Older, not Wiser

It was nice to hear from you by phone this past week since it is typically one of the two times we visit during the year. This year has been different however. I’m surprised you haven’t heard of the Wiggles but now you’ll know. I also wrote about them here before back in April 2005. I’ve been waiting for the group to come to the Seattle area so the twins and I could attend. When they appeared on stage, Peyton went wild, jumping and wiggling to the music while Walker sat calmly looking at the crowd wondering what in the world was happening.

That was the highlight of my special day and the rest of the weekend was spent helping Cyd go through all the old things from my house that I made her take home over the past years. Her stained, old Raggety Ann, handmade doll clothes, and special childhood toys went in the garbage. The boys played with the Humpty Dumpty my mom had made but they weren’t very interested. I wanted her to keep all that stuff but it was not appealing at all so maybe now I can throw stuff away at my house before I send it her way.

You are an AARP reader so I hope you’ll notice Jaime Leigh Curtis on the cover of this month’s periodical. She is copying us by letting her hair turn gray but I think she’s a little overboard with her black and white clothing.

I see we have some communication going about Memorial Day. I think Lucas and Miles will be there this year so I’m happy about that. Maybe you and Leslie are making detailed plans for the weekend now while she’s at your house. Nancy and I will hear about her Chicago visit on Friday when we get to Portland.

Two mice expired in traps last week but since then no mice signs are about. I’m endorsing the use of electronic rodent eliminators.

Mouse Trouble

Today I have something different to mention instead of my weekend at the neighborhood high school play or the symphony. Thursday I walked into my garage and saw about 6 mice scatter everywhere. I figured if I saw that many there must be 5 times more than that. After all in September I left a huge bag of birdseed for meals and when they finished that off they started on the grass seed. Ick, ick.

So I got some DeCon and left it in the garage. I knew I had to have a plan so I googled “rodent elimination” which advised to wear rubber gloves, use a spray of water and bleach and clean up everything. My friend Polly said not to use DeCon but to get the ordinary traditional mousetraps. I like the thought of the hands-clean container where the mice run inside, disappear and can be disposed of in the garbage but I decided to buck up and give the hard core traps a try.

This morning I went on a cleaning spree in the garage. Only two mice were spotted and after I moved some shingles we were keeping just in case, I discovered the nest of bits of cloth, paper and moss. It was dug a few inches under the ground and had a back door and front door tunnel. I should have had Lucas here for the scientific learning experience except for the threat of hantavirus.

Now I may have to burn down the garage or else make a lovely arbor over a brick patio. Anyway the garage needed cleaning and it was fitting to do this on Bill’s birthday. He wouldn’t have liked my throwing away the important sprinkler heads and extra plastic pipe however, not to mention the extra roofing. He did have an electronic mouse eliminator so we’ll see if that takes care of my problem now that the nest and the food are gone.

Maybe I won’t be trying to come up with a better mouse trap. I do want to ask if Reverend Dr. J. Wright reminds you of Rev. Dr. Trotter? Let’s just hope Barack can “Work it out!”

Back to Normal

Well, not really as it’s never normal but I guess per usual. The twins had a busy visit but Miles had the flu or it could have been much worse with three boys. Peyton and Walker were good as gold while they were here with no time-outs but they do like to stay curious and enjoy checking things out. They especially like Lucas so he was their entertainer most of the time.

This visit the twins got used to sleeping in a big bed but not until being separated while one boy each night took over an hour to settle down to sleep. They are both doing a great job of potty training and love to attempt this feat whenever it is mentioned. It is a good thing when there is progress but many times it's just a great way to keep adults busy. This just gives you the constant background features of the day along with a little babysitting by grandma.

I attempted to make home-cooked meals for the birthday girl but you can see there were not many takers for meals. The leftovers were not cheerfully tossed in the compacter while the pizza was delivered. I know I need to be more flexible.

The day they left I baked cookies with Barb and Phyllis and heard about Barb’s trip to CA to attend a Dr. Phil show. Since then I have been doing nothing but sit on the couch and play Bakers Dozen Solitaire. The past few days things have returned to normal here so I invited Miles to spend the night to keep me on my toes. He was pretty good all in all which was due mostly to the fact that he had a very short nap yesterday. He likes to memorize books and also likes to give Grandma shots from the toy medical kit.

Your sister phoned recently and we are planning a trip to visit Leslie. I didn’t want you to be the only one to visit with her but I know you will have a great time. Are you ready for China? It is nice they have no communicable diseases. I just ordered my malaria pills.

Maybe Spring

The snow in my front yard is melting finally and I washed my car so the weather is looking up around here. I hope you get some sunshine in Chicago now too. Lucas and I went skating two times last week and now the winter sports are behind us just when he was going completely around the rink without falling.

We need a new activity for our Tuesday outings but this week I decided we could just stay home all day and do nothing. There have been very few days in his life when he didn’t ride in a car so he enjoyed playing outside digging for fossils in the snow piles. We had just watched Sea Monsters at the IMAX so he knew what kind of bones to look for and although we discovered branches, leaves and rocks he would call them shark’s teeth, rib bones and shells.

Miles has his day with Grandma on Thursday and we go to Story Hour at the library and then attend a 45 minute music class which seems to involve a few songs, lots of racing around and then a small parachute which keeps him very interested. After lunch he and Grandma are ready for naps and I’m all for the nap solution as I know how quickly those go away for good.

My mom is doing well too. She is enjoying the others in the living group and tries to help wipe up things, pick things off the floor and offers to help carry things or do the dishes. She is glad to see me and will take short rides with me but after about 15 minutes she asks to get back home again. Most days I just sit and visit with the ladies and one special day Lucas went with me and did a few somersaults on the floor for everyone.

The twins are arriving Saturday for three days. Too bad you can’t be here to enjoy the fun only three 2 year olds can create. Glad your insect bites are gone and yes, Earthwatch did make a nice tax deduction. I hate it when you’re right.