Monday, June 22: A few weeks ago, I asked Sam and Katie both what they'd like for their birthday gifts. Katie's wishes were practical. "I really need bras..." Well, I bought her bras, but I asked again later if she'd like something more. For her second wish, she sent me a photo of a set of crochet hooks. "I've wanted this forever, but I can't bring myself to buy them for myself." I know too well how it is to have something stuck on a wish list that somehow you can't bring yourself to purchase, even though you might have the money and know you will put it to good use.
When I asked Sam the same question he scowled. He thought long and hard before finally replying. "What I'd really like to do is go out to eat with my family: you, the kids and Bess, and someone else pay for the meal. If I could do that, I'd go to..." and he named off a BBQ place that is still fairly new. I nodded. "Consider it done."
Well, we couldn't do on his birthday last week because family came in from out of town the same day. And we couldn't do it on Father's Day as he'd requested, because the same family lingered and didn't leave until later in the day. But after talking it over, we'd agreed that we'd go out for lunch today.
He and the kids came to pick me up and we headed to the restaurant where we were meeting Bess. "I'll pay for the kids and Bess, Mama...it's too much." "No thank you," I told him, "I have it all covered." But we're six people...it might get pretty expensive." "It might. But I have a fund Sam and there's enough to cover us in it. Please let me do this for you." He reluctantly agreed but added, "but if it's over $$ I'm chipping in!" "Nope. I've got it."
And there we are. Adult children. Unable to spend on themselves, reluctant to have another give them a nice gift they'd go without. We are a long way from the days when they were young enough to believe that Mom and Dad had a money tree or three in the backyard.
We had an excellent lunch, which fell easily into the budget I'd allotted for it. The food was really good and while we ran into tiny glitches in getting our order correctly, it was not trouble enough to mar the experience.
On the way home, I'm afraid I talked Sam's ears off. I told him all about my next phase plans of beginning to get out and travel about the state. I purposely didn't mention my trepidation about using the Toyota but leave it to Sam to hear what I'm not saying. "Use the Toyota, Mama. I've got you on AAA and the car is a good sound car. Yes, it needed work, but it truly should be good for several hundreds of miles yet." I nodded. I needed to hear that.
And then we began to talk of travelling again and he really surprised me.
You see, we used to sit and plan where we'd go one day. And Sam always said, "We", meaning he and I, would go to these places and experience different things. But back then he was in high school and hadn't traveled any at all. Now he's a seasoned traveler, though he's had little opportunity in the past few years. So, when he began to talk of "we" once again today, I turned to him astonished.
"You mean you still think about traveling together?" "Of course, I do Mama!" Well blow me down, lol. I'd assumed, as he'd grown older and traveled so much on his own, that those long-ago days of traveling with his mama were over and done. And I was quite all right with that. I've always expected my children to grow up and move on in their lives.
Do you know, I'm rather liking having grown-up children.
Tuesday, June 23: I worked myself like a mule today! I did little on Sunday afternoon when JD left and only slightly more on Monday, before we all went out to lunch. I made up my mind last night that regardless of the need to run errands galore today, I'd get my house in order first.
But first, I started my morning on the front porch. It was surprisingly cool and so quiet except for the birds and Rufus' panting his way up the steps to join me. Do you know, I think this is one of the most sacred parts of my day. I don't look at a screen or read a book. I sit and listen to the birds and absorb the deep peace of the land about me. Sunshine, the rustle of leaves, the calling of birds has its own rhythm of sound that just calms and strengthens and makes one grateful that God created earth.
After coffee, I tackled the work and it was far more work than I'd even thought it might be. Every room in the house had to be touched and cleaned and tidied up in some manner. And I had packages to get ready to go out and donations to load into the car and trash (way too much trash!) to load up as well. It was so late when I got finished that I stopped to eat a late lunch before I started trekking everything out to the car. And then my car was packed. Trunk, back set and front passenger seats were full! By that point it was half past 2 and I truly contemplated just waiting until tomorrow.
But I knew I had to go. I very much needed cat food, having borrowed from Sam late last week and used it all up this morning. Off I went, tired and weary, but telling myself it was going to be worthwhile when I returned to my tidy home.
I got everything done and then I went into TJMaxx to look around. I had a short list of things I was looking for, and I found 3 of those items. I kept my unplanned purchases to less than $10. Then I headed homeward, picking up take out on the way because by then it was 5:30 and I was starving and had nothing thawed at home. I kept supper under $10, too...Just to remind myself that this was 'extra' and I paid for it out of my allowance.
When I came home, I found Sheldon wandering the front yard, going in circles, trying to find his way home again. I tried to lure him into the car, but he'd just wander away. I considered walking him home but my back and legs were tired and painful after spending so much time walking and lifting and such all day long. So, I texted Josh to come see if he could get him home.
Sheldon was in no mood to follow Josh, so I told him to just leave him and that if his dad found he wasn't home by bedtime he'd know where to come find him.
Then I got into my pajamas and called this day well done.
Wednesday, June 24: It's been cooler these past two mornings and the days, while hitting high 80's are very mild. Far more springlike than summery sort of weather. No complaints from me, however. We've had sunshine and that right there is remarkable. No rainy weather (though sprinkles here and there) hanging about all gloomy and gray.
It's Katie's birthday. I got up and texted her right away this morning. I hope her card arrives today as planned. I'm going over on Saturday, taking her favorite Key Lime Pie. She wanted to wait until Saturday to celebrate with her children.
I had such a rotten night last night that I didn't rise until nearly 9:30. My legs cramped so badly that I'd ended taking medicine, drinking electrolyte drink, using magnesium lotion and turning on the heat pad to try to relieve them. Ugh.
I had no ambition this morning at all. But I did get all the laundry into the wash. That was my last remaining task from company weekend that had to be done.
I've truly taken it pretty easy today. I did my morning writing, made lunch, prepared a new to me cookie recipe (YUM!), took an unexpected nap, had coffee and cookie for afternoon break, and spent the rest of the afternoon writing. Now I'm ready to wind up this day and make my supper.
I'll say this about the cookie recipe. It does taste good, but it's got extra steps included (browning butter, grinding half the oats, chilling the dough on trays). I think it's too sweet. The honey is necessary though, as you can taste it in the finished cookie. I'll be tempted to cut back on sugar next time. And I'm not so sure you couldn't cut out a half stick of butter, too. The instructions say it makes 2 dozen cookies. I got nearer 40 and I made them every bit as large as they said to make them. I put 30 cookies in the freezer and will bake them later.
Thursday, June 25: Well, it was bound to come to this.... I sat unhappily glaring at my thin, straight, super fine hair that I've been trying to grow out since last January and I decided after six months it wasn't worth it. I've been absolutely miserable every time I've even attempted anything, from having it gently shaped to styling it. I tried a curling iron, root lifter, hair gel, blow drying...
And this morning it was too much. I had to run the errands I didn't finish on Tuesday afternoon (now all done!) and I planned my route to take me by the gyp and clip salon and just have it all cut once again.
I'll say this, I was happier with what I got for $24 than I was with what I got for $70... Obviously, the nicer salon I chose previously is not going to be a winner in my book. And yes, I knew the odds I wouldn't get a great haircut at the gyp and clip were not high either, but I hadn't enough in my haircut fund to go for a pricier place and I just had to get a haircut.
I showed the picture, which clearly showed how the layers were cut, I pointed out how the layers were in the photo and repeated three times, "I want my hair to look like this." I got something different. But it IS better than what I've had and I'm not going to complain. I can at least tolerate looking in the mirror at myself, now. I've said it before and I'll say it again only louder. I CANNOT do sad and have bad hair. I just can't.
Never mind that my hair looks nothing like the photo. Eventually I will find a proper salon to work with where they'll listen and just maybe explain why something won't work for my hair rather than nod and tell me they will do as I say and then do nothing like it.
Sunday, June 28: It's been a long past few days and I am a tired woman. I'm ready to finish up this post.
Friday, I went out with my friend Susan to a huge antiques mall in Macon, Paynes Mill Antiques. It's on the backside of Forgotten-ville. They had a load of fans running, small ones, large ones, etc., but it was humid and gracious the prices on the items were rather dear. Good quality things mind you. I quickly caught a pattern of finding that if I liked something a lot it was (a) more than I'd want to pay or (b) unmarked with neither booth number nor price tag which essentially meant I couldn't purchase it. We saw some spectacular things like an extremely large Murano glass chandelier and massive pieces of furniture that couldn't fit in anyone's house that I know personally and a massive wrought iron chandelier that we couldn't fathom what sort of building it came from.
I found a Currier and Ives print that I thought would go nicely with the others in my kitchen. It was reasonable enough. Eventually I'll likely have it re-matted and possibly get a newer looking frame but it is suitable for now and the picture is nice.
Susan was shopping for a birthday present for her daughter and when I was done, I sat in the car and told her to look to her heart's content. It was nice outdoors. Warm, yes, but there was a nice breeze with a chill undertone that kept it fairly pleasant. She wanted a summer weight, cotton seersucker wrap around robe that tied. Her daughter is a modest young woman and wanted a longer robe. Well good luck younger women if you're not willing to put on something skimpy in length and in wrap width, too. And most of that is polyester.
Susan had settled on what my grandmother wore in the mornings as she did housework, something she referred to as a 'duster'. These looked just as vintage as grandmother's did in the 1960's and they were soooo expensive. I just couldn't imagine even a modest young woman wanting one of those things. I'm in my late 60's and I shrank from the idea of wearing one. I think Susan did too because we eventually ended up at Hobby Lobby where she purchased fabric. And now we know why the things she'd looked at were so very expensive, though I shall say that making it as a proper robe will make it nicer in my opinion and the seersucker fabric was quite pretty as well. And she'd likely have enough left to make a dress for her granddaughter as well...So there you are. Two for less than the price of one.
I got home around 6:30 and I had put a great many miles on my car. I drove the Toyota which behaved admirably throughout our whole journey.
Saturday, just as I was getting ready to go out, Sam came over with Millie and Josh. Millie just wanted to play. Josh was helping his dad who put up the railing on my back steps. He used the old fencing posts I already had on hand.
I took the Toyota over when I went to see Katie. I was happy when I filled the tank to find I'd gotten 41mpg which tells me that the car is running more than fine. I had lunch and Key Lime Pie with the family. Spent time with Henry, Caleb and Taylor, talked with Katie...and headed home about 5pm. Another late day out for me.
Today, I went to church. I wore the dress I'd bought from Amazon that is 100% cotton and got so many compliments. I like the dress so much, I'm thinking I'll order it in green and white stripe, too. I felt very comfortable and it never hurts if others will literally stop you to tell you how nice you look, does it?
An older woman I've been acquainted with for years now asked me where John was...Ouch. I took time to talk to her, and she's the hostess for a monthly luncheon for the widows of the church, asked me to come, got my number so she may call to remind me, etc.
After I left church, I tried to call Mama...The phone wouldn't even ring through. My brother had already called me on Thursday to see if I'd heard from Mama and I hadn't, but his daughter said she was fine on Tuesday. Still no reply from Mama on Friday and none to my morning text on Sunday either. I was sure that my brother hadn't bothered to go check on her (and I was right). So I drove to Perry from church and went to check on her.
Naturally she was just fine. I asked if I could please see what was going on with her phone and she actually let me have it. She'd put it on Do Not Disturb, who knows when. I managed to get all the old messages, voicemails and such cleared out (two years' worth!). Then I set it up in such a way that if she ever puts it on Do Not Disturb again, calls and messages from my niece, brother and myself will ring through anyway.
I stayed and visited with her for a bit and got home about 4:30. Mama called me when I was on the way home to see if her phone was actually working...Indeed it was.
And that ends the week and weekend. Just a few more days until July. I will begin to set plans for July tomorrow... Finding time to do my first bit of travel is proving to be a bit of a challenge with all the days that are already filled in. Birthdays, an anniversary, holiday things, appointments abound. Not as many birthdays thankfully as June but enough to make me aware that I must be on my toes and keep track of days.
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