Pool Setup

My friend, Deb, and I began 'water walking' at our local aquatic center back in the late winter.  We enjoyed it tremendously.  That got me to thinking (uh oh) and so Marvin and I started talking about the possibility of getting a pool out here for the summer.  We always used to have an above ground pool when the boys were growing up, but it had been at least 4 years since our last pool.  So when we discovered the pool we were most interested in at a great sale price, we made the jump.  This time around I wanted a rectangular shaped pool to be more conducive to water walking and exercising.  Deb and I had sort of stepped out the size and shape of various pools while we were at the aquatic center and so I felt confident that this pool would work well.  The rectangular shape is a bit tricky, though, regarding level ground and setup.  So we decided to go the extra mile and hire our friend, Joey, to level out the site and pour sand for us.  He did a great job.

the boxes arrived!

leveling the sand base

Marvin, Jackson, and Jonathan laying out the bottom tarp.

laying out the pool

getting the side bracing ready

One thing about the rectangular shaped pool... when you first set it up the sides sort of cave in.  Once you fill it with water they stand up straight.  Nothing to worry about.  :)

The pool is slowly filling with water

It is full!

We chose a sand filter and a saltwater purifier system.

I LOVE my view from the pool!  Any direction! 

More Random May

Finishing out the snippets from May...

Mama and Daddy wanted to get another of Jackson's beautiful photographs professionally framed at Hobby Lobby.  Jackson took me up there on a day he wasn't working, so I also got to see Marcus.  I love the frame that they helped me pick out for the photo.  The Hobby Lobby frame shop here in town is AWESOME!  If you have any framing needs, be sure to check them out!  Jackson will be glad to help you out.  He has a true artists eye.

Jackson and Marcus

It's going to be beautiful!  :)

Brianna and Jackson

Daddy and Mama holding photos of Mr. Tom Paterson who owns Craigneich Farm near Glen Artney, Scotland.  We took this photo so that Kerry could create a collage to hand deliver to Mr. Paterson when he and Candace visited Scotland in June.  Mama, Julie, and I had met Mr. Paterson when we visited in 2016.

Julie wanted a rain barrel to recycle rainwater in order to water her plants.  Daddy got it all set up for her.  Pretty nifty!

Brianna and Jackson enjoying the pool on a hot day.  :)

One Sunday in May we were joined for lunch by Edwina and Jerry who were visiting from Kansas City.  Edwina and Daddy were schoolmates from the 3rd grade through graduation (starting at Greenwood School).  A wonderful long friendship.  We sure enjoyed getting to have lunch with them.  We all enjoyed good Kings Buffet carry out at Mama and Daddy's house.  :)

Marvin, Edwina, Jerry, Jonathan, Hannah, Anna, Matthew, Julie, Brianna, Jackson, Mama

Matthew, Julie, Brianna, Jackson, Mama, Daddy, Laura, Marvin, Edwina, and Jerry 

And here is Jackson's pond photo in its new frame hanging on the wall in the back porch room.

Donna's Visit

My lovely friend, Donna, came to visit me mid-May.  She arrived in time to join the final evening and celebration with Grace Girls, then stayed a couple more days just so we could hang out.  I am so glad she was able to come and visit!

One of the first things we did was go visit Jackson at the Hobby Lobby frame shop.  He was on break, but his manager led us back to see him (perks of being a Mama).  :)  We interrupted his 'peaches snack time' but he was glad to see us anyway.  (I am sure that is true... but don't ask him!)  ;)

We went to eat at Kings Buffet then drove down to visit the Olive Gilbreath McLorn home.  Donna had heard so much about this place and was excited to visit.  She was enthralled just like the rest of us!  Once you 'meet' Olive, you just can't get her out of your head!

Here are a few random photos from our visit.

Donna and Sheryl looking at the map of Russia on the wall.

This time we ran across a love letter to Olive that included two heart shaped flower petals!  The petals had been kept for 50 years before being sent in that letter to Olive!  (our hearts all flutter...)  David and Olive definitely had a love story for the ages.

It was so hot inside the house that day (and there is no air conditioning) but we couldn't pull ourselves away from new boxes of documents that need to be poured over and experienced!!  :)  We just stood there sweating and reading and imagining.  :)

Sheryl and Donna

Laura and Donna

such an inviting porch

After such a hot (but fun) day, I decided to climb in the pool.  Brianna dropped by and joined me.  Donna hung out with us (she took this photo) but didn't get in the pool this time.  I guess that will be for her next visit.  :)