Summer Vacation...2013

 I've got a list...it's long.  I'll never get it all done but I want to try.  Summer is moving fast and here it is August already and my personal list of projects have been sitting, waiting from me to arrive and rescue them. In rescuing them, I'll be rescuing myself.  I'm pretty much always last on my list.  I've been thinking lately that I want to move me up to the top of that list, at least for the rest of the summer...So until Labor Day I'll be pretty much working on what I love doing in the summer...which is so much more than my computer. The top photo might give you a hint that relaxing and enjoying life's little treats might be in my very near future...hmm, maybe not so many more brownies but certainly a bit of lace and soft prettiness.

 I will spend more time taking photo's outside for myself...my love of photography has always been in Nature and so I'll get back to doing more of that..I also plan to really work hard learning some new skills in my classes this summer.   Still life has become a new love of mine..who knew?   The other thing I'm going to do and this is just so exciting...is I'm starting this month, hopefully tomorrow, to shot in raw.  I must say I'm bit intimated by that process but I think it's time for me to give it an honest try.   It's time to step out of the box and know that I am capable of at least trying..maybe it will move my photography up a notch.  Let's hope so.   I have learned over my many years...nothing is etched in stone and no decision has to be final.   Of course I'd love to find a few photo Buddies to go shooting with...I'm pretty sure I've got that one covered.

They say laughter is good for the soul and the heart.  I have several people in my life that just make me laugh whenever I am with them.  I will surround myself with people that bring joy and laughter to me daily.  Life is full of bad news, pain, and sometimes sickness.  There are things we can't get away from but I think if we try, each day, to find something to smile about and give thanks for all the good we do have, our lives can be full and so can our hearts...Let's call it Heart Therapy and no lessons necessary.   Maybe just really good thoughts.

To be amongst long standing, trustworthy friends is a gift.  I have been so fortunate in my friendships.   I have many longstanding, wonderful Girlfriends that I could not have lived without.   I never had a sister and when I was young I used to feel bad about that but not anymore.   I have "hand picked" the ones that I would call sister and we are closer than most sisters I know.. This summer I will spend more time with them, doing all the things that crazy girlfriends do together..Dina, is one of my longest standing Girlfriends and was the Maid of Honor at my wedding...we have been walking our path together for 50 years...it is such an easy relationship now...her and I do go out every Friday for breakfast and then "thrift store" shopping...so much fun...but I need to tend the garden of my other friends...being busy is not an excuse this summer...mark the calendar and go...and by the way, this wonderful journey that I am on here on the computer has given me such lovely friends also...some I have met and some I have talked to and some I just see in my streams but they all are woven into my life now and I value each one...and those friends are not all girls...Let's hear it for the men in our circle of Friendship.

 

On those really hot sunny, summer days..I'm going to be catching a breeze..either riding on the lake in the boat or perhaps on the open road driving my antique car, Stellar, around the small country roads of Maine.   I feel just being outside, with the wind in my hair, rather refreshing and youthful.   I really don't believe in the summer we have to act our age...our age is whatever we feel, on the inside, on any given day.   Of course that's another benefit of being "senior"....we don't give a fig anymore what people think of us...Just so freeing. Catch a breeze however you like...I think Liam has found his own way...smart kid, takes after his Nana...

 

Oh and one of my favorite all time summer treats is "nap taking"..that could be why I have a screened porch on both of my houses...late afternoon, sun going lower in the sky, all is quiet, even the birds.   A gentle breeze carries through the boughs of the hemlock trees and my mind does the dance of summer slumber.   It's not a long nap, perhaps 20 minutes but its the feel of the warm, the openness of the windows and the slight sounds of a hot summer day.   No nap is like a summer nap.   Then there are those rare days,  hot, hot, hot that just beg for the gentle movement of the hammock in the back yard, lakeside.  Have mercy on my gentle soul,  I'm in love with summer naps...

You know, the list goes on and on for me...I want to read a million books before September.   Be up to date on all my classes, learn new things about photography, plan and set up Still Life shots, oh my, I bought some cheese cloth today.  Ideas are running in my head for photo's, light, balance, it's all good right now.  No dark days of winter.   I want to play with my babies, have intelligent and fun conversations with my grown kids. Swim, bake and nest.   Knit sweaters for Christmas gifts and so much more....how can you be bored in this life. Probably the other thing that I should do is give my mind a rest...it's always running somewhere...

So I know it all won't get accomplished but I'm going to try to do some of everything so my computer time will be less.. I will keep up my lessons, work on my blog, and in general do only those things that make me feel good and in control.   I will check on you all often...you might not know it but I do love looking and seeing all that you do..you so inspire me to do much more than I ever though possible.  I won't be far away...just behind the sun...watching over all of you and hoping you all accomplish your summer dreams also...

Perhaps if you visit you could leave me a note about a wish you have for yourself for the summer...whatever it is just enjoy the process...

"The beach is not the place to work; read; write or think. I should have remember that from other years.  To warm, to damp, to soft for any mental discipline or sharp flights of spirit. One never learns.  Hopefully one carries down the faded straw bag, lumpy with books, clean paper, long over-due unanswered letters, freshly sharpened pencils, lists and good intentions. The books remain unread, the pencils break their points, the pads rest smooth and unblemished as the cloudless sky. No reading, no writing, no thoughts even...at least not at first.  At first..the tired body takes   over completely."  Gifts from the Sea..Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Wednesdays With The Boys..He Not Heavy, He's My Brother

Here in New England we are experiencing one of the hottest summer that I can ever remember.  I don't dare to complain to much because we complain all winter about the cold and the snow so when summer hits, I just like to enjoy it and endure it, however I can.  One of the ways to do that is to go to the beach.  What better way to enjoy the beach than to take my two little guys along for the ride.

I was over at the Cafe this morning and this weeks lesson for BB is to go on a scavenger hunt and post some photo's of what we find. Since it was just yesterday that we were at the beach, and one of the photo's that Kim posted was of someone she loved, I thought I would do the same. I sure do love my boys and so another episode of Wednesday With the Boys came to mind...

Wednesdays is my favorite day of the week.  They boys come early and we always have breakfast together. Nana, Papa, Liam and now Jaxson joins us at the table..everyone eats something different, that's just how we roll around here on a Wednesday. After breakfast off to an adventure....every week.

When I was a small girl I lived 5 minutes from the beach.  Back in the day, I would pack myself a lunch, get an old sheet or blanket, grab my doll and head for the beach. My Mom worked and my Grandmother took care of us 4 kids.  She never asked when I would be back, I never had a life jacket, and lots of times I would go by myself and usually see whoever was there.   When I got bored or the tide was to far out, I would come home, safe and sound.

Yesterday when I told Liam that we were going to the beach he said "I'm excited Nana, I haven't been to the beach in a long time".  Didn't take much to get him moving and he even helped with the packing.  While him and Papa were in the shed getting soooo many beach toys, I was making the lunch..again, something different for everyone.  As I was making the lunch I was reminded of my childhood days and how much I loved the summer and the sea.  It was always a wonderful day and still brings back lovely memories.  I'm always hoping to make those memories for my Grandkids..

Time to load up the car and I have to tell you,  when I went to the beach, I walked.  I had to carry whatever it was I was taking.  No cooler back then, brown paper bag.  No sand chair, maybe a towel if I could sneak it out of the house.  No life jacket, no blanket to speak of and no phone, and no change of clothes..you wore your bathing suit down and you wore it back.  When I got done packing yesterday the back of my car was jammed, we even had a sled in there for Jaxson...he eats the sand, so I was going to keep him off of it, and it worked for the most part....

It was a beautiful, sunny day, warm.  The kind of day that begs being outside.  The kind of day that says, stay in the moment and enjoy.  No reading, no napping, just playing with my boys.  It was easy to see that they loved it also.  Oh I take back the napping part, Jaxson fell asleep on the way over and anyone who knows Jaxson is aware if he falls asleep...leave him alone. Liam, on the other hand, is roaring to go, in a hundred directions all at once.  He keeps Papa on his toes all the time.  So they commenced with castle building, trying to catch little fish in Liam's net.  They swam and found a frog and dug big holes.   Then when Jaxson woke up and had a snack, Liam and Papa took him in the water in his sled around the waters edge.   Then Liam decided to pull him in the sand.  Jaxson, in all his naked baby beauty, held onto the sides and enjoyed every moment, laughing at this brother and his Papa...and yes a few times, when I took him in the water and we sat to play, he did get some sand for dessert...

Life is what we make it some days..you need to find the joy and go after it.   These boys will be grown up faster than the sand drifting in and out on the tide.  I know this because I know how fast my own kids grew up.  All that we can give them is wonderful and lasting memories of their childhood.  Summer is for fun, especially for kids.   It should be full of beach trips, sand digging, building castles and yes, tons and tons of ice cream at the end of the day.  Running outside, enjoying nature, finding and losing your favorite frog all in a matter of a minute.  Naked babies and bounding boys...that's what summer was for me yesterday..and I loved every moment of it.   Yes, I'm hoping to be building special memories for Liam and jaxson...but guess what, I'm building them for myself also and in the process I get to live in the memories of my own childhood and in the memories of summer fun with my kids.   I am blessed to have these two boys not 5 minutes from my house and to also have them every Wednesday...Wednesday with the Boys is the Best.

So that's how my scavenger hunt started...I started with "someone you love"...and I promise during the rest of the week I'll go out and hopefully find some other great treasures..but If I don't, the Treasures I found yesterday will last me a life time.

This Is Love....

Do you believe in Miracles,  do you believe that very good things come from very bad situations, do you believe that someone smaller and younger than you can teach you amazing lessons about how to live your life, how to tolerate scary medical procedures and how to push through them, do you believe in Hero's?  Well I do...because I know and love one...Jaxson is my all time Super Hero...and today is his birthday.

Not only do I celebrate that he is a year old today,  I celebrate the he is alive and well and growing. He is happy and joyful and tolerant.  Wherever he goes, whoever he meets,  is charmed by him and his big blue eyes...His path to this birthday was not easy, not for him and not for his family...To stand by the side of an incubator for months on end, to have ups and downs and for this little guy, barely over 2lbs, to struggled and fight his way to this day, is to know that life and love sometimes is a hard fought battle...but battle he did and I am thankful for him everyday and for the love and joy and sunshine he brings to me and Jim...

We have been blessed to have him close and to have the trust of his parents in our ability to care for him..he comes two days a week and we share a special bond with him, just as we have with his brother Liam...who, by the way, is a great big brother.  He is so sweet and he teaches me to be patient and strong for him.   I also learned from him that although sometimes life is sometimes not how we like it,  we just have to persevere and move forward.   Last week I watched as he had his early intervention team at my house, how he really pushes to get the job done even when he doesn't like to do something that is hard for him. He does it anyways and then when we clap for him...he claps to..Maybe we should all clap for ourselves when we do a good job. More of that would be nice.  Thanks Jaxson for the tip.   

Today he crawls around the house, claps for himself and says goodbye when someone leaves.  I taught him the important lesson of doing a high five and how to give smookey kisses. Those are the really fun wet ones.  He is persistent in his endeavors, I think he learned that  from his early start, but  he is never without his smile...the only thing I would change is that he would love to take a nap.  That is not happening often for him here, but that is o.k. most days, because he must feel that he has a lot of catching up to do and besides he slept a lot those first three months...time to move on Nana..

So today my Hero is able to put behind him the year of being a preemie and moves into his second year of just being a little boy,  learning that life is good, pain is short lived, everyday is joyful and fun...and yes indeed...Loves Comes in Very Small packages..sometimes even Tiny...

Jaxson you are my Love...Happy Birthday, from Nana and Papa.

If you would like to see some highlights from Jaxson's first year...click on this link.

Wednesdays With The Boys

Tuesdays and Wednesday are my favorite days of the week...I am also fortunate to love Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday...but Tuesday and Wednesday are the days my boys come...

Being a Grandmother is one of life's really great Blessings...a big one.   I have been fortunate to have had Liam for a good bit of time over his three years.   Now we are blessed with Jaxson on Tuesdays...by himself...such wonderful bonding happening there and both boys come on Wednesdays. What a whirlwind day that is.   Just so much fun..I thought it might be fun to share with all of you what a Wednesday with the boys looks like from time to time...so here goes.

After the boys arrive at about 8:30, Liam likes to play for a bit and then we have breakfast...quite an ordeal right there.  One's flinging pasty oatmeal while the other one wants to whip up a Mango shake...Jim and I drink and grab as best we can...Then this week it was off to Gloucester to visit Uncle Chris...it was such a beautiful day that I took the boys for a walk downtown and along Main St... a Teddy Bear tea party was in progress so Liam and Jaxson joined in...

Next on the agenda was meeting Uncle Chris at the shoe store...Liam got some new sneakers and they are really fast...so fast that we couldn't even get an in focus photo of him...Jaxson, well he's not into shoes just yet...he finds relaxing in his carriage barefoot a much more pleasant experience..and Uncle Chris loves being with the boys but thinks I spend to much money on them.   I asked him if he would like a new pair of sandals but he told me he already had a pair..two pairs would confuse him...

After leaving Uncle Chris we decided to go to the park because it was such a nice day...They both love to swing and it was a rare treat to get Liam to share the swing with his little brother...This particular park is right on the ocean and there is so much for the kids to do here...

As you can see the "little one" really enjoyed himself...all that salty air and the gentle sway of the swing, wrapped up in his warm blankey put him right out...whew...Nana was also getting tired.

We finally got Liam out of the park and headed home... While we were gone the guys came to turn on the heads to our sprinkler system...and Little Mister Energy got himself under those sprinklers before I could even get his brother out of the car...yup...completely soaked...and from the look on his face, loving every minute of it...I had to laugh at this...but I was thinking later, if this had been one of my kids,  many years ago,  I might have been slightly annoyed...There in lies the beauty of Grandparenting...I enjoyed watching him have so much fun...

Then it comes...the end of another perfect day with these "loves of mine"...yes they do take time away from all the other things I might have to do...and I am usually exhausted at the end of the day..but I would not trade one second of my time with them...you see, as a Grandmother,  I know how fleeting these young years are and I am so thankful for the gift of having them so close by, to watch them grow and learn and love...they are my diamonds in the rough these little boys...and I love them "to the Moon and Back...

Last photo...first time ever...Liam wanting to sit on the steps to wait "for my Mom"...he's already growing up...