Missing Florida...

The weather's beautiful in Chicago but...

"Look at that sea, girls–all silver and shadow and vision of things not seen…
We couldn’t enjoy its loveliness any more if we had millions of dollars and ropes of diamonds.”

L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

::sigh::

Somebody...

...turned ONE!

And these two cousins enjoyed every minute...

(And so did Grandma!)

Here's a tutorial for Ruffled Streamers!

Floods...

...and snow in April!

This time last year we were in a drought.
Crazy weather here, but we still have plenty to be thankful for.
The tragedy in Boston is on everyone's mind, and after the apprehension of the second suspect, 
my thoughts traveled in another direction.
Probably not a good direction.
I wondered about the police who apprehended him, and I wondered about the medical staff that had to treat him.

I wondered if I could have ignored the fact that this was a murderer.
I'm not sure. 
It takes dedication to heal without judgement, and I'm thankful that we have dedicated people who can do so.

My wonderful niece Katie has organized a fundraiser here in Chicago.
If you're in Chicago, how about dusting off the sneakers and participating?

You can view the details HERE!

I do regret my time in Florida. I missed some of my granddaughter's milestones.
And I missed St. Patrick's Day in Chicago.
Eleanor watched her Daddy on the news...

I'd like to think she was watching Daddy, but she does have a habit of pulling the DVDs off the shelf.
Either way, my DIL Carolyn takes beautiful pictures!

LawyerBoy took the time to show off his baby girl, and the crowd seemed to think she deserved some applause.

It was another cold St. Paddy's Day, but everyone bundled up and enjoyed the day. 
I'm sure a hot toddy or two helped them forget the cold.

(That's my boy!)

(And that's Grandpa!)

♥♥♥

I've always been a "mom-that-hovers".
I started my family early and never regretted that. 
I stayed home, I cooked, cleaned, and doted. I wasn't perfect.
I learned many lessons, some from my own mom, some from my mother-in-law, and some from people no longer with me.

I had two boys, and I longed for a girl, maybe two.
And I was blessed.

I made lots of mistakes. I dealt with my babies thinking that was a hard road.
Silly me.

Then they got older, and I longed for a little more baby time.

High school, college...every decade had it's moments.

My mother used to say,"I bambini piccoli problemi. I figli grandi problemi grandi"
(Little children little problems, big children, big problems!)

My mother wasn't always right, but she was right quite a bit of the time.
Just like I am.

Did I tell you I'm a Grandmother?! HaHa! Everyone knows!
I'm not a t-shirt girl, so you won't see me in clothing that promotes my status, but I've yelled it from the rooftops, 
emailed friends from high school, and mentioned it to strangers.
Everybody knows.

The thing about being a grandparent means your own child has grown up. Really grown up.
Those two boys at the top of this post are grown men now.
They have jobs, wives, houses, and babies. They have babies.

Change is tough sometimes.
But I'm embracing the changes, loving every moment with my family, 
and trying hard not to move around my DIL's furniture because glass coffee tables make me nervous, and redecorating.

Parenting wasn't always easy.
Grandparenting is much more fun. 
I recommend it.

Back home...

...and loving every minute.

I ended my three month sabbatical with a visit from Mary Clare (and her parents too!)
They joined us for Easter and a few days at the beach.

Did I mention that I love being a Grandmother? I think I did.

We drove home with a short stop in Chattanooga.
I would have preferred Nashville, so I'm hoping that will happen next year.
We stayed at the Sheraton Reed House Hotel, it's supposedly HAUNTED but we slept peacefully. 

April is gloomy here in Chicago, but I'm very glad to be home.
There's a lot of projects that need to be started, but I'm going to do nothing but watch all the television that I missed.

Thank you Mr. DVR....I love you more than Flamin' Hot Cheetos.

Some bunny loves you...

Easter!

Growing up Catholic had it's perks. I can't say Easter was my fave holiday though.

(Nothing beats Christmas and the ten day vacation )

But Easter meant Spring, and although Easter in Chicago usually included gray snow and/or slush...

...it gave me hope that Summer was on the horizon.

So I'm welcoming Spring, hoping it passes fast so Summer arrives.                                          
Don't think we can beat last SUMMER though!

Happy Easter!                                       

Happy St. Paddys Day!

 

Although I'm happy to be basking in the Florida sun, I'll be missing Chicago's St. Patrick's Day parade!

I won't be seeing my son piping in the parade this year with the SHANNON ROVERS.
But I'm sure my family will keep me updated.
 
 

But I'll be thinking of them...and the crowds...and the cold...!