graciemobile

Elise opened the door to her father’s library and looked about the room. She was startled to see her father and Paul standing by the window at the far corner of the room. She blushed at her intrusion and was about to turn and leave when her father beckoned her to stay.

“Elise my dear, why don’t we go for a walk in the garden? I was discussing some business matters with Sir Paul, but I am finished now.” He said with a twinkle in his eye.

Elise smiled brightly and took her father’s arm to go out. As they were about to leave there came a knock at the door and Duke Harold opened it, revealing the Count of Comingbridge.

His arm was still in a sling, but his figure was as straight and noble as ever. His eyes softened at the sight of Elise, and he seemed about to speak. But Sir Paul stepped up and interrupted him.

“Ah, Sir Count, very good to see you in nearly full health. I am sure that you must have much to speak of with Duke Harold. Elise, suppose we go see if all of King Frederick’s men are being taken care of properly.”

She nodded dumbly and followed him out the door, leaving an open mouthed Darren of Comingbridge with her father, who was more than a little amused. He quickly straightened his face however, and said graciously,

“Good Darren, do come and sit by the fire. We have much to talk over.”

Paul and Elise made their way through the vast chambers of the castle on their way to the courtyard where the men were being quartered. Elise looked sideways at Paul.

He walked with something of a limp, due to the wound that Prince Nettle had given him, but his face was as calm and composed as ever. He looked at her and smiled.

“What are you so intent about Elise?” She blushed and looked ahead while replying.

“Oh, things are just complicated. But at least they are not as messy as they were before. Both of my oppressors are gone, my father and lands are safe, and you were not terribly harmed in your fight with Nettle. Now all that is left is the rebuilding of Baton. And many hands make light work.”

“I do not believe that is all that is left Elise. But we shall see.” Paul said no more as they turned into the courtyard.

Later on that day Elise was walking with her cousin Prince Giam in the garden when they turned a corner and found her father sitting alone on a bench. He looked up and patted the seat next to him. Giam bowed to the two of them, and then went on his way with a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

Duke Harold sighed and put his arm around Elise. She snuggled into his embrace and they sat there without speaking for some time. Finally, he spoke in his deep, rich voice.

“Oh Elise. Little did I know as I held you as a babe that you would be the cause of so much trouble,” he smiled mischievously, “if only I had had some forewarning I might have been able to lock you up in a tower until it was safe. But, since that is not the case, it is now time to talk of your future.”

Elise looked full into his face with bright, eager eyes. He gazed back and looked into hers searchingly.

“Your mother looked exactly like that when she was excited. I remember on our wedding day when we had said our vows, right before we touched our lips together, she looked at me with that same expression. It was a union that was not always easy, but happy, full of love, and produced beautiful things. Such as you. Elise, you are more precious to me than anything else in this world, and the man whom you wed must be worthy of taking care of my treasure.” She hugged him, and then asked,

“Have you found such a man Father?”

“I have my darling Elise. The worthiest man in the entire land, the only one with whom I will trust my treasure. Yes Elise, Sir Paul has asked for your hand in marriage, and with your consent, I have have given it to him. Do you find this quite suitable?”

Her eyes filled with tears, and her face bloomed forth like a fresh June rose.

“Yes sir, this suits me beyond words.”

“Well then tell the happy bridegroom the answer to his face.”  The bushes rustled and from them stepped Sir Paul, a devilish grin on his face. Duke Harold laughed at Elise’s face, but quickly composed himself when she pinched his arm. Paul stepped forward and took her hand.

“Well Elise, have you consented to becoming my wife?”

“I have sir, on one condition only.” Paul looked with puzzled eyes at Duke Harold, who shrugged in innocence.

“Only on the condition that you do not mind have a daughter very soon, one named Genevieve.”

Paul’s face broke into a smile, and in the same jesting tone he replied,

“Why Princess Elise, I was just going to suggest that very idea myself.”

Three weeks later a great procession could be seen making its way towards the province of Jugo in the land of Hobblestone. At its head was a bright group of nobles.

King Frederick and his wife, Queen Annika, Prince Giam and the Lady Lysbeth, the Count of Comingbridge and the Princess Lianna, Duke Harold and Princess Desria, and last but not least Sir Paul and Princess Elise.

For in those last three weeks many things had happened. Baton had been repaired and strengthened until it was more formidable than ever before. The Count of Comingbridge had been graciously refused by Princess Elise, but was soon made very happy again by King Frederick.

This kindly man recognized Darren’s good qualities and character, and therefore introduced his beautiful daughter, Princess Lianna. Their friendship was started well and within several days the proper arrangements had been made, and a double wedding was decided upon.

Prince Giam had some ideas of his own however, and after a private conversation with both his father and another, he and the sweet Lady Lysbeth made it a triple wedding.

The glittering parade wound its way to the top of a familiar hill. Here it paused, and all eyes looked down upon the small Jugoian village that Elise and Paul had saved from the raiders.

But how different it looked now! The burnt rubble had been cleared away, all of the cottages had been scrubbed clean, and the entire village was decked in wreaths of wild flowers. For Sir Paul and Elise had decided that this where they would be married, and these goodhearted villagers would share their joy.

Elise now spurred on her horse ahead of the train, and rode swiftly into the village. Sweeping off her horse she ran forward to embrace the cook. For yes, this faithful and loving lady had also been invited to share their triumph. The cook looked into her beaming face,

“Ah, me dearie, you’s just th’ prettiest thing. Ya remind me o’ my own girl, long since married.”

“Thank you dear lady, you have been a true friend and help to me. So much so that Paul and I have decided that you shall come live with us.” The cook’s eyes lighted up in joy.

“Ah dearie, you don’t know just how happy you ‘ave just made me.” Elise could hold in her eagerness no longer.

“Where is Genevieve?”

“Inside on the bed sweet, and th’ prettiest little thing you ‘ave ever seen.”

Elise dashed into the cottage and caught up the baby in her arms. Genevieve cooed with happiness, and her tiny fingers tightly grabbed onto a lock of Elise’s hair.

“Mmm, oh Genevieve.” Elise buried her face in the soft little head and kissed her again and again. Hearing Genevieve give another little gurgle of joy, Elise turned to see Paul in the doorway with Duke Harold.

He stepped forward instantly and took the baby in his own arms. She cooed and gurgled again, thrilled to be with the two people that she loved the most. Duke Harold stood at the door, thinking what a pretty picture they made. Elise then gently took the baby from Paul’s arms, and walked over to her father.

“Now Father, meet your new granddaughter. And don’t keep her forever.”

Duke Harold had a very difficult time with that command as soon as he had taken the little bundle of sweetness for himself. And never was a happier or prouder grandfather seen.

The next morning, just after sunrise, Elise stepped up to take her father’s arm. She was dressed in a flowing white gown, embroidered all over with gold flowers, and about her throat was her mother’s necklace.

Behind her Princess Lianna and Lady Lysbeth were also standing at their fathers’ side preparing to walk down the village street.

A soft, lively melody started and the three happy brides walked gracefully down the village lane. At the end of it beneath a bower stood three men, tall and proud, awaiting their lovely brides.

Paul and Elise’s vows came last, as they had desired. This time a priest had been procured without difficulty, and he now smiled at them as he joined their hands.

Their vows said, their kisses given, Paul and Elise stood together holding Genevieve in front of all of the cheering villagers. Soon they said farewell to their friends and family, and then climbed up into a carriage that was to take them on their honeymoon.

“Do you promise to come back and help me rule Baton?” Asked Duke Harold solemnly.

“We do sir, but maybe not as soon as you would like. But one day, in the future, you may see Paul and I come riding through town, and then we will stay.”

His eyes twinkled.

“And just where are you going that is so pleasurable you cannot leave?” Paul spoke up.

“To freedom and quiet Sir Father, in a place of our own.” Then cracking the reins, he started off.

A few days later, Elise and Paul were situated in their honeymoon cottage. A hut on the mountainside with a pen full of sheep and a stable of oxen was their dream, and they were content. Elise ran about the place doing her chores in a peasant’s gown. Paul plowed earth with a team of oxen, and both were happy and full.

And Genevieve grew bright and strong in that healthy mountain air, and when the family moved back to Baton to help the good Duke Harold rule, she became known as, “The Mountain Princess”. And Paul and Elise lived for many long years, having ten children, and teaching all to love the Lord.

Such were the results of the evil schemes laid, by the Cunning Count.

Man, and I thought that the fall and winter were busy, here is spring!

Our family is planning on planting a garden and doing some major landscaping projects this year, plus normal spring cleaning and we are getting a new pool. The kind of pool that takes a LONG time to set up.

But to add to all that is the rush to finish school, and our orchestra is wrapping things up for the year. In wrapping up I mean that our concerts have doubled.

The busiest birthday months in the G household are coming up, not to mention Mother and Father’s Day, and a couple of friends birthdays. When will it all end?

Probably never. The circle of life just keeps on going, whether we like it or not. Time flies by quicker the older I get, and I am only 14!

This summer I am going to have to study for my upcoming driver’s test and permit in September. I remember being 12 and how excited my 14 year old brother was about driving. I was kind of so so about it, but he said,

“Grace, when you get to be my age, you will be just as excited as I am.” I don’t know if I believed him or not.

But now I do, because I am TOTALLY excited. I am perhaps a little nervous, but I am not that phased. I was told by my wise elder brother that that will change when I get behind the wheel the first time.

Subway and sandals are my newest exciting things. I got a really cute pair of sandals for only $11.00 at a consignment store that are practically new! Oh, and the prettiest blouse I have ever seen. It is that kind of cheek blushing pink that does strange things to a girl. I mean, I like pink, but this shade of pink is just beyond any other color. Not to mention it has puffed sleeves. Yes, I am a complete Anne Shirley about puffed sleeves.

Oh yeah, Subway. I happen to just LOVE Subway, and yesterday I got to have some for orchestra lunch. Mayonnaise with salt and pepper, tomatoes and onions for the health and crunch, the lettuce to make the sandwich, and turkey. Mmm! Dorito’s and a cherry Coke topped it all off. Mmm, I will be remembering that for quite a while.

Whew. I am tired. We spent the day outside fixing things and getting things ready for the season. Now I am exhausted. Physically and in my adrenals. I was exposed to more stinging insects at our friend’s house where we went to pick some stuff up than I have been in a long time. There was literally a wasp or bumblebee the size of Texas every 3 yards.

I have a choir concert coming up this Thursday. I am planning on wearing all black, I hope that it is not too hot.

Oh boy, a night race. What should I do with my time? Should I finish a sister’s birthday gift. Probably, she is turning 5 on Wednesday. She wants a puppy cake. And she told me that I could make it a “surprise” cake. I was excited at the thought of getting to just design a cake without restricting lines, and then she told Mama,

“I told Gwacie she could make me surprise cake, and I won’t go into the kitchen to look at it” I am happy “It’s going to be a puppy cake.” I am now sad. Oh well, such are the joys of being a big sister who is a cake decorator.

So to sum up a rather wandering yet wordy post, here are my closing thoughts. God is great, pink is pretty, dogs rule and cats drool, I want to go back to riding lessons, and lemonade sounds delicious.

Adieu!

That is the title. But the titles, “Romeo and Juliet”, “Ma and Pa Ingalls”, “Gilbert and Anne” would also be appropriate. These two are crazy.

Sonora is charming, pretty, fluffy, and coy. She is incredible clever at some things, and very stupid at others. I think that she has a good deal of sled dog in her, just watching her powerful motions and astounding leaps is amazing. This dog missed her calling, she could join a professional show as a jumper. Never have I seen a dog who can stand, walk, and jump vertically on her hind legs. She is also a terrible chewer and still has a great deal of puppyishness. Although she is the kind of dog that may never grow out of it, if so head for the hills.

Yukon and I go way back. I witnessed his actual birth, and held him on the first day that he was alive in the world. Later when he was a puppy he ran away from home, and ended up several miles down the road at our house. He must have recognized my scent, because he was overjoyed to see me. He climbed right into my lap, and sat for a while. I have seen him on and off since then, and he is always overjoyed to see me again. In fact, mom says that he is in love, so I call him Romeo. I love this little dog, he has his faults, but he is very affectionate and a determined fighter. I would say he is descended from hunting dogs, and his run is just breathtaking. It is all one smooth motion, up and down all at once. Beautiful!

If you want to know who the Alpha dog is, you will have to ask at certain times. When it comes to eating time, Yukon is Alpha. He is also Alpha when it comes to play fighting. But Sonora is Alpha the rest of the time. Never have I seen such a sly, coy, and sometimes downright flirtatious dog. She is hilarious! I don’t exactly know how Yukon feels about this, I think that he probably just shakes his head and thinks, “Women!” and then does whatever she tells him to do. But they are good friends and are miserable without each other.

I thought I would share a few pictures from these quirky two. Most have been taken from the kitchen window, so they are not quite as good. The up close ones were taken with great danger, for Sonora was curios about the camera and was considering chewing on it. I have less of Yukon, he was very wary of the camera, and the look on his face when he saw the little zoom lens moving in and out was more than comical. He is also wary of new collars, doggy brushes, and gloves. Sonora loves collars, adores doggy brushes, and her favorite thing in the world other than people is gloves. They are a pair worth seeing.

Sonora

Yukon

Sonora in her canvas roof.

What’s up?

Snoopy, I mean Sonora on her doghouse woof!

This will help my tan.

One-two-three, ninja!

I have not yet begun to fight!

The duelists have entered the lists, and now they’re at it!

Break time.

Cuddle bugs.

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Aww… could I have a painting of that? Minus the torn up plastic that is.

Fighting again.

Squirrel!

Loungin’ around.

Aren’t they cute?

Hmm, must have had an “interesting discussion”. They aren’t speaking to each other.

Sonora, you aren’t supposed to let the sun do down on your anger.

Gentlemen dogs find this face and figure irresistable.

Do you blame them?

Oh yes, totally charming.

Dreamy white fur, dark romantic eyes. Chocolate Labs go dead for this.

Enter Romeo.

Hark, the suneth is risingeth, oh, right in my eyes!

Distance shots are now necessary. Yukon has decided that he doesn’t like the camera.

No cameras please!

Bubye adoring fans!

P.S. This is to our family up north.

Sorry about the bad writing, it was done on a touch pad. We love you guys and miss you a ton!

Ever tried to eat steak without a steak knife?

Ever just used your fingers to dish something up rather than get a serving spoon dirty?

Ever gone to the garage to help take care of dogs and then gone and gotten into your bed right afterwards?

I have. Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. Here is a really barbaric sounding one, “Have you ever licked your glasses lenses to clean them because you have nothing else?” I was only driven the extremity twice, but like I said, you gotta do what you gotta do.

You know how when you were younger and you had something on your face your mom would say, “Here, let me get that off for you.” Then she would lick her finger and wipe cold gooey spit all over you. I have! But hey, saliva is handier than having a dirty face.

Sometimes when you are eating chips off of a napkin, or plain off of the table, you think to yourself, “This is so uncivilized. Here I am in the 21st century and I can’t even get a bowl to put my chips in. I could, but I would hate to make more dishes that need washing. And I can just throw the napkin away, so why not?”

I have often thought this, and resolved to become a bit more civilized. But when you live a down-to-earth home schooling family with 6 children, niceties aren’t always available.

This evening I was eating steak, with no steak knife(note for future children, NEVER KEEP STEAK KNIVES AROUND IN THE HOUSE, I have a story that involves little brothers that like to throw things and huge kitchen knives). We had company tonight, but he was eating in the dining room with mom and dad, and us kids were in the kitchen. I was trying to eat my steak in a “civilized” way by cutting it. Nothin’ doin’. So then my daddy came in and I asked to eat the steak with my fingers. “Sure, oh wait, do you want a real knife?” I am absent minded sometimes, especially during mealtimes, so a knife in absent-minded Gracie fingers is a dangerous weapon. “No thanks, I don’t want to cut my self.”

With permission I now tore into my steak using my fingers and teeth. And then a very consoling thought hit me,

“God created fingers and teeth before we ever invented forks and knives. And since God’s creations always work better than ours, why are we using silverware?”

Hmm…

Whew. I am sitting down here on the couch exhausted, pooped, worn down complete, a two for one tired deal.

When I first woke up this morning and was laying in bed my middle sister came in to chat(this is becoming a daily occurrence). “Grace, can we have our tea party today?” I had promised the two girls a tea party so that they could wear their new dress-up dresses I made them for Christmas.

I had already been considering doing it today, but now I was presented with the question. “I’ll think about it.” I said, thinking of all that I had to do. Cause let me tell you something, if I am going to have a tea party, I’m going to have a tea party and it’s going to be all out. Fancy dishes, decorations, invitations, dessert, prettily folded napkins, the works! But to make it more difficult on this particular day, mom and I have to go to the furniture store to pick out fabric for a new chair that they are buying me(long story).

So being the wonderful multi-tasker that I am, I set my baby sister to work on invitations. Since she can’t read, so she didn’t know that the words said, “You’re Invited”. I thought about setting my other sister to work on the cake, but mom cautiously advised that I oversee that myself.

I went to the furniture store, picked out a pretty color of yellow fabric, and then went home to finish, or rather begin, preparations. Make the cake, clean the room, decorate the table(find a table for starters) etc.

The cake is made, and spread with marshmellow cream instead of frosting. It was all that we had in the house. I added some sprinkles and Smarties to make a totally adorable polka dot cake.

Now my younger brothers are really cool fellas. They can enjoy a rough it and tough it wrestling match, but they also can enjoy a daintier tea party with their sisters. Since this was an extra special party, I decided it would be just girls. So I called them into my room and told them that I was having a girls only party. I assured them again and again that I would make them some cake too and that we could have our own special, “boy party”, but my littlest brother was beginning to tear up in sadness. I began grasping for something to make their party sound exciting. “We can have a, uh, a Lego party!”

Instantaneously the wet eyes were chased away by Fourth of July sunshiny smiles. My younger brothers ADORE Legos, and so a Lego themed party was right up their alley. “We’ll have a special cake with Lego candy from the store, and you can’t come unless you bring Legos.” No problem there, in fact, I am going to have to borrow some Legos so that I can come to my own party.

I am eating a late lunch at 3:00, the tea party is scheduled for 3:30. Wash the tea set, make the tea, finish decorating, put on some Irish music for background feeling, slip into a dress, put my hair up in a ponytail. “Welcome, come right in. Would you like some tea? Can I get you some cake?”

I am a big pretender. Pretend play was pretty much what I did exclusively when I was younger, and I still do pretend to some degree. So tea parties are right up MY alley.

The cake was a hit, one of my sisters ate 4 pieces(they were small, but she still wanted the rest of us to eat that much to feel justified. My youngest sister was constantly guzzling down her cup and then, “Mowre tea?” Ah!!!!!!!!!!

It was a ton of work, but the smiles of delight on their faces was quite enough to satisfy me. You know, every time I spend extra time with my siblings, and I see the delight on their faces, I feel richly rewarded. You would not believe how much your siblings value your time. Of all the gifts that you can give them, that is the key one. Time.

When your siblings are bouncing in your face, being irritating, nagging at you, you really don’t feel like they treasure you. But what I have learned, is that those irritating things are actually them trying to communicate to you that they want your time. They just need to learn how to do it appropriately.

So do this, look them in the face and say,”Do you need something?” Or if they are bugging you about doing something with them, either give up whatever pleasure you were intending on doing and hang out with them for a while. Or schedule a time(WRITE IT DOWN) to do it later. But letting them know that they are important to you is priceless. When they feel valued by you they will feel that they can do anything. I mean, you are their HERO! “Gracie said this, Gracie once did that, Gracie knows how to.”

I hear that all the time. When my siblings want a creative idea, they come to me. When they need help on a set up, or solving a problem, they come to me. When they saw something funny or had a neat experience, they come to me.

And all of the sibling fun doesn’t have to be a big gung-ho tea party. It can be as simple as making some construction paper Valentines, or letting them help you make cookies, or taking them for a walk. And that is something that they will NEVER, ever forget.