Before Twilight Classic

Last night was the second cross country meet of the season.  Peanut and I wore our matching shirts and I begged him to snap a selfie.  Didn't realize we were gonna have matching forehead bulging veins too!

I was a nervous mom - after the ambulance experience last week.  It poured all day and continued to pour during the race.  Peanut took my advice finishing upright, without injury and with a PR time.  More to come on that once a fellow mom posts pictures.

Pumpkin's Virtual Coke

Had to create one of our own on the website.  Might be even better as it is calorie and caffeine free!!

First Birthday

Almost 18 years ago, we celebrated Pumpkin's first birthday.  We were at an Italian Festival in Pittsburgh.  Wow!  Where did the time go?  He was dancing on the table and entertaining us all.

 Who knew that one curl would turn into a head full of curls??

This was my mom's first trip from home after my dad passed away.  I find so much solace in this picture as she looks peaceful and happy.

CGA Attire

Pumpkin sent the Big Guy this shirt at the start of summer.  Initially, the Big Guy thought it was too bright to wear to work.  Then, he decided to just go for it.  So, yesterday, he was all decked out in CGA attire.  Yes.  His lanyard sports the Academy too.  Do you think he is a proud papa?

We were laughing at this picture.  The angle really makes him look like a Big Guy!

Prize

This is what Peanut earned for his running on Saturday.  I think there is something in the boys' genes that they have to make goofy faces when their picture is taken!  Actually, I enjoy seeing some sass in Peanut.  He tends to hold it all in.  Hope I don't eat my words...

First Day of Classes Fall 2014

Yesterday was the first day of classes for Pumpkin.  Off and running as a 3/C at the Academy!

He made my day by sending this selfie AND I did not even have to ask for it.

First Cross Country Meet 2014

The Jamboree was yesterday.  Peanut decided he was going to go full out and see if he could hold it.  He was very strong until about the 2.5 mile mark.  It was so hot too!  We were in the high 90s with humidity.

He has never pushed himself this hard.  He ended up taking 4th, but the finish was not pretty.  It was quite dramatic for this mom.  He started swaying about 20 feet from the finish.  He made it and just about collapsed.  I was pretty composed, but feel sick now as I think about it.  He ended up requiring medic attention.  There was another runner on the stretcher.  Once they got her off, he laid down on it.  They did not give him fluids as he does not like needles at all and would have passed out from that.

I felt like I ran a 10K.  I was soaked from head to toe and am still recuperating today.  It is just too much stress!  Now, he knows to pace the first mile and push the next two.

When he was released from the ambulance, the newspaper reporter kept talking to him.  I finally rolled down my window saying the car was cooled off and ready for him to get into the a/c.

This boy of mine puts lots of pressure on himself.  I guess it is a great trait to have.  My prayer is for cooler weather.  He runs again on Saturday night.  I'm trying to decide what I have to drink before I go to watch.

Bro & SIL

I drove up to visit my mom this week and stayed at my brother's house.  It was such a nice visit.  We snapped this selfie as a way to send hugs to Pumpkin.

As luck would have it, all but one of my siblings came over for dinner on Tuesday night.  It was such a special treat.  We grilled out and just enjoyed time with everyone.

In addition to visiting mom, we toured around Cincinnati on Wednesday.  The buildings near Findlay market are so pretty.  There are vendors there all the time, but the weekends are real market days.  My brother bought an authentic Belgian waffle for us to share from the Taste of Belgium.  Oh!  My!  It was so yummy.  I'm still thinking about it.  He said they taste just like that on the streets of Belgium.

There is so much growth and construction in Cincinnati.  It is so nice to see.  We had lunch at new restaurants that are between the two ball stadiums on the river.  We stopped into the casino too!  I lost $20 in the slots right away!

I need to get back up there and explore some more!

The Can Says it All!

First of all, what a marketing campaign those Coke people are running.  Just by happenstance, my sister got a very apropos can.  Love it!  Love the picture of the two of them!

Loved spending time with my family this week!

O Dark Thirty

Three weeks flew by…Pumpkin left in the wee hours of Sunday morning to head back to the Academy.  As a 3/C, he gets to report in in a "casual" uniform.  He looks great - in my humble opinion.

To help my transition to a three person household, I hopped in the car and drove to Cincinnati.  A visit with family is always a good thing!

Snuck in a Ride

It has been almost a year since the Big Guy has been on the bike.  We finally got his bike serviced.  He picked it up in the knick of time!  The two of them went out for a ride on Saturday morning.  

They did about 17 miles and enjoyed it.  The Big Guy is ready to ride some more.  I love it!  When I win the lottery, I may even buy myself a fancy road bike.  Guess I better start playing the lottery in order to win, huh?

Creature of Habit

Peanut gets home from school about 2:15.  During the school year, the routine is Peanut walks through the door and drops a scoop of dog food in Buddy's bowl.  We learned very early on that he could not wait until our dinner time to eat.  Some days is seems like he can't wait for Peanut to get home.  That was the case yesterday.  Buddy started barking and prancing around at about 1:50pm.  He got our attention.  For sure!  Pumpkin tackled him smothering him with pets to get him to be quiet.  We finally caved in and fed him a few minutes before Peanut walked through the door.  I know this dog has us trained!

Sand Dollar

Buddy can be oblivious!  We found some sand dollars on our trip to the beach.  Yesterday, the boys put one on Buddy's head.  He had no idea.  He walked around with it for some time.

Are we desperate for entertainment?  Played corn hole again after dinner.  We went out thinking best 2 out of 3.  The mosquitos had another plan.  We called it a draw at one each.  We have been so fortunate with the weather.  The summer was actually bearable!

PFE Prep

Right when Pumpkin gets back to the Academy, they have their physical fitness evaluation.  He inherited his distaste for running from his mom!  He claims he will do fine with his adrenaline running and the peer pressure.  He ran a few times while home.  After one run, he did pushups and sit ups on the garage floor.  I am not sure if he even knows that I snapped this picture. 

The lighting is bad.  I tried to play with the picture but did not like the end results.  You can get the idea. 

One Last Hurrah!

Just love these cross country kids.  There are a few missing and a few are leaving for college soon, very soon.  Peanut got to hang out with them on Saturday.  It is great he got to spend time before others head out.  There is some extremely strong brain power in this picture.   I think I've said this before.  I am so grateful for how accepting these kids were of the "new" freshman runner.  What a wonderful example they have set.  The new cross country season is underway.  Hope Peanut is taking a page from their book and setting a good example for the newbie runners.

Gus' Fried Chicken

For a late lunch and what turned out to be an even later lunch on Saturday, the three of us went to Gus' Fried Chicken.  It is an infamous restaurant in the area.  We have one in Collierville.  I'd never been to the one downtown.  In my infinite wisdom, I suggested we go to the original location.  Guess everyone had the same idea.  We ended up waiting for a table.  It was worth the wait!

Pumpkin and I were coordinating.  I feel like I put on so much make up.  When you look at the pictures, it almost looks like I'm going for the au naturelle look.

It was lovely having Pumpkin all to ourselves.  In honor of the occasion, the Big Guy and I split a 40oz bottle of Bud Light.  So funny!  Pumpkin is off with friends for the night.  Miss him already, but am thrilled he'll be back home for a few before reporting to the Academy on Sunday.

Pre-Walk

About noon on Saturday, Peanut was off with friends.  I convinced Pumpkin to come with us on Buddy's walk.  Historically, on Saturdays I walk him a bit further.  When we started out it was cloudy.  By the time we returned, the sun was out and it was hot and humid.

Thank you, Pumpkin, for being a good sport!

This Week

One afternoon, I thought we were getting ready to run some errands and this is what I found...

After dinner one night, we broke out the Corn Hole.  Pumpkin and I beat the Big Guy and Peanut.  But, the mosquitoes almost beat us all!

On Wednseday night, the boys went to a swim "class."  Pumpkin was happy to be back in the water.  Getting in shape for this swim season is going to be a challenge.  It is the longest time that he has been out of the water.

Pumpkin's watched lots of movies.  I've just loved hanging at home with him!

Monday, August 4, 2014

Peanut's first day of school was on Monday.  They start so early here!  He got lucky this year as the weather was warm but not in the triple digits.  He's had a great start to his sophomore year and seems to be settling in.  So happy!

(This picture of the front door just makes me smile.  I got the itch to paint the front door and ran with it.  I even painted the storm door including all the nooks and crannies.)

Monday was the Coast Guard's 224th birthday!  Pumpkin donned the Big Guy's jersey for his bike ride in honor of the special day.  Still pinching myself that Pumpkin is here.  Loving every minute...

Visiting Nana & Pa

After church on Sunday morning, we headed to see The Big Guy's parents.  I snapped this picture with Nana as we waited for Pa to get up from his nap.  All is good in their world.

I don't know if I've mentioned it here that the Big Guy's mom suffers for Alzheimer's.  It is a horrible disease.  If there is a bright side, Nana is in a happy place.  Recently, I walked into Macy's to look at their selection of bathing suits.  It took me right back to a trip to Macy's, years ago,  shortly after we moved here.  Nana and I went to the store.  We ended up trying on suit after suit.  Both of us walked away with new suits to wear.  Who knew I would reflect on that shopping trip with such positive memories.  It was one time when she actually bought something and was excited to wear the suit to the pool and the beach.  Again, this disease is a tough one on family members as you just can't share the memories.

It has taught us quite a bit, though.  You have to live for the moment.  I pray I can do more of that without the worries associated with everyday life. 

Room Reveal

It all started on Presidents' Weekend in 2013.  Pumpkin was out of town for a swim meet.  I gathered up all his swim tshirts from his entire swimming career and started cutting.  I decided to cut plain squares keeping it all very simple.  If there was any chance that I was going to sew a quilt, it had to be simple.  I got all the shirts cut and sized.  And, I determined some sort of pattern.  Then, the rows sat in the playroom closet.

Fast forward to the fall of 2013 and we are cleaning out my mom's house.  My sister, the very talented seamstress, told me to send the squares her way and she'd try her hand at sewing her first tshirt quilt.  After lots of time and talent, the quilt was completed this spring.

Pumpkin was still at the Academy.  Peanut had taken over his "old" room.  We decide to officially change up the boy's rooms.  I wanted the quilt to be the focal point in Pumpkin's room.  So, we tried our hand at building our own headboard.  It was a fun weekend and a new creative project.

By the time we got the headboard built, it was too hot in the garage to paint.  So, the headboard took over some space in the kitchen for a week or so.  It was my first time to use chalk paint.  I starting with a layer of charcoal and added the blue on top.  Then, I distressed it in places so the darker color showed through.  It was all pretty easy.

We moved all of Pumpkin's stuff down and Peanut's stuff up.  I bought new sheets, a new bed skirt and a couple other things.  I really tried to use items we had on hand.  Here is the end result -

Coast Guard Academy swimming is front and center in the quilt.  If you use your imagination, the squares are in a sort of diamond pattern via color.  The quilt is enormous.  Note to self - cut smaller squares if I ever do one again.

I found this dog print on target.com.  I had no idea they had the art selection they have.  The picture of the flag is one I took when we met up with Pumpkin in Miami.  He was raising that flag and lost his cap in the water.

For the first time ever, we added a TV to the bedroom.  We figured he would enjoy that luxury. (I know he has.  I find him on the bed watching all different kind of things!)

 Buddy made himself right at home.  Now that Pumpkin is home, Buddy doesn't bat an eye about jumping up on the bed and making himself comfortable next to Pumpkin.

I think Pumpkin likes the quilt and his room.  He spent lots of time the first night looking at all the shirts and reminiscing.  He has invested many years in swimming!

Sandestin 2014

We were lucky to find a place on homeaway.com that would accommodate pets for our summer beach vacation.  We ended up staying at the Pilot House in Baytowne Wharf.  It was wonderful.  We had easy access to taking Buddy out.  He was a great traveler and got lots of long walks on numerous walking paths.  Buddy is an attention getter.  He got lots of compliments and lots of extra pets.

We rented a minivan for our precious cargo.  I'm embarrassed to admit that we filled the minivan up!

Once we unpacked, we headed to the beach for a beautiful sunset.  The beaches of the Emerald Coast are gorgeous.

 After scoping out the beach, we headed off to dinner.

My sunbathing sons did not stay in on the towels long.  There were red flags up on Monday.  The boys loved the waves staying in the ocean as long as possible wearing themselves out.  It is a good thing they rode as many waves as they did.  As the week progressed, the water got calmer and calmer.

 Pumpkin covered Peanut with sand…you have to do that once a beach trip, right?

 Gorgeous...

We got up every morning to do some cardio.  The weather was perfect.  It was hot, but not too hot and the humidity was very low.  We were so grateful.

There was lots of fun on the trip - even when lathering with sunscreen.  We ate out three nights and ate in the rest.  We played card games and dice games.  It was quality family time.  For sure!

I splurged on an inner tube from the grocery store.   The water was so calm.  I just relaxed on the tube. The guys got face masks and goggles.  They swam out looking for life in the water.  They found lots of sand dollars, a big crab, a hermit crab in a big shell, fish, of course, and a stingray.  I did not get a picture, but they played lots of paddle board.

It warmed my heart to have all my boys playing ball and hanging out.  When the boys were little little, the Big Guy spent countless hours throwing the ball with them.  It was the same thing all over again, the smiles, the laughter, the smack talk.  Love it!

I just feel so lucky that we had the week we had.  Love our time together!

He IS home!

Pumpkin flew in last Saturday.  It feels good to have us all at home.

 We let him carry his sea bag.  It weighs a ton!