My Favortie Subject . . . Suzi

Suzi started pulling my magnets off the refrigerator, so I got her some of her own. No, she doesn't recognize the letters yet, but her fine motor skills are improving daily. We'll start on colors soon.

She already knows which animal is which when asked to put them in Noah's ark.

She tries to sing the Noah's ark song and boogies to the beat of the CD.

And she has no trouble putting the plastic coins in the slot on her piggy bank.

She met her little nine month old cousin for the first time this weekend.

Their favorite spot was in the swing.

Suzi also loved the slide.

Grandfather Mtn. Highland Games - Finale

On Saturday morning the Mountain Marathon began in Boone, NC. It is listed as one of the most strenuous marathons in the nation. Our booth was only a few yards from the finish line, so we were able to see the runners just as they came across. I was most interested in documenting the first female to finish.
There were so many events that,even sitting right on the track, we could not possibly see them all. One thing I totally missed on Saturday was the Highland Dancing. I intended to get photos of the dancers on Sunday afternoon, but we had to leave early as I had a horrible headache. Various competitions took place throughout the day. There was a Children's Tent where they could go to participate in all sorts of fun activities. On Sunday there were kilted mile races for several age groups and shorter races for the younger children. Other children's events included wrestling and tugs-of-war.
This little kilted racer was not happy. The baby (beneath the table, out of the sun) had his mama's full attention.

Sunday morning Worship Service was held outside the main gate. Everyone brought folding chairs and blankets for sitting. The service included Kirkin' of the Tartans which is a blessing of the clans. Each clan sends a representative to carry their flag. Foster carried the Clan Wardlaw flag. It's easy to spot because of all the purple in it.
Almost immediately after Worship Service they called for the Parade of Tartans. Here we are in all our Scottish regalia, ready to march in the parade.
Our next Highland Games will be the Loch Hartwell Games in Hartwell, GA this October.

Day Two - Highland Games on Grandfather Mtn.

Part II of my blog about the Gathering of the Scottish Clans on Grandfather Mtn.

On Friday morning were back at the Highland Games on Grandfather Mountain near Linville, NC. One of the first events we watched was the sheep herding exhibition. It was amazing to see how the Border Collies rounded the sheep up and got them into the pens.








Jenny and Jordan went to explore the clan booths and check out the vendors.











Meanwhile, Suzi and Grandpa watched some of the athletic competition from our tent.



Suzi was ready to go-go, so I put her in her stroller and
took her for a walk around the track. While we were walking
she spied a toy Border Collie and yelled "oof-oof". Of course, She had to have one.








Then we went back to our booth to show him off to Uncle Brad.







Foster and Brad spent most of the day manning our booth, talking to visitors and answering questions.

We watched lots of events. We also watched as the photographers did their best to capture the athletic events. The ground was still soggy from all the rain. Not a job I'd envy.









































By the end of the day we were all tired, but happy - especially Suzi.
She fell asleep in her stroller. . . . we did everything we could to keep her comfortable.
Ahhh . . . . . .peace at last.

















To be continued . . . .

Part One - Grandfather Mountain Games

We arrived at Grandfather Mountain on Thursday evening. We were happy to find that our site was located on the edge of the track just about mid-field . . . an excellent place to view all the events. Then it started to rain. . . . . . .

It poured! The corners of the canopy filled with water and had to be dumped. We watched the runners from the five mile uphill run come in. They ran through ankle deep water in front of our tent. And it kept raining. When we finally decided we should call it a night we practically drowned getting back to our van.




Friday dawned sunny and beautiful.

There was still plenty of water in front of our tent as the bicycle race began. Folks asked us what time we planned to have the swimming trials.To be continued tomorrow. . . stay tuned as the weather improves and the field events begin.

My friend Theresa tagged me. As if I really have the energy to write about myself when I've been chasing a 13 month old for several hours. Of course, I'll gladly oblige 'cause she'd do the same for me.

"The rules of the game get posted at the beginning. Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer."

1. What was I doing ten years ago? Let me see...I was still teaching kindergarten at that time, so I was probably preparing for home visits with the families of the children in my new class. Ten years ago this would be the week we spent at the beach with the extended family. While at the beach I was planning Jenny's 14th birthday party.

2. What are 5 things on my to-do lists for today? pick up books being held for me at the library,
make Jenny's skirt for the Highland Games at Grandfather Mountain this weekend, take care of Suzi, purchase a mouse to go with the laptop Jenny loaned me, prepare snack food to take to the Highland Games. It's now after 7 PM . . . .I haven't been too successful. I never did make it to the library, Jenny's skirt is complete except for the hem, Suzi, Grandpa and I survived the day, she and I purchased the mouse at Staples this morning and I still haven't gotten around to preparing our snacks.

3. Snacks I enjoy: Doodle-Nuts (my homemade snack mix - named by my brother-in-law), strawberries, watermelon, peaches, other fruits in season, cucumbers fresh from the garden and CHOCOLATE!

4. Things I would do if I were a billionaire: I don't believe my lifestyle would change a lot. I wouldn't want to move, but I would like to do some major home improvements. I would continue to support the things I already do. There are many good causes I would support . . . mostly to benefit children and families. I would definitely support our public schools and libraries, and provide assistance to families who have special needs children. It goes without saying that I'd share with my family.

5. Places I have lived: Orangeburg, Gaffney, Clemson, Pendleton and Columbia all in SC.

6. Jobs I have had: When I was 12 I dipped cones of ice cream at a family owned 5 & 10 cent store, at 14 I worked for a chain 5 & 10 cent store, at 15 I went to work in a camera shop and stayed there until I went to college. After that I worked as a secretary, in retail, and in a lab until I started teaching.

7. Five bloggers I am tagging who you will enjoy getting to know better: Would you believe that I don't know Five bloggers? Most of my friends just email and don't blog. I'll do my best:
The Harrison Family,
Babyfingers,
2lilpumpkins

What Flower Are You?

I am a Snapdragon What Flower Are You?

I've Been Tagged

Jenny tagged me, so here are the answers:

Two names I've gone by: Julie (after my father, Julian) and JulieAlice (the Alice is after my maternal grandmother and JulieAlice - all in one breath - is what many of my relatives still call me)

Two things I'm wearing right now: only one bears mentioning - my Merrell sandals, one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes I've ever owned.

Two things I have in a relationship (with my husband): my best friend for 43 years and a man who would do anything in the world to make me happy.

Two of my favorite things to do: play with my granddaughter and sit in the warm sunshine and read. I'm teaching her to love books as much as I do so that when she's older we can sit in the warm sunshine and read together.
Two things I did last night: I went to supper with my friends and turned in early.
Two people you last talked to: Foster and my mother - I call her every evening.

Two things you're doing tomorrow: I'll go to church and probably visit a friend in the hospital.

Two longest car rides: to Disney World and the ride alone from here to Charleston when Daddy was in the hospital.

Two favorite holidays: Christmas and Easter

Two favorite drinks: water and coffee with a little Bailey's Irish Creme

Two things about me you may not have known: in high school I was a majorette (baton twirler) and I' m the author of a cookbook for children.

Two jobs I've had in my life: My favorite two jobs were working for a photographer in his camera shop and teaching (kindergarten, first and second grades). My favorite job these days is being a grandma and taking lots of pictures of my granddaughter.

Two movies I would watch over and over: Dirty Dancing and Steel Magnolias

Two favorite foods: Seafood and homemade bread
Two places I'd rather be right now: I'm a happy homebody, but I'd love to be anywhere with all my family. It's so rare to have all of us together these days.

Two people to tag: I'm not going to tag anyone this time. Most of my friends have already been tagged. If anyone would like to share their answers, pick it up and run with it!