Thanksgiving

We have much to be thankful for. On the top of my list [which is very long] is my family [all together for turkey day]. Followed closely by my good health. And in third spot, 'in-door' plumbing. After central heating the list gets too long to publish here. Oh! I can't forget the beagle in my like---- Lovely Lily Pad.

Oh Baby!

Being near a 7 month old baby inspires me to kiss every exposed inch of his little body. Yummy arms and delicious legs. Cute hands and feet. Perfect head, face, ears, eyes, and cheeks. I like to trace the letter 'B' on his ticklish back and finger walk the 'bug' all over him while he squeals with delight. I stopped playing 'this little piggy' and now count his toes from one to ten and go we we we with the tenth one. The cloth that I use for cleaning baby faces has been called 'monkey' since Jim was a wee one. The 'monkey' kisses GG and TJ to get him clean. He [TJ] is not buying into monkey kisses. At 7 3/4 months, TJ is picking up bits of food to put in his mouth. He loves the praise we give him. Who doesn't love praise and admiration?

New scratches and bumps.

Babies are top heavy because of their big noggins. This I know and still I'm surprised when they tumble head first into the grass. OOOOhhhhh GG had a lot of sympathy and guilt on this our first noggin knock. Luckily it was mostly the shock of falling that made baby cry. Caregivers have a hugh responsibility to keep their little ones safe. If something serious happened, it would be almost unforgivable. This alone might make someone think twice before agreeing to daycare a child.

Adult beverage,

Forgot to post last night [see Title]. I slept like a log [who said 'slept like a baby' NEVER lived with a baby] and woke up happy..... nice vodka. Hey, I mixed it with organic carrot juice and apple cider. Speaking of cider, reminds me of Cider Mills, reminds me of carmel apples with peanuts. Apparently NC hasn't figure out that carmel apples are to die for. They do make candied apples, yuck! The family went out for Mexican dinner last night, and I had the whole house to myself. Did I mention that I'm totally deaf in one ear and hear acutely in the other. Houses with people, have family noise. It's nice to be in a house with family - it's nice when I'm home alone. We have enjoyed the 'greenway' every day. We may have rushed into renting this house....the exact same house is 'for rent' across the street and has a fenced backyard for Lily, a FLAT driveway for [our driveway is VERY steep] me and a deck for Ann.

Boy the days fly by when organizing a house.

Ann went to work Monday. Tim and I stayed home with TJ and unpacked as much as possible. Tim is looking for a job, just not every minute of every day. In fact we took TJ and Lily for a walk in the light rain today. Everybody needed to get out of the house and breathe some fresh air. I know TJ and Lily really liked it. My room is all set up except for a comfortable chair. Tim decided that the red Lazy Boy in the family room could go into my room. It's not needed in the family room and I need it. It's the same chair [rocker/recliner] that Jim spent many hours cuddling with me in. Now it's TJ's turn to cuddle in the old red chair with GG. Speaking of TJ, he started to pick up food off his tray and eat it 'all by himself' today. Kodak moment.

Charlotte

We made it! Despite somehow getting lost and ending up driving East [Charlotte is West of Raleigh] on I40 [right highway] and ADDING 1 1/2 hours to the 3 hour drive, I made it! I had the baby, a shaking/panting dog and a cat that meowed most of the way. I did it without any stops. The good part is that I drove through some of the most beautiful NC country. My GPS took me through what seemed like a fall painting. Priceless. The new house is as beautiful as I remember. There is a 'Green way' near here that we walked last evening. I'm sitting in front of the fireplace that I will use next month. Life is good. Count your blessings....... you just may have so many that you don't/won't have time to wish for the things that you don't have.

10:00 pm Tuesday

Most everything is packed. Tim will have to return Monday and get the rest that wouldn't fit into the van, truck, & cars. Tomorrow, Tim will leave at 4am - Ann at 6am and I will leave when the baby wakes up and is fed. I'm in charge of the baby, dog and cat. Happy Birthday Tim.... you're 41 and I'm not far behind; soon to be 61. Good night all...........lots to do tomorrow.