tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77345492009-12-15T22:30:16.658-05:00Thoughts of an empty nester. Mostly stuff that only interests me, but you are welcome to read along and comment!Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685judyh58@aol.comBlogger1976125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-68794681988777663822009-12-15T21:32:00.005-05:002009-12-15T22:21:26.071-05:00

How can Kado possibly be six months old already?It's been quite the six months, too.I spend as much time as I can just gazing into his eyes, because I know that soon, VERY soon, he is not going to want me to do that anymore.He sits very nicely on his own, and has just cut his very first tooth!Yes. It's right there where his tongue is pointing.You can't tell from this picture, but he has the

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685judyh58@aol.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-30742644173281711922009-12-15T13:08:00.001-05:002009-12-15T21:30:31.540-05:00

Worked some more on my snowman.I think the next one I make will be with wooden hoops and the remainder of my wool blanket. The wooden hoops should be easier to glue together. I wasn't all that crazy about it, until I popped it into the frame holder and noticed the little shoe fasts sitting on the table. Oh, I DO love how the snowman looks with shoes!

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685judyh58@aol.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-78963208658737194592009-12-14T23:27:00.005-05:002009-12-15T19:45:06.508-05:00

Jonge got control of the little plastic animals while Famke took a very looong nap. He noticed that I had taken a fawn and added it to one of my table-top dioramas. He was not amused and did not approve. Of course, I let him take it back. He said something, but I was busy with Kado and didn't quite catch what he said. Then, after they had been gone for quite a while, I noticed the two dogs on

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685judyh58@aol.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-49692427783701199792009-12-14T22:00:00.002-05:002009-12-15T12:40:22.853-05:00

This morning Jonge and Famke found a great 'lift the flap' book. It opens up and has pictures on both sides. They were amazed by this! Then I remembered that we have a bin full of plastic animals of every creed and denomination in the toy closet, so we pulled that out. While Jonge enjoyed having his band of lions roar and eat things in a corner of the living room, Famke took up recidence in

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685judyh58@aol.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-35081480276450935432009-12-12T22:55:00.004-05:002009-12-12T23:09:45.799-05:00

Really. I do. I have several blog posts in different stages of done-ness. My brain is just not working correctly. I'm sure if I were to lean my head slightly to one side you could see the brain cells falling out of my ear.Today I managed to bring order back to the guest room. Remember how I bought all those great storage thingies so it could EASILY be picked up? This week I fell behind on THAT

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685judyh58@aol.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-22721220945335114602009-12-10T23:32:00.006-05:002009-12-11T00:57:21.116-05:00

Quickly and aimlessly I surfed through blogs early this morning. Someone (i'll identify which blog when i find it again) had a BEAUTIFUL snowman made with two wooden embroidery hoops and a GORGEOUS wool cable knit sweater. Well, I had some aqua hoops setting out waiting for me to embroider the grandkids hand prints. THAT hasn't happened, so I thought I'd try the hoops for a snowman made with

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685judyh58@aol.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-50006468401291335512009-12-07T23:36:00.000-05:002009-12-08T16:17:40.424-05:00

This one is a deep thinking, deep feeling sweet heart. He didn't like the oatmeal yesterday. I bribed him with a candy kiss. He ate it all then, and pronounced it good.He is missing his Pa very much these days.One day last week he told me that it was getting hard for him to remember Pa. So, we talked about Pa a bit, and I lowered the pictures on the fridge so he could see them better. Yesterday

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685judyh58@aol.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-36830254500235529412009-12-07T23:12:00.000-05:002009-12-08T15:46:24.170-05:00

This one is my 'precious'. When she is in her sweet and cuddly mood, she will call me her 'precious Beppe'. In the picture on the left she is eating the 'overnight oatmeal'. She liked it, a lot.In the picture on the right, only a few bites later, she was feeling a bit pouty. I'm not sure why. It was an emotional day all around, I guess.This picture is from lunch. Just before nap time, she got a

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685judyh58@aol.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-16745347992376060312009-12-07T21:29:00.000-05:002009-12-08T15:10:10.233-05:00

Darling Kado.While we ate our oatmeal for breakfast, he entertained us by pulling off his socks and working his toes into his mouth.He is such a sweet little boy.By later in the day, that very first little tooth that is trying to poke through started giving him problems.Even when he cries in pain, he is still such a sweet sweet little boy.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685judyh58@aol.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-77681364446068751292009-12-06T23:03:00.003-05:002009-12-08T13:34:55.013-05:00

This is my Great-Nephew! He too exhibits great musical talent! He can not only play the 'piano' with his fingers, he can also do it with his feet. Which, as you know is quite the feat!

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685judyh58@aol.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-71590885822838829172009-12-05T23:50:00.006-05:002009-12-08T00:31:58.634-05:00

Every year our family celebrates St. Nicholas Eve. I can't say that we do it 'right', but we certainly do enjoy what we do do!Put out your shoes, and St. Nicholas will fill them with candy. I failed to get a picture of our dinner. But, it was excellent! In this picture we have finished the meal, eaten dessert and have enjoyed our coffee.We're just waiting to move the party downstairs for the

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685judyh58@aol.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-7347935331308955032009-12-05T23:18:00.014-05:002009-12-08T00:06:48.638-05:00

For the second half of the festivities, we moved to the basement which THGGM had been working on for weeks to get it just right. We drew names a month ago, and it wasn't until tonight that we became aware whomever's name we had drawn, they had our name too! Weird. I wonder what the odds of that happening are? Jonge and Famke were very excited to open presents, but waited patiently until all

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685judyh58@aol.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-49972331200890469992009-12-05T11:58:00.000-05:002009-12-08T00:08:00.784-05:00

When I visited my mom this week, I picked up the new calendar so I would know what will be going on at the nursing home this month. Why, look what is happening tomorrow!Salivation Army?Hmmm.Proof that proof readers are indeed necessary.Seriously. Sometimes you do just have to laugh.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685judyh58@aol.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-9287990762044977402009-12-04T16:46:00.008-05:002009-12-04T17:36:16.615-05:00

Every year this happens. I tell myself that I will NOT let it happen again, but it does. I get ideas. And, when I get ideas that sound FABULOUS in November, by December they are found to be really Really REALLY bad ideas.Now, I DO like the Snowmen shadow box. But, I cannot bring myself to stick anything down permanently, because once I do it will BECOME a stupid idea. And, since nothing is

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685judyh58@aol.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-69437571440121336462009-12-03T13:46:00.002-05:002009-12-03T14:00:17.276-05:00

At five and a half months, Kado's eyes are not brown. They aren't as blue as they were, but it looks like he's going to have a lovely shade of blue/grey/greenish. Today he was very happy to sit in his little chair and observe the antics of his older siblings. I'm still not too sure about my new camera. It does okay on close-ups, but my outdoor pictures seem to lack something. Oh, well. I'm not

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685judyh58@aol.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-19132297865898483462009-12-01T11:21:00.005-05:002009-12-01T11:38:13.786-05:00

If you read here much you may remember the story about my telling my dad that I'd like to see a hawk close up. And, how since his death that has happened. Well. Today I was sitting at my computer in the kitchen catching up on some things. I heard what sounded like a knock at my front door. NOBODY uses our front door. It's on a main street, and our driveway is off of a side street. Everything

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685judyh58@aol.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-57916111005932652872009-11-30T22:58:00.003-05:002009-11-30T23:26:04.606-05:00

I found a lovely set of metal bells in the C major scale at, of all places, Cracker Barrel. You should get some! Serious fun. And today, while playing 'A Mighty Fortress Is Our God 'I discovered that it is also a full body aerobic work out.Famke had a wonderful time with them too. She was delighted to play Jingle Bells for me. For a veeeeery looooong time. Be thankful the video is short,

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685judyh58@aol.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-38614299337182797982009-11-30T22:07:00.005-05:002009-11-30T22:54:29.077-05:00

Kado appears to be having a good time with the bells. But do notice that in the very beginning of this short video he has a perfectly white forehead. Soon into it he seems a bit startled. Then, notice how a red spot appears over his right eyebrow, increasing in brightness. I hope it was gone by the time he got home. Good grief. I never noticed it until I watched the video.Bad Beppe. Bad

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685judyh58@aol.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-47912790003302604402009-11-29T20:17:00.002-05:002009-11-29T20:25:25.207-05:00

See? Didn't I say in the post below that I would be playing with these? I cannot stop myself. Anyway, I just LOVE this picture. I cannot stop imagining all of the really cool stuff I could add to the scene. I thought out loud about taking a mirror off the wall and arranging them in the middle of the dining room table. THGGM said a resounding "No" to that idea. So, I'm continuing to play.

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685judyh58@aol.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-15785955398855979752009-11-28T23:23:00.001-05:002009-11-29T12:59:34.511-05:00

No. I do not skate, anymore. But do I have fond memories of it. The most fun EVER was when my sister would hose down the backyard and we would skate out there. So when I happened upon these nostalgic looking figures I knew immediately that I wanted them.I did not buy them immediately. Today we made a special stop to see if they were still there. They were. I've been happily playing with

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685judyh58@aol.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-1168885896761459422009-11-27T13:11:00.005-05:002009-11-27T13:54:06.122-05:00

There are fresh new faces, but some old ones are missing. Now the day wears on, with much hugging and kissing. (G. Johnson)Thanksgiving Dinner at my brother-in-law and sister's home in Grant was lovely! The family, the food, the fun!The most incredible thing happened on the drive up. For many years, THGGM and I would stop at my parent's home and drive 'up north' to Grant with them. It takes

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685judyh58@aol.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-10953146386980609652009-11-25T10:01:00.002-05:002009-11-25T10:21:33.027-05:00

I'm finding it difficult to believe that TOMORROW is Thanksgiving. Wasn't it just Thanksgiving yesterday? Seems like it to me. And, a MONTH from today is Christmas? I'm more ready for Christmas this year than any previous years, so I am not complaining. To sooth myself I've been sitting at the piano playing through Christmas music. Such fun. I'd rather do that than bake. Which reminds me, I

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685judyh58@aol.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-73262313308827511512009-11-25T09:45:00.000-05:002009-11-25T09:52:17.125-05:00

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685judyh58@aol.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-75887878301303458162009-11-24T21:48:00.004-05:002009-11-24T22:05:06.898-05:00

This is what I see when I look up from playing the piano. Not a lot of color, but I like the more subtle look. I'm still in the process of floofing the trees and covering up cords. Just when I think I'm done, something else emerges that needs attention. This afternoon I journeyed to the nursing home, alone, to visit my mom. She was in a very cheerful mood and we had a great time singing at

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685judyh58@aol.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-86136324287626595662009-11-24T21:38:00.003-05:002009-11-24T21:47:47.157-05:00

This year, I am happily decorating all of the little trees.On the kitchen tree I have thrifted cookie cutters tied with bakers string. I like how it looks.I cannot STAND mice, especially in my kitchen, but these fictional ones are kind of cute. I wish the light were better, but it isn't. The book is all about making cut-out cookies. Hopefully, sometime between now and Christmas I'll get some

Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685judyh58@aol.com0