IDEAL IDLE IDEAS

My granddaughter asked me today what was my favorite activity.

I had to say sleeping.

I've very good at sleeping. I'm good at falling asleep, and staying asleep, and going back to sleep when I don't stay asleep.

I don't have bad dreams - sometimes incredibly BUSY ones, but nothing like nightmares.

I've been sleeping for the past week on the most comfortable mattress I think I have ever experienced.

Right now, going to sleep sounds like a wonderful use of my time.

 

SEPARATION ANXIETY

I honestly thought my grandchildren would go through at least one instance of tears regarding both of their parents being gone.





That hasn't happened... at least not yet.

But try to separate them from the X-Box in the evening?

Attempt to turn the television off?

THEN screams and tears and temper tantrums.


Tonight I am attempting to be very matter-of-face about the X-Box being turned off at 8 p.m., pajamas on, teeth brushed, nighty-night for all of us.


Let's see how it goes.

BASKETBALL BLUNDERS

At 5 p.m. this evening, we were informed about the team's first basketball practice at 7 p.m.... tonight.

At the end of practice, around 8:25 p.m., we were informed about the first game.... this Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

I'm hoping this is not an indication of how the season is going to roll.

It was nice watching all these 10 year old boys (and one girl) run drills, and play a short game.

And it was extremely difficult to keep myself from picking up a loose ball and begin shooting - I'm getting weak enough that I only embarrass myself.

Let's see what happens Saturday afternoon.

PREPARING FOR BATTLE

I am accustomed to several things at home on Sundays.

No. 1 - I have someone who almost every week does not want to go to church.

No. 2 - I must leave for church at least 35-40 minutes in advance to get there in time.

and No. 3... well, I can't think of a No. 3 at the moment.

Today?

I had two children who were eager and willing to attend church.

I had a three minute drive to church.

And it was a very relaxing experience being in church and not having to DO anything -

- To not have to be prepared to substitute in Jr. or Sr. Primary

- To be ready to conduct any one of the three hymns in our sacrament meeting

- And mostly to not have to deal with someone who really didn't want to be there.

Instead, I had a granddaughter who drew me several marvelous landscapes of horses and snow and pumpkin patches -- I had a grandson who sat quietly and listened to the testimonies born - I didn't have to do ANYthing in either of the classes I attended other than introduce myself as a visitor.

I think I like Sundays here.

YES, THERE IS AN EASIER WAY TO GET THERE, BUT...

This morning we all scrunched into the Prius to drive to the airport to drop my daughter and son-in-law off to catch their flight to Hawaii for a week.

And I nonchalantly was taking notice of the route my son-in-law was driving to be able to follow it on the return trip.

I'm pretty good at getting somewhere after I've been there once before, and while I haven't driven here in quite a while, I'm pretty familiar with the area.





I only began to panic slightly when he turned onto the first freeway going what I was certain was the COMPLETELY the wrong direction - heading east instead of west.

And about the third highway change, I was truly getting a bit terrified - how could I possibly return this way, when it seemed out-of-sync with all the ways I had been before?

After bragging about my internal compass and great ability to mimic any route, I simply could not eat crow and admit I was completely turned around.

Thank God for MapQuest.

And once I got on the main freeway and realized I could get home simply that way (albeit a few miles out of the way), I relaxed and got the grandkids and me home safely.

HOTEL HOSPITALITY

I like some things about staying in a hotel room.

Number 1)  I'm not responsible for cleaning anything in it.

And Number 2)  I'm not responsible for cleaning anything in it.

It's another reason I am looking forward to this little vacation at my daughter's home.

When I am home, there are a million little details that compete for my attention.

If I'm on the computer, why am I not outside working with my horse?

If I'm  sweeping the floor, oh, rats, I've got laundry to do.

How do I deal with my guilt?

Easy - don't do anything.

But here in a hotel room... I don't feel guilty about it.

And I like that sensation,

DOGS BARKING IN THE MOONLIGHT

I know when my dog begins to bark, she is trying to tell me something.

Most of the time, it's that the FedEx truck is pulling into our yard.

Sometimes it is that a killer rabbit is lurking right outside our door.

And once in a while it's because somebody from Mexico is illegally crossing my back acreage.

Today, however, she as well as my neighbor's dogs seemed to go slightly berserk - they even got my horse whinnying with them.

I let my dog out to try to discover what she was all upset about, and she would RACE up and down the fence line, crying out in frustration,

I still don't know what she and everyone else was so upset about.

But I think I may put my pistol by my bed. Just for tonight,