Going back to School~~~

Hello Darklings,

No not me, Thank Goodness.

My brother and sister in law asked if I would be kind enough to purchase the school materials the children would need when School goes back in session.

And they gave me the list of what they do have and what needs to be replenished and the money to buy it with (Thank You very much).

Stuff for the boys is easy enough, although Christopher asked if I could find a magnetic mirror for him to put into the inside of his locker,  the twins teased him and said he has a girl friend, well more like several girls have a crush on him, he says he wants to look presentable around his friends.

Coralline just rolled her eyes but did confide to me that while she was recovering at home several girls that know Chris came by the house,  supposedly to study.  And they commiserated with her about her broken ankle,  but she said that she could see they were there to flirt with her older brother.

He still keeps an eye on her and helps her, but she is getting better, but the way she told me about this was funny.  

I did find the magnetic mirror, plus a magnetic shelf to hold a comb and Tic-Tacs and anything else he might need,  It came in a pewter color,  I also got a set for Coralline in gold for her locker as well,  and a replacement battery operated chandler, her old one got broke when those thieves stole stuff from their house.   And a few other gold accented things for her for school, to cheer her up, no sense having school be drab for her.

They left a few days ago and fortunately where they are going there are no wildfires,  I was on pins and needles about the one burning near Mariposa, near Yosemite.   But I heard on the news that the mandatory evacuation of the historic town has been lifted, the town was safe but people did lose their homes.   Some friends of mine who live in that area called me a few hours ago and said they were one of the lucky ones, their home was spared.

I am planning a trip towards the beginning of October, to the wine country again, I'm hoping Doyle can come with me, but if not, well I'm use to traveling alone.   Although I don't think I'll buy as many varieties as the other time.  I've seemed to settle in with a few that I like.  But one never can tell.

Or I may go to Columbia State Park, in time for one of their Ghost Tours, and considering bookings I think I better start planning now.

And now I'm preparing for another heat wave,  fans are out, plenty of water bowls for the dogs.  And now Sis has come by for a late dinner, she's been working hard, but I think I'm going to try and persuade her to take a mini-spa vacation with me.  Just have to think where to go.

Later Darklings.

Of being a "stand-in Mom"~~~~

Hello Darklings,

I know the title of this post doesn't make sense, but my Brother wanted to take the family out again for one last major road trip, after their return, doing a quick check up on the RV then off again,  they really do like this traveling on the road.  By as my sister in law says, "it's nice to come back to a permanent home"

Well why am I (and my sister) are "stand in Mom's"?  For a good reason, I go to my brother's house, pick up the mail and flyers, etc. every day, turn on different lights, check things and such,  and then at a certain designated time go on line and "chat" with them about what bills have come in, most of them are auto payments which is good for them, but sometimes something unique comes in so I need to relay the information.

Well in this case it's a list of what the children will need for school each list is different, except for the twins their lists are the same, so it's just double of what they need.

My sister in law agreed that if I could get the school supplies that the children need, I'll be reimbursed, and then she can focus on their clothes and school uniforms, when they return, less of a head ache.

Well that's not problem, I mean how hard is it to follow a list?   It is when you're fighting off 20 million parents looking for the same thing ---Thank you Wal-mart and Target!  The twins are getting exactly the same thing, same color, nothing different.

I was asked to get new backpacks for all of them too, the old one's are completely worn out but each back pack has to be different, Chris said "basic black or blue", Coraline "Something cute", the Twins I'm not going to even describe what they were saying, they were bouncing around so much on the "video chat"  so I told them they will get what they get and be glad that it will not have kitties, bunnies or puppies on them.   That quieted them down. 

So today, after an early morning "attack" on Wal-mart (open open open) we got it before it became insane. 

Then lining up each back pack with each item on the list, Sis and I did a check off to see what we might have missed---Rulers---isn't that silly, we forgot rulers----this time to Target,  Big MISTAKE!  RETREAT!!!    Found them at Safeway---Thank you!  Whew!!

My brother and family will be returning the end of next week, he's been able to keep the children away from any areas that have fires by sticking to the coast and seeing the historical sites along the coast, and by doing that they've been avoiding most of the heat waves we've been having.  The children have been enjoying it, I'm happy to say, I will be glad when they come home.

In the mean time Doyle has been setting up motion detector lights here and there around the house, we will turn them off during trick or treating at Halloween,  but they work and should be a good deterrent against "Crazy". 

Dinner tonight our go-to favorite Chinese! 

Sis has suggested that maybe we take in a movie tonight, perhaps "Mr. Holmes" but I really don't feel like going out, she understood so we'll take it in tomorrow night.

I am being called in to work two days this coming week to fill in some "holes" at my old work place, it will be nice to see familiar faces, and Doyle will pick me up after work to bring me home, I'll be taking public transportation to go in.

I cannot believe it, yet I can, our state is on Fire!  Nearly 2 dozen fires up and down the state, the one near Clear Lake is as big as the City of San Francisco, and just as devastating.  Sometimes I'm out on the back porch and I can smell wood burning and it's not bar-be-que mesquite, when the breeze is just right you can smell it, when that happens both Belladonna and Wiener Dog start trembling and whimpering,  and all I can do is hold them and do my best to soothe them, of late they've been sharing the bed with me and Doyle, huddling between the two of us----it does make for romance a little difficult, but Doyle says "What can you do?"

A strong El Nino will be needed.  Desperately!

There are times I wish I could see into a crystal ball to see when the rains will come.

Later Darklings

Of more Dark things and School Shopping---a short post~~~~

Oh Darklings,

Already the leaves are beginning to fall and curl hinting at Autumn to come.  Halloween is just around the corner!!!

That does get me excited.

But I'm going to have to make this a short post as my niece and her Mother will be here any minute.

I've got to list another magazine link or two in the next few days, that I think all you Gothic Beauties will love.

Doyle is doing well, the Urologist just wants to keep him on antibiotics for another 4 weeks, plus a pro-biotic and then more follow up ultra sounds, blood and urine tests and doctor appointments to see how he is progressing.

He can go back to his job but he's going to be doing desk duty, no more risks to the vital areas for a while so limited functions.  He's happy about that he was climbing the walls here at home, and then I can go back to work in 2 weeks but again just a few days a week, well at least things won't be boring or dull, not that it ever is in our home.

But we still have to post pone the vacation plans Oh Pooh!!!  Well I can focus on the Halloween decorations and see what Spirit has to offer. 

But right now Coralline,  her Mom and I are going clothes shopping for Coralline, she's out growing her clothes and shoes,  and we still need to get her supplies for school, and they are here, already Coralline is tugging at my sleeve singing "Faro-La, Faro-Lee" 

Yes my Darklings---last night they were showing "Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman" with one of the only few (with the exception of "Phantom of the Opera") musical numbers to find in a horror movie.

And her parents let her and the boys stay up late to watch it..."Come one and all and sing this song, Faro-la faro lee, for life is short but death is long, faro-la faro lee"...

Oh dear we all now have an "earwig" running in our brains---Faro-La, Faro Lee....

Later Darklings----I must Flyyyyyyyyyyyy.......