Hello,
Brian and Jen came home last night as planned. When I put Sophia to bed and told her they would be there in the morning I hoped there would be no screw up in those plans. I do not like the idea of telling a child one thing and another materializes.
Sophia smiled a lot and gave hugs when she saw them. It was great to see the joy.
I will now try to get my clothes back into the suitcase. I am wondering how I did it as it was small and tight. Winter and summer clothes do not take the same amount of room.
The plan is for Leroy to pick me up in Des Moines, but now he tells me that freezing rain is predicted. Wondering what I will do if he cannot make it. At least I know some people there who might be able to help me.
Hopefully I will be home the next time I write.
Paula
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
In Minnesota
Hello,
Jen’s mom came to visit today. She graciously brought lunch and a snack. We had a nice visit. Sophia went to bed for her nap when Maxine left. It is now an hour later and I can hear her still talking downstairs. It is hard to know how long that should go on. She is not crying, but it seems like a long time to stay in bed not sleeping.
Sophia was restless in bed last night. She spent quite a bit of time awake and talking. I covered her once. The second time I went in she wanted me to hold her so I sat and rocked her until I got cold. Seems to me that mom and dad do not do this, but I asked if she wanted to come to bed with me. She said yes and I think she fell asleep about a minute later and stayed asleep until long after the usual time that she gets up.
Oh dear, I have ruined her sleep pattern.
I am happy that I can now tell Sophia that her parents will be back tomorrow. I think she is missing them. She wanted to look at their pictures on my photo album on the computer. They should come home in the night and then see Sophia in the morning. I expect it to be a happy reunion.
I did take advantage when Maxine was here to go for a walk with Cloe. That dog does not like to poop in the yard. She pulled me to the park and went there, but on the way home she went again. Luckily I had taken two bags. Before I could get the bag tied up the second time I realized she had to go again. Would you believe three times on the way home? Luckily the second bag was the larger bag so it could hold more.
Paula
Jen’s mom came to visit today. She graciously brought lunch and a snack. We had a nice visit. Sophia went to bed for her nap when Maxine left. It is now an hour later and I can hear her still talking downstairs. It is hard to know how long that should go on. She is not crying, but it seems like a long time to stay in bed not sleeping.
Sophia was restless in bed last night. She spent quite a bit of time awake and talking. I covered her once. The second time I went in she wanted me to hold her so I sat and rocked her until I got cold. Seems to me that mom and dad do not do this, but I asked if she wanted to come to bed with me. She said yes and I think she fell asleep about a minute later and stayed asleep until long after the usual time that she gets up.
Oh dear, I have ruined her sleep pattern.
I am happy that I can now tell Sophia that her parents will be back tomorrow. I think she is missing them. She wanted to look at their pictures on my photo album on the computer. They should come home in the night and then see Sophia in the morning. I expect it to be a happy reunion.
I did take advantage when Maxine was here to go for a walk with Cloe. That dog does not like to poop in the yard. She pulled me to the park and went there, but on the way home she went again. Luckily I had taken two bags. Before I could get the bag tied up the second time I realized she had to go again. Would you believe three times on the way home? Luckily the second bag was the larger bag so it could hold more.
Paula
Friday, December 11, 2009
Learning, Learning
Hello,
Last night internet connection disappeared. Brian has WI-FI and I know nothing abut that so I just turned off the computer. I usually turn on the outside light when I put out Cloe (dog) for her final potty trip of the night, but there was no light. “Must have burned out,” I thought, “Brian can take care of that when he comes home.”
When I got up I realized that there was no nightlight outside the laundry area. “Maybe it is a fuse,” I thought, “I am glad Brian showed me where the fuse box is.”
All fuses seemed ok. He said there was an additional box in the garage. “Hope the garage door opener works,” I thought, “If not, Sophia and I will just have to stay home today. And I am so grateful the heat is warming us.”
Garage door works, garage fuse box found, but lights still not on.
“How can I survive without internet?” I wondered.
I figured out that I could stretch the cord from the outlet to a live outlet and I am now wired with the rest of the world. Yeah!
I am going to pick up the repaired vacuum and work away this afternoon. The house is not so dirty, but dog hair abounds. Good thing Leroy is not here he would have a fit about the hair.
Sophia stated that we should take Mommy’s car. I will have to say it handles much better on the snow. I will still take Brian’s to get the vacuum since they are soon replacing that car. I would not want to have any accident with the keeper car.
Paula
Last night internet connection disappeared. Brian has WI-FI and I know nothing abut that so I just turned off the computer. I usually turn on the outside light when I put out Cloe (dog) for her final potty trip of the night, but there was no light. “Must have burned out,” I thought, “Brian can take care of that when he comes home.”
When I got up I realized that there was no nightlight outside the laundry area. “Maybe it is a fuse,” I thought, “I am glad Brian showed me where the fuse box is.”
All fuses seemed ok. He said there was an additional box in the garage. “Hope the garage door opener works,” I thought, “If not, Sophia and I will just have to stay home today. And I am so grateful the heat is warming us.”
Garage door works, garage fuse box found, but lights still not on.
“How can I survive without internet?” I wondered.
I figured out that I could stretch the cord from the outlet to a live outlet and I am now wired with the rest of the world. Yeah!
I am going to pick up the repaired vacuum and work away this afternoon. The house is not so dirty, but dog hair abounds. Good thing Leroy is not here he would have a fit about the hair.
Sophia stated that we should take Mommy’s car. I will have to say it handles much better on the snow. I will still take Brian’s to get the vacuum since they are soon replacing that car. I would not want to have any accident with the keeper car.
Paula
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Babysitting II
Hello,
Time flies when you are playing around. Sophia and I have spent a good bit of time building towers, reading books, hiding, dancing, singing, and running around. And today she went to daycare.
I might say that I could lose some weight, but Brian left so much good food that I am eating for two because it is tasty. The stars are squash soup and lasagna. Not necessarily eaten at the same meal.
It was quite cold this morning with about 3-5 inches of snow on the ground. I went out at 5:30 to start shoveling before Sophia woke. Because of the wicked wind I was not able to stay out more than 15-20 minutes before my cheeks felt frozen. I was able to drive the car out even though the snow plow had gone and piled up more snow. The streets were slippery so I slide at the bottom of the hill and it was a bit hard to get up the hill on the return.
Because of that I cancelled plans to meet friends for lunch. It seemed that an accident of any type would really make it difficult since I was here alone.
I managed to finish clearing the snow off the drive by small increments, plus a neighbor with a snow blower did about one fourth of it. Then I realized that the dog was not moving beyond the door when I would put her out. I shoveled a short path for her too. She was quite happy to go potty on that, but had to jump over her excrement since I did not make the path in a circle. I am learning too. Maybe tomorrow I can make a proper circle so she can walk on.
Paula
Time flies when you are playing around. Sophia and I have spent a good bit of time building towers, reading books, hiding, dancing, singing, and running around. And today she went to daycare.
I might say that I could lose some weight, but Brian left so much good food that I am eating for two because it is tasty. The stars are squash soup and lasagna. Not necessarily eaten at the same meal.
It was quite cold this morning with about 3-5 inches of snow on the ground. I went out at 5:30 to start shoveling before Sophia woke. Because of the wicked wind I was not able to stay out more than 15-20 minutes before my cheeks felt frozen. I was able to drive the car out even though the snow plow had gone and piled up more snow. The streets were slippery so I slide at the bottom of the hill and it was a bit hard to get up the hill on the return.
Because of that I cancelled plans to meet friends for lunch. It seemed that an accident of any type would really make it difficult since I was here alone.
I managed to finish clearing the snow off the drive by small increments, plus a neighbor with a snow blower did about one fourth of it. Then I realized that the dog was not moving beyond the door when I would put her out. I shoveled a short path for her too. She was quite happy to go potty on that, but had to jump over her excrement since I did not make the path in a circle. I am learning too. Maybe tomorrow I can make a proper circle so she can walk on.
Paula
Monday, December 7, 2009
Babysitting
Hello,
Leroy is home complaining about weakness and an intestinal track that does not feel right. At least it is no longer speedily rejecting everything that passes through. He tells me that the driveway is full of three inches of snow with more on the way. I suggested he try to hire the neighbor to use his snow blower on it. It seems to me that could work.
I am in Minnesota with two-year-old granddaughter, Sophia. Her parents have flown off to enjoy a 10th wedding anniversary holiday. In the afternoon that I came, Sophia was running a slight temp. Yesterday it was a little more so we were off to instant care since it was Sunday. The Dr. declared that it seemed most like the common cold.
Last night Sophia did not cry, but talked in her bed. I went in several times to cover her and feel that she was hot. Should I wake her parents and suggest we go back to the Dr.? Should I give her fever reducer? These are not easy questions to answer. I felt that Brian and Jen might cancel their trip if I woke them, but if Sophia were seriously ill I would want to do that. Finally at one in the morning I gave her the medicine. She went to sleep about half an hour later. Finally I drifted off as well.
I heard her parents leave at 3:30 a.m. I then woke up at 6:30 to find that Sophia was still asleep. She finally woke up at 7:30 and appeared to be quite fine. I was pleased to note that she did not act bothered that I was getting her out of bed instead of her parents.
She did ask, “Where is Daddy?”
“He’s on an airplane,” I told her.
“With my mommy,” she replied grinning.
Before she took her nap she told me, “My daddy will get me up.”
“Not today, but Sunday,” I told her realizing that she did not have a clue when Sunday would come to be.
At least today she has had no fever that I can tell. This evening it might come back, but I believe it is just a cold. She has not sneezed so much today.
Responsibilites! Even their dog is subdued. She did not beg me to take her for a walk.
Paula
Leroy is home complaining about weakness and an intestinal track that does not feel right. At least it is no longer speedily rejecting everything that passes through. He tells me that the driveway is full of three inches of snow with more on the way. I suggested he try to hire the neighbor to use his snow blower on it. It seems to me that could work.
I am in Minnesota with two-year-old granddaughter, Sophia. Her parents have flown off to enjoy a 10th wedding anniversary holiday. In the afternoon that I came, Sophia was running a slight temp. Yesterday it was a little more so we were off to instant care since it was Sunday. The Dr. declared that it seemed most like the common cold.
Last night Sophia did not cry, but talked in her bed. I went in several times to cover her and feel that she was hot. Should I wake her parents and suggest we go back to the Dr.? Should I give her fever reducer? These are not easy questions to answer. I felt that Brian and Jen might cancel their trip if I woke them, but if Sophia were seriously ill I would want to do that. Finally at one in the morning I gave her the medicine. She went to sleep about half an hour later. Finally I drifted off as well.
I heard her parents leave at 3:30 a.m. I then woke up at 6:30 to find that Sophia was still asleep. She finally woke up at 7:30 and appeared to be quite fine. I was pleased to note that she did not act bothered that I was getting her out of bed instead of her parents.
She did ask, “Where is Daddy?”
“He’s on an airplane,” I told her.
“With my mommy,” she replied grinning.
Before she took her nap she told me, “My daddy will get me up.”
“Not today, but Sunday,” I told her realizing that she did not have a clue when Sunday would come to be.
At least today she has had no fever that I can tell. This evening it might come back, but I believe it is just a cold. She has not sneezed so much today.
Responsibilites! Even their dog is subdued. She did not beg me to take her for a walk.
Paula
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Perfect
Hello,
The day was balmy, breezy, and sunny. It was time to check for the last flowers to be gathered before the frost the next morning. Still blooming were some geraniums, alyssum, petunias, Gerber daisies, begonias, mums, and the odd begonia that was tucked in closer to the house. The lone rose bush also had an almost finished blossom. There was a bud on a long stem before we went to Minnesota, but it was gone when we came back. It appeared to be ripped off. Could something have eaten it? Then I noticed another long stem that disappeared into the clematis. Working gingerly I got it out to see the most perfect rose bud. It was just open a little. What gifts and treasures there are to found hiding!
Yesterday I lifted weights. Seven and a half pounds was a lot even thought when I lifted the last time three months ago I had thought about moving up a level. Where did the strength go? All to flab! Now I must work to regain my former physic.
Yoga has taken over. Three times a week almost always keeps me supple, but perhaps not as strong in some areas of the body. I still walk, but have mostly dropped to three miles per day. I think with winter coming I will have to keep pushing myself as I did not enjoy it in the wind with 29 degree temps. At least coming home was better than going since I was going south with the wind at my back.
Leroy and I found some hedge balls in a park. I insisted that we carry them 1.4 miles homes so we could give them to the kids for Christmas. Here they put those in their homes believing that spiders leave since they do not like them. These hedge balls were quite large and both Leroy and I became tired before we were done with the walk. But it was worth it to see the bemused expressions on the in-laws faces as they opened them. I was surprised to learn that only Brian knew what they were. By the way you can even buy them in the store here at the great rate of 3 for a dollar. However ours were so much larger that they surely would have fetched a higher price of perhaps even 2 for a dollar.
Paula
If you would like to look at the rose, hedge ball, and advent wreath that is included because I am so pleased with it. I also think of the wreaths that we would purchase in the market in Bratislava and feel nostalgic.
Go to this web address.
http://picasaweb.google.com/psbradway/Rose#
The day was balmy, breezy, and sunny. It was time to check for the last flowers to be gathered before the frost the next morning. Still blooming were some geraniums, alyssum, petunias, Gerber daisies, begonias, mums, and the odd begonia that was tucked in closer to the house. The lone rose bush also had an almost finished blossom. There was a bud on a long stem before we went to Minnesota, but it was gone when we came back. It appeared to be ripped off. Could something have eaten it? Then I noticed another long stem that disappeared into the clematis. Working gingerly I got it out to see the most perfect rose bud. It was just open a little. What gifts and treasures there are to found hiding!
Yesterday I lifted weights. Seven and a half pounds was a lot even thought when I lifted the last time three months ago I had thought about moving up a level. Where did the strength go? All to flab! Now I must work to regain my former physic.
Yoga has taken over. Three times a week almost always keeps me supple, but perhaps not as strong in some areas of the body. I still walk, but have mostly dropped to three miles per day. I think with winter coming I will have to keep pushing myself as I did not enjoy it in the wind with 29 degree temps. At least coming home was better than going since I was going south with the wind at my back.
Leroy and I found some hedge balls in a park. I insisted that we carry them 1.4 miles homes so we could give them to the kids for Christmas. Here they put those in their homes believing that spiders leave since they do not like them. These hedge balls were quite large and both Leroy and I became tired before we were done with the walk. But it was worth it to see the bemused expressions on the in-laws faces as they opened them. I was surprised to learn that only Brian knew what they were. By the way you can even buy them in the store here at the great rate of 3 for a dollar. However ours were so much larger that they surely would have fetched a higher price of perhaps even 2 for a dollar.
Paula
If you would like to look at the rose, hedge ball, and advent wreath that is included because I am so pleased with it. I also think of the wreaths that we would purchase in the market in Bratislava and feel nostalgic.
Go to this web address.
http://picasaweb.google.com/psbradway/Rose#
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Car Keys and Phone Lost
Hello,
Just a half hour before packing up to go home from the Thanksgiving visit at Brian’s house; I looked for my car keys. They were not in their usual place in my purse, not in the entire purse either. Searching it all was necessary just in case I had put them in the unaccustomed place. Next I searched my coat pockets. At least here I had brought only one coat. No keys. No keys were in my jean pockets. Next it was on to the small suitcase pockets. Where could they be?
I asked Sarah if she had seen them, but no and there was not a lot of time to look since we must take them to the airport soon. “Surely keys even with keyless entry can be replaced,” I commented to Leroy.
Before we left I had enough time to dump everything out of my purse, search the suitcase, look around the house, and feel disgusted with myself.
Brian returned from taking Miriam’s family to the airport so I told him to keep an eye out for any key that did not fit their car. At least Leroy could find his keys so we left.
Every time we I had to wait for Leroy to open the door for me. It certainly took some extra thinking once in a while as we went to some stores in Des Moines on the way home.
Then after stopping at a rest area, I could not find my phone. “What is happening? Am I becoming senile and unable to keep track of my things all in one day?” I wailed.
When we stopped again, I searched more in the car and found my phone where it had fallen out of my purse. That was good.
At home I instructed Leroy who was emptying the suitcase, “Search everywhere in there for my keys.”
He did not find them, but I did when I got out my sweatpants. I had put them in the pocket for safekeeping. It was safe from me.
Paula
Just a half hour before packing up to go home from the Thanksgiving visit at Brian’s house; I looked for my car keys. They were not in their usual place in my purse, not in the entire purse either. Searching it all was necessary just in case I had put them in the unaccustomed place. Next I searched my coat pockets. At least here I had brought only one coat. No keys. No keys were in my jean pockets. Next it was on to the small suitcase pockets. Where could they be?
I asked Sarah if she had seen them, but no and there was not a lot of time to look since we must take them to the airport soon. “Surely keys even with keyless entry can be replaced,” I commented to Leroy.
Before we left I had enough time to dump everything out of my purse, search the suitcase, look around the house, and feel disgusted with myself.
Brian returned from taking Miriam’s family to the airport so I told him to keep an eye out for any key that did not fit their car. At least Leroy could find his keys so we left.
Every time we I had to wait for Leroy to open the door for me. It certainly took some extra thinking once in a while as we went to some stores in Des Moines on the way home.
Then after stopping at a rest area, I could not find my phone. “What is happening? Am I becoming senile and unable to keep track of my things all in one day?” I wailed.
When we stopped again, I searched more in the car and found my phone where it had fallen out of my purse. That was good.
At home I instructed Leroy who was emptying the suitcase, “Search everywhere in there for my keys.”
He did not find them, but I did when I got out my sweatpants. I had put them in the pocket for safekeeping. It was safe from me.
Paula
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