Did It Happen?

I could hardly wait for the summer to begin and it seems as if it went by so fast I’m wondering now if it really happened. Well rest assured it did happen and as I’ve let days and now weeks go by I’m realizing I’ve forgotten some important moments! I hate when that happens but I shall try to recreate the last 8+ weeks…..hang on!

• On June 19th Val’s dad died.  It had been a long time coming, it was a blessing but even so it is an emotional time.  We left for Idaho as soon as we were able that day; going to Utah first.  We only got as far as Fernley inasmuch as there were no vacancy in Winnemucca (go figure).
• The funeral was on Saturday, June 22nd.  All of our children and grandchildren came; just missing one SIL and Gran#1.  It was amazing to all be together to honor the life of Val’s dad.

• Monday, June 23rd I left Utah with DIL2.  Val flew home.  We drove to Reno; ending at her grandparent’s home.
• Tuesday, D1 and D2 and kids left Utah for California driving the Suburban; they picked me up in Reno and we headed home.
• On June 29th DIL 2 came to our house after having visited with various family and friends in Reno and the Sacramento area.
• At this point we had 9 grans and 3 mothers at the house.  It was heaven.
• July 2nd we celebrated Gran#10’s 5th birthday.  It was a Mickey Mouse Event!
• On July 3rd after much wonderment if it was really going to happen due to work commitments S2 was able to fly in and join us.
• On the 4th of July brought SIL1 and our annual pancake breakfast.  This year we had our smallest turn out.  But we had the most family members.  A happy trade off.
• July 5th we were up and out early for a trip to Six Flags. A fun time was had by all.

 Well most of us….

• On Sunday, July 7th D1 and her family left for home.  Well most of them.  We convinced them to leave Gran2 here until D2 traveled back to Utah on the 21st!
• During the sweltering and I mean surface of the sun-like July temperatures we made the best of our time together.  Melting at the zoo and Fairytale Town in Sacramento.  I appreciate my grans and their parents indulging me in sharing my childhood memories of Fairytale Town and William Land Park. Days were spent at our little beach in the community we live in.  And just a lot of together time.  Late nights in the hot tub or just simply hours of laugher.  Lots of water, laundry and food.  It was the best of the best!
• On July 11th S2 and his family left for home. 
• We were down to four grans, it was piece of cake.
• D2 stayed as I mentioned until July 21st.  She drove back to Utah with her three children, D1’s daughter and my brother’s three children.  Yes, your math is correct, seven children!!
• She wasn’t gone 24 hours and I was already pining for them and concerned for her and the last leg of her trip……..home to Kansas.
• So I did what anyone would do right?  I hitched a ride to Utah on Thursday, the 25th with my brother.  He was going to pick up his kids she had taken to Utah on Sunday, the 21st.  We had a great trip together.
• The morning of Friday, July 26th I headed to Kansas with D2 and her three children and a very very very packed car.  In my mind the trip would take about 16 hours.  On paper the trip should take about 14 hours.  But in reality it took us 21 hours.  We did not get lost.  I don’t know why it took us so long.  I just know angels were with us every step of the way.
• On Saturday, July 27th, Happy Anniversary to D2 and her very patient husband who lived without her and their three children for 6 weeks.  They took me to the airport in Kansas City and then were off for a fun weekend.  I flew home and was home by 9:00 I think.  By that point I had no concept of time.

That is a wrap for July.  It was an amazing month of goodness.  I know I have pictures somewhere.  They will have to be added later.  I can’t thank my family enough for making our July more than fabulous.

Double Happy Birthday Shout Out!!

Sending a Big Happy Birthday Shout Out to These Two!!

(Okay it is just the parents whose birthdays are a day a part, but who doesn’t want to see these three cute kids too!)

Wishing you both all things good in this coming year!!!

Love, Love!!

No Service No Time - Part One

Growing up camping was the vacation of choice for my parents. Tahoe was the camping spot destination. I remember we went a lot. However, how much a lot was I don't remember. We were tent campers. The going waned when food was stolen from our cooler; by hippies according to my dad. And as I got older the desire to camp was less than a cool thing to do in my finite teenage brain. So between teenage brain and hippies it became a less desirable experience for my parents and in time we stopped going. As a youth I was encouraged to attend Girl’s Camp; I went for four years. I'm not sure why I HATED it and swore after the first year I would NEVER go back. Guess that goes to show the power of peer pressure. My dislike was really rooted in one thing; bathrooms. I simply abhor gross bathrooms. I just can't can't can't do them. I'm fine with limited showers. I can live with the dirt. Even the bugs I’m okay with; for the most part!! But it is those pesky bathrooms that just undo me.

Two years ago we purchased a camper. A requirement of course was a bathroom; which it had. It is perfect for us. It is like a tiny and I mean tiny apartment. And so Mother Nature and I have come to terms with each other and have learned to co-habitat beautifully. Stay tuned for Part Two of No Service No Time!

June Madness

• I’m excited to report summer is shaping up splendidly; children coming with grans in tow, camping trips planned, anniversaries to celebrate.
• Of course with that splendidness comes much much planning and over-doing.  Which is what we do best; but it can be no other way, when we don’t see each other as often as we like we have to make every minute second count.
• With excitement in the air I’m always trying to do just one more thing.  I promised myself on the way home tonight that at 9:30 I had to be done…….it is now almost 10:00 and I have dishes in the sink calling my name; but they will just have to wait.  They never mind anyway.
• Big So here. I work with a non-sew-er.  The other day I was trying to explain to her what bias tape was (I don’t know how I get myself in these conversations); basically a narrow strip of fabric that has been cut on the bias, seems pretty simple to me.  I knew my explanation had fallen flat when she said.  Why is bias tape not sticky on one side if it is called tape.  Good question Renee; now go back to your office.
• So last Saturday the temperature reached that of the surface of the sun, I’m not kidding it was like 112!  Then on Monday it rained.  Poor Mother Nature apologizing for the agonizing heat I’m sure.  Seriously women what is your problem?  You are hot one minute and cold the next. Sound familiar??  Well it sounds menopausal to me.  She really needs to see her meteorologist for that.
• It is obviously after 10:00 p.m. now.
• Good night!!!

Sizzling Days of June

• When it is hot watermelon is the only thing I want to eat;
• When there is a lot to do a list is a must, even if I have “list distraction”;
• If you need to laugh watch/read this;
• Families coming, sleep will be optional; except for the grans of course;
• Sometimes I hear things differently.  I thought the person asked, “how old is she?” But what really was said, “who will she be?” Neither makes sense, it was a business call;
• After nearly 40 years of togetherness I love how our brains think of the same things.  I said can we have watermelon for dinner (which means can you stop at the store and pick up a watermelon) and he said I already bought one.  Love it;
• Even when your children are adults and parents and experiencing life just like you did at their age you don’t want them to hurt.  Because when they hurt and struggle, you hurt and struggle for them;
• When at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again.  Or walk away and then try again.  Persistence pays off and keeping good records helps;
• Tomorrow it is going to be cooler, by nearly 15 degrees!!