Boundaries

You would think I would learn.  But I guess not.  So last fall the neighbor used my computer while they did not have Internet.  I gave him my key so he could use it while I was at work.  You would have thought after they got Internet back he would have given me my key back, but he didn't.  And I being non-confrontational didn't ask.  Fast forward.
Well again they didn't pay their Internet bill and he asked about using my computer.  So far he hasn't and since his cell phone is working again I assume they have Internet.  While I was gone he texted me and asked if he could borrow some milk.  I jokingly told him that I had milk in MN so he couldn't have it and I didn't think I had any at home.  He informed me that I did, almost a quart and that he drank it.  Excuse me.  Yes he went in my house and checked out my frig and chose to drink the milk in it.  Told me he would replace it before I got home.  I don't care.  Excuse me.  And he didn't replace it.
So after I thought about it, I asked for my key back so I could give it to Dave.  Told him Dave was doing some work for me.  Later that day he asked what work Dave was doing.  Told him he was fixing a drawer.  Then he had the audacity to ask if he was getting the key back.  I told him I didn't know.  His response was that I should know.  It was my key.  
Exactly.

Strawberry Jam

I called the lady in Ridgefield to see about strawberries.  Due to an injury she isn't running her little roadside stand.  She was taking orders and had a day to rendezvous on Monday.  So I placed an order for three flats at $22 apiece.  Then I headed out to see if I could at least find one flat to get started.  There was a gal with a little stand on 117th ST.  So I stopped and bought a flat.  $20.  I put the flat in the car and turned around and gave her $40 more for two more flats.  Called the Ridgefield lady and cancelled.
The littles and I hit Winco for some more pectin and sugar and went to Papa's house.  I got two and a third flats ready to go.  Five batches.  Turns out I only had enough jars in the dishwasher for four.  So I stopped at that point.  Made 45 half pints of jam.  Cleaning up the first batch for lids, somehow I managed to collide two jars together and they crashed onto the floor sending jam all over the floor, the cupboards and me.  Didn't burn me so I must have gotten the bits from the top of the jars.  After I got the rest finished and out of the way and Papa got the floor cleaned, I looked up and there was jam on the ceiling.  Yes I can make a mess.  Guess the littles come by it naturally.  I can tell you that that jam tasted pretty darn good.

Talking About Tanya

Oh do I have to? Yes somewhat.  On our trip I was asked about her.  Only Denise got most of the story.  The rest got told what the world now gets told.  I don't see her.  I don't talk to her.  After all the crap she did I don't want to.  She made the choice to cut relationships even ones that weren't hers to do that to.  Two years later when she changed her mind, I did not.  I don't have any time or energy for her kind of drama.  And that is that.  And every one took it in stride.  Maybe some of them saw things earlier than I did.

Work Ethic

Most of us have to work.  We all have bills to pay and need to eat.  We want things that cost money. I guess I'm at an age where I don't see the benefit of killing yourself working though.  If you have to work all the time and can't enjoy your life it is pretty sad.  The difference may be if work is your enjoyment.  A lot of us do not get the job that gives us that great love of life.  And if you are working so much you can't enjoy the things you wanted it really is a wash.
I think we need, for our soul, time to enjoy a cup of coffee, time to star gaze and wonder at the moon, time to listen to an outdoor concert, time to enjoy a movie, time to visit with family and friends.  The things that nourish us don't have to cost a lot and create more need for work.
Work ethic is great and we should all have it.  It is how we get things done and some things need doing.  For me it is picking up after two little kids, laundry, cooking.  And I think about how to instill work ethic in those children.  Hence I want them out in the garden with me.  Trying to show them that some work is fun.  Okay pulling weeds is not fun, but watching produce grow is.
Trying to find balance.  Trying to figure out how to show that balance.  I want that for the littles, myself and my friends.

Home

So we are home and back at our routine.  We had work and pre-school/day care today.  Came home and had a nice dinner.  BBQed steaks with rice pilaf and cauliflower.  Good to be home, sleep in our own bed, work, eat and play.
Now I will spend the next couple of months still playing catch up.  We were very frugal in MN, but I still feel the pinch.  Going to wait on the key fob for a bit yet for the Mini.  We are just going to enjoy a lot of home time.
Potty training has started in earnest.  No more diapers and only pull ups at night.  He isn't liking it.  It is what it is.

Visit

Time marches on and we all get older.  I got a little annoyed when Dave made comments about some of my relatives looking old and haggard.  Well he obviously hasn't looked in a mirror.  My uncle has been battling colon cancer for the last 18 months.  And Harold is a 60 year-old farmer still doing it on his own.  Bound to take its toll.
I may have said it before, but I think that was my last trip to MN.  My uncle is not going to win his battle.  And the only other big draw is my sister.  And I think we will have more fun meeting in different places having sibling trips.
That said....Vegas....here we come baby.

Thoughts From the Road

It is very very strange to be at the farm by ourselves. Since it was so wet I opted not to dig up any lilac suckers this trip.
I saw deer every day. The best one was the one that was sleeping just off the driveway at the farm. It got up and sauntered off when it realized we were just watching it. Nila said there was a mama and a fawn living in the grove, but we never saw them.
Fireflies. I was so much more excited than the littles were. Didn't see any last time I was here so I was happy.
No trip is complete without the trip to the cemetery. Have to visit the dead. Funny how I visit cemeteries every where whether I know someone or not.
I made sure that I got lots of Harold time. Made up for the short changed time he got last time. There were too many of us and too much to do that time.
Loved Teresa's new house and visiting. Ended up there Friday night till I was tracked down by Nila who then told me where to find the key to the farm. We invited ourselves to Sunday lunch. Learned how to play Farkle and it was fun.
Visited with Glen and Nila at their house in Lakeville. Sad to think it is probably the last visit with my uncle. He told me a bed is always available but next year I may need to consult with my cousin Greg who is going to buy the farm.
Funny seeing land being sold as hunting land. I just don't think of real estate that way.
Five days on a trip with the littles.....veg time and room service are so worth it. Enjoying the downtime. Great trip but damn it is going to feel good to be home.