God sometimes gives us unexpected gifts. Our gift has been a grandson who enlivens our lives and makes retirement very different than the one we anticipated. He is a special joy. And that's "Casey." In 2006 we fulfilled our dream of living in Italy for a year. It was every bit as wonderful as anticipated. This blog begins in 2005 as we prepared for that experience. Since then we have explored many places together. That's the "Travel." And finally, I am a person of opinions--spiritually, politically, on just about anything and that's the "Other Stuff." Welcome to my blog.

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Quick--An 11 Year Old on Loan

Today was one of those days-- if you would like an eleven year old for a few days, I have a loaner, postage paid. He's charming, handsome, funny and smart--well, not always..........

I was so enjoying the laughter and play coming from the pool this afternoon as he and his friend made the most out of the last days of summer. It was so "all boy"--the stuff of storybooks until...

Ken asked "What's all over the floor?" I didn't know.

I looked and there on my new marble tile floor was this big brown oozing puddle seeping out of the freezer. Coke!? Yes, I remembered the boys had poured their coke at lunch from a two litter bottle.

Opening the refrigerator door, there was the bottle, lying on its side with a trail of coke running down the shelves, into the bins, over the edge, seeping down into the freezer. Upon opening the freezer, the coke exactly resembled ice cycles hanging from a roof in upper New York in winter.

We started cleaning and the more we cleaned the more coke leaked from cracks and crevices normally unseen. It just wouldn't stop. Frozen coke covered food, shelves, sides, all surfaces of the freezer. I have no doubt that months from now we will find frozen coke in the peas, pancetta and whatever else is hidden in there.

The refrigerator bins which of course are full of vegetables, fruit, cheese, meats were awash.

And the floor...........under the refrigerator, along the caulking, the drips kept coming. Tonight the ants will probably find the floor under the refrigerator and invite their armies to march.

Of course, the entire time we were dealing with this, the refrigerator doors stood open in an 86 degree kitchen and the boys continued their water play and fun, oblivious to the result of not putting a cap on tightly.

I will not share what I was thinking during this except to say that the thought of loaning him out for a while was very appealing. It's waning a little bit but a smidge of the thought remains. So....you may want to check it out before the offer closes. He is a charmer.......

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jane,
May I be the first to take you up on your offer of a loaner boy? Does he come with a ticket (round trip) to Florida? I have one here that is just his age and would love to play!
Mary Pace

Peter at italyMONDO! said...

Sounds cute, but I'll pass on the offer! :-D

Deborah said...

Jane, I'll take him in a heartbeat.
I have grandsons who need a good role model. Send him along to St. Louie.

Rebecca said...

When I lose my mind (very, very soon) from the 6- and 10-year-old troublemakers running around my house I will gladly take him. I won't know any better by that time, anyway.

Deb R said...

Oh my Jane! I have done his many times over myself! You can send him my way!

Anonymous said...

Send Casey to Philadelphia. You know I am lonely these days! Cans of coke placed in the freezer do the same thing.
Sheri

Anne said...

Oh my goodness, Jane, I am roaring with laughter - but in a most sympathetic way!! I know the feeling well, there have definitely been times I would happily have loaned my girls out for a while. I pray the ants don't come marching in though!

Jane said...

Well, all, your offers were so appreciated and so many of them that I must disappoint all rather than pick one. Besides he is back in good graces. Anne--the ants didn't come. Had they, one of the you might have won the prize.

girasoli said...

That must have been quite a surprise! Glad the ants did not take up residence.

Grandma Kim said...

My door is always open to all of you. If I can get a lipstick portrait out of my light beige carpet from his cousin, a little coke is no big deal.

Jane said...

Kim, tell me your secret--lipstick out of carpet? Maybe I won't need to replace mine. :-)