Autumn Rain.

This is the "West Wing", or the new addition to mom 'n dad's house. They have had this wing now for about 4 years or so. It's my favorite place in the house; the porch swing is my favorite spot outside. Presently I am sitting at this table blogging... journaling. I've journaled all my life. (Funny how we take nouns and make them into verbs: journal = jouraled/-ing; Google = Googled/go Google; blog = am/is/are/was/were blogging... etc.) I have a tiny red jouranl from when I was in elementary school, where I professed my undying love for Brad Taylor. Brad, if you read this, I love you, man and wish you well; but, honestly, I'm glad I did NOT marry you! I've kept travel journals that have wonderful accounts of events that happened while I was traveling to and from Australia. I have written in journals that I titled "Letters to My Husband", which is full of entries from when I was single and waiting for him, telling him what is going on in my life and that I love him even before we had met. (I gave those to him as a wedding gift. Being a girl, I thought he'd want to read every single page and soak up the fact that I loved him for years and years before we married. He's read a few entries here 'n there. Ahhh. Love is good! ha! Eh, it was cheap therapy!)

We've been here at ma 'n pa's since Monday night of this week. It has been a much needed retreat! It's such a haven out here. They live in a log cabin on 20 acres of land. Daddy's got goats 'n chickens 'n sheep, oh my! It's quiet and peaceful. Truly a retreat!

It has quite literally rained all day long today. Brandon and I have both spent the day out here in the West Wing lounging, napping, and computer-ing. The picture below is in the West Wing; where I am sitting at the table, this scene is to my left, so I am actually facing Brandon as he sits in our leather recliner. (Mom 'n dad are keeping our couch and chair for us while we are away.)


The picture above shows rain on my mom's Trailblazer. And, the picture below is my brother Luke's jeep. It's shiny because it is wet from the rain! Did I mention that it has rained all day? Actually I'm not complaining one bit. The West Wing has a metal roof. The rain has truly been melodious and soothing, no wonder I took a 2 hour nap on that red couch!

My favorite spot: the porch swing.

Field Trip & Grandpa (Highs & Lows)

We took our students on a "mandatory" Fun-Day Field Trip. We went to Ft. Wayne to the Anchor Room Book Store, Fazoli's restaurant and to the dollar theater to see Kung Fu Panda, which was a hoot! Skadoosh!

Lucas played classical music! It was wonderful!
The ladies working in the book store said
they wanted to hire him to add some class to the store!

Our kids were great! The enjoyed a much earned "free-day" to chill out and enjoy their accomplishments! 63% of our kids have all A's and B's!! We are sooo proud of them!!

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We had a bit of a scare with Grandpa tonight. He was having issues with his sugar levels. We could not tell if he was slipping into a coma or if he was having a stroke. We called 911. A fire truck showed up; the fire fighters are trained for EMT and were the first on the scene. Then the ambulance showed up. He was looking much better as they took him on the gurney and loaded him up in the ambulance. Grandma, Theresa and Jack (Brandon's folks) went to the hospital with him so that he could be checked out. We now have word that his sugar levels have been stabilized and he is coming home. It was quite a scare. I am so glad that Brandon and I are here so that we can help. Grandma works herself into a tizzy. It was good that both of us were so calm and level headed. Thanks for your prayers!!

From the Funny Farm

Saturday mornings are my favorite mornings. I get to sleep-in, lay around in my pajamas all day, and watch cartoons. Yesterday morning Brandon got up early, so I had the WHOLE bed to myself to stretch out and snuggle under the covers. I was just heading back to a second round of REM sleep when the following boisterous conversation woke me up with a start:

Grandpa: It won't kick on at 76.

Grandma: What's the problem?

Grandpa: What?

Grandma: I SAID, WHAT'S THE PROBLEM??

(...which was being YELLED just outside my very thin door...)

G'pa: Oh. Ah, well, I think the problem is in the thermostat.

G'ma: What?

G'pa: I THINK THE PROBLEM IS IN THE THERMOSTAT!

G'ma: What's the matter?

G'pa: It's not kicking on at 76.

G'ma: Should I call the repair guy?

G'pa: What?

G'ma: SHOULD I CALL THE REPAIR GUY?!?

G'pa: I don't want to pay some guy to fix it!

G'ma: Well, then what should we do?

G'pa: WHAT?

G'ma: THEN WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO ABOUT IT???

G'pa: I guess I'll have to call the repair guy.

Yes, I was laying in bed trying to stifle my giggles.

Grandma calls the repair guy and he shows up at 10:30. (Right in the middle of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles...) He checks the furnace in the basement, where we were watching cartoons. He seemed like a competent man, probably has been fixing furnaces for 10 years or more. We had a chit-chat about Kentucky; he has family from there, around the Richmond and Renfro Valley area. He then goes back up stairs. Grandpa proceeds to tell the repair guy that the problem is in the thermostat. The guy checks it. Grandpa's voice gets gruff and he insists that the issue is in the thermostat. The heat will kick on if it is set to 72, but not if it is set to 76. The repair guy said it takes a bit before it will kick on, but Grandpa insists. The guy calls his boss. The guy leaves, then eventually comes back. Badda-boo, badda-bing, new thermostat.

Grandpa: I don't get any pleasure in tellin' a guy how to do his job.

Yeah, right. Grandpa LOOKS for problems, finds them, then enjoys telling people how to fix them, where to go, what to do...all the while arguing and ranting and raving.

The story does not end here.

I had been out shopping during the afternoon. (Goodwill had a 50% off sale day. And I found a formal dress at Elder-Beerman's; the original price was $140, and I got it for $10.69. I should have bought a Lottery ticket yesterday, but since I don't buy'em, why start now...) I came home and the house was HOT. Hot and stuffy. Grandpa is very sensative to heat and cold. I'm not sure if it is his ailments or if he just likes to make a big deal and fuss about the tempature; I presume it's a bit of both with a heavy helping of the latter. As I unloaded my purchases, this is what I heard him to say.

G'pa: It's too hot. I'm gonna turn on the air conditioning.

I decended the stairs into the basement to find my huband on the desk top computer. Brandon said, "Did I just hear Grandpa say he is going to turn on the air conditioning??"

"Yes, that is what you heard, " I replied.

"Am I the only one who sees the irony in that? " he laughed.

I commented, "No, not the only one." We laughed and laughed. Then Brandon said,

"Welcome to the Funny Farm."