Eight years ago today a great tragedy occurred in our country. Please take a minute to remember those who lost their lives and their families.
Also remember those who willingly protect our country each day and their families.
Thank you!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Rain, Rain Go Away
I can't remember the last day that it didn't rain at least part of the day. That's not necessarily a bad thing though.
On the upside our (small) pond is completely full and was even overflowing for a couple of days. And I do like rainy days, dreariness and all. AD has always said it's the Adams family in me. You know the family he's referring to - Gomez, Morticia, Pugsley, Wednesday, Lurch, Thing, Cousin It . . .
On the downside we've had several toad frogs on the back patio and all 3 of our inside dogs have learned that it's not wise to try and eat one. Talk about frothing at the mouth and the gnashing of teeth! But it only took each one of them once to experience the bad effect. They have since seen other toads and with one look, each one of them gives the little guys a very wide berth. The expressions on their faces were priceless the first time they saw a toad after "the incident" but unfortunately I couldn't get to my camera fast enough to get it on film, er memory card.
But we really do need a little break in the weather. For now the flowers down the road are reminders of what the sun looks like
See that 70% chance of rain for Saturday evening? If it is going to rain on Saturday I really hope the forecast is correct and the rain doesn't come until the evening.
G3's birthday was Tuesday and he'll be celebrating with a "friend" party this Saturday afternoon. It's the first party he's had where he's invited some of his friends. Son has taken G3's theme idea and has really gone to town. I'll be driving down for the party and can't wait to see what all they came up with. I just don't want it to rain on the party.
Anyway, look for photos next week from the festivities. I know it's going to a lot of fun!
On the upside our (small) pond is completely full and was even overflowing for a couple of days. And I do like rainy days, dreariness and all. AD has always said it's the Adams family in me. You know the family he's referring to - Gomez, Morticia, Pugsley, Wednesday, Lurch, Thing, Cousin It . . .
On the downside we've had several toad frogs on the back patio and all 3 of our inside dogs have learned that it's not wise to try and eat one. Talk about frothing at the mouth and the gnashing of teeth! But it only took each one of them once to experience the bad effect. They have since seen other toads and with one look, each one of them gives the little guys a very wide berth. The expressions on their faces were priceless the first time they saw a toad after "the incident" but unfortunately I couldn't get to my camera fast enough to get it on film, er memory card.
But we really do need a little break in the weather. For now the flowers down the road are reminders of what the sun looks like
and here's what our forecast looks like for the next few days.
See that 70% chance of rain for Saturday evening? If it is going to rain on Saturday I really hope the forecast is correct and the rain doesn't come until the evening.
G3's birthday was Tuesday and he'll be celebrating with a "friend" party this Saturday afternoon. It's the first party he's had where he's invited some of his friends. Son has taken G3's theme idea and has really gone to town. I'll be driving down for the party and can't wait to see what all they came up with. I just don't want it to rain on the party.
Anyway, look for photos next week from the festivities. I know it's going to a lot of fun!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
As We Go Rolling Along
One of the ways I like to pass the time when AD and I are driving down the road is to look for old barns. There's just something about them that calls to me and I've always thought that I should have my camera ready to snap pictures of them. Up until this past weekend I haven't ever done that. Don't know why - I just hadn't.
As it turned out I took pictures of over 20 barns on our trip to Branson. There are many more between here and there but sometimes we just came upon barns and I wasn't quick enough on the snap.
Here are 5 of my favorites. Please know that I was taking them through a bug splattered windshield and out my rolled-up window. If you see some glare or bits of bugs or the photo isn't too straight, just know the pictures were taken while we were going about 65-70 mph. Some cropping and a little bit of color correction was done to make the pictures a tiny bit better than straight out of the camera.
Old barn wood is just plain lovely to me.
Peeling barn paint appeals me too - no pun intended, yeah, right!
Seeing the old in the shadow of the new made a good photo.
This barn is obviously falling down but the fact that the photo was taken at an angle didn't help matters any. There was only so much correction that could be done.
Obviously I don't know the owners of any of these barns but if you happen to recognize one - and what a coincidence that would be - please let the owner know that I think their barn is wonderful.
That concludes the tour of Kansas and Missouri barns for today. Plans are to post a few more sometime soon.
As it turned out I took pictures of over 20 barns on our trip to Branson. There are many more between here and there but sometimes we just came upon barns and I wasn't quick enough on the snap.
Here are 5 of my favorites. Please know that I was taking them through a bug splattered windshield and out my rolled-up window. If you see some glare or bits of bugs or the photo isn't too straight, just know the pictures were taken while we were going about 65-70 mph. Some cropping and a little bit of color correction was done to make the pictures a tiny bit better than straight out of the camera.
Old barn wood is just plain lovely to me.
Peeling barn paint appeals me too - no pun intended, yeah, right!
Silos are pretty neat too even if they are no longer of any use.
Seeing the old in the shadow of the new made a good photo.
This barn is obviously falling down but the fact that the photo was taken at an angle didn't help matters any. There was only so much correction that could be done.
Obviously I don't know the owners of any of these barns but if you happen to recognize one - and what a coincidence that would be - please let the owner know that I think their barn is wonderful.
That concludes the tour of Kansas and Missouri barns for today. Plans are to post a few more sometime soon.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Weekend Fun & Lots of Photos
Our Labor Day weekend started out with football on t.v. First AD watched the OSU game and kept commenting on how they were "really stinking it up". I told him he'd better be careful because OU still had their game to play. (We're a divided family when it comes to OU and OSU.)
The Pokes won! Yea!
And then the Sooners played. I happened to take this picture just as OU scored their 1st touchdown of the season, and as it turned out, their only touchdown of the game. I am an OSU fan but I really hope Bradford gets better really quickly.
Dwarf cars also race at this particular track. I think those cars are just cuter than bugs' ears!
The creek (although I think it looks more like a small river than a creek!)
After about 3 hours we got our first glimpse of Branson's Labor Day traffic
About all we were able to do was some shopping. We got there too late to get tickets for any shows and we were leaving too early on Monday to see any shows.
This is the backside of Branson Landing. It's a fairly new shopping area down by the river. There are no pictures of the stores because I didn't want to carry my camera. I planned on shopping!
There was a new store that we'd never heard of before called "Ridemakerz". It's kind of a boys' version of Build-a-Bear. Boys of all sizes and ages - as well as girls, I would think - can pick out a car and add all kinds of accessories from wheels to sounds. It really is a cool store and one I think any boy would find fun.
The Pokes won! Yea!
And then the Sooners played. I happened to take this picture just as OU scored their 1st touchdown of the season, and as it turned out, their only touchdown of the game. I am an OSU fan but I really hope Bradford gets better really quickly.
AD didn't get to watch much of the game because we had to get to the boys' races. This weekend G2 was racing both his pure stock and his turf car. G1 raced his turf car too. I couldn't get any pictures of either of them racing because I was videoing but this is a picture of both boys in the pure stock as G2 helped to "pack the track".
Dwarf cars also race at this particular track. I think those cars are just cuter than bugs' ears!
AD and I aren't really "spur of the moment" people. We like to have things planned. Guess who's in charge of all the planning? Well - it isn't AD.
On Friday however we did something quite out of the ordinary. After confirming G1 would be available to stay at the house and dog sit, we decided to make a short trip over to Branson after church on Sunday. Just a short trip - over on Sunday, come back on Monday afternoon.
We haven't been to Branson in a couple of years! Let me just point out that from the time our kids were little we would make at least 1 trip to Branson each year. Then after we bought our first 5th wheel we were there about once a month from March thru November. So this trip was way overdue.
It was like going home.
On our way to Branson there's a creek named Pumpkin Creek. A picture of the sign and the creek was in order since fall is on the way.
The sign
On Friday however we did something quite out of the ordinary. After confirming G1 would be available to stay at the house and dog sit, we decided to make a short trip over to Branson after church on Sunday. Just a short trip - over on Sunday, come back on Monday afternoon.
We haven't been to Branson in a couple of years! Let me just point out that from the time our kids were little we would make at least 1 trip to Branson each year. Then after we bought our first 5th wheel we were there about once a month from March thru November. So this trip was way overdue.
It was like going home.
On our way to Branson there's a creek named Pumpkin Creek. A picture of the sign and the creek was in order since fall is on the way.
The sign
The creek (although I think it looks more like a small river than a creek!)
After about 3 hours we got our first glimpse of Branson's Labor Day traffic
About all we were able to do was some shopping. We got there too late to get tickets for any shows and we were leaving too early on Monday to see any shows.
This is the backside of Branson Landing. It's a fairly new shopping area down by the river. There are no pictures of the stores because I didn't want to carry my camera. I planned on shopping!
There was a new store that we'd never heard of before called "Ridemakerz". It's kind of a boys' version of Build-a-Bear. Boys of all sizes and ages - as well as girls, I would think - can pick out a car and add all kinds of accessories from wheels to sounds. It really is a cool store and one I think any boy would find fun.
A better picture of the river
Besides shopping it was just fun to relive old memories of other trips. This is Dick's 5 and 10. It's in old downtown Branson (walking distance from Branson Landing if you're up for it.) Dick's is quaint and just like an old 5-and-dime. And it's always crowded!
One of the newer things to do in Branson is to take a tour of the Titanic museum. I'm actually the only one in the family who has taken the tour. It was fantastic and the day I was there happened to be the anniversary of the sinking. I'm a planner but that was one item that got by me.
G1 and G2 wanted to play miniature golf the day I went. It's probably a good thing too because they called me twice to see if I was ready to be picked up. When I said no, they were pretty happy because that meant they could play more miniature golf.
Branson is known for its shows and Jim Stafford's is one of the best. Even G1 and G2 had a good time when they went several years ago. They still talk about "seein' ole' Jim" and how funny his show was.
Another one of the things the boys like to do in the summer is go to White Water. There's all kinds of water rides. Personally I like the lazy river. I don't know if this last weekend was the end of their season or not but there were a lot of people enjoying the park.
Besides shopping it was just fun to relive old memories of other trips. This is Dick's 5 and 10. It's in old downtown Branson (walking distance from Branson Landing if you're up for it.) Dick's is quaint and just like an old 5-and-dime. And it's always crowded!
One of the newer things to do in Branson is to take a tour of the Titanic museum. I'm actually the only one in the family who has taken the tour. It was fantastic and the day I was there happened to be the anniversary of the sinking. I'm a planner but that was one item that got by me.
G1 and G2 wanted to play miniature golf the day I went. It's probably a good thing too because they called me twice to see if I was ready to be picked up. When I said no, they were pretty happy because that meant they could play more miniature golf.
Branson is known for its shows and Jim Stafford's is one of the best. Even G1 and G2 had a good time when they went several years ago. They still talk about "seein' ole' Jim" and how funny his show was.
Another one of the things the boys like to do in the summer is go to White Water. There's all kinds of water rides. Personally I like the lazy river. I don't know if this last weekend was the end of their season or not but there were a lot of people enjoying the park.
There are lots of miniature golf courses in Branson. This one is really fun. It offers two different courses. (The pool belongs to the motel next door.)
Before G1 and G2 raced real cars they loved the go-carts at Branson. The Lumber Jack is their favorite track.
There are lots of places in Branson where they make fudge. Grand Country is Daughter's favorite place to buy some.
Before G1 and G2 raced real cars they loved the go-carts at Branson. The Lumber Jack is their favorite track.
There are lots of places in Branson where they make fudge. Grand Country is Daughter's favorite place to buy some.
The Ducks are a favorite ride. They not only drive you out to the lake but into the lake too. G2 always tries to make sure he sits in the back of the car on the driver's side so he can roll down the window and wave at the folks on the Duck as they drive down the strip. I don't know which he enjoys more - waving at the folks or the fact that he's embarrassing his brother at the same time.
The Dixie Stampede is a great place for food and entertainment. We've been there numerous times and the boys are always ready to go back. The food is great and the entertainment is out of this world. Christmas time is the very best time to go in my opinion. Not only do they have the regular show but they also have a live Nativity. One thing I find particularly interesting is when the wise men come in riding on their camels and then watching the camels lay down for the them to disembark.
Only Son and his wife have been to Ripley's Believe It or Not. The building is one that draws a lot of attention.
Coming into Springfield I noticed a sign for Andy's Custard. I've heard about it many times but had never been to one. I'd also heard about "concretes" but never tried one. AD said if we saw it before our turn off that we'd stop. Then there it was - this big red and yellow sign RIGHT BEFORE our turn off. WOO! HOO!
I don't know for sure but I'm thinking this must be a new location because when we got close the traffic looked like this trying to get into Andy's - and we were on the highway.
Eventually we were in line and when we were finally close enough to read the menu I saw a sign that said that the "Askinosie Woo Hoo" concrete was now there to stay. I checked description and it said it was vanilla custard with Askinosie dark chocolate nibs swirled into it. Now I'm all about dark chocolate so I looked no further than that. It was de-lish! What better way to start the closing of our trip than with a Woo Hoo!!!!!!
The trip was a short one but lots of fun!
I hope each of you had a wonderful Labor Day holiday too.
The Dixie Stampede is a great place for food and entertainment. We've been there numerous times and the boys are always ready to go back. The food is great and the entertainment is out of this world. Christmas time is the very best time to go in my opinion. Not only do they have the regular show but they also have a live Nativity. One thing I find particularly interesting is when the wise men come in riding on their camels and then watching the camels lay down for the them to disembark.
Only Son and his wife have been to Ripley's Believe It or Not. The building is one that draws a lot of attention.
The highway leading out from Branson to Silver Dollar City is not only curvy but hilly too. We can remember when this highway was only a 2 lane road - and not a very good one at that!
Years ago when the road was only 2 lanes we were coming back into town after a day in "the City" and it was terribly, terribly foggy. That trip back to our motel was scarier than any ride I'd ever been on!
We were on our way home as I took this picture of Highway 76.
Years ago when the road was only 2 lanes we were coming back into town after a day in "the City" and it was terribly, terribly foggy. That trip back to our motel was scarier than any ride I'd ever been on!
We were on our way home as I took this picture of Highway 76.
Coming into Springfield I noticed a sign for Andy's Custard. I've heard about it many times but had never been to one. I'd also heard about "concretes" but never tried one. AD said if we saw it before our turn off that we'd stop. Then there it was - this big red and yellow sign RIGHT BEFORE our turn off. WOO! HOO!
I don't know for sure but I'm thinking this must be a new location because when we got close the traffic looked like this trying to get into Andy's - and we were on the highway.
Eventually we were in line and when we were finally close enough to read the menu I saw a sign that said that the "Askinosie Woo Hoo" concrete was now there to stay. I checked description and it said it was vanilla custard with Askinosie dark chocolate nibs swirled into it. Now I'm all about dark chocolate so I looked no further than that. It was de-lish! What better way to start the closing of our trip than with a Woo Hoo!!!!!!
The trip was a short one but lots of fun!
I hope each of you had a wonderful Labor Day holiday too.
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