For the past 3 weeks I have been living in a constant state of chaos.... but it has been fun chaos with lots of wonderful new memories being made... however... the quiet that finally comes after the chaos is bittersweet... being both too quiet and also 'finally it's quiet'.
It all started three weeks ago when Joe and I were entertaining our Best Friends (Steve and Kay) during the "Member/Guest" golf tournament our country club held. Joe and Steve came in 4th place for their flight and won some golf shop credits... they both bought golf shirts. They had such a great time playing in the tournament and were quite proud to actually place in the winning circle. While the boys were golfing the 3 days of the tournament, Kay and I shopped, toured town, laid by the pool and caught up on all our 'girl talk time'. On Sunday when Steve and Kay departed for the airport on their way home, I hitched a ride with them to the airport to head to Akron for a week's visit.
I went to Akron to help my youngest daughter and her husband move to a new apartment. They moved and unpacked while I babysat their 4 month old son Henry.... tough job.... NOT!!! I enjoyed every moment I was able to spend with all of them. Later in the week my other two daughters arrived with my other Grandson, Liam, who is 3 months old. I did all the cooking while I was there and tried to spoil all of them rotten... which I think I managed to do, making all their favorite dishes... as well as some new favorite dishes! 5 adults, 2 babies, and 1 dog in moving clutter.... definitely equals chaos. But we had many giggles, lots of photo taking, and lots of talks during that week... and the babies are at the age that they are just now recognizing each other, coo to each other, and reach out to each other.... PRECIOUS!!!!! I'm sooooo grateful my other two daughters took time out of their busy lives to come spend with me while I was in town.
When I arrived home from my week in Akron, I immediately went into 'Hostess' mode again, entertaining Joe's parents, and Aunt/Uncle, and another Aunt for a week. I literally had 12 hours to clean the house, change the bedding from when I left with our first bout of company when I went to Akron, and go to the grocery store to stock up on the provisions needed before their arrival. It was another week of giggles, talking, and touring... but again... constant chaos... did I mention that my husband was out of town for the first 3 days of their visit!???
After the last round of visitors left, the house was sooooo instantly quiet that I found myself looking for someone to talk to, but also realized just how exhausted I was. Then... it was time to clean the house and all the linens after company and it was good to be so busy to get used to the quietness again.
Entertaining, hostessing, and the traveling over the past 3 weeks has truly been a gift of precious time spent with family and friends, and making sooo many new memories. I wouldn't trade a single moment of the past 3 weeks, yet I am enjoying this week of 'just quietness'. I clean a little, I rest a little and catch up on a taped show or two, and then right back at the cleaning. As I clean, remake the beds, and put things away... I see all my visitors in my head replaying all the time spent with them.
I hope all my guests had such a good time, that they will follow that yellow brick road back to Kansas and come again for another visit soon. I love being hostess, I love cooking for company, I love making family and friends feel welcome and comfortable in my home, and I especially love all the priceless, precious memories that remain long after they have left.
As Andy Griffith would say.... Ya'll come back now... ya hear!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Visitors/Guests/Company
Visitors/Guests/Company.... no matter what your term is for entertaining and hostessing family and friends in your home, I feel it is such an honor. For family and friends to want to come spend time with you and be in your home, to me is some of my happiest moments. But then.... I do love to host and entertain!
I also like to visit others in their homes and am always touched at all the small things they do to make your stay feel as comfortable as possible. My Grandma was the absolute BEST at this! And of course.... there is just no place like home... as in your Momma's house or the house you grew up in. Whether I am in a bed, on the couch, a blow up mattress... or on a pallet on the floor like in my childhood days... it just feels cozy and sweet... and let me tell you... I have slept on some lumpy couches, and airbeds that deflated in the night... they all make funny stories and lasting sweet memories later. The main thing is.... that you are spending time with those you love... in their space. And then when the visit is over.... there is just no place like your own bed! Joe and I have had the pleasure and privledge to travel all over the world, we have slept in many beds in many places... and no matter how much fun we had or how comfy the beds are that we have been sleeping in... we both LOVE coming home and crawling into our own bed again.
As I have said in many past blog postings... Joe and I are still new residents here in Kansas... we moved here in Oct... we had a few visitors over the fall/winter holidays, but mostly we traveled home for the holidays... but now that summer has come, we have many family and friends who are traveling out to see our new home all through the summer to visit and catch up with each other's lives. It's a very busy time, but also a very rewarding time spent with precious people in our lives.
I especially like knowing their likes and dislikes, so that I can have their special treats on hand when they arrive. I like preparing their bedrooms with water at their bedside, fresh flowers in their rooms or a scented candle burning. While I work to prepare their room(s)... I smile the whole time in anticipation of their arrival and all the fun we will have just 'visiting'! I like making them feel as comfortable as possible... just like Grandma did.... and hoping they have such a fun relaxing time, they can't wait to come visit again!
Visitors/Guests/Company usually mean... late nights of talking and reliving memories of the past... cooking/grilling together and chatting all the while... going out to unusual or special places to see and/or dine... getting into comfy jammies before bedtime and curling up on the couch with coffee or tea and just spending time together giggling and enjoying long long talks of the most intimate kind. Hugging each and everyone before they finally depart for bed and feeling sooooo grateful I had the opportunity to hug them again!
After Visitors/Guests/Company depart for home and the tasks of stripping, washing and remaking the beds, cleaning the bathrooms and such begin... I still smile the whole time I'm doing these chores because as I do them I am reliving every single moment of their stay. And then... I collapse with a cup of tea, a big sigh and relax for a bit as life moves on... and I await the specialness of the next time I a blessed to be a hostess once again!
Welcome mat is out... door is open.... do stop by and sit a spell! : )
I also like to visit others in their homes and am always touched at all the small things they do to make your stay feel as comfortable as possible. My Grandma was the absolute BEST at this! And of course.... there is just no place like home... as in your Momma's house or the house you grew up in. Whether I am in a bed, on the couch, a blow up mattress... or on a pallet on the floor like in my childhood days... it just feels cozy and sweet... and let me tell you... I have slept on some lumpy couches, and airbeds that deflated in the night... they all make funny stories and lasting sweet memories later. The main thing is.... that you are spending time with those you love... in their space. And then when the visit is over.... there is just no place like your own bed! Joe and I have had the pleasure and privledge to travel all over the world, we have slept in many beds in many places... and no matter how much fun we had or how comfy the beds are that we have been sleeping in... we both LOVE coming home and crawling into our own bed again.
As I have said in many past blog postings... Joe and I are still new residents here in Kansas... we moved here in Oct... we had a few visitors over the fall/winter holidays, but mostly we traveled home for the holidays... but now that summer has come, we have many family and friends who are traveling out to see our new home all through the summer to visit and catch up with each other's lives. It's a very busy time, but also a very rewarding time spent with precious people in our lives.
I especially like knowing their likes and dislikes, so that I can have their special treats on hand when they arrive. I like preparing their bedrooms with water at their bedside, fresh flowers in their rooms or a scented candle burning. While I work to prepare their room(s)... I smile the whole time in anticipation of their arrival and all the fun we will have just 'visiting'! I like making them feel as comfortable as possible... just like Grandma did.... and hoping they have such a fun relaxing time, they can't wait to come visit again!
Visitors/Guests/Company usually mean... late nights of talking and reliving memories of the past... cooking/grilling together and chatting all the while... going out to unusual or special places to see and/or dine... getting into comfy jammies before bedtime and curling up on the couch with coffee or tea and just spending time together giggling and enjoying long long talks of the most intimate kind. Hugging each and everyone before they finally depart for bed and feeling sooooo grateful I had the opportunity to hug them again!
After Visitors/Guests/Company depart for home and the tasks of stripping, washing and remaking the beds, cleaning the bathrooms and such begin... I still smile the whole time I'm doing these chores because as I do them I am reliving every single moment of their stay. And then... I collapse with a cup of tea, a big sigh and relax for a bit as life moves on... and I await the specialness of the next time I a blessed to be a hostess once again!
Welcome mat is out... door is open.... do stop by and sit a spell! : )
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Love is...
Love is...
When your heart still tingles each time you see your husband... even after 38 years of him in your life
When you hear the giggle of a Grandchild
When you get a hug... just when you need one
Being thrilled for someone else's happiness
Being mad at your significant other... and they still make you laugh
A daily phone call from your Mom... just to say Good Morning!
Listening to your children... drama, successes, woes, happiness... and feeling exactly how they are feeling
Watching a television program/movie that you hate... just to spend time with a loved one
The twinkle in your significant other's eyes on date night... and then the compliment that follows
Small deeds done unasked... just because they needed to be done
Holding his/her hand
Just being there when you are needed... or someone being there just when you need
A shoulder to cry on... lending a shoulder to cry on
Someone to tell 'that' story to and then laugh about it afterwards
Kisses that make your toes curl, your heart sigh, or your boo boo's to feel better and your problems seem small
Family
Friends
Babies
When your heart still tingles each time you see your husband... even after 38 years of him in your life
When you hear the giggle of a Grandchild
When you get a hug... just when you need one
Being thrilled for someone else's happiness
Being mad at your significant other... and they still make you laugh
A daily phone call from your Mom... just to say Good Morning!
Listening to your children... drama, successes, woes, happiness... and feeling exactly how they are feeling
Watching a television program/movie that you hate... just to spend time with a loved one
The twinkle in your significant other's eyes on date night... and then the compliment that follows
Small deeds done unasked... just because they needed to be done
Holding his/her hand
Just being there when you are needed... or someone being there just when you need
A shoulder to cry on... lending a shoulder to cry on
Someone to tell 'that' story to and then laugh about it afterwards
Kisses that make your toes curl, your heart sigh, or your boo boo's to feel better and your problems seem small
Family
Friends
Babies
Love
Laughter and Giggles
Smiles
Sharing
Patience
Pillow talk and Snuggles
Love is just absolutely, positively WONDERFUL!
Wishing lots of Love and Laughter your way!
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About Me
- Vickie G
- I am a short little lady with a passion for cooking and pilates. I have been married for 31 years to my high school sweetheart (my soulmate and love of my life!!!) and we have 3 amazing daughters. I am 50 years old and love living life with as much zest as possible.