The Unspectacular Quirk Meme

I had never heard of “memes” until I was tagged by sister-in-law, Kelly. So this will be a new experience for me.
The way she explained it is that I tell you 6 "unspectacular quirks" of mine, and then I mention 6 people and they have to list their quirks on their blog. Well, I can send it on to 3 as I only have that many people I know...still building!

As I have never done this before, bear with me….

1. I LOVE Battenberg cake…this is definitely one of those pleasures I truly miss from our time in England. If I could learn how to make this cake properly….ooh the poundage!

2. I am totally a morning person. Unless, you have me doing manual labor I turn into a pumpkin by 9:30 pm…how very sad!

3. AVERAGE…this is what I am labeled when it comes to height…but when your three brother border on or above six foot as well as your sister, it really makes me wonder how I got shorted in the gene pool.

4. My favorite movie is the original “Sabrina.” I love Audrey Hepburn and if I could look and act as elegant…WOW!

5. I am anxious for the beginning of band season. Our daughter, Kellie, will once again be performing with the color guard, but this year she will be adding weaponry…both rifle and saber. I am both excited by the thrill of the competition, but worried about possible injuries she may get in the process.

6. I like it when Roy and I get to take a nice quiet walk. They don’t happen a lot as he is usually working late or we have one or both kids to go to extra curricula’s. It really means a great deal to me.

And here are my friends that I hope will share unspectacular quirks: Jaime, Cami and Angela!

Marriage is like Baseball...

For our anniversary, we sent Kellie off to band camp in Ferdinand, IN and Roy & I celebrated by taking Neil to an Otters game. Now, it might not sound like the most "romantic" way to celebrate, there are many similarities between marriage and baseball. I hope you enjoy this article I found that discusses this very topic!

Baseball And Marriage

Peter Griffith
Daily Herald May 15, 1982

Baseball and marriage have much in common. Both are a team effort. You can't play baseball by yourself. You need others and have to get along with them. Marriage needs a partner. If marriage reaches a point where getting along is not possible, the marriage is over.

You strike out in marriage if you don't communicate or listen. If you want to connect and make a hit with your partner adhere to rules of communication. Don't talk to your spouse from the other end of the house or from another room. Walls absorb or muffle sounds. Speak out your spouse's name first. This sends the message that you want to talk with them, not with others in the house. If you don't speak their name at the beginning of a sentence, for all they know, you could be talking to the cat. Talk WITH, not AT your partner. Share ideas, rather than give commands. Giving criticism or directions which aren't wanted, is as effective as swinging at a wild pitch.

Always touch base. Baseball games have been lost because a runner missed touching a base. Touching base is important in marriage. Give affection and attention, in small, consistent doses. There's no point in saving all your affection and attention for the end of day, perhaps hoping to get to "home base" if you fail to provide support, compliments and gentleness during the rest of the day.

Every inning in baseball is a new beginning. The score from the previous innings remain, but things start again with the bases clear.

Marriage constantly needs new beginnings. Scores from past innings may be around but as opposed to baseball, they aren't to be counted. In healthy marriages old scores aren't carried forward. They may be remembered for a while, since we are human, but old scores can't be carried into the present. The key for doing this is forgiveness, the base on which a marriage is built, and lasts.

Marriage may be like a baseball game in many ways, but it must be played quite differently. The stakes and rewards in marriage are also much more important in your life, despite how much you may like baseball.

17 years and still growing...

Today, Roy and I celebrate our 17th wedding anniversary. We have been blessed through the examples of his parents who have been married 56 years as well my parents with their 40 years as of yesterday. We have been blessed with so many friends from around the world who have helped us to love more deeply, to grow more in faith and appreciate the gift of marriage in our lives.

"May God, our Father,
continue to bless our marriage from above,
and may we always dwell within the circle of His love."

Our Artist Neil

This summer Neil wanted to go to art camp. The Evansville Art Museum created an art camp for this summer and Neil had a blast. His teacher gave him a great deal of freedom and yet challenging projects. Roy and I were very impressed with the pieces he has created. In the photo, you can see him with his favorite one, but the watercolor landscape in the background is Mom’s favorite!

Summer Harvest

On the Ackerman Homestead, several of our garden projects are begin to ripening. Roy’s tomatoes are slowly getting red, but our blueberry bush is doing very well. Neil loves to go out and pick them in the morning. Right now we get about a cup a day which works well with us so we are not wasting any, but it won’t be long before we will be picking even more a day. YUM!

Oooohhh, Cadbury!

The Ackerman's received a most delicious package yesterday. Our dear friends, Marion, John & Domonic from England had shipped over a box full of different Cadbury chocolate bars and chocolate coated "biscuits" to spoil us! What a treat! We will savor every bite and will think of the Malley's! THANK YOU, FRIENDS!

40 Years of Blessings and Love

Today, Roy, the kids and I are going to help Mom and Dad celebrate their 40th Wedding Anniversary. In honor of this achievement, I would like to recognize their dedication and love for each other while providing my brothers, my sister and myself with a faith-based and loving home. THANK YOU, MOM & DAD! Here is to 40 more years!

Friends are Forever!

On Monday, I had the most enjoyable day! After many years of not knowing where we were and what we were doing, I was able to get in contact with one my "bestest" friends from grade school and high school, Lori. But the day was more special because I was able to get in touch with two other friends, Susan and Jenny. I think it has probably been at least 15 years since we had been together…but Monday helped to make up for lost time.

The kids and I drove to Vincennes and we met everyone at Gregg Park and enjoyed a lovely day at Rainbow beach. It was amazing to meet everyone’s beautiful children and find out what was going on in their lives since high school. It is our hope to stay in better touch and try to meet more often throughout the year. God continues to bless me with special people in my life. He provided for this wonderful opportunity and I really needed this experience this summer. Their presence was a true blessing for me.

Picking Potatoes with Grandpa

Last weekend we drove to Illinois to visit with Roy’s parents. At one point, Grandpa Ackerman wanted to dig for potatoes. They were able to dig up quite a few and THEY WERE REALLY GOOD EAT…YUM!

Freedom Festival & July 4th!

For 30 years, Evansville has hosted a Freedom Festival that begins the last weekend of June and culminates on July 4th. During that time, there are several air shows; many food booths along the riverfront; and Thunder on the Ohio (boat races). It is a wonderful time to celebrate our freedoms and have a great deal of family fun!

Freedom Festival and July 4th in Evansville Photos

Neil is in the cockpit!

Roy thought this was a really neat plane.

The Ackerman's on the 4th of July in Grandma & Grandpa's garden.

OOOH! Fireworks

Camping in Spring Mill

The Ackerman’s along with several other families from Neil’s Cub Scout troop enjoyed a lovely camping trip at Spring Mill State Park the end of June. The weather was great…not too hot, not too cool and no rain! We went hiking, cave exploring and visited the village. Some of the families had campers, but we enjoyed our tent camping!

We had a great deal of fun and it brought back a great of memories from when my family would visit Spring Mill and would go on our camping trips. It was a great weekend for everyone!

Neil and Roy after setting up camp!

Neil and friend inside the cave

Kellie is ready for the canoe...

Laura and Roy in the great outdoors!

A view of Spring Mill Village

Take Me Out To The Ballgame!

On a nice evening, we took the kids to watch our "Evansville Otters" play at home! We had a really fun time and Neil enjoyed meeting Evan the Otter!