X marks the spot!

The past two weeks have been hectic. FUN. Tiring. Interesting. Challenging. Did I mention hectic?

TLC’s Hubby had been in training—in Connecticut—for his (semi) new job. Until last night. This was the second time he’d had to go in the past two months. Now that they live 45 minutes (minimum) closer to My Sweet Hubby (aka MSH) and moi, I’ve made a determined effort to help TLC out with My Sweet Girls—Little Leighton (aka LL aka Biscuit) and Baby Elle (aka Belle). This means I go there to TLC’s casa or she comes to ours frequently. In fact...in the past twelve nights? I’ve been with them for eight. TLC and I have only had very minor issues with each other. Yes. TLC gets frustrated with me. And I with her. Those things about each other that are alike? They are IDENTICAL. Those things about each other that are different? WOWZER. YIKES. SHEESH. Let's all take a breath and a BREAK.

So this go-round, we did GOOD. Very good. The Little Girls absolutely, positively, without a doubt CRACK THIS GRAMMY NANNY UP. Constantly.

Little Leighton? Sweet. Funny. Smart. Silly. Quiet/Shy. Ish. Mostly.

Baby Elle? WILD. Energetic. Adventurous (to the point of being downright RISKY). Curious. Silly. Silly like her Big Sis.

I always think I’m going to remember everything funny or touching or SMART that these two say and/or do. Of course, I don’t. I thought that when TLC was a baby/tot/child/adolescent/teen. You'd think one would learn. Nope.

But one cutie-thingie that happened was during their bath Wednesday night. TLC and I both have these foamy letters and numbers that stick to the sides of the tub—or to the wall—if it’s marble/tile, etc. For minutes of entertainment! (Notice I said "minutes." Sometimes it's closer to "seconds.") Both TLC and I had pretty much put these letters/numbers up a few months ago. Belle was trying to eat them. We didn’t think that was an especially good idea. Recently, both of us had gotten them back out to test her ability to understand she should NOT put them in her mouth. So far? So good.

Belle REALLY likes to put things on her head. Bowls. Toys. Clothes. Diapers (Not used. Thank You, Lord.). Paper plates. Food. Excluding food, once she places some object on her head she says: “Hat! Hat!” It’s PRECIOUS. Naturally I’d believe that. Winky. Wink. Probably not original. However, Biscuit didn't do this too much. She seemed to prefer tiaras for her wittle head.

So Wednesday night, Belle was putting those letters and numbers on her head and saying: “Hat!” TLC, LL and I were laughing. Duh. At some point, LL stuck the letter “X” on Belle’s head and said: “X marks the spot!”

Wwhhhaaaattttt? Where had our 5-year-old heard that expression? And how did she remember it and use it correctly—even though in such a cRaZy way?

I don’t know. She loves to look at maps. I suppose she’s read a book that talks about “X” marking the spot.

It was clever. SHE IS ADORABLE. They are BOTH ADORABLE. Yep. I'm that obnoxious grandmother. 24/7.

MSH came for a visit yesterday—my last day “on the job”—and helped TLC put up a curtain rod in her den/living room. We had lunch. I stayed with Belle while TLC, Biscuit and MSH went for a ride around TLC’s new hometown. There are beaucoups of tres charming/pretty/sweet places to see!

We got home yesterday afternoon and have been busy, busy since. Our country casa/place will be officially listed For Sale next week. Oh. No. Here I go. I get so verklempt when I even begin to think of leaving this amazing home we’ve been blessed with for over seventeen years. Who knows if it’ll sell fast? Maybe we’ll be sitting here two years from now with no offers. PROMISE: MSH and I are both at peace with God’s Plan for our future. We honestly are believing He has His Plan for us and we’ll know what it is at some point. In the meantime? We’re working on getting rid of STUFF. Clutter. CRAP. (Excuse my French.) We have enough for seventeen other peeps. Sigh.

Here’s hoping each of Y’all has a WONDERFUL Weekend—wherever in this world you are! Get rid of some crap in my honour--'kay?

HUGS and SMOOCHES…

ELC

Officially time for...

...PUMPKINS!

Y'all. We had the best weekend. I have oodles and oodles of the cutest pics on my phone to share. But, I snapped these earlier this afternoon and pumpkins always take priority. Wink. Wink.

On Friday afternoon, while visiting with ELC and My Sweet Dad for the weekend, we stopped to buy just a few pumpkins. I fully intend to add at least four more, but this is a good start for late September.

I hope y'all had a wonderful weekend, too! I'll be back to recap and share more pics SOON.

TTFN.

P.S. IT'S FALL Y'ALL!

twilight and otis...

So Y’all might remember that Little Leighton named our three Mama cows: Elsie. Twinkle and Dixie. AWESOME names. Truly. Yet this Grammy Ga-Ga ELC has never been able to call Twinkle anything but Twilight. I have no explanation for this faux pas. None. Fraudian? No clue.

TLC, Little Leighton (LL) and Baby Elle have been here since Thursday afternoon. I actually came with them from their house. Long story. (We’re going back to TLC’s this afternoon. So I can go to church with them tomorrow morning.)

Little Leighton could not wait to see the new baby calf she named Olaf. (Because, you see, Elsie is actually after Elsa. Her most treasured Princess. To date.) Grammy Ga-Ga was ‘fessin’ up to LL that I call Twinkle "Twilight." Bless LL’s sweet heart—she said: "Well, Grammy, let’s just call her Twilight." God love Grammy's Precious LL.

So while I was on a roll, I reminded her Pa-Pa (aka My Sweet Hubby aka MSH) is still calling the new bull calf Olaf “Otis.” She said it’d be okay if we changed his name, too. But I think she should not have to give up another name. We’ve been making MSH practice. Olaf. Olaf. Olaf. He almost has it. (Not. Not actually. Sigh.)

All of us Texas Leighton Gals (and Baby Elle) hope All of Y’all will have a WONDERFUL WEEKEND—wherever in this World you are!

Until we meet again…(And, yes, it will be TLC’s turn next week. Will be innerstin’ to see if she can hold up to the bargain she made with Her Mama and that would be MOI and that would be one post per week.)

ta-ta for now…

ELC

i'm baaaccckkk...

Hi, friends!

I'm quickly typing this while watching the baby monitor. Baby Elle has decided over the last three weeks that sleeping uninterrupted at night is just for the birds. It seems to be occurring roughly every other night, as it appears she's in the habit of having one bad night followed by one good night (because she's clearly exhausted). Tonight is already a bad night, and it's still (relatively) early.

Y'all. I. Am. Done.

After listening to her cry and cry and cry, I finally broke down and went into her room about an hour ago. She was thirsty. After guzzling water, she asked if I would rock her. I obliged. Then she tried chatting with me and pointing out my facial features: eyes, nose, mouth, yougetthepoint. At that juncture, I bid her farewell and put her back down. She's not currently asleep but at least she isn't wailing.

We are slowly, but surely, settling into our new home and new town. The weekend we moved was ROUGH. I cried. A LOT. I loved my home and neighbors and friends and my precious Downtown and yummy restaurants. Even at 33, I still have a hard time accepting change. My Hubby had been out of town for the two weeks prior to our move, and I was simply overwhelmed. I was certain I couldn't love my new home and new town as much as the life we were leaving.

I was WRONG. Hallelujah.

I adore our new town. I love Little Leighton's school. I love the church we've decided to attend. I love the public library. I love the restaurants. Though there is quite a bit of "revamping" we would like done at our new house, I really do love it, too. The layout is much more functional.

I also love the sweet, little Farmer's Market around our Town Hall! We decided to scope it out last Saturday and were truly impressed!

Here is a picture of LL with the amazing bouquet of flowers we brought home. It was ginormous and only $10! (Unfortunately, the flowers only lasted two days at our casa. Not because they weren't still beautiful but because my allergies were not fond of the pollen. Boo.)

I hope to be back blogging at least once a week now. Thank you to ELC for her endless support, help and general "covering for moi."

Wish me luck tonight. Jesus, take the wheel!