Such a Saturday...

Saturday, November 17th, I went in to visit Papa in the morning. Claude had a project to work on for Eagle Bend. The bridge into our community needed some special caulking done where the bridge is built to expand or contract with the weather. The special caulking has to be mixed. To do this the City purchased a special gun that looks like some kind of lethal weapon. But it is made so you put two tubes of this special compound that must be mixed together in the body of the caulking gun and as they are compressed they combine in one tube at the end of the caulking gun and come out as one mixture. This requires a huge compressor and, since there is no electrical outlet at the bridge, a generator. As Carol Struthers, our City Commissioner over this type of thing, finally managed to get all the pieces and parts needed to complete this project, Claude, Carol and Mike Mizell, another of the City Commissioners, picked this Saturday morning to get the project done. I left at 9:45am as they were arriving for a 10am start time. I visited Papa and left him at Noon to go to Walmart to buy yarn to make Aubrey a big afghan as she requested. When I got home it was probably around 1pm or a little after. They were still working. Mike had to leave so I went on home and changed into really grubby clothes, packed a few water bottles in a bag and hiked back to the entrance to Eagle Bend to try and be a little helpful. We didn't finished until about 4pm. But, the bridge has been caulked and the labor was free.

How does one end a day like this? Well, in the Claude and Sandi case, they go on a date to the Bluegrass Rockin' Rodeo!!

Claude has cowboy in his veins. A lot of that part of his make up has not had full time to shine over the years. He grew up in Box Elder County, Utah. The Box Elder County Fair & Rodeo was a highlight each year. People come from miles around to attend this Fair & Rodeo. It is one of Claude's favorite memories. After we were married and when we were visiting in Utah during Fair and Rodeo time, he said we should attend. I did not grow up with rodeos of any kind. My first reaction was, "I don't want to see a horse break its leg." Claude assured me that never happened. So, we went to the Box Elder County Fair and Rodeo. And...the first horse out of the shoot broke it's leg. I kid you not. I was ill and Claude was a mite chagrined. I did not ever go back to a rodeo. 

Fast forward to Friday evening. Claude received an eMail from someone he knows through all his boards and things he sits on. Claude was offered two tickets to the Bluegrass Rockin' Rodeo at the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. Claude quietly asked if I would be interested in going to the rodeo. Hmmmm... I know he misses so much of the west and I said, "Sure, let's go to the rodeo." So, Saturday evening we went to the rodeo...

At the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park...

Okay, Claude had the times wrong. They opened the doors at 5:30pm. That part he had right. He thought the rodeo began at 6pm. That part was wrong. The rodeo began at 7:30pm. The idea was to get you there, have you buy from the food vendors and shop the merchandise vendors until time for the rodeo to begin. We did have a hamburger and soda each. Claude pronounced the burger good. This is important because all of our married life he has raved about how good a Fair and Rodeo burger was. So, our burger Saturday night passed that test. Then we hit the vendor selling pecans, almonds or cashews cooked in cinnamon and sugar. I have a real weak spot for these kinds of nuts. I got a small bag of pecans and Claude got a small bag of almonds. Then we found our seats.

We used our time till the rodeo would begin to plot our menus for Thanksgiving company. It is all in my phone...somewhere. Now I can make that grid and then buy groceries tomorrow afternoon. Claude also got us each a pretzel and we downed those. 

When the rodeo started there was a tribute to each branch of the military. This is the rider with a flag for the United States Air Force. Go Claude!!

Then the Flag of the United States of America was brought out. We all stood and put our hands over our hearts. A recording of a men's quartet sing our National Anthem was played and it was beautiful.  

This was followed by all the cowboys and cowgirls on their horses making a parade around the outside edge of the arena with the US Flag in front. 

Time for the events. The first event was Bare Back Riding. It is just painful for me to watch these guys. I can see the damage to their bodies that will really come back to haunt them as they get older.

Next came Bull Dogging or Steer Wrestling. I learned something here that I did not know about my hubby. He always felt that, if he were to participate in a rodeo, this is the event he would want to do. Oh My!!

This was followed by Team Roping. I could see the skill level needed here. I find it fascinating that you can make a loop out of rope and throw it and actually have it go around the items you want to catch with said rope. Even reading that last sentence tells you how much I am NOT a cowgirl. Anyway, these two guys have to first get the lasso around the head of the steer and then the second cowboy had to get his lasso around both the back legs. They have one chance to do this and they are working for speed in getting it done. How they do it, I will probably never understand, especially those two back legs. I mean, that rope has to get under the legs when they are in the air to be able to get both of them inside the lasso. Amazing.

Next they did a little Saddle Bronc Riding. Again, these guys are going to have some major pain as they age. I just hurt when I watch this. Every spot of arthritis in my body cries out with pain.

 

Then we viewed Tie Down Roping. This requires a horse that knows what he is supposed to do to assist the cowboy. That calf has to be lassoed. Then the horse has to know when his rider jumps off to pull on the lasso so there is tension in the rope. The cowboy takes another bit of rope and first ties up on leg, then brings the other three legs together and ties them with the first with a half-hitch tie. Again, speed is very important in the score. And, some measure of strength to lift that calf and make him lay on his side. 

Finally we were treated to Cowgirl Breakaway Roping. She has to lasso that cow and then she can let the rope down. 

Time for Intermission. Time for more food, beverage, stretch your legs, buy some merchandise, etc. But the cutest part was Calf Scramble. I had video of this also, however, I couldn't find it on my cell phone or Claude's cell phone. You see, my battery on my cell phone died and I had to use Claude's cell phone to take the last bits of video. I posted the Calf Scramble on my Facebook page so I am sure I took it with my cell phone. Maybe I accidentally deleted it but it is gone...except for my Facebook page. For this event a ribbon is tied to a calf's tail. They did this event two time. The first time it was 7-9 year old kids. The second time it was 10-12 year old kids. The kids form a line across the middle of the arena. A calf it let loose of one end of the arena. Then the kids all run to see who can pull off the ribbon or a part of it and take it to the rodeo clown. Poor calf. Those kids are all over trying to get the ribbon. It was fun to watch this event. No one was hurt and all the kids had a great time.

Intermission was over and it was time for the final two events. The first was Barrel Racing by the cowgirls. This was fun to watch. Lynette, Claude's sister, did this at the rodeo when she was a teen. She also would rope a goat and tie its legs together. Evan, their father, bought her a goat to practice with. This clever goat figured out what she was going to do when she came riding at him on her horse. The goat would quickly lay on his side with his feet out ready to be tied. Much easier on him that way but not so great for Lynette to practice getting the goat lassoed and then laying it on its side before tying his legs together. So, Claude and I sat back and enjoyed this particular event.

The final event of the evening was the bull riding. Absolutely my least favorite event. I was groaning before it even started. I counted the stalls and there were six bulls being prepared for six riders. I told myself I just had to keep it together for six riders. Claude was very amused at my anxiety but my willingness to watch with him. After three riders, I realized they had filled up the three stalls with three more bulls. Oh My Goodness!! I would have to get through nine bull rides total. I just looked at my hubby and said, "I want double points for doing this with you!" He had a good belly laugh out of that and gave me a squeeze. 

This Bluegrass Rockin' Rodeo was done by IPRA (International Professional Rodeo Association. This, according to the announcer who repeated it several times, is the second most important Rodeo event for professional riders. Who would have thought? I asked Claude, when it was all said and done, if it stacked up against Box Elder Country Rodeo at all. He assured me it did and he was absolutely thrilled to get back to a rodeo. 

As a side note, when we got ready to get dressed to go to this rodeo, I suggested to Claude he might wear his cowboy boots. He did and he really enjoyed that as well. When we first married he always owned two pair of cowboy boots. The oldest pair was for casual and knocking around. The newest pair was for Church and dressy things. It was good to see my Big Guy in his boots again. We will go back when it comes to Lexington again.

Honoring Those Who Serve...

Friday, November 16th, Claude was up and out of the house by 6am. This is one really good Grampa. Oldham County Middle School picks one day close to Veteran's Day to honor the Veteran's in any of the students families. They are invited to the school for a day of recognition of their service, a nice lunch, musical tribute by the OCMS Band and a parade with their student family members. This year Hayden and Bailey are both in OCMS. This year Hayden is in the 8th Grade and that is the band that plays for the Veterans. These youngest grandmonsters were super excited to have their Grampa come to the school as their invited Veteran. I talked to Bailey on the phone the night before and she asked me to tell her Grampa if he got there a little early he could have extra snuggles. Even though we had very cold weather and snow on the ground the night before, this Grampa was going to be there for his Grandmonsters.

They did something different this year that was especially nice. A plane flew over the soccer field while the guests shivered and looked on. A Veteran parachuted out of the plane. As he descended to the soccer field, he unfurled a huge Flag of the United States of America. There were people on the ground to catch the flag and then the Veteran landed and walked on two artificial legs through the crowd. If that doesn't move you and touch your heart, I just don't know what to say. Here are some pictures Claude took. The first is the crowd waiting. The crowd went on down the edge of this parking lot. The second is the parachutist with the U.S. Flag unfurled. The third is the Flag. The fourth is the Veteran parachutist. Absolutely amazing. 

The OCMS kids make a poster for each of the Veterans to march with in the parade.  This is Claude's poster and him with Bailey and Hayden getting ready to march in the parade. He had a great day and always enjoys supporting his Grandmonsters.

After Claude got home, we attended the baptism service of an 8 year old boy in our congregation, Elijah Grant Werner. I helped bake a few cookies and mini-cupcakes for part of the refreshments and also played the piano. These are always sweet services and a joy to watch these little ones make covenants with their Heavenly Father.

Then we hurried across Georgetown to attend a dinner to honor the service of Scott County Judge Executive George Lusby. He has served as Judge Executive for 29 years. I am so impressed with this good man. Claude and I often sit with him and Barbara, his wife, when we attend the dinners and events that government leaders are invited to attend. I have always found him to be a morally grounded and good man to the core. He is a Democrat and I am a Republican and I have voted for him every time because he is a man with good values. We need that. This dinner was simply wonderful. They had prepared two videos that paid tribute to the man. These told of a life well lived and full of good things. It was a delight to pay our respects to George Lusby. He did not run this time and it will be sad to see him not serve. He has left Scott County debt free and many, many projects completed to meet the needs of the people and serve our community. 

It was a full day. But one that, when we got to the end of it, we both said what a good day it was. A day well filled and lived.

Made it to Monday...

It was a GREAT weekend!!

Saturday Nissa arrived from Michigan with her daughters and their children in the early evening. This meant we had a daughter, two granddaughters and two great grandmonsters. Saturday evening would be just them. Sunday we would add more family to the mix.

Here are a few pictures from Saturday evening.

Raelyn quickly found the little fan Claude got from Kentucky League of Cities. She was very happy with this gadget.

The clock that plays music each hour was where Raelyn asked about next. She was pulling a chair over so she could reach the button that lets her play the music when she wants. We called for Nissa to bring Nelson so he could learn about the clock. This clock will go to Nissa in the future. How fun to have her play with it with her grandmonsters?

Look at this mouth filling up with teeth. Our happy boy loved that the windows are low enough for him to stand and look out. He is by the door to the deck on the back of the house in this picture.

Raelyn had taken us downstairs several times to where the toy closet is located. She and I brought up the basket of baby toys so we had stuff on the main level for Nelson. We also brought us the play dishes. In this picture Raelyn is taking the toy knife to Claude's shoe. Then she took the little wand you put in bubbles and then blow on it to make bubbles fly in the air and put it in Claude's water bottle to try and make bubbles. Don't you love Claude's expression? And the fun begins!!

I downloaded a game called Puzzingo on my Kindle for Raelyn about 4 visits ago. She looks a bit grown up with her little legs crossed while she matches objects in the game. 

It was a good evening and we all went to bed a little before our bedtime, which was a good thing.

Sunday morning Claude fixed a big breakfast of biscuits and gravy for the family. I went to Church to play the organ. Afterward I went to the nursing home and picked up Papa to come out to the house for the day. Here is Papa meeting his namesake for the first time.

The Marx family joined us about midday. Here are a few pictures of them getting acquainted with Nelson and Raelyn. 

The Marx's brought a present for Raelyn and a present for Nelson. The toys were very welcome and much enjoyed.

Claude smoked a brisket and made funeral potatoes. Lunch was sooooo good. Moonshine corn, rolls, salad. Katelyn made a chocolate cake and we served that with ice cream. No one went away hungry. 

Then we settled into a few hours of conversation and play before the Marx family had to return home. Here are some pictures of that. 

Raelyn felt she needed to try to hang the turtle on the lamp. She worked very hard at this with no success. I was wondering if she was channeling her inner Christmas decorating genes.

Okay, these two pictures are just precious. Raelyn's dad is Drew. Drew LOVES ice hockey. His favorite team is the Detroit Red Wings. He plays on several leagues. He just loves hockey. Raelyn loves to watch hockey with her dad. More than that, she loves when she and her Mom, Katelyn, go to the rink and watch Daddy play hockey. She has even ridden on his shoulders while he skated around the rink. She LOVES this. Drew did not come on this trip. But Raelyn designated this part of the breakfast room as 'Daddy Ice' and pretended to skate on it a lot. Then she started to bring up and make use of toys on Daddy Ice. She used a toy golf club for a hockey stick. Then she found a plastic donut to use as a hockey puck. Away she went to Daddy Ice to play a game all by herself. I happened to be there to see it. And in true two year old fashion, she made a goal and raise those hands in the air and yelled "Goal"! Oh my heavens that was cute. I sent the pictures and the story to Drew. He was very happy to get them. I think he was missing his little girl.

I was going down the stairs with Raelyn to play with the toys in the basement. She found her Mother's high school picture on the wall. At the landing on the stairs is a long plaque about Claude and my history with Goldwing Road Rider's Association (GWRRA). At the top are two tiny pictures of Claude and I. I told Raelyn that was great Grampa and me. She thought for sure it was a picture of her Daddy. Hmmm...what to do? what to do? I went into the family room and found a picture of Drew, Katelyn and Raelyn when she was a baby in the swing on the porch of our home. I took it to Raelyn. She was overjoyed. She hugged that picture and said, "Daddy, Daddy!" I just let her carry it around. She would take it upstairs and play with it, lay it down for a while, then pick it up and play with it again. Happy she enjoyed it so much.  

Raelyn found the bag that the present for Nelson came in. This had to happen. Andie posted the picture of Raelyn with the bag over her head on our private family Facebook page. Jake commented, "Plese tell me someone took care of the bag lady joke in my absence." Andie commented, "I think we may have failed you in that regard." Raelyn does make a cute bag lady.

One of the books I read to Raelyn had the story of the cow jumping over the moon. From that point forward, she was saying "Moon" and jumping off of the sofa, the coffee table, a chair, etc. Okay, I know that jumping off a coffee table is probably not acceptable to some people. But I honestly don't have a problem with it. She will not be this little forever and it is fun to see them experience life. 

Papa totally enjoyed watching Nelson with the play dishes. I keep them in this toy dish drainer. We would toss all the dishes in it and immediately Nelson would begin to fling them out to find the one he wanted to play with. In addition, he really loved just sitting in the dish drainer. Such a cutie. 

He loves to wear Tony's cap. Tony is Aubrey's intended. Tony knows how much Nelson loves playing with his cap so he quietly tucked it into Aubrey's luggage when she didn't know it so Nelson would have something familiar while he was away. Nelson is only a year old but he knows how to get the cap on his head. He doesn't particularly care which direction it faces, just as long as it is on his head.  

My youngest grandson and my youngest great grandson having a moment. I love this.

Before the Marx family left, we took some family pictures. Foremost was to get a 5 generation picture for Aubrey and Nelson. (Sandi, Nissa, Papa, Aubrey holding Nelson)

Then an updated 5 generation for Katelyn. I picked this picture for this post because of Papa looking at Raelyn. She just fascinates him. She was really into grinning big for the pictures at this point and he was loving watching her. (Sandi, Nissa, Papa, Katelyn holding Raelyn)

Next we gathered all our grand and great grandmonsters together for a picture. We are only missing Paul in this picture. He is Nissa's son and fits between Katelyn and Aubrey in age. (Bailey, Katelyn holding Raelyn, Aubrey holding Nelson, Hayden)

We surrounded Papa with his grand, great grand and great great grandchildren. Again we are missing Paul. (Nissa holding Raelyn, Papa, Hayden, Katelyn, Bailey holding Nelson, Aubrey and Andie)

Time for Nissa and her crew to have their picture taken with Papa. (Nissa, Papa, Katelyn with Raelyn, Aubrey holding Nelson)

Then Andie and her family with Papa. (Hayden, Andie, Papa, Bailey, Michael)

Trying to get a picture of Claude and me with the great grands is almost a joke. While in Michigan we tried this and I have a lot of pictures with funny faces, kids moving, grandparents trying to hold them in place while laughing, etc. Their parents were in stitches going through those pictures after taking them. It was almost a reenactment of that in Sadieville. To honor that joyful struggle I post this picture. Yep, the struggle is real!! (Raelyn, Sandi, Claude, Nelson)

By this time the great grands were about done with taking pictures. The process is much longer than their attention spans. I had puffy Cheetos for them and we pulled them out. I told everyone I really didn't care if the picture had them eating their Cheetos. Please excuse their little mouths full of Cheeetos!! Silly Moi. What was I thinking? (Back Row: Sandi, Nissa holding Raelyn, Aubrey. Front Row: Hayden, Claude holding Nelson, Bailey)

Papa was worn out and ready to return to the nursing home. I believe he missed about three naps in the hours he was at my home. The Marx family had to leave by 4pm to get Hayden back to participate in a Boy Scout Honor Guard at 6:30pm. So we were all out the door at 4pm. We had a great time together. 

Nissa and her car full of family left this morning for Michigan. We will miss them very much but are so grateful that Nissa made this happen. I can't help but wonder what a good thing it was for her and her girls to have that time together as well. Good happened on so many levels with this visit. The Mini's have wanted to meet Nelson and were grateful to get this opportunity. Papa loved having family around for a while. He enjoys watching the little ones play. So, I am grateful for this opportunity for family time. Very grateful.