Addy Mail

Dear Mom and Dad,

Grandma thought taking care of me was a piece of cake, so I gave her a little wake-up call - at 3:30 this morning. I couldn't find my binky, and since I was awake, I decided I needed a bottle and a diaper change. Grandma took it pretty well. We played for almost an hour before I decided to go back to sleep. I know she's hoping I'll sleep through the night tonight. Do you think I should?

We went to grandma's old work today. I got to see Aunt Wenona and Launa, who's 3 already (and who likes making silly faces). I met Milaun and Sandy, who both thought I was pretty cute. I was on my very best behavior, especially when Auntie Ree-Ree took me into Dispatch. Do you think I can get a job there when I grow up?

Grandma and Aunt Wenona took me to the yarn store. I had a good time talking to Launa and trying to pull yarn off the shelves. Such pretty colors! Grandma is hoping I got the 'yarn-gene', just like her. I missed my afternoon nap but I wasn't grumpy - I had too much fun today. But I think I'll go to sleep a little early tonight. I love you.

Addison

I Miss Daddy

Dear Mom and Dad,

I miss you but I'm still having fun. Remember how I wasn't sure if I liked Grandpa when I first got to California? We're big buddies now. He plays with me every morning and lets me watch the SciFi and Discovery channels with him. Grandpa makes really good bottles too, especially the ones with cereal.

I asked grandpa what a 'cruise' was and he tried to explain 'boats' to me. Grandma decided I needed to see for myself, so we went to Ventura Harbor tonight for dinner. Grandma let me have almost an entire french fry (she hopes you won't be mad - it was good.) I was more interested in playing with my toes and singing than in eating. Grandpa said he wishes he was this limber.

Then we went to see the boats. Grandpa told me that you are on a really big boat and are having a fun time. But how can you be having fun without me? (just kidding. I hope you are having a really good time.) Grandpa let me ride on his shoulders and I laughed so hard I almost fell off. It's a good thing he's had lots of practice holding onto babies. It was windy so I liked having my hood up. I told grandma that I'm a Colorado baby and didn't need the blanket but she insisted. Silly grandma. I like my new stroller; it's fun and comfortable and sounds like a race car when grandma pushes me.

When we got home it was almost my bed time. Grandma let me play on my blanket but I was really tired. Both my naps got interrupted today so I was just a little, bitty bit grumpy. I told grandma that it was because I miss my Daddy pillow. I only cried for a minute though. Grandma isn't as good as Daddy but I don't mind going to sleep while she's holding me.

Tomorrow we are going to the yarn store to visit Aunt Wenona. And maybe to grandma's old work to see Milaun and Sandy.

Love always,
Addison

For Rachel & John

Dear Mom & Dad, I am having a fun time at grandma's house. I woke up at 6:45 today. Grandpa fed me a bottle with cereal and then I played until it was time for my nap at 8.

Grandma finished my blanket last night, except for the border. I don't know what a border is but I guess I need one. When grandma showed it to me, I laughed and tried to grab it from her. I love all the bright colors.

I had a bath and got dressed in my best blue dress so we could go to the bookstore. I talked to lots of nice people who thought I was the cutest baby ever. And the best behaved . . . well, at least until I decided it was time to go home. But honest, I only made a little bit of noise. On the way home, grandma made me laugh so hard that I got the hiccups. That was funny too.

I fed myself dinner, with only a little help. Grandma was really proud of me - I ate 2 sticks of meat and almost an entire jar of fruit. Or I should say, she was proud until she found almost all the meat in my lap where I'd spit it out when she wasn't looking. I liked the fruit best; it made a really big mess on my face and hands.

I miss you and hope you are having a good time on your cruise.

Love always,
Addy

An Exciting, Exhausting, Very Fun Day

Yesterday was exhausting for little Addison. We went to the mall with Auntie Ree-Ree so mom could buy some last minute travel necessities and out to dinner with Uncle Matt. She wasn't sure if she liked this big guy who made funny faces until he shared his hat with her. Now she's a big fan. (Cell phone photos - sorry about the quality.)

While we waited at the mall, Addy had a great time throwing herself backwards, totally secure that Auntie Marie would catch her.

By this morning, Addy was too tired to fall asleep for her nap, even after a full night's rest. I think she also knew something was up; mom was leaving for her trip home as soon as Addy went to sleep. It took a little while, and tested grandma's baby-whispering abilities, but she finally gave up and slept for over three hours. And she's been great the rest of the day. Is there anything sweeter than a sleeping baby?

Addy +1

Nap time - Addy wasn't used to the new bed and started fussing at nap time. Within 30 seconds of Rachel laying down with her, Addy was fast asleep. Two minutes later, Rachel was asleep. And two minutes after that . . . grandpa was sound asleep. Does anybody know if naps are contagious?

The wedding shawl is done. The pattern is Flower Webs Table Topper by Josie Rabier from the book "Hooks-Only Crochet" edited by Carol Alexander. It took seven & a smidgen skeins of Debbie Bliss Pure Silk in Dusty Lilac #09 and a size "D" hook - and took up my entire blocking board when I pinned it out this morning. I'm happy with the results and Rachel seems to like it, which is really all that matters. Can't wait to see the wedding photos!

Addy's Here!

Addy and Rachel arrived safe and sound. Addy flirted with the passengers seated around her on the plane and then slept for most of the trip. This was her third flight; she's become quite the seasoned traveler. Addy was almost asleep when she heard the camera click - she was instantly wide awake and trying to pose. What a little ham.

Not His Best Day

Happy Matt . . . Not so happy Matt. . . Matt was jogging last night and stepped on a water meter cover that the city had thoughtfully placed in the middle of a sidewalk. Said cover wasn't bolted down (do you see where this is going?) and when our intrepid jogger stepped on it, he came to a screeching halt - very loud screeching and swearing, in fact. Good news? The doctor doesn't think the ankle is broken since no cracks showed up on the x-ray; it's probably just badly sprained. The bad news? At least one week off work, with his foot propped in the air. Definitely not one of his best days.

Shawl Update

I've finished 23 squares for Rachel's wedding shawl, 9 of them today. (My fingers are all tingly and numb and my wrists ache. Maybe I overdid it just a bit?) Only 4 squares and the border to go - in 3 days. Piece of cake.

Lazy Days

It's been too hot here to do much besides sit in an air-conditioned room and read - which is exactly how Dick & I have spent our day. According to the weather service, Camarillo hit a high of 93, and as of 6 pm it's still 86 outside. I love that our coastal climate stays mild most of the year; I really dislike these end-of-summer heat waves.

Friday we went shopping for Addy necessities. It's been a few years since we've had a baby in the house - my 'baby' is 18 now - and I'd forgotten just how much "stuff" you need for little ones. We started at a local baby-to-teen resale store that had been recommended, but ended up making the purchase at my favorite French store, Le Target.

High chair, stroller and bed. Check.

Dick was up early today and finished another section of tile before the heat got really bad. Tomorrow morning he plans to cut the pieces needed to fill in under the window and by the fireplace. Tuesday he'll grout this section. Wednesday it will dry (fast in this heat; see there is one benefit to the weather) and Thursday we'll move the furniture back into place. Thursday night Rachel and Addy arrive - perfect timing.

Red, White & Blue Weekend

In honor of Labor Day, here's a little red, white and blue.
This Stephanotis vine grows just outside my front window. It blooms almost year-round in our mild coastal climate and always reminds me of my mother; it was one of her favorite flowers. When mom passed away over 18 years ago, sister Donna dug this up from her yard and potted it. I inherited it when Donna downsized a few years later.

I have no idea what this flower is (anybody know?) Dick planted it at the edge of the fountain he built - and promptly tried to kill it with over-watering. The original leaves and stalks died but before he could yank it out, it started growing back. I love the color and how it dances in the breeze.

This is Miss Scarlett, my new Trailblazer. Dick has been researching cars for several weeks - he had the new car bug bad - to replace my beloved Tahoe. Big Red had almost 90,000 miles and it was time to let her go before she started having mechanical problems. Since the kids are mostly grown and we don't transport entire soccer teams anymore, we wanted something smaller - but not too small since it needed to pull Dick's boat and make regular runs to home improvement stores.

We drove two contenders today - Toyota Highlander (very nice), Ford Explorer (yuck) - before settling on the Chevy Trailblazer. It met the towing requirements and satisfied our desire to buy American-made.
I love new cars but I hate the process involved in buying them. The negotiating, arguing, dickering - the whole thing makes me crazy. Dick said he'd rather go to the dentist and I have to agree. But this time was different and much, much easier. Last night I sent an email to several local dealers, telling them what we were looking for and asking for their best price. Several responded and we were able to weed out those we were no longer interested in. (price too high, not in stock, refusing to give pricing info over the phone or Internet.)

When we got to Todey (that's Toddy) Chevrolet in Oxnard, we talked directly to the Internet/fleet manager (Bobby Underwood; if you go, tell him we recommended him) who had offered us $300 under invoice on any Trailblazer in stock, plus the current rebate. And that was the deal we got; no bait and switch, no high pressure tactics, no 'salesmanship' stuff - just a fair price on a new car. The dealership also gave us a fair trade-in amount on Big Red (that took a little negotiation, but nothing unpleasant).

We've purchased two other cars from Todey, including my favorite car-buying experience. When we bought Big Red, I'd called Todey and told the salesman the exact car we were looking for; we'd done test drives a few days before. When we arrived 15 minutes before closing on a Friday night, they had the car sitting ready for us to see, we agreed on a price, and drove off just 45 minutes later.

A pleasant car-buying experience. How novel.

It's Done . . . Sort of

The 12 blocks are done - all that's left is crocheting them together and doing the border. Piece of cake.

Square #11 is the Pineapple Granny by Priscilla Hewitt. I darkened the photo in an attempt to bring out the details; it's actually a light yellow with a purple border.

Square #12 is a variation on the Daisy Flower Charity Square by Krochet Krystal. Both squares are made with Bernat Cotton Tots and an "H" hook.

I played around with various configurations - lots and lots of configurations - before deciding to just sew the blocks together in the order that I made them. The last square is missing in this photo but it'll give you an idea what the final blanket will look like. (And you can see more details of the pineapple granny, sans border.) I'm using white to put the squares together and for the border. Seven days to go until Addy gets here!

#10

Thanks for all the feedback on Addy's blanket. About 10 last night I decided to go with my 'nag instinct' - if I left it this size, it would always nag me that it wasn't what it should have/could have been. So, I give you . . . Square #10. This is the Friendship Jewel Granny Square designed by Kimberly Andrew. It took just over 2 hours to make using Bernat Cotton Tots and a size "H" hook. I liked the center section but what really sold me on this pattern was the front-post stitches in the center of the last 4 rows. I love post, aka cable, stitches!

Flooring continues. Dick is getting faster at tiling and grouting - he's going to be an expert by the time he finishes our almost 1500 square feet of porcelain. It's amazing to see how much he accomplishes each morning. Laying the big tiles in the center of the floor goes pretty quickly, it's individually sizing, shaping and cutting the small fill-in tiles that takes time. A lot of time.

The only one unhappy about the construction? Oreo kitty. The new living room couch is her favorite napping spot. And she refuses to give it up, plastic be d**ned.