Party's Over

Do you remember how it felt when you were a kid at Christmas, your birthday party, or some really exciting, happy occasion? Do you remember how you felt when the presents were opened, your tummy full of all the food - and treats - you love most, and everyone has gone home? It's sort of a mixture of happy and sad - happy to see everyone and sad the party's over. That's were I am tonight.



We had a really good weekend beginning Friday evening and ending around 2 PM this afternoon when Judy left to drive back to Atlanta for her second week of class. I know she'll be happy to get back to Phoenix to her little family. At Thanksgiving the three of them will be here. We'll have all - absolutely all - of our gang together. Again I say, Harry and I are two lucky old farts. In Harry's words, we have a gold mine here. No money, but who needs it! We have the kids.


We ate; we laughed; we told about what we've been doing. Parents told the older kids about some of the cute things they said and did when they were little. Lots of laughs in that session. The grandsons broke out the bubble machine and had a romp in the yard following a small hail/rain storm on Saturday night. Their club house is under the contorted hazel tree. The bubbles don't show up very much (the bubble machine is the yellow thingie) but there were more bubbles than Lawrence Welk could have ever managed.

The girls played with Legos on Friday evening. Late on Saturday afternoon I went out to the screen porch to see what the girls were doing - would you believe it if I told you they were playing with Play Dough? Yep, it's true - they were happily talking about their babies, planning activities for Thanksgiving and playing with Play Dough.

This morning Judy did a little laundry, spent a bit of time talking with her Dad. He was telling her about life and the pile of sh*t you find in your path every once in a while. He explained that you can choose to go around it, step over it, or fall in the middle of it - you have to recognize it and make your own decision. Good advice but I haven't seen or heard of anyone in our gang facing this kind of decision. I think he was just passing on his philosophy of life. Judy's favorite food is Harry's version of grilled marinated steak and that's what he made for her late lunch before she had to leave. She called when she was back at her hotel in Atlanta getting ready for her last week of class.

That's pretty much the story of our big weekend. It probably sounds corny and boring to most of you but, believe me, the Hooper family had a wonderful, blessed weekend.

I'll try to catch up on visiting your blogs late tomorrow if not before. I've missed all of you and hope everyone is doing well.

The Big Party - Day 1

It's been a busy day but a happy one. The boys and I had our usual play day. Judy was here just after 5 PM. Harry made a big beef pot pie and curried fruit for dinner. All the kids were here. The only thing missing was our little granddaughter and her dad. I think I told you that Judy is able to spend the weekend with us while she's in a two week training class being held in Atlanta.

I'll post more pictures when things are calmer - rest assured we are taking many. You have all seen pics of the local kids and grand kids - I wanted to post a picture of our grown up little girl. Here she is:

There was a Lego building party tonight. At least two moms were deep into the action. If you don't believe it just look how intent on the project they are.

Yep, that's my steam cleaner in the background. Ya just never know when ya might need it.

Our oldest son, Joe, stopped in to say hello and visit for a bit before he left for his evening plans. You know how single guys are - I just don't ask.

The boys were being best buds.

Baby Hooper and Dad were watching the action

Mommy was watching, too.

Hmmm . . I must have missed the joke. Looks like it was a good one. (You already know Mary)

Just enjoying the time with family. This is Keith.Harry and I are just about the luckiest two old farts around. Just think tomorrow is the real party. It is past midnight - gotta get to bed.

I hope each and every one of you is as happy as we are tonight.

New Schedule for the Weekend

We will have a slightly different schedule this weekend. Our daughter (who lives in Phoenix) is in Atlanta for two weeks training and has this weekend free. She is renting a car and coming home on Friday afternoon. It will be a short visit since she has to be back in Atlanta and ready for the second week of training on Monday morning. She'll probably get here in time to enjoy the very end of play day and I know the boys will be so happy to see her.

Our Saturday will be so much fun with all the kids here waiting for Harry's grilling to be done. I hope the weather is user friendly but if it isn't we'll just ignore that fact and be thankful to have the children here. The only thing that would make the weekend better is if our granddaughter and son-in-law could be here, too. They are home in Phoenix. We're really looking forward to Thanksgiving when they can be here.

I'll try to slip in a post somewhere along the way but if I'm quiet this weekend just get ready for pics and stories early next week. I won't forget the prayers that are promised.

I'm so excited I could just pee!!! And if you think that's excited you should see Harry walk on air!

Have a good weekend, everyone.

Priority One - Complete

Back to school clothes are in house and kid approved - I should say:"Kid selected and Mommy approved." My way of dealing with this task is to take the boys into the store and tell them to select a certain number of shirts from this rack and that one over there. Now select your pants and shorts from these racks. We tell them the number (size) that fits them and let them shop. They are in a frenzy for a few minutes and then it begins to get old to them. That's when Mommy and Nana step in and make the rest of the selections with approval from the boys. It works really well. Mommy makes the decision and each boy thinks that he made all the decisions - and for the most part they are correct. The boys selected Taco Bell for lunch - the decision had something to do with certain cars that are in the kid's meal. No food was wasted, though.

Shopping was a success and now is history. Next comes shoes, undies, socks, and school supplies. The boys have to participate in the shoe deal but otherwise they won't have to get involved. All is well that ends well.

That's the end for today. Tomorrow is another sunrise. No plans but still lots to do.

Busy Week Looming Up Ahead

Sunday has drawn to a close. Harry and I were so happy to have all the local kids here. Baby Hooper is growing so fast - he's three months old now and an handsome little man. I was a lazy Nana today - I didn't cook. Instead I had lots and lots of sandwich 'fixin's', fruit, pound cake, whipped cream, and of course salad stuff. Sometimes I forget that the younger generation enjoys having sandwiches. I'm pretty sure no one went home hungry. If they did it's their own fault - there was plenty of food. We have leftovers to freeze. One of the things I bought that I haven't had before is peppered turkey breast. That stuff is good!

Tomorrow is school clothes day. Mary and I are taking the boys to try on and probably buy back to school clothes. This coming weekend is Alabama's tax free weekend. Anything and everything for back to school is tax free. It's a wonderful thing for the powers-that-be to do but I don't intend to wait for it. The crowds are the worst you can imagine. Moms with a "kill the competition" gleam in their eyes and children (bless their hearts) crying because they don't know what might happen next. Thanks but no thanks. The saved $ isn't worth the hassle. Not for me. I like to maintain a trace of dignity when the children are with me. You know, set a good example.

I have a lot to accomplish this week and just hope that I'm up to the task. Time will tell. I hope everyone has a pleasant Monday and an even better rest of the week. My best wishes to all.

Swim Party

Any day that's swim party day is a day Nana posts pics and very few words. I'll just say that a good time was had by all. Tomorrow (Saturday) in a reef club meeting so another busy day.

Ladies first: Emma Mae, a motorcycle float, a big smile and big brother, Grant, in the background.

Grant takes a ride on the motorcycle.

Jesse explores the possibilities in an unfamiliar pool.

James welcomes Mommy to the pool. . my little gentleman.
Nana and Grandma watched from the sidelines - in the sun, I might add. Papa watched until everyone was wet then he went back to the air conditioning.

Now you know all about my day. How was yours? Hope all is going well for you.

It was a Happy Day

The appointment with doctor went well. They ran a couple of routine tests and determined that my bone density is "better than great for my age" and that my cholesterol is "great for my age." I hate that phrase ". . for my age" when someone else uses it. The part that I love is that they weighed me two times because I have somehow managed to loose 26 pounds! It's remarkable what just small changes did for me. Yes, i am bragging.

Nothing else comes to mind to ramble on about so here is a quickie shot of the fish in our 225 gal reef getting ready for nightie-night. . .

. . . .and a picture of our big Sailfin Tang. He appears to pose for pictures.

Did I mention that Harry bought a new camera? He decided on Nikon D40.

Tomorrow is swimming day - the boys are ready.

Have a good evening. Thanks for stopping by.