March comes in like a Cracker Barrel, and out like a Cracker Barrel

We started out March at a Cracker Barrel location, and today ended March at Cracker Barrel location!  This was nice though, as we got those beignets again, and had a nice lunch together.  We were at the Cumming area today to get an adjustment or two from the chiropractor.  It was another fun visit with Doc Williams, who always makes Maddie crack up.  We were talking about a few different things while there, always a pleasant visit.  When done, we went over to grab a bite to eat.

The rain came today, and it was so welcome.  It swept away pollen, and that's a really good thing because we've had record levels of pollen in Georgia for the week.  We were doing a bit of packing today for the upcoming mini-trip, and the squirrels are here ready for battle it seems.  We've got four or five dedicated squirrel warriors infiltrating our back deck, so yeah, this means war!  We're back to the trap, the one that currently has 93 squirrel stickers on it.  Definitely about to order a few more.

We had our taekwondo again today, the longer class.  I was getting things done for KidPak while watching the students spar or train in forms.  We got home and we watched a few things, but we were still packing for our small trip.  We'll be ready to head out the door tomorrow.

Tonight the reading continued with "Maskerade," which we'll take with us.  We should be done with that book this week, and it's been entertaining.  We said our prayers, and then it was time for a good night's rest before our big drive tomorrow.

Slam Dunked

"Slam Dunk" came to an end this morning, and it was a great service again!  We've had five of these basketball-themed services, blending in those messages about Moses, Joshua, Caleb and Paul.  This morning's skit had a fun costume where Jeremiah was a basketball net, and Victoria was doing free throws.  Rather than actually do the free throw, we had Wyatt dressed in black, grabbing the ball and moving it across the stage in slow motion... until Jeremiah of course moves out of the way, because he was a stubborn basketball net.  It was a fun message - and we even had some trivia thrown in there.  We did some Bible questions and some basketball questions, and that turned out pretty fun.  Here are a few pictures that Maddie posted on the website today.  As always, she did a great job!

 This afternoon we got home and Mom made us chicken soup for lunch.  I rested a tiny bit, but got on the treadmill after that, finishing up another teaching series from Perry Stone.  Afterwards, Maddie and I went over to the church because we had to drop off our first unwelcome deck visitor of the season.  But while we were there in the parking lot, Maddie took the wheel and we had some driving lessons for about an hour or so.  Afterwards, we got some watermelon sherbet at the RaceTrac which was yummy.  And we went to get mulch after that, which of course is something we've done pretty much every day the last week or so.  Mom meanwhile ordered a piece of exercise equipment that will hopefully help with her bone density.  It should arrive soon, and that will be good.  

We watched "Brigadoon" tonight, and I've never seen this before.  The big question I have to ask is what happens to Jeff?  I mean, they didn't even raise the question!  Does he stay behind?  Does he go to Brigadoon?  Does he go to New York?  

On the whole a fun and simple movie, and there are some great songs and with Gene Kelly there's some great dance numbers.  It was fun, and I'm glad I watched it.  Maybe closer to a Scottish festival, we'll watch it again.  

Okay, moving on.  Tonight we read some more, inching closer to the conclusion of "Maskerade."  And then we said our prayers, and soon it was time for bed.  It's been a good day. 

Ragtime

Today we continued our season pass with City Springs, going to see their production of the play "Ragtime."  This was a first for all of us, although I knew the general story was a musical tragedy.  It was one of those plays that had really powerful performances, and fantastic production value - it was just the type of story we probably only want to see once.  Very moving, and very good - we had our usual seats dead center in the front row of the lobby level balcony, and it was a nice time for all of us.  Although I might say this - I sort of wish there was a bit more "ragtime" sort of music.  

Earlier in the day we had Team Edge practice, where Maddie was rehearsing her extreme combo a good bit, and the team was also doing quite a bit of synchronized material together.  Getting closer!  They're doing well.  I snuck out and got some Chick-Fil-A for Maddie and myself for the ride back home where we picked up Mom and headed down to the theater without incident.

Can we talk about the pollen?  It's never been this bad before.  It's literally like a fog out there on the freeways.  I've never seen it like this - the parking lots are coated with yellow as if they were just spray painted that color.  It's just amazing how thick and slimy the air is with the stuff.  

Tonight we settled in with some rotisserie chicken and baked potatoes for dinner, and then a movie together:  "Super 8."  Maddie hadn't seen this one yet, and we were talking about movies with an eighties theme.  Although this one, I think, technically takes place in 1979.  It had some clear references to "E.T." and "Close Encounters," and is a pretty fun movie.  Maddie enjoyed it. 

We closed out the night with reading, and prayers too - it was a fun day.

Ground to Cover

Mom and I had another date at Mellow Mushroom!  We had a quiet morning together, starting out at the dermatologist, where all was well after a check-up.  We just keep having one good check-up after another. Today was the last day of school before Spring Break, so Maddie's school was sort of on automatic pilot, just riding out the rest of the day as everyone waited for the escape.  She did get some more embroidery done, continuing her work on that project.  She's also working on other projects including water color and that 3D abstract artwork.  Her other classes were less eventful.

One class that was more fun was taekwondo, of course.  She was there and doing well as always, sparring and working on more of her form than even before, getting to the part where she gets to slam down her bo staff, all part of the form, but noisy fun.  

We got some mulch again, and the other side of the house is starting to look pretty good now, at least the steps area.  We've still got quite a bit of ground to cover, literally.  But it's all coming along.  Speaking of yard work, we've got a lot of squirrels now visiting. We had a good break from them last year, but there is a generation that is rising up that knows not who we are.  Despite the scaring them off tactics, they just keep returning and messing things up.  You know where this is going, don't you?  Or rather, you know where they are going, don't you?  It got so bad that we actually had blood all over the back deck - yes, actual squirrel blood from squirrel fights.  UFC fights are actually pretty tame compared to squirrel fights. Squirrels fight to the death, and it isn't pretty at all.  Trust me on this one - Mom and I have seen things that we wished we didn't!

Anyway, we continued our reading tonight.  This story "Maskerade" keeps getting more mysterious and interesting.  We'll see where it takes us, but we're both hooked.  I've completely forgotten where this is going as I read this so long ago, but I'm enjoying it again.  We're moving right along!

We said our prayers tonight afterwards, and got the Plush Entourage down the hall and tucked in.  It was a quiet Friday, but a fairly productive one.  I've gotten a lot done on May's booklet, and things should be lining up for that nicely.  Okay, time for bed.  Goodnight!

3D, or not 3D

Today was a little all over the place, but it started out really productive - and that was good.  I had remarkable favor getting an entire week’s worth of writing and creating done for the booklet for May, and because of that, I was able to go to the church service over at the North Campus.  It was another college preview day, but Maddie said she couldn’t make it because she had to “lock in” with some school work at high school.  All good!  She went to College Preview Day before, and that was fun.  Today there were more new students, and a service featuring Pastor Franklin speaking to all of us for a few moments.  It was a good morning, plush worship with the band, which is always good.

I was talking to Maddie throughout, at least texting here and there.  She was pretty close to getting some new merch there, but they just didn’t have the right sizes for her.  Or others in line too - but that’s okay. 

Maddie sent me this picture of a creation she’s working on, a sort of abstract 3D sculpture she just began.  She’s more a fan of 2D than 3D, but nevertheless, she’s giving it a try.  Mainly because it’s assigned!

We did have taekwondo tonight, and that was good.  It did go on for a bit - Maddie was helping with instruction at first with the younger kids.  I didn’t have time to do my treadmill this morning, but the weather was so gorgeous outside that I walked the trail nearby, also running it too a little bit.  I snapped a few pictures along the way - it was such a nice and quiet journey.  

Maddie was in leadership class when I returned.  She’s really getting better, more confident and assertive.  She was talking with me afterwards about gently but firmly reprimanding a student for a somewhat disrespectful tone of voice.  The student straightened up right away.  Which I highly recommend, unless you want a roundhouse kick to the face!

Maddie had homework tonight, while Mom and I watched some television.  But it was a quiet and late night afterwards.  We read some more from “Maskerade,” and there are certainly more twists and turns.  Maddie and I are enjoying the mystery and atmosphere of this book.  It’s such a vast world, the Discworld, and so many fun stories and adventures are within it.  I think I only have one official novel left to go, which I got for Christmas a few years ago, but haven’t gotten to it yet, given all the other reading going on.  Besides, with Maddie, we’re at the Discworld every night.

Jersey Night

It was jersey night at FCY, a sort of sports enthusiast night where you could wear any jersey or sports shirt you really want.  Maddie got a jersey from Emma, and they were hanging outside on this pretty day - why not get some photos?  Soon the cell phones weren't taking picture anymore, but it became the photographer over there taking some nice shots with her camera.  They turned out well!

It was a nice day today, and the weather is warming up almost feeling spring-like!  Maddie had a good day at school, and I got the first week of our next booklet all figured out.  Lots of work going on, different fires and different times, but Mom and I are getting it all addressed one thing at a time.

Tonight we read from our book, and it really looks like we've figured out whodunnit, which is a sure certain way to know in any book that this suspect did not do it.  Or did he?  We'll see as we continue reading.

Afterwards, we took the Plush Entourage down the hall, and everyone got tucked in for prayers and a good night's rest.

Water Color Crosshair Hunter

  

Maddie's working on the latest art project, and sent a picture to me of her efforts of a water color.  It's Hunter and Cross-eye from "The Bad Batch," at least the Funko Pop versions.  It's turning out really good so far.  Maddie's not thrilled with doing water color - it's not her favorite form of media.  But it is turning out pretty good.

Meanwhile, it appears as if Camille has had enough of Dad.  Okay, maybe not - this is actually a reference picture we were using for an AI art program Josh is using.  In this image, Moses has just slain an Egyptian, and I got to be the Egyptian.  I'll have to share the picture itself later, but this was fun setting up!  In the meantime, here are some images of Naomi and Ruth, and another image of Peter that I had AI create.

Yeah, Peter thinks today was a decent day.  We were at work a good bit, both Mom and I - we've got Easter coming up, so Mom was working very hard on costuming and props.  Dawn was there, so the two were talking about dancer costumes too.  Lots of stuff still to go.  I've been working on the new booklets for May.  

We got some more mulch down on the sides of the house - we'll be doing that for the next several days or so.  I've made a goal to get about ten bags of mulch per day until we get the area covered that we need to.  I spread a good bit of that, and things are starting to spruce up somewhat.  We still have a good ways to go, but it's a process. 

Maddie was busy with Calculus tonight, and I chose "College Road Trip" as the movie of the night.  It was okay, my favorite part being anything with Donnie Osmond in overdrive.  Though Maddie had that homework tonight, we still had time to read.  And after prayers, it was time for prayers - and bedtime.  Goodnight!

Leading Exercise

Maddie was leading exercise time tonight for the class, and she was involved in a few example demonstrations today too, an active night at taekwondo.  She had a great time as always during that longer class on Mondays.  It goes for a few hours, and it goes by pretty quick nowadays for her, as she enjoys it so much.  

Look what Mom did today - she hung up that Thomas Kinkade painting that Nana and Ye-Ye passed along to us, and it goes really well with the gazebo frame that we've had for some time.  It almost looks like the same exact roof in that painting as it is on the frame.  Anyway, this is now in our bedroom, and looks great up there.  Oh, and check out this picture:

This is Bonnie, Camille's daughter.  Some time ago, we gave Camille the plush bat that we won at Dollywood, because we knew Camille has a thing for "freakin' bats."  Anyway, out of all the plush dolls in the collection, Bonnie goes for this one right now, and that cracks up Camille.  She sent us this picture to show us.

Anyway,  today was a pretty chill day.  Maddie has twenty-something days left of school, and of course there are a few other Senior items to take care of.  The big banner at the entrance of the neighborhood always lists the graduates there - so we submitted her name.  Also, upcoming are the senior yard signs.  Our church does that for seniors, and Maddie likes that sign better than the ones the school sells.  So we'll be getting those soon.  She got her Senior Prom tickets, of course, and we just found out we can invite ten people to graduation.  So that's good news there - we may have a good bit of family there after all.

Here's my patch of the day, a March-themed patch as we walk and/or run through Ireland and other green locations.  I've now earned two of these, one for walking and one for running.  I keep up on the treadmill now, and have also been watching some things as I walk and/or run.  Right now keeping up with some old Perry Stone videos.  Afterwards, we were out to go get bird seed and mulch.  And ice cream.  But the mulch was for the side of the house - we're laying down about ten bags a day until we get this done.  It's a good bit of work, but best done in smaller daily segments.  We were out there getting it done though, and it's coming along well.

We closed out the day reading a bit from "Maskerade," and now Maddie really wants to watch "Phantom of the Opera" again.  We might have to do that this weekend.  But the book has been fun, and the mystery is intriguing.  Who is the Phantom?  Who is the killer?  I read this a long time ago, so I'm happy to say I don't know yet.  I have my guess, and we'll see what Maddie thinks too.  But it's been fun to read.

Afterwards, the Plush Entourage heads back to the room, where everyone gets tucked in - it's time for sleep again, after a nice, fun March day.

The Harlem Globetrotters

Another basketball day today, this one lasting beyond church.  Of course, at KidPak, we're still right there in the midst of our "Slam Dunk" series, which has been a lot of fun.  You can see Josh here doing a brief illustrated message, and below, Maddie took other pictures of our service.  We were talking about Joshua and the walls of Jericho, and with our basketball theme, we were using some air horns.  

Air horn etiquette was a fun topic for the skits, and they made for some noisy fun on stage.  This was a great skit!

And there was the Wisenheimer invention too!  Maddie got this picture of our neighbor, and many other good pictures that she shared on the church's site.  

After church, we went to see the Harlem Globetrotters!  I remember last seeing these guys at Madison Square Garden, and have always wanted to take Maddie to see them.  It just never worked out until now, and it was kind of cool given that we're in the middle of this basketball series.

We went down to the Gas South Arena, and Maddie invited a friend to see the entertainment, and it was really a lot of fun.  Our seats were really good, and for the first time I can remember, we were actually on the big screen there, waving "hi!"  

The team was wearing a different uniform, but the tricks and talent were the same.  And those poor Washington Generals!  They've been losing and picked on for decades!  That "other" team is always there to be the team to play against, and maybe one day they'll win.  I doubt it though, because despite whatever craziness is going on inside that court - or outside - the Harlem Globetrotters always come out on top.  In fact, they were frequently way up top into the audience, as you can see here.  

This is one of the team players called Hot Shot, racing up the stairs to avoid getting payback for all the pranks he was pulling on another team member.  He wound up getting some other audience members sucked into the action way up here, as he was running by us.

I think the highlight was the dunking for me.  Quite a bit of elaborate slam dunks and a lot of variety thrown in.  The gags were great and the audience participation was really fun too.

In the end it was a great time - glad we went!  This was on a list of things I wanted to do for a while, and it was a great time to go see them play.  We all enjoyed it, and got home rather quickly after that.  Last week we were in Harlem, and now we were seeing the Harlem Globetrotters.

The rest of the day was quiet, of course.  The first part was fairly busy.  We watched the second part of "The Ten Commandments," and even watched the six-part "behind-the-scenes" video that had some interesting stories about the filming of the movie.  Mom was telling me some things that they're discovering about the pyramids, which is amazing that there's still something new to discover.  There are apparently these very large structures beneath the pyramids, and that's going to be very interesting to learn more about.  Also, I believe they've found the Pharaoh's son, the one who died on the night of Passover.  That was another interesting thing we were learning tonight.

But it was late and we were ready for some sleep.  We did our reading tonight, and afterwards said our prayers.  The Plush Entourage made it back to Maddie's room where everyone was tucked in, all while whistling "Sweet Georgia Brown."  Time for a good night's rest!