Designing in Life

A Little Get Away

Nick and I traveled south to visit relatives late last week.  It was my sister, JoAnne's birthday, and we celebrated with my sister Michele, brother-in-law Jon, niece Adrienne and nephew Kevin.

We got to see Beth, Jim and the girls, and visit with Nick's relatives also. (His brother John and sister-in-law Terry were visiting in North Jersey via Minnesota)  While up north, we got to see a few basketball games played by great nieces Lauren and Ali.

Chloe and Phoebe

Close up and personal with Max, JoAnne's Maine coon kitty.

Holly we passed on a walk in the woods with sister JoAnne.

Lauren getting ready to drop the ball in the basket.

Ali giving it all she had.

It was, as always, a short trip, but fun to see everyone.

Things That Make Me Smile

On a recent visit, Chloe my six-year-old granddaughter decided she should draw a picture of the ballet positions she knows, and has learned.

Not to be outdone, 3-year-old Phoebe decided she should draw a picture of Sadie (my labrador granddog), so that I would remember what she looks like when she's not here.

I have these hanging on my office wall – reminders of how little it takes to make me smile. 

Sparky Update

It has become obvious that Sparky longs to be home.  We find him looking longingly out the window quite often.  We keep telling him he has many months to go before the water is warm enough out there for him to enjoy.  For now, we keep him happy with flies, dried shrimp and few select greens.  Ocassionaly, he will eat a bit of turtle food, but doesn't really like it much.  You know how kids are with their vegetables!

A Good Laugh

My new Mac has a feature called Photo Booth.  You can take pictures of people (or watever) who are looking at the screen.  I had the opportunity to take some family photos.  Feel free to laugh as loud as you can!

 

Did I mention that the program has some distortion features you can use?  Laugh on!

It's QUIET!

Too quiet.  Granddaughters Chloe and Phoebe left early this morning with their parents and dog.  They've been here for two weeks.  Week 1, with their parents, and this past week solo with Nella and Pop Pop.

It went by so quickly.  This household was a flurry of activity every day.  Painting, drawing, coloring, butterfly catching, swimming, cooking and just a lot of pretending was going on.  And now it's very quiet.  Too quiet.

Here are a few pictures in review:

Chloe picking flowers for the table.

Phoebe on Pop Pop's shoulders.

Shopping at the Farmer's Market.

Boating in the pool.

Catching butterflies.

Playground fun.

Dinner outside.

It was the best 2 weeks we've had in a long-long time, and we can't wait until next summer's long visit.

 

In Honor of All Dads

Wishing every dad and dad-like guy out there a very happy Father's Day.  Here is the card that my grand daughter, Chloe made.

Wish my dad was here to see this.  I know it would put a smile on his face.

Butterflies

My two sweet granddaughters will be coming for a visit in June.  I've been gathering things for projects in case of rain.  Here is a butterfly image that I found (along with others) at the Graphics Fairy.

I have a lightbox, so this butterfly can be traced then colored afterwards.  I had a lightbox when I was a kid, and I remember spending many a rainy Saturday tracing all kinds of things on it. 

Hopefully we won't have a lot of rain though, and we'll be able to go outside and find some real butterflies!

Turtle Love

This little guy (or girl) was rescued from a swimming pool on Sunday.  Not too far away from the pool is a pond.  It's hard to imagine that something this tiny could walk all the way from the pond to where the pool is.  It's quite possible that he was destined for a large bird's lunch, and was dropped by mistake.  Anyway, he is in a pie dish on my counter with some stones where he can climb up to rest, and some leaves floating around so he can hide under them when swimming in the water.

I've been doing some research on painted turtles.  That's a green bean you see floating.  Supposedly they eat them, but he isn't interested.  Probably because it looks so giant to him.  They're also supposed to eat dandelions, but he seems to like to just push it around.  The flower gives you an idea of how tiny he is.

I don't think it's a good idea to bring animals from the wild into your home, but I think if he has the opportunity to grow a bit bigger, he'll have a fighting chance in a pond some where.

Looks like I'll be looking for an aquarium so that "Sparky" has more room to grow.  I've bought reptile sticks, and brine shrimp, but for now he's only interested in the one fly a day I've been catching and putting in the water.

If you have any information about painted turtle care, please send it my way.  Sparky and I will be mighty grateful!

South of Here

As promised, photos from the trip south of here!

Melteski Family Reunion.

Pictures in Hamilton Park the next day.

And this last picture was taken by Chloe.

It was so wonderful to see so many family members.  Sorry sisters in South Jersey, I never pulled the camera out when I was down there – but it was great seeing all of you too!

Barely Normal

Sorry about the lapse in communication, but I've been sick ever since the ride back from Jersey City on Sunday, April 17.  Today is the first day I've felt somewhat human!

I've just downloaded all the photos that were taken during the trip to see sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, counsins, neices, nephews, daughter, son-in-law and two adorable granddaughters.  I promise to post some of those soon, but in the mean-time, here is a picture that just makes me smile.

Hope you're having sunshine in your neighborhood.  Send some our way if you are!