Sunday, June 17, 2012

Arnold was the first visitor of the day. I think he is on the same schedule as David. To bed around 9:00, and up at 5:30. When he arrived, they were busy hooking the truck to the camper so it could be moved to the back yard to be washed before we leave for the mountains in just a few short weeks.

Yard sales… to young children, they are an array of old toys and treasures that can be found at no other place than in front of someone else’s yard spread out on a table, or on a sheet stretched across the ground. To adults, they are a bargain waiting to be found or the item you always wanted, but never found time to purchase.

Yesterday, Melissa gave Grace, Austin, and Cole 3 dollars each and sent them next door to the neighbors yard sale. Many toys were for sale that they had played with on numerous occasions. When they are for sale, however; they are open property to the first eager buyer. They searched through the items looking for the perfect toy that for just a few dollars could become their own. Melissa said they had a great time.

Jeff and Melissa came over just before Austin and Cole’s baseball game. Jeff was proudly wearing a .50 Nascar shirt Austin had purchased for him from the yard sale. He wore it as if it had been purchased from a pricey department store. It was Jeff’s Father’s Day gift. They spent the rest of their money on two baseball caps, a jacket that was about 12 inches too short in the sleeves, some sippy cups and a piggy bank for Isabell. Their selfless deeds almost made me cry. They had spent all of their money buying gifts for people other than themselves.

Many visitors today. Mandy said we would top 200. I agreed, and we laughed. Melissa, Austin, Cole, and Grace were the first to arrive. Grace had spent the night with Melissa. Grace was so excited to wish her Dad, “Happy Father’s Day,” and to give him the shirts that were recently purchased at Wal-Mart. He loved them.

Mandy gave Dad a hand held bug zapper. I was the first one to get a jolt. It didn’t hurt, but everyone was scared to willingly touch the screen while the electricity on the zapper was activated.

Harlee visited for a while, and helped tape down the princess table cloths that decorated the patio tables.

Kay arrived to pick up Austin and Cole around noon and returned with them at 2:30. Just enough of a break to prepare potato salad and cole slaw to go with grilled hot dogs this evening.

Jason brought Isabell home around 2:00 and acted like he was a welcome member of the family (Isabell’s Dad, but Mandy’s ex-husband). He stayed for a while playing with Isabell’s toys in her room and even took a short nap on her bed. He asked Mandy if it would be an imposition to stay for the party. Mandy kindly said, “yes, it would be an imposition.” And he left.

A cookout for Isabell’s birthday and Father’s Day celebration began around 5:00. My Dad and a woman who wishes to remain anonymous, Steve, Wendy, Chad, Chris, Melissa, Jeff, Austin, Cole, Laurie, Jackson, Maggie, Sophie, and Emma attended the gathering. The kids swam, ate hot dogs, cake, and ice cream. The evening was fun. Everyone left around 8:00, and Cole wanted to stay another night.

Steve (my stepdad) brought Isabell’s gift by yesterday. Yet another visitor left off the days tally. Larry (a friend of Mandy’s) came over at 11:00 last night. They sat under the gazebo and drank a few beers.

So many visitors today that I had to write them down.

2 additional visitors yesterday, 19 today; 204 visitors in all. We were right.