Seasonal Oreos

The seasonal Oreos are a hands down favorite in this house.  I mean the regular ones that correspond to the time of the year.  Right now, you can find Oreos for Halloween.  They are like regular Oreos but the icing in the middle is just a bit better.  It is whipped more or something.  They are not like double stuffed, too much icing.  I was at the store and gonna pick up some Halloween Oreos, when I saw the new, Pumpkin Spice.  They ended up coming home with me.  Guess what?  They are good.  I wanted them to be horrible to eliminate a temptation.  No such luck.  These are worth the try this season.

I thought about buying some Pumpkin Spice M&Ms, but resisted.  If they go on sale, I may just bring some of those home!

Engineering Schools

Read this article this morning.  When I chose my engineering school, I did not think about all these things.  Not sure if Peanut will consider engineering, but like the perspective of this article.  There are so many variables to choosing the right place to study.  Of course, we were thrilled to see number two on the list - 

Love that picture of the Academy.  Can't wait to see it in person is just about a month!

Two of my Three

The Big Guy is seeker of shade.  He can always find it somewhere.  From his work in the yard, he developed a poison ivy/oak rash on his face.  We think it was from swatting at the mosquitoes the other night.  Anyway, the heat was really making it itch.  On the drive home, he decided he'd go to the doctor today.  Fortunately, the rash and the itch has subsided.  I am so thankful.  He is going to go without shaving for a few days and he should be good to go!  I am just wondering who is going to extract those rocks in the backyard??

Tennessee Classic 2014

Yesterday, Peanut ran in the Tennessee Classic at Percy Warner Park in Nashville.  The weather was just about perfect, perhaps a few degrees too hot.  I do get nervous when the race starts still reliving his first race of the season, barely making it to cross the finish line.

Wasn't prepared for him to burst out into the lead as the wide start funneled down.  He did look great.  Then, I was less prepared for him to be leading as they approached the mile mark.  He still looked good.

The second time he passed, he was in the first pack but a few back.  That seemed like a better position for this mom to handle.

Here he is coming up the hill to the finish.  He still looks good, color in his face.  He might just finish vertical!

Peanut ended up finishing 6th.  I think is was close to a PR time.  He is hoping to break the 17 minute mark this season.  He even got a mention in the local Nashville paper.  The team ran well too!  They took second place.

This spectating stuff is exhausting.  It just wears me out!

Spirit Week 2014

The week of Homecoming is spirit week at the high school.  Monday was class color.  Peanut's class color is red.  It is the same as Pumpkin's!  We bought these red pants at Goodwill years ago for Pumpkin to wear.  They were huge on him and are huge on Peanut.

Tuesday was salad dressing day.  The sophomore class was Caesar.  There were lots of togas.  Peanut wasn't sure he was gonna wear one until right before he left for school.  I was just impressed that we had a sheet that would fit the bill.

 Wednesday was Wacky Wednesday.  Peanut was so excited to wear his patriotic running shorts.

Thursday was Nerd day and I was such a geek that I forgot to take a picture.  The kids don't have school tomorrow.  It is an inservice day.  Lucky for them!  They have a four day week!

Tedious Job

Probably five years ago, we added creek bed rocks to the corner of our back yard.  Over time, the rocks settled and dirt washed over them.  In an effort to remedy the situation, the Big Guy started unearthing all the rocks.  Talk about tedious!  He has patience beyond belief diligently working his way to the corner.  He occasionally gets some help from Buddy.  Once the ground is ready, we will create two rock bed streams.  Our hope is the water will run along the fence line to the storm drain.  This is our pre -dinner entertainment.  That is until the mosquitoes take over.  Tonight, the Big guy is going to wear long sleeves and pants to prevent the mosquitoes from biting him!

 

We'd love to have Pumpkin home helping us.  No doubt.  He'd be singing while he dug!

CGA vs. MMA

Yesterday, CGA played MMA in the annual Secretary's Cup.  CGA came out victorious!!

Another thrill, Pumpkin got to see a club swim team member from here.  Jordan just started at the Merchant Marine Academy.  Fortunately, I have connections and did not have to wait for Pumpkin to send me this selfie!  They both look good.

Glad they got to see each other.  I hope I get to hear all about it soon...

A Gift

I posted about the wonderful tshirt quilt my sister helped create for Pumpkin.  As a token of my appreciation, I knitted her a pair of socks.  She saw the first sock and actually tried it on.  I wanted to make sure they fit before I got both done.  I enjoyed knitting these and hope she loves wearing them.  I ordered super wash sock yarn from Gales Art in the owl color way.  Her description of the yarn, owl, is so fitting - "...the base of the color of these skeins is whitened a series of golden yellows.  On top of this, I have freckled it with a series of browns and rust to emulate the feathers and coloring of a barn owl."  When I look at the socks, I think of an owl perched rustling its feathers.

The FedEx delivery man dropped them off to my sister on Friday.  Her text declared that she has happy feet!  It will have to get a bit cooler for her to wear them regularly.  I do hope she wears them and does her best to try to wear them out!

I'm thinking socks might be on tap for Christmas!  Yep.  I am starting to think about that.  I have yarn that needs to be used up.  We'll see if I can rise to the challenge.

Door Decor

Got some new door decor.  Thank you monkeylynndesigns!

Thinking about raising it up over the door knocker and might even take off the bow as it gets smashed between the door and storm door.  Also, thinking about ordering another one for Thanksgiving.

***Edited***

Ahhh!  That was an easy fix and looks so much better to me.  I've never had a thing for bows.  Like the simple look of just the pineapple.  Can't wait to see what it looks like from the street.

Cross Country All Comers

There was an all comers meet on Tuesday night.  It is open to everyone and anyone.  Coach said that it'd be the determinant for varsity for the meet next weekend.  Peanut went out fast...

It was so hot out, again.  If you look closely, Peanut is glistening all over!  He ran strong.  It was fun to watch.  I am so grateful that he has found something he loves.  I pray for him to stay injury free.  As I type this it is raining, the cool weather is on its way.  Yipee!

Coastie Brother Love

I had to react quickly yesterday morning to capture Peanut in a CGA tshirt.  I haven't seen him wear it recently.  I told him his brother would be proud.  He would not pose for a second.  I took what I could get!

Gorgeous Moon

We popped outside the other night to catch the super moon.  It was gorgeous.  When I look at the moon, I wonder if Pumpkin is looking at the moon too.  I don't think his new room has as good of a view, but you never know.

I've gotten into a routine of walking Buddy every morning.  This morning we left the house a bit earlier and got to enjoy the magnificent harvest moon until the sun rose completely.  I don't walk with my phone, but wished I had it with me this am to snap a picture.  

Editorials

I get it.  One purpose of editorials is to stir up emotions.  A sports columnist from the New London Day took some cheap shots at the CGA football team recently with this column.  College football fever is fun, but the primary reason kids are at college is for an education.  The CGA experience is demanding and there is so much more to it than winning a gosh darn football game.

A CGA graduate issued his opinion in his blog.  I am so grateful that he did.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but this was over line.  The CGA is funded by tax payer money.  Their purpose is to train leaders.  That training comes from education, athletics, and military requirements.

Lastly, the columnist draws some erroneous correlation between two cadets' football skills and their ability to be CG officers.  With that, the columnist was way out of line.  He has no idea how those cadets got to be the ones participating in the half time activity.  I am sure they were given an order and followed it to the best of their ability.  To the cadets, I applaud you and don't let this bring you down.  Hold your heads high!  You are cadets at CGA!  Be proud!

As for football and all the other sport teams the CGA.  Do your best and be proud!  Go Bears!

I DO Barbecue

This past weekend we met family outside of Knoxville for my niece's I DO Barbecue.  Oh!  My!  The setting was gorgeous on a farm in the hills.  There was some lightening in the distance, but it turned out to be a lovely evening.  We are so happy that we made the trip - - even with the A/C issue in our car and having to rent a car at the Nashville airport.  It was so nice hanging with family.  I brought my nice camera, but left it in the car.  I wish I had gotten it out and played photographer.  Oh!  Well!

Love this picture of these two.  They are sitting in a log swing. 

 Another cute picture - -

 Too bad we did not take this one as the sun was setting.  Not my favorite but including it anyway.  Still adjusting to family pics of three not four.

Texted this to Pumpkin.  We were in UT country.  The Big Guy wore his CGA orange in an effort to expand horizons beyond UT orange.  Unfortunately, the Big Guy's spirit did not bring home a win for the CGA Bears.

Here is the gorgeous couple.  We are looking forward to the wedding in February!

Twilight Classic 2014

It poured down rain all day.  Cross country goes on!  We were thankful for the rain.  It was still warm but not nearly as hot as it was the week before.  Peanut ran well!  I still don't know where he gets his work ethic and drive to run cross country.  I do know that it is fun to watch him!  I was nervous before the start of this race.  I maintained my composure and got to spot him a few times during the run.

We have a couple weeks before our next "big" meet.  Watch out Nashville!  Peanut is heading your way!

Mom's Favorites

The last time I was up visiting my mom, I asked her for nineteen favorite things in honor of Pumpkin's birthday.  I did not prompt her for answers.  I just recorded what she said.  I put together a note for Pumpkin and included it in his birthday box.  He finally took a picture and sent it to me.  Gotta love that I've got his homework in the background.

It is nice to have mom's favorites documented.  I do wonder how they would change if I asked her these again today.  Pumpkin and I both agree with the favorite food.  How can it be anything but ice cream??

Dog Park

It's been a long time coming.  Yesterday, we took Buddy to the dog park.

 He was in his absolute glory, loving life!

He'd run a bit ahead of us and then turn around to see where we were.  He got to swim, retrieve and wear himself out.  It was pure Buddy bliss!

After the park, we drove over to where the cross country runners practice and waited for Peanut to finish up.

 Gotta get a few stretches in after a work out!  Buddy is interested in another puppy dog.

Buddy ended up having lots of burrs in coat.  He was a mad dog running through all the vegetation.  I was fretting over how we were gonna get them out.  By the time his coat dried, just about all the burrs brushed right out.  We were so lucky!  We know for a fact that Buddy slept well last night!

Happy Birthday, Pumpkin!

Nineteen today!  It is our first birthday celebrating apart - kind of bittersweet.  He called last night dragging out the conversation until after midnight.  We got to be the first to wish him Happy Birthday!

I sent him a box that he got on Friday.  He asked for Oatmeal cookies.   I used press n seal, individually wrapping 19 cookies.  They arrived perfectly.  I was surprised as it was so hot here.  As of last night, Pumpkin had eaten all but three of the cookies.  He said they were awesome.  We sent a Vandy baseball cap and a new Speedo brief.  When I was home, I asked my mom about her 19 favorite things.  I put together a card capturing her favorites.  I forgot to take a picture.  Pumpkin is supposed to send me one.

My pregnancy was very long with Pumpkin.  Every minute of bed rest was worth it.  I am so grateful to be his mom.  He's taught us so much and exposed us to so many new things.  Can't wait to see what the future holds.  Just want time to slow down a bit.  These past 19 years went way too fast!!