14 09 24

Josh and Tori got a dog! Her name is Zoey. I don't know what kind of dog she is.

The temps are dropping. Barry is taking care of the cooking. I finished month end.

Angela sent me an email with pictures of the wedding dresses.

Mama cat came over here with me but then decided that she wanted out.She was gone for about twenty minutes, and then I heard a scratching at the door....

14 09 15

Tori said she must really have Josh attached to this family. He was really sorry he couldn't come.

My turkey turned out really good. I just hadn't roasted a turkey in years. I hadn't ever brined one. I followed Alton Brown's instructions, and really turned out the best roast turkey I think I've ever eaten. The crock pot stuffing was good, too. Not exactly the way I remember my mothers, and not quite as good stuffing in the turkey, but very good. Used a Jazz apple in the turkey, by the way. The Summer Pudding was the biggest surprise of the night. The Meyer-Lemon cake may be my new favorite dessert. 

Juicing night. Served left overs on paper plates to minimize after-supper cleanup, and then we started juicing. Beverly and I got a little system going on the carrots, and when JA came home from work he joined us in the kitchen, even before he ate supper. Barry showed us how to fold the stuff up into the bags, and showed JA how to work the press. Shawn came and hung around the kitchen, curious about the taste of things, and maybe about the laughter that was happening. 

14 08 12

Josh to Tori: I love the way you have your icons arranged. Just a little something I overheard on our trip from the airport to Mobile. 

Blake's voice like Rodney"s. I don't even remember what he said, just that he said something in a tone that sounded just exactly like Rodney. 

14-08-12

Really enjoyed my little road trip with Josh. When we got to the airport, and were out of the car and walking in, he said something to the effect that to be honest, he'd worried a little about our trip --- about how we'd do, what we'd talk about --- and I interrupted with, "Me, too! But we did good!" And we did. It was a chatty, easy visit, and I enjoyed it.

When we were at the cafe, my contact started to give me trouble, and after I struggled a few seconds, he said gently, "Do you need to go to the restroom to fix it? I don't mind sitting here and holding down the fort. I've worn contacts before --- I know what that's like." It occurred to me this morning on my swim that he is just instinctively considerate.

When Tori came through the gate, I stood a few steps behind, and after they had a big hug, but while she was still looking at him, he said, "I'm sure your granny wants a hug, too."

A few minutes later, when he stepped away to look for the elevator, she gave me another hug and said, "Thank you for going to get him!"

He said that she is pretty clear that she wants to raise her children close enough to Angela's for the them to get to know each other, and that he is fine with that. That he had thought for a long time that you should just move away from family, but that he sees now that both ideas are valid, and it is about whatever makes you happy. He said that his grandfather, who lives in Florida, has invited both he and Tori to come stay with him after graduation, if they are still looking for jobs. He said graduation will be the hard time --- when what if their dream jobs turn out to be in very different places. We talked about graduate school, and he said, "If Tori wants to go to graduate school, I'll just get a job wherever she goes."

Morgan took $500 out of her savings to get a secured credit card. When she told me that, I said, do you realize what you just said? Do realize how few human beings who are your age can say, "I took $500 out of my savings..." I think she made a wise move, and told her so, because at some point, she is going to need credit.

She took the bed frame from here and has it all washed up and painted and looking good!

Rodney called to say that Blake might be coming to visit us.

Angela brought A Sharper Image t-shirts for Barry and me.

Beverly is loving her new job. "Okay, Miss I Have to Do Everything All by Myself," --- "Well, it's always been that way." (Her to her new boss.)

14 07 19

Saturday. Neither one had to be at work on Monday. Out loud, they agreed that if they saw anything that interested them, they would stop. Unspoken, they agreed that they would be driving through. Home, a magnet.

Tori josh Bentley canoe.  Beverly said that Tor, Ange, Josh, and Ryan were going to go out in the canoe, but Bentley changed that. Josh said, "He's mad at me for taking his seat," so they set up an inner tube for Josh to float in. And then Tori got out of the boat and swam to Josh. And there was some kissing, which prompted Ryan to say, "I don't like that." Beverly said protective, as he is of his own little sister.

14 07 15

Josh, figs, 2nd favorite fruit. Our fig tree is loaded down with figs, and Barry picked a bowlful and put them out with everything else for Second Sunday Supper. Josh said it was the first time he'd had fresh figs, and that they were now his second favorite fruit. 

I think he said his Grandmother made fig preserves, but I'm not sure about that. 

14-06-27

Cause when Grannie needs me to do something, I'm always there. I asked Tyler and Noah to do something .... I've forgotten now what .... I remember ..... to get the things out of the pool that had been left there by the last group .... some fins, etc. .... Noah started. Tyler said, "You don't have to do that right now. And then Noah said, "Cause when Grannie needs me to do something, I'm always there." 

Late summer afternoon. .. sipping root beer.... watching the boys swim. And I got through my work, and got a bottle of root beer and a magazine (Tyler: Are you drinking a beer? Noah, have you ever seen Grannie drink a beer?) and went to sit on our shaded deck and watch the boys swim. 

Papa bubbles and squeak. So then we decided to see if Noah wanted to come and spend the night, and that we would cook dinner at the house. And Barry said, "So that means I"ll be cooking for Tori, then?" And he set about getting the ingredients for meatless Bubbles and Squeak. He was so happy preparing it all, and so happy when she liked it so much. 

The boys liked their grilled cheese sandwiches. And then Tyler and Noah were hungry and I asked if they'd like Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. They were pretty impressed with the grlll pan.Wondered who was the best at making grilled cheese ... me or Noah's mom. Went on and on about how delicious their sandwiches were, and each wanted a third sandwich.

We seem to be doing more things together. Barry at the end of Saturday, after we'd worked on my writing shack, and gone to Lowes and Office Depot, and Rouses.

We put the floor in my writing shack. Yes, we did. We most certainly did. And I am writing in it now. I don't know what i'll do in the cold of winter, and I hope we aren't sending too much cold air out through the cracks. and I don't know if I'll ever be able to leave a computer in here, but today is good.

Visiting with tori and josh. Tori coming to sit beside me. Papa staying at the table and us all visiting together for about an hour.

Choosing a puppy: Tori and Josh, side by side, looking at puppies on the computer. 

Willo. Got a lot of attention yesterday. Floated in the pool with Tori. Played with me a little. 

"Again and again and again --- Willo

Noah. . Lay off on the hamburgers.

And so Annette and I made chocolate chip cookies together. She took notes. We relaxed. We visited. We had a good time. She said, "I love you." 

Josh and Ryan playing with the little kids in the pool. 

Willo: "I need you, Uncle Rodney." when she hurt her finger.