thanks for the memories

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Home is not a place

Recently we traveled back to NY on the first leg of a trip to WA to witness our son being married.  Before we left I kept thinking about the fact that I was going home. The anticipation helped sustain me through the preparations and all the tension as my mother began to sense that something was going on and reacted as only a child or the mentally challenged can.
After a day full of challenges and trials that travel can bring on we arrived back at the farm and I found myself embraced by my eldest son and realized that the place was not what I was so looking forward to.
My soul had longed not for trees, fields, and scenery.  What my soul needed was sticky fingers.

Little boys digging dirt and talking 100 miles an hour as he planted trees for his mom.

I had longed for the gentle pace of men leaning on shovels and talking about machinery.

My heart had missed the sight of Papa with his little people and my ears needed the chirpy voices calling out, "Papa, pigs! Papa, me help you!"

It was time to be filled with the sight of my daughter happy and satisfied with her world and the little people who populate it.

I had forgotten the perfume of sleeping babies as they softly breathed out their prayers and conversations with the angels.

 Most of all I had forgotten that home was the inquisitive faces of little people experiencing the world of love that God has put them in.
I went back not to see NY but to visit the people who mean NY to me.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

The Simple Woman's Day Book 27 May 2014

Outside my window...the sun is rising.  It looks like it is going to be another hot and muggy one today.  

I am thinking...that vacation time is over and it is high time this grandma got down to the business of being productive.

I am thankful for...sons who provide the means for wonderful vacation time, sons and daughters-in-law who come to visit on holiday weekends, and husbands who give, and give and keep on giving.

From the kitchen...I scarcely know what to do.  I may have forgotten how to cook after all this time away!

I am hoping...to get mom's dr.'s appointment out of the way quickly so that we can get some shopping done in Greenville this afternoon.

I am hearing...the mourning doves cooing in the trees, today's batch of airplanes taking off from the airport across the way from here, and the neighbors in the house behind us beginning their Tuesday as well.

One of my favorite things...simple things.  The time we spent with Jason and Kim at the airport looking at the planes, in Greenville walking in the park, browsing in our favorite stores, and drinking coffee together chatting on a warm afternoon.  Those are the kinds of times I like.

A few plans for the rest of the week...it is time to get back to being wife, grandmother, mother, caretaker, etc.  Time to keep my house clean, cook meals, do laundry and sew.  Vacation time is over for this old woman.

Here is a picture thought that I am sharing with you...


Probably my favorite memory of my husband from our trip back home.  I can still hear the chatter of little voices calling out, "Papa, papa!"

Thursday, May 22, 2014

"I assure you this will be an epoch in my life."

On Mother's day we jetted off to visit with family long missed and to celebrate the marriage of our son, Ryan and his bride, Kathleen.

There was rehearsal time. Time spent preparing for the day to come and anticipation of the happiness of two families being joined together.

Brothers helping each other swelled the hearts of those who looked on.

The best man, and brother spending final moments together in a kind of solidarity that others cannot understand.


Fathers got to be with daughters, perhaps dreaming of their time under the same circumstances.


Touches exchanged that convey so much more than words ever could between this father and his son.

Never forgetting those moments with the little people that need to be captured.

Seriousness,

and silliness,

and even time for some shenanigans.

Then it all came down to brothers and friends being there for each other.

And thus we come to that moment in time...

when vows are exchanged and the couple looks deep into each other's eyes.  This is where a moment is forged into a forever.

And that forever is shared with those closest.

Then the celebration begins...with a grandpa and his Kaycie.

and brothers being goofy!

Dancing with sons....

cutting cakes...

group hugs...

and baby dances.

I love you big brother (you can see it in their faces)

The bride and groom all alone in their own space.

I'm so proud of you son.


Where has the time gone?

Next up on the wedding train.

New brother and sister taking a spin.

Love her forever, that's all I have to say.

New sisters! The answer to MK's dreams.







Tuesday, May 20, 2014

The Simple Woman's Day Book 20 May 2014


Outside my window...the sun is shining brightly off the wings of the airplanes parked along the tarmac.  In the terminal it is a climate controlled 66 degrees and all of the people around me remain pleasantly anonymous.  

I am thinking...that it is time for me to be done with all of this traveling.  Much as I like to fly I think that thrill has worn thin this trip and this bird needs to land and stay that way for awhile.

I am thankful for...so much.  God has blessed me, I know this with every fiber of my being, but it has been brought so much to home on this particular trip.  (that is fodder for another blog post)

From the kitchen...? Let's be real. This grandmother isn't going to be doing very much cooking any time soon.  I should probably be walking from NY to SC in order to be able to work off all the the great food that I have consumed in the last 10 days.

I am wearing...jeans and a tee shirt.  One must be comfy, first and foremost, when traveling.

I am hoping...for smooth sailing on this last leg of the trip.  I don't think I can take any drama at this stage in the game.

I am hearing...the sounds of announcements on the PA system, a TV playing off in the distance, and a conversation between two woman close by.

One of my favorite things...the interaction between my family members and the love that they show to each other.

A few plans for the rest of the week...well, I have two large suitcases full of dirty laundry and a mother at the house waiting for me.  That should be sufficient to keep me out of trouble for the near future.

Here is a picture thought that I am sharing with you...
Rehearsal for the big day.  I didn't cry but it was touch and go all the way.

Monday, May 12, 2014

The Simple Woman's Day Book 12 May 2014


Outside my window...the sun is bright, there is a light breeze blowing, the maples are in flower and giving off their perfume and all is right with my world.

I am thinking...about the way that this place is such an integral part of my makeup.  When we stepped out of the terminal in Syracuse the scents of Upstate New York filled my head and I felt a distinct sense of well being.  My body and soul finally were in line with what my mind was telling them, I was home.

I am thankful...for this gift of time at home from my son.  

From the kitchen...I don't know and I don't care.  I am not here for the food but rather for the people.

I am wearing...jeans and my new shirt from Savannah and Kaycie.  It has a butterfly made from Kaycie's feet and a flower made from Savannah's hands.  I am a sucker for those kinds of things.

I am hoping...by some miracle that the next 20 some hours go really slow.  I am trying to savor every second that I am here and with my peeps!  

I am hearing...grackles calling in the trees in front of the house ( I hate to admit that I sort of missed that sound), Grandpa and Layn talking to each other as they do little jobs for Auntie Mate, and Christopher cooing to himself in his saucer.  These are the songs that make up the soundtrack of my life for the last 30 years.

Around the house...there is utter and beautiful chaos!!! the decor is punctuated by suitcases, toys, blankies, and stuffed creatures.  How I have missed the disorder and noise.

One of my favorite things...seeing the way Papa and Layn dote on each other.  Layn has barely left Papa's side since we got here last night.

A few plans for the rest of the week...enjoy, that's my plan.

Here is a picture thought that I am sharing with you...
The men checking out the mud on the skidder.  I love these guys more than I can express.

Monday, May 5, 2014

The Simple Woman's Day Book 5 May 2014


Outside my window...the sun is shining and the temps are already up into the 60's.  Yesterday the thermometer read 86 and it was a gloriously warm day.  For the first time we turned on the AC in the evening just to cool the house down a little.  I am really liking this nice warm sunny weather.

I am thinking...about things to do and the diminishing time that I have to do them in.  

I am thankful....for the man that God gifted me with 31 years ago.  

From the kitchen...I think I will be shifting into warm weather mode.  That means that meals will be simplified to casseroles and sandwiches.  It is not the preferred time of the year to exercise my culinary abilities.

I am wearing...my night shirt.  Though the morning is rapidly heading toward noon it just feels like a good day to take it slow and easy.  

I am hoping...to get some much needed cleaning done today and out of the way for the week.

I am hearing...the dog next door barking at something, the neighbors on the other side packing their car to go somewhere, and the great big silence and tranquility of this house.

Around the house...there are piles of stuff waiting for me to stow them in their designated places.  My sewing area is being picked up and put away in preparation for our trip next week.

One of my favorite things...FaceTime!!!! I love being able to see my children and grandchildren face to face.

A few plans for the rest of the week...after I get done thinking about preparing for our trip I guess I had better start implementing those thought.  I need to shop, pack and clean (not necessarily in that order) so that we are ready to leave and the house and mom are ready for ReNee'.

Here is a picture thought that I am sharing with you...
The wedding ring quilt now has borders and a back and is ready to go on the machine.  I am really pleased and surprised at how this one turned out.