Ellie Loves It!...

Ellie's mama shot a video of her opening her gift today, so you know I just had to share. She was so tickled! I would have shared the video, but her little sister and brother are bouncing around in the background, so I decided to capture some still images to give you an idea of how she liked it.

Once she (quickly) realized what it was, a huge (missing one front tooth) grin appeared on her face. She immediately put it on as a crossbody, and then inspected it further. She opened the zipper and had to show her mama the paw print lining.

You've got to know that I was grinning from ear to ear the entire time I watched the video...and my glee has lasted for hours since then.

This last photograph is sweet Ellie looking at the camera to thank her Aunt Donna for the gift. I'm grinning all over again as I write this.

Her mama, Brianna, told me that Ellie had a date yesterday evening to go to a ball game with her daddy. She asked her mother if she could take her purse with her, and was told she could. The update after they left was that her mom was going to have to "break her heart" tomorrow to tell her she couldn't take it to school with her. sniffle

In Ellie's card, I told her that I had designed and sewn the purse just for her, and that there isn't another one like it in the world. Her mom told me she was feeling extra special knowing that. I've made gifts for Ethan's family before, and as always, I really enjoy gifting them because all of them appreciate the time and effort that went into their creation.

I told Brianna that I know their second child loves kitties. I'm already working on that design in my head, and will make that purse soon, so the next gift won't be late...I mean...extended.

What A Weekend...

I was a busy beaver on Saturday. I started my bread dough so that I could get the loaves made before the heat wave that began on Sunday. Then, I progressed to my concurrent project...

...canning a batch of pears. Approximately twelve pounds yielded these beautiful seven pints. Andy and Shelly's tree was extremely prolific this year, being so full of pears that it threatened to break branches. I know my limits, so when offered, I took what I knew I could can in one session.

Neighbors and family came to harvest much of it, but I also picked another two boxes for my niece, Stephanie and her daughter-in-law (who wants to learn how to can from her MIL). I planned to take them to great-nephew, Ethan's daughter's Birthday party yesterday but fate had other plans. I did manage to hand the boxes off to our nephew, Dan who would make sure they got to his Ethan's wife (the DIL). Stephanie and E's wife will take it from there.

So, you wondering what "fate" was up to? It was kind of scary...

After baking and canning, dinner got a late start on Saturday. I decided to do burgers on the grill, as I'd just finished baking rolls along with the bread. I went outside to put them on the grill and then came back into the house.

Handsome was having a cognitive episode similar to the one he had mid-August that necessitated his brain surgery. After a very few minutes of assessment, I grabbed my wallet, Handsome's hand, and we drove back to Sheboygan Hospital's emergency facility.

Again, they immediately got him situated in a room and did their evaluation. He seemed to have resolved, but they did a CAT scan anyway. Results: Nothing abnormal that they could see. Even so, they wanted to continue monitoring him, given his medical history. The doctor said to call him back into the room should anything change.

We were just talking together and Handsome seemed fine, but suddenly, he was searching for words again. I went into the hall and the nurse called the doctor back into our room. He started asking Handsome questions, and the words came out all jumbled. He was having trouble complying with requests like "raise your legs", and can you say "no way, no how". He was definitely having a problem. The doctor ordered another CAT scan, but this time with contrast. Results: Still nothing jumped out at them.

The doctor decided that Handsome should stay under observation overnight, so he was admitted into the hospital. He'd be seen by a neurologist Sunday morning, so I kissed my heartbeat goodnight and drove home. I arrived back at Hickory Hill after midnight.

I went back to the hospital Sunday morning to find the neurologist ordered an MRI, and the results were already back. He has another brain bleed, and Saturday night he was having a series of TIAs - mini strokes - which had caused his alarming behavior.

By 6:30 pm, he was being transported by ambulance back down to Milwaukee to St. Luke's Hospital. The Head of Neurology is his doctor and will be performing another surgery for Handsome this week. They'll decide when he's going to have said surgery this morning, so I won't know when I have to go back to Milwaukee until I get word. I'll go down for the surgery (of course) and our younger son has offered to come up to get me, and then drive me to the hospital as he's well-aware of my disdain for the drive. Other than surgery day, both sons will visit Handsome in Milwaukee in my stead. We'll likely all be there together for his operation.

So, it's no surprise I didn't make it to the party, and I never got the chance to finish my great-great niece's gift. It's something I've designed myself. I'll show you my design tomorrow, and hope to sew more on it today, barring an immediate surgical procedure. I'll mail it when it's done. Don't all five year olds love getting mail?

I think you can already guess my fervent request. If you're so moved, I'd deeply appreciate prayers for my beloved. My faith is holding me together right now. I know every prayer is heard, and I'll continue to update you on his progress. Here we go again...

The Newlyweds...

Saturday was so wonderful. Handsome and I were invited to witness my great-nephew, Ethan marry his sweetheart, Brianna. They've been together long enough to have three beautiful children together and recently purchased their first home. I know. I'm old-fashioned, but I've been pulling for these kids for a long time! Ethan is my sister, Diana's grandson. His mom is my niece, Stephanie.

I'm so proud of the young man he's become, and I told him so shortly before I took this photograph of them in their receiving line after the ceremony. These smiles were just for me, and I'm honored to share them with you. I have a few more to share, too...

The officiant moved out of position as he pronounced them man and wife, so the photographers could capture their first kiss as newlyweds. By the way, isn't her gown beautiful, and doesn't he look handsome?

 

 

Their first kiss. 

 

I want you to notice the next two photos in particular. If you look at Brianna's waist, you'll see that's where she pinned her "Something Blue" brooch I created for her. She made a point of showing me she had it on when we spoke in the receiving line.

 

Ethan smiled for my picture here. They had two professional photographers, so I know there will be many more much better pictures than these, but these smiles of Ethan's were for me, and they'll forever be special.

 

I've written about time spent with him in the past on my blog. If you want to see pictures of him growing up, just go to the "Search this blog" area over there in my sidebar -----> and type in "Ethan" to see how he's grown into this handsome husband and dad. You may get an understanding of how much he means to me.

 

I wasn't at their gift opening Sunday afternoon (they didn't have a big get-together. Just his and her immediate family), but I'm sure I'll hear from them when they open their gift from us.

Their family and friends were so happy to witness these two as they begin a long, happy life together. I can't wait to see where the future takes them. All I'm sure of is that they'll be together.

A New Family Member...

On New Year's Day we welcomed 8 pounds 10 ounces of beautiful baby boy to our family. My great-nephew, Ethan and his fiance', Brianna went to the hospital early in the morning, and by mid-day, Baby Emmett was in his mama's arms. 

"Babies are God's way of saying that life should go on." - Carl Sandburg

Welcome to the World, Emmett!

Congratulations to Ethan & Brianna.

Counting My Blessings...

Aunt Donna with Great Nephew Ethan 2001

This photograph was taken of my great-nephew with me in 2002 or 2003, shortly before Handsome and I sold our Wisconsin home to move to Florida full time. I have another photo from the same day of Ethan, his cousin Julian and our grandson, all being cuddled by me the same day. All three boys were born the same year.

Another Favorite - circa 2010

Almost every trip back to Wisconsin I've managed to spend some time with my niece (Ethan's mom), and Ethan. He's a wonderfully sweet and intelligent boy, and I cherish the time I spend with him.

When his mom was little, I spent time with her, too. Just last evening she was enumerating some of the memories she has of times we did things together. It warmed my heart. Now, I'm sharing time with her son and it's a blessing, indeed.

Ethan - October 27, 2017

 

This past weekend, Ethan came to stay overnight with me at the farm. He helped me with a few chores that I needed another pair of hands to accomplish, but we mostly caught up on his life and how school's going (very well, thank you). 

 

He also asked about a few things in my studio, and he showed interest in having one of the key fobs I made. Rather than just give it to him, I asked if he'd like to know how to make one. He was more than enthused about the idea, so we chose the materials together, I explained how Destiny works, and he sat down and sewed his chosen ribbon to the webbing. When that was finished, he added the hardware (under my guidance), and in no time at all, he had his finished key fob. He was pretty proud of himself, and happy with his creation.

On Sunday, my sister showed up with her family. Two of the boys from that old photo were together at our home (Ethan and Julian), and it made me with our grandson had been here, too. My goal now is to get all three boys together again so we can recreate that image with their auntie/grandma. I'll have to work on that.

 

Handsome called me after dinnertime last night to let me know he arrived at his Florida destination safely. We've kept in contact the entire trip, but it's always great to know the cross country drive has been safely accomplished (Thank you, Lord). He starts rehearsals right away tomorrow morning. Fun times. 

This week, I'll be back in the studio; doing a little painting (more on that later); and catching up on some homekeeping and book work. First, I'm going to count my blessings.