Bittersweet October. The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter.
~Carol Bishop Hipps

Study Buddies

Yeah, I've been procrastinating with my schoolwork the past couple of weeks, but today I spent several hours studying and writing essays and interviewing preschool teachers. I did all of this DESPITE the help I got from "the boys". I got my books and papers, etc. out on the table and went to get a paper clip. Came back and found them lounging on my things. They must want a degree, too.

Little punkins

Took Wyatt and Grace out to Earl May's today to get pumpkins (Garett was still sleeping). They loved the animals - fish, birds, various rodentia, and Grace wanted to get in with the bunny. Wyat was a little freaked out by the parrot that flew around the store and kind of sat on my hand. :o)

We picked out many little pumpkins and they both helped load the wagon. Little Grace would grit her teeth and try to pick up nice big ones that probably weighed almost what she does. I distracted her by filling some bags with tulip bulbs and letting her load the wagon with those.

Wyatt was my wagon driver. He pulled, pushed, turned, and went in reverse, maneuvering the inside of the store as easily as the parking lot. It was a big wagon, too. People were impressed.

We stopped at the shop and gave Mommy a pumpkin to have at work, then took some home so Garett could have one, too. When I left, Wyatt was hauling them around the house, lining them up in various configurations, counting them, and protecting them.

It's not a very good photo - neither would look at me and I couldn't see much on the camera screen in the sunshine. Oh well. We had lots of fun even if my photographic documentation doesn't show it! :o)

The progeny of Bob & Elsie...

After this afternoon, there had to be a cousins post. Had to be.

Patty and Toni started it all, wanting to know who came where age-wise. Now, there are 32 of us - I had to look things up. Fortunately I have a copy of the "The Samual Adams Family of Lawrence County Illinois" (published 1980 by Barbara P. Quealy - all our parents got one) and we're all in there, so it was easy to list everyone. A few errors in dates, but pretty accurate.

Then I challenged them to list the cousin's children and grands. Long story short, we got a pretty comprehensive list made of the descendents of Bob and Elsie: 7 kids, 32 grandkids, 36 greats, and 15 great-greats (those are the ones we know of). (There are some steps in there that we'll add when we get that information.)

So, after playing with this all afternoon, and spending hours on the phone chatting with Debbie and Barbie, and emailing back and forth with Patty, I'm compelled to search out the definitions of cousins. You know, first cousin, second cousin, removed, etc. Here's how to figure it out (from Wikipedia):

The name of the cousinship is not determined by oneself, but rather is always determined by the generational level of the individual most closely related to the ancestor in common. Cousinship is actually a description of three individual's relationships with each other. Oneself, the cousin, and the ancestor in common. The following assumes there are no double cousins:

Step 1: To work out if two people are first, second, or third cousins, count back the generations to their common ancestor. For example, if the common ancestor is one's grandmother, that is two generations. If it is one's great-grandmother, that is three generations.

Step 2: Take the closest descendant of the common ancestor. For example, if one of the cousins is a great-great-grandchild (four generations) and the other is a grandchild, just consider the grandchild for now.

Step 3: If the closest descendant of the common ancestor is a grandchild (two generations), the cousins are first cousins; if three generations, second cousins, and so on.

Step 4: If the cousins are both separated from the common ancestor by the same number of generations, there is no "removed". If the number of generations from the common ancestor is different, that difference is the number of "removed"s.

For example, if one is a grandchild of (2 generations from) the common ancestor, and one's cousin is a great-great-grandchild of (4 generations from) the common ancestor, then one and one's cousin are first cousins twice removed.

Still with me? Shake your head, rub your eyes, and don't worry about it. We're FAMILY. That's all that matters.

Another birthday day!

Found out that today is my cousin Toni's birthday - HAPPY WISHES TO YOU!

Today also is my Uncle Tom's birthday - he passed in 1993, but I know he was thought about and loved today {{{Patty}}}.

Last, and NOT least, today is my Father-In-Law's birthday! What a happy day to celebrate his increasing health and well-being.

Happy Birthday Bob!!

just dessert

Ever since we returned home from our cruise, Greg and I have been searching for a particular recipe. I think it was our second night in the dining room that the dessert menu read "Light Almond Espresso Cake". I don't care for coffee, so I passed on that one. Can't even tell you what I ordered instead, because once I got a taste of that Light Almond Espresso Cake, I didn't want anything else. Greg let me have ONE bite of his, and Leslie gave me a couple bites of hers. YUM. No coffee taste, no almond taste, just rich, gooey chocolate encased in crispy, chewy phyllo, with a side of vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. (Yes, my eyes rolled up inside my head after my first bite!)

We have Googled and searched and read endless recipe lists looking for something that just might be the world's best dessert. Tonight I believe I hit the nail on the head. It's called "Chocolate Peanut Butter Phyllo Purses". Obviously I left out the peanut butter, and I must say it was a very close approximation of what we had on the ship. I kept involuntarily going "mmmm" when I'd take a bite. Kitties wondered what was up. :o)

I'm posting the recipe here since I doubt I could find the link again. And the photo, well try not to lick your moniter!

Oh, and we ate this right before we watched "Biggest Loser". (Heehee.)

CHOCOLATE-PEANUT BUTTER PHYLLO PURSES

Flourless chocolate brownies

9 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter

4 large eggs, separated

3/4 cup sugar

Chocolate ganache

1/4 cup whipping cream

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 1/2 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

4 teaspoons sugar

6 17x13-inch sheets frozen phyllo pastry, thawed

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted

Vanilla ice cream

For brownies: Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Line bottom of pan with parchment paper. Melt chocolate and butter in heavy medium saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Using electric mixer, beat egg yolks and 1/4 cup sugar in large bowl until thick and pale. Stir chocolate mixture into yolk mixture. Using clean dry beaters, beat egg whites in another large bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 1/2 cup sugar and beat until stiff but not dry. Carefully fold egg whites into chocolate mixture. Transfer batter to prepared pan. Bake until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Press down edges until even with middle of brownies. Cool completely. Using 2 1/4-inch-diameter cookie cutter, cut out 12 rounds. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Store in single layer in airtight container at room temperature.)

For ganache: Bring 1/4 cup whipping cream and vanilla extract to boil in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat. Add chopped chocolate and whisk until completely melted. Refrigerate ganache until firm, about 1 hour. (Ganache can be prepared up to 2 days ahead. Cover and keep refrigerated.)

Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly butter rimmed baking sheet. Stir peanut butter and 4 teaspoons sugar in small bowl to blend. Cut each phyllo sheet in half crosswise to form twelve 13x81/2-inch strips. Place 1 phyllo strip vertically on work surface. Brush with melted butter. Place second phyllo strip horizontally across first, forming cross; brush with butter. Stack 2 brownies in center of pastry. Top brownies with 1 tablespoon ganache and 1 tablespoon peanut butter mixture. Gather ends of phyllo strips together over brownies to form purse. Twist ends closed. Brush purse with melted butter and place on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining ingredients to form total of 6 purses. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.) Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Serve with ice cream.

Makes 6 servings.

Bon Appétit

R.S.V.P.

March 2001

Epicurious.com © CondéNet, Inc. All rights reserved.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday
to Tonita today!

from my kitchen window

This was taken this morning shortly after the sun came up. You can see the sunlight making the top of the tree glow. I saw it from my kitchen window and went outside to look and knew I needed to share. Enjoy.

Play date

Garett and Grace were here yesterday. It went well and we got lots of playing done! :o)

They are 20 months old now and each very independent.

As soon as they came in the door, the kittens took cover. Grace spent a good part of the day stalking Tucker, and was saying his name pretty clearly by the time she left. At one point I found her pulling his tail to get him out from under the furniture.

We got out Jessi's Little Tykes dollhouse and she was in Heaven. Furniture and people and a little car to drive around. Doesn't get much better than that. :o)

Garett mostly ignored the kittens, choosing instead to amuse himself with pouring the cat food in his lap, then running his fingers through it. Tactile experience, yes, but smelly. I'm just thankful he didn't eat it!

He also took all the pillows off the couch and used them to cushion his diving practice on the floor. Then he thought my tossing pillows on top of him was the best fun! :o)

Oh, and there were a few photos around that had Randy in them. Grace was always amazed to see him and would point and say "Daddy!". I'd say, "Yes, there's Daddy." Until she pointed to the antique print of Jesus on the dining room wall and said, "Daddy!". Okay, I was laughing too hard to answer her.

Please don't eat the daisies...

Tucker just loves the daisies. He was all over me while I was trimming them up. Then, he'd sneak onto the dining room table and inch his way over to the vase. I'd head over to get him, and he'd snatch a flower petal, jump down, and run away.
I moved the vase onto the kitchen counter and he jumps up there now. Argh!
See the photo frame on the counter? Yeah, it's broken. He was chasing a fly and jumped off the table to catch it and knocked a bunch of pictures down.

Yesterday I had to shut him in the bathroom while we had supper - he really wanted a fajita!

He's a naughty kitty. Greg calls him "the bad one". I feel like the mom in the "NO, David" books. He's going to think his name is "No, Tucker"...

Hard to believe, but it's true...

Age ain't nothin' but a number

Randy had his 40th birthday on the 15th, but we didn't get to celebrate until yesterday when Alan and Angela could be here. The photo is one of Randy's presents, though we have yet to determine who will wear them... :o)

Seriously.

Yes, I am one of "those" people who have been waiting. Waiting to see if Izzy really quit. Waiting to see if George loves Callie. Waiting to see who Meredith chose. Waiting to see what happened to the panties.
I was not disappointed. I laughed, I cried. I've never liked Addison - ever - and I felt awful for her. My heart broke when Bailey tried to get to Omar to comfort him, and when she apologized to Denny, I wanted to sob. Izzy lying on the bathroom floor in her prom dress, grieving and angry. And when Christina climbed in bed with Burke and started to cry, that just did it.
I'm not sure about the Mer/Der/Finn thing. I can't see her with Finn at all. I've been mad at Derek ever since he chose Addison, yet kept Meredith hoping, so I'm not sure he deserves to have her.
Okay, I sound like a lunatic - it's a TV show. But I can't help myself. I am an addict.
Seriously.

another Birthday!

The weekend of sadness and hormones is over and now it's time to celebrate!


Today is Caleb's 18th birthday!


Happy Birthday, Nephew Caleb!!

Birth day

Today would have been her 62nd birthday. I miss her.

I wish she could see how great my kids grew up, and how wonderful my marriage turned out to be. I wish she could know the rest of her grandkids - how intelligent and funny and loving they all are. I wish we could have seen her grow old - white hair and wrinkles, being a Grandma and Great Grandma.

I am glad for all she taught me - how to cook (she really said to me, "A GOOD wife will never serve a TV dinner to her family for supper!" - little did she know I'd marry a man who LOVES TV dinners!), how to keep a home clean and welcoming, sing songs to comfort and entertain, instill independence in my kids, and how to love my family.

Happy Birthday, Mom.

What makes a family?

I finally got my college books at the end of this week, so tonight during the slow time at the theater, I got started reading in my Home, School, and Community textbook. The first chapter deals with defining what a family is and I found it very interesting. The "Ozzie and Harriet" family of the 50's never really existed. It seems that between 1890 and the late 1940's, the divorce rate in the U.S. was climbing. After WW II ended, women left their jobs and went home to have babies - thus the "baby boomers" (of which Greg and I are in the tail-end). After they had five or six children in as many years, women had to depend on marriage to survive economically. Those TV families were a fantasy, an unrealistic depiction of American life. A frustratingly unattainable goal.

Then the book asks us to draw a picture of our "ideal" family, and a picture of our actual family and compare. In my case, they'd be the same picture. You see, we have what is considered the "ideal family" in America. Two parents, two kids, boy older than girl. How did we do that? :o)

Thinking back to my childhood, my "ideal" family would look pretty much the way it was. Two parents, five kids, loads of aunts, uncles, and cousins, and all of my grandparents.

Were we the "ideal" American family? Lord, NO! :o) But who they were, made us who we are. Made us strive to be educated, adventuresome, respectful, and open-minded. Showed us how to work hard to support our families, love our babies, and treasure our family above all others. They maybe didn't teach us these things consciously, or with great finesse, and there are some significant things I wish could have been different, but they were what they were, and each generation tries to do better.

Can we ask more than that? That each generation tries to do better? They make us proud, and thankful that we have such a rich family heritage to pass on to them. . .

Good day

Nice breeze, lots of sunshine, and one of my favorite kids here most of the day. Got lots of laundry done, swept out the garage, and cleaned up the back sidewalk.

Along with terrorizing the cats, messing up the computer (easily fixable), feeding grapes and a glue stick to the cats, and generally being very busy. :o)

Next week he starts preschool at Head Start - he's gonna love it!

Glorious morning

I'm loving the cooler weather and cannot wait to spend tomorrow outside - whether it's in the garage because of rain, or out in the garden pulling weeds. Autumn weather energizes me!

This photo is of my morning glories, taken this morning. They are all volunteer - each year they reseed themselves under this fence and by late August they are lovely.

The Boys

Tucker:


Max:Just some current photos of the kittens - now called "the boys" (just like my brothers!).
They've readjusted to being home after spending more than a week at the vet's. I love that they've been de-clawed, though I hated doing it.
No more scratching on the furniture or my legs. . .

And the winner is...

This is Randy with Brian, the casino "host" from the ship. He's from England, and says he loves his job. The three guys all took gaming lessons from Brian, and now we all know how to "split" and "double down" when playing Blackjack.
Randy's win was for the slot-machine tournament. He played a qualifying round for the finals, then got 100 spins on a slot machine. The person with the highest score won. He got $500 cash, that lovely t-shirt, the trophy, and a goody bag full of treats. We were sitting on the balcony, enjoying the view and a bottle of wine, and missed the finals. He had fun making us think he'd lost, then pulling out his wad of cash to surprise everyone. Drinks were on him! :o)

Great Catch!

Randy's King Salmon weighed in at 10 pounds.
Angela's King Salmon weighed just over 20 pounds.
Yes, they had them butchered and sent home. Can't wait to feast!

More glacier trivia

The glaciers were some of the high points of our trip. This collage of photos is of Harvard Glacier at the end of College Fjord in Prince William Sound. It's a mile and a half wide, and 300 feet high. They think it's at least another 100 feet under the water. I think the ship's naturalist said it was 25 miles long. The air temp was 48 and there was a stiff breeze while we were there. There were seals lounging on the icebergs nearby.

Glacier

The ship was less than 1000 feet from this massive glacier - the closest this captain has ever gotten. We got to see huge chunks of it falling into the water ("calving"). Each time it happened we heard a "crack", then a thunderous "boom" as it hit the water. That's where those little icebergs come from. They also come from under the water when pieces break off and pop up to the top. This was AMAZING.

Kitty news

Picked up the kittens from the vet yesterday where they stayed while we were gone. Turns out that "Molly" is now "Max". I never checked, just took Cindy's word for it, but she never really looked, either. She had another friend look when they were very young, so it's an understandable mistake. I don't think we did any psychological damage...

We're home now

We got in about 4:00 this morning. Long day of driving, flying, waiting, flying, waiting, driving. You get the picture. I have over 460 photos to edit, along with a few minutes of video. When I get through them, I will put together a Yahoo album so you can see the highlights of our trip at your leisure. :o)
The photo above is Greg and I standing on Denver Glacier in front of the helicopter we rode in to get there. Yes, we know we look hot in those boots and vests!
More to come...

Hello from ALASKA!

We're wearing long sleeves and light coats, and it is WONDERFUL! Words cannot adequately describe the beauty of the landscape here. The mountains with waterfalls, bald eagles flying around everywhere, whales playing in the water, small icebergs floating around, glaciers in valleys, the list goes on and on. Greg is standing on our cabin balcony right now trying to photograph a sea lion playing and feeding in the water near our ship.
Yesterday WE WALKED ON A GLACIER! It was amazing!
The food is bountiful and mostly delicious. I've tried some new things, including sushi. Of course there is seafood aplenty at dinner each night. Tonight is our second formal dinner and the dessert buffet at midnight.
Randy caught a 10-pound salmon on his fishing trip, but Angela had to show him up and catch a 20-pounder!
Randy also won the slot machine tournament in the casino and won $500 cash! We all sucked in the blackjack tournament. Everyone played except Ang - Greg and Alan were "on the board" for awhile, but got knocked off early on.
Tons of photos to show everyone when we get home - along with some short video. Better go now - I'm paying for every minute I'm online.

Away we go!

We're leaving soon for Omaha to spend the night, then fly out tomorrow morning.

The kids will hold down the fort for us.
The kitties are staying at the vet. They looked so sad when I left them this morning.
Be back next week!!

Hey Toto!

I'm not in Kansas anymore! Or Oklahoma, or Texas - I'm home! It was a short trip, but the drive made it seem like I was gone longer.
I was invited to stay another day, and I really, really wanted to, but just couldn't. I must prepare for the cruise. Yes, THE CRUISE!

Only one more week...

Hola from Texas!

It's HOT here and everyone drives too fast, but I've enjoyed my short visit with Tonita and Daniel. Minor car repair done this morning so I'm sure to have AC tomorrow on my drive home. Clearance clothing shopping achieved at the mall, along with a quick tour of some interesting places in town.
Tomorrow I'll go home - a long day of driving by myself and I'll be glad to get home and snuggle my kitties (and maybe my honey!). :o)

Late bloomer

Last weekend I walked out the back door and smelled something WONDERFUL. I knew it was a flower, but wondered what had bloomed? Down the stairs and around the corner were these gorgeous lilies, sending their sweet fragrance far and wide. Even though I've had this garden for several years, I never cease to be amazed at the beauty of Creation!

Sweet corn season

Like many rural Nebraskans, we have access to a boatload of free sweet corn this time of year. It is at it's peak of ripeness and sweetness right now, and we seem to have it for at least one meal each day. It's been many years since I had enough at one time to freeze it, but that is the project for tomorrow. Today we picked in the sunshine, with a nice breeze blowing. The kids had a great time. This evening we shucked it - that wasn't perhaps the most fun thing for them, but they were troopers and we got it done. Abbie didn't care for the little caterpillars we found periodically, and I remember being a bit squeamish about them when I was a child.

Tomorrow we blanche, cool, cut, bag, and freeze it. Next winter we will be very glad we did. The taste will take me back, not only to the midsummer months we're experiencing right now, but to my childhood. I learned how to "do" corn with my mom many years ago. I hope when Ben and Abbie get to eat some of their corn this winter, they will remember a fun trip to my house (Ben just asked me if we ever get to have a "Corn Festival" around here. "That would be like Heaven to me, smothered in butter and salt!" - he really just said that! :o)

Welcome Ben & Abbie

We have visitors from Texas this week. Tonita's youngest two, Benjamin and Abigail are visiting and we have lots of plans! Weeding the garden, cleaning the garage, painting trim - oh, wait, they're on vacation. Maybe we should swim, fish, play with Randy's kids, go to the movies, and go to the zoo instead. :o)

Happy Birthday wishes

To Grandma Regier - today she turned 89 years old. I joined Aunt Jan, Uncle Wendell, and Aunt LaVerna at the nursing home for the monthly birthday party for the residents. I took her a bag of chocolates. :o) Not sure she ever figured out who I was, but it was nice to be with her today.
I do not know how old she was when this photo was taken, but she sure was a cutie in her day!

And to my brother Alan - didn't forget you! Not sure if I should post how old you are... :o)

My flamingo family

They are healthy and having a great summer. If you drive by, give them a wave! :o)

Bird flu hits trailer park

So sad...

Am I a pirate?

Oh yeah, baby!

We saw Pirates 2 today. Though not as good as the first movie, in my opinion, Johnny Depp makes any movie worth sitting through for 2 1/2 hours!

Okay, Orlando was pretty hot, too.

This movie was much less believable than the first, but leaves some glaring unanswered questions sure to be answered in the next installment.

Nick tells me the third "Pirates" is due to be released next Memorial Day. I'm counting down already. Yeah, I must be a pirate...

On this day in history...

Answer:
P. T. Barnum
Huey Lewis
Dolly the Sheep

Question:
Who shares a birthday with me (but that's all I have in common with them)?

Yes, I'm shamelessly flaunting my birthday here because I can. A low-key day, though I enjoyed a fun lunch at Applebee's with my friend Barb, where we got lots of free food. Then Greg took me there again for supper where I enjoyed lots of Sangria!

As far as how old I am, I can only say that some days I feel 90, some days I feel 17, so partway between them is just about right!

A better day than yesterday - even besides being my birthay. Got a new vacuum cleaner that I LOVE. I like to vacuum and Greg hates when I do because I can often go for 30 or 45 minutes, easy. It's a good time to think or not, and you can see results as you do it.

The bed is dry and put back together. The cap on the air release valve was loose - that was our leak. It hadn't been leaking but just a few days - thank goodness I noticed it before it was worse.

Greg pounded the garage door back into semi-acceptable shape. The opener mechanism came undone and fell onto the door as it was opening, putting some major dents in it. We think he can bolt it back up.

Still haven't moved or looked at the washer - I've been promised that will happen tomorrow.

Thought we had Greg's birth certificate, but found out today we need to get it. Gotta love the internet - it's ordered and will be here within two weeks. Whew - the cruise is only five weeks away and I was afraid he'd have to make a quick trip to Texas to get it in time.

The last of the interior trim is down (I've been working on that for weeks), so painting can commence tomorrow - except we're going to see "Pirates of the Caribbean" at Noon, so not much will get done. (That's one of the perks of me working at the theater - we get to see the movies before the general public.)

I'm off to watch a movie (love Netflix!) and snuggle into my real bed - now that's a great birthday treat!

Gloom, despair, and agony on me...

Today is not even half over and I'm calling it "the bad luck day". The washing machine is leaking, the vacuum bit the dust, Greg's garage door is broken, and about half an hour ago I discovered that the waterbed was leaking. All of this while we're pulling interior trim off and getting ready to paint, so the house is a shambles anyway... I just laid on the bedroom floor and laughed.
Randy told me there are three good things about today:
1. I don't have the twins running around.
2. Greg is home to help.
3. I don't have to go to work and deal with that stress while dealing with this stress.
Greg said "at least neither of the vehicles has blown up". (Tempting fate, are we?!)
Donna (my next-door neighbor) offered me a garden tour to ease my mind for a few minutes. I think flower therapy was just what I needed. :o)

family ties in a small world

We just returned home from Kansas where we celebrated the wedding of Cousin Jesse's son, Justin, and his lovely new bride, Amanda. We drove with Randy, Leslie, and Wyatt, and had a very nice weekend. Found the church with an hour to spare, but the hot Kansas wind made it uncomfortable to let Wyatt have some "running" time outside, so we hung out in the church foyer for awhile. It was SO GOOD to see Jess and Steph again and we were very glad we went.

The wedding was lovely and now Jess and Steph are IN-LAWS! :o)

I hadn't seen Aunt Bobbie in probably 15 years and we had a nice chat. She hasn't changed at all.

We also had a man come over to our table to meet us because his last name is Regier. Don't know if we're related at all, but we commented on what a small world it is. Then we started chatting with the other people at our table and found out that he's originally from Orange City, Iowa, which is where Angela is from. He didn't know Ang's parents, but has been in their store.

Our weekend spent with family went quickly, but with lots of hugs and maybe a tear or two. :o)

I enjoy my extended family so much, but we don't get to spend enough time together. Guess I'll have to work on that...

The photo is Randy and Jesse talking motorcycles - of course. :o)

Um, meet Molly

Molly is Tucker's sister and she came to live with us today. Yeah, we have two kittens now and they are SO CUTE! Technically, Molly is Jessi's cat, but she'll live here.
Tucker was so excited when Molly got here. He bounced and jumped and batted and wrestled her. She was annoyed - she wanted to investigate, and he wanted to play.
They have now chased and chewed on each other to the point of exhaustion and are both sleeping peacefully as I type.
We're having tuna for supper - wonder if they'll notice? :o)

Meet Tucker!

Here he is, our new baby, Tucker. He's just over 6 weeks old and spent most of his first afternoon at home asleep behind the library table. Haven't seen him use the litter box yet, but I've shown him where it is a few times. Hope he hasn't left me any little surprises...

what I'm doing today

Wyatt's speech is coming along. He'll at least attempt to repeat whatever word I ask him to say (well, except for Tonita - he wouldn't try that one - sorry Sis!).

Of course he got some computer time once the twins went down for a nap - and he loved that we could print out his work.

He helped Grace go to sleep by sitting with her and patting her head. Then he shared his blanket with Garett so he could go to sleep. So sweet.









Garett has been cranky today. Wonder if he's getting some teeth. He won't eat and has been whiny most of the day. Poor guy - he's usually so cheerful. I finally got a smile out of him when I kissed him with the pig puppet. Then he made the pig kiss me, too. I don't care who ya are, that there was funny!












Miss Grace has enjoyed the play tea set I picked up at a garage sale a few weeks ago. She pretends to eat with the spoon and drink out of the cup.
She also helped Wyatt color the luminary for Grandpa Richard for Relay for Life. And she didn't try to eat the crayons. Smart girl.

Blooming beauty

I don't have near the flowers I've had in the past 5 or six years, but what I do have is gorgeous. Each time a new flower blooms, I am in awe at how nature works. Still moving things around, but the transplants I've done so far look good. Lots more work to do, but that's what keeps me out of trouble!

This photo is some variety of Asiatic Lily that has multiplied vastly since last summer. There are dozens of them - I think they're awesome.

If you want to take a look at this year's flowers, I do have a Yahoo album:

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/lottakiss68316/album?.dir=f893re2&.src=ph

Playing around

Thanks for the tips...

Thanks to everyone who responded with their ideas for how to stop the burn! :o) I did try putting milk on my face, but that didn't help at all. I washed my hands many times, and took a shower, but yesterday was still tasting the pepper when I licked my finger. It's finally gone now. I will say I usually do wear gloves when I cut peppers, I don't know why I didn't this time. I won't make that mistake twice!

Feel the BURN

Yeah, I chopped a jalepeno pepper tonight to make pico de gallo, and I rubbed my hand on my face. This happened about 2 hours ago. My face still burns. Little tip to everyone -
DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!
Update 6/14/06 - Wiped my eye this morning and guess what? Yep, it burned! I have washed a couple of times with soap, so I do not know why I still have capcasin on my hands - anyone have any tips to clean it off?

Bucket Butt

One more quick post before I snuggle into bed. I'm so glad I got this shot of Garett sitting in the Lego bucket this afternoon. Doesn't that look comfy? :o)

Good visit

Aunt Sherry and Debbie came to visit today. It was wonderful to see them again. I had Randy's kids, so it was a mini-family reunion. :o)
Aunt Sherry looked great. She looked at the photo book I'd made about Mom's childhood, and talked about the pictures (most of which she sent me).
Debbie talked about things we did as kids - some I remember vividly (the knitting needles, the screen door, the spanking), others I did not (washing our hair with Skin-So-Soft, yikes!). We did get into some trouble as kids.
Unfortunately, their visit was shorter than planned. Everybody please say a prayer for Debbie's granddaughter Bevin, and for Debbie's safe trip back to Tennessee to be with her family.