A Baby, A Ninety Year Old and Hershey Kisses

Me, Thomas and Mutt went on an adventure today.

Before we left I made sure Thomas had a full tummy, and a nice fresh diaper.

I lugged that heavy car seat with "the boy" in it to the car, and I helped that 90 year old "roll" into the car. We made it to our adventure with 5 minutes to spare and in a few short minutes "Ophelia Cox" was called.

YES!

The nurse took Mutt's vitals and said, "The doctor will be right in."

Mutt snickered and said, "Sure she will."

I barely had enough time to get Thomas out of the car seat. He looked very cute touching his toes when the doctor walked through the door.

Yahda, yahda, yahda...Mutt would be getting a cortisone shot for her arthritis.

Blah, blah, blah...and starting insulin shots.

There was a bit of drama with the cortisone injection. Dr. Kinzy was pressing on Mutt's shoulder and asked, "Is this where it hurts?"

Mutt had her eyes closed tight and her face scrunched up thinking she was getting the injection.

Dr. Kinzy, "Ms. Cox...Ms. Cox. I need to know where it hurts."

I said, "Mutt...Mutt...."

Dr. Kinzy said, "Ms Cox open your eyes, it's just my finger."

Mutt said, "Oh" and cackled that old person kind of cackle and told her where it hurt.

Then she tightly closed her eyes and scrunched up her face again in preparation for the injection.

Dr. Kinzy and I talked about rebellious teenagers and then she told me the nurse would train me on giving insulin injections.

In anticipation of a quick get away I put Thomas back in his car seat, thinking it wouldn't take long...until the nurse pulled the directions out of the box...unfolded the paper... laid it down... smooth out the wrinkles... and proceeded to cover EVERY step with me. Don't get me wrong, I was happy she did, but it was obvious she was oblivious to the baby in the car seat making restless noises.

I rushed that baby and 90 year old out the door fully intent on making it home BEFORE "the boy" fussed. I was confident we could until I drove to the door to pick up Mutt, but there was no Mutt. Just where does a 90 year old disappear to? I waited, and waited. Children are the ones who disappear not 90 year olds! Finally, she came fast hobbling on her "stick" (cane). I fast walked her (except a 90 year old's fast walk is still slow) to the car, helped her roll into the seat and with the click of the seat belt Thomas let out his first "I going to loose it cry."

I said a silent, desperate, "NOOOO!"

Then he used his, "O.K. I've lost it" cry and cut loose.

After 5 tense minutes of pure torture he quit crying and Mutt said, "He sure goes to sleep fast doesn't he."

Once we arrived home I helped that 90 year old rock and roll her way out of the car.

I lugged that heavy car seat with "the boy" fast asleep back into the house and held him for a few minutes to make sure he was SOUNDLY asleep before I laid him down.

THEN

I walked right to the candy dish and grabbed a hand full of Hershey Kisses. I didn't even let the first 5 melt in my mouth I just chewed and swallowed. I repeated that with a second hand full, barely tasting the chocolate. With the third handful I was able to let them partially melt in my mouth and enjoy that nice chocolate taste. By the fourth hand full my stress had melted away and I was in a state of chocolate bliss.

I Love...

Katie and Noah, Cal and Wy came for a visit.

I love how the dynamic's change in our house when they come.
We go from very routine to no routine!
I hear Katie whisper to the boys, "Go tell Meema."

And so begins the daily oatmeal breakfast

and then playing the Zoo matching game routine.

I love how Calvin loves the monkey

and Wyatt loves the Polar Bay (Bear)

and they aren't past cheating to get them!

Me, I just love the experience.

I love having ALL the kids home and watch them interact together.

I love how somewhere along the way the "remember when's" start,

and we all enthusiastically take off down memory lane.

I love the laughter and happiness.

I love our memories.

Katie and Noah were keeping a secret that they shared with us.
I loved finding out they have a bun in the oven and

grandbaby number 16 is on the way!!!

They loved packing up all their stuff in their new van,

before they headed home to New York.

They were very good at collecting everything from everywhere in

the house, but last time they were home I bragged on how impressed

I was that they didn't forget anything,

but now they do.

So I loved finding the Bubble Yum and
dried piece of play dough on top the microwave.

I loved finding the blue elephant that Calvin kept hiding so no one would get it.

But most of all I love, love.

Kitchen Windows

I love my kitchen window...
there is always something going on outside.

Right now, Mandy's got the itch!


Rake's were raking and the shovel was shoveling.

Koa was using a rake twice his size,


And Leili was picking up rocks.

They worked really hard on their garden boxes and they look great! I can already taste the tomatoes and cucumbers!


The Master Gardener


The Master Gardener's Assistant


The two apprentice who make everything take twice as long.

I watched Leili as she wandered around the back yard...swinging on her tummy in the swing...Tom, the cat, caught her attention and with a laugh she pulled his tail and held on when he tried to run away! I knocked on the window, she turned and came to the window and pressed her little nose against it and said, "What doin Grandma?"

It was a nice window moment.

Psst.
Just between you and me, and don't tell anyone, but these are the campers, you know, the gate campers!

Lazy Day

Yesterday was Sunday and today is Monday.
It's the day I'm suppose to recover from Sunday.
So far I haven't...


Washed dishes,


Swept the floor


Or Vacuumed


Cleaned the bathroom


Or made my bed

Maybe I will or maybe I won't.
We'll see.

So Annoying!

We all know it's the little things that drive us crazy...
well this is down right annoying!

For days on end I have been looking out my kitchen window watching the gate swinging in the wind or just hanging open. ANNOYING! It looks so sloppy and well unorderly (if that is a word).

I found this guide to gate use on the web:
Open the gate.
Walk through the gate.
Close the gate.
(Okay, I made it up)

After seeing it left open for several days I decided enough was enough and went to close it. Yes, I murmured under my breath and came up with several reasons why a gate should be closed:

1. Gates were made to open and CLOSE (That's what my Dad taught me, so it must be true).
2. It keeps stray dogs, raccoons, opossum's and other varmint's out.
3. It keeps grand kids in!
4. It makes me happy and,
5. The cats love it when the gate is closed so the dogs can't chase them.

I know, I know there is a big hole in the fence from the tree falling on it...


So why DO we need to close the gate?

I closed the gate before Shane and I went on our Friday night date, but while we were gone, some "campers" came and when we came home the gate was open AGAIN and that annoyed feeling came creeping back. When I went to closed the gate I tenderly forgave the "campers" because I could see their crackling fire and hear their laughter and fun...it was worth having the gate left open. AND after all I had written this post and soon family members, campers, or whoever would know open gates annoy me and the gate being left open would become a thing of the past.

The first thing I did this morning was look out the window to admire my closed gate, BUT there it was wide open! Some "CAMPER" upon returning the key to the shed left it open...Eldon...sorry...I mean "CAMPER!" But I soon loved my "camper" again, because he did close the gate by the drive way.



Really, doesn't that look better!

You Can Truffle With Me Too!

THIS is a truffle I made!



Or if your want to be fancy, schmancy, a "dessert shot."

I signed up for a chocolate class and enjoyed every minute of it. I have learned how to make truffles, caramels, how to temper chocolate and how to dip the truffles and caramel. In the first class we rolled the truffles in our choice of coverings, chopped almonds, toasted coconut, powdered sugar or cocoa powder. The truffles melt in your mouth! In the second class we we dipped the caramel and truffles in the tempered chocolate. The caramel is firm but still soft and chewy. Sorry there isn't a picture of the dipped caramel, but I ate them all they were soooo good! I am excited to WOW my family with these goodies.

Old Friends

We had some friends stop by for a visit.

Myrtle.

Beth

And Ned

We could hardly wait for them to get here!

Come on, Trifle with me!

This is a dessert from heaven! One bite, maybe two and you will not be able to stop eating it.

The pecan pie is a little pricey, but

OH MY...

Turtle Trifle

8 0z. cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 (2-lb.) frozen pecan pie, thawed and cut into 1-inch cubes
1/3 cup chocolate fudge topping
1/3 cup caramel topping
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted

1. Beat cream cheese, whipping cream, and vanilla extract in a large bowl at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer, using the whisk attachment (or a hand mixer) 2 to 3 minutes or until smooth and firm.

2. Place half of pie cubes in bottom of a 4-qt. trifle dish or tall, clear 4-qt. glass bowl. Spread half of whipped cream mixture over pie cubes. Drizzle with half of chocolate fudge topping and caramel topping. Sprinkle with half of chopped pecans. Repeat layers.

3. cover and chill at least 1 hour or up to 8 hours.

You can also make individual trifle's.

It's to die for!