Oh What a Night!!

My Iowa Guy took this Colorado Girl to see Jersey Boys.

Well, here is how it happened…

Last April we were in NYC, but couldn’t get tickets

to see it on Broadway.

I was sorry but not sad, because “Big Girls Don’t Cry”

…nevertheless, my Jim said, “Who Loves You?"

And He “Walked Like a Man” to D.C.

(0kay, he actually used the internet) to get tickets

for the touring company show

this past Sunday at the National Theater.

Well, I told him, “My Eyes Adored You” and

we have to “Hang on to What We’ve Got”

(orchestra section---good seats) .

I wanted to Stay when it was all over,

but we had to say Bye Bye Baby and

began Working My Way Back… to home.

Warning: the language is a bit raw---

but the music and the story is so worth it.

THANK YOU, JIM!! Oh What a Night!!!

AND THE WALL CAME TUMBLING DOWN

As of this weekend my wall is gone!!

For the past 2 months this has been the view from my desk.
Some call it graffiti---but we call it a thing of beauty.

It all started when the church decided to put a folding door
between my classroom and the room next door.

Until the new door arrived, I asked the faculty....then the Seniors
and finally all students to share their favorite quote.

I was impressed with the diversity and the depth.
Some really encouraged me & some just made me smile.
Here are a couple of pictures of my Journalism class...
working on the Yearbook and Newspaper.

And more close-ups of my wall.

Gone....
but not forgotten!!

Weekend Update

Becky seems pretty curious about ice cream.
Brett came home for shoulder surgery at Johns Hopkins.
A great excuse for our 2 families to share some serious tacos together.
Sam served as Brett's chauffeur for an evening out.
Seems like old times.
Two Saturdays ago was the CLS Homecoming.
Diane, Drew and Vicky try out the new snack shack.
That salesman in the back looks familiar!!

SPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT

It's been awhile since I attended
three sporting events in 2 days...
But this weekend was my "Hat trick"...
With Brother Dale in town, we had to meet up with Sam..
Along with Billy, we drove to College Park and Appleby's..
Then watched Maryland Men's soccer beat Virginia Tech 2-1
Lauren, Ellen, Robbie saved us seats at the game.
Then back to Sam's apartment where
we were able to view his new cleats.
For the record, after he and Billy had caressed them---
I actually saw Sam kiss his Nike's---Idolatry on gross display.
After dropping Dale off at BWI on Saturday morning,
I drove back to College Park
Margie & Jim O'Brien, Sam and I were a 4 part cheer squad for...
The U.S. Naval Academy's #1 rugby player---(see # 1)
Patrick O'Brien...
Brother Tom...these pictures are for you!!
You would be proud of your little bro...
He knows how to "scrum"---I think that's what it's called.
His shorts a little brief...better to see his muscular legs.

And make his parents proud.

I know for a fact that his neighbor lady is proud of him!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sporting Event Number 3 was the
Covenant Life School Homecoming
Alumni Soccer Game.
Sam wore his new Nike cleats...
I forgot to take pictures.

WHEN I'M SIXTY-FOUR

1945
1968
1978
Give me an answer,
fill in a form...
1982
mine forever more...
1995
Will you still need me?
Will you still feed me?

2008
WHEN I"M SIXTY--FOUR???
The obvious answer is YES!!!

2009
Celebrating 64 years with a steak at Ziki's
Happy Birthday, Jim!!

Another celebration on Saturday with Sarah & her parents
Scott and Leslie McHaney---all the way from Angola!!!

Okay, I didn't have 64 candles & feared Jim might
not have the breath to blow them all out.

On Sunday we celebrate with steaks on the grill and Becky!!

Who seems to think I am some kind of...
chew toy!!! OUCH!!

Okay, this has nothing to do with birthdays...
But Jim found this critter on our front steps the other night.

Called a saddleback caterpillar...it is supposed to be poisonous.

Abby's Visit

Before my daughter arrived from Panama, I did a lot of baking.
Evidently Becky wanted to be part of the activity.I couldn't find her one afternoon---until I looked in the cabinet.

Abby came to school and shared her experiences...
in the Peace Corps with my students.
We had to eat at Cheesecake Factory
before she & her brother went to a Kings of Leon concert.
Some friends dropped by to see her...
Abby, Becky and dear Erin.
She got to meet friends in D.C.
Christy and Abby having fun.
Friends at church...
A delight to have Margie & Patrick stop by--too briefly.
Sunday evening "open house"...
How fun to have so many of Abby's
amigos together again...
Food and laughter and great fellowship.
I think Stephanie was one of Abby's first Maryland friends!!
Then Monday night we had a sweet supper as a family.
How I value these times with my children.
God is Good!!

CATCH UP TIME

While Becky continues to make herself at home

in our hearts and our house...

She is finding odd places to hide out...
And strange play toys...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We got to reunite with our "back-up daughters"...
who have already started classes at A.U.
It looks like Lauren did most of the corn shucking...

Though Sam and Sarah claim to have helped...

Sunday lunch with the girls was fun.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A week ago we were in Gettysburg with Hammanns

And Deyhles cruising the lake in a pontoon...

A great way to end our summer vacation!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here are some pictures from Sam's 21st birthday party...

My favorite is the last one...scroll down!!

What's a party without those Vivian kids???

keep scrolling down....

and down...

don't stop now....

getting close...

keep scrolling...

ALMOST THERE....

SEE THESE 2 GUYS???

This is the same duo exactly 10 years ago!!

I think that Patrick has been to more of Sam's

birthday parties than anyone else

except Jim and me!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ABBY WILL BE HOME IN ABOUT 6 HOURS!!!

I CAN'T WAIT!!!