July? Where did you go?

It could have been an entertaining weekend.  There was plenty to do.  My nephew drove a car in the demolition derby in Lawrence this weekend.  As much as I love Garrett, and as much as I love a derby, I just couldn’t make myself go.  We did learn that Garrett and Bailey’s baby is a boy.   I sort of had a feeling about this one.   I’m excited for them and can’t wait to meet their little guy. 

 Jim had a town hall meeting for a proposal to open a municipally owned grocery store.   He went out with the committee afterwards for dinner.   Harper, Saige and I had a nice evening at home. I felt like it was what I needed at the time, and I am glad for having the opportunity to veg out with a movie and the girls.  

Lauren sent me a pic of the matching jerseys she got them for their anniversary.  They are cute!   I gave Cameron some suggestions for gifts he could give; but he didn’t really say if he liked my ideas.   

I swear last week was 4th of July, but I was knocked into reality when we spent the weekend doing fair projects and attending the fairground clean up.  As I was helping Saige mount photos this morning, Quincy whined out “ohhh nooo!  Not fair!  I don’t want it to be fair time yet because that just means school will start.”   She’s not wrong.  But……it’s happening anyway.  

Saige’s photos are mounted.  Saige’s poster sort of had an accident so we will be re-doing it tomorrow, but we know what we did wrong, so making new will be easy.   The goats and chickens are ready.  The rabbits are giddy with excitement.  It’s happening.  Tomorrow we trim goats, and we locate all needed supplies.  Tuesday we bake.  Wednesday is go time.  

Tonight, while I was at fairground cleanup with the kids, Madison and Andrew came to the house and made Chinese food for Sunday dinner.  It was so good and so nice of them.  After dinner, they helped me peel apples.  I was given probably 2 bushels from a friend.  We got roughly half finished.  We have apple butter cooking in the crockpot, and bags in the freezer ready for amazing warm fall and winter deserts.  Tomorrow we will make pie filling, and maybe try some cinnamon apple rings.   I am thankful that my friend always thinks of me when it’s apple time, but finding time this week to deal with prepping them will be a little crazy.   We will get it done though.  

Truly, I am not ready for thoughts of school supplies, schedules, fall activities, and bus driving.  Seems like time keeps marching on whether I am ready or not.  

Some fun stuff

Rico loves his new friend Lisa.  It makes me so happy that they are getting along so well!  I see them snuggled together at night, they seem to share the food bowl, and bathe together in their water dish. I am so glad!   Rico seems happier.   They are so much quieter than Frankie, it is actually enjoyable having them.   The part of me that is insane sort of hopes they will have babies!   

It is the annual library book sale time.  You know what that means?  It means mom lifts her ban on buying books, gives each person $3 and turns them loose.   The sale is $3 for whatever you can fit inside a shopping bag.  Saige and Evelyn had fun!   Evie understood the assignment.  She took home probably 20 books!  

Know what happens if you’re already in town and at mom’s office when lunch time rolls around?  Daddy/poppy  buys you lunch in town that’s what!  I keep thinking this will be the last time we eat at Los Vaqueros, but then we go again.   Quincy went with us, and said it was weird to sit down in there.    She is really sad about them closing.   She has a couple of ideas in the works for a new job.  We shall see I guess.   She’s going to hold off until the fair is over.  It will be good to have the extra set of hands!  

Of course, book sale also means our once a year puzzle!   My kids don’t love puzzles, but once a year they need reminded I guess!  

I have this crazy idea about the girl’s rabbit project.   I wanted to try pasture raising rabbits, which is a really easy way to go.  The problem is that we have too many predators out here.  Including our own dogs!   I found this design for a rabbit tractor.   Preston tweaked it, and I believe improved it.  He and Saige are building the first trial run.  So far, I like what he’s doing!   I can’t wait to see how the rabbits like it.  If it works out, we will buy some females and have some babies later this fall.   

Thank God it’s Friday.   Stick a fork in me- I’m done.   It has been long.  It has been wild.  I hope we can finish all of the fair projects this weekend. If not, I guess we will just take the stuff that we have ready and try again next year!    

I said it out loud

I keep waiting to have the lazy days of summer, but all we are getting is the crazy ones.  This week I had to take CPR for the bus job.   I was a little bit taken back by the fact that since I took this  class 2 years ago, they have added a whole chapter about Narcan, how to administer it, and how to tell if someone has overdosed on opioids.  Apparently it has become that big of a problem.  We were told a parent overdosed last year at one of our schools while waiting to pick up a child.   I’m in no way downplaying the situation, but I don’t know if, as a bus driver, I want that added to my list of things to be responsible for.   Anyway, my CPR is up to date.  

 

While I was at my class, Quincy took Ollie to the groomer for us.  Jim really wanted him trimmed and washed.   He looks completely ridiculous.  He doesn’t seem to care though.  Our Ollie is always happy.   

I mentioned to Jim that I had no place to run today.  Should NOT have said that out loud!   Quincy immediately formulated a plan for me to drive her to Ottawa to the DMV to update her license. She had the correct paperwork.  I really didn’t want to go town today, but we did.  She now has a lesser restricted license.  Yea for that!   I planned to stop off at Walmart afterwards to get a few things we needed for fair projects.  The DMV was fast (no line and aunt Bert waited on Quincy).   Between the DMV and Walmart, Quincy offered  to buy dipped cones at DQ.  That was a huge mistake.  The ice cream was melty.  By the time we got to the feed store, we were sticky, and all of us had ice cream spilled on our clothes.  I ran in to get chicken food and then we decided we didn’t want to go to Walmart because we were covered in messiness.   We did get chicken food before we wimped out!  

As we drove in our driveway, we were greeted by a fairly large rattle snake just chilling on the rocks.  I am not one who kills wild creatures just for the sake of killing them, but I do tend to aim my car for the snakes that rattle and   for the copper ones as well.  Sorry/not sorry.   In this case, the snake won.  I missed big time!   He was hiding in the grass.  Quincy decided to toss a rock near him because she wanted to hear him rattle.  These things move fast!  Nobody was in danger, but I always forget how fast they can move!   Needless to say, we will all be walking a little lighter around the yard.  I still prefer the snakes to living in town.  

The girls have reached the point of summer break where they are a little bit “fighty.”   Complaining at each other, sick of the waking up and seeing each other.   Which is why I was happy to see them hanging out together and giggling tonight.  They really do love each other, even if they forget it sometimes.   They only have 3 weeks left- I told them they better enjoy the little bit of time they have left.   

We always give vegetable scraps to the chickens.  This weekend, Evelyn decided that Coco should eat some watermelon rinds!  He loved it!  He’s such a sweet little pony!  

We texted a little with Cameron and Lauren today.  Cameron has a co-worker from Kansas.  Today was wear your former school shirt to work day.  She went to KU.   I thought it was funny.  

They seem to be exploring Baton Rouge.  Tonight’s photos are beside the mighty Mississippi.  I can’t wait until we can go visit!  

I texted a little bit with Colin this evening as well. He said he and Spencer are doing good.  I miss them all, but couldn’t be prouder!  

The day we needed

I had a list of things i planned to accomplish today.  You know what they say about the road to hell being paved with good intentions?   Well….

Jim came home yesterday and told me that he and Andrew were getting up really early, going fishing, and then going into KC to Cabella’s and Bass Pro.  I had a moment of panic thinking about how much it cost me the last time I let those 2 go to a bait shop unchaperoned.  Then I had the thought - if they go off fishing, the girls and I will be home all day without anywhere to go!   

Jim and Andrew left before sunrise.  I rolled over and went back to sleep.  Of course, Preston is staying at our nephew’s house- dog sitting.  I had to get up and make sure Quincy heard her alarm, and make sure Preston’s tire had stayed aired up over night.   I thought about crawling back into bed a second time, but then decided to make the girls a nice breakfast and get the day started.  

The girls and I putzed the whole morning away.  I started laundry and got the pool filters going, they did outside animal chores and then we watched some tv and hung out.    It was nice.  Late morning, we decided to give each other pedicures.   

Jim and Andrew came home.  Jim told me they didn’t go into KC, but that he thought we should have dinner together after they swam.    I said ok, but that since this is most likely our last chance, we should go eat at Los Vaqueros.  That is how we all ended up eating dinner together while poor Quincy was at work.  

So my list didn’t get accomplished, but my sheets and bedding got washed (a thing that makes me happy).  My house is still a mess, but my husband got to spend a day doing what he loves.  My laundry isn’t done, but I got to hang out with some of my kids and the grandkid.  I didn’t do the prep work in the kitchen that I wanted to do for easy meals this upcoming week, but I did hear from the boys and   texted with them a little bit.   I didn’t do half a dozen other things I intended to,  but i soaked up life a little bit, scratched my pony, and spent some time being thankful for all of the little things in my life that bring me joy.   It was exactly the day I needed.   

Lauren sent me this picture- it must be take your daughter to work day!   I miss my big kids- but I am thankful for technology making it easy to keep up a little bit. 

Days flying by

Cameron started his new job.  I was amused that he sent this picture of another new person dressed exactly the same as he was.  Twins?  I sure can't tell them apart.  I haven't heard much about how the new job is going so far, so I am going on the 'no news is good news' idea.  Lauren still has another week before she starts her new job.  

Due to having meetings this week, Mallory watched Evie for a couple days.  I was laughing about Evie wanting the dogs to wear their Halloween costumes!  Olive will do anything if you just play fetch!  

Mallory also went back to school shopping.  She makes me laugh with her bargain hunting.  

I was happy to have my meetings done, and my side kick back!  She has all sorts of fun ideas for making my work time go faster!  This week, she taught me to juggle, introduced me to the idea of making tacos in my crock pot in the back room at the office, ate her weight in sour cherry balls, and makes life 100% more fun!  She is getting so excited about starting preschool!  She did tell me that she can no longer be my "baby monkey" because monkeys do not go to school!   She is growing up way to fast!   

Saige has been wanting a phone (like every kid in America).  We had previously let the other kids get phones around her age, and she was sure to point that out.  Does she need a phone?  Debatable.  We do have a 45-minute span of time when I drop the kids off from the bus, and then go on to finish my route.  They are home alone for that span of time.  I cannot see our house from the end of the driveway.  I know that the next-door neighbor is home and has been gracious enough to say if the girls come up the driveway, and someone is at the house, they can walk over to her place and stay until Jim can get there.  I also worry about other things - that 45 minutes is supposed to be used for them to do chores before it gets dark or so it is done if we need to leave for something.  What if they go out to the barn and somehow get hurt?  What if they run across some rattle snake or other wild animal?  Probably nothing bad will happen, but I sure feel better knowing if it does happen, they have a way to call for help.  That being said, we also know that phones can cause a lot of drama amongst teenagers, and that kids spend a lot of time on technology and gaming when they should be enjoying life.  We feel we have done a reasonable job of limiting the kids, and encouraging them to have a screen free balance to life.  Regardless, we caved and Saige got her phone.  And somehow, she is now using it to take photos of herself, and the dogs.  She is happy to be able to communicate with some of her friends.  Added bonus, taking away phones as a punishment seems to be the most effective punishment ever!  :)   

She is seeming to be more grown up than I would like my "baby" to be!  

This weekend is going to be the great catch up.  Jim is going fishing with Andrew.  The girls and I have a few projects in mind to get ready for the upcoming fair.  I am happy that Jim is feeling much better, and that the rest of us seem to have avoided catching Covid again.  Fingers crossed anyway!

Quincy’s birthday party

Quincy wanted to have a pool party for her birthday with one of the kids from the restaurant where she works.  So we planned a party for Quincy and Andres.  There were tacos, there was cake.  Madison made so many cookies.  The kids had fun swimming!   It was a fun night. Evelyn didn’t want to leave!   

I am very impressed with the amount of Spanish that Quincy has picked up.   She was having full conversations in Spanish.  It is very impressive for a kid who has never taken a class.  They have just taught her a new language.   It is also apparent that Quincy loves this family, and that they love her as well.  We are so lucky that she got to have the experience of working for the Alvarez family.   

It was a fun night, but I am excessively ready for bed!   

Summer party

The 4-H club had their annual summer pool party last night.  I only had 2 swimmers.   Harper had a headache and Quincy was at work.  Preston said he had more fun than he thought he would.   Saige said she had fun but she wished more of her friends were there.  With us having a pool in the yard, we don’t go to the city pool as often as we used to.   It used to be a daily activity in the summer for us. 

Saige has been experimenting with her photography project.  My phone is filled with trick shots, weird shots, selfie’s and random photos of animals and flowers.   Today, Mallory took her and Evie to the zoo.   She let Saige use her good camera and take a few shots to look at for fair presentations.  They had fun, and Saige was in heaven.  She has been asking for a phone (like every kid in America).  We finally said ok.  I’m counting down the days until it is delivered as much as she is…..although I like photography, she takes so many photos!  

Thank you Mallory for feeding her passion, and for the pointers, and the fun morning out!   

Today is aunt Geraldine’s 90th birthday.  She is in extremely bad health, but I was very happy that she made her goal of living to her birthday, and I am also thankful that my mom was released from her Covid quarantine and was healthy again in time to go see her.  I feel bad that I didn’t make it in, but Jim is once again battling Covid, and although we are technically not quarantined, I felt like she didn’t need us taking any chances.  Aunt Geraldine is a character.  She is a collector of things, one of the most organized people when it comes to paperwork and filing you’ll ever meet, and she has always remembered all of our birthdays, anniversaries and holidays.  I truly believe she has single handedly kept hallmark in business.  

As I floated in the pool this evening, I noticed the locusts were really loud.  To me, this is the sound of summer winding down.  Oh, I know there will still be weeks of hot weather, but school starts a month from today.  Our days of freedom, lack of schedules, no bedtime routines, no mad rush mornings are my absolute favorite days.  One month to enjoy the rest of summer break!