The Relatives Came

It was 60 degrees the day after Thanksgiving...so we went to the school playground.  I hauled out my stroller for Zeke for the walk home.  The stroller was purchased when Matthew was a baby.  Still a nice stroller.  I saw Princess Diana's stroller in a magazine....and bought one just like it.

I had Pierre Deux purses like Diana and Hunter Boots like Diana and red flats with bows just like Diana.  A little kooky, I know.

Imagine my excitement over the newly engaged Harry and Meghan.  

I have been a huge fan of Suits and Meghan for years! 

What a remarkable thing.  

It's like a Hallmark movie come to life...but with really, really nice sets and wardrobe and hair and makeup and the very best flowers and REAL ROYALTY!

I'm so excited and happy for them.

The boys baked cookies with Bunka.

These boys will carry on the tradition of rolling out the cookies and decorating....cause I don't know how to do this part!

I rocked it with the knock-knock joke.

Knock Knock

Who's there?

Boo

Boo Who?

Don't cry!

A wonderful smile from a shy guy.

Katie's new pose.  Gone are the jazz hands.  

Lovely girls without makeup.

This is Emma's new pup, Harold. He is the boss.  Ginny was very sweet to him and showed him how to be a calm doggie.  He is a good boy...most of the time.  He brought some poop to Melinda and Emma on the couch one evening and we screamed....with laughter.  A memory we will never forget.

Matthew and Emma.  Sweet shot.

Come back soon Asher!

And everybody else!

Hope you had a wonderful holiday.  Count down to Christmas now.

Love ya!

Donna

Matthew's fine.

This summer was, let's say, complicated.

My prayer list grew as the days went by.

I usually jotted prayer requests down on a scrap of paper after a conversation or phone call

One day as I on my big computer I thought I would type up a nice prayer list and tape it on the bathroom wall.  Then I would remember to pray numerous times a day.

And there the list sat for two months.

Until September when Patrick and Emma came home for a visit.

Emerging from the bathroom, Patrick says, 'Hey, what about Matthew?"

(He is chuckling and has taken a picture of my list and immediately sends it to Matthew.)

I'm confused and wonder what he is talking about.

"The prayer list.  You are praying for everyone but Matthew."

Apparently Matthew had a good summer and I didn't add him to the list.

But oddly, everyone was there BUT HIM.

Now.  I know in my heart I love Matthew as much as all the other people on the list...

it's just...he's fine.  I don't feel guilt about this.

But the kids will not let me forget it.  

Later that day, I went to the bathroom.

Emma just could not stand that Matthew was not on the list.

and so she added him.

Dear God,

Please watch over Patrick and Shelby and Melinda and Katie and Emma and Matthew.

And thank you that Matthew is doing just fine.

Amen

Hygge. Huh?

As winter approaches with it's long dark nights and grumblings....

I wanted to offer a different perspective,

a happier, Danish perspective.

Last year I started hearing about Hygge.

(It is pronounced HOO-GA.)

It is an attitude.

A cozy, warm, gently lit, friendly attitude.

I think of it as slowing down and making the best of the ordinary days.

To me it is saying to myself, "Oh good, it's so nice and dark out, it's perfect for lighting candles and visiting and sitting by this fire with this blanket on my lap...and some cake and a book or a Hallmark movie with my knitting needles."

It's looking for the beauty and grace in the moment instead of dreading it.

This little page says it all.

I hope you can read it.

You know I don't like to be redundant.

I am trying to set up a little spot of coziness.  

I kind of already have one....or two.

But I think I need a little table to put books and candles and a bowl of soup.

But just thinking about this makes me feel calm inside.

Makes me want to pull up a blanket and turn down the lights and look out the window at the stars.

The book is full of nice ideas and statistics about light and candles and how the Danes look at life.

And honestly, it makes me a wee bit proud to be Danish.

Encourage one another,

Donna

                  

New York. Memories

Just a few more pictures of New York....

Did I share the lobster story?

Nice light on the Staten Island Ferry.

******

Today is Ezekiel's third birthday.

That was a cold November day.  I think it was four degrees.

Zeekie got a bicycle for his birthday.  

He and his brothers will go around and round the driveway next Spring.

Happy Birthday Buddy!

Three Candles on your cake.

Three kisses when you wake!

Love

Always,

Yaya

Out of retirement...so soon??

Happy Wednesday!


So....I have a new job.

The news of my retirement was greatly exaggerated.

I am now an Educational Assistant at the very same school
I will work 20 hours a week.
I do not start until 9:30am.
This is heavenly.

I do stand 85% of the time. Seventy-five percent of it outside.
So.
I have rosy cheeks and sore knees.

I know the fresh air and physical activity is very good for me....
I am thankful for that.

My quest now is to find a hat that I will wear in public.

I'll let you know what I come up with.

****

One year ago today Emma and I went to New York.
It was such a tremendous trip!

Katie's best friend won a trip to New York for two.
She invited Katie.
We said yes.
Then .....  we found out that Leonie's guest had to be 18.
Sad day.  Very sad day.
Leonie left yesterday with her mom.

(Apparently Leonie enters a lot of contests.  And what a neat trip to win!)

Washington Square Park is next door to NYU.

Photographic Impressionism

We loved 30 Rock

Take me back.

I am the luckiest.

Hey. Emma has a puppy!  She was allowed to get one in her apartment...because they like her...and the pup is smallish.

Pictures to come soon.

Lots of love.

Donna Elsie

Somehow, Some way....

Look at these adorable Minions/Grandsons!!!

7, 4 1/2 and almost 3.

This picture makes me so happy! 

It's the next best thing to being there. ;o)

***

But as I look at those faces (gooney eyeballs) this morning and I'm sad for families that are mourning,

(children who have lost their parents or parents that have lost a child).

It's too much.

Too often.

Somehow our country has to do better at dealing with these weekly terror attacks.

Somehow.

Some way.

Heaven help us

do the right thing.

Praying for comfort, and the wisdom that comes from God above.

Amen.

Encourage one another,

Donna

Where have you been?

Hi friends.  
I'm back.
Where have I been, you ask?
I have been working the hardest job of my life.
Friday was my last day.

I worked with great women...who worked so hard and did great work!
I feel guilty for leaving.  (And guilt is not really something I'm very familiar with...)
But leave I did.
It was a matter of quality of life.
I was useless to do anything else in a day besides this job.
Once I sat down on the couch I could not get up.
It was rough.

(I will continue to sub and hope to pick up a less stressful position.)



via GIPHY

This is me on Friday afternoon. :o)


*****

"November comes

And November goes,

With the last red berries

And the first white snows.

With night coming early,

And dawn coming late,

And ice in the bucket

And frost by the gate.

The fires burn

And the kettles sing,

And earth sinks to rest

Until next spring."

-  Elizabeth Coatsworth

All is well with the Booshays....

Katie is applying to colleges and is interviewing here and there.

Matthew, Melinda and crew will be coming here for Thanksgiving and I could not be happier.

How are you?

We FALL BACK tomorrow...so that will be nice....it's so very dark out there.

Have you heard of Hygge?

It's a Danish way of being....and we will talk about that this week....

K?

Miss you friends.

Love you 

Donna