Gardening and Life With a Husky

 Good afternoon, friends and HAPPY FRIDAY!  

This is the first Friday of my summer break and I am enjoying the slower paced mornings.  Today my husband took off work to get some college loans started but right now he took our son to his foot doctor appointment.  My daughter is hanging out in her bedroom.  I remember the days of being a teenagers and keeping myself trapped in my bedroom for some peace.  Tonight the church is doing a drive in movie to collect the rest of the money needed for teen camp next week.  My kids will be working it and on their way to camp on Monday.  They enjoyed it last year.  

Here is just a random picture of my little indoor herb garden.  It's growing successfully but in desperate need of being transferred to bigger pots  Basil, oregano and mint.  I've never been much of a green thumb but doing good with these.  

Brooke had an annual checkup at the vet on Wednesday.  Before the appointment I took her on a walk in the park to get her energy out and it worked.  She had to be muzzled while getting 3 vaccines and a tick removed from her back.  She was a trooper, though.  

And yesterday was her Gotcha Day!  3 years ago we rescued her from the kennel.  I had an immediate regret, wondering if a husky was the right fit for us but over time I realized she's exactly what we needed.  She's bigger than I'm used to but she's gentle and an absolute sweetheart.  The one thing about huskies is they can be pretty stubborn and only do things on their terms.  

I was also excited to see some progress in my garden.  I'm not sure if you can spot some of the grape tomatoes.  They have not turned red yet but I'm excited for what's to come.  It's a small garden with only grape tomatoes, beef steak tomatoes, orange bell peppers and red lunch box peppers.  

It's been so hot here in Pennsylvania, reaching up to the 90s in the last few days with some scattered thunderstorms.  I love summertime but this has been a bit much.  

Enjoy the weekend ahead.  Stay cool!  

Monday, Monday

 I spy with my little eyes ...

Life in the garden.  

Can you spot the pepper?  There are tomatoes appearing too.  I was a little late to get it all planted this year so it's surprising to see.   

This morning I gassed up the school van and did the morning run.  Tomorrow is the last day for this school so the van will need washed and vacuumed before its return to the garage.  Then my summer officially begins.  After work I went to the store to get some things and bought some donuts and juice for the kids.  They woke up to the surprise.   

Saturday I watched my mom while dad went to an emergency dentist appointment.   She wasn't having a good day and that's typical for Alzheimer's.   Her neurologist put in a referral for a home care group to start coming in to help but they are backed up for several months so I'm praying they can soon help.  My dad can use the help and I, the only family in Pennsylvania, can only do so much.  

Well,  that's the update on this warm Monday morning.   Laundry is calling.  

Starting Summer with Horses

 We made it to Friday from a week that felt like it was taking forever.  Did you feel that too?  My kids are on summer vacation but the school I drive for still has until next Tuesday.  So, we really haven't done anything fun yet but yesterday since the school had an early dismissal I took the kids to their dad's work to have lunch.

His job is tough but the scenery is beautiful.  The building sits on the owner's property and farm.  There are horses everywhere.  We ate lunch next to this friendly guy.  

Then took a walk around a small part of the property.  It's peaceful and looks like a dream.  As I think about how lucky the owners are to have such an amazing business on this beautiful land it did take them a lot of hard work to get all of this.  The work part I could live without (ha ha) but to be able to live on this much beautiful acreage has to feel like quite a blessing.  

 

My daughter had received an offer for something that feels like an answered prayer and a wonderful opportunity but we decided to allow her to make the decision and it's a difficult one for her.  So many pros and cons will come along with whatever decision she makes.  If you could please pray for her on this decision we would appreciate that.  

The weekend is among us and I've been waiting for it.  Saturday morning my father needs me to watch my mom and Sunday is for church.  Today will reach 90 degrees so I'm grateful to have finished the mowing for the week.  I cannot wait to get summer vacation kicked into full gear.  

One Chapter Closes

 He did it!  Matthew graduated!  These 13 years felt long but as I sat on the field watching as he crossed the stage for his diploma it felt as if it all went by in a blink.  He didn't like school and he and I questioned if public school was the right choice but I did see how God's provision carried him through.  He had some struggles here and there but still graduated Cum Laude.  He said, "Imagine if I actually tried."  

The morning was warm but very windy.  Many were losing their caps. Since Rob is on the school board he was able to hand him the diploma.   At the end we were able to get a lot of pictures.  

He wanted to recreate the picture.  When Matthew was in kindergarten he brought home this tiny pine tree.  We planted it in the front yard and it's grown right along with him.  Actually, it's gotten a lot bigger and still growing.  

Even though he is now a young adult ready to set sail on a new chapter of life I will still remember that little 5 year old waiting outside for the school bus to take him for the first day of school.  Oh, I felt so much pain that day wondering if he was okay and anticipating the moment when he got home.  Now I feel a new level of pain as I prepare to send him two hours away to college.  He's a man now.  An official adult.  He made it through childhood and learned a lot along the way and now a new adventure begins.  He's ready for it - but as for me - I will always hold tight to the memory of this little boy.