Demolition Derby!

So I've been going to the Prince William County fair for 2 years now, but I always seemed to miss the Demo Derby- cause it's always on a week day, and traffic an issue. But this year I was determind... so much infact I went twice. I had so much fun. I just get a burst of excitment when those cars come barreling at each other... maybe its the exaust fumes or something but it was soo neet.

See my pictures... and hopefully my video will come out ok too.

buzy weekend.

This weekend I really only had planned to attend a bridal shower on Saturday. All week I was thinking about going out to Lynchburg to visit my friend who was dog sitting. Then I'd visit some famly too, since all my cousin peeps are out that way. But come Friday after Katie's shower ran late Saturday... I wasn't really feelin it. A long, lonely, 4 hour drive just to get down there at like 9 pm- and then turn around and come back the next morning. Plus I really didn't have the gas money anyways. But when I called my friend to tell her I wasn't gonna make it out, she mentioned that another friend had also wanted to come ....but there was a car issue earlier in the week so they weren't gonna come either...

She got the bright idea to have us both ride down and since her friend was gonna drive down earlier and have to pay for gas- maybe they'd be able to chip in some money. Which actually worked out. I wasn't lonely on the long rip and I got gas money, and her friend had somebody to chat with and got to go!

Sunday morning, I left Beth and her friend at about noon. Then I visited my cousin Sheila for a bit. We sat and chatted and then we ran out to the grocerys store to pick up a few odds and ends. Then I hit my cousin Becky's place on the way home. Here's were the pictures come in.... Becky has Oscar, Charlie (aka Truffle) and Minnie, 3 weiner dog puppies! Check out how absolutely adorable they are....

Above: is Minnie Mouse she's sooo tiny, and just look at those sad puppy dog eyes!

Below: is her and her brother "Charlie (Brown)" [AKA: Truffle], sleepin next to each other. These are the new puppies My cousin Becky got after she fell head over heals for her first one "Oscar (meyer)".

Friday, August 14th

Tonight we went to the "Lazy Susan" to see, " Little shop of horrors". It was very good. The trip was as a going away to college - dinner, for Stacy.

But what stood out in my mind the most was on the way there... Jason and I were talking about going to Mardi Gras, next year. My grandmother was talking and she decided to put her 2cents in as well. She said something along the lines of "you guys can't go there... people get drunk and show off there boobs. I saw it on COPS." The whole car load of us began laughing histerically. I guess you had to be there. But I wanted to remember it forever.

PA Renfestival

Once again it is that time of year.

The renfest has become a big issue with family and friends. I don't for one second believe that it will be any different this year. I already have friends getting married on a faire day and a cousin is talking about getting a group together for the beach. What makes matters worst is Stacy... the Book-smart of the Devers clan, is off to college this month- a week and a half before our home faire starts. She is not at all pleased- but excited to go to college. I think we might just have to kidnap her for atleast one weekend if not more?

We decided to get a faire trip under our belts before she went away- and there is one faire in particular that owed us a small favor. That's right the Pennsylvainia faire, if any of you recall we attended the PARF on the last weekend of last PA REN-season and they kicked us out for rain. Granted it was raining pretty hard, we were ready to indure it since we drove 3 hours to get there and they claim to be a "rain or shine" faire. We were very upset when only 2-3 hours after we got there booths were closeing up left and right.... and then we got the sign that it was time to get outta there. We tasted and bought some wine at their wine barn while waiting for our ride to get there. And when we got home we wrote emails of concern to there "contact us" department.

PA Renfaire was very kind and while they couldn't do much but appoligize for natures wrath last year... they issued us 3 free tickets to this years merriment. We decided to use those free tickets yesterday... and wouldn't you know it -there was thunderstorms in our forcast once again.

But this time they only closed about an hour early and we got our fill -before they started to shew us twards the front. On our decend to the frount gate we were herded into a food booth by very allarmed faire staff. I was thinking "whats the big deal a little rain and some thunder?"... but apparently lightning struck one of the trees on the faire grounds. I guess thats good enough reason to kick everybody out?

Points of note:

*I got to try out my new antlers, which were defnately a hit. I love having the newest interesting faire accesories.

*I got a neat cup with the faire's logo on it (Stacy believes that this faire is more theme park-esk, she views the cup as a prime example). This cup got me $3 strawberry daquiri refills.

*I bought a new shot glass to go with my collection.

Cousin's weekend.

Last year we started a cousin's weekend on my mom's side of the family. It's an all girls 'all' cousins get-together that just involves us hanging out. There is sort-of an age limit, so a few of the cousins are not quite old enough to enjoy the festivities, but soon enough they too will be invited. Last year we picked up and went to VA Beach and had a blast. (top-Amy, Karyn, Stacy, Sheila, Becky, Me- in front of the Abbey Road - Beatles Restaurant)(Below-Sheila, Becky, Stacy, Me, and Amy~Karyn taking picture)

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But this year it just wasn't in the budget to all go to the beach so we opted to go to Kings Dominion instead. We all me up and Becky house and all took the trip in the giant white bus AKA-the Expedition. Once we got there we had a blast and we did a great job of saving some cash and still having fun- which was very important this year what with the economy and all.

~We bought discounted tickets on-line, and we brought a picnic lunch (much inspired by Mrs. Shelton). Instead of each paying like 10$ each for lunch, the night before we went to the grocery store and bought 2 loafs of bread, cheese, mustard, mayo and lunch meats. Our lunch costed us about $3/each. And there was some left over for the ride home.

We also adopted a new cousin... as she's been to allot of the family functions already we may as well call her a cousin too. Introducing Mel!

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Please enjoy the following pictures that help to pass on the fun had by all.... (most taken by Mel, as she failed to mention that she doesn't like rides? In any case I am glad she came and I'm sure the had a blast!)

~The six cousins take up all but one of the cars on the Avalanche- the chillest coaster ever! I am in the second car, then is Stacy.... but I don't quite remember the order after that. Please note the amazing skill of Mel's photography... we are actually sideways on this coaster and my I remind you how quickly coasters go by. Mel is very quick and talented too!

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Mel took this picture also... although we did talk her into getting on this ride with us later in the day and she loved it. (pictured in order front to back .. Amy, Stacy, Becky, Sheila, Karyn, and myself)

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Here were are waiting in line for the 'SCRAMBLER', a ride I have loved forever, and remember riding it when I was just a wee little Mandy... with Karyn no less. (pictured- from back to front- Sheila, Karyn, Becky, Myself, Stacy and Amy..... Mel taking picture.)

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This one Becky took, she found it quite hilarious that we were so concentrated on the game that we didn't realize our butts were being photographed. I love this pic... but I'm going to leave it to you to figure out who's is who's. (ha ha) P.S- extra points if you can figure out who won!

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And last pictured- but certainly not least the drenched picture. Let me explain- that as it was such a hot day... gross and humid we were going to eat our packed lunch in the comfort of the A/C in the bus...... I will now tell you that minutes, literally minutes, before this picture... I had requested that we not do any water rides, before we walked back to the bus for lunch- because I didn't want the girls sitting in Dads big white bus with their wet clothes on. Needless to say we hit the white water canyon after this and we 'cool-ly' dried off while eating lunch at the picnic tables outside of the park.

Nothing since March?

Nothing since March and here it is August. It's a shame. And whats worst... How do I catch you up? I am happy to say that I remembered to take lots of pictures.... I will do my best to keep things in order. Lets try to keep it to one event per month, eh?

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In April I saw "Rehab". It was an awsome show and we got really close! We saw them in Lynchburg at this awsome venue called "Cattle Annies". (in picture: lead singer, Danny Boone)

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May ... I went to the DC101 Chili cook-off with my friends Jaime, and Kelso! It was awesome, we saw bands such as; The Offspring, Third Eye Blind, Shinedown, Papa Roach, Puddle of Mudd, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, and Niki Barr Band. We also met the infamous "Flounder", and had our picture taken with him. Please excuse my odd facial expression, as this was take two and I was apparently still not ready. (In picture Jaime, Flounder, and Me)

Also in May... I'm cheating a little bit here ... 2nd post for May and all. -

My family had one of there traditional Memorial Day Camping trips. Petey (the doggie formaly known as 'Meaty') got to attend. There was some drama behind that whole fiasco but lets keep this happy shall we.

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June .... I went to 'Old Town- Alexandria' with Kelso and his wife Becca and we just happened upon the Red Cross Health festival... which was very neat and crafty... but even better was the (pirate) ship we got to board and check out. I love hangin with those two we always have a blast. (Kelso and Becca not pictured below... but don't worry you shall undoubtedly see them in future posts this year.)

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July... What can I say except we know how to party. July 4th was a blast -held out on Robbie's property down in southern VA. I'm not going to mention where exactly but check out these awesome fireworks! What can I say my family knows how to blow stuff up.

Also this fourth I found out that Petey thinks he's a lap dog and .... doesn't like fireworks.

Back-track to March please

I just realized the other day that I had not been keeping up with this blog. I try to, i promise. I even try to take pictures of all of my events, but sometimes it takes a good deal of effort to get the on the computer, and then onto the blog.....

Ok now that I am finished making excuses. Lets take a quick look back to March.

I attended the DC101 Shamrock fest, for a good wet time. It literally rained all day, it was misrble, and I had to leave with a friend before the band that I went to see even went on. To the left Racheal has her first ever TALL moment.

On a lighter note- Stacy attended this one. I don't think it was a good choice to pick for your first all day radio festival but, im glad she went. Aside from all the rain, i think she liked it.

"WILD AND WONDERFUL"

For my Valentines weekend, I decided to see a friend out in good ole' West Virginia. We had a great 5 day weekend. I took of work Wednesday - Friday, and I stayed out there in the middle of nowhere until Sunday Mid-day. West Virginia is very relaxing, but the fast speed limit and strange people are hard to get over. I very much enjoyed our Valentines Day couples 4wheeler trip out to "the wall"- though it was very scarry. And driving up to the pizza joint on our 4wheelers was neet to and just intime since it started to rain when we got there.

Nicky worked on my car a little bit, the normal checking fluids and tires, and he changed my fuel pump. Though if you ask him, he'll clame he never worked on that piece of crap FORD.

But I got pictures.

Nicky workin on my car

Nicky working on my FORD "Focus". I have the proof. His co-worker said something about how he would never own a FORD and if you ever saw one in his driveway, it meant he had bad company. FORD's are just misunderstood, why all the hate guys, why?

Feb 7th and 8th

D visit's me. And I get sick.

I was soo sick this weekend, but I got to go shopping with D and her mother and I got these awesome new shoes.. 2 pair actually and a new purse. Momma Oakes (D's mom) and I have decided that D's baby Georgia is going to be a shoe girl.... what do you think?

Meaty.

Meet Meaty.

Meaty is a young 'PitMix', we beileve he is under 1 yr. We don't know what he is mixed with, but he is the sweetest dog you will ever meet. I adopted Meaty from the Essex County animal shelter on Saturday, January 31st? He was abused and on puppy death row. We (D and I) didn't plan on getting a puppy we were just going to see about the shelters requirements for adopting a dog, but we just coudln't resist this timid gentleman. We got him home and gave him a bath... and he is doing very well.

Meaty weighs about 45 lbs. and has a fur less line all the way aaround his neck where his previous owner kept his collar, or chain way too tight. Hopefully Meaty has found his forever home, at my friend D's house. So far JohnWayne (her son- 5yrs) claims Meaty to be his best friend, and BabyGeorgia (daughter-1 and 1/2) just loves on him and tiptoes around the house cooing "gawgie, gawggie". Sunday she used him as a step stool to get up onto the counch, he didn't move a muscel except to lick her feet once she was up there. He doesnt try to get on the couch. As far as we can tell he doesn't bark, which is prooving interesting to know when he's got to do his business, but he seems to understand that he's supposed to go outside, just hasn't figured out how to comunitcate to us yet.

Wish us luck.

More photos to come.

More unhappy News in the newyear.

As it turns out my Aunt Betty in Georgia has also passed on. Her funeral is this weekend. I am not going.. It's quite a ways out there, and I can't miss the work. Not to mention, I promised a dear friend that I would come and visit her for the weekend. Hopefully to raise her spirits a Little. There has been a little bit of drama in her life lately.... we'll who am I kidding, there's been lots of drama for a good long while now.
I have put together what I think to be some good ideas to make her life a little easier, and some ideas to make things fun again. Some of the ideas I have are ...

-Start a online calendar - so she can keep her and her kids appointments and special events in order. I think if I use a email calendar like Yahoo, I can have it remind her too.

-Which brings me to - getting her up to date on the Internet... emails, picture, blogs, and games of course.

-I also want her to set up an "ICE" folder (or 'incase of emergency' folder). Here she can store important medical information such as her doctors, medications and diagnosis'. That way if anything every were to happen, all of the important information would be easily accessible. She can put the kids information there too.

-I want to help her set up a daily plan... including outings for her and the kids, chores, and visits to Nana's house.

-I also want to figure out some personal goals she has for herself, and help her to archive them.

These are just some of the ideas I have thought of to get her out of her rut that she's in. I will post another blog to let you all know how it all works out. Let me know if you can think of anything else.

January's unhappy events bring families together

January came with quite a blow. The same night that I was at the concert I found out later, was the night that my dear cousin Tony left this world. I had gotten a phone call at the concert, but it was so loud that I wasn't able to hear. I got the news the next day. It came as a shock, I didn't even kmow he had been in the hospital, not many people did. They are still trying to find out what happened.
The funeral was held Jan 5th 2009, luckily I was able to take off work to visit with my mourning friends and family. Even with such sad events to bring us together, it was good to see everyone come together. And as with the normal tradition on my moms side, we all decided on a meeting place to enjoy each others company and convers about the good times with our already missed family memeber.
With our tears wiped from our faces and food in our stomachs we soon found each others uplifting personalities to be helpful to manage our troubled thoughts. Our evening ended well, and there were laughs and smiles.

... part 2

My friend Nicky came into town for Christmas. We hung out allot, and visit mutual friends and family. The first couple days he was in town we went to D's house. I took my gifts for the kids out there with me. The kids loved them, but D said I broke the first rule of gift giving - you see I got John Wayne a (learner) guitar. Apparently i wasn't supposed to get them anything that made noise? Ha ha .

Regardless I figured a kid with a name like that needed a guitar, and a nice plaid jacket too. The kids loved their gifts and D loved hers too. I swear I spoil that dear girl every year. Nicky it seams had just as much fun with the kids toys as any child would. Momma Oakes stopped in for a quick visit too, but just to drop off the kids gifts that D couldn't fit in the car the day before.
Nicky and I said our goodbyes to the kids that night as they took off for their dads house all the way down in South Carolina.

Nicky and I caught a show at the 930 club in DC, together. It was a favorite band of Nicky's that I had gotten him tickets to for Christmas. "CLUTCH" was very interesting, kind of redneck meets rock with a really good beat. Their fans were awesome, mostly long haired tough guys with tattoos and Amish beards. If you have every been to the 930 club you probably have seen this huge bald guy with gigantic gauged ears (I totally want to meet this guy by the way)... this guy was singing along to the Clutch lyrics word for word, as he lifted crowd surfers off of the crowd and broke up fights between overzealous moshers. I'd say it's very addicting music - in fact we are going to go see them again in February I think.

A new year- missed events re-caped

When we last left our hero she had gone on a cold camping trip and was getting ready to face yet another. That thanksgiving camping trip has come and gone, with some interesting stories that ... lets just say should be kept quiet.

The Thanksgiving... family camping trip was one of intoxicating humor. I don't have may pictures from this one, as Witt wasn't able to attend, and I as usual forgot my camera. But the ones I do have give you a general sense of the merriment had by all.

The weekend before the Camping trip, I set out on a walk in DC to raise money for the homeless. My work pulled together a bunch of people who were interested and paid all of our entry fees. The experience was heartwarming, but the day was very cold. By the time we all got back to our cars we had walked almost 4 miles i think.

Somewhere around the 11Th of December I went with Jason to see "Manchester Orchestra", who was awesome. We drove all the way out to Maryland to see them and a few other bands play. We heard this awesome up and coming band "all get out". Jason bought their CD, and we both hope to see more of them in the months to come. My favorite part of this concert was the very last song- by almost all of the performers of the night. The did their own hilarious version of the theme to "The Fresh Prince", and as everyone and their mother knows that song... the audience sang along. It was GREAT!

... to be continued.