February Sunday

[Lady Edfeil]

We forgot to open a new thread1 ;D

Life is busy for many of us, but home always will be where the heart is, and the heart of many is clearly in Windstorm. As Joseph is discovering new things he is exceptionally cute, and exceptionally creative. *G* We heard the first dadadadada today! Hurray! T he first step towards dadda and of course mamma. But dadda almost always comes first in babies development. Today he also reached on to the table and grabbed his bottle with two hands to bring it to his mouth. He actually managed to get the nipple in his mouth as well! Just the fact that the bottle needed to be tilted a bit more was too much to figure out at four months.

Tomorrow we are going to look at a few houses here in the surroundings of COlumbia. Keep us in your thoughts as this is a big step for our little family.
It is strange that february is barely starting out and you can already feel a hint of spring in the air here. I am actually tempted to start gardening when we have a house here. A climate in which you can have flowers nine months out of twelve would make it worth the while!

[Dream Loxley]

Eva, every 'First' is so very precious. Mine seem so very long ago now *L* You asked of baby food in the last thread......personally I could not afford the manufactured baby food, except for rare occasions and special days out *L* but my lads thrived on home made. We didn't even have a liquidiser, so everything got mashed by hand and frozen in small containers. Good luck!

February has so far been rather pleasant weather wise, apart from awful high winds. My garden is blooming with so many bulbs making their way through the ground and Primulas and Primroses in flower. The birds are busy too and I have made up a nesting material thing for them *L* bits of wool and fibres from the dryer, all kinds of items they may take to build nests. I placed it near the window here so I may watch. It might just work *L*

The recover goes ok, although still far slower than I would have liked. I thought a few weeks of resting and being lazy would be nice.......but I have had enough now and simply need to return to some kind of normality, whatever that was *LOL* Still, I shall try to remain positive and stop my grumbling! It is far too easy to become a grumpy old lady at my age *L*

to all..........and I do hope time will be kind enough to allow many of you to let us know how you are. Thoughts and feelings are always special to read about. Stay safe and well.

[Halethala]

*wistfully* Spring? You know it's been cold when the one steps outside into 15 F degree weather and calmer winds and it feels absolutely BALMY. I can't ever remember such a horribly cold winter, and am absolutely weary of it. Another weekend predicted far below zero again coming up. Our heating bill is nearly double of a normal winter, so no extras or treats in the budget.

Still, my heart goes out to those devastated by the storms down south. Truly horrible weather, tornadoes.

*Smiles at the babyfood controversy* I used store bought quite often for all my strapping offspring. They all tower over me now! They move on to "real" foods so quickly, it isn't going to damage them that badly even if it isn't the most optimal of nurtition (although I'm of the opinion that the nutrition is quite intact!) . . mash what you can (bananas, etc) and trust they'll thrive! Remember, years ago, women breastfed until the babes went off to school (practically! lol) and the species survived . .

I love how my daughter-in-law feeds her youngest . . *chuckles* I should post pictures of birthdays! You wouldn't think one small cake could end up looking like ground zero!

[Lady Edfeil]

Ahhh... the traditional cake smashing. Let me see if I find the cake smashing picture of myself as a child. Ah... no... but you know what? I have a nude picture of me!!




For the next month or two we still need to stick to rice cereal, but after that, it will be baby food. A good tip I got for if I want to make homemade baby food is to freeze it in an icecube tray. That way, you always have small portions at hand.

[Dream Loxley]

Perhaps a 'Picture Time Thread' would be fun. You were a beautiful baby Eva and I can see a resemblance to your little Joseph. Hoping your weekend was wonderful.

Letha I still cannot imagine ever being that cold! It really feels like Spring here, even though officially we are still in Winter, and have not experienced 'proper' winter weather as yet. Who knows what will come during the next month or so. They are talking of the birds nesting too early and frogs mating etc, and if a cold spell arrives, it could spell disaster again for wildlife. All rather sad, but I shall enjoy watching through my window, and really enjoyed a walk down the garden path yesterday! Another one today I think

I was treated to a full English breakfast on the seafront yesterday! what a joy that was, to be outside even though it was a tad chilly, and to watch the ocean.......pure bliss after having to stay home so much. I have to build on the happy thoughts I got from that special outing!

Tuesday will be my 6 week check up, it will be interesting to get the Surgeon's opinion on my many niggling anxieties. He will probably say it is all normal *L* I guess they see so many patients with similar situations, it is all routine to them. I have definitely improved in the 6 weeks and yet I feel the progress is far too slow, so we shall see *S* Onwards and upwards as they say.

I miss reading of you all..........and I sincerely hope time will be kind enough to allow you all to return soon. Be well and safe

[Repsol]

I once went naked on Blackpool beach and 30 people who said they where from Greenpeace kept pushing me back in the water, I tried to explain that at no stage of my life was I ever called 'Minky'.

[Halethala]

*Aaaaaawwww's at different volumes and and tones at each of you!*

I think I'm going to go buy a blooming potted flower today, Dream . . just to remind myself that the ground isn't only made to hold up a coating of snow . .

[Lady Edfeil]

A picture time thread seems like a lovely idea! Hello everyone, I'm back. We went househunting for the second time and to our surprise we actually found something that we both like and that is within our budget. We are of course a bit hesitant as this is such a big purchase and we only have seen so few houses. We probably will go out once more next week on monday to look at more houses and then perhaps consider making an offer. The house we are considering is cute, has a good schooldistrict and a large beautiful yard. Gah, so many decisions. Plus ehm... Josephs cereal is very well liked but it also aparently makes for one constipated baby. Guess who was fussy today as he was trying to get a little production made? *L*
Letha, aside from our interlude in Chicago, I haven't seen snow in two years.
Repsol: talk, talk talk we want to see pictures of Minky!
Dream, that nesting material for birds you talked about sounds so much fun! Have you already seen any?

[Lady Edfeil]

I'm dealing with a very fussy boy here today. Nevertheless, I am feeling more... positive about roleplaying than I have done in a while. It may take me a bit to get back in the saddle, but I think at least I have the horse back in the corral so to speak. I have the feeling that for the last half year or so I have been chasing after the horse instead of trying to ride it.
Joseph finally made "a big Mc Stinky" as we call it here. ((don't ask me where that came from, your brain does weird things when you are sleep deprived)) and that should hopefully help a bit with the fussiness.
He is almost ready to sit up by himself (actually, he already does that in his little red chair/ pod thingy) which should help keep him entertained a bit more.) I still can't guarantee time, but I am more hopeful of it.

[Dream Loxley]

*Chuckles at Repsol*

Potted plants come in so very handy don't they Letha. I have little flowers popping up all over the garden here, although it is rather grey and dismal this morning, they do brighten up the day.

All the very best with your home hunting Eva, hope it goes well. The birds seem to take a while to accept anything newly introduced to the garden, but I hope they might find the nesting material helpful, if not it is still lovely to watch them all doing just what birds do.

My week here began well, but is slowly losing its sparkle. The Hospital visit was rather a wasted trip as my Surgeon was away, and I came home feeling like an inspected slab of meat! That seems the only way to describe the experience. A bonus was seeing the countryside with frost and mist early morning...truly beautiful. Also I shared a little time and coffee with a lovely lady I met whilst in hospital, we had the same operation and have kept in touch since. So not a total waste of a journey. Our Husband's get on very well too, so we hope to meet up for dinner one evening in the very near future. It is always so nice to have a goodly thing come from bad.

I can only hope something good will come from my youngest Son's experience last evening. He was attacked and beaten in the street, outside a busy Shop, not one person came to his aid, and he was in fact defending some younger teenagers from a frenzied, possibly drunk and drugged youth. His face and head have several bruises and small cuts, and we know we are so lucky to have him here.......so many people's lives are changed in one instant when things go wrong. I am angry, sad, frustrated and just so dissapointed that these things still happen, and far too often. Our town is small and relatively safe, but it only takes one person to change everything.......... the Police caught him and will prosecute, but I am also aware that he has a family, and just what they will go through. Life is beautiful, but it can be so very cruel.

Enough of my waffling......I shall wish you all well and safe......just be careful and perhaps think of the consequences before you take action. My son did what he thought was right, helping others..........but I am left wondering if that was the right thing to do. We cannot change the past can we.......but we can learn from it.

[Lady Edfeil]

Gosh Dream! You just hug your son extra close today, will you. The scariest thing is that nobody intervened. It's really horrible that people will just pretend not to see. I am glad the guy who did it got arrested. I know it will be a difficult thing for his family to go through, but having his behaviour adressed is probably the only way that there will be a chance for him to change.
Makes me want to tell my Joseph never to grow up.

[Halethala]

Oh Dream! How scary for your son! *frowns* Even though it was a risk, I just can't see how he could NOT try and help . . never had to face anything like that, but it seems so wrong not to try and do something to aide him. At least call law enforcement . . . *shakes head* I'm just so glad to hear he's not worse for the wear than it could have been. Perhaps time to reward him with a nice big steak tonight? *smiles*

And using your own words, hopefully something good will come from the bad . .

Eva . . your sweet little prince is growing so fast! I'm sure you've heard all the remedies for his new adventures in solid foods and the 'plumbing difficulties' he's going through . . perhaps use more formula at first, keep it rather soupy? They do keep challenging parents, those wee ones . .

*chuckles* I had to laugh so often with my grandson this week. His grand finale before we finally got out the door yesterday morning was to "feed the kitty" . . somehow he'd gotten into my plastic container of oat bran, and carefully doled out several generous handfuls onto the overturned cover, and carried it all the way into the dining room (a telltale trail betrayed his actions! lol) to give to the cat . . and then came in all excitedly pleased that the "kitty was eating"! (with visual aides as added color commentary!) I laughed so hard when I found the silly cat furiously consuming all he could of this stolen pleasure before the inevitable banishment!

Life is good . . just have to keep centering the laughable moments . .

[Lady Laurestina]

...Happy Valentines Day to all.... a wee bit late...
and I do pray that you all stay in touch.... though we are so far apart, somehow it is comforting in this hectic...scary world of ours...that there are souls that do stay connected even though many of us have not even met face to face.

I have been well.... through there are some issues...and isn't there alway something with all of us? Dream... first of all I have read over the threads a bit today and know not what affliction you suffer from..know enough to figure out you must have had some type of surgery... I am ever so sorry to hear this....as it seems that just when one such as yourself reaches near perfection.... and I mean that sincerely in the nicest way though I know it tis never possible... your my dear have shown us so many many wonderful sides to your sweet nature and all of which are almost angelic...
I wish you only the best.... and wish I lived closer that I might be able to grace your door step with a gift or two ...of potted flowers.
Yes..I hear ALL of you regarding the need to return to spring...and summer!!!!!!!!!!! OH my word.. my garage is half buried in snow... and I can stand outside and not be able to see over the snow piles and or drifts...it is simply terrible... we have maybe gone two days a week as of late..WITHOUT snow..or ice or some damn thing. I remember how I used to celebrate a snow storm as it was a day to just relax... drink grog....make soup and generally take a break from the world. As I would be completely free of the need to leave my house or yard.... and this year... we have just had seven snow days from school and the weekend plans and get to gethers....have been ruined more times than I care to remember. This is the worst ...yes the coldest winter I can remember in my life time... I didn't know it could snow when it was below 10 degrees...but it has and does quite regualarly...say nothing of the traffic problems... two Weeks ago 10 miles of a main high way was at a stand still.....cars stuck in a traffic jam .....the following week it happened again only not quite so many miles...of a traffic jam. oh I am sorry to go on..but I really can not believe this is all happening. I am not all that far from Letha and I too have been experiencing heat bills that are nearly insurmountable... lets just say.... I have not been drinking any good wine nor having any extras either. * just sighs* and guess what.. we just had 10 more inches of fresh snow yesterday and another snow is on its way for Sunday.... I can't quite believe it.!!!

Other than that...baby food you say... I had this little machine that was not electric or battery operated that would grind up whatever I ate... baby would also eat...so yes I made my own and did not buy it at all!!! I was one of those organic food nut peeps.... yes..I made my own yogurt too and that was my baby's favorite dessert with a little added homemade strawberry jam or jelly.

I too miss role playing and wonder if indeed I will ever return..as every time I have time..there is no one at home....* sighs*...however that doesn't mean I can't stay in touch with all of you... thank heaven's for this board!!!

I wish you all to be surrounded by good health... some wealth and lots of love.... warmth and good food!! hahaha....
hugs to you all...
Love,
Stina

[Dream Loxley]

I guess -6C or 40F is rather mild for some of you out there! To me it is cold *L* and I cannot even begin to image how you all cope with that amount of snow and coldness!! I send my warmest hugs out to you and hope the weather will be kinder very soon. *S*

Thankyou all for your well wishes and concern, my Son is coping well, better than I had thought he would, I cannot ask for more than that *S*

Stina.....gosh *VBS* you made my heart smile....and I have emailed you so as not to embaress myself here *L* I am so very glad you still visit these boards as they are a wonderful way for us all to stay together. If only the world was smaller I sometimes wish.....and to have some of you knocking on my door would be the most wonderful treat ever! Much love to you and everyone.........always. xxx

[Lady Edfeil]

Brrrrr Stina! I guess it would be mean of me to brag about the wonderful weather that has me running around without a coat here.... And the rosebushes that are in bloom everywhere...

As a comfort perhaps my parents in law in Missouri have had more snow than they are used to, and plenty of storms to boot. We've seen our share of storms, but mostly thunder and lightning. And drought! I am telling you, it isn't even spring yet and the grass everywhere is brown already. I wonder why people still try to have a lawn.
Dream, I'm glad to hear your son is coping well. It must have been a nasty experience and for him to deal with it well says a lot about the strength you have given him as a parent.

In our corner of the world things remain adventurous. Not only are we at the verge of making an offer on that house (we will decide on that tomorrow) but, Joseph is also teething. Yes, another thing he is doing a bit ahead of the curve. His first teeth is now definitiely coming through. You can feel it when he bites down on your finger. Special times, though so far, not as bad as I had feared.
I'm also trying to get my creative writing juices flowing again. They seem to have been dormant for a long time, but I'm trying to get the practice again. *L* Be patient with me though... I'm trying to find a new direction for Edie and that's not that easy. *G* But she has evolved and changed and I must learn to write her differently.