Jolly Rogers

Days 9-10 - Some Sunshine

2012-02-11T13:42:00.011-06:00

We had a successful trip to the ropas! We skipped the usada ones and went right to Erika's; but alas, it was a shadow of its former self. I'm not sure what happened but most of it was sitting empty. What remained wasn't much. We left but a fellow outside said to try a new store Ramme's back the way we had come.

What a find! It looks like a department store, very clean and orderly. All name brand clothes with tags still on. I bought white denim capris, a pair of Ralph Lauren shorts and Ralph Lauren jeans ($26), three tops and my best find ... a Kate Spade $355 dress for $59. Woo Hoo! I believe I had eight items for about $160. Not the $3 finds of Erika's but much more to choose from.

Friday it didn't rain but was overcast. We piddled around and at 2 o'clock decided to go eat out since neither of us had eaten anything and then go to the grocery. We chose Tony Roma's because 1) we had a coupon and 2) it wasn't BBQ or Mexican. Of course we had ribs and they were good.

We decided to check out JCP because of all their advertising and Ted's need for new underwear. He has always worn their Stafford brand. Sure enough the prices were much lower than previously so we bought him two packs of briefs and T-shirts. He should be ready for our cruise now, at least in that department.

Our next stop was HEB where we got a few grocery items we needed and then headed home. We weren't hungry so after a while we headed to Mission West Park next door to ours to see a Branson performer John Sager. He was voted male vocalist of the year in Branson two years in a row. What a show he put on! He sang all the songs we like and had a lot of audience interaction which is always fun.

There was another fellow with him who did some comedy and impersonations in between. They pulled a fellow from the audience to be Elvis and his job was to sing the refrain "I'm all shook up." What a great sport he was.

Today was the pet parade. There were hot dogs, beer, soft drinks and baked goods for sale for the Cinderella Dog Shelter.

Votes were $1 each and also went to the shelter. We had front row seats in front of the trailer to see the parade. Here are a few entries.
Here is the winner.

We are going to church tonight and have tickets for a Lucy and Ricky show tomorrow night. Monday will be the HitchHiker's monthly luncheon and we'll see some more friends there. Who knows what will happen the rest of the week.

Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans. ~ John Lennon

Days 6-8 Rain, Rain and More Rain

2012-02-09T11:47:00.002-06:00

This is what I get for bragging on Facebook that it was 80 and sunny when we arrived. And to make matters worse, those down here are accusing us of bringing this weather!

We stayed in on Tuesday and it was pleasant listening to the rain on the roof and especially the slides when we sleep. Between my Kindle, the cable TV and the laptop, there's plenty to keep us from getting bored.

Wednesday was rain off and on but Ted was able to get his shooting in. We've also had times when we can do our walk around the perimeter and stop and talk to folks. Ted borrowed one of the parks' bikes and road around for awhile.

Last night we went to the Margarita happy hour at the clubhouse and sat with some folks from North Carolina, Kansas and Ontario. There were all kinds of appetizers, even some soup, and all the frozen Margaritas you could drink.

Today it hasn't stopped raining at all. We're going to take a ride down towards Hidalgo to the ropas. There are ropa nuevos (new clothes) and ropa usadas (used clothes). Karen said she'll go to the nuevo ropas but not the usada ropas! I'll miss Stella because she and I have the best time just rooting around through used and new. Ted has a new Tommy Bahama shirt (tags still on) that I paid $3 for. I have a pair of lined wool Ralph Lauren slacks I paid 60 cents for. I don't buy a lot, just great bargains when I find them, but it's so much fun to see a mountain of clothes and people climbing all over it. But today with Karen I'll be limited to the stuff hanging on racks.

Another park we stayed in a couple years back has a fashion show each year. The ladies must buy all their clothing at the ropa usadas. I think they tell how much the entire ensemble cost. Once two ladies found a silver fox and a full length mink coat. At 45 cents a pound, they were a real hit in the show.

Such is life in the Rio Grande Valley ... with or without the rain.

Shopping tip: You can get shoes for 85 cents at the bowling alley. ~ Author Unknown

Day 5 in Mexico

2012-02-07T07:56:00.002-06:00

We had a good time at the Super Bowl Hamburger Bash and enjoyed the food. Apparently the shooting group isn't much into football because it wasn't too far into the game after eating that people headed home and Ted and I were the only ones left watching the game. When the workampers started putting the chairs away, we came home and watched the rest on TV. It was a terrific game and my quarterback won, I wasn't choosing a team. I had 6 and 7 on the board and never came close to winning anything but that's how it goes.

Monday we picked up Jay & Stella and headed to the Mercedes bridge parking lot to meet most of the group we had dinner with on Friday. They all wanted to be accompanied into Mexico and we four obliged. First stop was the Almost Free Pharmacy where we get what we need. I had orders for some face cream, allergy medicine, antibiotics, etc. from folks in addition to what we needed.

Now don't get your panties in a twist. It is perfectly OK to buy these things in Mexico and bring them back. I always show what I have to Customs and there has never been a problem. Also, the quality of the drugs has always been up to par.

The ladies wanted to go into the big department store to browse so we waited while they did that. I found a scarf but that was all. We walked on and eventually stopped at Rene's Cafe. Ted and I just had rolls (delicious!) and coffee while the others ate lunch and/or breakfast. It was just too early for us to have lunch and Ted isn't an egg eater so breakfast was out. Our three pastries and two bottomless cups of coffee were $5.75. Try that at Panera Bread or Starbucks!

We walked on and stopped at several boot places. I was looking for boots and found some that feel good on. I didn't want fancy ones or the high heel/pointed toe ones. At my age, comfort is the name of the game. These are black with white embroidery up the sides, very much like Ted's boots. Now I'm ready for the rodeo!

We've tried to replace Ted's belt that we bought in New Mexico but the fellow called us and said it was no longer available. So we stopped at the leather shop and Ted chose a black leather belt and the man put his old silver buckle on it along with four silver conchos strategically placed in the design. Then he put a new buckle on his old belt so he could still wear it. Now he wants to go back over and get a brown belt.

We walked back over the bridge after clearing Immigration and Customs and said our farewells to the folks. Jay & Stella leave tomorrow and we won't see them until April. The other folks are heading out in different directions too.

The weather has been about 10 degrees cooler than normal and it has been very overcast. We took a walk around the entire park before coming in for dinner. The Bachelor was on so I was happy to be home since I missed last week when the skinny dipping scene took place! I've read spoilers and if they are true, I don't like the outcome and it has sort of ruined it for me. If he really chooses this girl, it won't last long. She isn't a very nice person and seems too self-centered to ever be good marriage material.

We were invited to Willie's BBQ to say goodbye to all the Heartland folks but we passed. I'm not sure what we're going to do today, perhaps nothing. That sounds good!

The trouble with doing nothing is that you never know when you are finished.

Days 1-4

2012-02-04T17:43:00.003-06:00

We had an uneventful trip to Victoria on Thursday and were set up by 2 p.m. Dave called us before we were an hour on the road and Stella called to be sure we had arrived safely at our destination. Stella also said she got tickets to see the Link Family at our park on Friday and Dave signed us up for the Super Bowl Party on Sunday. It's so nice to have a welcoming party looking out for us.

When we were less than an hour from Mission, Jay texted that we were invited to a cookout with their Heartland friends. Of course we accepted. So we had an agenda.

We pulled into site 418, right across from Dave and Karen. Perfect! And we are right near the clubhouse. We couldn't have picked out a more convenient site. Karen told me to come over as soon as I was settled. She and I had a pomegranate martini while Ted visited with the fellows out in the casita that is on their site.

At 4:30, Jay and Stella picked us up and we went to Jim's over in Retama Village. Kathy, who we know, was there and two other couples we didn't know but met and enjoyed their company. We had a a nice cookout and visit. A little before 7:00 we left to return to our clubhouse to see the Link Family show. We've seen this group before and enjoy them. Friday night was no different. Having an entertainer in the family is great, having the whole family involved is amazing.

Saturday we picked up Jay and Stella and went to Furr's for breakfast. We intended to go on to the Don-Wes produce market afterwards. The weather was iffy and Ted received a call that the shooters wanted to leave early so we brought Ted back to get his truck and then the three of us continued back to the market.

My best find was wild rice from Minnesota. We bought a BIG bag in Minnesota summer before last and I recently used the last of it. The only place I can find it at home is a very small box at Kroger's. There are lots of mixtures, boxes, etc. but no plain wild rice. So I was happy to buy two bags. I also bought grapefruit and a pineapple. I didn't buy too much because I wanted to be sure Ted would bring me back next week.

Attending church here is still a hoot. Hank Williams' Oh Lonesome Me was the entrance song. I counted three dogs this time. It was once again the celebration of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. Jesus, Mary, Joseph, Simon and Anna were all part of the small play but no donkey this year. However, when Father was reading the gospel while the actors silently did their acting, he said "and Jesus, Mary and Joseph came to the temple." And then one of the dogs barked. So Fr. Roy started again, "and Jesus, Mary, Joseph and their dog came to the temple." Everyone laughed long and loud. When Anna didn't appear on time, Fr. Roy asked "what happened to Anna." She appeared and at the end of the "play" Fr. Roy said Anna was 84 years old (according to the Bible) and it just took her awhile to get to the temple.

We so enjoy attending church at Our Lady of Guadalupe while here in the valley. There is always something non-conventional happening.

We came home, made a pot of chili and watched War Horse on DVD that David and Karen lent us.

Today is cold and rainy and the Super Bowl shindig starts at 5:00. So we've been inside but are heading out to the store.

Catch you later.

Chris is in Clover

2012-02-01T14:45:00.002-06:00

We've been home for a month and Chris is anxious for us to be on our way. I know it isn't fun living with your parents as an adult and we're very grateful to have Chris as our housesitter. He's always so anxious to come! Tomorrow starts a whole month for him.

Sunday was a relaxing day but Monday was a bit busier. When Rebecca came to clean on Friday, she said the bathroom rug in the guest bath was wet. I called Rick, the plumber, and he said he would come Monday. We turned off the water and just didn't use that bathroom. We needed a new ring where the toilet sits in the floor and it was fixed in no time on Monday. Ted picked up Kelly and Pat around 2 pm and as soon as they got to the house, I had to leave for the dentist. After grinding the partial down a bit to get my bite more in line, I was back home in time to leave for Terry & Carol's. She had invited us all to dinner. We had a swell time visiting with them, at the dining room table, as the family always does. The kids were so glad to see them.

The weather was rainy on Tuesday but we had tickets to see the King Tut exhibit at the museum so we drove downtown and parked in a garage that allowed us to make our way through tunnels to the museum. We all enjoyed the exhibit and it is amazing how much people have learned about the Egyptian civilization 5,000 years ago. Afterwards we had dinner at the Mexican restaurant out the road from our house. The kids really enjoyed the authenticity of the place and the excellent food.

Today was beautiful but Pat & Kelly had to leave for home. We had the morning together and just spent the time visiting. They worked on some things from their weekend training and Pat had a work phone call but for the most part it was pretty laid back.

We dropped them off at the airport and are getting our things together to leave tomorrow. We'll drive to Victoria, spend the night and then drive into Mission on Friday. Jay & Stella and Dave & Karen are awaiting our arrival. I'm looking forward to a month of not having to be anywhere at any particular time for any reason!

Next time will be "notes from the road" as we make our way to the Rio Grande Valley.

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, WINTER TEXANS by Ken Rudine

Every winter, starting about 1950 many so-called “Winter Texans” have come to enjoy the Valley’s South Texas weather. These folks come from the states north of Texas and Canada. Their numbers have increased every year and as a result they now make a tremendous impact on the local economy. We hear them talk among themselves of the bad weather being experienced at their home. They are easy to spot dressed in their shorts and T-shirts. While us natives wear our jeans, long sleeved shirts and jackets when the north wind occasionally blows into the Valley. Obviously the weather is the first reason they choose the Valley. It is a fact that if these visitors collectively sang, they could sing, “I’ve been everywhere – crossed the deserts bare – I’ve breathed the mountain air – of travel I’ve had my share – I’ve been everywhere” and really mean it. I believe they choose to come to the Rio Grande Valley also because of us Texans. Winter Texans understand that Texans get along just fine when left alone.

Goodbye to Owen

2012-01-29T08:25:00.002-06:00

Friday I had an early beauty shop appointment. Because Rebecca had parked in the drive, Ted drove me in the truck and went shooting. He picked me up afterwards and we went to the Honey B store to pick up the ham and rolls we ordered and took them to Alicia's for all her company coming in. She was going in several directions and was easily distracted but our friends Jeff and Rachel's daughter Tammy was running the show. Alicia said she didn't know what she would do without Tammy and another young neighbor Cammie taking charge. Jeff was doing the slideshow and Rachel was coordinating the food. It's great to have friends like this at such a time.

In the evening, Gerre and Barry picked us up and we joined Jennifer and Gene for some BBQ before heading to the theater. There we saw another friend Teri who also attends these performances. It's a lovely theater without a bad seat in the house and we enjoyed the play very much. The jokes have changed over the years with Facebook and HD TVs mentioned that weren't in existence in the 90s when we last saw the play. We came straight home because Gerre and Barry had a 9 am flight to Jamaica.

Saturday was a long day. I had a dentist appointment and my partial was ready. It fits well but is a bit high and it "hits" before the other side does. I have appointments Monday and Wednesday for final "fittings." At 2:00 we attended the memorial service for Owen. He was a retired Navy captain and had a very distinguished career. There were many in attendance and we knew lots of them. This getting older sure is sobering when your mortality is brought forefront. The old saying "no one gets out of here alive" comes to mind.

From that church we went to ours to attend Mass before we went to bunco. We were subbing for Ted's brother and his wife in a group associated with our church. We saw Rachel and Tammy at the funeral, her family at Mass, and we were all at bunco together. We met Rachel's sister Louise who lives in The Villages and she was such a delight. She had flown to Texas to take her father back home with her for a month. The three siblings take turns having their 91 year old father stay with them. This bunco group is a younger group for the most part and I am always so impressed with how closely these parents monitor their kids friends, reading material, extra activities, etc. How very difficult it must be to raise children in today's permissive world.

I was very tired by the time we got home and after a little TV went off to bed and got a good night's sleep. Pat and Kelly are in town and we'll pick them up from their hotel on Monday afternoon. They are visiting with us until Wednesday.

Keeping busy is a good part of retirement but having a day like today with nowhere particular to go and nothing particular to do is a real blessing.

Here is the test to find whether your mission on Earth is finished: if you're alive, it isn't. ~ Richard Bach

I Aced It!

2012-01-26T16:16:00.004-06:00

Sunday evening was a beautiful night on the waterway and we enjoyed what turned out to be a fresh group of people. I knew two of the ladies, had met two others recently at genealogy, but the other couples were new to me. We had enjoyable conversation, a very good pizza and shared a cannoli for dessert. Neither one of us had lunch so we were both way past hungry!

I didn't get around to my laundry but I did spend a lot of time on the computer doing family research and in-putting info I do have on over 200 people into Family Tree. I try to break up the work by looking for ancestors in between typing in descendants. I have found my great-great grandparents from my maternal great grandparents and that's exciting. After that entry the research moves to Europe and I have to upgrade my subscription to include The World. Since I have so much "regular" typing to do, I'm putting that off until I'm ready to concentrate on ancestors.

I worked at the thrift store on Tuesday and they are talking about having a small fashion show at one of our meetings wearing things people have bought from the store while working. I've picked up things for the kids but the only thing I bought for myself is a brand new jean jacket from Chico's. If I can wear the rest of my own clothes, I'd be happy to model it. We come across new stuff all the time. There is even a boutique area filled with designer clothes. I have to see what happens with this idea. It could be a lot of fun.

It was time for our evening Canasta group and Gerre and I had a hard time finding the house. The bad part is she has GPS in her car and I lived in that neighborhood at one time. We circled three times before we found the house on the opposite side of the street from where we were looking. We were in stitches by the time we arrived. I won second place and won $15 I think. Things are looking up!

We got some much needed rain on Wednesday and it was a great day to stay inside. We were supposed to take Alicia, whose husband just died, downtown but she called and said they were going to FedEx her what she needed. With the weather as bad as it was with flash flooding, we were both happy not to have to go out.

Today was my last performance at BookSmart. However, I was not Dwayne but ran the music machine. Last time I had trouble and was frantic the whole time getting the correct track ready to play at the correct time. This time I made sure the table was stable, did about three run throughs and it went off perfectly! I didn't miss one cue and there were no slip-ups. The new gal playing Dwayne missed three of her five lines and I knew how badly she felt. But the audience doesn't know and the others ad lib through it. All in all, it was our best production yet.

Tomorrow is hair color and cut day and then dinner and the play Nunsense with Gerre and Barry. They have season tickets and get two free tickets on occasion and invited us along. We saw this play in New York in the early 90s. Having gone to Catholic school K-12 with nuns doing most of the teaching, I find it a hoot. I know I'll enjoy it just as much this time. I don't remember the exact story line so much of it will be new again.

If my memory gets any worse I'll be able to hide my own Easter eggs soon.

I Broke A Leg!

2012-01-22T13:42:00.004-06:00

Not really, I just didn't blow any of my lines as Dwayne. The only mishap was Bubba put my bolo tie on with the medallion facing in instead of out but I don't think the kids noticed. One teacher was laughing so hard I thought she was going to fall off her chair. Then we went around to seven classrooms to "autograph" the book - 120 in all! It is such a fun time for all concerned. I'm going to suggest they get shirts and hats as costumes that look like the characters in the book. I had a black cowgirl hat on and in the book the Wicked Stepdaddy does. A little boy pointed this out and I think he has a point. With so many of us working at the Thrift Shop, I'm sure we could locate a few things there or be on the watch for them for next year.

Ted ordered his new glasses and sent for his new lense to snap into his shooting glasses. I'm expecting all 25's from him with his new toy and new glasses. But Lord knows I don't need any more trophies unless he puts a shelf in his man cave to put them on. My office is plumb full.

Friday was up and out early. I had to be at the CWJF meeting by 8:15 to help set up the food. It is sign up time and most everyone comes so we have a crowd. They requested my deviled eggs so I made a couple dozen. We had everything set up, I signed up for what I need for the rest of the year, and I came back to eggs missing. People were wandering by and picking one up, then moving the others around to fill in the hole. But as more and more people did that, more plate was showing than there were eggs. By the time the crowd came up to eat and sit down for the meeting, my eggs were mostly gone already.

I came home and Ted and I went to visit our friend Owen who had been moved to hospice. We were there mid-afternoon with his wife and minister. We prayed for him with them and took our leave around 3:30. Owen passed away in the early evening. We were so glad we went to see him and didn't wait. He was a true gentleman, a military man and one h*ll of a Canasta player! Our hearts and prayers go out to Alicia and his family at this difficult time.

Friday was getting even longer for us because we were expected at Wind Down. We bought some jalapeno sauce when up at Canton Trade Days so I bought mini phyllo dough cups already made up, mixed eggs with the jalapeno sauce, filled the cups and put shredded cheese on top and popped them into the oven to bake into mini hot quiches. Quick and easy which is all I was up for. They were a hit but I caught flack because I didn't bring my deviled eggs! We had a nice visit with everyone including the host couple who are moving to Jakarta soon. So many people travel in and out of our lives in the area where we live.

We made plans to go to the campground to see Tommy and Susan on Saturday. They are there for the weekend to just have a few days away. There was a BBQ going on in the park but we had elected to go out to dinner. We took them to that new Italian place we learned about last fall. The food was excellent and we all enjoyed it. We did go to the BBQ once we got back, not to eat but to visit with the folks that we know. Then we retired to the motorhome to visit.

We had a great time and had a cup of coffee. Tommy carries decaf just for me and Ted so we have to show up now and then to keep the stock rotated. Susan used her I-Pad to send me this photo of Lexy. When we got back she was in the driver's seat and Tess was in the passenger seat just sitting there looking out as if they were ready to drive away.

This morning we went to church, Ted is shooting, I'm playing with the Family Tree looking for Ted's elusive great-great grandparents. We are going to a pizza place on the waterway with the Dining Out group tonight at 6. And tomorrow ... so far ... is still open! Laundry room here I come.

Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things. ~Author Unknown

Still Trucking Along

2012-01-18T16:21:00.003-06:00

Ted's endoscopy went well but the doctor did biopsy two spots and removed a nodule at the junction of the stomach and esophagus. He said he didn't think any of it was anything but he was being careful. His office called today and said it was negative on the nodule and irritation from reflux on the others. He is to continue his Nexium and see him again next year. Those waits sure can be long! We give thanks to God for the good report.

Ted's Christmas present arrived on Friday and he spent a lot of time over the weekend and the first of the week at the gun club. He is happy with his new toy and I'm happy for him. He doesn't smoke, drink, or carouse around but he does bet on the lottery. I can deal with his little "man cave" and the time he spends with his buddies. Everyone needs something to do in retirement.

We played Canasta Saturday night and I won third place which gave us our $10 back. We always enjoy subbing in this group. We get called frequently because there are 8 couples and it seems there is always someone who can't make it.

Sunday I spent time on the computer with My Family Tree Maker and my new subscription to ancestry.com. I've made some headway on our family tree for the next reunion. I was proud when I hit 100 people included. Gerre then said she had 15,000 people! She has books and books of things. I'll be a long time catching up I think. I'm trying to get the bottom part of the tree filled in with my generation on down. Then I'll work on the ancestor part in earnest. Right now I do have eight generations so that's a great start. We figured out one of my problems is I knew eight of my grandparents (Kelly had 10 when she was born) and that takes you off on tangents in every direction. I'm focusing on Joseph C. Homer, my maternal great grandfather, whose family of three children and descendants populate the reunion we hold every two years.

My Third Monday Bunco group met on Monday and we had two new ladies join us. We have two spots to fill and they have expressed an interest. One will fill a vacancy and the other is waiting to see if my friend Michele is going to drop out. She has her 90+ year old mother at home, her husband with slight dementia in need of a new hip replacement since the other is one of the bad ones and she is now hospitalized with shingles. I stopped to visit her and her face is a mess. I know she is under tremendous stress and that is making things worse. She doesn't need to worry about making it to bunco. We'll let it ride for awhile to see how things go. The decision will be hers.

Tuesday is my day at the thrift shop. I have to say I really enjoy working with the Forum ladies there. There was so much stacked up that we were in each other's way so I took the basket of things to be set aside for poundage and cut buttons off. I filled a container like you would pack a sandwich in only a bit deeper. That's a lot of buttons! However, I wasn't as tired as I normally am when I stand and unpack bags and boxes for four hours.

Today was genealogy and we had a good group. Everyone has done something and several have beautiful books, pictures, trees, etc. All are doing ancestors, I'm the only one still working on descendants. But some day, someone will be happy I have all that information down on paper.

Ted had an eye appointment this afternoon and I went with him to drive him home after his eyes were dilated. He has a change in his prescription so he'll be getting that done soon. He needed a second prescription so he can send his shooting safety glasses away to be changed also.

Tomorrow is my premier performance as Dwayne, the ugly cowboy stepbrother. Wish me luck!

"Life has no rehearsals, only performances." ~ Anonymous

Almost a Vacation Week

2012-01-13T07:01:00.002-06:00

It's been a slow, catch up week and I almost felt like I was on vacation. Monday I played Canasta in the afternoon. Tuesday and Wednesday were free days. It gave me a chance to get started on our taxes, take my new coat and slacks to the tailor for hemming, pick up mail at Rayford for Jay & Stella, take care of getting a couple prescriptions, pay our estimated tax payment, mail a package at the post office, drop off Carol's birthday gift and lots of other little things.

I had dinner with Gerre Tuesday night while Ted was shooting. Darn if I didn't lose another bracelet! I had a lovely turquoise one made summer before last and when I arrived home and started to take off my jewelry, there was no bracelet. I called the restaurant and Gerre, but no one had it. I've lost a gold nugget bracelet and a diamond tennis bracelet. Now I seldom wear one for this reason. At least I don't wear expensive ones anymore, though this was a very nice one!

Yesterday was our first play performance and I ran the music machine. Unfortunately, they set up the music stage left where the actors exit most of the time. With the cowboys stomping past me, it sent enough motion to the machine to make it keep going back to Track 10. I was frantic getting it back to the Track I needed. Normally it would go in succession but that was not to be. The only major thing I missed was the lightning bolt sound which follows the thunder sound immediately. After the thunder track it went back to 10 and I couldn't get it to 6 quick enough for the bolt. But the audience didn't seem to notice my hurried pushing of buttons and most everything else went well. Next week I'll be Dwayne.

Today Ted is having his annual surveillance endoscopy to check that the Barrett's Esophagus remains gone! We are praying, first that everything is still clear and second, just maybe he can get these done every other year instead of yearly. But it's a small price to pay for the excellent outcome he had in 2008 with the new ablative therapy he had done.

Rebecca will clean today while we are gone. She hasn't been here since the middle of December so I'll be glad to see her. Next week is a bear and I have every day on my calendar marked with at least one, and in some cases two, things I have for that day. I guess it will be time to pay the Piper for the easy week I had this week.

"You owe it to everyone you love (including yourself) to find pockets of tranquility in your busy world.” ~ Wolfdyke

Success!

2012-01-08T10:37:00.003-06:00

Kara completed her first half-marathon (13 miles) in 3 hrs., 28 minutes at Disney World this weekend. I'm not sure about times but I do know that they have a "sweep crew" and if you aren't keeping a 16 minute mile pace, off the course you go. By my calculations, she finished ahead of sweep time by about 20 minutes. Next month she returns for the Princess Half Marathon. What a wonderful husband she has who will stay home with the kids while she trains and flies off to Disney World by herself for the weekend!

Ted and I shared the kitchen on Saturday while he used his new Christmas gift crockpot for his pork shoulder. He puts the smoker on the deck for the brisket and both things were going at once.

I, on the other hand, was making more mundane things like yeast rolls, roasted peppers and lemon pie to go with our Saturday night meal. I made a great one if I do say so myself for my old boss, his wife and son. I left Hoechst Celanese in 1996 and we've remained friends all these years. They are at retirement "loose ends" and are trying to decide where to live. They have a son in Denver, one in the Carolinas and one here. They are returning in April and have invited us out to dinner so maybe they will have some news then.

We went to church early today because Ted is gathering up his banquet things and will be getting his brisket and pork ready for the first Skeet Banquet of this year. I'm going along to share in the banquet and just watch Ted in action. It does my heart good!

Health food may be good for the conscience but Oreos taste a hell of a lot better. ~ Robert Redford

I Knew I Would Hate Myself

2012-01-05T21:04:00.002-06:00

I said when I decorated a bit for Christmas that I would hate myself on January 2. Well I hated myself today on January 5. Everything is down but some is still sitting in the garage waiting to be put upstairs in the attic. While it is semi cleared out, I want to go up and get rid of a few things before I put everything back up there again. As Scarlett O'Hara said "tomorrow is another day."

I was busy Monday night tending to Ted's very sore neck and shoulder muscle. I think he had a spasm from driving for so long and he had a big knot. Using Flexall, aspirin and a heating ring, we finally got it to loosen up. Each day it got a bit better and he is fine now.

I played Shang Hai on Tuesday and even though Gerre and I were at the same table and did lousy, we had a lot of fun with Jan and Monica. We laughed and laughed the whole time. That evening I had another dentist appointment and he said we are two away from being finished. Hooray! I was supposed to stop at the funeral home for a viewing of one of the Newcomer lady's husband but I simply forgot and came on home.

Wednesday morning I did remember to send the dozen chicken salad sandwiches I made over to church for the funeral luncheon. I was unable to attend the Mass or help out because we had Book Smart play practice. It was a dress rehearsal and the last one before our first performance on January 12. I did great on the music but switched my last two lines while playing Dwayne. This learning two parts is nerve wracking. I wasn't alone and one gal was still using the script so I didn't feel too bad. I need to zero in on the Narrator to get the right line at the right time.

We brought a ham bone home all the way from Michigan because Kara was going to throw it away! There was a ton of ham left on it so we just put it in our cooler with ice. I made a pot of bean soup and we had it two nights for dinner with cornbread. It was mighty tasty.

Today was Continental Breakfast and since I'm one of the Activity Chairs I have to show up on occasion. My best estimate is that I won't be able to attend again until September so I thought it best to show my face. Afterwards I drove to the mall to exchange a top and ended up buying two pairs of slacks. There are still some good bargains out there.

Tucker is with us tonight and will be until Sunday. He's all curled up on the recliner love seat with Ted. He usually likes me best but he's really warming up to Ted who takes him out all the time and for walks.

My former boss at Hoechst Celanese in Michigan and his wife and son are coming for dinner Saturday night while they are in town. It will be good to see them. Ted's shooting league banquet is on Sunday. He is preparing the pulled pork and brisket for it. Both of us in the kitchen at one time might be pushing the envelope just a bit! I'll let you know how we make out next time.

If the shelves are dusty and the pots don't shine, it's because I have better things to do with my time. ~ Author Unknown

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggidy Jig

2011-12-31T14:57:00.007-06:00

We arrived in Celina Wednesday afternoon and soon Dan came home from work. He has been doing short days. We were both relieved to see him looking better and doing well. We waited for Brandon to come home and then took them to JTs, their favorite restaurant, for dinner. I was so tired I couldn't make it through the news and gave up and went to bed.

We lingered over coffee in the morning and took off before noon. We made a stop in Findlay at Jaqua Fine Guns and had lunch at Cracker Barrel. Then we drove on to Centerville and found Peter and Ethleon in amazing health for a couple in their 90s. They were so happy to see us and we them! We visited for a couple hours, said our goodbyes and left for Cincinnati.

We had a 5 o'clock reservation to meet up with my friends. Donna #3 was sick and had said she couldn't come. When Donna #1 (I'm Donna #2 based on birthdays) arrived with Jerry, she said Cookie was sick so she and Butch wouldn't be there, so the four of us had a great time catching up since this past summer. Donna's steak and Ted's steak were not as requested so they both got entire new dinners and then they comped the dinner for both of them! A nice gesture from Texas Longhorn and made the evening even better.

We took it easy Friday until it was time to go to Ted's sister Kathy's house. His brother Kevin and Barb also came. We had Skyline chili for dinner and plates of cookies! Once again, we never moved from the table and sat talking until 11:30. His sister Peg didn't get away from her grandson's birthday party early enough to stop by. We see whomever we can when in town but with so many, we just can't see them all.

Saturday we found a message from Peg asking us to lunch but it was 4:00 o'clock by then. Ted called her back and apologized but I'm sure she was plenty busy anyway. We went to Mass and then to the Bier Haus (pretzel bread, turtle soup, hot bacon slaw, potato pancakes - this German girl's dream!) for dinner. Cindy, Tim, Ann, Todd and Nick joined the four of us. We expected them to come back to the house but Brian brought Jameson to the restaurant for Cindy & Tim to take home to watch and Ann & Todd had to deliver Nick (home on leave from the Air Force) to a party in Indiana. So the four of us went home, put the pies away and waited for the ball to drop. We were all in bed by 12:05!

We took off about 8 o'clock the next morning and made it all the way to Benton, AR just south of Little Rock. After a dinner at Western Sizzler, we watched some TV and turned in early. Today we arrived home about 2:30 pm. Ted has a sore shoulder so I'm doing the unpacking. I have things to do until Friday so the decorations will probably stay put until the weekend.

It was a great trip and wonderful Christmas but we're glad to be home.

Happy New Year to all my blog friends. I hope you will continue to read along in 2012.

It well may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me is made from what I learned from you
You'll be with me like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...

Beautiful lyrics from "For Good" from Wicked.

Some Christmas Photos from Kara

2011-12-28T20:32:00.008-06:00

This is a note written by Ted for Santa to Morgan and Sam. We are going to have it matted and framed to be put out every year so the kids will always have a sample of their Poppa's writing.

Date Night and Moving On

2011-12-28T06:43:00.002-06:00

Keeping the day after Christmas relatively free was a good idea. Everyone was tired and not having to get dressed and be somewhere was a welcome relief. Allen and I put the Barbie Dream Townhouse together while still in our PJs. Morgan was so excited. She was so good in understanding that no one had time on Christmas Day to put it together. Sam worked on his stealth planes made of Legos. The kid is going to be an engineer. Ted took this opportunity to go to Great Lakes Gun Club. His Christmas present is being made in Milwaukee and won't be ready for awhile yet. Mine is sitting out in the drive.

We planned to go see Christmas lights and to exchange two things at Coldwater Creek in the evening but Kara got to not feeling well so we ate leftovers and kept our feet up.

Tuesday after the kids' dentist appointments, we went to Coldwater Creek. They had given Kara a wrong size for me and the top I bought Kristin was too big. We were able to get the correct size for both of us and another top for me for just $20 because of the sale prices. I also bought a $240 coat for $85. The one I am wearing was a gift from Jaime, our Mexican foreign exchange student, in 1993. When you only wear it one week a year at most, it takes a long time to wear out. Actually it is still fine but a change was in order.

We all started getting ready for our "dates" as soon as we arrived home. Four of us were going to the Detroit Opera House to see Wicked. That was Allen & Kara and Sam & me, my first date with my only grandson. Grandpa, on the other hand, was taking his three granddaughters, Cassie, Ally and Morgan, to the movies to see Arthur's Christmas and to Pizza Hut for dinner. Kelly and Pat took advantage of not having to cook dinner for the family and exchanged some gifts and ate at Red Robin.

Wicked was sensational and I'm so glad I went. The Opera House is right across from Comerica Park and Ford Field. The Fox Theater is on the next block. This area of Detroit is still very nice and they have built townhomes and lofts that are quite attractive. I wish them well in bringing the city back to what it was during it's glory days.

Today we move on to Celina, OH to visit with my brother. He had a pacemaker put in and then developed pneumonia. He is still not "up to snuff" and we are anxious to see him and his family.

Tomorrow we will leave there and hopefully be able to visit with the Thomson's in Centerville. They recently celebrated their 67th anniversary. They married on the day Ted was born. When Peter retired in 1984, Ted took his place and we've been like family ever since. Last Christmas Peter was hospitalized and we were unable to see him. While I was in Florida this past summer, Ted drove up from Cincinnati and took them to lunch. They were both doing well then.

Our three nights in Cincinnati are filled. Thursday night is dinner with my two friends Donna and Cookie and their husbands. We are going to Ted's sister Kathy's house on Friday for dinner and to see his family. New Year's Eve will be spent with my sister and her family.

New Year's Day will find us heading south. We have a very busy 2012 planned and we need to get home to start it.

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called "Opportunity" and its first chapter is New Year's Day. ~ Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Wishing you all a healthy and happy new year.

Christmas 2011

2011-12-25T06:30:00.017-06:00

Our timing was perfect. We had just pulled into the cell phone lot when Kristin called and said she was in. We drove to Arrivals to pick her up and winged our way to Troy. We stopped at Kelly's to drop off Kristin and to have lunch because Kara was not home yet. Afterwards we all went to Kara's for her delicious spaghetti dinner. That evening I wrapped the gifts I had sent directly to Kara's house.

Friday morning I resumed my bowling career. It started on the 10 alleys in the basement of St. Bonaventure School when I was about 10 years old. It ended in 2001 when I moved to Texas and was in need of a hip replacement. Ted, Kristin, Ally, Allen, Sam, Morgan and I decided to give it a whirl. Let's just say I was about 40 pins off my average. I would have done better if I had used my own ball that Ted gave me as a gift for my 19th birthday. It's in our garage on the new shelves!

Friday evening we all went to Greenfield Village's Holiday Celebration. Greenfield Village is part of the Henry Ford Museum complex in Dearborn, MI and is a great place to visit. We rode the carousel, took a wagon ride and stood around open fires and sang Christmas songs with strolling minstrels. We helped the group in the Stephen Foster house by ringing bells while they played.

A big hit was Santa Claus who was on a balcony of a big home but I don't remember whose. There were ladies in red velvet in the audience and they had direct contact with Santa. Imagine the kids' surprise when he called out "Merry Christmas, Morgan and Sam. I'm so glad you could come tonight."

We ate at the Taste of History restaurant and then went to the train exhibition that Sam loved. A friend sent an old Lionel train set with me for Sam and he's been playing with it every day. This gave him all sorts of ideas to expand his set. We watched the glass blowers make candy cane ornaments and beautiful candy cane bowls. The last sight was fireworks before leaving for home.

Christmas Eve we all attended Mass at St. Mary's of the Hills where our son-in-law Patrick lectored. It was a nice service, not too crowded and we were all able to sit together. Afterwards we went to Kelly's for a great dinner. Pat's family was there too and after dinner we left so they could have their family gift exchange. There was much to do back at the ranch in anticipation of Santa's arrival. Kristin spent the night so she would be here in the morning for the kids' Christmas.

I was up first and soon everyone was ready for what turned into a 2.5 hour present opening marathon. Morgan said she must have been on the nice list all year long.

We finished none too soon to get ready for our 2 pm guests' arrival. Kristin's friend Sheetal came as well as Kara and Allen's friend Bill. Kara fixed her traditional and wonderful Christmas meal which we all enjoyed.

All the girls played Barbies with Morgan and had a great time laughing at Awkward Family Photos on a calendar Sheetal gave Kristin. We had a great Christmas with the family.

“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.”

Hitting the Road

2011-12-20T05:50:00.012-06:00

My bunco group celebrated their 11th Christmas together at the home of one of our newer members.

She has the most fantastic home and her decorations for the holidays are over the top. Everything was so beautiful.

She served a lovely lunch prepared by her husband after we played Christmas Jeopardy. We used our scores to determine order of choice of presents. When we left, the hostess had a filled candy jar for each of us. Ted had driven me there, waited with the hatch up on my car, and filled the entire back with groceries from the group. He then took them to the food pantry at church.

Carol drove me home, I changed clothes and we were off. We drove to Marshall, checked in to a Days Inn then went to eat. We drove to the "Winter Wonderland" display on the courthouse square afterwards. I've read about this in magazines and always wanted to come see it. They had train rides, carriage rides, a rocking horse ride, bounce house slides, ice rink and food vendors all nestled around the old court house that is all lit up with music playing. There were lots of people out enjoying themselves.

We had a reservation in Memphis but changed it to Jackson TN and drove there on Tuesday. With Ted's Hilton status we were given a room on the concierge level. Their executive lounge was across the hall. It had started to rain so we stayed in enjoying coconut shrimp and the company of the hostess in the room, Barbara. Others joined us and we had a great evening without leaving the hotel.

There was a wonderful breakfast the next morning which we imbibed in then left for Cincinnati. We stopped in Shepherdsville at the Zappo's shoe outlet that we visited this past summer. Everything was 70% off and we bought two pairs of boots and two pairs of shoes for $135, saving over $400! Merry Christmas to us!

We stopped at Sam's on the way in for goetta for Kara and found the noise cancelling headphones Patrick wanted. Their gas was $2.89 while Speedway next door was $3.39. Yikes! It pays to shop around. We filled up and drove to Karen's. We spent a quiet evening after a dinner of Ronnie's chili and a Christmas movie.

We timed our departure the next morning to pick up Kristin at the Detroit airport on our way to Kara's.

"Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home !"- Charles Dickens

♫ ♫ Over The River and Through The Woods ♫ ♫

2011-12-16T09:16:00.003-06:00

One party to go and we're off! Today I don't have to be anywhere - woohoo! We are going to dinner tonight with Gerre and Barry, and I am shopping for one last gift, but my social services are caught up. I will finish the year with 32 of my required 50 hours under my belt. I've already plotted my remaining 18 in the new year.

Terry and Carol came for dinner on Tuesday. Ted grilled pork tenderloins and I made wild rice, corn, green beans, cole slaw, cranberry jello, apples and cucumbers. Can you tell I was cleaning out the refrigerator as I went? I had mint chocolate chip ice cream and was going to serve Gerre's Christmas cookies but Carol brought the rest of her apple cake from Canasta and we ate that. Seems she was using up her food too.

We never left the dinner table. Ted's family has always been what I call "table sitters." I loaded the dishwasher and stacked the excess and we sat and talked for several hours. We just don't have a lot of one on one (or two on two I guess) time with them. We all are so busy and lots of time are out of town alternately. We enjoyed our evening.

Wednesday morning I went shopping for black slacks, red sweater and flannel nightgown for my 74 year old senior. I didn't think that list was difficult but red sweaters just aren't out there. I finally found one, some charcoal slacks and a blue nightgown that was a heavy knit but I couldn't find flannel. I asked for gift receipts so hopefully she can exchange anything she wants or needs to. Merry Christmas, Dorothy, whoever you are.

Then it was more Canasta! I was in the middle again and missed winning the "middle" prize by just a few points. I'm going to be happy to take a break from Canasta for awhile. I will get to play Shang Hai as soon as we get back in January.

It was off to the Friendship Center to deliver Dorothy's gift on Thursday and then over to the pavilion to help distribute gifts to 66 families sponsored by the Women's Center. Standing on concrete for four hours is as hard as pushing dollies full of boxes and wheeling bicycles out to cars and trucks. Some people are so appreciative they hug you and cry. Others have that entitlement attitude we all have come to recognize. But we smile, wish them all a Merry Christmas and wait for the next family.

I was pretty tired when I finally got home. Ted had defrosted some Italian sausages so that and Bertolli sauce made a quick dinner accompanied by Texas garlic toast. I started up the dishwasher, crashed on the couch and pretty much stayed there until bed.

I'm going to iron today and start getting my clothes together. All the gifts we are taking are sitting on Chris' bed but they'll be gone by the time he gets here. I'll leave his sitting right in the middle of the bed! His parents' house is still for sale and now there are a few others. Maybe they will have success after the first of the year.

It should be a quiet weekend followed by our Bunco Christmas Luncheon, complete with Christmas Jeopardy, on Monday. Then it will be Adios, Amigos on Tuesday.

Christmas gift suggestions: "To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect." ~ Oren Arnold

One Week Until Take Off

2011-12-13T11:45:00.003-06:00

It was repair weekend as I got my hair cut and colored and went back to the prosthodontist. All this time and money to stay presentable. My bridge has been successfully removed and this morning the oral surgeon removed the roots which is all that was left. He also said I'm not a good candidate for implants so I'm feeling good about the decision to go with a partial. I wore one for years before the bridge so I can do it again.

We played Canasta Saturday night at what was a festive Christmas gathering, more so than normal. However, I'm not making any spending money at these card games but I have lots of company. There are way more losers than winners.

Gerre and Barry came over Sunday evening for dinner and we exchanged some of our Christmas gifts. They gave me a Lenox lamp that is perfect for in the bathroom through the holidays. It has a small candle and gives just enough light. Ted received a shirt that says "Tucker's Walking Buddy." He can use it in January when we keep Tucker again. I gave Gerre a Swarovski crystal bracelet I had made for her. The rest of their gifts have not yet arrived. Sure hope they are finished before we all leave town.

Monday I went across the highway to Gerre's house where the new Genealogy Group is starting up. We all talked about what we've done and what we hope to accomplish. Later in the evening Gerre came over and in no time had found my great-great-great grandfather who was born in Prussia in 1833 along with my great-great-great grandmother who was born in Hanover, Germany. I sent an e-mail to my Reunion Troops so I can update the family tree I last did for the 2005 Family Reunion. I asked for the new babies' birthdates and a few marriage dates to get that all up to date. Sometimes it is easier to get information about the dead people versus the live people. But several have responded already so I'm optimistic. I've already received a reply back from a distant cousin whose great-grandmother was a sister to my great-grandfather. Hopefully we can exchange information.

There was another round of Canasta at my sister-in-law Carol's Monday afternoon. I came in third but that doesn't pay any money. Because it is Christmas she had a lot of food for us and we had another party of sorts.

After the dentist this morning I drove by the Senior's Friendship Center to pick up a "wish list" for one of the seniors. I had received an e-mail saying they still had a large stack that had not been taken and their party is next week. So I'll be off to the shopping center tomorrow morning to buy a flannel nightgown, black slacks and a red sweater! Then - guess what? - I have to play Canasta! I miss playing Shang Hai but there's only so much time in a day.

Terry & Carol are coming over here for dinner tonight so I better go to the kitchen and start getting things ready. Ted is making pork tenderloins on his new Weber grill but I'm doing all the rest.

Don't forget "The Reason For The Season." Wish folks Merry Christmas. If they aren't celebrating Christmas, just what "holiday" are they celebrating?

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:15)

♫ It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas ♫

2011-12-09T06:48:00.015-06:00

I had an easy day on Monday, just an appointment to confirm a Christmas gift but I was bummed when I learned it won't be here by this weekend when I need it but it will make it before Christmas. I had a chance to get caught up with the mail, the laundry done, etc.

The next day I worked four hours at the thrift shop. This is the last day I was signed up for until January when we can request our next six months of work. I will need 12 hours I think but with being gone all of February and two weeks in April, my choices are going to be limited. I may be back at the thrift shop again.

Later in the day I kept an appointment with the prosthodontist. I have a bridge that is attached to a tooth that is in bad shape. Two regular dentists have stood around wringing their hands so Kara suggested I try this route. This Saturday he will remove the bridge and on Tuesday an oral surgeon will remove the offending tooth. He doesn't feel I'm a good candidate for implants, and at $4000 each I'm relieved, so I will have to go back to a partial. I spent so many hours in the dentist chair and dollars getting that bridge that I may cry when it comes out. It was wonderful while it lasted.

It has been cool here, way below average, but that didn't stop us from enjoying a trip downtown with the Day Trekkers to visit the Sam Houston Heritage Museum. There were 22 ladies in all. We visited four of the homes: Kellum-Noble House, Nichols-Rice-Cherry House (of Rice University fame), San Felipe Cottage and the Statiti House where I took a few pictures.

I remember kitchens like this from when I was a little girl. We had this type of stove and there was no such thing as cabinets under the sink at that time. We even had the same black and white tile floor. I scrubbed it every Saturday on my hands and knees.

This original chandelier intrigued me. It is fashioned as a basket. The push button light switches are still used in this house.

Another thing we had in the house where I grew up was a sewing machine like this one. Instead of electricity, it was powered by pushing the treadle with your foot. No wonder I never learned to sew!

And of course I would never pass up an opportunity to take a picture of an antique bar of soap from Procter & Gamble where I worked from 1963-1981. Some full time, some part time depending on the babies coming.

Afterwards we had lunch in River Oaks and the food was fantastic. I had vegetable lasagna that was outstanding. Everyone raved about the food.

December 8 is a day we go to church in honor of the Virgin Mary so we started our day off at 9 o'clock Mass. The school children do all the readings and singing so it is very enjoyable to witness that. Right before noon I walked two doors down to Wanda's to our neighborhood Christmas party and luncheon. Fourteen of us gathered for our Stealing Gift Exchange and a great meal prepared by my wonderful neighbor. Everyone kept stealing my gift but I ended up with a cute ceramic Santa Claus that you can put a tea light in so I was happy.

I had to hurry home to get ready for the Junior Forum Holiday Party and dinner. I picked Peg up at 6:30 and we rode together. It's nice to see everyone in party clothes instead of the blue/white or blue/beige of our work uniforms. It was very festive, a great meal and a fun round of "The Twelve Days of Christmas." Our table was "six geese a laying" and we had to pop up and use our acting skills to lay eggs! We were voted funniest table.

Peg helped me load one half of the gifts brought by everyone into my car. One half went to Interfaith and my half went to Northwest Assistance Ministries this morning.

I met Kathryn at 8 o'clock and we delivered our toys and were back home by 9:30. We took time out to pose with the hula hoop for the newsletter.

She and I had a great conversation on giving, not just through the holidays but all year long.

Fun, More Fun, Then Rain

2011-12-04T14:18:00.009-06:00

We reported for duty Friday morning to help Madame Boomer take all the stuff into the rally hall. Feeding over 100 people three times in two days takes lots and lots of "stuff"! I also took the opportunity to decorate my table and one for Patrice. She didn't get to come because 10 minutes before they were to leave, a tree fell on their trailer and truck parked in front of their house. Talk about bad timing. Another one of the group had their RV broken into while in storage so they rented a cabin for the weekend. Their TVs were ripped off the walls as well as cabinets. It makes me so mad to hear of such senseless destruction of others' things.

Afterwards, Stella, Susan and I went to Wal-Mart so they could get their gift exchange presents. I didn't do much when we got back except prepare my hot dogs, chili, buns and shredded cheese for the informal get together Friday night. It's a smaller crowd because some people are still arriving and need to get set up before it gets too dark.

A Boomer donated lots of little gifts and I won a desk vacuum called Henry. It will clean your keyboard and all the crevices on your electronics that you can't reach otherwise. I can't wait to try it out.

There was food galore but we put a pretty good dent in all of it. I was in charge of that clean-up committee but our people are so neat they don't leave much for us to do except put the chairs back in place at the tables.

There was a big breakfast Saturday morning and I sure wish I knew who made the apple french toast casserole. It was yummy. Sandy asked me to call the table numbers which I gladly did. When breakfast was over, the fellows held their annual Texas Hold Em tournament and Ted won. His name will now go on the trophy and we get to keep it until next year.

Rick and Brenda came over to visit with us and some other folks and everyone was glad to see them. They weren't staying for dinner so once they left I got ready for the BIG party. Here is Don, our sound man, dressed as the Grinch ... and then he met Santa! They had to distribute all these gifts.

Every table appointed a person to choose four presents and distribute them at their table. Then everyone chose a number. Madame Boomer called different directions to various tables, various numbers until Carla eventually stole my mini-chopper from me! Bah humbug!

We had quite a crowd, delightful dinner companions and a feast fit for a king.

When the party was over we went to Tommy & Susan's motorhome for some dessert before calling it a night. This morning we went to Mass at 8 o'clock. We came home and got buttoned up to leave. But before we did that, I donated a pint of blood at the Gulf Coast Bloodmobile that the Boomers had arranged to be at the campground in honor of Barb and Bev, both of whom died recently. When I was finished, we headed home in the rain.

One more great Christmas weekend with the Texas Boomers. Our schedule next year is such that we probably won't make more than two of their outings. But I know they will always welcome us when we can make it.

Christmas is Just Around the Corner

2011-12-02T06:56:00.004-06:00

Gerre & Barry came by Sunday evening to get Tucker and he was so glad to see them. All this moving around probably confused him to no end. Monday morning I was still looking for him out of habit. Gerre brought me a beautiful silver slide as a thank you present.

My jury duty was cancelled so I had the day to get some things done. I have half my Christmas cards ready and a few gifts wrapped. I also took down my Fall things on the porch and put out the Christmas ones. While I was in the attic I got down what I am going to use on the table I am decorating at the Boomers Christmas rally.

We had glass doors installed on the guest bathroom tub so we stayed close to home on Tuesday. The ceramic towel rack had to be removed and set in about an inch and a half so that necessitated the tile guy coming before the doors could be installed. While waiting, I made a cake and chicken salad sandwiches for a funeral on Wednesday. Later on Ted went shooting and I met Gerre for dinner then went to the funeral home for a prayer service for my friend Jean.

Most of the funerals I cook and serve for, I don't personally know the people. But this time it was a friend of mine from Senior Pals at church. She was one of the first people I met when we moved to Texas. Rose and I were able to slip out to receive Communion during Jean's funeral Mass but spent the rest of the time preparing the luncheon. Afterwards I had a nail appointment and completely forgot to go to Happy Hour.

Ted took our trailer to the campground Thursday morning while I attended the Continental Breakfast at 10 o'clock then moved on to the Thank You luncheon at church at 11:30. I was careful not to eat too much at either place. The first grade mothers fixed lunch for the "funeral ladies" as we are called. The children sang Christmas songs and we were each given a cardboard house filled with cookies made by all the first grade mothers. It was such a nice show of appreciation.

I stopped home, picked up the rest of my things and drove to the campground where several folks had already arrived. There are over 50 rigs coming in for the Texas Boomers Christmas Rally. After some visiting, about 40 of us went to the Mexican restaurant across the street for dinner. I only ordered two soft tacos because I felt like I had been eating all day.

Today we have to prepare the rally hall for the weekend festivities. The tables will be decorated by individuals so most of the work is bringing the food items into the kitchen. Tonight is a gathering with casual food and the start of a fun weekend. I'll take pictures and publish again after the weekend, otherwise these get too long.

Christmas is not a date. It is a state of mind. ~ Mary Ellen Chase

Thanksgiving Camping

2011-11-26T15:27:00.008-06:00

We arrived at Rayford late Wednesday morning and Brenda & Rick had already arrived. We set up and visited with them along with Jay & Stella until Mike & Patrice arrived. We then all went to a restaurant that was new to me. It was a sports bar but had very good food.

The day was beautiful and we sat outside the rest of the afternoon until it was time for Rick & Brenda to leave. Later on we went to the rally hall to play bingo. Ted won $20, Jay won $6 and his grandson won $75. And I missed Survivor! I'll watch it on Catch Up when we get home.

I was up bright and early Thursday to get my cranberry jello salad made and my sweet potatoes peeled before I left to meet Jennifer for the 5K Run Thru The Woods. It was cooler than last year but not unpleasant.

We had our best time ever - 40 minutes. We were moving at a good clip. Ted picked me up afterwards and we came back to the park and I popped the potatoes in the oven.

Jay & Stella's daughter, son-in-law and two grandsons were here for dinner as well as a couple who appeared to be friends of Patrice & Mike. That made our table of 12 the largest group overall.

There was plenty of turkey, ham, dressing, potatoes, etc., etc., for all. I took some extra turkey after everyone had eaten and we had sandwiches the next day. Clean up is so easy when you only have your own plates, silverware and two serving dishes that are empty. After a 4 a.m. wake up, a 5K race and a big dinner, next on the agenda was a 2.5 hour nap. By late in the afternoon everyone was starting to stir and we sat outside some more.

Candy Bar Bingo was scheduled for Friday morning but Tommy & Susan came by and all thoughts of bingo went out the window. We were so glad to see them because it has been awhile. However, they will be with us next weekend at the Boomer rally. We had a really nice visit and I'm so glad they came by.

There was no way I was getting into the Black Friday shopping fray but by 3 pm the crowds were all gone so we went to Wal-Mart. I needed lots of greeting cards since my supply is about gone and we also wanted to buy our girl and boy gifts for the church Christmas tree. Ted chose a Rip Stick (sort of a fancy skateboard) and I picked up a baby with bed, clothes, bottle, pacifier, etc. We won't be at our church for two weeks so we can't pull an age tag from the tree but I'm sure they'll accept whatever we give them.

It started raining through the night and when we all left Saturday morning for Furr's Breakfast Buffet, it was raining cats and dogs. We had a very nice leisurely breakfast. We drove home afterwards to pick up the muffins for the bake sale. I grabbed the smaller pack that is for our luncheon instead of the larger package that was for the bake sale. We picked up the mail and then came back to the park.

At noon we took our mini-tool set up for the auction, the muffins for the bake sale and the bag of cut up carrots, celery, onions and potatoes that I had prepared to go into tonight's hobo stew. The rain continued all afternoon so it was a good time to watch TV, nap a bit and just take it easy.

The hobo stew was great and there was a nice crowd in the rally hall. After we ate, the auction items were raffled off but we didn't win anything. Over $500 was raised for charity and everyone agreed it was a nice sum. We head for home tomorrow and will be there for a few days before heading to the Boomer rally. Chris will get whiplash with this revolving door approach to house sitting.

Tucker has been no problem. He has taken over Ted's recliner next to me while Ted is relegated to the couch. He is definitely a lady's dog. He wants to be by me all the time.

"Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.” ~ W. T. Purkiser

Happy Thanksgiving to All

2011-11-23T07:48:00.002-06:00

Last Sunday we went to church at 9 o’clock, a time we seldom attend. I wore jeans, something I hardly ever do. So we sit down right in front of a gal I know and her entire family, all dressed up in their fine clothes. Bummer!

Ted went shooting, I put the beef stew together but not before burning my arm in a dozen small places when I dropped the floured meat into the hot grease to brown it. Those cast iron Dutch ovens get hot!

Once the stew was in the oven I went into the attic and brought down things to decorate just a small portion of the house. I did the mantle, coffee table, sofa table, sideboard and kitchen table. After this weekend I’ll do the front porch. I’ll hate myself the first of January but I’m trying not to be too big a Scrooge!

Monday was bunco and I had to arrive a bit early because Mary was borrowing a card table and I also had the bag. While she finished in the kitchen I got the tables set up with dice, paper, pencils, etc. so all was ready by 10 o’clock. We managed to get three games in this time and there weren’t a lot of duplicate scores which always causes confusion in roll offs before I can award the money.

When I got home I told Ted I didn’t have to be anywhere or do anything specific until we left on Wednesday. But I busied myself getting my lists together. The park is doing Thanksgiving for two days and it goes right into Christmas over the weekend.

I need an appetizer for the bingo game Friday night, two candy bars for Candy Bingo on another day, an auction raffle item and something home made for a bake sale. Proceeds from these two activities are for charity. There are games, crafts, hayride, movies, street party with dinner, etc. all weekend long.

We finished up the beef stew for dinner then watched Dancing with the Stars. The three finalists are all great and any of them deserve to win.

I had lots to do today around the house. I cleaned out the pantry for starters and then packed all dry foods into bags and Ted eventually took those and drinks out to the RV. I made a list of refrigerator items I needed so I don’t forget something tomorrow. I’m making sweet potatoes and jello cranberry salad for Thursday dinner.
The last thing I did was make pumpkin streusel muffins. Half will go for the bake sale at the park and half will go to my neighborhood Christmas luncheon.

Tucker is being very good and we keep telling him he is going camping tomorrow. He just looks at us.

Camping is nature’s way of promoting the motel business ~ Dave Barry

P.S. Not the way we do it!
P.P.S. Congratulations to J. R. Martinez on his Dancing With The Stars win. What an inspiration he is to us all.

A Little Breathing Room This Week

2011-11-20T08:27:00.003-06:00

I finally won at Canasta! Third place, but it was a win. I needed that to salve my battered ego with being low the Saturday before. I won't be going back to Jennifer's anytime soon, she's finished hosting, but I am doing the 5K Run Thru The Woods with her on Thanksgiving morning.

I had an eye doctor appointment Thursday morning and then I picked up Gerre for the Newcomers Luncheon. It was a nice lunch with a great speaker on wine. I thought this wouldn't be real interesting to me but she was very good. I learned a few things and wouldn't hesitate to use her shop if and when I needed to purchase wine for a specific meal or person.

There were money prizes, centerpieces and wine gifts given away. Eight women were at our table and three of the ladies won four of the prizes. Guess who one of the five that didn't win was? Me! Gerre won a great gift basket from the wine shop and one lady won TWO of the money prizes.

Friday Rebecca came to clean and I prepared all my bunco packets through March 2013. We've all picked our hostess months so I printed out that sheet and attached all the scoring sheets needed. That way, when the bunco bag is passed to the next hostess, she just takes the next packet with her name highlighted and she has everything she needs. This group runs like a clock and I love all the women who make it work.

Then I wrote our Christmas letter. I caught so much flack this past year over not including our usual letter in my cards last Christmas. Apparently at this age, if you do something differently, they assume you are dead or dying. So I worked on the letter and was able to include several photos from throughout the year.

Last night was the Lighting of the Doves and the arrival of Santa Claus along the waterway. We went with Gerre and Barry to walk through the festival. It has become more and more a Children's Festival but they were so much fun to watch. They have snow hills for sledding, snow for playing in, bounce houses and something new was huge clear balls the kids are put into and rolled onto water to bounce around. I wanted to try it! The kids were making ornaments, having their faces painted and having a good time. We watched two ice carvers make a sleigh that they filled with presents carved from ice and a big Santa Claus to stand next to it. Santa came down the waterway and once he passed us we left for dinner so we wouldn't get caught in a rush.

We went to Chili's where Barry bought our dinner as a thank you for watching Tucker this week while they are gone. That certainly wasn't necessary but was appreciated.

Today we went to church early because I am going to climb into the attic to get down the few Christmas things I'm going to use. We will be gone the next two weekends and by then it is December 4 and I need to be finished or it won't get done at all.

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. ~ Roy L. Smith

Canasta, Canasta and almost more Canasta

2011-11-16T09:11:00.002-06:00

Saturday we subbed in the Couple's Canasta Group, once again at Jennifer's house. But this is a bigger group and we played four tables. I had absolutely terrible cards all night and came out low. Unfortunately they stopped paying for low. Wouldn't you know it? Just when I finally moved out of the middle but in the wrong direction? If you don't have a wild card Canasta all four hands, you are toast. I only had one!

Ted went shooting on Sunday and I was glad to stay home and worked on Christmas shopping from the luxury of my PJs in the office chair in front of the computer. I hate to shop so Amazon and I have a love affair going on. I have everyone done but my oldest daughter and her husband. Ted and I don't buy for each other anymore. If we want something, we buy it ourselves. I guess most married people get to that point.

I was supposed to play Canasta on Monday with one of my regular groups but the hostess became ill while making preparations so it was called off about two hours before we were to meet. I was actually on my way home from the doctor when I got the call on my SYNC system. Love it! That gave me free time and I slept a lot of the afternoon. I had been a bit under the weather and I think I needed the rest.

Yesterday I worked four more hours at the thrift store. It is hard work when you are sorting clothes. Hanging and tagging them isn't so bad. A lady came in with a whole SUV filled with toys and larger size women's clothes. The toys will go quickly and we never have enough big size clothes so we were glad to get them. Another lady, whose mother had passed away, brought in all her clothes in a bit bigger size too. So it was a productive day. Just as I was leaving the rain started and Grace made me a plastic bag raincoat. It worked!

The rain stopped so Ted got to go shooting and I took care of some of that "paperwork" I am always complaining about. The end of the year brings so much stuff you need to hang on too coupled with a zillion catalogues to clutter up the mailbox.

Today is ... you guessed it ... Canasta. And you know where? Jennifer's! I'm not sure how she got stuck doing three different Canastas in a row and I'm not sure she knows either. Today's games really should have been on the Thursday that is Thanksgiving so it had to be moved. Wish me luck! Or at least a good partner!

Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but of playing a poor hand well. ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

The Battle with the Calendar

2011-11-10T10:31:00.005-06:00

Monday I was knee deep in laundry and had to meet Kate around noon to pick up Christmas gifts she had made. I got back on track at home because the rest of the week was BUSY!

I worked my four hour shift at the Thrift Store and then stopped off at Rayford to see Jay & Stella's new Landmark 5th wheel. It is VERY nice inside and has all the bells and whistles. They recently returned from a few weeks in the Rio Grande Valley and we hadn't seen them since they left us in Michigan last July.

I had a dentist appointment early Wednesday and we are going to finally address a tooth that is in bad shape. The problem is a bridge is attached to it. I think this is going to be a long (and expensive) process. I now have an appointment with a prosthodontist the last week in November. That is the day after I am to report for jury duty so I hope I really don't have to serve, or if I do, for no more than one day!

From the dentist I went to the Junior Forum office for lunch and to practice our Book Smart play. First practice I played Dwayne the nasty cowboy. I know my lines but really need to study up exits, entrances and what is said before I speak. Most of us are in the same situation. Those that have done this in the past were able to move us along. The second go round I worked the music/sound effects. Kathy and I made a few notations to keep me on cue, like Cotton Eye Joe has to play through the entire ball until the clock strikes 12. (This is a cowboy version of Cinderella.) I think by the first week in January, everyone will be right on target.

Ted was in Fort Worth so I took the opportunity to go to Happy Hour at the country club for the first time in six months. The lady who handles this is undergoing chemo right now and the reminder didn't go out until yesterday so only two other gals showed up. But we stayed until 9 o'clock just talking. When 12-16 people are there you can't do that so it was enjoyable.

I drove to meet my neighbor ladies for lunch Thursday afternoon. They were all going shopping afterwards but I had a hair appointment and had to get on my way. I think when your hair gets to be more than about seven colors, the hair police can come after you so it was time to do something about all those roots showing! I arrived home just in time for the Glass fellow to come and measure for sliding shower doors in the guest bath. It has a shower curtain now and I want to get rid of that. We talked of redoing the whole bathroom but decided against it. We don't want to overdo the house in today's market.

This morning was the Children's Festival for the Title One schools. Our group of four had nine buses of children to unload, one of which was a special needs bus. We had this bus park where it could get out first because those children were leaving first and would not be eating lunch at the park. Jeannie led the group and I brought up the rear. Once we moved a row of chairs to accommodate the wheelchairs, we went back to help with the other eight busloads. The hardest part was keeping the schools from getting mixed into one another. Our school was going to the left, the one walking beside us was going to the right. We had to be sure the students didn't mingle and get into the wrong group. Once we got them settled we could relax. At one point the Special Needs teacher was up and I checked with her. She was getting another teacher to help her with a bathroom stop for a wheelchair bound student. She said they were fine and there was a chaperon with the other children.

Once the two stage shows were over we took them out first but another school came up the center aisle and we were back trying to keep this group separate. One of the autistic boys apparently doesn't like to be touched and was fussing when I put my arm out to stop them from mixing with the other school. The aide came up to him and he continued on with the group. It certainly wasn't a hard day but we were there a long time.

I think I might order a pizza tonight and put my feet up. It's been an interesting week.

You have got to keep autistic children engaged with the world. You cannot let them tune out. ~ Temple Grandin

Monkey Bars and Such

2011-11-02T06:59:00.010-05:00

Well here is a picture of the much better looking garage. The front and right side now have a high shelf installed with the "monkey bars" below. These bars can be moved in 10 different increments for height and width. Then there are several different hooks that can be snapped on and slid back and forth to accommodate whatever you have to hang. It's very versatile. I consolidated and straightened stuff on the shelves on the left and hopefully we can keep this semblance of order for awhile. Ted straightened up his work room some so my "order gene" will be calm for awhile Ted hopes.

I finally won at cards. The big Shang Hai group meets at a restaurant on the first Tuesday and I was home so I could join them. Not only did I win some money (I came in second), I also had a Shang Hai which is the ultimate in this game. It is sort of like Gin in that you have to be able to lay your whole hand down in the configuration called for in that round using all 12 cards. I probably won't be available to play with them again until March.

Wednesday we were up early to take the trailer to have the stud and lug nut put on the wheel. It was broke off by the fellows up in Kentucky and they couldn't find one the right size so we've had 7 instead of 8 on one wheel. That would normally only take 5 minutes at the shop but Ted noticed a busted shock. One was found in Houston and we had to wait for it to be delivered. We were able to get the trailer fixed, put it away and get to the doctor for our annual check up by 1 pm. Everything checked out with me and I had my blood drawn. Same with Ted except he had to give a urine sample too for some reason. We'll hear from our doctor in a day or two about all the results.

I was asked to work at Change Over for the thrift shop where I work for Junior Forum. I had no idea of the number of boxes of Christmas stuff acquired through the year and set aside for this pre-Thanksgiving sale. Lauren, Jill and I did nothing all night but break down boxes. We filled an entire dumpster with ones not good enough to save and a shed with good ones. They started their big sale the next day and I was assured all the Christmas items would be gone long before Thanksgiving. We were served sandwiches and salad while we worked and it was a fun atmosphere though everyone was working very hard. I bought two gold stars to match one I have at home for my mantel this Christmas.

I'm not sure how Ted does it but he can wake himself up when he needs to without an alarm clock. At 7:15 he came out of the bedroom and was ready to get things together for our camping trip with the Boomers this weekend. We had to make soup for Friday night, pastries and juice for Saturday breakfast and Ted's pulled pork was all done for Saturday night. So we didn't need to take much beyond that in the way of food. Coffee and such stay in the trailer. We gathered a few clothes, left a note for Chris, hitched up and were on our way around 10 o'clock.

We received a call from our doctor on my cell (he always calls himself, not his staff) to tell me our tests were all good. He said to tell Ted his bloodwork was beautiful. He is always amazed at Ted's numbers. Dr. C told us to keep on doing whatever it is we're doing but officially he is required to tell us to exercise and lose weight. Point taken!

It took about four hours to arrive at the campground. We were the second to arrive and got set up. This is a beautifully wooded campground and we will enjoy being with the Boomers again. Soon others started arriving and we visited awhile and made arrangements to go to Bodacious BBQ for dinner. Then I took a nap, probably due to the muscle relaxant the doctor gave me for a kink in my neck.

After a good dinner we sat around a propane fire, the only kind allowed due to the burn ban in effect. It got pretty chilly so we didn't stay out too long. Ted didn't get a nap so we were in bed by 10.

We drove to Canton Trade Days on Friday and followed the traffic to a sea of cars parked in a field. Then we ventured into the mix. OMG this place is bigger than huge and it's hard to figure out where you are, where you've been and how to get where you want to go. We spent about five hours there and were both whipped. I bought very little but it wasn't due to lack of availability. We simply don't need anything. But it was fun looking.

Dinner that night was soup and sandwich night. We made Tortellini Soup which was a big hit since the whole pot was gone. I tried three different kinds and they were all excellent. The fellows headed to the firepit and the gals sat inside talking. Before we had come to dinner, one of the ladies caught her thumb in the awning support and ended up being taken to the hospital. They were not back yet when we went in. The next morning she came to breakfast all bandaged up with a broken thumb and was told to see an orthopedic doctor on Monday.

Everyone took off for Canton but we decided one day was enough. We went to the state park to check out the campground, rode into town to check on church for tomorrow, filled up with fuel and drove around the town a bit.

Eventually the shoppers started trickling back in and groups gathered around the campfire and at other RVs. Mudslides were served, the fire became known as "Don's Hot Rocks" and things just got funnier and funnier from there on in. If laughing is good for the soul, we're all in much better shape this week! What a great time.

Dinner was potluck and there was a great variety of all different foods. Afterwards I played Skipbo with the ladies and Ted headed to the fire pit. When I went looking for him he was already inside watching the LSU/Alabama game.

We went to the cathedral for Mass early Sunday morning, then prepared to leave. We got on the road about 10:30 and everyone else was already gone except the few staying over until Monday. We had the RV put away and were home by 2:30. We are signed up for the Christmas rally so we'll see these folks again shortly!

Laughter is an instant vacation. ~ Milton Berle

It's Coming in Twos

2011-10-30T15:01:00.008-05:00

If you've read my blog long enough you know about two separate instances where we were stuck on I-40 in Tennessee for several hours. Both times semis hauling beer were involved in accidents. Last weekend we were at a home where wooden trays were set on fire sitting on top of stove burners that accidentally were bumped and turned on. Yesterday I was ironing and was just ready to start the last pair of slacks and the iron started hissing and sparking and flames shot out of the iron near the cord. I immediately unplugged it and it stopped but the handle was all black. Strangely, the cord showed no damage. But I threw it away and will get a new iron. Weird!

I've been working in the garage today because tomorrow we are having shelves installed up high to get a lot of things we seldom use out of our way. Then there will be "monkey bars" put below them. There are several types of hooks that we can purchase to use on these bars to hang folding chairs, golf clubs, bicycle, etc. Anyway, I had to back my car outside so I finally took a picture.

It is Oxford White trimmed in Pueblo Gold with beige leather interior. It has an electric hatch and electric third row seat, back-up camera that shows in the rearview mirror and the SYNC system. There are other things too but these are the most useful of the bells and whistles. We had to fill it with gas for the first time so we've been driving it a fair amount.

Thursday's Canasta went very well but I still didn't win. I think this and bunco are going to be listed as charities on my taxes this year. The ladies were all very complimentary on the food and drinks and everyone seemed to have a good time. It was good to put my feet up when it was all over.

Friday we went to vote. We can vote early here and there were 10 state amendments to vote on. We tried to hook up with Terry & Carol but we never did catch them. So we went to Sam's to get some things and came back home.

We went to church at 5 o'clock yesterday and then continued on to Jennifer and Gene's house for dinner and to play Canasta (instead of Shang Hai). There are just four couples in this group (we were substituting) so it's a more intimate get together than when there are three or four tables playing. Ted got his money back for being low and I was in the middle again.

Ted is shooting and little by little I'm getting things cleaned out and somewhat organized out in the garage. I have an "up high" pile, a "I want to hang on hooks" pile, boxes to go back on the two sets of shelves, a Paralyzed Vets pile, a pile for Ted and a full garbage can. I'd say that is some progress.

I've washed two loads of rags that I found out there and the dryer just beeped so I'll fold them and put them in a basket to keep them all in one place instead of the four places I found them in!

“I'm a tidy sort of bloke. I don't like chaos. I kept records in the record rack, tea in the tea caddy, and pot in the pot box.” ~ George Harrison

Enjoying the Weather

2011-10-27T06:26:00.003-05:00

It has been beautiful weather here ever since we returned 3.5 weeks ago. Fall and spring can't be beat, winters are about six weeks long and are mild but oh those summer months are killers. We still haven't received any rain to speak of and I read where the entire area is going to lose 66 million trees to the drought. We are heavily wooded and I can't help but think that maybe thinning the trees will be a good thing in the end, much like fire can be good for a forest.

Rick and Brenda came by on Monday and it was so good to see them. Last year we saw them for a very short time so we're looking forward to them being in the area for the next three months. We visited for a long time and then went to a new Five Guys for an early dinner. If going there, don't ever order a large fry, and never order two! I think there were 5 lbs. of potatoes in that bag.

Tuesday I was scheduled to work 10-2 at the thrift shop for Junior Forum. It's a long story how I came to be scheduled for four hour stints so many weeks in a row. But I do need the hours so I'm going to do them except for next week when Peggy is taking my place because it is my Shang Hai day. Standing and bending over pulling clothes out of bags for four hours is a killer on this old back. I came home so tired I took a nap, something I seldom do.

Ted went shooting and I went to play Canasta at Sue Anne's. I came in third but the scores were all really close. One game I was stuck with four pairs in my hand and couldn't get a third to lay any of them down. Frustrating.

I received my EZ Tag for my car so now the only thing I need is the Title and that transaction will all be done. We also received a letter saying we had to order our tickets to tour Versailles Palace in Paris now if we want to go in April! So I made that phone call in the morning. I keep remembering the "paperless society" they talked about when computers came on the scene. Who were they kidding? I'm awash in paper constantly it seems.

I sent Ted off to the grocery yesterday to get the things I need for Canasta here today. I also had to make a cake for a funeral at church. I have two of the four tables set up and will put the other two up this morning. My dishes are out and my drinks are chilling and my snacks are ready to go.

Rose is stopping by for the cake for the funeral. I am unable to help her this morning because of the remaining preparations here for Canasta. With 15 ladies coming at 1 o'clock, that would be pushing the envelope even for me. Ted is driving to San Antonio and back today because the World Sporting Clays competition with 2000 shooters is going on there now. He has to get out of the house anyway so he may as well do something he likes. Tomorrow looks like a free day. Yahoo!

"It is not time that we need to manage, but our attitude towards it - we all have the same amount, it is just how we use it that differs. Keep busy and keep getting results." ~ Anton Guinea

Tucker's Going Camping

2011-10-23T13:44:00.002-05:00

Friday morning I picked up Peg and we proceeded to the Junior Forum office for the regular monthly meeting. We have to attend four a year and this is the first one I've made. I also have only worked two out of 50 hours so far because some of what I've done is support hours and those are different. I am so far behind someone is going to think I'm in first place. I am scheduled for a total of 24 between now and the first of the year so there's hope for me yet. If I can get on the schedule for Gift Distribution, I'll be ahead a little. We sign up for the second half of the year in January but we're going to be gone the whole month of February and the first two weeks in April so that puts a burden on me for the rest of the time. Somehow I'll work it out.

We attended Wind Down where Alton had my bottle of Riesling waiting. He was wondering when I was going to come back. No one likes the sweet Riesling wine but me so I have my own private bottle. There were wood trays with wine glasses sitting on top the stove burners and apparently one of the women leaned against the knob and turned it on. All of a sudden we had a tray burning and flames leaping. We got it out quickly but it was more excitement than any of us wanted. We didn't stay late and were home around 10.

Last night we went to the lake to play Shang Hai with Gerre and Barry. Their house is really coming together now that all the furniture from the old lake house is now at the new lake house. We picked up a pizza and ate out on the back porch. If the lake had water it would have added a dimension but alas, still no rain. Afterwards we taught Ted to play Shang Hai. He picked it up quickly and by Round 6 was in the lead. But he too got caught with his entire hand on the last round and it allowed me to go into first place. He said he liked it and we're scheduled to play next Saturday at Jennifer and Gene's.

Gerre & Barry had asked if we wanted to go on a 5-day cruise over Thanksgiving since our kids are not coming after all. We are scheduled for two cruises next year and said we were going to go to Rayford with friends for that weekend. They had made a reservation for Tucker at the kennel because they knew we were going to be gone but there's absolutely no reason Tucker can't come camping with us. So he is. Ted will have a dog to walk with all his friends who walk their dogs. Tucker is absolutely no problem and it will be fun to have him along.

We're going to Canton Trade Days with the Boomers, then the Thanksgiving weekend at Rayford and will attend the Boomer's Christmas rally too. I told Chris just to leave his stuff here because he is going to be in and out. He doesn't stay when we're home but there's no reason to take his stuff back and forth. He is a God send to us.

Our friends Rick and Brenda are back in town from Seattle. They were going to come today but at the last minute decided to come tomorrow. That's about the only day I have free until next Friday and they spend the weekends with their family. They will be workamping at Livingston State Park for three months so we'll see them a few times I'm sure. Livingston is a lot further away than Timber Ridge where they worked in the past.

You have to put in many, many, many tiny efforts that nobody sees or appreciates before you achieve anything worthwhile. ~ Brian Tracy

No Pictures Yet

2011-10-20T19:04:00.003-05:00

My kids tell me they liked it better when I worked ... they knew where I was. Between the mobility of cell phones and the RV, their first question now is "Where are you?" I have been on a merry-go-round since we got back the first of the month.

Last Friday we went to the lake and Ted loaded up my Expedition and Gerre's Lexus at the old lake house and we took it over to the new lake house. Barry had "big" gall bladder surgery and isn't able to lift. The contents we brought gave Gerre things to do the rest of the weekend in getting settled. Their big mover comes tomorrow for what is left.

After a very busy week, I was happy to stay home on Saturday and even opted not to attend church but to wait until Sunday. I had to prepare food and tables for bunco which took a good bit of the day because it was afternoon before we got home from church.

Bunco went off without a hitch except we are supposed to play 4 games, normally only play 3 but with all the talking we only got in 2! I love that the girls enjoy visiting so much. The game is just a reason to get together.

Tuesday I made egg salad for sandwiches to take to church for a funeral on Wednesday. Then we hung around waiting for the car transport to pick up my old Expedition to take it to NC. We finally got the call around 4:30 pm so we took off to deliver it to a parking lot big enough to accommodate the car hauler. We were glad it was on its way. Now I could get my new Expedition out of the garage and use it.

With 25.9 miles on the odometer I drove to my friend's to play Shang Hai. This is only my second time playing and I came in second. I was first until the last hand when I just couldn't get down and was caught with all my cards still in my hand. That sometimes happens.

I came home to a real Texas beef brisket just finished being smoked in Ted's smoker. It was as good as any brisket in any restaurant we've been to. Now he has to work on ribs. I'm happy to let him cook as much as he wants.

Today Ted put on his suit and I got dressed up to attend the visitation for Barb at the Rosewood Funeral Home. Ted found Dave's funeral program in one pocket, Amy's wedding program in the other.

It was so sad to see a poster that Mike labeled "our first and only RV trip after my retirement." They were half way through their summer trip when she was taken ill and returned to M.D. Anderson in Houston. He said he'll learn to cope but the other half of the queen bed will always be empty and he'll always miss her.

Ted drove me to the country club for the Newcomers luncheon and ran some errands. It was a nice afternoon and Gerre brought me home. Tomorrow is a Junior Forum meeting, up to the dealer to get my license plates and then the Wind Down cocktail party tomorrow night. If Barry is feeling up to it, Gerre and I are going to teach the fellows how to play Shang Hai.

Back to my car -- I programmed the garage door opener in the sunvisor, set my seat to respond to my memory key, called HOME on the SYNC, asked SYNC to take me home (which it did) and figured out the vent button opens the back side windows. There's a lot of bells and whistles to learn.

One of these days I'll take a picture. Just haven't had time.

Drive carefully! Remember, it's not only a car that can be recalled by it's maker.

In Memory of Barb Ellerbrock

2011-10-16T20:42:00.002-05:00

We lost another good friend today to that awful disease cancer. Barb actually battled breast cancer twice but her latest war with leukemia was more than she could overcome. She died this morning with her husband Mike at her side.

Barb was a good time, party loving gal. She was always ready with a kind word and a big smile. I never heard her say anything negative about anything or anyone.

I took this picture last Easter when Barb was unlucky enough to win Mr. Wonderful as a gift. This is a big joke present that has circulated for years within the Texas Boomer rallies.

Today she met THE Mr. Wonderful and I know he welcomed her home with outstretched arms. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mike and their entire family.

Rest in peace, Barb. If anyone deserves to, it is you.

On The Mend

2011-10-14T10:24:00.003-05:00

Well I made it to Canasta, didn't sneeze or cough on anyone, and was able to play all four games. I had decent cards but came out in the middle. Since we only play for $1, winning isn't what we gather for. This is a great group of ladies and we all just have a good time.

By that evening my flu/cold headed to my chest. I started on antibiotics before it could take a strong hold and started using Nyquil Cough at night. Needless to say I didn't do much on Tuesday or Wednesday other than make a pot of taco soup. It makes life so much easier when either of us can just grab a bowl of soup when I'm not up to making a full dinner.

By Thursday I was feeling better and went to the neighborhood luncheon. October has the most birthdays and I walked into a stack of cards and gifts at my place in the restaurant. It was a second birthday celebration. Jeanette made Halloween cupcakes with candles for the birthday girls and pumpkins on the others' cupcakes. Today I need to write out thank you notes to my wonderful neighbors.

I now sound worse than I feel and I think I'm pretty far down the road to recovery. But while I was hacking and sneezing I was productive!

I have a brand new 2011 white with Arizona beige trim Expedition in the garage. It was driven home, put into the garage and has never been out yet. My 2003 is sold to my niece Vicki in North Carolina and will be picked up next week. She has three kids and is so excited to be getting a big SUV. I normally would hesitate to sell a used car to someone I know but this has been the best car and right now I know of nothing wrong with it. I hope she gets another 75,000 trouble free miles out of it. I'll post a picture of the new car when I get it out of the garage and take one.

I've also done all I can on the April France trip. Our air came with the riverboat cruise and is all in order. So only the three days on our own at the end of the cruise needed work. We now have a hotel in the Left Bank area, a group contact for train tickets to Normandy when we get within 90 days and a guide for our Normandy day trip booked and deposit made. We have three nights in Paris with the tour so we'll decide during that time what we want to do when we are on our own. We won't be alone, there are 12 in our group.

LeAnne and I burned up the keyboards back and forth with Caron in Rome about the days before our trans-Atlantic cruise next November. We want to go in several days before the cruise to see some of Italy. We have put together a package of transportation, hotel, tours and some meals that the 23 in our group can join in or not. Some are arriving later, some have been there before so hopefully they can pick and choose any or all of what we've put together to make their trip enjoyable.

If all goes as we hope, we will have transportation to our hotel from the airport, a nice hotel with buffet breakfast for the duration, three days of tours including a day in Capri, Pompeii and Naples using hydrofoils. The last day we will be transported to the ship with a stop at ruins along the way. We have stops in France, Spain, the Canary Islands, six days at sea, the Bahamas and finally Galveston. I'm really looking forward to both of these trips. Add in a month in the Rio Grande Valley in February, Morgan's 1st Communion in May, Ally's graduation in June and anything else added to our summer and you can see why Chris is looking forward to being "lord of this manor" in 2012.

We hope to go to Gerre & Barry's new lake house tonight to see it. They bought a different one than the one she and I had looked at. We left before they made the deal so we never did see it except in pictures. It looks spectacular. We'll go out to eat at a new Mexican restaurant in the area.

We have no big plans for the weekend but I have bunco here on Monday so I have some preparations to make. After I go to the store I'll make whatever food I can beforehand (washing my hands constantly!). Monday morning will be busy as I get the food out, the tables ready and myself ready. They come at 10 a.m. so I have to start early. Maybe by then I'll be all better. Let's hope so.

When an illness knocks you on your *ss, you should stay down and relax for a while before trying to get back up. ~ Candea Core-Starke

Busy, Then Sick

2011-10-09T13:42:00.004-05:00

I attended my first practice at Book Smart on Tuesday. First there was a light lunch followed by an introduction to the book and program. Bubba, The Cowboy Prince is a Cinderella story Texas-style. We put the story on as a play and then each second grade child receives a hard covered copy. These performances are at Title One schools which have the most at risk students. Most of the time it is the first hard covered book the child has ever owned.

I am in charge of music and sound effects and when not doing that I will be Dwayne one of two mean cowpokes. We all have to learn two parts/jobs in case of absences. We will have two more practices before presenting the play five times over the winter.

Thursday I was up and out early to the Autumn Party at Regent Care Nursing Home. I was in charge of Table 6 and had five lovely ladies gathered. They said they were the Golden Girls and we had a fun time. Our Merry Melodies did a Hit Parade through the decades of songs that mean so much to these elderly folks. During one, Ivy age 87, told me used to dance to the song with soldiers and sailors at the USO in San Francisco when she was 18. It was a huge success. I always feel good when I leave there knowing I made someone's day a little brighter.

Friday Rebecca came to clean and I worked on getting the rest of my paper work done. I'm in good shape now. But I started with a cold and by that evening I was going down hill quickly. On Saturday morning I called the hosts of a surprise birthday party we were to attend to tell them we would not be there. No one needed exposure to my germs. I slept all day and all night.

This morning I was still a little weak and chilled but made myself get up and do some things. I started feeling better and decided to make some chicken soup. If that didn't cure me, nothing was going to. Ted had bought skinny noodles from the Amish and had been after me to use them. They worked great in the soup and Ted said it is excellent. I haven't eaten any yet but it smells good.

I intend to play Canasta tomorrow as long a I'm feeling well enough to sit up for three hours. I'll take Purell to clean my hands at each round so no one gets germs from holding the cards after me. What I don't understand is that I got a flu shot somewhere in Kentucky and Ted refused to get one ... and I'm sick!

To be seventy years young is sometimes far more cheerful and hopeful than to be forty years old ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

Me and the Mother Road

2011-10-05T04:39:00.004-05:00

We made it home safely on Saturday about 1 pm. The day was bright and pleasant. The worst of the dead trees we saw was in the Marshall area and I was surprised at how green other areas were. I expected everything to be dead and was delighted it wasn't like that. We are still desperately in need of rain but the land has not been laid barren ... at least not yet.

Once set up, we loaded up the truck and headed to the house. We found everything in great condition and even two of my hanging plants made it through with much tender loving care I'm sure. There appears to be a bit of "brown patch" in the grass but that isn't unusual. I'll need to get some fungicide to put down. But overall both the house and yard were in great shape. Thanks to Chris and those who helped him. His parents' house has still not sold so he didn't have far to go home.

We took my car back to the campground because it carries so much more than the truck. We went to church at 6 pm, stopped for a burger and then headed for the RV. We were both in bed pretty early.

The next morning it was 66 inside the trailer. I took personal responsibility for bringing this wonderful weather to Texas. People were emerging from the A/C to once again enjoy the great outdoors. It was a miserable summer here and was worse than being cooped up all winter by snow and ice I would imagine.

Ted and I both got right to work. He washed the entire rig on the outside and did the windows. I emptied out what needed to come home and cleaned the inside very well. When we were done, it was back to the storage unit and then home to put everything away. I always amaze myself that I can mess up a 2300 sq. ft. house with things from a 300 sq. ft. trailer. We had leftovers for both lunch and dinner and settled into a quiet evening.

Monday was "pay the piper" day. I spent all day getting everything back in order and tackled the stack of mail that had accumulated. All the ads and junk mail had been thrown away already, the bills had been dealt with so that made it a much easier job. There were lots of thank you notes from all the festivities we had attended over the summer and birthday cards for both of us.

At 5 o'clock we drove to Terry and Carol's and then on to a new restaurant in the area. The food is homemade Italian and is fabulous. It's the first time I've found gnocchi on a menu down here in the south. We had a great meal and a wonderful visit after almost four months.

Tuesday was my birthday and old Route 66 and I are sharing the same number for the next year. I received some nice gifts, lots of phone calls, a stack of cards and rows and rows of greetings on Facebook from family and friends. I'm so blessed to have so many great people in my life. I started the day meeting Gerre for our normal walk. She has signed us up for the 5K Run Thru The Woods on Thanksgiving Day and we need to get up to speed. It was so good to be walking with my friend again.

Ted planned to attend the World Skeet Shoot in San Antonio again but hesitated to leave me alone on my birthday. I sent him off because I really needed time to myself to get my calendar and volunteer projects all in order. I had just spent 107 days in 300 sq. ft. of space with him. A day alone would be just fine. And it was.

Today I start back in with my Junior Forum work. I'm also scheduled at the nursing home tomorrow. I think I'm in my groove again!

Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest.

Haulin' HitchHikers

2011-10-02T18:31:00.003-05:00

I couldn't get this picture to load when I did my rally blog so they sent it again and now it worked! Close to one-third of the attendees at the HitchHiker International Rally belong to Haulin' HitchHikers. We had a great showing.

One Mile From "Home"

2011-09-30T22:06:00.003-05:00

I joined everyone in the hall Tuesday morning to listen to the SkyMed pitch and then offered to help clean up but there really wasn't anything to do since all that was used was paper products. Ted kept trying to improve his score on the Wii and I played some Hand and Foot with the ladies.

At 12:30 the Greasy Hat Luncheon and Red Hat Luncheon convened in opposite rooms in the building. We had a talk from the Extension Service on Seed Starting which I personally thought was a questionable topic for a group where a lot of ladies don't own a home or yard. Going to Lowe's still works for me when I want a plant!

We went to a local restaurant for dinner. I said something to Ted about this being his birthday dinner and the waitress heard me. After we ate she brought him a square of cake with a candle, took his picture and then brought him a copy of it. That was nice because nothing had been done for his birthday.

That evening we had entertainment by Keith Longbotham and his group. They were really good and everyone enjoyed the show. The gal on the fiddle was super.

Wednesday was a catered breakfast followed by a Mor-Ryde Seminar. We are talking about having this suspension put on our trailer. The roads are horrendous and it would greatly improve and protect our suspension. If we have it done, it will be next summer when we're up north.

There was an ice cream social in the afternoon followed by a talk with Mike Mitchell, CEO of NuWa. He always comes and brings everyone up to date on what is going on with the company and any new products they are rolling out. The 2012 Champagne is still the same layout we have so we are sitting tight with ours.

That evening our sub-group, Haulin' HitchHikers, had their annual meeting preceded by a potluck. Ted made pulled pork which was well received. There were very good dishes prepared. So many potlucks are heavy on salads and desserts without much "substance" food. But we had bean soup, taco soup, sausage gumbo, two kinds of meatballs, the pulled pork, cowboy beans, mac & cheese, etc. We have a lot of good cooks!

Afterwards we played bingo but didn't win anything. Good thing because last year Ted won a free yearly membership, 25% off the rally cost and $224 in cash. If either of us won anything, there may have been a revolt.

Thursday I chaired the Mexican Train competition. Later in the evening I was asked to present the certificate to the winner. In the afternoon there was a meeting on all the rallies and trips for 2012. We may make the Haulin' HitchHikers Michigan rally in August but we won't do the International. It is set for Goshen, IN the middle of October. That's too far north, too late in the season for us.

We had a catered dinner in the evening and presentation of all the awards. I DID NOT win in the photo contest. Alaska reigned supreme. The people photo that won was of a woman in Eskimo clothes, animal was a bear with a fish in its mouth and the scenery was a beautiful picture of mountains and glacier reflecting in a lake. I'll just have to keep taking photos and see if I can't get another good one for 2013. Entertainment was Johnny Counterfit who sounded like so many different male singers coupled with jokes. I stayed for about half the show but was yawning so much I gave up and went home.

We pulled out this morning around 7:45 heading to Brinkley, AR but we arrived there around 1:00 pm so continued on. We called for a reservation in Benton, AR but arrived there at 3 pm and Ted said he wanted to continue on to Texarkana to give us a shorter day on Saturday. I cancelled the Benton reservation, made one in Texarkana and called Gwen at Rayford to tell her we would be in on Saturday,

We are in the same park we stopped at on our first night out in June. We drove to town to get fuel and have dinner. To get there we had to exit I-30 at Exit 1. So we were just one mile away from Texas. I expect we'll make it there tomorrow bright and early.

“There's nothing half so pleasant as coming home again.” ~ Margaret Elizabeth Sangster

HitchHiker International Rally

2011-09-27T05:59:00.014-05:00

We traveled to Lebanon, TN outside of Nashville and arrived around noon on Friday. We were the 16th rig to check in and got one of the better spots. This is an agricultural center and spots are pretty much where you can find an electric outlet and water. However, we are backed up to a fence, all in a line. We are across the parking lot from the bathhouse and the building where our activities will take place.

That evening about 30 of us went to O'Charley's for dinner. They put us in one private section of the restaurant at tables of 4 or 6 and did a great job in getting the food out quickly and the checks correct. Not an easy feat on short notice.

Saturday night we attended the Grand Ole Opry. Guests included Little Jimmie Dickens who is 90 years old. The circle of wood he is standing on is from the Ryman Auditorium stage and was put in place when the new Opry theater was opened. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Dolly Parton were also appearing. You can see how big this theater is. We were in nose bleed heaven. The close up of Dolly is off the Jumbotron.

The whole complex was ruined last May during the floods. This year is "Country Comes Home" and many of the big stars are taking the time to play the Opry to increase attendance and revenue. There was a sell out crowd for Dolly and there are no tickets available until November so it seems to be working.

Sunday we attended church and then traveled back to the Opry area to take a luncheon cruise on the General Jackson.

It's a beautiful boat, the food was okay, the entertainment great but I felt rushed all afternoon. There never was time to just stand at the rail and watch whatever it was we passed. We could have stayed docked and it wouldn't have been any different for me. However, it was another opportunity to socialize with others from the HitchHiker rally and that's what this week is all about.

Yesterday Ted went to find a stud for the tire. When they took ours off, they broke one and couldn't find one to replace it. So we only have 7 instead of 8 on one tire. This is a pain because now we have to find a place with enough room to park the trailer so the tire can be removed and the stud and lug nut installed. It's always something! Stan's wife flew back to Texas to attend a function so he and I were going to lunch with Greg and Judy just as Ted drove in. So all five of us went to the Sunset Cafe, recommended by someone from the area. It was quite good and kept me from having to make dinner!

When we returned, Ted went over to the hall and called to tell me they needed one more player for Hand and Foot so I went over and played a game. Ted was invited to return to the shooting complex so he did and I went to the Meet and Greet. I turned in my two photos for the contest. Besides the butterfly in the animal category, I included this one of Sam and Morgan last year at Lake Huron in the people category. Wish me luck.

Ted returned before the Meet and Greet was over and stayed around while I came back to watch Dancing With The Stars.

We've had a circle outside our trailer everyday since we've been here but because of the asphalt, there is no campfire. It's getting cooler and a fire would be nice for a couple of reasons!

This morning is a continental breakfast put on by Skymed before their presentation. Ted is signed up to do coffee and doughnuts so I'll have to go wake him. More later.

"The Grand Ole Opry, to a country singer, is what Yankee Stadium is to a baseball player. Broadway to an actor. It's the top of the ladder, the top of the mountain. You don't just play the Opry; you live it." ~ Bill Anderson

Visiting Bowling Green

2011-09-20T19:16:00.020-05:00

We had cool and rainy weather for a couple of days so we planned indoor things. We had reservations for an afternoon tour of the GM Corvette plant and had to wear closed toe shoes, could not bring any cameras, cell phones or any type of bag on the tour.

There was a good sized group waiting but they called Group 1 and all but five of us got up and left. So 10 minutes later, the five of us in Group 2 got a very personal tour. I didn't realize there are four (I think) models of the Corvette that range in base price from $71,000 to $135,000. That's a lot of money for fiberglass!

There are so many things that mean different things on the models. There are different engines, colored tail lights (for cars going to a foreign port), spoilers, insignias, wheels, tires, calipers, flare and non-flare wheel wells, all meaning something in identifying the model and various options. They have to be careful on these distinguishing features because the $135,000 owners want to be sure people know they aren't driving a $71,000 model!

We followed the one mile line watching the cars being assembled. Our guide would point out different models and then tell us what distinguishing characteristic denoted this. When we got to the end where the car is started for the first time and driven to the test room, the guide asked me if I wanted to start the car! I pulled up the seat so I could step on the brake and pushed the starter. And it started right up! I had to test the defroster button and saw the 0 miles displayed in the dash. I rode it on the line until the end. They took my picture and gave me a certificate saying I had assisted at the birth of a Corvette.

It then went to the test room where it must pass 800 tests. Of course, since it was MY car, it passed. (They have a 99% pass rate so I really wasn't surprised.) Then they drove it outside and I thought maybe I could pick it up on my way out. No such luck, they weren't giving out any free samples.

We bought a shirt as a Christmas present for Ted's friend in Tennessee who has a Corvette. That made shopping for him easy this year. We stopped for a late lunch/early dinner and came home to more rain. The new season for shows is starting so TV is good at night.

Wednesday we drove to the park that houses Lost Cave, hiking trails and a butterfly garden. We had a good walk to the cave opening and passed what they call a "blue hole." It has a water exit and entrance but is deep enough to hold water all the time.

We rode a small boat back into the cave and saw how smooth things were from the constant water and flooding.

The neatest part was the Cave Nightclub that was first used back in the '30s when there was no A/C. Today proms and dances are still held here.

We followed the Ridge Top Trail to the butterfly house. I took a few pictures but none as outstanding as the one I took last year in the valley that I'm entering in the photo contest at the HitchHiker rally. Wish me luck.

We followed the Blue Hole Trail back to the parking lot and I told Ted there was a Dairy Barn on the same road we were on. An ice cream instead of lunch sounded good so we set out to find it. We were out in the country when we arrived at Chaney's Dairy Barn complete with a corn maze. We ordered an ice cream cone and looked around. I found milk in GLASS bottles and I haven't seen that since Moby Dick was a minnow!

In the parking lot was a motorized manure spreader carrying a moonshine still. A commercial was going to be made with actors impersonating the Beverly Hillbillies riding on the spreader. The fellow that made the spreader was there and talked to us while they got cameras set up.

The next day we went to the Corvette Museum.

They had Corvettes galore and I found the personal history of the individual cars most interesting. I also learned that the original insignia featured an American flag and checkered flag and was on the 1953 Corvette taken to the New York auto show. But GM Legal determined the use of the flag was illegal and it was replaced with the current Chevrolet bowtie and French fleur-de-leis, still in use today.

This mural was stamp sized photos of owners and their Corvettes. Amazing when you looked at it up close.

After a sandwich at the Corvette Cafe we fueled up for tomorrow, bought a few groceries at Wal-Mart then came home to do laundry.

Tomorrow we head to Nashville which is only about an hour away.

Highlight of the Summer

2011-09-19T16:26:00.010-05:00

Today we traveled to Auburn, KY to the Chapel of the Divine Mercy, housed in the Fathers of Mercy Generalate. For the past two years I've wanted to visit this chapel and today we made it. The chapel now contains the high altar, Communion rail, side altars and two stained glass windows from St. Bonaventure Church, Cincinnati, Ohio. By 2005 when Ted's brother made a video to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary, the church had been torn down.

I was raised in Cincinnati and we belonged to St. Bonaventure parish. I, as well as my mother, aunts and uncles, all received the religious sacraments at this church. I was baptized in 1945, made my first Confession (of many!) and First Communion in 1953, was Confirmed in 1955, graduated from the elementary school in 1959 and was married there in 1965.

I took a booklet I found in my brother's things when he died. It was the 75th Anniversary celebration of the parish in 1945, 17 days after I was born. It included the entire history of the church including when the high altar was installed and also the installation of the side altars. There was a lot of info on dates, places and costs that I thought would be of interest to the person in charge of archives.

I also took a picture of our wedding that has the entire wedding party facing the altar as the exchange of vows took place.

The chapel is absolutely breathtaking as is the entire complex. Father Wade asked if he could keep the booklet and picture to give the proper person time to make copies for their archives. He took us on a tour and we discussed whether there were gates in the Communion rail because there was evidence of a hinge at one time. He asked if they could have been brass. I knew there were gates, they were not brass but it took me awhile to recall they were marble and reflected the Alpha and the Omega. I do hope they get some more answers and info from the booklet.

Father brought holy water and his prayer book to the altar and gave us a marriage blessing. It was very moving to be standing before the same altar 47 years later asking for God's continued blessing on us. It meant so much to me.

I've taken a picture of a picture of our wedding to post here. You'll have to take my word for it that it is us because we have our back to the congregation.

Next is the high altar, one of the two restored stained glass windows, the St. Joseph side altar and the Blessed Virgin Mary altar where I laid a bouquet on my wedding day. Last is a photo of us taken by Father Wade after our blessing.

The secret to having a good marriage is to understand that marriage must be total, it must be permanent, and it must be equal. ~ Frank Pittman

Continuing South

2011-09-17T09:08:00.009-05:00

Thursday was really cold for us, 54 degrees, the same temperature it was going to be in the cave. So we dressed in jeans, sweatshirts and jackets and headed to the park for the 11 o'clock tour. There is some sort of fungus affecting bats so if you've been in a cave or mine since 2005 and have on any clothes or shoes you wore then (!) you have to be decontaminated. I saw people putting the soles of their shoes in a solution in a plastic box, then another box before being allowed on the tour. We were in an iron mine last summer but we didn't have on the same shoes so we were OK.

We had to gather at Shelter A to wait for our guide and while there met a very nice German couple. They have visited the U.S. for the past 19 years and this was their 41st National Park. We had an enjoyable conversation with them before and after the tour.

Back in the late 70s, Ted and I visited Mammoth Cave and took a tour; however, I didn't remember them having a dozen to choose from. Over these past decades more and more of the cave has been discovered, along with more than two dozen new entrances, and now almost 400 miles have been found. The tours are broken up by length, difficulty, time, etc. We chose the Historical Tour that ran over two hours.

Because everything is preserved because of the lack of weather elements and due to the minerals that act as preservatives, we were able to see the wooden boxes and sluices used to mine saltpeter during the Revolutionary War.

There is also "candle writing" on the walls and ceilings that go back to the 1800s. We saw Isaac Newton's, along with his brother John's, who visited in 1838.

Our most difficult area was called Fat Man's Misery and Tallman's Torture. I had to turn sideways to get through the rock and bend in half to keep from hitting my head. Ted was way ahead of me and since we kept moving I assumed he was doing OK.

We went about 332 feet underground. This area floods when the Green River floods. We sat on brand new metal benches that had recently been installed because the old wooden ones had been washed away this spring. We started our last half of the tour which culminated in a climb of 155 steps straight up to the surface.

Then we had to walk across a soapy mat about six feet long to clean the bottoms of our shoes so we don't carry the bat fungus elsewhere.

It was a good work out for both of us but it makes us realize there are many things out there that little by little we won't be able to do. A few years back we hiked over 350 feet down into Bryce Canyon and back up in the summer heat. We took our time and had plenty of water with us and did just fine. But everyone does need to be cautious and know their limits.

We took a ride the next day to find the shooting range near us. I think Ted will be shooting on Saturday. While out, we were looking for a hat for me. I am attending a luncheon at the HitchHiker rally and need a hat to wear. I don't belong to the Red Hat Society and last year I had borrowed my neighbor's hat. We finally found a red cowgirl hat at a souvenir shop that had lost its band and then I bought a spool of red ribbon at the dollar store. We came home and I picked the dried glue off the band area and then put the new ribbon on. That's my $7 hat and it will just have to do!

One of our neighbors came by and sat a spell to visit with us. They are full timers and of course her first question is "Are you Escapees or do you really live in Texas?" There are about 15,000 people that call Rainbow Drive, Livingston, TX home. That is where the Escapee mail service is. Some people come to TX, get established prior to full timing, and never return to the state. They do licenses by mail and vote absentee. Home for them is wherever the wheels stop.

Ted did go to shoot on Saturday but had to settle for trap since they had no skeet fields. He shot two rounds, breaking all 50 birds. The fellows called him a "ringer" and invited him back anytime he is in the area.

We drove to Glasgow to attend Mass at St. Helen's. It was a really old church made entirely of rock but I didn't have my camera with me. Upon leaving, three couples in a row were RVers. The priest talked to each one of us because he knew we were visitors. He was genuinely glad we had come and wished us safe travels.

The campground owners had told us to eat at a little hole in the wall called "Taste of Texas." There was a bit of a wait but it was well worth it. I had the best steak I've had in some time.

We traveled to Bluegrass Music Park in Franklin KY today, just six miles from the TN border. Because we had a low tire this morning, Ted went into town to find a tire place to make an appointment to have the balancing powder sucked out of our remaining three RV tires. We've learned that this powder contaminates the valve stems and causes leaks. He stopped at the truck place first but their equipment is too big so they gave him names of two businesses in town. He said they stopped using that powder in truck tires for just the reason Ted cited. The "beads" are apparently OK but Ted opted for the regular weights when he had the one fixed in Cincinnati and will probably do the same with the remaining three tires.

It's a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon and of course football is on the TV. We're all settled in for the next five days. Hopefully Ted can get the tires done Friday morning before we head to Nashville. That will be easier than hooking up this week and then getting set back up. But if that's what we have to do, we'll do it!

Mammoth Cave was not named because there were woolly mammoths found down here, but rather because it is mammoth! ~ Our Guide

Back in Central Daylight Time

2011-09-15T07:26:00.018-05:00

Tuesday we drove to Bardstown but continued driving south and visited Gethsemane Abbey, Bishop Flaget Log House & St. Thomas Church and Knob Creek Farm. We were surprised at the number of religious communities and related sites in the area.

The Abbey is on gorgeous grounds with beautiful buildings. We watched a movie about the monastic lifestyle of the monks here and then visited the gift shop. We were invited to visit the church for the 2:15 pm call to prayer. The monks pray 7 times a day starting at 3:15 am and ending at 7:30 pm plus they attend Mass each day.

As we approached the church the signs said silence was required.

There was a small chapel at the back of the church with the benches in the church on the sides facing each other, not the front of the church.

We were given prayer books and we followed along. It only lasted 15 minutes. Other than the prayers or hymns there was absolute silence until you walked back to the grounds and away from the church.

Our next stop was at a farm house built in 1795, bequeathed to Bishop Joseph Flaget who founded St. Thomas Church in 1812.

At that time Bardstown was one of six dioceses and it went from the southern border of Tennessee to Lake Superior, east to include the states of Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee and as far west to what is now Iowa. This indicated to me how important Bardstown was at the time.

Our last stop was at Knob Creek Farm where President Lincoln lived as a boy and attended school. While the area was maintained there were no National Park Service people present and the buildings were locked. Our tax dollars NOT at work.

We returned to Bardstown to have dinner at The Talbott Tavern in operation since 1779. They gave us a "history of the tavern" sheet and a few things popped out at me.

The Bardstown Mustangs assembled at the tavern in 1830 to leave to fight in the war of Texas Independence. They all perished at Goliad where the Mexicans massacred everyone despite their surrender. Only one man from Bardstown, J. C. Duvall, made it out alive.

Peter Grayson, author of The Treaty of San Jacinto which ended the Texas War of Independence, stopped by the tavern on his way to Washington as the Texas Secretary of State. He was killed by bandits when he continued his journey.

Alexander Walters, born to a slave cook in the pantry of the tavern in 1885, became the founder of the NAACP and was the first African American appointed as a foreign minister.

T. D. Beam (brother of Jim Beam), purchased the tavern from the Talbott's in 1916. Tom Moore, Barton distillery, purchased it in 1926.

Since 1968 it has been owned by the Kelley's, great-great grandchildren of John Talbott whose tailor shop close by was robbed by the Jesse James gang in 1875.

After dinner we headed to the fairgrounds for the Balloon Glow. It was so neat to watch that nothing needs to be said beyond the pictures.

Wednesday morning we headed just 50 miles down the road to Cave City. We rode around the little towns after we were settled and stopped by Mammoth Cave State Park to get tickets for tomorrow's cave tour. Our senior pass got us half priced tickets. Woo Hoo!

" A monk is a man who responds with a single focus to the summons of God and daily consecrates himself to the search for God." ~ Abbot Edmund Boyce, O.S.B.

Laid Back Weekend

2011-09-12T18:11:00.002-05:00

Ted found a gun club near our campground so he left Saturday to shoot a few rounds. When he came home we went to church in the afternoon, ate at Big Boy and then went to the 44 Country Music Show. They had noticed our TX license plates and we became celebrities! They mentioned us from the stage a couple times and dedicated the second song, Houston, to us. They also sang Leaving San Antonio and Luckenbach, TX. It was a really good show and we enjoyed it a lot.

I cooked goetta for breakfast and we watched some of the 9/11 Memorials and football. Late in the afternoon we drove a short distance to have dinner with Jennie and Brian, Ted's niece and her husband and their three children. They have lived in Louisville for 10 years so we don't have a lot of opportunity to visit with them and really didn't know Brian very well. He is a delightful young man and an excellent husband and father. He cooked dinner and it was delicious.

They asked us questions about Jennie's grandparents and great-grandma who all died when she was young. And of course we talked about our travels and ended up the evening with a Political Science discussion since they said they aren't too informed on current politics!

Today was laundry day and we've not ventured anywhere outside the park. There is some sort of Gospel Singing Convention going on so the park is entirely full. We were very lucky to get in here. A HitchHiker friend stayed one night and really wanted to stay here but had to move on to Clarksville, IN since all the spots were reserved. A bridge across the river from KY to IN has been closed for repairs and it is playing havoc with traffic. I feel bad for the folks who need to use that bridge and must go way out of the way to another bridge to go back and forth. Glad I'm heading south on Wednesday.

We are going back to Bardstown tomorrow and hope there is good weather for the Balloon Glow in the evening. We'll spend the afternoon, have dinner and then come back home after the balloon event.

Wednesday we move to Cave City for no other reason than it is a Passport America Park and it is outside Mammoth Cave National Park. From there we go to Franklin and a week from Friday we'll arrive in Nashville for the HitchHiker rally. Then home!

Chris is bummed we are coming the weekend Rebecca is working her other Friday job. That means he will have to "tidy up" since she won't clean until the weekend after we get home. But he's elated with our plans for 2012 that will find him staying at our house as much or more than we do!

Did you see that the first three races at Belmont on Sunday were won by horses 9, 1, 1? What are the odds on that?

Churchill Downs - Fantastic

2011-09-09T18:05:00.013-05:00

I loved visiting Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum.

First we saw a Circle Vision movie of what goes on at Churchill Downs from the training of the horses up to Derby Day and everything in between. We had small backless stools to sit on and it was like sitting in the infield. You had to keep moving in a circle to watch all that was going on. It was terrific! I loved the Derby Day part with the ladies' hats, the race, the blanket of roses. Such excitement.

Next we were taken on a half hour walk out to:

The Paddock Area

The Winner's Circle

The Track

The Twin Spires

Etc., by a young guide

A $3 seat every other day of the year becomes part of a contract group that may sell for $15,000 with a 5-year contract. Then you have to pay maybe $500 for each seat in that group. Of course boxes and suites, etc. can go into the $100,000 range. But it's for Derby Day only.

Next we toured the museum and there were so many hands on things to do. The entrance has this multi screen movie of the horses right out of the starting gate, a perspective most people don't get.

We were able to mount horses and ride in a simulated race. We could go left, right and faster (but with only six crop whips per race). I won twice!

Next we could do pari-mutual betting picking a win, place and show horse. We were given a ticket, then watched the race. Out of 24 picks, I think Ted won once! We can't win gambling even when no real money is involved. But it was fun!

I was able to "call a race" and make a recording. I think they would have told me not to give up my day job if anyone else was listening. It's a lot harder than it sounds. Ted opted not to do it but I think he would have done better than me since he knows the difference between "the back stretch" and "the stretch."

Ted took my picture astride a horse in the starting gate. There's certainly not a lot of room in there.

We ate in the Derby Cafe and then made a stop in the gift shop. What do you think of my chapeau?

"If Jack Nicklaus can win the Masters at 46, I can win the Kentucky Derby at 54.” ~ Willie Shoemaker

Ted With The Camera

2011-09-09T17:52:00.006-05:00

Friday was cool and misty so we decided to take a ride to Bardstown to look at the campground at My Old Kentucky Home State Park and to learn where the Balloon Glow is going to be on Tuesday. It is about 16 miles from where we are in Shepherdsville.

The campground is small and pretty tight in the bends with lots of trees. That's nice for small campers and pop-ups but not for big rigs like ours with four slides. We didn't visit the house because we had done that back in the early 80s. I remember two things: the room and desk where Stephen Foster sat to write "My Old Kentucky Home" and that I picked up an apple that fell from a tree and baked it with others into a pie. Just don't ask me what I did yesterday! That's what the blog is for.

We walked around downtown and stopped at the Elk Creek Winery and bought a bottle of Riesling. I could have done this in Owenton but for some reason didn't. Ted was fascinated by the old time lunch counter in a drug store so we went in for him to take a picture.

He also has been visiting the llamas and donkeys in the field across from us. In fact he just left with what are left of the carrots from yesterday's soup to feed them. Here are his contributions on the camera.

Baseball Bats and War Hero

2011-09-06T16:20:00.020-05:00

It started raining Sunday afternoon just as we hit I-75 and it didn't stop. We spent all day in the RV on Monday except for Ted's run to fill up with diesel. When I awoke on Tuesday I wasn't sure if we were leaving. It was in the 50s and raining pretty hard. When Ted got up he cranked the antenna down so I figured it was moving day.

We headed west and south to Shepherdsville, south of Louisville. We were delayed about an hour by an accident on I-64. Something rode the guard rail for a long time before plunging over the embankment. We could see the tops of big cranes that were put in place to retrieve whatever it was and there were HazMat trucks all over the place with stacks of soaking mats. Maybe we'll hear something on the news. I don't think it was a beer truck!

Things are really booked up and we've had difficulty getting reservations especially over weekends. Between Gospel Fests, Pumpkin Festivals and the Bourbon Trail festival, everything is booked. But when we arrived, we learned two RVs had departed and we could stay through the weekend. Yippee!

After a bite to eat we left for the Louisville Slugger factory. Here is the large bat at the front of the factory.

We were not allowed to take pictures on the tour but were allowed to in the museum.

The first thing we did was order a 30" natural colored bat with Sam's full name engraved on it. I'm sure he'll be as excited to receive it as Ted will be to give it. It was ready for us when we were finished with our visit and leaving.

Next up was the factory tour where we saw billets (wood cylinders) shaped into bats first by hand (demonstration) and then lathe (current way to make them). There are different machines for minor leagues and major leagues. A major league player will use between 60-120 bats per season. They are made precisely each time for that player. The ball team pays for them, not the player. We saw a demonstration of how the logos are burned onto the bats, then they are sanded and dipped in whatever finish ordered and hung to dry. We were given a mini bat when we left.

We then saw a movie that had clips of famous players and important events that mentioned or showed Louisville Slugger bats. We finished up at the museum. Ted was allowed to use Johnny Bench's bat (he had to put on gloves) so I could take his picture at home plate.

I was interested in Babe Ruth's bat from 1927 where he notched the logo for every home run he hit.

And being from Cincinnati, I stood on tiptoes to get a picture of Pete Rose's signature that was used on his bats as it appears on the wall of several thousand signatures. Ted attended Western Hills High School with Pete.

Last thing we did was stand behind the "catcher" and watched a ball hurled at us at 90 mph. I couldn't even follow it so "keeping my eye on the ball" was out of the question! It was a great tour and an enjoyable afternoon.

Today we drove to Fort Knox to visit the Patton Museum.

It is under renovation but the halls we saw were very enjoyable. The three things of interest to me were the jacket he wore during the Battle of the Bulge because we toured all that area in 2009.

This picture of Patton astride the Lipizzaner stallion that was to be a gift to the Emperor of Japan from Hitler.

We saw this picture and read the story (watch Disney's "Miracle of the White Stallions") at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria. We also saw Patton's grave at the American cemetery in Luxembourg.

This is the car in which Patton was injured and subsequently died from his injuries.

It has been restored.

They also have his Jeep, and a portrait of him.

There were photos of him starting when he was a baby and continuing throughout his career. His own words, including bad grammar and poor spelling, graced each photo. He had an illustrious career and I don't believe we've had a leader like him since.

We stopped for an ice cream, then went to the grocery and finished up at Zappo's Shoe Outlet where we both found shoes for our next European vacation and I tossed in an extra pair of sandals!

Sometimes you're the Louisville Slugger baby, sometimes you're the ball. Sometimes it all comes together. ~ Lyrics from The Bug

The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his. ~ George S. Patton

Labor Day at the Lake

2011-09-05T07:53:00.007-05:00

After doing laundry and grocery shopping, we decided to eat at Fat Boy's BBQ that we have been passing everyday as we drive into town. All I can say is that Fat Boy should leave the BBQing to just about any BBQer in our great state of Texas. We didn't complain but it was a big disappointment.

We went on to the square in town and set up our chairs for the last "Music on the Square" night in Georgetown. Two ladies out of Lexington called Mother Jane entertained us for two hours. Everyone was eating ice cream cones from the little place we had lunch a few days before. They were all complimenting this Blue Bell Ice Cream on its taste. We told them it was from Brenham, TX and it's all we eat back home.

Friday morning we got caught up, packed our things and headed out about noon for the lake. We took I-75 north for about 15 miles then 330 right into Owenton. It only took 45 minutes which is less than when we travel to it from Cincinnati. It was the hottest day of the year the weatherman said. The thermometer in the cabin said 104. We sat on the screened porch for awhile then switched to the dock in hopes a breeze off the water would cool us down.

By 4 o'clock we gave up and went to the Elk Creek Winery for dinner. It was too early to eat so we shared a bottle of wine before ordering ... anything to stretch out the time we could sit in the A/C. We eventually ate, enjoyed the music that started and visited with some of the help that Karen and Ronnie know.

On the way out I noticed small bottles shaped like the Blanton Bourbon Bottle. It held marinade but had the pewter horse stopper just like the expensive bourbon. The distillery gift shop had single barrel staves that looked like a rocker with eight holes to put your stoppers in. Small letters on the individual stoppers spell out BLANTONS when you fill all eight. Buying eight marinades at $11.95 would fill up your souvenir a lot quicker than $450 bottles of bourbon.

When we went back to the cabin we took the pontoon boat out for a ride. We stopped at David's and talked with him, Brad and Nicole (and baby Noah) for awhile and it was dark by the time we got back. Thankfully it cools way down at night and we were able to sleep comfortably with just fans in the windows and overhead.

The next morning Tim & Cindy arrived with their dog Maggie, a golden retriever. Ted had fun all weekend throwing her ball into the water. When she brings it back she stands next to you but turns her head every time you reach for the ball. You have to wrestle it away from her to throw it again. If you ignore her she'll eventually sit it down but she loves her little teasing game. Cindy said we could take her home with us and she would even pay for a lifetime supply of food; Tim threw in vet bills. Poor Maggie, she just loves to play ball.

While sitting on the dock, Eddie, Stephen, Tommy and Samantha came in the small peddle boat. They stopped to share a beer and invited us to David's that evening. Many more of the family were over there and he was having a big dinner. So we told them we would come by after church around 7:30

Everyone was anxious to get to church because it was air conditioned. However, only 23 people were in attendance. They are afraid this church may close and then they'll have to drive to Warsaw on Saturday or Sunday. More and more in our travels we find two or three churches have formed a "triumvirate" because of dwindling membership.

We had one more meal and party with my relatives before calling it a night.

Only two families were staying over with David, the rest were driving back to Cincinnati. I told them this was really it and we wouldn't see them again on this trip since we had actually moved south.

Sunday morning Ronnie fixed a big breakfast, we all sat on the dock in much cooler temperatures and after a really late lunch, Cindy & Tim and we took off for home. It started raining just as we arrived and it has kept up ever since. It is so needed that no one should complain.

May you always have walls for the winds, a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire, laughter to cheer you, those you love near you and all your heart might desire.” ~ An Irish Blessing

Kentucky Horse Park, Bourbon and Candy

2011-09-01T06:13:00.013-05:00

Nothing says Kentucky Bluegrass like horses, bourbon and candy. Since the Toyota factory is on changeover and tours are suspended until mid-September, we opted for Kentucky Horse Park. We stayed at their campground in our Wilderness trailer with the kids back in the late 70s but we knew with Ted's love of horses that we would enjoy seeing it again.

Man O War is buried here and his sculpture dominates the entrance but our favorite is Secretariat who is actually buried at Claibourne Farms. In the early 80s while camping at Boonesborough State Park, Ted went to see Secretariat. He met his groom and we have lots of pictures of the three of them together.

First we visited the International Museum of the Horse, then took a trolley tour around the park. Next up was the Parade of Breeds.

Next was the Hall of Champions where retired horses are shown. We saw Mr. Muscleman, 2005 Trotter of the Year; Funny Cide, 2003 KY Derby and Preakness winner; Da Hoss, 1996 and 1998 Breeders Cup winner and Cigar, 1995 and 1996 Horse of the Year who had an unheard of 16 race winning streak. His winnings totaled $10 million and that was over 15 years ago.

Our last stop was at the American Saddlebred Museum where I decided to take a ride on the adult size hobby horse. Getting on was OK, getting off was another story!

The next day we headed to Buffalo Trace Distillery. The variables present in distilling bourbon is unreal. There is the mash of corn, wheat, barley, rye. Then the alcohol content when it is put into the barrels. These barrels must be made of White Oak, not because of tradition but because it is the only wood that will not weep and tops of trees produce different barrels than the bottoms do. The placement in storage, the rise and fall of temperatures, closeness to water, etc. all play a part and it amazes me they can come up with the same taste, bottle after bottle.

We were invited to see the group that hand bottles and packs Blanton's which can sell for $450 a bottle.

Our tour guide was so knowledgeable and we certainly learned from him and enjoyed the tour. Afterwards they had tasting of chilled versus room temperature and Eagle Rare versus Buffalo Trace. I opted for root beer! But when he brought the bourbon candies out, well then he was singing my song. They are delicious.

Our last stop was Rebecca Ruth Candies. This small business, started in 1918, is still housed in what was a home. The cooking kitchen is half the size of mine at home. In the back area is a short line that forms and covers the candy. At the end, two ladies were placing the pecans on top of the bourbon balls and packaging them. Reminded me of the Lucy and Ethel segment that is a classic. On the other side were three tables that constituted the "shipping department." That was it! And they make and sell 100,000 lbs. of chocolates a year. They gave us one of their bourbon balls and it was much stronger than the Buffalo Trace ones. She said each distillery sends bourbon for their own candies and they are all different.

We are taking today off for laundry and grocery shopping and to prepare to head to Karen's lake house tomorrow. We plan to spend Friday and Saturday nights there and return here on Sunday.

"I was brought up to believe that Scotch whisky would need a tax preference to survive in competition with Kentucky bourbon.” ~ Hugo Black

Just In Case

2011-08-30T19:26:00.007-05:00

In case you are worrying about us running out of relatives, here are the four newest ones, all born this month!

Congratulations to Jessica and Josh on #4, Abigail

And to Katie and Mike on #2, Lillian

To Laura and Brian on their firstborn, Jameson

And last but not least, a firstborn son born today to Megan and Greg, Baby Leo

Congratulations to all four families.

A baby is God’s opinion that life should go on ~ Carl Sandberg

Moving On

2011-08-28T10:51:00.009-05:00

I tried to arrange lunch for the Cookie/Donna/Donna/Donna quartet since Cookie had major surgery (cancerous kidney and spleen removed) recently. She missed both our grade school dinner and girls' luncheon and we had hoped she was up to some visitors bearing lunch. She sounds great, said she feels fine but had two doctor appointments on Friday and was unable to meet us. She promised to see me next year!

So Donna B and I went to lunch by ourselves. She chose a great little deli type cafe and as soon as I walked in someone called "Donna Rae." Well that was a dead give away that it wasn't Donna Louise but me they were calling and it was my cousin Charles and his wife Charlotte. More relatives, more tripping. We talked about the last reunion and the one he is in charge of for 2013. They invited us to sit with them but Donna and I chose to sit alone. After several hours, when the place was closing, I complimented the owner on the food. She actually told us to come back when we couldn't stay so long! (Jokingly!).

That evening Ted and I went to the movies to see The Help. I read the book and enjoyed it and was hoping the movie was just as good. It was but there were a few changes in the story line.

We went to St. Vincent de Paul Church again at 3 pm on Saturday and then went to the Germania Festival. The blue and white of the Bavarian flag was flying all over the place as well as the red/black/yellow of the Germany flag. And the food! Out to conquer the German soul - Limburger cheese, spatzel, goetta, metts, wurst, hot potato salad, potato pancakes, turtle soup, strudel and beer, beer and more beer.

We sat in the pavilion to enjoy the opening festivities. They began with the Star Spangled Banner and then played the German anthem. They remember where they are from, but first remembered where they are. I liked that. Ted had a beer and I ate my calories - in the form of an apple strudel. Yummy!!!!

We sat across from a young couple who are dating. We learned she is from Connersville, IN (where Ted's father's people are from) and she is the newspaper editor. She and Ted had so much to talk about. After watching the German dancers and listening to some music, we parted company only to run into them as she was encouraging her boyfriend to try a shot of Yagermeister. I think it tastes like thick licorice cough syrup. He didn't think much of it either.

We decided to leave and had to catch a bus back to the winery where we had parked and taken the shuttle. Three women that had been on the bus with us on the way over were also leaving. They asked if they could follow us back into Cincinnati and avoid going through the traffic at the festival. We said sure. She asked what the back of our truck said and we told her "Texas." We laughed that three locals were depending on us from out of town to lead them. But we got them back to the highway and they tooted and waved as they went on.

This morning Ted went shooting and when he returned we headed to old Coney Island. This is the amusement park we attended as children before King's Island was built. Most of the big rides were taken down or bought by King's Island so the park is a shadow of its former self. Moonlight Gardens where we danced under the stars is still there as is Lake Como for canoe rides. Now they have paddle boats too. We rode a few rides and played some skeeball. There are three stage shows and we saw two of them.

We stopped to visit Karen on our way home. She is half was through her week being face down. It is such a difficult thing to do. We hope the doctor lets her stop on Wednesday when she sees him. If so, they will leave for the lake and we'll spend some of Labor Day weekend with them.

After a bite to eat, a chat with our new neighbors and some football on TV, Ted decided to check the tires. He found a problem with one of the RV tires. This morning he had to remove the tire and have the valve stem repaired. After he got it back on, we headed out. We are now in Georgetown, KY. We spent the afternoon checking out two campgrounds in Frankfurt but they are too remote for what we want to do so we'll stay where we are and just drive to the Frankfurt attractions we want to see.

We stopped some people in downtown Georgetown to ask for a lunch recommendation. Turns out they were visiting from Texas and were from the golf community just south of where we live! Such a small world. Downtown Georgetown is a delightful place and we had a good lunch in a neat little restaurant with Formica tables and Mickey Mouse memorabilia all over. After a stop at Wal-Mart for some groceries we came back and settled in for the night. We have the windows open and the A/C off. It is supposed to be 56 in the morning!

After Ted's conference call tomorrow we are heading to Toyota for their plant tour.

I grew up in Kentucky, but I did not grow up like that. I had heat, and I didn't have to shoot my dinner or anything. ~ Jennifer Lawrence

Filling Our Time

2011-08-25T14:16:00.009-05:00

Sunday evening we had another delicious meal at the Bier House and were so pleased to see Ted's brother Dan from Key West along with his son Patrick who was deployed yesterday to Iraq. He is the fourth young man from our families to be serving and we are so proud of them. God's speed Nick, Stephen, Matt and Patrick.

Early Monday Ted took the truck to the airport and flew to Orlando. I was pretty much stuck here for the day and cleaned some cabinets, read my book, watched TV and played on my computer. He had his business dinner then spent the night with Kristin. They had a good visit and he was able to do some things around the house for her that required lifting. He arrived home Tuesday afternoon and we eventually did our laundry before dinner.

Another nephew, Sean from Phoenix, was in town for a conference and asked if we all had time to come downtown for a quick dinner before he caught his flight home. Peg, Kath, Dan, Ted and I met him across from The Great American Ball Park at the Holy Grail for dinner. It was a nice but quick visit and we were so glad to see him. We walked over to the outside of the ball park and took a few photos. When we were kids we would pay a quarter to sit in the bleachers at old Crosley Field. Then it gave way to Riverfront Stadium. Most recently Paul Brown Stadium was built on the riverfront for the Bengals and the Great American Ball Park was built for the Reds. Then Peg took us on a tour of all our old haunts from years gone by. It was very enjoyable.

When we arrived home our NY neighbors had a fire going behind the trailers on the banks of the lake and we joined them. They had been to the Jimmy Buffett concert at Riverbend the night before and had lots of stories to tell. They were interested in our life in Texas. We had to get up early and they were pulling out at 6 a.m. so we called it a night around 11.

The next day we went with Karen & Ron to the facility where her surgery was performed. Everything went well and when she arrived home she wanted to take a nap so we left. After lunch, we went to Sam's to stock up on goetta, Skyline chili and turtle soup. Woo Hoo! I''m set for a couple of months now.

Here are some photos outside Cincinnati's new Great American Ball Park.

Theodore Bernard "Big Klu" Kluszewski (September 10, 1924 – March 29, 1988) was a Major League first baseman from 1947 through 1961.

Joseph Henry Nuxhall (July 30, 1928 – November 15, 2007) was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, mostly for the Cincinnati Reds. Immediately after retiring as a player, he became a radio broadcaster for the Reds from 1967 through 2004, and continued part-time up until his death in 2007.

“Baseball is a simple game. If you have good players and if you keep them in the right frame of mind, then the manager is a success.” ~ Sparky Anderson

I'm Back!

2011-08-21T12:39:00.011-05:00

First off I didn't get to write about our nice visit with Bill and Karen in Burlington, KY before we left. We had dinner, saw a folk concert and then had coffee and dessert. Karen is one of the friends I've had the longest, back to 1963. Neither of us were even engaged when we met but now between us there are many years at Procter & Gamble, two husbands, five kids, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild on the way. That's a lot of water over the dam.

Now back to the week that went by so quickly. I thought I would be bored since I expected Kristin to mostly sleep and she did. But Eileen came to the hospital with me on Monday and then visited again on Wednesday and Friday. Friday evening, friends of Kristin's came by with supper for us and they spent a few hours.

By Saturday Kristin was able to get out to run errands. We hit the post office, bank and a few stores. We had lunch out and she was pretty tired. I took her home so she could sleep some while I went to church.

We attended St. Ann's from 1996-2001 and I knew almost everyone in that parish. I was so involved that it was hard for us to get out of church in a reasonable amount of time because I was always being stopped to discuss various things that were going on or being planned. Yesterday I recognized about a half dozen people and could only think of the name of one of them. Many have come and many have gone. Life marches on and it's true - you can't go home again.

Kara and family arrived at Disney World (again!) so we drove down to meet them and have dinner. They are at the Beach Club on Disney property for three days and then move to Kidani Village near Animal Kingdom for a week. They sure make the most of their timeshare with the Disney Vacation Club.

I had never been in this resort area known as the Disney Beach and Yacht Club Resorts. It is difficult to get around because the entire pool area is fenced in since it is only for Beach and Yacht Club guests. We somehow got into the pool area and couldn't find our way out! I said I felt like I was in an unnatural zoo habitat for humans. We finally made our way out after being stopped for not having wrist bracelets on but Kara had her room key. There were six of us in regular clothes. Duh! We had dinner at Hannah's Grill and then went to Beaches and Cream for ice cream.

Kara thought this was a great time to have the "kitchen sink" because we had enough people to eat it, or at least she thought we could.

However, we didn't quite make it.

Kristin and I left for home because we had an early morning wake up call. My flight was at 8 a.m. so we had to leave at 6 a.m. I had a delay at security waiting for a female TSA. My titanium hip always sets off the alarm so I know I'll be patted down. But I resent standing there for a long period of time, especially when my purse is not with me, while a female TSA saunters over when she is good and ready.

The flight was uneventful and after 30 years of Detroit, Orlando and Houston airports, the small Bluegrass Airport at Lexington was a breath of fresh air.

My first thing to do when we got back to Cincinnati after eating some breakfast was to print out Ted's boarding pass for tomorrow. He is flying to Orlando out of Cincinnati (expense account) for just a one night business trip. He'll spend tomorrow night with Kristin and be home Tuesday mid-morning. His is a really quick trip.

Our plans for Cave Run Lake in KY have been cancelled. Karen is having eye surgery on Thursday and they can't go. So we're staying here an extra week to be sure she is OK before heading back to the Lexington/Georgetown/Frankfurt area of KY. Where exactly and for how long? It's anyone's guess.

We are having dinner with Ted's family tonight. Back to the Bier House and more hot bacon slaw and pretzel bread!

I got the bill for my surgery. Now I know what those doctors were wearing masks for. ~ James H. Boren

Off to Florida

2011-08-16T15:34:00.003-05:00

I am in Florida playing nursemaid to our youngest daughter, Kristin, who had surgery yesterday morning. She came through it well and is now home. I'll be here until next Sunday and then head back to Ohio.

We went to dinner with 12 RELATIVES last Saturday. Nathan, Meg and Nolan were some we hadn't seen yet and it was a pleasure getting reacquainted with 2-year old Nolan who we hadn't seen since his first birthday last year. He is so cute and smart, talking up a storm. Hot bacon slaw and pretzel bread were served at the Bier House and I could have filled up on just that.

Sunday we left early for our drive to Lexington where I got the best deal on a plane ticket. Cincinnati is the most expensive airport in the nation. I hope they didn't pay much for that study because I could have told them that for free! The city is filled with billboards encouraging you to fly out of Indianapolis, Dayton, Columbus, Louisville and Lexington ... and a lot do, including me.

Kristin picked me up at the Orlando airport, we stopped for some groceries and went home to prepare for an early day on Monday. We had to leave at 4:45 a.m. to get there in time. It took exactly as long as they said it would, everyone seemed to know what they were doing (that's good!) and we had no issues. Kristin spent the night and I picked her up this morning about 11 a.m.

I'm at the library typing this because I don't have my laptop. Ted has custody back in Ohio so I'll catch you all on the flip side next week!

Our Tribute to Jim

2011-08-13T11:53:00.005-05:00

We said goodbye today to an old friend who left us for the great campground in the sky.

Ted and I met Jim and Marilyn back in the 60s when the fellows both worked at the Cincinnati Enquirer. Our first adventure was trying to breed our Irish Setters but we never did get that to happen, but the friendship that ensued lasted for decades.

Many a New Year’s Eve was spent at awesome parties in their home and even as we moved throughout these United States, he and his wife Marilyn came to visit. Without fail, Jim would fix something for us around the house since Ted isn’t much of a handyman.

In the beginning we camped with our 3 girls and their 3 boys all over Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Later there were longer camping trips including one to the upper peninsula of Michigan where Ted and Jim tried to marry off our 12 year old Kristin and my niece Jamie to every young boy that ventured by.

There was a cruise to Hawaii, a plane trip to Arizona and the Grand Canyon, a train trip to Toronto, a golf trip to French Lick, IN and so many other visits in between. We celebrated Thanksgiving with them at our Florida homes. I believe they are the only friends who have stayed at every one of our houses outside of Ohio over the years except our last one.

As time went on and Jim and Marilyn took to the road full time, our visits dwindled since we too were gone so much. Our last visit was here in Ohio when we both happened to be in town. We never made it to their place in Alabama where they decided to settle down. And now he is gone.

Our lives have been enriched by the memories we created with Jim over these past 40+ years. I’ll leave you with the toast he proposed every New Year’s Eve.

Here's to the breeze that blows through the trees,
That blows the skirts off of young girls' knees,
Which leads to the sights that sometimes pleases,
But more often leads to social diseases.

Rest in peace, Jim. You will be missed by many.

Just An Ordinary Week So Far

2011-08-10T21:20:00.003-05:00

We had some errands to run on Monday. We wanted to stop at a new store, Gabriel Brothers, to see what it was like and also Bed, Bath and Beyond to buy a shower gift for Vicki. Then we stopped by Karen's to drop off the gift and to pick up some mail that had been forwarded to us from home. It's a good thing we have "Help" on both ends to keep our affairs in order.

Then we went to Sharon's to have dinner with her, Jim, Brad, Nicole and baby Noah. We always have a very enjoyable time with Sharon and Jim and Monday was no different. It was around midnight before we started back home.

I have been sleeping so good while here. I think it is because my head is not full of things I need to do. Tuesday was just such a morning and we didn't even walk out of the trailer until 4 pm. We decided to take a ride to the casino since that appeared to be the only chance we would have. We stayed about 2.5 hours and eventually left after making our annual contribution to the Lawrenceburg cause.

Today Ted took me to Karen's to do laundry. While I was there, he went to the grocery because we are having Jim and Sharon over tomorrow night for dinner. I also have a lunch date with Donna and Donna at noon. That's right, all of us are named Donna and attended K-12 together. I went on to work at Procter & Gamble with one of the two Donnas.

We have plans for Friday with Karen and Bill, friends going back to 1963 when I started at P&G with Karen. And Dan is coming in from Celina to spend the day with us on Saturday. Then we'll leave early Sunday for my flight to Florida. I'm not sure what Ted will do to fill his time while I'm gone but this is the best place for him to be alone since he knows the area and lots of people. I'm sure he'll be fine.

Language has created the word 'loneliness' to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word 'solitude' to express the glory of being alone. ~ Paul Tillich

Tripping Over Relatives

2011-08-07T09:14:00.014-05:00

Thursday we traveled to the convent where my 90 year old Aunt Ruth has retired. Due to a heart condition she is in the nursing care part. She looks terrific but mentally is forgetting things and confused about people. I'm not sure she knew who we were but seemed to enjoy having company. Afterwards we had dinner with my cousin Billie Jean and her husband Tom. It has been decades since we've seen them. Of course my Dad, 85, in Florida was delighted that we had seen his sister. Billie's mother, their other sister, is 88. That's some good family longevity.

The weekend started off for us at the Delhi Skirt Game. This is a baseball game played in drag by local politicians, celebrities, firemen, police, EMTs, etc. to raise money for local people in need. The outfits are a hoot!

My cousin Jim does all the electric work for the event and has a VIP section on the concrete bleachers where he sets chairs and a fan.

There are food and drink booths, games, etc. We walked around and visited with lots of friends and relatives. Jim's son David does the firework display at the end of the evening. It was another great time.

We had planned to go to St. Lawrence church, dinner and the casino Saturday night but were invited to dinner and their river camp by my niece Debbie while we were at the Skirt Game. So we changed our plans a bit, went to St. Joseph Church where we ran into Ted's brother Kevin and Barb, then met my family at a restaurant in Lawrenceburg, IN. My niece Sis and her husband came too. From there we went to their RV camp on the Ohio River. It wasn't long before their son and granddaughter arrived. After a while they left and their daughter arrived with her entourage. We enjoyed our visit and headed home about 11.

We had another terrible storm through the night, lost electric but then it cleared up. Ted took me to Megan's baby shower this afternoon where I saw many of those that had come to brunch last week as well as my sister-in-law Barb's family that I have not seen in quite some time. I had a hard time getting a cell phone signal to have Ted come get me when it was over. Oh the rolling hills of southwest Ohio.

We stopped at Kroger's for a few groceries and are now just starting to get dinner together. This will be my last week in Cincinnati because I am flying to Florida next Sunday to be with Kristin who is having some surgery on Monday. I'll be gone a week. After I arrive home on the next Sunday, Ted leaves that Monday for a business trip, back on Tuesday and we head out on Wednesday.

Other things may change us, but we start and end with family. ~ Anthony Brandt

Slowing Down the Pace

2011-08-04T07:29:00.003-05:00

Kara and Allen stopped by with the kids on Monday before heading home. I had a chance to take them out behind us to the lake where we threw bread in for the ducks, fish and turtles. They got a big kick out of that. Sam said he is bringing his fishing pole next time.

They took off and I decided to take a nap on the couch. Not long after, it started ... beep, beep, beep. Of course Ted couldn't hear it so I got up to check on the refrigerator doors to be sure they were closed. But the flashing code was different than the open door one. I checked our book and this had to do with a high temp sensor or something and needed a service technician.

There is a mobile service that comes to this park. Ted called him and he knew exactly what was wrong. Six months ago we took the trailer in for a Norcold refrigerator recall. It turns out the recall is being recalled! The fellow had a kit to fix it but he was in Peebles, OH and wasn't going to be back until 3 o'clock on Tuesday.

So much for the nap. I put most of the freezer stuff in one side with a block of ice figuring it would be OK for 24 hours and we bought a bag of ice for inside the refrigerator so the things like mustard, ketchup, jelly, etc. could stay too. We bagged the rest and took it to Karen's. They are at the lake so I just left a note in case they came back.

We hung around on Tuesday and the fellow came at 2:45 and in no time had us up and running again. I "thought" I had a dinner that evening with my grade school friends but it was actually Wednesday night so my getting dressed and driving to the restaurant was for naught!

Wednesday we awoke to a terrible storm and no power. Outside, our grill had been knocked over and the latch broken plus our cooler had blown away. It was floating on the opposite side of the lake. It doesn't take long for 300 sq. ft. to heat up with no A/C so we gathered our laundry and headed to Karen's. We stopped at McDonald's for breakfast since we had no food and no power at this point. When our laundry was done we gathered up our food, left a new note for Karen, and came home.

I had the right night for the dinner so Ted dropped me off and he went on to the Fairfield Gun Club to shoot. There were about a dozen of my grade school friends in attendance. I always enjoy this gathering so much when I'm in town. We didn't have people moving in and out back in the 50s so we pretty much all went from kindergarten through 8th grade graduation together. There's a good split between "boys and girls" with a few spouses and friends thrown in. There's much catching up to do and then the "do you remember" stories begin. Such fun!

The weather is a bit cooler now since the storm. Let's hope the "inconveniences" are over for now.

We are going to the convent today to meet up with my cousin and visit our aunt who is 90 years old and in failing health. She is a Religious Sister of Mercy. Tomorrow is the charity "Skirt Game" in the town where we lived from 1968-71. Lots of my relatives will be there and we'll get another chance to visit. My nephew David does the fireworks for the event after the baseball game played by celebrities and politicians dressed in drag is completed. We're looking forward to seeing everyone.

I've plagiarized a picture off Facebook of Amy being walked down the aisle by her father, Tim. It's the shot I couldn't get.

I Have Pictures!

2011-08-01T07:15:00.004-05:00

The kids all made it in safely on Saturday and we met up here at the campground to go to the wedding. We were seated about half way up and I was on the side aisle so Ted and I could get out easily at Communion time. So I have no pictures of the ceremony. The entire church filled including the balcony. It was a beautiful ceremony and went off without a hitch.

Now I can show you some of the pictures we took Thursday while putting Cindy's finishing touches on the room. First is the bag of chocolate hearts I had to unwrap. Karen, Ron and Ruth worked on the peanut butter cups. Voila! The finished candy tables. There were three buffet tables set up for the 400 attendees, these two with the head table for the 20 person bridal party to the far left and a third buffet table in the smaller room. Next is an overview of the room and a close up of a table with the black candy box in place as well as the centerpieces Cindy made. The hall bought them from her after the party.

Lighting was very low at the reception so I couldn't get many pictures that were light enough. Here are the bride and groom, the wedding cake surrounded by the grandparents' wedding pictures, Karen and moi! and Pat and Ally dancing.

We went out on the veranda and took a few family photos.

A great wedding and reception. Knowing Amy and Landon as I do, I expect a great marriage for all the years of their lives.

The next day we met up with Ted's family at the golf course restaurant where his two sisters live. I figured we would have 16 people but then it grew to 39 and ended up at 48! We took over the restaurant. It was a wonderful visit.

Here is about 1/3 of Betty & Les Rogers' grandchildren, 31 in all. The second is the next generation, again about 1/3 of the total (55 I believe) with three more on the way. There are six in the next generation but they don't live in Cincinnati.

Pat and Kelly headed back to Michigan and we left with Kara's family to the Newport Aquarium. The Riverwalk in Newport, KY is a great venue and I think Cincinnati missed the boat on this one. Here is the Cincinnati skyline and some great photos inside the aquarium.

Next up was dinner with my niece Jill from my father's side of the family. She reminds me so much of our Kristin and she is a delightful young lady. We are all friends on Facebook so we keep up with each other and don't need to "catch up" but can just enjoy each other's company. We sat for several hours visiting before taking a picture outside to send to my Dad who turned 85 yesterday.

Ted took the camera and here is his contribution - a picture of his new tank and a third filter before the fuel enters the trunk tank.

"The more fun you have, the greater your value to yourself and to your society. The more fun you share with others, the more fun you have."

Catching Up On Little Things

2011-07-30T06:31:00.004-05:00

We had some running to do on Friday before we got ready for the rehearsal and dinner. First off was a stop at the post office to send off a DVD to Keith. He decorates his ENTIRE house at Christmas and brought the DVD he made to the family reunion to share with me. We couldn't get it to play and it wasn't until Patrick "fixed" our TV connection in Michigan that we were able to watch it. It was all so beautiful and just amazing to see.

And we were looking for a Chase bank but apparently the nearest one is across the river in Kentucky. We'll deal with that later.

Next was a stop at Lowe's to purchase filler for a scratch in our kitchen floor. A screw on the underside of the glide came loose and scratched the floor when I put it out. We are hoping that the filler and marker will take care of it. We can't find the Armstrong Butterscotch boards or we would have it replaced. We may still do something like that if the filler doesn't work.

A stop at Kroger's for some groceries and we were on our way back home.

Karen and Ron picked us up and we drove to Harrison, IN to the church. It's small and will be hard pressed to hold 400 people if they all come to the ceremony. We will arrive early so Ted and I can be on the end. When we walk up to the altar we won't need to climb over people.

The dinner was very good and Amy and Landon received their "something old" gifts from their grandparents. Amy received a ring that her Grandpa had given her Grandma as well as a set of unused dishes they had received as a wedding gift 53 years ago. Her other Grandma gave her a Christmas serving piece, a Lenox dish and crystal bowl. She has 12 children and over 50 grandchildren. It's a tradition in their family to give these "old" gifts. I thought it was a great way to clean out the closets!

The bride and groom passed out their attendants' gifts and thank you notes to everyone who was involved in the wedding. Ted and I have been Communion ministers lots of times but this was the first Thank You note we ever received. It was very much appreciated.

Kara and Kelly will arrive today with their families. They are staying at a hotel not far from us. I know Kelly is going back tomorrow; I don't know if Kara is staying over until Monday.

Chris sent my driving glasses I had left in my car at home as well as the license tag for Ted's truck. The inspection will just have to wait until we return.

On another note, we have booked a transatlantic cruise for the fall of 2012. It is 16 days leaving from Italy with stops in France and Spain then six days at sea before stopping in Nassau and then Galveston. We have found these repositioning cruises to be great deals. There is a group of nine people going so far. The price is good until mid-October so if anyone is interested, let me know. Our balcony cabin is about the same price as a one week cruise out of Galveston.

“Successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person." ~ German Greer

On Wedding Watch

2011-07-28T17:40:00.002-05:00

Our only errands on Wednesday were to find three screws for the fan paddles and my nail appointment. Ted dropped me off and took off to hardware stores. The screws are so short that no one had them so he bought small washers to take up the space. He then picked me up and we came home and fixed the two paddles. I think we need to check occasionally that they are all tight. That's the only explanation we have for the metal bracket cracking on two different paddles in the same place.

We had an early dinner and then Ted went shooting at the gun club he belonged to when we lived in Cincinnati. I was content to stay here and finish my latest book.

Karen called and asked if we would like to help Cindy and Tim today get the room ready at the country club for the wedding reception. We said sure since we had nothing in particular planned. Cindy does such an outstanding job of decorating. I'm not allowed to post any pictures until after the wedding but the room was absolutely stunning!

There are two tables of beautifully decorated glass containers with all kinds of candy. Ted, Ruth, Karen and I unwrapped almost 50 lbs. of different chocolates. Each place (400 of them!) has a box with a ribbon that can be filled with candy. There is also a special table of games, books, crayons, toys, etc. to keep the younger children occupied after dinner when the dancing starts. Sam and Morgan are going to have a ball. They've never been to this type of wedding reception.

Another great thing Cindy did was to have wedding pictures of the four sets of grandparents put into silver frames to sit around the wedding cake. The top of the frames say I DO. I thought they should say I DID! Of the eight people pictured, six are alive and will attend the wedding. There's over 200 years of marriage represented in those four pictures.

Ted helped hang chinese lanterns from the ceiling and put out some of the 400 empty boxes for candy on the tables at each place. Way past lunchtime we finally all went into the dining room for a very late lunch/early dinner. I had popped plenty of the chocolates we were unwrapping so I wasn't all that hungry and just ordered a pita, Ted said he had beer for breakfast, chocolate for lunch and a hamburger for dinner! My family is a bad influence on him I think.

We have to be at the church by 6:15 tomorrow night for rehearsal. Ted and I will be Communion distributors so we need to attend. Afterwards there is a dinner at the country club where the reception is being held.

I sent an e-mail to Ted's two sisters and brother about getting together for breakfast on Sunday before my kids head back to Michigan. I figured the 10 of us and six of them would be a good crowd. They suggested the restaurant at the golf club where they live and I thought that was a great idea. Today Kathy wrote and said she made reservations for 39! Many of the cousins and their children will be there. My girls are so excited to see their cousins and for the chance for their kids to spend time with their second cousins.

People are blessings in our lives. I am so wonderfully blessed.

The love of a family is life’s greatest blessing. ~ Anonymous

Now In Cincinnati

2011-07-26T20:39:00.003-05:00

Karen and Ron had left Dan's by the time we arrived. Young Dan's family was back from their boat ride and we're preparing to leave. That left just Scott and Beth staying with the five of us. We started watching a movie and Ted said at one point he looked around and he was the only one awake. Maybe I'm not so old after all. Even the young ones were worn out.

I had taken the rest of the "reunion chili" over and later on the seven of us had 3-ways and coneys for dinner and polished off the last of the peach pie I had made. Beth and Scott left for home and we weren't far behind them.

We slept in on Monday and then spent a leisurely day doing laundry and resting up. Around 4 o'clock I fixed the last of the roast beef and gravy I had made. Ted had bought hand made noodles from the Amish and I fixed them too. With sliced tomatoes, we had a nice early dinner.

After dinner we went back to Dan's and we all took a ride to the log cabin in the woods that Brandon is refurbishing. He has a beautiful treed lot and a small lake. He hopes to be in it sometime this winter. He's made great progress on it since we saw it at Christmas time.

Today we left Celina around 10 and made our way to Cincinnati. I don't know whose roads are worse, Michigan's or Ohio's. We had to send for new paddles for our ceiling fan that broke off from flexing with all the bouncing in Michigan. We stopped by Karen's today to pick them up because we asked Nuwa to send them there. They didn't send screws so we are short three and Ted will have to go tomorrow to get some.

We decided to stop at LaRosa's for a late dinner and are now watching TV. We have no agenda for tomorrow so we'll just wait to see what develops.

Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits. ~ Satchel Paige

And On Into The Weekend

2011-07-23T11:15:00.011-05:00

We made our trip to St Marys OH with no difficulties. Ted flipped his switch and our new tank filled up the truck tank and all was good. We are very familiar with this park and knew we had to take on water because there isn't any at the sites and the electric is on the wrong side. We had to clear all four slides and stay close enough to the electric post but we had plenty of room and no problems. They have nice big trees here but they are in the middle of the sites and cause no problems entering or exiting.

We talked to Sue and once Dan and Brandon came home from work they came over for a short visit before we all went into St Marys for dinner. Of course Dan insisted on picking up the check and no amount of cajoling on Ted's part could get their favorite waitress to give him the check.

It is Lake Fest weekend here at Grand Lake so we went into town Friday to investigate. Karen and Ron had arrived but no one wanted to come out in the unbearable heat. We walked around a bit, ate a little lunch, came back to the RV for the beef & gravy and peach pie I had made and went over to Dan's house. We stayed there the rest of the day and had dinner. A rainstorm finally cooled it off enough to sit outside comfortably.

We left just about 10 pm and saw some of the Lake Fest fireworks over the lake as we drove along the southern shoreline making our way home.

Saturday was the party for Brian's graduation and Vicki's 40th birthday. I thought the 50 cases of beer might be excessive but it wasn't. Then there were the other bottles and mixes brought in by so many others. And food galore! There had to be 100 people there. There were tents and games set up all around. Ted and Brandon lost the play off in cornhole to the pro bowler!

I think all the food kept the revelry from getting too bad, at least until much later. The music started at 8 pm but it took awhile before the dancing started. Liquid courage I guess.

They asked me to teach them the two step. When I turned in front of Vicki and said take two quick steps she asked "you do this backward?" I said, "well one of us has to." It was going downhill fast. I'm not up to these nine hour parties but I made it.

Ted is always the designated driver in our family so he drove Dan's truck home. I think Karen and I were the only other ones that were sober having drunk water all day and night. We picked up our own truck to come back to the campground. It was 2 o'clock before we got to bed.

This morning we went to church at St. Patrick's which was built in 1836. The priest was elderly with Parkinson's it appeared. There was no A/C so we had a quick 30 minute Mass with no homily. I guess that makes up for a couple of the serious overtimes we get at home.

Ted has gone skeet shooting and I'm getting things done around here. We'll probably go over to Dan's later. His son Dan, wife and three kids are over there now going out on the boat. Karen, Ron, Beth and Scott spent the night so I have no idea how many will still be there when we arrive later today.

“Drinking beer doesn't make you fat, It makes you lean.... Against bars, tables, chairs, and poles.”

Ready to Pull Out Again

2011-07-20T18:20:00.002-05:00

About 10:30 Tuesday morning, they were finished installing our auxiliary tank and automatic pump so we had to put some fuel in and drive back for them to pressure check it. Once that was done, we drove over the state line to Michigan to fill up both tanks with fuel where it was 20 cents cheaper. Wow! $360 to fill up both tanks. "Isn't that special?" as Dana Carvey as the Church Lady would say. We accomplished what we set out to do - travel all day without needing to stop for fuel while hooked up. That will normally be good for a little more than two average driving days.

We decided to drive to Emma to eat lunch. There are so many fine Amish cooking restaurants around that's it hard to choose where to go. From there we went to the flea market to find a few items we had in mind including paper plates for my sister to use at the lake. She bought some when she was here and wanted another supply. Ted wanted some cleaner he bought that works well on our slide rubber and some more clamps. I was looking for a hand mirror since I broke mine. You can find all kinds of things you need and even more that you don't but buy anyway.

The heat has arrived and we were both covered in perspiration when we arrived home. Our neighbors on either side came out and we had a nice conversation with them. The nice breeze of the night before didn't kick up so eventually everyone went in to the A/C.

This morning we went back to the auction portion of the flea market. There were about six auctioneers selling "things." It was such a cacophony of chatter that I never could decipher what was being said. But when they sold the animals by only one auctioneer, I started understanding a bit of what he said. I waved at a fly in my face and the man sitting next to me looked over and I thought "Oh no, I probably just bought a cow!"

We ate lunch at the Auction Restaurant and neither of us ordered pie. In Emma we had some of the best peanut butter pie we ever ate but decided to restrain ourselves today. We found more things to buy at the flea market portion and it was mid-afternoon when we came home and got out of the heat.

Tomorrow we leave for Grand Lake St. Marys State Park, another short 150 mile trip. I'm sure it will only get warmer as we head south. From the weather maps, there doesn't seem to be much cool air anywhere in the nation right now.

Weather forecast for tonight: dark. - George Carlin

Shipshewana, IN - Amish Country

2011-07-19T07:35:00.010-05:00

We left Monroe Monday morning after using 5-6 feet of the spots across from us to get out. Good thing there was no one parked there. And we cleared a tree by just inches. I don't know why they don't use a list of maximum lengths for different sites. And I don't understand this propensity to put trees or posts at the end of the drive. Single lane roads just don't work well in campgrounds. Next time we'll stay at the state park since we've checked it out and we'll fit.

We had about a 150 mile drive and arrived in Shipshewana before noon. We got set up and Ted took off to Elkhart to check on an auxiliary tank. Since Pilot bought Flying J, the truck stops are more expensive than regular stations. But if you are pulling, you have no choice but to go to a truck stop. So we decided to have a tank put in the truck bed so we can pull around 800 miles without needing to refuel. That way we can take on fuel when we stop for the night when we are unhooked.

When he returned we took a walk into town and stopped at a few shops. We never tire of the buggies clip-clopping down the street. The Amish people do not want their picture taken and I always respect that but they have never objected to us taking pictures of their horses.

I wanted to take a picture of the Blue Gate Restaurant because the flowers are so beautiful. So we walked that way and I snapped a few other flower photos.

We bought a gift for someone, a birthday card and a few groceries before heading back home. I had ribs in the crockpot and after dinner we took another walk to visit our "neighbors."

I turned in early because we needed to be up at 7 o'clock to travel to Elkhart this morning. There was a big storm through the night and it's the first heavy rain we've encountered since back in February! Right now we are in the "less than luxurious" customer lounge of Dually Depot while the tank is installed.

“My biggest thrill was seeing the Amish. Their way of life, to me, is just fascinating, that people in this day and time can still live like that.” - Jennie Gamble

Hostess-es With The Mostess-es

2011-07-17T20:45:00.002-05:00

Last February we spent two weeks in Mission, TX. Dave was parked right across from us at the campground in an older HitchHiker. That attracted Ted's attention but when he saw Dave drive in with a clay pigeon thrower in the back of his truck, his radar went off. A good friendship developed and Ted went shooting with Dave and other fellows while we were in the valley. We were also invited to a party at one of their friends who was leaving at that time.

Ted has kept in touch with Dave who lives in Monroe and has a cabin in Grayling. They wanted to meet up to go shooting while we were "passing through." We had a very nice evening on Friday and were invited to their house for dinner on Saturday.

We arrived at 2:30 as requested and visited before eating a delicious home made dinner of pork, green beans with ham, creamed corn off the cob, cucumbers, beets, cranberry relish, bread and home made apple pie. I ate way too much but it was all so good. We again got home fairly late.

We were invited back at 11 this morning for Ted and Dave to go shooting and Karen was taking me to Sylvania, OH to shop. I had mentioned I wasn't much of a shopper but she said she was and we were going shopping! And did we ever. We just about opened the place and closed the place. I bought a dress, necklace, shoes, 3 tops and 2 capris. Pretty good for a non-shopper! Everything was on sale plus we had a 20% coupon. What bargains. Karen is a size 4 and everything she tried on was so cute. I'd be a "shopper" to if I looked that good in everything.

I tried to buy her lunch but she said Dave was fixing burgers for him and Ted. He would make extra and we would have them when we got home. So we went home and ate a burger and finished the apple pie.

They are going to help us get into the campground in Mission during the last half of February. That month is almost always booked the year before and only cancellations become available. Let's hope it all works out.

We invited them to stop at our place in November while going or in April coming from the valley. We've also promised to stop next summer and visit with them again. However, I think we'll stay at Sterling State Park. We're not too crazy about the tightness of the campground we're in.

"The better part of one's life consists of his friendships." - Abraham Lincoln,

Two Photos I Meant To Post

2011-07-15T22:03:00.004-05:00

Here is Tommy's stitched reunion picture with me in it! And a great picture of Kara taken Tuesday night at the pinning.

Moving Day

2011-07-15T14:25:00.006-05:00

We went to Sam's second play off game on Wednesday but I took Morgan to the play area while it was going on.

It was at Raintree Park which is part of the subdivision we lived in from 1981-89. It is a beautifully wooded park with volley ball, swings, disk golf, play structures, ball fields, a pavilion and beautiful wooded picnic areas.

Unfortunately, Sam's team lost but we buried our sorrows at Dairy Queen.

Our original plan was to leave Thursday but Kara asked if we could stay an extra day to watch the kids. She had an 8 a.m. meeting and Allen was going to Lansing. We wanted to be in Monroe for the weekend so leaving Friday instead was not a problem. But on Wednesday the client cancelled the meeting so we didn't need to be at Kara's so early. We had planned to see Cars 2 so continued with our plan. Cassie and Kelly joined us. Besides us, there were only 3 other people in the theater, sort of a private showing. We had lunch at National Coney Island before taking the kids home.

Back at the park around dinner time, we started putting things away. There were three large hardwood logs left and Ted didn't think we could get a good fire going. We collected lots of pine cones and managed a fire until after 11 and the big logs had burned.

It was about 9:30 when we left Addison Oaks today and drove the 73 miles to Monroe. We are in a commercial campground and it is so different from the spacious place we just left. But it's close to Dave and Karen who are coming over.

We visited for awhile and then took a driving tour of the Monroe/Raisin River area. There was a big battle here and it is also the birthplace of Gen. George Custer. We drove past this area time and time again since 1981 when we moved to Michigan and never stopped to look around. Our first stop today was Sterling State Park where we were pleased to see it has a great campground and we'll stay there next time. You have to pay an $8 use fee per day or buy a $29 yearly sticker, but that will give us accessibility to other Michigan parks.

We went to Cabela's where Karen and I both bought a pair of shoes and the guys looked at gun stuff. We continued our tour into Dundee and then ate at Bob Evans. We got home going on 10 o'clock. We are going to their house for dinner tomorrow.

Famous Last Words:

There are not enough Indians in the world to defeat the Seventh Cavalry.

~ George Armstrong Custer

Kara's Big Day

2011-07-13T07:05:00.009-05:00

It was late when we got home so first thing we did was open the sofa bed. Our old couch was smaller and made a much smaller bed. We used to have to move the recliners but we don't need to move anything but the coffee table in this new one. It makes a good sized bed. The kids got undressed and into their PJs and climbed right in. Everyone slept well, especially me. I was tired from the wallpapering.

Years ago we bought a set of four CDs containing old, I mean my childhood old, cartoons. There is Lulu, Henry, Mighty Mouse, Popeye, etc. The kids love them and have watched them everytime they come. Tuesday was no exception. It kept them occupied until Ted woke up.

I made pancakes for breakfast and then Ted started to wash the trailer. Morgan was helping him while Sam played outside. I took this picture through the window because the steps were up and I couldn't go out.

The kids were bummed because there are no kids here now. There are just five trailers in the loop. After I finished up inside I took them to the playground but it was getting hot out and they wanted to come back for lunch.

Both of them like to play games on my computer. Chess is the newest one they play. Even 7 year old Morgan was telling me "this one can move this way, and this one moves that way." I guess trial and error on the computer is a good way to learn.

Ted and I dressed for the Centurion celebration and drove back into town. We drove one car downtown while Allen, Joy and Kara went in the other. Pat and Kelly came too plus four other friends of Kara's. She may have had the biggest fan base there!

The stories were heartwarming and heartbreaking. I was amazed at how many people were honored and each had their own story. Kara did a wonderful presentation and looked like a million bucks. She got a great round of applause.

Kara and Joy stayed downtown to go celebrate with a dozen others while the rest of us headed home. We were all hungry since we had missed dinner so we stopped at Steak and Shake because it was 10 o'clock and they are open 24 hours. Then we stayed at the house while Allen took the babysitter home and then we headed back to the campground. Another late night.

We have nothing scheduled for today until Sam's second playoff game tonight. We are going to ride to what we think is Lake Orion. In following our GPS to Walled Lake on Sunday, we stumbled on a town right on a lake very close by that we didn't even know was there. We're checking it out today. We may spend the night at Kara's because we're watching the kids tomorrow early while she goes to a meeting and Allen heads to Lansing. I think Cars 2 is on the agenda for us.

They're going to miss us after we pull out on Friday!

Grandma and Grandpa Things

2011-07-11T08:24:00.005-05:00

We did ordinary things this weekend. Jay likes to eat breakfast out and with our busy schedule, his tank problem, scheduled lunches, etc. we just didn't' have the opportunity to show him a Greek restaurant breakfast. I miss these kinds of restaurants in Texas; it's IHOP or nothing down there.

We chose Gold Star Family Restaurant that also gives a 10% senior discount. For $5.50 you get two eggs, two bacon strips, two sausage links, a piece of ham with pineapple, home fries and toast. I didn't want all of that but Ted told me to order it and he would eat what I didn't want. I ate my eggs, bacon, 2 of the 3 pancakes I ordered instead of potatoes and skipped the toast. He ate the sausage and ham. I think everyone left something on their plate.

We parted company and Ted dropped me at the nail salon and he went shooting. He came back for me later and we went to Kelly's to assess the bathroom needs for the papering. We wanted to stay in town to go to church at 4 p.m.

Afterwards we met Kara and family plus Jay & Stella at Miguel's since Jay was hankering for some Mexican food. In Texas he probably eats it 3-4 times a week! They made the salsa right at the table and it was very good. I ordered Mahi-Mahi grilled. It was topped with garlic, lime and cilantro and was quite tasty. The restaurant got a seal of approval from Jay the expert. The owner came over twice and talked to us and to hear our limited repertoire of Spanish.

We came back to the campground for our final campfire. We probably have enough wood for one more but we're going to be so busy that I doubt we have one. We'll just leave the wood and someone will scavenge it after we leave. Jay and Stella pulled out about 10 on Sunday heading to Travese City. There aren't too many left in our loop at the campground.

We planned a visit to Barb and Randy's for Sunday afternoon. I worked with Barb almost 25 years ago at Voplex. But Ted received a call asking him to come to Walled Lake to try out a demo gun he has been looking at. So we hurried to get ready, used the GPS, and successfully managed our way around all the lakes in this part of the state. Ted tried the gun, made arrangements to meet Paul at The World in San Antonio in October and we arrived at Barb's right on time.

They live on Lake Oakland and the houses are stunning! One fellow has his own helicopter in the backyard and can take off right over the lake. We had some appetizers and drinks, went for an hour and a half ride on their boat and came back for burgers off the grill. It amazes me how we can see people once a year and just pick up where we left off and can talk for hours.

It was after eight when we headed home. I fell asleep on the couch some time after 10. All that fresh air wore me out. I was bummed I forgot my camera in the rush to leave. There were so many beautiful yards to photograph.

We went in mid-morning to Kelly's on Monday. Ted went for a haircut and I began to wallpaper. Even for all my 5Ks and days at Disney, the up and down, reaching and stretching of wallpapering reminds me I'm no spring chicken anymore. Kelly and Ted helped bringing me what I needed, holding things, etc. but it was 6:30 before I finished. Kelly said she was ecstatic so I hope Pat feels the same way.

Ted left to take Sam to his first playoff game and Kelly took me to Kara's. She had four friends over - Joy from NY, the other three to visit with Kara and Joy. We all had dinner and then Ted and Sam returned victorious. There is a second playoff game on Wednesday. Ted was nailed by a foul ball and has a nasty bruise/cut on his forearm. He plans to be at the next playoff game.

We brought the kids home with us so Kara and Joy can spend the day together. Tonight is the Centurion Induction and we're all going to attend. It's a big day for Kara!

“The simplest toy, one which even the youngest child can operate, is called a grandparent.”~ Sam Levenson

Sparkle Skirt Blog

2011-07-08T23:21:00.007-05:00

Meet Kara: Her life after losing 182 pounds

Kara is third from Alice in Wonderland

Kara is third from the left

“I run to be the kind of parent I want to be…I want to demonstrate to my kids the importance of a healthy lifestyle.”

In 2008, Kara decided that she needed to take aggressive steps in her life-long battle with obesity and opted to have bariatric surgery. Her procedure was performed in 2010.

But surgery was only half of Kara’s quest for improved health. Despite having no experience with exercising, this Michigan mother of two and employee benefits professional resolved to take control of her body and fitness. Her results and her story are inspiring.

A lifetime of struggles with weight from the time she was about 10 years old, Kara battled excess weight. By the time she was in her late 20s, she had reached almost 400 pounds. Sickness and exhaustion were part of her everyday life. “I was very ill,” Kara says.

During this time, Kara’s mother read an article on polycystic ovary syndrome and wondered if this could be impacting Kara’s weight. After six weeks of treatment, Kara had lost 50 pounds and was able to overcome infertility problems that had been plaguing her personal life.

Managing her polycystic ovary syndrome allowed Kara to have two successful pregnancies and experience some weight loss. But post pregnancy, her weight crept back up to 350 pounds.

In 2008, Kara opted to have weight loss surgery. This decision did not come easily—Kara was not having other health problems like diabetes and high blood pressure, so deciding to have the surgery was really a “pre-emptive strike” at future health problems and to set an example for her children.

“My overall goal for having the weight-loss surgery was to better demonstrate to my kids the importance of a healthy lifestyle and treating the body you have been given in the proper way—that includes diet and exercise,” says Kara.

Kara’s family and physicians were supportive of her choice. Her endocrinologist called Kara a “poster child for people who truly need the surgery” due to her metabolic and hormonal issues.

In early 2010, Kara underwent the surgical procedure.

Exercise: Kara’s new frontier

Having surgery and losing weight was only part of Kara’s fitness battle. At age 40, Kara was a virtual stranger to exercise.

“When I was younger, I didn’t want to engage in physical activity because of my weight,” Kara says. “I couldn’t do what the other kids did and felt really inhibited.”

Kara started to exercise to prepare for surgery. “Before my surgery, it took me 32 minutes to walk a mile on a treadmill, and every time it felt like I was going to die,” says Kara. “I wouldn’t have run even if you chased me with a weapon.”

Fortunately, with her new body came a new motivation. Kara reached a 100-pound loss in August, 2010, due to both her pre- and post-surgery efforts. When she hit this milestone, she made a commitment to run the Disney Beauty & the Beast 5k in February, 2011.

“The 5k coincided with my ‘surgi-versary,’” Kara says, “and by the time the race came around I had lost another 70 pounds.”

Kara’s performance at the Princess was a rousing success. “I told everyone I was going to walk it, but I ran it instead!” Kara says. “I came across the finish line surrounded by a supportive group of Disney friends who I consider ‘real runners’ who only did this race for me. I held the hands of my friends Katie and Liz high in the air. I sobbed at the end with joy. Truly, it was my victory lap.”

Enjoying her accomplishments:

Today, Kara walks and runs three to four times a week and marvels at what she has accomplished.

“I am proud of what I have achieved,” Kara says. “You cannot imagine how great it feels to not carry around the equivalent of a whole other person on your back.”

You might think that someone experiencing such a dramatic weight loss would be fixated on the look of her new body—but Kara’s delight has nothing to do with her appearance.

“For me, the joy of being healthy is that it allows me to be the kind of parent I want to be,” says Kara. “Being able to demonstrate to my children that it is good to live a healthy life is much more important than buying smaller clothes.”

Kara will be inducted into Henry Ford Hospital's Centurion Club on Tuesday, July 12, in recognition of her losing over 100 lbs. She is at a 193 lb. loss now. Maybe they need to give her double membership!

Frankenmuth, Michigan

2011-07-08T18:37:00.011-05:00

Today we left for a day trip to Frankenmuth. Our first reason for going was to show Jay the back way to I-69 and then to I-75 without backtracking. The second reason was to have their world famous chicken dinner.

Our first stop was at Bronner's, Michigan's #1 tourist attraction and the largest Christmas store in the world. You just can't look around and not find something to buy. I had two ornaments personalized but I can't say for whom without spilling the beans. I also bought a Christmas mantle scarf. I guessed on the size so I hope it works out OK. Stella bought a feathered bird ornament for her daughter.

Next stop was Bavarian Inn for that wonderful chicken dinner. First you are served fruit stollen and homemade white bread with homemade preserves and butter. Next comes chicken noodle soup followed by cole slaw, chicken pasta salad, bean salad and cranberry salad. By the time they bring the chicken, mashed potatoes, noodles, dressing, mixed vegetables and sauerkraut, you wonder where you can put it all. Ted opted for wiener schnitzel as a second meat and Jay chose bratwurst. You finish up with a dish of ice cream.

We all waddled out and headed to the fudge store. Stella bought some fudge but I waited outside on the bench. This is a mural showing the process of making fudge. The smell was tempting but I was so full, it was easy to resist.

The flowers all over the town are so beautiful that I just wanted to take them all in. Her back was bothering her and walking was uncomfortable so we limited our activity in town. This is the Bavarian Inn as we approached it.

This is a topiary-type chicken but done in flowers in front of Zehnder's that also has the wonderful chicken dinners. I believe they share the same kitchen with the Bavarian Inn.

We went back to the glockenspiel because it was to go off at 3 o'clock. It is the 13th century story of the Pied Piper of Hamlin. He agrees to get rid of the town rats, which he does successfully. But then the town thinks he has used sorcery and refuses to pay him. The next day he played his flute and led all the children out of town except for a blind boy and a crippled boy who fell behind. They returned to town to tell what happened. To this day, in the city of Hamlin, Germany the story is retold in a stained glass window. There are many theories as to what really happened to the children but it has been documented since 1384 when a written chronicle states "it has been 100 years since our children have gone."

This is the Pied Piper leading the rats out of the city.

Here he is leading the children out of the city.

This is a full shot of the entire glockenspiel.

We drove back home and have been inside ever since. I paid some bills, caught up on my e-mail, finished a book and now am doing my blog. Soon we will go outside for a campfire. We're still using the scavenged wood that supplemented the wheelbarrow full that we bought. The weather has been delightful. It was 66 inside the RV this morning and probably hit about 82 this afternoon.

Jay and Stella leave Sunday for Traverse City and I don't know what their plans are for tomorrow. I have a noon nail appointment and Ted is going shooting. We want to attend Mass at Sacred Heart at 4 pm. I guess we'll decide about dinner at some point in time.

"Pied Piper: As a rule / I refrain from calling any man a fool. Heed me now. / I'll wait until yon clock strikes the hour. / Don't let me go away / Without my pay."

Getting Behind

2011-07-07T15:25:00.007-05:00

Tuesday we had lunch plans with Carole and Margo from Plymouth in downtown Rochester. We first learned of these two adventuresome ladies through my friend SueAnne's mother Molly (who by the way is my role model for old age!). Carole and Margo travel all winter throughout Mexico and not in the touristy coastal areas. They get right in with the locals and stay extended periods. Molly knew of my love of travel and started sending me their Notes From the Road. A correspondence and subsequent friendship developed and when we are both in the Michigan area, we get together.

Our lunch ran for three hours and I think we could have stayed longer if we let Ted keep going. He was on a roll. We have traveled so many places and are easily entertained with local fare and Ted has a story about just about everywhere.

We may be of some help to the dynamic duo as they prepare for their 2011-2012 travels. We'll stay in touch and see how it all turns out.

Wednesday didn't go as planned, breakfast out and the Chrysler Museum. Jay needed to get his tank fixed and he went into town to get that taken care of. I took the opportunity to do laundry and met one of the volunteers here in the park. She said they are only required to work six hours a week. That's total, not each person. Quite a gig! Since we had no other plans, we went into Kara's for dinner and went to Sam's baseball game. Ted was in his glory because one coach was there by himself so Ted got to help. He's been working with Sam and they are both enjoying it.

Today was our day to babysit so we drove in early and took the kids to the mall. First we went to Build-A-Bear with Morgan's gift card. The card paid for the bear but who wants a naked bear? So one bear, one bath, one dress and shoes later, we headed to the Lego store with Molly in tow.

Sam is going to be a salesman. He was giving pitches right and left to adults in the store looking at all that is available. He almost had a woman convinced to buy the $400 Death Star because it is being discontinued and "once it's gone, it's gone!" He picked out some sort of Star Wars ship and we bought it for his birthday.

Kara asked us to stop at Gymboree to get white bike shorts for Morgan which we did. Then we took them to lunch at the Peacock Cafe. We followed that with a pit stop, a stop at the post office to mail Tommy & Susan booklets on Pigeon Forge and then on to Wal-Mart to look for swim vests. We struck out there so headed back to Kara's.

She came home shortly after that and we headed back to the campground. Ted glanced in the back and we had the car booster seats still! We turned around to take them back and eventually made it home.

Ted is washing his truck and I'm getting caught up on the computer. If all is well with Jay's truck, we intend to go to Frankenmuth tomorrow. Our days are filled until we leave next Friday. I still have to wallpaper Kelly's bathroom and have dinner with our friends Barb and Randy. No matter how long we stay here or in Cincinnati, we never get to see and do all that we want.

If we take care of the moments, the years will take care of themselves.- Maria Edgeworth

Finally - Celebrating the 4th of July

2011-07-05T07:12:00.002-05:00

We had a quiet morning after I got the trailer back in order and put away the clothes Kara had laundered for me. In an RV everything needs to be in its place or it gets messy really quick. That's where mine was when I woke up in the morning after our company.

Ted and Jay kept driving around the loops looking for firewood left by departing campers. We're waiting for Jay's neighbor to leave because he had a 1/2 cord delivered, then they left for a good part of the weekend and didn't use much. They were supposed to leave yesterday but didn't. The stalking continues as more campers leave today.

In the afternoon we were all invited to Kelly's. Jay & Stella wanted to stop at Best Buy and we had to stop at Hollywood Market so we drove separately. Kelly's yard and house looked very nice with all the flowers blooming. A friend John and his mother Ellen visiting from New York were there as well as Pat's parents Ed and Lou. We've known them for over 25 years. He is 87 and she is 82. They will be married 60 years in October and are planning a big party. It was a nice group.

Ted and I got to see the recording of Ally's dance recital. We were disappointed we didn't get to attend this year but the family reunion stood in the way. There was no video of her dancing at Disney. Jay and Stella were good sports and watched quietly with us. It was just snippets of several dances so it really didn't run on too long.

Patrick grilled chicken and we had potato salad, broccoli salad, fruit salad, Waldorf salad and deviled eggs. Kara made two apple pies and they were well received by the troops. Sam and Morgan were busy all day in the basement with the Wii.

We were still celebrating birthdays since the 4th is Allen's so there was singing and a few more exchanges of gifts. We had a good laugh over the card I gave Patrick last year. I bring cards with me when we travel and last year the only one I had left by 7/7 was a white kitten with pink flowers. Later he had asked Allen, "um, did you get sort of a strange birthday card from Mom this year?" I made sure he had an appropriate one this year!

When we arrived home Jay came right over and Ted walked away with him so I knew something was wrong. Jay has an auxiliary tank that holds 100 gallons of diesel fuel and it was leaking. He wanted to offload some to Ted to get the level below the leak. We took about 10 gallons but that wasn't enough. He approached another fellow who took another 10 gallons and that seemed to do it. (We both paid Jay for the fuel.) The sheriff came by because he had followed the leak into the park. They reported back to whomever that the source had been found and it was fixed. He gave them the name of a place in Rochester to take it to this morning. I hope they can get it fixed quickly. Watching $4 a gallon fuel flow out the tailgate is not a pretty sight.

We built a fire but there were no marshmallows for us grown-ups. Jay went home first and I came in second. Soon after Stella left and Ted came in. It's been a terrific 4th of July holiday for us because we were able to spend it with family and good friends. I hope everyone else had a great holiday too.

A friend is one with whom you are comfortable, to whom you are loyal, through whom you are blessed, and for whom you are grateful.” ~ William Arthur Ward

Still Celebrating

2011-07-03T23:29:00.007-05:00

We celebrated Father's Day and Allen's (7/4) and Pat's (7/7) birthday today. Ted received some new shorts and a set of walkie-talkies since the charger on our old set died. That completes our birthday bonanza that starts with Kristin on 5/8 and includes Mother's Day and Father's Day and ends with Pat's birthday. Only Kara is out there in December all by herself. It keeps me on my toes for those two months.

We used the last 10 lbs. of chili to make 3-ways and coneys for dinner. Stella made a cake and there was some chocolate cake and ice cream left from Friday. I'm finally getting my refrigerator cleared out some since the reunion.

Pat took Sam, Morgan and Cassie down to the lake to fish. Morgan caught seven blue gills she said. I think they all caught some but she must have been the big "winner." After dinner Kelly, Ally, Stella and I played Mexican Train while Sam and Morgan played ball with other kids in the campground.

Ted built another fire and the kids roasted the great big marshmallows this time. Pretty much everything around here is sticky tonight!

It was a wonderful day and the sky gave us a spectacular show to end it.

Tomorrow we are going to Kelly's for dinner. Ellen and John as well as Lou and Ed will be there. It will end our four day long celebration!

When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the Creator” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

Celebrating the 1st of July ???

2011-07-02T09:15:00.008-05:00

For some reason the big fireworks display was scheduled for July 1 here at Addison Oaks County Park. So all the kids came out for our "4th of July" picnic. Including Jay and Stella in our festivities brought the number to 12. I hope we didn't overwhelm them.

This campground loop is just that, a huge circle with a large amount of grassy space in the middle for the kids to play.

Sam brought every toy known to man I think. They tossed ball and he and Morgan ran around squirting each other with his many huge squirt guns. Morgan also remembers the foam stickies I have in the trailer so she made a few pictures. Then they took a walk to the lake and she picked me a bouquet of flowers that consisted of clover, daisies and Queen Ann's Lace.

We all contributed to a dinner of burgers, brats, beans, corn on the cob, cole slaw and fruit salad, we finished it off with remnants from the reunion dinner. I made a chocolate cake with chocolate icing and then added ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, nuts and cherries. Stella bought a coconut cream pie because she knows that's my favorite! Yummy meal.

Before the fireworks began, Ted started the fire so the kids could roast marshmallows.

Of course the two little ones managed to burn theirs, one after another. No amount of coaching got them to where the marshmallow was all gooey inside and just light brown on the outside.

The fireworks started around 10 and lasted a good long time. It was a spectacular display.

They have cancelled the fireworks where we live in Texas because of the drought conditions. It is still extremely hot there and no rain. We really need a hurricane to come ashore with lots of rain to relieve the situation (one without wind that causes damage). Now that's a tall order!

All we have of freedom, all we use or know -
This our fathers bought for us long and long ago.
~ Rudyard Kipling

Just Another Day

2011-06-30T22:12:00.002-05:00

We sure do sleep well in this cool overnight weather. It was 64 inside the trailer this morning. I put on my fleece robe and slippers and curled up with a cup of coffee until Ted woke up.

This morning I finished up all the accounting for the reunion. I completed the spreadsheet with all the personal info for the attendees, the amounts paid out and the money taken in. All the bills had been paid so I wrote a check for the difference, gathered it all together and put it in an envelope for Charles who is in charge of the 2013 reunion.

I had a few cards to write out and also some bills to pay. I did it all by computer, moving money around and took care of all of that. Eventually it was all done and I felt as if I had a handle on things again. I'm loving my Verizon Mi-Fi that gives me secure internet wherever we are.

Jay came over about 9:30 to get Ted to help with the tire. Ted had just gotten up but pulled on his shorts and went over. Jay was hooked up and Ted put our ramp in front of the tire for Jay to drive up on. They still had to use the jack but it didn't have to raise the trailer far. They had trouble with one lug nut but had it off quickly. They took it to Wal-Mart to have it fixed. There was a nail in it.

Stella couldn't go into her trailer because it was up on the jack so she spent the morning with me. We took a walk around the campground to get our bearings. We are in a loop we've never stayed in before and we were all turned around.

Jay and Ted returned and could not lift the tire and hold the wheel at the same time. The posts kept spinning so Ted crawled under to hold it but then Jay couldn't lift the tire alone. A fellow had pulled in next to us and I went to ask him if he would help a couple of old guys put a tire on. He asked me "how old?" I said "old enough to be married to me" and he said ... are you ready? ... They can't be too old because you can't be!! Made my whole summer.

Emil came over and saw what needed to be done, sat down sort of Indian style using his legs and feet to lift the tire while guiding it on. 1,2,3 and it was done! My hero. They tightened the lug nuts, let the jack down and Jay drove off the ramp and got things back as they should be.

Some of the sockets had to be returned so Jay and Stella took off. We left for Rochester where I got a hair cut and Ted went to the post office to mail what I had done in the morning. Then he went to Hollywood Supermarket for things for tomorrow when the kids come out.

We came home and I made a chocolate cake for tomorrow and put a pork tenderloin in the oven. We had dinner and then started a campfire and we sat out until the news came on. I had to wear a windbreaker again because it gets so cool at night. Jay went home before we came in so I gave Ted our battery lantern so he could walk Stella home. It's really dark in the campground with very little light. That boa constrictor is still loose and I didn't want it to get her!

Ah-h-h-h-h-h-h-h

2011-06-29T23:07:00.003-05:00

At last, cool weather, great camping site, family and friends, and no plans to move for 2-3 weeks. We left Cincinnati at 8 this morning and had no problems coming to Leonard, MI. Instead of taking 23 north to 69 east and dropping down to Addison Oaks, Ted took I-75 right through Detroit to route 150. Ted doesn't mind driving through cities and was in a hurry to get here.

We didn't arrive any too soon because they said we got the last site available for the weekend. It just so happened it was #2 and Jay & Stella are in #8. There were a couple handicap sites they would rent when the sites were gone and I found a few that are not reservable with no tag or any unit on it, so I'm not positive ours was really the absolute last one. Anyway, we're settled with no A/C needed, at least not yet.

Jay & Stella joined us and we drove into Kara's and had spaghetti and meatballs for dinner with garlic bread. For dessert she made a many berry cobbler with ice cream. She always cooks from fresh ingredients and it was so very good.

Afterwards we went to Sam's baseball game. Sam got a hit and I know he was proud his Poppa was there to see it. Ted brought his glove so he can work with him on pitching and catching. Sam has some other new thing to learn to hit, sort of T-ball on a horizontal stick. This campground has lots of grass space for kids to play so they'll have plenty of time and an area to practice in.

We came home and sat outside. I put on a windbreaker and wrapped a beach towel around my legs. We talked about calling Tommy and telling him we were getting cold sitting outside. Since he's still back in Texas I doubt he wants to hear that!

Chris said our flight times for our Paris trip came in the mail. We have great flights at decent times. No six hour layovers, no getting up at 3 a.m. We even have our seats with no one in front of us. Ted gets really cramped if the person in front of him puts their seat back.

Tomorrow Ted and Jay are going to remove Jay's flat tire on the trailer and take it to be fixed. I'm getting my hair cut at 5. Other than that, I have nothing to do!

God's in his Heaven—
All's right with the world! ~ Robert Browning

Success, We're In Cincinnati

2011-06-28T19:33:00.002-05:00

We were up early and had breakfast at the motel then went to the dealership to check on the truck. The fellow was out with it so we went to check on a campground nearby just in case we had to spend another night. We were prepared to have Good Sam bring the trailer down to Clinton if necessary.

When we arrived at the dealership the second time, Brad was sitting in it with his computer. He said everything was checking out OK. He had put a new hose on and had two others check it to be sure it was as it should be. He said he had no idea why the first or second one failed. We were hoping the third time was a charm. He also blew out the exhaust and did a regen which burns off the carbon emissions.

He drove the truck 20 miles to the Pilot station with the computer hooked up the entire time. We hooked up and Ted drove it back to Clinton, again with the computer on. Everything checked out, the truck performed fine so we felt it was OK to tackle the mountain we had to cross from where we were into Kentucky, commonly called Jellico Mtn.

Brad told Ted to keep the boost gauge between 1/2 and 3/4 which he did on the climbs. If it started going up, he backed off and brought it where he was told to keep it. We stopped for fuel in Corbin, KY (home of Kentucky Fried Chicken and Colonel Sanders) and then continued on in to Cincinnati.

Of course we had to have LaRosa's pizza, buy beer so we don't have to deal with Michigan's 10 cent deposit, filled up again and came home to do laundry.

Not all that exciting but yesterday was exciting enough. It's been a bad week for RVers. Marilyn and Ed, friends of friends who travel full time and write a blog Ted follows, lost their Mobile Suites in a fire. A wheel bearing froze up, drug the tire until it burst into flames. The small extinguisher he had and the 500 gallons the fire department brought to the scene couldn't put it out. That was a major loss for them since this was their home. No one was hurt and that's always the most important thing. Tommy's A/C went out on his motorhome and had to be replaced. Jay is waiting for us in Michigan with a parked trailer with a flat tire. He and Ted will get that taken care of once we arrive. All in all, our hose was a mere inconvenience.

A little perspective, like a little humor, goes a long way. ~ Allen Klein

Clinton, TN

2011-06-27T17:57:00.003-05:00

Well, I lied. Our next stop turned out to be Clinton, TN. We left this morning a little after 7:30 and got to I-40 within a half hour. If you ever traveled the Parkway in Pigeon Forge, you know all about the usual bumper to bumper traffic on it. We took I-640 around Knoxville and headed north on I-75. About 20 miles south of the KY line there was a loud POW! Oh no, another tire blown, or so we thought. I checked my side and Ted checked his. Tires all looked OK. Another RVer stopped to offer assistance but we didn't know what had happened. So he decided to check his tires since we were running side by side. His were OK too.

So Ted decided to start slowly on the shoulder to see how the truck was running. He immediately knew he had no turbo boost. We were in limp mode and luckily right at an exit that had a Pilot truck stop. We pulled in there and Ted backed the trailer into one of the sites where the semis park. We talked to the people inside and they said it was fine where it was but we would need to sign the Drop Sheet if it stayed all night.

Good Sam Road Service said they would send a wrecker and someone to take the trailer to a campground. We waited over an hour in which time we had called around and found the nearest Ford dealer with a diesel mechanic which was back here in Clinton. Ted talked to the service manager, he felt it was the hose and said it would take an hour and a half to repair. So we cancelled the RV tow and rode back to Clinton with the tow truck driver.

It took until 3 o'clock to get the part and fix the truck. The guy didn't seem real confident that all was well when he talked to us. At least he didn't give me a warm and fuzzy feeling. We drove out and as soon as we hit the first grade, it started whistling. This was one of the symptoms they asked us about but it had not whistled before or after the POW. We drove on and the whistling stopped but I knew it didn't sound like it did before.

We got to the Pilot (about 20 miles away) and called the Ford dealer. He said to bring it back but they couldn't work on it until tomorrow. So we signed the Drop Sheet, took out toiletries and a change of clothes and drove back to Clinton. On the way it was "whooshing" like it was sucking air. The boost stayed within range and the truck performed OK but it didn't sound right. We are not about to take the truck any further pulling the trailer unless we are confident it is truly fixed.

We rented an Enterprise car, got a room at Travelodge and went to eat. It was breakfast, lunch and dinner for us. We are now in our room ready to get a shower and put today behind us.

Don’t tell your problems to people: eighty percent don’t care; and the other twenty percent are glad you have them. -Lou Holtz

Hail, Hail, the Gang's All Here

2011-06-25T07:47:00.025-05:00

Despite the two years planning, we had 12 extra people show up yesterday for the reunion. Last night's dinner went off without a hitch once we got our mojo working. God bless Ted and Landon, the groom-to-be on July 30, who spent four solid hours cooking spaghetti. My sister's entire family pitched in keeping the food replenished on the buffet tables and really did a great job cleaning up.

I can't say enough about how wonderful the MainStay Suites here in Pigeon Forge has been. The staff is absolutely amazing. Nothing we have asked for has been too much trouble and there aren't added charges. They brought us a cart full of ice, coffee, paper towels, extension cords, emptied the garbage constantly and even fetched our goody bags from the boardroom and delivered them to the pavilion. I will write a letter to the General Manager and tell him how pleased we have been.

In the morning, several carloads took the Roaring Waters trail. It's a beautiful ride through the mountainous area surrounding Gatlinburg. We rode with Cindy and Tim because our dually truck would not fit on the road in spots.

It was a beautiful ride and the kids had so much fun climbing the rocks and wading in the streams and waterfalls.

The highlight was spotting a bear! Last time we saw a bear in this vicinity was a trip in 1967. It has become harder and harder to see them. This looked to be a youngster and we were all on the look out for Mama Bear.

Once dinner was finished, the younger folks took off, most to go ram each other on the go-karts in town.

After dinner if you weren't on the go karts, you were probably out around the pool. When the lights went out at midnight, everyone headed to bed.

Saturday was a bit hairy. Nicole brought Noah over around 9 o'clock and he was an angel all day. I dealt with feeding, dirty and wet diapers, burping, etc. He was fine and didn't cry at all. However, my door was like Grand Central Station and the phone rang off the hook. I was busier than a one-armed paperhanger! My biggest problem was that I had two extra shirts and two people with no shirts ... but the sizes I had were the wrong sizes! Since 16 were golfing, four were shooting, at least six were shopping and others were at the pool, trying to contact those who I felt may have the wrong shirt wasn't going well. Thank goodness for accommodating people because I was able to switch out a few with some others and everyone had a shirt, even if it wasn't the size they originally ordered.

By the time Noah was picked up, I had about 45 minutes to get ready for church and I made it. Karen, Ron, Ann, Ted and I went to Holy Cross Church which is very near where we are staying. We know the back way to go to stay off the Parkway and we were home a little after six.

Dinner was another snafu. I was told there were 10 tables of 10. With the additional people I requested an 11th table. There should have been 110 seats. Ted had stopped to make sure they put the additional table in and they had. What he didn't do, and neither did I upon arrival, was notice that there were 8 chairs, not 10, at each table. We finally got that settled and dinner began.

I thanked everyone, Cousin Charles reported on the 2013 reunion and Brad announced the golf winners. Then there was the big attempt at a group picture. Tommy instructed me to take several pictures and he will attempt to stitch them together. I'm not sure how good the waiter did but I'm sending it all off to Tommy tomorrow while I have use of someone else's wi-fi.

I did my best to stop by every table and visit a bit. People moved on to the pool area or their rooms. I hung around to watch the Texas Hold 'Em tournament. Ted was sitting between Todd and Steve to help them since neither one knew the rules of the game. But it was the bride-to-be Amy who won the big pot.

Today we spent several hours in the breakfast room saying farewell to families as they prepared to leave. Eventually we took the trolley ride around with Karen and Ron since there was rain in the area. We got back around 3 o'clock and the sun was shining. We sat in rockers on the porch and eventually walked to the RV for a little while.

We joined up with Lisa and Marshall and went to the Apple Barn to eat. Great food and I have my dessert in the refrigerator to have some time tomorrow. On the way back, Melissa called and told us to stop at Adventure Ziplines. We went there and spent a good bit of time while Lisa, Brandon and Dan all rode the ziplines. Afterwards we came home and are ready to pull out tomorrow.

Next stop Cincinnati.

And The Clan is Gathering

2011-06-24T05:43:00.002-05:00

Just as I published the last post on Wednesday, there was a knock at the door and Cindy, Tim, Sarah, Ron, Dan, Sue and Brandon were here to visit. They all took a tour of the RV (takes 3 seconds!) and we sat inside and out to visit. Six of us eventually went to The Alamo for dinner before we called it a night.

I woke early to rain and said a prayer that it would move south to Texas and by the time we walked across the street to the breakfast room at the hotel, it had stopped. The temperatures remain pleasant.

We found my cousin Gary and his family had arrived so a bunch of us enjoyed the free breakfast that comes with the rooms. The group manager told us we could come over too since we had such a large group booked. Afterwards people started going off in different directions with plans for their day. I took the time to check out the pavilion where we will gather Friday night and the banquet hall we will use Saturday night. Both exceeded my expectations and I can only say the staff here has been so accommodating. They anticipate our needs before we even make them known.

My cousin Keith and his family arrived and they came over to the RV. We decided to go to Cracker Barrel for lunch. Steve picked up the check which was very nice of him. Then I received a phone call that Karen had arrived and she had all the food but nowhere to go with it. By the time we arrived back at the hotel, the staff had opened the kitchen to the pavilion and we loaded the refrigerator and counters with lots and lots of food for tonight.

Then it was on to these infamous goody bags! Our truck's back seat was piled to the ceiling and Steve had brought lots more. His father, who passed away last year, had a business of personalizing shirts, hats, cups, etc. There were boxes and boxes of stuff. Ed and family arrived with the reunion shirts so it was time to put the bags together.

The staff opened the board room with a long conference table so we could set the bags up and start loading them up. While some walked round and round the table putting things in, Steve, Tim and I called off the family name and the sizes of reunion shirts that went into that bag. We have two shirts left over so we know we have screwed up somewhere. I'm sure the recipients will let us know tonight when they get their bags.

Steve and Keith also brought two boxes of shirts and we folded them and put them in stacks by size. We are going to set these out tonight so people can help themselves. I'm so appreciative of all they contributed but Steve's mother, Marie, I think is equally grateful to have removed so many boxes from her garage.

We spent the rest of the afternoon sitting around the pool as more and more of our family arrived. Eventually most went off to dinner and we finally came home where Ted promptly fell asleep in his recliner. Today will be cooking day as Cindy and I get the Cincinnati 3-way chili and coneys ready for tonight's dinner that will be followed by "make your own" sundaes. Tomorrow night will be catered.

Here are a few photos out around the pool.

I think little Noah is our youngest attendee but Sophie has not yet arrived. They were born very close together so we have to determine just who is the youngest. I believe my mother's brother's widow is the oldest at somewhere in her late 70s.

Pigeon Forge, TN

2011-06-22T16:51:00.010-05:00

Well we made it! We had 200 miles of mountain roads, fog and pouring rain but my favorite chauffeur got us here safely. It is mostly sunny but every once in a while we get a little bit of a shower. We cleaned the RV some and Ted washed the end caps outside to get bugs and dirt off. If he can get away with it, he'll probably do the two sides too ... one panel at a time so no one notices!

We went to the Up The Creek campground to check it out for Tommy & Susan. It is a nice looking park but it is just sites, no amenities. However, they have a beautiful outdoor kitchen at their site. I sent some pictures and told them what it looked like up close, in person. That way there will be no surprises when they come in October.

We stopped at Wal-Mart for water and soft drinks. We want to load up before Michigan because the 10 cent deposit is a nuisance, especially trying to keep them in the trailer for return.

I saw on Facebook that Ron and Sarah have arrived. She was complaining they haven't been able to get in their room. His parents were about an hour behind them so they should be here too. I got two phone calls this morning from families that have decided to attend the reunion. They only had two years to plan, but hey, why rush! I was able to get them rooms and arrange the food. However, they won't have shirts or goody bags. I'm not a miracle worker! That puts our number at 112.

Here are a few pictures from our trip up here. This is a bend in the Mississippi upriver from the campground.

Here is a barge on it's way down river.

This is a balcony in the Pink Palace in what would have been the living room. The artwork is the only WPA artwork done in Tennessee.

Here is our 3.5 hour wait while a wreck was cleared. Ted is talking to his new buddy that he made a ham sandwich for!

I may get busy starting tomorrow but I'll try to keep my blog up. They asked people not to use their mobil hotspots because it interferes with their wi-fi. So I'm happy to use theirs and take the opportunity to download pictures for you to see.

“Some family trees bear an enormous crop of nuts."

Lebanon instead of Crossville in Tennessee

2011-06-21T19:50:00.002-05:00

We left this morning around 8:45 so the rush hour traffic would be over in Memphis. As soon as we cross the bridge we are in Memphis so we give ourselves a later start. We drove to around exit 113 on I-40 in a couple hours and just as we crested a rise in the road, there was a semi across both lanes. There was only one semi in front of us so this had just happened. An SUV pulling a utility trailer lost control of it. The semi attempted to go around the swaying vehicle, had his load of beer shift, and over he went right in front of the pick-up. Luckily no one was hurt but it was a miracle. The SUV was smashed in half!

We sat for 3.5 hours waiting for the vehicles to be cleared away. The weather wasn't hot so that wasn't a problem. I went to the trailer, used the bathroom, made myself a PB&J sandwich with a glass of milk and turned on my Kindle. Ted was out chatting up the truck drivers. He came in and made himself and his new friend ham sandwiches!

Ironically, a few years back on the same stretch we were stopped for a couple hours in 96 degree weather when a Samuel Adams truck heading west, crossed the median and ended up across the eastbound lanes. I'm going to pay closer attention to beer trucks in our vicinity.

This delay put us in Nashville during their rush hour and we had to navigate the 40/65/24 Malfunction Junction! But we made it and stopped about 30 miles east of Nashville. Our destination of Crossville was 100 miles down the road. It had started raining and was 5 o'clock. Ted was ready to get off the road.

We are parked for the night, have had dinner and will do the last 191 miles of our trip tomorrow. I hope there is no more excitement. Today was enough. We haven't eaten out yet since we left Houston but tomorrow may just be the day we decide to do just that!

"It is easier to stay out than get out.” ~ Mark Twain quote

My 500th Post - from West Memphis, Arkansas

2011-06-20T21:37:00.002-05:00

We made our way to Tom Sawyer Campground on the Mississippi River right across from Memphis. It is one of our favorite parks and is used to floods but this year's was a doozy plus they had a tornado. Only part of the park is open but they are the sites sitting right on the river so we're happy. They have accomplished a lot but there is still much to do.

We have been to Memphis a few times but had never made it to the Pink Palace. Today was the day but imagine our surprise when we learned Clarence Saunders, founder of Piggly Wiggly, began building his 36,500 sq. ft. mansion in 1922. A year later he was bankrupt, his unfinished Pink Palace was donated to the city for use as a museum and he never lived in it. So we went in anyway!

There is a Natural History floor, a Cultural History of the Mid South floor, and a Memphis history from Boss Crump to Elvis wing. A special exhibit, on loan from the Chicago Field Museum, is a display of George Washington Carver. A lovely docent met us as we started at the wrong end and took us to the beginning. She went through the whole exhibit with us and was such a delight. She certainly made our day.

We stopped to fill up the truck and were home around 5:00. We had dinner and then got showers so we can take off again in the morning. We have one more night on the road before arriving in Pigeon Forge on Wednesday. We could have done this trip much quicker but we are in no rush. Ted is enjoying the light driving days. It's nice to have a whole afternoon once you arrive.

I've taken some photos but I don't know how much of my 5G will be used on the Mi-Fi downloading photos so I'll wait until I can use Kara's wifi or a park's. But it sure is nice to have internet when I want it!

The many sounds of Memphis shaped my early musical career and continue to be an inspiration to this day. ~ Justin Timberlake