Another cleaning day gone awry........

Oh the joy of spring/summer evenings when it cools off to 60 degrees!  I'm sitting in our great room enjoying the fresh outside air, while gathering my thoughts for this blog.  Today was one of those days when I'm just glad I'm retired.......I was determined to clean out my office:  desk, filling cabinet, book case, and closet.  Well, THAT didn't happen.  And why? do you ask.  Well, let's just say there are sooooo many more interesting things to do than cleaning.  Plus, as a retired person and I can always work on it tomorrow, right?  Hummmm.  I did spend time talking to friends on the phone and to my daughter to make arrangements to "babysit" not only my granddaughter Kylee, next week for a few days, but also the "granddog", Maisy, the chocolate Lab.  Maisy and I have a history.  When Kyle came back to MO for his job, he stayed with us until the summer when Audra and the kids got here.  Along with Kyle came Maisy.  Now Maisy, I must explain, has emotional issues and required my counseling with her each day.  Our first hurdle was overcoming her agoraphobia; she refused to go outside and when she did she nearly knocked me down trying to stay as close as possible to me, as tho something would get her if an inch was left open between us.  This dog mind you weighs in at 60+ lbs.; it was like having a small horse leaning on you as you try to walk down the side walk!  I think I still "list" to the right!  We did make progress with this psychological concern.  As long as she could see me at the door, she would do her "thing" and then come running back to the house.  However, while it became somewhat manageable, we never truly overcame her food addiction.....Now when you're my age, forgetfulness is a constant.  So, when I "lost" the puff pastry I was working with one day (AFTER I had rolled it out, mind you), I thought I was really going to have to make an appointment for the looney bin for sure.  I went to the refrig, certain I HAD to have put it back in there since it wasn't on the counter; well no puff pastry.  I just stood and stared at the counter thinking I would surely realize what I had done with that dough, when I hear a rather loud doggy belch; Maisy.  I looked at her; she did her head downcast, look up from under eyebrows thing and I knew.  She had eaten the pastry!!!!!! Damn dog.  I share these stories with you only so you will realize the extent you will go to for your grandchildren.  Maisy has a redeeming quality; she LOVES Kylee and would protect her at all costs.  She is dedicated to my little "babydoll" and that makes it all ok.  Good ole Maisy.
 A highlight of our evening was our Christopher coming to watch the NBCSports special on I'll Have Another, our pick for the Belmont Stakes this Saturday.  Christopher and I are rather addicted to the races.......we LOVE the Kentucky Derby and know how to make much of the special food and of course Mint Juleps.  We also had our own little party for the Preakness, imbibing in Black-eyed Susans (me alcoholic, Christopher "virgin") and party food.  Now, we are preparing for the Belmont; have our supplies on hand to make Belmont Breezes and are planning on special foods, the recipes for which have been gotten off Penterist.  Now, if only I'll Have Another comes through for us we will be celebrating big time at "Hanner House"!  
Another great day at the ole homestead.......hope your day was equally "swell".......as always, Life is Great.

Christopher's photo of din-din on the deck....

as the sun set's

Another lovely day at Hanner House.  I actually cleaned out kitchen cabinets......first time in possibly 20 years!  Such a sense of accomplishment.  David and Audra again worked in their garden, yielding fresh zucchini squash, sweet English peas, and snow peas.  This evening David picked some little green tomatoes and onions; quite delightful fried with the zucchini in a bit of cornmeal.  So, once again we had a meal of fresh veggies and corn on cob from last years crop along with some ham,  while sitting on the deck enjoying the flowers, kittens (did I say "enjoying"?!?), clear blue skies turning orange following the sunset, and gentle breeze.   Many times I find myself wishing I was on the beach in Florida, or planning a trip to Wyoming, however, this week it has just been a wonderful blessing to be in our home in Missouri, enjoying the delightful weather, beautiful sunsets, fresh air coming through the windows, and my "kiddos" (Kylee, Christopher, and Kirsten) coming by to see me and play a game of Golf (cards).  As my friend John says, Life is GREAT.

Chicago Fun

Drinks at the Signature Club Bar - View from our table

Carol Lee and Judy enjoying a sample at Girardelli chocolates

  The "Sisters"

Dawn enjoying beef broccoli at the Big Bowl Restaurant

June 1-3 my sister-in-law, Carol Lee, her sister Dawn, and her sorority sister, Judy, and I spent several days downtown Chicago enjoying the museums, the theater, and of course a bit of shopping.  We had just a GREAT time.  We stayed at the Ambassador Hotel just north of the Magnificent Mile.  I had never stayed that far north before, so was a bit anxious about transportation down to the Art Mueseum, Field Museum, and Millenium Park; everything worked out just perfect tho.  As there were four of us we took the taxi and didn't spend but about $10-12.00 each over the 3 days.  Did plenty of walking and of course, lots of delightful dining!  It was a lovely time with the "ladies"; am already planning when we might do it again.  Two experiences were stand outs for me:  drinks at the Signature Club Bar at the top of the Hancock Bldg., and the musical, Billy Elliott.  The young person playing Billy Elliott was absolutely outstanding.....I was amazed at the ability of this 11 year old.  So, if you get the chance to see this production, it's certainly worth it.
These 3 days were full of "Kodak Moments"......wonderful memory.

Baby Brian's First Night at Home

We received news at about 6:30 p.m. that Baby Brian was released from the hospital along with his mother, Danielle......good news as Danielle tends to get a bit "fussy" cooped up in the hospital!  So, all of us are enscounced in the Yilmaz residence.  Brian is doing great.....he's pooped, Danielle is still working on it!  (Hanner's experience difficulty conversing if they don't get to talk some about POOP!)  Danielle is following along in my footsteps it would seem; things are always happening to her.  We all left the hospital together, but in separate vehicles.  David and I went to get Chinese carry-out, Danielle, Ozzie, Sophie, and Brian all rode home together.  Upon entering the house Sophie became frustrated with her mother and told her (Danielle) she was hateful, or something like that, upon which she was quite forcefully reprimanded.  While this was going on between Danielle and Sophie (who by then was crying loudly of course) Ozzie let the dog out to go to the potty; she immediately has a full blown seizure in the front yard!  Meanwhile Baby Brian is crying because he has pooped his pants, the neighbors are wondering what is going on with the dog, Sophie is of course screeching.  When we get home Danielle is trying to change Brian, Sophie is in her room contemplating life with a baby brother, and Ozzie is trying to help Danielle get everything together to clean up Brian, and the dog is limp in the floor.....we walk in with the Chinese take out and wonder what in the "hell" is going on!  Ha.  What an inauspacious beginning to the evening.  However, that was the only upheaval, the remainder of the evening went relatively smooth, although Sophie is still experiencing some difficulty with not being the total center of Mama's world.  She loves Brian, but just doesn't feel as secure as she would like with her new big sister "position" in the family.....she's a mess.  But life is great and we cherish these moments. 
Audra and Kyle (the dogs) are in Siesta Key enjoying the sunshine on the beach!  Brian and Pam are watching Kylee and Michael, Christopher is in summer school, and Kirsten is at basketball camp (where she won the free throw competition among the campers).  So, we are all spread out, but keeping up with Baby Brian's progress through cell phones and ipods....pictures have been flying through the "waves". 

Yilmaz Family prior to leaving hospital

Baby Brian asleep in his portacrib, first evening at home

Sophie with a picnic for Grandpa

Hope all is well with those of you following the blog....have a great end of week and weekend.

BABY BRIAN ARRIVES

Well, the long awaited birth of "baby Brian" has finally reached fruition! He was born this morning at about 9:00 a.m., weighed in at 7lbs. 15oz., and has blond hair and blue eyes.....he has HANNER GENES!!!! Scary.  Mama Danielle, Daddy Ozzie, and sister Sophie are extremely excited and very smitten with their little bundle. Grandpa maintains he already follows his (Grandpa's) hand with his (Brian's) eyes. He will probably be at Bass Pro purchasing him a fishing pole by the weekend!!! We are all already competing to be the "baby hog". Actually, we are all just delighted that Danielle has completed the pregnancy and that all went well. God's blessings continue to astound us.

Sophie had to have some "special" bedtime with her Mama, as you can see in the picture.  My pictures of Brian were taken with my phone so aren't the best in the world, but tomorrow we are going to do better. 

Thanks to all of you who have been thinking of Danielle and Ozzie and saying prayers for them; it has truely been a joy and comfort to us.  Our little Sophie is whining a bit for Grandma to read her Jake at the Ballet, so I will say goodnight and go do that. 

BABY BRIAN ARRIVES

Counting down the days

Hello, Friends and Family,

Well, I'm just going to stop apoligizing for my lack of continuity on this blog....obviously I am not a routine person.
Latest update: I am still in Chicago, of course, awaiting "baby Brian's" birth. His scheduling arrival is Tuesday, 6/08, at 8:30 a.m. Today Ozzie and Danielle are going to the hospital to check on Baby Brian's; estimated weight, heart rate, length, strength, etc. So, unless they decide he is under stress she will come home until Tuesday morning, "B" Day!

I had a lovely three days with the my "sister" Carol Lee, her sister, Dawn, and her sorority sister, Judy, in downtown Chicago. We stayed at the Ambassador Inn just north of the Magnificent Mile; it was very nice. I had never stayed that far north, and was pleasantly surprised at how quiet and close to good restaurants it was. Food of course is always a high priority when in Chicago! We ate Vietnamese, Italian, and had drinks at the Signature Club at the Hancock Bldg (96th Floor) which was really kinda a high light. We certainly enjoyed being in the clouds. Visited the Art Museum, Field Museum, and saw Billy Elliot at the Ford Theater. All in all, did quite a lot in essentially 2 1/2 days! What can I say, we're in pretty good shape for the shape we're in!

Bunny and Mary Francis, if you read this blog, please accept my apologizes for not returning calls....it seems every minute here I have something I need to do, so I am lousy at the phone calls....
David is here with me now, so Sophie is his "sidekick" while I try to keep things operational around the house. Boy, I had forgotten how much laundry two adults and one small child can accumulate! Seems like I can't keep up. Not to mention, cleaning the bathrooms and keeping the DOG HAIR at bay, yuk! Ha. At any rate, time is quickly passing and we are looking forward with great anticipation to Baby Brian's birth.

Audra and Kyle, Brian and Pam, and Uncle Dan and Aunt Ginny are so helpful to us by keeping everything "up and running" at home when we are both gone and by keeping David company the weeks I have been gone. So, we continue to be very blessed and LIFE IS GREAT!