Time: Our Most Precious Gift!

As wonderful as my trip to California was - it is always good to be HOME!

Louis Dean was at DFW airport last evening smiling and waving as we came through the revolving doors!

We hugged and then he pointed to the Ladies Room! He knows me so well!!

We opted to go out for dinner where we could talk and catch up!

Yes, that's my EMPTY margarita glass!

We had a lot to tell each other even though we talked on the phone several times a day in the week I was gone. It was good to be home and spending TIME with each other!

This TIME last week (as I write) I was with Summer and Benjamin exploring and revisiting the sights of San Francisco. I truly believe the most precious gift we can give is the gift of TIME.

I am humbled that my children want to spend TIME with me.

Benjamin is in the 'Spring' of his life working harder than any 25 year old I know making a place for himself in the insurance industry. He CHOSE to spend last Sunday with his oldest sister and mother and I do not take that gift lightly!

Then there is Summer Dee!! (Don't you love the way that sounds? Summer DEE!)

She is in the Summer of her life: raising Raynie (I know - you raise critters but rear children! Raising still sounds right!) and holding down a demanding job with so many financial as well as personal responsibilities.

And there she was - spending an entire week of her vacation with ME!

I am all about counting my blessings and truly my cup overfloweth!

I love how Louis Dean spent some of his TIME this past week.

Amber captured this moment and shared it on Facebook.

Granddad, Kailey and Harrison all three dozing. Precious TIME!!

Louis Dean is a man among men and I hope you don't misunderstand when I speak of 

 'DAMAGE CONTROL!' 

I am a neat freak - though not nearly as bad about it as in my younger days!

He is a Pa Kettle in some ways and together we are like the old TV show - The Odd Couple!

Overall the 'Damage' was not too bad!

It is unfortunate that a critter decided to die up in our attic and thus leave this odious ODOR that was wafting through the house upon my arrival! The attic fan is on and I am hoping the SMELL fades soon!

I suppose my biggest surprise was in opening our bedroom door and seeing THIS!

Louis Dean finished digging the sewer for the RV and NATURALLY had to take up the slate patio!

Hmmmm.....

Another convenient thing happened - or INCONVENIENT if you are Louis Dean!

Our oven went out Friday! Just as he was preparing to make bread!

Now only a few people have seen the kitchen after he has made bread!

I don't take pictures of it! We knew it was going out and already have it in our budget to buy a new one.

So by and large I give Louis Dean a B+ in maintaining the house!

He did laundry and remade the bed with fresh linens!

Instead of cleaning the WHOLE house - I am taking it room by room.

I light a candle as I finish a room.......my bathroom.

Our bedroom is DONE!

Suitcases unpacked and I even changed out my closet to Fall/Winter!

Guest room - DONE!

This is the room the cat 'lives' in - as in kitty box and food and water.

All fresh as a daisy now!

Football is on and will be for most of the afternoon and evening.

Louis Dean thinks we need to go back to eating healthy so he fixed a tasty tuna salad for the one meal we have had today! I'm thinking a nap may be in order for me before the Dallas Cowboys play!

This time last week we were checking our phones to get the score.

That didn't end well!

But this is a NEW week and a NEW game!!!

Let's GO, Cowboys!!!!