Of Rings and Things...

So I've been thinking about family a lot the past few days. Grandfather William's big adventure meant family time together -- and time to sort through "things". I'm big into "things". I have a few new ones now -- the cookie jar that my Grandmother received as a wedding shower gift that occupied the same kitchen shelf for 60 years. A cross-stitch I made for them of the lighthouse in Cape May -- the one behind our wedding pictures -- the beach they loved so much. Even Joe returned to our house with "Kennedy for President" bumper stickers he peeled very carefully from the inside of the closet door in my Mother's childhood bedroom.

It is the little things that often bring back the biggest memories.

Take these rings, for instance. My Mother came home with them in a sandwich bag. They are the wedding rings that belonged to her Grandmother and then eventually my Grandmother, and now my Mom. I was struck by how much they look like mine. One set purchased in the 1920s. Another in the year 2000. Same rings. Same size. Different generations.

My Grandma left behind volumes and volumes of scrapbooks with rows of pictures titled and dated in an orderly fashion. Same scrapbooking idea. Same attention to detail. Different generations.

I look around my family and I see myself. I look around my family and see the future for my own daughters. I look at those rings and I see the hands that used to wear them. I see them very clearly. Different generations. Forever tied together.

Zoo Day

Gammy C's whirlwind visit to the Northeast ended with a trip to the Philadelphia Zoo today. We braved "killer drizzle" as we call it in the Accuweather world -- and were rewarded with great visits with tigers, penguins, turtles and more.

Gammy posed with the girls in front of the corporate balloon. And leave it her to find a Starbucks inside the Zoo! (She says she just follows those green circles...)

Grandfather William.

We spent time today with Grandfather William. Here he is with Gabriella -- as she brought him one thing after the other from his own house. Sunday is a big day for him -- he is leaving that house for a new life adventure in Texas.

As hard as it will be to leave what is so familiar -- it will be no time at all before he has found all the Democrats and is debating whether or not "we" will ever take back the House. He'll be serving up afternoon martinis -- okay martini -- since the Doctor told him one a day was really sufficient.

Whatever you're drinking -- raise your glass in toast to Grandfather William. 87 years and still so much to do -- so much to think about it -- so many Republicans to convert.....

Cheers!

I Did It.

My first 5K. Well, not really my first. I've walked my way through quite a few -- often pregnant -- even more often with a jogging stroller. One hot summer morning I completed one 7 months pregnant and pushing a 1 year old and a 2 year old in the double jogger.

But this was different. It was my "public" running debut.

Running is a generous term. I call it jogging and trotting. But I got out there in public for a great cause -- as captain of our work team for the "Run 4 Your Life" to benefit Prostate Cancer. We did it because a dear colleague of ours is a Prostate Cancer patient. It was really the least we could do.

Joe did the race, too. He actually ran (!) as he tends to do. Finished 13 minutes ahead of me -- returned for his "cooldown" while I lumbered in the last quarter mile. 900 or so registered for the 5K part of the event -- I finished in the upper 400s -- that makes me a middle of the packer. Not entirely a bad place to be. Although I confess that at the halfway turnaround I said a quick prayer , "Please, God -- let there be people BEHIND me." There were. Thanks for that.

I am glad I did it -- I'm glad I actually CAN do it. Onward and upward and hopefully, one day, faster.

You may have heard that "slow and steady wins the race". In so many ways, on so many days, that couldn't be more true. Just pick your race.

Happy Father's Day...

Thanks for always getting a bowl of the soup instead of the cup so that we can all share.

Actually, thanks for sharing everything with your girls.

And for ordering a Harp for their Mommy.

Much love on Father's Day -- and always.

Another Donna Project...

I've been meaning for at least a week to post this little number from Donna Downey's Online Class. It's made from a "Sarabinder" -- a line of chipboard 3-ring binders in different sizes with coordinating pockets, papers, etc.

Really easy to pull together with last month's Little Red Scrapbook kit.

I'm using mine to corral all those snippets of information about the move -- utilities, connection dates, paint colors, etc.

If you've got "stuff" to keep together grab a Sarabinder and get busy!

"I, Gigi"

I was moved to do this today during nap time - between the 3 loads of laundry, marinating the chicken and supervising the painting at the kitchen table..

Journalling as follows:

"I, Gigi".

That’s what you told me today as we sat rocking and reading

after your nap. {I, Gigi} We were going over the pictures and

words in your book (again!) when we ventured in a different

direction. This is Mommy. This is RaRa. {I, Gigi} That simple

declaration took my breath away. You are old enough to be

aware of who you are. {I, Gigi} You’ve either picked a favorite

of the dozen or so informal nicknames you have or it is just THAT

much easier to say than Gabriella. {I, Gigi} Your vocabulary and

language skills are growing by leaps and bounds. This week you

added “Come On” to get us to follow you and you told Daddy very

clearly, “Don’t Want To” at bedtime. But something about {I, Gigi}

makes me realize just how grown up you are now at almost 2.

{You, Gigi. I, Mommy. } And I love you. June 2006

Freestyle!

Here is a little something I threw together the other night. A real change from my usual linear self. This is my interpretation of a scrapbooking phenomenon that is sweeping across the hobby right now. It's called FREESTYLE. Best I can figure, it is characterized by doodles, handwriting, white space, and a certain irreverance for traditional page organization.

So here it is -- with my apologies to the queens of this style -- the cute as pie Elsie Flannigan (www.elsieflannigan.blogspot.com) and the Freestyle Girls from Autumn Leaves (http://www.autumnleaves.com/freestyle/). Check those web sites if you want to see how FREESTYLE is really done!

Just a Quick Camp Update...

Things are going well for both little campers. My "projects" drawer is now overflowing with the artwork that's been coming home.

Sophia wasn't so sure about the drop-off yesterday -- but it's a no-nonsense operation and Mrs. Neuhard told her to keep going without me.

Here is the strangest thing -- the teachers tell me the girls don't interact at all while they are there! I( guess they play together enough at home. ) And they also tell me Francesca "holds her own" -- as if she were a veteran of these kinds of things.

Today is picnic day -- when you are 3 or 4 it is exciting to take a lunch bag and eat on a blanket. I'm anxiously awaiting the full report....

Another Happy Camper....

And so today -- little Francesca flew out of the nest for her first taste of independence. She is now officially at "summer camp".

I don't know who felt this milestone the most. Francesca -- who is now out in the world making friends and doing her own projects. Gabriella -- who has never had me alone to herself for two solid hours since her middle of the night wake-ups as an infant. Or me -- who cannot believe how easy it is to only drag one cantankerous toddler to the grocery store. It's almost like being on VACATION!!!

The first day was great for all of us. I'll let you know how day 2 progresses.

Hello, Muddah. Hello, Faddah....

Welcome to summer "camp" season. Today was the first day -- Sophia will be attending five mornings a week. Her sister sidekick will be joining her 3 of those days.

We made all the appropriate preparations -- bathing suits and towels and swim shoes in one bag -- change of clothes in another - another spare outfit in a box to be left at camp. Name labels ironed into everything. I'm glad we're not preparing for overnight camp! How long would that take???

She was glad to be back on her old stomping grounds. She said she made new friends. And she's already painting. (Last year we wouldn't have been surprised if they had slapped us with a paint surcharge due to excessive use of supplies.)

Camp is fancy and all -- but rest assured, the party hat is optional!