"There's No Place Like Home... Except Grandma's."

Last straw

2011-02-10T23:10:00.000-08:00

Do you ever feel stupid and you can't do anything right? That was today for me. Started out to be a good day and had lots of plans. It started to go down hill when I took my sweater back to the dry cleaners because they shrank it. The lady asked me how much bigger did it used to be? Ummm let me see, I don't know you wrecked it and it is so tight I couldn't get it on. I didn't know I should measure my sweaters before and after I took them to the cleaners. Just in case they ruin it. I was very nice, but I didn't want to be. I then drove to covington to the camera store because my camera hasn't been working right and I can't figure out what is wrong. I even have a camera book for dummies. Turns out the lens is broke. Who knew? NOt me. Since its a good lens it will take 250.00 to fix and 4 weeks or a new one for 400.00. Wow , never asked my husband how much he paid for it a few years back. Just knew it was a great camera and what a sweetie my husband was for getting it for me. The man said it had to take a good hit to break it, and I don't remember even dropping it or even banging it on or into anything. That was the last straw and I cryed all the way home and got a free hot cocoa at starbucks and that didn't even help. I so wanted to take pictures of the newest grandbaby Olivia. They say it's best to take them 6 to 7 days old. I cryed on the phone to Summer and even my Mom. What a basket case. I haven't told my husband, I don't want to cry again. I just feel stupid!!!!!! I couldn't even take care of one of the best presents my husband has ever gotten me( and he has been good to me). I guess I better not be holding anything precious or more fragile like a baby.

2010-12-14T05:33:00.000-08:00

Just sitting here on my computer at 5:34 a.m. waiting for the cinnamon rolls to raise. Missing Heidi and Carter. Talked to Westin on the phone last nite and made me miss them. I won't get to see them this Christmas and they will be missed, but I know they will have a nice peaceful Christmas. Thanksgiving just kept giving and giving. It was wonderful and wild. It was great till the flu hit. Wes said Julia is starting to smile and talk ( well baby talk), she's going to change so much before we see her again.

2010-12-09T17:06:00.000-08:00

The blessing of our little Julia was amazing. All of my kids, and grandkids were in church and Summer and her large family were even on time. Yeah Summer. There's 8 in her family and church was at 9:00 and we live at least, 20 minutes from her. Summer's always late, so Yeah Summer. As you can tell by the photo Julia wasn't as pleased as we were. This makes #3 for Wes and Jes. It was all kinds of fun untill we all got the flu later that nite. We were dropping like flies. I don't ever want to be that sick again.

Leaving Town

2010-10-13T14:17:00.000-07:00

I've had it and I'm leaving. Well, I'm leaving to wait for the arrival of our newest grandbaby and I can't wait to see her. So I'm trying to pack and clean house. This week has just been a busy and hard week, I guess I'm just getting old. We are leaving friday to drive to Spokane, that is Daniel and I, but he will return home on saturday. Someone has to hold down the fort. If I live long enough! I think it's time for my husband to trade me in for 2 twenty two years olds. Just when my back heals it's something else and I'm sick of it. I even went to the good old Doc to check everything out and a shot in each arm,6 tubes of blood,checking of other things I don't care to mention and peeing in a cup for the second time this week. I thought good I'm done for a while,but oh no, when I come back from Spokane it's time for mamogram,bone scan, and a colonoscopy. Like I want to do the whole colonoscopy after the last time, the cleaning out was bad enough and they said you won't feel a thing. Yea, right, that's why I remember the pain and them telling we're almost done. That was after the endoscopy and I remember gagging. Oh did I mention the dry heaves after and feeling like someone had beat the crap out of me!!!!!! NOt to mention other stuff that I really don't want to talk about. Lovvvvvly week. I think 3 weeks in Spokane is sounding like maybe I should stay longer. Can't wait to see Heidi,Carter,Wes,and Jes.

2010-10-04T11:25:00.000-07:00

Chandler is where it all started. Yes he was the very first grandchild, and we loved him from the moment we saw him. Okay, I loved him before I saw him. No one told me how totally amazing it was to be a grandma. Now we are working on #10 in November and #11 coming in Febuary. I love being a grandma more than anything else on earth. Chandler was the one who trained me. He has such a gentle spirit, he loves deeply. He's the easiest kid to be around, he always wants to please us and take care of us. He love's to help everyone. Chandler is turning 10 today and I don't know where the time has gone. He's gotten so tall. I remember holding him in my arms and pacing up and down the hallway till I thought my arms would fall off, trying to get him to sleep. Then when he would fall asleep I would sit carefully as not to wake him and if I sat very still he would sleep for about 20 minutes to 45 minutes. We were oatmeal buddies and would eat a huge bowl of oatmeal on the days I babysat. He taught bb and I, how to run fast when he learned how to work the hose and turned it on us. He found the more he sprayed us, the faster we would run and the harder we would laugh. He still makes us laugh, mostly he touches our hearts with kindness. I love the way he laughs, I love his big smile, I love his dimples, his big blue eyes, and the way he always wants to help me. Chandler Mandler I love you with all my heart, thanks for making me a good grandma. Happy 10th birthday, may you have 120 more.

2010-10-04T11:23:00.000-07:00

This is a little house built out of drift wood. I think the surfer's made it to keep out of the wind in between tripps in the water.

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His bb loves him as much as He loves her.

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We started little picnic lunch's at the beach with Chandler when he was just 2 and so each year it seems to get busier and busier, we don't always make it. This year we did, but it was getting kinda late in the season and it had been raining all week. I'm so glad we made it.

2010-10-04T11:14:00.000-07:00

Chandler had so much fun that day at the beach with his two grandma's. It was a really nice day and he didn't want to leave, neither did I. He found a dead crab that he packed around and called him crabby.

2010-10-04T11:12:00.000-07:00

Chandler helping Grandma bb up the dune at the beach. He really loves his bb.

2010-10-04T11:09:00.000-07:00

Chandler and his new bb gun that Grandma bb and Papa Dave bought for him. He was so excited that Grandma bb bought him a bb gun.

2010-10-04T11:08:00.000-07:00

Chandler helping Logan.

2010-10-04T11:07:00.000-07:00

What a nice big brother.

2010-10-04T11:05:00.000-07:00

Chandler and Abigail at the park.

2010-10-04T11:03:00.000-07:00

Meridian Park this summer.

2010-09-24T09:06:00.000-07:00

So cute, hiding from us, yet again. Most of the grandkids love to get their pictures taken

2010-09-23T15:51:00.000-07:00

Carter and Heidi out in the back that didn't get done this year, but the front yard is in. Kids sure like to play in the dirt. They would climb to the top of dirt piles and Carter would say I'm the king of the hill.

2010-09-23T15:49:00.000-07:00

Carter in his batman Pjs we got him for his bday.

2010-09-23T15:46:00.000-07:00

Carter loves his batman cape that I made him his last trip to Auburn and when I was over there I found a mask. So cute and when Westin's asks him where he lives he says Seattle. Too funny.

2010-09-23T15:39:00.000-07:00

Heidi is so hard to get pictures of because everytime I pull out the camera she's on the move. I mostly get side views, but mom with the camera was better. So Jes got some pretty good pictures of her. What a cute tiny little girl she is, and a girl of few words, mostly noooooo!

2010-09-23T15:17:00.000-07:00

Just sitting on the computer and thought I would add of couple pictures of the last trip to Spokane to see,Westin,Jessica, Carter and Heidikins. It's always fun for us, not so sure for Wes and Jes. We come in with all of our things and invade there home. I really had a rough time leaving this last visit because, we were there for a week and every time we left to just go to the store or something we would have to tell Carter we were coming back and that we still had 4days left or 3 or how ever many there was. About the time we start loading the car or saying our good byes Carter would hold on around my neck and lock his fingers. Westin has to pry him lose and this last time I almost lost it. I just new I couldn't cry or I would make them more sad and I didn't want to do that and plus I wouldn't be able to stop. I just miss them so much when we are away from them and I hate having family dinners and birthday without them. I wish we could all live close to each other. It would be crazy at times, but a good crazy.

2010-08-12T22:29:00.000-07:00

I'm so thankful for Katii and her sweet little spirit. We new she was strong willed from the start, but didn't know that from such a young age she would choose the right and be so smart about so many things. One day a while back we asked her if she could have anything what would it be and she said "I wish everyone would go to church". She always wants to choose the right and would like for everyone else too, also. She's the very best of her mom and the very best of her dad and she has a giggle that makes me giggle. She is such a girlie girl and I think thats why papa calls her girlie. She came out screaming with wild black hair and pretty much screamed the first half of her life .Then all of sudden was this delightful little girl. She's so soft and sweet and willing to help do anything, even clean the toilet. She's such a delight, you just gotta love her. Kaisa Jeanette Powell we love you!!!!!!!

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2010-08-12T22:16:00.000-07:00

Kaisa and Carter on the swing at the house after the baptism. Carter just wanted to sit by her and play with her and just loved being around Kaisa pretty much the whole day.

2010-08-12T22:13:00.000-07:00

Kaisa and Carter at the church.

2010-08-12T22:08:00.000-07:00

After Kaisa (Katii) was baptised it was back to the house for lunch and a birthday party with capes for all the grandkids, and Katii didn't mind sharing her day with her favorite cousin Carter. We took lots of pictures and ate cupcakes .

2010-08-07T21:12:00.000-07:00

These are just a few of the pictures of some of the people that were there for Kaisa's special day.

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2010-08-07T20:59:00.000-07:00

Today was Kaisa's big day, and she was so excited. She's holding her towel that I get each one of the grandkid's, with their name and baptism date. They use it to dry off after they get baptised and then get to keep it for a nice reminder to remember that special day.

2010-07-27T22:59:00.000-07:00

This is not just one of the cutest little people in my life, but proably one of the easiest to babysit. Just give him a tub of water or even a hose and he is happy for a very long time. Possibly hours which made my day much easier than I thought it was going to be. Logan your one in a million, or should I say one of my 9 most favorite little peeps. Oh, and he's even already potty trained and not even 2 till the end of August.

Girlie's 8th Birthday

2010-07-14T10:47:00.000-07:00

Our Girlie turned 8 yesterday. She gets baptised Saturday August 7th. (She is very excited about that.) She got to go shopping for her birthday with her ladies. She got her ears pierced too. She was really looking forward to it but very nervous. She is all about the bling and the first pair she picked out were huge princess crystals in white gold. Unfortunately they were out of stock so she settled on some just as pretty sparkly flowers. Lots of huge tears came after and it took her a while to realize she was okay and get back into the mood to shop. Her Great Grandma BB spoiled her immensly and she is quite grateful.

2010-07-06T20:55:00.000-07:00

Say what! You want me to do what to what? I don't think so.

2010-07-06T20:52:00.000-07:00

Papa finally got Carter to hold a crab and he did enjoy it after they were dead and not wiggling so much.

2010-07-06T20:50:00.000-07:00

Papa saved a few crab for Carter to help and he wasn't quite as happy to help at first.

2010-07-06T20:44:00.000-07:00

Daniel also starting climbing tree's after I took pictures of Abby and Damon and decided he wanted his picture taken also. The whole time we were at the beach," grandma take my picture". What little ham's and I was so willing to just that. Now I have a million pictures and will have to blog everyday to get them on here. So many pictures and so little time. Plus I'm computer stupid, but starting to figure a few things out. Good practice.

2010-07-06T18:48:00.000-07:00

Who knew climbing tree's could be so much fun.

2010-07-06T18:42:00.000-07:00

More pic's of Abby and Damon in the tree. I heard him say to her," hang on to me like you could fall." She did and she dangled from his neck as he move up higher in the tree. I'm to old for this, and it brought back memories of Chandler falling out our bedroom window when he wasn't quite 2.

2010-07-06T17:00:00.000-07:00

One of the scariest moments at the beach is when I looked up in a tree and saw my little Abby in the tree with her older brother Damon. Summer didn't seem to mind and I almost had a heart attack. What were they thinking? Damon was really careful with her and she had a blast.

2010-07-05T11:33:00.000-07:00

Well the 4th was so much fun as always, even though everyone was't there. One of the best parts was watching little Abigail help Papa clean the crab she really got into it. Most of the kids stand at distance and watch in disgust! She is one of a kind, I smile every time I see her. She is always happy to see me and shows me. I love everything about her, even when shes mad.

2010-06-30T13:21:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again, 4th of July and we only have a few days before we leave to my parents beach cabin at Westport. This truly has grown to be my favorite thing to do and it costs nearly nothing thanks to my parents having a cabin at the beach. It has almost everything needed to have a good time, pots,pans,dishes,stove,frig,bathroom,beds and etc... we just pack clothes and food. It's only about a block from the beach and there's a fire pitt for roasting hot dogs and on the 4th there will be fresh crabs cooked in a big pot on the fire. The cabin is old and rustic, my Dad built it in the 50's or 60's,but it's great we don't have to worry about getting sand all over, we just sweep it up. So rain or shine, windy or not, we go and I always have fun. I do hope it will be sunny. I'm hoping all my little peeps will be there, but I think Chandler and Kaisa will be going to there Dad's (bummer). I think Tris and his little family will not be there because of money issues. Preston would rather hang out with buds blowing things up. Some of the kids will be there and some won't and I will miss the ones that aren't there.

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It took a while, but we finally got D to smile. It was fun at the park and at the school across from his house, and the otter pops were great, but the water slide is alot more fun. The kids had so much fun on the water slide at Summer's. Carter didn't have a swim suit so he used one of Daniel's and it was alittle big, so his butt was hanging out half the time. We laugh so hard, butt he didn't to care. The water was like ice water, and the kids tried to tell me " grandma it's warm". I don't think so! It would have to be at least 80 to be warm for me.

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My Little People !

2010-06-27T13:51:00.000-07:00

This is only 6 of the 9 little people in my life! We have got to send alot of time together this week. We went to the park and that was totally overwelming for grandma. Where's Heidi,where's Carter, oh no I can't find Daniel. We happen to go to this wonderful Park in Puyallup on the nicest day so far this year and we all know what day that was, since there's only been a few. Okay maybe one! Everyone that lived in the city was also there and I mean kids, parents and dogs everywhere. After an hour and half of playing and eating a picnic lunch and chasing kids,we decided to leave.

Papa is the best thing since peanut butter and Jam

2009-12-31T16:58:00.000-08:00

Wow do you think they love him? Or maybe they just think he's sooooo funny.

Pictures with Papa

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My favorite thing about going to Summer's is My little people. They are always happy to see me even if I'm not bringing goodies.This Christmas Summer wanted to have Christ in her Christmas, so WE (PaPa and I) brought down a few spiritual messages. The grandkids seemed to love it and it would have went better if Papa wasn't such a goof ball. So, we or should I say I read stories like the Christmas orange and the Spirit of Christmas poem and handed out Christmas stars and oranges and we had hot chocolate. My Mom also bought the kids blue blankets and I read the Faded Blue Blanket, which is a really nice story and not to long for the little ones(like Abigail). We also took lots of photos.

2009-06-23T20:00:00.000-07:00

I can't wait for new memories. Thanks to Summer I can now practice adding posts to my blog. I'm just an infant at blogging. Hopefully I won't stink at it like an infants diaper.

2009-06-23T19:58:00.000-07:00

The look on Chandler's face is priceless.

Almost Time for the Beach!

2009-06-23T19:38:00.000-07:00

I can't believe its almost July! Time to go to the beach cabin and cook crab.Last year Katii and Chandler watched grandpa clean the crab and I took some really funny pictures. The kids thought it was gross and yea it does look gross when grandpa stabbs them, brakes them in half and takes out the gutts. Wes,Jes,Carter and Heidi are coming , I can't wait to see them. You never know what the weather will be like.Hopefully sunny, not rainy or windy, but always fun.

Posting Pictures

2009-01-10T20:07:00.000-08:00

I am learning to post photos on my blog. This picture is a good one to start with. Chandler and Kaisa had their pictures taken in September ('08) with their Dad and Step-mom. They are some dang cute babies!

What To Do About Nothing?

2009-01-10T13:52:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure where to even start. If you're reading this I have to warn you, it won't have correct spelling or have correct sentence structure. My kids are all out of school and have been for awhile,which means I haven't had any reminders on writing. I barely write a letter or even a thank you note. My mind also thinks faster than I can write or type. Oh, did I mention I haven't typed much since high school. Can't tell you and won't tell you how long that's been, nor do I care to think about it. Maybe I'm just to stinking old to remember, or I have just chosen to block it out.

A couple things I do know is, it helps to lighten the load when I read other blogs that are out there. Some that I read make me laugh and almost wet my self. Some make me sad and others make me feel glad to be me. So I thank all you bloggers. Lately with the cat ("CC", Tristan's cat) peeing (I hope I spelled that right) on things, like my stove, my slippers, and most recently my shoes. That day I almost committed murder! Is it murder if its a pet? But instead I ran though the house screaming profanities and trying to catch it. It finally dove under my bed to escape,but lucky for me I caught it by the tail and ripped it(and I do mean ripped) out from under my bed, still screaming and shook it and almost strangled it. I then threw the cat out the front door ,(while still screaming), slammed the door (still screaming and crying). I'm sure if the neighbors heard me they would have thought someone was dying. The cat has been outside for several days, and sits at the front or back door meowing. I think I may lose my mind. I do mean all day and night almost nonstop, barely taking a breath. Tristan may have a home for the cat and I hope it's soon. I took the cat to the Vet today to make sure there is nothing physically wrong. I think its all mental. If the cat doesn't leave soon, I will be mental and maybe start to pee on things like stoves, slippers and shoes.