Load the Wagon

I've been putting priority on reading rather than writing. My days have been spent trying to plan the vaca and thinking about Harry's camera search. Bless his heart, decisions aren't easy.

I didn't know that I had a doctor's appointment today until the office girl called yesterday to remind me. Darn!!! That puts a crimp in my day. It's just routine - I feel fine - but my doctor puts a lot of emphasis on my routine visits because of some prior medical issues. Oh, well, I'd be unhappy if he didn't keep up with the routine tests. Can't please an old woman no matter what you do. Right?

My dance card is getting full - at least it seems that way to me. If it were empty I'd be having a pity party. (Refer to above comment.)

Gotta get my wagon loaded and this show on the road. Have you ever heard the comment "Load the wagon, boys, the mule's blind"? Somehow it fits.

My best to everyone. Have a good day and a better tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by.

Shopping and Travel Plans

Monday is used up and a hot Monday it was. Harry and I made our trek to Sam's for our usual buy of paper products, cleaning products, etc. Harry is considering a new digital camera but is having trouble deciding which to buy so we did some looking and collecting info then came home. He said he wants to think it over for a few days. No snap decisions from Harry, let me tell you.

Harry's main concern re a camera is that it will take accurate pics of the corals in the reef at nearly microscopic levels and in true color. This ain't gonna be cheap but I hope he finds exactly what he wants.

On another note, it looks like our vacation this year will be along the NC coast and along the Outer Banks. Harry doesn't like to go on vacation and sit still. Rather he likes to keep moving - seeing and doing different things. We're looking at 9 to 10 days on the road. If anyone has suggestions they would be much appreciated. I was assigned the task of making an itinerary and I'm at a loss. I know things have changed since I was younger and he's never been there. H-E-L-P!! I do know that we need to wait until after school starts and travel before the winter "blow" begins.

On that note, I think I'll go to bed. It makes me tired just to think of trying to put this together. I do want to add, though, that it isn't hard to please Harry - just hard to get plans in place.

It's Party Time

This started out as an almost boring day. I was pretty sure Baby Hooper would not be here - boohoo. (It is hard to travel with a tiny one.) The rest of the gang wasn't scheduled to be here until around 4PM. But things changed. Joe arrived and then the boys came with parents in tow.

The boys were proud to show mommy and daddy their handiwork. (The flower pots) There was a discussion about what kind of flowers would look nice in them. James decided he wants a blue flower. Jesse doesn't seem to care. When the pots were complete he considers the project done and closed. Here are pictures of the flowerpots and the boys.

Jesse studied other flower pots and was going for the look he saw on a glazed pot "like a rainbow". James just wanted his to have "pretty colors and spots like a puppy."

Later the two children whose picture is in yesterday's post came over with their mother (Holly) and later their father (Jack) came over, too. The little boy who had surgery, Grant, was a bit quieter than the other three - EmmaMae, Jesse, and James. After the initial thrill of the three musketeers seeing each other settled down they played together non- stop. Not one grumble or disagreement. Lots of laughing, though. Grant spent lots of time looking at the reefs and different folks spent time telling him about what he was seeing.

All in all I wouldn't say we had a gathering - we had an all out party. It was so much fun for everyone. Holly and Mary discussed their expectations for the soon to start school year and fall vacations. Jack and Harry were planning to play golf in the near future. Everyone had something to share and questions to ask. When it was time to go everyone within three blocks knew the children were parting. Everyone yelling "Bye" "Come to my house" "Play date, play date" Big time hugging and, a couple of times, almost parting tears. Parents were hoping all the running and playing would result in early nights for the little ones. When our house was empty once again we old folks settled into our routine with smiles on our faces.

Folks, I absolutely loved this day. The only thing that would have made today better would have been having Baby Hooper and parents and our little Phoenix family here to join in the fun and laughter.

It's the end of a perfect day. I hope yours was perfect, too.

A "Loss of Situational Awareness"

It's been an unusual day for me. The boys and I started our "flower pot" project, as planned, on Friday and had to wait for the base coat to dry and cure. They came back this morning and did the painting. Again we have to wait for the paint to dry and cure. Tomorrow we'll put the top coat on and when it dries we'll get a couple of little plants for them to either drown or allow to dry up. While they are here tomorrow I'll take a pic of the Flower Pot Design Crew and their creations for your viewing pleasure.

Thursday evening Harry and I decided to eat at Longhorn. He ordered the usual rare (as in a good vet could cure it) prime rib and I ordered LaFayette chicken. All I can say is, do NOT go there. It was a tasty dish but the aftermath wasn't pretty. (As you know, I've been making a concentrated effort to improve my diet - and with much success, I might add.) I don't know if it was the spices or preparation but I developed a case of indigestion that ended with acid reflux. The ingredients seemed to be fresh - spoilage certainly wasn't the problem. This dish in on my No-No List. It's the first entree that I've ever had at Longhorn that didn't agree with me.

I don't know what Harry was watching on TV at the time but I was sitting at my desk and heard a man on television say that someone had a "loss of situational awareness." Now how's that as another way of saying "He/she/they just weren't paying attention to what they were doing or what was happening"? It's not that funny to me now but at the time I just cracked up. That's a phrase I want to remember - it might come in handy sometime.

I believe I mentioned my friend's grandson having surgery on his ear and that it was more simple than expected. (I believe this is his third surgery.) I decided to post a picture of him with his game ball and trophy. I'm also posting a pic of his younger sister. She is in her costume from her dance recital.

The mother of these children is one of my many "children" and I consider these children as members of my Little Ones Club.

I only slept about 4 hours last night. Here's hoping for more sleep tonight. As usual, thank you for stopping by.

My Day for Being Thankful

I'm repeating my response to the kind words in response to yesterday's post because it's important to me that you know I appreciate your kind words:

"Thanks everyone for the kind words. I never see myself as anything except an older woman who loves and cares about people. When anyone has been down as many roads as I have in the past 65 years you learn that compassion for your fellow person (being politically correct) is important. I've come to care for each and everyone of you and consider you my friend - I'm certainly yours."

I spent my early morning thinking about my best friend's grandson. He had surgery this morning. It was a follow-up to an earlier surgery to remove a tumor from inside his ear. All went well. There's no reason to believe that he'll have problems - there was no malignancy. For that we are more thankful than words can tell.

I would like to pass along the generous award that was given to me by Robbin at Ceder Chest of Dreams to you, my readers and supporters. I came to the blogg community not knowing what to expect. You made me feel welcome and part of an already established community. I never felt I had to prove myself or be anything other than the old woman that I am. There are times that I've given advice that wasn't solicited - you know old folks do that. You have always been kind in your response though I'm sure there have been times when you wished I'd just shut me trap. I see you as my support system. You listen when I complain and sympathize, laugh with me when I laugh, and even more tolerate my long posts about my kids and grandkids. In short you, my friends, are each and every one an important part of my life.

I Received an Award

Robbin over at Cedar Chest of Dreams passed this award along to me. It makes me proud to receive recognition from a blogger who I do so admire.

Robbin is facing many challenges in her life. She recently faced major surgery and is currently in the midst of related treatments which are unpleasant to say the least. Recently she also bore the grief that no parent should have to bear - the loss of a child. Still Robbin continues to have faith and move forward with love and determination. This is a lady who I have come to admire and value as a blogger friend. Visit her and you will find a wonderful lady with a passion for family, life, and nature. Thank you, Robbin, for this award. It's an honor to display it.

I wanted to acknowledge my award as soon as possible. I'll be back later with a followup. I've been up since 3 AM and need another cup of coffee.

What's in File 13?

Not much happening in my world. I haven't left the house since last Saturday and haven't felt that I'm house bound. Too much to do to be bored. I've been going through "stuff" and throwing most of it away. Over the years I've kept the most insignificant things that no longer mean anything to me. When I go over the rainbow bridge I don't want the kids to be burdened with sorting and cleaning. Now I don't have plans to cross the rainbow bridge for many years but I'd like a little time to enjoy having MUCH less "stuff" and clutter.

Pictures are everywhere - in envelopes, boxes, files - absolutely EVERYWHERE. I'm taking pains to label them if they will mean anything to the kids. Many of the pictures are from my school days. I'm sorting most of them and am going to send them to folks that will appreciate and find meaning in them. Pictures of flowers from forgotten gardens, landscapes, etc., are gracing file 13. I need a larger File 13. This one is getting pretty full.

OK, now you know what I'm up to. What are you doing today? Whatever it is I hope it makes you happy.