A Beautiful Tuesday in October!

Well I am back as promised! Right now I am waiting to hear how Shannon's second wrist surgery went. She is getting both her wrist (Carpal Tunnel) done during her maternity leave. Of course the surgeon she works with is a hand specialist and is doing the surgery on both of them. I am sure all is well!

This past weekend we spent at the Pottawotamie Recreation Area with both our daughters and their families! It was great!!!! Hubby is looking at the photo album as I type and said "I suppose we should make this at least a yearly thing???" Yup, and my wish is that someday Todd & Erin can come and join us!!! That would be pefect!


While we were at the campsite the entire place celebrated Halloween with decorations, parades, candy, hayrides, the entire shebang. My sister, Michelle. came down and all our little trick-or-treaters were dressed as bananas! A great time was had by all!


Hubby and I are working on a new way of eating. Almost 2 years ago we went Organic and I would say we were at around 80%. There are still things you just can't get organic. We still do that as much as possible. Recently we entroduced a bigger percentage of fruits and vegetables into our diet. I can't tell you how many pounds of blueberries I have frozen!!!

A month ago we watched the movie "Forks over Knives". It was a big eye opener and with much discussion, some trips through the grocery stores and eating up of things in the freezer we started a new path. We are eating a "Whole Food ~ Plant Based" diet. What that means is no meat, dairy products, eggs, or oils. After reading a couple of books on this style of eating. We are following the Engine #2 diet written by Rip Esselstyn. This diet follows the regiment of the Forks over Knives that his dad, Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, and Dr. Colin Campbell came up with after decades of research. Yes, it is pretty much vegan, but actually more food stringent, without the political garbage! When I told Todd what we were doing he said "OMG Mom don't frigging turn into a Vegan they are all nuts!!!! So we won't use the "V" word. We choose to do ths for health reasons, not animal rights reasons. I don't condone any harm to animals, but you won't see me throwing myself between the farmer and the chicken!

So you ask what do we eat well this morning it was Shredded wheat, with blueberries, bananas, sliced almonds, soy milk and honey, with a huge glass of tomato juice (not concentrated). YUMMMY! I won't tell you that a big juicy hamburg doesn't smell and look scrumptious, but I look at what is left in the pan and know that is what is coating our blood vessels and I can live with out it for now!! LOL

So off and running today, I think we will be doing the Lansing area and stopping in and checking on Shannon on our way back! You all enjoy this beautiful day, it's going to bevfall weather again soon!

Dilly

Darn it, lets try this again!!!

I have been told I am a lazy no good Blogger and I need to get my buttkiss back in gear. So let's try this again!!

Since my last post, I have been enjoying my Grandson's Brock and Xavier.


Xavier is growing so fast and is a busy, busy little guy! He is doing preschool two days a week, gymnastics, swimming and story time! We are still doing Monday nights with him for dinner and spending the time getting in trouble finding things to do! We enjoy geo-caching, taking photos, working on craft projects, taking bike rides and just hanging together!


Brock is 6 weeks old and growing like a weed. He has been on the run since the day his little feet made it outside the hospital. He has been to to monster truck shows, camping, visiting his Grandparent Binkleys up North, and his Great Papa and Grammie Schafer too!

Other than watching the little boys grow, Hubby and I have been busy making beads, hitting the road for the business, and playing with our dogs. Since Fall is making it's entry we are looking at working on the house and what we want to get done over the cold winter that is approaching! But even better, in about 3 weeks we are looking forward to seeing Todd and Erin who hope to be in Michigan for about a week for predeployment leave!! We are working on a family weekend get-away while they are visiting to just relax and enjoy every moment of being back together as a family!!

I promise to keep going on my blog, I still need to share with you our new changes in our life. Yah, the next time I will share our no meat, dairy, oil, eating Whole Foods, plant based diet we have been doing for over a month! I said in my Blog description we would try all kinds of wild and crazy things, I wasn't kidding!!!!

Have a great day and pass a smile or two around!

Dilly

Our New Grandson has kept me busy!!!

Yes after years of waiting for a child and working so hard jumping through all kinds of hoops and costing $$$$$$$ we have a new Grandson. Shannon and Shawn introduced us to Mr. Brock Michael Binkley! Brock came into this world on August 25th at 3:33pm, weighing 8lbs, 8.6oz, 21 1/2" long. He wsa born on my sisters birthday and what a way to thank his Great Aunt Michelle, for making it possible for all the medical procedures possible!!


Brock gave his parents a bit of hassel because he didin't want to eat, and after having his tongue clipped he drank down an entire 2 oz. bottle. So all is well and he and his parents are arriving home as I type!

While we sat and waited for our little bundle of joy we were watching the weather channel to see how it was effecting Todd and Erin. The kids did well through Hurricane Irene, just water and limbs. The have their power back now and are fine. Other family out east did good too and so glad everyone is safe!

So back to the real world and enjoy being the Grammie of two precious little dudes and all the wonderful perks that come with it!

Dilly

Well it's August 20th and still NO new Grand Baby!

Keeping ourselves busy, with our phones charged, a bag packed with camera, phone charger, a good book and knitting! We are ready, but George Peanut is just laying low enjoying his last days of relaxation floating around in Mom's tummy! Shannon had an ultrasound yesterday and George/Georgina looks to be about 8lbs 11 oz and the estimate for birthdate from all the data is August 24th. So I told Shannon I would see her on Wednesday!! I really don't care as long as the baby and Shannon are healthy! Oh granted I am so excited to hold this little one and start telling them how much Grammie loves them. These days of anticipation just seem to be dragging! But soon it will just be a memory and a new wonderful child will be here to love!

I have been talking to Todd regularly and sounds like we have no idea when he will be able to come home for a visit. The latest I heard from a conversation he had with Shannon is it all might be moved back a few months. That too is OK, because it is more time he and Erin have together at their new home! Maybe it will allow some of our family the time to go out and visit them before he is deployed! I am sure both his sisters will try to make the trip if time allows!

Well it's Saturday and I am suppose to be hitting the road with hubby for our second Ebay account Needs Things! But I begged off for the early start because I need to hit the showers. So I had better get that over with and then give him a call to pick me up and run the roads with him! 4 days this week on the roads, I am whipped and really don't feel that great! But, life goes on!

Have a good one everybody and pass a smile along when you can!
Dilly

George Peanut is late and I am waiting!!!

Yup you read right. Our soon to be new Grand Baby, AKA George Peanut was due yesterday! I actually picked out todays date as his birthday becasue we have a family history of taking the Month August =8 and doubling it for the birthday. So 8-16 works for me. But, since Georges Mommie is working today chances are pretty slim! Oh well, as long as the baby is healthy we can go down this road for awhile. Eventually this little sweetie has to make an appearance!

We have had cooler temps, and have enjoyed the much better weather without the humidity! Just enough rain to keep things green and growing! I noticed I have way to much green in my gardens right now, so I need to pay attention see what is spouting color around other peoples yards now and get some to liven up my flowers. So Black-eyed-susan is on my list along with Red Hot Pokers. That should start to liven up things!

Another Monday evening with Xavier yesterday. But, just a quiet evening putting in Grammies Garden lights, cooking on the grill, reading books and being introduced to Fraggle Rock. I found all 106 episodes on NetFlix. Plus I have a pile of Uncle Todd's books from Fraggle Rock.

Xavier likes to look at the pictures on my phone and can navigate through my phone like a pro. Yesterday and ton's of "That's Cute" from him. He looked at me and said, "How come no pictures of Grammie?". That little 3 year old is pretty perceptive! I told him because I was the one taking the pictures. I guess I better get out the regular camera and let Papa take a few!

So nothing new around here, just waiting for our little bundle of joy and keeping the daily juggling of things to do in the air. I hope you are all enjoying your end up summer!! Only one more week and my sister will be moved back to Michigan that will be good to be able to see her more regularly!!

Have a wonderful day and pass a smile and a hug around!
Dilly

This week is looking up, cooler temps!!

No whining from me this week. Highs in the 70's and lows in the 60's and 50's. Call me a happy lady!!!

Summer is going well and we have been getting enough rain lately to keep things green without a lot of watering. Hubby has certainly helped by installing a new water faucet in my garden and on the back of the house. At least now if I have to drag the hose it isn't over 200 feet of it!!

Looks like Todd and Erin will be visiting us the first part of October!!! As long as his knee is holds out his deployment will be sometime after that! I hope for him that it heals and he can get on with his life with less pain!

Shannon is doing well isn't really waddeling yet, but her ankles are making up for it!! I can say that I am so excited to see this new little one. Their bags and the car seat are packed and in the back of their new SUV!!!

Heather and family are in painting mode! The stager has visited and told them what needs to be done so their house will sell! So paint, paint, paint!!! I hope after all the work the house moves quickly for them!


Xavier continues to have dinner and spend the evening with Grammie & Papa on Mondays. We have to figure out something for tonight! Last week we introduced him to Geo-Caching and had a ball. There are lot's of caches around here and maybe we will slip a couple more in tonight!


My sister is moving back to Michigan and she closed on her house last week. So now she is packing up and will be driving here in a few weeks. It will be nice to have family to celebrate all the special occasions. It's been a long time since I could do that! Welcome home Sis!

So time to get the day kick started! I wish you all a beautiful day!
Dilly

A very warm Monday to you all!

Almost 90 with tons of humidity to go with it! I have given myself a new title I am a Weather Anti-Extremist! I don't like it melting frigging hot, and I am not that thrilled with the extreme opposite with freezing crazy cold either. I have found a city I might be forced to move to with average temps in the 70's during the day and 50-60 at night!!! Oceanside, CA I have you in my sights if my Mitten State can't get it's act in gear!!!

Today is our Monday Playday with Xavier, we will be picking him up in a few minutes to spend the evening with him. Tonights itinerary is some geocaching and looking for treasure!! We will see how it goes and post some pictures. Then home for sausage with pinapple and shrooms!! YUM

Nothing much new other than that, we are on grandbaby watch and wait, Todd got his Lance Corporal appointment today, Heather found out they could get a lone to buy a different house, and hubby and I figured out how to GeoCache without killing each other!! That's a good day at our house!!! LOL

Have a great day everyone!
Dilly