The Sixth Challenge

My friend, Deb, had this challenge on her blog.

She "dared" me to participate in the "sixth" challenge which is where you:

1. Go the the photo folder in your computer
2. Go to the 6th folder.
3. Go to the sixth picture.
4. Put the picture on your blog and the description.
5. Invite 6 friends to join the challenge.

So, here's my picture:

Ok, so I know it's not that exciting. Just a pretty bad picture of an old guitar. But, I guess it takes some explaining.

Josh has been playing around with my guitar lately and decided it needed new strings. (it did!) So...off to one of his favorite places in the 'burg....HomeTown Music. We bought some Martin acoustic strings and I was in the middle of taking the old ones off, when I had a "hankerin" for a cold pop. (and it IS pop...not soda....but that's another subject)
I set the guitar down "mid-strung" and when I came back, those strings pulled on my "heartstrings" a little and I took a few pictures....just for me, I thought. But now, my blogging buddies share in it, too, I guess.

Now...about this old guitar. Flash back to the beginning of the cold and snowy season of late 1977. Kelly and I were living in an upstairs apartment off of Norton Rd in Columbus. Drew had been born in January of that year and I was pregnant with Michelle. Fun times, busy times, and I never stopped. That is, until the pregnancy hit a big speed bump. Everyone was concerned. The doctor put me on "bed rest" for a couple of months in hopes that I could carry Michelle to term. (which I'm thrilled to say I did...even PAST term, oh goodie!)
But during that bed rest, it was tough. Imagine being young, usually VERY active, with a 9 month old little guy, and you have to stay put. No computer of course, and we got fuzzy NBC if I stood in a certain place in the living room and held up one leg and pointed tin foil at the TV. (Ok..so THAT is a little exaggeration, but it was really hit and miss reception on that old little black and white tv, and we DID only get NBC and sometimes a very snowy and fuzzy ABC) No computer, no cell phone, no video games. We did have a few albums and an old stereo, but I wasn't supposed to keep getting up to change it. Kelly was working at Prudential Insurance, and I would get all set up on the couch with things around me, and an open playpen right next to me with Drew and his toys, etc. I did get up quite a few times during the day for necessary things, but the majority of time I spent on the couch trying to be as still as possible for my unborn baby while doing my best to take care of my other baby. (These days I know that medically that was probably ridiculous, but back then they seemed to think bed rest was the answer to everything)
After several weeks, I was going batty. My mom came over when she could and a couple friends from church would pop in, but the walls were closing in. I tried to be upbeat, but I know Kelly could tell the days seemed like forever to me.
One day, he came in all smiles. I mean big goofy little-boy smiles. I could tell something was up. He asked me about my day, because I usually didn't talk to him during the day at all (remember no cell phones....it seems weird now) Then he kissed me. He said he forgot something...went to the door, and picked up something from our little landing. He tried to hide it behind him (didn't work) then brought me over a beautiful, brand spankin' new guitar and handed it to me. He said something like "uh, this is for you" or something wonderfully romantic like that. Seriously, I was in love. Head over heels in love. I mean over the moon in love. (and I felt pretty good about Kelly about then, too!)
He had been saving the little bit of money he had to spend on lunches, and other things, and he worked out a great deal with the guy who sold it to him. It was unbelievable to me. No special occasion. Just because he knew I needed something to keep me busy.
Well, Drew loved it. He would sit and watch me fumble with it and work out a few songs. We sang the ABC song and Twinkle Twinkle over and over. (it's the same song so that made it easy) Then, it was on to bigger and better things...like Puff the Magic Dragon and Blowin' in the Wind. Soon we were on to Venus and House of the Risin' Sun. Oh yeah.....we were rockin' out on the couch.
The guitar has been brought out and loved over and over through the years...sometimes forgotten for months, and sometimes right smack in the middle of things. I was always so careful with it. Not a mark on it for 19 years. Until....I left it out after a "jam session" with Laurie, Jessie and Megan up in Toledo. Josh was almost three. And had a toy hammer. Not a good combination. It must have been a little sharp, because I came back and saw him right in the middle of "me fix tigar, mommy!" Click to make this picture below appear bigger.....you can see his handiwork. (I actually love those marks now)

I've been married 33 1/2 years.
Lots of special moments.
But few equal the day my sweetheart brought home a guitar to his girl on the couch.

All-District Band 2009

Not a great shot, but perhaps you can pick out the handsome percussionist standing in the back?


Josh made All-District Band this year and the performance was February 13th at Robert E. Lee High School in Staunton. They practiced all day Friday and most the day on Saturday and then the performance was at 4pm. The auditorium was full, and the music was amazing. There was a Middle School Band, the Concert Band and the Symphonic Band. Josh played in the Concert Band. I thought it was incredible that they only had two days with each other and with the music yet it sounded so finished and so sharp. I had a super time. Eighteen high schools were represented. Hundreds of kids tried out, so this was quite an honor for him. Megan, Kelly and I went together to the performance. We enjoyed being together so much.



Me and my "baby". (When did THIS happen???)

The obligatory shot with the parents. Josh looks so thrilled.

Big sister and little brother. I'm so glad Meg came with us.
(I think Josh had about had it with the camera AND the monkey suit.)

More Shots.....

When we got back to the car I noticed a little something that just didn't look right. I had to capture it. My handsome young man, in his sharp-looking tux, and his hairy ankles. Yep....pure class, Josh.

We were driving down Route 11 towards Harrisonburg and decided to stop at Jalisco's in Verona for a little celebration. We laughed and laughed and had a great time. Good food, but weird, weird service. Let's just say I have no doubt this waitress is just not going to make it in the service industry.

There were four of us, so the waitress brought four mints with our check. She had to count them out, it wasn't like she just grabbed a handful. Wouldn't you have noticed the open and broken one?? Not sure who that one was for. Fun times, though. Fun, fun times.

Blast from the Past

I received a wonderful surprise from a great friend of mine, Danielle, the other day. She sent me a Valentine card with a note of love and some plans to get together soon, and at the end of the note she wrote: "Look what I found!"

Danielle and her hubby, Rod, are living in Beuna Vista, VA, where he is the President of Southern Virginia University. But, once upon a time, they were raising their eight children while we were raising our six, and we were both living in Dublin, Ohio, right outside of Columbus. It was a grand time. And our Drew and Michelle and their Hyrum and Mary were the best of friends. It was super, and I truly love their family, which, by the way, consists now of 32 with their kids' spouses and the grandchildren. (which makes our 19 look like a quaint, tiny little family)
Danielle and I laughed and cried together, and always had time to shop for a bargain. We solved all kinds of world and family problems sitting in her big "van-bus" or roaming an auction, and I miss her like crazy.
I am looking forward to a fun time with her soon.

ANYWAY....back to these pics. She slipped these into the Valentine card, and what smiles they brought to my face. These were taken the day Drew gave his farewell talk before leaving on a two-year mission. This would be in 1996.

Above, Michelle and Drew~~~ what a team. It was tough for both of them to say goodbye for two years. Drew is 19 and Michelle is 18 in this picture.

We loved our little boy so much~~~ and even though it was tough to send him off, we were so happy for him. (Check out Kelly's glasses - maybe we should get those out again!)

Father - Mother - Son - and lots of love

The love continues......Drew is "tolerating" this love fest very well, don't you think???
Michelle and her friend, Mary, kissing their buddy Drew. (I love his face in this)

More Surprise Pictures

The "ties" that bind.
(ok...so that is really corny.But it's been a long day and now it's late, I'm in a goofy mood, and I'm stupid. Take whichever excuse makes more sense.)

I love that she sent this one, too!! This was taken at Danielle's house ~ Michelle and Drew just hanging out. 16 and 15. LOVE IT!!!

And, I think this one is timeless. Could be in any era.
Elder Drew Hebdon
..... my little boy.

Is it just ME??

Is it just me, or are other people's grandkids just not quite as cute (or smart, or talented or amazing) as mine?

I am missing my treasures tonight... (by age order)...

Kimberlee Diane,
Allison Rose,
Tobin Kelly,
Noah Emerson,
Tate Steven,
Griffin James
and
David Andrew

(you all are my FAVORITE!!)

Time's A-Wastin'!!

Thanks to Jess and Ammon for this great idea! Don't know what I will make, but I am already coming up with some crazy ideas!!!!

The first five people to comment on this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It'll be done this year (hopefully sooner than later.)
4. You will have no clue what it is going to be.
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch? Oh the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me you did will win a marvelous homemade gift by me!Let the games begin!!

morning gifts

Tuesday morning we woke to a beautiful fresh blanket of snow....clinging to each and every tree limb and fencepost around. There was a sparkle to every day things, thanks to the snow and sunlight. I drove slowly to work, marveling in the wonder of it all. Peaceful, quiet and lovely beyond words.
Above is a picture of our dogwood tree off the back deck. Delightful in any season.

His masterpiece of white.

Above, my buddy Sloopy stands ready to say goodbye to me as I leave for work that morning. Such a fun, sweet dog. Oh..and my car is getting warmed up....nice and toasty.
(I miss our dog, Shammie, so much when it snows. She acted like it was a big gift...just for her...and even as an old dog, became a puppy in the snow.)

Meg doesn't even know anyone is watching as she leaves for work. She is even more beautiful than the snow.

Oh...the Cars

This a close-up of the Pinewood Derby cars in the story below.
OSU Buckeyes and Spiderman.
That's my boy.

Pinewood Derby Revisited

Last Friday night was the Annual Chili-Cookoff at Church. This brings a lot of people together, just enjoying each other, eating chili, and voting for the very yummiest. This is also the time of year for the Cub Scout's Pinewood Derby. Our ward's Cub Scout troop consists of two boys...which doesn't amount to much of a race, especially for a number of various prizes. So....it was decided to combine the two events. An added plus....anyone who was coming to the Chili Cookoff was invited to dust off a Pinewood Derby car and bring it along for the fun.

I made a pot of chili the night before, and let it cook in the crock pot most the day on Friday. I got home from work Friday a little late, hurried and changed, Kelly grabbed my "winning" pot of chili, and we hopped in the car. Zach (Josh' best friend, and my "adopted" son) was over and was spending the night, so he came with us. I mentioned to them as we were pulling out of the driveway about being able to bring cars, and that we should have thought of that. Well, within two minutes they had run inside, grabbed a couple of Josh' old Pinewood Derby cars and were back in the car.

We got to church and found that most had already eaten their first round of chili. :(
I put mine on the table anyway. #17. Megan and her friend Andrew showed up, too. I was really glad they came. People sampled the various chili dishes and then voted for their favorite. Josh and Zach voted for #22 numerous times. (by the way, there was no #22...they are just weird) And yes, they each voted for #17, too. And...guess what?????? My "winning" chili did not win. It didn't come in second or third either. Oh well.

The Derby was about ready to begin. Josh and Zach were working at the prep table, adding some graphite..and making sure the old wheels would turn around. (see picture above)
I enjoyed watching my 15-year old, doing the things he did as an 8 year old. And...with his old Scoutmaster, Seth Stratford, by his side. Zach was having fun, too. Josh had his silver and scarlet OSU Buckeye car, and Zach was using Josh' very unique Spiderman car.

I am so glad Zach and Josh are buddies. They are simply fun together. They make me laugh. Both totally crazy, by the way. They seem to love the same things. Especially music. I love Zach's mom, Michelle, too, which is a big bonus. Some friendships seem to just click. And these guys definitely do. So..I usually claim another son...my "son" Zach.

They raced against other cars, eliminated some, and kept racing. Finally it was down to Josh' OSU car and one other. The fastest car of the evening???? It was Will Halling's....who was so excited. But Josh was pleased. He came in second place overall for speed and also won "Best Paint Job".

After we moved here from Ohio, Josh got to know Josh Stratford. "Little" Josh really loved being around Josh, started calling him "Big Josh". So..."Big Josh" and "Little Josh" were buds. Especially swimming buddies in "Little Josh's" backyard swimming pool.
Now "Big Josh" is even bigger, and "Little Josh" isn't so little anymore. I thought how cool that they had a Pinewood Derby together. This is the only way it could have happened. Here they are with their cars and their "trophies".
Winners......"Little Josh" and "Big Josh"

Oh...and by the way, I still have some chili. Come on by and share some "Loser Chili #17".