Yep, it is *fall* for sure!

Yesterday, the Little One and I decided to go for a walk.  My lower back has been bothering me and I knew that a nice long walk would loosen it up.  The weather has turned cool - it barely made 70 yesterday.  Last Monday, it was 99!  So off we went around the neighborhood.

We always look at nature here in the 'burbs - watch for butterflies and birds, look at the trees and flowers.  We stopped to admire (again) a huge old Live Oak and were discussing how old it is and the things which were going on when it was a little sprout - spontaneous history and science lesson, you know. 

On the next block, there is a small but beautiful mulberry tree, very structural and already in its fall regalia.  As we were walking toward it, I told LO to be careful, because the sidewalks are not in the best of shape in that area - many cracked and broken places, with many seams that "buck up" and are just right to catch toes of the unaware.

Well... the words were no sooner out of my mouth than... BAM!  Caught the toe on my right foot and stumbled forward... as I was falling - you know this always happens in slow motion - I got my left foot under me, then stumbled forward on my right, thinking I could "catch" myself.... but no.  No such luck.  I FELL forward and - somehow - the old, old manuever that was drilled into us in volleyball and basketball practice in high school kicked in, and I rolled onto my shoulder and landed juuuust to the side of the walk, in the grass.  If I hadn't I would have landed face-first on the concrete. 

Little One was screaming and I was trying to calm her down while checking to see if anything was broken.  Took me a couple of minutes to get up - I am 5'10" and not a small girl, so I hit hard!  LO was crying and asking if I was going to die... she'd never seen her MOM fall before!  I was finally able to get up and limp the 4 blocks or so home.  As we were walking, I felt a pain in my left foot, near my toes, and discovered that somehow a stick had gone between my shoe and foot and jabbed an inch long wound into my foot - only about a 1/8 inch from a large vein in my toe. 

Got home, washed off, changed out of my dirty, grass-stained, been-rolling-around-on-the-ground clothes, doctored the foot, and chilled.   This morning, I feel as though I have been run over by a small bus, but thankfully I have no major injuries.  Except to my pride!

LO asked me if I thought anyone saw me fall, and I told her that I have no idea, but if they did, they sure didn't come out to check on me.  I would have run out had I seen someone take a tumble like that in front of our home, but that is just me.  I guess I will have to assume that no one saw me.  And I kind of like it that way!  Why is it that falling is so embarrassing to us, when it happens to us all at one time or another, and is in no way our fault? 

I plan to try to walk again today - got to get right back in the saddle!  But you can bet I'll be watching for that sinister sidewalk to jump up and take me down, and warning LO to do the same.  :-)

Happy Birthday E!

Happy Birthday to my "bouncing baby boy"!   I can't believe that it has been 22 years since my life changed forever...  what a blessing you have been.  When I think about that tiny, helpless baby that I held in my arms so many years ago, and then look at the 6'5" strong, capable young man you have become... I am completely amazed.   I am so honored that God chose me to be your mother. 

I hope that you have a wonderful day, and that you know just how much you are loved.

Happy Birthday, Son!

Quick update on my aunt for those of you who have emailed me and posted comments (which I appreciate more than you know, by the way!). She was able to begin her physical therapy again on Monday, and we were very excited to learn that she did not lose too much flexibility in her knee - certainly not as much as the therapist had feared she would. He is being very encouraging and feels she will "catch up" very quickly. Her gallbladder is "quiet" right now - no more nausea - so she is able to do her exercises and also eat well, to keep up her strength. We are very encouraged by her progress and are so grateful that the blood clots were detected and treated before doing major damage.

It continues to be horribly hot here in AL... I think the heat index is like 179 today :-)!! Cabin fever has officially begun, so we are thinking about visiting the splash pad tomorrow. Most of them around here close when school starts back, but we have one (the largest and also the only "free" one) that still operates daily. I am so ready to be able to enjoy being out-of-doors again when the weather cools off... should be about mid-November, I'm guessing. LOL

I am waiting for the weather to cool a little to have my 1st "Mega-Huge Move-It-Outta Here Cos I'm Leaving Town Garage Sale". It has to be less than 90 in the shade before I will even consider it! I will be SOOOO glad to get the garage cleaned out, and what little I am keeping organized. I'm at a stand-still right now... I've done all I can in the house, and working in the garage is just NOT an option! It is on the west end of the house and catches full afternoon sun... too hot for me! I know it will take more than one sale, but I am ready to "get going"!

Hope you have a great day, and that you "stay cool"! :-)

"We Don't Have To Go Back To School Today!" Day

Well today was our "We Don't Have To Go Back To School Today!" Day - 14th one in a row for me - different children of course, since my Little One is only 9! She got to choose what she wanted to do (I voted for Florida, but the budget vetoed THAT idea! :-). We went to breakfast, then to the Dollar Tree and a couple of thrift stores (love those!), then to Chuck E. Cheese's (quite possibly her favorite place in the world besides Disney World!), then to Sweet Pepper's Deli for a slice of their Chocolate Eruption cheesecake... mmmm. Good stuff! I'm exhausted! And full.... lol

Everywhere we went, she was asked why she wasn't in school today. It became a little amusing. I let her answer, and she does very well. People almost always comment on how mature she is and how well-spoken. I don't tell them that she has her moments! She IS 9 after all... :-) But she is very poised for her age.

We are still melting here in AL... the high was 99 today with 109 as the heat index. 82% humidity. Will summer EVER end?? I am so hoping that next year we will be in a cool spot for July... I wouldn't even mind needing a sweater!!

Usually in the summertime, she gets bored enough to want to complete some workbooks in her spare time. This year that hasn't happened. She is a busy bee, full of stories and drawings and ideas. We have read several books this summer. Sometimes she wants me to read aloud, other times she doesn't. We've been covering Geography in great detail as we plan our dream life and travels. When I read about an interesting place in one of the many blogs I follow, I will mention it to her and see if she wants to explore it a little - we Google it, look at maps, check the local libraries to see what interesting info we can locate. We have a REALLY long list of things to see now, and we add to it almost every day! Maybe I need to stop reading blogs for a while. Or just keep my mouth shut! :-)

As I lay awake in bed this morning, I thought about all the children in our area who were having to get up and get ready for school, many of them for the first time. I remembered how I hated for summer to end - I disliked school very, very much - and I dreaded the long months ahead. I cannot even imagine what it is like now, with all the competition and judgements that occur... I went to a small county school (K - 12), and we all had basically the same things as far as clothes were concerned, and no had "gadgets" to speak of! We had a "Pong" game (remember those?) which made me somewhat famous in the 3rd or 4th grade, but that was about it!! :-)

I looked at my Little One sleeping peacefully in her bed, totally unconcerned about anything except having fun today, and I was so very grateful. Grateful that I had the courage to make the decisions I have made. That I have had the strength to continue. That I have been blessed with my children, and that they are bright and happy and inquisitive, making being their mentor/facilitator/teacher such a complete delight. Thank You, God for all the Blessings which You have rained down on me. I am truly undeserving, but ever so grateful.

I hope that you all feel as blessed as I do right now... :-)

Well, the Little One and I are gearing up for our "We Don't Have to Go Back to School Today!!" Day. The local systems are beginning classes on the 9th of August (seems as though it gets earlier every year!) and we are trying to decide what we want to do to commemorate it. Chuck E. Cheese's is always high on the LO's list (although not-so-much on mine! :-) A few years ago, we were in Florida... mmmm... THAT would be nice! But no-such-luck this year. :-(

As is usual with us, we will keep schooling through these horribly hot days here in NW AL. Since the humidity level most days is at about 150%, we stay indoors or in water as much as possible! We will (as usual) take a nice long break this fall, and again next Spring to enjoy the 3 weeks of good weather at that time! :-)

Please keep my Aunt S in your prayers. She had knee replacement surgery 3 weeks ago, and had a terrible reaction to the pain medication she received. She spent a week in the hospital, then a week in rehab but could not complete her therapy because she was so nauseated. She decided to go home, spent a week there, and is now back in the hospital. Blood clots have formed - several have already traveled to her lungs and she is on medication to help with that. They also tested her gall bladder and found several stones, so she must have surgery as soon as she is able. Having surgery while taking blood thinner can be very dangerous. I have spent the last 3 weeks helping them all I can. We thought she would go home today, but they are keeping her at least one more day. She and my uncle have no children, and we are the closest (geographically) relatives. She has really been through an ordeal. The knee replacement went very well and if she'd been able to complete the physical therapy, she would be in very good shape right now. Just proves that nothing is "routine" when it comes to surgery! They are precious people who I love dearly, and my uncle (who has health issues also) is so worried about her. And she is worried about him being worried about her. I'm just trying to be supportive, and am glad that I am well enough to help out. Thanks for your prayers!

Proud of our Men and Women...

Oh boy... Two posts in one day!

Wanted to relate something I witnessed yesterday. I went down to our local small engine repair place - my riding mower threw a belt and I need to have it repaired - which is a very busy place right now. I waited in line for about 15 minutes, and was kept amused by the two older gentlemen in line in front of me. They knew everyone in the place, were laughing and joking with all of us, and one of them had the most wonderful, mellow baritone voice... I could have listened to him all day! He reminded me very much of one of my favorite singers, Percy Sledge, who was born and raised in our area... Any way, they finished their business and then it was my turn. I spoke briefly with the owner, set up an appointment, and walked outside.

The two older gentlemen were (of course!) talking with someone outside, and about to get into their pickup. As I was coming out, I saw a young man coming across the parking lot. He was on crutches, and I could see that he had a prosthetic on each leg, from just above the knee, and one arm from just below the shoulder. He appeared to be about 25 and was wearing a tee-shirt advertising a local Veterans fundraiser.

The older gentleman with the wonderful voice got back out of his truck and approached the young man. "Are you (so-and-so's) boy?", he asked the young man. "Yes sir, I am", he answered. The older man just wrapped his arms around this thin young man and hugged him, and I heard him say "Thank you, son, for what you have given up for our freedom." The young man said "It was my duty, sir." The sight of this young man whose life has been forever changed by an obvious stint in the military brought tears to my eyes, and I saw that the older gentleman was weeping openly. I smiled and nodded to them both as I walked by, and saw that the older gentleman walked with the younger one and opened the door for him.

I don't know how this brave young man was walking on crutches with 3 artificial limbs, but he was. He parked out on the street, not in a "handicapped" parking place, and made his way across the lot in 90 degrees + humidity. He is a local boy who apparently fought for his country and has come home. Although he paid a very high price, I know his family is so very grateful that he is home.

Since I didn't get to post a Memorial Day message (due to the DSL problems), I have really been thinking about our military and the sacrifices they have and do make. My Daddy and Pappow were proud members of the US Army, and I thank God for the men and women who - at this VERY minute - are making sacrifices to keep us safe in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. We are the free, and they are the very, very Brave. God Bless Them and their families. I hope that each and every Veteran has someone who will wrap their arms around them, and with tears on their face, and true gratitude in their heart, say "Thank you for what you have done!"

Long, hot summer...

I am FINALLY back online! AT&T has taken almost a month (!!!!) to get my DSL back up and running consistently... it's been a loooong month! I sure have missed reading blogs and doing research. But I did get a taste of using "hotspots" for WiFi, as many RVers do on the road... me no-likey! lol Will sure have to get a new battery for this laptop, I can tell you that!

Since the weather has turned hot and humid, K and I are filling our days with outside activities in the cool of the morning, schoolwork mid-day, and playing in the wading pool in the afternoon. Ahhhh.... Summertime in Alabama... Sure was hoping to be on the road by now, but I guess we will deal with another hot and humid season. We really enjoyed our 2 weeks (:-) of Spring and the beautiful weather that brought!

As for school... we "school" all summer. Actually we "school" ALL the time, but since it is so hot here in AL in the summertime, we take advantage of being indoors and do a little bookwork. We take long breaks with the good weather - fall and spring - and stay out and about most of the time, and school when it is too hot or cold to enjoy being outside. Although we are Lifeschoolers, this summer we've decided to concentrate on Math using a textbook (gasp!:-)... Math is her least favorite subject (and mine too... ssshhh, don't tell her!), so it should be interesting. :-)

She is still writing stories and is in a couple of reading programs at the local libraries - although she doesn't really need the encouragement! Of course, learning takes place everywhere, all the time. Science is never-ending with her (she loves it), and history is all around us.

We've just discovered a brochure for a local history car/walking tour that we plan to do soon. Well... we will do the car part of it, anyway!! lol We have Trolley Tours here in town every Tuesday, and plan to take part in that soon, which will be fun. And the festival season is cranking up! We love it...