Memorial Day Weekend

I did exactly what I wanted on Memorial Day weekend . . . nothing! I said that I wasn't going any place and I didn't. I stayed home and enjoyed my time off and scrapped. I did do some cleaning and am happy to say that I'm able to do some walking without the cane. I must be getting better.

It's still hard to get up out of a chair without the help of the cane, steps are still a problem, but I did go up and down them here a couple of times when I did some laundry. I was pretty proud of myself. I got my summer quilt out for my bedroom and put my winter stuff away. Believe me some times that takes me forever to go from one season to the other. I think maybe spring/summer might be here. Hope so.

I had made plans to spend some time with a friend of mine that's back in Dubuque but it just wasn't our weekend to connect. We're trying for the upcoming one. I have food giveaway Saturday morning and she has a recital to attend for her granddaughters so we're hoping for Sunday morning brunch! Sounds good to me! She's doing the cooking.

I've been collecting pictures of Charlotte. Jim & Mandy have helped a lot. Jim burned a bunch for me when I was last down at their place. I'm working on a book for my sister of her little grandson, but when I'm finished with that I really want to start on something for Jim & Mandy. Mandy has requested that I leave the journeling to her and Jim. She was a little worried about asking me about that, but it's not a problem for me. There are times when I sit here in front of my computer trying to think of something cute or something that makes sense for some of the pictures I scrap. I've already been thinking about different ways to put the journeling boxes in the book. Hope they like it. I know that I will enjoy every minute of doing the book.

I've been taking advantage of Walgreen's specials for 4x6 pictures. Every time they have one I order pictures that I want for my books. Charlotte has so many of them and she is such an easy subject to take pictures of. Check out Jim & Mandy's blog and watch the video of her smile! She is so precious.

This is a short week at work. Next long weekend won't be until July 4th. And by then half the summer is gone. I have no special plans for vacation this year as I really don't have a lot of time built up. I've taken sick leave and annual leave for my problems with my knee and leg and had a bout with the flu earlier this spring. I want to go back to Charleston one of these years. When Barb lived down there we took some time and did some sightseeing, but there's a number of things I want to do again and new things that I didn't get to. Gotta have a goal -- so this maybe my goal for a vacation. Colorado is always my most favorite place. Some of my family are going in June, but with my knee problem I decided it might be best to pass on this trip. Maybe next year. Or at least I hope next year. I truly do love it out there. It's so beautiful!!

One of my favorite products is being showcased on QVC so I best spend some time watching it. I love the 'temp-tations' line they have occasionally. I've a few pieces and just love them. Maybe I can find something else to put on my wish list.

Hope all have a good week. CU!

A Weekend With Charlotte

I had a great weekend with my children and my beautiful granddaughter. I drove down to Ankeny on Saturday morning to spend some time with my kids and little Charlotte! She is such a beautiful baby!

I got to Barb's around 10:30 and unloaded all my goodies. I finally completed Jim's baby books birth to five! He really was a cute little guy! I had a great time doing those books and going back over memories of when Jim was a little guy.

I called Jim and asked him what they wanted for lunch. They decided on Subway. Barb and I took their order and picked up our food and arrived around 12:30. Mandy had a wedding she was shooting in the afternoon so we thought we'd at least get to visit for a bit before she left. Charlotte was sleeping so we had something to eat. Of course she woke up and Mom put her in her swing.

Jim and I babysat for the afternoon. Barb had some errands to run and it wasn't very difficult for me to say yes to staying with the baby and Jim. As you can see we took some pictures. Charlotte has such a head of hair. What a cute little baby!! Barb was in and out and we finally decided I'd stay at their home while Barb went to her party. I really had a great evening with my granddaughter, son and daughter-in-law.

Mandy showed us some of the pictures she took at the wedding -- she does a great job!! The ones I saw were wonderful! I feel a whole lot of pictures of a certain baby girl coming on!!!

I received my Mother's Day gift from Jim & Mandy on Saturday. It's a beautiful picture of them as a family. I just love it. It almost made me cry. I can't wait to get it up on the wall for everyone to see, but first it goes to work with me so I can show it off to all my co-workers. Thanks kids for a great gift!! I love it almost as much as I love you guys!!

On Sunday we had already decided we were going to go to the Art Fair in Valley Junction. It wasn't the nicest day to be out and about but we had a very nice time. Charlotte's mode of transportation is great so she didn't have a problem at all. I'm still walking around with a cane and a little slow, but it's getting better every day. Hopefully soon I won't have to use it at all.

I will be very happy when all this cloudy and cool weather decides to move on. I suppose then I'll complain about how warm it is! You just can't keep some people happy!!! I'm looking forward to a nice quiet weekend. I have some cool new pictures of Charlotte and a new book to work on. We all went to the scrapbook store together on Sunday and the kids helped pick out some new stickers for Charlotte's new book. I very much enjoy scrapbooking (like none of you knew that, right??).

Work is very busy this week. We have a grant due on Thursday with a meeting for approval scheduled for Wednesday evening. I have a meeting tomorrow with staff and our lawyer regarding our Personnel Policies and Procedures. Hopefully that will go well. The long weekend will be appreciated by all. Hope everyone has a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend.

Time to get going and get some work done around here. I've goofed off long enough. Plus it's almost time to call it a day. Have a great week all!

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the mother's out there. It was a beautiful day in Dubuque. A bit on the windy side, but the sun was shining and it was a pretty day.

Barb came for the weekend. That was really special to me. She stopped at her brother's before she came and was able to help Mandy get ready for formal pictures and a trip to Council Bluffs. Mandy's aunt passed away and the funeral was on Saturday. My sympathies to Mandy and her family. Reminds me of a few years back when my own mother passed away on Mother's Day weekend. It's just not something you forget. But she is now in a better place, and hopefully, watching us and enjoying every minute of her great-granddaughter and her grandchildren!

Barb got here around 9:00 and brought me a Mother's Day gift. Everyone knows I'm a scrapbooker and she brought me a 9-drawer storage unit for my papers. We filled that up this afternoon. I'll get organized one way or the other!!

Saturday morning we slept in (that was nice) and then started on organizing my bedroom. It was in bad need of something like that. We really cleaned house! Took a whole load of things to Salvation Army. Bought a shoe rack for my shoes and made a couple other minor changes to the room. It really looks great! I can't thank Barbie enough. We did a little shopping Saturday afternoon. . . . for me. I got some new clothes! Since we got rid of a lot of things I had the room. I'll have trouble deciding what to wear to work for the next few weeks!! We grilled for supper and Barb suffered through another Saturday night of NASCAR racing. She's a good sport about it. We also had a very nice visit along with a bottle of wine!

Sunday we went out for brunch (that was actually breakfast for us). The food was great. It's my favorite meal to eat out. I don't have a problem with making breakfast but I love bacon and seem to have the smell of that for the rest of the day!! Barb wondered how my leg was feeling when we left and wondered if I felt well enough to walk around the furniture store. I forgot to tell you that I broke my recliner Thursday evening!! What a bummer! I thought maybe between the two of us we could figure out how to repair it but that didn't happened. I'm sure someone can, but I'm not sure where to take it. We looked at recliners and sofas and after much looking I decided to get a new recliner and a sofa. I ordered a camel colored sofa and a burgundy chair. I have a glider rocker (from Barb) in forest green with some khaki in it so the sofa and recliner should look good. It probably won't be here until Memorial Day weekend or later, but that gives me a chance to get the old furniture removed from the living room. I'm really excited about new furniture. The sofa is a little smaller than what I have and I really didn't have room for 3 chairs in my living room. It was fun looking at the different styles, etc.

We ended our afternoon with ice cream at Culver's. They had a mother's day special, if you bought one sundae you got the second free. Can't beat that and it certainly hit the spot!! Barb left around 4. Hope it wasn't too late when she got home. It's a drive between here and there but in good weather it's not so terrible. I'm planning on making the trip down there for next weekend. Want to spend some time with my new granddaughter. Barb says she's growing and I can't wait to hold a little one that isn't all bundled up in her blankets!! I'm sure I'll have pictures to share.

Jim called a couple times today to wish me a happy mother's day. That was sweet. I asked if he and Mandy could copy the pictures they have been putting on their blog for a baby book. I've copied them but they just aren't as clear as I would like them. This way I'll have really good copies to use. I'm looking forward to working on baby books of my grandchild. I'm currently doing one for Glee about Jackson. He's such a cutie! He's at that stage in his life where he certainly doesn't sit still and has all kinds of things to babble about!! Will be good to see him again soon too.

That was pretty much my Mother's Day. Last year I spent it with Jim, Mandy and Jayke at their house. I fell in love with Jayke (he's Mandy's nephew). We had a great weekend then too. Jim & Mandy had Barb and I over for supper on the grill and an evening of movies. We all went to church together the next day and out to lunch before I had to head home. It's a good memory! Just as this year will be. Thanks Barbie, I had a great weekend!!

Thank You God

I thank God that my little family is all back home! Mandy, Jim & little Charlotte have been through so much these past two weeks. They are all home now and safe. As some of you may know, Charlotte went back to the hospital the day after she arrived home. She was in for 4 days for jaundice. Her and her parents battled bravely and were able to come home a week ago today. All was well with my little family.

Thursday night around 11:15 p.m. I received a call from Jim telling me that they were back in the hospital! What more can happen to this family? Mandy found a lump, bump (whatever) above or near Charlotte's right ear. Back to the hospital. On Thursday they did a cat scan. Yup! the bump was there. Poor little Charlotte went through all kinds of tests and so did her mom and dad. Every hospital and many other organizations are mandatory reporters when it comes to children, adults, etc., regarding endangerment or abuse. Jim & Mandy knew that they would have to speak to the authorities regarding Charlotte's bump. To be blunt, Mandy & Jim have gone through hell these past 2 days.

I am happy to say that they are now back in their own home, with a healthy daughter and glad to be there. I can't even tell you what they all went through. Thank goodness Barb lives near by and Mandy's dad were both able to be there with them. Jackie also was able to get in on Friday night. I'm still hobbling around with a cane and experiencing a lot of pain but I was ready to go down this morning. When I talked to Jim last night my heart hurt. He was so depressed, so upset and unhappy. I have prayed a lot in the last few years for some special people in my life and believe me when I tell you that I prayed doubly hard for Charlotte, Jim & Mandy. I didn't sleep well last night (I'm sure my son and his wife didn't either). I called Jim this morning to give him a pep talk. He didn't answer but I left a message. BUT he did call back and when I heard his voice I could tell that he was much better. That also meant that Mandy and Charlotte were better too. The doctor that was to make the decision on their daughter read tests, checked the baby (all kinds of things, of which I'm sure Mandy will be able to tell you much better) but what it amounted to was he thought they were going to let them all go home today. Basically they were accused of child neglect and/or abuse. Charlotte had the bump on her head and when they did a bunch of x-rays they found a slight fissure in one of her arms indicating to them that she may have a broken bone.

The bump on the head, the spot of her arm is all due to our little Charlotte being a bigger baby and a hard birth for Mandy. I've heard of broken bones before when a child was born but never have known anyone that went through what Jim & Mandy have. Again, I thank God for watching over them, and bringing them through this crisis. There will be some follow-up to everything that has happened. Everyone wants to make sure that Charlotte is as healthy as possible.

Do I believe in the power of prayer? You bet your bottom dollar. I've spent a lot of time crying (some feeling sorry for my self, but mostly feeling so helpless and bad for my little family). I love my Jim, Mandy & Charlotte very much. I wished I could have been there for them. I'm thankful that my daughter and Bob and Jackie were able to be there. I've spent a lot time on the phone talking to my son and daughter in the last couple of days. I'm looking forward to going down and seeing all of them soon.

I went to the doctor on Tuesday and had a bunch of x-rays taken on my both knees and legs. I haven't heard the results of that yet. The hamstring pull seems much better but I still need the cane to get around. I'm tired of pain pills that put me to sleep and make me dizzy! Maybe they really don't make me dizzy -- I'm kinda that way anyway!!! We'll find out what's wrong and go from there.

Thank you God for watching over my Jim, Mandy and little Charlotte. And thank you to all my family and friends for doing the same.

God Bless All!