SO RIGHT WHEN THE CAR IS PAID OFF...

It's the same old story.

You get your car paid off....

... and then it begins breaking down,

The warranty date comes up and passes...




... and the appliance needs repairs immediately.

And we just paid off our land and house.

So what happens today?





My bathroom ceiling begins to leak when it's raining today.


And the heater stops working, and it's supposed to be in the 30's tonight.

Figures, right?.

LEAVING A CAT ALONE

I was gone from our house for almost three weeks, and my cat is certainly not going to let me forget that.

When I sit down, the cat jumps in my lap.

When I walk, the cat is weaving between my feet with each step.

When I lay down, the cat burrows into the blankets, snuggles up right against my stomach, and goes to sleep.

I don't think the cat really missed me, she missed my physical warmth and occasional treats.

But I will think twice about my next vacation, and what payback she may have lined up for me.

HOME SWEET SWEET HOME

Yes, I had a perfectly lovely time in Southern California with my daughter's family.

I got to sleep on a MUCH more expensive and nicer mattress than what I have at home.

I played with my grand kids, and watched way too episodes of "American's Funniest Home Videos" (which still seems to me to be nothing but repeated shots of men getting painfully hit in the groin).

I ate In 'N Out burgers every single chance I got, and learned to love Jersey Mike's subs.

I learned my ten-year-old grandson can give pretty good directions to a lot of places in and around Oceanside.

But I'm back with my same old slightly lumpy mattress with my favorite two green blankets and my best pillow.

I have a crazy dog dancing around every time she sees me.

I have a cat curled up immediately in my lap when ever I sit down.

I have a horse which whinnies anytime he sees me outside.

I have eighteen episodes of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, the Colbert Report, Modern Family and Elementary to watch.

And I still have half of a left-over pizza in the fridge for breakfast and lunch tomorrow.

I am happy to be back home.

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.