Grandsons are Fantastic - but this one is so far away

Isn't he going to be a heartbreaker in a few years?

Grandson - Spencer Daniel Strange

Isn't this the most precious sight? I have taken the liberty of "borrowing" a couple of pictures from Brittany's blog. She said he was not feeling well and fell asleep on the couch. It makes me want to just hold and cuddle him.

My darling granddaughter

I just called Alexis and told her I was going to steal a couple of photos from her blog spot of my beautiful granddaughter, Sara. I cannot believe she is only 4 1/2 - let's keep her young while we can. She looks far too grown up. Thanks Alexis, for the photos.

Nice!

Adam and Cynthia installed the faucet last night and I have been putting it to good use since. It is pretty, nice, and works beautifully. I used it today to clean the grapes I am taking to church tonight for the tutoring program meal and the ability to move the sprayer is wonderful. I thank them so much for all they have done.

New experiences

Monday night I had another new experience. I rode the metro with Cynthia (Adam met us there) to Judiciary Square where the Zoning Commission was holding a hearing concerning the new meetinghouse the Church is working to build at 16th and Emerson Streets NW. The neighbors in the area filed a petition to change the zoning to prevent the Church from building on that particular lot and the Church opposed the change. It was a most interesting meeting and I do not know when the results will be made known. Politics here in DC are like everywhere in the nation - everyone wants their own way and sometimes feelings overrule judgment. I just hope they follow the law as it currently stands; if so, all will be well.

little shiny lights

I was awake for a while last night, unable to sleep, and began to look at all the little shiny lights in my rooms. There were the light green ones from the computer, a pretty yellow one on the phone showing me it was working, another green one on the smoke detector on the ceiling and bright red ones showing me the time on the clock radio. Going to the restroom, I noticed the pretty blue one on the modem for the TV. All of these lights are a pleasure to me, because it means I have nice things to enjoy, but during the night it reminded me of a childhood game we use to play called 1,2,3 Red Light. In this game one person was "it" and all other persons would line up advancing when the person who was "it" gave the green light, covered their eyes, then rapidly yelled out 1,2,3 Red Light. Everyone would then have to halt abruptly, or if caught moving when the "it" person opened their eyes, they were sent to the beginning line to start over. The first person reaching home, or the finish line became "it" for the next game. It was so simple, so fun, and the memories were great.

Gee, my closet looks great now that the doors are up. Adam hung them this morning and they sure make my room look neater.

Duke and Ike-the men who installed the granite countertop.

Pretty

The countertop job is completed and it really looks good. Adam will put in the faucet later. I am really going to enjoy using this. It is much nicer than I have ever had.

Excitement Mounting

They are here to put in the countertop and sink. It is so exciting. And so pretty!

Pure Delight

The best part of the entire morning was sitting on a bench at the mall watching people. Young moms and dads pushing strollers, 6-12 year olds trying to see everything and yet not lose sight of mom and dad, squirrels chasing one another and enjoying the peanuts being fed to them, and the older couple - walking so slowly as he was protecting her and watching out for her. The temperature was in the low 70's, the sky absolutely lovely and just a fantastic day to sit and appreciate all my blessings!

Tourism and Arthritis

I went and toured the National Museum of the American Indian this morning. I "skimmed" all four floors, but there is a tremendous amount I did not see, such as any of the movies, etc. The artifacts are fantastic and I wish everyone could go through this building. Of course, four floors, walking, and arthritis pain in the joints cut my visit a little short, but I still spent a couple of hours.

Thrilling Sight

I am at the stage where it still gives me a thrill to see some of our nation's monuments and buildings.

Official Washingtonian

I am truly a full fledged resident of Washington, DC now. I spent a great deal of my time today getting the car inspected, visiting Social Security to get a copy of my number certified, and getting a driver's license and registering the car and getting tags. I also am registered here to vote. My most fun today, however, was with Wachovia bank. I went in last week and ordered new checks with an up to date address. I received them a couple of days ago, but did not really check them until last night. Even though I watched the manager fill out the application for the checks correctly, there was one minor mistake. All the information was printed correctly except they had the city and state listed as Washington, NY, 20011. The bank manager was not too happy with such a silly mistake, but I think it is funny. Anyway, he has ordered me new checks to replace them. All in all it has been a great day.

I am really using my computer more and more since moving. It's a new way of "letting your fingers do the walking". I found out my auto insurance was going way, way up since moving to DC because of high traffic area and no longer having home owner's insurance with the company. So, I spent the greater part of Tuesday, and a good bit of today before deciding I was going with the GEICO. Their prices are much better and the gecko is so cute!

I finally made it to the temple this morning. Love this Washington Temple, and love living so close to it. I met a sister I recognized from the DC3rd Ward and even took her home on 16th Street and then found my way back to my home. A terrific day.

Right now, this looks like the best spot in the whole world.

I will get back to work tomorrow. I missed going to the temple this first week because I went to Richmond, but I still plan to go as soon as possible.

I was amazed at the ease of the trip to and from Richmond. Since they live on the north side of the city, it took me just 2 hours and 10 minutes to get home - I'm not mentioning the speed I was driving, but everyone was still passing me. And I won't mention that I got turned around trying to stay on North Capitol Street, but I found my way, so that doesn't count.

I am happy. I miss my friends, but I am so very happy being here and look forward to making new friends and and also keeping in touch with all my older, treasured friends. God has been so very good to me.

Everyone was happy to get Jamie home, including his four legged sister! AND, I hated to leave him.

He is just too cute! Grandma's have bragging rights!

Grandma Noonan holding the baby. I snapped the picture the I snatched the baby:-)

four generations....myself, Sara, Elisa's father Chris Noonan, Phillip, Elisa, William, and her 92 year old grandmother.

I spent the night Wednesday with Elisa's parents, Chris and Elaine and really enjoyed getting to know them. I really like the whole family.

I took a break Tuesday and went to see my new grandson, Jamie. I guess I was more excited than I thought because as I was preparing to load my car, I locked my keys inside the house and locked myself outside the house! Luckily, I had the cell phone with me. I called Cynthia who had to walk back to the house from the metro station to let me in, making her late for work on a day she had an important meeting. What a way to start the day. I felt so rotten for causing her so much trouble, but after almost a 100 miles of praying, I was able to put it into proper perspective and enjoy the rest of the day.

These are photos of William, Elisa, and their family - her son Phillip, his daughter Sara, and their son Jamie and a very happy grandma. This was the first time Sara had seen the baby; Phillip saw him Tuesday night.

NOW, remember that Elisa drove me to DC on Saturday. On Tuesday, September 1, 2008 at 1:42AM, 7 lb. 15 oz. William James (Jamie) Strange was born! We are calling her Super Mom.

I failed to mention earlier that the toilet was delivered Tuesday am, and I went to Home Depot and picked up the tank the same day, so once again, Adam and Cynthia came home from work and immeditely began to put it together. So now I have a very nice working bathroom, and we are only waiting for the kitchen counter top and sink. But I am able to stay in my apartment and I LOVE IT.

actually at this point, things are looking much better. After two yard sales and lots of give a ways, I still had way too much to fit into the apartment. I have since given away 14 boxes of food storage (to members of the church in need) with the help of the bishopric and the relief society. I have donated several boxes to a thrift store and am in the process of trying to figure out where to put the rest.

Cynthia and Adam had worked feverously for the past month to get things ready and ran into one problem after another. So the first couple of nights I spent upstairs in their guest bedroom.

Of course we did not work or shop on Sunday, so it was Monday before we were able to get to Ikea and purchase the wardrobe. The did not have the hinges at the time, but Cynthia and Adam put it together without doors for now. At least I was able to get my clothes off the bed and I slept in my bed finally Monday night. The fun part was in the fact that I still did not have a toilet downstairs, so there were two flights of steps to go to the restroom. Oh, my poor aching knees!