HIDE AND SEEK, NAVIA!

US Journal

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

HIDE AND SEEK, NAVIA!

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When you don’t have anything else to do, you make up a game, right?

Nick came to that crossroad with Navia, and he decided to teach Navia to play the game “Hide and Seek!” There was only one catch: it was played by Nick hiding bits of Navia’s food, and Navia searching and smelling all around until she found it! Then, she could eat the treat!

At first this sounds a bit mean, but Navia was having a great time running around and around in the house with her nose sniffing every possible place to find the snack. And, she always found the snack. The rest of us were just leaning back laughing at her, which made her stop, look at us like we were crazy, and then go back to her sniffing and searching.

Thanks, Nick for bringing Navia over to entertain us for the evening. Please bring her over again soon!

Love, Mom

Richie's Container House

US Journal

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Richie’s Container House

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Our friend Richie is truly making something out of recycled materials!

Richie has taken a discarded shipping container, and he is making a livable home out of it. He’s not all the way finished with his container house, but today we were pleased that he allowed us to come by and get a preview of his progress!

The pictures tell it all! When he opened the steel doors of the container, we could see the wooden walls of the house. Richie told us when those steel doors were closed and the windows in the house were closed, it was entirely waterproof! Very impressive! As his daughters gave us a tour of the house, Richie explained that there was still some work to do, but he mostly needed to finish the bathroom and kitchen, then decorate. The new owners would be able to decide if the outside of the container will be left natural or painted.

The container house had a kitchen, with table space. The living room was next to the kitchen, with the bedroom behind that. The bathroom/laundry room combination was then off to the right side of the bedroom. Everything you need!

Now, here’s the really neat part about Richie’s project. When it is finished, this house will require no building on the site where it will stay! A piece of land needs to be flat, and the container building will be literally dropped right on top of the land. Done! He didn’t mention it, but maybe plumbing and electrical connections will be the only other thing required before the owner/renters can move in! How’s that for handy!

We can’t wait to see your finished product, Richie! We are very impressed with your ingenuity, your building talents and your excellent use of recycled materials! Way to go!

Colleen

A DAY WITH THE KIDS

US Journal

Thursday, March 13, 2014

A Day with the Kids

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Kelly, Julie and I had a day out with their children today. First they got to play in the nursery while we went to a great Moms’ meeting that we enjoyed.  It’s a super way for moms to get together and solve problems and share ideas. I was there as a sort of consultant, since my children are grown now, but it helps that our grandchildren are still little. I can share experiences I have had with my little boys when I’m in the group. It’s a sweet, loving group of ladies, too! Thanks, Julie, for inviting Kelly and me!

After the morning Moms’ meeting, Kelly, Julie and I took Jillian and Sebastian out to lunch. THAT was great fun, too. The 2 children were very well behaved, and they loved getting to eat together in a restaurant. The food was super! Raveille was the name of the restaurant…a sister place to J. Christophers.

I was so very pleased that Julie and Kelly wanted to exchange contact information afterwards. The children really enjoyed being together, and they all go to our church. So, they will see each other there. I won’t be surprised if they plan some outings together, too. I hope so! It’s fun being a mom, but it’s really nice to get out with other adults, even with the children there, too! Right, ladies?

Pay special attention to Jillian’s new shoes! She was VERY proud of them! Aren’t they CUTE?!

Ciao! Ciao!

Colleen

PIETA / Monica's Visit to Decatur

US Journal

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

PIETA/ Monica’s Visit to Decatur

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Today, Arne sent me this beautiful picture of their lovely church service, and he named the picture, “Pieta!” Appropriate, don’t you think? That’s Cati with her son in the foreground. Thank you soooo much, Arne!

Monday, we were so pleased to have Monica visit us while she was home for Spring Break from college. She brought with her a lemon chess pie that was absolutely scrumptious, too, which made her visit even more special. After supper, we took a walk around in town and saw some huge working machines. We all thought our little boys would want to see them! Thanks for coming, Monica. We always enjoy our times together.

Colleen

THE TREADMILL COMETH!

US Journal

Monday, March 10, 2014

The Treadmill Cometh!

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When your son calls at night to say that he has bought a treadmill online and he is renting a truck tomorrow, you know what the next words will be, “Can you help me move it to my house?” Then, without a doubt, the answer can only be, “Yes, of course!”

That’s the way it went with Kyle and Peter, so Victoria and I made the best of it by having a lovely lunch at her house while Kyle and Peter traipsed off to Newnan to meet Will (THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP, WILL!) and put the treadmill on the truck. Victoria also showed me the new ottoman that she and Kyle made…LOVE the storage room…the whole thing looks great in their lower level room. Even the cats and dogs thought it was splendid!

By the time they returned, it was almost time for Kyle to return the truck, so Victoria and I helped the guys at least get the treadmill onto the front yard so Kyle could run the truck back to turn it in, only to realize that he had left his keys to his car at home. No harm, no foul! Victoria took them over to him right away! Then, we waited just a minute more for Brad to come and help them carry the treadmill around the house to the lower level entry and into their exercise room. It fit perfectly; and as we left, Victoria was trying it out. What a super early birthday present for you, Victoria! Great job, Kyle!!

We love having projects to do with you two! Thanks for giving us a call!

See you again soon!

Love, Colleen

PLANNING FOR SICILIA

US Journal

Saturday, March 8, 2014

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Preparing for a trip to Sicily with Gina and Will REQUIRED that we have them over to our house for a visit and supper at Cakes and Ale! We are so looking forward to our return to Sicily for a whole week with Gina’s mom and dad. Her two uncles are also coming with their spouses. This year, Gina’s mom will turn 60, so this is certainly raising the bar on celebrating a 60^th birthday!

We will all stay in a 5-bedroom house near Syracusa, near the Mediterranean Sea. Awwww, too bad, huh? You can all feel sorry for us.

In the meantime, Gina and Will, we will look forward to many more get-togethers, especially during our week in Sicilia!

A presto!

Colleen

A MORNING WITH RONAN

US Journal

Saturday, March 8, 2014

A MORNING WITH RONAN

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Here’s how the call went yesterday morning at 7:54):

Across the driveway neighbor NANCY:  Good morning, Colleen, I hate to ask you this, and you can say NO if you want to; but our nanny for today has just cancelled, and I have an appointment at my work in 50 minutes. There’s no time to get someone else from the nanny service, and honestly, I trust you more than the substitute nanny. Could Ronan stay with you just an hour and a half while I go to this appointment and come straight back home? Fridays are my short days anyway, but I’ll just do my office work at home today. I just need to be at this appointment…I cancelled on this client last week when we went to California! (All of that was said in a furry of about 1 minute!)

COLLEEN: No problem, Nancy, bring him on over here.

I had a great time with Ronan here. When I first put him on the floor, he crawled everywhere Then, he just got up and started walking wherever he wanted to go. He was quite entertaining!

After Ronan checked out all of our house again, we pulled out the corks, Tigger and a book to play with for a while. Those corks were a big hit with Hugo and HC while they were here, and Ronan loved them, too. Take them out of the plastic bowl. Put them in the plastic bowl. Stir them around. Throw them away. Fetch them back. Make shapes with them.

You’ll see big smiles on some of the pictures. That’s when I said, “Tigger, Tigger, Tigger!” really fast and he tried to do it, too. His came out, “tiitaatiitaatiitaa!” He thought that was really funny! I did, too.

Thanks, Nancy, for sharing your son with me. As I told you, don’t be surprised if I call up and ask if Ronan can come out to play some day!!

Colleen

Isn't She the Cutest Doggie?!

US Journal

Friday, March 7, 2014

Isn’t She the Cutest Doggie?!

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Navia gets sweeter and cuter every day. Peter asked me in the middle of the day yesterday to contact Nick, and make sure he was bringing Navia to supper last night. When they showed up together, it was a pleasure to see them both.

It seems that Navia had spent a lot of time with another dog yesterday, so she had gotten a lot of her energy out running with her buddy. She came in cool, calm and collected! Not to say that she didn’t enjoy chasing her ball up and down the hallway and steps, but she was happy sitting on the soft yellow sheet on the couch while we ate, too.

We hope you both come back really soon, Nick! And have a great last week in your internship. You’re getting on the homestretch of this doctorate! We’re really proud of you!

Love you,

Mom

PS This is about family, Tom!

Heidi/The Georgia Boy

US Journal

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

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Marietta Diner with Heidi

Heidi and I met for lunch at Marietta Diner yesterday. We have decided we are not really good influences on each other at meals. Even though we shared one meal (panini, sweet potato fries, creamed spinach and barley/beef soup), half portions were very large. Then, for dessert we shared a 7 layer chocolate cake that our waitress recommended. It’s possible the key lime pie, which was our other option might have been a little better for us than that 3-inch wedge of cake! Anyway, we always enjoy being together, and maybe Brenda will be able to join us next time and keep us at bay! We hope so, anyway! Don’t we, Heidi???

My Georgia Boy!

Arne sent me this wonderful picture of HC in his Georgia t-shirt, “running” his bicycle along the sidewalk. Arne’s comment was, “He wears this EVERY day!” It made me want to wear my Georgia sweatshirt EVERY day to make the connection even stronger.  I think he may be trying to tell you something, Arne? What could that be???

Nonna in GEORGIA!

FUN TIMES!

US Journal

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Fun Times

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This weekend started a run of 3 days with special, fun times with good friends and family.

On Saturday, Hale and Diane met us at Cakes and Ale Restaurant to enjoy a wonderful meal. As always, Emma was our server…we request her every time we go there! The food was exquisite, and we all thoroughly enjoyed our time there. We skipped dessert to go back to our house for cookies and gelato that Peter and I got at the East Lake Market. It was a perfect ending to a perfect evening. Please come back again soon, Hale and Diane!

A dinner at the Masseys to thank some of the restaurant owners that Jennifer and Fred know really well made for a delightful day of cooking and preparing, followed by meeting new friends and getting to know some others better on Sunday evening.

Peter and I arrived early to help cook and prepare for the meal. Jennifer got a call that someone wanted to come and look at their house for sale, and Jennifer just said, “No! Not today! We’re preparing for a dinner party!” We really rate if we can’t be bumped for a potential house buyer!

The guests all brought their children, and Jennifer had arranged for some teenagers from our church to come and play with the kids, and to help us serve and clean up. What a deal! It all worked out beautifully!

Fred and Peter did most of the cooking, and it was absolutely delicious, as usual. Thanks, Jennifer and Fred, for including us in this lovely afternoon/evening. As you know, we love working on projects with you two, especially when it ends up with a beautiful meal!!!

Our big treat on Monday was when my brother Tom came to have lunch with Peter and me while Beth had a visit with her 2 Atlanta cousins. What a nice time we had, Tom. It’s good to know that you can find your way around Decatur a little better with my homemade map for you! Souper Jenny was the perfect place for us to take you for lunch, too. I think we all enjoyed it, especially when Beth and her cousins showed up for lunch there, too. Happy Birthday, Beth! Let’s get together again soon!

It was good to see all of you!

Colleen

THE MARTINS ARE COMING! THE MARTINS ARE COMING!

US Journal

February 20, 2014

The Martins are coming! The Martins are coming!

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What a pleasure to have Dave and Nancy bring their toddler Ronan and Nancy’s mom Karen for supper tonight! We always have such fun with Dave and Nancy, and this was no exception, but it was made that much more special to have Karen in town and coming with them.

Peter did his usual magic in the kitchen, and everyone enjoyed the meal. Ronan has started walking recently, and he is having great fun going from one person to the next. He’s just precious anyway. I know Karen was pleased to get to have lots of good grandmother time with him!

Pay special attention to the Italian Memory Wall that Peter was determined to finish before they came. They had to beg us, but we told them all about the pictures of our magical visit in Italy.

Thanks for coming to our house and bringing Karen, and Ronan, of course, Nancy and Dave.

A presto!

Colleen

CAFE JONAH WITH JENNIFER!

US Journal

February 27, 2014

Café Jonah with Jennifer

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Café Jonah was the perfect place to share with Jennifer today! Our husbands had gone to meet the boys for lunch, and we took that opportunity to have our own lunch at Café Jonah.

We each got two dishes and shared them with each other. Jennifer’s tuna salad in a hollow tomato was a perfect match for my fresh kale salad. The fudge brownie was “OK,” too! Wow! Brava!

It was great to get a visit in with Chef Sue while we were there, too. Sue is a dear friend from our church, so we always have lots to catch up on when we see each other. She and Jason have two wonderful children, so their lives are full of excitement and fun.

Thanks, Sue, for a delicious meal, a wonderful visit, and for Jennifer’s boxes. They will not go to waste!

Love you lots,

Colleen