straight and curved lines within a church or house

Header Challenge: Straight and Curved Lines Within a Church or House

December 4, 2012

For now, I am going to try to hang in there with the Headbangers.  I hope I can keep up.  Please see the posts submitted by my cohorts Fishing Guy, Katney, Imac, Sandy and Lew.

hunting for clues - B&W

This is where I go to church.  One evening, some of the kids played a game, where they had to find a note that was taped under a chair.  I liked the idea of geometric framing around the boy's face.

hamster in dollhouse

Chairs are an easy choice for straight and curved lines, don't you think?  Here we have one of our hamsters pretending to be Christopher Churchmouse for us.  I staged this dollhouse pic with my daughter's help.  She was the animal trainer while I used a couple of work lights to make sure it was sufficiently illuminated.

baby, it's cold outside

We haven't had a significant snowfall yet, but this shot was from January.  I like how the snow crystals sparkle.

backyard playground for Rylan

May I assume that lines within a house includes the back yard?  Here is my grandson having a fantastic time with the plastic play sets that we have had forever.  These go back to the days when my wife used to do home day care when we were still living in Chicago.  It was a major chore to scrub and sanitize these pieces, but my grandson is worth every drop of sweat and achy muscle!

The image I selected for my header is a little visitor at church who's curly locks hung down for a series of straight lines.

homeward bound

Nobody expected this would last forever, but it is bittersweet to see them go back home. We look forward to recovering from all of the playing we did, and extra patience we practiced, but they brought so much joy into those few days, that it was all very much worth it.

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I like the transition that happened from extreme shyness at the beginning, to the way Rylan eventually would come running to the door as I returned home from errands. He would reach up for a hug, and then not let go, so that I could hold him for a while. He's bilingual now, as he knows butterfly kisses AND Eskimo kisses. (Maybe he knew that before, but we brushed up on it.)

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I am so glad for this opportunity to spend time with them. It sounds like my daughter son-in-law enjoyed the special week they had together. The strange thing is how one-sided this will be in our memories. I will never forget this week with all the funny faces and baby giggles, but my grandchildren will not remember a thing. I look forward to someday showing them the pictures and telling the stories.

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In the meantime, I'm back at work, and the department is absolutely swamped. (sigh) In a way, that makes me feel special, too. I'm glad they need me. ☺

grandpa quiz

Grandpa quiz

First Question: There are jumbo Legos piled up on the floor, but your grandson isn't playing with them. Do you:

a) show him how to do it by building something?

b) allow him to find his own use for the blocks?

c) find a way to build something together?

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The answer I chose is:

d) None of the above. Shove the blocks aside and wrestle.

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Next Question: You set him on your bed while picking out dinner attire, and he starts playing with the wall decorations above your bed. Do you:

a) tell him not to touch those things?

b) let him explore the decorations, even if he could destroy them.

c) move him off the bed?

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My answer?:

d) None of the above (again). Forget about picking out clothes, take his hands, and start jumping on the bed.

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I made sure this week that he would know me, not as his personal photographer, but as Grandpa (or Poppa). I had forgotten how much repetition they require. While I sat on the floor with him, he would walk up, bump me, and I tumbled back, taking him down with me while pleading, "Get him off of me!" He laughed hard. Then we would get up, and he would do it again. And again. And again... That was a good workout.

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Speaking of which, I would like to devote this blog entry to the makers if Advil and Tylenol. And a very special thank-you to my own Mrs. Craver, who took these pictures.

stay-cation

They say you shouldn't announce your vacation over the internet. Bad people find out, and they break in while you're away to take your stuff. Well, we live quite simply, here in the Craver home, and I have a hunch that if somebody broke in while we were gone, they are more likely to feel bad for us and leave something, so the next guy has something to steal! Truth be told, we have everything that we need.

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But no, we are not going away, so it is probably okay if I break this rule. Instead of travelling, I will spend four days this week at home. (I couldn't get Friday off.) My daughter and son-in-law are having some time for themselves and so they brought the grandchildren to Bolingbrook.

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This week will be about cherishing every moment that I can hang out with my grandson. The poor guy bumped his face on our coffeetable on the first night, but everything else has been a breeze so far.

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We have lots and lots of kisses for our granddaughter. She is SO good natured, and loves to smile! Oh, and she loves to kick Poppa (me) in the face, too. They call her "the flailer" on account of how she gets excited and pumps her arms and legs.

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I put a lot of work into scrubbing out some old yard toys and prepping the back yard for my grandson. I hope he likes playing with us here. They were all stashed way back in a "forest" of weeds. I'm lucky to have found my way back to civilization after going into that dense thicket!

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Check out the beauty I found while cleaning out the playset. There were lots of spiders (and other critters) playing in these unused toys. This one was bigger than the others, and worthy for a photo break. I didn't want her playing with my grandchildren, and got ready to squish her into oblivion, but she got away. Well, the main thing is that she is not in the playset anymore. Good for her!

two weeks

Rylan: Elowyn: Castle Craver was without its queen for two weeks. My beloved flew to Oklahoma to see if she could be of some help as our second grandchild was born. Rylan is 14 months and Ellie was born two weeks ago. Everybody is doing fine.

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The kids did behaved amazingly well, and made their momma (and me) proud. Still, I have to say that I missed my wife more than ever before. Who would have known that after 22 years of marriage that our closeness and intimacy would make our early marriage years pale in comparison? We sent daily notes via email. When she finally arrived, there were tears of joy and I think she cried, too.

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When I hear how other grandparents spend time with their grandchildren, I hope they realize how blessed they are to have them close. I sure wish Mrs. Craver and I could spend more time reading or singing to them, laying on the floor at their level playing games and hearing them laugh.

holiday elf

Rylan (my grandson) came to visit on Christmas Eve. The whole family instantly became paparazzi when he showed up. We even have voice recordings on cell phones. He is exceptionally vocal and his voice has impressive dynamic range. (That means he likes to hear himself scream.)

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He brought his mom and dad with him, which was nice. I like them too, and we had a pleasant visit with my daughter and son-in-law. I hope they don't mind that we gushed so much over the baby.

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When I first heard that they were going to visit, I wondered what it would be like to see my grandson. The last time we saw him, he was only a week old. He is ten months now. I prepared myself for a shy baby, and decided not to take it personally if I freaked him out. What a delightful surprise then, when he freely allowed himself to be held, and did not cry, except for when he needed to be fed and changed. I held him for a little while, but naturally, we wish we could spend a lot more time with him. I offered up a silent prayer for him when I picked him up, and I remembered doing the same thing the first time I held him at the hospital as a newborn.

due north

One man I used to know used to ask whether a decision was "due North." By that, he meant that in your heart of hearts, you knew that it was the right thing to do. Our time in Florida is finished, and we must pack up the van and head back to our home up North. It is an uncomfortable (for me) 80 degrees as I type this at night. Nights are supposed to be cool, right? But it's not about the weather; I need to get back to our home and my work; it's the right thing to do.

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Again, if you would, please pray for journey mercies as we begin Monday's 22-hour trek.

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I did not take as many photos as I originally expected, but there are a few, and I especially want you to see one of the shots I got of the moon from a few days ago. The photos took an appropriate back seat to the time with family. I got to see my beautiful red-head (daughter) and her husband. Usually I enjoy theological discussions with him, but this time, we just chilled, and I got to hold my brand new grandson, Rylan.

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My wife and children had a good time overall, even though we each got sick at one point or another, and my younger daughter lost her camera. I still hope that turns up somewhere. It was cool to visit my friend's church and hang out with an uncle and aunt, and my sister and her family. One of the nieces especially has grown up from being a cute little girl who we barely knew to the most delightful conversationalist.

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The time with my parents was a major highlight for me, and I think for my wife, too. Mom and Dad are amazing people. Who shall I compare them to? If you've seen the movie "Twister," there's an older lady the storm chasers visit, and she demonstrates hospitality to the uttermost. That's like my mom. Dad is a man of peace, wisdom and humor. He is an expert in diplomacy.

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Every time I leave my parents, I wonder if this is going to be the last time I see them both again. Nobody lives forever, and when the day comes that I hear of one or both of them passing, it will tear my heart in two, but I will always remember them well. Their memories are completely associated with fondness, affection, delight, and the utmost respect.

kissable Rylan

flavor crystals

Baby update: Unless Rylan makes a move, they'll induce labor on Tuesday night, for a Wednesday birth. We would plan to make the drive Wednesday afternoon, to arrive close to 9AM on Thursday. But he can still arrive before that, so we take it day by day.

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The anticipated 20-hour drive to see our grandson could still be a few days away. I usually try to keep a sojourner's mindset, so that I live in the moment, soaking up life in the present, rather than wishing I could be someplace else at that time. But I gotta tell you. There is one daily activity that I am really going to miss on that looooooong drive.

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Coffee. I love this stuff! We get fresh beans at home, and I grind only when I'm brewing. Most of the time, my coffee is great. But from time to time, I use a French press, and that coffee is (sniff) ... excuse me, I hate to cry about it, but I get a bit overwhelmed with emotion every time I think of fresh Starbucks through the French press!

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I remember the last time we made this drive. I was getting drowsy, and out of desperation, I did something rash. I used one of those rest stop vending machines to get a Dixie cup of toxic swill that... well, traveling victims are supposed to believe that those few ounces of abomination are somehow related to coffee.

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I would rather drink (gag) instant coffee. But wait!! I saw something in the news this week that says that Starbucks is going to start making some kind of instant coffee! How can this be?! Honestly, I'm a little scared about the whole thing. Still, if I find a way to temporarily suspend my skepticism, how shall I procure the piping hot water needed for my favorite elixir?