Busy Week

Technically, the week started on Sunday but the busyness started Monday at 3:59 a.m. That's when Littlebuddy bound into my bedroom, announcing the time. My alarm went off exactly five seconds later, at 4, and we were out the door at 4:20 to get him to Scout Camp. He came back exhausted, much more tan, a few scratches all over, and having earned four merit badges so overall it was a good week though he thought the food was just okay. Gotta love a boy who loves his mother's home cooking!

Here he's modeling his new aviator sunglasses, the hat he uses to tame his cowlicks, and the Bronco bandana. I think he just wears that for kicks. No one else keeps us laughing and thinking and entertained as much as Littlebuddy. Cowgirl comes close, but she's not trying to entertain us. His absence was noticeable. We were glad to have him back home again on Saturday even if he did spend most of the afternoon sleeping.

Last Sunday was Father's Day, and how great it was to have my dad here with us for a double celebration!

My children had picked out a new motorcycle helmet for their dad and were so excited for him to open it. Unfortunately he hasn't time to use it, though we are sneaking him away from work this Thur and Fri for some R&R which should be relaxing for him. Motorbikes, while fun, take work to get them on the trailer, tie down, gas up, etc. And, our dad needs less work and just fun before he really goes crazy with his work schedule in July.

We love having Mom and Dad here often. We are so blessed with all they do to serve us. Mom came by to help unload my kitchen cabinets before the counterops arrived. Dad brought me to his house in the middle of church today when my eyes were in desperate need of lubricant eyedrops. The eye plugs aren't working so well for my right eye. Bummer for that but grateful for some relief, courtesy of my parents!

Friday was my mom's birthday. What a great day! We were together for most of the time between 11am and 11pm. We started by going to lunch, then dad took the kids back home while Mom and I quilt shopped. It just happened that the cutest quilt shop in town was also taking part in a quilt "shop hop," so we found some extra goodies (i.e. Moda fabric, large packages of single colored buttons, patterns, etc.) there, played games and loved realizing it is only 5 minutes from Hobby Lobby. It was the first time I've been there. We will be more frequent shoppers there in the future, I'm sure.

By the time we got home it was just time to get everyone ready to go to the ballgame. Mike's company invited everyone to enjoy watching the game in the Luxury Suite Level. We had Box Seats! Seriously.

There was a catered dinner starting at 6, with burgers and hot dogs and wings and chips and dips and mexican dip and fresh fruit and vegetables and home made big cookies, and of course lots of peanuts and a good selection of drinks. The younger kids went back and forth to the kiddie area you see above. We're just past that stage. It sure went fast!

We were seated just off home plate. Each suite has eight outside seats and four-six more inside. Mom and Dad came with us, and so our little family, minus Littlebuddy, occupied most of our outside suite. Others would walk in and out, and it was nice to visit with some of the people Mike works with and their families.These are the Browns. Their dad is the business manager. Afterwards there was a fabulous fireworks show! I don't know how we're going to top this for Mom's birthday next year, but at least this one was memorable.

Just Saturday, around noon, a fire broke out west of Garden of the Gods, and north of the cute artsy town of Manitou Springs. Its where you catch the train to Pike's Peak. Yesterday it was evacuated, but tonight about 8 pm they let people back in. So far, about 3000 acres have burned, and 13,000 people have been evacuated, but no houses or structures lost. That could change tonight.

We had to go pick up a rental car for Mike, as he travels the next three days, back and forth to another company, carrying his antenna. The view from our house just shows some haze.

The closer we got, the more evident it was how bad this fire is, and how close it is to the city of Colorado Springs. This view is just before the Air Force Academy which is just the other side of the mountain from this fire, called the Waldo Canyon Fire.

This is the exit just past Garden of the Gods. Its closed, as are all the major parks in the area. The road is closed going to Pike's Peak, but was finally opened again this evening. We had a few raindrops on the car, but that's it. We sure need more. Its more dry than anyone can remember. Usually we get a thunderstorm with a good 10-20 min. of rain almost every day. This year, nothing.

These pictures were all taken between 6:30 and 7pm. Its usually quite light around here. The further we got into town, the worse the air was. 

As we left the airport, this was the view of Pike's Peak. Usually clear as a bell. Trust me, we're praying for the firefighters, for moisture, and with help containing this fire and all the fires in the West. This one is at 0% containment after almost 36 hours of burning. 

My creative project of the week was making this patriotic banner out of just 3 handerchiefs. I saw the idea in the Family Fun magazine while I was waiting at the orthodontist a couple of weeks ago and it looked easy enough to do.

You need one handkerchief of each color. Cut them all in equal fourths.Using 12 and a half feet of grosgrain ribbon, fold the handkerchief top over the ribbon first, then have the sides meet in the back. I used double sided 1/4 inch tape to hold everything in place. After I took this picture, I then decided it needed a little more reinforcement, so I sewed along the entire ribbon length, just a quarter inch from the top edge. This will keep anything from sliding. I'm excited to use this for a decoration for the Fourth of July next week. It took about an hour and a half to make and was a good project at the kitchen table while a movie was on one night.

So, while there's been a little time to relax in summer, its been busy also, and the next two weeks should be even more busy. Then I think I'm just going to sit and sew. At least I hope.