Sunday morn-the day after 45th

Wonder when the rainy season starts. Every day is bright and sunny. Unc. P was going to hit some balls but instead is taking a snooze. He seems to be feeling a bit queasy. I am getting ready to ride my bike up to the store to get a NY Times. We can read it during the week. The local news channels here are strictly local. We don't get much of the national scene. Once a DC news freak, always a...

There is still a hollow feeling in my throat since the babies left. I spent some time this morning putting their things away. Maybe if there is less evidence around here, I will be able to recover. Part of me wants to just move in with them. On the other hand, maybe not. Aleta needs to have her own space without two doting grandparents hovering and interfering. That word "hovering" keeps coming to mind. Maybe it is just a side effect of being a parent for sooo long. I am ready to get fitted for my helicopter so I can properly "hover".

On another subject, thanks to all who have made reservations for Andy's wedding. Our main goal is to have a wonderful party for however many days we are in Belize. Think of it as an extended and early Thanksgiving. The villas have fully equiped kitchens and we are planning to stock food for breakfasts and lunches. If we can get some fresh fish, maybe we can grill dinner too. Our pre-wedding dinner for all guests will be on Friday, the night before the wedding. As soon as we get the plans in order, we will let everyone know the details.

I am still waiting for a rainy day or two to get some sewing done. Some of the window treatments are needing fine tuning. In the meantime, life in sunny FL is not too bad. All up in the North who want to visit, lemme know.

Babies are gone

Well, the loves of our lives are gone-back to Pennsylvania. Ella slept for a couple of hours after she saw the Dr., as did Philip. We gave her another dose of the pink stuff along with some benedryl for the trip home. I am worried that she will suffer from ear problems when the plane lands. They really could have used a few more days here but the plane loads were looking full til next week. So, Aleta, Ella, the double stroller, a rolling bag, a backpack, a carry on bag and Aleta's purse and I went through security without incident-a far cry from the last time Phil and I took Ella back to Balto. when she had one huge meltdown at the gate. I had to drag her to the ladies room for a cool-down talk. This time all was fine. She is really growing up to be a nice little girly.

Now we have to figure out what to do with ourselves both here and Silver Spring. Maybe a day to think things over would be the answer. Tomorrow is our 45th anniversary. Could it really be?

As Grandpop always said-"look ahead, not back." And"they come and they go". How did he and Mom do it? Maybe there is safety and comfort in numbers.

Speaking of looking forward, good things will be happening in this family in the near future, maybe some we aren't aware of yet. One event we do know about is Julie and Andy's wedding in Nov. I wish them a blissful engagement period and I wish to impart some simple advice. That is - love every minute of it and love each other with all your hearts and souls. Nothing is more important. Your lives will be so much the richer.

Jeanie

ear infection

Ella just returned from the Doc and she has been found to have both ears infected. She coughed all night but that isn't the real problem. She doesn't have an earache but is on meds for the infections. Dr. suggested she not go into the pool and perhaps not fly. We are undecided about the next step. Aleta was planning to fly home to PA today with kids in tow. I guess we will just have to see. Meantime, I am wondering what today's activity should be. Ella isn't feeling poorly enough to just lay about. She has the usual energy.

Someone sent me the book MY TIME- I have started it but am having a difficult time relating to the concept that at my age, I should be able to reinvent my life and do something different. The idea is that we are living healthy, longer lives and we have all these "bonus" years to do whatever. Perhaps this isn't the right time to be reading up on such a subject. Could bring on more slump and pessimism. Meantime, both grandchildren bring such joy that I have decided to forget about MY TIME for now.

post key west

Andy and I had a great time last weekend in key west. We used bikes as transportation all weekend and at one point, I had a half drunk marguerita in the bike basket. Maybe I said that before. Anyway, we had fun. The return boat to Ft. Myers was delayed because of bad weather so we "had" to stay another day. I had some nausea when we finally did sail and unfortunately that turned into some kind of bug that laid me low for several days. I am reminded of it when reading Bec's blog. Sunday, I could not get warm, even here in FL. Then the tummy continued to turn and turn. Glad it's over.

Aleta and kids are still here and we are really having a ball. Ella is waiting for me to go into the pool with her-she has had her nap and is raring to go. I haven't had my nap and am very lethargic. Oh well, they will be missed as soon as they leave for Pennsylvania.

Papa is napping (or was) until Ella came bounding in. My guess is that Papa will be looking for another job soon as he is not used to being around the house for soooo many hours.

More later.

April 20

Happy birthday Grandpop.

Another sunny day

Philip III and I are home alone-really the first time I have had him all to myself. Am loving it although he isn't as pleased with me at the moment. He seems to say Mama-but doesn't know what he is saying. I am trying to teach him "papa". We are having a lovely time with the kids. Ella isn't quite up to par physically. I think she still suffers from her sickness of late. However, that has not stopped her from donning a snorkel mask and trying to dive under water. Mostly she stays on top, face down, bottom up. Andy has some good pictures of her from under water. She has a smile whilst submerged. She is a natural water baby.

The men-papa and Andy went to the grocery store and Aleta and Ella are out shopping for a camera battery. I guess we will just hang around the pool this afternoon. There is nothing but sun predicted for the next 5 days or so.

Andy and I had a great time in Key West. I had a few mojitos and margueritas. Even had one in the bike basket while riding back to the hotel. Shameful! KW makes Estero, FL seem like an old folks home. There is plenty of activity-the Duval crawl, music and people watching are the highlights. The boat ride home was not on my list of favorites as the water was still rough after the storm on Sunday. I had taken Bonine to no avail. Musta been sumpin I et to quote Grandpop.

More later.

charleston

It's about halfway to Florida-I am basking in Mike and Ann's hospitality for a few days. Chas. is in full spring bloom, maybe the azeleas are slightly past their prime. I am pushing on to FL tomorrow.

Hoping to see Aleta and kids in FL. Andy arrives on the 9th for a couple of weeks. This may be the last time we see him before his wedding. He is a busy person.

Seems funny to be changing locations so often. The two months in Silver Spring flew by. We accomplished some things and left some undone or unfinished-something to do when we come back up north. Phil has only a couple of classes left this semester and will "commute" from FL. The big question of the week - will he teach next fall? He says not. We will see.

Signing off for now-jeanie