the time we got to our condo.

We took a little visit to the Coeur d'Alene Casino one day.  We're not big gambling people so it didn't do much for us, but we can say we were there.

One evening we took the cruise to the North Pole.  This was quite spectacular with a huge holiday light display on the lake and Santa and Mrs. Claus out on a big dock and they would read off all the names of the little kids that were on the cruise boat.  If you have little kids and ever go to Lake Coeur d'Alene at Christmas time, this is a must do.

Sorry about the quality of this, but you get the idea.  I was outside on the front of the boat and it was so cold and I couldn't get the right focus with the lights.

Of course, our favorite site was of my kids.  My Baby Riley is just the cutest, sweetest, most pleasant baby girl I have ever seen.  I know I'm not very objective, but still ---.  And I was so impressed at what a good mother my DIL is.  So sweet and loving and patient.  I couldn't be more proud of all of them.  I know, I'm one of those mothers and grandmothers that talks about her kids all the time and is always showing off pictures, but I guess that's one of the reasons why I have this blog!  So here goes:

Beautiful baby and mama

My Bob with our granddaughter.  Big GG (My Dad) just had to buy her this cowboy hat and animal print fur lined vest.  I don't know if her mother was all that thrilled.  People thought she was a boy.

We got her this Jumparoo for Christmas, and then Grandpa Bob and Big GG thought it was cute to turn the cowboy hat sideways. 

Here in a much prettier outfit, that I knit for her

And finally, me with my baby girl!  I'm so in love!

It was so hard to leave, but DIL and Baby Riley will be home here for two weeks in January while my son is away at some training.  When they're here, though, I have to share with all the other grandparents, relatives and friends.  I hope sometime next year I can go to Spokane just by myself and have her all to myself for a week or so.

Well, now I've turned on the coffee pot.  No use trying to go back to bed now.  We leave tomorrow for Cincinnati to have our family Christmas with all the relatives down there.  I love all my family, but sometimes I just don't feel like travelling.  You can be sure I'll still have a good time once I'm there and I'll have more pictures!