Etiwanda Fun Run

Several weeks ago, Amy called and asked if I wanted to join them in the school 5K fun run.  I told her I hadn't trained in months and I doubted that I could even do it.  She alleviated my fears by telling me that they would all be walking and I should be just fine. So, of course, I said yes.
All walking, my foot!!!  As soon as I got there, she told me she was going to run the entire thing with Carson and Wyatt, Todd would lag behind with Owen, and Emma was all mine.

As it turned out, Carson was earning a "free mile pass" for his PE class by participating and a milk shake from his mom and dad if he finished in under 30 minutes.  He finished in 32, running almost the entire time, and earned a well deserved shake.  I've never been prouder of him.














Wyatt did a great job.  He spread his "cheer" around, spending
some time with all of us.  He finished right behind Carson, also
earning a shake.  Way to go, buddy!

Owen was a real trooper, being drug along by Todd!

And Emma and I did a whole lot more running than I had expected.  As we rounded the corner, and saw the finish line, I
actually thought I was having a heart attack.  And then I found out it wasn't the REAL finish line, but we still had more to go!  I couldn't go another foot, so I gave up!

Until Amy came over and encouraged me to finish.  So, off we went, to finish this ENDLESS race.

















There was a final up and back, and we saw Todd and Emma on the other side, so Amy ran over to give a little encouragement.  It seemed to work because Emma really seemed to find new energy.

And the finish line!!!

It's a good thing we wore our bright green Mortensen t-shirts.  There were a couple of photographers documenting the event and then posted them all on line for us to download.  It was pretty easy to find the ones we were in! Thank you!

Monday's Memory--Grandpa Busby's Pocket Watch

While cleaning out my jewelry box the other day, I came across this...a very old pocket watch belonging to Grandpa Busby.  I really don't have any memories of him using this watch, but coming across it sure brought back some wonder memories of grandpa and the times we shared together.  

One of the things I miss about him was his fun loving attitude.  I can't remember a time that he didn't have a positive attitude and a smile on his face.  I love you, grandpa.  (I don't know what he said or did in this picture,, but it sure made mom laugh!

Eclipse--Bucket List #10

Tonight was a lunar eclipse, and because it was on my bucket list, and I'm all about checking things off of lists, I watched it.  Not only did I watch, but I tried to document it with my camera.  I did't get very good shots until it got dark, so I only have the second half, when it was starting to get whole again.  I wish you could have seen me.  I don't have a tripod, so I set up my own version of one in the back yard...a chair with a box on top, with books on top of that.  I kept adjusting how many book until I got the right angle.  But, it worked!  I think the pictures came out pretty well for a non professional.

Happy Birthday, Kathy

Grandma Board

I just love my new grandma board

Monday's Memory--Legoland

While we were at Legoland this past summer, the kids wanted to play in the little kids section.  Emma went exploring in one of the houses, and it reminded me of the last time we were here, and she did the same thing.  I have to admit, I staged the current picture to look like the old one.  But, aren't they cute?!

2009

2015

 As you can see, she gotten so big, she can hardly fit through the window!  

Monday's Memory--Labor Day

I have always hated Labor Day.  I wanted to boycott it...to wear a black arm band!  It marked the end of summer and the start of a new school year that I didn't want to arrive.  Don't get me wrong, I loved my job, and it was always fun to get back to school and catch up with my teacher friends that I hadn't seen since June.  But it meant the end of being a stay-at-home mom and back to a working one. It also meant the carefree days of summer were over.  And no more beach.
So, we always spent Labor Day at the  beach...one last hurrah!  I was always surprising that the beach wasn't just covered with people.  We always managed to find a parking space and a little bit of sand to call our own.
Now, being retired and the school year starting so much sooner, before Labor Day, the day  has lost some of it's threat.  I don't dread it. I don't hear the words and wince. But I do find myself thinking back to those happy times with my kids, and most often, on Labor Day, I still find myself with my towel on my own little bit of sand.

(These pictures are not all from Labor Days. In fact, the top one with Todd and the red surf beard was taken in Hawaii.  The other three are all Huntington, but different years.)