It has occurred to me that Senator Barack Obama’s being the presumptive Democratic Party nominee for president has opened a new chapter in my life.  It will be the first time one of the major party’s presidential nominees will be younger than I!

Prospective grandmotherhood did not make me feel old, but youthful (which is defined as being born after I was) presidential candidates do.

Today I am freaking out because of the rain.  I’m supposed to mow the lawn at church this week!  And I’m afraid to go near the gentle hills, let alone the steep ones, if the grass is wet.  The weather prognosticators have promised sunshine for tomorrow, so there is a small window of opportunity.

The roofer found some holes in the roof last night, but he didn’t think the entire roof needed replacing.  We have to wait two weeks for the repair, but at least its cost won’t be astronomical, just atmospheric.

Marisol needs to shop for clothes for her internship.  If she doesn’t find anything suitable (ha! ha!) on her own, she will allow me to bring my credit card with her to Macy’s to take advantage of any consequent price reductions.

I quilted about half of the 65-fabric guild challenge quilt last night.  Meandering quilting does go along quickly; doesn’t it?

Pie!

Tremor3258 came over after work yesterday, and we had a very low-key “Welcome Home, Marisol!” celebration dinner.  All we had was fancy chicken, romaine salad, and strawberry-rhubarb pie, but, I must have outdone myself because voluntary compliments about the meal were proffered.  Of course, we are all crazy about homemade pie.

After dinner, the four of us went outside to sit on the steps to the lake and talk.  The weather was beautiful, so I think we all enjoyed ourselves.  Kissa, who is remarkably indifferent to getting wet for a cat, joined us.  Marisol is having trouble adjusting to Kissa because she (Marisol) doesn’t know the cat very well.

When it got dark, we watched Charlie Wilson’s War on TV.  Parts of the movie were funny and parts were sad.  Most of the main characters made amusing remarks but seemed to be extremely unhappy people.  And, of course, the Afghans were just trying to survive in tragic circumstances.  Because the comedy was just extraneous fluff, my overall impression of Charlie Wilson’s War is one of sadness and loss.

After the movie, Marisol insisted upon watching CSI: Miami.   Tremor3258 is perhaps that show’s most vehement anti-fan, so he left for home then.  (Plus he had to get up to work today.)

The evening doesn’t sound very exciting, but I guess I’ve just reached the stage of life where being with family are my moments to treasure.

Step Construction – Part 2

And, the saga continues.  When we left the construction last time, the backhoe was digging out a section of the embankment to form a base for the steps.

It was amazing how precise the backhoe operator was.  He could pick up boulders more easily than I can pick up sewing pins.

Here are the seven steps after the first day of construction.  The second day the backhoe operator extended the length of each step by about four feet.

The air or the water has been chilly so far, but we really enjoy the steps.  The view of the lake from the steps is much better than the view from the house.  You don’t feel as those the steps are going to crumble beneath your feet either.  It is much more pleasant getting into the lake to swim.  Also, we can carry the kayaks down to the lake in our own backyard now, and the whole procedure is much easier.  (This is especially important when we are carrying The Professor’s heavy kayak.)

We are lucky to have the steps.

I’m Feeling a Little Bummed Out

Monday, after my quilting guild meeting, The Professor and I drove up to Minnesota to fetch Marisol for the summer.  Here are some not-so-positive observations about the week so far:

(1)  Our roof leaks.  We have several water marks on the living room ceiling.  A roofer is coming to look over our situation on Thursday.  Let’s hope we don’t get more rain before the roof is fixed.  (Rain is predicted for Thursday and Friday.)  And, just how much is this all going to cost?    If we have to have the roof replaced, I do not want wood shingles again.  Wood shingles are a fire hazard as well as a silverfish attraction.

(2)  Iowa is suffering from flooding.  For example, the South Skunk River, which crosses I-35 just south of Ames, is usually about 10 to 15 feet wide.  (In the past I’ve always been amazed that it is called a river because where I grew up in Illinois, we would have called it a creek.)  Monday the river extended about 1-1/2 miles past its banks.  Yesterday the river had receded a little bit, but since more rain was imminent, the flooding was going to continue to be a problem, especially since the soil is so saturated.

(3)  My sciatica hurts more noticeably from the car ride.  However, the pain is not unbearable.

(4)  I ran a fever Monday night.  (What is it about going to Carleton that gives me a fever?  At least this time the fever wasn’t as bad as last time.)  I also have developed a cold and a cough.  At least I just feel blah and not incapacitated.  I have warned Iltflinthills to stay away from me until I’m better.  I definitely need to buy more Puffs (which are more expensive I know but hurt a lot less when my nose is running constantly) when I go to the grocery store today. 

(5)  Just the cost for buying the gasoline to pick up Marisol was budget-breaking.  I don’t think we’ll be driving up to visit her during the school year anymore.

(6)  Of course, since I am feverish and lots of rain is predicted, it is also my week to mow the lawn at church.  I am already stressing about that.

At least Marisol was in a much better mood than when she came home last year.  She had also carried all her stuff down from the third floor before we arrived at her dorm yesterday morning, so loading the car was much easier (for us) and took relatively no time.  Marisol carried all her stuff to her room when we reached home and has announced that she has no space.  We are not sympathetic because we are simply the most evil parents ever.  (Marisol shouldn’t be so surprised about it after twenty years of experience.)

Garage-Saled Out

Friday afternoon Iltflinthills drove over from Merriam to take advantage of the early neighborhood garage sales.  She let me accompany her as we searched for the perfect items for Sea Monkey 1.  We didn’t shop long, but Iltflinthills did acquire a few things, most notably an extremely nice stroller and a four-drawer file cabinet.  The file cabinet’s drawers were on runners, so a few tiny spots of rust were the only flaws in its quality.  IMO was pleased when Iltflinthills returned home with her purchases.

Yesterday morning Iltflinthills and IMO showed up bright and early to shop at the “official” neighborhood garage sale.  Tremor3258 arrived shortly thereafter.  We  had a good time just walking from garage sale to garage sale on one street and then driving to another street.  The Professor joined us after he sold IMO and Iltflinthills’s old lawn mower, so it truly was a family outing.

Iltflinthills and IMO didn’t find much yesterday, except for some barely-used baby clothes, books, toys, and a baby gate.  We did wear ourselves out with all the walking, however, because after we returned to our house and ate lunch, most of us napped for several hours.  Is that quality family time or what?

I was disappointed that we did not find a suitable dresser for Sea Monkey 1′s bedroom, but we still have time.  IMO and Iltflinthills really stretched out their money for the baby at neighborhood garage sale.

What Does Your Name Mean?

I happened upon this website while I was cheating by using the Internet on the New York Times crossword puzzle which appeared in The Kansas City Star today.  I thought it was interesting, so I hope all my devoted readers enjoy it, too.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO THE PROFESSOR!

You are the brightest part of my life.  I love you very much.

Step Construction:  Part 1

About a month ago I promised to post photographs of the construction of the steps to the lake.  (Last Sunday afternoon we went swimming and the steps were a definite improvement in our lake access.)

So, here begins Part 1 of what were two interesting days at our house, which is shown in its newly painted glory on not-so-lovely trash day below.

This is what the shoreline looked like before the construction project.  Kissa doesn’t mind climbing on those rocks, but those of us without a cat’s coordination can just not do it.

First, the limestone steps had to be unloaded from the very strong truck.  The plywood is across the sidewalk to protect it from the weight of the backhoe.  The backhoe operator was amazing.  He handled those huge rocks as delicately as one might handle a ladybug.

Of course, gravel was needed to create a foundation for the steps.

As you can see by the ruts on the right-hand side of the photo below, our neighbor was kind enough to let the backhoe use her yard to access the lake since the equipment couldn’t leap over our retaining walls.  Unfortunately, a month later The Professor still has to remind the landscape company that they really didn’t repair the hillside properly yet.  (Soil was lain and grass seed was planted, but backhoe ruts remain.)

And so, let me conclude today with a photo of the backhoe removing some of the lake’s embankment in preparation to prepare the base of the new steps.  (By the way, the backhoe operator was amused that I wanted to photograph him at work.)

Sea Monkey 1:  The Update

Iltflinthills and IMO went to Iltflinthills’s appointment with her obstetrician yesterday.  They got to listen to their baby’s heartbeat for the first time!

Iltflinthills is about twelve weeks along now.  The obstetrician doesn’t see anything unusual with the pregnancy.  Let’s hope that remains the status quo!  This baby is very important to me.