semloh here

Thankgiving

2010-12-02T20:07:00.000-05:00

all the grandkids and great grandkids

A Fourth of July Escape

2009-07-04T15:20:00.002-04:00

With memories of Memorial Day fresh in my mind, a Fourth of July Escape seemed more than plausible. It was truly needed. As nice as the throngs of campers are, I had no desire to inch my way through a sea of kids and dogs every time Scully heard nature calling. Although it can be quite interesting, all those beer-induced lapses in trailer parking, boat landing and fishing expertise.
So here we are in Delightful Deland, watching the new nursery fall into shape and catching up with the comings and goings of central Florida like a drive by shooting a couple of blocks away. We live in a good part of town so this is totally bizarre. Otherwise, all is stiflingly calm. No news is supposedly good news. Cookout and fireworks are on for tonight. Hopefully they won't land on a neighbor's house this year. Then tomorrow, we'll be getting ready to return to the panhandle where I am missing the beach. Just wish everyone were there with us.

Candy Jars

2009-06-24T12:53:00.005-04:00

I am totally blessed. I live in a candy jar full of delectable treats for my eyes. Everywhere I turn there is something gorgeous for them to feast on. Early morning calm river waters, with gulls and egrets fishing for breakfast and dolphins cruising toward the gulf, greet Scully and me each day. The sand is usually fresh and our footprints are the first. I love that. By mid morning the summer heat haze has set in. Everything is foggy and visibility limited, but shells hiding in the shallow water are waiting to become some child's treasure and ghost crabs dart about oblivious to scorching temperatures. The pure stillness of it all makes this the perfect time to be on the beach. It makes the cool gulf water feel like heaven and your skin taste like a salty delicacy. When you are sure that it doesn't get any better, dusk falls, breezes start to cool the earth and the sun turns to orange and gold over the sprawling salt marshes. The sky blends into the water and slowly night leaves only shadows of trees and stars lighting the waves and sand. Yep, the Lord made a world full of eye candy and lucky me, this jar is overflowing.

2009-06-23T11:23:00.004-04:00

Scully's morning walk/wade evolved into a swimming, bird and crab chase this morning. While she played, my mind wandered. There are so many interesting people and things in our "new life." I should definitely write about some of them. The people we meet must have interesting stories that I don't know, but they also have the stories I imagine. So realize, most of what I say about these characters comes from my mind as much as their life.

I love rural north Florida. It is a little bit modern and a little bit stuck in a time warp of yesteryear. Living in a campground makes this even more true. We are not tourists moving from spot to spot around the country; that would be fun, too. We are more like part local, part voyeur. So watching all the passing tourists and weekend campers provides a world of entertainment. Watching all the locals provides even more. Here in the campground, there is about an equal mix of people passing through, people here for a vacation month or week or repeated weekends and permanent residents.

One Night Stands

The one-night buses come in late. They do not un-hook the car. They rarely leave the bus. Occasionally, someone comes out to empty the tanks and walk the dogs. That's it. They may speak as they hurry back into their huge buses and they are nice enough, just busy. Busy and waiting for morning so they can be on their way. The overnight bus travellers don't always dress like campers. The men are coordinated and the women have their make-up done. No one ever knows much about them. We watch them pull in and hear the diesel motors warming up before they leave. They are like shadows passing in the night, keeping all their stories behind the dark tinted bus windows. Still, I wonder where they are going because, I know, there is some idyllic campground they are heading to or from.

Other campers stop for one night and go to the complete opposite extreme. Whether in a luxury bus or pop-up, these guys are going to get everything possible out of their stay. Arriving in the early afternoon, these campers start getting their site ready immediately. First, they put a rope out for the dog and hook up the water, sewer and cable. Internet is wifi. Next the awning comes out. Now realize, these are things everyone would do. It is the only sensible way to operate. It is what comes next that is amazing. The outdoor rug comes out and the chairs are arranged in a conversational circle. Don't forget the plant. Now, someone gets the ladder and the cute little awning lights are strung around the awning. I really do like these and keep thinking about getting some, but you have to take them down to close the awning in a storm. That is a lot of work and this is Florida--storm central. Next they add the nice little wind chimes that sound so pleasant in the coastal breezes.

Most campers have pick up trucks although suvs work well, too. They need them to pull the campers. They also carry the grills, floats, fishing poles, etc. Jet skis come on a trailer and bikes are mostly tied to the camper. These overnighters get them all unpacked. They gather wood (in our case pine cones and twigs) for the campfire. Then it is time to head for the pier to catch dinner or at least enjoy trying. When that is done, the pool is a nice place to cool off. After a hardy meal, they light the campfire and delight in the view. These campers are fun and friendly. They will talk to you and talk to your dog as they walk their's. They want to tell you where they've been and where they are going. I like them for the most part. They just confuse me. After all this, they are spending one night. They are up before the sun, breaking camp and packing all that stuff so they are ready to leave by eight or nine. There have been a few that really go above and beyond. One unloaded a small chest freezer for one night. The other outlined their campsite with light-up pink flamingoes. One night, I don't get it.

Hey, Easter Pictures are Here!

2008-03-27T13:02:00.003-04:00

The photos are not in order and have not been edited yet. They are a compilation of three cameras but hopefully I can get them in order soon. Easter was fun. Saturday night we dyed eggs. Cooper and I have decided Ben is no longer allowed to participate since he gets all artistic and makes our eggs look dumb. Sunday, we got up and went to church and then came home where the boys awaited Debi and Dakota's arrival. Dakota had plans to soak them as soon as he arrived and sent Debi in to get the boys because Dak had brought them Easter "presents". Micah and Xavier had the same plan for Dak and the war began. It was a blast (a super soaked blast) and has to become a tradition since Easter egg hunts aren't so thrilling when the kids get older.

Then it was lunch, after which Ben and Cooper hid eggs. It was Isaac's first egg hunt and he liked the idea that candy was hiding in the eggs--even if he couldn't eat it. Ben, being a smarty-pants put a carrot in one egg but that did not bother Micah who is a carrot freak. After the proper amount of "where did we put that one?" all the eggs were found. Tanya and the boys left to see Joel's family and Cooper and Ben went to his family's Easter. All in all a very nice day. Enjoy the pictures. See them at My pictures: Holidays, Easter 2008.

2007-03-13T16:41:00.001-04:00

Bits and Pieces

2006-07-20T09:43:00.000-04:00

A lot has been going on and nothing has been happening at all. It is all about the summer state of mind. Every day is a party or should be because I certainly cannot get motivated to do anything constructive, much less ambitious. One summer discovery...Whisky is a water dog. We got a wading pool to cool off in, after reading or tanning or whatever we do in the sun. It turns out if the kids are playing in it, Whisky has to join them. He especially likes to "take a dip" if he has been dashing about the yard chasing lizards or snakes (yes, snakes...the woods next door are starting to be cleared.) It is really funny to see this wimpy little yipper sailing into the water and just seeming to smile as he saunters around the pool. It is too deep for him to lay down and too shallow to swim, so he strolls. An added perk to this is that he wears himself out and has been to tired to participate in his nightly 5 to 8 barking ritual.

Tanya and Joel are en route to Michigan. They left Tuesday and will probably get there Thursday. They will be living in or near Fremont. This should be quite an adventure and quite a rode trip.

2006-06-26T11:45:00.000-04:00

The 80s Night was a huge success. All the work the TAG team put in during the last several months really paid off. Cooper and Kati had to choose the best 80s costume which eliminated the self-proclaimed best outfits; even so they secretly voted themselves the award as they gave it to Carla. This year in Bible School Coop helped lead songs and Paige worked with the preschoolers. Then they were off to camp. It was Paige's first year and she absolutely loved it. It was Cooper's last year (sorta) and of course she absolutely loved it. She will probably be there next year, all summer as a counselor.

Middle School, Here I Come

2006-06-02T15:04:00.000-04:00

Paige has graduated fifth grade. All we can say is look out Deland Middle! It will never be quite the same after she arrives. She has let it be known that she plans to take no #$@## from teachers. They had better do their job right and not give her too much homework. She has things to do and certainly doesn't intend to spend all of her time studying. This is like culture-shock for her mother who thinks studying is a delightful way to pass the afternoon.

Seriously, she is growing up to be a wonderful young lady. At the fifth grade awards ceremony, she got a number of award certificates and pins. This doesn't include the medals and certificates from band. She was on the honor roll all year, in the science club, safety patrol and band and she also got an award for P.E. She loves to read, swim, ride horses and play her flute. Her favorite activity is explaining her views of the world to all who will listen (she will do it whether or not you listen) We refrain from talking about world or political issues when she is around for fear of setting off her next diatribe.

And as we all know middle school brings with it alot of new attitudes and activities. Paige is already diving in to instant messaging her friends. She may even pass Carrie as the "forward-queen" or at least give a valiant try.

Not Officers but Definitely Gentlemen

2006-05-18T14:57:00.000-04:00

My babies grew up! They are all married and adulty. That's okay as long as they don't get boring and I can't see that happening. It seems like yesterday that I was berating them for "Austin Powers" immitations. Now Dakota and Rick are both married and working young yuppies. Yes, I said yuppies. I had hoped I could instill just a smattering of liberal insight into their minds before it was too late. But alas, I have been a dismal failure in this pursuit. I console myself with the fact that both of them are at least thinking conservatives. And I haven't given up trying to bring them into the light.
Even with their yuppie leanings, I am very proud. Dakota is working at a job he seems really happy with. Afterall, he is dealing with stocks and bonds and money-like things. Rick is heading off to a "high falutin' law school" and Rutgers should consider itself lucky to have him. They aren't my babies anymore, but they sure did turn out good.

Meet Mr. and Mrs. Holmes

2006-05-18T12:24:00.000-04:00

Now I am officially a mother-in-law and it was a lot of fun becoming one--so much easier than becoming a mother. The wedding was gorgeous, as were the participants and there are dozens of stories to be told about the day (but only in person.) Debi and Dak look so happy and are out in California living it up for a few more days. I'm sure there will be lots of stories about that too. Some, we will get to hear.
I loved meeting Susan and having everyone down here. Now we are being plagued by scheming kids, planning ways to get to the next wedding. They love the partying and dancing. Looking at my pictures you would think they are all there, but that would be a mistake. After I get them all, I am going to sort them out. In the meantime you just have to plow your way through them.

2006-05-18T12:16:00.000-04:00

Paige was all for toasting her Uncle Dakota and new Aunt Debi, but she wasn't quite ready for the taste of champagne.

What Are We Doing Today?

2006-04-21T12:42:00.000-04:00

Tanya and Family are down visiting before Joel has to go to South Carolina for training. He will be gone a month and then hopefully find out where their new location will be. In the meantime, they are living it up at the Holmes Motel (similar to the Bates Motel??) They have gone to the beach and are heading for SeaWorld with loads of family in tow. In "related" news, Paige was to exhibit her Science Fair Project in the County Expo--so I got to get up early, drive out to the fair grounds and search in vain for this shindig which doesn't even happen until next week when I hope Carly gets the joy.

Paige will be competing in Music City USA with her band on the 22nd. This year the competition will be tough as other schools have changed their dates so they can compete against the 4-year Grand Champions, Millineum Musicians from George Marks. The band has upped the odds by performing high school music this year.

Saturday is also the date of Debi's Bridal Shower--there are lots of goodies in store for Debi. Then on Sunday, Cooper and Kati are taking a few days off from school to go home with Debi and Dakota. They are going to celebrate Kati's birthday by going to a concert to see Fallout Boy, Hawthorne Heights and the one I like, All-American Rejects.

We Dyed Them ...Now What?

2006-04-16T15:59:00.000-04:00

Easter Sunday and we aren't hunting eggs. We dyed them but now we are just going to make devilled eggs and potato salad. Carly's neighborhood had a giant hunt but we opted for church, then went over to her house for lunch with her neighbors. It was fun and everyone seems real nice. Then we headed home and I'm still deciding what to do with the rest of the day. Yeah, those eggs are calling. One thing that was missing at lunch was Easter eggs. But who really wants to eat eggs that have been found by a bunch of munchkins and toted around and dropped and who knows what else before making it to the table. Anyway enjoy the Easter pics and I will go peel eggs. (look under Holidays, Easter 2006)

Dirty Again

2006-04-10T15:27:00.000-04:00

The Extreme Games were back and as messy as usual--bobbing for dog biscuits in chocolate pudding etc. This year the kids made shirts and Cooper decided to put all the names of past and present participants on the back of hers. It turned out great and she got it EXTREMELY dirty. You can see more yucky pictures like the one of her and Kelsey in the spring and summer photo album under "Cooper" in My Pictures.

SOS

2006-03-30T13:16:00.000-05:00

I wonder if all of these "marchers" realize what they are saying--my guess is they are just being disrespectful to our flag. But I tend to think that a distress call is much more accurate.

2006-03-30T13:06:00.000-05:00

Soccer Girls and Super Stars

2006-03-29T16:12:00.000-05:00

Emily is at long last playing soccer. They don't actually compete but have fun games learning the rules and skills. She is thrilled and also thrilled to be an up and coming "American Idol" after she and Paige had a glamourous makeover. Now we have a glimpse of the future prom queen Paige (minus about half the makeup.)

Chili Madness

2005-11-22T07:58:00.000-05:00

With November, comes the annual Chili Cookoff and this year the kids decided to do the cooking. Actually Micah was the one who was so excited. He could hardly wait to cook up a batch of "baghDAD" chili. Well, you know how it goes. The whining begins. Xavier is sullen and miserable because Micah gets to make chili and he doesn't. Forget the the fact that Xavier does not eat chili. Anyhow the plan changes and we add "Save the Cows" chili to the list of competitors. So with Cooper's chili, we have quite enough from one family. But Paige is awfully upset. She is much older than the boys and should have first-cooking rights --add "Motormouth" chili to the list. The name fits her well. So, come Saturday night we have three crockpots of chili in the fridge and Emily sulking, no fuming in the den. Cooper plans to make hers after church. Sunday morning comes and Emily is still furious and helping Cooper is not the same. Cooper really doesn't feel like cooking anyway. So the Coop's Chili becomes their chili with Emily doing all of the work and Cooper keeping naming rights. She did stir (once) and take pictures to make it officially a partnership..There were 20 something chilis at the cookoff and some were very good and some were horrid. All of the kid's chili did very well. Between the four we brought home less than three cups. There was a lot of talk about "Save the Cows" maybe winning. "D.B.'s Million Dollar" chili (named after the bankrobber/plane hijacker) flat out disappeared. Colten stuffed the ballot box for Emily and paid his brother 10 dollars to do the same. Nevertheless someone else had bigger bucks and stuffed the ballot box for someone else. Remember this is a fund raiser and votes cost money and stuffing the ballot boxes is highly encouraged. I was quite happy to have no winners and no hurt feelings. But surprise, surprise, after all the prizes were awarded there was a new prize--best in show--judged by an independent and unknown judge. Emily took home the Golden Spoon for the very best chili and she really did do it all herself.

Fall Is Here

2005-11-05T10:45:00.000-05:00

After a month of selling pumpkins, I hope to be able to update more often. In my spare time I have been trying to fix this blog. Since I am not all that computer savvy, I have been drifting along, thinking my blogs looked the same to you as they do to me--Not so!! We do almost everything on Mozilla Firefox and rarely if ever look at Internet Explorer. I was showing a friend something and was surprised to see everything bloggy was in the wrong places and just generally a mess. It isn't that I have OCD, I don't--I leave that to Tanya and Cooper--but I do expect what I do to come out like I'm seeing it. So now I'm writing on Explorer and I haven't done it in so long that I keep closing all the windows I need but I hope now, you will see the same blog I do.

The Right Place, The Right Time

2005-07-25T09:26:00.000-04:00

Cooper was taking storm pictures when she heard a huge thunder roar and the camera screen went white. This was the result. Now that the dogs are gone and the fence is no longer electric, Harold's fence was really hot--at least for a few seconds.
posted by semloh at 8:06 AM 0 comments
Friday, July 22, 2005

From This

2005-06-29T10:32:00.000-04:00

To This

2005-06-28T10:28:00.000-04:00

Just a word to the wise--running around the house going "nananana Baatmaaan!" is not really an appropriate activity. This is especially true if you tend to run into walls, as Cooper does. Three hairline fractures in three different parts of her hand are the result of not heeding the age-old plea of parents--don't run in the house. She has now graduated to a brace and is healing well. What does she have to say for herself? "I'd rather spend your money in different ways!"

Camp

2005-06-25T09:59:00.000-04:00

Camp week finally arrived and everyone was thrilled. You can see all the photos at "My Pictures" (under Cooper, Camp 2005.) The ones from her friends are by far the best.

We Made Shirts

2005-06-23T10:09:00.000-04:00

Kati and Cooper show off the shirts they made for Heather and Joel.

The Face Behind It

2005-03-31T14:41:00.000-05:00

See this face--It is the reason we don't have a million Easter pictures to see. Soon she will be caught up and I will be able to be on the computer.

2005-03-30T14:12:00.000-05:00

Welcome

Welcome to my "semloh here" blog. I decided to link the blogs since there are advantages to both publishers and I didn't want to choose between them.

Hurricane Sampler

2004-11-19T16:55:00.000-05:00

2004-11-19T10:58:00.000-05:00

Lake Monroe in Sanford

2004-11-19T10:57:00.000-05:00

New Smyrna

2004-11-19T10:53:00.000-05:00

These are houses from Cape San Blas visiting Pensacola

2004-11-19T10:51:00.000-05:00

Cape San Blas after Ivan

Sorry Everybody

2004-11-05T17:16:00.000-05:00

These photos are from the constantly changing and very busy web site "Sorry Everybody". There are literally tons if you are interested. A lot are from other countries telling us to keep trying.

http://www.sorryeverybody.com/gallery/608/

2004-11-05T17:15:00.000-05:00

And there is nothing we can do!

2004-11-04T17:18:00.000-05:00

2004-11-04T17:09:00.000-05:00

2004-11-03T17:21:00.000-05:00

And he got away with it again!

2004-11-03T16:49:00.000-05:00

Jesus Wept

And The Title Goes To...

2004-10-26T18:31:00.000-04:00

While we still don't even have one gravestone out, Tanya and Joel have turned their yard into a Halloween Wonderland. Someone has too much time on their hands (just joking).

2004-10-26T16:30:00.000-04:00

Happy little ghosts dancing in the Ahmann yard, maybe they are happy

2004-10-26T16:27:00.000-04:00

to have the company of this headless visitor.

2004-10-26T16:25:00.000-04:00

Micah is rising from the dead as Xavier is more

2004-10-26T16:24:00.000-04:00

intersted in being a Zombie.

2004-10-26T16:23:00.000-04:00

There are graves in the yard...

2004-10-26T16:22:00.000-04:00

and spiders on the house...what a spooky place.

2004-10-17T16:57:00.000-04:00

The pumpkins are here and looking great!

2004-10-17T16:55:00.000-04:00

It's Pumpkin Patch time again. This year we have added crafts, baked goods (like pies, muffins, rolls and bread.) It is alot of work and alot of fun. For the arrival, we had a hamburger-hotdog cookout before unloading a semi truck full of pumpkins and gourds of every imaginable size and color. It took a bunch (hundred or so) of people and about two and a half hours. Sadly, we don't have pictures of that yet because they will be really funny. Joel was doing his best Ty Pennington imitation, complete with ladder and all. Now we are busy selling and rolling--and rolling and rolling and rolling all those pumpkins.

2004-10-17T16:54:00.001-04:00

A Sample of Our Crafts -- Inside Our Country Store, We Keep All Types of Things

2004-10-17T16:51:00.000-04:00

It is a beautiful day at the Patch!

2004-10-17T16:50:00.001-04:00

Sometimes even Cooper has to take a break from rolling those pumpkins

2004-10-17T16:49:00.000-04:00

It is so much fun! Emily loves it!

2004-10-17T16:46:00.000-04:00

Emily brought her Flat Travelers along for the fun.

2004-10-17T16:42:00.000-04:00

Emily and Cooper are hamming it up for the camera

Wierd Summer Has Now Turned Backwards

2004-10-15T17:15:00.000-04:00

Thought I would start this again, but unfortunately you all will hear about our summer backwards. This is due to my vast computer skills-- you the know the kind that go " what do I do now." At any rate summer seems to close in Deland with homecoming. There are and no pictures of the long hours of dress and shoe hunting and, being so kind, I will not publish the getting ready pictures--this time at least.

2004-10-15T17:14:00.000-04:00

Now I'm ready, says Cooper

2004-10-15T17:13:00.000-04:00

Cooper and Jon

2004-10-15T17:12:00.001-04:00

Let's go

2004-10-15T17:12:00.000-04:00

We're ready--Josh, Kati, Jon and Cooper

2004-10-15T17:11:00.000-04:00

Cooper, Brittany and Kelsey

2004-10-15T17:10:00.000-04:00

Kyla, Josh , Kelsey, Kati, Jon, Cooper, Ben and Brittany

2004-10-15T16:30:00.000-04:00

Cooper and Jon saying "that is one too many pictures Brit"

Quote of the Moment

2004-07-12T16:45:00.000-04:00

~Faith is daring the soul to go beyond what the eyes can see.~

Another day, Another Dollar

2004-07-12T16:31:00.000-04:00

A mission trip, that means work, helping people. Put on your old clothes and go out to do some good. While you're at it, meet new people. What it isn't is a whole new wardrobe. Yeah, we live in Florida--so our kids don't own things like one piece bathing suits, shirts that aren't tanks (at least not enough). It gets really hot here. Is there some reason people can't see God in you if they see some of your skin. After all, didn't God make that skin? At any rate, the good example will be set. Hopefully, dressed in all their more conservative duds, the children being helped will still be able to relate to these kids as people just like themselves. A mission trip, that means work, helping people. Put on your brand new clothes and go out to do some good.

Howdy

2004-07-08T15:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to our home. Hope you find lots of interesting ideas and tips for school and even just ramblings.