I Think...

..... I'm going to have to beach comb alone without my trusty dog companion. First of all, the rocks hurt her feet so I have to carry her to the point where it is clear. Next her feet get so dirty that I have to clean her up after the walk before she can come back inside. Maybe she needs a pair of rubber boots, I mean two pairs of rubber boots.

A Walk in the Park

Apparently I need all new footwear for out here in the great state of Washington. When Sweetie and I took our walk today the tide was way, way out and it occurred to me that I need some rubber boots. I missed out on all kind of treasures out there today so I've added rubber boots to my shopping list so I can beach comb! Sweetie got really excited by the little crabs that are hiding under the rocks, until she got pinched that is.

Amy has a theater lesson tonight, Matthew has baseball practise and so Haleigh and I are on our own after dinner.

And last but not least there are Rhododendrons blooming everywhere! They are so pretty.

People in the Park

I've had the afternoon to myself today and I'm roasting a chicken in the oven. The smells are wonderful. Amy and Haleigh have gone to a local production of The Princess and the Pea. Matthew is working until seven. So the roasted chicken is dinner.
Having a public park as your living room window view is very interesting. I find myself people watching out there instead of watching t.v. I see people from all walks of life here. There are the young mothers with trendy cars and expensive haircuts whose children have play dates and so they meet here.
There are the athletic men in their thirties who are jogging or playing basketball. There are the families who bring food and cook it on the grills and spend the whole day over there. There are always people walking dogs or dogs walking people in some cases. AND the other day I actually saw a guy doing yoga on the end of the pier.
Very different from my view of Georgia Pines back home. But very interesting to me for sure.

A Royal Sunday Morn

This Morning a horn sounded off at my bedroom door. It was the royal horn!

















It was the Prince's own royal messenger you see! She had gifts for me from the prince!

He sent me jewels and cash!

He is such a good prince! He also sent me a note asking me to have a date with him at the Olive Garden at seven thirty tonight!

And then I got this note from him!

I love being an eight year old again!

Such a Good Day

Ok, so Matthew got off work at two and hurried home and picked Haleigh and me up. Amy had plans to go see a musical show and so she had to miss out on this trip but we have a long summer ahead.

I've never seen a waterfall for real before and so the trail we took led up to one.

This is the last part of the trail. It was only a little less than two miles round trip and a 300 foot climb. The water fall was 130 foot tall.

The waterfall took my breath away. It was so pretty. Pictures can't tell the whole story!
Matthew and Haleigh climbed down nearer to the waterfall.


And this is us at the end of the trail. I made it without dying, lol. I huffed and puffed but I made it!
This was the river, so pretty!

AND LOOK! I finally found that log cabin I've been looking for. What a peaceful place this would be to live!

On the way home we saw.........

A herd of Elk! They were beautiful.
We had such a good day. And I broke my hiking boots in!

Remember these?

Going to give them a little work out today. Please Pray for me, LOL.
Stay tuned for more.

The Muffin Project

Here at our house, we are on a mission to find the perfect "healthy" and delicious muffin. So we started with a recipe using whole wheat and oatmeal.


They were quite good but the next day we added bananas and nuts. They were really good.




Just ask Amy, she is the taste tester.

Just Another Wednesday Morning

Today was a year ago that I had my hysterectomy. WOW. In a lot of ways it feels like it has been a lot longer than that and in other ways it seems like just a short time. Anyway I'm glad I'm not having surgery today, glad that is behind me.
It is a lazy morning for me today. There is something about this new bed I bought that is weird. There is a certain spot and a certain position I get in that causes me to just lay here totally relaxed. I can't in fact remember when I've been so relaxed. And so I give in and lay here. I let my mind roam around freely, not really thinking too long on any one subject.
Haleigh visited me for a little while in my room this morning. She snuggled up next to me with Sweetie in between and then just as soon as she got settled her mom called for her to start getting ready for school. Oh man! She did not want to go, lol.
It is a rainy morning and might be for much of the day but that is ok too, I sort of like rainy days.
Hope you have a good day,
Love,
Robbin

Looking Out my Back Door

If I were a true Washingtonian I wouldn't mention today's weather. It is just gorgeous! I'm really not suppose to say that it is over 70 degrees without a cloud in the sky. You see if I were a true Washingtonian I'd just let you assume that it is raining here, near Seattle, because after all that is all it ever does here, rain!
AND.....I sure wouldn't post pictures to prove it!

You see a true Washingtonian doesn't want too many outside people to know about these days because if word got out, well then the state would just start pouring over with people. SO, Sh!! I'm not a Washingtonian yet and I just can't keep it to myself right now. But I wish you could see this! It is perfect.

Mollycoddling

After last years events, I am so lucky to be able to indulge myself. Yet at the same time I mostly feel guilty for doing so.

According to the dictionary the word "indulge" means "to give free reign to" or "to take unrestrained pleasure in, to gratify, to mollycoddle", lol, now there's a word I like, mollycoddle.

I am trying to learn to just "be". I am lucky enough right now, in this moment in time to not have to be on a schedule. I listen to a voice deep inside for guidance on what I need right now and I "indulge" myself. If I need to sleep, that is what I do. If I need to cry, that is what I do. If I just need to sit outside and stare off into space without a thought in my mind that is what I do. There are no expectations placed on me , nothing asked of me.

I need this right now, in this transition in my life. I need to figure out what it is that I have to give and who I can give to. I need to figure out many things as I start over. And I'm very grateful for the opportunity to do so yet the guilt plagues me. Who am I do deserve such indulgences? And when will I know when I'm ready to step out into life again and stop mollycoddling myself? Will I ever be ready?

Saturday Morning in Grandma's Room

I think, at least for now the Saturday morning ritual will be just this. Haleigh wakes up and realizes it is Saturday and no school. And then she remembers that Grandma is in her room. So very quietly she tip toes to the door and in a very faint voice she calls me. "Grandma?"

I have nesting dolls that she loves to take apart. I have a box of earrings that she can't resist. I also have some wooden cigar boxes that have treasures in them, so this morning that is what we did. I have a thing for little boxes and I guess she does too.

I know I don't have long to be amazing in her eyes, and even now she'd ditch me in a New York second if one of the neighborhood kids knocked on the door and wanted her to come play, but for now I'm enjoying it while I can.

Tulip Festival Day

It was a great day, the weather was nice and we had fun. The tulips however were not all opened up as they've been in the past years when Amy has visited but still it was beautiful. The first thing we saw was a whole field of Dafodils that took your breath away. And the last thing we saw in one of the gardens we visited were real monks! And one of them asked if Haleigh would have her picture made with him.

Look What I Now Own

 

A brand new pair of hiking boots! Yep, those are mine. At my son's insistance because he says I need something waterproof and safe to walk in around here, especially in those tulip fields us girls are going to see today. I however think there is an ulterior motive here, I just know he'll have me hiking before long!
Anyway today's the day we go see the tulips. Haleigh's especially excited as she is getting to skip school today to go. YAY!
We'll have lots of pictures I'm sure so stay tuned. I still can't believe I own a pair of hiking boots. I think I owned a pair in the seventies too but that was more of a fashion statement, lol!
Have a good day,
Love,
Robbin

Thank Goodness For.........

...antibiotics for without them what would we do? Just this morning am I starting to feel almost normal again. And I slept through the night instead of getting up every two hours or so thinking I had to use the bathroom. So, I'm on the mend.
Amy and Haleigh and I may just go to the Tulip Festival tomorrow. The weather is suppose to be nice and if I continue to feel well, that is what we will do. I'm excited about that.
I am happy here. I've had a few moments in the last week or so when I've had to release some emotional stuff. The move in itself, and then actually getting here and then trying to find my place with the family has at times been a bit overwhelming. And I have to keep reminding myself to take one day at a time and not think about the future too much at this point. I need to just "be" for now. And I'm lucky I can do this right now at this point in my life. I do know I need to clear my brain, I need to get my bearings and I just need to take it nice and slow. And so I am right where I need to be right now, both physically and emotionally.
I miss everyone from work.
I've made it a point to call my mother every Monday morning.
And so that is how things are for now.
I am looking forward to a summer not full of 100 degree days. It will be wonderful.

A Little Under the Weather

I'm suffering from a pretty bad bladder infection but Matthew, being the good son he is, took me to the local clinic this morning and I got an antibiotic thank goodness. I'm hoping to feel back to normal pretty soon.
It is cold and rainy and we even had a hail storm while ago.
Next thing is Matthew is going to set up a table in the room that is next to my room so that I can bring up some of my beads. Haleigh is chomping at the bit for that you know.
For now, not much else going on.
Hope our day is going well.

Happy Easter

All is still quiet around here this morning. It is a wet rainy morning. There is an Easter basket on the coffee table in the living room waiting to be discovered by a little girl still sleeping upstairs.
Matthew has gone to work and soon Amy and Haleigh will be stirring around, getting ready to go to church.
And I will enjoy Easter for just what it is, a time of renewal and hope.
Happy Easter!
Love,
Robbin

Favorite Things And Cherry Trees

 

The Japanese Cherry Trees are blooming here and they are beautiful. Amy put some blooms in my room last night, among some of my favorite things.

Decorating My Little Space

We're still putting some finishing touches on my room. Amy and I found pillows that matched perfectly.




Haleigh and I picked some daffodils for my window sill.
Today I am getting shelves put up so I can have room for some of my favorite things. Everything else I own in the world, (which isn't much) is packed away in what Matthew calls "big Tupperware things" and in the basement.

Yesterday while walking Sweetie in the park I saw one of the neighbors and she asked me if I was getting settled in. When I explained that I had left much of what I had in Georgia, she asked if I was a minimalist. I told her I guess I was now! But I've always liked things simple and clutter makes me feel cluttered so actually it is very liberating to be free of so much stuff!

Oh, and we got my horse pictures framed and they look so nice. I'm so proud of them.



I love my room as it is all about earth colors. My dresser is green, the walls are brown and it is so ME!
Thanks to my son and DIL for all the work and love they put into it. They know me well you see.
Hope you have a good Thursday wherever you are.
Love,
Robbin

The Confirmation

This morning, after everyone left the house for school and work and errands, I found myself alone for the first time since my arrival.

I separated my laundry and wandered down to the basement to put a load of clothes in.

The weather this morning is beautiful and so after doing a few of my own chores, I couldn't resist putting Sweetie on the leash and taking her to the park across the street.

I didn't know at the time that I was about to be hit with a feeling that I will never forget.


Sweetie and I at first just walked the park and she took care of her business. I'm quite impressed with her actually. As a little country dog she is taking to city life quite well.

Anyway, we walked and took in the warm sunshine and the glistening dew on the grass.

We passed a group of kids, no doubt skipping school, that thought Sweetie was cute and she took in all their oohs and aahs and petting. Even in their Goth clothing, she didn't mind, nor was she judgemental of the purple steak in the girl's hair.

Part of Puget Sound runs through the park and it always calls me. This morning I could smell the sea air and so we walked to the rocks along the edge and I found a nice flat one that is a perfect seat. Much to my surprise, Sweetie, who is usually a little dog that is quite curious about all smells and things decided my lap would be the perfect place for her to sit, so I let her.

She and I gazed over the water . We watched the ducks swim by and the gulls fly over. We watched two men float by in a boat. My little dog watched all this as intently as did I. Suddenly without warning the tears flowed down my face. All at once I knew without doubt that I was where I needed to be. The beauty of this area suddenly overwhelmed me. Sweetie turned toward my face and licked my tears. In her wisdom I think she knew at that moment that we were where we were suppose to be for now too.

We sat there listening to the birds, to the cars on the bridge, to the sounds coming from the city, to the little children's laughter playing behind us on the playground and to the bouncing of the basketball where two men played. All new sounds to us but sounds of LIFE. And though I am oblivious to the names of the two bridges we are between or the streets or how to get to any store at all, it doesn't matter at this point in time. It is how it is suppose to be.

Stuck before in a world where I didn't feel as if I belonged, perhaps I have found my place. This is right. Never before have I felt such peace and contentment. All is right in my world at the moment.

Happiness is..........

.......Laptopping with your granddaughter.