June 2022

Buckle your seat belt and pop some popcorn.  This is going to be a long and fun-filled post!!

June started off with trying to get the seal failed windows repaired and realizing that we needed to replace all the windows in the house.  That was a shocking moment. The measurements were taken and we should be getting new windows in July!

June 4th was a scary day.  I have gotten really sleepy while driving but I have never fallen asleep at the wheel.  Thank goodness I went off the road in a good spot and woke up quickly enough to stop the truck before running into something.  This school year has been tough and the beach cannot come soon enough. 

BEACH TRIP!!!!!

Day 1 (June 5) - Driving to beach 

We had 5 drivers this year.  It was really nice that Steve and I didn't have to drive the entire distance.  I had the boys in the truck with me and Avian rode with Steve.   We did our traditional stop at the Scuppernog River and walked around to stretch our legs before the last part of the drive.  There weren't as many dragonflies this year.  It was probably because we are usually visiting the Scuppernog in July when it is much hotter and more humid.  It was still a really pretty rest stop. Nick and I found a trail we have never explored before.  It was a really pretty walk. 

Nick wandering on our new trail.  

We got to the beach house, got everything unloaded and did some exploring.  We were finally at the beach again!!!  We were staying in a new to us house in a new to us neighborhood.  We were already in love with the location as it was only 20 feet from our driveway to the boardwalk and steps over the dune.  

The view from our back deck.  

The living room view of the ocean

I love all the colorful houses

Jeremy trying to tame his hair with a hat before heading out for a walk on the beach

The beach AT LAST!!

Nick wasted no time and ran right into the ocean.  He has been waiting to do that for two years!

The sun reflecting on the water with the dunes in the background.  HEAVEN!!

Baby ghost crab

I love the designs the water leaves in the sand.  

During our exploration of the new portion of the beach, we ran into a familiar face.  Jessica Delorenzo, from work, and her family were staying in a house in the next neighborhood up from ours.  

Day 2 (June 6) - Beach Day

I decided that I was going to take a long walk on the beach every morning and get my mind ready for the day.  Being back at the beach really was the best idea to relax all of us and help us reset from a very hectic couple of years.  

Because there was a storm churning a few miles off the coast, there were a lot of rip tides and some very rough surf.  Red flags up and down the beach warned everyone to stay out of the water.  After a hectic time at the grocery store, we went to the beach to build our penguin army and relax.  

Nick in his happy pose

Avian and I made some sand penguins and relaxed in the sand.  Perfect day!

Jeremy started digging his perfect relaxation hole.  

Nick started on his hole of the day.  

This would be the perfect "Wishing You Were Here" postcard. 

Front view!  Left to right, Throckmorton, Reginald and Caliope

Jeremy fell asleep after creating the perfect lounge chair in the sand.  

Today's hole brought to you by the shape "square"

The square hole is finished.  

Playing with the RC car in the sand.  

Trying to jump the car off the skim board

We played so hard we blew a tire!

With his RC car out of commission, Nick dug another hole.  This time it is brought to you by the shape "rectangle".

The perfect size hole to cover with the boogie boards for some privacy and time out of the sun. 

My favorite penguin.  I love the seaweed mohawk.  

After spending most of the day at the beach, we all went in search of our Outer Banks t-shirt for this trip.  We also wanted to find some fun shirts for Grandma and Grandpa Weenig.  We also stopped into the seafood shack and got 5 pounds of shrimp for dinner. Back at the house we all helped peel and devein the shrimp.  It was the most delicious dinner ever!!  We are all so glad to finally be back at the beach.  

Day 3 (June 7) -  Chillin' with the birds

I took my morning walk on the beach.  My discovery for the day was birds.  I love the watching the sanderlings run in and out of the waves trying to catch their meal before the waves come back in again.  

I was just finishing my walk when I saw something on the beach a few hundred feet away.  On closer examination it was a large bird.  There were two other ladies there wondering what they should do. The bird didn't move when we approached it and its back legs were at a weird angle.  We thought it might be injured.  The ladies wanted to wrap it in a blanket and take it to the ranger.  That long, sharp beak made me think that was a bad idea.  I called the Outer Banks Visitor Center and asked them what we should do.  The nice man explained that it was a loon.  They play in the waves until they are so exhausted they allow the waves to beach them. They stay on the beach for a couple of hours regaining their strength and then walk back to the water since they cannot take off from land.  

A beached loon.

Back at the house I made myself some shrimp and grits for breakfast.  I didn't even know this was a thing until we moved to the South.  Now I am wondering how I lived so long without it in my life.  

Don't knock it until you try it!

A puzzle of the beach at the beach is the perfect way to relax

Avian wanted to ride bikes to the Harris Teeter to get a drink so I went with them.  Our neighborhood was right across from the Harris Teeter so it wasn't a long ride but was much easier than trying to find a parking space.  We rode our bikes around for a bit before going back to the house.  

The kids wanted to go and explore the Scarborough Faire shopping area.  There is a great little bookstore and trinket shop we wanted to visit again.  

Back at the house Steve and I went for another walk on the beach.  He was looking for sea glass in all the deposits of rocks.  I got some pictures that will be great screen savers for my phone and work computer.  I can relive the beach vacation over and over again!

We tried to repair Nick's tire with some shoe goo.  It worked for a little bit until he blew another tire on the sharp sea shells.  The wheels get spinning so fast that the tires would flatten out under the centrifugal motion and it looked really funny.  

Back at the house we all sat in the hot tub to relax.  That night, after it got dark, Steve and the kids went down to the beach to see all the ghost crabs.  I did not go.  It freaks me out to be on the beach at night with all the crabs coming out to hunt.  They run right in front of you and it is hard to walk without stepping on the them.  The kids love it though.  For them it is not a beach vacation without a night walk with the ghost crabs.

Day 4 (June 8) - Funky Finds and Driving On The Beach

On my morning walk I found some very interesting things!

On the left is a sand formation caused by a lightening strike.  On the right is a vertebrae I found that had washed up on the beach.  It is big enough we are thinking it might be from a horse. 

There was a really cool stained-glass window above the spiral staircase.  It would glow every night as the sun was going down.  

I ran into the Delorenzo's on my morning walk and we got talking about things to do and see while in the Outer Banks.  This was their first trip and they wanted to see all the highlights.  They mentioned that they were trying to book a horse tour, but they were all full.  I mentioned that we had a four-wheel drive and would take them driving on the beach.  They were really excited about it and we agreed to meet in an hour at the lighthouse.  We took them out on the beach in hopes of seeing some horses, but we didn't have any luck.  They enjoyed 4-wheeling on the beach though.  It was a fun adventure.  

Our 4-wheeling crew

The lifeguards finally changed the red flags to yellow.  We could finally get in the ocean, but had to be careful because there were still some dangerous rip tides.  We only went in far enough to catch and ride some good waves on our boogie boards.  The water was really cold, but we didn't care!  Avian and I were the first two out there catching some waves.  Back at the house we warmed up in the hot tub, took a shower and ate some dinner.  It was a good night to tie dye!  All of us have worn out (or grown out of) our tie dye we did on the last beach trip.  This is also a favorite tradition.  Not only is the tie dye cool, but we love the mystery of how it might turn out.  

Tie dying under the house.  This was perfect because there was an outdoor sink in which to do all the rinsing.  

Jeremy and I chilled at the house while Nick, Avian and Steve went out exploring after finishing up our tie dying.  The sunburn pattern on Jeremy's legs was cracking us up!

Day Five (June 9)- Walks with Dolphins and Superhero Fight in the Clouds

I woke up early, made some blueberry muffins for the family and then went for my morning walk.  Today the discovery was the dolphins playing in the waves.  They seemed to follow me down the beach because whenever I looked out over the water they were there.  I love watching the dolphins! 

After my walk, I went back to the house and chilled in the hammock Steve had set up on one of the decks.  It was super relaxing.  I went for another walk on the beach.  The water was still really cold.  Jeremy couldn't wait any longer and ran into the waves like the crazy man he is.  He has always loved playing the waves.  I hope he never loses that sense of wonder with playing in the waves. 

Back at the house, Avian gave me a a painting lesson.  I only had red, blue, yellow, white and black paint to work with and Avian taught me how to mix the colors into just what I wanted.  They are a very good teacher.  

My inspiration picture

My final painting.  Not bad for my first attempt.  

To continue the creativity, it was time to reveal the designs of our tie dying.  They turned out really well.  You will get to see them in the family pictures to come.  Steve and the kids wanted to check out the Wings store.  I stayed at the house to make sure the washing machine behaved.  

We made burgers for dinner and then Steve and I went out to scout locations for our family picture the following day.  

  

I seriously never get tired of taking pictures of the ocean.  

I especially love it when the sun is just hitting the tops of the waves and they look like they are glowing.  

I may not like to be on the beach at night with the ghost crabs, but I love seeing the cool designs they make in the sand while digging their holes.  

Later that night there was the coolest lightening storm over the ocean.  The lightening would light up the clouds and it looked like a scene from a movie where the heroes are having a battle in the clouds.  Soooooo cool!  The waves were also extra big and we could hear them from the house.  We all sat on the deck and watched the storm until it was over.  

Day 6 (June 10)- Great Waves and a Family Picture

As always, I started off the day with a 2 mile walk on the beach.  The dolphins were out playing again.  The water was warmer as well.  When I got back to the house, we all packed up our beach stuff and headed to the beach.  The waves were amazing for boogie boarding.  

Nick and Avian in the waves

Nick caught a good one

Avian riding one in to the beach

Don't let the seeming calmness fool you.  There were several lifeguard rescues just up the beach from us.  One of the rescues involved an ambulance.  There was a wicked rip current and several kids got caught in it.  Don't worry!  The lifeguards got everyone back to short safely.  I cannot say as much for the boogie boards.  

Jeremy chillin' on the beach - Jeremy-style. 

Today's hole brought to you by the shape - circle.  

Phase one

Phase 2

Phase 3- perfect beach chair

We headed back to the house to get cleaned up and ready for the family picture.  Steve and the kids were hungry so they headed out to find something to eat.  My stomach was on beach time now and all I wanted was a nice, cold drink.  I relaxed at the house while they went in search of food.  

Family picture time.  We had purchased a remote shutter so we could take our family picture on our own.  It was a little rough at the start figuring things out...

...but we eventually got the hang of it.  If you look carefully, you may be able to spot the wireless remote in the pictures.  

Tie Dye on the Steps

You can't do tie dye and not do a crazy picture

OBX gear at the Whalehead club

This is the one we eventually chose to frame and hang on the wall.  

On the stairs leading to the beach.

Tie Dye on the beach (dune in the background)

This is the favorite one of Nick. 

This is the favorite one of Jeremy

This is the favorite one of Avian

Runner up for favorite. 

Avian took this one of me and Steve.  29 years of being married.  Not bad!

Back at the house we chilled the rest of the night.  This beach trip was so much fun and it was going by WAAAAAAY too fast.  

Day Seven (June 11) - Boogie Board, Bike and Shop for Tomorrow We Have to Go Home - BOOOO!

It is like the dolphins knew it was our last day.  They were there to great me and swim along with me as I walked.  Back at the house we decided to run to the store to grab a few things before the new group of tourists arrived for Saturday check-in houses.  We also went to Timbucktu while it was less crowded.  There was a crystal shop Avian wanted to check out.  I found my sanderling and pelican carvings for the house.  

Nick found his big, yellow chair

Back at the house we changed into our swim suits and headed for our last day of playing in the waves.  The water was warmer and the waves were perfect.  We played until we were absolutely exhausted!

The hole of the day brought to you by the shape triangle

We decorated this hole with penguins and some other sand art.  

These are crab holes under the stairs.  It reminded me of a mini Mesa Verde.

Back at the house we cleaned all the sand off and decided to conduct an experiment.  We wanted to know if the slushies at the top of Highway 12 tasted better after riding our bikes to get there.  Our hypothesis was Yes, they would taste better.  We proved our theory to be CORRECT!  

Our quest to find out if slushies tasted better after riding our bikes to get one.  

Back at the house we had dinner, did a little packing and settled in to enjoy our last night at the beach.  It is always a little bitter-sweet.  This week was amazing and we are sad to see it end so quickly.  

The sunset was gorgeous

Nick had a playlist he wanted to listen to while watching the sun go down.  

The beach at night is really pretty

Home again day (June 12)

We were all up early to get the most out of the day before we had to pack up and head back home.  Nick went for a run on the beach.  Steve and I went for a walk.  Avian and Jeremy admired the waves from the top deck.  We all reluctantly packed up and were on the road by 8:45. 

Goodbye (for now) Cat's Meow.  We all agreed this was our favorite house we have ever stayed in to date.  We will be back soon.  

The kitchen

The living room 

Our fun spiral staircase from the top

Our fun spiral staircase from the bottom

Steve's and my room

The back lower deck

With the hot tub

Jeremy's room

Avian's room

Nick's room

The main hallway

The front door

Side stairs to both decks

Until next time!

The drive home was not crowded and was fairly relaxing.  Going the first week in June was new for us this year and we were all a little nervous about how it would turn out.  It was a pleasant surprise all around.  The weather cooperated for the most part.  The crowds were definitely not as crazy as they are during peak time.  This could become a tradition.  

We got home in time to run a few loads of laundry.  We had some clothing and towels that smelled like the ocean.  By the third load, the water was not draining out properly.  It ended up that the pump had gotten clogged with sand and we had to wait to get a new part and install it.  In the meantime, I had to wring all the towels out by hand and put them outside to dry.  My hands were to tired by the end of that exercise.  Welcome Home, right?!!?!

June 13 I started the day with my walk, although it was sad to not be walking on the beach, beside the oceans with dolphins playing in the waves.  Steve went and got the new pump part while I took Avian to the chiropractor.  Avian and I did some Father's Day shopping on our way home after their appointment.  We also dropped off a package at the post office and some donations at Goodwill.  We finished putting everything away from our trip when we got home.  THEN Steve and I went to see if we wanted to buy some kayaks from a co-worker who was selling hers.  I knew they should be a part of our family the moment I laid eyes on them.  

I don't know what to name them yet, but they are beautiful!!!!

Steve and I got back home and decided to try and clean out the pump motor before replacing it with a new one.  It seemed to do the trick.  I was able to do 2 loads of laundry.  

Nick got to bring home an Audi A4 that needed to be checked out so the dealership would know what to fix in order to be able to sell it.  He was in heaven.  I got to go for a ride.  The best part was the silly grin on Nick's face every time the turbo kicked in.  

INTERMISSION TIME - This might be a good time to refill your popcorn and go to the bathroom!

The sunset through the trees.  So gorgeous!!!

June 14th, I decided to try running the towels through the washer again.  The pump stopped working and I ended up rigging the wet/dry vac up to the washing machine to get all the extra water out, wringing out the towels (again!) and going to the laundromat to get the towels cleaned.  It was $6.50 a load.  How do people afford that??!!??  After the towels were FINALLY cleaned, I took them home to put in the dryer.  I picked Avian up from work and got them to the volleyball tryouts for the Gold teams.  I am not surprised that they made the Gold team again.  After volleyball I drove them to Lea's house so they could hang out for a bit.  Back at home Steve and I replaced the pump on the washing machine and everything seems to be working so far (I am typing this at the end of August and we are still going strong).  

June 16th we had a HUGE rain and thunderstorm.  I was watching it out the front window when I noticed two guys huddled under a huge tree trying to stay dry.  I went onto the porch and called to them to get out from under the trees and come stand on our porch.  They gratefully accepted.  We got talking and one of them was from Utah (a lot of the summer door-to-door salesmen are from Utah).  Later that day, I was at one of the neighbor's and the same salesmen knocked on her door.  I asked if I could answer the door and play a little trick on them.  I opened the door and they started into their sales pitch and stopped mid-sentence with a really confused look on their face.  It was totally worth it!!!

June 17th I set up the Roku I had won at work a few months earlier and then ironed for three hours while binge-watching Merlin on Netflix!!!

June 18th was a very productive day.  Steve was finally able to hang the shelves on his walls.  He had forged the brackets because he couldn't find just what he wanted.  He cut and planed the cedar shelves himself as well.  They turned out amazing.  

Steve has always wanted to do shelves like this in his office.  

June 19th was Father's Day. We spent the day paying tribute to all our fathers and spoiling them rotten!

June 20th Steve and I took the kayaks out for our maiden voyage.  It was so much fun to just float and relax and explore and paddle and...  I decided if I can't live at the beach I will settle for living on a lake.  I just need to be near water.  

Yup.  I am one happy human!

June 21st Nick and I went out exploring in the kayaks.  It was the perfect way to spend the day.  We both loved just floating and relaxing!

That afternoon I Zoomed with my mom and dad so I could play Chopin's Nocturne for dad on my violin. It was a little rough, but it was played with a lot of love.  

Nick is in his element

June 24th Steve was so excited because he finally got the program he was working on for Incite to do what he needed it to do.  I was excited because I finally got the truck cleaned inside and out.  Avian had a great time at Anthony's birthday party.  Steve, Nick and I went to dinner at Bad Daddy's Burger since everyone else was gone.  

June 24th, 2022, was also an interesting day in history.  Roe vs. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court.  Abortion is no longer protected by the Federal Government.  

June 26th I got to spend the morning kayaking with my good friend, Shea.  We just paddled around Mountain Island Lake and talked all morning.  It was great!!!

Steve and Avian went to the Lavendar Festival with one of Avian's friends.  They found some driftwood vases that we had admired while in the Outer Banks, but that were too expensive, at a much better price.  I now have another beach-themed decoration for the house.  I will have a beach house one way or another.  

The best way to display all my shells.  

June 28th our new windows were installed.  They started bright and early in the morning.  Jeremy didn't like all the pounding and tried to escape it by sleeping on the floor in the bathroom.  It was sad and funny at the same time.  

Jeremy trying to sleep on the bathroom floor to escape the noise

Steve's office windows are out and the space is ready for the new windows.  

The before is on the left and the after is on the right.  The biggest difference is in the tinting on the glass.  The house is much cooler now because the heat from the sun doesn't get past the reflective coating.  Also, the framing is a little bigger and makes the windows look more finished on the outside of the house.  

June ended with getting to go out the dinner with our friends, the Obriens.  We went to Mr. Tokyo's, had sushi and great conversation.  Not a bad way to end such a busy and fun month.