archeologist

We have had a computer armoire for many years now.  We bought a "mis-assembled" one at a Romweber sale at least 12 years ago.  It has housed a computer, software instructions, school supplies, printer and paper, speakers, modem and router, etc.  Since it's latest inhabitant has finally died I have been cleaning it out.  It will eventually go away as it is quite large and we really don't need it anymore.  I am looking for a small table/console to house the printer and supplies and then when we need to print just hook up whichever laptop to it.  At least that is my hope.  In the course of cleaning I have unearthed some memories, mostly good ones.  I found an old file folder I used to use to keep paperwork for the kids organized.  It still had some old artwork and report cards in it.  I shredded the one that said we needed to schedule a visit with Alix's advisory teacher in 7th grade.  The spring of Alix's 7th grade was the pinnacle of her teen angst.  Fortunately for all of us a guardian angel stepped in and introduced Connie into our lives. I can credit all that is good in Alix to Connie and her Bible Study.  

So in addition to that type of personal stuff, I found a list of the projects, furniture and appliances purchases that Kent and I decided we needed to do the first year (1991-92) we lived in this house:

1)sidewalk in front of house and up to front door (done in the spring of 1993)
2)flat roof on kitchen, porch and bedroom (done in summer of 92 after massive leaking)
3)furnace (still haven't done it - furnace is original but has no moving parts so will live forever)
4)landscaping (done in two projects the first in 1993 the rest in spring of 1999)
5)lawn tractor (spring of 93) actually still have the original but now have a 0 turn mower too
6)sidewalk (rest of it) I think we did that in 2000
7)Garage (started in the fall of 2001 finished the exterior in spring of 02, spent the next few years finishing the interior)
8)armoire for dining room (scratched off the list as unneeded)
9)2 wing back chairs (ditto)
10)console table (ditto)
11)cabinet for Family room (to house equipment currently on 1980 entertainment center) still waiting and with the change in tvs probably won't ever get
12)bedframe (bought at Romwebers at the same time as computer armoire)
13)electrical (Kent has done most of this, all that he can reach -all of ground floor and basement-unfortuantely for us the previous owners did not upgrade all of the wires that were reachable when they remodeled the master bedroom and bathroom.  If we ever rip into the 2nd floor walls it will all be upgraded - when we moved in the entire first floor, except the kitchen, was on one circuit)
14)kitchen table and chairs (the old kitchen was long and narrow - bought a table in 95 have since traded with the farm and have the old drop leaf table I had longed for - couldn't believe it when Ellen called me up and asked to trade!)
15)computer and armoire (!)

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE

We are part of the midwest flooding currently going on.  We received 5 inches of rain in less than 24 hours on top of already saturated ground.  Our yard was underwater for several days, our basement is still wet.  To go into the yard, for instance to cut down last year's asparagus fronds, you really should have boots on.  (We did.)  The yard is like walking on a wet sponge, but if you would walk in our rice paddy of a garden you would sink to your knees.  Mr. Wentz our neighbor to the west has his sump pump set up and draining the water out of his yard.  When I took Alix to the airport on Thursday am we went down HWY 1 which winds down the hills towards Lawrenceburg.  About 5 miles out of L.  we ground to a halt behind a string of traffic that stretched as far as the eye could see.  After setting there worried about the time clicking away we found a driveway and turned around.  I saw a hospital sign pointing off down this little track of a road and not wanting to return 10 miles back to the interstate and still have 19 miles to go to get to where these roads meet I took a chance and went for it.  We wound around 90 degree turns and 25mph speed limits for about 10 minutes before we dropped into the west side of Lawrenceburg, popped onto HWY 50 and drove 5 miles to the aforementioned intersection.  There was no traffic coming from HWY 1 at all making the turnaround a great idea.  After dropping her off I stayed on I-275 which loops around several river basins.  First of all the Ohio River was at least 3 miles out of its banks on the east side of the road.  Then a little bit further there was water to the left side of the road where I have never seen it before.  The picture is from the Cincinnati Enquirer's front page today.  I think that one of the roads you can see in the distance is 275.  

Oh My!

Jake should really be writing about his week, but if he does I won't know about it so here is what our last 7 days have been like.

Last Monday and Tuesday saw Jake and the B'ville Singers having their annual Dinner Show which showcases their competition show and about 15 solos/ensembles.  Also going on was the makeup Regional Basketball games which B'ville ended up winning.  So anybody in the music program was booked both days as the whole band played as a pep band during the playoffs.  

Wednesday the RAA brought in the Glen Miller Orchestra for a concert.  The RAA paid for a jazz 
clinic for the whole band during 4th block.  That night before the GMO performed the Jazz Band (the Sportscoat Jazz Explosion) warmed up the crowd in the lobby of the school.

Thursday was the all day Ripley County Music Festival.  Jake was gone from 7:30am until 9:00pm.

Friday was another clinic with a great jazz saxophone musician and then another concert.  This was their annual library sponsored concert which features a guest musician who conducts a clinic with the band during the afternoon.  As usual the commons at the Middle School was full and the concert was great.  

Saturday saw the band attending another bb game, semi state which we lost by 4 points.

Now for the rest of the story:

Jake and I left home on Friday am at 7:30 to attend the first day of Wabash's Honor Scholarship weekend where he took 4 tests over 2 days in hopes to earn some money to pay for the school.  At 4:00 when he was done with his 2nd test we booked for home (110 miles) so Jake could participate in the concert.  When it was over we zoomed right back so he could spend the night in his assigned fraternity.  I went to a motel as I had to be at the regional DI competition at 7:30 am about 45 miles away.

He took his remaining 2 tests on Saturday am then socialized and had fun the rest of the day.  I had a great time doing 
"prep area appraiser" and then helping hand out the awards.  I got back to Crawfordsville at 8:00. pm.  We got back to B'ville just in time to meet Kent and A for lunch at our local Mexican restaurant.