Empty Nest Making a Comeback

Things are slowing down around here a little, it seems. This is the first night my Bob and I have been alone in our house in I don't know how long. Now don't get me wrong, I love my DIL, Diana, and our new granddaughter, Riley, but there's something to be said for having your house and life all to yourself. Diana and Riley went to Diana's parents' for the weekend in Pittsburgh. For the next month or so that Dee and Riley are still living here in PA, they will spend half the week here (we are 90 miles north of Pittsburgh) and half the week at her parents'. And since Brandon now has Layla the dog with him in Spokane, things sure are quiet and clean in my house. Anyone that knows me knows that I love peace, quiet, a clean neat house, and my alone time, but you know what? I sure miss them all already.

Before Dee left today, we had a visit from my cousin-in-law, Jane, and her children, Libby age 11 and Grady age 5. They live in Harrisburg and are on their way to Michigan to visit Brad's (my cousin, Jane's husband) maternal family. They are stopping here for the evening in order to meet Riley and to visit my grandparents in their new home at the Nursing Home. Brad is in Arizona hiking down the Grand Canyon and will meet up with his family in Michigan in a couple of days.

We heard from Brandon this afternoon and he made it to Spokane. He did very well and made very good time. I'm always amazed when I see how "adult" my sons have become. He went directly to look at an apartment he had been applying for online. I think he actually rented it today and will be staying there as of tonight. Of course, he won't have any furniture or belongings until Dee moves out there in about five weeks. He says he's fine, he has a blanket and a towel, toothbrush and toothpaste, and Layla. Believe me, he was not raised in this style of living. I don't think I could live like that for even a few days. I don't mean to sound spoiled but I like to be comfortable. Anyway, enough about me. I am so proud of both of my sons. It's so amazing to see what great young men they have become.

Now this weekend would really be ideal in our re-claimed two day empty nest if the weather would warm up and quit raining so I could get out in my yard and garden, sit by the lake, and get out in my kayak. But if that doesn't happen, I'm still OK. I'll enjoy catching up with my knitting and sewing. I also feel the cleaning/organizing/decorating bug coming on. I'm never bored, and I feel sorry for those that are.

Life Goes On

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband, Bob, today. He's 55 years old. I think he looks real good and not his age at all. We've been married almost 30 years and he has never missed a week, in all those years, of working out, lifting weights and exercise. I wish I could stick to it like that, but I find I have too many other things I'd rather do. I guess it should be a priority for me like it is for him. I'm not sure if we are really doing anything special today to celebrate. We had cake on Sunday while our son was still home and we had the grandsons visit. Since some things have quieted down a little, I think we'll just enjoy some peace and quiet time. I think if I just pay some extra attention to him he'll be happy. I've been so pre-occupied lately with children, grandchildren, parents, and grandparents. My Bob has been a little bit ignored. And we all know that men are just big kids and need attention!

To catch up those of you following along, my DIL, Melissa, got home safely from San Antonio. And my son, Brandon, is doing well on his cross country drive to Spokane. Bob spoke to him this morning (thank goodness for cell phones, how did we live without them). He is in South Dakota and has decided to stop to visit Mount Rushmore. Good for him, I wish I was with him.

Life is an adventure, isn't it? Something new every day, and when things look bad or impossible, life just keeps moving on and it seems everything eventually always works out. This realization has become more true after 50+ years of life and 29+ years of marriage.

Lots of Comings and Goings

It was another nice and busy weekend. Bob helped my dad with my dad's Soap Box Derby trial runs early Saturday morning. (Check back in for more on the Soap Box Derby on another day) We've had so many visitors stopping by to see Riley, our new baby girl grandie. We also kept the two grandsons Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Melissa, our daughter-in-law is in San Antonio for the weekend to visit Austin (our son, her husband, boys' father). He's there for about 2 more weeks for his Air Force Recruiter Training. Melissa was missing him and decided to fly down for a nice weekend together. Melissa's brother is here from New York and is staying with the boys, but he's not well with back problems, so we picked the boys up and brought them out here for several hours each day. They are fun and funny, but very loud and active little boys. Logan wanted to swim in the lake, but it was just too chilly. I wish summer would show up around here.
Landen was very interested in Riley and wanted to hold her. He was so proud of the fact that she was his little girl cousin. He was very gentle with her. He gave her the sweetest little kiss.

Dee's brother's little girl, Avery, came over to see her new little cousin.

Aren't they cute?

On Sunday, we had a very nice brunch at the Country Club, then several of Brandon and Dee's friends came over to visit to see Riley and to say good-bye to Brandon. We had Dairy Queen ice cream birthday cake for my Bob. (Chocolate Crunch - our favorite) His birthday is Wednesday, but since Sunday was Brandon's last full day home, I had cake on Sunday. (I can't believe I forgot to get a picture of Bob and cake - sorry)

Today was a sad, rough day. Brandon packed up his car and Layla the dog and got ready for his long trip across country. He is supposed to view an apartment in Spokane on Thursday. I'm worried that he won't get enough rest along the way. It's a 35 hour drive from here to there and he's doing it alone. Dee will be here for at least 5 more weeks, then she, Riley and Dee's mother will fly out. Bob will load up the U-haul from this end and drive out with the furniture. I'll go with him if no one else is. We'll figure that out as time gets closer. So I have Dee and Riley with me for about five more weeks, but I had a terrible time saying good-bye to Brandon today. I'm so worried about him driving that far by himself (even though he's a Survival Trainer for the Air Force). He's still my baby boy and I worry. Besides that, I won't see him now for several months. Hopefully Thanksgiving.

Here's Layla saying good-bye to the Lake. This has been her home for about the past four or five months. We'll miss her, but I won't miss her shedding.

Brandon saying good-bye to Dee and his new baby daughter. This scene got my tears started and I haven't quit yet. He left about 5-1/2 hours ago. My eyes are just burning from all the crying. It was a really hard day for Dee. She has a lot of help and support here, but we don't make up for Brandon not being with her. She's been a real trooper, though, going through this big life change with Brandon going into the Air Force and away at basic training in San Antonio and now in Spokane while she is here with her in-laws and pregnant. And now being here alone with her new baby while he gets living arrangements made and she lets Riley get a month or so older.

Melissa, other DIL, gets back home early in the morning, about 2 a.m. I'll be glad when she's home safe. Austin will be back home on June 18.

Life keeps moving fast! I made a vow to myself to stop saying this, but here goes anyway: I'm tired!

It's A Girl!!

Sorry it took me so long to let you know what happened. It's been a little crazy hectic around here lately. Now I have to make this another quick one. It's midnight and I'm tired, but it's the only free time I had.
So we have Riley Loren! She was born Saturday at 3:30 pm, weighing 7 lbs, 15 oz., 21" and just beautiful. We were very surprised it was a girl. I'm so excited now to be able to buy and make pink.
Brandon was the only one in the delivery room with Dee, but there were 12 family and friends in the waiting room. It was such a fun, happy and exciting event. We have known Dee's parents and family for over 25 years, so the whole thing was so amazing that these two kids (Brandon and Dee) that have known each other pretty much their whole lives ended up getting married and now have a baby.

Daddy and his little girl

My new granddaughter all in pink for her first outing to great grandma's house

Quick Timeline - Stay With Me

I have to make this quick. Too much happening too fast.
Wednesday and Thursday we got my grandparents packed up and moved into the Nursing Home. My mother and I worked hard until about 9 pm both nights. All went well, though, and their new room looks as comfy as we could manage working around hospital beds, wheelchairs, walkers and bed trays. I think it's the cutest room in there. G & G seem happy with it so we can relax a little on that end.
Friday morning my son, Brandon, got in from Spokane. He looks great, likes Spokane as it reminds him a lot of PA, and is liking his new training for his job of Survival Trainer for US Air Force. He wants to specialize in Interrogation and Torture Resistance Training. It's interesting! Then Mother-in-law, Millie, and Sister-in-law, Sharon arrived from Cincinnati in the afternoon. MIL was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago but she really wanted to get up here to see us and Brandon and hopefully new baby. I made a real nice home cooked meal for all last night. Brandon's request. Chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, applesauce, and strawberry cake. Millie ate everything.
Then last night Dee went into labor and in the hospital. Perfect timing. So I'm getting in the shower and off to the hospital. New baby coming, grandie #3. So excited!
TO BE CONTINUED!