Summer Journal

Camden and I have saved summer activities in journals for the last four years. She enjoys looking through them during visits and remembering fun times. This summer the pictures all seem to be on my cell phone and technology and/or lack there of has me stymied. There is one picture of her cousin Jackson taken by Camden in the back seat of my car in route to somewhere. I thought it was perfect for a silly poem!

My Cousin Jackson

My cousin’s head is not large or small

It’s just the perfect size

To buckle in my grandma’s car

And show off like a prize.

His hair so soft and thick and brown

It sits atop his ears

Cleaned and brushed it simply shines

Hats perch there with no fears.

My girlfriends think he’s really cute

They met him at a dance

Some said his two-step was the best

But me I said “No chance!”

I’m related to that hair,

That head belongs to me

No touching or smelling is allowed

But lookin’s always free.

Swinging

A swing is a good place to think.

About what my grandma hopes to accomplish with that camera.

I guess she thinks I can hold still.

I do enjoy listening to the birds.

Squirrels are amazing.

I love my PaPa's swing.

Toad abode!

Every family garden needs a home for toads. Not every family has a crafty Grandma/Mother who is patient enough to glue those eye sockets on! Thanks Mom for sharing you talents and inspirations.

Love you!

My Cam

I wonder what Cam will do today?

 

I love balls! Can I play?

I like to dance! Can I play?

 Arms, I've got arms! Can I play?

I love my Cam.

I get it now, Touchdown!

Wrong sport!

Silly girls. Can I play?

The End of 2012: I'm proud...

I bought a Subaru. I'm proud I haven't had a fender bender to date after two years in Fort Worth. I'm proud my dog can sleep in the garage and not chew on the wallboard or excrete bodily fluids. I'm proud I can remember my phone number without peeking. I'm proud I can drive a flash burned spouse to Parkland Hospital and home again. I'm proud said spouse is still productive and working and I'm thankful we're both well physically and mentally.

For beginners in 2013  I'm most proud that after five days of grandchildren, laundry, cooking, food on the floor, dirty diapers, stomach virus and every toy off the shelf I ignored the chaos and exhaustion and danced. I danced with my little ballerina, Camden and my sweet boy Ryne. I danced between and around the toys while the syrup dried on the dishes. I danced with tears and smiles - "We'll sing and dance to mother nature's songs...I don't want this feeling to go away".

Human Training

Zoe and I attended are first Manners class yesterday. We both enjoyed the experience but I am afraid I may not be coordinated enough to train my dog! This particular training method uses a clicker and treats. That is one 65 pound dog on a leash, one clicker and one bag of treats. The problem is I only have two hands and a really friendly dog and I kept dropping the clicker, the leash and the treats.

Now I thought this was funny and when I laugh Zoe joins in the fun. So her tail is wagging and I am dropping training aids and we are doing this little dance and the instructor begins to lecture us about our tone of voice. That's when I learn that I am actually, to the ears of a dog just one big party animal! Who knew I was so much fun.

First people lesson learned:  lower my tone of voice, be consistent and practicing clicking.
First dog lesson learned: dog school equals treats, that clicking sound equals treats and my human equals treats!

Calling ODL

Help, I've been Kate't...Kate'd...Katet...? My friends blog, http://1500sqft.wordpress.com/, about doing it yourself, fixing up your space and re-purposing your stuff has inspired me. Since she became under employed I have re-organized my garage shelves, my linen closet and seriously thought about dragging the neighbors throw-away furniture in from the curb!

Today I sanded outdoor furniture and started the re-staining process. Tomorrow two metal chairs are going to get a coat of primer and some new green paint. I'm considering power tools and boards to repair an old bench, and the community garage sell in October sounds promising.

I used to bake bread when the girls were babies and have caught myself  researching dough mixers and  sewing machines on the Internet - there is this coffee table I re-purposed as a bench which needs a cushion. If I'm not careful I will have to rename my blog. Better search the Oklahoma Department of Libraries first and see if I can recommend her for a job.