Rolling Stones

 We were fortunate to be offered a ton (or 2 or 3) of landscaping stone that matched ours for a deeply discounted price.  And it was delivered right to our driveway!!  It was a deal we couldn't pass up as our tree has grown considerably in the 14 years since we did our landscaping and the circle around it needed widening.  Desperately.

Plus we made the executive decision that this year we are going to finally replace the tree that died in our front yard.  

We are ready to rock and roll!

Surprise and Shopping

Bree has always wanted to take horse back riding lessons.  So when I found a local horse farm that was offering a day camp to learn about horses, I didn't hesitate in signing Bree up.  It wasn't exactly what we were expecting, but the cost was a donation to a charity and she got to ride a horse so it was all good.

After the program was done we did a little mall shopping and scored some awesome deals and smells!

Bday

Yes, today is my birthday.

I might be older than '2' though.

The number of candles doesn't matter.  I think I'm just supposed to blow them out so we can dive into these yummy warm cinnamon rolls ASAP!

I don't have much luck with indoor plants, but I'm always willing to give it a try.  This one seems easy enough.  Three ice cubes one time a week, no direct sunlight, and done!  Let's see how long I can keep this beautiful plant thriving.

Resourceful

The first day of the fair season is upon us.  

The sights.  The sounds.  The food!

Its all so wonderful, but can get a little costly when you have to spend the day there from sunup to well past sundown.  

Good thing my kids don't mind a little homecooking picnic while working.

So It Begins

Vacation is over.  Back to real life.  

And now its time for soccer to begin.

Menards

Some friends go on wild adventures together.  

Some friends go out to bars and drink the night away.  

And some friends meet at Menards to sit on the couches and chat about life.  

Change of Plans

Its the first full day back from vacation AND its the weekend.  We had thoughts of continuing the vacation adventures by heading out for a family Mud Hens trip to finish off the summer, but opted instead for lunch at B-dubs and movie at home.  The kids were anxious to play with the neighbor kids and it gave us a chance to get some adult-ing done before the reality of real world obligations, like work and school, comes screaming back.

Flat Out Hard

When you wake up to this view for a week, 

its hard coming back to the flat, flat, flat lands of home.

Mohican Hiking

Anxiety was on high alert hiking today.  

Hiking with any amount of kids will do that to you.  

However, its not always the kids you have to look out for....  

Adults can do quite crazy things - like climbing down into the deepest, darkest hole you happen across. 

We all made it safe and sound on our journey - enjoying the sights and the terrain so unlike home.  The best part was hearing the kids repeatedly saying "This is great!" and  "This is so cool."   

(Bree at the bottom of the Big Lyons Waterfall)

Not only does the Mohican area have lots of great hiking, the views from the lookout areas are breathtaking.   It really makes you stop and think about the size of the glaciers that came through here, carving the land along its way.  It makes you appreciate even more the first settlers and pioneers who had to cross this land on horses, no paved road, no knowing what would be over the next hill or mountain.  Its definitely a place to reflect and say a silent 'Thank you'.  

We entered the land you sent us to explore, and it is indeed a bountiful country - a land flowing with milk and honey.    

Numbers 13:27

Observing

Growing up in the era of space themed movies like Star Wars, Space Camp, Apollo 11 and the Challenger explosion space disaster, I've always had a slight fascination with Outer Space.  However, upon visiting the Warren Rupp Observatory, I now have a major fascination with Outer Space.  

Upon arriving, there were telescopes of all sizes and magnitudes set up for the public's use.  With a large binocular we were able to see, with enough clarity to count, the craters on the moon!!

Two wondefully kind gentlemen "adopted" us as soon as we arrived.  They were there by our side explaining everything, adjusting their telescopes so we could see various parts of the night sky, and showing us awesome apps that, when pointed at the night sky, will outline the constellations or pinpoint all the satellites in our area.  We were even in the right spot at the right time to see the Space Station sail through the sky before disappearing in the Earth's shadow.  

With standard telescopes, we were able to see Saturn with its moons and Jupiter!!  Its one thing to see pictures in a text book, its completely awe-inspiring, almost life changing to see them in real life, with your own eyes.   But the most heart stopping, drop to your knees at the vastness that we cannot imagine moment is getting to use "one of the world's largest amateur operated telescope".  

What does that mean?  

1.  Its free.  

2.  You are lifted 18 feet high just to see in the eye piece.   

3.  We got to see a Nebula in Deep Space.

And what does that mean?

To put in comparison, with regular telescopes, we saw the craters on the moon which is 225,623 miles away.  We could see the wonderful, glorious rings of Jupiter a mere 390,682,808 miles away.  We could even see the browns and yellow swirling stripes of Saturn that is 746,000,000 miles away.  But using this telescope (whose mirror alone costs $28,000) we were able to see a Nebula that was 25 million Light Years away.  If you would like to do the math, one light year is 5.88 trillion miles.  

No picture could capture the moment, no words could describe it.  Never before have I given such praise to God for all of His Creation.  From this point on, I will always highly recommend visiting an observatory if you ever get the chance.  

You will not regret it. 

Hit the Road

Its GO DAY. 

Finally hitting the road for a large family vacation with all 40 of the brothers/sisters, cousins, and parents to Mohican Adventures in Loudonville.  It is a week full of promising outdoor experiences, late night games, lots of laughter, and busting at the seams of memories.  

Let's get this party started!

Because I love 'Now and Then' pictures here is a vacation comparison:

Vacation 2019

 Vacation 2016

Representing

Bree's creativity and hard work in her 'Designed by Me' 4-H project paid off as she was chosen to be a Fulton County Representative at the Ohio State Fair.  Lucky for us, my sister was working in Columbus, a mere 11 minutes away from the Fair, so we shacked up with her and were at the Gates shortly after opening.  Bree's judging wasn't until the afternoon giving us most of the day to enjoy the sights.  

What better way to check out the entire fair than on the Sky Ride?

We spent most of our time in the ODNR area - shooting arrows, air guns, watching people catch fish in seconds.  

We did a little Christmas shopping, a lot of eating, and even met a celebrity - Former NFL and Ohio State Football Player, Pete Johnson 

Then it was time for judging.  Two and a half hours of judging to be exact.  It had already been a long day and a hot day and exhaustion got the better of some of us.  

Taking a Fashion project to the State level is quite an experience.  Its what I would expect a dance recital to be like.  Changing rooms sectioned off by curtains, curling irons and hairspray flying everywhere, Mom's nit picking and lint rolling every inch of clothing, and the make-up, make-up, make-up.  Who knew?

Ready or not, when their project number is called and they are on their own with the judges until awards time.  

Although you are not allowed to be with your child, you are allowed to be in the same area where they practice the catwalk fashion runway portion of the judging.  

At the end of the day, Bree did not win any extra awards.  Her score card was marked with all 'excellent' ratings and was said to be "very easy and pleasant to interview".  Making it to State in her first year of 4-H was very beneficial to Bree's confidence.  She is very proud of herself and has already set a goal to make it to State again next year.  

Now to pick a project.

Welcome Back

I simply cannot tell you how much I missed this.... 

Waking up in the morning to the smell of coffee and sunshine streaming in through my kitchen window while Michael, George, and Robin talk to me about whats happening in the world, the movie industry, the latest and greatest gadget I need to own. Some people need wine in the evenings, some people need pets to love on, I need some GMA to get my day rolling.   

Cleaning Streak

I always get onto a cleaning streak right before vacation or even a weekend getaway.  The coming home let down hits hard enough as it is.  Coming home to a messy, dirty house?  Its like the vacation never happened.  However, for whatever reason, this pre-vacation cleaning went as deep as wiping out all the cupboards, replacing contact paper, purging expired spices, and restocking the shelves for the upcoming school year.  It feels so good.  

Repairing

Back in January, we joined the movement of cancelling cable and joining a streaming service.  The savings alone has made it all bearable, but I miss the news, certain shows, and sports (aka white noise while crafting).  Our house came with a 40 foot antenna but it has only served as a permanent ladder for getting on the roof.  Now the time has come to make better use of this blessing and get it fixed!

When something is 40 foot up in the air, you are unaware of how large it really is. 

In less than an hour, the antenna was fixed and a channel scan was done.  We officially have 28 channels, 2 of which are out of Detroit.  The repair guy said that running a channel scan on a better weather day may get us even more stations!   It may not be much but its free tv and it will always be free tv.  

Block Party

 Three years ago our little neighborhood started having a Block Party.  We barricade off the road, pull the grills out into the driveway, line tables up and down the road, eat, drink, and chat around a campfire.  We play yard games, have an outdoor movie, and bond a little more.  

This year one generous neighbor rented the city pool to kick off the festivities.   For an hour and a half we splashed, laughed, cannonball-ed, and raced down the slides like care-free children before heading back to a bonfire and surprise birthday celebration for all the summer birthdays on our block.  I've always said that I was born in the wrong decade.  The 1950's were the best.  But I was wrong.  Living here today in this decade in a neighborhood with 1950's values is truly the best.  

The Goodbye

"When my heart is discontent, I struggle through the details of life and look closely upon my control for comfort.  When my heart is inclined towards God, I am more willing to open my hands to my story and look for the grace of God to show up."
                                              - Kara Tippetts

I cannot tell you how long ago Santa was placed on that mirror.  Like many things in Grandma's house, it has just always been there.  Maybe not always, but long enough to feel like forever, like things have never changed.  But change does happen.  And it is in the little details, like Santa, that I will look at and remember that the joy we experience here on Earth is nothing compared to the joy we will have in Heaven.  That the smiles and the laughter will be ten-fold greater.  For that alone, I have no reason to fight or to fear change.  I have no reason to be sad for you.  Your best days are yet to come.  I love you.  I will miss you.  And you have a great time until I see you again.

 Internal perspective will show you that there's more, that this is just a stopping ground, and that this isn't my forever home.  And I can look in confidence and say "This isn't it.  I will see you again."  And that it won't be long.

                                                  - Kara Tippets "The Long Goodbye"

Proactive

You know how everyone talks about becoming a "snow bird" to avoid harsh winters?  What is it called when a person wants to go north to avoid hot summers?  

Because whatever that is, its me.

Anyways....

Being a homeowner is full of daily, monthly, yearly maintenance to be sure you are not loosing money to inefficient doors, windows, roof, insulation, furnace, etc.  Even when all those things have been replaced, it doesn't hurt to take it a step further to optimize efficiency and savings.

Especially when you live in a house with a lot of West facing patio doors and windows.

Celebrate

Yes, it is the 4th of July, a day of celebrating our Nation.  

I, however, am celebrating that after nearly two months I have finally completed this 2,000 piece Disney Villian puzzle!!

I do not recall a puzzle ever taking this long.  The use of repeating colors was almost frustrating enough to take the joy out of something so relaxing.  Alas, I had a book on CD to listen to and the determination to complete something in order to feel accomplished.  Not to mention the kids were away, blissfully enjoying time at the lake so I sat down and got to work.  And it paid off.  Its beautiful.  I love it.  Now get this thing off my table.