Friday, June 21, 2024

Trucks and ICAD Week 1

That weekend we had with our daughter and grandson's was a really fun one.  They got to check out the little excavator that was left in the yard for the outside project we're having done.  


The day was cool and there was a beautiful breeze and after playing outside for a bit, then having lunch, she wanted to take them to Polar Cub for ice cream.  This little guy held onto that spoon for a very long time afterward.  But we were on our way to another adventure...... Touch a Truck at the local county college not too far from us.  
 

GS2 got to go in every vehicle that was open and even managed to turn the lights and siren on one of them unexpectedly.  There were all kinds of heavy machinery there, including a trash truck, and all the local emergency vehicles.  They also had food trucks there at the end.  Papa and I skipped that part and headed home - they weren't too far behind us.  Rachel and I took the kids to Target and then we all came home and crashed.  It was wonderfully exhausting.



This is the 11th year that I'm doing the ICAD challenge and I know that I promised to post each week, but somehow here we are at day 21 and I haven't posted anything yet.  So to keep this from being a mega post, I will start with only the first week here and now.

My Title Card 
Strips of Origami Star Paper with some markers for the background.  The letters and year on kraft stickers with some gel pen line work.


Day 1/61 - Doorway or Portal
Pro-Marx Ultra fine Marker, PaperMate Ink Joy Bright Gel Pens, QiLi Metallic Colored Pencils


Day 2/61 - Zinnia
Sharpie Pain Pens, General's Pastel Pencils, PaperMate Ink Joy Brights Gel Pens


Day 3/61 - Gradient
Ohuhu Alcohol Markers


Day 4/61 - Tree
I realized that I needed to update our family tree but I couldn't fit the names in quite well enough to suit me so this is a little different.  While we all share the same roots, our offspring have "transplanted" to other forests.  Ohuhu Alcohol Markers, Micron.


Day 5/61 - Patisserie
Prismacolor Watercolor Pencils, PaperMate Ink Joy Brights Gel Pens


Day 6/61 - Owl
I revisited my tangle I named MYOWLZ adding some green leaves in between.  Micron, Ohuhu Alcohol Markers.


Day 7/61 - Lavender
Micron, Prismacolor Pencils.  When I did this I was thinking that the lavender was going to be ready soon and I might make some more this year.  I'll have to check tomorrow first thing to make sure I didn't miss out.


I'll be back soon with the next two weeks.  Hoping everyone is staying cool.  The temps here are climbing to that very uncomfortable point.

Friday, June 7, 2024

What's Going On...........

We're still in the state of flux in the yard right now.  HWNSNBP had an idea for a project that is going to take some heavy machinery so we're waiting for any ground planting although he's been filling the flower pots for a couple of weeks now - with the right plants this time.  But, much to our surprise, after not having any iris blooms last year, we were treated with these beauties the last week or so of May...



However, all but one of the newer ones that he planted last year didn't bloom.  This is the only one...


I've spent time going back and forth to the rehab facility that my mother was in, along with my own physical therapy and dr. appointments.  I've been tapping into my stash of pre-made cards for birthdays the last couple of months feeling slightly guilty about that but at the same time, knowing that they're being used and not just stored away is a good feeling.  I'm still proud of the work that I did on them, I just wish I had more energy and time to do some new creating up in the stamp cave.  Maybe, now that my mother is back at home some time will free up (and I'm going to have to make myself scarce when the work is being done outside).   Since I used those cards from my stash, I neglected to take pictures of them again - they're somewhere on this blog from past years I know.

We celebrated the DE GS's birthdays last weekend with them and I brought deviled eggs two ways and the requested banana cream dessert.  It was a gorgeous day and we really enjoyed spending time with them and their friends.



They had a big adventure the next day - CHOP had a reunion for all their fetal heart patients at the Philadelphia Zoo and they spent the whole morning there.


The little one is the original FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) candidate and wore himself out staying awake in the stroller all morning.  But it made for a quiet trip back home for them because he was out like a light as soon as he was picked up to be put in his car seat.  He sleeps well at night, but doesn't want to miss a thing during the day and only takes cat naps most days.

GS1 in Tennessee is done with school for the year and has started his "sports" camps - this week it's basketball....


We will miss watching him play like we did the last two summers when they were nearer.  Right now we're trying to figure out a good time to go visit them.  I'm still in PT but I can work my schedule around it - driving 12 hours is out, so we will be flying.  I'll have to explain this when I go through security.....


Yes, that's my back.  Doctor says to do what I'm comfortable with.  Still using the cane when I go out for balance but I'm working on that more with my PT so the next time I see him, no more cane.

I've started ICAD again this year which I'll be sharing a week at a time, and I promise I will get back to visiting my blogging friends soon to catch up with them and all the Jingle Belle challenges too.

We've got GS2 and GS3 coming with their mom this weekend and have some fun things planned I hope to share soon too.  So I'd better get busy clearing off this dining room table where I camp out with my supplies within reaching distance of toddlers' fingers.