Life is not just good - it's fantastic!

Where to start! Where to start!

Okay, I'll start with last night! Michael and I were out getting cheese (for the meatball sandwiches we had last night for dinner) and picking up my latest round of meds when I got THE call from Scott. He and Bryce were on their way home from Mom-Mom's house and wanted to stop by. I was SO excited at the possibility of seeing both Scott AND Bryce! Wooohoooo!

Michael was in the grocery store, but as soon as he came out, we hurried home to find Scott and Bryce in the driveway! FANTASTIC!

Scott looks great. And the smile on his face when he looks at his son is indescribable (and wonderful for a mother's heart). I love seeing him so happy. The only thing that would have made tonight better would be if Crystal could have come. I don't see them often enough and I do miss them.

Bryce is talking up a storm. It's hard to believe he'll be 2 in another week. At the moment, he's in love with horses. He doesn't want to touch them - or ride them. He just likes to look at them. Apparently Mom-Mom (Crystal's grandmother) takes him to the state and county parks to see the horses - and he LOVES them!

What a sweet, sweet child!

And the other news for today? The arrival of... Bubba!!!!

Bubba is a "Jug" - part Jack Russell and part Pug. He's 8 weeks old and weighs about 3 pounds. What a face! And one white foot. How cute is THAT?

I haven't had the pleasure of meeting him yet. He just arrived at his new home last night. Greg said that all seven of them went to get him. I can't help but smile at the picture in my mind of that whole crew "puppy shopping". :)

Matthew's 3rd birthday is today, but his party will be on Sunday. That will probably be my first chance to "meet the pet".

I especially love birthday parties because it's a chance to see the whole gang together! That experience is chicken soup for the mother's soul. But you'll never find it in a chicken soup book 'cause there are just no words for that kind of joy.
Well, I guess that since I don't have a puppy to play with, I'd better get back to work.

See ya'!

Backpacks and lunch boxes

I talked to Greg today while he was on his way to Maryland to check out a job. He told me that today is the first day of school for Gregory and Alex.

This is the first time they're separated - going to different schools - since Alex started at Forwood. And they'll stay separated until High School. Although it will be very different for both of them, it will be growth - always a good thing.

Alex was a little trepadacious, but managed well with a little extra support. Greg said that Alex's teacher (Mrs. Stein) is reputed to be a WONDERFUL teacher. Greg said that she seemed sensitive to Alex's new situation and told Greg she'd take good care of Alex. She'd better!!!! The change is probably harder on Alex than Gregory, but Alex will handle it well, I'm sure. AND it will give him a chance to blossom and cast his own shadow without being in Gregory's.

Gregory has, in Greg's words, crossed over to cool this year. He starts at Claymont Middle School today - 4th grade! He doesn't want "Mom" hanging around at the bus stop (if there aren't any other moms there) - he carries his backpack with one strap now, instead of two - he had a "dad special" haircut this time, longer on the top, no more buzz - and he Dad got to spike it up for him this morning.

Matthew was feeling lost, being the only one without a new backpack, so Greg and Amy got him a lunchbox that he put "stuff" in this morning.

Having three kids is a handful - three times the worry - but three times the joy. They are each who they are - each one special - each one with characteristics all their own - each one God's special gift to all of us.

Thank you, God, for these precious children!

Silver and Lampwork and Chain - Oh my!

Lonnnnnnng weekend! But a very good one!

Michael and I went to Beadfest on Friday and then again on Sunday. So much to see - so little time. We were there a total of almost 9 1/2 hours combined in the two days and it didn't seem like enough. I don't know if there could ever be enough when it comes to jewelry. I guess when you run out of money, that's enough.

I shouldn't complain about being tired when I rode a mobility scooter both days and Michael walked. 9 1/2 hours is a LOT of walking! By Sunday night we were both ready to crash and catch the latest on Big Brother.

Michael says the next step is to get our Web site up and running (including the shopping cart) and then see what's up on ebay. We're GREAT at buying, but not so hot at selling. If we want to keep on buying, we'd better learn to sell! I think that's called survival.

I know I'm not very good, but I DO love making jewelry. If we can just get this to pay for itself, there is so much to learn. But it all takes time.

Michael makes B*E*A*U*T*I*F*U*L things. His silverwork gets better all the time. I know he'd like a torch and some glass to make beads - more incentive to sell... sell... sell!

In praise of vicarious field trips...

Had lunch with Richard yesterday - always a treat for me - brightens my whole week.

While lunch with Richard is ALWAYS a good thing, yesterday was fascinating - hearing about his trip - about Ireland - the roads - the castles - the churches - the golf courses - the bed and breakfasts. For an hour or so, I was there. I can hardly wait to see the pictures!

Richard said he was soooooo homesick for Kate - and Julie. At 6 months old, 10 days is HUGE - so many changes so quickly. And... how about Molly? I mean, really. I forgot to ask if he was homesick for Molly. On the homesick scale, I'm guessing Molly didn't rate more than a 4 or 5, but I'm sure she was on the gee-I'm-missing-you list. Ten days was too long, he said - just too long.

I am generally in awe of the whole thing, actually. I'm DEFINITELY impressed with Julie for encouraging him to go - no guilt trips - no pouting. Although she missed Richard, she was fine. That's a homecoming gift in itself. And Richard was able to have a wonderful time while missing his family with all his heart. What a nice way to live.

I think they call that "balance". :)

Weekend Report

Friday night - Nothing much going on. Michael worked until 8:00. When he got home we watched some movie on TV (I couldn't even tell you what the name of it was at this point - impressive). Quiet night.

Saturday - Actually Saturday was a biggie for me!

Michael and I made our usual Saturday-morning-Farmers-Market run before I took him to work.

THEN I stopped to see Julie and Kate - a treat, for sure! Richard comes home from Ireland tomorrow. Julie is SO excited! I wish I could be at the airport - just to see the reunion. It will certainly be a joyful time for them all! (Molly included)

Michael worked from 9:30 to 5:00. He looked so tired when I dropped him off. I thought it would be nice for him to be able to come straight home from work and have something to eat at home. Soooo I went to the grocery store. Alone. Oh yeah! AND I cooked! Wooohooooo! What a wild woman!

Sounds easy, but for me, it's not. It was good for me to go, but going to the store and cooking dinner definitely felt like an acheievement. I need to try both more often. (Maybe!)

Sunday - Today Richard came home from Ireland. It seems like he was gone for a month instead of a week. I'm sure it felt even longer to Julie.

Greg invited my father (AKA Pap-Pap) to come down and go fishing. He was supposed to be at Greg's by noon, but finally showed up a little after 1:00, after surviving traffic problems on I-95. Greg, Gregory, and Alex were waiting - ready to go - getting concerned about if/when he would get there. But all's well that end's well (I heard that somewhere).

My father (who is 83) was a little concerned about fishing all day, so I promised him that I'd come rescue him in a couple hours if that's what he wanted. He said that helped and that he was excited about fishing with Greg and the boys.

Off they went in the rain, dollar-store rain gear keeping them dry. Dad said that everyone caught something, but Gregory caught the biggest fish - a catfish. I kept expecting to get a "rescue me" call from my father, but I never did. I guess he had even more fun than he expected. They fished off the dock at a local restaurant - an easy place to take the kids. Greg took a chair for Dad, but he said my father fished with 2 fishing poles and never sat down.

After they finished fishing, they sat on the deck at the restaurant (protected by an overhang) and had lunch. My father finally called me at about 5:00 - on his way home - wet from moving his equipment from the dock to the truck and then when they got back to Greg's house - from the truck to his car. (They had thrown the disposable rain-gear away when they finished fishing.) He said he was wet, cold and uncomfortable and wanted to get home, so he'd visit me next time. He felt badly that he didn't stop at my house, but I was glad he had so much fun.

I even talked to Scott for a couple minutes on Sunday. He makes me smile.

So, now it's Monday. Back to the ol' grind. Work sucks and all that. Yeah - yeah! I know! I know! I should be grateful that I'm able to work. I am. Really. I am.

But being independently wealthy and a lady of leisure would be SO much more fun! :)