2018 Week 41: Breaks, trips, celebrations

Several family members were on fall break--Karen (teacher Burris Middle School); Elijah (Delta 8th grade); Zion and Jude (Royerton, 3rd and K); Kayla (dance instructor Cornerstone for the Arts).
Kayla and Matt took off for a vacation in Tennessee. Aunt Jeannie and Nana took turns watching Rebecca, and abuela (that's me) provided transportation to and from pre-school three days, and together with abuelo, to Basics Jr. family night.

Playing a game at Basics Jr.                                                            Ready to go to Kiddie Kampus

We almost didn't make it to Basics, however--suddenly our vehicles were stuck when the garage door spring broke. We made a few calls, and after a while Jimmy and Skye left work and came to the rescue to help lift the heavy door. Thank you, guys!

Monday was Jude's birthday and we remembered the day he joined our family six years ago.

The two younger grandboys were with us Wednesday night, their parents had to work. So Thursday, they joined in our art club activity of the week--painting pumpkins from Leah's prolific volunteer vine.

I'd promised an Ivanhoe's visit afterward. 

Proof of promise kept 

Stephan, in Holland, MI, was also having fun with pumpkins, cutting them up. Notice the titles he gives each piece: 

"I towed you so!" "Great blue orange heron" "No need to be Koi, Roi" "Catch n' flies" "Jeff Gourd-on gets squashed in turn 1"

 (He's such a cut-up!)

Meanwhile, we were on a mini vacation in Louisville, Kentucky. Can you guess what we were doing by the shoes we invested in?

Looks scary, but it was a very friendly and happy place. We joined our friends Don and Shirley Hunt (our former country line dance teacher) at an annual event they attend on the way back to their Arizona home.

Memories of a year ago kept coming back all weekend long--my sister-in-law Sharon's passing and her memorial service. Here is my favorite photo during the last years of her struggle. We had gone for a walk/romp with one of the dogs. Sharon loved her animals. They brought her much joy and she made great friends at the dog park.

Still more to share. Come back next week.

2013 Week 26: En breve...

Continuing last week's entry and briefly summarizing week 26:

On my way out of town I visited with SIL Sharon and their unruly Rilla! I was blessed to go for a walk (or was it a run?) with them through the neighborhood.

Rilla, unusually sedate

Rilla started obedience school this week :-). Sharon has surgery tomorrow :-(.

Monday - Wednesday

Enjoying the assortment of wildflowers, some gardening, watering the neighbors' plants...

...and the quiet days to completely recover, process our European experience, and write.

I did not go on the planned family + camping trip. As it turned out only four of our family went and there were six others who joined them, friends who have become close to us through Stephan's Monday Night Meals. They had a good time, but said it would have been better had I been there. (Nice to feel needed ;-)

Thursday
A fun day with granddaughter Kayla at her Ball State University orientation for transfer students.

Mike was back home when I arrived in the afternoon. :-)

Friday
The highlight was a surprise retirement celebration breakfast for my dear friend Jane.

Saturday
Errands and events...
Enjoyed a couple of the gardens included in the local garden club tour.

Love Endures Forever

Of the 300+ varieties of lilies, I think this may have been my favorite, may be its name.

In the evening we had a small dinner with Matt and Kayla to celebrate his June birthday, belatedly, as we were out of the country.

That was our week en breve.