a windy monday

We had a good time at the lake, in spite of the dark and occasional rain.

Boat went to storage for  the winter.

 Looking at a tree frog:

 Demonstrating the new railing:

 These two decided to go swimming.  There were dares and someone jumped off the dock.

 Trying on everyone's shoes:

 The window sill is rebuilt and ready to paint this week, all the rotten gone and replaced:

 Here we're keeping a little child going late in the afternoon, as the pre-supper crabbiness started up:

 Being outside improved her mood a great deal.

And the Halloween decorations are up.  p.j. was happy to see this.  Days are getting shorter.

September, you've been a pretty good pal.

love, Val

changing lightbulbs

It's fall, so about 2/3 of the light bulbs in this house have suddenly gone out.

I've been going here and there with my little ladder changing bulbs all over the place.

Two bathrooms had gone completely dark, and that was a pain in the neck.

We went to Menards, bought bulbs, ($35!! for light bulbs and a $1.19 package of starters, just in case.)

So, this bathroom off the family room is small and narrow, and I was attempting to adjust new bulbs into a 60 year old light fixture, carefully twisting them in millimeters this way and that, sweating and tweaking.

And THIS PERSON came racing in and shut the door and then started handling everything: the tubes, the packaging, trying to turn on the water, under my arm, between my legs.

It was hot in there, especially with the door shut, and then?

The piece de resistance?

The poopy diaper.

In a hot, little, closed room.

Of course.  Why not?

Little funny Girl?

You're an explosion.

Yes, You're an explosion of emotion and energy and with your sister p.j. gone all day at school, and no Sam in the house, it's good you have a big personality and a lot of energy to propel us into action.

Now I'm going to open a window and find the wipes.

I love you, Darling.

love, Grandma

peaceful weekend

 We spent the weekend in Wisconsin with my parents.

 Dan and Heidi were there, Heidi with both her kids, Dan with only one of his.

 p.j.'s little sister:

 This hammock was SO MUCH FUN they eventually destroyed the post that held up the feet.

Not sure what's to be done about that. If my dad needs help putting in a new post, we can provide manpower.

 My mom spent a whole day cleaning the log cabin so they could play in there. They played with the Barbie house and all the dolls my brother's child outgrew.

 The did art in the art studio. The little guy in the orange shirt called it, "The Lab,"which cracked us up. He's so sweet.

My parents kept company with Heidi while she painted.

 They broke out the mini-bikes:

 She asked for this ride and he took her around and back in big loops through the field and woods. She loved it.

 Apple trees, carefully protected from deer:

Kari, aka Lydia said she'd slept better there than even in her own bed--the soft bed, the sweet-smelling sheets, waking up in the sun in a pile of pillows, to the smell of melting butter and pancakes.

Kind of a little piece of heaven.

Thank you for having us.

Love forever, Jay and Val and all the rest

adjustments

p.j. started school last week, and she’s happy to go.   She also has a loose tooth, and called my  sister yesterday to let her know too.  

It’s weird after all these years of her here with us, to be in our days without her.  We’ll adjust in time, but it’s so quiet around here.  She’s such a sunshine, funny observations, self-sufficient and interesting.

Tonight she was here for a sleep over and of course was upset when it was time to go to bed—late for her, very late.  Still mad, not done playing Barbies, no way!

We can’t be too tired to enjoy tomorrow, Honey!

Still mad.

I rested on Julia’s bed next to her while Julia took a shower, and she was asleep within one minute, Curious George under her arm, having angrily turned her back to me.

 The light was soft off the stairway, shadowy pink room,  blonde 40’s bedroom furniture that was once Jay’s grandparents, in the room where p.j.’s mother, Heidi, and Kirsten used to camp out, which later became Maria’s room and is now Julia’s. 

I love this house like an old friend.  We fix and repair, and we paint this old girl, year after year, but this is a good place to be, upstairs in the dark beside a child I love, listening to the shower and the fan quietly blowing, an occasional car passing in the busy street out front.

Two little girls were here for lunch today.  When the polka dot child cried after her mom left, the other one looked concerned, then climbed up on the couch and hugged us, and patted her on the head. She only cried a minute, and was soon busy playing.  

Cousins having lunch on a Friday at Grandma's?  (We had fried rice.)  Best day of the week.

Big Jay and Maria cooked all evening, making food for the weekend, and tomorrow approaches.

Love always, Val

pictures from a boat ride

 These little critters were found in the dirt near the wood pile.

Love, Grandma