Judy's House of Nightmares

Debra, at www.debrasotherthoughts.blogspot.com had some beautiful books pictured on her blog this week. It made me think of one of my FAVORITE books. "Anne's House of Dreams" by L. M. Montgomery.

My mom gave me a copy of one she had from her Aunt Bea. Although, it doesn't have Aunt Bea's name in it. Hmmm. A mystery! I recognize the name, though. But not the address.

This is my most favorite of the "Anne" books, and it is a mystery. Normally, I cannot stand mysteries (or science fiction or talking animals) but I LOVE this one (and i LOVE dorothy sayers 'the nine tailors'). So, I set this wonderful book out on an end table. Even set an old pair of reading glasses on it. It did have some damage in one corner, but the image of Anne on the front was absolutely beautiful! Too beautiful to be hidden in a book shelf, in my opinion.

Well. One day, as I was using a 'tape roller' to remove cat hair from my furniture, I passed the book. It looked a tad dusty - and, yes - you guessed it. I rolled the tape roller right over the top of it! The picture rolled right off. I cried. If you must know, I sobbed. I said the old 'I just can't have nice things'. I felt very very sorry for my sorry self. And, if Mary Palmer wants her book back, she can have it.

May 27, 1978

It was a very VERY hot day. Humid, and in the upper 90's. My forehead is so shiny, I could land airplanes with it.

This is just a picture of the picture which I doctored up a bit.

THGGM is wearing a very pale green tux. The church was blue at the time. I do not know what we were thinking.

We are both 19 years old. So, obviously, we were NOT thinking. Didn't even know how to, yet.

Tomorrow it THGGM's birthday. He will be 48.

I FOUND THEM!

Today, I ventured up into the attic.

I was looking for my fall stuff to decorate my home.

It must be buried deeply under the Christmas stuff, because I could not find it.

But, I found our wedding pictures!

And, my Bible!

They were in a box of books, as I suspected. Although these were never intended for the attic.

This is the last picture in our wedding album. That telephone pole that appears to be coming out of my head is visible to me presently as I sit on the loveseat and look out my living room window. THGGM is visible to me also. He is sleeping on the couch, with his head bobbing up and down. Except for having a beard now, he doesn't look much different. I would not recognize myself if I met me on the street!

My Mom

In my family, this is about as wild as we get.

Look at my mom, nearly sixty years ago, TRESPASSING!

I must get my wild streak from her.

Hmmm. Another thing I must have picked up from her, I like to go to the beach when it is cold and windy.

A Favorite Picture of Mine

This is a picture of me and my paternal grandfather. I am about a month old in this picture.

My grandmother had died very unexpectedly just six months earlier.

I have many happy memories of this grandpa.

At this very moment, I could recite his Thanksgiving Day prayer. Much like my kids can recite their grandpa's.

I like that. It wasn't 'vain repetition' either. Every year they were just thankful for the same things!

Once, while visiting in California, grandpa had a heart attack. My dad took the train out so he could drive him back home.

Grandpa died in The Netherlands while visiting the family he had left behind so many years before.

Moments That Freeze in Time

One of the perks of homeschooling Oldest Son was the freedom it gave him to persue many different interests of his.


On a particular day, a teacher from his former school called. She had a sixth grade student whom she thought would benefit from a tutor/mentor relationship with Oldest Son. We both agreed that this was something he could learn much from also, so one afternoon a week he ventured back to his old school in that roll. It was a very good fit. Oldest Son was having a wonderful time, and so was his student. Besides tutoring him, they also discovered that they had many of the same interests.


Then came the moment that is frozen in time. My alarm went off, as it did every morning. It was set to come on at the time the local news cast was given. Sometimes things are heard that are just IMPOSSIBLE to believe. This must be why they freeze in our minds. I had heard the name of Oldest Son's student.


Did they actually say "DEAD"?


Not moments later, the phone rang. It was the school. They were trying to inform parents personally, before they heard it from the news. Not that I would have felt any less shocked hearing this story from a friend. Oldest Son's student had died tragically in a late night fire at his home.


He had initially made it out of the house. But he could hear the cries of his wheelchair bound grandmother, and went back in to rescue her.


In the short time (and it was a short time) Oldest Son knew this boy he taught him a few things. Incredibly, Oldest Son ended up learning more from him.


I wonder what this boy would have become? What would his life have been like? We will never forget him.


His name is Brandon.

My Thursday People!

Energize, Fortify, Replenish!

Yes. That's me. Well, hopefully soon.

I am taking NingXia Red.

I was looking for something with wolfberries, as I had read about the wonderful aid they are in maintaining blood sugar levels. I also add cinnamon to many things for the same reason.

I mentioned to Daughter-in-law a few months back about how I was trying to find a good source of wolfberries, and, she told me that she was taking NingXia Red. So, I am now a proud owner - ingester of the stuff.

Hopefully soon I will be highly recommending it.

Right now, I'm just trying to choke it down. It is the consistency of tomato juice, yet tastes like sour blueberries. It's much better than this stuff THGGM and I tried to swallow a few years back, which was like drinking flower-flavored chalky milk.

It's been about three weeks now, and I still do not feel energized.

I don't feel fortified either. I feel more like fifty-five. But, I'm 48.

Replenished? Maybe.

But, I remain, hopefully yours.

(When THGGM sends me email from work, his signature automatically sends this message "SELL PROMOTE DAZZLE!" I wonder what I would have to take to 'dazzle'? It's an intriguing thought!)

What a Find!

While Baby Boy played today, I filled a box to bring to the thrift store.

Instead of packing away my summer clothes, I put most of them into the box. I'm sick of them, but they are still in good condition.

I also went through my book shelves and pulled out all of the duplicates. Except, of course, for the ones I bought doubles of on purpose.

Then, I went to the thrift store.

I didn't leave with AS much as I brought, but I did find some lovely things!

This wonderful book was one of them.

I LOVE it! It is from the early 1920's.

A home economics book for elementary school.

What a concept!

He KISSED Me!

Oh! However did I forget to record this!?

Last week, as I sat holding Baby Boy on my lap in hopes of him napping, he plucked his pacifer out of his mouth and KISSED me on the lips.

Then, he popped his pacifer right back in, gave a contented sigh, and went to sleep.

He has never done that before.

It was quite the step up from having him pull my hair, fling my glasses or pick my nose.

I nearly cried. But he was sleeping, and I didn't want to wake him.

Right There.

He's getting a new tooth.

Right there.

ONLY Three Months Until Christmas

There are now only three months until Christmas.

Today I took out my Timothy Botts "Messiah" book.

Gorgeous calligraphy of many great lines from Handel's "Messiah".

I leave out these three tiny figures all year. Nothing fancy at all.

I enjoy them for their simplicity, and the reminder that Christmas comes to stay.

Phase One

Okay. This is Phase One.

I'll have to live with it for a little bit to see what else it needs. I've decided not to add a hammer to the side, but am still planning to add a gros-grain ribbon with "In Case of Emergency, Break Glass" and tie it on 'miss america' style.

Maybe it needs buttons around the frame, or ribbons tied on the handle, possibly 'bun' feet.

I just don't know, but it's fun to think about!

What I Did Today...

Since it is Saturday, I got up and went to work. Youngest Son came with me. I did my work, and also played one song on the piano. It is really hard to play 'normal' sized notes with my old lady eyes. I'm pathetic. And, I do not feel well again.

After work, THGGM consented to give me a haircut. I have needed one for awhile. It looked great, just exactly what I wanted. I was SO happy! But, then I soon realized that I cannot have a 'hair do'. That is because I have a 'hair does'. No matter what I do to my hair, after twenty minutes, it just does what it always does. Yup. A 'hair does'. I hear there are people who suffer from REAL problems, so I don't complain. (ha ha.)

THGGM, Youngest Son, Daughter, Son-in-law, Baby Boy and I went out for breakfast. Baby Boy was charming. We got the table under the 'mobile' which always makes him happy. What is it with babies and ceiling fans? We are going to have to get one of those. Breakfast was nice, but, not feeling well - I did hurry home.

Still feeling hopeful that I was really just fine, THGGM and I went to a thrift store. I found a great red sweater. THGGM found a brand new suit with the tags still on. I also found several great pieces of material, two wooden shelf thingies (see my Plethora blog for what i did with one of them) and a stack of Ideals magazines. I also found a cute little game for Baby Boy. But, I wasn't feeling any better, so we hurried home, again.

I spent the afternoon playing around with one of the shelves we bought. I also worked some more on my 'emergency girlfriend' shadow box.

At four o'clock I could not believe it was only four o'clock. I picked up my new Mary Janes Farm magazine and dreamed of what it would be like to be an artist living in a quaint rural town. I also really enjoyed Mary Jane's tribute to her mom.

Since we would be watching Baby Boy in the evening, I left earlier than usual to visit my dad and mom and arrange their medications for the week. While there, there was a tornado warning. Of all the weird things. Tornadoes in September. It was raining like mad, and I kept hearing a dripping sound, but my parents didn't seem concerned. Until I mentioned it. "Didn't you get that leaky door fixed?" Dad said yes. Hmmm... So, I followed the sound. There was a foot long crack in their living room ceiling, and water was dripping into messy puddles on the steps to the lower level. My dad became very anxious, until he realized the roof is the condo's problem, not his. I think he likes condo living very much. Anyway...he found a couple of buckets. The sky by us did not look like there was any tornado activity, and the ducks in their yard didn't seem concerned - so we continued on with what we were doing.

Baby Boy was playing with Grandpa when I got back home. They were enjoying a new Bob the Builder toy I found at the thrift store earlier this week. If Grandpa touched it, Baby Boy would give him a dirty look and move his hand away. Too funny.

Somewhere in there, we did a bunch of other stuff. More work. Lunch. Snacks. A nap.

Now, I am listening to the Michigan State - Notre Dame game. Someone switched TV's again, and I cannot remember the 'secret handshake' that turns this one off. Anyway, the game is very good, so I'm not minding it much at the moment.

The night is still young, I still have much to do, and I still don't feel well. I think I'll go zip up my new red sweater and read some more of "The Bird in the Tree".

Oh, and NO mice today.

I Love This Kid!

If This Works...

...I will be SO happy!

And, I will post a picture.

I got this idea. I get those a lot. Very few of them pan out into much more than just more weird random stuff in the drawers in my art room. For instance, styrofoam balls with implanted marble eyes that gave my children fits when I put hats on them and set them on top of empty salsa jars.

Oh, and there was the time I stamped with black ink on backgammon pieces. That went nowhere.

Today I covered with gesso the empty cardboard roll that duct tape comes on. This, my friend, will be a bracelet, after I decoupage on it. Or something. Not sure what just yet, but I'll be ready for it when the inspiration hits. That is, if I can find it.

But, THIS idea should work.

A few weeks back I bought one of those 'shadow box' frames. Michael's had them for 40% off. It set on my mantle, empty, for a while. And then, it came to me...

I grabbed up one of my Madame Alexander Happy Meal Dolls. She fit PERFECTLY behind the glass. Although, she is wearing a rather garish blue plastic hat - but, whatever.

Next, I found this old white metal handle that I was saving for some reason. I set that on top of the shadow box. Perfect.

Today I spent a few minutes redressing the doll. Simple things like pleating a tiny denim skirt for her, and cutting her hair.

Next, I need to get a little hammer. Somehow, and this part is still a bit hazy, I will secure a little hammer to the side of the shadow box.

Inside, by the doll and everything she will need to live happily in my shadow box, will be the word "GIRLFRIEND" - maybe in Scrabble letters, if I can get them to fit.

The outside of the box will be labeled - somehow - hazy again "In Case of Emergency, Break Glass".

There! Now I will have an emergency girlfriend!

I should have thought of this YEARS ago!

MaryJanesFarm

THGGM and I ended up at the mall tonight.

He shopped a little bit, and as usual I went into Barnes and Noble.

I nearly jumped for joy when I discovered that the NEW Mary Janes Farm was out!

I'm not a Farm girl, and my mother often assured me that I would make a horrible one anyway, as it was just TOO much work for the likes of me!

But, oh! How delightful it is to READ about! And, I bet if I tried really really hard, I could make an apron.

This Is for You, Buddy!

Found a Far Side book at the thrift store this week.

Oldest Son has been known as 'Buddy' since before he was born.

And, he has never liked to drive.

Now I remember why.

The Happy Boy!

What Have I Done Wrong???

(please, if you know me, do NOT answer that questions!)

Again, I find myself in the middle of a mouse fiasco.

At times, I wonder if I should just wander out into the garage and bring in the old hamster wheel and start feeding these things by choice.

THGGM thinks mice are cute.

From the outside, our home must look like a giant slice of swiss cheese to these mice. At least, it is THAT easy for them to get in.

It isn't that we are not catching them. Oh, are we EVER.

I just asked THGGM, "How many?" and his reply was, "I am NOT counting!".

Last night, he emptied two traps as he left the house at 7. At 7:10, two traps went off at once. I nearly shouted "Jinx! Buy me a coke!" Yes. I am that weird.

Youngest Son and his girlfriend were in the kitchen last night making caramel brownies. I didn't mention the carnage a mere inches from their domestic selves. THGGM took care of it when he got home. And, again when he got up in the morning, and there are several more waiting for him when he wakes up from his bliss-filled nap.

Yesterday there was a squirrel sitting on a table on my front porch looking into my living room. Right into my eyes. I'm sure it's eyes were saying, "Excuse me, ma'am, but could you kindly unlatch the front door and let me in too, please?" Then, when crossing my front yard last night, a very large bunny ran in front of me. Need I remind you that I live in a parking lot? There are not woods, fields, meadows or even Mr. MacGregor's vegetable garden near by.
No garbage is left out side, no piles of leaves are left laying around. I'm totally stumped.

In the entire time I lived at home with my family of origin, I remember only ONE mouse episode. ONE. My sister remembers the day clearly, because I announced to my family one Sunday afternoon, "LOOK! I am reading my Sunday School paper to my NEW friend!". Apparently, the mouse had appeared between the cushions of the couch I was sitting on. Later that night, they killed my 'new friend' but he did not go down when flushed, which I discovered on my way to bed that night. This was a horror of great magnitude and caused me (and my long suffering mother) much trauma. I refused to sit down on a toilet for YEARS.

Last night, as I entired the kitchen to load up the dishwasher, there was a small mouse running around on the floor, in a weird sort of formation. I screamed. It LOOKED at me. Then, it ran under the stove. And, kept peeking out at me. Like, "Is the big screaming lady still out there? Yes, yes, why I believe she is." Then it would check again. On about it's fourth peek, I was no longer there.

In the morning, it no longer was.

My Thursday People

She Who Dances on the Couch...

Were you to drive past my home last evening, you might have wondered what sort of weird party was going on.

Yes. That was me in the green cardigan dancing wildly on my couch, in front of a large curtainless window, no less.

It's on account of the fact that I was given a gift last night. Well, actually TWO gifts. No, THREE.

My first gift arrived in the early afternoon in the form of a migraine. Jupiter must have aligned with Mars or something. Oh wait. I think this one was brought on by weather, hormones and the simple fact that I keep forgetting that I have to eat (you would not know this from looking at me - because WHEN i remember to, i remember good!).

The second gift was a WONDERFUL gift from THGGM, who answered my pleas for help. He removed everything from my lazy susan. Because why, you ask? Because I could hear something in it. Something that refused to be caught in the trap. Something that chose to defy the term 'quiet as a mouse'. And, as luck would have it, he caught it in a trap!

My third gift came from my favorite pet. Barb is now my favorite pet because he is my only pet. Barb likes to spend his free time with me. He likes to be in every picture I take. And, he likes to surprise me with gifts.

Like many people, myself included, the gifts that he likes to give are actually gifts that he would like to receive, not ones chosen with the likes and dislikes of the recipient taken into consideration. If that were the case, he would have brought me a rubber stamp, or peanut M&M's

Yes. He brought me a live mouse. I should have known. But I had a really really nasty headache and was not thinking clearly. I should have known because just a moment before the gift was delivered, he had lept off the couch, flown through the air and made that strange sound cats sometimes make - which sounds somewhat like gargling.

He returned shortly. And, at my feet he dropped a very disoriented mouse.

I did NOT handle this well. No. Not well at all.

I screamed and jumped on the couch, were I continued to dance and call out the play-by-play.

THGGM was in NO hurry to come to my aide. He was on a different floor, even. Deeply involved in his new favorite TV show, Dancing with the Stars.

I actually heard him say "Well, what am I supposed to do?"

Dear Knight in Shining Armor, you are supposed to rescue me from things that go Squeak in the night. In the day. In the afternoon. In the lazy susan.

The mouse got away, not before THGGM chased it around for awhile with a tiny paper towel. Barb is big into the 'catch and release' program. He caught it and released it many many times - got bored with it and curled up on the couch.

I took my headache and went to bed.

A Tisket, a Tasket, a Baby in a Basket!

Baby Boy played happily this afternoon in the block basket. He has discovered that his 'action figure baby', Jack, has a belly button. All afternoon, he played with Jack's belly button. It brought him such pure delight.

He has known for awhile that Jack has toes. "This Little Piggy Went to Market" has long been a favorite of his!

Baby Boy in a Jar

This is what I'm making from the small jar I found while antiquing this weekend.

Baby Boy is the winking one. It's a wallet size photo from earlier this year.

I added a few aqua and silver beads from old broken garlands, and the aqua lace from a bag of old rick-rack and bindings that I found a few weeks back.

The teeny tiny bootie is something that THGGM's grandmother made. There is just one.

I'll add some pictures with more detail to my Inky Fingers (www.judyh58b.blogspot.com) if you are interested.

Easily Entertained Me

THGGM and I found these things while antique shopping.

I'm going to put a picture in the jar. It will be perfect for it, as it has embossed squares on three sides and is clear in the front.

I already had a cookie cutter that reminded me of dearly departed Niki. But not one with a red wooden handle. So THIS one will stay out in the kitchen.

And, how could I pass up a hankie with MY monogram on it? No. I could not.

THGGM found the very nice wooden bench. He is really into stacking benches. This was a 'porch' find at the antique mall in Muskegon.

We had planned to either walk the beach at Hoffmaster (still costs six dollars to get in. even though his last name doesn't reflect it, thggm is dutch through and through and wouldn't pay six dollars to walk for an hour. i told him i would try to barter my dollhouse dolls for the admission price, but he scoffed at me. scoffed.).

Then, we were going to walk the pier at Grand Haven. But, we found a flea market instead. By the time we finished there, we were too tired. We drove home, making a detour for pizza on the other side of town. The other side of town's pizza is always better.

And, it was a beautiful ride! We took back roads there, which were all wind-y and full of views. On the way back, we drove through a lot of lovely farm land which was mostly golden. I love that. Oats? Soy beans? I'm never exactly sure. Smelled like cows. as it should.

Well, I COULD Be the Crazy Cat Lady...

My doll house family increased in size this weekend.

I've been thrilled to discover these 'Alexander' dolls that were Happy Meal toys.

I found one yesterday (the pumpkin) and the other two today.

And, today I found the rubber baby dolls in the basket.

I wasn't the kind of little girl who played with dolls much. But, I most clearly remember sneaking in to 'borrow' my sister's swimming nose plug to use as a swing for the smallest molded baby doll. It worked like a charm! So...next up, I need to get those old-fashion peach colored nose plugs so my baby can enjoy a swing.

I've gone just NUTS with these dolls. THGGM doesn't undetstand AT ALL. Not at all. I think I've even seen eyerolling. Anyway, I set them all around his cute little two-year-old picture.

Now, I've got to get busy on the dollhouse!

"Kitchen Gardens"

THGGM and I went antiquing along the lake shore this afternoon. One of our stops was having a flea market in the parking lot. Mostly fleas.

But, in the first booth I found this lovely 70's paperback cookbook with fabulous pictures by Tasha Tudor.

All for a mere 50 cents.

I haven't read one recipe yet, but I'm so enchanted with the pictures!

I had a little boy that looked like the one hugging the Corgi. Well, I still HAVE him, he's just not little.

Grandpa and Baby Boy

Grandpa snatched Baby Boy from the church nursery this morning so he could rock him to sleep for his morning nap.

"What Can You Do with a Shoe?"

I found this book, illustrated by Maurice Sendak.

And, I found these little girl shoes, which I intend to use as frames for some pictures I have.

Sort of a little 'frame shadow boxy thingy'. Sort of. We will see.

I cannot take a picture of ANYTHING anymore without Barb getting right in the middle of it. Oh well. He's cute.

The book was 29 cents.

The shoes were a dollar.

But oh, the fun I will have...

PRICELESS!

What's New in My Little Corner of the World

Our new living room rug has been in for a week now and, so far, no major spills have befallen it.


THGGM is still losing weight. I am still not.


The sun is shining today. This feels good after days and days of rain.


Youngest Son was interviewed on our local Fox News station last night. It was about the new journalism major his University is now offering.


The high school soccer team Youngest Son coaches won last night. The score was 8-0.


I have my bedding freshly laundered and hanging on the line to dry.


Armed with trash bags, I solemly approach my art room today.


It has become obvious to me that I need to go grocery shopping, and soon.


Of the three bags of corn in my freezer, I do not know which one is the one I use to numb my shoulder, and which two can be eaten.


I've come to realize that the medication I take seems to dull my taste buds. Absolutely nothing sounds good to me anymore. Although, I do still crave popcorn and peanut M&M's.


It looks as if I will have to hire someone out side of my family to remove the broken couch in my art room. You know, the couch that was supposed to be removed before Christmas last year.


I'm enjoying rereading "The Bird in the Tree". Having a reading chair with matching foot stool in the bed room has been a great idea for me. Some nights I'm up there at 8. I've never grown accustom to the sounds of murder and abuse that come from the TV every night while THGGM watches Law and Order. I know. It's a good show. I even watch it occasionally. But I still cannot stand to hear those sounds.


My reading lately has also included three books about Laura Ingles Wilder. I especially like the articles she wrote in the early 1900's for a farm paper.


Oh, and I almost forgot, I'm reading "Talking to Alzheimer's" which I picked up at Barnes and Noble on Sunday. Excellent little book about talking to those suffering from dementia. Notice, I almost forgot.


Also, I poured through my "Girlfriends Forever" book last night. I love it! I love it! I love it! I had one in my hand Sunday when I was in Barnes and Noble, but, knowing that I could not possibly buy it, I put it back. What a shockingly delightful surprise to find it in my mailbox yesterday! Susan Branch is good people.


My cough is nearly gone. About once a day I hack until my eyeballs pop out. By the time I pick them up and return them to the proper socket, I'm good for the day.


And about the interesting weed in my backyard. I popped open one of the lantern like thingies, and inside was something that looked exactly like a green pea. I do need to find out what this is.


That's all I can remember right now.


What's new in YOUR little corner of the world?

Great Grandma and Baby Boy

These two adore each other.

Wednesday Baby Boy and I brought Great Grandpa and Grandma to a doctor's appointment. It went very well!

Great Grandpa got the results of his bone scan today, and it was all very good! We take good news any chance we get, and milk it for all it is worth!

Today, Great Grandma came for lunch and to play while Great Grandpa went to lunch with his friends.

A good time was had by all.

Even me. But now I am tired.

Someday I will try again to tell you the story of how I could not get the stroller to fold so I could get it back into the trunk. All while standing in the rain. But really, I am too tired to go back there again.

It is really rather tiring here tonight. Youngest Son and THGGM are trying to figure out problems they are having with the Dish and the two TV's. This means that they are SCREAMING things to each other from different rooms. I am beyond annoyed. So, it's off to bed for me.

I Have a Girlfriend!

Look what someone sent to me!

The mail arrived, and there was a package addressed to me!

I knew I hadn't ordered anything, because I keep close tabs on that sort of thing.

I rushed passed my mom and Baby Boy who were mutually admiring each other, and tore it open at the dining room table.

It's a Susan Branch "Girlfriends Forever" book!

But, it doesn't say who it is from.

So, thank you thank you thank you mystery 'girlfriend'! You will never know just how much I needed that today!

Blogger Beta

I have switched my blog to blogger beta.

Do you have any idea what that means?

I didn't either, except that I hate to be left behind. So, I clicked twice and Ta Da! I'm now in blogger beta.

So far, what this has meant is nothing but grief. If you are one who reads Baby Boy's blog, you will note that it brought MY profile to HIS blog. I still see his profile when I click 'profile' when I log in, but, what I get is ME.

Last night I wrote probably the most interesting and thought provoking post (not really, but you will never know it wasn't!) and it was eaten alive by blogger beta. I guess I'm not supposed to feel bad about it, because they DID say "sorry".

Why, oh why, can't the blogger people figure out a way to let you know BEFORE they eat your post that they are going to eat your post? They must know! Or, at the very least, could they not find a way that the post will save SOMEWHERE?!

I might just have to become an astronaut just so I can space travel to the place where misplaced posts are sent. They have to be somewhere. We ALL know that things never just disappear.

Except, that is, for my wedding pictures.

Baby Boy and Bob

Baby Boy at 8 months and 11 days.

He prefers to stand.

I'm not sure just how he made his way around this foot stool, but he did.


His toy of the day is this small plastic blue truck.

He likes Bob the Builder to stand up in the back of it.

What a great day he had playing with the truck and Bob.

He can say "Bob". Says it all day long.

Bob Bob Bob Bob Bob.

What I Remember...

I didn't want to post this on a day that is so difficult for so many people for so many different reasons. So I waited a minute.

I first heard about the planes hitting the twin towers after both had been hit. Son-in-law called me (he was Daughter's boyfriend then). He told me to turn on the TV.

I told him "No", I was too busy. At the time, I did not watched TV. The only available TV was in Youngest Son's bedroom, and all that came in was whatever network had Dan Rather, and frankly, I'd Rather-not.

But, he INSISTED that I turn on the TV. So, I did.

I watched a bit, but I WAS busy. I had to make it to a city office building with a payment as soon as it opened. And, I could not find the checkbook. I was hunting for it, and yelling at THGGM in my head for not getting the payment on time, and for not knowing where the checkbook was.

I found a new pad of checks and headed out. I was listening to the radio when the report came on that the pentagon had smoke rising from it. The city office building was somber. But, I got my payment in on time.

As I drove home, I passed Youngest Son's school. The thought occurred to me to go there and bring him home. I wish I would have.

When I got home, THGGM called. He was a driver for FedEx at the time, and found out about the attacks while making deliveries along the lake shore. Every stop, more news footage to watch. I apologized to him for yelling at him in my head.

Like everyone else, I wanted to know where my family was. I called Daughter in her dorm. She said she knew something was up, but she was too busy to stop what she was doing to notice what. She said if she saw Oldest Son she would have him call home.

Dan Rather was making me Rather mad. So, I went to my mom and dad's house, where my dad was flipping through all of the cable news channels, trying to figure out what was going on. I watched with them for awhile. Not so much to see the news, but I had this need to be with them. I stayed for about an hour and then went back home.

Youngest Son's girl friend du jour came over. She and I watched the news together in Youngest Son's messy bedroom. Many of her school friends had father's who were working in NYC and were waiting to hear from them. Son-in-law's father was working in NYC also. He watched it all unfold from across the river in New Jersey.

Youngest Son arrived home. He found out about it when one of his teachers got a phone call from his wife. All it said was "We are okay. We're stranded at Logan, but we are okay." The teacher had no idea what she meant. It took a bit to sort it out.

One of the 'we' was my friend Pat. She and her daughter were heading home from a vacation. They had an early morning flight from Boston's Logan Airport. It never got off the ground. She and her daughter (youngest son's teacher's wife) spent some tense moments on the grounded plane while passengers spread the news as they got it over cell phones.

That night our church was open. All who could gathered to pray.

9/11

Remember.

Waterfall

We didn't stumble upon this waterfall until it was nearing closing time.

I could have sat here and listened to the water all day. It is beautiful. The picture doesn't even begin to do it justice.

More Lovely Sculpture

I cannot remember the name of this series of sculpture, but I like it.
And, my sister enjoyed her visit with Fred and Lena. They were pleasant, but not talkative.

It's Over

I really enjoyed the Tom Otterness exhibit.
It also included a large sculpture entitled "Mad Mom". It was great. But, the security guard was more intimidating than the sculpture, and I did not want to anger him. I'm glad I got to see this before it closed.