At Considerable Cost

This was meant to be last week's Tuesday folder, but blogging has taken its place behind our family activities.   Time to catch up a little! Shoes, Shoes, Shoes We did some serious shoe shopping two weeks ago.   It's the first time we've had to buy multiple pairs of shoes for several children.   In the past, we've had shoes handed down or shoes bought on clearance the year before and put away until they fit.   They were all very happy with their shoes.   For each of the girls, I gave in on one pair of cute, non-sensible shoes.   E has not worn hers yet, so no pictures, but C wore her to RE (Religious Education) and mass.   I think she's still in shock that we bought them. Her new dress that she calls her "Annie" dress--such a sweet, classic little-girl dress! Since we don't have any living grandparents, I feel like I have to buy some of the frivolous things grandparents today often buy.  ...

It has been a while since my last Tuesday Folder post.   Like everyone, we have been busy the past several months.  T.-One-Shoe is Two Say that five times fast!   T. turned two on New Year's Eve.   Like his sisters, he had a quiet family celebration for his second birthday.   We were going out of town, so I had to pick up Toy Story cupcakes.   He was so excited and he really enjoyed the icing.   That's my boy!    He's like his daddy in that his birthdays have been clouded by death and illness of family members, but it was still a celebration of the gift he is to us. Special Aunts and Uncles In December, we went to Uncle Bob's memorial service.   Uncle Bob is the husband of my mom's older sister, Betty.   He was such a kind, generous man.   He and Aunt Betty were a great support to us after my mother passed away and my dad's dementia worsened.   ...

"WHO TOUCHED MY MEAT MALLET?" No longer will that question be uttered in our house.   I am typing this post on my NEW LAPTOP!!!   Let me introduce you to my last, rather cherished connection to the outside world: My power cord was frayed and would no longer stay plugged in unless pressure was applied.   For the past few months, I managed to prop it up, finally using a prop from beneath with weight applied from above.   In the photo, a Tide pen, a meat mallet, and an antique candle holder serve to make the connection!  There were other problems, too, that added up to the cost of a new one.    I can be a little frugal and I put it off as long as I could, but I am delighted with my new computer.    We bought it today and I'm up late playing with it while my little ones sleep. WE HAVE A BIKE RIDER! E wanted her training wheels removed and she began to ride on her own by the second day.   She went s...

Our house does not look as if it came directly from a showroom floor.   It is filled with an eclectic mix of items, most of which have a story behind them.   When I was growing up, people would come to our house and my mom would give them a tour.   Daddy joked and called it the "Nickel Tour," because he said Mama would point to something and say, "You see that?   I got it for a nickel; they wanted a quarter for it, but I got them down to a nickel!"   I love to walk through my house and remember special people as I look upon its furnishings.   Periodically, I'll share a few on this blog. My Own Magical Wardrobe         This is an antique chifferobe that my mother refinished.   There was an old home place next to our farm, with a crumbling house.   One day, as the owners made ready to demolish its remains, they called over to Mama and told her that she could have...