Really, Really, Really Behind.

Needless to say the past week or so has been pretty grim, as you probably know from THIS post.

This is the pile of trash from the first clean-out. Those big bags were stuffed down as far as they could go and the total of black bags was 30. Yup. Another 14 to Goodwill. And more to come.

Which is my lame excuse if I don't reply personally to your wonderful and supportive comments for a bit. (Especially all the nice art comments from HERE. Wow, you made me smile.) I am overwhelmed right now so for the time being I'm just going to do a big group thank you and if anyone asked something specific, I'll be with you as soon as I can. The same with visiting. I'm getting close to caught up but you all write faster than I can read these days!

It's not just the clean-up. It's the being sick with it. For six days now, I have been dealing with temps varying from 99.5 (not bad, except my normal is 97.4!) to 102.8. Every single day. And more coughing and such. Oh, and the chills. And the sweats. And fatigue. I went to the doc on Monday and they did chest Xrays and blood work. I have a bacterial infection along with the start of something called Community Acquired Pneumonia. Very bad for my complicated lung history.

I am more than a little freaked. My friend Jan came by today and brought these flowers. After she left I cried and cried because her world isn't easy these days with an ill cat. It meant more than I can say.

And what's not to love about pink flowers when you are a bit down an out?

It's still up in the air as to whether or not the mold had an impact on either. Needless to say I'm taking a break before I go down there again for any length of time. (I don't have the energy, for one thing.)

Next on the agenda, calling reputable restoration companies. Not how I planned on spending my June! I think Lizzie is getting spoiled with having her litterbox in the family room. I, on the other hand, am getting really tired of seeing it there!

Whining over! Because despite the fever (we practiced good hygiene with the babies, although I'm not sure Rick had it as well with me next to him in bed) we had a nice time over Father's Day weekend babysitting the Grandlittles.

I wish I had taken photos while we were at the swings because there were so many smiles and great colors -- but we were having too much fun! Later in the evening after mom and dad went to dinner, the boys got a little concert.

And both boys were curious about the guitar!

Nothing can be so gross or so much fun as watching a hungry baby eat!

Meanwhile, while we had dinner, we turned on Carson's favorite movie, "Cars." He stood in this position for at least 10 or 15 minutes without moving.

Then he got into this position.

All in all, good times!

I leave you with two of my favorite Father's Day pics -- brothers who get on...

...and a Grandpa who loves them more than anything!

I'm slow visiting, but don't disappear! I'll be catching up full throttle as soon as I can!

All's Well with My World

Sometimes life is good. Sometimes it's really good. We've had a busy week! For a bit of thoughtful music, cue the video!

There was time to paint.

And time to watch the birds. Yes, Mrs. Wren (aka Wrennie) has a nest in the B&B, we think. We've seen her in and out enough but no other signs of life, so we shall see!

I enjoyed a little theatre...

...and a little music on a riverboat (more on that later!).

We said a final farewell to a friend.

The memorial was held at the environmental center where he had been executive director and the setting couldn't have been more perfect.

After the memorial we enjoyed "outdoor food" (which was delicious) and wandered around the center. Rick took a canoe ride.

It was beastly hot but as we enjoyed the wildflowers and woods, we were all divinely content.

This beautiful tree was losing its blossoms and it felt like each fallen petal was a tear for John.

Then came Father's Day! As you probably know from the last post, Rick's son Kevin couldn't be here with our Baby Grand and Greg was away but Molly came with our special guy who has his grandpa wrapped around his finger!

We first enjoyed a nice brunch...

...then took a walk around the neighborhood.

The big deal of the day was when our little guy walked by the fire station around the corner.  He became very interested in seeing what was behind the partially open door!

The wonderful people there, Cody and Erika, welcomed us and gave us all a bit of treat by inviting us in to see the trucks.

Some even got to sit in the truck!

Which was pretty cool!

And we were all enjoying our day!

But all that work can make a little guy tired.

So, it was back to a little grandpa time before hitting the road.

It's hot as all get out here. I'm not complaining, really. Observing. After the winter I said I wouldn't complain.

But I'm "observing" quite a bit today!

Let's just say I'm not quite "fresh as a daisy!"

If You Can't Be with the Dad You Love, Love the One You're With!

Not that I don't already love the one I'm with! Because I do! Lots and lots!

But there are lots of great dads and I wanted to celebrate not only Rick (aka the one I'm with) but two others I'm not with on this day.

There's my own dad.

I was lucky in the good-dad department. Mine knew how to read stories well and tell them just as expressively!

He loved fishing and was very patient at cleaning those others caught (others being me who wasn't about to stick a knife into a fish, even though I'd already jabbed them with the hook!)

Dad loved animals and introduced me to my first cat.

He also put up with my garments-on-animals, a trait which unfortunately didn't die out after the age of eight (below, with Dad's dad. Those knee socks have got to go.)

Not every dad would play the Barbie Doll Game with his daughter. And not every dad would, some ten years later, find her after the senior prom parking with her boyfriend and knock on the car window. I lived through the shame. I miss him more than I can say. But there are other wonderful dads in my life.

Like Kevin, dad to our Baby Grand, Carson. He has his Weekend MBA stuff on Father's Day so we will be celebrating with our little guy and his mom. Then they'll head home and do the same with Kevin.

This is a special Dad's Day for him. I'm not sure Carson "gets it" yet, but he's much more for a party with every passing month.

And this will be his last one to be the only, as his baby brother is due in early July! And if he doesn't like that, he'll let you know!

And then there's Rick. I'm not sure any dad could love his kids more -- or get more frustrated now and then! Like the day public transit fan Rick tried to get them to appreciate the bus by taking the bus to the mall. We probably could have chosen a better day. Don't we all look happy here?!

Some of my earliest memories of them as a family involve cooking and they've had their hands into not only American food but Japanese and Italian as well.

And they still all love it, each with their own best-things to cook. Kevin and Rick will always argue gas vs. charcoal but both love the grill. Greg will create astonishingly healthy dishes. And only Kevin will clean the kitchen well.

Now there is a new boy in the family and he will have a group of Grandpas who will love him to pieces. And I'm sure the other two would argue with this -- but no one, I think, could love him more than Rick!

Happy Father's Day to all the dads from then, now and always.