Lauren and Jake Were Home

Has been a wonderful weekend.  My daughter Lauren, and her partner/boyfriend, Jake, flew in from St. Louis Thursday morning for the weekend.  Lauren had visited with us the weekend before when John was still in the hospital, but it was good to have her back and enjoy her at home, away from the stress associated with a hospital stay.

Jake stopped off with her at the end of August, when they were flying back from their two month stay in Paris.  Jake has an internet business and luckily, that does allow him some flexibility with work.  With a laptop, phone and internet, he can set up his office.  Doesn't make it easy, but somehow, he manages it very well.  He is such a sweet and loving young man.  His mother and father should be very proud of him.  But, I know they already are.

Lauren had sent an email earlier in the week requesting a list of things we needed to have done around the house.  Most all of us have a 'job jar' that stays full of chores that need to be completed.  Most don't have to be done right away, but it sure feels better when they are.  With all we have had on our plate the past few weeks, my job list was long and Lauren and Jake immediately began getting them all checked off.

First on the list was, filling holes in the yard.  Our sweet Lab, Holden, was successful a few times this summer in finding voles and moles in the yard and that was a very good thing.  I was ever so proud of him and made a really big deal when he presented me with the dead critters he had found.  Apparently, that praise is highly sought by him, cause now, he digs all over the yard looking for 'something' to bring me.  So there are holes all around.  When John was feeling better, that was one of his tasks each day, walk around and fill Holden's holes.  I was taking care of it for a while, but the hospital stay interrupted our daily patrol.  So, Holden had gotten ahead of us with all of his "search holes".  Jake set about getting those filled and properly hidden.  Most were easily seen, but I was worried about the safety of someone coming to visit after dark.  They may not know Holden was working hard to provide me with a "Mole Free Zone" and could take a tumble.

Like I said, my list was long.  Nothing that had to be done, but things that made me feel much better when they were done.  And neither of them complained.  They took the list, checked them all off one by one, and actually seemed to enjoy the physical and mental activity of seeing how much better things looked after they were done.

Windows washed - done
Garbage removed - done
Burned out flood light - done
Pine straw replaced -  done
Garage cleaned - done
Plants repotted - done
Dogs brushed - done
Holes filled - done
Dead limbs picked up and removed - done
Hummingbird feeders taken down and cleaned - done
and the list goes on.....

(Oh yeah....and the most important thing, Jake fixed my living room television.  While John was in the hospital, the sound just disappeared.  Thought I had hit the wrong button on the remote, but no.  Appears the sound card was bad.  So he googled it, and sound came spilling out of the speakers.  Amazing how much better television is with sound.)

How thankful I am to have such a wonderful caring daughter....and her fine boyfriend selection, Jake.  What a great weekend we all had together, enjoying the beautiful October weather.  There is no doubt in my mind, that John feels so much better having them here, busy, laughing, and working.  I know I do.  Working to reduce the stress we sometimes feel from not being able to get chores around the house done.

Lauren and Jake pulled hard on our little red wagon this weekend and that was a very good thing.  Oh how I miss them so.

PCQ