Nunc Cavitum

We done did the dentist deed, today.

Looky Ma, don't have no cav-ties!

We be needin' to yankum toothum from Trevorum.

In Septum.

It rainin' and lightni'.

Outsid-in'.

Nowsa gwoin ta readsie Lemony Snickity seriosum.

Den, me needum sleepum.
 

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A Tale of Two Hearts

As some of you may have heard, we had a little "incident" with Nolan, on Sunday afternoon. It was discovered that he'd called 911, three times in a row. The sheriff was on his way when the dispatcher got hold of Loren to ask if there was really an emergency. Thankfully, we got the call canceled.

Makes it hard to relax when there's a kid like that in the family.

He was unaware--as are many people--that's it's illegal to do this, prank-wise. And the thought of fines or jail time fell a bit hard on his shoulders (I guess Loren and I may have laid it on rather thick, to try and get him to comprehend the seriousness of the situation).

So this morning, with Loren's consent, I called the sheriff's office and asked if I could bring my errant son over to apologize. The lady said that was totally up to us, but these calls happen a lot. I mean, a lot. She also said we could handle it over the phone, but I thought it would make a bigger impact if we took care of it in person. Besides providing some type of consequence for Nolan, I also wanted the sheriff's office to understand that we didn't take this lightly.

When I informed Nolan that this would take place, his immediate response was to burst in to tears and exclaim, "I can't do that !"

"Well, I think you need to....(etc.)..."

So we did.

Kinda tough for him, but necessary. The officer was quite good, taking us outside for privacy and doing a gentle interrogation. Probably more than Nolan was expecting, but it all worked out and they shook hands at the end.

So let's hope and pray his heart makes good use of the experience.
____________________

In the physical realm, Derek went in for his scheduled cardioversion, this afternoon. He's been in atrial fibrillation since before June, when they discovered it at his last routine check-up.

Never skip routine check-ups!

It's the third time this has taken place, and probably the last before putting in a pacemaker. Derek didn't want to have the hassle of that type of procedure at this point in time, while working at his co-op, so he opted for another cardioversion.

Loren drove down and picked him up at his apartment in Cedar Rapids, after Derek put in a half day at work. Then they proceeded to the University of Iowa Children's Hospital.

Derek was successfully converted, though it took three tries (I think it took two, last time).

Anyway.

That's done and Loren should get home in time to crash-n-sleep.

It seems like a full enough day.
 

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And Then There Were Two

Two healthy people, that is.

Ethan woke up a sickie, leaving Loren and myself to await our fate.

But thankfully, Kendra was feeling better by yesterday, able to pack up the blue Toyota and head for Indiana, this morning.

She arrived safely, so now we have two out of three collegiates back to their campuses. Derek will return to LeTourneau after Christmas.

And speaking of Derek, I'll have some more news on him, Monday night, so stayed tuned.

As to today, a fair amount was accomplished.

My second day of doing all the dishes, but it actually works better, since I don't have to do "make up" dishes that the younger crew can't handle. That simply means that even though I have to do all the dishes while everyone's sick, I don't spend a lot of time, each time.

Also washed and folded six loads of laundry; three for myself and three for Ethan, who as I may have mentioned, is ailing.

Then I took the two youngest over to the local park, where I'd agreed to take care of some perennial borders. I figured they could clear out their sinuses in the fresh air, while I worked.

They tired of that before I'd finished, and began imploring me to quit and go because, "We'll never make it without stopping for a drink on the way home!"

I staved them off with promises of chocolate milk, at the house. But they were absolutely whipped. After a while, Nolan just went and sat in the car instead of playing.

And you should have seen Trevor this evening! He'd fallen asleep on the couch while I was rushing to clean three bathrooms (that's another thing I felt compelled to do for the sickies, though I wasn't terribly thorough).

But getting back to Trevor, after much coaxing and prodding whilst I was pretending to clean, I discovered him standing by the stairway, leaning against the door, apparently snoozing in the upright position.

First I thought he was kidding around, but it became obvious that he was only semi-awake. Had to enlist a sick brother to get his jams for him, because walking up the stairs looked pretty dangerous in his condition. I ended up carrying him to bathroom and then bed. The kid was seriously impaired, mobility-wise.

Naturally, he came down an hour later because he "couldn't sleep." Gave him more Benadryl and took him back to dreamland.

Speaking of which....
 

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Great Day

Why, you ask? Well I'll tell you.

Ma got on the scale this morning for the big, depressing ("Oh-great-how-far-up-did-we-go-THIS-time") weigh-in, and discovered (Ta-DAH!) I hadn't regained NEAR-ly as much as I'd thought :-D

This may not seem like news to anyone else, but it's HUGE to me! (ha, ha, just a small corpulent joke, there)

(and now, I'll try to refrain from parenthesized talk and exclamation points, as in....after this paragraph)

Today was the first day of OMTANMe, or "One Month To A New Me."

Every good endeavor needs an acronym, right? And by the way, the accent goes on the second syllable..."om-TAN-Me," with an "ah" pronunciation, rather than short "a," as in "cat." Accuracy is very important. Particularly if I get interviewed by the The New York Times, or the equally famous, Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman .

But all finer linguistic points aside, the important thing to remember is that I'll be giving regular reports on my progress, with my usual, non-narcissistic flair.

Have a great day, everyone!
 

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Apologies to Tennyson

"Into the valley of sepsis, rode the Ma Ton-dred

Germs to the right of her.
Germs to the left of her.
Germs all around her,
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Stormed with sneeze and sniffle.
Boldly she rode amongst issues,
Into the jaws of Disease,
Into the mouth of Puff's tissues
Rode the Ma Ton-dred."

So as you may have guessed, we have a lotta sick peoples, hereabouts.

Everyone but Loren, Ethan and moi-self.

Good thing El Hubbo and I skedaddled off last night...everyone was worse, this morning. And I got the last measure of good health from Ethan to finish up the lawn. Now he can feel free to get sick.

Speaking of tonnage, Ma has come to a decision...you guessed it, ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO LOSE WEIGHT!

As of tomorrow;
--no more diet pop
--no more chocolate (yes, I think I'll have to go off it, cold turkey...at least for a while)
--no more bagels. Or butter.
--not much bread at all, in fact
--no ice cream
--no more chips
--more exercise (we hope, anyway)

And what will Ma do for a food fix?

I plan to keep cold, dill pickles, on hand. And it won't be long before the Honey Crisp apples will be back in stores.

All this, in an attempt to feel better, get back into some different clothes, negate some of the aches and pains, stave off Type II Diabetes, and pare down a bit before the trip to Canada, in October.

I oughtta be able to hold out for a month, right?

My only exception might be if I need a Diet Coke to stay awake during a long drive.

Will this mean those annoying weigh-ins and reports?

OH yes.

Into the Valley of death, rode the Ma Ton-dred.
 

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Just an ordinary day

Well, except for Kendra getting the last wisdom tooth extracted. But that went very well. I didn't even have time to sit down and do my crossword after hitting Wal*Mart, Goodwill and the grocery store.

That baby was pulled out in less than 15 minutes, start to finish. The only reason I had time for retail therapy was that they asked to do her regular check and clean, first.

I returned to the dentist office and heard one of nurses leaving a message for someone to call back, and discovered she was calling my phone! There was Kendra, sitting in the reception area, looking quite pert for someone with a wad of gauze in her mouth.

For some reason my phone was set to "vibrate," or I probably would have heard the call that Kendra was done. But no harm. She only had to wait 5 minutes.

As we walked to the car, Kendra commented, "Boy, that nitrous oxide is great! Wish I had some of that to put me to sleep every night..." Said she had the urge to break out in laughter with the gas, too.

What a nice change from her first episode of wisdomic teeth shattering and smashing pulling. I doubt the dentist even minded when he noticed her checking her pulse, heh, heh. Probably expects that from our family, by now.

On the sickie front, Nolan is fairly miserable with a head cold. Large doses of videos and sniffing seem to help, but in the end, he's just going to have to wait it out.

Thankfully, Ethan and Carolyn aren't sick (yet), allowing them to make a batch of bread. Ethan also helped with more mowing, today. It's not nearly so bad when you only mow for an hour and there's no heat advisory.

Who knew?

Melinda has been picking raspberries, and as I may have mentioned before, they are simply luscious added to plain yogurt with a bit of sugar. YUM!

We also had squash, cucumbers and tomatoes from the garden, for lunch. The tomatoes are on their last legs however, thanks to the blight. There's always next year. I have a fool proof plan!

I mean besides not planting them.

In upcoming events, our school will (theoretically) start in two weeks. I'll just have to see if there's enough energy. Feeling somewhat punk, zip-wise, and the random aches and pains of this ol' body are not helping me get my old spunk, back. I may have to break down and lose weight, who knows...

Yep. Just as soon as I feel up to it.
 

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Approaching Normal

Nothing urgent today, other than a bit of mowing and sending off a coupla textbooks to Jason that he'd forgotten in the attic. Naturally, I utilized my famous wrapping technique, which basically involves encasing the box in clear packing tape, wound in intricate patterns handed down from generation to generation.

It's so secret, I don't even know what it is, but make it up as I go, secure in the knowledge that no one on earth will be wrapping a package in quite the same way as moi.

Ethan helped me mow, so it was no great strain, particularly since we only did "half the half." Several kids show signs of a cold, however, so I may be on my own for the next few days, in regards to mowing, dishes, etc.

Before I forget,here's a 28-picture synopsis of our afternoon (last Thursday) at the beach with van Wichens. It was a banner event, as Loren even went along.

Pine Lake with van Wichens

Tomorrow, Kendra will have her last wisdom tooth extracted. Don't know if the dentist will let me come back and take candid shots of the blood and gore, but I suppose it won't hurt to ask.

I'll try to take notes of all the great stuff she gabs about on the way home, while she's still "under the influence."

And I foresee picking up some soft foods and clear liquids.

Guess that nixes "normal," again.
 

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Is It Summer, Yet?

I feel like the last six weeks were getting ready or getting over, something.

Oh wait...they were.

1. One week to get ready for Family Camp (and mow).

2. Family Camp (most of one week).

3. One week to get ready for the Hoyt Reunion and mow after Family Camp.

4. Hoyt Reunion (one week)

5. One week to mow the grass (twice, and I don't care if I already said that in another post) that grew during the Hoyt Reunion and prepare for the van Wichen family visit.

6. Visit from Robert and Laurel van Wichen (good times!).

That makes 6 weeks, or half the summer.

Now I have two weeks until school starts and I haven't even finished half the summer school projects with the boys.

But first...

...I have to mow.
 

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It's So.....Quiet

Normally I would like this, but it seems rather eerie, today.

This morning was "leavin' day" for the van Wichens, from New Zealand.

Time to break camp.
Carolyn, Ethan and Nolan truly enjoyed sleeping in tents for the first time in their lives.

Amidst all the packing-up hub-bub, some napping occurred.
I'll let you decide who put who to sleep...

Wow. Everything has to be packed, "just so."
This reminds me so much of Bruce (Laurel's father) packing up the back of their rental van, when they visited our house in Indiana, many years ago.

There were a few last minute shenanigans amongst the cousins.


Estelle, holding Hendrick, as the van begins boarding.


They all got off, and then we noticed a nice water bottle/thermos had been left in our kitchen, so we called and they drove back, heh, heh.
It belonged to someone with the initials, "Robert van Wichen."

Here is the whole crew, standing next to good ol' Iowa corn.
Starting from left, and alternating: Conrad, Ilse, Annamarie, Rachael (back), Laurel (mum), baby Hendrick, Robert (dad), Estelle (down, in front), Daniel, Jonathon.

The general atmosphere in the household is one of subdued apathy, with bursts of blah-dom, permeating throughout. Tomorrow Jason will leave, and then we'll slide further into our depression. And when Kendra leaves in another week, we shall quite likely sink into despair, with the realization that our "fun" summer is over, and we must needs get back to...real life.

Pity.
 

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The Fun Continues

For one thing, I've gotten a nap both yesterday and today. Good times at the Hoytstead, people!

Robert was helping out in the garden, again, and quite a bit has been cleared away. I can foresee actually being caught up :-)

The boys have been fixing up various bikes and racing off down the gravel road, so we don't have quite as many useless hunks of metal with two wheels sitting behind the garage.

Tomorrow we may go to the lake. Trouble is, it's under a yellow, or "Swimming Not Recommended," declaration. Which is not exactly "Beach Closed," so we'll see. Our family has swum under similar conditions before, and lived to tell about it...

Tonight's menu was spaghetti pie, grapes and peas, with chocolate pudding cake and ice cream for dessert. Thanks go to Kendra for running back to the store for cottage cheese, RIGHT after I'd returned with everything, BUT that item.

My brain. It needs help.

Then Robert played the very first "Wooster and Jeeves" for us, off his computer. He's downloaded all the episodes from YouTube, in segments, and passed them along :-D

Ahhhh!

Now it's another night in the tent for most. They all slept great last night, so Ma is vindicated (see yesterday's post).

I mean, I knew I was right, but it's always nice for other people to realize that, as well.

Someday the whole world will know, and that'll be fun, too.
 

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Picture Post

Been having a wonderful time with the rellies, here at the Hoytstead :-D

Playing "Deal." The living room appears to be pert near filled up.


Closeup of Trevor, holding the cutesome Hendrick.
Hendrick is much in demand :-)

Rachel, practicing on our wanting piano. There appear to be lots of black notes on the page!


Kendra discusses strategy with Estelle, in a hotly contested game of "Capture the Flag."


Jason and Derek came up this evening. Jason will be staying with us a few days until he returns to LeTourneau for the fall semester.

Jason, normally loathe to have his picture taken, was too involved in the game to notice me snapping this action shot of him running into the sun.


Hmmmm....there appear to be quite a few in the lock-up....


Derek just came up for supper, a haircut and a vehicle.

Receiving instruction from Loren on the finer points of the minivan.
Derek's taking it back to Cedar Rapids so he can have transportation, now that Jason won't be there to act as chauffeur.

Fun times, tonight! And there were no leftovers after supper, so Ma either planned it just right, or people are too nice to say they are still hungry.

There was a hot debate over whether the boys would all come inside to sleep in the boys' room. Ethan claims they only had 3 hours of rest last night. It's not MY fault they stay up yakking to all hours. Besides, all of Jason's personal belongings now reside on the floor of said room.

Then they complained that the ground was too hard, and they wanted to sleep in Bells' camper. But alas, the girls are using it as their changing boudoir, so they don't have to pack all their clothes bags into the tent.

THEN it was suggested that the girls could sleep in the camper one night, and the boys, the next...."No, NO...we don't want to move all our stuff out and them move it right back in...!"

ANYWAY, after much presenting of cases and arguing back and forth, Ma told them to "Just suck it up and sleep out in the tents, all of you."

Sometimes you have to get tough.

I'll be thinking of them as I softly snore in our queen-sized bed.
 

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Monday, Monday...

So, we got lots o' cleanin' done, this morning. Ma even swept up the spilled birdseed shells (which the mice had eaten) in the pantry. Yes, I keep birdseed in the pantry. I also keep it in a mouse-proof container, now.

Then I hustled off to the grocery store, again, where I only forgot one critical item. Sent Kendra in for that, while I laid down to rest my poor decrepit brain.

Decrepit in the sense of finding myself standing in the middle of the kitchen and wondering what I was going to do. I don't even get as far as the cupboard or fridge, anymore. I'm having my senior moments in the middle of the kitchen, with nary a clue to where I was headed. That can't be a good sign.

So, feeling the need for McDonald's renewal, I stopped off at the Micky D's after I hit the Wally World. It took all my self-control to not bring attention to their behindness in processing orders. Besides, I didn't want to interrupt the social networking in which they were heavily engaged.

To top it off, all that was left of the newspaper was the sports section. There was little to do but ruminate on the mayo squishing out of my sandwich and the elevator shoes worn by one of the employees.

But getting back to the Hoytstead, we are having a bang up time, so far! Ma got to hold baby Hendrick, soothe him with a few of my famous baby songs, and start teaching him that all important phrase, "Aunt-Becky-the-Great!"

I can tell he really wants to say it.

Most of the kids (somewhere in the neighborhood of 10-20) are outside playing various versions of "Hide-n-Seek" and "Hunt the Grey Wolf," which I also like to call, "Let's-see-if-a-skunk-wanders-by-while-you-guys-are-sleeping-in-your-tents, ha, ha."

All my boys have opted to sleep in tents with their cousins, tonight. At my suggestion, Trevor also took out Pooky Bear.

We'll see how THAT goes. I told him I wouldn't be available if he got scared (mostly because I will be too scared to go back outside in the dark with him).

And now, I think it's time to get some youngin's ready for their first night outside...
 

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Finally!

Got done with the lawn.

Got Picasa to upload my pictures.

Got the album fixed up and captioned.

Even if you don't go through all 63 pictures, at least look at the first one...it's priceless.

Kain & Nancy Wedding

I do apologize for not blogging much, of late. The lawn, this week, very nearly became a part-time job. Yes, it was almost 20 hours, I kiddeth not.

Ridiculous, but necessary to whip it into shape after being neglected last week. Now, if only it doesn't rain for a few days...

Kendra has been cleaning like a house afire, today. She worked up in the girls' room, but most horrendously, went through all three couches in the living room. She's suggested we dumped them and get bean bag chairs, instead. Personally, that would make lot of sense, since those crazy couches collect a LOT of dust, not to mention debris. Trevor found a long lost library book, down inside the lining.

Now I know where to hide when I want to get away from people.

Carolyn kept the young lads on their toes this morning, whipping that room into shape. It looks SO much better. Ethan swept it, as well as the addition. And he weed-whacked for me yesterday, in the terrible heat.

Loren was cleaning up in the garage, not to mention getting several cars fixed up, this week.

Oh yes...Carolyn also baked up 3 green tomato pies, for Loren's birthday, tomorrow. It was really last night, be we went to the wedding, and we've been knocking ourselves out getting ready for next week.

Still more to be done, hopefully tomorrow and Monday.

One thing I refuse to do next week, and that's mow the lawn. There will be enough able bodies here to perform that chore, and frankly, I'm just about sick of it, having mowed on four separate days this week.

I'm assuming we don't have to mow, in heaven.
 

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Just so you know....

...we haven't disappeared off the face of the earth.

We've been busy cleaning. OK, Kendra's been busy cleaning.

I was securing groceries for about 15 people or so, who'll be here next week. Also, mowing today in the extreme heatiness of the-summer-that-just-won't-quit. And throwing supper in the oven. And THEN getting cleaned up for a wedding.

Finished mowing at 4:05 and we left for the wedding at 5:15.

This included several consultations with Trevor and Nolan concerning clothes, not unlike Hugh Grant in the movie, Two Weeks Notice (which Kendra, Carolyn and I watched, later)

Really, if those boys ever grow up and are able to take care of themselves, IT WILL BE A MIRACLE. I should stop helping them, but then I look bad when they show up in public with mismatched attire and quite possibly, no socks.

And I don't think holding up a sign, "Don't mind the lack of a shirt, I'm teaching them responsibility..." will cut it.

It's the classic Catch 22 of motherhood.

But I digress.

I should have a Picasa album up of the wedding, tomorrow (or later today, as it were). And someday I might even get one up from the Hoyt reunion.

After I finish mowing the lawn twice in one week, that is.
 

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Don't worry...

...no "sweaty Ma" pictures, tonight.

It was strictly a stay inside kinda day. Well, except for when I went out to get my hair cut. Figure it will take off at least 1/8 of a pound or so, and you KNOW how careful I am about my weight.

Trevor and Nolan asked to go along, which I thought was rather charming...wanting to be with their chère maman and all, in her hour of mi-nute makeover.

First thing they asked Beth when I stepped to the chair was, "Can we play with the toys?"

So that, plus their inquiry to visit the park afterward, pretty well nixed my dreams of wanting to spend time with Mommy.

I guess they had their fill of Ma-time in the 16-drive back from Texas.

Next year, separate vacations!

In "getting ready for the rellies" news, I actually pulled out the stove and washed up the horrible mess of dusty/greasy ick that was behind, alongside, and underneath.

Only found 3 Legos, so it's clear that I have cleaned that section of the house in the past coupla years.

But frankly, someone needs to develop a self-cleaning option for the out-side of the stove. I mean, something other than large amounts of gasoline, a lighted match, and a new address in another state.

I also cleaned off my desk. Basically. The pile of "books to be read" is smaller, and my file folders with all the school records of the last 7 years are standing up, for the moment. My passport also turned up, not that it was lost. I had stuck it behind some books so no one (read: Nolan) would come and "borrow" it. But I forgot to leave a note saying where I'd stashed it, not to mention another note telling me where to look for the first note.

So anyway, I'm cleared to leave the country.

Kendra has taken on the job of "Cleaning Supervisor," which gives her vast authority in the realm of telling the other kids what to do. And actually, I am more---than---happy to let her. Youthful enthusiasm....just what this joint needs! I can putter around with my various...*cough*....cleaning projects (some of which involve napping), secure in the knowledge that I don't have to oversee everything, or even--horror of horrors--deep clean the couches.

Kids. Every once in a while they pay off.
 

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A New Record

For working hard, that is.

Had to be the most difficult mowing experience, ever.

Partly because of my age, weight, the tall grass, the excessive heat, and mowers that are hard to push.

I call it the perfect storm.

My right hand has a couple of muscle twitches from gripping the handle so hard during this day-of-dripping-sweatiness. It's really quite funny to watch the thumb and first finger moving back and forth, involuntarily. Sorta like when Luke Skywalker was testing his artificial limb. I'm hoping it will have quit by bedtime.

Here is a picture taken just after coming in, around 7:30 or so.
I would have bumped it up in glamor with the editing program, but there's only so much you can do when you're starting with low-quality subject material, heh, heh.

Numerous times I had to get close and personal with the mower, sticking my chest against the handle and pushing with my legs to make it through that tall grass. There was NO WAY I wanted to get up in the morning and finish (especially since we'll just have to do it all over, on Friday and Saturday). I decided that even if it started to pour, I would keep going as I was already soaked. But the diminishing light from the glowering wall cloud made it difficult to see.

I won't mention the head wound from hitting a knob on the pear tree, since it didn't result in any sympathy-mongering blood. But as I stated earlier, the hardest mow of my life.

Naturally, when Trevor saw Nolan take the above picture, he had to take one, too.

"Al-right. What do you want to take a picture of?"

"Myself!"

(that's my humble little lad)

He held the camera so close that I turned it to macro mode. I think he did a great job :-) Here's the untouched photo:

I call it, "Macro by the Micro."

It's pouring rain outside, and I am most gratified. Now I can start cleaning house with a clear conscience.
 

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Oh, my aching stumps

'Cause the feet were walked off a coupla hours ago.

Finished the lawn at 7:15, and thanks to kids helping out with supper, it was only 20 minutes late, which means we dined before 8:00, ha, ha.

And it must be told that I mowed all by myself, today. Thankfully just the "easy" part around the house. Still, it was 8-10 inches tall in places.

My helper options were few, since Ethan's sick, Melinda is still working on school, Carolyn has a heart condition, and Kendra had big plans to unpack some of her 35 bags she took to the reunion.

So yes, it was up to lil' ol' Ma to sweat and groan in the 95 degree heat index.

But I'm not complaining, oh no.

Speaking of Kendra, she got a call today from one of the graduate schools to which she applied...they want an interview!

Woo Hoo! Good times in academia, fer sure.

Now she merely has to find out what one does at an interview.

Naturally I'll be coaching her on deportment, dropping my name, and my strongest point, professional dress.

But that's not all of the tributes, oh no....Sharon has officially accepted a full time position at DePuy, where she's been working, lo, these several years.

Kudos to the womenfolk!

And since I've also gotten in all my whining points, it is now time to take a hot bath and look up those old friends of mine, acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
 

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We left in July...

...and came back in August.

July 31 through August 7, to be exact, but if you don't tell people the numbers, it almost sounds as though we've been on a cruise :-)

Things are getting back to normal.

For instance, the minute I walked from the breezeway into the house I was accosted with the smell of "Dead Mouse."

(this doesn't make sense, since I un-sprung all the mouse traps before leaving)

Oh...and it was coming from the laundry room, with which I shall be communing off and on throughout the day.

So now I have yet another decision to make: Do I play "Hunt the Gray Mouse" or do I just stick a closepin on my nose when doing laundry and hope the smell fades before Laurel and Robert arrive next week?

And by the way, that term "breezeway" is something of a misnomer. There is no breeze wafting gently through that small place that houses the garden tools. It's more of an "Interim" between the garage and house. I like that term because it sounds all Latin-y and highfalutin.

"Sheol" would be another appropriate tag, but that doesn't sound nearly so light and airy as "breezeway."

On the "Oh rats I for-GOT" front, I came home and discovered I'd forgotten to put the leftover milk into the freezer before leaving. Now we not only can't have cereal, but I had to pour 3/4 of a jug of milk down the sink. It was a spoiled goner and I may has well have tossed 3 bucks in the trash.

Fortunately there are many bagels in the freezer and apples left over from the trip.

In other news, I keep hearing a clanking sound in the basement, every time one of the 3000 pumps or motors turns off and on. I'll have to remember to say something to Loren...

Also today, my sister-in-law, Cindy, should be stopping by for a quick visit. I'll just tell her to hold her nose if she has to walk past the laundry room, ha, ha.

Ethan hasn't gotten up yet, but I suppose it will do him good to sleep off his sickness. He was so hoarse yesterday that he couldn't even talk, and that's probably killing him even more than the sore throat.

Well, you know what they say: one man's curse...

Oh, and I just discovered where the dead mouse was...in the washer, underneath the first load of towels I just imbued with dead rodent aromawashed.

I can tell this is going to be a good day.


One more thing, please keep Sharon in your prayers today.

She hurt her wrists on the second day of the reunion, running into the gym wall during relay games. She had it x-rayed at an urgent care clinic. The results were inconclusive on the one, as to whether it was broken, but they wrapped it up with a splint and suggested she have follow-up with an orthopedic specialist. The other one is sore but not broken.

She has a six hour drive back to Indiana by herself, and I'm sure would appreciate your prayers.

(one last word of thanks goes to the Internet, for finally letting me post after trying for 3 hours)
 

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We Be Back!

Pulled into the old homestead just before 11:30, after almost 16 hours in the car.

Uh....yeah.

Not too bad overall, just LONG.

And some of these southern states have ridiculously hot weather...I mean, COME ON, PEOPLE! Have a heart for the visitors, is all I'm sayin'.

But getting back to the sleeping my way...uh...triping home, I could hardly get out of my somnolent state, all day. Except for that three-hour stretch when I was driving, of course. At least, I'm pretty sure I was awake...

It even poured rain and Ma had to utilize the highest wiper speed. Yes, we are talkin' the the big guns of technology!

One lame driver pulled over during the downpour, but not me, no sirree. I find you can go faster when you hydroplane, anyway.

The youngin's did pretty well, traveling, though Ethan is a little worse for wear. He came down with a sore throat a couple days ago and could barely sing for our talent selection on Friday. He's hoarse, croupy and wheezy, and I don't believe we'll be going to church tomorrow.

And now that it's after midnight and we're home, I'm suddenly awake. Who would have thought? After nodding off continually all afternoon.

Oh well, maybe I can get started on the laundry after the hot water heats up. Loren turned off half the house while we were gone, so we're cooling our heels--figuratively speaking--while the air conditioner gets up to speed and the hot water puts on a full load of steam.

(I'll bet you didn't know I had such a vast collection of trite phrases, but yes, I am talented in that area, too)

Now all I need to do is find out where the summer went and have a nice rest.
 

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And tomorrow.....home

Leaving the Big Hoyt Reunion, tomorrow morning. Just a short 15-hour trip and we shall be home.

Way behind on pictures, I know, but will have to wait until after I get back to Iowa.

At some point in this week, I'm going to need sleep, and I think that would be tonight.
 

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Pool Play and Choir Practice

Just a couple of the varied activities from day to day, at Ye Olde Hoyte Reunione.

What are Trevor and his two New Zealand cousins looking at in awe and wonder?


Ahhh. Big people. Doing cool pool wars!


Every evening there is choir practice at 4:45. Here is Chris, oldest son of Mark, taking the singers through their paces.

A lot of good singers, who read music, make for a wonderful sound. Particularly in a ringy gymnasium.

Tomorrow will be the second meal for which Ma is a kitchen helper. The main job will be to scrambled 150 eggs for egg burritos. Should be fun!

It's been a great time, but we are winding down in energy. Planning to leave on Saturday and drive straight through to Iowa.

Heard it was 110 in Dallas, today, so I'll be thinking of y'all as we drive to cooler climes in two more days.
 

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While Waiting for Laundry

Ma has cut out of the reunion doin's to take care of laundry. Hated to miss the afternoon's reader's theater, since my own baby-girl (Carolyn) has the part of Irene in The Princess and the Goblin, but dirty underwear waits for no man.

Besides, I found two one-dollar bills in the dryer, so....BONUS POINTS FOR MA!

I have five minutes before going back to take kids to swimming, so here goes:


This is just one of two wall-to-floor bookcases that were put in during the remodeling after the pick-up truck came through Mark and Lauri Anne's house...
...and that's only the non-fiction! Can you say, "Drooling in Jealousy?"

Zoo-time, today. Boy was it HOT!!

Elephants...


Flamingos...


....and Penguins, oh MY!


Gotta go, before certain young lads get desperate with their chlorine addiction.
 

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First pics of Sun/Mon

Didn't take long for the menfolk to start solving the world's problems.


Cute babies!
Sabastien is always in high demand amongst the baby-holders.

Pool play :-D


Pool police


A couple of socialites


More to come...sometime.
 

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Good, Good, Times

Sorry for not posting. I'll get to it, but am severely hampered by not being able to connect to the Internet over at the church.

Concerning the ping pong tourney, I lost in my first match. After winning the first two games, I either choked or became over confident...but hey, we had a lot of laughs!

Tonight was the English line dancing, after super and evening prayers.

Yes, you heard me...sanctified dancing!

I just sat around and took pictures. Loren has a bum leg and there are always too many womenfolk to go around, anyway.

Then my wonderful nephew, Taylor, tried to show me swing dancing, but it turns out I have practically no rhythm.

Who could have guessed?

I have to go, since Loren's laptop had a coke spilled on it last night--not mine--and is somewhat out of commission, thus, being the WONDERFUL wife that I am, I'm letting him use mine.

I'm just that nice.

No proofreading tonight, so excuse any typos.
 

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