We were able to spend two days with them hearing about school and their new friends, walking in the neighborhood, shopping for the house and unpacking boxes. We were sad to leave, but happy to see that they are in a great place.
Friday, September 6, 2013
A Quick Trip to Nashville
When we left West Virginia, we made a quick trip to Tennessee to visit Dan, Tanya and the grandchildren and see the new house. The movers had only arrived a few days earlier, so we were prepared to help unpack, organize or whatever they needed. What fun it was to arrive and see their sweet faces and let them give us a tour of their new, big house!
We were able to spend two days with them hearing about school and their new friends, walking in the neighborhood, shopping for the house and unpacking boxes. We were sad to leave, but happy to see that they are in a great place.
We were able to spend two days with them hearing about school and their new friends, walking in the neighborhood, shopping for the house and unpacking boxes. We were sad to leave, but happy to see that they are in a great place.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Special Birthdays
The first part of our road trip was back home to see my parents. They both have August birthdays. Mom celebrated her 80th while we were there, and Daddy celebrated 86 years yesterday. They are doing great and it was fun to be there for a few days to visit with them.
Tyler and Mallory flew up on Thursday for the birthday celebration. Mallory had never met Gram and Pop Pop and it was important to Tyler that they meet his future wife so they booked their flights to coincide with our trip. Of course, flying to Huntington has its challenges. They had a very early flight from Jacksonville to Charlotte, only to find out the Charlotte to Huntington flight was cancelled. Tyler was quick to see that there was a flight leaving shortly for Charleston so he called to see if we could pick them up there instead. They got seats on the flight to Charleston and we headed out to get them.
It was a great visit. Mallory is very easy to be around and so are my parents so they were fast friends. We picked up Stewart's hotdogs for everyone for lunch (Mallory needed a proper introduction to all things "Huntington"!) Birthday dinner was at Huntington Prime.
Friday morning we went to Tutor's to pick up breakfast - Mallory LOVES biscuits so she was excited! We spent the day together exploring a little of the Huntington Mall, checked out the garden in the back, and had dinner at home. It was nice enough to spend time on the porch - with ice cream, of course!
They flew out on Saturday knowing that they had total grandparent approval. We didn't do a lot of sightseeing in town, but we did drive through Ritter Park and to the Rose Garden. We left on Sunday morning after breakfast - with wonderful memories.
Tyler and Mallory flew up on Thursday for the birthday celebration. Mallory had never met Gram and Pop Pop and it was important to Tyler that they meet his future wife so they booked their flights to coincide with our trip. Of course, flying to Huntington has its challenges. They had a very early flight from Jacksonville to Charlotte, only to find out the Charlotte to Huntington flight was cancelled. Tyler was quick to see that there was a flight leaving shortly for Charleston so he called to see if we could pick them up there instead. They got seats on the flight to Charleston and we headed out to get them.
It was a great visit. Mallory is very easy to be around and so are my parents so they were fast friends. We picked up Stewart's hotdogs for everyone for lunch (Mallory needed a proper introduction to all things "Huntington"!) Birthday dinner was at Huntington Prime.
Friday morning we went to Tutor's to pick up breakfast - Mallory LOVES biscuits so she was excited! We spent the day together exploring a little of the Huntington Mall, checked out the garden in the back, and had dinner at home. It was nice enough to spend time on the porch - with ice cream, of course!
They flew out on Saturday knowing that they had total grandparent approval. We didn't do a lot of sightseeing in town, but we did drive through Ritter Park and to the Rose Garden. We left on Sunday morning after breakfast - with wonderful memories.
Monday, August 5, 2013
ROAD TRIP!
Tomorrow we head out on a ROAD TRIP! We'll drive to West Virginia to visit my parents and celebrate their August birthdays (Mom turns 80; Daddy will be 86!) Even though I haven't lived there for 27 years it's still fun to go "home". It isn't the house I grew up in, but it's a home where we've made lots of memories through the years. We stop at my favorite restaurants, drop by familiar places, and when we have time - connect with dear friends who still live there.
Tyler and Mallory are flying up just for two days. She has never met my parents, and Tyler wants to introduce his bride-to-be to them so they can get to know her. The timing is perfect because in addition to birthdays, we can also enjoy all the wonderful garden veggies from their backyard!
The next leg of our journey will be to Nashville to see Dan and Tanya and kids! The movers arrived at the new house today so I can only imagine the chaos of five children and tons of moving boxes! Fun times! It will be a quick visit but I've packed my box cutter and Sharpies and plan to do a day or two of unpacking/organizing while we are there. Have a few things to drop off. Can't wait!!!
Then on to Asheville, NC for Jamie and Liz's wedding celebration! I was flattered when Karen asked if I would help her with some of the details. I've packed some things that are specific for the wedding weekend so thankfully we are driving up and not flying. This is one of our favorite cities to visit - plus some of our closest friends - it's a win/win weekend!
I shopped today for our picnic supplies. Whenever we take a road trip, I carefully plan something delicious that we can enjoy at a rest area along the way. I stopped at Native Sun and picked up chicken salad, Whole Foods for heirloom tomatoes and Publix for everything else. Tablecloth, paper products, bottled water are all ready to be loaded in the cooler. It's so much nicer than stopping at a fast food restaurant and gives us a few minutes of calm in a day of driving.
You are probably picturing how full the car is at this point - and you are correct! Thankfully we have lots of space. Here is what it looks like so far - without the cooler or the luggage!
I will try to post updates along the way from my laptop!
Tyler and Mallory are flying up just for two days. She has never met my parents, and Tyler wants to introduce his bride-to-be to them so they can get to know her. The timing is perfect because in addition to birthdays, we can also enjoy all the wonderful garden veggies from their backyard!
The next leg of our journey will be to Nashville to see Dan and Tanya and kids! The movers arrived at the new house today so I can only imagine the chaos of five children and tons of moving boxes! Fun times! It will be a quick visit but I've packed my box cutter and Sharpies and plan to do a day or two of unpacking/organizing while we are there. Have a few things to drop off. Can't wait!!!
Then on to Asheville, NC for Jamie and Liz's wedding celebration! I was flattered when Karen asked if I would help her with some of the details. I've packed some things that are specific for the wedding weekend so thankfully we are driving up and not flying. This is one of our favorite cities to visit - plus some of our closest friends - it's a win/win weekend!
I shopped today for our picnic supplies. Whenever we take a road trip, I carefully plan something delicious that we can enjoy at a rest area along the way. I stopped at Native Sun and picked up chicken salad, Whole Foods for heirloom tomatoes and Publix for everything else. Tablecloth, paper products, bottled water are all ready to be loaded in the cooler. It's so much nicer than stopping at a fast food restaurant and gives us a few minutes of calm in a day of driving.
You are probably picturing how full the car is at this point - and you are correct! Thankfully we have lots of space. Here is what it looks like so far - without the cooler or the luggage!
I will try to post updates along the way from my laptop!
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Handwritten Letters
I'm from a big family. My mom is one of 8 children; my dad is one of 8. So there are lots and lots of cousins on both sides....many close to my age. My parents were the only ones who moved away.
I absolutely love getting mail. Even today, one of the highlights each day is going to the mailbox. Most days it's just routine mail. But sometimes....unexpectedly...there is an envelope addressed just to me...and inside there is a handwritten letter. Or just a note. It is absolutely thrilling to me. One of my friends took the time to sit down and write to me. Not an email...or a facebook comment. A LETTER!
I don't read it right away. I set it aside and wait until I have time to really enjoy it. Sometimes I will even pour a glass of wine to enjoy while I read; as if that friend is sitting beside me, sharing stories as we have done so often in the past. When the letter has been read, I file it away in my correspondence file on my desk, because yes - I will respond with....a handwritten letter!
It is definitely a lost art. As the only cousin and grandchild who lived away, I learned at a young age to write letters. I wrote to my grandparents. I wrote to my cousins. They wrote back. It was such an important part of my childhood and I have carried it into my adult life. Every Christmas one of the items on my wish list is stationary which I use to write to our children, my parents, our siblings and my friends.
Now all of our grandchildren live out of town, and one of the things I hope to teach them is the thrill of the handwritten note. I will take turns writing letters to them, and encourage them to write back. I'll write about our traveling adventures, and what I'm cooking for dinner, and memories of times spent with each of them. For birthdays or Christmas I might even buy them stationary and stamps. My greatest legacy would be to engage them in this lost art of the handwritten note...
I absolutely love getting mail. Even today, one of the highlights each day is going to the mailbox. Most days it's just routine mail. But sometimes....unexpectedly...there is an envelope addressed just to me...and inside there is a handwritten letter. Or just a note. It is absolutely thrilling to me. One of my friends took the time to sit down and write to me. Not an email...or a facebook comment. A LETTER!
I don't read it right away. I set it aside and wait until I have time to really enjoy it. Sometimes I will even pour a glass of wine to enjoy while I read; as if that friend is sitting beside me, sharing stories as we have done so often in the past. When the letter has been read, I file it away in my correspondence file on my desk, because yes - I will respond with....a handwritten letter!
It is definitely a lost art. As the only cousin and grandchild who lived away, I learned at a young age to write letters. I wrote to my grandparents. I wrote to my cousins. They wrote back. It was such an important part of my childhood and I have carried it into my adult life. Every Christmas one of the items on my wish list is stationary which I use to write to our children, my parents, our siblings and my friends.
Now all of our grandchildren live out of town, and one of the things I hope to teach them is the thrill of the handwritten note. I will take turns writing letters to them, and encourage them to write back. I'll write about our traveling adventures, and what I'm cooking for dinner, and memories of times spent with each of them. For birthdays or Christmas I might even buy them stationary and stamps. My greatest legacy would be to engage them in this lost art of the handwritten note...
Friday, July 19, 2013
CHILDREN
This weekend I am especially thankful for my children. Being a mom has been the most rewarding thing I've ever done. I'm proud of my boys...and also proud of my step-children. They have all grown up to be responsible, compassionate adults. They are smart and funny and fun to be around.
Our family dynamic changed a little this week - Dan, Tanya and children moved to Nashville! It's a great move for them so I'm very excited. But I also felt some sadness. I didn't see the grandchildren every day - but I knew I could stop by and see them if I wanted. My husband has promised that I can travel to Nashville as often as I want to get Nana time; and I know that's true. It's a 90 minute plane ride on Southwest. It will just be different.
This week we saw their life being loaded onto the moving van - furniture, memories, and 376 boxes. We spent time with them before they left. And we hugged goodbye - with hugs just a little tighter and a little longer than normal days. We know we will see them soon - but life will be different.
We now have 4 children living in 4 different states. Thankfully, we like to travel. Emile is in Portland, Oregon; Michelle is in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania; Dan is in Nashville and Tyler is still in Jacksonville.
Just heard from them that they have arrived safely at their Nashville hotel for the night. So thankful for a safe trip for them. And still just a little bit sad....
Our family dynamic changed a little this week - Dan, Tanya and children moved to Nashville! It's a great move for them so I'm very excited. But I also felt some sadness. I didn't see the grandchildren every day - but I knew I could stop by and see them if I wanted. My husband has promised that I can travel to Nashville as often as I want to get Nana time; and I know that's true. It's a 90 minute plane ride on Southwest. It will just be different.
This week we saw their life being loaded onto the moving van - furniture, memories, and 376 boxes. We spent time with them before they left. And we hugged goodbye - with hugs just a little tighter and a little longer than normal days. We know we will see them soon - but life will be different.
We now have 4 children living in 4 different states. Thankfully, we like to travel. Emile is in Portland, Oregon; Michelle is in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania; Dan is in Nashville and Tyler is still in Jacksonville.
Just heard from them that they have arrived safely at their Nashville hotel for the night. So thankful for a safe trip for them. And still just a little bit sad....
Friday, November 2, 2012
HOME
Today I am especially thankful for our home. It isn't fancy...but it is comfortable and familiar and I absolutely love spending time here. I've been watching the news with stories of those who lost their homes during the recent storms in the Northeast and have been pondering what that would feel like. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in that area and how they have been affected over the past week.
Tomorrow Emile is flying here from Portland. We're so excited to see him and have him "home" for a few days. I spent some time today packing away the Halloween stuff and getting out Thanksgiving decorations and cleaning the house. Really looking forward to the week ahead.
Tomorrow Emile is flying here from Portland. We're so excited to see him and have him "home" for a few days. I spent some time today packing away the Halloween stuff and getting out Thanksgiving decorations and cleaning the house. Really looking forward to the week ahead.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Gratitude
Today is November 1st. I've tried all year to make the commitment to regular posts on my blog...but I seem to stay so busy that it doesn't happen.
So TODAY....I will begin a gratitude blog. For the 30 days of November, I will take the time to post one thing each day that I am thankful for. Who knows...maybe at the end of 30 days I will be used to posting and will update this blog on a regular basis!
I am very thankful for my parents. A high school friend lost her dad last night, and I have no idea what that feels like. Many close friends have lost parents....but at this moment I am thankful that my parents are still healthy and happy and able to enjoy life each day. I need to remember to call more often...while I still can...I won't always have that opportunity.
So TODAY....I will begin a gratitude blog. For the 30 days of November, I will take the time to post one thing each day that I am thankful for. Who knows...maybe at the end of 30 days I will be used to posting and will update this blog on a regular basis!
I am very thankful for my parents. A high school friend lost her dad last night, and I have no idea what that feels like. Many close friends have lost parents....but at this moment I am thankful that my parents are still healthy and happy and able to enjoy life each day. I need to remember to call more often...while I still can...I won't always have that opportunity.
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