March 2025

March 1 - Steve and I drove to Savannah to see Avian's award-winning art on display.  I love seeing them in their element doing what they love.  After seeing the art display, we went to lunch at a burger place on Broughton.  It is always fun to visit this part of town.  It is in the more touristy part of town, but has the best places to eat.  After lunch we walked around Savannah exploring new places and visiting favorites.  Avian needed a few items from Target so we did a Target run and then explored a thrift shop by Forsyth Park.  Back at Avian's dorm we talked with Ari and V for a bit before heading back home.  

Back at home, Val had a party and cooked a homemade meal for her friends.  They were all amazed and called it "magic".  Val had to laugh about that.  

Posing like the characters in the picture.  

The characters in the picture - close up. 

March 3 - I got to go with the BOB team to their first competition.  The kids did a great job and stayed cool under pressure.  I was there mostly as the emotional support animal to give them some love them they needed it.  The other two coaches were completely focused on winning.  At the end of 9 rounds, Lake Norman Charter was pronounced the winner and will be going to regionals in April.   

We competed against three other teams to earn our spot at regionals.  

Meanwhile, Val came home from work with stories of middle school snark directed at her and her students.  She is learning very quickly how to be the adult in a middle school setting and loving it.  I am proud of her because middle school is not for the faint of heart.  

March 6 - Lake Norman Charter decided to put together a directory of skills that the LNC community has to help others out in the community. I decided to put in a sewing alterations and lesson ad in the directory.  I am already getting jobs for hemming and taking in items.  This is going to be fun!!

March 7  - Avian called to tell us that they got an offer from SCAD to buy the Chimera picture.  SCAD is offering $250 and Avian can make a copy of the print before handing it over.  It will be part of their permanent, rotating collection.  Avian will also get to retain all the rights to the picture content and characters.   They are very excited!!    

The daffodils are up!  Spring is here!!

The high school is cleaning up all their stuff from last year and this appeared on my desk.   So many memories.  

Avian's roommate, Syd, submitted Avian's name to a local newspaper as a candidate for an interview about their art.  The link to the article is below.  It is always interesting and exciting to me to read an interview with Avian because they are incredibly insightful.  I learn something new with each interview.  

Avian Canvas Rebel Interview

March 8th - Steve and John Latham went on their annual fieldtrip to the ham radio show in Concord.  They always have such a good time and Steve comes home with some new information and fun stuff every time.  This year Steve won the big raffle prize - the most current radio manual.  John said it was the best prize of the day.  

While Steve was with John, Val and I went shopping to find pants that were more flattering for her figure.  She is losing weight and her current pants are baggy.  I am proud of her.  She is owning her femininity and having fun.  

March 13th - Val is really liking her job.  It is the right balance of hard work and rewarding.  She is getting the hang of school policies and the pecking order and how to fit in.   The pinched nerve in her arm is back and it is painful and swollen.  We are watching it closely.  Last time it went away on its own.  

March 14th - Avian is home!!  Steve drove down to pick them up.  I didn't go this time as this is the busy season at work and Steve really needed some alone time driving.  He also needed to have a day with just him and Avian.  They had a great day just the two of them.  

Avian's mask from one of their classes.  

I made this one extra large so you can see all the detail.  I LOVE this one!!

March 15 - Steve and I worked on pulling out the gardens, as they were not producing where they were located.  We made two dump runs to get rid of all the wood and weeds.  On the second run there, we found a really nice mirror.  Why do people take nice things to the dump when there is a Goodwill just down the street?!!?!!?  We replanted the blackberry and raspberry plants in a more sunny location which should increase their productivity.  

Avian went hiking with friends. Val and I found me a new sewing machine -  a Brother Heavy Duty so I can hem denim without having to borrow Avian's machine.   

That night was the leadership and adult sessions of stake conference.  They were both very good.  We had a linger longer afterwards and I enjoyed the social time, but paid with an upset stomach later that night.  I need to just socialize and not eat at these things. 

March 16th - General session of Stake Conference.  Nick came and sat with us and then came to the house a little later to see Avian.  Those two crack me up!  They genuinely miss each other and love spending time together.  I was talking to Mom and Kathy when he arrived.  Mom and Kathy got to see the happy reunion that involved lots of hugging.  Nick couldn't stay because he was going out to dinner with his friends from high school.  Avian took off shortly after the Zoom call to watch a move with their friends at Leah's house.   Val and her boyfriend, Mo, had dinner with us and then ran a few errands.  

March 17th - Dad's birthday.  I really miss him.  

Avian had scheduled several appointments while they were home for spring break.  I spent some time catching up on the blog.  I got all the pictures in!  Steve took the xTerra in for its oil, lube, filter and inspection.  

Happy birthday, Dad!

March 18th - Avian and I went in for haircuts with Kelsey.   That night I got to go to the Concord ward RS activity.  We shared what books we were all reading.  I now have a list of books I would like to read.  

March 19th - Avian and I were on the road early so we could spend the day at Holden Beach visiting the Licastri's.  We explored for a bit and I sat on the beach talking with Jill.  Avian and Rose were having such a good time, it was hard to leave when the time came.  I will go on record that this was my favorite day during spring break.   

Avian, Rose and me from the porch of their rental.  I love the ocean!!

These two have been friends since 6th grade when Rose invited Avian to Holden Beach for spring break.  

It is not a beach trip without finding a "penis" rock.  They just find us.  

In their happy place with their bestie!

The sunset on the way home.  

March 20th - This was a laundry day and hang with friends kind of day with sushi for dinner.  

March 21st - We finished all Avian's laundry.  Steve and Avian went to Cheap Jo's Art to find supplies for the coming quarter.  Back at home, we made homemade Oreos (red velvet this time - a request from Ezra).  We had to make a quick run to Target to find a birthday present for Keegan (whose party was that night).  We found a really fun Dutch card game Avian had played before and bought it for them to take back down to school.  Back at home, we ate pizza and tried out the new game (which was really fun!! - it was a variation of solitaire).  Avian then went to Keegan's party at Top Golf.  They had a 10 p.m. reservation.  It was a fun way for Avian to end their spring break.  

March 22 - We took Avian back to Savannah. When we stopped for gas in Hardeesville, Avian got a call from Ezra that they had just landed at the Savannah Airport and were waiting for their Uber.  We told them to cancel the Uber and we would pick them up.  It was fun meeting Ezra.  Back at the dorms, there was a very happy reunion of friends.  We all piled into the truck and went to Starlandia so they could all pick up some needed items for classes.  Back to dorm they all decided they wanted to go play frisbee in Forsythe Park.  There was an art fair going on and Steve bought a new wallet.  Since Avian was so happy with their friends, we left a little early and took a side trip out to Tybee to say hello to the ocean.  We had lunch at a place called Spanky's Beachside Grill.  The food was really good.  It was a good way to end spring break.  

Heading to the park to play frisbee

Moss and blossoms at the same time.  I love Savannah!

Tybee Island.  

Spanky's!

March 26th - Back from spring break and ready for new ideas, Joanne Wilson and I attended an MTSS conference in Wilkesboro.  It was an incredibly fun and informative day.  For lunch we found a local restaurant, Dooley's Bar and Grill.  The food and ambiance was the perfect relaxing break from the conference classes.  We both learned so much.  My favorite thing was a high school English teacher (9th grade) demonstrating how she teaches reading and comprehension to her students.  There was a lot of reading aloud and discussing content.  We desperately need this at LNC for our 8th and 9th graders.  Good stuff!!

March 29th - Eden hosted a breakfast at her house for all the sisters she and Ana minister to.  It was a great time getting to know them all better.  

Afterwards, Steve and I did a Goodwill drop and went in to find some spring shirts for Val.  We hit the jackpot and now Val has some short sleeved options for work.  We also helped Val set up the web accounts for her benefits.  

March 31 - Val and Mo planted seeds for the garden.  Mo is really interested as he has never had a garden before. It is good to see Val so happy.