DH and I went and saw this after church tonight. G.O. S.E.E. I.T. It was just fabulous, and you don't want to miss it - whether your marriage is fabulous or struggling or somewhere in between. I can't rave about it enough. Bring kleenex, for you and your spouse - it was that good.

I also bought the book referred to in the movie, 'The Love Dare'. I think it's available at Barnes and Noble and Borders for $11.99, and you can also check out the website, www.fireproofmymarriage.com for some great date ideas, hotlines, etc.

I would have seen this even if they weren't serving popcorn!

Labels: Busy Buzz, Family Affair, Glimpse of the Heart

We've been planning a slumber party - with our 2 year old grandson - for a few weeks. His parents had an out of state, work required trip planned and we were to have him with us for the first 36 hours, before the second set of grandparents took him away for slumber party, part 2.

The night before Jeremy and Leslie were to fly away, Landon took a spill down a flight of steps. Indoors and carpeted, but still he wailed long and loud. He's right at that 'I Do It M.Y.S.E.L.F.' stage and had gotten pretty good at managing the steps inside his home. Unfortunately his Go Diego Go shoes didn't go quite as fast at the upper part of his body and he took the fast way down. Because he was still using the arm, didnt seem to favor it, etc. they decided it was probably just a bit tender and would be fine.

I dropped them at the airport and our adventure began. We met Papa for lunch, and when Landon took a tumble running down the hall of the office, all the while chanting 'Run, Papa, Run' he seemed more upset than normal.

We decided to go out for pancakes, Landon's dinner request. At the restaurant, when I rolled up his sleeve so he could dip his pancake in syrup he cringed and I could feel his little wrist pop.

We headed home, and Landon played with Dublin and Dan's old dinosaurs while Don and I watched the beginning of the debate. There was a casualty early on in the evening when Dublin chewed up Mr. Farmer from the Fisher Price set that has lived at our house for a good 20 years.


After putting on his sock monkey pajamas, reading a book about horses, lots of snuggles and kisses and prayers, I tucked him in. The list of instructions his momma sent made it easy, and Landon didn't seem to mind that I read the lines as I sang to him. He didn't seem to mind my off-key singing either.


If you add up the sleep he and I got, together, it likely would not equal a good night for one person. He didn't cry. Rather I woke up to "Al-le-lu-wa, Al-le-lu-wa!' coming through the monitor loud and clear at 2:30 am, and "Row Row Row Your Boat' at 4:30 am. He wasn't upset, he just wasn't sleeping and this kid normally could win the sleeping Olympics. When I gently took off his pj top this morning, very slightly pulling on the sleeve, and he winced, I decided he probably should go to Urgent Care, just to be sure.

Six x-rays later, they were sure. He broke two bones in his left wrist. He hadn't favored his arm because his arm didn't hurt, just his wrist. So he has a temporary cast, and a sling, and when you add the runny nose from the cold he woke up with this morning, he looks a bit pitiful. Monday morning Mom and Dad will take him to get a more permanent cast, but this temporary one relieved the pressure on his wrist, and the bear and multiple giant Bob The Builder Stickers didn't hurt either. As soon as the temporary cast was on, he went through the Urgent Care office, giving everyone hugs and even a kiss here and there. Except for the two x-ray technicians who were the source of his pain. He wouldn't even look at them.

We came home and had ice cream for lunch, before Grammy #2 picked him up to take him away for the remainder of the weekend. I feel badly for his Momma and Daddy - it's bound to be hard to be far away when your little one is hurt. Hopefully they'll have an adult version of ice cream, or maybe just ice cream, for lunch today.

So the slumber party started well, the middle was a bit rough, but it had a good ending. Before I shut my eyes tonight, which will be about three hours earlier than normal, I'll be sending up a prayer for a little boy, his other grammy and his parents too - five years from now it'll make for a good story, but right now we all feel much like I remember feeling, after slumber parties when I was about thirteen years old, and we stayed up the whole live-long night, freezing each others' bras, and playing Quiji board or calling all the boys in our class and hanging up when they answered the phone. I did take his photo because of course everyone needs to capture on film their first slumber party broken bone!

Labels: Family Affair

So here's how the painting gala weekend ended up:

I painted two walls of the garage with dry-lok which is a bit like painting with gritty pancake batter. You look really lovely at the end of the process. Don never lifted a paint brush, after expressing his extreme dislike for the chore.

Here's what he did instead, being eternally grateful for not having to lift the cursed paint brush:

Replaced the nasty ceiling tiles in the rec room
Fixed the storage room closet door that was sticking
Adjusted the setting on the attic fan
Vacuumed up all the bat poo in the attic from our recent visitors
Ran to the hardware store to buy more dry-lok, kilz and ceiling paint
Replaced the plug on a broken lamp
Repaired the broken corners on the pool table
Vacuumed the entire basement

One of us could use a manicure, but it's a small price to pay for so many items off the list. By Sunday afternoon one of us was piled up in the leather recliner with an icy brew and the remote, watching his favorite team play football. One of us took a hot shower, put on pjs in spite of the early hour, and curled up on the sofa with her bag of knitting. And both members of this union will start the new week, feeling like happy campers.

PS. No need to mention to him that he could have gotten away with just sucking up the bat poo for me to feel like the count was even!

Labels: Family Affair

Because we tend to be a laugh a minute and are always busy as bees, living the beautiful life, we decided to go completely over the top this weekend and paint the garage. That hasn't been painted in a good thirty years. While it's raining cats and dogs outside.

We're not only really fun people, we also are a little OCD so we put this weekend's plans on the calendar several weeks ago, figuring first we'd paint the garage walls, next weekend would be spent painting the floor and throwing those cool chips onto the wet paint to jazz it up a bit, then the next weekend will be spent power washing the picket fence. See? Our fun plans rate right up there with flying in personal jets to exotic places for a weekend jaunt, or maybe running over to the wine country for a little tipsy tour, or whatever else fancy-schmancy people do with their time.

I'm actually a bit tickled to paint the garage because I'm all about marking things off The List, and for all the painting I've done, I've never painted a garage. You have to paint just about everything else in the house before you ever get around to freshening up the area that only the cars live in, or the mud-crusted gardening tools and flammable materials and insecticides that might kill the pets if they get into them. Since we have indeed painted almost every square inch of the inside of this place, we've decided the garage needs a face lift so that the house can be perfect top to bottom when we finally list it next spring.

DH was completely good with this plan, so tonight we headed to the local Lowes, where we'd already pre-priced cans of Dry-Lok, and those kits for painting your garage with stuff that won't lift off when you drive over it. For a mere $300 you can have a garage that looks brand spankin' new, top to bottom. We went up and down the aisles of Lowes, gathering all we needed, paid and drove home. As we were unloading the cans, out of the blue, DH said to me, "I hate painting."

What? I haven't asked him to paint anything since we painted the living room for the third time, five years ago. He helped and didn't complain so I thought it wasn't that awful. Obviously he's dreading our fun-packed weekend after all. So I said to him, "well, if you really don't want to paint, how about if I paint and you replace ceiling tiles in the rec room, and just yell out cheers of 'atta girl' once in awhile, where I can hear them? He said, "that could probably be arranged." Then, after another moment he asked, "how would you feel about me watching college football from above you, in the family room, and cheering from there?"

Sometimes you can speak vast amounts without saying a word.

Labels: Family Affair

Six days, and 1300 miles, we've gone full circle. Pulling into our driveway tonight, we emptied out the spewage that occurs when you put five people in a vehicle and travel together. Food and pillows and fishing poles and toys and movies and empty Starbuck cups and dirty beach towels and a knitting bag and the most recent People magazine and maps and a GPS named Sue and Go Diego Go toys and sippy cups and diapers and licorice and grit and mud and grime and smelly shoes - the stuff of a great family vacation.

This one was notable because it's the first we've ever taken with any of our married children and their families. We came, we went, we conquered, and we arrived back home still enjoying each other's company, but happy to head to our own homes. And that feels really good. We'll do it again - there's talk already of future trips to Washington D.C. or the Outerbanks or maybe an Alaskan Cruise - together, all of us, even hopefully another little one someday to fill in that backseat and give Landon someone to kick and pinch and breath on and bug for hundreds of miles, like siblings do.

So here - the highlights of our fun, funny trip:

Sitting around a campfire several nights, and seeing more stars than I ever have, in my whole life, and seeing 2 1/2 shooting stars. I only caught the second half of the first one. It's amazing how many stars you can see when there are no city lights.

Sending Leslie and Jeremy out in the boat for a fishing date, and she came back with a photo of a very nice northern pike she caught. Impressed her husband to pieces.

Watching Napoleon Dynamite on the computer together, finally. I was the only one who didn't get all the family jokes, repeating famous lines. I'll be right there with them now.

Seeing Jeremy see Niagara Falls for the first time. Everybody should get to see Niagara Falls at least once. Amazing, truly.

Having the resort owners tell us to look quick, and there in the middle of the lawn was a big, bushy-tailed red fox. I swear it looked like Little Red Riding Hood should have been somewhere nearby. He just laid there awhile then dashed off into the woods.

Having lunch of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on a deserted beach in Killbear Park, and spotting bear tracks in the sand. We multiplied one seagull into twenty with one slice of bread tossed in the air. Landon thought that was fabulous, running around feeding them all.

The very next day we had lunch on rocks in the parking lot of Bass Pro (Canada) enjoying the looks of the other shoppers. We didn't notice the vacant picnic table around the corner. Landon thought it was fabulous to eat on a big rock in a parking lot and it was certainly memorable.

Enjoying a week of meals where the two year old said every prayer. Very specific prayers, "Dear Jesus, thank you for milk and spaghetti and apples and Papa and Grammy and and and..." I have to bet God loves hearing them even more than we did.

Watching a two year old little boy catch his first fish, even if it was two inches long. He won't remember it, but his parents and grandparents will.

Singing the Wonder Pets song inside the car til we all thought we'd go looney toones. It was appropriate for our trip however: "What's gonna work? Teamwork!"

Meeting a Canadian family around the campfire, roasting marshmallows and talking to them about their life, their politics, their insurance, the cost of living there, etc. Lovely people. They'd been coming to the place we were staying since the wife was 10 and she was now 37. How blessed their children are to live with that tradition.

Playing ping pong in the rec center, all four of us while the two year old ran around retrieving the ping pong balls and serving them for us - hysterical fun when you don't follow any rules except keep the ball going at all costs.

Trying to order meat from the deli, realizing I had no understanding of metrics AT ALL, and it was surprising to see how expensive everything was. Made me realize I need to quit complaining about how much anything costs here in the US, it's more there. Their money is much prettier I think.

Driving back across the border, and having the border guard ask us why we went to Canada, and why were we returning to PA. Was she blind? Did she not see the smelly shoes, the dirty beach towels, the movies, the Starbuck cups, the Go Diego Go toys, Sue the GPS system, the pillows and fishing poles and knitting bag and People magazine?

We went on family vacation, it was wonderful, then we were all quite ready to go back each to our own Home Sweet Home.

Labels: Family Affair

When you read this, we'll be driving north, for a week in the Canadian woods. Some little place called Parry Sound I believe, in a three bedroom cabin our son-in-law chose for the view and solitude. The fact that we're to bring our own sheets, towels, and 'tea towels' is just fine, in light of the great price for the place. Right on a lake, with a little sandy beach for wading - with highs only in the low 70's we won't be going in past our ankles, a spot to build a campfire for roasting marshmallows every night with Landon, lots of time for curling up with a book, or board games, or taking hikes - that sort of thing. No cell phone or internet that I know of, and that sounds delightful to all of us, especially our daughter who is a cyberschool teacher and is on the computer every single day for hours.

We'll cook breakfast together every morning, figure out lunch and then maybe drive into the little town 15 minutes away, in search of a mom and pop type of place that serves dinner or we'll throw something together. We're not fussing much over the food and menus.

Other than that, there's nothing much planned except the boys' special fishing trip on Tuesday, until we end at Niagara Falls next Friday.

It's the perfect way to end summer I think. I'll be posting just a bit while I'm gone with a book review or two, otherwise you won't hear much from me over here. Isn't it funny that after you get the kids back in school you need a three day weekend to recover from that early morning rush out the door, before you can go back to it. Happy Labor Day everyone!

Labels: Family Affair

Labels: Family Affair

Labels: Family Affair

Labels: Family Affair

Three weeks ago, to get ready for this trip, we previewed about one hundred homes. We settled on thirty-three to tour. Some were added at the last minute, a few were nixed, and we ended up spending four days, at five lakes, touring thirty-six houses. We saw it all! Some homes were unbelievably beautiful, but we just could not picture living there. Visiting a bit yes, but not making it home. A few were unbelievably creepy. One honest to pete had a hidden bookcase that slid back, and then stairs went down to a vaulted room to hold the woman's jewelry. Soon as I saw the enormous spider I high-tailed it out of there.

At one there was a mix-up. The owner was home watching football and cooking lots of raw meat. We were greeted at the front door by his very friendly pit bull..... I hid behind the realtor who was a good 10 inches shorter than me, and well into her 60's.

But finally, after it all, we signed papers today in the snack shop of Bass Pro to buy the one I posted on yesterday. We'll close the end of September, and won't actually get to go back and see it again til Thanksgiving. The owners were so gracious as to bring photos of the home, from when it was being built all the way up to this summer, and I appreciated them so much since I'd already forgotten what some of the inside of it looked like. It all blurs together when you view 36 houses!

So we're a bit broke, a bit scared to have taken the first big plunge toward retirement sometime next year, and excited. Since our grown kids in Texas get to use it for a good ten months before we do, they're pretty tickled too. We fly home tomorrow, feeling a little weary but good that we found what we were looking for. It's the home we've been praying about finding for overe two years. I imagine God might be a bit weary of hearing about it too. Back in a few days, after we get back home and catch our breath.

Labels: Family Affair

From the front it just looks like any house in any neighborhood. We sort of like that since we'll live there year-round.

The great room and kitchen are open into each other, and the second floor loft looks down over it all. Lots of windows and light and all you see out the back is water.

I'd like these cabinets to be darker, and the appliances need to be updated some, but it's what I call a 'cooking kitchen' which is what I was looking for. A place to cook big family meals when everyone shows up all at once.

A small covered, screened porch to sit and watch the lake at night, or the perfect place for morning coffee. There's a uncovered deck next to it for grilling, sunning, etc.

And DH's favorite part - a two slip boathouse for catching whoppers, or at least lying about the ones that got away. I'll be back in a few days to report whether we got it or not. The house, not the fish. Amazingly, everything goes with it - all furniture, boats, dishes, bedding, everything. All we'd have to do is move in! I'll let you know, soon as we do! In the meantime, I thought some of our family and friends might enjoy seeing what we're considering.

Labels: Family Affair

This one needs a garage or carport, but I sure do like the cozy look of it!

We would write into the contract that THEY TAKE the dog with them! I do however, like the twirly slide, just out of site, on the other side of the dock. DH wants a bass boat, not the ski version you see here. At our age, we're not so much into speed, but rather takin' it slow.

This one not only has FIVE bedrooms, there's a 2 bedroom apartment over the garage. We always joked that we'd buy something with that setup for anyone with toddlers or teenagers, and maybe we will! Doesn't it look so cozy... I'd love to fill it to the brim with friends and / or family. And if DH and I begin to annoy each other, one of us could move out for a bit, to just over the garage!

As for DH - I think he'd be happy with just this! Since he's worked 31 years to get to this point, I'm determined we'll find a perfect place for him to drown worms all day long! So I haven't been a very good blogger lately, am way behind on reading and staying up with everyone. Hopefully we'll find a home this trip, and then life will settle down a bit.

So how about you? How do you go about finding a new home? And have you had any funny / disastrous mishaps while doing so? I need all the advice I can get!

Labels: Family Affair

Alas! When he caught sight of the Wild Thing mascot - a big furry creature about seven feet tall (i.e. costume with big eye holes, likely worn by young girl about 5'2" who keeps the crowd going), he was terrified! As soon as he saw this creature, he was all eyes, keeping track of where Wild Thing was. Normally a light-hearted little guy, dancing and singing and jumping all over the place, the possibility of this furry creature coming anywhere near kept him quiet and very close.

Sure enough, Wild Thing came over to visit for a bit. When we all tried to encourage him to say 'hello' his only words were a very strong "Bye!". After the emotional flooding event, the payoff was lots of snuggles for Papa.

Labels: Family Affair

Was your celebration of the 4th as wonderful as ours? We drove from Pittsburgh in a grey mucky drizzle, til we hit the Indiana state line. Right then, with fields of corn and soybeans on each side of the highway, the skies parted and the sun appeared! There was some celebrating going on inside our car, for decent visibility!

After we pulled into Tom and Carlotta's driveway, unloaded our stuff and took over a corner of their home, Friday evening was spent on catch up talking, then eating dinner together, with pecan pie and ice cream for dessert. 'Watching fireworks' consisted of glimpses through the neighborhood trees. We weren't there for fireworks.

There was a funny technological moment - Tom and Carlotta have a Wii - something Don and I had heard of but never seen. I tried my hand at bowling, but the fun really started when Tom and Don began to box each other. There was finally a knockout although I won't tell you who won! It was hysterical watching these two grown men gyrating all over the room, literally out of breath punching each other virtually. We may be needing one of those for our grandkids' visits. I can see why they are a big hit in senior citizen homes - you can have a blast with them, while sitting down.

The rest of the weekend was spent practicing for our upcoming retirement. We sat and talked, then we sat and talked, and when we got restless, we moved to another room, or outside, and sat and talked. About the past, good times, good memories; the present - what we were up to, how the kids are, and the future - what's in the plans. Our second night was spent at a local barbeque joint, with T&C's friends, Don and Becky, who are becoming our friends too. These four people have spent the last 35 New Year's Eve's together - quite the feat! Isn't it lovely when you like the friends who like your friends?

We've been friends with Tom and Carlotta for over twenty years. I have to share here that Carlotta was diagnosed about three years ago with early onset alzheimers, and their lives have changed in many ways, big and small. It was Tom's sharing that diagnosis with us that compelled us to jump in the car, after a ten year dry spell in visits, and make the drive to see them two years ago. This visit was soft and dear and wonderful. When you, or someone you care deeply about, is facing something so big, it changes everything. What you once took for granted, and now and then appreciated, becomes so precious. As we sat and listened to Tom and Carlotta telling us that this past year has probably been the best in their marriage, I knew we were the privileged guests at a conference for two on how to live life. A conference on what's really important, and what's not. What to grab ahold of, and what to let slip through our fingers because life is just so precious and fleeting and hard and wonderful and heart-breaking and exquisitely beautiful and painful and hysterical and complicated and impossible to understand and it's easy to miss out on realizing that today is of such incredible value, no matter what it holds. Silverware being neat in the drawers doesn't matter much when you compare it to what does.

What today presents each of us with - we don't always have much freedom to choose that. What we do with it, how we handle it - that's pretty much up to each one of us. It's easy to think you know so much, that you have life all figured out - til you are blessed to spend time with a couple like this, who've been dealt a tough hand, and they've not only been brave, they've chosen not to be bitter, nor keep it to themselves. Rather they've accepted it for what it is, and been humble enough to share it with those around them, opening their lives to allow others to be blessed by being involved in their lives. Sitting on their patio, watching the neighbors come back and forth across their fence, grown-ups, babies, dogs, board games, tools being borrowed and lent - it felt like the best seat at a symphony to sit and take it in. All these people who have become a part of their family since T&C decided to open their doors and share what they're dealing with, rather than keep it to themselves. Good food, good times. Priceless lessons from precious friends.

Tom has become quite the cook in the past couple of years, and he tells me he has a recipe for oven-baked baby back ribs with his own homemade barbeque sauce. Maybe he'll let me share it here with all of you.

Labels: Family Affair, Glimpse of the Heart

If I was his momma, I'd be trying to sell this to Hallmark, and putting the money aside for his college fund! Berry juice down the belly - irresistible!

Labels: Family Affair

It's not easy learning to pucker and blow at the same time!

Mama blew on the wand while Landon did the Bubble Dance!

Pure joy! That we should all be this happy, even once a day...

Smelling Miss Addison's rosebush, "Social Climber".

Grins and giggles for Grammy.

Okay, I'll let you figure out which photo is my hands-down favorite...

Labels: Family Affair

The last tickets to the symphony this season, sitting there on the counter so we wouldn't drive off without them. My outfit hanging on the outside of the closet, ready to pull on. Then the phone rang.

When I saw it said 'Colorado' I almost didn't answer it because I was flying out of the house to show the camper to someone, and was running a bit late. I thought it was either a sales pitch or one of my brothers and I just didn't have time right that minute for either, but something in me decided to grab the phone.

"Hello!"

"Hello?"

"It's Wayne."

At first I thought he'd said 'Dwain' (my brother) but then realized it didn't sound quite right. Then I immediately began doing mental callestintics, did I even know a Wayne?

He heard the pause in my voice, then said 'Wayne and Betty'.

Don's best friend since kindergarten, and that's getting to be awhile - his eighty year old, widowed mother and her widower friend. Okay at least I know who it is. No idea on earth why they are calling, they've never called before.

'Hi Wayne.............."

"Hi, we're in Washington and thought we'd stop by."

"Washington DC?" (Hours away from us...)

'No, Washington, off I-70, I think we're just south of you."

"Why Wayne, yes you are just south of us, very close actually (and I'm proud to say I think I sounded completely normal here in spite of the fact that I was hyperventilating.) You're just TEN MINUTES from us."

So we chat for a minute and I realize they really are just down the road, and will be here, at our house, very shortly. In the meantime I'm running out of the house, jumping into our car, charging up the hill past our neighborhood. About six houses up, I realize I'm still talking on the house phone and we're going to lose reception any ole minute. So I told Wayne that I had oh so calmly, because I'm not the least bit flustered that they are going to be at my house in nothing flat, but I've taken the land phone and we're going to lose reception, so could you please take a potty stop and maybe get a coke, and sit right there and I'll phone you right back after I run out and show the camper to this nice couple, praying they don't ask me anything technical about it. Wayne said, sure, no problem. We'll just wait here.

Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh......!!!!!

I phone my husband and tell him in the nicest, most submissive way possible to get his hiney home because his best friend from kindergarten's mother and her friend are about to be at our house to be entertained and I have no idea what on earth to talk to them about to keep them happy for an hour and a half til he normally gets home, because I barely know them, so come home please, ASAP!

I show the camper, call Wayne and Betty back, they are now five minutes from my house waiting for final directions. I run home, lock up all the dogs, fly through the house, check the bedrooms, the potty and clear off the kitchen counter, and sure enough they pull in the driveway. They'd apparently been on a month long road trip and we were the second to last stop, and much like my own father would do, even though they'd considered coming to see us THREE WEEKS AGO at the beginning of this trip, it didn't really occur to them to call us say a day or two ahead. I really think if they had been able to find the way to our house, they would have just pulled in.

So we adjusted. The weekend plans had obviously shifted, I quietly threw the symphony tickets in the trash when they weren't looking, poured some iced tea, sat down and asked them about their trip.

No food in the house to really speak of, so we took them to Bob Evans, picked up a pie on the way out, came home and visited with them til late in the night, then got them situated in the yellow room. They slept 9 1/2 hours, and at 76 and 80 years old if I'd been on the road for three weeks straight I might not have gotten up at all. When they came down the next morning I'd managed to whip up some chocolate chip pancakes and thank the Lord there was a canteloupe in the fruit drawer, fresh coffee and a smile. We sat and lingered over breakfast, watching the 'red birds' as they call them, come to the feeder off the deck.

They pulled out mid-afternoon, ready for the next stop that they hadn't called ahead for. I imagine that niece heard from them about ten to fifteen minutes before they hit the edge of St. Louis and I hope she, too, was able to just close her calendar and enjoy an impromptu visit.

The house wasn't perfect, I didn't cook much of anything, but the sheets were clean, the pillows were plump, I know they got a good night's sleep, and when they drove off and she gave me a big bearhug, it held more music than any night at the symphony ever could. I don't expect they will ever be at our home again, but they'll go home and tell Don's best friend that they enjoyed being with us, and years from now they won't remember the strawberry pie, with mounds of whipped cream, nor the semi-dirty kitchen floor. They'll just remember they felt welcome, and were rested the next morning when they pulled out.

If you're, like me, stretched to entertain, I've been mightly encouraged by this woman's blog, 4 Reluctant Entertainers, that it's not about the house or the table or even the food - it's always, always about the symphony of friendship.

Labels: Busy Buzz, Family Affair

It's already been a month since we left for a beautiful, romantic, exotic vacation in Riviera Maya! I never shared the photos, so if you're the type that hates those dinners you get sucked into accepting, and over dessert you're stuck watching a slide show of the fun someone else had, feel free to pass on by. If you're our family and friends, we thought you'd enjoy seeing them!

This is the lobby of our beautiful hotel. We were just blown away by how gorgeous it was, continually spotless. Speaking with the people at the desk was a bit of a challenge, but they were very gracious.

The main thoroughfare of the hotel. Every night we'd sit in this courtyard, enjoying a glass of wine and listening to musicians or theater performers. There were four weddings the week we visited, and it was such fun to see the bride and groom share their first dance in the middle of this gorgeous place.

Hours, hours, hours spent here. A more shallow pool, which spilled over into the larger pool, with lounge chairs built into the pool floor, and little tables and chairs if you wanted to sit there wet, eating nachos, or swim up to the poolside bar for some pretty drink with an umbrella in it. Every morning crazy vacationers did pool aerobics, then the afternoons sported volleyball games with lots of whooping and splashing.

If we got tired of the pool, we'd venture just past the gate to the beach area. Those lumps in the water are big bags of sand, put there to keep the beach from eroding. We never ventured deeper than our ankles, but it was absolutely gorgeous to take a stroll here every evening, after dinner.



Don has always wanted to go deep sea fishing. I'd jump out of the boat from the motion sickness that would surely get me, so he went alone, and this is what he caught. A dolphin, although they call it a dorado. He wanted to let it go, but the boat crew keeps all the catch to sell at the market. Of the five men who went, only two caught something, and since he'd waited so long for this adventure I was thrilled he was one of the two. I think he looks absolutely adorable here.

Another shot of the thoroughfare of our hotel. Just unbelievably beautiful.

We enjoyed a french dinner this night. Champagne at our table, and I don't even remember what we ate. It was not our favorite meal, but the atmosphere was lovely. The couple behind us was celebrating their wedding, and their table was sprinkled with rose petals.

We ate at this restaurant (all within our hotel) two nights, it was our favorite. I don't remember what we had here either, except the baked alaska dessert. I do remember the waiter kissed my hand when I thanked him for his service - how charming! I wore my hair crazy curly all week - the humidity of the tropics wreak havoc on any attempts to straighten it, so I just went with it

Poolside, waiting for somoeone to come by and ask us if we'd like anything at all. We spent hours and hours here, basting away, reading books, taking naps, when we'd get a bit warm we'd take a dip in the pool. There's a reason this photo is not zoomed in any closer - 50+ years old, you don't need to get close-ups of swimsuit shots! We did see some amazing sunbathers - thongs, on men and women! Bikinis that looked like they'd burst at the seams, truly you just saw it all. Pale, pale skin and we were sure they'd fry, people who were so tan they looked like they were a Coppertone commercial gone bad. If you want to feel good about yourself, go to a pool out of this country - there's always someone who looks so much better, then there are those wonderful people who just don't give a rip, don that bikini and enjoy life - we loved seeing that every day!

Labels: Family Affair

Labels: Family Affair

As my SIL, Chris would say, "Good Night Nurse!" it's been insane around here. A week with Sarah, Chris and the kids, then a week in Mexico, then a week with Sarah and the kids, and tomorrow morning I join Sarah and the kiddos to fly to Texas, via a layover in Charlotte because we just like to make it as much fun as possible. It's been CRAZY, messy, noisy, irritating at times, so endearing at times, laughable, grace-stretching, the emotions have run the gamut. I'm tired, we're all tired, but I wouldn't have missed a minute of it. Even the baby toothpaste smeared on the walls going upstairs is a bit touching to think about, and having a little person scribble on the kitchen walls and upstairs door - well, that's pretty sweet too especially since they make Magic Eraser!

So a few photos of the past few weeks with a house busting at the seams:

Papa and Landon check out the elephants spraying water at the Pittsburgh Zoo

Two pretty mommys with sweet Miss Addison wedged in-between. Sweet stuff!

Our feet hurt after walking 1 1/2 miles to see the new baby colts. Someone lost a shoe on the trip and we were darned happy to find it on the way back. How can you not love that smushed up face?
After a long walk we were all too tired to even cook corndogs, so we ran to Bob Evans, and they let us eat there, in spite of how dirty we all were. The kids ate every single bite of their supper. I hope these little boys always like me this much.

This one? Priceless - all four of our grandchildren together in one place. Well worth the admission cost to spend the day at the zoo with them. I absolutely will be framing this for my desk.

In about nine hours we'll be climbing in the car (actually two) to head to the airport, and I'll be back home in about a week. Within a few days the house will be clean, neat, quiet, and that will feel nice I'm sure. I'm also confident I'll be just a bit sad, washing that baby toothpaste off those walls, remembering how sweet it was to have them all here with us. Back in a week, to give away those books, share photos of Mexico, and also buy a new computer. This Dell laptop is giving lots of warning signs it's about to die. Soooooooooo, anyone have an opinion on whether to make the switch to a Mac? Sarah and Pace say yes, Don isn't at all sure. What do you think? I'd appreciate any opinions because I absolutely hate buying a new computer, and this one should have held up better than it did. I'm going with a desktop this time, but I just don't know about whether to go Mac or not. Help please!

Labels: Busy Buzz, Family Affair