Day 238-April 26, 2013

     A delightful morning subbing at Hennessy, which is now Grass Valley Charter, in the second grade.  Sweet class, well organized classroom.  From there I popped over to the Chinese buffet to visit a bit with Mom and Pop, Sue and Norm, and Wanda and Marty.  Wanda and Marty are on their way back to Canada for the summer season.  I had a notion to make a little wedding cake for Cora and Colin, so I made a few stops looking for a cake topper before fetching Alexa from preschool.  I couldn't find one, and decided to skip on the cake for now.  Alexa and I went to Memorial Park playground with Tamir and Jenny for an hour or so.  When we got home, we had a nice walk in the stroller to see Stephanie's horse.  She loved our sprinkler too.  Bath time, naked time, and pooping time before putting on her Elmo jammies.  Precious brought me three books to read, she loved all of the pages of Bear Cubs.  As always, she lay right down to sleep.  But this time she said, "No singing!"

Day 237-April 25, 2013

     Things are thirsty, so I did some watering.  Also caulking on the garage and I made oatmeal cookies for Fred's motorcycle trip.  Then off to sub for 7th grade math and science at Gilmore---the middle schoolers definitely require management, the part of teaching I don't like.  Half days are ok.  Prayer group and a fund-raiser for our communities Family Resource Centers completed the day.  I'm home alone, as Fred headed to Middlegate, Nevada for a few days.

Day 236-April 24, 2013

     Well, it was lovely to wake up and snuggle.  Later in the day Fred announced, "I want to retire."  That's what today felt like.  We woke up on our own, turning off the alarm.   Together we walked with Karly before our morning coffee.  We puttered.  I wrote some letters.  This afternoon our neighbors had another day in court about their road.  We went together to be supportive and ended up at Margaritas continuing to enjoy our neighbors.  I love home. 

Day 235-April 23, 2013

     A beautiful warm spring day.  Mowing for an hour after my morning walk with Karly kept a smile on my face.  Looks like a park after mowing the weeds.  I was busy cleaning and doing laundry too.  Fred got home before noon and our afternoon project was painting the garage.  The airless sprayer is a wonderful tool.  Fred assembled dinner as I finished up trim at about 7.  Fred said, "You sure are happy working at home, aren't you."  He's right.

Day 234-April 22, 2013

     We woke up before 6 to an automated call for subbing.  I pressed 2 for no more calls today.  I needed to regroup here at home today.  I met Alexa and Jen at Alexa's occupational therapy appointment.  They are helping her with swallowing and motor development.  Jen went to the doctor and Precious and I went to the triangle park.  We climbed and played.  Alexa ate a basket of strawberries minus the three I ate.  Grampa stopped by too.  After meeting back up with Jen, I made a quick stop at Safeway, then headed home to bake, cook, and clean.  Mom and Pop joined Scott, Fred and I for supper.  Fred bbqed steak for us.  Lots of Eddie phone calls sprinkled themselves across the day.

Day 233-April 21, 2013

     I rose before 3AM Arkansas time, Eddie drove me to Tulsa to catch my 7:00 flight.  A power walk in Dallas Terminal C got the blood flowing.  I enjoyed viewing the Colorado plateau, Lake Powell, and the Nevada desert from the plane window.  I tried to pick out roads and landmarks I had seen from the ground.  GrandMuM loves adventures.  I was so happy to see Fred, I don't like these long separations.  We snuggled together the rest of the day.  Scott is here now testing for fire departments, and Fred is helping him build a sleeping shed for Savannah at his East Drive home.  It's good medicine to have Scott here too.

Day 220 until 232-April 8 to 20, 2013

     This time was spent on family time in Arkansas, meaningful work and tender times.  My first focus was my little niece and nephew.  God's presence, guidance, and watch-care made itself evident each day.  I spent lots of time praying, and his angels of protection are near.  Brother Eddie remained in Arkansas to take care of needed tasks and to spend time with his kids and grandkids too.  We are staying connected by phone, as we both saw how important it was to have each other in this emotional and stressful time.  Gary remains in jail for now, my hope is he will soon be in a treatment program for his mental illness and addiction.  I see myself returning when there is more I can do to help.  My biggest tasks were carpet cleaning and disposal of firearms and ammo.  There were many games of Go Fish and Crazy 8.  I got Where the Sidewalk Ends for the kids.  Gathering around the table for dinner is a most comforting time in a family.

Day 213 to 219-April 1 to 7, 2013

     To be present in each moment, asking God, "What should I do?"  That is my best effort this week.  When I stopped for an Alexa fix about 2:30, as I walked in the door I heard, "Bye Mom, I'm going to Gramma's house, bye Mom..."  She was my good medicine for over 24 hours.  Family time together was important, we gathered at The Ranch for dinner Monday and Tuesday.  I felt inspired to write Gary a letter Tuesday morn.  Wednesday I had book club and some volunteer time with Sharon.  Thursday and Friday were subbing in band at Lyman Gilmore.  Oh my gosh, I was tired.  The gophers are devouring my garden, perhaps I'm not supposed to be Farmer Brenda.  On the other hand, perhaps I am to become a gopher exterminator extraordinaire.  Saturday Fred planned a pot luck, and that kept me busy for the day.  I made tasty lentils and fabulous quiche.  I felt sad, and that is understandable.  Sunday I spent at home.  Two good walks both Saturday and Sunday filled my cup, and Karly's too.  In the redo bathroom I cleaned old grout on the old tub and retouched the paint.  Fred's old friend, John Camuso, stopped by for a welcomed surprise visit.  Eddie and I will leave for Arkansas for two weeks tomorrow. 

Day 212-March 31, 2013

     Easter.  We began driving home from Long Beach to home, Mom, Pop, and I.  It was a difficult day as brother Gary in Arkansas was having a crisis.  Gratefully, all are safe.  It was an emotional day.

Day 199 to 211 - March 18 to 30, 2013

     Brother Eddie, Fred, and I headed out for our grand adventure in the Nevada desert and Death Valley.  AJ and Jen watched Karly while Fred was gone.  For details of the trip, check out the journal in our Lance camper.  I write about all adventures.  We explored remote areas of the desert near  a westward edge of Nevada, Fish Lake Valley.  Then on to Death Valley before heading to Mom and Pop's winter spot in Indio, Rancho Casa Blanca.  We arrived there on Sunday.  Tuesday was  wonderful day to visit Scott and Savannah in El Centro.  Eddie and Fred drove back home on Wednesday.  I stayed with the folks reading, relaxing, exercising, and helping batten down the hatches for summer.  We drove to Long Beach Saturday, and stopped for Granny Hootenanny's dining table and some photos in Costa Mesa for Cora.  Kathleen and Laurie came to Auntie Carol's for a couple of hours in the afternoon, then we met Uncle Ed and clan for a lovely dinner at Utopia, just across from Auntie Carol's place.  Carol and I shared the Murphy bed and she spoke in her sleep, "Love you, love you, love you."  That's something she often says to her Precious Ones.