Welder #1

We have been trying to get something done with the Big Truck, and the first welder we brought it to, looked it over, but couldn't help us because of some other complications re: the configuration of wires under the bed area.

It was quite disappointing, and the hubs will have to go in search of another who might be able to help us.

Don't you hate it when..

You get nails in your tires and have to Spend Moneyz buying new tires because Sam's says they are un-repairable!?

A Visit to the Social Security Office

We had to go by the Social Security Office for some official business, and surprisingly, it took less time than I had thought it would.

Also, the lady who helped us, as well as her supervisor, were very courteous and helpful.

So, Good On Ya, SS Office Abilene!

Redbud Splash Pad

We decided that we would visit a different Splash Pad this time around, much to the little boy's delight.

This one had a couple of slides AND a Big Splash bucket.

It also had a little area where you could manipulate the water flow and launch little sailboats and whatnot.

all in all, I would say it was very much

Fun in the Sun :)

Newspaper Angst

For the past few weeks now, I don't know if they have changed delivery guys, but our newspapers have LITERALLY been left in the dust.

Our newspaper holder that is right under/next to the mailbox is in no way listing or slanted in any way that would make a Properly-Placed-In newspaper would ever fall out.

*BIG SIGH*

Anyway, we had decided that we would be stopping our newspaper service ( not over THIS matter, though ), and really there would be nothing gained by complaining about this and potentially getting someone fired.

BUT THEN, today we saw THIS!

*Serenity Now! Serenity Now!*

Instant Pot Love

The hubs bought an Instant Pot during the last Amazon Prime Day, and I gotta tell you, this ranks way up there of all the "tech" he has ever gotten for the family.

It is Splash Pad Season!

The usual one we go to, by the Abilene Zoo, was down for maintenance, and so we decided to go to one of the other 4 Splash Pads, scattered around town.

We settled on the one in Stevenson Park.

There were a bunch of kids there, which made it more fun for the little boy,

with a bunch of different water features.  The hubs and I were glad for the benches in the shade, and the wind was blowing droplets of water our way to help cool us down.

Ah, to be a child again :)

The kids especially loved the Big Bucket Splash that would come thundering down on them.

We are so glad to revisit the Splash Pads of Abilene and have a place for the little boy to cool down and have some fun :)

Congratulations Ira & Joseph!

Stephanie had a beautiful reception for Ira and Joseph's marriage at her home, complete with Sparklers!

By the time we got there, the place had already been very tastefully decorated with shades of pastel pink, peach and red.

It was good to see The Morrows, who were back from Ukraine, as well as Vita, who was there with her husband and her little boy, Ethan.

as well as Todd & Sabrina and Tyler.

Dinner was delicious, with good conversation around the table.

Then of course, it was Pool Time! 

The Thorntons had gotten a huge Inflatable Flamingo for their pool, and it was the star of the pool that day.  The kids could not get their fill of it.

Mike also decided to set up a ladder against the climbing wall, which SOME of the kids climbed up and jumped off of, again and again.

Finally, it was time for The Sparklers.

The newlyweds paraded through the 2 rows of Sparklers, Military style :)

Congratulations and here's to many more blessed years!

A Trip to Hobbs and Seminole

It wasn't really planned, but we needed to go to Hobbs, New Mexico to pick up a piece of equipment.

It was a long drive, but not quite as far as when we went to Fort Davis.

The guy in charge was very professional and capable, to the point of impressing the hubs.

Then it was off to an early dinner at one of the few remaining Furr's in the area. 

The little boy was quite delighted with the selection :D

We didn't stop very long, though.  We were soon on our way home, but decided to stop by Janelle's house for a bit.  Janelle was the head librarian when the hubs was in school, and a close family friend.

She was still as quick as ever, even if her hearing wasn't as good these days, and the hubs had a good time reminiscing, and catching her up on who was doing what these days.

They could have sat and talked for hours on end, but we were needing to get home before dark and had to say our goodbyes, promising to keep in touch more frequently :D.

Getting the Truck Home

There were a few more electrical issues that needed to be addressed, but Dale called to tell us we could come pick up the behemoth, after giving the hubs a few more pointers.

Off to the Truck Place

We had to take a drive over to The Truck Place to collect the truck that had been worked on by Dale,

and while the men talked trucks, the little boy and I hung out at the driver's lounge that had satellite TV,  Lazyboy loungers, magazines, coffee and even trail mix!

Needless to say, the little boy wasn't feeling too put upon waiting for daddy :)

A Stop by Lake Fort Phantom

Our neighbor, Charles, has a place out by the lake, and has told the hubs that we were welcome to stop by there any time we wanted to.

So, one Sunday, after lunch, we drove over to the place, and it was quite beautiful.

They had a little cabin they were working on, with a lane winding down to the water.

There was a little dock at the end of the little walkway, where you could look out to the other side of the lake and feel like you were floating down a large river, lulled by the waves.

We walked around curiously, exploring all the different places that had direct access to the water.

The hubs said we should try to go again soon, with fishing rods in tow the next time!

Just a typical stop in Texas

Happy 4th of July!

We drove over towards The Zoo, where Westex Connect was going to be putting on the July 4th Fireworks Show.

We hadn't gotten tickets to be "inside" the Festival Gardens for the fireworks, but we joined the throngs parked along the side of the highway to watch the show instead.

We didn't have to wait very long, and pretty soon, the fireworks were brilliantly lighting up the night sky

We were impressed with how long the show went on for, 

as well as the variety of fireworks used.

After a minute, we decided to sit out on the fold-out chairs we had brought with us, to get a better view of the festivities.

We were so close that at times, we were afraid sparks might rain down on us!

The finale was especially rousing and certainly closed the night with a bang. 

Ominous but Beautiful

We were walking out to go get the mail and newspaper, and were greeted by these storm clouds.

Very beautiful,

yet having the potential to create much havoc.