A Quiet Day with Kelly

Johnnie, Evann and Braden left this morning.  The kids wanted to go see their beloved Great Gran.  They came by for a little while to say good-bye.  I hated to see them leave, but loved our time together.  So they are in Bryan with Gran and Sandi tonight, will stay Friday, and head back to Kansas on Saturday.

Jason and Ahlyssa also went home.  I will surely miss my chef and carb watcher.  :o)  He took wonderful care of me.  But he said he will be back.  I know his family has missed him, and he has business to take care of at home.  I'm fortunate that he is a computer guy and can work from here as easily as he does from home.  He has some plumbing problems to take care of, too--no fun.

They had to send a nurse out this afternoon to re-draw my blood for labs.  For some reason the ones taken yesterday didn't work.  I had never seen her before, and liked her very much.

Kelly was here while Ron took Jason and Lyssa to meet Jason's friend halfway.  She is starting to put our crocheted flowers on a vine with leaves to make our banner.  It looks cute.  She has also been cleaning out our office/craft room.  I haven't been in there in months, and Ron lets the little girls play in there when he's on the computer.  (No more--I've put the kibosh on that).  They make the most unbelievable messes.  Kelly said it looked like Hoarders in there.  She hasn't finished yet.   She will take what she wants from the craft supplies and get rid of the rest.  She's such a treasure.

I hardly slept last night, so after Kelly left I took a nap.  Josh grilled me a steak, and I had broccoli and a little bit of sweet potato with it, then a couple of pieces of the wonderful chocolate covered bananas my cousin sent from Edible Arrangements.  

I can feel the love.  :o)

A Good Day

It's been a lovely Saturday here.  

My morning routine is to wake around 6:30 or 7, take my synthroid and check my blood sugar levels and wait for Ron to wake up.  We are getting my bathroom routine down.  Potty, dress, roll into bathroom for washing up, toothbrushing, hair combing.  The hospice people come some days--RN, aide, pastor.

When I'm ready, Jason or Ron usually makes my breakfast.  Lots of protein and good food for the immune system, like bacon and eggs, steak and eggs, omelets, eggs and cheese, and always a little bit of carbs, a little fruit and a yummy cup of coffee.  Jason often adds some veggies, hummus, yogurt--much like the food we ate when we visited Israel together in 2005.  Very healthy.

I usually lie back down around 12:30 or 1 for awhile.  Feels good after sitting in my wheelchair all morning.  I don't usually sleep, but have my computer, the TV remote and the phone available.

This morning I worked on learning the pattern to the crocheted flowers Kel and I are doing.  She came around noon and helped me with that.

She made me some soup for lunch, with bread and parmesan cheese and a glass of iced tea.

I went downstairs around 2:30 or 3:00 and spent the rest of the day down there with everyone.  Kelly and I poured off the oil from the peppermint leaves to make the peppermint oil.  We used some to make toothpaste.  We used my homegrown peppermint.  It's all very natural and healthy.

Kel and Lys went to Hobby Lobby in the afternoon to get the shadowboxes I wanted for the dolls I made.  Kelly framed two of them already, and they look like museum pieces in the boxes.  I just love them!  I'll try to get pics tomorrow.

The third one is for a little fairy I started of polymer clay.  He isn't finished, so Kelly is going to complete him for me, and we will put him in the last box.  His head and body are done, but he needs some arms and legs, an acorn cap for a hat and some kind of leaflike clothing.  Kelly will have fun completing him.

I loaded the dishwasher, with a little help from Cyrise to reach things.  It felt good to be doing something productive.

The children played so hard all day.  They went to IHOP with Papa and Uncle Jason this morning.  They were in the pool all afternoon.  Cammy fell asleep on the couch for awhile.  

We drew pictures for a bit.  I'm still trying to learn to draw a bird.    

Jason made planked salmon and cauliflower rice, and Cyrise made green beans with bacon for dinner.  It was all so good!  Then Jason made me a berry shortcake in a mug for dessert, which was really tasty.  I have it pinned on my pinterest recipe board, but I can't figure out how to put a pinterest button on my sidebar so people can look at my boards.  Let me know if you'd like the recipe and I'll post the link to the website where I found it.

After dinner, Jason made the marinade for kalbi ribs, which we will have either tomorrow evening or Monday--whenever Johnnie gets here.  I'm so looking forward to having her here with us for awhile.

As you can tell, my appetite is still very good.  That makes me think that things are going pretty well so far.  Dr. O has written orders for labs, and the lab people are coming here on Monday for a blood draw.  I am curious to see what my labs will be like.  I have noticed a little shortness of breath lately, but nothing too bad.  I'm having some allergy symptoms, so it may be just that.  Of course I am praying for God's will, and asking that that be a miracle.  :o)  But truly, I am content, happy and I totally accept whatever it is He wants for my life.

If you are Catholic and pray the Divine Mercy, I would appreciate it if you would say it for me now and then.  Thank you so much!

My Little Summer Bucket List

Don't worry, I'm also planning a little fall bucket list and a little winter bucket list.  :o)

I was thinking about some of the little fun things I've been meaning to do for a long time and decided to write them down and do them.  Want to see?

1.  Get 3 shadowboxes for some little dolls I've made.

2.  Make a crystal garland.  Years ago Kelly and I had a craft booth at a craft show in Blanco, and a couple traded me a big bag of crystals for one of my candlelights.  We are going to twist wire into loops and curls and hang the crystals on it for some sparkle.  Won't that be pretty?

3.  Make oatmeal cookies with Reece.  I'll have to use the piano bench and round oak table as my mixing area, but that's okay.  I can't stand at the counter any longer.

4.  Have a tea party with the girlies.  We have a special Gramma tea set, and another that I got Cammy for her birthday that we can use.  Maybe we will wear hats.  Reece will be invited, too.

5.  Play Ave Maria on my violin.

6.  Learn the chords to Mull of Kintyre on the mandolin.  I couldn't sleep one night, and this song was in my head.  It has become our theme lately, with Ron and Jason finding some beautiful Scotch whiskey to drink from Ron's birthday Glenfiddich glasses.  I don't drink it, but I smell it, and it smells wonderful.  It came from the Mull of Kintyre.  It's called Spring Bank Single Malt Scotch.

7.  Buy mandolin strap (this one's done).

8.  Work with Reece on his reading and math.

9.  Draw.  Birds.  Flowers.

10  Make natural peppermint oil with my mint.  Use in toothpaste.

11.  Get rid of old green couch.  (I can't do that myself, but I can nag).

12.  Get another anointing.

13.  Visit the local Schoenstatt Shrine.

14.  Visit the local Divine Mercy Mission Center.

15.  Make handsewn pillows from my old summer yukatas.  I'll hem them with blanket stitch.  Simple and soft.

16.  Crochet flowers with Kel to make a cute garland together.  (We got a few of these done today--me one, Kel four). 

17.  Get a new water bucket for my dogs.  Their plastic one keeps getting moldy.  Yuck.  I'll get a metal one. 

That's it.  Happy weekend, dear ones.

Mother's Day

Camryn with flowers.

What a wonderful Mother's Day we had here yesterday.  The weather was perfect.  Kelly and Mom came over in the afternoon for a hamburger and hot dog cookout.  We stayed outdoors most of the day.  

Cammy and I gathered a few flowers from around the yard to make little centerpieces for the two outdoor tables.  We put tablecloths on the tables.




Ron blew the leaves off the patio, the kids picked up all the toys in the yard and Josh grilled the burgers and dogs.
  

Josh

My glass birdbath.

Kelly gave me a beautiful glass birdbath and brought a strawberry pie and potato salad.  Josh and Cyrise gave me a gorgeous white orchid.  They also brought home chocolate covered strawberries and an ice cream cake for all of us.  Jason called from Houston and talked for quite awhile.  It's always wonderful to talk with him.  

Reece and Aubrey went swimming and kept us entertained with their funny antics.  Mom loves being with the kids, and got such a kick out of all the crazy things they do and say.  Cammy talked her ear off, and Gina danced.  With four of them, there is always something going on.  They make us laugh.
  

Mom's gift bag, card and flowers.

I gave Mom a clock for her living room, a new lipstick and a Mary statue.  I bought her a scented jar candle, too, but forgot all about it until I took her home.  I'll take it to her tomorrow.  



Oh, and pretty pink vincas for the window boxes on her patio.  

The braided hibiscus Kelly gave her last year is blooming again.  We were not sure it would come back out, but it is doing great and has huge blooms.  She also has some pots of red begonias that have lasted for three or four years, a salmon pink geranium that continues to come back each year, and a large fern that I thought we would have to toss, but it surprised me by coming back to life.  I cut all the brown or dead leaves off a couple of weeks ago, and it looks pretty good.  Lots of new growth.

Ron planted the crepe myrtle that we got yesterday, and said that was another Mother's Day gift for me.  :o)  I love it.

Hope you had a great weekend and Mother's day, too.    

Whirlwind Thursday

I've been on the go since early this morning.  

Yesterday when I got to Mom's, she said that her tooth was hurting.  I called her dentist and got an appointment for her at 10 AM today.

We also had an appointment for Teddy to be groomed at 9 AM.  So I went over to her apartment at 8:30 AM and she had forgotten all about the appointments.  I told her that I'd take Teddy to the groomer while she took a shower and got ready for the dentist.  I turned on the shower and made sure she got in before I left.  Otherwise she is likely to forget what she's doing as soon as I go out the door.  

She was still in the shower when I got back from taking Teddy to the groomer.  I hurried her up, gave her some biscuits and gravy and a cup of coffee and we were off to the dentist after she brushed her teeth.

I needed to take Aubrey to school at 11:15, so I left Mom with the dentist and ran home to pick Aubrey up.  Dropped her off at school and went back to the dentist.  He was nearly finished filling Mom's tooth.  We were just leaving the dentist when the groomer called to say Teddy was ready.  So off we went to pick him up.

 I didn't stay long at Mom's, but ran by the store on the way home.  At 2:25 I left again to pick up Aubrey at school.  (Reece stayed home today because he had a sore throat this morning).

Aubrey and Reece played outside for awhile after school, sliding on the slip and slide and jumping in the pool, and always always wanting me to watch.  Then they went inside and played the Wii.  

Josh got home from school and asked if I'd watch the kids while he and Cyrise went to get gas.  He brought home some food from Taco Cabana, so now I'm having a quesadilla and diet coke.  Pretty good.

And now Ron is home from work, and I'm ready to rest.

Monday, Monday

I gave in and bought some tomato plants and a pot of parsley this weekend.  I wasn't planning to try to grow anything this year, but couldn't resist the call of the tomato plants.  :o)  Kelly told me that she had lots of tomatoes from her plants last year because she fertilized them often, so I'll try that this year.

Ron helped me plant them and we put them on the deck stairway again.  It's nice to see them there.

Everything we planted last weekend (roses, begonias, lantana, and sweet potato vine) is doing well.  My jasmine is loaded with flowers and smells wonderful.  

Josh's school had a break last week, and he is starting new classes today.  He goes in early again, so I'm taking Reece to school again, which is fine with me.  I'll also take Aubrey at 11:15 since Josh won't be coming home for lunch this term.

*later*

I dropped Aubrey off at school, then went to the thrift store before going to Mom's.  I found some cereal bowls, dessert plates and saucers that match my Pfaltzgraff dishes, and some plates and salad plates in a pretty brown toile pattern.  Also got Aubrey a pair of jeans and a cute little plaid skirt.  Oh, and the cutest little metal plate and bowl with the cat in the hat on them.  The kids are probably going to fight over it.  

After the thrift store, I went to Mom's and took her some lunch.  Please pray for my mom.  She is not doing well mentally.  Thank you for your prayers.

Hope you're having a great Monday!

My Weird Monday

What a weird day.  I slept late today because insomnia kept me up half the night.  I didn't wake up to see Reece off, I didn't wake up to take Aubrey to school (Josh was home for lunch and he took her), and I didn't get to Mom's until after 2:30 PM when I picked the kids up at school.  They were delighted to go to Great Gran's!

We stayed over there until after 4, and Josh and Ron got home shortly after we did.  I watched the kid swim for a bit, then watched the news about the bombings in Boston (how horrible!) for awhile.  Prayers going up for the victims and their families.

So my day has seemed out-of-whack, if you know what I mean.  I'm going to try to get to bed earlier tonight, even though I'm not a bit sleepy after sleeping so long this morning.

Josh buzzed Reece's hair this evening.  He looks so adorable, and I like feeling his little round head.  He sure didn't want a haircut, but once it was done, he liked it.  Then he didn't want to take a bath to get all the hair off, but Josh insisted, and Reece was happy after his bath.  Reece thinks going swimming can substitute for a bath.  :o)

Aubrey had a bath after Reece was finished, and then I put the girls down for the night.  We read a story, sang a couple of songs, and I tucked them in.  Later I was going back upstairs with a soda and Aubrey and Camryn were standing outside their bedroom door.  I said, "Get your fannies back to bed!" and they scampered away like two little scared rabbits.  They will use any excuse to get up.  Tonight it was "Cammie wanted a hug from Mommy," who had already given her hugs and kisses before bedtime.  

We worked on Reece's math facts and sight words before bedtime.  Then we listened to Celtic music while he fell asleep.  He loved the sound of the harp.  I love that kid.  He has my taste in music.  :o)

Well, that's been my weird Monday.  Hope yours was great!    

Saturday Summary

Wow, it's quiet here right now.  Josh and his family have gone to the grocery store and Ron went to the pool store for shock.  

Reece and I went to Gran's this afternoon.  He loves her so much.  We stayed over there for quite awhile.  It's peaceful, and Gran does whatever he wants to do.  We baked some cookies and they took Teddy for two walks.  Reece took Gran out onto the patio.  He was pretending to take Teddy to school out there, and he told me that no Grammas were allowed in school.  Only dogs, Great Grans and Reece.  :o)  Teddy got into trouble at school for not paying attention.  Hmmm.

We're still having great weather--74 degrees right now.  I feel bad for the people in the north with all the frigid temperatures and ice.

Have you seen those stories about Obama with flies on his face?  Weird.  It's happened quite a few times, evidently.  When I told Kelly about it, she said, "Lord of the flies."  :o)  That was such a sad book.

I made cinnamon bread pudding on Thursday.  It was so good.  I need to make it more often.  Josh has liked it since he was a little boy, and Ron likes it, too.  And so do I!  Real comfort food.

It was so warm yesterday that we stayed outside from the time the kids got home from school until dark.  I blew the leaves off the patio, and Cammy and I walked all around the yard with the yard cart, picking up toys and bits and pieces of junk.  The kids and I ate out there and just enjoyed the gorgeous weather.

So far it's been a nice weekend.  Hope you're enjoying yours.

Happy New Year!

We have had a busy few days.

Jason and family arrived Sunday around noon.  It has been so good to have them all here.  Reece and the girls are always so happy and excited when their cousins come to visit.  Me too!

We brought Great Gran over on Monday (New Year's Eve), just to hang out with all of us.  Ron and Jason got Freddie's hotdogs for the kids and Biff Buzby burgers for the adults (except for me; I didn't want fast food.  I had Cheerios with peaches).

After Mom ate, we went to get hair cuts.  Hers looks cute.  Mine looks a little manly.  Oh well, I didn't have much to work with, I guess.  My hair grows fast, so hopefully it will look a little more feminine in a couple of weeks.

Then we went to her old apartment complex to turn in her keys and gate card.  I hope I never see that place again.  After Mom moved out, a woman was going around the complex knocking on doors with her little girl, pretending to sell cookies.  When someone answered, she would ask if her little girl could use their bathroom.  Then she would go into the bathroom and close the door and proceed to steal whatever she could find.  The large walk-in closets are in the bathroom, rather than the bedroom, and people store all kinds of things in them.  If she was confronted, she would attack the elderly resident physically.  The good news is that she was caught at the complex.  She was on the nightly news, crying as they put her into a police car.  Her name is Tawanna Jackson and she is 24 years old.  What kind of world is this, where young people prey on the elderly?  And use their little child to do it.  It's sick.

We didn't stay up late last night to see the new year in.  All of us were too tired.  But we had a lovely New Year's Day.  There were seventeen of us here.  We had a spiral sliced ham with yummy glaze, scalloped potatoes, broccoli, Caesar salad, and dinner rolls.  Peach and blackberry cobblers for dessert, with ice cream.  I forgot about the black-eyed peas; I was going to make hoppin' John.

Kelly, Reece and I took Gran home around 8:30 PM.  She loved being here in the middle of all the chaos.  She loves the kids, and they love her.  Teddy stayed at the apartment and was wild with joy when we got there.  Kelly took him out right away, and then cleaned a couple of spots on the carpet before we came back home.  She's a sweetheart.

Now I am going to bed.  I pray that God will bless this new year, and all of you, as well.

The Big Feast

All of our children and grandchildren were here for Thanksgiving. Great Gran was sick and didn't feel like going out, so we missed her.  But we had 16 for dinner, and it was really nice.  We took Gran a big plate of food later in the day.

Most of the food was still in the kitchen at this point.  We filled our plates in there, and had just a few things on the table.  Everything was delicious.  

See the little paper place card in front of Ron's plate?  Jason made those when he was about 5 years old (he's 41 now).  They're looking a little grubby, but I still love using them.  

I got out my Christmas dishes and plan to use them from now until Valentine's day for special dinners.  

Here is Reece, getting a close up look at Mr. Turkey.

We moved things around and put two extra tables in the living room so that we could all eat together, sort of.  Jason's kids ate at the big round table, and Josh's at the small round table.  The 8 adults ate at the dining room table. 

I love Thanksgiving and having my family home.  It was wonderful.

Getting Ready

I took Mom to the gastroenterologist yesterday.  Her new primary care physician referred her to this doctor.  He was very nice and like all her other doctors, he thinks she is incredibly healthy for an 86 year old.  Her blood count was 9.9, so low but not dangerously low.  They want to figure out why she is anemic.  She said she didn't want to do a colonoscopy, so he said they will do the endoscopy first, and if they find out something there they won't have to go further.  If they don't find anything, he will "negotiate" with her and try to convince her to have the colonoscopy.  I'm just grateful that they want to do everything they can to help her, despite the fact that she is 86.

Mom had not had anything to eat and was really hungry by the time we finished at the doctors.  I was hungry too, having had only a piece of toast with butter and jam for breakfast.  So we stopped for a late lunch about 3 PM.  I took her home and did what needed to be done there, and it was nearly 5 PM when I got home.

Josh, Cyrise and I wrote up the menu for Thanksgiving and made a grocery list this morning.  Jason and his family will be here tomorrow--hooray!  

*Later

The kids went grocery shopping and got a 22 lb. turkey.  It's huge!  It should feed all of us with no problem.  The fridge and pantry are stuffed.

I've been cleaning downstairs today.  Josh and Cyrise worked on the upstairs, where our guests will stay (bedroom and bathroom).  I should have made the cornbread for my stuffing, but I'm too tired tonight.  Will do it first thing in the morning.

The kids are so excited that their cousins are coming.  They are wild about Uncle Jason; the little girls pester him to death, talking, talking, talking and asking him questions.  He's so patient with them.

They wanted to be with me, "helping" while I vacuumed, cleaned with Murphy's Oil Soap, dusted and cleaned some spots on the carpet.  I wish I could be as patient as Jason and their daddy.  I'm constantly saying, "Don't do that!" "Leave that alone!"  "Why don't you go outside and play?"  I just need to chill out.  :o)

If I don't get back here by Thursday, have a Happy Thanksgiving!  I'm very thankful for all of you who visit me here each day.  Thank you!

They're Home

Josh, Cyrise and the Grands are home from Rockport.  They got here about an hour ago, so excited and happy.  Reece caught five perch, and Aubrey caught three.  Cyrise said that Reece would just put his line in the water and catch a fish.  What a fisherman!  :o)

They were all chattering at once, trying to tell me what they did.  They stopped at the beach and had a picnic today before coming home, and Reece said the seagulls tried to steal their food.  He loves the seagulls.  

I got the family room cleaned up, steam cleaned all the tile (kitchen, breakfast room, powder room, hallways and foyer), and did a million loads of laundry while they were gone.  They were so pleased with the "pretty house."  :o)

I bought a new vacuum cleaner.  It's the same kind we got for Mom, a Shark (the pet hair one), and boy does it have good suction.  I never vacuum the pet hair, though, because it makes the vacuum smell like dog.  Our dogs have kennels by the back door.  They sleep inside at night, and from about 12 noon to 3 o'clock during the day.  The rest of their time is spent outside.  Their shed hair pretty much stays around their kennels, and I sweep it up with a broom.

Ron is in the middle of an exercise and has been going in at 5 AM and coming home late every night.  Most of his co-workers had to go out of town, but he got to stay here and coordinate things.  They are probably getting more rest than he is, though.

We're still having summer-like temps here.  I'm ready for fall!

  

Apology

Thank you all for sharing my joy about being home. I loved reading your comments on my roller coaster post. :o)

The first thing I have to do in this post is apologize to my sweet Ron. When I wrote my post yesterday, I hadn't been upstairs yet, and I had said the house was dirty. When I went upstairs last night, our bedroom and bathroom had been vacuumed, dusted and scrubbed. It looked beautiful and showed me how much he loves me. I felt terrible for what I'd said. Sometimes I'm so thoughtless. He had also mopped the kitchen and breakfast area with bleach water to make sure all germs were killed. He is a treasure. Ron, I'm sorry I'm such a goofball.

It's another gorgeous day here. Ron drove me to Wilford Hall this morning and dropped me off. I had an 8 AM appointment for labs and to see my doctor. Everyone expected that I would be there at least half the day because I'd need platelets or blood, but the lab results came back and all was good. Some of my counts were normal, others only a little bit low. They just gave me some fluids while I waited for the lab results, and some magnesium tablets because my magnesium was a little bit low. I didn't need platelets or blood transfusions--yay! They think I'll need platelets by tomorrow, though. They were very pleased, and told me to keep doing what I've been doing. I called Ron around 10 AM to come and pick me up. He was at work, and surprised to get the call so soon. :o)

He came to get me in no time, and took me to lunch at Macaroni Grill at 11. I had pasta e fagioli and crusty bread. Ron had chicken parmegiana. Now I'm home and he's gone back to work. I'm full and happy and I might take a nap.

I'm still thrilled to be home. And Ron, I love you.

October Weekend

We had a nice relaxing weekend. Reece and Aubrey spent the night Friday, and I took them with me to see their Great Gran Saturday morning.

We saw them again that afternoon when Josh brought the whole family over. They brought baby back ribs to grill, and I made rice and broccoli. Everything was delicious, and it was fun to spend time with all of them.

The weather has been cold for our part of the country. I turned on the heat for the first time a couple of days ago when the temp was in the 50s. Today it was gray and rainy all day, and cold again.

Today Ron, Mom and I went to Mass and then to Luby's for lunch. You know you're getting old when you want to go to Luby's on Sunday. :o) There's a place called Frank's just off the highway in Schulenburg. We used to stop to eat there quite a bit going to or from Houston. One day when we were there our son Josh was with us. He was a teenager at the time. He looked around and said, "This place looks like an old folk's home." :o) It was so funny because it was true! Lots of senior citizens were eating there, and hardly any young people. Luby's on Sunday has that same atmosphere. But the food is pretty good.

I spent the rest of the day watching a Criminal Minds marathon and working with the puppies. We left them outside when we went to Mass, and when we came home there was stuffing from the outdoor cushions all around the pool. We had to move the cushions on the patio furniture because they were tearing them up, but they had never bothered the cushions on the furniture out by the pool until today. When I went outside to pick up the mess, they followed me around with their ears drooping down because they knew they had done something naughty.

They're doing great with their training sessions. I love to watch them doing everything together. They are so cute! They sit, come, and stay (most of the time), and are getting better about lying down when I give them the "down" command. Ron was watching me with them today, and once I told them to stay, then turned and walked away, thinking they were obeying. He said they were slinking along behind me, and as soon as I turned around they crouched down as if they knew they were caught in the act. They are little rascals.

Thursday Chitchat

I'm doing all these tasks today. Ron will be home tomorrow, and I want him to come home to a clean, organized house. I've been lazy during the weeks he has been away, so I have some work to do. :o) I don't know why I procrastinate until the last minute!

I went to BAMC to pick up a new prescription for Synthroid this morning. The old prescription was too strong, so my endocrinologist changed the dosage. But when I got there, the young man at the desk said there was no change showing on his computer. I sat next to the doctor's desk on Monday and saw him enter it into the computer, so I don't know what happened. But I was unable to pick up the medicine today. I had to call the doctor and leave a message, asking him to reorder it. :o(

Then I went to Mom's and did the usual routine there and had a piece of the lemon cake I baked at her place yesterday while she was busy playing with Reece.

Came home and checked on the puppies. I've been training them to come, sit and stay. They are doing very well, as long as I have treats. :o)

Okay, back to work.

Japanese Dolls

Sarah mentioned in a post on her blog (that I can't locate now) that she likes Japanese kokeshi dolls, and I commented that we have some we got when we lived in Japan.

My favorite dolls are this set, called The Four Seasons. They are quite heavy for their size, and very smooth except for some subtle carving. I like their simple oval shape, the painting, and the way they feel in my hands. Aren't they sweet?

The bigger doll (in the 3rd photo) was a gift, and is actually a box. She has a screw at the back, and when opened has a "secret compartment" where you can hide treasures. :o)

I gave my very favorite kokeshi doll to my mom. She is also an oval shaped doll, and is painted with long auburn hair like I had when I was a child.

My daughter has some cute kokeshi, and the boys have some daruma, a Samurai warrior, and one that Josh said looks "po'd." (That's my Josh). :o)

The last photo is of a pair of dolls I bought at a Japanese flea market. The dolls are very old, and the detail in them is incredible. The old woman is holding a broom, and the old man's hands are made to hold something, but whatever it was is missing.They aren't in the best shape, but I like them anyway.

Catholics Live Here Picture Mosaic

Mexican tin icon of Jesus' Face on Veronica's Veil from the flea market in my little closet chapel.
Mexican tin mission church from Goodwill on the bar in the family room.
Rosaries hanging on Ron's dresser.
Kids books from thrift store, Catholic Treasure Box.
Holy water font inside front door, gift Ron brought back from his travels.
Iron cross on fireplace mantel.
Holy cards on bulletin board in my office.
Catholic book shelf in my office.
Stack of books on a chair in my office.
Wall crosses in the family room.
Rosaries on my dresser beside the bed.
Kitchen madonna at the kitchen sink.
1962 Roman Missal on my desk.
OLPH in the hallway.
Fun with camera when home alone. :o)
There's more pics, but it messed up the "arrangement" when I tried to add them. Oh well. :o)

Away In A Manger

I love nativity sets, and when I found this one at the thrift store last year, I had to buy it. It's an advent wreath, and came with the faded, taped candles. :o) I think it is unusual because all the figures are facing outward, and the only ones looking at Baby Jesus are Mary and Joseph.




The figures sit in indentations on those pieces of the circle. It was like working a puzzle to fit the arcs together to form the circle. I wonder if there is more to the set? It doesn't say anything on the bottom except "made in China." The figures are quite detailed.


I've had this one for years. It's missing Baby Jesus and one of the Wise Men. The Wise Man is around somewhere; Reece likes to play with him. The Baby Jesus is lost forever. I had the set on the wooden part of the stair landing one year, and our black lab ran up the stairs, saw the set and lapped up Jesus with his tongue and swallowed him before I could do anything. I yelled out, "Oh Chooch, you ate the Lord!," which caused a lot of laughter. :o)



This little glass set was gift from a few years ago. I think it looks like ice.

I hadn't planned to have a collection of nativities, but I like the idea. :o)