5-31-13

Martin: Another autumn day sails past.

 Me: Bob and I arrived in Flagstaff this afternoon, set up camp among 800 racers + friends & family. We'll be racing Barn Burner 104 tomorrow. Bob is doing the full 104 miles solo. I'm racing with Janet as a female duo team. We'll each ride 2 laps = 52 miles.

5-30-13

Martin: Finally doing some more painting on the room out the front.

Me: Harley: "I really need a walk, aren't you guys going to take me?! Look at all the cool stuff out there, I should be out there too!"

5-29-13

 Martin: Weather report for today.

Me: Kavan time = pool time.

5-28-13

Martin: Woke up to a heavy blanket of fog this morning.

Me: Harley likes sharing my cherry dipped cone!
Bob, Mom, Harley & I did a late night DQ run.

5-27-13

Martin: Setting up camp with my two boys and their friend. The four of us stayed here for a week (Beechworth; 7 hr drive from Sydney) to do some gold panning. Holiday started out with some rain.

Me: Morning bike ride to the old copper mine ruins in South Mountain.

 What's left of the hotel fire place.

Memorial Day...

This is a photo from my home town parade in Elk Horn, IA. My uncle, Warren is riding on a WWII vehicle belonging to Mike Howard (an Elk Horn local). Warren is 2nd from the left. My uncle is in the middle. 

A day to remember many loved ones. <3

5-26-13

Me: Bob and I with a few of the Lifetime Fitness riders. We biked to the towers of South Mountain this morning.

5-25-13

Me: Last night's graduation party was also for April's brother, Nathan. He just graduated from Columbia University in Chicago and will be moving to LA to look for work. Neat that he and my other nephew David (who already lives in LA) will be getting an apartment together.

Photo above: Nathan in front of the camera. He did a bit of modeling as a little tyke.

Now: Nathan behind the camera. Best of luck, Nathan! Proud of you and your creative talent.

5-24-13

Me: Tonight was April's high-school graduation party. A reminder of how fast time flies!

Above is baby April at the Grand Canyon with Steph, Joan, Carol and me.

17 years later April returns to the Grand Canyon with Carol and I.

Congratulations on your high school graduation, April. We are proud of you!

5-23-13

Martin: 2 Mile Creek.

Me: Bob had another kick-back day in South Beach. Here's a pic of his yellow convertible. He's using it to go to the library, grocery store and this beautiful spot right here. Anxious to join him in Florida between trips and see all the good spots he's discovered.

Mom worked hard in the kitchen making FOUR batches of Rice Krispie Bars for April's graduation party tomorrow. PS: Only 3 pans are making it there. :-) We also had Kavan this afternoon and enjoyed some pool time.

The finished powder room!

New flooring, fresh paint, an extensive dresser/vanity project with vessel sink and wall mount faucet. Elephant art and mirror new but a bit more accessorizing to come.

 So happy with the result!

Photos of Bath have an odd yellow haze. Camera phones. :-/ 

5-22-13

Martin: Reedy Creek just before we left. Must be a few ghosts around.

Me: Shawn painting the living room a nice tan color. Looking good!

James has been busy this week with the downstairs guest bath. He rigged up the wall mount faucet and attached the vessel sink to the vintage dresser. He reconfigured the plumbing and was able to keep all 3 middle dresser drawers functional - nice work, James! Turned on the water and it all worked. :-) Loving the bathroom...will take photos soon. Still need to seal the top of dresser and look for a few more wall accessories.

Bob update: He had today off in Miami and has been enjoying his Florida mountain bike for touring and workouts. Ratty and I miss him.

5-21-13

Me: I'm watching Dancing with the Stars right now but can't stay up late enough to see who wins tonight. I love this show and secretly wish I could be on it (no secret anymore, ha). I actually voted for the first time by phone last night. Twice, for Kelly Pickler. All the dancers have been fun to watch but Kelly and Derek's last dance (freestyle) was breathtaking.

5-20-13

Me: Mom & I treated ourselves to pedicures. Caught up on Hollywood at the same time.

5-19-13

 Martin: Reedy Creek

Me: Cancun.
Photo e-mailed from Bob. He had some time to enjoy the scenery, swim in the water and eat tacos. Bob needs to keep a book of all the beautiful beaches he's seeing. Love it.

5-18-13

Me: New shelves for our small, previous coat closet turned pantry. I ordered these shallow depth wire shelves on line and assembled them today. Oh, they help so much!

5-17-13

Me: Fun day...
Early morning ride to the "Helipad" with Bob, our nephew, Mike and James.

Kristen, Mom and I shopped the Friday morning garage sales and hit the jackpot at an estate sale! This is one of my favorite buys. A modular coffee table ($40). It's retro style fits or living room perfectly!

Here it is with the table top swinging out...love!

Had to have Bob and James meet me at the Estate Sale to load up the modular table plus several other big items (will post those finds another day). While there Bob and I searched the album collection and bought several records (50 cents ea). Our favorite 2: Andy Williams (who reminds me of my dad) and a Frank Sinatra album which features TWA planes on the cover!! We'll be framing both of these. :-)

Evening walk with my 2 best pals. Perfect ending to a great day. :-)

5-16-13

Me: Photo from morning ride. Hill repeats.

Now Bob and I are still up (way too late) waiting to see who is the next "American Idol".  We got into this season and are impressed with the final two. Will it be Candice or Kree?

5-15-13

Martin: Our spot for the day in the Stanley State Forest. Two creeks joined up just in front of where the car is parked.

Me: Bob's new yellow bike. Bought bought it cheap on Craig's List and is shipping it to his crash pad in Florida. He excited to have it in South Beach to get around town.

5-14-13

Me: Kavan came over to visit Great Grandma this afternoon. It was another good day to cool off in the water. Bob brought us all Dairy Queen Dilly Bars to enjoy after our swim. Today's temp: 105.

I love how Mom is having fun watching Kavan play.

5-13-13

Martin: Chefs for the night, preparing a Mother's Day meal - for the evening before. 

 Me: 103 today - pool season. 

Bob flew home this morning after a long stretch of work. Great to have him back!