I’m so sorry to have worried everyone by missing my two blogs last week. You see, Will’s daughter, who lives in central Illinois, was in a car accident leaving her unable to work on her very-much-a-fixer-upper new home. She called her Dad and asked if he and I could come down and help her out with it. She and her four children need to get moved into it before winter as their house is for sale and might sell, leaving them in a camping mode in the new place.

So Will and I consulted with David and in short order, we were headed south with Spencer and Hondo along. We couldn’t leave them as nobody would be home during David’s hours at college to let them outside to potty.

Will brought tools he thought he might need and for five days straight we worked mightily on the house. I painted while Will sheetrocked and re-did walls, among other things. Besides that, we got to visit four great-grandchildren and they got to play with “adorable” puppies. The house isn’t finished yet, but is in so much better shape that we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Daughter is fine but very sore on her shoulder and hip. She was staining kitchen cabinets when we left. Luckily, she has a part-time carpenter working for her to help finish the job.

Our pups took the trip very well and with rest stops every two hours and naps between, they fared better than we did. Our butts were petrified when we got home! A thirteen hour drive is a LOOOONG way. But we’re home and glad we went. There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home…

Hondo-asleep

Again, we’re sorry that any of you were worried about us. I have a desktop computer and couldn’t blog (didn’t have time, anyway!) and didn’t think to call the magazine until we were on the way home. We were not only butt dead, but brain dead as well I think. — Jackie

22 COMMENTS

  1. Jenna,

    I’m glad you’re making some more progress on the new house. I know it’s a huge job for you, escpecially with your health issues right now and winter coming on. We miss the kids too! I hated it that we couldn’t stay longer and bake up a storm. We wanted to do all we could do to help get you moved into the new house sooner.
    I’m sure Will would LOVE to be building playhouses and take Moira with him to help get his morning coffee!
    Sorry kids, but Hondo’s already grown! We notice it every day. But he’s still as cute as a button!
    We miss all of you too and hope you can come up and visit us next summer. All our love every single day!

  2. I thought you all just needed some time to rest and get away from the everyday routine. Will’s daughter is lucky to have you all – hope she loves her new place!

  3. Wow, Jackie! You sure weren’t kidding when you said people were starting to panic! I can’t say thank you enough for you and Dad dropping everything and hauling your petrified butts down here.

    Mark is installing the cement board in the upstairs bathroom this weekend (Not to be confused with drywall aka sheetrock…thanks, Dad) The cabinets are coming along and with any luck, and hopefully very little pain, my kitchen will be installed by the end of the week! Physical therapy is cancelled this week. I’d be excited about having more time in my schedule if it wasn’t because they’re talking about cutting me open instead. I’m surrounded by sadists. They aren’t saying, but I bet I’d have to do physical therapy after surgery. They can’t fool me.

    We miss you already! Moira misses “helping grandpa” take Spencer and Hondo to find coffee in the morning. The kids are still wanting to make homemade pumpkin pie with Grandma Jackie (Who knows how to can and make ANYTHING) I should warn you, now that your superpower is discovered, they’re likely to exploit it…they’re never going to let you stop at teaching them to make homemade pumpkin pie. You readers should be thankful your adorable grandchildren are so far away or your blog would be full of nothing but baked goods, pictures of their Grandpa building them each a playhouse (they’re already picking out colors) and Spencer and Hondo dressed up in tutu’s.

    A big HUGE thank you from the kids and myself to your readers for their patience. I can’t promise we won’t abduct you again sometime, I have VERY creative children…and by that I mean they’re really good at plotting. I’m also certain you’ll find their grandpa somewhere wrapped around little fingers but next time well try for more notice. I’m hoping to bring them to Minnesota this summer. P.S. Tell Dad, the girls say he’s not allowed to let Hondo grow while they’re gone. Good luck with THAT one…Love and Miss you lots!

  4. Michelle,

    Luckily we have lots of Hopi Pale Grey seeds available this year as we had a bumper crop. Keep watching the blog and we’ll let you know when we’re available to start selling seeds.

  6. All,

    I’m so soorrrryyyy we worried you all. Everything happened so fast and we just dropped everything and packed up. Thank God David was available and willing to take care of the homestead for us so we could go with no worries about home.

  7. Holly,

    Yep, both Will and I have a complete collection of Louis L’Amour books! We’ll be glad to have a visit by you and the kids anytime!

  8. Glad you guys are okay, but also it is nice o hear how family kinda drops everything and helps out another. You are so blessed to have each other to call upon when needed. :)

  10. So happy to hear from you, and that everyone is okay :-)
    Could I get my name on the list for some Hopi seeds? Of course I’m happy to pay for them.

  12. Hi Jackie and Will,
    I have to admit, I as well as others checked in several times a day to get an update on things and to learn through others questions and your answers. I just figured you were like the rest of us in the North Land and were getting ready for winter. The cold has certainly swept in. I am so glad that you guys were able to get away to help out Will’s daughter and the grandchildren. Isn’t family “Great”. Will’s daughter will be in our prayers for a quick recovery and a new home for her and her family. I love the name you picked for the puppy by the way, does it have anything to do with Louis L’Amour? LOL
    Take care and hope to drop in on you soon.
    Holly

  13. Like everyone else that posted comments, I checked every day. And, yes, it is amazing how people one has never met can become a part of our life. Glad you are back, and it was so wonderful that you were able to help Will’s daughter.

  14. So glad ya’ll are okay. Sorry for Will’s daughters problems but glad she is okay. Glad ya’ll could help her but we were worried.

  15. Glad you’re back Jackie and that things went well with Will’s daughter’s place. We sure understand that things like this happen but we sure miss you when you’re gone! Welcome home.

  16. So glad all is well and yes, your rumps will recover. Prayers Will’s daughter is ok and gets her house ready for winter. I was worried too. Funny how important people you have never met in person can become.
    Hondo is just adorable. Currently raising a couple of Corgi pups for my daughter. Puppies are so cute. When they’re not into something.
    Happy you’re home safe.

  17. Will send the National Guard back home. It is so good to hear from you, Jackie. At our ages much can go wrong and I thought perhaps you flew off
    the barn again and were both in ICU. Minds go wild when you miss hearing
    from a loved one and you are a loving friend to all of us who read your blog.
    Glad you had time with family and puppies and we are all relieved.

  21. So happy to see this post, I’m not kidding when I say that I checked for a post from you many times a day!

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