Party in Slow Motion....

June is here, and we're halfway through this incredibly forgetful year.  It isn't stopping us from making the best of things and trying to make this summer memorable.  We've spent some time at the lake.  I'm sure I've mentioned it in prior blogposts, but my family has a place at Nolin Lake.  It's a special place to the Pogue family and has been around since I was a kid.  We went there a few weeks ago and enjoyed time on the pontoon boat.  

The kids always have a good time tubing.

 We managed to make it all the way to the BIG ROCK which we called the "A" rock when we were kids.  At one point, it had a happy face painted on it - we would call it the Don't Worry, Be Happy Rock.  After the happy face went away, someone painted a giant Superman symbol on it.  We'd call it the Superman rock.  I'm not sure if anything is painted on it now or didn't notice while we were there.  Elizabeth was the first one to make it up the rock successfully.  It's had to get footing and very slimy.  Miles tore his little toes up but eventually managed to shimmy his way up.

A week ago on Sunday, we went with a group of friends to Dale Hollow Lake and rented pontoon boats there.  I'm sure at some point in my life that I've been there, but the lake is not familiar to me.  It was a gorgeous day and nice to be out on the lake with friends. 

These were the only two pictures I got.  The kids aren't BIG on picture taking right now and almost annoyed when I try to capture memories.  They don't realize I'm simply trying to preserve a fun memory.

The boys went jug fishing yesterday with Pap, Nana, and Seth at Barren River.  Looks like a fish fry is in our future...

A few weeks ago, Karson and her friends got together to take some pictures which normally would've happened the last day of school wearing their Senior crowns. Glad they are still able to keep some of those fun traditions alive despite this stupid pandemic.

Matt and Miles are golfing machines.  I guess they are fortunate to have a hobby that hasn't been permanently shut down.  Miles is playing in the Go Golf Junior Series tournaments this summer and already kicking some tailfeathers!  I got to go to his first tournament last Thursday in Central City.  His tee time was at 10:10 so by the time we arrived to the course, there were no golf carts left to rent.  The players can't ride in the cart but spectators can.  No carts = lots of walking in the BLAZING hot sun. 

Miles and his favorite golfer, other than his dad, his Coach Adam Gary who was at the tournament.

Miles was a BEAST out there.  There were two boys in his group.  One was 15 and looked like a grown man.  The other boy, Jackson, was his age but twice his size and played for the Grayson County golf team.  His dad also told Matt that he played in almost every tournament last summer.  Miles doesn't have that sort of experience, but the boy can golf. 

He hung in there all day.  His group was on the back nine, and it was hilly.  After pushing his cart for three miles in the blazing sun all day long, he managed to keep a good attitude, played incredible, and didn't complain at all.  Once we made it back to the clubhouse, I made a beeline for the bathroom and soaked my face in cold water.

He pulled out a third place finish losing by just one stroke.  Of course he was bummed that he didn't get a medal.  The 15 year old that won it (and wasn't in our group) looked like a grown man too.  He's got another tournament on Friday in Madisonville.  Fingers and toes crossed for a golf cart and decent weather. 

Karson is officially a working woman.  She started a job at Waterworks Auto Wash last Monday and has worked everyday since.  It's been a good thing for her as many things have been put on pause this summer.  She's enjoyed meeting new people and having some fun, new summer experiences.  AND, she's making good money which is nice.

Speaking of cars, Ben showed up to our house with this little number the other day.  Karson and I had to take it out for a little spin around the block.

She got her GSP assignment this week and will get to attend Centre College in July.  Her GSP will be modified but was approved by the Governor recently.  I'm happy that she's at least getting something.  And, hopefully that something will be an unforgettable experience.  She'll be studying Psychology and Behavioral Studies the week she's there.

Matt and I celebrated #21 on June 5.  It's been a wild and crazy ride, but our life is pretty great and we're thankful to have each other to power through it together!

The Scoop for May

We're officially MASKED.  We've actually been masked for some time but finding these suckers isn't easy.  I've managed to order a few from local sewers and had friends give me some.  As a mouth breather, this isn't easy for me.  However, the more I wear it, the more used to it I get. 

School is officially over beside two AP test for Karson.  Isaac has his AP Human Geography test on Tuesday and is officially a sophomore.  The lazy life is one that's preferable for him.  He's a homebody and enjoys holing up in his room, drinking Dr. Pepper and playing Xbox.

When he comes out of hibernation, we sometimes let him practice driving which he's really good at and seems to enjoy.  We mainly drive around South Warren High School but have driven in neighborhoods like Ivan Downs and Belle Haven and out in Rich Pond and Woodburn where there are few cars.

Karson has two AP tests, one today and one next week.  She also finished her PSY100 class at WKU with a 93%.  PSY 100 is an online Dual Credit class.  GSP is still in question, but they are trying diligently to work out a schedule where the participants come in for one (1) week instead of five (5).  I guess it's better than nothing, but we will see if it happens.  She and the other recipients were recognized at the WCPS board meeting last night through Facebook LIVE.

  

She and a couple friends got together this week to work on their SENIOR crowns and plan to have pictures done next week.  It's a right of passage to decorate and wear a SENIOR crown on the last day of school.  However, this year was a little different.  We also ordered her SENIOR shirt from Duke's for her to wear on the first day of school which may/may not happen in person.  Too many unknowns to plan for right now.  She's handled it all very well.  This should be an exciting time for her...GSP, college visits, fall sports, but many of those things aren't possible.  We already know that many things are going to be taken away for the incoming Senior class, but it'll make her stronger and more resilient.  At the end of the day, if you have your health, that's way more important than other things.

Miles did really well with all the NTI, but we are both glad it's over.  I'm also glad that I was home and able to work with him each day.  I think he would've done fine on his own, but it was helpful for me to make sure he was completing the work and understanding what he was learning.  Middle school is an adjustment, and Google Classroom is too.  There's a lot to it.  It gave me a better understanding of how he's learning.  He spends most of his days golfing, watching golf videos or putting, chipping, whatever practice he needs to improve his game.  He shot his best round ever at IHCC scoring a 77.


We broke out the N64 this week, and he's been playing a lot of Mortal Kombat and learning my personal favorite Galaga.

Last Sunday was Mother's Day,  we celebrated with brunch at Nana's.  Pap's birthday was the next day so we took him his gift as well.  We haven't gotten to spend much time with our parents during this pandemic, but we appreciate the time we get with them.  It's much more special.

Extra Extra Read All About It!!!

13-year old golfer Miles Deaton got his first hole-in-one on April 21, 2020 at Indian Hills Country Club on the #8 hole.  It was a super windy day and his knee has been bothering him since Sunday when he smacked it against a goal post.  I'm not sure if those were factors for future hole-in-one goals, but it was a great day for him!

The golf pro at Indian Hills, John Mullendore, came out to congratulate him.  He gave him a nice Callaway hat and a nice sleeve of balls.  His Pap gave him a $50 which tickled him.  Matt treated him to some Fazoli's for dinner.  Eventually he'll get the flag from hole #8 and Matt, Seth, Colvin and Miles will all sign it.  He also has his lucky ball.  I'm thinking some sort of cool shadowbox.

Wait..What?!? I Thought it Was Saturday...

All my days at home since the COVID pandemic began are starting to bleed together.  I spent much of today thinking it was Saturday when, in fact, it's Sunday.  Geez. My mind is foggy.  Has it already been a week since Easter Sunday? I guess it has!  Last Sunday, we did a PJ brunch at my mom's, and the kids enjoyed their Easter basket treats.  Mom hid one egg for each of them to find with a $20 bill stashed inside.

Since Karson's car is decorated in stickers, I had to get her a Joe Exotic one.  Isaac got a GTA sticker as well - Drive it Like You Stole It.

We did manage to dye eggs the Tuesday before Easter with a few boxes of Paas dye jobs which are basically all the same.  Isaac spilled all his green dye immediately.  Matt took some video at the exact moment it happened (which I cannot get to load on here but it was everywhere and Karson was in pieces laughing). 


Loser alert:  my favorite Snapchat time of the year is during Easter when you can find all the hidden eggs on the Snapmap.  I managed to snag 4,000.

My weekdays are spent working from home remotely and helping Miles finish up his last few weeks of 7th grade.  Last weeks FACS project was the highlight - his Food Truck Project.

A milkshake seems to solve most of life's problems these days!

I've lost count of the number of 1000 piece puzzles I've worked these last few weeks.  I grew up working puzzles and since life has come to a complete halt, it's been a fun hobby to pick back up.  I tried taking pictures of all of them but forgot to with some.  I'm about to start one that Matt bought for me in Boston one year.

Much has occurred during this crisis, and I know a lot has been lost and many experiences we will never get back...but let me tell you something BIG happened yesterday.  It's something that Karson has been working on since 8th grade when she took her first high school classes (Advanced Algebra and Biology) and that's is her Governor's Scholars Program (GSP) resume.  For three years we have documented her academic work, volunteer hours, honors, awards, invitations and extracurricular activities.  She's taken AP courses, passed exams, dual credit classes, ACT boot camp and workshops, taking the ACT multiple times as well as the SAT all while juggling three sports and various other things. The GSP application is NO joke!  It's big and hers was no different.  She spent most weekends last fall working on the application, writing her essay, getting both her teacher and community recommendations and finally got everything submitted in December.  She made it as a finalist at the school level moving on to district level (early January); and district level to state level (late January).  We knew it would be a few months (early April) before any word from the state level.  And then...out of nowhere...CORONAVIRUS ripped through Kentucky in March closing everything down.  I checked the GSP site to see if there were any updates to the notifications and had seen where everything was pushed back a week.  This week (the week of the release) another letter stating this year's selection process would be more conservative meaning there would be an increase in students not selected.  I knew Karson's application was strong.  But was it strong enough?  And with all this uncertainty, would she get in?  My heart raced...she's worked SO hard these last three years.  Please corona...don't rob my teenager of all her hard work and this incredible opportunity.  Yesterday morning I was outside watering our grass (Matt's trying to grow some in bare spots of our front yard) when Karson emerged from the house heading towards to the mailbox.  I asked her what she was doing and if she thought she'd received her letter.  The letter had arrived.  My heart was really racing.  We walked inside, and she opened it - big smiles the whole time.  Our girl GOT IN!!!!  I couldn't help but wrap my arms around her and cry like a baby kissing on her and telling her how proud I was!

We have no idea what this summer holds or if she'll even get to experience the five week college sessions which begin at the end of June.  All we know is that she was excepted, and we're going to celebrate that!!!  Last night I ordered her favorite - Korean BBQ Tacos, chips and queso from Local Taco!  We're thankful Jack and his staff are serving delicious take out!

Today was special as well.  I went to Louisville with my parents to celebrate my Mamaw Pogue's 89th birthday.  She's the cutest!  My uncle David grilled burgers, and my Aunt Linda fried up some french fries and made some green beans.  They picked up cake and ice cream from Sam's.  I love my Mamaw.  She's such a special woman!