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!!!

Christmas is Over, Winter is Here

Now four days after Christmas and the clean up begins.  We (I) put all this time in preparing, decorating, shopping and then in one quick day it's over.  It's worth it though.  I actually love all the pre-Christmas day goings ons more than the day itself.  And isn't it funny how once Christmas day is over we (I) want to get rid of all signs of it.  I don't want to get rid of the feelings, just change the look.  Now I want everything to be clean and re-arranged.  I want the New Year feeling now of clean, starting over, fresh, renewal and good things to come.  I would normally take this week off and start the clean up on January 2.  This year I had to move the process up a week.  My oldest son and family found a good house right near his recruiting office so they are moving this weekend.  I am helping my DIL clean the new house and start moving some little things tomorrow and then on Saturday we get the U-Haul and My Bob and son will load it up.  They are only moving an hour away so then they can take their time in getting the old house cleaned up and rent it out for now.  They may decide to sell it later on.  Of course My Bob and I will be on hand to help.  For the last eight years, between college and now the military, we probably have  moved one or both of my sons once a year.  We're pretty good at it now.


Our Christmas was a good one.  Christmas Eve was early church service, a wonderful lasagna dinner prepared by my DIL, opening a few presents at son and DIL's house with two very excited grandsons, then My Bob and I back home early and just relaxing with an egg nog martini. 

Logan and Landen - they just couldn't wait to get these off, put on their new Christmas Eve jammies and open a couple of gifts.  They looked real handsome in their suits for about an hour.

Mmm!  This was delicious!  Tiny bit of alcohol, mostly egg nog and lots of cinnamon and chocolate shavings

Christmas morning was nice and quiet and enjoyable with just Bob and I until about 2:00.  I have Christmas dinner here and this year it was with Mom and Dad, son #1 Austin and his family and DIL's brother.  Mom, Dad and Austin made a trip to the Nursing Home to visit Grandma and Grandpa first and that was the sad part of the day.  Grandma now weighs 59 pounds and is almost vegetative.  I had visited two days earlier. We are now hoping for God to take her soon.  This is no way to live.  We can't even believe it's possible for her to be alive.  The time must still not be right.

My dinner was my traditional ham and scalloped potatoes and then the opening of presents.

My one day a year place setting.

I have to explain this picture a little.  Logan and Landen get so many (too many) toys from their parents and other family members, so I am a little more practical and get them clothes and things that they need.  They aren't always thrilled upon opening my presents.  The boys needed new snow pants, hats, gloves and snow boots.  I made Logan try his on and you can see how thrilled he was.  We were laughing so hard we were crying.  He reminded us of Ralphy from The Christmas Story having to try on the pink bunny suit.  But just wait until they can go out sled riding and then they'll be happy they have all this.

The Day was very nice with lots of laughs, just the right amount of presents (at my house anyway), and a nice prayer of grace and thankfulness at dinner given by Mom.

Then yesterday and today so far has brought winter to us in a big way.  I'm loving it right now.  The small problem is that we will probably have snow on the ground until April.  I love it until February, then I'm ready for a change.  Then it's a good time for a vacation to someplace warm if possible.

 

This is what we woke up to looking out the front door two mornings ago.  My Bob has to shovel a path for the dogs or they won't go out.

Then overnight last night we had quite a bit more snow and this was looking out the back door this morning.

As you can tell, I don't go out, I just enjoy the view.  I bet the boys are enjoying their presents from me today!

Tonight we're supposed to go to an Open House party at my girlfriend's new house.  And Thursday night  we're supposed to go to a New Year's Eve party at another good friend's house.  Honestly we don't feel like going to either, but because they are both good friends we will probably go.  I hate to leave the house.  Isn't that terrible?  The good news is it's because I'm very happy and content here.  

My Thoughts Two Days Before Christmas

Two more days until Christmas.  All the preparations; the shopping, the wrapping, the decorating, the planning, and the groceries are complete.  When it's all said and done and we get this close to The Day, there is a slight tendancy to sit back and wonder if it is all worth it and why do we go through all this trouble.  That thought quickly leaves me because the answer for me is, "Yes, it's worth it!"  I love this time of year.  I love the lights, the smells, and for us here in Pennsylvania, we are having a beautiful white Christmas.  I also love family getting together, although I have to say, that can bring with it  some stress and sadness. 
We just got home on Sunday evening from Cincinnati where the other half of our family lives.  Every year my brother and sister in law host a family Christmas weekend at  their beautiful home in Lebanon, Ohio, just outside of Cincinnati.  We arrived on Thursday and then on Friday we always spend the day with My Bob's family and all day Saturday with my family.  It's so great seeing everyone that we probably don't see all year.

 The downside is that we end up seeing and hearing all the troubles and hardships and illnesses of family members that we are insulated from all year being 400 miles away. 
My brothers' 23 year old son has run into some major problems that I won't discuss, but suffice it to say my brother and our whole family are very worried and upset about it.  I have to say, though, that it's all due to very poor choices on his part.  My husband's 22 year old nephew is trying to find his way out of a bad family situation with my husband's brother and family.  My Bob is trying to help his nephew in every way that he can.  And worst of all, my Mother-in-law is very ill with pancreatic cancer and has now been given 3-6 months by the doctors. 
These are all very difficult issues to deal with, and especially at Christmas time when you're wanting to celebrate.  So I've talked to myself about this, and I am trying to put it all in a proper place in my head.   If there is something wrong in my life that I can do something about, then do it.  If there is absolutely nothing I can do about it, then pray about it and leave it up to God.  Easier said than done, but it's the way it is.  I know My Bob can get very down when he dwells on thoughts of his mother, brother and nephew, but he also gets it into perspective and shelves those thoughts where they need to go.   We have chosen to live our lives a certain way and other family members have chosen different paths.  It's tough.
I realize that all this is included in the Christmas spirit.  The spirit of giving to those without, prayer for those suffering, forgiveness for those that have done wrong.  Then keep the joy and happiness that is in me so that I can try to share that with those in need.  I need to keep in mind that at any time in this life, I could be on the needing side instead of the giving side.  I can only then hope that someone with a joyful and giving Christmas spirit would be there for me.

I'm Officially a "Grilled Grandma"

I know, two posts in one day!  You would think I have all kinds of time on my hands.  WRONG!  I am very flattered to be featured as a "Grilled Grandma" on Lisa's blog at:  http://www.grandmasbriefs.com/.  This is her home page.  The "Grilled Grandma" feature of me can be found at:  http://www.grandmasbriefs.com/grilled-grandmas/2009/12/16/grilled-grandma-nina.html .  Please pay Lisa a visit regardless of me being on it.  She has a darling site that is dedicated to everything Grandma. 
Again, I am very flattered and humbled by Lisa's feature.  Being a Grandma is my proudest accomplishment, besides being a mother, and I know that not everyone is always thrilled to here about my kids and grandkids and put up with all the pictures that I show all the time.  So for those that may be a little interested, here's the go to site.

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!