Monday, August 4, 2014

Portland and a Storm!

First-some pictures of Piper because she is so cute this Grandma can hardly stand it!  :-). Here is the finished sweater.  The buttons on the front are from MY mothers button box.  It was one of the few things I got when she died almost 25 years ago.  I think it's nice to have buttons from Great-Grandma, don't you?
The back.
Labels I put in all three Grandbabies sweaters when I make them.
Piper laughed out loud when she saw the sweaters and had to put them on right away-even in 90+F temperatures.  I was afraid it would be too big, but it fits great!
She had to give Grandma a hug and kiss. Oh how I love those.
The Wonderful Wallaby was popular too. Look at that smile.
Not only did she love the sweater, she seemed happy to see me too.
She loved the hood!!!
This was a dress from Grandpa.  We had to take a picture for him.
I took Piper to the park this morning and of course Monkey went along.  :-)
All smiles.  I'm going to miss this neighborhood.  We walked to the park, McDonalds for an ice tea and then the grocery store this morning.  All within 3 blocks of the house.  I doubt that it will be like this in DC.
Saturday night Hubby and I were having dinner at the Olive Garden and a surprise storm hit.  The lights all went out.  Just a few emergency lights and cell phone flashlights.
We went home and found this.  My favorite  blossoming pear tree was knocked over.  Apparently we had straight line winds in excess of 60 mph.  We also lost some roofing shingles.  This was the second storm like this in two weeks and it hit in almost the exact same parts of town.  Very, very unusual as is the heat we're experiencing.   Hubby tried to stake the tree up but the roots were too exposed so he ended up cutting it down and hauling it to the dump yesterday.  Sad.  I definitely want to plant another tree but have to decide what kind.  I like the bit of privacy from the house behind us.

Lots of people lost trees, roofs and even homes from trees crushing the house.  We were very lucky. The fence wssn't damaged except for a few scratches.
Here in Portland we're waiting for the inspection & appraisal and then will have an idea of when the big move will happen.  Mandy's last week of work is this week so Piper and I are having a grand time together.

Tonight is dinner with the girls-Gracie, Teresa and Taci at Tad's.  I'm so looking forward to it.

I'll be back soon to tell you all about it!

Blessings,
Betsy

18 comments:

  1. Hello Betsy
    First of all give the girls a big hug from me please as they are all followers of my blog too now. :-)

    I just love all these photos of your grand-daughter what a happy little thing! Don't grandchildren just give us that something special in our lives!!! There's a Mother's love and a Nana's love and both are very special but our grandchildren get to us just in time to fill that ache of our children having moved on.

    Phew ! some storm good job the fence was there!

    Many thanks for your latest comments on my blog.

    keep well

    Amanda x

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  2. So glad that you and yours are OK, that must have been some storm to topple the tree like that.

    The photos of your grand-daughter are lovely, she must bring a lot of joy to you all.

    Helenxx

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  3. What a happy, nice post! So glad you are well.

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  4. Betsy, what a lovely sweater, I'd like one in black! Haha we had flood warnings here and lots and lots of rain but luckily no wind!
    That is one very pretty tree, I hope another will have deeper roots for you and can withstand a storm.
    Be blessed with your time with your grand daughter, mine are all grown up. Now I have to wait to get great grandchildren but I'm content to wait!

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  5. Your sweaters are s nice and Piper loving them is even better. We had a big thunderstorm.early a.m. Fri..,.rarely hangs around an hour in the valley. Ru still in Portland on Fri? Maybe we could meet for lunch. My email address is on my blog info. Have a good time with family,which is important. Hugs!

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  6. Beautiful sweaters as is your Grandaughter. Terrible about the tree at least you are all safe.

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  8. Hi Betsy, it was so nice to see you, Gracie and Taci this evening.. what a fun time! Both of your sweaters are fantastic! Lucky little darling is Piper... you're a fantastic grandma! Thanks so much for picking up that colorful cotton yarn for me.. it will be put to good use. I hope to see you again soon. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  9. Oh little Miss Piper is so adorable in her new sweaters and dress. Now every time she wears them she will always think of you. :) Sorry about the storm damage and the loss of the tree, hope your weather calms down out your way very soon. Wishing you a most lovely day filled with many blessings sweet friend. ((hugs)).

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  10. Look how big Piper is getting! She's so cute, I just want to squeeze her!!
    It's been a while since I pop in here for a visit, so sorry for that!
    Thank goodness your fence was there....it saved the house!
    xx Shari

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  11. OH that little Piper is just adorable! And so proud in her new sweaters from Grandma! Love that you used buttons from your Mama's button jar!! I know you will miss them so! And did I miss something? Are you moving?????
    Sad about losing that big tree! The weather has been so odd everywhere!!! Have big fun with the girls tonight!!!
    xo Kris

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  12. Wonderful knitting Betsy... in Oz a sweater has no opening but another name for jumper. We would call it a wee jacket or cardy.....short for cardigan. Language is interesting. Grandma's buttons are a treasure.
    Wow sad about the tree. May I make a suggestion?
    A quick growing hedge like strip alongb fence line.
    As looks like you need it all along it and this pear a deciduous tree, not as efficacious. Just something to think and pray for wisdom about.
    Here in Oz a wattle hedge is quick growing not too high but high enough for privacy plus flowers attracts native birds. All something to think about.
    Love your Piper. Shaz in Oz x

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  13. The sweater is beautiful! You did a wonderful job with it. She looks so happy to have it. I think she looks a little like your husband in these pictures. And actually, your husband looks a little like my dad, I always mean to tell you that when you share a photo of him. I love that picture of you with her. I'm so sorry about your tree. I'm glad nobody was hurt but I know how disappointed you must be. I hope you have a good week and that your weather becomes more agreeable soon.

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  14. The sweaters are adorable and it looks like Piper had a grand time modeling them. So scary when winds come through like that. A shame to lose the tree, but glad your damage wasn't worse. All the best as your family makes the move. So nice to live in a small town where everything is within walking distance. That's the kind of life I enjoy and that more people should experience. I'm not a rat race kind of gal, that's for sure. I imagine saying goodbye to our children is never easy no matter how old any of us are. Take care and have a wonderful Wednesday. Tammy

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  15. Hello Betsy, what beautiful sweaters you made for Piper and yes your grand daughter is just tooooooo adorable. Always smiling and so happy. I reckon Granma will miss her a lot. Your poor peer tree how sad it blew over. You can tell it had many years of growth on it. For the last few weeks our Summer has been so very nice. Temps in the mid 70 f and with a slight breeze off of Lake Michigan. We have waited such a long time for this weather and I am enjoying every second, big smile. Hugs Judy

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  16. She is so cute! Can't wait to see her when you come home...and when will that be again?

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  17. Hi, just discovered your blog in blogland:-) Your knits are gorgeous and the little lady is adorable. Leah xxx

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  18. LOVE little Piper's cute smile and those sweaters look great on her! Sorry about your pear tree but happy that the damage wasn't worse for you.
    Blessings,
    Aimee

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