12 hours later….

I left my house yesterday morning at 6:50 a.m.   I pulled back in for the day at 7:02 p.m.    I never knew a volleyball tournament could last so long.  

The good part was I was able to complete all of the year end paperwork for the 4-H club which saved me a meeting today.   The bad part was I was getting texts from everyone who was out having all sorts of fun and I was jealous!   Preston was at the KSU game.  Lauren and Cameron were at the LSU game.  People were texting me about amazing food they were having.  It was hard to stay at volleyball when everyone was having fun!   I actually do enjoy watching volleyball - so it wasn’t all bad!  

I had promised Evie I would go to the Huff ‘n Puff balloon rally with her last night.  Madison and  Mallory were meeting at my house and we were car pooling.  I kept having to text to move the time back over and over again!   At one point, I told them they could go without me, but they decided to wait!   Madison brought dinner over for the girls and Jim.  I drove in, went to the bathroom and hopped into the car and we took off.  We made it, but not before having a major fiasco over entering the event, and making Evie cry when I couldn’t get in due to them blocking the entrance with a police car!   

We sent Madison on to McDonalds because Wrenley was howling, and I broke into the vendor’s gate area and parked.  That parking was actually amazing - we only had to walk about 20 feet to see the balloons.  I’m sure I am on some security footage and Kansas most wanted list, but seriously, closing the gates during the event so that people can’t get in is a stupid, idiotic thing to do.  And if you make my grandkid cry, you’ll see me lose it.   

We not only got her in, we managed to get several trading cards and she got to get into the carpet one balloon basket.  She loved that!   I do love this event, and so do some of my kids.  Some of the kids went along but don’t love it, and some think the whole thing is not worth the trouble.  Jim and Andrew decided to go fishing while we were gone!   Such party poopers!  .  

We didn’t stay a really long time, but as we were leaving, Evie  wanted to see if she could get one more trading card.  Not only did she get one, but the balloonists let her get in their basket!   She looks pretty scared (she said the fire is hot and loud) but she was so excited about it!  To make up for being late, and not getting to stay very long, I took everyone to get a late dinner at McDonald’s.  I even took mercy on the old girl who refused to go, and brought her home French fries!   Jim and Andrew had fun fishing, and I was happy I got to do at least one fun thing on a nice Saturday!!  

Wrenley was happy to get some milk!   

Today is the only day I have off for the next 2 weeks.  I know I should have worked myself a lot harder than I did today,  but I also needed some down time I think!   As a result of not working as hard as I should, I am still awake, waiting for the washer and dryer so we have clean clothes for this week.  We did accomplish a few things!  Andrew is attending some training conference in Vegas, so Madison took him to the airport, and I watched the girls.  I got some snuggle time in, and GG also snuck over for some baby time!  While GG was here to help, Evie and I made a couple of witches for the end of the driveway!  They didn’t turn out quite like the TikTok video I saw, but we think they are cute.  Jim ran all my errands for me, and got groceries.  I am so thankful, because last weekend we grabbed just basic stuff and we were right back to nothing in the cabinets staple wise.  If he had been unwilling, we would be really having some weird meals this week!   

We had Sunday dinner, and I told Evie we better swim one last time.  The weather is supposed to be drastically cooler this week, and the water is really starting to cool down from lows in the 50’s and  60’s overnights.  I’m guessing the relaxing in the pool afternoons are done for this year.  I did get in with her, but didn’t last very long!   Too cold for this old lady!  Evie and Harper lasted quite a while.  Jim said he will help me figure out ordering a cover, and we will winterize the pool in the next couple weeks.  I will now start walking for exercise again until it gets too cold for that.   I will miss the pool until I can open her again next spring!  

Look how sad she looks all empty!   Saddest day of the year!   

But, time marches on, and I’m ready to embrace fall activities and cooler weather.  My favorite part is when we can turn off the air conditioning and take a break from the electric bill (sorry Colin).  

Weekend over - laundry 1 Hope - zero.  House clean?  Nope!  Halloween decor up?  YES!   Do what makes you happy!  

For-everrrr

Why is it that when you have a short week (you know - from having Monday off) the week drags on and on and on forever?  I thought we would never get to the weekend.  Not that it matters, really since I (stupidly?) said yes to driving the volleyball team today.  What seems like a good idea on Wednesday doesn’t feel like a good idea on Saturday morning - I need to remember that. It’s my own fault.  I had been meaning for the liquor store job to just be a summer gig.  When summer was close to over, I sort of liked working there and was reluctant to quit.   As an excuse for quitting, I talked to the bus boss about whether he would need weekend help this year. He told me that no, he would not be needing me because he hired 4 activity drivers, and that they would be doing all activities unless you had a kid playing.  And so I thought geez I need that extra money, I won’t quit.   I talked to the liquor store bosses about only being able to work a couple weekends a month and they were happy to continue on that way.  So where are these activity drivers?  Well it turns out they have lives that they want to lead, and schools have the weirdest idea that you should be playing games, running cross country, playing golf, doing forensics and debate meets, playing weekend tournaments and dozens of other things every single day!   These activity drivers are old. They don’t have the stamina to work 7 days a week. And honesty, I don’t blame them.  Schools are constantly looking at their budgets. They make cuts to things like janitorial staff, teaching positions, cheaper curriculum, and kitchen help.   I personally look at the cost of what we spend on administration and the insane amount for transportation to extra curricular junk and think geez we could have paid a lot of janitors and kitchen staff if we just said “ok there will be no transportation for kids on weekends….parents take them to this tournament.”   But that is a dream world I am living in after all, volleyball is life right?  Not that I am complaining at all, I can make a lot of money just to sit there and work on the year end 4-H paperwork and some other stuff I’ve been meaning to get to.  So that’s where I’m at.   A volleyball tournament that seems like it will never end.  Again, this is not complaining, just part of an exceptionally long week.  

One nice thing, the weather is starting to cool down.  Little missy even had to break out her jeans.  Why is this baby wearing jeans and a jacket  the cutest thing I’ve ever seen?   I’m obsessed!   

My days are brightened when I get messages from my big kids.   Cameron reported that KSU got a new zip line on campus.  He wanted to be the first to use it.  Despite my thoughts that being first to use a zip line might be dangerous - and  that someone else should be the guinea pig, he jumped right on there.  He said it was fun!

He was also the recipient of the silver thumb for the week.  I don’t know what qualifies you for such a prestigious award, but he said the person who wins gets to give it to the person they choose next week. I asked what keeps people from choosing themselves over and over. He told me that was a great idea and he plans to implement it this week.   

I wasn’t the only one who had a long week!   Love this little work helper of mine.  

I am not sure why but my aunt posted this photo of my grandparents.  It’s one of my favorites.  What you can’t see is that my grandpa didn’t want to take a picture.  We had to make him.  He had other things to do.  He wasn’t around too much longer after this was taken so I’m thankful for it.  I just wanted to save it here in case I ever want to look at it.  They were good people. I’m thankful for the time I got with them. 

And now back to watching other  people’s  children play volleyball. 

Better days

Yesterday was  not near as eventful as Saturday, and for that I am thankful.  Jim was very excited to cross another fish off of the list of caught species.  This is a flathead.  And no, he didn’t go noodling!   It isn’t as large as the ones Colin commonly comes up with, but it counts as a check mark off the list anyway!  

Evie wanted to have a sleepover after Sunday dinner.  She also had a check list of things you have to do at a sleepover!   Go swimming, have a dance party, watch a movie, stay up very late (like 10:00!), tell stories, eat snacks and don’t forget to brush your teeth!   She does make me smile. We also had some fireworks that were left over from 4th of July that Jim didn’t want to store for the winter- so we lit those off too!  (Carefully because we have had enough fires this weekend).   

I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that this little girl has us all whipped.  But in particular, a certain tall man who likes to pretend to be tough  is a complete bowl of Jello in this kid’s presence.      The transformation into a poppy for him is adorable and amazing.   I’m so thankful I’ve been witness to it.   She completely brings back that soft, sweet man I remember from when we were dating.   Not that he wasn’t soft and sweet to our own kids, but he also had a huge desire to instill lessons in them   To teach them to have morals, be good workers, and be good, helpful people.  He is a little harder on them than he is in grandpa world.   So when this kid said “get in the pool with us  Poppy!”  In he came - in his clothes!   

Wrenley doesn’t care about swimming, or about fireworks. She was too busy being a milk drunk. She is getting so big.  I am amazed by how strong she is- wanting to put weight on her legs and “stand” already- she’s very expressive and easy going.   I absolutely love her.  It’s nice getting some baby snuggles into my days again!  

Aunt Saige was at a sleepover last night, but aunt Harper and Aunt Quincy saved the day.  Aunt Quincy told the stories, helped with the dance party, and built the obligatory fort.  Aunt Harper got the movie going and was the recipient of the 5:30 wake up call for breakfast!  I got up at 7 to Evie eating sausage and banana  slices. I asked Harper why she didn’t wake me up and she said “cause I had it all under control.”   I’m serious when I say my kids are the best.  

Today is Labor Day.  I was amused when I was talking to Jim last night and he said he had to call his mom today because she had to give birth to his big a$$ head.  I said “you know that’s not the kind of labor we celebrate  on Labor Day right?”   He just laughed.  Such a dork.  

I am thankful for the extra day.  Especially since it is a paid day off.   I need this day to be one of catching up on all the stuff we didn’t get done because the weekend went too fast and we did too many other things.  Laundry- here I come!  

Overt thankfulness

When I woke up this morning, Jim and I had a conversation about what we wanted to accomplish today.  I had a few things i wanted to try with the rabbits, he had a couple of things with some brush he wanted to finish trimming and burn up, I needed to get laundry done, and we absolutely, desperately had to get groceries.  I also said I wanted to eat dinner and sit and watch the season opener for KSU.  We started in working together on rabbits, did a few other things at the barn, I remembered that I had to go get Saige, who spent the night at a friend’s house around the corner.  Jim volunteered to go since he wanted to drive Quincy’s car, which has been acting up!   We had a little lunch. Jim said he was going to work out in the back yard, and when he was done, we would run to get groceries together.  I set out doing some house work, keeping an eye on Jim since he had a fire going, and a chainsaw running.  I had a text from Preston who was excited to be attending today’s game as an official wildcat!  

I also went out to clean the pool filter and noticed my little watermelon is getting bigger!   

After a while, Jim hosed down the fire- which I watched him do.  With everything put out, we took showers, asked the girls if they wanted to run to town (they didn’t- as they were both cleaning their rooms and didn’t want to stop)  and we headed to pick up some groceries.  

My little nephew Lawson - he was staying with my mom today.   Isn’t he so cute?  Sorry that had nothing to do with the story I was telling here.   Commercial interruption if you will.   

I had made arrangements with Mallory to take a few more senior pics of Quincy this evening.  I drive by this yard every day on the bus.  It belongs to a friend of ours.  She is a florist and has an amazing knack for designing stuff.  Her yard is no exception.  I texted her “I know this is weird but could we use your yard as backdrops for Quincy’s senior pictures?”   She thought it was funny and told me to knock myself out.  

While we were shopping, Madison texted to ask if they could come over for a while.  Evelyn wanted to come to visit.   And at the same time, Andrew texted Jim to see if he could come out to go fishing.   They were going to watch part of the game and then go. 

With the girls over, I made tacos and we all had dinner. We got the game up and I just started watching when Mallory decided it was time to go take the photos.  When we returned, Jim and Andrew left to go fishing.  As they were leaving, Jim called to say it looked like the fire had spread and asked if I would go down and check.  That’s when I realized the fire had indeed spread!  It had burned off the entire dam area, it had spread into the cedar trees behind the dam and north.  How it didn’t get much worse, causing an absolute blazing inferno, I have no idea.  Cedar trees burn like crazy and we have a bunch of acres of sold cedar right there where this fire was burning unchecked.  To say we got lucky is an understatement.  We were definitely being watched over today.  We don’t even know when it happened, could have been while the girls were home alone.  Could have been while we were all sitting around eating tacos. All I know it  was still hot, the girls and I bucketed many, many buckets of water and poured it on logs that were still burning on the forest floor, and I had a mini panic at how overwhelmingly grateful I was that this wasn’t a huge catastrophe.  Truly terrifying.  And thanks be to God for watching over my family and house today.   

And since it is late, and I am a little emotionally drained, and overwhelmed I Am going to close with this.  Mallory worked really hard today to get some absolutely stunning pictures of Quincy. Her talent, and her work, and patience is so appreciated.  Quincy likes some of the pictures she took!   I love them.  I had fun taking photos of them taking photos. Also I appreciate our friend and neighbor who allowed us to use their amazing yard as a backdrop for these pictures!   And on the way home, we killed a rattler.  That’s a good day right?   

Thankful, blessed, overwhelmed and exhausted. Good night.  Tomorrow isn’t going to be near as exciting. At least I hope not!