Had 10 days in Michigan the end of July. We went to the West side of Lake Michigan. It is so beautiful. We stopped first in a campground in Berrien(?) . The camp host were very helpful with local info. Then as we moved upstate, we stayed a couple nights in (can't remember) at a State park by the name of Orchard State Park. Our motor home looked over the lake from up on a bluff. It was 70 steps down to the lake. We decided to walk down and weren't there 5 minutes when it started to rain. I don't do up steep stairs very quick, and by the time we got up, it was raining good and I was winded. We proceeded up state to the Frankfort/Arcadia area. It's really rural and we didn't have cell phone service at the home we stayed at. We had met some folks when we were in Fla and parked it at their place for 5 days. They were so gracious to us. We picked raspberries from their garden and she made some raspberry pie. Sooo good. We visited Bear Slide Dunes. What a wonderful visit. We never get tired of the water. Each place has it's own flavor. We love the ocean, but the bluffs in Michigan run a close first. And the areas we were aren't overrun by tourists. We toured a light house and visited the site of a couple of others. Even thought Michigan isn't a place you can easily pass through to get somewhere else, it is well worth the trip there.
When we returned, we left the next day for our grandsons third b/day. He's into starwars and wanted a light saber, so that's what we got him. He was so excited. He got the cutest star wars boxer shorts and tee. He is pottytraining and is so proud of his big boy pants. Love those grandkids!!.
Gary starts to driving a school bus again next week. I had a CT and am again in remission. I still have to have treatments for the next year and a half. We will hopefully be in the apartment by Nov. It has been fun "building" it and picking out colors and stuff. Hope its only short term. We still want to get out West sometime. I don't know what I will do with my time while here as we only have one car. Guess I'll get caught up on some crafts over the winter time and maybe volunteer again at the food pantry or something. God bless till we cross paths again!!!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Well, here I am again, way over due for a post. Man makes his plans but God orders his steps. It is July 1st. We are back in Indiana. Have been for 2 months. To spare you all the details leading up to this time, the cancer has recurred. Surprise!!!! We knew it would return sometime, but we thought I would be in remission for 7-9 years. So did the oncologist. He said I am his first patient who had chop R chemo that wasn't in remission for the long time. I will have to have treatments for 4 weeks, once every 6 months, for 2 years. I won't be taking chemo, but Rituxan, a monoclonal treatment that works to strenghten your own immune system. I had the first treatment in May. Will have a PT/CT in July to see if it's working. The first time I had this cancer, it was in my midsection. This time it was on the right side of my neck. I have a lump on my left side neck now that I haven't told the oncologist about yet. So I am concerned that the treatments aren't working. By the way, the oncologist did tell us that it will keep coming back. It was much harder emotionally this time than the first time. I guess because my family doc said it would probably never return and so we have our expectations and when they aren't met, it is disappointing.
I feel good. Was tired for about 3 days really strongly right after the treatment ended, but I was thinking today how much energy I now have. I actually am doing a lot. Maybe I'm trying to get all the living in that I can before it's over.
God has been by my side all along. I'm not afraid to die. Just the dying process. And I could live a long time. Only God knows the appointed day. But I had a couple of hard days this week and cried alot. You just never know when it will hit.
We will be living in Indy for the next two years. Gary's sister and brother-in-law have been so good to us. We will be staying with them during this time. And we are back with our church family and it has been good.
We will be celebrating our 25th anniversary this summer and so we will try to travel to Michigan and enjoy the water and see some lighthouses. Looking forward to a little time on the road.
Gary was hired back to drive a school bus again where he worked before we went on the road and we are so thankful to God since the economy is so shaky and so many are loosing jobs. The medical bills will be high the next two years and this will help a lot.
Our middle daughter is getting married in Nov and I have got to spend some time helping her with that. She does live 2 hours away and so I don't get to help her as much as I would like to or see her as often. She wants me to make the veil and pillow and garter and I am looking for ward to that. I made our oldest daughters accessories and hope to make our youngest daughters some day also. The youngest daughter lives close by where we are staying and it has been good to spend time with her this summer.
We had 2 of our 3 grandkids a few weeks ago for 2 weeks. We took the RV and them to Indiana Beach for 3 days and did the rides for one day. Then we found an old drive-in theater and took them to see a double feature. It was great. But we didn't get home until 2am and were tired the next day. Then we took them back to their home in Ky and stayed there another week to watch them and their brother so their mom and dad could get away for 4 days!! The 2 year never cried for mom and dad and that made us grandparents feel really good that they are secure with us. We love them so much and it was a great time. We did however, in two weeks time eat hot dogs and smores 3 times and that was enough for awhile!!!
Well thanks for reading my ramblings and I will try to post more often. God bless each and everyone of you and remember, we are just passing through........
I feel good. Was tired for about 3 days really strongly right after the treatment ended, but I was thinking today how much energy I now have. I actually am doing a lot. Maybe I'm trying to get all the living in that I can before it's over.
God has been by my side all along. I'm not afraid to die. Just the dying process. And I could live a long time. Only God knows the appointed day. But I had a couple of hard days this week and cried alot. You just never know when it will hit.
We will be living in Indy for the next two years. Gary's sister and brother-in-law have been so good to us. We will be staying with them during this time. And we are back with our church family and it has been good.
We will be celebrating our 25th anniversary this summer and so we will try to travel to Michigan and enjoy the water and see some lighthouses. Looking forward to a little time on the road.
Gary was hired back to drive a school bus again where he worked before we went on the road and we are so thankful to God since the economy is so shaky and so many are loosing jobs. The medical bills will be high the next two years and this will help a lot.
Our middle daughter is getting married in Nov and I have got to spend some time helping her with that. She does live 2 hours away and so I don't get to help her as much as I would like to or see her as often. She wants me to make the veil and pillow and garter and I am looking for ward to that. I made our oldest daughters accessories and hope to make our youngest daughters some day also. The youngest daughter lives close by where we are staying and it has been good to spend time with her this summer.
We had 2 of our 3 grandkids a few weeks ago for 2 weeks. We took the RV and them to Indiana Beach for 3 days and did the rides for one day. Then we found an old drive-in theater and took them to see a double feature. It was great. But we didn't get home until 2am and were tired the next day. Then we took them back to their home in Ky and stayed there another week to watch them and their brother so their mom and dad could get away for 4 days!! The 2 year never cried for mom and dad and that made us grandparents feel really good that they are secure with us. We love them so much and it was a great time. We did however, in two weeks time eat hot dogs and smores 3 times and that was enough for awhile!!!
Well thanks for reading my ramblings and I will try to post more often. God bless each and everyone of you and remember, we are just passing through........
Friday, January 2, 2009
Been a Long Time Coming......
Wow!! Can't believe it's been so long since I blogged. Life just got busy and then I thought maybe people don't really want to know what we do everyday. After all, everyone has enough of their own life stuff to deal with. But my daughters were egging me on to blog again, so here goes.
Hope you all had a blessed Christmas. We sure did. We drove our car up from Florida to Kentucky to visit our oldest daughter and her family. Our other two daughters drove down from Indy and we all got to gather on Christmas. It was wonderful. We really miss having our kids close and gathering for the holidays. But we aren't going to move back. We also like what we are doing.
A lot has happened in the world since I last blogged. We have our first black president. I will be praying for him, since God tells us to pray for those in authority over us. What an amazing time this is. The economy has taken a dive. Personally, we are doing okay. We have NO debt and that really helps. We seem to be able to give more. God tells us that if we give to the poor we will be taken care of in our time of need. The weather still seems to be crazy. The bible tells us that in the last days, these things will be taking place. (Not necessarily all the preceding statements.) Are you preparing spiritually for what could be coming on the horizon? I sure hope so.
We are in Florida again for the winter. It has been beautiful weather here. There are more RV'ers here than last year and it is always fun to meet new people. Gary has been doing a tile job for a handicap room and I (along with the other women volunteering here) have been painting and painting!! I should be really good at it when we leave in 3 months.
We will be taking a volunteer job near Paducah, Ky, from April thru Oct. Then our middle daughter will be getting married in Nov and we will head up for that event. I am a little sad I can't be there to help her plan, but we keep in touch by email and she has asked me to make her veil and ring bearer pillow. I have made veils for 3 other brides , so I will be honored to make hers. We really like her fiance.
Then, we don't know what our plans will be-possibly come back here for the winter. I still have to hang around close enough for the next year to see the oncologist at the end of the year and then we hope in 2010 to head out west. I am still in remission and hope it continues to be so.
Well, will write again another day. I know this is just a generic blog today, I will try to do some more again. We are going to go to St. Augustine in a week or so, and I hope to have pics and stories about that trip. Til then, God bless and good night.
Hope you all had a blessed Christmas. We sure did. We drove our car up from Florida to Kentucky to visit our oldest daughter and her family. Our other two daughters drove down from Indy and we all got to gather on Christmas. It was wonderful. We really miss having our kids close and gathering for the holidays. But we aren't going to move back. We also like what we are doing.
A lot has happened in the world since I last blogged. We have our first black president. I will be praying for him, since God tells us to pray for those in authority over us. What an amazing time this is. The economy has taken a dive. Personally, we are doing okay. We have NO debt and that really helps. We seem to be able to give more. God tells us that if we give to the poor we will be taken care of in our time of need. The weather still seems to be crazy. The bible tells us that in the last days, these things will be taking place. (Not necessarily all the preceding statements.) Are you preparing spiritually for what could be coming on the horizon? I sure hope so.
We are in Florida again for the winter. It has been beautiful weather here. There are more RV'ers here than last year and it is always fun to meet new people. Gary has been doing a tile job for a handicap room and I (along with the other women volunteering here) have been painting and painting!! I should be really good at it when we leave in 3 months.
We will be taking a volunteer job near Paducah, Ky, from April thru Oct. Then our middle daughter will be getting married in Nov and we will head up for that event. I am a little sad I can't be there to help her plan, but we keep in touch by email and she has asked me to make her veil and ring bearer pillow. I have made veils for 3 other brides , so I will be honored to make hers. We really like her fiance.
Then, we don't know what our plans will be-possibly come back here for the winter. I still have to hang around close enough for the next year to see the oncologist at the end of the year and then we hope in 2010 to head out west. I am still in remission and hope it continues to be so.
Well, will write again another day. I know this is just a generic blog today, I will try to do some more again. We are going to go to St. Augustine in a week or so, and I hope to have pics and stories about that trip. Til then, God bless and good night.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Moving Along
I can't believe it's been over 2 months since I posted. I have to admit, I think about it, but not much was happening while parked at Gary's sisters home, and I didn't think everyone wanted to hear over and over about what Gary did in the barn that day. We had originally planned to spend some time in Michigan, but we always have to say God willing. We had to replace the rubber roof on the RV and that is very costly. So needless to say, it was unexpected and put a crimp in the finances. We were praying about what to do. We decided to call to a place in Kentucky where our son-in-law was the associate director for 3 years and we had talked about volunteering there. When I got out my phone to call someone, I noticed a voicemail I hadn't seen before. Upon listening, it was the place in Kentucky calling and saying they really needed volunteers to come and would we be interested. The wonderful thing about it was the voice mail was 2 weeks old!! God saw our need before we did and supplied for us. So we have been here going on 3 weeks now. We started out working in the dinning hall. Cleaning tables, setting up tables for meals with ketchup, syrup, or whatever is needed for that meal, vacuuming,etc. It is really easy work for a place to park, 3 meals a day, laundry facilities, and good fellowship. When we arrived, there were several other volunteers. We had a wonderful time playing dominoes and just yakking. 2 of the ladies were always crocheting when not working and one day we had a chat and crochet time. I hadn't crocheted for awhile, and now I'm a whirlwind. The other day I made 4 items in about 8 hours, in between shifts. As of Saturday past, all the other volunteers left and its just Gary and I still here in our RV. The volunteer coordinator is on vacation this week and gave us the keys to things in the dinning room. The head maintenance man and his wife had to leave this morning because her father is dying and Gary was told he would be doing maintenance detail this week. I'm off for 3 days and some local gals are coming in to do the volunteer work. Because I still get worn out , they have been soooo good to not overwork me. The place we are at is Cedarmore Conference Center. It is in Bagdad, Kentucky. About 25 miles away from most populated areas. As I stated before, our son-in-law was here for 3 years and we have visited many times. It sits on 700 acres. There are an abundance of deer and wild turkey here. In the fall, they would come up in our daughters back yard in groups of as many as 6-7.
Here in the summer, they have church camp and can have as many as 500 kids at one time. They also have groups like cancer kids, YMCA, adult retreats, etc.There is a lake with a blob in it. A climbing tower, a fishing lake, horses, bikes, and a mud pit. That was sooo much fun to watch the kids do. Our granddaughter got to come as a camper for the first time this year and it was a great time for her. In the past, because she lived here, she got to hang out a lot but couldn't participate in too many things. The first day here, she came and hugged grandpa and I. The second day we sought her out and hugged her. The third day she waved at us and the last day, well I think she forgot we were here!!! This weekend we will go to our daughters' home and take care of our grandson for 3 days while they attend a wedding. My son-in-law will officiate the ceremony, our daughter will do the photography, our 2 little granddaughters are in the wedding, and so we get to watch our grandson. It is also his birthday and so we will do something special with him.
We got to have this past Sat off so we took a trip to Shaker Village. I was going to post pics and write about it but as I was downloading the pics, the battery on my camera died, so I will do that at a later date.
We will remain here possibly until the end of October. We hope then to swing by Gary's brothers in Pennsylvania and visit my brother in the D.C. area. Then on to Florida and Lake Yale where we volunteered last winter. We have communicated with a few others who were there last winter at the same time and are so excited that we will be working with these wonderful people again. We have been asked to go to Jamaica for 4 months to do some missionary work at that same time period. We are praying about it. Well, hubby is sitting here with me and ready to head back to the RV for the evening. Oh, we can't get cell phone in the RV or computer hookup, except in the dinning hall, so our kids can't call and I can't hang out on my computer for hours. Actually, I'm glad because I'm doing other things and realize I was spending too much time on it anyway.
There are highs and lows of this lifestyle, but it is an adventure we're glad we embarked on. Until next time, God bless......
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Passing of a fatherly uncle
We received a phone call today we had been expecting. Gary's uncle passed away this am. He was more like a father to my husband. We had been able to visit him 3 times since we arrived here in April. What made is extra special was that he had been alert and communicative each time. When we talked to his daughter, she would tell us that the day before we visited,(all three times) he had been unresponsive and they thought that he was going to be gone before the next day. So my hubby was able to relay to unc how much he loved him and appreciated all his fathering. aThe last time we visited him at the hospice he actually looked better than he had for months. We haven't cried yet. Gary is remembering him fondly and thanking God for the blessing he was to him.
Mothers Day was really nice. We invited Gary's mom, his sister and her hubby and our youngest daughter over for grilled hamburgers and bratwurst, potato salad, baked beans, and pineapple upside cake(made by my sister-in-law.) I wasn't sure how we would all fit inside the rv as it had rained all the previous week and was very muddy outside. It worked out great. I love having company. Our daughter was so at home that she fell asleep on the couch for awhile. Just like the old days!!!
Gary continues to work in the barn, hanging plywood and doing electrical work. I worked in the gardens today, but became very tired after a couple of hours and so I've just hung out for the rest of the day inside on the computer. Last week, the day after Mothers day, Gary, myself, sister and bro-in-law, neighbors next door and neighbors on other side went down the road to a neighbors house and weeded her gardens and trimmed bushes. Her husband had passed away 3 days before and it was a way to bless her. Working with others, and blessing someone in such a way is what this is all about.
Just heard on the news tonight that the Superbowl is going to be played here in Indy in 2012!! Go Colts! What a boost to the economy here that will be. We aren't big football fans, but when the Colts played in the Bowl the past two years, we watched and cheered with the rest of you all. It really is (was) a great place to live.
We've been eating at home more, plus my sister-in-law has us for dinner about 3-4 nights a week. I think it is her way of thanking us for all the work Gary is doing here. But we keep telling her we are so grateful for being able to stay here that she doesn't have to do that. But she is and always has been so giving and good to us.
We got a call the other day that surprised us very much. It was from a collection agency. Apparently, we had charged some gas in Jan. on our Shell card. It had been sent to our old address and was posted as not living there. It happened twice. Well, we have not been at that address for almost 11 months and have had our mail forwarded since then. And we have gotten all our bills and several from them since we went on the road. As usual, you have to call more than one number before getting anywhere. Finally, we paid it over the phone. They are sending us a letter in a couple of weeks, and we will then call Shell back and try to get this taken off of our credit report as we had excellent credit and this could possibly effect it.
Well, I'm gonna try to retire earlier this evening. That means before midnight and it is now 11:19, so until nextime, we're just passing through....
Mothers Day was really nice. We invited Gary's mom, his sister and her hubby and our youngest daughter over for grilled hamburgers and bratwurst, potato salad, baked beans, and pineapple upside cake(made by my sister-in-law.) I wasn't sure how we would all fit inside the rv as it had rained all the previous week and was very muddy outside. It worked out great. I love having company. Our daughter was so at home that she fell asleep on the couch for awhile. Just like the old days!!!
Gary continues to work in the barn, hanging plywood and doing electrical work. I worked in the gardens today, but became very tired after a couple of hours and so I've just hung out for the rest of the day inside on the computer. Last week, the day after Mothers day, Gary, myself, sister and bro-in-law, neighbors next door and neighbors on other side went down the road to a neighbors house and weeded her gardens and trimmed bushes. Her husband had passed away 3 days before and it was a way to bless her. Working with others, and blessing someone in such a way is what this is all about.
Just heard on the news tonight that the Superbowl is going to be played here in Indy in 2012!! Go Colts! What a boost to the economy here that will be. We aren't big football fans, but when the Colts played in the Bowl the past two years, we watched and cheered with the rest of you all. It really is (was) a great place to live.
We've been eating at home more, plus my sister-in-law has us for dinner about 3-4 nights a week. I think it is her way of thanking us for all the work Gary is doing here. But we keep telling her we are so grateful for being able to stay here that she doesn't have to do that. But she is and always has been so giving and good to us.
We got a call the other day that surprised us very much. It was from a collection agency. Apparently, we had charged some gas in Jan. on our Shell card. It had been sent to our old address and was posted as not living there. It happened twice. Well, we have not been at that address for almost 11 months and have had our mail forwarded since then. And we have gotten all our bills and several from them since we went on the road. As usual, you have to call more than one number before getting anywhere. Finally, we paid it over the phone. They are sending us a letter in a couple of weeks, and we will then call Shell back and try to get this taken off of our credit report as we had excellent credit and this could possibly effect it.
Well, I'm gonna try to retire earlier this evening. That means before midnight and it is now 11:19, so until nextime, we're just passing through....
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Merry Month of May
Spring is definitely here and beautiful. On the drive to Indy from Fla., we saw spring breaking out everywhere. The Wisteria were gracefully swaying from the trees and it made me want to watch Gone With The Wind again. We saw redbuds and tulips and many flowering trees and bushes. Then when we arrived in Indy, it was a bit chilly and we had to get some warm clothes out again. A few nights, it got in the low 30's. But finally spring came again! The redbuds are blooming. We picked some blooms from a lilac bush today and the fragrance is permeating the RV. The tulips have come and gone, and now the daisys, tiger lillies, and all the summer perennials are beginning to bloom. We have got to see spring 3 times this year already!! This is one of the blessings of this lifestyle.
We have really been busy this past month. At first, I was really getting very tired and would work a day and rest a day or two, but this week I think that is starting to let up a bit. We spent the day yesterday helping my husband's sister and her hubby(where we are parked) put up particle board in a room in their 3000 sq. ft. barn. She and I did all the anchoring of screws in the boards while Gary cut them. Then we put a wall up in the middle of the room. I hadn't been able to do that kind of work for quite a while and thought I would be really sore today. But I wasn't. I don't know why but am so grateful to be painfree today. We(Gary and I) were then able to go today and help someone with some gardening and mowing.
This past weekend we visited a daughter in Plymouth. She has started a new job there. So we took a tour of her place of business. We also got a private tour of the Pioneer Seed Production Plant. Her boyfriend is an agronomist there. We did not grow up on a farm or have any interest in such things growing up, but I find as we grow older, we like to learn of anything new to us. My thoughts were just that farmers grow corn, took it to the grain elevator, shipped it to factories, and we get it in products, frozen, fresh or whatever. It ain't that way no more. Well, maybe in small towns. It is a big business and the tour was really informative and interesting. This plant is the second biggest in Pioneers businesses. I won't be able to tell you the procedures or anything, but I want to tell you a funny thing that happened. We were in a certain building, and we were going to go up 4 floors. I'm short and overweight and a bit old and I didn't want to do 4 flights of stairs,( wasn't sure I was up to it!)So while boyfriend and husband took the stairs, my daughter and I took a service elevator. It was probably 4'x4',had an accordian type closure, and a windowed door had to be opened when landing to exit the thing. We went upstairs, took the tour, and re-entered the elevator to to down. Down, down , down, and then we got to the destiny-except we stopped it about 4 inches shy of lining up with the floor. We tried to open the door and-nothing! We couldn't open the door. So we tried again. Couldn't open the door. At least there was a window and so we could see the guys descending the stairs and hopefully coming our way. They step off of the stairs and started walking around!! No-come over here. We had to beat on the window to get their attention and they did turn around and come over. They of course wondered why we weren't out yet. So we told them the door wouldn't open. They tried and it wouldn't open. Now, one of my greatest fears is getting stuck in an elevator!!! And here we were!! I started to panic a bit. I could just see it on the news-mother and daughter stuck in elevator and the local fire dept. had to saw them out!! We pushed the up button and the down button, trying to get it to move or do something! NOTHING. The guys tried the door 7 or 8 times, we were hitting the buttons. Boyfriend kept saying that the door and the beam wasn't quite lining up right. Somehow, after much jiggling, we pushed a button, it went up a bit, then we were able to lower it so it was level with the floor. and got out!!!! It only lasted about 5 minutes, and thank God there was a door with a window, but it took me a few minutes to calm down afterwards. Oh, I was laughing, as were the others, but I realized how much we,(I) don't like not being in control! What would I have done if it was a regular elevator without a window? We aren't in control of anything in life really. I thought I learned that when I had cancer. That was one of the first things I realized is that we aren't in control, God is. Seems like I'm trying to take things back again. Anyway, it will be something we as a family will look back on and have one more thing to laugh at.
Two weekends ago we headed the other direction, went to Kentucky to visit the grandkids and daughter and hubby. Well, our 8 year old granddaughter was getting baptized and we wouldn't have missed it for anything. She loves the Lord and is such a compassionate child for her age. And the other granddaughter was having a birthday the next week, so we did a lot of celebrating. On Sat, they went to the zoo with some friends for a different child's birthday, so Gary and I took a nice drive to a little town that a gal told us of. First we took the Kentucky Scenic Byway to arrive at the town of Midway. The drive alone is worth it. Just miles of horse farms and quiet, beautiful roads. I had taken my camera that day, and got a few pics of the town, and then my batteries died. All along the way is wonderful old, stone fences. The horse farms have many barns and a lot of them are new. I just can't imagine the finances that are in these farms. Then we arrived at the wonderful town of Midway. It was built in the early 1800's on a railroad line. It was midway between Lexington and Frankfort on the railway, and hence the name Midway. The town was restored buildings, which housed coffee shops, restaurants, and the usual what-not stores. It is a little pricey, but you could just walk and enjoy the town. There were 2 churches we saw that were from the 1870's and the architect was beautiful. And driving through the town we feasted our eyes on some wonderful homes. There is also a small college(but we can't remember the name of it.) We just think this is one of those places that is unknown, but well worth the drive there.
I REALLY am going to try to write more often. I wasn't sure anyone would really like to hear our day to day doings since we are parked here for a couple of months, but as I read other RV blogs, I realize that's just what this is about and even if we are parked, people can get a sense of what living in the RV is like. Till next time,....just passing through!
We have really been busy this past month. At first, I was really getting very tired and would work a day and rest a day or two, but this week I think that is starting to let up a bit. We spent the day yesterday helping my husband's sister and her hubby(where we are parked) put up particle board in a room in their 3000 sq. ft. barn. She and I did all the anchoring of screws in the boards while Gary cut them. Then we put a wall up in the middle of the room. I hadn't been able to do that kind of work for quite a while and thought I would be really sore today. But I wasn't. I don't know why but am so grateful to be painfree today. We(Gary and I) were then able to go today and help someone with some gardening and mowing.
This past weekend we visited a daughter in Plymouth. She has started a new job there. So we took a tour of her place of business. We also got a private tour of the Pioneer Seed Production Plant. Her boyfriend is an agronomist there. We did not grow up on a farm or have any interest in such things growing up, but I find as we grow older, we like to learn of anything new to us. My thoughts were just that farmers grow corn, took it to the grain elevator, shipped it to factories, and we get it in products, frozen, fresh or whatever. It ain't that way no more. Well, maybe in small towns. It is a big business and the tour was really informative and interesting. This plant is the second biggest in Pioneers businesses. I won't be able to tell you the procedures or anything, but I want to tell you a funny thing that happened. We were in a certain building, and we were going to go up 4 floors. I'm short and overweight and a bit old and I didn't want to do 4 flights of stairs,( wasn't sure I was up to it!)So while boyfriend and husband took the stairs, my daughter and I took a service elevator. It was probably 4'x4',had an accordian type closure, and a windowed door had to be opened when landing to exit the thing. We went upstairs, took the tour, and re-entered the elevator to to down. Down, down , down, and then we got to the destiny-except we stopped it about 4 inches shy of lining up with the floor. We tried to open the door and-nothing! We couldn't open the door. So we tried again. Couldn't open the door. At least there was a window and so we could see the guys descending the stairs and hopefully coming our way. They step off of the stairs and started walking around!! No-come over here. We had to beat on the window to get their attention and they did turn around and come over. They of course wondered why we weren't out yet. So we told them the door wouldn't open. They tried and it wouldn't open. Now, one of my greatest fears is getting stuck in an elevator!!! And here we were!! I started to panic a bit. I could just see it on the news-mother and daughter stuck in elevator and the local fire dept. had to saw them out!! We pushed the up button and the down button, trying to get it to move or do something! NOTHING. The guys tried the door 7 or 8 times, we were hitting the buttons. Boyfriend kept saying that the door and the beam wasn't quite lining up right. Somehow, after much jiggling, we pushed a button, it went up a bit, then we were able to lower it so it was level with the floor. and got out!!!! It only lasted about 5 minutes, and thank God there was a door with a window, but it took me a few minutes to calm down afterwards. Oh, I was laughing, as were the others, but I realized how much we,(I) don't like not being in control! What would I have done if it was a regular elevator without a window? We aren't in control of anything in life really. I thought I learned that when I had cancer. That was one of the first things I realized is that we aren't in control, God is. Seems like I'm trying to take things back again. Anyway, it will be something we as a family will look back on and have one more thing to laugh at.
Two weekends ago we headed the other direction, went to Kentucky to visit the grandkids and daughter and hubby. Well, our 8 year old granddaughter was getting baptized and we wouldn't have missed it for anything. She loves the Lord and is such a compassionate child for her age. And the other granddaughter was having a birthday the next week, so we did a lot of celebrating. On Sat, they went to the zoo with some friends for a different child's birthday, so Gary and I took a nice drive to a little town that a gal told us of. First we took the Kentucky Scenic Byway to arrive at the town of Midway. The drive alone is worth it. Just miles of horse farms and quiet, beautiful roads. I had taken my camera that day, and got a few pics of the town, and then my batteries died. All along the way is wonderful old, stone fences. The horse farms have many barns and a lot of them are new. I just can't imagine the finances that are in these farms. Then we arrived at the wonderful town of Midway. It was built in the early 1800's on a railroad line. It was midway between Lexington and Frankfort on the railway, and hence the name Midway. The town was restored buildings, which housed coffee shops, restaurants, and the usual what-not stores. It is a little pricey, but you could just walk and enjoy the town. There were 2 churches we saw that were from the 1870's and the architect was beautiful. And driving through the town we feasted our eyes on some wonderful homes. There is also a small college(but we can't remember the name of it.) We just think this is one of those places that is unknown, but well worth the drive there.
I REALLY am going to try to write more often. I wasn't sure anyone would really like to hear our day to day doings since we are parked here for a couple of months, but as I read other RV blogs, I realize that's just what this is about and even if we are parked, people can get a sense of what living in the RV is like. Till next time,....just passing through!
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Back Home Again In Indiana
Well, we have been "home" for 9 days now. Thanks Terry for inquiring how I am doing. I was actually down for 2 weeks with the sinus infection. I coughed so hard , I , well, actually vomited sometimes (sorry) and hurt all over. I was afraid when we got back to Indy, I might get sicker because of the cold weather, but I'm doing good. We were greeted very warmly at church last Sunday morning. We had attended there 23 years before movin on and it is bittersweet coming back. We had a 12 hour day that Sunday. We lunched with some dear friends, went back to church for a special meeting that had been called, and spent about 5 hours with our middle daughter. It was probably the best time we have ever spent with her.
The next day, we went to my mother-in-laws , along with my sister-in-law, her husband and her daughter , to help clean up the lawn and get it ready for mowing. As we were leaving, everyone but myself were already outside, and as I headed out the door, it happened. Mom H. fell. She is 80 years old, and she still takes her class C and goes camping with her camp club. Anyway, I hollered to the others to come in and we got her up. Nothing was broke, but she did have some very sore places the next day. We insisted she get a cell phone to carry with her at all times in case she falls when no one is around. She did comply and now we can all rest a bit easier.
We had a busy week working around Gary's sisters' place. They have graciously let us stay here again. We were parked here while I went through chemo and they are so good to us. She made dinner every night last week and fed us. It was wonderful to dine and converse with them daily. We are helping shore thing up as they prepare to put their place up for sale in a couple years. This weekend we all went up to northern Indy to help their daughter and son-in-law tear out some lathe and plaster walls and put in a big new window in their 100 year old plus home. There was old insulation in the walls and it was everywhere!! I had the privilege of watching our 4 month old great niece. She is adorable and smiles much and just melts your heart. Her little brothers just kinda hung out . We ate well and had a great visit. We ended the weekend by attending their church. It is in a farming town and I would assume most of the local churches have been well established. They started 2 years ago meeting in a school and now meet in the community center. They have about 400 in attendance now! Like so many churches now, the pastor wears jeans and drives a Harley. There is a band. We love this kind of church. No stuffy suits. Jesus went where the people were. They were smelly fishermen and tanners.They came to hear him just as they were. No polished shoes or made up faces. Just come. Then we went back to the house, had lunch, and they finished up some electrical work. On the way home we stopped at a small drive thru ice cream place. Gary and I had an extra thick chocolate malt. It was soooo good. Tasted just like when we were kids. Oh, I forgot to tell you that we left Fla and it was 80 degrees and tonight it will be 28 degrees. And today there was icy rain coming down on the way back. I do not miss this weather and if we can plan it better, we will wait til nicer weather to return next year.
Tomorrow we have to go get our taxes. We owe! Ouch! Hopefully, next year we won't owe anything. One of the reasons we came back was Gary was going to sub bus drive to nest egg a little extra cash so we could spend the summer in Michigan and not have to volunteer. I still get worn out from the chemo and it could be awhile before the aftereffects stop. So we were going to spend at least two months resting. But with the price of gas, it looks like we will still volunteer along the way. We will stay here probably for 3 months and that will help. We also wanted to do some remodeling inside the RV but looks like that is to be put on hold. One thing we realized is we sure do like sleeping in our little home and own bed. Not that we didn't enjoy our visit. But I remember laying in the bed having trouble falling asleep and wondering if it was because the room was so big and I was missing my "cocoon" bedroom!!! Well, that's a good note to end on and until next time, we're just passing through.......
It
The next day, we went to my mother-in-laws , along with my sister-in-law, her husband and her daughter , to help clean up the lawn and get it ready for mowing. As we were leaving, everyone but myself were already outside, and as I headed out the door, it happened. Mom H. fell. She is 80 years old, and she still takes her class C and goes camping with her camp club. Anyway, I hollered to the others to come in and we got her up. Nothing was broke, but she did have some very sore places the next day. We insisted she get a cell phone to carry with her at all times in case she falls when no one is around. She did comply and now we can all rest a bit easier.
We had a busy week working around Gary's sisters' place. They have graciously let us stay here again. We were parked here while I went through chemo and they are so good to us. She made dinner every night last week and fed us. It was wonderful to dine and converse with them daily. We are helping shore thing up as they prepare to put their place up for sale in a couple years. This weekend we all went up to northern Indy to help their daughter and son-in-law tear out some lathe and plaster walls and put in a big new window in their 100 year old plus home. There was old insulation in the walls and it was everywhere!! I had the privilege of watching our 4 month old great niece. She is adorable and smiles much and just melts your heart. Her little brothers just kinda hung out . We ate well and had a great visit. We ended the weekend by attending their church. It is in a farming town and I would assume most of the local churches have been well established. They started 2 years ago meeting in a school and now meet in the community center. They have about 400 in attendance now! Like so many churches now, the pastor wears jeans and drives a Harley. There is a band. We love this kind of church. No stuffy suits. Jesus went where the people were. They were smelly fishermen and tanners.They came to hear him just as they were. No polished shoes or made up faces. Just come. Then we went back to the house, had lunch, and they finished up some electrical work. On the way home we stopped at a small drive thru ice cream place. Gary and I had an extra thick chocolate malt. It was soooo good. Tasted just like when we were kids. Oh, I forgot to tell you that we left Fla and it was 80 degrees and tonight it will be 28 degrees. And today there was icy rain coming down on the way back. I do not miss this weather and if we can plan it better, we will wait til nicer weather to return next year.
Tomorrow we have to go get our taxes. We owe! Ouch! Hopefully, next year we won't owe anything. One of the reasons we came back was Gary was going to sub bus drive to nest egg a little extra cash so we could spend the summer in Michigan and not have to volunteer. I still get worn out from the chemo and it could be awhile before the aftereffects stop. So we were going to spend at least two months resting. But with the price of gas, it looks like we will still volunteer along the way. We will stay here probably for 3 months and that will help. We also wanted to do some remodeling inside the RV but looks like that is to be put on hold. One thing we realized is we sure do like sleeping in our little home and own bed. Not that we didn't enjoy our visit. But I remember laying in the bed having trouble falling asleep and wondering if it was because the room was so big and I was missing my "cocoon" bedroom!!! Well, that's a good note to end on and until next time, we're just passing through.......
It
Sunday, March 23, 2008
How Time Flies When You're Feeling Bad!!
I went to the blog today and saw that I hadn't written for almost 2 weeks. We do work hard here and evenings are really let down time. Mom and dad came back last Sunday from their train trip up north. Mom came down with pneumonia when they returned. I got what I believe is a sinus infection and was in bed Wed-Sat. I still feel lousy and am debating whether to go work tomorrow. I keep my self up at night coughing which really wears one out. So I'll see how I feel in the morning.
When I was working, we painted a kitchen in South Camp. It is purple, but it is clean and looks great. Some of the other volunteers ladies were sanding rusty legs on the stainless steel equipment in the kitchen. They then painted them and they look as good as new. We also had to repaint about 70 table legs that got splattered with floor paint. It is a wonderful group of people to work with here. I think it would be neat if young people could come here and be mentored by such hard working older people. Some of these people have health issues such as heart, sight, etc and they are amazing the way they keep going and giving.
I was priviledged to work in the cafe a few nights. Nothing great about that in itself, but the majority of the clientel were blind. It makes you really have to think about handing them a drink or giving their change. Most who were totally blind had guides or guide dogs. Several of them had been sighted at one time and now have macular degeneration. They can only see off to the sides, not straight ahead. One lady came in daily and we got to talking. She crochets by feel. She lost her sight about 10 years ago. She gave me some coasters she had made. When I asked her how much they were, she said she never charges, she just likes to make them and give them away. I enjoyed myself immensely.
We did go to church this morning to celebrate our wonderful Saviors' resurrection. It was wonderful to fellowship with other believers and hear the word of the Lord again. We haven't been able to attend anywhere for several weeks and it was like a drink of cold water. People were friendly. The thing I miss most about a home church is that you don't know anyone and can't stand around afterwards and visit.
We will leave on Sunday the 31st and head back to Indy, making a few stops along the way. Maybe I will be able to breath again by then!!
Gary had been working with another man on a tile job at the camp directors house. He is a jack of all trades. He had remodeled our two bathrooms in our stick house when we were getting ready to put it on the market. He did tile work in both and it was beautiful.
Talked to our girls today. This is another first holiday without the kids. Our youngest was making candles when we called. She said she was thinking about when they were little and we would hide eggs and baskets for them . She had to work today. Our middle daughter called us and said she starts her new job on Tuesday. So glad she finally found a job. They will give her a car and insurance and gas. That is great for a starter job. Our oldest daughter said they had an egg drop at their church. A helicopter dropped plastic eggs on ther grounds. I'm not sure how that works but she said it was better than she thought it would be.
The weather today was just beautiful. Warm breeze(except the pollen was high) about 79 degrees and a sunny sky. I did make a pork loin roast in the slow cooker, some mashed potatoes, veggies and a luscious dessert today. Our neighbors came over for some dessert and ice cream and we sat outside for a while, but I finally had to come in as the pollen was really getting me coughing.
Spent the evening making phone calls, doing some computer stuff, and watching our favorite show, Extreme Makeover, Home Edition. My hubby tears up almost every week. He is so tender hearted. Oh, I forgot to mention, he did the dishes for me after supper, since I'm feeling lousy. What a sweetie!
Well, goodnight for now, and remember, this place is not our home, we're just passing through.....
When I was working, we painted a kitchen in South Camp. It is purple, but it is clean and looks great. Some of the other volunteers ladies were sanding rusty legs on the stainless steel equipment in the kitchen. They then painted them and they look as good as new. We also had to repaint about 70 table legs that got splattered with floor paint. It is a wonderful group of people to work with here. I think it would be neat if young people could come here and be mentored by such hard working older people. Some of these people have health issues such as heart, sight, etc and they are amazing the way they keep going and giving.
I was priviledged to work in the cafe a few nights. Nothing great about that in itself, but the majority of the clientel were blind. It makes you really have to think about handing them a drink or giving their change. Most who were totally blind had guides or guide dogs. Several of them had been sighted at one time and now have macular degeneration. They can only see off to the sides, not straight ahead. One lady came in daily and we got to talking. She crochets by feel. She lost her sight about 10 years ago. She gave me some coasters she had made. When I asked her how much they were, she said she never charges, she just likes to make them and give them away. I enjoyed myself immensely.
We did go to church this morning to celebrate our wonderful Saviors' resurrection. It was wonderful to fellowship with other believers and hear the word of the Lord again. We haven't been able to attend anywhere for several weeks and it was like a drink of cold water. People were friendly. The thing I miss most about a home church is that you don't know anyone and can't stand around afterwards and visit.
We will leave on Sunday the 31st and head back to Indy, making a few stops along the way. Maybe I will be able to breath again by then!!
Gary had been working with another man on a tile job at the camp directors house. He is a jack of all trades. He had remodeled our two bathrooms in our stick house when we were getting ready to put it on the market. He did tile work in both and it was beautiful.
Talked to our girls today. This is another first holiday without the kids. Our youngest was making candles when we called. She said she was thinking about when they were little and we would hide eggs and baskets for them . She had to work today. Our middle daughter called us and said she starts her new job on Tuesday. So glad she finally found a job. They will give her a car and insurance and gas. That is great for a starter job. Our oldest daughter said they had an egg drop at their church. A helicopter dropped plastic eggs on ther grounds. I'm not sure how that works but she said it was better than she thought it would be.
The weather today was just beautiful. Warm breeze(except the pollen was high) about 79 degrees and a sunny sky. I did make a pork loin roast in the slow cooker, some mashed potatoes, veggies and a luscious dessert today. Our neighbors came over for some dessert and ice cream and we sat outside for a while, but I finally had to come in as the pollen was really getting me coughing.
Spent the evening making phone calls, doing some computer stuff, and watching our favorite show, Extreme Makeover, Home Edition. My hubby tears up almost every week. He is so tender hearted. Oh, I forgot to mention, he did the dishes for me after supper, since I'm feeling lousy. What a sweetie!
Well, goodnight for now, and remember, this place is not our home, we're just passing through.....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
