"Hot" Wheels

Meet Bjorn, David's "new" used Saab. Bjorn has been nothing but one problem after another since he joined the family last week. I'm not going to go into all of the ugly details. If you have ever purchased a used car, you know what I'm talking about. The one thing that I'll mention is that the AC only works on one side. It was 101 degrees yesterday. That's all I'm going to say. Despite all of it's faults, David loves this car. Please say a prayer today that David and Bjorn make it safely to Norfolk.

He pulled out of the driveway a little while ago. The first of my babies to leave home this fall. This will be the furthest away from home that he has ventured on his own. I know he is ready but I already miss him.

Sally

Yuck, Yuck, Yuck!

Do you have cicadas where you live? They look like this and they sound like... I don't even know how to describe it, but the hotter it gets the louder they get. I noticed all of these perfectly round holes all over our yard a week or so ago and wondered what was causing them. Now I know. They are so gross. They stay buried underground for years and then the year you move into a new house they decide it's time to dig out and annoy the heck out of you. Every now and then we get lucky enough to see a live one (like when it flies into you when you are trying to get into your car), but mostly what we find are dead bodies. Lots and lots of dead cicada bodies. I'm telling you it's just gross. These things may have to rank higher than roaches in the disgusting bug list. At least for me they do.

Sorry for such a yucky post today. Not much is really going on. Both kids are in Iowa for the weekend and I have to admit I'm feeling a little jealous. Hope you have fun weekend plans.

Sally

Finally, the Living Room!

I know you have probably been wondering why I have not shown you any pictures of the "main" room. To be honest, I just wanted it to be perfect, or as perfect as possible. And yesterday that happened. Our new furniture was delivered (same time that the plumber was snaking out the sink, but that's a different story) I love it! Alan and I both hate making big decisions, and choosing the couch that we are probably going to sit on every night for the next 20 years was a BIG decision for us. I think we did good. What do you think?

Well, there you have it. You have seen the whole place. The longer we live here the more I know that we made the right choice for us. Hope you can come for a visit soon!

Sally

Easy Access

Say hello to our new gate and steps. Aren't they wonderful? Thanks to Bob and Johnny we can now just open the back door and let the dog out. Just like that. No putting on of the leash so that she thinks you are going to take her for a "W" (code for walk). No walking out the door, down the steps, through the chain link gate, just so the dog can go to the bathroom and be disappointed that you are not really taking her for a "W". This new system will also make her obsession with squirrel chasing a whole lot easier. Open the door and she's off. Just when I thought life couldn't get any better.

Sally

(PS We are going to hit 100 degrees today just so you know.)

A Mama's Boy

I guess the apple really doesn't fall far from the tree. For those of you who know David, I don't have to explain. For those of you who have not had the pleasure, let me just say that he kind of likes things just so. He's seriously goal-oriented and, even when he's having fun and laughing his contagiously huge laugh, he's thinking about what's next on his list of things to do. Does that sound like anyone else you know? Anyway, while we were helping him unpack we found this: A storage container collection that any mother would be proud to know her son owns. He says that it's my fault. He says that I gave them to him. I smile because he kept them.

So now it's confirmed that he shares some of my organizational skills, but let me assure you he has a lot of his dad in him too as you can see from his choice of bathroom reading material.

I think that probably sums it up for today.

Sally

Oh What a Night

Last night we went to see the musical Jersey Boys. All I can say is WOW! The show was great and we sat in these wonderfully comfortable box seats. Grace was by far the youngest person in the audience, but she didn't seem to mind at all. I know we are probably the last people to see it, but if it comes to your town and you haven't seen it yet, you won't be disappointed.

Yesterday I told you about the fantastic view that David has from his 19th floor balcony. Here are some pictures to prove it.

Not bad is it? We were so lucky the day we moved him in. There was a break in the weather and the temperature was a perfect 80 degrees with an even more perfect bay breeze. The smell of ocean water really had me longing for the coast, but since it is still hurricane season I was not all that disappointed to get back in the car and drive back over the long and windy mountain roads to Kentucky.

Not many ocean breezes here and the temperature is still unbearable. It is official - July was the 5th hottest month ever recorded here. I'm not kidding you when I tell you it's hot! My plan today is to try and stay as cool as I can. I might even have to turn on the sprinkler and eat a couple of popsicles. Who knows?

Sally

Living On Top Of The World

We just got back from moving David to Virginia. For 12 long, windy, long, scenic,long rainy/sunny hours I followed behind the guys through the mountains all the way to the ocean. This is what I looked at most of the way. It was a very short trip, but we got the job done. David will be living on the 19th floor of Hague Tower apartments.

It kind of has the feel of living in a hotel. There is an elevator (thank goodness), trash chute, workout room and pool.

No ice machine, but he can make cubes in his own freezer.

All of his worldly belongings fit in nicely. Once he gets his cable and PlayStation hooked up he will really be in business. Here are some pictures to give you an idea of what life is like being a poor, struggling, graduate student these days...

It's basically one long room with a kitchen, large closet and bathroom. The view is quite amazing from his balcony. I can't wait to go back for a longer visit. The ocean air and breezes were delightful. Hopefully he remembers to study.

Sally