Summer Projects

Summer in Idaho has been wonderful so far.  Idaho can get very hot during the summer.  I suppose those days are coming.  But for now, summer yard projects are a joy to indulge in.  Our two projects are the very ones I've been hoping for. At last Layne is on board with both.  He started our pergola/gazebo after spending days and nights planning it all out in his mind.  Chris and Jessica and kids came this past week for a couple of days and, with their help, the pergola posts went up and all the blocks in our yard hole got removed!  The kids found 6 snakes and 3 toads hidden in those blocks. Those discoveries kept them happily removing blocks, looking for further living treasures.  Family grunt work made quick work of it.  Both the blocks and the pergola posts were done by lunch.  We spent the rest of the day lounging and playing.

Here are our Gendreaus, plus grandson Vincent gathered for munchies.

It doesn't get completely dark here until after 10 PM.  I love that about summer.  The kids were playing frisbee until that time.  We enjoyed sitting outside, watching the sun set and the kids, running and jumping as if they hadn't spent the day lifting and carrying blocks.  Here they are, at 10 PM!

Here's the empty hole.  No more blocks.  Our plan is to fill it with dirt, make a berm and add some plants.  It should be pretty affordable and look nice too.  At least that's my plan.  Layne is good with it now too.  So there you go...a little idea suggested over time can take root!  The snakes and toads are now in the wood pile beyond.  I wonder how long they will stay there?!

The posts for the pergola are up.  Actually it is sort of a cross between a pergola and a gazebo.  Four posts--pergola; solid roof--gazebo.  I'm so excited for it to be finished!  Here you can see the posts for the pergola/gazebo to the left and a hot air balloon that landed in the field behind our house this morning.  

The Gendreau kids and Vincent are gone now, on their way to a Southern Utah vacation.  Things are back to normal.  Here's a shot of part of our summer yard with Layne in the background, mowing.  

Lately I have been feeling a little stressed over the many assignments and projects that loom before me.  I tend to put off the very things I think are most important to do.  It is easy to let the days slip by, with only routine things accomplished.  How do I discipline myself better, I wonder.  I've also been worried about family relationships.  I do my best to love family and serve them but I sometimes feel that I am failing at that.  This is a time of life when we are pretty much not necessary to the functioning of our family, yet my love and concern for them is as vital as ever.  It is a time of caring but no power.  I'm still trying to sort that all out, and adjust to it.