Here comes another one, just like the other one...

... almost. But basically, another quiet day at home.

We had breakfast with Julie, and Richard and Kate at Jimmy's. (I'm still Nammy, by the way - and still lovin' it!)

I got the Belgian waffle with the strawberry topping (so that Kate could "dip). Julie asked me to wait until the end of breakfast to let Kate dip, though. It seems she's becoming more interested in the dip (whether strawberries or catsup) than she is her food. How funny!

When the food came out, Margie (the server) put everyone's plate in front of them and we all started to begin breakfast. Kate was sitting across from me and she just stared at my waffle. Usually, as soon as I get my breakfast, I break up part of my waffle for Kate. Today, Julie was giving Kate eggs, so I decided to wait a bit. But Kate had something else in mind. She stared and stared and stared at my waffle, scooting up in her seat to get a better look. Michael and I had a hard time not laughing. It was obvious that she wanted some. Finally, I asked her "Kate, do you want some of my waffle?". She started to dance in her highchair. She really is adorable! So, of course I gave her some of my waffle, which she was delighted to have - but I waited on the strawberry topping until Julie said it was okay. Sure enough, she dipped a piece or two of waffle into the topping and then she just started eating the topping with her fork. Are the days of "the dip" coming to a close?

Today has been as quiet as yesterday - another day on the couch - me making jewelry while Michael dozed off and on. He didn't sleep as much today, but he didn't seem to have any energy. He looks SO much better today, though, since he's had some rest. I'm glad he had the weekend off!

Saturday in slow time

Quiet day.

Michael was off today (for the most part). He went in to work for about an hour to close a deal. And since he didn't work this morning, we didn't do our usual Farmer's Market run, so after he closed his deal, he made the trip to the Farmer's Market for our weekly goodies.

Other than that, we had a slow lazy day - a late breakfast/lunch at Jimmy's - and then home to hang out on the couch - a late dinner (pizza) at Taverna at about 8:30 or so and then back home to watch the Olympic trials.

I spent the day making jewelry (on the couch) while Michael dozed off and on all day. He looked SO tired last night. I think he needed a day to just rest and do nothing.

Michael is off tomorrow, too. We'll see what the day brings.

She called me "Nammy"!

She DID! And... I LOVE it!

Michael and I met Julie, Kate, and Richard for dinner tonight at Friendly's (We were supposed to meet at the new Red Robin, but they had a fire alarm problem.). Although the service was awful and the food was less than mediocre, the company was fantastic!

ANYWAY... Richard was doing what he calls "roll call" ---

"Who's this, Kate?" (pointing to himself)

"Daddy" replies the brilliant Kate.

"And who's this, Kate?" (pointing to Julie)

"Mommy" grins the genius.

"And who's that, Kate" (pointing to me)

"Nammy" Kate answers - and I almost fell on the floor.

Nammy! Oh how cute! I'm Nammy! That could stick forever as far as I'm concerned. I LOVE it! Nammy! Nammy! Nammy!

She IS a genius! Really, she is! :)



Just a note: Rich and I were married 38 years ago, today. So many memories!

The Happening

Today I went to the movies to see "The Happening". Although the reviews were pretty bad, I enjoyed the movie. Of course, I'm not the most discerning movie-watcher in town. There were some parts, though, that I did laugh out loud (and the movie was not a comedy).

I've really been slacking lately with my movie viewing! I think Indiana Jones will be next.

When is a son not a son?

Well... never! BUT... a son can also be a great lunch-buddy!

Richard and I went to Grotto's today for lunch. (Their popcorn maker is back in business, by the way.) Another lunch hour (*cough cough*) well spent! But then ANY time with Richard is time well spent.

One of the things we talked about today was a website for Rich's track meet. I'd SO love to do that! It's not until next spring so there's plenty of time to do it. I think Richard already has some ideas. He's the creative force. I'm the worker bee.

My ideal work dream (if there is such a thing) is to have some kind of family business where everyone could work (if they chose to). I really do think it could work. Call me a dreamer. :)

Speaking of work - - - - - - - pffffffffffft!

Time for a rest...

... at work. Where else?

This weekend was SO busy, I'm exhausted! It's that "back to work so I can get a rest" thing. But, do I feel like going? Nooooooooooooo! It's far too pretty today to have to spend it inside a room with no windows. Ah! The cost of living in the world.

Grilled cheese at home for dinner - too tired to go out. The trick will be to stay awake until bedtime. The best way to do that is to stay busy, so I'll probably make some jewelry while we watch TV. That should do it!

I finished the Mary Higgins Clark book I was reading - "On The Street Where You Live". It was pretty good. The body of the book was better than the ending, though. The murderer was not even on my list of suspects. When I found out "who done it" I had a "DUH" moment. Like... of course. ANYWAY, on to something else. I'll have to check the bag of books in the kitchen and see what I pull out. I know there's some Stephen King there, but that may be a little too intense. Any suggestions?

Dinner for 5 (and 1/2)

Richard, Julie, Kate and Molly (the 1/2) came for dinner tonight! Sooooo much fun!

Kate just didn't seem herself, though. Julie didn't think she felt very well and sure enough, when they got home, they discovered that Kate had a temperature of 101.2. Poor little thing. She was okay in waves and then you could see she didn't feel well again. I'm guessing they'll visit the doctor tomorrow morning. Julie and Richard said Kate's getting several new teeth. Maybe that's enough to do it. I sure hope she feels better soon.

They invited Michael and me for our standard Sunday morning breakfast out at a local restaurant, but Scott, Crystal and Bryce are coming for lunch tomorrow, so I'd better stay home and get ready. Michael could go, but I'm guessing he'll probably stay home and help me. He's such a good guy!

The couch is calling my name, so... I'm off to snoooooooze!

Scott and Bryce and everything nice...

... but no Crystal. Sometimes life is wonderful, even when it's not perfect!

Scott and Bryce were up for a BLT (and egg) sandwich brunch - c0mplete with corn-on-the-cob and chips. Bryce was not sandwich oriented but he was delighted with the menu and SO excited to see corn-on-the-cob. And EGGS!!!! I think he must have eaten 6!

What a treat to have them both! We missed Crystal, but sometimes time just gets "crunched" and it's not possible to do everything.

Bryce was DARLING - and sooooo good! He came with a "fresh today" haircut that was really cute and with a BIG smile! He's always color-coordinated from head to toe. When Richard, Greg, and Scott were that age, I bought their summer outfits (the ones I didn't make) at Grants, a five-and-ten-cent-store down the street from where we used to live. Either that or at the grocery store, believe it or not. But they DID look cute (most of the time). :)

We played with the cars on the wooden track from Lancaster. All the kids have enjoyed that track, but I think Bryce has enjoyed it the most. And of course, he loves the old trucks. We also threw around a little inflatable football. I was better at throwing than catching. SO funny!

On one catch, Scott tried to keep the ball, so when Bryce finally got it back, Scott was no longer included in the "catch". Bryce did NOT want Scott to get the ball. Burn me once...

We had a great visit! Scott helped me get all of the dishes to the kitchen and then I washed them all so that Michael wouldn't have to be faced with them when he got home (even though he DID tell me that I never have to do another dish in my life).

I hated to see Scott and Bryce go, but they were off to Greg's and I was off to the couch where I slept for the next 2 1/2 hours. My energy seems to be in short supply these days. :(

It was a FANTASTIC day! :)

And so the week begins

Monday! *sigh*

I had an appointment with the rheumatologist today - my every-three-month visit. I had BIG bloodwork done a few weeks ago and today was "the day" to find out the results. I have to admit, I was having a mental drum-roll in my head, waiting to hear. As it turns out, everything was pretty good.

Obviously, I still have lupus, but the liver and kidney studies were good and none of the abnormalities were any higher than they were several years ago - a good thing. In fact, he said that some things that were high are now normal - nothing very significant, but ANYthing "normal" is a good thing in my book. I've been graduated from every 3 months - to every 4 months. Encouraging!

Life is good!

Father's Day

"You don't have to deserve your mother's love. You have to deserve your father's. He's more particular."
~ Robert Frost~

So for Father's Day I went to Levittown and took my dad out to breakfast at the Dallas. We took our time - sat and talked for awhile - then went back to his office where I gave him his Father's Day gift (3 golf shirts) and we sat and talked some more.

He'll be 85 in November. How fantastic that he still plays golf, goes bowling and runs to Atlantic City for the day with friends. And he takes no medication. I'm grateful that he's so healthy!

Richard and Julie and Kate went out for breakfast and just stayed home and enjoyed each other. Scott and Crystal and Bryce went to Lancaster for the day. I don't know yet what Greg did, but I'm sure he enjoyed his boys!

Michael got an e-card from Chelsea and a "Happy Father's Day" phone call. Calen also called to wish his dad a Happy Father's Day. Michael was beyond happy! His life had a huge hole in it when his kids weren't in contact. This is SO much better - for all of them!

And of course, I thought about Rich today and the years - the tears - and all of the joy raising 3 sons who have grown into wonderful, loving, kind fathers.

We have been blessed beyond measure!

Moooooooooooo

Michael and I had dinner tonight with Julie, Richard and Kate at Chili's. I DO love Chili's!

We were sitting at a table against the wall and above us on the wall, was a bull's head planter. Kate looked up and casually said "Mooooo". Well! How smart is THAT?!?!?!

Julie and Richard read her a book with all kinds of animals and their actions. Of course, Julie and Richard perform all the actions for Kate and so she's learned them all. It's so much fun to watch her flap her arms like a monkey, bend her neck like a giraffe, pound her chest like a gorilla. She provides endless entertainment for all of us! What a beautiful child!

Today was a quiet day - so tired. Last week was exhausting for some reason. All I did today was lie on the couch and watch old movies and sleep. It felt like a wasted day, but sometimes it takes the weekend to recover from the week. But then, that's what weekends are for, right?

Friday the 13th

I gave up superstitions years ago, so Friday the 13th is really no biggie.

My mother claimed that she was not supersitious, BUT when she spilled the salt, she would immediately throw some over her left shoulder. She also insisted on going out the same door that she used to come in. There were more, I'm sure, but those two things come to mind quickly.

ANYWAY... today was far from unlucky! I had lunch with Richard and then dinner with Richard, Julie and Kate. It was a fantastic day! We had dinner at the new pizza place. Richard and Julie agreed that it was terrific pizza! We think it may be our new favorite.

Kate wanted to "dip" her bread into Julie's Gazpacho, but it was far too spicy! So they were kind enough to bring us some marinara for the bread. Kate "dips" with a lot of intensity! Soooooo cute! And no one cares if she makes a li'l mess. :)

Niiiiiice day!

Escape to the movies

Richard recommended Ironman, sooooo I went yesterday afternoon and saw it. When I go to a movie like that by myself, I spend so much time with my eyes covered that I'm afraid I'm missing integral parts of the movie. I hid for the torture scenes and some of the icky chest scenes, but the rest was pretty cool.

For some reason, I really wasn't expecting a super-hero kind of movie. BUT I did love it! The ending certainly left the door open for sequels. If there are more coming, I'm in.

I DID think the "Pepper Potts" thing was kind of author self-indulgence but it made me smile. Pepper Potts! What kind of a great name is THAT??

That was my GOOD part of the day!

When I got home from work, the house was 80 degrees. The air conditioner seemed to be running but the air was not cool.

SO - I called the air conditioning people and they asked me if the filter was clean or dirty. Off the basement I went to check the filter. The filter was good, so they asked me if the outside unit was running.

Back up the stairs - across the house to the bedroom to check the outside unit. It was NOT running. So next they asked me if the breaker could have been tripped during the storm the night before.

Back down the stairs - across the basement to the very back to the fuse box. Indeed, the breaker for the outside unit had been tripped. One flip of the switch and we were back in business.

But I was exhausted from all the trips back and forth (which took me the better part of a half hour). I set the thermostat, and collapsed on the couch in front of a fan and slept.

It took until almost midnight to cool the house, but it finally did get cool. I'm SO very grateful! The heat has been terrible for the past week! It was nice to have the house cool enough to sleep!

Sometimes lunch is a party...

...like yesterday.

Richard had time for lunch and Michael was off so he was able to come also. When I was leaving work, I told Earnie that I was going to have lunch with Richard and she was free, so I dragged her along, too.

So off we went to Red Robin for a burger fiesta. Well, Michael and I had a burger fiesta. Richard and Earnie had a chicken and shrimp fiesta. ANYWAY... the point is - it was fun!

Greg sent me videos last night of Matthew running through the sprinkler performing the dreaded "double spin" technique. What a treat! Maybe I'll work on that technique and join him next summer. Wouldn't that be FUN????

Today is supposed to be the end of a 3 day heat wave of 97 and 98 degrees. It's supposed to be WAY cooler - like 89. *sigh* WAY cooler for me is 50!

BUT, it was 72 this morning when I left for work. I had the sunroof open and the stereo blasting, driving down I-495. I have to say that I had a hard time steering the car onto the highway. It was fighting me - trying to pass the Interstate entrance and go instead, to Fox Point park. What a glorious morning to sit and watch the ships on the river! But nooooo! Instead, I'm here at work, stuck inside a room with no windows, pretending that the fan is a breeze off the water.

"The world is but a canvas to the imagination."
~Henry David Thoreau~

Well said, Henry! :)

Views from the river...

Richard went out in "THE BOAT" yesterday with Greg and group. Here are a couple of pictures Richard took with his cell phone.

Take a "dip"!

Breakfast this morning with Julie, Richard and Kate. SO much fun! It's always a treat to see them.

Kate is SO cute, it's impossible to look at her and not smile. And that seems to go for everyone in the room. She creates smiles wherever she goes.

This morning she had eggs, french toast, and I gave her some of my waffle. I got the gooey strawberry topping with my waffle and since I know Kate loves to "dip", I put some in a small container and offered it to her to dip the waffle pieces.

She was SO cute! Not only did she dip the waffles, she dipped the french toast AND the eggs in strawberries. If I got distracted and didn't hold the "dip" up for her, she gave me a disgusted look as if to say "Get with it, Grammie!". She makes me laugh!

Oh... yeah! It was great to see Richard and Julie too! ;)

Row Row Row Greg's Boat

Greg bought a boat! I knew it was only a matter of time. AND... it's a beauty! He says it's small - 16 feet. It's a great looking boat though, and I'm sure they'll enjoy it far beyond it's price.

Michael and I stopped at Greg & Amy's after dinner to see the boat (and the kids - always the kids)! The boat is white with blue trim - very pretty - great shape. As my Jewish neighbors (when I was a kid) used to say - "Enjoy it in good health!" :)

Seeing the kids was WAY better than seeing the boat, though. They just keep growing! I love their smiles - their hugs. Greg and Amy are surely blessed to have such fantastic kids!

(I especially like Alex's haircut this time - very cool! Good job, Dad!)

Time travel

Okay... so I lost 6 months or so. I'm sure the time disappeared one day at a time, but at the moment, it feels like months disappeared overnight.

I regret that I didn't record the last 6 months, but the time is unrecoverable, so we move on. We just move on.

*sigh*

Here... and gone

Chelsea left for Indiana yesterday.

I'm glad she was able to come - for her - and for Michael. I believe it made a huge difference in her life (whether or not she recognizes or acknowledges the changes). I wish her all the best - good friends - lots of success - and life lessons that aren't too painful.

It's hard to explain how I feel. Maybe it's better that I don't even try.