All the Better to See You!

The picture has nothing to do with the post. I just couldn't resist. I feel badly for the poor olden-days child who had need of glasses like this!

And, now to the issue at hand...

Thank you so much for all of your comments, emails, well-wishes and prayers for my mom. Soon, I hope to respond to them personally, but since I am not sure when that will be, I want you to know that it means SO VERY MUCH!

My mom seems to be doing better. I'm not sure she knows exactly where she is, or why, but she certainly is being well taken care of!

The difference in just her looks is amazing. When my niece arrived yesterday my mom was at the 'beauty shop' getting her hair cut. She is getting physical and occupational therapy. They can get her to take her medications on schedule, something we were no longer able to do. Even when we thought we were doing it, she was hiding them all over the place. Her blood sugar is tested before each meal and she is given insulin as needed. We all are very aware that there isn't a 'cure', but for what ails her, she is in the best place for now, and improving.

Since that ride in the back of the police car, it has seemed like one loooooooooooong day.

I was telling Daughter this week how strange it was that it was my mother who taught me how to do this. I grew up watching her care for her parents. It was not easy. She had to make some very difficult decisions concerning my grandpa. My grandma was always embarrassing my mom by saying outlandish things in public. She once met a friend at a doctor's office. This friend was dying of cancer. My grandma was having ingrown toenail issues (she was diabetic, so it WAS serious) and announced to this dying woman "You don't know pain until you've had an ingrown toenail!" My mother wanted to crawl into a hole and die right on the spot (her words). But, my mother always treated her parents with respect and dignity and a wonderfully understanding kindness. Even when they drove her nuts.

And, my mom hasn't lost that part of herself. While in the hospital Monday evening, her nurse was a woman with an obvious disability. Yet, she did her job well and made it look effortless. She never left the room without my mom (who was extremely agitated most of the time) turning to me and saying 'I feel so sorry for that woman. She must be SO tired when she gets home'.

It was my mom who several years ago talked to each of her daughters individually and said she knew she was losing it. She told each of us that she knew that when the time came, she could trust us to make the right decisions. Her exact words to me were "I have never minded the thought of having to go to a home. I don't want to move in with any of you, and I know dad cannot take care of me." Part of the talk was that she knew when the time came that she probably wouldn't want to go, but that THIS her (the one talking to us then) was okay with it.

So, this week we did that.

So far, she seems to be adjusting better than any of us would ever have thought.

Please pray for God's peace to flood my mom's heart.

Poor Poor Famke!

Well. We have solved the problem of the afternoon air-raid siren.

Famke was not getting enough formula in her bottle.

I was giving her the right amount of liquid, just not the right amount of formula powder.

Poor poor Famke!

This was the scene at the same time today.

Much happier Famke.

Much happier Beppe!

(of course, i should have known this right off, but it has been a crazy week. famke forgave me. now i shall work on forgiving myself.)

It's Wednesday, or So I'm Told

My dad stopped by today. Famke gave him the BIGGEST smile I have ever seen on her. It was just what my dad needed.

Jonge talked up a storm, as besides Thanksgiving day, he hasn't seen as much of 'pa' lately. Not because pa hasn't been around, he has. But he was here during Jonge's nap time. So, Jonge was happy to have pa read him stories, and throw the balls around, and use pa's cane to retrieve lost toys from under the couch. And, he had so much to tell him, as the words and thoughts are really flowing now.

I didn't visit my mom today. Since Jonge and Famke left, I have been too tired to move. I hear that she was very sleepy today, and also not so happy in the afternoon. This is the time she would always get demanding about wanting to go home. Even when she WAS home. So, hopefully the nursing staff will have some ideas for things to do for her to help that. So many of the activities that she could participate in are during that time and I would hate for her to miss out on the socializing, something my mom has always greatly enjoyed.

That has gotten me to thinking. I believe that were I not insane upon entering a nursing facility, I would certainly become so while there. You would not know it from my blog, but I am an intensely private, introverted person. Having to share a tiny space with a total stranger would totally do me in.

Now, just so you know what sort of children mine are, I was telling that to Daughter today. You know, for that time that will come when I am in need of long term care, supposing that I live beyond my 49 years.

She looked me square in the eye and said - I call "not it!"

Excuse Me, But Could You Tell Me the Day?

Thank you all so very very much for your thoughts and prayers. What a surprise to open my email account and find dozens and dozens of well-wishes and prayers.

At 5:00 last night my mom was admitted to a nursing home. They had a bed and were willing to take her on 'medicaid pending'. Apparently, this is very very rare. The hospital social worker thought it nothing short of miraculous. We are all very thankful.

My dad and I left at 6:00 so mom could have dinner and get settled in. They do not have a dementia unit, but were happy to try to make it work for her. If nothing else, this will give us time to get the medicaid in place and her name on a waiting list for a dementia unit that excepts medicaid as payment.

Of all the emotions my dad was experiencing, when I left him last night, he looked relieved. Although, that just might be because when leaving the nursing home (it was dark by then, and i do not drive after dark) I took a wrong turn and drove us through the bowels of a neighboring county. What should have been a 15 minute drive on familiar roads ended up taking an hour. Maybe he was just relieved to get out of the car.

Thank you so much for praying and keeping us in your thoughts. It means so much.

Jonge and Famke are coming to my house today, so that should help restore a since of normalcy to my life. I know I need it.

Quick Update

My mom spent last night in the hospital. I am on my way up there this morning, where we will meet with the hospital social worker who will work with us in finding a nursing home for her today.

My parents will have been married sixty years on January 1st.

You can imagine that this is not an easy time.

Please pray.

I Hope Answers Come Tomorrow

I've been making many many calls to various agencies that help with the care of the elderly.

Since my mom wandered away from home last Tuesday and fell, she has TRIED to leave the house several more times, and Wednesday, Thursday and this morning my dad has called because she is on the floor and needs THGGM's help to get up.

I could go into long details, but I won't.

So many of the calls I've made led to dead ends. Wednesday I finally found what just may be the final one. I've left messages, but I've gotten no response yet, I am sure due to the holiday weekend.

Just a few weeks back mom and I sat around the table laughing about our newly extablished 'ding-a-ling' club. I spent some time with her this morning, and of the two and 1/2 hours I was there, she was only awake for under 30 minutes. It took the entire time to get her essential morning pills down her and change her shirt.

I keep hoping there will emerge a balance of keeping her sedated enough to not be combative, yet alert enough to know what is happening around her.

I am tired.

One Month Until Christmas!

It's true.

Just one month.

One month.

One.

Decorating Weekend at My House

Excuse me, while I go enjoy this.

Pake and Jonge

Jonge fell asleep at our house last night, so we kept him!

When I woke up this morning, this is the sight that greeted me.

THGGM really looks like a grandpa!

I never heard a peep out of Jonge all night long.

Pake did, but he could handle it.

We met everyone else for breakfast soon after this picture was taken.

Jonge is happily back with his family.

THGGM and I went to one thrift store. I bought a Christmas tree for $7.oo.

YEA!

Jonge has his own tree at our house. One he can touch all he wants. Next week we plan to decorate it. And undecorated it. And decorate it again. Whatever he wants.

One thing I've learned since I've been a grandma. It's more important how much the child enjoys the tree than how much Beppe enjoys the tree.

Humour Me.

I had this old calendar picture in an even
older frame until it broke apart. I've been
adding small photos to small 'jar frames' for
awhile now, and when I was looking for
something to add to this very large jar I got
the idea to put this picture into it. Then,
I remembered that bowl of THGGM's that I
broke while bringing it into the house. The
jar fits on the stand! Add a bit of lace to the
top to mimic a Dutch girl's lacy hat, and...
okay...it takes A LOT of imagination to
appreciate this. But I LOVE it!!!

Some people actually shop on black Friday. Not me. I did not leave the house at all. Ever so slowly, I have begun to decorate for Christmas. It took me quite sometime to sort things from the flotsam and jetsam piled high on either side of the garage. It was dangerous and I should have been wearing a hard hat. I could not reach everything, but I did get a good start. Much tweaking will occur between now and when I pronounce it to be very good.

I get all giddy when my flash lands right where the sun is setting on the canal. Or the moon is rising, I really couldn't say. Of course, it takes many tries before I get it, but it does make me happy.

Oh, and the 'doily' on the cabinet is a valance I picked up for 50 cents at a thrift store. I just knew I would find some use for it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Eve

I had one of 'those' moments today.

The kind where one knows beyond any doubt that they are being prayed for.

I needed that this morning. We were awakened just after six by a phone call from my dad. When he got up, he found my mom laying on the floor. THGGM was out the door in a flash. She was okay. But, the falling is happening too frequently and we are actively searching out care for her. THGGM stayed to make sure she could walk okay and that she wasn't in any pain. The fall happened as she walked through a dark house wearing one slipper and one shoe - which was on the wrong foot.

My moment happened after Jonge and Famke arrived.

Daugther left for work, and we all snuggled together on one cushion of the love-seat in the den to watch Mr. Roger's Neighborhood.

I had Famke nestled against me as she cooed and oohed. Jonge was pressed up close, leaning on me. Barb the cat curled up on Jonges lap and promptly feel asleep, something that has never happened before.

As I sat there, all I could think was "This is the life!". This is good. This is what it means to be blessed. Thank you, God.

Then, Mr. Roger's went to a segment where he brought out a bowl, added peanut butter, butter, powdered milk, raisins and nuts, mixed it all together and formed them into little balls. Then he took out a rolling pin and crushed a graham cracker and rolled the peanut butter balls in the crumbs.

This might seem insignificant to you, but just last week my children asked me what those snacks were that we used to make with peanut butter and 'who knows what else'. I remembered only that it was a recipe from an episode of Mr. Roger's. Mr. Roger's was around for decades. This particular show was from 1984. That it played at the precise moment I was feeling so blessed is amazing.

Someday next week, Jonge and I will make these, so he can know he was right when he looked up at me with sleepy eyes and proclaimed "Nummy".

That was this morning. In the afternoon Famke spent an hour playing air rade siren, even though I held her.

Life is like that.

Amazing moments sandwiched between reality.

Not a Boring Morning, No.

This morning I planned to stay in and respond to all of the phone messages that came in yesterday. They were responses to inquiries I left as messages with various 'Senior' organizations on Friday.

But first I gathered all of my Thanksgiving recipes and emailed a list of needed items for THGGM to pick up on his way home from work.

Things didn't go quite as I'd planned.

At 9:57 I got a call from my mom and dad's neighbor. She had just seen my mom walked through the parking lot of their condo and out the drive-way. Like most of their neighbors, she wasn't able to take off after my mom. She did tell me that my dad's car was not there.

Oh. Dear.

I called 911.

I also realized that I really should have a car, as I am a full mile away from their house now, and without a cell-phone, if I left my house I would loose contact with those looking for her.

Soon a police officer was at my door. I showed him a picture of my mom and give a better description of her. While we were talking he got a call that she had been found.

She hadn't gone far before she fell.

I got to ride in the back of a police car. Something I have never done before, and hopefully will never do again.

Mom has a badly skinned knee, but everything else seemed to be in good working order. Although I bet she will be very sore tomorrow. My dad took her out for lunch at Old Country Buffet.

All of the calls I returned in the afternoon were dead-ends. I have one more angle to check out, but need to confer with other family members before we take that step.

I wanted to throttle my dad, but I have to remember that he is an old man. He just doesn't 'get' that when my mom seems clear, it can switch in a moment and she is in another world where she can no longer remember that she told him she was going to take a nap.

May God bless all the angels, both seen and unseen, who protected my mom today.

Random Monday Thoughts

I cannot seem to figure out why it is SO hard for me to get up and out of the house at eight o'clock. I fled my house having not even brushed my hair or eaten breakfast. My second cup of coffee was clutched in my hand though. I do have my priorities.

Today I watched Jonge and Famke at their house. THGGM drops me off there on his way to work.

I wasn't there 10 minutes before I was puked-up on. I never remember to bring a change of clothes. I once left in an old maternity top of Daughter's, and I still wear it on a weekly basis.

By afternoon I had been peed on too. Funny, how it doesn't bother me anymore.

Famke is at that adorable baby stage where she is ALL smiles and laughs ALL the time. IF YOU HOLD HER. Set her down and she turns into an air raid siren. Pick her up and she smiles and laughs.

I can do amazing things while holding a baby.

It is a blessing indeed that Jonge is thrilled to have Famke around. He likes to make her smile and doesn't mind if I am holding her. ALL THE TIME.

Today Jonge and I made paper hats. Pink and purple tissue paper hats. We also made brown paper bag puppets.

- (here judy trips and falls down memory lane) -

Once, oh about twenty years ago, when I was looking to make a Christmas craft project for my Children's Church class of twenty or so 2-3 year old's I got the idea that I wanted to stamp on those reeeeally small brown paper bags that I remembered getting at the candy store next to my school.

The trouble was, I could not find any. After trying several local candy stores, several not so local candy stores (one in wisconsin) and calling around, THGGM was ready to give up. But, I got this fabulous idea that since he worked in a grocery store, he should just call their supplier and set me up with the tiny brown paper bags that I had my heart set on and would be THE ONLY thing that would make me happy. Clearly, I would not be happy until I had them.

So. He did that. His supplier did not sell the small ones, but they knew a company that did and, that supplier would be happy to sell us the bags. They were sold in lots of one hundred and they also had white bags. The only catch they said, was that we would have to pick them up.

At this point THGGM would have driven to Greenland's icy mountains for them. Because of: A. his undying love for me, or: B. just to have me shut up about them. I'm not sure which, but have always been rather sure that it's best not to ask which.

Whatever. I got my bags.

They came from the old factory-turned-warehouse at the end of our street.

Right at the end of our street. The hideously ugly warehouse that we watched the sun set into every night (and years later watched burn in the most spectacular fire i have ever seen).

That close, those brown paper bags.

- (here judy picks herself up off memory lane and waddles back to the present, pausing ever so briefly to remember where it was she was going) -

Today, Jonge and I made puppets out of two of those brown paper bags.

It was great fun. Jonge catches on quickly to 'pretend'. His hand fit nicely in the small size bag.

I colored the faces on the bags, as Jonge is not allowed to use his crayons presently. He ate one. Fed a few to his dog.

So, Beppe did the coloring, and then we played a rousing game of puppet show.

My puppet's name was Larry. He chose to name his Bob. He names everyone Bob. Famke's name would be Bob were it left up to him.

It was Jonge's idea to add hair to the puppets, allowing them to use his 'pinks' (have i explained this yet? 'pink' is a short length of a pink feather boa that Jonge must have in his grip at all times. i now buy it by the yard).

I tried to coordinate a duet between Bob (bob was clearly a girl) and Larry, but he thought it hysterical to plunk his binky (pacifier) in the puppet's mouth. Causing Larry to sing with his mouth full.

There really isn't any point to where I'm going with this. I DID say it was random. Do these qualify as thoughts, I wonder?

So. It was fun, entertaining and proof that of the 200 bags I purchased over twenty years ago from the bag place at the end of my street, the brown ones were truly a wise investment. I threw the remainder of the white ones away when we moved because they had yellowed over time.

Twenty years ago I had a six year old, a five year old and a three year old. I never imaged that someday, those brown paper bags would be played with by my five year old's one year old son...

...while her three month old baby smiled and laughed in my arms.

If You Need More CUTE In Your Life!

http://flickr.com/groups/485344@N23/

Click on this link. I hope it works.

These are SO cute!

The Kiss

One Can Never Have Too Much - Oh, How Cute Is That?

Can one?

I found the assorted blocks (i have dozens and dozens of these), 1930's music book and the 1 1/2 yards of calico print at my favorite thrift store. All for under two dollars.

Next we went to my new favorite antique mall where I found the enamel ware pot (i nearly squealed, it was that cute and cheap) and the white box. The tag tied to it said 'treasure box'. Tell me, how could I NOT buy it?

THGGM and I are continuing to move furniture. We now have a love seat and one chair in the den. The love seat and the chair do not match at all, but we keep telling ourselves that we don't care. I think we do care, but not enough to move anything else again for quite some time.

Friday

Oh, it's been a GOOD day today.



I took my dad to see the eye doctor today. He has been cleared to wait six more months before having cornea transplants. Waiting doesn't hurt anything, and, it has actually meant that he will qualify for a new procedure which wasn't available when he first knew he would need the transplant. And, he passed his eye test for driving during the day. This was ALL good news.



While I was with my dad, my southern sister was staying with my mom. Someone was coming to do a home evaluation. She left my sister with much useful information, and I already have them set up for senior meals. This alone will be a big relief for my dad.



Making phone calls sure does eat up a large portion of an afternoon.



And, I forgot to eat lunch. I actually got out the remaining 'hamburger soup' from last Sunday's soup supper. Yuck. I couldn't eat another bite. Silly me. I didn't eat anything.



At five o'clock I ran downstairs to put the sheets in the dryer. Running up the steps my head began to go all wonky. That peanut butter on whole wheat bread was no longer with me. I found some nuts and quickly ate those. Will I never learn? Looking at me, you would never think that I am someone who forgets to eat.



Since I needed the car today, Daughter graciously offered to pick her father up from work. So, I got to end my evening holding a smiling Famke, who is just one chuckle short of laughing. Jonge asked for "Aidens" which we finally figured out were "Raisens". I don't think he ate much else besides that, with some pickles and marshmallows thrown in to round it out.



It is now 11:37 and THGGM just passed through the kitchen with a load of dried sheets. I've a hungry dishwasher to fill, and guests arriving for breakfast at 10:00.



Oh, and I am listening to some Sirius Christmas music.



Furniture has been moved to accommodate trees. The tree won't be in the front window, but that is fine with me. I have a small tree for Jonge to play around with. I think that after next week we will start making some decorations for 'his' tree.



Having a baby around at Christmas time reminds me of how Oldest Son and Daughter got the idea that Youngest Son was the PERFECT baby for their cardboard box manager. He was eight months old and happy to lay around on his back in a box. They would position him under the light in our dining room and have the GREATEST time reenacting the Christmas story in a way that only a dramatic 3 1/2 year old and his two year old sister could.



Oh, yeah. Those were GOOD days, too.

I Actually Accomplished Something Today

Well. Would you look at that? I MADE something today! My mom and I had a really good morning together. She was a more tired version of her old self. So, I gathered up supplies and she watched (her choice) while I stamped some gift bags for her and my dad to use at Christmas time. While I worked she opened up some. It's easy to see how someone with dementia could become depressed. Everyday you wake up to discover anew that most of your friends and family are dead. We tried to stay upbeat, even making little necklaces for ourselves out of ribbon and bells, and beginning a new club - The Ding-A-Lings.

The afternoon wasn't quite so good, but we made it through.

I feel the need to begin my decorating for the holidays! Now, please understand this - I haven't decorated for Christmas in this house before. I am eager to get started to see how it all works out. Even though the old house seemed bigger, this one actually has more space to decorate. Please grant me this small indulgence to start early and post lots of pictures! I NEED to do this for my sanity (well, and also because thggm really wants all that holiday stuff out of his garage!).

"A Place for Mom"

This week I have spent much time trying to track down a place for mom. In a google search on Tuesday, I found a not for profit site called "A Place for Mom". What a wonderful site! I left my e-mail address and phone number and was promptly contacted by a kind man named Marcus who was able to tell me rather quickly what I had feared all along. There is no place for mom in this area. But, I will sing the praises of this site because Marcus had the ability to find this out for me in just over 60 minutes.

So, what he recommended we do is something my niece has already begun. An evaluation will be done of their house tomorrow, to make sure it is a safe place for mom. She has begun to escape while my dad is in the bathroom. We cannot seem to convince him that everything must be dead-bolted. Hopefully, the woman evaluating their home will be able to do that. Their kind elderly neighbor ladies will not be able to catch her once winter sets in.

And, while she is doing that, my dad and I will be getting his consultation for cornea transplants. He has some weird eye disease (it starts with an "F", i can't remember everything!).

Unless I absolutely have to, I won't be posting anymore strange things my mom does. It isn't fair to the memory of my sweet, kind, compassionate mom who absolutely hated to be embarrassed. Oh, I will still tell you about her, but I'll reminisce about the 'real' her, not the disease that has overtaken her.

She'll be here soon.

(i'm sorry i haven't been keeping up on the comments. i so appreciate them. now more than ever. i seem to be on the computer a lot lately, but mostly it involves researching dementia and related agencies.)

Unequivocally THE Most Boring Blogger

That would be me.

I'm rather sure that this is true.

Today, my only day of the week to be at home alone, this is what I did.

Made phone calls. I HATE to make phone calls. I LOVE to write emails, but sadly, not all that many people respond favorably to that. I've even had people say, 'let me call you'. NO! If I wanted to talk that way I would have called you! I like to write. And, annoy THGGM by talking when he is concentrating on falling asleep or waking up.

Oh, and if anyone knows how to get my mother into a nursing care facility before she wanders off, please SEND ME AN EMAIL. Do not call. I can't TALK about it. But, I can write. (i've placed several calls today and sent several emails)

Cut down my peony bushes. I am terribly proud of this accomplishment. I've even boxed it up. And, the place to bring boxed up peony bush crud is directly behind my unfriendly neighborhood thrift store. Where, tomorrow, hardcovers are 25 cents and children's books and paperbacks are 10 cents.

Since I was outside, I took pictures around the yard. Not even particularly good pictures. But, it felt good to be outside. It's about 60 and the sun is shining. I do wish the yard, or a section of it, was fenced in. I feel exposed.

Brought more potential art supplies into my basement rooms. Saturday when I was down there a huge bee appeared out of nowhere. I actually stared into it's weird looking eyes. So, I had no plans to stay down there today. Where would a bee have come from?

I didn't see the bee today, so I looked around for a good place to put all of my rubber stamps. I didn't find one.

I was about to make coffee. But, I forgot. Now I must ask myself, 'is four o'clock too late for me to drink coffee?' Last week I had a can of pop at 10, and was thumbing through a magazine at 2:00 AM. I remember that I found some great ideas in that magazine, but I cannot remember what they were, or which of several new magazines it was that I was reading.

Now, if that's not boring, I don't know what is.

I've also been meaning to call for a blood test order. I have talked to my doctor's office several times this week. About my mom. I forget EVERY TIME to ask them to set me up for a blood test. I NEED one, as my blood sugar is all erratic. But, I keep forgetting.

Rising and falling blood sugar is no fun. But, it's still boring.

I did manage to get a huge box out of my kitchen closet. I am seriously under-using my closet space in this house. I thought I would miss large walk-in closets, but, I don't. Too much stuff gets lost in those. I like these. I open the door and there is my stuff.

Today I folded up my summer shirts and put them in a drawer. Surprising, isn't it, that a movie has not been made of my life.

Prepping the house for holiday decorating. This is hard work, people. What to do with all the fall stuff? I gave away my pumpkin pie pumpkin. I still have three small white ones that are only beginning to show signs of decay. My plan is still to clean off the tops of everything, dust and polish it, and find a very nice spot to put all of the fall decor away. I would put it where the Christmas stuff goes, but, there is no 'goes' spot here for that yet. It's all just standing all forlorn in the garage.

THGGM is planning to load up on coffee and rework the garage tonight. He's sick of having to scrape the car in the morning.

My coffee is ready. Daughter called and Jonge and Famke are going to spend a small amount of time with me this afternoon. I will need that coffee.

See you at 2:00 AM, maybe.

(update: should have skipped the coffee. but, joy of joys! the car is IN the garage!)

November Yard Work

Such a pretty fall day today is! I took my pruning sheers outside today to 'have at' my peony bushes. While pruning them I discovered several lovely stalks of this purple flower. Anyone know what it is? And, why is it blooming on November 13?

I've always wanted one of these bright red bushes, and now I have two! Doubly blessed, that's me!


The hard maples, of which I am also doubly blessed (although they are on the 'city' side of the sidewalk) have just turned a lovely shade of golden yellow. I just stood under them for a little while, basking in their golden loveliness.

And, this lovely rusty/red maple tree in the front yard makes for a perfect view out my front window.

I love trees. I truly feel blessed to call these my own!

(especially this year, when we are paying someone to rake them up for us!)

Steenstra's Almond Santa Claus Cookie

The post below this one is a rerun. I've bumped it up because I have gotten some comments from actual Steenstra family members! Be sure to read them! Such high honors, as truly this is the best store bought cookie, ever.

Anyway...a woman in my town, whose family distributes the Steenstra's Almond Santa Claus Cookies, ran for public office this week and won.

Her opponent, who I hear is a lawyer, is planning to sue her based on the simple fact that she brought a box of Steenstra's Almond Santa Claus Cookies to a poling precinct and left them there for the workers.

These cookies do not have her or her family's name on them anywhere. She claims she always brings cookies along with her.

I never knew that this family (a simple google search of the name 'joanne voorhees' should bring you to several news links on this subject) distributed these cookies, but, thirty years ago I worked for a company that did accounts for businesses both small and large. Her family's company was, at the time, one of the small businesses whose accounts we processed.

When the door alarm sounded between 4:30 and 5:30 at my former place of employment a race was on to answer it, because when they brought the accounts they ALWAYS brought cookies. ALWAYS.

Good ones, too.

(and i wonder why i am fat and diabetic. good grief.)

Anyway. Subpoena me to court if you have to. I will tell you that this family has been sharing cookies for at least the last thirty years.

Now. I must go get a Steenstra's cookie. My favorite will always be Santa Claus on his horse. I will break Santa off so I can have the horse all to myself (this might be why santa doesn't bring me good stuff anymore) and even though I am an old beppe of 49, I will run the horse around a bit before I eat him.

It's tradition. I have to.

My Favorite Cookie

Can you buy Steenstra's Almond St. Claus Cookies where you live?

If not, I feel sad for you.

These happen to be the very best store bought cookie in the entire known world, in my humble opinion.

No. Really.

They are made in Hudsonville, MI. Where, by the way, my very favorite ice cream is made. I will have to extol the virtues of that on an entirely separate post.

I am happy to report that not one of my living family members drew breath on a day when these cookies did not exists.

That thought comforts me.

Now, I must tell you that there are five different shapes of cookie in each box.

I prefer to eat only these two shapes.

The "St. Claus on a horse" and "Boy and Girl" who, it says on the box, love to receive presents.





Ever since I was a very small child, this is precisely what 'cookie' meant to me.

My mom likes to tell me that at a very young age I informed her when she gave me 'a' cookie that I had 'two hands!'

I also removed St. Claus from the horse, as I always wanted a horse for myself. I still do that.

The horse is actually quite fun to play with.

Baby Boy likes it too.

I cannot eat the boy and girl without first separating them.

Never could. Never would.

Now, I eat the girl and allow Baby Boy to nibble at the boy.

If you are thinking - 'oh! we have those! they are called windmill cookies!' you are WRONG. These are most assuredly NOT windmill cookies, although there IS a windmill in the package (because St. Claus lives in a windmill). These are St. Claus Cookies!!

There exists much debate about whether or not these cookies are best eaten dry, or dunked. My advice is, IF you choose to dunk, dunk fast. Unless you like slimy sludge at the bottom of your cup.

My grandma used to let me have coffee just so I could dunk them.

And, if by some chance you do not eat them all, they do photograph nicely!

Famke's Three Month Birthday!

Famke is now THREE months old! Oh, how quickly they grow! She certainly is developing an adorable little personality.

Three Months Old!

Oh, Famke.

You are already three months old.

I never believed there could be a little girl as sweet as your mother, but now there is you!

You may not look like your mommy, but you are just as adorable!

Last Week Friday

A week ago, THGGM, my aunt and I went to Greendale, WI to spend the morning shopping. One of my purchases was a 'Soups' cookbook. Making soup is MY kind of cooking! I've already found several recipes that I plan to try.

Greendale also has many charming little shops, and is a destination for a lot of bus trips. This year there was a group from Zeeland, MI. Nice to be shopping with a group of people who have that familiar 'dutch' look and who are also sniffing out bargains!

In the afternoon we went antique shopping. I'm not in the market for anything large and expensive. No. I have a garage FULL of that.

But, there are always things I'm on the look-out for. Things that I won't know that I want until I see them.

Like the mirror. THAT is EXACTLY the color I want my kitchen to be. I love the vintage look this kitchen has, so all I really want to change are the walls.

I've always thought the color was 'butter cream yellow' but know I know it is 'celluloid'.

Oh, and I'm always on the hunt for the yellow plaques. I haven't seen one in years, it seems. But, I remain ever hopeful.

Last Week Thursday

This is the beautiful 'home on a lake' that was recently purchased by children of my aunt and uncle.

Oh! This place is beautiful! And such a gorgeous day it was!

It's a lot of steps down to the lake, so THGGM took the camera down with him and took a few pictures. Such a beautiful lake!

I couldn't tell you where it is, but it was 'up north' somewhere.

From there we went to a little town that had a charming used book store and several antique places. We stopped in one of those and I bought a great old celluloid mirror.

From that town it was on to Cedarburg, where we had a lovely lunch in this quaint restaurant. I should have taken more pictures, as on the opposite wall were hung several fabulous old quilts. Lots of great antique shopping there, too.

Wow. That was a week ago already. Time has FLOWN by. My Thursday this week has been awful. I could use a nice antique mall and a strong cup of coffee right about now.

The Skunk

When Pake put Jonge into his carseat Sunday night, Pake saw a very large skunk running across the street.

The noise that Jonge makes is the sound Pake made when he first saw the skunk.

Forevermore, THIS will be the sound that a skunk makes!

The good news is, the skunk ran off without leaving any pesky odor.

On This Wednesday

Famke has become quite the mama's girl! But, she spent the day with me, and we had a great time.

She does have a new activity! She pulls her hair. Hard.

It's really rather funny to watch. That is, until you have to be the one to untangle her tiny little fingers from her silky hair!

Last Week Wednesday

A week ago we were on our way to Wisconsin!

This year we drove through Chicago, something I would never dream of doing, but THGGM became used to it when he worked there for about a year two years ago. I'm so glad he isn't doing that now.

Anyway...

Our first stop was Long Grove, IL. I love it there. It was Halloween, and we almost had the entire town to ourselves. Long Grove has many many quaint and beautiful shops which we looked around in. We bought nothing.


Such a pretty place! The weather was threatening rain, but we made it through without running in to any. I love covered bridges, by the way.

And, sculpture.
After we left Long Grove, we went to the Counio Museum in Vernon Hills. THGGM had toured this when he was living in the area. He knew I would love it, and he was right!

Pictures could not be taken inside the museum, but I did manage to get some in the gardens.

I'm not sure what is wrong with this statues gown, but certainly one would hope her mother would not let her leave home like that.

And, then it was on to Wisconsin, and the beautiful country road that takes us to my aunt and uncle's welcoming home.

Tonight

I didn't hear back about the hospital evaluation for my mom. But, I did get some things straightened out with her medications. She seemed calm and happy tonight. My dad said she was very sweet today. They went out for lunch, and the only thing that upset her was that they forgot to bring Grace. Grace is her twin sister, who also has Alzheimer's. They haven't seen each other in decades.

When I got back from visiting with my mom and dad, I started working in my 'rooms' in the basement.

I cleared my shop table of boxes and plan to use it for less delicate projects. I found some old dining room table pads to cover some of it. There is a lovely florescent light fixture over it, and a large peg board to the side. Really, truly, I am making progress in there! I've even moved in an old dresser, and have empty boxes on top of it so I can get it all sorted properly.

In the other room I'm working to set it up for card making and 'cleaner' projects, like sewing. It amazes me that all of this room - THREE rooms - are MINE! And, I could do all this with THGGM in sight (he was watching tv in front of a very warm and cozy fire in the fireplace). Oh, and I kept feeding that hungry washing machine, which is just across the hall.

Now, the one really weird thing about this. To get to the basement is like going outside. We must leave the warmth of the main floor, travel through a FREEZING cold breeze-way and down into the basement. I do think THGGM will be rethinking where he takes his shower in the morning.

That was my evening. Still unpacking boxes.

Some 'Things' We Picked Up Along the Way

I had a small white dresser on the mantle, but it hardly showed, so when I found this tiny maroon chest with three drawers, I wanted it. THGGM bought it without my knowledge, which makes it even more special. The tiny off white vase is like several larger ones I have in pink and in pale green. I've never seen one this small!

"Hope" will be the word for me this holiday season. Well, and "Peace", "Joy", and "Love"!

THGGM found the braided 'rug' to top the bookcase, and also the reproduction clock. I am SO glad that he likes shopping!

THGGM found this lovely table cloth. Now we can spill on it and have another right at hand!

I found the dove-tailed wooden recipe box for under $5.00 and could not pass it up.

We also went to Taste of Home in Greendale, Wisconsin. I didn't come away with the incredible bargains like last year, but I did get two hardcover cookbooks that were on my list. Well, not a 'list' actually, more like an 'I'll know it when I see it' sort of mental list.

I will try to post more later. I do this because if I don't, I won't remember what we did!