October is here! I would like to say since it is already 5 days into the month - that I have already started putting up decoratons for Halloween, but I can't. I am hoping that I get to that tonight. We are having wonderful Fall weather!!! Especially nice - after last week when we still dealing with 100 degrees. I love this time of year! 
I painted a wall in my living room last night and I will be painting it again tonight. It doesn't really look bad - but it isn't really the color that I was wanting. All the painting that I have done over the years - I think this is the first time that I have decided to repaint right away. So another night of trimming and rolling. Thank God it is only one wall. If I like this second color - "liquid jade" - I will post a picture.
Jake went first - since it was his idea. I was more concerned about the ladder kicking back and falling in after them - and hitting them (all you mothers understand why I think that something like that could actually happen). Of course they think I worry to much. Although they did agree it was a good idea if we stood on the back of the ladder to make sure it didn't move.
After a few tries - they went a little higher.
There was not supposed to be any head first - but then when to they listen to me anymore?
Jake's friend Steven went from the highest point. Needless to say - I was glad when they were finished with this whole thing.
And how do you follow up ladder jumping? . . . giant water balloons of course.
We did not intend to trim trees today. The day started with Jake helping clean some leaves off the patio roof. Ordinarily this would have been done this Spring - not at the end of June when it is nearly 100 degrees - better late than never I guess. So Jake got on the roof and cleaned off the leaves, then he decided to trim the branches that hung over the house. Next thing I now he is climbing the tree with a saw. . . (after spraying it with water to make sure the were no hidden spiders - the guy hates spiders!!) 
Not a huge branch - but what a mess and a lot of work it created. I have to call the city tomorrow and arrange for a pick up. 
Lily came for a visit. Always a treat for us. She went swimming - and entertained us all the whole time she was here.
Jake and I cooked dinner. I probably wouldn't have taken a picture - but I had to get one of Jake wearing the flowered apron. We had fried rice, pot stickers, and sweet & sour chicken.
Cucumbers from the garden! I am so excited about these. I loved eating the small pickling cucumber out of my dad's garden when I was in Iowa. Last year (my first attempt at a garden) - the cucumbers did not make it. This year I am going to have a lot of them. I am picking them every day - putting them in salads - or just slicing them up to snack on. I may get the hang of this vegetable garden yet.
Another picture that I found this morning on my camera. Lily's pacifier at Brent and Ashley's wedding. I just liked how this looked.I found this when I was looking through pictures today. It just makes me laugh . . . I'm not sure what game he is playing - or even what he is trying to do . . . is this dancing??? hula hoop??? - who knows.
I have two cameras - and don't use this one often. I actually forgot these pictures were sitting in my camera - just waiting . . . for me to notice and share them.
Richard and I at "Jake's" restaurant - somewhere in Nevada . . . greeted by 
This was in Nebraska somewhere (or nowhere). 
And when you are just driving and driving . . . and find yourself nowhere . . . crocheting helps kill the time. I made this coffee cozy. For some reason - I think these are so cute. 
And when your husband is tired of driving, hungry, and somewhat crabby . . . crochet these - because when I finished them and put them on - he forgot about being tired and hungry for a minute and actually smile. (Don't look too close - my toenails really needed to be painted.)
No crankiness this time. She even was jumping off the side of the pool before she was done. I think we had as much fun watching, as she did playing.
Jake splashed her . . .
She splashed him back . . .
Then they tried to determine who had the most attitude! 
Our first zucchini from the garden this year. . . cooked my favorite way - a little olive oil and garlic with sourdough toast and raspberry jelly. Luke and I came up with this snack at 3 am last summer - now it is one of our favorites. We were talking about adding a few ingredients to make a sandwich. We'll see how that turns out. 
Kasey was dealt this perfect 29 hand in cribbage awhile back - I just got around to framing it for her this weekend. She hasn't been playing that long - but after she learned the game, she really liked playing - and I guess she was quite excited when the last five was cut. I wish I would have had a chance to show this picture to Dad - he would have gotten a kick out of it.
This is what happens when you stay up way too late playing video games and get up too early because it is too hot in your bedroom. 
It is finally warm enough to enjoy the pool - we had to find the water proof cards today . . .
. . . here is Jake trying to find the 2 of Spades.
Except for these guys. Richard found this underneath the lid that covers the filter that catches leaves and junk - and I had just lifted it up this morning to throw in some chlorine tablets . . . I guess it was a good thing I didn't see it then - I would have definitely freaked out. That off white ball next to it is an egg sac. If you look close you can see the red hour glass. I HATE SPIDERS!!!!
Luke came home with this new kitten a few weeks ago. We named him Sebastian - but he is more often being called Shibby. He actually is sort of a pain - but when he falls asleep like this - I can't help but think he's adorable . . . he's still a pain, but adorable.
I had intended on posting something else this morning, but I had trouble uploading the picture that I wanted. When I was looking through pictures I found this one of me with Dad. Of course it makes me cry - I seem to do that a lot these days, but that's to be expected. I go along just fine and then all of a sudden find myself thinking about him. I didn't really intend on posting something emotional and so personal this morning - but that's what is on my mind. 
Jake, Kasey, Abbie, and Luke . . . I can't even begin to say how much I enjoy these guys. 
It is so rare for us to take a picture together. Partly because I hate having my picture taken - Jake isn't much better. I told everyone before Brent's wedding that we were taking pictures - and as much as I really hate having my picture taken - and usually hate how I look - it is so nice to see us all together. I guess we should really do this more often.
Kasey found this recipe last night - and so Jake and her decided to make it. It was out of a simple recipe book - and simple it was.
Angel food cake, instant vanilla pudding, bananas, frozen strawberries, and cool whip.
The hardest part was waiting the four hours it said to chill it before we could taste it. We only waited about two hours. Great summer dessert - easy to make! 
I went for a walk early this evening - just to get out of the house. I need to walk more - it clears my head and I need the exercise - that's for sure. It was a beautiful evening! Our summer weather is just around the corner. It is supposed to be 100 next week. So until then I will enjoy these perfect evenings and get back to walking - and next week I will enjoy walking in the evening no matter how hot it is - well . . . maybe I will start walking early in the morning.
Not a very good picture - but I was being impatient yesterday when I took this photo. I love hydrangeas and am so excited about these beautiful blooms. I bought these plants last year really late in the season at a very good price - but they looked sort of sad. This year two of them are doing great. The other two still look sort of sad . . . but they look as if they will make it.
I suppose the reason that I think little boys are such wonderful creatures is that I have these two wonderful sons. We attended a wedding last Sunday - and I had such a good time just being with them, and their girlfriends. I will post pictures of them and the girls later. 
I think little boys are wonderful creatures . . . These three are my great nephews and watching them together was so much fun. I loved seeing my family and spending time with them. Even better - in about two months I get to go and visit again. 
Luke and Abbie - I guess I succeeded in teaching him that it is ok to be silly. I love this about him. He sent me this picture yesterday - to wish me a Happy St. Patrick's day!
So many people I know are going through things right now - some more serious than others, but everyone needs some prayers, kindness, and friendship. Ooola going out - to all those that need it!
A quiet Friday night - without much planned. I'm simply happy to have a nice relaxing weekend ahead of me. I was looking at pictures tonight and realized that I have gotten out of the habit of taking them. This I will change - starting this weekend.
"Life is simple, just not easy." ~ Anonymous
I've been away from here for awhile - just busy living I guess. I thought it would be good for me to get back to this blog and I wanted to start with something to cheer me up. (I seem to need a lot of cheering up these days - but life gets like that sometimes). This picture never fails to make me smile - thinking about my family I miss, and thinking about Connor and Luke and how silly they thought it was to stop and see "Iowa's Largest Frying Pan" - but how can you pass up seeing something like that? : )