July 2004 Archives

What did Auntie Carol do for TEN days in Indiana?

1. Delighted in telling Sarah and Rachel they have tickets to see Clay Aiken in concert WITH Auntie Carol when she returns in August.

2. Was inspired by Rick Whitaker's performance of "Proud To Be An American" at boat church for the Nth year in a row.

3. Was mesmerized and intoxicated by Clay Aiken's performance of "Proud To Be An American" at the White House on the Fourth of July.

4. Prepared for the next Clay Aiken concert in Wisconsin --- which she attended on the way home from Indiana.

5. Walked the Forest Glen 5K (almost) every morning --- and set PRs each day.

6. Held an intensive multi-day training seminar on aesthetic applications . . .
i.e. make-up and hair-dos.

7. Oh. and she did a little shopping . . .

8. Shopping

9. SHOPPING

10. AND SOME MORE SHOPPING!!!!

Did you get the impression that Auntie Carol is very "focused"?

Remember, this the beloved aunt who taught my girls to "Shop 'til you drop" and how to say "Charge it!" when they were just toddlers.

On my day off, however, I did provide them with a break in their grueling routine and taught them how to marble. Even Gramma Bev couldn't resist!

The other perhaps unfamiliar face in the picture is our niece Shannon who surprised us with a visit from Florida. (She just LOVES to have her picture taken.) She went back to Minnesota with Carol and Mark --- and got to see Clay on the way --- but we still don't know if she was inaugurated into the Aiken Hearts fan club . . .

And one of the culminating highlights of the week was . . . BINGO!

Here you can see how all the hard work shopping and primping paid off.

"All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players.
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages."

--From As You Like It (II, vii, 139-143)

While most of us are celebrating Independece day by NOT having to work, Tracy is celebrating her first real Independence Day by giving thanks that she CAN work.

Tracy (and her parents) are proud to announce that Tracy is now gainfully employed as an actress at The New American Shakespeare Tavern in Atlanta, Georgia!

You can check it out at www.shakespearetavern.com.

Congratulations Tracy!!!

In this family, it is NOT baseball and apple pie that come to mind when talking about all-American traditions. Instead, it's the flotilla and fireworks on the lake.

Lake Tippecanoe still has the traditional daytime flotilla. (We entered a float one year and almost sank the boat and our family ties, hence we have not been brave enough to enter again.) Lake Wawasee has started a great new tradition of having a lighted flotilla at night.

If you have never seen fireworks from the water, you should. (Unfortunately, I missed the photo op last night because the downpour of rain didn't stop until minutes before the fireworks began, so I ran out without a camera.) Nevertheless, the fireworks were spectacular, especially set to the background of synchronized patriotic music from a local radio station.

Another all-American tradition in this family is boat church on Fourth of July weekend. Auntie Carol comes all the way from Minnesota just to hear Rick Whitaker sing "Proud to be an American" from a pontoon on Lake Tippecanoe. He's been singing every year since at least 1993 - and Auntie Carol has been there for almost every performance.

Here's one of my favorite photos - and quotes - from last year.