Making Stuff - - - WOO HOO!!!

Oma has been making stuff the last few days. First there was a necklace to go with Melanie's new shoes! When we went shopping last weekend, Melanie bought the most audacious, wonderful, green flats on the planet at DSW. They are so nice, that one of her roommates suggested they would be just great with something as plain as a khaki skirt and a white shirt and ------TA DA ----- a GREEN NECKLACE! Since all of Melanie's jewelry was stolen last year (another story), she needed a green necklace. So I promptly came home and laid out some green beads on my bead board. I only needed a few smaller (5mm) beads for the ends. So off I went to Joann Fabrics to get these. You can see the amazing results.

With the necklace on its way, I turned my attention to the little, fleece jacket I had cut out for David for fall. Several weeks ago, I made a trip to Joann Fabrics on my way home from Giant Eagle to pick up a separating zipper for the front of this little hoodie. I got a 7" just like the one I got for Katy's jacket when she was small. Well, Saturday I put the jacket together. When I got ready to put in the zipper, it was TOO SHORT! I forgot that Katy's jacket was a 6 month size. David's is a 12 month, and it needs a 10" zipper. So yesterday on the way home from church, Greg stopped at Joann Fabric (again) to let me buy a 10" zipper. Later in the afternoon, I went to put in the zipper and finish the jacket. IT WASN'T A SEPARATING ZIPPER!!! I GOT THE WRONG THING!!! So tonight on the way home from work I stopped AGAIN at Joann Fabric and carefully bought a 10" separating zipper. I finally finished the jacket, which is being worn here by one of Melanie's favorite playmates of old, Jonathon. Jonathon and his sister, Gina, were Melanie's "twins." They were often found reading books or watching TV or taking naps in various parts of the house when Melanie was small. Now they model baby clothes and wait patiently for children to come and play with them. Jonathon is also wearing a bracelet that Oma found for Katy the next time she sees her. And if you know anybody who needs a couple of black zippers, I can save them a trip to Joann's.

Oma also made a pair of slacks yesterday for herself, which turned out very well. They are navy blue, and I wore them to work today. I still have another pair of slacks to make and another hemming project. Then it will probably be time to think about Halloween costumes!

What does Opa do while I am sewing? He reads books and cuts grass and buys things on E-Bay! One of the things that he has gotten into recently has been "California Shirts" inspired by Jimmy, one of the drummers at our church who recently returned from several years in California. Jimmy has that Miami Vice thing going with the shirts; and Greg has been having a great deal of fun buying short sleeved, cotton print California shirts. Last week he told me about getting the winning bid on a truly amazing shirt. He couldn't wait for it to arrive and watched the mailbox for days in anticipation. Well, it's here. I have to agree. It is truly AMAZING! Jimmy has met his match.

How would this one look with a bow tie? What color bow tie would you WEAR with this?

A Tribute to David!

Oma is not up to speed on little boys after all the girls in the family. But I have to admit that David is introducing me to a whole new world of clothes and toys and special times. At 4-1/2 months, his personality is really starting to emerge. And his ready smile always make me want to scoop him up and kiss those adorable cheeks.

If you are into Star Wars, David is R2D2 to Katy's C3PO. He kind of gurgles along making pleasant sounds and surprises you with his newest trick while Katy gets excited and talks a mile a minute. You kind of expect Luke Skywalker to stride in at any moment. But actually, the droids are enough entertainment without the rest of the cast.

When I was in Columbus last weekend, I recorded a short video of Katy and David that kind of illustrates my point. I think you'll enjoy this!

So come on, all you mommy's and oma's with little boys! Give me some pointers on the most fun toys and things that I can look forward to here! I am really terrible when it comes to balls and eye-hand coordination in the large motor area. (I play golf because it was the only game I could find where the ball lies still on the ground until you go hit it again.) Should I get David some golf clubs . . . or should I wait until he can stand up first? Men make fantastic pianists with their big, strong hands. Maybe Brian will share that toy chain saw I got at "Once Upon a Child" when Katy was little.

Give me some help here . . . you can see I'm struggling, can't you?

Random Rambling . . . Stan & Abby's New House . . .

This weekend I made a quick trip over to Columbus to celebrate Melanie's birthday with her (a little late). We went shopping at Easton on Saturday evening and then met Drew for dinner at P.F. Chang's. On the way back to town, we stopped at United Dairy Farmer's and got our dessert. ICE CREAM!!!! It was SWEET (as Brian would say).

Here is a video of Katy from this morning to show that I got my fix of Oma kisses.



When I got home, I got an e-mail from Abby with a picture of their new house . . . from the FRONT so you can actually see what it looks like! Isn't this awesome?

She also sent some new pictures of Gabe, and I can't resist posting one of those because I haven't seen him for a couple of months. He's growing and getting sooooo big!

The end. (I told you it was random!)

Welcome Home, Stan, Abby & Gabe!



You may remember a post a few months ago about a visit from my niece, Abby, and her husband, Stan, and son, Gabe. Well, they have been living in the Akron area for a year or so; and last week they bought a great new house with a couple of acres where their kids and pets can play!



I'm sure we will get some better pictures in the future, but for now-----



Pretty cool, huh? Congratulations, guys!

Happy Birthday, Melanie!

In the true spirit of being a mother, I cannot let this opportunity pass by. Melanie is turning 23 on Friday, and I thought it would be a great time to post some pictures of my baby girl on the blog. So here goes.

Melanie's first day. August 8, 1985.

Melanie at age 6 months in the infamous blue dress.

Emily and Melanie on the beach in St. Maarten; ages 15 and 7 respectively.

Melanie in a Glamour Shot at age 14. I think she hates this picture and will probably get mad at me for this one.

Drew and Melanie before the band dance last year hamming it up. Show us those beautiful, green eyes, baby!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEETHEART! I love ya'!

Mom

Half Anniversary and Back at Goal!!!!


I have been going back to Weight Watchers to get rid of the 6-8 pounds I gained over the winter when the weather was too bad to walk and the food was too available. I asked Greg if we could go on a date to dinner on Mount Washington when I got back to my goal weight. There was also an outfit that he bought for me in the silent auction at the Glass Slipper Ball last February that I have been wanting to wear; and it is definitely a summer set.


Well, I finally weighed in below my goal weight on Tuesday; and Greg made a reservation for us tonight for dinner. It was fun to get dressed up and ride the Duquesne Incline and dine looking over the city. And the orange roughy was delicious . . . I love fish when somebody else prepares it for me!

It just so happens that our anniversary is February 2. Since today is August 2, this officially qualifies as our "half anniversary." Eight and a half years are worth celebrating; and I liked it so much that I suggested to Greg that we should celebrate a half anniversary every year so we could have a nice date in the summertime, too. (He's thinking about that one, but I think I can convince him.) Here is a photo from our evening.

Here we are at the top of the incline after dinner with the sun setting over the Ohio River in the background. On the way home, we saw another couple on the back of a motorcycle. I asked Greg if he ever thought of our taking this kind of transportation. He said 'yes' that we could be "Big G and Special K" talking into our microphones inside those big helmets. (I don't think so.)