April 8, 2006

• A Weekend of Winners
  
  It’s been a nice few days.  I shall start with Friday, a rainy sort of miserable day which turned into golden, warm sunshine by the end.  TGD and Nathan packed up and headed to Juniata College for TGD’s MAA math conference.  The remaining children and I took the day off from school (the local school district also had the day off) and ran errands. I finally got my bushy hair cut (in the same style, only less wild).  We used some more coupons and went to Wal-Mart where I used no coupons and spent a lot of money (comparatively speaking!).  We picked up McDonald’s for lunch and carried it to the Subway in Wal-Mart where half of the family wanted to eat.  Yes, perhaps it’s not quite “the thing” to take another restaurant’s food into a restaurant, but it’s in a Wal-Mart. How picky could they be?

  We returned home and went to the Wilsons where L. and I were going to have a Bible study, but instead I showed her some computer things. We then decided to eat leftovers at our respective homes and meet at the park afterward.  What a gorgeous evening it turned out to be!  The kids played, we sat on the bleachers and watched baseball practice, and we discussed some verses in the book of James.  I really feel as if I’m growing in the Lord. He is so very good to me!

  Home again, and Rachel went off with C. from next door to see Ice Age 2 (lucky bug!).  The boys went back to the Wilsons for a sleepover, and Libby and I watched Bride and Prejudice (the Indian singing one) and had ice cream.  But, before everyone scattered, TGD called.  It seems that he was awarded the MAA Allegheny Mountain Section Distinguished Teacher of the Year award!  I was thrilled for him, but I was disappointed for me. Usually, someone calls the spouse and tells him/her so that s/he can be there for the award time.  At least Nathan was there!  Since he won the section award, he is now in the running for the national MAA Teacher of the Year award. Wouldn’t that be something?

  Speaking of TGD and Nathan, after the banquet was over, they drove to the White Rose Motel, a “quaint” spot in Hershey, to spend the night before the big air rifle tournament on Saturday.  I stayed up late and read that new book about Jane Austen (which I will review sometime). 

  Saturday morning dawned, and I slept through it.  Once the girls and I finally got around to being awake and dressed and fed, I decided we’d go to my mom’s for the day.  It was her birthday today, so it seemed like a good time to go.  We packed up and headed to Curwensville with a stop in Philipsburg to pick up some fun gifts–her favorite cookies, Cadbury Eggs, a $2 giraffe, and a small rubber chicken. 

  We arrived and ate at the Blue Kow for lunch, a great, local ice cream/hamburger place.  Then, my mom and I went to Wal-Mart where I picked up some Easter basket surprises for the kids. After that, I went to my grandma’s and visited with her for a while. I didn’t leave until two garbage bags were full of stuff for me to take home–a newly-crochet afghan, a twin bed quilt, flower pots, chair covers, a radio, a coat, and a tablecloth. 

  The kids and I then headed to Pizza Hut where my grandma (of the trash bags) and my great-aunt joined us for dinner. It’s always fun to hang out with them as they usually bicker madly, and it’s fun to watch.  Both were pretty subdued tonight, although my grandma did manage to call her sister a hog after she confessed to eating three breadsticks and three slices of pizza! 

  During dinner, TGD called, fit to burst his buttons. It seems that Nathan’s team came in second overall in the shooting tournament.  Nathan himself took an individual first place in the tournament for shooting 99/100 in the kneeling position. That means that he had 9 bulls eyes and one which was about a fourth inch off of dead center.  Also, Nathan was second on his team. The girl who was first on his team was first in the whole tournament, taking individual firsts for highest score and something else. Nathan was only behind her by two points, I was told.  (They only give out individual firsts, not seconds and thirds.)

  Nathan in his winning position.
  

  Nathan with his medal and team trophy.
  

  What does this mean? It means that Nathan’s team (and more than likely Nathan himself) is going to the International Air Rifle competition in Kentucky this July! 

  Yup. It’s been a fun weekend so far.
  

  • 8:53 pm
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