Bucket List Update (212/365)

TIME:  8:57 PM
PLACE:  Home
SUBJECT:  StellaDella

4. get rainbow dash back pack

Done!

Water Tower (211/365)

TIME:  1:47 PM
PLACE:  St. Clair Square Mall
SUBJECT:  Water Tower

Went to the mall on my day off to cross another item off StellaDella’s bucket list (picture tomorrow!).  I have no idea what is going on with the water tower.

Broken Rule (209/365)

TIME:  9:03 PM
PLACE:  Bathroom
SUBJECT:  Doorknob

One of my religious beliefs is that there is a special place in hell for those people who paint their door hardware.

Honestly, if you are painting a door, take the time to remove the damn things from the door and the frame.

As part of the never-ending bathroom remodel, I stripped the old bathroom door of 4 layers of paint – I’m pretty sure the bottom one was lead-based.  No precautions were taken, so I’ve probably lead poisoning as well. 

Then I stained it - Twice!  The first stain was waaay too orange – I re-stained it with an Ebony stain.  It looks much better and almost matches the vanity base – Bonus!
 
Finally, I boiled, scraped, stripped and scrubbed off the paint from the hinges, knobs and plate hardware.
 
Alas, after I removed all of the paint, the metal underneath looked horrible could not be saved.

So, I confess, I will be joining the painting heathens in their eternal life of hell and brimstone.

In my defense, however, I did use a metallic spray paint to match the sink and shower fixtures. 

So there.

Homecoming (208/365)

TIME:  6:53 PM
PLACE:  Troy Homecoming
SUBJECT:  Merry Mixer Sign

I, DramaQueen and StellaDella walked in the Troy Homecoming parade, throwing out safety suckers for my work.  At the finish, we met up with my sister, niece and nephew.  The kids wanted to stay and ride a couple of the rides.  First up, the 41-year-old Merry Mixer, because I care not for my children’s safety. 


TIME:  6:53 PM

DramaQueen rode with cousin David.


TIME:  7:08 PM

They rode the swings, then we stood in line for the Ferris Wheel.  DQ purchased a funnel cake and we ate it while we were waiting.

TIME: 7:099 PM
(Instagram photo)

Powdered sugar or illegal drugs?

TIME:  7:31 PM

After a bit, the two girls made it on the wheel.

TIME:  7:36 PM
(Instagram photo)

Can’t sleep, caterpillar will eat me.
(None of the kids rode the creepy caterpillar.)

Another Friday Sky (207/365)

TIME: 7:43
PLACE: Greenmount Cemetery, looking west
SUBJECT: Sky

On my way to Lowe’s and the dreaded Wal-Mart, I passed by the cemetery and stopped to visit Mom. 



TIME:  7:45 PM

Some people find cemeteries creepy and eerie, but I’ve always felt that they are beautiful, peaceful places.

TIME:  7:48 PM

I don’t know why, but whenever I get to feeling that everything is just too much, I can go walk around a cemetery and feel better.  It’s quiet and helps me put things into perspective.

TIME:  7:49 PM

Greenmount Cemetery is located at the top of a hill, and looks over orchards and farmlands.  It has some wonderful views, especially at sunset.

Baseball (204/365)

TIME:  7:32 to 10:06 PM
PLACE:  Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO
SUBJECT:  Sights at the ballgame – Cards vs. Phillies

DramaQueen and I went to the ball game courtesy of tickets she received from school.  We were in Section 344 – Infield Pavilion…high up but an awesome view.



Molina broke his bat and grounded out to the shortstop in the bottom of the 1st.


The setting sun cast a glow over downtown.

A beautiful breeze was blowing all evening here in the upper decks.  It was lovely.

We saw a winner!
Cardinals 4, Phillies 1

Walking the Hall (203/365)

TIME:  7:05 PM
PLACE:  High School
SUBJECT:  StellaDella, MonkeyBoy & DramaQueen

We registered MB for freshman year this evening.  DQ led him on a quick walk-through of his class schedule.

Numerically (202/365)

TIME:  9:21 AM
PLACE:  Car
SUBJECT:  Cash

Before DQ and I set off for the flea market, we stopped at the ATM.  Nothing like freshly minted bills!

Caturday (201/365)

TIME: 1:47 PM
PLACE:  The living room
SUBJECT:  Jack

Just relaxing and hanging this weekend.

Setting (200/365)

TIME:  8:04 PM
PLACE:  Around town
SUBJECT:  Sun

The sun was huge as it was setting tonight.

Countdown (199/365)

TIME:  5:24 PM
PLACE:  DramaQueen’s room
SUBJECT:  Door

Her door is a chalkboard.  She’s counting down the days until we leave for Florida.  I think she’s excited about it.

Backseat Driver (198/365)

TIME:  8:03 PM
PLACE: Jeep-High School fields
SUBJECT:  Oreo

It was time to pick up MonkeyBoy from soccer practice.  She watched me from the living room as I gathered my keys and purse.  I opened the back door, turned to face her and gave a small nod.  She ran through the house and was out the door like a shot.  Can you tell she loves car rides?

Energy (197/365)

TIME:  1:59 PM
PLACE:  Work
SUBJECT:  5-hour Energy

Sometimes?  I can use all the help I can get.

Morning (191/365)

TIME:  6:36 AM
PLACE:  Work
SUBJECT:  Sky

My day starts waaaay too early.

Airport Stalls (189/365)

TIME:  10:28 PM
PLACE:  Lambert International Airport, St. Louis, MO
SUBJECT:  Restroom

Dad was on vacation last week, visiting my brother in San Francisco.  I was supposed to pick him up from the airport on Saturday evening.  He was on his way to the San Francisco airport when the Asiana Airlines flight from Seoul crashed on landing.  Needless to say his flight home was cancelled.   He couldn’t get another flight out until today.  Via Cleveland.  And his plane was late departing San Francisco.  The good news?  His connecting flight in Cleveland that was coming in from Philly was late too!  He finally landed in St. Louis at 10:43pm.  Welcome home Pop!

Chocolate (188/365)

TIME:  7:54 PM
PLACE:  Kitchen
SUBJECT:  Hershey Bar with Almonds

I had to celebrate “National Milk Chocolate with Almonds Day”.

Power (188/365)

TIME:  8:13 PM
PLACE:  By the White Cottage
SUBJECT:  Electric Substation
(taken with cell phone – I hate taking pictures with the cell phone.)

After spending the day sanding and stripping woodwork for the bathroom, I needed ice cream. 
I went to the White Cottage and ate a Concrete with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and chocolate syrup.
It perked me up.

“Sorry For Any Convenience” (187/365)

TIME:  8:26 PM
PLACE:  Kitchen
SUBJECT:  City Sewer & Trash Billing

Maybe the wording is intentional. 
After all it *is* more convenient this month to have a lower bill. 
Next month? 
Not so much.
Gotta love my city.

Norfolk Southern (186/365)

TIME:  5:31 PM
PLACE:  North Belt East
SUBJECT:  Train

I was first in line at the crossing.  As you can see, it was a very short train.

Crossed Off the List (185/365)

TIME: 6:53 PM
PLACE: Six Flags Over Mid-America
SUBJECT: StellaDella

First item crossed off the Summer Bucket List : #1 – Ride everything at six flags. (Well, every ride we could fit in…close enough!)

I love her face on the American Thunder rollercoaster – the boy next to her is all “Yahhhhhhhh” and she is so nonchalant.

Good times…
 


TIME:  7:46 PM

Here are all three on the last ride, the Xcalibur…they look a bit grumpy.

The ride starts by spinning them horizontally.

…then starts to rise in the air while spinning vertically.

They are now fully vertical and spinning.

Coming back down – still spinning!!

Back down and stopped.
Hmmm…they’re expressions don’t look any different.
Time to go home.

Bare (184/365)

TIME:  6:49 PM
PLACE:  Dad’s
SUBJECT:  Refrigerator

The inside of my Dad’s refrigerator. 
This is considered normal for him.

Umbrella Fort (183/365)

TIME:  10:19 PM
PLACE:  Living room
SUBJECT:  StellaDella

SD constructed an umbrella fort in front of the TV in the living room.  She informed me that her plan is to spend the night sleeping under it.  She looks well prepared.

Small Visitor (182/365)

TIME:  3:28 PM
PLACE:  Front porch
SUBJECT:  Robin

This young robin landed on our porch.  It then pooped several times, hopped down the steps to the sidewalk and fluttered away.