Tis the season . . . Or maybe not.

I saw an ad on Craigs list from a single mom "desperately" wanting a playpen for her daughter and asking you to text her if you had one. We had one that was too small for a granddaughter so I texted to see if she still needed one. She said yes, she would take it and come the next MORNING for it. I told her we would be home in the MORNING.

Then she texts again asking if we live close to Pizza Hut and her friend could pick it up on the way to get pizza. I gave approximate location and she asked for address, which I gave her. She texts that she would have to wait until next MORNING.

Next morning, since we would be out back of the house, I text her to call first and she said she would. We wait . . . Finally I text that we have a meeting in the afternoon so she needs to pick up before noon. She texts that she will not have a ride until AFTER 2:00 pm!! SINCE WHEN IS 2:00 pm MORNING??

I waited several hours to respond and told her that we would be home the following MORNING but after that our schedule was full. She said she would get it then. Next morning at 6:14 am (while I WAS asleep), she texts wanting to know if her friend can pick it up on his way to work - between 7:00 and 7:30 am. I tell her it is on the front porch and she asks what the address is (again).

Someone picked it up. A few minutes later, She texts one final time (I hope) to say she loves it and Merry Christmas. Was I wrong not to text Merry Christmas back?

Next time I have something to give away, I will do Craigs List "curb alert" - first come first serve!

Pippi Longstocking . . .

I just had to post more pictures of Kalina as Pippi.  It was a perfect Halloween costume for her!

Just had to have Pippi's Mom in here too!

Vacation

We took off in our trusty F250 truck pulling our 5th wheel headed for Amarillo. Of course the wind was blowing in the wrong direction - always against us. We stopped at a rest area close to Electra, where we discovered a tire coming apart on the trailer. Put the spare on, even though it was the wrong kind, wrong size and low in air.  We drove back a few mile to a station, bought two new tires and were on our way again.

We had a great visit in Amarillo. We stayed at Mom's in the lot beside the house, in our 5th wheel.  Mom, June & Dozer (June's dog) are doing well at Mom's house. Mom is looking good. We visited some on the back deck where June was rocking her baby Dozer. :o) So glad that June is there to help out.

Daisy & Darlin' had a great time with everyone. They played with Dozer a lot, between taking his toys and trying to eat his bones & food and taking over his dog bed!! They also played with Haley & Comet (Teresa's dogs).  We also saw Teresa, Barbara, Fred, Joe Pat and Marg. I did not think to get pictures of everyone.

Darlin' is a little terror (but very cute) !! She reminds us of a cat the way she raises up on her hind legs and pounces. I do wish I would have been inside to take a video one morning. Seems that Darlin' removed a kleenex from June's robe pocket (while she was sitting on the couch)and took off with it. June said she chased that little black devil all around the living room 'til she cornered her behind Mom's chair where she dropped it. Would have made a great video!!!

Both our pups loved Grandma's chair AND Grandma's lap! June fed them carrot pieces and tried to get them to play tug of war with a big carrot.

It was good to see Fred and to hear that he will be helping out with the Hospice program. Good for them and for him. Marg was getting ready for a trip to Cambodia with Doug.

With the weather forecast calling for snow, we left and headed for Austin by way of Cross Plains. There, we stayed at the local motel's RV park there. It was SUPPOSED to have internet. NOT !!  I could not even get 3G on my phone in that area, just that big "E".

We caught up with old friends at the Senior Center and got lots of hugs along with a great meal. They still have some really good cooks! It was so good to see everyone there.

We drove by our old house in Cross Plains and visited with neighbors there. Looks like the new owners are taking really good care of the place. They send some pictures last month of some improvements they have made to the back yard – just beautiful!

We drove to Brownwood and visited with good friends there- was really great to see them. We miss the people so much from Cross Plains and Brownwood area. Big city living has it's advantages but you can't beat the people in small towns!!






From Cross Plains we went to the Austin area and. Found a really nice KOA RV park in Leander. Very convenient for visiting with Jay & family in Leander and Mike & family in Cedar Park. The park is very nice, clean and quiet.


The pups and Coco had a good time playing. Darlin' grabbed Coco's bed and used her monkey for a pillow so Coco grabbed Darlin's bone.

 

 

When Kalina sees us, she alternates between calling "Grandpa" (in Bulgarian) or "Dais e e e" !!  We enjoyed seeing her dressed as Pippi Longstocking and Lili's pigtails to match. Would like to have seen Lili also with freckles but she took them off earlier.  So cute for Halloween!!

We did make it to a football game where Todd was playing his trombone in the band . . . On the coldest night they have had this year! We like to froze our ____'s off. We left early and while Rosario took us to the trailer, Jay called to let us know they won the game.

 We really enjoyed the visit with everyone and hope to get away more often. Thanks everyone for a great visit!

See the tree . . . how big it's grown -

 This picture was taken in 2004.

 These two were taken the end of October - different angle - same beautiful tree!

We took a drive out to Cross Cut and checked to see how the "goat ranch" was looking.  It looks great really being taken care of. The one little tree that survived, of all we planted, is big and beautiful.

Resemblance ??

 Kalina

  Daddy Mike

Grandma Chris

I think she takes after me!!! :o)

Enjoyed the visit with Grandpa when he stayed with us for a few days.  Daisy and Darlin' likes him as much as he likes them.

Sheri came for a day trip visit as well. It was good that Robert & Jeanie got away for a nice trip.

 

Also enjoyed the trip to Greenville and visit with Richard, Kathy, Roy & Jessica. Kathy fixed a great lunch for everyone!

Quilts for Kids Round Three -

I ordered and received another of their beautiful kits to make up for a special child. I really love the fabric they send. It is so easy to put these together, quilt them and send them back for those kids in need. All you furnish is the labor, batting and shipping cost to send them back. And they would like you to send one of your own with it as well.

Here is this one from their kit. I call it "Faiths Flying".

 

This next one is from my stash of fabrics. I call it "Faith's Blues".

Dad's Rules of Dating

(Borrowed from a friend's DIL)

I am so glad to have a Daddy who this applied to (and still does!!!!!) and to have friends and family who were raised the same way!

Rule One:
If you pull into my driveway and honk you'd better be delivering a pizza,
because you're sure not picking anything up.

Rule Two:
You do not touch my daughter in front of me. You may glance at her so long as
you do not peer at anything below her neck. If you cannot keep your eyes or
hands off of my daughter's body, I will remove them.

Rule Three:
I am aware that it is considered fashionable for boys of your age to wear their
trousers so loosely that they appear to be falling off their hips. Please don't
take this as an insult, but you and all of your friends are complete idiots.
Still, I want to be fair and open minded about this issue, so I propose this
compromise: You may come to the door with your underwear showing and your pants ten sizes too big, and I will not object. However, in order to ensure that your clothes do not, in fact come off during the course of your date with my
daughter, I will take my electric nail gun and fasten your trousers securely in
place to your waist.

Rule Four:
I'm sure you've been told that in today's world sex without utilizing a
'Barrier method' of some kind can kill you. Let me elaborate; when it comes to
sex, I am the barrier, and I will kill you.

Rule Five:
It is usually understood that in order for us to get to know each other, we
should talk about sports, politics, and other issues of the day. Please do not
do this. The only information I require from you is an indication of when you
expect to have my daughter safely back at my house, and the only word I need
from you on this subject is: 'early.'

Rule Six:
I have no doubt you are a popular fellow, with many opportunities to date other
girls. This is fine with me as long as it is okay with my daughter. Otherwise,
once you have gone out with my little girl, you will continue to date no one
but her until she is finished with you. If you make her cry, I will make you
cry.

Rule Seven:
As you stand in my front hallway, waiting for my daughter to appear, and more
than an hour goes by, do not sigh and fidget. If you want to be on time for the
movie, you should not be dating. My daughter is putting on her makeup, a
process than can take longer than painting the Brooklyn Bridge. Instead of just
standing there, why don't you do something useful, like changing the oil in my
car?

Rule Eight:
The following places are not appropriate for a date with my daughter: Places
where there are beds, sofas, or anything softer than a wooden stool, places
where there is darkness, places where there is dancing, holding hands, or
happiness. Places where the ambient temperature is warm enough to induce my
daughter to wear shorts, tank tops, midriff T-shirts, or anything other than
overalls, a sweater, and a goose down parka - zipped up to her throat. Movies
with strong romantic or sexual themes are to be avoided; movies that feature
chain saws are okay. Baseball games are okay...Old folks’ homes are better.

 Rule Nine:
Do not lie to me. I may appear to be a potbellied, gray-haired, middle-aged,
dimwitted has-been. But on issues relating to my daughter, I am the
all-knowing, merciless god of your universe. If I ask you where you are going
and with whom, you have one chance to tell me the truth, the whole truth and
nothing but the truth. I have a shotgun, a shovel, and five acres behind the
house. Do not trifle with me.
 
Rule Ten:
Be afraid. Be very afraid. It takes very little for me to mistake the sound of
your car in the driveway for a chopper coming in over the desert outside
Baghdad. When my battle fatigue starts acting up, the voices in my head
frequently tell me to clean the guns as I wait for you to bring my daughter
home. As soon as you pull into the driveway you should exit the car with both
hands in plain sight. Speak the perimeter password, announce in a clear voice
that you have brought my daughter home safely and early, then return to your
car - there is no need for you to come inside. The camouflaged face at the
window is mine.

Another Quilt for Kids in Progress

I got my kit a few days ago and got the top put together. They always send the prettiest fabrics.