Labor Day

So, while the event of my little sister pinching my leg transpires, I now am able to post. :D (or, for a better explanation, Ruth sits at my feet with some hair pincher-things, squeezes my leg with them and asks, "Does this hurt, Ashton?" "Yes, Ruth, it hurts!")

Yesterday, we were all invited over to the McDonald's house for a blessed day of fellowship and working...unfortunately, though, I was unable to get pictures of the working part, so you'll have to visit Tiffany's or Jessica's blog for more information concerning that subject. ;) We spent most of our day cleaning up around the yard, setting up scaffolding, taking down trees, setting up fences, and stuff along those lines. And then, in the evening, we celebrated Mrs. McDonald's birthday, complete with banana pudding and a single candle on top. :D

Pictures of our evening:


Tiffany taking a picture of me, taking a picture of her, etc.


Melissa reading to Naomi and William


making the banana pudding


The Banana Pudding


beware the two fly-killers, armed with hidden fly swatters and purple-hued sunglasses


Grace, Sierra, and Jessica...all laughing at some random comment ;)


presenting The Banana Pudding unto the birthday lady


posing with the presents

An Experience in Distance Learning

[to the reader: please realize this is all written in good humor]

Among the students of DL (distance learning), a good amount of us consider the server where everything DL is located to be of, shall we say, oxymoronic value. After taking an exam online and the submit button is hit, the test, after 2-3 hours of hard work, goes to the dust in the form of the following message: "Unable to submit test." Or, in another instance, let's say a forum needs to be accessed and instead of instant gratification, the students sits there almost ten minutes, clicking the link multiple times only to find out it shows up blank. As another example, let's say someone participating in a heated discussion on the instant messenger feature sees a window pop up, telling him: "The server lost connection, please reconnect."

At the least, a warning should be posted on the homepage saying, "Not held responsible for dented laptops, ripped textbooks, or uprooted hair." Just think of the legal liabilities...

The reason why we think the server an oxymoron? "ANGEL" is its name.

So, as a result of this interesting ordeal, a fellow student and I had the following conversation...

(used with permission)

Tyler B: so no comarison for me...but my experiences with angel have been less than pleasant...
Ashton Bandy: haha, i've had a rough time with ANGEL as well
Tyler B: haha...haven't we all...
Ashton Bandy: but some good memories are with it ;)
Tyler B: I suppose...
Tyler B: still...
Tyler B: if it would die...I would not cry...
Ashton Bandy: lol
Ashton Bandy: i don't think i would, either :P
Tyler B: excellent...
Tyler B: maybe we should be morose and write angel death poems...hehehe
Tyler B: ;)
Ashton Bandy: rofl!
Ashton Bandy: everybody'd love that
Ashton Bandy: :P
Tyler B: yeah...it would be VERY funny...but I am not the one to do it...
Ashton Bandy: neither am I O:-)
Tyler B: bad poetry writer am I...
Ashton Bandy: guess we'll have to elect someone, then tell them they're supposed to do it
Ashton Bandy: i pick...hmm...
Tyler B: sounds good....lets pick somebody at random from the list...
Ashton Bandy: *looks through the side list*
Tyler B: hmmmm....
Ashton Bandy: how about Mallory Riley?
Tyler B: I was thinking that...
Ashton Bandy: i've talked with her a good amount
Ashton Bandy: has a good sense of humor *grin*
Tyler B: or Michael C
Ashton Bandy: ah, haven't met him yet
Tyler B: don’t know him but I'm for picking a random person...teehee...
Ashton Bandy: oh!
Ashton Bandy: what about Joshua A?
Ashton Bandy: if you're in WestLit, he's the Russian mafia-type guy
Tyler B: not in western lit...
Ashton Bandy: ohh, ok
Tyler B: but sounds like a good guy to write death poems ;)
Ashton Bandy: ;D
Ashton Bandy: so Joshua A, yay or nay?
Ashton Bandy: (yay)
Tyler B: yay...lol...
Ashton Bandy: or yea, whichever spelling
Tyler B: its unanimous ;)
Ashton Bandy: excellent, we've an accord

So there you have it.

Joshua, when you read this on Facebook, realize the responsibility given unto you.

;)

PHC

And so concludes our first day of the fall semester, 2007, with Patrick Henry College (or at least in three hours or so)...

Behold, the textbooks for this fall (computer to the side to give better scale)...



Classes include Western Literature 1, Theology of the Bible 1, History of the United States 1, and Logic. Total credits worth: 12. Amount of highlighters armed and ready to go: three so far. Marbles forfeited, given away, or otherwise lost: 9.

Now, back to your regular scheduled programming...

Creation Experience

Written on the steps of the Museum, subjected to some editing:



"Here we are at the Creation Museum, and here's some advice for anyone planning to attend: don't come on a Saturday. We've waited in line for about an hour now...and are being told it's gonna be another half an hour or so. Although we've found out some interesting information from one of the employees: apparently three men from Hawaii traveled to the museum, wanting to open a creation museum on their homeland. We also found out that, not only have people came from as far as Hawaii, but also Ireland and Belgium...so...anyway..."

During our visit we were told that the day we came was probably the largest they've had in the Museum's short history: the capacity of the building is 4800, and the day before, Friday, around 4000 people attended. It was kind of crowded. ;)



And the weather was absolutely beautiful and calm for this time of year, with the temperature reaching only about 80 or so throughout the day. In fact, we've had a rather cool summer this year compared to most, despite all that global warming stuff everyone hears anymore. We were able to walk in their Botanical Gardens multiple times during the day, and, to our great delight, they built a hanging bridge! Or whatever you call those things. So naturally, because of our young at heart-ness, we crossed that thing many times...though I shan't say what exactly was done during those crossings. (landlubbers...beware)



Inside the museum is a different story. References to God's Word and parallels related to it permeate the scenery...for which I'm thankful considering the saturation of evolutionary ideas in today's society. They say the museum consumes 2-4 hours for a complete tour--we were there from 10:45 AM to 6-something PM, which includes activities such as bookstoring, botanical gardening, and eating. And...well, hmm, I shouldn't go on any further...

You'll just have to visit the museum to find out more. ;)



Oh, and another thing: they make a really good frozen chai down in the basement...

~or, if you'd like more info, thereby ruining the surprise factor~
~conclusion by linking to pictures on Facebook~

The Beginning

...on our way there...

Creation Museum or Bust!

This afternoon, the Bandy family left for the Creation Museum located in good ol' Kentucky. Currently blogging on my Aunt's compy (which is a PC, by the way), I unfortunately have no access to pictures or videos...so, bear with me, I shall do all that good stuff when I've internet access on my Mac.

Though we had quite the adventurous morning: after Dad backed out the van, he found a pool of liquid on the floor. Once he inspected it for however long he inspected it, he called our (kinda) local automotive place and they told him to bring the van out there pronto. So they checked it out, and told him that our water pump was dead...gone...off to wherever water pumps go. They then ordered the pump, and told us it'd be installed sometime this afternoon...which, of course, was accomplished to the letter.

And here we are. :D Spending the night in Indiana, taking off early tomorrow morning, etc.

'night.

July Hymnsing

...and more can be viewed on my Facebook.

Visitations

As the previous post suggests, a family came over to our house. On Monday, to be specific. (seems like that's our date for visits ;) However, it wasn't the Candler's who came over this time, but the Sanford family...


preparing for the evening's games

Then we had one of these things for dinner...really really good stuff--a Vegetable Torte, to be specific. Ok, we had more food than that--21 people need more to eat than a torte... ;)




the guy table


an empty table

After dinner, amazingly all us guys cleaned up while the adults and gals went throughout the house to their respective duties, such as talking and playing games...


everyone trying to hide in the closet

So....once we completed the Filling of the Dishwasher and Sink, the outdoors became our destination of choice. Following that course of action, wherein we played extensive games of volleyball and badminton, we concluded our evening inside with an enjoyable game of Mafia...



So ends my tale.

A Quick Preview of Forthcoming Post

A Conglomeration of Sorts

On Monday night the Candler's came over for a great night of food and fellowship, and one thing we definitely did was play...

Dutch Blitz.

And, of course, we couldn't just play without recording a game on camera! :D So now, I present unto you all a Gaffer Productions presentation of sorts that includes silliness, music, and other things along those lines...



Then on Wednesday, a total of 76 (?) people attended our first annual Providence Church 4th of July Celebration (not sure about the official name, though). More can be read about it here.



one of our many games of volleyball



Mr. Lansberry serving it up



Melissa, Pastor McDonald, and Jessica leading the singing of a patriotic song, of which I currently can't remember the name :P



Garrison enjoying the smoke...things



Emil and Garrison attempting to light a few somethings



the somethings going off in a shower of sparks and repeated booms

Trampolining

For the first time ever, as in, for the first time in my 18 years, something months, etc. days of living, I jumped on a trampoline. Yes sir, last Tuesday marked the day. Quite an experience, it was.

A more detailed post, including pictures, can be read here.

An Anniversary

Twenty-five years ago today, Steve and Kelley Bandy were married at Athens Christian Church in Athens, Illinois...



Happy 25th Anniversary, Dad and Mom... :) God has blessed the five of us kids with the bestest parents in the world.

And a most wonderful day to have it! The weather treated us nicely, but the highlight definitely would be the evening. Grace prepared our dinner (I shall decline from giving the details to prevent jealousy :D ), then after the main course dessert was served:





Following dessert, we all headed outside, doing nothing much of importance. The serenity of an Illinois country, with no big city to pollute the noise surrounding you, few cars passing by throughout the day...only your father reading to the family and everyone sitting around here and there listening intently...

Happy Birthdayness and General Updation

A shameless plug for Apple:

Safari for Windows

~~~

Yes, I know, I've been terrible about updating my blog--I apologize to y'all. I shall strive to post more often!

So, it's time to update.

Last week signaled my first week of full-time working, and not a better week could have occurred. Beautiful days, not exceeding 85 degrees (although the one day it went over--had the day off); receiving drenching rain and not wearing a jacket; nap times during long trips, such as that time we drove to Pittsfield over an hour away; wonderful lunches at the local mom and pop restaurants; and to top it all off, we swam at our neighbor's pool multiple times. :D

Also! On Friday Emil attained the age of 16 years. And to celebrate this event, a picture is posted. (with permission, of course ;)

That is...if I can find it.

Aha! Here we are--

Happy Birthday (albeit the few days late), Emil!!!

Graduation 2007

This past Saturday we held Grace's and my graduation party at our house--around 35 people came, and we had a great time. :D

Teen Pact

Oh what a stressful mornin', Oh what a stressful day, I've got a fearful feelin' everything's goin' the wrong way...

The above sentence crossed my mind multiple times this past week. And this past week was...Teen Pact. Even though I didn't attend this year, my brother, however, did so. Like previous years, we decided to open our house to guests for the week. Confused phone calls, false alarms, overcrowded capitals, and late-night conversations on IM (even though we were less than 15 feet away from each other :D ) describes everything perfectly.


Eric and Emil arm wrestling

Matthew Farmer

Allie and Grace

L-R: Sam, Kelly, Brent, Eric

Wednesday...Legislative Day.


singing in front of the capital



Then we have some other various pictures...



Benjamin, William, Eric, and Emil's hand

playing Mafia

goodbyes...

the 2007 Teen Pact graduating class

Friday....AHHH!!! That sums up the day rather well: I had an emergency trip to the grocery store in the morning, THEN later in the afternoon, we found out that Dad, while he was grocery shopping as well, received multiple injuries from shopping carts (too gruesome to get into details), and had to get stiches. Now it sounds like something normal that happens to us, BUT, Emil and Eric had speech class that day. So.......at the exact same time Dad was receiving stiches, they were both finishing up speech. AND Eric had a train to catch almost right after the class was done. So Ashton to the rescue. Commenced emergency situation, made multiple phone calls, drove over prompt care, picked up Eric's luggage, went to the capital, suddenly saw Emil and Eric standing beside the street, honked at 'em to get their attention, almost made the person behind me hit the van because of stopping abruptly, they ran over to the van and got in, we drove over to the train station, decided after a few minutes to buy some food at McDonalds, returned to the train station, found out Dad was there after all, few more minutes transpired then Dad and Emil drove off and bought some rounds of ammo, came back, Eric and I were still there, waited 20 minutes for the train, the train came, Eric left, then we came home. *draws breath*

Sam at the target shoot this afternoon after hearing about our week:

"If I were you I'd be back home in bed."