Whats the Deal with Dead Batteries?

Monday, Brookelynn went to her first cheer practice today. She has decided to try out for the cheer team at Avery Trace.  While she attended tryout practice, we cleaned a bounce house and Stroker cooked dinner on the grill.

 I also walked today. Another four miles. That rain over the weekend had most of the trail flooded.

The smoke detector went off this morning at 2am. Why is it that the batteries always get low in the middle of the night? Why can’t the warning beep let you know in the middle of the day?

After resolving that issue, we went back to bed.

I talked to my friend Erin for the entire commute to work on this morning. I hadn't talked to her in a while so we had some catching up to do.

Stroker fired up the grill again for pork chops. Devin and I took another trip to the DMV to get a copy of his permit because we can’t seem to put our fingers on the original. 

I also took Devin for a hair cut at the barber shop today. I decided to wait in the car. I got a little warm and turned the switch to where the vent fan would run. When Devin came out to get in the car, it wouldn't start. Stroker had do come over and boost me off. That event was followed by a trip to Advance Auto Parts for a new battery. Those things are overpriced if you ask me.

When I finally got back home, I managed to get my four mile evening walk done. The water had receded quiet a bit today.

Sunday Showers

Today we sat up the combo bounce house between rain showers for Braiden. We spent the entire day in White County.

Taking It Indoors

Monday was Earth Day so I spent another hour with mother nature walking four miles at the park. I also attended a secretaries luncheon today that was delicious. Hopefully all the walking help offset today's meals.

Devin got in a bit later on Tuesday. He decided to hang out with his friend Jesse after school. 4 more miles of walking for me though.

Rain set in on Wednesday and made it a total washout. We drove to church in that mess, but that was our only outing.

Since I missed a day of walking due to rain on Wednesday, I couldn't wait to get back to it on Thursday. Four more miles. Feels good!

Friday would have been my Grandmother's birthday. She has been gone a couple of years now.
Devin took off to Memphis on Friday with Darlene and Gary.

Saturday the rain came back with a mission to rain out any plans. It rained all day long. Devin was out of town visiting Trent in Memphis. Stroker, Brookelynn and I did get out and endure the rain for a party held in a factory.

Ask Me Why I Am Famous

Oh...I was say that there were roughly 20 of us at the table today at Famous Dave's BBQ. Sometimes it just ends up being a large crowd when we all load up and head out for lunch. This past week was Bucket's birthday so it was more of a celebration lunch today.

 We stopped by Target on the way home. Everybody seemed interested in the bunjee chairs.

That's Brooke's new swimsuit in her hands.

 After spending the day in Mt. Juliet, I seen no sense in coming home and heating up the oven to cook dinner, so we joined Darlene and Gary for dinner at Cheddar's.

I know what your thinking...yes, we do need to cook at home more. I agree.

Headin' to A Weddin'

Stroker and I attended a wedding of his co-worker/friend. Jason and Brittney have dated for a couple of years now. Stroker said he wouldn’t miss this one. The wedding was held in Allons TN. It was a simple country wedding and reception. I’m glad we got to be a part of their special day.

 Stroker - Jason - and Dustin

 Stroker and Dustin

We joined Darlene and Gary for dinner at Steak -N- Shake. Darlene is the coupon queen, so we all got free soft drinks. Yay

Winter...You're Back

We had dinner at El Tapatio before heading to church Wednesday evening. After church, we came home, prepared ourselves for Thursday and headed to bed.

Thursday was pretty routine too. Brookelynn had a gymnastics meet. She attends two hour classes these days from 5-7pm. I got in four more miles at the park and we had to make a trip to Sparta that day. Not much time for sitting around on Thursday.

The weather turned cold by Friday. Faith Fellowship had planned a yard sale this weekend and it's gonna be a chilly one. Stroker and I met up with other church members to help them set things up for Saturday, but everyone was freezing. 

Stroker and I also had our own little date night at O'Charley's Friday night. Brookleynn went to have a sleepover with a friend and Devin didn't want to join us for dinner.

Everything is Growing

We are not feeding Devin Miracle Grow, but for some reason, he just keeps getting taller and taller. We had to go buy three more pair of jeans today. Actually, we had to order them since he now requires a 36” length.  I don’t know where we will go for jeans when he outgrows these.

I am in the routine of walking in the evenings. I got in another four miles today. Brookelynn said these four turtles reminded her of our family.

I love this beautiful spring weather. Not to warm so far, just the right amount of sunshine and warmth. The blooms on our trees are beautiful this time of year

 I love these cherry blossoms outside the office window.

Boston

Yesterday was typical. We went to church. After church, me Devin and Brooke went to Sparta to visit mom.

Today was a treat for those of us at the Hayes House. Stroker grilled steak and pork chops on the grill. Keith came over and joined us for dinner on the patio. Those pork chops must have been good. There were no leftovers for Stroker to take for lunch the following day.

Another four miles around the Cane Creek lake for me today. Oh how I wish I could keep this up, but I know my stamina will be short lived.

Although the evening was peaceful for us, the citizens of Boston were distraught. Today, during the Boston Marathon, terrorist (we think) detonated 2 homemade bombs near the finish line. The bombs were homemade and housed inside pressure cookers. Lives were lost today, life changing injuries were inflicted. We will never understand why some people want to intentionally cause pain for no reason. Our nation is devastated at this day’s events.

LONG Day

We left the house this morning just before 11am. Basically, we had two stops to cover. One was in Dowelltown (Dekalb County) the other was in Moss (Clay County).

• 10:45 am   Left home, stopped for gas and breakfast (to go)
• 11:00 am   On the highway
• Noon      Arrived at Dowelltown
• 12:35 pm Set up complete...left for Moss
• 2:00 pm:  Setting on highway 53 waiting on Life Flight to airlift an accident victim.
• 3:10 pm   Life Flight lifted and we were back in route to Moss.
• 3:30 pm   Arrive at Moss
• 4:10 pm:  Set up complete...headed back to Dowelltown
• 5:00 pm   Stop for gas (2nd fill up today) and a burger (to go)
• 5:10 pm   Back in route to Dowelltown
• 6:05 pm   Arrived in Dowelltown for the second time today.
• 6:30 pm   Ppick up complete...hit the road back to Moss
• 8:20 pm  Arrived in Moss for the second time today.
• 9:05 pm   Pick up complete (in the dark of a cow pasture)
• 9:10 pm   Headed home
• 10:20      Arrived back home.

We are worn out tonight.
WHAT A DAY!

National Championship

Sunday April 7th consisted of church and dinner at my mother-in-laws. Mostly just rest in between.

Monday April 8th was the National Basketball Championship game and Michigan was playing. Stroker went through every emotion possible while watching that game. In the end, they lost by 5 points.
I made a couple of laps around the park today. I got in 4 miles. My body isn't used to it, but I made it around the lake two times.

Tuesday, April 9th was such a nice day the Stroker cooked burgers on the grill. We ate dinner on the patio.

I also got another lap around the lake. Brookelynn joined me for that two mile adeventure.

Wednesday April 10th was Fellowship Meal night at church. I made meatloaf balls since people seem to compliment them. Before church, I managed to get in a four mile walk...I honestly don't know how I squeezed in time for that, but somehow I managed.

Thursday April 11th was Brookelynn's gymnastics night. That is about the only accomplishment we have for the Hayes house that night. Some days are just more productive than others around here.

Final 4

1. Today we made a run to the park in Smithville. It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining down and warming our faces.

2. While the weather was cooperative, we cleaned out the trailer and got everything in it organised and ready for spring.

3. We had a nice family dinner on the patio of Taco Bell in Smithville.
4. Michigan played in the Final 4 tonight. Stroker was glued to the TV.

A Man and his Castle

Wednesday April 5th, I had lunch at the Wagon Wheel in Baxter. It was a neat little "mom & pop" restaurant that specializes in Italian dishes. I tried the Stromboli and it was great.  When we got home that afternoon, we were greeted by a semi truck and trailer with our brand new castle inflatable. Brookelynn was excited to tear it open. Stroker was stressing out on where and how we were going to store another piece of equipment. Space here is limited and we are extremely close to overflowing.

We attended church on Wednesday evening to finish out the day.

Thursday April 4th I made a rare move and cooked dinner. I decided to go with taco soup. It must have been pretty good because there were no complaints from the family. Brookelynn had gymnastics that evening, but she helped herself to a big bowl of soup when she got back home.

Friday April 5th Brookelynn abandoned us to go spend the night with her friend Cassidy. Devin didn't want to join me and Stroker at Zaxby's , so we made a run through the Burger King drive thru for him. Stroker and I enjoyed a quiet dinner alone at Zaxby's. Later that night, Devin decided to join us for an ice cream run.

Flu in the Family

Whatever sickness that I had two weeks ago, my sister has it ten times worse. Last week, she got sick and could not even raise her head. She finally made it to the doctor to find out that she has type-B flu.
Today, she had to go back because she is getting worse instead of better. Turns out, she has bronchitis on top of the flu. We took the nebulizer to her tonight so that she could take breathing treatments every few hours.