Category: This and that

Observations and Birthdays

~ Lenore Diane ~ 1 Comment
Joe, 9lbs 8oz

This week, Charlie celebrates his 4th birthday. When the boys were babies, I would go in their room and watch them sleep in their crib. I was always amazed how big they looked in their crib. It seemed their growth became more obvious at night, when they were sprawled out in their bed, lying motionless.

Joe, small enough to fit in a nursing pillow.

Even now, when I check on the boys before I go to bed, I see how they are filing up their twin beds more and more. My boys are getting so big. I am watching it unfold in front of me, yet it still seems to happen in the blink of an eye.

A time when baths were taken in the sink.

Joe and I were watching TV early one morning. He was sitting on the table in front of the couch, while I sat on the couch. I watched him, sitting on the table, and I couldn’t help but notice how big he was getting. Then I was reminded of the fact that he is starting Kindergarten in August, and his big boyness became even bigger to me.

Just home from the hospital with Charlie.

I eventually said, “Joe, you are getting so big.” He quickly replied, “I know.” Then I asked, “Are you excited about getting big?” He mumbled, “Yes.” Shortly after, Charlie came in the room and sat on the table (apparently our couch & chair lack comfort). And just like I noticed with Joe, I was amazed at how big Charlie is getting.

Joe checking out his new baby brother, Charlie.

I’m no longer watching them with my breath held, as they attempt to climb up to the couch, chair or -ahem – table. They are old enough to go outside without Rob and me following along immediately. Strollers, cribs, high chairs and diapers are all things of the past. Entertainers, bouncy seats and push toys are long gone. Now it’s Tinker toys, Lincoln logs, Legos
and 100+ piece puzzles; Crayons, paints,
glue sticks and scissors.

Brotherly trust and brotherly love

I am enjoying the boys more and more as they grow. I love listening to Joe and Charlie interact with each other, each one confident in his knowledge. Joe is the teacher, explaining things to Charlie. And Charlie is the ever-trusting younger brother, seeking Joe’s advice on the littlest thing. “Joe, should I use the orange crayon or the red one? Orange or red, which one?”

Brothers sharing

When out of various stages, it becomes easy to romanticize about newborns and infants. But, I’m not looking to experience the sleepless nights, colic cries and changing of diapers again. Still … little outfits, sweet baby breath, tiny fingers on a tiny hand holding your seemingly gigantic thumb tightly… Well, maybe one sleepless night. Happy birthday, Charlie; I love you.

:–:

My 100th Post: The Interview

~ Lenore Diane ~ 7 Comments

Since January 2010, Lenore Diane has put forth an effort to post entertaining thoughts regarding her take on life. To mark her 100th post, she decided to sit down with herself to ask and answer questions about the past six months. Wearing black, cropped pants and a purple shirt, she sits and answers my, er, her questions.

So, this is your 100th post. Are you surprised you’ve written so much?
Surprised? No. I have an incredible ability to babble. You’ve heard the thought, ‘Dance like no one is watching’, right? Well, I write and talk even if no one is reading or listening.

Do you think you have a following of readers?
I know one of my sisters reads my blog regularly. And, I know a friend that checks in every now and again. Aside from those two folks, I’m not sure I have followers per se. The stats show I am getting hits, so that has to count for something, right? I can only hope those who find me will come back again and again.

When do you get your best ideas for posts?
Well, when I go to bed at night, my mind becomes inundated with blogging ideas. And, every night, I go to bed convinced I’ll remember my idea in the morning. And, every morning, the idea was lost in the night.

Why not keep a writing pad and pen by your bed?
Gee. Great idea, Genius. I have a handy dandy notebook and pen that I try to keep with me at all times, including on my bedside nightstand. Unfortunately, I often forget to grab the notebook and/or I forgot where I had it last.

So, you’re very organized, eh?
HA! You’re funny. Have you read my post ‘Hiding the Junk’? I make no claims to being organized.

Out of the 99 posts, do you have a favorite?
Yes.

Ok, smart ass. Which post is your favorite?
Sorry, I couldn’t resist. I like the post about my Dad, written to coincide with my niece graduating from college. Oh, and I liked my Ode To Amherst Shore. Hmm … I guess I don’t have a favorite, rather I have several I like more than others.

What do you hope to accomplish with your written posts?
Well, my followers will know this answer.

I’m sorry, you mean, assuming you have followers.
Whatever. My hope is to entertain, enlighten and encourage. Though I really don’t know what I want to encourage. I just wanted to name a third thing starting with ‘e’. I’d also like to be published. I believe I have produced some good posts, though it may be obvious that I lack an editor. Still, I believe, with the help of an editor, I could produce an excellent publication of posts.

Do you think you are funny? And, do you try to use humor in your writing?
Yes, I think I am funny, and I definitely try to use humor in my writing. My reality is that I crack myself up all the time. I come from a family of folks that crack themselves up all the time. We laugh at our own jokes, and we are completely OK with the fact that others aren’t laughing. My heart goes out to the folks who don’t laugh at our humor. We are some seriously funny people! HA HA! See?! Made me laugh. *sigh* ‘Oh me’

What haven’t you written about that you know you will write about in the future?
Ooo, I love that question. I don’t know. I have covered so much territory already. I’m not sure what is left, but I’m certain I’ll find something. Maybe I will write in greater detail about my fears.

Ok, let’s go with a lightening round. Quick and short answers, please. If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?
Seriously? What – are you Barbara Walters? This is completely cheesy.

Ya think? You’re the one writing this post. Now please, just answer the question.
*sigh* Any evergreen tree.

What’s one thing folks don’t know about you?
My weight; it changes frequently based on my consumption of ice cream during any given week.

You’re not very good at short answers. Name your favorite holiday.
Thanksgiving

What’s your favorite color?
Orange

What is your dream car?
Mercedes. Any model. Consumer Reports always ranks them high on their automobile lists. And, Mercedes does well during the crash tests. Wait. Based on your facial expression, I’m guessing my response is too long?

Well, we have come to the end of our interview.
Oh. Please ask me another question.

Here's to another 100 reflections of life

Seriously. People follow you? *sigh* Okay, what did you make for dinner?
When? Last night?

Oh my gosh! Who cares?!
I don’t know. Maybe my followers?

Ugh. Just answer the question, what did you make for dinner last night?
Nothing. We went out to a restaurant.

Wait. Let me guess. You were trying to be funny and amused yourself, right?
*giggle* Yeah. I really do crack myself up.

.:::.

Thoughts About Sandwiches

~ Lenore Diane ~ 1 Comment

Have you ever tried a grilled cheese and apple sandwich? I had my first taste of one at my friends German restaurant. Yummy. You make it like you would a traditional grilled cheese, only you add thin slices of granny smith apples. Try it; you’ll like it.

Kids typically want the crusts cut off their sandwiches. However, I have found if I make my boys’ sandwiches a certain way, they will eat all of it, including the crust. The trick? Spread the peanut butter and jelly to the point that it oozes off the sides. And, use enough peanut butter and jelly so it will ooze even more when you put the slices of bread together. Try it; they’ll like it.

Do you like cinnamon? Do you like honey? Do you like peanut butter? Well, if you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, you must try the ‘cinnamon/honey/peanut butter’ combo sandwich. Spread peanut butter on one slice of bread, and spread honey on the other slice of bread. Then, before putting the slices together, sprinkle cinnamon on either the peanut butter or honey slice. Put the slices together and enjoy! Try it; you’ll like it.

Another combo to try brings together jelly, peanut butter and marshmallow creme. Of course, I share this with you, assuming you’ve had both a peanut butter & jelly sandwich and a peanut butter and marshmallow creme (fluff) sandwich. If you haven’t tried a fluffernutter, please do so now. Go ahead. I’ll wait.

So, once you have enjoyed the traditional PB&J, and you’ve experienced the Fluffernutter, you are ready to shake things up a bit. On one slice of bread, spread out a good amount of peanut butter. On the second slice of bread, spread out a good amount of marshmallow creme. Finally, on the peanut butter slice, spread a good amount of jelly. Place the two slices together and enjoy! One of my sisters made this sandwich for me when I was a kid. She’ll make it for me, to this day, provided she is in town and the ingredients are available. Go ahead. Try it; you’ll like it.

It’s summertime, which creates all sorts of sandwich cravings. During the summer, I find I crave two specific sandwiches more than others. I’m not a huge fan of meat, though I’m not against the consumption of meat or other animal products. I prefer getting my protein through soy-based products, nuts and beans. Still, sometimes I find it hard to refuse freshly made bacon, grilled to a crisp, which creates the craving for a freshly made bacon, lettuce and tomato (BLT) sandwich. Mmm… And, in addition to my love for summertime BLTs, I crave freshly made gyros with [*sigh* processed] lamb. Mmm… tzatizki sauce.

I had hoped to post this earlier in the day, alas I had to break for lunch. I was hankering for a sandwich. Yum! What’s your favorite sandwich?