Wow, the summer is speeding by like crazy. It is already mid July and I feel like it just began.
Brenda went to Wisconsin to visit her family for two weeks the beginning of June, so Ben and I planned to do some projects (we love our project time together). I went up for a couple of days the weekend she was due home. We managed to install two new doors in their bedroom, put a gutter on, and clean the house for Brenda to return. I assure you that the list we hoped to accomplish was huge, but he and I and our concept of what is possible is pretty interesting. One night we didn't finish til 11:00 - my bedtime is usually much earlier than that! This all started because he and I wanted to make concrete counters for our kitchens. Brenda was smart to want other projects done first. As it turns out, maybe the counters were a little ambitious. I will probably settle for formica.
Ben did his Baily Hundo bike race on June 18th and improved his time by over two hours! If you could see the country he rides through, you would be stunned. The race start in Bailey and climbs into the mountains, through the burn areas, and back into Bailey at the end. Shep and I went up to Deckers which is just over the half-way point. We got to see him racing by and wave. He looked pretty spiffy, I must say. Brenda, Cavan and Amelia joined us for ice cream and a little visit before we returned home. There is nothing more fun than watching kids eat ice cream. Amelia was somewhat neat, but Cavan had it all over his face. It was a gorgeous day and a lot of fun seeing the kiddos. The following Monday Ben left for New York City for three days. He had a big meeting with new clients. He enjoyed the city but was glad not to be living there. They are really leading a busy life these days. The following weekend we drove to Bailey for Cavan's 2nd birthday. On their blog you will see a picture of him eating his birthday cake while lying in a deck chair. He was sooooo funny - he would put some cake on his finger and slowly lick it off. He sat there for a long time. We had such a good time at the party meeting their friends. Shep had an errand to run in Conifer before the party and while he was waiting, he heard a guy playing the banjo. He had a half hour to waste, so he went over and just listened to him plan. They also chatted a while about Bluegrass music. He told us the story when he got back to the house. As the people arrived for the party, guess who showed up - the banjo player. We had a good laugh over what a small world it is! Amelia was just totally entertained with the kids. It was fun to see her take charge. Amelia still loves her Nana and we read plenty of books. She is so talkative these days and she remembers so many details. Cavan is such a loveable child-he always asks for Nana and Papa-Brenda says he talks about us several times every day. We will see them all this coming weekend when they drop Ella off for us to dog-sit while they head to Los Alamos to see Becky & Devin.
Josh and Bree are enjoying the summer with Josh off work for a few weeks. They had planned a trip to Los Alamos over the 4th, but Becky & Devin evacuated as you will see below. Bree went to Oklahoma to see her sister with Molly. I spend three days with Josh and the boys - it was much fun. I stayed with Wyatt while Josh took Owen to swim lessons. He loved his lessons and learned to blow bubbles - he loves the water now. Wyatt is a constant source of entertainment. There is something adorable about the way he moves and he talks a blue streak. He has eyelashes to kill for. Josh and I took the boys fishing - what fun- but did not catch anything. He has a pond close by. It was quite an ordeal watching hooks, casting, baiting and reeling. Owen has since caught a fish there (his second). On the 23rd Shep and I went to Fountain for a firefly hike with Josh and Owen. We had a program on fireflies and made a little craft with Owen, then hiked through the Nature Center to see the fireflies when it got dark. There were probably 15 flies total, but it was really neat to see them. I've never seen lightening bugs in Colorado, before. Because of dry conditions, there were not as many as usual. Owen and I loved hiking along holding hands - pretty fun. The other day I babysat all the kids while Josh and Bree went to a movie. Wyatt and Molly napped for a time and I got to play with Owen. We drew pictures in the book that he is writing - it was great to spend some time alone with him. I learned a lot about Star Wars characters. I decided my drawing leaves a little to be desired, though. It was nice to be able to give Josh and Bree some time to themselves. Josh has been working hard on the yard this summer and it is really getting nice.
Becky and Devin have had quite an interesting summer. They had not planned on a summer visit to Colorado. Well, because of the fire in Los Alamos, they spent a week in Colorado visiting family. It probably wasn't the best way for a vacation, but they made the most of it. Devin's step brother (Ryan) and his wife were visiting from New York. They had just finished a hike and when they finished lunch and looked outside, there was a plume of smoke near the area they had just hiked in. They had to take the long way home through Albuquerque and when they got to Los Alamos the flames could be seen from their yard. Becky ran to the store and when she returned they called her cell phone to let her know there was a bear in the neighbors trash can. That afternoon they decided to evacuate to Santa Fe at least for the night. They were taking care of a friends cat, and their dog Nesta hates cats, so Ryan had to take the cat in his car, and they headed to Santa Fe. The next day they found a place to board the cat, and left for Pueblo. That same day they had a mandatory evacuation and closed the lab for a week. We enjoyed the visit with them. They spent two night here, two with Josh and Bree and headed north to see Devin's family. They came back through the following Tuesday. Their house was never in danger of burning, thank goodness. While they were here, Josh and Bree came down with the kids and we went to the zoo. Pueblo has an awesome zoo. Logan was most interested in the mechanics of everything, Laila loved all of it, especially the penguins. Laila and I enjoyed reading books and swinging outside. She had fun making beds for all of the stuffed animals, including the big monkey (all the girls' favorite). Logan was excited to have Shep show him train videos on the computer. Becky and Devin got to get away for a bike ride or run, I can't remember which. Becky and I did our usual shopping trip to Old Navy! I am glad they are safely home. The countryside is pretty sad, but things are back to normal.
Shep and I are doing fine. We took a wall heater out of the family room and had to put a new piece of drywall in. I love those projects. It took about 2 weeks to finish it. I am always busy with little things. I have my bedroom partly painted (ran out of paint), repainting a chair and a table, making a new awning for the swing and covers for the outdoor furniture (they get bird doo doo on them) The birds in the yard eat the Mullberries from the tree and they poop purple. I must say it is pretty unattractive. My yard is looking pretty good, but for some reason my lawn is a constant hassle. I work at it, though.
Work is great - I couldn't be more pleased. I am learning a lot more about the steel era in Pueblo. The database we have is really pretty neat. I am slowly learning more as I need to. It is fun to have such a variety of work to do. What a great bunch of people.
We went to the Westcliffe bluegrass festival last weekend - what a great experience. The food vendors were great and the music was awesome. We stayed about 6 hours. Our neighbors Ken and Carol met us up there. Carol and I walked downtown to every store. What an interesting town in a beautiful setting. I thoroughly enjoyed the music. They had some big name entertainers!
I had the funniest experience at the ARC thrift store. Saturdays are absolutely crazy busy, but I went anyway. The customer in front of me in the check out was about 75, wearing levis that had been taped together with duct tape (gray) in layers, like 1/2 " thick. His shoes also had duct tape on them. His purchase was $1.19 and I looked over to see what he bought - you'll never believe this - 4 issues of "Martha Stewart Living" magazine. Well, I was stunned. Then, a gentleman in the next line over was dressed in a black blazer with gold embroidery on it. His hair was slicked back and his shoes shined. He turned to the clerk in the next line and belted out "Happy Birthday" in a most beautiful voice. Well, I guess I had better shop at ARC on Saturdays more often. I drove home wondering if I really saw all that!
With that funny note I will sign off. I hope you all are doing well - I miss my GJ buddies. Hoping I can come over in August or September.
I had to laugh at Shep. He had a genuine old geezer conversation with his buddy in Maine. As you know, the New England accent is quite different from our accent. Shep told Rick that he wanted to fish for Chain Pickerel when he visited Maine. Pickerel is a fish that looks very much like a Musky. It lurks in the "pickerel grass" and attacks its prey like a barracuda. They are fairly large with impressive teeth. Rick proceeded to tell him that there was a story in the Portland newspaper about a grandmother who was attacked by a Pickerel. Shep was feeling quite incredulous about a Pickerel attacking a grandmother and became even more incredulous as Rick told him that the Pickerel suddenly turned on the young boy and attacked him. Then, the boy ran to his house and got his father's shotgun and shot the Pickerel. By this time Shep didn't believe a word that Rick was telling him about the Pickerel, but was laughing uncontrollably. It turns out that while Shep was talking about a big fish, Rick was actually talking about a pit bull that got off his chain. Are we dealing with geezers and old codgers here or is this simply a case of distinct differences in regional accents?
