Sunday, September 1
We began the new week and new month with regular services at Yantis First Baptist Church and then went home to share lunch with Ladd, Angela, and Madalyn. It turned out to be a somewhat lazy afternoon, but we did receive a great new photo of Ava and Jack from Mike and Kelly and decided it would be a good way to begin the pictorial review of the month.
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Monday, September 2
Happy Labor Day!
Jim: We celebrated the holiday by doing yard work, and all the while I kept remembering that Labor Day weekend when I was growing up meant painting the fence around our backyard on Hank Street. Daddy believed in celebrating holidays in an appropriate manner, and after all, labor WAS labor.
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Most of the month was spent in routine activities: Tuesday mornings were set aside for Jim to go to early morning prayer meeting at Yantis First Baptist Church, and Thursday evenings were rehearsals with the Lake Country Symphonic Band, and Sundays were set aside for church services, and some days we did absolutely nothing that anyone would find of interest.
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Wednesday, September 4
We managed to fill this day from beginning to end. TJ had a cardiology appointment in Tyler and because it involved a stress test, asked if we would drive her over there. As it turned out, it was a good deal for us because TJ's doctor is the same as Barbara's, so Barbara got to have a brief (and more importantly free) consultation with Dr. Tolleson about return visits.
When we were done at the cardiology building, we drove across town to have a wonderful meal at Red Lobster, our favorite place to eat in Tyler. After a quick shopping trip to Dollar Tree, we returned to Mineola in time for each of us to get in our respective naps.
Tonight we went to Mineola's historic Select Theater for a special screening of Bonnie and Clyde (the 1967 release starring Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, a movie that I had never seen.) The evening was made all the more special because we decided to ride Taz downtown to the movie and then to Sonic for drinks before heading back to the house.
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Thursday and Friday, September 5 and 6
We decided to tackle a job that we've talked about for several months. When we talked to a contractor about installing a screen door in the entryway between the dining room and the garage, we asked him about refinishing the kitchen cabinets. He suggested that we just clean the cabinets up really good and then put on a couple coats of lacquer. We had about a thousand reasons for never getting started on that project, but decided that now was the time. After scrubbing everything down and letting it dry, we began applying the lacquer to all the wood services, and sure enough, it worked. Because of the lighting, before and after photos didn't show much difference, but to the naked eye, it was as if we had installed all new woodwork...what a difference it made to the overall appearance of the kitchen. It was a tiring and smelly job, but well worth the time and effort!
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Wednesday, September 11
Jim spent the morning getting Big V moved to Quitman for the annual inspection. Once that was done, we decided to treat ourselves to lunch at the new Jalapeno Tree restaurant in Mineola.
This evening we decided to take Taz for a spin out to the Yantis area. After a false start (we had to go back to the house for Jim's driver license), we finally got on the road and had a nice ride, even if it was a little darker than we preferred when we got back to the house.
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Thursday, September 12
We needed to get the Caliber serviced this morning and since it was going to take so long, we decided to take the car and Taz to the Dodge place, drop the car off for a few hours, and then take a leisurely morning ride through the backwoods of eastern Wood County.
After another false start (this time to go back to the house for jackets that we hadn't realized we would need), we hit the road, enjoying the early morning and some beautiful sights along country roads.
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Friday, September 13
Cousin Don Sandley was here for a couple of days to visit TJ, so we had them over for a big spaghetti dinner for lunch today. Unfortunately, we didn't remember to get the camera out until after they left. So, even though the meal was undocumented, we did have a nice time together.
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Tuesday, September 17
Andy and Heather found awhile back that they had conferences scheduled out of town this week and asked if we'd be interested in some serious Alexander and Abby time. We jumped at the opportunity and this morning put Bonita in the Bradshaw Hilton and then drove to Dallas in time to pick the kids up at their school.
After taking some pictures at school, we piled the kids into the car and high-tailed up U.S. 75 to Plano to get Alexander to soccer practice. The trip, in afternoon traffic, was not without some highlight moments that will be remembered for some time by certain random drivers and Barbara and the kids. Needless to say, we were in for several days of "driver education" in the Dallas area!
After soccer practice, we went to one of the kids' favorite fine dining places, Cici's Pizza, where we did the obligatory pig-out meal.
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Thursday, September 19
While the kids were in school today, we were able to meet up with Paul and Stephanie Francis and their three boys, Wesley, Eugene, and Gus, for a delightful meal and visit at a Mediterranean buffet in the area. We ate well, and had a great time visiting these members of our "adopted" Artesia family.
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Thursday, September 20
After three and a half days of us watching after Alexander and Abby, negotiating the Dallas area traffic system (if you can call it a system), doing some shopping, and visiting friends in the area, Andy got back from his conference. Since we had decided to drive to Kansas City to watch Little Jimmy play soccer, we took off shortly after Andy got home this evening and drove to Durant, Oklahoma to spend the night. We caught some pretty nasty weather along the way, but avoided and difficulties other than increased vigilance.
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Friday, September 21
We had a good night's sleep last night and were on the road fairly early this morning. Any way you look at it, it's still a long drive from Durant to Olathe in the Kansas City area, but we made it just fine and got to Whitney and Jim's house in time to spend a fun afternoon and evening getting caught up on the latest news and happenings. Whitney got away this evening to drive to Emporia for a run with some friends, but the rest of us had a fun night together.
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Saturday, September 22
Everyone was up and about early this morning. Jimmy's soccer game was the first of many scheduled for the day at the park complex where he plays, so we wanted to be there in time for warm-ups and the game.
We had seen Jimmy's team practice several weeks ago, and it was obvious then that the kids were at the early stages of learning about the game. This morning, however, we saw the same kids, but an entirely different team. We were so very impressed with the way the boys had progressed in their knowledge and skills...must have been some great coaching (Jim is one of the coaches, and it was fun to watch him give directions and encouragement to the boys).
An added bonus of the morning was that we got to sit with Jim's mom and dad. I had met Jim's mom, Linda, at Whitney's graduation from KU several years ago, but neither of us had met Jim's dad, Jim the Third. We had a great time visiting and all agreed that we need to get together again when we are back in the area.
Following the soccer game, we went out for some shop-looking and sight-seeing. Jimmy had his mind set on some laser tag, but the place wasn't open until later, so we went to Buffalo Wild Wings for lunch and then returned to the laser tag place where Jimmy got his fill of fun.
Whitney returned from her trip to Olathe during the afternoon and then tonight we went to the original part of Overland Park for a delicious Salvadorean meal...wonderful dining in a beautiful atmosphere!
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Sunday, September 22
We got up early this morning and began the trip back to Mineola. Our time with all the kids was way too short, but worth every minute and drop of gasoline.
We got home at 8:00 pm, unloaded the car (piled everything inside the house to await sorting, cleaning, and putting away tomorrow), and crashed in our comfortable couches...weary from travel, but happy with time sell spent!
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Wednesday, September 25
This morning we drove out to Yantis High School to spend time with church members and students as they observed and celebrate See You at the Pole. The event has grown considerably over the past four years, and it was exciting to see the level of student leadership and involvement in this very important program.
We went back out to the church this evening to take part in the followup event, Saw You at the Pole. Again, the large number of student participants was mind-boggling.
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Monday, September 30
We closed out the month by riding Taz up the road a bit to Emory, where Patriot Guard Riders from around the are gathered to form an honor guard and pay last respects to to another fallen military veteran.
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"There's nothing I value more than friends and family, a smile as I pass someone on the street." - Willie Stargell
At home in Mineola,
Jim/Dad/Gramps and Barbara/Mom/Grams
