Enjoying Appetizer Walk

Sunday, October 22, 2017

Seinfeld--A Blog About Nothing




I think I have lived for approximately 23,725 days--give or take a few.  Sometimes it feels like 230,725, but I guess everyone feels that way at some point or another.  Some days have been great and some have been really, really bad.  But most are just days...they come, they go--with nothing  monumental in between.  Just time.  This is a blog about nothing, just life in general.

Go figure, it's the end of October already.  Our weather has been holding steady at mid 70's to low 80's during the day and in the 60's at night.  This is the time of year that I really enjoy.  Seasons are changing!  Sometimes it's hard to believe we have been down here for six years.  Before we know it, Donna and Bob will be down again and we can start shopping!

And, there's also football...we joined the Wilmington Browns Backers club again this year,  but with all of the traveling to Charlotte and Lakeland, we have only been to one game.  The last few minutes of the 4th quarter of the Cleveland/Tennessee game came on today after we watched the Carolina Panthers lose to the Bears.  Cleveland actually went into overtime with a game full of field goals (on both sides) and we still lost...to a field goal.  It's just not our year...again. But, Tony made chicken wings so the day wasn't a total loss. 

Tony and I did property walk yesterday.  It's nice to just walk around the yard and see what new things are coming up and what has started to go dormant.  

We took Dixie to the beach again yesterday.  She dug a hole in the sand and buried herself in it, even though she had a perfectly good towel to lay on.  The sun on the water was really pretty and we watched fishing boats being followed by birds.  People were fishing on the beach but didn't seem to catch much.  It was the kind of day you see in a picture of people playing by the ocean. 

My work time is ticking away and I'm actively thinking of things I want to accomplish.  So far, I have investigated what it takes to be a contributor to AARP Magazine and some other "senior" writing opportunities.  I also want to further develop my photography skills.  I have advanced to the level where I don't have trees or chimneys coming out of the top of Tony's head anymore, but I still need to work on my content. 

We will be on the road again soon and look forward to seeing how big Alex is.

And so this is the end of a blog about nothing...just life. 

Here's property walk:

Plants at the back of the property


Trees that Tony planted

Flowers by the deck

Fall Sky

The Princess and her Daddy

A big smile



Beach

Beach Birds

Dixie didn't appreciate the tide coming toward her...

It didn't seem to bother this character!


And back...
Back Home....Tony was taller than these trees when he planted them a few years ago...notice that I don't have the trees growing out of his head!




Monday, October 16, 2017

Introducing Alex!


The wait is finally over!!  Alexandra Lucia Swegle was born on September 26 at noon; weighing in at 7 pounds, 1 ounce!  Brenda is going to have a story to tell her when she is older--Brenda was induced on the previous Saturday and didn't give birth until Tuesday.  Wow.  

Tony and I went to Lakeland last Sunday and believe me, Alex was worth the wait.  She is beautiful and has so many expressions!  Alex likes to move!  She rolled over from her tummy to her back at least 10 times while we were there. She's also very alert.  Most new babies aren't looking around and reaching for things, but Alex does.  She watches you as you speak to her and absolutely hates wet diapers!

She is also a social butterfly.  She went with us to lunch, an outdoor concert at a local college and a winery.  Needless to say, people had to stop and look at how cute she is.  

I heard a long time ago, that when you are introducing someone, the more important they are, the less you have to say.  So, without further ado....introducing Alex...

At the hospital 

2 Days Old

Sleeping on Papa

Now there's a happy guy!

Sleeping on Momo....I like to sleep on my arm

Starting to wake up

A happy thought

No more pictures, please

OK, I'm up...adore me!

I'm so cute...with or without my wardrobe!

Seriously, just look at my eyes...and that mouth...yep, I'm cute

Here's my inquisitive look...

This is my serious face...

Here's my....hmmm...I think this is my poop face...notice my eyebrows,
I'm really concentrating

This is Momo..she sings to me...

...and bought me a pink bear...

OK, lose the bear...it's blocking my face shot

Much better!

Daddy says I can date when I'm 25...but, the date has to be able to get 
past these two guys...my protectors

My pretty Mama

Oh yeah, the bald head, the big shoulders, the shades, one look at this 
guy and all my dates will head for the hills!

What do you think, Momo, lunch or nap?

Hmmm....I'm thinking lunch

Yep, lunch it is....hey Mommmmmmm...

It only took one day and I had these people wrapped around my tiny, little finger...heck, it was more like the minute they saw me!!

Stay tuned....they're coming back in two week and I will star on the blog again.  

Monday, October 2, 2017

A Birthday in Charlotte



We went to Charlotte on Saturday to celebrate Anthony's 3rd birthday and what fun we had.  He is sweet and funny and pronounces words with a flair all his own.  He likes grasshoppers and calls them gas-hoppas!

Tony and Marie went out for their 6th wedding anniversary while we babysat--and much like us, found themselves yawning at around 9:00 p.m.  Having 2 and a half kids is tough!

While we were in Charlotte, David and Brenda sent us pictures and videos of Alexandra.  She is alert and responds to voices while she is kicking her legs and swinging her arms around.  What a doll. 

Anthony got a Hungry Hippo game for his birthday and we had fun playing it.  Jenna had one when she was small.  I guess the noise and the action really entertain kids.  We made sure Anthony won a game (since it was his birthday) and he was happy.  

While talking to Anthony, I was reminded of the conversations I had with Ben when I was walking him home from pre-school and how funny they were.  Anthony was being silly and I said, "Oh, you're goofy."  To which he replied, "No, MoMo, my name is Anthony, not goofy."  He had me there!

Papa played ball with the kids and tried to trick them with magic and games.  Dixie got in the act while they were tossing the football.  She ran interference, grabbed the ball and scored a touchdown!

We watched the Panthers game with Coleton and were amazed by his knowledge of the game and the players.  He encouraged Cam Newton to run for the first down and was thrilled when Luke Kuechley (probably didn't spell that right!) made key tackles.  A play would happen quickly and Coleton would walk up to the  TV and say, "show that again, I didn't see it."  He would watch the replay intently and cheer if the play went in favor of Carolina.  

We had a good time that ended too quickly.  Like they all do, the kids got bigger and more entertaining.  Next week, it's down to Florida to see Alexandra for the first time.  

Here's the Charlotte trip:

Mr. Birthday starts to open his presents

Oh boy, Batman!!

So cool!

Yea, more presents!

Mommy keeps track of the gifts...

Look at that smile!

Bedtime and reading about Dumbo...

Papa explains that Dumbo was bullied and that isn't nice...

"My Boys," Generation 2

Everyone dives for the ball

Anthony concentrates .....

...and here it comes.....

Got it!

...and back to Coleton...

his eye is on the ball....

...and here it comes! 

 
We got Anthony, Chase, the dog from Paw Patrol and Chase stayed with him the whole day!  Anthony put him in the window so Chase could watch him play ball!

Dixie intercepts the ball and dodges and weaves through traffic....

....she's at the goal line....

....outrunning the opposition....

...and she scores!!!  "Touchdown, Dixie!!!"


Coleton watches Cam Newton with Tony, Jr. 

What do you do when you are told to take a nap, but you aren't tired?  Put your lovie blanket over your head and sing to Chase

And, finally, the day and activity takes its toll on the birthday boy....

...and Dixie, too!