Has it really been a week?

Well, I guess it has just been about a week since I last posted something. Like all of us, life came in and kept me busy.

Saturday we said goodbye to our dear friend who passed away a couple of weeks ago. His wife had a beautiful beach themed memorial. He was an avid fisherman, and loved being on the water, so his ashes will rest inside an "Eternal Reef Ball"  off shore.

Had lots and lots of rain. the ground is so mushy that it is leaving footprints.  This week is also back to school for our local kids. I have been shopping for the boys, getting all the supplies that are needed.  Why do they always grow over summer?  It has only been about 11 weeks, and now hardly any shorts could fit NW anymore.
Luckily we had a tax free weekend, and another this coming weekend in Georgia. Got some good deals, and even better deal at Gander Mtn. on Shoes. 
My little sprouts are no longer sprouts, they are full fledged bean poles and growing fast.

Sunday, during a dry spell, we managed to make it out to the beach for a couple of hours. We like to go late in the afternoon when it is not so crowded or hot. The tide was making its slow approach in, and Senior and I watched as the boys dug with a shovel and built what looked like a sand castle.

My brother is moving back to the East coast, this time Syracuse for 2-3 months, but he is trying to get down closer, he is a nurse anesthetist and does contracts with hospitals.  The awesome part is We get to keep his Land Rover Defender for those 2-3 months..  : )   

We finally sold my Subaru, It is nice to be out of a car payment, and watching our savings grow. Speaking of money, we now have three neighbors who have packed up and walked away from their homes, One family was because the husband passed, another family was to move in with more family and try to help them out, then the third was "just because'...   I can understand the first two...but not the "because we wanted to"  the funny thing is they left lights on, to make it look like people still live there.  Senior and I just shake our heads....

Breezes has picked up this afternoon, and clouds have increased.  I am off here to work in my little garden-unless mother nature has other plans.  But first, someone just spilled tropical punch kool aid on his white tee-shirt and my white dinning room chairs...  must go now.   : )

-JUGM

Back to School...

First day of school for our county today. Has it really been only two months ago that they got out? Our district is re-vamping our school year and the kids get out in May vice June.
Our boys popped out of bed this morning , one had toaster strudel the other a cinnamon waffle, both drank down their little glass of chocolate milk.

We left early because I knew there would be a crowd. The commandant Principle is making parents sign in, we are no longer free to walk our children to class  the first week.If she had her way about it every kid would ride the school bus, and parents would not be allowed on school grounds.  I love every thing about the school , except her--she really does need to go!.

ND has NWs first grade teacher from last year, she is an awesome right wing conservative, her husband proudly serves in our Coast Guard. During a field trip last year, she sat next to me on the bus, and we had a really good conversation about the country and its education system. She knows it is going to crap, and tries her best to be one of those teachers who actually does care about a childs education and increasing their brain functions, some of the techniques she uses to get kids to think is amazing to me.

I have only met NWs second grade teacher briefly, she is older and southern...from Arkansas. I have been told by the boys previous kindergarten teacher that she is very firm, and believes in advancing the kids who are excelling in her classroom. She is a huge Razorbacks fan, so Senior is getting NW a Carolina Gamecocks Tshirt to wear in her class...   : )

As always for another year, I drive our kids. I do not like school busses. I have no problem getting up and taking them and picking them up in the afternoons..even though the bus stop is right in front of the house. The other parents who stand outside waiting, look at me like I am a space alien. Besides, its a real thorn in the side of the Commandant for parents to drive their kids, so it is in my pleasure to do that.  : )

I treasure that last moment with our boys in the morning, when they unbuckle to get out, they kiss mommy bye, the last thing we say is our "I love yous, and have a good day". I try my best to watch them walk down the corriders to their little class rooms. And then I am there waiting in the afternoons, to hear about the school day and with a little snack for them. We get home almost an hour before the bus even drops off.

So now the house is quiet, I look at the clock and wonder what they are doing, but  I must clean this place up. I have not had time for anything over the summer. Then I am going to do some baking..double chocolate chip cookies, and surprise our little men with a afterschool treat.  : )