Heathen #1's Eagle Scout Project Begins!

NEW milestone at the Zoo!  Heathen #1 has officially begun his Eagle Scout project!  Although he has had approval for a few months, he decided to wait until fall to begin.  He has decided to clear four trails at Living Waters Camp & Conference Center, located in Schellsburg, PA.  All three of our Heathens attend church camp here, and so did I and my siblings, and my father and his siblings as children.  Needless to say, I am thrilled with his choice of project!  He will also be building trail signs and mapping the trails as well.

The seriousness and dedication he has shown to this point is heartwarming - and occasionally earns a chuckle from me.  Having set himself a goal at the age of 6, the completion is almost in sight for him - and he is NOT taking any chances.

He packed up the tools needed and planned a work weekend!  He and his friends from the Troop cleared several miles of trails, working much faster than anticipated.

Now, he needs to design and build signs for all the trails, install the signs, map the trails on foot, and create a map!

Nothing to it (just 10 years of dedication to a goal).  Well done, Heathen.

Ode to the Asst. Zookeeper

The Asst. Zookeeper has done a dis-service to the rest of the population of "significant others."  And, sadly, because I have spent the past 17 (!!!) years of my life with him, sometimes I fail to notice it.  But this fact truly jumped to my attention this week.

This past Sunday, I loaded up 7 scouts from our Cub Scout Pack, along with 2 additional parents, and we headed to resident camp - an overnight camp that last from Sunday afternoon until Wednesday evening.  The scouts range in age from 7 to 10.

The Asst. Zookeeper helped me with all the loading of equipment - and thankfully thought of a few items that I had forgotten to put on the packing list.  He then spent his Sunday afternoon pulling a trailer to camp and assisting me with getting the boys all set up.  He did most of the set up alone while the scouts were touring the camp - I came back to a campsite that was ready to go.

Then he stayed late into the night to make the scouts' their snack - cinnamon rolls in the dutch ovens.  He didn't head home from camp until almost 11 pm.  And he had to be up and out the door for work by 5 am the following morning.  Did I mention camp is an hour from home?

Monday evening, he left work and came straight back out to camp.  The Asst. Zookeeper proceeded to heat up the dutch ovens again and proceeded to make 10 dozen chocolate chip cookies for snack.  And again, he didn't leave camp until almost 11 pm.

Tuesday evening, he went straight home after work because we were having pizza in our treehouse with my nephew.  After a full day of work, the man was willing to crawl up into the treehouse with a two-year-old and eat pizza on paper plates.

Wednesday evening, he headed straight to camp from work to help tear everything down so that the scouts could come home.  We didn't get to the house until after 8 pm.

Around 11 pm, we were sitting in bed and watching some sitcom on television.  I was checking Facebook on my phone.  One of our friends had posted something very sad.

"Sad day at the O---- household. Bob the raccoon and her baby got hit by a car last night. The girls are broken hearted."

Her family has spent the past few years feeding a raccoon they named "Bob" before discovering that "he" was really a "she."  They have watched Bob and her babies every summer.  Unfortunately, Bob and this year's baby were hit by a car on Wednesday evening - right beside their driveway.  The girls were understandably upset.  Their mother was making a point of turning the other direction out of the driveway so that the girls wouldn't see the poor raccoons every time they left the house.

We live less than a mile from this friend.  I looked over at the Asst. Zookeeper and asked him, "Any chance you want to drive over and move the raccoons off the road?"  He just looked at me for a minute.  Then he got up, put his shoes on, and headed out the door.  When I looked out the window, all I could see was him, with shovel in hand, headed for his truck.

The Facebook post the following morning:
"Not sure if it was a coincidence or an awesome act of kindness...but both raccoons are gone. The girls noticed right away and were so relieved. THANK YOU!!!!"

While I wish more people were married to someone like my Asst. Zookeeper, unfortunately, I'm not planning to let him go anytime soon.

To my Asst. Zookeeper:
You spoil me shamelessly.  You tolerate my quirks, usually with a smile and a shake of your head.  Thank you - I am a VERY lucky girl.  Love ya!

A Glimpse of My World

While there are some days when I want to rip my hair out because the Heathens frustrate me, there are many more days like this one:

Found this on the stove this morning, waiting for me to wake up.

Yup, LOVE my Heathens.  Even when they drive me insane, they can still melt my heart.

Three Miles Worth of Condom Thoughts

For those that are unaware, I'm a runner.  Most times a dedicated one, but not always.  There are many "loops" around the Zoo that I use depending on time available and how dedicated I'm feeling on any particular day.

While I run, I listen to music - it helps to pass the time and occasional boredom of looking at the same landscapes.  However, sometimes the thoughts that run through my head are so loud that I don't realize that the music is still playing until I'm done running and have to turn it off.

This occurred last week:

I was not feeling overly dedicated and the weather was a bit muggy.  I picked the three mile loop that circles the Zoo.  I was only about 100 feet out of our driveway when the loud thoughts began.

I'm accustomed to seeing trash along the road when I run.  The Zoo is situated along a highway.  I've seen food wrappers, cups, etc.  But I came across my first condom along the edge of the road.  Here are the thoughts:

Yuck!
Who would do that?
Wonder which way he was driving?
Was he driving alone?
One of my neighbors?
Did the event happen in the car?
If so, why start home with that still with you?
If it didn't happen in the car, why take it INTO the car?

At this point, I passed a SECOND condom!  Only about 100 feet further up the road!  And the thoughts went faster!

Same person?
Traveling the same direction as the first?
Different people?
Could definitely be different people!
What if he has two girlfriends!
What if they don't know about each other!
Wonder how far apart (time wise) those were tossed out the window?
What if the events are COMPLETELY unrelated?
What are the chances that two condoms end up on the same road that
      close together, but tossed out windows by different people?

AND AT THIS POINT I PASSED A THIRD CONDOM!

GOOD LORD!
What are the chances?
Run this loop for 18 months and watch the cars pass.  Now look what I find!
Three people?
With three separate people?
One person with three girlfriends?
Do the girlfriends all live around me?
Wonder where the closest "pull off" location is to here?  Lots of trees
     and fields around.
Who lives in these houses?
What if the girlfriend isn't single?!?!?
INTERESTING...
If it was three separate people, what are the chances of this happening?
I wonder if I would use this as an example of probability and
     statistics in a math class?
The students would definitely pay attention.  Would I get in trouble with the college?
If I was at home and had paper and pencil, I could draft the example problems.
Wonder what concepts would fit this example the best?
If I had chosen a different career path, I would be able to run the tests
      to KNOW if it was different people?!?!?!
Do I know anyone in that field that I could coerce into running the tests for me?
I should carry rubber gloves when I run.  Never know when you might
     need to collect test samples.
Wonder how many classes I would have to take to be able to run those types of test?
How long will I have to run past the condoms?
Are those biodegradable?
I'll have to check the packaging next time I go to the store.  It may
     state how long they take to disintegrate.
That would be an interesting science fair project!
I don't think I want to take that phone call from the school.
Would the school call or would I just get a letter?
Imagine having to place that phone call!  "Sorry, but your son can not do
     an experiment on how long it takes different brands of condoms to
     biodegrade along the roadside as his science fair project.  Wouldn't
     you like to build a paper mache volcano?"
Might be a better high school project!  Definitely easier to collect used
     condoms at that age level.
Imagine trying to collect the data!  Schools have bins for collecting things
     all the time!
"Used condoms here" I can see the sign!
Wonder if the people would help fill out the information you would need
     for the experiment: brand of condom, date, time and location of use, etc.
If the project was about being biodegradable, imagine having to
     choose a road for the experiment!!!
And people get upset when they do road construction - imagine it!
Would the condoms all have to be thrown from moving vehicles?
      Wonder if that would affect the rate of decay?
That would be interesting to run past! All the condoms would be
     labeled and you could collect data on your daily run!

At this point, I had completed my three miles and was back in my own driveway.  However, the thoughts have not stopped!  They still randomly pop into my head at times.

I haven't run that loop since.  Rather afraid to see what might still be there - or not!

Missing In Action - A Year Gone By

Amazingly, I've not written or posted in an ENTIRE YEAR!  Not that events have ceased at the Zoo - quite the contrary.  If anything, events have increased in occurrence and intensity for the past year.

I'm hoping to spend the next few weeks getting caught up on the last year of life.  Not sure how I'll get the posts into the current order, but I'll see what happens.  The joy of taking as many digital pictures as I do is that I have photographic reminders of the past year - complete with dates of occurrence!

Several things occurred this year that took my attention away from here.  First, Heathen #1 started high school.  Second, Heathen #2 started middle school.  Third, I increased the number of hours I worked outside of the home as well as started running on an almost daily basis.  Between the Heathens' schedules and mine, I was falling into bed exhausted at the end of the day.  Getting out of bed early became a pipedream completely.

This past year felt to be out of control at many times - with each of the Heathens individually, with the Zoo as a whole, with just myself as my brain whirled with lists of things that needed to be accomplished by a certain date.  There were sleepless nights and stress-filled days. 

And yet, through it all, the Zoo remained intact.  The Heathens grew both physically and as the men they are destined to be one day.  The Asst. Zookeeper and I continued to function happily together and still think (mutually) that we have an amazingly strong marriage.

What a year it has been.

Color Me Rad - PITTSBURGH!

Found the race closer to home!  The Zoo used it as the event to welcome in the Summer of 2013.  The Heathens and I spent several hours at the local stores putting together outfits for the race and finding white shirts that would fit everyone!

We hit major traffic before we even reached the exit for the race.  The younger two Heathens entertained themselves by waving to passing cares and motioning for tractor trailers to honk their horns. 

Once we arrived on site, we collected our items and headed for the start line!

None of us stayed clean for long!

 

Heathen #1

Usually the one with the camera,
they got a photo of ME!

Heathen #1

Heathen #2 ran the race in a HUGE
Superman cape.  He had a blast!

Another rare photo - the Asst.
Zookeeper and I together!

Heathen #1



After the race, the Heathens were all starving (not surprising!) - so we stopped at a McDonald's on the way home.  Did I mention we didn't clean up, we didn't change clothes, and the Asst. Zookeeper and I were still wearing the headbands?  We were quite popular at the restaurant!

The entire Zoo!

My favorite three Heathens!

The Zoo has already registered to run another Color Me Rad in Morgantown, WV in September.  We weren't even home from this one when they were begging to do it again.  Such a SHAME our Zoo never has any fun together!

Geraniums (NOT!) & A Post Office

This past weekend, the Asst. Zookeeper and I put Heathen #3 in the car and headed out to see what we could find.  Our first stop was at the annual Geranium Festival in Connellsville, PA.  Heathen #3 and I had big plans.  We were going to buy lots of geraniums and make a garden for Grandma at the Zoo - because she hates geraniums.  We practiced our evil chuckles on our hour drive to the festival and talked about all the geraniums we were going to see.

We arrived in Connellsville to find out that the Geranium Festival DID NOT HAVE ANY GERANIUMS.  It consisted of two blocks worth of craft and food booths.  But no geraniums.  When we asked about the flowers, we were told they were all sold as soon as the festival opened that morning.  We immediately made plans to arrive at the festival earlier next year and talked about making sure we arrived at their fall Mum Festival early as well!

We decided to take the long way home.  On our way, we passed a post office that REQUIRED we stop and go back for a photo!

The Asst. Zookeeper and Heathen #3

If the Zoo ever decides to relocate, we just may have to relocate to Normalville, PA - just for the address!

A Moment of Pride and Maturity

Heathen #1 is in the orange boat in the
foreground.

Stoneycreek Rendevous arrived on the Zoo's schedule again - much to Heathen #1's delight and impatience!  Since this particular Heathen turned 12 and was placed in a whitewater kayak, he has been an addict.

In the past three years, he has managed to outgrow two boats - one for each season he has paddled.  As we were loading gear to head for the river this weekend, the Asst. Zookeeper mentioned that Heathen #1 had outgrown his current boat.  I groaned - all I could see were dollar signs.  A new boat usually requires a new skirt to fit the cockpit.  Ugh.

When we arrived at the river, Heathen #1 immediately headed for the boat vendors to inspect what was around.  After about 45 minutes, he came back asking if he could have $25 to demo a boat for the weekend.  He had found a brand new Fluid Dope that would allow him another six inches of growth.  The Asst. Zookeeper went and inspected the boat to make sure it fit our Heathen correctly and allowed him to exit his boat safely.

For the past two seasons, Heathen #1 has spent in the wave at Greenhouse park and at roll clinics.  We were not letting him go down the river until we were comfortable sending him.  He finally reached that point - and we told him he could sign up for the beginners trip.  We were gifted with a bigger smile than on a Christmas morning and I got a hug so big I'm pretty sure he cracked my ribs.

He made the trip downriver without any trouble.  We even managed to find him a group to run the river again on the second day.  Heathen #1 had a wonderful weekend - he was exhaused when he finally got home, but he was already asking when he could run the river again. 

Just finished his first run down the river.

Heathen #1 handling the new boat in the wave.

 After finishing his first run downriver, the Asst. Zookeeper and I were prepared for the question, "Can I have that boat?"  We had already come to the conclusion that his old boat was no longer safe for him to paddle.  Heathen #1 had grown so much since last season that he could no longer safely exit his boat - he kept getting stuck.  NOT ACCEPTABLE to either the Asst. Zookeeper or to me.  As the Momma that tends to be nervous about this sport anyway, I wasn't comfortable with him taking that boat anywhere that we couldn't see him.

However, Heathen #1 startled us in a wonderful way.  When he approached us about purchasing the boat, he already had gotten a price.  His proposal: would the Asst. Zookeeper and I be willing to loan him the money.  He would make enough at his summer job at scout camp to cover the cost of the boat.  But he wouldn't be able to get as good of a price later in the season when he would have the cash in hand.

The Asst. Zookeeper and I just looked at each other - but we didn't have to talk about it.  His request was very reasonable.  He already had the job secured for the summer.  And he wasn't asking us to buy him a new boat like most kids would do.  I was so proud of my fifteen-year-old!  It was such a mature request.

Maybe the Asst. Zookeeper and I aren't doing such a terrible job of civilizing the Heathens as we occasionally think.  Well done, Heathen #1.  Enjoy the boat, baby, and paddle safely.  You have so much to look forward to and I can't wait to see where the river of your life will take you.

A happy Heathen #1!

 

Wolf Cub to Bear Cub!

It was a big afternoon for Heathen #3!  Today was the bridging ceremony for the Pack.  Heathen #3 removed his yellow Wolf neckerchief  and donned the blue neckerchief of a Bear Cub!

The Asst. Zookeeper removed his neckerchief
and they left it on the far side of the bridge.

 

Preparing for the bridge crossing!

 

Den leader Glenn Stutzman met the Asst. Zookeeper and
Heathen #3 on the end of the bridge.

 

Picking up the blue Bear neckerchief!

 

Heathen #3 and the Asst. Zookeeper are just to the left of
Noah Logan and BIL #2.

 

Congratulations to the newest Bear Cubs!

Well done, Heathen! 

Joining the Lord's Table

Notice the bunny ears on Heathen #2 and
the serious look on Pastor's face.

Mother's Day this year saw the Zoo celebrating Heathen #2's First Communion!  I thought it was the perfect Mother's Day present!

After sitting through several classes and meetings with Pastor, we had to attend one last meeting with both the Asst. Zookeeper and I as well.  I was thrilled with how well Heathen #2 participated in the class.  He listened carefully and knew the answers to the questions.  The best part was the look of horror on Heathen #2's face when one of the little boys started hanging and swinging from the communion rail in front of the church.  I think holding the Heathens' first communions until they are a bit older has helped them to understand the importance of what they are partaking in.

Pastor Bob is a favorite with my Heathens.  While he takes his calling very seriously, he also loves to play with the kids.  He tells jokes, scares them by jumping around corners at them, and he loves to laugh with them.

Pastor Bob Wagner and Heathen #2

Grandma made a beautiful cake,

 Congratulations, Heathen #2 on reaching another milestone.

Perfect Gift from Texas

As my brother and his family live in Texas, I travel there once or twice a year.  Sometimes for an event, sometimes for no reason other than to visit.  I usually travel alone to Texas for several reasons.  First, the cost of flying five people to Texas for a weekend is simply ridiculous.  Second, I avoid pulling the Heathens out of school as much as possible.  And, third, sometimes I just need some time to not be "Momma" for a day or so to be able to recharge.

My Heathens all own multiple Texas t-shirts.  So, I was looking at a dilemma when I headed for the airport this time around.  The younger two Heathens, in particular, were rather upset that I was leaving for the weekend.  They asked me to bring them something.

I scoured all the airport shops looking for something that stated it was from Texas that the Heathens would really like.  After several hours or t-shirts, key chains, cowboy hats, and plastic boots, I hit the jackpot and spotted these at a register:

To make them even MORE perfect, they were available in the three colors I've used for my Heathens since they were born (blue for Heathen #1, green for Heathen #2, and yellow for Heathen #3)!

The Heathens were happily grossed out by them.  Heathen #3 even waited to be able to take his to school and show his teacher.  Now, how to top scorpion lollipops on the NEXT trip to Texas....

Freshman Letter WINNER

Told him to smile.

Heathen #1 had only ONE goal for swimming this year - to earn his Letterman's jacket.  Today, he brought home the proof of his accomplishment!!!

I told him to REALLY smile because he didn't look very
happy in the original photo.  :)

Bunny Clothes

At the Zoo, the Easter Bunny doesn't bring buckets of candy.  He always brings some candy, but he also brings small toys, usually a combination of strange and silly things.  He's been known to bring sandals, swimming trunks, beach towels and candy that makes noise.

Once thing the Easter Bunny has ALWAYS put in the Heathens' baskets are new clothes to wear to church on Easter morning.  Strangely enough, the Heathen's are always excited to see the new clothes!

Weird Heathens - what small heathen likes dress clothes?

Easter 2013

The Rabbit Strikes Again

The Heathens never fail to make me laugh.  Several years ago, the Asst. Zookeeper was being silly while the Heathens were dying Easter eggs and pretended to drink the egg dye.  Every year since, the Heathens do the same thing.  What weirdos.

Eating things they shouldn't.

Sadly, this is rather normal.

Not sure what he was thinking...

Easter morning dawned EARLY and bright as always.  Usually Heathen #2 is the first out of bed and then proceeds to wake the other Heathens.   

Again, normal.

I kept waiting for him to fall off the ottoman.
Somehow, he never did.

Again, normal.

This is what happens when I say,
"Look here, I want a picture."

After the Heathens had all found their baskets, I wanted one picture of the three of them together with their baskets.  The following is the collection of pictures I managed to get.  Not one photo of everyone looking at the camera with nice smiles.  But I think I like this collection of photos better - it truly shows who my Heathens are and what life is truly like here at the Zoo.

 

 

 

 

 

Lord, I love my Heathens.