Day Two Hundred Fifty Nine 2013

Thanks again, sisters (and your families), for the Outback gift card you gave us on our 40th anniversary. We used it once, back when we first got it, and it was so generous that it still had plenty on it for another great meal. We decided to use it this evening, because after a week of being on a Slim Fast for breakfast and lunch kick and Subway for supper, we were in the mood for some real food. I didn’t particularly want broccoli, but I figured it would be a healthier choice than the sweet potato fries [I was amazed by my self control ~ those fries are pretty awesome]. The meal was such a nice treat, and we really do appreciate round two of this yummy gift.

Day Two Hundred Fifty Eight 2013

“Each year, the Great Pumpkin rises out of the pumpkin patch that he thinks is the most sincere. He's gotta pick this one. He's got to. I don't see how a pumpkin patch can be more sincere than this one. You can look around and there's not a sign of hypocrisy. Nothing but sincerity as far as the eye can see.”  ~Linus Van Pelt, It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Neil and I went for a stroll around the block today after lunch and discovered that the rogue pumpkin vine that had sprung up months ago at the very back of our yard had spread all the way down the hillside and almost into the street. I had totally forgotten there was a vine growing there.

And happy happy joy joy there is at least one pumpkin growing in this massive patch of pumpkin vines. Woo Hoo! What a pleasant surprise. I’m hoping there might be one or two more hidden in there somewhere. Maybe I’ll have a Great Pumpkin by Halloween. It looks like a sincere pumpkin patch, doesn’t it?

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.