Thursday, July 23, 2015

Painting by Numbers??

Not only did Mr. Miata have a birthday in July,
I did too!



For a birthday gift, Connor gave me a gift certificate
to The Corky Canvas for Maddy and me to do some painting
and he joined us!


Oh my word -- I thought it was paint by numbers
or fill in the lines!
No, it was more like a demonstration of 
how to do the painting and instructions to follow along!
We mixed colors, painted fancy swirls, dots and
filled the canvas with the most adorable little owl!



Obviously, some people are 
better at following directions and drawing
a straight or curvy line than others!


Bonus -- wine was served!!

It was such a fun afternoon!
We will definitely try to find our artsy side again!

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Happy Birthday to Mr. Miata - formerly known as Mr. Tennis

Mr. Miata had a birthday last week!  
He really is quite a hard-working
and amazing guy! 

I know we don't tell him enough how much
we appreciate him and his hard work --
 plus he is very, very handsome! :)

2011 - He's a big fan of Tigger's!
He is patient, kind, funny and has a really big heart!
He loves all of us, adores his little grandkids,
loves his crazy horse and our sweet Scottie and spoils all of us.

He's taking a little break this week to visit
his Mother and brothers in Illinois 
and we are delighted he was able to get out there to see them this summer.

This past year was a bit rough with some health issues,
but am happy to report he is feeling pretty well 
and able to play tennis again!


He does love his sports activities and truth be told, he can be a bit competitive.  
When he saw my Fitbit recently, he
wanted one too and now beats me in step count every single day!

We love him to the moon and back!
Happy Birthday Mr. Miata -- you're the best!

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Attempting to Beat the Heat!!


News alert . . . 


Big heat wave in the Heartland!
This week the temps have been in the high 90's -- as in a temp of 99 degrees
with high humidity making the heat index temp at 105 on Monday!

She kind of likes jumping into the pool!
Yes, Monday -- the day that Miss Maddy has her 
zoo crew job from 8 am to 5 pm.
The heat wave is continuing through the entire week.



So, we're doing all we can to beat the heat, 
including cranking the AC and
spending nearly evening at the pool!
Best place to go after a long and hot day at the zoo?
Definitely the pool --
especially on Mondays - walking taco night!


We also may have indulged in refreshing drinks occasionally
 over the last few weeks!

Care to join me in a Root Beer Float anyone?
Yes please! 



Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Going to the Zoo -- Zoo Crew!

Last summer, 
Maddy attempted to participate in our city's local Zoo Crew volunteer program.
However, toe surgeries on both great (big) toes 
prevented her from being able to wear closed-toes shoes - 
a must for Zoo Crew volunteers!

Getting ready for the first day on the job!
Please excuse my messy kitchen counters -- keeping it real!
This year those toes have mostly healed up, 
And when sign-up started,
 she was among the first to complete the form, send it in and become 
one of the 400 volunteer students in grades 7 through 12 in the program.
This volunteer gig provides jr. high and high school students the 
opportunity to  learn about animals, animal
care, service to community and gain important life and job skills 
at the same time.

The student volunteers help out all around the zoo, assisting 
with pony rides, picking up trash, cleaning areas and giving zoo guests close up 
animal experiences by showing animals in the Critter Encounter area and
other areas of our zoo.

Maddy works once or twice a week through September.  
This volunteer program is a good preview of the
work world as the assigned work hours are 8 AM - 5 PM
with 30 minutes for lunch! And no snack breaks!

A great first day!
She's a Monday worker and finished her first Monday this week!
It rained . . . on and off all day - sometimes heavy rain.
I worried all day wondering how it was going.
And yet, she was all smiles when I picked her up after 5 PM!
It was a fabulous day, she enjoyed it all - well, except
that her feet hurt a little bit!

She's already making plans to volunteer again next summer.
Fun Zoo Crew days ahead to be sure!






Sunday, July 5, 2015

The July 4th Report!

We had a really fun 4th of July --
 hope you did too!
Now, on to the report.

Happy 4th of July!
This is the final year for our golf/tennis/swim club's 4th of July festivities
as the club is being sold. :( 
We are really trying to make the most of
its last summer season.

Clowns at the pool!
Maddy and I are hitting the pool a lot 
when the weather cooperates.
It was a little cool a few evenings ago - so 
besides us, there were 3 lifeguards and a Mom and little kid!
Nice to have it all to ourselves!

Noodle racing!

On to the 4th!
This place knows how to celebrate the 4th of July!
The morning starts with tennis and golf tournaments 
and then on to pool festivities!
Noodle races, big splash contests, lip sync competition,
and yummy food and drink!

Guy in the orange hat almost won the big splash contest!
Singing and Dancing!! 



The finale is 
4 skydivers landing on the golf course!

Getting closer -- no worries -- he missed the trees!
The last skydiver carries the flag and everyone sings
The Star Spangled Banner!

We celebrated a little at home too later with a few fireworks.
It's really much quieter and a lot cheaper then when the boys were Maddy's age!
I'm not saying who (both of them), 
but they nearly blew up a metal patio table and burned holes through the umbrella one year!
The 4th scared me a lot back in those days!  :)

Sparklers, a few artillery shells and some cracklin balls and our 
fireworks bill totaled only about $20 this year!
Good for us and good for our pup Muffy, who
was hiding in the basement watching tv and trying not to be too afraid!

We topped off the evening celebrating our country's freedom with a 
traditional bowl of red/white/blue rainbow sherbet. 
Go USA!




Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Hello Summer, Hello July!

Wow -- did June just zip by for you too?
Like I blinked and it was over!



So, Hellooooo July!


We've been having a bit of a chill summer since
we returned from Disney World -- which has been really nice.
Loads of time at the pool!


Yes, I've been working, but on my summer schedule of leaving by 1 or 2 pm,
so Maddy and I
have plenty of time for chores, errands, shopping, pool time and visiting Starbucks*!
Love the mini-frap's -- just the right size!

Ahhhh Summer -- I love you!