2016 - Year of Music and Needles!

I made a couple resolutions for 2016.  I have the usual thoughts of eating better, exercising more, etc.  However, I decided that this is a good year for me to put some new effort into exercising my brain.  I want to do it in a fun way, though.

Over the course of my adult life I have often been learning new things.  I went through an EMT course and really learned a lot through that.  I took a CNA course and then went back to college, graduating with my nursing degree at age 40.  I certainly felt that I learned a lot of new things during those years.

Once I was a nurse, I kept learning and studying.  I earned certifications in a few different areas.  The hardest was gaining certification as an oncology nurse.  It was stressful but I really enjoyed learning so much and feeling more competent when I was working as an oncology nurse.

I've learned some new things at my current job but I admit I've been cruising a bit over the last 2 years.  I have areas of nursing I need to further explore, more to learn, but I think I need to focus some on different areas of learning.

So...

I decided to try to learn two new, fun things this year.

I want to learn to knit and I want to learn to play the clarinet.  I've started already with the clarinet. My generous mother-in-law gave us each Christmas money and I took the opportunity to order a clarinet. Nope, I am not planning on doing anything too fancy but I have decided to at least learn to play enough to enjoy it myself.  So, meet my new clarinet!  Don't worry.  I know it is not a flute and that is not how I should hold it.  It was just difficult to take a selfie that included me and the clarinet if I held it downward.

I bought a couple of books and I've started learning.  It sounds pretty!  OK, that is NOT true.  Actually, it sounds PRETTY AWFUL!  I don't care.  I'm having fun!  I can play Hot Cross Buns all by myself!

These are my teachers...

I am not the only one in the family pursuing music this year.  I don't want to brag about our grandchildren (that was a big lie) but I would like to point out that this little beauty, practicing for a church talent show, is only 6 years old.  

She and her Daddy are going to do "My Girl."  Isn't that just the most adorable thing you ever saw/heard?

Sticker Stylist

Last night we had the little granddaughters over for the evening.  I had some mosaic craft for them that involved putting on little stickers on ponies.

Anyway, there were leftover stickers.

Cordelia decided she would be a sticker stylist, her term, and Grandpa was a good sport. 

She made him into something quite fancy.

The best part is, he wore the stickers for most of the evening. I think when a young woman is considering a husband, she should ask herself if he would make a good grandpa.  Just saying...

Elise was next.

She told me her sister was making her beautiful.

Then me.

I know, I look lovely.

Thanks to our sticker stylist!

Caroling 2015

Do you go Christmas Caroling? We have gone caroling a variety of places.  It is an old fashioned tradition but I am glad it still happens today.

We have caroled in the back of a truck while sitting on hay bales in Montana. Often this occurred in VERY cold weather.

We have caroled in New Mexico in weather that seemed almost balmy compared to Montana.

Wyoming caroling can be really cold, especially if the wind is doing its Wyoming thing.  

No matter when or where we have gone caroling, it is a nice tradition. It is one of those Christmas things that spreads cheer without involving shopping. We generally focus on singing to people who are sick or shut in. It is a feel good activity.

Last night was our annual caroling with our church group.  Mike and I took our granddaughters along, making it even more of an adventure. Buckling and unbuckling them from their carseats, plopping on hats and slipping on four mittens at each stop got a bit hectic. It is possible I got a little careless with it. I would like to tell you that Elise put her own hat on here, but sadly, it was me.

Cordelia is absolutely darling when we carol. I have explained to her that a lot of older people in nursing homes don't get to see kids much and that it makes them happy to see them. She also knew they sometimes want to hold their hands or touch their faces. Cordelia takes her "job" quite seriously! 

At one such stop a lady came up and wanted to hug Cordelia, holding her arms open as invitation. Cordelia went right to her!. The hug went on rather long and the lady just kept holding on to her. I took Cordelia's hand and extracted her from the situation and walked her over to greet a few other people but when the first lady wanted more hugging, Cordy willingly went right back to her embrace. I was so proud of her! 

At a few of the nursing homes Cordelia didn't even wait for an invitation. After our songs she just walked among the people and told them, "Merry Christmas." 

Elise was a lot more reserved but she joined in on the songs she knew, rang her little bells and made people smile. She got pretty tired and sometimes laid down on the floor or buried her face in my hair as I held her, but it didn't matter. She was adorable. She was NOT reserved in the vehicle between stops. She shared her opinions freely and sang "Go Tell it on the Mountain", her favorite song, many times over.

It was a good night.

These photos were at our last stop. Don't they look like they've had fun? 

Yep, a good night.

Adding Some Culture

I recently had a fun evening.  After work I went to our local artist guild's gallery for a talk by none other than our talented son-in-law, Eric.  He currently has a showing up of some of his photographs. He has published a book to go along with it as well.  In fact, today I was told he was at a book signing. Doesn't that sound cool?  And to think, I knew him before he was such a big deal.  No, that's not true. He's always been a big deal to us.

So, I went a little early to watch the girls while Eric did the meet and greet thing. Maria was teaching an art class elsewhere but arrived soon.  The girls feel very much at home at the facility. They used up some energy in the back room first. Cordelia explained to me that she needed to do that so she could be good during her Daddy's lecture.

Maria came soon enough to enjoy Eric's lecture as well.

Like I said, the girls feel at home there.  I set them up with stickers and paper. I enjoy this photo as Cordelia was trying to cooperate for a photo but she couldn't quite take her eyes off the stickers.

 And here is Eric nearing the end of his lecture.  I felt proud to be his mother-in-law.

After the lecture we went to the other side of the building and shopped at a Turkey Trunk Show!  Ha ha! I just read what I wrote.  Anyone else picturing a turkey with a trunk?

No, this was a show of items a young artist brought back from Turkey, where she now lives.  She had some beautiful items and served interesting and delicious finger foods.

I feel oh so very cultured!

No Words

Day Trip to the Relatives

We woke up to a town covered in smoke today!. As bad as it was here this morning, I worry for those living closer to the Big fires.

Anyway...

Today I had the joy of riding with Maria (daughter) ...

and Eric (son-in-law) 

and my beautiful granddaughters for a trip to the town where my Mom lives.  It was a lovely time.

It was a really windy day up there but the girls wanted to be outside a lot anyway. 

Elise made a friend.

Cordelia got a lot of exercise! 

My sister came over. Elise and Cordy gave her lots of snuggles and she gave them both beautiful sweaters she had knit for them.

My niece, Stephanie, was in town. It is always great to see her. She graduated from college
this past Spring and is on the verge of some exciting changes.

We also got to see my nephew, Steven. Doesn't he look like a musician? Maybe that
is because he is. That kid can play a trumpet like nobody's business!

My Mom has a new puppy who was quite the hit. His name is Charlie and he is a fun little guy! 

My Mom and the girls had some mandatory fun in Mom's beautiful playhouse, AKA "she shed".
Looking at this photo I just want to say, "Isn't my Mom pretty?"

Conversation snippets from today:

When my Mom asked Elise what she expected to learn when she starts Preschool she quickly said she would learn about God and Heaven, then added that Grandma Rose is in heaven.  Everyone said, "Aaaaah."

Elise had a LOT to say today. During one long conversation with her she told me that "humans make sense and animals make sense but towels can't talk because they are not alive."  Ok, then.

Having a lot of grandmas can be confusing for little girls. Today Cordelia referred to me as "Plain Grandma".

When I repeated the term with a question mark in my voice she explained that I was a "non-great Grandma".  Funny little girl.

It has been a fun day!

Just Cordelia

Amusing

Enthusiastic

Witty

Thoughtful

Curious

Sweet

Loving

Grandma Heaven

Friday night was a big event at our house. I had both granddaughters over for the night.

I went right from work to pick them up. I wanted to make it exciting enough that Elise didn't have time for second thoughts as this was her first time to spend the night here.

So, we started off with a trip to Taco Bell. 

I found it a challenge to get a good photo of them there.  Oh well. They were very entertaining dinner companions.

Cordelia had a special request. She wanted us to visit a particular park because she and I had stopped there one time when she spent the night with me.  Kids do that. They like to recreate special adventures. So, off we went! 

When we got there we discovered a large part of the play area was now a pond. Of course, I told the girls to stay out of the water. Of course, both went right for it! 

Still, there was lots of playing.

Which means lots of Grandma photo opportunities! 

After a walk/run, we went home to see Grandpa, read books and just be silly for awhile. 

We got all jammied up and the girls got into their little sleeping bags. They were pretty  excited... For about two minutes. Then Elise announced she wanted to sleep on the bed with me. That wasn't a big surprise, but then Cordy wanted on the bed as well. She was conflicted, actually. She wanted to sleep in her sleeping bag, but she didn't want Elise to get all the Grandma snuggles. 

We all got on the floor for a bit, the girls in their bags and me in between. I guess I was hoping they would fall asleep quickly, silly me, but my back started complaining first. 

So, we all got up on the bed, which was too small for three.  Grandpa came in to sing a good-night song! 

Cordy agreed to snuggle until Elise fell asleep, which didn't take long, then she crawled down to her sleeping bag. This all worked well.

It was 5:15 when Elise's little hand grabbed my face, turned  it toward herself, and said, "I wuv you, Gwandma."  Is that not awesome way to start a day?....a very early day? 

Cordelia slept on for another hour...

But Elise was ready to party! 

Once Cordelia got up, we made and enjoyed some pancakes.  Cordy learned she loves strawberry syrup, just like Grandpa.

At some point, Mike asked me if I was in Grandma Heaven.  Yes! Grandma Heaven... So much fun!