Day 3 at the beach

The first two days were in the 90s, and today was much cooler, much more comfortable. We are two short blocks to the beach. We hit the Boardwalk again in the morning,



played miniature golf under black lights,

(I lost!)

and admired more of the unusual food found only here.



Robert's sister Barb and her husband Dave live in Washington state. They've rented a house out here for the week, planning on enough room so that they could invite us along. Dave's dad visited for a few days too. Also staying a block and a half away are Dave's sister Janet and husband Alex. Their kids, Gwen and Nate, are each a few years younger than Holly and Trevor. We've enjoyed each other's company in the past, sharing a big family vacation two years ago in Williamsburg.

Trevor, Gwen and Nate boogie boarded



and swam in the waves.


It was a little windy and cloudier; while the water was warm (not that I know from personal experience!), we wore jackets on the beach.


After dinner, we made our way back to the Boardwalk,


where the wind had calmed, and the evening was quite lovely.


Dave's dad left tonight; Barb and Dave leave in the morning, and we feel an urgency to do everything we want to before our week is over.

Day 2 at the beach

We made a few trips to the beach,



where Trevor made sand castles,



and Robert made googly eyes at me (or something).



Trevor braved the chilly water



where Nate and Gwen taught him



how to boogie board,



while Holly and I walked on the beach, and Holly took pictures.



The kids and I walked over to the Boardwalk and back,



and they later headed back to the beach.



We spent a few hours again at night back at the Boardwalk, and variously went on a few rides,



stayed cool on the plume,



played Skeeball,



and snacked.


No major casualties, no major burns; all good!

Things on the way to the BEACH!!!

We had a 7.5 hour drive, which would have been an hour longer if we hadn't moved.

We saw giant tires



and bridge parts.



No surprise that I'd mapped out Q-Doba possibilities beforehand. What's the point of traveling if we can't stop at Q-Doba?



Heading into DC and driving around the Beltway was a nightmare. Trevor began to get punchy.

Did you miss the hair?

We saw loads of construction, went through a major storm,



and waited through three traffic jams. (Note to self: Avoid DC in the future.)

30 minutes, 7 miles, not the way to go.

We crossed a bunch of bridges



and paid so many tolls that we lost count.



We offered one of our kids as payment,



but they already had enough of those.



We made it to Ocean City at 6:30.



I could take pictures of the beach all day,



as long as Holly takes just one.



Playing in the waves,



Boardwalk at night,



and we can't wait until tomorrow.

Pictures in the news

Our library's children's department held it's eagerly-awaited annual Craft Day a few weeks ago, kicking off our Summer Reading Program. We have a lot of weekly crafts for the various story hours, but that's small potatoes compared to Craft Day.

I submitted photos to the local county paper, and these were published last week.



We start preparing for Craft Day in December. This year, we had 15 different crafts for the kids to make, along with face painting, and over 30 volunteers helping out. We plan for 100 kids; this year, we saw about 150.



It's always a fun day; although I'm not in charge, I'm always terribly anxious about it beforehand and greatly relieved at how smoothly it ran once it's over. And the kids have a BLAST.

hApPy bIrThDaY tO rObErT

Deere husband of mine,

May you lawn enjoy your birthday . . .



and have many mow.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Scavengers

I received a telephone call tonight from a friend who helped us move a few weeks ago. They were on a scavenger hunt, looking for a Dallas Cowboys baseball hat.

They already know we have a lot of random things, but we don't have Cowboys attire. But he said they might come by anyway to sing Christmas Carols--another item on their list. Great, I said. I'll have my camera!

I answered the door to hear that I would have to sing the carol with them. This is not just "not good." Sadly for me, I am among the world's worst singers. It's even more sad for those around me though, just ask my kids. Most people eagerly wait for a glorified body. I know I'm getting a glorified voice, and lots of people want that for me too.

So I pretty much lip synched. Trevor came out and sang along.

It's nice when your kid knows the words to Joy to the World by heart.



Then they asked for a clothespin. (Check; had that.)

And a wild flower. Day lilies grow wild all along the rural roads and highways here, so they must be wild, right? (Check. We have several day lilies, which happen to be one of my favorite flowers.)

And they needed a senior citizen to dance with. I told them to ask Robert. After all, it IS his birthday tomorrow.

They said they'll have to wait a few more years. Or more.

But I hope they won their hunt anyway.

After they left, I realized this never would have happened if we hadn't moved. It's not like anyone would have ever come all the way out to Stickville in a mad scavenger race (or much of anything else). Thinking about that made my night even better!

Art by Trevor

Ah-mazing.

Tuesday pics

We're in an older neighborhood and appreciate the mature trees. These hills in the background are a few blocks to the west and border Carvins Cove, the second largest city park in the U.S. (City park? It's really a city-owned water supply, and there's an entrance fee.) The Appalachian Trail winds around Carvins Cove, crossing the main road two miles from our house.



Sunset, straight out of the camera. For three years, the purple-tinted sunsets against the Blue Ridge Mountains have taken my breath away.

Fireflies

We have never seen fireflies like this before. They seem to be everywhere, twinkling along the roadsides when we've driven at dusk, and we can even see them blinking at us from across the street. Trevor has been out chasing them most nights.



If they were any other bug, I'd be completely grossed out.

Well, that is pretty yukky.

But he's having a great time, and he's fun to watch!

The In-a-Nutshell Move Story

Oh.my.goodness.

The move is over. We can exhale.

Back in March, I finally got Robert on board the "let's consider moving closer to Roanoke" train. He agreed but said it might be a possibility in three years. I looked at a few houses online (because I do that for fun) and could not get one out of our minds. After a week or so, we figured we'd look at it in person, sure that we would not like it and forget about it.

We loved it. We knew it was "the" house. We negotiated unsuccessfully with the sellers, waited a month, offered again, and got a signed contract. God worked out a few major details for it to come together, and just like our last move three years ago (haha), it all happened at the last minute. Everything worked out on Wednesday and closed on Thursday. With the help of wonderful friends, we moved over the weekend. We were overwhelmed by the kindnesses extended by them and their care group--which sent food, gave several offers of help, and prayed for us. &hearts



The new house has been totally renovated in the past four years: new windows and doors, complete kitchen remodel, hardwood floors, doorways widened, landscaping, and more. It's a ranch house, with a two car garage (yay, someplace to put the garbage!), in an established neighborhood--and it's been up for sale for over a year, seemingly waiting for us. It's the same amount of space but such a blessing to have it in a way that suits our family, instead of in rooms where we could not appreciate it.

We are still a bit dazed by how quickly this took place. We'll miss quirky, friendly, comfortable Franklin County. But we are excited to be so close to where we spend much of our time, to be back to civilization, in a lovely place that already feels like home in so many ways.

* * *

"Now therefore, may it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You. For You, O Lord GOD, have spoken; and with Your blessing may the house of Your servant be blessed forever." 2 Sam 7:29

Book Reviews

See You in a Hundred Years by Logan Ward

Another book written by a newspaper/magazine author, this is the story of a couple with a fast paced, New York City lifestyle who trades it all in for a farm in southern Virginia. With little forethought or planning, they quickly recreate the farm to its 1900 condition, complete with wood stove and outhouse but do little other preparation.

And then write about it.

Whiny and unlikeable at the beginning of the book, Logan and his wife begin to find comfort and routine in their new life, attempt to rebuild their marriage and become somewhat interesting as their year progresses.

Nothing remarkable. My interest came from the fact that their farm is a few counties away. I personally was intrigued by the fact that they moved to the nearby town (pop. 25000) once their time on the farm had concluded. I have a brand new house (which includes indoor plumbing!), and I could relate!

Saved by Her Enemy by Don Teague and Rafraf Barrak

Rafraf was an Iraqi college student who'd learned English, growing up during the reign of Saddam.

Don Teague was a CBS news correspondent assigned to Baghdad.

Their paths crossed in 2004 when Rafraf began working for CBS as a translator. Knowing Rafraf's options were severely limited and that her life was in danger working for the Americans, Don used his various connections to get Rafraf a visa into the U.S. There, Rafraf joined Don's American family in Texas, including his wife and two young daughters. She later gained political asylum and is on her way to becoming a U.S. citizen.

Written at a seemingly fifth grade level, this was a mildly interesting book, somewhat forgettable.

Friday with pictures

Q. A sea of minivans/SUVs with Jesus stickers is overflowing the parking lot. Where are you?


A. The annual homeschool used curriculum sale.

I had a lovely time, shopping a little and visiting a lot. It was held at a different venue this year, and the space was hot and crowded. But I saw a few dozen friends that I don't see very often, and catching up was FUN. I was so good, buying only


I'm not sure if I'll actually be using it, but hey, if not, I can sell it.

Once again, I caught an incredible rainstorm on the way home. It was heavy enough that I pulled into a parking lot to wait it out. I don't think I've ever done that before.

My windshield

But I had sustenance. All was well.


I made my way back out to the road, and I was honestly worried that my little car would be swept away into the river running down the street.

See that wall of water that the truck hit?

But I didn't float away.


Totally random and doesn't belong here, but Trevor picked these from the garden tonight. We didn't plant a garden this year; these came back from last year.


A nice day to get a few errands done and enjoy being out.