A Quiet Day

A little gaming, a little cooking, and lots of disappointment (the Bears lost a close one!) ... that was our day today.

Came across a family photo I should have routed months ago (taken in March 2008), proving my need for this blog! From left, that's grandson Jann (age 2-1/2), son Michael (Jann's father), granddaughter Payton, me, and Peter.

Saturday Afternoon at Home

A quiet Saturday at home, one of a handful Peter and I have had together this year. He's usually working OT on Saturdays and, when he's not, I often run in to the office. Miss Payton had a whole list of activities she wanted us to supply today, all of which require more time and/or money than we care to spend (some things don't change). But she got a few of them :)

I had a nice phone conversation with Mary Beth Szabo (above, right), who has always been so kind to Payton. She says that she and husband Bob (Payton's paternal grandfather) are well; same with Garnetta (Bob's 81-year-old mother). Andrew (Payton's father) is in Arizona now, and is enrolled in a program to help him overcome a long-time problem, a great first step ... we wish him well.

Bethannie Heads Home

Like a whirlwind, Hurricane Bethannie came and went, leaving this morning for her 15-hour trip back to Colorado. It was a long drive for just a two-day visit, but we're all glad she came.

As usual, Payton took her mommy's departure hard. Peter and I spent extra time with Payton, and we all played hooky today. Visits to the Pumpkin Patch and to the apple orchard for cider doughnuts and berry-picking did distract her for a bit. By this afternoon, Payton was her sweet, funny self again (ah, to be 10!)

Payton Turns 10

So today is Payton's big day! We had cinnamon rolls and birthday presents before Payton, Beth and Beth's boyfriend Todd went off to school with cookies for the class. This way Pay can show off her pretty, young mommy, and Beth can see what a nice learning environment Payton enjoys every day.

It will be a short day at school, though, because then everyone is off to the tattoo parlor for Beth's new tat. (Ozzie and Harriett, we're not, but that's OK too.)

Payton and Raven

Well, this weekend was Payton's 10th birthday party -- she's hit the "double digits" now. Her good friends Stormy and Destiny spent the afternoon with her at the Coco Key Water Resort, and Raven (left) spent the night. Here's a photo of Raven and Payton on a visit to Wisconsin Dells last month, when they played Southern belles for the camera.