Day#282

Today I had a foot doctor appointment and was basically released unless something flares up again. I asked about going back to high impact activities like my beloved Zumba and was encouraged to do something different like biking, so um, no Zumba I guess, at least not until fully healed a long way down the road. Sleeping in the boot, taking the anti inflammatory medicine, and wearing special shoes have been the key to my plantar fasciitis improvement I think.  These are my Naot sandals, and my Vionic Orthaheel flip flops have been a life saver. Here's to the end of my Princess Brownfoot/barefoot lifestyle, dang it.

Day#281

Today was my last 504 meeting ever at the high school for Jackson. It was such a beautiful day with that blue sky, I had to snap a picture. He has not really required any of accommodations that are in place, other than during band, but it is reassuring that the paperwork and awareness is there if medically he needs something.

Day#280

I was wanting a small but effective fan for the bathroom and found this half price in clearance at the grocery store, of all places. Makes me happy while I'm getting ready and keeps me from being sweaty. I'm so happy with you, my little black tower fan!

Day#248

Sam chose The Hulk for his friend's superhero birthday party. I found out four hours before the party that polyester does not take fabric dye even if it sits in it in your washer for an hour. So then I hand painted the muscle top with poster paint and sat it in front of a fan to hopefully dry. He made it on time. This was more the look of the Lou Ferrigno 70's Hulk, but that's what our supplies found here at home dictated.

Day#249

Another Eagle ceremony

Day#247

Sam was searching for a super hero costume amongst the Halloween bins and somehow we all ended up with wigs on.

Day#276

We returned to the jeweler that custom made my wedding rings back in 1996. Well, maybe not the same individual but the same business establishment and we would highly recommend them just as they were recommended to Gary back in the day: Genovese in Creve Coeur, Mo.  It was a temporary fix as the band is just about worn out completely, but we were advised to get this quick fix for the time being and then wait and do it up big next year for the 20th anniversary which will involve a new setting, and who knows, maybe additional rocks??

Day#275

Sam before school

Day#274

Scenes from the back yard. I think I forgot to post earlier this summer that we are now a second trampoline type of redneck family. And I am really happy with the big grasses' growth providing us a bit of pool privacy and filling in where the pear tree used to be.

Day#273

First Day of school 2015-16 year

Jack- Senior
Grant- Sophomore
Caroline- 7th
Sam- 5th

Day#271

Inadvertently skipped a day so here's a couple more pics of our fun trip. Danny's new house is very cool, as was his previous house. He loves auctions and memorabilia and I don't think I've ever seen a greater record collection in real life. Too bad I didn't take a pic of it. His grandma and grandpa are both in the Xenia High School picture hanging in his guest room.

Day#272

A few more pics from Tennessee

We hung out in Danny's pool while he had to go in to work. This was pool yoga one morning. Grant enjoyed sleeping instead.

And out for ice cream at Jeni's one night after we hit Drifters for live music and corndogs and drove past Crystal's house. Gotta say, Nashville is tons of fun.

Day#270

More from our Opry night

Day#269

My first friend ever Danny Rogers let us stay at his house, took us around Nashville, fed us Waffle House and Cracker Barrel meals, sat us right on the Opry stage and after the show, introduced us to his friends Crystal Gayle and her husband Bill. I had never met a famous person before and I now know, I probably need a little more experience. Can you say star-struck? Caroline asked why I didn't say words and just kept giggling.

Thank goodness for Sam who decided to ask "Do you want me to tell you a story I know nothing about?" and proceeded to entertain the celebrity couple by reciting his new favorite poem he picked up from my dad that begins, "Ladies and jelly spoons, hobos and tramps" and ends "Just ask the blind man, he saw it too."

They have a ten year old grandson who also loves to read so I think they enjoyed Sam (who read his Lord of the Rings book all during the show). Grant might have been a little nervous too maybe, since he said he was going into 12th grade when they asked. A couple minutes later he chuckled and explained he didn't know why he said that because he's actually going into 10th.

Caroline was pretty smooth with it all. Granted, none of the kids really knew who Crystal was or of her 70's fame. But I sure did. I'm positive Danny and I portrayed her more than once when we played Country Music Awards with my dad's tractor and drag racing trophies. And a bath towel easily serves as floor length hair.

Crystal's voice and stage presence were great and her hair just as long as ever. It was a thrill for me for sure.

Day#268

As a last hurrah of the summer, we headed to Nashville. Well, four of us did. Those with jobs had to stay home and they were definitely missed. : ( 
We went to the Grand Ole Opry the first night.

Day#267

Everyone loves when their mom schedules them a summer morning dentist appointment, right? Only if you're SamGill...never a complaint, I swear. 

Day#266

After shocking the mustard algae to a quick death, the pool has not looked better this entire summer. I forgot what the liner even looked like, it'd been so long since we had sparkly water.  Too bad the sun's not shining here for the pic, it would be even beautifuler.

Day#265

This is one delicious breakfast. Caroline makes it out of bread, egg, nutella, and banana. I think she fries it in butter. It doesn't look nearly as yum as it tastes. We should probably open a restaurant, it's so good.

Day#264

Oh boy, so far behind again. But plenty of pictures and things going on lately to post about. I just seem to get sidetracked and end up doing something else even though I'd like to post each day. But today I devote my morning to catching up.

So many scouts are earning Eagle lately that nearly every weekend we have something on the calendar related to that. Here's Gary at the latest ceremony. He does a great job with these boys.

Day#263

We went to the boys' band exhibition at the conclusion of band camp. We were impressed with the beautiful sunset, but especially their playing and marching.

Plus, both boys got called out with special recognition. Grant was awarded "Outstanding Brass Player" out of a ton of kids I will say. His footwork really did look so professional and he played and moved that big ole instrument beautifully.  He's also having to offer lots of positive encouragement and exhibit great patience working with the new freshmen.  

Jack was recognized for his "A-Game," i.e. he's always there ready to work and play hard with a great helpful attitude and no hesitation to go the extra mile. For an example, and I'll clarify that the award wasn't associated to just this but more his overall nature, but Jack was responsible for assembling and taking down the first aid canopy/shelter and that it's no easy job. Especially while feeling sick and in the sun and heat. These boys are troopers.

We received so many comments afterwards from people congratulating us for having both boys be such stand-outs and admittedly, it was very difficult not to pop every button off our shirts.

Day#262

Trying recently to work up the gumption to paint our master bedroom... which considering the tray ceiling and a wall are painted red (!), I have put this job off since we moved in three years ago. But I really need a calming paint scheme, something like these I'm thinking.

Day#261

The littles got to spend more time at Grandma and Grandpa's. They sent this picture one morning and I just loved it.

Day#260

These cookies no longer have the big chunk sugar crystals that I remember and might have been craving. Major disappointment that day.

Day#259

I had a curtain rod return (basement curtains project finished finally!) to Old Time Pottery the other day and noticed this recall flyer at the service desk.

As I read it, the part about sitting on the edge of the seat, my immediate thought was that they should have included a few video clips of actual people in this situation instead of this lifeless photo that requires you to visualize in your own head the hilarious accident.

Day#258

This made me think of me.

Day#257

Gary's scout group at camp this year, Camp Ingersoll. He said it was the best weather he's ever had for scout camp week.

Day#256

I remember doing this very often as a kid, something so simple but fun. I guess it's the feeling of being taller, feeling strong, and defying gravity.

Day#255

Gary rebuilt my broken down bench. New boards rounded just right and I am happy. Thank you!

Day#254

Doing lots of catch up here at the ending of summer. This was from band camp week 2 for the big boys. Better pictures closer-up to come.

Day#253

Pool's been nice these hot days. And back to clear.

Day#252

We finally did boy haircuts this past weekend. All four boys are looking trimmed up now.  This is probably the shortest Sam's has ever been cut.  We decided Grant's buzz just doesn't quite work on Sam's head.

Day#251

Caroline had a reaction to the sulfa based antibiotic she was prescribed for her infected foot. Luckily, it was on day 10 and the infection was cleared. The rash was on her face, neck, and chest.