3 day weekend - good. Reason - notsomuch

 

We have a 3 day weekend, but because Jim is having a sinus surgery, so not a fun reason.

On the day where Saige’s team plays against Harper’s team, I sure hope I don’t need him to be the bouncer! 

Side note - Jim said he took the lazy man route when shaving for surgery and only shaved his mustache. He said it was a shoutout to Uncle Ray.  No offense Ray, but I hope he doesn’t adopt this as a permanent facial hair trend.    

Because I am out of the office today, and it is normally payroll time, I had to go in last night to meet a board member.  The skies were so weird I had to take a picture.  Quincy had some friends over to swim and hang out.  They had to delay the swimming and then they had to quit as storms that flared up again, weirdly we didn’t get a drop of rain. 

I have enjoyed having Cameron home for a few days and I am sad that his time “off” is over, as he starts his new job on Monday. He has helped us with several projects, and it has been great catching up.  He did draw the line at helping me walk the turtles though. He seems to think that I have lost it.  Truly though, the Undertaker had been acting a little unsettled. I did some reading online and it made me think she might be wanting to find some soft soil to lay eggs in.  He seemed unwilling to watch and see if she laid any!   I did watch. She didn’t - and seemed obsessed with running around and showing off her quick reflexes at getting away from Carlos!  

Do you ever do something with good intentions but then figure out you aren’t all that bright?  I bought a bunch of seeds on a clearance sale at dollar general last fall.  One morning, as I finished my walk, I was still talking with Grace, and I used some dirt and trays I had left to plant the seeds.  I actually doubted they would grow since they cost me about 8 cents a pack.  I planted watermelon, cucumbers, cantaloupe and several types of squash. I labeled nothing.  Now they are growing and I have no idea what it is coming up!   I know you cannot plant watermelon and cucumbers near each other because they will cross pollinate, but I’m not exactly sure how I can avoid that.  I’m hoping that the plants get some distinguishing leaf shape or something in the coming days.  Otherwise I guess the pickles I make might taste a bit like watermelon. 

I know it is redundant, but I love summer!  We have all been enjoying the pool.  Wrenley loves the water!  Like the rest of us I guess.  She kicks and splashes and smiles!   

Evie is pretty self sufficient in the water now.   She does good.  We still have her wear a floaty, but there is not much fear of the water left.  She is a rule follower and I am thankful for that.  

This cat is tiny.  She fits in one hand. But my goodness she is the queen of the house already.  The dogs do her bidding. Marge follows her around. Jim and the girls are her servants. It is crazy!   

These kids are enjoying their chickens.  It makes me laugh how they all have dude names.  

Evelyn’s guinea pig passed away this week.  I feel bad for telling the story, but when she told me it was Poppy the guinea pig, not Poppy the human that she had to bury I sort of giggled.  I did keep my giggling internal. I am. It completely heartless.  

I am not sure how we got so lucky, but these grandkids are awfully amazing. 

Also had to include Stella’s birthday picture. Just for fun.  Mallory might be rubbing off on aunt Amy!  

Jim’s doctor says everything went well with his surgery. I am very thankful.  I know he’s going to be ok because he saw me, and started begging for me to take him out of the hospital for food.  

Happy? Birthday? Marge???

 

Harper had a double header, make up at Osage City last night.  Her team lost both games.  It was weirdly hot until the sun went down, and then it was weirdly cold.  Harper played really well, covering right field, left field, shortstop, and 3rd base.  She was walked a couple of times,  and did a great job stealing bases.  It was a long evening, but it was fun to watch her team.  I enjoy them.  

We got home around 10:30, to find Saige had baked brownies for Marge - because it is the 1 year anniversary of the day we got her - so Saige decided that it was her 'birthday.'  Saige insisted that we put a candle in the brownies and sing to the cat.  We indulged her, but nothing has really changed where Marge is concerned, and Marge did NOT like us singing to her, or Saige holding her, or any other part of the birthday celebration!  

We got Marge when she was dumped in Mallory's neighborhood.  She lived for 2-3 days in Mallory's basement window well.  Finally, Jim went in and rescued her.  We tried to find her owner, but nobody claimed her.  I am 100% sure someone kicked the crap out of this cat.  Her jaw closes weird, she has to turn her face sideways when she eats or she can't pick up any of the food.  She is skittish, and only really lets Saige hold her.  She tolerates the rest of us, but if there are too many people around, or if we are too loud, she hides out in the basement.  She is visibly scared of loud noises, of loud people, and she tends to hide if we move too fast, or do anything else that seems threatening.  Nobody has hurt her for a year....she is safe in our house, however she has not forgotten her early days and it makes me sad.  I don't know if she will ever really trust us, I hope she will.  I do credit her - she has had zero accidents, she is pretty well behaved, doesn't seem to be a bad cat at all.  She is a little bit psycho occasionally, jumping about 5 or 6 feet in the air to catch a moth or a wasp.  She amuses me.  She is a good cat, and we are glad to have her.  The other good thing, she really loves the new kitten, and seems to be almost caring for her!  I hope they will live long, happy lives together!  Also, she comes running to Jim's breakfast buffet - she is a smart girl!  :)  

Shout out to Cameron, who mowed our entire yard, ran the weed whacker, and basically made us look like we are living in a pristine little park!  I appreciate it!  The mower being down meant that things had gotten a little out of hand.  He tackled it all like a champ while we were at work yesterday!  I know he starts his new job next week, and I am sure he will be very successful, but I really am enjoying him being home for a little bit!  And not just because he mowed the yard1  :)  

The weekend that wasn’t.

The only one who got rest this weekend was Winnie.  She has settled herself right in, taken over the couches, and the hearts of a couple girls.  Carlos is still not amused by her, but at least he stopped trying to kill her!  She growls at the big dogs, and they cower to her, it is insanely crazy!  She is a tiny little thing, and it is hilarious to see her bossing around 85 pound Ollie!  She is brave!

I had my first strawberry!  I ate it right out of the garden!  I was very excited, although it was about the size of a dime, and we are very, very far away from jelly making!  I am just happy that the plants haven't died!  

Friday night was all about ball - Harper had a double header against Lyndon.  It was spitting rain, and the sky looked really bad, and I thought 'here we go again' but things worked out, and they did end up getting both games in.  Harper's team was not successful at getting any wins, but they did play really well, and I am proud of how they worked together.

Cameron and Lauren attended a Royal's game, where it was K-State night at the K.  I think they had fun!  

Saturday, I worked the day shift at the liquor store.  Early in the day, Jim and I talked about having date night (what we call getting groceries so that it seems more fun).  I admit, that it seemed like a better idea early in the day than it did when I got off work.  I started to bail out on him, but then he whipped out a Texas Roadhouse gift card and told me I could have free dinner.  I also looked at this week's calendar and realized if we wanted to eat this week, I had no choice but to get groceries on Saturday night.  We did hit some mighty fine bargains, and we managed to be home in time that I could still float in the pool.  I am glad we got it done!  (Side note, I did enjoy having an evening with my boy- he is a pretty good dude).  

Since we have been running nonstop, that meant that Sunday had to be a day to catch up on all of the things around the house.  After church, Jim and Cameron started in on the lawnmower, which has been broken down, and the lawn has been severely neglected.  As they were working on it, Colin materialized out of thin air.  He jumped in and helped them get the mower finished and back together.  Then the three of them did some mowing, weed eating, and a few other things that Jim was happy to have help with.  I managed to catch up the laundry, and got the girls to help me get the house cleaned up a little bit.  It worked out great.  By the time the girls arrived for Sunday dinner, things were seeming a little more under control!  Evelyn wanted to swim and get her hair cut.  We made it happen.  She wanted her hair up to her shoulders.  Wish granted, although I feel like it made her look even older!  

Uncle Cameron hold me....oh wait, I don't want you to hold me, I just want your fancy goggles!  

I wish I could have a second Sunday.  One that was a relaxing, read a book and lounge around sort of a day, but beggars just can't be choosers!  I did enjoy seeing a lot of the kids this weekend!  Looking ahead, next weekend doesn't look like a book reading type of weekend either!  Oh well, at least we are having fun!  

The best days are pool days

Yesterday we were absolutely blessed to have a beautiful day, and absolutely no place to go (other than work I guess).  Evelyn asked if she could come out and swim.  The pool is perfect, the weather was amazing, and we enjoyed the afternoon swimming our little brains out!  I love days like that!  I get in the pool almost every day.  I find it easier to clean the pool if I am in there, and I like to do some water walking, and/or swimming, followed by a few minutes of just floating.  Not often do I stay in for very long though!  I enjoyed hanging out with some of the girls, and having a day to just relax! 

Wrenley likes the water!  She was splashing her little legs and smiling!  I love that she was having fun!

Cameron, finding himself with a few days before he starts his new life as a corporate executive, decided to go to Wichita and job shadow Colin.  I think he had fun.  He did say he was exhausted from the experience and from hanging out late talking to his brother though!  I love that they are bestest friends.  Makes my mom heart happy. 

Weird story- my favorite thing to put in pots is Coleus.  I love them.  Until this year, I never knew they flowered though!  I got these from the Pride plant sale.  They are beautiful!  

And now, I must go, because yesterday is the only day we have with nothingness on it!  :)