A Day "On the Go"

Is it Monday afternoon already? My, my how time does fly!! Maybe that's my problem - time flies and I just trudge along. It's no longer a puzzle as to why I'm so far behind.

Sunday was a lot of fun. The boys each brought a friend to Sunday gathering with them. The children were really well behaved. Not one problem. The youngest was almost 3 1/2 and the oldest 6. They watched the reefs, played in the bubbles from the bubble machine (outside), had snacks, played Legos and another little game that they made up. The grown-ups talked and/or watched the race. During that race there was a terrible wreck. I don't believe there were any serious injuries though. Baby Hooper decided to stay home. We missed them but soon they will be joining us for gathering on a regular basis.

This morning my friend, Shirley, and I shopped for new rugs for her home. She is doing a bit of redecorating and rugs are on the menu. We saw a L-O-T of rugs but only two or three that are candidates. Because this is a major purchase she's waiting to think about her selection. It's not a good idea to buy when you're on the crest of excitement. She's doing so well following her major surgery a few months ago.

Harry and I drove out to Baby Hooper's house this afternoon. We were only there for a short time but it was fun to see him - and Mommy, too, of course. He is growing like a little weed and Mommy is getting smaller. Her weight is beginning to settle into pre-preg mode. Daddy was at work so we just had to leave a "Hello" for him.

Well, folks that's what has been happenin' in my world. How about yours? I haven't been sleeping again for the last four or five nights. Tonight I'm going to get into bed, take Ambien, and hope to sleep through the night and maybe part of tomorrow morning. I'm so tired and sluggish that you'd think I'm old.

Could Fall be Knocking on Our Door?

It's a wonderful bright cool morning in my little corner of the world. It may rain later but for now it's perfect.

Yesterday Harry and I drove to two or three stores which are in the part of town where my office was located. I was shocked to see several stores on the main street out there were closed. Not little stores but large, previously busy businesses. As a matter of fact, I was planning on stopping to shop at one of them on the way home. We are in a period of growing because of the jobs moving here from various places, but still important stores are closing. Not a happy note! I can only imagine what's happening in areas not in expansion mode. Let's not dwell on the negative, though. This is just an observation not a prediction of doom and gloom.

I haven't done anything constructive so far today and I'll probably continue the trend. I'm looking forward to having the kids here later in the day. Feeding them won't be a problem. I'll just do easy stuff that doesn't require a lot of work. Can you say slow cooker and salad?

I only slept a little over 4 hours last night. I don't intend to take a nap today. Maybe that will help me sleep better tonight.

Let's have a fun day even if we have to dream our fun. Come on, we can do it. What would your dream be? Mine will be spending a long lazy day in the mountains beside a cool stream. I think I'll go there now.

Thanks for dropping in. Please come back whenever you can.

Lazy Saturday

It's a bright, cooler Saturday morning. I almost slept through it much to my disappointment. I couldn't get to sleep last night - I saw 2 AM on the clock through wide-awake eyes. Once I get to sleep I can sleep for awhile it's just hard to shut off the brain and relax.

I feel much more settled than I did when I wrote my last post. Thanks again for the kind words. There's nothing more healing than kind words and good wishes from friends.

There are a couple of must-do chores for today and I think I'll just let the rest of the list slide. I want to find something to do outside today. Not work - fun. I may just take a book and my comfy-outside chair to the shade and read.

There's not much to write about this morning. I think it's time to send wishes for a happy day to you and sign off. Later, my friends.

Highs and Lows

Yesterday was Jesse's first school day. He had mixed emotions about the whole deal. First, he didn't get to go on the playground. Why? Too hot - bummer!! The teacher was teaching them to sing "Twinkle, Twinkle" Jesse's been tinkling (on the piano) that "Twinkle" for almost two years. BORING!! He only knew one other kid in his class and that kid was too shy to talk among mostly strangers. Just the usual stuff, folks. I asked him if he would be ready to go back for the second day. He looked at me like I'd lost my mind and said, "Of course I will, Nana."

James has his first experience in half-day preschool next Wednesday. That'll be another story for another day.

It's really good to be Nana and let the young folks be Mommy and Daddy. Oh me, oh my, they have a lot of years ahead of them - it makes me tired just to think about it.

Harry is playing golf today in this sweltering heat and humidity. He's a hardy soul. I just wouldn't be able to handle golf today. I have to wait until cooler weather and by that time he'll be so much better than me that he won't want to have me tagging along. I'll just slow his game down.

I have many things I need to do today but may just sit and think about doing them. I wouldn't want to rush into anything that can wait until tomorrow. I guess I'm feeling a little low today. I found out that the last member of my mother's circle friends was killed when her tour bus crashed on Mother's Day, 2008. She was 74 according to the news report I found on utube. I counted and I think she was closer to 84, but you know how ladies of a certain age never want to admit it. I was also surprised to know that she was so well known. I remember her as the nicest member of (what Mother called) "The Special Six" (Six women who met once a year for a weekend of bonding.) They are all gone now and somehow it's the final note in their almost life long song. I feel a big hole in my heart even though the Special Six, as a group, didn't include me. Last evening I tried to tell Harry how I feel and - like most men - he just didn't want to take time to listen to me and wouldn't have understood even is he did listen. I love him but after all he's just a man and men don't have the same deep emotions we, as women, do.

Anyway, thanks for listening. I'm going to shake it off and have a good day. I hope you do, too.

Busy and Late

I haven't a lot of time this evening. It's been a long, busy day as was yesterday. Yesterday, we had the grandsons with us for the last time before school starts and we enjoyed the day. Today was tank maintenance day and we also went to a local high-end camera shop to ask questions and get direction on the best lens to use of various photography. I'm too confused to even think about the mechanics and really don't intend to do fancy stuff - that's Harry's department. It's all personal photography - nothing commercial. Heck, a crayon drawing is fine with me - I'm easy.



Need to get on with the things I need to do before going nite-nite.



Tomorrow is the first day of school. BOO HOO!!!

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.