Tina in Connecticut

What happened?

2011-12-21T21:33:00.006-05:00

During the years that my daughter was growing up, my house was super decorated for the Christmas season and I started around 8:00 AM the day after Thanksgiving. I was at it until bedtime. Then the following week I cut fresh greens, made table centerpieces, swags for our two doors and the couple next door.

I made all of the teacher gifts and I don't just mean for one or two teachers. My daughter had gifts for every teacher she had, the school custodian, receptionist and ice skating pros she took lessons from. It took two of us to carry in all the gifts to school the last day before vacation.

Some years I also made quite a few of the presents I gave - like hand knit sweaters for my mother and MIL or crewel handbags. Add to this all the decorations I sewed or crafted for the house, Christmas tree and gifts.

Every December I hosted at least one dinner party and one or two ladies' luncheons complete with china and silver in the dining room. My family came to our house on the 25th for an elegant dinner with turkey, 5 or 6 fancy veggie dishes and 3 or 4 desserts.

It wasn't the holidays without the green cream cheese spritz cookies that I made shaped like wreaths with red cinnamon candies to decorate them. I also made sugar cookies and some years I was part of large cookie swaps so made LOTS of both cookies. Many people received my cookies as gifts along with what else I made for them. One year when my daughter was in college and overseas for the holidays, I baked the cookies in early October and mailed them (which would take about 6 weeks) so she'd have them like she did every Christmas.

My dining room table was set the weekend before Christmas and several days ahead I started cooking. By the night of the 23rd, I was prepared as we were up early on the 24th, lunch and cocoa was made and the car was packed with our skis, clothing and lunch and we headed off to Butternut Basin in the Berkshires for a day on the slopes. It was a wonderful day to ski as hardly anyone was there. One year we shared a table with another family and shared my Christmas cookies with them as she didn't bake them as they were Jewish.

After a fun day skiing, we'd come home, shower and get on nice holiday clothes and sit down to our traditional Christmas Eve dinner of chili followed by a Friendly ice cream holiday log sitting at the kitchen table but set with Christmas china. Once the dishes were done, it was picture time before we changed into jammies and sat by the tree and opened some gifts from each other and friends.

The next morning we came down to find that Santa had been and opened those gifts. He filled our stockings and also left presents. My mother, aunt and family would come around noon and we had our holiday dinner. Once we rolled into the living room after all the food, we exchanged gifts and just visited before they all left around 6:00. We all changed back into jammies and my ex and I would hand wash and dry all the china, silver flatware, silver stemware and serving pieces. Big job but well worth it.

Now to what is going on this year. How come it's only a few days until Christmas and I have not finished shopping or wrapping? I don't do all the stuff I did years ago and I am still not ready for the 24th. My fall yard prep for winter was delayed because of Storm Alfred on 10/29 and I was working with clean-up until a week ago with twigs and leaves. I have never been so behind as this year - it's just not who I am. Being very busy at work adds to it as I am tired at night. This week I've been busy evenings as it's getting down to the wire with only tomorrow to get things done as I'm out Friday night. Guess I'll be up early Saturday morning.

Annie emailed me that I need to blog more so Annie, this ones for you.

Happy 9th Birthday Natalia!

2011-12-12T20:24:00.004-05:00

Tomorrow you are turning 9!

When your mom told me she was pregnant, I thought about it for a bit and said it would be really nice if the baby were a boy since she had a girl. Deep down though I was hoping for another girl. Of course the main thing was that the baby was healthly. You gave us all (and especially your mom) some concern but further tests showed that you were fine.

I was anxious to meet you and couldn't wait for you to be born. You were due a few days into January but were going to be born on December 26th. When you mom called me at work on Friday the 13th and told me she was in labor, the first thing out of my mouth was, "You can't be having a baby today as I have the week after Christmas off." Your mother told me that was too bad but you were on your way. The plan had been that I would bring your sister home with me after Christmas and keep her for the week so your mom could have you, come home and have alone time with you. You had other plans.

I was on pins and needles and watched the phone waiting for a call that you'd been born and all was well.

I packed up the car that night and Streusel and I were on the road around 6:00 AM the next morning. I think your father was surprised to see us so early. Your sister was sitting on the living room rug watching TV with a spilled yoghurt. I got her bathed and dressed, put Streusel in her crate and off we went later in the morning to meet you and see your mother.

You were just perfect!

Happy 9th birthday Little Boo!!!!

Love,

Grandma Streusel

Friends Forever

2011-10-12T19:24:00.003-04:00

Think back to college days and your friends/roommates. Many good times through living together, talking, listening, helping, quiet times, happy hours, wild times, adventures to Ft. Lauderdale during semester break (more wild times), boyfriends, break-ups with boyfriends, sharing thoughts, studying and then graduation hits.

Many of us go our separate ways and the years go by. We keep in touch but not as often as we should. Our lives change. I married first and my daughter was 10 when they each had a baby.

This past weekend the 3 of us spent time together in Saratoga Springs at one of our houses. It was like being back together when we lived in the college dorm and after college in an apartment when we were new to the work force. After I married, they continued to live together for a few years until one of them ventured off to the lures of Vail.

We were all together at my daughter's wedding 15 years ago but you know how that is. I was not able to spend time with them as I was kinda busy visiting with all the guests. The last time we were all together before that was probably in 1988 when their kids were 5 and 6 and mine was 16. We vowed this weekend that we will not let the years slip by and we will get together regularly. Claire will come to CT in January after the holidays and we'll spend time laughing and talking again.

When you have close friends, you pick right up where you left off - friends forever!

Happy 11th Birthday Katya!

2011-09-03T17:28:00.008-04:00

Eleven years ago you were born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and you made me a grandma!

Let's go back to 8 months before that. I was out doing my annual day after Xmas shopping and came home to a message from your mom to call her. When I did, she gave me the big news that she was pregnant. I was jumping all around the kitchen as I was so excited and thrilled! She'd bought an at home pregnancy kit and it showed that she was. Back I went to Lord & Taylor the next night after work and bought two gingham Xmas stockings - one in pink and one in blue. Now the wait began.

I started unisex baby shopping immediately but had to wait another 4 months to get her call at work telling me, "It's a GIRL?" I think the whole dept. heard my screams of joy! I had been hoping, hoping, hoping for a granddaughter. Now the baby girl shopping and knitting began.

When I next saw your mother, it was about 2 months before you were born. I picked her up at the train from NYC and my eyes bulged out as she was BIG! Last time I'd seen her, she was a size 5.

We had a fun summer talking about the baby and the baby shower I gave her in one of the historic buildings at Miss Porter's School and soon it came to an end. The night before the shower your father had to take her to the emergency room with pains. Of course her being in a limbo contest while teaching ALPS at Dartmouth a few weeks earlier did not help. I told her I was having the shower with or without her as I'd paid the rental for the building and spent over $300 at the grocery store for food and had done lots of cooking. Fortunately it was a false call and they returned from the ER (after the doctor gave her a lecture about doing the limbo in her late state of pregnancy).

She flew back to Michigan the day after the shower and it was the last day she could fly according to the doctor.

I was getting nervous the last month and called her daily. Bet that doesn't surprise you. When you were born, it was so exciting and I couldn't wait to see pictures. Mom and Dad emailed them to me. You were a gorgeous baby with blond hair, blue eyes and perfect skin (and all the necessary parts). You came home in a white smocked dress I'd bought for you. See, I started with those smocked dresses from Day One. You also wore a baby blue fancy sweater that I had knit when I was pregnant with her.

Originally I was suppose to fly out a few days after your birth but I was sick all week and home from work with a sinus infection and bronchitis. I delayed my flight a week. I thought your father would come for me at the airport and what a surprise to also see your mom there pushing you in the stroller. I just looked at you in the airport and car as I didn't want to touch you until I washed and changed my clothes from the trip.

My stay was full of holding you, rocking you, taking you for walks, doing laundry (lots of it), cooking, etc. I hated to say goodbye to you but the trip came to an end.

I've loved every stage you've grown through and am so proud to be your grandma. You are a bright, lovely, talented girl and I can't wait to see what the future holds for you.

This Was After Four Glasses of Wine

2011-07-22T21:42:00.003-04:00

Set the stage:

We're back at where we lived summers at our beach cottage. Many old friends that I've known all my life along with new friends here at the beach are making it like old home week. It's a small beach community on the CT shore. Mostly "New Englandy" style cottages and year round homes. My great grandfather built our beach cottage and it was in the family until about 12 years ago so we go way back on the Point.

Many afternoons lead into early evening and we are still on the beach. Tonight there were about a dozen of us with everyone contributing to happy hour that lasted for about 3 hours. After the big box of wine, people went up to raid their refrigerators for more wine. We had a spread from cheese and crackers to shrimp cocktail.

One of the friends' guest had her paddle board and most everyone was taking a turn on it. Natalia and Tami took right to it. After everyone had had their turns (and after my 4th glass of wine), I decided that I should try it as the next to the oldest on the beach. Well, I got up on my feet and paddled around before deciding it was time to paddle while kneeling. I never fell off so I'd say I am a cool grandma.

Enjoy the video.

Natalia took to it much more quickly; unfortunately I can't video of her to upload right now. More to come in the next days!

Highlights

2011-07-16T10:56:00.003-04:00

Muscovites arrived two weeks ago and it's been so busy and hectic.

Last week Katya and I went to NYC for 4 days of jam packed tourist sightseeing. Wonderful time. Going with her is so special and she has such an interest in anything dealing with American history, science or intellectual that it is fun taking her to all the places and seeing her soak it all in.

The highlights of Ellis Island was when Katya found her great grandparents' names engraved on the wall. They came together from Holland and Germany as newlyweds to start their lives here in the great US of A. I took several pictures of their names.

Katya went off to overnight camp last Sunday for two weeks. She just loves it at camp and could not wait to go. This is her second summer there. I went for many summers there as did my father. Legacy! Natalia will join her sister there next summer and my daughter will have some well deserved time to herself.

The two cars are PACKED to the gill with everything but the kitchen sink. I even brought a small air conditioner. We are off to the beach. Tami rented a cottage for two weeks. I'll be there for the first week and then go back for the last night. My SIL arrives on the 22nd so he'll have a full week there with them. They get Katya from camp next Saturday morning so she'll have her week at the beach too. This is the same beach where my family had a beachfront cottage since my great grandfather built it. Unfortunately it was sold about 12 years ago.

Surprise!

2011-07-13T08:17:00.003-04:00

Aliens have landed! Stranger things have happened... Such as a PHOTO—no, make that TWO PHOTOS—appearing in this blog!

Here's a guest post by the daughter with the camera... These two are so darn adorable together... They're now snuggled up while we read...

The Big Apple

2011-07-04T21:22:00.003-04:00

Grandma Streusel (moi) and Katya are off in the early AM to NYC for 4 days of sightseeing.

What I've been up to....

2011-06-26T20:55:00.002-04:00

Weeding

Planting

Transplanting

Shoveling mulch into the wheelbarrel and them spreading it in perennials beds and shrub beds

Cleaning

Sweating big time

Taking 2 Advil after the above

Cleaning

Why you ask? The Muscovites arrive on Friday night!!!!!!!!

H & H

2011-06-08T11:20:00.004-04:00

I hate heat and humidity and it's due to be 97 today and 100 tomorrow. Not my thing. Give me the weather we had on Saturday asI loved it. It was in the high 70's or low 80's, dry air, full sun and always a good breeze - perfect. Guess I'll be staying inside the next few days in the A/C.

Thank you to the person that invented A/C. He/she was probably like me and hated heat and humidity.

I Hate Paperwork!

2011-05-22T20:35:00.003-04:00

In my former life, my kitchen counters never had paperwork collecting or stuff! Well, that changed. Finally today I had no excuse as it was a damp, overcast day and not conducive to being outside reading or doing anything so I had no excuse.

I got a late start as I gave myself the AM to read in bed (and also catnap a little). It's my favorite thing to do on Sunday mornings.

This afternoon I had no excuse to not tackle it and it's one less thing I have to do in a month before the Muscovites fly in. I was at it all afternoon. Have tons of stuff for shredding and also filled a plastic bag from the grocery store with paperwork to toss.

Each time I vow that it's the last time and that I'll handle paperwork as it comes and well you know how that goes. This time WILL BE DIFFERENT!

A Perfect Spring 10

2011-05-01T20:15:00.003-04:00

Today was one of those 10 best days. Since I hate heat and humidity, I judged it so. The sun was shinning and warm, there was just a slight breeze from time to time and it was warm enough to just be in a tee shirt w/o a sweatshirt while in the sun.

Decisions, decisions, decisions - pull of the rope hammock and curl up for the afternoon with my thick book or be on the deck reading so Liesel could be outside with me. The deck it was.

I did two loads of laundry and watched them flap on the line after planting pots of gone by daffodils and purple hyacinths.

Topped it off with a walk around the neighborhood with Liesel, chatted with neighbors and their dogs and then barbecued.

A perfect weekend day IMO!

You Know You're In New England

2011-04-17T19:23:00.005-04:00

It's spring (or suppose to be) here in CT. Monday it was almost 80 and yesterday it has to be in the 40's, damp, raw and really icky. The rain started in the late afternoon and it was miserable. It was nice to get back home after being out all afternoon doing errands. Loading and unloading the groceries in the rain was not fun. Today I woke up to full sun. Staying in bed and reading was so nice with the sun streaming in my east window. It still did not lure me to get up early as I love to read in bed on weekends. I had a nice surprise when I went out the front door the first time with the dog as it was actually warm. I filled the clothesline with laundry and it flapped in the wind all afternoon. I'm looking forward to those clean, crisp sheets tonight. Cold, damp and wet on Saturday and gorgeous, warm and sunny day. It is just as Mark Twain said New England about weather. P.S. For some reason, this blog won't now let me put in paragraphs.

My Daughter Was Wrong.

2011-04-10T21:57:00.004-04:00

This year my daughter told me that 60 was the new 50. Maybe it works if you're 60 but not if you're a few weeks shy of turning 64. Yesterday was a gorgeous spring day here in CT so I went out to pick up fallen twigs and branches on the grass from the winter storms. Bending, bending and more bending. Then I cleared the leaves from my perennial beds out by the road as my neighbor across the street's yard never was cleaned in the fall (happens every year). Guess where her leaves ended up? That could be another posting. My perennial beds look great, all the spring bulbs are popping up and perennials are poking through. Love this time of year. There aren't as many spring bulbs coming up as I planted last year thanks to the moles and voles. They have killed a lot of my grass too. Last night I popped a couple of Advil as I was stiff. Yup, 63 and holding is definitely not the new 50.

Mechanical Problem - No Flight

2011-03-22T21:25:00.003-04:00

Picture mechanical problem with the plane and sitting in the plane for 3 hours. Then move on to 3 hours in line in the terminal to change flights (and no bathroom around). At least the airline put them up for free at the airport hotel. Unfortunately they didn't have their bathing suits for the hotel pool. They have to be back at the airport at 7:30 for a flight to Europe and then on to New England. They'll land in the midst of a lovely end of March snowstorm so I hope they'll get a hotel room at that airport and drive to me the next day after the snow ends. Of course I'm disappointed but am thankful the mechanical problem was found while the plane was checked before the flight. It means less time with Tami and Natalia but we'll make the best of it when they get here. They're safe in a nice hotel and it's free.

Meanwhile I'm on PTO so will go off to scrapbook tomorrow. Can't waste a precious PTO day.

When my alarm goes off tomorrow morning...

2011-03-21T20:47:00.002-04:00

Half of my Muscovites will be flying West to my house!!!!! I can't wait. Maybe I'd better take a little something so I can sleep tonight as I am so excited.....

House is clean, groceries are bought (all the favorites), hair is cut and I splurged and had it colored and highlighted tonight and Liesel is bathed and had her pedicure. We're ready!!!!!

Liesel!!!!!!!

2011-03-15T20:07:00.001-04:00

I'm washing my dishes from making popovers and I hear a crunching. Liesel in on her mat and I figured she had a chew toy. I go closer and it's my lipgloss. One end is pink and one is a red. Thankfully the red was not completely opened. Now to get it out of her mouth. I grabbed the red end (pink end was gone) and she held on. Once her feet were off the ground, she let go. My left hand was now all smeared with the red lipgloss. I picked up the chewed plastic pieces from the pink end and threw everything away. Where did she get this you are wondering? She stuck her long snout in my snapped pocketbook hanging on the closet door. She is sooooo naughtly and such a chewer.

P.S. She's in rare form tonight. I just saw her run down the hall to the den so I figured I should check on her. She'd been in my pocketbook again and took out my new lipgloss from the dentist which I only got 3 hours ago. She had the cap off and some of it was dug out. She must really have dry lips tonight.

Spring

2011-03-15T06:27:00.001-04:00

The snow is almost gone in my yard but for the big pile at the end of the driveway from the plow. Thursday it's going to be 60 and 68 on Friday. Spring is coming to CT. Yeah!

Guess who's coming?

2011-03-12T22:46:00.003-05:00

The Muscovites recently decided to come and they arrive in a little over a week. This is months ahead of the normal summer visit so I need to do some serious cleaning. Big plans were for getting the upstairs done today but..... There's always tomorrow.

I can't wait to see them!

I AM IRATE!

2011-03-02T19:00:00.001-05:00

I am sick listening to the CBS Evening News about the coverage of the US Supreme Court's upholding protestors' rights to demonstrate outside the funerals of our fallen US soldiers who gave their lives while serving our country while proudly wearing the uniform of our armed forces. This is just horrible and I am sickened and so upset hearing this. How must the loved ones' families and friends feel? Not only do they have to live without their loved ones but have to be subjected to this. Where is respect and honor? It's a good thing I was not near any of this as this grandma would get right in and yell right back to those animals and their disrespectful actions. I'd probably end up arrested and it would be worth it.

Happy Birthday!

2011-02-21T00:08:00.002-05:00

Happy birthday to my daughter! I stayed up so that I could call her just after midnight to be the first to wish her a happy birthday before she headed off to school this morning.

As I say to myself each year on her birthday, "I sure feel better today than I did ** years ago!" Dread the year that I felt better in labor than in the current year!

Have a great day Tami! Love you lots!

My Evening With The Boys

2011-02-20T13:47:00.003-05:00

My daughter's best friend from college days moved to the area a few months ago as her husband started a new job. They have two boys the ages of my granddaughters. My granddaughter is named Katya because of Katya.

Out of grad school, the two couples lived a few blocks from each other in Ann Arbor as Ian & Katya were working in the greater Detroit area law school at the U of Michigan brought my SIL and daughter to the area. The couples saw each other all the time and really enjoyed being near one another. They both had babies 3 months apart. When my SIL finished law school, they moved to Brooklyn and the families have not seen other but for very brief visits.

This summer will be great as they all will get to spend a lot of time together and the 4 kids can renew their friendships.

I'd told Katya and Ian that I would love to babysit when needed. They had not yet taken me up on my offer so earlier this week I emailed that I was free on Saturday night (which is the norm) and if they'd like a night out, I'd love to go over to be with the boys. She emailed back right away that they'd love it.

I had an email on Friday from Ian that the night before when putting his younger son to bed, Nik told him to tell me that he was excited that I was coming over the next night. Sure made my day! When I arrived on Saturday, I got the biggest bear hug from Nik.

The boys had been busy down in the playroom with empty moving boxes and cushions and I helped with the "fort" building. Then I went upstairs to make grilled cheese sandwiches and heat up tomato soup. After supper, we had frozen yoghurt and Nik and I made a cake and baked them in individual foil stars. They did not come out too pretty as it was hard to judge how much batter to fill each one with. They tasted fine though. We watched a little TV and Nik and I played Go Fish. Before we knew it, it was time for bed and bedtime stories.

A fun night spent with two bright, well mannered and very sweet boys. I told their parents to please call me whenever they need a night out or have a school meeting or whatever.

After being there a few hours, their dog even let me pat him. He's shy and not like my dog.

Taxes!!!!!!!!

2011-02-14T22:04:00.002-05:00

Tonight's big news on the local TV news is how our new governor wants to raise taxes and guess who will be the hardest hit? Yup, we in the middle class! I am not happy.

Melting

2011-02-06T15:34:00.002-05:00

Woke this morning to the sun coming inside my Eastern bedroom window. That's New England. One day it's drizzly and freezing rain and the next it's sunny and 44 degrees (in the shade). That didn't make me want to get up though. My luxury on Sundays is to stay in bed reading - love it. Since I have a dog that is content to snooze in her crate, I can do that. I never bring her up to bed with me on Saturday nights as I want my read and snooze in bed Sunday morning.

Finished my book and got up to my day - starting laundry and make a big breakfast (or should I say lunch).

Everything is dripping outside. If I were younger, had more muscle and not afraid of going up the ladder, I'd be outside scrapping the roof and chipping away on the melting ice in the gutters. Since I am none of the above, I watch it drip and hope it doesn't come inside.

I gave a fleeting thought to hanging out my sheets and towels but the ice on the back side of the deck had a big influence on my deciding to use the dryer. I did go out and shovel the wet, very heavy remaining snow on the back of the deck. That's when I discovered the ice underneath it. Now the sun can melt it so maybe next weekend I can hang out. My mother hung out all winter long so it's what I'm used to.

I gave Liesel a barbecued marrow bone so that kept her amused for a few hours. Once she got all the meat off it, she left it on her mat. I'm sure she'll go back to it.

Hallmark channel has a "Murder She Wrote" marathon all weekend so I've had the kitchen TV on while I scrapbook.

More Snow

2011-01-30T21:35:00.003-05:00

Yes, we are getting another storm and it's a two parter again. First we are getting 3 - 6 inches of snow and then it'll turn to sleet, freezing rain and then rain into the second day.

Guess I'll be WFH again with my laptop.

I bet the moms and dads home with the kids will be pulling their hair out.

But, we're getting more snow on the weekend too.

Sure hope my roof doesn't cave in or leak and that the gutters don't either.

This is a winter for the record books here in CT.

Everyone get out tomorrow to buy the necessities - bread, milk and chocolate.

Unexpected Phone Call, Lunch & A Movie

2011-01-29T19:53:00.004-05:00

This morning the phone woke me up and a forgotten voice was on the other end. One of my college friends was in the area for her grandson's hockey game and saw the name of my town and gave me a call from the car. She was only going to be in the area for two hours and I couldn't make it as I had plans for later in the AM. We talked for an hour and sorta caught up. What a nice surprise and way to start my day. Chatting with a college friend and my dog was curled up at my feet.

A friend and I met for lunch at her club. There is a deck outside of the dining room and large windows. While sitting at our table, we looked at the fire going in the stone fireplace or out the windows at what was taking place. There was a man out there with a chain saw and some small tools working on a huge clump of snow and making a sculpture. We left before it was done but think it was a bear.

Next was the movies to see "The King's Speech". One word for it - FANTASTIC! I encourage everyone to see it. Wonderful acting and beautiful scenery and costumes. I emailed my friend from London and she said that it was very accurate. I never knew that the King had a stuttering problem and what he went through.

Now I'm home after a haircut and grocery shopping and sitting at the kitchen table with my laptop and watching a movie on the kitchen TV.

Great day. Tomorrow I need to do my year end self-appraisal for work. HATE, HATE, HATE doing those. I've been way too busy to work on it at work so tomorrow is the day. Hopefully it won't take up too big a chunk of my afternoon.

Scrappy Weekend

2011-01-23T21:24:00.003-05:00

I finally got back to my Friday night scrapbooking and knowing it was coming got me through the week. Loading the car was challenging as my driveway is sheer ice. I'm quite afraid of ice as that's how I broke my elbow some years back.

Got home late that night and left all my bags in the trunk to unload the next day. I did not want to take any chances of falling.

After being out Friday night, the rest of my weekend was spent in fleece pj pants, turtleneck and sweatshirt. Lazy weekend with reading in bed each morning, cooking a big brunch and meals, scrapping and knitting while watching/listening to Hallmark station movies.

Of course the house desparetly needs cleaning but ... Liesel and I don't care. It's more fun to do what we want. She spent a lot of time on the floor by the heater vent sleeping, watching me or working on her dental chew toy. The life of a dog... Forgot that she has to go out in the bitter cold to go to the bathroom so that's not a good thing. It was down in the single digits during the night and we're due for a few bitterly cold days ahead.

You know you're in CT when...

2011-01-17T17:09:00.002-05:00

You're waiting for the next winter storm to start and it hasn't been a week since the last one. The nice thing is that just about every other day is full sunshine and beautiful.

I do love winter as long as I don't have to be out on the roads during a snowstorm or freezing rain.

Hope I don't get leaks as we're getting 3 - 6 inches of snow which will then turn to freezing rain/ice and then plain rain.

I stopped at the grocery store late this afternoon and noticed break and milk in the passing carts. I went for the real staples - Greek yoghurt, grapes and CHOCOLATE.

Day at the CT shore

2011-01-16T20:56:00.003-05:00

Yesterday Liesel and I visited friends at the CT shore. It was a typical CT winter day with a sunny sky and deep white snow blanketing the ground, trees and buildings. Driving there was really nice looking out on the countryside listening to a book on tape.

Before lunch, Jill, Liesel and I went for a walk all around the Point. It was not cold or windy so it was really pleasant to be outside. Liesel trotted along ahead of us and every now and then, she'd look back just to check that I was there.

We had a good afternoon and early evening catching up on everything and seeing their digital pictures (shown on their TV) from their trip to Peru and the Galapagos Islands in November. Absolutely gorgeous and what an trip.

I did not want to be driving back late so the dog and I packed up after a delicious salmon dinner and headed home.

Good to see old friends and be back at my favorite area.

Blizzard in CT

2011-01-12T20:48:00.003-05:00

Well the weathermen (and women) got this one right. We heard about this storm starting last week and each day got more details.

I brought my laptop home last night from work as there was no way I was driving anywhere today. Smart move.

When I got up right after 7:00, my car was buried under a huge amount of snow. There was no way that I could have even moved it an inch as we had so much snow.

Opening the storm doors took a little muscle and then I went out to clear the steps and walk. After all, my dog has short legs and so I need to shovel for her. She bounced out the door and looked all around when she hit the walk. All she saw was a high wall of snow all around the walk and she was snowed inside that tunnel. I'm sure she was say, "Huh? Where did all this come from?"

I got plowed out right after lunch and did the necessary shoveling then so my two sets of steps are cleaned and is my deck and walk.

Tomorrow morning it's back to work so I'll have to get out of my plaid fleece pj pants, turtleneck and old sweatshirt.

It really is beautiful looking out the window and seeing the powdery snow. I love winter and snow. After all, I live in New England.

Happy New Year

2010-12-31T14:09:00.003-05:00

Don't know what all your plans are for ringing in the new year, but I'll be home watching movies on the couch with the dog which is fine with me. I don't like being out on the road with all the drunk drivers.

Happy New Year and wishes for a healthy one (and no lay offs)!

PTO Days

2010-12-30T22:41:00.003-05:00

Why is it that when one is out on PTO (paid time off = vacation days) that the days fly by but when one is at work, it's just the opposite? I've been off the past two weeks and just loving it. Pretty much I have not had any schedule and it's just what I needed. One day has flowed into another. I could get really used to this but alas I'll be back to work on Monday.

I'm sure my four legged buddy will not be happy to see me getting ready for work as that means no freedom for her while I'm gone.

The last two days I've worked on several scrapbooks for my granddaughters and they'll be going over to Moscow with an exchange student at my daughter's school. Tomorrow I'll be packing a box to mail to him with things to bring over.

I had had great intentions to get several big projects done while I was off but ....

Bitter cold

2010-12-27T19:02:00.003-05:00

It is bitter cold here in CT and very windy. I am so glad that I am safely home with my doggie and that I was not out in the storm yesterday.

Liesel is so funny in the snow. I shoveled the front walk but no, she leaps into the snowy yard and jumps through the snow. It's funny when she digs her nose down into the snow and comes up covered with snow. She doesn't mind the snow and is so cute jumping through it.

After watching stranded motorists or travellers at the airports, I am so glad that I'm warm at home with my dog.

Storm is over

2010-12-27T12:26:00.002-05:00

Well the weathermen were wrong again about how much snow we'd have dumped on us. At my house there is only about a foot. Winds are still high though.

My plowman came at 1:30 this AM but I never got up. He'll be back later today I'm sure as a lot more fell after he left. I didn't plan on going anywhere today so it's fine with me.

I have been out to clear off the car, shovel the deck, two sets of steps and the front walk for the dog. The snow is really too deep for her to jump around in. She came back in and is stretched out right in front of the hot air vent (her favorite place). She asked Santa for a pellet stove to stretch out in front of but he didn't bring her what she asked for. Instead she was given a chew toy.

Guess it'll be another day puttering around the house all snug inside.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow....

2010-12-26T18:45:00.004-05:00

We are having our first storm of the season and it's going to be a big northeaster. The weather reports are for a foot and a half to more of snow, drifting and high winds.

Since today was the big after Xmas shopping day, I was pulling out of the driveway at 7:15 and hit some stores along the business road a mile or two away. I started out at two drug stores and moved on to other shops and the grocery store. I did very well finding things at 50 - 75% off for gifts for next December, for my granddaughters and for my daughter to have to stock up her gift box for gifts the girls give to school friends. After quite a few cell phone calls to Moscow asking, "Do you want this, how many, what sizes should I get, etc?", I drove home with my purchases and groceries. I was home around noon and the flakes had just started sticking. I was glad to be back home to beat the storm and with all my "finds".

I made a really nice dinner and have enough for the next few nights.

Laundry is done, dishes are washed and I'm ready to settle down on the couch with the dog to watch a Xmas movie.

Our blizzard is suppose to last until 5 - 6 PM tomorrow night so you can bet that I'll be outside quite a few times shoveling off the front steps, path for the dog and back deck steps. I get plowed so imagine that will be some time tomorrow.

I am so glad that I'm on vacation from work all week so I don't have to be out on the roads.

Let's just hope that the high winds don't take out the power as sitting in a cold house with no lights is no fun.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T11:22:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas to all my blogging friends!

"Christmasy"

2010-12-19T14:09:00.003-05:00

I've had the TV on in the kitchen watching Christmas movies while I wrap gifts. They are all done but for the 3 that I need to go to the ATM for. It's a good feeling to be done. I did not have as many to wrap this year as my gifts for the kids (big and small) already are in Moscow or are flying over with my daughter's friend on Wednesday. Things going in airline luggage cannot be wrapped.

I really do enjoy gift wrapping and making the gifts look pretty with coordinating ribbons - metallic, real ribbon or paper for curling. I use paper that is appropriate for the person too. I also wrap my cranberry orange walnut breads in aluminum foil and use metallic ribbon (with silver in it) to wrap it up like a present. This year I added a bell to the center of each bow to embellish them. Can you tell I'm a scrapbooker - embellish?

Hope you are enjoying your Sunday too.

Vacation Time

2010-12-18T18:37:00.005-05:00

Yesterday when I walked out the door at 4:30 from work, I let out a big sigh as I am off on PTO and don't have to be back at work until after New Year's Day! I am sooooo ready for this down time and thrilled to have all this time.

I'd saved the last two weeks of December to go to Moscow but decided this fall that I just wanted to stay home so I now have the time.

What to do? I'd need a year to get done what I'd like to do but will have to settle for a few projects, maybe cleaning the house (if I'm in the mood), doing a lot of reading, spending time with my cousins and friends and sleeping late in the morning. I started right off with sleeping late this morning and reading in bed. Plan to do it again tomorrow. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.........

Lights

2010-12-15T22:35:00.002-05:00

White or colored Xmas lights?

I vote for white.

P.S. It is bitter here in CT. It's a 2 dog night but I only have 1 dog. Gotta take the dog to bed for warmth in those fleece sheets. She loves it.

Happy 8th Birthday Natalia!

2010-12-13T09:11:00.002-05:00

Eight years ago my daughter called me at work mid morning and told me she was in labor. She was due on New Year's Eve but since she was having a scheduled C-section, it was going to be on Dec. 26th. The plan was for me to bring Katya home with me on Christmas night. Well, Natalia had other plans.

My first response to her was, "You can't be in labor as I can't leave work." Real bright, huh?

Natalia was born that day (Friday the 13th) and I didn't get to see her until about the next morning. The dog and I were driving out the driveway before the sun was even up on Saturday so we could get to Brooklyn early in the AM.

Happy 8th birthday Little Boo. I love you and wish I were with you to help celebrate your special day and see the fantastic cake you and your mom made for your party at school today.

Packing box for Moscow

2010-12-12T21:45:00.003-05:00

Bing and Elvis are singing Christmas songs on the radio as I pack the box to go to Moscow with Xmas gifts for the Muscovites. I'm sending it to Tami's friend in MI who is going over with her two daughters to visit for Xmas and New Year's.

Liesel was trying to get into things so she's been banished to her crate.

I'm wondering how I am going to be able to carry it out to the car as it's heavy. It needs to go out UPS to MI tomorrow.

At this time last year, I was frantic with all that needed to be done before I flew off to Moscow. This year I've decided to stay home so all I need to do is get this one box packed.

P.S. Just finished the box. Took me over an hour. It must weight 50 lbs so I now need to jump in the shower. Taping it was a chore.

So much for the dusting of snow....

2010-12-12T12:58:00.003-05:00

I woke up to rain this morning and stayed in bed reading (love Sunday mornings). It is now pouring and it's so nice to be inside.

I made a big breakfast of freshly squeezed OJ, maple cured bacon and fried eggs. Oh, all that cholesterol was so good.

Washer and dryer are going, crock pot has two chicken breasts slow cooking with carrots in teriakyi sauce, a big pot of chicken soup is simmering and the dog is sleeping curled up in her blanket in her crate.

I'm not venturing out at all today as my errands were done yesterday. I have Christmas movies on the kitchen TV and soon will flop on the couch with another book to read.

Hope your day is as good.

Snowflakes

2010-12-10T20:32:00.001-05:00

I just went out the front door with Liesel so she could do her thing. I have a spotlight on my front door for the holiday season. Because of it, she could see the very light snowflakes coming down. She immediately started jumping in the air trying to catch them. It was so funny and she wasn't very successful.

She's still a pup.

Christmas Traditions and How They Have Changed

2010-12-07T19:12:00.007-05:00

I've had different Christmas traditions during my lifetime.

As a very little girl, my parents and I would go to the early Christmas Eve service at church and then go to my grandparents in the next town. My maternal grandparents were from Holland and Germany and the tradition was to exchange presents that night. Christmas morning I was wide eyed with what Santa brought. I also put my wooden shoes on the hearth for St. Nicholas on Dec. 6th to be filled with candy.

As an older child, my grandparents would come to our house as we then lived in a period colonial from 1760 that my father and grandfather restored. My dad had a roaring fire in the dining room fireplace (large enough for several adults to stand in with room left over), had a nice dinner and opened some gifts. The next morning we had a nice breakfast and opened more gifts. My grandparents came over and my aunt, uncle and cousins came in the early afternoon and we had a roast goose with sweet and sour red cabbage to keep with the German tradition (and many other sides and deserts). We exchanged family gifts. This continued through college. My last holiday with my father was my senior year in college as he died on Dec. 9th the following year. It'll be 41 years this Thursday. I think of all he missed in my adult life and never got to know his granddaughter and great granddaughters.

When I married, my first holiday was spent with my ex's family in Oregon as we flew out there after our Dec. wedding and ski honeymoon. The next holidays we were back in Oregon as we were living in Berkeley where my ex was in grad school.

The next year we were back in CT and had a baby. I decorated the entire house the day after Thanksgiving. We were back to Christmas at my mom's on the 24th for overnight. Things were the same. The only difference is that Phil and I came home the night of the 25th and Tami stayed with Grandma for a visit. This continued until the year she was in kindergarten.

That holiday we were in a bigger house and one with a fireplace. Phil had also labored all fall to make Tami a gorgeous two story doll house. There was no way that we could hide it in the car to bring to my mom's house. We started a new tradition. We had started Tami skiing when she was 3 so off we went to the Berkshires for a day of skiing. It's a perfect day to go as most people are home preparing for the holiday. We had packed our thermos with hot cocoa, made yummy sandwiches and had Tupperware with an assortment of my Christmas cookies. We would get home around 6:30, shower, get on our nice clothes, have chili with melted cheddar cheese, crusty hot bread and for desssert, a Friendly's holiday ice cream roll. Then we'd take pictures in front of the fireplace, tree and on the stairs. Off came the nice clothes and we'd come back down to the living room in our flannel pj's and Lanz nightgowns to open presents from each other. After Tami went to bed, we'd do our elf things.

The hard fast rule was that Tami could not come downstairs without us and everyone's hair had to be brushed. Santa had been and we'd open our stockings and gifts from Santa. Breakfast was light and consisted of Pillsbury cinnamon rolls and OJ. I did not have time to cook between gifts and getting ready for the family around noon and a big dinner.

I set the formal dining room table the weekend before Christmas and shut the door. For two days before the 25th, I made whatever food that could be made ahead. The morning of the 25th, I prepared the rest. We had switched to turkey some years before and it had gone in the oven around 7:00 or 8:00 AM. I used to make a mashed potato casserole with sour cream, cream cheese, crushed garlic, butter and chives, a sweet potato casserole mashed with orange juice, and spread on a base of butter, brown sugar and pecans (in a metal round mold to bake), mashed butternut squash, broccoli casserole with Town House crackers with butter and parmesan cheese, brussel sprouts (for my mom and uncle), green bean casserole, tomato casserole, peas, creamed onions and rolls. My mom always made a cranberry salad that was made in a red jello. The cranberries and celery went in the old fashioned food grinder (a real messy job) and had lots of walnuts in it. I also made a green creme de menthe pie and an English truffle. My mom would bring pecan pie. All this food and there were not even a dozen of us. Mom and my aunt went home with lots of leftovers.

Things changed once Tami was grown as she was usually not home for the holidays. She was in Europe, Moscow or CO (at her in-law's). I was working full time and not hosting the holiday so told myself, "Why should I spend so much time decorating as it's not worth it?" When the kids are here, I decorate but scale it back a great deal. My holidays vary. Some years I am with the kids where they have lived (Brooklyn, NY, or Moscow), with my cousins or close family friends. One of the holidays that I was in Brooklyn, NY, Natalia (my granddaughter) was 10 days old on the 24th and had come to us via a C-section. My daughter still wanted to do our yearly trip into Manhattan. We'd started doing that the first year that they have moved to NY. We headed off to Manhattan early in the AM with Chris on his commute to work. Tami and I spent the day roaming Macy's, F.A.O. Schwartz, looking at all the decorated holidays windows and met up with Chris around 4:00 at the ice ring at Rockefeller Center. We watched the skaters, saw the tree and decided to head for home. Poor Tami was just spent and I don't know how she did it all considering she'd had a C-section 10 days earlier. We stopped at a Chinese restaurant for our Christmas Eve dinner. That sure broke with tradition.

I still do all the baking of cranberry orange walnut breads, spritz and sugar cookies. I've sent cookies to her in Europe so she'd have them the year that she did fall semester abroad. I have a tin ready to mail to her friend in MI that will be in Moscow for Christmas. It's not Christmas with us without my green cream cheese butter spritz Christmas wreath cookies.

Whatever your traditions are, have fun!

Kitchen is Closed!

2010-11-28T20:02:00.004-05:00

As of 8:03 tonight, my kitchen is officially closed. I've roasted my big turkey, made many turkey casseroles, baked almost 2 dozen cranberry orange walnut breads and oodles of Xmas cookies. I'm DONE.

I'm back to work tomorrow to rest my body and actually sit down.

More time in the kitchen

2010-11-28T10:35:00.003-05:00

Since I roasted and picked the turkey clean on Friday, yesterday was cooking time.

First of all was a huge pot of turkey vegetable soup. It simmered away as I started in on casseroles. I made 3 pans of turkey tetrazinni and 2 pans of turkey broccoli casseroles. Everything had sauted onions and mushrooms and I'm one of those mushroom users that rinses well to make sure they don't have any lingering dirt.

My kitchen smelled so good.

Since it was cold out, I put everything on the deck railing to cool once the pans were no longer really oven hot. After everything was cold, I put most of the food into individual plastic containers for the freezer. That meant rearranging the freezer but I was able to make a lot more room. The two pans that won't fit will go in my friend's freezer.

Yesterday I also made 2 batches of cream cheese spritz cookie dough and 2 batches of sugar cookie dough. I'm waiting for some of the spritz dough to warm up so I can start making cookies. I'll be at it all day.

Hopefully this is the end of my holiday baking. I've had Hallmark channels Xmas movies on all weekend so it's been nice.

That's a lot of turkey!!!!

2010-11-26T21:45:00.004-05:00

During November the grocery store had a promo for a free turkey or ham after you've spent $300. That's not really that hard to do with regular groceries and ingredients for holiday baking. I picked up a 21 lb. turkey as my reasoning was to get a big one since it was free.

Into the frig it went on Sunday to thaw. This morning when I took it out, I was really surprised to find out that the inside was still frozen so I kept running cold water inside it in the sink. In about a half hour, it was fine and I could rinse it out and get it ready for the oven. I sprayed PAM on it, sprinkled seasoned herb salt, pepper and lots of dried parsley. According to the directions on the turkey, it should have been done around 6:30.

Off to OLD Navy and the grocery store I went. I had to get ingredients for turkey soup and several turkey cassroles. The store was out of celery and scallions so I bet lots of other people planned on making turkey soup this weekend. The next grocery store had it and celery hearts were on sale. The bags were small and there were just two left so I took both. The man next to me then told me he needed celery so he bought the organic one not on sale.

Came home and made fancy mashed potatoes and butternut squash with maple syrup to have with my turkey. Oh, it looked wonderful and was browning beautifully. Come 6:30, it wasn't done. Same at 7:00 so at 7:40, I took it out. I couldn't wait for it to cool and cut a big piece for supper. Oh so good.

Later in the evening I cut all the meat off and it's in the frig. I broke up the carcass and it's simmering in my big pot. I'll let it cool, pick off the meat and store the big pot in the frig. Tomorrow is soup and casserole making day. I will have to rearrange my freezer as it's full. I might have to drive some things over to my friend's freezer again.

The dog is going nuts with the turkey smell and looking for anything that might have fallen on the floor while she was safely tucked away in her crate while I was working on the turkey. She's never had turkey but her nose is telling her that it's mighty good stuff. She didn't find any on the floor but she keeps hoping.

I can tell you that a 21 lb. turkey that only one person ate from yields a LOT of turkey. The best part is that it was free.

Baking

2010-11-24T14:37:00.003-05:00

I took today as a vacation day. What really surprised me is that I set my alarm but for 7:15. Got up, showered and made a big artery blocking breafast of sausage, fried eggs, toast and OJ. Put in a load of laundry and hung it out.

Then the real job of the day started. I rinsed and picked through 8 bags of cranberries and made 12 large and 10 small loaves of cranberry orange walnut bread. Most are for Xmas gifts. I never know how many I'll need so I make more than needed as it's nice to pull one out of the freezer in February to have for breakfast with cream cheese. Since it's such a messy job, I like to get them all done at once. I make them in foil loaf pans (much easier), wrap heavy duty foil around them and pop them in a friend's freezer. When I give them, I wrap them like a present with colorful fancy ribbon that has silver in it. What a great gift IMO.

The kitchen is all cleaned and I'm just waiting for the second batch of breads to finish baking.

This weekend I want to bake spritz and sugar cookies too and have all my holiday baking done.

I've had the Hallmark channel on with Xmas movies so it has been a nice day. In my email, there is a 50% off coupon for today at Borders so I'll run there tonight to buy the old movie Holiday Inn. Maybe I'll watch it over the weekend while knitting.

Love That Barbara!

2010-11-22T17:42:00.002-05:00

I have always loved Barbara Bush. Love her spunk and her tell it like it is. I just saw a clip of her interview with Larry King. When he asked her about Sarah P, she remarked that she sat next to her once, she's pretty and that she hopes she stays in Alaska. Love that Barbara!!!!! I can't stand Sarah P!!!!!

Getting in the Mood

2010-11-21T17:05:00.003-05:00

I grew up to hearing Perry Como in my house as my mother loved his music, his TV show and what a wholesome man he was. It's not Christmas without hearing Perry Como. I used to love his Christmas special on TV (and also Andy Williams'). Checking out at the grocery store today was a display with some CDs. Staring at me was Perry for $5.98 so onto the counter it went. Guess I'll pop that into the player in the car tomorrow and sing along.

Remember all the wonderful Christmas specials on TV? Miss them.

I also bought 3 pointsettias this afternoon. One red one is for a co-worker's birthday on Thanksgiving and I'll bring it in tomorrow. The red one is on my kitchen table next to my laptop and the third one is pink and for my desk at work. When my daughter was growing up and I went all out decorating the house for Christmas, I had lots of pointsettias in the house as I love them. I used to have the traditional red along with white and pink.

Next weekend I'll be baking - cranberry orange walnut breads, cream cheese spritz cookies and sugar cookies. Most of it will be given as holiday gifts to friends and co-workers. Of course, I'll eat some too. Another holiday tradition of mine are my green cream cheese spritz cookie wreaths. I never missed making them except for last December. I was so busy with work and everything needed to be ready to fly to Moscow a week before Christmas. I brought the directions and cookie press with me but never got to make them there. Unfortunately I forgot the press there and my daughter forgot it when she came in March and for the summer. My good friend Cecelia sent me home with her press when I was visiting her in NY a few weekends ago. She didn't plan to use it this season so I'll put it to good use before I get it back to her.

I stocked up on flour and sugar (many bags) this weekend (on sale)as there is nothing worse than being in the midst of the baking mess and running out. I don't have anyone to run to the grocery store for me and having to put on decent clothes to go is such a nuisance.

Xmas Craft Fairs

2010-11-20T23:41:00.004-05:00

Love love love them. Today I went to two and enjoyed them. One always has one room for baked goods and prepared soups and casseroles. They have a list of the available frozen meals and you place your order. Someone goes to the kitchen freezer while you pay and then you have lots of dinners ready for after work in your freezer. No work and the money the fair makes all goes to support a local food kitchen. What could be better?

The same fair also has different rooms with used books, homemade candy, tag sale items, tea cup auction and crafts. I always have to make two trips out to my car. I wait for this fair each fall.

It also brings back happy memories as it's where my daughter went to nursery school for two years.

After the fairs, I stopped home to put the frozen meals in the freezer before heading for the grocery store. Made another stop home to put away groceries.

For several hours this afternoon, I went to a drop in knitting session at the library.

This evening the dog and I watched a few movies and I knit on the Xmas socks I'm making myself. I got out my Xmas videos so I'm in the holiday mood. White Christmas is being saved for next weekend. I've bought my eggnog, hot cocoa and whipped cream so I'm all set for the viewing. It's a holiday tradition of mine.

Great day. There's another craft fair I'm going to tomorrow so 'tis the season.

P.S. Sunday Afternoon

The craft fair this afternoon was great. Bought some things for myself and for gifts. Saw one of my daughter's teachers. Went grocery shopping again for specials in the flyer and for my free turkey. Now I have a frozen 21 pound turkey in my frig thawing. I'll roast it later this weeks for turkey dinners, hot turkey sandwiches, turkey tetrazinni, turkey soup and freezing for later use. I asked the butcher to saw it in half but he refused as the health codes have changed. It was free when you spent $300 so it was better to get the large size turkey. Sheets are in from the clothesline and the bed is freshly made up. Another nice Sunday.

Wash freezing on the line

2010-11-19T20:27:00.006-05:00

I love the fall in CT. It's cold at night and sunny and beautiful during the day. Normally I hang clothes out as long as I can. Since I'm out first thing tomorrow morning to go to several Xmas fairs in the area, I wanted to get laundry on the line tonight. I washed my summer cotton blanket first and hung it out. While the next load was washing, I guess the temperature dropped as it was a little stiff when I went out with the towels to hang. Love it!

I do put my perma press in the dryer so they come out wrinkle free. Everything else is on the line.

Many of you will think I'm weird. I don't do this to save electricity but because I love laundry off the line. I've even hung out sheets and towels on a sunny, warm winter day.

No, I won't be retiring to the Sun Belt. I love fall and winter. Nor will I ever live where I can't have my clothesline.

My mother never had a drier so she hung laundry out all year. We often had frozen laundry thawing out in the kitchen. Now you know where I get it from.

White Christmas

2010-11-16T23:08:00.003-05:00

Tonight my friend and I met for a quick dinner and then went to see the Broadway play White Christmas at the Bushnell in Hartford. Both of us watch the movie each holiday season so I can truthfully say we know the story well and love it.

The play did not disappoint us and we really enjoyed it. The scenes, costumes, singing and TAP dancing were wonderful. I just love tap dancing and as a little girl always wanted to take lessons. My conservative father said it wasn't ladylike and so I was enrolled in ballet. I wish when I'd gotten older that I had taken tap lessons as I am a tap dancer wannabe. I was a tomboy so tap lessons suited my personality much more than ballet as an elementary schooler. I only took lessons for a few years so never got on my toes.

Now we can't wait to watch our White Christmas movies within the next week.

If the play comes to your area and you love the movie, spring for a ticket and go with a friend.

Work and Pleasure

2010-11-14T19:25:00.004-05:00

My weekend was divided into the two areas of work and pleasure.

Work: Laundry both days and one load hung out on the line. Grocery shopping. Took all my window screens out, carted them out to the front lawn in the sun, spread out a plastic tarp, gathered a bucket of hot Lysol suds, wire scrub brush and padded gardening kneeling pad. Scrubbed all the screens, hosed them off, dried them against shrubs and brought them inside. Made a noodle and apple kugel, baked pork loin with sauteed onions and apple slices, salad and broccoli. I have enough for dinner the next two nights (a plus).

Pleasure: Baby shower yesterday for a coworker which was really nice. Couch time this afternoon with the dog while I read my Country Living magazine. More couch time tonight with the dog, knitting on my Xmas socks and watching movies.

What we do...

2010-11-11T19:28:00.006-05:00

What we do to not accept the advancing years.

On my way home from work, I went for a haircut. I have a very short haircut and so when it's cut, the upper part is ash blond/light brown while the true color is what you see on the bottom. All the color is cut off and what's left is salt and pepper (mostly salt).

I've been coloring it myself for years as I buy a box of Garnier on sale for around $5. Yeah, when I had it done at the hairdresser's, I loved the highlights she put in. The only problem is that I get a haircut every 6 weeks and so it needs to be colored at the same time. That was just costing way too much money that I could ill afford. My hair comes out fine (if I say so myself) and it sure is way less money.

The only drawback to doing it myself are the various shades. I choose a dark ash blond/light brown and it comes out a medium brown. Each week it gets lighter. I guess I should look on it as it doesn't get boring with the same shade and I kinda like that.

I've finished it, taken off my hair dye tee shirt, towel dried my short hair and now am in my old comfy turtleneck and sweatshirt. Dying my hair in the colder weather is chilling as I am only wearing a tee shirt and I have a wet head with hair dye for a half hour. At least it takes 45 minutes to do it and then I'm all set for another 6 weeks.

Death Penalty

2010-11-08T18:40:00.005-05:00

Yeah! The death penalty for that animal Steven Hayes. Now we citizens of CT will have to pay as his lawyer will have appeals and we'll have to keep him on death row for probably 15 years. I wonder how much that will cost us CT taxpayers? I wish he were fried within the next month or so. You sure know my views on the death penalty. I'm sure some of you won't agree and that's your choice as it's America. But, it's my blog and I can say what I want. I hold back when reading some blogs as I respect the person and their views. Please do the same for mine.

And what came in today's mail - jury summons for right after the beginning of the new year. If I do have to go, bet they won't pick me for any criminal trial as I am VERY opinionated.

Can you believe?

2010-11-08T18:18:00.004-05:00

I woke up this morning to sleet and it's Nov. 8. There was about 1/4 coating the ground and car. On the ground, it mostly was not still white but you could see it. Fortunately it turned to big, wet raindrops for my commute to work. By early afternoon, the parking lot was starting to dry.

Wonder what we are in for this winter season here in CT?

Yarn & Candles Part II & Reading

2010-11-07T18:48:00.006-05:00

My friend Diane and I had such a great jaunt yesterday. First stop was for bagels and then we hit the road. We went to Webs' Yarn in Northampton (Exit 18 off Interstate 91 for those of you avid New England knitters). The place is amazing!!!!!! I've been to quite a few privately owned little yarn shops but they never prepared me for this huge place. I was in yarn overload. Diane turned me on to knitting socks and I'm working on my first pair. I made right for the sock yarn area both in the full price and marked down areas and stocked up on great variegated yarns. One yarn even makes up into a patterned Xmas sock. Can't wait to do that as the sample is adorable. I also bought lots of colors for another knitted project. I'll have to figure out how to put pictures on my blog so you can see the finished results.

We then went north to Yankee Candle about 10 minutes away. There is a wonderful restaurant on their property called Chandlers. We got right in for lunch as most people needed tables for 4 or more. We had a delicious apple cider glazed pork loin lunch with butternut squash, oven roasted potatoes and rolls.

We had walked all around Yankee Candle and bought some stuff there. It was MOBBED and we were so fed up with all the shopping cart and stroller pushers who would just stop and block it so no one could get around them. We glanced more than looked at everything as that would take all day and neither of us are needing any Xmas decorations. Our favorite area is the German one with the Black Forest.

The highlight and main reason for our trip there was to see the Von Trapp Children perform. They are the Baron and Maria's great grandchildren and Curt in the movie was based on their grandfather. They are 4 siblings - 3 girls in college and 1 boy (16) in high school in Montana. The girls dirndls were all Maria's. That was amazing. They do not show signs of age or wear either. Their 4 voices are just lovely and the arrangements were so well done. We both bought a DVD of one of their concerts and had them autographed. This was their 5th time performing at Yankee Candle. I'm sure Diane and I will want to see #6. The 4 Von Trapp children were so wholesome and a joy to hear and meet. One of the girls complimented me on my silver dachshund pin so I told her how I named my dachshund Liesel after Liesel in Sound of Music.

With the time change today, I was loving getting the extra hour of sleep. I spent a lazy day reading. Read one mystery and went to the library for several more by the same author. I did hang out two loads of wash and do another with the dryer so I did accomplish something. Mostly it was a veg day reading which I love.

Now it's couch movie knitting time with the dog.

Yarn and Candles

2010-11-05T11:33:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow my friend Diane and I are heading off for a day in MA. Our first stop is for bagels to munch in the car as we head north to a huge yarn shop/factory in Northampton. I've never been to the place but she has and raves about it. She told me to bring patterns (and money).

Then we get back on the highway and go to Yankee Candle for lunch, browsing, and shopping. The highlight of the afternoon will be the Von Trapps. Four of Maria and the Baron's grandchildren have carried on the family singing tradition and they'll be performing at Yankee Candle. After seeing them on Oprah's Sound of Music Reunion last week, we said, "We HAVE to go." So, ROAD TRIP.

Sure wish Cecelia lived closer as she'd love to join us for the day's outing.

Anticipation

2010-10-28T20:02:00.004-04:00

I think part of the fun of doing something is looking forward to it.

This weekend I will be visiting friends. Going to their house is like going to a homey, beautiful B & B with two resident gourmet chefs. Their house is a federal colonial that they restored and filled with antiques. It's beautiful decorated and no professional could do a better job of it. Add in all the delicious food they cook and bake, and wow. Both of them are gourmets and love to be in the kitchen. A lot of what they prepare was grown on their land - from the honey, grape juice and jam to the variety of veggies.

There are also some wonderful holiday events in the area that we'll go to on Sunday so that will be lots of fun. I love doing things like that.

The best part will be spending time with friends.

Liesel will have a mini vacation too as she'll spend the time with the owner of the doggie daycare and she LOVES going to her house. She loves her husband and snuggling with him on the couch. She will get to go to the doggie daycare for two of the days to play with her 2 and 4 legged friends. When she comes home, she will be one tired pup.

Hope you have a good weekend and Happy Halloween.

Handknit Socks

2010-10-26T19:25:00.003-04:00

I've been knitting forever but never have made a pair of regular socks. Many years ago I knit a lot of red and white tiny socks that were Christmas tree ornaments and most were given as gifts.

Last fall I went to a yarn expo with my super knitting friend. Diane always has a pair of socks in progress in her knitting bag. I decided it was time for me to knit myself a pair. I found one vendor at the yarn expo that had a wonderful assortment of sock yarn. A bright variegated hank caught my eye as it went from lime green to turquoise to medium blue to a deep violet. Love it.

I told myself that I would not start on the sock project until I finished knitting all the little bunnies I'd started the spring of 2009, sewed them together and stuffed them. I now have oodles and oodles of them. In fact, I have a plastic bin of them. They sure are coming in handy as I have lots of baby showers and baby gifts this summer and fall. I am not even making a dent in my supply.

Tonight I stopped at a yarn store and bought my bamboo double pointed size 2 needles and I can't wait to start. I have to ball the yarn and then I'm good to go.

My dog

2010-10-24T17:09:00.003-04:00

When I got Liesel over 2 1/2 years ago, I wondered what I'd gotten in to as she was a naughty, naughty puppy and very hyper. Somehow I survived her chewing the kitchen cabinet and old linoleum floor (2 round holes), her fleece blankets in her crate and anything she could wrap her small teeth around. I wished she would curl up with me on the couch and sleep next to me instead of barking at me and using me for a dog chew toy.

We got through that first year and she mellowed a bit. She still does chew holes in her fleece blankets though. She does love to be curled up next to me on the couch now and especially if she's under the down throw. This is my down throw that I've mended many chew holes in from her chewing stage. If I even walk towards the den, she has to beat me there to make sure she's right with me.

Often when I am standing at the kitchen counter working, she rests right between my feet head first. If I sit at the kitchen table and cross my legs at the ankles, she crawls on top of them. Right now she is sitting touching my left leg. She loves to be RIGHT NEXT TO ME.

Yes, we've bonded.

Sunday - Productive Day

2010-10-17T19:11:00.003-04:00

I had good intentions of getting up at a decent hour, starting laundry, hanging it out and getting outside to start on yardwork. I planned on working for 4 - 5 hours in my perennial gardens and also pruning.

Well, Liesel and I were lazy in bed and I was absorbed in my book. We did not get up at a decent hour but who cares. I did do a load of wash and hang it out, pruned shrubs, planted spring bulbs and cut back one of the perennial beds. I did work for over 4 hours outside so I accomplished what I wanted. The nice thing is that I am not limping around tonight from the work as I did not overdue.

I actually at dinner at a decent hour. Liesel has abandoned me and is sleeping up on the couch in the den. She had a busy day as she was out on her line watching me and snooping around in the perennial bed as I worked.

Reading in bed in the AM, hanging out laundry and yard work equals a productive day. The weather was gorgeous and it was nice being outside to enjoy it.

Autumn's Colors

2010-10-16T20:18:00.004-04:00

As I was out driving today and going up a CT mountain, the trees were ablaze in color - bright oranges, gold and red. The sun was shinning on the trees and I enjoyed seeing it so much. I love fall with the cold air, warm sun, cold nights, snuggling with my pup, cooking yams and acorn squash, making applesauce, wearing turtlenecks and sweatshirts and thinking ahead to the holidays.

Since I hate heat and humidity, I long for fall weather all summer and so once the air turns dry and crisp, I am a happy girl. I even love winter and it's beauty. Looking out on fresh snow coating the ground is beautiful and I really missed it the winter I lived outside of San Francisco. I longed for a snow or ice storm.

I cook differently once the weather turns. I remember my daughter asking for stuffed shells one day in the summer and I told her that I only cooked those during the cold weather. Once it turns cold and the heat goes on, I cook more comfort food - yams, acorn squash with brown sugar, stuffed shells, pork, mac and cheese with ham, apple sauce, cranberry orange bread (for Xmas gifts), casseroles and lots of soups.

Wherever you live, I hope you're taking time to smell the roses or should I say, enjoy the leaves?

Addicted

2010-10-16T18:45:00.003-04:00

Who thought that when I started scrapping that it would lead to an addiction? Yes, I have one. I love pretty papers, all kinds of brads, embellishments, alphabets, etc. And if I find them on sale, look out.

This morning I hit two fantastic scrapbooking tag sales. I hit the jackpot with some great papers, letters, a QuicKutz alphabet die cut, vintage embellishments, other embellishments, kits, albums, stamps, brads, etc. Things I "HAD" to have.

The deals were fantastic and I saved soooooo much $.

Now comes the task of putting it all away and finding space for it. That required much reorganizing. Oh, to have a scrapbook room with lots of open shelves with paper holders, baskets, drawers..........

Chilly Part II

2010-10-15T18:41:00.004-04:00

I took my furry friend to bed last night as it was cold and she's a great hot water bottle. Now that the heat of summer is over, she's back with me and not in her crate at night. Growing up, I always had a cat in bed. Once I got my first dachshund in 1985, the puppy came upstairs with us.

Every dachshund owner I've met tells me that their dogs also sleep with them. Maybe all dachshund owners are nutty.

I've gotten off track.

Well, since it was only 61 in the house when I got home and damp since it's been raining since last night, I pushed the button and hit the up arrow to 65. The furnace turned right on and within minutes, the warm air was coming out the registers. Liesel went right to the air register and curled up on the floor in front of it. She loves to do that.

I held off until halfway through October so it's not that bad. After all, what is this stupid mind game I was playing? It's mid October and CT.

Toasty or a Little Chilly?

2010-10-14T19:55:00.004-04:00

Each October I face the question as to when I should give in and turn on the furnace. Naturally I try to hold out as long as I can - a matter of principle.

Most evenings it has been 65 or 66 inside the house this past week. Tonight when I got home and checked the temperature, it said 63. I have a turleneck on, a lightweight sweatshirt, jammie pants and actually put sox on with my Crocs. If I were going to be sitting at the kitchen table scrapping, I think I'd break down and push the on button. But, I plan to be on the couch under the down throw with the dog so I can put it off for another time.

Do you out there go through the same game each October?

Oh, my aching....

2010-10-11T20:35:00.003-04:00

What's happened? I used to jump out of bed at 7:00, have breakfast and do physical work until just about bedtime. The first change was that I'd only work until suppertime. The next change was that I'd only work about 6 hours. The stage I'm now in is to start the actual physical work later in the morning and finally stop 5 hours later. I follow that up with 2 Advil for pain and stiffness. Before bed, I took 2 more Advil and was in bed at 9:15. That's 2 hours earlier than my normal bedtime on work nights. I was beat and aching.

OK, I'm older (and "fluffier") but until about a few years ago, my mind had not accepted that fact. Now my mind accepts it after a day of heavy yardwork, lifting very heavy pots to empty them, push a wheelbarrow full of heavy dirt to dump it, kneel in perennial beds cutting back and weeding, moving around on my knees as I work and the constant up and down. Remember that commercial about the elderly lady on the floor saying, "Help, I've fallen and can't get up."? I have had a few of those moments and I stand up and hope that no one is walking by my house.

As I was working the last few hours yesterday afternoon, I told myself that I can go to work on Monday to rest my body as sitting at a workstation and plugging away on my computer doesn't require much physical work. I did take 2 Advil along with my breakfast this morning and brought the pill bottle in my pocketbook (just in case). I didn't need any though.

Where did all my oomph go through the years?

My Clothesline

2010-09-21T18:31:00.006-04:00

I love my clothesline and use it 3 seasons a year and even on unusually warm, sunny, winter days.

I grew up with my mother always hanging out the laundry year 'round in CT. Clothes would freeze on the line and then they'd come inside to thaw out and finish drying. Having grown up with that, how could I not have line drying ingrained into my brain (and heart)? IMO nothing beats sheets line dried. Getting into bed between those crisp, wonderfully smelling sheets and pillow cases is just as good as it gets. I also love line dried towels as I hate wimpy towels from the dryer.

Well, my poor clothesline broke in August when my daughter and the girls were still here. I have been waiting for someone to come fix it and it still is broken. My neighbor told me that her husband volunteered to fix it. One end is attached to my house and I stand on the deck to hang the clothes. It is high off the ground and can't be reached from the lawn. It then goes quite high up to the hook in a big tree. The problem is that it's a wild area and there is poison ivy under that end of it. He's a real trooper and I am so grateful. While he's at it, I'll have a new line and new pulleys at each end.

I am so excited to think that my sheets will hang out on it this weekend drying in the sun. Little things mean a lot.

P.S. My neighbor put up a new clothesline for me today. What a nice surprise to come home to tonight. I can't wait to wash sheets and towels Sat. morning and hang them out.

WFH

2010-09-13T19:50:00.005-04:00

At work, we call working from home WFH. They are wonderful letters but TGIF are the best.
My computer at work is a laptop so technically I can WFH but until this summer, only did it maybe 3 times in 2 years during snowstorms. This summer I've done it the same number.

Advantages:

1. Don't have to get up as early, shower, dress decently or even get dressed.
2. Short commute from the bedroom to the den.
3. Can start early (one day I logged on at 6:30 AM).
4. Don't have to fix lunch before work and pack it.
5. Have my 4 legged friend as company.
6. Can throw in a few loads of wash.
7. My phone is not ringing and no one is coming up to my cube so no interruptions.
8. More productive as no interruptions.
9. Since I'm home (a rarity), it really doesn't feel like work even though I'm getting a lot done.
10. Love it but wouldn't want to do it every day. One day a week would be ideal for me.

My store (or should I say stash)

2010-09-12T19:43:00.003-04:00

I've always shopped ahead. When I see something for someone, I buy it and put it away until their birthday or Christmas. It's very handy when the occasison comes around and all I have to do is gift wrap it.

Over the years, that has expanded to stocking up when I see something on sale. It sure is convenient when I need a gift for a birthday, Christmas, house warming, baby, anniversary or whatever. All I have to do is go into my storage under the eaves and shop. My daughter has come to like it when she's here and asks if I have anything for a baby girl or boy for her to bring back to Moscow or to mail. She knows I have good stuff stockpiled. Need children's books for gifts, I have them - regular ones and Christmas ones. I also have assorted baby items.

My storage is very organized and I can put my hand on the correct box or bag in an instant. I also have a large supply of gift bags (all organized by size), gift boxes (neatly fit into a large cardboard box), Christmas cards, Bath & Body products, ribbons (curling to metallic - all organized in boxes).

No, I'm not a hoarder. I give out a lot of gifts so this makes things easier for me as I don't have to always go shopping at the local stores when I need a present.

This sure simplifies my life.

4 Things

2010-09-11T19:28:00.007-04:00

TAGGED FROM ANNIE:

Annie called this "Four Things":

Four things that are always in my purse (besides the obvious)
hand sanitizer
picture of my daughter & SIL at their wedding
list of my prescriptions
lots of emergency contact information

Four things in the drawer in my desk (that one wouldn't expect to find there)
different OTC meds

more hand sanitizer

eyeglass spray cleaner

magazines to read at lunchtime

Four favourite things in my bedroom
pictures of my father, my daughter, granddaughters, my dachshunds, me on the beach where we had our family cottage

standing fan, ceiling fan and A/C

current novel I'm reading

TV to watch/listen to news in AM when getting dressed and for PM when getting ready for bed

Four things I always wanted to do
have a daughter and granddaughters (it happened)

retire early (didn't happen)

live by the ocean (happened for many summers but ended)

ride in a Russian troika (happened last December in Moscow)

Four things I like at the moment
reading outside in my hammock on weekend afternoons (soon to end as it will get too cold in CT)

scrapbooking

working with a great group of people (Since I have to work, it's good that the co-workers are so nice.)

wonderful group of friend (IRL and online)

Four things no one knows about me
I used to be a Mrs. Clean and you could eat off my floors. Now I suggest you keep your slippers on inside.

I wanted to work in Europe at an Embassy or Military base after I graduated from college. Never looked into it senior year as my father had poor health. I was raised on Jewish guilt (even though we're not Jewish) and since I was the only child, I felt I couldn't move overseas.

Wish I spoke fluent French like my daughter.

Distantly (very, very distantly) related to FDR

If you read my blog and would like to do a similar posting on your blog, please do and let me know so I can read it.

If only....

2010-09-06T18:43:00.002-04:00

If only the CT weather that we have had this weekend could be like this for over half a year. Just perfect in the mid to high 70's with breezes, full sun and chilly nights for sleeping. For someone that hates heat and humidity, this was heavenly.

Yesterday a friend and I spent a day on the beach at the CT shore and it was windy but perfect. It was a small beach and not many people were there so we had a lovely quiet day just chatting and enjoying the ocean. Doesn't get much better than that.

I spent the entire afternoon out on my hammock reading "The Girls From Ames". Enjoyable but it took a few chapters to hook me. I know that I would not want some of those details in print if I were a few of those girls though. Wouldn't want my dirty laundry out there for the world to read.

I just love having a quiet afternoon to vegg out with a book and doing it outside on a perfect 10 day on a hammock is the best.

The only bad thing about the weekend is that it is coming to an end and back to work tomorrow.

Ten Years Ago Today!

2010-09-02T22:33:00.006-04:00

Sept. 3, 2000

A very special day as I became a grandmother. Katya is turning 10 - a biggie as it's her first double digit birthday.

When she turned 1, 2 and 3, we had birthday parties here in CT for her with friends and my cousins. Such wonderful birthday memories.

Today she'll have a birthday celebration with her classmates at school in Moscow. Birthdays are very big celebrations in Russia. Last year her mom made her a very special, round soccer cake. This summer, while here in CT, she planned what she wanted and chose fancy cupcakes. I'm sure my daughter was up late last night baking so Katya could bring them into school for her class. I'm sure my daughter will blog (with pictures) about Katya's birthday.

Katya was named for her mom's closest college friend who was born in Russia. When they all lived near each other in Ann Arbor, it was confusing with the two Katyas so I called them Big Katya and Little Katya (still do).

I wish all of us grandparents were there to share her day but we'll all call to wish her a special birthday and send our love.

Lobster

2010-09-02T21:00:00.001-04:00

It's only $4.99 a pound for 1 - 1 1/4 pound lobsters so it might be another lobster supper this weekend at my house this Saturday.

Relaxing Saturday

2010-08-28T21:16:00.002-04:00

Today was a perfect ten - warm but not hot, full sun and best of all - no humidity.

I lounged in bed reading this morning and set to work with laundry and picking up before making a nice hot brunch.

In the early afternoon, my book and I spent the rest of the afternoon on my hammock under the evergreen trees with filtered sun. There was lots of reading, a little snoozing and talking to my friend.

My day ended with grocery shopping and picking up a steamed lobster that I'd ordered for a delicious late supper.

Perfect ten IMO.

Nice time with friends

2010-08-26T22:49:00.003-04:00

Once a month three former neighbors and I get together at Panera Bread for dinner and visiting. We all had not been together since May as one or the other of us were away or tied up. We had a nice evening and were there just shy of four hours.

We all are grandmothers with thirteen grandchildren between us. We always bring pictures of the kids or what we've been doing to show each other.

They are all retired and I'm not the one that comes from work.

Rainy day

2010-08-22T17:58:00.007-04:00

This was written on Sunday but I was waiting until my daughter could add pictures. She was too busy packing so no pictures of Liesel getting a bath in the kitchen sink. Sorry

It's been raining all day in CT and heavily late this afternoon. Because of this, the girls can't be outside playing nor could I take them to the town pool and school playground for the afternoon. That would have given my daughter P&Q to pack.

So our day has been spent doing load and load of laundry, flipping my mattress, cleaning out her bedroom closet, blogging, making a big BAL (breakfast at lunch), made a dump run in the pouring rain, washed the dog (I was already wet so why not?), last minute shopping trips (2 so far) and PACKING. Tami and the girls let me sleep in and they went to Panera for breakfast and then shopping so they only got home around lunchtime.

She's busy packing.

The kids have been bored and we got sick of the Disney channel so hours ago said no TV. Right now they discovered the bin of wooden blocks that were buried in their closet and are building in the den.

Hope your day was more exciting than here at my house.

I colored my hair so sit here with a frothy head.

Disaster Zone

2010-08-22T12:31:00.006-04:00

I've declared my living room a packing disaster zone. It started when the Moscovites arrived on June 25th and the overnight summer camp packing started for Kayta. Truthfully, I'd started the camp shopping a month or so earlier and had it in the living room. I picked up things I knew Katya would need to go away to camp making the shopping day after they arrived a little easier. So the camp things were gone and then....

The back to Moscow shopping began. Week by week the bags multiplied until there was just a path through the end of my living room to the front door/stairs to the second floor. Keep in mind that my daughter needs to foresee all their needs for the coming year from school clothes, work clothes, birthdays for both girls, birthday gifts for the entire class for both girls (that's how it's done at their school), hostess gifts, birthday and Xmas gifts for the nanny and friends, Xmas gifts for both girls, things for the kitchen and bathroom, OTC meds, prescription meds, toiletries, books for the girls to read, books for my daughter's teaching all year, school supplies, a Nook, shoes (everyday school shoes, 2 pairs of sneakers - indoor and outdoor for school, dress shoes, shoes for my daughter), rain gear and rain boots for both girls, heavy outdoor fleece pants for the playground for both girls, fall jackets for both girls and the list goes on. I don't know if she got winter boots, snow pants and down coats for both girls or not.

Try and think ahead of everything you would need for the year and see what a task it is. Things are just too expensive in Moscow. It's easier (and less money) to buy here and pay the extra baggage fees of the airline.

I am sure by now you are getting a vivid picture of what my living room is looking like. This year I asked my daughter to vacuum the wood floor and put down a clear drop cloth so when she moves boxes, the grit is not scratching my floor. I don't have a large living room so it is FULL. Now it has piles, bags, packing tape and packed boxes.

I really hope it finishes up early so that Tuesday night I don't have much to do by miss the 3 girls.

Busy Saturday with the Granddaughters

2010-08-22T12:22:00.004-04:00

Yesterday started off with my making a big breakfast, laundry and up in the attic "shopping" with my daughter.

She packed up the girls' gear and off we went to the town swimming pool. Since it was overcast, there was hardly anyone at the pool which was great for the girls (and easier for me to watch them in the pool). After they had had enough and changed, we went to the middle school playground for the rest of the afternoon. No one else was there so they enjoyed having all the equipment to themselves.

We came home around 5:00 and they showered and got ready for the evening. We packed up the bag with different gear, got all the chairs into the trunk and headed to Panera Bread for supper before going to an outdoor movie. It was outside and a perfect night - not hot, not cold and not a single bug.

My girlfriend is a nanny for a mutual friend and she was sitting for them last night so they could go out to dinner for their anniversary. They have a girl 10, boy 5 1/2 and twin girls 2 1/2. The 10 year old had a friend over as her parents were going out to dinner with the anniversary parents. Diane loaded up the family's mini van and met us at the parking lot. I'd gotten there earlier so we'd saved a big spot for the 9 of us. The kids were all great, very quiet and enjoyed the movie. It was the first time the twins had been to a movie and then quietly sat in their little chairs or on my friend's lap. The last half hour she had one on each leg. The parking lot had lots of families with kids there and you didn't hear a peep during the movie.

A really fun day!

While we were busy, my daughter did last minute shopping, returns and worked more on the packing.

Noah Webster House

2010-08-15T19:12:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I took Katya to the Noah Webster House in West Hartford. I hadn't been there since bringing my daughter when she was in middle school. We were the only visitors so had a personal tour. Having been to Old Sturbridge Village so many times and growing up in a house from the 1700's, I think I could have given the tour. I pointed out things to Katya that were the same as my house growing up (the large cooking kitchen fireplace with all the ovens).

She really likes American History so enjoys going to historical places and she's sure had a lot of them this summer starting with FDR's Hyde Park home, Eleanor Roosevelt's Val-kil home, the Vanderbilt mansion in Hyde Park, the JFK Library/Museum in Boston, Paul Revere's house in the North End of Boston and touring the Back Bay area of Boston.

We started our morning at a science museum but it wasn't thrilling as Katya was really too old for it. I'd forgotten how it was. She didn't mind and really liked the flight simulator.

Scrapping this afternoon

2010-08-15T19:06:00.002-04:00

Katya and I went scrapbooking this afternoon and finished up the scrapbook I made her from her two weeks at sleep away camp. I'd made the scrapbook while they were visiting their other grandparents and it's a nice keepsake for her to have and to show her classmates back in Moscow. This is the same camp that I went to for many summers and worked at one summer in college. My father also went to this camp. Next year she'll be back there and hopefully so will her sister.

Then I started a soccer scrapbook from the soccer program they were in last week here in CT. This album is for both girls. Tami and I will work on the soccer scrapbook this week so it can go back with them.

While I did this, Katya had lots of fun working on a birthday collage for herself as she turns 10 in two weeks.

Soccer Dachshund - Go Germans!

2010-08-09T22:14:00.005-04:00

The girls are taking a soccer camp this week and I went for the last hour after work and errands. I made a quick trip home to change, get drinks and Liesel.

Well, Liesel wanted to get right out on the field with the kids and chase that big ball. After the instructions/play were over, the girls had their balls and would throw them for her. She went wild chasing the balls, putting her front paws up on them and kept trying to get a good grip on the balls with her mouth to no avail. It was hysterical watching her running around.

When she got to the car, she was panting like crazy so we won't be repeating that again this week as it's too hot for that.

The girls loved their first night of soccer camp. Katya loves soccer and anything to do with it and was so excited when her mom told her about the camp. Natalia really didn't have any choice but to go to it as her mother signed her up. She discovered how much fun soccer is and really liked it. Of course, this meant a trip to the sporting goods store earlier in the afternoon for cleats, shin guards and soccer socks (pink of course).

It's great for the girls to be outside involved in physical activity.

Liesel will wait to chase a soccer ball until the weather cools down. I'm going to have to buy her her own soccer ball.

Back to work

2010-08-08T17:27:00.002-04:00

Tami and the girls are not flying back to Moscow this Tuesday so I'm back to work tomorrow. I had planned to do something with the girls on their last full day but now plans have changed.

Because of the fires outside of Moscow, unsafe air quality and extremely high heat, they are staying here. She also wants to see another doctor after the results of her blood tests come back this week.

She's made good headway on her packing so she won't have the last minute rush.

Fun things with the girls

2010-08-06T22:50:00.002-04:00

Carousel Museum, Rocky Neck State Beach with cousins, Rain Forest Cafe, school clothes and shoe shopping and more fun things to come in the next few days. Special Grandma and the girls time.

The girls are enroute

2010-08-03T19:40:00.002-04:00

Liesel and I are anxiously awaiting the girls' return tonight. I'll be taking days off to do day tripping with my granddaughters.

Next week when it's back to just my 4 footed friend and me, I'll blog.

Are you sure I'm living in the CT burbs?

2010-08-02T20:59:00.003-04:00

OK, I've had bears walk through my yard and leave me a "present". There are lots of bear sightings in my neighborhood by my friends whose property backs up to the woods.

They often hear coyotes howling/barking in the distance in the woods. Fortunately they stay in the woods.

Tonight at 8:30 it was dusky outside when I opened the front door to clip Liesel to her line for a duty call. Luckily I had a good hold on her collar as across the street leaped a big deer. It ran into the road and then I'm sure through the neighbor's yard to go into the woods. I've seen deer before in our area but never in my neighborhood. Cool!

Liesel went crazy and I'm sure they heard her a mile away. Dachshunds were originally breed to be hunters and I'm sure she would excel if given the chance to go after varmints.

Sure wish the girls had been here to see the deer.

Now I know that the woods in our area have fishers and bobcats but I hope to never see one of them. I live in the burbs and not out in the wilds.

Ready for you

2010-08-02T18:25:00.004-04:00

Upstairs bathroom cleaned - checked off

Bed made with line dried sheets - checked off

Sleeping bag all set - checked off

Upstairs hall cleaned - checked off

Cleaned stairs - checked off

Downstairs bathroom cleaned - checked off

Kitchen floor cleaned - checked off

Vacum dining area, hall and den - checked off

Clean sheet on den couch for dog - checked off

All laundry done - (even Liesel's crate blanket)

Food for late night snack and breakfast - checked off

Hammock ready - in living room waiting to be hung outside by the perennial bed and to have you stretched out in it with a book

Remotes to den TV hidden - checked (We will do all turning on and off as TV settings are fixed by repairman.)

Looking forward to day trips with the girls

2010-08-01T22:11:00.002-04:00

When my daughter and the girls return this week, I'm going to take some vacation days off to do things with the girls during the day. My daughter needs her turn to just stretch out on the rope hammock with her books for the afternoon with nothing to do but read and nap.

I'm looking forward to taking the girls off day tripping. I am compiling a list for us to chose from: tubing on a river, going to the beach, going to a science museum, visiting some historical places.

Some of those night, we might end up at Panera Bread so my daughter can have a whole day to herself. She deserves it.

And for selfish reasons, I'll enjoy being with my granddaughters.

Bears in the burbs

2010-08-01T22:06:00.002-04:00

I just put my dachshund out for her last call of the night. It is a gorgeous summer night - not too hot, no humidity and just right. It would be perfect for a nice walk around the block but..... There are bears out there in the burb woods. Yup, here I am in the CT burbs and thinking of bears, coyottes and bobcats. I've seen a bear twice in my yard and my neighbors see them often as their property backs up to the woods and they leave birdfeeders out. They have heard coyottes in the woods too. The local paper has had stories about bobcats in the area.

So I had the dog out for a minute and in we came. She went back to curl up in the down throw on the den couch and I'm at my laptop in the kitchen watching a "Everybody Loves Raymond" rerun.

Well, my late night walk was a nice idea.

Swinging in the breeze

2010-08-01T19:38:00.002-04:00

I told myself that I was not going to do housework this weekend but was going to just take it easy, relax, enjoy the perfect CT weather outside and read. After doing errands Sat. morning and having lunch, I put my rope hammock out under the hemlock trees. It is along the side of one of my perennial gardens that borders my driveway. So out I went with my book, ice tea and portable phone. Since I was in the shade and there was a tiny breeze, I needed a cover. I brought out the down throw from the den couch, snuggled up and read and napped. I was outside until 8:00 pm. What a day - perfect.

This morning I did a few things in the house and was back out on my hammock until after 6:00. Repeat of yesterday.

While I was out there today, I saw a nuthatch on the tree where the foot of my hammock was tied and watched him/her go around the tree looking for insects. Then a male yellow finch landed on pink cone flowers in the perennial bed and ate some of the seeds. So peaceful.

I could not have asked for a more relaxing weekend. I'm going to make sure to repeat it before the cold sets in.

A mouse!

2010-08-01T11:13:00.002-04:00

I was outside this morning in the yard with the dog and went over to pull a few weeds by my walk. When I yanked a big one out, there was a dead mouse. Did you hear my screams?

At first I ran away. Then realization set in. If I don't dispose of it, the dog might get into it and it'll just stay on the walk and rot. I got my handy dandy pooper scooper and got it up and tossed it into the woods grimmacing. These are the moments that I hate.

It gets worse

2010-07-27T08:14:00.002-04:00

Rushed home and no cable company showed up last night. I called the cable company twice and the service despatch dept. was suppose to call me back. Nothing. I called this morning ranting and demanding someone be there tonight or they could take their whole package and shove it and that I would switch to AT&T. Let's see if they call me back this AM at work with a time for a serviceman to show up tonight. Still no phone, Internet or TV. Tomorrow it'll be a week without them. I am LIVID!

No Internet

2010-07-26T09:18:00.002-04:00

I had such good intentions of blogging last week but CT was hit with a major storm last Wednesday afternoon and I lost power. When it came on the next day, I found out that I didn't have power in 3 of my rooms and of course one was where my modem is. The electrician was out the following day and replaced one of the circuits. When I called the cable company back, I found out it couldn't be fixed over the phone and a repairman is coming tonight after I am home from work. I've had no phone, Internet or TV.

Preview of our weekend

2010-07-17T08:17:00.001-04:00

Today we are going to a college friend of Tami's for their annual Bastille Day Party and tomorrow we are at the CT shore (where we used to have a beach cottage) to visit friends for the day.

Everyone flies off on Monday so I'll blog next week about the past three weeks. They've been busy.

On-the-go

2010-07-15T14:29:00.001-04:00

We've been so busy since the girls arrived that I haven't had time to blog. While they are in another state visiting their other grandparents the next two weeks, I'll fill you in on what we've been doing.

They're here!

2010-06-25T22:31:00.002-04:00

Tami, Katya and Natalia arrived from JFK around 9:45 tonight. Liesel and I are thrilled. After a snack, it's shower and bed time.

Busy day tomorrow as we bring Katya to camp on Sunday.

Bye,

A Happy Grandma Streusel

Rocking in CT

2010-06-23T20:35:00.002-04:00

This afternoon when I was bringing something to another dept. where I work, I saw a group of people standing around asking, "Did you feel that?". I didn't know what they were talking about and asked. The response was, "Did you feel the floor move?" I had no idea what they were talking about and when I got back to my dept., there were several groups talking about the same thing. I hadn't felt anything but then I'd been in the supply room which is in the center part of our wing. The co-worker in there helping me didn't either.

I went back to my cube and to work. After all, this isn't CA but CT. About 5 minutes later, we were all told to leave the building. When we were outside, one of the women was on her cell and said that an area north of Ottawa had an earthquake which registered 5.5 and we were feeling the tremors from that. Here we are so many miles away and still felt it.

We were outside for about 45 minutes in the hot sun, temps in the mid or high 80's and high humidity. Thank goodness there was a slight breeze. We then got the all clear and went back inside. Don't know how they knew the building was fine as I can't imagine a structural engineer has been there and gone through the building in 45 minutes.

That was my exciting day at work.

Where does it all come from?

2010-06-20T22:13:00.002-04:00

You bring in the mail or print something off the computer. You put a few envelopes or pieces of paper on the kitchen counter. What happened while you went to work? It multiplies! How did my kitchen accumulate so much paperwork? I spent all day going through it. I have lots to shred and put in the garbage. I've filed too. I'm now down to a small pile that needs more time/attention than I have to give it this week. It'll go in a closet to after the Muscovites' visit.

Wow, I've regained the counters. Sure feels good.

Books

2010-06-17T21:19:00.003-04:00

I had a coupon for Borders for 40% off one item and it expired today so I HAD to go there tonight. I looked over the display tables near the front of the store, looked over best sellers, Greek Mythology books (for my granddaughter Katya), the sale racks and boxed DVDs. I did buy two young children's books (for a baby shower at work) and a DVD in clearance for myself. I still needed to find something to use the coupon for so decided to buy Katya a Hardy Boys' mystery as she has started reading them. I can't buy any Nancy Drews as I think she's read just about all of them. They had a Hardy Boy mystery that had 3 books in one so into my shopping basket it went.

I know that electronic books are a hot item but I don't think I'd like one of those. I love to browse through bookstores, looking at the intriguing covers, reading the write-up on the back covers and turning the pages.

Are you a paper or electronic reader?