Grandkids are the best!

And we are fortunate to have six now!

The newest addition is Jake (Jacob Francis if you want to get formal), born on October 22, 2007 weighing in at 8 lbs. 4 oz., 20 1/2 inches tall!

I took his Great Grandmother to visit him the day after he was born...something she was looking forward to...and deserved to do!

I think the photograph says it all.

Some musing on doctors and their offices....

Another 'Mom Day' today which was supposed to be a routine check up at the cardiologist's office for her Pacemaker. Our appointment was 11 am, and we got there about 10:35. Dropped Mom off in the lobby and went to find a legal parking spot in this busy neighborhood. After parking in a 2 hour limit zone, figuring I'd have PLENTY of time, I proceeded to get mom up to her doc's office.

At 11:25 we were finally called back for mom's Echo-cardiogram (which was the first we heard of THAT). After that, we waited another little while for her to be seen by the Cardiologist. By now it was 11:50. He goes thru his exam in between interruptions, everything is fine, no changes since last exam 4 months ago, yada, yada. Great...now we can get the Pacemaker checked out and be on our way.....NOT.

My dear Mom, bless her heart, proceeds to go up the Mississippi and back with the Cardiologist about HER THUMB getting numb sometimes and her arm hurting her since she had a benign tumor removed last year. Now, in MY humble opinion, I think the numb thumb is from using the cable remote as much as she does...HaHa.

The sore arm...well he stands there trying to figure out what it could be and finally decides that maybe she should see a Rheumatologist and possibly get some shots in the joint. So he proceeds to call a friend of his (I swear they are all in this together) who says 'sure, let her come in at 1:30 and we'll take a look'.

So, she finally gets the pacemaker checked...she has 97 more months left on her battery...that would bring her to the ripe old age of 96 before we have to worry about that. And we are out of there just in time not to get a parking ticket.

So, now we have an hour to kill before seeing the Rheumatologist in Center City, so I have her come with me to my Chiropractor (gee, I love that guy). While I'm getting MY back adjustment, I'm telling him about Mom's arm. He asks what her main complaint is, and I tell him she has pain when lifting her arm. He immediately says "Teres Minor muscle...let me look at her"

Well, to make a long story short, he feels her back, finds the trigger point, manipulates the muscle, and Lordy Lordy...Mom can move her arm again...and without pain! He wants to see her again next week to make sure it's taken care of. Needless to say, I call the Rheumatologist to cancel the appointment, they tell me they never heard of her.

Oh well, I guess I just saved her HMO about $5,000 by NOT taking her.

I swear...they are all in this together! Another day in the life of me.....

A day of leisure....almost.

Well, Jim left this morning for a couple days in Brigantine with his childhood friend Bill Parker.

I thought not having him around would allow me some time to get a lot of things done for my annual craft fair.

The only thing I really got done was to package and label this gorgeous Mocha Latte Body Whip.

I spent the rest of the day puttering around and watching a movie...took advantage of the solitude! As much as I love my husband, I love him even more as I'm watching him walk out the door.

Tomorrow is another day, and what didn't get done today....well...it will get done eventually. I've got a little over 2 weeks to finish. I've got tons of soap made...it was a productive summer soap-wise. On tomorrow's agenda, after I take my mom to her cardiologist appointment, is a large batch of whipped Shea Butter. Then the last two products I have to make, and I'll make them next week so they are fresh is my facial serum and the perfume roll-ons.

I'm really looking forward to the fair...my work buds are the best!

Another year older...

No, that's not me...that's my 94 year old Aunt Helen (r), being cheered on by her little sister Martha (l)...my own dear Mom. We celebrated her birthday Easter Sunday at my daughter's house.

However, this is the first day of my 59th year. Yes, I turned 58 yesterday, where have the years gone?
Three children and 5 grandchildren (6 come Monday) later and I am finally starting to feel as though my life is fulfilled.

With these years comes responsibilities...responsibilities which are mine alone...responsibilities which sometimes take such a toll that I don't think I can keep up with them myself. But with the help of my children and my husband, another year passes with the burdens somewhat lessened by their love and support.


I am also lucky enough to still have my wonderful Mom here with me. 88 years young and still such a huge part of our lives.
Just seeing her smile and watching her interact with her 5 great-grandchildren is enough to make anyone happy. She's just a big kid at heart when it comes to them..."Biggie...come out to play?" an oft-heard sound from the deck when the kids are at the mountain house...and she eats it right up!

While her and Auntie's 3 hour supermarket trips (more than 20 bags between the 2 of them) are not one of my favorite things to do...as long as it makes them happy, I'm happy. What DO they do with all that food?

Keep on keeping on, ladies...Geez, if I have your genes, I'll be blogging for at least another 30 years! Thank you for all you've given me!

Now...off to make some soap & potions!