Um...

I haven't been posting on here because I haven't had much to report that would be of interest to anyone. I am aware, however, that posting SOMETHING is better than NOTHING because at least people will know that I'm still kicking. I think spring has finally arrived. My lawn needs to be mowed...and the birds are building nests in the gutter of my patio awning. That's a good sign, right? On the subject of the lawn--it looks really bad, due to last summer's draught. I'm not sure what it will take to get it back to looking halfway good. Maybe more energy and money than I have...but I just want it to be nice enough for the neighborhood. I have put out feelers on Facebook to see if any of my "friends" have kids who are willing to do some slave labor. I used to rely heavily on radio friends for assistance, but most of them are suffering from the same problem I have: old age! Yesterday, I had lunch with a couple of former students who are parents in their own right now. One is an Army wife. The other is going to college and trying to balance family with that. We have a good time. After we spent some time gossiping, as we were leaving the restaurant booth, one said, "You heard that Mrs. McCollum's husband died, right?" And there, at the door of the place, was Mrs. McCollum! I about fainted, thinking that it was spooky. Guess not. The gal that made the comment had seen a woman coming in who reminded her of Mrs. M...so she mentioned it. Whew! We greeted Mrs. McCollum, and right behind her was her daughter, Mrs. James. I taught with both McCollum and James...and the girls had had them both in class. It was a nice touch! Preliminarily, it looks as if my grandchildren may be able to be here for Easter. I am so excited! I have made the offer for the whole Heffelman family to stay here (because I have room), and it just might happen. Grandma Judy and I can supply a nice meal, and I can put everyone up (although it is tight). We are just delighted at the prospects! Judy and Phil have the same house constraints that I do, but between us, we are a force to reckon with! It gives me something to shoot for. I need that. Since everyone left a week ago, I have continued to sleep in the back bedroom. The back bedroom used to be my room before everyone moved in with me. Then, when we remodeled the garage into a grandma room/radio shack, the back bedroom became Megan's room. Now, I consider it the "guest" bedroom...but it has everything in it that I need--half bath, comfortable bed, functional ceiling fan, and luscious pillows. (Gotta find more of those!) I have also placed a large poster-sized picture (thanks to friend Ryan H.) of my grandchildren playing in the surf on their first introduction to the ocean in Vero Beach, Florida in 2007--a very happy memory! I have considered moving back in that room permanently, but have to keep thinking about that. I have to keep the full bed in the garage room so would not have gained much. We'll see. Little Ryan, bless his heart, announced to us last week that he thought this was a "pretty nice house" because it had four bedrooms. He lives in a MUCH larger home in Zion, IL, so who knows what he was thinking! Rain is due over the weekend, so I guess the lawn won't get mowed yet, but it needs it. Need to buy (expensive) gas for the mower. Need to get the oil changed. Why won't things wait for me to be ready?????