Memorial Weekend Accomplishments

Saturday-Monday, May 27-29, 2017
Ken and I spent a good deal of time out on the road on Saturday hitting a variety of stores to pick up a bunch of different items so we could complete several different projects at the house.

We purchased some window film to cut the amount of rays and heat that comes in our entrance window along with a kit to install it.

Then we found some black out curtains that also cut the amount of heat that enters the windows.  It was a color we liked so we ended up with several that I could then cut, rehem, and create other smaller ones from leftovers so we could not only complete what we needed in our entrance area but also our bedroom.

(the desk will replace the stacked chests which are going to our December yard sale)

We also picked up two ceiling fans with lights for the living room and dining room to replace what has now worn out.

Then we went to work tackling all the different jobs.  Today, Monday we are finally relaxing in the late part of the day cause it is all done.  Gosh that feels great.  And what a transformation.

Tomorrow the new mattress we purchased on Saturday will be delivered and the old hauled away.  Oh what a difference that will make.  I'd say we really accomplished alot and are super happy with the results.  (Meanwhile the new curtains are now in place and the room will be dark when we sleep) And Ken hopes to get a new ceiling fan and light put in over the bed before that mattress arrives.

Now we are eager to finish what we started in the front room.  Because the other thing we did was shop around for a desk for Ken finally finding something we both liked but presently is not available. Hopefully we can get that worked out soon.  We've decided to create an office in the front entrance room that Ken will be able to use regularly - especially now that he is the treasurer for our Hillcrest Association.  It will be nice for him to finally have a spot for all of his "stuff".  And since people will be in and out alot he can deal with them right there when they enter.

Frank and Bette invited us over to American Condo for a special picnic that was being held in the hall today.  Bette was on the committee but after serving was able to join us for the meal and some chat time before returning to the kitchen to help with clean up.  Meanwhile, I made a large salad for the affair that was all cleaned up.  Love it when it is all taken!!!!!  We were able to stop over to their place and check out the progress on their 2nd bedroom makeover also.  They've given it a 2 tone purple walls with white trim.  I love it!!!!  Their new bed comes this week along with the new floor that Loewe's is installing.  Makes me eager to get our kitchen floor and bedroom floor redone (bathroom too)

There is a New Car in our Future

Thursday, May 25, 2017
We drove out to Parks Ford on Wednesday morning with our suitcases to see if they would fit in the trunk of a 2017 Fusion Hybrid after having checked out both the Fusion and Edge last week.  The Escape is no longer towable so we have to either go larger and get an Edge or smaller and get a Fusion.  The Edge is another 1000 pounds heavier so while it has the trunk space for carrying things that we have grown use to with our present Escape, it would affect our already low gas mileage when towing it behind the motorhome.  Besides, it's mileage around town isn't so great either and I struggle with driving what we already have and don't really want anything bigger.

So after checking to be sure our luggage would fit into the car - tight but doable - we made the arrangements to get one with our salesman.  Presently they do not even have one for sale in their lot (we were looking at one in their rental lot) but they can search for cars in other dealers.  Me being me, I wanted the color blue.  They came up empty.  So we discussed ordering one with all the basic equipment we wanted.  There was a possible one they could get in four weeks so we left thinking that is what we would be getting.

A phone call later in the day informed us that one was not going to be available so they would have to place an order unless we would consider getting a different color.  The choices were limited - basically white and silver - so we decided to just go for what we wanted as we are willing to wait. Our car is nearing the end of its life but it still has life thank goodness though the hybrid battery is not as strong as it use to be.  So today, we confirmed with them that we wanted to order and would wait the 8 weeks or so to get what we want as long as we can still get the offer of no money down and O% financing.

So here is hoping that by the end of July we will be returning to Florida to pick up our new car.

Quilting and Playing Cards

Monday-Friday, May 22-26, 2017
What a fun week this has been!!!!  I've had the opportunity to quilt four out of the five days and play cards not only on Wednesday (at Emma Jean's) but Tuesday and Friday at American Condo with Bette's friends.  Could it get any better?

Emma Jean has developed a heel spur and been told to be off her feet as much as possible.  So to keep her mind off the pain, she pulled out her sewing machine and the one we are sharing.  She set up a six foot table in her kitchen with a machine at each end and cutting board in the middle.  Then she pulled out her boxes of scrap fabric donated my many different people.  Both of us cut up a sheet we each had into 10 1/2 inch squares and went to work.

The goal is to make enough squares so she can then make seven quilts - one for each of Santiago's boys who still live at home.  Last year she created similar ones for each of the five girls.  I have been wanting to learn how to make these scrap squares as well as get more sewing practice so I was thrilled to join her and help create.

 The machine we share has 98 different fancy stitches that can be used for quilting so the goal has been to try as many of them as possible sewing in a variety of ways on each of these squares to add to their uniqueness.  What fun that has been.

This square is getting trimmed to its 10 inches on all sides

In addition, Emma Jean has patiently gone through the process of how to cut again with me (for some reason I can't seem to get this done consistently) including helping me cut out sashing and binding for a quilt I started last fall.  Hopefully before I leave her in June I'll finally have that completed.

While quilting on Tuesday, Bette called and invited me to come over and play cards with her friends at the clubhouse at American Condo.  Six of us gathered for a great game of Hand and Foot.  And I was invited back to do the same thing again on Friday.

Then, as has been our practice as much as possible this season, Orrie, Emma Jean and I played a different version of Hand and Foot on Wednesday afternoon.  We managed to complete 2 full games this week while the winds howled and rain poured down outside.  It was quite a storm but we were quite comfortable sitting inside watching and playing.

Summer Heat Overwhelmes Us

Sunday, May 21, 2017
We were up and off to the Social Hall early this morning to say good bye to all our MFW friends as we enjoyed a continental breakfast.  It was already in the 80s with a promise of 96 for a high and the humidity has now come to roost.

On our way back to our motorhome we stopped at a couple of our fellow members places to check them out - a 22 foot Minnie with a rear kitchen (2001) and an Era that was 24 feet long (2015).  We are really trying to decide if we should sell what we have and downsize since we aren't doing as much travel now and can leave items behind in our shed and park model.   But it is hard to give up our beautiful home on wheels especially cause it is now all paid for.

Anyway, I liked the Minnie with the rear kitchen but not the other one.  So many of them have what they call a "wetbath" which means the small area with the toilet is also the shower so you sit on the toilet to clean up.  Not my idea of the way to go!!!!

By 10:00 we had buttoned up, attached the car and were ready to head back to Zephyrhills.  Other than a stop for gas in San Antonio where we tried to clean off some of the love bugs that had smashed against the windshield and front end, we drove straight back parking in front of our place to empty our stuff out and then throughly clean the front end.  Then we put it back in storage.

When we first arrived I ran in and turned on the A/C and then proceeded to start the washer for the sheets, put things away in the fridge and cupboards and bring in the other items we had taken.  Then we went to work on the cleaning stopping often to mop the sweat off our faces and drink some water. Once the motorhome was returned, we turned on the ceiling fans and sat to rest for a bit and cool down.  Except I noticed I wasn't cooling down finally going and checking the thermostat and discovering the a/c was not working.  Ken checked switches and breakers but could find no explanation as to why it wasn't working.

I tried calling both Emma Jean and Harriett to get a suggestion of who we might call to come out and look at it.  Harriett had no idea and told me the reason I hadn't reached Emma Jean was she was in the pool, so I ran over there.  She told me the best person to call and I went back to do that and then to get into my suit and join them.  My clothes were sopping wet just from the sweat so I was glad to get refreshed a bit.

Unfortunately when I returned Ken said no one had returned his call and it looked like we were out of luck till tomorrow.  By this time the temperature had not gone down but up to 88 degrees inside and there was no breeze outside either.  I tried to just relax and read but found I simply couldn't relax and finally asked if we might be able to bring the motorhome back and park across the street where we could get air and sleep for the night.

By the time I got permission from Christy, and Ken got it up and running and back over to park it, the sun had gone down and we were doing it in the dark.  Not fun!!! But we did.  Only to plug it in and discover the electricity wasn't working.  Ken went out to see what he could do only to have the skies open up and the rains drench down!!!!  We had to give up and both of us got soaked to the skin running back to our place and then closing windows and mopping up all the water that came in.
 
I write this now at 11:30 still so hot and sticky there is no way I can settle down anywhere to sleep.  It is going to be a long long night!!!!  The windows and front and back doors are open but there is no breeze to help the outside air come in.   It is suppose to drop to 71.  Sure hope it finally seeps into the house!!!!!!!!

MFW Go to a Horse Race

Thursday-Sunday, May 18-21, 2017
I managed to get in my pool time for exercise early so it wouldn't interfere with our projected leaving time of 11:00 so we could arrive at the Wilderness RV Park in Silver Springs by 1:00 in time for the start of the May Mid Florida Winnies campout.  In fact, Dave and Donna Rumrill arrived just in front of us along with Barbie Shaffer in her motorhome.

We ran the generator all morning to get it cooled down inside since this 95 degree weather is tough to keep out of a house on wheels.  We continued to run it on our trip up so that we'd arrive with a cool camper.  Thank goodness we did cause then we ran into problems.  Ken plugged us in and it wouldn't work.  After fussing for over an hour he went searching for Jeff, our president, to see if Tom Zopff had arrived.  He had and was able to come over and use his mechanical skills to get our electricity working.  But we will now have to have service to get it fixed when we return as we've burned out the internal transfer switch - surge surpresser.  (This is the same thing that happened to us on a very very hot day in Chattanooga when we were traveling with our grandsons Reilly and Jason - that time we ended up in a motel for two nights)

By the time this was all done it was time for Happy Hour and our first chance to see everyone in one place.  Members of  two other clubs also joined us so we had 30 coaches all together - a good sized group for May.  The place was buzzing.  There was more high energy than usual because nine coaches of members are leaving from here to begin the trek to Alaska for a caravan there with Dave and Donna Rumrill acting as hosts.  (Below is a picture of five of the couples at their first stop Swanee State Park in Florida - they are enjoying dinner together)

They have been working together trying to arrange to travel together and see loads of things before reaching Alaska.  They had quite an itinerary.

Following Happy Hour, we joined 5 other couples for dinner at Miller's Ale House in Ocala.  Luckily Bob Christian had called ahead cause the place was extremely full but they had a spot for us at a high table.

Friday morning I joined Donna and Barbie at the pool for an hour of exercise and conversation.  The pool itself was probably double the size of the one we have here at Hillcrest with a beautiful garden and water feature waterfall at one end of it.  Yet despite the size of the campground, only 3 others were in the water giving us loads of space.

Afterwards, Ken and I drove into Ocala to a Dollar Tree to find items for me to make a "derby"hat for the competition that was taking place on Saturday.  Off and on rain had started as I returned to the RV from swimming so we took advantage of that kind of weather to not only do that but stop at a Loewes to look at their ceiling fans since we are needing new ones.

Again we returned in time for Happy Hour taking our utensils for dinner with us so we wouldn't have to walk back in rain.  After our dinner we played a fun game of Nickles at our table there were two different groups playing.  I won one of the games getting enough nickles so I could play three more and still go home with 3 more than I started with.

Saturday, following our morning breakfast with the group and MFW meeting, I returned to the pool but didn't last as long cause it was feeling very hot in the noon sun. Besides, Ken and I wanted to go to the Silver Springs State Park

and take the glass bottom boat ride.

 Unfortunately we ended up with a very bad guide and a group with a large number of children that were extremely noisy so we really couldn't hear anything the guide was saying in a low monotone.  But it was fun to get out on the water and see some of the springs.  They were easy to spot as the water was a turquoise shade whereever they were.

It was very clear water sometimes down to a depth of 90 feet,  We could see all the caves that the water was coming from as well as some of the fish in the area.

 On top of that, we got to see an alligator swimming across in front of us,

"snake" birds diving for food,

ducks, and turtles,

There were many people out kayaking or slowly moving around in little boats all just enjoying the hot summer day.

Following our ride we walked around the garden and wildlife area reading the signs and enjoying the views.

It has been probably 30 years since we've been there.  Unfortunately the private owner of the place went bankrupt and it sat unattended for a bit before the state took it over so it really is just now beginning to recover.

There are many paths for hiking within the park as well as a campground.

The heat and humidity kept us from staying very long besides which fact I needed to get back and make the salad for the evening meal as well as finish putting my hat together

before heading to Happy Hour/hat contest/conversation/dinner/horse race.

One of the first things on the agenda at the hall was the hat contest.  The theme for the weekend

was horse racing - the Preakness was actually going to take place later in the evening though we would be into our own races by then.

One of the workers at the campground acted as judge for the "derby"hats.  Everyone walked by her with their given number signs in hand.

The winners were announced and given a decorated bottle of wine.

Then all of us posed for a picture

Meanwhile most everyone was enjoying a mint julep and snacks that included these cookies created by Susan Kiefer.

Larry Deland had created this jockey cut out for the guys to pose behind

Here are Barb and John Trent - she has the mint julep in her hand

Following dinner,("Seabiscuit" -name of a race horse - subs and "cow" chips)we did a bit of betting and horse racing using this board and horses that Larry also created. He threw dice and the horses were moved forward to the pencil marks along the side according to what the dice were like 4 and 6.

Ken bet on horse #6 in the first race and it won giving him $6.  He decided to quit while he was ahead. :-)

 In the shot below you can see the bidders rooting on their horses as well as the blue ribbon table decorations for the weekend.

We picked up several new members including Ken and Mary Ann Long who live at Legacy in Leesburg where Sally Hungerford is.  They had just purchased a Winnebago and were staying at Wilderness.  They noticed lots of Winnebagos and ended up talking with the Rumrills eager to find out why.  They were invited to our activities and by the end of the weekend were fun participants in the club.  

All in all, it was a great weekend and a wonderful ending to our 2016-17 season.  They will begin meeting again in September though at this point it looks like it might be December before we make it again.

Florida Heat

Wednesday, May 17, 2017
We finally got some rain a couple of days ago - not gobs but at least we got a little.  However we are now paying for it.  The temperatures are in the 90s as they have been but the humidity has risen up into the 50-60 percents in the middle of the day with much higher in the early morning and evening.  And it only cools off into the 70s.  This morning the paper announced that Florida recorded its hottest average temperatures for the first four months of the year since 1895 with a record high in Tampa yesterday of 96.  Yes, the heat is truly now upon us.  And sadly the lack of rain has meant a huge number of fires here in the state.  It doesn't take much to send all the dry weeds, plants, trees and fields up into flames closing roads and sending lots of smoke up into the air.

I went to my appointment with Dr. Dudlani yesterday with great trepedation but came away dancing. My blood pressure was within normal ranges and she released me until November telling me to keep up with the things I'm doing - increased exercise and diet low in salt and processed  foods.  Thank goodness as she was really pressing me to start blood pressure medicine and I really don't want to be stuck taking regular medications.  Here is to a summer of being healthy!!!!

Harriett Hinton contacted me last night to say they are back from their Dallas trip and she can join me at the pool today.  Hooray!!! It is so much more fun to go up there and exercise when there is someone to chat with at the same time.  It is amazing how much easier it is and how much quicker the time flies by when you share it with others.

Mother's Day

Sunday, May 14, 2017
Apparently the work in the garden affected my lower back so by last night I had a great deal of pain in both legs and feet probably caused by the spinal cord being pinched by the bone growths I've acquired over the years.  I know the space has been narrowed a great deal as I've seen the xrays.  I should have known better, but oh well. The problem was that I got almost no sleep last night as the pain kind of overwhelmed me.  Anyway, it was hard to get up this morning and tackle the day but I did and even chose to wear a "new" dress I'd picked up a couple of weeks ago at the resale shop just down the street.   I figured that would help perk me up, and it did.  I even wore the new white sandals I'd just purchased to use with the dress.

Pastor Santiago Huron had a wonderful sermon about the importance of being a mother and raising your child in the Christian faith modeling how to live your love for the Lord and what a legacy that you leave behind when you do this.  He sited Eunice who raised Timothy to be such a wonderful disciple.  Of course many of us did not have this background so we were simply encouraged to make every effort then to do it now with any children we come in contact with helping to change their destinies.  He reminded us of what a difference in his life took place when a Christian woman picked him up when he was hitch hiking at the age of 15.  It turned his life around.  Following his sermon many in the congregation shared stories about their mothers and how they had affected their lives.  One woman shared that she never knew her birth mother, her adopted mother was somewhat loving but has been all of the people in the congregation that have truly been her loving Christian "mothers" and changed her life.  Hope is eternal!!!!

Each of the women in the congregation was given a beautiful white rose to take home at the end of the service. 

We came home and changed into more comfortable clothes (it was in the 90s and a bit more humid) just in time to then welcome Frank and Bette to our place for several rounds of Sequence and lots of conversation.  It was so good to have some time with them.  Their oldest granddaughter, Catherine, just graduated from Shippensburg University yesterday, magna cum laude, and they were able to watch the whole graduation on their phones as there was a camera right behind the person giving out the degrees.  It was exciting to see it ourselves since they were able to record it.  We were marveling over the fact that we are old enough to be seeing grandchildren graduate from college.  None of us feel as old as we thought our parents were when this time came in their lives. :-)

Over the last couple of days, several of our kids have had postings up about mother's day with some neat pictures along with this cute posting that Beth put up.  I just had to copy and paste it in.  

Bethany Ledford Thayer

May 12 at 6:25pm · 

Fill in the blanks and post to Facebook for Mother's Day:
How well do you know your MOM? Copy, paste, and fill-in the blanks. Then tag them to give you a grade.
1. She is sitting in front of the TV, what is she watching? She rarely watches tv
2. Usually, what salad dressing does she use? Oil and vinegar
3. Name something she hates? Speaking in front of an audience
4. What does she like to drink? Water
5. Favorite music? Barbershop
6. What is her nickname for you? Beth
7. What is something she collects? Miniature houses but she can't collect anything anymore because there is no room in the motor home
8. What would she eat every day if she could? Cantaloupe
9. What is her favorite color? Blue
10. What would she NEVER wear? High heels
11. What is her favorite sports team? She doesn't watch sports although claims she likes watching swim meets
12. What is something that you do that she wishes you didn't? Nothing - I'm perfect
13. You bake her a cake. What kind of cake do you make? She doesn't eat cake but if she did it would be German chocolate
14. Favorite animal? Cats
15. What could she spend all day doing? Playing games
16. Who is her favorite child? Whoever she is with
Carolyn Sykes Ledford how did I do?
I had to tell her she was pretty darn good at describing me!
Then she put up this picture to wish me a Happy Mother's Day!  It was taken on the cruise we just enjoyed together last month.

Sue was not to be outdone.  She too posted a "framed" picture and best wishes and then called and we had a nice long chat in the late afternoon. This picture was taken in her church courtyard a year or two ago.

Her beautiful card included a gift card for Ruby Tuesday that we will definitely enjoy sometime soon.

Then Janet posted this picture with a big Happy Mother's Day on it. It was taken a couple of years ago

when we were there on Mother's Day and went out to eat together after church.

She, too, sent along an Amazon card so I can keep buying books for my Kindle that she gave me years ago.

Dan called in the afternoon and we had a great chance to chat too.

By the end of day I truly was feeling blessed even though I was still in alot of pain.  There is nothing like all these wonderful "distractions" to take your mind off how you are feeling.  What a joy filled day I had.

Fixing Up the Garden

Thursday/Friday, May 11/12, 2017

I've let the space by the electric boxes and water pipes go to pot this whole season - been just lazy about doing anything with it short of look at it and say I'll get to that later.  Well, later finally came.

Ken and I went over to Lowe's and picked up some of the scalloped brick edging and some chips and I went to work.  The dirt in the center of the area is higher than on the sides so every time I've tried watering the dirt has slid down onto the sidewalk - thus the edging pieces.  

I grabbed a huge bucket we keep stored in the shed and started ripping out some of the weeds -- many needed help from not only a trowel but a shovel because they were so thick.  Ken helped me out by checking each of the edging pieces as I planted them being sure that I kept them level - that is something I wouldn't have even thought about which is why we made a good team.

Once all the scalloped edging pieces were in place, I worked hard at removing all of the rest of those nasty weeks as well as some plants I "found" amongst them which I then replanted in various spots making for a much nicer looking little garden.  I had some weed cloth that I cut and used in some of the open spots to try and keep down some of the weeds, then covered everything with the wood chips.  Just before putting down the chips I sprinkled the remainder of fertilizer "seeds" that I had left in the shed.  Then after putting down the chips I sprinkled them with weed granules to try and keep them from coming back up.

WOW!  It sure looks a whole lot nicer and now gives me pleasure everytime I go out to the backyard to hang my wet clothes from swimming or get my bike out of the shed.

Friday afternoon I enjoyed several hours of playing hand and foot with Emma Jean and Orrie.  We tried a different version that required that we complete 8 red and 8 black "books".  That meant each round took a very long time.  So we only completed to hands worth but it sure was fun just relaxing together!

Back in the Groove

Wednesday, May 10, 2017
What a joy to be able to get up, read the paper, have breakfast, and go to the pool - we're back into the routine once again.  Now I will admit there was a bit of a difference in that I had to run to the hair dressers for a haircut at 9:00 before going to the pool.  But then it did feel good to have it trimmed once again.

Harriett Hinton met me at the pool at 10:00 and we chatted till 10:55 while we ran in place, did twisting jumps and jumping jacks, kicks to the front, side and back, and kept the arms constantly pushing the water in a variety of ways so that we got a good workout while catching up with each other.  It was already pushing 90 degrees but the water kept us cool.  Exercise in the pool is the best cause you don't sweat!!

I also enjoy taking the bike ride around the park (a 2 mile trip) a couple of different times during the day.  There is a nice breeze and very little humidity so the ride was no problem despite the heat. Hardly anyone is here so it was super quiet on the roads too.

I spent a fair amount of time on the computer trying to get notes out to all our email addresses making the change to our new gmail address.  We are finally trying to break away from PeoplePc though I expect it will take quite awhile to accomplish the change.  The price for our email just kept climbing and it seems silly not to change when gmail is free.  Just tough

Ruby Tuesday was offering a one day special of buy one get one free so I contacted Frank and Bette and we made arrangements to go with them at 3:00 for "linner"  It was great having loads of time to relax and enjoy the meal with them without people eager to take the table.  It really is a good time to go for a meal and does cut back on what we eat when only have 2 meals a day.

This evening while out riding the bike I stopped to visit with Dale and Emma Jean for a short time. I'd hoped they could join us for "linner" tomorrow at Sergios but Dale has a full day of work so can't stop to do that.  But we will go with the Hintons.  Should be fun. They have never gone so we will be introducing them to the pizza there.

And while I write this Ken is busy watching Jeopardy.  Soon it will be time for Wheel of Fortune so must close so I can go enjoy that with him.

Home Again, Home Again

Monday-Tuesday, May 8-9, 2017
Ken and I were up early enough to be all packed, have breakfast and still be able to get Dagny out to her school bus stop at 7:35 and then take Anders to school at 8:00.  It was our final chance to have time with them before we set off for home.

Meanwhile Janet and Jack had breakfast and got Karsten ready for school and had a little playtime with him so we could enjoy a last few minutes of wonderful memories with all three of them.

But then it was time to climb into the car for the long drive home.  Traffic wasn't bad and we did take time to make a couple of rest stops and have lunch at a Wendy's before checking into the Quality Inn again in Hattiesburg and then going over to the Cracker Barrel for dinner.  In fact, there was still even some daylight so I could take a little walk before we settled down for the night.

We were both up quite early the next morning so back on the road shortly after 7:00 am knowing we'd be going through a time change - a leap forward as we were going from Central to Eastern time. Also, Ken wanted to drive to the post office in Crestview (so we could pick up the mail that had been accumulating the past few weeks) when we passed through that area of the Panhandle on our way back home.

Again we did take time to stop for lunch as well as some stretches and of course gas stops.

But we still were able to get back to Zephyrhills before dark stopping first at Panera for a meal and then Publix to get some food for breakfast tomorrow morning.

By the time we'd unpacked and thrown a load in the washer and watched a couple of Jeopardy shows we had taped, we were ready to call it a night.  It felt good to be back in our own beds.

Soccer, Soccer and More Soccer

Friday-Sunday, May 5-7, 2017
Well, we really did do more than watch soccer these three days, but Anders sure spent a fair amount of time out on the soccer field as his team, Evolution, was in a tournament during that period of time. That meant we were off to the field on Friday very shortly after he got home from school.  Actually Jack took him as he had to be there early and the rest of us followed shortly thereafter.  Since his game was early 5:15, we decided to wait till afterwards to enjoy dinner. Sadly his team did not win but we sure got to see him in action as the left back as he played the entire game making some excellent plays.

Here he is in the green shirt stopping the forward movement of the ball and sending it back to the players on his team.

Since this was Cinco de Mayo we decided a Mexican dinner would be appropriate and a favorite Mexican restaurant of theirs, Mercado Juarez Cafe, was just a few blocks from the field.  There we enjoyed a great meal and family time.

Anders second game was Saturday at the same time as Karsten had gymnastics so I elected to stay back and watch his session while Jack took Anders to the game that his team won and Dagny stayed home with Ken.  It was fun seeing all the things they do with three year olds at the gym.  He was working on forward and backward somersaults on a mat shaped like a hill, learning to do a flip on the bars as well as hang and swing his feet sideways to work on his core, balance on a moveable board, walk on the balance beam (that sat on the floor), and jumping on the trampoline learning to sit and then stand again.  It was hard to catch pictures of him but I did take a few attempts.

As soon as Jack and Anders returned home, Jack quickly loaded all of the camping equipment, food and clothing he and Dagny needed for an Indian Princess campout and they were off for that event.  Here she is with her special vest with her Indian Princess name on it.

On Sunday we sent Janet off to teach her Sunday School class at 9:30 giving Anders and Karsten more relaxed time at home to dress and eat their breakfast and then the four of us walked to the church where we met her after her class ended and then she took them to their classes and attended the contemporary service while we attended the traditional service.

Karsten was so tired by the time that we returned that he couldn't even concentrate on eating lunch so he took a long nap.  Luckily Jack came back in the early afternoon in time to get Anders to his last game of the tournament.  He had set up a shelter for us to sit under as it was quite hot especially out in the full sun.  Janet and I then drove out to watch the game while Ken stayed home so Karsten could continue his nap and Dagny could rest since she had not gotten much sleep in her tent. (hard to settle down in that atmosphere).  Again Anders played the entire game and their team won 7-2.

During odd moments of the day, Janet and I worked on cleaning the toy area and clothes closets searching for items that could be given to a large family that has just arrived from the Sudan and was in great need of toys and clothing.

Janet had a great recipe for beef and broccoli that was made in the crock pot so we were able to enjoy that as a family when it came time for dinner.

Before we knew it, it was time for the kids to settle down in bed for the night.  Janet and Jack usually go to bed after that is done since their days start early (especially Janet's who goes to Camp Gladiator for exercise at 5:00 in the morning).  We followed soon after ourselves knowing we were facing a long drive in the morning.

A Busy Week

Monday-Friday, May 2-5, 2017
What a whirl wind each morning is with three kids getting ready for school, having breakfast, gathering all the stuff they need to take with them, and simply getting ready on time!!  Dagny catches a 7:35 am school bus to get to her 2nd grade classes, while Anders and Karsten need a ride to their schools which are both on the same street several miles from here.  Anders goes early so he can do some work before his 6th grade classes begin - arriving around 8:00 am - and Karsten then goes to preschool arriving shortly thereafter.

Then our day would be free for doing things we wanted to do - often just enjoying quiet and relaxation, Ken going for walks and me riding my bike.  We did do several shopping trips including a stop at COSTCO which is only a couple of miles from here and a great adventure at the Central Market - a unique grocery store with shelves and shelves of very unusual items as well as all the usual stuff.  The day we went, we enjoyed lunch there taking advantage of the small cafe on the premises as well as all the wonderful offerings of prepared foods.  This place even has bagged meals that say dinner for 2 on the outside.  Intriguing.

Janet worked all day in her office sometimes popping out for a minute or two to get something or make a comment and then back to work.  But on Friday she actually was able to take off for an hour and a half with us to enjoy lunch at Brio - a nice restaurant at the Town Center.  It was delightful having her all to ourselves for a short period of time

Starting at 3:15 the busyness began again.  First Dagny came home on the bus eager to get her homework done - 20 minutes of reading and 10 minutes of math facts plus work on the spelling words for the week.  Of course, she also wanted a snack.  Before she would be done, Anders would come in (around 4:00) from his bus drop off point and also want a snack and spend time hitting the books.  He always has over an hour of homework to complete plus a need to practice his trumpet.

Then we were off to Karsten's preschool to pick him up and bring him home in time for supper.

After supper was the race to get to the activities of the day.  Monday all three had activities at the same place: Karsten a swim lesson, Dagny gymnastics, and Anders Brain Synx.  Tuesday was soccer practice for Anders.  Wednesday Anders had Brain Synx again.  Then Thursday was gymnastics for Dagny and Soccer for Anders.  Friday was a soccer game.  Since the kids can't be left home alone, this often meant that everyone had to be loaded into their car seats and taken whether they had an activity or not.

I really enjoyed watching the gymnastic sessions that Dagny had (Monday it lasted 2 hours).  She is in a pre team class which means the last one before actually preparing to be in a class that competes. She is mastering all kinds of skills on the beam, bars, trampoline and floor.  The only thing I didn't see was any kind of vaulting.

By the time the activity was done it was time for the craziness of getting everyone washed up, changed into pjs, and settled into bed after story time -- each in their own room with different books and conversation. Most of the nights I was able to read  with Dagny while mom and dad each took on one of the other kids.  But truly all of us were pooped by the time they settled.  In fact, Janet often fell asleep in one of the kids rooms after laying down with them to read and say prayers.

Finally it was Friday -- after the usual after school craziness, we were off to Dallas for the first game of Anders soccer tournament.  While his team lost it was fun to watch the interaction and how well Anders played.  This is his first year with this team and this coach.  The kids are still trying to master the basics of ball handling and team work.  But a great game on a beautiful night - low 70s and no humidity or bugs.

Afterwards, we drove to the nearby Mexican restaurant, Mercado Jaurez Cafe, for a great dinner and our celebration of Cinco de Mayo.  What a great ending to a very active week.

We Are In Charge

Sunday/Monday, April 30/May 1, 2017
Janet and Jack were off for the special time together at a bed and breakfast in the Austin area fairly early on Sunday morning.  They sent a couple of pictures of the infinity pool and lake at the place

along with one of Janet posing on their balcony just before they went off for dinner.

Meanwhile, Ken and I were in charge for the time they were gone.  We got the kids up, dressed and, and fed before setting off for our walk to the church.  It was fairly chill with a very strong wind so we hunted up clothing to keep us warm for that trip.  The sun then finally came out and began to warm things up for the remainder of the day.

The kids love getting to church and having a treat in the fellowship hall where they sell donuts and little sausages in a roll.  Fruit drinks are also available so they had a supplemental breakfast there before heading to their Sunday School classes and we to church.

Afterwards, Anders went with his 5th/6th grade group for a few hours of pizza and trampoline jumping.  Dagny had a birthday party in the afternoon so she too was off for several hours.  Ken was able to drive her to that and then go back to the church to get Anders.  Meanwhile I stayed home with Karsten playing in the yard for a while and then putting him down for a nap.

Ken did get Karsten to the store to purchase some Pokemon cards he wanted and also picked up a Tri-Ominos game so we could play that.  He had loved doing it when visiting with us and really wanted to play again.  We also showed Dagny how to play so she too could participate.

In the evening, we had supper together, played for a bit and then split the duties of getting them all settled down in bed for the night.  It becomes quite a process by the time everyone gets books read to them in their individual rooms.

Monday morning we were up early so as to get everyone up and off to school.  Dagny needs to be to her bus by 7;35 and Anders likes to be off in the car by 7:45 so he can get to school early and do some of his work before school starts.  Since his school is on the same street as Karstens preschool, they both go at the same time.

Since we'd already had practice with after school activities, we were in pretty good shape handling things when they came home and were close to ready to leave for all three activities in the evening, when Janet and Jack returned and took over.  This was to be Karsten's first swim lesson and she wanted to be there and I had the fun of watching him as well as Janet in her gymnastics class since they are right across from each other.  Anders was in a room across the hall for his brain styx session that includes time with a tutor working not only on class work but other brain inhancing activities.