Happy Thanksgiving!

(Please imagine here a really cool picture of my kids with their grandparents celebrating the holiday since I forgot to take one.)

Gray Hair and Glasses

Not long ago I posted on my facebook page that for the first time ever, I had to move a book away from my face in order to focus. It was quite traumatic for me. I have always had better than 20/20 vision and for most of my life could read the very bottom line on the eye chart. I knew that lately my eyes seemed to have more trouble focusing and I thought it was just because I was tired. When I moved the book back and everything came into focus, I was splashed with an ice cold dose of reality. I really am getting old!

I have also embraced my grayness and no longer color my hair. I have loved the freedom of not having to keep up with my roots and it has been a blessing not to have to pay for the product (even though my sister got it for me for next to nothing.) I have received many compliments on my gray hair (hopefully  not just out of pity). The only downside is being asked if I'm my kids' grandmother and being offered the senior citizen discount at Goodwill - both of which happened even before the gray conversion.

Today I was at the drugstore and decided to try on a pair of reading glasses. I held my shopping list up close to my face - totally blurry - then put on the glasses - completely in focus. I kept doing it over and over as if I expected a different result. Eventually I bought the glasses. I've always wanted to wear glasses, even though I know my eyes are too close together, which is emphasized by glasses. (My dad says that's because I'm a pin head.) So now I can read things up close. My far sightedness is gradually diminishing as well, but I'm not prepared to go see an eye doctor just yet.

It could be worse, I could look like this in my glasses.

I raked in some bargains when Target's Halloween stuff went on sale for 90% off. We had a serious need for some boy dress ups in our house.

I got Batman and Yoda costumes, wigs, gloves, hats, masks and a few other things all for just $11. Pretty cool! I'm new to Target clearance shopping, so it was a big deal for me.

(I'm trying to keep my focus on the things that matter most and over which I have at least a little control.)

The British Are Coming!

Ever since moving to South Carolina, I've wanted to experience a war reenactment. Today we drove about 45 minutes to Camden to see a Revolutionary War one. It was amazing. Between the camps, the battle, the displays, etc., there were about 450 participants in costume. Very cool.

Camden is the fourth oldest cisty in South Carolina. From Wikipedia: May 1780 brought the American Revolution to Charleston, South Carolina, and Charleston fell. Lord Charles Cornwallis and 2,500 of his troops marched to Camden and established there the main British supply post for the Southern campaign. The Battle of Camden, the worst American defeat of the Revolution, was fought on August 16, 1780.

Camden was occupied by the British forces. They have done a good job of preserving their history.

Baylie was fascinated by the cook stoves. We need to camp more. 

Colonist tents.

Tent stake.

In the stocks.

Fish fry.

 British forces.

 Gunfire.

Colonists.

Hessians (Germans) - fighting with the British.

Colonists loyal to the British.

The children were so cute.

Learning up close and personal.

In front of some muskets.

Pilgrim games.

Sword fighting.

Getting enlisted into the King's army.

It was a great day!