High Flyin' Hodgepodge

Hodgepodge time again. I wasn't sure I would have time for it this week,
since we're helping Jennifer move into her new house today and tomorrow.
As always, thanks to Joyce for hosting. 

Be sure to hop over and pay her a visit.

1. What is one thing on your bucket list? If you don't have a bucket list let's pretend you do.

Hmmm... that's a tough one. Not sure I have a anything on my bucket list, 
but I do know what's not on it.

This.

That's our friend Morgan who decided to try skydiving at age 86. 

He was a man with a positive attitude who just kept "goin' strong" all the days of his life.

My daughter, however, does have it on her bucket list. 

Oh. My. Heavens. 

She bought a Groupon to jump, and even though I offered to pay her full price not to do it, 

she and her friend Shelly headed to the airport on Sunday. 

I prayed. A lot.

Here they are all harnessed up.

They don't look nervous at all.

Shelly's girls posed with them. 

(Sorry I didn't get a picture of Shelly's husband, Matt.)

Not even new fiance, Bryan, could talk her out of it.

Seriously, if it says DANGER on your back, shouldn't you think again??

At the end of the (beautiful) day, however, my prayers were answered. 

There was a problem with the hydraulics on the plane, 

and the last two groups did not get to jump. 

Praise the Lord! 

They do have a raincheck, however, but next time, 

I will know specifically what to pray for. :)

2. What makes a good dad?

This question reminded my of this great card I found. 

I like watching Modern Family, so I thought this card was sooo funny.

I guess if I put it on the blog, it won't be much of a 
surprise for Jim, now, will it? 

Maybe he will forget he saw it here first. 

Shhhhhhhh.....

How about you? Are you a Modern Family fan?

3. Are you afraid of insects? Which ones?

Not so much afraid of them, just annoyed sometimes.

4. We're barbecuing...what's on the grill at your house?

Juicy burgers, of course. 

Best. Burgers. Ever.

Seasoned with one of our favorites, either this

or this. 

That's Miss America 2009, Katie Stam, 
cousin to our daughter's roommate, 

born and raised just down the road in Seymour, Indiana. 

Yes, we're proud. And she makes some mighty tasty burgers, too.

5. Do you believe that playing is more important than winning?

Well, yes, of course, in theory. 
But winning is always so much more satisfying. 

And in our family, we all like to be winners. 

Makes for some traditionally intense games of euchre, 

or Taboo, or Bananagrams, or Scrabble, or golf, 

or whatever it is we're playing 

(or watching, for that matter).

6. Do you tan? Use self tanners? Visit tanning salons? See your dermatologist at least once a year?

I have never visited a tanning salon. Don't plan to. 
I do get tan in the summer just enjoying being 
outside, lakeside, or poolside. 
I always made sure my children got their checkups.
I'm not so good at remembering to see the doctor myself.

7. Five years ago I would never imagine that today I would
_______be a blogger!________.

I saw this question on Marla's facebook page and I thought it was perfect for the Hodgepodge. Everyone go say hi to Marla...she has an E-book launching this week.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My sweet little Gumbo got a haircut last week. 
This is the before shot.

And the after. Now he can see!

And he smells much better, too. 
He is pretty much the best dog ever.

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Swimmin' and Showin'

On Friday afternoon, after Matthew had a chance to practice some golf with Big Jon, we decided to cool off with a dip in Nana's pool. Well, he cooled off, and I just watched.

He had fun playing with Boomie in the pool, and practicing swimming all the way across without touching the bottom.

Ready, set, go!

After the swim, he had a little snack of ice cream with chocolate sauce. Yum-mee!

 Ice cream always brings a smile to your face.

Especially with chocolate sauce!

On Saturday, I had the opportunity to announce at the 4-H Area Show at the Hoosier Horse Park in Edinburgh. I started announcing after Jennifer was out of 4-H, and I enjoy the chance to be involved, in a small way, with the 4-H program.

Jennifer and I have lots of great memories from her years showing at the Area Show. I would say it was always one of her favorite shows of the summer. Especially because winning a class there meant you qualified to show at the State Fair!

Some of the special times that come to mind include the year the show was at New Castle, and she was sick (and threw up) from the heat after showmanship, took a little nap in our trailer's tiny air conditioned tack room, got up and went on to (successfully) show for the rest of the day.

Then there was the time that Caroline came along for moral support and got in trouble for getting on PeeWee without a helmet (oops!), not to mention that she wasn't actually a 4-Her (double oops!).

We always enjoyed putting PeeWee safely to bed in his stall, then driving past folks sleeping in stalls or the beds of their trucks on our way to the Hampton Inn. (Remember what I said about camping? It goes double for horse shows.)

Jennifer usually came to the Area Show just back from Horse Camp, so it was old home week as she and her buddies reunited in the show ring. For Jennifer, it was always a social event.

I also remember the year that she and PeeWee qualified for State Fair by winning the halter class. Anyone who knows PeeWee, knows why this is funny. I love him, but he is not exactly the picture of optimum muscular equine physique.

Soo many memories!

This year, I enjoyed watching this little girl.

Who has somehow turned into a big girl. How does that happen?

I was especially pleased to see Hannah looking good in a shirt we made. She wore it for her horsemanship class, and yes, she looked good, and her riding matched her appearance.

She won the class on her steady ride, Sonny. Such a good boy. He's been taking care of his riders for a lot of years now. And do you think she knew I was taking her picture? So cute.

In horsemanship, the riders execute a pattern on their horses, and are judged for their body position and the ease with which they guide their horse through each element of the prescribed pattern.

Great job, Hannah!

After my announcing duties were finished, I spent a little time visiting with Hannah's grandma and group back at the motor home. I'm told this is the redneck way to open an awning.

And Hannah's grandma Margaret offered an imitation of, well, someone....

I enjoyed my day with some great folks, and thought this photo of the boots was a fitting end to a long day of showing horses and making memories.

Phone Photo Friday - Engagement

Big Woods ~ Ribs! ~ Bathtub flowers

Garden fleur ~ Proposal ~ The answer, yes!

Strawberry shortcake ~ A toast ~ Hot off the griddle

Sweet smile ~ After a swim ~ New haircut

Linking up with Dawn at My Home Sweet Home.

Oh, You Make Me Smile for the Hodgepodge

Linking up to the Hodgepodge again this week. Click on the button to visit Joyce at From This Side of the Pond, and join the fun!

1. Do you and your family enjoy camping? What do you enjoy most/like the least when it comes to family camping? When was the last time you camped?

Enjoy? Camping? Do those words even belong in the same sentence? My answer is no. Nope. Uh-uh. No way. Naw. Nah. Non. Unless it is in a Holidome. There were a few years when we all slept out in a tent on the night before the night before school started. I believe Jim's words were, "I slept like a rock. Or was that on a rock?"

2. Did you attend a summer camp when you were a kid? Is that a happy or not so happy memory?

I did attend summer camp when I was a kid, and I loved it. I went with my best friend, to a couple different camps, and my memory of it is a happy one. I can probably still sing some of the camp songs, but I will spare you that treat.

3. Over the course of your life, what have you probably spent more time pondering than anything else?

Pondering. Hmmmmm.... I'll have to ponder that one for a while.

4. Which of the seven natural wonders of the world would you most like to see? There are many lists of 'wonders' but this is the standard natural wonder list-Mount Everest, The Great Barrier Reef, The Grand Canyon, Victoria Falls, The Harbor of Rio de Janerio, Paricutan Volcano and The Northern Lights.

I think the Great Barrier Reef.

5. What was your first real job?

Babysitting. Does that count? I believe it does, and I always liked it when I was paid by check with "child care" in the memo line. Of course that was for taking care of 6 kids, which definitely counts as a real job. Interesting tidbit is that one of those 6 kids is now my sister-in-law.

6. Lemonade or Sweet tea...which do you prefer on a hot summer day?

I really like them both, but would probably choose sweet tea.

7. What is something that always brings a smile to your face?

My grandchildren, of course.

Matthew, 7.

Haleigh, 16 months.

Ella, 1 month.

{Photos by daughter, Jennifer.}

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Jennifer is moving to her new home next week, and I went up on Monday to help her get started packing boxes. We went to Target to get supplies.

Back at her house, I worked on packing boxes.

And more boxes.

 

While she did this. 

 

I guess the newly engaged girl just has more important things on her mind than packing. In case you missed the proposal story, you can read about it here, and see the TV news clip here. 

Apparently, she already had a stash of these at her house. Who knew?

Happy Wednesday!

It's Big Jon's Birthday!

Twenty four years ago, I gave birth to a sweet little 9 pound 7 ounce baby boy 

named Jonathan Michael Stewart, our Buddy.

Our fourth child, he is little brother to David, Andrew, and Jennifer. 

But nobody calls him little any more!

He was at home around the pool from an early age, 

and was a Tiger Sharks star until he abandoned the water 

for the football field and the basketball court. 

He was a great breaststroker, 

and could even win in butterfly (if you paid him enough).

He was also at home in the corn field, and grew up to walk those fields 

supervising detasselers (and looking for his lost phone).

His first school experience was at his Nana's preschool. 

He was the principal, I think. 

On the first day, he told the other kids' moms that he got in free.

He was also a lover of cows, and he had a stuffed cow puppet named Curtis, 

after a calf he met at the Angus Preview Show. 

He has continued this affection for cows, 

but now it is mostly just off the grill.

He was always a happy, good natured kid. 

Unless he was being picked on by his older siblings. 

Until he grew to be the biggest of the bunch.

At home in the water again.

And with the cows.

This picture was taken just before he fell in the creek. 

He always fell in the creek. 

Every. Single. Time.

On the beach in Grand Cayman.

And yes, he's always been a good talker. Still is.

Two of his favorite recreational activities are golf and fishing. 

This fish was caught at the Baptist Youth Camp 

when he was David's assistant lifeguard one summer. 

Good thing he didn't hook a camper!

He began his football career in Junior High where he played center. 

This was due to 1) his superior size and strength, 

and 2) he was the only big guy who could remember the snap count.

He even got all dressed up for the prom a couple times. 

He does love to dance. :)

He loved playing football and basketball, 

and even though another mom once told me, 

"that Jonathan doesn't have a mean bone in his body," he learned to

sack them on the field...

 and school them on the court. 

It was here that he earned the nickname "Big Jon." 

For obvious reasons.

And he continued his affection for bovines. 

This is his steer, Joey (named after Joe Paterno, the Penn State football coach).

Here he is last fall in the mountains of Fondwa, Haiti.

Happy Birthday, Jonathan!

Spend it doing something you love.

(Oh wait, that would be what you do every day.)

Love you, Buddy!