Gingerbread House 2011

Since Josiah was born, I started a tradition of having the kids make a gingerbread house.

 It was my first Christmas as a grandmother and I wanted to start something new.   I didn't do this with my children because they didn't have a ready made kit back in the day.  Now had I had this when they were little and I wasn't dirt poor, I would have gotten this for them to do.

I absolutely love this activity.  It sounds simple in theory.  Very few ingredients and just follow the picture.  This is were it gets interesting.  The house is always different year from year.  It has gotten messier and messier.

The first year, my kids balked at the concept but they put it together. It was the first time in quite awhile where they had to work together.  Talk about strong personalities in action.   Josiah had his first small part last year but this year was the year where both if not all three grandkids would be involved.  Or as involved as they could be and if being involved means eating the candy was your part then each had a hand in the making of the house.

I got the idea of building a gingerbread house from Acme a few years ago.  They were selling this kit.  I not only make dinner for Christmas but I am compelled to provide entertainment. 

Maybe I flash back to when the kids where younger and if I kept them occupied they would argue less. As the years pass,  I was open to new ideas to accomplish.  I see the kit and for $10 it doesn't seem like a bad idea.

I am so glad I started this tradition because if you think the years have made them improve their house making skills you are sorely mistaken. 

With so many hands in the mix, little ones eating the decorations, and the royal icing being so sticky it made for a wonderful activity. 

Jackson was looking for any little piece of candy to put his sticky little hands on. 

I truly enjoy watching this unfold from behind my camera. It brings me a smile even as I write this post. I feel like one of those wild life documentary journalist.  I stay quiet in the background and let nature happen. 

Alas, the house didn't make it past the hour after it was built.  It will live on in my memory and my pictures.

The Jane Goodall of Gingerbread House Makers Abbie

Elf Talent

Bill and I were at the Walgreens and I spotted a microphone.  I tried it out and it changed my voice to sound like and elf.  I instantly fell in love with it. 

I have a naturally high voice so this made it ridiculous.  I sang songs from the book that was included with the toy.  Bill even tried a few and I giggled with delight.  It was so light.  I so needed to have some light hearted fun.  I also knew the kids would get such a kick out of it. 

I waited until Christmas eve to spring it on them.  After dinner, I took out the microphone and talked into it.  I could see their heads turn towards me to see what was happening.  The grandkids  loved it.    Miss Olivia turned into a little Beyonce.  The kids took turns singing and screaming into it.  They had so much fun. 

It was the best $20  I ever spent.  My cheeks hurt from so much smiling. 

 Karaoke lovin Abbie



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Christmas Edition

I haven't participated in Meet me on Monday for quite awhile.    I love Java's site.  I wanted to start getting back to things I enjoy doing.  Her blog is one of those things.



Questions:
1.Wrapping paper or gift bags?
I mostly use wrapping paper until I run out then gift bags.

2.Real or artificial tree?
Real

3.When do you put your tree up?
Right after Thanksgiving.

4.When do you take your tree down?
Usually when the tree is so dry and dead that it breaks as I take it to the trash. 

5.Do you like eggnog?
Eww that would be a no.

6.Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes, I do.  He is the reason for the season.

7.Favorite Christmas Movie?
The Christmas Story.  I see it alot during the marathon on Christmas Eve.

8.Favorite Christmas cookie?
Chocolate Chip.  Not very Christmasy but I love chocolate.

9.Where will you eat Christmas dinner?
At my home.

10.Angel, bow or star on top of your tree?
Angel

11.Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
Parking

12.Do you like Fruitcake?
No

13.What are you most excited about the holidays?
Seeing the kids open their presents.

14.Do you open presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?
Christmas Eve. I was always impatient.

15.Will you still be wrapping presents on Christmas Eve?
I start on Christmas Eve.

Last week before Christmas, I hope everyone has a great holiday :)
I'll be in line with the other last minute gift shoppers.

Abbie

Halloween 2011

I would say this is a little late in posting.  I was looking at some pictures and I had to write about it before too much time has past. 
This will occur more often and I probably will be posting Christmas items in July.  (insert laughter).

Some of my grandkids came to my house on Halloween.  I look forward to to seeing what costumes they will be wearing.  The theme for this year was The Wizard of Oz,  at least for half her kids.

Cowardly Lion - Jackson looking so cute in his lion outfit.

I love his little tail!

Miss Olivia was Dorothy. 

Josiah was Wolverine. I guess it is as close as you can get to the Scarecrow, if we were following with the theme of the Wizard of Oz.

As I look at this picture, the costume says a lot to me.  First, he wore it to school and you can tell.  Second, I loved touching his muscles.  Josiah was well padded.  He would pose for me.  Cutest thing.

Third, this brings back memories of when Denis, my youngest, wore a similar costume.  He didn't have padding but he loved to act like Wolverine.  He would pretend his fingers were the blades and even make the sound effects.  I have a video of my boy in a preschool play.  Always brings tears to my eyes.  How fast time has flown by.

Jesse was wearing The Lobster.  It is the first costume that was worn by Josiah.  Everyone of the kids have worn this little red number.  Unfortunately, Jesse fell asleep quickly after arriving my house and I never got to take the picture. 

On this night, Donna Marie and company arrived and took off to grab their loot of treats.  Bill went with them.  Bill loves to walk with them as they get candy. I like to be home and give out the candy and see all the costumes. There were some cute ones out there.

I think it was about an hour or so and they came back and started to raid their bags. 

My Miss Olivia looks beat.  Poor thing she worked hard for that candy.  Walking and trick and treating all over the place earning poops a little girl out. 

Happy Halloween!

My heart

Through all this dreariness, my husband has been my strength.  He has been my sounding board and my refuge.  I do not know how I would have gone through this without him.


He surprised me today with a photo frame for my picture of my grandson's first school picture.  Bill also gave me a nice set of headphones.  That way I can listen to music or tv shows on my computer while I do research.  Its the little things that he does that give me peace of mind and hope.  Bill knows what I need during this time.  


We will also be going to our first ever new years eve party.  In all our years together, we have never gone out and get all gussied up for the new year.  We will be ringing this year in style.  I want to toast this year goodbye and start the new year on a great note.  I hope the new year will be a good one. 

What is special about the dancing part is that he hates to dance but is willing to be "opened" to it.  I know the real truth he is doing it for me because it will make me smile.  Bill knows I love to dance and he knows it will make me happy, if only for a little while. My husband is a good egg : )

I want to write again about all the good things that have happend with my grandkids and with my life.  Life has to move forward. 


I just have to remember to get back up and dust myself off, when I fall.  But its good to know Bill will be there with an outstretched hand for me to grab.

Dusty Abbie

Still Adjusting

I am slowly adjusting to my new role as my father's advocate.  I used to call my parents once a week and see how they are doing

now I call them everyday.  I check up on my dad and see if he is taking his medicines and if he is exercising.  I have to take him on his word since I am here and he is in New York.  I don't always have confidence that he does what he needs to do.  I just have his word and the sound of his voice to get the whole picture. 


It's like your kids.  You can tell if something is on their minds or if they are not feeling well just by how they look or act.  This is a skill I have had to sharpen within these past few months in regards to my parents.


I have time and distance against me and now I am working against my fathers impatience.  My dad wants to feel better and he wants to feel better now.  I wish I could help him but what he has takes time and lots of it. 


He has endured a great deal of pain and dad has always hidden it from me.  He is slowly becoming more open with me.  As I said before, I am here and he is in NY and he doesn't want me to worry about him.  I can understand but I told him that I will worry whether he tells me the truth or not.


Dad told me he wants to go to another doctor about this arthritis and gout.  He feels the doctor is not doing enough.  Dad believes that she will just prescribes pills.  I asked when he last saw her.  He tells me two years ago. 


I told him that things have changed since then and her treatment may be different and would be more aggressive.  I seemed to have to repeat this same  kind of argument with my dad on many occasions.  Dad has a phobia with regards to anything medical.


How he got away with refills for his medicines without seeing the doctors amazes me.  I have accompanied him to several doctors appointments and each time has been an eye opener.  Dad loves to spin a story but he cannot do that anymore, when I get the cold hard truth from the doctors.  I have always seen through him but that didn't stop him from trying.   

As I have visited and talked with him, he realizes I am in it for the long haul and that I want to help.  He worries about work and I am in a position that I have a very understanding boss.  My boss knows my family comes first and work is slow that I can miss some time.  I informed my boss of what I am looking at and what is needed of me in the role of advocate.

In order for me to be more effective in my new role, I need to know everything.  I have to go back to New York and get all the names of his doctors, write down all his medicines, and get phone numbers and fax numbers to the pharmacies.  I need to have a crystal clear picture of what my father needs in order to get him the right road to recovery.

It all starts with open and honest communication between my father and myself.

Fork in the Road

I had been meaning to write for some time but unfortunate circumstances have arisen that prevented me from purging all the thoughts in my head. 

How do I begin?

I looked at my stat and was surprised to see that the last entry was in September.  I can't believe how much time has passed. 


Trying to find the Christmas spirit which is hard, since I don't have little ones in the house.  Kids have a way to kick you in the butt and keep you moving forward.  My husband has done things to take my mind off things if only for a little while.

The reason for the blues.  In early October, my father had a heart attack.  I found out about it almost two days after the fact.  This is courtesy of my mother.  Which is a whole other story.

I raced to be with him and I am told that he will need to have a triple bypass surgery.   My dad needed to have an emergency right away but they needed to get him in good shape.  I come to find out as well as the doctors that he has many other problems.  My parents neglect to tell them about the other conditions that he may have currently. 

I come to find out he has kidney issues, prostrate troubles, and he is severely anemic. He has arthritis and gout.  Every day a different doctor came in because a new malady appears.   

How I wanted to run screaming from the room and have my Bill take me away.  Cry into his arms. Go home stay in bed and eat junk food.  There is a song by Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars.  A verse goes "If I lay here, if I just lay here would you lie with me and just forget the world."  This was never an option.  I had come to realize I needed to step up and take control of the situation.

I had to inform each new doctor about what was learned prior to their arrival and what my dad was feeling at that moment.  For some reason, the man, who I saw as the most proactive person in any situation, was not saying a word.  He was hoping for it to be all a mistake.  My dad was hoping at the last minute that he could go home and not have the surgery. 

My mom was not helpful.  She made it known that my father was a grown man and he can handle the situation.  If he needs to say something, he will.  I found out in the course of a day that was so not the case.

I turned into my dads advocate, defender and drill Sergeant. A role that is opening new roads in my life.  Making me look at my parents differently and questions are coming up that can be life altering.    Will I be prepared?

My father survived the surgery and he is home.   His heart is doing well.  We have to tackle the problems that were pushed to the side for the surgery and are now front and center.

He has a long recovery ahead but at least he has a heart running on all cylinders.

Its a start.

Mom, I have something

Many events happened over the summer.  There was one particular week that was out of the ordinary and I have decided to spread it over several posts.


Bill was going to pick me up from work and asked if I would mind going to the mall with the kids.  I didn't see a problem with it.  I looked forward to seeing Sean coming to my office.

It had been awhile since Sean came to my job.  When he was in grade school, I would pick him and Denis up and come back to my job to finish up work.  He and his brother would share a desk and start doing their homework.  Sean wanted to show S my little office, so I gave her a quick tour.  Not much to look at, it is just one room. 


As we was getting into the car , Sean makes an announcement.  He tells me that S and him are getting married and that they will be getting married next week.  I can't begin to count how many OMG's I said. Thoughts are flooding my head.  When, where, how, what, and especially why!!!!  She is not pregnant.

Time seemed to freeze for what seemed like hours.  My head was flashing back. It wasn't too long ago, when I thought it was over between them.  Sean was going through a devastating time with S.  The hell the entire family went through was insane.

Being so far away and not being with him to help him tore me up.  Sean was left alone.  He wanted out he couldn't deal with it anymore and now he is telling me that he is happy and he wanted to marry this woman. It's what he wanted.


Should I be happy, mad, excited,confused?  To say that I was a mixture of emotions is an understatement. I looked at Bill for a cue on how to react but he is a poker player.  He was driving and didn't give anything away. I am more of the open book. You can tell by my face what I am thinking and feeling. I hope I didn't come across too bad.

As much as I wanted to truly enjoyed the moment, it was hard.  Worry seeped in and I started to look at all the options.  My son would be legally tied to her and if he wanted out there would be no way she would let him go.  I am  a bit of a cynic where marriage and the law are concerned. 

The past experience has shown that I am right to be worried.  Should I let it go and move forward?  The answer is yes.  I have to let him make his own decisions.  Marriage is hard even during the best of circumstances.  I truly hope they are were they need to be.


As a mom, you want your children happy. To see him happy made my heart soar. But the mind was still searching for any regret in his eyes.  Any plea to get out of this situation.  None was to be seen. 

I think I said congratulations.  At least, I hope I did.  I turned in my seat to face the road.  I took a moment to take a breath and think about the stunning turn of events.  I thought we were just going the mall.  My son thought differently.

For some reason, my children like to tell me life changing decisions when I least expect them.

Bombshelled Abbie

Full House

Most of my posts are usually written in one afternoon.   For some reason, I was looking at my past posts and noticed this one.  Apparently, I had drafted one and forgot about it.  I had finished it but I didn't publish it.    I think this will tie nicely with the series I have been composing. As I look at this day,  I should have known something was coming my way. 

My son and his family will be coming home by the end of this week.  I haven't seen them since April.  I was planning to fly out and see them.  They wanted to surprise us but they had to tell us before we bought  tickets.


Plane tickets are outrageous and if you change or cancel, the fee is astronomical. I appreciated the heads up and for saving me a bit of money.  I guess the money will still fly out the window but it will go to my angels and not the airlines.

There are so many things  I have to do to prepare for their arrival.  I have to paint their room but with the time and humidity  I will have to hold off until they leave.  My daughter is planning to loan a portable crib.  I have one but I need another for the other baby,  There will be two this time.

Last time, I had all of four my grandchildren.  Now I will have six.  I am over the moon.


I have missed waking up and hearing Zoe's little voice wanting to get out of the crib.  Well, it wasn't her voice it was more of her moving in the crib.  I have bionic ears when she is near.  I would gently open the door and pick her up and take her with me to the family room.  That way the kids could sleep longer, if they'd like.  Pappy would have his turn as well.

I had to go to work on most days in the morning, so Bill enjoyed his one on one time with Zoe.  He is a great pappy.  They were like two peas in a pod.    I guess he will have to add another pea to the pod.

I have to get a ton of food and things.  They plan on staying for the rest of her maternity leave with us.  She has to return to her military duty.   I am hoping that they do stay a month but it will make it that much harder when they leave. I'll cross that awful bridge, when I have to.




 Welcoming Abbie

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The Children's Museum

We went to the children's museum.  It was pouring down rain.   Drenched, we went inside to show Zoe a good time.  The section that is meant for her age is a walk way. 

Zoe happened upon a beaver.  Sean got a hold of him and entertained her.

Zoe also came across the fox, who happened to steal her heart and a kiss.

Zoe loved this table.  She cleaned all the leaves with a spatula that she found.

Zoe watched as I turned the wheel to have the little beaver pop out of his home.  I had him play peek a boo with her.

Nothing better than being in Pappy's arms.

Hard Hat Zoe

Zoe loved this slide.

Zoe enjoyed playing with this.  I forget what it is called.  I know you push things along.

I love this family!

  We had a great rainy day!

Abbie

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Old-Timer

Ever since we moved into our home 5 years ago, we have had a passing visitor.  On the coolest of nights when the air conditioner is turned off and the windows are open, he passes by on his journey.

I have always enjoyed sleeping with the windows wide open.  Nothing sounds better then hearing the crickets chirp and the trees rustle softly as I go to sleep. 

I lay in my comfy bed and sleep when I am awaken by this stench.  It has filled my bedroom.  I go to the window and the aroma is just pouring into my room.  I close it and then I run to the bathroom and get the febreeze.  As I am running, I can smell it in the other rooms.


I start spraying as I walk back to my room.  Leaving a trail of aerosol fumes.  I saturate my bedroom until I think it is gone.  So pissed that my sleep was interrupted and that  I had to get up and do some damage control.  All the while, I am hoping that nothing has stuck to any of my clothes.

I have often wondered why there would be a skunk in this area.  I live right outside of the city.  Why does it stick around our in our tiny development? Every year, I hope that he finds a new neighborhood to live in and every year I am disappointed.  He would make me insane and beg for him to go away.


My son from his window would see him meander up and down the road over the years.  Denis told me he had the widest white streak and he was massive.  The skunk strolled the streets like he owned the road.  The skunk was a scourge to my sleep routine.

It was a game for this skunk.  I think he would wait until I was in a deep sleep then pass my window.  He didn't need to be close for the gentle winds would carry his stench into my window. 

I would then be forced to close the windows, spray the area, then put the fan on at ungodly hours.

Since it was summer, I would have the windows closed due to the horrendous heat.  AC is the best invention ever!!  I didn't have to worry about the odorous little dude.  I slept in comfort.  No worries. 

A couple of weeks ago, it cooled considerably and the ritual began all over again.  I slept with the window open but he didn't come around.  He let me have one night.  And only one night. He lured me into a false sense of security because the following night he hit.  I guess subconsciously I knew it was a lie because the smell wasn't so bad.  I got to it in time.  But my restful night was ruined.

A few days ago, Bill told me that the skunk got run over.   He expected me to hoot and holler but what he got instead was pity.  Can you believe I felt sadness?  He was an old skunk who lived a very long time and he got run over by a car.  You got to respect an animal to be able to survive dogs, cars, and the heat for that long of a time. 

Maybe I have Stockholm Syndrome?  You know when you feel empathy for your captor.  That could only explain why I feel sad for the foul smelling guy. I'm nuts.  Plain an simple.

All Bill could do was shake his head. As long as we have been married, I still surprise him.  Did I tell you he is a saint of man? 

Captive Abbie

Little Liam

I could have stared at his blue eyes all day.  Provided that he held them open that long.  Liam tended to sleep more often than not. 


I have a weakness for blue eyed men.  Liam is also the apple of my eye.   I can hold him all day.  Probably spoiling him too much but I need to have him in my arms as much as possible.  It had to get me through until I see him again.


Sometimes  I would come home from work and pick him up saying I haven't had him all day.  Of course that was after i smothered Zoe with loads of kisses and hugs.  Sean and  I would huddle with Zoe and do a round of speed kisses.  She would laugh.


Liam would get angry when I tried to do that.  Did I care?  No.  He needed to suck it up.  : )    I would get him every chance I could and just hold him.  I did apologize to S about spoiling him.    Liam liked to be held and I liked to hold him.  It was a mutual partnership.

I miss that little guy.

Abbie

Homework Revisited

I pick up Josiah once a week from school.  Today, Donna Marie asked me to do homework with him because she had a lot to do tonight.  She was planning something for her husband's birthday and she wanted the kids to help her with making the cake. 


I was a little hesitant.  I am not the parent.  I am the grandparent.  I am supposed to be fun one.  Let them play with the toys. Easy and not demanding and to spoil them rotten.  I think it is written in a grandparent handbook. I take this very seriously.


I am also supposed to get my kids to roll their eyes, when I let their children run amok.  I am supposed to hear "you never let us do that or eat that when we were young." That is so correct!  I was your mom not your grandparent.


Josiah and I came home and I fixed him a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  He was hungry.  I let that slide down his belly before we went to the dinner table and started the homework assignment.


I have said this before,  I do not think 5 year olds need homework.  I think kindergarten should be like an intro to school.  Simple.  Learning the rules. Getting used to the environment.  I think it is too soon to be bogged down by homework.  My angel had a lot of homework!


He had to write a few words 3 times each. Josiah had to write the numbers 1-20 one time each.  He forgot to bring his composition book so Bill made his own lined paper for Josiah to use.  We didn't have loose leaf.  It worked out quite well. 


What I want to know is, what happened to coloring and story time and playdoh?  It is still learning with no intense writing. My kids had a great time when they started.  Very little homework and it was only for a few hours.


The children in my area now go for the full day.  I think it is a bit of an overkill.  They have school work and learning all day and then to continue at night.  I know they want our children to be more competitive but this is ridiculous.   It took us an hour to do homework and I was beat.


It brought up anxiety of needing patience and to constantly repeat myself and to guide the child.  He didn't want to do homework.  He wanted to relax and have fun with his toys.  I don't blame him one bit.  He did a great job and I wanted to treat him with something sweet.    I


I gave his this candy. 

It lights us when you hold the pumpkin shaped candy.

It was fun but it tasted awful.  Josiah ate it .  blah.  It tasted more gum paste than sweet.  I guess kids will eat anything as long as it is candy. 


I'll have to make sure to have extra special treats, if I have to do this again.  I am no hurry to do this again.

Not a Substitute Abbie

Soccer Days

Donna Marie asked me to help her on Saturdays.  She has a few of the kids enrolled in extra curriculum activities.  Josiah is on an All sport clinic and the first sport is soccer.


We walked to the field while she went inside with Jackson for swimming lessons.  Donna Marie said Jackson screamed for the first twenty minutes and slowly got used to it.  He likes the baby pool but was not happy being in so deep so hopefully he will lose this fear.


Donna Marie lived at the pool when she was little.  She reminded me of a little fish.  I am so happy that
she is doing this for the kids.  I want them to be open to many experiences in life.


Josiah was a little shy as were some of the kids. 

The instructor did a very well with the kids and had them do some stretches .

She had them do running drills.

 What made it funny was the fact she told them to run to her and they and they did.  They all crowded around her.

 She had to say more clearly that she wanted them to run to the line she was on.

She taught them to dribble the ball. 

Donna Marie and Jackson met us on the field when they were done with his lesson.  Jackson looked tired.  Screaming his head off can do that to a person.  He likes the Kiddy pool but not the big pool.  He started to warm up on the last 10 minutes.  Jackson watched his brother practice while holding a soccer ball.

 Jackson was going eww his feet just touched the wet grass.  I love this boy!

After the lesson, it was the parents turn to play with the kids.  Josiah enjoyed this. 

Good first day!
 


Soccer Grandma Abbie

Ireland in New York

  A couple of dear relatives of Bills were in the states.  One couple was on their honey moon and she brought her brother and his fiance for company.  They had never been to the US and wanted experience travelers.

We met them in Times Square.  I thought I would have noticed Dee first but I recognized Dermot, her husband first.   The saw the Naked Cowboy walk around with his guitar.

It was so good seeing them.  I had missed them.  I was introduced to Liam, Dee's brother and Ann Marie, Liam's fiance.  I didn't get a chance to meet them the last time I was in Ireland.  He was busy getting engaged at the time I as visiting. 


We went to Planet Hollywood for lunch.  As you walk in, they take your picture.  The picture was good but I am not paying $24 for one picture and some magnets.  I took a few, it was a little dark. 

We ordered a couple of rounds of drinks to start the lunch!!

Dee had asked what we should see.  We were supposed to take  them sightseeing but Liam spoke up and said we didn't have since to go anywhere.  I didn't know what to do.  I asked Dee and she said we didn't have to do anything. 

Liam, Dermot, and Ann Marie wanted to do a "session".  They hadn't done one  since they arrived.  I didn't know what it was at first, but I was all game.  In other words, go do some serious drinking.


We went to an Irish pub .  Dee wanted to sit outside but there are no bars where you can in Times Square.  We got one that did a close job.  We sat just inside the bar but the wall was missing and you felt like you were outside.

The drinks flowed 

and flowed they did.

I almost kept up with them.   I had cosmos.  The others had beers. I think I was behind by no more than one.  Not that I was trying to they went down smooth.

Bill ordered the first round of shots..  They were called Baby Guinness.  They were delicious.  Dee thought they were too sweet. 

We got one more round than someone order a sour apple or apple sour shot.  They were amazing.  We had two rounds of those.  Some time later someone order a redheaded slut.  It was ok.  They went down.

Things start to become a little fuzzy but someone wanted to go to another pub. 

We went to another place and had another  round.  We had been drinking for 8 hours.  I could believe it .  Around 7pm,  Bill ordered us some fries.  Let me tell you that they were the best fries in the world.

We had a great time.  Liam commented that he enjoyed meeting us.  Ann Marie was happy that we could hang.  She had a great time and knew that Dee wouldn't have had us over, if we were fuddy duddies.   

I had an awesome time with them. 

Glad Bill and I took pictures.

Mind you I have no idea how but they came out great . Except for one.  It looks like I am falling off the bar stool  lol
I am not showing that one!

Boozy Abbie