What to do?

For 20 days we had company. Now everyone has flown the coop! I think I heard a pin drop ... it is so quiet here. Leon had a visit from the home nurse and the physical therapist yesterday. He is progressing nicely but takes lots of naps.

Gunnar flew back to California on Monday. It was a delight to have him here. He is one fine young man!

Noah left for church camp Monday morning. He will be at Spring Lake for 5 days.

I have caught up on laundry, errands, house cleaning! What to do?! It is sure too hot to go outside at 101 degrees. Such solitude. Ahhhhhhh!!!

Saturday update

Gunnar and I picked Leon up at the hospital this morning. A 99 degree day kept us inside for most of the rest of the day. Gunnar did go to see the X Files and commented that it was silly, so don't waste your money. While we were gone Jeff took Noah for a haircut and a swim and picked up my seadoo. If only Gunnar didn't have to take a 4 hour boat driving course to drive one, we could spend his last day zipping up and down the lake. Kay and John made it home from a trip to Charleston, SC.

Shotgun day

Leon continues to improve and has had therapy on his knee twice today at the University of Arkansas Medical Center in Little Rock.

Today we invited Mary to go to the shooting range and took along her 410 ga. and 20 guage shotguns. There really are other things to do in Hot Springs, but the shooting range got the vote. Here Gunnar is trying out the 20 guage.

Noah took his turn also.

We then stopped at Burl's Smoke House for a very late lunch / early supper before driving through the Ouachita National Forest to the top of Hickory Nut Mountain where we stopped at the overlook for Lake Ouachita. Lake Ouachita was built in the mid 1950's and is the largest of the three lakes surrounding Hot Springs. What is normally a very clear view was quite hazy. Gunnar enjoyed driving the 4 miles of dirt road back down Hickory Nut Mountain.

Leon's new knee

Leon's surgery went well and he had walked about 20 feet on his new knee two hours after surgery. He has no pain to complain about..yet. I was a little nervous before his surgery when a woman walked down the hall pushing a harp. Now, I am still wondering why the harp?

Gunnar's flights were changed the morning of his trip home and he could not make all the connections. He will now try again on Monday. It's a shame Leon missed the rock star band! LOL

Gunnar's last day

Gunnar drove us to the shooting range after helping his grandpa change the truck tires.

He enjoyed trying out the 22 with a scope and was extremely accurate.

But then there is always the thrill of hearing an automatic.

We stopped at the go cart track on the way home .. a 16 year old just can't drive too much!

Jeff stopped by just in time to ride the water boats with Noah. A stray spray was refreshing!

After all, it is vacation!

We did not make many plans for today knowing it was supposed to be 99 degrees so Gunnar was pleased to sleep in. We did make a trip to the video Xchange, video store, and Wally World. I didn't join the gym but I did look for Wii Fit at Walmart.


Later in the day the guys gathered on the patio for Gun Cleaning 101.


Gunnar even showed Grandpa a few things about his gun. He must have learned them from video games!

When Noah got back from swimming he joined the action, especially once he found out we are going to the shooting range again tomorrow!

Gators 'n guns

Noah started the day with a swim at the nearby pool while Gunnar slept in. Then we headed to town to catch the noon feeding at the alligator farm. They also have a petting zoo.

There were some hungry gators. They feed 3 days a week during the summer months until they put the gators inside in October for the winter months.

After the gators got their chicken we took Gunnar for his, fried that is! We ate at a buffet and then drove up West Mountain to look out over the town before heading for the shooting range.

Noah, Leon, and Gunnar check the targets. Gunnar did quite well with Leon's 22 long Ruger. He also got to drive "Grandpa's Big Ole Truck" down the dirt road to the range located on Ouachita National Forest land.

Noah shot my old Winchester 22 but he preferred Leon's automatic after trying it.

The day ended with a trip to see the new Batman movie "Dark Knight."

Lazy days

I picked out my new glasses today .. some not so conservative .. some even less .. yes, I did say some! The guys went to see Hellboy II which was a good idea in the 96 degree temps. Gunnar and Noah rated it a 9 out of 10 but Leon went with a 5. And I ate all the rest of the popcorn they brought home!! I think I will join the gym on Monday.

Gunnar meets Mable

We spent part of the afternoon on Lake Hamilton with my sister Mary, son Jeff, daughter Kay, Leon, Noah, Gunnar and myself. Jeff showed up on his seadoo and is following Noah in this photo while Gunnar watches.

After watching for awhile Gunnar was ready for his turn.

Kay tried hard to dump him but he was too good! It was a great day if I hadn't dropped my glasses in the lake! Oh well, I think it is time for new ones anyway.

Museum day

We went to see Surf's Up, a cute penguin movie and part of the kids' flicks series showing at the theater. Not bad with a $2 ticket, $1 popcorn and drinks. Leon and Gunnar then went to the Mid America Science Museum for a little hands on science. Supper will be Mexican fare at La Hacienda where I will visit all my friends. I bet Gunnar never expected to have dinner with 8 school teachers.

Wednesday

Leon, Gunnar and Noah went to the movie to see Hancock. I took a much needed nap while they were gone and then ate all their leftover popcorn when they came back! Leon grilled chicken and Gunnar enjoyed the new game they rented for the Playstation 3.

Magic Springs

Leon and I finally made it to Magic Springs to spend time with Gunnar and Noah.

On the Plummet Summitt ride Noah did manage to trick me into standing where I would get wet even though I didn't ride.

After strolling in the sun and watching Noah ride the rides it was time to enjoy some of the free Pepsi. I find it interesting that they offer free Pepsi and sun screen but not water.

I did not wear my suit but I did get a season pass and plan to return on a hot summer day. I always wanted to float the Guadeloupe River but this will have to suffice for now.

Friends and Family

Kay and John joined us for breakfast at Gilligan's Sunday morning. After breakfast we drove over to their house to go for a ride on Lake Hamilton.

Nick waited patiently while Noah and Gunnar untied the barge. John got a little carried away when he gave Nick his summer haircut.

Noah couldn't resist a swim and Leon was so pleased to get to visit with his grandson.

We weren't ready for Don and Mary to leave on Monday. We still need a bass player and a drummer for the rock band. How fun it is to spend time with friends and family!!

Gunnar's Visit

We picked up Leon's grandson in Little Rock for a 12 day visit. He had a long flight from Bakersfield, Ca via Atlanta. He was starving when he arrived as the new headset inspired him more than food in Atlanta! What a surprise when we saw how much Gunnar has grown in the past year. He wasted no time in practicing for the Rock Star band. Mary was amazed. We have managed to provide a tv and sleeping spot in each of 4 rooms which isn't bad in a two bedroom house. Notice I did not use the word bed!!! Every kid should sleep on a pallet on the floor at least once.

Geocaching Extravaganza

Our friend Don arrived on Tuesday on his way back to Texas from Tulsa. On Wednesday our friend Mary arrived from Florida and what fun the four of us have had. They are always eager to go geocaching so we spent several days in the hot July weather out searching the countryside for little treasure.

Our first find was only 1/2 mile from the house so we walked over at dusk. Over 3 days Mary got several new caches and lots of chiggers. Don passed his 1,100 mark and Mary has logged over 900. I finally reached 80.

Noah rode along on his bike and helped Mary log the find.

Wipeout!!!

I finally took a turn on Mable but preferred the on my knees technique. It was actually fun and I did fairly well until Kay turned the boat in a sharp circle...then it happened!!! Thank goodness I didn't lose my glasses.