Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Got sucked into my MacBook before I even got out of bed this morning. Will have to work hard to avoid falling into bad habits. Also had to get stuff loaded on that new ipod that came with the MacBook. Morning pretty much disappeared before I knew it! The afternoon was much more productive: I vacuumed while Jack washed the kitchen floor, then took book orders to the post office, got the oil changed in the Cherokee, organized lots of information for the art exhibit, submitted my monthly Primary report and info for the ward newsletter, filed a quarterly sales tax return online, did a couple of loads of laundry and went down to do some work at the museum store (I rode my bike to the museum to get my exercise today, taking the long way on back roads). Went for an after dark run to Cold Stone for ice cream (Jack), milkshake (Roger) and smoothie (me).

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

I am writing this on my birthday present. A new MacBook! I've been wanting to get back on a Mac for a long time (I've got my old PC desktop from the bookstore in my office). And now here I am! I am justifying it because I've got so many projects coming up and it will be so handy to just have my laptop with me where ever I go in case I need to whip it out and work on something. And I am justifying it because Jack and I met Roger up at BYU today and we got an education discount and a free printer and a free ipod. Other highlights of the day include a big Happy Birthday from Jack--the first words out of his mouth when he woke up this morning, treating Jack to his very first slushie at 7/11 (am I a delinquent parent for waiting so long?), dinner out at a Thai restaurant with Roger, a hike up the canyon and lots of calls and email and visits from family and friends, including my facebook friends!

Monday, July 28, 2008

Oy, I spent too much time doing things that weren't on my to do list today. I got sucked into facebook looking for people to invite to be my friends (I have 25 so far). I got sucked into emailing and calling friends I haven't been in touch with for a while. I got sucked into the first two episodes of the new season of Project Runway that were recorded while we were out of town. I got sucked into catching up on the news (I pretty much ignore what's happening in the world while I'm at the lake, and I think that's very good for my soul). But I did do some cleaning. And I did make Jack dead head all of the flowers in pots in front of our house. And I did make Jack and his friend pick up lots of Lego. And we all headed up the canyon in the evening as it cooled. I hiked a couple of miles while Roger and Jack played by the river. Overall it may not have been a very productive day, but it was a very pleasant one.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Jack apparently used up every ounce of energy he had yesterday playing with his friends. That combined with a flareup of hayfever (and subsequent drugging with Benadryl) led to a very late start--he slept until nearly noon! I was the only one who made it to church today, and that was just for Primary to take care of my secretarial duties. Roger said that it took Jack more than an hour to get functioning after he got up. So overall a mellow day. I got caught up on this micro diary, checked a few of my favorite blogs, worked on getting up to speed with my new Facebook page (who knew what I was missing all this time?). Late in the afternoon we had a tremendous thunderstorm and lots of rain. All three of us watched first from the driveway, then when the rain really started coming down, we opened the garage door and sat in the back of our Jeep. Oh, for a front porch! Spent the evening with the bedroom window open listening to the rain and catching up on episodes of So You Think You Can Dance on the dvr.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Jack was up at 7 am all ready to get together with friends. I took advantage of the cool morning weather to hike up the bike trail in Hobble Creek Canyon. At a decent hour Jack hooked up with his friends and we had quite a party here until 7:30 this evening. I got us all caught up on laundry (thankful that I didn't have to monitor the washing maching too closely!), grocery shopped, went through the mail that had piled up in the last two weeks and tackled some of my email. General regrouping. We went to visit Roger's parents after dinner and enjoyed a huge rainstorm while we were there. I love being at the lake, but it's good to be home.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Up at 8, took care of laundry and packing. Then cousin Kenny took us out on Linda's boat. He dropped me and Linda off at Black Point and we hiked back. We met up with Tami, her daughter and some of her house guests who were also hiking on the shore path. A final swim and goodbyes all around. Shower, lunch, some cleanup and then off to the airport. We got to the airport on schedule, but got really hung up in a security line. We rushed to make it to the gate, thinking that boarding had already started, only to find the flight delayed due to mechanical problems. We made all sorts of friends as we waited more than three an a half hours before we finally got to board. Home after 11:00 and pretty much straight to bed. Jack, by the way, was an excellent sport about it all.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

A good morning and a bad afternoon, then a good evening. The good meant Jack had kids to play with; the bad meant the kids were busy doing something besides playing with Jack. In the morning Linda took us out on her motorboat for some tubing. After lunch, I left Jack with Gramps and Uncle Tom (who came up from Chicago for another visit) and went on a hike. When I got back Jack was bored and restless and grumpy. I, in turn, was not as patient and understanding as I might have been. It was our last afternoon here, and I wanted to spend it down at the lake! But Jack said, "Why would I want to spend my last afternoon here swimming?" What!? I made a tactical error in guilting him to go down to the pier with me. He stayed mad the entire time we were in the water. The day was redeemed when Chris and Ben returned and Jack got to hang out with them all evening. Some company I am.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Jack fell out of bed in the middle of the night. I couldn't get back to sleep so I read for a bit. Cousins arrived at Linda's late last night including Ben (4) and Christopher (8). They came over this morning for a bit of jumping on the trampoline and Jack is happy to have kids to play with. I hiked down to Black Point and Dad picked me up with the sail boat. It was almost a perfect plan, but the wind died when we were half way home. Lots of pier time - good lake weather.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Roger got up obscenely early to catch his flight. Jack and I had a bit of a lazy start because it was cloudy and chilly. Did a load of towels, but once they were in the drier Jack and I headed down to the pier. We had a long sail with Gramps--to Black Point, then Cedar Point, then Conference Point. I hiked the shore path while Jack and Gramps swam and canoed. Late lunch (nearly 3:00!). Jack and Gramps painted the back porch and then we all went down to the lake. Jack and I had a long swim (I've been trying to get some lap swimming done between the pier and the raft most days), while Gramps had a really good sail. That all led to a late dinner. I read to Jack for a couple of hours before bed.

Monday, July 21, 2008

It was rainy when we woke up, but soon cleared and became a beautiful day. Roger and I took Jack to the city of Lake Geneva, where we got on the Lady of the Lake for a Geneva Bay tour. Then we picked up a Lego set for Jack at Target and got the boys some french fries at McDonald's. Back to the lake for the afternoon. I hiked the shore path after doing a load of laundry (the washing machine stops randomly during the cycle and requires strict monitoring). Then we stayed down at the pier until nearly 7. Jack swam at Georgia and Ella's pier for hours. Dad took us out for dinner at a new restaurant, Georgie B's, in Fontana. After a long wait we got our food (tasty) and I ate too much (it was tasty after all). When we left the restaurant it was just getting dark and it was very windy. Dad, Jack and I decided to walk home on the shore path. It starting lightening, but we made it home before the rain came. Roger met us at the point and we hung out on Jean's pier watching boats and fireflies. It's his last night here.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Church this morning, pier all afternoon, dinner party at Linda's cottage with Jean, Betsy and Jody. Jack was on very good behavior despite hanging out all evening with just grownups! He and Roger are doing sparklers on the deck as I write this. Jack swam with distant cousins Georgia and Ella at their pier (just down the shore path from ours). He was very helpful, several times rescuing inflatables that got away with the breeze. I hiked to the yacht club, then hiked halfway to Fontana with Roger to show him a shed that I wanted him to see (we're looking for ideas for a back yard structure). While we were hanging out on our raft, we met a neighbor, Chip, who was out and about on his water bicycle. Last night was his family's annual party on the Lady of the Lake, a tradition he said they've kept up for 42 years!

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Roger took Jack in the rental car to explore this morning. I slept after not falling asleep until nearly 6 am! Jack hooked up with Oliver when he got back and I went for a long walk on the shore path, stopping for nice conversation with Mark. Afternoon at the pier, good sail with Dad. Met cousin Joe and Tami's Palestinian guests (their tour guide from a trip to Israel earlier this year and some of their extended family who lives in Milwaukee). Jack was invited to join their party and got to go on their wave runners. He really liked spending the day with Oliver. In the evening we visited with Jean and Betsy. Discovered Jean (who lives most of the year in Omaha) knows Warren Buffett!

Friday, July 18, 2008

Dad took Mom, Linda and Maryann to the airport this morning and left Jack and I in a quiet cottage waiting for the rain to stop. We read. I cleaned and washed all of their sheets and towels. Jack got grumpier and grumpier and I could have been more patient with him. We finally got our work done and went swimming when the sun came out. Roger and Dad both showed up around 3. Roger and I took Jack down to Debbie and Mark's house so he could hook up with their 8-year-old nephew (it's been a real challenge finding kids for Jack to play with!). They spent hours swimming and jumping on the water trampoline at their pier while Roger and I ran some errands. At 7 we went home for dinner and then Roger, Jack and I went down to swim at our pier until the fireflies came out.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Nice lake weather today. Uncle Tom came for the day, and I sailed with him. Hike to yacht club. Speed Scrabble. Cookout. Jack collected sea glass from the pebble beach (he's got quite a collection going!). We continued our nightly tradition of lighting one box of sparklers. Maryann, Linda and I stayed up until 3 am talking. It's their last night here.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Jack and I helped Nana grocery shop (we're not very good at planning ahead for meals!) this morning, then I hiked with Maryann. We stopped to talk with Debbie and Mark, friends from Springville who are visiting relatives of theirs about a mile and half down the shore path! The lake felt so good after our walk. It was hot for most of the day. Jack and I stayed in the cottage for a few hours this afternoon. Late lunch, a load of laundry in a tempermental washing machine, and I helped Jack shuck the corn for dinner. Back to the lake for a good swim before the weather suddenly changed. A huge wind came up, blew in lots of threatening clouds and we hunkered down on Jody's porch waiting for the storm that never came. It was sunny ten minutes later! But also much cooler. Nice visit with Jean and her daughter Betsy, including a tour of their renovated guest house (fondly called the dog house). Dinner with birthday cake (an early celebration of my birthday, which is at the end of the month). Intense rounds of speed Scrabble. Lots of reading to Jack both this afternoon and this evening.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

After breakfast we hiked to Fontana beach where we swam, played in the sand, and hung out in the shade of tree. We bought ice cream to enjoy on the hike back. A quick swim at the pier and then up to the cottage for a late lunch and a bit of time out of the sun. Linda (cousin, not sister), took us out on her motorboat and watched the start of an A boat race. Then a quick swim and a sail with Dad (we watched the end of the race). I sailed part of the time and at one point we were heading across the race course. I knew we'd get across long before the boats reached us, but I was terrorized by the thought that we'd capsize right in their path and mess up the whole race. Late dinner of leftovers. Jack and cousin Oliver had a good four hours together late afternoon and evening.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Slept so soundly last night after finally getting Jack to sleep at midnight. Could hardly drag myself out of bed at 10 am! (I think we're still on Utah time.) But once I was awake I was full of energy and had energy all day long. Errands in the morning (picked up swimming passes for Fontana beach at city hall and went grocery shopping). Jack helped Gramps with some projects, including rescuing one of Jean's chairs that had blown off her pier during the storm the other night and sank to the bottom of the lake. Lots of great pier time in the afternoon - perfect weather! A hike on the shore path, a sail with Dad (Jack went earlier with Gramps and Aunt Linda). I did some of the sailing and even landed the boat at the dock (okay, the wind was pretty light). Jack and Nana shucked the corn for dinner and then Jack helped me put together a spinach lasagna for dinner. Sunset and sparklers on Jean's pier (we were going to go out in her old--er, classic--motorboat but it wouldn't start).

Sunday, July 13, 2008

I let Jack sleep with me last night because it was so cold. Hardly slept. Usually he's pretty still, but he tossed and turned and kicked me all night! We slept late and missed church. I read to Jack when he woke up, took a nice long walk to the old military academy grounds. Very chilly, windy day, but we did swim! We hooked up with some more distant cousins who live a couple of houses away, including a 10-year-old boy who was very nice. Dinner outside on the deck. Lovely conversations with Dad's cousins Jean, Jody and Linda (the matriarchs in the other cottages). Decided that while the lake is a fabulous place, it's really the people who make it so special.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

It was a bit cloudy this morning after wild, wild thunderstorms during the night. I got my hair and pajamas soaking wet closing windows, but was so tired I just climbed back in bed and went right to sleep. Jack eked out every minute he could with his friends from next door who are going home tomorrow and won't be back until after we leave (so, so sad). Dad took cousin Tami and me sailing on the MC and he gave Tami her first sailing lesson. It was crazy wind, strong and flukey, but she was gutsy and did everything he asked of her. I went for a walk down to the yacht club and back with Maryann. Pizza and salad for dinner. Cold enough to sleep under a pile of blankets tonight.

Friday, July 11, 2008

We got up early (for us) and drove to the airport to catch a plane to Chicago. Left ample time but hit no rush hour traffic nor long lines at security. Got to the gate with an hour to spare and discovered that the flight was delayed an hour. Jack and I hooked up with Dad, Mom, and sisters Linda and Maryann at O'hare and we made it to the cottage at Lake Geneva early in the evening. Helped shop for groceries with Mom and Maryann while Gramps and Aunt Linda took Jack swimming. Ate dinner out on the deck with lots of fireflies (good) and mosquitos (bad). The kids next door invited us to do fireworks, then we went down to the hill to the cousins' cottage for more fireworks. Roger surprised us - he booked a ticket and will be here Friday!

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Another crazy day trying to get through my list before we leave on our trip in the morning. I woke up at 4 a.m. and couldn't get back to sleep, so I worked in my office for a couple of hours and went back to bed. The phone woke me up a couple of hours later - it was someone from Utah Valley University calling to let me know what classes I'm scheduled for. And could I please get to the office as soon as possible to sign off on my schedule and pick up the text books? So I had to add that errand to my already busy day. Turned over the inventory spreadsheet to the museum (still a couple of holes in the data that they need to find answers to, but by and large complete). Five minutes before the museum closed, someone said "oh, there are a bunch of postcards in the drawer at the security desk." So I counted them fast! Spent a good part of the day corresponding with the artists who will participate in the fall exhibit. Placing an order for blank books for the museum shop. Programming numbers into my new cell phone. Library board meeting. Packing. Sheesh. I'm ready for a vacation!

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

I actually created a to-do list to make sure I get stuff done before Jack and I leave for the lake on Friday. I made good progress on the list - paid bills, researched point of sale systems for the museum store, got our hairs cut, went to the school district to fill out paperwork and get my ID badge to work at the high school (aagh, it seriously looks like a mug shot), etc. At 3:00 I took Jack to meet my friend Teresa and her kids at the reservoir. We had so much fun playing and chatting. When we got in the car to drive home, I was stunned to realize that it was 8:30! So much for getting back to my to-do list! Tomorrow is going to be a bit nuts.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

All day I wished I had those hours I wasted yesterday! I was crazy busy working on the museum store inventory (I discovered several things that hadn't been counted at all and had to face the dusty basement again). I had to get some cleaning done and two more loads of laundry (I had to wash our sheets and mattress cover because one of the scrapes I got on my hand from digging into boxes in the basement of the museums bled while I slept). I had to get minutes for the library board meeting typed up and sent out. I had to attend a library bond committee meeting. I had to make hair appointments and dentist appointments. And I had nearly two dozen book orders to package up and get to the post office. Phew! Jack, meantime, played with his friends. And that meant another triple batch of macaroni and cheese.

Monday, July 8, 2008

Sheesh. Still not feeling 100%. We hung out at home and Jack's friends were in and out all day. I made a triple batch of macaroni and cheese for the gang at lunch. I piddled on this and that throughout the day. Sad to say my biggest accomplishment was getting four loads of laundry done. Which is nice, but I wish I'd gotten more done. I did end the day with a bike ride at dusk and a chat with neighbors. That's a good way to end the day.

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Wow! Today was fairly unproductive. I'm still a bit under the weather (I don't think a day in a dusty basement combined with an evening of smoky fire yesterday helped). I did make it to church so I could take care of my job in Primary. I took a long nap. I read to Jack for about an hour. I watched the women's Wimbledon final I recorded yesterday (Serena v. Venus). I stayed up extra late talking to my sister Maryann on the phone and reading a bit. It is the day of rest, n'est-ce pas?

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Up really early for some random reason, but that enabled me to get some things done before heading down to the museum for another dusty day of inventory taking in the basement. Friends Linda and Shelley joined me and were not only a tremendous help, but fabulous company as well. We enjoyed a break eating lunch at the new cafe service the museum offers on Friday and Saturday. Except for getting the answers to a few questions and getting the last of the numbers entered into the spreadsheet, the inventory project is done. In the evening we had our traditional weekly fire in the backyard. This time we added hot dogs and jiffy pop popcorn to the mix and five neighborhood kids joined us. It's not exactly a relaxing evening for the grownups with lots of children, fire, and sharp sticks for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows waving around. But it was fun!

Friday, July 4 ,2008

Happy Independence Day! We live in a part of town where fireworks are banned because we're too close to the mountains, so we went to our friends' house down by the river. They had a chocolate fountain set up and we all brought treats to cover in chocolate. Jack especially enjoyed having a firework tank battle with Andy (one of his very favorite people, a senior in high school). After shooting off all of our fireworks and thanking our friends, we headed north to see if we could catch any of the big fireworks in Provo. We pulled over on a hill at the south end of town and then noticed that some trees nearby were on fire. Then we heard sirens. It was crazy watching a wild fire grow and watching fireworks at the same time. That's why they get banned.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

I was a bit under the weather today. Nothing serious, but I didn't get much done. Jack and I hung out together in the morning playing card games and talking, then I had him fold his laundry and put it away. He went off with friends, and I ran some errands. I went to the school district office to get the paperwork I need to fill out for the job at the high school and was completely disoriented when I got there and discovered the building was gutted! They've relocated to an old school in Springville, so it will be easy to run down there some time next week. I also went grocery shopping and am pleased to report that while I spent $112.19 I actually saved $47.49 shopping sale items and left the store with a cart jam packed full of food for my family.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

After sleeping in and picking up the family room well enough to vacuum, Jack went to Rex's house and I went out to lunch at Guru's with friends. Every first Wednesday I get together with Linda and Lisa, and sometimes Linda's daughter Shelley joins us. Today we were five with Shelley's husband Trevor as well! A few errands, a few odd jobs around the house including hosing bird poop off the Adirondack chairs, a bit of work in my office. After Roger came home and we talked about what cell phone we should order (we must replace ours because I forgot to pull it out of my pocket before running my pants through the wash!), I headed down the museum to working on inventory in the basement until the museum closed at 9:00. Linda and Shelley happened to be there and they offered to help, so we made a party of it!

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

I helped as a substitute den leader for Jack's cub scout meeting today. We had a police officer neighbor come talk to us about his job. He took the kids' fingerprints and told us about every gadget on his "bat belt." No, he didn't take his gun out of his holster. I spent hours today updating the inventory spreadsheet for the museum and went down there to ask some questions and check on a few things. Roger and I slipped out to grab a bit of dinner while Johnny and Benny were here with Jack (that is becoming a regular thing!). I finally heard from my brother, who hadn't responded to my email for days and days. I still don't have answers to the questions I asked, but at least I know he's okay. Major relief.

Monday, June 30, 2008

Jack was ready to go before I was this morning! I didn't even have to ask him twice to get dressed! On my way down to the art museum to continue taking inventory I made sure he got to the neighbor's house, his home base for the day. While he got to do fun things like swim in another neighbor's pool, I was bending and hefting and sorting and counting and writing down numbers like mad until they kicked me out because everyone wanted to go home. At least I was in the shop, not the basement this time (the museum is closed on Mondays so it was perfect timing for end-of-year inventory). I'm amazed at how much physical labor is required in taking inventory. It was nice to spend the evening hanging out at a family gathering at my sister-in-law's house. I could barely keep my eyes open at 10:00, but missed a window because Jack had a tough time settling in for the night. Once he was asleep, I couldn't get to sleep. So I stayed up late reading. Again.