Have you ever had a week where nothing went right and by the time the week was over all you wanted to do was get away. Well, that was my week last week. So me and the family (The Misses and Jeter) packed up the car and went to visit The Misses Grandparents in Idaho. The Grandparents live on 3 acres in the middle of potato country. Nothing to do but visit, eat, and catch up on your HGTV programs.
I think I feel so at home there because Grandma reminds me so much of my late Grandma Bawden. There isn't anything she wouldn't do for you and she truly makes you feel at home around her. I know it has been 10 or 11 years since Grandma passed away so the memory of what she looked like isn't fresh, but I would swear they could be sisters.
When I say there is nothing to do but visit and eat, I am in no way saying this as a bad thing. You can guarantee when you arrive there will be a hot meal on the table. It doesn't matter if it is 10 o'clock at night, it will be there. It isn't like it is left overs either. Grandpa is the first to sit down and dish himself up, because Grandma wouldn't allow him to eat until we got there.
Meanwhile Jeter I'm sure believes he has died and gone to heaven. Not only did he meet his new best friend Coco (their old black dachshund), but was also introduced to the feline species. There has been a couple of times he has noticed them form across the road or behind a fence. But he had never been close enough to get knocked on the nose by a furry paw. I really thought he was going to have a heart attack form all the running and playing. That night was the first night he slept the whole night through.
The first night is usually a catch-up visit. We talk about what has been going on in our lives and the lasted news around the family. Then it is off to bed. Grandma knows I am allergic to animals so she cleans her room and insists we stay in there. While Grandpa and Grandma pull out the bed in the couch. I could argue and insist that they don't do this, but there is no point. She wouldn't allow me to sleep out with all the cats.
Mornings are my favorite time in their home. There is always a big pot of coffee on when we get up. Then breakfast last for 3 to 4 hours. This is when we hear the stories of them growing up, and how they came to be the great people they are. Around 9:30 Grandma gets up and starts preparing breakfast. These past 2 or 3 years she has begun to loose her sight. But that doesn't stop her from doing what she loves. We always ask if we can help, but are always answered with a no. The food is wonderful. All Grandpa can say is "this is better then Christmas". Not much is said, it is like thanksgiving. It is always so loud before the food is placed on the table, then silence. After the food is gone, or I should say when we can't fit anything else in our stomachs we sit and visit some more.
There home is as welcoming as it gets. Their walls are filled with Grandmas beautiful artwork. Grandpa has hung them all over to show off how good she is at capturing the great outdoors. There just wasn't enough walls in there house, so Grandpa hung the rest of her paintings in his workshop in the garage. It is a bit sad to think of how hard it is on Grandma not to be able to paint like she use too because of her sight. There is a standing rule in her home. If you see something you would like when they pass away simply write your name on a piece of tape and place it on the back of the item. I just wish I had met them sooner to get my name on a couple of her painting. I shouldn't complain, The misses has been given her treasured china, much to the chagrin of TP (Sorry sis, you should have never told me the story. I us it with much love).
In my parents home in the hall is a picture frame full of all my dads military medals and pictures. In Grandmas home the hall has been decorated with the same theme. It is there hall of heroes. There is no question theirs is a military family. There in simple frames is the pictures of all the soldiers in their family when they first enlisted. Starting way back with Grandpa and ending with The misses. I like to look at the faces in the picture and see the pride and excitement in their eyes.
During the day you can do what you want. Lunch is usually a snack, we are still trying to digest the breakfast. Then there is more laying around relaxing (as The Misses calls it, I call it being lazy). This is the only time lately we can sit and do nothing. Then dinner and more great food and conversation. At night we sit and catch up on our HGTV and STYLE. I would choose to watch something different, but The Misses and Grandma like to sit and make comments on whether or no they like what they are seeing.
Finally, its off to bed. Knowing the next day will be more of the same. What a great way to spend a weekend.
Here is some pictures of the event (yes, that is my basement. Don't you just love the Flower wall paper with the faux wood paneling. It is on a very long list of things to do).
Miss B and her Pumpkin. She was the youngest so she got to pick first. Luckily Big D was around to help her clean and carve. I don't think she could reach the bottom.
Big D's son Hunter drawing his monster.
My nephew Little D had a hard time coming up with an idea. I think he bit off more then he could chew with his pirate, so Sis ended up cutting most of it.
My nephew T and his girlfriend Naomi had a good time. Naomi was the drawer and T was the cutter.
The Misses sister M Dawg and her friend Kat stopped by to get their hands dirty.
It was finally my turn to complete my master piece. Its been a long time since I played with a pumpkin. I thought the Misses would help a little more but she was busy playing host. She is just like my mom that way.
This picture didn't turn out the way we wanted but you get the idea. My good friend Little Dickie and his wife Mrs. Little Dickie stopped by to have some food and hang out. To top the night off in true drunken Oktoberfest fashion we watched the UFC fight. The kids didn't make it to the end. 
