Special Guest Post

Once again, I've been called upon to do a guest post for my baby sister.
She's so bbbbuuuussssyyy you know. So much going on.

You know she homeschools her kids, right?

I wonder if they are celebrating International Talk Like A Pirate Day today? I just found out about it myself, and since I'm usually a step ahead (I am older and wiser), I bet they aren't.

But if they were, arrrggghhh, that would be something to hear!

Here are a few more things Sherry has learned from me, being as how, like I said, I'm older and wiser.

1. Everything about Gardening! (I never miss a chance to add a link to my blog, do I?)

2. Our grandma kept a diary and it is fascinating to read all the way through. I've been posting it for 2 years, and 9 months. Hey, if you've got some time, go back and start from the beginning to read it and get caught up. The last diary entry is in just a few months on December 31st.

3. Iced green tea from Starbucks is a lot better, and better for you, than diet Coke from McDonald's. (She's still working on learning this lesson.)

4. It's easier to grow vegetables in raised beds. See above about gardening. (Look another link!)

5. The proper way to use a hoe. (I assume Sherry isn't embarrased that I have the largest hoe collection in the world, at least the largest on the world wide web.)

Well, I could go on and on, there's so much, but time is short for me, too.

Leave a comment and tell Sherry how much you like these guest posts!

Oh, and I know that Sherry's posts are usually full of pictures and all, but I couldn't find a picture, so you all will just have to settle on that one hosta picture above that I took in her backyard.

Hope you all have a great day!
Carol, May Dreams Gardens, and Sherry's Sister.

MISSY

1994-2008

It's OK Missy.

Annie was waiting for you and she's been calling to you for a little while now.

We'll take good care of Grandma for you.

Please check on Skippy for us. You remember her, don't you? She used to come in and steal that expensive dog food that Grandma always bought for you.

See that pretty dog with the golden feathers? That's Candy. She belonged to your mommy years ago. She was a good dog too. And that Schnauzer that keeps nuzzling you? That's Mitzi. And the collie that's bounding over to say "hi"...that's Tippy. She was first. You probably don't remember Prissy, Konga, or Checkhov.....they lived here for a summer once upon a time. I'm sure they came to greet you today. Once upon a time, they were all part of our family here. Now you are part of their family there.

We'll miss you.

Friends

I know, I know. I've violated one of the cardinal rules of blogging by not posting in eons and eons. But NOW I'll find out who really loves me. Who will come back and visit me after my long absence? LOL!

We had some good friends visit from Colorado a few weeks back. Sam and his friend met in 2nd grade and even though his friend has moved here there and everywhere, his family comes back each year to visit. Each year when they return it's like they have never left. We all just pick up from where we left off.

This year, we took our friends to the State Fair (along with Princess Ruthie, of course!)


Seth is showing his niece what a cow is.

"I KNOW what a cow is, Seth"
"Geesh"


Seth was finally tall enough for his first driving experience .

And, Rebecca was finally tall enough to ride the little roller coaster.

We moms REALLY appreciated Sophie. She mothered the little girls and took good care of them which meant we moms DIDN'T have to ride the little roller coaster. Once you turn 30 (or 40) those rides give you a different sensation than they do when you are younger.

I have a love/hate, fear/fascination relationship with horses. I used to love them until a trail horse tried to end my life a few years back. Now I keep my distance.

Becca, if you are reading this, could you please whip one of these cakes up for Sophie's birthday here in a few weeks? I'm sure she would appreciate it.

Becca is our family cake maker/decorator. A few years back she entered a cake in the state fair and won. Pretty impressive!

The gardening aunt met us at the fair. She conveniently arranged for us to be in the Horticulture building during a heavy downpour.

Here she is instructing the kids on the finer aspects of gourds.

(Note the camera....if she doesn't have a camera in hand it's because she has a hoe in hand!)

OK. So while we are waiting for the rain to end.....

Rebecca, Ruth, and Seth posed for the camera! This is an interesting picture because all 3 are within 6 months of each other. It will be interesting to see how they even up in size as the years progress.

Here's the whole motley crew (I wonder what the word "motley" means? - Should I look it up before I use that word on my blog? Nahhhh......it sounds good.....I'll leave it).

Nathan and Sam are the same age as well. Someday they'll be all grown up and Nathan will probably be bigger than Sam. His mother said that her brother grew 9 inches in one year. Once Nathan has his growth spurt I'm sure he'll pay Sam back for all those head pats this year.

Always the uncle teaching the niece

("I know, Seth, I KNOW. You don't have to tell me!")

I hope they're always best friends.

I hope he always watches out for her.



Come on guys, just ONE nice picture! PLEASE?



I think it's physically impossible for boys to hold still and pose for ONE picture.






Unlike girls who are usually pretty obliging.



Here's my friend, Julie. She's threatening me about taking her picture. It's OK though. She doesn't read my blog, so we'll keep it a secret that I posted her picture, OK?

All in all, it was a WONDERFUL trip to the state fair, a WONDERFUL visit with our good friends. The kids are already talking about their next visit. They can't wait!

Summer

Where did summer go? With the temperature in the 70's and 80's and practically no humidity, it feels more like fall than summer. The public school kids start back up this coming week. Seems like just yesterday was the 4th of July, and the day before that it was May with all the hopes and dreams of the summer to come.

It's been a buggy summer.

(I found these pictures in my camera...Hmmm...wonder who took them?)

The Cicadas are in their full glory singing their summer good-bye songs.

I don't even want to know how this beetle found it's way to my kitchen table...

I love Praying Mantis. They look like little kittens when they wash their little faces.

It's been a good summer. A summer filled with friends.

A summer spent watching Victoria grow, and grow, and grow....along with the weeds....



A summer without too much television (yes, we really threw these away). One tv for watching, one for video games. Our new limit. That's all we need. (Maybe?)


Of course there are always computer games....

A summer of Webkinz discovery, and a summer spent with big brothers....

The last summer for our Linden tree we think. It looks very sad, don't you think? It was struck by lightening a few years back, and although it's tried really, really, hard, I think it's giving up. The Japanese beetles don't help.

It's really trying....it really is. But, Carol says these are not a good sign.


On a happier subject....Sophie spent a week babysitting the neighbors' dogs. She is in love with Sugar (and you too Sebastian....and Spunky). She spent the week on the neighbor's porch holding Sugar. She took her assignment very, very seriously.....
I think Diamond has had enough of other cats, and especially dogs. We found out she's two-timing us. The neighbors on the other other side of the neighborhood assumed she was a stray because she spent so much time at their house. They named her Lucy. The other neighbors named her Leechy, and their neighbors call her Boots. It's quieter on that side of the neighborhood. No screaming children. No dogs over there. And only one other cat. I think Diamond/Lucy/Leechy/Boots is a loner at heart. She has never quite forgiven us for keeping all of her kittens. She knows where the food is though.


This poor, poor child has no cats and no dogs. The closest she has come lately is when her mother (aka Martha Stewart/aka A2) threw her and her brother a Bow-Wow Ball for their Birthday party this summer.

Since he has no dog to climb on, his cousin will have to do.



The whole theme of the party was Dalmatians.


The girls even made Dalmatian-themed "paws"




There was Pin the Tail on the Puppy

There were cute treat bags, dog-themed of course.


There were even treat bags for the dogs in the family.

The only thing missing from the Bow-Wow Ball was a real puppy! I was SURE A2 would use this birthday party as a setting for bringing a puppy into their family.

BUT NOOO....

I waited and waited and waited, but no puppy appeared. :-(

How could you throw a BOW-WOW birthday party without giving the birthday boy and girl a puppy? I'm just sure that Martha Stewart would NOT approve.

I'm psychologically damaged.

Oh well. I guess I need to move on......

Uh-Oh

All I can say is it's a good thing she has a microchip.....

The Victory

Man....it is WAYYY too early in the morning. It better be worth it.

The Destination...

The Outcome....

The Benefit.......

The Victory......

Hey!

Where did those size 9 feet come from?

Time to go shopping for:

Shoes (Size 9!)

Bubble bath

Lotion

It's been a long four weeks, but I never heard a complaint. Good job, Sophie.

NOW. NO MORE TIP TOES - OK?

Happy Birthday Seth

What bad timing to have the flu! Right before the Christmas holidays and I had so much to do! And the flu hung on and on and on......It wasn't until I was waiting to pick my daughter up from prekindergarten and was chatting with another mom who happened to work in a Dr's office, that the truth dawned on me.

"How long does this flu last that's going around?"

"What flu?"

Uh-oh........

Here's my flu, 7 years later!

I was too fat and too old to be pregnant, but thank goodness God's in control not me!

Happy Birthday, SETH!

After 7 kids over a 30 year span, Daddy Prince Charming has these birthday parties down pat. He knows his job well!

Our family tradition is that EVERYONE gathers to celebrate the birthday kid. You need a note from your mother or a Dr's excuse to get out of these family parties! Everyone gets a party every year until they graduate from high school. When they are all grown up, we'll have attended over 180 of these parties. But hey, each one is special, especially to the birthday kid!

At 21 (or is it 22?) Cousin T is here in all his battle glory, fulfilling his duty as "the cousin who wrestles!" The kids see him and immediately go into battle -mode....

Here is the sister-who-gardens, fulfilling her duty of answering all garden related questions. Such as why do these tomatoes have these little spots on them? (It's because we caged and didn't stake, according to the expert).

Here's the condo sister with her newest child. Aggie came to play with her cousins Victoria and Muncie. They get along great! I'm sure condo sister had to put Aggie down to bed as soon as she got home. She was a tired puppy!

Here's the "smart one." (Not that the rest of us aren't smart, understand). He's already fixed Grandma's computer, now he is working on the PlayStation (or Game Cube or some such thingy-doody). I've always looked up to my big brother. He can fix anything! Plus, he's a nice guy.

Here's Seth showing off the crafting sister's gift. She and her husband made this shield and sword. The sword is made of maple. Aren't they cool? A little boy's dream come true. And yes, the big brother is EXTREMELY jealous!

The BFF/niece is looking on to see what's next!

I don't remember what it was, but it's affect was instantaneous....

He's died and gone to heaven it appears!

And, what little kid birthday is not complete without some webkins. If you have a child under 10 in your household, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

Hard to believe the baby, the youngest child, the youngest grandchild is so big so fast. Just a blink of an eye, and he's so big. Another blink and he'll be all grown up, just like the rest of them.