On A Big Adventure We Go...

A southerly course is where we will go

Where we stop, only mom and I know.

It's a new adventure with lots of fun,

Just be careful not to get too much sun.

There will be so much to see and plenty to do,

Each day will be something new.

The first day planned is sure to please,

But don't be confused, you're not really at Sea.

The second day will be too much to handle,

It's just not the same watching them on their own channel.

So sit back, relax and enjoy the ride,

Cause if you get too excited, you'll be kicked outside.

Oh Lord, Help ME...

The Duncan Family is off for an other adventure... this time in our back yard (which is a very scary place).


Bug wanted to camp out in the back yard for her birthday last weekend but they all got scared because they heard gun shots. In they came.

Well, the tent stayed up for one reason or another and now, the Bugs want the Duncan Family to camp outside.  I figured that Garrett would ca-bosh the idea but so far we are still on.  The Bugs are working on the air mattresses, Garrett is working on the fire and I just finished dinner. We will see how this ends up...

'Til the next adventure...

So far we have only had one yelling match so things are looking up...

Summer's Over?

I can't believe that the Bugs are back in school.  It was a very short but fun summer.  Let's see...

 Both Little Bug and Bug made the Honor Roll for the whole year. They did very well in the world of academia. So, as a reward...

 They got to die their hair crazy colors, just the bottom and one strip on the side with the understanding that it would have to be cut off when school started if there was still any color left.  Little Bug picked REAL RED and it worked out for them that they swam every day and the color bleached out on it's own.

Bug and all her glory did PURPLE. I really liked hers.  You couldn't see it except when the sunlight hit it.  If they keep making honor roll, I would be willing to let them keep doing it for the summer.

The cousins came to visit and we did fun things like going to the beach, Six Flags in Atlanta and even...

The Coke Museum.

Road Trip.  The Bugs and I took a road trip to Indiana but we had a few stops along the way. We visited the Louisville Zoo. We also visited a high school friend of mine that I had not seen in a few years so that was fun.

Riding the train at the Zoo. After this we had about 8 more hours in the car before we got to Indiana.  

We went to a small amusement park called Indiana Beach with the other cousins.  It was like Joyland only bigger.  The little kids had a blast with the kiddie rides and I took the big kids on the roller coasters.  We rocked it!

Dinner at the Indiana Beach.  It was this little retro joint that had air conditioning and a sit down meal.  Then back to the rides.

Crazy Aunt Lynn... need I say more...

The whole gang... except for Lei but someone had to take the picture...

We had water park day which was a blast.  The park closed a bit earlier than we thought so we played as long as we could inside and then we had a picnic in the park... ing lot.  It was really fun and no one seemed to mind.

Little Bug has gotten to celebrate her birthday with the cousins for a couple years now. We did little cupcakes with America sprinkles.  Little Bug loves her red, white & blue.

We finished the trip with a trip to the movies to see Brave... All the girls loved it but Bug was so tired from the long week of fun that she fell asleep for a tiny bit.

Nana came home with us and was brave enough to handle the car ride so she got to pick the half way point to stop at and she picked Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's house in Virginia.  It was beautiful. We did the regular tour and the the behind the scenes tour.  I really can't get my head wrapped around what it would be like to live during that time.

  

The back of Monticello.  Check your nickels and two dollar bills from Papa because it might be on some of them. 

Practicing our penmanship with the quill and ink.  It took a bit more practice than I thought and a lot more messy.  I would not want to do the laundry and try and get that out of the white ruffle shirts. After that we started to head home and who would have guessed that Virginia had a tornado and trees were covering the highway, we almost ran out of gas.  Thank goodness for Janet Evanovich and books on CD.   

On Nana's last day in Georgia, we went to Wormsloe Plantation or what was left of it.  There aren't any plantations left in the Savannah area because General Sherman liked to burn them in the Civil War. 

 Wormsloe has this drive with over 400 live oak trees and 1.5 miles long.  It was so amazing.  However, Little Bug had a bit of an attitude and it was a bit steamy so things were a bit rough. 

   

We finished up Nana's trip with a bit of painting pottery.  I have always loved to do this and so do the girls.  Nana made the sunflower bowl, I made the blue owl, Bug the green owl and Little Bug the flip flop.  Nana's bowl almost didn't get shipped to Wichita because we liked it so much that the bugs thought she would never know if we said it broke and kept it.

After Nana left at the end of June, we still had the month of July.  I can't really tell you what we did besides, yard work, swimming, and painting the master bath.  We had friends over a couple of times and Little Bug got to have a friends' birthday party were we went bowling. We haven't been to the beach in a while so we might have to do that this weekend....

The Bugs started school on Aug. 1st and Little Bug starts soccer on Tuesday so I guess things just keep going. I will never forget the quote I once heard that sums it up the best, "The days are long and the years are short."

'Til the next adventure...

My Bugs Swim Away...

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'Til the next adventure...

Every Once in a While...

So I want to go back to bed and start over…. I am really sad today and on the edge of tears. I am just a bit homesick for my Mom and my Besties. It doesn't help that everyone at the house besides Garrett has a summer virus.


After I took the girls to swimming lessons, Sarah asked me to drive by the house and check on her kids, Lucy asked if she could ride in the front and I said yes. Les then through a hissy fit and would not get in the car so I made her walk to Sarah’s. Since she is so smart and didn’t put her shoes on until she had walked half a mile, now she has a big blister on the bottom of her foot. 
Since I am a good mom and even though she deserved her blister, I did go by Walgreen's and get her the special bandages.


Then when we got home Lucy is trying to poop but hasn’t done that in 5 days. She doesn’t drink enough water ever but it has been really bad since she has a sore thought. So now pooping hurts. I know that I am not a doctor but I do listen when I go and have have paid attention over the last 35 years that... no water = dehydration, dehydration = hard poops. 


Lucy also got mad because I would not take them to Cancun’s for lunch but did tell them I would make Mexican at home. Ensue the pouting. I guess me and the Advil will just have to make due today...


'Til the next adventure...

Second Verse Not the Same as the First...

Well, I finally got the Bugs to clean their rooms enough to get the pictures taken to show off their bed rooms.  I really like how they turned out.  Each room is really a lot like their personality and that I think is why I like them.

Bug picked out lime green and a light grey paint with fun vinyl stickers on the wall. It is very calm but with the right amount of energy. It does amaze me at how mature she is but there are little touches of her that are very youthful, too.

The largest closet in the house.  Too bad for Bug she has to share with me.  The Bugs have all types of things that they want to save so Bug has to share the closet space.  

Since we had a lot of rooms to paint the Bugs didn't get to paint stripes or blocks but we did get vinyl graphics for the rooms.

Color, Color, Color. That's why this is so my Little Bugs room.

Most of the things in Little Bugs room she had before we left Wichita. She did get $120 for paint and accessories.  Thank goodness for Hobby Lobby.  We found all kinds of shelves and knick knacks to make it more Little Bug.

We are going to start on the last room this week if I can motivate my self to do it. We will just have to see.

'Til the next adventure...

I Figured It Out...

I have really been procrastinating on putting the Dining Room together and I finally figured out why.  The crystal from the Zoo.

You see way back when I was an intern at the Zoo, I was in charge of cleaning the "Crystal Cabinet" in the Zoo.  It was a curio cabinet that was full of all these Swarovski silver crystal figurine that were donated to the Zoo to be on display and after 10 years, they could be sold off and the money then would be used for conservation efforts.

Once a month, or two if I could put it off, I would head down to the Amphibian and Reptile building and clean out the dead flies and dust off all the crystal.  It was a not so fun job.  Then when I hired on full time, it was also  in my job description (along with everything else in the world). Most of the time, I would have one of the interns come help me because it was better as a team job.  Not so overwhelming.

Then the worst thing happened, someone broke into the cabinet and stole pieces.  In order for us to determine what was taken, we had to take everything out and put it in the containers. It was a two day job even with help from the interns and my friend Melissa.  I was down to the last few pieces and went to take one out that was really stuck down and the glass shelf fell and crystal went flying all over the A&R building.  It was like a bad dream.

I stood there with my hands holding the shelf just staring for a minute.  After I came too, I broke 7 pieces of crystal.  It just so happened that the Zoo's insurance covered it all and I replaced it with the Zoo's money of course.  But I still harbor nightmares of the crystal cabinet.

For Christmas one year, I received a  Swarovski crystal rhino with a broken tail from my boss. What a joker. I can laugh about it now, 8 years later but it still must have caused traumatic damage since I don't want to deal with the china cabinet OR I just might be putting it off so we can watch TV while we eat dinner. You be the judge.

'Til the next adventure...

Finally...

Took some pictures of the house decor that we have been working on.  It has taken longer this time because we painted most of the rooms before the moving and unpacking.  We have no intention of redoing the downstairs bathroom and I ran out of time to get the Master Bath done but hope to get that done before my mom visits in June. But who know what life has in store for us...

 The Living Room.  This is right across from the fireplace and focuses on my quilt that I received from my awesome boss when I left the Zoo and the coolest part is that is was hand made for me by my friends and coworkers, Anita, Bridget and Paula. It even has rhinos quilted in it. 

 My reading nook. It looks out unto the covered porch in the back yard.

 The desk.  I love it.  This is my little special place across from the reading nook.  You can see the color better.  It is really orange.  I love it. Garrett picked it out before we knew we were going to put the quilt out since it was in a box.

The fireplace and TV.  These windows look out over the covered patio in the front yard. We have a fan that still needs to be switched out. I have a picture picked out that I want to buy to go over the fireplace.  Just waiting for the money to come from the money tree I planted in the back yard.  With all the rain we have received, it should bloom any day.

The downstairs bathroom.  This is the one room that I am not going to paint.  It works so why mess with it. I do really like the sink and vanity.  It has a lot of room for storing extra supplies so it is good.

 The entry hallway. This color didn't change too drastic but it has more of a gray undertone and is in the same color family as our bedroom brown.  This is the spot I picked for Garrett's drop spot.  He likes to come in and have a place for wallet and phone, mail and crap. I don't want it in my kitchen so I came up with this solution.  It seems to work. 

 My teal kitchen.  I love my kitchen.  The only downside is the lack of work space for cooking but I hope to get an island or something.  I am making it work and it keeps the clutter away because there is just no room for it.  The Bugs have issue because I won't cook until dishes are done from the meal before but we are working on it.  The Bugs had sandwiches for diner three days in a row before it kicked in that I was serious.

My kitchen view.  When that money tree blooms, we are going to get a small table to eat breakfast and things on or do homework while I am cooking.  But part of me really likes the open space.

So that is the first three rooms.  I hope to take pictures of the upstairs soon and then there is the the Dining Room. Well, that is still in boxes.  Maybe tomorrow or I think I need to mow...

'Til the next adventure...

It's Been A Long Time...

With the move and everything going on, I haven't taken the time for my blog.  The sad part is that I really love to write it and it relaxes me so you can guess that I have been a bit stressed but handling it better then normal.  I have been late on a few things but that is also pretty normal.  I did want to share a few random things with you that I find funny.

My very first diaper cake,  Sarah, my trainer friend, helped me make it for Ms. Traci and baby Everett.  Baby Everett came on April 4.  He is a cute little guy. Traci played soccer in high school and her husband and baby-daddy works at the train yard doing something with crappy hours.  So we had to have a few of those things.

My sparkly green nail polish for St. Patrick's Day and my cute little toe ring. You have to have fun so why not with nail polish. 

 My very own butterfly hair clip.  I know it is nothing special but the standout thing on this that I find funny is that it was the first time in a long time, like 12 years that I went into an accessory shop and bought something for me and nothing for my Bugs.  Really.

This is no ordinary laundry, it is the first of the towels and swimsuits from the outdoor pool. Yes, it was the first of April and this shows up.  I find it funny that we go swimming in early April. 

I wanted to do something fun for my nieces since their birthdays are in April so I figured that I could make them hair bows.  After some tutorials from YouTube, this is what I came up with but, not in time for them to be mailed in packages.  Little Bug lucked out and got some for school and...  

 For soccer.  I will make some for the nieces later.  Maybe Christmas or just for fun!

Saved the best for last... This is my find of the year, so far.  It is a light bulb lamp that I fell in love with at a local artist shop. I got it for $15.  Not bad. I love it and it makes me smile every time I see it.  I put it in a fun place in the new house!

'Til the next adventure...

Busted...

Little Bug busted her first soccer ball from over use.  I had no idea that this could really happen in life.  We have about every size of soccer ball, but we have our favorites and this was one of them.  We have signed soccer balls that we don't use.  We have Garrett's soccer balls and don't worry, we have practice balls and game balls.  That way the game balls don't get used up.   We have special pumps, one in the car and one in our soccer bag so it is just the right feel to it and believe me there are no flat balls at our house. It is a science that I didn't know about.

We spend a lot of time at the soccer field.  It seams like the last year soccer has become a huge part of our life.  We have soccer practice for two hours, two to three times a week in Savannah and then games or practice on the weekends.  The hardest part for me is that you don't really get the final schedule until the week before and if you are playing in a tournament, it can change at any moment.  This is not good for someone who likes to plan.  So, we moved Bug's piano lessons to 8:30 a.m. on Saturdays to make sure we get it in. 

This is from our 1st traveling tournament to Charleston, SC for the Piggly Wiggly Tournament and the girls had to have breakfast between games.  Nothing like chocolate chip pancakes with whip cream and sweet tea between games.  I thought I was going to puke and I was not evening playing.

Over the years, you would think that I could take a decent picture of the Little Bug playing soccer but I have not been able to figure it out yet.  I have a feeling that I have a few more chances. 

Little Bug playing Keeper.

One of the things that Little Bugs' coaches do is to make sure that all the players play all of the positions.  That way they have a chance to really see what position that they like best.  Little Bug like Keeper okay but Garrett has to leave when he is watching.  For some reason yet to be determined, Garrett can't stand when she plays Keeper. I think it would be funny if that is one of the positions that she like best.  Little Bug's Favorite at this time are right wing but not left wing, sometimes we like forward and keeper.

'Til the next adventure or soccer game...

I Only Get Soo Far...

You see, I write my blog in my head at events and take the pictures but I only get so far in posting them.  It may sound crazy but I do really enjoy blogging and think about it all the time but time is the enemy and always gets away from me.

I also only get soo far on the new house.  Garrett has been busy at work and we are all busy with activities and things in the evening and weekends so it seems like it we don't ever get any where.  I did decided to have someone mow the first time.  I am nervous that there might be alligators and mosquitoes the size of Texas. The grass is the up to my thighs in some places.  But I know we will get a handle on it.

I did get the laundry room and kitchen painted with the help of Ms. Kathy and Garrett.  I took the tape off today and I love it.  It is the perfect color and I can't wait to see what it will look like when it is all cleaned up.

In the meantime...

 This is the largest wall to show you the color but this is only the 1st coat of paint. 

The color is the same but the coverage is better. 

The fridge just got moved to the back corner in this picture.  It just barely fit and

we will have to be careful when opening the doors as to not bang up the walls.   

The laundry room.  I can't wait to see how everything fits.  I do really like

doing laundry as long as I don't have to put it away or fold the sheets. I am going to hang a key

rack by the door and a drying rack I found on pinterest.  I just have to get it made.

I know it may sound silly but it has been fun and overwhelming all at the same time.  Everyday, I think thank goodness for books on tape!

'Til the next adventure...

Crazy Our Own Way...

St. Patrick's Day in Savannah is what most would call a bit on the crazy side. It is one of the largest St. Patty's Day events in the United States. Last year we went to check out the parade since the girls got out of school for the occasion and it was crazy and fun.  This year we decided to skip the parade because they were projecting over a million people in downtown which both Garrett and I were not really into. We decided to do something we have never done before...

Looking for dolphins in Hilton Head.

This was a pair that we watched for a while.  We never saw any of

their heads but it was fun to see them always close to each other.

When I first saw their tales, I shouted, "They really do exists!"

What I meant to add was "in the wild."

The Bugs were really excited to have a fun day with Mom & Dad.  We didn't tell them what we were doing all day.  First was a trip to the pool.  Crazy to go swimming on March 17th in an outdoor pool but we did and it wasn't too bad.  Then off to Hilton Head for some shopping and dinner. Finally we headed to the dock where we went on a sunset cruse in the channel that separates the island from the main land and then out to the Atlantic Ocean.



Bug checking out the scenery and looking for dolphins.

Little Bug looking out for more dolphins and birds on the way back to the dock.

We finished off the day with catching a sting ray from the boat and releasing it back to the ocean and real ice cream on waffle cones. 

Not your typical Savannah St. Patrick's Day but crazy in it's own way.

'Til our next adventure...