Mom was There

Everywhere I turned this Holiday season Mom was there.
It all started with Thanksgiving. Mike and I had no plans with our immediate family so Sharen invited us down to theirs.

We sat around the family dining table for one last time.  The same table that Mom used to heap with so much food when we were growing up. It's on it's last leg and Sharen is replacing it.
Carrie showed up with homemade rolls using Mom's recipe of course. Mom would love to know that she has inspired Carrie into an awesome cook.

 I only made 2 kinds of Christmas cookies this year. One being Mom's bird nest.

Brian and Stacy lost their maternal Grandmother in September. I offered to make them keepsake teddy bears out of her bathrobes. I also make one for Mike's ex-wife. Yes we are friends and yes I really do like her.

But it got me thinking about my Mom and her cardinal sheets that I still had setting in my closet.
It's been 5 years. I got them out and made me a lap quilt for Christmas. I really don't know why it took me so long. I heard you loud and clear Mom.

Instead of going out for our traditional Christmas Eve breakfast, Erica offered to host it (it was right at Averie's nap time). I got out Mom's cinnamon roll recipe. I haven't made them in way too long.

Just like Mom's they were a big hit.

I sat around and watched the confusion and destruction of all the present and remember the Christmas spent in the basement of Kirk Ave. I understand now Mom!

Then I opened one of my presents from Mary. She had taken one of my favorite recipe from Mom and made me a coaster/spoon rest/serving dish with it. Her buttercream frosting that I still use. Yup, that brought tears. It's in Mom's handwriting.

Just like Mom, I want my kids to be home on Christmas day and make family memories to last. Mike and I had the Dupplers down for a quiet ham dinner.

Sharen told me I made to much food - just like Mom.

She even showed up in the wine we drank. She drank a wine high ball once in a while, but she was NOT a drinker.

I had a pretty good holiday season this year - Thanks for coming Mom.

Hallmark Books?

I'm really enjoying the Hallmark movies this year. My favorite so far is "The Christmas Train". Most of these movies are one time viewings, but I think I could watch that one again.

With our Christmas tree taking up the space of my jigsaw puzzle table (Yes, me without a puzzle to fix) I have been reading more. I know - I should be exercising not sitting.
I usually order my books online and go and pick them up at the Rakow branch down the street when they email me that they are ready.

While browsing for something different I typed in Christmas and it turns out all my favorite authors have written Holiday books. Lots of Holiday Books!!

So now I am reading "Hallmark Books"  - all with a Christmas theme. There was so many to choose from. I'll start with these 5.

Christmas Quilt

I was never too keen on quilt kits. Gasp! someone else tell me what colors and pattern to use. Some of the kits I see I'm like, really! I'm pretty sure I  could do a better job of fabric selection. I'm jealous of the people who get to do this for a job. Dream Job!

One of the most enjoyable part of making a new quilt is finding the right pattern and then go searching for the perfect material. I love that part. I can understand how some quilters have a large stash of different material. Mine is limited by the space in my sewing room and closet.
I am pretty sure I could spend more on fabric "to be used later" if I had more storage space.

Well, I got my first kit from Bryan and Mary for my birthday. A Christmas Quilt. I wanted something to hang in my living room for Christmas. (I did stir him to the correct website. Ha)

It was perfect timing with my birthday in September - plenty of time to get it made, quilted, and hung for this season.

Mike and I hung it yesterday!

My Christmas Quilt!
I found the perfect quilting pattern with poinsettias in it. I only got maybe 20 inches down and my longarm sewing machine started making funny noises. I didn't want to damage anything so I stopped. I called the shop and they couldn't get it in till January.
I wasn't about to go without the quilt hanging this year so I hung it up not completely quilted.  You can't tell it's not complete and I will go back after my machine is fixed and finish it.

Handy Husband

We either have to split the pile of wood in our backyard or I have to stay off of Pinterest.
Now that Mike has stopped his summer job, I have put him to work at home.
He has been a busy little elf in his workshop this pass week.

First let me say it all started with the pumpkins I had made for Sharen for our birthday. I also made some for me, Stacy, and Mary. I did ask Sharen if it was ok for me to make some for the girls. It was a birthday present for her and it didn't seem special if I started making them for everybody else without her permission. She said Go for it!

Mike and I had cut a whole bunch of circles so I needed to do something with the leftovers. I looked on Pinterest and saw some cute little snowmen. Mike drilled some holes and put in a dowel and I got me a snowman to paint for the front porch.

He is still waiting for his hat. I just can't find the right size log/stick. But I will walk around the neighborhood with my eyes open and Mike will make it for him as soon as I find it.

Then of course, I started browsing Pinterest to see what else Mike can make me. He is having a good time and we have been working together pretty good. I tell him what I want and he does it. 

 

I found these Christmas tree made out of pallets. Hummmmm.... We don't have a pallet, but we have a whole bunch of scrap wood. 

We sorted through the wood - I showed him what I wanted and bam. I got me a Christmas tree to paint.

I painted it with leftover paint

Then there it was. The cutest little reindeer made out of logs. I told Mike He had to make one for me. 

And sure enough he comes through again.

Isn't he cute sitting on my front porch?

And it didn't cost us a dime. Everything was recycled from stuff we had at the house.

Excerise Buddy

Everyone says it's easier to get exercising if you have someone to do it with.
2 years ago I lost my buddy.
LA Fitness was screwing with Sharen and her membership so she decided to try something else and she left there for Planet Fitness. I didn't like it but I could totally see her reason behind it. She now went to the gym with Dup. I tried dragging Mike to a couple classes, but he's a person who can get his workouts done without a buddy.

I went to LA and got into the pool more than I thought I would the first year. I could go whenever I wanted or (the big one here) NOT go whenever I wanted.

This summer I slacked big time. I got my frozen shoulder back and was in pain on and off most of the summer. Enough that I didn't go to the gym. I know - just an excuse. Turns out exercise is good for my shoulder. I went and got some ART treatments and my shoulder (and neck) are good to go. I just gotta say this ART stuff is life saving. This is my second time needing it and I would recommend it to everyone. The treatments can hurt, but it is sooooo worth it.

And that is a very good thing because....

After Linda invited us to her pool to exercise out in the fresh air this summer, Sharen realized how much she missed moving around in the water and came back to LA Fitness.
Hallelujah, I have my exercise buddy back.
.

Sunflower

I have talked about painting flowers down the fence in our backyard. Big project and I never got around to doing it.  I just picked out the flowers and talked about doing it.

When the doors on the shed got to the point that they badly needing replacing, I thought here is my chance to paint something- on a smaller scale.

Mike had the doors made in a weekend.
It took me a little longer to paint them.
I know I was going to paint a sunflower.
Step 1 - Spray paint the background. green outside and a accent black inside the center.

 Step 2 - add brown to the center and first layer of petals

 step 3 - add accents to the center of 1st layer of petals and layer another row of petals.
I took a look from far away and decided it needed much more color. It looked way different close up.

 I finally told Mike that I was done with trying to make it any better. Put this bad boy up so I will leave it alone.

 TaaDaa. The shed has new doors. And the center on the flower actually lined up.

The neighbor loves it. Turns out sunflowers are her favorite flower.

Senior Night

Time won't stop, even if you want it to.
Dylan played his last regular season home game on Friday.
Senior Night!
Of course we had to pose with his banner. They had one for each of the 13 Seniors on the team.

 Parents escorting their sons on to the field. Mother were allowed to wear their sons away jerseys for the day.  Most of them complained that they were a little too snug - but they all wore them.

Mom and Son

Post Game Picture with Grandma

The Cogs won the game. 41-7
Now on to the playoffs.
First game is at home this Saturday. 10/28 vs. Elmwood Park.
GO COGS!!!!

Grand Parents Day

Roger is in 1st grade now and he is learning at such a faster pace.
According to Mary he was very excited that we were coming, along with the Murpheys. He had so much to show us. Both Luke and Owen wanted to come too.
His teacher has been teaching for 37 years and her room showed it. So many things to explore.

Owen found the books

Roger sits in the front row of his class next to a new girl named Grace who wasn't starting till tomorrow. That makes 17 in his class.

little brothers are impressed

He asked Ms. Chilvers if he could show us around the rest of the school. She said yes so off we go. He led us up to the second floor. Walking at a fast pace.
"This is the music room" Pointing at a room.
"This is the computer room." Peeking into the room.

"Down there is the gym."  Pointing down over the balcony.
And "THIS is the library!"
It wasn't too hard to figure out his favorite spot.

He walked in like it was an ice cream shop - arms out wide and a big grin on his face.
He told us he is going to join the book club.

Telling Papa he can check it out for him

This was a perfect way to start our day.

Owen turns 3

It all started with the Comer's Childrens Hospital race for the Kids on Sunday. The weather cooperated and it was a dry, but cloudy day.
We again teamed up with "Robo Kids" which is the group of Luke's Dr. patients and families.
We didn't run we walked the 5k. Ok, maybe not the whole way - when we saw that the runners were making a loop around the last block we bypassed that. It was an easy walk - this campus is beautiful.

Flory Family

Then we headed on over to celebrate Owen's 3rd birthday.
Mike and I took the scenic route home down Lake Shore Drive. It was pretty quite the Bears were out of town. Chicago is a beautiful city. We drove by the golf course on the lake and I made a mental note of looking into golfing there next summer.

4 years ago I made keepsake quilts for everybody for Christmas.
Seeing that Owen wasn't born yet he didn't have one. I remedied that this birthday.
Owen is into trucks - so it only made sense to make this for him.

Notice the red candy bar in my hand. He looks all sweet (which he is most of the time), but he was not taking the time for a picture without a bribe. 

Yes, our sweet little baby is 3.

Quilt Guild

I have been thinking about joining a quilt group for some time now.
I belong to a few online, but I'm thinking going someplace and interacting with more quilters could be fun.

When Sharen and I were with Linda at her outdoor pool (This September heat wave is brutal) I got my invite.
A lady shows up to get in some water exercise and she looked very familiar to both me and Sharen. Sharen asked her her name and when she told us Beth Reuter we both knew exactly how we knew her. She was married to our brother in law Bill's brother. She also worked with me at the CN as a motor route driver.
We got to talking and turns out she is a die hard quilter.
She tells us all about her quilt adventures and suggest we come to one of her Guild's meetings. Now was my chance.
Turns out it yesterday on our birthday.
So after having the most delicious cake for breakfast. Thanks, Steve.  Yes, me who rarely eats cake had this one for breakfast - it is that good.

Happy 65th Birthday to us

 Seriously, I cannot take a selfie I like to save my soul, but this one we got in one take. Maybe because we were "sharing a moment" along with the cake.

I couldn't let her eat alone

She could eat cake every meal

The meeting was at a church in St. Charles - not too far.
I was pretty sure it wasn't for me as soon as we got there, but we paid our $10 and stuck around hoping it was different than it seemed.
Nope. Don't get me wrong most everybody (135 women) were friendly and 1 lady showed us around to all the tables of things going on and introduced us to people, but I did not feel comfortable at all. Sharen wasn't going to join - she was just there with me to check it out. She felt the same way I did.
We stayed for the "show and tell" portion, because we wanted to see Beth's quilt, but left after "treats", seriously more cake?
I'll  keep looking for something to join, maybe a smaller group.

Forgiveness

So awhile back as I was out front painting our house our neighbor drives up on his golf cart. He parks it in the street and walks up the driveway.
This is the same neighbor who 5 years ago told me I was a liar and a bad person that he never wanted to look at ever again, so I'm thinking he wants to complain about the paint color. So I jokingly asked him if he likes the color.

He asks me if he can talk with me.
I'm thinking - That's strange, and tell him sure.
He tells me he is sorry about how he has been treating us these last 5 years. He knew that he was wrong and as the years go by it was harder and harder for him to know what to say.
He apologized and asked me if I could forgive him.
He said he has been praying about it and wanted to say something when Mike got sick (but again didn't).
I told him how bad he hurt me and again he asked for my forgiveness. At this point he had tears in his eyes. I knew he meant every word.
I told him "of Course, I would forgive him."
He said that he knew it was too much to ask to be friends, but could we be "neighbors" again.
I'm thinking "Well that was all on you buddy." But what I said was Yes, neighbor.
I gave him a hug (which he asked for) and went back to painting as he drove away.

I knew it was the right thing to do and I feel so good about doing it. Forgiveness is a powerful feeling.
His wife came over and told me that he just turned 80 and has prostate cancer. She was glad that we made up.
I am glad I didn't know all that before I forgave him.
I'm also glad we made up.

Homecoming

So I get a phone call 2 weeks ago. 6:45 on a Thursday night.
Kaylyn: Hey, Grandma, can you make me a tutu?
Me: of course, it's pretty simple. You can even help me with it.
Kaylyn: Ok. I need it for the game tomorrow night.
Me: Sorry kiddo. That's not going to happen in such a short notice.
Kaylyn: Well, Then can you make me 1 for homcoming oh and 1 for Jayla too.

With a little bit more notice and some help from Sharen The tutus got made. We had fun doing it too.

Homecoming was last night.

Kaylyn and Jayla rockin the Tutu

The Varsity coach sees some potential in Logan, so after he finishes with his sophomore game, which they won 46 - 6 he (and 3 other Sophs) dresses with his brother for the Varsity. Seeing both boys on the field together really is exciting to watch.
This video of the boys gives me the chills every time.
Cogs take the field!!

Kick Off for Cash...
Here you buy tickets - 15 for $5.
If they draw your ticket and the Cogs run back the ball for a touchdown you win $10,000.
This happens about every 3 to 4 years.
Dylan informs us that he will be taking kick offs this year, You almost have to buy some chances right?
Well last night they call my name. Holy Shit!
I'm standing in the press box watching my Grandson trying to win me $10,000.
The ball was coming to Dylan, but Jason stepped in front of him and grabbed the ball. No I didn't win, but what a thrill.

Stacy caught me watching

The Cogs won the game 49 - 6.
Since it was a blowout the Coach put the Sophmores in and Logan got 2 tackles.
After the game we always tell them how proud we are of them.

One proud Papa

Mike couldn't of asked for a more perfect early Birthday present.

Fall is coming

How do I know this?
ACORNS!!!
The acorns are back in force.
Yes, they fall every year but once in a while they really make their presence known. Sounds like gunfire in the neighborhood.
The neighbors are raking daily. Some are using shop vacs to save on their backs.
Me I'm not going to bother with them this year. (I thought about gathering them up though when I got hit 3 times hanging clothes on the line.)
2 reasons...
1 - Mike put some new blades on my riding tractor, so I think I can cut through them pretty good.
2 - These guys. They have shown up in our backyard for about 7 days in a row now.

2 Mama's and their babies

See the gap in the fence in the backyard? That's where they enter. The neighbors fence fell down so I set it back up leaning on the post with a opening for them.

I had to clean out the 6 foot weeds that were growing in his flowers gardens too. He is battling cancer and we (me and his other neighbors) are attempting to keep his yard in some kinda shape. I hope he can see the deer out his bedroom window.

Walking around is a challenge with out twisting an ankle.
When these guys stop coming around I am gonna rake them up and pile them by the fence so they can have some food for the winter.

Checking It Out

So when Linda went looking for a new home, I sent her some houses for sale in Edgewater a 55 and older community in Elgin I had no idea what the place offered.
I knew she was looking into Huntley's Del Webb and I told her she owes it to herself and Deanna to look here. They wouldn't have to change shopping habits or look for a new doctor and it was closer to family. It also was completely gated for security.
I'll be damn if she didn't find something she wanted and bought in Edgewater.
Well it's been around 7 weeks since she moved in and I was curious to see just what it offered.
Linda invited me and Sharen for a lap around the pool. OUTSIDE!
All my exercising is in the pool over at LA Fitness and I love it, but I couldn't wait to get outside.

We met up with Linda at her house - which is walking distance from the activity center - to sign some waivers to let us in.
To get into the building you have to have a key card.
Linda paid our $4 each for the privilege of using the pool. We were given visitors wrist bands.
I am loving all this security.
The place is enormous. She showed us around.  Visit area with a fireplace! Puzzle room! Library! Workout room! Exercise Room! Beautiful Locker room! Indoor Pool with a hot tub! Wowwie... I'm loving it ALL. They had a running bulletin board with events coming up. All looked like fun to me.

We store our stuff into a locker and hit the outdoor pool. A few ladies came and went, but for the most part we had it all to ourselves. The weather was perfect and the pool even better. Music playing the 70's. It was all good and we talked about doing it once a week.

me and Sharen

I did stick my toe in the hot tub, because Linda said it was VERY hot. Sorry, Linda not hot, but the jets were really strong.
When we finally left, there was a hot dog lunch going on on the patio. Co-ed volleyball in the indoor pool, card playing in the fireplace room and an exercise class. And it was only 12:30.

I told Mike when I got home that I could see us living there in the future.

New Coat of Paint

You know how you want to do something and it's hard to get going - You start by telling everybody you meet. Puts you into "I told someone so I have to do it" mentality. Kinda like a diet.
Well, Mike and I didn't have any more vacations planned for the summer and I needed a project so I decided to paint our house.
I told EVERYBODY "I'm going to paint my house!"
next question was always - Inside or outside?
OUTSIDE.
I told...
My family.
All my neighbors.
I told my dentist office.
I put my Chiropractor on stand by.
I asked Logan "If I get stuck will you come and help me - I'm painting our house!"
I found the perfect color. I was tired of the white. Boring! (Mike agreed).
It's a green/gray. Looks gray in the sun and green in the shade. I was kinda limited on the color. The windows are all aluminium and hunter green - Not changing the trim.
I bought a platform ladder. It's perfect and I can reach to the top of every side of the house.
I told the guy at Ace hardware, where I got the paint, I'm painting my house!
I treated myself to a new paint pan and roller.(which I ended up not using. I found a smaller foam roller worked better)
I Bought my first gallon. I decided to get one gallon at a time. I didn't know how much I needed (took 3 gallons) and I new this was going to take some time and I didn't want the paint to sit around.

Mike went to work - Sharen left on vacation. I had nothing to do and no reason to not get started. So I put my painting clothes on and grab my tools.
I had big dreams of painting a side every 2 days.
I had no idea the prep work involved.
Scraping! Caulking! and Power Washing! UGH
But I knew that stuff was important.
I started on the back side of the house.

After looking at this picture. I'm thinking - Can you even tell I painted? So I then started taking some before and after pics.
I knew asking for help was a no go. It was hot. I wanted to work at my own speed and my own schedule. So I just plugged along. Sometimes slugged along.

Me - plugging

Green in the shade

Mike did help me with taking the brackets off the down spouts so I could paint behind them. He also removed and replaced the light fixtures.

I was so happy to see some rainy days I really needed a break.
I was determined to finish up this week.
I turned the corner on Thursday and finally saw the end in sight. I waited to finished up on this side. It was in the sun. I did mention it was hot...

The house is painted. I still want to go around looking for spots that need some touch up but the white is all gone.

Front before

Front after

Oh my,  what a project. Our house is clean and freshly painted. Only took me 2 1/2 weeks.
Me, Karen, actually painted our freaking house.
All by myself.  I can say that because Sharen offered to help a few times after she got back from vacation, but she always stepped back so I could say it. "Yup, I did it all by myself!!!

My Baby turns 40

Bryan is 40.
He didn't want a big deal made about it and certainly not a party.
We had them over for a little celebration and it was all about fun for the boys.
I bought a slip n slide for our hill out front. Boy did the little guys have fun. Score one for Grandma.

taking turns



Mike of course had to join them

Singing happy Birthday!
Red Velvet (his favorite) Cupcakes. I made half with cream cheese and the other half with plain buttercream frostings.




Looking up to Daddy

I found a Star War Darth Vader piñata and we hung it in the tree above the slip n slide to see if someone would notice. Luke spotted it right away. 

Hit it hard, Daddy

Scoping up the candy

I couldn't help but think back about Bryan's first time swinging at a piñata. I handmade it. I don't have a picture. 

Bryan and his future

So Goodbye Thirties. Hello to being 40.