Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without

I was raised to save, reuse and be frugal.  Maybe my parents being children of the depression had something to do with it, or being a part of a religion that emphasizes being thrifty.  A common statement I heard when younger was "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without."  This is a good concept in theory but can get you into trouble. 

Tonight I learned that those cheap plastic table coverings from the dollar store do have a shelf life!  I have had 6 or more of these folded nicely on the top wire shelf of my hall closet for a few years.  But tonight they came a crumbling down. Sam had reported a flood in the bathroom (created by trying to fill water balloons).  Crisis diverted when I see blue crumbled confetti all over the hallway.  I walked straight into a sloshy wet carpet mess in my quest to check where the blue came from.  Those plastic coverings appeared to have exploded into millions of tiny particles all over.  It was impossible to pick up the larger pieces as they'd instantly transform into crumbles.  I guess this closet gets an overhaul soon and if I haven't used some things up they might just be worn out, making it mandatory that I do without!

Just 2 pictures of what could have been many more showing the mess in the closet!

Things That Fly

When I think about it I realize that my life has always been surrounded by things that fly.  Before I was born my parents owned a plane and then shared one with friends.  Dad had his pilot license and my mom was close but missed out on her solo flight due to a leak in the fuel tank.  Then they got rid of the plane and the other one was not great for learning in.    

When I was little we went to the airport often as my dad traveled for work on a regular basis.  I used to know flight schedules and have the airport pay phone #s memorized (I loved memorizing phone numbers as they had patterns, but that is a story for another day as we did have fun with pranks).   

Nick began flight instruction well before we married but it turned out to be too expensive for his budget. Since being married Nick has become a born again rocketeer (BAR) as he had some rockets when he was younger but came back to it when he was older.  He spent time working on rockets during grad school and it became a good mental diversion from the pressures.  He got Dan started and they both enjoyed.  Sam was still fairly young.   

When we moved here rockets were put aside due to lack of finding a large enough area to fly without trees in the way.  RC planes and then helicopters have become the latest in sending things through the air.  Dan has been on board with both helicopters and planes.  At science camp last month Sam took the Rockets and Lego Mindstorm class.  He found his new love - rockets.  Makes sense, one of his favorite online games is the Kerbal Space Program where you build rockets and fly them into space.  So part of our summer has included Things That Fly!  I guess it's no surprise.  Below I have included links to 6 short videos.  Two for each boy.  

NICK

Nick's Telemaster maiden flight just after takeoff: Click here to Start 

Nick's Telemaster maiden flight, several passes & landing: Click here to Start 

DAN

Dan's first solo with his own plane Alpha 450, take off: Click here to Start 

Dan's first solo with his own plane Alpha 450, flying in front of the moon and landing: Click here to Start 

SAM

Sam's first rocket flight from his own rocket he built (sorry but recording started just at launch so all we get is smoke:Click here to Start

Little Sam flown at his SMTC launch, Little Sam was named for Sam as he was 5 days old when it had its first flight and he was there to watch 9 years ago, although likely sleeping: Click here to Start