loss for words

Do I have a laptop? or a notebook? I thought I had a laptop. In all the adds for laptops now they are called "notebooks". I thought a macbook was a notebook but I saw a Dell and an HP referred to as notebooks. What on earth do I all it?

First I had a car phone (aka bag phone). Then it was a mobile phone. Now they are cell phones. Everybody has a cell phone. I don't know anybody with a car phone. If I asked a teenager for their mobile number would they know what I was talking about?

This reminds me of when I was a kid. We wore thongs. I won't disclose if I wear a thong now but I for sure have lots of flip flops.

It's Raining. It's Pouring.

We woke up to RAIN! What a cozy way to spend the day at home. Indoors. Making waffles. Drinking coffee. Reading in the window seat. Relaxing.

But we had school and work so that makes the rain not near as much fun.

 The kids LOVE walking in the rain for some reason. That involved us hunting down much needed rain gear at 7:35 this morning.

1. Abe's Anorak. Pretty sure it is still in the camper. Not to fret! He can wear mine. I'm not sure why mine wasn't in the camper but anywho - a little big - but he's a trooper.

2. Abe's umbrella. I specifically bought him his own big boy umbrella last year. Today, however, all we could find was a HUGE Mary Poppins black  umbrella and his teeny weeny Spider Man umbrella. Not to fret! He dug through last years backpack in the closet and found his very own (right sized) umbrella.

3. A rain cover for Abe's homemade kite. The kite is in progress and so it could not get wet. It is awkward without the rain. Not to fret! We found a BIG (way TOO big) yellow plastic sack that his entire kite fit in. As well as any elementary kid who may need cover from the rain on the way to school.

I wish I had a picture of my little guy today. I don't so this word picture will have to do.

a rain jacket to his knees. a lunch box in one hand. a BIG yellow plastic bag in one hand. his camo umbrella (somehow)  He left whistling- happy as a lark. walking to school in the rain.

I am pretty sure he forgot to put on his glasses.

there she goes

My baby girl is 20.

Twenty.

10 + 10 = 20

She is grown up.

She left today.

All by herself.

She packed and loaded her car all by herself.

Except for the chair her dad shoved into the backseat for her.

She moved back to college.

She will be a junior. (gulp)

She went all by herself.

We aren't hauling a loft bed that she will wind up not using.

No dorm fridge or XL twin sheets.

We aren't moving furniture for an apartment.

No bed . No dresser. No garage sale jewels for decorating.

Everything is still there from the spring.

The only think missing is her. And her clothes. And her floral chair.

And my waffle iron that is older than her. I'm glad she took it.

And she took the cute old metal typing stand that we painted watermelon pink.

And she drove away.

This is the first year I did not cry.

I wonder why that is.

I'm going up for a visit Friday.

I can hardly wait to see her.

Summer projects

Our little camper! Nuff said about that!

My buffet from the Opera House garage sale. The door fell off when we brought it into the house and Randy said he would not pay me two plug nickels for the thing. In the end he made it look like a million bucks!

Randy and Annie recovered this chair. It was gold velvet. Last summer that was vintage - cool.  This summer that was ugly It will be going to a new home in Manhattan next week. Boo!

Annie painted a record album for Grandma's birthday. Of course, to make things even I got one, too!

Paint by number - my serving tray! There is only one person in my life who would understand "number shopping." Pam and I went on the hunt for the perfect number! She found the perfect #3 at the hardware store for me. Her and I are "2 peas in a pod." No pun intended.

More paint by numbers. I have had this stool for 25 years and it has been orange and red. I have an obsession with numbers. Could you tell? Everytime Randy is painting he asks me "why number so and so?" Really? Are you serious? Don't be asking me that. I have no answer. 

Aunt Sarah

I have my first guest blogger. Abe has been spending the summer with Aunt Sarah. Here is a recap from this week that she sent me on facebook.  I have added my thoughts in red. I only wish Aunt Sarah had been keeping me posted all summer long!

On the way to TKD on Monday,
I said, "this is going to be cole and abe's last year at Roosevelt and I am so sad"
Abe says, "i cannot wait for next summer!"
I said, "why?"
Abe says, "because I am going to get my cell phone!"
Me: I'm not sure who Abe will be calling or texting. However he still talks non stop about his own cell phone.

This morning as Abe and I are sitting on the porch watching Annie work
I said, "do you think you might paint some with Annie next summer?"
Abe says, "no, I am going to be working in our shop"
I said, "oh, what shop?"
Abe said, "the one we are getting ready to buy really soon, to redo stuff and sell it"
I said, "that will be fun"
Abe says, "you can babysit kids at our shop, Aunt Sarah"
I said, "great, can you be in charge of the lunch menu!"
Me: Everyday I say how I want to open my own shop. I have so much junk to get rid of and I keep bringing more home. Lunchtime is an issue with all those kids. I do not think that there is one thing that all of them like. You throw in the peanut allergy and celiac - I'm not sure how Aunt Sarah did it all summer.


About 30 minutes ago,
Abe says, "Aunt Sarah, guess what? I just defeated Kung Fu Panda!"
I said, "Great!"


Moral of the story...Abe has BIG plans for next summer and you might consider his plan, because here at the Boese house it is ALL about Kung Fu Panda ; )
Me: All Abe wants is an X-Box. Thanks to both of his uncles for the encouragement. My thoughts have always been once we get the cool stuff at our house it won't be fun anymore at the Aunt and Uncles house. Right?  RIGHT??

I am wearing yellow

and other strange tidbits....

I realize that I never wear yellow. Yellow seems like it should be on a swimsuit cover up. I have a new shirt that is very summery yellow. I am wearing it today for the first time. It has made me happy today. Maybe there is truth to that "color controlling your emotions"  theory. Who can be sad when they are walking Sunshine?

I really love nutella. I have been having it every single day for lunch on a rice cake. Yummo! I noticed today that the rice cake had an allergy warning on the package. It said "may contain soy or wheat." HUH? The only ingredient is rice. I don't know whether the allergy label laws are helpful or if they make the food industry go way overboard. How am I to take that??

It is HOT!  Despite the intense heat, yesterday I was thankful for three little things that occurred at the same time in my life

1. Ice cold airconditiong in my blazer
2. Ice cold Route 44 Cherry Limeade Slushy
3. "Little Red Corvette" blaring from my car stereo

We looked at a house.  Across the street. We may zigzag our way down Maple Street. But then again - it doesn't seem likely.  Neat house but not one I can see our family in. We'd love to "flip" it. I have talked to one potential investor today. I still have wonderful visions for the house! (I'm always looking - you just never know!)

My flowers are awful. The heat is just beating them up. Every May when I am planting new flowers I know that the day will come (today - actually) when I am ready to pull them all out and call it good. It always seems so far off in the future and then WHAM! It's here. Time to pull the flowers.

I am sore today from my Y Pump class. I am sore in very strange spots.

I don't diet but I have stopped eating any snack that would come out of a box. Or out of a plastic bag. We'll see how that works for me. I have high expectations. I hope I'm not disappointed.

I am looking for the perfect pair of cowboy boots. I am returning yet another pair. I can't seem to find exactly what I'm looking for. Someday I will find them. I want it to be sooner than later.

I heard about a book called Moloka'i. Nobody I know has heard of it. However, today I read a review about in on a random blog. That there was my sign. I think it is strange when that kind of stuff happens but I love it.

I accidentally dialed a wrong number (does anybody do that on purpose?) and it was awkward for several reasons. I hope they did not think I did that on purpose (does anybody do that on purpose?) because I was trying to call my brother and got two numbers mixed up. In some ways  life was so much simpler before caller ID.

it's the least wonderful time of the year

August. It's August. IT IS AUGUST!

How did that happen?

When did it happen?

I have never ever liked August. No. Not ever.

I cried when I took my girls back on the first day of school.

I do not like it. Not one bit.

Early bedtimes. Early mornings.

Annie is moving back to college on Saturday.  Even though she has been in and out all summer - she has been within arms reach. For me to hug. For me to have a cup of coffee with. For me to annoy with my annoying questions such as "Can I STILL wear this?" or "Help me find a shirt to go with these shorts....PLEASE"  She painted our camper. She cleans up the kitchen. She hangs out with Abe. I will miss her terribly. I also have a feeling this may have been her last summer home. Which really makes me weepy.

Abe will start fifth grade. That is almost more than I can even say out loud. The last year of elementary school. Didn't I just "practice" taking him to kindergarten? Didn't I just talk to the principle and his teacher. The reassured me he would be just fine.  I wasn't so sure.

What if he has to go to the bathroom?
What if he hungry?
How will he carry the lunch tray?
What if somebody teases him?
What if he needs a hug?
What if he is thirsty?
What if he is tired?
He doesn't know all of his letters....

Next year at this time (GULP) he will be heading to middle school. I am happy to announce that he does know all of his letters. Still......

August.

BOO!