Cub Scouts Pack 8307 Meeting - FUN & GAMES!

We held our 2nd pack meeting of the year last night.  I took some advice from one of our council representatives who suggested "less parent business, and more fun and games".  In addition to the usual awards and business, we had 2 activities.  The first was to discuss the recent Veteran's Day holiday, and the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, and then make large thank you cards to the troops.  The boys sure do have an imagination at this age.  I might have to "edit" a few of the cards before I send thom overseas.  Anyway, I think it was a worthwhile exercise that the boys had fun with, and learned a few things at the same time.

Next up - some goofy fun.  We decided to do a game where each den would choose 1 parent they would wrap up like a Mummy.  Den 3 did a great job - everyone laughed and had a good time.....love the Cub Scouts organization!

                             

Marco's 3rd Birthday Party

What can I say - the boy just loves trains!  We took Marco to celebrate his birthday at the Southern Railway Museum in Duluth, GA this past Saturday after AJ's football game.  What a beautifulday - sunny and 75 degrees.  We had an awesome time!  They have a large collection of trains and even have a couple of cars hooked up to a diesel locomotive and give short rides.  We all had a blast.

Wolverines Football Update - WE PLAY FOR A COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP THIS WEEKEND!

Antonio's football team won the 2nd round of the playoffs this past Satuday and are headed to the Lanier Bowl this Saturday.  The team mom's organized a party for the boys on Sunday.  It was a really great program were all the boys, cheerleaders, and coaches were recognized for how great they did with the boys this year.  I have been so impressed with how much dedication these coaches have for the game, their positive approach, and how nice all the parents have been.  I am really going to miss hangin out with the parents during the practices each week. 

They were given "participation trophies".  Well, coach Sharpe had something to say to the boys at practice Monday night.  In his warm up speech he brought out the Lanier Bowl trophy and said "those participation trophies you got yesterday were real nice boys.  Personally, I want the trophy that the county buys you - not the one your parents buy you".... funny.

Motorhome Renovations

I guess one way to look at life is that it's a bit of trial and error at times.  Some things we do/try work out great, and others turn out to be really bad ideas.  Well, one of my really bad ideas was to put our RV in a leaseback rental service a couple of years ago.  Our 4th child came along, and we weren't using the RV at all.  It was basically dry rotting in a storage lot in Altamonte Springs, FL.  We tried to sell it, but, the market was crap and it was right around the time gas prices were starting to peak.  I didn't want to give it away so we took it off the used market.  Then, I am across a company that rented RV's.  Their entire fleet was "Owner" owned units.  They pay for storage and maintenance, and manage the rentals, and you split the income.  Sounded like a good idea - WRONG.  2 years and 36,000 miles later, I got my RV back in less than perfect condition and repairs and maintenance ate up most of the profit.  The thing that upset us the most was the fact that one of the renters from this past summer took it on a 2 week trip and smoked in the unit.  It was nasty - I found ashes in the carpet aroun the bed. 

We have the RV back in GA now and we plan to start taking trips in it again.  The first order of business was to rip out all of the smelly carpet thanks to the help of my dad.  Then, we removed all upholstery items that weren't permanantly affixed to the RV and washed/aired it out.  We had good weather last week so I actually left all the windows open for 4 days straight.  Then, we bought new carpet at Lowes and had it professionally installed.  SMOKE SMELL GONE!  Finally, I changed the oil, gave it a good coat of wash and wax, and we are just about ready to go!  The old girl looks pretty good again and we can't wait to take it up north to visit family over Thanksgiving!

Visit to Brasstown Bald - Georgia's High Point

On Sunday, we made the 2 hour drive north to Georgia's highpoint in the Blue Ridge Mountains - Brasstown Bald.  It's only about 60 miles, but once you get about 20 miles north of our house, you get into 25-35MPH roads with back and forth switchback curves - very fun driving and some beautiful scenery.  This area is very popular for motorcyclists, most of which ride responsibly.  However, at one point in the drive, we had a pack of hooligans blow past us on a curve and double yellow line - making some of our passengers a little nervous.  Well, I have seen that one before so I just laughed.

The weather was absolutely perfect.  There are leave on the trees still around Atlanta, but the farther north we got, there were fewer and fewer.  Brasstown Bald is over 4,000 ft from sea level, so it's climate is much different that that of the valley's below - fall started there over a month ago so the trees were already bare.  The scenery was beautiful - we had a very nice picnic lunch, watched a 15 minute educational movie about the area, and looked at some of the exhibits.  On the way back, I decided to take a different route home down through Cleveland, GA.  Let's just say I can't wait to go riding again as I have found yet another awesome motorcycle route to explore on the KLR.  The road we took back had more pull off areas for scenic viewing.  It was a fun day and we topped it off with some pizza from Buckhead Pizza Company!

Cubmobile Races

The North Georgia Boy Scout Council holds a fun event each year - Cubmobile races.  Each Cub Scout Den is allowed to build and enter one free-rolling car.  The scouts can win one of two ways.  Best Design, and fastest car.  Antonio's Den placed 2nd out of 12 Dens and Diego's Den had best of show design.  It was a really fun day and Grandma Joy and Grandpa Jack got to watch!