Empty Nest

Here I am..

I've taken off today. I've had the damn flu or a cold for two darned weeks and I'm pretty sick of it.  Actually, I just wanted a day off but understand this.  I still feel like crap.  Its pouring outside right now but you know, I can tell Spring is coming.  That is so wonderful. 
My kids dad is home from the hospital. Zoot was up here Wednesday to help him get settled at home and she's on the way back tonight. 
Maxi is becoming quite fond of AndyZ.  Here's a picture Zoot took and its on her site.  I borrowed it to put it on mine.  The night this happened I was so thrilled when Zoot walked in and took it.

More pictures

DaddyZ, NikkiZ, and AndyZ



"BE CAREFUL DADDY"

OMG Isn't he a beauty

Isn't he a beauty? Takes after his Mom!!

TODAY!!!

Today is it folks.  My daughter has a C Section set for noon today.  I will be nothing but pins and needles until I hear from her.  God knows when that will be. I'll post something when I hear but in the mean time. A prayer here and there sure would be nice.
I love you Zoot....

Reason to smile..

I love this kid!!! I can not wait to see him again.

Right now, my only grandson...

ANOTHER GIFT

Zoot sent me a bird feeder for Christmas.  I promised her I'd take a picture of a bird using it.  There are many on Flickr but this one is my favorite!!

WHAT YOU LOOKIN' AT WILLIS?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIL

Happy Birthday MrZ.   I know you weren't really looking forward to this birthday but they get easier.  I promise..   Have a wonderful day and year!!  You are the best sil anyone could have..

Daughter and Granddaughter

NikkiZ

Here's a picture of Nikki and Zoot ..Nikki has her "happy face" on, drinking out of her Spiderman sippy cup (a present from Grammy), eating goldfish and just being cute....What a weekend we had.

Home...happy/sad

I made it home, did some shopping and now I'm on the couch.  For the record I had the best visit with the Zoots than I've had in a long time.  I know we were busy and went all over the place but it was so much fun.  I got to spend such great time with my daughter, which is something we haven't been able to do in a while.  And, I got to spend time with my grandchildren.  Lots of time with just us and we such a wonderful time.  Nikki is, of course , a doll.  The very first thing she said that I tried to teach her?  Maxi... Clear as a bell.  Only problem with that is every time she said Maxi, he came to play with her.  That was NOT what she had in mind.  I mean, Maxi then made 4 dogs and if one played with her ALL played with her.. 
Maxi is currently passed out on the couch.  I just ate something and I'm probably going to join him.   
You know, a visit that is as wonderful as this one was, can completely change you're daily outlook and just plain make the days better.  I'll post pictures when I can stay awake long enough to do that........Later folks and Happy Memorial Day to you...

What a time!!!

Here I am and am so enjoying my visit.  We've been busy but I've actually had a great time visiting with my daughter which is something we don't usually get to to with any amount of time.  I babysat Friday night, some last night.  We went to a cookout yesterday also and it was so nice.  I got to re-meet some of MrZ's family that I had met at the wedding but had forgotton them .  It was great and I just wanted to touch base. I'm taking pictures, we're going downtown today and back to Mrz's family for dinner.  I'll post pictures etc when I get a chance. Everyone have a safe great Holiday weekend...

Happy Saturday!!

Here I am in Huntsville with my daughter sitting on one side of the table "computing" and me on the other side with the baby eating oatmeal.  Let me just tell you LIFE IS SOOO good right now.   I would post pictures but they're on the camera which is in the bedroom with LilZ.  After I woke up we gave him his bedroom back and I forgot to get it out so.....later on them.  I did try to send some 'phone" pictures but of course typepad won't post them for some darned reason.  From now on any phone pics I send I'll send to Flicker.  They'll be public anyway...I baby sat last night and let me tell you how much fun we had.  That baby, as in my beautiful granddaughter hast the most wonderful laugh. She and I giggled laughed and cuddled all night. LilZ and I watched two movies too.  One is his favorite.."Final Destination 2".  mmmmm Just not one of mine.  I hadn't seen it but his (LilZ) opinion of "not to gory" and my opinion of "not to gory" aren't even on the same plane of thought.  Holy Shit there's guts and gore everywhere and we had to stop it etc on and off so the guts and gore were dragged out over about 6 hours!!!  It's LilZ's favorite movie or one of them....Not so much mine but I did like spending time whit him as well.  He's such a special kid and last night  was such a special night.

Oh yeah, and teaching babies words...HAH.   Did she say "Grammy (me)  Nopey.  And I've said Grammy and pointed to myself a million times.  BUT.  I said "Maxi" as in my dog......she nailed it!!! Of course Maxi thinks that if she says his name that she wants him to play with her.....She doesn't .  No dogs please so Maxi doesn't understand....mmm

Have a wonderful day folks.  I hope its as nice where you are as it is here....

My Baby

Hey guys...She did it.....She absolutely did it and I was there at the finish line to see her.  My sweet sil drove me down there and it wasn't crowded at all.  I was crying like a two year old and proud as a peacock that I was her mom and I was there....I'll let you get the details etc from her, after all it is her achievement but I know her xzhibit and his fiance joined her around mile 19 and came nearly to the finish line with her.  They dropped off and Lilz joined up and here's the picture (one of many) I managed to get

How 'bout that!!!  My baby and her baby!!!!

Here's the plan....

I just talked to Zoot and she and I are both rather disappointed.  She's in Nashville, and going to race.  All of that is very good but NikiZ is still sick so she and here\ daddy are still at home and won't be coming to Nashville. Zoot is  just a bit upset but she's also  terrified or  something like that about the race.  Her Dad and her brother and future sister in law are there and she was expecting them at any minute this morning so she won't be alone.  She also has LilZ with her and that's a good thing. 
So I'm asking this of all of you.  Give her a good wish today please.  She doesn't expect to win but she sure as heck wants to finish.  I'm leaving here in about an hour and I'll try to get to the finish line when she does if I can.  She said where she was and near the race is pretty awful so she wouldn't mind if I didn't come.  BUT.  That is not the reason I'm going.....to not be there so I'm going to give it my best.
Miss Zoot is my first baby.  I love her so very much and admire her more than I even dare try to say.  What she has done to get ready for this............there just isn't a way to explain how that makes me feel.  YOU GO GIRL....Please go say hi to her and wish her well, ok

My Zoot......

10 Days...just 10   God I'm so proud of her..

Happy Anniversary

Today is your anniversary.  My wonderful daughter and great SIL.  Three years today..How in credible is that.  I've never met a couple that I knew was totally meant to be together. Not until I met you..  I could go on and on but I don't do that well.  You let me stay with you when I was sick.  You let me recover in your house while Xzhibit helped.  It was such a special family time and I'm not sure there are too many couples who could have put up with that.  I love you guys so very much and hope you have a great anniversary...

My Socks

Just in case you didn't know...My daughter "rocks my socks"  every single day.  I know she thinks she should be doing this and that and whatever but......she just amazes me every single day......She ran 7.5 miles today.  Geeze where did these children come from...???

FYI--Miss Zoot

I talked to her earlier and she said she thought her site had been hacked. wacked or something.  I just checked and it won't come up so she must still be having an issue. Just in case you tried her and looked here.   I do know this, she's not very happy....

Here you go...She's cheering a UT football game I would think..Look at the pigtails!!!

My Baby

So.. I call her this morning to ask what size of onsie should I get Nikki.   Did she want a big one or the right size...so she told me 12 mos and said they were sick. I hate to hear it when she's sick.  So anyway, I get the onsie etc finish some shopping and go to the Food City right before I get home.  My cell rings and this voice, which sounds just like Zoots, tells me she's call from Target and then I couldn't understand her.  So I'm thinkin Zoot's playing with me.  You know teasing so I'm just about to come out with something just plain unmotherly when something the voice said made me stop.  What she said was "I found this phone and I"m calling from Target".......OMG.   My poor little girl is sick today and I know she's really sick when she leaves her phone at Target.  So I called her at home and I don't think she liked being told that.  I wish I lived there so I could help when she doesn't feel good.   My baby...........
They just called and Maxi is ready at the groomers.  I must go get the little bald dude....This is very good because I keep talking to him..........

A little hint

MAXI, I DON'T THINK I LOVE YOU SO MUCH TODAY....


MOM...THEY DON'T LOVE ME LIKE YOU DO....I JUST WANT TO LICK HER TO DEATH....THAT'S ALL!!!

She's there...

Well, I just heard from Zoot and they were in Walmart there at their vacation place.  Can you imagine...Zoot...Walmart..........OMG...
She said the house was absolutely beautiful, they don't have cell phone ability there but she's sure they'll have internet.  I was glad to hear from them, and glad to know they're safe and sound and setting up for a great time..
Oh yeah, Walmart............so MrZ could get a fishing license.  I guess Target doesn't sell them..........

HAVE FUN ZOOTS............

Just a little philosphy..or not

Look at him then...my sweet baby grandson

And look at him now...

I don't think I could be any more proud of this wonderful kid....I wish I could see him more often.......
That's all folks...Just a little love around here.

Ya Know.......

I love that girl.  My sweet Zoot.  I was having a rather dull day, it was kinda dragging and the office phone rang...It was my loverly little girl.  Now you know she writes so much better than I do...She gave me the biggest laugh, although I did tone it down a bit..and I just read her post on her afternoon.  You must go read it...Poor Miss Zoot...   What do you tell your daughter when she calls with a story like that....enjoy!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIL Z !!!!!

UPDATE

UPDATE HUNTSVILLE AL   Miss Zoot is sick.  She's had the crud since last Thursday or Friday.  She did say tonight she may be on the "get well" route but I thought I'd post it since she hasn't in forever.  She isn't dead, just feels like it..
I'm watching a  show "In Justice"  It looks like it might be pretty good...I'll let you know for sure...........toodles

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU...

Today is Mrz's birthday..  If you want to wish him the bestest b'day you'll have to do it through Miss Zoot.  To the best of my knowledge he doesn't have a blog...

I'm not real emotional etc but let me just tell you this...My daughter married the best person in the world.  At least in my opinion she did.  He and I get along just fine.  We both totally enjoy sports even thought our college teams are rivals.  We just avoid that subject, knowing full well what the other one is thinking...He is so good to his family, and he's just great to my daughter.  He's the perfect partner for my Zoot, and I don't "mother type worry" about any of them knowing he's a member of that family.  I thank God every day that he and Zoot met, actually love and more importantly like each other and that they got married and are so happy together...Happy Birthday SIL.....I really do love you a lot...........

It fixed or so they say....

Here it is....Isn't he beautiful....I found a bunch of ones of LilZ to add to the katrillion I have of him.............but I fell in love with this and decided to share it with you....

Happy Day after....

   Good Morning everyone..........Miss Zoot is up and running but she isn't so I thought I'd post a few pics until she gets up etc...Obviously, this one is Nikki gathering strength for Halloween...She's learning early, isn't she...

Anderson Cooper 360 is NOT on CNN at 7 pm any more.  I found this article last night but I stayed up until 10 and it was Paula Zahn.....No I didn't watch CNN at 8 to see if Paula was on.  I don't like her a bit and as you can see this article doesn't mention her show........I would be a bit ticked off if they put Anderson on in the 8 pm time slot.  I'll never see him if he goes there...Monday and Friday and that's it..also, I like "Countdown" on MSNBC..If I'm going to watch news at 8 I watch that...DAMMIT...He was fine at 7..I got to see him every day....oh yeah, in place of Anderson they had Wolf Blitz (sp) person....He's probably a very nice man but it's so sad to see that he lost his personality when he was a little kid, and never, ever found it again...Poor Wolf...

<====== Nice costume huh?  Miss Zoot won't let me post her pics.  She says she's big...........WHAT?!?.....Oh well, her arms are the best you're getting..She looks good but uncomfortable....Damn staples..I obey, lest she get angry and then just won't send me any more pics...   

<=====Peeking out from under the hat....What a hoot....Ok, I'm going to try to get ready for work.  I'm having back issues and don't know how to fix it...I'm rather slow............Happy Day After Halloween everyone...

<======

Halloween night

I talked to Zoot tonight.. They made a unexpected discovery tonight.  They live in a really really busy trick or treat neighborhood.  She said in one hour they were out of candy and they had 10 lbs...on the other hand me and my two bags are still sitting here so I'll get all the candy I want...ehehh..No , I don't need it but I'll enjoy it!!!

Hey, I'm in charge of composing recipes for a Cookbook that we'll sell to raise money for some familes with the Sexual Assault Crisis Center.  We do it every year and all of the money is used to buy these families "Christmas".  If you have some recipes, please feel free to send them to me...My email is there on the left sidebar but just in case its  emptynestatgmaildotcom.  I sure would appreciate any help you can all give me....thanks in advance...

Well, have a nice evening everyone..I'm going to bed, I'm sleepy..but of course here are a few pictures.  I didn't find any new ones but she did say everything is going fine there just hasn't been a defined schedule developed yet.  (defined schedule was my term not hers)...Nikkiz will determine that when she damn well decides and not before....yep...  If you've seen these then good....We get to see them again....See ya in the morning...

      ( ya gotta love the look on Dad's face)..

and if you had any doubt about the picture above....none here..Nikki will be so loved and so spoiled...eheheheheh

Sorry folks but this may be the picture I love most...I know I've posted it before but...........my perogative as the mom and grammy....get used to it 

 

I'm trying to help

Ok..Zoot's down again.  I can't say I blame her if she doesn't want to pay to upgrade for one day. She should be fine Tuesday...After all with job issues and a new baby well....So...just in case you all need a shot of baby juice...here we go.......

     Here you go..I've drooled over them all afternoon...Can you see just how much MrZ adores this baby?  mmm...I love daddy's like that...Not to mention her big brother...and in the third picture I do believe he's teaching her football so she'll have something in common with Grammy...eheheheh

Night everyone

 

 

One for goodnight

"Look at me..my Daddy and my Big Brother,,,,Life is good"

MISS ZOOT..

I just hung up with Miss Zoot.  She's working on increasing her bandwidth right now and it should be up and working soon.  I told her I'd pass it on to anyone wondering.   She's doing ok but sounds tired.  She wont be home until Saturday afternoon.  She's working on more photo's too.  Trying to get some for LilZ and MrZ's sister to actually take with them....That's the latest bulletin but she will work on the bandwidth.....

Ladies and Gentlemen....

Let me introduce you to Miss NikkiZ....the most beautiful baby born this morning at 8:47AM to Miss Zoot and MrZ. Isn't she absolutely wonderful....This Grammy is so happy and so in love with this baby. I can't wait to go see her... Hopefully more pics tomorrow...

Miss Zoot....hehehe

I spoke to her a little while ago.  I don't want anyone to think that they had her on drugs but she told me Nikki was born at 11:47 her time.....That would make it 12:47 my time...............I got the call at 10:00 my time....Bless her heart.  She sounded good but slightly drugged and cute.  She said she nursed Nikki already and I think she said it went good.  Things had slowed down a little so I'm hoping she gets some rest. She also said that she would have me some pictures tonight and that means I will have pics tomorrow.  I told her I wouldn't post any pictures until she did..  Her friend was with her then too.  It's nice to have good friends like that ya know.......and one more thing.    It does a mommy/grammy good to hear that her very first baby is doing very fine after being scared to death....Thanks God.................

SHE'S HERE.....

I just got the call from one of Zoots' friends.  Nikki is 7.3 ounces, 19"long and both are fine.  She had to have an emergency "C" section due to the fact the cord was around her neck but everything is fine now.  Zoot is still in recovery and I'm trying not to demand to see her or speak to her, cause she'll kill me but she is fine according to her friend..  I will send pictures etc as soon as I get any. I usually let her post first but it'll be a while and I know what this waiting is like.......whooooooooooooo

Signed grammy twice

A GRAMMY TO BE....

Well, I did get some sleep.  Tylenol PM helped a bit.  I did talk to Zoot right before I went to bed last night.  They're in a Labor Room.  For a minute there I thought she was in labor but just a few cramps.  She wasn't sure if it was the beginning of labor or not.  You can go to her blog and read her labor journal....It's quite interesting and lets face it...even if she is in labor it's not THAT advanced or she wouldn't be typing...

I don't have anything else to talk about today folks.  My baby is having a baby today!!! What the hell else am I supposed to think about?  I told her I may call this morning but I'm not sure that I should.  Since she was cramping last night /morning she may actually be in labor...She did say that she/they wouldn't answer the phone if she didn't want to. i.e, active labor etc.   God I wish I lived closer.  I'd love to go get LilZ so we could hold each others hands.  I know that MrZ's parents will take care of him etc but it's just something I want to do.  I wish I had thought to get a number I could call him at....Oh well....On to work and waiting and hoping this doesn't take long.....for her sake as well as mine.....Go visit her blog.  She posted entries until 4 am....I'll try to keep this one updated too....see ya later folks...

TOMORROW'S GRAMMY

Pending the interference of mother nature Miss Zoot will be induced tomorrow at 6 AM....She's going in the hospital tonight for some prep work and they'll get started early in the morning..I am about to pop I'm so excited and so very nervous.  Go see her if you want all the of details.  She's posted already and we can all wait patiently tomorrow................Right...sign me up for that!!!

I LOVE MY ZOOTS

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO THE ZOOTS!!!!HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO THE ZOOTS!!

Oh I'm so lucky

So, I'm sitting here at work (keep in mind my job has nothing to do with math, geometry, etc) and my boss says "If I've got the diameter of a pole, how do I find the circumference?"  S*it.  I swore to all of my teachers in high school that I would never ever need Geometry in my life.  Please just pass me and I'll never go near it again. Same with Algebra.  See. I wasn't what you might call "a really good student".  I was kind of well behaved but as far as a "good student".. nopey....Let me put it this way....I wouldn't have this job if I was supposed to know math to do it well.  Why am I lucky you ask?  MY CHILDREN WERE WONDERFUL STUDENTS..........yeppy so I e-mailed My daughter and asked. She answered immediately and two of us had the answer.  One check on the internet and I asked Miss Zoot.  See how good she is?  She had the answer in the same time Google did....Who needs Google anyway.  She helped me with an Excel problem the other day too.  SHUT UP.  They didn't teach computers when I was in HS..Hell, they didn't have them when I was in HS.  As a matter of fact I might have done better in school if they had had computer learning as a course....Go tell my sweet daughter how wonderful she is and how smart she is...because she is and she takes great care of her mom!!!!!

This whole day

Just for starters the work day sucked...If anyone thinks that business is slow?...Not mine.  grrrrrrrr..  I love it when its busy but it sure can wear one out....and for goodness sakes its Tuesday everyone...calm down.

Second, my wonderful grandson is now officially into politics.. I mean, how cool is it that you become the student council rep from your class.  Especially when you are the new student in a new school...WOOOO...we may all be getting to know the next President of the U.S.   He's so darn special.  I love him so much.

Third..................that's all

She's wonderful

Just another reason that not only love, but total respect and admiration are used by me to describe her...

I'm almost there!!!

Actually, I'm still here.  But.......I'm almost completely packed. I'm going to bring the car around and start putting stuff in it..and fix something to eat, do a final clean up so I don't have to come home to a total mess....Run the dishwasher, take out all of the trash...Go to sleep and get up and head out..

I am soooooo excited about going and seeing my wonderful family ..If I wasn't afraid of driving in the dark someplace I've never been I'd go tonight, but early in the morning will be good...

I AM OFFICIALLY ON VACATION AND I AM A DANCING FOOL!!!!!!!!

         

I figured it out....

How to atone for "supposed" offenses as a mother......I'm not a dummy..............

SO FAR.......

SO GOOD...............

I'll let Zoot fill you in on the details.....

ahhhh yes    Life is so good today.............!!!!

Quick Update

Miss Zoot is on her way home from work to rest the rest of this day.  No change since yesterday.  She hasn't had time to check e-mails or post so I'm doing this until she can get to it..  Thanks to all of you for your prayers and good wishes yesterday...you are wonderful friends...............

IT WORKED FOR NOW.....

Well, they are still pregnant!!!!!...  The doctors doesn't seem to know the reason for the bleeding but right now the baby is fine...wiggling and everything....I'll let her explain that on her blog when she gets home...She's supposed to take it easy for a while..

Thanks everyone,,, Today has suddenly taken a turn for the better!!!

PLEASE.....

Say a prayer for the Zoots...........please.  Its not looking good this morning..........Please

Needed a lift...

Woke up thinking it was Friday, after all, didn't we watch Survivor last night?  So, when I realized it wasn't Friday my mood kinda headed to the toilet. As I was thumbing through pictures look what I found and it brought a smile to my face so I decided to share it with you guys.  I know to most of you today is "Friday" but not for me.. Our company is not closed on Good Friday...grrrrrrrrr

A long time ago

Here we have a Mommy you all have come to know and love.....

and my wonderful grandson the year Tennessee finally beat Alabama (it had been 10 yrs).  I was hungover so I cut myself out of the picture.. I was dancing with him...Isn't he cute? 

OMG

We have a heartbeat....If you haven't gone and visited my Zoot yet, go now.  For all of you who know her story, you know what those words mean and what all these tears that I am shedding mean......She still has to be careful and patient for a few more weeks but things are looking really good right now, so if you'll excuse me, I'm going to continue to cry and thank the Lord for that little heartbeat..............