We leave on the early flight to Dallas tomorrow morning where we'll meet up with Bill and fly together to Boston for the first night of our tour. God willing, we will go through Maine, up into New Brunswick, Canada, and over to Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia before returning home. This trip has been six months in the planning and even accommodated a schedule change. So it's certainly not intentional that we might be heading into a hurricane!
I am of the opinion that, since Katrina, the news media and even the weather outlets all exaggerate the intensity of these storms. Generally they turn out to be a lot less destructive than predicted. But I believe that is because everybody missed the seriousness of Katrina so thoroughly. That said, I'm confident that we'll be safe and even experience some nice weather. We are so hoping for any temperatures lower than 80 degrees!
In my research on the hotels we will be in, it appears that every one has internet service in the rooms. So I will be able to post pictures and comments here on the blog and also on Facebook. I hope you'll enjoy following us around the Canadian Maritimes.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Big Kids and Grand Kids
Yesterday Meredith hosted Adrian's third birthday party and I remarked once again how "traditional" my daughter is in bringing together friends and family for certain events. She is the one who insists on turkey and dressing every Thanksgiving, and establishes a Christmas routine for her children that, hopefully, they will never grow away from. Thus far Adrian's parties have centered more on family and the values of inter-generational relationships. There is no greater joy for a parent than to see ones children grow into adulthood and prosper in relationship and personal fulfillment. (3 John 1:4)
So here a few glimpses of my sweet, wonderful children and grands...
Cristian, holding ten month old Andrew, has taken to fatherhood in a most natural way.
Adrian is learning how to blow the train whistle - takes an awful lot of practice, but he'll master it soon and will rival the trains passing through the neighborhood.
"Thomas the Train" was the theme for the day and everyone was sporting an appropriate bandanna to prove it.
Andrew may have been the littlest engineer. He crawled out of the bandanna in short order.
Adrian is quite fond of his Uncle Furfy (Murphy) and gave him the seat next to the seat of honor.
My traditional daughter is one fabulous Mommy and she radiates when she's holding one of her babies.
Here is one happy three year old, basking in the admiration of his extended family - Uncle Pat, Aunt Judy, Mimi & Dah, Auntie Jo, Uncle Furfy, and Papa & Ludee.
Not quite the center of attention, Andrew nevertheless enjoyed the commotion brought on by his brother's celebration. Just wait - October's coming!Saturday, August 14, 2010
A Special Birthday Today
August 14, 2010Three years ago today. That's the day my first grandchild was born! It was also the first time I had ever experienced the birth of a baby in a state of consciousness! You see, I had been given amnesiac drugs at the births of my two children and have no memory of participation in their delivery. When Meredith first approached me about being with them for Adrian's birth, I wasn't really sure it was my place to be there. But I am so glad I went and was there to assist!
August 14, 2007
Much growing up has occurred over the last three years. Adrian has passed all the milestones for a three year old. He will move into a new stage of his life in September when he ventures off to Mother's Day Out. He'll begin to form friendships and bond with kids his age. He'll no longer be a baby and we'll wonder where that little boy has gone. It happens with every child, but deep inside we're never really prepared to let them move on.
July 3, 2010
Thank goodness for pictures that capture those moments, pieces of time that can never be duplicated. Preserved not only in our memories, but on film, in photo frames, or in our day, on a computer disc.
Happy Birthday, dear Adrian. All my love, Ludee.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Connections
I am, by nature, a "loner." I prefer a quiet room to crowds, soft music to raucous, a good book to a cocktail party. Given a choice I would read, sew or watch TV in solitude, perhaps with the company of my loyal dog. But I realize there are times when I must make the effort to socialize or there will be consequences to pay.
For instance, last year my siblings-in-law and I discussed the idea of having a "family picnic" in the summer, just an excuse to see each other for an occasion other than wedding or funeral. We talked about it, but did nothing toward it and the summer passed into Fall. Then the unthinkable happened, one of Graham's brothers died suddenly in January and we all realized an opportunity missed which had sad consequences. So this summer, amidst questions of suitability and timeliness, we sent out invitations and got a large portion of family together. One lesson learned.
Then, out of the blue, about a month ago, I received a "friend" request from a woman who is a distant cousin from my mother's side of my family. Maybe she is also looking into her "connections" and felt a pull to search for family members. Whatever the motive I am so glad that she took the initiative and used the technology of social networking to find me. We have already brought each other up to date from over fifty years of separation. Wow!
And just last week I was notified of the death of my last remaining first cousin in Louisiana. He was seven years older than me, the "biggest" cousin who had all the fun, but who the rest of us looked up to as "cool." Floods of memories of summertime visits came over me, and I realized afresh how important being "connected" is. It's who we are, what we are made of, the thing that prompts our behavior.
I still prefer the peace and quiet of being left to my own devices, but I have a fresh perspective of family and friends and of how important it is to let them into my little domain on occasion. Psalm 90:10 tells me that "the days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away." I will be sixty-five in September. I can reasonably expect to live five to fifteen more years. How much better to live those years connected... to family... to friends... and to my Savior.
For instance, last year my siblings-in-law and I discussed the idea of having a "family picnic" in the summer, just an excuse to see each other for an occasion other than wedding or funeral. We talked about it, but did nothing toward it and the summer passed into Fall. Then the unthinkable happened, one of Graham's brothers died suddenly in January and we all realized an opportunity missed which had sad consequences. So this summer, amidst questions of suitability and timeliness, we sent out invitations and got a large portion of family together. One lesson learned.
Then, out of the blue, about a month ago, I received a "friend" request from a woman who is a distant cousin from my mother's side of my family. Maybe she is also looking into her "connections" and felt a pull to search for family members. Whatever the motive I am so glad that she took the initiative and used the technology of social networking to find me. We have already brought each other up to date from over fifty years of separation. Wow!
And just last week I was notified of the death of my last remaining first cousin in Louisiana. He was seven years older than me, the "biggest" cousin who had all the fun, but who the rest of us looked up to as "cool." Floods of memories of summertime visits came over me, and I realized afresh how important being "connected" is. It's who we are, what we are made of, the thing that prompts our behavior.
I still prefer the peace and quiet of being left to my own devices, but I have a fresh perspective of family and friends and of how important it is to let them into my little domain on occasion. Psalm 90:10 tells me that "the days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away." I will be sixty-five in September. I can reasonably expect to live five to fifteen more years. How much better to live those years connected... to family... to friends... and to my Savior.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
"Mother please! I'd rather do it myself!"
Does anyone besides me remember the old Anacin commercials? This one was for Headache #45. "Mother please! I'd rather do it myself!" My Mother and I used to break the tension between us with that line. As I recall, we did that quite often!
Last week, after I finished the quilt top for Graham's quilt, I decided to try to find someone who would sandwich and quilt it for me, saving my back and legs the agony of working on the floor. I can't describe the feeling of dread that came over me as I envisioned that process. So I got the name of a quilter from the fabric store and inquired. She emailed back and said it would take 2-3 months for her to get to my quilt.
Sooooo. Plan A was out and I was now at Plan B. I had laid out the quilt layers on my dining room table in order to cut the back and batting and got the idea to just pin the quilt sandwich right there on the table. It took lots and lots of "smoothing" the layers, but I was able to sit in a chair and do the actual pinning and saved my back days of misery.
So here I am, doing it myself, and taking my time, although it will definitely not take 2-3 months! I hope I can get it ready for the binding by tomorrow. The colors are so vibrant. I think it will be a very pretty quilt and long enough for Graham's six foot frame.
As part of my planning for our September tour of Maine, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, I searched the internet one night and ordered lots of free maps and travel brochures for the places we'll visit. Besides the cooler temps, we are really looking forward to some fresh Atlantic seafood. I read that the oysters in Charlottetown, PEI, are the best in the world! And we will have a down-home Lobster bake in Bar Harbor the first night out. I'm thrilled at how much free reading material I was able to pick up.
So we're at "29 days and counting" till we meet Bill at the DFW airport and fly to Boston. All the hotels will have internet service in the rooms, so I'm looking forward to posting pictures as we go. I've already primed my little red mini computer with photo folders for each day we're there!
Meanwhile, we will celebrate Adrian on his third birthday in a little over a week. Can't believe how quickly the time has flown by. But then, I'll be 65 when we come home from Canada! I guess growing older is something that I have to do for myself!
Last week, after I finished the quilt top for Graham's quilt, I decided to try to find someone who would sandwich and quilt it for me, saving my back and legs the agony of working on the floor. I can't describe the feeling of dread that came over me as I envisioned that process. So I got the name of a quilter from the fabric store and inquired. She emailed back and said it would take 2-3 months for her to get to my quilt.
Sooooo. Plan A was out and I was now at Plan B. I had laid out the quilt layers on my dining room table in order to cut the back and batting and got the idea to just pin the quilt sandwich right there on the table. It took lots and lots of "smoothing" the layers, but I was able to sit in a chair and do the actual pinning and saved my back days of misery.
So here I am, doing it myself, and taking my time, although it will definitely not take 2-3 months! I hope I can get it ready for the binding by tomorrow. The colors are so vibrant. I think it will be a very pretty quilt and long enough for Graham's six foot frame.As part of my planning for our September tour of Maine, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, I searched the internet one night and ordered lots of free maps and travel brochures for the places we'll visit. Besides the cooler temps, we are really looking forward to some fresh Atlantic seafood. I read that the oysters in Charlottetown, PEI, are the best in the world! And we will have a down-home Lobster bake in Bar Harbor the first night out. I'm thrilled at how much free reading material I was able to pick up.So we're at "29 days and counting" till we meet Bill at the DFW airport and fly to Boston. All the hotels will have internet service in the rooms, so I'm looking forward to posting pictures as we go. I've already primed my little red mini computer with photo folders for each day we're there!
Meanwhile, we will celebrate Adrian on his third birthday in a little over a week. Can't believe how quickly the time has flown by. But then, I'll be 65 when we come home from Canada! I guess growing older is something that I have to do for myself!
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