Johnny and I enjoy reading the old news.

So did Steve.  He saved a couple stacks worth of them over the years.  It’s a good thing, because they stopped publishing them in 2024.  So John and I have some to read through.  It’s a fun collection of storied from centuries ago…

Holding $10,000 in my hand…

…that would cost you $20,000 to actually buy!

On the way back from the dump the other day I randomly decided to swing by the local Rolex dealer (ironic I know) to see if they’d let me in.  They did.  They were quite nice and accommodating in explaining to me the range of brands and models they carried.  This is the model I like.  The price tag is $11K.  But you can’t actually get one.  If you wanted one, you go on a wait list and play a game with them for a couple years to see if one comes up with your name it.  So you can really only buy them on the used market at twice the price of new…

It was fun to look around in such a nice place.  I got to see some Tudor (sister company to Rolex) in the $5K range and a Breitling Navitimer too.  Next time I may take a look at the Omega Speedmaster.  All nice watches but WAY outside of my price range.  

I do really like the GMT Master look, and function. The 24 hour hand and bezel are useful and intriguing to a nerd like me.  I’m currently going down wormholes in the super-clone sub-culture.  I think I will have to satisfy myself with one of those in the couple hundred dollar range.  Plus you can get them in some of the discontinued cool color combinations.  Stay tuned…

When you need a little extra heat!

Andy was brazing again came up with this duct tape duo idea to give him the extra heat be needed to make it go will.  Brilliant and silly all at the same time.  He said it worked like champ!

More 250th pics…?

This one reminded me a lot of my favorite little antique town that I’m happy to call home❣️

Julie’s “Onion” bird feeder is popular with the critters!

We found this vintage feeder in her mom’s stuff.  Julie put it to use outside our living room window and it is attracting quite a variety.  We had a red-headed woodpecker and a red-wing blackbird this morning.  

Johnny’s startled view on the way to work…

I guess the time has come… I’d been thinking I’ve kind of conquered everything I want to with my Jeep and camper, and kind of even did everything a second time around the second year.  My last trip was a good test if I would miss it, or want to keep going.  I’ve always enjoyed getting into a hobby, learning it, doing well at it, then taking the money and moving on to something else.  I can take the time and money and spend it on other things with my wife, our boys, and their girls so to the street it goes.  They enjoy off-roading with the ATVs more than the Jeep anyhow, so we at least have that still.  

It didn’t help that I’ve been taking it easier and still have something to repair each trip. This one was no exception.  I had to fix the rear end.  Pinion gear I guesss.  Good think I have a spare…

Julie snuck into my Jeep…

She put this (top pic) cute little black cat sticker on my mirror.  With my black interior, it took me a while to notice, but when I did - I loved it.  I had to move it to my Crosstrek (lower left).  Then Johnny finally got a good picture of the eyes.  It’s just like a real black cat, hard to get a good picture of it since they suck all the light out of the room, haha! 

Andy adding to his pipe cutter collection…

Happy Fourth of July. 850,000 fireworks to celebrate our 250th❣️🎆

Mother/Daughter time

Fun moment I noticed while we were cooking hotdogs on the Fourth of July.  Julie and Savannah just standing there chatting about kitchen stuff and Julie’s mom’s designs, cooking, etc.❣️

We ended the evening with hotdogs and s’mores

Then we watched the various neighborhood firework displays.  Andy’s ghosting in the bottom pic 🤪

Savannah’s progress on her latest stained glass

AND the yummy latte she made me!!

Celebrating the Fourth with the kids ❤️

We started with puzzles, games, and music in John & Savannah’s “new” basement.  

More fun with Julie’s family memories.

Top pic her great grandparents on her Dad’s side. Gregory and Amelia Kubina.  Nanny (Faunda) then Bob, Steve and Roz.

Middle pic, my cute little girl as king of the hill.  She loved having a dirt pile to play on which is just another indication she’s the perfect “girl” for me.  

Lastly Steve and Janice with their new bundle of chaos, Julie❣️ I mean, a tornado did hit their house the day they found out they were expecting her.  That tracks pretty well!

Julie is fish sitting

Stef made this cool ferry shrimp tank that she was watching while they were recently on vacation.