Rain rain go away

I think we don’t have to be worried about wildfires. But we had a worry about the front patio flooding. There is a strip with holes along the wall covering a drain and a pipe going through the wall into the drain from the gutters. Well, something was happening and the water didn’t seem to drain. At one point we decided we had to do something about it.

We put our raincoats on and I had some rubber boots. It was a trial and error project. We found the pipe on the outside and decided to cut it ... and deal with the cut-pipe problem later when it is not coming down in buckets. We poked and prodded in the pipe underneath the wall but there didn’t seem any obstruction inside. We just kept hitting the concrete patio on the other side.

The drainage strip could not be lifted so we decided to cut that too. Long story short ... we got it going. And then we had to get out of the clothes which had got totally drenched. Later when we could get the opening dry we put some duct tape over it so no debris could get into the pipe. We also duct taped the pipe on the outside of the wall together again so James could close the ditch he had shoveled to the neighbors driveway.

A few days later when James power washed the patio it drained fine first but then the problem again. We had to do some more “operating”. Oh well.

We had a very busy time.
- the royal wedding (after all Windsor is James’ hometown). The alarm rang at 5:15 am.
- same day I had to leave at 8 am to drive to a vestry retreat (church council)
- Sunday was Pentecost. We told Caleb we would pick him up for church if he would wear a red shirt (like we did). He loves going to church and St Martin’s had a potluck. It was fun.

- in the afternoon we took him to Meadow Farm to see the sheep again. They were coming through the fences and run around loose. He had fun.

- Wednesday our community also had the free shredding event and we tried hard not to forget it. And free ice cream (all sponsored kindly by an investment guy)

- AND, of course, we had to get ready for our next trip (stay tuned for details to come) but since I would not be home at the end of the month the church newsletter for June had to be published. That takes lots of hours/days, seriously.
- it also dawned on me that we would come back with guests (Kate and David) and the loft and guest room were a disaster area.

- when everything was done (only the packing left) we walked to dinner just outside our community. 

Everything turned out satisfactorily and I am writing this in Montreal. That is the problem though. I did not want to bring my computer and writing a blog on iPhone or iPad has challenges which sometimes takes the fun out. I can’t scroll which means I couldn't write the appropriate text between the photos. So, here now are the photos:

On the way home

Firstborn grandson is 8 (eight)? Really? When did all this happen?
We celebrated and had as always a great time. You know all about it if you read the previous blog.
He is all week in school so Tuesday morning we left. Alarm went off at 5 am.

We were ready and in the car before 6 am and did our usual routine. First say a prayer, drive for 2 1/2 hours, stop at Strawberry Plains for a senior coffee and a sausage muffin from the value menu (don't laugh we usually don't eat breakfast at all).

The trip back this time was a bit complicated because we were not going all the way, but wanted to see good friends the next day who had moved away to be closer to their children, which was “kind off” on the way. I would have liked to end the driving day by visiting the Virginia Quilt Museum. Always wanted to go there. Good thing I decided suddenly to call and make sure we have enough time to see all exhibited. Oh dear, they were closed this week. Change of plans ... we stopped at the Natural Bridge State Park.

We were very surprised about the park and how nice it was. Not what we had expected.

The walk continues past the bridge and there is more to see. But we did not get far. As soon as we reached the native village we heard thunder grumble ... and grumble ... and grumble ... getting louder and the sky darker.

We decided to save it for another time (since we now knew it was well worth it to stop) and retreated. Saw these socks in the gift shop though. It said socks shouldn't match. But if you bought 2 pairs you could change them and have two matching pairs, ha-ha.

We continued the drive and then stopped in Winchester for the night. James found an excellent place with hotels.com and now we have a free night next time we need a hotel.

We walked across the street to an Outback. We have not been in one in a long time. The coconut shrimps were very nice ... as was the beer ...

... and the whole evening.

Next morning we visited our friends in Leesburg. Barbara and Rob are so dear to us. But of course we totally understand that being closer to their son, his wife and their granddaughter is a big improvement. They found a wonderful house with much less yard maintenance. We wish them all the happiness possible. Thanks for lunch in the clubhouse!

On our way home we did well to avoid the terrible DC traffic gridlock but were inundated by terrible downpours. Oh well. We arrived home safely.

PS: This blog was a trial because I have to find a way how to do it on my iPhone or iPad in anticipation of our upcoming vacation. Not taking the computer with me. I was delighted when I figured out that I finally could add photos into a blog on those gadgets. But ... I can't scroll the screen afterwards to add the writing. Lots of complaining about that on the internet and no solution.
???? And so the testing continues (I finished this one finally on the computer).

William's birthday weekend

His birthday is on Monday the 14th. But it was difficult to celebrate then so there was a bonfire party planned on the Saturday before.

On Thursday Helen invited James and me for supper. William was eager to show us their new tenants. Ben and Helen built a chicken coop and they have now 6 chickens with the hope for eggs in the future. If I remember right the names are: Goldie, Cookie, Hawk, Patsy, Red and Clover.

On Friday I baked and delivered an undecorated chocolate chip birthday cookie and we picked up William to spend two nights with us. Of course we had to have an ice cream at a paletas place first.

No homework so we had lots of time to play games. Board games or Wii. The Wii is actually great exercise. You move a lot. William's coordination playing baseball and tennis can not be matched by James or me. Lots of fun.

Saturday: Finally it is time to drive to the Farm for the bonfire party. Yeah! We found it with the GPS without any problems.

William inspects and is impressed with his mother's cake decorating skills. A bonfire cake with 8 yellow and red candles ready to be the fire.

We were early but couldn't help much. Ben and Helen had everything under control. 

Lawn games were assembled. William was waiting for his guests. It was lovely sitting on the porch. He and I were fascinated watching the inch worm.

Family friend Larry was the first to play badminton with William. I think William applied his Wii tennis skills to it.

Helen called this the selfie station. Two of her friends she knows longer then Ben and definitely BW (before William).

Ben's homemade strawberry ice cream was a great hit. Food was just inside the house to be enjoyed whenever. 

And then it was time for the fire. And s'mores eating!

And more fire, ha-ha.

He was very fast blowing it out.

And, of course, some gift-opening (I "stole" some photos from the internet).

Altogether a really great time. We enjoyed playing games and talking to the other guests. They have such nice friends.

It was dark when we were driving home and late, but a bath is always calming at the end of a busy day. I had written I love William with bathtub crayons but William had erased his name and wrote ours.

Sunday - Mother's Day

Helen had made sure to tell me their church's custom so we were prepared with 8 pennies he needed for his Sunday school class after the service. We were out in the hallway and I heard the counting so I peaked in to take this photo.

We took him back to the townhouse because we had things to do. He helped to bake the 24 Choco Pumpkin cupcakes he needed for his 2nd grade class on Monday. The recipe makes 30. He had chosen this recipe but then he was concerned because he wanted to give one to his next door friend (same age) even so Freddy is not in his class. Freddy doesn't like chocolate. We solved it by filling two cupcakes before stirring the chips in and then doing the rest. Everybody happy!

Helen came for taco salad dinner. William surprised us with cards for his mother and me. James told us that he had picked them out all be himself at the Dollar Tree store which the boy loves. 

Here is mine. So cool!

And then they left. School day tomorrow. It was a lovely Mother's Day for me. Sarah called several times too. What else can a mother wish for?

Monday - THE day!

Helen told us that when she brought William to school (they live too near and can't ride the bus) his teacher welcomed him dancing and singing "Happy Birthday to you, we are going to the zoo".
Yes, it happened that this was the day when his class went on a field trip to the zoo. After they returned they celebrated with William's cup cakes. He came home with several handmade cards from his class friends. The cards were so very cute. Very special.

James and I were invited for dinner and on the way we bought a # 8 candle.

And then it was time to say good-bye. After all, it is a school night.

A short visit this time but since he is a school boy we hardly see him during the week and it is more difficult. So we have to come back soon.