ARRRRRRRRRRR Me Hearties

Cub Scout Day Camp was last weekend. I must admit that I have, in turns, been nervous and dreading this event since I have received my calling as a Den Leader. Something about riding herd over 15 boys between the ages of 7 and 9 for two evenings and one Saturday was a little off putting. Add to my general nervousness a shake up in our primary presidency just two weeks before the event (which always adds a level of confusion to any operation) and you have a concerned leader. I hate when I have to do things last minute, but with the changes going on that is what happened. I ended up making our flag myself instead of with the boys and pleaded with parents to come up with our cheer because I stink at it. Needless to say I was not looking forward to this event. But I was going to put on my happy face and Do My Best.

I'm glad I did, because I WAS WRONG!!!! It was a BLAST and even a broken toe could not get in the way. First, I have to say something about the members of Den 3 or the crew of the "Great Fortune". They were wonderful!!! Not one problem. The boys listened, were respectful, helpful, great sportsmen, and citizens. In short they were great scouts. Second, the leadership that put this camp together are now my new role models. Pattie Edgel and her crew of many are who I want to "grow up" to be. They were organized but also recognized there is chaos inherent with boys. From the pirate costumes that they wore to their dedication that they boys be able to fully participate, the main goal was FUN and everything that they did reflected that idea.

The activities included BB guns, archery, sling shot, obstacle course, games, treasure chest painting, leather work, wood project, treasure hunt, egg drop, outdoor cooking, skit, and more. The North Las Vegas Police Department K-9 unit and the Republic Recycling company talked to the boys. I ran around like crazy taking pictures of everything. I sure hope the boys had as good a time as I did.

Take a look at our good time!!!!!

St. Patrick's Day

I love holiday's that don't require you to do anything!!! It means that anything that I do looks really big. This year we made little pots of gold, foam leprechauns, and nurtured shamrocks. We are a lucky family.

It Stinks Getting Older

In our house this thought is usually expressed by me. Like when I realize laying on the floor isn't as comfortable as it use to be (really was it ever???). Or when I notice that those fine lines are turning into wrinkles and the brown hair is turning gray. And when did falling down become such a traumatic event? I use to do it all the time. (Yes, I am a little clumsy) I could go on and on, but I will save you from that. Needless to say, getting older stinks. And it really stinks when my husband starts admitting it too.

Doug, although eight years older than I, never acts old. He works harder and does more than guys half his age. What man do you know who works over 70 hours a week and still has time for Cub Scouts, family outings, and his motorcylces (his real love)? He does home improvements in a big way. Frames new walls, does dry wall, lays tile, plumbing, minor electrical, cabinets, brick laying, landscaping, and painting are things that he has done in his "free" time. He does most of the maintenance on our vehicles which include three motorcylces. One of which is a project bike that he is building just to stay busy. Thinking about it makes me tired. And yet the biggest admission to old age has been a sore muscle or two. It's not fair. Sure he has a few gray hairs but I still feel like I'm the older one. I keep telling him "It's not the years, it's the miles."

But that all changed a couple of weeks ago. He had to admit to old age. Well, maybe just a little.

Doug loves his motorcylces. It's his hobby, his stress relief, and his transportation. I realized while dating him that motorcylces were part of the package and if I was going to love him, I was going to accept the bikes. He rides sport bikes. Crouched over a motor going from 0 to 60 in less than 3 seconds is what makes him smile. But riding back and forth to work in that position was starting wear on him. So what does a man do when faced with this dilemma? He raises the handle bars. One Saturday and look what the man can accomplish.

Before

After

Where Will We Be?????

One of the more adventurous aspects of being a military family is the surprise of where you will be living and how long you will be there. There are very few guarantees. When Doug accepted the invitation to be in the general dentistry residency program we knew that it was going to be for a year but we didn't know where that might be.

Now that we are a little over half way through the program, the wondering of our next location begins. We have been assured that it will not be in Nevada. The Air Force likes to make you believe that you have a say on where you go. They give you lists of openings. Then they ask you to rank said opening. Supposedly these are taken into consideration when assignments are made. I may sound a little doubting, but I figure if they need you in the middle-of-know-where it isn't going to matter too much if you ranked that base last on your list. But to keep up the illusion, there is a many stepped process. A couple of lists to rank, calls to be made, and then the orders are given. (I just can't think that I have much say in something that ends with "orders".)

Why the education of Air Force orders? Well, we have received the first list of openings to rank. The bases with openings are literally world wide. Everything from Japan to Georgia, from England to Alaska. The Midwest is well represented with a couple in southwest openings(although nothing in Arizona) and even some openings on both coasts.

So it begins again. I really am trying hard not to have a favorite destination or one that I couldn't tolerate. I'm hoping that this way I will be excited about anywhere we are sent. What I do know is that where ever we go, it will be new to us. New things to see and experience, new people to meet, and new challenges to face.

Valley of Fire

I am always looking for places to take the boys to experience the different areas that we live. Yesterday, we headed out to Nevada's first state park the Valley of Fire.

Before you drive into the valley the color starts to change to a light orange, but once you dip into the valley everything is red.

Lake Mead sits on the edge of the park and you can tell by the sand that you hike through that this area was underwater at some point.

The boys enjoyed climbing the rocks and seeing the petroglyphs on the rocks.

They made up stories for places such as Mouse's Tank and Elephant Rock. We enjoyed 70 degree weather and the beauty all around. Danny was even proud to show off his scars from the event.

Blue and Gold Banquet

Our packs Blue and Gold Banquet was this last week and all I can say is that I'm glad it is over. For those of you who have yet to enter the scouting world or wisely stay away, the Blue and Gold Banquet is a anniversary dinner for scouting. I always knew what went into such event and was grateful to all those that made them possible. This year I was given the opportunity to be one of the "those" that make such an event a success.

It really started on Wednesday when the sloppy-joe mix was not to be found in bulk. Never fear, we had the ground meat and buns so hamburgers were an easy fix. Did I say easy??? Sure when you're grilling up a few for friends, no problem. When you're making 200 servings, not so much. After five hours of shaping, seasoning, and grilling....the burgers were done. Thursday was decorating. Balloons, lights, table clothes, and lots of American decor went up. I am happy to report that very little was done by me. Run back home to warm up hamburgers, change clothes, and get everything down to the church building. After all the work, it was great to see the wonderful turnout we had and everyone seemed to have a nice time.

This month Matt received his Bear award. It was so my fault that it took so long. When I finally sat down to look at what needed to be accomplished, not only had he done enough requirements for Bear but also for a Gold Arrow Point. ( I know that I may be speaking Greek to some of you, but trust me, it's a good thing.)

Nate also received a bead on his Immediate Progress Award for completing three requirements to Wolf. He is on the move!!!

This years theme for the Blue and Gold Banquet was ABC's of the United States. All month the boys did activities that taught them more about the states, flag etiquette, and our country. We were very privileged to have part of the Shadow Mountain High School ROTC Drill Team perform our flag ceremony and some of their drills for us. The young men will be going to competition so they performed in their Boy Scout uniforms since their ROTC uniforms needed to be sent in for inspection before competition. I have never heard the cub scouts so quiet as I did when they watched the performance.