And I really can’t believe it. Although, there are times when he seems more like 25. He’s pretty level-headed, usually responsible, and has a great attitude about life. Some folks say the teenage years are trying, and while we have our trying moments, I have to say that I have really enjoyed how my relationship with my older kids has evolved since they have become teenagers.

Anyway, the plan is for all of us to kidnap Joel, blindfold him, take him to swim at the lake, then head over to Krispy Kreme just as the fresh, hot doughnuts are rolling off the glazing belt. But he doesn’t know anytihng about this, so, shhhhhh.

Pictures coming later.

About 12 years ago we rented a house down the street from a colleague of mine. They had kids. We had kids. They homeschooled. We homeschooled. We all had common interests. After a few years, we moved away. Then they moved farther away.  We’ve kept in touch off and on.  But’s what’s been really neat is to see how their kids, who were older than mine, have started turning out. Their oldest has been in town for the summer, and we had him over for dinner.

He brought Cool Ranch Doritos and was an instant hit. INSTANT, I tell you. Because all beings with a Y chromosome love Cool Ranch Doritos.

This guy was a baby the last time our families had seen each other.  When our neighbors moved away, they gave us their wooden swingset, which we were very grateful to have.

It’s still gets a lot of use. They also gave us a large Ficus tree. My neighbor had been given the plant in the hospital when she had her firstborn.

Now their oldest is nearly 22 and so is this amazing tree. It’s our Christmas tree every year.

Here’s all of ours; the younger half were born after we moved away.

Everyone had a great time, and it was fun to reconnect with old friends.

This last shot is for you, Kelly. It’s got you written all over it.

We love and miss you all.

to a wonderful husband and father…

and friend, and lover….my goodness, you’ve still got it.

In a bizarre plot twist, I decided to take Benjamin’s horseback riding lesson yesterday while he manned the camera.  He’s been a little burned out on the whole equine scene lately, and I thought if he knew that I was willing to go through what he goes through then it might inspire him. His riding boots were just a little tight, but I thought I could survive for an hour.

However…I have  not been on a horse in 15 years. And when I did ride back in the day, I rode western. Benjamin rides english.

Melissa is our riding instructor. She is patient, encouraging, and has a good seat. When she rides, she looke like she was born on a horse. Here she’s adjusting my stirrups…….like that’s going to me any good.

“Look, Ma! No hands”  Melissa makes you ride with no hands. It gives you a chance to really focus on what your legs are doing. Or not doing, in my case.

I love english riding. I love to WATCH it. I really get into the equestrian competition during the summer Olympics. The finery and finesse of it all. The riders look so elegant and relaxed. But it is hard work. I mean really hard work! For example,  you have to be so aware of body alignment or your balance is thrown off. It reminds me a lot of ballet. But the english saddle is as foreign to me as a fish to the Mojave Desert.

This is a great photo. It’s a perfect example of horse and rider. A perfect example of what NOT to do. My knees are way too far forward, my hands are resting on the saddle, and I’m rubbing the sides of the horse with my lower legs. And I’m concentrating so hard trying not to do these things!  I look more like I should be riding a Harley. So sad….

In the meantime, Benjamin went off to photograph some frogs in a nearby waterhole.  But I have a new respect for his accomplishments.

While at my sister’s moving furniture, redesigning, and redecorating her living room, she just happened to mention a little website named Etsy. I am sure I am probably one of the last persons to hear about it. I usually am when it comes to what’s hip and new, but I have to say I was smitten at once. Etsy is the craft person’s answer to mass importation of cheaply made goods. And it can’t come too soon, in my humble opinion. It is a site dedicated to creating a market place where buyers and sellers can find handmade goods and the quality of yesteryear.

For example, I searched up “bookcase” and got 10 pages of styles from  wall mounted shelves to freestanding wooden built-to-order-right-down-to-the-finish cases.

I also found these.  If I had an extra $300 laying around…..

It’s just nice to know that one can still purchase something of quality from an individual;  reminds me of Ma and Pa Ingalls.

Blessings,

Wuzza