Graduation Party then Grand Kids

Out of bed about an hour earlier than the morning prior. Felt better, too. Nothing like getting up on a sunny, warm, summer weekend. I started a pot of coffee then stepped out on the deck to drink in a little of the morning sunshine. Smelt like summer!

Enjoyed coffee and internet until 830am. It was shortly after that that I stretched then headed out on a run. And while it was in the mid 50’s during the overnight, it was warming up quickly and 66 degrees when I headed out the door just before 9am. Like almost every other Sunday, I ran three miles. Run was easy.
Mindy was up and out on the deck by the time I got back. Enjoyed coffee and sunshine from the deck for about an hour before getting busy.

Mindy planned to grocery shop during the early afternoon and then both of us were going to Hailey’s H.S. graduation party around 3pm. Hailey is neighbor Chrissy’s older sister’s eldest kid. While Mindy was away, I did more planting, finally sinking the new pampas grass in the Sparky flower bed. I was surprised when about 4 or 5” below ground level I happened upon more of the old weeping willow tree root system. I had to use a spud bar to chop the old wood out of the potting hole. The roots were as big as 4” in diameter but also fairly soft and rotting. Once I was satisfied with the prep, I sunk the two pampas grass plants. I should also share that the carpenter ant treatment I watered in the day before seemed to be working really well. Saturday the ants were going wild crawling all over me and biting. A day later they were still there but far fewer and much less active. I might’ve brushed three or four off the entire time. Worked up a good sweat.

Fetched an old grapevine hanging basket from the shed along with a couple extension chains. I used one of the chains to lower the hummingbird feeder and the other with the basket. The old basket was old required a little rework to make it functional. I potted all but three of the remaining flowers, hanging the newest from the lowest bows of the largest backyard red maples. I was very happy with the results.

Mindy left for the grocery just as I finished hanging that basket in the tree. After she left, I put the glass panels back into the deck table frame after repainting it the day before. I had Pandora playing through my phone and Bose dock, too, by the way. Took a break after that, hitting golf balls out back for about 30-40 minutes. Felt good to swing my clubs. Took a while to get my timing back, but sure enough, it returned. After hitting golf balls I made a sandwich then headed out to wash my car. It was hideously filthy mostly due to tree pollen.

Spent a good hour or more cleaning inside and out. The sky was clear and the sun bright. As a result, I had to keep soaking the car with the hose ahead of using a chamois to dry it clean. Thinking it was near 145pm when I headed inside and upstairs for a shower. I was careful to hurry so not to leave Mindy stuck carrying in all the groceries upon her return. I was out of the shower and in shorts when I heard her pull up. I hustled downstairs to help out.

I must’ve carried in 20 bags of groceries. Ugh! Mindy was already unloading and putting away while I carried stuff in. Said she forgot to get the ice I asked that she pick-up. No biggie. There was enough ice in the freezer to feed our small beer cooler that I planned to take to the graduation party.

It was 3pm by the time we left the house for the party in Johnstown. I made sure that my Google navigation was working well before we left. The directions were fairly straight forward – 670 t o161 to Johnstown Rd. Once on Johnstown Rd. we headed north for about 10 miles to Duncan Plains Rd. and then quickly north again on Clover Valley Rd.

Lots of cars but good parking management. Guy & Missy have quite the spread complete with a couple out buildings – one a barn – and then a pond. Has a professional tent company supply the shelter and then a catering company roasting a hog and grillin’ chicken as well as supplying all the sides. We ate immediately after greeting the grad and family.

Lots of folks on hand, at least 100 guests. I sat by Kenny sharing our plans to have a concrete extension and walk installed off our driveway. Asked Kenny if he wanted the work before I seal the deal with one of the three contractors. When I shared the cost he told me to jump on the deal. Said he couldn’t touch the price. In the same breathe he encouraged me to make sure of the finish and sealing. Though I was pretty sure that wording was already in the bid.

After dinner Mindy and I walked out back to the pond, which they have nicely appointed with a center fountain, dock, and landscaping. A handful of kids were out there fishing, including neighbors Evan and Emily. We sat in the sun on the dock for maybe 30 minutes. We socialized for another hour but left to pick-up the kids at 6pm. Said goodbye to Hailey and family then hit the road. Mindy celled Jimaken to let him know that we were on our way. She gave an ETA of 30 minutes.

We opted to take 270 t o315S to Bethel. By far, that was the easiest. Mindy’s ETA turned out to be just about right. Pulled up at Jimaken’s near 630pm. Inside, we visited with Jimaken and Molly for a few before heading home. The boys were coming over to spend the night and Mindy asked Lindsey to bring them at 8pm. That left us about an hour to relax before they showed up. Mindy and I kicked back on the deck for a while. Meanwhile, both kids crabbed that they were hungry. I guess they didn’t eat dinner. They wanted to go out or get pizza, but Mindy quickly answered, “no way. Just spent a ton of money at the grocery store”.

Jacob soon offered that he would foot the bill for pizza. Soon the boys arrived and immediately came around back. Lindsey came too since we sent her a text asking as much. After cleaning out Jacob’s closet, we had two bags of clothes for the boys.

The kids played Lacrosse for a while, but then Rocky asked me to toss the baseball with him. We only have one lefty glove, so I had to wear a righty backwards. Talk about awkward! While Rocky and I tossed the baseball, Landon played Lacrosse with Jacob. It was just our kids since all the island kids were gone for the day. Mindy helped Jacob place his pizza order. Thinking it was near 9pm when it arrived. By then I was sipping on a Jack & Coke. Jacob bought two pizzas, and everybody but me had some. I resisted the temptation. Wasn’t in the mood and wasn’t that hungry. Later, however, after the kids all headed to bed, I enjoyed popcorn. I should clarify that all the kids were in bed fairly early save for Bella, who remained up and downstairs with Mindy and I. She drafted a letter to me asking me to wake her Sunday morning, take to get donuts, and then take her to Dick’s to get a medicine ball. Yeah, that’s right. She wants her own medicine ball. 

Thinking it was near 1030pm when Mindy and I headed for bed.