7-25-2010 Backtracking

Last Saturday, Charlie, the kids, and I cleaned up Charlie's weight lifting equipment that we had been storing up in the barn and hauled it to our master bedroom. Since then Charlie and I have been following a weight lifting program we got from the internet. I'm very proud of us for sticking with it this past week. Of course, Charlie loves to exercise and work up a sweat. Me...not so much.

Friday we went to Blue Marsh Lake when I finished work. We had a great time. The water was perfect and really cooled us off. It was 107 with the heat index. The kids had a blast. We stayed until 7:30 pm then came home for some nachoes and cheese and then bed.

This weekend we took it easy. Rented the Harry Potter series from the library and we're making our way thru it. The kids are too young for that, so they've been playing together nicely downstairs and watching their shows on the Disney channel. Charlie and I did go down to the dock this morning for an hour or so to finish up the paper and just hang out.

Ben Z. dropped by this afternoon with his daughter Marilynn. The kids had a good time playing with her and Charlie caught up with Benny. They came just after some strong storms went thru knocking down a couple of limbs and lots of leaves.

7-15-2010 He's Back

Charlie has returned to us from Utah. He arrived last evening. The kids are delighted to have him home. He tells us he had a good time, but missed us and was ready to come home.

 While out there he enjoyed the hiking the most. They spent 1 night in Las Vegas which he said he'd not need to go back to.

I'll be happy to get back to our normal summer routine. I've done a lot of running around with the kids this past week to and from Mom and Dad's. Thank God we had Dad to watch the kids for us this past week while Charlie was gone and I had to work. But I'm ready for normal to return.

7-12-2010 Just Another Manic (Med. Pass) Monday

First day doing medication administration with my students. Did not go well. Me, not them. The technology was the problem. It is the first time I've done med's on a computer using a scanner. But, we got thru it. Wed. will go much better, I'm sure.

Dad came to our house to watch the kids. All agreed they had a good day playing and hanging out.

Charlie is still in Utah. We didn't talk to him yesterday. Today is George's wedding, so I'm thinking we won't be talking to him today either.

Very windy outside and quite overcast. Maybe we'll have some big thunderstorms this evening. The rain and cooling down would be welcome.

7-8-2010 He's Leaving on the Next Plane...

Charlie left for Utah today. I think. He called us from the Philly airport this afternoon to say they couldn't fly out due to storms in Chicago. I haven't heard from him since and can't reach him on his cell phone. I'm hoping that means he's on the plane and on his way.

The kids are at P&J's for a sleepover. I have work tomorrow, so we met Mom midway and she's going to take them to their place for the night. At this point, the plan is for them to sleepover tomorrow night as well. I'll go get them late Saturday morning or early afternoon. Mom and Dad want to take them out for breakfast and to farmers' market.

 I absolutely do not know what to do with myself! I came home and ate uninterrupted. Then watched the local news and heard every word they said! The 1st time that's happened in about 7 years! I have big plans to read and enjoy a Harry Potter movie that's coming on TV tonight. Please God keep everyone safe and don't let the power go out. Please, please, please.

7-5-2010 Heat Wave

It's another hot one today. Charlie and Lily are on the river with Uncle Jerry and Aunt Dot. Doing some fishing, swimming, eating, kayaking.

Luke and I stayed home. We went shopping to Wal Mart and Sal Val early this morning. Now we're hanging out watching TV and lovin the A/C.

7-4-2010 Independence Day

 
 
 

7-4-2010 Independce Day

 We overslept Saturday morning. By that, I mean we did not get up until 6:40 am. Quite late by our standards. Charlie had promised to help me in the garden. Lily did the photojournalism to document our efforts.

We really did get an awful lot accomplished. We even managed to venture over to the beds along the house and weed them.

Saturday evening we went to the Reading Philles baseball game. Special fireworks to celebrate the 4th at the end. Very nice.

Today Mom and Dad came for lunch (meatballs hoagies, salad, watermelon, mojitoes. We were down at the dock when they arrived but came up to the house lickity split. Too hot to be outside. Had a nice visit with them for a few hours.

Charlie and I are both off from work tomorrow. No big plans. We'll see where the day takes us.

6-30-2010 Gorgeous Day!

Woke up this morning and it was actually chilly out! The high today topped off in the 70's with low humidity and a great breeze. Perfect!

Kathy had the kids today and they went swimming with the Bailey kids, Luke and Emma. They tell me they had a great time.

I went shopping to Sal Val after work. Picked up a fabulous pair of jammie pants for $2.50. I also bought 2 stainless steel bowls to use as the cats' water dishes.

Then I went to Sam's Club and Redners' for groceries. It is so much easier to shop by myself. Very proud of myself for making good use of my time.

Got everything put away and still had about an hour to myself before Charlie and the kids got home. I read the entire paper in a silence. Can't tell you the last time I was able to do that.

6-27-2010 Toy Story 3D

The 4 of us went to the movies this afternoon to see Toy Story 3D. So nice to sit and relax in the nice cool theater. I worked day shift yesterday and came home too tired to do much of anything. So it was nice to hang out as a family today.

6-26-2010 The Big One

 
Charlie caught a giant catfish on the river today. Much excitement. It pulled him down river in the kayak and I had to get a net for him b/c he was fishing with a $5 pole from Wal Mart. Unfortunately, the net was a hand me down from George with a hole in it. And so the fish got away. Literally. But atleast we have a picture!

6-24-2010 Another Hot One

Lovin the A/C again today. We went to Imax this morning for the free summer series movie "Ice Age 3 Dawn of the Dinosaurs." Then a quick run to the library to pick up a book bag Luke won thru the summer reading program.

We had a quick thunderstorm this afternoon which did nothing to cool things off. Charlie came home an hour early and had to drive thru areas where trees were down and power was out. Thank God we did not lose power. Not a good day to be with out the A/C.

6-23-2010 Good day to Swim

Hot, hot, hot. About 93 and quite humid. Hate it.

The kids were with Grandma K today and went swimming at Debbie's. They had a great time. They were fascinated by a pool lounge chair with cup holders. funny what fascinates them.

Poor Charlie is working in an attic today. So glad I'm not him.

6-21-2010 Monday, Monday

Hot out there today. Not that I was out in it much. I worked today, in the A/C.

 Mom and Dad had the kids and took them to Knoebles  and then for Chinese. They didn't get home until 7pm.

While I was home alone I sat out on the kitchen porch with the kittens. They're starting to explore and just figured out how to climb out of their basket.

Charlie hooked the sprinkler up in the garden tonight. It's only the 2nd time we've had to use it this season. We're supposed to have thunderstorms tomorrow afternoon, but it's too hot to wait that long for the rain to come give everything a drink.

Dad gave us 4 more boxes of strawberries. Shortcake for breakfast. And lunch. And dinner. Yippee!

6-19-2010 Katie Fox's Baby Shower

Lily and I spent the afternoon at Katie Fox's baby shower. Had a great time. It was Lily's 1st baby shower and she said, "best baby shower ever!"

6-17-2010 Gorgeous Day and Random Musings...

Well, the weather today was just perfect! I'd take it every day for the whole summer if somebody in charge of weather wants to know my opinion. We topped out at about 78, but no humidity and strong gusty winds. Sitting in the shade, watching Lily in the pool, I was actually a little bit chilly. I mowed the entire property at mid-day and wasn't a bit hot! no air conditioner. All windows and screen doors opened. Perfect, just perfect.

The orchard next door is having pick your own blueberries. I think it started Tuesday. Usually it isn't until closer to the 4th of July. Lots of traffic we aren't used to.

We've moved the kittens and half-tail to the cat house. we cover the cat doors at night to keep her in and predators out. so far, so good.

6-13-2010 To P&J's house we go

Hung out around the house this morning getting things done. We took the kids to Mom and Dad's for a sleepover after supper. The plan is to do this every Sunday over the summer so Dad can watch them Mondays while Charlie and I work.

The plan is to go to Knoebles tomorrow. Mom is hoping to be off from work so she can go along.
I was relieved that both kids were very excited to go up there. I knew Lily would be of course. But Luke was much more of a wild card. Since I've gone back to work he's been getting up with me every day at 5:30 am so he can see me before I leave.

Dad picked 16 pounds of strawberries from a farm in Ringtown this morning. We had strawberry shortcake at Mom and Dad's and I brought a few boxes of berries back home with me. They're excellent. Just like the ones we had when we were kids. relatively small by today's standards and really ripe. They're going to have to be used in the next few days.

The pictures of the steers are included here because when we got to Mom and Dad's one of the first things the kids wanted to do was go up to the barn and see the steers.

6-12-2010 Adan's 5th Birthday Party !

Went to the Crowell's today for Adan's 5th Birthday Party. The kids enjoyed the pool ! It was a bit hot, but a breeze kept it from being unbearable.

Lunch was hoagie's from Weaver's a favorite of Charlie's.

What I found most remarkable about the entire day was how incredibly quiet Chase was. Not a peep from that child. He just sat and watched the kids play. Not fussing. No crying. No wiggling around. I told any one who'd listen that I thought he greatly resembled a stuffed animal. What a blessing! Unfortunately, I never experienced such blessings with either of my own 2 little angels.

Home now and the rains have come. Hopefully, things will cool off a bit for sleeping tonight.

6-11-2010

First full day of summer vacation for the kids. charlie took them to Palmyra to pick up cabinets at Rusty & Laura's. Since they were only a few miles from Hershey they did a tour of Chocolate World. Then lunch. Then Chocolate World again. Then home. Then a Reading Phillies game. Perfect weather for a baseball game. We had great seats and a good time was had by one and all.

6-10-2010 Last Day of School !

Last Day of School ! Last Day of School! Although both kids say they are excited to be done with school, they also admit they will miss their teachers and seeing their friends every day. One of Luke's classmates handed out her card with her phone number and address on it to stay in touch with classmates throughout the summer. Brilliant idea, I'm so mad I didn't think of it!

We took a celebratory trip to the libraries after school and then came home for some R&R. Actually, the kids had R&R while I mowed the lawn.

6-8-2010 Lily's 6th Birthday !

6 years old today! Beach day at school followed by trip to McDonald's. When asked how she thinks being 6 will be different from being 5, Lily replied, "Well...I'll be able to run a lot faster because my legs will be longer." Okay...