Monday, July 29 - Family Fun Time

I am going to take sometime to share with you the wonderful trip we had with our girls and their families from Monday to Thursday of this week.  

Ken and I left home at 7 on Monday and drove the 200 miles to Corning, NY where we met our 2 daughters and their families for lunch at Atlas Brick Pizza with all of us arriving within 15 minutes of each other - Wow! 

The Brick Pizza Restaurant where we enjoyed our lunch.
PawPaw never gets to be in our pictures!

We had a positively delicious lunch and by 12:45 we were entering the Corning Glass Museum spending sometime in the Gift Shop until the demonstrations we wanted to watch began.  They were very fascinating and even our granddaughters enjoyed watching.  At 2:45 we had reservations for them to make a glass object as a souvenir, each one choosing something different - a glass sculptor, a Christmas ball for the tree, a wind chime, and a nightlight.  It was fun watching them make their projects.  One more demonstration to view before we left there for our 30 minute drive to the home we were renting in Watkins Glen, NY.

What a huge gift shop!

Lots of beautiful glass creations!

The beginnings of a beautiful pitcher/vase!

It was amazing to watch it being created and it took less than
1/2 hour!

Cali decided to make a windchime!

Katelyn enjoyed creating a special nightlight!

Samantha chose an ornament that can sit and be displayed.  She
got to blow the bulb part of her creation!

Proud of here finished piece!

Bria made a molded ornament that required
some "blowing" also!

Had to see the finished product but it was
a beautiful blue and green ornament!

Another glass blowing demonstrations.

We had rented the house through For Rent By Owner and it was a great choice for our family.  It was 1 street off the main "drag" in downtown Watkins Glen and only about 2 blocks from the entrance to Watkins Glen State Park.  It offered 6 BR's, 4 Baths, 2 huge sitting areas, and an adequate kitchen (we knew we would only be eating breakfast and maybe 1 lunch in!)  The location was amazing and it was only about 2 or 3 years old.  It was obvious it was built with "pricing" in mind, but I would definitely consider renting it again if we were in the area!

The house was very large and sat high on the hill overlooking
the valley and downtown area!

We unloaded and unpacked, and then Ken and I decided to take a walk with our 4 granddaughters to the downtown area (1 block away) because we wanted to see Lake Seneca and the dock area.  We only got about 3 blocks when it started to "pour"!  We found shelter under an awning during the heavy rain, but within about 15 minutes the sun appeared and we were on our way to the lake.  Bob, Lanie, Dane and Jamie walked to meet us about 30 minutes later at El Ranchero for a fantastic Mexican dinner.  It was a fun time!

This is the schooner we will sail on tomorrow!

Dinner at El Ranchero, probably the best Mexican meal I
have ever had!  Amazing what walking through rain can do to
a hairdo!

The 4 adults walking to the Mexican Restaurant to meet us!

Back to our "house" where the girls watched a movie and the 4 "Hoslers" played cards, which we don't get to do very often.  Of course, the Old Folks beat the Young Peeps as Lanie named us!

Back to our "home"!

We were all in bed around 10:15 after a wonderful 1st day of our family adventure!

July 15 to 20 - What a Crazy Week!

Well, I haven't written on this blog for quite awhile, but this week is worth posting about!  But before I begin let me preface this post by saying that from Tuesday until Saturday of last week Ken drove and 2 other gentlemen went with him to Nashville, TN to attend the East Coast Summit for Celebrate Recovery.  It was a tremendous 3 days for the 3,000 folks who attended, but a long trip for Ken and the men.  They left at 4 AM on Tuesday and drove 750 miles, arriving in Nashville (with the time change) around 4.  After the 3 days, the left at 4 AM again on Saturday morning and arrived back home at 5:15 that evening - lots of driving, but they did take turns.  That is just giving you a little background of  Ken's trip before we headed back out on Monday morning.

Sunday, Ken and I brought Wilbur to our apartment, packed for our trip to Houston and by 3:30 AM on Monday morning we were in a large parking lot hooking up our CRV for the trip.  We realized that the courtesy lights on the left side of Wilbur were not functioning.  We were on our way by 3:45 knowing we wanted to cover a lot of miles the 1st day and we did - 775 miles to be exact which got us very close to Birmingham AL.  We arrived at the hotel at 6 with the time change and were very ready to call it a day.  We could not stay in Wilbur during the trip because we had unloaded everything and all the tanks were empty and clean as well as the inside and the outside storage areas.

The "Road Warrior" is on a mission!

Tuesday morning we were on our way again by 6:30 and heading into Mississippi.  It was another very long day of driving, 585 miles, but within 150 miles of Houston, our destination for selling Wilbur.  Originally had an 11:00 appointment on Friday at PPL, the consignment place in Texas that only sells used RV's and they have been doing it for over 30 years.  They have an excellent "track record" and we know numerous folks who have had great success selling their units in a relatively short time for a good price!  That is why we decided to make this road trip!  Because the drive was going well, we called and changed the appointment to 4:00 PM on Wednesday.  We had to get Wilbur weighed and stop at an inspection station near PPL in Houston before we got there to do the paperwork. 

Not very clear because taken while driving, but a huge barge
in the water in Mississippi!

Just a side note.  When we got to our motel on Tuesday evening, we were not able to get around in their parking lot and when we are towing the CRV you can't back-up.  So, we had to disconnect the car.  Turns out that was a good thing, because in the morning we realized there was a Love's Service Center only 15 miles up the road, so I followed Ken there and we were able to get Wilbur weighed.  At that point we hooked up the CRV and were on our way.

Wednesday at 6:30 we were off again, got Wilbur weighed and then headed into downtown Houston - what a crazy and busy traffic area.  We arrived at the inspection station and they were extremely busy, but the very nice owner said he would stop what he was doing and complete the inspection for us - wow!  Ken told him Wilbur's courtesy lights were not working and would he be able to fix them because they would be necessary to pass inspection.  He said he did not have the time, but PPL would be able to do it.  It was amazing, but when he checked all the lights he asked Ken which ones weren't working and when Ken pointed to the left side, they were on.  God had a plan!  We were in the parking lot of  a shopping center, so it was a great place to disconnect and remove the hitch and tow bar from Wilbur, a requirement of PPL.  Well, Ken was a bit concerned that he would have trouble removing it, because one of the connectors was bent and all the pieces had been on Wilbur a long time.  After trying to loosen it with no avail, I remembered that we had picked up a pliers that was laying right in front of Wilbur between his 2 front tires when we had been at a Rest Stop.  We put it in Wilbur not giving it much thought.  What a hallelujah!  The pliers was the necessary tool - we had taken all our tools out of Wilbur when we emptied him completely!  No doubt that God was watching over us and we have miracles to prove it!

PPL was only 2 miles from the inspection station, so off we went, arriving there by 11:15.  Remember, we had a 4:00 appointment.  Sandy, the gal who was going to work with us, was not busy at that time, and came right out to Wilbur to check him out.  He passed with flying colors!  We headed inside to complete the paperwork (Ken had filled our most of it at home and had brought along everything else they needed - what a guy!).  By 12:30 we were finished and able to leave.  We said our goodbyes to Wilbur and before leaving the parking lot decided we would change our plans for today.  We were going to spend the night at a nearby hotel and leave in the morning, but now it was early afternoon and we were so anxious to get out of Houston.  So, we decided to go back the 150 miles to the same area we had stayed the night before - we chose a different motel because last night's was rather "marginal"!  This whole day God was in control!

We opened the slides on Wilbur so he could be "checked out"
by Sandy at PPL!

Sandy made sure everything was as we had told them!

We certainly got to see a lot of the US in Wilbur!  We only
put on the state sticker if we camped there at least one
night.  Mississippi must feel a bit neglected.  We passed
through there several times, but just in the little part of the
very southern tip - never got to camp there!

On our way down to Houston, I had said to Ken that it would be nice to make one little side trip to see something when doing all this driving.  So, knowing how much I loved Elvis, he suggested we go to Graceland - how nice of him!  So Thursday morning at 4:15 I stirred and Ken had already been awake for about an hour, so he suggested we leave and that way we could tour Graceland that afternoon when it was less crowded and be on our way again 1st thing Friday morning.  I agreed so he started loading the car while I got ready.  Change of plans.  When he returned to the room I told him we needed to talk.  I was feeling emotional and "spent".  Releasing Wilbur was a lot harder than I anticipated, a lot like when you take your child to college and a new chapter of your life begins.  I am ready for this next chapter but all the memories and good time just made it hard to let go.  Also, I realized how much I dislike staying in hotels when traveling, especially moving every night.  Makes me so thankful that we were able to do all our traveling cross country in Wilbur.   It is just such a better way for me to enjoy the wonderful adventures.  

I got over the emotional part rather quickly, but we did decide to just head home - both of us were ready for this trip to be done and going to Graceland would have added another 150 miles!  So, off we went and traveled another 710 miles to Cleveland TN for the night and arrived there at 7:30 east coast time.  By now we were exhausted and so ready to be home.

Friday we were on our way again by 6:45 and arrived back home at 6:15.  I must say that we were blessed with fantastic weather this entire trip, extremely hot but no rain.  So, we traveled 3,000 miles in 5 days and I only did about 2 1/2 hours of driving.  Ken is definitely a road warrior!  I can't begin to explain to you how tired we were after unloading the CRV.  Obviously we were in bed extremely early and feeling so thankful and blessed to be back home.  

When I think back over the last month, we have done more in that time than oftens happens in a year.  We drove to Port Charlotte Florida and settled on the condo on June 5, left there after 2 weeks for Pensacola for a US Navy retirement celebration for 2 days, drove back home, Ken went to Nashville, and now we returned from another long trip - it is crazy!  These adventures have been amazing and we are so thankful that we had no problems on any of the trips!

By getting home on Friday, we were able to attend the league swim meet for Bria and Cali today.  It was extremely hot, but fortunately we were able to sit in the shade and every once in a while there was a breeze!  It was a fantastic meet for the girls with Bria getting one 1st and a 2nd and Cali getting 1st place in her 2 events.  Both relay teams that the girls were a part of took 1st place.  It was great that we could be there!

Cali did a great job at the meet taking
1st in her age group for butterfly,
backstroke, and as part of her relay!

In about a week our family will be heading to the Finger Lakes and Watkins Glen in NY for 4 days.  We will be stopping at Corning Glass on the way so the girls can make a glass ornament.  It should be a fun time and we are considering part of our 50th wedding anniversary celebration - we are starting early as the actual date is October 25th!

Sunday - Needed Time to Relax!

Ken and I were on our way to LCBC Church by 8:20 and had fun chatting with Lloyd, Deb, Gene, and Marilyn before going into the service.  What a great message and inspiring music!  Jamie's family was at a swim meet this weekend about 2 hours from home at Bucknell College so we missed seeing them.

After church, Ken and I did some grocery shopping at Wal-Mart and then returned home to make breakfast.  When finished eating and cleaning up, we drove to Costco for some more needed items.  I had a nice conversation with my sister and mother letting them know that we were home safe and sound!

I spent the afternoon doing some much needed reorganizing our office and 2 loads of wash.  Ken was tired from all the driving he did the last 2 days (I didn't drive at all!) and then he made salads for us for tonight and tomorrow.  He decided to take a walk while I finished the clean-up I had started earlier.

Ken grilled chicken and salmon and it was a wonderful evening to eat on our deck!  We watched some TV and I spent a lot of time on the past several days posts and loading all the pictures!

I have decided that I will only do blogs when we are doing something out of the ordinary and not just our daily routines!  Probably the next one will be when our family goes to Watkin's Glen for 4 days the end of July.  On second thought, I will be excited and post when Wilbur, our motorhome, sells!  That will be a special day, both happy and sad!

Friday and Saturday - Driving Days for Returning to PA

Ken and I were on our way to meet Dan, Jackie, Darlene, and Sandy at a location about 15 minutes from our Hotel.  Dan and Jackie decided to stay in Florida with Dustin and his family for another 2 weeks before returning to PA so they could help them with their moving process and enjoy several days of vacation at Lake Lenoir in Georgia.  So, Darlene and Sandy needed a way back to PA because they had come to this event with them on Tuesday.  Ken and I had volunteered to take them back with us but we did have to give a few of our items to Dan and Jackie because we would not have had room for their things and all of ours!

So on Friday we drove from Pensacola to Bristol, TN a distance of about 600 miles and we had such a fun time.  We did so much chatting, I did some crocheting, and we had cards from Trivial Pursuit that I read the questions and we all tried to determine the right answer.  It certainly helped the time to pass quickly.  We stayed at a beautiful Fairfield Inn and enjoyed a delicious dinner across from the hotel at a wonderful restaurant, Shaney's, where we were able to eat outside.

All 4 of us were so tired and had wonderful night's sleep.  The hotel provided a fantastic breakfast that only started at 7, but by 7:30 we were back on the road.  Another wonderful travel day with light traffic, fantastic weather, lots more chatting, and Trivial Pursuit!  Before we knew it, we were dropping Darlene and Sandy at their homes in Ephrata and we were back in Lititz and it was only 4:30.  What a delightful and memorable trip!

We unloaded and unpacked and then decided to take a rest.  After watching the news, Ken and I decided to take a walk to downtown Lititz to check on the progress of the Wilbur Candy Factory process.  It is looking good, but behind schedule.  Now the tentative opening date is the end of July.  We did stop on the way home at the local ice cream shop and had some delicious mint mouse tracks treat!  The diets begin tomorrow.

Together Ken and I spent time going through the pictures he took while in Pensacola and then I downloaded them and worked on this blog.

These last 3 weeks in Florida have been amazing.  Somehow I still feel like I am going to wake up and this whole "condo thing" will be a dream.  It seems too good to be true!  Also, our time in Pensacola created special memories that will last a lifetime.  We are so blessed!

Thursday - Dustin's Change of Command and US Navy Retirement!

Ken and I had a relaxing few hours at the hotel before leaving at 9:30 to go to the Navel Museum on the Naval Base.  We were able to get in easily with our Special VIP Guest Pass!  The museum is filled with many, many planes that have been a part of naval fleets probably over the last century or so.  It was fascinating.  

We met our group at the cafe in the museum for lunch at 11 and then had some time to do more touring of the museum.  Dan took us to see the brick honoring Dustin's retirement and the Hawkeye Aircraft that Dustin had flown in many times during his Navy career.  It is the Navy's primary carrier-based airborne early warning and command and control aircraft. His particular plane was the last one to land on the Naval Carrier the Enterprise before it was "retired"!  So, the Navy decided that because a Hawkeye Aircraft was not represented in the museum to place that particular one there.  Now Dustin's name will be part of history forever as the lieutenant commander of that plane because his name is written on the outside of the plane!  What an honor!

Jackie and Dan, Dustin's parents, and his children, Teya and Cael!

This is Dustin's plane, the last one to land on the aircraft
carrier, the Enterprise!

Wow, his name will be on the plane for all to see!

At 1:00 the ceremony began for Dustin to pass on his commander position to the officer under him.  FYI - Dustin is the Commander of the F-10 Hanger here at the Pensacola Naval Base and is in charge of training all the pilots that are stationed here, except for the Blue Angels and the jet pilots.  It is a very distinguished position and he is such a capable and very humble leader that is loved and respected by all those under him.  His boss, the Commodore, spoke at the ceremony and it was obvious how much he was impressed with Dustin and appreciated working with him. 

• 
• This was a ceremony before Dustin's, but they had to add about
• double the number of seats when his turn came!

Dustin gave a very gracious and moving speech!

The medal on the screen was presented to Dustin!

Certificate for his years of service!

Changing Commanders!

A speech by the next commander!

Dustin was trying to take it all in!

The retirement part of the ceremony was so moving also.  He received a flag that he presented to Leticia, got certificates from all the living Presidents, and Leticia, Teya, and Cael also received recognition as the family of a career serviceman.  Dustin's speech was amazing and his presentation exceptional.  The ceremony ended with the ringing of a bell and the blowing of the whistle symbolizing the ending of a Naval Career and the entrance- into civilian life.  Dustin walked the "bridge" 1st and then did it a 2nd time with Leticia, Cael, and Teya.  It was a real tear jerker!  All in all, Ken and I were so honored and thrilled to be a part of this entire experience!

Certificates from all the living Presidents!

Receiving the flag that Dustin presented to Leticia!

Leticia, Teya and Cael got certificates too for the part they
played in Dustin's career!

Time to walk the bridge symbolizing leaving the Naval life and
entering his new life outside of the Navy!

A cake party after the ceremony!

Dustin's nickname in the Navy was Eeyore and I love
the quote that does a good job of summarizing how Dustin
lives his life!

Dustin's immediate and extended family!

We were so thrilled and grateful to be part of this special time!

One of the gifts Dustin received!

This was another special gift from the airmen he oversaw and
this metal wall hanging was done by one of the men!

A photo of the hanger he was commander of and the different
positions he has had during his Naval career!

After some cake, Dustin's family, parents, aunts, uncle, and Ken and I went to the IMax theater in the Museum to watch a movie on the activities on a Naval Carrier!  Very interesting!

Ken and I went back to Hagy's hotel before we all went to the special dinner at the Fish House for Dustin's guests, family, and friends to continue the celebration of his special day.  We ate on the deck and the food was delicious.  Everyone had a great evening.  Ken and I were back to our hotel by 9:30 and we went right to bed.