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New Stuff

Jon's parents are trying to squeeze into a smaller home and we get to be the recipients of the overflow. We got two beautiful large rugs out of the deal and countless throw rugs. Also, I claimed a few crocks and the collection of rolling pins for the top of my refrigerator. Yea!!! New stuff.


When we put the rug under the table it was too long to put perpendicular to the room (like we had it before). Turning it opened up the space and made it look better. Thanks Mom and Dad Varnell!

This arrangement keeps me from allowing junk to collect on top.

New Eyes

Gem has to have glasses. I noticed a few months ago that she wasn't seeing signs as sharply, but didn't really jump into action until she couldn't read the board from five feet away. So, yesterday I left the boys with my friend and went frame shopping. She chose an iridescent purple frame with invisible rim on the bottom--very smart and a little "blingy".

A Lovely Visit

Jon's parents came last weekend. The visit was short, but so nice. We hadn't seen them for about a year and a half, so it was much anticipated.

Here's Jon's mom in grandchild heaven.

Shakespeare and Grandma check out the sunflowers.

A tickle moment with Grandpa.

Does everyone else wait until Grandma and Grandpa are leaving for home before taking a picture with all the grandchildren in it? I have so many "hey, we're leaving now/car" pictures. I tell you, it's pitiful, but better than not having the picture. Notice the new Webkins (for all of you with kids), but please overlook Shakespeare's tongue. Pretend he's smiling nicely. Not bad for a "leaving" picture.

Techie Problems

I wanted to post all about Jon's parents visiting and a couple of other things, but the mouse on my computer won't work. Yes, Dad, I tried the connection. I even tried a new mouse--nothing. So, until I get the technical version of a rodent working again, this entry from my friend's house will have to suffice.

Deck Done

The deck is finally done. We hosted a church cook-out on Saturday evening so that was my deadline. I worked on the stair rails all day on Friday and finished that night. Jon's parents and I cleaned it up Saturday morning. It felt so odd to entertain on it that evening.



Jon's dad hard at work.

Three Week Break

Year round school has ups and downs. One down is that while everyone else is talking about hanging out at the pool all day long, I'm talking about math equations and spelling rules. But now, for three weeks (maybe four) we're on break too. We're done with our final 9 weeks of the year. Gem is officially in 4th grade and Shakespeare is in 2nd. Yea!!! I think we'll celebrate by going to a movie.

Almost There

As you can see, the porch has come a long way. Here is where it was in April. Yesterday, I finished the railing, except the stairs. I wonder how long I will look at it and see fatigue and flaws. I hope that I will just be able to sit back and relax and not think about the one corner post that is slightly out of plumb, or the bottom rail that is slightly bowed because we stored it on uneven ground, or the one section that had to have supports every two balusters rather than every three.

We're having a party at our house Saturday and my mother and father-in-law are coming on Friday. We also have the swim lessons every evening and I have to kick this house into order (at least downstairs). I could name 100 other things, but will spare you my to-do's. I'm just relieved that I don't have to do school this week!!!

Swim Lessons

Every evening this week we have swim lessons. Popcorn was supposed to be in the younger class, but refused when it really came down to it. Shakespeare is doing well in his class--learning different strokes. A student from the college is teaching lessons for $25 for the five, hour-long sessions. Good deal! Good deal!

Reading With Daddy

Climbing Kids

Every Monday for 8 weeks this summer Gem and Shakespeare are taking rock climbing classes at our local climbing gym. I could say that I thought they might just enjoy it, or that they really had an interest in it. The truth is that I signed them up because I secretly hope that one of them gets hooked and will soon want ropes, harnesses, shoes, etc. and make a serious hobby of it. And if they needed an adult to take them to climbing locations, I guess they wouldn't have to twist my arm too hard. Climb on, kids!

Mom, Take a Picture of Me

Anyone who knows popcorn's history will probably be amazed at his requests the past few days: "Mom take a picture of me." Gladly.

Our Little Garden

We have a small plot in our back yard for a garden. This year the cast of characters includes green beans, cilantro, sunflowers, 7 tomato plants, two watermelon plants and one plant that will produce prize winning pumpkins--I'm talking the ones that have to have a front loader to lift them.


We're trying to grow the tomato plants on a trellis instead of cages. It's working nicely so far, but we'll see how they do when the tomatoes come in.

Check out the bees inside the pumpkin flower.



And this is a very hopeful sight.

Porch Progress

The back porch is coming along nicely. We have all the posts up around the paremeter of the deck. We have yet to install the posts at the bottom of the stairs. Next step is the railing. (deep breath) We're almost there.

How about a close-up of that cutie.

Hasta Hosta

My cousin chops hers down every 4th of July. I wasn't going to this year, but while I was mowing the lawn the inspiration hit me and I took the mower over a long hosta bed. We'll see how they come in compared to the other bed where I left the plants alone.

A New Top Hat

Our house is dressed fairly nicely: new paint, new deck, new "spot", green grass, but the thing that crowns the lovely picture is a glaring gray and black streaked roof. When you turn down our street our house is the one you see because it is at the base of the cul-du-sac. You come over the hill, and there, framed in your sights is our roof--not our house. The house is an add-on: the roof is what you see. It would help if we were at the top of a hill, but no. We're at the base.

If you look closely at this picture from March, O5, you can see streaks. They are worse now.

But, La!!! No more complaining about the streaked, 17 year old eyesore. Back in May when we went camping at the beach a nice hail storm came through and finished her off. The claims adjuster came out and pronounced the roof done--also some gutters and all the screens in my house but two (under the front porch). I was expecting a little help in replacing the roof, but was shocked when the adjuster told me, "Well, it looks like you will be getting a new roof for the price of your deductible." Shock. Awe. Thank you, Lord! I guess we did get the replacement value insurance. Just waiting for the insurance company to contact me with the settlement details.

Sweet Savings

I grew up stashing away my pennies. I was fairly creative in my enterprises: I tried selling tomatoes once, and rocks, and water. The miniature golf course that my friends and I carved out of the woods didn't do too well, but we did manage to scrape $2 or so out of the neighborhood kids. It didn't go so far when you split it three ways. Then there was always the steady allowance. When I got older, babysitting and lawn mowing produced a little more. Finally, I got a job and went to college with $7,000 tucked in my back pocket.

My children seem to have caught the bug too. I think that they are a little more solidly grounded than I was at their age. They invested in candy/gumball machines. Yep, the American dream is alive and well in our home.




Including the $67 for shipping (choke, gag), each machine was about $100. With her sights set on big earnings Gem had no problem coughing up a third of her savings. Shakespeare took the plunge, investing $80 of his $84.67 and taking out a 0% Mommy loan for the extra $20. They each own one machine (1 with a lien), and mom and dad bought one to help finance family vacations.

Jon talked to the powers that be on the campus, and the kids can place their little gold mine anywhere they please. We're thinking about right outside the new grill. If candy doesn't sell well there we'll try the smoking hangouts. So, three cheers for my little American entrepreneurs.

Paid extra for this little feature right here--a secure cash box that pulls out. Makes collection a breeze.

The 4th

We set off fireworks last night with neighbor friends. We have one more pack for tonight.

A New Power Tool

Last week I bought a sawsall from Home Depot. Why? Does there really have to be a reason? Okay, so there does . . . to tackle finishing the deck. We've been without railing for months now. I guess building the tree house with Dad has emboldened me. I could either sink my money into hiring it done, or use it to buy the tool to make it happen. Since I view Home Depot the same way that my kids view Toys R' Us, the debate didn't take long to settle: take the option that gives you a tool in the end.



I had Gem snap a few pictures of me in action. The first is me sawing out the holes for the posts. Notice the very femininely disguised steel toe safety boots (Forgive me, Dad. I was carried away in the moment). The second is a picture of me hefting my big power tool. Never mind that my teeth rattle in my head and my wrist contorts every time I start that baby up: I look like Cool Hand Luke with a smoking gun--what's not to love about that? I'm glad that I didn't buy the big one, but I am glad that I bought this one. "There's nothing like the right tool for the job," right Dad?!

After this is done, I'll have to find a project that requires a hand held jigsaw and a router and maybe a few quick clamps.