Family Fun

The photos are from several happenings...JR holding an icicle, Jon David trying to work magic with a Fugi ball, the cousins in their new "headphone" jackets, and Allie & Paige during out CHristmas lunch at the Blue Talon in Williamsburg.

Of course, our big Christmas dinner was postponed until yesterday because of the big SNOW! It was worth the wait though....lots of fun, food and laughter with Jon, Elaine, Jennifer, Lizzy, Jeff, Allie JR & I. While we were together, we called Aunt Janet and made plans for all of us to go to Martinsville for a big family time.

I am so looking forward to 2011........

It's Been Forever!!!

Goodness....the last time I wrote was right after Donk's! So many events have happened!

Allie has been working steady for Colonial Hgts Schools until Christmas break. We were able to shop together one day altho I had gotten most of my Christmas done early.

Paul, Allie & I went to Busch Christmastown one evening and it was perfect. Took in most of the shows....rode the train around the park and saw thousands of Christmas trees....

I finished my 16 minute film for John's children for Christmas and mailed it just in time.

The snow storm hit Christmas day and we lost electricity briefly. Al and I made an emergency trip to Walmart and we thought we might have to put the turkey out of the refrigerator out into the snow. Jon and his gang from NC and Jeff with his gang from Newport News were put on hold. I think they will come tomorrow and we'll celebrate and eat. I think that's been the hardest part.....missing their visit!

John has gone to the mall to walk since the golf course is closed. Me? I'm curled up with a couple of new books. Tim called from England and we chatted quite awhile. Paige called and we made plans to meet at the Blue Talon on Thursday for lunch.

I'm basically being a slug until the onslaught of workcamp applications begins.....

I hope the snow melts off the roads....but not off th trees....it's so BEAUTIFUL!!!

The Fun Never Ends!!!

It's a rollercoaster Christmas! On one hand, there is so much laughter & fun....and on the other hand there are so many memories. I am so glad that the laughter outweighs the melancholy!

Last night the Scudders, Al and I joined up with Brooke & her brood for the Donk's Christmas Show in Mathews, Virginia.

It's one of the best signs that Christmas is here! The photos are from last night. (Yep, that's "Jeffrey Claus"). Lots of good music and the theater was packed! Didn't get home to well after midnight, but it was worth it.
Wouldn't u know during the coldest part of the year, our heat in the living part of the house went kaput! We huddled last week in the back section where the bedrooms are because that heat was working. Thank goodness we have the wood stove in the living room or it would have been totally unbearable! The repairman is supposed to come tomorrow (fingers crossed!).
Night before last I journeyed to Gloucester for a Class of 1970 get together. There were only 15 of us, but it was wonderful. It was at my girlfriend, Pam's new home (a mansion), and it was layed back. Good food, drink and conversation about the old days! I got to visit Pam's parents that live next door....hadn't seen them in probably 30 years????
This week is nose to the grindstone. Drain the pool lines, wrap presents and some preparations for the upcoming tsunami of workcamp applications!
We are hoping to go down to Busch Gardens Christmastown. Allie will find out from her interview at the Montessori School tomorrow. JR got a clean bill of health from the doctor. Lost hunting dogs are roaming out back driving Will nuts!
Ho, Ho, Ho!!!

Whirlwind!

Guess I'll start now and work backwards! Al is heading out on her first Colonial Heights Schools substitute job...and then an interview at 4pm at Richmond Montessori School.

The tree is up all all the Christmas decorations up. I love putting out our things because each of them has a memory.

Will, our dog, is running around in a Hanakkua tshirt because it's SO cold up here! I have gotten a good start on looking at homes for camp. Tomorrow is am so excited to head to Gloucester for another Class of 1970 gathering. There's a big bonfire at a friends house...smaller group, but still lots of fun and memories. Then the next night is the big Donk's Christmas show. The Scudders are heading down to Mathews with us.

John has been asked to speak at Prince George Christian Church the day after Christmas.....Jon and family and Jeff with his gang will be up that day also for our family time and dinner.

We're also hoping to head down the Busch Gardens Christmas Town for one evening.

OK....I'm stalling....I need to go out into the cold for errands. Brrrr!

The pictures are from the Prince George Christmas Parade....can't start the season without that!!

Happy final day of Hanakkuh!

Hanukkah

Well, ever since my cousin in London had his Y-DNA tested and we turned out to be Haplogroup, J2, we made plans to light a menorah during this season. Allie bought one in Richmond, brought it down and she looked up how to light it and what to say. This is probably what my ancesters did (unless they were Syrian) so we thought we would honor them.

Soooo....Happy Hanukkah to all the J2s out there! I hope we find a surname this year to make it all complete!

Hot & Cold

I really can't believe it's December! This month is going to be SO full, but that's another thing I love about the holidays. The photo is of Jennifer, Allie & Lizzy. They are cousins....Jon David's daughters. Allie & I took off for NC for the day to visit. Jon was hunting, so it was all day gabbing with just us girls! So much fun! And yes, that's a big boar's head on the wall...it chased Jon in NC on a dirt road and it took 5 shots to stop him!

An update on some workcampers. Debra Bailey's married kids are both expecting at the same time. Eason & his wife Sara and Jessica & Matt are both expecting next July. Matt & Lindsay are expecting in May. Looking forward to lots of new little workcampers! Prayers please for MaryBeth Coleman....she is in the hospital for the second time this week with a diagnoses of menangitis. Scary....

I am meeting Allie & Paul in Richmond tonight for a Hanukkah celebration at temple. My first time worshipping in a synagogue. Wonder if I can photograph?????

We are definitely going to a parade this weekend....just need to decide which one. We haven't been to the big Richmond parade since Al was little, so we're considering it. If not, we'll definitely go to the Prince George parade that afternoon.

On Friday, Dec 10th the Gloucester H.S. Class of 1970 is getting together again. The group will be much smaller, but a classmate is hosting a bonfire at her home.....I can't wait! I love the people I went to high school with. The next night is the Donk's Christmas Show and we have a small group heading down there!

We also want to go to Busch Christmastown again because we had such a terrific time last year. I hope to get our tree today and JR helped me get "Christmas" out of the attic last night. JR has been asked to speak at Prince George Christian Church the day after Christmas. That's also the same day Jeff, Jon and all their gang come up for Christmas and a big meal. I know I'm forgetting something....

Giving Thanks....

The only time of year we have "stick" margerine in the house is either Thanksgiving or Christmas. That's how we know it's the holidays! Things have changed around here. With Mom & Grandpa "Buzz" no longer with us....and Jeffrey is heading for Tennessee with Brooke's family. So we had to get a little creative so that it wouldn't be just the three of us sitting around a table. So...the Scudders and Romaines split the meal and we all ate together at our house.

Of course, JR headed down the Newport News early Thanksgiving morning and was back in time for our festivities. The Scudders came over about 2pm. We ate, played board games & drank raspberry wine. It was fun and relaxing.....

Allie is home for a few days. She FINALLY starts with the Colonial Heights School System on Monday as a sub...boy, that was a long, drawnout process. She is about to go crazy! She is thinking of auditing an Arabic class next semester at VCU....

Now is the time for me to start on my project. I have a photo scanner and am going create a present for family members. We have a new computer program that workcamp uses for evening media shows. You scan the photos, pick a song and the computer automatically adjusts it to the length of the song. You get to pick how the photos fade in and out, but the program times it all. I remember that rough VCR tape I made for the Plotts about 25 years ago. I tried to photograph their photos and then set it to music....WHEW!!!!

I love going down to the pool and scooping leaves....it's worth it to see the water all year long. I hate to see it covered up with a tarp in the winter and it looks like this is going to be fine!

I go on Tuesday to visit two more residents that may be candidates for next summer. One is familiar to me and the other new. It feels good to get a head start on things!

Of course, Al and I went to see the new Harry Potter movie....fantastic....

Still looking for a way to get to Great Britain in February....We have enough air miles for one free ticket....keeping our fingers crossed. Besides, Allie is all about trying to foil the royal wedding before William makes a mistake and doesn't marry her!

Laundry day!

Surprises....

It's a dark and drizzly day. It's a good day though. I have been exceptionally productive and that always makes me feel good.

Last night I drove up to Short Pump to Trader Joe's to meet Al & Paul for grocery shopping. They are so much fun to be with. They were both decked out because they had been to a champagne tasting...something to do with the country club where Paul works.

Al is in Hopewell right now at her orientation training for substitute teaching in their school system. I must say that they have the organization down pat as opposed to Colonial Heights....Al's glad to be getting to work!

I have been trying to organize and clean the area of the house where the workcamp desk is. Al took her childhood little "wooden closet" that I had storing my old LP music albums and sheetmusic in. So, I opened the chest in the sunroom to see if there was room for them in there....what a surprise! I have been crying since. There were albums in there that belonged to Grandmother. When she passed away, I just put them in there and closed the chest because it was such an awful time. As I opened them, she had written stories for Allie and me....clipped them together....all kinds of memories.....I must figure out a way to preserve them!

Still trying to figure out how to get John's sermons on a podcast on the web so folks can click on them and listen. I have started a blog for him....hopefully he can have them on there.....fingers crossed.

The photo is of Allie the last night we had down by the pool....If I have posted it before, sorry....I'm on John's computer and it doesn't have many pictures stored on it!

Too Much!! Whew!

Thot this coming week was going to be a breeze....WRONG!! Some good...some challenging.....
First...Al came across a glitch in some medical tests she needed to take....so, that was a surprise. Nothing life threatening...just a pain in the #$%^
Well, I guess that was the only challenging part....hmmmm...guess it is good to look at my thots! It's not so bad!
We had Tuesday nite Bible Study last nite and it was terrific....there were 8 of us and the discussion was varied and fun! It is something to look really look forward to every other Tues nite. JR does a terrific job!
Still have heard nothing on the further DNA tests....anxiously awaiting the results! Will does have a little "Happy Hanukaah" tshirt he wears in the cold now tho!
Looked at the first resident house for Workcamp 2011 yesterday. It was perfect....a wonderful home for the kids to be in for a couple of weeks! It felt good to get started!
Gotta scurry.....more later!

A Do Nothin' Saturday!

Halloween is over...good memories. On to November. The midterm elections were disappointing to say the least, but now I think the absurd Tea Party has two years to dig a hole for themselves. Nuff said.

Talked with Tim today. It's Guy Falks day...big holiday in Great Britain. He and a friend are heading down to Blackheath tonight for a big bonfire where they burn an effegy of Guy, have fireworks and chant hurrahs while waving sparklers. Sounds like fun!

The wood stove feels SO good! Al has an appointment with Colonial Heights Schools on Wednesday....and she is about to close the deal with Hopewell schools. It will be SO encouraging for her to have some $$ coming in. She is also looking at UVA grad school.

I got the workcamp website updated, up and running! It looks so good and that's a weight off my shoulders!

Thinking of not covering the pool this winter. Looking at the pros and cons on the internet. I would love to be able to see the pool all winter....

I must get a photo of Will in his little HAPPY HANUKKAH t-shirt. We still haven't heard the latest update from Genebase about our heritage....still waiting for the test results....

Al is going to Vienna for an Animal Beat concert tonight....Alicia is in Eagle Eyre....JR is napping, so I am officially doing nothing but genealogy on the internet and crying in front of old Lifetime movies! FUN!

A Funeral, A Rally & Trick or Treat

Saturday morning Allie parked her car at the McDonald's in Chester off of I295 and we rode together to Burke, VA to David Styles' memorial service at the Church of the Nativity. Young workcamp staff member, Lizzy Styles, is his daughter. Several of the workcampers met at the service....it was very informal and very precious. He and Patti met in the Peace Corp....

After the service, a friend tried to get us to go on the metro into D.C. to the RALLY TO RESTORE SANITY....if I had had some flip flops and more comfortable clothing, we would have gone....both of us regretted it as soon as we got on the interstate. After getting home and looking at the crowds, there was both regrets and a sigh of relief.....

Old workcamper, Rick Hill, visited Sister JR a couple of times and said she was MUCH BETTER. They took the pin out of her leg and she is off the strong pain medication. She was alert, chatty and the news was SO encouraging!

The picture of Paul & Allie is them and the cookies they made for the wrap-up meeting last week. The other photos are of the Hass's across the street. They had a Halloween extravaganza for three nights and people drove up to walk down their driveway and be spooked! It was a hoot!

Tonight I am trying to let go of my meeting at the H & R BLock office visit in Chester. They made a big mistake on our taxes...now we have to pay thru the nose. Interesting....they think I should have taken out a $30 insurance policy on our 2008 tax filing with them in case "they" made a mistake....sounds a little backwards to me! Sort of like if I took out an insurance policy on the doctor when I go into a hospital just in case he "made a mistake"....isn't it the one that causes the liability that takes out the policy????? Just saying....

v

A Fast Week

It seems like yesterday we were down by the pool last weekend.
I forgot to say that at Sunday's wrap-up meeting, the big desktop workcamp computer blew up....I mean, literally blew up! I thot Pete A. had set off a firecracker when he came in, and then everybody could smell electrical burning......I ran to Steve, our computer genius on the Colonial Heights Blvd, and he was able to save the hard drive. Hallelujah!!!! It had EVERYTHING on it from the workcamp finances to my genealogy!
Tuesday night was a good Bible Study. It got a little intense a couple of times, and when the couple next to me said something about the TEA PARTY, Alicia pinched my leg to remind me not to say anything! I am learning lessons in tolerence.
I am meeting Allie tomorrow morning and we are traveling to Burke, VA for a memorial service. David Styles, Lizzy's dad (workcamp staff) passed away from cancer. Lizzy has been with us for many, many years.....her dad, David was a precious person. He and his wife Patti met in the Peace Corp....Lizzy was born in South Africa. We are so fortunate to have them all associated with Workcamp.
Mailed a few brochures out to new churches this week....and already had two new churches ready to register.
The neighbors across the street are having a Halloween extravaganza all weekend, each nite from 6-9pm. Not sure what kind of crowd they are going to get....hope the police aren't involved!
Al and Paul are at a Halloween party tonight at Mark Bliley's....told her he should have had it at one of his uncle's funeral homes.....Boo! Al is a witch and Paul is "Madam Mardi Gras".....just wait for the pictures!

A Dark & Cozy Day

It's a dark & cozy day....that's the way I see it! Wish I didn't have to get dressed and head out on errands. We had a terrific weekend. Even tho it was the weekend of Al's "supposed to be wedding", she got thru it with flying colors!

Paul came Saturday afternoon and he & Al spent most of the time in the kitchen cooking pumpkin cookies and pumpkin pancakes for Sunday morning.

Our Workcamp Wrap-Up group was small, but we achieved much and had lots of fun doing it! Each person held a sign in front of them with their name and a love note to Sister JR so she could put the face with the name. Hope to send the photos off to her today.

Rick Hill who used to do our evening programs lives near the sister's home, so he went by and saw Sister JR and goes back Friday. His congregation is near Emmittsburg, MD.

It looks like Al is finally getting "in" with the Colonial Heights School System.....she is supposed to call them today before 11am....thanks to Lynn Watkins (our tshirt person).

Things have slowed down a little for me and it feels good . Only have a couple more paper deadlines to meet, but a big weight has been lifted.

Yesterday was Alicia's birthday. Saturday nite we started the fire pit and roasted hot dogs and marshmellows, wrapped up in blankets and had a good old time! I am STILL holding out on covering the pool.

Will really enjoyed Paul's little dachshund, Nog this weekend.

Well, Bible Study is tonight....we are talking about SARAH.

Off to the post office.....

Jobs, Wrap-Up & Pool

The photos are of the last cotton fields that haven't been picked on the way to church. Just tidbits of information. We are keeping the pool open til this weekend is over. We plan to have a little fire by the pool Saturday nite as a last hoorah.

The diocese job had been filled that I talked about previously, so Al is pounding "the internet" looking and applying. Something is bound to come up soon!

Tim called from London last nite with some news....he has decided to officially change his name.....

The Workcamp Wrap-Up meeting is this coming Sunday afternoon. First is a board meeting and then a session with all invited. I will be SO glad to see everyone!!!

I posted Sister JRs mailing address so I pray that everyone involved in workcamp will send her a care card. I can't imagine going thru all of what has happened to her at her age.....she is one of the dearest people I know.

Well, I'm mailing out some Workcamp 2011 brochures today, so I better get into gear!

Donk's, Cotton, & Sister Lucille

Today was a Tabernacle Sunday. Just before leaving for church I was looking at the newspaper.....there was a brief death notice for Sister Lucille Baker. I was shocked....she was the youngest, most active of the Sisters of Charity that were with us a lot. I tried to call the home in Emmittsburg, MD. Just a recording so I will call them first thing in the morning. The notice said she passed away Oct 7th. I just don't know why we didn't get a call....

Saturday night we went to the Hee-Haw show at Donk's. Allie, Lois, Wayne and all the Scudders headed down to Mathews. It was a fun night! Jeffrey sang a couple of songs and played background for the other performers. The show was long , so we didn't get a chance to chat afterwards....We are looking forward to going to the Christmas show!

I'm a little distracted. Watching the new season of Paranormal State. Will write more later!

Hot & Cold

The photo is of Ellen Rose....she & her date for the homecoming dance at PGHS came by to have me take pictures.

Allie has spent a couple of nights with us....she'll be heading back to Richmond today. She has to attend a Virtus class at Our Redeemer in Mechanicsville tonight. It is a Catholic requirement when anyone is working with teens or younger children. She's also excited about her application thru the diocese to work part-time as Catholic campus minister at Randolph-Macon College is Ashland. It's the perfect job for her while she decides what to do with her life. So, Glenn & Sheila, prepare for a phone call....she put you guys down as a personal reference!

JR's Bible study is tonight....a hot topic: David & Bethsheba....the lead in from the last study was about David & Saul. I have got to change the flood light bulbs in the kitchen area....last study we just didn't have enough light in the living room. We never read in there....it's our TV room.

Tim & I are still waiting for the final DNA test results!

I am pushing for an end to this workcamp financial paperwork and also the Cameron Grant! After the 15th I will be a sane person again!

I have a great idea for a Christmas gift/project....now if I can just get in gear and start on it!

Snake, Neighbors & Homecoming Photos

Today was the perfect afternoon for a neighborhood picnic. About 40 of us gathered down the street at the Jeter's house by the pond for a neighborhood gathering. We used to have them quite often before all the kids grew up, and it was so good to see neighbors of 20 years! Lots of good food and good conversation. Allie came down from Richmond and brought Paul with her. The four of us had a really great time.
I did take a dead snake to the picnic in a ziplock bag....much to the horror of Allie. Last night I killed this little snake that was at our back door. Daisy the cat had alerted me to it and so I beat the snot out of it with the broom handle. I knew the guys at the picnic could identify it....it was a COPPERHEAD. Now I am looking left & right for them all the time!!!!!
We are still awaiting the final set of DNA tests for our blood origin. Because of Tim's cheek swab, we do know that we are in the "J Haplogroup"....that's all I can say right now.
The Scudders came over briefly tonight so that I could take Ellen Rose & her date's photos before the Prince George High School Homecoming Dance. So cute!

I've Waited Too Long Again!

Just a generic workcamp photo....too busy to dig around today for a picture! I am heading to Petersburg traffic court today for "following too closely" and the accident I had about a month ago. The officer said not to pay the fine, but to come to court because the judge would most likely dismiss it. We'll see!

John's Bible studies are going great. The last one was on David & King Saul...lots of discussion...fun group! Looking forward to next Tuesday.

I should have lots of photos from this coming weekend. Jerry Jeter is hosting a neighborhood picnic like we used to have when all the kids were little! We are so excited to get together with our neighbors....they are wonderful people! Allie is coming down with Paul for the event. Then afterwards we are inviting the Scudders and building a fire in the pit by the pool for one last hurrah. Then we will cover the pool for the winter....I HATE IT! Guess I will put the hummingbird feeders away too.

Al came down yesterday afternoon and we went to a matinee of the movie "Case 39". Creepy, but good. She still hasn't heard from Colonial Heights Schools yet about subbing and has applied for a REALLY neat job part time in Roanoke....don't want to spill the beans just yet in case she gets an interview....it's very interesting tho and right up her alley....there, that's enough hints!

Looks like we might go to Donk's on the 23rd for their Hee Haw show....Lois and gang want to go also.

I'm still looking at plane fares and hoping they will drop for us to go abroad in February....

And now for the big news....Tim in London did a DNA swab for genealogy a couple months ago. He did it for both his mother's line and also paternal line. We are waiting for the results of further testing, but "hold your breath"....it looks like my family is of Jewish descent.....I really don't want to jump the gun on this, so I'm waiting for the certificate, but Allie and Tim are already celebrating! Cross your fingers....would love to be of Middle Eastern descent!

Really want to set up a blog and podcast for JR's sermons. I'll figure it out, but just haven't had a lot of time to play. the Workcamp finances were low....thus our own finances were low....but thanks to Pete A. the Lutherans came thru yesterday with a $5000 grant that will get us thru the end of the year. I went by Home Depot yesterday and began paying off the remnants of our summer orders.

Ok, I guess that's enough to digest for right now.

Lots Of Action!

Well, John & I visited the Plotts in Toano this past Saturday morning. The time was much too short! Left a copy of the movie BABIES for Sheila to share with her girls. They both look terrific! So relieved...we shared good conversation & Subway....and a birthday coconut pie.

The photo is a random happening with one of the crews during evening programs.

John's Bible study tonight was terrific. We talked about the Book of Philemon and it turned into current events also. It was just five of us, but each time I believe we will add on another person. Loved it!

I am totally hooked on SWAMP PEOPLE on the history channel....have hooked Alicia too. She is taking me to pick up my van in thr morning. It's finally repaired after the fenderbender. I'll be so glad to have it back. I went to Rainbow books yesterday and picked up a selection of music for next summer. I'm looking forward to listening to it in the van and settling on one song for the theme song for Workcamp 2011. Also called Colonial Heights Middle School to have them pencil in the dates for camp. Am waiting the hear from the new principal...Dr. Evans headed to Menchville H.S..

Al called at 2:30am last nite. Dog barking and keeping her awake. I hung up....continued sleeping. Turns out her neighbor was in the yard also because he dog had cornered a POSSUM in the fenced in area. They ended up calling police....and backup police! All of this went on and neither Jill nor Elle woke up! Funny! Al had to move to the city of Richmond to have a possum experience!

Tomorrow I will be diving into the workcamp finances to make everything balance out for the summer and then begin writing the grant proposals......fun......, not!

Beautiful Day....

The older I get, the quieter I like my birthdays. That coincides with it also being 9/11. So today was just about as perfect as it could get as the day before my birthday.

Registered a brand new church for workcamp. Then JR came home from the Fort Lee course and I scooped up his Toyota. Mine is still being repaired. We loaded Al's TV in the truck with bungie cords and I headed to Richmond. I absolutely love CHURCH HILL and the area. It's so historic. I really want to go up and do the tourist thing one day....St John's Church, the Poe Museum, the Holucaust Museum....just see it all.

I've been looking on Ancestry at the census and now know who was living in Al's old house during certain decades. SO MUCH FUN! She & Jill have even been venturing to the state library in Richmond to nose around!

Allie and I went to TRADER JOE'S ....late lunch at the Hill Cafe....then I headed back to Prince George.

Lazy time watching documentaries with JR about 9/11....and of course, The Daily Show & Colbert!

I called the Plotts and they are up for our visit, so JR & I are heading down to Toano to have lunch with them. The perfect birthday!

The photo is of Al's house in Church Hill!

End Of Summer...Oh NO!

Our lives continue to be full and we are thankful for it all! There have been some bumps this past week, but the hilltops overshadowed them.

Ellen's wisdom teeth extraction turned sour. She developed "dry socket" and has been in much pain. We believe they have remedied it and she was to head to first day of high school today.

Al is VERY excited. She heard from a prominent member of an investigation team in Pennsylvania and feels so good about the connection. I am so thankful for her. She loves living in Church Hill even more than The Fan! She kept Paul's little dachsund overnite while he is in NY. It was a match made in heaven.

JR's 73rd birthday came and went, and that's the way we like birthdays now! Of course, Al and I gave him BOOKS....he has his nose in one all the time! We gave him the "Writings of Josephus" included in the stack.

Glenn came thru his surgery with flying colors. JR and I hope to go down on Saturday to visit he and Sheila. (Hope u guys are reading this!) We'll bring Subway!

I continue to swat the honey bees from the hummingbird feeders!

The photos are of our Labor Day fun. The first photo is of John's great-grandaughter "Sylvia". Part of the Crowder *(Romaine) gang came up from Newport News. Also traveling from Newport News was Jeffrey, Brooke and her three terrific kids. The middle photo is of Jeffrey & little Megan. The last photo is of John and his daughter Mary. Al took many more photos. Jon David and gang were also up. Had a terrific time with them just sitting on the porch and yakking until later....

Taking the van to Wood's Automotive today...they will repair the fender this week. I will be homebound but it is a good thing. I must make myself dive into the workcamp finances and make everything balance for the year. Writing a couple of grants also....so, I need your prayers!

I LOVE THIS WEATHER!!!

Ellen's wisdo

The photo is of all the family at workcamp week two. From left to right, Lizzie Long, Jeff Long, Jon Long, Allie, me and Jennifer Long. We all look pretty worn out, but it was taken Saturday morning at the final get together.

Well, the big move is over. Allie is now an official resident of Church Hill in Richmond. She is only 1 block away from St Johns's Church where Patrick Henry made his famous "give me liberty, or give me death!" speach. She is a couple blocks from the Edgar Allen Poe Museum. She is about 4 blocks from Chimborozo Park which was the Civil War Hospital where my ggggrandfather was treated during the 'wo-wah". It's a beautiful area....she is near the monestary that overlooks the city of Richmond also. I think the girls will be happy there.

Hurricane Earl is heading in and Jeffrey is battoning down the hatches in Newport News. We are hoping that Earl take a big turn to the right soon!

Now that Al's place is really getting into shape, our house looks like Earl already went thru here! Today I am just regrouping after all the hauling and logistics of yesterday.

John went to the Toyota dealership today expecting a great bargain. They are advertising one and not giving one. He was sorely disappointed with what happened there. It's too complicated to spend time on, so needless to say, they lost a customer!

It looks like we'll have a friendly little group together on the 14th to begin JR's fall Bible study. Really looking forward to that.

We are still counting our pennies and hoping for London in February. I miss Tim so much.

Ellen is swollen up like a chipmunk after having all 4 wisdom teeth pulled.....she's doing OK tho.

I talked with Glenn & Sheila....he was being discharged from the hospital as we were talking. So thankful!

I love it...the hummingbirds are chasing each other around the feeders. I guess I better go down to the pool and take the umbrella down before Earl's wind gets here. I imagine we'll have a breezy time by tomorrow morning. Glad he won't be a guest at our Monday Labor Day gathering!

Here We Gooooooooooo

So much is happening. I'm thinking of even adding more onto my plate, but that's another story! Tomorrow we pick up Bob's truck & trailer, load Al's stuff and head to Richmond! The photo above is of the house she, Jill and Elle are moving into. It is big and old and spacious and has quite a personality. Their landlord is terrific...There will be more stories to tell as the year goes on.

John has decided to start a Fall/Winter Bible study in our home on Tuesday nites. We have invited a mixture of people, so we'll see what the turnout will be. I hope it's a small group. Al of course says I have to clean the house more carefully before they come. Boy, I can't wait until she is in her 50s and she remembers all the things she tells me!

I have been piddling around the pool getting it ready for Labor Day. We are having a last hurrah before school starts, so family and friends are coming for a picnic and swimming on the holiday. Can't wait to see everybody!

Folks are already trying to register for next year's workcamp. I am struggling with the website...it is just not cooperating with me for some reason. It's the pitter patter of these little things that makes me nuts!

I finally replenished my hummingbird feeders. The little things kept coming to our bedroom window and looking in. I LOVE hummingbirds.

I also love sitting on the screen porch now that it's comfortable and the nites are getting cooler. Al & I go down to the pool and float at nites. I am going to miss her when she leaves, but everything is so good for her! Alicia has been away, and then she now works part time up at May Memorial Baptist Church in Powhatan, so I see her less and less. She is helping moving day....not sure about Ellen tho. She is having her wisdom teeth pulled tomorrow!

Last but not least, I had a big fender bender the other day getting onto Washington St from I95...and yes, it was my fault. The fellow I ran into is a minister and is the chaplain out at Central State....really nice man and we had a great conversation while waiting for the police.....Just another day in my life....Aghhhhhhhhhh!!!

Home Sweet Home

It's good to be home....even tho it is much hotter here! Allie & I went to see the movie "EAT PRAY LOVE" . That may just be my new favorite movie now! Al went to see it again with her girlfriends a second time in Richmond.

Al signed the lease and she moves into the old historic house with two other friends on August 31st. It's in Church Hill in Richmond....Hmmmm....next post I will put a photo of it on the blog.

This weekend is Lynda Smith's show at Donk's, but we are passing on it. We went down a couple weeks ago to the Mullins Sisters show and it was awesome! Alicia has been at Camp Kehukee all week with a children's camp and I miss my partner in crime! Will be glad when she is out of camp mode.

The top photos are of Allie & her cousins - Melanie, Al, Valerie & Deanna....

The second photos is of Allie and her Aunt Gracie (John's sister)

I am fighting with the website program for workcamp....it's making me a little nuts, but I hope to have it remedied soon. I know all you kids want to see the photos.

Hhhmmmmm.....maybe some genealogy today!

Back From NY

Well, we're back to the land of heat & humidity! We left last Thursday for upstate NY to spend time with John's family and attend a couple of happenings. First the yucky.....TRAFFIC! In all of my life I have never seen traffic on I95 like it was coming back...both north & southbound lanes. There, I'm done!

We arrived mid afternoon on Thursday....unpacked at John's brother, Vic's. He & Betty had dinner waiting and Grandma Harriet came over to join us. The next morning, John used Vic's car to tool about visiting old friends and golfing while Al & I took the van and drove about. We had breakfast in Groton; drove to Freeville to see where Grace used to work and visit a small Christian commune there; then drove up the finger lake 50 miles to Willard, NY. It was there that we sneeked onto the grounds of the old abandoned state hospital where Rita Romaine, John's mother passed away. Al has turned into an incredible photographer, so she took some great photos. She has always felt a special connection with her grandmother even though they never met.

On the way back down the other side of the lake, we stopped in Seneca Falls for some coffee & street music. We drove thru miles and miles of Amish country.

We arrived back at Vic's just in time to get cleaned up for a family cookout at Val's (Al's cousin)....it was only two doors down from where we were staying. The top photos are of some of the family there. It was so much fun to reconnect with everyone. As the sun went down, we had a fire and roasted marshmellows....the kids ran around while we sat by the fire and sipped wine. It was a terrific evening.

The next day, the three of us went down to Joe & Amy's restaurant for lunch. John met up with a couple that he knew years ago at Elim Bible College.....Saied & Esther Adour. It was a quick lunch. John went home to nap and Al & I hit a couple of antique shops.

Then, we headed to a place about 5 miles away called THE CASCADES. About 15 of John's old high school classmates from the Class of 55 - Moravia Central School had gathered for dinner & conversation. John enjoyed it immensely and it was fun for Al & I to watch!

We are back in VA now. Al signed her lease yesterday, so she moves in with Jillian & Elle to their historic home in Richmond on September 1st. Alicia is running a children's camp out at Camp Kehukee this week so Tuesday tonight I plan to go out and enjoy the evening entertainment.

Mr. Lilley (Paige's father -in-law, Grover's dad) passed away while we were gone. Al & I hope to attend the funeral on Wednesday. John's newest great grandbaby was born last week....Isabella "Bell" Corrine Leone.

We are rejuvinated, yet it's hard to go back to the grind and the pitter patter of workcamp loose ends!

Long Hot Summer!

It is so hot....we are huddled back in the bedroom while the air conditioning man is in the basement trying to make sense of it all. Last Thursday, the storm knocked out our electricity for several hours....when it came back on, our air conditioning did not. And that's all I have to say about that! Just pray!

Camp is over....it was one of the best years ever. If I can figure this out, I can give out a link to the photos for this summer. They are incredible!

It was so good to spend time with old friends and new. I can't begin to express how much it means to have all these people in our lives. They are good, good people....giving people...funny people.....godly people....

We are trying to make the most of our summer before it all disappears. Allie is moving back to Richmond on the first. She, Jillian & Elle are moving into an old house in the up & coming CHURCH HILL section of Richmond. It's a wonderful place...wonderful landlord...going to be quite an experience for them. Al says it's only one year for her and then she is moving on. She wants to use the year to decide whether to go back to school, ....really just figure out where she's going and what's she's doing. I'm so proud of her.

She & I went down to the old Pottery for a day of gathering things for her new living space. We went in the antique mall also....it was a good day. We had wanted to surprise Glenn & Sheila on the way home, but we were both whipped....and hadn't announced our traveling to them.

We leave for upstate NY this Thursday. We're off to see John's family and he is attending his 55th high school reunion dinner on Saturday nite. We love going up there....I know there will be plenty of pics to share from that excursion.

The pool is great, but almost too hot to get in during the day, so we float around in the evenings with the Scudders and listen to the owls.

John awakes each morning and is typing on his laptop before golf. He's full of ideas and thoughts....and his messages are so good...

Al & I had wanted to go to London the end of November.....Edith is getting older and we miss Tim and all of them over there so much. I have airmiles saved for my flight, but am short about 14,000 for Allie's ticket....to fly economy it would take 80,000 air miles and I have something like 66,000....so, we'll sock away some $$ and plan on going over in February. Crossing our fingers.....Wish we knew Richard Branson! We LOVE to fly Virgin!

I'm trying to get the website up and running with the new photos.....I'll post it when I get it figured out.

Stay cool.....stay cool.....stay cool.....

P.S. The photo is of Allie & Delaney......2009

Just Some Photos of the Week

That's Cass in the big glasses (Edyth's daughter)

Allie with Jeremy & Chris

Paul at the morning meeting

Reflecting as BOZO

Today is Friday....all is well....HOT...but cooler....looking forward to tomorrow afternoon & some really good SLEEP!

Just got off the phone with Tim in England...they are having a hot wave also!

Running!! Week One Tidbits!

Again, I have waited much too long to write, but camp has been a busy, busy place! It's already Wednesday nite of the first week! It's actually been a very easy week....kids are terrific....staff is terrific....John is having great adult sessions in the afternoon. We had 450 red, white & blue mardi gras beads to throw instead of fireworks. Lots of good music, fun and laughter. Ramps are going up quickly and the work is getting done even in the heat.

The big story is the temperature....during the late afternoon Home Depot run yesterday it was still 104. I am loving having Lois from our church camping this week....she is incredible. Old timers are here in and out with their families. The little laughing girl in the Workcamp bib is Ainsleigh Thomas Gaskins little girl, Kate.

Really looking forward to Week #2....Jon David and the girls are coming....Maybe a visit by Glenn & Sheila.

Too tired to write anymore....