Year of the Snake

Word of the Day

Abbone - The agony or severe pain caused by attempting to stand or walk when a person's knees have seized up, primarily after a prolonged period of inactivity. Most commonly suffered by travelers using trains, cars, and planes as methods of transportation.

Woodtick Count - 8

It was wonderful to have all HTP and ALL children AND grandchildren under one roof. It was a bit stress-full and we were really packed in here but...WONDERFUL! Aside from the treat of seeing my children re-connect, it was priceless to see my grandchildren connect. I pray that there will be LOTS of future opportunities for them to "connect". I pray that I get to see my grandchildren more often and that ALL my grandchildren get to get to know each other in the coming years. I cannot and will not blog about divorce and custody issues but I pray that the cousins, my grandchildren, will have LOTS of future opportunities to get to know each other.

So much is going on right now. My house is clean and ready for incoming. One of my best friends and her hubby and sole child will be coming to visit for a few days...tomorrow. I'm ready. My house is clean...even though #1 Son and #1 DDL came to visit this weekend and I had to wash and remake the bed they used along with towels. I don't regret the unexpected visit. They spent most of the weekend out in the boat and I rejoiced that they caught and I cleaned lots of fish. I was able to bait my crayfish traps and I ended up cleaning and cleaning LOTS of crayfish for future appetizer plates.

I've been trying to keep pace with all the happenings this summer. Not that I minded doing all the driving for JC and BW Babe but I was thrilled to hear the news...and I'm sure that JC was thrilled too...that I wouldn't have to be acting as chauffeur anymore this summer. I'm mainly happy for JC. I know that I wouldn't be happy if someone told me that I would lose that particular part of my independence. I've never really understood my sister's phobia about driving. I'd HATE it and I HAVE hated it when I couldn't drive. However, I picked up ALL the mail today after taking all the garbage up to the road....another story...and passed the mailbox keys back to BW's control when I dropped off their mail....and rolled their garbage barrel back in.

Story? We've been having problems with our garbage barrels. Bears?...I have no idea. Probably bears. What a mess! I tried weighting the top of the barrels with a heavy rock...Plan A... Fail. OK... Plan B. A friend told me that her friend who had similar problems and who owned a resort in the area, recommended drizzling diesel fuel around the barrels because bears don't like the smell of diesel fuel... Fail...well...maybe, at least I didn't have to clean up a mess. My plan C kept the remaining garbage that I had to clean up and remove, secure. Bungee cords. However, this solution is NOT a real solution when it comes to garbage pick up day. *sigh* I have no idea whether or not there will be a continuing problem until tomorrow. I didn't think to drizzle diesel fuel around the unprotected (bungee cords) barrel of stinky bear-bait garbage. Maybe I'd better put a shovel in the back of my car tomorrow, along with my saw.

The loggers are back. I'm really not sure how much hiking my friends and I can do in the coming days while they're here. ACK! Loggers! We'll see. I was thrilled that my old roomie and, of course, one of my best friends, called tonight. It was great to talk to her. She plans to call again tomorrow night so The Three Besties can get together and talk. I so miss that we haven't been able to get together for another Vegas Gal...or Anyplace Else Gal Get-together. I almost didn't pick up the phone tonight because I didn't recognize the number on my Caller-ID. We'll look forward to talking together tomorrow night.

Random Quote of the Day

Everything is in a state of flux, including the status quo
- Robert Byrne

HTP's Sister

#1 Son and #1 DDL Lounging at HTP's Sis' Place

HTP's Bro and Bro's Wife

Siblings

Awesome time spent with HTP's brother and sister. Priceless!

Cousins, Ms. En and Tammy

Cousins Priceless Moments

#1 DDL and #1 Son - Fixing the Trolling Motor Control

Sisters

Grandpa and Little Jon - And a Photo-Bombing Sarge

Year of the Snake...Cuddled up to the Battery on D Buddy's Car

Tammy, Deciding that Kylee's Dog Bed Was a Perfect Lounger While Watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

More awesome pictures taken while HTP was here enjoying the grandkids. Miss them already.

Happy 90th Birthday T-Square and Ma

Ma and Ms. En

DD Daughter and Cousin Luke

The Cousins - Tammy, Little Jon, Ms. En, and Mr. T

The Cousins

Family Dinner

T-Square and Ma

T-Square and Ma Blowing Out the Candles

T-Square and Ma Doing the Skype Thing with Birchwood Babe

I know that I'm posting this WAY past the date but...busy. The above pictures are a sample of those that we took at the special 90th birthday celebration for my folks, T-Square and Ma. We split the difference and celebrated on July 4th. Wonderful! The cousins all got to know each other. Sadly, my sister and her hubby couldn't attend but they sent one of their sons to represent them. BW Babe and her hubby were otherwise occupied. I figure that valve replacement surgery was more than an acceptable excuse for not attending. I wish my brother could have attended or...at least skyped but...it wasn't happening. Things were crazy here and I know that he didn't want to add to the stress. I'm glad that one of BW Babe's sons was able to attend and make the Skype contact with BW Babe possible. The weekend was AWESOME and priceless with my grandkids able to get to know each other...finally...and ALL my children under the same roof once again...a rare event.

SNAKES!

Word of the Day

Murphyglobule - An inevitable glob of food that drips onto a clean white surface, often one's shirt.


Woodtick Count - 7


Prayers. As I write this, I still haven't heard from BW Babe. JC was scheduled for surgery between 7 - 7:45 AM. BW told me that the surgery and stabilization would take up to eight hours. ACK! We haven't heard a thing. I'm praying that the old saw, no word is good word? Praying.... T-Square has called me twice, checking to see if I've heard. I haven't. Praying....

I called the Regis in the city to get my hair cut and colored....after I put in 45 minutes aerobic exercise. If they couldn't fit me in, I was poised to shampoo and condition on my own. I suppose it isn't all that amazing that they could fit me in this morning. Small city...few clients. I brought my Kindle Fire AND my cellphone with me so I could keep in touch. No contact. My hair ended up a bit darker than I was expecting but...it'll lighten as I shampoo it. I also had her wax my eyebrows...the stay hairs that remain. My brows are definitely GREY and...I fear...they're balding. Soon, I'll be drawing in my eyebrows.

After my hair appointment, I drove over to the grocery store to pick up a few more items that I'd omitted from my Shopping List from the previous day. Tomatoes, and frozen confections for the grandchildren. Also, fresh strawberries and blueberries. However, I'm thinking that #1 Son and #1 DIL may want to go to the YOU PICK place...maybe with the oldest of the grandchildren? I'd like to make some fresh strawberry jam. I will be getting some raspberries from my bushes this year but...not many. Currants? Not happening. However, if I can manage, I plan to pick the wild gooseberries again to make Wild Gooseberry Jelly.

HTP and EVERYONE will be coming tomorrow. I might drive to the city to yoga with T-Square...maybe. If not, I'll yoga on my own. I'm not sure how much exercise I'll be able to do in the coming days, aerobic or yoga. I need my exercise! Happily, I've lost another four pounds since I was weighed at the doctor's office. I still haven't reached my goal but I'm working on it. I noted this morning that some of my exercise pants are getting a bit loose.

I enjoyed a spinach salad tonight made with fresh cabrese salad (tomatoes, fresh mozzarella pearls, minced chives, minced fresh basil, and light champagne dressing). It was delicious.

****

And...at around 8:30 PM, BW Babe called to let me know that JC made it through surgery and the surgeon sent them home. YEAH! Thrilled! She told me that the surgery was the worst case that the surgeon had ever seen. His old valve was toast. It's a good thing that JC had such a good surgeon. Surgery was done at around 6 PM but, understandable, I wasn't the first on the call list. I'm sure BW will update the Caring Bridge journal. I called T-Square but he wss called first...but...I didn't want him worried that I hadn't heard. Praying for a good night for JC and a speedy recovery.

Random Quote of the Day

Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look there.

- Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (121 AD - 180 AD)

Word of the Day

Lostivity - State of being lost.


BW Babe called yesterday to tell me that I wouldn't have to drive her and JC to Eau Claire today. However, she did want me to stop over yesterday to pick up mail for T-Square and Ma AND some rhubarb that Ma wanted to give to her neighbor. I gave her an angel necklace to wear before, during, and after JC's surgery on Wednesday.

I went to the city to yoga with T-Square this morning. It was a soothing workout. I pray that I can draw on the workout in the coming days. While I was in the city, I went shopping for supplies. I hope I got enough food but not too much. I purchased four new pillows for the grandchildren to use. I also got some fun stuff for them to play with while they're here. I stopped at the grocery store to clarify the decoration needed on the two birthday cakes. Then, I headed to the other grocery store to purchase more steaks, and LOTS of food. I racked up enough points to save 35 cents per gallon on gas...up to 15 gallons. I plan to fill the tank the next time I'm in the city....when I pick up the birthday cakes, and T-Square and Ma on Friday.

I bought so much food that I had to put some of it into the downstairs fridge. I sure hope that it's working OK. I've checked it twice since putting the steaks in it but...? I plan to check again before heading to bed. Those steaks were way too expensive to risk. Even the hamburger was a bit spendy. I'm hoping the baked goods survive the heat and damp. Ice cream is in the downstairs freezer.

Laundry is being worked on as I write this. The garbage is out on the main road. I re-installed the driveway reflectors that were decidedly tilting, using a tent stake to drive in some deeper holes. Our soil is way too rocky and it makes installation of driveway reflectors a chore.

I had hoped to stop and get a hair cut and style while I was in the city but...I ran out of energy and time. With the rain we got while I was in the city, it's probably just as well. My hair has decided to do it's thing since I've been here. Lots of humidity, lots of curls. I'll have to at least wash it on Thursday morning before HTP gets here. #1 Son and #1 DIL will be picking him up at the airport on Thursday. Today? I "think" Sarge, D Buddy, Tammy and Little Jon hit the road for The Lake today. As for DD Daughter, she posted a Facebook status that sucked. Will she be coming with the kids? I know she and the kidlets will be here if possible.

Random Quote of the Day

I've decided that the key to happiness is low expectations.

- Laura Moncur (1969 - ), Merriton: Twelve Hours from San Francisco, 06-04-08