Wednesday and Thursday - Hot and Humid with More Storms!

Before breakfast, Ken left to take the car to a local garage for inspection.  He walked back home while I got ready and prepped breakfast.  We left at 10 to go to Reamstown for the viewing and funeral of Marcia's father.  Marcia is a member of our couples card club and Ken and I also knew her father because he had sold his home through us during our Real Estate days!  It was a great service and we were able to visit with many friends.  They also had a luncheon at the church which we attended and spent time with Sam and Kathy, friends who we used to camp with, having shared some wonderful adventures!

On our way back home we stopped and picked up Ken's car returning around 2:30.  I spent a lot of the afternoon cardmaking while Ken rested.  He also decided to take another short walk before dinner, but I decided to pass!  After such a nice luncheon, we didn't have much for dinner.  We played 2 rounds of Hand and Foot and I am leading by a large margin! 

Thursday was another warm day with some thunderstorms predicted.  Fortunately, we never got the rain or severe weather!  Ken left early to have breakfast with Gary and I spent the morning cleaning, my least favorite job.  After his breakfast, Ken had gone to Jamie's for a haircut and then to the bank to verify that we could get money for the condo in Florida wired on Friday - no problem! 

After lunch, Ken and I left to spend the afternoon playing pinochle with Mom and Dad.  It was a fun afternoon and the women finally won 2 of the 4 games.  The men did have the lead in the 5th one, but we didn't get to finish it.  We were back home around 5:00 and made salads for dinner and then Ken grilled chicken and salmon.  After watching the news and James on Jeopardy, we finished our game of Hand and Foot and Ken made a great comeback in the 3rd round, but I was the winner of the 4th.  We watched America Ninja Warrior and I crocheted.  I also had to quickly make a birthday card for Shirley, one of my Curvette friends, who has a birthday tomorrow that we will celebrate at breakfast!

Tuesday - Hot and Humid with Off and On Sunshine!

Ken was up before me, as usual, and did his reading and messaging.  After doing my exercises and eating breakfast, Ken headed to Ephrata to check on Wilbur and talk to Connie, the lady that rents us the storage area.  While he was gone, I went to Root's Market to buy fruits and veggies.  Upon my return, I decided to make a batch of oat bran muffins (my mother left me know she ate her last one yesterday!)

I had a nice chat with my sister while cleaning up the kitchen from baking the muffins.  I also completed 2 loads of wash.  Ken went for a long walk during that time.  For some reason my hip was giving me a "fit" today (felt like it was out of joint) but I decided to go for a short walk with Ken to see if it would "loosen up"!  No, it did not, so the walk was not a very comfortable one!

I did my devotions and then had just a little bit of time to work on some cardmaking.  I also downloaded photos and worked on this blog.  After a light dinner the weather forecast was calling for severe storms and even some tornado warnings in our area, so we waited about 15 minutes before leaving for Ken to go to CR and me to meet my sister at Masonic Village to help our mother go through her closet.  We did make a phone call to our daughter, Lanie, because the track of the tornado was headed to Morgantown, where her family lives.  We couldn't get through to her, but we did leave a message that they might want to seek shelter in their large bathroom.  It was a good thing we decided to wait to leave for Masonic Village, because the route we take had some large downed trees from the storm that passed through - it was amazing!

Mom had gone through a lot of her closet (with help from one of her friends) before we got there, so it was not a very involved job.  We had a good time and she really appreciated our help.  I picked up Ken at 9 and when got home we watched some of America's Got Talent.  Wasn't the last young men that is autistic amazing?  Not surprising that so many folks were brought to tears!

Lanie did check in with us to let us know that they did spend time in their bathroom, but their condo building had no damage.  Then she told us to go onto Facebook to see what did happen to some of the buildings in their community that were only a street away - what damage those buildings received as well as the pool area.  Lanie said when they realized they were fine they started noticing lots of flashing lights in their neighborhood, so they went outside to see what was going on!  They could not believe how much damage had happened to 2 or 3 of the buildings - windows out, the back of some of the condos gone, as well as extensive roof damage.

Monday - Memorial Day!

Ken was up before me and had completed his devotions by the time I made an appearance.  He decided to go for a walk while I got ready and prepped for breakfast.  After eating, I got somethings ready for our family picnic at Jamie's today and then the 2 of us went for a short walk around town.  Lots of people in the downtown area in preparation for the 11:00 Memorial Day Parade.

I did some reading when we got back and Ken read and rested.  After a light lunch, we left for Jamie's around 1:00.  It has been quite awhile since our whole family has been together and we had a great time.  Jamie's family only got back from a beach weekend at noon and we all arrived at their house at 1:00.  She is definitely an amazing hostess.  It was a gorgeous day to be outdoors and we had such a wonderful time.  We did a lot of chatting and I spent time helping Bria, Cali, and Katelyn do the beginning parts of making a card holder out of plastic canvas.  They really enjoyed it and I had fun showing them how to do it.  

The girls were attentive "students" and did a great job learning
to make the plastic cardholders!

Looks like Cali is really concentrating!

Samantha, Katelyn and Cali decided to do some kayaking on the creek that borders the back of Jamie and Dane's property.  It was extremely muddy from all of the recent rain, but they didn't care at all.  Fortunately all of them stayed in their kayaks - no one overboard!!!!  Jamie and I had some mother/daughter time and the girls use the giant Jenga game as dominoes!

Quite a line-up of kayaks and 1 new paddleboard!

It takes an "army" to get the gals ready for their paddle!

A wonderful view from Jamie and Dane's backyard!

Katelyn does a fine job of paddling...

....actually all the girls do a good job maneuvering their
kayaks!

Cali took a break!!!

I think Samantha might need a smaller life jacket that
doesn't "choke" her!

After a delicious picnic dinner, we had a peanut butter ice cream cake from Dairy Queen to celebrate Dane's 39th birthday.  Jamie and the girls had bought him an outside speaker that looks like a lantern and a paddleboard.  

The girls like having their own table when we eat!

Happy Birthday, Dane!

Time to enjoy the delicious cake!

Lanie and Bob

Jamie and Dane!

We played 1 game of Kubb and then helped clean-up before leaving around 7.  We so appreciate that Dane and Jamie are willing to host all of our family picnics!



Ken and I watched Jeopardy and then finished our 2 remaining rounds of Hand and Foot and finally, I was the winner - it was about time!!!!

Friday, Saturday, Sunday - Nice Days!

On Friday, we were on our way to Katelyn and Samantha's School for Grandparent's Day by 8:00.  They had refreshments for us in the cafeteria before the musical program began.  The music teacher at this school does a phenomenal job of selecting songs for the children to sing with most of them being rather uplifting, sending a positive message.  We thoroughly enjoyed the presentation.  Then we went to the girl's classrooms to meet their teachers and fill out some papers asking questions about our school days.  Ken and I switched classes halfway through the visiting time.

This is the 3 classes of 2nd graders at their school.  Katelyn is
on the right at the end of the next to top row - pigtails!

Our Miss Katelyn!

Amazingly, Samantha is in exactly the same location as Katelyn
was in the 4 classes of her 4th grade.

Samantha had a speaking part in the one song!

PawPaw visiting in Katelyn's class!

After the program, we took Sam and Katelyn to McDonald's for lunch and had a fun time with them.  Back to their house to chat with Lanie and Bob.  He is still having pain from his leg infection and the blood clot, but it is improving.  They did change his antibiotic because the previous one made him so tired.  Lanie had promised to take the girls to their community pool after lunch, so we didn't stay very long!  They were excited for their 1st swimming of the season.  (I have a feeling it was a short swim, because it was chilly and very breezy today!)

I think they were ready to go!!!!

We stopped at Costco on our way back home to get some needed items for Monday's picnic at Jamie's, arriving back in Lititz around 3:15.  I did some cardmaking while Ken rested.  

We took a walk around town before dinner and then played some cards - I lost again!  I am definitely getting a complex!  Each evening I have been making a few paper Moravian Stars just to be sure I keep remembering how to create them.  It was an early to bed!

Saturday was a breezy, cool day.  Ken decided to take a walk, but I really didn't feel like it, so I stayed home and got ready for the day.  After breakfast, Ken ran some errands and I did some clean-up.  It was a rather routine morning and I did find some time to work on more cards.  At 2:00 we went to Hagy's for an afternoon of card playing - Hand and Foot.  Again, the men were the winners, but not by a huge margin.  Jackie provided delicious salads for dinner with chicken or salmon and then friends, Judy and Frank, joined us for dessert - angel food cake with fresh strawberries and blueberries.  

After cleaning up, the 6 of us drove to Lititz Springs Park for a Memorial Day Concert by the Lancaster Symphony.  It was a fabulous musical presentation with mostly songs that were familiar including Stars and Stripes and medleys from Hello Dolly, Evita, A Chorus Line, and then the 1812 Overture.  What an entertaining 1 1/2 hours.

Lititz Springs Park has a beautiful bandshell!

Lots of people enjoyed the concert.  The sound was provided by
Clair Brothers who have their headquarters in Lititz and they do
the sound for many well-known performers like, Taylor Swift,
Madonna, Beyounce, etc. It is so professionally done! 

Even some of the young Amish folks in the area were enjoying
the music!

Ken and I stayed to play a game of Pinochle and finally, the women WON!!!!  How exciting!  We were home by 10:45 and went right to bed!

Today, Sunday, was a gorgeous hot, sunny day - mid 80's.  We went to 9:00 church, came home for breakfast, and then got ready to go for a bike ride.  We have been wanting to ride the new Rail Trail that goes from Lititz to Ephrata, about 7 1/2 miles one way, but haven't had a chance to do it since getting back from Florida!  So, today was the day.  What a wonderful trail through the countryside.  When we got to Ephrata, I enjoyed a $.50 cent Frosty at Wendy's.  The wind definitely picked up on our way back home, but it was a great ride.

Some photos from the trail -

The hat and long sleeved shirt looked rather ridiculous on such
a hot day, but I am really started to take this skin cancer thing
seriously!  Not sure why I waited so long!!!!!!

Lots of different types of scenery along the trail!

This homeowner's yard backs up to the trail so he decided to
make an interesting fairy garden - it is adorable and so well done!

They also had an artist do some inspirational painting on buildings
along the trail!

I did my devotions and worked on this blog and then was able to work on some cardmaking.  We made pizza and salads for dinner and then Ken went for a walk.  I cleaned up and continued my cardmaking.  When Ken returned we played 2 rounds of Hand and Foot and he is winning by about 10 points.  Somehow are games are always very close until the last round.  Bed by 9:30 to do some reading.

Thursday - Thunderstorms Predicted!

Ken was up early to read, but I only got out of bed at 7:45.  I had so much trouble falling asleep because I keep thinking about the Condo we are purchasing in Florida - I am so excited!  He had left for a walk, so I got ready for the day and had a nice phone chat with my mother.

After breakfast, I did some e-mails and messaging before working on the blog and doing my devotions.  Ken spent lots of time on the computer and phone trying to finalize everything possible for our upcoming settlement.  He had done a fantastic job of covering all the details and there have been Many!!!!

I did some messaging with our friends, Burt and Pat, in Maine (they have a condo in the same complex where we are buying in Florida!) because Burt had hip replacement surgery.  It was scheduled for today, but he was able to have it done yesterday.  Unfortunately, when putting in the replacement a hairline fracture of his thigh bone happened, so it became a more involved surgery than planned and recovery will also be longer.  Then in recovery his heart began to "race" so he was having some heart testing today.  We are praying that his recovery will go well and there will be no more unexpected issues!

I put dinner in the crockpot and did some work on this blog before doing my devotions.  After lunch we drove to Masonic Village and spent the afternoon playing Pinochle with Mom and Dad.  A fun time, but the men won 4 of the 5 games.  This is getting to be a problem!

We were back home by 5 and had a relaxed evening playing some cards and and relaxing.  We actually took a 2 mile walk downtown before dinner.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - Gorgeous Warm, Sunny Days!

Last night, Sunday, there were some severe thunderstorms in the area as well as tornado warnings, but fortunately none of our families were affected.  Ken was up reading when I appeared around 6:45.  We watched the morning news and then he left to have breakfast with his siblings.  I got ready for the day and then did some organizing, devotions, and dusting.  Ken was back by 10:15.

We headed to Meals on Wheels to deliver today, but there was a schedule mix-up and we weren't needed.  That was fine because we could find things to do.  Ken was supposed to have lunch with Kevin but a large tree in his yard fell and he had clean-up to do.  So, Ken decided to go and help him since they weren't having lunch.  I vacuumed and worked on this blog.  Then I met Ken at Engle Repairs to drop of the Honda Civic (again!) so they could complete the repair issues before returning home.

I did some crafting and at 4 Cindy and John arrived.  We chatted for about an hour before heading downtown to have dinner at the Mexican Restaurant.  Back home for an evening of card playing with the men winning Skip-Bo and the women victorious in Pinochle (we had double pinochle each of the last 2 hands!).  They left around 9:45 and it was off to bed!

Tuesday Ken was deciding who he planned to "bless" today and I was the Winner!  So, after breakfast, we headed to Root's Country Market to buy some fruits and veggies and then went to the Flower Wagon, a large roadside greenhouse where we purchased flowers to plant around the lamppost here at the apartment and in the planters I have on the railing of our deck.  We planted a flat of verbena at the lamppost and then did the boxes - Ken was my amazing helper.  When completed, we headed to Ephrata to pick up the totally repaired Civic - hallelujah.  

After lunch I did a bit more crafting and then we went to my 3:30 appointment to have the stitches removed from my lip, which was "relatively" painless.  (Well, not really!).  Ken grilled salmon and pork and after dinner we went to Cali's end of the year chorus concert - just the 4th graders who will be moving to the Intermediate School next year.  What a fantastic performance based on Rock and Roll which was definitely a hit with folks our age.  The 4th graders did some chatting from the Ed Sullivan Show and then sang songs by Elvis, the Beach Boys, etc.  Obviously they had never heard any of this "stuff" so the music teacher had shown them some black and white videos!  They did motions to every song, so it was extremely entertaining.

Cali is to the left of the young man in the top row!

Cali is the 3rd  one from the right in the top row!  There were
so many motions for every song that they sung!

When we returned I watched the finale of The Voice and was not surprised by the results.  I really didn't get into that show as much this year as I usually do, but I still enjoyed it.  Bed by 11.

Wednesday was another busy day but lots of fun.  We picked up Dan and Jackie at 8:45 and we met our couples card club for breakfast.  Marcia's father had passed away last night so she only joined us after breakfast for the card playing.  We left Reddigs at 2:15 and by 2:45 Ken was on his way to meet a friend for coffee so I drove to Hobby Lobby for a few items.  

We took about a 2 mile walk around Lititz before dinner, which was just salads.  We enjoyed Jeopardy and then played the final round of our Hand and Foot game followed by 2 handed Pinochle.  Ken won both and I am starting to get a "complex"!  We were in bed by 9:30.

The Weekend, Including Friday!

Ken and I were up by 5:30 Friday morning and I met the Curvette gals in Ephrata at 6:45 for breakfast.  What a fun time and Polly so graciously paid for all of our breakfasts.  From there I went to a Scrapbooking/Stamping Consignment Sale in Lititz, but I really didn't buy very much.  Ken had an 8:00 breakfast appointment in Mt. Joy and returned around 9:30.  (I actually got home before him!)  We drove to Ephrata to take the Civic back to Engle to have the mirror fixed since they replaced the windshield and to hook-up the window washer mechanism, an oversight when they had worked on it.  Then off to Wal-Mart to get a few groceries and a stop at Marty's Garage to see if he would allow us to park Wilbur there (it's along a major highway) for more exposure for selling.  Unfortunately it would be too much liability for him. Back home in time for lunch.

Both of us had a short night's sleep (I only fell asleep around 1:15) so we decided to take naps. We left at 4 to go to Samantha's horseback riding lesson about 45 minutes from home.  We stopped to get the keys to the Civic so we could pick-it up on our way back home.  Unfortunately, they need to replace the windshield again, for there were 2 different ones that year and they put the wrong one in!  Wow, this is getting to be somewhat of a nuisance!  

We got to the stables at 5 and watched Samantha get Bess from the corral and then do some grooming before her lesson.  It started to rain so the lesson had to be indoors.  She really enjoys riding and does very well.  The instructor allowed Ken to be in the arena to take photos, but Lanie, Katelyn, and I sat in the viewing area. 

Getting Bess out of the corral with a little home from mom!

Time to head inside to prepare for the lesson!

Bess needed a little toe polish!

Ready for her riding lesson!

The large indoor arena!

After the lesson, the instructor showed the girls her pet goat....

.....and pig!

Ken and I had shown Katelyn some bleeding hearts recently
and she wanted us to see the ones at the farm!

When her lesson was completed, the 5 of us went to get ice cream at September Farms and it was some of the best ice cream we have ever eaten.  We said our good-byes and headed home.

After all that ice cream, supper wasn't necessary so we watched the news and then finished our last round of Hand and Foot - it was tied after 3 rounds which is rather crazy.  Unfortunately Ken was the winner.  We then played one game of Pinochle which Ken also won!    What a day!

Saturday was a positively gorgeous weather day with lots of sunshine and temperatures in the mid 80's.  Ken and I went to a church in Mountville where one of his CR brothers attends and the 3rd Saturday of the month they have a free community breakfast.  4 of his buddies from his Step Study were there also so it was a great time of fellowship.  We left there around 9:45.  On our way to the church we had stopped by my niece Michele's home, where she was having her HUGE annual garage sale.  She invites her friends to bring items also but everything must be in excellent condition.  I never saw so much stuff at a garage sale and so well organized.  We had contacted her to ask if we could bring our compressor to sell and she was happy to let us do that.  Some gentleman was interested as soon as we put it out, but was doing more shopping.  So, we stopped on the way back from breakfast and sure enough, she had the money for us - hallelujah!  I made a purchase that I was thrilled about - a Cricuit Machine.  I already have one, but was hoping to find a used inexpensive one to take to Florida and leave there.  Mission accomplished!

As soon as we got home, I headed to AC Moore and then back to the consignment sale to see if there was anything else I might be interested in.  Ken went to the Ephrata Hospital to visit one of his Step Study Brothers who was having a heart issue.  At breakfast Ken had collected money from his Step Study Brothers and then got a grocery gift certificate to take to the hospital.  We were both back home about the same time.  

Ken went to a Celebrate Recovery leadership meeting at Manheim LCBC and I decided to go along and after dropping him off go the Reuseit Shop in Mt. Joy.  I was looking for a crockpot for here at home.  Bingo, I got one for only $2.50 because it was half price with their 50% off coupon for today.  Then I went to visit Cindy and John and got to see their grandsons, Bennett and Austin.  Back to LCBC by 4:15 and Ken and I went to the 4:30 church service.  We were home by 6:15 and made salads and pizza for dinner.  Then we went for a walk downton. When we returned, Ken did some e-mails and Facebook things while I read and had a nice chat with Noela.  Ken and I were both in bed by 9:15.  We lead such active night lives!

Today, Sunday, was another beautiful, sunny day and it got into the mid 80's. I really wanted to take a walk, but until I get the stitches removed from my lip, I am a bit hesitant to be in the sun.  Since we had gone to church last evening, the day was ours to do whatever.  We ate a late breakfast, watched the CBS morning show with Jane Pauley (they were in Tuscany for the entire 1 1/2 hour show and it was so interesting), and then Ken decided to go for a walk.  I did 2 loads of wash and spent about 3 hours trying to follow a pattern to make Moravian Paper Stars.  I had made several of them years ago, but I couldn't remember how to do them.  So, I watched a video on You Tube, but it still took a lot of time to really figure it out.  A bit frustrating, but I was determined.  Finally, success!!!  Ken had spent that time working on the computer.

I decided this blog needed attention, so that was my next project!  Not sure how I got so far behind, but it feels good to be caught up!  We had leftover pizza for dinner along with a salad - something new!!!!  We watched the news and 60 minutes and then I spent time making some cards.  We did play 3 rounds of Hand and Foot and I had a large lead until the 3rd round.  Now we are just about tied.  Not sure how that happened!  Ken was in bed before me, but I was working on cards so only headed there at 10:15 and then did some reading.  It was definitely a relaxing day.