Friday, December 2, 2022

December

I know, I know. It’s been a little over a week since I last posted. I honestly don’t know how you retired ladies do it. It seems that we run, run, run all of the time since Dennis stopped working. Of course this was an extra busy week. Alex and his family arrived last Wednesday night as scheduled and left this past Wednesday. They are now back home into normal life.  We had an absolutely wonderful time, but I don’t have a lot of photos to show for it. It seems that little Baby J made her way into almost every photo I took. Imagine that! And since I can’t post photos of her online, it makes it a bit difficult. Suffice it to say she was the entertainment for everyone this week including Miss Piper. We ended up having 23 people for Thanksgiving dinner and everything was delicious. We ate pie for several days afterwards and enjoyed the leftovers most of the weekend. Plus I have some turkey frozen to use later in pot pies, soup, etc.

I did get a little bit more done on my Christmas socks. I am working on turning the heel right now. I’m still hoping I get them finished and be able to wear them for Christmas. We shall see, it’s not looking too promising right now.

I’m still working on another Christmas present that is going to take all of my time between now and then. I have high hopes, but I seem to have hit a wall with not really wanting to knit or crochet. I don’t think I could possibly be burnt out, I love it too much. It’s just that there are so many things to do around here that are fun, I don’t want to sit in the apartment and watch TV. Also, the hospital has asked me if I would make some port protectors for people undergoing chemotherapy. They have provided the fabric and stuffing. I told them it would be after the first of the year, but then I will get some of those done.

Here’s a photo of our youngest, Alex, with grandma in her apartment. I just love this boy. I guess he is a man now, but he’ll always be my baby.😍 And she looks pretty good for 86 doesn’t she? She spent the day with us on Thanksgiving and then again all afternoon on Sunday. She was pretty tired after that. We took her to a doctors appointment yesterday and then out to lunch. She had such a wonderful time meeting her new great-grandchild and Alex got to spend more time with her on this visit than he has in years. That meant a lot to both of them. She still absolutely loves her new apartment and wishes she had moved there years ago. We are very glad she’s happy and still only 10 minutes away from us.

Miss Piper turned out to be an absolutely astounding babysitter for Baby J. When she wasn’t at school or asleep in bed at night, you would certainly find her with her baby. And Baby J loved her right back. She would look for Piper. I’m sorry I had to block her face out, but just know she is one of the most beautiful babies I have ever seen. Piper not only gave her her bottles but fed her solid foods while the baby was in piper’s old highchair. She did a great job. I think Mandy is signing her up for a babysitting class next summer and I think she will be in high demand. 💜 Just look at the beautiful hair on Baby J.

These two I’ve been having the time of their lives. They have been together every day for the last 10 days. Today will be the first day since last Tuesday but they have been apart. Look how they even sleep in the same position. They also love the baby and just wanted to play with her.

I wanted to show you a Christmas wreath that I made for mom during a craft day here last week. I forgot to take a photo of it though. I’ll try to remember next time I go over there and put it in my next post. I also put up our decorations here in the apartment and tonight when the lights are on I’ll take photos of those for you. It’s not nearly as many as we had in the house but still it’s some of our favorite things.

I do have news. I will be taking a trip to London to babysit a precious little baby next month. I will leave January 15 and I won’t be back until February 10. It’s a long time to be gone but when you know your kids need help you do what you can. I’m looking forward to being away from the cold and snow of the Midwest to a more temperate climate in London, but I know I’m going to miss everyone here, especially Dennis. He is staying home with Zoey and to watch over his mom. That will be strange in and of itself. However I got a very, very good deal on my airline ticket so I can’t complain. And how could I complain anyway, when I get to cuddle that sweet baby for over three weeks?

I hope you are all having a wonderful start to December. We had just a skiff of snow and freezing rain on Monday but it was gone by that night. Today is very warm and tomorrow is supposed to be in the 50s again. If it could be like this all winter long, I would be one happy girl. Take care everyone.

Blessings and love,
Betsy






18 comments:

  1. Grands are so precious, I think it's wonderful you'll be able to spend time in London babysitting. BTW, have I ever told you how much I would love to visit England. London would be nice but I would want to travel the countryside and visit small towns along the way. That is a great picture of your son and grandma, pictures are treasures. Good to hear you had a good Thanksgiving.

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  2. What wonderful photos! Look at that baby's hair! Wow...I'm going to babysit for Daughter again all next week also meaning I have to pack up and leave The Mister and Pup which is hard to do this time of year with so much going on but like you said...you do what you have to for family.

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  3. Sounds like a wonderful visit with family! And yes, she looks fabulous for any age, let alone 86! I am so excited for you to spend time in London with the precious baby! What an adventure! I have not been, but have it on my wish list! Have a cozy weekend!

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  4. Alex looks handsome with his dear grandmother! I am glad they were able to be together. Adorable granddaughters. So kind of Piper to love on her cousin! Enjoy your trip to England again. London is so nice...I remember being there years ago! Their tea is delicious! That's how I learned about adding creamers. It would be fun to go back again but I already have tickets for the Young Living convention next July. Finally able to go there as it was my plan in 2020 but everything got shut down! God bless you my friend!

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  5. Sounds like a wonderful Thanksgiving and now you get to take such a marvelous trip to spend time with a grandbaby! How amazing and wonderful is that? So very happy for you! I enjoyed your pictures, although it would be nice to see the sweet baby, but I understand people just can't be too careful these days. Have a wonderful trip and enjoy your time there. What a blessing indeed.

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  6. I'm glad you had a wonderful time with family, and have more to look forward

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  7. What a lovely picture of your son and his grandma. You sound super busy still. I think being in London caring for the baby will be a lot more relaxing than being at home.

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  8. How wonderful that you get to see baby J for a few weeks in the middle of the winter! What fun that will be for you! You and Dennis will find a happy medium on retirement and activities...it is okay to do something by yourself!!

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  9. The Christmas Socks are beautiful. The colors are so vibrant.

    I think of Piper as a little girl, but in that photo she looks SO grown up.

    I would say retirement suits you just fine. Wonderful about being in London for a good, long visit. Happy (and safe) travels)

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  10. Thanks for your post, Betsy.....always great to hear what's happening with you and your family. So nice to hear that you had a great visit with your son and his family. He is a handsome man! How big is Baby J now? She looks so long in that picture where Piper is giving her the bottle. Oh what a great time for you to go to London and help out with the baby. I'm sure you will miss Dennis and the family, but I hope it will be a wonderful 3 weeks for you there. Please post when you can. What a great way to spend half of Jan. and Feb.! Take good care...hope you get your Xmas socks done...they look so pretty. God Bless!

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  11. You certainly had a house full for Thanksgiving. I went to my sister’s, and we had 16 in attendance, including three toddlers and three dogs. The house was full of happiness. The Christmas socks look great. I barely pick up my needles anymore, as there are too many other things to do.

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  12. Your socks are so pretty! I love yarn that creates a lovely pattern, and yours is really pretty. I am so happy you all got to be together and enjoy Thanksgiving. What a blessing. Now you get to spend even more time with sweet baby J. You are truly blessed. Wishing you a day full of many blessings sweet friend. ((hugs))

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  13. Your Christmas socks are so pretty Betsy! Love that picture of Alex with his grandmother - sweet picture. And, of course, Piper giving the baby a bottle. NIce ot hear you will be going back to London for a good, long visit. Safe and happy travels!

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  14. So nice to catch up with you!!! Just adjust to your new normal and don't worry about things! Happy holiday!

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  15. The sock pattern is delightful, Betsy. Piper looks so grown up in that photo. I'm sure it's fun for you to see her taking care of the baby. Alex and your mom look so sweet together. Your mom's apartment looks so nice. Since you mention your own apartment, I'm guessing you've moved. Shows how far behind I am in my blog reading. I'll have to catch up! xo

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  16. So glad that you had such a good family visit and Thanksgiving. How wonderful that you can spend three weeks with that sweet baby girl. It's so hard being away from our grands, isn't it? But I can't complain as mine are only a ten hour drive away... not a long airplane ride! Have a great week!

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  17. So thankful you had such a wonderful Thanksgiving Betsy! I just loved the picture of sweet Piper spending time with her cousin, so very precious! Your Christmas sock looks beautiful already, and I know you will do a fabulous job blessing the hospital with the port protectors. So thankful Grandma is happy in her apartment and that your time is filled with lots of fun things to do, how thankful I am to hear this! And oh my, what a blessing to spend 3 weeks with the little Baby J!!! You will love every minute, although I know you will miss your husband. So happy for you sweet friend! Many blessings to you :)

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  18. what a wonderful visit! And what a beautiful baby Miss J is (we just know). And how lucky to be able to help as a babysitter in London! I just get back from babysitting two tweens and a teen while mom and dad went on a business trip. It was the most one on one time I have spent with my out of town grandchildren in quite a while. When we travel up we usually watch them participate in events, but don't really visit with them. It was a whirlwind of breakfast, buses (at 7:03 and 7:16 am), laundry, cleaning, caring for the dog. The first bus returns home at 2:38 and then it was sports practices, games, holiday concerts - lots of homework and cooking. But it was wonderful.

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