Why is it that when I had four kids at home I had a clean, well-organized house and today a job and a wedding eat my lunch?
What drove me when I was young? Not mentioning the difference in the years, the stamina, and well, you know, the weight!
Oh, I remember! I was driven by the list…you know the daily list….the all-the things-to-do-for-the-day-before-I-can-play list. I had the house clean by 10:00 am every day, unless of course, it was the strip-the-old-wax-from-the-floor day and that was an all day job. I remember taking pride in the appearance of my house.
Now I think it is important to play first, clean later.
So, today…now that the wedding is over, a week with one grandchild is over, a weekend at the Guadalupe and now the start of a second week with another grandchild…I am about ready for…
the list….
…Make the beds upstairs,
…clean all the bathrooms,
…clean the living area,
…clean the kitchen,
…clean out the refrigerator,
…clean the pass through space, (that is a clutter space)
…download all pics & load on external hard drive and
…blog
I was done except for the blogging by 1:30 which is swim time for the boys and I had even ventured from the list to include some extras. I scrubbed down the shower, and the bathtub, cleaned the “wedding room” and organized wedding things, boxing things up and putting things away for storage, made several business calls, paid bills, cleaned the play areas from last week, putting away the extra bedding, etc. and decorated as I cleaned and fixed lunch for six of us.
What was the difference today?
The list…I was driven by the list!
I wonder what I should put on tomorrow's list.
Maybe, I will post some pictures of my playtimes.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
New Chick in my Brood
Our lives have evolved and now, we are back where we started, just the two of us,
but now we have many, many more people involved in our lives who love us and lean on us from time to time.
Empty nesters?!
Technically, that would be the term but when our friends proclaimed us empty nesters Sunday morning I was surprised. I had not even thought that my nest was empty. And technically, I still had family visiting and the house was full. The last to marry of course, was not present with us but we just added a new chick to our brood.
Instead of feeling empty, I felt full,
full of love for family and friends,
full of excitement over the future,
full of possibilities of the things unexplored....not empty.....just full.
We have been so blessed.
I am sure in weeks to come when 6:30 rolls around and it is time for supper and none of my little chicks come home, or I walk down the hallway through foreign looking bedrooms neatly decorated for guests, no dirt encrusted socks wadded inside out on the floor, nor toys scattered underfoot or books or magazines thrown around, no wet footprints between the bathroom to the bedroom; it will begin to dawn on me that this is again a new phase in my life.
I am sure then the silence will scream at me one day soon but not today.
There is much too much to do still.
Pictures will be posted later.
Trust me, it was good.
but now we have many, many more people involved in our lives who love us and lean on us from time to time.
Empty nesters?!
Technically, that would be the term but when our friends proclaimed us empty nesters Sunday morning I was surprised. I had not even thought that my nest was empty. And technically, I still had family visiting and the house was full. The last to marry of course, was not present with us but we just added a new chick to our brood.
Instead of feeling empty, I felt full,
full of love for family and friends,
full of excitement over the future,
full of possibilities of the things unexplored....not empty.....just full.
We have been so blessed.
I am sure in weeks to come when 6:30 rolls around and it is time for supper and none of my little chicks come home, or I walk down the hallway through foreign looking bedrooms neatly decorated for guests, no dirt encrusted socks wadded inside out on the floor, nor toys scattered underfoot or books or magazines thrown around, no wet footprints between the bathroom to the bedroom; it will begin to dawn on me that this is again a new phase in my life.
I am sure then the silence will scream at me one day soon but not today.
There is much too much to do still.
Pictures will be posted later.
Trust me, it was good.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Bonita, bonita
Oh, wow! Time is flying by.
All I can even focus on right now is finishing this week so I can finish up the yard for the wedding. If you look at the wedding ticker you can see that we are now truly on the count down.
What a wonderful experience this preparation for this yard wedding has been.
Gaby's family has been just as involved in preparing the yard as we have been. Her dad is truly an artist with stones and her mother, a wonderful gardener, has cared for sick and dying plants that I had thrown to the side for lack of time. She has helped keep plants hydrated as they wilt in the heat while I work at school.
Caleb has shown some great skills in designing and building a pergola and Gaby and I have been the laborers doing odds jobs....mostly designing the flower beds and planting things. Gaby and Caleb have been in charge of lighting and wow! are they ever doing a wonderful job. When the sun goes down in this yard it will not mean the end of this party! It is so inviting and romantic. With a mariachi band and 200 plus guests in attendance it is going to be a night of fun and romance.
Muy bonita!!!
I can hardly wait to be able to spend the last days before the wedding finalizing everything without the school obligations hanging over my head and just walking around keeping things watered and enjoying the colors of nature in the yard. Of course, I can't wait until the wedding itself.
We have attended two "couple's" showers for the two of them. The first one was in the backyard of one of Gaby's friends in SA which was beautiful, romantic and very touching as the night wound down with the guests sharing stories of one of the two. We laughed. We cried. We enjoyed family.
The second couple shower was a fiesta celebration from our church family. It was a great celebration. Gaby's family was so impressed with everything. It was perfect! Festive! Fun! Family! What more could we ask for? Muy, muy bonita!
My thanks to all who have been involved. I have been so amazed at how our combined families have all jumped in to help out in their own way. In the beginning it was an overwhelming task to think of all that needs to be done but once everyone began to assist the task became fun.
Truly a celebration of love....among all of us!
I love you all so much.
Muy bonita!
All I can even focus on right now is finishing this week so I can finish up the yard for the wedding. If you look at the wedding ticker you can see that we are now truly on the count down.
What a wonderful experience this preparation for this yard wedding has been.
Gaby's family has been just as involved in preparing the yard as we have been. Her dad is truly an artist with stones and her mother, a wonderful gardener, has cared for sick and dying plants that I had thrown to the side for lack of time. She has helped keep plants hydrated as they wilt in the heat while I work at school.
Caleb has shown some great skills in designing and building a pergola and Gaby and I have been the laborers doing odds jobs....mostly designing the flower beds and planting things. Gaby and Caleb have been in charge of lighting and wow! are they ever doing a wonderful job. When the sun goes down in this yard it will not mean the end of this party! It is so inviting and romantic. With a mariachi band and 200 plus guests in attendance it is going to be a night of fun and romance.
Muy bonita!!!
I can hardly wait to be able to spend the last days before the wedding finalizing everything without the school obligations hanging over my head and just walking around keeping things watered and enjoying the colors of nature in the yard. Of course, I can't wait until the wedding itself.
We have attended two "couple's" showers for the two of them. The first one was in the backyard of one of Gaby's friends in SA which was beautiful, romantic and very touching as the night wound down with the guests sharing stories of one of the two. We laughed. We cried. We enjoyed family.
The second couple shower was a fiesta celebration from our church family. It was a great celebration. Gaby's family was so impressed with everything. It was perfect! Festive! Fun! Family! What more could we ask for? Muy, muy bonita!
My thanks to all who have been involved. I have been so amazed at how our combined families have all jumped in to help out in their own way. In the beginning it was an overwhelming task to think of all that needs to be done but once everyone began to assist the task became fun.
Truly a celebration of love....among all of us!
I love you all so much.
Muy bonita!
Friday, May 15, 2009
My Name is Darla
Obviously, my parents liked the name Darla when I was born. After all she was the beloved girl on the Little Rascals.
Daddy chose the name.
Mama just let him have his way.
My aunt loved the name and when I complained about it as a child she always told me she wished it was her name. Whether she meant it or not it always helped me to like it better. The problem was no one else I knew had that name. I thought that made me too different.
Linda, being a few years older and more sophisticated and beautiful at the young age of 11 or 12, just coming into her prime you would know, would chide me and say, "Linda means beautiful but Darla doesn't mean anything." I must have been a very sensitive child because it has always stuck with me and even now, at 55 years of age I still remember the first time I heard that while sitting on the bed together with the dictionary open. That was the year our little brother was born and names were the topic of discussion, I assume.
I teach high school art and I don't think a year has gone by that I have not mentioned to someone in one of my classes that "Linda means beautiful but Darla doesn't mean anything." Even my co-teachers get involved in the fun.
I have a close relationship with my co-teachers and often while in the presence of one of the other teachers we tease about my name. We may have a student whose name has a meaning we know so we may say to her, "Vanessa means butterfly. Did you know that?" My co-teacher would then add, "Linda means beautiful but Darla doesn't mean anything." It is all in good humor and has just become a familiar joke to us all. We teachers have a good time together. Our students don't always get our sense of humor much less think we even have one but they will remember us laughing.
It is amazing how often you can work it into the conversation. Bible class, family gatherings, eating out, reunions....you name it we say it. Just because we did not say it, don't think it is because we were not thinking it. Linda and I often pass a smile to each other in Bible class when the meaning of a name is mentioned. We both are thinking the same thing.
When voting this year I had to vote provisional. Voting provisional means that your vote will not be counted unless completely necessary to break a tie or something. So now in my family there is a follow up to our familiar joke.
"Linda means beautiful. Darla doesn't mean anything......and her vote doesn't even count."
While looking for something else Linda found this website.
Darla-the name, the woman, the legend
Now after all these years I find that Darla means something after all.
I wonder if they will count my vote now.
Daddy chose the name.
Mama just let him have his way.
My aunt loved the name and when I complained about it as a child she always told me she wished it was her name. Whether she meant it or not it always helped me to like it better. The problem was no one else I knew had that name. I thought that made me too different.
Linda, being a few years older and more sophisticated and beautiful at the young age of 11 or 12, just coming into her prime you would know, would chide me and say, "Linda means beautiful but Darla doesn't mean anything." I must have been a very sensitive child because it has always stuck with me and even now, at 55 years of age I still remember the first time I heard that while sitting on the bed together with the dictionary open. That was the year our little brother was born and names were the topic of discussion, I assume.
I teach high school art and I don't think a year has gone by that I have not mentioned to someone in one of my classes that "Linda means beautiful but Darla doesn't mean anything." Even my co-teachers get involved in the fun.
I have a close relationship with my co-teachers and often while in the presence of one of the other teachers we tease about my name. We may have a student whose name has a meaning we know so we may say to her, "Vanessa means butterfly. Did you know that?" My co-teacher would then add, "Linda means beautiful but Darla doesn't mean anything." It is all in good humor and has just become a familiar joke to us all. We teachers have a good time together. Our students don't always get our sense of humor much less think we even have one but they will remember us laughing.
It is amazing how often you can work it into the conversation. Bible class, family gatherings, eating out, reunions....you name it we say it. Just because we did not say it, don't think it is because we were not thinking it. Linda and I often pass a smile to each other in Bible class when the meaning of a name is mentioned. We both are thinking the same thing.
When voting this year I had to vote provisional. Voting provisional means that your vote will not be counted unless completely necessary to break a tie or something. So now in my family there is a follow up to our familiar joke.
"Linda means beautiful. Darla doesn't mean anything......and her vote doesn't even count."
While looking for something else Linda found this website.
Darla-the name, the woman, the legend
Now after all these years I find that Darla means something after all.
I wonder if they will count my vote now.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
All Good
I am so excited about everything happening in my life right now. Who would not be?
Two projects have been in the works for a number of weeks in my life and both are coming to a close or actually to a beginning for one and a completion for the other. Prom (Yes, I am too old to be going to prom but I am a sponsor by obligation of my job.) will be this Saturday and hopefully, if I am really, really good and I get to retire in four years.....it will be my last! Thank goodness.
....and Busy Bags! The tree will be installed on the wall today or before the weekend! Last night the teenage girls stuffed the bags. They finally understood what we have been talking about and are so excited. They want to assist the children Sunday morning to get their bags. I think the girls want to keep a bag for themselves to play with in church actually. While we were stuffing bags I looked up at Jessica who was carrying the conversation while stuffing finger puppets in the bags. She had butterflies on every finger on one hand and funny birds on the other hand. If the little children don't know how to use the finger puppets we will send Jessica over.
I expect success!
(Busy Bags will hang on the picket fence that will extend beyond the wall by a few inches.) If we have extra I am thinking of adding an apple crate on the floor in front of the picket fence and put more bags in it. This photo is of the tree on the workshop floor so it is distorted.)
Tonight I get to go watch Joel in his school program. I am not really sure what is going on but I think it is the bilingual program and Joel is one of three cavemen. He is probably one of the tallest in the second grade. I think it will be fun. He will be well represented. We will make an evening of it.
The wedding plans in progress. The invitation list is in progress. Invitations have been sponsored by one of Gaby's family friends. The food is now lined up....men to grill, moms to make the sides, more moms and sisters doing cakes. Shirts and dresses bought for the men and little girls. The yard is coming together. We have discussed where to stand, where to sit, where to eat.....all good. We will continue to work at it but several things have been planted and are being kept. I need to start my new plants on a vitamin and fertilizer program.
And me....I have started a diet routine! Wish me success!
Two projects have been in the works for a number of weeks in my life and both are coming to a close or actually to a beginning for one and a completion for the other. Prom (Yes, I am too old to be going to prom but I am a sponsor by obligation of my job.) will be this Saturday and hopefully, if I am really, really good and I get to retire in four years.....it will be my last! Thank goodness.
....and Busy Bags! The tree will be installed on the wall today or before the weekend! Last night the teenage girls stuffed the bags. They finally understood what we have been talking about and are so excited. They want to assist the children Sunday morning to get their bags. I think the girls want to keep a bag for themselves to play with in church actually. While we were stuffing bags I looked up at Jessica who was carrying the conversation while stuffing finger puppets in the bags. She had butterflies on every finger on one hand and funny birds on the other hand. If the little children don't know how to use the finger puppets we will send Jessica over.
I expect success!
(Busy Bags will hang on the picket fence that will extend beyond the wall by a few inches.) If we have extra I am thinking of adding an apple crate on the floor in front of the picket fence and put more bags in it. This photo is of the tree on the workshop floor so it is distorted.)
Tonight I get to go watch Joel in his school program. I am not really sure what is going on but I think it is the bilingual program and Joel is one of three cavemen. He is probably one of the tallest in the second grade. I think it will be fun. He will be well represented. We will make an evening of it.
The wedding plans in progress. The invitation list is in progress. Invitations have been sponsored by one of Gaby's family friends. The food is now lined up....men to grill, moms to make the sides, more moms and sisters doing cakes. Shirts and dresses bought for the men and little girls. The yard is coming together. We have discussed where to stand, where to sit, where to eat.....all good. We will continue to work at it but several things have been planted and are being kept. I need to start my new plants on a vitamin and fertilizer program.
And me....I have started a diet routine! Wish me success!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Our Family is Still Growing
Well, if you have a facebook account you know all the gossip on Caleb and Gaby. A summer wedding is in the plans now with three possible dates being considered.
Months ago several of my family members sat around my parents table (minus the young couple) and made predictions for a summer wedding. Each of us took a date on the calendar and made our bets....while actually, we just each announced a date we wanted and no money was actually put down. BUT the date that is their first choice (June 20th) is the one I was betting on. Still time will tell. It is no surprise to any of us watching these twos that marriage was in the plans. And what a great addition to our family Gaby will make. I feel so fortunate that each of my children-in-law are wonderful choices for my children and I love them all dearly. Each is different....but all seek God.
My prayers have included my children, grandchildren, and extended family in particular for years. My prayers for Caleb have been very specific for quite a while but in recent years very, very specifically about the young woman God was preparing to be his bride. Fortunately Gaby and her parents were praying the same prayers for her.
We welcome her to our family with so much love.
That makes two we will be adding to our family in 2009.
In November Carl, Lisa, Reese and Pearson will be welcoming a new member to their family. Babies are always so much fun. Carl and Lisa have such sweet babies. A new baby will be such a welcome addition to our family.
My cup runneth over.
Months ago several of my family members sat around my parents table (minus the young couple) and made predictions for a summer wedding. Each of us took a date on the calendar and made our bets....while actually, we just each announced a date we wanted and no money was actually put down. BUT the date that is their first choice (June 20th) is the one I was betting on. Still time will tell. It is no surprise to any of us watching these twos that marriage was in the plans. And what a great addition to our family Gaby will make. I feel so fortunate that each of my children-in-law are wonderful choices for my children and I love them all dearly. Each is different....but all seek God.
My prayers have included my children, grandchildren, and extended family in particular for years. My prayers for Caleb have been very specific for quite a while but in recent years very, very specifically about the young woman God was preparing to be his bride. Fortunately Gaby and her parents were praying the same prayers for her.
We welcome her to our family with so much love.
That makes two we will be adding to our family in 2009.
In November Carl, Lisa, Reese and Pearson will be welcoming a new member to their family. Babies are always so much fun. Carl and Lisa have such sweet babies. A new baby will be such a welcome addition to our family.
My cup runneth over.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Another Cup of Coffee
Here I sit again with a leisurely cup of coffee and reflect on a great week that has passed. I crammed in only good things this week and the only regret I have is having to deal with heavy traffic although I did alright even with that.
Tomorrow is back to school for a few more weeks and then it will be summer vacation.
I think I can make it now.
- The weekend began with a great visit with Leann and Eric while they took refuge under my roof while the rest of their family was on a camp-out.
- Monday before daylight Linda and I made a day trip to Houston as buyers for the shop and oh, is that ever fun! I'd quit my day job to do that for a fraction of the pay! We are going to have that shop so girl-ed up Caleb will have to hire me. We got bracelets that dangle, bracelets for teachers, bracelets for sisters, bracelets that say I love you, bracelets that have scriptures, bracelets that support our sons overseas, bracelets for our granddaughters and bracelets for the teenagers....just for fun...we got bracelets! We even found a couple of them in Spanish. We found more turquoise, and sterling silver jewelry, we found tiaras and fun bangling necklaces and a few counter top jewelry stands to crowd the counter. OH-HO! How much fun is that?
- Tuesday and Wednesday again Linda and I got up early before dark and headed to visit our grandmother in east Texas. We sat at her feet and visited with her, drank coffee at her side and laughed with her and with my Uncle Grady and Aunt Patsy. The countryside is beautiful up there. Everything is greening up and even in the early afternoon with the sunlight on the rolling green hills a light fog lay under the tree branches and cows grazed on tender shoots....a very bucolic setting....the sort of thing that inspires artists to paint.
- Back home on Thursday, I spent my day working in the shop for Caleb while he went to SA with Gaby. So while I was there of course, I rearranged a few items, did inventory of the new purchases we made and got more jewelry on display.
- Friday was my most lazy day. I spent it grocery shopping, a quick stop in the shop to add a few more touches, cleaned out a couple of closets, did some laundry, drank coffee with the family and then a birthday celebration for Matthew that evening.
- Saturday I spent almost the entire day in my dad's shop. We cut out the tree for the busy bags to hang on and made a picket fence to go in front of it. It is going to be so cute. Now that it is cut out it needs to be primed and painted and then have it installed. I hope the location we chose will be acceptable to everyone but I know you can not please, everyone all of the time.
- And somewhere in there I finished my third book of the series of four. And the fourth book is now sitting next to me begging me to pick it up.
Tomorrow is back to school for a few more weeks and then it will be summer vacation.
I think I can make it now.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
The First Cup of Coffee
I am having my first morning cup of coffee on my spring break while I recline in my chair in my snuggly blue pajamas with my cat pawing at my left side, an old movie on television and my laptop in my lap. It is still dark outside and cold and wet (Thank you, God for the rain...even the little bit that it is.) and I have a strong desire to yell for the others to wake up and come join me.
I want to know information!
I want the guys to join me so we can talk about stuff, not that I want to make them breakfast or anything but I want them here to talk to me and tell me the exciting things or the mundane things going on in their lives.
But they sleep!
I am a goal-oriented person...not competitive but quietly a mental list person. My mental list this week during my spring break is to visit my grandmother, go to market in Houston to get upper end jewelry for the shop (and yes, that is turquoise most of it anyway), clean this house, finish reading the third book in a series of four, and work outside in my yard....maybe get to visit Cooper's nursery outside of Floresville. OH! And get my tree cut out of plywood that will be for the busy bags for our congregation's preschool children to use during church services. In order to fulfill some goals I need to sync with a few others and for gardening....warmer weather.
It is amazing how quickly the time will pass if I do not make mental notes of things to do.
I'll read while it is dark, early morning or late night;
clean house in the mornings, and do small tasks on occasion;
and work outside anytime it is warm,(once started could turn into an all day thing).
Now my first cup gone; I need a another. And they are still not up.
It is going to be a great week!
*A note to our Busy Bags committee women: Bags are made, most labels are sewn on to be completed soon, have lots of crayons, stickers sheets, finger puppets, and a few books. Still need more things for the bags like maybe little match box cars and small items (quiet toys please). A small clipboard about 5 x 7 would be great to hold clean paper and colorful pencils. SOON TO BE A REALITY!
I want to know information!
I want the guys to join me so we can talk about stuff, not that I want to make them breakfast or anything but I want them here to talk to me and tell me the exciting things or the mundane things going on in their lives.
But they sleep!
I am a goal-oriented person...not competitive but quietly a mental list person. My mental list this week during my spring break is to visit my grandmother, go to market in Houston to get upper end jewelry for the shop (and yes, that is turquoise most of it anyway), clean this house, finish reading the third book in a series of four, and work outside in my yard....maybe get to visit Cooper's nursery outside of Floresville. OH! And get my tree cut out of plywood that will be for the busy bags for our congregation's preschool children to use during church services. In order to fulfill some goals I need to sync with a few others and for gardening....warmer weather.
It is amazing how quickly the time will pass if I do not make mental notes of things to do.
I'll read while it is dark, early morning or late night;
clean house in the mornings, and do small tasks on occasion;
and work outside anytime it is warm,(once started could turn into an all day thing).
Now my first cup gone; I need a another. And they are still not up.
It is going to be a great week!
*A note to our Busy Bags committee women: Bags are made, most labels are sewn on to be completed soon, have lots of crayons, stickers sheets, finger puppets, and a few books. Still need more things for the bags like maybe little match box cars and small items (quiet toys please). A small clipboard about 5 x 7 would be great to hold clean paper and colorful pencils. SOON TO BE A REALITY!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
These Random Thoughts by Gaby
Okay, all.
Welcome Gaby to our fold. I know you will love her as I do.
http://theserandomthoughts-gabriela.blogspot.com/
She has certainly added color to my life with a loving spirit and her diverse cultural experiences.
She speaks to my heart about the older women in our lives....her first post.
Welcome Gaby to our fold. I know you will love her as I do.
http://theserandomthoughts-gabriela.blogspot.com/
She has certainly added color to my life with a loving spirit and her diverse cultural experiences.
She speaks to my heart about the older women in our lives....her first post.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Spring Cleaning
Okay, Jackie and Gaby, this is for you...It has been a very long time since I blogged. I see it was almost a month ago. What a long time. I have been busy, I guess.
Spring has certainly arrived! I hear that while we are basking in the sun here is south Texas in Athens, Georgia where my nephew lives he had six inches of snow just recently. I can not remember when it was really cold here this year. What a mild winter we had. I guess that is one reason I love Texas. Lately it has been too cool at night to turn on the air conditioner but too warm to turn on the heater so the windows are open.
My huge cat (baby), Einstein loves to sleep on the bed next to me but he also, likes to have the freedom to decide where and when he comes and goes. I let him. I never allowed my children as much freedom as this cat seems to have. You have heard the saying "dogs have owners, cats have staff". I think it applies here.
At night he wants out and stands by the back door and rushes out at the first opportunity. He'll be out there for a little while and then he will come scratching on the window to let him in upstairs.
Usually, I am sleeping when he scratches the window.
The sound wakes me,
I get up,
walk in the dark to the door,
open the sliding glass door,
Einstein sniffs around the door as if trying to sniff out danger,
if he decides it is all clear he then slowly enters,
I slide the door closed,
I go climb back in bed fall asleep again.
This has been a routine now for a long time. In fact, Einstein has scratched a hole in the screen. First it was just a small tear in the screening and then I noticed it was about the size of a quarter or larger.
The warmth of the night invites sleeping with the windows open. The air conditioner was on downstairs and the windows open upstairs so the door between the floors was closed. Einstein came up with me while I prepared to go to bed. He curled up in his usual spot next to me and fell asleep . The next morning as I was getting ready for school I wondered where the big cat was. He could not have gotten out himself with the door closed and I did not remember getting up during the night to let him out. My mind focused on preparing for school, I just did not worry over him.
Last night Einstein rushed outside before I went to bed. I knew he would come scratching on the window upstairs soon so went on to bed. It did not take me but a few minutes before I was sound asleep. Suddenly an unfamiliar noise woke me. The sound came from outside....or was it inside? It was close and to my right side near the window, a strange ripping scratchy sound. Jumping straight up in bed and looking toward the sound I was startled to see a huge cat entering the house through the giant hole in the screen. It looked like the lion in the opening credits on those old black and white Tarzan movies.
Spring cleaning will include replacing some screens this year, I guess.
Spring has certainly arrived! I hear that while we are basking in the sun here is south Texas in Athens, Georgia where my nephew lives he had six inches of snow just recently. I can not remember when it was really cold here this year. What a mild winter we had. I guess that is one reason I love Texas. Lately it has been too cool at night to turn on the air conditioner but too warm to turn on the heater so the windows are open.
My huge cat (baby), Einstein loves to sleep on the bed next to me but he also, likes to have the freedom to decide where and when he comes and goes. I let him. I never allowed my children as much freedom as this cat seems to have. You have heard the saying "dogs have owners, cats have staff". I think it applies here.
At night he wants out and stands by the back door and rushes out at the first opportunity. He'll be out there for a little while and then he will come scratching on the window to let him in upstairs.
Usually, I am sleeping when he scratches the window.
The sound wakes me,
I get up,
walk in the dark to the door,
open the sliding glass door,
Einstein sniffs around the door as if trying to sniff out danger,
if he decides it is all clear he then slowly enters,
I slide the door closed,
I go climb back in bed fall asleep again.
This has been a routine now for a long time. In fact, Einstein has scratched a hole in the screen. First it was just a small tear in the screening and then I noticed it was about the size of a quarter or larger.
The warmth of the night invites sleeping with the windows open. The air conditioner was on downstairs and the windows open upstairs so the door between the floors was closed. Einstein came up with me while I prepared to go to bed. He curled up in his usual spot next to me and fell asleep . The next morning as I was getting ready for school I wondered where the big cat was. He could not have gotten out himself with the door closed and I did not remember getting up during the night to let him out. My mind focused on preparing for school, I just did not worry over him.
Last night Einstein rushed outside before I went to bed. I knew he would come scratching on the window upstairs soon so went on to bed. It did not take me but a few minutes before I was sound asleep. Suddenly an unfamiliar noise woke me. The sound came from outside....or was it inside? It was close and to my right side near the window, a strange ripping scratchy sound. Jumping straight up in bed and looking toward the sound I was startled to see a huge cat entering the house through the giant hole in the screen. It looked like the lion in the opening credits on those old black and white Tarzan movies.
Spring cleaning will include replacing some screens this year, I guess.
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