Newest Helmet

I have been taking a break from the helmets. I have always been doing it for the love of the hobby, the sport, and for the cute little girls who light up when they see the results.


This one gets turned over today.

I started off by making a butterfly stencil, out of masking tape, spraying yellow, and dusting the top with orange, and copper. Then I drew in some black lines, and spots. then clearcoated the whole thing:

yard improvements

We were inspired by a bird in the front eve. A bird has been building a nest under our front eve, and is making better progress then us ( damn animal kingdom).














So, I was put to the task of making some improvements with some sweat equity, and a few dollars in stain, sand paper, sod, and pavers.

I started last week by laying out the pavers to complete the path to the shed in the back 40. Sunday, I bought the sod early ( 9:30am, is about as early as I get).
I cut the sod to shape, and put it between the pavers. My buddy Kelly showed up to supervise, and I put him to work.














Immediately following the pavers, Kelly and I started sanding down the weathered deck. My Daughter 'A' couldn't stand to see us having all the fun sanding the old stain, so she threw on her Cheza tee-shirt, and joined us. (she did a pretty good job).















I was about to start rolling, and brushing the stain on when Kelly asked if I had a sprayer. Well, the only sprayer I have is for Automotive paint, but what the hell, lets give it a try. I thinned out the stain, and pulled out the compressor. I started spraying the the details, and the finer spots, then 'A' and Kelly broke out the rollers, and followed up with the base work. It took about 4-5 hours, but It worked really well the the sprayer. I would like to thank Kelly, and 'A' for their hard effort.
















I think as it drys, and the sun hits it, it will darken up.
This morning I saw a small yellow bird near the front of our house flying with a small can of stain, and a receipt for a miniature jacuzzi..... always trying to out do me.

Oma, Beach, and Birthday

Oma was in town for her annual visit, and she was here for 'S' birthday.
'S' got a TV for her room. it was a flatpanel that was on sale. Her Mom is very generous. I might not have been so generou$. But she loved it.






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We packed up the kids, the dog, and even took my Mom, and went to the beach. Sasha, our Dog, loves to go cool down in the water, and do some heavy duty sniffing. She is not much for fetch, but she does enjoy laughing at the other dogs that are dumb enough to repeatedly chase a sand covered ball into the salty water for no reward.

My Mom always enjoys the beach, and we all got a bit too much sun. The kids didn't want to leave until we mentioned eating.

Las Vegas on the Varsity

I thought this was a cool sequence of 'A' running down a ball hit up the middle to get the out.

We had a second chance in the last 6 months to go to Las Vegas again. This time it was for a tournament for the High School team.
'A' usually plays on the JV team, but has been playing very well lately, and was invited to play up on Varsity.

I had my sister in town with her family. We took our Niece to Vegas. We stayed in the Excalibur for 3 nights. The girls got to see some of the fancy hotels, go swimming, and even ride some go carts.

4 girls were invited to play up on the Varsity team. Unfortunately 2 of those JV girls were injured in the games the day before they were to leave.
That Left 'A' and her buddy Hali. They represented the JV squad well.

'A did some pitching, and in 6 innings only gave up 2 runs, and the rest were put out, and 1 walk. She also played Short stop, and made a few outs with a good glove, and only 1 error.
Up to bat she got 1 base hit, and struck out the other times.

'A' 'S' and the niece. had little time together, but made the best of it.

JV tournament win

The JV team is unbeaten at 20 - 0. winning their 3rd tournament of 3.
This was the closet so far. They won the semi final by 1 run, and the final by 1 run.

Hawk

Title says it all.
I looked out back of the house the other morning. I thought it was a blackbird, at first. This Hawk was eating..... another bird.
Thats one way of dealing with the competition.