Sometimes you really can't do anything but watch and wait. And love.

I'm spending the week in Iowa, where my parents were both born and raised. This week will, in all likelihood, be the last time I get to see my Grandma W. She knew it today as we left the nursing home and I barely managed to keep my tongue still as we said our goodbyes.

I'm honored to have a 103 year old grandmother who still has her wits about her and her memory intact. I've always been proud to be her descendent and I hope she knows that. The old farm has been sold to one of my cousins and his daughter will be moving into the house soon. A house for a family of nine that started without indoor plumbing. The bathroom isn't even big enough for a bathtub yet it used to be Grandma and Grandpa's bedroom. There is *always* room for loved ones at Grandma's house. Long after she's gone, I'll remember the way Grandma values family.

A few items that have been found in Grandma's closets are ration books, school certificates for spelling and attendance from the 1920's, miscellaneous tax and school documents from the 1930's on through the 1980's, as well as family photos and other signs of a long and active life. I've got most of her collection of hand-made jewelry, given to me when I was still a teenager and she could no longer fasten the clasps of necklaces.

Tomorrow we're off to visit my little brother at college. Right now, there are cupcakes to eat.

Just a few of my favorite things...

Playing hockey in Saratoga Springs

Warming up for the SCAR intraleague bout with Bump and Grabher.

Hey Magic, what are you doing sitting down on the job?!

SCAR's twin jammers, Sounds Like Magic and Hootie's Bootie

Burpees on the beach while waiting to take the Polar Bear Plunge with CCR

NY All-Star B team. (We ended up losing to PA's All-Star B.)

Hey! I know that ref! Did you know that the All-Star bout was her very first bout in which she wore the zebra stripes?

I'm missing images for quite a few other favorite things from the past several months. These were all courtesy of Mr. Flower and therefore easy to steal. :-)

Why did the chicken cross the road?

To get in the doghouse, apparently.

My Little Derby Pony has arrived!

To say I'm excited about this little girl's arrival is a massive understatement. She's preceded by quite a few of Matthew Becker's other My Little Derby Ponies such as Sounds Like Magic, Malice In Chains, and Greatest Asset. Maybe sometime I'll sweet-talk Matt into letting me put the whole stable up on here? *hint, hint* What say ye, Matt?