Catch Up

It has been awhile! The last I wrote on here was when Bethany got home from Band Camp!

Since then we made a quick trip up to Conneaut to visit and to attend our nephew Kevin's graduation Open House. Troy's Aunt Shirley was there visiting from Florida, also.

I like having an open house or something like that to go to that all the family attends. I can see and talk to a lot of relatives all at once and it makes it so convenient.

On Tuesday Troy, Bethany and I headed back to Tipp City. TJ stayed behind with his car for a few more days. When we got home, we unloaded and then Troy and I went to the kennel to pick up Max. That dog just about knocked me down! He jumped in the van and landed on Troy and stayed there holding him down all the way home. LOL

Wednesday morning and Troy was really sick. It lasted for 2 days.

On Saturday Troy went off to a church golf outing and TJ headed home. Thank heaven for internet maps and cell phones because TJ missed his turn off twice. Yikes! I had to guide him back out of one of the nastiest parts of East Cleveland back onto route 271S and then I had to guide him out of the center of Columbus to get on route 70W. When he got home, he parked his car, fell out of the driver's door and kissed the driveway. He announced, "Never again!" That will change as he ages.

Sunday morning and TJ was ill...that lasted a couple of days. Monday morning and I was REALLY sick...I was much better by Tuesday morning. It didn't hit Bethany until Wednesday...it lasted 2 days for her too.

Tuesday night TJ was incharge of taking Bethany to and from marching band practice and taking Max to the dog park because Troy had booked us a room at a hotel not TOO far away (down near the Air Force Base) and we went out to dinner for our 20th anniversary. He surprised me with brand new wedding bands! I was REALLY surprised, too!

Bethany missed out on her band practice Thursday night...she was too sick.

Which brings us to today. Troy played golf...twice. I took Max to the dog park and TJ went off to the Area Church Softball Tournament. There was 4 games tied for 1st place. They won and had to play another game to see who took home the 1st and 2nd place trophies. Troy came down to the dog park to take over watching Max so I could see some of the last game and get a couple of pictures.


That's TJ playing catcher. He wore his Cleveland Browns jersey for good luck. I laughed at him! And on top of that, it was an 'Edwards' jersey. I asked him if he was going to drop the balls!


This is the second place trophy. They lost 5-2. But, hey...they did good!

Tomorrow I am hoping to have some time to be outside clearing out a few areas and transplanting some flowers...again.

The Evening Activities

The buses rolled in and the marching band rolled out...looking tired and hot and hungry. The parents had gathered in the high school cafeteria with lots of food and drinks. The tables were filled and many more were carried in and unfolded.

As I turned to head out the door to find my Bethany, I heard her voice and turned. There she was. I don't remember her looking so very grown up! She was tanned and thinner. She hadn't hugged and kissed me that much since she was in about 1st grade! That's when I KNEW she was delirious from hungry and lack of sleep! LOL

We ate and TJ had to get up and take off. He had a church softball tournament to play in. It turns out they didn't play too well and lost this game. But there was a 3 way tie for 1st place, and since their team was one of the 3, they will have another chance in two weeks.

After everyone was done eating and the clean-up was under way, the Music Booster President took me around to introduce me to the other officers. I am the new Vice Treasurer. I am just there to help the Treasurer with some of her duties. Other than that, I only signed up for one more thing...I will work the concession stand at one of the home games. Bethany seemed to be really happy with my new post.


Tippecanoe High School 2009-10 Marching Red Devils


Bethany is the second from the right...the shrimp playing the bells. LOL


Listening to her instructions!!

She came home, took a shower and talked a mile a minute! Troy took Max to the doggy park while TJ was at his game...and I dumped everything out of Bethany's bags to wash it up, and repack it to take off in the morning to go for family visits.

Band Camp

This is the ever alert Bethany on her last day of Rookie Marching Camp.


This is Bethany's friend Amy.


And this is her friend Megan...the organized one. (someone has to be!)

I didn't sleep well last night and neither did Bethany. She was 'excited' about going to band camp. I was nervous that we would forget something...or SHE would forget something. But after going over lists and rechecking things and the last minute recheck of the bags...Troy loaded her up and I dropped her off.

They had reserved a bus JUST FOR the suitcases. After seeing the amount of luggage waiting for the bus on the sidewalk...and knowing that not everyone was there, yet, I'm not sure one bus will do it! On top of the bus for hauling suitcases...and the 3busses for hauling kids...they also have a truck with a VERY LARGE trailer that they haul the instruments in. They have gotten very efficient at packing it...after so many years of doing that, I suppose they would. However, the band seems to be bigger than ever this year. I'm thinking that they may want those clarinet players to hang on to their own instruments.

The band director had a MANDATORY meeting Monday night for ALL students going to band camp and their parents. He told the students how many bags to bring. One large one and one large duffel bag for bedding. (I adhered to that...not everyone did. But I also know from experience that if you bring it, you haul it. Bethany will thank me.) Mr. Parks (the director) told of one enterprising young man who had figured out that he could pack quite a lot of his clothes inside a large dorm refrigerator, so instead of bringing a suitcase, he brought a dorm fridge, instead. After laughing about it a bit, Mr. Parks put on a serious face and said, "Dont' do that." LOL

I am not worried about Bethany NOT being okay at band camp...she will be just fine. I'm just worried about her leaving things behind! I might have to call her on Thursday night and make sure she is checking the WHOLE room to make sure she has things packed...and a few items in particular.

Troy has to be in Indiana a good part of this week...so it will be me and TJ...oh, and Max and Pete.

Today turned out to be a really beautiful day after all that downpouring yesterday. We are SUPPOSED to get more rain tomorrow. I just hope they have good weather for their week at band camp.

Just Moving Along

My back is better...not entirely healed, but better.

My days are broken up this week by taking Bethany back and forth to the high school. She has Rookie Marching Camp for two hours in the morning then band practice for 2 1/2 hours in the evening. Although, last night it was a mandatory music boosters meeting for band camp...for the kids AND the parents. We sat in those uncomfortable plastic chairs for 1 1/2 hours. I came home and instantly iced my back!

Bethany tossed up her breakfast this morning. She made it through 1 hour of marching. I had to pick her up. I know what most of the problem is...allergies and sinus drainage. So, I have just this week to get it under control before she hits band camp. I gave her some decongestant and she used her nasal spray before climbing under the covers for a few hours. If it isn't one thing, it's another.

TJ spent some time hanging out with this kid from the church, Ross. Ross is in the marching band with Bethany, altho he is in his Jr. year of school. TJ was impressed with the fact that Ross could play a multitude of instruments...stringed, brass, woodwind, percussion, and keyboard. He seems to be one of those musical savants.
This is good becuz I finally began TJ's keyboard lessons with him this week. We will see what kind of a gift TJ has for instruments. It will give him something else to do since Steven left for the Army last Monday.

Troy is busy again this week with some short travels. He spent some time on Saturday trimming bushes and hoeing the dirt around the plants in the front of the house. It looks really nice! He also took a long ride on the new bike trails that extend from here to Troy, Ohio. When he got back he announced that he was buying a wide gel seat for his bike. LOL!!! I am getting a new bike, myself, so that I can join him biking the trails. TJ has a bike and Bethany also needs one. Troy said that we will all need the multi-speed bikes as the trail is an uphill slope coming back from Troy, Ohio. yay.

I spent a lot of time last Wednesday night and Thursday morning baking cookies for home and for the 4th of July music booster refreshment stand. I baked about 10 dozen cookies. We had a light and steady rain Saturday evening and I thought maybe the festivities at the park would be cut short. But the fireworks were still launched. We walked down to the end of our block so the trees weren't in the way. They were very nice.

Max has made many friends for himself at the Dog Park. 95% of the owners know him and us owners all know each other by sight. It has been one thing to be known as Troy's wife or Bethany's mom or TJ's mom but now I am recognized as Max's owner...and some call me Max's mom. I am not the parent to a dog. But I just let it go. Some ppl are weird that way.

Today is warm and sunny. I hope to soak up some of that sun. It always makes one feel better!