Shower of gifts

Tim and I hit the road yesterday traveling to Spartanburg, SC for the baby shower honoring my newest "grandchild" Molly Kate - who is due on October 30th. We arrived around dinner time and got to spend some family time with the parents-to-be (Molly and Bryan), Tim's sisters (Mary-ellen and Kathy), Molly's brother Bradley and his wife Leslie, and later a few minutes with Niece Theresa, Great-niece Caitlyn and Tim's other sister Sheila.

Today dawned beautiful, the boys headed off to the golf course and the girls, family and friends of Molly, gathered for a great baby shower fully of the cutest items for a little girl you've ever seen.

A great time was had by all and little miss Molly Kate will be beautiful outfitted when she comes into this world in a few weeks.

Nonna again!

The past few days I have spent with my niece Molly and her husband Bryan and his parents. They came up from South Carolina to do some sightseeing and family visiting since Molly is pregnant and due in October and probably won't be traveling for a while after that. We had a great time visiting and looking at pictures of the Little Miss in ultrasound. She's just to cute!
And the great news is that I get to play Nonna again! Judy (Bryan's mother) said that she was more than happy to share the new arrival and then she and I proceeded to have a great time at the baby store plotting and planning how we were going to spoil this precious little one.

We have determined that Little Miss enjoyed Nonna's cooking because I made this Butterscotch caramel Pound Cake that even my husband Tim said was really good. And it was so easy. We finished off that cake in two nights!

We're going to go down to SC for a baby shower on Labor Day so I'll have to get to work on my shopping - such a hardship!~

Blogiversary passed by and I didn't notice!

Well, two weeks ago was the anniversary of this blog and somehow or other I was so busy that it just slipped right by me. I set up this blog to let my friends and family keep track of what I was doing and what was keeping me busy. So, I've decided that an update is in order.

Since I originally started out, I have made a design change and I hope everyone likes the look. So on to the update.

1) My diet has been placed on hold. (I joke about having given it up for Lent) I'm having a bit of stress related issues (will explain later on) and I need either comfort food or I'll have to go back to smoking. I figure comfort food is better.

2) My freelance job for Tim's office has been put on hold so I'm watching my pennies again. Hopefully, they will realize how valuable my services were and get me back on the payroll.

3) My golf skills have not improved (maybe because my back has flared up again and so I'm back in Physical Therapy). I still meet with the Ladies 9 holers (in fact, I was elected secretary for the group as well as the coordinator of the lady 9 holers invitationals), so I have to make sure that I get enough ladies to play at the other golf courses on the event days. This year we are hosting an Invitational, and as the event chairperson, I am delegating decoration design and goodie bag development while I handle invitations, name tags, place cards, and menu. So even though I'm not playing golf on a regular basis, I'm still involved with the group and having a great time!

4) Tim and I are still working diligently to get the Montgomery Country Club Bridge Group growing. With the new members that we recruited last year and additional members that we are finding along the way, we are now playing twice month. When the Club has events and no room for us we play at our house.

5) On the home front, last October a "friend" who had lost his job over a year ago and his home in September moved in for what was supposed to be a short period of time. However, as of this writing he is still here and driving me CRAZY! It seems that our hospitality is being stretched to the max. So here in lies my STRESS! The doctor told me that I need to have him move out, and I asked him for a prescription for that! He laughed, I was serious.

6) I'm currently in the middle of the demolition of Derry town. Tim rushed me last year and I didn't get the inventory updated so now I'm updating the photographs and inventory listing. Since that was delayed last year I put off the home inventory which I'm hoping to get done this summer working room to room updating the info on the rest of the house. Eventually I would like to burn a CD of that listing with pictures and give it to State Farm for safekeeping.While I’m working on the home inventory, I will also be working on making my will current (the last one was 15 years ago) so if anyone has something they would like to be heir to, let me know. If that’s not enough I also have the 5000+ photographs from the Bill Derry’s that I agreed to scan into my computer and burn CDs for everyone. (I haven’t forgotten.)

7) I would also like to get some work done on the two books that I am writing. The first is a novel that I started in 1993 and would like to eventually finish. The second is a children’s book that I am writing for my “grandson” Jackson. (Those that know me, also know that having had no children, it would be hard for me to have a grandson. However, when our nephew Christopher and his beautiful bride, Melanie, were expecting, Ellen (Christopher’s Mom – my sister-in-law) and Melanie’s Mom, Gloria, said that I could be Nonna – the Italian grandmother – they are sharing their grandson with me and I feel so blessed by their generosity. ) Hopefully, I will make some progress on both of these projects soon.

8) We were part of the "fortunate" area of the country that received the double blizzard in February - all tolled in less than a week we received nearly 40" of snow. Tim even had to stay home from work one day - can you believe it!

9) For my relaxation time, I have been reading and stitching. As of this day, I have read 38 books in 2010 and my goal is 120 books for the entire year. (2009 I read 162.) I have joined LIBRARYTHING (LT for short) and I have met so many nice people who share my love of reading. I have joined into a number of challenges/groups which drive the need to read those 120 books.

a) the Main Challenge is the 101020Challenge. Here each person chooses 10 categories and 10 books in each category = 100 books but I added a bonus category of 20 books for overflow.

b) Chunskter Challenge is to read 6 books of over 450 pages - this one I've already finished!

c) Supplement to the 101020 Challenge are the 75 and BOYS (Books off your Shelves) Challenges which are basically the same books.

d) The last challenge is the one that Tina (my sister) and I devised together. The US Presidents’ Challenge is to read the Biographies of all 43 Presidents before the end of the term of our current President. That gives us at least 4 years and possibly 8 to get this reading done. So far, (I’m reading in order) I finished Washington through Tyler in 2009 and I'm up to James Buchanan so far this year. (They say he's the worst but I haven't gotten that far yet.) I’ve been reading background books as well – Gold Rush, Mexican War - those kind of things so that I can get a feel for the time in history that these men occupied. Thanks to all my new friends at LT I have found so many new interests in books. I have been stretching my normal areas of reading to include history, biographies, (these are what led to the Presidents Challenge), Award Winning books/Authors (these are probably books I never would have read), non-fiction, and Classics. That doesn’t mean that I’ve given up on the old standards because I am still reading oodles of mysteries (I currently have 50 series that I follow) and I even made time for some romances this year.

10) I also have my Cross Stitch projects to do. (Molly , our niece and her husband Bryan are expecting in October and as "Nonna" I am doing the birth announcement as well as special Christmas stocking for Jackson. Lastly, I am still spending time travelling to Baltimore to visit with my Mom (she’s doing great) and I need to get working with my sister, Mary-Ruth, trying to finish up the cataloging of my Dad’s stamp collection.

So, Chèli’s Cozy Corner is very busy, but never too busy for the love of her life, TIM. This year we will be celebrating our 36th wedding anniversary and I can’t imagine what my life would have been like without this man who treats me like a princess and always, always, makes me feel loved beyond belief.

So, come in and sit down, anytime you’d like in my cozy little corner of the world. I don't post everyday, but hopefully, my postings are fun! Love to you all!

We give Thanks

Plans for Thanksgiving are always so intense - thoughts of all kinds of food.

This year we had plans to visit with John & Ellen in Richmond along with the Derry's from Louisiana bringing our little Jackson north. Unfortunately, plans changed because Fred (Ellen's father) became ill and is in the hospital ( and our prayers) so we headed north to Grammy's rather than south.

Grammy had tasks for the boys to perform (cover the A/C units) before dinner was served and then four generations sat down (minus Tina and Bob who were in Maine) to a scrumptious meal of turkey, stuffing, cranberries, mashed potatoes, homemade bread, and a perfect gravy (made by sister #2).

We think about all our blessings but then when we returned home we had a plumbing leak to contend with. Well, at least we have a roof over our heads even if it is a bit damp inside.

We still count our blessings for we are truly blessed with health, happiness, and a family and friends.

Countdown for the holidays has started!

I was just visiting my sister's blog (Tutu's Two Cents) and she confirmed that Beth, over at Beth Fish Reads has given us permission to take a break from our computers for the holidays. YES, the holidays... So blame it on Tutu, she got me starting thinking about the holidays and everything that had to be done. They are coming and with them, many mysteries to be solved with moments of wondering ....

• who do I invite?
• what will I wear to that party? Should I take something?
• when will I fit that into my schedule? Can I get it done in time?
• where can I get that gift? What color, what size?
• how will I get it all done?
• why can't I think of something for her/him?

There are so many decisions to be made each year and sometimes they become overwhelming.

• The tree - should we get a real one and should it be small or large or huge?
• Christmas Goodies - Should we cheat on our diets - dah, of course, but when can we start? What should we make and how much of each?
• What do we get everyone or are we giving gifts at all?
• Are we sending cards? Should we include a Christmas Letter?
• Decorations - Same old, same old, or something new and different?
• When will I see everyone? Do I travel to their house or invite them to mine?
  And what about all my book challenges? Will I manage to squeeze in all the final books I need to finish?

The answers, for me, are pretty simple...

• Trees - 1 Small, 1 medium, 1 large all fake
• baking - list decided- all I have to do is schedule what when
• presents - gift certificates for the out of town kids (I know that's cheating but they love to go after Christmas for all the sales and get exactly what they want) the siblings have ceased to exchange except for nominal items, so that leaves one for Mom and 1 for hubbie
• Cards are scheduled for the 2nd week in December
• Parties are all scheduled, invitations have been sent and RSVPs done,
• and decorations are in progress! (should be finished this weekend)

It's all in the organization and having a calendar that can handle everything - yeah Outlook!

So my advice, take an hour or two and plan it all out, print out your calendar and enjoy this special season...It won't be back again for another 365 days!

Myrtle Beach Vacation

Let's forget about the troubles in the real world and think about a week of R&R in Myrtle Beach. Tim and I first met up with his sister Kathy and her fiancé, David, for the South Carolina game on Saturday the 24th. Tim went to the game and I sat home (what else is new?). Then Sunday morning we headed to the coast and met up with his sister Mary-ellen and his brother John and wife Ellen.

We had a pleasant time throughout the week. Monday Tim golfed with Mary-ellen and John until the rain came and they quit. Tuesday Tim, Mary-ellen and I golfed and later, after the pool, went to mixology class where we created two mixed drinks - yummy, yummy. Wednesday Tim and Mary-ellen played golf and the afternoon was spent at the pool and wine tasting. Thursday John and Ellen returned from their jobs and the five of us went to the golf course. Ellen is just beginning but she's already better than I am. Afterward we all went to a Martini tasting and scaped(?) a visit via the Internet with Jackson, Christopher and Melanie.

Friday no golf! Since they couldn't get a Tee time early Mary-ellen, Tim and I went shopping, and returned for pool time just before Kathy and David arrived for Ribs on the BBQ.

There were only 4 of the six Derry children together at anyone time, we ate , we drank, we laughed, we cried, but all in all, I still think we managed to have a family gathering of which Bill and Pat would have been proud.

A Week of R & R

Tim and I hit the road this morning heading south to Myrtle Beach for a week of rest and relaxation with family. We started today in Columbia SC where Tim went to the University of South Carolina Homecoming game vs. Vanderbilt with his sister Kathy, her fiancé, and his son. Leslie, our nephew Bradley's wife, also came to go to the game. I stayed at the condo which was so close that they all walked to the game and I heard all the cheering while I watched on TV.
How much fun is it to know a great play is coming by the cheers you hear (TV was on a 5 second time delay)? And South Carolina won the game - they won't hold anything against us. We should get invited back sometime.

Tomorrow we head to Myrtle Beach where we will meet up with Mary-ellen (Tim's sister) and get in some golf.

Stay tuned!

Mom turns 85!

Well, today was my mother's 85th birthday.

I stopped by to see her last night since I knew that I wouldn't make it on the actually day. I did send her 85 yellow roses because they are her favorites and I know that my Dad have wanted her to have them. She's a feisty lady and still going strong (though she would probably debate that fact).

I was reminded this week how fortunate I am that my Mom is still with us in both mind and body. We all, as we grow older, don't realize that, until we see a difference that others have to endure with either serious illness, incapacity - mentally or physically - or the loss of that love one. So, if you are fortunate, as I am, give that parent of yours a hug and kiss and tell them that you love them. Lord knows we don't know how long they will be with us.

Good day, Bad day

I woke up this morning and I felt pretty good. It was the first night on my new pillow and I was surprised at how well I slept. It was planned that I was supposed to go to the Country Club where Tim (after playing golf and showering) and I would meet up with Mary-ellen and Molly (after they dropped Bryan at the airport) and head to the Wine Festival in Virginia. However, things didn't run smoothly.

1. Tim forgot to get gas in my car after using it for the tailgate on Saturday and I wasn't sure that I had enough to get to the Country Club let alone to Virginia.
2. When I went to put my seat belt on, the connector that I use on the driver side (because I can't feel the place to clip it) was missing.
3. After gyrating around to hook my seat belt without the connector, I backed out of the garage, only to see that there are bungee cords and duct tape sitting on my hood.
4. The bus for the Wine Club to go to the Wine Festival, left at 12PM, we left at 2:30PM.

We finally got to the Wine Festival around 3:15Pm and once we got there, had a wonderful time. The weather was perfect and the some of the wines were good.
I'm not sure whether to count this in the good day or bad day category.

A day with Sister #2

In my family, we jokingly always go by number, all our names seemed to run together when we were young, so to keep straight with our parents, we were #1, #2, etc I was daughter #4.

Today I spent with sister #2, Mary-Ruth, who is a floral designer for special events. She wanted some feedback on her website so I went up to her house and we chatted about it. Then I helped her with computer things for special scrapbook items for 2 of the Lady Maryland Terrapins. I had a delightful time helping her ( at least I think I helped her) with some organizational aspects of all her family photos.

It was great to realize that sister #4 can help sister #2 and have great time while doing it.

Busy weekend!

Tim and I had a very busy weekend.

First on Saturday, we got together at his sister's (Mary-ellen) house for a barbecue/crab feast. All the members of Tim's Maryland Terrapin tailgate group were there to kickoff the new season. We ate and drank and enjoyed each others' tales of their summer and what was in the offing. After the tailgaters left, the Derrys planned for our October trip to Myrtle Beach.

Sunday, I met Mary-ellen, John and Ellen at the Country Club for breakfast. Tim, of course, was playing golf. Later, Tim, Mary-ellen , and I played bridge at the club with 4 other couples. A busy weekend, but great fun!

Another day in Maine

After a good night's sleep, I woke this morning and prepared for a trip to the General Knox House in Thomaston, Maine.

Tina, Kyla and I went to the Montpelier where we took a tour of the "home" of General Henry Knox. We were informed that the building was not the original, but a reproduction because the house had been badly cared for after the General's death and fallen into disrepair. It was eventually demolished and the DAR worked to have it reproduced on a new site ( the railroad had already taken over the original site). The ceiling and chair moldings were magnificent, the flying staircase was tremendous, and the reproduced wallpaper patterns were extremely interesting. But the most magnificent part was the oval ballroom with 2 fireplaces and doors that were actually curved. I did pick up a book about the homes of the Founding Fathers in the gift shop.

Afterward we went to lunch in a restaurant that resides in what was an old railway station. As rain began to fall we headed home and spent the rest of the afternoon with a friendly game of Maine Monopoly.

Chèli

Cheli's escort service to Maine

This morning together with my great-niece Kyla I left home and set out to visit my sister Tina in Maine. I had been enlisted to escort little Miss Kyla to her grandmother's so that she could spend some time in greater New England. We got to the airport early which was a good thing. Kyla dropped her boarding pass after we passed through security, so we had to hunt it down. Then we were ready to go, but the airline wasn't. The plane was late arriving to the airport so we were about 1 hour late leaving. I phoned Tina who had already left and warned her about the delay. By the time were landed and got our luggage, it was 2:30 and we were starving. We stopped at Friendlys and had "lunch" and FRIENDZs were absolutely wicked but left us with no appetite for dinner. Poor Bob, he had to eat alone.

Chèli

He stole my Heart!

Well, I'm back from Myrtle Beach. I didn't want to leave the family but had no choice. Everyone had to go their own ways. Little Jackson has stolen my heart. All he has to do is smile that little smile of his and I want to smile too.

I don't know when I'll see him again, but I'm thinking of him every day.

Cheli - Golf Coach

Well, today I went to the driving range with Ellen.
Too bad that I can't follow my own instructions, because Ellen hit her first ball 125 yds. straight up the middle. Gee, I wish I could do that. I think that she is going to do great on the golf course, all she needs is encouragement.

Activities in Myrtle Beach

Things have been very busy here. We have spent precious time with Molly and Bryan before they headed back to Spartanburg, shared laughs with Bradley and Leslie before they went back home and to their jobs this week. This morning at 5AM Sheila, Theresa, Caitlyn and her friend Hannah arrived.

Now, a group of 7 are headed to the golf course for some sun and fun!

Stay tuned!

Myrtle Beach and Jackson!

Tim and I traveled down to Myrtle Beach SC to meet up with 15 others of the Derry Clan and enjoy sun and golf. For the first 24 hours, it's been a blast!

Little Jackson had his first cereal this morning and I got to tape it on my camcorder. Then I got to rock him to sleep for his afternoon nap.
Tomorrow we may head to the pool or just blow up his pool for him.
Just holding him and cuddling is such a treat!

Time to reflect

Today is Father's Day.

My dad has been gone now for 2½ years and I still miss him. I try to keep myself busy and spend time with my Mom but there is still that void. When I think about him, my eyes still tear up and I realize how really fortunate I was to have such a great man as my father. He wasn't someone who the world knew, but those that did were really lucky. If you were his friend or a member of his family, you were blessed. He showed me what a good man was, so that when I met my husband, I spotted one right off and made sure that I "caught him".

It's funny how it takes the loss of someone you love to realize how blessed you are by their being in your life. So, my friends, hug those in your life that are still with you, hold them close, because there will come a day when you won't be able to and you will regret not taking advantage of the opportunity when it had presented itself.

Hope you were all blessed with a great dad too.

Cheli

Another Day with Mom

I spent the day with Mom.
She was very happy with what she accomplished this morning -- we went to KMart and she was able to find several pair of shorts, capris, and casual shirts (all 100% cotton) and came away spending less money than she expected.
Next stop, the grocery store. We went to the Giant that was having a grand opening and I showed her how to use the new gadget that let's her check her purchases as she goes. When we got to check out (we were in the express lane because we had already recorded all her purchases) she won a gift basket with all kinds of goodies. She was very pleased.
We headed home to work on her FIOS adjustments, but that's another story.

A new Senior citizen!

Yesterday was my birthday!

I turned 55 years old and officially became a senior citizen. If you had asked me about 15 years ago, if I'd be happy to become a senior citizen, I would have asked you what drugs you were on. Now I supposed that I have matured and realized that age really is just a state of mind. I don't want to do the "young" things - I don't like the new music - it's too loud; I don't want to twitter or text - it runs up my phone bill; I don't want to drive a convertible - it messes up my hair. I am very content with my life exactly as it is. I'm retired - I don't have to get up in the morning if I don't want to, I don't have to battle traffic during rush hour, I get to run my errands while everyone else is working so the lines are never long. I got my driver's license renewed in 30 minutes - 2 people were ahead of me in line - they were older too. Granted, getting older does have it's drawbacks - arthritis, bifocals, health issues, losing loved ones. But if you learn to appreciate the blessings that come with it, and adjust to the downside, life can still be good. I am grateful for all my friends and family and the blessings that I have in my life.

The greatest blessing in my life is Tim, my husband. He's not the most romantic man by his own admission. He only acknowledges our wedding anniversary and my birthday when they are what he calls "biggies" like those that end with a 5 or a 0 so this year our 35th wedding anniversary and my 55th birthday were BIGGIES. I normally don't even get a card but this year I got 2 - an anniversary and a birthday card. The anniversary card was one of those gooshy ones and I even got a handwritten note which made the tears flow, while the birthday card made me chuckle - commenting on his lack of fashion sense(he thinks there's nothing wrong with wearing burgundy and red together), his inability to notice when I get my hair done (after I have returned from the hairdresser - he says "what time is your hair appt?"), and his annoying jokes. I couldn't have a more wonderful life partner. I am truly blessed.