Slight shock...

I knew Shannon was going to store her classroom stuff at my place but I was thinking--more garage--but when I got home I see my spare bedroom has been comendeered. We will have to reorganize that a bit and some will have to find a home in the garage because she said there is a lot left! Oh my. (I had pictured the spare pack 'n' play in there for the baby.) I am going to free up space in my closet so some can move over there too.

I have been wanting to see Maid of Honor...any girls want to go?

Random Thoughts

So much craziness! I have been running on empty for weeks but tomorrow I leave for Florida so things should slow down. Wait a minute what am I saying, help Shannon pack up class room, sew baby quilt bedding etc, drive 2000 miles, rush around for three weeks, two baby showers, work, have fun, host 4Th of July bash, drive 2000 miles...I don't think there is any relief in site. Oh well, keep my eye on the prize-a healthy granddaughter.

I don't know if I mentioned our neighbors across the street. They are interesting. (insert nuts) They hang out the windows of the upstairs and yell swear words at pass-er-bys and cars. They play music loud enough for China to hear & at all hours of the day or night. And no matter how cold -40 they have the windows open. They have a lot of teenagers stopping and usually they only stop for two or three minutes. You do the math!
All of a sudden--gone--haven't seen or heard a thing for two weeks. Hope they are gone for good!

The crab apple trees are blooming everywhere and it looks and smells fabulous. (Although we have had frost the last three nights.) But I do believe Spring has finally sprung!

Happy Day

Busy memorial weekend. Lots of trips to the cemetary. Lots of brats and beer. Lots of campfires. Lots of old friends. Lots of fun!!!

Also a busy few days including the weekend...working in the office. Only two days until I leave for Florida! See you soon....

Surprise Grandma Shower

Tonight I went to meet some classmates of mine to work on our class reunion. (Which we call our 60th birthday celebrations.) When I walked in one of the girls, Cindy, was sitting at the table and she had made a darling cake complete with pink baby booties, for desert. I was so surprise and thought how sweet of her to make a cake for our meeting and to decorate it with me in mind. Then they said it wasn't a reunion meeting at all--they were throwing me a surprise grandma shower! I was blown away! It was the sweetest thing anyone could have done for me. I got the sweetest cards ever...one even had two darling knit sweaters on knitting needles, how perfect.

I opened all my gifts: T
wo darling onsies from Cindy-one with tiny strawberries all over and a bigger one on the little behind; and one in a soft pink with ruffles on the butt! (I love love love ruffle-butts!) Plus a picture holder with booties.
From Sharon, a darling soft soft knit dress with hot pink flowers and lime green leaves-the little briefs were lime picking up the color from the leaves. It was to die for.
Then from Rose another dress, with briefs, in a softer pink cotton with tiny little flowers embroidered all over it. Just so darling. (The pink booties that Cindy put on the cake just matched.)
And LeeAnn found me a darling picture frame with pink block letters that said, "This is my Grandma--this is me!" For a picture of the new baby girl and me. Everything was wonderful and I was so very touched.
And by the way the cake was fantastic! We all had two pieces. Cindy is one great cake baker!

Then to top off the fun we gals went to the Legion and played Bingo! It was a blast. I can't remember when I ever played bingo before. I would love to go again. I told them when Shannon came home we'd both come. So it's a date.

I don't know what I ever did to be blessed with friends like these. I know I don't deserve them but I thank God for them!

Dinner and a movie

Last night finally got together with gal pals. Had dinner. Mine was boring a small salad and a chicken breast.

Then I came home and we watched the finale of Bones, from Monday. It started out with Booth being dead. (He was shot last week.) I couldn't believe it. But there we were at his funeral-I hadn't had time to properly grieve-when low and behold-he was alive and well, not showing any problems from being shot only a few days earlier. As long as he was shot the FBI thought lets catch a bad guy. Bones was pissed that he didn't tell her and blah blah. I was mad at him myself so I understood her pain.

Tonight I have dinner with more gal pals--and the cycle goes on...

I'm still here

Too busy to read or write. (Except at work of course.) I feel like I have been caught up in a tornado and I am waiting to be spun out!
However, I did find time today to shop at Kohl's with my additional 30% off coupon. John's wardrobe needed an update. I even bought Shannon something...see I haven't totally forgotten about her. But then the baby's not here yet.
We were going to have a campfire and roast brats tonight but the wind is roaring and it looks and feels like snow!

Mother's Day

In the early A.M. dad and I sat around and had coffee-yum. Shannon called and we had a nice visit after the muffin funeral. Then on to the "home" to visit John's mother. We brought her chocolate she liked that. I fixed her hair and she looked pretty.

Then we spent the early afternoon with friends, that are like family. There were several mothers present--the food and laughter was wonderful. I am so thankful for the many wonderful friends I have.

Later we changed into old clothes and went to the cemetery to rip out the winter flowers and put in spring ones. I didn't put in the real ones yet it is still too cold at night. But that was my way of spending a bit of the day with my own Mother-the most wonderful mother of them all. Love and miss you Mom!

Then the hubby and I watched Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters. All in all a very relaxing day.

Two words.

Slaved today. Dead tired. Dinner over. Thank God. Sunday tomorrow. Need rest. Body hurts. Must rest. Nighty nite.

Apple Jack

Yesterday I made two cakes for a party one was a chocolate butter cake and one was a apple spice with Jack Daniels...that I called Apple Jack! They went over big. Nothing left but crumbs. And the best part was I didn't even taste them. I was soo good. Although the night before at my book club I was a bit bad...oh well.

At the party we played the name game. Name the baby girl that is. Lilly was sad and lonely before everyone showed up so to keep her busy I sat her at the computer on a baby name website and told her to find names she liked because Shannon and Jon needed names ideas. By the end of the night everyone at the party got involved and the list of names was atcually pretty great. We emailed them for consideration.

Last night in Duluth it was a lovely night and after everyone else went home Howard and I sat on his deck and studied the stars. We also saw Saturn and it's moon through the big telescope. It was a very nice night for star gazing, and fun to relax with Howie. Then this morning I was lucky enough to go to Lilly and Ian's (niece and nephew) Spring concert. It was wonderful.

Books Books Books

Have to talk about books! Eat, Pray, Love- our club did last year-it was one of my least favorites. I thought some of it was boring.
But last night's book, Water For Elephants, was a WOW! Pick it up at the book store and read a couple pages in the begining and then chapter 3-4 just to get a feel if it's right for you. But I loved it. It is based on true stories about the circus circuit in the 30's & 40's. Also a love story and a end of life's story.

Monday Madness

Why is it every Monday night is a scramble to watch and tape TV shows. Everything I love to watch is Monday nights. Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill, Bones, The Bachelor, & more, plus my favorite...Wildfire. I have to be home and watch several shows just because I am DVR-ing the rest. I can't go anywhere on Mondays. I am terrified that somehow Wildfire won't tape! I DVR it on two channels at two different times and I still won't leave the house. Although this week not much happened and I am pissed...how could that be? There are only two count them two episodes left (show is ending) and they wasted this week with lost little girls we didn't even know. Who cares. Come on with only two weeks to fight, resolve issues and get married they better hurry. And I worn you if that wedding turns out to be with the WRONG guy and they are going to pull an upset--you will hear me scream all the way down in Florida. So two Mondays from now close your windows just in case.

Panic Attack

Yesterday visiting the new mom in the hospital--a bit of panic set in! The baby, only a few hours old, was snuggled on her tummy on Mommy's belly. She was so peaceful I am sure she was thinking, "this feels familiar."
Then Liz asked if we wanted to hold the baby and both John and I answered at the same time, "no!" I was terrified I admitted to him later he said he felt the same. I don't know how I am going to get over that feeling when Shannon's baby is so tiny. I just pray I do. I will have to put Ceasar Millians theory into practice...& draw on my calm assertive energy!

Congratulations Larsons!

Kirk & Liz Larson, some friends of ours, had their second baby this morning--a girl. (Name undecided but blank to be filled in soon.)
We are so happy to report mother and daughter doing fine. Dad is fine too and son Kal, well he is tired and has a big lump on his head from a tumble in the hospital but doing fine otherwise and happy to have a new sister. Kal and Dad came for lunch today, that was so special.

Haven't been posting...too busy. Haven't been reading blogs either sorry. I have been a slave since I got home. Working in the office; cleaning; organizing; sewing...you name it I have been on top of it. Yesterday I wanted to move the TV in one of the bedrooms off a table I plan to take to Florida. (in July) But to do that one move I had to move five big pieces of furniture. (Men can't understand why this goes there, then move that, switch...and so on.) But now everything looks good. As long as I was at it I cleaned my closet, four black garbage bags later, the closet and drawers are much better. I am on a quest to have everything in order before I leave for FL again.

So many things to do--so little time.