Father's Day

We've reached the end of our yearly Mother's Day-my birthday-Ralph's birthday-our anniversary-Father's Day marathon, and we're a little burned out! In fact, yesterday when I came downstairs and Ralph wished me a happy anniversary, I was pleasantly surprised, and chagrined because I had forgotten! We had a nice dinner at an Italian restaurant, and enjoyed talking and being together, and were thankful that we enjoy being together! (We've had a tough season when we weren't so glad to be with ourselves, much less together!)
This morning, when I came downstairs, I wished Ralph a happy Father's Day, and he was pleasantly surprised, and a little chagrined, because he had forgotten! We are certainly a matched pair, don't you think?

We feasted on burgers and onion rings at Orcutt Burger for lunch, and Ralph is spending the afternoon relaxing in his recliner and watching golf. 

John has been sick all week, barely leaving his sleeping bag, poor baby!

 Perhaps later this week I'll regret that I didn't spend more time taking care of the piles of STUFF that need to be put into their proper places. 

Like this one on the kitchen table:

and this one on the kitchen counter:

and this one on the dining room table:

and this one in the garage:

Instead I'm sewing! 

(Photo taken by Ralph as he watches golf.)

I'm altering clothes for my visit to hot-and-humid Pittsburgh. But as I do, I think about Poppy and get inspired to make things for her. I don't know if she'll like them, or if they'll even fit! But I'm having fun.

I took the skirt off an oldlady-looking swimsuit, and I made it into a twirly skirt, and painted ponies on it in anticipation of our planned pony ride.

And I shortened one of my favorite summer dresses, and used the remnant to make a matching shirt and skirt.

Because Grandmas can do that.

And because Grandpas, on Father's Day, are happy to be left alone to watch golf on tv!

birthdays

I had a birthday. I invited Brian and Valerie and their kids to join us for dinner, and Rienk and Laura joined in for birthday cake.  It feels good to have new friends. There's been a season of grieving over the loss of the way things were, the way life was expected to go, and these friends understand that, and are willing to give it time. Also willing to look for what comes next. So, it was a nice birthday celebration, even though I feel out of practice as a hostess!

Baby Tim had a birth day, too! I got to be part of the support team, staying with the brothers and sister when mom and dad rushed to SLO for his birth.
Here's the little Maverick Stars blanket I made for him:

Modeled beautifully by siblings!




And here's baby Timothy, himself.

procrastination

When I have a big job ahead of me, I procrastinate. When I was supposed to be working on a paper for school, you could very likely find me playing solitaire on the computer. Multiple games. I just work better when the pressure's on, but I've numbed the anxiety with something mindless.
Sometimes I'll procrastinate on something like cleaning the bathrooms by reading the newspaper, or my favorite blogs. Sometimes I'll procrastinate weeding the garden by cleaning the bathroom. Maybe I'll procrastinate cooking dinner by weeding the garden. There's always something that's a little more engrossing than the big task I'm meant to be doing.
So, here's John. Possibly procrastinating a school project. Or maybe he's just practicing a little pre-vacation recreation. After all, school will be out in a few days!

John's distraction of choice? He's coloring. In a coloring book. Actually, a very cool, funky book Kathryn gave him a year-and-a-half ago for Christmas. He's doing a very nice job, and intends to hang the picture on his wall when he's finished. Hmmm, I see the artistic gene trying to poke its head out once again!
I wonder what else John will be doing this summer?