2015 WPFG – the aftermath

Sprint at George Mason University on July 1 – raining a good part of the time. Had to dry everything out after. Good thing that it was a three day weekend…

And, thank you to Trish for drying out and sorting the orienteering bags! (Photo courtesy of Trish as well!)

2015 WPFG – the Finish Banner

Last minute effort – a banner for the WPFG. Mostly happy with it. Shouldn’t wait to the last minute for these things.

Bartered race timing for the use of the frame to hold the sign.

It looked pretty darn good! (Photos courtesy of Trish Strat)

Lailah goes Orienteering

White course with Lailah – we covered over two miles with some detours to walk on the boardwalk and look at the marsh. Lailah ran lots and said that she was having fun. Cookies from Amy helped. She only asked to be picked up once, and that was near the end when we were walking across a field where the grass was a little high. I picked her up for a couple of feet but then encouraged to finish on her own, and she did.

I picked up the camera on the way back before doing the last three controls. Wish I had had it sooner.

Proud and tickled.

Lailah didn’t like the tree branches that she had to reach through for this one.

I told Lailah we were looking for 15o. She said that o wasn’t a number, and asked if it was really 0. Made me laugh.

Lailah checking the codes – this one wasn’t ours.

A mighty fine day at an orienteering event!

Ah, Stuart’s Hill at Manassas – always a bit windy in the shelter since it is surrounded by open fields, and today was super windy at around 20-25 mph. So, I happily set up in the van and dealt with people out of the back. Comfortable as long as you didn’t have two doors open.

Thanks to Tori for remembering, despite the fact that I only mentioned it in passing a week+ ago, that I was working alone today and arriving early to go out. After she got back, I headed out on Brown, though not really with my heart in it at all. After struggling to find the first control, I noticed that my foot was really hurting (need to try other shoes) and that Cynthia, who was on Yellow, was having issues getting her 7 year old Enid to go along with her around the course. At this point, I decided to head back and take Enid with me, so with bag of treats in hand, I headed back, though Enid was resistant, since she just wanted to sit there and eat treats. So, I picked her up and carried her back, and we totally bonded.

I may have to get me a beagle.

I also watched Samantha for a while, who also resistant to coming with me, but she was harder to corral, darting around behind a car. After getting her back to my area, she played with my phone for a while and declared my car a mess.

The park proved to be a great place for exploring nature, and here is Anna with a turtle, and Nicole with a bag of dirty water. I can only assume that there was something swimming around in there. Enid also wanted to be in the picture.

So, the orienteering didn’t go so well, but my time outside of the van was enjoyable, having more interactions than I have had in a while, including a nice conversation with Peggy.

Thanks to Tori (and Jon) who made it possible, and to all of my friends, both old and new.

A Lailah Day

Lailah was a little under the weather, so she didn’t want to swim or go to story time, but she did help get the recycling and trash out, the clothes folded (my underwear are now neatly rolled), and the bed made, among other things. She finally agreed to leave the house to have lunch with Roger, where I discovered that I was a failure at ordering at chipotle. Regardless, a very good day, one for the memory book, even if I end up getting sick. 🙂

Story time with Lailah

Story time, by Miss Megan, was wonderful, with three books on accepting being different – Gaston, Spoon, and I Wish I had Freckles Like Abby and songs. Maybe a little deep for 25 months plus, but the many songs kept the younger kids engaged, and Lailah was attentive throughout. I liked Spoon the best.

A Quilt for Amy

Amy and I started a T-shirt quilt for her last summer. Amy did the parts I don’t like to do, like ironing the interfacing onto the back of the shirts. I did the rest, though I did drag my feet at times. Then the push was on – get it done for Amy to take to Ohio for Christmas at her parents’ house. I delivered it just in time (picture below taken months later).

A couple of close-ups…