September Summary

I can relate to the poor cat chasing his tail.  I feel like that's all I do anymore ~ 'round-n-'round we go!

September arrived quickly and now it's almost time to say goodbye.  A quick month for sure.

I guess that's what happens when you get busy.

Busy finishing up projects purchased in the spring:

 

This is the heinous coffee table (bottom) I purchased at a flea market for three bucks . . .

 I think I over paid.  It was rickety and glue laden.

Not to mention, filthy.

 

 

The boy taking it apart and bracing it up.

It needed to have the glue scraped off, a couple bolts and

the drawer re-glued.

 

 

 

Top sanded and polyed.

 

 

Bottom primed.

Like my workshop?

 

 

First coat of paint.

Really liked the color but it was just a little

too "beachy blue" for our living room.

 

 

Second coat - in a pale green. 

Um . . . . no.

Not quite.

 

 

The same green with a dark glaze, polyed and

waiting for knobs.

Tricky, tricky ~finding just the right accessories.

 

 

Then we have this:

 

Itty Bitty and pre-school at Mom-mom's house.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course there was the bazillion birthdays and all the every day stuff that happens in life.  There is quite a bit of truth to the notion that the older one gets the faster life gets.  No pause.  No rewind.  And thank goodness, no fast forward! 

 

Toodles for now!

 

 

Back to Summer. . . . .

. . . . . now that it's fall  . . . .

My young kindred was able to come back to the shore for a few weeks in July courtesy Kelly's friend, Jenny.

Believe it or not, this was one of those very rare visits that we hardly did anything constructive. 

Sarah Sponda did finish a scrapbook she started eons ago. 

We became obsessed with outfitting Hope's bedroom with Paris-y, French-y things.  We found bargains galore for her!  Talk about being stoked, we were!   It seemed every corner we turned we found treasures.  We became the  "Make-over" team.  Two peas in a pod ~ yep, that was us.

This is my girl donning the latest fashion trend ~ men's boxers split at the crotch up the middle:

 

Ben split them when he squatted and I didn't notice until I was folding the laundry. Nothing like washing laundry just to throw it away.  Kinda like making sure you have clean undies on when you leave the house  ~  just in case you're in an accident!

 Puts a whole new spin on the phrase:  "You're getting a little too big for your britches!". 

 

 

Sarah decided she wanted to make her own rag quilt.  No argument here!  Count me in any day.  Quilt, fabric, shopping ~ what's not to love about that?   With the exception of the background fabric, she found beautiful flannels for the front.  She sat and meticulously cut her squares.  Good Girl.  She didn't get to sew any ~ ran out of time ~ imagine that!  But, she did have them ready to go for when she got home and could find the time. 

 

And speaking of time, MOST of our TIME was consumed with watching Grey's Anatomy on Net Flix.   She was hooked.  Of course I couldn't let her run that marathon all by herself even if it did mean bedtime came after 1:30AM (3:30AM on her last night here).  I was one weary gal.  But I wouldn't trade it for all the tea in China! 

 

We did the usual for the rest of the summer.  Swam, bickered and waited for school to start.  

 

 

 

It was surely a strange summer this year.  Can't put my finger on it, but it just seemed a little "off". 

 

But all in all, it was memorable. 

 

Now that fall is officially here and school is in full swing maybe I will be able to keep up with the homeland news. 

 

Maybe.





The Monster Mile

Warning:  Definitely picture overload and potentially wordy. 

Some time ago Kelly won tickets to the Monster Mile from a country radio station.  She gave them to Bob.  He was thrilled.   But life being busy as it is he came down to the wire on the dates he had left to go.  So he chose this weekend.   All was well and good 'til this morning when he started doubting this escapade.  Worry will do that to you.  

Kelly, Ethan and the girls met us here at 8:30AM  (didn't even finish my second cup-o-joe) and we were off, on our way to the Monster Mile in Dover, DE!

We had to be there an hour early.  To add to the nerves, we had to stop for gas, coffee and grub for the girls.  The traffic was horrible and Ethan missed his turn into the track.  I think Bob was ready to turn back then but the boy and I held firm.

 

 

Upon arrival drivers/riders checked in at one station,

Already checked in ~ waiting in line. 
Nerves setting in.

while the fan club checked in and signed waivers on the other side.

 

 One shuttle took the drivers/riders,

 

Looks like he's walking the Green Mile
at the Monster Mile.

 

while another shuttle took the fan club members.

 

 I rode "shotgun".  This is the only picture I got.

 Once he banked the shuttle and I slid towards

the middle, I figured it was time to hang on for dear life!

 

No, the camera is not at an angle.  We are!

 

 As spectators we were able to go into the "pit area".  There were restrooms
and places to buy souvenirs and snacks.  The fan club could even sit in the
race cars before the laps if they wanted to.  Once our driver/rider
suited up and started his run we could watch from the building
roof top!  You could see them go all the way around.

 

Orientation

 

Bob had orientation along with the other driver/riders.

After orientation the riders went with the pros.

Then the drivers rode a couple laps with the pros

just to get the "hang of it".  Yep, that's was

the word on the street.

Pay attention boys and girls

The Golden Ticket

 

 

Pre-run:

Suiting up

Climbing in

Headin' out

I don't think he's sold on the idea any more.  I think IF anybody

had suggested he could quit he would have left a dust trail.

But, we were diligent in our pep talks and encouragements

('cause we weren't the ones loading up in that car!).

 

Now, for the big boy games! !

 

Check it out

 

 It's okay.  You'll do fine.  Just don't drive like an old lady! And.  . . remember ~
watch the pace car, don't get too close or too far behind,
don't hit the wall, stay off the asphalt,
stay in your designated area,
AND
watch the guy with the flag hanging over the track!
He is VERY important will let you know if
you mess up! ! ! !
All that said, go and have fun.
Don't worry.   Be happy.

Pose and Load

Start the Engine!!

And he's off!

 

No  turning back now! ! !

Comin' back around . . .

 





Coming into the pit area at the end of his 15 lap solo.

 It was really cool to see him coming along behind the pace car.  Yea, he had to have a pace car even though he drove by himself.  Everybody did.  Helps keep 'em safe.  :)

This was his pace car.

 

 

 

 

All in all it was a great morning.  Bob survived to tell about it. 

I'm so glad he went.

He can mark that one off his bucket list!

The weather was perfect ~ overcast and cool

It didn't start raining until after we left.

 

We topped off our excursion with lunch at a neat place called "Cheddars".

Good food!

 

Now we are in a food coma, chillin' on this rainy afternoon.

 

Thank you Kelly for making this happen.

Thank you Ethan for lunch.

Thank you girls for being good.

Thank you Ben for pushing your dad along.

And thank you God for a wondrous day!

 



Happy Birthday to the Hubs!

Happy Birthday!

Born in '57

Turnin' 57

Not too shabby for an ol' timer.

 

And. . . . you get to circle

the track in Dover tomorrow!

 

That's how you start a birthday

year.  Not bad.  Not bad at all.

 

 

We're Back. . . .

Still playing catch up here.  Summer vacation raged through our summer like a forest fire on dry kindling. 

Getting home after twelve hours in the back of an SUV with just enough leg room for a five year old takes its toll even on the youngest of us.  But we lived to tell about it!

I was holding my breath on the strawberries this year.  I was afraid they would be done by the time we got back home from KY.  But it was all good.  Plenty of berries to be had if we just worked for them.  This was Hope's first year picking.  I can't imagine not having a berry field nearby.  But they don't, so Eastern Shore Berries it was!

Hope and Sarah teamed up.

 

 

 

Looking for Rubies.

 

 

Our bounty.  (First go-round)

After they'd eaten what they could hold, it was Hope's turn to serve up some Strawberry Pie!  The process never changes.  Just the cook.  The recipe was handed down several moons ago by a sweet lady we attended church with.  I found out just this summer that it was handed down to her by a sweet lady.  I could tell you what it is, but then I'd have to kill ya.   tee-hee

Mixin' up the syrup

Oooooo. . . . . ahhhhhh. . . . . liquid Rubies!

Pouring the liquid Rubies over the red Rubies!
Makes me drool just looking at the picture.

Hope did a great job with the pie. Now all we had to do was wait for it to set up and add some homemade strawberry whipped cream.    It was  To.  Die.  For.

As if that wasn't enough, we made Strawberry Jam.  Hope and Sarah took turns helping.  Each has their own batch to claim. 

I'm supposing the jam will make its way back to KY when we go.  Both girls had to fly home at the end of their stay and couldn't take their bounty with them.  Not to worry.  I will keep it safe. 

About all they had time for was swimming and lounging.  But that was okay.  I was happy to have them here with me.

One of their favorite things to do in the pool.

Another favorite pool activity.  I wonder if you can tell which
sets of girls are most alike?

The week was short.  Very short.  All the girls have grown so much.  Not just my KY gals, but the ones here at home too.  Would it be too much to ask to put time in a bottle for just a little while?

I will leave the summer here for just a day or two.  Another birthday will be celebrated tomorrow.  (Told ya about those September birthdays.) 

 I'll be back after that ~ Lord willing and the creek don't rise.

Happy Birthday, Jenny!

Happy Birthday to my oldest

 

You are strong, yet bend like a Willow

You are kind, you give when there's a need

You are wise, you share from your heart

You are trustworthy, you protect what you know

 

You are my child, my heart, my soul.

 

Happy Birthday Jenny Wren!



Graduation Day

I don't know a smooth way to jump into this P. A. S. T. summer, so I'm just going to do dive right in.

This past June graced us with a graduation.  Sarah Sponda.  The Middle.  My Young Kindred.  She was "Walking".  I couldn't believe it.  Still can't.  Now she's enrolled at UK.  I'm certain she's going to do great things.  Certain of it. 

I love this picture!

We were able to take Rease and Helena with us for the graduation.  It had been a long time since they traveled to KY.  They were excited to get out of school to go to Sarah's graduation!

Time flew by while we were there.  It always does.  There's never enough minutes in the day to do all we want. 

I did manage to get a good ol' hug from my one and only grand boy!  L. O. V. E.  him (and the hug)!

He.  Is. Rotten.

 Fortunately we were able to bring Hope and Sarah back home with us to officially jump start our summer!  And this is where I leave you for a couple days.  'Casue that's how long it felt like we were jammed in that vehicle! 

Catch ya in a few!

Happy Birthday, Joseph!

Ahhh . . . . the BIG 30!

Welcome to the "Old Timer's Club"!

Hope your day is filled with all things special.

Happy Birthday!
Love,
Aunt Crickett

Happy Birthday, Greg!

Happy Birthday to a great brother-in-law.
Pray your day and this new birthday year brings you joy, health and abundance. 
Don't forget to stop and smell the roses along your life's journey.

Much love
Crickett

PS ~ I WILL find a pic ~ a really good pic!

Well, Hello There!

It's been a 'coon's age since I've actually written a bona-fide post.  Nothing but birthday acknowledgments.  Not that they aren't important, 'cause we had some milestones this year, but more has gone on around here than birthdays (although by the look of all the birthday posts one would think we were a family of rabbits ~ just sayin'). 

So, I figured I had better get something written about this summer because September is LOADED with more ~ need I say it ~ birthdays!  And, school has started and my plate is full of UFO's and I get. tired just thinking about it. 

I have a graduation, strawberry escapades, silly antics, summer fun and life in general to document.  All before it slips from the pages of my mind.

This little post is short and sweet, just a blurb to let you know what is coming in the next few days.
A little head's up ~ it will probably be wordy with picture overload. 

Catch you sooner than later, alligator!

Happy Birthday, Gavin!

 

 

 

 

You're cute as a button,

It's plain to see

A grown up boy

Just turned three!

 

With a smile so bright

And eyes so blue

No wonder cuteness

Looks good on you!

 

Happy Birthday Little Man

 

Love,

Aunt Crickett