Nan's House

On the way back from Colorado, we were able to stay at Nan's house for a night. It was a fun time -- though we got lost on our way there in the dark. Nan is always so fun, she is always ready to play games, have fun, and feed you til you burst. :-) She is a spectacular woman. She always remembers birthdays/holidays and sends homemade cards. Even though her hands are often in great pain, she says, "You have to keep em movin, or else they will stop!" One thing she does to "keep em movin" is crocheting bandages that she sends to people living in leprosy colonies. They hardly look like bandages, they are so beautiful. She makes so many beautiful things and she is such a talented women. Nan is the mother of eight -- each one of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren adore her. She is always happy, even though she is often feeling pain. She has the ability to display happiness that radiates from her very being. I LOVE to be around her and be the recipient of her sunshine. I was explaining to my children that if it was not for Nan -- none of us would be here. I told them (in front of Nan) how great she was for being the mother of my mother. I am so grateful for an example of strength, kindness, happiness, and most of all love. She is the most loving person I have ever met. I just LOVE my Nan! A view from her home in Midway
There was so much snow this year, that caused so much damage! Roofs collapsed and water flooded. She had quite the mess in her home.

My mother's hand was missing in this picture - we will have to get that picture next time. ;-)

I woke up in the morning at Nan's house to a small piercing chirping sound. I look around for a moment to find a mouse slowly walking around the floor. It was not moving very quickly, so Charles was happy to catch it.
By the end of the day we found four mice, and the nest they came from, which was under a cabinet. Nan was so grateful to have us there at the time to catch the mice. It was so icky to see them on the floor, slowly moving about. They were just babies, their eyes were not even open. Nan said she thinks she caught the mom the other day. We think the babies came out in search of food. Apparently, the area is infested with mice that have been burrowing underneath the deep snow and ruining the lawns. It was really too bad how much damage was done this winter! We were all pretty icked-out by the mice! Poor Nan!



The kids had so much fun playing games with Nan. She always made sure they were well praised for their efforts.

Sammi loved being with Nan. She was often found cuddling next to her -- it made me so happy to see her loving her Nanny like I do.
Even William warmed up to Nan and started flirting with her.

Daniel was having fun playing in the snow
Daniel loved his Nan. She let him do things in her home like fling silly screaming monkeys, and fly little spinning wheels in the air. When I told Daniel not to do those kind of things in the house, Nan gave me a look like, "Are you kidding me?" I then said, "Nan is the boss in her home -- listen to Nan!" Only fun is allowed in her home. The word "no" is only used if there is eminent danger.
Another horrible thing that happened from the snow run-0ff was mold. Charles pulled out the air mattress from a closet, as he was pumping it up to sleep on, he discovered it was covered in green and black mold. As he went back to look in the closet he discovered it was covered in nasty mold. Charles spent Saturday morning cutting out drywall in Nan's closet. She was so grateful, and we were just worried for her health; mold can be very dangerous stuff. We got rid of some things damaged by the mold, but most things were okay (including your winter clothes in the plastic buckets Mom and Dad.) Hopefully her place can be cleaned up soon. I guess so many of the homes up there had the same thing happen, and the insurance companies are going crazy. We literally ripped apart her place and put it back together before we left. Hopefully, it helped, at least a little. We just worry for her, but we know she is well taken care of.

The whole family slept on the futon together. :-)

Sammi LOVED to see all of Nan's dolls. Nan got a little twinkle in her eye and went over to her collection. She picked out a little doll for Sammi and sweetly gave it to her. Sammi was so amazed, and happy. Of course, Nan had cars for Daniel and William too. :-)
Here is the kitchen table where Nan made sure we were not hungry. She does not want anyone half-empty -- only half-full (more like stuffed to the max!)