Busy Life!

June 11, 2008

Our lives are so incredibly busy right now. But you know I like it that way! I thrive on staying busy, mentally as well as physically. Joe, Nathan and I went camping in Sulphur in March. My sister Elaine and her husband drove out from Georgia to visit for a couple days in early April. Of course we never miss the Festival of the Arts around the third week of April. In mid-May, Joe’s Navy buddy Mitch visited from out of town, and the three of us saw REO Speedwagon in concert at the Zoo Amphitheater. Nathan had his Fifth Grade Graduation a week later.

Working in the yard this time of year is also one of my bigger tasks. From April through June I tend to stay busy planting flowers, keeping them watered, etc. This year, thankfully, I’ve got Joe to keep the lawn mowed, giving me more time to work on my flowers. I’ve got roses, azaleas, lilies, zinnias, columbine, mums, snapdragons, petunias, morning glories, and a few sunflowers that popped up from spilled birdseed. Joe’s building a retaining wall against the back fence for my yellow rose, zinnias, and the morning glories that climb up the shepherd’s hook that holds the birdfeeder. I might plant a few caladiums out there too.

My mind has been in a million places! Nathan is right now going to a 3-week (1 hour a day) band camp, learning the basics about the clarinet in preparation for sixth grade band. After that he’ll be in a week-long summer art camp at City Arts Center called “Our House,” where they’ll learn about architecture and house-building. Next month he’s enrolled in another week-long camp called “Rock Star Jewelry.” They get to make cool bracelets and necklaces and stuff out of bottlecaps and wire and whatnot. He likes crafts so I think he’ll enjoy that one a lot.

At work, one of our ladies retired just before Memorial Day so besides having helped throw her retirement party (she wanted a tropical theme; I made virgin pina coladas out of coconut cream and pineapple juice. They were a hit!) I’m training her replacement. I only got a couple months’ training on her job myself, so it’s been a challenge to learn AND teach at the same time, AND keep up my regular job responsibilities.

Joe’s going to Midland, TX, for a week, to train employees at a new plant; immediately thereafter we have plans to see Phantom of the Opera at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. Tuesday I was voted in as Treasurer of our Homeowners Association. That’ll be something new; I’m excited about it.

I’m ready for our lives to slow down, but at the same time, I’m afraid I’ll miss something!

And, oh yeah, let’s not forget that trip to San Diego! We’re flying out on the 29th to bring John and Jodie back. Joe has spent nearly every evening this week after work, out at his mom's working on the storage shed. Fern’s house is a 3-bedroom, but 2 of them are filled with "stuff." All that "stuff" will have to be put in the shed to so that the kids will have bedrooms to sleep in.

Last Sunday I helped Joe affix the roof on the shed from about 4:30-8:00. It was a warm and muggy day, with just a little bit of a breeze. Sweat rolled down my back as I stood inside the stuffy shed, holding the nuts in position with the bolts so he could get them screwed in from atop the roof. Naturally the mosquitoes made their feast on my legs. Between holding nuts and bolts I’d reach down and SMACK! SMACK! SMACK!

Yes, John and Jodie will be staying with Joe and Grandma Fern, for now. My house is small, barely 1300 square feet, so is not nearly big enough for 5 people. Besides, the kids will need time to get to know me at their own pace, and I need time to get to know them. I’ll probably see them and Joe only on weekends for a while.

Nathan asked me once why I stay so busy. I said if I don’t, I get bored. I don’t see myself getting bored any time soon.