Debbie's Blog
Marie Macomber
I have sad news to report. Wayne’s mother, Marie, died last Friday. She met Wayne’s father, Frank Gair Macomber, during World War II and went back to live with her family in Colville, Washington during the war, and Wayne was born there. Frank was injured in the war and died shortly thereafter. Marie continued to live with her parents in the same house in which she was raised and remained there the rest of her life. She never remarried.
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Lessons Learned
The other day I asked Wayne if he would take on a project for me. (I needed him to wind some yarn for me–he’s always so helpful at doing this.) Wayne was a bit distracted playing his computer game, but he said he would do the good deed. He took it from me and set it aside. When I returned at the end of the day, the yarn was still not wound, but the sweater I had been working on the last day or so was totally unraveled and off the needles!*#@! Four to five inches of circular knitting was gone, wound up into a beautiful skein Read more
Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Wayne and I had a wonderful Easter with our children and grandchildren. As anticipated, the annual Macomber Easter egg hunt was a huge success. The start of the Boston marathon could not rival the kids running out the front door in search of the hidden eggs. I hid the grand prize, a special egg containing a $10 bill. Five-year-old Isaiah echoed the thoughts of every grandchild when he said, “Grandma, I could really use ten bucks.”
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Happy Easter!
Today is Good Friday, which has tremendous meaning for me. This is the day Christ died for us. For many years I wasn’t sure exactly what His death meant. Even now I don’t think I’ve even scratched the surface of what His suffering upon that cross entails. What I do know is that because Christ died I shall live one day with Him. I have faith. I believe. I have problems, weaknesses and even moments of depression. Don’t we all? But when I do, I can always reach for my Bible and be co Read more
Regular or Plastic?
I’m flying back to Washington state Wednesday morning in order to spend Easter with our children and grandchildren. Of course, the Easter bunny makes an appearance at the Macomber household, although he brings plastic eggs. This became necessary when one of the ‘regular’ eggs went undiscovered for six months and caused quite a stink once found. One does grow wise with age, and so it’s plastic for this bunny! Read more
The Sound of Silence
The din has died down from five grandchildren scrambling from one end of the house to the other. They were here for spring break, and we had a blast. I spent more time in the pool in the week they were here than I did the entire winter. The silence seems deafening now, and I miss them already. The good news is that Wayne and I will be back in Port Orchard for Easter, and the fun will start all over again—sans the swimming pool. Read more
Great News!
I am not pulling an April Fools joke. I’m serious. Yesterday word arrived that Doris Roberts, who played the mother on the television show Everybody Loves Raymond, has been cast as Mrs. Miracle for the Hallmark channel movie that will be shown in December. I am so excited! She is perfect and exactly as I imagined Mrs. Miracle!
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A Well-Deserved Rest
I think I might be overworking my poor husband. At my request, on Friday he put together a huge light fixture (the kind that comes with assembly required and lots of individual pieces) and hung it in the kitchen. Then later that afternoon I dragged him out to dinner and after that to the Sunrise Theater in Fort Pierce to see Three Irish Tenors. The three tenors turned out to be five young men who formed the group called Druid. Their music and harmony was incredible. I clapped, stomped and sang along. When I glanced over at Wayne . .
When You’re in Too Much of a Hurry
I was running late yesterday morning for my Bible Study class. Filled with purpose, I jumped into my car, revved up the engine, and backed out of the garage . . .
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Talk about the luck of the Irish! Read more
Giving Thanks
Wayne and I had Thanksgiving dinner with dear friends on Sunday evening. We gathered at the home of Anita and Alan Greenstein to celebrate the life of Minda Butler, who we all loved so dearly . You might remember from my February 9 blog posting that Minda succumbed to cancer February 6.
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An Early Weekend
Our good friends, Bob and Joan McKeon, (note dedication for Back on Blossom Street), are stopping by today. Wayne and I are planning to take them on a boat ride down the Indian River–that is, unless the dolphins and manatees decide to visit us, and in that case we'll stick around to watch them frolic! Naturally, Joan and I will spend time in my yarn room.
Not a Happy Puppy
Bogie was in to see the veterinarian yesterday to be "fixed." He is not a happy puppy about this. It was almost as if he knew what was about to happen to him. Wayne took him in, and Bogie gave him the big, brown-eyed look that said, “Are you really comfortable knowing what they are going to do to me?” Wayne has been feeling guilty all afternoon. Bogie hasn’t moved around a lot today and is walking—shall we say—gingerly, this afternoon. Poor sweetheart. Read more
More Classes for Bogie and Me
Bogie and I are back in obedience classes. The dog is a marvel. His teacher sat on the floor and talked to him, eyeball-to-eyeball, and Bogie did everything she asked. I sit down with him, eyeball-to-eyeball, and he ignores my every command, licks my face, then runs off with my shoe.
I love, love, this dog, but it’s time for me to learn how to be a loving dog owner and one Bogie cannot ignore. I’m afraid we have our work cut out for us!
A Fish Story
It’s been a crazy, whirlwind weekend with Wayne ‘s brother, Chuck, and his wife, Karen, visiting. The guys went fishing, and, naturally, we girls headed for the big sale at the Mall. Karen and I had a fabulous time and brought home several items.
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Bogie and Me on a Stroll
Bogie and I went for a walk this morning. Generally, I walk in the park with my exercise partner, Martha Powers, but Martha is off to SleuthFest, a mystery conference (her current book is a suspense/thriller!) for the rest of the week. I feel better, more energetic, if I exercise, so I decided Bogie and I would stroll the neighborhood. It was exercise all right . . . an exercise in patience.
A Good Weekend = Shopping, Visiting, Movies
My friend, Mary Lou Carney, arrives this afternoon from Chicago. Mary Lou and I wrote The Truly Terribly Horrible Sweater . . . That Grandma Knit, our first children’s picture book, which is due in stores this October. It’s destined to be a fun weekend with shopping, visiting, and probably a movie or two . . Read more
Three Special Birthdays
This is a special week. My daughter, Jody Rose, celebrated her birthday on Tuesday the 17th, which is the same day as my daughter-in-law, Laurie ‘s . Jody and I have a weekend getaway planned during my trip back to Seattle in March. We’ve ordered tickets to see Hello, Dolly for Friday night and on Saturday we’ll be at the Northwest Women’s Show where I’ll be signing.
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Dancing with Debbie
I’m back from the bitter cold of Minneapolis. While the temperatures dipped well below zero, the people I met at the Mall of America Knit-Out and Crochet event kept me warm and toasty. Thank you to everyone who came to participate, to support Warm Up America! and for your enthusiasm.
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A Visit with the Heart of Our Family
I’m on the road again, on my way to the great Knit-Out in Minneapolis with stops in Omaha, Nebraska and Aberdeen, South Dakota. I’m flying into Omaha to meet my wonderful cousin, Karen. Then the two of us are making a bee-line to visit my 98-year-old Aunt Betty in South Dakota. She is our sweetheart and the very heart of our family. From there we are driving to Minneapolis. I always enjoy meeting my readers, especially if they are knitters, too. While it might sound like a sacrifice to travel from warm, balmy Florida to the bit Read more
Minda Butler, Treasured Friend
I have sad news to report. My Florida friend, Minda Butler, passed away on Friday after a valiant fight against cancer. You might recall that I dedicated 8 SANDPIPER WAY to Minda. After several rounds of chemotherapy, Minda decided she would rather die on her own terms than suffer with the treatments. She was one of the bravest women I have ever known, and I will miss her dearly. Her funeral was this morning, and although Wayne and I were unable to attend, our hearts were with her and her husband and family. Read more
Of Groundhogs and Shadows
I understand the groundhog saw his shadow this morning, predicting six more weeks of winter. Personally, I don’t require a groundhog to tell me this has been a bitterly cold winter and that it is likely to continue. I have my grown children, all four in Washington state, reporting to me on a weekly basis how miserable this winter has turned out to be.
Super Bowl Sunday
Wayne and I were at Sam’s Club yesterday afternoon, stocking up on goodies for a small Super Bowl party we’re having with friends. I’m not entirely sure who’s playing, but I know the Seahawks aren’t in contention. It was a bad year for our favorite football team.
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Where Am I?
My monthly e-letter went out late yesterday, and already I’m being asked, “Has Debbie permanently moved to Florida?” The answer is no. We have a winter home here in Vero Beach, and it looks like we’re going to equally divide our time between our two homes.
Separation Anxiety
Wayne and I left Bogie for the first time since we arrived in Florida. I was scheduled to attend Book Mania in Stuart , Florida, over the weekend (I had a fabulous time!), and our housekeeper’s daughter agreed to take him for the weekend. We immediately underwent separation anxiety.
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