The soup

 

This week is a week of lists.  Things to mark off, things to do, things to buy, things to cook, things to take care of, things to remember.  One thing I successfully marked off was the end of my career as a liquor slinger.  I worked my official last shift there.  It was a job that was more fun than lucrative, and I will miss seeing the some of people, and my employee discount.  However I will not miss giving my weekends up, closing and driving home after dark, and the vast array of people who I just don't care much for.  (Just keeping it real on here today).

I am still working 3 other jobs, so I feel ok about giving one up. 

Cameron texted me this photo of the shower curtain that I bought for him (I am totally still laughing).  I think it looks amazing!  It matches his bathroom sign too!  I know he is not trying too hard to find a new woman yet, but when he finds one, I am sure she will immediately want to marry him when she sees his bathroom decor!  And if he brings someone home, and she hates it, he needs to dump her a$$ immediately - she is not the one.  It is a good gauge.  

If you know me in real life, you know that I dress pretty much the same way every day.  Jeans, or jean shorts, t shirts, occasionally I have to throw on something nicer, and I do own a pair of slacks, but I hate them, and if I have to put them on, I balk and try to figure out how to get out of going to the event because - yuck!  Last year, I was in a wedding and felt that I had to dress up, so I purchased the first dress that I have owned in probably 15 years.  I did wear the dress to the wedding, and I have worn it a couple of times since (Harper and Saige's confirmation, a funeral).  Mostly, if I have to dress up, I just stay home.  I do not like dressing up, it makes me feel uncomfortable, and I do not think that the make clothes for people like me - you know - short, big boobs.  They just don't.  The best pair of slacks I ever had were actually capri pants - because I am 5 foot 2 and pants are just not made for short people.  When Madison got married, Andrew announced that he and his groomsmen were wearing jeans.  I said that is fine, but if you can wear jeans, I can wear jean shorts.  He shrugged and told me to knock myself out.  Well, this weekend is Colin's wedding.  It feels a little bit more dressy (in a church).  I felt that a dress was needed.  The dress I bought for the last wedding has 2 flaws - one it is long sleeved and this is an August wedding, and 2 - the dress is black and the wedding colors are black and while - the bridesmaids are wearing black dresses, so I didn't want to look like I was dressing like the bridesmaids.  Dilemma for me because I love black, and will always choose that color if I am picking out something to wear.  Black is out, long sleeves are definitely out, but I did find a dress that I liked, and I took a chance and ordered it, and it fit (success).  I even like it as much as I will ever like any dress.  I also bought myself a new pair of nice sandals to wear with it.  I don't often buy myself things, and it is rare that I spend this kind of money on clothes and shoes for myself,.  The same day the shoes arrived, I lost my big toenail.  As in, I was trimming my nails and the whole thing fell off in my hand.  Yes, I am serious.  Yes I know it is random as heck.  Yes I absolutely did panic - because helloooooo the new shoes - are sandals with open toes.  Of course they are.  This random weirdness only happens to me.  Am I stupid enough to think that anyone at a wedding will be paying attention to my toenails?  No.  Am I vain enough that I care?  Absolutely!  Am I a white trash innovator?  YES I am!  My first plan - I will just polish the toe skin - you know - draw on a nail and nobody will know.  I tried that.  The problem is that the part of the nail that is still there (and it is very little) is very bumpy and made this plan not work.  Plan B - build myself a fake toenail out of a thumbnail in a press on nail kit.  Clearly, on a list of stupid things I have done, this isn't even in the top 50.  But you know what?  It worked!  Can you tell which toe it is?  And ignore my polish job - I am not done touching things up because I got interrupted.  You can't even tell.  I have asked a few people I saw around town this morning and they can't tell.  I am wedding ready!

Last night, Jim and the girls and I worked our buns off doing lawn work.  I then had to water my berry beds, after untangling the hoses.  I got inside and drowned my sorrows and sore shoulders in a shower and then went to work on the toe problems.  It was late, and I was waiting for the polish to dry so I could clean the edges, when in walks Quincy.  She reminded me that she had an appointment to get her car looked at today and we needed to drop it off last night because nobody has time in the mornings for that.  I looked around for someone who would take her that was not me.  Unfortunately, everyone else was in bed.   So at 11:30, rather than cleaning up my polish mishaps, I ran to Carbondale.  When I got home, I crashed in bed and forgot all about it.  Tonight I will have time - right?  Tonight I will totally have time to clean up nail polish right between cooking food for the weekend and packing to leave for the wedding, and making lists for the girls and....

I guess if you read this blog, or if you know me in life, you are already aware I am weird, lack filters, and maybe do not do traditional problem solving.  I guess just be glad I own it.  

Weddin’ week

This weekend is about getting caught up a little bit so we can enter the big event week.  The wedding we have all been talking about, planning for (some harder than others), getting clothes ready for (because we aren’t dress and nice shoes kind of people), and looking forward to.  In all honesty, I have been anticipating this day for about 7 years!  I can clearly recall the first time I met Colin’s bride to be- Jim and I went to Manhattan to see Colin.  We told him we would bring lunch to his house. He was excited to see us and asked if it was ok if his friend Spencer could eat lunch with us too.  We said sure!  We showed up at his house with Chinese food.  Spencer was not what we were expecting!  She was adorable, funny and sweet. And I could tell that Colin was pretty taken by her.  Over the years, this girl has continually impressed me.  Her quiet way of putting my son in his place amuses me,  yet I’ve  never seen her be mean or nasty toward him.  Her drive to finish her degree, and then her master’s and get a great job, .  Her ability to jump in and help Colin with projects, the way they work together.  The things they have done to make a good life for themselves. They seem to fit well together. and we just couldn’t be happier to welcome Spencer into our family. Truth be told, we welcomed her years ago, but I’m happy to make it officially official.  

But first, we must finish a few projects, make some lists, figure out logistics, clean and do laundry and - mow the yard because we finally got rain and you can physically see it growing into a jungle  right before your very eyes!  Oh and I have a board meeting/budget hearing so that has to take precedence for a few minutes or I won’t get paid next year!  

Cameron had some tickets to the Royal’s game Friday night.  He was going to take Quincy, but she sort of flaked out on him and then it ended up getting rained out anyway.  The Royal’s rescheduled for yesterday afternoon.  It was hot. And steamy. And we were all feeling extremely exhausted from our trip.  Preston and Sunny are here this weekend, but they had to move out of Preston’s old apartment and put their belongings in Sunny’s aunt’s barn and literally got home at 3:30 in the morning. They were absolutely beat!  Cameron had to go it alone.  He did say he had fun, even though it was stupidly hot!  The Royal’s won too so that made it worth the effort!  I felt bad about nobody going with him, but not bad enough to go to a second baseball game in one week.  I actually do not like baseball - especially professional ball. I find it incredibly boring.  It makes my husband sad that I feel this way, but he has learned to cope.  And to go without me.  

These are some trip photos that I don’t think I shared on my other posts.  I was incredibly amused by the display at the Ingalls homestead about old medical practices.  The part of the sign that said some of the common medications from that period are now illegal as they contained cocaine, Laudanum, opium and other narcotics.  I’d guess if you’re going to pull a tooth with a pair of those ratchety looking pliers you’d need the “good drugs!” 

Mallory - in front of the school house, always!  She is getting ready to embark on a new adventure in private school rather than public.  She is nervous but excited and we can’t wait to see her soar! 

My youngest son - working hard to set himself up a good career!   It is really hard to raise your kids, get good and attached and then let them go.  I have struggled with my kids leaving home. And I’m sorry, but it never gets easier.  However, it is fun to watch them succeed, and I love watching their stories unfold.  It is a good reward for the struggles of letting them go.  It’s a good thing I have the man child to pour my energy into.   He likes me and my projects.  

Today we had the kids over for Sunday lunch while Preston and Sunny were still here.  It was fun, and I gave myself a break from cooking and just ordered pizza.  Cameron came down (on the condition that he could do his laundry).  I was happy to have a nice bunch for lunch.  Andrew was able to get Jim’s truck fixed.  We thought it was the battery, and it was - we did get a new battery. But it turns out it was also the starter.  He popped a new one in there while the rest of us swam - he drew the short straw I guess.  I’m thrilled that I finally have the pool water back to clear, blue and see through.  

GG stopped by with the hamburger for the rehearsal dinner. She got eggs for the rehearsal dinner cake.  She also decided she is healed enough to swim. She really is getting around well, and although I worried a tiny bit about her getting OUT of the pool, she did just fine. 

When the “kids” all go home the house is too quiet.  I love how they jump in and help, how they seem to be in tune  with what each other has going on in their lives and how they give each other grief and help each other as well as holding their siblings accountable for things.  Family truly is the best part of life.  

 

Made it back

Since the purpose of  this trip was to visit Preston, and since Preston had to come to Manhattan this weekend to move out of his old apartment, we knew today we would head home.  But we always need one last adventure!   We went back to the Gathering Place.  This time to ride their free paddle boats  and kayaks.  We didn’t really get good photos since you have to leave all your stuff behind so it doesn’t fall in the water!   We had a great time paddle boating.  We also let the girls run off some steam at one of the many amazing playgrounds they have, and cooled off briefly in the splash pad.  

I do not think I could say enough about this park.  They have everything.  Water features, free adventures like kayaks and paddle boats, programs and plays and musical presentations, room for skateboarding, biking, nature hikes, and the most amazing playgrounds I have ever seen in my life.  All spread over like 80 acres of pristinely planted and manicured park land.  Blown away by the amazingness is how I felt. Truly, you could take a complete vacation in this place, and it is all free. 

Preston had 2 vehicles in Tulsa.  We thought he was selling his old car, but he hadn’t gotten it done. He leaves there in a couple weeks, and couldn’t drive 2 vehicles back, so Jim decided we could drive his old car back and sell it here. Preston told us he had been having some trouble with the car. One of the things was that it had a shimmy.  Jim and I decided to check the lug nuts before leaving. And when we opened the trunk, this is what we saw.   Good thing he didn’t sell the car.  There is a lot of expensive junk in there?  Floor jack, carhardt coat, tools, boxing gloves.  

I’m going to say that it was not quite as exciting as helping Cameron clear a trunk, but I do wonder why my boys have so much random junk they carry around.  

My little vacation crew.  I am thankful for the get away and for the time I got to spend with some of my kids. I am also thankful that they are willing to go look at weird junk, try out new activities and mostly get along and have a fun couple of days with their old parents. 

Since I got us lost on the way to Tulsa, Mallory calibrated our phone map apps.  We went down with 2 vehicles and were coming home with 3, one of which we were uncertain would make it.  No time for getting lost or delaying on the trip.  Mallory might have also been a little bit worried about weather (she follows the location of Reid Timmer and if he is in the area, she is worried).  Also, since we missed the Laura Ingalls Wilder homestead in the way, we decided to stop on the way back.  Evie did not know Laura was a real person, and when she found out, she was full of questions. 

Wrenley just liked the donkeys. She did not want to leave the donkeys and she didn’t care one bit about anything there except for the donkeys.  

Saige swore she never read the books, we never read them to her, none of her teachers read her the books, and that she thought the show was boring and never watched it.  Her older sisters were heartbroken by this statement, and have declared me an unfit mother.  

We have been to several of these homesteads.  The one on De Smet, South Dakota is by far the best one.  This one was pretty good.  There was a gift shop.  Remember when I said the activities in the Gatherong place were free?   Well one trip into the gift shop ruined our “free” morning?  Oh well, ya only live once. Might as well spend all the money!  

Saige told me I take entirely too many photos.  She told me I need to learn to rely on my memory more.  She underestimates the number I take with the number I WANT to take.  She should feel blessed. 

I keep telling her someday she will be glad I documented her childhood- even if she looks grouchy in all the pictures!  

Did I mention that Wrenley liked the donkeys? 

We had lunch in Independence, and said we weren’t stopping u til we got home.  I didn’t believe it would happen-  but I was wrong. No stops. No problems, no drama. Preston’s car made it.  We did hit some rough weather, but by far not the worst I’ve ever driven through. 

We are all happy to be home - and Maude has been a tremendous mess with happiness. She missed her people.  

Hey kid- vacation is over - tell your dad that Grammy said “tag - you’re it!”