babies | dual personalities

Quelle fun weekend! The weather was beautiful. Daughter #1 came into town on Saturday and we went to a couple of estate sales, had margaritas with our lunch, shopped locally, took a long walk around town, and tried to get the wee babes interested in a dance party when they came over that night.

The wee babes were having none of it though, preferring to cruise around on their own–the wee laddie toddling on two feet

and the wee lassie careening around on all fours.

She is fast!

Daughter #1 headed off to DePauw in the morning. Her cousin Tim and longtime girlfriend Abby drove down from Crawfordsville, Indiana to meet her and go to Marvin’s, a Greencastle landmark.

I caught up with daughter #2 on the phone and then the OM surprised me by wanting to do something. We decided to go to Lone Elk Park, which was always a fun Sunday drive when our kids were little. Of course, it has been awhile and the OM got lost (several times) getting there, but we made it eventually. We saw some big ol’ elk and a little herd of buffalo.

Don’t worry–we did not get out of the car and try to take selfies with the buffs. (Pardon my iPhone photos taken through the window.)

I skipped church to have breakfast with daughter #1 before she left Sunday morning, but I did watch most of Billy Graham’s funeral. I was especially struck by his three daughters’ eulogies, especially Anne’s (below at 1:24:17).

Wow. Of course, there was a piper at the end.

And if anyone is wondering which movie I chose to watch on Sunday night instead of the Oscars, it was The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938).

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Excellent choice. Best direction, best script, best use of technicolor, best star, best supporting cast, best choreographed swordplay, best stunts, best music, best everything! And the movie is 80 years old! Zut alors!

Have a great week!

*Mary Chapin Carpenter

3 Comments

March 2, 2018

“A bushel and a peck, and a hug around the neck!”*

by chuckofish

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The weather wizards are promising some sun today and tomorrow. We shall see.

Daughter #1 is stopping in this weekend on her way to her alma mater in Indiana where she is speaking on a panel about her career in media. Then she’ll stop on her way back to Mid-MO.

Meanwhile daughter #3 has moved out everything in their 2nd bedroom and created a playroom for the wee babes. It looks pretty cool.

The babes appear to be pleased.

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Doodle, oodle, oodle.
Doodle, oodle, oodle.
Doodle oodle oodle oo.

Have a good weekend!

*Frank Loesser, “Guys and Dolls”

4 Comments

February 9, 2018

“Lift your head a little higher, Spread the love like fire”*

by chuckofish

What a long week this has been! I am way more than ready for the weekend!

Daughter #1 is driving in from Columbia tonight and we will watch the opening ceremony of the Olympics and toast our American team.

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Team U.S. Curling is ready to go!

On Saturday there is a gallery auction at the Link Auction House and we are going–how nice to have company!

Have you been looking for a copper deep sea diver’s helmet? There are two available!

Tomorrow night is the “Elegant Italian Dinner”–the annual fundraising event for our youth mission trip at church–such a major social event!

The OM will accompany me, but daughter #1 will be otherwise occupied.

And, of course, we hope to see the wee babes, those adorable goofballs.

That’s enough, don’t you agree?

“To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us – and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him.Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God. For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference.”

–Thomas Merton

*tobyMac, “Speak Life”

3 Comments

January 15, 2018

“Speak, for your servant is listening.”*

by chuckofish

Visit then this soul of mine, pierce the gloom of sin and grief!

Fill me, radiancy divine; scatter all my unbelief;

More and more thyself display, shining to the perfect day.

–Charles Wesley, hymn #7

Boy, do I love a three-day weekend! Don’t you? Daughter #1 stopped overnight Friday on her way to Indianapolis to meet up with some old college friends who also had had exciting careers in NYC and then moved back to the midwest. Then she stopped last night on her way back to central Missouri. How fun is that? We watched The World of Henry Orient (1964)–“an Upper East Side” movie and one of our faves. It is by far my favorite Peter Sellers movie and the girls in this film are dear to my heart.

(Like all trailers, this one does not quite convey the true idea/flavor of the movie.)

In between I met with my girlfriends to plan a bridal shower in March. Bells are ringing (again)! I puttered around the house putting stuff away. This is what I do and this is what brings me joy.

We had a guest preacher at church on Sunday–the Bishop’s Deputy for Gun Violence Prevention. I thought, oh brother, are we in for it, but he actually preached on MLK (his feast day is April 4, whatever) and tied it into the OT reading. Okay, then.

The wee babes came over on Sunday night for dinner and to show us their new haircuts.

That face!

Their mother loves to take them to have their locks shorn–I’m not sure why and neither are they.

But mine is not to reason why. They are adorable regardless.

Here are a few things from the internet:

This was interesting. #6 is particularly true–especially for those of us with scary RBF**: “Remember to smile. It will brighten your aspect and your voice, and serve as a corrective to the inevitable facial droop.”

I couldn’t agree more with this. Bravo.

Have a great week.

Thanks be to Thee, my Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which Thou has given me, for all the pains and insults which Thou hast borne for me, O most merciful Redeemer, Friend and brother, may I know Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly, and follow Thee more nearly, day by day.

–St. Richard of Chichester

*I Samuel 3:10

**Resting Bitch Face

3 Comments

December 27, 2017

Cheers!

by chuckofish

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So we’ve been pretty preoccupied these last few days. We’ll be back soon when we have a minute to reconnoiter.

Daughter #2 and her DH are heading back east today. Uncle Nate was a big hit.

Things will slow down a bit now. Everybody needs a rest.

Hope you enjoyed your Christmas long weekend!

3 Comments

December 19, 2017

“For he knew every Who down in Whoville beneath, Was busy now, hanging a mistletoe wreath.”*

by chuckofish

We’re in the home stretch now!

I had the house pretty well cleaned up this weekend. Then the wee babes came over on Sunday night. The wee laddie likes to eat and blow raspberries at the same time, expressing whatever food is in his mouth all over the place! It is a neat trick and c’est la vie. The Christmas creche is fair game as well.

Although everything he sees goes into his mouth, he is so active he seems to burn off any and all calories. Case in point: the wee laddie climbed all the way up our stairs to the second floor.

Talk about Mt. Crumpit! I wish I had the core strength of our 16 lb. dynamo.

Little Lottiebelle takes a more measured approach to things. She is unimpressed by her brother’s antics and accomplishments.

Stairs? No way, José!

And I hear the wee babes went to see a certain jolly old elf…

They’re not afraid…

Well, this week I will wind things up at work and finish my to-do list and await the arrival of daughter #2 and Nate and daughter #1 on Friday. Woohoo!

P.S. I know you are impressed with my ability to screenshot Snapchat videos, right? I impress myself sometimes.

*Dr. Seuss

4 Comments

December 1, 2017

Put on the armor of light

by chuckofish

Boy, this week whizzed by, didn’t it? I am really looking forward to the weekend. The OM and I are babysitting tonight for the wee babes and then we are celebrating their first birthday a little early on Saturday. Daughter #3 has poured her creative powers into planning this party.

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(I might be rolling my eyes just a little bit…)

As far as Christmas shopping goes, I am in pretty good shape and will spend some time this weekend getting things organized in my off-limits gifts closet. I will endeavor to get the outside Christmas lights up and maybe, if the weather is nice, I can convince the OM to go with me to buy Christmas trees.

Sunday is the first Sunday in Advent, but Advent Lessons and Carols are not until next weekend at my church.

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

It may be time to break out the Christmas DVDs this weekend as well. Speaking of movies, last night I got to see a movie on TCM that I have wanted to see for years and years–Wee Geordie (1955), a British film starring Bill Travers in the title role as a Scotsman who becomes an athlete and competes in the hammer throw in the Olympics in Melbourne, Australia.

I remember my mother telling me about this movie when I was young. She had seen it back in the 1950s and loved it, largely because it was filmed in Scotland and the scenery is awesome. It is similar to The Quiet Man (“What The Quiet Man does for Ireland…Wee Georgie does for the Scots…”) in that it is filled with eccentric, lovable characters who live in an idyllic small village. Bill Travers plays the adult Geordie who has spent years following a body-building regimen and becomes a strapping 6′ 6″ specimen, coached by the local minister in the art of hammer throwing. He is very appealing.

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And, boy, he looked great in a kilt! Well, if you ever get a chance to see it, do so! I loved it.

Have a great weekend!

5 Comments

November 28, 2017

Happy b-day to our brown-eyed handsome man*

by chuckofish

Today is the boy’s birthday–he is 31! Happy birthday to our brown-eyed handsome man!

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Here he is back in 1987 with the OM.

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Perhaps he reminds you of someone?

Yes, it is rather amazing.

Here are a few more pictures which show the similarities…

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As you can see, the boy was on the go and getting into mischief just the way the little bud does. Two peas in a genetic pod.

Lottie says, “What about me?” Well, we know she is the apple of her daddy’s eye, probably because she looks like her lovely mommy.

Anyway, we celebrated the boy’s birthday on Sunday night. But we will raise a toast to our wonderful son as he turns 31 tonight. I thank God every day for him and for being his lucky mother.

*”Brown-eyed Handsome Man” by Chuck Berry

5 Comments

November 6, 2017

“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God”*

by chuckofish

As you know, Sunday was All Saints’ Sunday when we remember those who have gone before us in the faith. It is a long service, made longer this year by three baptisms and it was also Pledge Sunday! I didn’t mind, especially since we had a piper and a cake afterwards.

My busy weekend flew by as expected. I got up early on Saturday morning to meet one of my oldest BFFs from high school who was in town. We gathered for coffee with a few other HS friends that I see infrequently and a gabfest ensued.

After returning home, daughter # 1 arrived and we headed out to a few estate sales and lunch. We were successful, picking up some wooden cup and saucer holders and silver trays–the things no one seems to want anymore, but for which I am always looking. I also bought this very cool photo enlargement of the St. Louis levee in 1869.

How cool is that? I’m not sure where I will put it, but for $5, I’m not worrying.

We headed over to babysit the wee babes at 5:00 p.m. The boy and daughter #3 left for their wedding and we settled in with the wee babes. Daughter #1 had brought her bluetooth speaker/phone and we played the soundtrack to Peter Pan, entertaining the wee babes with our singalong and dancing talents: I’ll just call on Tiger-Lily! I’ll just call on Peter Pan! We’ll be coming willy, nilly, Lily! They were duly impressed. Anyway, all this gaiety wore them out and put them in the mood for eating dinner and bedtime.

We watched a little Moana and they were soon down for the count.

Indeed, the evening went quite well except for one huge diaper blow-out with green poop up Lottie’s back to her neck. That onesie is toast.

The grownups started to watch Miss Congeniality II and then I fell asleep. Par for the course.

Daughter #1 headed back to Columbia before church the next morning. I puttered around after church, catching up on laundry and dusting. I put away my halloween candles and got out my pilgrims and indians.

Sunday night the OM and I Ubered to terra incognita to see an old friend perform a cabaret to a sold out audience of friends and family.

She sang a lot of old standards–Sondheim, Porter, Nelly, and my favorite–a Guys and Dolls medley–with witty chatter in between songs. I have known Cindy since I was in second grade and we went to school and church together and college too. She has been a successful banker and headhunter, but always in her heart, wanted to be a Broadway star. So for one night she was.

More power to her for her courage and chutspah! She gets the “You go, girl!” award this week.

I leave you with this classic snap of the wee babes, which the boy texted me yesterday.

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Haha. Enjoy the day!

*I John 3:1

6 Comments

November 3, 2017

“Hand me down that can of beans”*

by chuckofish

I have a busy weekend ahead with a bigger helping of social events than I am used to. How about you?

In addition to the aforementioned social events, the OM and I are also babysitting for the wee babes while their parents go to a wedding. This will entail sticking around for longer than two hours, so daughter #1 has kindly agreed to come into town to help. Phew.

The King of Cool: one-handed non-chalance; he will be one-strapping** a backpack soon…

Nobody puts Baby in a corner.

Here’s hoping the three of us can handle these two goofballs.

In other news, did you read that November 1 was the 50th anniversary of the release of Cool Hand Luke (1967)?

Fifty years?! Zut alors, that makes me feel old. Not that I was actually old enough to see it at the movies, but almost. I remember my older brother going to see it and hearing all about it afterwards. Of course, he thought it was great, and he couldn’t believe the ending. I couldn’t wait to see it–a few years later and on television. It is one of my Top Ten favorite movies and it is my Friday movie pick. Even if you have seen it 50 times, watch it again. Paul Newman is at his tip-top best and he is ably supported by a terrific cast of up-and-coming actors. The only woman in the cast is Jo Van Fleet and her one scene is very memorable, although the Academy failed to nominate her for an Oscar. As I have said before, Paul Newman was also robbed.

By the way, last weekend I watched Paint Your Wagon (1969) which I had not seen in many years.

I enjoyed it a lot, especially Clint Eastwood, who is at the peak of his physical attractiveness and actually, for once, plays a nice guy.

No wonder I fell behind in all my eighth grade classes–I was daydreaming about him! Sigh. In fact, I never caught up with Math and French and was forever relegated to the A1 sections thereafter. (This was fine with me, but I blame Clint Eastwood.) I also was surprised that I still knew the soundtrack backwards and forwards, having listened to it ad nauseum back in the day.

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Good to know we don’t forget everything.

Have a great weekend!

BTW, if you are wondering who takes all those great photos of the wee babes, it is their pater, the boy.

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He’s pretty good, right?

@ultimatelacrossestore

*The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on the Paint Your Wagon soundtrack

**Chan Tatum one-strapping; Jonah Hill two-strapping

7 Comments

dual personalities

Tag: babies

March 5, 2018

“Shut up and kiss me”*

by chuckofish

March 2, 2018

“A bushel and a peck, and a hug around the neck!”*

by chuckofish

February 9, 2018

“Lift your head a little higher, Spread the love like fire”*

by chuckofish

January 15, 2018

“Speak, for your servant is listening.”*

by chuckofish

December 27, 2017

Cheers!

by chuckofish

December 19, 2017

“For he knew every Who down in Whoville beneath, Was busy now, hanging a mistletoe wreath.”*

by chuckofish

December 1, 2017

Put on the armor of light

by chuckofish

November 28, 2017

Happy b-day to our brown-eyed handsome man*

by chuckofish

November 6, 2017

“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God”*

by chuckofish

November 3, 2017

“Hand me down that can of beans”*

by chuckofish