Help! It's fall and I can't get cool!

It is fall...autumn...at least that is what the calendar declares. The weather, on the other hand, would like us to believe it is still summer. 95 degrees on
Oct. 30th should be against the law! Handsome wanted to know if it is called "fall" because of the leaves falling off the trees. "Why, yes, Handsome! You are exactly right!" Then he wanted to know why the leaves were still on the trees at the park across the street. Some of them are yellow at least! They must be very confused! A few days of sane autumn weather told them to change colors, but then the heat returned to inform them to hang on for dear life...

So, we had to come up with our own leaves to emphasize the feeling of fall. WalMart and Michaels both have packages of colorful leaves for under a buck. So, we could still go leave hunting, and, using the full force of the ceiling fans, experience the "falling" of such. This even caused Handsome to retrieve a rake from the garage and make a pile into which they "tossed" Baby Girl. Even a toy dump truck got in on the scene!

To assist in the study of birds, the newly planted lawn in the back yard gave us opportunity to view, close up, many different species. One big "SCAT!", however, sent them all flying away. Well, mostly to the neighbor's roof to wait until we disappeared. I really think they were more attracted to the small pools of water that the sprinkler created than they were the actual seeds. But Handsome was thrilled with the flock nonetheless.

Well, after Hunky asked me about five times when Halloween was going to be, he may have decided what costume he is actually going to wear. At first he had his heart set on being a fireman, but now I think he has chosen Spiderman. Handsome is still a bit undecided since the heat is prohibiting some of his more favored choices.

Well, I did get my living room painted and the couches switched out. I really like the result in the living room, but as I suspected, I am not too thrilled with the family room looks with that particular couch. I shall continue to search for a cover and to keep it listed on Craigslist. Eventually, I will find what I want and can afford. My priorities right now involve getting to California for Thanksgiving to see my sister, cousins, daughter, and most importantly, Mr. Boo. His birthday is Nov. 15 and we are having a party on the Saturday following Thsnksgiving. Both his parents have birthdays on Nov. 25 as well as his great-grandfather. My family is having a family reunion...the same gathering that we have had on Thanksgiving for over 50 years...and my sister whom I have not seen this year, is going to be there. We plan to share a motel and go shopping on Friday...although my "shopping" will be more of the "window" variety. But it will be fun to be with her. And my husband will enjoy her husband as well. They get along fine and even like each other!

Well, enough for now...enjoy the pictures! God bless!

Here We Go Again!

I can use that term "Here we go again" for a number of reaasons this week. Here I go,again, taking all week to write another blog, for one thing. It has been a pretty routine week. We haven't finished our pvc pipe house. We made a few messes around the real house. We've ALL had some "time-out"s. And we have done nothing exciting or elaborate this week...yet...we still have TODAY to go! (you never know!)

Here we go again also applies to my getting involved in children's ministry at church. I seem to be unable NOT to volunteer to help, especially with special projects like the Christmas program. I am sure this is because I really DO love working with children, and I love everything about Christmas! (Well, everything that WE do for Christmas!) So, here I am presenting the skit and working with the children and teachers to put it together. (Starting the first week of November) I must say, though, that in all my years of working in churches with things like this, I don't believe I have ever had anyone so organized and excited as my pastor's wife. She is on it! I think it will be a lot of fun.

Here we go again can also apply to the mundane challenges of life. Last week it was my computer charger. Died. No juice. NOthing. Nada. Cost $100.00 OUCH! THIS week it is my car...spark plugs. Wouldn't be so bad if they made cars like they used to...where a normal intelligenced person could change the plugs. Oh, you can on my car...three of them are reachable...the other three require the removing of some other parts, special tools, patience, knowledge, etc. and CASH!! OUCH! again.

Well, I must remember that lots of people have much more severe challenges than machines breaking down. At least we do have the means to pay for them...so far.. Today. I want to do some redecorating... do something different in a very little cost manner. So, I am painting my fake fireplace mantel...and then the living room walls. I am switching out my couches, placing the one in the family room in the living room and vice-versa. I am not sure I am going to like the outcome entirely, but until I can sell the hide-a-bed one and replace it for the same price on Craigslist (It is currently listed), I am trying this as a means to scratch my itch for change...in decor. I may resort to a sheet or other cover so as not to have anything else clash color-wise in the family room. I would love to have either a microfiber or leather couch, but we will have to see how things turn out. I hope to paint the front bedroom (now an office) and the hallways (we have two) before the Holidays, but we will see. I am using the most inexpensive yet quality paint I can. I am using a little of my yard sale money as I am almost done with Christmas gifts. And my daughter is having a yard sale next Saturday at her house. I plan to bring some items I forgot to set out at mine or that did not sell. She lives in a bit more high-end area. My carousel horse and vintage sewing machine may do better there.

Well, there you have it again! Another blog! And now I must close by saying, "Here we go again! To homeschooling and whatever surprises my grandchildren have for me. At least I get to be with the oldest this evening for a highschool play my cousin's son is in...TDH is coming with us. And spending the night. Yeah!

More pictures of our fun!!!

JUST A FEW PICTURES OF OUR ADVENTURES!

#3-Grandma??? Is that you? Picture #1-Hunky stuffs Shirleys foot! #2- Handsome carries bricks for our house>

Another Week to Behold!

Wow! Another week has flown by and a new one has begun! I made a statement to my friends that I would try to post more frequently than weekly, and here I am behind! It is not that interesting things have not happened. It is just that sometimes I waver back and forth in my head, debating whether or not to share my thoughts. One such wavering occurred when I was following a car bearing the bumper sticker that read "A closed mind is a good thing to lose." It struck me not as humorous, but rather as sarcastic. I came to this conclusion based on other bumper stickers on this vehicle. It seemed the owner would like to accept all kinds of thinking without any absolutes. The thought occurred to me that it was good that at least he seemed to accept the absolutes of the rules of the road. I would prefer not to be "open minded" regarding how to drive. And personally, I don't think it is good to lose ANY mind. After working with Alzheimer patients and being involved with others with mental struggles from time to time in my life, the sticker did not make me chuckle at all. NOW, aren't you glad I did not spend a whole blog expounding on this topic???

Another topic I considered expressing my viewpoint on happened when the boys and Baby Girl and I went to the zoo again on Wednesday. Handsome really likes feeding those parrots! These birds live in a walk-in caged area secured by a locked gate. Three times a day the keeper comes and unlocks the gates so the public can come in and hand-feed the birds. But the birds are not the incident that triggered my thoughts here. It was Hunky who was the first one to the gate when the keeper gave the word..."what goes in must come out" and elaborated that it takes about 15 minutes after the beginning of eating for the birds to begin eliminating...Hunky got the picture! He rushed to the gate, and being the gentleman that he is striving to be, he held the gate open for the rest of the crowd to pass through. What got MY attention was how little attention was paid by the rest of the crowd that someone was holding the gate for them. They passed through, not noticing Hunky's efforts at all...at least not overtly. I did not hear one "thank you" as they chattered past him as he strained to hold the gate. I could not let this pass entirely, as I have been teaching the boys to thank those around them who are helpful. So, I loudly announced "Hunky! You make such a GREAT door holder! You are doing an awesome job holding that gate for ALL these people!" At that, a few turned and smiled at him and said "Oh! Thank you!" I know they did not mean to be rude, but we get entirely too wrapped up in our own thoughts and "go with the flow" of the crowds to notice small kindnesses at times. I know! I shall stop my commentating on human nature!

We did get our scarecrow done. Handsome named her "Shirley". I am not sure why, exactly, as I don't think he knows anyone with that name specifically. Perhaps he does! Anyway, he meant it as a compliment. We had a lot of fun trying on disguises to decide which she should wear!

We are working on a playhouse made from pvc pipe that is left over from their dad's landscaping project. I am not sure how we will make the walls exactly, but we have the frame and roof all figured out! Handsome has some ideas running around in his head for the walls and all kinds of features.(I think some ideas involve bricks!) He really is creative! Baby Girl "supervises" by clearing the rocks away and drinking on the job! (From her "cuppie" of course!) Well, I think I got the whole week caught up! Perhaps this week I shall not waver so much and might actually get some blogs written...as I behold another wonderful week!

A Future in a Topsy Turvy Whacky World!

My son-in-law watches the stock market when he can because he used to be a day trader. Today there was a variance of over 1000 points! I don't personally know if that is a record or not, but it certainly caused a lot of tension to a lot of people. One man my husband works with has only $900.00 invested in an account, yet panicked when he checked it and found it only registered $600.00 at the moment. He thought he was headed for "no future." Perhaps he meant no finacial security in his future, but I can't see how the rise or fall of the stock market dictates whether or not I (or anyone else) have a future. I suppose, if by "future" I meant leisure or total comfort, then perhaps I would be concerned more than I am. I do have investments which are tied to the stock market, in my 403B. But, whether I can collect on that OR on Social Security still does not dictate my future.

I have seen many "futures" taken away suddenly by an unexpected illness or accident. In the course of one year, I saw 5 of my friends and another 2 acquaintances pass on into eternity suddenly. And only one of them was older than I.
I have seen "futures" become questionable due to addictions, the victims not knowing whether they shall escape or die. But the finacial woes of our nation, or the world, does not necessarily mean there is no bright future for us.

I may have to work well into my intended retirement years. Oh well. My grandpa ran a farm well into his 80's. And Grandma canned fruit and veggies they grew until just days before she went to Heaven.

I may have to live a little more down-sized than I planned. At least I did not lose it all to a bomb in a war-torn country. My younger daughter witnessed this in Croatia...wedding albums abandoned in bomb shelters, "collecibles" scattered throughout the bombed church yard...and much more. At least I do not live in terror that I shall be killed for my faith or for writing my thoughts on the Internet.

I may have to skip a meal here or there. At least I've had over 55 years of eating whenever and whatever I wanted. That is more than can be said by most of the World's "children." For many, living 55 years would be a miracle! And having even one meal per day consistently would be like living a dream.

I may have to work a little harder at growing some nutritional plants, risking blisters pulling out the weeds. Thank God I can still garden. I own land. Today.

I may have to walk, even if I am in pain, a little more to save gas. That makes me slow down and notice the world around me. And be thankful that, painfully or painfree, I still CAN walk! I have not lost my legs in battle on foreign soil. Nor on our own.

I may have to wear the same clothes more often. Grandma had just a few dresses and prized each one. I always thought she looked great and never noticed how few clothes she owned. I guess I thought she always wore "my" favorite dress just for me!

I may have to get much more creative about vacations. I have a large yard. I can pitch my tent at home! I can take a bus to a museum, or a park. A vacation is for resting and refreshing. Traveling, while I enjoy it, can be taxing and troublesome. How many delays have I endured on freeways due to accidents, or construction? How many anxious phone calls have I made, assuring my family I was on the road...in a jam. I am fortunate enough to have most of my family here locally.

I miss Mr. Boo and my daughter and son-in-law that live in California. I miss seeing my sister more frequently. But, in a world with email, cell phones, and webcams, how can I say I am apart from them? I know a hug can't be felt via electronics, but love has managed to express itself across the miles for decades. I think sometimes it is ourselves from whom we are disconnected. If we can imagine; if we can believe; if we can dream; if we can breathe, we will be okay. And with God, ALL things are possible...even a recovering economy and a bright future!

And, with God, there is ALWAYS a future...if we believe!

Change is in the air again!

Change! Some people love it and some people hate it! Me? I guess it would have to depend on what kind of change is happening. Autumn is supposed to be here, and to bring a change in temperature. That is hard to believe when it is still in the high 90's. Although, today it is lower 90's and this weekend is supposed to even give us a day under 80! We shall see! That is one kind of change I look forward to. I guess I have developed into somewhat of a desert rat, but as an aging desert rat... female,,,I could stand quite a few less heated days! Ha ha! Especially since I took down my pool already!

I have also come to the conclusion that I needed to change my school routine. Due to Handsome having to do treatments first thing in the morning, it works best if he has something to do with his hands. So, now we start with Science. The lessons in one curriculum we use is computer-based and hands-on, while the other book is full of projects and experiments. It seems to work better to have him start with that and then move to math. We use a lot of manipulatives during math as well as the dry erase board, along with the workbook. He "gets" math and so enjoys working the equations out. He is counting to 100 with Hunky every day by ones, twos, fives, tens, and now threes. And we are doing the Pledge of Allegiance daily also. They get a kick out of it when I say it in Sapnish for them. (That is one thing that stuck in my head after four plus years of Spanish!)

Baby Girl is experiencing changes too! She is growing more hair, for one thing! We can even pull it back into a tiny pony tail. She calls it "bobos". Perhpas that is because we used to call the barrettes "bows". She is increasing her vocabulary daily, it seems, as she tries to repeat things she has heard the boys (or adults) say. Today's new word is "Thank you". (Technically, that is TWO words!) She says it quite well!

With the economic crisis, my budgeting is changing as well. We have to think of more creative ways to entertain ourselves and the grandchildren. Fortunately, I am a creative person who likes to have fun...and can make my own fun. TDH likes to remind me that one day when he and Jomo were younger and I lived in my condo, they came over for a swim. Though they wanted to spend time with me, getting wet was a definite priority. Since my unit was not directly on the pool terrace, I was unaware that it was closed for repairs that day. What did Grandma do? Well, we poured about 4 inches of water all over my kitchen floor and spread towels throughout so we could "splash!" Hey, it worked and we had a great time. I got a very clean floor out of the deal also!

Believe it or not, I am nearly done with my Christmas gift pruchases. It is partly due to the fact that all year long, as I have a little money and find sales, I purchase items and stash them away. That doesn't always work for the children, but it is great for the adults on my list. I have most things wrapped and labled too! I know, I am obnoxious!

Well, I don't know what changes the politcal and governmental issues are going to bring to my life, but I know that I can keep a focus of faith and will be all right. My ancestors lived through a great depression, homelessness, and illnesses, and still kept their faith intact. They passed on that faith along with humor and optimism and a love of God and country. Yes, I think we can weather any changes as long as we know who we are!

(I am including a picture of Handsome and Hunky doing an experiment to illustrate the value of tail feathers on a bird!)

God bless and keep the faith!

Another Month Flies By!

Wow! Here it is October already! We shall soon make our stuffed scarecrow out of Grandma's old clothes. Perhaps we shall make a grandpa scarecrow too, if the boys feel up to wadding up THAT much newspaper. Handsome really enjoys getting getting his hands dirty, so perhaps he shall volunteer! We made one lady scarecrow and one stuffed Tigger last year. Just a little fun to sit on the front porch during the month, and something to greet the neighbors and friends. We don't do up Halloween really big, but I have always felt that a friendly gesture or two for neighborhood can enhance relationships. And dressing up is fun too...on any day...in my book!

But right now we are studying Jewish holidays and history. And then we will do Columbus (for Columbus Day) and begin to study the early natives, and then the settlers leading up to the Pilgrims and that first Thanksgiving day. Of course, I know that is next month...but lots is going on in between. For one thing, Handsome and Hunky and Baby Girl's other grandparents from Colorado are coming for the Holiday. And "Slick" (another "brother" all grown up)will return for a visit as well.(He and his family live in Nevada.) So, we just take things as they come.

Handsome has been having to do some additional tests all week...blood tests...another part of his CF issues. How I wish I could eliminate this disease! He is a brave little guy! He may fuss a bit, but in only moments he will comply to whatever treatment or test he must. He may express his displeasure, but he knows his well-being depends on these things. It hurts a grandmother's heart to see him go through everything he does. Bless his little heart! He tries to focus for his school in the midst of all of this. He is an amazing little kid!

Hunky is a very comical kid. The things he thinks of to ask and the tremendous stories he makes up keep me laughing a lot! Not too mention how cute he is! He is learning to spell and write his name. He can recognize most of the letters, but not form them all yet.

Baby Girl is quite an explorer right now. There isn't a situation she will not investigate. She thinks she is just as capable as her brothers in nearly every setting! Unfortunately, she over-estimates herself in this area. And she can be the drama princess if such an adventure should not go her way. But, she is so lovable and sweet. ONe of the things I really enjoy is when I pick her up, she lays her head across my shoulder and then pats ME on the back. Just like I do to her, I guess. She is quite a go-getter and quite a lover all in one.

I had the privilege of taking Jomo and TDH to their swim lessons on Tuesday. Jomo was so adorable splashing around in the water. He had been very timid in water just a few weeks ago at a family picnic. TDH doesn't really feel like he needs the lessons, being a teenager, you see. But I can see a great improvement in his skills since that picnic. And it is a good brotherly bonding time, having to trust each other in the pool.

And then there is little Mr. Boo. He "visited" us online on Skype Friday, just in time for Handsome and Hunky to "talk" to him too. They got a big kick out of seeing their cousin on a screen on the computer...live and in action! We can, correctly emphasize the word "action". He is so adorable and cute...and active! I can't wait to see him in "touchable" person. Hopefully, we will get to on Thanksgiving weekend. We hope to attend my family reunion (Dad's side...been going on over 50 years) on Thanksgiving as we did last year (after an absence of over 30 years) and then go on to Mr. Boo's house to celebrate his first birthday (which will actually be a week or so sooner). Both his mommy and daddy have birthdays that week too! It should be a blast! And then Mr. Boo and Mommy will visit us for Christmas. Daddy has to be a doctor on that day... and the whole week! I guess Daddy Boo IS a doctor ALL the time...but he doesn't have to practice all the time. SMILE!