look who came to visit

Julia is babysitting for Dan and Alicia's kids this summer, and she drove over to hang out for the day. That little one with the birthday had a bunch of new Barbies, so they had a good time.

That Barbie house was a gift from Santa to Heidi and Kirsten in 1989.  (That thing is heavy--imagine how those reindeer worked with that in the sleigh.)  When Heidi took it to her house Julia was so angry, even though she hadn't really played with it in some time.  Heidi promised when Julia has little girls, the Barbie house will make the rounds back to her.

They played some game all over the back yard that included in the story line: red pandas, goats and toads.

Julia and I didn't really follow the plot, but that's okay.

That little baby in the pink shirt can walk. She opts not to because she's such a stunningly fast crawler.  She flew over the scratchy grass, straight for the dirt under the swings.

At that point, I plucked her from the dirt she was enjoying because I can't stand babies in dirt, and popped her into the swing.

She puts up with me.  She likes me.   I like her quite a bit too, little stubborn, huggable doll baby.

Today she was after my hair and it hurt, but I thought I have that coming, all the times I've brushed her hair and put in pony tails she hated.

These two, deep in conversation about this game they're playing.

Many years ago the two were being babysat at my house, and as I went through the room, I overheard her on the toy phone calling for an ambulance because her cat had been hit by a car.

He was flat on the floor, quiet.

I whispered, "Are you the cat?"

"Yes."

Okay, good night. 

Tomorrow is Friday, best day of the week, and that is that.

Love, Val aka GRANDMA

happy 4th birthday!

I was informed by others at the beach that the birthday party was yesterday.

Okay, whatever.

This was a pretty fun birthday too.

Happy fourth birthday, YOU, you crazy girl.

We love you like crazy.

I hope the next year is nothing but spectacular.

Love, Grandpa and Grandma and Everyone.

dead mouse

After I finished all that, I moved on to the next project which was getting some things from the grocery store and also buying some damned fans.

One fan is broken has to be returned. Sell me a crappy broken fan?  No, thank you.

Anyway, fans set up because it is super hot in this house.  I'm getting going on the painting in Tim's old room and almost immediately after priming the plaster patches, find this dead mouse.

I teased my dad if he'd come deal with it.

He said he would.

Dad. Just kidding.  

I also texted James to tease him.

But I got this.  I took the long handled pliers and put it in a trash bag, and disinfected the pliers and the area.

Ugh.  WHY.

Anyway, it's tomorrow. 

Good night.

Love, Val

 

redoing the bathroom

I sewed the shower curtain and window curtains years ago, and last winter noticed the window curtains had turned from blue to purple, fading in the sun.   I kept thinking about shopping for fabric and sewing new ones, but procrastination and time, you know?   All those button holes I'd have to sew, all the measuring to make sure it all hung straight?   Nah.  Not right now.

But I  bought a new shower curtain instead.  It's not permanent, but it's fun, and new rugs.  I sewed a valance and hemmed a sheer panel, and it looks much refreshed.
 

But this. This clutter.  I sent pictures to Jody and she sees pictures and flies into action.  A dozen texts went back and forth about ALL THE STUFF in this small 40s bathroom.  She suggested a cabinet, but radiator.  Yeah.

Well. Still much can be done.

Good bye junk.  Old towels I only need for bathing Elin don't have to be in this room all the time.

Although, as I stored them in cabinets in the basement bathroom, that tub stopper will not come up and that big pink tub was full of murky, cold water.  That's not right.

We have a problem.   Not today.  I tried with a flat screwdriver, but no. My little fingernails? No. I scooped out most of the water and I'm sure Jay will help figure this out another day. 

Anyway, a de-junked bathroom, looking way better.

Then the linen closet became involved.  Why can't we store towels there?   Because it's tiny and so full it has become an avalanche situation.

So soon I hauled the entire contents of the linen closet out to the living room and started getting real.

Do old extra long twin sized sheets spark joy?

They do not.

If Tim or Julia go to a dorm, we can get them new sheets of their choice.  All the old flat sheets--many of those because the fitted sheets wear out much faster--gone.  Donated sets of sheets in colors that don't bring me joy--khaki, green, gray.  What are they even doing in there?  I'm not sure.  Anyway, gone.

Three bags to donate, one to trash, a pile to the cabin. Done.  Jody, Thank you.

Love, Val

way to go, buddy!

 Look at you!  Way to go!  Love, Grandma

a cute haircut!

So perfect, so adorable!

Love, Grandms
 

more weekend

It was a weekend, and now it's August.

Love you all, MOM