Yesterday Little Buddy and I picked up our friends, two little ones I work with, and spent the entire day with them. Their Mother is recovering from breast cancer surgery. She had it last Tuesday and all the preliminary reports are looking very good. Still we thought she and her family should get some rest, they still have two medically complicated babies to attend to.
We picked up the ladies at 9:00 in the morning and headed directly to the splash park where everyone had a great time. After the park it was home for lunch and play time all afternoon. We were getting our pool enclosure and deck pressure washed so there was no time for swimming. It did not seem to matter, these three were very active indoors. You might recognize the girls from the wedding Little Buddy was in in February, their older sister was the bride. After loads of playing, lots of refereeing on my part and a little time out for Little B who did not listen to Mom and went potty in his pants, we were off to dinner out. Yup, me and three little ones. It went really well and we returned them at 7:45, getting back to our house by 9 in the evening. You would think this little one would have slept in today, I sure did, but no he informed me he does not sleep in on Sundays.
Today Little B went to the kids museum in Tampa with Dad while I cleaned up the mess outside left over from the pressure washing. The kids museums in Tampa and St. Petersburg both have special Sundays were kids with special needs can attend without the crowds, lights and loud sounds. Little Buddy can handle the lights and sounds but sure needs a bit of extra space to get around without the crowds getting in his way.
I also ran out to buy a few more flowers. My spring flowers have all died and I am not sure how these new ones will do in the heat. It is really hot here already, yes it is the end of May, but it is still just so hot. These will be the last flowers I plant until October when things cool down a bit. I felt a bit ill after just planting 11 plants in the heat of the day. No more planting for me.
My gardenias are at the very end of their blooming cycle. They have been blooming and blessing me with their gorgeous smell since mid April. This is the only one I could find without brown leaves on it. I will miss them. I am always jealous of all of you with your lilacs, peonies and gorgeous summer blooms. In the harsh summer temps in Florida we can't grow your beauties but we do have azaleas and gardenias in the spring.
This afternoon I hope to work on this shawl. The Queen Anne's Shawl by Rebecca Velasquez. I have had this pattern in my pattern stash forever. I bought this gorgeous Berroco Modern Cotton a few weeks ago and thought it would be ideal for this project. I know I have already made it wrong, I should have used a much bigger hook to get more drape, yet I have not pulled it out. There is a LOT of counting in this baby and frankly my brain can't handle starting over. I will just see how it goes and start a new one when I am done. You know me it is all about the process with not a lot of concern about the outcome. I do care, and really should be making more things I actually use but with so many fun patterns to try you have to go with what strikes your fancy.
I am working a short day tomorrow. There is no three day weekend for me. I don't get paid days off or paid holidays so I try to work when I can. With all of my medically fragile patient's doctor appointments and of course Little Buddy's, I tend to miss more work then I would like. Hope you are having a fun weekend.
Wow, I don't think I've ever been the first to comment;) I adore gardenias, how nice that you can grow them there! You've reminded me that the hot days of summer will be here before I know it, so I better enjoy this time even if we have more thunder storms than I care for. I hope you enjoy your alone time today, Meredith.
ReplyDeleteHow sweet of your to take the lady's children out so she can rest, and for a whole day - well done you! I love gardenias, haven't thought about them for years. They are more of a houseplant here I think. How brilliant that the kids museums have a quieter day on Sundays for children who prefer it without crowds. Love that Little B doesn't sleep in on Sunday. A very good philosophy, who wants to waste a Sunday?! I hope you have a good week, even if you are working tomorrow. Hugs, CJ xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a kind heart you have! I am sure those kiddies enjoyed their day in the sun.
ReplyDeleteYour gardenia brought back such memories for me. My great grandmother had a huge one on her front porch and the smell of it was heaven. I think of her every time I see one.
Little Buddy and friends appear to have had a wonderful time! No rest for Mom's it seems. Hope your work week is good. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteYou are such a fine person to take the little girls and give that family some rest and quiet time! I'm glad the kids all had a good time. You're so lucky to be able to have Gardenias bloom in your garden. Dayle gave me a corsage of that flower when he took me to the prom so I remember it so well. That new shawl looks perfect for Summer.. lacy and cool. I do hope you keep it and enjoy it. I didn't see any errors! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteGoodness you are a busy, busy lady. You put me to shame my friend. I hope you get at least a little relaxation in this weekend. It was a sweet thing to take the children and in will keep their Mom in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
You are a very generous person and good friend. May all good things come back to you in return as you deserve them. It looks like it was a perfect day with good weather and happy children.
ReplyDeleteWishing your friend all the best for a full recovery.
As grain farmers, we know no weekends in the Spring. But we are nearly done!!! Now, if our weather would smarten up, I could finish planting my garden. It's supposed to be a beautiful week, so I expect I will be quite pleased by the weekend.
ReplyDeleteSo wonderful of you to take on all those little ones. Prayers for their Mother, may she recover quickly and completely.
Have a beautiful week Meredith,
Andrea
How kind-hearted you are to take on 2 more kids, I'll bet they all had a blast. I have to make do with azaleas and gardenias too, I so miss lilacs.
ReplyDeleteGardenias are my absolute favorite flower scent. I am glad you can grow them and enjoy them! It is wonderful of you to so practically be part of your friend's healing process and I am glad you had a good day with your three little ones. We have friends from CA here this week and gatherings tonight and tomorrow for meals...so some extra busyness, but casual relaxed fun. John and Little Buddy's adventure sounds interesting...with so many little ones here we have visited a park nearly every day. I hope you have a great week even though you do not get the full day off tomorrow, Meredith. Your current stitching looks perfect to me. I am crocheting a blanket using Teresa's pattern today. XXXXXXX
ReplyDeleteYou have such a good heart, Mere. I know your friend was resting a little easier knowing her children were being well taken care of and having some fun. It sounds like you made it wonderful.
ReplyDeleteWe have a very good children's museum nearby...wonder if they have any sort of day or time for children with special needs. It makes so much sense, I think I might check into it.
Your flowers are looking good...I never know what will make it it all summer due to our crazy weather. A lot of my neighbors lost tender plants they hastily put in the ground when we had warm temps in early May. Sad. We are just now warming up.
Hope Memorial Day is fun and relaxing for you and your family!
Jane x
Reading this leaves me with a warm heart. You're such a good person.
ReplyDeleteIt's comforting to know that there are people like you.
And the pictures made me smile. As always!
How wonderful you took on those two gorgeous girls for the day to give their Mum a break. I can only imagine the joy that gave Little B. I did smile at his comment on a Sunday lie in. A joy to see those beautiful blooms, we have yet to start on our plans for the garden here. Enjoy the process of your crochet project, I don't see any mistakes so hopefully you can enjoy wearing it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a busy weekend you've had, and no lie in either. It sounds like the kids had fun playing together though so that makes it all worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteIt is not right that you don't get a three-day weekend! I'm wondering if there are jobs you could get in a public age 3 to 5 program, where you would get teacher pay/benefits? But I suspect you are just too committed to the little ones you work with to change!
ReplyDeleteHow sweet of you to help out another family when your plate is already so full.
I zigzag back and forth between being a process knitter and a product knitter. I do enjoy most the projects that I choose for process. Product knits can bring out the procrastinator in me!
You are a doll Mere to take on even more for a friend in need. Im SURE they appreciated it. Lil BUddy cracks me up. Sorry about the "accident" in the pants. oops. Glad Lil B's daddy chipped in to help!!
ReplyDeleteWe are enjoying fabulous weather for AL's visit. She goes home tonight . She mentioned she MAY come in for Labor Day as she had so much fun. Wheeeeeeeee! I can smile about that.
Gorgeous weather here, now that the rain has stopped (for a while). Spending time with family and friends is the best. Sometimes having a friend or two along is easier than managing a kid by yourself. Special Sundays for special needs - what a great idea! I wonder if the Children's Museum in Indy does the same. Hope your pool is ready for fun soon - a must in the heat!
ReplyDeleteIt's very warm here in NC too. I could use a trip to a splash park myself. LOL Bless your heart for helping out that mother. You really are a special person! I love the color of you new shawl project. It looks very soft too.
ReplyDeleteLooks like the kids had a ball. I know what you mean about taking three little ones out for dinner. Two nights a week, I pick up the twins (3) and Laynee (5) and we go out to eat after going to the park or whatever I've dreamed up, I am really worn out afterwards! LOL But, the older they get the easier it is and I love my special time with them.
ReplyDeleteOur weather has been so crazy. Rain and hail and the next day it is in the 89-90s. Flowers are doing great but don't know how they are going to survive what they are predicting a really warm summer. We'll see.
Have a great week.
Judy
It may have been busy, but it sounds like everyone had fun.
ReplyDeleteWhat a kind and wonderful friend you are! I think it works both ways with the jealousy thing with the temps and flowers...trust me, when we're having our harsh winters, I am jealous of those of you who live in the warm climates!
ReplyDeletelooks like a fun day you all had at the splash pad. It was a nice break and relaxing day for the woman who went with you. I love the flowers you chose, hope they survive the heat! lovely shawl so far, I agree it is much more about the process than the product that we have in the end.
ReplyDeleteLoving that first pic. I hope the Mother makes a full recovery from that dreadful disease. What a worry for all concerned. You're such an angel, Meredith, really and all the while, still finding time to crochet, I don't know how you do it. My time management skills are practically non-existent at the moment. xxx
ReplyDeleteWell done on dinner with 3 littlies, I did lunch with 3 nearly teenagers today and it was utter misery! The bickering ........
ReplyDeleteSorry have not been around much, I have missed you :)
Jillxo
Enjoy your little break from work this week. You do deserve it. Jo x
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you, Mere, for doing such a sweet think for your friend. I hope she has a good recovery! I'm still chuckling over that "I don't sleep in on Sunday" comment. Your LB is quite the guy. Love your QA shawl; I find starting new patterns so tempting, much more so than the finishing of them.
ReplyDelete