Friday, August 31, 2018

Friday - Cloudy with Rain and Only in the 70's!

So nice to wake to cooler temperatures and lower humidity!  We were up by 5:15 and we did our morning routines, except I didn't have time to do my devotions.  I left at 6:20 to meet my Curvette ladies in Ephrata for breakfast.  What a fun time.  

Polly brought a "quiz" regarding nursery rhymes and she said if we got all the answers correct she would buy all of our breakfasts!  Obviously we really worked hard and together to be "winners"!  We had one answer that we weren't sure about and had to come back to it at the end but BINGO, we got it right.  So much fun and she so graciously paid all of our meals!  She is one amazing lady!

We left the restaurant around 8:15 and I had numerous errands to "run"!  I returned home at 10:15 and Ken had done a lot of reading and studying and also taken a long walk before the rain arrived.  We did some chatting, made some phone calls, and then I worked on this blog.

A repairman came to check out our washer and dryer.  The dryer needed a new dial, but the washer definitely needs to be replaced.  When on the spin cycle it sounds like an airplane taking off - it is so loud.  He said it will just get worse and eventually leak.  Donna, who rents below us, will be so happy when it gets replaced.  She felt like she needed to take "cover" whenever it when into the spin mode!

After lunch, it began to rain and it really came down for about 4 hours.  I believe we had about 4 inches or more, but in Mt. Joy, about 7 miles away and where my sister lives, they had 10.5 inches in about 3 to 4 hours.  The flooding of roads, homes, and cars in that area was amazing.  Cindy and John had a few puddles of water in their basement, but nothing major.  So many cars were stranded and even Amtrak trains in Elizabethtown could not get through the water in that area.

I spent time finishing my cleaning and Ken did some reading and studying, plus work at his desk.  After dinner, we finished the last 2 rounds of Hand and Foot and I dislike reporting that Ken won!  Not sure how that happened!

Ken caught up on his e-mails and I crocheted while watching America Ninja Warrior which we had not seen on Monday.  We were in bed by 10.


Thursday, August 30, 2018

Thursday - Hot Sunny Day, But Not As Humid!

Ken and I did our morning routines and then he left at 7:30 to have breakfast with Gary.  He returned around 9:15 and left almost immediately for a haircut here in Lititz.  

I was on my way to Masonic Village by 9:20 to pick up my mother and take her to the grocery store before going to her eye Dr. appointment.  All went well, so I picked up sandwiches at Subway for Mom, Dad, and I, drinks too, and we were back at Masonic by 12:30.  We put the groceries away and then Dad joined us to eat lunch and Ken arrived at about the same time.

We spent the afternoon playing 4 games of Pinochle and it was a terrible day for Mom and me.  We were dealt awful hands and the men won all 4 games!  So frustrating for ladies who like to be victorious!

Ken and I were back home by 5 and immediately put up my craft canopy.  In less than 24 hours of posting it For Sale, we had a buyer and he arrived to pick it up before we had it completely displayed.  He said we could stop setting it up because it looked great and he was happy to buy it - hallelujah!  He also took the weights and I sold him one of my folding tables, since his wife is also a crafter.  Amazing how quickly it was out of here!!!!

We had salads and leftover meat for dinner and then played 2 rounds of Hand and Foot - the 1st X we have done that for awhile.  We each won a round and Ken is ahead by about 400 points.  I think I can "take him"!

Got a call from Doloris and she was happy to tell me that Fred's health scare several days ago appears to be an infection.  What a relief for them and we were so happy to hear the good news.  The 4 of us are looking forward to camping together in Avalon, NJ in about 1 1/2 weeks!

By 8:45 I was in bed to do my devotions (no time earlier today) and to read.  It was lights out around 9:45!


Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Wednesday - Another Very Hot, Humid Day!

Well, this is another day where the temperatures are in the 90's but feel like over 100!  Crazy for this time of year!  

Ken was up around 4 because someone in the bed next to him was making some loud noises - I wonder who that could be?????  He did some reading and then was able to get a little more sleep on the couch.  I did my stretches in bed at 6:45 and finished the exercises while watching the Morning News.

We decided to take our normal downtown walk, again trying to beat the really hot part of the day!  Back to eat breakfast and get ready for my 10:00 appointment at the Pain Management Office.  Ken and I were both very impressed with the nurses and the very cordial and thorough Dr.  He feels that an injection in my back could be beneficial for my back, hip, and leg pain, so I have an appointment next Thursday for that procedure.  If this doesn't help my hip pain than we will know that it is a separate issue due to some arthritis.  I am cautiously optimistic that it will improve all these areas, but time will tell.

We were back home by 11:15 and decided to put up my craft canopy so we could take pictures of it and could post it For Sale on Craigslist.  What a hot job, but we got it accomplished.  I immediately came inside and posted it with several photos.  I am not planning to do any more outside craft shows (probably not any at all, but we will see!), so it is not something that we have room to store - it needs to go!  If you or anyone you know is looking for a strong 10 x 10 standard craft canopy in excellent condition, please let me know.  We are asking $75.00 and had paid $200.00 for it at Costco.







I also worked on my blog and then Ken and I had lunch.  I spent time downloading lots of photos to the Costco photo center and it took quite awhile to go through the many photos we have taken this year.  I also downloaded some books from the Ephrata Library onto my tablet!

Ken and I worked together to make salads for tonight and tomorrow night and then he grilled salmon and chicken and we had an early dinner, eating at 5.  Ken left at 5:30 to go to Ephrata Church of the Brethren to hear Dean Sensenig speak regarding his 30 day meditation "seminar" he attended.  I worked on some crafting projects - card holders and crocheting.  

I also sent an e-mail to the Althouse clan t give them additional information for the gathering we are having at Masonic Village on Monday to celebrate Mom and Dad's 70th wedding anniversary.  The actual date is September 11, but this is a date that worked for all members of our families.

Ken was home by 8 and we watched the eliminations on America's Got Talent.  I was very pleased with the results.

It was bedtime at 9:30.

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Tuesday - Extremely Hot and Very Humid!

Ken was up by 6:15 and prepared and sent his daily devotionals to several of his buddies.  I only rose at 7:15 and we watched the news.  We decided to go for about a 2 mile walk before breakfast and hoped to beat the heat.  But, it was already rather warm and humid!

Upon our return, we ate breakfast and then got ready for the day.  We left at 10:20 to deliver the Lititz Route for Meals on Wheels.  It is a short route mileage wise, but we delivered 19 meals and that is a lot.  That is the route we are most familiar with and so we are learning to know several of the people.

We were back home by noon and I decided to try to scrub the linoleum in our bathroom.  Why do they put those "grooves" in the flooring which allows all the dirt to collect in those "dimples"?  What a mess!  I read on line that Scrubbing Bubbles are a good thing to use to clean it and I must say it worked pretty well, but you really have to scrub!  

We ate lunch and I decided it was time to start cleaning the apartment.  So, I dusted all the rooms except the bath and office, which I will do tomorrow.  Ken was busy at his desk and making some necessary phone calls before leaving for his 2:30 dentist appointment to get a filling in a cracked molar.  He also stopped at Gary and Marcia's to give them some extra pieces for the Kubb game that we found at Jackie and Dan's.  She had mentioned at the Kubb Tournament that some of their pieces should be replaced, so we were happy to donate them!  He also stopped at one of the roadside stands for peaches and brought me a beautiful bouquet of flowers - what a guy!

He had a long phone conversation with Ernie and they had a lot of fun chatting!  I talked to Doloris and it was nice to chat with her again too.

Ken left at 6 to go to Celebrate Recovery, picking up two of buddies that go also.  I watched the news while eating leftovers from last night, worked on this blog, and then did my devotions.

Did some x-stitch and crocheting while watching America's Got Talent!  Really enjoyed the wonderful talent on tonight's show!  I can't imagine who will be leaving!  Ken was home by 9:50 and was able to what the last act - what a story!  We were in bed by 10:20.

Monday, August 27, 2018

Monday - Sunny, but Very Hot and Humid!

Ken did his morning routine early and I did my stretches and exercises around 6:45.  We watched the news and then it was time for breakfast and the reading the newspaper.

Ken was asked if he could help today at MCC and was happy to have another time to volunteer.  He worked there from 8:30 till noon.

While he was gone I got ready for the day and then went to AC Moore and Michael's before getting some needed groceries and medication at Costco.  I only returned at 12:30.  We ate lunch, did some chatting, and then I did my devotions, downloaded photos, and worked on the blog.

Cindy and John returned from their 3 week trip in the New England states yesterday, so I chatted with her.  They had a wonderful time doing a lot of touring and sightseeing.  I also talked to my mother who is feeling bad again today.  Fortunately the Dr. did come to see her after they had taken a chest x-ray and her lungs are clear.  They will do some blood work tomorrow but the Dr. feels she has chronic viral bronchitis.  I think she is better already just feeling relieved from the x-ray and the Dr. visit.

At 4:30 we drove over to Polly's to pick up a few items we were storing in her basement.  She had our craft canopy and weights, a PA snow shovel, a FL "snow shovel", and our corn hole game.  We will try to sell the canopy and weights as well as the corn hole game.

We had salads, corn on cob and grilled salmon and steak for dinner, leaving around 6 to go to see Cindy and John.  They said they had room in their basement to store the 4 or 5 bins we have, mostly with Christmas decorations.

We had a fun evening visiting with them and chatting.  We were so busy catching up on life that we didn't even play cards.  Imagine that!!  We were home a little after 10 and it was off to bed.




Sunday, August 26, 2018

The Weekend - Gorgeous Weather!

Ken and I had a very leisure morning of doing our morning routines and than having a light breakfast.  Ken did some work at his desk and by 10:15 we left for our walk to the downtown area.  It was sunny and beautiful!

We did a longer walk than usual and than stopped at Dozie Dough so Ken could get a cup of coffee and we could sit at one of their outside tables and be "people watchers".  We were amazed at how busy it was in the downtown area.  We sat there for quite awhile only returning at 12:15.  

So great that we can walk about 1/2 mile from home and sit
outside enjoying coffee and a donut when ever - no donut
today!


Now it was time for showers and lunch.  Ken did more work at his desk and then did some reading before leaving for his Step Study.  I had a nice phone conversation with Joyce and then spent the rest of the afternoon making a cardholder and doing some crocheting.  Also talked to my mother who is back to having those horrible coughing spells.  She had the same thing over the winter which then turned to pneumonia.  It started earlier in the week, but it just doesn't want to go away.  She has no fever and her lungs are clear, but she sounds terrible.  

Ken was home by 5 and by 5:15 we were on our way to meet our couples card club at the Brunnerville Tavern for dinner, a place Ken and I had never gone to.  It's a bit of a "dive", but the food was delicious.  Ken and I were a bit disappointed because the group decided to eat indoors - really, on such a gorgeous evening and their deck looked inviting!  Then it was back to the Hagy's for an evening of card playing.  Unfortunately the Kreider's were unable to join us and we miseds having them there.  Before we began playing, Ken and I loaded several tubs and boxes we had been storing at their house since we moved into our apartment.  Most of it was Christmas decorations, but we forgot that we had some clothing there as well as 2 large pieces of luggage.  We had no idea we had saved those items.  Hagy's sold their home and are moving to a smaller property with no outside work, settling on their current home in about 4 weeks and it happens to be in Lititz - Yeah!  So we needed to get our things out of there.  I think we will store some of the items at Cindy and John's and get rid of the rest.  After all, if we haven't missed the "stuff" for 4 years, we probably don't need to keep it, except for the Christmas decorations.  Most of them I made and I just can't get rid of them!

We only got home at 11:15 and it was right to bed for a little reading before turning out the lights!

Today, Sunday, Ken was up about 45 minutes before me to do his reading.  We left at 8:30 to go to church and sat with Jamie and Dane.  It was another inspiring service with lots of "food for thought"!

We stopped at Wal-Mart for a few groceries, arriving home at 12, just in time for lunch.  We made salads for tonight's dinner and then Ken rested (he was up early) while I did my devotions and worked on this blog. 

I also talked to my mother and she is feeling and sounding a lot better.  I am so thankful because today the Manheim Historical Society is paying to have them transported to the Manheim Railroad Station and the Keath House.  Dad did so much carpentry work on the station and also in the repair of the old, old trolley car that runs on a very short track at the station.  He also helped with the moving of the old log Keath House and the restoration of that home.  Mom was a tour guide of the station and also very active in the Historical Society.  So, they wanted to make sure they had a chance to return to see what all has been done since they left Manheim 8 years ago.  What a great thing for them to do for my parents and Mom and Dad were so excited for the opportunity!

Ken and I left at 1:15 and got to the RR Station before Mom and Dad.  There were 3 couples there waiting for them that were their former neighbors - how nice!  Mom and Dad were so surprised when they arrived to see all of us (they didn't know that Ken and I were planning to come!) 


The old Manheim Railroad Station and their restored Trolley!

This is my dad's pride and joy!

Dad arriving on his "chariot"!

His former neighbor, John, was so thrilled to see him and was
the main reason they paid to bring my parents here.  He talked with
the Historical Society and said his "Volunteer Pay" is non-existent,
 but his dream was for Dad and Mom to be able to return to the
station to honor what they had done for the society when living in
Manheim!

Former neighbors, Paul and Jeanette Ebersole!

Another neighbor, Tony, and Kathy Knittle whose mother
was a good friend of my mother.

Shortly after they got there, Lanie and her family came as a surprise too.  The folks from the Historical Society was so kind and welcoming to all of us.  Some of us even got to ride the trolley.


My parents with Samantha and Katelyn, their great-granddaughters!

4 Generations!

....and we even allowed the "outlaws" on the picture!


My dad replaced the floor  and reupholstered the seats in
the trolley!

This trolley was a disaster when they brought it to the Station!


Several of us also went to see the Keath House which Dad was instrumental in getting moved to this newer location across town (it was moved in one piece!)and in the remodeling of it, but much more has been done since he left.  It is on the list of Historical Buildings as everything they have done was original.  You could tell dad was very proud of what has been accomplished.  I find it amazing how the little town of Manheim does such a great job of preserving so much of their heritage!




Mom and Dad's transportation from Masonic Village!

This is the Keath House!

Dad entering the house after not being there
for over 8 years!


Mom, Dad, and their former neighbor, John!

The bedroom certainly was tiny and 5 people originally
lived in their "cottage"!

It did have an upstairs!


The Historical Society also moved the Fasig House to the same area of Manheim, but it had to be "unbuilt" and put back together, with some parts needing to be replaced.  Because of all of that, it can not be an Historical Site.


This is the Fasig House that is next door to the Keath House!
It really is a beautiful setting for these houses!

Ken and I were back home by 4:15 and ate dinner by 5:45.  Ken went for a walk, but I spent the evening x-stitching.  We were in bed by 9:15 after a fun filled weekend.




Friday, August 24, 2018

Friday - Another Gorgeous, Sunny Day with Low Humidity!

We were both up by 5:10 and I did my stretches and exercises while Ken showered.  Then it was my turn.  I put in a load of wash and he was doing his reading when I left at 6:20 to meet my Curvette ladies in Ephrata for breakfast.  It was so good to be with them again!

I left Evergreen Diner at 8:10 and stopped by Jamie's to drop off a sweater I had borrowed from Sue at church last Sunday.  I had forgotten one and it is always so cold in the sanctuary.  Back home by 8:45 and Ken had left to have breakfast with Gary.

I finished the wash and then read the paper while enjoying my chai.  Ken was home by 9:30 and did some reading for his Step Study.  We left at 10:20 to deliver in the Rothsville area for Meals on Wheels.  It was a beautiful day for delivering and although there were on 9 meals to drop off, the route covers more miles than some of them.  We were back to the church by 11:45 after spending some time chatting with several of the recipients.

We did more reading when we got home and after a light lunch, Ken left for his annual Dr. visit.  He was very pleased with the thoroughness of the Dr. and the nurses and they were extremely pleased with all of his numbers.  He will get routine blood work in the near future and visit his cardiologist. 

While he was gone, I did my daily readings, made a couple of get well cards and then did some rock painting.  Ken only returned at 4 and did more reading and rested.

We made salads for dinner and Ken grilled salmon and chicken -guess who gets which one????  We watched the news and then went for our walk to downtown Lititz.  What a perfect evening for a stroll!  Checked out the demolition of the Wilbur Chocolate Factory.  They certainly have a major job there, but it is moving along.  By June of 2019, they plan to have the very upscale condos finished in the original factory.

Back home where we watched America Ninja Warrior while I crocheted and Ken did some reading and "catching up" on his e-mails and Facebook.

We were in bed by 10 to do some reading.

Thursday, August 23, 2018

Thursday - Time To Head Home!

Cali came to our room around 7:30 and both Ken and I were still tired.  He had been awake reading and then went back to sleep.  I had trouble falling asleep, so both of us found it hard to wake up!  Bria actually slept till about 8:15.  It was a beautiful sunny day with lower humidity!

Ken and I continued to pack things, load the car and then we had another pancake breakfast outdoors plus lots of fruit.  Ken and I enjoyed some oat bran muffins with our fruit.  We cleaned up and I headed to the ceramic class with Bria and Cali.  Their friend Skyla and her mother also joined us.  Cali enjoyed watching Bria paint her flower and fish because she had spent her souvenir money last night on Cindy Bear.



As per Bria's request, I touched up her ceramic pieces while the 3 girls went to the playground.  We had to wait a bit till the flower and fish dried and then were sprayed with varnish!  The girls said their good-byes to Skyla and we walked back to Wilbur.

Ken had been very busy while we were gone both inside and out!  He had disconnected everything, vacuumed, and had almost everything loaded.  We ate lunch outside (which included more whipped cream, something they will always remember having when with PawPaw and Grandma), did a few dishes, and headed home by 12:45.   Ken and I decided not to tow the CRV, so I drove ahead of him on the 50 minute ride home and the girls enjoyed being in Wilbur with PawPaw.

The girls licked their plates to make certain they got all the icing
from the whoopie pie we shared "4 ways"!
When we got home, the girls helped us unload the car so we could play a game of Uno before they left.  I put in a load of wash and unpacked a few items, including the food for the frig and freezer, and then we started the game.  Final food treat for the girls was root beer with whipped cream - our version of a root beer float!  We went through about 2 1/2 cans of whipped cream on this camping trip!  Dane arrived at 2:30 to take the girls home.  We certainly had a good time on this camping adventure, but these old folks need to rest!

Ken unloaded the firewood and wiped out the frig and freezer in Wilbur while I continued unpacking and putting things in their proper place.  Finished the load of wash and did some work on this blog.  

At 5:30, we finished wiping out the refrigerator and then Ken drove Wilbur, with me following in the Civic, to the storage area.  Wow, we surely did a good job of getting everything back to "normal" quickly!  From there we enjoyed delicious wraps and fresh cut French Fries at The Deck in Ephrata.  Back home by 7:45 and by 8:15 I was in bed to catch up on my devotions and do some reading.  We were both asleep right after 9.  These old folks had a great time with our granddaughters but we are tired!

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Wednesday - Finally Some Sunshine!

 Last evening it started to "pour" just when we got back from the ice cream social and it rained very hard till about 11.  We could hardly hear the TV with the rain pounding on our roof!

Ken was awake from 5 to 6:30 reading, but he was able to fall back to sleep until Cali came to our room at 7:30.  Bria slept till 7:45.  We made up the beds and got ready for the day.  There was lots of sunshine and in the low 80's, definitely the nicest day since we arrived.

The girls wanted pancakes again, so I made them outside while Ken made eggs for the 2 of us indoors. We did the dishes and then the 4 of us played Skip-Bo with Bria and I being the winners.  Then Ken took Cali and Skyla (the young girl next store) to the playground while Bria and I challenged each other to Yahtzee on my tablet.  We tied at 2 to 2.  She did some more gaming while I did my exercises and stretches.  

When Cali and Ken returned, the 4 of us went to play a round of mini golf and PawPaw won by 1 stroke.  It is amazing how much Bria and Cali have improved since last summer.  Back to Wilbur to have lunch outside.  


Love this course!
Ken took the girls to the waterpark while I did the dishes and worked on this blog.  He wanted to do some prep work for leaving tomorrow and to rest, so he went back to Wilbur around 2.  The girls were having a great time enjoying the waterpark and the kids hot tub.  I thought we were going to go back to our campsite around 3:15, but they kept asking if we could stay longer, so since it was their last day, I was happy to read, watch them, and go in the adult hot tub.  I actually went in and did some water battles with the girls and down the large waterslide - Yeah, Grandma!  We only returned to Wilbur at 5:30.


Bria, Cali and their new friend, Skyla!



Waiting for the water tank to overflow the water, creating
a huge downpour of water!



PawPaw had already started a campfire, so we got showers, I packed many things so we could load up the car, and by 6:45 we were eating outside.  After cleaning up, we played Uno and this time PawPaw and Cali were the winners.

Cali wanted to go to the camp store to buy a Cindy Bear as her souvenir.  Bria had decided that she wanted to go to the ceramic class tomorrow morning before we leave.  By then it was 8:30 and time to get in line for the 9:00 Glow Stick Hay Ride - PawPaw and I got to do it for a 2nd time!  Fortunately we were on the 1st wagon, because all of us were tired by 9:30.  


Cali's Cindy Bear Souvenir!

Patiently waiting for the hay ride!

All aboard!


We were in bed by 10 and off to dreamland by 10:30.  It was another busy day!

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Tuesday - Mostly Cloudy and We Have All 4 Granddaughters!!!

Samantha and Katelyn came back to our bed at 7:30.  That is "sleeping in" for them and we were really grateful!  We gave them time to play on our tablets while we got ready and then got organized for breakfast.

Jamie arrived at 9 with Bria and Cali, who wanted to get here in time to have breakfast with us!  Jamie only stayed a short time and then all of us ate outside and it was their favorite, pancakes!  I actually made them outdoors and all went well.  The girls helped clear the table and Ken and I did the dishes.


The girls certainly like their pancakes!


We all changed into our swimming attire and then Ken took Samantha, Katelyn, and Cali to the playground.


Love how they all have the same
cover-up!

Cali loves swinging high! 



Bria and I played Yahtzee and then meet the "group" at the waterpark.  The 4 girls had such a good time going down the large waterslide many, many times and enjoyed having some water gun battles. 


Here comes Cali and Samantha!

Next we have Bria and Samantha!



The cousins have so much fun playing together!



Time for some high power water gun battles!




They also all tried to stay on the spinning log at the same time - quite a challenge.  PawPaw was quite the sport and actually went down the waterslide and did some gun battles with the girls.  


Staying on the spinning log is not easy!

Come on Samantha, we almost got it!



Here comes PawPaw, but he is a bit too heavy to go the
whole way!


The water tower starts dumping water!





At 1 we all went back to Wilbur to have lunch outside and then it was back to the waterpark for more fun.  But first, PawPaw took the girls to the folks camping next to us to see their dog and bird.  They also met their daughter, Skyla, who joined them at the pool later in the day!  PawPaw and Bria played a round of mini golf before joining us at the waterpark.  


They liked their dog, Dakota....

...and their bird that sits on their shoulders!







 At 2:15 PawPaw went back to Wilbur to rest and the girls just continued having fun in the water.  At 3:15 I took them to get ice cream cones before returning to Wilbur.  Samantha and Katelyn got showers before PawPaw took all of them but Bria to do some panning for gems and fossils.  Bria stayed back with me so I could get organized for dinner and challenge her in a few rounds of Yahtzee.


Lanie arrived about 5:00 and it became a bit chaotic.  It was "dripping" when PawPaw started a fire which made it rather difficult.  I cooked corn on the cob, baked beans and Ken grilled hamburgs.  Katelyn wanted to cook a hot dog on the campfire.  

Bria wanted to go to a hula hoop contest at 6, just when we were ready to eat.  So, I took her there while the rest of the group ate outside.  Bria took 6th place in the competition and was a bit disappointed.  She is a good hula hooper but the light weight cheaper ones makes it hard to do well.  Back to Wilbur to finally have our dinner, but we passed the rest of our gang on the way to the playground.  Bria and I ate our dinner and I did the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen.  When they returned, Lanie, Samantha and Katelyn made s'mores.  We would have made some also, but there was an ice cream social at 7 and we decided to go there.  

S'mores always make you smile and are a bit messy!



Lanie and the girls were on their way home by 7 and Ken, Bria, Cali and I went to the CG's ice cream social.  They gave you ice cream and then put on the toppings of your choice - chocolate syrup, whipped cream, sour patch kids, gummi bears, cookie crumbs, nerds, and a gummi shark.  The sundaes were delicious.

Looks pretty good and they were yummy!


Back to Wilbur (again!) and I worked on this blog, Ken dried the dishes, and we watched America's Got Talent.  We made up the girls bed so they could watch the show while lying down.  

Lights were out by 10 after a very busy day!