June birthdays . . .

Someone said this was almost like Christmas!  waiting for little Bella or little Audri to open a package and Papa to read cards and discover the gift card.  The afternoon was fun.  Most of the family was around to watch and enjoy.  There were gifts galore. 

And, maybe not a part

 of the traditional birthday photo shoot, it was.

It was a part of the birthday shoot. 

You look good in that vibrant sombero!

Good pic and Happy 32nd birthday!

home grounds

the south garden. 

This is mostly the Veggie Garden.

orange day lilies

in what I call the cottage garden.

the cottage garden

with little chairs and fish and latterns and beaded trees. 

I can't choose a favorite! 

Thank goodness, my life doesn't depend on it! 

Writer's Block

Don't know what happened.  For years.  And years.  And years!  I wrote a weekly letter.  Then I blogged and still wrote a weekly letter.  Then Facebook came along.  Now I don't write letters and I don't blog.  Is there a connection?  Do I keep in touch with everyone, know what they are doing through Facebook so that I'm not motivated to write and blog?  I have been thinking on this subject and trying to analyze what is going on. 

I think that maybe email and Facebook has removed the motivation to write.   I know I still want to write down events and recollections and memories so that they will be there when I need reminded -- will be there when I want to reminisce.  I'm so glad I have my dad's written memories and stories and that makes me think I want to leave my writings behind for my posterity.

On the other hand, I just wonder if I've gone through a dry spell.  I hope this is the case as I really did enjoy putting my thoughts, memories and opinions into the written medium.  I'm hoping the block that has kept me from writing, dissolves so that I can take up where I left off.

I have a need to record Bella and Audri's toddlerhood as I did the first five.  Years down the line, they will read the letters and entries about the older grandchildren and will wonder why Nana didn't write about them.  I want them to know I enjoyed their babyhood and toddler's years as much as the older five. 



Somewhere I have read that an author just has to "write through" a writer's block.  So that's what I'm going to try.  If you read a lot of drivel and boring stuff on here, just remind yourself that Nana is trying to "write through" that block.  There will be better days ahead!

On the other hand, maybe if I were just to clean off this desk and clear away some distraction, the writing might come easier? 





Today's the day the Little Ones had their Picnic!

If you go out in the woods today
You're sure of a big surprise.
If you go out in the woods today
You'd better go in disguise.

For every bear that ever there was
Will gather there for certain, because
Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic.

Beneath the trees, where nobody sees
They'll hide and seek as long as they please
Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic

The little teddy bears are having a lovely time today.
Watch them, catch them unawares,
And see them picnic on their holiday.
See them gaily dance about.

 They love to play and shout.
And never have any cares.
At six o'clock their mommies and daddies
Will take them home to bed
Because they're tired little teddy bears.

If you go out in the woods today,
You'd better not go alone.
It's lovely out in the woods today,
But safer to stay at home.

For every bear that ever there was
Will gather there for certain, because
Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic

Every teddy bear, that's been good

Is sure of a treat today

There's lots of wonderful things to eat

And wonderful games to play

Bella Bu!  You get down right now!

Beneath the trees, where nobody sees

They'll hide and seek as long as they please

Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic

Birthday Girls

Can you believe it?  12 and 8 years.  These girls are 12 and 8.  Really, it seems just like yesterday that Morghan was on the way and now she's 12 and Maddie Mae, 8 years. 

It is really true.  The older you get, the faster time goes . . . and I want it to slow down so I can enjoy and savor and wallow in my grandchildrens' youth.  

All of them.  Forever and a day.  Until they are married and have children of their own.  So I'm going to live until I'm a crotchety old Nana, at 99.  I've got the crotchety down, PaPa says.  So now I've got to stay young at heart and strong in body.  Those two attributes are works in progress. 

Morghan's cake had the appropriate amount of Bling for a girl of Morghan's age and nature.  Madeline's cake was adorable but I chose this photo because she was so pleased with the money in her card.  She truly wasn't expecting that money.  She was totally surprised and greatly appreciative of the money in her card.  And yet, I think she gets her age in dollars in her card every year.  Sweetie. 

Tony had a birthday too and now we are looking towards June . . . three in June and one in July and several in August.  We've got much to look forward too . . . and much to celebrate.  and much to be thankful for. 

And I do and we will and I thank the Lord for kind and generous children and their spouses who give of their time and good will and lively, healthy, appreciative grandchildren -- and good health and good times and good fortune . . . for us all. 

                                                                          clink, clink . . . Cheers!

                                                                                              love, Nana

bits and pieces

 I love the little bits and pieces I find or have delivered to me by little folks.

I love the creativity. 

Imagination and free forming thinking is alive and well in this young generation!

Even before they can write, they create. 

Brother Gary gave me this little autograph from my Gramma Mattie so it would be kept and treasured.  Gramma had great penmanship and I do treasure her signature.  That's not Gramma in the photo tho -- that's her In-Laws.  They are Austins.

Little boys are more prone to leave me pictures of things . . .

cars and dinasaurs and space rockets and such. 

I love this!  I want that discount! 

Imagination runs rampant in little boys sometimes, especially with dinasaurs and outer space and air planes.

This note, tho, breaks my heart.  I found this in Mom's room at the nursing home and recognize the handwriting.  It is my Mama's for sure.  I imagine this was one of the last times she was able to write her own name.  But I know she's well and strong and practicing her penmanship again!  For the last month, I have smelled cigarette smoke.  At first I wondered.  Why?  What is going on.  Am I losing it?  I think I've figured it out.  It must be Dad's way of letting me know that all is well and that Mama's back in his arms again. 

PS:  is that cigarette smoke again . . .

                                                                          signed, Call Me Crazy

Go Look It Up!

Even with spell-check and my favorite old standby, that big blue book I was always sending you to as a child, the Webster's NewWord Dictionary with Student Handbook at my left elbow, I still skip over to Dictionary.com occassionally.  I did the other evening, just to double check my definition of "consternation".  I knew how I used it.  I knew how I wanted to use it . . . just thought I better look that up real quick because once in a while, some word I think I know, I don't. 

While I was at Dictionary.com, I noticed they post a little quick question at the top of each page . . . and it hooked me.  I fell Hook, Line and Sinker and off I went surfing for 20 or 30 minutes not accomplishing much of anything but sure enjoying myself as I learned some new tidbits.  I think I only really knew the answer to one of these questions.  Here they are.  I hope you enjoy perusing these as well as I did! 




1) Did you know: Emma, the No. 2 most-popular girl's name, is a version of what less well-known name?

2) Did you know:  Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis is our longest word. What does it mean?

3) Did you know: Dr. Seuss actually has a real name, and it does have a slightly wacky feel to it.

4) Did you know: You look for a Web page and it says "Error 404 Not Found." What do the numbers mean?

5) Did you know: If sleep walking is somnambulism, what is it called when you talk in your sleep?

6) Did you know: Is there a word for the individual prongs of a fork ?

7) Did you know: What does the "X" stand for in x-ray?

8) Did you know: What's the technical term for couples who call each other names like honey bunny?

9) Did you know: Scrabble is a fun game, but what is the not-so-fun definition of "to scrabble?".

10) Did you know: Pakistan, Afghanistan. What does the -stan at the end of so many countries mean?


Dictionary.com's answers are below.  If you don't like the answer, take it up with the Dictionary! 


1) Emma:  a form of Erma

2) Pneumonoultramicroscopics etc! . . . A facetious word alleged to mean 'a lung disease caused by the inhalation of very fine silica dust' but occurring chiefly as an instance of a very long word." [OED]

3) Dr. Seuss:  Seuss, Dr.,  pseud. of Theodor Seuss Geisel

4) four-oh-four definition or 404:  the answer to your question is unknown; the location you seek is unknown. (From the internet message: Error - 404 that is received when the internet cannot find the address you are seeking.) Q: Where's the kitchen? A: 404. You'll have to find it yourself.

5) Som*nil"o*quence\, n. The act of talking in one's sleep; somniloquism.


6)  tine:  a sharp, projecting point or prong, as of a fork. (hey, I knew this one!)

7)  1896, translation of Ger. X-strahl, from X, algebraic symbol for an unknown quantity, + Strahl (pl. Strahlen) "beam, ray." Coined 1895 by Ger. scientist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen (1845-1923), who discovered them.

8)  hy·poc·o·rism   /haɪˈpɒkəˌrɪzəm, 1. a pet name. 2. the practice of using a pet name.  3. the use of forms of speech imitative of baby talk, especially by an adult.

9)  1. to scratch or scrape, as with the claws or hands. 2. to grapple or struggle with or as if with the claws or hands. 3. to scrawl; scribble.

10)  -stan
"country," source of place names such as Afghanistan, Pakistan , etc., from Persstan "country,"  (well, I guessed "land" so I was close this time!)


Let me see, better double check a few:  peruse:  to read through with thoroughness or care: to peruse a report.  I do know this word and use it -- it just always seems wrong! 

Whoa!  Hook, Line and Sinker!  Dictionary.com, Ask.com and the Thesaurus all turned their noses up at "hook, line and sinker!  They declined to divulge.  So I Googled the expression and came up with an answer at thefreedictionary.com -- Hook, Line and Sinker:  Etymology: based on the idea of a fish so hungry it swallows the hook (the part that catches the fish), the line ( the string) and the sinker (a weight attached to the line to keep it under water)

Disbelief

I am shocked and filled with consternation that no one has commented, scolded, protested or other wise noticed my new photo header! 

Guess you all knew I was trying to start a hallabaloo, didn't you?

Erica Jo Hofmeister Frey, 3-2-1973

7 lb 3 oz newborn baby girl, Erica Jo

                                                                                                                                                                                      

Erica was a smiley, good natured baby.

Mama wasn't a very good photographer

but I probably had Kristy on my left hip

while I took the photo with my right hand.

And don't you just want to kiss them fat cheeks

or tickle that fat little neck!

Josi, maybe a bit of a hot rodder!

Josaphina, a potential rock star

She was Gramma's little puddin'

A natural curly headed cutie who took care of business!

Mischievious, with a twinkle in her eye. 

She grew lovely, tall and dark headed; got married and had a family.

May all your days be as happy as this one.

Happy Birthday, Erica Jo!

Many more!

Love, Mom

7 Wonders

Valentine's Day Card

Himself and I have struggled over the years to get the gift giving, the special occasions down so we know what the other wants and expects for a certain holiday or special occasion.  I reminded Himself recently that for Valentines Day, I really only need a nice Valentines card.  It could be boughten, it could be home made, but I just needed a heart-felt Valentines Day Card.

About 10 am Monday morning, here came our office manager Deb with a box and these were inside, vase and all. 

Twelve beautiful fresh red roses.  They are just getting more beautiful by the day.

Written inside the accompanying card that says "happy valentine's day" on the outside, is "here is your card!!" 

Wow, what a card! 

I love you too!  your "girl"