We Went Out - Together

The forecasters have predicted rain showers, winds and flood watches for our valley for a few days. We went to bed knowing we may well wake up to a wet world. I LOVE the sound of wind and RAIN - heavy RAIN on our metal roof. I opened the windows and enjoyed the storm. 

Rainy #mugshot - Mug created over 20
years ago, by Arielle I believe. 

Allie worked late Friday night and was not up when Stacia and I had to run into town to pick up some greens for the most spoiled chickens in the valley. We ran through a coffee stand and discovered they make a great breakfast sandwich - which we enjoyed warm in our car, with a view of the mountains. Stacia dropped off a resume at a place she would like to work a shift or two a week. They didn't sound like they were hiring but one never knows. We ran to the church and set up the coffee corner. We ran to Freddies and purchased milks, coffee and cream for said corner. 

We got home with enough time to say hello and goodbye to Allie. 

We were excited for the evening. We'd been invited out to someone's house as a family for DINNER. Y'all...this doesn't happen often. Four or five years ago we were invited for a game night to a friend's. We were invited over to another's and covid lock downs interfered. We have people over. We've wondered about this...like we assumed it was because we were a big family - but we are no longer a big family. We thought maybe it was intimidating because we were chaplains - but we are no longer chaplains. I suspect maybe people have made having others into their home a much bigger, scarier thing than it need be. Maybe, our culture has gotten so busy we neglect "breaking real bread together" - you know house to house and not at an uber-organized event/potluck. ::snort::  In any event...when we had that wildly crowded party for Stacia (who hates crowds), a friend invited us to their home for dinner! Stacia, Allie and I had been out to their place. Michael had never met Sheri's husband, Chris.  We had about 3 weeks to figure out a fun spot for GG to spend the night because we were determined to go - and their house has lots and lots of steps to the entrance. 

Allie would be working, and Stacia wanted to join us. They are our usual fall back when Michael and I want to run out together. Alex was unable to stay with GG. He often helps us out. I sent an email to Arielle and Bre and asked if either of them would like to have GG over for dinner on Friday night. We'd drop him off at 4:30 and promised to be back by 8 to get him. 

Bre and the kids responded first! It turned out wonderful. I LOVE the kids are spending time in a smaller settling with their GG, and he is able to interact with them more personally. Bella said they needed to think of a game they could play so he would think they are fun. My heart!  I warned Dad not to cheat. Yes, he does. Benny doesn't like to play games with him anymore because he is indignant that GG cheats. I knew Bella and Gideon would be too. Dad seemed surprised I would even suggest he cheat. ::snort:: 

Bre sent me photos throughout the evening - it was like going out when we had little ones at home. 

📷by BreAnne

Dominoes were a hit with all generations. Annie insisted they also play Pretty, Pretty Princess. 

📷by BreAnne

Jojo had absconded with GG's jewelry and brought it back. This was a fantastic outing for Dad. I really think we need to think about doing this on a regular basis. He must get awfully bored with the four of us. 

📷by BreAnne

While Dad enjoyed his time out with Bre and the kids, we enjoyed our dinner with Chris, Sheri and Shae. The spaghetti and salad were spot on.  The apple crisp was yummy - not sure why we don't make more of them. I've told Stacia I will remedy the sad situation. Mike and Chris toured Chris' restoration projects. Sheri and I enjoyed a visit and Shae and Stacia did the same. And then? Chris suggested we go see how the creek/river was doing. We had just enough time! The creek was more like a raging river. 

Stacia and Shae came down in their own UTV. I didn't ask about photos and Shae is a minor, so you don't get to see her charming smile. 

We had such a good evening...being out as a family with friends. The only thing which would have made it better was having Allie along. Sheri said we'll have to do it again when she can make it.  BTW I was feeling very cool in Chris' flight jacket! 

We got home right at GG's bedtime. We were trying to keep his routine as much as possible. We are all thrilled with the success of our evening out.  The evening ended differently than planned when our power went out. 

This was actually better than screen time anyway! 

It's Field Trip Friday!

GG was up and ready early this morning. I made a slide, sent a couple slides to Pastor, ordered Bible study material for September's study, and registered one of our gals for conference. 

I left the house at 0900 to meet Arielle and two of her sons at "the farm." Cory had the day off and kept Charles at home with him as he's been a bit under the weather. 

Benny has been learning the letter "F" this week. He's written it, he's sounded it out, he's looked for it in other words...and today...on FFFFriday, we visited a local FFFFFarm to pick some FFFFood for our dinner table. 

We often visit the farm for Harvest Festival. We love it - it's crowded. In fact, so crowded we didn't do a lot of the things last year. Arielle heard you could go to the farm to u-pick and they are gracious enough to let the children play on the things that are out. It was wonderful. I am glad we went even though it was raining last night and this morning. It cleared up for our trip.  Danny loved the mud after the rain! 

📷by Arielle

They gave us little knives, told us which things we could harvest today and how big they had to be before we harvested them. I'm seriously wondering why I grow a garden. Maybe I should just u-pick. 

It was harder than one would think to find FFFFood as the weeds grow up right with the food. 

Searching for food 📷by Arielle

📷by Arielle

📷by Arielle

Success! 

We picked broccoli, sugar snap peas, zucchini, kale and it seemed like there was something else. I began to envision a stir fry....though I'd already prepped for chicken/mozzarella ravioli.  

When we were done picking the boys played on some of the toys which are around. 

📷by Arielle

Arielle, Danny & Benny

I want to build one of these in our yard....I think it could be great fun. Maybe a roller slide off our deck. LOL It would probably make it easier to get GG out in the yard too. LOL 

We went through the maze. Benny was sure he could beat his mom through - and he did. In the midst of mazing...we misplaced Danny. I could hear him and then it went SILENT as only a hiding 2 year old can be. We called, we searched...we didn't see his ginger head anywhere. 

I heard a bit of a laugh...and then "Moving under." Sure enough, I looked low...

One can move REALLY fast through the maze if one crawls UNDER the walls. ::snort:: 

Back at home the girls were working on homework and Allie was prepping for work. We had a nice talk spanning budget, priorities in this season, time management...college in RESIDENCE takes more HOURS than college online...though I think it only SEEMS to take more time...maybe. One can't go about their normal routine and fit college in the early morning or midnight hours. One has set times to be at set classes...and lots of homework to do one someone elses time schedule. This is totally new for Stacia as global lets the student work at their own pace. Liberty did have deadlines so Allie is a bit more familiar with deadlines...but all the time constraints and deadlines set by those outside of your home....well that's new for both girls. Things like Stacia is scheduled to have her wisdom teeth out one Monday morning. That wasn't a problem at all with Global...she would have done extra work and scheduled that week off. It's a bit trickier now. 

We wrapped up our discussion and Mike and I got ready to go sign our taxes. Yes, I did say taxes. Our accountant assures us we are NOT her latest clients. ::blush:: 

As Mike headed to get ready Dad said he wanted to go on a walk. This is a GREAT idea as he is NOT moving around enough...and he IS gaining weight.  Michael asked which way we were going and said if we weren't back he'd pick us up. 

He made it about a block... and then he sat. I was glad Michael drove up. 

When we got home from our adventure Stacia and Millie had gone to a local lake. 

Yellow leaves on ground

It was a fun day...at the end of a busy week. We closed it with a dinner using all our farm fresh produce and a bit from the produce co-op as well. I made a big pan of stir fry veggies and cashews and we topped our butter/garlic braised chicken ravioli with them. 

Comfort food at it's best. I think I'll go make a steamer (got some sugar free English Toffee syrup) and read or watch some comfort show on Prime. 

What DAY is This?

These are the days which cause me to realize I am nearing the end of my middle ages. ::snort:: 

I was out of the house at 0800. Stacia and I enjoyed breakfast and Bible study. We're going to have to figure out the girls' new schedules. It seems someone is always heading off to the college. I THINK no one has a class tomorrow... Anyway - we headed to Sophia's. We ran errands for an hour. We picked up Stacia's car from the church where we'd left it. I knew timing would be close and wasn't sure I would be going home as early as Stacia needed me to. 

After errands we both got our LAST hair cut from Courtney. It is so hard to find someone to cut your hair when you move...took us four years! Which is why I had long, long hair. And now, two years after finding her she's moving out of state! Ugh. 

Oh, and those are my new glasses. I don't LOVE them like I did my last pair, but they fit this year's budget much better than the old pair did, an added bonus is I see better. ::snort:: THIS pair was on the $9 rack at Walmart - but still cost $200 by the time they added bifocals and such. 

I had about 20 minutes between haircuts and needing to be at BreZaak's.  Pastor Scott caught me at the right moment, and we talked about some new technology. Bella had some dental work to get done - I stayed with Gideon, Annie and Jojo. A magical science supply package came from Rainbow Resources. 

I fed them lunch and we spent the rest of the time on a rousing game of princess memory. 

Bre came home and I left to drive across town to deliver 6 dozen eggs to my best egg customer. I took advantage of the time to do a bit of shopping. I headed home...got home in time to say goodbye to Allie, and hello to Stacia before she headed off to Japanese. 

Michael had an appointment to help with pain and mobility, he then ran some errands. 

I fixed dinner, we ate...

I'm tired. 

I'm done. 

Fun with Grands!

Allie and Stacia had a FULL day at college. They were at school from 9 - 5....then we had dinner and went to church for a prayer walk. Michael met with Alex for lunch. I stayed home until this evening.... I had four grands visit. Bre had a well child for Trudy and it's always easier if she can focus on one child at a time at the doctor's. 

The kids were happy when I brought out the snack basket. 

We also made a craft they picked up at the library on their way over. 

Annie and Bella helped me organize this container. It looked like a porcupine when we started...pencils, pens, sharpies, colored pencils, stamps, gum, post it notes all jumbled together. First the girls tried each pen to see which ones were working. 

"Grandma! I made a rainbow!"

A thing of beauty

We discovered GG grabs a pen (or maybe 2 or 3) every week at church. I have a LOT of church pens. We also discovered we DO have Sharpies (check out the bottom right section) and LOTS of breath helps (gum, tic tacs, mints, spray...) I have educated all but GG on the correct organization of this container. I have great hopes. GG doesn't grab pens from here - he has another stash in his bedroom. I don't know why. It just is. He likes pens. 

The kids bounced me until I was sick. 

Gideon discovered a strange disease has afflicted our trees. 

I do love seasonal changes. 

Homeschooling Bachan!

 I may have found a new niche! I could be the homeschooling Bachan. 

Benny has begun school again. I play with the boys on Tuesday so Arielle can get some work done at her church where she is the children's ministry director.  She pulled some books out "just in case" we wanted to do school. Uh Huh! 

I can take a hint. 

This is SERIOUS work. 

Arielle is using Sonlight - I'm quite familiar with their format. LOL  Flipping the pages all nicely encased in sheet protectors - ah...the memories. Who would guess - "These ARE the days you will miss."

Arielle suggested the boys like to sit at the table and draw while Benny does school. We gave it a shot. There was quite a bit of commotion and scuffling over the pencils... Benny bravely soldiered on. 

About this time, it was becoming apparent I would need to dig deep into my bag of tricks from schooling a houseful with young ones around. 

Keep going Benny - you can ignore them! LOL 

I asked the two-year-olds if they'd like to go play in the rec room. They thought that was a great idea. Unfortunately, as they ran off Benny yelled after them, "Yeah - go scream in the rec room." 

They scream so well I was sure someone was hurt. They weren't. They kept screaming and we had a hard time paying attention on the couch where I was reading to Benny. 

We took our books and headed for the rec room. I suggested they play hide and seek. They hid. We finished reading Dolphin Stories and a book about ants. We even got the worksheet done. They were very, very quiet as they hid. ::snort:: 

Bachan for the win! We got ALL of Benny's Day 2 work finished. We picked up the rec room and living room and the boys were having a snack when Arielle got home. 

I might be able to make a second career out of these skills. LOL 

Benny was a bit sad we didn't make it out for a hike or bike ride...as was I. I promised him he would have the afternoon free to play when Mom got home AND we are going on an adventure on Friday. 

I had a fun morning with the boys. I followed it up with 4 hours of work at the Produce co-op, dinner and an episode of Family Affair. 

They're Off!

New glasses for a new school year

After a very full day which included dental visits, and new glasses, these girls are off to their first class of this year of college. It so happens they are both in the same Monday night class. Stacia has been told her Tuesday class is cancelled as the prof is out ill. 

Meanwhile back at home...Michael has a nasty sinus crud... 

Dad is bored with the girls gone. I had to pay $535 for ONE med Dad takes. That one hurt. ::snort::  

I had a meeting with Pastor Scott about online stuff. 

I drove girls to the dentist and the optometrist.  

I'm not sure where the rest of my day went. 

Off they go! 

But at least the girls are very productive members of society! 

And this little guy climbed his first peak with Daddy, and he didn't even break a sweat. It looks like Daddy may have broken a bit of a sweat. 

📷by Jared

I did manage to look ahead to the rest of the week. I have meetings and childcare every single day until next Monday. But who can say no to watching grandbabies????

There seems to be a bit of a shift in temps around here. I am thinking MAYBE fall is here...but the calendar says no and the state fair just started. We still have lots of green leaves, but some of the trees are turning yellow. The devil club have all turned yellow! I saw pumpkin flavored tea in the store. I don't want to blink and miss fall.