The End (Lennon/McCartney)

1. I love Jack Bauer!

2. Fruit smoothies & granola are foods I love to eat for breakfast.

3. It seems I'm always searching for Ethan’s shoes whenever we have to go somewhere.

4. Watching 24 episodes with commentary is a great way to end the day.

5. I think I am a little obsessed with a certain television drama!

6. Crab legs dipped in butter is what I've been craving lately.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching disc 3 of 24: Season 7, tomorrow my plans include blowing off the film school open house and Sunday, I want to go to church, hear some awesome special music by my own Ms. Alex & stay for a VBS meeting!

all the pictures of the boys are at the community pool, the black & white is Alex's self portrait in the car rear view mirror (kinda cool), the self snap of me was a sneaky way to get a shot of my mom chillin' poolside (see her in the background), and the bottom is Ms. Brulee after her appointment

Got up fairly early today, well, early for me, showered, rounded up the troops for a quick house straightening, then loaded everyone up and motored down to Grosse Pointe to my mom's house. I did a full clean on her house while Alexandra worked on her hi-speed pulling entries for me, and the boys assisted gramma outside with some garden chores. After everyone completed those tasks we had some lunch then went over to the pool for a quick dip. Aaaah. Felt good. Next we stopped at the groomer and picked up Ms. Brulee who looked fabulous with her new cut and bow. Back at the house the boys chilled and watched some Disney shows while I took mom's bike out for a ride. My wunderlust and delinquent nature got the best of me as I started snooping around some abandoned houses in the area. One in particular that I have always been intrigued by I stopped to check out and found to my delight that a side door was open! I couldn't resist and ventured in. Oh my goodness this place was huge, I almost got lost in there. It had a master kitchen, prep kitchen, a double sided fridge/freezer deal (like you could open it from two different rooms), a courtyard at the center of the house with a fountain, a living room that was probably the square footage of my whole house, 10 bathrooms, 6 bedrooms and each one had another attached walk-in closet with drawers, shelves, & cabinets built in, there was a large regular staircase and another servants staircase, an attached garage, with another room above that (although I didn't find my way into it). I don't even think I made it into all the parts of the house because I was afraid of getting caught I didn't want to start opening doors and making noise so I just quietly toured and made a quick getaway. Got back to mom's and googled the address. Found an old realtor listing (there is no sign out front at present) that stated it was 9500 sq. ft., was owned by a doctor, had a list price of a mere $850,000 (I'm sure a fraction of what it was going for in its heyday) and a yearly tax bill of over $25,000. It appears as though it has been empty for some time and there are structural issues definately but it was just a cool little escapade. I wanna go back and snoop around some more - wish I had the camera with me, maybe next time.....

Here, There and Everywhere (Lennon/McCartney)

Whew, this blogging daily is tough,

I'm glad there's only one more day left in the month.

I'll be taking at least the weekend off from blogging

so I can get out and see what

new things are happening...

or maybe I'll have to make some things

happen on my own!

Act Naturally (Morrison/Russell)

Feeling a little bit on the upswing today. Decaffeinated my system again, going on the third day without coffee. I don't know if it's the instant coffee or powdered french vanilla creamer but after a few days of drinking that stuff I feel soooo bloated. Starting to get some energy back, got a file of TVonDVD entries finished, sent and invoiced, always a mood booster. I need to get more focused with my yoga and set aside regular time to practice, right now I do what is best described as a "spontaneous yoga practice" which means I randomly bust out into a pose or two whenever, waiting for something to load on the computer or warm in the microwave, or in between random tasks during the day and I always stretch with the boys at the gym, but I'm longing to have a fuller experience. I've been looking for a place to take a regular weekly class but haven't found one that gels with my schedule or pocketbook yet. But I will.

-------

The boys have been enjoying their lazy summer days but Fox in particular is ready to have school back in session again. Ben is at the brink of boredom himself and is looking forward to the school routine as well. Ethan on the other hand is not so quick to jump back in but is talking positively about the new year. This will be a very busy and challenging academic season, with Alex being a senior, working, and being dual enrolled; Fox starting Junior High school, a new daily routine, and cross-country practice after school; Ben will be playing AYSO soccer out of Imlay City this fall instead of with the North Branch Rec. like we have in the past, and Ethan will be competing Level 4 this year with gymnastics practices 3 times a week in Rochester and competitions on the weekends. Plus, I think I will be overseeing the vocal practices for the high school musical 'Grease' for the fall production. Alex volunteered me, Mr. Sorenson said he'd have me, now we have to work out the details. So, I guess I'll have to enjoy my down time while it lasts, until about, oh.....September 8th, then we hit the ground running!

------

But now it's time to watch some more of the Jack in action!

24: Season 7, Disc 2!!

Wait (Lennon/McCartney)

for everything there is a season

After looking over the film school materials,

even if I had the $ there is no way

I could commit the time,

not right now

I do enjoy time just sitting out back

watching the muskrats bring materials to their lair

back and forth across the pond.

I sit as still as I can and just listen

and watch, feel the breeze

an active meditation

Going up?

I Wanna Hold Your Hand (Lennon/McCartney)

Been in a sort of funk today. As I thought about it driving around tonight I think it is a combination of many things.

1) Eating badly over the last week - to much red meat, sugar & caffeine .

2) I'm not in charge of anything this summer - weird .

3) Usually at this time I would be searching for educational material for the new year but since I'm not homeschooling any more that is not happening.

4) I haven't gone to church for the last couple weeks but I really didn't want to because I'm feeling out of touch there, like I can't be my true self.

5) I know I'm supposed to do something else with my life but I don't know what it is yet.

6) I'm ready for a new change of living environment, I like the country but I'm sort of over it.

7) It is strange not having Rob around during the week, and starting to wear on me a little bit being the only parent in authority ALL the time.

Seriously if all I had to do was sleep, watch 24, and wander around taking pictures I could be cool with that. But I think my family would start to take issue not having food, clean clothes, rides to places, etc. I just have no motivation. If I knew someone that had prescription medication to "pick me up" I'd try it right now.

On the way home tonight Alex and I were talking about choices, opportunities, college, jobs, etc. She told me she has "it all planned out," her life that is. I told her, "I had a plan to when I was your age and you know what, everything I have right now, none of it was in the plan." I'm not saying what I have now is bad, just different than what I thought my life would be. Very different.

Blue Jay Way (Harrison)

Namaste.

Tomorrow Never Knows (Lennon/McCartney)

my latest attempt:

to snap Alex in her BK clothes

Does anyone have pictures of areas around Michigan?

Just scenery, not with people.

I'm contemplating putting together a location database

but don't want to have to physically go to every place.

Thought maybe friends and family could help supply some photos.

Email me at: robinparton@intouchmi.com

Please include city, county, state park, date taken,

and other pertinent info about the area.

Thanks in advance!

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da (Lennon/McCartney)

1. Losing a job is not the end of the world.
2. Catch Me If You Can-Screenplay is the book I'm reading right now.
3. Fresh berries taste so good!
4. Sometimes, putting others first is necessary; other times futile.
5. Take time to think it over.
6. Well, maybe there is a solution I haven’t thought of yet.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a date night, tomorrow my plans include writing TVonDVD entries and Sunday, I want to chill-ax and hopefully do some house projects.



The boys are going to a Tiger game today with Uncle James and Grandpa Q. It's their annual summer boy bonding time. Last year they went to Chicago for the game but today they will be at Comerica Park. Looks like a great day for baseball!


OH! Laaaa, la, la, la, life goes on......

I'm Looking Through You (Lennon/McCartney)

Feeling almost Charlie Brownish this week. Like, "things actually don't seem so miserable lately," I'm "hopefully pessimistic," and "learning to be content in my delinquency."

Highlight of my week: taking advantage

of having the 10 yard dumpster here

and getting rid of trash

from various areas around the property.

Yea, sad.

Played around with effects on some photos taken over the past few months.

Drive My Car (Lennon/McCartney)

Today the boys and I loaded up in the car to head to swim lessons as usual, turned the key and ... nothin'. Dash lights came on, head lights, horn, but hardly a click to turn the engine over. Tried to jump it with the tractor. No go. Called Rob, he suggested putting it on the battery charger for a while. Did that. Obviously we weren't going to make it to lessons. Consulted with my father-in-law, he thinks its not the battery. Thankfully a friend of my father-in-law's was stopping by the house to pick up a trailer to go get a car and he is a master mechanic. Within moments he realized the problem, one of the battery connections was bad and there was corrosion around the positive. Cleaned it with some Cherry Coke, cut off the bad connection, exposed the wires and tucked it under the battery bracket. Viola, it turned over. So we were still good to get to gymnastics later. Stopped by Dairy Queen so the boys could get their free cones they won for Summer Reading, hit the Rochester Hills Public Library to update their hours and pick some new books. Now, I'm checking out shooting scripts, I have one from 'Shawshank Redemption' (one of my all time favorite flicks) and 'Catch Me if You Can.' The car is being installed with a new battery connection as I write. Thanks!

While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Harrison)

Do you want to improve the world?

I don't think it can be done. The world is sacred.

It can't be improved. ~Lao-Tzu

Today as I sat poolside during the boys' swim lessons I read teachings from 'Meditations from the Mat" on the second niyama, santosa (contentment) and the third, tapas (burning zeal in practice). Niyamas are the fundamental practices to sustain a love-based life. "Santosa is just that-an alternative way to move through the world. It is a shift of focus. Instead of seeking contentment from the outside in, we find contentment from the inside out. The paradigm shift comes when we view all events as opportunties to grow, to encounter our own magnificence. When we view things in this light, there are no good events or bad events, only moments in which to shine." "Tapas is the spirit of inquiry; it is about having the heart of an explorer. It is the willingness to work hard in practice, the desire to know oneself, the will to be honest."

What is it that makes it so hard sometimes to determine whither we will walk? I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright.

~Henry David Thoreau

This afternoon my mind became over taken by, two words:

FILM SCHOOL

I even made the bold move to sign up for an Open House on August 1 at Michigan Picture Institute in Troy. It is an intensive one-year program that prides itself with "on-the-set education." I did some online searching and found there are many production companies in Michigan that are thriving thanks to Granholm's tax incentives to film in the state. My desire is to be a location scout and oversee other organizational pre-production duties. The gal on the phone said I'd be really popular since most people that attend the school want to be directors or screenwriters. Still in the fledgling stages of idealism, the schedule could invariably be dealt with although it would be a seriously crazy year, but the biggest obstacle by far is in a word:

MONEY

Since obstacles are also opportunities, let the games begin.

Any leads on funding would be greatly appreciated.

Please leave info in a comment.

Lyrics & Trivia

Hello Goodbye (Lennon/McCartney)

Not really feeling very blog-a-tive today.

Hardly even spoke except when I was coaching.

Swim lessons,

push mowed,

watched 24: Redemption

while it rained outside my window,

went down to coach,

good practice.

Another edit magic photo from my bike ride archives.

Maybe Tuesday I'll feel more conversational.

A Little Help From My Friends (Lennon/McCartney)

Fixin' a Hole (Lennon/McCartney)

Friday materials were delivered for the roofing project. Saturday Rob's cousin R.J. and his buddy J.J. and Uncle Rick showed up bright and early to get to work. We were blessed to have R.J.'s help since he does roofing for a living. He hooked us up with an awesome deal on materials and does great work. EVERYBODY worked, from Grandpa Wendell to Fox, Ben and Ethan. Cousin Paul & Don showed up to help and later in the day cousin Karl lent a hand and Alex's boyfriend Caleb also. Gramma Genny came out to work her magic with the grill and Alex was her lunchtime helper.

While the older Parton boy cousins were working on the roof the boys and I headed out for a combo birthday party with some cousins on my side. My cousins Amy and Elizabeth celebrated their kids' birthdays together. Mallory turned one, and Josh is five. I boogied my way down to the farm where Amy lives, a beautiful place off the end of Mead Rd., listening to Anne Delise's Dance Party on WDET. She was spinning some classic '80s stuff from Inner City, Bee Gees, Yaz, and the like. They had quite a turnout and there were more kids there than I expected. I snuck in some hugs and giggles with Mallory before too many people showed up and got plenty of Evan snuggles (even gave him a bottle). Didn't get to love on Elijah though, he's another one of our littles ones and is pretty shy still. But I know his dad, that won't last long. (Shout out to Emil!) Ben and Ethan had a ball in the bounce house and playing with the other kids. Fox being the oldest kid there spent most of the time with his nose in a book. He's engrossed in 'Flowers for Algernon' ever read it? It's good.

A bonus for the day was seeing my old buddy from high school, Debba. She was up from Atlanta to show her fiancee Dennis around her old stomping grounds. For simplicity's sake I invited her over to crash the party (as my Alex and Rob fill-ins) and thankfully my cousins are the best and went with the flow. Actually, Amy hit a few graduation parties with Deb and I in the day but I'll save that for another blog. I called to check on the crew at the house before I headed back to see if they needed anything, apparently they were on a break in the garage due to a sudden downpour. It didn't last too long however and they got back to work. On the way home I caught another fantabulous WDET show, Rev. Robert Jones' Gospel Show, oh yeah! By the time I arrived back at the house they had the roof wrapped, although it is still a mess out there. That will be my job tomorrow, the final clean-up, with my ultimate three-boy crew.

And Your Bird Can Sing (Lennon/McCartney)

Yesterday was mellow. I am loving this current weather, this is my kind of summer. Not hot, just sunny with a little breeze. The boys had their last swim lesson of the week. I am amazed at the improvements they've made since three summers ago. All have gained great confidence in the water. Fox is doing well working on the different back strokes, and has a strong front crawl. Ben and Ethan are in a class together and are the strongest in the group, albiet this is the second time Ethan took the class and Ben's third. I think passing is imminent.

In the afternoon I dropped Alex off at work then drove over to my mom's house to check out one of the free concerts in the the plaza. The leader of the group, Ron Kischuk was one of my instructors when I went to Oakland University, he taught a Business of Music class. He's quite a cut-up and a proficient trombonist as well. Good times. I just love hanging out and listening to jazz. Big Band, blusey stuff is really my ultimate fav. Vocal jazz really isn't too much my thing, although they had a wonderful singer, Jeannine Miller featured last night, even if the selections were rather mellow for my taste. Ethan was goofing around with the camera with me and actually took several that I used on the collage today. It was nearly midnight by the time we got home.

Still haven't been successful getting a snap of Alex in her Burger King clothes. So far this is the best I've gotten. This leads me to offer a challenge, anyone who can get a picture of her working at the back window with her smiling face showing, I'll buy them a Hershey Pie. Yum!

Friday Fill-In

1. Today is everything it is going to be.

2. Black and white and read all over.

3. Sometimes you just have to punt.

4. And if I told you once, I told you a thousand times, if you got it out then put it away!

5. French Vanilla, Peppermint, and Mocha are the best flavors for coffee.

6. North Branch is the closest town to my house (and it doesn't have a stoplight).

7. As for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to shopping and working, tomorrow my plans include a family birthday party and seeing an old friend from high school, and Sunday I want to see a new roof on my house and stop by Pastor and Diana's Good-bye Celebration.

Dizzy Miss Lizzy (Larry Williams)

The boys and I were fortunate enough to get out for a bike ride even though rain was predicted. We headed out across Leach Rd. and caught the Clinton River Trail this time heading west, instead of east traveling past the Twist & Dip, the church, the Lumber Yard, Avondale High School, the I-75 overpass to Opdyke Rd.; from there we turned it back around and headed back but instead of taking the trail all the way we veered off through the neighborhood over to check on cousin Emily who is nursing an injured foot. Amazingly the kid plays seriously aggressive soccer (goalie even) and has never been majorly hurt, but two days at an academic camp and she trips down some stairs and fractures her foot! Anyway, she must have hung out at a friend's house while mom and dad were working so we just said 'hello' to their massive dog Otto through the window and pedaled back on down the road, caught the sidewalk on Auburn and rode that home. We only caught a little spattering of rain for about five minutes but the rest of the day was clear.

Chilled for a little bit, Ethan jumped in the pool, ate a little, then went over to GTC for a rather warm practice. I only had three of my boys there last night and everyone was behaving pretty well, we even worked together with some of the upper level teams since everyone was low in numbers. Pretty typical for summer. Alex was dropped off at her friend Anna's before we went down to Rochester, the two of them hung out then she went to church with them. Apparently the numbers there were pretty scare last evening also.

Rob is putting things in place to work on the roof this weekend. I'm believing for the weather to cooperate although 30%-40% chance of rain is predicted, but who knows where it will actually fall. Hopefully not over North Branch. Well, it seemed as if another normal end to a long, semi-tiring day but no, as I was just yards from pulling into Kings Mill, going northbound on Lake Pleasant, I stopped because the vehicle in front of me was turning left into his house. He had to yield for a car coming in the opposite direction so we actually came to complete stop. He turned, I started forward, heard tires squeal, then felt the impact from behind. A twenty-something gal didn't give herself enough room to stop and clipped me on the back passenger corner, lost the back panel and the tail light cover, the back door is also unable to open. Thankfully everyone was alright but since a good samaritan who pulled over after hearing the impact, quickly called the police I had to sit there for another hour and deal with that at 10:30pm. Ugh. The call was really stupid since we both only had PLPD and neither would be making any claim. But, ok, thanks mister. I wish I would have been bold enought to say a call wouldn't be neccessary. I thanked the Lord last night that we were blessed and protected. If she would have hit us straight on we really could have been hurt as some friends of mine know all to well.

Then to make things seem even more ominous when Ben went to let the chickens out this morning one was laying dead in the coop. Yuck, that's never a fun thing to deal with. I feel like I'm experiencing some sort of karmic fluctuation. Let's hope it's only temporary.

END NOTES:

- Song chosen for today's title is not written by the Beatles but is on the Live from the Hollywood Bowl album.

- Yes, I do make up my own Friday-Fill Ins

- I make my collages with Microsoft Picture It! Photo Premium 9

In My Life (Lennon/McCartney)

Needed a little levity today,

nothing heavy, nothing deep,

nothing to make my mind swim.

.

Namaste.

Getting Better (Lennon/McCartney)

When I decided to use Beatles songs to title my postings this month I figured since there are so many in their catalog I would attempt to post daily. It's more challenging than I thought it would be, but I press on. What's up? Rob sent me a cryptic email a short while ago that he has a check in his possession, that's all I know. Not sure how much it's for, but at least it's a step in the right direction.

The boys are doing swimming lessons at the Imlay City Pool this week and next. Unfortunately it has been a little chilly but not too terrible for them when they are in the water. I sit poolside in pants and a shirt, but no jacket. A friend from Seeds of Faith Co-op has her daughter in the class after ours so we have a few minutes to chat during the change-over. Cheryl and I have a kindred connection in that our husbands are of similar mind-sets in many areas and we've faced similar challenges job and family wise. It's always nice when you know other people are dealing with the same 'spiritual growth' opportunities that you do, makes you feel you're not alone in this big crazy, jumbled up world of ours.

Work wise for me I am getting ready to start writing more TVonDVD entries but unfortunately my home greening and decluttering efforts are not being carried out as effectively as I'd like but with the boys around everyday it's really pointless to even hope for a total decluttered state. We'll get there eventually (like in ten years when they've all moved out!). The main task at hand lately is to get everyone in the house to understand the concept of picking up after themselves! I wake up in the morning, come out of my room, and I know exactly what everyone did by the trail they've left behind. Anybody relate, can I get an Amen!? Fox has made the most improvement but we're all still in training.

Recycling efforts are still going well, although I have been rescuing items from the trash again lately and I gave up on the small compostable paper separating, instead just throwing them in with regular recycleable paper. Also, I am feeling good about the miles of walking and biking that I'm starting to log for the summer. When I was staying at my mom's I took her bike out and got a couple really good rides in, probably up to nearly 40 miles riding so far, maybe 15 walking. Tomorrow the boys and I are hoping to check out another section of the Clinton River Trail if the weather cooperates.

Chin Up Peoples & have a Terrific Tuesday!

All You Need Is Love (Lennon/McCartney)

... to make healthy brownies. What? Well, healthier.


Had a couple bananas that needed to be used, and I really wasn't in the mood to make banana bread so I got an inspiration to healthy up a brownie mix (on sale @ Meijer $.76). In addition to the banana I added some wheat germ and creamy peanut butter with the 2 eggs, 1/2 c. oil and 1/4 c. water. I add wheat germ to almost everything I bake, it hardly disturbs the taste if you use it moderately and it adds great digestive benefit.


Ethan made a great thrifty purchase this weekend, an awesome bike he paid for all by himself with his own money. He got it for $5 from the neighbor boy...









... who upgraded.






Rob headed off to work this morning at 8am as usual. I told him to keep me posted. Pastor choose to give his last sermon from Hebrews 11, the faith chapter. Interesting choice, and timely, I tithed in faith that this week will have a positive outcome.

We now take a Beatles break for a little Nietzsche

Help! (Lennon/McCartney)

Well, yesterday ended the week rather strangely, for the first time after weeks/months of talking about "how bad things are" Rob can home without his weekly check. Ouch. Thankfully I had a check arrive this week so we're ok for the week but unsure of how to proceed from there. We have some money set aside for our roof project that is slated for next weekend and I really don't want to have to use it for bills because the roof really needs to be redone, it leaks in multiple places. They are hoping some payments that are due come in early next week and Rob will get paid but for this week his boss gave him $100 to 'get by' on. So if my friends could join me in standing on two scriptures I'd be grateful. They are:

"Make a roof for it and finish..." (Gen. 6:16)

and "...he puts the deep into storehouses." (Psalm 33:7b)

It is at times like these we reach a new level of aparigraha (nonpossessiveness and nonhording). Trying to hold on the the past and the job and what little money may be available will do nothing but be the cause of stress. Letting go, as utterly terrifying as it may feel, allows us to walk through the next door to a new venture or realize what is right outside our window to help us remedy a situation. I say powers that be -- make it so.

Since roof stuff was put on hold Rob spent the morning playing Museum Caper with the boys while I went into Lapeer to grocery shop. And I got TWO walks in. The theme: gone to the dogs! I coerced my friend Lynne, who is trying to develop better fitness habits now that she is laid off, to come out for a stroll with her dogs Johnny and Edgar, the beautiful sheperds at the top of the photo. Her other two older labs stayed home. We took the path along DeMille from Appleby's toward the education complex, finding along the way the work of some Christian vandals who wrote '777' and 'Jesus is god' on the door of the utility building. Doesn't that make you proud.

Got home after shopping and made some sloppy joes and brats (gotta use up some buns Sarah gave me), french fries and some awesome fresh green beans. Then the boys got the tires on their bikes filled, seats adjusted and we all headed out down Kings Mill toward Jefferson. The boys on bikes and Rob and I on foot; even Jake came along in his glory. Alex was working a 3-8 shift at BK. A neighbor down the street got "flocked" by Crosswalk Youth Ministries which cracked me up. I saw a house in town that got "mopped" by them too! What a cute way to raise funds and awareness. On Jefferson we passed my next door neighbor cruising home on his tractor with his mother Marion close behind with a load of hay. This woman amazes me, she must be pushing 80 and she's still out there driving equipment, milking cows, and every other type of farm duty you can image. I can only hope to have so much spunk at that age.

Mother came home from the hospital a day early but things seem to be under control. My brother is staying with her for the weekend. Thursday she started having a major itch attack so they gave her some medication to combat it and help her sleep. When she awoke hours later a young man was sitting at the foot of her bed. "Who are you?" she inquired. "I'm a sitter, I'm here to watch over you." he replied. Apparently in her drug induced sleep she got her knitting scissors and cut her self free from her IV pole and was wandering around the floor. When a nurse asked "Where are you going?" My mother answered "I don't know." There were also some conversations with cats that the nurses didn't think to be a good sign. Hence they brought in a medical student to sit by so she didn't hurt herself. Friday after she was more lucid she annouced she wanted to go home, she was done with treatment. Doctor complied and she was discharged about 4:30pm. Bless her neighbor Carol for coming to pick her up, also Jackie for taking care of Grady the cat, the young man who sat for her and all the staff on the 8th Floor at Karmanos.

Nowhere Man (Lennon/McCartney)

FRIDAY FILL-IN
1. It seems the world has settled into a slower pace.
2. Prosperity and restoration are in our future.
3. I am glad to have friends from many faiths.
4. July is usually much hotter.
5. Ever try mixing toilet bowl cleaner and cleanser?
6. On your mark, get set, BAKE!!
7. As for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to nothing really, tomorrow my plans include hoping my mom is discharged from the hospital on schedule, and Sunday, I want to go to church for the first time in a couple weeks.


Where am I going today....nowhere, man!

If I Needed Someone (Harrison)

This morning I did some social-errands. First stopping by the Morrell house to drop off some cute little girl baby clothes I found at the thrift shop in Grosse Pointe; can’t pass up an opportunity to shop for infant stuff. Got to snuggle with Georgyanna who has just past her EDD (Estimated Due Date) after being born over two months premature. She looks great and shows obvious signs of being a future singer and dancer! (Shout out to Sarah! who I didn’t get a picture of, silly me) She was kind enough to hook me up with four grocery bags of Pepperidge Farm bread! Love those freebies, thank you! Check out her story at Teach a Fish.

Next I grabbed a Peppermint Mocha Half-Caff and headed over to the church to chat with Pastor Diana who is preparing for a big move to South Carolina in a couple weeks. She and Pastor are shifting into a brand new life of ‘retirement’ with as yet undetermined direction but many possibilities presenting themselves as time moves on. She is a wonderful woman of god and has been a great boss and friend to me. I will miss her but know our paths will cross again.

Lastly I made an unannounced stop by my friend Michelle’s to drop off some lavender from my garden for her to use in a future project that is sure to be fabulous. She in turn sent me off with a scrumptious sample of some mulberry cobbler she was in the process of wrapping. Check out Smile, Wink, Nod for the details. Snapped a pix of her beautiful garden ornament/bird feeder made from garage sale finds - if only I could be so motivated.

Got back to the house and let Alex take the car and the boys up to the North Branch Library. She is working for me pulling TVonDVD entries and the hi-speed is necessary. The boys like their hi-speed time to play AddictingGames.com (I know what a great mom am I to promote this tomfoolery!), then they wanted to get slushies and hang out at the park for a little bit. I got back to decluttering the house. I am determined to get rid of all this excess stuff, have a place for everything and everything in its place! I CAN DREAM CAN’T I?

Another recent thrifty find, these brand NEW ‘Cars’ galoshes for $3 at the Grosse Pointe Second Hand Shop. Just perfect for Ethan! Good day, even felt like summer!

You Never Give Me Your Money (Lennon/McCartney)

The Parton kids have been pretty industrious this summer. Fox has been a great task master and is earning cash wherever and whenever he can helping out at home, did some weeding at Gramma Judi’s, and Grandpa Wendell has made him the official grass cutter at his house. He’s also been down to the shop with Rob to work on occasion. Ben and Ethan try to help out with jobs too on a smaller scale; I had them all out weeding at my house yesterday. Fox has set a goal to save $500 by the end of the year. He may just do it. Got any odd jobs you need an almost 12-year-old to help with, give him a call!

Alex got her first check from Burger King last Friday. We had a little difference of opinion on how the money should be handled. I want her to learn good habits from the start and not just blow her check. The deal was if she got a job that half had to go into savings for college. She’s learning how fast money goes. I also talked to her about tithing or giving into a non-profit organization, you know, for good financial karma. She’s also going to check into getting a bank account on her own, that I am not signed on to. We had a problem a while back where the bank wiped out her account because Rob and I were behind on payments. Since we were signers on her account they apparently had the right to take it. That was an extremely frustrating eye-opener.

Ethan got a Toys ‘R Us Gift Card from Grandpa Q for his birthday present so we stopped by one today so he could spend his wad. I swear they have more fun just running through the aisles trying everything then they do actually choosing something. Finally he decided on adding to his ‘Cars’ collection and got the Lightening McQueen Mack Hauler, a Trunk Fresh Pitty, and a desperately needed new set of swim goggles (his old ones had a worn strap and kept filling up with water). He also bought boxes of Nerds for him and his brothers. Nice gesture.

And lastly here is a link to an article about one of the boys from GTC that made it into the VISA Championships.

http://madisonparknews.com/Homepage-Articles/2009/6-17-09/sports/rochester-gymnast.asp

Within You, Without You (Harrison)

We were talking – about the space
between us all
And the people – who hide themselves
behind a wall of illusion
Never glimpse the truth – then it’s far
too late – when they pass away.
We were talking – about the love we all
could share – when we find it
to try our best to hold it there – with
our love
With our love – we could save the world
– if only they knew.
Try to realize it’s all with in yourself
no one else can make you change
And to see you’re really only very small,
and life flows on within you and without
you.
We were talking – about the love that’s
gone so cold and the people,
Who gain the world and lose their soul –
they don’t know – they can’t see – are
you one of them?
When you’ve seen beyond yourself
then you may find, peace of mind, is
waiting there –
And the time will come when you see
we’re all one, and life flows on within
you and without you.

With several strange and sudden deaths I've been indirectly related to over the past year and the current health challenges of my mother (I can hardly bring myself to say the 'C' word) I find myself contemplating how purposeful and purposeless our lives are. If we are all put here for a reason, what is it? Whether our time on earth is short or lengthy there is some divine plan behind it however significant or insignificant it may appear. What measures will we take to preserve life or end it? What limits are we restrained by, how much can we take, how far can we go? Does it even matter? I'd say ultimately yes, but we're never going to fully understand it as we're going through it, just plow ahead and hope for the best.

My mother, Judi, is back at Karmanos for the week having her IL2 treatments. Please keep her lifted up, although the treatment is believed to be beneficial overall, the process is very taxing on the system. She has refered to it as her elixer of life. I say Amen to that!

**more editing fun with some photos I took July 4th at the Memorial Park.

Birthday (Lennon/McCartney)

Happy 8th Birthday to Ethan!

Being that Ethan's birthday is the day after the 4th he usually gets shorted in the celebration department. For several years he had cake at camping, one year we had a family reunion in Boyne City, but he has never really had an official kids party. Next year Rob and I are going to make an effort for that to happen. Today we hung out at my mom's house, went down to the park to swim in the pool, ate ice cream cake, and he opened his presents from Gramma Judi. He didn't really get many presents, at the campground the aunts and uncles and grandparents all gave him some money, his brothers got him some cheap toys from the five-and-dime that are already broken. Rob got him a nerf football yesterday when we went up to the fireworks which went over pretty big. I told him for his gift we'd find time and I'd take him to the driving range. He is big into hitting golf balls, many of which are now at the bottom of our pond. My brother and dad are going to take him for another golf lesson and Ethan wants to play a round too. But that will be sometime later in the summer when we can schedule it. Thankfully the kid pretty much goes with the flow but his birthday is never par for the course.

Here Comes the Sun (Lennon/McCartney)

Saturday the weather was gorgeous, perfect for the 4th. I unfortunately had a major case of the sleepies and not only slept in but napped. Rob puttered around getting the geothermal out line unclogged and started re-assessing the roofing needs for next weekend.

Early evening we headed up to North Branch and had some pizza, pop and cookies in Memorial Park, the boys played some nerf football catch and then we walked over to the high school football field to watch the fireworks. Alex had work 3-8 and met us up there with a few buddies in tow. All in all a pretty mellow 4th of July.

Yesterday (Lennon/McCartney)

From top right: brothers Wendell & Rick; cousins R.J. & Ethan;

girl cousins Taylor, Alex & Riley; Me & Chloe; Benjamin!;

Gramma Genny, Ethan, Grandpa Wendell, Alex; Ethan, Fox, Ben;

Fox, the reading machine.

Everybody’s a Parton.

Weather was a bummer for camping this year, the entire week was cold and rainy. The only day they got to the beach was Sunday when they first arrived. As Alex and I made our way up to Port Austin yesterday to pick the boys up the sun decided to make a long awaited appearance. It was the warmest it had been all week and we were still in hoodies! Usually when I head to collect them we spend the day on the beach, not so this year, instead we made a trip into Caseville. Oddly enough that was my first visit in all the years the kids had camped up there with Gramma and Grandpa. Not much there, the whole strip is maybe three blocks, in the five-and-dime Alex found a sign I just had to take a pix of – Anti Stress Therapy: Bang Head Here, and I also captured a serenely charming door among all the holiday weekend hubbub. I took it specifically for a friend who developed a fascination (Shout out to Penny!). Back at the campsite we grabbed some chow and I went for a walk with the boys. The red flag was up at the beach and you could hardly walk without getting your shoes wet. I wasn’t going barefoot like those other crazy people. Instead we stuck to the road around the campground. Chatted with the family, kanoodled with baby, Chloe Lynn (2 mo.), had cake in honor of Ethan’s 8th birthday, and then rounded up the troops to head back to the homestead. On the way I snapped a couple pictures from the car of what looked to me like a rip in the sky. In Bad Axe we checked out a second hand store called ‘The Jungle’ that had lots of video games, books, music, costumes, and some awesome sunglasses. Ethan had birthday money so I let him buy a Gameboy game. Fox had money so he bought a game. Ben sold a game. Alex talked Fox into buying a game for her. I got a Rippingtons CD. Overwhelmed by whimsy I made one more stop at a church on M-53 I always thought was picturesque for one last photo session. I’m sure you’ll be seeing the result in future postings. Good day, nice break.

Maxwell's Silver Hammer (Lennon/McCartney)

Well my ‘vacation’ week certainly turned out to be interesting. With the boys away I thought it would be laid back, relaxing, productive, rejuvenating, but it didn’t quite pan out as I expected. Going under the guise that “everything happens for a reason” I suppose events worked out as they should even if it was a somewhat emotional roller coaster. It was good I could stay an extra day with my mother and be a buffer for her and my brother. It was also beneficial to be able to work on her hi-speed computer which helped me complete my editing work on time. I anticipated getting a lot more decluttering, organizing and cleaning done around the house but decided to cut my losses in some areas and save it for later. I did get the boys’ bathroom deep cleaned as well as giving their room a good going over (gotta clear out those little goodies under the beds and dressers every now and again). The rest of the house got a decent general cleaning but I still need to conquer once and for all my office and our second kitchen which is basically a big storage area for deal-with-later items. The weather was rather inclement this week so I didn’t really get out walking or riding other than one day at my mother’s. But the hammer dropped with the third phone conversation regarding the dating wannabes. Blame it on hormones maybe but I’m afraid my intensely presented satya (truthfulness) may not have helped matters and has brought my state of ahimsa (nonviolence) into serious jeopardy. Today I’m heading up to Port Austin to pick up the boys and I really hope we can have a fun time at the fireworks together as a family.

Friday Fill-In

1. When I heard Michael Jackson was dead I thought it was a hoax at first.

2. A merry heart is the best medicine.

3. It's late, but hopefully never too late.

4. Stay true to your heart always.

5. My eyes have seen far too many 24 episodes lately.

6. Sometimes I feel things to strongly.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to having the boys back home again, tomorrow my plans include seeing the fireworks with the family and Sunday, I want to celebrate Ethan’s 8th birthday!