OK, so I removed the last post...

I thought the photo was sweet in that it showed a sick Mommy trying to comfort two sick little ones...but some folks thought it was a bit unflattering (well, maybe, but still sweet). So, just know that, even when she's sick, my Jen does a wonderful job of caring for her babies.

Who's that happy girl?

Lily, May 2007.

I took this photo during my last visit up north. It was a gorgeous day and Lily was trying out the Big Kid swing--with Mommy's help, of course.

How cute is this little girl?

I love the stylish tilt of the chapeau, don't you?

*updated with photo...

Welcome to the World, Adam James!

My niece Rebecca (Cathy's oldest daughter and my

goddaughter) gave birth today to her son, Adam James.

Adam is 6 lb., 13 oz. and 20 inches long.

Aunt Anne says he is "very adorable."

Congratulations, Becca!

I know your little boy will bring you great joy as you share his

childhood. God's blessings, always!

My sisters arrive today...

Just in time for the Iris Festival, which starts today! Tom and I have gone to the festival both years we have lived here and find it to be enjoyable. I hope Cathy and Janet enjoy it as well. They have a long drive so I don't know just when to expect them, but I imagine we can check out the goings-on sometime tomorrow.

Hmm. I just checked out the festival online...seems the Festival does start today, but with a 'Beauty Pageant' for children at one of the local Elementary schools. Ribbon cutting is Thursday, so I guess the fun stuff at the Gardens in next weekend. Pooh. But, maybe we'll be able to check it out.

Hurray for good neighbors!

Some good news--my phone is currently charging. Earlier, I had asked my neighbor if he happened to have a phone charger that would fit mine that I could borrow. He didn't. I went about my business of the evneing, putting away groceries, mowing front and back lawns and I was emailing my son when my neighbor came over with his old charger for the car, AND an adapter so I can plug it into the wall. It works! Isn't that sweet that he went to all that trouble for me? I'm assuming trouble since I got the whole yard mowed twenty minutes before he came over. . .nevertheless, it was very sweet of him to hunt that up for me.

Aggravating

I cannot find my phone charger ANYWHERE since I returned from my visit up North. I must have left it behind, and I really do need it. Our only telephone communication is by cell phone and Tom's charger doesn't fit my phone. Grr! I may have to bite the bullet and go buy a new one. I wonder what THAT'S gonna cost me?

Happy Birthday, Son-in-Law!

It's the Big 3-0 for Jay--he joins the

rest of us in Geezerville...

Happy Birthday, Jay, I hope your day is a good one.

Here is Jay at Rehobeth Beach during Family Vacation last year.

Watching Ryan open presents at the Christmas celebration at my parents' house.

With Jen at Christmas.

Home again, home again...

I've been up North, visiting with my daughter and her family and seeing my Mom for Mother's Day. Got home safely thins evening, with enough time to maintain the pool (there was the slightest touch of green on the bottom) unpack, do some laundy, and the like. I have an 'administrative errand' to run tomorrow and I want to exchange some outfits I bought for Lily. I got them too small--I was thinking 'she is petite' so a 12 months size should do. She may be petite, but she needs an 18 month size!

I loved seeing the kids, even though the two youngest were sick while I was there. In between 'episodes' of being sick, they were still fun to be with--although, when he is sick Ryan wants absolutely NOTHING to do with me! Jen was concerned my feelings might be hurt, but I do understand he is only three and doesn't feel good. He is sweet and loving any other time, so a little grumpiness is OK when he feels so badly.

Lily learned how to blow kisses while I was there, at least her version of blowing kisses...she presses the back of her hand to her lips while she makes a 'mah' sound. It's so cute! And she is so pleased with how excited I get when she does it.

More soon...

Happy Mother's Day!

I got this in an email recently--the author was not credited, but it touches the heart...

Mother's Day

This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up puke laced with Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying, "It's okay honey, Mommy's here".

Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can't be comforted.

This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.

For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes. And all the mothers who DON'T.

This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see. And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.

This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.

And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football , hockey or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars, so that when their kids asked, "Did you see me, Mom?" they could say, "Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world," and mean it.

This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner.

And for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but realize how child abuse happens.

This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies. And for all the grandmothers who wanted to, but just couldn't find the words.

This is for all the mothers who go hungry so their children can eat.

For all the mothers who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year. And then read it again. "Just one more time."

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.

This is for all the mothers who taught their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.

This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?" in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home -- or even away at college.

This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomachaches, assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up. Right away.

This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them.

For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed when their 14-year- olds dye their hair green.

For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting.For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely.

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely from a war.

What makes a good Mother anyway? Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips?

The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time?

Or is it in her heart?

Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time?

The jolt that t takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 a..m. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby?

The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 a.m. when you just want to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again in your home?

Or the need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?

The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation...And mature mothers learning to let go.

For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.

Single mothers and married mothers.

Mothers with money and mothers without.

This is for you all.

For all of us.

Hang in there.

In the end we can only do the best we can.

Tell them every day that we love them.

And pray.

Grrr!

I am so annoyed! A while back I ordered a camcorder online as a gift for Tom. Realizing I had forgotten to order the discs that are needed to record on before I finalized the sale, I called Customer Service and asked to add the needed discs to the sale. The guy I spoke to looked up the sale and said he could nake the change easily, but I could also just buy the discs at any store--they are the standard discs you can buy anywhere. Great!

Well, somewhere in our conversation the delivery address got messed up. I was going to be at Jen's when the delivery was made, so I asked for delivery there. It never arrived, but it was sitting on my front porch when I got home. I was getting ready to wrap it up to give to Tom and decided to double-check the disc issue by reading the instruction booklet, and it was a good thing I did! This camcorder takes the less-commonly used but still commercially availale 8cm DVD-R disc! So much for Customer Service knowing what they are talking about. Now I have to go shopping for the right size disc before I wrap and present this gift. Grrr!

Today

Not much housework got done, but some.

I made cookies first thing this morning to send to my favorite troops overseas, and only burned the bottoms of one trayful.

Paid some bills online, but had problems (again) with one of them...sent off my little email asking for help because even the 'I forgot my password' helper link didn't help me. Grr.

Managed to get all the bushes in the front garden trimmed for Spring. Now they look a little more shaped...just a little.

Talked with my parents on the phone today--they called me, which is highly unusual. Actually Dad called, chatted a bit, then put Mom on. I have a feeling Mom was worrying about me and Dad called to set her mind at ease, but let her think I called them. Dads are good a taking care of things like that.

After my adventures outside, I had the last of the fajitas for dinner then took a nice soak to clear away the grime and bits of shrub from my skin. Now I'd better go moisturize or I am going to wither away to nothing.

Happy Sunday! Hope the coming week is a good one.

Can you name this iris?

What would you name this iris?

From inside the house it looks brown, but once you get close up you can see all the colors.

Come up with your own name for this little beauty and leave your suggestion in the comments. I'm eager to see what different folks suggest.

Here I am...

enjoying the sparkling clear, 80 degree warm water of our pool on a 93 degree afternoon.

Off to the doctor... *updated*

to discuss the results of the thyroid tests I had done before Easter. The ones I had to call them about, to learn the results. NOW they want to talk to me about it. And people are jealous of the military "free healthcare." Hah!

*update* Seems I am a victim of 'hypothyroidism' and get to start taking synthroid, most likely for the rest of my life. My PCM (Primary Care Manager) says it may help control some of the other symptoms of the condition, like dry skin, weight gain, brittle hair that falls out easily...OK, I'll take the benefits if I have to take the pill.

She also wrote me a prescription for Zyrtec. Seems this state is known for allergens and I am showing classic symptoms. Adding those two to the calcium supplement and vitamin pill, I am a stereotypical woman 'of a certain age.' Beats the alternative, doesn't it?

Refreshing? Sort of...

Temperatures were pretty warm today and the pool water got to 80 degrees this afternoon. I decided I would take a dip after I finished some chores in the yard. By the time I got done putting the trellis back up and securing the rosebush with zipties, the sun was down and it was getting dark...I changed anyway and stepped down the ladder into the water. One step. Two steps. Three steps. The water felt good, but not good enough to go any further! So I got my legs wet tonight. Perhaps tomorrow I will get in the pool while the sun is still up.