a week long catch-up and another story or two...

Years ago, when I first started blogging, much shorter entries (Liza informed me), I wrote at night.  Then, when the babes were all in school, it was just much easier in the morning, once they were off for the day.  With Doug beginning his new shift tomorrow, he went to bed at nine.  Me, being a night person, am going back to nighttime blogging.  It will be interesting to see the changes in our lives, this being the first one.  He has to be up at 4, which he calls "half swing shift" because it begins so early.  He no likee swing shift. I no likee that the last two hours of our day is usually spent alone, together, with footrubs and head massages.  But, I'm hoping that we can all adjust and learn to love having four day work weeks and three day weekends! So, I'm writing this as I hear fireworks "booming" in every direction and am wondering if his earplugs are helping at all. 

I am laughing out loud right now because I hear the "booms" and the "whistles" and everytime I get up to go look outside, they are done.  As soon as my behind hits the chair in the gallery again, they go off again.  Too funny.  (Reminds me of Meg Ryan in French Kiss, always just barely missing the Eiffel Tower.)   I did just peek outside and saw the first fireworks I've seen so far this season.  Happiness!

 

I couldn't make myself get into the red-white and blue mood until mid June, so I left my May tablescape up until June 21 and on the first day of summer, I thought I'd get patriotic for the month of July.  July, in Utah, not only means Independence Day but also Pioneer Day (the day that the Mormon Pioneers arrived in Salt Lake Valley), so this table will work until the end of the month.  This was the table that I've dreaded because I couldn't imagine my pumpkin orange walls with Red-White and Blue, but tea-staining the towels and flags helped immensely.  I've got to take more photos to post them all on the cooking blog but this will have to suffice for now.  I do love this simple little Americana table, even in my old world rusty living room.

I am going to see the surgeon in the morning for more test.  Today was actually the best day I've had in over a week.  Sweet! Most of my weekend was spent in the gallery, on the lazy-boy rocker, with Jeff Ashton and Jose Baez on HLN.  Not exactly my kind of Fourth of July holiday, but it is what it is.  Doug and the kids, however, enjoyed going to our nephew's wedding and reception, the family gathering for fireworks at Doug's brother's home, working in the garden, swimming in the pool and watching Transformers.  I read, watched the Casey Anthony trial, dejunked my computer and listened to lots of fireworks from inside.  Very casual.  And. I was waited on hand and foot by a loving family.

Here's a few details and catch-up...

Here's what happened to our backyard the first day that the kids went out to swim.  I didn't see that the pool cover was on the lawn until it was time to put it back on the pool.  They wanted to jump on the tramp into the pool, so they thought they'd just put it on the lawn.  Lovely.  But, isn't that a perfectly pretty circle, Mom?  Oops.

 
Here's my favorite barbeque chef cooking steaks and dogs for dinner.  This was the night before I got so sick.  Maybe it was the steak!  Just kidding, Stott!!  Everyone needs Stott as a brother!

 

And isn't Babycakes Miki growing up!  The photo isn't that great because Grampy was bouncing her on the tramp but I'd say that they like each other, wouldn't you agree?

 

Here's Liza teaching me how to Skype.  She won't love this picture, but it's an important moment in history.  They move in a month.

 

I've mentioned, before, the profanity screaming mom next door, who has a teen son and a vicious dog that rented the home next door three years ago. The home is now for sale.  The owners are fixing it to sell it.  Happiness! For three years, I've held my breath in fear that this german shephard would attack someone. It barks non-stop when they are not at home, which is most of the time.  All of the neighbors kids are terrified of it.  The owners of the home on the other side only mow their lawn as close as five feet from the fence because this dog lunges at him the entire time he is mowing.  Doug has fed this dog every piece of leftover meat we've had for three years and it still acts like he's going to eat Doug alive when he tosses the food over the fence.  (I've never heard of that and Doug is a dog whisperer.) 

The morning after I came home from the hospital, I was lying there half asleep when I heard the dog's mean "attack" bark, not the normal "I heard something" bark.  (I kid you not, I can drop something in my house and he barks for three minutes.)  GRRRRRR.  Along with the mean bark, almost immediately, I heard a screaming child.  SCREAMING!!! I knew that the dog was attacking him. I flew out of the chair, grabbed the phone and called 911.  (When I was a child, a shephard attacked a little girl in it's own home, requiring 500 stitches for the child and the dog had to be put down.  It was horrific.)  The child was scream blood-curdling screams.  I called 911, telling the dispatch lady that we may need help.  Because of the cherry trees outside my window, I could only see the legs enough to know it was the homeowner's grandson, who's about ten. 

Finally, the screams and barking stopped.  I called out the window while on the phone to dispatch, asking if he was okay.  The mom said that he was.  The son was still crying.  An officer came anyway.  The mom and I talked afterward and she did say that I'd done the right thing, but thankfully he was okay.  She left and I literally had a meltdown.  Maybe, it was being sick or lack of sleep, or the childhood memory, or just relief.  I don't know, but I fell apart.  I was so thankful that he hadn't been injured seriously.  The renters are moving out this weekend.  I'm praying for wonderful new neighbors when the home is purchased.  Enough said about that.

And last, but not least, a happy thought... this photo represents love from a ten year old to this mama.  ZJ has brought me applesauce and sliced apples every day since I got sick.  Unfortunately, strawberries and peanut butter, I discovered, are not good for the gallbladder (or wahtever it is I have.)  But don't tell her.  Don't you love the presentation!?  I wonder where she learned that?  ;)

 

The good news is that I lost ten pounds last week and I didn't even exercise!  The next good news is that hopefully, we'll have some answers soon as to why! Life is good...even with some funky think  happening inside your tummy.  Enough said!

 When you realize how perfect everything is, you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky.

Comments

[Nicole]

I haven't spent much time on the computer lately and I didn't know you had been so sick. Praying for you Sophia and for the doctors to help you being healthy again. Love your new tablescape!

[AmySo]

Keeping you in my thoughts, Sophia! I hope they figure it out. Did you get my text? Also, I'm with you on the dog meltdown. I would have done the exact same thing.

[Betsy]

Bless your heart, Sophia!! I'm so sorry you're sick! I hope you get some answers soon.

That dog story sounds awful! I would be a nervous wreck with a mean dog living next door to three children. I hope some sweet neighbors will move in soon. xoxo

[stevie]

Your tablescape is GORGEOUS!!! What a sweet daughter, the food looks delish!