So what did you do today?

I must admit I have had a very lazy day. The bunches of bananas are still sitting on the counter awaiting to become something masterful. I have laid on the floor, stretched out in my brown chair and read and read and read and read--finally finishing "Middlesex". Gosh, what a good book! Gosh what a lot of twists and turns! What a great escape. The chimes rang, the weather switched from sunny to almost rain to sunny to almost rain to windy to sunny.....and I stayed in the book. Felt like I was living the story, following each turn.

Time to move outside. Time to recycle, run to the post office, pick up some dinner somewhere.

ah............

Monday the 27th

Ah, I think it is Mary Ann McGinn's Birthday (or is that tomorrow?) I need to send a card off for Kristine (Kristina Louise) as her birthday is the 29th.

Busy weekend. I spent some time with the precious Hunter. I am reminded how quickly time passes and how each moment is so sacred in a little one's life--the impunity of a puzzle dropping on your sandeled foot, a Mom and Dad coming and going and coming and going and missing them when they are out, celebrating when they are in, wanting something that is bug sprayed and not understanding why you can't have it (a precious dump truck--will need to be nuked in dish soap or plain replaced! would hate to see his little hands on the chemicals and find their way to his soft skin or open mouth) I love being with Hunter. I am reminded to SLOW DOWN.

Nursed a sinus headache Saturday night, so didn't make it to an invite for a party. Oh well. Was up Sunday to cheer and applaud the "Make a Wish" cyclers into the fair grounds. (300 miles in 3 days!) and then join the party there. (fun!) Doug came by later with 7 crates of bananas (gave me 4 big bunches!) I'll make banana bread and muffins today. Doug was on the clean up committee at the Fair Grounds and there was a lot of leftover food, shirts, etc. He was delivering around the neighborhood then headed to St Louis to drop off the majority there.

Sunday evening I was very tired, very lonely. I was/am done with being alone in the woods.

I decided to NOT go to my Craigslist class today but will see if I can't get back on track. Laura invited me to a party in FH for her son (fund raiser at relatives).

No contract yet for teachers. The district is dragging their toes on negotiating. They know they have the workers over a barrel in this economy. People are afraid to talk strike. District is talking "no money" when we know that is not true. First time in 4 years, we don't even have a calendar. (Though we do know we are "slated" to start with kids September 8th--no start up date for teachers yet)

My friend, Ken returned safely from his motorcycle trip through the UP. He is getting practice for his big out west, northwest tour in the fall. He discovered his back wasn't quite as happy sleeping on the ground as in past years.

My sis, Emily was in Yellowstone this past week. I couldn't help but remember when Jeanine was there, what a difference that summer made in her life.

Off to the kitchen--or at least to thumb through cook books

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hmm

I think I missed a few posts sorry:

This is what I've been doing.

Watering the new bushes daily, deck gardening, tracking the sandhill cranes in the back woods/pond area, listening to the F16s overhead (today anyway), replacing flowers the deer ate (3x) spreading Irish Spring soap around to keep the deer away, visiting my Dad, walking almost daily (well up until this weekend ;-) playing a wedding (hot and outside at the Tecumseh Country Club--but next to an occupied bluebird house), shooing a naughty 3 year old off my harp "Why????" she asked, cleaning up after an elder cat (argh), visiting Jeanine, Brad, Hunter, Cherry and Bill, talking on the phone with friends, attending Sights and Sounds in Chelsea on Thursday nights, catching up on lost episodes of NCIS, wrestling through a few book and garage sales for Hunter, reading various books including "Middlesex", "Personal Finance for Dummies" "Team of Rivals" by Doris Kearns Goodwin (what can I say, we are a family of readers), attending lectures at the A2 library (Yankee Air Museum talk was outstanding!), attending a few computer classes, and while on the streets of Royal Oak or at home- wearing my halo with streamers ;-), and reading the last Sunday edition of the A2 News.

Buckets of fun.

This week I hope to dig more into the clean up chores that are always waving at me (cold storage room, cabinets (sell or ???), and contact the realtor again (yes, Jean I didn't do that this week but will next). I found the Spring House street listed in the Sunday paper (no open house though)--I think it is doable at $259,000. I will go see it this week. (Also saw that BIG brand new houses in a subdivision in Chelsea are going for $150,000 --not good for me!) So........if I end up here, I end up here--just not giving up as yet.

Have a Palmer Ford appointment Tuesday--brakes somethin' (I think they (Palmer) need money) and oil change, go see Della Ram (friend) before she leaves with her family for her Iran trip (home), lunch with Cynthia on Wednesday (She elected to teach a summer school special needs music class M and T this summer).

Headed in to see Gpa in a few minutes. He was FULL of stories from Kristine's party yesterday.

Later gators.

Love you

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Yawn but smiling

So.....my friend, Laura called late yesterday afternoon and said she was given some tickets to Gladys Knight at Hill (Ann Arbor Summer Festival)--would I like to go! We had a great time. Main floor, row 3....cool when you actually can see the performer's eyes, smile, shoes, belt! Gladys was great. One pip showed up--her older brother--so that was a riot. We ended the evening at the former Escoffier now called Earle 2/drinks and dessert. Got home about 1am, Queen Oaks dogs were barking (argh) until 2am. Up early, no walk yet but cool like I like. Went to Farmer's Market--fresh flowers (love flowers in the house), raspberries, blue berries and the appearance of green beans! YEAH!!!! I love green beans!

Off to the beach today so will float and smile.

Happy 4th of July my lovelies

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itchy itchy scratchy scratchy

Been spending more time in the yard. ;-) After my morning walk I often will stay outside to water the 7 new plants (2 gallons a day) and spoil the others. The tomatoes are going great guns but I found a beetle and family taking up residence in one of the plants. I used my Dad's super organic spritz to encourage them to find other lodgings. I have little beans beginning to grow--this is fun!

All well and smiling. Spent time with Dad yesterday, taking him to the grocery store. He found some great buys on wild caught salmon. I think I may venture to A2 later to go to Krogers myself. (wow, I just said that--go to Krogers! I haven't been in an A2 Krogers for probably 3 years.) My other pleasure of course will be to read around the fireplace at the library.

Spotted this license plate on my walk and in honor of my Jean who got us all started on this, I decided to post.

Happy 3rd everyone!

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Had a great busy weekend

Picked up my Dad on Saturday and he came out to spend some time here. He enjoyed watching the Tigers baseball game in the big brown chair. It was breezy and clear skies so made for a nice sitting time. Dad enjoyed the chimes (a lot) and watching the birds. Dad said--you need to keep your feeder filled. (Unfortunately then the squirrels come and pig out) Dad's back was bothering him ( a lot) from doing the hedge at home so he had quite a bit of trouble moving around. On Sunday we went to Brunch with Jan and Marshall. We went over to the Hospital brunch--it was very very good!!! I am glad they suggested it.

The landscapers came today. I said goodbye to a lot of old friend plants. The one "kid" who was working was fun. He whistled and grunted and talked to the earth as he worked. He told me he was headed to college in Pennsylvania next fall. He kept hitting things when he was shoveling and would say "I found Jimmy Hoffa!!!" We found a bunch of big stones so we piled them up to put somewhere another day.

I walked this morning with my friend, Jan Stevens. She enjoys a morning walk. Jan Carr will join me some evenings, but keeps very very busy with classes and committees--so our walks have been more hit and miss.

Cynthia has headed to Phoenix to spread her mother's ashes. My heart is with her for sure.

Off to play in the yard. With 60 degree weather it is MOST inviting!

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How did I miss that ?

The Jans and I have been walking off and on. If Jan Carr is busy, Jan Stevens often will join me. They are available at different times so it works out well when I want company.

So tonight when Jan Carr and I were walking she started talking about being at a conference in NYC for Pfizer on 9/11 Boy, that's something I had blocked out, forgotten.

It was a medical conference and she said they were on the Avenue of the Avenues. They were not told of the happenings 4 miles up town until their coffee break at 10:10--when they not only announced what happened but asked for doctor volunteers to go assist as needed. ALL of the doctors at the conference (Jan said 60) volunteered to go. They were people from all over the world. Interesting. Jan said she went out in the street to see and that there was no traffic on Avenue of the Avenues--that she stood right in the middle and looked to the financial district and could see smoke but little else. She said she realized later that the towers had already fallen at that point.

They of course couldn't fly out of NYC so ended up renting a car the next day and driving back to Michigan (8 people in the car). She said they had to walk across the bridge to get to the car rental spots. Pfizer had set up the arrangement for them.

Headed to A2 this morning--as on most summer days, I have a list as I've held off running there until my official going in days. now----where is that list? I should stop past the Apple store as my beloved iPhone is acting up. It quit taking clear pictures, is very reluctant to allow me to touch to make a message for texting and now delivers my mail twice (interesting). Since it looks like my Dad will be coming out to join me soon (who knows, playing by ear) I noticed I need a number of things like-- lightweight bedding, pillow, lightbulb, replacement shade for living room, so it will be a busy spending day.

ah summer!

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