Wow, it has been over a Year!!!

I am sure no one is still reading my little blog, but if so, I cannot believe it has been 2 days over one year since I posted on here.  Time has gone by so quickly. 

On the 24th I will celebrate the 2 year anniversary of my little store.  Business has continued to pick up and sales have been good enough that as of January 1st I have been getting a paycheck.  I just signed another 2 year lease on the building, after that who knows what I will do.  I am getting old, but I love working, so I just may keep going and going (kinda like the Energizer Bunny).

On April 29th I lost a friend of 30 years to the big 'C'.  Over Thanksgiving she got pneumonia and was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer.  She was a non-smoker so it took us all by surprise.  She was quickly told that the cancer had moved into her hip and pelvic bones, but she started a new treatment and seemed to be holding her own.  On April 15th she sent me a very positive email to let me know that the scans showed the tumors were not growng, and she was feeling great.  Her local friends (she lived in California) had thrown her a Birthday party on the 13th with live music.  She said she had a great time and even did some singing.  I was so happy to hear that news.  A few days later I got news that they had found some spots in her brain, then she had some seizures and on the 29th she was gone.  Such sadness! 

Since I last updated on this blog I have been blessed with another grandson.  He was born on October 7th and is such a cutie.  Here is a picture of the 3 littlest grandchildren taken in the library.  They love the library. 

J is 2 years 6 month, C is 3 years 10 month, and R is 7 months.  I do not get to see them as often as I would like, but soon I am going to visit them and I cannot wait. 

My other 3 grandchildren are doing well.  Big S is 22, Little S is 14 and J is 10.  Cannot believe how fast the time is going.  They keep me smiling. 

I hope if anyone is still reading this, that you are well and happy and enjoying life. 

He turned 10 Months Yesterday

I cannot believe he is 10 months old 

9 Months Old

My littlest grandson is now 9 months old and his mother posted some pictures for me to pirate and put on my blog (thank you dear daughter). 

He has his own cupboard filled with pot lids (his favorite toys)

This is his newest face, it makes his parents laugh, he loves that!  

Taking a walk with Dad in the backyard.  Finally warm enough to wear summer clothes. 

He is getting so big and his parents report that he loves to walk, of course they are in for lots of exercise when he learns to walk without holding on to their hands.  I miss you little one, but will see you for your 1 year birthday in July. 

Witches and Goblins and Ghouls

I had fun last night going trick or treating with two of my grandmonsters.  After working all day in my booth at the flea market I was bone tired, but dinner  and a coke brought me back long enough to trek around for two hours in the dark streets of two neighborhoods.  The kids got lots of candy, and had a great time.  Several of the houses were decorated and there were scary things about like a full size gorilla (since it was 75 degrees last night that guy must have been suffering inside that suit), a hot water heater and washing machine, which were very cute homemade costumes, a shark and lots of princesses and pirates.  Granddaughter was a vampire bride, but could not find the appropriate teeth, so she just looked like a bride.  Grandson was a zombie,and did a good job of acting out the part. Here are some pictures.  Fake blood made from corn syrup and red food coloring adorns the zombie's clothes.  Costume was created by my oldest son. 

Back from Vacation......Thank Goodness!!!

I had forgotten when you travel with children (in my case grandchildren) it takes longer to get where you are going. It took 16 hours of driving to get from my home to our first destination on Cape Cod. Thankfully both children travel well, and it was not a bad drive, just took a long time when you factor in stopping for meals, gas fillups, potty breaks, etc.

We went to the Cape Cod Potato Chip factory in Hyannis to see how potato chips are made, and of course to visit the gift shop where we bought a big bag of Vinegar and Salt chips. We also went to the beach to play in the sand (and write names in the sand). The weather was cool but nice.


Then is was on to Boston where we found lots of parks, went apple picking and spent time with the new cousin (who is now 3 month old and as cute as a button). The week went by very fast and on Monday we drove home. The trip home was much faster since we left from Boston. It only took us 12 hours to get home. There is something to be said for traveling on Columbus Day, no commuting traffic jams in the major cities. We ran into some light rain, but nothing that slowed us down much. I spent Tuesday in my jammies trying to catch up on laundry, emails, paying bills, etc. Hope you all had a great week too!

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Last night I attended my 10 year old granddaughter's softball game. I have been to 99% of her ball games over the last couple of years, but last night was the most exciting. It was cold, there were millions of bugs, and we were on the edge of our seats. For the first time at the end of the game the teams were tied and had to play an extra inning!!! The other team was up first and did not even get on base, three batters, three outs.

Then our team was up, First batter struck out! Second batter got a base hit, third batter got a great hit and due to an error (overthrow) by the other team the person on base got all the way to home and it was all over! The girls were so excited, as were all the parents and other spectators. It is too bad the season is over as these girls are just now learning to play as a team. Well, there is always next spring. Oh, and my granddaughter was playing third base. She has rotated between catcher, first base and third base. I love watching her play, she is a good sport and always does her best.

Oh and did I tell you it was cold and there were millions of bugs.

The New Man in My Life

One Day Old

Back in early July I was blessed with my fourth grandchild. I was fortunate to be part of the birth process and get to see him make his way into this world. He was 11 days late, weighed 9 lb .05 oz, and was 22 inches long. He is the first child for his parents (my only daughter and her husband), and is very lucky to have parents in their 30's that really wanted to have a baby. I got to spend a month helping with his care and getting to know him. I was also blessed with being the person that got to help prepare for his arrival by painting his nursery and making curtains for his windows. It was very hard to return to my home after that first month, but I will be seeing him again in early October and again at Christmas. My daughter sends me lots of pictures so I can track his progress.

His Gilligan Look

I love this picture taken during his first month of life while we were on Cape Cod visiting family.

I cannot express how much I love this baby and his parents. I am so grateful to them for letting me be there for this event and allowing me to hang around and spend time with their beautiful baby boy.

Happy Birthday First Born Grandchild

Happy 19th Birthday to my first born grandchild.

Those of us that live in the area got together tonight for strawberry cake, chocolate pie and lots of whip cream. It is always great to have a family get together and especially for the birthday of one of my beautiful grandchildren. A good time was had by all, and we missed those of you that do not live in the area.

An attempt to Add Pictures by a new Blogger

This is 'Soldier Boy' and 'Pumpkin'. Picture was taken two years ago at the Pumpkin Festival in Keene, NH while we were on a family vacation. They are grandchildren #2 and #3.