And they're gone!

My folks just left.  As much as I was ready...it still hurts.  Physically painfully...deep in the gut hurts.  So I'm going to keep busy today.  I gave the dog a bath.  Going to the gym later...clean.  Distraction is good.


Oh and thanks for the prayers for my eye.  Much better today.  Still hurts a bit, but it's looking better.

As I went through all the pictures of this week, it really became clear to me that I keep this blog entirely for ME.  I have no idea why in the world anyone else would really bother to read about my every day life.  I don't take fancy pictures.  There is no novel being birthed here.  It's just me, me, me and those that matter to me.  So if you are reading along thank you for all the kind comments about my parents and for taking the time to check in with my life.  It really does make me so happy.  Now back to ME...HA!!!!



Remember how I told you we took my dad everywhere.  Seriously we shopped and browsed and painted our way through every little town in Minnesota this week.  It was intense.  And my dad came along and enjoyed the journey with us.  So on our last day together I found a store that he loved and mom and I waited and waited and shopped and wished we had an endless supply of money.

  

We went to Gander Mountain.  It's a huge outdoor sporting good store...think fishing lures, camping supplies, guns etc...  He was in heaven.  Unfortunately everything in there costs a small fortune, so most of the time it was just dreaming of this or that, but we had fun anyway.  So here is my wish list.  Super lightweight Marmot jacket...price tag $165.00...holy cow!

Really cute boy hat.  Have I ever told you I have a THING for hats??  I can't believe I walked out without this one.  Isn't it cute??

Merrill super warm slide on shoes.  LOVE them..but said no!  I had to be good.  Seriously we shopped everyday.  That can get expensive.

Isn't she a hoot?  Love my momma!

And all our other little trips this week.  We picked out pumpkins and mums, hit every antique store possible...ate out at all our favorite spots.  It was a good week. 

We ended this morning with our family tradition.  We supped at the Lord's table and gave thanks for all He's done for us.   It's one of my very favorite memories that we share.   Thought I'd share it with you.  Hope you all have a great weekend.  It's going to be a beautiful one here:)

Have a blessed day.

Memory making 101

It's kind of been a weird week for me physically.  When my folks came I was pmsing, so I was really tired and a little irritable.  Shame on me:(  Then to make it worse my allergies have been awful.  One day I was so drugged up on Benadryl I could barely keep my eyes open.  Today I woke up to blood red eyes that progressed into a scratchy goopy mess...yes I got pink eye! 

Life is like that, you never really have control of how things are gonna go...grrrr!  But that's okay it was two tiles for the price of one day at the paint your plate store:)   You know I was all over that.  I love those stores.  It's one of my favorite things to do.  It was so good to have a mindless fun creative day.   

Oh how I love the rows and rows of paint and the shelves of unfinished raw pottery to choose from.  It's exhilarating to say the least.  It's kind of a tradition.  Whenever I'm on vacation I make a piece to take home.  I never have made one in my own town before though.  I thought it would be a fun memory making day for mom and I.

She loved it.  She's just as creative as I am. 

My dad wasn't as on board, but he sat there and didn't complain once.  How sweet is that?  Matter of fact we drug him all over the place this week and he was awesome.  

I'm starting to get a little sad.  Tomorrow's our last day already.  It goes so fast.  It's not until the day or so before they leave that the emotions start getting to me.  The night before they go my stomach is in knots and it's hard for me to sleep.   That's just the way it goes.  Saying goodbye is always hard. 

Here are our masterpieces:)  Can't wait until they are all fired up, smooth and shiny.  Can you tell which ones are mine and which ones are hers??  Hope you are all having a great week.  I've been missing you.

Have a blessed day.

 



Pedestal

Not sure why, but whenever I'm with my parents I reflect.  I remember my childhood.  I go to the corners of my memory when I was ten or so and my mom comforted me when I was upset over having no friends, or when I was a teenager heartbroken over my first love.  I remember all the family meals...my dad's head bowed saying grace. I also remember the day when my parents became flesh and bone and fell off the pedestal I had them placed on.  It didn't happen until I was older.  Up until then they were perfect and could do no wrong. It's a weird day when you realize that they are human just like you.  That they make mistakes and mess up too. 

When I'm with them I realize my own likeness to them.  I see where I get my compassion and sweet side.  I see where my strong faith and values comes from, where the stubbornness and strength wells up and I can't help but wonder what my girls will derive from me...what will carry on.  When will I become flesh and bone to them?  When will they see me in all my weakness and know that I'm fallible?

This balancing act between being a child and a parent is a fine line.  I can easily move back and forth over it.  I still feel like a little girl at times, in dire need of love, big bear hugs and someone else to take responsibility for all my needs.   That's when the realization comes that I can crawl up into my heavenly father's lap...snuggle in and know that only He can take care of me...understand me...forgive my faults.  Only HE can rescue me...there is no pedestal to fall from. 

Have a blessed day.

Garage door makeover

While my mom and dad are here I'm going to post some stuff I don't think a lot of you have seen.  This one is for Suzanne:)

All Summer long I have wanted to redo my garage entry door. I saw it on Just a Girl  and I knew it was the one redo that I could fit in my schedule.

Before

After

Voila! New and improved. I have to admit it was kind of a pain. I skipped the priming step, which was really silly of me! So I had to do several touch ups and then polyurethaned it several times, so the paint wouldn't come off. I got the vinyl letters from Shelley Smith of Wonderfully Wordy. It's one of the easiest and best redo's I've seen online. I LOVE love the look of it and it makes me happy every time I drive in my garage. Which is what a redo is about right??

Have a blessed day!