Wednesday, August 12, 2009

" What I Did On My Summer Vacation "




Baby Jack at grandma Diana's house.



This has absolutely nothing to do with my vacation and speaking of which, I don't really get a vacation. I did however watch a fabulous movie before my husband came home for HIS vacation! This was a wonderfully warm and witty movie. I won't get into the story in case you might like to see it. I will say that the way the main character talks reminds me a little of how Bernie from " On My Own " writes. I kept thinking of her through the movie because of the way Mrs. Palfrey spoke. I highly recommend this flick!









My husband is still home for his time off. We have been enjoying our time together very much. Saturday evening we, Jake, Katie and I went out for dinner. We went to "Ryans" which is a large buffet and had a great meal. Jake and Katie over indulged a bit with the buffet as I heard moans and groans of overly full belly's on the drive home! I was very full myself but for some reason I wasn't as uncomfortable as the two little piggy's in the car!




On the way home we stopped at the video store as I have been wanting to see Tyler Perry's new flick " Madea Goes to Jail ". Jake and Katie also wanted to see it. Wow something we all agreed on! I love all of Tyler Perry's movie's. One of my guesses in Jackie's from " Teachers Pet " guessing game was Tyler Perry as I am pretty sure that all of his movies take place in Georgia. His movies are usually pretty funny but also have serious story line weaved in. They also always have an inspirational message.


Madea movies are always my favorites of Tyler Perry's however this last one wasn't as funny as his past one's. We did enjoy it as it was still entertaining , just not quite as funny as usual , to me anyway




On Sunday Jake and I did our big project that we had planned. That was cleaning out and rearranging " Happenstance ". " Happenstance " is the name of one of our spare bedrooms. We named it that years ago because things always end up getting thrown in there. It it a mess most of the time. It is part office and part bedroom. Every year Jake and I clean out the closet in which every possible thing that doesn't have it's own place gets thrown into. My husband is so good at this job. By the time he gets through sorting things out and rearranging it looks great. We had a huge old chair in there that we never use. So I asked my daughter-in-law if she might want it for her house. My son is going to be picking it up tomorrow ! Yay ! More free space.


The room looks so much better and roomier. I was very pleased, even my hubby commented on how much better it looks. We may have to rename it someday. But I doubt it as it always ends up being the crazy catch all room.




On Sunday afternoon my daughter-in-law called and asked if Katie might want to come out to their house to babysit for baby Jack. Being that there was cash involved, Katie said yes. My DIL , Amy's younger sister is moving in to the house next door to my son Frank and his family. Frank and Amy have been helping her fix it up so they wanted Katie to keep an eye on Jack for a few hours. Jake and I wanted a night alone so we asked Amy if Katie could stay the night too. Of coarse Amy said yes. Well Katie put up a big stink as if she were a five year old. She whined and whined until Amy showed up to get her. Amy told her to just " Go get your stuff, your stayin'". Wow, that's all it took for Katie to stop whining! Thank you Daughter-in-Law!


So the husband and I had a wonderful and well deserved evening alone.






Tuesday was the day that I was dreading. That was the day we had planned on taking Katie clothes shopping for school. We can't do that here as our mall is very puny. We usually take a trip to another mall which is about sixty miles from our house.


Katie had been researching malls online to maybe find a different one to go to. Either way I hate car rides. I never used to but anymore I find them totally boring.


While researching Katie found a different mall located in Evansville, Indiana. It is a little farther then the other mall, about ninety miles one way from the house. But we said " What the heck we'll try something new". I grabbed some crochet thread and a needle to bring along. The ride was quite pleasant as I sat in the back seat, put my feet up and crocheted the whole ride. My knee hurts quite a bit if I have to sit with my foot on the floor for very long. So this was much more comfortable for me and Katie and her daddy were able to goof around up front. The ride to Evansville is much nicer then the ride to Fairview Heights. Much less traffic!


I have to explain that as rule Katie is a pain in the butt to shop with. She will have meltdowns and tantrums when she can't find what she is looking for. It takes every ounce of patience I have in me to deal with her. I have, on occasion, just left with her walking behind me, both of us angered. Jake doesn't like to be with us at all when Katie is clothes shopping.




This time everything was different. I felt as though I were in a dream. The ride was very pleasant. I thought about Jerelene from "Jerelene's Journal" during the ride as I knew that she lived around there somewhere. Hi Jerelene! The mall was just opening so it wasn't very crowded yet. Katie managed to find a pair of jeans right away and found nine assorted tee shirts that she liked. We wanted to find more jeans but she's a little hard to fit so we will try our Penny's here this weekend. We had a nice lunch at the food court and then headed home. No tantrums. No fits. No meltdowns. I do believe that it was our best shopping trip ever! We will definitely go back there again.








When we got back to our town we made a quick stop at our local Wal-mart where Katie picked out hair coloring. She went back to dark brown. It looks good on her.


She is now ready for her first day as a freshman on Friday. And her Daddy will be home to see her off.




I have to go clean house tomorrow and then work at church on Friday. We wanted to take a trip out to "Devils Prop" while my husband is home so that Kate and I could take some photos, weather permitting. It is this beautiful place that is very wooded and has fabulous rock formations. I am still hoping to be able to fit this in sometime before Jake leaves. I don't think that I could find it on my own.


We are going out to our son Franks, house on Saturday to visit. I will try to get some photos of baby Jack who is walking now. And of coarse my granddaughter Sarah who is starting the first grade. My MaMa will be there too so we should have a nice visit.







The photo above was taken when Sarah spent the night with us a few weeks ago. She was playing with her littlest pet shop toys in " Happenstance ".


Well there you have the week so far. We have four more days together left. So far it's been very nice.












33 comments:

Wanda..... said...

Well Diana...Shopping with Katie for school clothes without a big problem is worth the drive. Most of the time I have problems myself...am just too short for it to be easy.
I will see if I can find the Mrs. Palfrey movie...it may even be at the library.
Baby Jack is such a cute little boy...and pretty Sarah plays just like Alivia...I think you once said she was 6 too.

Enjoy your 4 more days...
Wanda

p.s. I did name the turtles #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 :)

Barb said...

Oh - clothes shopping with a teenage girl. How well I remember...You do notice I have gray hair? It came from that period of time - I grayed overnight after a trip to the mall when I was in my early 40's and the girls were teens. Better buy some hair color for yourself, too.

The Grandchildren are adorable! We have a Jack, too.

Rebecca said...

I've been wanting to name our house something but can never come up with just the right name! "Happenstance" may actually FIT!

I like the idea of crocheting in the back seat of the car! (I would need to learn to crochet first.) But sometimes riding in the front seat gives me hip and knee pains, too....

Beautiful grandchildren, Diana!

Diana said...

Hi Wanda,
I too am short, 5'2 & 1/2. Yes I add the half! Katie is 5'6 but she is just so darn picky! I on the other hand am not a big fashion fanatic! I prefer comfort! Let me know if you get to see the movie. It was such a great story, really!
Sarah and Alivia are the same age. I just love this age!
Diana

Diana said...

Hi Barb,
I am so hoping that Katie has turned the corner with her shopping. She was so happy and calm yesterday. I think I'll say a prayer that she continues to shop that way!
I can't wait to visit the grandkids this weekend. Katie says that Jack is really talking now too! Diana

Diana said...

Hi Rebecca,
Thank you I am so looking forward to squishing and kissing my grandchildren!
My hips bother me a lot too but it was really comfotable stretched out in the back seat! Anymore long trips and thats where I'm sitting from now on! Diana

Eileen said...

Great post, Di! And great to hear from you and to hear about how things are going!
Your grandchildren are adorable! They both look a lot alike I think.

I'm glad you and your husband got some alone time! That's always so nice (and a rare occasion around here too!). And I'm glad you got some tantrum-free shopping done too, that's always a big plus!
I'm not much of a clothes-horse anymore either, but I used to be. I used to love to shop, now not so much.

Isn't it a great feeling to get so much done around the house?

Well, I'm glad things are going well, and I hope the rest of your time together goes just as well! Enjoy!
And I hope Kate's first few weeks of school go smoothly!

I'll email you later.
Love you, E

Diana said...

Hi Eileen,
We have gotten a lot done around here! Jake has all but one thing left on his list to do which is amazing for him because he usually waits until the last day to do everything. I am so proud of him! He also cooked dinner for me one night which was a real treat!
Talk to you soon, love Di

Terrie said...

Sounds like the only time you've had to breath was on the car ride to the mall but I will say, it also sounds like you've had some great family time as well. I remember clothes shopping when I was a teenager. My dad would give me his credit card and say, "Here you go". My mom would drop me off "down town" while she went and had her hair done. Dad knew I wouldn't spend too much because I was a thrifty shopper even back then and was also hard to fit (skinny with long legs, sheesh, what happened to me?). Oh the memories!

Terrie said...

PS; How come it is that I can remember my own school shopping but I cannot remember shopping with my teenagers? Maybe I am blocking out the bad stuff?

Bernie said...

Hello Miss Diana, am going to rent Mrs. Palfrey just to hear how I talk!
Am really glad to read your post tonight, I've missed you.
Katie did well shopping and you all had a good time...I love this!
Jack and Sarah are beautiful, I know you will have a fun weekend especially now with Jack talking.
Sounds like you and Jake have had a great week....wonderful....and four more days to go.....Enjoy! Glad you are getting so much done.
You are one special lady doing all that you do with your arthritis and all, you are an inspiration to me......
I hope Katie has her best school year yet, being so young she does have some wonderful times ahead of her.
Take care my friend,.....:-) Hugs

Brenda said...

Wow, Diana, you covered a lot of territory--literally and figuratively! Your little Jack is beautiful!--and your sweet Sarah, also!

You honestly tell how it is with teens! Glad your shopping went well.

Also, that is great that you are having some good hubby time.

Jerelene said...

Hi Diana! If only I'd known you were coming this way!! Evansville is about a 20 minute drive for me..Eastland mall is right off the highway that we come down to get to Evansville. The Olive Garden in front of the mall is where my oldest daughter works! Since her car's transmission is out..I make a drive there quite a bit! I would have loved to have met you there!! Oh well..maybe next time!!
I'm glad you got to have an evening to yourself..I know how wonderful that rarety is!!
Your grandbabies are both adorable...I love the name Jack..he is so cute..and Sarah is a doll!
Enjoy the rest of your vacation :)
Love, Jerelene

Diana said...

Hi Terrie'
I remember shopping when I was I teen too. I had trouble finding clothes because I was a size 3 ! That was a long, long,long time ago! A lot has changed trust me!
BTW you probably have blocked out shopping with your teens, I have with my other two!
Luv Di

Diana said...

Good Morning Bernie,
You may think me crazy about Mrs. Palfrey reminding me of the way you talk but you will enjoy the movie! Plus we write a little differently then we actually talk.
I took a pain pill before we started shopping which was a good thing or I would not have made it through that mall. The odd thing was that they had no benches! None!
If I could have sat more it would have been nice. But I took it very slow. My knee and hips hurt yesterday but I am good again now, just in time to clean!
Our last four days are going to go by fast. Katie is super excited about Friday! Hope you are doing better Bernie. Love Di

Diana said...

Hi Brenda,
We did cover a lot of ground and I was dreading the mall because of the arthritis but it went well and I am grateful for that!
I have to tell it like it is with Katie because all of you girls allow me to vent about the whole teen thing! It helps so much when others have been through the hormonal rollar coaster so to speak! And it allows me to laugh about it afterwards so I should be thanking all of you!
Thank You Brenda!

Diana said...

Hi Jerelene,
I did think about contacting you to see if you wanted to have coffee with me but we were so unsure of how this shopping trip would be with Katie! I won't let her alone in the stores yet as I don't yet trust what she'll come out with! Although her dad went in with her several times to help her. I love seeing them shop together it warms my heart! But we all said that we would be going back there for sure. It is a nice mall! And I would have loved meeting you and getting some home made salsa! Have you ever grown cilantro for your salsa? Kate and I love that! Love Di

Maria said...

Good Morning Diana!
I'm writing from my father's... I brought him home the other day...and have been helping around his house..
The mall Katie found looks beautiful... I know what you mean about going on long trips... I don't like more than 2 hours now...but will endure for family.
I miss movie nights...haven't had one in a while... I enjoy comedies so I'll look into the Medea ones!

All the best to Katie as she begins her high school adventures. God bless her and guide her footsteps.

Enjoy your summer moments! ~Maria

Diana said...

Good Morning Maria,
I just got through posting on your blog! Thank you for blessings on Katie's high school adventures. I will really have to be on my toes the next four years!
We love movie nights here too. We are going to try and squeeze one more in if we can while the husband is still home!
Love Di

Blessings each day said...

I ran over here this morning so excited to see you post and discovered that 40 billion people beat me to it. That's what happens when you have to go to bed early so your cutie pie hubby won't be lonely!

What a wonderful trip and so glad you made it well emotionally as well as physically. I've never been crazy about long car trips (translation...more than 20 minutes) so I'm with you there, sister. Great that you are crocheting, only don't hurt yourself. If you ever have a giveaway, I'll be first in line for something crocheted by you!

Thanks for the movie hints as I haven't done the Madea series (didn't know how they were and have gotten ahold of some really sorry movies in the past). Any special ones you might recommend? Can't wait to see the Bernie, er Mrs. Palfrey one now!

Enjoy your time with your hubby now and maybe another movie.

blessings and lots of hugs,

marcy

Jerelene said...

Hi Diana! I would have loved to have met and had coffee! Maybe when you come back we can do that :)
I've never grown any herbs..but that was on my wish list this yr..but didn't get accomplished. I will try harder to make that happen next year!
Yes, JoAnn's sure has a lot of nice stuff, including fabric and yarns..that would be a fun place to work!
I better go for now...Love, Jerelene

Tranquility Speaks said...

It felt so nice to read of your week! Your getting to spend quality time with your husband,going shopping, you amazing daughter ( I really admire your wit :D) and eating out and hanging out as a family. I am still smiling as I write this :)

I haven't seen this movies, but if I get a chance, I shall make sure I see them :)

If the food is tasty, as a rule, I always over eat, so I've something in common with your daughter :D

Wish you a great get-together with your family this weekend :) Have fun :)

Diana said...

Hi Marcy,
I just got home and read your comment! My knee is killing me ( from mall and housecleaning ) so I am sitting now in the comfy recliner as my hubby waits on me!
I loved all of the Madea movies but I think the first one " Diary of a Mad black Woman " and " Madea's Family Reunion " were the best. But I must warn you my dear friend that there are curse words throughout the movies. On the other hand Tyler Perry is a very spiritual person and his movies always have a strong " Do Unto Others" message. They are both very serious and funny.
I don't believe there were any curse words in Mrs. Palfrey. She is how I want to be when I grow up! And it had a very fresh story line. O.K. enough movie reviews!
But I would like to know what you thought about Mrs. Palfrey if you watch it. Love Di

Diana said...

Hi Jerelene,
Next time we go I will be in touch and we can do lunch or brunch or coffee or whatever!
Love Di

Diana said...

Hi Stillness,
Our Katie just informed us that she is spending the night at her friends Friday night so my husband and I will get another night alone. We will probably go out to the buffet again too! But she doesn't have to know that!
Stillness, I think that you would really enjoy Mrs. Palfrey!
Love Di

Unknown said...

OK, now I am feeling totally left out! hehehe, I just can't believe all the comments...and...my friend I think it is time that someone contacts OPRA and gets the village together on her show. Wouldn't that bee a hoot! Maybe we all could get some wonderful give-a-ways, she always does that, like a new i-phone or something to keep in touch with each other! OK, I put the word out...now if someone can figure out how to contact HARPO and tell them about the "village" people! Shopping! your brave woman! INSANE woman, and my sister....WHAT! dad gave you the credit card! spoiled! hehehehe

Diana said...

I'm sorry Linda didn't your daddy give you the credit card too! Uh-Oh maybe that was supposed to be a secret!
Hi Oprah!!!! Pick us for your show!!! That would be so much fun Linda! Love Di!

Anonymous said...

Diana...I need you over here soooo bad. We're not cleaning one room....it's the entire house!! And I have a fever blister the size of the bathroom sink....sigh.
Company/family coming....can't hide things in 'the other room'....'cause they will be in 'the other room'...so...help!!!
Your grandchildren are beautiful!!
Love,
Jackie

Diana said...

Oh Jackie I'd be happy to help if I were there. I am great at cleaning and organizing mainly because I can't stand disorganized clutter if that makes any sense!
I drive my family insane when we have company because everything has to be just so. But I have lightened up a bit onmyself lately, just a bit! Perhaps youhave some closets that you can throw things into? Try not to stress to the point that you can't enjoy the company! Let me know how it all turned out!

Gail said...

Hi DIana-

I happened by, "hello". I am a HUGE Madeia fan (Tyler Perry is a genius) - although Madeia Goes to Jail was not my favorite. Madeia's Family Reunion is my all time fave. :-)

And fascinating shopping trip to the mall ninety miles away!! Bravo!! And I am glad it all worked out and Katie was happy. amd thus, so were you. :-)
So nice to vist you at your place
Love Gail
peace.....

Tranquility Speaks said...

This is Stillness Speaks and this is my new blog address

Diana said...

Hi Gail,
I'm glad that you stopped by and I totally agree with you on "Madea Goes to Jail". Not one of Tyler's funniest. But we can't be perfect all the time!
When I think of all the useless dreading I did about that shopping trip! Now I actually look forward to going again! Love Di

Diana said...

Hi Stillness, I am on my way!