The Life

Funny, how I find myself jealous of our cat, Bruce (also funny that we named him Bruce Lee because he is more of a bug slayer).

We find him keeping tightly to his rigid nap schedule as evidenced here, and obviously any place is a good place to lounge or nap.

It is common to find one of us staring at him (and laughing), and commenting on how nice it would be to have his life. He comes and goes, opening the sliding screen door at his leisure (bravely protecting the household against all sort of enemy bug).

The ease of which this creature of God exists is enviable, to be sure.

But then, Bruce doesn't have the capacity for planning beyond the next bath or bug really. He doesn't seem to be dreaming, goal setting, and working toward...much of anything. He doesn't read or process media (that I know of), in fact, he likes to sit on whatever I'm reading. All of this you know of course, since you are reading this and not your cat.

But still, he really has the life.

Balloon Bust

Dave and I just finished up a week of vacation, just the two of us this time. We started with a balloon fest in Jackson, Michigan. We were going to catch the last hot air balloon launch before we headed up to Lake Michigan. Turned out that the heat was too much for them and they cancelled that launch altogether - so disappointing. We did spot a helium balloon afloat in the 100 degree heat, but it didn't do much for us.

The winning moment at the festival was when we were shopping at some of the booths. Shopping would save the day - of course! I was looking at some sun dresses next to another woman. The booth vendor walker over to us and asked the other woman if she needed any help finding a size. "Oh, shut up!" the woman said.

The vendor was taken back, completely in shock. But, I noticed that the woman shopping was wearing a blue tooth headset (she was talking on her cell phone). I started laughing out loud. Then the shopper realized what had happened. She apologized and us three strangers had a good laugh together.

So, it turns out that the balloon festival wasn't a total bust.

Since there is no balloon photo I am sharing this photo from yesterday at a graduation party. I was given a balloon flower. Isn't it awesome? Thanks Kristen!

My Boys are Awesome

On the 4th of July we got a game of pool volleyball going with Dave and I, three of the boys, a fiance' and friends. I feel suddenly ancient surrounded by young people in a pool, no matter what. Add volleyball to that, yikes...but I was doing alright. During a volley one of Dexter's hits slipped and the ball smoked me in the side of the face.

After a pause to make sure I was okay, he said, "Mom, if only you had better reflexes."

"I was four feet away!"

We all laughed. Then a little later in the game Dexter was serving behind me as I stood ready for defense. The ball drilled me in the back of the head!

Everybody sort of gasped and fell silent. I was losing brain cells at an incredible rate with these knocks to the head, I didn't particularly care for it. I regained my senses, turned around and sort of pounded on Dexter. We all laughed.

The next day Wes, Dexter, and friends went off for a couple days of self-imposed running camp. First off, they're gluttons for punishment running in the sand dunes, but suddenly my house got quiet. That same day is when I grabbed this photo of Frank chewing on wood which he does all the time (I prefer this over flooring and books). I noticed that a nailed-on step from one of the boys' many tree forts was attached to one of the logs. It made me sad.

Old times are literally falling away and there is nothing I can do to change it, unless of course I could live in the past which is never a good idea.

Thank God that new experiences, adventures, and...hits to the head, are right around the corner. That's where I'm off to next. I am grateful for a growing, thriving family that keeps me growing too.

He's Afraid of the Books

Just days after Frank chewed up my last new box of books, another book came out. Recently I figured out that I make about $10 an hour writing if a story is accepted, so my reward is really in seeing it in print and getting the box with a newly released book inside. It's like Christmas! So, I was relieved to be around when Heavenly Humor for the Teacher's Soul arrived to intercept Frank. He sniffed the box and I told him "no". He looked down in shame. When I tried to take a picture of him with the box he didn't chew he ran from it! It's just possible that he is learning.

Here's info on the book if you want to take a look (or you can get one from me for $5)
http://www.amazon.com/Heavenly-Humor-Teachers-Soul-Inspirational/dp/1616264578

My New Book Arrived and...

I've been waiting for my new book to arrive, couldn't wait to open that box and devour the story I wrote about my friend Kim Lee. As you can see Frank beat me to it - quite literally. But you know, after I picked up the package strewn across the front yard, and beat the dog, I could still read the story. If you would like to buy the copy with a chunk of the spine missing, that one costs more. The book is Heavenly XOXO for Women, here is one place you can preorder (release July 1). http://www.buy.com/prod/heavenly-xoxo-for-women/q/loc/106/219495284.html

PS- How do you inform delivery services not to leave boxes where dogs will eat them?

Caution! Needs to be Under Construction

The pool deck slopes here and there. There are hidden weak spots where you least expect them (be careful!). The carpet that was once sturdy and a sweet blue, is thinning, fading, and worn through to the sagging spots. The integrity of the deck structure has been compromised from years of changing seasons and a few winters that seemed to have no end, not to mention the rough treatment of people not always thinking. The liner, holding the very thing a pool is for, has not delivered what was promised (some people you do business with are not who they say they are). A lot of self-repair and obvious patching has had to occur. The filter basket is so fractured that the skimmer pulls it down into itself. Plumbing issues are at least an annual thing. The filter is tired of taking in the continual dirt and back washing it all out again, thank God for the waste mode when things are really bad after the long winter. The motor's casing is covered in rust on top of rust, but it keeps on ticking. This pool is old. I actually made signs for the deck to protect visitors from injury (umm yeah...in case you wondered what those pictures were).

But, the water is finally a nice shade of blue. I can't quite see the bottom clearly but it is really refreshing to enjoy the water.

All this has me thinking that my wreckage of a pool is much like life (read it one more time). Broken, repaired, getting tired, getting fixed, and overall, worth it.

Thank God.

Things Will Never be the Same

I am not sure what I like better about this car, the bungee straps, or the fact that holes had to be drilled in the hood to use bungee straps.

One thing is for sure though, I'll miss this car in the fleet. There's so much to miss. Where do I begin? I mean, it was great how you couldn't lock the car because the door keys would not work, so to lock something up you had to put it in the trunk and lock the glove compartment where the trunk button is. And of course if you did happen to lock the doors the AAA lock out service was just a call away (on speed dial).

I loved the mystery squeak in the back of the car, and the muffler pipe held up barely by a coat hanger. These features announced Mitch's arrival home long before he entered the long driveway.

The gas mileage and longevity of the '94 will be truly missed. When a run-in with a deer delivered the Topaz's last blow it was decided that we would help her make it to 300,000. With only 500 more miles to go, a plan was devised.

Enter, bungee straps, and a power drill to keep the hood from blowing open onto the windshield again. Her previous drivers, Trevor and Mitch, were instructed regarding the plan to take her on every short run trip possible.

Yesterday she reached her 300,000 mile destination. Today she was taken in as a donor, where she will give every usable part to Wes' '94 teal Topaz. She WILL live on, maybe not in all her dull white painted glory, but certainly through her radio, her door handles (not the locks), her glove box door, ignition, and tires. It will be beautiful.

But today we say goodbye, sort of. We'll see her again but it will never be the same.