Ready for Vacation

Well the dog quilts are ready to make the trip!  I finally got the binding on and the labels made.  I am hoping to be able to do the hand stitching of the binding during down time relaxing at the condo.  We have had a busy week since the kids went home.  Our gardener just stopped showing up so I am doing the yards now.  Got the yards done, pool drained and the slip and slide deflated and put away.  I then tackled the quilts to have them ready to take with me.  Michael had his 25th BD party last night - everyone went to a Karaoke Bar.  Max and I left before the "real" singing got started (she had to work today).  We are very much looking forward to doing some fishing and spending some time with Debby before she leaves for Iraq.  I am not taking a computer with me, but I will have my cell phone (providing we get service up there in the mountains).

Later . . .

Quiet House

We took the kids home Saturday and came back Sunday. Unfortunately we forgot the "warning" Denise gave us about not letting Deanna drink any milk 1 - 1 1/2 hours before putting her in the car. She had milk with lunch and fell asleep immediately when we started driving. The mistake we made was stopping at McDonalds in Bakersfield for dinner and she had milk with her Happy Meal. Shortly before we were about to make the turn off for Cal City, she got sick. Hard to believe someone so little could puke that much. OMG it was everywhere and there was no place to pull off the road for a couple of miles. We thought for sure the other kids were going to get sick just for being next to Deanna in the car. Poor Desirae ended up with it on her and she was trying her hardest not to puke herself. So when we finally pulled over we took the car seat out of the car and got Deanna changed and then proceeded to try to figure out how to take the cover off the seat because there was NO WAY we were going to be able to clean it there. Mission accomplished and we were back on the road and you would never know that Deanna had been sick - kids are amazing!

We will enjoy the peace and quiet for a few days and then start terribly missing them. Once again I will mention that it is really sad that they live so far away, but at least they are close enough to make the drive in one day.

Now we start preparing for our fishing trip with Max's family. Debby will be leaving for Iraq the end of the month so it will be a good time to have everyone together for the week.

Later . . .

Added Note . . .

I forgot to mention Thursday night at dinner all the kids were droppey eyed and yawning and Desirae looked at me and said, "Nana, what are you doing to us"? It was very cute and I had to explain that they were outside in the sun and fresh air and expending a LOT of energy playing in the pool and it was natural that they were all tired. It was funny cause you would think I was working them to death or something. She had such a serious look on her face. At least we will be sending them home with nice color. While packing up their stuff and getting ready to take them home, Max and I are both already sad to see them go and will miss them a lot. If we did not have plans it would be nice to keep them longer. They are all very precious children (spoken like a true Nana)!

Later . . .

Last Day

I cannot believe that the week has gone by so quickly. We went to the movie this afternoon (WALLE) and Max and the kids are now making ice cream cone cup cakes (which are yummy). The movie was not what I expected, but the kids seem to like it and that is what counts. We have not been to a movie since they were here the last time and it is hard to believe that for a matinee it costs $6.50 per person. Popcorn, candy and drinks is something I don't even want to discuss! Now I know why we stay home and watch DVD's.

I will say I accomplished a BUNCH of yard work that I have been wanting to do. Deanna is the greatest little helper and I do mean that she helps. The kids have been in the pool everyday and that has given me the opportunity to work in the yard. We have had some great weather - around 80 - 85. Hot enough to be outside and in the pool, but not so hot I don't want to be doing yard work. The one thing I did not get done was mowing the lawns (I guess our gardener quit as he just stopped showing up).

It will be silent and a bit sad around the house next week, but at least I should be able to get my dog quilts done and be able to take them with me on our trip to Arnold. I should have them completed except for the hand sewing of the binding. I am looking forward to the trip and Max is dying to go fishing. We have not been fishing at all this year. She might be able to do some stream fly fishing with Paul and we are taking our float tubes for the lakes.

Later . . .

I guess I am staying BUSY!

I can't believe it has been weeks since I posted. No need to ask me what I have been doing cause I really have no idea why I have not been on my computer. I did manage to embroider a shirt for Denise that she has been wanting (spinning wheel on the back and knitting basket over the pocket on the front). I am slowly trying to get the dog quilts done, but I have been having issues. One would think that all Pfaff machines would load the bobbin the same way and insert the needles the same. IF that were the case I might not have had such a hassle with thread breakage - check the manual, Donna! Max and I did the Reno trip for a few days and had a really good time. We gambled most of the time and I actually came back with more money than I started with (not much, but that is so cool in my book). Max had a great birthday and we hit some really good cards and had a really nice birthday dinner (the buffets are amazing). We came home to greet Denise and the kids. She brought them down for their week stay and was here when we got home. Having three kids in the house is definitely not something I am used to. I can't believe these little people eat breakfast, lunch and dinner - not to mention snacks and dessert! We are having a good time spending most of the time in the back yard in the blow up pool we have for them. We also bought a slip and slide, but it requires more energy than I can muster to help Devin be able to use it. We played on it for an hour or so and have not set it back up since (believe me it is hell getting old and having arthritis). Having them around is a real treat. We miss not seeing them often. I have taken some pictures, but not as many as I would like and Max has not gotten her camera out. With Max working all day we both seem to be ready for bed when the kids are. We will be taking them home this weekend. Kathy, Paul, Michael and Debby are coming over for dinner tomorrow night.

Later . . .