Taking Shane to Highroad + Our Time (Summer)

Sunday morning started with Pip helping Carrie get the supplement cups ready for the barn.

The dogs were armed and ready for launch the moment Laura and Amy showed up!

They zoomed out barking a greeting to the Sunday AM barn crew! Carrie followed soon thereafter.

Shane and I went to church. I found him playing Smash Bros in the Youth Group room.

I let him finish his game before we ran out on errands.

The gate has been acting up and Carrie wanted to test the battery. A new battery was cheaper with the return of an old one. It was $20 and O'Reily's was only a few minutes off the route we'd be taking later, so it was easy to wait (I used it as a math/economic lesson for Shane).

Today was the day Shane went to Camp Highroad! This was the camp of my youth for me and all of my siblings. Triple R Ranch was Carrie's, so now Shane will have experienced the camp of both sides of his family.

We normally went with a friend, but Shane had to go solo. I kept encouraging him and telling "he was built better for camps than I ever was!" It helps that I meant it. Shane's not a picky eater, he's not allergic to the sun, and he's a super-energetic extrovert². When he learns how to actively listen, focus on others, and talk through things I think he'll become an awesome friend for anyone lucky enough to meet him. Maybe that will happen here!

I'm proud of who he's been and the boy he's become. I'm looking forward to seeing who Shane keeps growing into.

We said our goodbyes and left Shane with his counselors. This was all my idea and I set everything up, so I was praying real hard everything went well!

I love you, Shane!

Carrie was hungry, so we stopped for a snack on the way home in Middleburg. I'd eaten before we left the house, but I helped some with the potato chip nachos. The ride home was easier than the ride up. We avoided all the crazy traffic at the polo grounds. I never realized Polo was still that popular (or maybe it's just a reason to par-tay for many).

We replaced the gate battery when we got home. It was a beautiful moon.

I kicked my Monday off with a physical. Deadpan yaaaaayyyy...

I've been exercising lately and I'm doing well with only two exceptions. 

First, my cholesterol is getting higher. My overall level was 219 mg/dl and my LDL was up to 151 mg/dl (7/3/23). The doctor said if it goes up next year he'll likely recommend medication. I may be able to keep it down with some changes in my diet.

Second, my testosterone was low. I was at 252 nh/dL when 348 - 1197 ng/dL is considered the "green range" on the results. I feel fine and healthy, but agreed to try some testosterone replacement therapy (basically I get a shot every 2 weeks). The goal being I stay healthy and active in all the ways that will help my marriage (some things change as you get older). 

The physical was "fun," but aside from that Carrie and I did almost everything together the rest of our alone time. We did chores side by side like a certain two baby ponies.

We went into town and ate out almost everyday, too. We stopped by the new convenience center on the way.

I don't know what those people were complaining about. The new spot was awesome! It's right on the way to town. The only downside was the recycling wasn't single stream. We have to separate everything out.

We stopped by Dover and I surprised Carrie by telling her we were going to the Bamboo House for dinner! It's north of town and looks sketchy to say the least. However, all of the reviews are that it's an awesome Korean restaurant. 

Unfortunately, two things happened. First, with a grind and a clunk, the Subaru's AC broke. The cold got replaced by hot. Second, there was a sign on the Bamboo House's door saying "Carry Out only!" The door was unlocked and it looked like some sort of outdated lodge and bar with all the lights off. We drove that way for nothing!

We turned around and drove back into town. We ate at Wegmans and discovered Halo Top ice cream! It's AWESOME. Yeah, it doesn't taste as rich as full ice cream, but at ~350 calories with 18g of protein and fiber for a whole pint it's taste to nutrition ratio is wonderful. It's a new craze in our household.

We probably watched at least one episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds each day. It's been a lot of fun!

There was a lot of relaxing, but we took care of a lot of business, too. I wrote to Shane at Highroad each day and told him about all the work we were up to. I hoped it would help him be grateful to be at camp rather than being working right along side us (I didn't save the letters this time! Drat)!

We spent time working on the new feed room. Carrie worked on a table with built in chargers and I worked on a mirror unit for above the sink.

I waited until I was almost done to tell Carrie it was a race!

It looked good hung up! You can see, also, see where Carrie fastened a drape to guarantee no water could splash on the water heater (electricity + water = BAD!).

Carrie's spent time working on extending our wifi to the room, as well. 

We hung up some other finishing touches just as Laura and Amy arrived one day to check on Ernie.

Another day, we worked on the gator. It wouldn't start. We suspected it was a starter/battery issue. We couldn't haul it anywhere since we couldn't load it on the trailer. It was cheaper to have the dealership pick it up than have someone drive out to us.

I had to clean out the back of the gator and haul everything off into the woods. I took pictures and texted Carrie updates.

I used the Subaru instead of hoofing it myself.

Then I hosed everything down.

Carrie was home later and we tag teamed to tow the gator to an easier pickup point. She drove the truck while I walked alongside and steered the gator (Two people make so many jobs soooo much easier).

It was up the driveway and ready when the truck came. He used a jump start unit and was able to get the gator to start for easier loading. We heard later it was the original battery from the shop (They replaced it).

At some point, we need to get the mower serviced and it's blades sharpened, but there's only so much time in the day. 

I think it was Wednesday we decided to clear out all the construction junk (The dumpster would have been great).

We were already sweaty and nasty so we searched for everything we could to make it as big a load as possible. We drove to the Albemarle dump instead of the Fluvanna one this time, because we thought it'd be easier to unload there. 

We had a moment when we got there. There was an Oldsmobile hauling an open trailer in front of us. I don't know how full it was when they started their journey, but it looked suspiciously empty here.

Here is a basically finished pictures of the new feeding room, too. Eventually, a futon couch will pop up. Carrie had to screw the sup cup holder into the wall, as well.

The big reason why Shane was at camp this week was the 4th of July. Carrie's been an anxious mess each year we've been at the farm. He loves it, she hates it, it's just easier to have him somewhere he can be excited about it.

She did much better this year. There were some fireworks over the weekend that pissed her off, but the actual 4th went well. 

Carrie camped out inside and we watched TV. I had all the horses in, fans on, and went out to check on them regularly and give her reports. Abby was nervous (normal), but Boomer was, too. Maybe it was his first time being around them, but he was from Kentucky. I assume they love their explosions there, but he was also on a super fancy ranch and may have been far removed from any celebrations.  

Little one still uses the couch as his safe place. If you're not careful, he'll surprise you by coming up the back of it! Carrie found out he'll play with long hair, too!

Aria still stalks him. 

She's aggressive whenever she sees him out and about. It's a problem and we haven't found a solution yet. Making Aria a barn cat has come up. She's the attacker while Pip is the victim in the scenario (Plus, Aria sometimes pees in the house, so that's a strike against her). She's got a hunting instinct and liked it before, so it may happen.

Tsuki has that hunting instinct, too, and loves to destory bugs.....but she's shown no inclination towards darting out a door. She likes her cozy life inside!

Carrie does what she can to integrate Pip, but Aria's swatted at him even when Pip's been on Carrie.

But that's enough of a tangent. Carrie and I spent a lot of time working in the barn and watching TV in the house. We ate good food, cuddled lots, and enjoyed our time together. I love summer!

But how was Camp Highroad for Shane? That's the next post.