A Different Life II

[Lotus54]

Learning helps keep the brain working.
By Dad got all the latest tech stuff- figuring how to use them.
Until a recent stoke is did great with all of it (he is 96).

He says those in their 70's are just young kids.
HA!


Sounds like you had a great day.

Mark

[Lily&Me]

I will learn, and my son is always available by phone if I have a question...if it weren't for him, we would have been even farther behind the times in getting our first laptop.


Maggie

[Lily&Me]

I must admit to heaving an audible sigh of relief when the amazing energy and exuberance of 4 children is transferred into a swimming pool, and then directed at churning water as fast as they can.

A good thing, and it's why we're here.

We are settled in til tomorrow, the sun is shining and weather mild.

Buddha smiles, Doug would say.


Maggie

[Lily&Me]

My favorite quote these days...

[Lily&Me]

We had a very good day yesterday them swimming while I observed and crocheted , then games in the evening.

We discovered Quirkle last year, and it is an extreme favorite....also easily portable in its own carry sack.

By 8:30, uncontrollable silliness and fits of giggles reminded me that this is what exhaustion in children looks like....off to bed, and fast asleep in minutes.

These kids love each other, and are a joy to watch.

Sweet babies.

More swimming this morning, then onward to Burlington.

Maggie

[Lily&Me]

Yesterday was full, and tiring for Grandma, but the kids are happy and having a great time together...that's the important stuff.

We went to the visitation for Jake last evening, where I saw some members of Doug's extended family that I last saw at his funeral.

Attendees included Jake's rugby team mates, who had framed his jersey and presented it at the visitation to his mother.

If you know anything about rugby, this is not a sport for lightweights....very rough, and played without protective gear...these guys are big and burly, and all still somewhat in shock over the sudden death of one of their own.

The kids are full of questions, digesting another sudden death and trying to incorporate that into feeling secure within their own lives...hard enough for adults to manage, the kids are struggling a bit but leaning on each other and talking a lot. They have been good for each other during this time.

Another swim this morning, then heading home...where I will be tutored by my son in the use of my new television , and finish pulling things together to begin my trek south on Sunday.

This is one of those intense, pell-mell times of year, but I am grateful to be able to go and do and have this concentrated time with the grands.

A finite experience.

Maggie

[DIR1]

You're such a good grandma... those kids are fortunate to have you in their lives... and they in yours as well...

Sunday!!!! That got here awfully fast!!! Or so it seems from out here.... so we're off on a new adventure with Maggie and Lily!!! I'm ready... hugs and love... enjoy the day... keep having fun!!!

[paiceman]

Maggie:

Happy New Year, travel safe. We plan on leaving Saturday.

Bud

[ColoradoLady]

Safe travels, Maggie. Evelyn.

[mimiandrews]

Yes, safe travels and a happy 2017.

[Lily&Me]

Thank you, all, and Happy New Year to everyone here.

I am a lucky woman, to have these sweet and beautiful grands, and I do try hard to make a positive and meaningful contribution to their lives...as they of course make to mine.

They still love to go with me, and to be together, so for that I am grateful, as there will come a time when they will be busy with other things and these little jaunts will be a thing of the past.

I saw my grandparents once each year, both sets living at least a day's drive away.

I didn't long for more, because I never knew anything else, but I was a struggling single parent from the time my daughter was born and know for a fact that parents benefit from a little time off...parenting is stressful, add doing it alone and with accompanying financial hardship and it is just plain hard.

Doug was also a single parent, tho he only had all three of his children on alternate weekends, the other off for himself, and we made a conscious decision when we began having grandchildren to have them to our home on a regular basis...for the children, for the parents, and for us.

I don't do as much as he and I did together, but haven't abandoned it completely and it still seems to be working for everyone.

There will come a time when I can't, and/or when they can't or don't want to.

A finite experience...get it while you can.

I am home, unpacked, and have a fire going in the woodstove.

Going to have a soak in the tub after awhile, and drink a a small bottle of prosecco that I've had chilling in my frig....because, I deserve it.


Maggie

[DIR1]

Yes you do!! Enjoy!!

[ColoradoLady]

Don't have prosecco, but I did buy a bottle of Mumm champagne from Napa valley for New Years.....one glass, then down for the night!

[Lily&Me]

I was asleep very early last night , but feel rested this morning and ready to tear in to trip preparations.

A family gig on Saturday, but my favorite family members will be absent, as they have just moved into a new home farther north, and so I could easily skip it ....but I will go and play nicely for awhile, because it's the right thing to do.

Cupcake Prosecco...such a silly name, as it is not sweet nor fitting the images this name conjours up...a frosted cake, a streetwalker or pole dancer, etc. ...comes in 3 packs of single glass bottles.

It is delicious.

I have a small stash to take south...


Maggie

[Lily&Me]

Early morning light....add a cup of coffee, and it's all one needs.

[Lily&Me]

Interstate is in the drive, and packing has begun.

Had a thought this morning to check out this place...http://museumofappalachia.org/ ...which Doug and I visited fairly early in our retirement travels.

As it turns out, they are having "Days of the Pioneer Antique Show" September 15-16...the week following my Adirondack cabin rental. How perfect is that.

I therefore made a reservation in a nearby state park, and plan to spend that weekend enjoying the antiques and whatever else is offered. I suspect it will feel like home.

Doug and I found this museum when venturing into northeastern Tennessee to search for information on my ancestors, who lived in that area before rafting the Mississippi down to Natchez in 1806.

It is a fascinating place, and I think would be especially great for kids, as there are lots of hands on activities in season....a garden, animals, candle and soap making, etc.

I am getting excited to get on the road. Starting up the Interstate this morning and driving it home put a smile on my face.

30 years ago today, Doug and I had our first date, and the 29th of the month was at least acknowledged...sometimes celebrated...for the next 27 years we were together.

Happy 29th, honey.


Maggie

[Hittenstiehl]

Made myself laugh, read your last post and said to myself, good were going on a trip.

Enjoy your posts from the road, getting settled, exploring and learning the new lay of the land. I envision walks, coffee, tea, lots of crocheting and some new people and adventures.

[Lily&Me]

That's so sweet, Hittenstiehl, and you're not alone as I had an email from someone else who said almost the exact same thing.

My friend Val and I have been emailing back and forth about what to do with our Rumtopf.

I haven't tasted the fruit yet, only the syrup, which is delicious, but she said the fruit "really packs a punch"...soaked in rum and sugar for 6+ months, I am sure it does.

She suggested making a trifle with the fruit....that seems a really good idea.

Pound cake cubes, layered with the rum soaked fruit, and perhaps a lemon curd layered in there for moisture and to perhaps cut the alcohol a bit?

I'm taking Rumtopf to CanOpener, and a trifle might be a good way to serve it.

What thinks thee?

Maggie

[cwf]

All the best for you Miss Maggie!

[Lily&Me]

Hi Channing, and Happy New Year to you!

Have you met mimiandrews? She's down there in Texas with y'all, and has gotten to a few rallies.....

Maggie