Sunday, October 13, 2013

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!!!!









15 comments:

Kathy said...

Welcome home! Vacations are wonderful. Being home is too. Hope the smell gets out of your home quickly! Even so, there's no place like home.

Lynne said...

Welcome home Linda!
You are right on! Time is the most precious gift of all, and
you, my friend, spend it so lovingly and wisely!
The image of GrandDad, Kailey and Harrison dozing is the sweetest!
w/L

Vee said...

My goodness! You are a dynamo! I'd still be crashed on the sofa. Love that photo of The Dozing Trio. Harrison doesn't look too comfortable...

Will be interesting to hear the conclusions to some of these stories!

Wanda said...

What a great vacation. I didn't realize you had also spent time with your son. There are seasons to life, and we must enjoy each. Your home looks wonderful and I just finished putting up my fall decorations and lighting some candles. Next I want to smell Pumpkin Bread in the oven.
Love coming to visit.

bj said...

O, I am so so glad you had such a good time. It's wonderful that you can see time spent by our children with their parents is G.O.L.D.
XOXO bj

Deb said...

welcome home...glad you had such a nice trip...

Susie said...

Linda, You are blessed and you know it. :):) I know you were happy to get a big bear hug from LD. That photo of him and the babies touches the heart. I know what you mean about men and housework. They do what they think is really good, but we will go over it.xoxo,Susie

MadSnapper said...

i thought my hubby was the only cowboy fan left... they have been his favorite team since they began playing and I can't figure it out. he is from PA and doesn't like the Steelers and we live in FL and he hates the bucks... i don't do football so can't understand him at all.
you are indeed blessed to have adult children that want to come out and play with you.... love the pic of Louise dean with the babies, he would make a great Santa

Judy said...

I'm smiling at the photo of the sleeping threesome. Love it!

It may not be Thanksgiving Day in the USA today...but I'm glad you are counting your blessings along with all of your Canadian friends. Home sweet home...is always the best place to be in the end.

Jackie See said...

Linda, what brand of vitamins do you take? I want some! Your vacation journal goes to the top of my favorite blogs! I enjoyed it so! So happy for you to get to spend time with your kids, you are so right TIME is the greatest blessing! I envy L.D. baking bread, oh the smell of it baking, they should make a perfume that smells like fresh baked bread, I would wear it!

Nonnie said...

It really is our most precious gift and you don't seem to waste a minute of it! Loved your photos of your trip and your family and your homecoming. Beautiful smiles - all of you!
It is a wonderful life!

Aloha Acres said...

Welcome Home!

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Welcome home lovely friend! I always say, no matter the fun and the beauty i had been experiencing in a trip...the best part is to arrive home, even if there's so much to do! Your trip was awesome, and such great potos you shared with us too. Welcomed back! Thanks for visiting me sweet Linda!
Love,
FABBY

Kelly said...

I think your son, Ben favors my son, Cody. My son will turn 20 in December. I'll be posting a pic of him soon on my blog with some big news. Maybe you'll see the resemblence. So glad to hear that you're back home safely and enjoying getting reaquainted with LD. He sure did do a lot for you while you were gone! He's a sweetie.

Carla said...

Yep a girl after my own heart. .. an empty margarita glass. LOL
Good to see that Louis Dean scored well on the damage control.
The pictures of you and Benjamin and you and Summer are great.