Wonderful vacation

December 30, 2012 by Sue in Wielesek

I posted a big long message about our trip, but somehow also made it disappear. We had a delightful vacation. We got to see Robbie, Isa, and Seraph's school, the winery where Seraph works, and go shopping in Santa Fe. We got to see Hanni's very pretty apartment and spend Christmas Eve with her. We got to meet Chester, the new dog, and snuggle with the kitties and Shiloh, the ever patient pup. We got to eat one of Seraph's wonderful dinners with Hanni and the gang on Christmas day. On the 26th, we had a wonderful soak at a hot springs resort called Ojo Caliente, followed by a tasty dinner at the resort restaurant. All in all, it was a most satisfying time!

Christmas! Christmas! Christmas!

November 17, 2012 by Sue in Wielesek

We're going to visit Seraph, Robbie and Isa for Christmas! A friend posted about a Southwest Airline pre-holiday sale, one day long. Since the one day was yesterday, I scurried around and talked to Robbie and Seraph a couple of times.

More later, Mom

Happy Birthday, Seraph

November 10, 2012 by Sue in Wielesek

A card and small present have been wending their way to you. We all miss you!

Have fun with your sweet family,

Mom

Perfect preparation

October 28, 2012 by Sue in Wielesek

for the perfect storm. I talked with Sadie this afternoon. She says they are well prepared, with a propane stove and lots of matches and that she will remember to open the window when they use the propane stove. Also, in preparation for having no refrigeration, she drank up all the white wine, which of course should only be served cold. It's such a relief to know that you children can face all crises with aplomb.

Remembering Colette

October 02, 2012 by Sue in Wielesek

The last year has been sort of sad for us "old girls", losing Colette and having Hanni move.Yayoe and I will try to be extra funny to make up for it. (You play and sing, Yayoe, and I'll try out comedy routines.)

Joanna, I tried to make my donation to Volunteers in Medicine so they would send you a nice note, but given my skill with billing formats, you, Adam and all the kids may each get a bill for $50 and a request to donate your teeth.

more

October 01, 2012 by Sue in Wielesek

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October 01, 2012 by Sue in Wielesek

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October 01, 2012 by Sue in Wielesek

Trying to post photos

October 01, 2012 by Sue in Wielesek

Hi,

I'm trying to post photos of the house digging.

Broke ground

September 26, 2012 by Sue in Wielesek

Hi, we don't have a mountain behind our house any more!

And I got through the League of Women Voters Luncheon at the Hilton with many compliments. I'm grooming two people to take over my job as Lunch Lady.

I talked to Yayoe and it sounds as though she had quite a fall. She says she's feeling better.

And Anita had major surgery to remove a malignant tumor; the prognosis is pretty good, but it was very sudden.

I'm missing everyone.

Helpful Dez

September 13, 2012 by Sue in Wielesek

Thanks to Dez, I'm the equivalent of a first grader, rather than totally inept, with the computer. He showed me the magic two finger enlarger on my "mouse pad"

and Adam's page has gone from a minute page, nearly indecipherable, to something which fillsthe entire space nicely, and legibly.

My accident bad luck continues. First the car accident and foot damage, then the fall and the twisted knee, and I was rearended by a motorcycle on my way  to the farm yesterday. Not bad, and I think I'll ask if the insurance company will spring for a couple of massages right away.

The contractor is ready to start on the house, and we're busily cleaning up the back so they have room to work. We having Rich Slayton do the work, and I think it will be really great. Don't hesitate to go out and see the farm; our tenants like company, and we've done a lot of work.

In the meantime, have fun tonight fencing.

Busy Kids, busy us

July 01, 2012 by Sue in Wielesek

Well, the day after everyone left, taking a page from Granny's  book, to keep myself from missing everyone,  I washed sheets, all thoughtfully stripped, and tackled the piles of miscellaneous stuff which had managed to accumulate.

Sadie, bless her heart, went through all her papers, art from third grade, math books from first grade, etc, etc, and winnowed out stuff she did not want to be permanently attached to for the rest of her life. I have a couple of 20% off coupons for it UPS and the books packed in one box to go media mail, so I'll ship it off in the next week or so. I promise I don't have any terrible disease, but I can feel my knees getting a bit arthritic, and if Bob and I move to the little house, we will need to downsize.

Destin came over to help me on Thursday, and we really got a lot of work done. He filled up the window washer on the Honda and Anna's car, lubricated the locks, door joints, etc, and helped me clean out the shed. We dug out the old floor computer to sell or take to the recycle place. I'm going to try to sell my copy machine, which will last for another 20 years but isn't compatible with my new computer.

Adam and I talked a bit more about a trip to France next summer. They would also like to see Hawaii, which feels like a great family trip.

I want to thank those of you who anonomously (okay, I know it's not spelled correctly, but at least I still remember the difference between its and it's.) left me good coffee. I have these mysterious bags of Stumptown and Peets.

I am thinking today about Sadie and Greg moving, and wondering how hot it is there. I'm not sure, but I think Robbie is off to camp for orientation today.

Anyhow, love and hugs to all, from yer old Mom

The Perfect Wedding

June 21, 2012 by Sue in Wielesek

Somehow, one of the themes in my life is kids' weddings which are fun and match each child perfectly. Adam and Joanna were no exception. They were married under a big oak tree at Mt. Pisgah, surrounded by close friends, family, and at least fifteen kids under age 12, all sweet and a bit solemn.

Joanna looked beautiful, and statuesque, in blue. Adam looked so smitten and in love that no one could doubt that this was a marriage made in heaven. In fact, one of their neighbors took me aside and told me what a wonderful couple they were.

I get to say that my kids and their mates were impressive. Jenny was stunning, as were Seraph and Sadie, (as always) and all the men were above average.

I'm have lots of problems with my new computer, but I'll post pictures just as soon as I can download them.

Ah, happy day!

Home Sweet Home

May 30, 2012 by Sue in Wielesek

Hi, guys, and it's so nice to be home. I'm looking forward to wishing Emma and Jenny

a Happy Birthday. The bride was beautiful, the groom above average, and the stadium cake looked like the Ohio State stadium. It was a bit toasty; the car thermometer read 105 at one point on Sunday. Bob and I went to see an amazing Frank Lloyd Wright synagogue on Monday. Got to see all my nieces and nephews in one weekend!

Phun in Philly

May 24, 2012 by Sue in Wielesek

With a minimum amount of fuss, we made it to Chicago for the anniversary and many hugs and even more good food. It was so much fun to see Derek, Leah and Jack, Johnnie and Debbie's kids. Everyone had a good time.

There was one screw up on the Chicago to Philadelphia trip, but we arrived here safe and sound, just a bit late. We've been helping Meg and Dick tidy up after their remodeling. The wedding should be fun!

Grandmas' Lunch

March 29, 2012 by Sue in Wielesek

Am looking forward to a Grandma Lunch with Yayoe and Hanni tomorrow at McGrath's. I'm trying to figure out how to transfer photos to Picasa - I have great pix of Robbie, Seraph and Isa.

Poor cherry trees

March 22, 2012 by Sue in Wielesek

Hi, I don't know whether or not it's because they just started to bloom, and the blossoms caught the snow, but the cherry trees in Eugene are broken and the streets are strewn with cherry blossom branches. Today is gorgeous and sunny.

Working Computer!

March 17, 2012 by Sue in Wielesek

Thank you, Adam!

Adam just spent an hour with me and my new Dell computer, and I'm using it right now! I am hoping that I've covered all the areas I needed help with. I realize that I forgot to get help with that dumb "slow script" message on Facebook, but maybe the new computer will solve that problem. In the meantime, it's been sort of a down week; Bob's in the "cluster headache" mode; sometimes I wonder how he manages to be cheerful, as I hate to have headaches. On the bright side, Jordan and I went to see Big Miracle yesterday afternoon, which was a good movie for kids and adults. We've had almost non-stop rain for the week.

Hugs to all, again thanks to Seraph, Robbie and Isa, more kind words for Adam, and springtime is coming!

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggidy Jig

March 14, 2012 by Sue in Wielesek

We left 66 degree New Mexico to arrive in Portland last night to a fierce snowfall, heavy and wet. Fortunately, Bob is a great driver, though we didn't get into bed until 3 a.m.

We had a wonderful vacation with Seraph, Robbie and Isa. The first day we we spent in Albuquerque, going to the zoo-botanical garden-aquarium complex, which is really amazing. The zoo has spacious areas for the animals, and the acquarium's choice and display of sealife is engaging.

Right now I'm so tired I can move, so I'll just wish everyone good-night!

Adventure in Chaco Canyon

March 10, 2012 by Sue in Wielesek

Yesterday we all drove to the Chaco Canyon National Park, about two hours west of here. It's a World Heritage site, with many small (10-20 families) villages throughout the canyon, and some very large ceremonial complexes with hundreds of rooms. The buildings were made of stone with adobe covering; the adobe is pretty much washed away but the rock is still pretty sturdy. Some of the buildings were three or four stories high.

We're headed into Espanola to see The Lorax; Isa is a kick. As Grandma Sadie would have said, "Standing with reluctant feet where childhood and womanhood meet."

Love to all!

Here in Chimayo!

March 09, 2012 by Sue in Wielesek

It's wonderful to see Seraph and Robbie's house. It's certainly not a "new" house, having been built in 1820. It was remodeled about ten years ago by people who did a very careful job. Bob and I are sitting in part of the original house, with the hand carved vigas (exposed roof beams) and adobe walls. Seraph and Robbie have put up book shelves, and their books cover the end wall and about thirty feet of a side wall. I'll download pictures from my camera when we get back to Eugene. Depending on the weather (snow's predicted) we may go to Chaco Canyon tomorrow. The two dogs are fine - Chester is recovering. I'll try to post more often; many hugs and kisses from Bob and Sue