Two first; no pictures

First FIRST:

On Sunday, I decided there was no point in Trevor getting used to a post-Holly routine, and then have to readjust in a few weeks to a school routine.

I haven't done much planning, but I pretty much know what Trevor will be doing this school year. We started with math only for this week, and I'll add things in as the weeks pass.  I'm not sure if we've ever begun school before Labor Day, so there's plenty of time.

Algebra II.  This is the same book that Holly used and the same series that both used for Algebra I.  It's written as a remedial textbook for college students, so while it's a "college" book, it's not college level math.  What I like, no, what I *love,* about Lial's is that the entire book is written to the student and intended to be self-teaching.  This also means that if they get stuck, I have a chance of helping them wade through it (surely much easier in Alg I).  When I bought this book, the seller unexpectedly threw in the solutions manual and accompanying never-used CD lecture set. The solutions manual is great--while the textbook includes answers to odd problems in back, the solutions manual explains the answers step by step.


Science/The Human Body.  Apologia, the go-to, trusted science curriculum.  Trevor had an excellent but entirely scattered biology course two years ago (the beloved but absent-minded Dr. Abraham) and online Apology Chemistry last year.  It will be different for him to self pace through this course, but the format makes it easy to do.

United States History.  Trevor has really enjoyed MFW's history, but the texts change for 11th and 12th grade.  Holly used a few other CLP packs for history, and while they are not my absolute favorite, they are both thorough and to the point.  Trevor may be a little disappointed, but it will be super easy to add more fun reading in, if he has time. 

Biblical Worldview. The Holy Spirit must have prompted me for this one!  I have no idea what I was looking for or why I chose it.  Worldview, check.  Summit Ministries, check.  I've heard only great reviews. I recently saw this as a free course offered through VHSG, but I quickly decided that this is a subject I would prefer to teach myself and not trust to a random, virtual stranger.


English/Comp.  We'll be using Windows to the World, and Trevor is going to try an online class through VHSG to guide him through The Elegant Essay.

Logic.  This is an outside course which will be taught by a religion/philosophy instructor from the local community college.  Twelve students are signed up, including Kurt and Samuel, two additional  boys from our soccer team, two other girls we know from soccer, and a boy from CAP.  We are all pretty exciting about this one.

Music Appreciation. Because it's good stuff to know, because I paid under $5 for a once-used set at the library book sale, and because this is something I can do with Trevor (and I don't have to teach it!).  

So we had our FIRST day of school, one subject, no pictures.  But it's begun, and that's a very good thing.


Second FIRST:

(Yes, I was headed here.) FIRST night of soccer practice!!  Another first, no photos. That's what I get for being social and talking to another mom.  I could have happily sat in my chair all alone and taken a few pics, but that's not how it happened. 

Sunday

An utterly laid back and relaxing day.

Judy and Kurt invited Trevor and me out to dinner.  It was quite wonderful--I enjoyed looking forward to it all afternoon, and we went downtown to Blues BBQ, someplace we'd never been before.

Pretty funny that there was that moment when the food was set down that everyone paused to take photos.  Delicious food and a pleasant time visiting. Very, very nice, perfect way to end the weekend.

Birthday and moving

Robert, once again, managed to fit everything in the car. Unlike last year, this time, no one had things stuffed on the floor by their feet, and no one had to hold things on their lap for the entire three hour drive.  I even had a few inches where I could see out the back window, which I GREATLY appreciated!  Holly and Trevor were happy to travel with their pillows, and that's nothing new either.  We joked that they'd be completely protected in an accident.

 Okay, she usually doesn't travel with quite that many pillows!

Check in, getting a bin, and move in all went v-e-r-y quickly, a completely different story from last year. We rearranged the furniture in her room, unpacked the major stuff, and Holly and I ran to the JC to pick up some of her books.  It started raining.

We went out to eat, and it continued to rain.  Texas Roadhouse, a special treat for Trevor's bday.

Rattlesnake Bites!

 We went to Walmart to pick up food items to last her for the first week.

It rained.

We took that back to her dorm.  Her room is bigger than we thought.  Her window is bigger than her window last year.  We set up a couple of lamps, and Trevor hung up a cute clock we'd bought at IKEA. We decided to hold off on other decorating until I bring a few more things up next weekend.

She's in a three bedroom apartment on campus.  The building is quite new, 2-1/2 years old.  There is a full kitchen, full fridge, oven, dishwasher, four big bar chairs, and a living room area with a 3-person couch and two chairs.  There's a separate shower and separate toilet, and a double sink. Four girls share the apartment; two of them are sharing the largest room.  It looks like it will be pretty quiet; there are only four apartments off of the main hall.
   

 The door on the left is her closet; the door on the right goes into her hallway.

Hilariously, on our way out, a dad walked past, saw the screwdriver in Robert's hand, whipped out his wallet and offered $5 for it.  Then $10.  We laughed.  We hadn't brought one but had picked up a cheap set at Walmart.  All the guy wanted to do was hook up his kid's tv, and he'd already tried unsuccessfully to scrounge one up from the Student Center.  (Just for the record, we gave it to him for free, lol.)

Robert, Trev and I headed home.  It rained.  A couple of hours into our drive, Holly texted this picture.  The guy across the hall from them accidentally tripped their fire alarm, so they had to wait outside--in the drizzle--for the building to be cleared! Never a dull moment, right?

 That's her room right there, the second from the left, near the bottom, 

in the row of light colored brick, one floor up from ground level.

Logistically, a much smoother move in from last year. And so the school year begins. Trevor is 16. I guess I blinked again, but life is pretty good.

BIG day!

Trevor turns 16 today, and I'm postdating this to autopost while we are moving Holly into her new room back at college.

This was taken in December 2004, almost ten years ago.  I love how it shows their personalities so well, with Holly's sweet smile and Trevor doing everything at 200%.

Words from the song Blink by Revive fit today perfectly.  I'm not sure I'll ever listen to this song again without welling up a bit, but that's okay. It's all good, right?

"Blink"

Teach me to number my days
And count every moment
Before it slips away
Take in all the colors
Before they fade to grey

I don't want to miss
Even just a second
More of this

It happens in a blink, it happens in a flash
It happens in the time it took to look back
I try to hold on tight, but there's no stopping time
What is it I've done with my life?

It happens in a blink
It happens in a blink

When it's all said and done
No one remembers
How far we have run
The only thing that matters
Is how we have loved

I don't want to miss
Even just a second
More of this

It happens in a blink, it happens in a flash
It happens in the time it took to look back
I try to hold on tight, but there's no stopping time
What is it I've done with my life?

It happens in a blink
It happens in a blink
It happens in a blink
It happens in a blink

The whole song can be found here.

Day before birthday

I worked for just a few hours this morning and came home in time to fix everyone a big breakfast. (Actually, I burned the hash brown potatoes, something I never do, but whatever. Everyone was very cheerful and forgiving!)

We'd hoped the weather would be good to get out and do something--take out a boat on the reservoir one more time. But it was raining and drizzling most of the day. It worked out well, as I was able to make a quick early birthday cake for Trevor, and Holly was able to get most of her things together to be loaded in the car tomorrow.

Robert even commented tonight that this is much more calm than last year.  I guess that's to be expected. I think he's right though. She knows exactly what she needs, and I'll be taking up more things to her in a week, so there's no rush.

H & T asked for McDonald's for dinner. Trevor opened his gifts, and ran off to install his new computer fan.  I'd made an ice cream sandwich birthday cake.

Holly and I went through a few more of her school boxes. With the weather keeping us in today, we watched several (4?) episodes of Lost today and finished Season 4.  Just in time--we're trying to figure out how we'll watch them together while she's gone.

A nice and mostly relaxing day, more so in the emotional, comfortable sense.  I don't want to go to bed but have to be up early and driving a lot tomorrow.

Holly's room

Holly shared this with me the other day.  Hilarious and so true!!!

The Frisbee Golf that wasn't

We tried.

We bought the golf discs.

We got to the course late, almost dark.

We dressed appropriately, jeans or high socks, closed shoes, lots of bug spray. Trevor brought home a tick the other night, so we were forewarned.

What I saw of the course was gorgeous.  The first hole? basket? goal? was in the field.  The second  one dropped into the woods along the creek--where it was getting really dark.

I decided, against the wishes of the kids, to call it a night.  The last thing I wanted to do was try to find our way back in the dark, as we were completely unfamiliar with the course, and there was no one else there.

We'll try again tomorrow or Friday.  So nice that it's just around the corner, free, and LOVELY!!

Happy birthday to me!

Robert usually bakes my favorite Texas sheet cake for my birthday, but this time, I chose an ice cream cake.  Holly was going to help me make it, but we watched Lost on Saturday night instead of making cake.  I did it Sunday morning while everyone slept.

There have been plenty of years in the past when a "good" birthday for me was not having to do ANY dishes and everyone getting along.  Those are not bad days at all, but this year, I was quite content to make my cake. Besides, all I had to do was smash up Oreos for the cookie crust and melt a couple of cartons of ice cream to pour them into the cake pan.  It was a piece of cake!

Robert and I made a short trip to the mall to birthday shop for someone else in our family.  Kind of a fun thing to do on my own birthday!

We headed to Carvins Cove, the reservoir just over the hill from us. We've lived right here for four years, but it wasn't until earlier this summer that I found out you can rent boats on the lake.

We ended up with two paddle boats.

Me and Holly in one, Robert and Trev in the other.  I think Holly and I had it a little easier. The guys had a lot more weight, and Robert's not the strongest peddler!

It was very, very, very good that the day was quite overcast.  Otherwise, we would have completely roasted.

We didn't go too far.  We didn't want to leave Robert and Trev behind (!), we were a little nervous that we might hear thunder, and we were worried that we'd be too exhausted to pedal back.

Holly took several dozen pictures. Not knowing what to expect beforehand, Robert gave us his phone for photos, knowing it might be sacrificed to the water.  (It wasn't.)  Anyway, she's not familiar with his phone, and about a quarter of her shots starred her own finger!

We stayed pretty close to each other for the most part, and we easily caught them at the dock.

It was so much fun, and I'm looking forward to do it again.  Holly and Trev both think rowboats would be fun next time.  Me, not so much.  My arms would fall off, I think.

Robert made us Italian nachos for dinner (Macaroni Grill-style), and we had my ice cream cake for dessert:  Oreo crust, a layer of chocolate ice cream and a layer of orange cream ice cream, topped with hard shell.

It was a completely lovely day, perfect.

And surprisingly, none of us had sore legs this morning!

Everyone goes everywhere Saturday and Tinker Mountain

Robert headed off to a soccer coaches' meeting, and Trevor changed plans with a friend, and Holly and I opted to hike Tinker Mountain this morning.  It's so close; the mountain runs alongside our house, and the trailhead is adjacent to the interstate a few miles away. 

 Tinker Creek--which also runs very close to our house

Each of the trails we've hiked have been entirely different from each other. This has surprised us, since three are connected sections of the Appalachian Trail.  This was definitely our least favorite.  The path, for the most part, was very wide, and while some parts were cushioned with pine needles, most of it, I thought, was uncomfortable to walk.

Holly wasn't feeling well, but we decided to press on towards the top.  As we approached the tallest power lines, we could hear their buzz and stopped to eat just a short way below the top.  We continued just a bit further and found this.  It wasn't terrible, but it did obstruct an incredible view!

Although we'd hoped to catch a glimpse of Carvin's Cove on the other side of the mountain, we decided to turn back.

We saw pretty views of Daleville between the trees and could easily spot large landmarks, grocery stores, apartment buildings, and the high school (not in this picture though!).

We spotted the baseball field that is next to our soccer fields (that large brown area on the top left).  Our street appears to be the first street on the left, and I can see the houses curving around--which means our house is hidden by the leaves. So cool to see everything from a distance and have a different perspective on how close everything really is!

Poor Holly was really not feeling well at all.  She came home and slept for a few hours, and I even did too!

Trevor caught up with his friend, and dropped them off to play frisbee golf.  Over at the same athletic fields with softball and soccer, a new course opened in May.  It must be some great secret, because we'd never heard of it!  Trevor and Jason were the only ones there and played until dark.   Great to know it's there, and I'm so glad Trevor got to see Jason one last time before he heads off to school this week.

Monday's drive home

We planned a trip to IKEA in with our visit to Pennsylvania. We've never been to IKEA before, and we'd seen several things online that would be great for Holly's new room at school.

The store was HUGE.  The layout was wonderful, designed to be walked through. We made several purchases, a floor lamp, desk lamp, curtains and hardware, wall clock and batteries, throw rug, framed mirrored wall decorations, all for about $60.

I was absolutely shocked to find that the Pennsylvania Turnpike doesn't accept credit cards.  WHO doesn't do that?? I don't carry a checkbook and hadn't seen the need to bring cash, and I'd already spent the $5 I had.   Fortunately, Holly had enough cash to pay the first toll when we got off in Philadelphia, but I had to find an alternate route over to I-81--a FREE route!

We ended up on 30W, and the GPS was showing a faster jog by cutting across Intercourse and Bird in Hand.  BINGO!  I've never been to these towns but recognized their names as popular tourist destinations to visit Amish Country. 

What a beautiful detour, and it didn't even take us anymore time on the road.

Holly snapped photos as we sped along the road.

The town had many shops, stores, and stands set up, and tourists walked about.

We saw many buggies.

Really, a delight.

I'd been so stressed about finding the "right" way over to I-81, but this was surely it.

Our trip to PA--where I only took pictures of food and old photos!

Aunt Barb pulled out kiffles for us.  Oh.my.gosh. I remember my grandma and aunts making these as far back as I can remember. They've mailed them to us on special occasions, made them for us when we visit.  My dad made a family production out of them one Christmas, and I've done a delicious but not nearly as lovely batch or two at home.  Usually the apricot are my favorite; this time, I liked the walnut the best.

Barb had old pics out for me, and pictures were pulled out at Uncle Joe's too.

 Joe, Kathy, Tommy, Loretta

My cousin Marie is living at home right now.  We grew up on opposite coasts, and this is only the fourth time I've ever seen her.  She made me a fantastic vegan peach crepe for breakfast.  I didn't want to disturb her but sat down to watch her at the stove, and she described what she was doing as she worked.  She needs to be the next Food Network Star.  And I'm not kidding; her real life job IS a pastry chef, and I think that's pretty cool.

Aunt Barb made Grandma's family chocolate cake recipe, made with coffee, and banana slices in the middle.  She topped it off with her peanut butter frosting.  Good thing I got a picture when I did.

Let's see.  In addition to eating just a bit (oh, yes, there was that crockpot chicken and salsa recipe that Holly will be making when she goes to school), Holly and I did some school clothes shopping at the mall, spent the day at Joe, Kathy, and Tom's--where we were fed homemade gazpacho (and for someone who doesn't like cucumbers, tomatoes, or peppers, somehow they tasted incredible all mixed together), along with burgers and dogs, salad, and artichoke pizza for dinner.

Holly's photo--Maybe they were getting tired of us?

It was a quick trip but a really wonderful one where we got in a lot of sweet family time.  We are so blessed to live near this part of my family and to be able to get to know them again as a grown up (lol, meaning me, not them!).

Hiking on the Appalachian Trail

This is a sweet short section of the trail just two miles away between two of our busiest roads (220 and Route 11).  While it seems isolated, part of it can be seen from the interstate, and the other side backs up to a rural/residential area.

 It was later in the evening, a quiet section, with gorgeous views and neat shadows.

Trevor decided to join us, which was great fun! Holly and I truly love this time together, and it's wonderful to share it with him too.

What Trevor does

A great likeness of Guy Fieri.

End of the week

August is here, and summer seems gone. We've had the windows open two or three nights this week, all night. (Usually it's far too warm to do that.)

Gray, cloudy days, with rain and more rain today.  Not cold though, which is nice!

The rain stopped long enough for Robert to barbeque kabobs that he put together for dinner. Not only were they gorgeous, they tasted great too!

Holly, Trevor, and Robert made strawberry shortcakes (with homemade shortcakes!) for dessert.

It was a nice end to a decent week, especially considering it was the start of monthly work interviews again.