July 28, 2009

Yesterday was another "Mid-State Fair" day for us. I fried up some chicken to take with us and we caught the shuttle around 3 pm. It was in the 105 degree range at that time, and our water packs got some good use but it cooled off nicely for the evening.

We went to the free Lady Antebellum concert at 6:30, I was very impressed with the group. They were described as a country band, but I thought they sounded like old classic rock or maybe even rock-a-billy.

The kids got to use their carnival wrist bands after the concert. We ran into our friends Ty, Juanita, Amy, and assorted children at the carnival and got to wander around with them all evening. The kids were getting back on the rides as soon as they finished for the most part. I think they may have had to stand in line about 5 or six times all evening. Sometime late in the evening, Jameson commented that (imagine 12 year old disgusted boy voice here) "Dax ditched me for a girl" (Jameson and Dax had been sitting together on the rides up until then).

We stayed until near midnight when it was closing time.

The kids have had a very slow start to the day today, I can't imagine why!!!

July 24, 2009

Today was a no car day for me and a day of forced confinement and hard labor for the kids (or so you would think!!!) They finally quit taking turns at whining at me around 4 this afternoon.

Dax and I scavenged the last few needed items for Thursday's 50-mile High Sierra backpack trip from Mom's this morning (Thanks for the toothbrush, gauze and bandaids, Mom). I got all the laundry done (in theory) and we cleared a bunch of stuff away that had accumulated on the deck (trashcans and such). This afternoon I managed to get a few mending projects taken completed and made some pj shorts for Ellie and another wrap-around skirt for myself. Kaili got some work done on her quilt and Elizabeth started an applique pillow project.

The weather has been the 55 degree-ish fog in the morning and 95 degree-ish clear skies in the afternoon. . .very nice!

July 23, 2009

I think Dax may have fallen in love this evening. . . We went to the free Eddie Money concert at the Mid-State Fair. Jessie Money sang back-up and also belted out a couple of songs on her own, she was quite good (and cute too, as you can see).

The concert was very good and we were sitting in the 2nd row off the end of the cat walk, dead center. Kaili and her friend Camille went up and shook Eddie's hand while he was singing and they really seemed to enjoy the concert.

The weather was a milder mid-nineties today and we enjoyed wandering the fair for a couple of hours, then we went to a pioneer day celebration at the church. We were back at the fair in time for the 8:30 concert. The pay concert was Journey and Heart this evening (I woulda loved that one too!)

July 22, 2009 (try number 2)

Today was finally a NO CAR DAY here!!!!! We puttered around and did a bunch of little things. Kaili and I rehung the screen door at the kitchen, replaced all the door locks on both doors, did some sewing, she did some painting, Dax went through all his gear for the upcoming 50-miler etc, etc. We finished-up with fish tacos and a nice visit from Dad.

The fish was procured yesterday when I took the kids to Morro Bay (we left here at 6 am) for "kids at sea". They got a free fishing trip, a nice tee shirt and the fillets from any fish they caught. The fish weren't really biting yesterday, but Dax caught 4, Kaili caught 3 and Elizabeth caught one big one. Dax and Kaili each caught a "sand dab" in addition to the regular rock fish. They thought they were weird because they have both eyes on the same side of their body (Like halibut). The temperature difference between here and Morro Bay was striking and must be experienced to be believed. 102 and dry here vs. 65 and wet there. After fishing Kaili and Dax attended a pool party in Templeton. Elizabeth and I went to the show and saw "Ice Age" while we waited for pick up time at 8:30 pm.

Monday was spent shopping (kids) and running errands, Sunday we went to church and Saturday I met the girls in Atascadero (Stake center) where we attended a really good talk.

Tomorrow looks to be another long one for us and the heat is continuing. . .expecting 101-103 all week. Fortunately, it has been cooling down quite nicely at night.

July 17, 2009

The morning started with weeding followed by laying around in front of the TV screen. It reached 110 degrees here today (but it was a DRY heat).Even the dogs and chickens were lethargic most of the day. Fortunately, it has cooled off pretty well again this evening.

Kaili headed off to a girlfriend's house for the night and Elizabeth is staying with Molly, so it was just me, Dax, the chickens and the dogs for the afternoon.

I attended an amazing talk at the stake center this evening. The speaker was Sister Chieko Okazaki (former member of the R.S. General Presidency). She had us all laughing at some points and teary-eyed in others. She spoke about so many good things, I will just touch a few of them for now. She started with the idea that hope as an important Gospel principle and said we need to "weave it into the fabric of our lives". She also taught us about the shakers and their concept of "wooden swearing". Wooden swearing is when you slam a door, stomp your feet or slam things around in anger. She pointed out that anger can be a useful and even a righteous emotion in certain circumstances, but she also pointed out that anger is very often selfish, greedy and destructive. She contended wooden swearing can be as destructive as muttering an oath as far as the selfish feeding of anger.

It is supposed to be both hot and humid tomorrow. . .I will be hopeful (and grateful) for the continued functioning of the A/C system . . .