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Sunday, July 9, 2017

lots of catching up to do...


 
lots of catching up to do...

 
This summer is halfway into July and I've not posted very often. Sorry about that. From a daily journal-er to a once a week blogger is a bit sad, but there are times when life gets so busy that there is little time to fit in all the things one would like to do. Besides, sometimes a little divergence is good, yes?

My plans to do both watercolor and pottery classes this summer went out the door with my unexpected emergency appendectomy. By the time I got my doctor's OK to drive, I had already missed 3 classes of watercolor and 4 of pottery - and as summer classes are already shortened,  it didn't seem advisable to continue them. 

And our oldest son's plans to move to Hawaii with his family meant their moving out of their house at the end of May and into ours for a while this summer until grandson was graduated and safely off to basics or US Air Force boot camp (which is coming up very soon)... this has changed our normal routine.  But I have to admit we've enjoyed having this time with them. Once your children get married and busy with their jobs and families, birthdays and holidays are the only real time you get to spend with them. So these little unexpected times are to be treasured.

I have continued to work on my watercolor - on my own mostly, but I have watched a few you tube videos also. Not sure how well it's going, but like everything else, doing a little every day should be a good thing.


just practicing with colors over old sketches






Julie, our silly little black and white cat, has become a bath fanatic. She loves it when she can sit on the side of the tub and get soaking wet. If you tell her that you're going to take a bath, she immediately runs and sits on the tub... waiting. Loves me to squeeze the washrag all over her head and body. Such an odd little cat. 








Julie enjoying the bath water...


 
 


















The kids came over last week to go out to dinner and back to the house for birthday cake. Since this week was my birthday and next week is DH's, we try to celebrate the two birthdays together. We're both 72 this year. He got to choose the cake... which was an Italian Cream cake.  It's his and my youngest son's favorite. Mine is Chocolate mousse... but believe me, I didn't need more chocolate.  Oldest son and his kids are Chocoholics... so we have more cookies, cakes, and candies in the house this summer! (DH is in high heaven - as I never have this much 'trash' around). But what the heck... 



birthday flowers - must remain in bathroom as Julie will chew on them...


Another thing that is going on is that while our son is going through all their stuff and trying to get it all packed away and shipped, I have started going through boxes and boxes of family pictures that have accumulated over the last 50 years (it's not actually 50 until January, but close enough...). What I'm trying to do is divide them up between the 3 kids... and those that should go to other family members (like cousins) and friends.

While doing it of course we are taking a stroll down memory lane... laughing at  some, trying to remember where or when for some, and of course some bring tears as so many in the pictures are no longer with us (like my mom, dad, sister, brother, nephew, aunts, uncles, and a few friends, etc.) But the pictures do bring back memories of happy times when we were all together. So I guess it's 'bitter-sweet'.

Well, I promised to make meatballs and spaghetti today for Sunday dinner, so I'd better get to it. Hope your weekend was fun and will try to get back to the computer later today to read blogs and make comments.

Oh... also my dear friend took me out to lunch this past Thursday for my birthday. She gave me a bag of 'goodies' ... as well as brought me some new books to read. And over the years I've made her several little dog sculptures. Yesterday she sent me a picture of the ones she has on her desk. I'd forgotten which ones she had.





But perhaps it's time to make her another...





Oh, Ghost wanted to say goodbye... or hello? (actually it's not Ghost, but it certainly could be).














15 comments:

  1. I would call all that trash 'pig heaven', and be the first in line.

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    Replies
    1. 'pig heaven'? That's a good thing, Joanne?

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  2. We have our son and his wife staying with us as well as they move on to the next stage of their life, possibly in Auckland but not sure yet. It's lovely to have them for a while and just enjoy their company.
    Julie is quite a character isn't she?

    Diana

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    Replies
    1. It is nice to have that special time with family, Diana.
      And yes, Julie is quite the character.

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  3. Happy birthday to you both! Your flowers are gorgeous -- that's one thing I miss having around, occasionally. No way can I trust Nicki (or Derry) with a vase of flowers!

    It's a very busy time for you and your family! Best wishes and good luck to you son and his family, as they move and settle into their new state, new home, new life.

    Take care!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Kim. Julie is my main problem with flowers. Not sure Tux or Ghost would fool with them. Julie also chews on plastic... so we have to make sure we don't leave any of that around... not even bread bags.

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  4. A very happy birthday to you, and soon to your husband. Mine is also this week. Many Cancer bloggers out there. What an odd little cat you have, loving water so much! -Jenn

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jenn. Happy Birthday to you also!

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  5. I remember when my son went through basic training, years ago, and how hard it was for him, although he ended up being stronger for it. I love the two pictures you included of the cats at the start and ending of this post. Welcome back and I'm glad you're all recovered! :-)

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    Replies
    1. Grandson just left for basic training a few minutes ago. I know it will be hard and he will be on my mind for the next 6 weeks. But my cousin went through it years ago and said that it was a good experience... so I'm hoping and praying that this is so.

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  6. Busy time for you right now. With grown children I do treasure those times I get to spend with them. Just keep playing with the watercolors, I've improved just by painting almost everyday even if it's just mixing colors. Hugs!

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    1. I am playing with the watercolors, Linda... trying wet on wet, wet on dry, etc. I tend to prefer pale color washes to vibrant colors. The sky and the sea are my inspirations.

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  7. Happy Birthday to you both. Happy that you are getting some close time with your family before they move to Paradise. Just think, you will have a place to stay now when you visit Hawaii.
    Loved that first cat pic plus the ones of Julie in the bath water.

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    Replies
    1. True, Patti. We've never been to Hawaii. Looking forward to our first visit.

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  8. Happy belated birthday to you both!

    My blog reading has really dropped off lately so I totally understand how life gets in the way sometimes.

    Love the pics of Julie and the bath. :)
    Eileen

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