They're Baaack!

The Group is back.

A week or so ago I mentioned my daughter and two grandsons moved in with a friend. Well, that didn't last long... about a week and a half. I can't say it was a surprise, but I was thinking it might last for a month or two. It didn't have a chance. Not given the personalities involved.

Its as though they were never gone..... (whimper)

And aren't I just too lucky for words. I get to continue an apparently life-long bonding session with the boys. What gramma wouldn't want that? Seriously.... what gramma would want it! I mean't wouldn't want it.

They bring so much to my life. Cartoons, endless mindless cartoons. Little boy farts followed by giggles and more farting until it turns into a little accident in one of their pants. (Now that was funny! The look of shock on his face was priceless, especially since I'm not the mother.) I get to look forward to possible head lice, possibly some scabies, but for sure there will be lots and lots of colds throughout the year. I could go on.... but I won't. Lucky you!

But for now I have to go wipe down the kitchen garbage can. Apparently no one has a decent aim when tossing things into the can.

Timeout - A Magpie Tale

 Jack sat in the chair with his head down, his arms leaning on his lap, fists clenched. He darted a glance over at the timer. The white sand slowly dripped from the top chamber to the bottom.

Oh gawd, its taking so long. People just don’t get how long a small amount of time can sometimes take.

He closed his eyes and tried to think of happier times. Summers. Blue skies. Skinned knees. Sunburns. No, no. Winters. Snowmen. Tube slides. Frostbitten fingers. Sinus infections. Oh gawd.

Another glance at the timer brought a loud sigh.

That’s it! Breath deeply. How long can this torture last?

It already felt as though he had been sitting in the corner for decades, even if it would not take longer than three minutes, tops.

Jack looked again at the timer. He felt so edgy. Half the sand remained in the top chamber. He wasn’t sure if he was going to make it through this “consequence” without going stark raving mad. He could see it now. He would go screaming out of the front door, naked except for his boxers, arms flailing wildly, jibber jabber coming from his mouth. Maybe he would be able to work up some foam, too.

Jack played with the daydream so long that his time was up when he next looked.

“Hey mom… My times up, okay” he called to the next room.

Jack’s mom looked out from the kitchen door. “And now what are you going to do?” she asked sternly.

Jack hated pop quizzes. “I’m going to… go pick up my clothes and put them in the hamper” he asked.

“Oh Jack. You’re 32 years old for crap sake. When ARE you going to grow up?!!!”

Check out other Magpie Tales here.

Vyron's First Day of School

 My five year old grandson finally got to start kindergarten. His mom sent me this picture from her phone. They have a "uniform", however it looks more like a dress code, but I'm just splitting hairs. I think Vyron is going to love school..... until he gets bored. He's got a good mind, so far.

Mom says he loved his first day. It was all he could talk about.

I mentioned in an earlier post that my daughter and boys moved in with a friend. I'm already hearing "but" comments, so the move isn't a firm one yet. I suspect my solitude may be short-lived, so I shall relish it as much as I can... much like waiting for the hatchet to fall.

Apparently my daughter worked very hard cleaning the whole house (except bedrooms) and it was back to dirty in a heartbeat. Hers. Karma came to mind, but I kept the word quiet. The timing wasn't right to be accepted as constructive criticism. Snort.

So it may not work out. Wow. Who could have seen that coming. (should you be wondering, that is dripping with sarcasm.)

And speaking of empty intentions, for the last three days I have held a sincere intention to get a cat drawing done for Wanda's Art Challenge. Sigh. I have the paper, the utensils right at hand, but alas.... no mark has been made yet.

I've heard/read so many people say things like "I was born with a paint brush in my hand" or "If I don't create something every day I will just shrivel!" Well, not me. Not to worry with that one. Sigh. I still hold my intentions... perhaps later this evening.

The Parrot

 

Sandy had posted a couple of photos of a parrot. You can check the photos out here.

I took the easy way out and eliminated the claw.

On a different subject.... I'm getting my space back. My daughter informed me today that her and the boys are officially moving in with a friend. Be still my heart. I am completely giddy, although I'm holding it in well. No cartwheels or jumping about... but I have started cleaning already. You know, because it may stay clean for a day or two. Especially the toilet bowl!! TMI? Oh well... its the small things that brighten one's life.

"Happy days are here again....
The sky above is clear again... "

Good Luck Renting this One

Every so often I check out rental opportunities as found on Craigslist. I want to see what the going rate is for apartments or houses. (A lot of the scams are easy to spot... an $800,000 house available to rent for $700 a month.) I also look at the pictures of apts/houses to see what $2,000 or $5,000 a month will buy. ("They want WHAT for that?!")

I happened to check one and saw this picture below. I can rent this house for $750 a month (or close to this amount)... if I want to move to another city.

 

Did you notice anything interesting about the house? Like, oh I don't know, maybe the amount of space between the ground and the house (right side of photo). Good luck renting this house. I'm guessing you'll need it.

Figs Suck - An Art Challenge

 

This is my first attempt at doing a plate of figs (see Wanda's Challenge here.) Figs are not my friend.

I tried to do the figs a second time....

 

Worse than the first, but I'm not going to continue trying. I've had enough of figs, thankyouverymuch.

(done with oil pastels, should you be wondering.)

The Gift - A Magpie Tale

 

Teacher Sarah sat at her desk looking at the apple. It had seen better days. No telling where it’s been on its journey to her.

Soon the noise of the boisterous children brought her attention back to the task at hand. Teaching.

She gently tapped her ruler on the wooden desk to get their attention.

“Children… quiet now.”

It took a while for everyone to settle down. As she patiently waited, Sarah looked around at each student to see if she could find a hint or clue as to who left the apple. In the far back corner sat little Donny Brown, his head down as though that would make him invisible. The Brown family struggled the hardest in this small farm community. She knew that giving up an apple, even one that was nicked and bruised and half eaten, was a far greater gift than the most perfect apple given by another.

The room became quiet.

Sarah stared at the back wall as she tried to figure out whether or not to publicly acknowledge her gift. She decided against it.

“Students… I’m having a hankerin’ for some apple pie. If we can get through this afternoon’s lessons without too many distractions, I will bake one tonight and bring it in tomorrow so we can all have some.”

No sense in wasting an opportunity to bribe for compliance, she thought to herself. I’ll need more apples.

The children cheered. Folks didn’t do a lot of baking since ingredients were so precious. This would, indeed, be a treat. Teacher Sarah smiled at her students as they murmured among themselves. And when she finally caught the eye of little Donny Brown she gave him a quick wink.

Check out the other entries in this week's Magpie Tales challenge here.

"I can't buy green bananas anymore."

Do you like to see colorful personalities? Then check out this 4 minute video: