All good things...

Well, the housesitting gig is over. I really enjoyed it while it lasted. I could laze around in the pool and watch the hummers. What a life. But, as the saying goes, there's no place like home and I know that Bill and Trace are happy to be home. We're all glad they're home too...but I'll miss the smell of fresh chlorine in the morning.

Registration Day....

Well, yesterday was registration day for my little Freshman. Where have all the years gone? I can't believe she's starting high school. She's just about the age her brother was when she was born. It boggles the mind. But my how things have changed since I was in high school. I can remember registering just like it was yesterday. My dad went with me and I was pretty scared and nervous. He had just retired from the Air Force and we had made our final move to a little town in the middle of Arizona. I was beginning my Junior year and it was a hard move for me. But because of all the moves we had made in the past, I was used to starting over. I knew how to bluff my way through all the newness. He was quiet and calm and reassuring. Did he feel the same way I did when I watched my little one stepping out on her own? Did he see the beginning of the end? Or did he see the start of something new?

Where does it go???

If heat rises, why hasn't all this heat gone away??? It is so hot!! I don't want to cook, I don't want to clean, I don't want to do the laundry, and then on top of all that I have to deal with this heat too....Oh, did you think the heat was why I didn't want to do all those things??? Silly person.

I'm doing the Happy Dance!!!

I have my little girl back home safe and sound!!!! We're all agreed she won't be heading off on another trip for at least 10 years or so. She has had enough of flying for awhile. We're going to take a couple days and just enjoy each other and then it's the before-school-starts rush. She's a Freshman this year and life just keeps changing. Life is good.

I'm so excited!!

One more day and we're off to the airport to pickup up our little girl!!! It seems like she's been gone forever. I always knew she was a big part of my life, but with her gone it really came home to roost just how much my life revolves around her. She validates me...sounds funny, but it's true. I value her opinion and need her attention. Children give so much more to their parents than I think they ever understand...until they become parents. I love that young lady "all the way to the moon and back"....that's from one of her favorite bedtime stories. Just one more day.

Update on the housesitting job....

Bill and Tracy, how was the trip??? Don't worry about a thing at the house. The firemen were really nice and the plumber gave us a break on the labor charge. Just have fun...Oh yea, where do you keep your insurance agent's name and number. Gotta run, the police are here for the followup report!! Really don't give this place a thought...just enjoy yourselves. Hee hee - love ya!! :)

Housesitting

Well tonight is our first night keeping an eye on my cousin's place. It's so nice to have the change of pace. Can't be here every night because I still need to be at home for my mom too. But it's good to have a little breathing room. Not able to enjoy the pool tonight because of the weather...too much wind.

Talked with my little girl today. She's homesick and ready to be back with her mom and dad. We're ready for her to be home too. It's been fun for her but it's a long time away from home and family. We only have to wait until Monday!!! None too soon for me.

Working day...

Today I'm working. That involves working from home out of my oh, so comfortable home office. I like that...dare I say I love that. It's a good thing to be working. Keeps the mind nimble and the wallet full. Well, based on what I'm paid, maybe not full, but at least satisfied.

My cousin and his wife leave for vacation today and will be blogging all along their trip. I'm looking forward to that. I'm house setting so I may be doing some blogging of my own. They have a pool....hmmmm. That sounds like an upgrade.

Born to be wild.....

Getting by...

Well four mornings ago we put our little cutie pie on the plane..by herself..all alone..without me..did I mention she was alone?? She had some turbulence landing on the first leg of the trip, but did fine afterwards. She's having a blast, but calls and texts often. You can hear in her voice "I'm having fun, but is it okay that I'm homesick too?" She misses us...that gives my heart a lift. Don't misunderstand. I want her to have the time of her life, but it still feels good that she misses her mom and wishes we were there with her.

Makin' a list...

Okay, I made a list of five things I wanted to complete before the end of summer. Things I keep putting off so that maybe the little fairies will come and do them for me. Not happening, so...I've tackled three of the five in the last three days. Yes, I know..I'm headed for sainthood. The file drawers are all redone, relabeled and cleaned out, I ripped all the songs I want off of the CD's I'm donating, and I went through all my recipes, threw away, sorted, retyped and put the ones I'm keeping in a binder or recipe box. (I still have mine from the 8th grade) All that leaves to do is clean out the walk in closet and get my book club started. The closet doesn't sound like much fun, but I'm looking forward to starting the book club.

Can you tell I'm trying to stay busy as my little one is getting ready to get on that plane and I'd rather not be thinking about that?

Monday, Monday..

Okay, back to a Monday...got to change that attitude about Mondays. Get busy, get things moving...wait here's a new blog...really neat. Some people have a life!! Oh look, they follow this other blog...okay that guy's just rude! Cool pictures though. Wait, what was I supposed to be doing??? Oh yea, getting busy...things to do. I'll just go check my email real quick and then I really should see what's happening on facebook. Okay, enough's enough...time to get down to work - there's beds to be made, dishes to wash, garden to water, bills to pay, dinner to plan...oh yea, I need to check that item I'm following on ebay. It'll only take a minute...what's that I hear? "Honey, I'm home!"...oh shit, there goes another Monday...

What Is the Measure of a Man?

This is something I wrote for a friend of mine who lost her son in Iraq. He was someone very special and has been sorely missed.

What is the measure of a man? Is it time?...I don't believe so.
Some people can touch so many lives and hearts in far too short a time...leaving their mark by simply being who they are.
What is the measure of a man? Is it money?....I don't believe so.
Money too easily corrupts and taints our world. A man whose currency is honor, compassion and self-sacrifice is rich beyond words.
What is the measure of a man? Is it fame? I don't believe so.
What is fame but the fickle fawning of small-minded fools. True fame lies in reaching out a hand and lifting up a soul who never knows your name, but who will never forget you.
What is the measure of a man? Is it worldly possessions? I don't believe so.
Wordly possessions are things that can be taken from you or fall to dust. Grace, humility, dedication and love are the soul's possessions. Yours always to hold tight in times of need or shower generously on those you love.
So what is the measure of a man? I believe it has more to do with what he leaves behind. The people he's changed, the difference he's made, the respect he's earned and the loss that's endured. Eric was the measure of a man.

Happy 4th!!

There are a lot of changes that are happening in our country....but they're not just happening now...they have been going on since the beginning. I think one of the things that makes this such a great country is its ability to change. And we have changed and evolved over the years through the democratic process, through strife and pain, through abundance and progress. So many of those changes have been good and right, but I hope we don't lose sight of the fundamental principles on which this country was founded. I hope we continue to honor those who have gone before us and consider those who will come after us. I hope everyone has a safe and emotional Fourth of July...we should be emotional about something so amazing as the birth of this great country. Happy 4th!!!

Ebony and Ivory....

aahhh.....

Went to see the baby tigers yesterday. They were so cute, but so asleep. The zoo was a blast...don't recommend going in July though. Don't care if it was a cloudy day. We might as well have been on safari in some sweltering jungle. I didn't know I could sweat that much. Did you know your eyelids can sweat???? The aquarium was cool (literally) and the penguins were fun to watch.

Cloudy days...

It's a cloudy day and that always lends itself to brooding thoughts. Don't get me wrong, because I love the clouds. But they seem to slow the day down and turn my thoughts inward. On a cloudy day things look calmer, softer - not so sharp and harsh. Things don't seem so pressing and urgent. These kind of days give the mind time to wander. And if there's wind, lightening and thunder the day is charged and makes me feel more natural less civilized. More in touch with the grass..the trees..the sky and less in touch with people and things. I love those days too.

But today is a quiet cloudy day, and calls for thought.