an/ti/ci/pa/tion

While everyone else in these United States is anticipating Thanksgiving on Thursday, we will not be eating turkey or any of the usual things. We are running/walking in the turkey trot, heaven help us, and if we survive, we will most likely be trying to finish all the as-yet-undone tasks related to a most anticipated homecoming. Friday is the day, folks, and if I am not mistaken, that is a mere five DAYS away! I will miss weekly emails, wonderful reports of miracles in Mongolia, and the many blessings attendant to having a son in the mission field. These will be eclipsed, however, by the hugs, the personal stories, the privelege of looking at a face we haven't seen for these many months, and the hilarious presence of our own family spark plug. Hooray for reunions, family coming to town, and turkey on Saturday.

Finally

It is embarrassing to have a blog and go so long between postings. You'd think life would slow down just a little, but no, it doesn't.

I've learned a few things over the last few days.

a. There is no end for the need to paint. Ever.

b. Painting causes huge disruptions in the flow of life.

c. All that being said, I LOVE paint. What could be more satisfying than covering up all those fingerprints, smudges, and tired old walls?

And a few more related things learned.

d. By nature I love being organized and clean. Unfortunately, by habit I let things beyond the surface go and pursue more enjoyable adventures.

e. None of it goes away. Dust mulitplies like coat hangers and single socks. Piles become mega-piles.

f. It is still hard to throw some things away, like my kids' toys. What if the grandkids would enjoy them? Lincoln logs, anyone?

g. Hm. Maybe my offspring take after me. That might be why I just hung 43 t-shirts in Eric's closet.

He's Legal

Well, he is legal. Twenty-one. I meant to do this post yesterday, the real birthday, but I didn't. I actually keep postponing my posts until I can learn to post a picture (again), but that never seems to happen. But back to the point, there was a celebration in Murun, Mongolia yesterday for our favorite missionary boy. It is his Golden Birthday, which means he is 21 on the 21st, so this calls for 21 gifts. He'll get them in exactly one month when he returns....he had to settle for a silly package of things he can consume or throw away before the luggage weigh-in. So Happy Birthday Golden Boy...we could not be more proud of you or more excited for your return to us. Let the good times roll.

Trip to Target

I made a quick run to Target yesterday afternoon. I intended to be there only 5 minutes because ALL I needed was dryer sheets. I figured I had a better shot at an "in and out" experience there than at the grocery store, since the echo monster has taken up residence in the refrigerator. Incorrect.

I made the mistake of entering through the garden center. Of course. When I checked out I had in my basket:

Two hanging plants...an unusual pink and yellow petunia combo, and a stunning dark fushia-ish purple petunia basket. They were such a bargain.

Two 6 packs of dwarf snapdragons.

Two seed packets of marigolds. (Are you seeing a trend here?)

New gardening scissors. Mine have disappeared off the face of the earth.

One car (from Cars) for Devlin. (I think I enjoy collecting them for him more than
he does.)

A Christmas gift for Chloe. (Are you seeing another trend here?)

And last but not least, 2 packages of dryer sheets. Pretty expensive dryer sheets, wouldn't you say?

I think we can safely say that two of my weaknesses in life are my grandchildren and my garden. (And maybe Target!)

Speaking of grandchildren, happy birthday Zachary! I can't believe you are six!

TGIF

Probably everyone agrees we are glad the weekend is approaching. For some reason I'm really glad this week. Maybe because

a. it is conference weekend, and not only does that mean a feast of new talks, a chance to recharge the inner batteries, and relax, but also
b. there will be a lovely lack of meetings and excessive errand running...
c. it will mark the end of a less than fully productive week...
d. in between doses of conference, there will be grass to mow and dirt to dig. Wahoo! What more could I ask?

Go Friday.

10 Random Happy Things

1. Digging in the dirt. (Are anyone else's fingers itching now that the weather is changing?)
2. Sleeping until I wake up. Don't get to do it very often. One of life's simple pleasures.
3. Having a walking partner again. Such motivation to NOT sleep till I wake up. Thanks, AJ.
4. Emails from Mongolia. High fives for all things technical which stress me out but also bless my life abundantly. It is email Thursday, folks.
5. 3:55 p.m. when Holl-Doll gets home from school. Empty nests are highly over-rated.
6. When the dentist says "We're all done." Wahoo. Can you tell I went today?
7. 72 degrees at 7:30 a.m. vs. 92 degrees at 7:30 a.m. Did I mention I LOVE our current weather?
8. Grandkids. They really are grand.
9. Finished projects. Also one of life's (not so) simple pleasures.
10. Finding a rubber chicken in my makeup drawer.

Pretty Disappointed

I just took the quiz to find out which Harry Potter character I am. Ron. Yes, Ron. Of all the characters I wouldn't want to be, Ron would win...except maybe Snape. Come on...can I change my answers? At least he has one saving grace... his red hair.

So then I took the quiz to see which Hogwarts house I would be in. Hufflepuff. Kill me.