Day Two Hundred Twenty Three 2013

Hubby Neil spent his afternoon building a frame for grandson Knox’s swing. He was forced to work off the back of his truck because what was formerly his woodshop became his RC airplane hangar many years ago. I miss his wood crafting days and hope that one day he’ll reclaim that space. In the meantime, the swing frame is slowly coming together and hopefully will be transported to Knox’s house in the very near future.

Day One Hundred Thirty Nine 2013

40



All we know is that the time went by fast, one day at a time, and here we are, 40 years! later, grayer, fatter, with lots of wrinkles, two awesome daughters and sons in law and three lovable grandkids, but still basically the same people we were on that rainy day when we said “I do.” And we did. And we still do. If I had to do it all over again, I would. Happy 40th anniversary to my better half, who wore to church this morning the same bow tie he wore to our wedding all those days ago. He said it was the only part of his suit that still fit him. God has blessed us richly, and I’m certain will continue to do so in the days to come.

To keep the fire burning brightly there's one easy rule:  Keep the two logs together, near enough to keep each other warm and far enough apart - about a finger's breadth - for breathing room.  Good fire, good marriage, same rule. 
~Marnie Reed Crowell

Day Eleven 2013

Randomness

There is blue sky under all those clouds. These were puffy and awesome.

Neil took half a day off  just because. After school, we pigged out on Mae Pearl’s Frozen Yogurt with the grand peeps, Shelby and Elijah. This, too, was awesome, as was the sunshine and the 70 degrees shining in our faces.

I spotted neighbor kitty Lily out my window perched on the front porch rail. She had her eye on something. She’s been a regular killing machine here lately.

Shelby felt like jumping on the trampoline, even after eating all that frozen yogurt. Doing this would have made me hurl. Elijah grabbed some Skittles, even after eating all that frozen yogurt. This, too, would have made me hurl.

The once and future buttercups/daffodils/jonquils are shouting, “It’s Spring!” I guess Mother Nature can fool herself. I’ve heard talk of a “wintry mix” coming at us sometime next week.

Red potatoes on the chopping block, destined to be coated in olive oil, salt, pepper, parsley flakes and doomed to death by hot oven, along with some baby carrots. Totally yummy with roast beast.
And a Happy TGIF to one and all!

Day Fifty Eight 2011

My hubby Neil celebrates his 60th birthday on February 28, so of course his family got together (a day early) to make sport of him and inflict torture on him to mark this major milestone in yet another completed trip around the sun.

His airplane-shaped birthday cakes were made by my daughter's good friend and consummate cake baker, Tammy, who, I believe, outdid herself this time. Kudos to Tammy! That cake was to die for. And for those of you who don't know my hubby, his passion (in his old age) is building and flying remote controlled airplanes, thus the airplane cakes.

No, that is not Elton John in those glasses. That is hubby Neil blowing out his candles while grandson Elijah sounds the trumpet and granddaughter Shelby ends the birthday song with a flourish. Hope he made a good wish. Probably had something to do with airplanes.

He got lots of birthday cards and what this family calls "flat presents" meaning gift cards/cash. Neil enjoyed receiving them all and had a great time celebrating the BIG SIX O.

Happy (almost) 60th Birthday, Neil! Wishing you all the good things you deserve on your birthday and every day. I love you!! (PS-expect more torture on your actual day of days tomorrow.....)

Day Six 2011

Can You Say 'Brain Freeze!' ?

It's like maybe 30 degrees outside, so of course hubby Neil, the grandpeeps Shelby and Elijah and I head on over to Cream City for some freezing cold but totally delish ice cream. I suspect this won't be the last time.

Day Four 2011

Today is the first day we've seen our Grandpeeps since Christmas Day. We had a lot to catch up on--books, movies, TV shows, games and such. Elijah got his own Nintendo DS, so now he's not hogging Shelby's DS. Today, Shelby played her 'Zelda' game and Elijah was racing with Mario. They can send each other text messages on their DS's, and that would be great if only Elijah knew how to read. And spell. Neil and I are always amazed by the technology--being the old geezers that we are. Of course, these kids are growing up with it and think nothing of it--except that it's totally fun. I wonder what they will be amazed by as time goes by.

Day Three Hundred Fifty Eight 2010

Ranft Family Christmas 2010

What a wonderful Christmas! Merry Christmas To All And To All A Good Night!

Day Three Hundred Fifty Six 2010

Each Christmas I remember

The ones of long ago;

I see our mantelpiece adorned

With stockings in a row.

Each Christmas finds me dreaming

Of days that used to be,

When we hid presents here and there,

For all the family.

Each Christmas I remember

The fragrance in the air,

Of roasting turkey and mince pies

And cookies everywhere.

Each Christmas finds me longing

For Christmases now past,

And I am back in childhood

As long as memories last.

~~Carice Williams, Christmas Past

This is a picture of my hubby/honey Neil, sitting on Santa's lap, circa 1955.

Day Three Hundred Forty Four 2010

Happy T.G.I.F. !

Neil had the day off today. He and grandson Elijah enjoyed coloring a picture in the giant Santa coloring book. Fun stuff.

Santa Claus paid a visit this evening to my mom and the other residents at the assisted living home where they had their annual Christmas Party/Open House. Looks like Mom was doing a bit of flirting with old St. Nick, eh? Good times.

Wishing everyone a fabulous weekend!

Day Three Hundred Seventeen 2010

Leap!

"I love the leaves

I do not know why.

Is it their colors?

Or how they fly?

They crunch

And crinkle

Under my feet;

I pile them up

And take a leap."

~~Beth Paulsen

Day Two Hundred Ninety Four 2010

The Best Report Card EVER!

Granddaughter Shelby displays her "best report card ever!" to put it in her words.

7 A's and 1 B. She was hoping for all A's, but this report card is not too shabby, huh?

So of course we all headed to the Cream City Ice Cream and Coffee Shop on the west side of town, got a ton of tasty ice cream and took it across the street to eat it at the train depot because it was such a gorgeous Autumn afternoon. Eating at the depot was Elijah's request. He loves to climb inside those train cars.

It was a great way to celebrate an awesome report card. Also, when Shelby took a bite of her waffle cone, she discovered she had a loose tooth. Later, when they were exploring the train cars, she suddenly yelled, "My tooth fell out!" So she took that home to put under her pillow for the Tooth Fairy tonight. I am so proud of you, Shelby, for making such good grades and just because you're such a sweet, good person. I love you!!

Day Two Hundred Ninety Three 2010

Elijah And Grandpa Get A Haircut

And the prize goes to Elijah Man for being such a good kid while getting his hair cut. Grandpa was good, too, but he didn't get a sucker.

Day Two Hundred Fifty Four 2010

Blast From The Past ~ September 10, 2006

I did not take any pictures today, so I will share a blast from 2006. This was the first time that Neil's mother Ruth got to hold her great grandson Elijah. Three generations. Sweet picture. How time flies.

Day Two Hundred Thirty Two 2010

I Heart Friday!

Grand daughter Shelby snacking on a Gummi Worm after school today. She struggled to my house with her loaded backpack (on the couch). Said her shoulders hurt. We put the backpack on the scales. It weighed 11 pounds. That's crazy.

I was craving something chocolate and the only thing in the kitchen was a bottle of chocolate milk. It was cold and pretty tasty and kind of...thick. Then, glutton for punishment that I am, I ate a couple of Gummi Worms. After a sudden "sick" moment later, I checked the expiration date on the chocolate milk. It died two weeks ago. Ack!

Pushing those glasses up on her nose again. She gets new ones soon. She says they're 'awesome'.

Daughter Kelly came in time for supper. Her fave spot is Ocha Deli beside TTU. Hey, look, it's open! Yum!

Afternoon shadows stretched along West Side where we headed to Cream City (more gluttony!).

West Side around the depot has developed into a cool place over the past few years. Lots of artsy shops and restaurants.

I love the name of this shop that sells tie dyed clothing and bags and such. I'm going to have to browse in here sometime.

All sorts of tasty frozen treats to be had at Cream City.

Double scoop (which I did not need but that's so beside the point) of Mint Tracks ice cream in a waffle cone. The chunks of chocolate are heavenly. (If I'd known we were coming here, I wouldn't have drunk that dead bottle of chocolate milk.....)

All aboard! Kelly says she'd love to go on a train ride sometime. I said maybe one that has a dining car....

And the sun slowly sets on our TGIF. Hope yours had an unexpected treat or two. Wishing everyone a marvelous weekend!