It seems that half my life I have trouble finding anything going on worth writing about, and then there are times like this where I can't keep up with it all and have no time for writing it all down. What a crazy time it's been this year. On top of the usual activities for the girls, this Proliance Clinic opening on the Ridge has consumed all of Emily's time and energy and thoughts, and we're trying not to NEED her so much. It's not over yet, but they did have the soft opening Wednesday, which went well, I hear, and yesterday I even received some texts with FUN emotis and laughing faces and a sense that it was a really nice day.
I got invited up to see the remodeling (almost finished) Tuesday night, and it was just lovely. It looks like double the space and so light and open.
I know there will be glitches and problems, like anywhere, but I'm really proud of her for giving up so much to get this project finished. Her only reward will be sleeping for about a week when it's all over. Which won't happen this weekend, because the company is sponsoring the Cascade Soccer Tournament here in town, and they will be on duty Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at two different parks. Fortunately, Graysen doesn't play until next weekend - and yes, it happens again NEXT weekend - for a different age group. Our tiny town will grow by 7000 people over 3 days, and I can't even imagine where they're going to park or sleep. I'll try to think ahead next time there is an event like this and go on a vacation and leave the apartment and, more importantly, my parking space, to a newcomer. One of the exits onto I-90 is also blocked because of construction. Luckily, I just don't have to worry about things like that too much.
All that's been going on:
--School ended, and the girls seem to have found employment to fill in their time around camps. I'm going to have to make appointments to see them.
--Kate has been asked by a young family to be a "mother's helper" for 3 mornings a week to help out with entertaining their 6-year-old while one or both work at home. I don't have all the details, but I know that Kate met and bonded with the little girl when she was her reading buddy at school. Fifth graders are assigned a kindergarten reading buddy during the school year, and this worked out so well. Kate has been beside herself with excitement. I hope it works out as well as it seems to be going.
Then one afternoon a week, Graysen is going to watch both children - the 6-year-old and the 2-1/2-year old for a few hours. They accompanied them to an event in town, and it sounds like it's good for everyone.
Unfortunately, the SweetLines mountain bike camp that the girls love so much is every day this week in Issaquah, so they can plan nothing but that. So much fun seeing friends from years past and getting all that exercise - plus bruises, bug bites, and dirt. That ends today but so glad they got a chance to do it.
--As for me, Elise and I are cleaning the garage still and gave away a whole bunch of stuff. That's hard work, watching the FB page for people requesting things and setting up a porch pickup and changing times and items around. It became a full-time job for a few days. I was up in the middle of the night adding just one more item to a bag and trying to remember who it was who asked for it and when they were coming by. I enjoyed some nice conversations during the whole process. Some I remember: Donating fabric and sewing books and patterns to a 12-year-old girl who is already making her own clothes as well as doll clothes. What a go-getter. I think she is even selling earrings and things she's made at a kids' bazaar somewhere. So glad to help even a little bit.
Another person saw a random shower head I had taken off the apartment shower and asked for it since they all of a sudden had theirs mess up. You never know. I had caramel K-cups we weren't going to drink, and someone who likes caramel coffee ran by and picked them up. Strangely, no one wanted a perfectly good coffee pot that uses K-cups and a brewer. I think we handled a dozen or more giveaways and made a nice dent in our mess. We have only a back seat full of donations now for when we have time to go to a thrift shop. Ryan is going to take some things to try to sell. I don't like that part of it - the selling. I have found it easier to just open the trash can lid and throw away things! Now I have to keep myself away from checking out other people's free things and bringing them home. Luckily, there's very little I want right now - just more room for what I have.
This Barbie Camper was hard for the girls to part with, and they're in luck, because no one else wants it either. I see a sneaky trip to the dump for that and a few other things.
-- The girls have another job that I'm a little involved in until camp is over. Our former neighbors and sweet friends are spending 10 days on the East Coast and trusting us to take care of their two kitties. They will ride their bikes the mile or so (maybe) starting Saturday, but Elise and I went over to check things out and feed them the first 2 days and give them some petting. They were friendly but not really excited to see us. Give them a few days, and I think they'll be glad to see people. And hopefully pictures to add today.
I'm really impressed at how early and how innovative some of the middle school and high school kids are with jobs and responsibility. Dog walking, cat sitting, babysitting, running errands, yard work. They're making their own ads and sharing them on FB through their parents' pages. So nice. And still keeping up with the numerous activities they have. I wish we could put some of these fast scooter and bike riders to work. I'm so afraid of hitting one, the way they just dart out of nowhere in front of my aging reflexes!
---- Mah Jongg! We've had to take a lot of time off our twice weekly games because of family things - kids, vacations, just general busyness, but we did get together yesterday for a nice time at the Y. The three of us regulars enjoyed catching up, and we had a new person join us. She's only had a few lessons but is very eager to learn, and we all need to slow down and go over the rules sometimes. She lives in Scottsdale and come here to spend some time visiting her WA grandchildren - just a few of her 11 grands! We're set to play Tuesday again.
Kate and I finally got a chance to sit down and continue with her learning while Gray was at soccer practice. She is going to be really good if she keeps on at this pace. I helped a little, but she knew which hand she was looking for and accomplished it.
We then sat on the porch while we waited for Emily to pick up and listened to the Music in the Park a few blocks away. I'm not familiar with bands or anything. Someone said something about a Tom Petty cover band. I don't know, but it did sound good, and it sounded noisy and happy over there. It was so perfect as far as temperature - maybe a little cool - but birds singing, fresh air, people walking by and saying hello. Emily thought Kate and I were having heartfelt conversations or something when she drove up, but she soon found out I was teaching her some Southern expressions. One of Mike's favorites was "Mama and 'em" to describe several family members or even just one person. You have to say it with just the right dialect though, so it comes out - Here comes Mama Nem. Or sometimes even Momern 'em! She practiced and was going to try it on Ryan, who loves to collect Southernisms. One of our favorite is "It's comin' up a cloud" which we can use here practically every day over 3 seasons.
--- Today is cat feeding, picking up the few grocery items I forgot yesterday, picking up a book at the library, maybe some late-afternoon time with the girls. I hope they're not too ambitious.
--- I'm reading - on line - The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett, the author of the book The Help which we enjoyed so much - the book and the movie. This one takes place in Mississippi - I think The Help did also - during the Depression. I can see it's going to make me cry before I get through with it, although this author is very entertaining. I wanted audio, but it would have taken me a year to get that free, so I downloaded the actual book. Sometimes it's good not to multitask and just sit down and concentrate on a good story. I have so many library holds lined up, and I'm afraid they're all going to come in at the same time. I've not found any really good things to read lately, so this gives me hope.
Anything else to touch on? Noreen has done exceptionally well recovering from her knee replacement. I'm sure she didn't feel exceptional every day, but now that's the worst is over, I think it was a good decision. I dread having to try to keep up with her once she gets out walking.
And my computer has had a little of a rough patch. As I told Ryan, the girls and I are hard on computers, and mine is a large screen and awkward. I won't mention how it got sick, but I'm trying to type as the screen just rolls and rolls enough to make me dizzy. I have to go to my phone to edit pictures and make corrections, so I'm spending way more time than I should on this.
---Can't forget a precious new cousin for the girls in South Dakota. A little brother for Sailer! More about that plus pictures next time hopefully.
Hopefully, I'll be getting another computer soon and won't forget all that's happening in my little world.
