A Wrap-Up of 2013

I've said this many times, "How quickly this year has flown by!"

It is true of 2013 too!

I began the year working for Nanny Family #2, then for the DeNiece family for 6 weeks, then... my brother J boys for the summer & now I care for 3 kids that in earlier posts I labeled, Nanny Family #3. I also began working my way into full activity in the Church. Last month, I was called as a Nursery Class leader. It's an unorganized mess right now, more like a babysitting service rather than a class. I have my work cut out for me!

C began her senior year @ SNHU. Her boyfriend, G, presented her w/a "promise" ring. She's beginning to talk about her plans once she has graduated which may or may not include moving out of our house & into one w/G. Stay tuned! She'll need a full-time job as well. Student loans, car loans & insurance cost more money than a part-time job provides.

B did some extreme hiking this year, though I'm fairly certain he didn't plan it to be extreme! The weather just happened to be strong during his trips! He was released as Scoutmaster & is now serving as Ward Mission Leader.

I got to be w/Carlotta twice this year! We visited for a long birthday weekend w/her in Virginia on Valentines Day. Then in August, we paid for train tickets for T & Carlotta to visit us here in NH for a week! I crammed in a ton of stuff to do w/her that week as mentioned in a previous post. Starting to save for another trip in February then another in May when C graduates. We hope M will be able to visit then too.

Carlotta is growing so fast! We Skyped on Christmas morning & I was happy to see she is learning numbers & letters. She recognized the number 3 on her Dad's football shirt. I love her so much & love that she has never been afraid of me! That was a fear of mine when I realized T would never live very close to me. I didn't want to be a stranger to my grandkids. I'm getting excited for February!

T continues to do well in her job w/GUIV magazine in her city. She's always so excited about the assignment she's working on & can't wait for the next one. She has become very artistic since leaving home in 2006. Painting, drawing & crocheting are few things she does very well. Her husband, M, talks about interviewing for a job w/more normal hours. He currently does the overnight shift. We chipped in w/his parents to get him a nice suit to help in his endeavor.

The cats have returned to being normal w/each other. There was a time this year where I thought I may have to get rid of one or both because of their fighting. Turns out it was "displaced anger" and w/time & patience, they are normal again! Phew!

Our Monday nights w/our friends continue. I'm sorry there have been a few deaths in their family, but they continue on as the strong people they are!

No major new illnesses, no improvement of the ailments I already have, but that's my fault. I like to eat too much & not exercise very much. My in-laws sold their house in Nbpt & moved into an apartment owned by an old family friend who just happens to be dating the father of the kids in my Nanny Family #3! I haven't made it over there yet. Working 50 hours a week makes me exhausted faster than it once did. I rarely see 9pm anymore!

I guess that's a wrap! Happy New Year everyone!

My Collection

As a child, FPLP (Fisher Price Little People) were the toy of choice for me & my sisters. We could play for hours, indoors or out. We mostly chose the latter.

Playing outdoors also meant we could use the landscape as added playing spaces. The rock wall became a multi-level condo unit, for example. 

Being the youngest sister... at that time, meant 1st choice of the pieces I could claim as "mine," never happened! I tried to argue a few times about how I never got the motorcycle or the boy figure w/the sideways baseball cap. But after being tattled on for whining or arguing & getting punished, I never brought it up & played w/the other pieces, yet always wanting to play w/the "coveted" pieces!

I think that was why I began to collect my own FPLP pieces as a new mother. Sadly, after about 13 years or so of collecting, my kids never catching the FPLP bug & during a rough financial time, I sold the pcs on Ebay, making about $1500. It wasn't long before I regretted that choice.

Several years have passed. We are better off, financially, so I made a few purchases. This time around, I chose to only buy complete/almost complete sets & only the pieces I really, really wanted to play with as a child, but hardly got the chance.

I finished that collection...today! At least I think it's finished... we'll see!! YAY!

So, for inventory purposes:

These are original FPLP play pieces. Not the "chunky" style or the newer styles. These are the toys that consumers claimed could be swallowed by a child. I like to live on the edge!

• Western Town play set & extra horse (complete, though I'd love a silver star sheriff!)
• Fire house play set (complete w/box)
• Village play set (complete) sometimes called "Main Street" play set (needs original #4 mail piece)
• Camping play set (complete w/partial box) A motorcycle comes w/this set!
• Krazy Klown Kar set (complete w/a few extra clowns)
• Yellow House play set (complete)
• A-Frame play set (complete except for the dog. Also, handle is cracked, be careful) 
• 2 snowmobiles w/matching sleds & 2 people each (snowmobile skis come in both black & red!)
• 3 piece zoo tram w/zookeeper (blue body)
• Sesame Street figures & accessories, found a building at a thrift store! I need 6 rung white ladder.
• Goldilocks & The 3 bears pull toy w/plastic key
• Lace-Up Shoe w/Mother Hubbard, 4 shaped people & marshmallow dog (original red striped lace!)
• Castle, complete set except the harness is the incorrect one. 1 horse & dragon missing an ear.

I also have odds & ends which include... another motorcycle w/helmeted rider, race car w/driver, royal family w/knight, 2 types of baby figures, several other varieties of figures, vehicles, furniture & more.

I do not wish to collect garages, airports, schools, playgrounds.

If anyone reading this thinks they'd like to get me some FPLP pieces, I'm currently not looking for anymore FPLP... however, I wouldn't turn away of the following pieces: 

• 
  
• the zoo play set (minus the tram & zookeeper because I have those pcs already)
• Sesame Street Clubhouse play set w/accessories (I have all the figures)
• the white ladder for the Sesame Street Apartment play set (6 rung ladder only, please)
• Pool play set w/exclusive grill, diving board, slide, etc.

note: 

On 2/5/2015 I have just about completed the Hospital set! I have all the accessories (plus a few extra pcs) and I have the hospital building. What I don't have is the fold-down "floor/wall" of the set.

The accessories are: 2 doctors (white bodies & 1 doctor is African-American), 1 nurse w/mask, 1 baby w/NO BIB, 2 turquoise twin beds, 2 turquoise square chairs, X-ray machine, scale, operating table, sink, crib, ambulance w/gurney, privacy screen & 4 people (dad, mom, girl & boy)

OK, thanks for indulging me w/my ramblings about my collection! I do believe I am done... unless you send me some more! Thanks!

6/19/2015 update: Impulse buy! I found on eBay, with box, a complete MCDONALDS!

Sunday Night Football 2013!

Tomorrow, I will be at FRIGID Gillette Stadium to watch NE Patriots take on a very strong team, led by Peyton Manning, the Denver Broncos!

This was a highly anticipated game because in the off season, my main man, WES WELKER, decided he would jump ship & go to Denver for an extra $2 million! 

I'm a loyalty fan & was impressed that Tom Brady had taken a pay CUT to stay on a winning team! I am unimpressed that Welker did not!

Granted, the Broncos are doing very well this year & may go to the Super Bowl, but I continue to feel bruised by the Welkers move. I blame his agent mostly.

But back to tomorrow nights game... Welker may not play!! He suffered a mild concussion in last weeks game & may not be cleared to play! BooHoo!

I will still find something to cheer about though! I'm learning the names of the young players who are starting to step it up!

I will be dressed in many layers as the predicted temperature with the wind chill factor is supposed to be in single digits. Staying at a hotel after the game to avoid traffic. Last year, we didn't get home until 5am! Yes, I said 5 AM! 

Foxboro, here I come! In my new Jeep w/built-in GPS!

Plans For Turkey Day

Our 2013 Thanksgiving Dinner plans are interesting, for certain!

C & her significant other, G, will be preparing the dinner, minus our assignment of mashed potatoes, at the home of G's father in Brentwood! It'll be our 1st time meeting G's Dad.

Yes, I did say C & G will be cooking the turkey! 

Since she'll be texting me w/questions, it'll be like I'm right there with her, right?

She's growing up so fast! A senior @ SNHU, a key holder @ the store she works for & excels @ her RA position which she has held for 3 years now! C has accomplished everything she has put her mind up to do! Cooking a Thanksgiving feast is her next goal & I believe she will be successful!

Pie is being served @ 3pm in Acton @ the home of B's sister, K. Then, it's off to our traditional Thanksgiving movie! Title of movie has yet to be decided! hint, hint!

New Territories

Beware! A cat situation update is forthcoming!

The violent fighting has abated. The unworldly sounding yowls have ceased. They share a few common areas now, usually if food, water or favorite people are in the area.

Other than that, my cats have little to do with each other.

Gracie has staked out upstairs as "her space" while Zee has the basement. I have not seen Gracie venture into the basement in weeks! She is very cautious as she passes the basement door, acting as though someone is about to jump out at her!

Zee is still... Zee! Carefree, looking for attention/petting & seems to have accepted Gracie is different & has no desire to play. She'd love a C visit! Gracie growls if Zee gets too much in her space, but it's a short growl & Zee does back off.

So thats where we stand. 

No, Gracie hasn't returned to sleeping next to me but she will sit near me & Zee on the sofa! 

On another note...

Thanks Ray! 

My friends S & G lent me their talented dad to install a replacement storm door which had blown off its hinges 2 winters ago! Awesome job & B helped him. Ray also power washed our deck, sanded it & sealed it with weatherproofing stain! Thanks again!

Truce?

The situation with my cats has pretty much been my entire life outside of taking care of Em during the week. Even then, I would bring her to the house to play or to do crafts, all the time keeping an eye on my cats behavior. It has been very stressful to me!

There is light at the end of the tunnel, I think!

This morning, they both came running to their bowls for breakfast. Gracie sniffed around Zee (must be an animal thing!) then they both proceeded to eat out of the same bowl, at the same time! No hissing, no swatting, no growling, no yowling & no fighting!

Later, when I returned to my home, with Em, to do our crafts, both cats hung around us, each begging for human companionship. Em was loving the feline attention! She even got them both to play with some curly ribbon!

I watched some TV tonight & both cats were on the same couch, only inches from each other & could've cared less about the other being there! Progress!

Heading off to bed now. Only Zee has been on my bed in this whole situation. I'm hopeful that Gracie will try again to sleep in my room.

Oh, please! Let this be over! I miss my cats & the way they were!

What's New, Pussycat?

It's been a roller coaster of a ride these past few days w/my cats! 

No, they are not back to the way they were, but it has gotten a bit better.

The upstairs & basement remain off-limits to the cats. The outdoor pen is also off-limits, for now.

They can go anywhere in the downstairs floor as long as they don't "hide" and attack each other. Gracie seems to have claimed the big window in the family room & the couch in front of it. Zee mainly uses the spare bedroom or the couch on the opposite side of the family room (but only if I'm on it)

I try to give food, water & treats as close to each other as possible. I've even seen them grooming each other, though briefly. Hissing is the main thing I hear, mostly from Gracie. A few growls now & again. This morning was a brief cat fight that broke up as soon as I walked in the room.

Gracie has just ventured into my office as I'm typing. This is the 1st time she's ventured down the hall, on her own, in over a week. Didn't last long... she went back to the family room!

Oooo, she's back!

Maybe she'll actually sleep on my bed tonight? Probably to wishful on my part!

Good night Gracie, & Zee!

Achy, Breaky Heart

Yes, 

I'm using Billy Ray Cyrus' only hit to describe what I'm feeling about my Life with Gracie & Zee.

It's been a week since my Gracie has turned into a hissing, growling, mean cat towards Zee. Zee cannot even walk by, minding her own business, w/o Gracie growling or hissing at her. At first, I thought Zee was the aggressor, but it turns out, she was merely defending herself. Zee is such a laid back kitty it's hard to figure out why Gracie dislikes her so much! When not in her sleeping spot, Gracie eyes & body are on constant high alert... as if Zee would sneak up on her.

I've closed off parts of the house where Gracie would just hide. I want her out in the open! The vet recommended against complete separation. I no longer let them outside in their pen, though my windows are open due to the nice weather. I've put their food & water dishes in separate rooms & will add a 3rd litter box so neither cat will be too scared to use it! I'm using the Feliway diffuser system yet I  haven't seen results! The directions say it could take up to 30 days before a noticeable change happens. 

I'm not ignoring Gracie, she is still a very nice cat to B & myself. She loves to be petted & sit w/B while he's on the computer. I know I pay more attention to Zee, but she is a friendlier cat & likes to sleep near me on the sofa. Gracie was never bothered by this before, heck... she used to just curl up on my other side! Now, I get the DEATH STARE if she sees me being nice to Zee!

The mean, drag down fighting seems to have abated. Gracie will strike out & add more vocal sounds if she feels Zee has gotten too close. Those spats are over quickly. I don't like to see or hear the spats! It's breaking my heart to see this behavior!

So this is where we are at on my Life with Gracie & Zee. Uneasiness abounds! 

No Blood, No Foul!

This was the advice the vet gave to me after examining Zee & Gracie & finding no outward reason for them to be fighting. I'm supposed to ignore it until they figure out who will be the dominant cat now that Zee has matured enough to say, NO!

They were OK for 2 hours after the vet & then they began fighting again! I found it too difficult to bear so I went outdoors & used power equipment so I couldn't hear them.

Another 2 hours, I'm back indoors, Zee is around me but NO GRACIE! 

She's most likely upstairs, cowering.

Other vet news... both cats are STILL overweight despite my efforts to feed them lite food & less of it! Also, Gracie is starting to show signs of tartar on her teeth which could lead to gum disease. If you could have seen the fit she threw during her exam & nail clipping... you would understand why I'm hesitant to begin brushing her teeth! She left several bloody scratches on the vet & his aide! It took all 3 of us to hold her down & she could be heard throughout the entire animal hospital! Thankfully, Zee's teeth are fine. Gracie got her distemper booster & Zee got one too along with her rabies booster. Zee was awesome during her exam & nail trimming!

Off to my Monday night dinner w/friends. I'm not separating them so we shall see whats left of them & my house when we get back around 9.

Gracie & Zee in Life Changes

WARNING!! LONG, WORDY POST!

I love watching Animal Planet's show... My Cat from Hell... because I thought I had my cats behavior nailed! The owners depicted on the show were morons! Or so I thought!

While my cats were never "cuddle-ly" w/each other, they would eat next to each other, use the same litter box, spend time in the outdoor pen together & at night, they would sleep on the same bed (w/me in the middle, that is). Gracie is the dominant cat for sure. She really only lets B, C & I touch her & is tolerant of others only if they let her be! Zee is the baby & loves to be petted, by anyone. If she's had enough, she simply walks away.

Early spring 2013, at night, while they were in the outdoor pen, I heard them make noises I had never heard before! High pitched yowling, hisses & other growls that sounded pretty scary. I videotaped it & sent copies to T & C because it was so unusual. I guess I didn't send a copy to myself though or I would post it. It lasted about 2 hours, they didn't fight w/each other. Just made scary noises.

Now it is Fall of 2013. I came home Thursday night to a feline stand-off. Zee was being the aggressive cat. Gracie was scared of Zee! No amount of hissing, yowling or growling kept Zee at bay. Fur would fly, literally, when they fought. Mean, knock-down, drag to the ground sort of fighting! 

No chance this was play wrestling! 

An Internet search suggested a separation which I did while at work on Friday. I felt bad leaving Gracie cooped up in a single room w/her food, water & litter box & one window open to view the world.

I called my vet & was told it was most likely that Gracie wasn't feeling well & Zee was using that as an excuse to "turn the tables" & become the dominant one. She said I should keep them separate in case one was sick. No fun being sick & scared & stressed! She suggested further that I use a diffuser that emits cat pheromones in the air to calm them. The vet uses them in every examining room. 

I left work & bought it & a refill! 

I got a spray bottle too so I could directly spray on things my cats would normally sit on!

 When I returned home, Gracie was still on my bed, in the same spot. Hadn't eaten much & the box was unused. (I checked, she didn't go elsewhere either). Perhaps she wasn't feeling well like the vet had thought. 

I brought Zee into the room & Gracie promptly hissed! 

Got out the baby gates & cordoned off the hallway so both cats could have decent roaming room yet still be separated. It was a peaceful night. In the morning, when I saw they didn't hiss at each other at the gates, I removed the gates. So far, so good!

I was vigilant for an hour. No hisses, no yowling, no fighting! They drank together, watched birds in a bush out of the same window & walked past each other w/o fighting. Phew!

B & I left for the day. (I got a new car!)

We came back at 6pm. Both cats greeted us at the door. We fed them, gave them a drink from the faucet. (Yeah, my cats like faucet water the best!) then, 

just as I posted on FB that my cat crisis was over... IT WASN'T!

Zee attacked Gracie who went running into B's office. He quickly shut his door keeping Zee out! 

The gates are going back up! I sprayed more pheromone spray upstairs. 

Fingers crossed! 

I cannot even think about having to get rid of one of them if they cannot get along again. 

This is tough! 

Their vet appointment is Monday. 

I will have their blood work done to rule out something physically wrong!

You Have a Visitor

B has been working mega overtime hours since Carlotta was visiting in early August. He has not been home much. Does he really have that much work to do or is he trying to help us afford a perfect car w/as small a monthly payment as possible or is he ducking his calling at Church as mission leader? After all, you can't go out w/the missionaries if you are not in town!
I'm enjoying being alone... or so I thought.
C came home tonight for the 1st time in weeks! Didn't realize how much I missed her until she walked through the door. I'm smiling on the insides! Pizza for dinner & she'll probably just go to bed but she's home & I'm OK w/that.

Job is going by quickly, for now. E loves learning so I make sure we do "school" every day for at least an hour. Siblings N & A are a bit much sometimes, but not too bad. They get ready for school easily & when they return home in the afternoon, there are fewer meltdowns. Their grandparents have noticed a marked improvement in their behavior now that they don't have so much traveling to do for drop off & pick up at daycare. I hope that's more to do w/me & the quality of care I provide rather than the inconvenience of  driving a long way to & from daycare.

Holidays are coming up! I have yet to receive lists from those I continue to shop for at Christmastime. Maybe, if they read this entry they will forward me their lists? All I want is a car that runs well, in the sun, in the rain & in the snow and maybe a generator, for power outages.

The Whole Yard

Our yard is just a smidgen smaller than an acre. On this piece of land stands our 2 story Cape Cod style house & a small shed. A few years after moving here, we had all the pine trees removed from the yard giving it a more "open" feel.  Surrounding our entire property, except the side where the road goes by, are just enough trees, bushes & rocks to provide privacy & a woodsy atmosphere.  The front yard is mostly flat while the surrounding yard has a gentle slope. 

I would have loved this yard as a child. Lots to do if you use your imagination, aren't afraid of bugs & don't mind getting dirty! 

Sadly, we moved here too late to be able to instill a love for  outdoor play in our children. The Internet, cell phones & TV was what interested them most. 

Oh, I tried. 

I even forced them to be in the outdoors.

Nope.

This weekend I have 2 of my nephews here. They've been here once before & really gave my yard a workout! It gave me great joy to see my yard being used in the manner I had once envisioned it to be used! Cops & robbers, hero vs the villain, bike riding & tricks, hide & seek, tag of all varieties, bugs captured, flowers trampled, felling of trees (w/plastic swords) & best of all... no tattle tales! I have had very little interaction w/them. Their imagination is in hyperdrive! 

Finally! 

My yard is happy!

All of it!

If only ALL the kids I cared for were like this! Some did it sometimes, but never to this extent.

It's awesome!

The Attack from Below!

It didn't take very long for something interesting to happen since I blogged about not blogging! But first let me assure you... no one died!

In less than 7 days, I successfully taught 2 of my charges how to ride a 2 wheeled bike w/o training wheels! One took to it very easily, less than an hour! The other... got it eventually but w/so much whining & crying & blaming others for his failures, I wasn't sure he would ever catch on. But he did! Now, the 2 of them are riding as if they've been doing so for years! Very confident of themselves!

But that's not the interesting thing!

This involved the youngest one, E. She is the one I spend most of my day with and is a joy to be around, when not w/her siblings!
She came w/me to my doctor appt & was wonderfully behaved. We returned to my house so she could practice riding a bike w/training wheels in a safer area other than her driveway. She lives on a very, very busy street!

After an hour, she wanted to help me w/the pruning which led us into a semi-wooded area of the yard which led to us moving some loose stones/rocks to begin forming a stone wall which led to me raking some debris from the lawn into the edges of the wooded area which led to disturbing an underground yellow-jacket nest which led to me hearing the most spine tingling scream ever!

She had been stung!

She had more yellow jackets stuck on her sweater who were trying to find ways to sting her too!
As we fled the area, I stripped her of her clothes which caused the yellow jackets to attach themselves to me & my clothing!

I was stung only once, thank goodness!

Once inside my house, I killed about 5 more yellow jackets who had attached themselves to our clothing! My kitchen floor looked like a battlefield scene from the movies!
Meanwhile, E was still screaming! I ignored my own discomfort & tried to remember all I had ever learned about treating bee stings. She wasn't swelling anywhere so I figured she wasn't an allergy risk! This was later confirmed by her mother.

I knew I had to look for the stinger. This was not happening w/my eyesight w/o any eye drops in them for my allergies!
I did have some anti itch cream to use for mosquito bites so I used that as I continued to search my memory for other ideas.
My Elmo ice pack in the freezer helped calm her. It made sense to her to calm the burning hot feeling of the sting w/some cooling effects of the ice pack. That and a movie of her choosing! Matilda was her DVD of choice. Before Matilda was enrolled in Trunchbull Academy, E's pain from the sting had subsided! She even spent the next 2 hours on the bike, keeping far away from the underground yellow jacket nest!

Later, when we got back to her home, her Mimi came out to see if she was OK. E told me to let her tell Mimi the story of what happened. She began with... "Once upon a time...!" LOL! Mimi & I agree that the earth has no use for yellow jackets! They are the devil's killer bee! Pure evil. And sneaky, making their nests underground!

I went to WalMart to get killer spray. There must be a lot of yellow jacket killing going on because I couldn't find any Raid! I was too tired to go to Lowes at this point, so I'll let those horrible creatures live one more day!

Since the cream & ice worked on her sting, I tried it on mine & it worked! I put the benedryl-laced anti-itch cram on a bandaid & stuck it on my sting. Worked great!

I'm Baaack! But Only For a Minute!

I know! But these looked too good to keep to myself!

The recipe says to hollow out the apple halves then fill w/melted caramels & let harden before slicing. I'm thinking there must be some lemon juice or citric acid rubbed on the cut apple to prevent discoloration?
I love the idea for placing apple halves in a muffin tin for stability!

I may never try this because of the dough (I cannot do dough!) but it looks sooo yummy!
See photo below if you don't believe me!

Blog, Slowed Down, for a while anyway

Well, I started w/a new nanny position this week. Not actually a new family as this new position is w/Nanny Family #3, but instead of very sporadic days/evenings, 

I'm now FULL-TIME again (though I gave them a fairly large discount on my rates!) 

I'll be working the 2023-14 school year, M-F, 10 hours/day starting @ 6am, w/one 4 yr old girl (E) for the majority of those hours. When there's a day off from school for holidays, vacations or snow... I'll also be watching her older brother, N, age 8 & her older sister, A, age 6.

It's going to be exhausting! I can tell just after 3 days!

I just keep telling myself... Pay the bills, pay OFF the bills!

They live in a 2 bedroom apartment attached to their grandparents home, a few minutes from my home. Only thing I don't like about the job is I feel like I'm being watched all the time. There's a lot of people going in & out of the grandparents home (they run a produce farm/stand). 

I know they have better things to do than to watch me watching kids. I know it's paranoia but... 

I just don't like feeling like I'm being watched whether I really am being watched... or not! 

And I KNOW I'm not being watched! The grandparents are wonderful people!

Their Dad lives within our ward boundaries so I'm getting to know him, slowly. The Mom has been very good about keeping her own opinions about him to herself. I think that's best for my position since I'll have to deal w/both parents & I'd like to be able to get to know both of them on my own.

He's currently dating a friend who used to be in our ward but now attends Georgetown due to recent ward boundary lines being changed. She (his girlfriend) will become my in-laws landlord next month since they just sold their house this month in a downsizing move. Since they'll probably hear about my life through this new relationship, my entries on this blog won't have to happen as often!

Unless something earth shattering happens or something very humorous... I'll be away for a while! Happy Halloween, Thanksgiving & Christmas! Columbus & Veterans Day too! Go Pats! 

Biking Memories

On Friday morning, I picked up 2 young boys (T, age 7 & M, age 6) I cared for this summer & brought them to an "End of the Summer" sleepover @ my house.

I had planned hot dogs & s'mores for dinner, french toast for breakfast, sandwiches for lunches. With all the toys I have & the large yard, I knew it wouldn't be hard to keep the happy & occupied. We also had 4 bottles of Diet Coke & Mentos for soda rockets! Awesome!

During Carlotta's recent visit, GiGi & GaGa dropped off a small, red bike for her. Since shipping a bike costs too much, they are planning to deliver it themselves to Carlotta in VA on their way to another adventure! I also have a small blue Schwinn bike waiting for Carlotta to grow into it! It is blue & too big for her right now.  Both have training wheels! Good thing I had those 2 bikes here!

Both T & M got on those bikes soon after getting to my house! In the 32 hours they were here, 9 hours were used for eating, sleeping & a little DS game play. 

All the remaining time was spent on those bikes! 

NO JOKE! 

My driveway is sloped just enough for good speed, long enough for a good ride & my neighborhood has very little traffic so they went on 2 bike rides as well! T was easily distracted & ended up in the roadside bushes more than once! He even went down into a culvert & landed knee deep in mud! When trying to rescue him, I realized how lucky he was to have avoided all the boulders & sharp rocks! 

They tried any bike trick they had ever seen in movies or on TV. They thought they could do all of them! M tried standing on the seat & doing skateboard moves! T kept trying the "No Hands" move. 

I didn't have helmets for them (their Dad said it was OK) so I wouldn't let them continue the more dangerous moves (dangerous, in my opinion) & was labeled, "The Meanie" for a while. 

But w/hotdogs & s'mores to cook on the grill, I was super nice & fun once more!

Watching them having fun on the bikes did bring back memories of my bike riding days. 

I never had my very own bike. With so many kids, a bike for everyone was out of the question. We learned to share & I never seemed to have to wait very long for a turn. 

I recall speeding down the driveway, going around the bend & trying so hard to leave a very long skid mark in the "dirt area" of our yard. 

note: the dirt area was where a garage once stood until it collapsed under the weight of the snow one winter. 

It later became the pool yard when my parents got an in-ground pool.

We lived close to the local High School. On days off from school, the empty parking lots & sidewalks became places for us to pretend our bikes were race cars & we had to win the race! The wind felt wonderful on my face as I coasted along. I never mastered the "No Hands" move, just the one handed one! I really enjoyed biking back then!

If the boys come over to my house again, I'm going to have to tell them to bring their own bikes. These bikes are for Carlotta & will be gone by then.

Back to Full-time!

Well, my life as a part-time nanny is coming to a close, at least for the school year!

It has been an interesting time! My house/yard will probably notice my absence the most! B will miss the meals & I'll miss the sleep-in mornings, but I couldn't pass up a chance to get us out of debt, faster! B did well & continues to do well in the overtime area of his job. I thank him for that! I was able to try the part-time thing w/o worrying too much about our finances! Now, together, we can really clobber this debt before we get too old!

The job will be 50 hours a week w/1 four year old girl. On school vacations, holidays or snow days, I'll also watch her older siblings,  6 yr old girl & 8 yr old boy. I've been given permission to take the little one to my house whenever I want. I can do my errands w/her & go on outings as I see fit.
It's only 10 minutes from my house, about 6-7 miles. No big hills or twisty roads to worry about in bad weather! I did give this single mom a discount on my rate, but since I'll be using less gas it works out in the end! I'm not liking the fact I must be up, ready & out the door BEFORE 5:45am... everyday!
It's just for the school year, I keep telling myself!

Wednesday morning! Here I come!

A Recap of Events during Carlotta's Summer Visit 2013

So I don't repeat too many events on her next visit, I'm posting what we did during this visit.

THURSDAY NIGHT: 

Carlotta & T arrived safely @ South Station in Boston. My day was made when she ran to jump in my arms on the platform! She was a little shy & didn't use her words right away, but I'll always remember that greeting! T was nearby to "translate" for Carlotta (T does it out of habit & in my opinion, she needs to stop! I'm talking from experience. So, Momma.... Shhh! Let those around her figure out her language, on their own. She needs to use her words w/o you speaking for her!) Papaw was in the truck waiting for us. She didn't talk to him but told me he was too loud. Arriving in Epping late at night, she remembered where all the good toys were & made me lots of meals w/plastic food before drifting off to sleep.

FRIDAY:

Our big thing we did today besides playing w/the many toys in my house... a trip to the pet store to replace my ONE fish that died. We left the store w/FOUR fish & by the time we got home, one of the fish gave birth! All the babies except for 1 was sucked up into the filtration system. Now, over a week later, "Lucky" the baby Dalmation molly, is doing well & has grown so fast! Carlotta picked me out a pink neon tetra called Aurora, a yellow neon tetra called, Belle. T picked out a pair of Dalmation mollies & chose the names Pongo & Perdita.

SATURDAY:

We attended a baby shower in the morning & Carlotta got to meet several of her mommas friends & leaders from her youth. The afternoon was spent at Pawtuckaway Lake w/Papaw, GiGi & GaGa as well as T & myself. You can read my post about this time. The weather was a bit on the cooler side but still nice! A wonderful change from the hot & humid weather we've endured all summer thus far! Weather-wise, this week was PERFECT!

SUNDAY:

T, even on vacation, wanted to attend Church & we obliged her! Carlotta went to Nursery but wanted me to remain w/her. She was a bit cranky (tired from all the excitement of being @ Nonie's!) so we left during the 3rd hour to let her have some quiet time before people (family) who had never met Carlotta began arriving. From 2-6ish, family visited w/her. My sister CA was great! She took the time to play w/Carlotta & I appreciate that! GiGi & GaGa came over too w/a small bike for her. They'll deliver it to VA in September.

MONDAY:

Papaw flew out to Bermuda today & will miss the remaining time w/Carlotta. "To Your Arts Content" was our Monday activity! Carlotta painted a pink dinosaur while T painted a dinner plate w/an octopus design. Carlotta wasn't too happy that she had to leave the dinosaur there to be fired in the kiln! I promised her I would mail it to her. She likes getting packages in the mail, so she was happy again! Later, our Monday night friends came over for Frogmore Stew & cards. Carlotta kept coming up to me for hugs! She asked her momma why Nonie wasn't playing w/her! She even suggested I say "bye-bye" to my friends so I can play w/her!

TUESDAY:

C was w/us today! She's been working, a lot! Off to Chunky's for lunch & a movie! "Turbo" was the show. Carlotta had chicken nuggets & fries, again! She has lots of fries. At least she getting the calories, she's such a tiny pipsqueak! I tried to get healthier stuff in her all week w/limited success. She'll get there eventually, kids can be picky eaters at this age. Keep trying, T! We visited w/Nanny Family #1 & played @ Field of Dreams before a Toys R Us was spotted! I indulged her toy fix w/a new Lalaloopsy doll! C was pooped out & went to bed soon after returning home! Carlotta does have a lot of energy!

WEDNESDAY:

Thanks to my youngest brother, J, & his rented house on the beach, we were able to comfortably visit York Beach in Maine. I had planned on visiting the zoo there as well but was beginning to be worn down from all our activities, so I suggested just the beach today. Thankfully, T understood! The weather was AWESOME! The tide was LOW! Carlotta was AWESOME too! Funnest day yet! Also, T got her LOBSTER! J's sons were AWESOME w/Carlotta! She even declared their house to be more fun than Nonie's when it was time to go home!

THURSDAY:

My original plans for Water Country were scrapped. Weather has changed to hot & muggy again so I opted for an indoor activity. We went to the Children's Museum of NH in Dover. I'm not sure who enjoyed this trip more... T or Carlotta! This was there last day in NH so we stayed at home the rest of the day, just playing & reading books. A glow stick bath has become a tradition here! She threw many of my cat toys down the basement stairs (where the cats retreat whenever Carlotta gets to much for them). She called it her cat playground. I'm still finding cat toys in the basement! T got even more seafood today! I pan seared some scallops & spinach for dinner. I made Charlie some pasta & broccoli which she ate!

FRIDAY MORNING:

Early in the morning, I dropped T & Carlotta off at South Station. She clung to her mothers shoulder, sobbing, when she realized I would not be coming w/them! Even now, as I type this, my eyes are tearing up w/that memory! This was the hardest farewell yet! I got text updates all day as their train headed back to VA where an excited M waited for them. He missed his girls! On my way back home, I got a call for a babysitting job on Saturday! I took it so I could keep busy & not dwell on my sadness. She was so much fun this visit!

Now, I must begin saving for our trip in February down to see her for her 4th birthday! Then in early May, we hope they will be here for C's college graduation! B & I will be working like crazy to make it all happen!

Our Last FULL Day This 2013 Summer Visit!

Went to The NH Childrens Museum today.
This was in the Castle Room. We got to make stained glass patterns w/triangles in the windows!

Both T & Carlotta enjoyed the Musical Wall. Touch the patterns on the wall & it made sounds as well as lighting up designs on the adjacent wall.

The masks were a big hit w/Carlotta! This is one of several she modeled for me!

Not sure why she had her sad face on. Perhaps she knew her life jacket was on incorrectly?

I liked this tree house, even w/the fake snakes! Carlotta was wanting to return to the dino fossils!

Green screen fun w/T & Carlotta.

We had to get a dinosaur egg at the end of our time here because she enjoyed the chipping of the dirt & brushing the dust away too much! She & T worked on that egg fossil when we got back to Nonies house.

A little short maybe, but she still had fun racing Lego cars!

She really enjoyed The NH Childrens Museum!

Other exhibits she enjoyed, though not pictured... the yellow submarine where she was the pilot. She sat in front of 3 monitors & had to steer the sub away from the dangerous fish such as sharks & squish. Squish is how she pronounced... SQUID. 

How a river flows display was another she liked. Balls would plink down & depending on where the barriers had been set up, the balls continued to roll down.

The glow tubes in the Cave System made her want a glow stick bath tonight! I obliged her!

She left this place w/her dinosaur egg & a felt pizza kit from the Melissa & Doug collection. 

No, I have NO IDEA how a pizza had anything to do w/what we saw & did in this museum though it did make us hungry & we went out for pizza!

The Beach! And Cousins!

3 years ago, cousins met for the 1st time!

Carlotta met this cousin for the 1st time! He is the younger brother of T & M & his name is E! He took a fast liking to me & attached himself a little to close for Carlottas comfort! After all, I'm HER NONIE! Love the look she's giving him!

A mermaid? A merman? Uncle J & T were the creators of this sand creation!

The nice man in the background had just helped her put water in her bucket for her sand castle!

Swimming w/Momma @ York Beach

Having fun with "the boys" as she called them. M had to pee so he was trying to be in the photo & let his needs be known!

This was a 3 curve slide. Pretty high up for a little girl, but it was her favorite thing at the playground.  I LOVE the fact her cousin, T, is lying in wait under the slide to scare her. I only noticed that when I downloaded the photo or I would've taken another photo of the scare!

Carlotta declared this house to be more fun than Nonie's house!

York Beach Day on Wednesday! The weather could not have been more perfect! Last 2 hours were the best when Carlotta finally let her inner self come out & play w/her cousins!

We built sand creations, gathered crabs & snails. Climbed on rocks, went in the ocean, played at the playground, got T her lobster she'd been craving (I had a haddock sandwich) played w/cousins & met Uncle J for the 1st time. Not enough hours in the day to have been able to go to the zoo there, but there's always next time!

Carlotta's Day W/her Auntie C

All Aboard! A fun hour at Field of Dreams playground, begins!

She's very happy to be the only one of us that could fit in the caboose!

Not quite Disneyworld, but it got a smile anyway! And she left w/a new Lalaloopsy doll AND a lamby!

The movie "Turbo" was a success w/her & C! Went to Chunky's for the whole dinner & a movie thing!

Carlotta gave Nonie an evil look for using a flash in the theater! In my defense... the movie hadn't started yet!

Breakfast in front of the TV @ Nonies house.

Choo! Choo!
Carlotta & her Aunty C!

This day (Tuesday) began w/everybody sleeping in! I know I needed that to happen! I'm pooped!

We went to Chunky's for lunch & a movie. The movie was "Turbo" & not bad. Not good, either, but perfect for a 3 yr old! A quick visit to Nanny Family #1 (they are so big now!) then it was off to Toys R Us! A new Lalaloopsy doll w/stethoscope was the treat! 

This was supposed to be "The Carlotta & C Day", but somehow... Nonie paid for all of this day! 

I didn't mind, just saying.

Returned home to a meal of hot dog pennies in brown beans (sticking w/the New England theme of the week) & playtime w/C before bedtime!

Visiting York Maine on Wednesday (I'm writing these a day behind because I'm sooo tired!) 

Bear w/me! 

A Fun-filled, Packed w/Activities Monday @ Nonie's House!

One, Two, Three... JUMP!
T is showing Carlotta the rocks in my yard where she & C used to jump off from!

Arms open wide, for balance.

Hey, Nonie! Momma can still balance on your rocks!

Carlotta calls my yard & the toys in it... HER PLAYGROUND!

Perfect size house for a tiny 3 yr old.

We went to a pottery painting store where she chose a dinosaur to paint. She used 3 different PINK colors & took an hour to cover the whole thing!  

She wasn't too keen on the fact she'd need to wait a WEEK for them to fire her dinosaur in the kiln AND then wait for Nonie to mail it to her. It will be a very pink dinosaur though, when fired! 

A quick stop at the local Burger King indoor playground! I know, my photo is out of focus, but I really liked the "monster" effect & she's in a cage where monsters should be, right?

Later that evening, my Monday night dinner & cards friends stopped by. T took B's place as he's back in Bermuda!
I think Carlotta did well for having so many people over taking up her Nonie's time. She did ask her Momma why Nonie wasn't playing w/her! Also she asked me to say "Bye, Bye" to my friends so I could play w/JUST HER!
She did have 2 potty accidents. Oh, well. Pee cleans up.
Got to read her the bedtime books. She LOVES books read to her, just like her momma did! She will also keep busy by "reading" to herself as she falls asleep (which she does wonderfully!)
Movies today & visiting w/kids closer to her age (from Nanny Family #1) & Aunt C will be w/us!

First Meetings

She was born 3.5 years ago. Since she lives so far, visits where I'm willing to share her w/others are very rare. After all, I paid for the tickets! Many extended family members hadn't met her yet.

That changed a little today. 

She met my mother, J, my younger sister CA, her spouse, DeeDee & dog Roxie. Also, my older sister DD & her husband, K met her. 

I was too busy socializing, hosting & watching Carlotta interact that I didn't take any photos!

GiGi & GaGa came w/their dog Shadow & they got a few photo ops. 

My sister, CA will be sending me a few pictures she took! Thanks in advance, CA!

When I get them, I will post a few on this site!

Papaw & Carlotta's Day O'Fun!

Carlotta is not too sure about getting in the lake just yet.

A quick look to Nonie who gave her the "thumbs up" sign & she soon made up her mind to swim!

Momma says this is the 1st time she swam w/o an adult actually touching her! Yes, she was in a swimming ring, but she was kicking around!

The lake sand is a bit rough on the feet, even w/water shoes on!

The weather was perfect for me, but Carlotta was shivering when wet!

She may have been chilly, but she kept on swimming!

Sharing toys w/Papaw in the lake.

Papaw made me a s'more w/o any chocolate! I got sticky & only took a taste or two.

Ready to build a sand castle!

What's this thing for?

My GiGi & GaGa came to see me too! She helped me w/my sandcastle!

Papaw! You shocked me! (the slide caused a static shock every time she slid down!

I'm a big kid now!

Wheeeee!

Don't let go Papaw!

A little help here! 

Thanks for the help, Papaw!

Pawtuckaway Lake was where this day took place.  B was wishing he had suggested to spend an hour w/Carlotta instead of a whole day (noon to 6). He was completely exhausted after an hour! He had forgotten how active & demanding a 3 yr old girl could be!

This visit has been a lot of fun so far! She's old enough to do things, talk, laugh & skip naps! Five more fun filled days are planned for her! Here's hoping the fun continues!