Look what is coming to its new home in my garage tonight! I am SOOOO excited! My Town and County has been great but at 195,000 miles (it had 17,000 on it when we got it) it was time to trade. My new one has 43 miles on it.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
On to July...
This week has not been without its events. Wednesday, our executive director celebrated her 40th anniversary with the agency. She is great and I continue to be amazed at how she balances everything she has going on. 
We held her a surprise party at Richard's Farm. We honestly did pull it off, something highly unlikely when there are as many of us as there is.
On Thursday, I had to make a trip to Olney to work on a couple computers. Robert decided to ride along with me and went to see some of his friends from the Olney days. He hadn't seen any of them since 6th grade-neither had I. needless to say, they have all changed a lot.
For those readers who also work with AWANA, the first four boys were all regulars: Josh H, Robert, Cole P, Jake H, and Hyatt B. Yes, Jake and Josh both have goatees--where did the time go? Oh, and Hyatt..when we left Olney had hair to his shoulders, so he was a real shocker to me. These boys, er, I guess I should say "guys" are still great and I am glad Robert still gets to see them.
Believe it or not, I think this makes me officially "caught up" with my blogging. I will try to keep at it this time!
June in Pictures, Part 3
As I mentioned earlier, the kid has taken up photography. He has done some pretty cool things.
He had been wanting a really nice, 35 mm camera and wanting to learn how to develop his own pictures. Seems Grandpa is about to make the camera dreams come true as he has a really nice 35 mm complete with two different flashes, different lenses, etc. Grandpa said he will bring it with him the next time he comes after he has been back to Phoenix-- his is giving it to Robert. I have a feeling it will be well used.
Where he gets it....
One night of the storms, instead of being safe, he (along with Aunt Sis) was out standing in the front yard taking pictures:
I love this picture, yes, he had been up quite a few hours and yes, he needs a shave but I just like the way it looks and I believe it is going on the wall you see in the first picture.
He had been wanting a really nice, 35 mm camera and wanting to learn how to develop his own pictures. Seems Grandpa is about to make the camera dreams come true as he has a really nice 35 mm complete with two different flashes, different lenses, etc. Grandpa said he will bring it with him the next time he comes after he has been back to Phoenix-- his is giving it to Robert. I have a feeling it will be well used.
Where he gets it....
One night of the storms, instead of being safe, he (along with Aunt Sis) was out standing in the front yard taking pictures:
I love this picture, yes, he had been up quite a few hours and yes, he needs a shave but I just like the way it looks and I believe it is going on the wall you see in the first picture.June in Pictures, Part 2
On June 16th, Andrew's Dad and Grandma arrived. We had a great time with everyone. Here is a four-generation picture-Andrew's Grandma Virginia, Robert, Andrew's dad, Bob and Andrew.
Here is Robert with his Great-Grandma Virginia, Nana and Grandpa Bob.I wish I would have had a copy of the picture we took at Lincoln Museum. Bob made the statement when seeing the Lincoln family that you could have your picture taken with, that he wanted his picture taken. Andrew, without missing a beat said "You should, you voted for him"--It was the funniest thing said all week--can't believe it rolled off his tongue that easy.
Here are a couple of pictures of the Wind Farm, thank again to Sis and Richard for taking us on the tour!
My kid has the same bug his Aunt Sis has. He is honestly (in MY opinion) pretty good at it. He took this in B&W, thought it was cool.
Here are a couple of pictures of the Wind Farm, thank again to Sis and Richard for taking us on the tour!
My kid has the same bug his Aunt Sis has. He is honestly (in MY opinion) pretty good at it. He took this in B&W, thought it was cool.June in Pictures, Part 1
This is my uncle's (and my mom's) garden--ONE of them. There are many, my uncle is 82 years old and insists on doing all this gardening every year. This year, my mom has helped a lot, I can't even begin to tell you how many plants there are, I know there was over 500 tomato plants set out though.
First week of June, VBS. Robert has been in charge of games for the last three years, he loves it. I always think he would make a good teacher but by the end of the week he is saying--uh, no..
Andrew played Pharoah one night during VBS. The kids had to give him "boils" which were different colored stickers, they even covered his glasses with stickers! --this is probably one of those things these kids will remember about Andrew for the rest of his life.
I was in charge of "dockside drive-in" we had a blast!
On Saturday the 6th, Robert and I went to St. Louis to see "Rent" at the Fox, okay, not my favorite musical but it was okay. I wish the storyline didn't have to exist, but it does and it is more real than many musicals I have been to. My "social work" side came out immediately as I kept wanting to find ways to help make these peoples lives better. Anyway, we ate a Deli on "The Hill" GREAT food! Then went to the play. On our way through Lebanon (we had hit Fairview Heights to do a little shopping) we spotted a car show. Not letting Robert stop at a car show would have ruined the day. This is ONE of the more than 100 pictures he took.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
What a month!!
June has past and I think the Browning family needs matching shirts that says "I survived June '09". Don't get me wrong, it has been a blast but even though we are always busy around here, I don't think we have had so many things going on at once since, well at least since oh maybe April '09.
VBS was the first week, what a blast! We all had a really good time, Robert being in charge of games, Andrew and I doing the "Dockside Drive-in", then Cherilea had this photographers book that we made a powerpoint off of...too cool. Good times, good memories of VBS '09. The next week, was spent in preparations for the fair, buying candy for the Band Boosters concessions and Robert continuing to bag ice-- the kid bagged over 40 150 lb bags of ice, sometimes going twice a day so he would be sure to work around his football buddies' schedule too.
We also got new tires for the Jeep that week. Five new tires and two new spares meant mudding, if anyone remembers, there was plenty of rain and mud.
The next week, Andrew's grandmother and dad arrived. We had a wonderful time with Grandma and she seemed to have a wonderful time too. We took her to Springfield and even made an impromptu trip on up to Lincoln to see the Wind Farm Nila has blogged about. That was such a neat day too.
Grandma left on Saturday morning, Sis and Richard got here Saturday afternoon, and so did the start of the fair, anyway, it tried. Our first activity was rained out before it ever hardly got started. We drug Nila and Richard along to help tear down the concession stand in blowing rain. Glad they helped, the more the merrier! (and the quicker we got out of the rain).
Sunday, Nila and Richard left and Bob returned. That night at the fair never got started because the band's equipment got wet. Sadly, Robert had already went out at 2 that afternoon and did all the prep work--including hauling 4 of the 150 lb bags of ice to the fair and loading the trough with pop. We tore that down and rescheduled our evening.
The next week was kinda a blur, Robert prepping the concessions everyday, me running out to take money and go get it, actually going to fair ourselves... Then Sunday was our Independence Day cantata and Ice Cream Social at church. This is always a good time. I love this day because unlike Christmas and Easter, people don't have to rush to another family function and can really "socialize" for a while. Being the choir director though, I am always happy when we make it through the cantata.
Last night Robert went to practice for the Fine Arts Council of Effingham County's musical--Oklahoma. This just turned July into a busy month for him. We start our cooling program next Monday so I was already looking forward to being busy. The play is the 23rd-26th of July. Five of Robert's friends are in the play also so he is really excited about the whole deal. One more thing to be able to add to his "What I did on my summer vacation" as well as one more musical under his belt. He has a name and lines--totally happy.
My father-in-law leaves this morning for Clinton MO. I believe we will at least meet up with him when band season starts. He and Robert have such a good time together, I know Robert is hating to see him go-- as are we.
That's June in a nutshell. I have some cool pictures and I really plan to have them on in the next couple of days. We are having friends over tonight to reminisce about time spent in the Newton Marching Eagles--can anyone else hear "Glory Days" playing in the background??
Happy Last Day of June!
VBS was the first week, what a blast! We all had a really good time, Robert being in charge of games, Andrew and I doing the "Dockside Drive-in", then Cherilea had this photographers book that we made a powerpoint off of...too cool. Good times, good memories of VBS '09. The next week, was spent in preparations for the fair, buying candy for the Band Boosters concessions and Robert continuing to bag ice-- the kid bagged over 40 150 lb bags of ice, sometimes going twice a day so he would be sure to work around his football buddies' schedule too.
We also got new tires for the Jeep that week. Five new tires and two new spares meant mudding, if anyone remembers, there was plenty of rain and mud.
The next week, Andrew's grandmother and dad arrived. We had a wonderful time with Grandma and she seemed to have a wonderful time too. We took her to Springfield and even made an impromptu trip on up to Lincoln to see the Wind Farm Nila has blogged about. That was such a neat day too.
Grandma left on Saturday morning, Sis and Richard got here Saturday afternoon, and so did the start of the fair, anyway, it tried. Our first activity was rained out before it ever hardly got started. We drug Nila and Richard along to help tear down the concession stand in blowing rain. Glad they helped, the more the merrier! (and the quicker we got out of the rain).
Sunday, Nila and Richard left and Bob returned. That night at the fair never got started because the band's equipment got wet. Sadly, Robert had already went out at 2 that afternoon and did all the prep work--including hauling 4 of the 150 lb bags of ice to the fair and loading the trough with pop. We tore that down and rescheduled our evening.
The next week was kinda a blur, Robert prepping the concessions everyday, me running out to take money and go get it, actually going to fair ourselves... Then Sunday was our Independence Day cantata and Ice Cream Social at church. This is always a good time. I love this day because unlike Christmas and Easter, people don't have to rush to another family function and can really "socialize" for a while. Being the choir director though, I am always happy when we make it through the cantata.
Last night Robert went to practice for the Fine Arts Council of Effingham County's musical--Oklahoma. This just turned July into a busy month for him. We start our cooling program next Monday so I was already looking forward to being busy. The play is the 23rd-26th of July. Five of Robert's friends are in the play also so he is really excited about the whole deal. One more thing to be able to add to his "What I did on my summer vacation" as well as one more musical under his belt. He has a name and lines--totally happy.
My father-in-law leaves this morning for Clinton MO. I believe we will at least meet up with him when band season starts. He and Robert have such a good time together, I know Robert is hating to see him go-- as are we.
That's June in a nutshell. I have some cool pictures and I really plan to have them on in the next couple of days. We are having friends over tonight to reminisce about time spent in the Newton Marching Eagles--can anyone else hear "Glory Days" playing in the background??
Happy Last Day of June!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Still here...I think
Okay, biggest excuse, yes, is probably Facebook. My own husband is complaining though that he really doesn't know what is going on in our lives unless I blog so..... (didn't know he used it as a calendar--sorry dear).
My grandmother-in-law and Father-in-law arrived yesterday evening. We are having a great time, Grandma is staying here at the house, Bob at the campground. Bob and Robert have already been out playing in the jeep and have planned a trip to Cape Girardeau next week. Robert loves having his granddad around and is already looking forward to that.
Tomorrow, we are heading to Springfield to take Grandma to see the Lincoln Library. I think she will love it. Bob will take her home on Saturday and return on Sunday.
Saturday, Nila and Richard will be here for a visit. It is also the first day of the Jasper County Fair, which I volunteered (along with Andrew) to chair the concessions, this is the nerve-racking part- everything is pretty well ready, just have to make sure it goes as planned. I pick up the popcorn popper and the pop on Friday, then go set it up Saturday, right now, just wishing it was over and nobody is worse off...
Sunday the 28th is our 4th of July cantata at church, along with an ice cream social. I always love this event as it is not like Christmas or Easter where everyone is at church but they really have tons of other places they have to be too. This one, everyone gets to visit and just have a nice time. The cantata is one we have done before so I really have no worries about it but it is still a responsablity.
I made dinner plans with some friends for the 30th, THAT is the day I am really shooting for. Just to sit back and relax a little. Then of course, the next week, starts our cooling program at work--this is a fast-pace, almost frantic program because we have to take a lot of applications, get them processed and finished in just a little bit of time. I am really excited the Carrie, my assistant, is looking so forward to it. Once again, we made the right choice there--she has been great.
My "IT" position has been really crazy, of course, we are in the "slow time" for our offices and Head Start both so everybody is needing everything worked on now. I think it will settle down soon. I start taking classes again today. This time "PC Troubleshooting". I am really excited about that.
Okay....I am caught up. Will TRY to do better. I guess I didn't even blog about Robert and I going to see Rent. All I will say is it was interesting. I'm not sure I liked it, it was too "real" to be entertaining to me.
My grandmother-in-law and Father-in-law arrived yesterday evening. We are having a great time, Grandma is staying here at the house, Bob at the campground. Bob and Robert have already been out playing in the jeep and have planned a trip to Cape Girardeau next week. Robert loves having his granddad around and is already looking forward to that.
Tomorrow, we are heading to Springfield to take Grandma to see the Lincoln Library. I think she will love it. Bob will take her home on Saturday and return on Sunday.
Saturday, Nila and Richard will be here for a visit. It is also the first day of the Jasper County Fair, which I volunteered (along with Andrew) to chair the concessions, this is the nerve-racking part- everything is pretty well ready, just have to make sure it goes as planned. I pick up the popcorn popper and the pop on Friday, then go set it up Saturday, right now, just wishing it was over and nobody is worse off...
Sunday the 28th is our 4th of July cantata at church, along with an ice cream social. I always love this event as it is not like Christmas or Easter where everyone is at church but they really have tons of other places they have to be too. This one, everyone gets to visit and just have a nice time. The cantata is one we have done before so I really have no worries about it but it is still a responsablity.
I made dinner plans with some friends for the 30th, THAT is the day I am really shooting for. Just to sit back and relax a little. Then of course, the next week, starts our cooling program at work--this is a fast-pace, almost frantic program because we have to take a lot of applications, get them processed and finished in just a little bit of time. I am really excited the Carrie, my assistant, is looking so forward to it. Once again, we made the right choice there--she has been great.
My "IT" position has been really crazy, of course, we are in the "slow time" for our offices and Head Start both so everybody is needing everything worked on now. I think it will settle down soon. I start taking classes again today. This time "PC Troubleshooting". I am really excited about that.
Okay....I am caught up. Will TRY to do better. I guess I didn't even blog about Robert and I going to see Rent. All I will say is it was interesting. I'm not sure I liked it, it was too "real" to be entertaining to me.
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