Dad turns 47...Again...

Ruby was amazed on one of our front porch conversations recently that when you get as old as 47, you stop even thinking about your birthday.   I probably only remember my birthday because Facebook reminds me...or reminds me that it is close when it is actually John's birthday.   But it just tends to run into the other days, but this one was a little special because Sam and Noel reached out wanting to meet up for dinner.   So we planned to drive down that evening to Prattville.   

That morning, Magan (or maybe Belle) put up the streamers so that Magan could wake up early and watch me karate chop them down.   The streamers by my room also said 47 last year, but now they were finally right.  I could not take vacation on this day because I was participating in an emergency drill at work, so instead I got to just sit being bored out of my mind for about 5 hours that day.   We did get a very good free lunch.   Deidra surprised me at work by decorating my door with some Happy Birthday wrapping paper, and left me a gift of some socks.   

We also got some good news that afternoon, that Belle's choir teacher was sick.   Which was not good for her, but good that Belle did not have after school practice, and got to join us on our trip down to Prattville.   We left after Ruby got off the bus, and ended up at my pick of Hawaiian BBQ.   It was really good, and I think all were impressed, even though this is not Noel's favorite.   The Junkin Italian/Chinese combos are not her favorites, but she found a dish that I think she liked.   

Afterwards, we went back to Sam and Noel's apartment, where she had cooked some bread pudding.   I had heard rumors of a dessert being cooked, but assumed it was her world famous strawberry cake, which is amazing.   But all know that my favorite is Bread Pudding, and when she mentioned it on the list of potential desserts, Magan quickly seconded that motion, and thus, a magical new amazing dish came forth and the taste was next level.   The texture next level.   Sam will surely be a fat man one day with desserts that good.   

Magan bought me the perfect gifts of a Ewok Hawaiian shirt, and a Star Wars dad joke book.   And everyone crowded around at my feet to hear me read a sampling of these wonderful jokes.   We all were laughing...or maybe it was just me...and Ruby...or maybe Ruby was just laughing AT me.   It was a perfect evening, except for not having Davis there.   But he took some time off of studying to call us while there and wishing me a happy birthday.   He and I had our own adventure coming up, although neither of us knew it at the time.   

And lastly, Sam brought me out the standard Mike and Ike presents, which I completely ate in the next two days, which is probably not good.    Ruby also got her gifts from Sam and Noel while down there.   So I guess birthdays are easy to skip over at my age, but the invite from Sam and Noel made this one a little extra special.   Love you guys in Prattville!   

Alabama vs Florida State Game

I was not initially planning to attend this game, but when I heard that Sam would be there, I checked with Davis to see if he could get a student ticket and then I could use his free ticket for parking.   I forget what the girls had on this day, but I am always excited to get to go and be with the boys for a football game.   I am continually amazed at how much life changed with simple piece of paper arriving with Sam's scholarship to Bama a few years back.   Tuscaloosa has just turned into a second home for a portion of our family for several years now.   

The game plan in my mind for this day, was to arrive at Davis' apartment around noon to ride with them to the ball game (Davis gets a really good parking spot due to his overnight parking work).   On my way into Tuscaloosa, I stopped and got some donuts for Davis and any of his roomates (Ronnie or Drew) that might also be at the apartment.   Sam, who had slept on the couch at their apartment the previous night called me after I picked up donuts and asked if I was bringing lunch.   So I stopped at ChickFilA, and got some sandwiches and nuggets also before getting to the apartment.   

When I arrived, Davis was still asleep from a full night manning the road at Hackberry.   But Sam went and got him up when it was getting closer to time to go to the game.   He was funny coming downstairs half asleep, but was very happy to have the donuts.   Drew was there and planning to come to the game, and Luke (Davis' working crew replacement for Sam) came over to the apartment.   Davis and Luke tore up the nuggets before we headed over to the game.   

I just let Davis drive over since he knew how to get to the right parking lot and after calling "Ms Ginger" getting us through the gate into super close parking.   Then we made our way over to the stadium, breaking into two groups, me and Luke going to the workers entrance, and the other three boys to the student entrance (Davis found me/Sam a fairly cheap student ticket, and good kid paid for my way in).   There is where it started getting a little crazy.   Me and Luke just walked with all of the crowd straight through the metal detectors where there was no one working, and no one minding any of the beeps passing through the metal detectors.   Then also no one checking for tickets at the gate me and Luke walked in.   Sam and Davis said that the same thing happened to them, no security and no scan of the tickets.   Inside the stadium, I left Luke to try and find my friend Ray Herb at the game.   And that is when the rains came, and that we found out that lightning had been spotted in the area (within 8 miles) and that the game might not start on time.   This was 1:45PM.   Kickoff was originally to be at 2:30PM.

The boys all stayed out in the rain getting soaked in the seats, but I stayed inside with the masses of people.   After the rain died down, I found the boys and got ready for the game.   And after a few more lightning delays, the kickoff was projected for 4:15PM.   Oh well, since I did not find Ray earlier, I made my way back over there to finally find him.   Then I made the mistake of seeing someone eating a Ben's Pretzel, so right before kickoff I went off in search of that pretzel.   I love those cinnamon pretzels.   

It was another horrible start for Alabama, and really sad to watch the first quarter and most of the 2nd quarter.   The FSU tomahawk chop fight song was loud and drowning out alot of the Bama fans.   And then at about 3 minutes left in the first half, another lightning strike was identified in the area, and they had to pause the game.   Drew told us that his Uncle had seen Ryan Grubb (Alabama's Offensive Coordinator) walking through the tunnels, and screamed basically that he was doing very poorly, and should consider improving the play calling.   And we all were thankful for Drew's uncle, because that got Ryan Grubb in gear.   After Bama returned from that delay, it was a whole different team, as they scored 3 TDs in the last 2.5 minutes of the half.   

And no halftime, that was super strange, but nice since our day game had turned into a night game.   While the rest of the game did have some more highlights for FSU, the momentum had swung, and never would come back.   I felt that the Alabama student section taunting FSU with the chop was a little early in the 3rd quarter, but by the end, after some really amazing plays, high fives, me falling a step off the bleacher, and Drew treating me like an old grandpaw to make sure I was OK, Bama ran away with this game.   And at 8:15PM, we left the stadium, Davis no longer able to talk, all excited about another win.   

My game plan originally was to take this group of guys out to dinner that evening, but it was late, and time for me to return to Chelsea.   I did get the invite to "Bock Hotel", which I learned was their strange way of saying Taco Bell...but I could tell the invite was for the less than 25 year old crowd...so I ate me one of the leftover CFA sandwiches, stopped to grab a Monster drink, and drove back home.   Every day with these boys is a treasure, since I don't have them nearly as much as I used to...so I just drove home wishing I could hold onto this memory forever.   The pictures help.   The blog helps.   But wow, it was a fun day I would love to do over again.   

Rushing Through August

August is always one of the most busy months in my opinion...getting back to school, getting back to AHG, getting back to the busy days where everyone needs a form and everyone needs money.   There are those last days of smiles before school begins, then the faces that turn to being overwhelmed once everything begins.   But it was a full month, and while I slowly felt the normal stress start increasing, there were a lot of fun and wonderful moments throughout the month.   

The Cozy Crochet team of Ruby, Claire, and Kaleigh had their last Chelsea Market Day, and it was hot.   I stayed with them on the setup, but Magan had the heat with the girls for the majority of the day.   Ruby did very well, and made some good cash for all of her hard work.   

There was another Breakout room with Kaleigh.   More Lessons with Mayberry where we all laughed to see Otis becoming a deputy.   There was a random Buccees lunch with Deidra and Andrew.   Lots of splashing in the pool with church friends.   I got another fun time with Ruby at Chuck E Cheese, and we are up to almost 2000 points, this time joined by Davis who was already in the area when we were there.   A fun family trip to the movies to see Spiderman, then just Magan and Davis sneaking away to watch Odyssey.   A quick dinner and visit at Tanya and Joes house, excited to show the kids the museum they have inside their house.   A fun time with Colby and family when he came to Chelsea to speak in our Summer Series (I had a little fun introducing him, but he was an amazing speaker sharing a great bible lesson).   We ate some BBQ celebrating Peyton Long and his upcoming wedding, knowing our dear brother Dave would be so happy and the young lady he found.   Magan building some shelves with Jasper and Jude to help Nanny organize downstairs.   Another small group meeting at the house, where we had the most amazing pot luck I have eaten in a log time (major props to Ginger Street for the most amazing corn on the cob ever).   

Magan signed Ruby up for an Uno tournament at the Chelsea Library, and she ended up in the final table.   And while she did not win the first hand and first place, she did win second.   She was excited to get her $10 gift card to Dairy Queen.