Greta the Great's big Adventure

It's quiet now, but that will end soon because Greta the Great is asleep downstairs, her long adventure almost over. Almost two weeks ago she headed west from New York with her whole family for a week in Illinois to see ethe relatives. She decided that central headquarters would be Nana's house. Mostly, because of Keto's willingness to share his couch with Dieter, the first child in Greta's family.
So Greta took little trips here and there to Glencoe to see her cousins, to Plainfield for more cousins, and shortest of all to the west side of Kankakee to see Poppa Howard and Grandma Sue. Greta has a lot of grandparents. And all this time she slept at Nana's.
Then at the end of one week Daddy, Amelia and Dieter went out and didn't come back to Nana's. She didn't know that they drove back to New York because Daddy had to work and Amelia had school and Dieter doesn't fly..it was his only way home.
The surprise for Greta was another trip! This time Aunt Donna and Poppa Don came to Kankakee and met Mom and Greta and loaded up a strange new BIG car and they were off on another adventure to Branson, Missouri where lots and lots of people sing and dance all the time...everywhere you go there you have to sit and watch people sing and dance!
Except at the hospital. There they tell you are sick. Well, they told Aunt Donna she was sick, but she knew that because she is a nurse. And the doctor who saw Greta said she had ear infection in both ears...Mommy had to be real strong to be in charge of this crowd!
So back on the road again to Nana's house! Greta was so sleepy that Mommy carried her from the car to bed, where she is right now. Poor Aunt Donna had to drive Poppa Don and her self to Joliet from here.
And the big finale to this adventure? Greta the Great gets to fly for the first time back to New York, and Daddy, and Amelia, and Dieter, and her own bed.
That Greta the Great gets around for a two year old!

Listmania

I just realized that I have slipped back into one of my favorite ways to pretend I am in control....making LISTS! I've done that several times here and am busy,busy making December lists. Just for fun here's my lists of lists.

Things needing done at the house.
Complete update on prescriptions/doctor visits, inc. vet
Tasks to finish on revised estate plan
Christmas gifts/tasks to do
Organize traveling office
Develop topics for remaining Sunday School sessions
Preparing car for trip
Go thru wardrobe/ clear out some
Determine wardrobe taken to Florida


You get the idea. To a veteran list maker, having that many lists to work on is sheer joy; it means I can pick from a variety of things and get something crossed off a list...the ultimate kick. I know many of you cannot relate to the joy part of this, but my fellow listmakers I am sure are envious.

Now to work!

A Start

Here's a start on my gratitude list:

Sons who are caring, bright, thoughtful and loving
Their wives; they made good choices
Amelia and Greta; my reason for wanting to last a lot longer
Friends who've been there for years like Park and Shar
Howard and Sue's friendship; it is unusual and special
My own home that I chose to share with my friend Dotty
My brother and his family, a joyous extended family
The ability to spend winter in Florida and Rich and Patty's company there
A knee that finally allows me to return to Yoga class
This awesome technology that allows me to communicate like this
Being part of a church family with a pastor that always makes service meaningful
Chocolate in just about any form
Gallo Sonoma Reserve Chardonnay
Stir fry veggies in pita bread; my new favorite meal
the view from my bedroom windows (my garden)
Opening my email and finding a note from an old friend
A telephone call from Amelia
Bird song in the morning
An uninterrupted night's sleep
The hoot owls right outside my window this moment
The dozens of friends in my community that care about me and let me know
The privilege of living in this neighborhood
The drugs that reduce my Parkinson's symptoms
The good fortune to find our MTL Tricia
Shopping internet sales for clothes
Hugs from Mia and Greta

I can't top the last one so I'll stop for now. I truly feel blessed.

How long is your list?

A Happy Thanksgiving to all who might see this and not be here today. I hope to find time to list all I''m grateful for, but I'm doing the cooking so it might not get down today.....it's a long list!

Thanksgiving week; Day One

Remember that last post about the silent invasion? It is no longer silent. But you knew that, didn't you?

But what's a little noise compared to basking in the affection/hugs/snuggles for Nana?

Greta the Great is faster than ever and really needs her own running track; Amelia is so mature and a young lady at 6. I cannot believe her reading skills. An d the two of them together is almost more love than I can handle. They wrestle, chase, hug and snuggle equally.

Today they head for Glencoe and then Plainfield. A movable feast. Old man Deiter stays here where he and Keto vie for the chenille pillow on the couch.

A silent invasion

9.30am; Albany New York. They finally found the must- have sleep partner ( a soft giraffe puppet) and departure for Illinois!
Meanwhile,, in Kankakee preparations were under way. New inflatable bed from Target (oh how we love an excuse to tar-jay) all set up in basement suite that has been Greta proofed as much as possible. Booster chair ready at the table. Toy box moved upstairs to living room, etc.
A check in at 7 pm found the Seinna in Cleveland with smaller inhabitants being put into PJs for the night. The grown ups in Kankakee decided an early bed time was in order also, so Dotty disappeared upstairs at about 7, I did a few more chores and made it to sleep around 8.
At the stroke of 1 am the van began its silent unloading. Dog quietly let out in yard with Keto and they both came back in to bed without any noise. Amelia on Daddy's shoulder transported to Nana's bed and Mom took a surprisingly quiet Greta downstairs.
Nana climbed back in bed with Amelia; Keto joined them and all fell back to sleep easily.

It is now 5.30 am and the foyer is piled high with their stuff so Erich must have unloaded everything before he went up to spare room for hopefully a full 8 hours of sleep having just driven straight thru from Albany.

Now Nana has only a trip from St. Louis to worry through and all her chickees will be together for Thanksgiving. What a gift!

I lied!

Some few blogs ago I did my "bah, humbug" number and talked about how much I do not like Christmas. Soooo...last night I went to the Hospice auction and came home with Christmas decorations, including a pencil tree already decorated! Dropped a bundle for this too (actually it is all a donation to Hospice so I would do that anyway).

Now that might be explained by the atmosphere, the competitive thrill of auctions, the wine drunk before the bidding begins. I do not have that excuse, however, for the cards that I bought and decided to send out this year, even though I haven't done that in a number of years.

Oh, and here's the real kicker; I have done almost all my gift shopping!

And, since I won't see grandkids at Christmas time, but they are due here this week (pray for Greta's health please) I am going to decorate now and even have their gifts under the tree.
How's that for bah, humbug?

If nothing else, I am always flexible.

Concentration

I know that the most rewarding way to live is to be in the moment, live in the present. However, it never seems to make any difference if I know something to be true intellectually...actually doing it is a whole different thing.

There are lots of wonderful things scheduled in the present and near future...the kids are coming next week, several fun parties this weekend, etc. and still when I let my mind float it lands in Florida, even though that trip is 6 weeks from now. I mean it re ally is in Florida. When I think of going to the grocery store I think Publix. When I think of exercise class I think of my PD group in Florida. I got the car ready (oil change, 15000 mile check up) yesterday!

I have plenty to do right here, some of which I dread doing (estate planning details); so maybe I am just trying to avoid my to-do list. But I have never been able to train my brain to live in the moment. Anybody out there who has mastered this skill? Tell me the secret, if you have.

The case of the missing blogger

A little message for the bro:

Where, oh where, is the mind of me?
Must be lost in time as it flies by.
Hearing all's well, that's what I live for.

What's up with Florida?

Why am I obsessed with getting to Florida? The weather is a factor, that 's obvious, but it isn't the whole truth and I am trying to understand what this is telling me about my life in Kankakee.
So what's different there? First, the weather, ok; let's leave that one alone for now.
So here's what else comes to mind without pondering: my brother and sister-in-law, no responsibilities, no doctor appointments, new friends to learn about, Park and Shar minutes away, days that have no schedule, shedding my stuff or more correctly leaving it behind, being anonymous at the grocery store, getting a break from hospice.

My brother and sister-in-law. I love spending time with them. Not only does it feel good to be with family all the time, they are both fun people to be with. We can talk about most anything even if we disagree. This year sharing a house will be different, but I'm sure we can talk about what is important to each of us and set up house rules that will make it work.
No responsibilities. There is a good reason why at this age people are supposed to retire and make room for the next generation. I am tired do being responsible for making things happen at the community level; I've put in my time. Not being a full time resident at Marco lets me off the hook on this and that freedom is what I enjoy.
No doctor appointments. I see so many doctors that going 3 months without doing that is a
treat. With any luck I won't have to see any down there.
I look forward to new people in my life; hard to make that happen here. I hope I get to know Carl and Margaret better; I will have new neighbors and there are Park and Shar's friends...I'm
planning on joining Shar's writing group.
Leaving most of my stuff behind: I have been wanting to simplify life and my surroundings; hard to do but for 3 months I live with just the essentials and, guess what? It simplifies life. Not being responsible for maintaining the house, etc.
Being anonymous. Having been a big fish in a little pond and living in the same community for34 years, it is refreshing to not have to play that role and not feel guilty about not doing it.
Being a Scorpio I have always been aware of death, but living with the director of Hospice really focuses on the subject. I like getting a break from hospice talk too.

I guess the summary is the change and the freedom and the lack of responsibility. It really is a 3 month vacation...who wouldn't love that?

I accept TGW's challange

Not knowing a thing about tagging I assume I am to answer the same questions so here goes:

3 names I go by:
1. Mom
2. Nana
3. Chairman

3 things I am wearing now
1. my favorite crocs
2 my Karen N. jammies
3.three diamond rings

3 things I would want from a relationship
`1. to be left alone
2.someone to attend parties with
3.someone who knows themselves well

3 favorite things to do
1. read
2. shop the internet
3. read

3 things I want badly now
1. Knees that function well
2 An internship for my daughter-in-law in Chicago
3.Peace of mind for my other daughter-in-law

3 longest car rides (?strange ?)
1. From Joliet to California and back with my mother-in-law
2. Kankakee to Orlando FL with my sons (long story)
3. Kankakee to Dayton to Marco Island with t he bro

3 Favorite holidays
1.Thanksgiving
2. Labor Day (back to routine!)
3. Easter/Spring!

3 favorite beverages
1.Chardonnay
2.Diet rite cola
3.Chocolate milk

3 things you may not have known about me
1 my freshman year in h.s. I was part of a motorcycle gang
2I used to sew my own clothes
3.I write poetry when motivated

3 jobs I have had
1.cashier at Walgreens
2.Radio advertising salesman
3.College Vice President

3 movies I could watch over and over
1.Chariots of Fire
2.Moonstruck
3.Grease

3 places I have lived
1.South side of Chicago
2.LaMoille IL
3.Ottawa, IL

3 favorite foods
1.Chocolate
2.Pizza
3.White Castles

3 places I'd rather be now
There is no place I'd rather be than home.

OK, cillic: it's your turn!