Little Red

Before she was born I craved orange push ups--
oops I think it went to her head.
Before she was born I rode my bicycle all over Pottsville--waiting for her!
Now,  she loves riding bikes
Before she was born I filled a big gallon jug of water each morning.   I set it on the counter in the kitchen.  I drink it and sometimes two gallons.
She loves water and drinks a lot each day.  No ice just like I drink it!
Before she was born I prayed each night that she would not have my hair.
She doesn't.

This was Laura's first school picture.  I drove and picked her up, took her to school, and she had her school picture made.  She still loves schoool today!

Happy Birthday, Laura.

Schoolhouse Falls

 Laura and Astrid went to Schoolhouse Falls yesterday.  I know it is north of Hector, AR.
Surely is beautiful.  Below is a different falls, but I do not know the name of it.
Update:  Laura said it was called Lizard Falls.

 Ingrid is pictured here at her first performance as Dance captain.

 Astrid is being introduced during the Cyclone Extravaganza. She is in the black shirt.

 Sigrid is participating in the Sunday Volleyball at AR Tech.  Below is her group.  She goes each Sunday for a couple of hours.  The Tech Volleyball team members are the teachers.

 Sigrid passing the volleyball.

 and sitting the volleyball.

Liar, Liar--Pants on Fire

We used to say "liar, liar, pants on fire".  Now, if someone tells a lie...they say
I misspoke
I over exaggerated
I was intoxicated (never say drunk as a skunk as we used to say)

I read a interested article in the AR Demo Gazette today by Jennifer Christman about Ryan Lochte and his big lie over in Brazil.   She was inviting him to join the Fraternal Order of Fibbers
Tiger Woods is president.
Lance Armstrong is vice president
Anthony Wiener past president
Brian William in charge of public relations
John Edwards is treasurer
James Frey is secretary
Mark Sanford recruiter
Bernie Madoff is in charge of the "prison out-reach"

It appears that Lochte has hired the same damage control team that worked for Justin Bieber. One spoke person for the Olympics said "oh, don't be too hard on the BOYS".  Lochte is 32!  Even the dyed hair can't make him look like a teenage beach boy.  Now, he has put a silver rinse on it.  Guess the damage control group advised that.  

Sister is going to drive the "red bomb" all the way from Atlantic Ocean to Carroll County, AR in a couple of weeks.   Hope the Lord grants her traveling mercies as they always say in church when someone is on a journey.    I hope to go up for a sisterly visit after she gets home!

Our dear cousin in Virginia has put her husband in an assisted living center.  His Alzheimer disease has advanced until she can not care for him.  I often think I have IT -- but Erin says you con't realize that IT jumped on your back like a big bear slowing you down to a snail pace.  Fleta shared a book by Conroy about his father.  He wrote a fiction one and then "Death of the Great Santini" which was the true tale of his father.  Well, I decided I had the fiction book and went to my great Library and checked out the true version.  Then, I always donate the books she gives me to the Library and they sell them.  When I checked in my checked out Conroy book I laid the book she gave me on the counter beside it to donate.  Guess what!   Exactly, the same book!  Get behind me Alzheimer's!

Visiting Berryville

 Erin and Clayton and Greta went to Berryville today.  She snapped them by this mural.  I love Highway 62!

 Church had a extravaganza for the kids today.  Greta is scooting up the climbing wall and trying to hoist herself up the hanging rope.  Clayton said "no pictures".  When you are 5 foot tall and only in grade 3, pulling your weight is difficult.  I bet he made it part way up.  Greta is a monkey!

All About...

Ingrid in her Dance get up~and above leading the pack~  I am all about that bass...

Because you know I'm all about that bass,
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all 'bout that bass, 'bout that bass, no treble
I'm all 'bout that bass, 'bout that bass, no treble
I'm all 'bout that bass, 'bout that bass

 Sigrid and Astrid posted a photo commemorating "dog" day, yesterday.

Sigrid is learning to play the oboe!



Well, she has a way to go before she is perfect, but she has only been playing a couple of weeks.  Just wait til Christmas.  We will hear carols!

Keeping Watch

Not far away they always keep watch to see
If I have something they can take while I sleep
Sneaking in quietly destroying my labor.

Pop took the Massey into the pasture we have rented and cut about a third of the field.  Part of what the renter is supposed to do is bush hog the pasture twice a year.  Well, bushes would soon be trees as he is not a keeper of his word.  I "kept watch" as he worked because I have to go to the gate and let him out so the horses don't escape.  Renting the pasture is more trouble than it is worth.  I have to go over in the field before Larry does the part near the fence to make sure he has not left some stuff lying in there that will tear up our bush hog.  

Ingrid made the paper in her Volleyball match.  They lost.  In sports, you learn to win but also lose.

Bush Hogging the Pasture

Larry bought a new tractor to bush hog with.  He was working over by the shop and called me asking if I  would bring him a bottle of cold water.  I did and on the way back by Laura's house I took some pictures of her flowers and Crepe Myrtles.  She cuts the bushes back each year like you are supposed to .  She has two by the side of her house.  They are full of blooms.

 Sigrid's flower garden is still looking bood.

 This old wash pot has several pretty flowers in it.

 The other Crepe Myrtle.

 Larry's Massey tractor and bush hog.

Brother

 Yesterday, Larry and I drove out to check on his brother.  Amy-Patsy what kind of tree is this one in his yard with the purple blooms.  He could not recall the name but below he has a fig tree.  I would love to have one of thme.

 His house is surrounded by flowers and bushes.  All so lovely.

 He had not answered his phone for several days....but nothing was wrong.  The phone is messed up.  He is not connected to the phone and has not had it checked out.   We were happy to see he was ok.

Hanging With The Prez

 Well, with  the President Bowen of AR Tech.  Astrid worked at a back to college fete last night at Tech with Lavish.  Nothing at the store is more than 40 bucks so college students love the dress shop.  I think their shirts say--make America stylish again!  Astrid made all the signs.  She went out after cross county and helped.  She said it was a "fun" experience.

August Ending

Erin's bunch attend a Baptist Church at Harrison.  They have lots of stuff for the kids.  Sunday afternoon they rented the Harrison Pool so they could have one last swim.  Looks like Greta and Clayton had a great time.  I love it when Erin shares what they are doing.  Greta has promised to eat breakfast tomorrow with Clayton.  Erin explained that a promise was something that one can not break if at all possible.  We will see what Miss Greta Ann does in the morning.  She does have Aunt Patsy's middle name so she may have different plans tomorrow!  

I think both vdieos are slow mo!

 Here is Sigrid with a hot dog--she is showing off the Weiner Mobile and below with 6th grade friends at RMS.

 Ingrid is being introduced to the crowd in volleyball.  Love the number 6!    Below is the dance around.  They do this before the game.  Well, they have not had any games yet but  soon they will start.

 Astrid and her dog, Sky Queen--you have heard of Sky King?   Well, this is Sky Queen.

Busy, Busy

 When school starts, everyone with kids is very busy.  Sigrid came by yesterday to say howdy and I asked her all about RMS.  I know questions to ask about her school as I worked there 39 years.  Sigrid is a realist.  School is okay, but school is a lot of work, a lot of behaving, and she gets "a lot" tired of it all.  She is doing great.  She likes all her teachers but she would rather spend more quality time with her dog, Ju.

 Astrid is still getting to work at the dress shop and they are continuing to use her as a model.  Above she has just finished a long run staying out front and below she is dressed with makeup.  Two different looking girls.  We all have many faces.  

 Ingrid is playing volleyball again and she is captain of the Dance group.  She is in the Honor Society and loves being with her friends and busy.

 Helen shared these with me by phone and I am posting them.  She is doing well, but will be glad to be back in her "old" house with her own things and a slower pace.  She and Jake are trying to load up an ocean rock to bring to Arkansas for her yard!

 Jake and Amanda and she walked to the Ocean.  

 I bet Amanda took this one of Sister.  I posted it and then went back and cut her legs out--being my usual nice self.  Legs are one of the first things to get old as we age.  Be glad when Sister can come home!

Color her First

The Russellville High School Cross Country team had a fund raiser today.  They sponsored a run.  I think it was a 5 K.  As you run, others throw color dust on you.  Well, at least, that is what I understand.  First girl is pictured above!  So glad she was first.  It does not make me feel extra pride that she is first but just as she is herself!  I know she wanted to be first and pushed so hard to beat all the rest...so I am so glad she succeeded!

And this is the latest ad for back to school clothes at the dress shop Astrid worked at.  I think surely they doctored this and that girl is not that much shorter than Astrid.    Also, I can't tell where the photo was taken.  Anyhow, I know that blond!  (Well, I asked Astrid and she said that she is just this much taller also has on heels.)

In honor of Greta going to Kindergarten I am posting a video.  Adam Wade my Great nephew had a video by Lex Prin on his web site at GF Intermediate and I loved it.  I plan to post several of this guy's videos.  I taught for 40 years and I can identify with all he has to say.

So, here is number one thing teachers don't like--Kindergarten Lunch Room Duty!  I plan to share the video that Adam loved later.  So if you aren't interested in the life of a poor teacher just don't watch but I loved this and am sharing it for Erin!

Family Feud

Clayton is a shy guy.  I think he likes having his pretty sister going to school.  He decided that he and Greta Ann could partake of breakfast.  Greta is loving school.  She is doing great work.  Before school if students don't eat breakfast, they line up by their classroom door and wait for school to start. If you get there early, first in line.   Greta likes being first.  She beats everyone in the class when they race.  So....she is content to sit and wait and it is a pretty long wait.  Clayton being shy wants her to go along with him to breakfast.  Shy folks like someone beside them.  Greta said "NO".  Yesterday, the breakfast was biscuits and gravy...Clayton's fav, but sister would not go.  He said he was going to pinch her.  Well, that did not scare Greta at all.  Maybe, Greta will decide she does not have to be first, but it will take a while.  Until then Mr. Clayton better eat his breakfast at home!