How I Spent My Last Two Weeks, by Peggy

I got to poking around on this "new" blog site and discovered all kinds of comments on my blatherings that I didn't even know existed.  You mean people actually read this??  Amazing!! 

I just returned on Monday from a 2-week trip to northern Illinois to visit my daughter and grandchildren.  My original plan was to be there for a week, but one thing led to another, and I ended up staying two weeks, plus a day.  I have had queries from local friends about "Are you going to move up there????"  No...I'm not.  I'm just a sucker for family.

My daughter, in her usual panic mode, told me that she had SO MUCH to do before her Russian in-laws arrive at the end of November for a 6-week visit.  So, ever wishing to be helpful, I showed up and we made a list.  For awhile, Megan was busy with a little business that she is working on, so I started out on my own.  Keep in mind, that the grandchildren were there mostly on the weekends.  The rest of the time, I did what I could.  Here is the short list of what was accomplished:

*Two rounds of major laundry...washing, drying, sorting, folding, hanging.
*Occasional cooking.  Daily kitchen cleaning.
*Cleaning and sorting in both of the grandchilren's bedrooms.  Including going through every stitch of clothing to put away summer weight stuff and bring out winter weight things, hoping some of them will still fit. 
*Purchasing a set of plastic shelves to put in Robin's closet to store a lot of her clap-trap. 
*Purchasing a cheap wardrobe to put in Ryan's room in order to hang clothes and provide some privacy.  (Ryan's room is an open space at the top of the stairs in the townhouse--no door and no closet.  He complained about lack of privacy.  We put the "wardrobe" against the stair railing to help provide privacy, and turned his dresser perpendicular to the wall for more.)
*Purchasing and hanging a dual bulletin board/white board for both kids' rooms.  I think they liked those the most!
*Purchasing a set of steel shelving (an upgrade from the usual) for the garage, and some tubs to help Megan remove craft supplies from the house.
*Mending some clothing that was in need of machine stitching.
*Shopping with Ryan to help him spend his $15.  (Doesn't matter how he got it.)
*Shopping with Robin to complete her Halloween costume, including white shoes (which we just luckily fell into because they are out of season), tights, glitter spray, etc.  Also finding doll stands at Hobby Lobby for her Monster High dolls.
*Taking Robin to Zion for a library showing of "The Hunger Games", which she has already seen and read...and being there as she won two prizes for a trivia quiz and dressing the most like a character from the movie. 
*A trip to Schaumburg to Dick Blick's to purchase crafty things for Meg's little business.
*Watching two soccer games for my g-kids.  I skipped out on the third which was actually rained out.  No biggie. 

I'm sure there is more.  I just can't think of it all.  We could have done more had there been more money and time, but I didn't feel bad about what "we" got done.
It kept me busy and feeling useful.  My son-in-law doesn't seem to mind my being there.  One advantage to my presence is that there is a second vehicle.  That helps!

The holidays will be a challenge.  I think the family will be here for Thanksgiving, but then I will be cat-sitting at my house for their feline while they go to Florida to meet up with the Russian in-laws and Megan's father, whom she hasn't seen in a couple of years.  After that, Luda and Sergey will spend a few days with me before Christmas without their son...our only Russian interpreter.  Pray for me!!

Yesterday, one of my really good radio friends came over to help winterize the storm doors on my house.  I'm not sure what I would have done through the years without KB9RAF and his fix-it skills.  I am so blessed with friends who care!  Some day, maybe I can find a way to return the favors that have been given me. 

I love the fall of the year.  Am trying to be as useful at my own house as I was at my daughter's.  Want to take bets??