We did have a memorable 4th of July complete with a full show; we were fortunate that the farmer behind us was willing and able to rotate his cattle off for the day so we could borrow the field. All told we had probably 30 or 40 people throughout the day, a ton of kids, and overall a full day with the pool, slip and slide, bounce house, and games all over. It took me 2 days to recover.
We grew from just me and the neighbor (who, incidentally, was the one that started the “do you think we could set off some fireworks?”), to probably 80-100 people total watching. Our new neighbors from PA even said they remember seeing it from 2 years ago when they were visiting family here; apparently its a highlight.
We’ve had a busy week getting ready for Thursday. Either I work one side or Brit works, so everything is packed into a few days, but we’re expecting up to 30 people Thursday to crash the pool. Supposed to be 90s today and tomorrow, so I believe I’ll be getting the slip and slide and bounce house out while its still cool this evening. Watching the cows in the field we’ll using for fireworks this morning; hoping the guy that owns them remembers he was supposed to move them today.
Looking forward to tomorrow, as always. We’ve got right at a 15 minute show planned; keeping it quiet, as much as possible, since we rely on the good graces of the neighborhood to continue to shoot these off every year. Having a lot of fun though with using mortars during the shows too now.
It’s been a hot week for us with lots of pool time. I’m gearing up for another neighborhood fireworks show, we have a few more people each year that want to pitch in so it gets a little bigger each time. The running joke is before long if we keep putting the town to shame I’ll be recruited for their show 🤣.
Brit got bumped to the full time spot at the pharmacy she works at; in a way it’s both a blessing and a problem. We’d just settled in and really enjoyed homeschooling, but now, with both of us full time and Aria really getting into ballet this year they may have to go back into Public school since we can’t find a reliable person that can help or is able to work with the long pharmacy hours. I keep praying that something will give and one of us will be able to find a more “normal” job with more reasonable hours and expectations.
Off to hang 4 ceiling fans, finally replacing our old, rusted porch fans with new ones. Staying in the shade today.
We had an eventful weekend and a full week; everything pressure washed and cleaned for the summer, deck painted and screens repaired. Saturday was our get together for Memorial Day since I worked the holiday; another full day of kids from all over our neighborhood. Brit’s parents scored a fun item in a pallet they had bought at auction; one of those mystery pallets that you buy the whole thing. Most of it ends up junk, but 3 of these water parks were in it. Needless to say, it was used extensively.
We’ve had one of those busy weeks that still has a long way to go. Started off with finishing off the garden; for once we’re actually on time with getting everything in the ground, now if we can just stay on top of it this summer.
Monday after work I rode up to Richmond with Brit (and Lucy had to come along as a sidekick) for a early Tuesday job interview for the district Board of Pharmacy inspector. Hoping to hear back this week that I’ll be out of the retail world into an enforcement and investigative role. I’ll be doing more traveling and more computer work, but I’ll be working for the state so I’ll actually be able to enjoy holidays and weekends again.
Kiddos are just about done with homeschool for this year. Pretty weather means they’re itching to get outside so convincing them to just finish the last few lessons is getting harder, especially when they see the pool open and warming up. That has been an interesting run this year, but still well worth it for the freedom and flexibility we’ve had with them with ballet, scouts, and traveling. Unfortunately they also realized that they can’t play the sick card any more…when school is at home sick days are a great opportunity to catch up.
Off to finish this week; praying that I’ll be giving my last notice today or tomorrow and will be rounding out retail for good soon.
We’ve been working on 12 yards of mulch that’s sat in the driveway for about 3 weeks now; between work, the rain, and a trip that pile hasn’t moved much until the last few days. Finally finished the fence to the garden, so naturally we needed to make it blend in with the rest of the landscaping. It’s a functional garden…assuming I didn’t kill the blueberry bush when I moved it we’ve relocated our blueberries.
Best time of the year, and so far no frost to kill the blooms. The magnolias, cherry trees, daffodils, and tulips are all showing their best while the irises and lilies are getting ready. Another couple of weeks, assuming it stays warm, and it’ll be time to open the pool and get it cleaned up and ready to roll for summer.
I was going to change out my tree in the dining room, since Christmas is long past…but I think for the sake of Easter I’ll wait to change it out until Sunday. Since without Christmas…there is no Resurrection.
We took a short mini vacation to Gordonsville last week; it’s about 30 minutes outside of Charlottesville. Definitely going to go back; some of our timeshares (like Gatlinburg…) just are not fun, but a few like our Orlando timeshares, and now this one, are well worth it. We missed out on the chance for horseback riding at this place, since it is a working equestrian center, but maybe next time…Caught up with some friends from school and had a day in DC while we were there too, all in all a needed break.
We had an eventful weekend, and in a moment of insanity added to our furry posse. I made the trip up to Pomeroy, Ohio Friday to claim “Mav” (or Maverick) with the kiddos. He’s been quite the fun addition so far.
Finished some fencing around our garden, and had a truckload of mulch dropped off, so we’re beyond ready for some permanent spring weather.
Hate we missed the wedding and what looks like another memorable family gathering. The joys of working in a field that does not believe in days off. We did, at least, get to make the most of the game and hosted another fun watch party. Might have been a little on edge the first couple of quarters…but it worked out in the end.
Hope everybody had a great week, ready for some spring weather to start making its way here and think about getting the pool ready for another season.
It’s a frigid 0° here this morning. It was fun to play in Monday when it was a “reasonable” 32°. Now, not so much. Nice, or maybe not so nice sometimes, thing about homeschooling is it doesn’t matter what the weather is outside…we can still have school. Sorry kids…but if that gets them out in April…its worth it.
We did have a memorable 4th of July complete with a full show; we were fortunate that the farmer behind us was willing and able to rotate his cattle off for the day so we could borrow the field. All told we had probably 30 or 40 people throughout the day, a ton of kids, and overall a full day with the pool, slip and slide, bounce house, and games all over. It took me 2 days to recover.
We grew from just me and the neighbor (who, incidentally, was the one that started the “do you think we could set off some fireworks?”), to probably 80-100 people total watching. Our new neighbors from PA even said they remember seeing it from 2 years ago when they were visiting family here; apparently its a highlight.
We’ve had a busy week getting ready for Thursday. Either I work one side or Brit works, so everything is packed into a few days, but we’re expecting up to 30 people Thursday to crash the pool. Supposed to be 90s today and tomorrow, so I believe I’ll be getting the slip and slide and bounce house out while its still cool this evening. Watching the cows in the field we’ll using for fireworks this morning; hoping the guy that owns them remembers he was supposed to move them today.
Looking forward to tomorrow, as always. We’ve got right at a 15 minute show planned; keeping it quiet, as much as possible, since we rely on the good graces of the neighborhood to continue to shoot these off every year. Having a lot of fun though with using mortars during the shows too now.
Everyone be safe and have a great few days.
It’s been a hot week for us with lots of pool time. I’m gearing up for another neighborhood fireworks show, we have a few more people each year that want to pitch in so it gets a little bigger each time. The running joke is before long if we keep putting the town to shame I’ll be recruited for their show 🤣.
Brit got bumped to the full time spot at the pharmacy she works at; in a way it’s both a blessing and a problem. We’d just settled in and really enjoyed homeschooling, but now, with both of us full time and Aria really getting into ballet this year they may have to go back into Public school since we can’t find a reliable person that can help or is able to work with the long pharmacy hours. I keep praying that something will give and one of us will be able to find a more “normal” job with more reasonable hours and expectations.
Off to hang 4 ceiling fans, finally replacing our old, rusted porch fans with new ones. Staying in the shade today.
We had an eventful weekend and a full week; everything pressure washed and cleaned for the summer, deck painted and screens repaired. Saturday was our get together for Memorial Day since I worked the holiday; another full day of kids from all over our neighborhood. Brit’s parents scored a fun item in a pallet they had bought at auction; one of those mystery pallets that you buy the whole thing. Most of it ends up junk, but 3 of these water parks were in it. Needless to say, it was used extensively.
We’ve had one of those busy weeks that still has a long way to go. Started off with finishing off the garden; for once we’re actually on time with getting everything in the ground, now if we can just stay on top of it this summer.
Monday after work I rode up to Richmond with Brit (and Lucy had to come along as a sidekick) for a early Tuesday job interview for the district Board of Pharmacy inspector. Hoping to hear back this week that I’ll be out of the retail world into an enforcement and investigative role. I’ll be doing more traveling and more computer work, but I’ll be working for the state so I’ll actually be able to enjoy holidays and weekends again.
Kiddos are just about done with homeschool for this year. Pretty weather means they’re itching to get outside so convincing them to just finish the last few lessons is getting harder, especially when they see the pool open and warming up. That has been an interesting run this year, but still well worth it for the freedom and flexibility we’ve had with them with ballet, scouts, and traveling. Unfortunately they also realized that they can’t play the sick card any more…when school is at home sick days are a great opportunity to catch up.
Off to finish this week; praying that I’ll be giving my last notice today or tomorrow and will be rounding out retail for good soon.
We’ve been working on 12 yards of mulch that’s sat in the driveway for about 3 weeks now; between work, the rain, and a trip that pile hasn’t moved much until the last few days. Finally finished the fence to the garden, so naturally we needed to make it blend in with the rest of the landscaping. It’s a functional garden…assuming I didn’t kill the blueberry bush when I moved it we’ve relocated our blueberries.
Best time of the year, and so far no frost to kill the blooms. The magnolias, cherry trees, daffodils, and tulips are all showing their best while the irises and lilies are getting ready. Another couple of weeks, assuming it stays warm, and it’ll be time to open the pool and get it cleaned up and ready to roll for summer.
I was going to change out my tree in the dining room, since Christmas is long past…but I think for the sake of Easter I’ll wait to change it out until Sunday. Since without Christmas…there is no Resurrection.
We took a short mini vacation to Gordonsville last week; it’s about 30 minutes outside of Charlottesville. Definitely going to go back; some of our timeshares (like Gatlinburg…) just are not fun, but a few like our Orlando timeshares, and now this one, are well worth it. We missed out on the chance for horseback riding at this place, since it is a working equestrian center, but maybe next time…Caught up with some friends from school and had a day in DC while we were there too, all in all a needed break.
We had an eventful weekend, and in a moment of insanity added to our furry posse. I made the trip up to Pomeroy, Ohio Friday to claim “Mav” (or Maverick) with the kiddos. He’s been quite the fun addition so far.
Finished some fencing around our garden, and had a truckload of mulch dropped off, so we’re beyond ready for some permanent spring weather.
Hate we missed the wedding and what looks like another memorable family gathering. The joys of working in a field that does not believe in days off. We did, at least, get to make the most of the game and hosted another fun watch party. Might have been a little on edge the first couple of quarters…but it worked out in the end.
Hope everybody had a great week, ready for some spring weather to start making its way here and think about getting the pool ready for another season.
It’s a frigid 0° here this morning. It was fun to play in Monday when it was a “reasonable” 32°. Now, not so much. Nice, or maybe not so nice sometimes, thing about homeschooling is it doesn’t matter what the weather is outside…we can still have school. Sorry kids…but if that gets them out in April…its worth it.
Everybody stay warm.