Tuesday October 6, 2015  DAVE GOT A TATOO

Well, like I said yesterday, today was going to be an interesting day.  Perhaps a better word to describe the day would be “A FUN DAY”.  Lots going on here in these two cabin condos in Branson Missouri.  Between grandparents, auntie and uncle, and mom and dad, the boys are bounced around a bit.  They spent the morning at Rebecca and Neil’s place while mom and dad destressed in the gym room.  Then I went over to Rebecca and Neil’s to help them complete a surprise.  We waited until the boys were picked up by mom and dad and then we went to work. 

Rebecca had a surprise birthday party planned for Zachariah and Xander.  We also wished happy birthday to Neil as his birthday is also coming up soon.  Once clear of the two little pirates we got to work.  Courtland and Amy were not privy to our plans.  We zoomed into action, Rebecca ever ready with all the trimmings, started hanging décor around and a great big HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIGN across the windows.  The theme of the party was PIRATES, even to the attire.

Once the décor and theme was in place we started the fun part.  We had purchased a lot of little gifts for the boys, which we has previously wrapped, and we planned a pirate’s treasure hunt.  If I had saved the clues my poem would have already been written.  But alas, I did not think of that and the clues were discarded after the treasure hunt.  The clues consisted of little rhymes that gave instructions as where to look.  Some clues were quite difficult, some were a bit too easy, and some were very educational because we used words they did not know.  That made for a time of teaching, which is always my intent.  Neil and I worked diligently to hide all the gifts, put the clues in the right places, and hoped we wouldn’t forget where all the gifts were hidden.  But, they were all found. 

Before the party began we all “had tattoos”, even grandpa Dave.  I confess, even grandma had one!  I’ll show you the photos…of Dave’s.  This is something we never thought we’d do.  Well, I thought they would wash off.  Well, guess what, they actually last for a few days.  I’ll see just how hard I can scrub.

The two birthday boys had a wonderful time searching.  It went without a hitch.  No meltdowns, no one got hurt, and both boys had a great time unwrapping their bounty of treasure.  I shall include a few pics for you to see.  Zach touched a chord in my heart when he turned to his mom and said, “This is the best birthday party I’ve ever had”.  Believe me, he has had some pretty awesome birthday parties so that was quite a compliment.

It was a half hour of quiet interlude as I wrote the blog above.  The doorbell rings and my little munchkins are back from the pool.  Guest are arriving soon for dinner.  I have a cousin and her husband who live here in Branson and it is always a highlight when we have a chance to visit with them while in Branson.

THE MEMORIES I’LL CHERISH

By Kathleen Martens

October 6, 2015

The day has been full,

Used to the hilt.

Fun for us all

Without any guilt.

Time from the usual

Gives mind a rest.

When we resume our duties

We’ll be at our best.

Life does not stop

Even when you’re old.

But there are some things

I wish I’d been told.

Like two grown children,

Two dogs and two grands,

Creates a vacation

With lots of demands.

But all is worth it

Every moment together,

For it bonds our hearts

And creates a tether.

So regardless how strenuous

A day can become.

The memories I’ll cherish

Will be all the fun.

I wrote half the poem when I started this evening before company came and the last half after everyone left.  It is done.  I am done.

Good night and God bless you.

P.S.  I must relate a rather funny story that my cousin told me at the dinner table.

Last week I called my cousin Rita and left a message on her answer machine that we would be coming to Branson and I would love to have her over for dinner and to be sure and bring Jerry.

Several days passed and I had not heard back from her.  I mentioned it to Dave and tried to call her back but couldn’t get my connection to go through.  Well Rita told me tonight that she had texted me and after doing so I had never returned her text.  Well, I never received the text.

Now for the rest of the story.  Come to find out, I had not left her a message on her answer machine.  Rather, I had left the message on her sister’s answering machine, who is not married, and definitely not married to Jerry.  Her sister Retta does not live in the Branson area but was excited that I had called her and asked her to come to Branson to visit but was a bit surprised when I asked her to bring her sister’s husband.  She finally put two and two together, called her sister Rita and clued her in that she thought the message was for her, thus Rita sends me the text (which I did not receive). 

Rita finally called me and said yes, she and her husband would love to come for dinner.  And so tonight they did.  We all got a laugh out of what Rita told us that Retta had put on her facebook page.  She said her cousin had invited her to come to dinner but to be sure and bring her sister’s husband with her.  Oh well, it could have been worse.  She might have showed up with her sister’s husband!

It was nice to see Rita and Jerry (right wife and husband) tonight.  And I hope I will be able to see her sister Retta when I am in Arkansas.  Tonight was a good night!

So, good night again.

Monday October 5, 2015  TIME IS PASSING TOO QUICKLY

MAKING MEMORIES

By Kathleen Martens

October 5, 2015 

So much we’ve done,

So much to do.

These days are precious

But oh, too few.

I live each moment

To the max.

So much to do,

No time to relax.

Day’s end comes

In the twinkling of an eye

Because the hours

Just seem to fly.

So I measure each little thing

To remember when past.

The hours soon will end.

Memories, are what will last.

And on that day 

When we must part,

My arms will be empty,

But not heart.

Though the week is early I must admit I feel a bit of melancholy trying to creep in.  I believe that is because I know our week together as a family will all too soon come to an end.  Because of that, we are packing it full of fun things.  This was a slow moving, peaceful day.  Cool weather but very enjoyable. 

Today was part shopping, part sightseeing, part Condo time.  Now it is bedtime and again, (sounding like a broken record), and I am tired.  We are currently in Branson, away from all the work that looks you in the eye when you are home.  No work to do here except some laundry AND COOK.  Though I assembled most of my recipes at home it still seems that I am in the kitchen quite a bit.   I won’t go there, just wanted you to know that it seems a woman’s work is never done.  Oh well, I enjoy working. 

Before this blog becomes work I shall close.  Rebecca and Neil will be leaving soon for their condo and I want to get ready to sleep.  Another busy day tomorrow.  I’m leaving out many of the details of the day but just wanted everyone to know that I am alive and well.

Tomorrow is a very special and exciting day.  I promise to tell you about it after it takes place.

Good night and God bless you.