tomatoes

• The big news story of the day today was a solar eclipse.  I actually forgot about it.  I went outside midmorning to say hello to my plants and see how they had managed while we were away.  It was really dark.  I removed my glasses because I thought maybe I had grabbed my sunglasses by mistake.  Nope.  Still dark.  The sky was blue and the sun was shining.  I couldn't figure it out.  I finally came to the conclusion that I was losing my vision in my old age.  Just as I was reconciling myself to life without eye sight, I looked up and saw our neighbor with a tripod and binoculars.  I was like "what's he doing?  What a freak (in a friendly neighborly kind of way!).  Then I clued in.  Hahahaha.  Oh gosh.  I'm so dumb sometimes...and a tiny bit dramatic as well.  We went up there and watched it with him.  So cool!  I wish I had been better organized and prepared you guys for it.
• We went to the lacrosse box at Mundy Park to play hockey.  Lila, you're getting pretty good at shooting the ball.  We just have to get you to hold your stick properly, but you refuse.  You have very definite ideas about how to do things, and there's not a whole lot we can do to convince you otherwise.
• George, you're very dramatic.  You got a little ouchie and fell to the ground and cried and pouted.  We should probably sign you up for soccer...you'd be a natural.
• Jane and Katie, you were so happy to be home.  Back in your cozy little beds.  But the thing you were most happy about was the wifi.  Grandma's wifi isn't the best, and it was really traumatic for you.  But you were so brave and powered through the struggle.  I'm so proud of you.  (*that was written with the sarcasm font if you didn't realize).
• Grandma gave us some fresh tomatoes from her greenhouse.  Toasted tomato sandwiches with mayo and salt and pepper are one of the highlights of my life.  I remember when daddy and I got married, I was telling him about my love for toasted tomato sandwiches.  He thought I was nuts.  But then we bought a store bought tomato.  Imagine my surprise when I bit into a mushy tasteless piece of ick.  So gross.  Then I got why he didn't like them.  The next summer I made him a tomato sandwich with fresh delicious tomatoes, and he finally understood why I loved them so much.  Also, daddy walked into the kitchen as I was taking these pictures and started mocking me, "Hi, I'm Missy.  I find beauty EVERYWHERE...even in old tomatoes."  Hahahaha.  That's one of the best compliments anyone could ever give me.  Cause guess what?  Beauty IS everywhere, you just have to be looking for it.
• Katie, you and Jane are leaving tomorrow morning to go to Kelowna for a week.  You were super sweet with the babies.  You read them a whole pile of books.  After they went to bed, you started lurking around me and being really cranky.  I was just about to tell you to bug off, when I realized what was happening.  Before you do anything big or new, you get really anxious, and it comes out as grouchiness.  I've learned over the years that if I just stop and look you in the eyes and tell you that I love you and ask what's wrong, you'll blurt it out, then fall into my arms and  have a good cry.  After you cry it all out, you're a new girl.  It's like you just need the release of the tears and a little extra love, then you're good to go.  I love you Katie.  You're such a tender hearted sensitive sweet kid.  Never deny yourself the healing power of a good cry.