The patient and me

Friday morning I brought our German visitors to Richmond airport and had to say good-bye. The three weeks have gone so fast. It was unfortunate that some (of my initial) plans for their stay had to be scrapped due to James' accident but I really think we all had a good time together anyway.
I must say how proud I am of both of my daughters who dug up their German and did really great with their conversations. I had no idea they were THAT good.
But there was no time to dwell on being alone. It's Sarah's day off and she came for lunch. She left Caleb with us for a couple of hours because she had promised to visit a friend.

When Caleb got very tired I thought a little walk in the neighborhood would be good. It didn't take many steps until he was asleep. A neighbor took this photo with my phone.

I did have a chance to take a look at my flowers in the front.

While I had been on a walk with Caleb, our very good friends from church Betty and A.P. visited James. Visits are great because James is quite bored! They brought gifts which seem to be for the whole family. I am sure we will have more fun when William comes too.

Video: Caleb and the frog
Video: Caleb and the balloon

Sarah had to work on the weekend so we also had Caleb Saturday morning. Unfortunately I did a big boo boo. Wade had lunch with us (he even brought the sandwiches) and when I wanted to quickly retrieve my sewing machine from being serviced while James had company, I backed out of the garage and into Wade's car. I was very upset with myself but when I confessed to my son-in-law (after he had carried the ton of a sewing machine upstairs) he said in his usual calm way that it was not a big deal. Really? How quickly one can make a mistake.
Wade must have forgiven me because he even came with Caleb to church Sunday morning.

I was happy though to have my machine back and used it Saturday evening to try my luck with the Block Lotto sneak peek. This must be the most difficult BL I tried yet. I did try paper piecing for the first time on the rays and really liked it. Sewing the curves need improving.

Sunday afternoon I realized that I needed to send the email to all CR quilters with the next monthly block pattern and needed to make my block to include the picture. And since I had missed last month's meeting I still had to make that block too. Needless to say I had a grand time because I find sewing projects relaxing. Thanks, James, for being a patient patient.

Besides that we had to think what needs to be cancelled. My flight to Europe, rented car, B+B in England, our tickets to the Henley Regatta etc etc. What did we forget?

Of course there is some good in everything. Since we are now not gone in the week with the 4th of July Helen and William can now visit. The flight tickets are bought. Between her and William's vacation schedule it gets more difficult every year. She couldn't come for Easter and that July week seemed the only opportunity for the whole year. So, yeah ...!!! 

We tried to get organized and into some kind of a routine. Where is James comfortable to sit, when to use crutches, when the wheelchair? It is all good. The weather has been so nice that we sit a lot on the back patio and enjoy nature. It's now my job to refill the bird feeder but they don't seem to care. I also changed the hummingbird food and had a visitor there too.

And yeah, James got his staples out yesterday. Progress every day!

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More Inclement Weather

From this ...

... to this!

Enough! Enough! Enough!

But then it meant more of this: (Two days - Monday and Tuesday)

He is napping. Quickly let's have lunch, ha-ha.
But look at this video when he wakes up later!

Caleb is three months now. He is focusing on things and grabbings things. He likes the little boy in the mirrow hanging above.
Video 1
Video 2

We think he might be teething. Who knows. He is suddenly drooling a lot. And he found his hand to suck on.
Yup, another video - with noice.

And here is a video which Sarah sent one day. Caleb reads a book! Love my gadgets!

And today, a few days later, the snow is gone and we actually can be outside without a coat. James wants to fill the bird feeder. When he lifts the bag with the seeds out of the box on the patio where we store it (and a few small garden tools) he spills some because of a hole in it ... obviously made by a rodent.
Well, when we want to empty it to clean it out ... yikes! The mouse is still in it.

It took a while but James caught it. The mouse was fast. But don't worry. We were nice to it and set it free at the bottom of the garden.

Well, and all that talk about Caleb earlier ... having him here doesn't mean we are not missing William. Thanks to social media and gadgets we can see photos Helen takes.

Here William is at a birthday party where the entertainment is somebody showing easy sience projects. William was fascinated and had a great time.

Today he could be outside for 6 hours (reported by Helen) and was very happy.

We will all be together next weekend! Yeah!!!

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Catching up

Presidents Day - more Caleb time because his child care is closed and his mother has to work.
He likes to be on the floor. Tummy time with Omi.

A few days later: remnants of that winter storm. Kind of funny.

James, the Consultant, was in Brazil for a few days (so he could not help) when Sarah called: could I please wait at her house for the dishwasher repairman. She needed to change her work schedule and would rather not change the repair appointment (so understandable). So I took my stitching because I could not find my tatting.

Edy was so interested in what I was doing.

Nooooo, Edy!

The last weekend in February seems to be the yearly Virginia Orchid Society Show. James read about it in the newspaper. He encouraged that we should go. We went on Saturday. Lovely displays so reminded me of our time in Singapore.

This was always my fav orchid in Singapore.

Look at these little orchids between it's leaves which look like grass.

Ha-ha, James' own fault for telling me and taking me. I found one which I had looked for for several years. My mother used to have one with yellow blossoms ... and she really didn't have a green thumb at all.

And here is what is blooming at the moment in my sunroom ... for the second time in a year.

Well, the weather was nice and we were out and about and I hoped for lunch with chop sticks. James thought it was a good idea. Here is my bento box. More Singapore memories.

Richmond Forum ! We have season tickets. This time the speaker was President George W. Bush.
It was a memorable evening!

Last Thursday I had a chance to go with a group of quilters on a bus to a quilt show in Hampton. But more about that in a seperate blog.

Friday I was busy preparing for the "new vestry dinner" (vestry = church council) James and I host now every year. Sarah came by for lunch and a little while. Her husband was gone for the weekend. I love these pictures.

The third annual vestry dinner: since neither James nor I are on it, we do not sit at the table. We serve. I borrowed church aprons. Sorry the writing is out of focus.

And just so that I know what I cooked - in case I need to know next year:
Flädlesuppe
Christa's Signature Salad
A choice of Shepherd's Pie (lamb) or Cottage Pie (beef) with sauteed Brussel-sprouts and Red Peppers on the side.
Dessert: Ann brought Blueberry Cobbler and we served it with Vanille Icecream

Well, I think this is enough blog for now. I need to play a little more with my new quilt toys. Yes, I splurged in Hampton.

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Almost

Only a few days left until Christmas. Helen, Ben and William have planned to arrive on Monday December 23. We have to do some food shopping but otherwise not much needs to be done. Sarah loves it though when we help her out once in a while. If we play with Caleb then she can take care of something else. Even changing the diapers is fun.

He loves to stretch and kick and wiggle. He is so strong. My goodness.
This was on Wednesday 18th ... Caleb's Grandma "Kaddies" birthday.
 I took this video for her.
And then I took one for William.

Sarah came to have lunch with us, and afterwards grandpa took him for a walk. It was only a short one though because the weather was so miserable.

The weather changed soon. On Thursday we drove with Sarah "over the river" to a big shop where James wanted to buy "stuff" for my birthday party with Sarah's help. I had to go along as Caleb's nanny. When we set foot in the door this was the first I saw! I hope I am not offending any of my blog readers ... but would somebody really buy something like this?

Then I saw the big C J = Caleb James.

When they were done with shopping Sarah took these photos.

And then the diaper change in the parking lot. Luckily we now have much better weather.

And look at my amaryllis, a gift from Sarah weeks ago. I so love amaryllis. They remind me so much of my father. He kept them from year to year and tried to make them bloom again. Most times he was very successful.
These seem to be new though. Double blooming. He would have had a lot of fun with these.

Oh goodness. Time run away with me. It is Christmas and the Nashvillers are here. Wonderful times!!! But that is another blog.

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