The End of June

I think today is a Warden Reunion in Ephrata and I am amazed that I have no desire to attend. The first few years I was so enthused about seeing people I hadn’t seen for years but now when I see them I can’t remember when I last saw them and most probably it was last year and they told me all about their lives and I can’t remember any of it today so I’d have to ask the same things again. All in all, it doesn’t matter. Yikes I’m starting to sound like you these days.

Jane sent a long update on her life. I love it that her soon to be four year old granddaughter is enrolling in a French language preschool. This school is the alma mater of Jodie Foster so she’s following in some important footsteps. Jane also said, “I'm not sure just writing your blogs to Judy is the best idea for the rest of us. We're not getting all the details of your life that way, after all, only the things that Judy might be interested in, and we all know that Judy is NOT interested in the daily details of your life. So rethink.”

I really don’t think anyone is interested in the daily details of my life but I enjoy writing and you have to check it periodically just to make sure you don’t miss anything.
Cookie baking with the Lind Ladies is entertaining. Sally and Mike spend one day before baking day just making 6 or 8 double batches of cookie mix and then Barb and Ova make 6 or 8 double batches on cookie day while Phyllis makes the Rice Krispy bars. Another couple man the ovens and time the baking. Anyway the most important part for me while I’m measuring dry ingredients is visiting with Barb and Phyllis. We were all into Land’s End bathing suit selection last week. Here’s the one Barb ordered. You'll have to imagine her face on this body.
Last week my mom complained of a sore leg so I took a look and decided since I didn’t notice anything to have her apply BenGay and that seemed to make things better. It did until Father’s Day when she called and said her leg really hurt. We spent about 5 hours in her doctor’s clinic and then in emergency while she got an x-ray and sonogram to rule out a blood clot. It seemed to be water on the knee. She limped home and the next day I arrived early to help her shower and dress. Breakfast was brought to her and she shuffled slowly from her bedroom to her chair. When I came back at lunchtime she was not in her room. She had gone to exercise class and then to lunch to see her friends. She still shuffled but she was much faster. Now her leg is back to normal I think but it is hard to get an opinion from her. She usually says, “Why do you ask about my leg?”

When I knew her leg was better I left to go to visit Cyd for a few days. Cyd had a re-do on a mammogram and Peyton had physical therapy for his torticollis so I went along to babysit and observe. Cyd has everything down to a science these days and the boys are very compliant. Bedtime starts with a bath, bottle, hair brushed, story, sound machine set on ocean, windows darkened, pacifier in place, and soft toy with each boy. I watched them one evening and tried to experiment with the engine sound but when mom came home it was put on the proper setting. I hope the control she has over them continues throughout their teens.

Cyd and I took the kids to daycare on Friday and she had the day off so we went shopping for clothes. That was an all day job but she did get some things for work and a new inspired outlook for healthy day to day habits. I cannot stop buying shoes that hurt even after giving the high heeled Danskos away to Anna Marie and swearing never again to get uncomfortable shoes. I keep thinking that this time I surely will get different results from shoes that are high and look good with my outfit. I thought I needed a new skirt which I will never wear but then the shoes went with it and make the outfit. See if you think they would hurt. Oh well, I will never find an occasion to wear the skirt anyway.

This morning I was watching Sunday Morning and when they show those outdoor animal scenes right before signing off it reminded me of church camp when we had that quiet time where we sat by ourselves out of view of any other person for thirty minutes. What was that called?

This week Pat is going to check out Anderson Lodge for our reunion. Everything hinges on their views of dogs and wine.
(This turned out to be a fashion column, sort of)

Old Cousins Photo

Pat read the recent blog and used his Photoshop to put you and I together in one photo from Memorial Day. I asked him to erase the bags under my eyes but the program can only do so much you know. Today is the day I was prepared to announce here the gender of Taylor's new sibling. Charlie is going to be busy helping boys hunt, fish, mow lawns and clean boats while Missy shops. The Johanson's can always use more testosterone.

I know I'm getting old when my younger friends start forgetting things. I've walked every morning for almost 20 years with the same two neighbors so I was surprised yesterday when Janet asked me a question, "So what are you going to do today, Laura?" I mean Laura? She's at least 10 years younger than I and she can't remember my name?

I hate to say this but now that there's just 3 classes left at Whitworth I kind of am enjoying the teaching experience. I was just beside myself I was so nervous the first night of class but gradually things have gotten better. I don't know much to pass on but the students are highly motivated and bright. That seems almost odd to me.

Where are you and Hank spending Father's Day?

Johanson Family 38th Annual Reunion

It doesn't take long to get a response once I ask so here we are. I'm holding Walker and Barb has Peyton. But where are Brett and Lucas? I suppose they were too busy to stop for a photo shoot. There's also a nice photo of you playing Auntie to Miles. When Hank sees all the photos he'll wish he had attended this fabulous reunion.

What This Blog Needs

It needs a nice format with a photo of you and I as children followed by a photo of us at 65. I found the younger photo but neglected to get a photo of us together at Memorial Day. It seems like there was only one time to use the camera and that was when the 44 of us posed for one photo. Besides I didn't even bring a camera and it was a good thing because I wouldn't have had time to take a photo anyway. We were very busy talking, climbing rocks, uncovering baby snakes, and chasing boys. Someone, sometime will send photos I assume but so far I haven't seen any.

This recent weekend was spent in Walla Walla biking to eight wineries in two days which is no real feat as there are wineries all over the place there. There were twenty of us on the trip and one turned out to be Charlie's boss. I was eager to get the low down on Charlie's job situation so I asked directly if Charlie needed to be looking elsewhere for work. His boss actually is crazy about Charlie and thinks he's due for a big promotion soon. This was all before very much wine tasting even.

Summer is here I think as the pool is humming away with almost crystal clear water. When Lucas take a dip it will be officially summer.

I almost forgot to mention that your baton twirling was good though Nancy was the most outstanding with her baton. She even has the black eye to prove it.