Friday, July 26th

[BirdbyBird]

Just checking in. Lark and I spent a nice weekend with my son Ben and his family last weekend, spent watching what a busy family of three active boys and two parents who both work full time do. We went out for brunch on Sunday but most of the time the entertainment is just being able to observe the routines of the busy schedules and the kids being kids. They have a pool, so there is always a way to use up some of that youthful energy. And watching the 6 year old fill in a few unscheduled time with a rich imagination and multiple stuffed animals and paper for their football field.... is priceless. The boys are ages: 6, 12 and 14.

Monday we moved over to find Peggy's driveway in Hartford, Connecticut, and we also got to meet another full time RVer that Peggy has met in her years of traveling. Their pictures of Keno in Mexico, make it clear what inspires them to go back every winter. After three days and nights of catching up, reading, eating, laughter and great discussions (an advantage of not being on the forum is that we are permitted to speak of our observations and perspectives of current events and politics), Lark and I started our slow journey making our way to I-80 west. This morning we are waking up in a wonderful Cracker Barrel parking lot with a large swath of grass (for Lark) and only a low hum of traffic in the background that I talk myself into thinking it sounds like the roll of surf at the beach. Today we only have a couple of hours drive to land at Sharon and Buddy's house. So that is where we are headed next.

[Colliemom]

Morning Tina and all. Sounds like you are having a wonderful trip, spending time with family and the Peggy and her friend and Sharon is next in line. More visiting coming up.

I’m heading for a craft show this morning. It’s outdoor in a park, spread along the banks of the AuSable River in Grayling. Beautiful spot and always wonderful crafters. Will also go watch my Pastor and his partner run their time trial for the canoe Marathon tomorrow night. Theyhave to paddle upstream about a mile, turn around a bouy and back to the starting point. Needless to say, it’s hurry up and paddle. The race starts with a LeMans start of paddlers and their canoes running down a side street to the River with their canoes, jumping into the water, getting in and Thry are off. Pure chaos. Paddling nonstop 120 miles, all night to the finish line in Oscoda. Grueling race. Takes at least 14+ hours for the winners to arrive. Time trials determine the positions they will be in the starting line up.

Judy, hope you still have a campground to go to in Jasper. One fire came from the south and one from the north and merged together. Once they can get things under control, they can better assess.

[JudyJB]

Found out last night that dog does have lymphoma. She seems almost normal with steroids right now, so they are going to see what happens and put her down when she gets bad. At one point, my son was talking about getting another puppy, but i told him to give the kids time to process this and wait several months at least. Dog does not need a puppy companion now, to say the least!

Installed my new satellite receiver yesterday and was on phone over an hour with Dish getting it programed and set up. Working good now, but changer is slow and some buttons do not work, so will have to call again later today. Task for today is to use Cerakote on second fogged headlight. It will take me at least an hour, but the first one really got almost completely clear from my first efforts. High is 78 today, with a nice breeze off of Lake Erie, so I want to get it done before it gets hotter.

[BarbaraRose]

Good morning gals!

Tina, sounds like a fun trip visiting friends and family.

Sue, I love going to outdoor craft fairs! Usually stuff is too expensive for me but still fun to look at everything!

Judy, sorry to hear about the dog. I agree that a puppy would not be a good idea right now. As the dog starts feeling worse, the last thing he needs is a rambunctious puppy bothering him.

Need to get up and wash my hair, get dressed and get started back on the bedroom. Also have a haircut to do later today. Gonna be another hot day today so will keep all the blinds closed to maybe help keep it a little more comfy in here.

Have a good day!

[Acadianmom]

I went to Lafayette to have brunch with my camping friends. There were 8 of us. The restaurants are going to have to charge us rent because we were there 2 hours. I went to Walmart with my son and that pretty much killed the whole day. It rained on me the whole time I was out and I got another inch of rain.

My long winded step-daughter called and talked to me for 45 minutes. She must be hard up for someone to talk to. My son won't even answer if she calls him because he hates to talk on the phone more than I do. She talks so fast that I'm sure I miss most of what she says. When there is a pause I have to figure out what I'm supposed to reply to.

Tina, sounds like you are having a good trip with a lot of visiting.

Martha

[snowball]

my twin grandkids turn 18 today sure doesn't seem possible and because my son in law was going to be gone for a 6 week period of time for something to do with guard my dd asked it I could help her and where I worked at wouldn't work with me to cover me for when I needed to be back to work in Aug.... worked in the elementary school lunch program so I quit...then found out I worked long enough to get retirement not much I think a 100 a month but hey it all helps so it's been 18 years since I have held down a job... don't miss the daily grind at all .... then Larry retired the next spring so 17 years would still be on the road I am sure if it wasn't that life got in the way ...
I did do what I planned on today a step in the right direction still need to put clothes away but that won't take long...or it shouldn't anyway...
put a few rows on the one hat a couple rows on the afghan and decreased a few rows on the dishcloth... you increase till it's the stitches you want and then start decreasing I would love to have two of them done by the wedding... guess we will see...
those fires are terrible I don't get deliberately starting a fire surely there was a way to return to prison that was with less destruction ....
Brother didn't make it over today he was suppose to come and work on his son's back porch not sure why he didn't unless it was weather related but even though it rained some it wasn't a lot and it was windy or perhaps something didn't come that they needed... not been aware of the tv doing it's thing tonight but for the most part it's background noise... and some day's I am not totally zoned in on it.... although did pay attention to the mystery movie tonight so guess it wasn't doing it...
it's easy to get caught up in conversation isn't it Martha especially if it's people you enjoy being around
that is too bad Judy about your son's dog... it's always sad to see them get bad
Barbie it's really hard to go through things probably even harder when you don't know how much space you will have in your new rig... good luck with getting the stuff from one storage unit to another ... it's too bad that your unit is so hot...
Tina what a great trip you are having and seeing so many tell Sharon hello for me I've missed her...
how was the craft fair Sue do enjoy seeing things that people make rarely buy anything as you know ... space is a big factor and cost is as important but so love looking at the skills of people...
you all have a great day
sheila