Feeling the Crush

Trying to get so many projects done.  First we have camping this weekend.  I did manage to get to the laundromat and get my sleeping bag washed.  Whew. Slowly getting the house whipped back into a little bit of shape.  Slowly catching back up on laundry.  My list is good sized.
When we came home from getting sibling pictures taken today I realized that I hadn't added mowing the yard on to my list.  Oy.  One more thing.  And then the neighbor boys came over and asked if they could mow it.  I asked them how much.  Didn't matter what they said as long as it was reasonable.  They stated $8.  I had them mow and I gave them $10.  They were a bit worried that they left a little grass in the backyard.  They hauled off most of it, but some got left behind from the mower.  That doesn't worry me in the least.  I don't even bag when I mow......just leave the grass in the lawn.  So $10 got me mowing, hauling, and they used their own mower and gas.  I think I'm well ahead.

Surprise Visit

My heart was broken because I honestly thought that Cassie wasn't going to make time for the kids.  Every thing posted on facebook never eluded to a visit.  So I did not even tell the kids she was going to be in town.  I should have known that was not how it would be.
So today Cassie, David, Jasslynn and their roommate Dave came for a visit.  Aunt Tracy and Jeremy also came over and brought lunch. It took Jazzlynn a bit to warm up to us.  Afterall she does not remember the last trip out here.  Didn't take the littles long to love her though.  They immediately started picking her up and carrying her around.  By the end of the visit she was treating them like her siblings and not wanting to share things with them.  It was funny.
The big guys got a work out piggy backing the littles around.  And the littles did not want to stop.  I can tell they will be worn out when the visit at their house happens.
It was very nice getting to spend a little time with the real David.  The last time I saw him he was still in the throes of active addiction.  Now he is in recovery. And he talks and tells stories.
We set up a sibling picture session and some more visits.

Last Night

Tomorrow my Uncle Jerry flies home to Colorado. So tonight he brought Mom's car back.  We had a take and bake pizza and looked at pictures.  He told me I need to get the pictures scanned.  I totally agree but am just overwhelmed at how daunting of a task that would be.
Mom had gotten a little emotional.  Jerry suggested that perhaps it was time to not bring her back to the house.  Maybe it is just how overwhelmed she is with emotions with his visit and maybe not.  It's not going to get better.
He suggested I take her permission to give stuff to the good will or have a yard sale and do that.  And that I don't say anything more about it.  He understood how hard it is to decide to get rid of stuff.  Garbage and recycles are easy.  But the rest is hard.  But I have to do it or we truly can't settle in and make this place home.
We had a good visit.  This is the most time we have had with him and we enjoyed it.  We reminisced. We liked that somone was thoughtful and had labelled a lot of the pictures.  I was glad to spend some time with someone who has been through all of this before and was able to tell me I'm doing a good job.  One day at a time.
Thanks for all the advice Uncle Jerry and thanks to all who are going through this journey with me.

Spaghetti

First day in a week that I cooked.  All last week I worked so hard that when I picked the littles up and they wanted McDonald's or whatever....I was game.  Then we had a couple of meals with Mom and Uncle Jerry and all of a sudden I haven't cooked in a week.
I have decided that it is time to start making my own spaghetti sauce.  Ragu has just changed.  And I know that to make my own really doesn't take much longer than opening a jar of Ragu.  So maybe next time.  The little man probably won't eat it then because it will be different, but we shall see.

Too Curious

And so it goes.  My brother thinks there is a possibility that I am wrong, but I don't think so.  Either Doug or Kristie has been keeping up with my other blog since it started.  About once a week it gets a visit from the same IP in Camas.  I have monitored the visitors for long enough to think I am right.  No one else would be interested in pictures of Tanya and the girls from Camas.  My friends who live up there would be downloading pics of the littles if they wanted pictures.
Now I don't get it.  They have made it so clear with every action for a long time that they have no concern about us, so why keep reading the blog.  There are very very few veiled references to them on it.  Here on the other hand.....too many for my own comfort.
I just find it it curious that they still feel the need to continue to monitor it.

Best Laid Plans

So the plan was to get a little bit of an early start (early for us).  And naturally that didn't happen.  We skipped breakfast intending to eat fresh donuts at the farmer's market.  Stopped to pick up Mom and she was still asleep.  Took her a little longer than it has been.  Then the whole way in we heard about how she needs a hat and a shirt for the sun and breakfast.  Yup.  I forgot them.  After we picked up Uncle Jerry we made it down town about 45 minutes later than planned.  We went down the line at the market and did not find the donuts.  Then Mom needed a break and the kids found the playground.
Uncle Jerry bought cherries and then told us that Mom wasn't doing too well and we should go somewhere else to eat since there were no donuts.  So we did that.  Had a nice lunch at Shari's and then deposited every one back to their homes.
Then we made our trip to the store and drove to Longview.  Got the rest of Mike's stuff delivered.  Then I made an impromptu trip to Klineline.  When the kids got dressed in the morning they were told they would get to play in the fountan at farmer's market.  Well that didn't happen.  So instead we stopped at Klineline and they played on the splash pad and the playground.  They had a good time.
Even though we had good plans, they just didn't work out.  Instead we did two parks in one day and we know that Mom can't do outings like that anymore.  We just roll with it.

Clothing Run

Mike got transferred to work release in Longview.  While he is at work release he can wear his own clothes.....makes sense since he will have a job and need his own clothes.  Well Mike has no clothes whatsoever other than a couple of things here.
The littles and I went shopping and got him some basic necessities.  Socks, underwear, etc.  Then after a nap we ran the stuff up to Longview for him.  The little man just made himself right at home.  He is small enough that the guards didn't see him walk in until he was in the toys.  The guards were impressed when he put the toys back before we left, said most kids don't.  The little man has learned some good habits at day care.
Then we found a McDonald's in Longview for dinner.  The little man discovered that you can trade your toy.  So he did that as he already had the toy that came with his meal.
Then homeward bound.  Stopped at Mom's for what was to be a few minutes, but was over an hour.  Made plans for tomorrow with Uncle Jerry.
Once home Mike called and we discovered that I had forgotten his ID.  Guess we make another trip tomorrow along with a few food items.

No contact

Mike wants to see his kids.  There is a no contact order between him and I.  Yeah I know.......anyway it means it would be hard for me to take the kids to see him.  So his great plan is for Tanya to take them.  After all the water under the bridge and the way things are....I'm just not into that plan.  Maybe I would feel different if she showed any interest in her niece and nephew....but the only ones she makes effort with are the Skelton kids.
I'm probably going to need to check into getting the no contact order dropped.

Friday

My Uncle Jerry flew in this afternoon.  We picked up the littles and my mom and went out for dinner.  The restaurant was a little loud tonight.  Or maybe it was just that we were next to a loud table....one louder than us.  The food was good even if Mom was absolutely certain that everything about the place had changed.
The uncle is here for four days to get some time in with Mom and Aunt Cris.  Time is important when you are talking about dementia.  Mom is so happy he is here.  She introduced him to every one at the assisted living facility.
Uncle Jerry had played caregiver to his uncle and so he had good advice to give me and words of wisdom about how things were going to go.  It's a sad disease.  Glad I have a resource.

Working Hard

Brenda and I started doing rental returns this week.  Two days and we are about 3/4 of the way done.  This picture represents about 3000 pounds of books.  Whew.  No wonder I'm tired.

And on another note of getting ready to work hard.....I am the owner of a new pressure washer.  This year I am getting the deck done.  And the sidewalks and driveway will be washed and hopefully look a lot better.  I suspect it will be hard work also......and I have NEVER used a pressure washer before.  New skill to learn.  At least with the weedeater, I had used one on the farm so had a basic understanding.  Even if on the farm they put me somewhere where I couldn't do any damage. ;p

They've Got Mail

So there were two boxes by the front door.  One addressed to the little woman and one to the little man.  They were so excited.  They quickly figured out how to open the boxes.  The little man's was filled with clothes for him to grow into.  The little woman's had some clothes that already fit her and some 'Frozen' stuff (backpack, blanket, bag, etc).

They had to immediately start changing their clothes.  They were so happy and appreciative.
Me, I am beyond grateful.  We used to get hand-me-down clothing all the time when the littles were smaller.  Now we seem to be out of that loop.  So when my niece wanted to send me a box I was pleased, appreciative, grateful and blessed.  Thank you Carey for thinking of us and it helps more than you know.  

WTF

Cute story.
The littles are in the living room and I'm in the kitchen when I hear her say "I'm going to tell you said the f word."  He may have responded but I didn't hear him.
She comes into the kitchen and tells me he used the finger word while she is pointing the middle finger at me.  I'm just looking at her so she whispers in my ear that he said "What the fuck?"
Shortly after that he comes into the kitchen, looks at us and says very indignantly "I did not say What the fuck".  I had to turn away as I was about to laugh way too hard.
No he didn't get in trouble.  I'm hoping he doesn't start using that now.  Took Audrie about nine months to quit saying God dammit.  But she was two when she was saying it.  Remember Isaac?

Short Time

Our trip to the Midwest gives us almost ten days.  I thought that is a lot of time. But when I factor in the things I have planned it becomes a much shorter time frame.  There are two drives to Kokomo with one overnight there for me.  My sister is coming down for a couple of days. I have several days with my favorite aunt and uncle.  My friend Doug invited me over for a couple of days and I have a night planned in Chicago.  And bam that is about all.
I used to find four days was all I needed for a trip to the Midwest.  Seems as I get older I want a little more to make sure I get done the things I want to.  I never know when it will be my last trip back there. And I have thought that many times....this is the last trip.  And then I feel a need to go again.
This year the trip is more for the littles.  They get to spend some time with their mom and little sissy.  The benefit is I get some time to visit with my family and friend without worrying about the littles.
It is coming up fast.  Seems like just yesterday it was still a couple of months out.  Guess that is what happens when you plan it six months in advance.....seems like a long time and then sneaks up on you.  The littles are excited.  The little man only wants to know why he has two sissy's.  He wants a brother.  He'll have to talk to him mom about that.

Summer Solstice

This is how we ring in summer.  We spent two hours at the park running through the fountain and swinging on the tire swing.  It was a perfect afternoon.
We topped it off with Happy Meals and then root beer floats.  Summer Solstice is always root beer float days.  And it was worth the wait.  Poor little man wanted one as soon as we had bought the root beer and ice cream when we went grocery shopping over the weekend.
Welcome summer and all it brings.  It will be busy and it will be fun.

Adopted

Had a conversation this morning with Catie and it really got me thinking.  Made me more appreciative of the choices we made and being able to make them.
Catie was born in 1996 and was our first grandchild.  Blood for Dave and step for me.  Her parents choose instead to give her up for adoption.  They didn't feel old enough to be parents and I'm sure they thought this was the better choice for the baby.  At that stage of the game no one knows who the person is that that baby will become.  So no choice is "personal" to the baby, it is just a choice for the parents about their own life.
I have a cousin who was adopted and she will tell you it is the best thing that probably ever happened to her.  And we would always wish this to be true. We would wish that all adoptions were happy occasions and they are for some families.  I have blogged about this before.  For some people adoption is a grief process.  It is a great sense of loss for the grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins.  I'm sure it is also for the parents, but they made the choice.  The rest of the family did not.  They just get to live with the grief.
Today Catie was giving me a glimpse into the life of an adopted child.  Her experience. The lifelong feeling of abandonment.  I suspect there are a lot of people who feel that.  I know in my family there is.
When Catie went to live with her new family our hearts were broke in a big way.  We got to see her in the hospital and then she went to be part of her new family.  And life went on as it does.  We hoped to never have to experience that again.
Skip forward to 2009.  Our little redhead came into our lives.  Her parents tried to parent, but their lifestyle really hindered that.  And so we offered to take over the parenting.  We knew it was just a matter of time before she entered the system if we didn't.  So it was agreed that we would do that.  And we did.
Skip forward to 2011 and we had another baby on the way.  Life threw all kinds of curve balls there.  Cassie was almost convinced to give him up for adoption.  Tanya had told her all good things about adoption and promoted it as the best option.  After all she had done it twice.  And then Cassie had a family picked out.....but boy there was something hinky there.  And hindsight....I'm sure glad that one never worked out.  The little man was born into the system and given to us by the state.  We didn't have to take him.  We could have let the state give him to another family to be adopted.
Having already been through the grief process for the two babies that were already given up, we were ready to do just about anything to not go through that again.  It colored our decisions, but in a good way.  These babies are part of my family.  They are why I head a grandfamily.  I take life one day at a time.  I am grateful that I was given the option to take it on even if there are days I am so tired.
Now my family includes this beautiful young woman who comes back to my family with a husband and two babies in tow. She has a lot of work ahead of her, but I have no doubt that she can handle it and be a great parent.  One day at a time Catie and breathe.  Love and light always sent your way.

Third Time is the Charm

The big plan was for the little man's bed to come down from the attic and be put back together.  I had been asked earlier in the week who was helping me.  Wait...what?  Help is a rare occurrence in my life.  But today I had an excellent amount of help from Connor.  He helped me move all the slats in the attic to be by the door.  Then he stood at the bottom of the stairs and collected them as I handed them down.  Then he hauled all of them to his room.  He helped me wrangle the sides down and watched me put them together.
And I was right.....had to go to the hardware store.  Started off I measured to see what size bolts to buy.  Got five bolts and washers and came home.  Oy.  I had measured what I measured correctly, but I forgot to account for the insets.  So I took them back and got the right size.  Started putting the bed together and wondered about my counting ability.  We had to return for a third time to the hardware store for four more bolts.  Lucky for us the hardware store is only a mile away.  Third time was the charm and the bed was finally put together.
And if we wouldn't have went to the hardware store the last time I wouldn't have seen the guy from plant services and been able to give him a bad time about looking strange.  That out of my element thing....but I did know it was him.
We again thank our good friend Michael for the new Cars sheets.  The little man loves them.

CSA Basket

I picked up our very first basket from the Urban Snail CSA.  The basket includes greens, peas, flowers, herbs, and jam.  I'm so excited for my friend Rachel.  I hope this is everything she hopes it will be.  She said baskets will be every other week until things get really going.  Then once a week or as often as we want.  She anticipates a lot of produce.

Playground Play

After work this afternoon we traipsed over to the park.  We spent a good two hours there letting them run off energy.  They still especially love the tire swing.  Then when it was time to leave the little man decided he needed to play in the fountain first so he went home dripping wet.  Ah, such is life of a Nana with an independent boy (sometimes).

Last Major Indoor Project

"Audrie, come see my room."  He is so proud.  The carpet installers came this morning and made short work of ripping out the old stuff and installing the new.  I think the little man did a fine job in his pick of color and pattern.  And it looked better after I vacuumed it.
Now I get the fun job of going back up in the attic and getting his bed down.  Bet I need to buy new screws as the ones that were with the beds never turned up.  Hopefully I can postpone it till the weekend. The room looks and smells a lot better.  :)

Day Care Joy

Oh I understand why they did it.  But it doesn't make my life any easier by any means.  I hope it gets repealed.  Seems there is a new law that states state paid kids can only be in daycare programs that are part of an early achiever program.  Now daycares do not have to participate....they just can't have any under school aged kids paid by the state if they don't.  Our provider is not opting in to this program.  She doesn't want to jump through any more hoops than she already has to and no one has ever ever complained that her preschool program is insufficient.  In fact she has heard hers is almost too good and gets some kids too ready for kindergarten.
So for us, this means Audrie is still fine going to our daycare.  Connor is not.  He has a whole year before he is "school" aged.  We got the notice last week.  The law takes effect August 1st.  So I have less than two months to decide what we are doing.  And it doesn't look like there are any work arounds.
My whole thing has been staying where we are at so they are always in the same day care.  Outside of me....daycare is the only other constant in their lives.  And the state agrees that continuity is an extremely healthy thing.....except if the provider doesn't want to jump through this new hoop.  When I was looking at moving I was only looking in the BG area.
So today I went online and found there is one center listed that is complying.  And three home day cares, but none of those are in the boundary of Audrie's school and home day cares don't do drop offs and pick ups like our daycare does.  The actual center listed did not return my call today.  And I called the other one that I know is doing the early achievers.  Something about being told to convince the state to pay for five days a week due to my varying work schedule sets me wrong.  I can only use day care when I am working.  So she wants to be paid for all five days even if I use two.  She also let me know that our daycare is not taking any state paid kids.  Well not under kindergarten age they aren't.  Oy.
It is a bit of a quandry.  Looks like I may be private paying for Connor just to keep him in our daycare.  We know them.  We love them.  They have worked with my schedule for over three years now.  And if that is what is to be, it is only 13 months before he is "school" aged.

Manic Monday

Today was the little woman's last day of kindergarten.  Now I have a first grader.  I am amazed at how fast that school year went by.
Mom had her doctor appointment today.  We got a new anti-anxiety prescription for when she needs it and got all her inhalers back.  She got a cream for her forehead that she has been picking at for the past few months.
After we got part of her meds picked up, we had time for a late breakfast.  Stopped in at the Hockinson Cafe.  We love their food and it is so close.  Took her home.
I got home in time for the Comcast technician to come make my internet work in the dining room.  All good once I had everything hooked up right.  And now the office is ready for the carpet installation on Wednesday.
Then it was time to pick up the kids, pick up the rest of the meds for Mom and then to DQ for some soft serve ice cream which turned into dinner.  Dropped off the meds for Mom and home for stepping.  Whew.  Quite a busy day.

Home

It was a very good weekend.  Hardest part was sleeping in the upper bunk with the littles.  Yeah.  Climbing up there was easier this year.  Next year we do something different.  We made a lot of memories.  Mom was glad she came.  She actually had a good day today and we appreciate those when we get them.
I asked the littles what the best part was.  The little man liked everything in no particular order.  The little woman liked meeting all the dogs at the concert.  My animal girl.  I am still enthralled with the dragonfly that landed on her.  Made me feel like Papa was with us for a moment.  He got sick right after we planned our first camping trip at the beach and couldn't go.  Maybe this weekend he was there.
My brother didn't catch any crabs or fish.  We don't seem to be good luck for him.  Maybe he will turn that around next camping trip.  But he did get to try out his new cart for hauling stuff around.  Worked pretty well even if part of the stuff he hauled was kids.  ;p

Cape Disappointment

It was the coolest day.  The littles and I went down and played on the beach.  The littles and Uncle Pat went crabbing on the beach and got soaked.  Mom enjoyed lunch and dinner inbetween sleep times.  The little woman met lots of dogs at the free concert put on at the campground.  But the absolute coolest thing was when the littles were laying on the pavement soaking up the warmth and she pops up with "what is that"?  She was talking about the dragonfly that had landed on her hand.  Stayed there for about 15 seconds before flying off on its way.  After that they waited for another one, but alas it was not to be.

Heading to the Beach

After a day of work....had to set up the buyback room,  I hit the store and home for the last of the camping supplies we needed. Then I picked up the littles from daycare and Mom from her place.  And we were off.  We made pretty good time.  Pulled into Seaview about 6 and met Pat.  He had gone a couple of hours earlier than we had.  We had dinner at Chico's Pizza.
Then on to the campground.  We have a cabin this time and it is very similar to the yurt.  The yurt however has a dome that you can see the stars.   We were next to a lake but didn't have any mosquitoes.  Got to love that.

Rose Festival

Again Betty bought the pins from the BG Rose Float Princesses.  And again she passed them on to us.  The plan was last weekend to go and then it got so darn hot.  And then I fell.  So it wiped out the whole weekend.  This upcoming weekend has been planned out for almost six months.  So today was the only day left open to go.
About the time we picked up Sissy from school the sprinkles started.  Oh no.  Rose Festival didn't open till late afternoon.  We took a nap.  And then the little man slept a lot longer.  Finally about 5 I woke him up.  Still raining, but according to weather.com the rain was to stop.  So we donned our jakcets and headed to Max.
First traffic was backed up to 503 with nearly stop and go all the way across the 205 bridge. I totally understood the traffic in the other direction.  Anyway...got to Max and had to wait almost 45 minutes.  Wow.  But we made it.
I actually got very little whining about not riding the rides there.  $5 a pop is outrageous.  Don't know what the little kids rides were going for but it didn't matter.  We watched a cowboy clown show and they loved that.  We ate.  We enjoyed the animals.  All the cats were awake.  Got to love that.  The little woman loves the rattlesnake who was a little too interested in us for my taste.  The little man loved all the animals, but mostly the tortoise.  We looked at the ships and enjoyed cotton candy.  The little man even shared some with one of the security guys.  He tried to share with the coast guard guy, but that guys hands were too dirty.
The rain had kept a lot of people from coming on down to the waterfront.  It was so nice to be able to walk around and look at stuff without a crowd.  We hurried back to Max to catch it before my ticket expired.  I only bought the 2.5 hour ticket. We were at the stand before it expired but not on the train.  And bad me....I just went with it.  Max was all messed up and we had to wait a long time to go back to our car.
Anyway we all agreed that we had a good time.  Everyone mostly behaved.  Thank you again Betty for a great outing.

Success

In my life I have bought carpeting three times, with two of those being whole house jobs.
  I wasn't happy with the first place in that they didn't offer us options......  The second place was fine and the third place was Cascade Flooring.  Since Cascade Flooring was a bust on Monday we decided to try the other place I have bought from.  It is the Remnant Ranch out in Washougal.
After we dropped Sissy at school we headed out there.  They had a red that was way too red for Nana.  So we just looked and then one of the guys came and pointed us to the remnant wall and showed us which ones would fit.  The little man went back and forth on a few of them.  He finally landed on a kind of teal with burgundy splotches.  Great for a boy room.
They looked up the work schedule of installers and we are set for next week.  They gave us an extra discount on the carpet and on the installation.  Ours may be a small job but they treated us like it was as important as any other job. I'm happy.  And I will be happier once it is in and the boy can have his room.
Thanks Aaron for a good experience that went smooth.

Uncle

My Uncle Jerry called.  He is planning a trip out.  He wanted to know the lay of the land as it is right now. So I gave him a mom update. I'm sure Beth gave him an Aunt Cris update.
He has just been through the caregiver role with his Uncle and had lots of good advice.  And just forewarnings.  Good things to know.  Things I probably did know, but hadn't really thought about.  And it proved me right in taking Mom camping with us at the beach.  I'm still not super thrilled and a little apprehensive, but it will be okay.  The day is going to come when we won't be able to do things like that.
Anyway I offered to let Jerry use Mom's car. It is insured so why not.  It is just sitting in the garage.
Always good to hear his voice and will be even better to see him.

Carpet Hunt

Oy.  we only made it to two places before we ran out of time this morning.  We started at Lowes.  After a few minutes someone did come "help" us.  After we discussed red we were informed that all the samples are for carpet that is special ordered and won't be in for four and a half weeks.  Then he showed us the wall of what is in stock now....and that is two and a half weeks out for installation.  Wait....what?
I can't even imagine special ordering a 12 by 13 piece of carpeting.  Looked at what was in stock and just weren't interested.  Nothing remotely red.
So we then went to Hazel Dell and stopped at Cascade Flooring.  Now they are the people who helped us with the rental.  Bought the whole house worth of flooring from them.  Five employees in the place and not one acknowledged us.  We got candy out of the candy bowl.  We used the restroom.  We walked to the back of the showroom and no one even saw us.  Amazing. So we left.  I'm sure they didn't care.  Maybe we projected that we are a small job.
Small enough to be a remnant job.  We are still on the hunt.  And it could take us four weeks, but I doubt it.

Too Hot

Two day of about 100 degree days.  We holed up both days.  I managed to get some more done on the office dismantling.  Discovered I may have to completely empty the file cabinet before I can move it. Anyway I was able to measure the room to get a feel for how much carpet is going to cost us.
The little man said he would like red.  Well there are many shades of red so maybe tomorrow while Sissy is at school we will take a trip to the store and look at carpet.
Yesterday the kids had a good time with the sprinkler and somehow water got all over the kitchen floor.  Yeah....I have no clue other than wet feet.  It had looked like the little woman had it cleaned up.  And she did mostly.  Except for the little spot I didn't see but felt as I slipped and made my way to the floor.  Guess it was a good time for that as we were just taking it easy.  Rested again today.  I haven't fallen in quite awhile.  Always a pleasant surprise.  NOT.
So Michael posted a saying on my facebook page; "No person who can read is ever successful at cleaning out an attic." I doubt she knows about my love of attics and snooping.  I think she thought of me because as I was dismantling the office I kept finding cool things that distracted me. However as much as I was greatly distracted and amused I will be successful at cleaning the office because it becomes the little man's room.
Here is a cool picture I found.

Maybe tomorrow we get back to the 10000 steps.

Raspberries

And the summer begins.  Marti told me a couple of weeks ago that berries would be ready soon.  This week she said they were ready and to come on over.  Well Friday I got involved in the office dismantling project.  That blew that day.
This morning she sent me a reminder so we hurried and got ready and went over.  Didn't want it to be too hot when I was picking.  We all picked for a bit and then the littles and Marti disappeared inside.  We have a goodly amount of raspberries.  Methinks we need to make a batch of jam.
Then the day got too hot and we did nothing else.  Had great plans for today, but not at 100 degrees.  Maybe next year we go to the Starlight Parade.

Amazement

So today I got a text telling me I was going to see Heart, Cheap Trick and Joan Jett at the amphitheater.  I had commented a couple of months back about the concert.  It is one that would be worth seeing.  And then I didn't give it much more thought.
It came up on facebook again a few weeks ago and I looked at tickets.  It was well on it's way to be sold out.  At that point I just figured it was out of my comfort zone for seeing a concert by myself.
So today I get the text and I almost cried. I didn't know what to say beyond thank you.  See I am usually the one who goes out of their way to make some one's day.  I will make the plans and see that it all (hopefully) works out with all of life's curve balls.
While I have been working on expanding my world, I would not say it is successfully.  We are doing a lot, the littles and I.  But we are not letting many new people in to our world.  We are just doing things.
So when I do let someone in it is surprising if that someone goes out of their way for me.  I never expect it. I never ask for it.  I will roll with it though.  And so I am in amazement and grateful and it is going to be one heck of a good concert.
I've seen Heart before and my brother saw one of the sisters in a small venue in Seattle.  He said it was great and the concert I saw was amazing.  I'm excited.
Now to find a babysitter.  Again.  The bain of my existence. Second only to the ice cream truck.

Rolls With It

So the neighbor boys tend to be a little mean at times.  Not the beat you up kind, just the words kind.  So I'm outside checking on something and one of them tells the little man they don't want to play with him and go away.  Well the little man just stops and then inches toward them a bit at a time.  Like a cat on the hunt.  Too funny.  The neighbor boy was about to say more when he realized I was there.  And then his mom must have realized something was up because she came outside also.  So we just did our own thing and the little man made his way to playing with the group.  The little woman ended up joining the group.
So when it was time to come in and go to bed I asked him about it.  He said they let him play a little bit, but that they were still mean.  And then he said that was okay......he got what he needed.  He just rolls with it and doesn't let some stuff bother him.  He can be like a duck.  As long as it is not his sissy.

More

Talked to an exterminator at work today.  What we have are called pavement ants.  We know there is a nest under the neighbor's driveway.  I tried to feed them some malt-o-meal but they just got busy moving it out of their way.  If they would have ate it it would have killed them.  C'est la vie.  So now I am looking for some stronger poison.
Did more weeding.  I am pretty sure it will be a never ending job. Just about got the three clematis along the fence cleaned up.  I never got a definitive answer on whether you prune them or not.  So I just cleaned out all the dead stuff.
And the hollyhock is starting to bloom.  The jasmine is blooming and smelling divine.