Heating Up early

The heat is on.....we in the midwest normally expect this kind of "microwave" heat in early August but this tops all time records for temps in So Ill for this part of June/July. So needless to say not many outdoor activities with the exception to an occasional round of golf. Like really....when was the last time fireworks have needed to be cancelled? (I guess for fear of them igniting w/o matches) Stephen, Abbey and the kids are gearing up for a trip east for some visit time with Kelly and Ben in our nations capital. This is a driving trip so hopefully Jax and Layla read the directions correctly. Janet and I are planning a fall trip out there as well. We really have found new activities....Janet is still in the service of people business by driving a transit vehicle for the Monroe / Randolph county transit. I have found that an extra couple of rounds of golf requires plenty of rest and preparation. So thus afternoon naps have become a prescribed must. Watering the garden is very hard when it is this hot. I'm sure when this summer heat let's up we'll be able to take it a little easier. Go figure. I hope all is good for everyone.

Spring time off

For the first time in let's just say "a long time"...I have no coaching responsibilities, no worries about rain/cold weather and I have to say life is still good. I really have learned that stuff happens away from just school related activities. Golfing this spring has been fun..the weather has been perfect. Janet is getting her sub days to keep her in the education world. Surprising she is getting more calls to substitute teach at Lincoln Jr. High then at Sparta High School, a place where she taught for over 32 years. Must not have as many subs needed at the High School. She really enjoys the challenge.
Another joy took place in our nations capital as we visited Kelly & Ben. Katie's name was drawn for tickets to the White House Easter Egg roll and she graciously gave them to Abbey & Stephen and the twins Jaxon & Layla.
Kelly & Ben were very good host as always....and we certainly enjoyed our time together.

Back home

Janet and I enjoyed our first Florida winter month. It was nice to have had different groups of family members to come visit at various times to help with the "homesickness" that came with missing the growth and development of the grandkids.
We were very well received into the retirement family in Destin. The weather this year, as with in the Sparta area, was unseasonably warm. We only had three unplayable days due to weather.
Unbeknown to us during the time away, Stephen our son in law, provided us with one of the most beautiful surprises having installed a hard wood floor for us in our house. One of the most thoughtful gestures that we both just love. So we can't wait till next year to see what he will do.....just joking the bar may be set a little high there Stephen. We do appreciate the tremendous project.
Getting back in the routine with Jax & Layla have been a double joy. They have now officially put a stake in being humanized. They are growing so fast and developing such neat personality traits it makes every day like opening a window and smelling the fresh smell of the spring flowers....let us all slow things down and take every day in like that.

Snow Bird Specials

Just when you thought retirement couldn't get any better.....you go ahead and go to Florida for the winter and you quickly realize that this schedule is one that we can easily adapt to. Being away from new grand babies has it's toll however modern communication of daily seeing and communicating with them makes that bearable. We have been playing golf somewhere almost daily and getting into the routine of the daily specials everywhere. Having friends around really helps.
Tom and Jan Seals along with Greg Jones and Tom Tolliver certainly gives Destin a Sparta feel.
We have family starting to make the journey down so the outlet shopping mall will certainly see an increase in sales while the pace of day will most certainly pick up. So looking forward to the visits.