Kids just know!!

This is a conversation between two kindergarten boys. I was unable to get them back to school in time for them to be first in line. We all know how important that is!!

Boy one - "Oh , it's OK that we are not first today"
Boy two - "Yea, its OK because we are friends"
Boy one - "Yea, we are best friends"
Boy two - "Why do they call it best friends?"
Boy one - " Because we are friends and that is the best"
Boy two - "Yea, that is the best - best friends"

Out of the mouth.........

Bugs and Babies

I know I have been bad. A whole month since my last blog but not much really going on. School has started and I'm back to work. This year I received 21 new students. That has given me a full bus and it has taken this long to show the new kids that - yes, I am the meanest bus driver out there. Sorry - safety first.

I have also been doing allot of canning. I almost took pictures of all the jars and posted about that but if you have ever canned before you really don't like to think about the process - you just enjoy the results.

So my car brakes have decided to act up. My car is a 95 and I have been a little worried that it might start showing it's age. So the ABS system started the act up. The brakes or automatic brake system - for those slippery moments. Well, it isn't slippery yet, and lights are coming on - and the brake peddle is going to the floor - or almost to the floor. We take it to the dealer and they tell Matt that it will cost $2400.00 to fix. WHAT??? I pick myself off the floor and Matt tells me that he can work on it for allot less. Like step one will only cost $100.00. Great!!

So while he is working on my car I decide to rake the back yard. Oops! What was I thinking? This is October and yesterday was a beautiful 60 degrees and partly sunny. THE BUGS ARE BACK!! For those of you who have had the pleasure of walking in my back yard during the month of October - you know what I mean. For those of you who do not - well, our tree in the back yard is an Ash tree. In Ash trees, in North Idaho, a little blue gray knat lives in the bark or wherever and in the month of October hatches. They only live long enough to breed and lay more eggs in the tree for next years October. This life span of four weeks is very hard for those of us who breath. I am very thankful that it is only for the month of October or this tree would have been cut down with the rest of them. Anyway, there are millions and millions of these little bugs flying around, making it very hard to breath. I mean - I really don't like bugs going up my nose or eating bugs for lunch. (I have food and don't need to practice survivor skills) So this is my solution -

I first looked to see if I had a surgical mask - one used to paint with - but no luck. The only thing I had was a bandana - So all I need now is a cowboy hat and I can rob the local bank. But first the lawn. I had to mow the back orchard first. Then I used the mower to help rake the light area next to the shop. I looked at the shop - outside, south wall and this is what I found -

Now these are the bugs - now picture this all over the south wall - and this dense flying all over. Now in the winter - it is great to have a scarf over your mouth and nose - but in 60 degrees it is not. I was sweating like a pig! Do pigs really sweat? Where did that expression come from anyway? Anyway - after 3 hours of hard work all the little leaves where in bags - the lawn was cut and I went inside - to breath freely. I went into the bathroom to notice a black ring around my neck - under the collar of my shirt - looking closer -UGH - it is a ring of dead bugs. I take off my shirt and find dead bugs around my waste and all over my torso. I have never taken a shower so fast in my life. I had a major case of the willies. But the yard looks great.

But the better news is that I'm going to be a Grandma again. (happy face, happy face :) :) Before the raking of the yard I had to run an errand for Matt. Off to Shucks to get a vacuum hose. I am pulling into the parking lot and my phone rings. I don't see a picture - my phone is set up to show the picture of the caller - this I can see without my glasses. I answer - "Sue here" and the reply I get is "your daughter here" It is Cristy!! Wow - on a Saturday morning. She is using her father-in-laws phone and tells me she is pregnant!!! Number 7 is on it's way. I was so glad that I was only in the car - and not in the store because when I let out my scream - I didn't bother anyone. I can only imagine the response I would have gotten if I was in the store. It is hard to explain after 911 was called. So now I have to figure out how or when I can go to Virginia - right around May 2.

My first Honey Crisp !!

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Well, that means that this tree - my honey crisp tree - the best apple ever tree - will help me be healthy for one whole day. OK - I am just excited that this tree is now going to give me apples.

Isn't it beautiful? But this is not the only apple tree I planted. The golden honey has even more apples on it.

I figure I should be able to keep the doctor away for a whole month. I am excited!

Sorry I live a very boring life. But those of you who have gardens - you understand.

That is my excitement for the week - I started back to work this week - I wish summer was just starting and not ending. I didn't get everything done.

Matt got stung by a yellow jacket/hornet/not bumble bee by his left thumb and his hand swelled up and then the swelling started to travel up the arm and two days later the swelling continued past his elbow. After a trip to the clinic and two kinds of pills and two days of rest the swelling has stopped spreading and has gone down some. That bee is dead in case you wondered. He was talking to me on the phone when it happened. Cell phones are dangerous.

Till something happens - have a great day.

Super Heros

So who do you think of when you hear the words Super Hero? I usually go to Superman because the movies came out when I was a teenager and they where great movies. Lately there have been allot of movies about all kinds of super hero's.

Batman is just a martial arts guy with a great costume. I have never liked any of the batman movies but I must be fair in that I haven't seen too many. Now Captain America has a cool name. His powers of strength is always a plus. The Flash is great because of his speed and you can always think of a time in your life when that would be a cool power to have. Right? Your thinking of one now, aren't you? The Green Hornet - I remember from my youth but he is just like batman - no powers - just a guy in a costume fighting crime. He-man, and the power of Gray Scull. My kids loved watching that show when they were little. Not only was He-man strong but he has a cat named Cringer who becomes Battle cat. I'm not one for cats but that is cool. Spider man makes great movies too. And his power of web making and enhanced senses is fun - and who wouldn't want to climb up the side of a building? Wonder Woman - a show I never watched as a kid - bullet proof bracelets and a magic lasso just didn't hold my interest. But I think Superman is the greatest of all super heroes - because he is strong , he can fly and let us not forget the ex-ray vision, laser eyes and enhanced senses. He can do it all - well almost all.

I would like to introduce you to one more super hero. Well, maybe not a super hero but more of a sidekick. Have you ever seen the movie Sky High? About a high school for kids with super powers. They are put into two groups - one group - the hero group -the kids all have impressive powers. The next group - the sidekicks - have not so impressive powers. So his powers may not be to impressive but I think he is one great super Hero!! My Dad!! John Edward Lawyer - Mr. Lawn Mower Man!!!

He can see grass grow! He can mow a lawn in a single day - twice - if needed. My Dad must have ex-ray vision also - cause he can tell if a plant needs water - and how much water. He has created a lawn that just calls out to you - to take off your shoes. Yes, a walk on his lawn has been medically proven to relieve stress, lower blood pressure and feel really really good.

You may laugh but I am serious. My Dad is a great man! Better Homes and Gardens has never showcased a more beautiful yard. Dad's only draw back is that he won't work on my lawn. I love him anyway. :)

Exercise

So this is my bicycle. I know it is an old lady bike but I like it. You don't have to bend over the handle bars - you sit up straight-your neck and back aren't killing you after you ride and it has 21 gears. I must say that I know of 21 ways to make the up and down hills better or easier but I don't use all the gears.

I try to exercise at least 3 times a week and during the school year I go to the woman's club "Curves" I must say I am one of the youngest ladies there. Sad but old people are funny and I fit right in. Anyway - I've been going there for 5 years or so and well I'm taking the summer off. No comments on how I don't look like I exercise - I also like my ice cream!! Think what I'd look like if I didn't exercise. The HORROR!!!

Anyway - I have been trying to ride my bike as much as possible this summer. Doing something different - the same ol' exercise week after week gets boring. But boring is safer. I have discovered that riding your bike can be dangerous. I have tried to figure out what is the most dangerous thing out there for old lady bike riders like me and I have come up with a few.

These are not listed in any particular order - manly because - depending on the day and what is going on depends on whether I think it is the most dangerous thing.

The first thing is automobiles. They think they own the road. Of course when I am driving a car I think that too - still. It doesn't matter how big they are - I don't see them behind me. Guess I should get a mirror.

Next - people. They come in all shapes and sizes - young and old. But if they don't know their right from their left - I will run into them. I like to ride on the trails up here. I have a 10 mile course I have figured out and I have to share these trails with others. Which I think is rude - don't they know who I am? :) I try to give plenty of warning as I ride up on someone - "coming on your left" I call out. Then the person jumps a little and moves over to their left - then figures out - no - they have to move to the right for me to pass on the left - so they move over. Some just jump and stop. Some turn around and jump. Then there are people out there who have ear phones on and can't hear anything except their music. These people should be out on the road because they bug me. So far I have missed everyone but there have been a few close calls.

Next - dogs. Enough said.

Then there are trail hazards. Like new, deep gravel. No warning - wasn't there yesterday - "Oh yea-they put that down yesterday" gravel. I am surprised at how hard it is to ride a bike in deep gravel. Miscellaneous large stones are a surprise also. I really don't know how people with skinny tires ride without falling down.

My favorite hazard - sprinklers. At least they don't hurt. Sometimes I take the challenge and try to continue down the path slowing for one sprinkler and speeding up to beat another and then I just give up and hit the road. Watching for those big cars of course.

One thing I never would have thought of - squirrels. You know when you are in a car and a squirrel runs out in front of you - stops in the middle and does that - "do I go on or go back" dance? In a car I always yell at it to go on and hope for the best but on my bike.....If that squirrel chooses wrong and I hit it.....that would be one for the squirrel.

Head wind. Oh my goodness! I have a hill that I go down and I hit about 21 mph. Who needs Silverwood when you have that? But when there is a head wind, I am slowed to 14 mph. Now I know I am not a small person but that is just an insult. I also enjoy a tail wind but I always think that I am getting stronger and going faster or doing a stretch easier until I turn around and now I have a head wind. Oh, as I huff and puff my way back.

Heat - I can't ride when it is above 80 degrees. So I try to get up and ride early. If I can't leave by 8:30 I don't ride that day. I also don't ride on days I mow the lawn. Mowing is enough exercise. OK this really isn't a hazard but it does make a difference in whether or not I ride.

But summer is almost over and soon I'll be back to "Curves" working out with 80 year old women feeling like I'm in pretty good shape - until one of those ladies beats me in number of sit ups. But I can still get off the floor faster.

More Family

The last night for Damon and his family was also the first night for my brothers and their families. I was able to gather all of my grandchildren and get this picture. It is very hard to get five children 6 and under to look at the camera all at once. I am happy.

So my brother Mike, his wife Carol and their two kids - Nichole and Matthew. We or they would do a few things that the rest of us didn't because - well - teenagers have more energy.

Triple play is close to the house and a great place to have some fun. Matthew always won on the go-carts. Nichole says she always got the slow car.

Dad took everyone but me (I was at church) on the cruise. It is a good way to see the lake.

This is Carol, Nichole, Matthew and Mike

We also went to Cabela's. This bear looks like he is smiling for the camera.

Georgey had a t-ball game and we all went to watch. He did great and hit the ball each time from a pitch.

We went to Tubbs hill for a hike. I forget the name of this moose but this is Tom with Nichole and Matt.

We where suppose to hike Tubbs Hill but we never made it. George took us to a swimming hole and showed Nichole this rock. She was brave enough to jump off. Matthew never did jump - this evened things out with the go-carts.

We are the only ones who picnic next to a dumpster. This is the crew that waited for the hiker/swimmers. The weather had cooled off and was only about 74 degrees with a wind. That is why Nichole is all bundled up.

then we went to Silverwood. Even though it was still in the 70 degree range - we still had allot of fun. Here is Carol.

This is George - I said no to this slide. I am chicken and proud of it.

The group at our table we got. Nice when there isn't a mob of people.

Grayam decided that he liked his fries in his water bottle. Yum!!! He even drank it.

Georgey would swim then wrap up in towels and warm up then swim.

Mandy and Grayam.

I bought some kettle corn and well when someone points a camera you have to say "cheese"

I was the only one that got the memo "funny faces for group shots" Oh well

Last night is the night for group shots. It was nice of Scott to take this for us. Matt was at work - not a bad shot of all of us. We had a good time. Missed all of you who couldn't make it.

Family and Fun

Having visitors is great - even better when it is family. Mandy and George have been up from Pullman for the summer and now Damon and Nikki have come to visit for two weeks. It has just been great being with "my kids". The best thing to do now is just share some photo's. The above picture is at Georgey's t-ball game and what else are you suppose to do while you wait your turn? Climbing the fence seems like a great choice.
Sadie got to stay up a little later this night as she and Papa Matt put every puzzle we have together.
Beach time - What is it about digging in the sand? You have to mix it just so.......

This was just a cute picture - Georgey is such a good big brother.
Jack has had enough - Good thing Liz brought an umbrella.
Cousins!!!! And someones legs :)
Brother and sister - toooo tough for me :)
Here is something we don't do enough - take pictures of the parents.

Gray - who needs water.!?
All five grand kids. - not one for framing but one to smile about - they are watching Peter Pan at the first sleep over party. Jack didn't stay but the rest had a blast at Mandy's.

So sweet
Gray looking over his stash from the pinata
Can't get enough hugs.
Sadie's birthday party. Time to blow out the candles - she is four now and boy my favorite cake - Costco! :)
Time to open presents. We all had to think small , since they would have to bring things back on the plane.
This is a picture of both my girls - Mandy is talking to Cristy
A day at Silverwood. I kept the camera locked up while we swam - this is the gang after we dropped our quarters to splash those riding the log ride. We got them all -
Father and son. Damon and Jack
Sadie teaches us that you have to say cheese when your picture is being taken - even if your not quite done eating.

It has been a great two weeks. :)