September Sunshine

Fall seems to be here according to the tourist drop off but it has been sunnier and warmer than most of the summer. We are really enjoying the clear mornings and beautiful sunsets. This is why we moved to the beach.

The grankids are back in school and I am back to babysitting one day per week. Eliana has been emailing me about our football pool as football season starts. She is a true Dallas Cowboy fan just like her dad. She loves cheering at the touchdowns and watching how many picks she got right. She has won the money before so this isn't something new to the 10-year-old!

Allison and Jason and the kids just got a new dog. We aren't sure exactly what kind he is but he is cute, about a year old and very well behaved. His name was "Puddin" but it just didn't fit. The girls decided that "Dreidel" fits him better so he is Dreidel. Sarina, who is our house cleaner grandchild, has taken on the job of keeping the back yard cleaned up. We will see how long that lasts. She does like cleaning bathrooms so maybe this won't seem like an awful chore. Otherwise, the other girls are going to have to rotate doing the job also.

Dick is off to a City Council meeting and his campaign for mayor rolls along. We went to a fundraising event for a wild cat sanctuary with Tippi Hedren last night and picked up new campaign bumper stickers while there. We met a number of new supporters for his campaign, also. It is always nice to meet more people backing him and gives us hope that he may even be successful. Here come the Letters to the Editor, mailings and then in October we will start hearing the radio ads. Keep your fingers crossed.

I just went through all my cooking magazines that have been stacking up over the summer while Allison and the girls were here. They keep me busy so I didn't get to decide which recipes I want to keep and try and rip them out. Usually during the year I can keep up with them and try lots of new ideas. I guess I take the summer off. Watch out waistlines...I am inspired. Plus, my corner where the magazines were piling up is nice and clear now!

Yes, I am inspired but when will I get to buying apples to make applesauce and cider? Finished the jams but it is apple time in the Northwest. Brett will gather friends together for the cider pressing sometime in October. Hope our campaigning doesn't interfere with attending. It is a very fun, kid-oriented, outdoor time. All the kids do the grinding and pressing with Grandpa Dick's help. We also have any newcomer join in helping the job along.

Well, it is September and just another busy time of year!