Mantra

Drama swirls. 

Remembering this ... again.

Trying to infuse it into my bones this morning.

I so miss posting here on my blog. I simply don't have the extra energy. Surgerys (minor). Chemo. Doctor visits and visits and visits. Packing. Bankers, lawyers, CPAs, real estate agents, mortgage lenders, endless emails. 

So much got squeezed out of our charmed life ... to build the next chapter, the next season, the next adventure.

Thus, the mantra:

Life is good. 

Life is good.

Life is good.

Lashing Out

I had the supreme pleasure of babysitting our little grandson yesterday. He fell asleep in my lap.

Glorious

Our first three morning glory blossoms popped open this week.

Before long, our entire back fence will be covered in them. I hope I'm here to see them.

Looks like we might be moving to a single level house closer to Jodie this year.

Part of me thinks it's a grand idea. Part of me wants to stay here.

A Julie Gem

 As I decluttered the sock box in my closet, I came across this pillow/sachet gift.

Considering the date, it was very likely a handcrafted Easter gift. These were some of Julie's first efforts in hand sewing and embroidery. Finding it again warms my heart.

It's approximately 4" x 6", made of a gauzy-ish fabric, stitched with a single strand of brown sewing thread, stuffed with polyester fiberfill. 

What a precious gift from my "11-1/2" year old daughter.

Mimi-Abby Time

Jodie and Kenny received some much needed rest and recouperation while I had a couple hours with Abby at their neighborhood park. This little two year old is such a joy!

On our walk to the park, she named the colors of each flower we walked by.

She took quite a bit of time following a bee who was flying from dandelion to dandelion. She'd bend w-a-y over and remind herself, "Don't touch!" even though she kept reaching out.

Take off! 

She liked blowing the seeds of the ripened dandelions, too.

We played on slides and the rock wall and the ladder and the twirling pole and the bouncing bug. We counted holes in the play structure's platform. We went from tree to tree, finding big sticks. She paraded around with the stick that was even taller than she is.

But her favorite thing to do at the park is to play in the sandbox. I helped her form a forest of sticks ... which she counted as she pulled them out and tossed them.

Dale and I are incredibly blessed to live near this little sparkle girl. The sun and the outdoor play were good for both of us. Mommy said Abby was well worn out and took a good nap that afternoon.

Charmed Life: Egg Hunt

Dale and I spent Easter morning with Jodie's family. Ken made a wonderful yummy brunch of French toast, homemade berry compote, bacon, scrambled eggs, and sausage. Afterwards,  two year old Abby opened her Easter basket. That was followed by an Easter egg hunt in the backyard.

She found over two dozen eggs! (Isn't that the cutest sweater? Jodie crocheted it for her!)

It's a chemo week for Dale, so he tired out after a few hours and we headed home early. 

But look what our sweet neighbor boy left for us on our threshold!

We still live a charmed life! ❤️

Saturday Scenes: Shotgun Creek

Guest blogger Jodie here!

Some days are harder than others. Unfortunately, I've been having a string of harder days. Last week I had a morning that was tough enough that I got stuck. Mom and Dad asked what they could do to help, and all I could think was, "I just want to go for a long drive."

They said, "We can make that happen!"

The three of us drove north of Springfield on one of my favorite country drives. Something you should know about me: I'm a sucker for brown road signs. Those are the ones that point you to recreation areas and scenic views. I remembered that one of my favorite brown signs on this road points to Shotgun Creek Recreation Site.

This area is mostly designed for people to have thrill rides on their ATVs. But our adventure was up, up, up into the mountains to Cascade View.

For a slow five miles we drove through forest in all its states: lush with ferns, burnt from wildfire, logged, and regrowing. As we climbed, we even passed through a dense cloud. Finally, we made it up as high as we could go, and our reward was an incredible view point.

We marveled at how far we could see - at least eight ridges deep. I joked that even Bob Ross wouldn't dare to paint a mountain scene with that many ridges. I've been there before, but I never get tired of it. And the journey was all the more special because I got to share it with my parents.

Some days are harder than others... but this long drive and distance vision gave me the perspective I needed to press on.

* Note from Margaret:

            It helped Dale and me, too! Time with Jodie is time well spent. 

            Jodie plus wilderness? Bonus points!

Life Update

It has been a month!

Dale and I had a number of events shake our life and rattle our hearts recently.

1. Our eldest is in the midst of a major life transition. Their health is in flux as well as a change in job status. As parents, Kit's struggles are hard to watch. But as a capable adult, the cascade of changes are being managed. Our job now is to give Kit space, support the progress, and keep from offering unwanted advice.
   
   
   
2. The entrance into the world of our first grandson was heightened by some challenges in utero. Born full term but two weeks before expected, Gabriel is tiny and beautiful and thriving now. Our daughter Jodie is recovering well from the surgery of helping her baby out the "sun roof."
   
   Unfortunately, the baby shower I was hoping to host was cancelled.
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Dale felt unwell for a couple weeks, then became a resident of the North Springfield Resort and Spa (aka our local hospital) for 8 days. Throughout his stay, he charmed every member of the staff with his sincere kindness, cooperation, and patience.
   
   He came home two days ago with a drain in his side and a likely life-changing challenge. We hope to get a firm diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment plan next week. His tenderheartedness and gentle humor never flag. Though he is the patient, he remains my rock and steadying force on this path.
   
   
   
4. With a change in our Medicare plan in January, I'm having difficulty procuring one of my prescriptions which helps me manage my mental health condition. That condition is currently under stress (understatement). Dale's forbearance, persistence and diplomacy with our providers is helping to solve that problem. It's a waiting game.
   
   
   
5. Then on January 25th, I learned that my favorite co-worker and friend from my years working in the children's library in SoCal died last December. The news took my breath away. I grieve that loss.
   
   
   
6. Yesterday we smelled natural gas in our home's entryway. A kind, efficient, capable and professional young man from the gas company found a leak in our furnace. We'll be without that heat source until February 12th. But the gas technician got the fireplace working so we can stay warm through these frosty, foggy nights.
   
   
   

So!

It's been weeks full of challenges with more hiccups ahead of us. Our mantras?

"Follow the science"

"Look for the helpers"

"Be kind to yourself"

"Better together"

Through it all, our sympathetic, thoughtful, gracious neighbors became better friends. They each use their gifts, knowledge, talents, and compassion to help us with particular problems. We so appreciate their generosity and ongoing support. It seems we've become the neighborhood grandparents now, receiving the help of the next generations.

Any kind thoughts you can breeze our way are most appreciated. Please know that even if we don't acknowledge your messages right away, we are touched by them. It's simply ... we're a bit distracted right now.

In between doctor visits, Dale and I plan to continue sitting side-by-side with Puzzles and Podcasts, taking country rides in the convertible with the top down this Spring, short visits to parks, an easy geocache or two, and stopping to appreciate the sunsets each evening from our backyard vantage point. We still get to live some of our small dreams.

All in all, it's a good life.

~ Margaret

Forget-Me-Not Bookmark

A little something I stitched.

When solemn sighs the hollow wind,

And deepen'd thought enraps the mind;

If e'er thou doest in mournful tone,

E'er sigh because thou feel alone,

Or wrapt in melancholy prone,

                                             Forget me not.

~ from Forget Me Not by Ann Plato

For my daughter who suffered a tiny tot of a sorrow this year. 

She can use this bookmark and know that I care about her recovery.

A Return to Garment Construction

Though I do all kinds of crafts and needlework and sewing, it's been a while since I've jumped back into making clothes. But I have an excellent excuse to do some sewing now. Our Jodie is ready for some maternity dresses.

She bought a pattern online that we printed out and taped together. Since I'm out of practice and it's a new pattern, we decided to make a "muslin" first ... make a dress from inexpensive fabric (in our case, some old curtains from our Post Falls house!). Usually, muslins are finished just enough to check fit and make alterations, but not actually worn.

The first thing we needed to change was the neckline and shoulder slope. I turned the jewel neckline into a V neckline. Then I drafted a neck facing instead of using a bias binding as called for in the pattern.

I sewed the rest of the dress together and had Jodie try it on. More alterations were needed. The pocket placement was far too low. The front was still too big, so needed to be narrowed.

Even though we didn't make this muslin to be worn, Jodie thought she might as well wear it anyway -- at least around the house. It's pretty sheer so she'll put a tank top and bike shorts or slip underneath.

I made a pleat in the front of the bodice and sewed buttons in place for decoration.

To make the "real" dresses, we bought some sheets at a thrift store. The color is quite pretty. The fabric was awful to work with. It was some kind of poly-blend that was very soft to the touch, but frayed terribly. I relearned a few sewing techniques along the way, including a seam finish, interfacing at the neckline, under stitching, and stitch-in-the-ditch.

I made this dress with the new pattern alterations. The top fits much better now and the pockets are almost in the right spot. It's wearable, anyway.

I'll be making at least one more dress from this pattern out of more thrifted fabric Jodie chose. And possibly a matching dress for Abby.

Our Granddaughter's Missing!

Jodie sent a frantic text:

Abby's our cheeky little gal!

Never Too Early

On your mark ...

Get set ...

We're no where near "GO!" But we've done the planning to make it easier on our heirs.

Now Dale and I are both emotionally drained.
We're glad to have these steps finished, but it was difficult.

Bonus: It completes one of our 25 Goals in 2025!

What's for Lunch?

It's not every day that's National Junk Food Day ...

But when it IS National Junk Food Day, pizza rolls, Cheetos, Nilla wafers, lemon iced tea and Gummy Nerds are on the menu. (My guts are begging me for fruit and veggies now).

It's also Global Hug Your Kids Day. So I spent some time with Jodie and Abby doing just that.

Berry Sweet

by guest blogger, my daughter, Jodie Delsere

Sometimes, when Abby goes down for her nap, Mimi and I take on a project. Often this looks like some household to-do that can’t get to-done with a toddler underfoot. But today we needed a boost, so we painted some rocks.

I planted four new strawberry plants this year. I eagerly watered and watched as the first bloom turned into a fruit. And just when it turned perfectly ripe… a squirrel took a big chunk out of it. So Mimi offered her stash of rocks and paints to make strawberry look-a-likes that deter all manner of scavengers so I can keep more fruit for my morning parfait.

Mimi and I always find ways to add a little extra magic to our time together. You’ll note evidence of delicious chocolate milkshakes, plus “Baby TV” in the background. (Our favorite programming is watching my daughter snoozing through her baby monitor.)

As we painted we noted some of the ways we do the same project differently. Some lines narrower, others bolder. Some seeds clustered, others more sparse. But when grouped together, they all look like family. Go figure.

Sometimes craft supplies take Mimi to a time and place. She informed me that this can of spray seal was purchased when she lived in an apartment in Coeur d’Alene before I was born. It’s seen many hundreds of beautiful projects pass through her studio.



Time to place the strawberries in their patch. I’m particularly fond of this upside-down one.

They’re all in place! The birds and squirrels and bugs don’t know what they’re in for.



As always, Mimi and I find a way to make our time together berry, berry sweet.

My Heart Broke Open

Being a grandma is great.

Being Mimi is the best!

Isn't It Grand!

Dale and I had the distinct privilege of spending the holiday weekend with these two beauties. Their parents, Julie (daughter) and Jeff (son-in-law) celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary. (Already!)

We also celebrated Miss Melody's 8th birthday

while little sister Annalee did her best to be a good sport.

Dale and I got to have the kids all to ourselves at the park where I consented to climb the playground equipment with them - and went head first on my back down the slide. Going down was easy. But I was a bit like a turtle resting on its shell as I tried to get myself upright again. The kids thought that was pretty funny.

Follow Our Geotrail! - Part 3

Here are the final photos from our birthday/Mother's Day geocache outing. Geocaching is the ideal sport / game for us!

A surprise along the way ... this gnome lives in a hollow tree.

Cache of the Day - a pirate themed cache! It earned a Favorite Point from me.

Cap'n Pete's Hidden Treasure

This guy hung around in the trees, guarding the treasure chest.

Jodie found a travel bug

And so did I! 

And finally, a heart charm came home with me after I exchanged some swag.

It was a lovely, lovely, lively day outside in nature with two of my favorite people in the world.