I’ve been taking a lot of days off, haven’t I? It’s because I’ve been working on some other projects that are causing me to pull my hair out. I stay up late, get up early and never stop in between. At this age, you would think my life would settle down, but it won’t until I do. I worry that I’m not spending my time on the right things. I think it’s called prioritizing. Yes…I’m pretty sure that’s what you call it.

I like the way this lady thinks.

Let’s see…what else?

A friend of mine commented about having a nightmare that caused her to be claustrophobic in her sleep. I think the dream was directly related to her life. She spent her day pretending she was a queen. She didn’t have a convertible, so she decided a car with a sunroof would be a good substitute. She has a friend who is willing to try hair brain ideas with her, but only one had the nightmare.

I had a nightmare too. It was so real, that I woke up in a cold sweat. I dreamed all of my teeth turned to powder. It started in the front. My two front teeth began to disintegrate. It happened so fast, I couldn’t do anything about it. I felt inside my mouth and I only had tiny little stubs where there used to be teeth, and I had white powder all over me. Okay, maybe the powder had just a hint of yellow in it.)

I woke up about then, and my hands flew to my mouth and I discovered I still had all of my teeth. I vowed to call the dentist and make an appointment. I would rather take a beating than go to the dentist, but I believe that vivid dreams are your subconscious trying to tell you something, and mine was telling me to make that call.

That was three days ago. I still haven’t called, but I haven’t had anymore nightmares and I still have all of my teeth. I guess it might be a little like a foxhole prayer. When the crisis is over, the anxiety lessens and procrastination sets in.

My second father, Gus, reads the blog, so he’ll keep me honest, but I remember Mom telling me she took the car one day to go get donuts. This was several years after they moved to California. Anyway, she thought she knew where the donut shop was and intended to take the side streets, but accidentally got onto the freeway. She said she promised God if he got her off of that freeway, she would never drive again. I think she ended the story by saying, “And I didn’t.” It could be that I have embellished the story for a few years and now I believe it. I’ll let you know what Gus says.

Speaking of Gus, I want to write about his years in the service for Memorial Day. I know he served during the Korean War, but I’m going to try to interview him on the phone to learn more about his experiences. I read that thirty-six thousand Americans died in that conflict. Gus was only nineteen in 1950 when the war started, but I don’t think he had to go overseas. He’s a proud veteran and has done a lot with, and for, the American Legion.

I hope you all are having a good beginning of the long weekend. The kids are out of school and I’m sure the lake will be busy. I can hear all the firecrackers going off right now.

I had my friend Judy over for a fun lunch today. My first guest in the tiny home. We ate chicken caesar salad, fresh bread, fresh strawberries, and lemon cake. I sure know where to buy good stuff. I was going to fry a turkey in my new turkey fryer and make homemade ice cream, but time just got away from me…maybe tomorrow.

We had such a good time visiting, I forgot to take a picture of her.

Time to shut her down for the night. Sweet dreams everyone!

A little tiny house update before we talk about the big birthday bash. 

I bought the shams that matched the cheap quilt, and we started cleaning out the garage. Kip was like a drill sargent…for a little while. About a half hour into it, he said he had to go inside to call a few garbage collectors and line one up to pick up our trash. About an hour later, I went in to refill my ice tea and he was sleeping in his recliner. In all fairness, I heard the hold music, so I knew the trash company had put him on hold for a long time, and he had put his phone on speaker. He came back out to the garage a while later and said he had it all taken care of, and we had to hurry, because they pick up on Tuesdays, and we had to have our trash by the curb at seven in the morning.

Kip informed the girls at the Mother’s Day picnic that we were going to unpack all of the crates of photos, photo albums, and miscellaneous mementos and they were to come out the weekend after Memorial Day to go through all of them. They will have to take whatever they want, because we aren’t going to keep any of it. He told me to get in touch with the boys and let them know in case they have any special requests. Craig lives close enough to come if he can’t bear the thought of missing out on any of the thousands of treasured photographs, old school papers, awards, cards and all of that stuff. He’ll probably remember when I made him go up into the hot attic with me and find pictures for the blog last summer…and take a pass.

A couple of hours into sorting through our collection, Kip ran across a big box of treasures his mother had given to him. He sat in one of the chairs he has already set out for the viewing, and went through all of it. He found a letter he had written to his mother telling her he had gotten a speeding ticket and the fine was $25.00. He told her not to pull it out of his account because he was going to quit school and get a job to pay for it. (I smell manipulation.) He must have been sixteen, at least, and he lived at home. He wrote a lot of letters when he was a kid.

When we moved from the country to the small house, we put all of the crates of pictures in the attic along with several other boxes, and we never looked at any of it for three years. (I looked a couple of times.) That’s what really impacted us with this move. We probably have another day of sorting and unpacking, and the back of my Jeep is already full of things to go to Goodwill.

(Can you see the chairs all lined up? I can’t wait to see them all fight over the wedding clock on the right. Never buy someone a gift with their names on it. They can’t give it away.)

We made a pact not to bring one other thing into the house, and so far, so good.

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So…I personally think Prince Charles’ 70th birthday bash will be a really snoozer, but maybe we should take Lindy Bergh and Airy Heart up on their offer to fly us over to the palace. I sure hope I don’t have to parachute this trip. Those two are easily distracted and overshoot the landing strip most of the time. They did say they were going to serve those little wieners in BBQ sauce. It doesn’t seem like such a good idea when you think about it. One little air pocket and you’ve got BBQ sauce all over your party clothes.

Should we wear hats or crowns? I know Cam will have a hat on, but I’m not crazy about her style. They all look like they could double as a donut in case her hemorrhoids act up.

Well…Lav can be in charge of the RSVPs. Maybe some Murdo people will want to go, too. Of course, Windy Lindy and Airy will probably have to make a couple of runs, so we’ll probably have to chip in for gas and wieners. It’ll be a hoot!!

Well, Lav and I decided to attend the royal wedding. We’re not really crashing it. We figure since we’re both so tight with Queen E, it goes without saying we’ll be welcomed like family. Who knows, maybe we’ll even walk Meghan down the aisle. It sounds like she’s having a little trouble filling the position. I really don’t think Charles is the right one to give away the bride, do you? He can’t even give away poor Cam’s awkward hats.

Anyway, we caught a ride with two high flying pilots who are headed across the pond to enjoy all the festivities, and pick up some souvenirs…

Don’t miss Saturday night’s blog. Lav and I, along with a few of our friends, will give you the lowdown you won’t get anywhere else. Our motto is, “We cover like non-other.” Plus we have a a couple of crack up reporters with us.

We’ll also be selling T shirts and socks…

I’m sure the whole royal bunch is waiting at the airport for us to arrive…

I think we’re landing. I heard one of the pilots scream…

Catchy title isn’t it?

For a whiny baby, I had a pretty fantastic Mother’s Day. We met our two daughters and their families at a park for a picnic and it turned out to be just what we needed. Kip and I and the three dogs were among the last to leave. It felt so good to relax and have fun with all of the grandkids. We all had a ball…

A very big ball…and good food! I didn’t get to see my sons, but I got flowers and had good talks with them both…

Tiny Home living…

I was never completely sure I wanted to sell our house and move into a tiny home. I finally decided I didn’t hate the idea badly enough to fight it, so here we are. Things happened quickly at first. We sold our house and moved the dogs and cat into our RV. We had no idea it would be three and a half months and many challenges later, that we would finally move in.

I’m learning a lot about myself. I have always had sufficient stamina to get through whatever is happening. I have always managed to stay positive in most situations and if I  get depressed, it usually doesn’t last long. Maybe it’s because we’re getting older and I haven’t been getting much sleep these past few weeks, but I have had some times when I have been very emotional and little things can throw me for a loop. I don’t like being that way one little bit. I’m too big to hide under the bed and besides, there’s already too much stuff under there.

Maybe I’m talking like this because we had to call the water/sewer company tonight on the emergency line because we were having a problem with the sewer pump. It all worked out fine. They came out immediately and fixed what turned out to be a minor thing.

This is our fourth day living here and we have been trying really hard to put our house in order, so to speak. I have changed things around so much, I’m wearing things out. It’s more difficult than I thought it would be to discard things, but I have found it stresses me more to feel like the place has something in every inch of space. I have packed and repacked plastic crates in an attempt to be organized and know where everything is or isn’t. If I can keep the crates of the nonessentials in the barn for a couple of months and not need them, I will discard the contents without looking at them ever again. I know I have said all of this before, but guess what? I’m saying it again. If you’re thinking of a TH, it bears repeating.

On the plus side…

We love the neighborhood and we love the house. It’s kind of exciting now that the worst is over.

We still have to put in a small yard, fence the backyard, put in a mailbox, finish the asphalt part of the driveway, get the remainder of the siding on, put in the new door with the built-in dog door we ordered, build the steps front and back, put electricity in the barn, get the builder out here to fix things on our punch list, and whatever else comes up.

But do you know what I have to do right now? I have to read the last half of a book for my book club meeting tomorrow. I’ve decided it’s important to read what other people write once in a while. Looks like it’ll be another late night.

I should be able to take some pictures tomorrow to show you what we’ve done with the place…

Oh…I guess I should explain the title of the blog. I put myself in charge of games yesterday. I brought pin the tail on the donkey. Turns out I didn’t know how to play it.