Thursday, May 30, 2013

Almost a full week of summer vacation and the visitors continue to come…and stay. What began as a quick visit by Penni Jo and her daughter to complete the finishing touches of the swim team roster ended after the consumption of two pizza’s an order of Italian Cheesy bread, and after 4 ½ hours. After getting the necessary papers sorted and then sorted again, Penni Jo asked if it would be okay with me if she stayed to finish the paperwork needed for the team to register through the Chattanooga Area Swim League. My reply was, “Sure.” Her daughter, Tabitha swam while her mother and I completed paperwork.

Melissa, Dakota, Cole, and Austin were here as well, so there was plenty of entertainment for all.

Billy arrived around noon and retrieved a nail gun from the garage.

Maddie was brought to our house later in the evening by her mother, Christy while Grace was at swim practice. Mom and I were completing a six week training course of basic obedience with Jenny. She received her certificate of completion. Mom finally gave Jenny a little wiggle room from her collar and leash after trusting that Jenny would follow her commands. Mom should have a received a certificate as well, she did a great job.

9 visitors today, 48 in all

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

A multitude of visitors today. The day started out quiet but soon the rumble of Steve’s lawnmower took over the morning’s silence. He and a helper arrived while the dew was still evaporating from the grass. It was a nice cool morning to complete the chores needed to maintain the lawn.

During a quick trip to the bank early this morning, Melissa arrived with Austin, Cole, and Dakota. They came inside while I was talking to the branch manager after they had sat in the hot car for about ten minutes. Needless to say…the bank manager sped things up after Melissa, I, and four kids including Grace were waiting in her office. It soon became a bit crowded. Afterwards we spent a day at the Warner Park Swimming Pool. I picked Josie upon my return from the bank. Upon arrival to the pool, the swimming test was first on the agenda. 2-25 meter lengths of the pool and we were sure to obtain a spot in the deep end of the pool. We all passed the test and were able to play on the obstacles as much as we could stand. First to the “Wibit” obstacle course and then on to the slide. I always thought I would be a good candidate for Wipe Out, but after completing those two obstacles, I have put any and all thoughts related to completing an obstacle course aside…except for the Warrior Dash.

After four hours of fun and returning home with mild sunburns, we all spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing and taking it moderately easy. Dinner consisted of pork tenderloin, stewed potatoes, and peas. I hadn’t planned on so many people being here to eat dinner, but we managed to have plenty. Kim picked Josie up around 8:30 after finishing the day off with a quick dip in the pool.

Little David dropped off some clothes for Dakota as he would be spending the night along with Austin and Cole.

9 visitors today, 39 in all

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

I wasn’t sure why my daughter and grandchildren were so willing to make the sacrifices they did today just to go the veterinarian with me and our dog. Austin wanted to spend the night just so he could wake up early enough to be at the vet’s office by 8:00 with Buddy, our Boston Terrier. Cole spent the night as well, and all kids were up by 7:00 AM ready to go to the vet. It was just as loud and confusing as the first day of school. They argued about holding Buddy in the car, walking him in, and holding him in the office. I couldn’t understand their need to go to the vet when they could have slept in or sat on the couch watching television while eating a bowl of cereal. To me, the latter would be much more appealing. I thought for a while about their desire to go…was it because they wanted to provide support to our four-legged family member who would be visiting the doctor, was it because they were curious about the procedures that needed to be done, or was it because they wanted the vet to see his loving family? Before I overanalyzed it too much I decided to ask them why they wanted to go. 

These were their replies:

Grace said, “For the cuteness and the entertainment in the car”

Cole said, “Because there are other dogs there”

Austin said, “I just want to see the shot”

Isabell said, “Because Austin and Cole are going”

Their responses were so simple. They knew why they wanted to go, and all for a different reason. And then Austin asked me why I wanted to go. I replied, “Because someone has to drive.”  I guess we all do things everyday just because specific duties are required of us, not necessarily for any particular reason. The next time I find myself questioning a specific situation I will try to be less analytical and accept things as they are, even it means taking four kids to the vet at 8:00 AM with my one dog.

Austin and Cole spent the night so they were the first visitors of the day. Melissa came over around noon. Harlee arrived around 1:00 and stayed for just a little while. Jeff brought 3 buckets of gravel over this evening to help fill a small ditch. He left with a plate of pork chops, mashed potatoes, pinto beans, and cornbread…a trade for the gravel.

5 visitors today, 30 in all.

Monday, May 27, 2013

A rather uneventful day. Spent part of the day shopping for just the right pair of shoes for Cole and Isabell, and the other part of the day waiting on Grace hand and foot, who seems to be getting a cold or something.

A limited number of visitors today…Melissa, Jeff, Austin, and Cole were here for dinner. They brought their dog, Spunky. I really don’t know how he got his name because he does little more than lay on the couch waiting for his back to be scratched. We ate barbecue chicken, baked beans, potato salad, rolls, and Cocoa Lopez coconut cake for dessert. The kids swam off their dinner afterwards while Melissa and I walked to the end of the road and back.

Ken Thomas came over and picked up some swim caps that had been stored in the trunk of my car for weeks. The first swim practice was tonight and we weren’t able to go. One of my swim team responsibilities is to distribute team shirts and caps. Needless to say, when dropping the shirts by the pool today, I completely forgot about the caps. Not to worry…this is a volunteer position.

Harlee came over while everyone was swimming. She and Grace sat on the pool deck listening to music on Harlee’s iPod while taking silly snapshots of each other. It was a nice day and the weather was perfect.

An additional 6 visitors today, and 1 dog.

25 visitors in all and 3 dogs.

This is Melissa, my oldest daughter; her husband, Jeff; my grandkids, Austin and Cole.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Today Grace reminded me of a time when I was the recipient of vibrant colored swirls and numerous designs which were painted on my body. When I was young, my brother entered a body painting contest in which the final result would be judged and the winner would be the recipient of some sort of prize. I was a bit uncomfortable standing in the middle of Northgate Mall wearing a two-piece bathing suit at the age of eleven. I remember looking at some of the other chesty and curvaceous participants and wondered if my brother wished he had someone other than his sister to paint. This was not just a live art exhibit, but a test of endurance as well. One lady even fainted from the silver metallic paint that covered her body. At the close of the contest, participants were allowed to display their model (me…in this case) covered with an array of designs in hopes of winning some prize. I walked across the stage adorned in purple paint swirled from head to toe, displaying my brother’s beautiful art work. Needless to say, he didn’t win anything or anything that was significant enough to recall. It was a fun experience and I thank my brother for choosing me as his model.

Billy was the first visitor today. He and David leaned on the bed of Billy’s truck smoking cigarettes sharing stories of the past and talking about work that needed to be done.

Melissa, Jeff, Austin, and Cole came by to pick up Grace. They went to the Nature Center in hopes of renting canoes for a day of riding through Chickamauga Creek. Grace took a small piece of twine which was going to be used to catch an Alligator Gar. She described her means in which she would catch the Gar by saying that she was going to put a piece of meat on the end of the string and when he latched on, she would jerk him in the canoe. Anyway…their plans failed as all canoes were rented for the day and Grace returned empty handed with no Alligator Gar. So they came here to swim and ate the remaining Good Humor ice cream bars.

After going on a date last night, Larry brought Mandy home this morning. She said they enjoyed an evening of Gooney Golf and Go-Cart rides.

Today…6 visitors. 19 in all.

Saturday, May 25th, 2013

…and so the first day of summer vacation begins just as abruptly as last summer ended. During the past ten months we have all gone through many changes: we have grown a bit older, have made decisions that affected certain outcomes, and have consumed a substantial amount of food to sustain our lives. Today, I purchased a variety pack of thirty-six Good Humor Bars for $10.98 at Wal-Mart. There are currently five left, which may be a good indicator of the number of visitors that have been here today.

Grace and Isabell’s friends, Josie and Emma were dropped off today by their mother Kim. They came running up the driveway with floats already anticipating a swim in the cool pool. They were the first three visitors today, and the first visitors of the season.

Jenny, our lab, got out of her pen and ran five houses down to Gay’s house (David’s ex-wife), and was returned by Gay and her sister. This in itself is a story that may one day be told.

Melissa, Jeff, Austin, Cole, and Ben arrived around 6:30 PM for dinner. The weather was great. We sat outside and ate hamburgers, chips, and tea. Midway through our dinner, yelling for “Angus” from the neighbors began to consume our meal time conversation. Laughter about the loudest belches and other bodily noises that were produced throughout the consumption of our meal was now drowned out by cries from the neighbor begging her dog to return home. Soon after, Jo and Harlee were at our house trying to gain the attention of their dogs, Angus and Shorty. Trying to convince them to return home was difficult, but after staying briefly to color with chalk on the back patio, they returned home with their dogs.  While eating, we were also visited by a friend of Mandy’s, Larry, who was picking her up for her own dinner date. After eating and sharing much laughter with family, Cole informed us that he wanted to “night swim” which was in fact named so because he would be swimming at night.  After swimming for an hour or so with temperatures in the mid 60’s; Cole, Austin, Ben, and Isabell gave it up and enjoyed the rest of the evening inside while wearing the dry clothes in which they had arrived. All in all it was a great day, and a great first day of summer vacation.

Another change in which I forgot to mention was that David’s brother, Arnold, passed away this past spring losing his battle with lung cancer. Arnold was a visitor nearly every day last summer and will be missed this summer just as much as he has been missed this past month. There are no words that can be said which can express the feelings of loss for a loved one.  And for my husband, David, and his family; I am truly sorry for their loss. With that, I will close for now.

Today’s tally: 13 visitors and 2 dogs