Kaden loves to fly!

I'm going to try to wean myself from the computer.  I've been spending far too much time here this summer, zoning out.  It's my escape vehicle.  Not so much xanga, as the stupid yahoo games!

I'm starting a counted cross stitch project - making a Christmas stocking for Sam.  Michelle is making one for Kaden.  Hers is a basic one - fill in the spaces with one color.  Nice for a beginner.  But me, oh no, I have to do one that has 50 different colors and some metallic thread blending.  I was a champion cross stitcher but gave it up about 12 years ago when my wrist went numb all the time.  I thought I had carpel tunnel, but I got tested for that this year when my thumb started acting wacky, and turns out, I don't have it.  So I thought, I can do this.

What I failed to consider was my eyes.  I WANT MY OLD EYES BACK!!!!  It's not the nearsightedness - I've been extremely nearsided since I was a kid (600 - 700 range) and that's an OK thing for close work.  Close stuff I can see.  But, apparently, my focusing abilities have deteriorated and I'm having a time seeing the stupid chart.  I have to get to a color printer and have it magnified so I can tell the difference between all the little symbols.  Sigh.  Why do I get myself into this stuff?

But the good news is my sub job for Friday got canceled so I can now spend the day with my mil, and the little family.  Mom is coming here tomorrow and will stay until sometime after church on Sunday.  We've been trying to get her to come and now she is.  I had a sub job scheduled before I knew she was coming, but today I got word that it was canceled.  So mil and Sam really want to see the ND campus - that'll be fun on Friday when so many people will be around before the big game - ND vs UofMichigan!  Whoot whoot. 

So if you have any advice of how to do close needle work with menopausal eyes, let me know the secret!

For lots of laughs, read a Dortmunder novel by Donald Westlake.  I love these characters.  They always make me laugh out loud.  The funniest book I've ever read is "Dancing Aztecs" by that author.

Hugs.

9/11/01 was a Tuesday.  It was the first bible study day of the new year.  I was in charge of the bible studies that year so I was getting ready to introduce the class offerings and make sure the welcome brunch went well.  I had the radio on at home while I got ready and heard about the first crash on Moody radio.  My first thought wasn't a bomb or a terrorist, but simply that some poor small-plane pilot must have made a terrible mistake.  As I listened more information became available.  My next thoughts were that someone must be declaring war on our country.  But who?

When I got to church the ladies in the office had a small TV on and that was my first glimpse of the events.  We'd turned off our TV a few years before that.  We prayed a lot that morning.  It was a subdued start to classes.  When I got home, Dave came home too for lunch.  We stood in the driveway, just holding each other, crying together, wondering if my brother was OK.  He didn't work there, but we knew he visited a lot.  We were able to contact him by phone and he was fine.

When I went to work the next day that was all the students were talking about.  In addition to classroom teaching I was also working in the computerized learning center, where students earned credits by learning at their own speed using lessons on the computer and turning in regular assignments that I graded.  One of the students said that his brother worked in the restaurant on the top of the tower and that no one had heard anything from him.  As we know now, everyone in that restaurant persished.

What a sober time for all of us.  I'm not sure we've learned the lessons we should have learned.  And while we've learned a lot about the kind of people who did this to us, I'm also not convinced we really understand them.  I don't know all the answers, but I do know that peace at any cost would be very costly and that's not the answer.  I can't get my head around the kind of hate that must permiate every fiber of the fanatics responsible for the continuing threats and violence.  I'd feel sorry for them, but I can't even do that!  So I pray.  But not to the same God they pray to.  I pray to the God of the bible,  the Creator God, and to Jesus, his only son.  Not all gods that people pray to are the same. 

Heavy thoughts for a reflective day.  May you find peace as you reflect and pray today.

Slow news week.  I subbed for the first time this afternoon.  What fun.  I really do like being in front of a class and TEACHING!  I don't much care for babysitting, which is why I've chosen to specialize in math.  I can teach that!  I can probably teach other things too, but other divisions don't assume the sub can teach so they leave busywork.  Yawn.  No thanks.  Not for me.  This teacher today was lucky.  She apparently didn't know she'd gotten a math teacher as a sub, but her lesson plans would not have helped a non-math person.  Oh well.

Not a whole lot else newsworthy.  Seems slow everywhere on xangaland.  That's probably good, right?

So, in lieu of anything else, some very good pictures of the most adorable great-grandboy ever!  At least, in my mom's opinion.

He's developing some good computer skills.

Michelle said that he hit the keyboard with his fist today and caused some problems. Oops!

Then some shots of great-grandma, which were in the other digital camera.

Then some "baby in the hood" pictures.

There.  Are you bored now?

Hope you have a fantastic weekend!

I trust you had an enjoyable Labor Day, minus the labor of course!

We drove north and visited with mil for a few hours and picked up Ken's bike and fan from her basement.  Then we drove back to Hope and dropped off his stuff and took him out to dinner.  Why there is an excellent Irish pub in Holland is a mystery, but there it is!  I had some tasty Irish lamb stew.  Yummy!

Ken wants this one for himself and told me to post it on my blog.  Not my fav.

This one is definately better.

A real smile!

Mom and dad are probably in Cleveland by now.  She'll probably update when she can.  She's hoping to meet some of her Cleveland area xanga buddies, so I'm eager to hear how that goes!

Sam and Michelle were home when we got back - they'd been in Amishland all weekend.  Kaden is now rolling over on his own and laughing at airplane rides!  Each time they're gone for a weekend he manages to do something new.  If I feel that way after just a weekend, I imagine that grandma Katie really feels it when she sees him just once a week.  He is such a cheerful and happy child.  You just have to smile around him.

I'm hoping to catch up this week.  Last week I was in after-shock from all the work of the reception.  To the point were I actually got sick with a bladder infection.  TMI?  Sorry.  Anyway, I'm on meds.  I went to the clinic right away on Saturday - the nurse asked me how long I'd had the symptoms.  I told her, since this morning, and she looked a little surprised.  I told her that by the time most women turn 50 they know the signs and I surely wasn't going to wait for the four-day weekend to be over before I saw a dr!

Michelle actually wants to go with me to a baby shower at church tomorrow night.  That should be fun.  I'm glad she wants to spend time with me!

Very interesting biography of one of the brothers of Harriet Beecher Stowe, who was famous in his own right.

You have to love a man who can use a broom!

I forgot one "great" in my last entry.

It would seem, in all the excitement and trauma of last weekend, I forgot to show off my "greatest":  Last Sunday was our 29th wedding anniversary.  And I forgot to honor my "great" love, my husband.

He was giving instructions at the reception.

And with our favorite grandchild!

If you haven't already, check out yesterday's blog with the pictures of josaju and jou jou.

Just some pictures of Kaden and his greats.

Great grand-pa.

This is one happy woman!

With both great grandma and grandpa.

Sooooo big!

Great-puppy?  Jou Jou and Kaden.

Got the pictures from Peter.  I'll post some here and you can look at the rest on his website if you wish.

Peter's website   ****  Edit:  When you click on Peter, you will enter his website.  From there, click on the picture above weddings, then click on weddings 2006.  Scroll down the weddings listed until you see the one for Sam.Michelle.  The picture is of Ken fixing the fountain.  You don't need to register or login in order to veiw pictures, just to order.

I wish we'd had more family shots.  I was too frazzled to think of it.  Oh well.  Mom suggested we just do it again.  Ha ha.

In other news, Ken begins his SENIOR YEAR OF COLLEGE today.  Man.  That was a long blink.  I hold Kaden and I can picture little Kenny.  

It's rained now for two days.  No walk, which isn't good since I've got all these M&M's left over from the reception.  MUST STOP EATING THEM!

Kaden, Friday night.

Dave and I, welcoming guests.

One of our neighbor girls, admiring the garden.

I DID IT!

Becky served punch.

Signing in.

Head table.

Invaluable kitchen helper Kim.

The only family shot Peter got - Dave's mom with us.

This shot frustrates me.  Didn't one of them think that just maybe the brides mom might want to be in this picture?  I want to cry when I see it.

Uncle Ralph, giving his comments.

Blowing bubbles.

My children, the bride and the pirate.  Sigh.

I really like this shot.

That's all for now.

What a time!  I said any number of time the last few days, I wish I had a brain!  I'm exhausted!

No it didn't really rain, but no, we also didn't have it in the garden.  The 50/50 chance of rain was too big a risk.   Instead, we brought the garden in to the church fellowship hall and had a wonderful reception inside, with air-conditioning.

I have the best friends in the world.  Three of my bestest buds came in on Friday to help set up.  Nancy is my friend of longest duration (as opposed to being my oldest friend ), Sandy is my favorite cousin (actually Dave's, but we think we're much more alike than those two - we are pretty scary when we're together), and Sue, the one I went on the girlie vacation with in Wisconsin.    My parents pitched in and helped set up and we had it looking great on Friday afternoon.  Friday evening 13 of us gathered round the church kitchen and shared pizza and helped move almost all my containers into the church.  And my fountain.  It made a wonderful garden in front of the stage.

me, Sandy, Nancy and Sue

If we get our act together, we can take in on the road!

The garden at church.  Somehow a cricket made the trip - we could hear him chirping on Saturday morning!  Even with the fountain going!

Guess who finally got to meet her great-grandson!  Josaju!

Ken was the expert in fountain setting-up and he took control - he did a fine job of it!  Lots of help was offered, but he wasn't having any!

Peter, reclining amidst the flowers!

I'm hoping he's going to download his pictures onto my computer later tonight.  I didn't take many pictures today.  Duh.  I wonder why?  But it was fabulous and I'm exhausted and I think Michelle and Sam were happy about it. 

The Amish took up one side of the fellowship hall and the English the other, with the food table serving as the DMZ.  Actually, it was very friendly and people mixed quite a bit.  My dad tried to convince lots of the Amish to try the sushi and quite a few of them did.  Dave and I and Sam's parents shared the bridal table with Sam and Michelle, center stage.  Uncle Ralph reviewed the vows that were made on May 25 and then they exchanged rings.

Michelle's bling-bling.

I'm hoping Peter got a picture, but he was limited since he couldn't take a picture of the whole stage since Sam's parents don't want to be photographed.

The cake was a hit, but we had tons of it left.  I gave away huge chunks!  It was delicious - one layer was chocolate hazelnut with raspberry filling and the other was champaigne white cake - delish!

Here we are, along with Sue's daughter Becky, all dressed up and pretty as bridesmaids!  LOL.

I'll post more as I get them.  I think mom took some pictures and I know Peter did!

I'm going to bed early tonight!

My mom and dad arrived in South Bend around 10:30 last night, after driving straight through from Florida.  What, do they think they're still teenagers?

They came over around noon today so they could see Kaden.  Happy faces all around.  Of course, we were in the middle of a distruction process, having our bedroom and kitchen windows replaced and a new patio door put in.  I know.  I'm crazy.  But now I have a screen door on my patio door that I can open!  Whoot whoot!

Enough of that.  Tomorrow will be dedicated to cleaning.  The rain is not leaving the forecast, in fact, it's showing up for the entire rest of the week.  It'll be fine, wherever it is.  Although, as we were eating our Subway's at the picnic table at noon, we all commented on how perfect the weather was for eating out.  Oh well.  What will be will be.

The forecast for Sat:  Scattered T-storms.  Please help me pray that away!

I stopped at the church today.  It will work if we have to move it, but I'd really rather have the reception in my garden!

I'm in a lull until I hit overdrive on Thursday.  When you probably won't hear from me until after the do. 

Also, pray for my mom and dad as they travel north to be here for the reception.  They left their home in Florida this morning.  Maybe I'll call them tonight and see how far they drove.  The dust-mop came with them, but the cats are being boarded at the vets.  Our home was declared a "dog-free" zone when we moved here three years ago (arggh - how can it be that long ago!) so they'll be staying with my dad's twin sister on the south side of town.

Peter informed me today that the people who own the house that he's moving into won't be moving out until the end of the month.  Now normally this wouldn't be a problem - I can ebb and flow with the best of them, as most of you know by now, but!  But Peter told us at the beginning of this month that he was moving and would be out by last weekend, Aug 19.  OK, sorry to see you go, it's been nice having you around, but now we can let some of the guests stay at the house for the reception.  So his room was promised long ago.  Now it's a big problem!  Every bed, and even every couch has been promised to someone!  He's going to have to crash elsewhere for the weekend.  I had him strip the bedspread off the bed, along with the pillow shams and I dropped them off at the dry cleaner accross from my dentist office.  They'll be ready at 5:00 p.m. Fri.  OK.  No one will go to bed that early Friday night anyway!  As Rosanne Rosanna-dana would say, "It's always something!"