Barely February...or how I nearly swam through January

Retired for nearly a year now.  “Time doesn’t fly…it zooms” to quote my older beautiful sister.   She has a January birthday.  People ask me what I do now that I’m retired.  I stop to think…well, play…pick up toys, make cheese sandwiches, dance, sing, laugh, redirect, and laugh, play …yep, that’s about it.  I do read at night.  Not writing as much.  Write cards to friends. 

My bucket list must have a hole in it …learn to play the piano, garden more, go to Paris, singing lessons, have coffee with friends…all those were there.  I’m sure I’ll add more and perhaps do some of those.

  I do “play” in the nursery for English as a Second Language.  On Tuesdays from 10 to 12 at Shawmut UMC in Valley.  Even when we don’t have customers I can to play with my Grandtwins for two hours.  Cool, I know! 

The Naomi group for widows meets the second Thursday evening of each month at 6 PM at Shawmut UMC.  Donnie and I come to support…they really do their own leadership now.   A meal is served and we provide support for those who are recently widowed.  It’s free and open to the public. 

Our house was quite lively during the game for the National Championship.  The loud noises you heard were from our porch.  Donnie was pretty excited to say the least.  Roll Tide. 

We did have a few days were I thought we might get washed downstream with all the December rains.  Always interesting to see flocks of geese swimming where dry land is supposed to be.  Also watching a crane look for fish on our land/water park.  This weekend promises more rain but no snow for us.  Boo.  Would like to play in snow with the boys.  They got new coats and boots for Christmas that need testing.

I’m still cooking.  Seems that most of my Wednesday family concoctions have an Asian flair.  Perhaps I’m just good at stir-fry?  I do like chicken and rice and vegies.  Had a great meal with some new Korean friends.  Glad I spend time in the floor with boys because we sat on the floor for the Korean lunch.  Delicious food and lovely people.  It takes a lot of energy to communicate when the languages are different but well worth the effort.   Can’t imagine their side of it since they have to communicate with almost everyone in English and I just have them.  Their brains must grow weary of the effort. 

It’s now February and I’m still working on this …Had a marvelous day of gardening on Saturday.  Picture perfect weather.  Watched an eagle, two hawks and a bluebird fly over me.  The bluebird sought safety and the woods were strangely while the big birds were about.  Planted some bulbs that I hope will have enough cold to draw flowering strength.

 Great porch visit last night from the boys and their sweet parents.  Warm enough for an impromptu meal out there.   Twins ate their meal from their own small table.  Did I mention they are precious and sweet?  Well, I should have and I did.

Hope all of you venture outside a little on these spring like days.  Know that I’m well, happy and retired. Thanks for all the kind words and thoughts.  Peace from the Hooch. 

This will also appear in the Valley-Times News. 

How I spent December..I know you wondered??

It's a sunny 35 degrees at nearly 11AM and I'm still in my jammies.

Learning how to use Windows 10.  I am too old.  Never read the Windows 8 for Seniors--not high schoolers...All my computers skills are self taught...so glad that fact goes undetected.  I'm proud I have a SMART phone that I can use to get to the internet while my laptop is circling...you know what I mean...the little "o" that orbits for hours on end...like being on hold with the cable company without all the free commercials for products giving comfort while you wait to talk to a human. 

Enough about that...found my blog again after 4 months absence.  Some of you must have missed me because 301 of you still looked at the old stuff last month.  I'm back with more cheery family updates, helpful hints, where I ate and ate and ate, number of Christmas tubs in the basement and...
news on the flooding of the HOOCH! 

Did you think it would ever stop raining?  Today the Hooch is in the banks at my house.  Not so for most of last week.   Geese held a dance party on the lawn/lake with about 20 happy honkers over the weekend.  Think it was all those who couldn't get enough of New Year's Eve.  Also saw a crane, many white seagulls??, two eagles, a flock of blue jays, and a flock of black birds--I didn't see the one that pooped a berry on my head in my back garden. 

Little Hedgies loved exploring all the puddles in the garden with their new winter boots. So precious in their silly monster toboggans especially when they get that one-eyed pirate look going. 

Christmas was such fun this year.  Did Callaway lights in convertible again.  Also Nativity at Nazarene Church. Merry-go-round.  Lights at Sughar's--had boys take turns helping me turn on all my lights in my house...I now know why it takes Callaway so long to get theirs on.  It took me about 10 minutes to do 4 rooms.  Maybe I'll be on one of those "Great Light Fight" shows next year.  Ha.

Special evening at Lagrange College hearing their lessons and carols service.  RJ has gotten me there for 2 years but alas she's leaving us for God's country--T-town not heaven.  Perhaps she'll return during the holidays next year for that special treat.  Additional joy comes from the carol singing that happens from the audience--wonderful. 

Fun Christmas party with my NYC niece, sister, all the Hedgies and Duke Boy at the Montgomery Zoo.  Beautiful non-rainy day for Zoo light safari.  Did the combo ticket to see animals first, then rode train to see the lights.  Great way to do a family Christmas gathering.   Super play ground.  Boys did all the slides to the waiting mud puddles.  We were at the zoo so the mud wallowing critters didn't care if we weren't cleaner than them.

Also had fun seeing my beautiful Mom and sister's family in December. 
Sadly,the flooding washed away a Christmas weekend gathering.

Thanks to Duke Boy for lovely Advent services at Shawmut UMC.  Our church was lovely with a Christmon Tree, poinsettias, and dear friends.  Christmas Eve service was washed out.

Sad but we did get to see Santa ride by inside the firetruck.  Too much bad weather to sit on top. 
Guess that was another light event.  Love standing in the dark driveway waiting for Santa to flood our street with lights and sirens.  Very cool.  The little Hedges did a lot of puddle jumping then too.

Well that was my December along with  few other parties, lovely gifts and too much food.  Food made me remember the discovery of "deep fried bacon". It is literally to die FROM...ate it twice..once at  Acre in Auburn for our anniversary and again on Christmas Eve during our family time.

Peace and joy in 2016.

Birth Month news

Sitting on my porch listening to music drift down the river.  Not sure of its source.  Kinda cool.  What a lovely fall day.  You may remember that since October is my birth month that I assume God created the whole month for me. As a little girl the State Fair was always on my birthday.  For me! All this gold, blue, green, yellow, pink, purple in my garden accompanied by the cool breeze on my porch...must be for me!! My world is big enough to share.  Enjoy. 

Commerce must rest a little on Sundays.  This morning I'm hearing trucks amongst the bird songs. Leaves are falling like gentle rain from my oaks. DukeBoy and I returned to our walking routine this morning...can tell I was off a week.  Hip didn't like it.  I didn't stretch before going...

Big week for my brother and sister-in-law and their sons with the opening of the movie, "Woodlawn".  Lots of good publicity . Hope it's a hit.  Check it out if you want to see a football story with a Christian message. I haven't seen it yet.

Prayers for old friends whose parents are ill.  Good news is that in heaven at the customer service window I expect that all questions will just be "hugged out".  Know I will need it.  God will probably be glad to do a face to face loving eyeball of me instead of a continual ear bending to my complaints about this glorious world he gave me. (Currently at least 4 different bird calls happening.)

Our precious little BW died last Monday while I was out of town.  House is very quiet without her.  She never barked but always managed to be wherever you were.  She loved us for just shy of 13 years.  DukeBoy and Rockman gave her a teary burial.  I was out of town.

Good visits with college roomie.  Treated like Queen for a couple of days.  Thanks for the hospitality.

Great wedding of dear beautiful lady.  Wish much happiness to Margaret and Earl.  First wedding I've attended wearing my new rain boots.  Aging is grand.  Makes you as brave as a teen-ager but with appropriate caution.

Our grands continue being grand.  Surprising me daily with their cuteness and love and new ways to defy gravity.

Grateful for small town grandliving

I do love small town life.  DukeBoy and I are walking pretty regularly now and he's taken me to many places I've never been.  Some I won't return to without my protector with his cane aka dog stick.  This girl isn't a fan of large dogs--two dog bites--under my belt so to speak--the backside of it. 
So far we haven't encountered anybody who wanted to chase us, unless you count a Jack Russell puppy and a baby kitten.  Not scary.

DukeBoy loves to take me uphill--think it's so I'll shut up because I can't talk...hmm...

Good people in this town too.  Good encounter with Officer Robinson in West Point. He didn't give me a ticket after disagreeing with him about my seatbelt usage.  I'm a fanatic seatbelt wearer but I do occasionally need to pull it off my chest on a hot day--this evidently looks a lot like fastening to a police officer who is doing checks from hidden streets. I was glad to not have to see the inside of the WP jail.  We were both very polite. I've written gratitude notes to Officer Robinson and to the Chief of Police about my experience.

Another great encounter at the Valley Wal-Mart with Shay and Ron.  Both were at the checkout counters.  Shay invited me to her register for check out.  Ron immediately stepped over from his unoccupied register and began to scan the large items in my buggy so I wouldn't have to put them on the belt.  Shared with them how impressed I was with their service. It was the first time I'd ever had that experience with buggy service at Wal-Mart. They were quite friendly and jolly.  Both were fit and trim--I know we normally equate jolly with Santa-sized people. Time to work on my gratitude notes for them.

Life with Hedgies continues being amazing.  They are very smart, loving, and energetic. Both crawled in my lap frequently yesterday while we were playing.  Today is their 18 month birthday . 

Having fun with cooking.  Hedgie Girl and I are cooking together on Wednesdays now while the boys have their afternoon nap or no nap in the cribs. We are 3 for 3 on successful dinners.  1 Pioneer Woman chicken enchiladas,  2 Southern Livings: Mushroom Stroganoff and a Pork Stir-fry. Time to open the restaurant...that may have to come when the boys are old enough to bus tables.  They are learning to pick up toys so maybe that won't be too far off. 

Here we are playing with "My Buddy" from Hedgie Girl's doll playing days.  They are fascinated for about 5 minutes with the moveable eyes.  Adult- sized Hedgie Boy thinks this looks like "Chuckie" so it's not allowed at his house. 

Share with folks your notes of gratitude.  Look for places to be grateful this week.  Notice the good stuff. 

Command performance

 

 Life in the "right back" room.  This room is a gated community and can keep boys safely for a few minutes while this Sughar has to potty.  This didn't happen on my watch!

Letting the sprinkler do my job tonight.  Taking time to catch up on my writing.  Fishermen speeding back up the river to enjoy their catch or swap lies?  Porch is just tolerable from this day of near 100s.  Birds and tree frogs happy with my sprinkler.  Hope the plants will express their gratitude by morning.  Currently it’s a sad droopy display. 

Many of you have asked how I’m liking retirement.  I’m fairing much better than my plants.  Most of the hemisphere knows I have twin grandsons—16 months old.  Finally got their superman capes finished.  Velcro and 4^th of July T shirts.  Super easy.  Thanks to idea of Mumpsey in Birmingham. She has a year of experience on me in the grand mothering world.  Not sure if twins count double like going to church twice on Sunday?   Back to capes.  Boys don theirs and prance around the room to the Superman theme.  They can even hum some of it now.  We are trying to learn it on the drum.  #1 Hedgie Boy was pretty impressive with that today in front of friends.  His mom was taking a nap so she will just say, “of Course, he did”, when she reads this.  Hedge #2 can get his cape off unassisted.  I’m happy to say he still has eyebrows.  His favorite part of cape wearing is sucking on the Velcro.  Or so it seems.  I wish I could get in these little heads some days.  I could only hope to discover they adore me half as much as I do them.

Paw has become “go Duke”.  They learned to say this during the NCAA tournament, which Duke won.  That’s for those of you who haven’t seen DukeBoy recently.  Now when they see their Paw he is often “go Duke”.  The Duke hats in their Easter Basket reinforced this cuteness.  If it’s possible that Paw could be more smitten than me with these boys then I’d say he is. 

They love our porch as much as we do.  There are many hidey holes and lots of toys to keep them interested.  When it’s not too hot most of our meals are here. Little BW loves this because the boys throw food from their chairs.  It’s great to not have to vacuum.  She’s not a fan of fried okra though as evidently the boys aren’t either some days…sweeping.  Otherwise the ants, that are smaller than the grains of rice that the New Testament gets written on, come for a visit.  I picked up what I thought was a large crumb from the porch tablecloth.  It was 1, 000, 000 ants.  Those buggers bite too especially if you interrupt their meal time. 

Renewing friendships has occupied some of my retired time. It’s great to have time to visit and not have to worry about what work I need to catch up on.   I’ve also taken up something rather bizarre.  Are you sitting?  I’m cooking some.  I know…hard to believe???  Kind of fun. 

Peace to all of you from the banks of the Hooch. Special prayers for those facing losses of loved ones.

Karen Erwin-Brown is a stay-at-home Double Sughar to twin grandsons.  She spends her retirement playing, gardening—picking up dead plants—in this heat, and enjoying beating her husband at Canasta.

 

 

Saturday morning on the Hooch

Chilly( no winged creatures out) on the porch.

Geese honking, birds--lots of birds--chirping up the sun, NoName sideling by the back steps--hunting, flowers in little pots awaiting my presence..."put me in the pot that the squirrel digs in ...please!  I like lying upside down on the blazing hot sidewalk for several hours until you come home again."

Great fun day with DukeBoy yesterday.  Riding the back road of Highway 29N.  Stopped in a couple of stores for bargain hunting--"junque" stores.  Lunch at Sprayberry's in Newnan, old school variety.  Bar-b-que was fab.  Then on to our friends at Southern Roots--like a salad bar of wonderful living plants.  Then to downtown Newnan.  What a hopping place.  Ken's Bargain Store, it's a variety of treasures.   Did make a purchase at a thrift store in Hogansville on the way home.  Lovely crystal wine glasses that match my one- piece- at- a- time etched flower glasses of all varieties that I love to hunt.  They were only $3.95 for 4!! Psyched!

Sad news on the way home.  My sister has a kidney stone.  Hoping it's out by the time I'm writing this.  She is my beautiful older sister who makes Jane Fonda look like a hag.  She is younger than Jane but has less resources for beauty alterations available to her.  She's also married to the same man for nearly 50 years. 

Time to plant!

Peace for your day.  Had lots of fun with the littlest Hedgies this week.  They like to don a blankie and run around the room while you hum the Superman theme song. Too precious.

Not time to eat potato salad

Had the opportunity to visit friends in Palmetto, GA and see their lovely home. While there the man of the house asked me about this blog. I confessed my neglect of this method of connection.
Afraid I'm rusty.  Not for lack of content. 

My grands are still the grandest in the land. Wal-mart is even fun with one in the buggy talking to Leon on the toothpaste box aka pretend phone.  Heaving the bananas over his head from the bottom of the buggy while my attention is elsewhere.  No old ladies were injured...including me .  I'm a good catch. 

Saw my first hummingbird of the season checking out the red on two wind chimes on my porch.  Note to self.  Need red flowers on my porch.  Have bluebirds growing babies in a gourd house on my crepe myrtle. Also house wren in my mother's coffee pot on back porch.  I love river life except for a near broken hip....Here's my side of the story...

Sitting in the dark on my porch.  Talking to my sister on the phone.  Heard a buzzing noise.  Looked to my left shoulder.  A cockroach the size of a Boeing 707 had landed.  Flicking him with my hand while falling to the floor where I was trapped between the chair and ottoman wondering how far I'd flicked that monster.  Remained calm listening to my sister. (She never knew I might be headed for ER.) Finally managed to rock myself out of wedged state.   Thank God for grands.  Got light on, got wooden block--large one--moved a pillow--voila--then kaboom--squish.  Then I told my sister the story.  Life on the Hooch. Never dull.  So glad I wasn't my friend, Ann, because if I was then y'all be remembering me while eating potato salad at the church... she is likely to have a deadly heart attack under similar circumstances.

Watching Dancing with the Stars.  Noah just danced his final dance.  Very moving.  Reminds me of my Dad's daily overcoming of his physical challenges to provide for his family and show other veterans what they could do. 

Get out in all this springiness. Blue sky..wear sunscreen and bug spray in the evening. 

Check out Southern Roots Nursery in Newnan.  Great owners.  Good folks. 

We also have a bakery in downtown West Point and a doughnut shop in Lanett. Oh dear...
Peace from the Hooch.

My reTired life

Exciting times in the Valley.  Spent two days this week pulling weeds and spreading pine straw.  My results are impressive.  Wish my back and legs could share the enthusiasm for success.  Up in the night due to inability to get comfortable, I think.  Could be the iced tea at supper.  Probably not decaf. 

Did have exciting time travel with the family, minus DukeBoy plus the Divine Ms. M.

  Omaha was our destination.

  Visited there in 1979 to see Camp Sumatanga friend and his wife and returned for a visit while I was there.  They now live in Avoca.  In an old schoolhouse.  Very cool and totally non cost effective but a beautiful save of a great landmark.  They are both musicians and our smallest Hedgies were treated to music, instruments and dancing.  What fun.  The mural covered the wall in the auditorium.   Check out their website www.greenblattandseay.com

Spring arrived in Omaha about the same time we did.  Crabapple trees, lilac bushes, and tulips.  Oh my...Visited Laurentiz Gardens too.  Wild turkeys looking for girlfriends.  Saw the sign at the front desk about " possible aggressive behavior" after Hedgie Girl gobbled at one of the guys and he responded loudly. Big turkey.  Indoors there was a Lego display with some beautiful creations feature thousands of Legos. Quite impressive.  I remember trying to assemble a Santa leggo--not in my skill set.  DukeBoy did quite well with it.

Too chilly to be outside pulling weeds this morning.  Started this awhile back and didn't finish due to weed pulling.  Nearing the end of pine strawing.  Would have done sooner but DukeBoy and I went to LaGrange Master Gardeners plant sale last week.  We NEEDED another plant.  Got some neat stuff : brown fig tree, moonlight cactus--grower told me that I'd have to stay awake to see it bloom--good luck with that---hostas, bachelors' buttons, herbs.  More things to plant and WATER.  Craziness. 

Happy Easter from the Hooch

I just opened my blog and realized I hadn't posted since Valentine's Day.  Whew.

 Had a grand/great evening last night with my grands and some of my greats. 

2nd annual flashlight egg hunt--without the monsoon that struck the first one.  Actually it was a lovely evening for egg hunting.  Emily won the prize for the only girl egg hunter. She actually should also have it for the most prolific egg hunter.  She found her 12 and then helped her cousins and brother find theirs.

I'm sorry that Ryan didn't find any lions or tigers but it wasn't for lack of trying.  He checked out every inch of the yard.

Hedgie boys :  #1 like the flashlight and #2 filled his basket/bucket then proceeded to put it on his head--upside down, of course. 

My Mom is here and helped Hedgie #1 put his eggs back after he'd dumped them out for the 5th or 10th time to get the flashlight.

If you drive by my house at night you will think you've encountered a new cemetery due to all my lights on the paths in my garden.

Thanks to the lovely staff at EAMC at Lanier and the local Wal-Mart where my Mom had an encounter with the floor.  All is good, as is God. She got a goose egg but she liked the chocolate coconut ones that Duke Boy made much better. 

Speaking of Duke--go Duke. 

I'm including an article that I'd written earlier in the month.  I will update it and submit the paper soon.

Easter Blessings for all of you.  We got ours at Wal-Mart this week. 

Peace from the Hooch.

"Thoughts on retirement"

“They say” about retirement, “ I had more time when I was working than I do now.” Perhaps but I’m guessing it was a different sort of time.  I do have more time.  I’m spending mine in very creative ways…

Playing with twin grand boys

Napping

Thinking about doing gardening

Washing clothes

COOKING!!!

Reading

Napping

Prancing the FITBIT around in contests for winning steps

Visiting with friends and family

Napping

Participating in Lenten Bible study

Renewing my library card—embarrassing—expired for 2 years—in my defense I was reading on my Kindle

Dusting stuff in my booth at Bluffton Antiques in Lanett –please come and buy it—great sale—no dust

Almost forgot—cleaning out my garage—it has a floor and walls—amazing

Napping

Mopping my porch—the boys did it first with the knees of their jeans and their hands—nasty

Letting my hair grow out---not sure how much longer I can take it—no pun intended

Reading recipes trying to get inspired to cook

Watching cooking shows trying to get inspired to cook

Trying to actively stay away from all people who are sick

Being sick

Getting well

Sucking on zinc lozenges—I need stock in these because I’ve told all my friends to buy them

Napping

Boy proofing my house x 2

Napping with the boys

Napping with Duke Boy after the little boys go home

Watching the Super Bowl—yes, I did.  The Sea Hawks…do not get me started.

Thinking about washing my windows. 

Thinking about painting my kitchen

Enjoying watching the Big Hedgies enjoy the little Hedgies

Attending a 1 year old birthday party for 2

Napping

Learning to play the piano—ok the baby, not so grand,  piano—ok “Twinkle, twinkle little star” with the number guide

Hoping one of the grand boys will become a piano player

I know it’s amazing that I have time to write this because I’m so busy.  I also still go to church, do programs for my circle, help host the Naomi group, write letter and cards to friends, pray, eat, bathe, sleep at night, and miss my work—sometimes.

After writing all this I now know why I have to nap so much.  The next time you wonder why retirement is so tiring try jotting down all you do with your time. 

 

 

 

 

 

Thoughts on retirement

“They say” about retirement, “ I had more time when I was working than I do now.” Perhaps but I’m guessing it was a different sort of time.  I do have more time.  I’m spending mine in very creative ways…

Playing with twin grand boys

Napping

Thinking about doing gardening

Washing clothes

COOKING!!!

Reading

Napping

Prancing the FITBIT around in contests for winning steps

Visiting with friends and family

Napping

Participating in Lenten Bible study

Renewing my library card—embarrassing—expired for 2 years—in my defense I was reading on my Kindle

Dusting stuff in my booth at Bluffton Antiques in Lanett –please come and buy it—great sale—no dust

Almost forgot—cleaning out my garage—it has a floor and walls—amazing

Napping

Mopping my porch—the boys did it first with the knees of their jeans and their hands—nasty

Letting my hair grow out---not sure how much longer I can take it—no pun intended

Reading recipes trying to get inspired to cook

Watching cooking shows trying to get inspired to cook

Trying to actively stay away from all people who are sick

Being sick

Getting well

Sucking on zinc lozenges—I need stock in these because I’ve told all my friends to buy them

Napping

Boy proofing my house x 2

Napping with the boys

Napping with Duke Boy after the little boys go home

Watching the Super Bowl—yes, I did.  The Sea Hawks…do not get me started.

Thinking about washing my windows. 

Thinking about painting my kitchen

Enjoying watching the Big Hedgies enjoy the little Hedgies

Attending a 1 year old birthday party for 2

Napping

Learning to play the piano—ok the baby, not so grand,  piano—ok “Twinkle, twinkle little star” with the number guide

Hoping one of the grand boys will become a piano player

I know it’s amazing that I have time to write this because I’m so busy.  I also still go to church, do programs for my circle, help host the Naomi group, write letter and cards to friends, pray, eat, bathe, sleep at night, and miss my work—sometimes.

After writing all this I now know why I have to nap so much.  The next time you wonder why retirement is so tiring try jotting down all you do with your time. 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Valentine's Day

 

These little lover boys have definitely stolen my heart.
 Hope all of you have a wonderful Valentine's Day. 

Nothing but blue sky...

Amazing day on the Hooch---blue sky, an eagle, ducks, cranes, daffodils

back pain from cleaning out the garage--in the loosest since of clean...toting limbs to the road, loading things in the car to go to Bluffton Antiques for my booth---where a sale is going on.

Then wonderful supper by Duke Boy--he was on a high from the Duke big win over Notre Dame. 
I let him beat me at Canasta too so his winning streak could continue. Don't tell him. 

If you didn't leave the house today you must venture out tomorrow and show the groundhog that you're defying his prediction. 

Peace.

Unparalled play

My second Wednesday of retirement. Let dog out, feed dog, make coffee, unload dishwasher, turn on dryer, read a chapter of Max Lucado, "You'll Get through this", finish taxes, take dog out, pay bills, finish coffee, straighten guest room, put away linens,

When did I do all this before?

Everyone, well, not everyone, since I've yet to meet everyone on this planet or any other... but the people I see asked me with a distressed look, "what are you going to do with yourself?"  I say probably play with boys more---did that from 8 to 5:30 yesterday. Came home and took 38 minute nap after supper.  Leftovers reheated by Duke Boy while I sat in my chair.  Thanks DB. 

Those guys are 11 months old now.  Being with them beats any clinical studies I've ever done.  They are a constant source of joy and puzzlement.  11 month olds don't know that developmentally they aren't supposed to do anything but parallel play.  Chasing each other through a tunnel isn't parallel.  Too funny.  Not sure if stealing the other's toy counts as play?  When did we get too big to need a lap?  Sitting on the floor provides many opportunities for snuggles and check ins. Pee pie new favorite game. Played with lap quilts over each boy.  Good to have time to visit with Hedgie Girl too as she also tries to figure out what's in these boys heads since language is still forming.  Fun to watch her and Hedgie Boy love these boys with patience and kindness.  Glad to be included in the days and nights.

Never just black or white

Duke Boy on the couch--Duke BB team on the flat screen.  Go Coach K.  Had to turn off the volume on the kitchen TV--time delay by a second or two--crazy producing. 

Saw "Black or White" today with Kevin Cosner.  Got terrible reviews.  Here's mine.  Worth the price of a matinee ticket and popcorn when you borrow a prepaid bucket and take in your own chocolate covered cashews.  Dark chocolate. Health food.  Got out for less than $30, I think? Unless I remember where I hid the rest of the cashews I can take them to the next show.  Back to the review.  I just love Kevin and Octavia. Don't know the name of the precious child star. Glad I wasn't the Judge.  Encouraged Duke Boy to go see "American Sniper" if he wanted to ...I'd go alone...sad eyes...problem only 1 borrow popcorn bucket and it was going to the movie with me...he loves popcorn...

Those little Hedgies are growing up.  Almost 11 months old. We became a gated community this week.  Sughar and Paw can climb over...with a wall assist.  Gate open...trip hazard...has happen twice to me...quick recovery...no stitches or falls...thinking about getting a lifeline though.  Does provide a little containment when only one of us is in the room. 

These little guys make me smile, breathe hard, dance, sing, bend over, attempt to stand up again, learn "Twinkle, twinkle" on the piano, pitch a ball, change 3 or 4 poopies--an aerobic event---daily, discover "ancient grain cheerios, eat eggs for breakfast, use my cell as a flash light looking for a "bo bo"  lost in the bed---aka pacifier. They are both so something but mainly little bundles of love who touch your face with tiny fingers, grab your shirt with slimmy fingers, pull hair with sneaky fingers, and steal your heart with a whole body waving "Hi" fingers.  Love them so. So glad to be part of their world.

In case you were wondering...

Water filled my shoe yesterday at a well know baby store.  A puddle formed around my feet.  The clerk looked at me in disbelief.  I'd just thanked her for my 15% discount that I'd had to beg for because I couldn't find my coupon.  The boys sat in the stroller, a huge box with a baby gate spilled out--luckily not in liquid form from my buggy. 

I'm sure I'm not the first person to have their water break at this store.  Many pregnant women moved to other lines while the cashier called for a clean up and opened another register.  I apologized for my uncontrollable issue but I was just asked to sign the ticket. 

Good news is that I love wool sox in winter.  Wool sox "wick water" away from your feet.  Those were some wicking sox.  My Sketchers never missed a beat with their rubber soles.  My pants were another story.  People were very understanding as I continued my check out. 

Hedgie Girl didn't give me the number on her account so she could claim the points offered by the store.  She wasn't about to call out her name as identification.  She did quickly sprint to the back while giggling to get a new gallon of "nursery water". 

She told me later that I just stood there while the big broken jug chugged out water on my feet.

Perhaps now that I'm retired things that are unexpected will continue to challenge my brain so that atrophy will be less pronounced.  This is what I'm doing now that I'm retired in case you were wondering....

More wisdom on napping

Many of you were draw to the "retirement naps" post.  I've always been a napper but I've really tried to step up my game lately.  Perhaps because I end up writing this in the wee hours--actually it's 6:10 AM but I've been up awhile.  Actually the time stamp is on Paris time.  Bless their hearts, they've had quite a crisis there this week. Hoping the upcoming days are more peaceful. 

Part of my Christmas whimsy was using Eiffel tours in my living room with my mini tree.  Don't do a big tree anymore.  Don't be hater.  Get enough of that from my fam.  You know who you are. The towers are continuing in my winter/Valentine's festivity. 

Shout out to all my beautiful friends and relatives with birthdays this month.  Hope you have grand times.  There is a new bakery in West Point, GA.  One of these friends is going to have treat.  Maybe if it's warm enough I can talk Duke Boy into walking there with me today.  I got myself a Fitbit for Christmas.  It needs testing.  It has a calorie tracker too.  Great idea!

Peace to all from the Hooch.  Need to wake up Duke Boy.  I'm joking. I never wake him up on Saturday.  He loves sleeping better than I love napping.  High today 47, hmmm, driving to bakery doesn't give much testing time to Fitbit.  Nothing is perfect.

Here's a sentimental Saturday picture for you.  Remember being able to hold these guys in my lap at the same time.  Still can but it's harder. Hair on Sughar is longer now too. 

Duke Boy just reminded me that he has to go out of town today.  Rats.  Time for a nap.

Retirement naps

Retired and Sugharing a lot.  Lots of fun sitting on boys.  Bless their hearts they've been sick. Ready for them to get well but sickness hasn't hindered activity. 

So cute yesterday with boys riding in their airplanes from me and Paw.  Big brother riding and little brother pushing.  Spontaneous effort from little brother. Adorable. 

Got some good retirement naps in too.  Of course, usually with a brother in my arms. 

cute boys and my cute momma at Christmas

Happy New Year from the Hooch

Happy New Year.  Smelling chicken frying, kale soon flashing in the pan, black-eyed peas, cornbread.  Yep, it's New Year's .  watching the Rose Parade. 

Wal-Mart at 8:30 am on New Year's.  Primetime to shop. Don't tell so I can go back next year.  Had to get a new coffee pot.  Thought I'd just forgotten to push the button on the pot yesterday. Nope. Dead. My little Keureg is a life saver.

Sat on boys last night so the Hedgies could catch a movie. They report "Into the Woods" is good. Didn't know it was a musical but Meryl Streep always makes for a good look see.

Duke Boy and I feel loved back from those little fellas.  So precious.

That's the news from the Hooch.  Hope you have a great day and remember ....

ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Final thoughts on 2014

Bon vivant.  My French readers get that . for the rest.. go to Wikipedia .

I have a little display honoring Paris in my living room--inspired by my Parisian Christmas dishes. Less costly than a run to Paris for lunch.  One can still dream.

December saw visits from good friends and good family too.  Last party of the season last night.  Good to see everyone on the Erwin side.  Dirty Santa was replaced by Bingo.  Duke Boy won a roll of duct tape which he regifted to our great nephew.  Please don't tape your brother to the wall with it.
He is a creative kid.  Maybe I'll ask for an Eiffel tower from duct tape.

Our boys were the main source of entertainment this holiday season.  Makes me feel all gushy inside to know that my parents once looked at me with such joy.  My Mom did a good job of that with me last night.  She was all cute in her fur vest.  My goofy nephew, you know who you are, kept saying it was "squirrel".   She seemed glad to have most all of her chickens in one coop last night. 

Prayers to all of you for a bright new year.  Prayers for peace and healing.

this shot was taken by me.  Hanging out with professional photographers helps you raise the bar. 

No elf on shelf here

Merry Christmas in 6 days.
  Already being Merry here.  What fun having baby boys to chase. 
Already crawling faster than I walk. 

 

no shelving these guys.  I think this little elf quickly crawled back to the couch.  Look at that face.

see if you can find the other elf wearing diapers.

 

So glad to be sharing all this joy.

Happy Advent

Yesterday was yard work day.  Almost too hot to be in long pants.  What a great day.  Got a little sprucing up done in the front garden.   Ants were mad.  Dumped two dead pots of mums that were winter quarters. 

Roll Tide!!  I'm not a football game attender.  Usually... I could take it up after Saturday.  What big fun--especially for us Bama fans.  Was a real nail biter for some.  You know who you are.  Our seats were at the top of the wind tunnel.  My hair was still straight back the next day.  Cold!! ear muffs, coat with hood, jacket under that, sweater and long underwear, fur lined boots....still cold.  All that jumping around made it worth it.  Walked 7 miles that day.  All fans were courtesy to me.  I may go back in two years.

Hedgie twins got to spend a night with Sughar and Paw.  Big brother slept 11 hours.  Little brother woke up at 5 and did the spider monkey cling when I tried to put back down.  Ok... he must need to snuggle with his Sughar.  Since we all survived they get to come back for a whole weekend soon.  Pulling up, crawling everywhere, laughing, clapping, screaming...big fun.  Also trying table food.  They are fans.  Nine months old tomorrow.  

Advent is in full swing here.  I love this season.  Had a Hanging of the Greens service as a reminder of what all the symbols are about.  Will begin decorating here this week.  Time for the Baby Jesus and Santa to get out of the green plastic tubs. 

Duke Boy's mom went to nursing home yesterday for her hip recovery. Prayers appreciated.  She's had a rough time. 

My nephews are making another movie in Birmingham.  "Woodlawn", a story from their Dad's life.  Should be out next fall.  Hope it goes well for them. 

Happy Advent to all.  Who knows when I'll post again??

These guys know how to make spirits bright .  HO, HO, HO!!