Bert Bouma

This is a painting of my grandfather. My mom's beloved dad. It was painted by a friend of his. The date under the signature appears to read 1921.

Grandpa died 35 years ago on this date.

I miss him.

There's a slumber party going on at my house tonight. It's 10:30, and so far I am the only participant who is not slumbering. THGGM is working an unusually early shift tomorrow, so I am hoping that his sleep is not disturbed. I don't care about mine. I can sleep when they leave in the morning.

Anyway, we had a delightful evening. I fed them leftover Christmas food, and they pronounced it good.

And since their food of choice at the moment is oranges even dessert was healthy.

We had a wonderful family Christmas party on Sunday. I didn't get a migraine until it was nearly over. It didn't last long, and didn't return the next day. For that I am extremely grateful.

I'll have to get back here soon and record it, or next year I shall have forgotten everything, except that a good time was had by all. I think, anyway. I know I had a good time.

I took this video of Famke this afternoon. It didn't take her long to discover the camera. Jonge still doesn't seem to notice when I am recording him. Famke noticed quickly. The close up is what we see when she doesn't think she is getting the amount of attention required.

She is one funny little sweetheart.

On the Second Day of Christmas

...I am cleaning up from yesterday in an attempt to get ready for the extended family Christmas party on Sunday.

We had a lovely time, truly, we did. But it shall go down in family folk lore as the Poo Christmas of '08. No more on THAT story will be coming, ever.

And, after I sort, crop and tweak, I may have a picture or two to show. Happy children, happy adults, good food and good family time. It does not get better than that.

Now, on to the 'angsty' Judy sort of post we've all grown accustom to.

While reclining on the couch in the early morning hours, I picked up a book that Oldest Son gave to his father for Christmas (everyone is SO excited that thggm reads now.)

The book is "Yours, Jack - Spiritual Direction from C.S. Lewis". The book is a fabulous collection of letters written by C.S. Lewis, something and someone I find extremely interesting and THGGM is growing to enjoy immensely.

But, being the angsty hormonally challenged tired overwhelmed Judy that I am today, this is what I noticed when I read the very first page, the "Editor's Note".

Now, please, bear with me. This weird little error in editing is on the first page? The Editor's Note page? The FIFTH word in the entire book? A book about someone who was extremely word aware?

Here, before I tell you what it actually IS, I must interject that this will seem odd coming from the likes of me, who fills her blog posts with many poor examples of spelling, grammar and even cognitive thought. But, still. I do not do this for a living wage. No. I do it because. Just because. I have no idea why I do it, I just DO. When I go back and find errors in my posts, I tend to leave them as errors, so you, my dear blog readers, will know what I have known for decades. I'm not all that bright.

Anyway, I give you here the very first sentence on the very first page of the very first thing I read this morning:

"Unless you were a person friend of C.S. Lewis, or one of his many correspondents, you are probably not aware that he went by "Jack" to his friends, a name he landed on as a child and decided it suited him better than his given one (Clive Staples Lewis)."

Now. Did you SEE it?

The fifth word?

"person"?

Should that not read "personal"?

One would think.

Unless, of course, here the editor is referring to the numerous alien, animal and inanimate object friends that C.S. Lewis had, which then would make that fifth word permissible.

Really. Does this sort of thing bother anyone else?

(seriously. i need a cookie.)

Even More Scenes from Yesterday

Waiting for the birds to come.
The first flock, flocking.

More Scenes from Yesterday

While Jonge naps, Famke and I get in a little bit of one on one time. But yesterday I wanted a bit of one on one time with my computer.

So, we brought the "Rock, rock, rock!" into the kitchen along with Sally (who is 25 years old) and a bottle.

Famke fed Sally her bottle while I checked my mail.

That lasted a minute or two.

Famke is quite the little mommy.

Fun at Beppe's House

Could it POSSIBLY be nearly Christmas?

Today Jonge and Famke came to my house and spent the entire day with me. We had a great time.

I am exhausted. But, in a good way.

There were a few holiday related emotional outbursts, but I calmed down nicely after my second nap. :)

It's a lovely winter wonderland we live in, but we certainly could not WALK in it. No. Jonge and Famke would need MUCH longer legs to do that.

So, instead we put on coats and boots and stepped into the garage to 'feed the birds'. I had to shovel a path in the driveway but we did all manage to scoop up several cups of seed for the starlings and sparrows, which later flocked in to finish it off.

Just a few steps outside of the garage was enough to cause fingers and cheeks to become icy cold in just seconds.

Back inside, while I recovered from shoveling ONE short path, I allowed them to wear themselves out by jumping on the couch. This seemed to tire them out enough that good naps were taken by all.

I did not jump on the couch. Just watching them tires me out.

And, this is to add to your list of "Don't try this at home!":

Have you seen those magazine pictures of GORGEOUS ice wreaths made from SIMPLY freezing water and then hanging outside a LOVELY ice wreath with perhaps something interesting frozen inside?

Well. As if I haven't tried enough projects that have failed, I had to add just one more to my ever-growing list.

Sometime this year I bought two aluminum jello molds shaped like a bell. Rather large ones. While reorganizing a cupboard, I found them and thought how nice a set of bell wreaths would look hanging upon my door.

So I added water to the molds, and some red food coloring and as I was putting them into the freezer I remembered that I would need a hole for hanging them.

Setting out in front of me were the ever-present pill bottles. Of course, those wanted to float, so I also had the ever-present ziplock bag of marbles (don't ask).

It really seemed like it was all working out just fine.

Until today when I attempted to unmold them.

Of course, I chose to do this when Jonge and Famke were happily eating lunch at the kitchen table, looking out of the window periodically as we waited for the flocks and flocks of birds to arrive.

First, I noticed that adding red food coloring was a mistake. Just touching the frozen bell once was enough to cause my entire hand to turn bright red.

The bell held tight.

Being the rocket scientist that I am, I thought to unmold them over the sink. Doesn't that seem wise?

Well, it did to me.

Until I heard a lot of 'plinking'.

This was, of course, the marbles from the pill bottle falling into my garbage disposal.

Nope. Trust me. Do not attempt this at home.

(if perchance YOU have been successful in doing this, don't tell me about it until i've recovered a bit)

Because I Don't Own a Pair of Boots

I know. I know.

I have lived in Michigan for 50 years. I know better.

Anyway...

While I stayed snug inside and baked gingerbread men, froze bell shaped ice to hang on my door, sewed, cooked chicken for the cat, and tweaked things around here,

THGGM was out battling the elements. He stayed at it all day. A kind neighbor with a plow widened our driveway, which was a blessing.

Yeah. I'm pretty sure that I will never own boots again. It works for me. ;)

All the gifts I so carefully prepared all year have hit the point where they just look plain old stupid to me. Everything seems to be missing just ONE important piece. THIS is the part of the Christmas 'feeling' that I get every year. That feeling of failure.

I DID complete the cashmere dress for the doll I'm making. Now her shoes no longer match. For 25 cents I got a nice scrap of gray wool at the thrift store. Tomorrow morning I shall awaken early and get right at those shoes.

Today I spent a little bit of time remembering all that I used to accomplish in the Decembers of 'yore'. Tired me out just thinking about it.

Last night I read a short Christmas story by Bess Streeter Aldrich. I LOVE how she wrote.

(i can no longer complete a thought. goodnight!)

A Christmas Meme

This Meme comes from Karen, a dear blogger friend from "Over The Backyard Fence" - http://www.overbackyardfence.blogspot.com/

FIVE THINGS THAT I LOVE ABOUT CHRISTMAS:

1. I LOVE having my family over for Christmas. With my extended family, I love that all we have to say is 'bring the usual' and it all works out without a lot of stress in the planning.

2. I LOVE to sit at the piano and play through all of my Christmas music. I find this soooo very relaxing. I wish I had the piano music to Christmas in Killarney. but I believe I have the music to all the rest of my favorites. At the top of my list is "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day". Remember this: The wrong shall fail the right prevail with peace on earth goodwill to men. Remember this, always.

3. I LOVE vintage Christmas decorations. Especially those Christmas candles that look like singing choir boys. My grandma had an entire bookcase filled with these, and she let me move them around. I have two of them, and I still enjoy moving them around.

4. I LOVE reading Christmas stories. I read them in bed at night. Last night the stories came from an anthology. "Christmas at Orchard House" from Little Women, "Mr. Edwards Meets Santa Claus" from Little House on the Prairie, and several others. But, my favorite reading of all is sharing Christmas books with Jonge and Famke. Jonge likes the Christmas books with lift up flaps He is very good at those. Famke likes to HOLD THE PAGE that has a picture of Mary and Baby Jesus and ONLY look at that page, which annoys some people, but is very sweet.

5. I LOVE the wonder of the Incarnation. The Word made flesh dwelt among us. How amazing.

It's About Time

It seemed about time that I change my profile picture.

I do believe that this is one of my favorite things that I have ever made. It's all made out of bits of this and that.

My day today was absolutely lovely. Lovely, I say.

Famke and I took TWO naps together.

During our first nap we were supposed to be watching "The Polar Express". We watched the first part of it with my dad who, being an old railroad guy, loves trains. Our favorite part was when the train passes Herpolshiemer's.

After my dad left we kept watching it. I totally missed seeing any Santa Claus at all, but Jonge assures me that there was one.

The day just moved soooo smoothly. Lunch was a happy affair. Naps were taken in the afternoon. Books were read. Games were played. Dances were danced. I just love days like this.

Tomorrow another snow storm is scheduled to arrive. My plan is to stay put and finish up all the loose ends.

For someone who posts all of those annoying reminders on the 25th of every month, I feel so unprepared.

I've read many great Christmas stories from late at night to the wee hours of the morning. I'll have to post about those someday, because right now I cannot remember what they were. Just that they were good. Hmm.

She Does the Occasional Meme

I found this at Kris' and tweaked it a bit...

Do you like cheese?
Yes. I DO like cheese. Especially sharp cheddar.

Have you ever smoked?
Just that one time I mentioned in an earlier post. And, I am sure you would have to, under the circumstances.

Do you own a gun?
No. But, there is a mouse in my kitchen and I will resort to guns if necessary to eliminate it.

Do you like listening to Christmas music?
Yes. John Denver and the Muppets and carols played on a harp.

Do you get nervous before a doctor's appointment?
Yes. Mostly because I hate to park in parking ramps.

What do you think of hot dogs?
Not much. I can eat them with spicy brown mustard and vadilia onions.

What is your favorite Christmas song of all time?
I love "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day".

What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
I prefer to drink a mug of coffee with cream and one Splenda, twice in the morning.

Can you do push ups?
I couldn't say. If someone where to yell 'drop and give me five' we would find out now, wouldn't we?

Who is you favorite Grey's Anatomy character?
I do not watch that show. Now, I do have a favorite Gray's Anatomy Coloring Book page, but, that isn't what you asked.

What is your favorite piece of jewelry?
I have a gold heart necklace with a pearl in it (my birthstone) that THGGM gave to me for my sixteenth birthday.

What is your favorite hobby?
Thrifting for craft supplies which I hoard in my basement like a crazy lady. That, and I still do like to rubber stamp.

Do you eat "exotic" foods.
I do not.

Do you have A.D.D.?
I think not. I have the ability to do the same boring things over and over again and ENJOY it. Although I do have trouble sitting still. I keep getting ideas, and have to tweak things, and...

What one trait do you hate about yourself?
Oh, wow. Just one? I hate how I have piles and piles of important piles and piles all over my desk. Which sort of fits in with how I have too many interests and very little follow through because I keep finding more important things to deal with...

What is your middle name?
58. Well, actually, it is Lynn. But it wasn't supposed to be. My mom forgot when the birth certificate lady came by and all she could think of was Lynn.

Name three thoughts that you are having at this exact moment.
1. I can hear a mouse.
2. I hate mice.
3. Despereaux is a movie I shall never see.

Name three things that you bought yesterday.
I did not buy anything yesterday. People do that you know. Not buy stuff. It can be done.

Name three things you regularly drink.
1. Coffee
2. Diet Coke
3. Water

Current hate.
I hate when the phone rings and the Caller ID says the name of the nursing home my mom lives in. I am getting more used to it, as they have to report EVERYTHING that happens. But, still. It scares me and I hate that.

Favorite place to be.
My favorite place to be is on the couch reading books to Jonge, Famke and Uncle Barb.

How did you bring in the New Year?
This old year? By having Jonge and Famke spend the night. Jonge's birthday is January 1st, so we got to be the first to wish him a Happy Birthday, and it was the very first time Famke spent the night with us, so it was great fun. I have pictures on my blog to prove it.

Where would you like to go?
I would like to go to bed, but I have to give THGGM ample time to fall deeply asleep so that I can turn on the light and read my favorite Christmas stories. I'd sort of like to go to New Zealand, too. But then I would have to leave the house.

Do you own flip-flops?
What a personal question. Yes. Yes I do. I don't know where they are right now, as it is very very cold in these parts.

What shirt are you wearing?
I am wearing the denim blue striped shirt I found last month at the thrift store. It suits me.

Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?
Not really. Although, I can pretty much sleep anywhere if I am tired enough.

Can you whistle?
I can, but underneath the whistle there is a strange bellow-y sound that causes my family to mock me. Right in front of me, not even behind my back.

What is your favorite color?
Blue is my favorite color.

What songs do you sing in the shower?
"Oh I like to take my time I mean that when I find a thing to do I like to take the time to do it right." Or whatever "Ear Worm" is floating around in my head.

Favorite girl's name.
Famke is my favorite girl.

Favorite boy's name.
Jonge is my favorite boy.

What is in your pocket right now?
The crinkly wrapper from one of those chewy mint candies with a Christmas tree in the center.

Last thing that made you laugh?
Famke climbed on to THGGM's lap today while he was reading a book to Jonge. She kept sticking her face in front of his face so he could not see the book. She knows how to get equal time. No doubt about that. It was VERY VERY funny.

Worst injury you've ever had.
Let's see.., either the one that removed my eye brow or the one that tore a ligament in my knee. Both happened while I was at home, minding my own business.

Do you love where you live?
Yes, I do.

How many TV's do you have?
Two. One in the den and one in the basement. Two too many, I'm thinking.

Who is your loudest friend?
I do not think that I have any loud friends. People who tend to get migraines tend to choose quiet self-effacing friends who like to read and make stuff.

How many pets do you have?
I have a very old male cat named Barb. Well, and then there is that mouse.

Do you get embarrassed easily?
Why? Should I? I don't think so. Good grief. Now I feel so vulnerable. Do I embarrass easily? Most likely, yes.

What is your favorite book?
My favorite book is "The Bird in the Tree" by Elizabeth Goudge.

What is your favorite candy?
I am diabetic. That means that I am predisposed to loving ALL candy. I adore Peanut M&M's due to the fact that they taste good and contain peanuts, which causes me to believe that I am getting a bit of protein along with the sugar and that somewhere, in the great scheme of things, it's a wash.

What song do you want played at your funeral?
"And another one's gone and another one's gone and another one bites the dust." I have a list somewhere. This is not a question you ask a depressed person at 12:30 in the morning (maybe 'found a peanut?).

What were you doing at 12:00 AM last night?
I was bringing my cat into the basement and noticing how warm it was outside.

What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up this morning?
How blessed I am to greet another day!

And Something Blue

Wouldn't it be great fun to be two years old again at Christmas time?

Everything is a wonder!

We are all about Jesus over here. I've been reading from an Advent book that I read to my kids. This has caused a slight change in what would be considered a 'normal' nativity scene. We have a snake hovering around ours. Day One in our Advent book has a painting of the serpent with Adam and Eve.

Even though our Christmas is about Jesus, we did take some time to write a letter to Santa. We strive to separate reality from fiction, and mostly, we succeed.

That would be why there is a bucket of colored pencils on the dining room table.

Me: What would you like for Christmas?

Jonge: A present!

Me: When you unwrap the present, what would you like to find inside?

Jonge: A surpise!

Me: And when you look at that surprise, what do you want it to look like?

Jonge: Blue!

Me: Okaaaaay. Anything else?

Jonge: A frisbee for Charley. One that works.

Jonge's Uncle has a dog that can actually jump high and snag a frisbee out of the sky. This is so amazing to Jonge, who thinks there must be something wrong with Charley's frisbee. Charley won't even jump to catch food, so I don't think his frisbee is broken. But isn't it so sweet that Jonge cares?

Friday was also Oldest Son's birthday. This is Jonge making the hot fudge for the hot fudge peanut caramel coolwhip birthday brownie sundaes! Jonge is fabulous at pouring milk into bowls and whisking it all together.

I have been a mother for twenty eight years. Wow. It still sort of feels to me like I just got here.

This Was Just TOO Easy!

Thursday when I went to the Christmas Buffet at the nursing home, I wore one of my Christmas Tree pins.

When I got home I took it off and set it near me on an end table. Then thought better of it, as Jonge and Famke would be coming in the morning and I would not want either of them to get stabbed with the pin.

Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I saw this very Very VERY plain candle that I have had forever.

How could I resist stabbing that Christmas tree pin into that plain candle?

I could not.

Next I headed towards my various jewelry boxes and would you look at that?!

A Christmas jewelry studded candle!

And, it cost me nothing. NOTHING!

Run along now and make one for yourself.

Thursday? Wasn't It Just Wednesday?

Late at night is obviously not the best time to take pictures around my house.

Today I tweaked a bunch of stuff.

I put three small trees in the front entry and stuck birds of all kind on them. I like it.

The covered china bowl is not a part of the arrangement. It is the "Snack Fairy" bowl. I may not move it, or the Snack Fairy will not know where to put the treats that Jonge and Famke will look for in the morning.

Tonight we went with my dad to the Christmas open house buffet at the nursing home. We had a great time.

For the most part, my mom was great. She ate very well (she actually eats like Famke) and she was talkative.

When we arrived she was in the hallway waiting for us with one of the nursing assistants. When she saw us, she greeted us with "There's my husband and my daughter, my YOUNGEST daughter, Judy." Although, later, she said something about someone being in their 40's, to which I commented, "That's young. I'm 50." She nearly fell out of her wheelchair in shock! "Judy, when did you do that?", she asked. Just before we left, she looked at my dad and announced, "John. We have not gone anywhere in a very long time!" Well. That certainly is true. Mom has been in the home for over a year now.

Oh. And just so you know, Magnum P.I. premiered 28 years ago tonight. I know this because I was in labor at the hospital with Oldest Son, whose 28th birthday is tomorrow.

Do YOU Ever Get Like This?

I am tired, achy, and in a very very bad mood.

No. You probably don't get like this.

Lacking is even the energy to post my thrift finds from Saturday on my Simply Thrift blog. Does that not show you how bad it is? Well. It certainly shows me.

Let's see..,

It is 8:45 pm. I have been up since 7:00. I'm still not dressed. No make-up. Even I scream when confronted by a mirror.

This was my day home alone and I had plans.

I need to make some Christmas cards and write a Christmas letter.

In the afternoon I ventured down into the basement where I noticed that THGGM removed wallpaper from the area that had been my sewing room, but isn't anymore. Isn't Christmas, like, coming? Aren't we, like, still not done with the bathroom off of the kitchen? Aren't we having, like, a couple dozen people over?

So, I wandered into my basements rooms, which look sad and forlorn as there are unused Christmas trees reaching out to me as I attempted to pass by. It almost felt like they were going to chuck apples at me, like those nasty trees in The Wizard of Oz.

On my work table I found the stamps and cards I had bought to make Christmas cards LAST YEAR, but never did. This kind of thing makes me really angry with myself. But, I gathered it all into my arms and carried it up to the dining room table. It's still there. I also left a trail behind me of the things I dropped but hadn't the strength to pick up.

Maybe I SHOULD write my Christmas letter tonight.

(hee. i just wrote one, but backed over it. you will NEVER know.)

Depression wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't so depressing.

Tomorrow is a new day.

Now I shall go count my blessings.

But, I just had the need to be honest here.

Sometimes life is just hard.

St. Nicholas Day Dinner

The ten of us all squeezed around the dining room table. Jonge sat at one end and Famke at the other. This left us with the feeling that we were at a tennis match, as clearly, all of the exciting stuff was happening at the ends of the table.

The Menu:

Riviera Salad

Yorkshire Pudding

Festive Red and Green Jello

Pumpkin Rolls

Parsley Potatoes

Baby Carrots

Beef/Pork Roast with Gravy

St. Nicholas Cookies

Apple Cake with fresh whipped cream

Happy Saint Nicholas Day from Anybody Home!

I Get It Now

Today I am attempting to finish up with my decorating.

THGGM is not fond of decorating the tree, so he drags it up, making sure it lights up, and then he leaves.

This year we are putting up a much smaller tree, as we need the room. It's just not coming together as well as I'd hoped, so I keep plopping myself down on the couch to try to figure out how I can help the poor thing.

THGGM also explained something to me that I have clearly felt, but haven't been able to put into the precise words that he was able to.

The reason, he says, that he does not like Christmas decorating is that it makes such a mess, which since I only decorate in short intervals, must clutter up our already cluttered up abode for weeks.

Hmmmm.

Much to ponder there.

And to think that I was thinking how profoundly I have scaled back my decorating this year.

Anyway, I think I'll sit back for a minute, contemplate the tree and watch it snow out my window.

Then I'll move on to the kitchen where THGGM, last night, dumped out a coffee can full of screws and drill bits to look for a particular screw which upon having found it, left the contents of the can strewn all over the counter.

Truly, we are a match made in heaven.

The Newest Family Member

Daughter had a doctor's appointment on Tuesday.

At that time, the doctor could not find a heart beat.

So, Daughter was scheduled for an ultrasound this morning.

Needless to say, our hearts skipped more than a few beats while we waited.

I'm happy to report that this little one has a strong beating heart. Really strong legs, too!

Jonge and Famke

I spent my day with these two.

Okaaaay...

Everyone is busy this time of year, are they not?

I am hosting our family St. Nicholas Eve dinner on Friday.

This means there is much for me to be doing.

Just thought I would let you know that I am NOT doing that.

No.

I keep getting 'ideas'.

I'm starting to think that the getting of ideas is my besetting sin.

While looking at the rag doll I made (the first one) I got the idea that she needed clothes that would be more 'huggable' for Famke.

This caused me to DROP EVERYTHING.

I fled to the basement where THGGM had just moved my sewing room to the other side, which meant that my crazy organization was even more crazy.

But, I found what I was looking for - on my first try!

An old cashmere sweater of THGGM.

Soon, Famke's dolly will sport a lovely cashmere sweater dress, with long sleeves.

My plan for the day was to launder and iron the linen napkins (hey. quit laughing. i MIGHT have done that.) But, do you know how CUTE a linen napkin apron would look on a doll wearing a cashmere sweater dress?

My afternoon will involve watching Jonge and Famke while Daughter goes to the OB doctor.

This means there just may be a nap in my future.

Just a few random thoughts:

Why hasn't the news informed me that Mumbai used to be called Bombay? That would help me place events in my mind.

Why did I mess up my sewing machine right at the point when I was catching on to the idea of making PRACTICAL things?

Why do I keep getting headaches?

"The Edge of Sadness" is truly a remarkable book. See? I remarked about it.

Things are bad when I resort to eating chocolate chips straight from the bag.

Things aren't bad, yet, but I could see where that might happen. Soon.

Now, where was I?

Oh, yes.

I was busy.

What Was Your Monday Like?

This was the second day in a row that I woke with a start. Both days it was a fear that I had somehow messed up my dad's medications for the week.

Today I called him as soon as I woke up and had him check his pills. He assured me that they were fine. Still, I just could not shake that feeling, so when THGGM came home from work, off I went to settle it once and for all. The pills were fine.

I should sleep better tonight. Or, maybe not. I had a great two hour nap while holding Famke this afternoon. In the lower picture one can clearly see the tooth that she is struggling with lately. She likes to be held. I like to hold her. It's a match made in heaven.




I don't know what YOU do for fun at lunch time, but today Jonge tried eating like his dog, Charley. Jonge does much better with a fork. Charley just cannot seem to get the hang of holding a fork. Oh, the blessing of thumbs!

In the afternoon we read Christmas books and sang songs. And napped.

What's not to LOVE about Monday?

I had a lovely post about advent floating around in my head, but a wave of fatigue washed it away.

I apparently have a need for a life-preserver for my thoughts.