Well, vacation is officially over. Wow, it was a whirlwind! We left last Sat morning and got down there around 11:30. We quickly changed our clothes donned some sunscreen and went to the Adams Co Fair for kids' wristband day. There were only 5 kiddos. Big K was in MO belting out home runs for his baseball team. :-) Mad Dawg couldn't do a lot of the rides that the older kids could - and he didn't cry - just the arms folded and scowl. It was too cute. Sal and him aren't usually 'buds' because Sal tends to tell him what not to do before he even does anything and well - who the heck needs that. But when reduced to Sal being his only ride partner (she doesn't like the big stuff) he sure made the best of it. And she in turn held her tongue - well, as much as Sal can. :-)
We watered them around 2:30 - rode some more and then around 4:30 we headed to the park in town to eat a picnic dinner under the trees and just chill out for a little while. Linkie was picked up by the other grandma and by 6:30 we were off to the fair again - this time to see the bull riders. We had parked our blankets and so we had great seats. I should probably explain that to those who don't know the "blanket rules". Down state the rule is - if there is a blanket, or throw or afghan on the bleacher that means it's saved, you don't sit there. So we take two blankets and put them down long sided on the bleachers. Plenty of room for us - and a nice comfy seat too - not to mention a little something to help soak up "shaved ice" when it's spilled.
The bulls were pretty good this year. The track wasn't near as slippery and they had the shoots out in the middle of the arena instead of the side. I have to say that the clown and the MC act left a lot to be desired and it gets just a little cheesy with all the Proud to Be An American stuff. I'm the one who tears up at the flag going down the street in a parade or singing the Nat. Anthem - but this stuff is over the top and kind of fake. But hey - the MC was from MO - what can you expect.
So, by the time we got home it was around 10 pm. *I* was EXHAUSTED and in total amazement at how the kids could still be up running around. After getting them into bed - we all congregated on the front porch - hounds a plenty and breeze as pleasant as could be.
Sunday
The boys and Sal went to an Auction - Jack went to stay with Gpa and Miss and I went to help serve at Heritage Days. That was a lot of fun! Since I was the "rookie" I got to serve the tea. I kept a sharp ear out for the name "Jill" - thinking that's who everyone would think I was - but I forget that when we're together - that doesn't happen. But imagine my surprise when someone - who I didn't know - called me by name. When I asked "how'd you know my name" he said "I asked someone". I was too shocked to ask who he had asked. :-) Steve's dad was surprised to see me - wondered if Golden had run out of volunteers that they had to ship them in from Chicago. :-) Mom opinioned later that without his wife that will soon be the case. :-)
My sister is a nut and it was fun to follow her around and play in her sharpness. I can't think nearly as fast as she can. I concentrated on not spilling tea on anyone and trying to pick the right ear with the hearing aide. :-)
Sunday night was *exciting* to say the least. We had decided that we should let Sal stay with Gma because she didn't seem to care much for the Bulls the night before and we were going to see bronco busting on Sunday night,. It was probably the smartest idea we've ever had. We got to Bronco busting - found Debbie and Julie and gathered Tim and Cindy and watched *maybe* 5 bronks before all hell came loose. It POURED - I don't mean rain coming down steadily - I mean sideways rain coming down in BUCKETS! We were in the middle of the grandstand about half way up - thank God and we didn't get hit by rain but when the electricity went out - it got REAL interesting. Generators kicked on and we say for probably an hour as we watched the horses point their butt in different directions as the wind blew from ALL directions. Finally it died down a little and we were told over the loud speaker that we should go home because there was another storm on the way. So off we went with blankets and purses and jackets over our heads, holding on to one another so we didn't fall in the mud. I remind you this is a county fair and paved roads are nill. We found our way out - we made it home and found that Missy had not electricity either. We sat for maybe 1/2 hour before it came back on. What a crazy crazy night.
Monday we did NOTHING - reading, napping, playing in the yard - it was FANTASTIC. That's the best part of vacation - doing nothing. :-)
Tuesday was another resting day. Bill helped dismantle Missy's pasture fence. I have to admit it was sad with no horses. But we still have all the other critters. Tiny, Chunk, Ottie, Miss Kittie, Bob, Ferocious, and Buger. Mabel had the time of her life with all the smells and the big dogs and the cats. She got a fast lesson on cats from Miss Kitty. After a couple of swipes Mabel got it. We saw deer that morning - WAY out in the distance. I find it humorous that deer come closer to humans here in town than at my sister's farm. We also got to hear the cry of the coyotes at night as they howl to one another. Mabel was fascinated by the cows next door. She climbed the woodpile in her attempt to imitate a mountain beagle and stared them all down.
Wednesday
Demolition Derby! The weather was much better but the mud wasn't. The ground is SO saturated down there that there's just no where for it to go so parking and walking into the fair was adventurous. :-) We met up with Rachel and the kiddos. We had a really nice time. Jack and Mal are becoming great friends. Sitting together and being goofballs. :-) Mary is always so sweet and always a smile and then there's the little Liz'beth. She's a doll. Too bad she looks so much like her daddy. :-) So we stayed till the end of the derby and watched as the guy who "won" was disqualified. THAT was too funny. Most of the crowd missed that because they all left asap.
Thursday
Was the Brown Co fair - we went to see the harness races. Sal got to go this time and Jack stayed at Gma's. Sal picked 5 winners out of 10 races. We used her winnings to bet again and came out just about even. She had a wonderful time. Talked constantly. She liked the fact that the horses got to go to a special place (winners circle) and have their picture taken after they won. She was a lot of fun. Talked the WHOLE way home.
Friday
Gma and Gpa got BOTH children and the grown ups all went to Qcy for Missy's birthday (July). That was a good time. Chinese food - shopping - general merriment. :-) Then home to find that Tiny had gone "visiting". He was back by morning - so he couldn't have gone too far.
Saturday
Garage sales in Qcy. Oh my - just finding them was a huge project. We found all sorts of "treasurers". We lunched at Elders - which was a blast from the past. We did a little shopping - complete with new shoes for the kiddos for school. Sally was ecstatic! We did the fireworks at night - the kids loved them. The animals - not so much. :-)
Sunday
Family picture and then we hit the road. Sally talked the whole way home. Jack stayed with Gma and Gpa. We get him back next weekend. :-) Sal slept in his room. :-)
What a fun vacation. My sister cooked the whole week. She is really a good cook. I think we all gained pounds The kids love running all over with the dogs and looking at all the new stuff. I think we were outside more than inside - even counting sleeping hours. :-) There's nothing better than sitting on the porch with a nice breeze - drinking coffee - reading the paper and watching the sun rise. Oh - that's right - we ALL slept in. :-) Must be the country air.
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