The Cannon Fab 5: August 2023

August 2nd I got to go to the church and help with the Bishop's Storehouse grocery delivery. The Church has a program to help those in need by providing groceries every other week. This is unique in that the people place an order with their Relief Society president a week in advance and then come to the church building to "shop" for their food. It is someone's calling to get the gymnasium all set up like a grocery store. I got to be a part of it on this day to get groceries to two of our women who could not come on their own to pick up their groceries. Afterwards we delivered the groceries and got to talk to the women to make sure they had everything else they needed. It was a great morning.

On the way home I picked up my new glasses and then headed to work to get ready for the kids to come in a week and a half. I hopped over to the high school to help with band camp for a bit before heading home to fix dinner for a neighbor who had broken her leg. On the way home, I was almost in a head on collision. The person heading toward me was texting and came across the line. I slammed on the brakes and my horn and the person behind them slammed on their horn as well. Thank goodness he corrected in time and returned to his own lane. It was really freaky. Also, I smacked the horn so hard I broke one of the springs and we needed to take it in and have the horn fixed.

My new glasses. They are bigger than my old pair, but I think I really like them.

After delivering dinner that night, Steve and I went for a drive. We ended up in Cornelius at Handel's Ice Cream getting their amazing banana cream pie ice cream. Avian called while we were there to tell us she had made the varsity volleyball team. They were so excited. We also got a message from Jeremy saying he was in New York City and having a great time.

Avian, Evan, Rose, Leah and Anthony at band camp.

August 5, Steve drove to Lynchburg to get some of the walnut tree that had fallen in Aleena's yard. He was excited to get to drive and use his chainsaw and get some wood. Back at home I went on a walk with Sandra and cleaned out the iris bed in the back yard. Avian hung out with Leah. Nick went to work and then to the gym. Jeremy sent a message from Vermont saying he was having a really good time and really liked Vermont. That night I had to use crutches to get around because all the kneeling had really tweaked my knee. My knee is getting harder to ignore.

August 6th Steve and I found a new place to launch the kayaks. There were a ton of turtles. It was really cool.

Turtles sunning themselves on a log.

Just relaxing. I tried to take a picture of the water with all the turtle swimming under the kayak, but it didn't turn out.

This floating garden was next to where we launched the kayaks. There were butterflies everywhere amongst the purple flowers.

Right in the middle of this picture you can see a hummingbird moth. They love these purple flowers as well.

August 8th was my official first day back to work after summer break. Avian and Steve went to buy the paint for Avian's parking space. This year, if the seniors wanted to paint their parking space, they had to pay an extra $20 for the parking pass. Avian was really excited to make their space their own. After work, I went to a parent volleyball meeting and we all got stuck in the gymnasium because there was a tornado warning and we weren't allowed to leave. Avian had left about 20 minutes earlier, but made it home okay and even texted me to tell me they were okay.

August 8th Jeremy returned home from his epic road trip adventure. He was exhausted, but had a good time.

Last first day of school!

They even drove themself. It was really weird not having them in the car with me.

August 10th Nick passed the inspection recertification with a 100%!!

August 12th was the volleyball day at Catawba College. I always love this day full of good volleyball. There is always something to watch and I never get bored.

Going up for the block with Sarah

Taking a rest between games.

Blocking with Lydia

Blocking with Sarah

Back at home, Steve spent the day getting things done. Jeremy helped host a video game tournament at UNCC. He sold one of his cigar box video game consoles. He was pretty excited about it.

August 13th, Sandra and I went kayaking in place of our morning walk. I took her to the turtle location. We had a great time.

After kayaking we stopped by LNC to see Avian and Steve. They were working on Avian's parking spot. There were several others there finishing their spaces as well. It was fun to see the different personalities displayed in the parking space art.

Thank goodness Steve brought a tarp to shade the process. It was roasting hot!

Taking a much needed break

The set up!

Putting on the finishing touches.

August 14, was the first volleyball game of the season. We played Pine Lake Prep and beat them in 4 sets. The team was having a hard time keeping their serves in. Kiley put Avian in to serve and it really helped the team. Their serve is so consistent!

August 16th I got to help get Anji's groceries in the morning, then to work, then to an away volleyball game at East Lincoln. Traffic was insane, but we made it in time for the game. We won in three.

August 17th was another away game. This time we played Christ the King and won in three.

Avian going up for the kill.

August 18th we left for Atlanta right after volleyball practice. We went to check out SCAD. Avian wanted to go to school in a bigger city and Atlanta is definitely a big city. We arrived at the hotel about 9 pm and got checked into the room. We were all tired and went to bed in anticipation of a big day the next day.

August 19th, we woke up early, had breakfast, checked out the hotel and headed to SCAD for our scheduled tour. SCAD was fabulous. Avian loved everything about the school except that for it being in Atlanta. It felt closed in and claustrophobic. The concept of the school and the way they design the curriculum was a huge interest. We talked to an advisor and they suggested visiting the Savannah campus if the Atlanta campus did not appeal to us. We set up the visit to Savannah on the drive home.

Sunrise over Atlanta

We staying in a hotel just down the street from SCAD.

Students designed the furniture in the lounge area on the design floor.

Recycled denim outfit.

Steve really liked the couches. They were comfy.

Zen frog in the gardens outside the dorms.

Unicorn seat in the dorm common area.

The elevator lobby in the dorm building.

Back at home, Avian and I did a little school clothing shopping. Steve and Nick both found out that they were getting a raise.

August 20th I got up and went for a walk with Sandra in the morning and then hurried home to get ready for church. After church I hurried to a band meeting to delegate all the things that needed to get done. Avian made a banana cream pie. Nick went on a run and came back with a good story. While he was out for his run and older lady stopped him and asked him how old he was. He told her 21 and then she said, "Well, they don't make them like you anymore!" We got a good chuckle about that one.

August 21st we played Central Cabarrus and won in three sets. Jeremy had his first day of college and sold another cigar box console. He was super stoked.

August 23rd we played South Rowan at home. It is not fun playing their team. The fans are completely obnoxious. Their students sat on our side of the gym and heckled our players. Matt Schelgel, our Athletic Director, had to talk to them about their behavior. They were much better after he talked to them.

August 25th, Jeremy went on a blind date. The report afterwards was not overly enthusiastic. I do not think there will be a repeat date.

August 26th Steve and I were up at 6 and on the road to Southport shortly after that. We arrived in town and did some window shopping. The locals all recommended a place called Provisions for lunch. It was a great restaurant on the water. I ordered a crab cake with a yellowfin tuna salad. Steve got a burger and onion rings. We watched boats sail by while we ate. It was so much fun.

Parking spots for the restaurant.

Cool finds on the beach in Southport.

After lunch we walked around town and did some antique shopping. There were so many shops to explore. One shop had handmade jewelry. I finally found some sea glass earrings for Kathy in one of them.

The elusive sea glass earrings.

After checking out all the antique and boutique shops in Southport we drove down to Holden Beach to play on the beach and in the waves. There were a ton of shells and the water was warm. We spent some time playing in the waves and walking up and down the beach before heading home. It was a great way to spend our anniversary!

30 years!

The sky on the drive home.

Back at home, Avian mowed the lawn and wrote a paper for school. Jeremy hosted another video game event on campus. Nick worked and there was a HUGE thunderstorm and rainstorm. Charlotte got drenched.

August 28, we went to West Rowan and beat them in three games. Once again, Avian's serves really helped the team win.