Welcome to the world...

This is my beautiful great nephew, Justin Donald. He was born on August 27th to Ashley and Luke. He's is so precious. I loved holding him and just watching him sleep. His fingers and toes are so long...he's going to be tall. He is truly a little miracle.

Drip, drop, drip, drop....

I had so much fun doing this today!! Nicole and I locked ourselves in the bathroom and did all kinds of different shots. These are the ones we liked best. Thanks, Tracy, for the neat idea!!!

Say Cheese....

Went with Tracy to the camera shop today to drop her's off to be cleaned. What a neat place! The people were really nice. They have all kinds of cool stuff in there and some awesome black and white photos. It was great to talk cameras and pictures with Tracy. We're going to get out and do some experimenting with our cameras when the weather turns a little friendlier. In the meantime she sent me a link about taking pictures of water drops and I'm going to give it a try. Sounds like fun!

Boats, boats and more boats....

We've been looking around for a fishing boat so we can become part of the family Spring and Fall fishing trips. Would like to find something nice so we're not the laughing stock of the group....been there, done that. (We are occasionally referred to as the Grapes of Wrath contingent.) We have a lead on a nice one and Greg will be checking it out today with my brother, Richard. We've been scouring craigslist, the newspaper and ebay...something tells me if we were looking for a washer and dryer the hunt wouldn't be near so intense. We're looking forward to spending more time together as a family enjoying each other's company. We're even going to take my mom out for a spin. I guess none of that would be near so much fun with a washer and dryer....

Clowns of the bird world...

I was at my dad's house on Sunday morning and he has these four young Cactus Wrens that are so funny. He's spoiled them rotten. He opens the windows on his garage and lays out shelled peanuts on his work bench. They hop up in the window, come on in and collect their booty. They have even figured out how to get into the bag of peanuts if he's been slow about getting them put out. Sometimes he makes it more challenging for them and leaves them in the shell...then it's off under his truck to open them or outside under the honeysuckle. They are so fun to watch!

Hummingbirds and rain....

What a beautiful morning! It rained all night long and was gorgeous when I got up this morning. It was still raining and the hummingbirds were out having fun in the sprinkles. There are three feeders on the back porch and one on the front porch, but can they share??? NO!! There is always one that thinks this is his territory and he chases all the other ones off. He uses up so much energy guarding what he could easily share! It was a wonderful way to start the day.

Ghosties and ghoulies....

Okay, I have to say, I'm addicted to all this kind of stuff. I love to watch Ghost Hunters and Ghost Hunters International. Now they never seem to find anything that is conclusive or convincing, but I still watch. It's relaxing and fun for me. I need to upgrade my TV connection so I can get the Biography channel. They have a cool show called Ghostly Encounters that I got hooked on while I was housesitting for my cousin. I can't help it...what is the attraction?? Am I looking for something that says we go on and that we have some kind of ability to interact with those left behind? Not sure...just know that it's my downtime. My family knows I don't make dinner that night so you better find some letftovers because my butt is planted in front of the tellie.

It's a good day....

Today is a good day!! I woke up with energy and got things done. That's always a good feeling. Things look different when I feel like this, so I have to take advantage and just run with it. Hope it lasts for awhile. Love it, love it!!!

Bucket list...

Okay, my cousin recently did some things that she said she was able to cross off her Bucket List. I felt really bad that I didn't even have the ambition to have a Bucket List. So I'm thinking I might make one. I have a question though. Is it proper Bucket List etiquette or protocol or whatever applies to put something on the list you've already done??? You know, so you can kinda have a head start?? What do you think?

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?