Fall Fun!!

10-22-09
Omigawsh! Has it been nearly a month again? ACK! Time really flies, doesn't it? There will be lots of internet links in this blog - so be sure to check, at least some of, them out!

Well. . .The sun shone for about two days worth and we received over 6" of rain in town over the past month. . . Temperatures dipped for awhile, even had a frost one night, but nothing like the snow and ice we heard about north of us. Our area, as many others, set various weather records - ours, as usual, involved rainfall. . . . curious? Chanute Weather Information . The 'official' weather information is measured at our local airport and it seems it's always colder, hotter, wetter, windier, etc. within Chanute city limits than what the airport records.

The last Saturday of September was spent at Chanute's Artist Alley celebration. We enjoyed Javyn marching in the parade playing his saxophone with the Chanute High School Band (go Comets!). Jori was able to join us for that - then she had to return to Lawrence to go to work at the KU Student Recreation Center. Was nice having her around - even if just for overnight:-)

Later that day, Troy & I were found with powder sugar on our face (courtesy of a tasty funnel cake) as we walked around looking at all of the wonderful booths and visiting with artists. We eventually made our way home with ketchup stains (from yummy hotdogs) and some fragrant potpouri from one of the booths. Javyn spent his day with his buddies - whom all ended up at our house. This is one of those times that I felt glad that our home is so close to the Main Street area of Chanute.

Poor Javyn paid for his fun day by being sick all the next week. . . he even missed school and piano lessons on Wednesday. It's amazing how one full day of sleep-sleep-sleep can cure a person, though, isn't it? One day off and he was back full steam once again.

Then the weekend 'hit' - a little early, I might add - on Thursday afternoon. Was a whirlwind if there ever was one - and never a dull moment! It all started with cheap tickets to see Trampled Under Foot and Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band (two of our favorite blues bands) at Harrah's, a casino just a couple hours north of us in Kansas City. Troy & I thoroughly enjoyed the concert - even though it kept us up way past our bedtime. . .

We made our way back home Friday afternoon in time to re-pack, load up, and drive Javyn, and two of his buddies, three hours to Abilene, KS, for a weekend riflery camp, Camp Mary Dell. Then, as prompted by a phone call when we were on our way home from KC Friday, we drove two hours over to Lawrence to drop off my sewing machine and help Jori out on a quilting art project. We made our way back home Saturday afternoon and were quite thankful when one of the other parents offered to go pick the boys up from the camp on Sunday.

For those of you counting - we logged over 800 miles over our 'long' weekend. Glad that's not a regular occurrence, that's for sure! Took us a few days to recover - LOL!

This past Saturday morning found me outside enjoying the first rays of sun we had seen in at least week. I spent the time 'winterizing' the yard: emptying and storing planters, moving plants to the porches and inside, putting away hummingbird feeders. I don't usually move the last of plants inside until right after Halloween. However, the only plants left to be moved inside are the ones on the covered front porch.

To put the weekend, with its sunshine to good use, we traveled to a few auctions - not with the intent to really buy anything, but more to just be outside and enjoying the beauty of Southeast Kansas. The beautiful old farmstead location of the Sunday auction was near idyllic. . . Troy had a hard time dragging me away:-) The trees are changing wardrobes and its one of the most beautiful sites to see! I hope to have a few photos posted to my family website soon showing the trees I see through my window, on my walks, and among our various mini-travels.

Yesterday morning found Troy and I, with Jaz, at Swanson Farms just north of us to do a little 'planted' pheasant work. It was a gorgeous morning (albeit - the sun once again took a wee-hiatus) and it was fun to see Jaz discovering and doing his Vizsla-thing: Folks, I think we've got ourselves a bird hunter! We'll be heading back Sunday and again Monday for more hunting - hoping Zayda will be able to go at least one of those trips. Zayda has been dealing with a fairly serious eye infection for a few weeks now. We're finally making some headway with the right antibiotic, but Dr. Hines, our veterinarian, says it will take some time. I'm anxious to see how she's progressed since last hunting season.

Javyn's been getting his student driving time behind the wheel and he and Troy are already shopping for a vehicle. . . A whole new level of freedom unfolds when one reaches driving age, eh? He's enjoying playing his saxophone in the high school band - but doesn't like marching in parades. . . . . and he's even been able to keep up with his Sunday bowling league, somewhat, amidst all of his weekend activities. He's contemplating a new, heavier, bowling ball - pretty cool!

Jori's working hard in school and keeping up with her art projects. She's gone from the appliqued quilt of a couple weeks ago to a felt hat this week, not to mention accounting and art history and work and. . . . right now she's researching the possibilities of changing her major. I'll keep you posted.

Troy & I are both doing well and glad that there's been a bit of hiatus from his work-travels. . . though I know it will be time for him to start the 'motel-hopping' again very soon. Coupling work trips with hunting trips and holiday visits - there won't be much in the way of 'spare' moments!

I guess you could say we've all been working hard and playing even harder over the past several weeks. . . we're fortunate that all of us have been healthy amidst all of the flu worries and thank our lucky stars.

Keep those hands washed and let me know how you are - - - hoping your stars are lucky ones too:-)

Robin