Back to Blogging

I've decided that I'm not really very good at this blogging business. I think about it alot, and even "write" posts in my head but I seem to have a hard time actually doing it. But one thing I like is that there are really no rules, and it doesn't matter that I haven't been "here" for almost year. I'm ready to go again.

Much has happened in the past year! Best of all is the birth of BJM on April 16, 2010. I really hadn't thought much about what it would be like to be a grandparent and even with 9 months to get ready, there is no way to be prepared for the overwhelming love you feel when your child becomes a parent. N and J shared so much with us during the time we waited for "Bosco" to be born, and they lovingly welcomed us to be there shortly after B's birth. For me, the most touching moment of all was when N turned to me while she was holding her new baby son and said these poignant words, "Mom, this is just the best thing I have ever done."

I've lost track of the number of times J and I have driven to Chicago - sometimes just for the day to hold our sweet baby grandson. I never imagined we would be able to spend so much time with him during these first 5 months and we treasure every memory we have made - all the feedings, the bathtimes, stroller rides (inside and out) and just watching him sleep - in the "boppy" or his bouncy chair, or on his playmat. My personal favorites are the times I have spent rocking him to sleep. I love holding him close, breathing deeply his baby smells. He has beautiful blue eyes and a head of fluffy soft curls that are dark at the tips but becoming lighter underneath so that he looks to have a halo when the sun shines on him. He has the most kissable cheeks! I call him "dollface" or "angel baby" but mostly he has become "the Benj" and like all grandparents we think he is the best, most wondrous baby ever!

November

As an adoptive parent, I have known for many years that November is Adoption Awareness Month. I'm not sure I have ever done much with this information. And today I learned that November is also National Blog Posting Month. Apparently the serious bloggers attempt to blog every day of the month. Since I have already missed a day I guess I know what that says about me! But it is an interesting idea - blogging every day. Maybe I will try for every week...

This REALLY matters!

What matters most right now is.....I'm going to be a grandma! I/We are all so excited about N and J's baby, due in April. N told us very early, when she was home in late August for A's wedding shower and it is the best secret I have ever kept. I will always remember the sweet smile on her face - the exact place (in my new kitchen) where she told J and me, and the big hug we shared.I know she will be a great mother. The only thing to equal having N as my daughter, is having her be the mother of my grandchild!

My September Song

With all this home remodeling stuff, summer just seemed to pass us by. But I took one last stab at it today when I made chocolate ice cream. Nothing says summer (even in September!) like making homemade ice cream. And just to be sure about the statement we were making - we roasted hot dogs on the grill. Actually, today was a lot about food - and being in my new kitchen. I made two pasta salads and a favorite recipe from our gourmet club of the 80s - a mid-Eastern relish that is best when the tomatoes and cucumbers are fresh. Seasoned with cilantro and toasted cumin seeds, it's an annual event.

But fall is in the air - the bittersweet is about to pop and as soon as the bees quit swarming the hydrangea, I will start cutting those big beautiful blooms for drying.

Speaking of remodeling - these things remain:

* range hood #3 arrived at 30" despite factory specs that say 29 and 7/8" (which is required to fit the opening we have...)

* we are still waiting on final electrical details like switchplates - why are the littlest things the hardest to finish?

* living room furniture and kitchen table are ordered but apparently the economy is recovering nicely and there are so many orders ahead of mine that it will take 6-10 weeks...

* still need to locate and order dining room chandelier and kitchen chairs

* lots of stuff to unbox and put away, lots of cleaning to do

* my new target for completion (everything back in place, everything new arrived) is Thanksgiving

I'm Such a Slacker...

I faithfully read a few blogs and am so in awe of those people who write regularly. There's a lot going in in everyone's life, mine included, and I have all these thoughts running through my head all day long that just seem to escape before I get to the computer. I totally missed the month of May! What has mattered lately? My new kitchen, for one thing. And an EXCELLENT cruise to Alaska with J and our good friends, T & J and B & ML. And C's new house - at least we are hoping it will turn out to be hers! J's beautiful yard is taking shape as it does every spring and summer and yesterday I had my first "hammock time" under the birch tree with the birds all around, and a good book. It doesn't get much better than that!

Colds Don't Matter Too Much

What matters is that it is just a cold. I've been miserable for a few days now and my internet search "how to treat a cold" tells me that the average length of a cold is one to two weeks. Seriously, I played librarian and searched for ways to treat my cold - it's been years since I've had one! Which leads me to retirement - it's much easier to treat a cold when you are retired. You just stock up on tea, crank up the cold mist vaporizer, spray the sheets with lavender chamomile from Bath and Body Works - and get into bed. And you stay there for as long as you like! If you have to cancel plans, you can just reschedule for next week.

Even without a cold, this has been a difficult week - actually, the past few weeks have been. When I started a blog I had no idea death would get so much coverage. C has two friends who have recently lost their mothers, just at that time in life when mothers and daughters have attained complete comfort in their relationship. And yesterday we attended the funeral of a young man who grew up across the street from us. J and his brothers played with our girls and then went on to become a wonderful husband and father to his own sweet children. His death, at 31 reminds us of what matters. And it's NOT a cold, or the complications of financing a new kitchen in these tough economic times, or the broken hot water heater that ruined all the carpeting in the rec room.

What's Wrong With This Picture?

My poor tulips are reaching for the sun this morning and finding only snow. It's hard to believe that it's April 5! Having an early April birthday, I am very aware of how fickle the weather can be this time of year; most of my memories are of the first warmth of spring on my day, but these snowy days sneak in too.

J is so restless as he awaits real spring. He has had his bike and lawn mower tuned up, he has been cleaning out the basement and the garage, and he is "playing in the dirt" as best he can by experimenting with starting garden plants in milk containers. As for me, I am just itching to switch to my spring and summer wardrobe. I keep looking at my favorite purse - a beautiful green bag I used last season but I am waiting for solid evidence that spring is really here before I switch from my current bag. And I need a pedicure! I want to be really ready for the first day I can wear open-toed shoes!