Where have I been?

Did you even notice I was gone?  I noticed.  With the A to Z Challenge forcing me to log on to my blog every day for an entire month, I have felt lost without it.  But I promised myself while I was on vacation that I wasn't going to touch a computer ... and I didn't.  It was totally worth it!

I was in NC all last week visiting family, and meeting my new granddaughter!  Yes, that's right ... I'm a grandma!  Zoey Marie was born on Tuesday, May 1st at 11:05 pm and weighed 8 lb 1 oz.  The stubborn little thing made us wait all day, but it was so worth it.  She is so adorable.  I am so proud of Lizz (and Tyler too) who did a wonderful job delivering.  They are going to be super parents!

So, now that I'm back home (and missing my baby, and his baby like crazy), I can't wait to get back to blogging and catching up on my fellow A to Zer's.  Hope everyone has had a wonderful first week of May!

TTFN ... Cat

Naughty "N"

1. North Carolina - vacation baby ... will be there in about 2 weeks!!  Yay!
2. Neat and Organized Spaces
3. Neck Massages
4. New Hair-do
5. "Nuts and Bolts" - what we used to call homemade Chex mix.  My mom made this around Christmas time, and now I make it twice a year.  Homemade is so much better than store bought!
6. NFL games
7. Nana Presents - we called my maternal grandma Nana when she became a great-grandma.  She was a very crafty lady, and it was always a thrill to receive something that she had made.  For a while, everyone was getting handmade ornaments at Christmas.  Here are some of mine.

Have you received any presents that you cherished more than any other?

TTFN ... Cat

Dr. Seuss Quilt

My son, Tyler, and his girlfriend decided on Dr. Seuss as the theme of the baby's room.  They wanted something "gender neutral" which I think is a great idea, even though they found out they are having a girl.  My son is definitely not the pink type anyway.  Their baby shower was this past weekend, so I thought I would share the quilt my mom made.  The center of each block is a Dr. Seuss character and the border is the names of the most popular Dr. Seuss books.  Isn't this quilt fun?!!

I did have the same idea, but I knew I wouldn't get it done in time ... piecing I like to do but I'm very slow at the quilting and binding part.  I tend to be too picky about my stitching and tear out more than I put in.  Anyway, I knew mom would do a great job!

Have a happy Monday!

TTFN ... Cat

OMG ... I'm Gonna Be a Grandma!

Back in August I get a phone call from my son.  "Mom, are you sitting down?"  Now what mother won't freak out with a beginning like that!?  And to top it off I knew exactly what he was going to say.  They had just taken the home test and he called me instantly.  I was in shock ... I mean, I had Ty when I was 19, and I spent most of his life telling him that he doesn't want to do what I did.  My son is amazing, and has always been the best thing in my life, but it was very hard accomplishing all that I did having him so young.  I wanted him to have a better life, be secure, before he started a family.  Oh well ... looks like I'm gonna be a grandma sooner than I thought!

Well, Ty convinced me that he and Lizz are really happy about this ... and the shock eventually wore off.  In December they found out they are having a girl!  Now I'm excited!!  I'll be in NC in a couple weeks and get to go to the 3D ultrasound!  I'm really excited!!!

I haven't been shopping yet ... I want to wait to see what they need when the baby gets here.  They are due the end of April.  I can't wait!!!!

TTFN ... Cat

Mrs. Slowikowski I Am

Gordon and I grew up in the same town, went to the same school, and thought it fitting to get married at the beach where we spent many summer days as kids.  Even though we had "a thing" for each other in high school, we never dated back then.  We were friends, and even went to prom together, with our respective dates!  It is amazing that we found each other 20 years later, and fell completely in love.

Saturday, July 9th, 2011, was truly a blessed day.  The weather was perfect; sunny skies and not too hot.  There is a brand new gazebo that provided just enough shade for the ceremony, and lots of other little areas that the photographers took great advantage of.   Yes, I said photographers!  Josh and Zack did an amazing job ... I saw the pictures already!  I can't wait to get them back and do some scrapbooking.  All of the pics in this post were taken by my mom as she followed us and the photographer around.  

After the ceremony and all the pics, we all headed to G's parents house.  They made enough food for an army ... ox roast, pasta salad, fried chicken, fresh fruit and veges ... YUMMMMM! And to top it off, a few hours later we were by a fire cooking hotdogs and munching chips.  

I am so thankful that:

• Mom, Ty, and Lizz got to come and spend time with us
• the weather was perfect for our day
• the whole experience was completely stress free
• I have a new family that I adore

But mostly, I am thankful that I was lucky enough to marry my best friend, the one who makes me smile!