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Thursday, March 23, 2017

Tony Bennett

6 Years, 44 Weeks.


It was an opportunity not to be missed, and especially since this might have been one of the last opportunities to see him perform live in concert.




At 90 years young, Tony Bennett was in town Sunday night, performing at the Dr. Philips Performing Arts Center.

I grew up listening to his songs, his love ballads made me a hopeless romantic.  I played his music on dates or when I tried wooing the ladies.  The words and substance of his songs were about love and loss, about emotion and simple things like smiles and moonlight, but his crooning voice tugged at your heart as he sang each word.




 I will admit, I shed a few tears several times during the concert.  It was surreal to see and hear this living legend perform, and especially when you've only heard his iconic voice for many many years from his albums or on YouTube.  It was an exceptional performance, one of the best I've attended (in my opinion) and more so memorable that I experienced it with Tangie.  His last song brought the house down, especially when, to our awe and amazement, he put down his microphone and sang unplugged, just his voice piercing the darkness of the theater.  It was so pure, and it moved everyone there.

Definitely a big check off my bucket list.





Here was our week:


He had an accident at school on Thursday and bumped heads with a classmate,
which explains his bruised and swollen upper lip.

They had a Laura Numeroff party at school.  She's the author of well known children's books as
"If you give a mouse a cookie" and "If you give a pig a party."

The first grade class in their animal get ups.

Wait, these aren't our kids!  Helping the Ottatis out and delivering a couple kids to Daddy Richard
on my way to go pick up our real children from school!

Getting some samples at Costco.

What a way to welcome in Spring Break!

Mommy picked up her new bike Friday afternoon.  Now to assemble it!

Supper at our Asian bistro, she loves her fried tofu!

Kohlden and his smorgasbord of delicious eats!

Maddy sticking to her go to:  sushi.

Mommy couldn't believe how much Egg Foo Young came with her order!

Another 30 miler with the Clarkes Sabbath morning.

Great to ride with these guys before they head off for their trip.

Passed by the Grodacks on our way to church, they on their way back home after attending 1st service.

Traditional post service photo.

Joined up with the Drapers for lunch at Macaroni Grill.

Swung by the farm to see some animals.

Saying hello to Solomon, she just loves dogs!

Maddy hanging around in the backyard.

Attended movie night under the stars at the church Saturday evening.

It was a nice gathering, but a little bit chilly, even in our jackets and blankets!

Upon arrival home.

Hanging out with me in the workshop Sunday morning while I assembled Mommy's bike.

Date night to see Tony!


Trying out the four person bike in Winter  Garden!

Shoe shopping, Kohlden picked the one he liked.

Just a few more years buddy!

Maddy was amazed at how big someone's feet can be!

Chatting it up at Old Navy.

We found a stash of glue for her slime!!  She was so happy!

Bored.  Meeting.

Smoothie break during basketball.

Supper and a movie.  What a life!


Randoms:


Dropped off the car for an oil change and went for a short bike ride…and ended up doing 50 miles!

The 1st grade class made their own Laura Numeroff inspired book, with Maddy illustrating the cover!

And Kohlden completing the book with the final page!

$10 for a swan egg!?  

Mommy's new bike!

Inside the Dr. Philipps Performing Arts Center, it was like being on a  cruise ship!!



Have a great weekend!!


Wednesday, March 22, 2017

J Michael Media

6 Years, 42 Weeks.


This week I got to join my brother's company for an in-town production for Adventist Health Systems, particularly for the Adventist Information Technology department.

It was a lot of fun and informative as I watched and participated in the behind the scenes of a film production, stuff you don't see or appreciate when you watch the final product on a big screen.  It's methodical work, and needs those involved to be meticulous and accurate at all times.  A lot of planning, set build up and tear down, and preparation to get the best shots!

It was great being able to work with those guys and spend time together!


Building the set, installing the overhead lamp and microphone.

Checking to make sure cameras and mics are good to go.

And…action!

Texting and communicating with each other...



Here was the rest of our week:


Mommy and Brae had a Mommy/Daughter date Friday evening to attend Secret Keeper Girl Live,
about girls being modest and growing up in the way that Jesus would want them to.

They had a great time together and Brae got some books to read about becoming a lady.

Sabbath morning ride, bumped into an emu!

Potluck lunch with some families from OJA, it was nice to have community with them.

The kids enjoyed having their classmates over to the house.

Walked the trail and played at the clubhouse afterwards.

Saturday night Brae went shopping for glue and supplies to make slime, which is all the rage for kids right now.

Sunday morning ride, 38 mile loop down Avalon and through Windermere.


Meanwhile the kids went to Aguille Climbing Center in Longwood to attend a birthday party.

Maddy made it all the way to the top!

Kohlden just hanging around.

Monday morning doctor's appointment, checking my blood pressure and heart, the EKG came out fine.
Need to watch keep track on the bp though and my sodium intake!

Maddy working on her homework.

She had an exhausting day!

Tuesday morning another 30 miler with Jared.

We bumped into some longhorn cattle and a zebra this time!

Brae working on her slime.

Breakfast with these two before heading out to film.

Uncle Mike came over to say hello and see the kids.

Catching up with Uncle Mike and showing off her creations.

Slurpees for a mid-week treat!

Exhausted by Thursday afternoon.

"Helping" Mommy organize the tupperware cabinets!


Have a great weekend!!