Father's Day

I couldn't have asked for a better man for the father of my grandchildren than Jamie.

Words cannot even begin to express all he does for his family. This guy never rests. If he's not at the fire station, then he's at the new house, entertaining his kids or numerous "honey-do" lists from family. Happy Father's Day Jamie!

Las Vegas Trip

I took advantage of my Harrah's Seven Star trip and went to Las Vegas to see Rod Stewart.

The seats were fantastic and his concert was great. He sang all my favorite oldies and a few new songs. I can't believe he's putting out another album.

I do think he's losing his voice a bit or it could be that the instruments were drowning out his voice on the microphone. I hope when I'm 73, I still have that much energy even though he had to take several breaks and sit down to rest. The rest of the Vegas trip was the same for me - sit down at a slot machine and let it take all my money. Better luck next time.

He's Just a Boy

Poor Lincoln. He had such a hard day on Monday.

After an exciting morning at the zoo, he stumbled getting out the stroller (at the car) and face planted into the parking lot concrete. People walking by were rather sympathetic watching Melissa try to fold up the stroller and get it in the car, all while holding a screaming baby.

He recovered after a short nap and decided he wanted to go outside and play. Just his luck. A wasp stung him on the same cheek with the massive bruise. Last night we went to dinner for Michael's birthday. Lincoln happens to be the same height as the backs of the chairs. You guessed it. His head hit the chair. A few more tears and we were out of there. But once again he was running through the yard and around the car at my house. I think Melissa needs to wrap him in bubble wrap for a while or at least until he grows into his massive feet!

Appalachian Trail Week 4

Michele and I are finally even in our quest to virtually walk the Appalachian Trail.

At week 3 I not only caught up with her but zoomed ahead. Michele claims she was sitting in meetings but she probably just figured I wouldn't put the hiking boots back on and catch up.

At week 4, we're pretty much even. So far we've walked 156 miles from the start of our journey. I am a little concerned about our hiking outfits. Why is Michele outfitted as a hiker with a walking stick and backpack while I'm dressed in a skirt with heels and shopping bags.

There is no stopping the competitiveness in either of us. After last week's finish in first place, I've now dropped to a head hanging 6th place. But Michele spent the week hiking at Crater Lake. Heels or no heels, I'm trudging on and trying to keep up.

James Taylor Concert

Cross off another item from my 2018 bucket list.

My cousin Gary and his wife Lee Ann are big concert goers. My thought was to attend at least 2 concerts this year. James Taylor has been one of my favorites since I was a teenager and his concert didn't disappoint. He sounds exactly like he did back in the 70's.

Gary, Lee Ann and I spent a bit too much time at Harrah's and didn't get to the Sprint Center until 10 minutes before the concert started. But what a great plan, mistake, whatever you want to call it. We walked right in the front door and to our seats - no lines, no waiting - just as the lights went down and James Taylor came on stage. The first part of the concert went rather slow, not a lot of his more famous songs. But let me tell you, the drama began about an hour into the show. (For the more squeamish, you may not want to read the rest!) The person sitting 2 seats down from me got ill - I mean throw up kind of ill. I feel sorry for the man sitting in front of her. The smell was about to kill me. Maintenance finally showed up and used this nauseating odor fresh that nearly gagged us to clean it up. There was no way possible to take a breath between the mixture of odor fresh and vomit. I was texting my friend Trish during this time and started my uncontrollable laughter - the kind where tears were streaming down my face. The lady in front of me was ready to call security on me and the lady behind me was wanting to know what I was on. For such a nasty experience, it was so funny. I blame Trish for the commotion.

The silver lining - the seats next to us were empty which gave us a lot more seating room. Those people never showed back up. Since Bonnie Raitt had to cancel (medical reasons), James Taylor did a performance, took a break and then a second half. Much better! All the songs I remembered. Add to that his back drop was a constant change of pictures and videos from the past. I highly recommend going to see James Taylor if you have the chance. Just don't text Trish while you're there. Take her with you instead!

Weekly Fitbit Results - FIRST PLACE!

Bruce may have spent most of last week in a car driving to Chicago but I pounced on the opportunity to "step" it up and took first place in last week's Fitbit standings.

I've been walking each day along the Little Blue Trace trail that runs behind my neighborhood. It's a little over 2 miles from my front door up to Lee's Summit Road then around the trail to the back entrance of the subdivision and back home.

I ran into this guy during one of my walks. This is probably the one and only time I'll be in first place unless Bruce decides to spend more time helping Courtney refurbish her new condo or Michele takes off and walks the many hiking trails across the United States. Plus I can't take the pressure of trying to keep up with either of them. I'm ready to slide back into my comfortable 70,000 steps a week.

Virtual Walk - The Appalachian Trail

Michele and I are walking the Appalachian Trail - virtually.

Each week Michele takes our Fitbit steps and photoshops a picture of us on the trail. She has already passed into North Carolina. I'm still in Georgia but only 6 miles behind her.

I slipped behind due to painting my house and not wearing my Fitbit but I'm back on track and got my Deep Gap/Plum Orchard badge. Now that I'm getting closer to her, it really gives me motivation to keep walking. I'm hoping to pass her but that might not be the best idea. I'm more a follower than a leader. I'll get us lost!