too long away

So, after I caught up with all my bookmarks/friends, I finally have a little time to post a little something. Summer is just around the corner and already Buddy is out of school and I have a list of "to do’s" a mile long. We’ll see how much we can muddle through.

Buddy did alright his first year in high school with all A’s and B’s, including Gym! He’s growing into such a nice young man, just have to get him past some of the insecurities and immaturity of a typical 15 yr old, especially one with Asperger’s. He and I actually went shopping for shorts for him and he tried them on w/o complaining too much! He’s growing up!

Hubby and I didn’t really go camping this weekend after all. I went out with him on Thursday and helped him set up but couldn’t stay due to picking up Buddy from school. I got home that night and realized how much the heat affected me and knew the meds were messing with my temp controls. I told Hubby I couldn’t stand the heat and couldn’t see camping for the whole weekend in long dresses and no ac. He called me the next morning to say he wasn’t feeling too good either and he wanted to come home. I went out and helped him strike camp and we packed up and went home. So much for living in the Middle Ages for a weekend! I missed seeing a lot of people but as it turned out, the wind and smoke from a wildfire here in the state made it very unbearable for the people who actually stuck it out. I’m really glad we didn’t stay and got to spend more time together.

This Summer I plan to re-do the interior of the courtyard. The previous owner’s started paving parts of the front and back yards with pre-fab "stones" and didn’t do a good job leveling them or placing them close together. Buddy and I will start the project this week and it will probably take the better part of a few weeks to get it done. We can only work outside during the morning hours until the sun shifts and the temps get too hot. When we get done it will be a nice retreat outside and surrounded by our walls, away from the weird neighbors we have on 2 sides of us.

Buddy and I are also planning on driving up to ND to see my parents. I haven’t seen them in 3 years and my step dad is going on almost 2 years of treatment for lung cancer. He’s stage 4 since it’s in both lungs and it’s mesothelioma caused from the Navy and construction for years. The doctor is just trying to keep it from spreading anymore and keeping him healthy. He’s been through about 4 different kinds of chemo drugs and each one has different side effects. It’s been so hard on Mom but I’m her moral support, giving her advice and support from afar. It’s just so hard being so far away from them!

I also get to see my great niece and nephew!! M is 3 now and into faeries and purple and C is almost 7 months now and growing like a weed! It will be the second time to see M and the first to see C. Their momma is my niece from my "lost" sister. She and I haven’t spoken in 3+ years and I kinda like it that way. My niece has given up trying to get us to talk, just have to get my mom to accept that.

Driving to ND means I have to teach Buddy how to drive a standard! Hubby wants us to take the Mini instead of the old wagon that needs work. It should be interesting teaching Buddy how to drive the car! He’s logged several hours already in his dad’s car but both of our normal vehicles are standards and the wagon doesn’t run so we need to teach him stick. This could be a real challenge!

Here’s to hoping it will be a good Summer….

J