New Year's Eve

Times change.  A cliché, but true.  When our children were young enough to stay home on New Year's Eve, before they started babysitting or going to parties, we would have movie marathons and watch 2 or 3 musicals or James Bond movies or 2 different versions of the same film.  Then several times Randy and I went to a friend's home to play board games and watch the ball drop in Times Square.  Tonight we're going to two little parties to share the end of 2015 with friends.

Midnight tonight marks the end of one year and the beginning of another.  How might I summarize these past twelve months?  I could mention first time events, like my first dog bite, or the night sitting up in an airport, or seeing e undergo an EEG.  Or I could talk about changes in my life, the biggest one being my taking on e's day care.  Traveling back and forth to Phoenix (32 round trip flights in 10 months), living with E and K and e during the week, playing organ on Sunday mornings with little practice, Randy cooking for himself…our life was certainly different than in 2014.

One thing stayed the same; I continued to quilt and to read.  I made five quilts, starting with Bonnie Hunter's "Grand Illusion" mystery quilt; this is not yet quilted, but the top is done.  I took several pounds of scraps to E's over the course of a few weeks and spent many pleasurable hours cutting them into usable patches, sewing many of them into Bonnie Hunter's "Dancing Nines," made for my sister's newest grandson in North Carolina, and "Narragansett Blues," another pattern by Bonnie Hunter, which I finally finished a couple of days ago.  I made "Round and Around," affectionately known as my Legos quilt, for myself and used it as a topper on my bed at E's.  Then in October I made "Pinks Plus" for my sister.  You can see a picture of each one on the previous blog post.  I have a list of many more I want to work on in 2016.

I read 146 books in 2015, most of them mystery novels.  Hours spent in airports and on planes provided lots of time to read.  Many of these books were checked out from the Alameda library via their e-book program and then read on my iPad-mini.  It surely was more convenient to carry that small device than hardback books.

We spent some time with each daughter in 2015 and saw my dad when he and Claudia flew out to meet e in August.  Randy's sister also visited while e was at our house in May.  We saw K's mom and siblings on various occasions.

This year has been one of growth for me in various areas of my life.  I look forward to what 2016 has in store!

Quilts made during 2015

Grand Illusion Mystery Quilt
(not yet quilted

Dancing Nines
(for my sister's grandson)

Pinks Plus
(for my sister)

Round and Around
(for myself)

Narragansett Blues

You may ask questions about any of these if you want more information.  

Settling back in

I've been home for two weeks now, busy preparing the music for Christmas Eve and Sunday services and the house for Liz and Sean's visit.  While I unpacked my suitcases as soon as we arrived home from the airport, some non-clothing items were just placed on convenient surfaces, not put away.  Last night I spent an hour or more sorting through those things, filing some and recycling others.  There is more to be done but I feel I've made a start.  Randy is taking some time off this week to take care of things on his to-do list.

We saw the new Star Wars movie on Christmas night, along with a nearly-full theater of other fans.  It was indeed exciting!  I enjoyed the music by John Williams.  Harrison Ford has aged, certainly, but he still looks pretty good as Han Solo, even if he moves a little slower now.  And the attitude is still there.  Liz and Sean left on a red-eye flight Saturday night, bound for Raleigh-Durham and a visit with friends near Asheville on Sunday.  Monday they met Sarah and Erik, who had driven over from Knoxville, TN, for lunch and time together in Asheville, before driving home to Raeford.

Yesterday I finished hand sewing the binding on the Narragansett Blues quilt I made this summer.  I didn't buy any new fabric for it.  Remember the scraps I cut into various size squares last spring?  About 1700 of those 2 1/2 inch patches went into this quilt.  It feels good to use up little pieces of left-over fabric to make something pretty.  Several more quilts are on my want-to-make list.  And I need to make labels for some finished quilts.

Our last Christmas activity of the season is a carol sing this Saturday. We used to do this at the beginning of Advent, but several years ago we moved it to the end of the holidays, close to Epiphany.  Then the decorations will be packed away till next year.

Christmas Eve

Liz and Sean arrived late Monday night.  The next morning Liz and I drove up to Emeryville to shop at Bay Street.  I enjoyed spending time with her, seeing her interact with the brow stylist at Sephora, the dressing room helper at Banana Republic, and others.  She is friendly, laughs easily, and talks a mile a minute.  After lunch we came home and worked a Charles Wysocki puzzle, which I haven't done in a long time.  In years past there was often a puzzle in progress on the coffee table; all three girls have liked doing jigsaw puzzles since they were tiny and still do.  I hope e will have many hours of fun with puzzles, too, as she gets a bit older.

Yesterday morning I practiced organ, which took longer than usual because I have two services to play tonight, and while the carols are the same for the family service and the choir/later service, the preludes and postludes differ because the choir director and I will play flute/organ (or piano) duets at the later one.  The church's heating system is on the fritz; Sunday morning the temperature was about 58 when the service began.  They've been working on it but have not been able to diagnose the problem yet, so I plan to wear my long underwear tonight and my gloves with the cut-off fingertips.

Last night I hung the Christmas stockings on the mantel.  K's needs to have his name cross stitched on; of course the only time I think of that is when I'm about to hang it up, but maybe this year I'll finally stitch it.  Last week a friend asked if I was still writing on the tree skirt each year, and I replied that I tried to but sometimes forgot.  So I pulled that out and saw that my last entry was 2007.  I looked at old holiday newsletters and photos so I could update the skirt with memories from each year.  It is so much easier to do this each year, instead of playing catch-up.  I had no idea I was so far behind!

The half batch of date nut pinwheel cookies I baked Monday is just about gone.  Today I plan to make my usual cherry almond wreath coffee cake and maybe a cranberry brunch cake.  Tomorrow Liz and Sean will come for an early dinner, then the four of us and Sean's folks will go to the new Star Wars movie.  And yes, we've already bought tickets.

A good week

Yesterday morning we Skyped with e and her mom.  I arrived home from practicing and a walk to find Randy starting a visit with them. What fun to see and hear the two of them, with K joining occasionally.  I did feel that e recognized me, even though I'm sure I looked different on the computer monitor than in person.  We sang together; that is, I sang and e did the motions to "Open, Shut Them."  Then she put her hand behind her head as if to say, "Now, do this one."  I remembered E had told me she learned  "Where Is Thumbkin?" at daycare and suggested we try that, so we did, and e seemed pleased.  Years ago we did the song with hands behind our back, but I guess it is much easier for a toddler to put hands behind her head; things change in 30 years, even little songs.

E said e did pretty well at daycare last week.  She grabbed someone's toy once, and that child scratched her, but other than that, it was good.  She ate well and napped.  It sounds like the drop offs went smoothly, too.  I hope it continues this way.  A friend who used to teach pre-school said the first week or two is like a honeymoon, then reality sets in.  "What?  I have to come here every day?"  But it sounds like e is confident and secure.  I like to I think I had something to do with that, as I followed E and K's guidelines for responding to e's needs each day.

We attended another holiday party last night, this one at Carol and Scott's, friends we met because Liz married Sean.  They are friends of Sean's mother, and we have enjoyed many evenings with them at her house or theirs or ours.  They invited many people to come over and share a table full of delicious finger foods and desserts.  It was really lovely.

Back in the groove

Last Saturday we were getting ready for E's birthday party.  It seems like a long time ago now.  Since I arrived home Sunday night I have been busy writing then mailing our almost-annual Christmas newsletter for family and friends, getting out decorations, playing piano and organ, cleaning house, shopping for groceries.  I had my regular eye exam (eyes are in good health) and have taken four morning walks.  I had lunch then a game of Scrabble with friend Dena.  Last night we had a fun dinner and games with a group of friends from church.  All of these events have helped me get back into my life as it was before my time in Phoenix.  But they also have made me realize this would be a great time to examine my life and talk with Randy about the past year, about things we may want to do differently.  For instance, I played Sunday morning services with just Saturday practices; do I really need to practice organ three mornings a week?  Or, Randy did laundry and cooking; does he want to continue either or both?  And so on.  Food for thought.

Today I will practice, take a walk with my friend Linda (if it doesn't rain), and continue to decorate the house and prepare for Liz and Sean's arrival on Monday evening.  They will stay with Sean's mom this visit, but we will see them a lot, I hope.  We have another holiday party to attend tonight, so no cooking for me.  In the fridge a turkey is thawing, which I hope to roast tomorrow afternoon.  I also want to bake a cranberry cake and make the dough for date-nut pinwheel cookies, a Christmas tradition here at our house.

By the way, e had another EEG this week, after being off her medication for a couple of months, again with normal results.  We are all so thankful!  Daycare went smoothly, with e participating in activities.  E worked at home one day and said it was so quiet without e or me or the dog.

Birthday weekend, part 2

Sunday morning most of us went to nearby "The Good Egg" for breakfast.  Back at the house, I began packing up my clothes and other belongings for the trip home.  Since I had already taken home most of the extra fabric, books and such, everything left fit in the original two suitcases.  Then more gifts were opened, more food eaten, and lots of family photos taken to add to the little album I began compiling for e, a small book she will be able to handle, to remind her of those of us she doesn't see daily.

It was fun to see e play with her 3 1/2 year old cousin.  While V can be a bit bossy, e held up her end pretty well, and of course we helped V slow down and make allowances for her just-learning-to-walk cousin.  While e does move pretty quickly with her walker toy, when V tries to help her along e usually falls because she can't go as fast as V wants.

Then it was time for everyone to leave.  K's sister fed the baby before strapping her and V into their car seats and the four of them drove away, headed for southern California.  K's mom had rented a car Saturday when they arrived, so she and her husband drove Randy and me to the airport since our flights left within minutes of each other.  As the car pulled away from the house, we waved at K, E and e and said, "Goodby, see you soon!"

(There will be more posts, as I have more to say about my experiences.  Check back!)

Birthday weekend, part 1

Goodness, has it already been a week since I've posted anything?  A lot has happened, but I will try to recap.

Randy's flight was late Thursday night, but it worked out because K arrived about the same time from his trip to Charlotte, so the two of them drove back together, just as K and I had done so many times. The next day e and I took Randy for a long walk, showing him the herons and coots along the water.  Demonstrating how grandpas do things differently, Randy held e up over his head on a tree branch.  She didn't know what to think.  E took the day off and was out running errands, which took longer than expected, and she came home without the items she had hoped to buy.  Continuing party preparations, we cut out cookies using E, bear and star cookie cutters.  We got the two chocolate sheet cakes baked and the chicken shredded for the hot wings dip.  After supper K's sister and Ayer family arrived, and we visited for a while before bed.

Saturday morning K's mom and husband arrived.  It felt a little odd to see e with her other grandma, partly because we have different styles, but I'm glad e has family who love her.  E cut the cakes along the template pieces and put together the bear cake, covering it generously with chocolate frosting.  A friend and his young son came over around noon; turns out he had the party time wrong, but hung out with us.  K went out for helium balloons; the silver, sparkly stars were more exciting to e than the pink ones.  Other party snacks were assembled as e napped then we were ready for the big event.

About 25 adults and children joined the eleven of us family, and the new house easily held the group, with most clustered in the kitchen/family room.  While we had hoped to have some outdoor activities, it was too cold and damp to stand around for long on the patio.  I met some new friends and greeted others I'd met before.  When it was time to cut the cake, E took off e's party clothes so the chocolate wouldn't stain the pretty white shirt.  K then said some lovely things about my help this year.  A friend brought in the Kleenex box for E, and I blinked back tears as Randy squeezed my shoulders.  It was indeed a labor of love for me and gave me so much joy.  While e had not had cake or cookies before, she seemed to enjoy the treats.  Although E had said, "No gifts, please," some fancy wrapped things appeared, so e and her parents opened books and toys.

After the guests left, we nibbled on leftovers and e soon went to bed.  K raised the temperature on the Jacuzzi, and three year old cousin V got her wish of playing in the water.  Her dad and I joined her.  She pointed out the "clouds" we made as the water evaporated from our arms in the cold night air.

A good time was had by all.

Things I will not miss

Picking up a 22 pound baby numerous times a day, though this one could also fit in the "things I will miss" list

Changing diapers, especially dirty ones, on a squirming child who would rather crawl away than lie on her back

Starting work each day at 7:30 AM

Company in the bathroom

113 degree days

Cat hair on my clothes

Sleeping alone

Step by step...

Yesterday E registered e for daycare; Monday, December 14, will be her first day.  Most of E's questions regarding food, diapers, and such have been answered, and it looks like things will be easier than expected, though those initial drop-offs will be challenging for everyone.  E will need to leave two changes of clothes for e, as well as an extra pair of shoes (closed toe, rubber sole--nice to have clothes and shoes from older cousin so E doesn't have to shop for them).  She will also leave a box of diapers and wipes.  The daycare will provide meals and snacks and even sippy cups (everyone uses the same style).

This morning on our walk I was a little teary-eyed, thinking of days to come when we won't have this special time together.  As we approached home I took e out of the stroller, and she walked the last short block holding on to my hand.  She stopped frequently, to pick up a leaf and offer it to me, or to examine a crack in the sidewalk.  I guess she notices things like that because she is so close to the ground.

This past weekend her parents purchased her next car seat, good till e reaches 65 pounds.  She will continue to face backwards for another year, then the seat can be turned around.  It even came with its own cup holder!

"And the world is about to turn..."

The Lutheran hymnal has a hymn with the above phrase, "Canticle of the Turning," and it seems fitting on many levels for this week.  The lyrics to the hymn are based on Mary's Magnificat, her response to the angel's announcement that she would have a son.  But the idea of life changing is appropriate for e and her family.

Her first steps have been taken, and before we know it e will be running around the house instead of crawling.  At the grocery store Saturday, she helped K push the cart.  E sent me a picture---in her little pink sneakers, blue jeans and T-shirt e looked like a toddler walking along gripping the cart determinedly.  It was great.

This week we continue preparations for daycare, for house guests and the birthday party on Saturday.  Randy arrives Thursday evening; K's mom, step-dad, sister and husband and two little girls come Friday.  The new house has enough room for all of us to stay here.  E's to-do lists are quite long!  On our morning walk today I saw 10 great blue herons in one small area.  Amazing!  These large birds fascinate me.  Sometimes I see one along the lagoon at home, but never more than two, so ten were a treat.

Last week I gave e an early birthday gift because I wanted to see her play with it, a shape/block sorter.  It is a little different than the one our girls had, but the basic concept is the same--5 pairs of blocks (circle, star, square, plus sign, triangle) to put through corresponding shapes on the lid of the little bucket.  She played with it for 45 minutes straight that afternoon.  No, she didn't put the blocks through the lid, but she dumped them out, picked them up, over and over, looking at each shape.  The bucket has a handle so she can easily pick it up and carry it around.  It was a good choice!

Yogurt, yogurt everywhere

Yesterday e decided she wanted to feed herself some yogurt.  So while I used one spoon, she used another to get yogurt from her bowl into her mouth.  Admittedly I had more success than she did, but it was fun to watch her.  At one point she brushed the spoon against her sweater sleeve and apparently decided she liked the look of white yogurt on the black sleeve because she did it a couple more times.  Before putting her to bed I put the sweater in the washing machine with my laundry.

Today we tried again with two spoons, and I think she got more in her mouth.  You go, e!

Week 40 begins

Today, Tuesday, December 1, marks the beginning of week 40 of my time caring for e.  I have made 31 round trip flights, with two to go.  I stayed here four weekends, and E, K and e visited us twice-- for two weeks, then three.  I have been through an Arizona summer, complete with extreme heat warnings and monsoons.  And now the end is in sight.  On December 13 e turns one, and that was our goal, close observation and lots of visual and physical stimulation till her birthday.  Having a specific end date has helped all of us.  These next blog posts will no doubt be full of how I am preparing for my move back home and how we are helping e prepare for daycare.