How Long?

One or two of the kids and I walk our local big-box emporium almost every day. If one walks all the aisles, it is about 2.5 miles, so it is decent exercise if we walk briskly and don't gawk, and it is indoors in a relatively safe environment and best of all, climate-controlled.

On Sunday morning last, we noticed something strange as we walked the beer aisle. Apparently someone (employee on break?) had put their beverage and potential lunch down for a minute (dare we to assume to go help a customer? Certainly not!) and left it.

Monday it was still there. Tuesday, someone had wanted to buy whatever beer it was in front of, so they moved it. Wednesday, there. Thursday, someone STOCKED the beer case and moved it (didn't REmove it). Friday, still there. Today, not only still there, but now it has been joined by someone else's beverage too.

We decided to keep an eye on how long the items stay in the beer case. Taking bets, anyone?

Last evening we went to Des' house.

When we got there, Des had just gotten home from grocery shopping. Before she left, Hannah had been entertaining herself by playing in the plastics cupboard. In true intelligent-child form, she figured out she could avoid having to stand, crouch, or sit on the floor, if she would only drag her portable high chair seat over by the cupboard. So she did. What a delightful child!

While I was making supper there (Baked French Toast casserole and sausage patties), grandbaby Hannah held off her hunger by eating blue M&Ms. Apparently she only likes the blue ones.

Ok, on to some other kinda weird stuff. We took some pics of Redneck Cars today at the same big-box store. Please tell me these guys don't think their cars are hot. The orange one is for sale ($3800 and I can get you the phone # if you want it). Green wheels, whew.

I had hoped to be at the bottom of the sleeves tonight on the toddler sweater I am knitting, but no dice. It's only been a week, and I really haven't spent that much time on it. So, tomorrow is another day.

I spent most of the day today looking for a skein of yarn I had unraveled from a sweater. Made up the dye I wanted to use and couldn't find it anywhere. Des informs me that I brought it to her house and left it. What? Oh well that's better than the last thing I left at her house (don't ask).

One last pic of the night. It has nothing to do with anything, other than this bike is STILL not on the road (dead battery, and the headlight is being persnickety, can't get the clips in), and I miss it terribly. I love this bike. Looking at it, you can see why... it is one beautiful piece of machinery. Soon, I hope! Before the weather turns (though I have been known to ride at 30 degrees, LOL).

Hannah Means Grace

Today we celebrated a year of Hannah. A year ago today, my oldest daughter Desiree "graced" us with her 2nd child and 1st daughter, Hannah Lynn Goode Bowman.

Such a blessing to see Tony helping Des through her labor with such tenderness, and to see this beautiful little girl! And doesn't Jeremiah look thrilled to see "his" new baby!


Hannah is a lively little girl with dandelion-fuzz hair. She is ferocious, snooting and hissing and growling at people. Here you see her at about 4 months (last Summer at the fair) with daddy Tony holding her. Aren't they pretty?


By Autumn, she could crawl around and get into things. Des and Tony took the kids over to Gatlinburg to go to the Ripley's Believe It or Not Aquarium of the Smokies. The town was all decked out for Fall (as usual for every season), so they got this picture of Hannah (and part of mommy). Look at those chunky thighs! Mama's milk must agree with her. I can see why Des is holding on tight to her!

Personality wise, Hannah is SO much like my 2nd daughter, Diantha. She likes things the way she likes them, and isn't afraid to let you know if things aren't just right! She is a lot of a "mommy" baby too... wanting Des to be where she can see her. I used to wonder (with Diantha) how in the WORLD I was going to get anything done. And I know Des has days like that! But don't worry... some day that stage will be a (fond) memory!

Here you see Hannah in a Fish hat knitted out of recycled red Merino wool that I hand-dyed with black and sent on to my friend Marion, who knitted it. Look at those blue eyes and kissable cheeks!

By today, Hannah's personality shines through! She loves her big brother... if someone puts her in her playpen, she will call "Bruh-buh! Bruh-buh!" to have him come rescue her from the injustice. She walks and gets into stuff and plays in the kitchen cupboards and the fabric bins. In short, she is a joy and we are glad to have her!!

"And now I entrust you to God and the word of his grace – his message that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself." Acts 20:32 (New Living Translation)

Happy First Birthday, Hannah!