Crazy! That's what it has been like here for the past three weeks. Doctor appointments for my Mom each week. Oh, well, it just keeps me busy and out of trouble. As for Mom, she feels okay but the melanoma is in two more lymph nodes and she will have them removed on June 28.

This past Sunday for Sunday School I taught Brooklynn about Jacob and Esau. Well, when we were done talking about them I asked her questions about what we learned. I asked her what the twins were named and she said they were Jacob and Seesaw. Is that cute, or what?

On Sunday there were male and female goldfinches in my garden. I was very glad to see them. Then, today I was looking into my garden and lo and behold there was a hummingbird. Boy, did I do a happy dance. Even came inside and continued it. Little hummingbird, please come back soon to see me!

Well, the yard got graded today and the fence posts are being put in place. Yeah, can't wait until it is done and can get to work on my garden.

Also went to see the two little guys who were my Two on

Tuesday. They were as excited to see me as I was to see them. The youngest is really talking alot. My what a difference six weeks makes. They and their siblings wanted to come down to my house. I told them soon and then there would be a big yard for them to play in.

Well, I was thinking that if you don't have plans for your vacation yet this year--why not visit the Gulf coast. Just think if thousands of us would take our vacations there how we would help out the small businesses. There are still beaches with white sand down there. Consider it.

Hannah came to PA for a visit this weekend. It's lots of fun when she comes home. We always find something to do.

On Saturday we went to Fry Village for their strawberry festival. Hannah bid on an afghan and won it. Way to go, Hannah.

After we left there we went and got our free ice cream from Friendly's. Mm-m good! Love that it was free. Then we had lunch at Five Guys. French fries made in peanut oil and fresh burgers. Mm-m good, again. Stopped at Penney's to see if we could find any bargains. None found. But, stopped at the Christmas Tree Shop and there, as always, we found our bargains.

Sunday: brought my granddaughter over for church. It's always great to see her and it's a blessing to teach her about Jesus and to teach her Bible verses.

Spent today doing wash, cleaning up, and reading my book in between the work. The weather today here in central PA was just beautiful!

I just read my daughter's blog today and she was talking about collections. She has collected many different things over the years even though she only mentions her most recent collection. Hannah, remember "Star Wars". Oh, and "Pirates". Oh, and all your book series. Oh, and your album collection. My how we love to collect things.

Of course, I wonder where she would get that idea from in the first place. Nevermind that I have been collecting elephants since I was 16 years old. I have a rather large collection now. I also have a collection of "Sleeping Beauty" memorabila. That doesn't include my rather large collection of books--both fiction and nonfiction. (It's like a small library in our TV room.) So, as you can see I'm sure I had no influence on her and her collections.

Yesterday we went to the Hershey Gardens. Only crazy people would walk through a garden in 90 plus degree weather. Of course, this is not the first time we have done that. I remember well the gardens in San Antonio and Atlanta. Why do we always pick the hottest day to see the flowers. It's like they also are screaming out for water.

Went shoe shopping this evening. Guess you could say I also have a collection of shoes. Since I wear a size 5, I buy shoes when I find them. You get them while you can because when you need them you can't find them.

So, what is your collection and have you ever gone to a gardens on the hottest day you can?

Well, it's been a week since I last posted. My how time flies! I flew home from SC on Sunday. Imagine my surprise when I arrived home to find that the insurance company not only replaced my house but that they put every crack in the walls and ceilings exactly as they were before. Now, I feel much better knowing that everything has been taken care of. Oh, and the mice and bugs did get that trip...right out the front door!

As for my trip to Grandkids land...what a lot of fun! It is always good to see them. We spent most of our time at the house and that is okay with this Gramma as I'm always on the go when I'm at home. Bella was a good excuse to just chill at the house everyday. Good thing babies like to sleep!

If you live in the Harrisburg area you've seen the cows they had on display one summer. Then, another summer they had kites. Well, I like Greenville's display that they have and it's permanent. They have "Mice on Main". There are 9 bronzed sculptured mice throughout the downtown area. You can get the hints for finding them on Greenville's website on in the stores on Main Street. We had a fun time trying to find those little critters. It was really interesting. They have a book written about them also. Now this is the direction that a city should go to attract people to find things. Cows come and go, but these bronze mice are here to stay.

I must say that Rachel and the gang did a good job of keeping the house cleaned up. Even the wash was done. I'm glad they made all the critters leave before I arrived!

Well, you know I'm in trouble when I have not heard from any one on the homefront since Sunday, May 16; and then only because I called to talk to my granddaughter. I hope they didn't take the insurance money from the house burning down/blowing up or what ever happened and take those nasty bugs that decided to inhabit the place on a cruise. Bahamas anyone?

Yesterday was a fun and busy day. We went to the Children's Warehouse. They sell all kinds of books and curriculum. Found a few books

Afterwards Alicia and I went and had lunch. Gran was keeping the grandkids during this time.

Last evening we celebrated Bella's first birthday. We had pizza, lemonade, cake, and popsicles. Bella shared her cake with Owen. Wish you could have seen their faces as they "dug-in".

Dear Rachel,

I assume that all in Pa are alive and well. After our conversation yesterday it stands to reason that the house may yet survive. Isaiah is home to take control of everything. He will crack the whip.

Went to a strawberry festival on Saturday. It got very hot and humid after we arrived there. Yesterday we went to the Greek festival. Unfortunately, I could not eat any of their delicious pastries. It also started out as a nice day and ended up very hot and humid. So humid that it stormed at night.

Watched three movies so far. We watched "North and South", set in England; "Mrs. Brown"; about Queen Victoria, and "Leap Year", which was a hilarious movie. You need to see them; but you must watch them with me. Nothing else will be tolerated.

Anna Kate is reading this letter as I type it to you. You go, Anna girl!

Quiet day so far. Don't know what we will be doing. Got all the wash done last night.

It was good to talk to Jack. He tells me that you forgot to give him a biscuit. You need to take better care of him.

Love,

Mother

PS Be nice to your students! They are calling me again about how mean you are to them: too much homework, too much seatwork, too much work, period.

Dear Rachel,

The funny part about you writing letters on your blog is that people are reading it and thinking: At least she is writing something. The house may have blown up, burned down, taken in additional residents, etc.; but at least she is finally posting something. She finally is writing on her blog.

Good to know you have washed the sheets. I was wondering if you were going to do that. As for the dog getting picked up and getting a bath does that happen before school today, after school today, before going to Brenda's, after going to Brenda's, before picking up Isaiah, or after picking up Isaiah. I'm confused as to when you will have time.

As far as the rumor of your students fleeing the country to get away from you, you either are not reading the letters closely or not reading the comments that are posted with them. Either way I guess you just didn't miss them when they left or you would have known it. They too are feelin' the luv. No wonder they give you grief. You don't even miss them when they are gone.

As for having only four weeks of school left I was notified that you will have to spend the entire summer in school to improve your learning (not teaching) skills and to learn when you have students missing from your room since they fled the country from your teaching.

Glad to know that Dad enjoyed his ice cream cake. I'm glad it was a hit. Had an awful time coming up with something for him at the last minute. Thanks for picking it up.

As for Jack, you will never take my place. He will just be glad to see someone from his immediate family. You will never take my place!

Love,

Mother

PS Miss you? Well, maybe just a tad. I don't miss your mess!