Thursday and I'm Thankful

I am thankful for:

A new family, son Caleb, granddaughters Nora and Janessa and DIL Jordan

That this injury was not as serious as it could have been

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Day In The Life

Trish at Love, Laughter and a Touch of Insanity hosts this blogging event to share a day in your life.  It is fun to see how other bloggers spend their days.  I started off doing well at recording and taking pictures of my day.  But once I got away from home, I forgot the camera was in my purse!

This is me.

I usually wake up between 7:30 -8:30 am. Depending on what my day holds I will read a bit before I get out of bed!

Most mornings I enjoy toast with cashew butter sprinkled with cinnamon and a glass of my morning drink (apple cider vinegar, lemon juice and raw honey in hot water)

I try to take a few minutes before the day gets going and have a quiet time. It helps to get away from the noise that invades all of our lives and listen to the one voice that means the most to me.

While getting ready in the mornings I always listen to an audiobook. I just started The Quality of Silence by Rosamund Lupton.

Today my exercise class is held at this wonderful warm pool. It is a gentle joint class where we work on strength, mobility, range of motion and have a great time. Other days I will walk (with an audiobook).

After a quick lunch of cheese slices and Cuties (tangerines), I headed off to enjoy an hour and half massage! The drive to my therapist's house is 30 minutes so I started a new audio in the car.  The Duke of My Heart by Kelly Bowden

After the massage I headed to my daughter and son-in-law's house to play with Cole while Kevin fixed their car.  We took a walk to visit the neighbor's horses and played basketball with the neighbor kids. Before dinner Cole watched an episode of Blaze while I read on my phone Kindle app. Today I had dinner with them. We grilled hamburgers.  I like to stay until after bath time in order to read a few books with Cole before bed.  

Normally I have dinner with my husband. After dinner we watch Jeopardy together as well as a DVR'd show or two. I may check my email or visit some blogs during TV time. 

I try to be in bed by 10-10:30pm every night.  I love to diffuse lavender and cedarwood essential oils while I read to help me relax and get sleepy.  The light gets turned off no later than 11:30 pm.  Hopefully I will stay asleep the entire night!  Sometimes if I wake up and can't get back to sleep I will listen to an audiobook on my Kindle.

Hope you enjoyed a little peak into my day.  

A Debut

I absolutely love to debuts!  I've been a bit absent this week with this little cutie taking most of my attention! Nora made her debut Sunday, Feb. 21st weighing in at 6lbs 12 oz.  Her proud daddy is our son Caleb.  Our second grandchild, first granddaughter.

Bad Grandma?

Last week I posted this picture.

My daughter and I took Cole to the zoo to see the new tiger sanctuary.  I got a couple of emails worrying that Cole was way too close to this tiger.  What you didn't/couldn't see was the frame (circled in the second picture) holding the huge piece of glass that separated us from the tiger.  It is cool to get a very close up view of the tigers.    The glass is so crystal clear that it does not show up in the picture.  I would never dangle him that close to a predator!

I did, however, set a cake in front of him on his birthday!  He did not hesitate to dive right in.

















Of course, we practiced the week before.
Before cookie:

Happy Easter

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

Have A Great Day!

Alaska and Back!

My daughter Courtney, grandson Cole, and I spend 10 wonderful days in Ketchikan, Alaska visiting with my mom and brother.  It was beautiful weather, above normal for most of the visit. We went with the purpose of helping my mom pack up her condo that is for sale.  We did a bit of work then got distracted by the wonderful weather.

My brother slipped and fell on the rocks while fishing July 4th and broke his left leg and right shoulder.  After surgery he is healing well, bored stiff while on medical leave.  He enjoyed meeting Cole.  His first grandson is due to arrive in December so he got some practice being a G-pa!

We had every intention on taking a "nice" four generation picture, but never got around to it and had to snap a few last minute ones. This one was taken on a fishing trip my mom's friends took us on.  We caught 20 salmon. It was a beautiful day on the water.

I choose to be unplugged for the entire trip (very freeing), and after spending two hours going through my email. I've decided to clear my reader and begin fresh.

I will be spending the last couple of weeks of summer at home, what plans do you have for enjoying the last days of summer?

Bookish Confession

I woke up early Sunday morning with a muscle spasm in my left shoulder blade. This is nothing new as I get them all too often. Usually, a massage and adjustment works well in calming it down. I am always asked, "What did you do?"

My chiropractor and massage therapist were sure it was because I have been having marathon sessions of holding, cuddling and loving my new grandson Cole.

This precious little peanut is not the cause.

NO, this one involves a book. I am reading this chunkster (814 pages).

I attempted to read this sitting outside, holding it with one hand.  Nope, not a good idea.  I did give my chiropractor and therapist a good laugh and one for their book of weird "owies".  

Do you have any bookish confessions?

He's Here!

Our grandson, Cole Larry Richard arrived 2 1/2 weeks early. June 12 at 2:44 am, 6 lbs 3 oz.  He just couldn't wait to join the family!  We are beyond blessed and excited.

Mom Courtney, Grandma Nise' with baby Cole

Mom, Dad Kevin and Baby Cole

I will most likely be a bit absent from the blog for a bit when my daughter and grandson come home.

Saturday Snapshot

February was a hard month for our family with the passing of three family members within 3 weeks of each other:
Betty - Hubby's Mom,  My MIL, Grandma to 7, Great-Grandma to 4
Bev - Aunt, (Betty's sister-in-law)
Rich - Uncle (Betty's brother)

We celebrated their lives with tears and laughter. They will be greatly missed.

 In a few weeks we will be celebrating new life.  My daughter Courtney and her cousin Aimee are expecting!  Aimee is expecting a girl in April and my daughter is expecting a boy in June.

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot hosted by West Metro Mommy post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don't post random photos that you find online.

Before and After Home Renovations

During June and the first part of July we engaged in some serious renovations projects.  When you redo everything at once, everything needs it 21 years later!! 

I previously shared the kitchen cupboard transformations.


Today I share my favorite thing we did, replace our kitchen and dining room floors


In the kitchen we had vinyl and in the dining room we had carpet.

It took me awhile to talk my husband into going with a wood floor in the kitchen and dining room.  He caved and it is just beautiful. 

Dining room not quite finished

We also replaced the bathroom floor, redid the cupboards using the same product as the kitchen and installed new shower doors.

We thought about redoing the entryway with the wood, but decided it would take too much abuse so we got very nice high traffic carpet.

Living room carpet was also replaced at the last minute.







My mom and I recovered the dining table chairs, but will share those pictures at another time.

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme created by Alyce of At Home With Books and now hosted by West Metro Mommy post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don't post random photos that you find online.

Wedding Pictures

It was a wonderful wedding all that everyone hoped it would be. The weather was gorgeous all weekend.

Cousins at rehearsal

33rd Anniversary at rehearsal

Courtney before ceremony

This was the isle runner we made.  We cut out this part and made it into a wall hanging for them.

Mr.and Mrs.

Caleb, Larry and James (sons and husband)

Daughter/Dad Dance

Courtney and Me

Walking her down the isle

One big happy family!

More cousins

Opening presents the next day

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme created by Alyce of At Home With Books and now hosted by West Metro Mommy post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don't post random photos that you find online.