I love "I Love Lucy"!

My kind of day. Marathon "I Love Lucy" on TV. Can't get enough of her. She makes me laugh, even though I've seen the shows time and again. Tom doesn't like her so much - he says it reminds him of LaVerne and Shirley. I'm so offended! I hated LaVerne and Shirley and I love Lucy. Oh well, that's another place where my Tommy and I differ. Anyways, here's to Lucy - I Love her . . . and Ethel!

A Piece of Bread and HALLELUJAH, AND PRAISE THE LORD!

Update on the "eat-a-piece-of-bread-in-30-seconds w/o drink" challenge. Sister Jane (she's not a nun) is visiting her friend Lera this weekend. Jane just called and said Lera downed a piece of bread w/o water in 58 seconds flat. Now, admittedly, she lost b/c it was over 30 seconds, but she far won over my adult boys! Can't wait to share that news with Chad & Mark. ("Roy", are you reading this? She beat you, too!)

Since Oct. 18, I have been w/o a sink my in kitchen. Today, Nov. 22, I finally have it back in place. Hip, hip, hooray! I almost kissed that heavy, cast-iron sink when it fell into place. It's my new best friend. I've cleaned and caressed it all afternoon. What a wonderful world I live in when I can get a glass of water from a sink in my kitchen instead of trudging into my tiny laundry and getting water from the tiniest sink this side of the Mason/Dixon line! And I have a functioning dishwasher! Yipee! It was five long, arduous weeks, but I'm slowly getting a glimpse of how great my kitchen will look when it's completed. My dream was to have it all done before G.G.#2 arrived. HA. Missed that one. Then I thought by Thanksgiving. Hey, I'm just thankful I have a sink for Thanksgiving Day. Unrealistically, I'm dreaming of completion before Christmas Day. That would be a true miracle. Tom only has weekends to work. Here is a list of some things yet to be done: hardwire two new outlet strips under two cabinets, install four undercabinet lights, add decorator "lip" around all upper cabinets to hide the new undercabinet light fixtures, install two new overhead light fixtures, prime all the walls and ceiling, paint walls and ceiling, touch-up paint on cabinets, install decorative backsplash over sink and cooktop, install decorative brackets on all upper cabinets. What do you think? Christmas 2009? That's what I was thinking. I'll keep you informed. I'd rather keep my marriage in tact than to pressure my husband for completion by a certain date. I'm ready to decorate for Christmas!!!!! It's too junky around here. Oh, wait, I have 13 people coming for Thanksgiving dinner. I'd better get busy cleaning up around here.

Sister Jane (she's still not a nun) and I babysat Brie last night while Mark and Andrea went out for dinner. Supposedly, Jane was the babysitter and I was there for moral and possible physical support. Let's just say it was a good think I was there, too. Brie had a fussy night. Here's a picture of her just before she began to wail.

"Jane, you convent-deserting nun, I'M NOT HAPPY!"

Don't get me wrong. Brie was only fussy for about 30 minutes out of 3 hours. She had a great time on the floor mat. She's trying to turn over, but hasn't quite got it down yet. I pushed her little rump and turned her over. She was very surprised!

Fun Time Last Night

When I say high B.P., what do you think of?

Nope, I'm not referring to the high price of gasoline, although I do have a B.P. card. And, also, the price of gasoline has gone down. By high B.P., I'm referring to something else.




Yep, you guessed it. I have high blood pressure. Isn't that just dandy? My sumo wrestler-esque self has developed one of the many health-related problems from my parents, namely my dad, may he continue to rest in peace.

Ok, I'll admit I have not referred to my ability or inability to lose weight. It's probably an excuse, but when I can't exercise at all because of my stupid knee which is still swollen, it's been very easy to just not stick to a diet. Well, yesterday I went to a Nutritional Doctor. He's great. I lost weight with him several years ago and it's way beyond time to get back under his care. After weighing me, the nurse took my blood pressure. It was high. Of course, I figured that when I saw the elevated number on the scales, it had sent me up high blood pressure mountain. Not to worry, Joy, you're just stressed about gaining weight. So an hour later, after talking with my doctor, the nurse took it again. She looked at me and said, "It's still high." "Well, I guess so," I thought, "I'm stressed about it being high on the second reading." Again, I decided that because I'd never had high blood pressure, this was a fluke. Later in the day at Abby's my head began hurting. Sinuses, I thought. My stupid sinuses - they always act up in the fall. But later in the afternoon, the top of my head started to pound. I liken it to my head being a volcano that's about to erupt. Not good. Thankfully, my family doctor is the husband of my close friend. I called my friend and asked her to run this by her husband. He called back. He said he could meet me at his office and check my b.p. I totally refused. It was about 8:30 p.m. and he has 3 school-age boys. I knew bedtime was a particularly busy time. When he asked me to describe my headache, he said, "Is Tom close by?" When Tom got to the phone, my doctor said, "I'll meet you at the office in 15 minutes." Ok, that scared me for sure. When he checked it, the b.p. was higher than the morning's b.p. Even considering that I was definitely uptight, my b.p. was too high. So for now, I'm on b.p. medicine for 2 weeks. I went this morning for a recheck. It was down some, but still considered high. Now here is my observation of the situation: I truly believe it was by Divine appointment that I saw my nutritionist yesterday. I'd have never known I had high blood pressure. I had it checked just a few weeks ago for my knee surgery. Perhaps it has been high before and I never knew it. I usually attribute my headaches to sinus problems or migraine related. I'm sure had I not gone to the nutritionist, I'd would not have thought for a minute the headache was caused by high b.p. Perhaps God is trying to tell me, "Yes, sweet Joy, you need to get healthy."

Hello. . . .
Wake-up Call from God.

Thank, you. I listening and heeding.

Updates from Sat. - Tues.

Saturday
Tom made a visit to his mother today. She lives in another state and has Alzheimer's. Many times his visits are very sad since she most often doesn't know him and can't communicate very well. Today was no different. Except there was a humorous event. Tom and his mom were sitting in the commons area at a table. Next to him was another family visiting their relative. Another of the residents has a small wheelchair and Tom says she can really travel fast and she gets aggravated if someone gets in her way. When the free-wheeling resident came to the table next to Tom, she looked at the people sitting there and said, "Ya'll can all just go to hell - all six of you!". Well, clearly there were only 3 people sitting at the table. Tom chuckled, then noticed that she was coming his way. He cringed thinking he was next in line to receive her wrath. She looked at Tom and pleasantly said, "Hey, how are you?" I asked Tom how in the world did he get in her good graces. He had no idea. I guess he didn't get in the way of her wheelchair.

Ab has been sick since last night. She has a fever and aches from head to toe. Matt has been a real trooper - taking complete control with feedings, diaper changing, bottle washing, poop cleanup, throw-up cleanup, consoling crying Cady, and consoling crying Abby! HA (But on Monday morning, Abby woke up feeling so much better.)

Sunday

When we were getting ready for church this morning, I just happened to get a glimpse of Tom's fingernails, especially on his right hand. It's quite apparent what color our new grout is, but somehow I don't think our church members care to see that color displayed on Tom's fingers. I told him to hide his right hand when he taught Sunday School. But, then again, our class is made up of some older members whose eyesight isn't what it used to be. Mine included.

After church, we met the following people for lunch: Mark, Andrea & Brie and Andrea's mom Brenda (visiting from Canada) and "Roy" and his fiancee Kendall. This was our first time to meet Kendall. We all love her and think she's a perfect match for "Roy".

After lunch everyone came back to our house. Kendall mentioned that she'd read something about the impossibility of eating a piece of bread in 30 seconds (without drinking). Of course, competitive Roy and Mark jumped right on this one. In short order, Mark & Roy had a piece of bread ready for our countdown. They were both completely adamant that, of course, they could down a measly piece of bread in 30 seconds. HILARIOUS! Of course, they DID NOT! I asked Andrea is she knew the Heimlich Maneuver. No kidding! They didn't even have the bread down in one minute. They were completely defeated by a piece of bread.


Monday
There is a commercial that I want to have banned from TV. It's the Proactive commercial. Now, I know what a great product that is. One of my children benefited from Proactive. However, ya know how on the commercial there is a split screen - left shows the before picture and right shows after using the product? For some unknown reason, whenever this commercial comes on (and believe me it comes on about 10 times a day no matter how much or how little I watch), my eyes just automatically go the left side of the screen and I can't move them away fast enough. It drives me crazy. I'm so tired of looking at people's zits that I could get sick. Please take those commercials off the air. I'm getting queasy. . . . .
Tuesday
Andrea's mom Brenda is returning home tomorrow so they and Brie came to Abby's to visit Ab and Cady. So sweet to have two sets of three generations there. Of course, we took pictures.

Don't get confused. Andrea is holding niece Cady; Abby is holding niece Brie.

Andrea, Brie and Brenda

Looks like Cady won't be getting hand-me-downs on shoes: their feet are the same length. Cady is on the left and Brie is on the right.

Chad & Michelle came by tonight and brought us supper. The food was wonderful but it was more wonderful to see them again. We had a great time. I told Chad about the Roy-Mark-piece-of-bread challenge. Before I finished the story, Chad was in the kitchen getting a piece of bread. He was as confident as Mark and Roy about downing it in 30 seconds. Nope - no can do. It took him 1 min. 20 seconds to get it down. He swears he can do it in 1 minute. Knowing Chad, he'll probably practice and come over soon to show us his new feat. Try it for yourself and email me. I'm simply not interested, myself.

Roy, Cady and The Missionary

Yesterday was Cadence's due date. I don't know about Ab, but I'm glad the first two weeks of Cadence's life are a thing of the past. Good times are rolling now! Yippee! Adjustments have been made, Cadence is eating like a champ and she's sleeping like her uncle Mark.

She looked so cute in this wild circle-patterned sleeper.

I went back to the orthopaedic doctor today and had my knee drained again. Yuck. It didn't hurt as much today but he still drained the same large amount of fluid as a few weeks ago. He's not concerned. He said I may have to have this done again in a few weeks. He wants me to consider "joint fluid therapy" - fancy way of saying I'll have a series of 5 shots to replace fluid in my knee joint. Doesn't sound like much fun to me, but if it'll help I'm all for it. But, think about it, he wants to put more fluid in my knee while he's draining 1/2 cup every 3 weeks of another fluid. Does that make sense to you? I trust my doctor, though, I think. This recovery has been the pits! I never in a million years thought I'd still be hobbling around and straining to get up from the sofa seven weeks after my surgery. If I didn't have my new G.G.'s around, I'd probably be in a state of depression.

This afternoon the doorbell rang at my back door. I looked out expecting to see a familiar Simpsonville face. Who I saw made me gasp. Ryan, a.k.a. "Roy", was smiling from ear to ear. Roy (don't know why we call him that, but it's our name of endearment for Ryan) lives in the farthest corner of southwest Georgia. He played football at Furman with Mark. Roy ate plenty of Sunday lunches with us during those Furman days. We haven't seen him in quite a while. He is in town for an interview. How great if he and his fiancee (wedding/June 6) could settle in Simpsonville! Roy and I surprised Abby at her house. We coerced Roy into holding Cadence. At first she was crying (not because he held her but b/c she was a bit fussy). Then Ab stuck the pacifier her mouth and I quickly snapped a picture.

Now granted Cady is a small baby, but Roy is still huge (all muscle) and makes Cady look even tinier!

Sweet Cady fast asleep on her mommy's chest.

Abby told Roy and I today that she had read Cadence a story from her children's Bible. There was a picture of Jesus "wrapped in swaddling clothes". Cadence loves to be swaddled. Abby said Cadence would probably be a missionary since she loved swaddling like Jesus. . . . . . but not foreign missions, only stateside. HA HA. Ab cracks me up!

Various And Sundry Things Over The Past Few Days

(1) Sun. 11-09 Crazy great uncle Jerry and pretty great aunt Wendy drove over from Irmo to visit Cadence. Jerry was sick the entire first week of Cady's life and he was most anxious to see her for the first time. We had a great short visit with them. Here are some pictures:

Jerry held Cady with great confidence!


Jerry & Wendy with Cadence

(2) Sun. 11-09 My friend, Rhonda, is one funny gal. Away from church and away from the telephone, she's crazy and so fun-loving. However, at church and on the telephone she is so soft-spoken that I often have to ask her to speak up because I can't hear her. Others have experienced the same thing so it's not just me. At church Sunday night Rhonda walked up to Tom & I where we were seated on the third row. Tom was on the aisle seat and I was beside him. Rhonda slightly leaned in and said to me, "Would you read a verse?" I thought she said, "Do you know Rita Burse?" I quickly quipped back, "NO. . . I don't!" Rhonda looked sorta taken aback and said, almost apologetically, "Well, ok, that's fine." Tom looked at me and said, "What did you think she said?" When I told him, he set me straight on what she had actually said. I immediately called her back and told her what I thought she had asked me. Rhonda about lost it! And I assured her that I would be glad to read a verse of scripture that night. Wow, how things get misunderstood! Glad Tom heard her soft voice. I have an item I may purchase for Rhonda for Christmas.

(3) My G.G. Brie is spending time with her Canadian relatives. Grandmother and Grandfather Dafoe, her uncle Scott, aunt Sue, cousins Andrew, Jenna and Jamie are spending the week at a lake near here. I know her grandparents and eating her up b/c she's changed so much since they last saw Brie. I do miss her, but I'm thrilled that she's spending time with her other grandparents. Her grandmother is spending an extra week so I'm sure we'll get together and love on Brie.

(4) Tues. 11-11-08 Today 4 years ago, Abby & Matt met each other and it was pretty much love at first sight! The family met him on Nov. 13 at my Dad's birthday party. When I saw his innocent face I knew Ab had met a fine young man. She had already told me all about him but I needed that first impression of my very own. Who knew that four years later they'd be married and have a beautiful little baby girl.

This morning I drove Abby & Cadence to the pediatrician's office for a checkup. Matt met us there. Precious has gained weight and that's a blessing. She got a great report. Aunt Jane had the day off from work so she brought lunch to Abby and I. We had a great time holding and hugging Cady. We were having some trouble keeping Cady's sox from falling off. Finally, I just pulled the entire sock over her little pants, almost to her knees. Jane and I just laughed at how unfashionable our little niece looked.

This "sock over the knee" look reminded me of Mark's kindergarten graduation. Back in 1984, all the boys wore tube socks and Mark always wore his socks pulled up just below his knees. He always checked to be sure they were aligned perfectly. On graduation day, his friend Jason went a step further and pulled his socks up and over his knees. I remember his mom and I laughing at Jason's socks. We were not making fun of him; we're not mean. It was just so cute how he pulled the socks up as high as they could possibly go. See for yourself.

It's obvious which one Jason is. Mark is top row, second from left. (I'm sure this the last documented evidence of Mark singing in an organized choir of any kind.)

Cady: "Must you hug and kiss me constantly?"

"Please, please get that camera out of my face!"

Sweet Cady Grace in Great Aunt Jane's arms

(5) Today Tom called and shared with me his almost daily plan to get my kitchen back in order. When he told me the exact date of replacing my sink, my heart sank. Monday night before Thanksgiving. YIKES. Arrgh.......... How will I ever get ready for Thanksgiving? Tonight's plan for me is to make my own schedule of which day I'm going to Abby's and precook for Thanksgiving so that I'll have a sink to wash dishes. Here's a picture of one side of my kitchen.

Ignoring the unfinished backsplash, I'm thrilled with the black granite countertop and the fact that I now have a cooktop. However, without a sink, the cooktop doesn't do me much good.

Okay, I'm off to make my very-detailed schedule for the next 2 weeks. Wish me luck!

New Mommies vs. Vintage Mommies

It has come to my attention lately (with two new G.G.'s on board) that my days as a young mother are so very different from the days of my daughter-in-law and my daughter. I was first a mother 33 years ago, then almost 31 years ago and lastly 25 years ago. My, my how things have changed! Here is a comparison. I'll begin with the modern-day item followed by the item I had to put up with:
- Hand Sanitizer - Vintage moms washed their hands with soap and water and not necessarily 30 times a day.
- Huggies/Pampers - CLOTH diapers, baby! Yes, guys and gals, there was a time when moms actually plopped that poop in the toilet and hand-prewashed the diaper. And this was before hand sanitizers and before disposable gloves. Then we moms washed, bleached, rinsed, dried then folded diapers pretty much non-stop. Those were the days!
- Diaper Genie - Now that's an invention I love! Vintage moms had diaper pails that were definitely not odor proof and, remember, we had cloth diapers in those pails.
- Plush, padded swings with music and light shows - vintage moms had a swing with no padded seat. The babies legs hung down and turned blue (that's when you knew the baby had been in the swing a bit too long.) Plus there was no battery-operated continual-motion in our swings. There was a handled-crank that was so horribly loud that every time mom tried to keep the swing going, the baby would wake up screaming in hysteria.
- Pack 'N Play with vibration, music, mobiles, and diaper-changing station - Vintage moms had play pens. They were used mostly to pen up our wild children. Sometimes babies played in them. Again, no battery-operated entertainment. Just wood slats and a flimsy, thin pad on the bottom.
- Cuddling Bouncers/Vibrating Seat - Vintage moms had "infant seats" that should have been recalled long before they became obsolete. I'm not sure why I used this seat, except that all my friends did. It was not safe. And I remember having my babies in this unsafe seat on the countertop while I was cooking. I suppose I was young & stupid and apparently thought nothing of it. Thankfully, all three of my children survived this infant seat. But what I used most often when they were almost sitting up was a plain ole cardboard box. Just put some toys in front of the baby, position his back to one side of the box and he can't get the toys too far away from him and he can't fall backwards and bang his head. Brilliant, huh? And free!
- Plush car seat with every bell and whistle - Car seat??? I vividly remember bringing my Baby #1 and #2 home from the hospital lovingly wrapped up in my arms. I'm pretty sure I didn't have on a seat belt either.
- Strollers that are more comfortable than the bed in a 5-star hotel - Vintage moms had umbrella strollers only. The only good thing about them was that they were very light weight. Very uncomfortable for the babes, though. The babies just sorta wadded up into a ball when I put my little ones in this stroller.
- Mommy's milk or formula for about 6 months - I just checked Baby #1's baby book and at his 3 WEEK checkup, the doctor said to start him on fruit and cereal! Even though when baby #3 came along the doctors had changed their tune about eating, I still gave my Abby the fruit and cereal at 3 weeks old and she did just fine, thank you. When the doctor told me months later to begin cereal and see how she did, I just smiled and thought, "Doc, you have no idea how long this child has been eating baby food!"
- Sleep Positioners to keep baby on his/her back - What's with this sleeping on the back thing? I know about SIDS but mine slept on their tummies. Just seems to me that babies are more cuddled and secure if they are on their tummies, but that's just me.
- Backseat car mirrors to check on baby during travel - Vintage moms just turned their heads and looked at the baby b/c the baby was in the front seat beside mom.
- Grocery Cart Covers - Vintage moms used a wadded-up blanket or nothing at all. Again, this was before hand sanitizers.
- Baby Monitors - With baby #1 and #2, Tom & I just used our ears.
- Discovery Gym - Vintage moms had quilts or blankets we put babies on with no music or light show. We were their entertainment.
- Bumbo - I have no comeback for this contraption. I suppose the cardboard box I mentioned earlier would have been a precursor to the Bumbo.
- Bottle warmer - With Baby #1 and #2, I filled a pot with hot water and waited til the bottle was warm.
- "My Brest Friend" or "Boppy" - Vintage moms used a pillow. Again, free. And whoever came up with the name "My Brest Friend" should be shot.

Having made these comparisons, I admit that many of them are a huge improvement for babies' safety. No doubt. But, honestly, don't ya think some of these items are ways to get relatives to spend money at BabysRUs? I certainly spent my fair share at that store and will probably continue to support them with my future grands. No telling what will be invented when future G.G.'s or G.B's are born. I wait with bated breath!

My Apologies, Mr. Rucker

Dear Mr. Rucker,

Sorry, Tom. I have single-handedly ruined your entire fall of 2008. I feel terrible about it. I really do. I know how much fun we have in the autumn. We both love the cooler weather, we both absolutely love college football and we enjoy riding in the mountains and hiking. Heck, we just love to sit outside in the swing and watch leaves fall, right? You, poor Tommy Boy, have not enjoyed any of these things this year.

Yes, it was my bright idea to redo things in my kitchen. Hilariously so, I just knew everything would be completed by the time G.G. #2 was born. Did not happen. Not even close. I don't know why but every time you do any project, big or small, you are tested to what seems to be way beyond the norm. I don't know what God's trying to teach you, but would you please absorb that knowledge and move on? Just kidding.

I knew yesterday wasn't going well when I returned home and saw you sitting in the middle of the kitchen floor with your head in your hands in total frustration. I wanted to turn around and go back to Abby's. I'm sorry the cabinets on the sink-side of our kitchen are not level - probably going back to when it was build many years ago. So you ,Tom, who always want things done right, are trying your best to level that darn cabinet so the granite tiles will be level and last until we go to a nursing home. I've thought of suggesting to continue living with an unleveled countertop, but I don't think that would be a great idea at this point in time.

Today was a particularly frustrating day for you.. Not only are you far behind what you wanted to accomplish today, but you just returned from Lowe's and realized that you bought the wrong item. So you went back to Lowe's to return it and on to Home Depot for the correct item. (Hope you doesn't meet up with the Home Depot maniac I mentioned in an earlier blog.)

I know you are feeling the pressure. Today is Nov. 8. Thanksgiving is Nov. 27. Simple subtraction says "we" have 19 days left to get countertops finished, stove top back in, sink back in and the house put back in some semblance of order. We are, as you well know, hosting the family Thanksgiving dinner (YIKES). I think I'm breaking out into a massive sweat! Yet to be done post Thanksgiving are the undercabinet lights, touch-up paint on cabinets, painting the walls and ceiling, adding beadboard, putting in two new light fixtures, etc., etc. I'm giving myself a headache thinking about all this.

I'm not sure why, but when we do any remodeling, the entire house gets messed up, doesn't it, Tom? I know you are tired of this, too, because you are such a neat freak. Even I, the messy one in this marriage, am sick and tired of dust and junk.

My dining room looks like a pig sty! Many of the kitchen items and new light fixtures, etc. are piled on furniture and in the middle of the floor.

I was once so proud of my butler's pantry. Now it's ground zero for Tom's tools and granite tiles.

I'm trying to be the cheerleader of all cheerleaders - rah, rahing you to victory - patting you on the back - giving you words of encouragement - and in particular, staying out of your way! I must say that today was especially trying for me, too. I, in all my stupidity, volunteered to prepare dinner tonight for a friend coming home from surgery. When I returned from the grocery store, this is what I saw in my kitchen:

No countertop space to unload groceries, no possibility of getting to my refrigerator, no place to prepare the dinner for my friend.

But, Tom, I was fine with that. I'm the one that pushed for a kitchen redo. So I used my noggin and came up with an alternative plan so that I could get the crockpot meal cooking. I creatively used the laundry room:

I turned my washing machine into a countertop so I could cut up my meat!

I covered a filing cabinet with towels and made a table to put the crockpot!

Tom, you don't know any of this b/c you were having trouble in the "krazy kitchen". Hope the food tastes good; I won't share with my friend exactly how this was prepared nor where it was cooked.

I could not believe it when I went to CFF to get some takeout for your lunch. All you wanted was sweet tea. More than you wanted the chicken melt, you craved sweet tea. I should not have been surprised when you took your first sip and gagged on the unsweet tea. I felt like crying. Why you? Again, I don't get it. I will get you some sweet tea for CFF for supper if I have to go and pour it myself to be sure it's SWEET!

I'm also sorry you feel stressed because you need to get leaves up and cut grass. Admittedly, I could take on this task, but you and I know full well that I'm not a yard person. I'd probably pull a muscle in my back dumping the filled leaf bag time and again. I honestly prayed for you as I was driving from CFF (I should have prayed for that employee who gave me unsweet tea!). I prayed God would allow you to get things done today and for nothing more to go wrong. What a shock it would be to finish the day with nothing going wrong.

So, for the rest of this Saturday, I'll keep shaking my pompoms (gold & black, of course) and trying not to drive you crazy in the mean time. And, as I promised, tonight we'll watch a college football game and eat apple slices with that great cream cheese dip!

I love you,

Your guilt-ridden wife

My Sweet G.G.'s

Mark asked me if I'd like to spend time with Brie this morning. Now, I saw straight through this ploy. I knew there was more to this than just spending time with Brie. He admitted that he forgot that Andrea had asked him to keep Brie while Andrea went to Yoga and then to do grocery shopping. Mark had committed to go hiking with Chad and their dogs and he forgot about Andrea's plans. So, in a sense, I saved his hide. But on the other hand, I did get to spend a couple of hours with precious little one. Here are some pictures.

Oddly, her skin color matches the blanket! (optical illusion)

She's my little sweet cheeks

In this picture she was cooing with the toy contraption above her. So cute!

(Almost) Every Friday is a family gathering at Anita's Mexican Restaurant. Tradition. Always Anita's. Chad & Michelle can't usually come b/c of their work. But Tom & I, Mark, Andrea & Brie, and Matt and Abby always make the lunchtime gathering. Today Tom & I knew we'd be all alone b/c Mark was hiking, Andrea had plans and Matt & Abby have a 10-day old baby. Guess who surprised us! The Ivester's. Sweet Cadence made her first appearance at Anita's today! All the waitresses just gawked at her. Of course, I had my camera and documented the entire event.

She slept through the entire meal


Her first of many Friday Anita's lunches.



Ivester family pleasantly stuffed

Tonight someone from our Sunday School is bringing supper to the Ivester's and Tom & I are invited, too. Yeah, for good friends. Actually, this lady lives just behind Abby and wanted to do something for her; she told us she'd prepare enough for us, too. I'm sure I'll have pictures of this also.

The Church Ladies, Brie & Cadence

Yesterday the "church ladies" made their official visit to Brie. The church ladies visit every child born to members of our church. Since these two church ladies just happen to be good friends, I tagged along . . . yet another flimsy excuse to see my G.G. Of course, I didn't get my hands on Brie but just a few minutes. But I did snap some pictures. (Sorry, Kathy, you held Brie early on before I got my camera out.)

Pugh woman cuddling Brie

Brie fell fast asleep in Nancy's arms

And later in the day, my brother Adger and I went to Cadence's house b/c he had not seen her but one time. He spoiled Abby by bringing her some of her favorite sweets. Cady looked so sweet in her soft sleeper.

One year ago Adger had major brain surgery. He's come a long way in a year. Way to go, Adger! You look great and are back to your "abnormal" self! HA

The Neighborhood Paparazzi

This afternoon there was a crazy lady roaming my neighborhood snapping random pictures. She could be seen driving down most of the streets. All of a sudden she'd slam on brakes, whip out her camera, focus, snap, then creep along suspiciously looking for someone or something. Weird. I'm surprised someone didn't call the police on her. Who was she and what was she doing????
Well, the "who" would be me. The "what" was an obsession with the beautiful fall leaves. Yes, fall is my favorite time of the year: cool weather, college football, and colorful trees. Can't beat that. And you don't have to drive to the mountains to see God's beauty. Just drive over to my neighborhood and you'll see for yourself. I had a blast this afternoon just driving around and randomly shooting pictures of gorgeous sights. Here is some of the scenery I saw today.

This is in my backyard. I don't have to go far to see beauty.

LOVE this tree! I could sit for an hour and just stare at it.

Isn't this postcard worthy? Wow.

Just for my Tom, I drove over the bridge (for you locals, it's across from Westside Church). Tom's very favorite fall trees are red. These are the most beautiful trees in the fall. Not in my neighborhood but just a few minutes away.

Here's to you, Tom.

Red maples!

Can anyone drive around my neighborhood and not bask in the Lord's glory? Such beauty, such wonder. I LOVE FALL! Thanks, God.

Cousins Meet. . . Face To Face

Because sweet Brie has been battling a cold, the little cousins have not met each other until last night. It was great to get them and their parents together.

Matt & Abby with Cadence - Andrea & Mark with Brie

I caught this precious moment between Andrea and Brie

My two G.G.'s, chillin' out in the Pack 'n Play. Brie is 12 wks. old and Cadence is 1 wk. old.

Cadence: "Where'd you get that sticker? I want one."

Brie: "You're too young to vote."

I do need to share with everyone how wonderful Andrea has been with Abby. Andrea is Abby's personal lactation consultant. Andrea has been to conferences to become certified. But more importantly, Andrea has a baby who's breastfed and she herself has gone through the early challenges of nursing. Andrea has been a source of information, but also a source of encouragement. She's been very sweet and loving to my daughter. Thank you, sweet Andrea. You are a true blessing.

The Joy of Being A Stay-At-Home Grandmother

Nov. 4. - 6:30a.m. Tom Rucker arrived at voting precinct to cast his vote before going to work. There were about 50 people in front of him. Voting precinct doesn't open until 7a.m. He waited over an hour.

Joy Rucker, a "kept" woman, uses this excuse for not working: "All my friends are now retiring so I feel an urgency to acclimate them to retired life."

Joy arrived at the voting precinct at 2:20p.m. Joy casted her ballot and left at 2:25p.m. I love being a stay-at-home grandmother!

Quick Shots of My Little G.G.'s

I spent last night over at Ab's. When Tom & I arrived, Cadence greeted us all dressed up. She looked so precious.

From Abby's house this morning, I went to Mark & Andrea's to keep sweet Brie while Andrea went to an appointment. She was so much fun! Mark props her up on the sofa and he says she likes to watch TV from this position. I think he's trying to get her hooked on sports already, what do you think?