The Big Weekend is Coming!

I'm still not quite "in the groove" around here since returning from my trip.  It's been a wonky week.  One planned day off school, and two inclement weather days.  All three of those days meant no rocking babies for me, since all the mamas and babies were staying home to keep warm as well.

It's been a sort of second winter break for us, and we did some running (of errands, don't think we're getting all crazy around here), and some snuggling under blankets holding cups of tea and hot chocolate.  All that to say that it seems that not much has gotten done around here.

The catch-up with laundry is going S-L-O-W.  So glad I was up to the minute on laundry before I left for Florida!

AND, this is our big birthday party weekend!  Our daughter will be SIXTEEN on Sunday, and I know what you're thinking: how can this be possible???  Oh, that wasn't what you were thinking?  Well, believe me, it's the question that's been on my mind.  You might remember that I told you she got her temps the other day.  The next day, I took her out to one of our church's campuses -- where there is a big empty parking lot.  It was her very first driving experience, and in the short time that she circled around, braked, parked, and etc., there was already great improvement.  Doesn't she look happy in that picture below?  That was taken right after I got out of the driver's seat, and she got in.  Don't worry.  I was in the passenger seat the whole time she was practicing.

There's been a lot of "fluffing of the nest" in anticipation of a house full of birthday party revelers.  Some of our old favorites have found a new home.  There's still lots of winter decor around the house (afterall, we're still very much in the middle of winter!), and there are touches of red everywhere as a nod to Valentine's Day.  

New curtains are in the line-up for the living room and kitchen [remember this FB post?]  -->

So, I got a great deal on some living room curtains @ Penneys [don't have them yet] and I really hope that we like them because... I totally removed the old window treatment, washed it (a swag), and put it in the Goodwill pile. Hey people. I'm on a roll.  

but I don't know if we'll have time for a curtain-hanging project before the party, so I am keeping Nester's favorite line in mind: "It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful."  I'm not stressing about it.

What's new with you?

Be Safe. Be Smart. Be in Prayer.

I hope you all are staying cozy today.  We are on our THIRD inclement weather day, and our daughter is still waiting to finish up her second day of exams to end the semester.  It seems it's the semester that will not end.

Yesterday, we used our day off wisely, and went to get my girl her "temps."  She will be 16 on Sunday, and has been waiting patiently for the right moment.  Yesterday was finally the time.  She is desperately wanting to get out and do some driving.  I'm trying to encourage her that these days are better for snuggling under blankets at home.  I'll let you know who wins.

                                     

           

The roads around here are not bad.  It hasn't snowed since Saturday, so road crews have [for the most part] had time to catch up.  This morning's news reports were not particularly encouraging when it came to the roads between here and Florida, though.  My parents will be traveling those roads at the end of the week, and I would appreciate your prayers for them.

There are so many others that need our prayers as well.  Many are stranded on the highways, while some have slept somewhere other than their own beds in order to stay out of harm's way.  Strange highway scenes abound on the news.

All photos: Colony Cottage Recreation Center at The Villages, Florida

One friend's hubby is a Georgia teacher that stayed overnight at school with children that were not able to be picked up in the storm.  Power is now out.  Prayers would be appreciated.

Another [southern] friend's hubby abandoned his car after seven-plus hours in traffic and walked home.  While she was thankful for his safety, this friend reminded us to pray for those who are still stranded -- be it on the roads, or in schools... wherever.

Be safe.  Be smart.  Be in prayer.

Home

The reports from Ohio were not good as we waited in the Orlando airport on Saturday, but announcements on the airport's P.A. system said there were no delays.  I was more concerned about what was going on at home, and whether or not my sweet hubby and daughter would actually be able to make it to the airport at home to pick us up.

I shouldn't have worried.  My husband is fearless -- our daughter too.  They put on all of their warmest outer-gear, and were waiting outside the baggage claim area after we had picked up our suitcases.  Absolutely no waiting involved.  Seamless.  I should have known.

You know that feeling?  When you are in "return mode" from a trip, and can't wait to finally reach your destination... even if it IS just back to reality?  I was in that mode.  Couldn't wait to see my sweet family. Couldn't wait to hear about THEIR adventures.  Couldn't wait to hear about Daddy grilling outside in 10 degrees.  And about all of the shopping they did.  (My hubby loves a good after Christmas/January clearance bargain.)  This year, his finds included a duplicate of a favorite furry "throw" blanket that we all try to get "dibs" on, and long-johns.  Yes.  Really.  And yes, thank you.  They are cozy.  LOL.

While my family just sat and smiled at me, I emptied the dishwasher, and reorganized the kitchen drawers after my hubby said, "You'll find things put away... everywhere!"  (meaning: everywhere they DON'T belong.  Hey -- at least they were put away!!)

We talked about where I had eaten (out) all week while I was away, and what THEIR menu was.  I left a note reminding them of three leftover or pre-made dinners that were waiting for them in the freezer, however, they did their own thing (remember the grilling?), and I returned home to three freezer meals still available for ME to use.  I don't mind not cooking for a few more days!

No baby-rocking at church this morning.  Schools are cancelled.  It's cold.  At not even 10AM, we've reached our high today, and temps are headed back down!  Time to thaw one of those freezer meals, and snuggle in the new blanket.

It's good to be home!

All Good Things...

I can recall countless occasions as a child where I was SO SAD to have to leave a party, or a family gathering of some kind.  That stayed with me through my teen and college years.  I never wanted to be the one to have to leave first.  I didn't want to miss anything.  I can recall being told by my parents that all good things must come to an end.  Well obviously.  But that didn't make me any happier about it.

Dad and Jill

And then motherhood happened, and it became my job (in part), for the good of our family (and in the name of a routine bedtime), to call an end to the party.  At Grandma & Grandpa's, we would often set a five or ten minute timer reminding the kids that when it rang it was time to go home.  No arguments.  For sure our kids took after their mom when it came to not wanting to leave the party too early.

Me and Mom

This wonderful week has been a party of sorts for me.  I've been treated [by my brother-in-law and his frequent flyer miles] to a wonderful week with my sister and our parents -- my beautiful family of origin.  I've been treated by my parents to every meal that I've enjoyed this week -- just the four of us out to eat.  Just the four of us to see  not one, but TWO movies!  ("Saving Mr. Banks" and "Gravity").  Just the four of us slowing down the traffic in the aisles at The Fresh Market, trying to decide what bulk bag of delicious morsels we'd each like to bring home.  Just the four of us at Walmart (also slowing things down) deciding which bag of munchies to bring home.  Just us four laughing too loudly at some private joke.

Meanwhile, my own family has been at home, cheering me on to "have a great time!" -- all the while enduring bitter cold, inclement weather days, adjusted semester exam schedules, and dentist appointments.  Real life.

This has been a fabulous week in ways that I cannot even begin to express.  I'm so grateful for my sweet sister, and my wonderful parents who taught me that all good things must come to an end...  because the party's over, and this party-girl is headed home.

Stay tuned.  Next week, I'll share some of our adventures!

Telling Tales: The Safe

Today, I'm telling a tale on my beloved Grandpa.  Watching from heaven, he will get a charge out of this, and his getting fifteen minutes of fame, so to speak.  (Were he alive, I'm sure I would have to explain to him why being talked about on my blog would not in fact, make him famous at all.  But I digress.)

My grandpa was a creature of habit in so many ways.  He frequented many of the same restaurants, donut shops, and banks [for example] as a matter of routine -- and was known as a "regular" I'm sure, in those places.

He was also a note writer.  Actually, he and my gram BOTH were famous for jotting down notes to remind themselves of things... a habit that served them well in their older years, to be sure.

Grandpa had a box in which he kept the household cash.  It wasn't a fancy box, but it was secure in a spot where no one would suspect.  Just between himself and my gram, they called the box "The Safe."  There were regular deposits and withdrawals from The Safe as needed, and for sure, there were reminder-notes to himself about how to handle the cash.

One day in particular, he gathered some cash from The Safe  in order to make a deposit at the bank.  When he arrived at the bank, he sought out his "regular" teller, and handed her the cash.  As is a teller's routine, she started counting the cash, but halted at a hand-written note among the bills.  Alarmed, she stopped and said something like,

"Mr. B.,

Because I know you, I am going to ask you to explain this note."

She pushed the note towards him.  In his handwriting, the note said, "GET MONEY FROM THE SAFE."

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I couldn't make this stuff up, folks!  At the time (over 25 years ago), I think Grandpa explained, and he and the teller had a good chuckle.  Grandpa walked away without incident.  I'm not sure that's how it would've gone in 2014!