David's Life: 2018-08

2018-08-31

Per Johnny, “Andy, you’re the coolest kid I know, that was really cool!”

Pepper is entertaining us all...

AKA Peppercorn, Ghost Pepper, Smokey Ghost Peppercorn... haha.

Keeping up a pond is a lot of work!

Kaboom!

I happened to be flying around when the neighbors decided to shoot one of those exploding targets... They drained their pond recently, and I guess they used the banks for a berm. I flew over and saw them enjoying the aftermath. ;)

2018-08-30

I am privileged to have had these men and happy memories, as positive role models, to shape my life!

I’ve been enjoying the treat my mom brought me back from her trip to Lakeside!

Makes for a perfect lunch.

Beautiful Ohio?!

I've wanted to to capture this scene, from south central Ohio, for quite a while. So, I finally took the time, pulled over, and launched my camera.

It’s THAT time of year again!

Awana kicks off, with a fun fair, once again. My boys are willingly serving once again.

2018-08-29

Bananas anyone!?

Don't forget to have enough of them, each day... ;)

Emily captures this cool picture while playing a card game from long ago. GO!

I remember my grandma teaching me to play and us playing with her and my mom. I wonder how old the game is. I would guess it was something my mom had as a small girl. It's all about getting the furthest on a car trip.

Julie is happy to have influenced someone with her math teaching

She takes such good notes when reviewing the lessons, then walks through them with the boys. They have all progressed a long ways. Johnny has considered teaching math and I think Isaac sees it as a possibility as well.

It was nice of Isaac to take the time to say thanks, as well.

Imagine that, Julie, a math teacher...! Impressive girl. I appreciate all you do in our schooling of our children, Julie!!!

2018-08-28

Not bad progress for 298 days...

My neighbor moved back into her childhood home, this weekend. Sounds familiar...?

Here is the before and after. I tried to frame the same shot, but the branch had been trimmed, and I couldn't get close enough because of the garage addition. But this will have to do. In the top picture, they had already spent a day or two and torn off the dilapidated garage and kitchen, but hadn't started any work on the main house.

Nothin’ like a stop at the candy store, after a rousing spin-top battle...!

All the intensity of the Spin Top Festival competition.

Andys team (Homework Burners) came from behind to win first place. It was a close battle. Because of double elimination, they had to beat the undefeated Bitter Brothers, twice, in the final bracket. Matches are normally won by the first team to 11. They won the final match 11 to 12. If his top hadn't survived the longest, victory (and first place) would have gone to the other team. The girl in the orange shirt was on his second place team, two years ago.

You can see all the fun at this link:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/dwbarton/albums/72157699033300791

2018-08-27

Too much like my dad?

When one of your Dad's long time friends calls and says, "I'm downsizing, do you want any of my leftover stuff?", the proper answer is YES...

Turns out Dave Blum had some lumber and this old drill press that I will put to good use. Funny thing is that it matches the old lathe my dad collected, somewhere along the way. Dave confirmed the drill was Jean's dad's, and not related to the lathe. It is, however, a perfect match!

Andy and I took a detour for a chance to walk down a dark alley... :)

Andy won a new spin stop, and a decent wad of cash.

The cash was in $2 bills to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Miamisburg. They counted it out, bill by bill, and it seemed like the cash would never stop!

2018-08-26

The spin top festival is always good for some other skill toys!

Andy tries his hand at a Colossal Kendama!

Andy did it! His team won FIRST place at the spin top festival.

Over the last three years, they've placed 2nd, 3rd, and 1st. Johnny had to work this year... :(

Move in weekend... Welcome home Mary!

It's so nice to have our neighbors back. Mary and I grew up, next door to each other. Now we have both renovated and moved back into our parent's homes. Kind of cool. We actually had five houses, that adjoined each other, where the same families still lived there, from when we were kids.

2018-08-25

My boys and their skill toy tricks! :)

via IFTTT

“I can’t figure out why nobody can hear me when they call?!”

I think I found the problem... Luckily an air compressor was an easy fix.

The guilty shall remain nameless. Let's just say they're infamous for it. ;)

I’ve always liked Julie’s hair longer, but she recently found a shorter style we both really like.

Here's to my cutie! ;)

2018-08-24

Andy enjoying some time in our garage/workshop. He’s getting pretty good at the lathe.

via IFTTT

Like father, like son... My sister sent me this. So applicable. So perfect.

How many generations and times I've been in that picture somehow? Now I'm laughing and crying all at the same time. So many memories, so much love, so much work. :) I just hope my kids are taking notes... Johnny says he hopes I'M taking notes!

Like mother, like daughter...

2018-08-23

Andy’s been doing some more lathing, this week.

He's getting quite good at it. He's making more Kendama and knuckle bone fidget toys. I need to get him a better chuck...

His grandpas and great grandpa would be proud! I know I am!

Another shot of Julie’s latest cool critter. Mantis alert. ;)

2018-08-22

Pepper’s fur is totally cool!

John got to spend some time, working on Corel Draw, with Joslyn’s mom.

She's teaching him quite a lot. They made these samples, while going through the tutorials.

2018-08-21

Andy fixed my clay shooting issues. Changing it up, him teaching me shooting...! ;)

via IFTTT

Cousin fun, over the weekend.

Isaac, rifle, 25 yards.

Six years go by so fast and so slow...

This is Andy when he inherited my dad's watch. It was an important keepsake for him. Sweet kid!

2018-08-20

Oh boy. Oh girl.

This seems to be happening, more and more, with my nephews... Seems to be the in thing, as a teenager... ;)

Cousins over...

The boys are laughing at memes, while they enjoy some time with their cousin, this weekend.

Julie found another critter, in the field, behind her mom’s house.

Cool, cute, and a little creepy...

2018-08-19

Andy rockin’ it at our steel competition, yesterday. Pistol Caliber Carbine.

via IFTTT

While going through some of her dad’s pictures, Julie found this picture of Brutus and Andy. So sweet.

Brutus made such a good snuggler.

Andy tried Pistol Caliber Carbine competition, for the first time, yesterday.

He wiped the floor with me...!

2018-08-18

Julie got me 20 gauge chapstick. Perfect!

Brutie was such a goofy dog!

via IFTTT

2018-08-17

I caught the Moon and Venus, a couple nights ago.

They appear to be soooo innocent..

...and then they attack!

2018-08-16

More fun with my birthday present...

via IFTTT

Fun with my birthday present...

via IFTTT

Thanks to my family for celebrating my birthday, last night

It kind of got set aside, over the last week or two. It was good to get together and enjoy some good Mexican food!

So many hours, spent working in workshops, with my dad and my father in-law.

I miss those times, now. I enjoy it with my boys.

Remembering my dad...

Best part is my niece took this nice picture! She's enjoying Lakeside too.

2018-08-15

I sure miss that laugh...

via IFTTT

Building things with dad, one of Andy’s joys. :)

During our prayer breakfast, this morning, Andy listed building things with me as one of the great joys of life. Here we are working on a couple more kendama shelves, last night. Looks good! He even made a special "single" for the dama of the day. Haha.