Not Much New

I know it's been a long time since I posted............but seriously, there isn't much to report on.  I have been working mostly full-time and visiting Aunt Peggy regularly, and visiting Gramma Grace less regularly.  Poppa has been keeping busy....

.... the little bathroom on the main floor used to be full of teddy bears - complete with teddy bear wallpaper...........

.... is now done is shades of grey - the same greys as the second floor bathroom and just a few bears - who are shown off to better advantage without all those bears on the wall - don't you think??  Oh yes Poppa got to put in a couple of his cardinals too - can you see them up on top of the cabinet?   And, that's not all Poppa has accomplished lately....

.... he has been diligently watering all his flower beds while the temperature has been soaring.  And, he has also....

.... been working on Poppa's Park.  The roses in the corner flower bed were not doing well, since that corner is too shady now for roses to flourish - all Poppa's trees have become full-grown and shade-producing!  That is a good thing for hot summer days, but not so great for some of the flowers he used to have there.  So....

... he re-vamped the former rose garden, which now looks like this!  Isn't it pretty?  And the bed where the irises used to be....

... now looks like this.  The plants in both these locations will be prettier next year when they've had time to grow and fill out... but right now they look really nice and are all shade friendly plants.  We're not sure about the petunias in the shade, but we wanted a little bit of colour until the other plants fill out a bit.  Of course....

.... the birds still have to share their bath with some pretty flowers, and.....

......... the garden table appears to be blooming!  Then to finish off your tour of the park... there is this.........

.... this flower bed is just the same as always, and....

......... the peonies are putting on a beautiful show.  Of course, the front of the house....

... is looking spiffy too - thanks to Poppa's hard work!  Me?  Well, as I said, I've been working.  I, unfortunately, abandoned my last project.  I wanted to do some repair work on a lacy jacket for Liz - but the damage turned out to be rather extensive, and I couldn't repair it to my satisfaction - so I decided it would be best not to tackle it.  So - instead - I made a pair of socks!  Are you surprised?  I bet you're not!  I have eight pairs in the sock bin now, and will soon put them up for grabs.  If you are already thinking of cool weather, consider getting a pair now!  I'll keep you advised.  I'm wanting to make a few more pairs - so you have a good selection to choose from.  The bears?  Well, they are staying indoors most of the time, since that hot weather and bright sunshine causes "fur-rot" and neither of them want to risk it!  So....

... Taffy put on a sundress (I know - a bit of a contradiction) on, and Squeegie..........

.... well... he's just hanging around hoping for cooler weather so he can go outside with Poppa!  There are....

.... strange things going on at work too, but this blog is long enough.... I'll fill you in on that in the next installment!

Following Our Lunch....

.... at Auntie Cecile's house (which was very good - did I already mention that??) we all converged on Gramma Grace's house.  Here we all are....

.... the two youngest - Auntie Marcia and Auntie Colleen - not necessarily in order - but I'm not even getting into that discussion - hee!

The next two - that would be Granny and myself.  And of course,

... the eldest of the bunch, Auntie Cecile - who convened the meeting as she has been bearing the brunt of the responsibility for Gramma Grace's welfare since Grampa Cecil died in 1997.  Although not all of the issues were resolved, we got a good start on them, and it was nice (I thought) to get us all together as it had been quite a while since we had that opportunity.  There was one little incident after the meeting was over....

..... I'm not sure which one was the instigator - but there seemed to be some intention of Taffy going home with Auntie Colleen instead of getting in the car with me!!!????  Needless to say, that did not happen!  While the meeting was going on....

... these dubious looking characters were out enjoying themselves at a Lions' Club golf tournament.  They are from left to right, Poppa (of course), Gramps (Granny's spouse), Uncle Mark (he belongs to Auntie Cecile) and a gentleman named Steve - who was the fourth player for their group.  According to Poppa they had a good time followed by an excellent dinner at the clubhouse.  Thank you to Uncle Mark for arranging that!  Granny and I had arranged to have breakfast together the following morning before they headed out on the long journey back to their house - and added to our pleasure in that outing.....

.......... Auntie Cecile joined us - as well as.....

.... the three guys of course!  We had lots of fun and I hope we can do it all again soon!

Family Affairs

A couple of weekends ago, me and all my sisters gathered for a "family meeting".  The topic of discussion was caring for Gramma Grace (our Mom) now that she is exhibiting more advanced signs of Alzheimers.  It is a stressful situation at best and of course with five sisters, there are lots of thoughts on the best way to deal with it.  As you have probably guessed, Gramma Grace has been in a retirement home since March of this year.  She repeats almost constantly that she wants to return home, but the professionals (gerontologists, physical therapist and family doctor) are of the opinion that is she were to return home, she would soon fall back into the same place she was during the winter.  It appears that she would "forget" to eat and drink, thinking she had just done so.  This inevitably led to major health problems, which we hope to avoid - she was to the ER on an average of twice a week for two months.  While the topic is still one of on-going discussion - I did enjoy the opportunity to have a get-together with all of my sisters.  Appropriately enough, we met at Gramma Grace's home - where the family moved into in 1959.

Some of us got together at Auntie Cecile's before the meeting............

......... when I arrived Auntie Cecile and Granny were in the kitchen working diligently.  Meanwhile.....

... Uncle Shaun and Auntie Colleen arrived.  I managed to get Granny to come into the living room....

.... long enough to get a photo of Granny and Gramps together.  Soon.......

............ the table was set up and looking lovely, the food was brought in and we all enjoyed a yummy lunch before heading out to the meeting.

Next Project.....

.... is just nicely started.  It currently looks like this.....

... not too helpful is it?  I'll leave you guessing until I at least get it under way.  The good news is.....

..... I have finished Liz's vest.  The detail doesn't really show up very well in the photo, I will try to get her to send me a picture when she is wearing it - I think that will work better!  Now....

... it is all packed up and ready to go!  It is a good job she is a patient person, because it seems to have taken a long time.  The plan was for me to work on it in Florida during the winter, but alas, I didn't have the correct size of needle and I couldn't find the quality of needle I wanted at any of the local shops.  So, I waited until I got home, and went to my favourite local shop where I knew I could get exactly what I needed.  So, I am very late getting that particular project finished.  I really hope she likes it when she finally gets it in her hands!

We stopped in to see Auntie Denise and Uncle Brian one evening recently.....

.... and found them all ready to retire for the night - and yet, still happy to see us and invite us in for a visit!   And.....

...... Auntie Colleen and & have been over several times to visit with Grandma Grace....

.... so we can see how she is doing, have a chat and admire the plants in the window.  Can you see the orchids????