Winding Down

Sunday started out stormy just like the weatherman said it would but then he said it would clear. We were counting on him guessing right. And he did. By 4 o'clock when our company arrived, it was beautiful out. Ted set up his travel table behind the trailer overlooking the lake and put our lawn chairs around it. Peg had called and said she wasn't feeling well so only Kathy & Mike and Barb & Kevin came. We had drinks and appetizers I had prepared before having dinner. After Kathy & Mike left, the four of us took a walk around the lake. It's about a mile and Ted & I do it frequently while we're here. We had such a good time catching up with them about the rest of the family.

The Enquirer retirees' luncheon is on the first Monday so when we are here on that day, Ted joins the fellows and always has a good time seeing the folks he worked with for many years. Judy (my Maid of Honor) picked me up and we headed to an outside restaurant overlooking the river. She is recovering from breast cancer and it was wonderful to see her looking so well. We had a 3-hour lunch and I got home just minutes before Ted.

We decided to go to the Hollywood Casino that is nearby. My friend called from Memphis and said she had won $500 in Tunica so we thought we would try here. Ted went off to play video poker and I found a Party Time slot machine. I put in a $20 bill and in short order had run it up to $165. I wanted to be sure I didn't just play it all back so I cashed out and took the ticket to Ted to keep for me. I then found a different machine, put in another $20 and almost immediately won free spins. It started going on its own and when it stopped I had $73 so I cashed that out and give it to Ted too.

I was down to my last $20 so I went to another Party Time machine but didn't do good. When I was able to play the bonus I picked a Pooper right away, but then picked a Party Saver so I could go on and picked a Pooper again! So I returned to Ted who gave me my two tickets back but I just held on to them until he quit. I cashed them both on my way out.

I had broken the ear piece on my glasses so we stopped at Wal-Mart optical. They were able to look up my frame number on line and fixed them on the spot. There went most of my winnings! We also bought Sam a remote control car for his birthday. It was last Saturday but there is a party at Pump It Up the day after we arrive in Michigan. I sent his Procter & Gamble stock check to arrive on time but I usually give them all a little something they will enjoy right away. I probably won't be around when they appreciate the value of a P&G stock account.

Tonight Tim & Cindy are coming by for dinner and to discuss the 2011 Family Reunion. We are planning for 100 people. The 133 we had in 2009 was due to the proximity of the event to Cincinnati. The 2011 one will be in Pigeon Forge, TN and we expect to lose a few attendees. I've already decided on one color for T-shirts. In the past we had individual colors for each family but that entails 15 colors and makes ordering harder. I've found great art clip of a bear and mountain which is a good representation of the Smoky Mountain area we will be in. Cindy is in charge of Friday night's dinner and gift bags. She has a good handle on what she is going to do so we're in great shape.

Stay cool wherever you are!