Day Two Hundred Fifty Seven 2013

Wallowing in sidewalk chalk, grandson Knox spent the whole day creating art at his house with his mom and me, while his grandpa replaced the front porch banisters. Knox’s mom and dad are getting their house ready to sell. Knox was pretty much covered from head to toes in colorful chalk and didn't mind one bit. Good times on a gorgeous fall-like day.

Day Two Hundred Fifty Six 2013

The weather has taken a sudden turn. Today was fall-like perfection. Neil and I strolled around the block after lunch. We checked out a house for sale nearby. Not for us, but for daughter Kelly and her family. It looked nice and worth the time to see what was inside.

So daughter Kelly and grandson Knox popped in this afternoon to have a look at the house. It had lots of space inside, lots of rooms and an upstairs. Kelly was torn about it, especially since she and her hubs have already made an offer on another house in the neighborhood. In the end, she decided the first house was the one for them. Knox doesn’t really care where they live I guess. He had some fun jumping on the trampoline.

Headed to Cracker Barrel for supper before they had to head back home. I’m still amazed when I run into stuff like this and it’s still basically summer, on the calendar anyway. No, there is not a feeling of Christmas in the air, thank you.

Knox waited for his mac and cheese and carrots, passing the time coloring and playing with the peg game, and sucking on lemons. He loves to suck on lemons. And not even a grimace or wince. Go figure.

Sometimes you can’t get out of Cracker Barrel without buying stuff that catches a grandson’s eye [way to go, Grandpa]. Beanie Ball Pooh and Tigger were pretty hard to resist.

Knox loves those rocking chairs, so we sat for a while and rocked after supper and Knox rocked his Pooh and Tigger. Didn’t linger too long. The wind got cold. Not used to that. Kelly and Knox didn’t linger too long with us, either. Had to get on the road back home. Lots to do to get their house ready to put on the market soon. Busy days ahead. Have a happy TGIF, everyone.

Day Two Hundred Fifty Five 2013

Grandson Elijah decided the other day that he’s ready to walk to my house from school. All by himself. He said I could wait on the back porch for him, but I told him I’d meet him at the steps into the back yard. He has to cross three traffic lanes ~ two in the school parking lot and then the street itself ~ but I think I trust him to look for cars. He seems to be handling it pretty well.

Day Two Hundred Fifty Four 2013

 

Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward. Freedom will be defended! 

 

~President George W. Bush, September 11, 2001

 

These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of America's resolve.

 

~President George W. Bush

Day Two Hundred Fifty Three 2013

Some tortures are physical
And some are mental,
But the one that is both
Is dental.
~Ogden Nash

Having dental work done never really bothered me until recently. For whatever the reason, I have panic attacks whenever I’m in the dentist’s chair. I’m guessing it stems from being claustrophobic, which has escalated in recent years. I keep telling myself that it is irrational, that it is no big deal, but the minute I sat down in that chair this morning and his assistant strapped that bib around my neck, I started to break out in a cold sweat, my heart started to pound, and I could feel myself starting to fade away. Talking to and laughing with the assistant helped some. The doc had to fill in a couple of places where spaces had developed between teeth and gums, and then I had to have new night guards made ~ one for top, one for bottom ~ cause I’m a grinder and have broken three night guards already ~ so I get two this time. No big deal. No big deal. I can do this. Dental work is always tedious, so I try to go someplace else in my head ~ anywhere but the dentist chair. An hour later, it is over. I survived it without totally freaking out [or passing out which might not be a bad thing]. My dentist is very kind and understanding and well aware of my neurosis and I’m thankful for that. In the meantime, my goal is to take really good care of my teeth so I never have to sit in that chair again. Smile, y’all, and have a nice day.