Saying Another Goodbye...

How do you say goodbye to someone who wasn't really a part of your life?

How do you listen and nod in agreement as the priest recounts what a "good life" he led? Even though...even though, you know differently.

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I guess you mourn the passing of someone who was a part of your genetics but not necessarily a part of your life.

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Yet, he was.

If only in a small way.

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My grandfather died last Monday. My mom's father. My children's great-grandfather.


He was the only one I had, since my paternal grandfather died before I was even thought about.

We went to his funeral this afternoon -- to say goodbye to someone I never really greeted very often. But funerals are for the living...not the departed.

It's strange really. A very odd way to feel. Going to a funeral and not feeling, well, really much of anything.

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But I love horses. And he loved horses, too. And I love studying World War II. And he lived through and served in World War II. And according to the "day you were born" poem, being born on Thursday means I have "far to go." And he worked as a conductor on trains.

I guess we really are linked.

If only in some small and quirky ways.

And I'll miss the chance to really get to know him better.

Friday Funnies

Some funny Baby Blues for you to enjoy on this cold and wintry Friday!

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tips and Tricks

When Vacuuming ...

To really get carpet or rugs clean, vacuum slowly and make overlapping strokes, about 7 or so, to get out dirt or embedded particles.

Always check the bag before you begin because if it's full, you are just wasting time.


Left Clothes in the Dryer Too Long?

When you look to takeout and see that they are wrinkled, you can remove the wrinkles simply by putting a big damp towel into the dryer with the garments (don't overstuff). Dry again for about 15 minutes and take out immediately.


Cheap Air Freshener...

When your kitchen stinks because of cooking smells, you can get rid of those awful odors simply by mixing in a pan on the stove a cup or so of water with 2 tablespoons or more of vinegar and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Let boil and it should take care of the odors.

Musing Via Videos

Happy Monday!

Because I'm so far behind in blogging these days, my brain seems to be empty of interesting musings to, well, muse about on here.

Most often when I do have something fantastical to write about -- you know, related to the kids or some funny memory -- I sit down to recount it and *POOF*...it's gone.

I've thought about getting a small notebook to write down my offline thoughts...but I often forget to do that, too.

Anyways...maybe I really am having "writer's block." *wink-grin*

So today I present "musings via video." Three short (15 seconds) and silly videos of our comic-in-the-making.

Have a happy Monday!

Sweet Sunday

One of my favorite songs from this morning. I love the words: "Saviour. He can move the mountains. My God is mighty to save. He is mighty to save. Forever --author of salvation. He rose and conquered the grave. Jesus conquered the grave."

Enjoy! And have a very sweet Sunday!

Saturday Sweetheart

Friday Funnies

Happy Friday!

A funny little video of two little brothers. What a great moment in time!!

Enjoy and have a funny Friday!

Wordless (mostly) Wednesday

Because he couldn't decide which bear to bring downstairs after his nap...we brought about six and a turkey. (We did manage to leave behind three others and a llama and a duck.)

He's a Poet...Does He Know It?

Edward's working on a poetry unit in Composition...and we think he might have a hidden poet inside of him.

In honor of his hard work and creativity -- and because it was his birthday a few days ago -- I am highlighting him here on my blog:

Loud

The other day,

I thought I heard

A firetruck siren

Loud as a bird.

It wasn't a truck.

It wasn't a bird.

It was a baby,

Loud as I heard.

The Cat-Dog

One day I walked

To a doghouse,

Expecting a dog within.

What I found

Wasn't expected though,

Not expected at all.

What I found was a crazy cat

Eating crimson crayfish.

Chewing on crabs,

That crazy cat was,

Sitting in the doghouse.

Monday Mall Musings and B'day Adventures

Happy Monday! And Happy President's Day!

We headed down to King of Prussia Mall today for Edward's "birthday adventure." He got some birthday money to spend and had his eye on some LEGO and another Build-a-Bear.

(We had planned to go to New York City for the day, but given the prediction of cold and snow, we rethought and will do that later in the spring.)

All in all, it was a fun day...though "Note to Self(s)": Never ever, ever, ever go to the mall on a school holiday...

*wink-grin*

On other matters...

Our birthday gift to Edward was something a little less flat and papery...something a little more fuzzy and lovable...

Introducing: Molly, Edward's first-ever pet...and our family's first-ever guinea pig.

Still Growing...Even More!

Time stops for no man...or baby either it seems...

17 MONTHS today!

Sweet "Valentine's Birthday Boy" Sunday

Happy Birthday, Edward!

Our Valentine's Day present from God!

Born on this day at 5:38 in the morning (always the early bird, right?)...a whopping 9 lbs. and 22 inches long...NINE years ago today!!!

On the Eve of Another Birthday...

How is it that our kids are growing so quickly?

There are some days when I feel like I'm just hanging on for the ride...and other days that I'm stepping back, taking a deep breath, and admiring the scenery.

It's the "eve" of Edward's 9th birthday.

9.

8 + 1.

108 months.

3,285 days.

The final year before he hits "double-digits."

Tonight, we kissed our sweet 8-year-old goodnight...tomorrow we'll greet a wonderful new 9-year-old!

Happy Birthday "Eve," Budboy!

Friday Funnies

Apropos with Wednesday's Snow?

Parts 1 and 2 of our favorite "Simon's Cat."

Enjoy! And have a Funny Friday!!

Blizzard of 2010 -- The Big Dig

Well, Boston may have had its day of the "Big Dig"...but now it's our turn with a "Big Dig" of our own.

After Saturday's snowstorm dumped 18 inches on us...and yesterday's blizzard left another 24 inches...we were left with 42 inches of wet white stuff to deal with...more in areas that had drifting from the high winds...and even more in spots that the plow left behind.

My word for this week: UGH!

Still, it is beautiful to look at, right?


Right?


Right??


Maybe in smaller amounts.

Here's a short video clip I took of the snow while it was falling yesterday. (Note: There's a 3-foot-tall soccer goal in the middle of the backyard...you can barely see the top of it at the point I took this video. Also, I tried to show that we no longer had back porch steps.)



At least we'll have the memories to keep us cooler in the heat of the summer.

Global warming...bring it on.

Sigh.

Still digging...

Wordless (mostly) Wednesday

It's BA-ACK!!!! Ugh!

Blizzard of '10

On Bunnies and Birthdays

We spent tonight, sitting on the floor in Emily's room, celebrating the birthday of two bunnies in our family: her Earl Grey and my Clementine.

There was a plastic teaset and paper placecards and a bunny "cake" made of dry oats and rabbit pellets. There was music and even a toy "corner" for Ethan if he had joined us (though he was already in bed).

We brought brownies and bunny-shaped marshmallows to share. And a present of carrots and wooden-block chewtoys.And as we sat down and watched the bunnies hopping around the room, I took a good look at my kids.

It was one of those freeze-frame moments when you take a mental photograph to "look" at later. It was a warm and fuzzy (no pun intended) time...one that made me realize that this was what it was all about.

Stopping. Sitting together. Laughing. Enjoying. And just being.

Take a moment to try it some time.

I promise you it's very worth it.

Favorite Family "Ad"dition

Happy Monday!

This was by far my favorite ad from yesterday's Super Bowl. Fun with an awesome message.



Still digging out from Saturday. They're calling for more snow tomorrow or Wednesday. Ugh.

Oh, well. Another new episode of 24 tonight. More adventures for Jack, I think. It's been a very exciting season thus far.

Back to grind, I'm afraid.

Enjoy your Monday!

Sweet Super Bowl Sunday!

SUPER BOWL LXIV

We're not football fans. We're not Colts or Saints fans. We're not even fans of beer or Doritos.

But we LOVE the Super Bowl...and all the silly ads and snicky-snacky treats that come with it.

It's like a friend on Facebook said, "It's a cultural event -- an American iconic moment -- etc., etc. Heck, I don't like football and even I watch it and graze accordingly!"

'Zactly.

So feast we did. And enjoy we did. We even understood and followed the game.





The silly ads....

Hmm...

Some were not so good. We had to mute many of them. And/or switch the channel.

So much for a "family time."

Still, another "fun time was had by all." *wink-grin*

One of my favorite-most Super Bowl ads:

Snowy Saturday Fun

Okay. Okay. So maybe we finally got our "Snow Storm of the Century."

Ugh.

All week, we watched the storm heading our way...and we thanked God that we were in the "light blue zone," which meant that we would only get 6" to 12"....only. Still a significant amount of snow.

And then Friday evening came, and it started to snow.

Somehow when we woke up on Saturday, we weren't prepared for what met our eyes.


And that was just 12" or so...and it was still snowing...


We got about 18" when all was said and done.

And the kids were psyched! Never had they seen so much snow!









And a fun time was had by all!

Friday Funnies

First, a Happy 16th Birthday "shout-out" to my nephew, Erik!!! Happiest Birthday to you!

In other news...

This came to me in an e-mail from my mother-in-law. Thanks, Jan!

Enjoy! And have a funny Friday!

IDIOT SIGHTING 1

My daughter and I went through the McDonald's take-away window, and I gave the girl a £5 note. Our total was £4.20, so I also handed her a 20-pence piece.

She said, "You gave me too much money."

I said,"Yes I know, but this way you can just give me £1 back."

She sighed and went to get the manager who asked me to repeat my request. I did so, and he handed me back the 20 pence and said that they were sorry but they could not do that kind of thing. The girl then proceeded to give me back 80 pence in change...

Do not confuse the girls at MacD's.


IDIOT SIGHTING 2

We had to have the garage door repaired. The GARADOR repairman told us that one of our problems was that we did not have a 'large' enough motor on the opener.

I thought for a minute and said that we had the largest one GARADOR made at that time: a 1/2 horsepower.

He shook his head and said, "Lady, you need a 1/4 horsepower."

I responded that 1/2 was larger than 1/4, and he said, "NOOO, it's not. Four is larger than two.."

We haven't used Garador repair since.


IDIOT SIGHTING 3

I live in a semi-rural area. We recently had a new neighbour call the Highways Department to request the removal of the DEER CROSSING sign on our road.

The reason: "Too many deer are being hit by cars out here! I don't think this is a good place for them to be crossing anymore."


IDIOT SIGHTING 4

I was at the airport, checking in at the gate when an Irish airport employee asked, "Has anyone put anything in your baggage without your knowledge?"

To which I replied, "If it was without my knowledge, how would I know?"

He smiled knowingly and nodded, "That's why we ask."

STAY ALERT!

They walk among us...and the scary part is that is they have the RIGHT TO VOTE and REPRODUCE!

It's in the Cards

Being nearly twice the legal drinking age, I'm always happy thrilled ecstatic to be "carded" when buying something alcoholic.

Since I don't do it very often the thrill never diminishes.

So Emily and I are in a "state store" -- as they're called in Pennsylvania -- and I decide to buy some wine for Stuart and me.

We'd been talking about it for awhile but haven't had the funds to splurge on this luxury. Somehow milk always wins out where the family food/drink budget is concerned.

Idlegrass.

So Emily and I are in the "state store" -- as they're...oops. I already typed that.

I put it on the counter beside the register and pick out a little bottle of Bailey's Irish Cream to add to some coffee later on.

The man looks at me as he's ringing up the two items.

I suddenly feel very guilty...like I don't belong in the store, like I'm way underage, or something. I'm getting a single bottle of wine, for goodness sakes.

"Do you have a license or an ID or something," he asks.

I blush with pleasure. Of course, I do. Am I getting carded at nearly 40 years old? "Wow!" I say. "Not often I get carded at my age."

"We have to card everyone who looks like they're under 30," he admits.

I blush again and pay for my items, chuckling all the way out of the store.

Emily hugs my arm, thrilled to have such a "young-looking" mom. "They probably ask for everyone's ID but say that to make you feel good," she says.

Pop! The moment is gone.

But I laugh and agree.

Still, it was fun to be "so young" for a moment...

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Groundhog's Day

Greetings from Punxsutawney!

Phil Says Six More Weeks!

Phil's official forecast as read February 2nd 2010 at sunrise at Gobbler's Knob:

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

On Gobbler's Knob on this glorious Groundhog Day, February 2nd 2010, Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Prognosticator of all Prognosticators awoke to the call of President Bill Deeley and greeted his handlers, John Griffiths and Ben Hughes.

After casting a joyful eye towards thousands of his faithful followers, Phil proclaimed, "If you want to know next, you must read my text. As the sky shines bright above me, my shadow I see beside me. So six more weeks of winter it will be."

Musily, Musily, Musily Musing on Monday

Edward at age 1
Happy Monday to you -- the first Monday in February, the month of love, chocolate, and a special Valentine named Edward.

I can't believe we're already entering a new month. Already 2010 is whizzing by!

Tomorrow the groundhog will let us know if we're going to have an "early" Spring. Not that we should trust groundhogs and their weather forecasting abilities... I'm just saying.

Another new installment of 24 tonight! Woooooohoooooo! Er, um, no excitement here... We're only three weeks into it, but we look forward to the next Monday a little too much, I think. It sort of makes the weeks fly by a little too quickly. But we just have to know what happens to Jack.......

Life is speeding by -- literally -- since I see Ethan racing by with something he's not supposed to have... And as I'm slowly trying to get back into my daily blogging, you'll have to forgive my shorter than usual Monday post.

Have a GREAT Monday! Ciao for now!