October 2025

October 3  - The month started off pretty rough.  When I went into the garage to start the truck so I could go to work, it wouldn't start.  I did all the little tricks Steve had showed me when the truck did this on our road trip, but nothing worked.  I woke Steve up so he could take me to work and we could figure it out later.  After opening the gate, we came around the school building find the Scholastic Book Fair truck parked by the library entrance doors.  Steve let me out there and I helped the driver get everything unloaded so he could be long gone before carpool started.  At the end of a long and active day, I caught a ride home with my neighbor, Heather, who happens to work at LNC as well.  

October 4 - First thing Saturday morning we took the truck to Heath to have him check it out.  He was not able to find anything that would have prevented the truck from starting.  We will just have to watch and see if it happens again.  This weekend was also General Conference and a good chance to get some small projects done while listening to the talks.  

October 11 - We decided to drive to Savannah to visit Avian and to put the official license plate on Tim.  All the paperwork had been completed (finally).  We honked as we passed the dorm on the way to the parking lot for parents on weekends.  After we took care of the license plate, we walked to Starlandia.  They were having their $10 bag sale.  Anything you could get in a bag was only $10.  I got a SCAD rain visor and some labels and Avian and Steve threw a few things in as well.  It was a deal.  Back at the dorm, we picked up the roomies and took them to lunch at Chipotle.  It was fun to listen to them talk during lunch.  Avian really did hit the roommate lottery with this crew.  After lunch, we dropped the roomies off and went up to Broughton to visit Blick and get a few other things.  Avian found the perfect birthday present for Ezra and I got some of Dr. Graham's favorite body scrub.  The day ended way to soon and we were on our way back to Charlotte.  

I found these at Blick Art Supply while we were getting Avian stuff for classes.  Jenny and I used to each more Mac and Cheese than I am sure was healthy. Even Jenny agree that Mac and Cheese gummies was pushing it too far.  

We drove through a heavy rainstorm just south of Columbia.  Suddenly a rainbow appeared right in front of us.  I had an epiphany that a rainbow is all about perspective, timing and focus.   A rainstorm is about your proximity to and perspective of the light reflecting off the water vapor in the air.  Your focus needs to be on the right things at the right time.  To see a rainbow all this needs to be in alignment to see it.  If you are not focusing, aligned and in proximity with God, you won't see the miracles, the messages, the people, etc. God puts in your way.  

October 17 - I went to the temple with all the RS presidencies in the stake.  It was fun having so many familiar faces in the room.  Afterwards we went to Chick Fil A to get to know each other a little better.  

October 18 - Steve went to a tool show in Hickory and had a great time.  While he was playing with tools, I got a shipment of yarn Sharron sent.  It was amazing.  That night we went to the Boden's to watch the Utah vs. BYU football game.  We were definitely the token Ute fans to pick on during the game.  We did not give them what they wanted.  We complemented the plays of both teams.  Yes, we are evil! 

So much yarn with so many possibilities. 

October 21 - Steve pulled a 15 yours day to figure out the AI stuff at work.  He was exhausted but they accomplished a lot.  

Gorgeous clouds at the end of the day

October 23 - I attended an IXL conference in uptown Charlotte and learned so much about the data capabilities of this program.  Steve started working on his leather apron.  It is going to be really cool when he is done.  

October 26 - We met Nicole and Peter Ivey at church.  They were in town for a conference and happened to be at our ward this Sunday.  Nicole and I got talking before the lesson and continued afterwards.  We had so much in common and wanted to continue getting to know each other.  We invited them to dinner.  We lit a fire in the firepit and had a blast getting to know each other better.  Both of us substitute at school and love it.  We are easily distracted - SQUIRREL.  We both have trans/bi children.  She plays the violin and crochets and loves the We Do Not Care Club.  It was a fun night.  

October 27 I was in meeting ALL day - from 8 am to 10:30 pm - school and then church.  It was a long day.  

October 28 - I was walking into the building in the morning.  When I came around the corner, I stopped in my tracks.  There was a skunk walking around under the canopy where there would be students in less than half an hour.  I immediately called Nick and let him know and followed the skunk until it disappeared into the bushes by the basketball hoops.  We never did find it, but it was quite an adventure.  

October 31 - Avian texted a picture of her with Rose at the DQ in Savannah.  Avian's roommates helped Rose surprise Avian with an overnight trip.  She got to watch Avian play in the volleyball tournament.  Avian's team took 3rd place.  They were very surprised.  

September 2025

September 3 - Avian finished up the chalices and matching boxes for the roomies.  They also finished the Odysseus hoodie.   Now all that needed to be done is pack up their room to return to school.  The summer went by so quickly.  Oh, they also got their hair cut and had a few doctor appointments as well.  

For Sid

For Mags

For V

For Ezra

The complete set - Avian's included

The hoodie front

The hoodie back

The Laurel crown on the hoodie

September 5 - We had everything packed up and were ready to leave Charlotte by 7. The first part of the drive was very uneventful.  About the time we got to Orangeburg, SC, we were getting hungry so we stopped at a Chick Fil A.  Avian put the car in park and it started rolling backwards the second they took their foot off the brake pedal.  Steve traded places with them and tried taking the car out of park.  It was stuck.  We thought that maybe turning it off and on again would help.  Now it wouldn't start and would roll backwards if Steve took his foot off the brake pedal.  We rolled it into a parking spot that had a downward slant and a curb to stop it from rolling further.  We Googled the nearest Ford dealership and it was just half a mile down the road.  Steve left us at Chick Fil A and went to talk to the Ford dealership to see if they could tow us there and do the repairs.  They had a tow truck in the lot and it followed Steve back to Chick Fil A and we got the the car towed to their dealership.  The mechanic said it was most likely the gear chain (the thing that makes sure it stays in park and goes into drive) and that they would not be able to get to it until Monday.  It would be at least $2000 to repair and that was just an estimate.  While we were waiting for the mechanic to look at the Fusion we looked around the lot and saw a 2017 Focus that would fit in our budget if we decided the repairs were going to be too much.  When they came back with the $2000 conservative estimate, we decided not to put any more money into BeatsWalkin.  Avian drove the Focus and liked it.  We got all the paperwork started to buy a new car.  In the mean time, Avian had contacted SCAD housing to say that we would be a little late.  They were okay with that and Avian calmed down a lot once they heard this.  

 

Saying goodbye to Beatzwalkin.  It had been a good car.  

Say hello to Tim

Avian and I left Steve at the dealership to finish signing the paperwork and drove to SCAD to get their things unpacked.  Steve followed later once all the paperwork was finalized.  With all that had happened since we left Charlotte, we were only two hours later than anticipated.  I would say that it all worked out as best as it could considering everything.  The dealership was close, they had a tow truck available and we ended up with a more reliable car for Avian.  

In order to give Avian some time to get settled in without us in the way, we went to check into our hotel.  We also check to make sure the hotel had a room available for the following night.  We decided to extend our stay an extra day to make sure that Avian was truly settled in.  The new car threw us a curveball with having to change it on the insurance and get everything updated in the SCAD system.  Avian was relieved when we told them we would stay any extra night to get it all sorted out.  Once we were checked in and had our additional night secured, we went back to Avian's dorm, drove to Target to get a few additional things, dropped those off at the dorm and picked up Sid.  Avian drove Tim to our hotel for the night since Tim wasn't official in the SCAD system yet and didn't have a place to park on campus.  We then went up to Broughton and met Mags and Ezra at Jalapenos for dinner.  It was quite the day.  We were glad for comfortable beds that night.  

The new dorm room at Victory.  

The courtyard for studying.  

Making it their own.  

September 6th we woke up and did a run to Walmart since we knew that Target was already pretty picked over.  There were still some supplies that they needed for the dorm.  Back at the dorm, Sid had arrived and was moving in.  I got to meet Sid's dad, Jason, and we talked while be put some shelved together for Sid's room.  He is a really nice gentleman and a talented photographer.  He showed us some of his work and I can see where Sid gets her talent.  Mags and Avian wanted to go to the beach to relax after all the work of moving in.  We made one stop to pick up the boogie boards from Mag's dad and then headed to the beach.  Avian and Mags played in the waves while Steve looked for shark teeth.  I sat and watch everything.  Avian and Mags played in the waves for hours.  It is nice to have a beach friend who enjoys the beach the same way you do.  It was a really fun day.   

proof that I really was there with them. 

A little light house I saw for the first time as we were leaving Tybee Island.

After a fun day at the beach, we dropped the kids back off at their dorm so they could get ready for D&D that night.  It was their first night all back together and they had a huge celebration planned.  Steve and I went to the hotel to clean up before going to dinner.  Some friends of ours told us we needed to eat at The Pirate's House so we made reservations for that night for our anniversary dinner.   The restaurant was and old house that used to be a place where pirates/sailors would stop by for a meal.  It had a lot of history.  Our table was in the old root cellar which was the most haunted place in the whole building.  I don't know if I was more relieved or disappointed that we did not get to find out just how haunted during our meal.  After dinner we took the tour and were shown all the back places and told scary stories.  There were some stairs up to the night quarters which were steep and not safe so we only got to see them, not walk up them.  While adding on the bathrooms they would a bunch of cannon balls and left the hole open for people to see the old artifacts.  After dinner, we walked along the river for a bit before heading back to the hotel for the night.   Maybe a ghost did follow us out of the Pirate's House because we could not get our parking ticket to allow us to pay for our parking.  Even the parking attendance couldn't get it to work.  In the end, we got free parking for the night.  At least it was a friendly ghost!    

Steve in the root cellar where we ate.  

The full moon through the Spanish moss hanging in the trees.  

9/7- We got to sleep in for a little bit before checking out of the hotel.  Avian and the crew were not awake yet from their night of D&D so we found a flea market to visit until everyone was awake.  There were some really fun  finds at this place.   

The roomies had mentioned wanting an accent chair for the dorm.  They may have said yes it this wasn't $800. 

When everyone was awake, we met them at Waffle House for breakfast before heading out.  Ezra's aunt and cousin were there as well.  

After breakfast, we dropped Avian off at the dorm and then headed home.  It had been a longer weekend than anticipated, but it was filled with great memories and I was more confident in Tim being a good car for Avian with all the driving they might need to do.  We took a new way home to avoid 1-26 as Google Maps said it was backed up (no surprise there).  We went up I-95 to Bishopsville which put up near McBee.  It was 24 minutes longer, ,but MUCH prettier and more relaxing.   Plus we got to stop in McBee for peaches and peach enchiladas.  

September 8 - I finished the teddy bears and quilts 

September 12 - Covid sucks!   I really thought it was allergies from pulling all the chickweed.  NOPE!  Oh well, I had a chance to get my Mama Bear sweatshirt done.  

September 14-15 - Avian drove to Durham to attend the annual "Welcome to Nightvale" tour with Max.  It is a fun weekend for both of them.  Avian said Tim made the drive so much easier.  

September 20 - Steve and I went to the Freedom Park Arts Festival.  There were so many vendors and we enjoyed looking at all the art.  Once vendor did line art that was mind-bogglingly detailed.  We bought some stickers for Tim and Steve's car and I got a jelly fish picture to go with our beach decor.  

Meanwhile, down in Savannah, Avian FINALLY got a pumpkin pie Blizzard.  

Percy the Porch Pelican and Darby the Doorstep Dachshund

Darby the Doorstep Dachshund - side view 

September 25th - I fell and really smacked my knee at school.  I was walking outside during the 8th grade PA time and went to kick a basketball towards the curb.  I stepped on it rather than kicking it and came down on my left knee as I was protecting my right knee.  I had to file Workman's Comp because there was instability and a lot of swelling.  Spoiler Alert:  I now understand why people don't file these claims because they don't go anywhere.  Oh, and I am fine.  

September 27th -  Steve and I had the privilege of attending an Eagle Court of Honor for Bob Coughlin.  He has been a part of scouting since our boys started so many years ago.  He did his project and a clerical error kept him from receiving it 47 years ago.  It was a very heart-warming Court of Honor with everyone whom he touched in attendance to honor him.  

September 28th - President Nelson passed away at the age of  101.  He will be missed.  There was also a mass shooting and arson at an LDS church building in Michigan. So much going on in this crazy world.  

It was also the primary program in our ward.  This is my favorite Sunday.  The kids are all so excited to have the spotlight on them and they always put on a great program.  The new song is one of my all-time favorites.   "My Own Sacred Grove" is the new song.  

Nick came up and he and Val went to a movie together.   I love that they make time for each other.  

9/29 - I called the Workman's Comp number and requested to be seen to make sure I didn't have any significant damage to my knee.  They sent me to the nearest urgent care.  The doctor told me what I needed to know - all my ligaments are still intact.  I can deal with the recovery knowing this piece of information.  

Avian called to say that they had two more pieces in another show.  They also made the men's volleyball team and were excited to get to play at the next level.  

August 2025

 August 2 - Steve and Avian worked on the chalices in the garage.  The heatwave of almost two weeks was finally broken.  It was MUCH cooler. 

I made red sauce.  Our supply was dangerously low. 

August 3 - Nick came up for Steve's belated birthday celebration.  We had French Dip sandwiches, French fries and peach enchiladas.  It was nice being together as a family again.  

August 4 - I worked on preparing the firepit area for its makeover.   Steve got the weed killer down and Val's friend, Mo, came down from Greensboro for a visit.  

August 6 -  The windshield on Avian's car was terrible.  It looked like it had been sand blasted and when the sun was at a certain angle, you could not even see through it.  Safelight came out and replaced it.  While this was happening, I went to H&R Block to get our tax amendment done.  The tax statement from Steve's shares of Incite come out in July.  

August 8 - It is back to school for me.  I am hopeful that this year will be a good one for everyone.  We went to a new pizza place for dinner that night.  It was okay.  

August 9 - Avian wanted to go to the Rad Vintage Show.  We got tickets for all of us to go together.  It was another walk down memory lane.  So many things from the 80s.   It was fabulous.  Avian found two older Carhartt jackets just like the ones they had been looking for.  Back at home, Avian continued to work on the chalices.  They are to the point of carving the designs (see pictures below).  That night we went to the housewarming party for Marianne and her cousin, Chris. I had the privilege of helping them work on the improvements and it was fun to see everything all done.  

August 10 - Steve and I went kayaking after church because the rain actually stopped for a couple of hours after 5 days of solid rain.  We were not going to miss this opportunity.  

August 13 - I had my annual visit with Dr. Moll.  Let's just say that I was not as "boring" this time.  My lipid panel came back abnormal.  My LDLs were high and my HDLs were low.  Let's just say that changes will be made.  

August 16 - Steve went on a field trip to Klingspor in Hickory.  I stayed home and continued the work on the firepit area.  I got all the weeds pulled and the area releveled.  When Steve got back, we went and got some supplies we would need to continue the project and then headed to the pool for some relaxation and floating. 

August 18 - Val went back to work.  The summer is almost officially over.  I don't know how I feel about this.  

August 19 - It was open house at Eastway Middle School and Val was very nervous about meeting all the parents, but she did really well and had a good time.  I love watching her confidence grow. 

August 24 - Avian helped get the firepit area put together as payment for us buying them some new shorts and shoes.  I am so excited to get this area done so we can start having fire pit nights again.  Leah and Thatcher brought over donuts and we chatted for a bit.  We also got a good bye party planned before Avian headed back to school.  The firepit will be used!!

Putting the pavers down.  It is going to be awesome.  

August 25 - Val went to church in Greensboro with her friend Claire.  Afterwards, Claire went with Val as moral support to get Val's ears pierced.    Nick came up to ride his bike and we got to chat for a little bit.  I miss the days of everyone being at home, but I love that Nick is enjoying being on his own.  That night Steve and I went to the Boden's for dinner.  It was fun to get to know them better.  

August 27 - Val is adjusting to the new students this year.  Some of them are having a hard time settling into the routine of a new school year.  It is rough, but it will get better.  Avian is finishing the chalices (pictures to come).  Steve and I have been married for 32 years today.  

The Ute bear with parts of Grandpa Weenig's shirts that I made for Eric and Kate and their new baby. 

August 28 - Avian and I mowed and edged our lawn and our new neighbors lawn.  They move in over the weekend and we didn't want them to get a citation their first week in the house.  I pulled weeds, brushed off the sand from the firepit area and moved the bricks off the patio (FINALLY!!)

The new fire pit area.  

It turned out really nice.  

There is even a serving area off to the side.  

After three years, the bricks are finally off the patio.  It is disgustingly dirty.  

August 29 - Steve got out the power washer and cleaned the patio. 

The view from the bathroom window.  

Getting better.  

Almost done

We are ready for Avian's party now.  

August 30 - Avian had all her friends come over for a cookout in our back yard.  We roasted hotdogs and grilled hamburgers and ended the night by sitting around the camp fire.  I always love having Avian's friends over and catching up with what they have been doing.