That's My Girl

We celebrated Baby Girl's birthday yesterday. She brought some of her cutwork over for us to see. I saw the pictures she posted on Facebook but had not seen the real deal. There is a BIG difference.

I was blown away by the intricate detail. Can't believe she has the patience to do that but she loves it. There was one entitled "Rain Barrel" that I thought was one of her best pieces. There is a border with vines and flowers. Inside is a downspout emptying into a stripped rain barrel. The top layer is black and then there are layers and layers of color underneath. It's the same with the Queen of Hearts she did. She took a regular playing card, drew the design much bigger - about 9" x 10" - and did the cutwork in multiple layers.

I guess someone else does this type of work but I've never seen it. I hope she shows her work at Sautee. Having seen her work in person I'm like her DH's Grandmother - she should be selling this stuff.

I am so glad she is using a talent she has discovered. Nothing makes you feel quite like it. Her Daddy wanted her to play music. She did, then put it down. I wanted her to write. She did, then put it down. This is her own thing and I hope she keeps it up for a lifetime.

Later.....

Sweet, Sweet and Sweeter

I have had three nice surprises the past couple of days. First I opened my e-mail to find a note from my DD. It simply said, "I love you today". That is kind of a family thing we do. Randy and I started it. Saying "I love you" seemed so generic so we added the 'today" part to make it specific to right now, in the moment, and all day today. We didn't realize the kids had picked up on it until they were adults. On rare occasions I'll get a little "I love you today" from DD and it makes my day. Especially this time cause I don't know how she knew I was having a rough day. I guess it is that mysterious bond between mother and daughter where you just know stuff.

The other nice surprise was that it was a co-worker's birthday today. I had no idea she was born on St. Patrick's Day. So we took her to lunch. Of course I went to the restaurant's web site, looked at the menu and decided on what I was to eat beforehand. It is amazing that that was the first thing I thought of when they told me we were going out for lunch. I focused on planning ahead what I could eat so when ordering time came around I was confident. (Had the Pressed Veggie Sandwich for 3 points). This is a whole new way of thinking about food for me. And I am finding eating out pretty easy so far.

Surprise number three was an unexpected phone call from my best friend (who moved out of town and left me - whine). It's always so good to hear her voice and she was so excited about some quilting projects she has going. She is a good big younger than me and quilts like a demon. Our Dads passed away within months of each other. This weekend she came home, got some of his clothes and is making quilts from them. I can hardly wait to see the finished product. I'd wanted to do that with some of Daddy's but I have limited sewing ability.

So that's been my day. Sweet that I heard from my bestest friend. Sweet that I got to have lunch out with the girls. And Sweeter that my Baby Girl loves me.

Not gonna do it

You know what I don't enjoy? I don't enjoy folks who blog about their stressful day. (Chirp, chirp, chirp)

Yo Yo

This blog is like a yoyo. I come - I go - but I seem to always come back.

I have started another blog on Weight Watchers (WW). It's called "Too Much Empty Nest". Royston began a "Biggest Loser" contest and I decided I would use that motivation to lose 30 pounds. Some co-workers were on WW so I checked it out. I'm using the online version and love it (except when my computer goes wonky). So far I've had 2 weigh in's and have lost a total of 5 pounds.

DS has officially moved back in with us for a little while. Got too crazy in that house with so many people. He has lived in that type of situation before but this time it was with his best friend since high school and that was a recipe for disaster. He seems to be doing well on the job though and that's good. We don't see him much. He found a new girlfriend as soon as he moved back up here.

Talked to Baby Girl this week. She is volunteering at the zoo. Which I found out isn't a zoo really at all but a rehab place for animals that have been on the road - circus animals and such - or performing in theme parks. She cleans cages, washes tables and whatever they need her to do. I'm proud of her for doing that. Giving back is important and she has a soft spot for animals.

Granny and I were talking about her the other day. Every woman has doubts and fears about motherhood and I'm sure those have run through Sara's mind but Granny and I both agree we think she will be the best Mom. Of course she will struggle at first like we all do but once she gets the hang of it - and she will - she'll be great with those kids. They will be polite, she'll do fun creative stuff with them and she will love them with her whole heart and then some. And when they snuggle into her neck and she smells their baby smell and kisses their little cheek as they fall asleep and she knows that is her baby she will get what all mothers get in return. A bond so strong that until you are a mother you cannot even comprehend it.

Until next time ...