It's like Christmas--I jumped right out of bed because Nate and Lidet and Polly and Jim are here. Which is pretty silly because they probably won't wake up for hours. And I am pretty tired and didn't get enough sleep.

Yesterday morning, we had a pretty usual routine: breakfast, walk the dog out to get the paper, bath, get dressed. I probably did some tidying, but not much. Took Ray to work, went to ALT. Nathan was trying to give someone directions to some land. ALT has put in a request for a grant to do an archaelogical study for a piece of property where there was once a fort. Either Fort Mathews or Fort Hudson in Oconee County. I found the proposal on Nancy's computer, but no map or directions, just a fairly vague description--on the Oconee River, below the dam...Used the internet to read some things and looked at some maps. I'm pretty sure I found it, but would need confirmation before telling anyone else how to get there. Read a lot of interesting things on the way. The land owner wants the property to become a park. The adjacent property was to be a development, but because of the economic downturn, that is no longer the case--those owners are willing for it to be preserved as well. So, it's important to seize the moment. Apparently, there are some good things that result from a bad economy. But will it happen? I'll let you know in a few years, maybe.

I left at 12:30, not having accomplished much. I was a little sorry, because I won't be working there again until Monday, when Nancy will be back and I won't be sitting at her desk any more. I went to Earth Fare (I think that's shopping three days in a row, not my usual style) and got a few things I needed for my guests. Picked up Ray and we were home by 2-ish. I started by cooking. Enchiladas for potluck, to use up some of the tomatoes that were going bad (in a weird way, growing mold on the skin--I wonder what the sellers did to them). I had already started cooking the beans the day before. I also made a chocolate Eclipse cake (like pudding cake), because it uses sour milk and I had a lot of that around I wanted to get rid of, but couldn't quite bring myself to throw it out. I managed to use up the little bit left in two gallons, so there was room for the new groceries at the front and it didn't look quite so messy. And I grated the cheese and added it to the other ingredients I had already mixed up for chicken and rice casserole. Then I put it in a 9 x 13 pan and covered it with crumbs and aluminum foil and today's dinner is ready to go in the oven.

Then it was time for some serious cleaning. Ray washed the screens and put them on and then mowed enough of the lawn to make it look inviting for young children to play on. It was pretty hot out. I tidied the downstairs some and vacuumed the whole house pretty thoroughly. I even dusted some. We decided we wouldn't go to potluck after all. Polly called and they were nearly to 316; it looked like they would be here before 8, so we decided not to go to choir either. Captain and Vanessa arrived as we were about to eat some enchiladas. Ray had 4... After that, I carried all the books from the study to the downstairs guest room. Ray had emptied one of the bookcases (at my suggestion) and moved it in there, sort of for decoration. Somehow, they didn't all fit back in. DId a little more work upstairs, and they arrived! Cameron was excited.

They liked the chickens and wanted to explore the gardens, but we herded them inside to eat something. I showed them the rooms and, as envisioned, Nate was excited about Molli's room (the red room) and Lidet liked the smaller Zen room (sewing room), with the mattress and box spring on the floor. The scale is right for her. They will share a bathroom and their parents have their own suite downstairs. I am so glad to see them happy here. Downstairs, they all liked the enchiladas (I am not crazy about them, but that's okay). Captain and Vanessa made martinis for those who wished and broke out the potato chips; others ate enchiladas and maybe some homemade bread. I was/am deliriously happy. The children were told they could explore anywhere, but must ask before touching anything. Lidet found the feathered masks and tried them on--adorable! They even went down cellar and Nate asked if he could bring up a game. "Sure," I said. It was Yacht Race. He and I and Jim started a game as my parents left.

Polly started helping Lidet get ready for bed (even though it was only around 7 in Seattle). I think she was excited about her room. Nate beat us at the game, perhaps the least exciting round of Yacht Race we ever played. Ray went to bed and everyone disappeared, although I could hear them. I watched less than one episode of Wheel and started drifting off before I moved up to my room.

I had to peek at Nate and Lidet as soon as I woke up--they make such little lumps in their beds! I really should have stayed in my bed a little longer, but was too excited. Nothing to do for three days except play with family!

Apparently, I have lost the ability to fall asleep.

I can't even remember most of yesterday. OK, meeting with Bob C. at 9:30, after a rushed breakfast and short walk. Beautiful morning; apparently it rained during the night, but the sun was at work and it was very pleasant. I love talking to Bob about our investments/retirement; I swear I could listen to him all day. He is so knowledgeable and smart about everything. You say, "socially responsible" and he points out that, although Exxon lost a suit for $9 million over the Valdiz spill, they haven't actually paid yet. Chevron is better, he says.

Dropped Ray at the building he teaches in, rather than his office, because it was almost time for him to teach. Went to ALT, not much going on, although Nathan was back from Haiti and wished he were still there. He said if the elections there had gone the other way, they would have had to leave quickly. They were all packed and had arranged to be picked up by boat, but the person who won was the good guy and it was safe to stay. They still had to stop and lots of checkpoints and pay lots of people when they drove anywhere. Not my idea of a fun vacation, but I can see why work might be boring after that.

Becky picked me up to go get lunch and take it to the hospital to eat with Janna. Her Mom was about to move to rehab, except she has an elevated white count now, so they have to figure out what sort of infection she has and treat it. Aunt Vi has left, but Janna's sister is here until Friday. Next week, I may take some turns sitting with Bertha. It was kind of fun, the three of us eating a hurried lunch together in the lounge on the fifth floor.

Then I went to Kroger and bought yeast, matzo meal, and horseradish. I looked for the Manischewitz wine; it's about $10 a bottle. Then I went to writing class, which was intense this time, with people revealing some personal challenges, like not being allowed to see her grandchildren, because she had some mental health issues. These are 12 and 14-year-olds and the grandmother asked, "what does my daughter think I am going to do to hurt them?" I thought it was a horrible thing to do to your own mother. If I had mental health issues, my daughters would be the first to rally round, I'm sure. xx

Ray, meanwhile, generously, took a bus to the building where the workshop is held, so we could leave as early as I was ready, and not have to drive back to the campus. It was really nice, and I had to spend a little time with the chickens and the garden, before coming in and doing some tidying and furniture rearranging. Ray took care of reheating the leftovers and I started on the chicken and rice casserole for later in the week. We managed to watch quite a bit of TV, in between working on the casserole. Ray shredded all the chicken for me, thankfully. Then it turned out we didn't have any cheddar cheese, so it is ready to go except for that.

I wasn't sleepy, so I made the upstairs beds and tidied the rooms within an inch of their lives. Still a lot of mess, but I am pleased with my progress. I went to bed and finished my book and I still wasn't sleepy. I got up and paid bills on line, just in time to avoid late fees. Then I went down and ate some bread and watched some more TV, until I found myself watching some unfamiliar guy who came on while I was asleep, I guess. This time, around 3 am, I was able to fall asleep once I was back in bed and slept soundly until 7, when the light came streaming in. I woke up feeling pretty awful, but it will get better as the day goes on. Unfortunately, I will want to fall asleep about the time the guests arrive here.

After not getting much sleep the night before, I was sure I would be a basket case yesterday. Worked a couple hours at ALT, answering email and not doing much because I'm waiting on other people. I ate my lunch and then drove to Mr. C's house for computer lesson. I was sleepy and did not want to go, so I stopped and got some sweet tea on the way. As usually happens, I enjoyed it and it went well.

Mr. C is 85, he has a cattle farm and raises hay. I know his wife from the library and she bought him computer lessons for Christmas. She warned me he was difficult (she must be 20 years younger), but he was not unpleasant. We talked about bookmarking sites and made folders for his mail and even business cards and set a time to come back. She said 5 lessons, but I am not sure there is that much to learn. He does the internet and email and already knows most of want he wants to know.

I left there happy and he said it was helpful. I stopped at Kroger on the East side, where I used to shop years ago, and bought some things, including a 5-pound box of matzoh. I didn't buy ice cream because it wouldn't stay frozen by the time I got home. I had to go get Cameron ($206 for kennel and shots and bath) and Ray before we went home. It was over 80.

Made supper and bread; finalized menus and tasks for weekend. Watched TV, went to bed.

Got up, Vanessa made French toast and bacon. Captain went to the beach first thing, something he loves to do, go for a swim before breakfast. Then he stayed there and sent his column off, while the three of us went for a last quick visit to the ocean. The tide was pretty low and we enjoyed playing in the waves on the sand bar (well, not Vanessa). Then Ray told me he saw a jellyfish and I went in. We were supposed to be packed and locked up by 10, but we were on our way at 11, with minimal stress. Dropped our keys off and were headed through Savannah again. Stopped a couple of times and got home by 6.

 Ray has been working a lot, even here. I played some Spider. We went to the beach before noon. Ray was in the water a lot. My Mom and I sat and watched him, but there were lots of people. Some of them were surfing, standing up and paddling. Vanessa and I went in twice. One time, she was knocked down by a wave, but she was fine. The water was cold enough that I didn't want to spend a lot of time in it, but not so cold my fingers turned blue or my teeth chattered. My Dad insisted it wasn't cold, and it couldn't have been too cold if Vanessa went in. We did manage to get a little sunburn, since it was the middle of the day.

We were back at the condo by one and eating lunch. I was ready to go out for a walk, but Ray took a 3-hour nap. I went by myself. There were cars everywhere, driving around trying to park and parked on the grass. I went into a couple stores, but they were pretty junky. I walked back. I finished my book (and cried my eyes out). It was excellent. I went down to the beach by myself for a while. When I came back, Ray was waking up and we went to dinner.

The restaurant was interesting; it tried to be a little more elegant than a beach restaurant like Sting Rays. The shrimp and scallops were very good and fresh. The bread was not very good. The drinks and the soup and tiramisu were okay, but not outstanding. The art on the walls for sale was not to our taste, but we enjoyed the experience. Ray went back to work. Captain and I played Spider. Vanessa watched TV.

The four of us are here on Tybee, in a soul-less, 3rd floor walkup condo. However, it is lovely in most ways. The sun is shining, the breeze is blowing in the back and out the front; it may be hot enough later that we will close up and run the AC. My Dad has already been swimming this morning and Ray and I were at the beach briefly last night.

Yesterday morning was a little intense, trying to take care of everything before we left. The computer froze and I got really upset at it, but eventually we got away. Took Cameron to the kennel for a few days, shots and a bath. Took Ray to his office. Went to the Land Trust, didn't do much. When Andy called me at noon to ask if I could go to lunch, I said "yes" and hurried off. The plants I had brought the day before looked great in a bed out back. It was great to see Andy and I was hungry, so I ordered a slice of quiche. It was wonderful, really light and tasty, although it took a while to get there. I was almost half an hour late picking Ray up and then we got my parents and their things. We drove to Milledgeville and ate in the Greek restaurant there where we ate before. It wasn't quite as good, but it was kind of a fun idea to have a favorite restaurant in lots of different cities. I bet someone has done a culinary tour of the U.S., but it would be really fun. Go to the best restaurants all over the country, driving from one place to the next. Hmm, I need to do some research.

I drove the rest of the way, with one stop for a little break, at McDonald's, in Metter, I think. Bathrooms and a McFlurry for Vanessa and some nice ice water for me. The traffic in Savannah was backed up and slowed us down about half an hour, but we were there by 7:30. Picked up our packet and keys at the rental office. Nothing to stop me from picking a different place to stay; it's kind of amazing, they were maybe 12 different packets in there; anyone could help themselves. Of course, someone might follow up and visit the unit...

It is a small condo, with everything we need, even two bathrooms. The beds are made; there are towels. But only one book and no games, no beach chairs or toys. We can see the ocean from our porch and walk to the beach easily. Ray and I went down in the dark; I just waded, but he went swimming, after we put the lasagna and the pie in the oven.

My mother had made an apple pie, at my foolish suggestion. The Captain peeled the apples and they put it together in the morning. Which meant we transported the uncooked pie for 6 hours or so, taking turns holding it. The Captain had it under his feet on the floor while I drove (and Ray worked on his computer) and every time we stopped or went around a corner, it moved and got a little more beat up. It was delicious, but I don't think I would do that again. Surely we could have found a box of some sort.

Ray and I took the master bedroom with the double bed and let my parents sleep in twin beds. I feel a little bad about it, but we have given them the best room many times.

Slept pretty well and woke with the sun to head down to the beach.

It was pretty quiet at the Land Trust yesterday. I brought some plants for the garden and dressed for gardening, but apparently they had other things come up that needed to get done. I hope the plants don't all die; I didn't pot them; just scooped them into pots in loose clumps.

I was alone some of the time and answered the phone a lot. I looked on the computer and read through documents. Just not much for me to work on at the moment. Went to lunch with Becky and that was good. Talked to Mary O. some about local politics; somewhat depressing, but good to know.

About 4, I decided I had enough and went home. It was over 80 degrees out and really nice. Ray had his seminar and then a Democratic Committee meeting. Captain and Vanessa were at my house. He was working in the garden. It is really doing well. We talked about this weekend. We hope it rains today for the garden.

We had leftovers for supper, eating up some things from our trip to Fripp (canned refried beans) and soup from the other night. Also, the few little beets I dug up the other day (mmm), some asparagus (mmmmm) and lettuce from the garden. I love eating from the garden--yum!

Watched TV, did a little packing, and went to bed at 9:30 to read (ha). Ray was up for a while and then before me this morning.