Wish this summer would slow down!

Bill was up early on Saturday. He was collecting money for MDA with the fire department. They were in the center of town. Ping and I went to the bank and post office and so we drove by and put some money in the firemen's boots. The rest of the day was spent at home for the most part just doing some odd and end things. We then went car shopping. Unfortunately, we were not out long enough to look at everything we wanted to. So we aborted the car mission and headed to Home Depot and ran into Ayi Meri and Uncle Joe with Lucas and Ryan. We all decided to have dinner at Chilis since none of us had eaten.

Yesterday we went to Ayi Donna and Uncle Brad's house for Brad's 60th birthday party. We had a wonderful time. I didn't go swimming, but Ping and Bill did. The day was very overcast, but it didn't rain. We didn't get home till pretty late.

Today was an odd day. Around 1:00 pm or so, there was a knock at the door. I went to the door, but hadn't carried my keys with me. There was an older gentleman looking at me. I said "May I help you?" He said "Are you Sandy? I said no, are you looking for Sandy Miles?" He said "well she used to be Sandy Cummings." I told him to wait a minute. I went to grab my keys and stepped out onto the porch. I told him that I was Jill Cummings and that Sandy was my aunt and that she didn't live here. He said he was told that Sandy bought the house when her dad died. I told him that I bought the house. It was my grandfather's house and that I was the only child of Charles and Janet Cummings. He said "Chippy was your dad?" I said "Yes, Chip was my Dad and Janet was my Mom." I then proceeded to tell them that they had both passed away. He said that he and his wife were really close with my parents. He then told me his wife died 9 or so years ago. So I asked her name. It didn't ring a bell. So we got to chatting more and I finally said "Sir, what is your name." He said "My name is Bunny." I thought I was going to fall over. Talk about a blast from the past." I said "Oh my god, I didn't recognize you. You are Bunny of Bunny and Joan!!!!!" I went to Disney World when I was 12 and we visited you and you and your wife and daughter went to the Magic Kingdom with us. I have that picture still of the two of us." He proceeded to tell me that we stayed at the Contemporary and that Jody and I took off and went to the pool and they were all nervous wrecks. I don't remember that. My mom and my dad were best friends with these people. I heard about them all my life. My Mom and Joan exchanged Christmas photos and cards every year. My Mom was so upset when Joan died. I told him that it was great that he was still doing so well. Unbelievable that out of the four of them, one was remaining. All I wanted to do was run and call my Mom or wait for her to get home so I could tell her that Bunny stopped by. I knew she would get a kick out of it. Talk about a brain and heart halt when I realized I couldn't tell my Mom. It was so great to see him. It was a little awkward because I didn't remember him much since I was 12, but I knew of him my entire life. He lives in Florida, but was in New Hampshire visiting with his family. He has been here for a few months. He decided to come to Oakdale where he used to live to see who he could find around the area. It was just the most bizarre experience.

After Bunny came, Heidi came over. She is our neighbor. She took Ping for a walk to pick flowers. Ping loves to do that with Heidi. I had to be at home today for a lawn mower repair man to come by and give the lawn mower a tune up. So my day was pretty wasted waiting for him. Unfortunately, he came as Heidi was here and nobody really got my attention. I was trying to juggle both.

I tried to do a little work at my desk today, but I was really dragging. I got some stuff done, but not half as much as I would have liked too. I finally gave in around 4:00 pm and sat with Ping to watch a movie. I passed out a few minutes after sitting down. Bill came home shortly after and we went back out car shopping. We still have a few more things I need to look into. When we told Ping to put her flippies on and to get ready to go, she asked where we were going. I told her that we were going to look at cars. She said "Againnnn?" It was pretty funny. She keeps saying "Mama, you need a new car, let's get this one." She also says "Is this the one Mama, can we go home now????" We did look at a few cars tonight and had the Caddy appraised. We then had a quick dinner because it was late. We have eaten out a lot. We need to get back to a routine.

Mama Out!!!!!

Neesha crawling on me.

Maybe she thinks this is comfy?

Settled right in.

Standing on the rock and posing for Mama.

Happy chick.

Silly girl.

Looking down so sun won't be in her eyes.

Sun in her eyes.

Cutie.

Birthday boy Brad in the red.

About to whip into the pool.

Waiting on a juice box.

Swimming fun.

Carrot cake.

Making a wish with a little help.

If's Friday!!!!!!

We spent a nice day home. Ping watched a bunch of new movies that I got from a Freecycler. Unfortunately, she the "Fox and the Hound" threw her for a loop. Towards the end of the movie, she started crying hysterically. I asked her what happened. All I got out of it is that something happened to the bear. My sweet sensitive baby. It's amazing how affected she is by sad movies. She is such a love.

While Ping watched her new movies, I made several calls for my CASA case. I was happy that I was able to get in touch with a few people. I also had to make a few phone calls about other things. All in all, I got a lot done. Not everything I wanted to. I am getting used to never getting it all done. Sure is frustrating.

Tonight we all played a cute game. Ayi Sarah and Uncle Brad gave Ping a wonderful game for her birthday. You build a tea place setting. You first have to get a plate. After the plate, you acquire sandwiches, fruit and dessert. There is a tea cup, cream and sugar and also a napkin with utensils. You have to get the plate before you can add any food. It's an adorable game and Ping loves it. We have played it a few times now. Unfortunately, all I could spin tonight was "fruit." Once you have it, you can't get another one. Bill was laughing at my bad luck. Ping and Daddy then watched a little TV and I fell asleep for a short time. I then got up and watched some TV. Now I am off to bed. Have to get up early tomorrow.

Mama Out!!!!!

Additional photos

Professional photos of her at 4 years old.

Many faces of our beauty.

Great smile.


My sweet girl in her traditional dress.


Lucas being King!

My watermelon girl.

Happy and hot.

Silly kids.

Ryan.

Swinging.

See saw fun.


See saw fun with Lucas.

Getting behind here

It's been a busy couple of days. Tuesday morning, I took Ping to her 4 year check up. She is doing fantastically. She is 90 % on her height and 95% on her weight. She has gained 9 lbs and 3 1/2 inches!!!! After her appointment, Ayi Meri, Lucas, Ryan and me and Ping went to Playtown Express. It's an indoor play place. I have brought Ping there before. It's a great place. Unfortunately, it was much hotter in there than predicted. The kids had a fantastic time though despite the heat. Ping was really sweaty. She gets like me! It was nice to get out with friends.

We stayed home in the evening. I washed my mailbox if you can believe it. It is white and it was really dirty. It needs to be repainted! Bill and Ping joined me when they saw me outside. Later on, Bill and I fell asleep watching a show with Ping. So she went to bed much later than she should have. Talk about dead beat parents!

Yesterday I took Ping to a playground we have never been too. Funny enough it was right down the street from Playtown Express. It was the opposite exit. Both places are a good 30 minutes from us. We met with a woman that I met through Freecycle. She has three kids. She brought the two youngest as her little girl had last minute plans. We had a great time, but it was hot out. Ping and I then went to Target. She had nothing in the house to drink, so we needed to pick up some juice and water. We got a few other things as well. We didn't get home till after 3:00 pm. I gave Ping lunch at that point. I skipped lunch.

When Bill got home, he wanted to go look at new vehicles. We are planning on trading in the Caddy and getting a new car. The Caddy is old. We got to the place too late to even test drive. I think we may head back there tonight. Not sure what we want yet. I am pretty sure, but want to take my time and look. He will inherit my truck and I will be getting the new vehicle. The new vehicle thanks me for that:) Love you hubby!

Today we are home. I decided we needed a day off from everything. Ping is watching some new movies she was given and I am here at my desk catching up on life! It's a good feeling.

Before I go, I have to share some Ping chatter. When asked the other day by a friend what Mama does for work, Ping said "Mama's job is to sit at the computer." Isn't she sweet?

When I told her the other day to stop doing something she should not be doing, she said "Okay Mama" in an irritated tone. Then she said under her breath "Stupid Mama." I told her never to say that again. She doesn't really even know what it means. It was funny. I proceeded to tell her that I was quite smart and my hearing was excellent!

When we were at her doctors appointment the other day, Ping says "Where Kani, this appointment is very long. It is taking too long Mama." Her doctor is Dr. Malkani, known as Kani apparently to Ping!

Lastly, when Ping and I were in Target yesterday, we were looking at new bean bags and chairs and such. Ping sat in a chair and very seriously looked at me and said "Mama, I need a beautiful and inexpensive couch so that I can watch TV like you do Mama." I just burst out laughing and then gave her a big kiss. It's adorable when she said things like that. She is the purest joy I have ever known.

Hope you are well.

Mama Out!!!!!!!

Sophie sleeping on jackets.

Shut the light off, it's bright in here.

Squinting at me at the doctor's office.

All dressed up and ready for the doctor.

Ayi Meri and Ping.

Lucas having fun.

Ryan hanging around.

Ryan hanging in a bouncy seat.

Ryan sliding.

What Playtown Express looks like.

Ayi Meri and Ryan.

Ready, Set, Go.

Ayi Meri, Lucas and Ping on the slide.

Ryan smiling at his mama.

Ping running on the playground equipment.

Ping climbing up the stairs and Trevor climbing up the slide.

Playground.

Rylie.

Ping climbing again.

Picking flowers.

Talk about not knowing the date!!!!

I have said twice today that it was my father's birthday. It's tomorrow. Why did I think today was the 4th?

I got up early this morning and took Ping to hang out with Daddy while I went to a doctor's appointment. It's convenient to have him work at the hospital that I had my appointment in. They hung out and got some lemonade. Daddy got her lemonade there once and now she equates the hospital with lemonade with Daddy and cookies from Daddy's office mate.

My appointment went well and was only an hour. After leaving there, Ping and I went to Savers to drop off two vacuums and a few other things. They were my parents and we don't need them. We then went to someone's home so that I could show her the Tastefully Simple ropes. She recently signed up under me. We were there for a little while. We then went to "Wendy's House" per Ping for lunch. We brought it home. Neither one of us was thrilled with it.

The rest of the day was spent playing, watching TV, reading and making phone calls.

Daddy came home and mowed the lawn and did a few other things. Bill said to Ping tonight "Baby, try this vegetable, it's really yummy. She replied "Daddy, I am not old enough for vegetables, I'm too little." It was really funny.

I called my friend Maura to say hello and to catch up on life. I am now here. Guess I will file a few things and head to bed.

Mama Out!!!!

It's getting there

Still working on going through my parents belongings. It's a dreadful job. I don't know what to do with some stuff. Everything has to be looked at and thought about. It's easy to get rid of your own stuff by comparison. I know some people say it's just "stuff." That is partially true. Some "stuff" is valuable or sentimental though. I found the flag that was given to my mom after my dad died because he was in the service. You don't throw that out. You don't donate that. You keep it, but where? Won't fit in the Hope Chest. Do you put it in a plastic tub in the attic? Do yourself, your children, your friends, your family or your grandchildren a favor, get rid of everything you think you live without. My parents and grandparents were meticulous in keeping everything of importance. Wills, receipts, deeds to property, etc. I inherited it all. It's been interesting to go through but absolutely heartbreaking also.

I am down to the last of the boxes. Bill and I are still trying to categorize stuff so that I can take photos and talk to experts about some of the stuff. Then there are the things that I didn't like, but my parents liked. One thing in particular is my mom's ceramics. She loved going to class and painting items. I don't have a ton of items, but have a few. There are a few I do not care for. When I asked my mom if I could give away, she was horrified. So now I feel awful if I give them away. So I have watched, bubble wrapped and put into a plastic container for the attic. Some day when I am stronger, I may just be willing to part with it. I believe I have done remarkably well. I have donated a lot of items. That is a huge thing for me. I just keep telling myself that the love I have for my parents is in my heart, it's not in a particular item. They hated clutter, so something tells me that they would be okay with what I have been doing. I usually can judge how they would feel. I hope I am right. If I am wrong, they will surely tell me when I join them in heaven. I am going there, right? I hope not for a very, very long time though. I keep thinking if I consult a medium, I can ask them ahead of time what they think. I don't think any medium could handle my list of questions though:)

It was a fairly productive day. I wish I got more done, but at some point I just hit a wall and had to stop. I hope to get more done as we go forward.

Mama Out!!!!!

Where did the day go?

I had a few things that I listed on Freecycle yesterday. Everything was picked up by today. It was a busy morning. Our friend Trisha came over around 1:00 pm. Bill and Ping went out earlier to do some errands and were still out, so Trisha and I got a chance to chat. When Daddy and Ping got home, we went out to lunch. We then dropped Bill off and took Ping to the playground. We were not there long. We came home and played two games. That was a lot of fun. Trisha wanted to go out for ice cream, so we headed out to a local place. Shortly after we got home, she left to make the drive back to her house. Bill stained a desk that I have wanted stained for two years. I watched a Hallmark movie. Fairly easy day.

I hope tomorrow brings more energy to get some stuff done around the house.

Mama Out!!!!!