Company's comin'!

My brother and his family are driving up from San Diego. We haven't seen them in a couple years! I need to get groceries and finish tidying up the house. It is amazing what I am willing to live with, and yet when company's comin' I see my digs in a whole new light! Why do I keep those empty boxes piled up creating a hazardous path to the bathroom? Why am I willing to step over the piece of trim that has fallen away from under the door but cringe to think my visitors will see it? I won't even mention the layer of comforting dust that suddenly appears to be at an unacceptable level. I'm sure everyone is like this to some extent. I suppose one can either develop higher personal standards, or squash the urge to spruce up for company. Maybe the answer is to have guests over more than once every few years!

Summer of '11

Some say this is the summer that never was. However it is obvious that there is a summer on the other side of the clouds. It's true that the pea patch hasn't dried up yet! But the tall grass is golden and the house gets too hot in the afternoon. It is summer! This summer I decided that instead of AVOIDING family reunions that I would embrace them (or at least show up for them!) I have been to Aunt Margie's 4th of July blast, the Hodge Family picnic (with my mother and her cousins), and the Ford Family picnic (With cousins eight times removed!). This weekend my brothers and sister will have 10 days of pow wow. My goal is to hold my temper, or rather, not let it build up a head of steam. I usually avoid having an absolute fit, but I start to say snap things that everyone regrets. What I am most impressed with at this moment is how many cakes are being baked up on Raccoon Ridge! If those pesky raccoons ever came down here they would find but a crust of stale store bread! Sadness! I may need to bake some things for the Rendezvous!