Guiler Travels

Well, I Spoke Too Soon

2012-01-28T18:54:00.001-05:00

Looks like our schedules will be changing a bit. Seems as though Kim (the wife of that workamping couple I wrote about earlier this week) wants to lessen the hours she's working due to family obligations. So, I said I was willing to add two hours to my schedule, which will bring me up to twelve hours per week. I was okay with that because that's what I thought I was going to do when we contracted to work here. I will be working three four-hour days instead of two five-hour days now. It still isn't a bad schedule at all. And Alicia is giving me lots of computer work to do, that is my responsibility, so that's nice. I like having my own tasks to do.

Since Randy also works twelve hours, we have changed his schedule to match mine so we'll be working the same days – Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Yeah, I'm losing my “alone time” on Thursdays, but I'd rather that happen than us working two schedules which cuts down on the amount of days we have off together. This way we'll have four days in a row off. Maybe we'll end up actually doing something!

I'd like to take a couple of days and go back to Alabama to see our friends. I'm thinking we may plan such a trip in early February. We could leave after work on a Saturday and come back on a Wednesday. That would give us plenty of time to visit with folks – and we'd get to go to our church! Yes, I think I like that idea!

The only other news is that Mike & Peggy will be coming through here on their way to the Plantation. YAY! They'll be here Tuesday and stay for a couple of nights. It will be so good to see them. Last time we were together was last July in Maine.

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. Until the next time. . .

We Came to the End of the Road . . .

2012-01-25T22:31:00.001-05:00

. . . and it was in Panama City Beach. :)

Randy & I decided to get out of the RV and actually do something today! When we got in the truck this morning, the trip odometer showed about 180 miles. That is unheard of for us this late in the month! :) We usually put about 600 or more miles on the truck in a month, depending on what we do. This just shows you how we've been sticking close to home these days. And we decided to do something about that today.

Of course, the first thing we did was go to breakfast. :) There aren't many restaurants in this area to get breakfast, and if you've been reading our blog for awhile, you know that's the meal we really enjoy going out for. Of course, we usually don't turn down other meals, either! :) Anyway, we went to a little restaurant in town and it was pretty good. I think we'd go back. When we can eat for less than $15, including tip, the meal would have to be pretty bad for us not to return!

After breakfast, we headed south. Panama City Beach is about 45 miles south of us so we figured that's where we'd go. And the weather was just perfect for the beach. When we got there, the sun had come out and the skies were a beautiful blue.

There was a breeze, too. I was sorry I hadn't brought a chair so I could settle on the beach, watch the waves, and enjoy the day. Maybe next time.

Randy and I walked along the beach a bit and enjoyed being out and about.

Then, we walked through the shopping area, Pier Park. Lots of restaurants, boutique-type shops, the typical beach shops, and some big department stores as well.

One restaurant/bar I was very surprised to see was Tootsie's. Yes, the very same one that's in Nashville. Didn't expect to see that!

By the time we got home, the trip odometer was at 240 miles! The truck was probably wondering what happened!

It was really nice to get out and see a bit of the area. Randy's declared that Wednesdays are going to be our “day out.” :) But, not next week – that's the first of the month and you all know what we'll be doing.

Oh, and our schedules are staying the same. The couple we thought may be leaving has decided to stay. So, that's good for us 'cause we kinda like our hours.

Not much else is going on. That's the reason I've not been posting very much. It's just not fun to read about the mundane, routine things of life. But, rest assured, when something out of the ordinary happens, you'll be the first to know!

Until the next time . . .

We Say Monday, You Say Thursday

2012-01-19T21:02:00.001-05:00

Thursday is the new Monday – at least for us. :) After having Tuesdays and Wednesdays off, Randy goes back to work on Thursdays; therefore, Thursday is Monday in our house. Confused, yet??? :)

It was a beautiful, sunny day today, best we've had in a few days. Sadly, there's rain in the forecast for the next several days, though. Whether it actually rains or not is anyone's guess. I'm just glad that so far it hasn't rained on the days Randy works. Since he works outside, that wouldn't be fun.

Last night at choir I found out that we have to memorize our music for the Easter program! Dang, I haven't memorized that much music in forever!! Should be interesting. :)

While Randy was working, I was playing. :) I cross stitched, played my dulcimer, worked on my Bible study and watched American Idol.

Randy & I both work tomorrow. Our schedules could be changing a bit as one of the workamper couples may be leaving the park. We're not sure what is going to happen just yet. But, we're open to anything. Andy & Alicia are easy to work for and the work is not difficult at all. So we'll see . . .

Well, that's about it for us. We really don't have much to share with y'all as our days are not very exciting. :) But, I'll post once in awhile just to let you know we're still alive and kicking!

Until the next time . . .

Getting Involved

2012-01-15T22:07:00.001-05:00

Kinda getting more into our routine here. Friday was a work day for Randy and me. Nothing too exciting there. Saturday I worked while Randy got his “me time” day. :) And boy, did he ever get a day to himself! I ended up working an eight hour day. I know!! That was like a real job! ;)

Actually, I had a great day. Alicia has tasked me with entering the daily reports into Excel. I am really excited about that. Yeah, I know that sounds weird to be excited about data entry and such, but it's something that's right up my alley. I love anything administrative-ish so this is fun for me. Also, since my work hours are on the quiet shift, it gives me something to do. I didn't intend to work eight hours on Saturday, but Alicia had to away from the office and I told her I'd hang out at the office until she returned. I was kinda tired when I got home. :)

But, I rallied enough to go out to dinner with Forrest & Gail, one of the other workamper couples here. There's a Mexican restaurant just up the road from the park and it's supposed to be really good. So, I asked Forrest & Gail if they'd join us for dinner there. They agreed, so about 6pm we picked them up and off we went.

The reviews were right on! The food was absolutely delicious. And so much for the price! I couldn't finish my meal, but Randy had no trouble finishing his (is anyone surprised?) AND mine! Forrest & Gail have eaten there several times and said they always enjoy their meals.

Randy & I really enjoyed getting to know Forrest & Gail. While Randy & Forrest work some of the same hours, Gail and I don't. So, we had to get together somehow and what better way than over a meal? :)

Of course, this morning was church. We went to first service and I sang with the choir. I like singing during the first service – it's very informal and NO robes! :) I do like this church, the folks are very friendly.

This evening Alicia and I went to a women's discipleship class. We'll study Scripture, share our lives and how God is working in them and fellowship. It was a good group; a mix of ages which is nice. I'm also going to attend a women's Bible study on Tuesday. That's going to be more structured, with a study guide and such.

Well, tomorrow's another work day for Randy. And while I don't work, it's not an “off” day for me – I gotta do laundry, update finances, and make up the menu for the rest of the month so we can go grocery shopping on Tuesday.

Hope you all have a great start to your week! Until the next time . . .

Laid Back Days

2012-01-12T21:01:00.001-05:00

For the most part our days are very quiet – even the ones on which we work!

This past Monday was a busy one for me. Randy worked in the morning and I did three loads of laundry. Then at 2:00 I went to work until 6pm. Usually I only work on Fridays and Saturdays from 9am to 2pm, but I worked for Kim Monday. It was busier which is a good thing 'cause I'd rather be busy than bored. And it gave me the opportunity to check folks in because no one comes in before 2pm.

And that was the busiest day of our week!

Tuesday we went out to breakfast and took a ride around the area just to familiarize ourselves with it. Yesterday we just hung out at home. Last night I went to choir at the church we attended on Sunday. Everyone was very welcoming. I look forward to singing with them.

Today Randy worked and I didn't. It's my “me time” day. :) As those of you who live this full-time RV life know, “alone” time is hard to come by. And it's not that I don't love my husband and enjoy his company, but it's always nice to get some time to yourself. And Thursday mornings will be mine. I didn't do much with it today as I woke up with a headache. But, I did work on my cross stitch project.

Tomorrow we both work.

Seems like we're going to have lots of down time the next few months. There's not a lot to do in this area, although the beach is less than a hour south of here. But, since we're not beach people, we probably won't spend much time there. :) And we are trying to save some money this winter, so down time may not be such a bad thing. I'm sure we'll find some things to do, but I'm not too concerned about it. We're very content being in our home. I've got cross stitch projects to complete, books to read, music to play. Randy is very content with his computer and his TV. :)

That's about it for us. Until the next time . . .

Finishing Up the Weekend

2012-01-08T17:45:00.001-05:00

We are having a quiet end to a fairly quiet weekend. Just got back from a workampers potluck at the clubhouse. Was nice sitting and chatting with everyone. It's a pretty good group of folks here.

This morning we went to First Baptist Church of Bonifay with Andy & Alicia. It was nice. We sat up in the balcony! I don't think I've ever done that before. :) We'll probably go there while we are here. There's a women's Bible study beginning next week and I'm very interested in that; Alicia is, too. I think I may go to choir rehearsal this week as well. What the heck, why not just jump in! :)

Yesterday I worked while Randy had the day off. You know he loved that! :) It was pretty quiet as seems to be the norm for the mornings and early afternoons. Folks don't start coming in until after 2pm 'cause they are ready to get off the road for the night. So, I made myself busy; ensuring the reservation book was up-to-date and sync'd with the monthly calendar, played with a new design for the park brochure, came up with procedure for taking reservations, and anything else I could think of. I would much rather be busy than not.

We didn't do anything last night. I made spaghetti and meatballs for dinner and we watched TV for the rest of the evening. Pretty typical night for us.

Tomorrow I need to do laundry. Randy works in the morning and I'm going to work the afternoon shift in the office. Kim, who is supposed to work that shift, has been sick this past week so I told her just to take it easy and I'd work her shift. This will give me an opportunity to see how the afternoon runs. It's good to know!

Hope you've had a good weekend. Until the next time . . .

And It Begins

2012-01-06T22:29:00.001-05:00

Randy & I have begun our work routine. Randy's working three mornings a week, four hours each day. I work just two days a week, five hours each day.

This is a very quiet park with campers coming in during the afternoons and evenings, generally staying just one night. Since I work from 9am to 2pm, I don't get a lot of traffic. So, it doesn't seem I'll be very busy. I'm gonna have to get creative 'cause I sure don't want to be bored for four months!

Randy, however, is not bored – at all! With all the trees in the park, he has lots of raking to do. And then, he has to pick up the leaves and get rid of them. And then, there's site maintenance. So, he'll be a busy boy.

Tonight I fixed a brand new dish for dinner – Chicken Caesar Florentine. I got the recipe from Lindsey Domer's blog. It is a definite keeper! Very delicious. I served it with rice as a side dish. Thanks, Lindsey!

I work tomorrow, but Randy doesn't. He's looking forward to that. :) We need to find a church home for the next four months, so Sunday we're going to worship at the church Alicia & Andy (our owners) attend.

Until the next time . . .

Settling In

2012-01-03T22:39:00.001-05:00

We've just been getting used to our new “home.” We did meet with Andy & Alicia for a bit yesterday morning; no formal meeting, just a casual chat about what their philosophy is and how we fit into it. Both Randy & I feel like this is going to be a fairly laid back gig. As we suspected, their main campers are the “overnighters,” since the park is less than a mile off Interstate 10. There are several long-term campers here as well. But, for the most part, it's pretty darn quiet here.

Randy will be working outside, sharing the maintenance of the park with another workamper. He'll be working three days a week, four hours each day. I will be in the office two days a week, five hours each day. Tough, I know! :)

There are two other workamper couples and one single workamper. One of the couples has three kids who are homeschooled. They seem to be really nice, polite kids. I sure admire folks who homeschool – it sure wasn't for us!

The women get together Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings to exercise to a Zumba DVD. And I've already jumped right in on that. And with my walking video, we added that to Tuesday and Thursday evenings. So, I'm getting my exercise! I was concerned about that because the closest Curves is 33 miles away! Wasn't gonna be making that drive.

Today we did our first-of-the-month bank and grocery run. Yes, I realize it's not the first of the month, but this was the first opportunity we've had to do it. We had a bit of a drive, about 26 miles or so 'cause that was the closest bank. Of course, we had to stop for breakfast on the way – after all, you can't go to the grocery store on an empty stomach! We came across Sally's Restaurant as we drove to the bank and store. We were hungry, so we figured we'd try it. There were several other vehicles in the parking lot, so it had to fairly decent. And it was. There was also entertainment. Well, there were three ducks that entertained Randy and me. And one of them had a mohawk!! See?

After a couple of missed turns, we found the bank and WalMart. Mission accomplished. We were home around 1pm or so. We did have to go back out to another WalMart, one much closer to us, to see if they had a heater we wanted. They did; we bought it; and came home. A long day.

Tomorrow we have nothing on the calendar. I'll probably go hang around the office for a bit, trying to educate myself on the goings-on. But, I intend to just relax, too. :)

Here are a few pictures of the park and our site.

Until the next time . . .

New Year, New Adventure

2012-01-01T18:40:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year to all! Our wish for 2012 is that all of our friends and family will experience contentment and peace in their lives. There's nothing better than that!

A few minutes past 9am, Randy & I were leaving Rainbow Plantation, heading east to Florida and our new job. We had an uneventful two and a half hour trip (for which we are always grateful!) and we pulled into Florida Springs RV Resort a little before noon.

We were greeted by Alicia, one of the owners of the park. We hugged one another and that's always a good sign! She and I began jabbering right away about the park and our place in it. I think it's gonna be good, folks. Alicia introduced us to her husband, Andy. He seems nice as well. Alicia showed us our site and we proceeded to get busy settling in.

The park is a relatively small one. Andy & Alicia have owned it for three years and it was uninhabited for the three years prior to that. And apparently, it was in bad shape when they bought it. But, they have cleaned it up nicely and have lots of ideas for its future. It's exciting to hear their enthusiasm for their park.

Tomorrow morning Randy & I are going to meet with Andy & Alicia to find out our schedule and other specifics of our duties. There are two other workamping couples and one single workamper in the park. There are several long-term campers as well. I'm sure we'll get lots of “overnighters” as the park sits less than a mile off Interstate 10.

So, this is home for the next four months. I'll post pictures soon. Until the next time . . .

The End of Another Year

2011-12-31T23:48:00.001-05:00

Well, I lied. I decided to write one more blog post before the end of 2011. Just couldn't resist. ;)

We're ending the year quietly. Not being folks that are wild party animals, we opted to gather at Darrell & Judy's for food and fun. Jim & Ellie joined us, too. All six of us had planned to attend the New Year's Eve party at the clubhouse, but then Darrell & Judy invited us for dinner. No brainer there – we all knew we would enjoy ourselves even more just hanging out together. So, we did.

Judy made a great dinner of lasagne and tossed salad. Ellie brought delicious garlic bread. Yeah, I know; I'm a loser, I didn't bring anything. Wait! I brought my sense of humor!! Oh, and I brought Randy, too. Does that count?

As expected, we had a great time. Lots of laughter, as you can imagine.

Judy & Ellie

Our hosts

Sorry, I didn’t get a picture of Jim.

All too soon, it was creeping up on 9pm and we were losing Jim. :) We were lucky; he stayed up waaaayyyy past his bedtime to party with us. Randy & I stayed late, until 10pm!!

Of course, in the Rver's world, 9pm is midnight! At least, that's what they tell us.

So, we're home and as I write this, it's 10:37pm Central time. We're gonna be able to watch the ball drop in Times Square at 11pm. Then, we can get to sleep! :) Isn't that great?

Tomorrow is moving day. We're off to our new adventure, workamping at Florida Springs RV in Bonifay, Florida. Looking forward to making new friends and having fun.

Happy New Year!

Winding Down in Alabama

2011-12-29T16:45:00.001-05:00

Christmas is over for another year. And while we didn't celebrate it in our usual way, by going home to the East Coast, it was nice. Very quiet, but nice. And with technology that allows us to video chat with family, we were at least able to watch the two of the three grandkids open their gifts. And we were able to talk to all of our kids, so I'm grateful for that.

Two days after Christmas we welcomed Darrell & Judy home! They have been away since early November; first working at Amazon in Kentucky, then spending Christmas with some of their grandkids in Tennessee. But, by Tuesday evening they'd found their way home. Then, we had them over for a travel day meal. We were so glad they weren't too tired to come over. So good to see them.

Today we're going to Big Daddy's, a favorite local restaurant, for lunch with Darrell & Judy and Jim & Ellie. Don't worry, Mike! I'll leave a couple blackened shrimp for you – but just a couple!!

(A couple of hours later): Well, Mike, you don't have to worry about me having eaten all the shrimp at Big Daddy's – they were closed!!! But, looks like they'll be open by the time you and Peggy get to Alabama.

After a high-level conference, the six of us went to Kraver's, another local seafood restaurant, just a bit further up the road. None of us had been there, but we'd heard good things about it. And those things were right! All of us were very pleased with our meals. So, another restaurant goes on the “favorites” list. :)

Now, we're looking forward to another adventure. Sunday morning we'll be moving on to Bonifay, Florida for our workamping gig at Florida Springs RV Resort. We've never been to this park and all we know about it is what we've seen on their website and learned from talking to Alicia, one of the owners. But, I enjoyed talking with her and it looks like a nice park. We're planning on having a good time.

It will be hard to leave Alabama, though. We have so many friends here and are involved in several activities as well as our church. But, God has provided this opportunity to put some money away. The savings account is very happy about that 'cause it's been screaming, “FEED ME!” for awhile now. :)

So, that's the plan. Our next post will likely be from sunny (hopefully) Florida. Until the next time . . .

A Merry Christmas Weekend

2011-12-25T16:36:00.001-05:00

Our Christmas celebration began yesterday with a party at the clubhouse.

At least 100 of our closest friends (all SKPs are close friends – even if they've never met!) gathered for some Christmas carol singing, food, and presents. Dale & Phyllis did a great job of leading the singing, with everyone joining in with gusto. Then, we ate, of course. RVers can't gather without food being a part of the agenda. Everyone brought finger foods to share with each other.

Lastly, there was fun present exchange.

Folks who brought presents sat in a huge circle and, as the narrator read a story, shifted presents from left to right and back again until the story was over. It was as much fun to watch as it was to participate, I think!

We expected to video chat with the kids today, but Kevin called on last evening because they were opening gifts then. So, we got Facetime (it's an iPhone thing) going and Randy & I got to watch AubreyLynn and her parents open gifts! Isn't technology phenomenal! Even though we couldn't be with them physically, we were able to see their joyful faces as they celebrated. And oh, that AubreyLynn is just a doll baby! She is a talker, too. Hmmmm . . . where does she get, I wonder??? Kevin & Sam are doing well, too. It was just so good to see them.

This morning we celebrated Christmas in a very unusual way for us, but not for the church we've called home for the past three winters. Our church is a member of the Evangelical Covenant denomination which is Swedish at its roots. And tradition is that we begin Christmas Day with an early morning worship service. And I mean, early – service began at 5:30am! Julotta (YOO luh tuh) was explained this way in the worship bulletin:

An early morning welcome to the Christ Child, the Light of the World, has been a high point of the Christmas celebration in Sweden since the earliest days of Christianity.

After the Christmas Eve supper, the people living farthest from church would start out in their gaily-decorated sleighs or on foot. In the remote country areas, lighted candles placed in farmhouse windows would shine across the paths of the worshippers. With torches burning as they went, they would be joined by ore and more Christian neighbors, until at last, the groups would converge on the church, and then throw their torches into a great bonfire.

The people gathered into the brightly lit and decorated sanctuary to hear the Christmas story and worship the Lord Jesus. They sang their beloved hymns . . . Then Christmas, regarded as a Holy Day, was spent quietly in the homes with family.

During our service, the Scripture account of Jesus' birth was read in Swedish and English.

It was really neat to begin our Christmas day in a way that was so different for us. Since we couldn't be with our “real” family this year, it was wonderful to be with our church family. This body of believers has truly become family to us. And we will miss them when we leave next week. But, we'll be together again some day.

We got home from church a little after 7am and after walking Blackie, we got on the phone and Facetime'd with Reagan and her daddy & mommy. Again, it was just fantastic to watch them open gifts and to see all the goodies Reagan has amassed already. We spent close to an hour video chatting with them. Gosh, it's so hard not to be there, but again I'm grateful for what we were able to do.

After all that excitement, Randy & I settled down to watch some TV and nap. After all, we'd been up since 4:15 this morning! :)

Around 1:30 we had our Christmas dinner of ham, green bean casserole, and yams. It was pretty good. But, very weird with it being just the two of us.

Now we're settled back into our recliners and the mini-series, “Lonesome Dove,” is on. Guess that's how we'll spend the rest of our day.

We truly wish each of you a wonderful Christmas celebration, hoping that you feel the love and peace that comes with the birth of Jesus.

Until the next time . . .

The Holiday Festivities Begin

2011-12-23T21:22:00.001-05:00

Wednesday evening we went to dinner to celebrate our anniversary. We asked Jim & Ellie to join us and they did. We decided to try a new-to-us restaurant, Sea & Steak, in Loxley which is about 15 miles north of us. The decision to go there was based on us having a coupon – isn't that romantic! :) But, we hadn't ever heard anything bad about it, so we figured, what the heck.

Well, it was with a bit of trepidation that we entered the restaurant because there was ONE car in the parking lot. Of course, it was a Wednesday and just 5:30pm . . . Anyway, the four of us soldiered on and decided how bad could it be. The reason there was only one car in the lot? BECAUSE THE PLACE WAS EMPTY!! Oh, excuse me. There was a waitress and a cook. So, we weren't totally alone!

The four of us giggled a bit and sat at a table (the waitress graciously allowed us to choose wherever we wanted!). We ordered our meals – fried shrimp for me; ribeye steak for Randy; Jim ordered the seafood platter; and Ellie had the grilled chicken sandwich.

The food was GREAT!

What a pleasant surprise. All of us were more than satisfied with our selections. And, of course, the company was good, too. Thanks, Jim & Ellie, for taking a chance and celebrating with us!

Yesterday was the Jubilee Pickers' annual Christmas gathering. We met at Mike & Kathy's ranch (where Randy & I celebrated Thanksgiving) for our usual morning of music

and then we had a potluck meal.

It was a bittersweet day for me as it was my last session with the Pickers for this season. What a fine group of folks they are.

We had nothing on the calendar today – nothing. Very unusual lately. So, Randy decided we needed to go out to breakfast. Who am I to argue with my husband? :) On our way to IHOP, we stopped at a local discount shoe store so I could pick up a pair of decent sneakers. I figured I'll be on my feet quite a bit once we start working, so I need a good pair of shoes. Found a pair of New Balance; paid more than I wanted, but they were still on sale. So, I bought them. Then, it was on to a yummy breakfast. Afterward, we took the scenic route home through Daphne, Fairhope and Point Clear. It's a lovely drive, with beautiful homes that sit on Mobile Bay.

Tonight we went Christmas caroling! I love to sing and caroling is usually so much fun. And it was!Randy even went. A bunch of us met at the clubhouse and walked through the campground, singing as we went. The weather has turned chilly again, so it felt like Christmas. A great way to start Christmas weekend.

Until the next time . . .

Another Year!

2011-12-21T08:19:00.001-05:00

Today is our 26^th wedding anniversary!

Dang, it sure doesn't seem like 26 years. Seems like only yesterday Lindsay came up to me and said, “RandyDad wants to know if you'll marry him.” And then she handed me a beautiful emerald engagement ring!

We have had a fabulous ride on this marriage roller coaster. Sure, there have been some rough curves thrown at us, but because we had determined from the beginning to meet each one holding on it each other, we've weathered them and come out on the other side stronger than before.

Since Randy and I had both been married before, we knew the odds were against us making this marriage a success. However, we talked long and hard about what we had done wrong in our first marriages and how we wanted to avoid repeating those errors. And I give Randy so much of the credit of our success – his easygoing, patient attitude sure made life much easier than it could have been.

And we both know that it is because we placed God first in our marriage that it has been successful. God brought us together and we are forever grateful to Him for that. He is the glue in this marriage.

And even after having been full-time RVing for seven and a half years, I can honestly say our relationship is as strong or stronger than ever. That's a major accomplishment right there – 'cause living 24/7 in 450 square feet isn't always easy!! :)

So, happy anniversary to us! Looking forward to more years of adventure!

I Think We’re Gonna Survive

2011-12-19T16:48:00.001-05:00

Well, the remainder of last week sure didn't go according to plan! After a fun evening on Wednesday night with our church at the hayride/bonfire/hot dog roast, I woke up Thursday morning feeling very lethargic – seems the cold had hit with a vengeance.

I was supposed to go to Pickers and play music all morning and then to a gig with them in the afternoon. No way was I going to be able to do that. I was hoping to rest and relax all day so I could go to the gig we had on Friday. Well, that didn't happen either. I woke up Friday feeling even worse.

And to top it off, Randy got it, too! The obedient girl that I am, I shared with him; just as my mother taught me. :)

However, we both rallied long enough to go to dinner at the clubhouse Friday evening. Nothing's gonna keep me from attending a meal that I don't have to cook! ;) Jim & Ellie attended, too, so we got some time in with them. Double bonus!

Saturday went just about the same as Thursday and Friday. Although, I did manage to do a couple loads of laundry. Lucky me.

Sunday morning both of us were feeling much better. Not sure why, but we weren't asking questions. Off to church we went. The choir was doing its Christmas program, so I was very glad that I was able to participate in that. After a lazy afternoon, we went back to church in the evening to watch the Sunday School classes (ALL ages!) put on a variety-type program. Everyone did a great job. There was a fellowship afterward with finger foods. Church folks sure do know how to eat! (Kinda like RVers!)

I woke up this morning feeling like I went backwards a day – very stuffy and a headache. But, after a couple of cups of coffee and some breakfast, I pushed myself out the door to Curves. I wasn't looking forward to that even more than usual because I hadn't exercised in a week! And anyone knows that a week off of exercise might as well be a year. But, I survived 30 minutes of Curves/Zumba and am not recuperating at home. :)

Despite feeling a bit under the weather, we are still enjoying life! Hope you are, too.

Until the next time . . .

And the Fun Continues . . .

2011-12-14T22:03:00.001-05:00

Since I left you last Friday, our schedule has continued to be fun-filled. :)

Saturday we hung out at home. The weather was damp and chilly, so home was the best place to be! Well, I did do laundry. :) Sunday morning found us at church, as usual. I sung my solo, “O Holy Night,” and people were very kind. However, I know I didn't sing as well as I have in the past, so I really appreciated their encouraging words!

After church we went to Radio Shack to check out their sale on the iPhone 4S. They had a $30 dollar deal AND I could trade in my iPhone 3 and get a further discount. What a deal! :) Well, I went for it and am now the proud owner of an iPhone 4S. It's not that much different but I now have “Facetime” which means I can video chat with my kids by just making a phone call. How cool is that!

Sunday evening was the annual “Flatulence Fest” at the clubhouse. And yes, it is exactly what it sounds like – a meal of bean-filled dishes. Folks sign up to bring a dish that must include some type of bean. Then we all pay a $3 donation (proceeds went to our local fire department) and walk around sampling as many of the dishes as we want. It's a cheap dinner, folks! Plus, it's fun. We also stayed for the Ice Cream Social afterward.

Monday turned out to be a very busy day. Randy drove me to Curves so while I was exercising, he got one of our propane tanks filled. Then, I had a gig with Jam N Folks. We played for the luncheon of a group of breast cancer survivors, “Bosom Buddies. “ A privilege to do that! From there, I rushed home, changed my clothes and we were off to Jim & Susan's for a late lunch of fried fish, french fries, cole slaw and baked beans. Jim's fried fish is the only fish I like. The best part was finally getting some time with Jim & Susan. We haven't visited with them since we got here – and we've been here six weeks!

Monday evening I went to the Covenant Women's Salad Supper. This is an annual event for the women of our church and my first time participating. Everyone brings a salad or dessert and spends the evening visiting with each other. I so enjoyed this. I've said before that one of the few things I miss in this full-timing lifestyle is having a church home. This is as close as I get, when we're in Alabama. And I just love these women. They have made me one of their own.

And we all need to feel connected, don't we? :)

Yesterday should have been a music day, but I woke feeling a little funky; like I was getting a cold. (This morning proved that I was right!) So, I stayed home and vegged. However, I rallied enough to keep our dinner date with Jim & Ellie. We went to Lambert's for an early dinner. As usual, there was way too much food, but it was oh, so good! And, of course, the company was great, too!

One of our park residents decorated their tractors for Christmas. Isn't that cool!

We had our Christmas parade here in the park this afternoon. It was a bit on the lean side, with just a few participants, but those who did were having a good time! These folks will decorate anything! :)

Tonight we went to our church's hayride/bonfire/hot dog roast. It was the perfect night for it – not too cold, but the fire was still nice. It was fun sitting around talking to folks. You just don't get that chance during church. I told Randy when we got home that I think we could have a very nice life here someday.

Until the next time . . .

A Very Full Week

2011-12-09T21:25:00.001-05:00

Our week started with the birthday of our “baby,” Kevin. He turned 25 years old this past Monday. Seems like just yesterday we were oohing and aahing over him when we brought him home from the hospital. Now, we ooh and aah over his baby girl. We are proud of the man Kevin is becoming and the beautiful family he has made. We look forward to what God has in store for Kevin, Samantha and AubreyLynn and we love you all. (I need an updated family picture!)

The rest of the week has been filled with music!

Monday and Tuesday evenings Randy performed with the Baldwin Pops in their annual Christmas concerts. Dick, Pat, and I attended the Monday evening concert in Foley. As usual, the program was filled with fabulous music. I am so glad Randy is using his wonderful musical talent. It would be great if we could find a band like the Pops when we get to Florida.

This picture of the Pops is from a couple of years ago.

I didn't take a picture this year simply because it would have looked just like this one! :)

Tuesday morning I played music with Jam 'N Folks. We practiced for our Christmas performance on Thursday. Wednesday night I attended choir rehearsal.

Thursday morning was the weekly jam session with Jubilee Pickers. One of our members' wives was kind enough to provide us with a scrumptious lunch of homemade gumbo, salad, sandwiches, and yummy chocolate desserts. It was such a kind thing to do!

Thursday afternoon was our Jam 'N Folks performance. We do this Christmas performance each year at the senior center in Fairhope. It is always well attended and this year was no different. Jim & Ellie even came! (And shared the pictures with me you see here.)

It was a good concert, even if I do say so myself. We always have fun.

Last night we went to dinner at Pastor John & Joy's house. Pastor John is the pastor emeritus of our church. He and Joy always ask us to dinner at least once each winter. Last year it never worked out, but we were able to join them last night. Joy made delicious homemade vegetable soup. We enjoyed a good meal and good conversation. Before we knew it, three hours had flown by! It was fun getting to know these precious folks better.

Today was a much more laid-back day. Well, for me at least. I did go to Curves and got in an hour Zumba workout. But, the rest of the day was spent not doing much of anything. Randy had several chores to do – replacing a bulb in one of the headlights of the truck; flushing tanks; changing the sheets, etc.

We also had an RV tech out to fix our thermostat and circuit board in the A/C. Our furnace hadn't been running correctly; the fan would sound like it was going to come on, but then wouldn't. And it's been chilly the last few nights! We were grateful for the electric heater, but it sure doesn't heat the whole rig. It was 55* in the rig the last couple of mornings. But, it's all fixed now.

This evening we went with Dick & Pat to a favorite restaurant in this area – Big Daddy's. Randy loves the half-pound burger and I love the blackened shrimp. Well, I also love the hush puppies, but they are a no-no now. So, I was a good little diabetic and ordered a salad instead. :) There were so many shrimp I had enough left to bring home for another meal. Yum!

It's been a good week. Until the next time . . .

And the Celebrations Begin!

2011-12-04T20:05:00.001-05:00

The past week was filled with our usual routine so I had nothing blog-worthy to share with you. But, things changed on Friday night.

Friday night seemed to be the “official” beginning of Christmas celebrations here in Lower Alabama. All over the county there were parades and Christmas lightings. We attended Christmas in the Park in Silverhill. The weather was perfect – temps in the high 40s and the air was crispy. The entire center of town was filled with lights and decorations, as well as the businesses.

Our church was beautifully decorated, too.

And there was a parade! It was the perfect length – just about 30 minutes.

I'm sorry the pictures are so dark. I just have a point-and-shoot camera. But, you get the idea.

I really think Randy & I were made for small towns. We loved it! Everyone knew everyone else. (We even knew several folks!) Kids were running around playing. It was great.

Saturday was Christmas Bazaar day throughout the county – or so it seemed. We went to two of them; our church's and the Methodist church just down the road from the park. I commented to Randy that I'm not really sure why we go each year 'cause we never buy anything. I guess I just like to browse. I'm always amazed at the beautiful handmade creations: wreaths, jewelry, wooden crafts, baby clothes, scarfs, pottery. I am in awe of folks who can do things like that.

This morning we went to church, as usual. Afterward, we went to lunch at Derailed Diner

with Dick & Pat and Ron & Ruth. It was nice to spend some time with them as we hadn't since we arrived. The diner is cutely decorated inside with lots of different transportation vehicles and themes.

Some of the tables were made up to look like pick-up truck tailgates. And some of the chairs were actual seats from cars and vans! At the counter you could choose to sit on a saddle or a tractor seat in addition to regular stools.

Often in these themed diners the food isn't very good. But, we were fortunate – the food was great! Three of us had the stuffed pork chops special; two had the roast turkey special; and Randy got the BBQ meat loaf dinner. We were all very happy with our choices.

The coming week is going to be a busy one. We've got lots of music going on, which is always fun. Randy has two concerts with Baldwin Pops. I've got three rehearsals and one gig. Then, I'm singing “O Holy Night” in church next Sunday. So, we are filled with the Christmas spirit here! :)

Hope you are enjoying the holiday season. If not, please stop, take a breath, and be still for a moment. Then, maybe you can remember why this is the most wonderful time of the year!

Until the next time . . .

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

2011-11-28T19:14:00.001-05:00

Today was the day. Yesterday was supposed to be the day, but it wasn't. So, today was the day.

The first five years we were “on the road” we did not decorate for Christmas. We always go home to the East Coast for Christmas, so it seemed a bit silly to decorate when we'd be gone for most of the season. Well, last year, for some reason, I was feeling the need for a Christmas tree. Just a small one, nothing fancy. And that's what we got – a small tabletop tree. Perfect.

So, today we put up our Christmas tree!

We also put up lights and red bows in our back window.

And the Nativity set my mom made years ago is sitting on the coffee table.

There are a few cutesy decorations hanging around the living room, too. Everything looks great.

This year we will not be going home for Christmas for the first time in seven years. It was a tough decision, but a necessary one. So, the decorations make me feel a little better about that.

Now, I've got to get presents wrapped and shipped to their various recipients. I hope to get that done by the end of the week.

Hope your week is off to a good start, too!

Until the next time . . .

Moving Day

2011-11-26T19:22:00.001-05:00

We made our big move today – all .2 miles away! :) This was the easiest move we've ever done.

First thing this morning I did laundry as usual. I was back home by 8:30am and Randy was in full breaking-camp mode. He even did a few of my inside chores. By 9:15 I had paid for our electric use and we drove to Don & Eileen's.

It was an easy set-up as all Randy had to was drive into their driveway, onto the boards Don had set up and, voila! We were here, level and ready to get the slides out and the satellite dish set up.

Such a breeze. Wish every move could be this easy!

We'll be here until January 1 when we'll travel to Bonifay, FL for our workamping gig at Florida Springs RV Resort.

It's been a lovely Thanksgiving weekend so far. Very laid back. Yesterday I went to breakfast with Robbin, a friend of mine from church. After breakfast we actually went to the outlet shopping center in town. We needed to walk off our breakfast! I'm also kinda looking for a pretty blouse or something to wear when I sing in church next month. We also made a run to Walmart.

So, I did go out in the Black Friday fray. However, we didn't get to the shopping center until 10:30 or so and by then the frenzy had waned. And Walmart wasn't bad at all!

Tomorrow's church, of course. When we get home, we're going to decorate for Christmas. YAY!

Until the next time . . .

Thanksgiving . . .

2011-11-24T19:56:00.001-05:00

I'm sure many of you have read several blogs today that dedicated their posts to being grateful and thankful. Well, I'm not gonna go against the trend. :)

While life is not always as easy as I'd like it to be, nor do I always get what I want, I still decide to be grateful for what I have been given and content in my circumstances. And yes, it is a conscious decision, not something that always comes naturally or easily. I choose to be grateful because there is no reason not to be. I have so much more than I deserve – in family and friends as well as material things. I try to remember to thank God each day for what He has blessed me with. I never want to take any of it for granted.

I hope that each of you reading this post will (or already have) take a moment to be still and reflect on how you have been given. I bet you'll be filled with gratitude, too. :)

For the first time in years, we did not spend Thanksgiving with any of our family. That is, blood family. Instead, we were invited to the home of one of the members of the Pickers music group that I play with. Kathy and her husband, Mike, have a lovely, serene home next door to the Plantation.

It sits on 10 acres which house two horses; a peacock and peahen; five turkeys, several goats and guineas, and a few dogs.

Mike & Kathy exude godly hospitality – when they built their home, it was their desire for it to be a place of refuge for anyone who entered. And it certainly is. There is a peace that is almost palpable in their home. The picture below sums up Mike & Kathy perfectly.

We felt honored to be part of their Thanksgiving celebration. Along with us were Dick & Pat, Ron & Ruth, Gayle & Bob (Gayle partners with Kathy in music and a horse tack accessories business), and some family members. As is the case at most dinners where everyone brings a dish to share, there was plenty of good food.

Everyone mixed and mingled well.

After dinner, we all took a walk around the ranch grounds. Mike & Kathy have recently cleared much of their ten acres so that Gayle & Kathy would have more trails on which to ride their horses. Once we got back to the house, Gayle, Kathy, Ruth, Pat, and I played music for the next hour and a half while the guys chatted and listened.

What a wonderful day we had! Thanks again, Mike & Kathy for opening your home to us.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!

A Little of This, A Little of That

2011-11-20T17:53:00.001-05:00

Just more of the same here in Lower Alabama – music, friends, exercise, relaxing.

Randy & I checked out my friend, Robbin's, yard to see if we could park there for the remainder of the time we're here in Alabama. She was so kind to offer to have us there as long as we wanted to stay. Unfortunately, it's not going to work for us. The placement of the utilities is just too scattered for our hoses and electrical cords to reach. It's such a shame, too. Her yard is lovely and quiet, such a tranquil spot to camp. And it would have been fun to have been close to Robbin. I was pretty disappointed when I realized it just couldn't work.

But, as usual, God gave us something else. When we got back to the Plantation, we rode through the residential portion of the park, looking for “RV sites for rent” signs. Our goal was to find someone in the park who would be willing to rent us a site for five or six weeks we have left. And we found it! We'll be “squatting” (that's what it's called when you rent a site on someone's property) at Don & Eileen White's. And their rent is extremely reasonable, so that's a great compromise between Robbin's free yard and the campground's fees. YAY!

We'll be moving this coming Saturday, the 26^th – all of .2 miles or so! :)

Tonight we'll be attending the Silverhill Community Thanksgiving Service. Our choir and that of the host church, First Baptist of Silverhill, are combining to sing a couple of songs. I love attending Thanksgiving services – Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, so spending time in worship and praise seems very appropriate.

This week we'll be doing more of the same - music, friends, exercise, relaxing. 'Cause that's how we roll down here!

Until the next time . . .

A Little Discouraged

2011-11-15T17:29:00.001-05:00

I am very grateful for the life God has blessed me with – a great husband, fabulous kids, beautiful grandkids, my parents and all of my extended family, as well as being able to travel this wonderful country. Sometimes, however, life throws you a curve and it's a little discouraging.

Randy took the truck into the shop for a minor repair and the mechanic found something else that needed fixing. Oh, it wasn't horrible and the cost was under $500, but we sure didn't plan on this.

We are workamping this winter for four months in order to rebuild our savings! But. I am grateful that we have the workamping gig so that we will be able to pay off the credit card and still put some money away.

Thanks for putting up with my whining. So many folks I know have been hit with unexpected financial issues this year. It's just part of life – there are ups and downs.

Until the next time . . .

Laid-Back Days

2011-11-13T20:17:00.001-05:00

The last few days have been a bit quieter than the rest of the week was.

Friday I hit Curves early and then went to the salon to get my hair trimmed and re-permed. Finally. It had been six months since my last perm and three months since the last trim. Now, I am bee-yoo-tee-full again. :)

The rest of the weekend has been spent at home. It's been gorgeous weather, so it was nice to just sit back and enjoy.

This morning we went to church. Oh, it was wonderful to be back with our Alabama church family. How can you not love the people that embrace you and are so excited to see you?

We ended our weekend at the clubhouse. It was “Souper Supper” night. Many, many types of soups are made by folks in the park and, for $3/person, you can sample all that you want for as long as the soup lasts. Not a bad deal. Oh, and The Chenilles made an appearance as well.

(This is a picture of The Chenilles from a couple of years ago.)

After the soup was cleaned up, it was time for the weekly Ice Cream Social. Randy got his dessert and we chatted with the folks at our table.

A nice weekend.

Tomorrow begins another busy week. I've got a Pickers' gig tomorrow, the first one I've been to since I've been back. Should be fun.

Until the next time . . .

Hit the Ground Running

2011-11-10T21:36:00.001-05:00

It didn't take us long to get back in the swing of life in LA. We are busy. And it has been so good to catch up with everyone.

Both Randy & I have already been to our respective music groups – me to my Tuesday & Thursday dulcimer groups and choir at church and Randy has rejoined the Baldwin Pops.

I have been to Curves twice and will go tomorrow as well. I've also joined a walking group at the clubhouse. This group “walks” to a Leslie Sassone video. It's a good workout. I go Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7am and “walk” for about 30 minutes, or 2 miles. This is a good addition to my Curves routine.

Tonight we went out to dinner with Jim & Ellie Meacham. It was a lovely evening. We first met Jim & Ellie in November 2008 when they stayed here for a few days. Then, we met up again in February 2009 in Rockport, TX. Since then we've kept up with each other via blogs (when Ellie updates theirs!! heehee) or Facebook. Jim & Ellie feel the same way we do about Rainbow Plantation and this area. It is “home.” They are also staying through December, at least. So we're going to have lots of time to play.

Not much on the agenda for the next few days. I've got a hair appointment tomorrow – I need to get this mop under control! And that's about it.

Life is good.

Until the next time . . .

We're BAAAaaaaaccckk!!

2011-11-07T18:16:00.001-05:00

We left Tom Sawyer's RV Park at noon on Saturday, just as we planned. Having had breakfast at Denny's prior to leaving, we just made a couple of stops along the way for bathroom breaks. We stopped for the night at Cracker Barrel in Hattiesburg, MS, just about six hours after we'd left.

Sunday morning we were up about 6:30 or so. We had a light breakfast at CB (yes, that is possible!), got Randy's coffee carafe filled and we were on our way about 7:30. It was going to be a relatively short travel day, just three hours to get to Summerdale, AL.

Less than two hours later, we saw a most welcome sign

Yes, it was good to almost be “home.”

About 10:30 we pulled into Escapees Rainbow Plantation. Thankfully, we had another uneventful trip.

As expected, we got a warm welcome from Gary & Millie, the managers of the Plantation. We were assigned site 90 and went about setting up.

It wasn't long we were saying hello to lots of friends; Darrell & Judy, Jim & Ellie, Paul & Margery, and Ron & Ruth (our former landlords from years past here at the Plantation) and Dick & Pat. Gosh, it's so good to be back!

We needed to get some time in with Darrell & Judy as they were leaving today for a workamping gig with Amazon in Kentucky. So, after Randy & I had set up camp, rested a bit, and cleaned up, the four of us went to The Shrimp Basket for their all-you-can-eat shrimp. As usual it was very good, but being with Darrell & Judy again after more than four months was the best! It's sad that they were leaving, but they'll be back after Christmas so we'll get some time together before we leave January 1.

Sunday nights are Ice Cream Social nights and we don't often miss those. So, once we were back from dinner, we made our way to the clubhouse for Randy to get his ice cream (no, I didn't indulge) and to see who else was in the park.

After the social, we walked over to Dick & Pat's to catch up a bit with them. Isn't nice to just pick up where you left off with friends – no matter how long it's been since you've seen them? Yes, it is.

This morning we woke up to bright sunshine and warm temps – high 50s! Yes, we are definitely in Alabama. :)

I went to Curves, stopped by the hair salon and made an appointment; and then dropped in on Jim & Susan. They didn't know we were coming in this early and I couldn't wait until Sunday to see them. They were so surprised! It was great to see their smiles.

Back home, Randy had a quiet morning while I was running around. He did his “chores” and was computering when I came home.

Well, the calendar is already filling up. I'm getting back to my dulcimer groups twice a week, plus I'm going to join the choir at church while I'm here. Randy's going to Pops rehearsal tomorrow night. And of course there are the myriad activities that go on at the clubhouse each day.

Have I said how glad we are to be back here?? :)

Until the next time . . .

Just a Little Exploration

2011-11-04T15:37:00.001-04:00

The weather has taken quite a chilly turn. When we got arrived on Wednesday, I was wearing flipflops and short sleeves. Today? Notsomuch! I'm in sweats.

Yesterday we hibernated. Today we had to go out to fuel up the truck so I figured we really should look around a bit. After all, we are just a few minutes away from Memphis. Since it was chilly and damp, we were just going to do a drive-by of downtown. But, it's tough getting pictures that way! However, I am too cheap to pay $5 to park when all I wanted to do was grab a couple of pictures.

Randy suggested that he drop me off so I could shoot a couple of pictures while he drove around the block. But, we got lucky and found on-street metered parking. So, for 50 cents we were able to walk around Beale Street for a few minutes to get the pictures I wanted. :)

When we traveled through Memphis a few years ago, we stopped for a day so we could visit Graceland. We never got to Beale Street and I kinda regretted that. Even though we're not nightlife folks, it's still fun to see the historic area.

So, we walked the couple of blocks of historic Beale Street, got some pictures, and made me a happy camper. :) It's a pretty cool area, actually.

Getting to Beale Street from I-55, we drove along Riverside Drive. There are some fabulous homes that sit up on a hill overlooking the Mississippi River. This is the best shot I could get of them.

Tomorrow we begin the final leg of our travel southward. We'll drive as far as Randy feels like driving then we'll spend the night on the road, arriving at Rainbow Plantation in Summerdale, AL by noon on Sunday.

It's gonna be fanTASTic to see lots of our friends who have already arrived at the Plantation. It's definitely our southern “home.”

Until the next time . . .

Traveling South

2011-11-03T07:50:00.001-04:00

The first of November found us getting ready to travel once again. After going to the bank to get some much needed funds (yay for payday!) and then fueling ourselves at IHOP and the truck at Shell, we headed back to the campground to finish breaking camp.

Typically we try to get on the road no later than 9am. But, we knew we would be spending the night on the road in a parking lot somewhere so there was no need to hurry. We finally pulled out about 12:30pm – very late for us!

And leaving that late made the day seem so very long. We traveled east on I-70 until St. Louis, then we headed south on I-55. Randy really wanted to get past St. Louis before stopping for the night. And it felt like we were never going to get there. We finally stopped about 7:30pm in Arnold, MO at a WalMart. Whew. I was ready and I'm pretty sure Randy was, too.

After a fairly restful night, we were back up about 6:30 and on the road before 7:30. We needed to find somewhere to fill Randy's coffee carafe. For those of you who know Randy well, you know how important this is! Unfortunately, there was nothing to be found in the shopping center where we stayed overnight. So, down the road we went.

Ahhhhh! Just 12 miles down the road, a Cracker Barrel called our names. :) Good! Now we can get Randy's coffee; crisis averted. Oh, and we filled ourselves, too. :)

Just five hours or so later, we were pulling into Tom Sawyer's Mississippi River RV Park. Many of our friends have stayed here and raved about it.

I have to admit it's more rustic than I anticipated. Not that that's a bad thing. It's a nice park, right on the Mississippi – I mean RIGHT on the river. And that's the draw. We were fortunate to get a pull-thru site that was on the river, so our view out the back window is all river, all the time.

And I do love watching water flow. Very peaceful.

And it's fun watching the barges float by. Especially at night. It's so cool to look out the window and see lights floating down the river.

This will be home for the next couple of days. Saturday we'll be back on the road, heading to Rainbow Plantation. We'll get there on Sunday.

Today's weather isn't supposed to be so great. It's been very windy since about 2am (and we've been up since 2:30!!) and the rains came in not too long after that. So, it'll probably be a stay-at-home day. We'll see what happens tomorrow.

Oh! And we get to put another state on our map. This is our first time camping in Arkansas!

I'll leave you with some Halloween pics of our beautiful grandchildren. Fun, huh? :)

Tommy (12 years old)

Reagan (6 years old)

AubreyLynn (2.5 months old)

Until the next time . . .

A Good Way to End the Month

2011-10-30T22:12:00.001-04:00

We spent the week in our usual way – hanging out at home, me hitting Curves a few times, cross stitching ornaments, computering, watching TV; Randy keeping our home in good running condition, computering, watching TV. Just our normal routine of living.

Yesterday we had a lovely change of pace. Sam's parents, Donna & Steve, invited us to their house for the weekend to join them in celebrating two birthdays – Steve's and their eldest daughter, Casey's. Randy & I really like Donna & Steve. They are easy folks to be around.

The birthday party was very laid back – just good friends and family plus some really good food, too. :) We felt very much at home.

Of course, the best part of the weekend was getting to spend lots of time loving on AubreyLynn! We hadn't seen her for a couple of weeks and she'd grown so much. She is really responding to you now and her smiles and giggles are priceless.

With her Mommy & Daddy

Gangsta in her hair hat :)

And just plain being adorable!

Tomorrow is a get-ready-to-travel day. I'll hit Curves, then go to the laundramat. Randy will be getting the rig ready for travel. We also need to get a propane tank filled. We've had to turn the heat on since the weather has turned so cold (30s at night – yuck!) and the propane is flowing!

Kevin, Sam, and AubreyLynn are going to come over for a good-bye dinner tomorrow night. Sure will be hard to say good-bye, but we'll see them in the summer – at their new duty station, Ft. Lewis, WA! Yep, we're gonna get to the Northwest after all. :)

After going to the bank on Tuesday morning, we'll get on the road. The plan is to travel for a couple of days; spending Tuesday night on the road and arriving at Tom Sawyer RV Park on Wednesday. We'll stay there for a couple of days, hopefully getting in some sightseeing. Then, we'll travel Saturday and Sunday, arriving sometime Sunday afternoon at Rainbow Plantation in Summerdale, AL.

It's going to be wonderful seeing our Alabama “family!”

So, we say good-bye to another month and hello to new destinations. We live a great life!

Until the next time . . .

Oz Museum

2011-10-24T20:31:00.001-04:00

Don't faint! Yes, two blog posts in two day!! Don't get used to it, folks. :) We just happened to do something fun and interesting today.

In the cozy little town of Wamego, KS, you’ll find the Oz Museum. As we drove down the main street of the town, I was figuring we'd come out on the other end of town and there would be a stand-alone building housing the museum. Nope! Right in the middle of town, located among shops, banks, restaurants, etc., is the museum.

You can't miss it – its sign is bright yellow. Hmmmmm . . .

The museum is just the right size. We were able to meander through it in less than an hour. And we didn't feel we'd rushed. That's my kind of museum! And the price was very good – just $7/person. They do offer a small discount to AAA members, military personnel and a couple of other groups that we didn't belong to. But, when you're only paying $7, it's hard to complain.

In addition to the requisite displays featuring the main characters of the movie, there are many cabinets filled with more memorabilia there you can imagine there could be. And call me ignorant, but I didn't realize that the “Wizard of Oz” was only one book in a series of books about Oz! Okay, don't call me ignorant, just keep it to yourself, okay? :)

The pictures can tell you more than I can – plus you can always go to their website. Enjoy.

Theater shows the movie on a continuous loop

And last night we had a lovely dinner with Kevin & Sam. AubreyLynn was with Sam's parents, so no snuggles with her. But it was really nice having Kev & Sam to ourselves, actually.

All in all, a good couple of days. :)

Until the next time . . .

Ch – ch- changes!

2011-10-23T09:49:00.001-04:00

I hope I'm not frustrating anyone out there in blogland who reads our blog. I know I've been very sporadic in my posts, but truly there hasn't been anything going on that is post-worthy. I found it very boring to write the same things each day, so I figured if I find it boring and I'm living it – readers will be bored reading it!!

Anyway, that's my story and I'm stickin' to it. :)

We have made some decisions over the past couple of weeks that completely change how we will be living over the next six months. One is exciting; the other? Notsomuch.

First, we've decided to move on come the first of the month. We've enjoyed seeing the kids and AubreyLynn, but it's time to travel. We've looked at the finances and spending the next couple of months in Alabama at Rainbow Plantation will help us save on site fees. While it will be hard to say good-bye to Kevin, Sam and AL, we'll see them again next summer.

To round out the decisions for this year, we made the very, VERY hard decision not to go “home” for Christmas. I know most of you full-timers don't travel during the Christmas holidays, but this will be the first time in the seven years we've been on the road that we will not be with family. When we made the decision to full-time RV, one of my non-negotiables was that we go home for Christmas. But, again, finances have dictated that it's foolish to spend the more than $800 it would cost to do so. Let me tell you, it wasn't easy to tell our kids and folks. But, everyone was very understanding and we are grateful for that.

Dang! Being an adult and making adult decisions is NOT fun sometimes!!

The exciting decision we made is to workamp this winter from January through April! Again, this is financially driven, but it will be fun to do something different. We will miss our Alabama buddies and the activities we've gotten involved in there, but we get to make new friends.

We'll be working in panhandle of Florida in Bonifay, at Florida Springs RV Resort. In exchange for our site, electric, and discounted propane, we will work about 12.5 hours/person each week. I know, that's a rough schedule, huh? :) I've talked with Alicia, one of the owners, a couple of times and enjoyed our conversations. I think it's going to be a good fit.

Plus, it's only a couple of hours away from the Plantation, so we can make playdates with our friends!!

And I apologize if this post came across as a “poor us” commentary. In no way is it meant that way. But, like many RVers, we've had some hits this year with repairs so it's time to refill the coffers. We just continue to be grateful that we have the flexibility to do that in unconventional ways. Life is such an adventure!

Until the next time . . .

Another Sleepover!

2011-10-17T18:57:00.001-04:00

After a quiet weekend in which the highlight was breakfast at Cracker Barrel after church yesterday, we had a nice treat.

Kevin, Sam & AubreyLynn came over for dinner yesterday evening. After dinner, they asked if we'd like AL to spend the night. Well, of course!! :) So, we have been enjoying her company since.

AL will be spending tonight with us as well because, unfortunately, Sam came down with a horrible migraine during the night. Poor thing! She finally gets some time to herself and she's sick. Ugh. Thankfully, she's feeling somewhat better this evening, but we're going to keep AL one more night to help out.

Oh, the sacrifices Nana and Pop make! heeheehee

Until the next time . . .

Being Lazy in Kansas

2011-10-13T08:43:00.002-04:00

I haven't been posting because there's nothing going on. We've been really lazy so far this week. I told Randy we have to stop that and get moving, doing something – ANYTHING – next week. :) There is an Oz museum close by (after all we ARE in Kansas) so we may check that out.

Our weather's been pretty good, we've had mostly sunny days. It got chilly overnight; was 48* outside this morning and only 56* inside! Could it be time to run the furnace? I am so not ready for that. I'll just turn on the electric heater and take the chill off. How's that for denial?

Okay, I can't think of anything else to ramble about, so

Until next time . . .

The Big Weekend is Over

2011-10-10T12:10:00.001-04:00

And it was a great weekend! My mom, Lindsay & Reagan arrived at the campground about 1pm on Friday. Kevin and Samantha were kind enough to drive to Kansas City (a two hour drive) to pick them up. While they were doing that, we were on AubreyLynn (AL) watch. Not a bad trade, I'd say. :)

Once everyone arrived, it was all about Mommy, Lins and Reagan getting to know AubreyLynn.

She was definitely the center of attention all weekend long. Reagan did really well with that considering she's used to be the center of attention – especially with her mom and me.

I can't begin to express how great it was to have so much family together in one place. It has been three years since Kevin & Lindsay have been in the same place. Add to that, having my mom there, too, was just icing on the cake.

Was the RV crowded? Sure. Was it chaotic at times? Absolutely. Did I love it? YOU BET I DID!!

And it was oh, so very hard, to say good-bye when we took Mommy, Lins & Reagan to the airport yesterday. I still find myself tearing up when I think about it. Okay, only ten weeks 'til Christmas!

Now, I'll just let the pictures talk.

Oh, and we were interviewed by Shane of nationalrvparks.com. If you're interested, here's the link: http://nationalrvparks.com/interview-with-randy-and-terry-guiler-of-guiler-travels-blog/

Until the next time . . .

Beginning of a Big Weekend

2011-10-07T09:18:00.001-04:00

Last night AubreyLynn had her first sleepover at Pop and Nana's! Kevin has a four-day weekend this weekend, so they took advantage of us (which was soooo tough!) and left AL in our care overnight. She was very happy to be here!

Of course, we were beyond delighted to have AL all to ourselves. She is such a sweet baby. After eating around 8pm, she fell asleep at 9pm and slept until about 6:15 this morning!! And she's only seven weeks old. Now, that's a good baby.

We had a nice morning; well, hour, during which she gobbled down her bottle, talked to me a bit, and then promptly fell back to sleep! And this is where's she's been ever since:

Dang. This AubreyLynn watching isn't such a bad gig. :)

This afternoon my mom, Lindsay, and Reagan will arrive. Kevin & Sam are going to pick them up at the Kansas City airport. That was so nice of them to do that. KC is a little more than two hours from us, so I wasn't really looking forward to the drive. However, it would have been worth it to have them here. I'm sure we'll do the return trip on Sunday.

Lindsay & Mommy have already started a “baby hog” war. Both of them plan to have AL all to themselves. Not quite sure who will be the victor, but no matter what, AL will get lots of loving this weekend.

Many more pictures to come, I'm sure. Soooooo looking forward to family time!

Until the next time . . .

Reunited . . . and It Feels Sooooo Good!

2011-10-02T22:28:00.001-04:00

We left Mark Twain Landing Resort a few minutes past 8am Friday. That's really good for us – we usually get on the road about 9am. But, we had a long (for us) drive ahead of us so we wanted to get moving.

Once again, we were blessed with an uneventful trip and arrived in Junction City, KS at Owl's Nest Campground about 3:30pm.

With the loss of an hour by entering Central Time, that was an eight hour travel day. Whew. We got ourselves set up and vegged the rest of the evening.

This morning we went to church at First Southern Baptist Church of Junction City. This is where we worship when we are here. It's small church with a big heart. We really enjoy Pastor Nate's messages and the people are very friendly.

After church was over, we made a quick run to WalMart to pick up something for tonight's dinner and then it was back home for lunch. We also “personalized” our campsite – got out the banners, chairs and awning. I love it when it's all “homey.”

The site is nice; a pull-through with lots of room to park our truck behind the rig. This allows room in front of the rig for a visitor to park.

And we were waiting for our visitors!!

We weren't sure when Kevin, Sam, and AubreyLynn were coming, only that they would be here for dinner. I'll admit it – I was antsy! I couldn't wait to have that little one in my arms again. After all, it had been more than a month since we'd seen her!

They finally arrived and as soon as Sam got AL out of her carseat, my arms were stretched out. I got her snuggled in and didn't share her for the rest of the evening. Poor Pop didn't even get a chance to hold her. My defense is that he didn't ask! :)

These pictures are from a week or so ago. I didn’t get any tonight because I was too busy. :)

The kids stayed for a couple of hours and then it was time to go. AubreyLynn was fussy and needed to sleep and Kevin & Sam were tired, too. They had been at Sam's folks this weekend which is a couple hours away and had just come back this afternoon. Plus Kevin had to do a repair on his truck this afternoon as well.

Yes, our time together this evening was just too short, but that's okay. We're here for several weeks. I'll get plenty of AubreyLynn love. :)

Until the next time . . .

Merriment in Missouri

2011-09-30T12:29:00.001-04:00

Gosh, here we are at the end of September! It feels like this month has flown by. I'm sure much of that is due to the anticipation of our time on the East Coast was drawing to a close and looking forward to traveling again; albeit with bittersweet emotion.

We've had a great week of traveling and sitting. Only one travel day of ugly weather and that only lasted for part of the day. Since we got to Missouri the weather has been fab – u – lous! It's a little cool this morning 'cause it's breezy, but that's okay. The sun is shining and every day is better when the sun shines. :)

Here’s a look at our campsite and surroundings.

Yesterday we took the day to go into Hannibal to visit some of Mark Twain's (Samuel Langhorne Clemens) stomping grounds. Hannibal is another quaint town that has made the most of its most famous residents.

Thankfully, there is lots of public parking as well as on-street parking in town. And it's free! We were able to find an on-street space on Main Street. When you drive a big ol' truck like ours, finding parking isn't always easy. :) We then walked down to the riverfront. Oh, the Mississippi River. It is gorgeous. And it's fun to stand in Missouri and realize you are looking at Illinois.

I don't know why I find that amazing, but I do. I guess I am easily entertained.

The riverfront has a nice little park with beautiful flowers and a statue of Mark Twain in his riverboat pilot days.

It's so easy to walk to anything you want to see in town. Our next stop was touring Mark Twain's boyhood home where we started with a walk through of the timeline of Mark Twain's life. He sure packed a lot into his life! We saw the bedrooms, kitchen and living area. He even had a chest of drawers exactly like one we used for all of our years in our home! It's now being used by our great niece, Ryleigh. Kinda cool. The one thing I didn't like was that there was a life-sized figured of Mark Twain in each of the rooms. That was a little creepy to me.

The block that includes MT's home (yeah, I know him well enough to call him that!)

also has Becky Thatcher's home,

the law office of his father, and Grant's Pharmacy where the Clemens family lived for a time.

I’m not going to bore you with lots of facts and lore about Mark Twain/Samuel Clemens – you can google him and find out whatever you want. However, I did learn one thing I had never heard before and thought it was pretty neat. On the night of his birth, Halley’s Comet was seen. He said he would love to have it come back on his death. Now, since the comet doesn’t show up but every 75 to 100 years, that was probably not gonna happen, right? Well, as it happened, while Samuel Clemens was dying, Halley’s Comet was once again seen in the night sky. Isn’t that cool???

From the tour, we went to the Hannibal Trolley Company to sign up for the next tour.

We had taken a trolley tour in Savannah and just loved it. Well, this one didn't come close. We enjoyed it, but the driver/narrator wasn't the best. She was a nice older lady, but her narration left a little to be desired. She told us facts, but there was just something missing. The tour takes you over 14 miles of Hannibal and you learn the history of the area. By far, the best part of the tour was Riverview Park where we stopped at the overlook of the Mississippi River.

Oh. My. Gosh. Such a view. And there was another statue of Mark Twain as he overlooked the river.

After our trolley tour, we were ready to come home. We enjoyed our day in Hannibal. On the way home after we both said what fun we'd had, I made the remark that it's not often that we don't have fun together – no matter what we're doing! And isn't that a great way to live!

Tomorrow we break camp and hit the road one more time before setting down for awhile. We've got a long day (for us) as it's a little more than six hours to Junction City, KS from here. That translates into a seven or eight hour travel day, depending on how often we stop. But, that's okay. Once we're get there and set up, we don't have to move again for at least six weeks or so.

Next post will be filled with AubreyLynn updates! :)

Until the next time . . .

Relaxing in Crawfordsville, IN

2011-09-26T16:45:00.001-04:00

After two days of uneventful travel (for which we always thank God!), we arrived in Crawfordsville, IN at Sugar Creek Campground.

Why Crawfordsville, you ask? Because it fit. :)

As most of you know, I enjoy planning an itinerary. And the plan for this trip was to travel Sunday, spend Sunday night at a truck stop in central Ohio, then spent the next couple of nights in New Lisbon, IN. Again, because it fit our timetable.

Well, when we stopped for the night in Millersport, OH at the Flying J, I realized the campground to which we were headed was only 2.5 hours from there. That just seemed like a waste to stop so early the next day when there was really no reason to be there. So I started looking further west and found . . . Sugar Creek Campground in Crawfordsville.

It's right on Sugar Creek and is 48 acres of beauty.

And because we're here during the week, it's very quiet, which is really nice.

The best part of tweaking the itinerary is that we're only about 5 hours from our next stop, Mark Twain Landing CG, in Monroe City, MO. That means instead of spending Wednesday night in another truck stop, we'll be in a campground for three nights. That gives us plenty of time to explore Hannibal, MO which is the reason for staying there.

Don't you just love it when a plan comes together?? :)

I know. I know. All of you “non-planners” are laughing at me. But, hey. I like to know where I'm going.

Anyway, nothing special planned for this area. Just gonna go with the flow . . . :)

Until the next time . . .

Leaving . . .

2011-09-24T08:02:00.001-04:00

Yeah, it's been a week since I last posted; just didn't have anything to share. We've had lots of rain again this past week, so I didn't do too much. Randy was busy doing all the outside things he does when we're getting ready to travel.

Yes, I said “travel.” Tomorrow morning we'll be hitching up the truck and heading west. It's been a good summer here in PA; lots of family time and a couple of side trips, too. But, it's time to move on. It's always hard to say our good-byes, but we're heading to Kansas for more kid and grandkid time, so it's definitely with mixed feelings.

Great news, though! Lindsay, Reagan and my mom are coming to Kansas just a week after we arrive!! They will fly into Kansas City (two hours from where we'll be in Junction City) on Friday, October 7 and stay the weekend, flying out on Sunday. Sure, it's only a couple of days, but YAY!! They want to meet Sam and AubreyLynn. It'll be a whirlwind weekend, but that's okay, they'll be with us. :)

Last night we had one last sleepover with Reagan here at the campground. She is such a joy. And as I write this at 8am, she's still sleeping!

We're going to take a week to get to Kansas. Randy wants to have a leisurely trip. The last couple of times we've traveled out there, it's been 1200 miles in 2 days (not towing, of course!). So, we're taking our time this trip. Gonna travel for a couple of days, sit a couple of days, travel a couple . . . well, you get the idea. We are definitely stopping just outside of Hannibal, MO at Mark Twain Landing. Randy wants to explore that town. Looks kinda neat. We'll get to Junction City on Saturday, October 1.

And I'll have that baby in my arms on Sunday! :)

Until the next time . . .

Weekend Wrap-up

2011-09-18T19:25:00.001-04:00

We started our weekend on Friday with a trip to the Pennsylvania RV Show. This is a huge show; if you've never been, you really need to put it on your list of things to do. We go every year and we're not even in the market for a new rig! It's fun to see what's new out there.

This year we took Reagan with us. Dang! We could hardly keep up with her! She loved checking out all the rigs. I was concerned I'd wear out before an hour was up. The three of us spent a couple of hours walking around, oohing and aahing as necessary. :)

After we'd walked as much as Reagan could go, it was time for dinner and then on home. Reagan spent the night with us, which is always fun.

Saturday we met Barry & Penny for breakfast. This was the last weekend we'd be able to catch some time with them since we are leaving next Sunday and they aren't coming up to the campground that weekend. We had a good meal, good conversation and a promise to see them later in the evening around their campfire.

Then came the event of the day – Reagan's family birthday party! Now, if you've kept count, this was Reagan's third birthday celebration of her turning six years old. Yeah, it's good to be the Princess!

We did have a nice time; Lindsay & Jason always do a great job of making folks feel welcome in their home. Lots of family was there and some were not as they live out of state.

My folks

A nice bonus was that one of Lindsay's friends from high school, Jennette,

and her family were able to come as well. (I love how Lindsay has kept in touch with several of her childhood friends – so neat.)

Reagan had a blast, of course. I mean, who wouldn't when it's all about you?? :) Presents and cake were a part of the festivities.

And the sun came out, so the kids were able to get outside, and that's always a plus!

We said our good-byes around 7pm and came home and sat around Barry & Penny's campfire as we planned. It was our first (and last) campfire of the season. Perfect night for it, cool and no wind.

Today was an absolutely wonderful day. The weather was gorgeous; a bit cool, but sunny and bright blue skies. I sat outside in the recliner, reading. Haven't done that is ages. Randy & I were just lazy and I'm okay with that. :)

This coming week will be filled with the “last of” things. Next Sunday we'll get on the road and head for Kansas.

Until the next time . . .

Another Gift

2011-09-13T18:23:00.001-04:00

Randy and I are blessed beyond measure, let me just get that out of the way first. :) We have three wonderful children who have married three great people and each of them have given us one beautiful grandchild. And we are grateful for that.

Today we celebrate one of those beautiful grandchildren; Reagan turns six years old. Hard to believe that six years have passed since we sat in that hospital waiting room with lots of other family members just waiting for her arrival.

Since then, it has been a joy to be part of Reagan's life, watching her grow and learn. She enjoys life with abundance, no question about it. And to be part of her world is a fabulous thing.

We went to Olive Garden for lunch with Reagan and Lindsay for her birthday. And this is just day two of her birthday celebration!

Here she is opening gifts from us and her parents.

Day one was last Saturday when Reagan, along with four of her friends, had a party at a kid's salon. Every little girl's dream – hair, make-up, nails, and a fashion show – what more could you ask for! We will end this year's celebration of Reagan this coming Saturday when the family gets together for one last party.

It's good to be the Princess!

We certainly appreciate the gift of being grandparents. There is something almost magical about the relationship between a grandparent and grandchild. If you haven't gotten there yet, I can't describe it to you. If you are one of “us,” then you know exactly what I mean.

And it's a gift that I enjoy opening every day. So, Tommy,

Reagan,

and AubreyLynn,

thank you for giving me the gift of being your Nana. It is one of the greatest joys of my life.

Until the next time . . .

An Emotional Weekend

2011-09-11T19:54:00.001-04:00

We've had a bit of a roller coaster weekend. On Friday, our eldest child, Ginny, and her husband, Chuck celebrated their second wedding anniversary. It's a great feeling to know your children are happy, isn't it?

Saturday we had the privilege of attending the wedding of Shannon, the daughter of good friends, David & Beth.

Not only we were able to enjoy a great party, but the event enabled us to catch up with lots of old friends from our former church. There was much laughter around our table, I can tell you that!

Of course, today was a day filled with emotion – the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. The media coverage of the commemoration ceremonies at the three sites invoked so much emotion for me. I, along with the rest of the nation, can tell you exactly where I was and what I was doing when I heard the news of the first plane crash. Watching the families of those who died standing at the various memorials was very moving. Seeing how we can come together as nation today makes me wonder why we can't do it every other day of the year!

I am grateful and proud to be a citizen of the United States of America. Even with our problems, there isn't anywhere else I'd rather live. I am also proud to be the mother of a U.S. Army Soldier.

God bless our families; God bless our military and their families; and God, please, bless the United States of America!

Until the next time . . .

One of the Best Gifts Ever

2011-09-07T19:15:00.002-04:00

Well, in the midst of some of the nastiest weather I've experienced, there is a ray of brightness. Today is Lindsay's birthday. She is my firstborn, my daughter, and has become my friend.

Thirty-two years ago, at 2:45am, Lindsay was born. Never has a child been so anticipated. She was our firstborn, and the first grandchild on her father's side. You would have thought she was the first child born EVER. :) And every child should be welcomed that way.

Since that day, there have been so many proud days. I have always said that Lindsay could have been raised by wolves and still become the phenomenal young woman she is today. She was born focused; always knew where she was going and how she was going to get there. It was amazing to watch.

And now, as most of you know who read this blog with any regularity, Lindsay is married to Jason, a fabulous young man who we love as our own as well as the mother of our first granddaughter, Reagan. Watching Lindsay become a wife, then a mom, has been an extraordinary experience. She does it with grace and humor and lots of love.

Today as I think back on these past thirty-two years, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I thank God that He allowed me the privilege of being Lindsay's mom. I haven't done everything right; not by a long shot. But, I've loved her beyond measure and unconditionally. She has been a joy to parent. Everyone should have at least one child like her – yep, she's that cool.

Yeah, I'm tired of rain, after all it's been raining since Saturday! But, today, I've got sunshine 'cause I get to remember a very bright day thirty-two years ago. And that's better than anything!

Happy birthday, Lindsay! You are loved, my girlie.

Until the next time . . .

Only a Few More Weeks

2011-09-04T18:15:00.001-04:00

Yes, with the beginning of September comes the realization that we have just a few weeks left here on the East Coast. It's been a great summer here and we even got to take a couple of trips out of town. Now, we need to think about starting the get-the-rig-ready-to-travel chores.

But! Before we get too dang busy with chores, we had to have a sleepover with Reagan. :) I got a text from her on Thursday asking if she could spend the night Friday night. Well, of course the answer was yes!

Randy & I went to Lindsay's on Friday morning so I could do laundry and Randy could wash the truck. Once Reagan was home from school and I had the last load in the dryer, Lins, Reagan and I went to Borders to see what bargains we could find. I did pick up a Christmas present for Reagan and Lindsay got several items. She is the consummate bargain finder, that's for sure.

After the three of us got home, Randy was ready to go, too. He had even gotten the last load of laundry out of the dryer and folded it for me. :) So, we got Reagan in the truck and we were off for home.

We didn't do anything exciting while Reagan was here, but it sure was nice having her. She makes me smile.

We had a thunderstorm go through here yesterday morning and it's been overcast off and on since. Last night I cooked baked ziti for dinner and had Barry & Penny over. We hadn't seen them for a month so it was good to catch up.

This morning we attended church with Lindsay & Reagan (Jason went to the Baltimore Grand Prix) and then out to a Chinese restaurant for lunch.

Nothing else planned for this holiday weekend nor for the week, really. Hope all of you are enjoying life wherever you are!

Until the next time . . .

Celebrating Another Milestone

2011-08-31T14:53:00.001-04:00

The first couple of days this week have been all about Reagan. She started Kindergarten! Monday was an orientation during which Lindsay accompanied her, so it wasn't a real first day of school. :)

But, we celebrated anyway with a trip to one of the fantastic parks we have in this area.

This particular park is fairly new; I believe it's just a year old or so. It was specially designed for kids with special needs. It's open to all kids, but the accessibility is perfect for kids who need a little help. What a great thing!

There's also a beautiful stage area next to a pond. Reagan was completely at home up there on the stage. No surprise there, huh? :)

Yesterday was the big deal – Reagan got on the bus and went to school. All. By. Herself. But, it wouldn't be a “Reagan event” without a little fanfare, now would it? Randy and I got to the house so we could be part of this momentous occasion. The requisite first-day-of-school pictures were taken in front of the house and then it was on to the bus stop. Complete with video by Daddy.

Reagan was so dang excited about riding the bus.

Her mom? Not so much. But, Lins did great – no tears at all. At least not then. I think a few might have been shed later when she got together with a friend for coffee. And that's okay. Even exciting milestones can be a bit traumatic for mommies.

Watching your kids, or grandkids, meet new challenges or milestones in their lives is such a neat thing. The pride in their eyes as they master new things brings joy to this grandmother's heart. And this week has been no different.

Randy and I are proud of our kids and grandkids. Each of them hold a very special place in our hearts. And we feel privileged to be in their lives.

Until the next time . . .

Irene – No Big Deal Here

2011-08-28T20:10:00.001-04:00

We are grateful that all of our family came through Hurricane Irene unscathed. Yes, we had some power outages, but that was about the extent of it. The rain and winds were not bad at all, at least in York, PA area. I know the Baltimore, MD area got hit worse than we did.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to those along the East Coast for whom the weather was much worse. It's got to be horrible to have to leave your home, not knowing what you will come back to afterward.

Tomorrow life gets back to normal, whatever that is. :) We've settled back into our routine, although we are still catching up on DVR'd shows. Reagan starts kindergarten tomorrow, so that's pretty cool. We'll be celebrating that, I'm sure.

Otherwise, it's back to Curves in the morning for me. Randy's got things to do around the RV. Yep, the routine of life is back. And I like that.

Until the next time . . .

Hershey Park Happy (Catching Up, Part 2 :)

2011-08-27T19:02:00.001-04:00

There was no rest for the weary as we were up and at it Friday morning. A trip to Hershey Park with Jason, Lindsay & Reagan was on the agenda for the afternoon. We also needed to do laundry, so it was off to Lindsay's about 9:30am.

Once I got the second load of laundry into the dryer, it was time to take off for Hershey. We had been trying to get to the park all summer, but it seemed like “life” kept getting in the way. The tickets had been purchased earlier in the summer, so we really didn't want to let them go to waste.

While it was pretty darn crowded, the weather wasn't too bad. The temps were in the 80s and it was partly cloudy, so we got some respite from the sun. Randy & I were not up for many rides, other than a couple with Reagan, so we just enjoyed watching the kids have a good time. Gosh, are we getting old???? Nah, we were just still recuperating from our two day, 1200 mile trip that we'd just gotten home from the day before!

A few pictures to show the fun . . .

When we got back to Jason & Lindsay's about 9pm, my folks were there. They live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and were under a mandatory evacuation order. So, they are staying with the kids this weekend. It was good to see them and spend some time with them. The only time I've seen them since we got back in May was at my sister's Fourth of July picnic.

Finally, our long three days caught up with us and it was time to go home. Lots of hugs and we were out the door.

We both slept in a bit this morning, going on 8am. That's late for us. We just chilled at home, catching up on the shows we'd DVR'd while in Kansas. (It's gonna take us awhile to watch all of them!) This afternoon we went back to Lindsay's to visit with my folks a bit more. We decided to go to TGI Friday's for an early dinner.

That's it. You're all caught up. Are you thrilled?!?! :)

Until the next time . . .

Whew! Lots to Catch Up On!

2011-08-27T12:24:00.001-04:00

After a couple of days at Sam's parents' home, it was time for us to get in the truck and head east – back to our home that was waiting for us in PA. About 8:30 Wednesday morning, we said our good-byes amid some tears (me) and hugs (everyone) and we started our 1200 mile journey.

Our destination for Wednesday was just east of Indianapolis, to a LaQuinta. Figured it would be about 11 hours on the road. I was a bit off, we arrived about 8pm or so and were just beat. There was a Cracker Barrel next door to the hotel, which was great. We scarfed down our dinner – really fast, apparently, because the waitress commented on it! But, we hadn't eaten since about 11 that morning and were definitely hungry. We spent a good night at the hotel (we really like LQ) and again got back on the road about 8:30am.

We were looking forward to our drive on Thursday for two reason; first, it should have been a short day of just nine hours or so. Second, we were meeting Deb & Rod Kendall for brunch!!! We haven't seen them since we first met back in the winter of 2009 in Rockport, TX. So excited about that.

The first snag came just west of Columbus and about 45 minutes from our meeting place with Deb & Rod. Traffic came to a dead stop – I mean, dead. Nothin' was moving. I called Deb to say they probably ought to just go on, but great folks that they are, they said no way. They'd wait for us. Okay . . .

We finally decided to get off I-70 and take a side road around the traffic, thanks to Deb's suggestion. We just never think about doing that because when we're towing, we just put up with traffic 'cause getting off can lead to some unpleasant surprises. But, this time it worked out great. We got past the back-up, back on the road and were at the Flying J where Deb & Rod were within 20 minutes. Better late than never? :)

We had a great meal with Deb & Rod and it was over much too quickly. Due to our being so late, we couldn't hang around too long. They needed to continue their westbound trip and we had at least five more hours to go to get home. So, it was hugs and “see ya laters.”

But, as Randy commented as we left, we sure do wish we could spend more time with Deb & Rod. They are fabulous!

Our drive was going well until we were well into PA and the rainstorm hit. And rain, it did. Sheesh! That slowed us down some. After a quick stop at Arby's for a take-out meal, we got home about 9pm. Definitely not the nine hours I thought we'd spend on the road!! But, oh my! How fantastic it was to be home!!

More to share in another post, just too much for one!

Until the next time . . .

More Baby Fun

2011-08-22T22:35:00.001-04:00

We've had a wonderful time loving on AubreyLynn this past weekend. She is a sweet baby and a great sleeper. She did give us a bit of a rough time the last couple of nights, keeping us up while trying to figure out how to stay asleep. :) But, that's a new baby!

Today we followed Kevin and Sam to Sam's parents' home. We'll stay here for the next couple of nights and then we'll head back to PA. Donna and Steve (Sam's parents) have been very gracious in welcoming us into their home.

Kev and Sam decided AubreyLynn needed a sponge bath tonight. Well, AL wasn't thrilled with that idea at all. :) But, her parents persevered and now we have a clean baby.

Until the next time . . .

Homecoming

2011-08-19T19:42:00.001-04:00

At less than 48 hours old, AubreyLynn came home. Amazes me how fast moms and babies are sent home these days. But, both Sam and AL were deemed healthy and told they were clear for going home.

About 1:45 this afternoon, the door opened and there they were!!

Kevin & Sam left here Tuesday evening a couple and came home this afternoon a family. And a very happy family, too. :)

The rest of the day has been spent introducing Konig, their Great Dane, to his “baby sister,” as Kevin calls her. Konig has not been very impressed, I must say. But, he's sniffed her and checked her out a bit.

We've also just hung out, watching AubreyLynn sleep, eat, poop, and fuss a bit. However, she is a very quiet baby; at least right now she is.

Apparently, Nana is taking way too many pictures!! :)

I'm sure we'll have a low key weekend. On Monday, AL has to go back to the doctor for a recheck. Then, all of us will head a couple hours' east to Westphalia, Kansas to visit with Sam's mom and dad. Kevin & Sam will stay for the week, while Randy and I will stay for a couple of days, then head further east to PA.

Until the next time . . .

Introducing . . . AubreyLynn Rae Guiler!

2011-08-17T22:04:00.001-04:00

This afternoon, at 2:25pm, our third grandchild, AubreyLynn Rae Guiler, was born at Ft. Riley, KS. She weighed in at 7 pounds, 5.5 ounces and was 19 inches long. She even has hair!! That's a mean feat in our family – we usually have bald babies. :)

Of course, she is one of the most beautiful babies ever born, but you knew that, didn't you???

Samantha was a real trouper – she endured some form of labor since Saturday afternoon. We went to the hospital twice yesterday, just sure they would admit her as she was experiencing regular, fairly strong contractions. But, it wasn't until midnight last night that everything came together for the doctor to finally say she should be admitted.

Randy & I stayed, along with Sam's folks, Steve & Donna, at the hospital until almost 3am when Sam and Kevin were settled in for the night. Randy & I were back up at 6:30 to get ourselves ready and out the door a little before 9:00. Steve & Donna went on ahead of us as we had to take care of the dogs before we could leave for the day.

We all decided that AubreyLynn (or AL as I call her) has inherited a double dose of stubborn from both her parents. :) She sure took her good time deciding she was ready to make her appearance. But, when she did, she did it quickly! The midwife had turned away for a minute; then Sam laughed and out came AL!!

Needless to say Samantha & Kevin are overjoyed with their baby. As are her grandparents. Sam's brother, Jake, and sister, Casey, made the more-than-two hour trip from their home southeast of Ft. Riley so they could meet their niece. AubreyLynn is Steve & Donna's first grandbaby. And they are ecstatic.

Here are a couple of pictures. Not the best angles sometimes, but you get the idea. I'm sure I'll get more tomorrow. Just run the cursor over the picture for the caption.

Thank you all for your prayers, encouragement and support of Kevin and his family. We continue to covet your prayers for this young family as they begin this next phase of life.

Until the next time . . .

Still No Baby

2011-08-13T19:17:00.001-04:00

Today is the due date that Baby Girl Guiler (AubreyLynn Rae, to be precise) is to make her appearance. However, as most of us know, those dates are just estimates and these babies come whenever they dang well please. :) Much the same as kids often do as they are growing up! This baby is just letting her parents know what to expect once she does make her debut!

But, we decided to try to help her along by having Samantha do a bit of walking. Last night the four of us went to the mall and walked around a bit. Then, this morning, we fortified ourselves with a late breakfast at Cracker Barrel before doing some shopping (which meant Sam had to do more walking!). After hitting the barbershop (for Kevin), the PX, a local farm store, and Walmart, Sam was ready to come home. She was done!

Unfortunately, that baby is still very content where she is. Guess we just have to wait.

And while we are waiting, Randy & Kevin are going to set up DISH satellite. Up 'til now, the kids have not had TV. Sam's folks are letting them piggyback on their account so they'll have TV. Isn't that nice? We are also helping them organize the RV a bit in order to maximize the room they have in order to accommodate the little one.

Just doing what we can to bide the time until the princess decides to arrive.

Oh! And lots of folks have been asking for pictures of Sam and the baby bump, so here are a couple, as well as one of Kevin & Sam.

Kevin & Sam

I told Sam she had to smile in this one. :)

And lastly, a tired Samantha after all that walking & shopping. Until the next time . . .

LIVE from Milford, Kansas!

2011-08-11T21:33:00.001-04:00

Need to catch y'all up on our week thus far. Hasn't been exciting, but I know our readers have just been sitting out there in blogland anxiously awaiting to hear from us! (Yeah, I don't really believe that – my ego hasn't gotten THAT big yet!). :)

Anyhow. Randy & I left Pennsylvania at 7am on Monday. We were looking at ten hours of drive time, wanting to get to Terra Haute, IN for our stop for the night. And we made it. No problems. We arrive a little before 7pm at the Super 8 motel. (Yeah, we are big spenders!) One of the draws for this motel is that they are pet-friendly. Randy got carry out from a Steak N Shake that was across the street and we settled in for the night.

Tuesday morning we were back on the road before 8am, having another eight and a half hours of driving ahead of us. We stopped for breakfast in Greenville, Illinois at a local diner called Lu-Bob's. :) It was everything a local diner should be. And the food was pretty tasty, too.

We arrived at Kevin & Sam's about 5:00 or so Tuesday evening. We'd had a good trip, but were definitely ready to get out of the truck. :)

Sam and Konig, their Great Dane, met us at the door. Kevin was still at work. He finally left us know he was leaving about 7:00. We decided to meet him for dinner at Subway. We were all starving at that point.

It was so good to hug that boy! We hadn't seen him since we left Kansas last November. He looks so good, having gained some weight back that he desperately needed. It was fun to see him and Sam together. We were very lucky to have any time with him as he was going “into the field” on Wednesday. As a matter of act, he left very early Wednesday morning – at 3:15am!!

We haven't done a lot the last couple of days. I've been to Curves the last couple of mornings. Sam & I went grocery shopping yesterday. Today the three of us have been cleaning and readying the RV for the baby girl. :)

I'm sure the weekend will be jam-packed because Kevin will be home. Who knows what may come up!

Until the next time . . .

Our Next Adventure

2011-08-07T08:12:00.001-04:00

Remember that post I wrote a couple of weeks ago about how nice it is that life is slow and unexciting? Well, that sure didn't last long! :)

We just spent a week watching our granddaughter, Reagan, while her parents celebrated their tenth anniversary with a trip to California. It was a great week, but sure did remind me of why we need to have our kids in our 20s, not our 50s!! :)

Now, we are readying ourselves to leave tomorrow on a long, two-day drive to Ft. Riley, KS. Our third grandchild is due to make her arrival in a week or so! We had planned to wait until she was born to go out, but Kevin asked us to come early. His unit is going out in the field for some training and he is concerned about Samantha being alone this close to her due date. Well, how could we say no to that? So, off we go again.

We are not towing the rig this time because we can travel much quicker without it. It's a 1200 mile trip, so with the RV, it would take us three to four days of traveling back-to-back which is NOT the way we like to travel. We will be going back out in October for an extended stay.

As those of you who full-time know, it's tough to pack for a trip without the RV. We normally travel with our “house,” so there's no need to pack! But, this time we have to think about all those little things that need to go along for a two week trip. Ugh. And the truck's back seat will be filled to the brim which makes us look a bit like the Beverly Hillbillies when they first arrived in Beverly Hills! :)

That's okay. All of that is worth being able to be there when the little one makes her debut. We are excited for Kevin & Sam; they are about to start their own great adventure.

That's it from Dover, PA. My next post will be from Kansas! Until the next time . . .

Days 4, 5 & 6

2011-08-05T11:26:00.001-04:00

Let me tell, if this is the toughest gig I ever get – I'm one happy girl!! This is the last day of our “Reagan Watch” and it has been a piece of cake. Not that I'm biased or anything, but Reagan really is a great kid. She has her opinions (wonder where the heck she got THAT!?!?!!) but that's okay. She's growing up and should be able to express herself.

Wednesday (Day 4) was a fairly laid back day. We had talked about going to a movie, but Reagan just wanted to hang out in her jammies for the morning. Of course, she didn't get an argument from Randy or me!! :) In the afternoon Reagan and I went to AC Moore (an arts & crafts store) for their free craft hour. This is such a neat thing – every Wednesday during the summer they offer a free craft for kids.

Yesterday (which would be Day 5) we were a bit busier. Randy & I had to drive into Harrisburg to take care of some financial stuff, so that's how we started our morning. Reagan was a trooper and played on her iPod and also sang along with the songs she has on it. Nothing like being serenaded by an almost-six-year-old! :)

After we got our business done, we were headed to the bowling alley! One of the alleys in the area offers cheap rates on Monday and Thursday – just $1.50/game. Well, wouldn't you know it, that alley was hosting a seminar and had no open bowling. There is another alley close by that is affiliated with this one so they sent us there. I asked if they offered the same deal and was told they do.

You know what's coming now, don't you?? :)

Yep! The other alley DID NOT offer the same deal. Figures. I was a bit annoyed – both with the misinformation and the assistant manager's attitude about it. But, we sucked it up and paid the $2.75 per game. What the heck – it's only money!!

We did have a great time, though. Just watching Reagan squeal and have a blast is good enough for me. It's funny watching a little one handle those ten pin bowling balls! (Sorry the pics are blurry – I’m not great with the phone camera.)

We bowled one game (Randy won that one and he doesn't even like to bowl!); had some bowling alley hot dogs for lunch; and then Reagan and I bowled a second game. I did manage to win that one, but for awhile it was close!

Needless to say we were all tired and ready to come home after our foray into the bowling world. We just vegged the rest of the afternoon and evening.

Today Reagan has been invited for a playdate at her friend, Logan's, house. How nice is that? She's gonna have lunch there and play in Logan's pool and just have a good time. I'm sure she's ready for a break from Pop and Nana. Old people aren't fun all the time!

Very late tonight, Jason & Lindsay will be sneaking in the house. It will be a wonderful way for Reagan to wake up tomorrow. She's ready for her daddy and mommy to be home, I think.

But, it's been a great privilege for Randy & me to spend this time with Reagan. Grandkids are the best.

Day 3

2011-08-02T20:52:00.001-04:00

Well, I guess it's really just Day 2 of our Adventures in Babysitting. Yes, we started on Sunday, but yesterday Jason's mom, Karen, relieved us for about 24 hours while she had some one-on-one Reagan time. So, we cleared out about noon yesterday and came back about 11am today.

Reagan and her Grammy had a great time together. This is one loved little girl. And I am grateful that she is!

And so far, so good. Reagan really is an easy one to care for. She is just busy. But, much of her busyness is just needing to create. She LOVES crafts, just like her mom. Lindsay was great in preparing for this time, too. She put together a Bag O'Goodies for Reagan (and me!) that would engage Reagan and give me some down time. :) Gotta love my organized daughter!

Anyway, we are doing well. Tomorrow we have a couple of things we can do – go to the dollar theater to see “Open Season 3” in the morning and then, in the afternoon, go to AC Moore for their children's craft time. We'll see what we actually do.

Jason & Lins are checking in daily from CA. They are having a blast in wine country. It's wonderful to see them enjoying themselves.

Until the next time . . .

Adventures in Babysitting

2011-07-31T18:34:00.001-04:00

Randy & I began a week of adventure this morning – staying with Reagan while her parents go on a trip to California for an early celebration of their tenth anniversary. With the exception of Monday and Monday night when Jason's mom comes to spend some time with Reagan, we'll be on duty until Saturday morning.

It doesn't take long to be reminded that I am 53, not 23! :) Reagan is a very busy almost-six year old and she keeps me moving. We've had a relatively quiet day today, but there is lots on the calendar for the coming week. :)

So. If you don't hear from me this week, I've probably passed out on the couch after putting Reagan to bed. :)

Oh! And it's the end of another month. Dag! The good thing about that is – Baby Guiler is almost here!! Just a couple more weeks until we meet her.

Until the next time . . .

A Mini Reunion

2011-07-28T20:09:00.001-04:00

Well, not really a reunion – but meeting up with friends. ;) Darrell & Judy are on their way to Virginia from Maine, so a good place to stop was Pennsylvania! And we were very happy about that. They are camping in Jonestown, PA at Lickdale Campground which is about an hour and fifteen minutes north of us.

Yesterday Darrell & Judy drove down to visit with us. The only thing I really wanted to do was introduce them to Jason, Lindsay and Reagan. I think it's fun to meet each other's kids and family. We read so much about them in each other's blogs, so to meet them is kinda neat. We spent a few minutes at their house and Reagan entertained us with her humor. :)

We then went out to lunch at Isaac's, one of Randy's & my favorite places to eat lunch. It was a good meal, as usual, and of course, the conversation and time together was even better. :) After getting our bellies full, we made a quick stop to pick up a few groceries, then it was back to the RV for more chatting until it was time for D & J to hit the road back to Jonestown.

But, it wasn't a long separation as this morning Randy & I made the drive north to visit with Darrell & Judy at their place. Again, there wasn't nothing on the agenda except eating and visiting. We do that so well, why mess with a good thing??? :)

Lickdale Campground is very nice and easy to get to – right off I-81. It has lots of shade and there are RV sites that sit along a creek. I would love to have one of those!

D & J fed us real good – Darrell fired up the grill and threw some hot dogs and burgers on it. Judy made her famous potato salad (we were SO glad to finally have the privilege!) and corn on the cob rounded out the menu. All of it was very yummy. Don't think I want to see my blood sugar number tomorrow! :)

We chatted some more after lunch and then, about 4:00, it was time for us to hit the road. It was so good to see them again; it's gonna be awhile before we have the pleasure again – not 'til we get to the Plantation in December. But, you can bet there'll be lots of email and Facebook messages between now and then!

Nothin' planned for tomorrow, except a Zumba workout at Curves for me. We also need to pack up for our week at Reagan's beginning Saturday. Jason & Lins are going away for their 10^th anniversary celebration and we are on Reagan-watch.

Until the next time . . .

A Day at Whitaker Center

2011-07-26T19:23:00.001-04:00

Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts is in Harrisburg and it has a great science center so that was our destination today, along with Lindsay and Reagan.

We arrived about 10:30 and Reagan began her run. :) That girl is hard to keep up with!! The center has enough exhibits to keep both kids and their parents enthralled for several hours. Randy particularly enjoyed a special exhibit, CSI: Crime Scene Insects. It was a bit too gory for the rest of us. :)

About noon, we took a break for lunch. Once our tummies were filled, we spent another couple of hours exploring the rest of the exhibits.

Here are just a few pictures. If you're interested, you can see the rest of them on our Webshots site. It was a great day. :)

Tomorrow Darrell & Judy are coming to visit us!! They are on their was to Virginia to spend some time with their daughter and son-in-law, but we get them first. :)

Until the next time . . .

A Weekend Away

2011-07-24T17:26:00.001-04:00

. . . but not very far away. On Friday, with the temperatures forecasted for triple digits, Randy & I packed up and went to Jason & Lindsay's for the weekend. By Thursday evening, two rigs had already come in and parked on either side of us. We knew that meant we'd have power issues all weekend long if we stayed at the campground. So, we turned everything off, put the A/C at 85* and the frig on propane and out the door we went.

Lindsay, Reagan and I had a lunch date on Friday with my niece, Lisa, and her three kids, Jimmy, Kylie and Kelsey. Life gets so dang busy that it's hard to get together with family – even when they live fairly close. And Reagan absolutely loves her cousins, so anytime she can see them, it's a treat. We made plans to meet halfway between Lindsay's & Lisa's at Isaac's Deli and Restaurant.

We had a great time, laughing and just enjoying being together. Lisa's kids are great kids – she and her husband, Jim, are doing a great job raising them. I am so proud of them!

Reagan even showed off her snaggle-toothedness!

Randy & I spent Saturday just hanging out at Jason & Lindsay's, doing much of what we'd have been had we been home in the rig. Jason, Lins, & Reagan were off for the day at a family gathering so we were left on our own.

Randy and Bolt, Jason & Lindsay’s dog, had a special moment out on the deck. :)

This morning we played hooky from church and the five of us went out to breakfast at Bob Evans (yummy!) and then went to Target and Borders. We were hoping to get some deals at Borders since they are closing, but I guess it's still too early for the kind of deals I was hoping for. :) To me, 10% off isn't much of a sale. There were some 40% off deals, but not many. Oh, well. We really didn't need to be spending the money anyway! :)

We are now back home, and it feels good. Randy commented he was so glad to be back in his recliner! :) We are grateful for Jason & Lindsay's generosity and hospitality, but as everyone knows, there's no place like home!

Until the next time . . .

Dang, It’s Hot Outside!

2011-07-19T17:58:00.001-04:00

As has the rest of the country, we've been dealing with the heat – typically 90 degree temps. So grateful for air conditioning!!

Yesterday we went to the movies with Lindsay & Reagan to see Winnie the Pooh. It was a typical Pooh movie, filled with all the Pooh characters and their friendship. And it was just a little more than an hour long, that was nice. :)

After the movie, we went to Olive Garden for lunch. I fully intended to get the soup and salad lunch, but saw they now offer a lunch combo of a panini sandwich, salad and soup. Well, I should have stuck with my original plan. I didn't care much for the sandwich, it was mushy. Lindsay & Randy got the same combo, with different sandwiches, but they weren't any more impressed with the sandwiches than I was. AND I was kinda sick to my stomach the rest of the day! Note to self: stick with the original plan!

I did get out to Curves this morning and Randy went outside long enough to flush tanks and walk Blackie a couple of times, but that's been the extent of our productivity. It's just too dang hot to get motivated to do much. So, we're not. Because we don't have to!

That's it from south central PA. Until the next time . . .

Friday and Missing Out

2011-07-16T20:46:00.001-04:00

Just after writing my last post about how we are just slowly going through life – WHAM! We had a big day yesterday. :) Isn't that how it always works?

I took Penny with me to Curves yesterday morning. She belongs to Gold's Gym at home in Maryland but wanted to give Curves a try. She said she liked it and wants to try a Zumba class.

Once I got home, I grabbed a shower, made myself presentable and Randy & I were back out the door, heading to Harrisburg. We were meeting our friend, Cheri, and her daughter, Courtney, for lunch. After lunch, we went back to their house to spend some time with Cheri's son, Marty, and his wife, Katie. Marty's a soldier in the Army, stationed in Alaska, but is on vacation. It was great to see them, as well.

From there, we headed to Lindsay's. Reagan had been in a drama camp all week and her end-of-camp presentation was at 3:30 yesterday afternoon. We left Cheri and the kids in plenty of time to get to Lindsay's so we could ride to the theater together – or so we thought. Ugh! I hate running late!! I always allow plenty of time to get somewhere, even if it means being early.

Well, needless to say, I didn't think it would take as long to get to Lindsay's as it was going to. We decided to just meet her at the theater. Our only concern was parking. When you drive a behemoth of a truck like we do, parking is always a concern. Thankfully, we arrived in plenty of time and we found a parking space with no problem. Whew! I did NOT want to face the wrath of Reagan if we had missed her performance! :)

Reagan's group had about 17 kids in it, ages 5 to 7 years old. They performed three songs with movements. Two of the songs were from musicals; “The Lonely Goatherd” from The Sound of Music and “Circle of Life” from The Lion King. They had made paper bag puppets for “The Lonely Goatherd” because in the movie marionettes were used.

Waiting to get started

Ready to take a bow

All the kids were cute and did a great job. Their teacher, Mr. Kevin, was fantastic – an over-the-top personality that is great with kids, but would probably drive adults crazy. :)

To end our busy day, Lindsay, Reagan, Randy & I went to the pool for DJ night. We spent a couple of hours enjoying the water and watching Reagan play with her friend, Dakota. Reagan is quite the fish. She loves the water!

We had a fabulously busy day.

Today we got back to the quiet life. We've walked a couple of times, napped a bit, watched TV and I cross stitched some.

The “missing out” portion of the title of this post is that a baby shower was held for Samantha & Kevin today. In Kansas. Needless to say we couldn't attend. As disappointed as I was, I am so very grateful that Samantha's family is close by and they are taking great care of Sam & Kevin. They have taken Kevin in and love him as their own. What a gift that is. I can't wait to see pictures of the party!

Now, we're just waiting for the oppressive heat to come back, unfortunately. Until the next time . . .

Slowly Going Through Life

2011-07-14T19:24:00.001-04:00

That's how our days go back – slowly and without excitement. And you know what? That's just fine with us. We like life to quietly move from day to day, without a lot of drama. :)

That's why there haven't been daily blog posts from me. I just don't find it interesting to write about getting up, going to Curves, reading, cross stitching & watching TV.. I figure you wouldn't find it interesting, either.

Most of this week has been about staying inside enjoying the comfort of air conditioning. We've had temps in the 90s until today. Today's high was just in the mid-80s. :) I'm not a fan of heat and humidity.

Last night Reagan spent the night with us. She's been attending a drama camp in the afternoon this week so she got here about 4:30. We spent about a half hour in the pool, then came home for dinner. We spent the rest of the evening watching Disney shows and playing UNO. The kid is good at UNO. :)

About 10:00 this morning, Reagan and I went to her house. She needed to get ready for her camp and I had laundry to do. Randy stayed home to clean and mow the yard. After I was done with the laundry, I made a trip to the grocery to pick up a few things and came on home.

Tomorrow we're going to meet our friend, Cheri, and her kids for lunch. Cheri's up here from South Carolina to visit her kids. We've been friends for a very long time. She lived here in PA until a year or so ago when her marriage broke up and she moved to SC. It's gonna be good to see her 'cause the last time we were together was in December when Randy & I were in Savannah.

Tomorrow afternoon we'll attend Reagan's drama camp presentation. That should be a hoot. I gotta be sure to get pictures of that!

Hope life is going well for you all, too. Until the next time . . .

Five Days in One Post – Yikes!

2011-07-10T17:53:00.001-04:00

While I'm a little surprised that it's been five days since I last posted, there's a very good reason – there was nothing much to share! ;)

We had the pleasure of Reagan spending the night with us on Thursday. Her parents had a fabulous date night, going to dinner and then seeing Keith Urban in concert. They had a great time and so did we. Friday morning I went to Curves, then came home to see what mischief Reagan and I could get into. We went to the pool for a bit, then back home.

About 4pm, we took Reagan home and headed out for our weekend adventure.

The first stop on our adventure was our niece's home. Megan & Matt live in our hometown, Columbia, MD, and graciously allowed us to spend Friday night with them. Our “adopted” 'granddaughters, Kelly & Kate had a swim meet in Columbia, and since we needed to be there about 7:45am, it was easier to spend the night in town rather than making the hour and a half to two hour drive down Saturday morning.

We had a great time with Matt & Megan and their adorable 14 month old, Ryleigh. We ate Chinese food for dinner (note to self – shrimp fried rice is NOT a good choice for diabetics!!) and talked and laughed and watched Ryleigh be disgustingly cute. :)

Saturday morning the alarm went off at 6am – UGH! But, we needed to get out of the house and to the pool. Blackie hung out at Matt & Megan's while we spent the morning at the pool watching the swim meet. These meets are funny, in a way. There are fifty-some events (or more) and each event lasts less than five minutes; much less in some cases. Kelly & Kate were in a couple of the very first events and then we had to wait a hour or more for the next one. And it's so funny because we're talking and not paying any attention to the swimmers until OUR swimmers are competing. And then we run over to the pool, shouting our encouragement the entire time they are swimming. When the event is over? It's back to our chairs until the next time they are competing.

The girls did great in their individual events, and were very glad we had come. We were glad to be there, too.

It was about 11:30 when we got back to Matt & Megan's. We hung around for an hour or so, then it was for us to go to our next stop – my friend, Tricia's, where we'd be spending Saturday night.

Tricia and I have been friends for more than 21 years, ever since we worked together at an elementary in Columbia. When we are here in PA, we try to get together at least once each summer, and this was the weekend. Randy & I had a good time catching up with her and her significant other, Tom. For dinner, they wowed us with a simply scrumptious dinner of grilled salmon, salad, wild rice, and fresh asparagus. Very yummy. After dinner, we talked for awhile longer until we were ready for bed.

This morning, Tom & Tricia made us another great meal for breakfast; omlettes, bacon, sausage, and fresh strawberries and blueberries. Randy & I could sure get used to being spoiled like that. :) About 1pm, it was time to say good-bye. We hope to get one more visit in before we leave in September. But, it is so very nice to have friends with whom you are close enough that you just pick up where you left off, no matter how long it's been since you've seen one another.

Once we got home and unloaded the truck, it felt good to be back in our own space. We were treated so great by our hosts, Matt & Megan, and Tom & Tricia, but it is always nice to get back home.

We don't have much planned for this week, but I'm sure we'll find something to do!

Until the next time . . .

Back to the Routine

2011-07-05T16:18:00.001-04:00

Yesterday we had a rather quiet 4^th. The morning was spent in the usual way – coffee, computers, and current events. (Like that alliteration? :) Finally, about 1:30 or so, we got ourselves together to go to Jason & Lindsay's for dinner.

As I mentioned in my previous post, Lindsay had invited (bribed?) Randy with dinner if he'd help Jason move some furniture. Of course, Randy would have helped no matter what, but dinner is always a nice gesture. :) So, Jason and Randy did their chore, while I played with Reagan.

For dinner, Jason grilled hot dogs and Lindsay made pasta salad and sauteed zucchini. A very scrumptious meal. Afterward we watched some TV, just marking time until it was dark enough to shoot off some fireworks. Finally, about 8:30, we decided it was time! (Plus, Reagan needed to get to bed!)

Jason did a good job of making a few fireworks go far. And it was just enough to make us all squeal with delight.

And a beautiful end to another great day.

This morning it was back to the routine of life. We desperately needed to get to the grocery. Randy is very tired of eating chicken! So, after having breakfast at Bob Evans, it was off to WalMart. A couple of hours later, we were home and putting everything away. My least favorite domestic chore done for another month. :)

And that's it from here. Not much else to share. We're looking forward to the weekend 'cause we're going back to our hometown to visit with friends. We're also going to watch our “adopted” granddaughters compete in a swim meet. So, I should have something to share with you by the end of the weekend.

Until the next time . . .

A Holiday Weekend

2011-07-03T17:01:00.001-04:00

We've had a good weekend thus far.

Of course, it started great on Friday – it was the first of the month and that means pay day! :) We had dentist appointments first thing on Friday, then we went to breakfast. From there, we went to the bank to refill the coffers (or envelopes, in our case). The afternoon was quiet and we ended up having an impromptu cook-out with Barry & Penny at their site. After filling our tummies, we sat and talked for a couple of hours until the bugs drove me home. :)

Saturday morning we went to breakfast with Barry & Penny. Barry had never been to Randy's favorite diner, White Horse Diner, so we figured it was time to introduce him. As we have always been, Barry was very pleased with his meal.

About 1:30, Lindsay, Reagan, Randy & I headed to Baltimore to attend my sister and bro-in-law's annual Fourth of July picnic. (Unfortunately, Jason wasn't with us, he went to the AT&T National golf tournament in Philly. He was missed!) They do a fabulous job of making everyone welcome and put on a delicious feast. Everyone brings a dish to share, but we all know the bulk of the work of a shindig like this falls on the hosts. But, Lou and Paula never blink; they just smile and make you feel like it's a piece of cake. Lou grills hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, ribs and chicken while Paula is inside making sure the food continues to flow.

We had a good time, as usual. We got to spend time with family with whom we don't get to spend much time.

Our grandniece, Ryleigh

Our grandnephew, CJ

I was really thrilled that our eldest, Ginny, and her family came.

It was great to hang out with her, her husband, Chuck, and our handsome grandson, Tommy. We don't see them often enough.

The day was ended with fireworks, which befitted the occasion. :)

We said our good-byes about 10pm and took a very tired little girlie, as well as ourselves, home.

This morning, after a slow start, we attended Church of the Open Door. We have passed this church for years as it is just across the street from WalMart. :) I'm not sure why we've not tried it before, but we finally did today. We really enjoyed it! It is a large church, with three worship services on Sunday morning. We attended the 11:00 service today, but will probably go to the 9:30 next time. The pastor gave a good, applicable message and the worship was good as well. Afterward, we stopped by the Information Center to get a visitor's package and were greeted by one of the pastors. He was very pleasant and seemed genuinely glad to have us there. I'm looking forward to going back.

The rest of our day has been spent in the A/C, in our recliners. What else is new! :) Tomorrow we're going to Jason & Lindsay's for a cook-out. Lindsay bribed Randy with food so he would come over and help Jason move some furniture. Of course, he would have done that without the bribe, but it never hurts!

I hope you're enjoying your long weekend. Please take a moment during your festivities to reflect on this great country of ours and how we came to be so great. And a great big THANK YOU to our military personnel and their families who fight to keep it great.

Until the next time . . .

Ending the Month “Out on the Trail”

2011-06-30T18:34:00.001-04:00

Today was a busy day for both Randy & I. Randy stayed home and cleaned all morning while I went out gallivanting. Seems like the perfect balance to me! :)

I started my day at Curves, but dag, I really wasn't feeling it this morning when I got up. SO didn't want to go; but I did. Then, it was on to my next stop – Lindsay's. After all, it's Thursday and that means it's laundry day. With the laundry done (well, the last load was in the dryer), we set off for the fun part of the day.

Lindsay & I had made plans to take a picnic lunch to Rocky Ridge County Park. On the agenda as well, was a scavenger hunt through the park. I don't know if it's Pennsylvania, or just the county in which Lindsay lives, but they have fabulous parks in this area! So well kept. And the parks system puts out a book with scavenger hunts that are available in each park. The idea is that you are looking for a “destination” and along the way they give you things to look for as you walk through the woods. Very cool. And some hunts are harder than others and they let you know that, too.

Our “destination” was Portugal. Not really sure why they pick different countries as the destinations, but they do. The book gives you facts about the country to which you are heading. Along our path we were to look for moss and lichen that grow on the trees. Reagan was great at finding the moss once we showed her what it looked like.

We thought this looked like a heart carved in the bottom of the tree trunk.

Well, our “trail” through the woods got a bit dicey at times. We thought we had gone off the path a few times.

But, we persevered and finally made it to the end – an observation deck. Our reward was a beautiful view of the area. We were able to see up to 13.5 miles away.

Of course, the downside of walking a trail is that you have to walk back!! We didn't have to walk the rough path back through the woods, though. The park also has a fitness trail on which there are several stops along the way where you can do different exercises.

Reagan had her own way of using one of the stops. :)

All in all, it was a great day with my girlies. Now, I am pooped! But I'd do it again tomorrow, if it means spending more time with Lins & Reagan. :)

Now, we say good-bye to June and hello to July. Summer is moving on. And just a few more weeks until we welcome a new girlie to the family. Can't wait to meet her!!

Until the next time . . .

Visit to Another “Land”

2011-06-27T20:32:00.001-04:00

Lindsay and Reagan picked Randy and me up about 9:30 this morning and we headed to Gettysburg to visit Land of Little Horses. This farm is dedicated to raising miniature horses and they put on shows in which the horses do tricks. It's a small park, perfect for spending a couple of hours with horses, goats, donkeys, llamas, and other cute animals. :)

Once we got home, we hit the recliners for a couple of hours. Randy even got in a nap. :) About 5pm, I headed to Curves for a Zumba session. Man, I know I'm not thrilled with exercise, but doing it at 5:30 in the evening is even worse! But, I need to step it up, so I gotta do it.

After a crockpot chicken meal, we've settled down for the night.

Nothing planned for tomorrow. Until the next time . . .

Kickin’ Back, Cookin’ Out & Karaoke

2011-06-26T20:02:00.001-04:00

We continued our laid back life this weekend. I did go to Curves/Zumba on Friday morning, and Randy and I went to the grocery to pick up a few things, but that was the extent of it. The rest of the day was spent as the previous days – hanging out at home.

Saturday morning I got up and went to Curves. That evening we joined Barry & Penny at their site for a cook-out. Two other couples joined us, Ron & Linda and Colin & Jackie. They also have seasonal sites here at the park.

After a good meal and socializing, Randy and I went up to the pavilion for karaoke night. I had a blast! Randy is such a trooper. Karaoke is not his thing at all, but he knows how much I love it and he toughs it out. :) It's so much fun to see people get up and sing and have fun with it. We stayed for most of the night, but left about 10:30. On the way home, I told Randy it'd been a long time since we had been out “so late.” hahahahaha We're getting' old! :)

This morning we went to another new church, Friendship Community. Well, it wasn't exactly new, we had visited there a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, it isn't the place for us. The people were very welcoming and pleasant, but it's just not the right fit. We'll keep trying to find where God wants us when we're here.

We've spent the rest of the day as usual. :) I made salmon with pesto for dinner tonight. It was pretty good.

Tomorrow we're going to Land of Little Horses with Lindsay and Reagan. Should be fun!

Until the next time . . .

Been a Slow Week

2011-06-23T20:33:00.001-04:00

And it's been kinda nice. Neither Randy nor I have done much this week. I've gotten to Curves a couple of times. But most of the week has been spent in our recliners. :) I've cross stitched some and read some, but both of us have been quite vegetative. :)

We went to Lindsay's for dinner last night. And today I went back to do laundry and watch Reagan this evening as Lins went out with a friend and Jason was on his way back from an overnight work trip.

Randy was busy today cleaning the rig. He does such a great job – I just get out of his way!

Nothing much else to share. I'm still battling the discomfort of shingles. From what I understand, this could go on for awhile. It's not too bad during the day, but it really affects my sleeping. And I don't sleep well to begin with, so I'm gonna talk to the doc tomorrow to see if there's anything else I can do. We'll see.

We don't have anything planned for the weekend, either. Gosh, we are just slugs, huh! Oh, well. That's okay. I'm enjoying the peace while I can. :)

Until the next time . . .

Another Anniversary

2011-06-20T19:19:00.001-04:00

Seven years ago today Randy & I moved into our RV and began our lives as full-time RVers. It's hard to believe it's been that long! Seems like just yesterday, really. We were still working when we moved into the RV. Randy had six months to go before he could retire, but we were able to sell our house to one of our kids and it made sense to get started on our adventure.

Since then, we've had the privilege of traveling through 27 of the lower 48 states. There is so much beauty in this country and we've had so much fun seeing lots of it. We've also made phenomenal friends during these years; friends who we know are friends for life. God has truly blessed our lives with these folks.

And we're not done. Right now we aren't traveling much, but the flexibility of this life is beyond compare. We can choose where we live and how much we want to pay for it. We're just enjoying life. And isn't that what retirement is about? :)

Oh! And for an “anniversary present,” I was diagnosed with shingles!! Yeah, the fun just keeps coming for me. Apparently, the discomfort and burning sensations in my shoulder and arm I was dealing with before going to Maine were the early symptoms of shingles. Who knew? While in Maine, a rash erupted on my shoulder blade and the discomfort was a little more intense. I went to the doctor's today and she confirmed that's what it was. Oh, well. I seem to have a mild case and the rash is healing without spreading, so I'm doing okay.

You know? It doesn't really matter what bumps in the road come along 'cause we've got a fabulous life and we're in it together. That's what matters. And I'm grateful for it.

Until the next time . . .

Home

2011-06-19T19:57:00.001-04:00

One of my favorite words in the English language - “home.” It means so much more than a dwelling. It's family; a safe place; where one feels most content. And we arrived home from our trip to Maine yesterday evening about 6pm.

Once again, we had an uneventful trip and made great time. We left Maine about 7am Saturday morning and with just a few stops, we arrived home about eleven hours later. It didn't take us long to get situated in our recliners and begin watching the shows that were DVR'd in our absence. We were glad to be home.

This morning we met Jason, Lindsay & Reagan for breakfast. Then, we went to their house to pick up Blackie. He was very glad to see us. :) From there we made a quick stop at the grocery to restock the frig and then we made our way back home.

The rest of today has been spent chillin' in the recliners, watching more TV, and doing not much of nothin'. Just recuperating from yesterday's long drive.

Can't end this post without a loud HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!! to the men in my life. I've been blessed with a fantastic dad, a wonderful husband, a loving son, two terrific sons-in-law, and a great brother-in-law. Each of these men has made a difference in my life with their unique personalities and gifts. I am grateful for them.

Until the next time . . .

Time to Leave . . .

2011-06-17T20:07:00.001-04:00

Today was the last day of our Maine respite. We have had a fabulous few days and it is always so hard to say good-bye. Since we had run the last couple of days, we didn't have much planned for today.

The six of us met back at the Kopper Kettle for another delicious breakfast this morning. After that, we, along with Darrell & Judy, left Mike & Peggy to go on separate errands, with the plan to see each other at M&P's later this afternoon for dinner.

The four of us ran several errands, including a stop at the grocery for the fixin's for the cookout this afternoon. We got back to the campground a little before noon and retired to our respective rigs.

I spent the afternoon on the couch losing the fight with a headache while Randy watched TV and computered.

About 3:30 this afternoon, the four of us got into D&J's truck and headed over the M&P's. Again, we ate well – grilled burgers and dogs, baked beans, cantaloupe, and watermelon made up the menu. Chef Mikee did a great job grilling the burgers and dogs. Yummy.

We spent the next couple of hours after dinner, fixing the world's problems. Too bad those in charge of said problems weren't listening!! ;)

About 7pm, it was time to say good-bye to Mike & Peggy. Randy and I cannot express how grateful we are for their generosity and hospitality. We have been so comfortable staying in their motorhome this week. God has truly blessed us with these fabulous friends. Both Mike & Peggy and Darrell & Judy have done everything possible to give us a great “vacation.” They fed us, played tourist guide, and just loved us.

So, while “thank you” just doesn't seem adequate, it's all we've got. Thanks, guys. We love you!

Tomorrow, we’re back on the road, heading south.

Walking Around Boothbay Harbor

2011-06-16T21:28:00.001-04:00

With the best day of weather yet on tap, our group headed east to Boothbay Harbor, a quaint town on the water's edge of the Atlantic Ocean.

All manner of shops line the nooks and crannies of the town – if you're looking for it, you'll be able to find it, I'm sure.

Gotta love truth in advertising!

There are also several places where you can purchase tickets for whale-watching cruises.

We had a great time just meandering around town, ducking into shops as the mood struck. The weather was absolutely perfect for being out and about. I'll let the pictures tell the story. :)

Once we got back to the campground, M&P dropped us off and the six of us went to our separate corners for a while. The plan was to meet at Mike & Peggy's for dinner about 5pm. I gotta say, all that fresh air and walking around drove me right to the couch for a nap. Oh, it felt good. :)

At the appointed time, we joined D&J in their truck and headed to M&P's. Peggy had put together a yummy dinner of pulled pork, tossed salad and cantaloupe. Judy brought the leftover seafood chowder from earlier this week. Once again, we ate well. :) Afterward, we continued to sit out on the deck and just enjoy each other's company.

A bit past 7pm, Darrell starting hearing his jammies calling his name. So, it was time to head on back home.

Another good day in Maine. :)

Here are a couple of pictures from the last couple of days that Mike & Peggy had taken. Enjoy.

Having Fun in Maine

2011-06-15T20:10:00.001-04:00

WARNING: two posts in one. :)

Even though the weather was lousy yesterday, the six of us (Darrell & Judy (D&J), Mike & Peggy (M&P) and Randy & I ventured out. It really didn't matter what the weather was doing – we were together and having fun. :)

First on the agenda was lunch at Buck's Naked BBQ. Gotta love a restaurant with the word “naked” in it, huh?

Everyone enjoyed their meals and we left full and happy. Our next stop was DeLorme. I think their big claim to fame in GPS products. We use their Street Atlas for our traveling needs and are very happy with it. Being the cartographer he is, Randy was practically salivating as he wandered through their store looking at all the goodies.

I love my geeky guy!

The biggest draw to visiting DeLorme is Eartha, the world's largest rotating, revolving globe. Completed in 1998 and at a scale of 1:1,000,000, one inch of Eartha equals nearly 16 miles on Earth. It has a circumference of almost 130 fee and a diameter of more than 41 feet. Eartha rotates on its axis at 23.5 degrees as the Earth does.

Unfortunately, Eartha was undergoing some maintenance and wasn't working while we were there. Supposedly, it's pretty impressive.

From DeLorme, we made our way to the LL Bean shopping center. Freeport, ME is the home of LL Bean and it has grown into a huge complex. Randy wanted to look for some shoes. He found some, but they didn't have his size. With one phone call, the correct size was ordered and is being shipped to Lindsay's. They should be there by the time we get home next Monday. Can't ask for more than that!

Upon leaving LL Bean, we went to M&P's house and just chilled, enjoying more conversation. The six of us never have trouble with conversation, that's for sure. Within a couple hours, if that, it was time to grab some dinner. So, we grabbed some subs from Subway and ended our evening at D&J's place.

A very nice day indeed.

Today dawned much nicer – the sun came out to play with us! The plan was for the six of us to meet at Kopper Kettle, a local diner, for breakfast. And that plan came together perfectly. We had a very hearty breakfast, after which we broke into groups of boys and girls. :)

We girls went off to JoAnne Fabrics to pick up some material to back the baby blanket I have made for our granddaughter who is due in August.

Judy is kindly going to do the sewing for me. We were successful in finding the material. Judy & I then dropped Peggy off at home and we came on back to the campground.

The boys went on their errands, which included a stop at Home Depot. Mike then dropped Darrell & Randy off at the campground.

The next step in the day's plan was to meet back here at 1pm for our next adventure.

This afternoon we drove to Land's End – literally. It was a beautiful drive with fabulous New England homes looking out over the water. We came to the Atlantic Ocean, parked the cars, and just soaked in the view. The weather was perfect for standing at the edge of Maine looking out across the water.

Don't you agree?

We all kept saying how easy it would be to pull the RVs up, set up camp for the summer and just enjoy. Gosh, wouldn't that be nice!

When we finally tore ourselves away, it was time for an early dinner. The choice was Captain Mike's, one of M&P's favorite.

And it didn't disappoint. Randy got baked scallops which he said were fabulous. I cheated and got fried shrimp – and they were worth whatever my blood sugar level reads tomorrow! :) Everyone else was equally pleased with their meals.

Again our day ended back here at the campground. We sat outside for awhile, reluctant to let go of the day. But, the good news is there's more fun to come tomorrow!!

Until then . . .

From Topsham, Maine

2011-06-13T21:37:00.001-04:00

Just a short post to let you know we arrived! After leaving our campground at 7:06am, we arrived at Topsham Fairgrounds at 6:55pm; almost 12 hours later. While it was a long day, it was uneventful with just one traffic backup in northeastern PA.

It was great to pull in this evening and have Darrell & Judy and Mike & Peggy come out of D&J's RV to greet us. Such great friends. Darrell had made a seafood chowdah (when in Maine . . .) and Peggy provided a lovely tossed salad. Both were scrumptious.

The six of us ate dinner, chatted for a couple of hours, then Mike & Peggy got us acquainted with their motorhome which will be our home for the next few days. About 9pm, we said our good nights and everyone went to their respective homes.

We are so looking forward to playing with our friends this week. It's been a couple of months since we've been together, so we've got lots to catch up on!

Until the next time . . .

A Mixed Weekend

2011-06-12T20:52:00.001-04:00

Yesterday was a pretty lazy day. We just hung around the RV.

Today was a bit of a different story. We were out the door early, about 8:20, for church. We attended with Lindsay and Reagan this morning, then went to breakfast. Jason wasn't able to be with us because he had to work.

After breakfast Randy & I scooted home to change and pick up Blackie as we were going to Lindsay's for the afternoon to watch Reagan for a couple of hours.

I wasn't much fun today because I had a headache for most of it. I grabbed a short nap between church and Lindsay's, but it didn't seem to help much. I hate not feeling well when we're with Reagan. She likes me to play with her and it's tough for me to say no. I don't often, but today I wasn't a fun Nana.

Once Lins got home, we decided to grab some dinner at Friendly's. Jason was able to join us, which was nice.

After dinner, we came on home. Blackie will be staying with Jason, Lindsay & Reagan for the week we're gone. So, we came home to pack for our trip to Maine.

Yep, we're heading north tomorrow morning to spend the next few days with Darrell & Judy and Mike & Peggy. We're looking so forward to seeing them! But, first we've got a long drive ahead of us. With stops, we figure it's gonna be about 11 hours on the road. We're not towing the rig, so those are easier hours than when we're towing. It's still gonna be a long day. But, so very worth it!

The next post will be from Maine!

The Heat and Other Stuff

2011-06-10T18:23:00.001-04:00

Here in Central PA we've been having some terrific heat – temps and humidity more like August than the first part of June. I know there are many areas of the country that are also dealing with even hotter temps than ours. The weather just seems to get weirder and weirder. Friends in Maine have been having cool, rainy weather with temps just in the 60s. Very odd.

To deal with the hot weather, we've been holing up inside. So very grateful for air conditioning!! :)

Wednesday I started the day at Curves. I'm striving to get my 3x/week in no matter what. When we get back from our sojourn in Maine, I want to step it up a bit and do the Curves circuit 3x/week and Zumba 2x/week. We'll see if that really happens! :)

After dinner on Wednesday Randy and I went over to Lindsay's. I was sleeping over! Jason is out of town and the CMA Music Awards were on that night, so Lins and I decided to have a girls' night watching it. Randy also mowed their lawn as a favor to Jason since he was gone. Later, Randy went home, Reagan went to bed, and Lins and I enjoyed the show.

Thursday was laundry day, as usual. Since I was already at Lindsay's, I got a head start on it. Randy came back over to pick me up, but he also got the truck washed. It was pretty filthy and it was really bugging him. We ended up staying for the day and ending the evening with dinner at Applebee's.

A lovely time with two of our favorite girls. :)

We've stayed pretty close to home today. Well, Randy did. I went to Curves, came home and grabbed a shower, then headed back out to get a mani/pedi. It had been a couple of months since I'd had one (last time was in ALABAMA!!) and I wanted to have it done before going away next week. But, once I was home again, I changed into my muumuu and have been settled in the rig ever since.

Randy worked hard today – he mowed our site and drained the tanks. Needless to say, he was fairly beat from being out in the heat.

Dinner tonight was spinach salad and a modified chicken cordon bleu. I poured some Italian dressing over the chicken breasts and cooked them for about 45 minutes. They were pretty yummy, even if I do say so myself. :)

Nothing planned for tomorrow. Sunday we're on Reagan-watch for a few hours, then we'll get ourselves packed for our trip to Maine. Can't wait to see Darrell & Judy and Mike & Peggy!! Maine may never be the same . . .

Until the next time . . .

No Senior Pass & Reagan Takes Over

2011-06-07T20:29:00.001-04:00

Our big plan for yesterday was to take a drive to Gettysburg Visitor Center to get Randy's National Park Senior Pass. Well, it didn't happen. Apparently, the visitor center is run by a concessionaire with the National Park Service having a “presence” at the center. WHAT?? What the heck does that mean? It means that no passes are sold at that venue because the historic areas are free. Yes, you have to pay to enter the museum and such, but again, that's run by concessionaires. What a bunch of hooey.

Bottom line? We didn't get the pass. And I was not a happy camper. Not that we had planned to use it any time soon, but it was the principle of it. If you go to the National Park Service website, the Gettysburg venues are all over it. So, it's very misleading. But, that's just me.

We did ride around some of the historic sites. Reagan was with us and wanted to see monuments. If you've never been to Gettysburg, you must. There is so much history in that town and downtown is very quaint. It's definitely a great place to explore.

We made our way back home – after a stop for ice cream at Bruster's. :) And no, I didn't indulge!

The rest of Monday and most of today was all Reagan, all the time. :) She slept over and we revolved around her. Isn't that how it's supposed to be?

There was a little blip today when Randy went to fill the coffee pot and we had no water! Three minutes prior to that, we did have water. Hmmmmm?? We checked with the campground and nope, it wasn't them. Ugh, that means it's us. So, Randy began troubleshooting. He found the problem. A part inside the connector in the rig where the water hose connects to the rig broke. How weird is that! He fixed it, but wasn't sure how long it would last. And I sure didn't want the water going out when I was in the middle of a shower!

So, I called Millers Service who had fixed a leak for us a few weeks ago. We were fortunate that he was already in the park! He came over just 15 minutes or so after I called him. Within 30 minutes the problem was fixed and our water was back on. YAY! Crisis averted.

After lunch we took Reagan home and spent the afternoon with Lindsay. We had dinner with the girls and came home.

I know I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep! :)

Until the next time . . .

The Weekend

2011-06-05T17:53:00.001-04:00

Saturday we went to Grace Community Church's family picnic. Grace is the church we belonged to before we began our full-time adventure. Both of us were very involved in its ministries; I was on staff for several years as well. Because of that, we thought it would be fun to attend and see some folks we hadn't seen in a long time. If you find yourself in Columbia, MD, check them out!

Unfortunately, there weren't a lot of familiar faces, but those who were there, we were excited to see. Our “adopted” granddaughters and their parents, were there; James, Amita, Kelly & Kate. We ate lunch with them and got caught up a bit. We stayed for a couple of hours, but then the sun was pretty dang hot and there was no shade to be found.

After the picnic, we headed to Jason & Lindsay's. They were hosting a cook-out for a “good-bye” to one of Lindsay's long time friends, Danielle. She and her family are moving to the Nashville area because of a new job for her husband. Danielle and Lindsay, along with Angie & Karen, have been friends for more than 20 years. Isn't that fantastic? So, the four girls and their families got together one last time before Danielle leaves at the end of this month. Since we were like Danielle's second parents, she asked us to come by, too. We were happy to!

On a side note, it was wonderful to see how these girls have grown into lovely young women with beautiful families. I am so proud of all four of them.

Today has been a do-nothing day. We didn't even go to church. I woke up feeling kinda lousy and still don't feel 100%. Not sure why . . . So, we've just hung at home. It was raining when we first got up, but eventually the sun came and the temps reached the mid-70s. Not a bad day.

Until the next time . . .

Spending Time Outside

2011-06-03T22:02:00.001-04:00

The weather over the last couple of days has been absolutely gorgeous. Perfect weather for being outside. Temps in the 70s, sunshine, and a breeze. Perfect.

Yesterday we took advantage of the great weather to attend Reagan's end-of-the-schoolyear picnic. We'd gone last year and it was so dang hot. There was a strong wind yesterday, but that was okay. We enjoyed watching all the kids playing in the bounce houses and getting wet on the giant slip 'n' slide. Reagan had a blast. We couldn't get her away from the slip 'n' slide.

The school provided a lunch of hot dogs, chips and fresh fruit. After lunch we attended the magic show. Like last year, Reagan was right in the thick of it. She got chosen once again to come to the front to be part of the show. What fun!

We went back to Lindsay's after the picnic so I could finish the laundry. Then, we stayed for dinner. Not a bad day at all. :)

When we got home, I discovered I brought home a souvenir from the picnic – some sunburn on the back of my neck and my arms. Apparently, Lindsay was suffering, too. Oh, well. I slapped on some lotion and went to bed.

This morning I went to Curves to check out the new Zumba instructor. I liked her much better than the previous one. I'm glad because I really enjoy the addition of Zumba to the Curves circuit. Hoping to do a couple of Zumba classes each week.

I got home, took a shower, and sat outside reading. It was so nice to be able to sit outside and enjoy the weather. Once there was only shade on the porch, it got too cool to sit there. Isn't that amazing!

This is hot rod weekend in York. There are classic cars everywhere, even here in the park. In years past, we've seen folks line up along Route 30 (the major thoroughfare in York) in their lawn chairs and just watch as the classic cars drive up and down the highway. This year we decided to join them! So, along with Jason, Lindsay and Reagan, we grabbed some dinner at Arby's and then set up our chairs and enjoyed the “show.”

Do we know how to fun or what! :)

I did mention to Randy that it's funny to see cars from my childhood/teenage years as classics or antiques!!

Oh! And this was Reagan’s last year of preschool. She is now a graduate – and a mighty cute one at that. :)

Until the next time . . .

Life Changes

2011-05-31T19:57:00.001-04:00

Happy birthday to my wonderful husband, Randy! He turned 62 years young today and each year he just gets better and I love him more. And now we get to buy the National Parks senior pass!!! :)

We didn't do much to celebrate Randy's birthday today because he just doesn't care. I know many people say that, Randy truly doesn't. His feeling is that it's just another day, no big deal. So trying to do something special for/with him isn't easy. I guess I shouldn't complain – he could be a diva with lots of demands!

Oh, but I guess only one of those is allowed in the family. :)

We ended up going to lunch with Lindsay and Reagan which is always a treat.

The only other errand that we ran was to our doctor's office to pick up some medical equipment. I was recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Thankfully, my numbers are low enough that at this point I am able to go without medication or insulin and just manage it with diet and exercise. So, I picked up my glucometer and its accessories along with a nutrition booklet that details food allowances.

Life will change for us now that I have this diagnosis. I will have to be much more conscious of what I eat. Ugh. Again, it won't be so very difficult, I just have to watch my intake of carbs and sugar. And it could be so much worse, so I am thanking God for the early catch.

Another month is gone. Hard to believe we are almost halfway through 2011. Amazing.

Until the next time . . .

Remembering and Celebrating

2011-05-30T20:48:00.001-04:00

Like many other blogs will do today, I want to take a moment to remember what this “holiday” is all about. It's not about the picnics or the sales events at the mall. It's about taking the time to honor those military personnel and their families who have made the ultimate sacrifice in keeping our country free. Their sacrifices allow us the freedom to go about our lives doing the things we like to do. And for our family, that does not go unnoticed.

THANK YOU to all who have gone before and fought the fight, sometimes to the point of not coming home. THANK YOU to those who are still fighting to preserve our freedoms. We appreciate your willingness to give up many creature comforts and time with your families. To the families of soldiers, thank you, too, for sacrificing time with your soldiers. You are heroes, too.

A big shout-out to our soldier, Kevin and his wife, Sam. Thanks, bud, for your service. We love you.

Tomorrow is Randy's birthday, the big one – 62! Why is that the big one you may ask? Well, any full-timer knows the answer to that! It's the age at which one can get the America the Beautiful Senior Park Pass for just $10! You can bet we'll be doing that within the next week or so.

But, today we celebrated with Jason, Lindsay & Reagan by going out to lunch for Mexican food. We had a very tasty lunch and Randy was serenaded and given a bowl of ice cream in honor of his special day.

After lunch we went to Bass Pro Shop to walk off lunch and browse. Love looking at all the animals as well as the aquarium. Reagan even got in some shooting practice!

On our way home we got caught in three mile traffic back-up. Took us two hours to get to our exit. Whew. And people are crazy when that happens. Too many cars were driving up the shoulder of the highway because they were too important to wait in the traffic like the rest of us. I really don't understand how people think sometimes. Ugh.

We finally got back to Jason & Lindsay's. We said our thank yous and good-byes and came on home. As usual, it was a great day with the kids.

Tomorrow it's back to Curves and a doctor's visit for me. More on that later.

Until the next time . . .

The Weekend

2011-05-29T18:54:00.001-04:00

As expected, the campground began filling up late Friday afternoon. Families set up for the long weekend, looking forward to some fun. While some full-timers don't look forward to weekenders “invading,” I enjoy it. Long before we were full-timers, we were weekend campers who totally enjoyed the memories we made while camping. And watching these families doing the same, brings back those memories and makes me smile.

Of course, I won't deny that come Monday afternoon when everyone has packed up and gone home, I will enjoy the quiet that will prevail. :)

We had no specific plans for this weekend, for as I said in my previous post, our weekends are seven days long. :) Saturday morning we did go out to breakfast with Barry & Penny to a new-to-us diner, Lotus Diner.

Their sign also stated they have the best breakfast in town, so we figured it must be true, right? Well, I don't know if it was the best breakfast, but it certainly was good. And the price? Now, THAT was the best in town. Before tip, our meal totaled $11.88. Yeah, you read that right. And Randy and I both had big breakfasts; pancakes, eggs and meat. None of us walked away hungry, that's for sure. The service was really good, too.

We've had rain off and on the past couple of days, accompanied by thunder and lightning at times. Thankfully, the storms didn't last very long at all. And compared to what the midwest has been going through, I'm not complaining a bit!

This morning we visited another church, but I don't think we'll be going back. The people were very, very welcoming but there were no young people or families. It's a much older congregation and I want to be part of a church in which all ages are involved. Trying to find the church where God wants you isn't easy sometimes. But, we're gonna keep looking. I just want to find a church home here as well as in Alabama. It's pretty important to me.

In between everything else, we've been walking Blackie, relaxing in the RV with A/C on, and just hanging out. I'm very excited that my cross stitch project is almost done. Once it is, I will post a picture.

Tomorrow we are spending the day with Jason, Lins & Reagan. That's always fun.

Hope life is going well in your world. Until the next time . . .

Not Much Going On

2011-05-25T11:32:00.001-04:00

The title pretty much sums up our days. That's why I haven't been posting every day. We tend to be much lazier here in PA than we are in Alabama. Therefore, we have don't have anything exciting to share with you!

Monday we did have an unexpected task – I got a text from Lindsay about 6:20am telling me she was really sick and asking if we could come over. Well, YES. That's one thing I love about being here; we are available. So, I blew off Curves (which made me so very sad – NOT!) and Randy & I got over there by 7:30. We spent the rest of the day letting Lindsay rest and taking care of Reagan.

Yesterday Randy was industrious, doing several chores including mowing our site. I, on the other hand, stayed inside cross stitching all day. I am very close to being done with the stitching and can get started on the detailing.

The rest of the week looks about the same as yesterday – hanging out at the campground. Of course Memorial Day weekend is coming up, but for us retirees our weekends are seven days long! :) I'm sure we'll participate in a few of the campground activities and visit with friends. But that's about it.

Hope you're week is going well. We continue to pray fervently for those in the storm-ravaged midwest. Very grateful that our son and daughter-in-law are safe so far.

Until the next time . . .

Weekend Wrap-up

2011-05-22T19:51:00.001-04:00

The sun is setting on another good weekend. Is that redundant, “good weekend”? Isn't every weekend a good weekend? Hmmmmm . . . just a thought to ponder. :)

Anyway, Friday morning I hit Curves, then hurried home to get ready for my “appearance” at Reagan's school. I had the privilege of being a guest reader for her class. I was so excited. Lindsay thought I was crazy to be so excited, but I thought it was an honor to be allowed to do this.

Randy & I drove to Lindsay's and then we all got in her van to go to the school. We arrived about 15 minutes before the end of class. Randy waited in the van while Lins and I headed into the school. Apparently, Reagan was pretty excited about me being there, too, because she hurried right over to me as soon as her teacher told her we were there.

The kids were such good listeners! Reagan had picked out a Strawberry Shortcake book for me to read. And they were all very polite and listened attentively. I had a great time!

After school we went out to lunch. We'll take any reason to go out to lunch!

The rest of Friday was spent at home, just relaxing.

Saturday morning I was up and out the door early again! I had to be at Lindsay's by 8:30 as us three girls were going to the local community theater, Dreamwright's, to attend a playlet and breakfast. The playlet (just a scene or two of the entire play) was Cinderella and breakfast was cereal and doughnuts. We did get coffee, thank God!

In addition to breakfast, the kids made a craft of a crown, decorated with their names and however else they wanted to color or “bling” it up.

After the playlet, the kids were brought up on stage to parade around the stage area with the cast. Then, the cast members stayed afterward to meet the kids, have pictures taken, and get autographs. It was definitely a kid-friendly morning and Reagan thoroughly enjoyed herself.

After I got home, I got some lunch and settled in for the afternoon. I even took a very long nap – most of the afternoon, in fact. And since I only got about two hours sleep the night before, I didn't feel the least bit guilty about it. :)

We spent the rest of the day as usual. Dinner was cheddar chicken pasta.

This morning we went to a new church, St. Paul's Wolf's Evangelical Covenant Church. Since we've been going to an ECC church in Alabama, we thought we'd see if we could find one here. And we did. Our neighbors, Dick & Darlene have belonged to to this church for years. It's much more formal than the one in Alabama, but the pastor had a good message. I'm sure we'll be going back.

Once again, the plan for the rest of the day was just hanging out at home. I continue to work diligently on my cross stitch project. I need to get it done before we go to Maine in June. Judy is going to back it for me, so it needs to be done. Randy napped in between watching TV. :)

Dinner this evening was crockpot pepperjack chicken. It was pretty tasty. And now we're catching up on some shows we've DVR'd.

That's it from Dover, PA. Hope your weekend was good, too.

Life is Good

2011-05-19T20:14:00.001-04:00

I know I usually post daily, but I'm thinking that's not going to be the case over the summer. The days are just not that exciting. :) Of course, neither was our winter. But, I figure you don't want to read about us sitting around, watching TV and relaxing, so I'll post every couple of days just to let you know we're still kickin'.

Yesterday we did have a very busy morning. It started at 6:30am when we left home to get lab work done. Nothing serious, just the annual blood tests to be sure there's nothing serious. :) And since we were to fast before the tests, we wanted to get there as early as possible. Heaven forbid we should miss a meal!!

We got to the lab about ten minutes before they began taking patients. Once they started, we were in and out of there in about 20 minutes. Not bad.

And then we were off to get breakfast. Like I said – we're not gonna miss a meal! We had a yummy meal at Bob Evans. We had lots of time to kill before my 9am eye doctor appointment. So, we enjoyed our food and chatted about the summer and what we might be doing. It was nice. I know. We're together all the time, so what could be so “nice” about sitting at Bob Evans, chatting? I don't have an answer for you; it just was.

Finally, it was time to go to the doctor. I was having a follow-up visit after having some tests done last week. I was hoping the tests would show that I wouldn't need to continue the eye drops I started a couple of years because of a diagnosis of early glaucoma. Unfortunately, that wasn't the news I got. While my eye pressure was the best it's been in a very long time, one of the tests showed some nerve loss, so I will continue the drops. The drops aren't a big deal, but it would have been nice to be able to stop them. I'm just grateful for the thoroughness of our eye doctor and that he is on top of this. Because of that, I'll probably never experience some of the more devastating effects of glaucoma.

We also picked up Randy's new glasses and ordered mine.

From the doctor's we went to WalMart for a grocery run. We didn't have much to get, but it was still a necessary stop.

And finally, we were on our way home. I was beat. An eye doctor's appointment always wears me out. The lights that are used for examination just kill me; I walk out with a headache and very sore eyes. So I was glad to get home, put on my “muu muu,” and settle in my recliner.

Today is chores day. I go to Lindsay's to do laundry while Randy cleans at home. Usually I just hang out at Lindsay's, get the laundry done, and come home. But, today I was treated to lunch at one of Lindsay's friends. Pam included me in the lunch invitation, which was so nice. Pam has had a heck of a couple of years battling cancer. But, she endured many chemo treatments and after a stem cell replacement, she is doing great! She is a wonderful friend to Lindsay and I appreciate that so very much.

Randy & I had a lazy afternoon (what's new about that!). I made chicken biscuit pot pie for dinner and now we're just watching TV. The rain seems to have moved out for the time being, thankfully. It was a bit torrential this afternoon. I am very ready for some sunshine.

Tomorrow I am privileged to be a guest reader at Reagan's school! I

Until the next time . . .