Worship and Cereal Night

It was Worship & Cereal Night, and as far as random combinations go, one can't be much happier.  Maddie was there for youth tonight, one last night before camp this weekend.  She had a great time as always.  I got there a little early tonight for pick-up, so of course I got to have a little cereal myself.  We've been on a tour of cereals this summer, going through some of my old favorites, starting with Honeycombs, and then off to Fruity Pebbles and Honey Smacks, right now somewhere in the middle of Raisin Bran for a more health-conscious break, right before the onslaught of Fall, which brings the classic Monster Cereals back - I hear that Fruit Brute is returning, so that's exciting news.  Anyway, one of my cereals on the list was Apple Jacks, and I was thrilled to see some of that there tonight.  There were all kinds of cereals lined up, with almond milk and regular milk available for the post-cereal party.  What a fun concept.  The adults may have been more thrilled than the students, as the taste of certain cereals sets the way-back machine in our minds.  

Nana and I were grocery shopping, because we have to get Nana out the door a lot.  It wasn't necessarily that we needed to go grocery shopping for items that night, but we instead needed to go grocery shopping so Mom could have some peace tonight.  We picked up a few items, meandering through the grocery store.  No, I didn't get any cereal.  The Monster cereals aren't out there yet, but I'm waiting anxiously for their arrival!

Mom was working on a large gnome today, which is another random thing to say.   The botanical garden's scarecrow exhibit this year is themed to gnomes, which was a slight turn-of-events, but Mom managed to come up with a thought for it and after getting a tomato cage the other day, she's been fixing some yoga matting to the outside of it to soften that exterior.  And then it comes time to layer the clothing on the outside - we stopped at the thrift store the other day to get a sweater, and we'll go from there with the decorations, but it's coming along slowly but surely.  

It's been a decent Wednesday.  Got a lot done at work today, but there's still so much more to do.  We read tonight, and then we said our prayers - and then it was time for a good night's rest!

Drive-ins and Vinyl

So Nana was too much today again, so she and I went for a ride to do some "emergency shopping."  This gave Mom a break tonight, and Maddie too.  She's not quite as patient as Mom is.  Okay, nowhere near as patient.  

I mean, here's Mom's patience level here:  X

And here's Maddie's:  X

So tonight I went with Nana over to the thrift shop, just to get away from all of that.  And lo!  It was there that I discovered a vinyl treasure trove!  I picked up a lot - a lot - of Christmas records.  They're in great shape too.  

The Partridge Family Christmas record might have been my favorite find, plus a Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra record too.  I have a lot of Christmas records now, and can't wait to play them... at Christmas time, of course!

It's Tuesday, so there were no scheduled events tonight.  That being said, we continued our Indy-fest tonight with "The Temple of Doom."  Wouldn't it be great in this next movie to see Short Round all grown up?  I saw this movie twice in theaters when it came out - going to the movies was a bigger investment at that time, as we lived a good distance from the nearest movie theater.  Everyone drove to Gainesville back then to see the movies, and we lived in Cleveland.  Although we did have a drive-in theater at that time - I remember seeing "Return of the Jedi" on that screen.  We were literally ten minutes away from a drive-in theater, and saw quite a few movies there too now that I think of it.  I remember seeing "The Living Daylights" there, and also "Predator" too.  It's hard to believe all those drive-in movie theaters are gone now - just a few left.  The one in Tiger is still there, as is the one in Blue Ridge.  Both are pretty long distances to drive.  I don't know if Maddie really remembers the last drive-in movie she went to see, which of course was the only drive-in movie she's seen.  But it was a fun time.

It was a quiet day, of course.  Maddie's been studying tonight, but there hasn't been any scheduled event for her tonight, as Tuesday is the quiet night of the week.  Every other night has something scheduled at all times, and of course this Friday night she'll be on her way north to a camp that she's pretty excited about.  She's been packing, and is getting a bigger suitcase to take with her now.  She's taking her Spider-plushie with her, but of course she and Mom have been packing a lot of the other more practical things too.  In fact, we were out shopping for a few of those tonight, just picking up a few things here or there.  One thing she's got to do is wear pink.  She's a part of a pink tribe, which I don't know much about, presently.  But much like Forward, the team spirit will be up and going at camp.

Tonight we read from our book again, and then said our prayers.  It was a decent day, ending with a nice meeting with Mola Ram and his gang of Thuggees.  Which would be a great name for a rock band, by the way:  "Mola Ram and the Thuggees."  I imagine they'd be singing songs like "Heart and Soul" or something like that.

Anyway, afterwards, we said our prayers as always, and then got tucked in and went to bed.  The week is moving by.  Tomorrow night is a big deal at Free Chapel Youth:  Worship and Cereal.

Revisiting the Quest

Maddie was at the last taekwondo of the week, pretty much.  This is because she is going to camp this weekend.  It was a quiet day - she had her usual quiz in World History, which is turning out to be a frustrating class because she's studying so much over the weekend and trying to mind-read the teacher's intent on what it is that will be on the quiz, as the study guides don't exactly say as much.  Actually, a few of the classes may be like that this year.  But she's trying her best, and that's all that anyone can do, and that's okay.  

Taekwondo was fun tonight, although I was out getting groceries again with Nana, picking up a few things on the list as always.  Prices are still high on groceries and gas and everything else, but we've managed to keep afloat and we're grateful to God for keeping us going forward.

I was working on "The Quest" today, the next series at KidPak, and suddenly got into doing it a bit more, so much so that tonight's feature movie was "Raiders of the Lost Ark."  Which is such a great title, by the way.  But yeah, the four of us sat down on the couch to watch Indiana Jones in his first adventure, and yes, this is the greatest action movie of all time.  So many other movies are inspired by this one, and of course, so many of us grew up wanting to learn how to use a bullwhip like that, and of course put on the fedora.  Mom got me one of those for Christmas, one I still have and wear from time to time.  I remember the first time I saw "Raiders of the Lost Ark."  It was at a movie theater in or near Hightstown, New Jersey.  I think I must have seen that four or five times in matinee showings.  Later on, we had moved down to Georgia and that's where we saw "The Temple of Doom" for the first time, although I remember going back to New Jersey to visit the grandparents and watching it again up there that summer.  "The Last Crusade" I saw the day it came out, actually a morning showing at a mall movie theater in Athens, Georgia.  "The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" was a movie we saw in 2008, of course, one month before going to China to see Maddie.  They're landmark movies, and the next one probably will be too.  I was glad we got Maddie hooked on them with the LEGO adventures.  She loves the music too.  Tonight she was right there with us, watching alongside us again just like usual.  She hasn't seen one in the theaters, so "Indy 5" will be a great moment for all of us together.

We read tonight from our book, and we're moving fast through it again.  Maddie was excited to learn that season two of "The Mysterious Benedict Society" will be on soon.  We're way ahead of that series right now, already on book four.  But it will be great to relive the stories.  We're enjoying this latest book a lot, and I think there's just one more book after this.  Oh, speaking of books, we found out the next Kingdom Keepers book is actually set for a February release, so there's that too.  I know Maddie will like to get that one.  

We said our prayers tonight, and got to bed early.  It's another school day tomorrow, although there's early release on Friday.  Still, there are tests and quizzes and all kinds of work to be done.  Let's get some rest.

The Resourceful Cobblers

Maddie was in the skit as always this morning, but this morning there were no lines for her.  Someone actually recorded the early morning skit, which in this case was a bit more raw - there was a missed line or two.  But overall it was pretty fun and the kids were engaged with it.  Anyway, we just received the recording on the phone, and I thought I'd post it here. 

It was a good morning overall, a morning we dedicated to the virtue of resourcefulness.  We were sharing a story of David just before he went to fight against Goliath.  We had some amazing videos, and things just seem to be going really well lately.  

For some reason, I'm even more excited about the next series.  Seriously, I got home and had some wind beneath my wings there as I was working on the back deck, getting the booklet done for the next series.  We're returning to "The Quest," and I can't wait to put on my old fedora I got from Mom.  To get into the spirit of the thing - still over a month away, by the way - we watched "Raiders of the Lost Ark" tonight, and I just love that movie.  Maybe one of the greatest action movies ever?  It's amazing.  And I love all four of those movies.  Yeah, the first is the greatest.  And the fourth gets some grief, and sure it's not as good as the other three.  But it's still super fun to me.  

I can't wait for this next movie.  I know Maddie will be right there with us, getting to the theater super early to see the next Indiana Jones movie.  Until then, we started out our mini-marathon today with the first movie released, and no doubt will be revisiting the rest as we go along.  I might even plug in that LEGO game just because!

So that's what we watched today, but once Maddie got home from church, she was spending the rest of the afternoon - after eating - just stuck inside her AP World History book.  She's been highlighting and writing and writing to the point that her wrist is sore.  The book is already showing some wear-and-tear, already a well-used textbook.  She's not a fan of this class, but she's working hard on it.  

We said our prayers tonight, and we read from our book again.  Compared to yesterday's thrilling chapter with Kate and Milligan versus the Ten Men, this one was quite calm and quiet.  But it's been a great read so far.  We carried the plush menagerie down the hall to get tucked in, and sure enough, we were all in bed soon, ready to get some sleep.  

Ugh

Tonight did not go well.  Our family dynamic is occasionally more of a struggle than normal, and today was one of those instances.  We set up our board game again tonight, the thinking that when Nana came over she could watch us play as we did last time.  However, she was rapidly resentful that she could not play herself.  And truthfully, she could never play anyway, as the rules are too complex for her to understand.  To give you an idea of her ability, she can't play dominos because she keeps stopping to ask for the rules.  So anyway, Mom, Maddie and I just don't have time together.  Ever.  And tonight was no exception.  We started the board game, hoping that Nana could just be there to watch and be with us, but instead, she threw a fit and kept announcing that she would go for a walk, sighing, muttering, and just all the things we'd rather not remember her for.  Eventually we gave up.  We watched an episode of "She-Hulk" together, just a half-hour long, and then we announced that we're going to bed.  We were just wanting to get away.

There were some discussions tonight about the future, but nothing concrete.  How can we possibly continue like this?  What can we do to keep her entertained that doesn't directly involve one of us holding her hand the entire time?

We looked for things that she might want to do that she could enjoy, but she doesn't make that easy.  She doesn't want to do anything but be with Mom, doing whatever it is that she's doing.  She's not interested in puzzles, books, or any hobby we've introduced along the way with the hopes that she could be self-sufficient in her own entertainment.  She just needs a "sitter" at all times, which of course is why we had Diana here last week to be with her while we were at the wedding.  Still, when she heard that Diana was coming over, she was miserable the entire day leading up to that, and making everyone else miserable too.  Of course, when Diana got here, she forgot all of this and wound up having a great time.  But you can see the difficulty in us doing anything around here.  We can't go on dates, or anything else that leaves her out.  And no one is able to help us.  It's been difficult. 

We haven't been on vacation in over two years.  And even before that, it was usually down to Daytona, which of course wasn't exactly our idea of a vacation paradise.  So anyway, this upcoming Fall Break, we've made reservations for a hotel in Gatlinburg, a place we've stayed at before.  It'll be for the four of us, and yes we'll still have her with us.  But at least we'll get to do something different for a change - an escape from our two-year quarantine.  We've made reservations for dinner shows, and the indoor aquarium and museums should be fun.  We'll just do our best and try to make it work.

Anyway, it's been a challenge.  This morning Maddie and I slipped away for Team Edge practice, working on coordination and synchronization.  Also working on spinning v-kicks.  Which is a great title for a blog entry.  Maddie is improving each time, as everyone on the team seems to be.  There are a few events in the future and practice is picking up with more frequency and soon, but she's enjoying it.  It's hard work, but she loves it, and she's really good at it.

On the way home, we picked up some boba tea, which was perfect.  Sun Moon Lake Milk Tea.  It's a mouthful to say, but a delicious mouthful!  We also went out to get a few things afterwards.  Maddie stayed home for that, having to study a bit for AP World History.  But while she was doing that, the rest of us got a few pieces for the upcoming scarecrow display at the garden.  The theme is gnomes, and that was sort of dropped on us at the last minute.  But we're working with it and hopefully we'll have an idea going soon enough.  Today we went over to Lowe's and picked up a tomato cage to build a gnome scarecrow around.  Mom has some ideas, and when she gets going, she's in the zone and she'll have it all worked out.  

We tried to do a few things today, but we couldn't, for reasons cited above.  But at least we got to spend a little longer reading tonight before bedtime, and reading one of the more exciting chapters in this latest adventure of the Mysterious Benedict Society.  It was super exciting, a real page-turner, and none of us dared wanting to finish the chapter too early.  Pretty awesome stuff.  Fortunately, the chapter ended with everyone safe, and after that it was time for prayers, and sleep.  We'll have a better day tomorrow.

The Luau Bowl

We went to East Forsyth's opening home football game of 2022 tonight, one where students were all encouraged to show team spirit by dressing up as if going to a luau!  You can see Maddie ready to cheer her team on here, and it just might have been that aloha spirit that drove our team on in its battle against 

East Forsyth Broncos came charging out, ready to do battle with the Seckinger Jaguars, a school that much like East Forsyth last year, is just getting started.  I believe it was their first year, so they are what we were all last year - struggling mightily just to get a first down.

The kick-off ensued, and what followed was what we saw a lot of last year - a blowout.  This time, however, it was our team doing the blowing out.  It wasn't a bad way to start out the season.

We have some empathy for the other team, as we were in that same position last year.  But still, the points just kept racking up on our side, as if the team was trying to get whatever touchdowns they could for the season now. 

I like this shot because of the mustang on the field there, but you can see a rusher carrying the ball right through the gap to get some major yardage.  We did nothing but rush to begin with, and they couldn't seem to figure it out, and if it ain't broke...

We took a lot of photos tonight, just as always.  I brought the camera just to take pictures just to keep myself busy in case it was a boring game.  But this happened to be a more entertaining game, and there was a lot to take a picture of all throughout.

Our kicker kept busy too.  I believe he scored as much as any rusher scoring a touchdown tonight.

The skies were threatening elsewhere, but here over Half Mile Stadium, it was a warm and beautiful night as the sun and towering clouds created a gorgeous panorama.

Kicking off the ball, over and over again.  Our kickers kept busy, hardly ever for punting the ball away.  Although that did happen from time to time.  The Jaguars showed some promise here or there, and in fact there was this one moment - one moment that will haunt player #88 for a long time - one moment where a receiver almost caught a ball with the end zone in sight.  So close.  But as you are probably figuring out while reading this... they never scored on us.

A team huddle.  This was early in the game after a time-out call.  At the time it seemed a big deal.  I think we were trying to stop them from gaining three yards for the first down, which I'm fairly sure we did.  

Maddie was enjoying the game, and learning a bit about it too as we went along.  A little!  She admittedly knows little about football compared to baseball and hockey, but she was learning, and cheering too. Although she was probably cheering louder for her friends in band!

Ah, the face-down on the ground player there.  That happened a lot.  I don't think we made too much of a gain with this play, as his prone body lying on the ground there presented too much of an obstacle.

I love the kinetic nature of a lot of these shots, all the parts of this football machine working at once, everyone with their own assigned tasks, slamming into each other, reacting as best they can to the sudden changes in strategies.

The sun dipped lower in the west.  I'm not entirely sure if the Jaguars were anxious for time to move a little more quickly tonight.  Trust me, Seckinger High School.  We've been there.

Ah, a punt.  We did those a few times too, so the Jags can be proud of themselves for holding us to the line a few times, preventing us from getting that first down.

But inevitably there was a failure to capitalize, and we just kept rushing...

...and rushing...

...and rushing...

...and rushing.

Occasionally a pass....

.And that worked out too.  This guy caught the ball right in front of coach, which had to be a thrill.

And then he got past the first blocker, which was even cooler!

Amazing clouds tonight.  Maddie and I spent a lot of time taking pictures of clouds tonight, and I'm sure football purists were scratching their heads at us!

Ah, the breakaway.  If he can just get by this one defender here, he's got a pretty good shot of...

Oh yeah, he did it!  You can't see him yet, but that poor guy immediately to our rusher's right?  

He gave it a good try. 

Having failed at tackling, he too is attempting the face down on the ground technique.  

Meanwhile, there was celebrating, and much to celebrate.  At one point, we were penalized fifteen yards for celebrating too much, in fact.  The rules are a little fuzzy on that, of course, and it was one thing I couldn't be too clear about with Maddie.  I think it's a judgment call.  In the case above, the refs are watching closely for ...something.  Nothing was called, but it's kind of funny regardless.

Amazing clouds and sunset tonight.  Just beautiful!  And the temperature was perfect outside too as the heat of day cooled off.

One more picture of the game here, and then one more picture of Maddie ready for a luau.

She looks great.  I didn't even need the flash for this picture as I thought I would with the sunset behind her.  

The sun was going, going, gone. 

Just like our players were.  They were relentless, and you almost felt sorry for the other team.  Okay, I did.  There were a few of us that groaned out loud when that receiver missed his catch, as it wouldn't have been a shut-out completely.  Because by that point, the score was so incredibly lopsided.  I might be wrong on this, but I believe that's the most East Forsyth High School has ever scored in a football game.

Okay, and now for the part that Maddie came for - the band.  She has a lot of friends in band, and she wanted to see them play and cheer them on.  Here is a bit of choreography before the game.  The performers emerge from that big chest, creeping out like... well, I'm not really sure what's going on here.  

But they get to playing soon enough, and they sounded great!

There was a lot of choreography, of course from dancers, but also from the players too.

They did so great, and have showed so much growth from last year.  We genuinely enjoyed their playing, and we enjoyed the other band's performance too.

It was a great night.  This isn't the final score below - I forgot to get a picture of that.  But it's close enough.

This was just before the kicker got another extra point.  That made it 48-0.  Seckinger had a long drive home.  Before wrapping up, here are a few pictures that Maddie took with her phone tonight, including some great panoramas that show the beautiful skies as well.

It was a good day today.  We got a new plate for Nana's car, and now we can drive that one around and return the rental.  We had taekwondo tonight too - and for dinner, we ate East Forsyth food at the game.  I got some Bronco Street Tacos, which were good, and Maddie got a hot dog.  It was stadium food, but there's something almost a little better about that sort of food when you actually eat it at a game.

We got home tonight, and we had time to read, and we made sure we said our prayers too.  It was a nice night, but we're all rather tired, rushing, rushing, rushing off to sleep.