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.