Weather Alert

On my iPad, the Weather Channel has posted a weather alert for Los Osos. Our unseasonably hot weather will continue through tomorrow, it says. It might reach 80 for the third day in a row:) Not sure it really made it up to 80 today, but the day was beautiful. Love it.

Adding to my sense of wellbeing is a big load of art supplies my friend brought me from San Francisco.

Happiness.

Little Spooks

When Papa, my daughter, and my son-in-law picked out the house Papa and I live in, they had no idea we would be buying into the best Halloween spot ever. In 2003, our neighbor warned me that we would have lots of little spooks, so I bought what I thought was a lot of candy. We ran out. Now each year we buy in excess of fifteen pounds, and that lasts until 8:30. We figure all the little ones will have finished their trick or treating by then. And by that time, Papa is tired of going to the door, guessing what each kid is supposed to be. Kids are hauled in by van loads. Parents park at the end of the street and ghouls, ghosts, bananas, and witches swarm the neighborhood.

Daughter, SIL, Buddy, and Roo come for hot dogs and sides. (Some years friends and relatives join in - but not this year.) The kids get ready and then they, along with parents, leave to go out into Halloween land. This year Roo was a glorious witch. Buddy was a geologist - he's always some sort of scientist, now that he has passed the train engineer stage.

They return with filled pumpkins, eat their favorite candies, and leave us with fun memories, an almost empty candy basket, and a coffee table full of candy wrappers.

I like Halloween.

Labor

At this hour forty two years ago, I was in labor. Most of you will agree that labor is no picnic. It is not. And I did it the easy way - drugs. Still no fun. But so worth it.

In thinking over the last 42 years, only one brief moment of uncertainty about parenthood comes to mind. It had something to do with trying to make a payment at Sears, I think. The day was already in the tank. My plate was too full, I didn't feel well, and the kid decided to yell as only a toddler can. We both survived it, but I still remember the look on the customer service lady's face.Like "Do something!"

All that seems like yesterday.

This morning I considered my 42nd birthday. I was working as a school counselor in Indiana. My daughter was in middle school. And that seems like five minutes ago.

Parenthood has seemed fast and - except for the Sear's incident -easy. My child is no longer a kid, but a smart and beautiful almost middle aged, woman who juggles a family, job, and doctoral program. She'll present a scholarly paper in January. Yep - all grown.

And I am proud of her and her accomplishments - especially that she has achieved parenthood, too, giving me Buddy and Roo.

Happy Birthday!

Conniving

Yes, I am conniving. This afternoon with the kids, we made a bakery run for one chocolate frosted, long donut, one chocolate cupcake topped with a trick nor treat cat and a loaf of whole wheat bread. The bread is for Papa and me, mostly Papa.

So on the way home, I decided to put conditions on the treats. I explained to Buddy and Roo that I love to hear them read and that they hadn't done that in a while. I said that each could select a book, read, then have treats.

Worked. Buddy chose an easy one so he could read quickly and plow in to his donut; Roo picked a difficult one. I am amazed that she sounded out words all the way though two books. This may become the routine.

Smile.

Hint

Put your gloves back on before you decide to use your new teal ink to add a inishing touch to your painting.

Interesting results.

Proud

After a year of working in fits and starts on the children's programs at the art center, I found a wonderful new member willing to take on the kids' programs! Her first project was to conduct a photo contest for five to fourteen year-olds. We timed it to coincide with Morro Photo Expo - we are their parent organization. Our new board member hung the entries at the Expo and a panel of professional photographers judged them. When I walked in and saw the photos on the wall, my jaw dropped. I was stunned by the quality of the images. This morning we hung the show at the art center and held a reception this afternoon. Thrilling! I am just so proud.

We are off to a grand start.

Popular!

Do you know how to make your grandchildren the most popular kids in the gymnastics class? Let them use your iPad while they wait for class to start. I handed over the iPad with instructions to take turns. Buddy was enjoying his turn by the time other children noticed what he was doing - using a cute reading/spelling app with fun sounds.

Roo was huddled close by, waiting for her turn. Another kid sidled up. His Dad watched. More kids came, then more. And more parents. Folks had to squeeze around the large group, attracting even more interest or curiosity, anyway.

What did I ever do without it? Now I feel a bit lost unless it is handy to read, check mail, or search the web.

How life has changed. Cliche, I know. But in my childhood home we had one phone in the hall. It was not cordless. It did not even have a dial until at least my junior high years. An operator connected our calls.

Now iPhones, Blackberries, and ipads. And more new technology every day.

Wonder what's next.