Dinner tonight.

Is apparently mudpie.

If my kids mud balls are any indication.

I began my first crocheted rag rug Saturday.  I researched it online, and it looked easy enough.  I quickly learned I love doing it.  I used some material that I brought with me from the move I had 12 yards of it that I tore on the bia into 3 inch strips.  Next time I would do 2 inch strips, but you live and learn.  Its turning out awesome, but it EATS the rags.  Big time.

So today the rummage store was open, and as usual I peaked in there.  I found a couple things for the kids and perused their sheets/fabric to see if their was anything that would work.

Nothing jumped out at me.

I stood and talked with my friends who run the store, as they sorted through stuff.  One of them pulled out a fabric shower curtain that was the right color.  (blue shades).  I liked the look of it, and asked to feel it.  I said I'd take it for rags.  (a whole 25 cents)

Marie's eyes lit up when she heard what I was doing.  "What about bed ruffles?"

"Well their so gathered."

She headed to the back and found a blue one and handed it to me, its not really, and you'd get a lot of rag out of it. 

She was right.  "Come look she said."

The back room isn't usually available to customers.

Judy comments as we all head back.  "I was just about to get rid of all of them as they don't sale.

There were 7 or 8 of them that were the right shade.  "How much?"

"Take them."

So my hobby can be continued without costing a penny.

*beams*  Okay 25 cents if you count the first bit.  ROFL

They are easy to take a part and give me a nice diversity in color.  And save stuff going to the land fill.  If I wanted to add white material to it I'd have even more material.   I'm kinda hesitant about that...I wonder how difficult it would be to dye the white.

HMMMM

It looks rather like this outside today...although that is taken up where we got our giant rock, not here at home.

So much for the sunshine.

It was such a yicky august I was rather hoping for two or three days of sunshine in a row before the rains came.  *shrugs* guess that's what I get for hopin.

The kids and I will do school today, but other then that not sure what.

For those wondering I haven't put pictures up of the floor as its not done yet.  We ran out of grout.  *shrieks*  And we have to go to Sequim to get more...because we got colored and we have to match the color.  *growl*

I'm semi tempted to go today, but I think I will resist that urge.

Its been a quiet day today, and beautiful.  Gorgeous and sunny.

Our yearly campers are here and will be for a week or so, and after that his son will come.  Its a nice extra bit of unexpected money.  Not a lot of money, but still quite nice to have suprises like that.

Last year he said he probably wouldn't be here this year, but then changed his mind.

They had a horrible fishing day today...so no fresh salmon for us, I hope they do better tomorrow for their sakes, and hey I don't mind free fish.

this afternoon after JEremiah finally woke up we headed down to the river to play.  Its not really deep enough or warm enough to swim in this late in summer, but it was fun just to watch the kids wade and splash.

Jeremiah was playing in the "hot tub" the kids dug.  They dug it several weeks ago and when ever it runs dry they refill it. 

I love the intensity on his face in this picture.  Its just so him.  Play is serious business man!

and these too goon berries were trying to out rabbit ear each other thus the bizaare faces. 

All in all a nice quiet day, and one to cherish for its simplicity

Sometime in the last two days Rob helped me have an epiphany.  Look I even spelled it right!

On Thursday night I spent a nice long time on the phone with my best friend from college.  We live way way way too far apart these days, and live different lives.

But she joined xanga several years ago, and so we keep some contact, but the phone...that is so much nicer.  And it was wonderful.

I was talking about some of the stuff we talked about, and sorting through things in my head that made me think.  When I mentioned dad and lonesomeness, and I said.  "I want to feel bad about how lonesome he is, but he made the choice and its a natural consequence of the choice he made."

Rob nodded his head and added.  "Yes, his lonesomeness, and the lonesomeness of others."

And suddenly it just made so much sense to me. 

It doesn't make me angrier at my dad, because he's responsible for the rift with my mom, or the fact she's too busy to come out here.  It just makes me realize that I don't have to feel guilty when I can't meet his lonesome needs.  I can't...and its not my responsibility.

I can offer him companionship sometimes via the phone.  And the rest of the time I can remain guilt free when he calls on one of the three nights a week that Rob is home and I refuse to pick up.  He knows Rob's schedule...its been the same since Rainee was born.  If he doesn't know it, it confirms his selfishness.  He does NOT need to call Friday-Sunday night.

Of course its his most lonesome time due to no family at home.  But that is NOT my responsibility.  That's between my dad and God.

On other fronts Rob and I rediscussed how much time my dad will be allowed to spend out here when parole finally lets him be around children under the age of 12.  And it will be 2x a month.  This every weekend and sometime twice in one weekend thing has gotta go.  We need family time, time to vedge, time to do household projects, time to hike, time to read, time to do laundry.  (eww laundry)

I told Rob.  "I need you to be the one that tells dad that, I can't handle it right now."  He nodded his head and said he would.  Its so nice to schluff stuff off on the head of the house every once in a five year period.   

So a little of my guilt absolves and life moves on.

I continue to hit refresh on the weather channel, and watch Gustav, and pray God's will.