School starts in next week........

So school starts on the 22nd and really I started work on the 19th since it was my first activity of this school year. I love driving bus. I'm not to fond of the 4:30 mornings but after a couple weeks it's not so terrible.

This past week I took my mama and daddy to the casino near Duluth. Mama had a blast and really she's the one that needed to go and enjoy. Daddy just goes with because he can't be alone any more. But enough of that for now, that will be another post one day when I'm able to put down in words the feelings that come with losing ones daddy. While at the casino my mom won enough money that it paid for the trip, our lunch and a bit in the back for another trip. 

We've been working on organizing that cleaning their house. They've lived in that house for almost 50 years and there is plenty to go though. This past week was closets and the attic. I have taken a few loads now to our donation center and have one more in my car for tomorrow. 

I am still beading and crafting. Not lots but every once in awhile I get to create something. Jim has been teaching me how to use his lathe. Tonight I made a brass fitting to hold the wick for the lantern. I hate plain prisms and since I love leaves I did a little bit of this. I also made a new necklace.

Mike is working in Aitkin and loves his job. His boss is awesome and  it makes life so much better when you love your job. Mike drops off his dog each morning so she can spend the day with Wilbur and I. And than comes home in the evening for dinner. I so love this. I am one very lucky mom that her son gets to work so close to home.

crap.....

What the hell happened? When did I lose my cooking and baking skills? I use to be able to whip up just about anything I set my mind to and have a decent meal. NOT TODAY!!!! The muffins are as flat as a pancake and tasteless.

Retry in bread instead....well it rose but taste wise, sorta flat like the pancakes. 

I made a chicken cold salad, it's not my best either. Hoping it gets better as it sits in the fridge. 

Since daycare has left I haven't been spending much time creating, well I am going to have to change that because I love working in my kitchen. I love feeding good things to everyone. The muffins, they are set out for the birds....wonder if they'll eat them. The bread, well we'll use honey butter on it or something. The cold salad, it's noodles...it'll slide down no matter what but my taste buds won't be happy. 

UGH!!!!!

Blessings my friends.

Train from Duluth to Two Harbors and the zoo....

While still able, I am taking my parents places and doing things to keep them busy and their minds working. I know that whatever we do day to day my dad doesn't remember but we live in the moment and not worry about that. Mama had a stroke 6 months ago and her memories of the past year has escaped her and lots of our day to day things get forgotten in the process so again we just live for the moments and if they stick that's awesome, if not....well we had fun at the time.

I took mama and daddy on a train ride this past week and also to daddy's favorite place, the Rose Garden in Duluth. 

 We also went to the zoo. We have just a small safari zoo but it's an awesome place to go. And daddy loves, LOVES!!!!, the deer.

 
Our lives have changed more than I could of ever imagined. I have an wonderful support system here at home and my friends have really stuck with me on those days that .... well are almost impossible. 

Praying that all of you are having an awesome and blessed week. Mine is filled with love and adventures, trials and tribulations but it will be a great week. 

Blessings my friends!

Meet Ms. Charlotte.....

Wilbur picked his kitten a couple days after she was born. She was born April 1st and she got to come home May 12th. Now she's Wilbur's constant companion and my new cuddle buddy. And he named her Ms. Charlotte.

Blessings!!!

AWESOME!!!

It was so awesome to check my mail tonight and see a couple comments. Thank you!

Today was a busy day. Really I had planned on being lazy and sleep in....or at least playing on my phone for an hour or so but it didn't happen that way. My hubby called my son for some help who in turned called me to come along so at 8:30 we were in town getting a freezer out of my husband aunts basement and taking it to my husbands parents home. That thing was huge and weighed a ton but it was taken care. Than Mike and I went to the farmers market and picked up some fresh snap peas, fresh baked bonnie buns and a jar of strawberry jam. Than we went for a drive before ending up at home. 

 This summer has been a very different one weather wise for us. Lots of flooding and lots of heat.

 Jim and I went to Hill City this afternoon and the destruction for the last storm was terrible. We've lost some trees and have had some flooding but nothing compared to that poor town. They have been without power since Tuesday and it's been near 100* each day since. Pray for this town please.

 After we were there we went to Grand Rapids to do a bit of shopping. There is this little surplus thrift shop we stopped at once before and I found this awesome wooden box that I made into this.....(Mike and I went to Pebble beach near Split Rock Light House this past spring and collected special rocks).

I didn't find any wooden boxes or drawers so saved some money today but I did like the look of this. I am not positive what it is but maybe a cherry pitter? It was just cool looking anyways.

 After getting home I went to mama and daddy's and it had been a difficult day for them so I told mama to just go relax on the porch and enjoy a cup of coffee and I'd take care of daddy. I gave him a hair cut and than a shower and than put him to bed. Not as easy as typing it but what I do on a daily bases. 

So that's it for now. Except.........we have a new member of our family. I'll introduce her on my next post but I want you to try and guess. 
You get two hints.....

• Little and soft

• Wilbur picked her and named her 

So good night my friends and thank you again for being here after a year gone. 

Blessings!!!

one year ago or so ....

One year ago I did a Minutes post. I think I'll start up again with one of those posts.

:: Thankful

•  for my husband. Without him I am positive I would go bonkers. 
•  for my son. Without him I would never get to go and do awesome things.
•  for being able to take 75% of the summer off to care for my parents.
•  for my parents, for the love they share with me every single day.  
•  for the Lord giving me friends in which I can complain to, cry to and lean on.

 :: Prayerful

•  for patience and strength to keep being able to care for my parents.
•  that the good Lord keeps my grandma around for a while longer cuz she listens and cares and makes sure I know that I am loved and appreciated.

:: Excited

•  for this 100* weather to end
•  for a girls night out. I hosted one last month and want to do it again.
•  for a trip in October that Mike and I booked
•  for school to start in 4 weeks 

:: Health

• the never ending battle with over eating and being overweight
• for not getting as sick as I was this past spring with bronchitis, pneumonia and double ear infection. 

:: Fun

•  One camping trip down, hoping for at least one more if not two (same as a year ago it seems)

:: Delicious

•  pork roast on the dinner spinner or maybe the grill
•  brats on the grill with some friends
•  corn on the cob, fresh peppers, fresh cucumbers, peas and beans

:: This week

•  Driving preschool summer school. They sure are tiny and smart.
•  Lots of care for mama and daddy. 
•  Doctors visit for mama
•  Music in the Park with daddy
•  A train ride to Two Harbors with mama and daddy

And just a couple pictures of what has happened or special things we did....

Blessings my friends to whomever takes the time to stop by and visit.

If I were to start......

If I were to start blogging again. Just to get back into touch with you guys, are there any of you guys left to read and respond?

Thought I'd see and go from there. 

Have a blessed weekend. Take care my friends.