Grands

I am watching the grands a couple of days a week during the summer, and we started out yesterday with a big day.  Swimming at the outdoor pool at the Y for the first time this summer, then lunch down the street at Cobblestone Cafe.  I wanted to be one of those Fort Thomas grandmothers who take their grandkids there.  Nora, healthy eater that she is, chose macaroni salad and a fruit cup.  She gobbled the croissant too.  The cafe usually closes at 2:00 but Tuesday is a late day for them.  I thought that it would be a light crowd during the afternoon but almost every table was full.
 

On down the street at the library, the gerbil was less shy than it has been.  We even got to see some open eyes.  And, joy, the train table had new trains.

Nora picked out lots of books, mostly Arthur books, but one about fats too.  While her brother took several runs up and down the hill, she sat on the curb and read.  

And here's the hill-runner.  I told him he needed to take off his flip flops to run the hill, and he was happy to do it.  Note the post-swimming hair.

Saturday Campground Pictures

Breakfast cereal devoured on coolers

Multi purpose "tools" from the Cades Cove store

 Aaron with Winnie

 Nora with Sarah

The "boys."  The one in the blue sweater is Winnie's dad, Bridget's nephews are the ones in towels.

No bear sightings this time.  A few turkey, a few deer.  Yesterday, back at home, there was a young brave deer at the head of the tree trail.  It wasn't impressed by me at all although I was very close.  It wasn't impressed by the beep when I unlocked the car door or when I started the car.  Perhaps urban deer are only impressed by dogs.

Some People

Some people (any idea who?) come to our camping trip with beautifully appointed camp boxes

 and wine glasses and pretty tablecloths.

That wouldn't be me, but it's fun to see that touch of pretty things within the beauty of the Smokies.

Thanks

Thanks, Carrye, for the kale seedlings.  You filled in just what I was missing.

Stairway

Instead of going to church this morning - well, actually I did plan to go to church, but the project took longer than I anticipated, no surprise there - I removed the yucky 50-year-old gray runner from the stairs going to the second floor.

  

I knew there were oak treads under the carpet, but they were even nicer than I thought.  They will take just a minimum of sanding and patching. 

I am so grateful to the internet for (1) telling me how to do these things, and (2) making it sound easy so I'll actually try it.

Painted Bedroom

Yay! I've painted my bedroom!  For the first time in MONTHS, like before Chrsitmas, I don't have paint cans and paint stuff waiting on my bedroom floor.  And it turned out exactly like I wanted.  One "popping" wall, Belieze Sherman Williams, and three relaxing walls, Koi Pond, also SW.

And would you believe, I found a coverlet at Target, half off, with the same colors, just a little lighter.  Reversible.  I am pretty darn happy about all of this.

June is my birth month, and my year goal is to work on my house, all those little projects that will make it so much better.  I'm starting just a little early.  Front door paint.  Shelf and new fan in the kitchen.  Painting the other bedroom.  Outdoor masonry paint.  Can't wait.   

Hot Memorial Day

Not sure if I remember a hotter Memorial Day.  When I was in high school, I'd march with the band in the Memorial Day parade, ending up at the cemetery.  School was just out for the year and summer was just beginning.  We wore black bermuda shorts.  I'm just sure it was never this hot.  After the parade I'd listen to the Indianapolis 500.

I got some gardening done early today.  I decided, for no particular reason, that 90 minutes of gardening = 45 minutes of workout exercise.  Now that I've determined this, I'm sure my yard will look better in no time at all.  I planted everything I had to plant and loaded up at Lowe's for round two.  The smaller containers of Knock Out roses were reduced from $15 to $5, which made me happy, and I got two.  Lots of pink vincas, too, also on sale.

Thanks to my neighbors for the plate of pancakes, to Patti for the cookout, and to Steph and Mike for sharing the kids and their Slip 'n Slide.