back from the beach

Well we're back from a week at Ocean City Nj.  The weather was great except for Tuesday and Wed.  There was storm  with a lot of wind on Mon afternoon.

We had a new canopy which was very (!!!) difficult to get down in the wind.  As the week went by we adapted the canopy supports to make it more stable in the stiff breezes at the beach.  It involved tying Mike's slippers to the ends of the cross poles which we used to hold the center of the canopy up.  many words were spoken, with much attitude, but we have survived.

Sara and Brian brought some movies along.  We watched a movie called. The Fountain'.  It is unbelievably awesome, but very hard to describe!  It's about undying love, life, devotion.  It's a beautiful film to see, that blew me away.  I wish I could to a better job of describing it.  It has a very spiritual feel, but not any specific religion.  It's a combination myth, and science story.  I'm sure that wasn't helpful.  Maybe look it up, or ask Sara?  Although she couldn't describe it really either.

We went to Wildwood one night.  Wow what a difference!  It is so much more lively/noisy/crowded.  Mike loved it, since that's were is family always went, so the noise/food etc was just full of memories.  We'll probably go there next year, as we no longer have young children to worry about.  If we stay at either end of town, the beach isn't so enormously wide.

Well back to 'real' life.  I start back to school (volunteering) on the 15th.  I can hardly wait.  If only I had a reason to buy a backpack and a new school outfit. : )

Craft show

It's getting to be that time.  The Long's Park Art & craft Show is Fri-Mon Sept 3-6.  Apparently it's the #3 Fine art show in the US.  I'll be going for sure, and would love company.  Let me know if/when you'ld like to come.  Advance tickets are $8 for 1 day, multi day $10 under 12 and under free.  At the show $10 1 day 12 multi. See you then?

Around here things are...nothing special.  It's cooler and rainy.  Both of those things are good.  I should probably weed, while the ground is soft, and the heat is low.  Wee. I know Janet, it needs to be done, and there is a certain sense of satisfaction when the weeds are gone.

Mike and I and Sara and Brian will be at Ocean City NJ, the 21st-28th of Aug.  Feel free to be in town then. : )   We can't really put you up overnight, our place is small, but we'ld be happy to see you and share our very small bathroom.

Happy Friday the 13th!

all locks all the time

Mike met with one of the Hall of Fame lock guys today (who was not at our show)  He was there all afternoon, and of course came home with more locks.  Then after dinner a lock guy came over to show Mike what he had.  His grandfather worked for Slaymaker for 40 years.  After he left Mike had a wooden box full of locks.  At least one was a previously unknown lock.  Of course a lot of the stuff in the box is what Mike called 'poundage'.

Oh joy just what I want in the house more locks that he doesn't actually want except to sell!  My poor dining room table is covered with lock stuff.

He did enjoy his lock day.  I got some organizing doen. Ok one drawer in the kitchen, but that's something, right.

I also started a new embroidery project which is always fun.  Sorry, I can't tell more about it yet.

Thanks to Sara's friend Jason for commenting on his kittens on Facebook.  I enjoy the vicarious cat play.

The weekend

Mike and I went to a Greek restaurant (Yanni's Tavern) in Bethlehem and then stayed over at The Historic Bethlehem Hotel.  Mike was in the mood for Greek. (as if he is ever not.) and he had stayed at the hotel for an LCAR retreat.  Anyway it was a fun mini vacation.  We didn't walk around much because of the heat.  I did get a nice blue glass ink well. (new)  I think Mike's having trouble getting back in gear after the show.

The heat has got every body down I think, although after the storms rolled thru here yesterday it's cooled down. YEA!

I know the story has lapsed into neverland, as it were.  I'll let it sit for awhile and maybe something will bloom.

I've been sewing some lately, mostly shortening, and slimming (yea) things, but just cut out a black and white checked top, and will help Sara with a corset when we both have time.  Right now she's teaching at Princeton Summer Camp for the Gifted.

I'll stop now and write Lea a letter at camp.

Lock Show fini for 2010

Well the first annual Lancaster Lock Show is now part of history.  It went very well.  There were some minor problems.  We all forgot to put up directional signs in the hotel., During the show we forgot to handout 'best of show' ballots, and meal tickets.  Some other minor stuff.  The speakers went over well.  The awards were well received.  The 3 legged pig joke was enjoyed by most.  Oh And the food was good.  Also Mike said we (Mike and I) actually sold a bunch of locks.  Apparently most of the dealers did quite well.  Next years should be well attended I think!

It was tiring, but worth it I think.  Mike was really happy that many people got to see his collection, and non of them got that glazed look we all do.  They actually know what he's talking about, and appreciate what he has.  That's what I wanted from this show, so it was perfect as far as I'm concerned

Everyone had to pack up at 4:00 and then the banquet started at 6.  My only peeve was that when the show ended at 4 everyone packed up their own table and split!  Si Mike and I had to pack up everything show related and our locks to sell and pack the car, and move the appropriate stuff to the banquet room ourselves.   Thanks Sara and Brian who helped tote locks and stuff to the car!

My field trip idea was a bust, but that's ok.  If people ask about it I'll try again next year.  Other-wise, I can swim or whatever some of the time during the show.

I got to see Gina (my first Lock Show friend) who I haven't seen for several years, and I meant some very nice 'significant others' to hang out with at other shows.

When I get some photos of the show I'll post them here.

Here is a photo from Marks wedding.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=980048&op=1&view=all&subj=100001299400808&id=1628303285

Now back to my regular life.

Longwood Gardens

On the third we went to Longwood Gardens.  On the way we stopped at White Chimney's which is the Slaymaker family (of Slaymaker Locks, of course.) home.  We had been trying to get a hold of someone there for months, with no success.  They've had an anitque and tours sign out, but were never open.  We finally got a chance to talk to the current owners, so that was great.  We hadn't even gotten to the gardens yet and it was a good trip! : ) 

The Gardens were beautiful, as always, and not crowded at all.  We  did the water gardens, the bell towere and eye of water, the children's garden, and  two of the tree houses.  Mike found a padlock of a company that will be at the show on the Overlook Tree House holding the slide door open.  I just laughed and laughed.

After Longwood we went to the best ice cream shop!  It's in Kennett Square on the main strret, going west.  It's owned by a Mexican family, and they have all flavors.  Besides the regular ones, they have things like corn (which is one of my favorites), cantaloupe, and cinnamon and chili powder are available for sprinkling. It's really fun to check out the unusual flavors.  When there open in the summer there are always people out on the sidewalk ( where they have some benches and chairs) eating ice cream.  For some reason it's feels very much like when we were kids.

Anyway that was our Independence Day. (ok they day before).  It was very nice.

check the story

The story continues...check it out on the story page.

Well the lock show is in three weeks.  We now have had to enlarge our space (for the 2nd time.)  We're up to 55 vendors with more coming in.  Yea!  Mike is obsessing over the details, but I suppose that's to be expected.   It should be a great show. 

We've been thinking about a vacation afterwords, maybe in late August, or early Sept.  We don't have to worry bout kids in school anymore!!!  Unfortunately we can't think of what we might want to do.  We're less interested in the beach, probably because the same old t-shirt etc shops get really boring.  Mike likes the swimming in the ocean, (I like watching/listening to the ocean) but we both have to be careful about the sun.  We like historic houses, neat architecture, antiquing, learning about stuff, and weird things. (whatever that means!)

I guess I'm asking for suggestions.  Thanks