So, Mrs VDK must be AW's daughter? I've been wondering about that. Did she and bf get married already? Or is this AW's way of practicing.

Yea Rella Mrs vdK is my DD.

10 days before he was to be deployed DD told him she wanted to be M before he went ... they were planning for a wedding later in the year.
So we all went into overdrive and over stress and did a lot of things ourselves...like the wedding dress ...cake ..catering ...and lots more.

And her dad got to be there before he went as well.

A weeks honeymoon and then he was gone.

No matter what may happen in the future she married the man she loves and loves her. God will have to look after the rest.

Contemplative nod...

tl

OH, that explains a lot. I shall same some special prayers for them.

Neak and TL:

I certainly can relate to your time with GP. I took care of my elderly GPs who passed away in their 90s.

I recently read a New Yorker article about care of the elderly. Sorry I can't quote it directly now...threw the magazine away.

It stated that the elderly tend to have a hard time swallowing/eating especially if they hold their head straight.

I think the article said it's best to slant their head back or it might be forward. I know not straight ahead. SERIOUSLY..

The author was interviewing a geriatric specialist who himself was living in a skilled care facility and the guy was telling him to listen to everyone "coughing" in the cafeteria...

Thanks for your interest, Mimi. It's Neak's Grandpa and my dad that lives at her house. She's been taking care of him (and my mom before she died) for maybe 6 years now so she could contribute to the family finances and still stay home with her kids. I've been a nurse for going on 40 years now, but I have to say that what he's doing is something I've never seen before. I guess when you're 93 you can be sick however you want to be sick, but it's still hard to watch! If holding his head down is supposed to help, then he's in luck, since after this last "spell" that landed him in the hospital, he doesn't seem to be able to hold his head up straight any more. If he has to tip it back, I think we're out of luck. Since Neak and her husband are home, I took the chance to return to my own house for a day or so and will go back just before they leave town again for another trip.

I am playing on the computer right now with no responsibility whatsoever, and no need to get up at the crack of dawn to get a small fry off to school. Not only that but I have no homeschoolers tomorrow, either. I was going to work at my house tomorrow, but my inclination at this point is to go into Stockton and see Ben Stein's Expelled at the theater tomorrow morning while I don't have to take care of anybody. It is about the creation/evolution debate in the educational system and I've wanted to see it, when it came out, ever since I first heard it was going to be released. I feel like I've earned at least a short break. It's not like the work won't still be there when I get back! And maybe an ice cream cone from Baskin-Robbins. I DID mention that my goddess was round, didn't I? There's a reason for it!!!

tl

I see life is ongoing for all of you. And I don't just mean that none of you died............

We went camping again last week.

It was fun.

I know that some of you wonder what we do when we go camping. I'll post pictures, and a movie or two.

T&L, did you make it to the theater?

Cinderella,
I kind of Like Helen Reddy. (But I'm not sure why.) My favorite of hers has always been "Ain't no way to treat a Lady." It reminds me to look at our relationship, and take care of my W.

Neaksis growing seedlings. Who'd have thought.
What kind sis?

Hi CC. How's the new job?

AW, we hope they have a long and happy life together. What do you hear from Aussie?

SS

Oh, and Hi to Mimi too. I hope you are as happy as you sound.

Will someone PLEASE send over a squadron of professional organizers this week. I need them so bad it's not even funny.

My daughter and I think we don't need half as much to do in twice as much time....we need one fourth as much to do in four times the time.

EEEEE CHIHUAHUA!!!!

Excuse me for being OUT OF THE LOOP on this..

TL, what's up with you and your husband?

Were you calling him A CLAM on the other thread?

I noticed that you are going out ALONE tomorrow to the movies.

You haven't been missing each other while you've been gone?

How come he didn't come over to Neak's with you?

Just go on and tell me if this is none of my business..

It's OK, Mimi. I think I'm out of the loop of my own life, too, sometimes!! The Clam was a nickname I gave because his highly-evolved shell is so often closed, you see. I specifically chose to let the other thread slip away once the board was revised, letting the story more or less disappear, so I don't really want to bring it all to the forefront again. I danced emotionally naked on the tabletops once here already and there's no need for a repeat. But I have no objection if you go and look for yourself.

Today I went and saw Expelled with Ben Stein, a documentary on the creation/evolution debate. He stayed home and played with his new tractor. Neither of us would've much enjoyed the other's planned activities for the day! When he asks if I miss him, I say, "Only because I didn't aim carefully enough." Did I ever tell you about the odd family humor? Now might be a good time! He comes by Neak's house, often bringing treats, but numerous, noisy small children and a sick elderly man aren't really his thing for very long at a time...and he wouldn't have made it past the first day, if he'd tried to live here too. Quite frankly, I have enough to deal with between my dad's illness and decline, and dealing with homeschooling of two boys who have been molested by other children and have serious behavioral issues as a result. I don't need somebody constantly telling me to make everybody be quiet! I keep them quiet enough for me (which is pretty doggone quiet, let me tell you), but not quiet enough for him (which would be like a mortuary). I can only multitask SO much, you know!

If you elect to read the Saga, you will find that we have, after 37 years (in June), and through some VERY rugged marital roads, attained a functional dysfunction in our relationship...and I'm pretty much content to leave it that way. It works for me. I am extremely independent because I had to learn to be. Now I'm 60 and unlikely to change signficantly. Living with him has taught me to be who I am. The fact that he's not entirely happy with what he created is unfortunate, but out of my hands.

And no, I don't mind that you asked.

tl

My mom is so silly. She and my dad are having a great time....she just doesn't know it! My dad has been much happier and sociable than usual, and they have been enjoying each other's company in small doses of just the right amount. (I do think she might be a little jealous of the tractor, though)

SS, a more appropriate question would be what am I not growing. It would be faster to answer.

I am growing Tomatoes:yellow, Roma, Beefsteak, cherry, and heirloom mix, Peppers: hot yellow, red, green, bell pepper mix, and jalepeno, potatoes, sweet potatoes, Beans: lima, green, purple, wax, Peas: snow and snap, Onions: red, yellow, white, Pumpkins: jack-be-little, giant, medium, gourds, okra, Eggplant: Japanese and regular, Cucumber: Armenian, pickling, and lemon, Squash: yellow, zuchinni, acorn, and spaghetti, carrots, mustard, radishes, beets, turnips, lettuce, strawberries, and garlic. Needless to say, I grew most of these from seed so I could afford it. I have about as much again of flower and herb varieties, but I won't bore you with them.

What is this?

I don't comprehend this word.

It fell out of my ear and was lost forever while I was busy collecting a Wookie, 5 kids, 2 turtles, 2 dogs, 2 cats, fish, and some very vocal cavvies.

And lest I forget 2 of the offspring of mine would give the Dervish a run for his money.

It is a terrifying day when those two choose to play together, and the house suddenly becomes dead-still.

I fear world domination at their tiny hands.

I pray daily they use their powers for good and not eeeeevvvviiiillll.

By this she means that the edges of the clam occasionally part a fraction of an inch, and if you squint, you can see a faint movement of the shell! And yes, he is having more fun than usual. When I retire, I expect that I will, too...although it WON'T be with the tractor.

tl

P.S. I want a kiln.

NS - I planted the last two weekends too.

I cannot have as much variety as you, because I'm in an apartment - a HUGE apartment, but still an apartment...and I miss okra something fierce, but it grows as weeds in fields here, so I'm not outta luck on that one.

I've got 3 varieties of 'maters - sweet 100s (my fav), yellow, and big boys; bell peppers, yellow jalepenos, and chili, a watermelon plant for Leo (aka: Dervish II), 2 strawberry plants, and LOTS of onions.

I'm thinking the yellow jalepenos with the big boys and mild chilis and onions will make a really pretty salsa.

The jalepeno plant has already begun producing, as has the sweet 100s.

Everything is in various kinds of planters according to their needs.

This is the second gardening season for us there. Last season the mutant 'mater plant I planted grew over the fence, much to the glee of our neighbors who I didn't mind them culling the crop a bit for me. The dern thing produced fruit up till Feb...it was smaller than the summer and fall fruit, and not as tasty, but the cavvies didn't mind one bit.

They need the vitamin C in their diets, you see...since WE didn't much care for the stunted fruit, they were more than happy to oblige us by consuming it for us.

Waste not, want not.

Your garden sounds glorious. Something I'll aspire to when we finally find a house we like.

evening gang ... well here its 11.00pm.

Wow neaksis, T&L, & Kimmy ... have missed yaking to you all. Excitement here with Mikey running about playing hide and seek with big sisters Mrs vdK & Hays ... SOMEONE let a certain little boy have choc ice cream with strawberry topping didn't they ... talk about a bouncing tennis ball .... however mum is not staying up with him ... the GUILTY parties are

I'm really not sure who is having more fun actually

I'm afraid my gardening is restricted to mostly nonedible plants except for chillies, lemon and lime right now....I have way too much work inside yet before I begin outside.... and its our Autumn so I have an excuse

SS no word from Aussie or Jonnie. Even when Q was killed 3 days into whatever they are doing no word on where, how, when. Thats just the way it is. Spending a lot of time providing counselling these days when not working. Its um .... challenging. Also found its very true that its impossible to do the 'doctor heal thyself' type of thing I keep finding I know what the counsellor is going to say!

SO I'm mothering, or being mothered or something otherwise

Ya know.... that clam thing T&L ... I feel its a male gene ... except some have the Oyster gene in the Southern Hemisphere and are gowing hectares of the darn things ... like my dad and ... others absent.
Commonly known in Aust as 'Secret men's business" .... can't tell ya cause ... well .. it's secret .... apparently.

and its a well known fact in such circles that women should be barefoot, pregnant, QUIET, and in the kitchen .... not necessarily in that order

Good news ....... I got a new job!!!

Ya now talkin to INSPECTOR AW ....
Those young police officers that we work with at times were teasing me all day 'Oooo quick get the Gouvnor a cuppa she's frownin" and giving me boy scout salutes... sods lol

Meems and Kimmers, the internet is so slow here I don't know if I'll make it to your threads before it's my turn to drive again - the only reason I made it on right now was we are having a tuneup done on the truck. It took about 20 min just to get this far. So if you don't see me right away, you'll see me later.

AW, give lots of hugs to our dear Mrs. vdK. Even if she was the one who fed Mikey ice cream.


I was home just long enough to wipe out Neaksis' for sale seedlings. I did ask Mr. C while it was daylight, but he said they always leave them out. So I left them out, then the Princess told me very late that they were supposed to come in after all, but all the kids were on their way to bed and I was too tired to move. In fact, I spent several hours asleep on the couch before AJ called me in to bed. It did not go so well for the little plants, but many of them may grow new leaves eventually.

Mom, I meant to tell you that one reason I didn't send GP to bed early was he was out watching Prairie Farm Report and the news with AJ, and looked so perky and alert, even holding his head up almost to normal, and I couldn't bear to send him off. Especially after he said mournfully, "If you need to turn this off, just go ahead. Don't mind me." Then I fell asleep, so he apparently partied for a while. You would have felt better to see him, even if he did have a hard time getting up the next day.

I was the ONLY ONE my Grandmother REALLY knew up to the very end...

She knew I was PART OF HER HEART..she knew my name..she knew I would ALWAYS be there for her when she needed me...

One day she pulled me to the side, whispering and asked me: "I've been wondering, is THAT MAN over there THE ONLY HUSBAND that I've ever had?"

My answer: "As far as I know"...

They were married for 71 years at the time of HIS DEATH.

She passed away 6 months later.

Neak drive carefully please.... Mrs vdK says ...

On the road again Just can't wait to get on the road again The life I love is makin' music with my friends etc etc etc

cheeky magpie!! .......... Mikey is FINALLY winding down

Ok I'll hug those girls even if they are trouble makers

Mimi 71years is fantastic .... they were so special .... boy could we all have learned from them!!

it's given me the drive to revise my own target . ....... I'm gonna aim for another year lol

ok bed for me so night to you all ..or is that G'day ?? lol

have a great day all

AW

Oh, Meems!

I'm teary.

Now Bob's gonna show up here and call ME a weepy GIRL like I did to him yesterday.

(sniff)

Well, if he does, just use his shirt sleeve as a tissue and blow your nose on it. Don't forget, it is the Princess who made this recommendation. Therefore, it would be appropriate protocol.