Salem Days 2009

Every year since we moved down to Salem in 1983, the last hurrah of summer I looked forward too and cherished was Salem Days. The second Saturday in August is a city wide celebration for all.

Ah, the memories.... The 1 mile children's race around the park, the longer Fun Run my mom would participate in and that I would later regularly run. My Senior year in high school I won a first place medal for my age group. The free pancake, eggs, bacon, milk and OJ breakfast at the park cooked by city council members who shook your hand as you went through the line and usually knew your name. The parade that almost always involved one of us kids, candy throwing that had no limits and an innumerable amounts of baseball teams riding in truck beds. The pageant that night capped off by a firework display. When I was young, Salem would hold a city wide garage sale with the proceeds going to the fireworks. That's a community effort of giving if you ask me. One year, when I was about eight, I was one of the few lucky ones that boarded the 'Showboat' that crossed the pond during the program. It was a dream. I still remember the details years later.

And every year, when that special weekend rolls around, I wish I could be back home, at least for the day to soak it all in. Two years ago, I was so lucky. This year Jeff flew in from Milwaukee, Greg and family drove down from Salt Lake and my mom and dad and Rhett enjoyed their company.

Maybe next year it'll be my turn. I've got my fingers crossed.Salem Fun Run (5K)The runners line up on the starting line that overlooks the pond and Knoll Park. (60 degrees. Burr!)
The paradeRhett in the parade (Rhett's FB page tonight read.... "Rhett Nance just want's to say that Salem Days is probably the best day in the whole world. Everyone just comes together for awesomeness and funness. You can quote me on that if you want.")The family

I love and miss you all.

Severe Weather

August 5, 2009 8 AM Louisville, Kentucky

Flash flooding has left part of the famed Churchill Downs track under water, and some horses stabled at the Louisville track were moved elsewhere due to high water.

Churchill spokesman John Asher says "a big chunk" of the track is under water after a thunderstorm dumped inches of rain on Louisville within hours Tuesday morning.

The flash flooding swamped Louisville with up to six inches of rain that stranded motorists, essentially shut down the University of Louisville and turned parts of the city into lakes.
While we were spared the intense early morning severe weather Louisville experienced, Lexington was hammered later in the day with severe thunderstorms. The boys I had had taken Rich to school early (his car was in the shop), went back to UK hospital for my doctor's appointment at 10:30 AM and then hit the mall and Wal-mart. As we wrapped up our shopping at the Super Wal-mart on Nicholasville, the lights began to flicker as we checked out around 3 PM. Seconds later rain began to pummel the roof and the lightening cracked just above and shook the store. I knew we would have to wait this storm out instead of heading straight to the van.

As we walked towards the exit, there was a traffic jam of carts and wide eyed shoppers who gazed out into the parking lot. As I turned to survey the scene, I was shocked to see a movie like set, a cartoon of a storm if you will. The sky was a deep brownish gray, the trees whipped like reeds, the rain came down in sideways sheets and lightening glowed in the sky every few seconds, causing bomb like cracks from above. I imagined it must have sounded similar to those waiting out bombing raids in Europe during WWII.

For a full twenty minutes we waited there as our popsicles melted and the girls held my hand. It was the most intense lightening storm I had ever witnessed. The bolts were long and flashed across the sky and towards the ground. One even seemed to hit something the parking lot, knocking out the power to Wal-mart. The generator struggled to keep the store lit and the lights went on and off until we left.

Once the rain slowed and the lightening didn't seem like a death wish, we ran through the front doors at a fast pace (well, as fast as I can run at this point) trying to find the van and toss the groceries inside in seconds flat. We were all soaked by the time we straped in our seats, but grateful to be safely on our way home.

Times like these will be easy to recall once Kentucky is a distant memory. The sounds of torrential downpours, seeing streams, creeks and rivers swollen beyond their banks, the eerie call of the tornado sirens and the beep, beep, beep of the emergency service issuing warnings. That's part of living in the Bluegrass.

Things I'll never forget.

Herrod Hill Park

My friend Tiffany had the idea to meet at a local park we had never been to and have a picnic and play today. There were lots of tables, shade, two large playgrounds, swings and toys. The kids had so much fun. It was great to get out of the house because we needed an outing and our just cleaned rooms stayed clean while we were away.

I also really appreciate that the boys don't act too old to be hauled around by mom here and there to various parks and places. I know someday, it won't be as cool nor as fun to do so.
Savannah and Kaitlyn
Tiffany and EllieSommer pushing her son Wyatt and SavannahKaitlyn loved baby Ellie
Thanks Tiffany for a wonderful afternoon!

Woodland Aquatic Center

Ever since we moved to Lexington, the boys have been begging every summer to head downtown and swim at the 'Pirate Pool.' But with our neighborhood pool just seconds drive from our home, three boys I didn't quite trust swimming alone and two baby girls that needed constant attention, it didn't sound like fun nor a safe idea to me.

Three years later we still hadn't checked it out. Until today. My friend Ashlee had passes and told me she would be going there this week. We all happily joined her and her boys for the fun.

And man, what a great time we had. Thank heavens for life jackets that allowed the girls to navigate the deeper water around the ship safely and pleasant weather that didn't cook us all.

The only downer was when TWO daycare centers showed up with bus loads of kids making the place swarming with activity, but hey, nothing is perfect, especially at public swimming pools.
The girls were ready to PLAY!
Brynn swiped Matt's goggles for a minute. This photo of her cracks me up!
There was a pirate ship with slides and tunnelsAnd crocs floating in the waterCannonsA mini water slideOne serious high dive the boys lovedMy only request was for Trey to NOT do any tricks off it. He is VERY brave and quite skilled on our pool's lower diving board. This was was far too tall for any of that.JoshMattTrey did manage to get in some flips and spins on the smaller boards.Ashlee and her boysKaitlyn and Brynn LOVE helping with baby Gray.During the break, I heard laughter from the boys and turned around and was shocked to see Matt OUTSIDE the gate. He discovered he was skinny enough to slip in and out. He's a nut! He told Ashlee if he was every homeless, he could just sneak in and live at the pool. Now there's a thought... The space was narrower than my hand!We had such a great time. It was the perfect activity to help us wrap up summer. School starts August 12! I'm not ready to send my boys back. I'm going to miss them too much! Thanks Ashlee for all the fun!!!