Weekend recap

Hi everyone. We made it home from Anchorage safely last night - this despite my trying my best to fall asleep at the wheel. Whoosh! That is a long, boring drive in the winter dark. I really hate that feeling, too - no matter how much sleep I get the road does its best to put me to sleep.

BUT - it failed to do so yet again, so hoorah!

Hubby and I went to Anchorage at the request of his managers - it was a dessert social evening - casual dress - a get together to tell us about some upcoming stuff and to get the "partners" involved a bit more. Sort of a get to know each other evening.

More of a get to know ourselves evening, I think. We were given a piece of paper with questions such as "what is your favorite entertainment - favorite movie - favorite sport, etc. And, then a dream sheet where hubby and I could do a bit of dreaming about our future.

All of this was done in a completely beyond fabulous home. I cannot even begin to imagine how much it cost them to build. Now I am a pretty simple gal - my little home is just fine with me (although some remodeling needs to be done - the bathroom is in need of repair and the carpet needs to be replaced). We raised our two girls here - and made it a home to several others passing through. These walls hold a lot of memories and we are just as happy to keep it. You know?

But . . . . thought you might like to see some of the shots I took of the interior - it was too dark to get exterior shots, but trust me it was impressive to drive up to it.

this shot is looking up at the ceiling - it is - well, I don't know what you call it, but maybe "recessed"? The ceiling and walls were a shade of beige/off white with white compliments.


this is the living room area. It is right off the kitchen and has a small tv (about 36" screen) and couches. Just a place to kick off your shoes and plop them on the coffee table and catch the news.

There were several other tvs throughout the home - with the BIG un in the "theater room". I have no clue how big it was - definitely "big screen". Sorry no pics of that room. Shoot!

for lack of a better term, I'll call this the sitting room. It is off to the right of the foyer - more seating and looks like a spot for them to do some light entertaining.

I did not get pics of the formal dining room or the less formal dining area off the kitchen. Nor pics of the putting green and pool table area.

there are two staircases going up to a landing - then you go up another staircase (which is in the center of the two) which goes to the second floor to the bedrooms. In the center of the two at the first floor is a staircase going down to the basement area where the theater room is located. We were highly entertained by their two year old who kept going up and down the stairs and posing along the way to wave to the people. Quite the little red-headed princess, that one.


this is a shot of the windows above the first picture shown here. It is an extremely TALL room - I was trying to get the reflection of the chandelier in the foyer to be seen in the mirror. You can just make it out among the greenery on the staircases.

It was a lovely home. There are some things about it that I liked. But again, I am just a simple gal so they are not my idea of home, you know? And, the one thing that I noticed - while they had walk-in closets in EACH bedroom, there really was NO closet space. They did not have space in the hall closet down stairs to hang our jackets, so they got dropped on the chair in the master bedroom - you know, no closet space. All of that floor space (and aerial space - glad I don't have to keep those windows clean!) and NO closet space. Sigh!

They DID have 5 full baths, though, and a hall bath on the first floor. Now, when I had both of my girls at home, PLUS my sister and niece and an adopted grandpa all living here with hubby and me - in a 3 bedroom house - with ONE bath (count, it ONE), I could have used at least one more bathroom. Yup, yup, yup.

There you go - a little dream trip of your own. I have a few more pics, but can't put them here because they have people in them. Not a good thing.

We stayed in the B&B again and enjoyed being made to feel right at home. I think the next time we go up for business, though, we will stay with our friends in Eagle River. We enjoy the chaos of their home - two teenage girls and an 8 year old boy. Yup, feel right at home there, too.

I am so cold tonight. Hubby says he is warm, and I have been sneezing, so it looks like I may be coming down with something. Out to take come echinacea and a coupla vitamin Cs.

Have a great week, everyone.
>..<

Headed to Anchorage . . .

55 - Alive!

Thank you, one and all, for your kind greetings for my birthday yesterday - double nickle - speed limit - but not old. At least not according to Miss Jessi. Grandpa might be old (even if he IS a week younger than I), but Gramma is not old. That's my girl. ;-)

The CPR class went well this morning. I was able to work with all of the manikens this year - the last couple of times I took it I had a hard time with the child and infant. But, healing comes in time - glad the tissues were there when I was done, though.

During the break our new program coordinator and I went to lunch. I had a card from them that said my meal would be free - Hey, I'm all about free. We had a delightful chat during our lunch - and then they brought out a bowl of ice cream for the birthday gal. I asked for 2 spoons, took a bite or two and let my coworker have at it. We both did well - there was food on our plates left and ice cream left in the bowl when we left the restaurant.

Hubby and I are going up to Anchorage again tomorrow - we'll be back Saturday in the late afternoon. Maybe I'll be able to get some roadside pics this trip. Turnagain Arm is always so neat this time of the year - with the ice flow and such. So, we'll see.

And, that is it for tonight. I need to get off here and get some rest. I think one of my darling grands has shared their cold with me. Sweet thangs.

>..<

Woot!

Ta-rah! Yup, that is another loss up there - another two pounds this week. I am amazed that the weight just keeps coming off as I am faithful. What a blessing!

But, I will confess that I weighed in a day early - I have CPR training tomorrow (a yearly required training for work) and won't be in the office until 3. AND, a coworker wants me to go to lunch with her to celebrate my day . . . sooooo better to weigh now and let it all wash out over the next week, eh? Yup, I thought so, too.

In order to do the lunch thing, I am going to rearrange my eating schedule. Tomorrow is a liquids day, which means two liquid meals - juice through the day if needed - and then a regular meal. Usually I have the regular meal at dinner time. But tomorrow I'll have that for lunch and do liquid for dinner.

That is what is so awesome about this program - the main point is to be faithful in the Bible study daily - then to do the exercising - then to work the food program to suit your lifestyle. There are four plans during each week. Sunday is a normal eating day - 3 healthy meals - Monday is my fast day (water only) - Tuesday is normal - Wednesday is half day (cut all portions in half - only eat half), Thursday is liquids day, Friday is half day, and Saturday is liquids day. It depends on which day you start the program, which day is which. I started on a Friday with a half day and then followed on through.

Now, this weekend we are going back to Anchorage so in order to be a companionable wife to hubby, I will switch my Saturday and Sunday like I did a couple of weeks ago - it seemed to work out okay. They just don't like you to do back to back of the same day (i.e. two liquid days or two half days) as that is too much for your system.

Thanks, liljif for the encouragement about the bike seat. Looking forward to getting used to that seat.

And, Lisa, thanks.

So, my friends, I am out of here for now. Hope you all enjoy the rest of your evening and have a great Thursday.
>..<

Things

There are some things you just don't write about - things you don't do - that is, if you are (as all of you all ARE) a responsible blogger.

You don't name names - either first or last - if you have any thought whatsoever that someone in that person's family might be reading your words.

You don't say defamatory things about people - when you know that such things will hurt - the person, their family, their friends.

You don't hide behind your apparently self-given right to hurt people because you have been hurt by someone else and, after all, it is YOUR place to vent so vent you will, by golly.

You don't do these things because you are a basically well-mannered person.

or do you?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
in other news . . .

the sun came out today and it was a wonderful sight - just perked us all up for a bit - until the clouds rolled back in and covered it up again. But, it was a blessing to see for those few shining hours.

------------
The red stars you see over there . . . those are little gifties from the Presidential Challenge "Active Lifestyle" program. For every 5 days logged in a week, you receive a star - I am 3/5 of the way through my next one. When I fill in 6 I will be eligible for an Active Lifestyle Award. Woot! ;-)

I'm adding mileage to my days - lots of stationary bike time in addition to my two walking days. My legs are feeling stronger and it takes less time to get past that first little ouch when I start.

Oh, and I just realized - my hips didn't bother me at all today when I walked. That is really neat.

I will miss walking on Thursday because I have to take a 4 hour CPR training for my job. It's a yearly thing and, for some reason, the training always falls on the same day. Celebrate!

So, I will ride that stationary bike to Nowhere, man. ;-)

Can anyone out there tell me why in the world these bike manufacturers do NOT build the things with comfortable seats? Ouch!!! 45 minutes on that baby and my cheeks are numb. Even a pillow doesn't help for long. A friend is using a gel seat on hers and I am thinking about looking for one for ours. Asked hubby to take the one off his motorcycle, but he says it is bolted on. Shoot!

We are going to Anchorage again on Friday, so maybe we'll look around for something while there.

And, I need to find a new pair of kick-around/work shoes. The sole on my right one is coming apart at the seam - flap, flap, flap.

Shoes - on the list
Butt Wipes for Zay-Zay - on the list
Diapers for same (bigger size as he has plenty of 3's) - on the list
Gel pad - maybe on the list

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
We received a box full of the Alaska Runner's Calendar today and I had a great time adding post-it tabs to the pages. Purple ones (but of course) marked the 5ks I am interested in. A pink one marked the ad placed by my employer. Yellow and blue ones marked the places we will contact about having our run registrations distributed by. It is now a colorful book. ;-)

Okay, friends. Have a wonderful Wednesday. See you again soon.
>..<

Memento Moron

Brian and The Feared Redhead need your prayerful support. Baby B is early. Mama's water broke Saturday with no sign of labor. Brian is (understandably) concerned. All kind thoughts and prayers winged upward would be appreciated.

thanks, friends.

Physicians vs. Gun Owners

Okay - so this just tickled my funny bone. My matron of honor from 35+ years ago sent this to me: (no offense to physicians, okay? nor to lawyers - or gun owners for that matter. Hey, I'm innocent - I'm just passing it on)

Physicians vs. Gun Owners.

Doctors:
a. The number of physicians in the U.S. is 700,000.
b. Accidental deaths caused by Physicians per year are 120,000.
c. Accidental deaths per physician is 0.171. (Statistics
courtesy of U.S.
Dept. of Health & Human Services) Now think about this.

Gun Owners:
a. The number of gun owners in the U.S. is 80,000,000.
b. The number of accidental gun deaths per year (all age groups)
is 1,500..
c. The number of accidental deaths per gun owner is 0.000188.

Statistically, doctors are approximately 9,000 times more
dangerous than gun owners.

Remember, "Guns don't kill people, doctors do."

FACT: not everyone has a gun, but almost everyone has at least one doctor.

Please alert your friends to this alarming threat.

We must ban doctors before this gets completely out of hand!!!!!

Out of concern for the public at large, I have withheld the
statistics on lawyers for fear the shock would cause people to
panic and seek medical attention.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Spent most of today accomplishing two things - woot! Two whole things! I would work on one for awhile until I needed a break and then work on the other.

The first was going through my photos on my hard drive looking for pics of our agency's retiring president of the Board. Good grief! I have hundreds and hundreds and HUNDREDS of pictures on my hard drive. Thank goodness I have only had the digital camera for a few years, huh?

Of course, after I found all of the ones on my hd, and printed them out on good paper, I couldn't find any of the three board members who requeted them. Oh, well. I did my part. I'll take them to work on Monday, I guess.

My other self appointed job was to clean off the counter tops in the kitchen. Forget about the cupboards - that will take a much longer day, I'm thinking. Nope - just the counter tops.

I moved everything off a section at a time, wiped it down real well, and then I put everything back - only in a different spot. Should have heard my poor hubby complain when he got home - where's the microwave? Erm, honey, it's right THERE. Oh. ;-)

When I mentioned the cupboards to him he about blew - you're gonna change the cupboards around, TOO? ;-)

nah, he's not mad. He just likes to make people think he is. And, Lessa and her family were here, so a lot of it was playacting for their benefit.

But, now I am going to shut this thing off and go out and visit with him for awhile before bedtime. Have a blessed Sunday, everyone.

My lipbibib is on da flobabo

well, it was earlier - that is my lips were NUMB! And my tongue was numb. And, my EYE was numb.

Erm, yes, you read correctly, my EYE was numb.

Dental visit today to have three fillings refilled/repaired. He didn't do a whole lot to them, just resealing where the wear and tear has taken place.

I have a gentle dentist - he is like a big panda. And, that fits as he is Chinese. He grew up here - local boy goes off the dental school and comes home to establish practice. We used to go to his parents' restaurant and he would serve us or bus the tables around us.

So, when he came back to town a few years ago and my teeth were in deplorable shape because I couldn't find a dentist I trusted . . . well . . . I called his office and said . . .

I'd like to make an appointment to come in and talk with the doctor - an interview of sorts. I can decide if I can work with him, and he can decide if he can work with me. If not, no hard feelings, but we will know for sure. I'll pay for his time.

Bless his heart - he was practically quaking when I arrived. So solicitous of my feelings and gentle and apologetic. Asked me if he could at least examine me. Which I granted him (princess that I am - heh). We have been best buds ever since. He calls me his favorite patient (I'm sure he calls many more the same) and is very careful to not overcharge me. (When I first began seeing him I had no dental insurance and there have been bouts of tears from me in his chairs when he would tell me how much work needed to be done and how much it would cost)

Today I met his (possible) future wife. She flew in from Taiwan a week ago and is getting to know his family. He was all aflutter. She's so pretty. She makes me so nervous. I don't know what to do or say around her. She's so pretty. On and on and on. He was quivering with excitement.

The whole staff wanted me to meet her (!!) and I thought that was just so sweet. As I left today I told him that I wanted to be kept up to date on future plans - including an invitation. And he said Of course! You are family!

Sharon (not sure if there was a Chinese spelling, but that is how they pronounced it - for all I know it is her given name, and not an adaptation. I'll have to wait to see it on the invitation - lol) seemed shy. I felt sort of sorry for her. He has an office full of women and they were all hovering over her and trying to include her in everything. Would have been overwhelming for anyone.

She goes back to Taiwan Saturday. And he? He goes in March or April - to meet her parents - he is very nervous.

All together now . . . awwwwwwwwwwwwww

And, yes, I think this may be an arranged marriage. He has been looking for awhile and confided to me once that his parents wanted him to marry within the culture.

She's so pretty . . .

Oh, I was gonna tell you about my eye. That was the weirdest feeling. He had to numb top and bottom because there were two teeth on top and one on the bottom. It was a blessing that at least they were all on the left side of my mouth.

He numbed my gums a bit and then gave me the injections. Oh, my goodness! I felt it go straight from my gum, up the side of my face, and into my eyeball. When he was done and I said something about it he apologized and said he probably had hit the trunk nerve and that it would wear off as the rest wore off. (it did, thankfully)

Weird sensations when mouth is half dead, btw.

First of all, you can't smile properly. Only one side of your mouth will lift.

You talk funny - like the Bill Cosby routine I reference in the title above.

Your nose feels funny - and this time - my eye felt funny

Take a drink of ice water when half your tongue is numb. One side will register cold, the other side will register hot. Seriously! Try it.

I would share Dr. Hu with you all, but you have to come up here. He is not allowed to leave the area. I don't want to have to go through all that again to find a dentist I can trust.

Night, friends.

Accountability Update

Have a great day - I'll be back later.

Evening, friends

This morning when the grandgirls came for breakfast, the 5 year old spotted a box and what she thought was balloons. She was so excited. Until we showed her that the box was, instead, filled with fruit. The "balloons" on the box represented oranges and grapefruit and pears.

The high school choir sells fruit each year as a fundraiser for their European trip.

She picked out a grapefruit and said "Can I have this orange?" We told her that it wasn't an orange, but that she could have some of the grapefruit if she liked. So, I peeled it, sectioned it and offered her a taste. Oh, the face! No, thank you, Gramma, I don't want it.

We sliced up one of the oh, so juicy pears and gave her and her sister some. They didn't eat much of it, left most on the plate.

So, after they went to the bus stop with Grandpa, I put the grapefruit, the pear, and an orange through the juicer and was it ever good. The grapefruit are really sweet, but too tart for the little ones I guess.

Yummy stuff!

While I was reading the paper at work this morning, (yes it is part of the job) I found that the oldest grandson's name was in the schools section! Little dickens didn't tell us that he had received a Character Counts student award last week - got himself a pizza lunch. That's my boy.

Didn't get a chance to weigh in today - so I will do it tomorrow after I walk - will have to "sneak" into work on my way home from walking since I don't go on the clock until 11. So, watch the above ticker tomorrow. Hopefully it will move.

Have a wonderful Thursday, everyone. And, thanks to all who gave kudos to the hubby yesterday. ;-)

>..<

Accountability

:Pointing upwards:
I've asked some of my friends to keep me accountable and it is time for me to come out of the closet (so to speak) and ask you all to do the same. Yup, that is a hugely big number, huh? Still have 113 to go. I weigh in on Wednesdays - really should be Thursdays, but the scale is at work and I do my lessons before I go to work - so, Wednesdays it is. We'll see what the old ticker does after this week, shall we?

I'll be leaving that little ladybug (in honor of all my grands) up there and move her from entry to entry.

Promised you a bit more on the overnight in Anchorage, didn't I? What a tease - and then I didn't make it back here to keep my promise. So, I'll carry on, then.

We enjoyed the B&B experience. The host was a good deal of fun. And, they even had guest computer access, so that was an extra treat as I was able to do my TLT study that morning instead of waiting until getting back home Saturday night.

Took some pics of the rooms - we had a suite -

and were greeted by a little bear in our bed
while in the other room . . .

there were two beds like these.

We were in the Rivers and Streams suite:

We had the fish above our heads - while our friend

had the bears above his head. (click to enlarge all pics, of course)

The reason we were there was so that hubby and his associates could attend a business seminar. During the seminar I was asked to be there in support of hubby while he received a promotion:


being congratulated by Fred

waiting to congratulate others as they come through the line

exit stage right

more congratulations.

I'm proud of the work he is doing to make a better life for us. Congratulations, Mr. Moose!

Posted by Purplemoose at 08:42 PM | Comments (4)

I'm back from Anchorage

Gotta love these whirlwind trips - complete with driving in the dark Alaskan night on slick "black-icy" roads. We had one little "WHEEE" part on the way home. Tightened up my glutes, I'll tell ya! (I will be so glad when we get through this long dark and I can drive in the daylight again)

Gonna post a few quick pictures tonight and then will tell you more about the trip tomorrow. Okay, friends?

Outside the Loussac Library in Anchorage

An Ice Fountain

Part of the 10% for Arts project (all new civic buildings must set aside 10% for artwork)

Memorial Ice Fountain
the flash pretty much obliterated the sign -

but it says:
Mrs. Jack M. (Kay) Linton
In dedication to a volunteer extraordinairre
whose spirit encouraged so many in our
community to live by her motto:
"Find a need and fill it"

What a great thing to be remembered for, isn't it?

And, with that, I am taking this tired moosie to bed. Have a blessed Sunday, everyone.
>..<

Good Friday Morning!

Here's a wispy shot of Mt. Redoubt from the bluff in town.

Today I am the guest writer at The Purple Porch. Have you ever seen a PurpleMoose on a Purple Porch? Well, go on over and take a peek. Scary.

Thanks, CNL, for inviting me to play while you rest.

Hubby and I and two of his associates are driving to Anchorage this afternoon . . . after my dental appointment. Ack! It's cleaning day. We will overnight at Alaska Natural Wonders B&B which is owned by the sister of another associate. Tomorrow they all have a big meeting to attend, while I get to wander through wally-world and pick up diapers for Zay-Zay. I am a blessed woman - that is a lot of fun for me to do.

We will be driving home tomorrow evening, so keep us in your thoughts as we drive through the mountain pass.

My goodness, but the weather around our country - indeed, the world - is interesting right now. California has had rain and mudslides. Lots of snow back east. And, just heard this morning that the Ohio River is rising. That, in itself is not so unusual, but just heard that the Olentangy River is also getting near flood stage. I grew up near that river. People in trailer parks are packing up and evacuating.

You all be careful out there, okay?

I'll probably not get to post again until Sunday. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone.
>..<

mememememe ;-)

So I was off visiting Brian earlier today and saw a meme that I would just have to try - (I don't usually post the results of such, even though I do them from time to time.)

At any rate - here is a way to tell your readers a bit about yourself in a fun sort of way. Go to mapquest and enter two addresses - your current address and the one from your growing-up home. Then post how many hours it would take to drive from one to the other.

Yup, that is just waaaaaaaaayyyy too much fun for me.

You see, I grew up in Columbus, Ohio and now live in Kenai, Alaska. Any guesses on how many miles that is? Let alone how many hours it would take to drive straight through?

Nope, I no clue either. You see, family and I moved here by jet plane - yessiree we did. Caught a commuter out of Columbus then a 747 out of Chicago and a puddle jumper out of Anchorage. As it was the first time any of us had ever flown - and I was doing it on my own with two little girls as hubby had come up the week before - that puddle jumper about scared the tar out of us.

But, I had to be the big brave mama that I am and reassure my little darlings. Even though a fellow stood next to me, sized me up as a cheechako (hmmm wonder how - heh) and began to tell me about the square wheels on the plane and the "slogan" of the airlines AAI, the only way to die. (don't worry I won't get sued - they went out of business a looooooonnnnngggg time ago.) Nope I had to be the strong mama and tell the girls he was only fooling when inside I was POSITIVE he was telling the truth.

An aside here: said airline several years later "accidentally" landed on a frozen lake several miles outside of the Kenai Airport. Swore they were on the runway and wondered what had happened to the hangar. No, friends, there was no fog and it was an otherwise clear night! The topper came when they tried to charge the passengers for the snow machine ride from the plane to the airport. Oh, yes, that went over big. ;-)

I have long wanted to take the AlCan Highway - either on the motorcycle or, barring that, in the car. Just have never had enough time to do it.

My brother in law drove it in a few days - and that was back when the road was mostly gravel! Now it is paved the whole way except wherever they are utilizing the third season of Alaska (We have winter, break-up, and construction seasons).

I have biker friends who have ridden out on that highway nearly every summer since we met to go touring around the country. She is the president of Women On Wheels® now and rides down for the annual rally. She's another Barbara, btw, so that shows she has tenacity. (heh)

Okay - I've rambled on long enough . . . you have probably forgotten by now the premise of this whole entry . . . just how far and how long to drive from my childhood home to my present home:

4182.67 miles

94 hours, 53 minutes.

Can you top it?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Over there on the left of your screen you will notice a new button. I hope you will click on it and see where it leads. A dear sister in Christ led me to The Lord's Table and I have been feasting there now for a week. Wow! It has been a blessing.

'night, friends. Have a wonderful Thursday. I will, Lord willing, be up bright and early to drive over to the church gym to walk for about 45 minutes before work.

Another birthday!

This time it is Ava's special day. Hope you have a wonderful one, Ava.

It's Here!

She's been counting down and the day has arrived!

Happy Birthday, MaryLou!
May it bring you every joy.
>..<

Posted by Purplemoose at 11:16 PM | Comments (3)

Sunday at our place

Today was Miss Kinzie's turn to be the pampered princess. She was more than ready to come with us - and chattered all the way to the car - through getting seatbelted in - and on down the road.

Where would you like to go for lunch, Kinzie Bug?

Sigh! You know - Donald's!

And, so we went off to donald's of course. And were entertained mightily by her antics. She had eaten a bit at home so was really only interested in the toy. But she did eat a part of her chick-a-burger (cheeseburger) that somehow made it to us minus the cheese. And, she had asked for apple slices when given the choice over fries and ate a couple of those. She kept holding her straw and chattering until she finally said "where's my soda?"

We laughed and pointed to the milk (chocolate milk!) that she had asked for when given that choice. "Oh" and in went the straw, but little was drunk. We really do try, but sometimes we apparently get the order wrong. Good thing she had eaten at home, I'm thinking.

Off to the grocery store then - she wanted to sit in the kiddie seated grocery cart. Big gray monstrosity behind the regular cart - holds 2 smallish kids. So, that's the one we took. She lasted about 1/2 way through before she needed to get out to walk. ;-)) That's our girl.

When we were done shopping it was time for the toy aisle . . . only we never made it that far.

Instead she spotted the Valentine's Day exhibit. (I know, I know - they set it up the day after Christmas!!!) There were HUGE stuffed animals on the display. White gorillas, purple elephants, green frogs, black dogs, red bears, and a pink lion. She loved the purple of the elephant, but didn't want an elephant. She spotted that pink lion and was taken - smitten - lost in the love. The durned thing is bigger than she is practically.

She decided we were done shopping at the moment. No, thank you, she didn't want to go to the toy aisle now. She was ready to go home - with the big pink lion. And, she, being the princess, was granted her wish.

Little tyke was pretty tired by the time we got her home. The family was getting ready to go to the other grandparents' home for the evening.

One last thing before I get off here and head to bed.

While Grandpa was putting the car seat into our car, I waited inside with the Ladybug family to chat. Ladybug set Zay-Zay onto the floor and said, Watch, Mom.

He held onto one of her fingers and side stepped toward me. I stayed just out of his reach and talked to him, encouraging him to come to me. When he got to the end of her arm and it wouldn't go any further, he let go and tottered a moment on his sturdy little pegs. And, then he took a step - then another - and then another - right into this grateful Nana's arms. He walked to me!! Yay.

And, then after a bit of playing with my scarf - and trying to eat it (yuk) - he asked to be let down and proceeded to crawl off to his own little Zay-Zay world.

No, I didn't have the camera - sigh! But it wouldn't have happened quite the same way if I had, so I am grateful that I didn't. There will be plenty more where those three came from, I'm sure.

And with that, friends, I am out of here and off to bed. Have a great week!
>..<

Oh, my!

Frost Feathers

I opened the blinds next to the computer to see the pink which had been leaking through more clearly. And caught my breath at the icy swirls left on my window from the Alaskan chill.

The pictures don't do them justice . . . frosty feathers swirling on the panes.

Oh, my!

Red Sky In Morning . . .

click for larger view
Sailor take warning . . .

took these on the way to work this morning. I had already been up and about - went to walk at 6:30 this morning. Drove across town a bit and walked from just before 7 until 8. Then, home for my shower as I didn't have to be at work today until 10.

So, I was gifted with the above sunrise as my reward for being out and about in the pitch black night earlier.

Each time I see a sky like this I think of the proverb that states:

Red sky at morning
Sailor take warning
Red sky at night
Sailor's delight

Before the advent of modern meteorology, explorers and settlers of North America developed rules of thumb for the weather based on common observations.

We have been seeing a lot of pinks lately - yes, it has cleared off and we are getting cool . . . okay, downright CRISP . . . days and nights. Lots of alpine glow on the mountains. It is nearly impossible for me to get a clear shot with my digital so click on the link to see what I am nattering on about.

Every day - chilly or not - scenes such as these delight me enough to make me never want to leave my adopted home state. Here in another year, I will be able to say that I have lived here as long as I lived in my birth state. (we be oldtimers soon - heh)

Hope you have a wonderful Friday, everyone. It has been quite a week at work and I am looking forward to some solitude tomorrow. (made even better by the fact that I thought I had a dental appointment tomorrow, and on checking I find that it is not until NEXT Friday.)

'night, all.

Sunday afternoon fun

Anyone who has read here for even a short time knows that I dote on my grands. Love 'em, I do. As does hubby.

Sundays are our days. I take two of the girls with me to Sunday School and services. Afterwards, one of the 7 gets to go grocery shopping with Grandpa and Gramma. We go to lunch first - their choice of menu - and then shop to fill our larders - and then, their reward is a trip through the toy aisle.

This week was the baby's turn. Well, actually his turn was two weeks ago, but what with the holidays and all . . . we didn't take any of the grands with us. But, this week, we were not to be cheated - our time with Zay-Zay had come.

Poor tyke - his Mama woke him up from a nap to get him ready to go with us. But, he perked up in no time . . . about the time we got him into the car seat he was chattering away - making darling baby noises. He now has several (I think 3) teeth and is beginning to test his little pegs by standing for short periods of time. It won't be long and Mama will be finding him under her feet constantly. (what a joy that will be)

With Zay-Zay we make the menu choice simple - the grocery store deli. While grandpa had a cold sandwich, the boy got a chicken breast, mashed potatoes, and apple slices. Gramma got to shred the chicken, spoon the potatoes, and mash and spoon the apples.

faster, Gramma, faster

I'm starving, here, woman, can't you shovel it in any faster?

hurry up Gramma, these people think you're starving me

buuuuuuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrppppppppppppppppp!!!!!

Oh, yes, indeedy, we did, so have that conversation, Zay-Zay and I. The folks around us simply smiled or laughed out loudly at his antics. Grandpa even offered to spoon feed me so that I could have some lunch as well. ;-) But, I managed to find a second or three to pop a piece of chicken into my own mouth.

We made a short trip of the shopping - tend to do that when we have the little guy with us. We try hard to make it a pleasant trip and not a fussy time. So far we mostly succeed.

Then came the treasured time through the toy aisles. Never mind the fact that Christmas has just come and gone and there is little he needs. Nope, never mind that.

Grandpa says he needs . . . NEEDS, mind you . . . a noisy toy - one to aggravate his Mama and Daddy. I was gravitating to the new soft rubbery weebil toys . . . but nooooooooooooo - oh nooooooooooooo indeedy. Grandpa went for the noisy.

And, of course, so did Zay-Zay. Go for the noisy, that is. All the way through the store we heard the plink-plink-plink of the tinny music accented with the pop-pop-pop of balls being tossed into the air. Each time the balls popped, Zay-Zay hooted - I thought he was being scared or made angry by them - hubby said try to keep it from him then. So, I put it behind my back and the boy hooted again . . . wanting it back in front of him. So, back it went.

Out to the car it went.

Into his seat with him it went.

Plink - plink - plink went the music

Pop - Pop - Pop - went the balls

HOOT went the boy.

We giggled all of the way home.

It was a nice diversion.

The rain which was softly falling had made the roads an extremely slick ice rink. Not at all fun for the Gramma to drive in, knowing that there was precious cargo in the seat behind her. But we made it home safely. And Zay-Zay showed off his new toy and immediately was beset by his siblings who attempted to take it from him, show him how it works, etc. (you know, normal sibling stuff)

Grandpa and I planted kisses on each little head and then merrily went home to unload groceries. Grandpa took the snow blower out for a bit to try to get rid of a berm at the end of the driveway. I settled into my chair to read the paper - when hubby came in a few moments later, he settled into his chair and joined me . . . not in reading, silly. No, he joined me in making the windows rattle. We were out in no time.

It doesn't take much to wipe us out these days.

It only takes a little guy . . . 10 1/2 months old . . .

that's all it takes.

And, now I am celebrating the new year with my first official holiday of the calendar year. Yup - our holiday was today. Couldn't be Friday because that would have given us an extra holiday for 2004. (don't ask me - I just do what they say).

Back to the laundry, kiddos. Tomorrow it is nose to the grindstone again - back to my early morning walking. The church gym is again open to us on Tuesday and Thursday mornings - until May, when we should be able to get back onto the paths.

Speaking of walking . . . I am a glutton for Marn punishment, I am. Yup, I am again Walking Nowhere with the posse. Last year's goals got waylaid a bit by my ankle injuries in May. I finished with 610 miles towards my 700 mile goal. Not too shabby, but still short.

This year? I've upped the ante to 750 miles as my goal. We'll see where that gets me.

Psssst . . . hello to JK if you're reading!! ;-)

p.s. kudos to whomever can tell me what today is (historically). AND - if you comment here with the correct answer I will send you something special and purplemoose-like. (if I don't already have your snail mail address, we'll get together on that.) So go on now, put on your thinking caps . . .