Now we need to replace the......

It's interesting how when we do one home improvement, it always leads to another. We just replaced our front door and storm door. It was needed. You could see daylight through the crack in the old wooden door and the storm door was literally falling apart. Kirk replaced both and I don't think he wants to do it again anytime soon. For our door, we had to choose the door handle. The choice was between a door knob and a lever (like the one on the storm door). I wanted a lever. We could not get a lever on the main door because (and I can't believe that this was the reason) our cat Jasper can reach the door knob when he reaches up and he really tries to turn the knob to let himself out. If we had a lever on the main door, he would be opening the door whenever he wanted to. Anyway, I really like our new doors, but now we need new siding, ...and new shutters,...and......

Take me out to the Ball Game...

I don't know why, but the thought of going to the ball park and sitting for hours to watch minor league baseball just doesn't thrill me. I kind of dread it and therefore suggest that Kirk have a bonding time with his kids. Kelby was given some tickets to a Tides game because he entered an art contest for this year's program cover.

I finally decided that if I didn't go, there would be no pictures to remember that outing. It is amazing how much you get "into it" once you get inside the stadium. The smells, sounds, and general excitement hits you and you can't help but to savor it. They had a small five man band that was playing the old "ball game" standards. My Dad would have enjoyed just listening to them. There were hot dog (yuck), b-b-que, philly cheese, hamburger, sausage, and funnel cake stands. During the game they came around selling peanuts, cracker jacks, and beer (which Levi kept trying to see if they'd give him one -- they didn't).

Kelby seemed to enjoy the game the most. Kirk taught him how to keep score and so he was very intent on helping his dad with that. We were in the section by third base. We were very close to the field, and there was no net, so we had to pay attention to the game so we didn't get knocked out!

The Tides lost 5-1 (I think....we left just before it ended). I think what made the game even more interesting was between innings they would have little contests ( like the one below) and they would give away prizes. Once, they shot t-shirts into the crowd and Kelby caught one.
Even though I dreaded going, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Vacation Pictures

Here are some more pictures from the outing that Kirk and I took.

Kirk in front of the Ocacroke Lighthouse. It is the oldest lighthouse in North Carolina.

"Straighten up that line!"

I am used to seeing seagulls and other water birds sitting on pilings. I have to admit that this is the first time that I have ever seen a Canadian Goose in that setting.

So does that mean 5????

ANNOUNCING.....

We just found out today that Kirk was selected to be promoted to "Master Chief Petty Officer" in the Navy. That is the highest enlisted rank (E-9). We are so happy. Kirk has already gone to the Master Chief berthing (living space) on the ship and put his name on a rack (bunk). He already has a pretty big head, but I guess that we'll have to live with it because he deserves it as much or more than anyone. Oh, by-the-way, it is 11:00pm and Kirk is still at work on his "non-duty" day (which means that we probably won't see him until Friday afternoon). You would think that they could at least give him a couple of hours off. Oh well, maybe when he is promoted to "E-10" (ha, ha)............

For the Birds!

It's been a while since I last blogged. My excuse was that I was working some pretty long hours and by the time I got home, I didnt' even want to look at the computer. I am finished working at the chiropractor's office. It was only a temp job. I really enjoyed it, but Kirk is home now, and I am glad that I don't have to work while he is home. He actually took some leave time and we went on a little vacation - just the two of us.
While we were away, I realized that I have this fascination with sea gulls. While we were sitting at the ferry dock waiting to go to Ocacroke Island, NC there were about thirty sea gulls begging for food. I never noticed that there are so many types of gulls. I took way too many pictures of these birds. Pretty sad. Just so my time wasn't wasted, I'll share some of the pictures with you.

Muddin' Trucks and Sinking Ships

Now that Levi has his (dad's) truck, he washes it about every week and polishes it. Looking pretty good for a 12 year old truck. Oh, and look closely to that CB antenna on the cab. Levi drove the truck around like that for two weeks . Now mind you, he didn't have a CB radio to hook up to the antenna. When I asked him what he was doing with an antenna on his cab, he just wanted to see how it looked and had to ask everyone's opinion. One our good friends took pity on him and gave him one that had sat on a shelf in the garage for years. Levi was thrilled.
Levi thinks that he needs a more manly truck with big wheels, etc. I think one wheel on the trucks that he's looking at cost as much as four tires on our truck. Maybe he should save all of the money that he isn't earning right now and buy bigger tires and new seat covers. The big yellow bus is always another option.

I guess Kirk can't handle hearing about the new/used Chevy that Levi NEEDS to get, it's either that or they are working him too much at work. This is a rare glimpse that we saw of him when he was home for a short amount of time. Time to Waki,waki! The ship might be sinking.

Spring Fever

Spring keeps teasing us. One day it is in the 70's and the very next day it is back down in the 40's. This "spring fever" has got to Levi. He is asking for money every other day to go to the local nursery and get compost, rocks, mulch, and plants. He spent big bucks on a few shrubs and decided to go to Lowe's and buy rooting hormone for $5, so he can grow his own plants from cuttings. I think my yard will be worth more than my house when Levi gets done. It will be nice.
















This view of part of our backyard shows some of the progress that Levi is making. When summer comes, the yard should be looking pretty good. Look at how the the tree is starting to show signs of springtime. I hope that when Levi starts working at the garden center for his internship, he will still have time to work in our yard. You know how it can be when kids get a job and start earning money for themselves.....they suddenly become too important to do things around home (for free)!