Zoe shredder 9000

It was time to clean the air conditioner. I Finally thought of a way to keep that stable and out of the way during AC cleaning. 🤪 Bogen arm too the rescue. 

Funny thing, though, the stupid little dog that’s scared of her shadow sometimes just walked right through the doggie door right through the Fan out to hang with me. Of course she couldn’t work up the nerve to go back in either…

Don’t worry, Its power is disconnected twice. 

I like the various ways my dad’s ring catches the light

Inset shows how just one of the facets underneath was shining.  Top pic shows full sun when most of them have lit up. I like seeing the reflection of the sun in that one too.

Mom bringing back memories

I remember going to this Red’s game at riverfront and coming home with that pennant.  It hung in my room for a while.  I’m 90% sure I have it in a memory box from high school days still.  

Still fun to use my dad’s old stuff

And to stumble on his handwriting since he labeled everything. Haha.

A few fun memories from over the decades

The original map of how to get to Julie’s house for our first date, milk bottles from my great grandpa’s bee and dairy farm, Scruffy! Andy’s advernture book volume two, my dad’s tractor, a note from Johnny, and a business card holder from my Invotec days including several fun little, appropriate Lego mini-figures.  That pretty well covers life.  Good times!

Really cool to see our business cards together…

It’s even better to see Steve’s handwritten notes like my mobile number.  His Rolodex reads like a who’s who of all the same important customers I called on so many years later.  Interesting to think of he and I traipsing through the same plants years apart from each other. 

If Andy had a family crest, THIS would be it!

This was the logo on the cigar box that we adapted for one of his early balisong displays. It was fitting that his box is adorned with his initials.  There was a spare panel we didn’t use.  It bore the same logo so I saved it and now added it to one of my memory shelves.  It was fun to do little projects with the boys when they were younger and smaller.  Now that they’re older and bigger, the projects have gotten bigger too. It’s still fun to help them with life’s projects whether that’s around the house or navigating life decisions and logistics.  It’s nice to have the time, and also that they’re willing to ask for and take advice.  That will serve them well and I’m blessed with the family we’ve grown together ❤️

We saved this mug that Julie got for her mom

And now Julie and can enjoy it as a mother too.  Julie has been such a great mom to the boys and I love seeing her relationship with them over the years.  You can tell it was her calling and she stepped up❣️❣️❣️❣️

This will make a nice nightlight for my office

Janice took these glass blocks and decorated them with ribbons and lights.  It reminds me of her love for us all in May office now and fills it with a nice warm, homey glow.

We found Mr. and Mrs. Claus!

Janice hand painted many ceramics in the early years of her marriage and Julie’s youth.  This little set is a great example of the detail she put into it!  The needle and thread in Mrs. Claus’ hand, and the gradients colors in Mr. Claus’ paint brush and skateboard are intricate.  Check out the shading in the bag and presents and the detail in each little package and toy inside including the detail in the wrapping paper!  We’d packed these away years ago for safe keeping.  It’s nice to have them out to see again.  

Fun USA 250th graphics for the Fourth of July

City Barbecue on the left and Graeter’s on the right. Two stores right next to each other twice (Centerville and Beavercreek), a good combo too!

The fun and beauty of Julie’s fish tank

 

Zoe thinks Chloe should put more effort into playing with her!

Devolving into feats of strength

Andy and Zac tried out figure jousting… hahahaha.

Cheyenne and Chris had a good idea for a birthday party

A blind taste test from our various favorite pizza places.  It was fun to pull out the Kmart Lille Caesar’s bags from 20 years ago.  Andy got the most of them right and won a prize.  They all took it seriously. It was  fun listening to their commentary and ratings along the way.