September 2024

I was finally able to take my outer bandage off on day four post op. Still hobbling around with my crutches. The yard needed to be mowed, which is usually my job to do. I had to teach Jennifer how to start up the lawn mower. She did a good job, but I was sad I couldn't be out there doing it. 

On Taylor's birthday we volunteered to watch Nora so they could go out to dinner by themselves. Nora and I read some books up in Aunt Jennifer's office while she worked. Then when her parents got back they let Nora try steak. Well, by try I mean that she licked all the seasoning off of it. She seemed to enjoy it.

McKinley and I got together to play some board games while he was off from work. Taylor was working so we had to take turns holding her while the other made their moves. We were able to finish the game during her nap time. Then they tried out their new baby carrier that they were going to use on their upcoming vacation. 

My work had their annual Pediatric Cancer Survivor Picnic. We had over 60 patients and their families show up to celebrate with us. Since I was still out of commission and still using one crutch I couldn't help with all the set up. Thankfully my wife and kids picked up my slack. I did hobble around and take pictures for the Facebook page. 

After the Survivor Picnic I headed down to Kroger Field to see the second half of the UK football game versus South Carolina. The Wildcats didn't come to play for this game and got destroyed. I did find out that my pass this year allowed me to stand on the sidelines which gave us awesome up close views. I didn't stay long on the sidelines because my leg started hurting. I spent most of the second half driving recruits back to their cars. 

We had found out from a family we saw at D-bats about Henry Clay softball practices. Brinley had started working with them and she also got invited to come play in a game with them. They had her start out at second base. I could tell she was nervous, but it was really good to see her out there in black and blue! She had one at bat and I believe she grounded out to the first baseman, but she made contact. 

Landon had a cross country race in Danville. I drove him there because Jennifer had to go pick up Brinley from a sleepover birthday party. Landon got to run in spikes for the first time. My friend Kimberly gave us her son's old ones that he outgrew. Landon had a good race and ran hard on an extremely hilly course. He got a blizzard on the way home to try and cool himself off. 

Later that night I was standing on the sidelines for the UK versus Georgia game. It was an awesome game and the Cats fought hard, but ended up losing 13-12 to the number one team in the nation. I got to meet Tim Couch who was one of the first people I followed when I started watching football. He is actually responsible for me becoming a Cleveland Browns fan. Some days I wish he had been picked by a different team. I also got to meet gold medal hurdler Masai Russell. Both of them were really nice and I'm glad I got to meet them both. 

Landon had a mid week race in Jessamine County. I took him to it and he did great. I think he cut almost a minute off his time from when he ran this course a few weeks ago. We stopped by Sam's Club on the way home and Landon wanted more cheese balls. Some days I think it is the only thing that he eats. 

I listen to Kentucky Sports Radio almost everyday. Most of the time I hear it on the podcast, but since I have been off from work I have been able to catch it live. This day they were at Bi-water Farm in Georgetown and I decided to go catch it in person. It was hot! I enjoyed part of the pre-show and then the entire two hours of KSR. It is fun to see what they say in between the breaks and then everything that happens in real time makes more sense when you have the whole picture, not just the commentary. I got to meet Billy, who is a producer and is host of the pre-show. He is a really nice guy and they always give him a hard time, but I believe that is just for entertainment purposes. 

As I was leaving the KSR show I decided to have a lunch date with Jennifer and make it a alphabet date. For some reason we hadn't used the letter T yet so I picked up her favorite take-out place Taco Bell. I even stopped in Georgetown at a bakery to pick up some tasty treats.

With some extra time on my hands I decided that I would do a puzzle. I was quickly able to get this one done. Landon came and helped me with the last few pieces. Putting together a puzzle is just so peaceful and calming to me, but yet makes my brain work in order to complete it. 

Landon and Jennifer came to the UK versus Ohio University game. It was so hot and an absolute blowout. I sat up in the stands for the first half. Then I took Jennifer and Landon back to their car right after halftime. I was so hot that i didn't even stay out and watch the game. I watched the second half from inside on the TV. 

I did run down on the sidelines to meet Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Jodi Meeks. They were both being inducted into the UK Hall of Fame. Again they were both very nice and happy to take a picture. It couldn't have been a better interaction. 

The kids school had a color run to raise money for the school. Both kids had a lot of fun. Brinley took a selfie with her bestie Naaba. Landon's class was pictured on the school's Facebook page. Landon said he ran non-stop the entire time. I really do wish that I had his energy. 

Another week on medical leave for my leg meant that I could go play some more board games with McKinley and Nora. We again took turns playing with Nora between turns. Rupp didn't want to feel left out so he would come say hello from under the table. This was an absolute blood bath of a game. I haven't lost this bad at anything I can ever remember. McKinley beat me by almost 100 points. Well, at least I got to hang out with them for a few hours. 

Grandpa had a birthday and he decided that he wanted to come to Lexington to celebrate. We went out for lunch at Jason's Deli and then spent some time together and played a few games at McKinley's.  

Grandpa with all the Heflin grandkids.

Jennifer and I were trying to clean up the yard after some bad storms. Finally I realized that we should have two little helpers out there with us. Brinley helped clean the garage while I taught Landon how to mow. Then I taught Brinley to mow and Landon tried blowing all the leaves in the back yard. I don't think they enjoyed it, but someday they will be able to do it.

JK took the kids to the movies and spoiled them. We usually get a popcorn to share but they both got their own and drink too. They enjoyed getting to see Beetlejuice 2 with him. They even stopped for ice cream on the way home. I realized later that this was the first non related person to ever watch both of the kids, but at this point JK has become an adopted member of our family.

While JK and the kids were at the movies Jennifer and I decided to get an alphabet date in. She picked the letter H. We had Hawaiian BBQ and then got hot chocolate at the Chocolate Holler downtown. It was a nice night out with Jennifer. She had wanted to do Hawaiian shaved ice, but they unfortunately close after Labor Day.

Fall break started on September 30th. Landon was challenged by his coach to run during his break so he ran Jacobson Park on the new trail they have completed. He also said the only thing he wanted to do was Skyzone. Well, since I am a sucker I signed him up for a fall jump pass. He just has to go more that three times in the next 90 days and he will get his money's worth. Brinley of course is happy mostly when she has her headphones on and Starbucks in hand. This day she bought it herself because she had a deal for a free cake pop.

I was at the grocery store getting a few treats for fall break since we weren't going anywhere. I found these Coca Cola flavored Oreos. The kids liked them, but Jennifer and I did not. I'm not sure why they keep trying new flavors. They should have stopped right after golden Oreos. I guess they do it because silly people like me buy them to try it out!

We got some of the residual rain and wind from hurricane Helene here in Lexington. It was pretty windy and ripped a lot leaves out of the trees. The wind sounded so terrible and it frighted Brinley at school. She asked to come home, but I told her that she was safer at school because they don't have a lot of large trees surrounding the school like we do at our house. 

The only "damage" that we had was a branch came down and struck the air conditioner. I saw all the damage from stuff here in Lexington. I can't imagine what it looked like in Florida where the actual hurricane took place.