Snow

Hey, we are almost finished with winter when suddenly the snow is everywhere today. We had a blizzard with snow going sideways even. It has stopped but now the streets are impassable or also even impossible. We never fear as the mayor has now declared an emergency situation.

You have been so lucky this year. Not only because of no snow but because of two emails from Willie. What kind of big gift did you send him? I’m about to take him off my address list. I am glad that he does not have to leave the Bagram base.

We had a busy week around here as Peyton and Walker had a Winter School Break for five days-and they spent it at MY house. Needless to say I’ve been resting today. They get up at 6:30 and keep going until 8 p.m. We stayed busy with a children’s play, an indoor water park with bowling, laser tag and a climbing wall, a Harlem Globetrotters game, and the SkyHi bounce center. They love handling basketballs and I loved having them stay busy. They are very enthusiastic.

Did you get the word that Uncle Ron now is ready for his final hip surgery? He actually said he’d be done with his hip conversation once this final surgery is finished. Do you believe that? Not me.

Just so you’ll know why I’m not taking any trips I’ll tell you that my living room is empty as well as my hallway. I chose to put my couches in the kitchen and my table in the spare bedroom. I kind of like it this way. I thought I’d have Lucas and Miles over for a picnic in the living room since the carpet is ready to come out on Tuesday. I’m following MimiSmartypants and my Chicago cousin and getting rid of my carpet. There’s also painting to be done so it might be two weeks before the couches leave my kitchen. I think this might be my last hurrah for the house.

The Universe Won't Let Me Hide in the House

Get out, get out, get out even more, Arla! Because there are people you've yet to meet, laughs you've yet to share, stories you've yet to live, and riches you've yet to tap into, that will not find you under any other circumstances.

Besides, how else can I shower you with surprises?

The Universe

Only my friend Jane would sent me the link for a weekly message from The Universe. See how magically it knew what I needed! Jane goes for a daily message but weekly works well for me.

Also a few days ago I heard from an long-time friend who invited me to visit since I was so reclusive. This nice friend discovered my blog a few years ago and then proceeded to read from the beginning of 2005. I just wish she would have edited it along the way because I'm certain there are many repeated stories and very, very many spelling errors. The spell check can only take care of so much.

Let's see if I have anything to say today. Uncle Ron slipped on some ice and ended up in the ambulance to Leavenworth. Of course, the ambulance is only a block or two away from his cabin so that helped. He received about 10 tiny clamps in the back of his head and returned home a few hours later. I'm sure Joey missed him. In the mean time Jill had received an initial message from him and then no answer for hours so she was worried until she phoned the local truck stop and learned their scanner had picked up the ambulance report stating the patient was alive and bleeding from the head.

Did you receive any valentines yet? Cyd's boys were very excited about just buying the valentines but Lucas and Miles are simply not into this holiday. Now Halloween is an entirely different thing. They get to spent the night tonight so I am pleased. I think they need to watch a Western movie. It might be good to see the right and wrong and how the West was won.

February

This past weekend I was invited by Brett's family to ride along with them to Sumner. I was delighted to have all the grandsons in one place. Brett and Anna Marie went to a judo tournament for the day while Cyd and I attempted to keep the boys entertained. This is how they reacted when they arrived. They were only interested in swords, guns, knives, and axes.




The day was long until we settled upon Pirates of the Caribbean to calm them down for an hour or more.




Later in the day we went swimming at a motel and they seemed to really like that. Mostly I just wanted them to know that these are their special cousins and my grandsons. Maybe in a few years they'll get it. And yes, the snow in the Seattle area had disappeared.

I don't have much else to tell you. It has been quiet around here and besides walking in the a.m. and occasionally going to exercise classes I'm not doing much at all. You pointed out that I don't need people to talk to all the time so I'm following your advice and becoming reclusive. Monday and Wednesdays I get to watch Miles and that is very easy as he tells me what he's going to do-mostly the Wii, what he wants to eat-mostly cheeseburgers or jelly sandwiches.

I guess it's time to start on my income taxes. I want to know if you are joining Chantal on her trip to Africa. You would have fun with her and with the elephants.