Sunday, November 11, 2007

New Additions

Finally, life has slowed down a bit and I'm able to join the blogging world again. The biggest news is that of my "new" granddaughter, Sierra. She is 6 years old, and , as you can see is a sweet little pixie. I should explain. After a rather long estrangement, my daughter, Adeena, and I have been slowly repairing our relationship. So, last week we decided to finally meet face to face - we've been emailing for most of the year. She is now married to a very nice, hardworking fellow who has custody of his daughter and Adeena wanted me to meet her new family. I had spoken on the phone to Sierra a number of times and sent holiday and birthday cards so we were not completely total strangers.




Needless to say, the visit was wonderful. I had bought little Christmas ornaments and play necklaces and hung them (very low) in the branches of the trees down the paths in the woods. We gave Sierra a little basket and she "found" them as we walked along. Then she and Steve went through a basket of seashells and she choose whatever caught her fancy. She is a very bright and articulate child and speaks easily with adults. Her early childhood was very turbulent, but you would never know. We laughed, talked, played the piano, played little computer games, looked at all the "pretty things" I have in my house, and enjoyed the day. The kids gave me some wonderful, belated birthday presents which I hadn't really expected. Everyone loved the pugs and they basked in all the attention wanting to be on each new person's lap. Adeena has matured greatly and I'm so pleased that we will be able to have a relationship again. Her husband, Tony, is a genuinely nice man who seems devoted to his little family.




Sierra wants to stay overnight at my house and I though another visit would be a good idea just to make sure she feels comfortable about it. Our second visit this weekend was great and Sierra and I are becoming closer and closer. She turned to me one time during the day and said "I'm glad I found you." That does just clutch at your heart!

I also had my piano tuner over to give my piano it's biannual "check up" while my company was here.
The tuner is a rather eccentric character with an Hungarian accent and many stories to tell and always expects a cup of hot tea as he tunes. He's about 64 and has been in this country for about 25 years. His name is Lajos Havas and can even make my poor old piano sound great. Tony was entranced by the tuning process and watched and questioned Mr. Havas for a half a hour. I highly recommend him and his old world charm.

**************************

You would think gaining a new granddaughter, son-in-law and daughter would be more than enough excitement but there is more. Steve went out and bought me a new vehicle while I was on my mini vacation! Here it is:

It's a 2007 Chevy Trailblazer.

I had a raspberry colored Blazer that was 12 years old, so it was time for something new. The Blazer still ran really well and everything (including the four wheel drive ) worked fine. I guess it needed a break job and a tune up, but all in all, was very drivable. This is a funny story. I had told my work mates that we were selling it and (truthfully) I thought Steve had said it wasn't worth more than $1,000 so that's the price I told them we wanted. A number of people jumped at the price right away! I said yes to the first one. Later, I told Steve and he said that was "way low,No wonder everybody wanted it!" I have no conception of what cars are worth and I really have no interest in them so it seemed like a lot of money for an "old car" to me.) Neither of us wanted to make a killing on the Blazer and since it was going to a co-worker, we left the price at what I'd agreed upon. I now realize that you can't get much of a used vehicle for $1,000 anymore.

Steve was thrilled with the whole vehicle process. He hates to dicker and bargain and a work mate told us of a place called Educators Auto and Lease (its a credit union). They have newer vehicles that have been company cars or leased and the price on the sticker is "it". The prices are very reasonable. My 2007 Trailblazer had 15,000 miles and cost $19,000. They threw in a $50 gas card and some free gifts. We also got a clear glaze coat, underbody rust coat and scotch guarded seats for $270. Steve said that was a real bargain for those things. And the frosting on the cake: they delivered it to our door!! From Racine, which is about 40 miles away. The company has a group of retired school teachers who are available to deliver vehicles. The whole thing was nearly painless. No one at work could believe that I hadn't driven it when we first got it. We had it for a week until I drove it today!!! (Well, I had lots of things to do.) It is just great and Steve made an excellent choice.


*************************

A few things around the yard:

The last Dahlia and a late blooming Sedum, "October Daphne".


A tiny bouquet I picked for my daughter's visit.
Steve chose a really good spot for the poodle pine tree.

The front entrance today with the box containing the last of my spring bulbs to plant.
Ah, yes. New plush toys for the pugs. Garm has pretty much ruined the others.
**********
As you can see my two weeks have been crammed with excitement. Steve left yesterday for his two week hunting vacation up north so now I can relax and start thinking about the holidays. This will be nice.
***********
The supreme happiness of life is the
conviction that we are loved.
Victor Hugo
***********
Bye for now,
Alyssa

25 comments:

Tossing Pebbles in the Stream said...

Well! Isn't this a wonderful story of family. There may be hope for me and my son yet.

You have a lovely little granddaughter. I have always wished I had had a daughter to raise. It didn't happen. Seems my mission in life was to raise a son from infancy to adulthood as a single father.

kate smudges said...

Wow Alyssa ... I am really pleased to hear that you have gained a granddaughter and that you are reconnecting with your daughter. Your granddaughter is adorable - she must have loved spending time with you.

The pugs look adorable with their new stuffed toys. How long do you think they will last?

I hope you have a good week!

Mary said...

What a great story! It must have been difficult for you missing your daughter and now you have reason to celebrate and have a wonderful holiday season! Your little granddaughter is charming. For her to say, "I'm glad I found you." is very special and says a lot about you!

Congratulations on your new Trailblazer! Wow - what a nice surprise and good deal. Having it delivered to your doorstep is icing on the cake :o)

I just can't believe you didn't drive it for a week! I'm not that patient.

Mary said...

Forgot to mention the sweeties and their toys. My dogs destroy fabric toys. HA!

Glad to see I'm not the only dog owner that keeps the furniture covered in blankets or sheets.

DeeMom said...

Sierra is adorable Alyssa

Neat a jewelry etc hunt, what most women like, no matter the age ;)
She said, "I'm glad I found you." OH WOW

I have found most piano turner have a different path, but a good one. The one I had for years was blind he was amazing!

NEW CAR WOW again, how Kewl…talk about FROSTING good deal sounds like
You said Steve made an excellent choice, seems he did when he married you as well.

Neat on the pine, tomorrow I will blog what appeared in our yard today. A most unexpected surprise.


Toys for the Pugs but of course.
Hunting for Deer? Elk? Moose?

Tom said...

A truley nice story that tug at my heart strings..
Everyone seems to have covered all the bases so I'll just wish you all the luck for the future.

Alyssa said...

Tossing - I think you raising your son is a great mission. And it sounds like you did a wonderful job.

Kate - Yes, I feel very good about the changes in my life. It sure was an emotional couple of weeks. The pug toys will probably last a couple of weeks at most!!

Mary - This should be a fun Christmas - I'm really looking forward to it. Sierra is a little sweetheart and it's impossible to not love her. I know you think Blazers are "boring" as I remember but thank you. It's a neat little truck. Garm sheds so bad that we definately have to have a blanket on the couch. Even then the hair goes through the blanket and the couch has to be vacuumed a lot. I'm also glad to hear that you do the same thing we do when it comes to the furry kids.

Dee - Another granddaughter is great and fun. I'm glad I found her too. Thank you for the compliments - I feel pretty lucky all the way around. Oh yes, Steve is hunting the not so elusive whitetail for a couple of weeks. First with the bow, then comes gun season.

Old Wom - Thank you for the good wishes.

Gina said...

alyssa - a new awesome granddaughter AND a new car??? SCORE!! it sounds like you and the the granddaughter really had an instant connection and that is just wonderful.

my mom loves her trailblazer, too.

Alyssa said...

Gina - Yes I think I scored a home run on both of them. Ofcourse Sierra is the best prize.

Pam said...

I am so very happy for you, what a beautiful story. Your granddaughter is charming, your heart must be bursting out of your chest.

Great new wheels!

Alyssa said...

Pam - Yes, I'm very happy and this will be a whole new experience with Sierra for me. I'm used to an almost grown-up granddaughter.
And I'm just lovin' the Trailblazer too.

Kerri Farley said...

Wow! What a wonderful week for you!
Congrats on working things out and gaining a new part of your family!

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