Early Summer Days

Awhile ago I told Layne that when the time came that we needed to replace our Envoy that I'd like a yellow jeep.  The yellow is because I dislike the neutral colors that almost all cars come in.  The jeep is because I think it would be fun to have a car that can go anywhere and still work for everyday use.  A couple of weeks ago Layne said to me, "Let's go and get you a jeep."  Wow.  I was surprised.  Our Envoy, given to us by Mother when she was staying with us, was getting old and beginning to need major work.  So Layne decided that it was time to give her up.  So off we went to look at jeeps. 

Jeeps come in all sorts of vibrant colors.  I love that.  As we looked at the options, I noticed the green jeeps and decided that I liked that color better than the yellow.  Layne agreed.  So we took a test drive and found it easy to maneuver and generally pleasant.  Soon the deal was sealed and, after waiting a week for our jeep to arrive from Utah, we became the owners of a new, green jeep.  We traded in the Envoy.  That was a little hard as it served us well, it represented a piece of Mom, and I loved it.  We've been having fun taking turns driving the jeep all over town since that time.

Audrey came for a visit the weekend that we got the jeep.  It was fun having her with us on this new car adventure.  The jeep is only the second new car we have ever owned.  Mostly we drive used cars until they absolutely die.  So this is a special treat.  Audrey shared in our excitement and that made it more fun.  I so appreciate this special daughter and her efforts to spend time with us.  She often makes the effort to visit over weekends. 

Our deliciously open time this month has been spent with various projects and obligations.  I've noticed that it is harder to get things done when there is no need to fit them in between commitments.  I need to be disciplined to get the things done that I have on my to do list.  In spite of open time, things and events arise that make leaving home for any length of time difficult.  Somehow I've got to get myself organized better to make these important connections with the people I love.

It is beautiful here right now.  Here's a scene from one of my recent early morning walks around the neighborhood.  Note the full moon!

It is amazing to think that we are now old.  Layne and I have been married for 53 years now.  It seems a very short time in my mind.  I feel as I have always felt.  It is only when I look in the mirror that I'm reminded that, yes, I'm old.  So far I don't mind.  Here's Layne and me on our anniversary day, at Boise's Botanical Gardens.

Just to show how old we really are, here's a snapshot of our newest great grandchild, Hazel.  She was born early and struggled at first but look at her now!

That leads me to include this latest picture of grandson Seth, taken in Taiwan.  Doesn't he look yummy, and so happy!

Empty Nesters...Again

I take some pleasure in being willing to adapt to the ever-changing personal world I live in.  Even though most of us, most of the time, resist change, it comes anyhow.  Totally without our permission most of the time.  It is up to us to adapt to it, and modify it, if necessary.  One of the changes forced upon me is becoming old.  With that comes a somewhat different view of the world and a definite tendency to be content simply to conquer the world of just my immediate space.  I'm pretty happy with that.  But often I encounter the challenge of reaching beyond that.  Again.

Having Seth and Angelica live with us has pressed me to remember how I was at their age; where I was and how I felt.  They have challenged me to, once again, become involved in youthful pursuits.  Those pursuits have filled our May days.  We've gone to concerts, recitals, delivered kids to parties and get-togethers.  It has been a wild ride at the end of this school year.  The kids are more involved with friends and activities than they were last year.  They are maturing and changing so quickly.  It has been fun to have them so close to us, living in our personal space.  They have rattled my world, but in good ways.

As the year has progressed, the kids have mentioned more and more often how they miss Taiwanese food.  At first I tried to provide them with meals as close to what they know and love from home as possible.  But, having failed at that, I soon returned to my usual American cooking.  Seth especially mourned the food he loved, yet he can eat an amazing amount of whatever food is available.  The most common sentence for him is, "what is there to eat"?  He can inhale more food in a day that we normally eat in a week.  I suppose that is what has fed his rapid growth.  He is now taller than his Grandfather. That makes him 6'3" at least.  All that food is pushing him up but definitely not out as he is still as trim as can be.  Who knows where it will end?  Here is a perfect description of our boy:

Grandson Scott and his Jessica came for a weekend in May.  They didn't stay with us though.  Now that their mom, Dorothy, is here, their stay moved to her house.  They came for dinner one Sunday though.  It was fun to have a bunch of us for Sunday dinner, and gospel study following.  I shared my 10 Commandment pictures, which are useful for remembering those commandments, along with stories that go with them.  Grandson Bruce loved them!  "Grandma," he said, "can I have those cards?"  I was excited that he like them so much.  So I'll make him some.  Here's a sample of two of the cards.

 

Here is some of our Sunday gang:  Jessica (#3), Scott, Bruce, Dorothy, her mom Linda.

We made our usual visit to a Veteran's display of flags at a local park on Memorial Day.  The area is filled with flags.  People can buy as many as they wish in the names of those who have served in the military.  We bought three; one each for Layne, my Dad and my Grandfather Knox. All served in the military during various wars.  Those three flags are now displayed in front of our house, until Labor Day, when we will store them for the winter.  There is such a tender feeling that accompanies posting those flags when each represents our own family men.  

Here's a view of all three flags in front of the house.

Here's Layne at the Park.

Last Sunday was the kid's last day with us.  Audrey and Cliff were with us, along with Allegra, Bruce and Linda.  Allegra had been taking care of them while Dorothy made a trip back to California.  Audrey and Cliff were on their way back home, after a trip to Pocatello to see granddaughter Hazel blessed.  Here is Hazel with her family, Chase, Morgan and Hunter, on her special blessing day.

Monday morning Audrey and Cliff left very early.  We were off early too, to take Seth and Angelica to the airport.  We got them safely off and they arrived safely back to Taiwan by the next day.  I'm glad we were able to return them in good shape. Here they are, about to depart from the Boise Airport.

It's been pretty quiet here since their departure.  I've spent the last week fighting an extremely stiff neck and accompanying headache.  Pain is exhausting.  I slept most of the week away.  Perhaps all the activity of the past few months has tired out this old lady.  But I'm just about back to normal now. My usual plans for great productivity have filled my planner, even if they don't always fill my days.