Family

Yesterday was our annual visit to David's sister, Gail, and her family.  I thought we had been told that the open house was between 11 and 2, so arranged with Loren to show up around 12:00.  Well, we got there --no cars, just a van a little way down the street.  What the H--l?  We slowly drove by and I saw a male figure inside, so David dropped me off and went down the street to park.  Well, I was standing in front of the garage doors waiting for David when Gail came running out of the house waving her arms in the "c'mon in" sign--they thought we were driving away.  I seems that the affair was from 10:00 to 2:00, and almost everyone else had left!  Anyway, Gail's daughter Lyala was there with her two children and Loren with his two--an unexpected pleasure.  We hadn't expected Loren's children to be there as they were to have been at a gathering with their step-father's family. Turned out that just about everyone in the other family were sick and gathering had been postponed. 

So it was more of a quiet Findlay afternoon than the chaotic Doucette gathering we normally attend.  And it was a pleasure.  We talked about the children, reminisced about time at the lake, and most surprising of all, Jeremy and Gail's grandson Harry appeared to hit it off.  They had a remote control helicopter that they flew around the house and basement for most of the afternoon.  Lyala's other child, Belle, has just turned 18 and received her small  inheritance from her Grandfather.  She is looking into using a portion of it to fund a trip to China, during which she would spend time volunteering at an orphanage!  I think Gail may be trying to encourage her to take a "gap year" before considering university.  Belle is somewhat dyslexic, and there is concern about her ability to cope with the university atmosphere and expectations.

Tomorrow we head down south for two days ( one night).  Amber is going with us.  I sometimes refer to this as the Findlay women's annual brassiere buying trip, but Amber tells me that isn't what she is looking for this time, and  I don't need any.  Actually, I'm hoping that David can find some new clothes while we're there.  He hasn't had much luck up here, and needs clothes more than he admits.  Amber had hoped that Darren could come, as well, but they weren't able to get anyone to care for the children, as Judy is working this week, and their usual "go-to" friend found herself a job just before Christmas.

Then home Thursday, and jump into a whole bunch of housework, as--surprise--the family is coming for supper on Sunday--including Gail.  Then my Ravenesque ladies for the afternoon and supper on Monday.
So I'm grateful for the pleasure of hearing from both of you today.